Who Was Jerubbaal and What Was He Wearing?

July 12, 2021

In Judges 6:11 a man called Joash the Abiezrite

calls his son Jerubbaal, meaning:

Let Baal Contend Against Him,

or, let Baal show increase;

The Lord Contends; Baal Contends.

JERUBBAAL jĕr’ ə bāl יְרֻבַּ֣עַל,

jer-u-ba’-al, je-rub’-a-al yerubba`al,

ירבעל

Why did he do that?

The son of Joash the Abiezrite was Gideon, the fifth judge of Israel

And the name Jerubaal was given to Gideon when he destroyed his father’s Baal altar at Ophrah.

The name

Jerubbaal

is a combination of two Hebrew words:

the first is

riyb or rub,

which means literally

to grapple

and holds the figurative meaning

to wrangle

or

to hold a controversy.

From (1) the verb ריב (rib), to contend,

ריב

This very common verb ריב (rib) means

to strive or contend

and ranges from

a mere bickering to full scale combat.

Noun ריב (rib) means

strife, dispute or plea.

Noun יריב (yarib) denotes

an opponent or adversary.

Noun מריבה (meriba) refers to

a place or agent of strife or contention.

and

The second is the proper noun

Baal, the name of the Phoenician god

that Gideon contended against.

the verb בעל – ba’al, to be lord.

The verb ba’al

בעל

means to exercise dominion over;

to own, control or be lord over.

The noun ba’al means

lord, master and even husband,

and its feminine counterpart

ba’ala

means mistress or landlady.

Jerubbaal/Gideon, had seventy sons by several wives, and he had one son, named Abimelech, by his servant girl, or his concubine. Gideon, as one of the judges in Israel, was a true servant leader, as were all of the judges of Israel, in those days.

גדעון

Gidon: a judge of Israel.

Original Word: גִּדְעוֹן.

Part of Speech:

Proper Name Masculine.

Transliteration: Gidon.

Phonetic Spelling: (ghid-ohn’)

The name Gideon comes from the Hebrew verb

גדע

gada’

meaning

to hew down or cut off:

mostly of religious regalia and holy trees.

There are no nouns formed from this verb,

suggesting that whatever was cut off,

was no longer discussed and

even cut off from speech itself.

The waw/vav-nun/noon extension

of the name Gideon

denotes a personification of the verb:

he who does what the verb means.

His name is connected with his occupation, that is,

he was a Hacker

or

One Who Hewed Down the enemy.

Now we know why computer hackers are so named!

GIDEON

גדעון

Gimmel Daleth Ayin Vav Nun

Strong’s Hebrew: 1439. גִּדְעוֹן (Gidon) — a judge of Isr.

Strong’s Greek: 1066. Γεδεών (Gedeón) — Gideon, an Israelite

Transliteration: Gedeón. Phonetic Spelling: (ghed-eh-own’) Definition: Gideon, an Israelite. Usage:Gideon, one of the Judges of Israel.

The account in Judges tells us that when Israel was experiencing invasive attacks for 7 years by the Midianites, an angel of YeHoVeH appeared to Gideon.

When the angel of the Lord first met Gideon he was hiding out in a winepress threshing wheat – Judges 6:11.

You don’t thresh wheat in a winepress.

The threshing floor stood in the open,

the winepress was usually below ground or in a low area,

a place where someone could easily hide

which Scripture tells us Gideon was actually doing, hiding or fleeing.

The word in Hebrew is

lenis or lehanis

from the root

word nos or nus

(noos)

which means

to flee or disappear. נוּס

Strong’s Hebrew: 5127. נוּס (nus) — to flee, escape

At that time, the Midianites were in control in Israel who had no standing army, There was no one to lead an army against the Midianites who were a well armed band of mercenaries who would suddenly appear and raid the Israelites homes killing everyone in that town or city and take what they wanted and destroying the crops on the land, It was a horrible time for the children of Israel and they lived in perpetual fear of an enemy attack that would come without warning. This scenario could be likened to the nations in the world today Many are living in constant fear of attack from both a seen and an unseen enemy such as a virus.

As is the case in most places where people have faith in the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob/Israel, some were on their knees, some interceding by weeping and petitioning in prayer. However, Gideon was not praying, his attitude needed an adjustment because, when the Angel of the Lord appeared to him and announced he was a great and mighty warrior (verse 12) his response was to ask why has God forsaken us, why are we being tormented by these Midianites, where are all the miracles, the promises of God? Many are asking that question today and God is answering, we just need to listen and pay more attention to what He is saying. First, the angel of the Lord said that God had called him to deliver Israel and that He would be with Gideon and would empower him (verse 14). Gideon’s response was not exactly full of faith! (verse 15). The second time the Angel of the Lord reassures him in verse 16.

This was still not enough for Gideon and he asks for a sign in verse 17. Gideon prepared an offering and the Angel of the Lord touched it with his staff and immediately it burst into flames.

Gideon was so impressed that he became fearful that he had just seen God Himself and might die. Due to the belief that if anyone saw God they would die or you were dead. However Gideon now had enough confidence to confront the Midianites pagan god and tear down the idol of the and offer a sacrifice to God on the same place.

Judges 6:11-24

The angel of the LORD came and sat down – under the oak in Ophrah that belonged to Joash the Abiezrite,

where his son Gideon was threshing wheat in a winepress to keep it from the Midianites

and instructed him to cut down the altar of Baal that same night

and to destroy the nearby

image of Asherah, אשרה אשירה

plural, אשרים or Asherim

a primary Canaanite goddess namely אשרות or Asheroth.

Judges 3:7, & Judges 6:25.

In the Bible, Asherah is mostly associated with

sacred trees or poles Exodus 34:13, Judges 6:25.

When the people who lived there found their shrines destroyed the next day, it didn’t take them long to find out who had done it.

They went to Joash and demanded that he surrender his son Gideon, because they wanted to execute him.

Joash responded by saying that if Baal wants his revenge, they would be foolish to ruin his pleasure by killing Gideon before their god could get him. He cleverly challenged them by saying that if Baal was truly a god, Baal would contend with Gideon, and if he were not, then Gideon would contend with Baal!

This is why Joash named his son Jerubbaal.

The people were not worshipping the one true God and their false gods and idols had to be removed before they could have victory over their enemies.

This is true for believers in Yeshua today we are to tear down any altars we have made to anything or anyone else in our lives. Putting our Heavenly father first place in everything we do is essential in walking a victorious life by His spirit.

After that Gideon goes after the Midianites and the other members of the Eastern Coalition. 32,000 men from Israel joined up for the battle, after God instructs Gideon to separate out the chosen ones only 300 remain.

He gives the 300 each a trumpet, a pitcher and a torch and at midnight they attack because of their unusual approach it caused the Midianites to stampede. As they fled, Gideon summoned the entire Israeli army and they pursued them, killing their leaders and 120,000 swordsmen.

Judges 7:15, 20: The three companies blew the trumpets and smashed the jars. Grasping the torches in their left hands and holding in their right hands the trumpets they were to blow, they shouted, “A sword of the LORD and of Gideon!”

After Gideon’s victory over Midian, Israel remains undisturbed for 40 years. When Gideon dies, his son Abimelech takes the office of Judge of Israel.

Gideon had 72 sons, namely Abimelech, the seventy brothers he killed, and Jotham who got away.

Paul mentions Gideon in his letter to the Hebrews 11:32

calling him a hero of the faith spelled Γεδεων, Gedeon

There is much more to the story of Gideon but for the purpose of this post there are 2 points one is in 6:34 where

Judges 6:34 So the Spirit of the LORD came upon Gideon, who

Came upon

Strong’s 3847: Wrap around,

to put on a, garment,

clothe Gideon, גִּדְע֑וֹן (giḏ·‘ō·wn)

Noun – proper – masculine singular

Strong’s 1439: Gideon —

a judge of Israel and he blew וַיִּתְקַע֙ (way·yiṯ·qa‘)

God Put On Gideon!

Strong’s Hebrew: 3847. לָבַשׁ (labash or labesh) — to put on

law-bash’, law-bashe’

to dress, wear, clothe, put on clothing, be clothed

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to put on clothes, be clothed, wear

1a2) to put on, be clothed with (figuratively)

1b) (Pual) to be fully clothed

1c) (Hiphil) to clothe, array with, dress

2304) s b l (לבסה LBSh) AC: Clothe CO: Clothing AB: ?

V)s b l(לבסה LBSh) – Clothe: To put on clothing. [Hebrew and Aramaic] KJV (115): (vf: Paal, Hiphil, Pual) clothe, put, array, wear, arm, came, apparel, upon – Strongs: H3847 (לָבֵשׁ), H3848 (לְבַשׁ)
d^m)s f b l(לבוסה LBWSh) – Clothing: [Hebrew and Aramaic] KJV (34): clothing, garment, apparel, vesture, clothed, put, raiment, vestment – Strongs: H3830 (לְבֻשׁ), H3831 (לְבוּשׁ)

ad^m) s f b l m (מלבוסה MLBWSh) – Clothing: KJV (8): apparel, raiment, vestment – Strongs: H4403 (מַלְבֻּשׁ)

ic^f2) t s f b l t (תלבוסהת TLBWShT) – Clothing: KJV (1): clothing – Strongs: H8516 (תִּלְבֹּשֶׁת)

It has to be noted that in the Hebrew it is written

which is very interesting!

And second,

the angel called him a mighty man of valor

or a valiant warrior

we saw him hiding in fear in the threshing floor

yet the angel spoke of him as a man of valor

what is this word

in Hebrew?

Mighty man or masterful man

is

גִּבּ֥וֹר

gibbowr or gib·bōr

Strongs 1368

And

of Valor

הֶחָֽיִל

he·ḥā·yil. Or chayil

Strongs 2428

He ha yil gib bo w rim me ka Yahweh

יְהוָ֥ה עִמְּךָ֖ גִּבּ֥וֹר הֶחָֽיִל

Gideon was filled with fear and even after five miracles he still needed help to overcome his fears. But there is a reason that He delivered a nation, that God gave him a wonderful victory and restored his land:

He was obedient.

He prayed,

he called out to God

and ultimately let God take charge

so that the world could see this deliverance

was from God and God alone.

echil gbur

masterful man of the valor

translated as

mighty man of valor

If as the scripture says

He

meaning God

put on Gideon

then it would seem clear that His Ruach haKodesh

filled Gideons spirit;

both his inner man as well as his physical body.

Reading it one more time

God PUT ON and wrapped Himself in Gideon!

And as the meanings above say,

like He was putting on a garment of clothing

which really seems like

God was wearing Gideon!

Hebrew for PUT ON…

Our bodies cannot function without us inside them so as we are born again by His spirit the scripture tells us Yeshua said,

I and My Father will come to live abide IN you!

If He is inside us then He is wearing us too!

With this thought a inexplicable spiritual reality and His ways not being our ways shouldn’t we then be walking in all manner of holiness.

Christ in us the hope of glory! So when we think are we wearing God as His representative

or is it that like Gideon,

He is wearing us.

This gives another aspect of the things Yeshua said about not being concerned or anxious about what we shall wear, our physique, what we look like or following the fashion.

Fashion is nothing more than the worlds attempt at beautifying the flesh.

For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. Romans 7:18

and this is a liberating message. Gender,skin tone, shape size weak strong, its all physical and temporary. We will not be taking these bodies with us.

The new ones we are promised may not be exactly as we are now for even Mary did not recognize Messiah in His glorified form outside the tomb until He called her by name (Jn 20:14-16).

This flesh will die, it’s not acceptable in any form to the Father; flesh is full of decay as a result of sin. We must look beyond what our senses say and walk not after the flesh but after the spirit. Yes be a good steward of your mode of transportation and means to fulfill the Lords will for our lives. Cleanliness is indeed next to godliness and we need to feed it healthy food just as we feed our spirits on His life giving word.

We are filled with His Ruach which is joined to our own.

YaHoVeH PUT ON Gideon.

He had prophetically called him mighty man

and then like a garment He put Gideon on!

Conclusion in Part 2

May His true Shalom/Peace

rest upon each one in Jesus/Yeshuas’ Name.

‘Mishpachah’ ‘Family’

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa

you are greatly loved and prayed for daily..

NOT SURE if you are part of His Family?

YOU CAN BE..

Say the following and mean it from your heart…

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 came in the flesh and 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 in my spirit 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.

Bringing Forth Treasures Old and New – Part 2

June 27, 2021

Continued from part one at:

https://www.minimannamoments.com/bringing-forth-treasures-old-new/

We were looking at the actIONs of the apostles and the attributes noted in the scriptures which identified them as: little christs/christians/disciples/apostles.

These are words that should also describe us, and be evident in our lives for the world to see as we follow Messiah Yeshua/Jesus.

obedience

grace

power

boldness

and

glory.

Resuming at

Grace which

we understand as His favor.

Strong’s Hebrew: 2580. חֵן (chen) — favor, grace

Phonetic Spelling: (khane) חֵן

favor, gracious, pleasant, precious, well-favored From chanan; graciousness, i.e. Subjective (kindness, favor) or objective (beauty) — favour, grace(-ious), pleasant, precious, (well-)favoured.

In Hebrew, chet or chen,

also the place of His presence.

click links for much more on grace

https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-season-of-our-hiding/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/back-to-the-future-past-part-2-plus-who-was-eating-bread-on-day-6/

Chet/Chen is represented by the fence and describes a protected garden (Eden), private place, an inner room or a sanctuary…

Recall the pictograph depicting grace as a place, the place of our hiding and the womb where we are conceived and develop before birth. We are in His grace now also and in ‘a womb’ waiting to be reborn into a new resurrected glorified body; then we know we shall be like Him.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: ¹⁷And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together. ¹⁸For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.

¹⁹For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.

²⁰For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope, ²¹Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

²²For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

Romans 8:19

Beloved, now we are children of God, and it has not appeared as yet what we shall be. We know that, when He appears, we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him just as He is. 1John 3:2

And we will become aware of a new desire in our hearts placed there by our Fathers’ Spirit.

A new direction maybe?

New instructions?

New Fire for His Word?

and the Lord He gives the increase.

Hearing about Him is insufficient.

Reading about Him is not enough.

Thinking we know is not fullness.

We have to be doers,

this is ACTions of the sent ones.

Not readers, talkers and thinkers, but doers of His word.

Just reading will not benefit, especially speed reading! We have to take it in, like real food, chew it and digest it for it to give any benefit of its’ nutrients into our bodies; both physical and spiritual.

We are told to Consider Our Ways in Haggai 1:5-7

Not Make Excuses.

The people were saying, and giving reasons not to act.

“ The time has not come, even the time for the house of the Lord to be rebuilt ” (Haggai 1:2).

We Must Get Our Priorities in Order.

The people said that it was not time to rebuild the temple

(Haggai 1:2). …

Remember Our Dependence Upon God. …

Obey the Word of God… Not what people are saying!

5 Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways. 6 Ye have sown much, and bring in little; ye eat, but ye have not enough; ye drink, but ye are not filled with drink; ye clothe you, but there is none warm; and he that earneth wages earneth wages to put it into a bag with holes. 7 Thus saith the Lord of hosts;Consider your ways.

Acts 5:36 and 2:39

The CALL is by His spirit and we have the choice to accept or refuse it.

By doing nothing we have refused and usually go on to live a life just like our peers saying to ourselves, ‘this is Gods’ plan for me’…is it because its an easier more comfortable and familiar way?? Four decades ago our Heavenly Fathers’ call came to this life and the message He gave for this servant to share has not changed… Repent… Turn around …come out from the world be saved, delivered, healed, filled with His spirit and make disciples; teaching them to do the same.

Strong’s Hebrew: 7121. קָרָא (qara) — to call, proclaim, read

Imagine, if we, all of our generation had done this, just think how many would be in the Kingdom today…but we always think it’s someone else’s job… we just want to live a nice, comfortable life….BUT… It’s not too late, we have today to share freely what we freely received.

The mission field of a ready harvest is right where you are…

We are not man appointed (vs. 38, 39) and if it’s not by His Spirit, it will fail.

The anointing of His spirit of holiness

by His grace brings the power

manifest through boldness

to witness and to DO

what God has called us to do in His Word.

Obedience in the name of Yeshua/Jesus and by His power we work the works of Him who sent us Yeshua/Jesus.

And by His power to destroy the works of the devil… this is what the power is for and why He came.

1 John 3:8 For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil.

Acts 4:13 Holy BOLDNESS it was obvious they’d been with Yeshua/Jesus…. do people see that in us?

5:29 Obey God rather than man OBEDIENCE

29 But Peter and the other apostles answered and said: “We ought to obey God rather than men.

Then Peter . . . answered.

1 that God must be obeyed rather than earthly rulers;

2 God raised up Jesus whom they hanged on the cross;

3 exalted him to his right hand;

4 to be a Prince and Savior, to grant Israel the opportunity to repent, and to obtain forgiveness;

5 that they were witnesses of these facts, and so was the Holy Spirit.

To Hear and Obey

are the essence of the

shema

with which they were all familiar.

6:6,7 Brought INCREASE and BLESSING 6 whom they set before the apostles; and when they had prayed, they laid hands on them. 7 Then the word of God spread, and the number of the disciples multiplied greatly in Jerusalem, and a great many of the priests were obedient to the faith.

6:10 7 And the word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem greatly; and a great company of the priests were obedient to the faith. 8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and miracles among the people. 9 Then there arose certain of the synagogue, which is called the synagogue of the Libertines, and Cyrenians, and Alexandrians, and of them of Cilicia and of Asia, disputing with Stephen ¹⁰And they were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake.

the POWER of His Spirit of Holiness is IRRESISTIBLE brings anointing /POWER

BOLDNESS attracts GLORY/anointing.

Prov. 28:1+12

The Boldness of the Righteous.

1 The ungodly man flees when no one pursues: but the righteous is confident as a lion

The righteous are bold as lions.

וְ֝צַדִּיקִ֗ים but the righteous wə·ṣad·dî·qîm

כִּכְפִ֥יר as a lion kiḵ·p̄îr

יִבְטָֽח are bold yiḇ·ṭāḥ.

Proverbs 28:1 doesn’t have in mind that kind of boldness when it says the righteous have it and the wicked don’t. The boldness here is the boldness required for a just/righteous cause. What is it about the wicked that makes them so often flee (in the presence of justice) when no one is pursuing?

Could it be that..

When the righteous
צַ֭דִּיקִים (ṣad·dî·qîm)

triumph,
בַּעֲלֹ֣ץ (ba·‘ă·lōṣ)

there is great
רַבָּ֣ה (rab·bāh)

glory,
תִפְאָ֑רֶת (ṯip̄·’ā·reṯ)

https://biblehub.com/strongs/proverbs/28-12.htm

Because of the anointing

Strong’s Hebrew: 4886. מָשַׁח (mashach) — to smear, anoint

מְשִׁיחָה. More Hebrew words for anointing. noun מְשִׁיחָה. unction, band, cord, strand, thread

The high priest’s anointment is otherwise designated by the verb kadesh ( qaddesh; “to sanctify”). Indeed, the anointment “sanctifies” the high priest by removing him from the realm of the profane and empowering him to operate in the realm of the sacred, i.e., to handle the holy items.

Thus the Hebrew word mâshach that means to rub with oil also, by implication, means to consecrate. Mâshîyach (a derivative) is translated into the English adjective ‘anointed’ and thus means a consecrated person or thing.

Anointing stands for greatness (Sifre, Num. 117; Yer. Bik. ii. 64 d ): consequently, “Touch not mine anointed” signifies “my great ones.” All the vessels of the tabernacle, also, were consecrated with the sacred oil for all time to come (Num. R. xii.).

Strong’s Greek: 5545. χρῖσμα (chrisma) — an anointing, unction

From chrio; an unguent or smearing, i.e. (figuratively) the special endowment (“chrism”) of the Holy Spirit — anointing, unction.

The sick were healed, miracles were wrought, demons cast out…

Boldness with great power and grace and obedience

they were told to leave serving tables and give themselves to prayer.

We too must put the Word first place!

Josh 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.

Acts 6:4 4 But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.

1 And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration. 2 Then the twelve called the multitude of the disciples unto them, and said, It is not reason that we should leave the word of God, and serve tables.

Our Heavenly Father has a due time and season.

Be ready to do, or to stop doing, that which He is telling you.

Be open to change, to move on and serve in a deeper way.

Be a doer of His Word – not a hearer only…

ACTS of the apostles and disciples they ACTED.

מעשי השליחים

The Apostles were Hebrews.

Born and raised Jewish/Hebrew

so they were taught the language of their families. When Messiah appeared to Paul on the Damascus road, he said that Yeshua/Jesus spoke to him in Hebrew.

Acts 21, it is written about Paul, “He spoke to them in the Hebrew language.” And on his way to Damascus, Paul says, Jesus spoke to him in Hebrew: “I heard a voice saying to me in the Hebrew language, ‘Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?’”

His Holy Spirit is a gift.

Acts 2:38 39 it’s a promise

Ps 75:6 obedience,

faithfulness and

steadfastness

bring promotion

Streadfastnesss

Strong’s Hebrew: 530. אֱמוּנָה, (emunah)

— firmness איתנות איתנה

faithful set office, stability, steady,

What Does The Word ‘Steadfast’ Mean In Hebrew?

aman-

to be firm, faithful, true, to trust; have belief; to believe.

This word indicates that a subject is lasting or enduring. Also, it signifies being firm or trustworthy.

I will fasten him as a peg in a secure place, And he will become a glorious throne to his father’s house!! Is.22:23-25

peg – vav – hook.

HA SH’KHINAH {SHEKINAH}

is Hebrew for

GOD’S ABIDING, DIVINE PRESENCE.

Additionally, ABBA YAH means FATHER YAH.

Holy Spirit of Promise

Ruach HaKodesh ka’sher dibber

(ROO-akh hak-KOH-desh ka-a-SHER deeb-BEIR)

Holy Spirit Of Promise (Eph. 1:13).

spirit of Holiness –

Hebrew: רוח הקודש ‎,

Ruach HaKodesh

Dedication

הַקדָשָׁה

sanctification

inscription, beatification, consecration,

Strong’s Hebrew: 2598. חֲנֻכָּה (chanukkah) — dedication …

chanukkah: dedication, consecration.

Patience – סבלנות

Patience has another word in Hebrew which is also biblical:

E•rech Ru•ach (literally, ‘long breath’).

It appears once in the Bible as an important gift of the spirit:

“Better is the end of a thing than its beginning; and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit”.

persistence

התמדה

also

Strong’s Hebrew: 8280. שָׂרָה (saw – rah) — to persist, exert …

to persist, exert oneself, persevere.

Original Word: שָׂרָה.

These are rewarded by the Lord

We need this same anointing now and its as available to us today as it was 2000+ years ago.

WHY?

It’s to work the works of Yeshua/Jesus and by so doing, destroy the works of the devil; which is why He came.

All we have to do is ask and receive

because we are to work while it is still day

for the night is coming

and very soon

when no man can work.

John 9:4

Grace

Boldness

Obedience

Power

Glory

Yeshua/Jesus told them in His own words when the promise of the power was given in v8;

to receive the power

to be witnesses

unto Him

not

for Him

but of Him about Him.

Gk. dunamis – authority

We can read in the following verses:

The call is by His spirit v. 39 43

signs and wonders done 3:7

vs 42 43 means 100% commitment

47 praising God

3:12 not by our own power or holiness

4:7 by what power

4:12 bold declaration by Peter vs. 13 & 29 & 19

Acts 4:13: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and”
Acts 4:29: “unto thy servants, that with all boldness they may speak thy word,”
Acts 4:31: “the word of God with boldness.“

v. 5:29 obey God not man

boldness with actions

v.v31 spoke the word of God with boldness

v.v33 great power they gave witness of the resurrection

and great grace was upon them

v. 5:12 power also manifests in unity of one accord

v. 15 Peters’ ‘shadow’/anointing.

The door of grace is closing, the end of the opportunity for salvation is coming close and then it’s over.

Choose today… will we be counted in that number?

6:8 Stephen was one of His Disciples,

he was full of faith and power;

he did great wonders and miracles

and loved not his life unto physical death.

Most significantly…Jesus/Yeshua stood up for him as he transitioned.

Deliverance brings Joy.

8:8 6-8

In the cities where they ministered. 9:27 and 29

Boldness in v.34 Aeneas had palsy and was raised up.

40 Tabitha was raised from dead.

10:38 anointed with His Holy Spirit POWER there were

healings,

deliverances

and salvations.

Their obedience and His grace brought power from their boldness, giving glory to the Father in Jesus/Yeshuas Name.

Boldness, Power, Grace, Glory, Obedience,

they are essential

ingredients for a walk/halak bearing much fruit.

The GRACE of His Spirit of Holiness infused them with the BOLDNESS to preach in POWER and demonstration bringing GLORY to the father by their OBEDIENCE.

The BOLDNESS came through the GLORY

and the POWER of His spirit of GRACE,

anointing them

to be OBEDIENT to their CALLing.

10:38 How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth.

Let’s shake ourselves out of complacency;

let’s deliver ourselves from the spirit of entitlement which gives us ‘self time’ we think we deserve.

Procrastination will kill the anointing of the spirit of God in us.

They were all

changed

unto

obedient, bold, witnesses,

full of grace, power and truth

bringing glory to the Father...

we can be too…simply accept His call and

receive ALL that He has for you…

These words may assist you..

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua. I truly desire to be obedient to your call on my life, so I lay down my life right now and dedicate the remaining time you grant me on this earth to work in and for your Kingdom. I desire to work the works of Jesus/Yeshua and be a witness unto Him and humbly ask for You to equip me, in order to fulfill that which You have for me to do. Forgive me for procrastinating and putting off what I know has been in my heart. Strengthen me to make the step of faith that I need to take to be right in the center of Your will for me. Thank you for doing abundantly above all I can ask or even think and showing me the direction to take so I too can be changed. Thank you for the grace to be obedient so that the boldness and power of Your Spirit can bring glory to your Name through my life.

May His true Shalom/Peace

rest upon each one in Jesus/Yeshuas’ Name.

‘Mishpachah’ ‘Family’

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa Mish-pa-KHa

you are greatly loved and prayed for daily..

NOT SURE if you are part of His Family?

YOU CAN BE..

Say the following and mean it from your heart…

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 came in the flesh and 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 in my spirit 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.

Why Was Elisha Digging Ditches To The Sound of Music?

May 16, 2021

The background to the story is that of King Jehoshaphat of Judah, a relatively good, God-fearing King, but he made a critical mistake by making an alliance with the wicked son of Ahab, Jehoram.

2Kings 3:5-24

But after Ahab died, the king of Moab rebelled against the king of Israel. 6 So at that time King Joram….7 sent this message to Jehoshaphat king of Judah: “The king of Moab has rebelled against me. Will you go with me to fight against Moab?”

Israel was at war with the Moabites but their king had led them in a roundabout route for 7 days, leaving them with no water and dwindling hope.

Kings 3:9-26, 9 “So the king of Israel went with the king of Judah and the king of Edom, and they marched on that roundabout route seven days; and there was no water for the army, nor for the animals that followed them. 10 And the king of Israel said, “Alas!

King Jehoshaphat

המלך יהושפט

Yehoshaphat.

Phonetic Spelling: (yeh-ho-shaw-fawt’)

Definition: the LORD has judged or

Yah Hath Judged/Yahweh Has Judged/The Lord Judges.

The name Jehoshaphat consists of two elements:

1) The name יה(Yah) = יהו(Yahu) = יו(Yu), which in turn are abbreviated forms of the Tetragrammaton; the name of the Lord: YHWH.

2) The verb שפט (shapat), meaning to judge or govern:

King Jehoshaphat plan was to try to take over the land of Moab…but as we know, the end doesn’t justify the means. The plan backfired on him and he found himself with thousands of soldiers and animals and no water.

God never wants us to align ourselves in a common goal with wickedness, those not walking in covenant relationship with Him.

Both old and new testaments remind us

32 Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. Exodus 23:32-33

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 2 Cor. 6:14

Jehoshaphat had not done right in terms of separating himself from unbelievers, and it ended up costing his people because now their very lives were in danger.

Having commanded some 40,000 men to march 7 days over a hot desert with minimal food and water.

When his options had run out, he finally decides to go to the man of God for counseling; this should have been his first action along with seeking the Lord for His direction. He realized he needed to separate from them, and yet there is no water…

What was the answer to his dilemma?

“Let’s consult ELISHA, a prophet and a man of God to inquire of him. He knows about water. He poured water on the hands of Elijah.”

And Jehoshaphat said, Whether any prophet of the Lord is here, (so) that we (can) beseech the Lord by him? And one of the servants of the king of Israel answered, Elisha, the son of Shaphat, is here, that poured water upon the hands of Elijah (Elisha, the son of Shaphat, is here, who poured water upon Elijah’s hands). 2Kings 3:11

Elisha

אלישע

Modern: ʼElīšaʻ, My God is salvation or

God is salvation

Greek: Ἐλισ[σ]αῖος, Elis[s]aîos or Ἐλισαιέ, Elisaié)

So they did, however, the answer was probably not what they were expecting because…..

Sometimes He asks us to be a part of His solutions….

and sometimes in rather strange and unusual ways.

Elisha says:

2Kings 3:15-17

15 But now bring me a musician.”. Then it happened, when the musician played, that the hand of the Lord came upon him. 16 And he said, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Make this valley full of [ a]ditches.’ 17 For thus says the Lord: ‘You shall not see wind, nor shall you see rain; yet that valley shall be filled with water, so that you, your cattle, and your animals may drink.’.

This word “valley” in the Hebrew is

ואדי

“wadi“,

which is a “dry riverbed

More Hebrew words for wadi.

noun וָאדִי.

gully, ravine.

noun נַחַל. s

tream, river, brook, valley, ravine.

“Cherith, Kerith (Hebrew: נַחַל כְּרִית ‎ Naḥal Kərīṯ), or sometimes Chorath (/ ˈ k ɔːr ɑː θ /; from the Septuagint’s Greek: Χειμάῤῥους Χοῤῥάθ cheimárrhous Chorrháth), is the name of a wadi, or intermittent seasonal stream mentioned in the Hebrew Bible.

Now bring me a minstrel/musician… One that can sing and play well upon an instrument of music.

He sent for a minstrel, possibly to calm his mind from the impressions of the physical problem and having been disturbed at the sight of idolatrous Jehoram,

the soft tones of the lyre/harp brought composure to his mind and soul so that he might be inspired to more fervent prayer, and thereby be prepared to receive the prophetic inspiration.

When the musician played, the hand of the Lord came on him and his spirit gave instructions to work the miracle.

minstrel

2 Kings 3:15
HEB: קְחוּ־ לִ֣י מְנַגֵּ֑ן וְהָיָה֙ כְּנַגֵּ֣ן
NAS: bring me a minstrel. And it came
KJV: But now bring me a minstrel. And it came to pass, when the minstrel

also

נָגַן Nagan

Phonetic Spelling: naw-gan’

Definition. to touch or play a stringed instrument. NASB Translation. minstrel (1), minstrel played (1), musician

Strongs #5059

2 Kings 3:16-18
“This is what the Lord says: I will fill this valley with pools of water. For this is what the Lord says: You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this valley will be filled with water, and you, your cattle and your other animals will drink. This is an easy thing in the eyes of the Lord; he will also deliver Moab into your hands.“

God lays it on Elisha’s heart what

He,

the Lord,

will do to rescue them:

All they have to do is dig some ditches!

Why?

It sounds completely crazy!

So Why? ….

Because God said to.

Even though He said in v. 17 there won’t be storms or rain!

…but

there’ll be water…

God has spoken.

Dig ditches…..

תְעָלָה

ditch, channel, canal, gutter, culvert, water course

They needed

to act

on their faith,

regardless of how illogical it sounded!

Imagine what passers-by must have thought….

an army digging ditches???

Digging a valley full of ditches,

for water,

to win a battle with no sign of rain!

He didn’t need human logic,

no rain was required,

no river,

just

His power and

simple faith, trusting in Him.

if He says it, He does it!

From the irrational display of desperation to the next morning

….they find that…

Water has flowed uphill and across this ancient plain

that was once a stream bed.

In verse 20, the valley is full of water for the troops

Then a further miracle happens:

the Moabites mistake the water for blood and through this they are defeated.

Nothing is impossible for God, and He achieves it through

His plans,

no matter how illogical and unexplainable they are to us.

He even provides in abundance,

far more than we would expect, for them

AND their animals.

But they had to trust God,

His plan

and what He asked them to do.

So should we.

We think often that God will give us faith to change or to persevere and stand until the situation changes.

However, true faith comes when we walk into the valley, often situations that are opposite to mountain top experiences; and instead of trying to fill the valley, we instead dig until they are filled with ditches.

The Lord requires places/ containers for His waters to collect, so that it won’t run off and dissipate into another stream.

He wants to fill our valleys.

biqah: a valley, plain

בִּקְעָה

Phonetic Spelling: bik-aw’

Strongs#1237

Not only so we can drink, but to have enough for everyone around us who needs it, including crops and animals/ livestock.

Faith is not looking up and seeing rain clouds and seeing the rain fall.

Faith is looking at a clear sky

but being full of expectancy

that the valley will be filled.

You will not see wind nor rain.

He wants us to do things like, dig ditches, with the promise to fill them and in unexpected unconventional ways.

He wants a faith filled people.

He is looking for people who don’t need rain in order to have rainfall!

Faith people who will dig ditches to collect water that never falls from the sky!!!

People who will believe

He will bring water

in His own way and time

all we have to do is act in obedient response,

that is faith!

The ‘ridiculous’ faith of Elisha!

We must sometimes dig a ditch so God can fill it!

That is a clear lesson from this scripture account.

Our Heavenly Father specializes in

FILLING

things

which are

EMPTY.

We are to empty ourselves of the cares of this world, and that makes room for God to fill us!

As we remember, the cares of the world choke the Word of God.

When we empty ourselves of the flesh

and then the Spirit comes flowing in like a rushing river,

filling the valley of our souls!

Our Heavenly Father gets all the glory when He uses our provision of emptiness to fulfill His will in and through us in overflowing ways!

His OUTPOURING into our need!

In the following chapter we see the familiar story of the widow and her empty vessels which God filled for her. Elisha, who challenged the widow woman to create more emptiness for the Lord to fill, had just seen it happen himself as he dug ditches so God could fill them.

Have faith…trust…

lay aside all self-sufficiency,

and instead,

find some emptiness!

The widow of 2Kings 4 brought all the jars she had faith to bring!

How many would we bring?

Sometimes we are called to create some emptiness so God can fill it.

… Dig a ditch,

or God won’t fill it!

A mind occupied with planning

pays homage to the idol of control.

Planning takes little to no faith because it is fore-thought and carefully and deliberately arranged and what is worse, it leaves God completely out of the picture and then we ask Him to bless our way.

Many spend all week planning the weekend, thinking it is Gods’ will when in fact it is just simply what they want to do.

One of the greatest hindrances to living a faith filled life is not making room for God.

In this account, Elisha shows how faith works.

It is echoed in Hebrews 11:1

Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Now faith is a well-grounded assurance of that for which we hope, and a conviction of the reality of things which we do not see.

The principle here is

putting

faith

into

action.

Don’t just say you have faith!

Show it by our actions

James said in 2:17…

17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” shew me thy faith without thy works/actions, and I will shew thee my faith by my works/actions.

Fulfillment comes in emptiness of self, and being filled with the Spirit maybe its time to dig some ditches???

May His true Shalom/Peace

rest upon each one in Jesus/Yeshuas’ Name.

‘Mishpachah’ ‘Family’

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa Mish-pa-KHa

you are greatly loved and prayed for daily..

NOT SURE if you are part of His Family? YOU CAN BE..

Say the following and mean it from your heart…

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 came in the flesh and 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 in my spirit 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.

Is A Gift A Talent or Is A Talent A Gift??

May 2, 2021

mincha or minchah is

GIFT

in Hebrew

מתנה

the letters:

hey chet nun mem

Strong’s Hebrew: 4503.

מִנְחָה

minchah —

a gift, tribute …

gift, oblation, meat offering, present, sacrifice.

From an unused root meaning to apportion,

i.e. Bestow;

gift – מַתָּנָה

Today in Hebrew, this is the most common word for a gift. It is exactly the same word that was used in both in the Old and the New Testaments.

The root of this word is

na•tan,

gave, gift

spelled with the letters:

noon, tav, and noon.

this is actually the name Nathan.

In Hebrew, a gift, can also mean

כִּשָּׁרוֹן

kisharón.

This refers to someone who is gifted, or has a special talent or ability.

In modern Hebrew, there are two different words for

gift:

מתנה. Matana

שי Shai

Generally a gift would be

matana מתנה

in Hebrew however lesser used synonyms are:

shay שי and doron דורון

and are often used as names alongside

מתן to signify someone being a gift to the world or life.

In modern Hebrew the most common word would be

מַתָנָה pronounced ma-ta-nah

and also meaning:

present, offering, donation, largess, or a bribe, depending on the context and the intention you are using the word with.

There are at least a dozen other words in Hebrew with the same meaning of: a thing given willingly to someone, without payment or retribution or as a gratuity.

מתנה; MATANA

is used if it refers to the thing you give people

e.g. on their birthday.

כישרון; KISHARON –

if it refers to a special talent.

Strong’s Hebrew: 3604. כַּכְּרִין

kikkar — a talent

kikkar: a talent

(a measure of weight or money)

noun כִּשָׁרוֹן.

aptitude, competence, capability, gift, ability.

noun כִּשָׁרוֹנוֹת.

Matthew 25:14-30

¹⁴“For the kingdom of heaven is like a man traveling to a far country, who called his own servants and delivered his goods to them.¹⁵And to one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one, to each according to his own ability; and immediately he went on a journey. ¹⁶Then he who had received the five talents went and traded with them, and made another five talents. ¹⁷And likewise he who had received two gained two more also. ¹⁸But he who had received one went and dug in the ground, and hid his lord’s money. ¹⁹After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them.

²⁰“So he who had received five talents came and brought five other talents, saying, ‘Lord, you delivered to me five talents; look, I have gained five more talents besides them.’ ²¹His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you were faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ ²²He also who had received two talents came and said, ‘Lord, you delivered to me two talents; look, I have gained two more talents besides them.’²³His lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a few things, I will make you ruler over many things. Enter into the joy of your lord.’

²⁴“Then he who had received the one talent came and said, ‘Lord, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you have not sown, and gathering where you have not scattered seed. ²⁵And I was afraid, and went and hid your talent in the ground. Look, there you have what is yours.’

²⁶“But his lord answered and said to him, ‘You wicked and lazy servant, you knew that I reap where I have not sown, and gather where I have not scattered seed. ²⁷So you ought to have deposited my money with the bankers, and at my coming I would have received back my own with interest. ²⁸So take the talent from him, and give it to him who has ten talents.

²⁹‘For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who does not have, even what he has will be taken away. ³⁰And cast the unprofitable servant into the outer darkness. There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’

This parable has more than one message within it and all have relevance to our life and times.

First it’s a warning, telling us to stay alert, because we do not know the day nor the hour of His return. Then He likens it to the situation described in the parable:

“Therefore stay alert, because you do not know the day or the hour. 14 For it is like a man going on a journey, who summoned his slaves and entrusted his property to them.

Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming. – Matthew 25:13 (NKJV)

So the foundation of the parable of the talents really begins with verse 13. That’s why this parable is one of preparedness – because eventually, Yeshua/Jesus is coming back and sooner than most realize or want Him to!

In the Parable of the Talents Matthew 25:14-30, Jesus/Yeshua again used a story to encourage His followers to be ready for His return at all times.

“Be on the alert,”

He said,

“for you do not know which day your Lord is coming” Matthew 24:42.

In the parable, He describes a man who goes on a journey, entrusting his servants with his wealth and possessions in his absence.

The man traveling is Yeshua/Jesus and we are the servants.

From this understanding, let’s look at the various meanings people have pointed out.

First the talents referred to here are coins, money.

In the chart above we see that a talent or mina is worth a lot of money!

We often picture it as a few coins; as in the picture below:

This is an incorrect image and alters our visual understanding of what Yeshua /Jesus was trying to illustrate.

Just one talent could be valued at around

$400,000 in today’s U.S.dollars!

Or approx.. 300,000 UK pounds or Euros.

1 drachma = 1 days wages

1 mena = 100 drachma which = 100 days wages

60 minas = 1 talent which was = to about 19 years wages!!

So it would have been according to that which was given of

5, 2 and 1 talents.

5x 400,000 = 2,000,0000

2x 400,000 = 800,000 and 1 = 400,000

This could not have been put in a little bag under a stone!

It also says how much the Lord values us and how much He values what He gives us. More than most people will see in a lifetime.

However it is not really talking about money.

More importantly, it is talking about:

stewardship,

responsibility,

obedience

and preparedness.

Looking at this parable, it really is one of self-examination; and a good one to meditate on during the season prior to Shavuot/Pentecost.

We often say of someone they are very talented or they have talent! This does not mean money it means they have an ability or are gifted in some area either musically, artistically, creatively, usually in regard to making something that others admire. Many times it is above what is considered the normal or average ability.

So we interchange the word

gift for talent

and don’t think of it as money or currency.

Here it may surprise us to discover that this parable may have nothing to do with natural gifts and abilities

but what rather relates to

THE GIFT of His Holy Spirit.

Mincha Ruach HaKo’desh

Here we must point out that the Hebrew reads

רוח הקודש

ruach hako’desh

the spirit of the holy one

also transliterated

ruacḥ ha-qodesh and

literally spirit of holiness/holy spirit

YHWH – hwhy (Yahoveh)’s Spirit.

His Spirit of Holiness is Jesus/Yeshua

because He said in John 14:23

Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my word: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.

But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. 18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you. 19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live. 20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in

15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 16 And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; 17Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. 18I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you. 19 Yet a little while, and the world seeth me no more; but ye see me: because I live, ye shall live also. John 14:18

His spirit of Holiness is not an it or a thing and it seems strange that we always seem to refer to Him as ‘the’? when it should be His Holy Sprit, or, Gods’/Fathers’ Holy Spirit or Yeshua/Jesus’Spirit of Holiness. We lessen the purity and reverence that is due to the essence of our Heavenly Fathers presence.

He is with us always even to the end of the age.

He is the same Spirit of Holiness that created the universe and hovered/ brooded over the face of the deep. We need a fresh and deeper revelation of the gift/mincha we have been given. His power has been given in a measure that will not harm or destroy us but will enable us to walk as Yeshua walked while on this earth.

Every power source needs a stable container, uncontaminated with certain parameters to maintain its correct operation and function. This is why we are to be cleansed, purified and prepared; the very essence of the OMER and a special reason they were to count the OMER that particular year. 50 days to Pentecost/Shavuot and the time of receiving the promise; His impartation and the promise of His being with us always. Literally living, residing, within us.

A portion of the kingdom of the heavens – the gift/mincha of eternal life; followed by the flowing out in physical manifestation of: preaching the good news of the kingdom of the heavens, healings and casting out unclean spirits raising the dead, performing miracles and working the works of Jesus/Yeshua.

It is the Father doing the works through us, just the same as through Jesus/ Yeshua. Heal the sick, the lame, give sight to the blind, cleanse the lepers set the captives free.

We know that Shavuot/Pentecost is the time of the

giving of His gift/mincha,

of His Spirit of Holiness.

It is important that we must never measure our spiritual capacity on the basis of our education or intellect; but rather our capacity in spiritual things is measured on the basis of the promises of God.

2 Cor. 1:20

All the promises of God in Him are yes and in Him Amen.

If we receive less than God wants for us to have, we are in danger of falsely accusing Him; just as the servant in the parable did because he did not know his master.

The giver of the gift.

Which in essence, still belonged to the master who received it back upon his return.

So that puts another angle on it also. Was the servant was saying: You expect more of me than you equipped me or gave me the power to do. Your demands are too much on me my time and my life and I cant do what you want me to in what you have chosen for me??!

Here’s your talent back….

We need to remember that when it’s a question of our Fathers Spirit, we never say, I Cant; that is simply turning the responsibility on ourselves and we are to be dead to self. If we are still trying to figure out everything and organize our time and schedule our lives, we are not submitted to His spirit working in us. We are still in control and we must never allow the limitations of our own natural ability to enter into any given situation. If we received His Spirit of Holiness He expects the work of His Spirit to be exhibited in us just as He did with Jesus/Yeshua.

In the parable the servant justified himself and at the same time was condemning his lord /master on every point; as if to say, your demand on me is way out of proportion to what you gave me.

Have we been falsely accusing God? By daring to worry after what He has promised in Matt 6:33? Worrying means exactly what was implied by the servant.

I know your intent to leave me alone and vulnerable.

We must be careful to remember that our lives will only reflect that which is from within and that our capacity and capability in spiritual matters is measured by, and based on the the promises of God who alone is able to fulfill them.

Do we believe that?

Our answer to that question will depend on whether or not we have received His Mincha/His Spirit of Holiness.

Thanks be to God for His inexpressible gift.

First He came in the flesh and now is present with us always.

If we are still only come as far as asking God for things, we have never come to the point of understanding the least bit of what surrender really means; and we have instead become a Christian based on our own terms. Jer. 45:5.

As we continue to count through the days from the Omer lets surrender all, and prepare ourselves to receive afresh His Mincha the gift of His Spirit of Holiness; and re evaluate what the parable of the talents is saying to us. The lateness of the hour is evident and to whom much is given much is required and we have ALL been given the gift of the measure of faith.

Another view of The Parable of the Talents is, that Yeshua/Jesus uses it to help us understand our calling as Christians and our responsibility to use what God has given us to bring Him glory and honor! We can only do that when we invest our time, talents and treasure into His Kingdom and not one of our own making, based on us and making a life for ourselves!

We have the most valuable gift/mincha of all,

the Word of God and the

saving Gospel

of Jesus Christ/Yeshua haMashiach.

Reading the verses it’s also clearly a HEAVEN and HELL parable! The servants who used their talents entered into heaven,

“the joy of the Lord”.

The servant who didn’t use his talent was cast into hell.

Some say the only thing the talents could represent is – saving faith!

That view says that salvation, which is entering the Kingdom, is only by grace though faith. It is a gift from God. Everyone is given the opportunity to have faith.

It is up to us what we do with it.

Do we use it

or

do we bury it?

Are those who put their talents to work are simply those who have genuine faith? “Faith without corresponding actions is dead” i.e. not genuine.

These servants would seem to represent the Jewish “sinners” of Messiah’s day, and the humble poor, who were believing in the grace of God and receiving Yeshua/Jesus as Messiah.

Will they enter into the Kingdom?

Are they are the good and faithful servants simply because they have faith?

The lazy servant represents the self righteous religious people of His day and the prideful rich. This wicked servant buried his talent, hid his faith, because he didn’t believe in the goodness and grace of God. Instead he believed that God was a hard task master who demands we give to Him and also what we are not able to give. This is a mindset of law based thinking, which Yeshua/Jesus came to correct. This evil unbelieving servant represents those who trust in their works or their riches to save them, Pharisees’ rules and laws, those who ultimately reject Messiah and God’s grace.

The parable is given to contrast:

faith vs works,

grace vs law,

the gift of righteousness vs self righteousness

and humility vs pride.

The talents were given according to ability, 5, 2 and 1.

Remembering what a talent is = to in todays money.

It is all referring to that which God knew He had imparted into them and what they were able to do.

Its also about obedience.

Using our talents for the kingdom of the heavens, not for our own success fame and fortune. It’s a test of our allegiance and to whom we are in submitted. If we are truly dead to self then we have no goal, no personal agenda other than to serve our Father in His Kingdom; no vision other than the heavenly one.

We need to stop making excuses and go, make disciples!

Just as He told us to.

We are all too often working the wrong works.

Ultimately is wasn’t about the amount given or the ability to use it, it was about –

did they use it?

Did they use their faith or did they bury it?

Did they believe in the goodness of their master or did they believe wrongly about him?

Those who receive the grace of God by faith, will enter into the Kingdom and receive grace upon grace, those who reject His grace through unbelief will have everything taken away from them and will be cast into outer darkness.

Jesus/Yeshua uses a number of parables to communicate essential principles about His return.

We have seen that a talent in the first-century was a unit of currency and 1 talent represented a large sum of money. A lot of older translations used to use the word talent, so the parable came to be known as The Parable of the Talents. The value of the money entrusted to the servants isn’t that important. Obviously the master was extremely rich and was entrusting a tremendous amount to them.

In the beginning, we see the master making the disciples responsible for managing a portion of his estate. Even though the servants are given different sums to take care of, it all still belongs to the master. They’re merely administrators who will answer for how they invested the master’s belongings.

This fact reinforces the principle of stewardship.

As believers, we are all given resources according to our skills and abilities, but those resources ultimately belong to God. We will eventually answer for how we invest and reminding us that we really own nothing it is on loan to us from the Father.

When the master returns and hears the reports of the first two servants, he’s pleased.

His response is to invite them to share in his happiness.

This seems a strange suggestion…

why?

In place of only the wrath of God that people associate with His judgment, Jesus/Yeshua shows that upon His return, the faithful will be entering into His happiness and will experience His joy. He made a similar statement in

Luke 12:32. Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom.

The unfaithful servant who doesn’t give the master a return on his investment is thrown out where he will never experience the master’s happiness.

When the unfaithful servant returns the exact amount he received, the master is infuriated. Where is the return on the servant’s investment? To excuse himself, the servant reveals to the master that he was scared. Knowing the master to be a merciless boss, he was afraid to invest and lose the master’s money. This is the reason he just buried it in the yard.

The master responds in anger. Is he saying that if that servant were truly afraid of him, he would have responded differently, and would have done anything to have something to offer?

Too often we allow our misunderstood views about God to justify or excuse poor stewardship or disobedience.

As servants of Messiah/Christ, we are called to be productive. All of our health, money, time, and abilities have come from Him, and we are tasked with putting them to use to benefit the kingdom. A time is coming when the Master will return to settle accounts, and then it will be too late.

It’s not enough to say, I didn’t waste what you gave me, Lord. We want to demonstrate how we have used the gifts and abilities we have been given to benefit the kingdom. God desires that we be those who step out in faith, who share His commitment. That’s how we’ll enter into the happiness of the Master.

Consider what Yeshua/Jesus said in Matt. 25:14-15.

A man traveled to a far country, called his own servants, delivered his goods to them, and immediately went on a journey.

We must see the parallels….Yeshua/Jesus came to earth, called His disciples, entrusted them with the message of the gospel, and departed when He ascended back to heaven, and

Matthew 25;19 completes this picture.

After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. (NKJV)

This verse is a reminder that not only did Messiah leave this earth, but one day He will come back and we will have to give account. This is one of the most important points.

The parable of the talents is a reminder that Jesus/Yeshua is coming back and we have some work to do.

While we are still counting from Omer, below are some things to prayerfully consider.

One of the phrases we read this story is

to each according to his own ability;

leading to simple questions:

What is our role in the kingdom,

what has God given us to do?

and what is His expectation of us?

Remember, He began the parable by saying

the kingdom of heaven is like.

God has given each of us a responsibility, according to our abilities. So often we leave the work of preaching the gospel and making disciples to those who are called to do it.

The reality is that calling is for all of us.

Some may have more responsibility if God has called them to do that in a full-time capacity, but we are all called to this purpose. These are the talents/goods God has delivered to each of us.

It does not matter if God has positioned us to do this full-time or not, it is critical to recognize what God has given each of us as individuals. The message of the gospel, which is the talents/goods/gifts are alive in us if we know Yeshua/Jesus as our Savior.

What has God given us?

The responsibility, applies to everyone,

and now that we are aware of it we are accountable, so we must ask ourselves,

what are we doing with it?

Looking at this in a very practical way; recall one had 5 talents, one had 2 talents, and one had 1 talent. We need to see that our mindset needs an adjustment and understand that in Gods eyes, everyone is in full-time ministry. The difference is what is the primary focus of our ministry.

It could be described as this:

Some people’s ministry is only focused on the gospel and disciples all the time (5 talents). Some people work full-time outside of a church or ministry setting and may volunteer to serve in church. For this person the majority of their ministry happens in their jobs and communities (2 talents or 1 talent). So being a teacher, business person, an accountant (or whatever your occupation) is really full-time ministry.

The difference is that the primary focus of an individuals ministry is not just preaching the gospel; but it is still ministry. In the course of working, we can shine His light and share the truth of the gospel when the opportunities arise.

The bottom line is we may not be able to do as much as someone with 5 talents, but we still can and should contribute with the talents God has given us.

To whom much given much is required.

“From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked” (Luke 12:48).

Again reminding us that we are not alone in the quest for doing good and that we have to be responsible in using His gifts.

One of the most important thing to remember from this parable of the talents, is the suddenness of the master’s return.

This takes us back to Matt. 25;19

After a long time the lord of those servants came and settled accounts with them. (NKJV)

There are two points of emphasis here:

First, the master (Yeshua/Jesus) will return one day,

and second,

we will have to give account.

The master didn’t announce his coming, he just came back after a long time!!

It will be the same with Yeshua/Jesus.

After a while, He will come back.

The question is,

are we ready for His return?

Another way of looking at it is—what would we want to be found doing when Messiah returns? Hopefully, the answer is to be taking what He has entrusted us with and sharing it with those around us. After all, this is the only way possible He can get a return on what He has entrusted you with.

Are we ready for His return?

Why is this a recurring theme in the posts? Because it is the message coming from His Spirit of Holiness at this hour, and the hour is very, very late……

When we read the whole story, there were two different responses given to the servants. Two of them heard well done and one heard you wicked, lazy servant. That is why it is so important to focus on what we do with the task/responsibility God has given us and not the amount of responsibility God has given us.

The point made in this situation is the servant with the smallest amount of responsibility was the one who was declared wicked and lazy. This confirms that it is not how much God has given us but what are we doing with it. In other words, there are no excuses.

This is a challenging word, but it is part of the calling and what Yeshua/Jesus has entrusted us to do. What God has given us is real and very valuable and we have a responsibility to share it, even if all we have is 1 talent. That can make a very big difference in the kingdom of God, and it can also make a difference in what God will say to us on that day.

What will Yesua/Jesus say to us on that day and

where do we go from here?

Each reader be encouraged to consider what God has entrusted and placed in us. Consider what He is asking us to do. Remember everyone is not going to be full-time (5 talents). Most of us will only have 2 talents or 1 talent.

Whatever God has asked us to do, we are to work at it with all our might, being the best we can be and doing all we can for the kingdom of God.

Whatever your hands find to do, do with all your strength. Ecc. 9:10

Gifts can be talents placed within us, given by our Father to use for and in furthering His Kingdom; talents are also gifts/goods that we are entrusted with, to put to His use and increase their volume; so we can present them to Him upon His return and show that we have been good stewards.

Paul makes it clear that faithfulness in that calling was not an option; it was a requirement.

1 Corinthians 4:1-2
Let a man so consider us as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. Moreover, it is required in stewards that one be found faithful.

1Peter 4:10

There’s a purpose why God has given us what we have right now. Let’s not waste what God has given us. Make sure we do our best to increase what God has given us. As good stewards, we have the responsibility to manage and handle our resources so we can earn an increase.

Therefore, my dear brothers and sisters, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.

1 Cor. 15:58

Family, His truth is what we need in this hour and not having our ears tickled… like the people said in Isaiah 30:10

who tell the seers, “Don’t see!” and to the prophets, “Don’t prophesy to us right things. Tell us pleasant things. Prophesy deceits.

Oh prophesy to us of pleasant things

…they did not want to hear the voice of their Lord through His prophets …He was calling them telling them to repent/teshuvah, to turn back to Him and His ways ..He is speaking the same today; and above all let us be found faithful doing that which we have been called to do.

Days are quickly coming when an unshakable faith in the Way the Truth and The Life is going to be critical. We must not be moved by what we see or hear, but stand fast in who and what we know.. He will strengthen our hearts…

The kingdom of the heavens is this parable, and it exists right this moment, each minute of the day we have a choice to use our gifts wisely; to go forward into growth and maturity, or retreat back to safety.

Just what is it we are supposed to do with these talents?

We are to serve with all our hearts and then we will experience the true joy of the Lord that always accompanies the blossoming and thriving of life/chaim. Let us us not fail to use our gifts/mincha by burying and hiding them….

Seek the LORD while he may be found; call on him while he is near. Let the wicked forsake his way and the evil man his thoughts. Let him turn to the LORD, and he will have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will freely pardon. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the LORD.

Isaiah 55:6-9

Seek the Lord while He may be found don’t wait one more day…today is the day of salvation.

The greatest mincha was and is Himself – Jesus/Yeshua

John 3:16

God GAVE

and salvation is

His GIFT/mincha

to us.

“God recommends his own love to us in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

Are you sure of your salvation?

May His true Shalom/Peace

rest upon each one in Jesus/Yeshuas’ Name.

‘Mishpachah’ ‘Family’

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa Mish-pa-KHa

you are greatly loved and prayed for daily..

NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..

please make certain you are secure in the knowledge that you are saved….

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.