Tag: Israel

What’s The Connection Between Almonds and Olive Oil with Messiah and Lamp stands? Part 2

We left Part 1 with the question:

Why were they told to make the Menorah with shape of almond blossom and not olives, vines or figs???

Scripture records that the pattern for the Menorah was given by God to Moses and almonds have specific meaning which was understood. We have seen the connection between the almond shaped receptacle for the olive oil at the top of each branch of the menorah. Only the Priest could tend the wicks and light them.

The next connection to Almonds was the Rod of Aaron:

Numbers 17:8 And it came to pass, that on the morrow Moses went into the tabernacle of witness; and, behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi was budded, and brought forth buds, and bloomed blossoms, and yielded almonds.

8 Now on the next day Moses went into the tent of the testimony; and behold, the rod of Aaron for the house of Levi had sprouted and put forth buds and produced blossoms, and it bore ripe almonds. 9 Moses then brought out all the rods from the presence of the LORD to all the sons of Israel; and they looked, and each man took his rod.

Aaron’s Rod not only leafed out the next day, it also had flower buds, flowers, and even ripe almonds on the same stick! (Numbers 17:8).

Num. 17:1-5 God spoke to Moses: “Speak to the People of Israel. Get staffs from them—twelve staffs in all, one from the leader of each of their ancestral tribes. Write each man’s name on his staff. Start with Aaron; write Aaron’s name on the staff of Levi and then proceed with the rest, a staff for the leader of each ancestral tribe.”

The man’s name written on the sticks showed that it was the original one, but the growth in various stages of maturity also proves that no one had cut an almond branch and put it in its place.

Sometimes tribes are called Shevatim, which also means: supple BRANCH (still attached to the tree); sometimes they are called Matot, which means hard stick, cut off from the tree.

Although obvious that branches are alive and supple and growing when still attached to the tree and draw their strength from it and its roots; it must be noted that as we are grafted in, we too must stay connected to the tree of life. In our case this is Messiah Jesus/Yeshua HaMashiach, in order to stay alive and grow.

Aaron had his own staff. And it was Aaron’s staff which became a “serpent” before Pharaoh and which swallowed up the “serpents” of the magicians (Exodus 7:9-12). 

Possible symbolic prophetic meaning that death would be swallowed up in life.

The spiritual shown subduing and overcoming the natural. The Creator shown superior over His creation – good triumphing over evil.

Aarons staff was from the almond tree and every tree bears the fruit God created it to produce.

In Ex. 25:31-36 The golden candlestick is recorded and in Isaiah 11:1 the prophetic word declared that…

A shoot, rod or branch (cutting) is how olive trees are reproduced. Just as we are grafted in to Him and He reproduces Himself in us.

1 A shoot (rod) will come up from the stump of Jesse;
    from his roots a BRANCH will bear fruit.
2 The Spirit of the Lord will rest on him—
    the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
    the Spirit of counsel and of might,
    the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the Lord—
3 and he will delight in the fear of the Lord.

He will not judge by what he sees with his eyes,
    or decide by what he hears with his ears;

4 but with righteousness he will judge the needy,
    with justice he will give decisions for the poor of the earth.
He will strike the earth with the rod of his mouth;
    with the breath of his lips he will slay the wicked.
5 Righteousness will be his belt
    and faithfulness the sash around his waist.

The Spirit of the LORD will rest on him— the Spirit of wisdom and of understanding, the Spirit of counsel and of might, the Spirit of the knowledge and fear of the LORD

Here the 7 Spirits of God are listed right along side the BRANCH connecting them there are 7 lamps and there is a confirming reference by John in Rev 4:5 – 7 lamps – 7 spirits.

Num 17:8-10; Jer 1:11-12

Has similar language

The budding of the staff/literally the BRANCH of an almond tree, is symbolic of resurrection life and fullness of God

and is typified in three elements connected to the menorah.

The Bud

the Flower

and

the Fruit.

See chart below for other symbolism.

The Priest is a picture of Yeshua/Jesus and represents man to God.

The Budding is a picture that assures us that HE IS our High Priest.

Apocalypse of the menorah – (revealing the meaning) – and the significance of the almond tree.

The shape reminds the onlooker of a flowering tree of life.

The Menorah was made from 1 piece and resembling a tree with branches, tradition says it also represents the tree of life that was present in the beginning – Beresheet.

The Tree of Life is in the Beginning – Genesis and at the end – Revelation.

On each of the six side arms were 3 golden almond blossoms and together with the 4 on the center shaft, there were exactly 22 almond blossoms. Between the 22 flowers, there are 21 connections. From the lowest flower to the top flower on the shaft to the 6 lamps, there are 3×8+3=27 connections, and together with the highest connection from the top flower on the shaft to the middle lamp, there are a total of 28 (4×7) connections. Together they are 50 parts + 7 lamps.

In Israel, toward the end of January, while the rest of the trees continue their winter slumber, the Almond Tree is the first to awaken to life and blooms.

Therefore, the white almond blossom is a symbol of life and purity.

God paid attention to the details from the very beginning; for He commanded that every single almond blossom on the Menorah should consist of three parts, namely, the cups, buds and blossoms (petals). Together they are 3 x 22=66 single flower parts.

The Menorah stood in the Tabernacle and in Solomon’s Temple. The Menorah also stood in the Temple of Herod in Jerusalem when Jesus was crucified.

The BIBLE: 7 parts, 49 scrolls with 66/70 books = the word of God = the light in this dark world.

Three of the many 7’s in Scripture:

7 Appointed Times

7 Spirits of God

7 Days of the week, etc.

Some symbolism meanings:

The pattern of the menorah was for 3 decorative cups to be on each of the 6 branches only on the main center branch was there to be 4 cups.

4 cups of the Passover meal! For the servant/shamash, was at the center of the Menorah.

The cups of the menorah remind the bride of the cups she drank during the marriage vows with her bridegroom at His Appointed Feasts, vowing to be His faithful bride.

The cups on the menorah and the branches were designed in the shape of open almond blossoms because as already noted, the almond tree represents first fruits and in Israel is the first tree to bloom after the winter. Just as we saw in song of Solomon.. the winter is past the spring has come she was watching for her beloved.

Jesus/Yeshua is the First Fruits from the dead and we are His first fruits. We like the rod of Aaron were dead outside of Jesus/Yeshua. When He redeemed us and was resurrected, then He raised us from death to life and we became His First Fruits. Ezek. 37:1-4

Was it also a reference to the burning bush or the almond tree or the type of sage that grows in Israel? Unless it is very clear, we don’t need to caught up too much in symbolism! However, there are some very clear ones with the blossoms and almond shapes.

How does an almond tree grow?

And what we can learn?

Today the temple of God is where He lives now, within the heart of the believer.

If believers do not know how to maintain the light of the menorah or preserve the bread of His presence, how will the bride know the timing of her wedding or be prepared to join her bridegroom?

The menorah is the only light in the Holy place.

Oil has been provided for the brides journey to light her way but, the oil can only be useful if the menorah has been maintained and the wicks are trimmed. Tended to daily by the priest.

Without the light the bride is unable to see the word, which is the bread of His presence and her path WAY Will be darkened. Maintaining the menorah will allow her to see clearly and find her way to her wedding.

The Lamp stand, the Menorah, represents the Messiah of Israel in John 8:12 Jesus said, I am the light of the world.

As the Bridegroom of Israel, He will light the path/WAY, to reveal the WAY of the bride.

The menorah is also a symbol of the brides mission.

As the Mishkan is to be made in the pattern given, when the bride walks in Jesus/Yeshua’s right ways, she will reflect His light to the nations. Isaiah 42:7

It is said that pure gold is one of the easiest metals to work with. It can be beaten into a transparent gold foil over 500 times thinner than the human hair. God required that the menorah was to be made using one piece of pure gold.

The cups of the menorah:

The pattern of the menorah required three decorative cups to be on each of the six branches extending from the lampstand.

The 3 cups of the six branches of the menorah are symbols which represent the commandment for the Israelites to come before the Lord at His Moedim/Appointed Times/ feasts, three times a year to worship Him. Deut. 16:16 – Devarim.

Only on the main shaft itself were there to be 4 cups. The cups on the menorah remind the bride of the cups she drank during the marriage vows with her bridegroom at His appointed feasts, vowing to be His faithful bride.

The first cup represents the cup of acceptance that the bride will drink at the first feast in the spring at the Passover and the 7 day Feast of Unleavened Bread.

The second cup represents the cup of betrothal the bride drinks at the second feast in late spring or early summer called the feast of Shavuot /Pentecost.

The third cup represents the cup the bride will drink at the 3rd Feast in the Autumn /Fall at the feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot. This will be the wedding (Yom Kippur/ atonement) and celebration cup at the wedding supper of the lamb. Sukkot/ tabernacles).

Only on the main shaft of the menorah, which is also called the branch, is there a 4th cup.

This BRANCH represents Messiah Jesus/Yeshua and the 4th cup represents the cup He drank on our behalf at His death – the cup of bitterness.

He took our cup in fulfillment of the law of jealousy, regarding a wife suspected of being unfaithful to her husband. Ex. 5:11-18; 25-28.

Believers are the ‘unfaithful bride’. In Jesus’s faithfulness to His bride and in fulfillment to the covenant He made with her, He took our cup and drank our judgment and our death upon Himself. This is the cup of judgment that sets us free and brought about our salvation and deliverance. Numbers 5:5 – 31; Luke 22:42.

The cups on the Menorah and the BRANCHES, were designed in the shape of open almond blossoms. The almond tree represents first fruits and as already noted, is the earliest tree to bloom after the winter in Israel. Jesus/Yeshua is the first fruits from the dead and we are His first fruits. We were dead (in our sins) outside of Jesus/Yeshua, when He redeemed us and raised us from death to life we became His first fruits. Ezek. 37:1–4.

The buds and blossoms of the menorah:

Gods’ pattern for the Menorah was to have buds and blossoms on the main branch as well as on the six branches. They were to be placed directly below the cups. These buds and blossoms represent how believers will start to bear seed and glorify Yeshua/Jesus bearing much fruit when they abide in His word. A solid piece of gold in the shape of a Menorah cannot stand on its own without some internal strength to support it.

Jesus/Yeshua has been tried and He is the living testimony, the true Menorah, the Light of the world. Only He can keep the covenant perfectly. His testimony is revealed in His Feasts/Appointed times/Moedim. He will be faithful to fulfill all that He has promised and appointed concerning His heirs.

The almond Blossom turns into fruit that contains an edible seed called a nut.

Almond in Hebrew is Shaqad (Strongs#H 8246 from the root verb Strongs# 8245) meaning to diligently watch.

Jeremiah 1:11 – 12

What do you see Jeremiah?

You have seen correctly for I am watching to see that My Word is fulfilled.

The bride is to diligently watch her ways, by rightly walking in His instructions and being obedient to His commandments as she eagerly waits for the return of her bridegroom, Jesus the Messiah/ Yeshua HaMashiach.

(Heres a reference back to the Song of Solomon 2:10–12.)

Notice the description begins at the base of the menorah and rises up through the description from the ground up from the earth to the heaven.

Base – shaft – knops and cups/blossoms in order.

When it begins before spring, the tree has only small buds on the branch, life is trying to push through.

It bends towards the light, receiving its’ nourishment from the stem to which it is attached; then the bud bursts into blossoms/flower and it gets its’ nutrients from the sun.

Then the blossom fades and falls away leaving a tiny green knop.

Even as a bud, technically it has within it the almond but that is not what we see. With continual feeding of the flower, it matures into the green shape of an almond, with a velvet like covering, which finally matures into a nut.

The outer shell is hard, pitted and tan in color. When fully ripe, inside this shell is the kernel or nut or fruit, which is protected from the elements.

It is always moving upwards to the light. Aarons rod showed all the stages of growth and had come to life.

When a branch is cut from a tree it loses its source of life and becomes a dead stick, a dead piece of almond wood that Aaron used as a staff to walk with; until it was submitted under the authority of God when it was imbued with new life and purpose.

This is just like our lives, death to life, everything with God is from death to life. This is symbolic of resurrection of coming back to life from death.

However, while the sacrifice of Jesus/Yeshua gives us atonement (כַּפָּרָה) with God, the resurrection of the Messiah (i.e., techiyat ha-Mashiach: תְּחִיַּת הַמָּשִׁיחַ) justifies His work of salvation on behalf of the sinner and forever vindicates the righteousness of God.

Techiyat HaMaitim – המתים תחיית – 

The Resurrection Of The Dead

Interesting note: We have seen that the Almond tree blossoms first, before all other trees in the spring and yet, it will be the last to drop its leaves in the fall; while the Olive tree is the last fruit to be harvested in the fall.

The husbandman of the orchard watches carefully for the Almond trees to bloom and burst forth in color; it is the signal to begin pruning his Olive trees! Those pruned are interior branches hidden from the light that would produce no fruit. Soon these broken off branches, littering the ground will be gathered, bundled and burned!  The pruned tree can then reach for the sun, breathe and will spend the growing season developing good fruit. 

At end of January /February, trees are clothed in spectacular white for only 2 weeks. It comes for a season and then its gone. Jesus’ resurrection is always likened to the blossoms of the almond tree and in 1Cor. 15:20-23 but now Christ is risen the first fruits!

Is the almond saying: this is how I am performing my word, He will die and will resurrect as the first fruits?

This interesting relationship between the Almond tree and the Olive tree illustrates our own relationship with the God of Israel – if we make the connections that exist between the Menorah of the Tabernacle….(described as an Almond Tree Ex 25:31-40) and the Oil for the Menorah which comes from the Olive Tree. This oil is to be brought to the Priest by the Children of Israel continually….(Ex 27:20).  In the natural earthly realm, the almond and olive trees represent the First and the Last to produce fruit.

In the spiritual realm, the inner intimate Holy Place of the Tabernacle – the almond tree and the oil come together and become one to produce and contain the light.

Helped by linen wicks, the olive oil in the almond-shaped cups bring forth the light that shines toward the bread, wine and incense on the table in the same room.  

John 17:21.. that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me.

According to John 6:29  … the ‘work’ of God is this: that you believe in Him whom He sent.

Oil represents both Word of Truth and Holy Spirit and it could be said that it is the work of the children of Israel to bring pure oil to keep the lamp of the tabernacle burning. (Ex 27:20)

 They were to bring the pure olive oil representing Truth and Instruction of His Word (Torah) and the Holy Spirit (Ruach).  Jesus/Yeshua/The Word, said that we would… worship the Father in Spirit and Truth. (John 4:24)

When we think this through, we see that the gold Menorah shaped like an almond tree, together with the pure oil from the olives representing the Torah and Spirit; becomes symbolic of the burning bush/tree that would not consume itself.

Our God is a consuming fire to those who are not one with Him, and if we are one with Him will not be consumed. We can draw near and become one with Him because of the finished work of Messiah….if we believe that He is the One sent forth from the Father.

No one comes to the Father except through Messiah. Even as Jesus/Yeshua told the Samaritan woman: the Father is seeking those who will one day worship Him in Spirit and in Truth; represented spiritually by the pure Olive Oil brought continually by the Children of Israel to the Priest tending the Menorah.  

Matthew 5:16  Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Are our lives like the Menorah giving His Light and Life to a dying world?

Conclusion in Part 3 – including what did Jeremiah see?

Shalom Shalom ‘Mishpachah’ ‘Family’!

Please Don’t leave this page until you are certain He is the Light of your life.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.

 

Swords, Mountains and Gardens

Connecting some more dots with some of the places and things mentioned in the last few posts.… with God there is always more and this post takes a look at a link to the Mishkan, Gardens and Sukkot.

The wilderness camp was at the base of Mount Sinai.

Mount Sinai was also called mount Horeb, the word Horeb is linked to the word HEREV which means sword.

(Hebrew: חרב ‎, Sword) (Remembering that b and v are the same letter bet/vet.)

From charab; drought; also a cutting instrument (from its destructive effect), as a knife, sword, or other sharp implement — axe, dagger, knife, mattock, sword, tool.

This is interesting and significant on several levels, as here was where God cut the covenant between Himself and the children of Israel so it could also be called the mountain of the cutting.

Strong’s Hebrew: 2719.

חָ֫רֶב (chereb) — a sword

In Genesis we read that God

“drove the man out of Eden and stationed east of the garden of Eden the cherubim and the fiery ever-turning sword, to guard the way to the tree of life”

 (See last post for more on Eden.)

SWORD OF God = cherev shel hashem 

The Hebrew word for sword is Charev or Harev with the start of it being just like the word Hanukkah sometimes spelled Chanukah.

As noted, the Hebrew word for sword is Charev or Herev/Harev – חרב

The pictograph for Zayin looks like a sword, a weapon; the classical Hebrew script is constructed of a Vav with a large “crown” on its head.

There is a Mystery in the Zayin as it is considered a “crowned” Vav and just as Vav represents “yashar,” which is ‘straight light from God to man’, so Zayin reflects the (or chozer), of the vav as the ‘or chozer/ returning light.’

Think for a moment of other places where a crown is mentioned in scripture and what the symbol of the vav is…

Zayin (also spelled zain or zayn or simply zay) is the seventh letter of the Semitic abjads, including Phoenician Zayin , Hebrew ‘Zayin ז, Yiddish Zoyen ז, Aramaic Zain ,

Thought to mean Glowing/Heat, Mount Horeb is one of two names given to a mountain mentioned in the book of Deuteronomy as the site where God gave the Ten Commandments to Moses.

The second name of Horeb in Exodus is, the Mountain of God/the Mountain of YHVH.

Mount Horeb, Hebrew: חֹרֵב,

Greek in the Septuagint: χωρηβ,

Latin in the Vulgate: Horeb.

Mountain in paleo is: har

Hey – Resh

Meaning: behold the head above the rest.

Mt. Horeb – Most likely synonymous with Sinai, was the scene of the burning bush,

of the giving of the Law, and of Elijah’s vision. 

We saw the first time the word HEREV is used Genesis was when God places the cherubim at the entrance to the Garden of Eden with the flaming swords, or Herev, because

the Herev is a sword raised up against sin!

And is familiar to us as being symbolic of the Word of God in Ephesians 6:17 and Hebrews 4:11

At the fall from Grace

They were removed from the Garden of life

after accessing a tree and

causing sin to reign –

God took man out

of a garden of life

and they died spiritually

(broken relationship/separation from The Father.)

The day sin was put to death

the opposite occurred:

man took God down from a tree/wooden cross,

and placed Him in a garden of death,

the garden tomb

where He was resurrected into LIFE

and restored the broken relationship

with the Father having experienced the separation from Him.

In the Song of Solomon, there is another garden we read:

blow upon my Garden that the spices may flow.

Spices permeate the beautiful story, the Song of Solomon; Shir Hashirim, is the equally pleasant presence of the fragrance of spices.

Without the spices mentioned in this book of love between the Messiah and His Bride Israel, one could hardly imagine the prophesied marriage, or the communion of believers with their God.  Spices seem to be referring to the ascent to the heights of Israel and also pointing to enraptured heights of being in the presence of the Lord and Savior.   

The spices are found in the presence of both Bride and Bridegroom, and in the ‘garden enclosed’—representing a virtual garden of each delicate and holy spice.  

Most of the spices mentioned are the spices of the Tabernacle, the use and purpose of each spice commanded by God to Moses and Israel, and pointing to the pleasant, beautiful realm of Heaven and the throne/presence of God.  

A deeper look at each spice, shows not only the symbolic value of each substance, but the nature of the spices; which in turn point to Messiah and His suffering. (not included in this post).

This should be our prayer..

Breathe upon us with Your Spirit/Ruach wind and stir up the sweet spices of Your life/chaim within us. Spare nothing as You make us Your fruitful gardens and hold nothing back until we release Your fragrance. Come walk with us as You walked with Adam in Your Eden garden and taste the fruits of Your life in us.

When Solomon talked of his beloved feeding the garden and gathering lilies it indicates that, the Lord keeps on feeding and strengthening those who are maturing spiritually; while gathering to Himself, those who are away from His word and still need to know Him.

So man placed God in a garden of death and laid on Him spices, which also came from a garden.

In the Song of Solomon reference to the bride, (us), is also made.

Note the crown!

Let my beloved come into His garden.

The tomb of God is a Garden tomb.

Meaning it is not just a place of death and ending… it is a garden

the place of life

where things sprout and grow.

The place of new beginnings

that place 

Ha Makem’- ‘The Place’- המקום

of life/lives

Chaim.

All life now comes out of death.

We all must die in order to live.

Really, we should rejoice to enter His tomb..

to let the old man die

then we will find true new life.

And we are to raise another sword/herev,

the Word of God, the Sword of the Spirit.

As the law, is the instructions for life to be lived righteously, was given on the

Mountain of the sword/Horeb/Herev.

Or :

the mountain (behold the head above the rest) of HisWord.

This instruction was as a sword to be raised up against sin.

Not only corporately but at an individual level in life. We must use that sword against sin, which is, whatever does not line up with the Word of God. Use it to cut away (zayin) and circumcise our hearts putting every sin to death and driving out of the garden of our heart where sin will choke His-word .

The meaning of the letter bet also seen in the temporary house of Sukkot/Tabernacles ….. a place of safety and protection.

Coming from the ancient Hebrew prayer, which is called the hashkiveinu, and it describes an usual picture asking for:

His tabernacle to be spread over them.

Hashkiveinu is the second blessing following the Shema during Maariv.

It is a petitionary prayer to be able to lie down in peace/shalom at night and to return to life the following day.

Like a continual resurrection to life, where His Mercies are new every morning!

The prayer envisions God as a guide and shelter during the night ahead and praises God for watching over us, delivering us, and being merciful.

Here we ask God’s protection from the terrors of night “in the shadow of Your wings”- i.e., like the shelter that a mother bird gives to her young

Psalm 91:4 You will cover us with Your pinions, and under Your wings shall we take refuge.

This word is requesting, (actually commanding), God to make us lie down. We lie and down sleep as an act of surrender to God’s will that we sleep.

Hashkiveinu (hash-kee-VAY-noo), is one of the most beloved prayers of the evening service. It goes back to ancient times, when sleep was poorly understood. 

Hashkiveinu Adonai Eloheinu l’shalom Spread the shelter of your peace over us.

V’hamideinu malkeinu L’chaim

Raise us back our King to life.

Keep us safe through the night

Till we wake with morning light.

Revelation 7:9… is the vision of the multitude standing before the throne in white robes holding palm branches…

which is what they held at the feast of tabernacles, or sukkot.

verse 15 says he who sits on the throne will spread his tabernacle over them.

The same unusual picture and the same words as the prayer.

God wants His people to dwell under His Sukkah, His BET/house/tent/His tabernacle, the place of his peace/ the Tabernacle of His shalom.

A Sukkah can be built anywhere. The one in the wilderness was mobile, so where ever we are, we can ask Him to spread over us the tabernacle of His shalom; which means we can live in, and under, that place of peace which includes grace and mercy.

The secret place of his tent is the now the Garden of our heart.

A pavilion is a safe shelter, here His Tent often referred to as the Tabernacle of David. The place of our hiding.

For in the time of trouble He will hide me in His pavilion He will hide me in the secret place of His Tent.

This is connected to Rev 7:9 and Tabernacles Sukkot Revelation 7:15

Revelation 7:15 New American Standard Bible (NASB) 15 For this reason, they are before the throne of God; and they serve Him day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them. Revelation 7:15 (Or sanctuary.)

This Greek word, sk’enos, means ‘tabernacle, booth, shelter, or covering’ and also appears in Rev. 21:3.

This same word, sk’enos, is used to speak of Jesus/Yeshua during His first coming, (John 1:14).

Here we can see the protection provided in Rev. 7:16, corresponding to Isa. 4:5-6, and the fountain of living waters in Rev. 7:17 and 21:4.

For this reason, they are [standing] before the throne of God; and they serve Him [in worship] day and night in His temple; and He who sits on the throne will spread His tabernacle over them and shelter and protect them [with His presence].

פָּרֹכֶת

Poreketh – po-reh’-keth = separation

Veils in Hebrew the sacred screen — vail. Strong’s #6532

Greek Strong #: 2665 ‑ καταπέτασμα 

(kat‑ap‑et’‑as‑mah);

Eph. 3:18 MAWSAWK; The Life  – The Way –(includes: HOLY OF HOLIES Mercy Seat The veil Golden Altar of Incense HOLY PLACE Eternal Life Access Prayer Holiness Entrance Atonement.)

The poreketh as the vail of the Old Testament is misleading when applied to katapetasma in the New Testament. There are two katapetasma’s in the Holy places. There are two masak’s in the Holy places. There is only one poreketh. (see diagram below).

The way back between the cherubim is through the curtain, upon which the cherubim were represented visually. This curtain was hanging between the holy of holy’s and the inner Court. It was torn from top to bottom at the time of Messiah’s death as He torn for us.

Sin is dealt with in the court where the Bronze altar and bronze laver were and the sacrifice was made..

we can now enter in sinless because of the blood of Messiah that is already on the Mercy seat between the cherubim/The kapporet.

We can enter in to His presence, His ruach hakodesh, His Holy Spirit as the wind/ breath of His presence; blowing the sweet fragrance of spices from His Garden. And with His presence filling the house (our bodies), the temple, the inner sanctuary, not the outer court or the inner court of the temple; but the Holy of Holies. (Jesus/Yeshua in the tabernacle); the sanctuary, which is the body in which we live.

The temple is the whole plan in a structure, where Gentiles/ heathen were welcome in the outer court; so it’s precise that we are the sanctuary of the Lord – His inner place of glory, ha makem of the Shekinah presence.

Ha Makem’- ‘The Place’-המקום

Psalm 27:5 is the pavilion, the safe shelter, the secret place of His tent.

Tent as in Mishkan, and Sukkot booths or tents; (temporary residence, also symbolic of the fact our bodies are temporary residences while here on earth.)

The fulfillment of Sukkot will be when He tabernacles with men forever.

The links to the Mishkan/Tabernacle, 3 Gardens and Sukkot, together with the Herev of The Lord, seems undeniable. Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is in everything we just have to know where to look!

It is only by passing through the

sword of the cherubim in Messiah,

the Word of God made flesh,

that we can enter the Garden

and the life of grace

that contains all the blessings

within the shalom of Messiah.

This is the WAY (back) as if we are accessing EDEN passing through the cherubim and the flaming sword/Herev.

The hope of His calling us, the sukkah of His shalom, the hashkiveinu (spread over us the tabernacle of your peace)…

Don’t leave this page without the certainty that you are able to pass through the cherubim and that you can enter into His Presence washed in the blood of the Lamb of God.

Shalom, Shalom!

Please don’t leave this page without making a decision.

Its all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and very precious in His sight.

He longs to give you the Shalom He paid the ultimate price for..

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute, SAY IT RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.

Go Out and Dig

It began at nightfall on August 10 this year, and concluded at nightfall on Sunday, August 11 2019.

 The 9th of Av, Tisha b’Av,

 Tish‘āh Be’āv בְּאָב תִּשְׁעָה

What is its’ significance and is there anything we can learn from it? 

Tisha is the Hebrew word for the number 9

Av is the 11th month of the Hebrew Calendar and falls in July or August.

 It is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar because it is the culmination of the Three Weeks of Sorrow…

a period of time during which, Israel marks the time of the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

 The 9th of Av, Tisha b’Av, commemorates a list of catastrophes so severe, it seems as if it is a day set aside by God for suffering. National calamities occurred and because of this it is a time of mourning and also of repentance.

From morning to moUrning is only a matter of adding U (yoU) into the mo_rning time of each day! When we are focused on self, we are not focused on Him. When we are focused on Him we rejoice to see that His mercies are new every morning.

When we, that is our flesh, gets in the mix we enter into the mourning!

Tisha B’Av is a record of both destruction and renewal following the things that have happened to Israel over the centuries.

The first and earliest reference is in Deuteronomy 1:1 –3:22

Devarim

דברים

Words;

which comes from the phrase

Eleh ha –  – Devarim

meaning:

These are the words.

Deuteronomy 1:1

Deuteronomy is Greek and means:

repetition of the Torah

it is derived from the Hebrew phrase, Mishnah ha Torah. Deuteronomy 17:18

דברים – Devarim

That is from the first verse of Deuteronomy, the final book of the Torah of Moses as he begins to remind this new generation of Israelites of the law given to them at Mount Sinai after their miracle Exodus from Egypt.

 In our English Bibles, Devarim is known as “Deuteronomy,” from a Greek word used to translate the phrase mishneh ha-Torah (“copy of the Torah,” Deut. 17:18).

The Hebrew, Sefer D’varim, refers to its first words: Eleh ha-d’varim, “These are the words [that Moses addressed to all Israel]” (Deuteronomy1:1). Derived from the Greek translation for Mishneh Torah, Deuteronomium means “second law” and refers to the fact that Moses is repeating the Exodus/Numbers narrative.

The term can also stretch to mean discourses or talks. The English name, Deuteronomy, comes from the name which the book bears in the Septuagint (וץפוסןם ליןם) and in the Vulgate (Deuteronomium).

This first reference is of the 12 spies, which is, Meraglim – מרגלים – in Hebrew.

It comes from the root word ragil, which means to habituate oneself, to become accustomed to. Did the meraglim put too much value on the habit and predictability of life?

The Hebrew word refers to one who scouts a land to gather information and the English word refers to one who explores a land for apparently recreational purposes. Nonetheless, the twelve spies which Moshe/Moses sent are generally known as meraglim—not tarim.

Meraglim which can also mean traitors or deserters. In Numbers 13, the Hebrew word describing the group is also the word usually translated as men or as princes.

The Hebrew year was 2448 – 1312 BCE. During the time of Moses, The Israelites were in the desert, recently having experienced the miraculous Exodus, and were now about to enter the Promised Land of Canaan. To assist in formulating a prudent battle strategy they send out a reconnaissance mission first.

These meraglim, included Caleb and Joshuah and were the cream of the Israelite tribes. Moses chose one righteous prince from each of the 12; Levi being the only tribe which was exempt.

Joshua was a type of Yeshua/Messiah who would bring salvation to the people and lead them into the promised land.

Joshua, who was to succeed Moses’ had been known up until this point in time, as Hoshea, which is the same Hebrew word as Joshua (Yehoshua), but without the letter yud/yod.

Moses added the yud/yod to Hoshea’s name, changing its’ meaning to:

God will save you [from their plans].

Adding a Yod was no random act for the letter Yod, although the smallest of the letters, is the little that holds a lot.

Yod/yud has a numerical value of 10 symbolic of the full manifestation of God; it represents the spiritual, all of that which is beyond the physical, yet it plays the most important role in the whole of Creation.

The first letter of God’s name YHWH is a Yod/Yud.

Yod represents a mere dot, iota (in Greek), a little speck, a tiny point in which all the divine energy of Creation is concentrated.  For infinite God to create a finite world there had to be contraction, a containment. The God of infinity made something finite.

All 22 letters have a yud contained in them as the first point of every letter that is formed.

It is also a picture of humility. An example being, when Jacob was renamed from Ya’akov to Yisrael, all that remained of his former Hebrew name was the letter Yod!

Each letter of the Hebrew alphabet in the Old Testament has an associated pictogram (a symbol or icon) that adds meaning to the open text.

This is evidence of a supernatural hand of design behind the original Hebrew text of the Bible and a very good reason to look at their original meaning. 

Moses did this before the scouting mission. No doubt the added boost of spiritual power this new name represented, would serve him well in the difficult times that were to come.

Joshua is a Biblical given name derived from the Hebrew Jehoshua/ Yehoshua (יהושע) meaning the LORD is salvation. יְהוֹשֻׁעַ

The name was a common alternative form of the name יֵשׁוּעַ – yēšūă which corresponds to the Greek spelling Ἰησοῦς (Iesous), from which, through the Latin Iesus, comes the English spelling Jesus.

יֵשׁוּעַ

The 12 Spies (Meraglim) return on the eighth day of Av and report that the land is unconquerable. That night, the 9th of Av, the people cry.

Joshua (Yehoshua) tried to reason with the people giving his positive report,

but the people were not convinced, and went so far as to threaten to stone Caleb and Joshua.

They insist that they’d rather go back to Egypt than be slaughtered by the Canaanites. God is not happy with this public demonstration of distrust in His power, to bring them successfully into the land He had promised them.

And His presence appeared in the Tabernacle expressing His exasperation with the nation and His intention to wipe them out.

This was not the first time that this had happened, only 12 months earlier God had considered destroying the people after the sin of the golden calf. It was at that time, God gave Moses the 13 Attributes of Mercy, and explained the process through which Divine forgiveness could be obtained.

Moses once again begged for mercy, pointing out that if God were to destroy the people right there, the nations would mistakenly think that He did not have the power to bring them into the Promised Land. After Moses recounted the 13 Attributes, God agreed to spare the children of Israel. 

https://www.minimannamoments.com/13-attributes-of-gods-mercy/

However, because they accepted the slanderous report of the 10 Spies in the desert; the decree was issued forbidding them from entering the Land of Canaan, consequently that generation of Israelites never enters the Holy Land. Only their children had that privilege, after wandering in the desert for another 38 years.

The 9th of AV was the day they returned to Kadesh where they were camped. It was almost 6 weeks after scouting the land. (40 days)

The spies went to the people instead of to Moses and Aaron, with the bad report and a warning that conquering those in the land would be impossible. The biggest obstacle being that the cities were fortified with walls as was Jericho.

Only two of those who returned showed faith and had a positive attitude.

After the immediate rejoicing over the abundant produce they returned with, the bad report caused the people to yearn for what they had left behind in Egypt. Numbers 14:3-4

Because of this they were delayed 40 years from entering the promised land.

A year for each day they had been in the land spying. 

Except for Yehoshua bin Nun (Joshua the son of Nun) and Kalev (Caleb) the son of Jephunneh, every person 20 years of age and older were fated to die in the wilderness.

The other 10 spies were immediately killed by a plague sent from the Lord.

So they wandered for 40 years and the Hebrew writings record that, each year on the eve of the 9th of AV Moses would tell the people,

Go Out and Dig!!

Every year, on Erev Tisha B’Av, they would leave the close vicinity of the camp and go and dig their own graves. They would then lay down and sleep in them overnight. The next day the shout went up, let the living separate from the dead.

The understanding was that those of them who had reached the age of 60 would not rise the next day and that first

morning

some 15,000 individuals were found dead in their graves. This was indeed a moUrning day. 

According to tradition, this harrowing ritual was repeated annually for 40 years, until the original 600,000 male Israelites who left Egypt, those who doubted that they could attain the Promised Land finally died.

(600,000 did not include women, children and old men.)

So every year, those who were supposed to die that year passed away, and those that survived returned to their tents. (Bava Batra 121a, Rashbam).

Accordingly, throughout the forty years, the people were

first buried and

then died.

This continued until a year came that no one died….

That particular year they thought they had got the day wrong and so they slept an extra night in their graves.

This continued for 5 nights until the 15th AV when they observed the full moon, they then realized their calculations were correct and rejoicing broke out as they realized that no more of that generation would die.

This is why the 15th AV – Tu B’AV is a day of celebration…

and always on a full moon.

In modern Israel it is a day of

romance and love – chag ahavah.   

חג

 האהבה ‎ 

The word “Tu” ( ט”ו) is an acronym for 15 – derived from Tet (9) and Vav (6).

The phrase “Tu B’Av” indicates the 15th day of the month of Av 

(i.e., Chamishah Asar B’Av)

באב ט״ו  on the Jewish calendar.

The wilderness generation had finally died and the new generation was ready to enter the land of promise.

The second national catastrophe was that The First Temple was Solomon’s Temple destroyed by Nebuchandnezar and the Neo-Babylonian Empire on the 9th of Av 3340 (423 BCE). 10,000 were killed and the remaining tribes in the southern kingdom were exiled to Babylon and Persia/Iran.

Next national catastrophe occurred when the Jews rebelled against Roman rule, they believed that their leader, Simon Bar Kochba, would fulfill their messianic longings. Their hopes were cruelly dashed in 3892/ 132 CE as over 100,000 of the Jewish rebels were brutally slaughtered in the final battle at Beitar as the battle was lost. The Beitar fortress was the last standing Jewish fortress in the Bar Kokhba revolt of the 2nd century CE, destroyed by the Roman army of Emperor Hadrian in the year 135. The site of historic Betar (also spelled Betar or Bethar), next to the modern Palestinian village of Battir, southwest of Jerusalem.

Next

One year after their conquest of Beitar, another catastrophe occurred at the Beit Hamikdash on the Temple Mount (Har HaBayit), Israels holiest site.

This happened in 3830 or 70 CE (500 years after the destruction of the First Temple), as the Roman empire under Emperor Titus, drew closer to the Second Temple in Jerusalem, and were about to torch it, the nation of Israel were shocked to realize that their Second Temple was destroyed on exactly the same day as the first led by a roman General named Turnus Rufus. Jerusalem was rebuilt as a pagan city and renamed Aelia Capitlina and all Jews were forbidden access.

Beit Hamikdash is the Hebrew phrase for the Temple that was first built by King Solomon.  (literally “The Holy House”)

A bayit is a house. Mikdash comes from kadosh, meaning holy. Beit Hamikdash

בית המקדש

generally the term used is Churban HaBayit (literally, “the destruction of the House”).

The Temple was considered as:

the neck of the world.

The place where Heaven touches Earth, where mortals can feel eternity.

It was built in the time of Shlomo HaMelech, King Solomon, who was the son of King David, and was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II and the Babylonians after the Siege of Jerusalem in 587 BCE.

בֵּית־הַמִּקְדָּשׁ   Holy Temple

It was subsequently replaced with the Second Temple.

The purpose of the Beit Hamikdash was to inspire each individual to become a miniature Beit Hamikdash. So in the absence of the Beit Hamikdash, (which is no longer necessary since Messiah has come), we are to create God’s Temple within His own creation.

Much as the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple, as retaliation for an ongoing Jewish revolt, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple and Jerusalem in 70 CE.

The second temple lasted for a total of 585 years (516 BCE to 70 CE). Jewish eschatology includes a belief that the Second Temple will be replaced by a future Third Temple.

Yet another catastrophic event happened on 9th Av 1290 (5050). The Jews were expelled from England having been there since William the conqueror invaded in 1066 bringing with him the Jews that were living in Normandy, France.

The next catastrophe happened in In 1492, (5252).

The Golden Age of Spain came to a close when Queen Isabella and her husband Ferdinand ordered that the Jews be banished from the land.

The edict of expulsion was signed on March 31, 1492, and the Jews were given exactly four months to put their affairs in order and leave the country. The Hebrew date, year 5252, on which no Jew was allowed any longer to remain in the land where he had enjoyed welcome and prosperity. 

Known as The Inquisition in Spain and Portugal it culminated in the expulsion of the Jews from the Iberian Peninsula. Families were separated, many died by drowning and there was a massive loss of property. 

1492 also noted as the year Columbus ‘discovered America’.

On the 9th of Av saw the start of both world wars.

In 5674/1914 Britain and Russia declare war on Germany.

The First World War began.

Then, just a few years later in sept 1939/5699, came World War II and the Holocaust, ending on 2nd sept1945 /5705.

Historians speculate, the 2nd world war was actually the long drawn-out conclusion of World War I that began in 1914/5674 due to First World War issues being unresolved,

Incredibly Germany declared war on Russia, effectively catapulting the First World War into motion, on the 9th of Av, Tisha b’Av

Hebraic mindset sees this as another confirmation of the deeply held conviction that history isn’t haphazard; events – even terrible ones – are part of a Divine plan and have spiritual meaning. The message of time is that everything has a rational purpose, even though we don’t understand it.

This is the season of reading the Book of Lamentations and remembering the historical events that took place on Tisha b’Av. No wonder it is the Jewish day of mourning; the temple was destroyed the nation dispersed and they lost their homeland.

It is little wonder they approach this time of each year with a certain trepidation, as there is no word for coincidence in the Hebrew language, everything has a time and a purpose.

The timely caveat is for all believers to pray for the nation and the people of Israel; for the shalom of Yerushalayim/Jerusalem…

because, if we do not learn from history we seem destined to repeat it; and the western youth of today have not even the slightest clue of the horrors man can do to fellow man. Yes, God is in control, of course; however we are to pray without ceasing and when we don’t know about certain events or choose to downplay or ignore them, it shows a lack of wisdom concerning God’s mandate.

We have a part to play and we must be doers of that part for we are grafted in as part of spiritual Israel.

The key with God is that He never leaves nor forsakes us and especially His covenant family who are the apple of His eye. The Lord delivers him out of all his troubles.

God has delivered Israel time and time again and the fact that they are a prospering sovereign nation today is a miracle in itself. Many empires have risen and fallen and are lost to time and history.

Israel remains because they are in the palm of His hand and it is where He has put His Name.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/more-than-one-palm/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/i-will-put-my-name-here/

Surely this is a picture of Hope/tikvah in its fullness, considering all Israel has endured throughout the millennia.

Their Hope/tikvah is in the Lord, the God of Israel, and His promise is always to restore and renew!

Their, and our, mourning will be turned into dancing and joy. Ps. 30:11

Pray their eyes are opened to see their Messiah is Yeshua.

As Moses anointed Joshua to lead the children of Israel into His promised land Messiah Yeshua will return to lead us all.

Blessed are they whose HOPE/tikvah is in the Lord… and they surely needed such an ANCHOR/O’gehn, to take them through all their times of testing.

For thou art my HOPE (tikvah), O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. (Ps. 71:5)

He IS

SHALOM SHALOM!

Family

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa

Make sure Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.

The LOOK of Shavuot?

The last of the 4 Spring Appointed times is Shavuot in Hebrew and in parts of Europe Pentecost is also known as Whit/Whitsuntide. Whitsun (Old English for “White Sunday”) is the forty-ninth day (seventh Sunday) after Easter Sunday.

It is also the anniversary of the conversion and baptism of 3,000 people. It is believed that the name comes from Pentecost being a day for baptisms, when participants would dress in white. The name Pentecost comes from the Greek word ‘Pentekostos’, meaning ’50.

‘Whitsun’ is also thought to derive from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘wit’, meaning ‘understanding’, to celebrate the disciples being filled with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. As in many languages “to see” and “to know” are interrelated concepts. So that “to wit” is not only about knowledge but witnessing.

On the knowledge side, it is also easy to see the link with wise and witty and wittingly. The “Witan” being the Anglo Saxon assembly of wise men – knowing enough to have their word in the destiny of the community.

Wit could therefore, be said to infer “He makes Himself known!” God, is love, He made known His Wisdom, His Power, and His mind, He made Himself known, they were filled with the Ruach HaKodesh/Holy-Set Apart-Spirit Yeshua/Jesus/The Word made flesh!

Shavuot – שבועות – was both an agricultural festival and a celebration of God giving His newly-free people the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Through the giving of the Law, He taught them how to live as a redeemed community, a kingdom of priests, and a holy (set-apart) nation (Ex. 19:6).

The name of the festival is actually derived from the Hebrew word shavuah, שְׁבוּעַ meaning week. Shavuot (weeks) is the plural form. Shavuot marks the end of the seven-week period called Sefirat HaOmer (Counting of the Omer), which began at Passover/Pesach.

From a Hebrew roots perspective, one of the most significant occurrences has to do with the historical understanding of what Shavuot during the second temple period meant to the Jewish nation. The disciples of Messiah Yeshua were gathered together, and when there were loud noises, tongues of fire, and voices speaking in many languages, this was an obvious clue: it was the second ‘coming/giving’ of the Torah and the fulfillment of the prophesy given by Joel. 

Shavuot has several other connections:

One being Zechariah, John the Baptist father, who was in the Temple at Shavuot when the angel appeared to him.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/why-was-the-priest-in-the-water-conclusion-of-the-mystery

For more on Shavuot connections to Ruth Boaz and Shavuot /Pentecost as the perfect picture of the harvest wedding and covenant.
https://www.minimannamoments.com/50-days-later-an-earthly-and-spiritual-harvest-pentecost-shavuot/

The Scroll of Ruth (מגילת רות) – a beautiful story about God’s redemptive love – is read on the second day of Shavuot. As the Goel (kinsman-redeemer), Boaz was a wealthy man of the tribe of Judah (Bethlehem) who married a Gentile bride. Boaz’s name means “in Him is strength,” a picture of the Mashiach Yeshua, The book of ruth is read, which is the ingrafting of the gentiles and Exodus records where the Lord descended in fire. Also Ex 1:13,14 mentions coals of fire; and out of the fire went forth lightning. Ezekiel Chapter 3 the sounds of great rushing; then in Acts 2:3, the account of the rushing mighty wind and the fire sitting on them is not coincidence!

https://www.minimannamoments.com/2-x-3000-a-marriage-made-in-heaven/
https://www.minimannamoments.com/shavuot-2-x-3000-a-marriage-made-in-heaven-conclusion/

In Jerusalem it all started with 120 in the upper room.

Yeshua had ascended 10 days before, having spent 40 days with His disciples teaching them and preparing them during the Omer count.

The on-going transformation of the Disciples  finally led up to Shavuot-Pentecost. This day was the most powerful day for Yisrael as it was when the Torah was given to Moses/ Mosheh. Now it also became the most powerful day among the Talmidim/Disciples, and those who would become Sh’liychiym /the Apostles, as it represented the new thing that Adonai/the Lord was doing among His people in fulfilling prophecy.

The coming of the RUACH at Shavuot/Pentecost released a new dimension of God’s power from on high and from that moment on the fire/zeal of God, that was imparted not only changed the world in which they lived but ultimately spread the Good News to the four corners of the whole earth. 

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Set-apart Spirit has come upon you and you shall be My witnesses in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) and in all Yahuḏah (Judea) and Shomeron (Samaria) and to the end of the earth.”

Instead of imagining that all the Disciples were in fear and hiding in some private place, from scripture we read that they were in assembling daily in the Temple Courts/Beyth Ha Mikdash.

This was where they would come daily and as they grew in number; here they would continue in the teaching and the understanding of the renewed covenant/the Brit Chadashah.

This event had been prophesied through all the Tanakh/the Old Testament and which finally found fulfillment in the sacrificial blood of the Messiah, Yeshua.

He was the promised seed of David, the Messiah, the son of Elohim through whom all have redemption and access to the Chesed/ the Mercy and favor of Our Heavenly Father as revealed from the beginning/Genesis/Beresheet.  

Acts 2:46 And they (the Disciples or taught ones) continued daily to meet together with one accord in the Beyth Ha Mikdash (the Set Apart House of Yahweh- The Temple)and of breaking of Lekhem (bread) from House to House and did eat their food with gladness and singleness of Heart.

Acts 3:1-2 Now Kepha (Peter) & Yochanan (John) went up together into the Beyth Ha Mikdash (the Temple) at the hour of petition, the ninth hour. 2 and a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried whom they laid daily at the gate of the Temple which is called beautiful (the Yapho Gate or today the Jaffa Gate) to ask alms of them that entered into the Beyth Ha Mikdash (the Temple);

 

Then after the Ruach HaKdesh – the Set Apart – Holy Spirit was poured out upon them fulfilling Joel, they grew to 3000 on the Shavout following Messiah’s death on Passover. That was just the beginning however, something special was about to happen that would cause them to grow even more, and it would also cause them to enter into conflict with the nations leaders.

In the book of Acts we find

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. 

This has been mistranslated and from the original should read…

Peter and John entering the Temple at the hour of THE prayer.

Why is this significant?

Because It was 3:00 in the afternoon, approaching evening. According to the Torah, sacrifices were to be offered in the morning and in the evening (see Numbers 28) – beginning and ending Israel’s day at sundown, with atonement and drawing closer to God. These times became special times of prayer for the Jewish people – which they still are to this day.

THE prayer is referring to saying the Amidah.

In the literal translations it is called the hour of THE Prayer.

The Amidah (Hebrew: תפילת העמידה, Tefilat HaAmidah, “The Standing Prayer”), also called the Shemoneh Esreh (שמנה עשרה), is the central prayer of the Jewish liturgy. 

 Among observant Jews, it is referred to as HaTefillah, or “the prayer” of Judaism. The prayer is also sometimes called Amidah (“standing”) because it is recited while standing and facing the Aron Kodesh, the ark that houses the Torah.

The Amidah Standing Prayer in English is also know as the standing prayer. It has been suggested that this is what the disciples were doing in the upper room when Yeshua joined them.

Traditionally every individual should wash their hands before saying this prayer and it is said by the Jews, along with the Shema, three times a day. These Prayers are to teach how to present ourselves in Awe, Fear, Respect, and learn to approach the King as the servants of the Living God. 

The individual praying should if at all possible, stand with one’s feet together while reciting the Amidah as a show of respect for God. The rabbis add that this stance reflectss Ezekiel’s the vision of angels in which the feet of the angels appeared as one (Ezekiel 1:7).

The custom is to face the direction of Israel, and if in Israel, to turn to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. This is because all prayers head towards the Temple Mount and then rise up. This also shows respect for the Temples, which were central to Hebrew life, and reminds us that the synagogue was established to try to fill the gap in Hebrew life left by the Temple’s’ destruction. In many synagogues in the west, the ark is on the eastern wall of the synagogue for this reason.

The Amidah is the core of every Jewish worship service, and is therefore also referred to as HaTefillah, or “The prayer.” Amidah, which literally means, “standing,” refers to a series of blessings recited while standing.

The translation of the word AMIDAH means to standup, so the prayers are normally recited while standing and facing the East as the Messiah, YHVH, Jesus, will come back from that direction.

The Amidah is commonly referred to as the silent prayer. This, however, is a misnomer, for the Amidah is to be said softly, not silently, to yourself. The words should be audible to your ears and your ears alone.

This was the situation with the prayers of Channah/Hannah.

The Amidah includes three distinct sections. The first section includes prayers that praise. The middle section includes 13 requests. These requests focus on practical needs like health, and the ability to make wise choices but also more lofty yearnings for redemption and justice. These requests can change depending on the time of year or holiday. The last section includes prayers of gratitude. You can also include your own personal prayers anytime during the middle or end.

On festivals, particularly the pilgrimage holidays of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, the middle portion of the Amidah similarly describes how God has given these holidays as a gift to the Jewish people for joy and celebration.

There are also references to the biblical patriarchs, King David and Jerusalem to be remembered in glory.

Despite the official absence of requests, the holiday prayers of the Amidah do in fact ask that God enable us to enjoy and celebrate the holiday with gladness of heart. They end with a blessing, thanking God for sanctifying the people of Israel and the holiday.

At the start of the prayer:

My EloHim/Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise.

Each of us is aware of our abilities and potential, and we all experience fear, doubt and hesitation. Many of our limitations in life are more perceived than real. Often, it is only fears/false imaginations, that are holding us back.

In Hebrew the word for lips is the same as the word for banks, as in river banks.

The Hebrew word for lip is שפה. Interestingly, this word is quite versatile: it also means language and bank (of a river, a sea, etc). In a connected “of” (construct) state, שפה becomes שפת, so that a river bank is שפת נהר – literally, a bank of a river.

The banks of a river define its limits.

When we say “God, open my lips,” we are also saying, “God, help me to see beyond my perceived limitations, banks, boundaries. Help me to see all the way to the horizon of my potential.”

And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

This was a strategic location to beg. Religious people are to be charitable to the poor and needy. 

Nearing the Temple, we see that it is a very beautiful building. All around the outside are the porches, which are covered walks, separated by rows of large pillars or posts. The floors are of marble of many colors.

The pillars are so large that three men can scarcely stretch their arms so as to meet around them. Some of the pillars are one hundred feet high.

Along the walls we see seats for people to sit on, and all day long the people rest on the benches or move about between the pillars.

The Hekel Gate, which leads to the Temple is made of dazzling brass, more costly than silver and gold, and it is very richly decorated. The double doors to this gate are so heavy that twenty men are needed to open and close them.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/mystery-of-the-hekel/

As Peter and John made their way to the Beautiful Gate. Here they stop.

When the crippled man saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms.

For many, many years this poor crippled man has been carried to the Temple gate. Day after day he has been sitting there begging for money from those who come to the Temple. He is now over 40 years of age, but has never walked. 

But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!”

He looks up at Peter.

He hoped this man would give him money. For an instant, Peter disappoints him by saying, “Silver and gold have I none.”

But Peter has more to say:

“Such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

Acts 3:4- 7 And Kepha (Peter) fastening his eyes upon him with Yochanan (John) said “look on us”. 5 and he gave heed to them expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Kepha (Peter) said “Silver and Gold have I none but such as I have give I you; In the name of Yahshua the Messiah of Netzereth rise up & walk. 7 and he (Kepha) took him by the right hand and lifted him up and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

They gave him the LOOK of Shavuot – we could say it was a Pentecostal look!

And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “In the name of Messiah Yeshua the Nazarene walk”!

(“in the name” means “because of who Yeshua is, and what He is able to do, and because of the authority He has given me”) 

 Peter seemed to know exactly what God wanted to happen in this situation, and he was given authority – Messianic authority, the Son of God’s divine authority, and he used it by commanding the crippled man to walk.

This healing had a specific purpose with regard to advancing the kingdom of God’s Son. 

Many times miracles are given for the testimony of Jesus Christ;

as was the man blind from birth.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/heres-mud-in-your-eye/

The lame man was a well known figure at the gate called Beautiful. (Eastern Gate.) No one would be able to deny what had been done in the name of Jesus.

Then Peter takes hold of the right hand of the lame man and lifts him up, and a great miracle happened to the lame man. 

And immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

The miracle was immediate and it was very public – right at one of the entrances to the Jerusalem temple, and at the time when the religious Jewish people were entering to take part in the closing prayers of the day! 

The feet and ankles of the helpless man received strength. For the first time in his life he stands alone! He walks! He leaps! He goes into the Temple with Peter and John, praising God as he enters!

The happiest day of his life! No more need he be carried about; no more begging for money, for he is healed! All through the power of God.

The people in the Temple know the man who is healed. They all likely turn to see and listen as he praises God. For many years they probably had passed by this man as he sat at the gate and begged, and many times had dropped a coin into his lap. Now he is walking and jumping. They cannot understand what has just happened.

As the three men walk out on Solomon’s porch. All the people follow us out on the porch. They stand and wonder. They cannot believe their eyes, but there before us stands the man whom God has healed.

Is it possible it happened at the very moment that the part of the prayer for healing was being said, that the man started giving God the glory??

“Look at me!

I’m standing during the Standing Prayer!!

God does heal!!!”

For 40 years he had heard or said this prayer, no doubt wondering if it was really true!

(Part of the prayer is to be healed, so he had prayed 3x a day for 40 years and wanted to stand as this was a standing prayer!)

Acts 3:6-9 tells us he was praying, let me stand for the standing prayer and finally he was able to stand for the standing prayer. And this is no doubt why Peter pulled him to his feet!

This was to show everyone there that he stood at the time of the standing prayer.

He was not healed prior to that time because Yeshua/Jesus wanted everyone to witness the miracle on Shavuot – His ways are higher than ours.

Just like the blind man who was blind from birth was for the glory of god to confirm the prophetic word stating that “the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness” (Isaiah 29:14, 18).

Miracles were not everyday events for the Chosen People. There were only a couple of times and with only a few men when an outpouring of miracles took place in their history: Moses and Joshua and the Exodus from Egypt through their entry into the Land of Israel; then in the time of Elijah and Elisha. Other than those special times and those few men, miracles were a rarity.

However there had been an exception to that history in that, many great miracles had just happened the previous three or four years involving the young Rabbi from Nazareth. But He had died, and the miracles had stopped!

Except, there were those unusual events that had taken place on the Shavuot following the Nazarene’s death, when a very loud noise had been heard when Yeshua’s followers had been meeting, and then a group of Yeshua’s Galilean Jewish followers spoke to the people of Jerusalem in the languages of the lands where many had come from, and those Galileans claimed that they had never learned those languages.

And now, a great miracle of healing and restoration had just taken place through two of Yeshua’s closest followers. What did it mean?

How was Peter able to say to the sick man, “Rise up and walk”? Was it because he had seen Yeshua/Jesus heal the sick? At one time Yeshua/Jesus took hold of the hand of Peter’s wife’s mother, when she was sick with fever. Yeshua/Jesus lifted her up and the fever left her [Mark:1:30];[Mark:1:31]).

It was not only because Peter had seen Yeshua/Jesus do these miracles; Peter was able to do this because he had the power of God with him. He had been saved and sanctified and he was one of those who were in the upper room when the baptism was given. He had received the Ruach haKodesh/Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost/Shavuot. Yeshua/Jesus had told the disciples that when the Ruach haKodesh/Holy Spirit came, they should receive power to work for Him. Now Peter had that power and he was using it, too!

Peter knew exactly what it meant, and wanting to fulfill his mission, and tell these people the Good News about the final atonement and salvation made possible by the Crucified-Yet-Risen Messiah, Simon Peter used this God-given opportunity to give his  great sermon.

Like Peter, we constantly need to use our God-given opportunities to tell people the Good News about the Messiah!

This was a most wonderful transformation in the lives of His called ones, in that only a short while ago they were in unbelief; but through the work of the RUACH (Spirit) their faith had grown and also their understanding. 

Then, at Shavuot, a new dimension of that faith had emerged with the coming of the RUACH Ha Kodesh /the Holy Spirit, giving them boldness to speak. With that step of faith, came authority & power from on high that saw the mighty works of God revealed both through the Word and power, and those who repented and believed numbered about 5,000 men.

What is amazing in the actions of Kepha (Peter) & Yochanan (John) is that they were so full of faith that it says that Kepha took the man by the right hand and lifted him up.

Acts 3:11- 12 And as the lame man which was healed held Kepha (Peter) & Yochanan (John) all the people ran together to them in the covered walkway that is called Shelomoh’s (Solomon’s) portico, greatly amazed. 12 And when Kepha saw it he answered the people. “You men of Yisrael why marvel you at this? Or why do you stare at us as though by our own power or our Torah or Shabbat piety we had made this man walk.

The Elohim of Abraham and of Yitzchak (Isaac) and of Yaacov (Jacob), the Elohim of our fathers has esteemed his son Yahshua; 16 through belief in his name has made this man strong whom you see and know; yes the belief which through Yahshua’s name has given him this complete health in the presence of all. 

The Mighty miracle that was done in this man was the means by which Our Heavenly Father was drawing His people to Himself.

It was also the perfect opportunity for the disciples to speak the wonderful words of the Salvation found only in Yeshua/Jesus.

Then they further expounded the truth of the Mashiach (Messiah) as revealed through the Scriptures of the Torah, the Nevim (Prophets) & the Ketuvim (the Wisdom Writings). Through the work of the RUACH Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) we see the assembly of believers supernaturally multiplying. 

Kefa and Yochanan were arrested … were questioned as to what power or name they had done this … they boldly stated.. The Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Yeshua Mashiach of Natzeret).

An important point we may have missed is that this man, who according to Acts.4:22 was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.

That meant Yeshua/Jesus probably walked past him a minimum of 100 times in the temple and never healed him! This happened after Yeshua/Jesus died at around 33 yrs of age and this man who was only 7 yrs older than Yeshua/Jesus had been lame from his birth.

Seen from the Jewish perspective this was undeniable:

At the hour of prayer he asked for money, he was over 40, sat daily for 40 yrs, every single time Yeshua/Jesus went through that eastern gate, He passed by that man and never helped or healed him, even the day He rode into Jerusalem and he had not been healed but surely his healing at this time was the perfect timing of our Heavenly Father, Who had him right there at the Temple gate awaiting this exact time to heal this man.

God waited 40 years for all to be gathered in the Temple, so at the very moment of the Amidah, while all Israel was praising God.

(Until now we as gentiles, have missed the full significance of this event).

Divinely designed, to not only esteem the Messiah and be a miracle for this man but that it would be so significant as to trigger a greater revival than that of Shavuot, bringing a large crowd of Yisraelites to faith in name of Yeshua the righteous one.

One thing we must be sure to remember is to Keep our eyes on Yeshua/Jesus.

To FIX our eyes on Him and continually LOOK on HIM…   

This is where miracles begin!

He is the author and finisher of our faith and the LOOK of Shavuot

is

Love

Compassion

Healing

and in His perfect timing,

His plans and purposes will be fulfilled.

Shalom Shalom!

Chag Sameach Shavuot Mish-pa-KHa!

Please don’t leave this page until you have fixed your eyes on Him and without knowing you are saved and assured that you belong to Him; with a deep conviction that you know where you will go, when your body can no longer sustain you in this realm. 

Make certain Jesus is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him. 

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

Its all about Life and Relationship not Religion.

NOT SURE?

Then simply SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.