Tag: Israel

The Stones Cry Out As Jerusalem Shakes The Dust Off Her Feet

The City of David

( Hebrew: עיר דוד, Ir David ),

it’s the home to the ancient Biblical Jerusalem!?

Something a little different this post!

Many folks are not able to visit Israel or experience actually walking in the places we read of in the Scriptures.

It is one reason why so many pictures are added into the posts because we are very visual creatures and love to see what we are talking about.

Having not too long ago remembered Shavout/Pentecost and previous to that, Passover/Pesach. It is timely that in the following videos, both Appointed Times were mentioned because they were recorded only a few weeks ago and contain some archeological dig sites and discoveries as yet unseen by the general public!

The claims of those excavating are certainly food for thought!

Please note, this post is simply reporting some recent archeological news and is not making claims or statements to cause confusion or argument… everyone is encouraged to do their own research concerning any information included here.

Jerusalem is built with Jerusalem stone, a pale limestone common 3000 years ago and today, and up until 150 years ago, everybody thought that the ancient Biblical Jerusalem lies within the confines of the Old City within the walls there.

Apparently, while the history of the City of David goes back 3000 years to King David, only in the past 150 years was it clear that the original biblical Jerusalem lay just south of and outside what’s today known as the Old City.

Here is a portion of the interview:

The City of David,” Heymann told CBN News. “It’s the home to the ancient biblical Jerusalem and up until 150 years ago, everybody thought that the ancient biblical Jerusalem lies within the confines of the Old City right behind you in the wall – within the walls there. So the question is what happened 150 years ago and where is the ancient biblical Jerusalem?”

The area in red shows probable borders of Davids Jerusalem and Parking Lot (Givati) excavation site above left.

Starting at the ancient site of the City of David, they show the roads that would have been walked on by the thousands of people who made their annual pilgrimages to the temple in Jerusalem, bringing their sacrifices with them;

obeying the biblical commandment to travel to Jerusalem three times a year for a Temple sacrifice – at Passover, Shavuot (Pentecost), and Succoth (Feast of Tabernacles).

The Jerusalem pilgrim road is an ancient road used by ritual processions ascending from the Pool of Siloam to the Temple Mount, Judaism’s holiest site, via the Hulda Gates in the Southern Wall.

These places have been mentioned in so many previous posts and in stumbling upon them, it seemed right to share them.

The city of David in relationship and proximity to Jerusalem is shown below.

What we read in the scripture comes alive as we see with our own eyes the original stone steps and roads just now uncovered after almost 2000 years.

These are the same stones that they would have walked on as they ascended up the Temple with their families and singing the Psalms of Ascent.

The ancient drainage channel/tunnel is underneath the road.

The Songs of Ascent are a special group of psalms comprising Psalms 120—134.

They are also called Pilgrim Songs, Gradual Psalms, Songs of Degrees, Songs of Steps or Songs for going up to Worship.

Shir Hama’aloth

Song of the Ascents

Hebrew: שִׁיר המַעֲלוֹת 

The Strong’s number for the word “ascent,” as used in the collection of psalms, is H4609. In Hebrew, the word is מעלה (ma’alah) which is used to describe upward movement, such as going up a hill or climbing stairs.

The Bible is true,

these places are real,

and events described within its pages actually happened.

A bell found in the excavations, thought to have come from the High Priests Garments.

An Exceptional woman’s 500 year-old seal unearthed

and the ear ring mentioned in the videos.

A few notes follow that may help in clarifying the locations mentioned in the videos.

The second video is the one that was spoken of at the end of the first so there is a continuation.

City of David The Struggle over Mount Zion City of the Great King.

“Here am I, and the children the LORD has given me.  We are signs and symbols in Israel from the LORD Almighty, who dwells on Mount Zion.”  (Isaiah 8:18)

Mount Zion is a hill just outside the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem.  It is actually older than the Old City: it is the original city.

A view of the Old City of Jerusalem extending from Mount Zion at the left edge of the frame to the corner of the Temple Mount near the right edge.

The first time Zion is mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures is in 2 Samuel 5:7, when David captured Jerusalem from the Jebusites.

“David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David [Ir David].”  (2 Samuel 5:7)

Zion originally referred only to that ancient fortress and was called the City of David (2 Chronicles 5:2).

An 1845 map of Ancient Jerusalem identifying Mount Zion with the Pool of Siloam beside it.  To the right of Mount Zion is the Hill of Offense, so named because Solomon built high places to false gods there.

 Silwan is built on its steep western face and now extends down into the Kidron Valley (Valley of Jehoshaphat) and up to Mount Zion.   The Mount of Olives is the elevation just north of Silwan.

After Solomon built the First Temple in 967 BC on Mount Moriah, however, Zion came to refer to the Temple and its surrounding area and, later, the entire City of Jerusalem, which had expanded uphill and northward, beyond the original Mount Zion site.

From the time of King Solomon’s reign through the reign of Hezekiah,

water from the Gihon spring (above) was brought up to the Temple on Mount Moriah for use in the sacrifices during God’s commanded feasts.

Psalm 48:2 calls Mount Zion the city of the great King.  It sounds majestic and it truly was in Solomon’s day when the First Temple stood in all its glory!

“Beautiful in elevation, the joy of the whole earth, is Mount Zion on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.”  (Psalm 48:2)

Although ancient rabbinic commentaries describe the area of Mount Zion/ City of David as the center of the Land of Israel (Zamib i 5), today, the mostly Arab village of Silwan extends into Mount Zion, making the area the subject of hot dispute.

The Spring That Runs Through It: Silwan, Siloam, and Shiloach

The Arabic name Silwan comes from the Greek term Siloam, which is derived from the Hebrew name Shiloach. Where we also get the name Shiloh.

Both the Arabic and Hebrew mean Gihon spring, which flows through the Kidron Valley that runs north-south between the Mount of Olives and the City of David on the southern edge of the Temple Mount.

 

FULFILLED IN ISRAEL: THE ROCKS ARE CRYING OUT IN THE CITY OF DAVID

“You can see exactly how she (Jerusalem) slowly disappeared from civilization because one city was built upon the other, and you could see how probably the city could have lost hope, thinking ‘who’s ever going to discover me again? Until God says, but in a time of favor, nothing can stop it and that’s what we see …  Jerusalem is slowly being revealed.” -Anarina Heymann

City of David and the Mount of Olives

Silwan is located on a steep ridge

southeast of the Temple Mount called the Ophel in Hebrew, which means climb, extending to the ridge of the southern peak of the Mount of Olives.

The houses of Silwan

The original City of David was built on the Ophel ridge.  David’s palace was located on the crest and the people’s houses cascaded down the hill.  That slope, in fact, enabled King David to see Bathsheba bathing on her roof (2 Samuel 11:2).  

Today, houses still stretch down the hill, likely appearing much as they did in King David’s time.

The City of David lay hidden for nearly 2,000 years until a British archaeologist began a discovery that continues to this day.

In 1867, British officer and engineer Charles Warren set out to discover Jerusalem.  He was the first to begin to unearth 2000 years of civilizations that had been buried as foreign occupiers destroyed and then built new atop the old. 

For thousands of years, while the world looked inside the relatively modern walls of the Old City, the original Jerusalem lay buried.

Warren’s Shaft, which was discovered in 1867 by Charles Warren, is thought to be the shaft through which King David conquered Mount Zion from the Jebusites.  (2 Samuel 5:6–10)

Another remarkable discovery during construction of the visitor center in 1997, unexpectedly uncovered two monumental towers that date back to the age of the kings of Judea: one protecting the base of Warren’s Shaft (a tunnel that allows access to the Gihon Spring from inside the city walls), and the other protecting the spring itself.

More than 10 years ago, archaeologists uncovered another Biblical site, the Pool of Siloam,

The Pool of Siloam

Hebrew: בריכת השילוח ‎,

Breikhat Hashiloah

was a rock-cut pool on the southern slope of the City of David, the original site of Jerusalem, located outside the walls of the Old City to the southeast.

The pool was fed by the waters of the Gihon Spring, carried there by two aqueducts.

It’s the place where Jesus healed the blind man and also where the Jewish people would gather for the Feasts of the Lord.

Below is the place when Charles Warren came through the fascia that he found. He saw something.  And when Charles Warren saw this, he knew that he rediscovered the ancient biblical Jerusalem.”

Asked if this Warren’s work was the beginning of the unveiling of the City of David in modern times, she responded, “Exactly because we’re speaking of a 2,000 year period where nobody knew where the ancient city was. Most people thought when they – when they came – that what they saw in the Old City, that was ancient biblical Jerusalem. It’s only when he found this that they discovered…the ancient Jerusalem lies outside of what we call today the Old City.”

The discovery of the tunnel system known as Warren’s Shaft visually tells how King David captured the city and brings the Bible to life.

Is this final ascent a merger between archaeology and prophecy?

Something amazing is happening because as they are now excavating this road, prophecy is being fulfilled because it says in Isaiah: ‘build up, build up the road,’ the highway remove the stones for My people’s return,”

The entire history of Jerusalem is being revealed as if

the rocks are crying out.

It’s said [In Hebrew] ‘shake off your dust, arise, take your rightful place, Jerusalem.’ If you see the excavations here on a daily basis, you can see the buckets flying. You can see the dust literally flying about, how she’s shaking off her dust.”  

It certainly seems that The Stones of Jerusalem Cry Out as She Shakes The Dust of Her Feet!

If you love archeology and Israel, the country and the people where our Heavenly Father chose to send His Son, Yeshua/Jesus you will enjoy these videos.

The Journey along the Pilgrimage Road in the City of David, the Heart of Ancient Jerusalem..mp4

Underground Journey from the City of David to the Temple Mount Foundation Stones.mp4

DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN THE RIGHTS TO THESE IMAGES AND VIDEOS,THE USAGE OF THE IMAGES AND THESE VIDEOS IS PURELY FOR SPIRITUAL ENCOURAGEMENT PURPOSES ONLY

Shalom shalom mishpachah/family and cheverim/friends! You are loved and appreciated and prayed for daily.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read the posts. If they have been a blessing and if you haven’t already, please sign up for free email notification, like, share and subscribe, it all helps to freely spread the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth and reaches others with His Truths. MMM will continue as long as the platform is accessible… meanwhile let’s remember

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.

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.