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We all need encouragement and never more than in these days of uncertainty. Our feet need to be firmly planted on the Rock of our Salvation. We should be in a position of unshakeable faith in our Heavenly Father and our Lord and Messiah Yeshua/Jesus, abiding in Him and keeping our eyes firmly fixed on Him and not on the issues and circumstances in the world around us.
Matthew 6:31-33
31 Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For the Gentiles strive after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you.…
Luke 12:6-7
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. / And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
We turn to familiar scriptures to comfort and strengthen our faith, scriptures that give us confidence our Heavenly Father knows what is happening and sees our situations as is not taken by surprise. He knows our future and sees our heart of trust depending on Him to protect us and lead us through our troubles. He ensures that the testing and trial of our faith is never above what we can handle. 1Cor. 10:13 No trial has overtaken you that is not distinctively human; and God is faithful; · he will not let you be tested beyond what you can bear, but with the trial will also provide the way through, so that you will be able to endure it.
Among the many promises in scripture there is one in
Psalm 139:5: “Thou hast beset me behind and before, and laid thine hand upon me.”
This verse has been translated in a number of ways…
but what does the Hebrew say… literally?
Behind and before You take hold of me and You have laid upon me Your Hand.
Breaking down the Hebrew words in this verse gives us a wider understanding of the thoughts behind Davids statement:
achor: Back, behind, backward
Original Word: אָחוֹר
Part of Speech: substantive
Transliteration: achowr
Pronunciation: a-khor
Phonetic Spelling: (aw-khore’)
KJV: after(-ward), back (part, -side, -ward), hereafter, (be-)hind(-er part), time to come, without
NASB: back, backward, rear, afterward, away, backs, behind
Word Origin: [from H299 (אֲחִירַע – Ahira)]
afterward, back part hereafter, hinder part, time to come, without
(hence, adverbly) behind, backward (also, as facing north) the West
אָחוֹר (’achor) occurs about forty-one times, functioning adverbially (“back, backward, behind”) and as a noun (“rear, hinder part”). Scripture uses it both literally—describing spatial orientation—and metaphorically—expressing retreat, apostasy, concealment, shame, and divine protection.
Assurance of victory: Prayer trusts God to make spiritual adversaries retreat
ṣar·tā·nî
Psalm 139:5
HEB: אָח֣וֹר וָקֶ֣דֶם צַרְתָּ֑נִי וַתָּ֖שֶׁת עָלַ֣י
NAS: You have enclosed me behind
KJV: Thou hast beset me behind and before,
INT: behind and before have enclosed and laid and
6924 qedem: East, ancient times, antiquity, front, before
Original Word: קֶדֶם
Part of Speech: noun masculine; adverb; noun
Transliteration: qedem
Pronunciation: keh’-dem
Phonetic Spelling: (keh’-dem)
KJV: aforetime, ancient (time), before, east (end, part, side, -ward), eternal, X ever(-lasting), forward, old, past
Word Origin: [from H6923 (קָדַם – meet)]
-
the front, of place (absolutely, the fore part, relatively the East) or time (antiquity)
2. often used adverbially (before, anciently, eastward)
The Strongs word 6696 in Hebrew for beset is
tsur or tsuwr:
To bind, besiege, confine, cramp
Original Word: צוּר
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: tsuwr
Pronunciation: tsoor
Phonetic Spelling: (tsoor)
The verb צוּר (Strong’s 6696) portrays the purposeful act of hemming in—whether by an enemy army, by difficult circumstances, or by the Lord Himself. Its roughly thirty-six occurrences fall largely into military narratives, covenant warnings, wisdom reflections, and prophetic oracles. The word’s range moves from hostile siege to benevolent encirclement, revealing the Lord’s sovereign control of both judgment and protection. Strong’s Hebrew 6696 presents siege not merely as an ancient military tactic but as a theological instrument revealing the Lord’s righteous judgment, protective care, and redemptive purpose. Whether depicting armies at city walls or God’s hand surrounding His own, the verb summons every generation to covenant faithfulness and confident trust in the One who alone controls the boundaries of distress and deliverance.
KJV: adversary, assault, beset, besiege, bind (up), cast, distress, fashion, fortify, inclose, lay siege, put up in bags
צוּר verb confine, bind, besiege (Late Hebrew id., wrap (rare); Aramaic צוּר besiege, beleaguer); —
Indicating Sovereign control: God employs siege to discipline or to shelter, demonstrating mastery over human warfare.
2. Covenant accountability: Siege fulfills covenant blessings or curses, linking military events to spiritual realities.
3. Protective encirclement: For the faithful, being ‘hemmed in’ signifies safety within God’s providence.
4. Eschatological preview: The transition from judgment to protection anticipates the consummate security of God’s people in the Messianic age.
When believers feel confined by trials, Psalm 139:5 invites them to interpret the hemming in as God’s purposeful care rather than mere limitation.
• Intercession for Nations: Biblical sieges warn modern societies that persistent rebellion invites divine discipline; prayer should therefore combine repentance with appeal for mercy.
• Spiritual Warfare: Christians may build “siege works” of prayer and Scripture against strongholds of sin (cf. 2 Corinthians 10:4), appropriating the constructive use of the verb.
• Hope in Christ: Just as Zechariah foresaw God’s encampment around His house, believers rest in the risen Christ who “will never leave you nor forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5), the ultimate assurance that no hostile encirclement can prevail.
Fortified – tsur צ ור is also used for a fortress or fortified city.
As noted, the word for behind is ‘achor which has the idea of behind or past, and the word qedem means to go forward. That word ends in Hebrew with a closed letter mem, which indicates the hidden or unknown, as is the future which is yet to unfold. The words “‘achor vaqedem” expresses both the things that are behind us in the past and whatever is ahead of us in our future. This is very encouraging as it confirms to us that our Heavenly Father tsur /besets us/ encloses us, in a protective way both in our past and future.
The word tsur is used as a verb in this verse and is in a qal perfect form. Qal Perfect 2 masculine singular – shut up, enclose: And can be expressed as
you have entrenched me or fortified me.
Or simply:
In my past and in my future you have already fortified or entrenched me.
In Davids situation there was unrest in the nation and the future was not too bright; there were threats from the Assyrians and to his own throne when his son revolted and David had to flee from his kingdom with a price on his head. David daily faced the ever increasing pressures of being a king, but when he woke up in the morning not knowing what would happen, he was reminded that our Heavenly Father had fortified him, entrenched him and as noted, another expression for sur is hedged him. That hedge or fortress was around him in his past and it was around him in the present and would continue to be around him in the future.
David then says: You laid your hand upon me. Here the word laid /tasheth is actually in a future tense and means to place or set.
7896 shith: To put, place, set, appoint, make
Original Word: שִׁית
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: shiyth
Pronunciation: sheeth
Phonetic Spelling: (sheeth)
KJV: apply, appoint, array, bring, consider, lay (up), let alone, X look, make, mark, put (on), + regard, set, shew, be stayed, X take
NASB: set, make, put, laid, made, lay, demanded
Word Origin: [a primitive root]
“You will set me in – kap·pe·ḵāh -.your hand
3709 kaph: Palm, hand, hollow, sole
Original Word: כַּף
Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: kaph
Pronunciation: kaf
Phonetic Spelling: (kaf)
KJV: branch, + foot, hand((-ful), -dle, (-led)), hollow, middle, palm, paw, power, sole, spoon
NASB: hands, hand, pan, sole, pans, palm, soles
Word Origin: [from H3721 (כָּפַף – bowed down)]
1. the hollow hand or palm (so of the paw of an animal, of the sole, and even of the bowl of a dish or sling, the handle of a bolt, the leaves of a palm-tree)
2. (figuratively) power
The verse literally says:
You have set me in the palm of your hand.
or
We are sheltered in the hollow of His hand.
Recall from previous posts that back in those days, they believed a persons heart was in the palm of the hand; so with this in mind, David was saying that he will not fear or live in dread of the future, because he is sheltered in the heart of his Heavenly Father.
Peoples fears of the future are increasing with negative news reports fueling those anxieties, and we could spend all day worrying and fretting over the uncertainty of what may or may not happen; or we can be like David who said: My past, present, and future is hemmed in, enclosed, entrenched, sheltered in You. If any disaster happens, You will tsur – fortify me. I will be sheltered in the hollow of Your hand or I will be resting in Your heart whatever comes, You already know and see all my past present and future.
Don’t look at the world and all the problems and allow fear to rise in your mind, look to Jesus/Yeshua, the author and finisher of our faith.
Our Heavenly Father knows and sees…
and will never leave us nor forsake us. Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in His wonderful face and the things of the world will grow strangely dim in the light of His Glory and Grace; and let the true shalom, the peace that passes all understanding fill our hearts and minds and dwell in us richly.
Shalom, shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
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.
Job 1:9-10: “Then Satan answered the Lord and said: Doth Job fear God for naught? Hast thou made a hedge about him, and about his house and about all that he hath on every side? Thou hast blest the work of his hands and his substance is increased in the land.”
Another reference to the hedge is found in the
Psalms 139:5-6
You have hedged me behind and before, And laid Your hand upon me. KJV
You have encircled me behind and in front, And placed Your hand upon me. NASB
You have enclosed me behind and before, And [You have]
Placed Your hand upon me. Amp.
These references profoundly illustrate our Heavenly Fathers deep love and care for us. The imagery evokes feelings of safety, security, and intimate connection with Him.
In the
Berean Standard Bible Version it reads:
You hem me in behind and before;
You have laid Your hand upon me.
David write that his confidence is that God “hems him in.”
This idea comes from the Hebrew word tsuwr,
which is often used of
a military siege or fortification.
It has reference commonly to the siege of a city, or to the pressing on of troops in war; and then it comes to mean: to besiege, hem in, closely surround, so that there is no way of escape.
Strong’s Hebrew: 6696 צוּר (tsuwr) – besiege, lay siege …
(Qal) to form, fashion, delineate. tsuwr, tsoor; a primitive root; to cramp, i.e. confine (in many applications, literally and figuratively, formative or hostile): — adversary, assault, beset, besiege
Another use of the word is noted in Strong’s Hebrew: 6697. צוּר (tsur) — Rock, Cliff, Boulder
From the story of Job we are told that there was a fence, a wall of protection all around him. This was not a physical hedge but one of far greater effectiveness. This hedge was in the spiritual realm because the Lord God had encompassed him about with His love as with a shield, a hedge which could not be broken down by men or demonic attacks. He surrounded him with His almighty power, that no one and nothing could hurt him; He guarded him by His providence and caused his angels to encamp about him; He Himself was a wall of fire around him; the Targum interprets it like this: so thick was the hedge, so strong the fence, that Satan could not find the least gap to get in …
Have You not placed a hedge on every side around him?
This verse suggests divine protection and favor. In ancient Near Eastern culture, a hedge symbolized security and safeguarding from harm. The imagery of a hedge indicates our Heavenly Father’s complete protection over Job, in the same way as a shepherd protects his flock. This is mirrored in Psalm 91:4, where Adonai is described as a refuge and fortress. For believers, it emphasizes the belief in our Father’s sovereignty and His ability to shield those who are faithful and their household from evil.
We have a mental picture of what a hedge is probably something like the image below.
In the Hebrew verse in Job, the Hebrew form of the word used here for hedge is sakath, which seems unusual, however there are two possible root words which mean almost the same thing. One is sakak where we get the word Succoth and the other is savak; however if we follow this further in the translation in Hebrew, it’s the word sukah which comes from the same root as sukkah, the Moed/Appointed Time of the Feast of Sukkot/Booths/Tabernacles.
Translators use the root word sakak which is spelled Samek, Kaph, Kaph and means a covering of protection and is also a word used for weaving or intermingling. Our Heavenly Father had so intermingled and woven His protection around and into Job, that the enemy could not touch Him without touching Adonai Himself! This meant by threatening Job, it would be the same as threatening YHVH. The scripture in John 14:20 where Messiah says: On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.. is the exact same picture, providing we are keeping His commandments and walking along the narrow way. All promises are conditional and not optional, whether we like it or not the promises are always prefaced with IF…its our choice to comply obey or not.
In a previous post we looked at the moed/feast of Sukkot Tabernacles/booths and the sukkah itself. Link below:
sukkah: Booth, Tabernacle, Hut, Shelter
from sakak
Definition
a thicket, booth
NASB Translation
booth (1), Booths (9), booths (8), canopies (1), canopy (1), hut (1), lair (1), pavilion (1), shelter (4), temporary shelters (3).
https://biblehub.com/hebrew/5521.htm
… Bible Strong’s Hebrew 7905 7905. sukkah
Strong’s Concordance sukkah: a barb, spear
Original Word: שֻׂכָּה
Transliteration: sukkah
Phonetic Spelling: (sook-kaw’) Definition: a barb, spear
This Hebrew word sukah has other usages. It means protection and covering, but a protection and covering by intermingling and weaving throughout. It is also a word used for intercourse. There is another possible root word, sakah, which comes from the root word savak. This means the same, as far as weaving and intermingling, but this means more like a weaving and intermingling of love.
The enemy knew that he couldn’t touch Job because our Heavenly Father had so intermingled Himself in Job with His love that He couldn’t separate that love from him. However the devil also knew that Job could choose to willingly detach himself from the Father. So one way the devil could try to disentangle this sakah from Job was to attack everything that was important on this earth, which was his family, possessions and reputation. He hoped that Job would willingly /detach from our Heavenly Father’s savak or love and reject His love; however the devil’s plan didn’t work because the love of the Father meant more to Job than anything else on this earth and he held fast to that love.
The only other way was to get Job to un-mingle Himself, by willingly removing the Succoth, and that way was to get him to sin, and to separate his focus away from Adonai so the Father would not be able to keep Himself mingled or woven into Job. By getting Job to focus on things other than his Heavenly Father, such as worldly and carnal problems Job would break the intimate fellowship with Him and this weaving and intermingling that Adonai had with Job would be totally unraveled.
From the text we read that the enemy tried and it didn’t work because Job kept offering sacrifices, kept doing teshuvah, turning back to the Father and continually committing everything back into His hands. Every time the enemy attacked him, Job kept hitting the mark, the devil couldn’t get Job to sin or miss the mark. Sin in Hebrew: חַטָּאָה chaṭṭâʼâh, khat-taw-aw’; or חַטָּאת chaṭṭâʼth; from H2398. Chatah which means: unintentional mistakes or sins. The Hebrew word most often translated as sin in our English Bibles is the word chata’ah (חֲטָאָה), which means “missing the mark,” as an archer might miss his target when shooting an arrow.
The verb שׂוּךְ (sukh) is used in the context of enclosing or shutting in, often implying protection or confinement.
The Hebrew verb שׂוּךְ (sukh) is a primitive root that conveys the idea of entwining or shutting in. This term is used in the Hebrew Bible to describe actions that involve enclosing or surrounding, often with the connotation of protection or confinement. The imagery associated with שׂוּךְ can be likened to the act of weaving or interlacing, creating a barrier or enclosure.
In the Berean Standard Bible, the usage of שׂוּךְ is seen in contexts where yhvh’s protective nature is highlighted, as well as in situations where individuals or groups are enclosed or restricted. The term emphasizes the dual nature of being shut in—both as a means of safeguarding and as a form of limitation.
The concept of being “shut in” by God can be seen as a metaphor for divine protection, where the faithful are surrounded by God’s care and kept safe from harm. On the other hand, it can also imply a form of divine judgment or discipline, where individuals are confined or restricted as a consequence of their actions.
The mention of Job’s household highlights the importance of family and community in ancient times. In the patriarchal society of the Old Testament, a man’s household included not only his immediate family but also servants and extended kin. This reflects the biblical principle that the Father’s blessings often extend beyond the individual to their family and community, as seen in Genesis 12:3 with His promise to Abraham and all that he owns?
The enemy will often attack us at the closest and most precious things to us in this physical, natural earthly realm; he tries to make us voluntarily detach ourselves from this hedge or sakah. We like Job, can also cling to the savak, the love of our Heavenly Father that has intermingled itself in us, because we are in Him and He is in us. That is where the enemy has an advantage over us, because in our natural minds we have a hard time fully comprehending the depth of our Heavenly Father’s love for us.
It is critical that we must make every effort to understand the depths of His love, so when the enemy tries to attack us at our weakest moments we can say “Though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him.”
Job could say this because he really knew and understood the depths of that love. When we are walking in close relationship with our Heavenly Father, there is a hedge of protection around us, He places a protective hedge around His faithful servants, indicating His care and sovereignty over their lives. Satan’s challenge about Job’s faithfulness reminds us of the spiritual battles we as believers face, where our faith is tested. We are to remember that even when our Father allows trials, His ultimate control and purpose remain intact, encouraging trust in His plans. Job’s account encourages believers to maintain integrity and faithfulness regardless of their circumstances.
He seeks to protect all our lives. There is many a hedge that we have hardly ever noticed, and certainly have never valued correctly. Our Heavenly Father has given some of us a hedge in the example and guidance through godly parents and teachers; as well as wholesome companionships. Hedges can also be in the form of the discipline we have at home, in places of education, work and in all of life. Many farmers plant thorns in their hedges and field boundaries to help keep the flocks and herds from leaving the protected areas, and we must not be surprised if Adonai does the same in the hedges He places around us.
A hedge not only shelters, it often keeps us from wandering off in the wrong direction and into danger. Sometimes we don’t like hedges; we want to see what is on the other side and wander where we want to go. Our Father’s way of hedging us in, is not always by sending us blessings which we love to receive, but it is sometimes by sending us sorrow in the form of tests and trials. These things keep us in our place, guarding us from going astray. We have a part to play in maintaining a hedge without holes, where the enemy might gain access; however our loving Heavenly Father is always watching over us to nudge us back to where we should be.
Shalom aleikhem
chaverim and mishpachah!
Peace to friends and family.
Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.
Make certain 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 very precious in His sight.
Not sure ..you can be…
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.
Isaiah 41:10,
Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.
Yea.
It’s a word we read but we may not stop to consider what it really means in the context of the sentence. On first glance, we may assume it is just a KJV, older word used in the modern English language for yes.
The word
yea
in Hebrew is
אַף־
Pronounced: af
Strongs: 637
In modern English we would say,
“But, better yet…”
‘ap – yea – better yet.
Think of other verses that have the word yea in them,
and insert
But better yet….
For example Psalm 23
Yea though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
But better yet….
though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.
It is a great encouragement to us but better yet means,
it is more to us than we thought at first.
We need this encouragement because n this world we will have tribulation:
In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous [be confident, be undaunted, be filled with joy]; I have overcome the world.” [My conquest is accomplished, John 16:33
These are words from Messiah, Himself, not only to those with Him at the time He said them; but to all His followers down through the ages.. With the warning comes hope and comfort, because He says
I will be with you even to the end of the age. Matt.28:20
Isaiah encourages us with this promise in chapter 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
And this promise is still in effect and true to us today.
We will all experience times of testing and trial, Peter tells us to think it not strange Beloved, concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: 1Peter 4:12-13
We are told that, far from being strange and surprising in God’s plan, these fiery trials are “necessary.”
Instead he urges them to be sober and to pray, 1 Peter 4:7; and to help one another through the trials. 1 Peter 4:8–11.
In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith — more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire— may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
In Acts 14:22 we are reminded that tests and trials are necessary. “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God”
This is a godly “must.” It’s the same word and the same concept as Peter says in
The fiery ordeal that is coming upon us to test us is not strange.
Why is it necessary? Its the question many ask, why do believers/christians suffer?
The answer is because it’s God’s refining judgment in our lives, working maturity in trust towards our Father, so that our faith may result in our Heavenly Father receiving praise, glory and honor. Whatever trials come our way, we should not be surprised, simply place our spirit/souls and bodies in the hands of our faithful Creator, and don’t be ashamed of Messiah and His gospel of the Kingdom,. Rejoice in hope, and fill our lives by planting good seeds, while walking obediently in His will and His ways.
The trials and testings of our faith reveal to us, where we are in our faith walk with the Lord. He already knows where we are.
Many of us will never experience true hardship or enduring circumstances that are unthinkable in a modern western society. Books like the Insanity of God and Fox’s book of Martyrs among countless others, reveal a faith in God beyond what many believers will ever have to show. And yet, we will all experience situations where we will be required to rely on our faith and trust implicitly in our Savior.
This is why there are so many verses of encouragement and promises of protection, assuring us that He is with us through every trial we face whatever they may be.
In Isaiah 41:10 for that is exactly what this verse is saying. When we face a real threat, God is telling us not to fear. Many times when we read the word fear, it is in reference to the fear of the Lord not as in terror or being afraid, but having reverential respect for Who God is.
In this verse the word for fear used here is a fear is for one’s own personal safety. The reason we need not fear is because God is with us – Emanuel.
He continues, saying, “Be not dismayed.”
In Hebrew, the word dismayed here is
tisheta’
which has a Semitic root meaning
to be blind.
Be dismayed –
תִּשְׁתָּ֖ע tista
tisheta – tsht – tet sheen tet תִּשְׁתָּ֖
Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance 8159
depart, be dim, be dismayed, look away, regard, have respect, spare, turn
A primitive root; to gaze at or about (properly, for help); by implication, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed (as looking around in amazement) or bewildered -blind to- depart, be dim, be dismayed, look (away), regard, have respect, spare, turn.
If a person is really terrified, that fear causes an irrational reaction, and they are blind to what is actually happening, as their imagination runs wild about what is about to occur.
Here our Heavenly Father is reassuring us saying
“I am with you.”
In those days there were many gods being worshipped and demanding all kinds of sacrifices for favors, but not one of them was promising,
I am already with you
as Our Heavenly Father was.
In the next verse He says that
He will strengthen us.
The word
strengthen
in Hebrew is
‘amas
which from its Semitic root carries the idea of
imparting courage.
Also spelled immatz
אִמַּצְתִּ֙יךָ֙ 553 אִמַּצְ
He promises that:
We will receive courage at the moment we need it.
The next word is the word
yea.
As already noted, in Hebrew
אַף
this word is
‘ap or aph
In all the various Semitic languages, ‘Ap is a common word and in the old Testament it is rendered as:
even, indeed, surely, how then, how much more, and also;
and in its Semitic root we saw how it has the idea of:
how much more.
and in today’s language we would say something similar to:
But, better yet.
We could read it as our Father is telling us that
not only will
He give us courage but better yet,
He will help us.
עֲזַרְתִּ֔יךָ
In Hebrew there is an interesting meaning for the word
help.
It’s the word
‘azaretika
עֲזַרְתִּ֔יךָ
5826 עֲזַרְ
Phonetic Spelling:
aw-zar’
Definition: to help, succor
עָזַר ʻâzar, aw-zar’;
a primitive root; to surround, i.e. protect or aid:—help, succour.
In the Old Testament it is rendered as :
even, indeed, surely, how then, how much more, and also.
Its Semitic root however, has the idea of
how much more.
From the root word 5826
‘azar
and gives the concept of:
protection
with the idea of
supporting us and assisting us in the battle
not as in a controlling person who completely takes over.
In other words we still need to participate in the fight, but He is telling us, not to worry He has got our back.
For the LORD will go ahead of you; yes, the God of Israel will protect you from behind.
2 For you shall not go out with haste, Nor go by flight; For the Lord will go before you, And the God of Israel will be your rear guard
God is our rearguard
and for those in the military,
Our Heavenly Father has our 6!
Fir more click link below:
There’s one more word that has
better yet -‘ap – אַף
before it,
and that is:
God will not only give us courage to enter this fight, but better yet, He has our backs/our six;
but even better than all of the previous promises,
He is upholding us.
The Hebrew 8851 word for
upholding is tamar
I will uphold you
te·maḵ·tî·ḵā – תְּמַכְתִּ֖יךָ
This word in its root form means:
to take hold, hold fast,
or glue oneself to something.
Think of this, and visualize that our loving Heavenly Father not only gives us courage and protects our backs, but He will glue Himself to us, literally sticking with us!
Our confident assurance is that Father God is not only watching our back, but most importantly His presence is glued to us.
The more we stare at an overwhelming situation, our confidence in our reasoning quickly fades, However as we turn from it towards our Savior, it is quickly replaced by confidence in our Heavenly Father Who loves us.
Even if we don’t yet feel that we have all this courage and support, God promises that it will be there when we need it. Isaiah 41:10 assures us of that. He will never be caught off guard because in Psalms 121:4: we are assured “Behold, he that keepth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.”
Isaiah 41:10, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.”
Do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong’s 408: Not
fear,
תִּירָא֙ (tî·rā)
Verb – Qal – Imperfect – second person masculine singular
Strong’s 3372: To fear, to revere, caus, to frighten
for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong’s 3588: A relative conjunction
I
אָ֔נִי (’ā·nî)
Pronoun – first person common singular
Strong’s 589: I
am with you;
עִמְּךָ־ (‘im·mə·ḵā-)
Preposition | second person masculine singular
Strong’s 5973: With, equally with
do not
אַל־ (’al-)
Adverb
Strong’s 408: Not
be afraid,
תִּשְׁתָּ֖ע (tiš·tā‘)
Verb – Qal – Imperfect – second person masculine singular
Strong’s 8159: To gaze at, about, to inspect, consider, compassionate, be nonplussed, bewildered
for
כִּֽי־ (kî-)
Conjunction
Strong’s 3588: A relative conjunction
I
אֲנִ֣י (’ă·nî)
Pronoun – first person common singular
Strong’s 589: I
am your God.
אֱלֹהֶ֑יךָ (’ĕ·lō·he·ḵā)
Noun – masculine plural construct | second person masculine singular
Strong’s 430: gods — the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative
I will strengthen you;
אִמַּצְתִּ֙יךָ֙ (’im·maṣ·tî·ḵā)
Verb – Piel – Perfect – first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong’s 553: To be stout, strong, bold, alert
I will surely help you;
עֲזַרְתִּ֔יךָ (‘ă·zar·tî·ḵā)
Verb – Qal – Perfect – first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong’s 5826: To surround, protect, aid
I will uphold you
תְּמַכְתִּ֖יךָ (tə·maḵ·tî·ḵā)
Verb – Qal – Perfect – first person common singular | second person masculine singular
Strong’s 8551: To sustain, to obtain, keep fast, to help, follow close
with My right hand
בִּימִ֥ין (bî·mîn)
Preposition-b | Noun – feminine singular construct
Strong’s 3225: The right hand, side, the south
of righteousness.
צִדְקִֽי׃ (ṣiḏ·qî)
Noun – masculine singular construct | first person common singular
Strong’s 6664: The right, equity, prosperity
History records that King Solomon had twenty armed bodyguards, elite warriors guarding him every night as he slept. We have a security greater than any king or president, we have the God of all creation keeping watch over us.
Psalms 121:4: Behold, he that keepth Israel neither slumbers nor sleeps.
He is a body guard who does not slumber or sleeps. He is on duty every moment of each day 24/7. Our Heavenly bodyguard does not slumber and he also does not sleep.
In Hebrew sleep – ישן
Yod Shin Nun
yashan
Our Father God does not live in time like we do. He created time for us while we are in the earth. It is almost impossible for us to understand it from this physical realms’ perspective. He is not only with us every moment of every day, but we also have the added assurance that He never slumbers nor sleeps.
Why does it say both slumber and sleep?
The word sleep in Hebrew is yashan. It means: to sleep, but is can also mean: to grow old. The creator of the universe will never grow old. Obviously It is impossible to outlive God. He is there with us never growing too old or feeble to help us or encourage us.
Slumber in Hebrew is num
which means; a half sleep that is to get drowsy or have a tendency to doze off. We hear of many kinds of accidents which happen not because the operator or driver fell asleep; but because they were drowsy and not paying attention. Our Heavenly Father has His full attention on us both night and day, He will never sleep nor will His attention be diverted by drowsiness or slumber.
The word keepth in Hebrew is shamar
which means:
to be a body guard, one who watches over to protect.
As our body guard, He is unlike other body guards who need to sleep because God needs no sleep and He watches over us 24/7.
Are sleep and slumber the same thing?
Not if we understand it in the sense that, there may be a guard who is self-disciplined enough to not slumber, but obviously however self disciplined he, is he is going to have to sleep some time; the body cannot function properly without the sleep that God designed our bodies to need. Here we are assured that our Heavenly Father does not slumber and neither does He sleep.
The Hebrew word yashan – sleep, is spelled
Yod – Shin – Nun
The letters of the word many give us some insight, teaching us more than what we think of when we think of sleep; and it helps us to understand what the people in David’s day thought when they heard that God does not yashan or sleep.
The first letter to
ישן
yeshan – sleep
is the
Yod which teaches us:
to be careful not to be so focused on future events that we miss what is happening in the present. When it is written, the letter Yod is hanging in the air and has no connection to the ground. The fact that God never sleeps means, he has His attention focused on the now moment. Whatever we are going through in that very moment He is there focused and fully aware of it.
In yashan
The second letter is the Shin. The Shin represents: The fiery passion of God, His deep love for us is always available, He is never too tired or sick to give us His attention. He is ready to share His passion with us whenever we are ready, making Himself available to us any moment, not when He just feels like it, and we have to wait for Him to wake up.
Nun is the last letter which reveals that our Heavenly Father will never be distracted nor will he let his attention be diverted because he needs to sleep. He is attentive to us all day and all night.
From this we can take great comfort when He says that He will stand guard over us and never sleep it means that He will watch and protection is for every moment in our lives until we see Him face to face. He is watching over us right now, no matter what we are going through. Because He does not sleep means, His watches carefully over us and makes his passions available to us at any time, and He is never too tired to pour out His love on us. Finally we must accept the fact that He does not sleep means, that there is nothing to divert His attention away from us.
By declaring that He is watching over us and never slumbers or sleeps, He is telling us that there are no holes or gaps in His protective covering. There is no better place of security than to put ourselves under His care.
Every reader, be comforted and encouraged, whatever is going on in the world around us….Remember…
Yea- ap – how much more
is He with us /Emanuel, through every test and fiery trial because,
as the word keepth / shamar / means to be a body guard 24/7 One who always has our back and because he never slumbers /num nor sleeps/yashan. Do not fear and do not be afraid for the tests and trials.. He has overcome the world. John 16:33
but
Better
Yet…
..YEA
Shalom aleikhem
chaverim and mishpachah!
Peace to friends and family.
Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.
Make certain 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 very precious in His sight.
Not sure ..you can be…
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.
At this season
chag ha sukkot
those following the
appointed times of the Lord – His Moedim
observe Leviticus 23:40, 42 43.
Deuteronomy D’variym 16:13-15
Chag haSukot הַסֻּכֹּ֛ת חַ֧ג
13 ‘The feast of booths thou dost make for thee seven days, in thine in-gathering of thy threshing-floor, and of thy wine-vat;
14 and thou hast rejoiced in thy feast, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy handmaid, and the Levite, וְהַלֵּוִ֗י levivy and the sojourner hag ger וְהַגֵּ֛ר
and the fatherless, and the widow, who ‘are’ within thy gates.
15 Seven days thou dost feast before Jehovah thy God, in the place which Jehovah doth choose, for Jehovah thy God doth bless thee in all thine increase, and in every work of thy hands, and thou hast been only rejoicing.
16 ‘Three times in a year doth every one of thy males appear before Jehovah thy God in the place which He doth choose — in the feast of unleavened things, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of booths; and they do not appear before Jehovah empty;
17 each according to the gift of his hand, according to the blessing of Jehovah thy God, which He hath given to thee.
A sukkah
is also called
סֻּכֹּֽת
a booth – a tabernacle – temporary dwelling,
depending on who you ask.
(There are several alternate spellings of the Hebrew word.)
It is only for 7 days and when it is described as a
temporary dwelling,
it’s because the
sukah/sukkah
construction itself is
temporary,
it is not a permanent structure.
For 7 days each year all who are native born in Israel
are to live in these sukkah
made of tree boughs branches and leaves.
The flimsy sukkah
is not really able to give much shelter from
the heat of the sun or the wind rain and dust;
nor does it provide privacy.
There’s no protection from criminal activities and by itself it’s totally ineffective for a long term dwelling place.
The point is that, for 40 years this is how the children of Israel lived as they travelled through the wilderness...
and it serves as a reminder to all subsequent generations, and the grafted-in-believers, how our Heavenly Father
protects and shelters His children
as we continue on our wilderness journey to His promised land..
We would opt for a more sturdy building of wood, brick and concrete with locks on our doors, if we were given a choice; yet is this any more permanent and reliable than a sukat/sukkah when the forces of nature are unleashed against it?
It only takes a moment, to look at the aftermath of deadly hurricanes and floods, for us to see the devastating results.
All who are native born ……sons of Israel.
Leviticus 23
40 and ye have taken to yourselves on the first day the fruit of beautiful trees, branches of palms, and boughs of thick trees, and willows of a brook, and have rejoiced before Jehovah your God seven days.
41 ‘And ye have kept it a feast to Jehovah, seven days in a year — a statute age-during to your generations; in the seventh month ye keep it a feast.
42 ‘In booths בַּסֻּכֹּֽת ye dwell seven days; all who are natives in Israel / Yisrael יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
dwell in booths,
43 so that your generations do know that in booths בַּסֻּכֹּֽת
I caused the sons of Yisrael / Israel יִשְׂרָאֵ֔ל
to dwell; in my bringing them out of the land of Egypt; I, Jehovah, ‘am’ your God.’
44 And Moses speaketh ‘concerning’ the appointed seasons of Jehovah unto the sons of Israel.
The sukkah reminds us
that our faith/trust should
NOT
be in
so called permanent structures
that have been built by human hands;
but instead
our faith/trust should be in the
One Who
has the power to protect us
in every situation and circumstance
and all adverse conditions.
We are to
abide and remain
in the
shade of shaddai….
the
shadow of the Almighty.
לְצֵל־ lezel – shade/shadow
שַׁדַּי shaddai/shadday –
strongs #5996
צל של שדדאי
shade of shaddai
צל – shade
אל שדי el shaddai the almighty
Strongs# 7706. Shadday: Almighty
Original Word: שַׁדַּי
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: Shadday
Phonetic Spelling: shad-dah’-ee or sha’da eye
Almighty: Shaddai.
Masculine noun.
Strong’s 7706.
Root: שַׁדַּי
Pronounced: sha’dah-ee.
Meaning: My Destroyer, My Protective Spirit, My Rainmaker.
Self-Sufficient, Who Is Abundantly.
From the verb שדד ( shadad ), to destroy,
or the noun שד ( shed ), protective spirit,
or the verb שדה (shadah), to moisten.
God Almighty
El Shaddai – ale shad-dah’-ee. אל שׁדי
Genesis 17:1
HEB: אֲנִי־ אֵ֣ל שַׁדַּ֔י הִתְהַלֵּ֥ךְ לְפָנַ֖י
NAS: to him, I am God Almighty; Walk
KJV: and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God;
And when Abram was ninety nine years old and the LORD appeared to Abram, and he said to him, I am El Shaddai, walk before me, and be perfect
Genesis 17:1
God Almighty
El Shaddai – ale shad-dah’-ee
letters: YDSLA – al shdy
Hebrew Letters:
alef, lamed, shin or sheen, dalet, yud or yod.
אל שׁדי
The Aleph is the picture of an ox head
and illustrates: the strength of an animal.
It can mean: strong, power, or leader.
The Lamed is a picture of a shepherd’s staff.
The shepherd used the staff to
exercise authority over the sheep to direct or lead them.
It can mean: teach, lead, yoke, move forward, or authority.
The Shin represents two front teeth
and can mean: sharp, eat, consume, separate, or destroy.
The Dalet represents a tent flap or door.
It can also mean:
back and forth movement as in going in and out of a door.
The Yud represents an arm and a hand.
The picture can mean: work, throw, worship
or it can simply mean: arm or hand.
The Aleph and Lamed form the root word
El which means: God or strong controller.
The Shin, Dalet, and Yud
form another root
Shad meaning breast.
Together they reveal:
The One mighty to nourish and
supply all our needs!
We live safely NOT because we have a well built house,
but because our Heavenly Father is
protecting us
and is also
providing for us
and caring for us each and every day.
Even the most reliable building is really just a
sukkah
because one day it will no longer exist.. BUT…
we will have a permanent dwelling place forever with Him.
Let’s allow Him to teach us to put our trust
only in Him
and to know that He shields us from harm because
He is our provider and protector.
This time of reflection towards our dwelling place and where we live and rest, reminds us of Psalm 91:1-4 because it’s related to the fact of not being reliant on a physical place in a natural sense….. It has the elements of a protective sinnah – shield,
and the shelter and shadow/shade/lezel
of the Almighty/Shaddai
…because is the secret place of
עֶלְי֑וֹן
El’yon
pronounced:el yown
which is
the shield and surrounding wall of His truth.
This is not a metaphorical description, it’s a real place;
as real as we allow it to be to us.
How so?
Because if we don’t believe it’s there or that it exists, how can we go there?
And if we don’t ever go there, how can we rest there habitually as the Psalmist says?
He who dwells in the shelter of Elyon,
will abide in
the shadow of Shaddai.
It’s very real, yet sometimes hard to find…
Is it because we’re looking for the wrong kind of structure?
When we read the word secret, do we think it’s hidden by some kind of camouflage?
The verse says it’s a stronghold so do we think its made of some indestructible material?
Does the shield part make us think we can’t see through it and that the surrounding wall may be so high and wide that we can’t get around or over it?
So we are looking for something our minds can relate to and in looking from the
Shade of Shaddai
we make our relationship with Him so complicated that we miss His provision, especially when it’s right where we are?
How can that be right?
Because His truth IS a shield
and the surrounding wall for us,
without the need for any additional support or fortifying;
and all we need to do is recognize that truth and
rest in the shadow of His Word – Jesus/Yeshua.
This is where we will find all the comfort and shelter we need.
With Isaiah and David the Psalmist, let’s state clearly….and not just for this week.. but going forward each and every day….
Father, YOU are our strength, our stronghold, our God and we trust in You. We are not looking for a natural fortress that’s impenetrable but we are resting habitually in Your protection, in the
shade of shadai/shaddai
because You are our
everlasting sukah/sukkah
and will one day tabernacle with us for ever.
If you haven’t already please take the time to read earlier posts focusing on the week of Sukkot/Tabernacles/Booths.
Links below:
Shalom aleikhem
chaverim and mishpachah!
Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week,
you are greatly loved and prayed for daily.
Please don’t leave here without assurance of your salvation because
one of these days we will leave behind this personal, physical
body/tent/temporary shelter/sukkah….
and dwell for eternity in one of two places..
either with, or without, the presence of our Heavenly Father.
Not sure ..you can be…
Make certain 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 very precious in His sight.
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.
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