His Story Is In His Name -Josiah

The story of Josiah

is also a cautionary tale

which is still relevant today.

It can be found in 2 Kings 22–23 and 2 Chronicles 34–35.

Josiah was the 16th King of Judah from

approximately 640 to 609 B.C.

2 Kings 22:2 introduces Josiah by saying,

“And he did what was right in the eyes of the LORD and walked in all the way of David his father, and he did not turn aside to the right or to the left.”

The scripture then presents Josiah as the last God-fearing monarch of the Davidic line before the Babylonian exile, whose reign marks the final bright outburst of covenant faithfulness in Judah.

יאשׁיהו

Josiah’s name means: the one through whom God heals.

It comes from a Semitic root ‘ashah,

meaning: one who supports.  

It is also closely related to the word ‘ashur

which is the root word for Assyria,

the whole story of Josiah is told through his name.

In the Hebrew, JOSIAH  jō sī’ ə  יֹאשִׁיָּ֣הוּ;

and in Greek: LXX ̓Ιωσίας, G2739,

The meaning is: may the Lord support or heal.

Name of a king of Judah, son of Amon and Jedidah.

Yoshiyyah or Yoshiyyahu: Josiah

Original Word: יאֹשִׁיָּה
Part of Speech: Proper Name Masculine
Transliteration: Yo’shiyah
Pronunciation: yo-shee-YAH-hoo
Phonetic Spelling: yo-shee-yaw’
KJV: Josiah 
NASB: Josiah, Josiah’s
Word Origin: [from the same root as 

H803 (אֲשׁוּיָה – Work) and H3050 (יָהּ – LORD)]

Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance

Josiah 

Or

yo-she-yaw’-hoo;

from the same root as ‘ashuwyah and Yahh;

founded of Jah;

see HEBREW ‘ashuwyah

see HEBREW Yahh

Through Josiah YHVH

healed His nation

and it was Josiah who

supported God’s mission and call upon Israel.  

Josiah was the last of the good kings in Judah and was considered to be a righteous king, unlike many of his forefathers. Josiah was the son of King Amon and the grandson of King Manasseh, both of them wicked kings of Judah. However, Josiah was a godly king and known as one of the world’s youngest kings; He came to power at the age of 8 and ruled for 38 years after his father King Amon was assassinated.

His father, Amon, a short-lived and idolatrous king who worshipped idols, 2 Kings 21:19–26; was wicked, as were the Jewish kings and their culture for generations before him. Eventually, Amon’s own servants killed him. Josiah’s grandfather, Manasseh, was no better his long apostasy had filled Jerusalem with blood, as recorded in 2 Kings 21:16.
His sons names were Johanan, Jehoiakim (Eliakim),

Shallum (Jehoahaz),

and Zedekiah (Mattaniah).

1 Chronicles 3:15.

King Josiah became the King of Judah at the age of 8.

He not only served the YHVH, he loved Him and through the influence of his Godly mother, he destroyed all the idols.

He experienced a spiritual awakening at age 16. “He began to seek the God of his father David” 2 Chronicles 34:3.

There is an interesting comparison here of zeal for the Lord at an early age. At 8 years old Josiah sat on David’s throne; likewise Messiah Yeshua/Jesus at 12 was found in His Father’s house, about His Fathers business, discussing spiritual matters. Luke 2:49.

 In the 18th year of his reign,

Josiah raised money to repair the temple,

It was during the project and making reparation that a life changing discovery was made…..

Hilkiah, the High Priest/Cohen haKadol, 

found

the Book of the Law/the Torah scroll

that had been hidden away.

“the Book of the Law of the LORD given through Moses”

2 Chronicles 34:14-15.

Shaphan reading the law before Josiah.

Shaphan in Hebrew: שפן, means “hyrax”,

son of Azaliah,

is the name of a scribe or court secretary mentioned several times in the Hebrew Bible.

Josiah sent a delegation of royal officials to seek out Yahweh’s will and they went to find Huldah, a prophetess in Jerusalem.  Huldah’s prophetic words confirmed the authenticity of the Book of the Law/Torah and warned of impending judgment on Judah for their disobedience.  Huldah the prophetess gave the king’s men this message from YHVH:

disaster would strike the nation because they had forgotten God and instead worshiped idols.

2 Chronicles 34:2.

Huldah’s prophecy to Josiah lines up with the rest of Scripture regarding judgment and mercy. She foretells that Judah will face consequences for sin, yet, reassures the king of personal peace.

Huldah authenticated the discovered scroll and exhorted Josiah to humble himself. 2 Kings 22:18-19.

She affirmed that judgment on Judah was inevitable but delayed because Josiah’s heart was tender before the LORD,

2 Kings 22:15-20

and she assured him that his humility had moved YHVH to delay that judgment.

Josiah held Huldah’s prophecy in high regard. He followed the instructions which were read out and assembled the people at the Temple in Jerusalem.

It was a delay of judgment but not cancellation of it. Josiah’s reforms stayed God’s wrath, 2 Kings 22:20; yet did not abolish the consequences of generations of sin, teaching that personal righteousness does not automatically protect an unrepentant nation.

Until the copy of the Torah was discovered Josiah’s understanding of doctrine and theology was incomplete; yet even before it was found, Josiah had a heart that was tender and submissive/rakak to YHVH.

Operating in her intellectual and spiritual gifts, Huldah was a true helper/ezer, as she came to the aid of her king and nation. The answer Huldah gave to Josiah is still valid today, humanity is condemned; but each one of us can accept salvation in an individual and personal way. Because of this prophetic directive, Josiah decided to help as many people as possible to accept salvation and seek the Lord.

When Shapan, the secretary, read the Torah scroll to Josiah, and he listened to the horrifying words of coming judgment, he tore his clothes, in an outward sign of mourning and repentance, humbling himself before YHVH.

2 Chronicles 34:19; 2 Kings 22:10–11

King Josiah called for a time of national repentance and covenant renewal.

“The king stood by the pillar and made a covenant before the LORD, to walk after the LORD and to keep his commandments and his testimonies and his statutes with all his heart and all his soul, to perform the words of this covenant that were written in this book. And all the people joined in the covenant”. 2 Kings 23:3.

The Law was read to the people of the land, and a covenant was made between the people and the Lord and a young king who led his nation towards spiritual awakening and renewal, led the people back to the Word of God and brought a great revival to the land.

When Scripture’s authority was rediscovered, and the impact of the Torah Instructions/Law’s given in public reading; it underscores the sufficiency and binding authority of written revelation on both the ruler/king and the people to whom it was read.

Many reforms followed.

The temple was cleansed from all objects of pagan worship,

and the idolatrous high places in the land were demolished.

 Josiah was 20 when this purge of idolatry took place.

2 Chronicles 34:3–7.

Altars, Asherah poles, carved images, and molten images were ground to powder and scattered on the graves of their worshipers. The destruction of the altar at Bethel and the disinterring of the bones of the idolatrous priests’ fulfilled the unnamed prophet’s prediction made some 300 years earlier.

1 Kings 13:2; 2 Kings 23:16.

Cleansing the house of YHVH is a prophetic mirror image of Messiah’s cleansing the Temple in Jerusalem recorded in

Matthew 21:12-13.

There is a great encouragement for us in the fulfillment of the prophecy against Bethel, which confirms the reliability of earlier prophetic words; and further illustrates that divine promises often come to fruition following long periods of apparent delay and seeming denial. 2Peter 3:9.

Delay and denial by our Heavenly Father is not a form of punishment or indifference, but rather a divine strategy for our growth and transformation. It is a way for Him to teach us patience, and that patience undergirds our faith to support and strengthen it. They are divine preparations. He sees what we cannot see and whatever He does is with our best interests in mind, so we need to trust His perfect timing, stay faithful in the waiting, and be ready for His sudden move in our lives.

“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him who have been called according to his purpose” Romans 8:28.

Joseph waited 13 years

Abraham waited 25 years

Moses waited 40 years (twice)

Joseph waited 30 years…

If our Father is making us wait….

we are in good company!

Josiah was a righteous and reformative king of Judah who not only re-instituted the worship of Yahweh but also restored the observance of the Appointed Time/Moed of Pesach/Passover.

2 Kings 23:2–23.

In 2 Chronicles 35:18-19 we are told

it was the greatest Pesach/Passover

since the days of the judges.

Also recorded in 2 Kings 23:23 
HEB: שָׁנָ֔ה לַמֶּ֖לֶךְ יֹֽאשִׁיָּ֑הוּ נַעֲשָׂ֞ה הַפֶּ֧סַח
NAS: year of King Josiah, this Passover
KJV: of king Josiah, [wherein] this passover
INT: year of King Josiah was observed Passover

The Pesach/passover of Josiah, 2 Chronicles 35, became the definitive guideline for later Moedim celebrations. All Israel and Judah participated in it, initiating a desire to restore unity in the fractured identity of the 12 tribes/sons of Jacob/Israel. 
The priests and Levites returned to the Mosaic order recorded in 2 Chronicles 35:2-6.
The king personally donated 30,000 lambs and goats and 3,000 cattle, 2 Chronicles 35:7, reflecting royal stewardship in worship.

This sacrificial generosity in the Pesach/Passover foreshadows the greater King who supplies Himself as the Lamb.

The writer of these chronicles placed great emphasis on these events which reveals that:

spiritual renewal involves both right doctrine, which is the Torah Instruction/Teaching/ Laws and Ordinances;

and right practice, obedience to the Torah instructions by celebrating the 7 Appointed Times of The Lord/ His Moedim.

Josiah also removed mediums and witches from the land.

Recorded in

2 Kings 23:24&25.

HEB: וּבִיר֣וּשָׁלִַ֔ם בִּעֵ֖ר יֹֽאשִׁיָּ֑הוּ לְ֠מַעַן הָקִ֞ים
NAS: Moreover, Josiah removed the mediums
KJV: and in Jerusalem, did Josiah put away,
INT: Jerusalem removed Josiah might confirm

“Before him there was no king like him, who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his might, according to all the Law of Moses, nor did any like him arise after him.”

YHVH’s wrath would later come upon Judah due to the evil King Manasseh had done, 2 Kings 23:25, but the judgment was delayed because of Josiah’s godly life and leadership.

2 Kings 22:20.

However, at the end of his life, Josiah feared the Assyrians would make an alliance with Egypt, and would regain their position as a world power and then come against Judah. Even when YHVH spoke through the Egyptian general Necho to stand down, Josiah still fought the battle the Lord had told him not to fight. After a lifetime of walking with YHVH and trusting Him to lead and guide him, he could not trust the Lord in the matter with the Assyrians; and took his army to stop the Egyptians. During the battle that ensued, Josiah was killed.

Sadly it was Josiah’s fear of Assyria that caused him to act in the flesh, he began to look at the circumstances in the natural and by trying to fix it in his own strength and it proved to be his downfall.

When Josiah died his two sons fought over the throne. The youngest Jehoahaz, seized the throne but 3 months later Necho the Egyptian general deposed him. Necho set his brother Jehoaiakim, whose name means: whom God has set up, as a puppet king for Egypt who ruled another 11 years. He is described as a ruthless tyrant in Jewish historical literature. Judah was eventually led into captivity by the Babylonians having never returned to the Lord.

King Josiah, was a man who loved the Lord with all his heart, who helped to start revival in the land and bring his people back to YHVH; then after 38 years of ruling Judah, at age 46 the Lord, took him home.  He could have served the Lord for many more years, but he failed at the end of his life. In one of his greatest tests, Josiah didn’t trust YHVH even after so many years of faithful service.

Josiah died in the battle at Megiddo in in 609 B.C.

2 Kings 23:29-30.

II Chronicles 35:22:  “Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and hearkened not unto the words of Necho from the mouth of God, and came to fight in the valley of Megiddo.”

Above, the Egyptian Pharaoh Necho.

King Josiah was buried in Jerusalem in his own tomb,

and his son Jehoahaz took the role of king.

2 Kings 23:31 Jehoahaz was twenty-three years old when he became king, and he reigned three months in Jerusalem. His mother s name was Hamutal the daughter of Jeremiah of Libnah. 32 And he did evil in the sight of the Lord, according to all that his fathers had done. 33 Now Pharaoh Necho put him in prison at Riblah in the land of Hamath, that he might not reign in Jerusalem; and he imposed on the land a tribute of one hundred talents of silver and a talent of gold. 34 Then Pharaoh Necho made Eliakim the son of Josiah king in place of his father Josiah, and changed his name to Jehoiakim. And Pharaoh took Jehoahaz and went to Egypt, and he died there. NKJV.

There is much we can learn from Josiah’s life that is very positive:

First, Josiah shows the influence a person can have from a very young age, even children have enormous potential to live for God and to have great impact.

Secondly, Josiah lived a life fully committed and obedient to YHVH and was blessed for it. He chose total commitment.

There was no king like him who turned to the LORD with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength, according to all the Law of Moses. 2 Kings 23:25.

Josiah models wholehearted obedience that engages the entire covenant of Deuteronomy 6:5.

Thirdly, Josiah responded properly to the Father’s Word. By the time he became king, the Scriptures had long been neglected, and Josiah’s heart was broken by the failure of his people to honor that Word. Josiah had Scripture read to the people and made a commitment to live by it.

Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself before the Lord when you heard what I have spoken . . . I also have heard you,’ declares the Lord. 2 Kings 22:19.

Josiah son of Zephaniah, hosted the crowning of the high priest Joshua with a symbolic crown, Zechariah 6:10-14, linking Josiah’s house with messianic expectation.
New Testament writers carry forward the reforming king’s line through Matthew’s genealogy of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus in Matthew 1:10-11, marking him as a crucial link in redemptive history.

Josiah is mentioned in the genealogy of Yeshua/Jesus:

When we face real trials that test our faith and trust in our heavenly Father, we are many times strongly tempted to trust in the arm of the flesh, rather than in Him. There is a great lesson to be learned that even after many years of faithful service, there may be times when we really can’t see how He will intervene in our situation, it is in those times that we must be aware of what happened to Josiah.  Even after a lifetime of trusting and serving YHVH, he let fear overtake him, he relied on the arm of the flesh and he failed. For every believer it does not matter how many years of service and of trusting our Heavenly Father and of seeing His power work in and through our lives; the enemy is always lurking in the shadows, and he knows our weaknesses. We should never pride ourselves that we have made it, or are beyond temptation, because while we are in this flesh body we are still vulnerable to attacks, no matter how many years we have trusted in our Lord and Savior. We must always be on guard no matter how strong we think we are and how big our faith is, and we must resist in Messiahs name and not give in, no matter how strong the temptation is to lean on the arm of the flesh. 1Peter 5:8 Be sober minded and alert our enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

Reader you are not alone neither in your times of trial nor in reality. The truth is our Fathers Holy Spirit is with you to comfort, strengthen and uphold you, He will guide you through and deliver you from the hand of the enemy. He is the God of the impossible. Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?

Jeremiah 32:27…

and your breakthrough is here,

the Lord of Breakthroughs

or

the Lord who bursts through

1 Chronicles 14:10-11….

stand fast, stand still and see the salvation of the Lord today. Exodus 14:13, for today is the day of salvationFor he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2.

and He watches over His word to perform it….Jeremiah 1:12.

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.

It’s Time To Turn

Time to turn away

from everything that is distracting us –

towards Our Heavenly Father/Messiah.

In Hebrew culture, the time to turn, is designated to the appointed season of Teshuvah in the annual cyclical calendar. For believers in Yeshua/Jesus our Messiah, it is an ongoing daily attitude of heart and mind, so that we can walk as His disciples.

In Luke 22:31 the adversary demanded to have you people for himself to sift you like wheat….But I prayed for you Simon Peter that your trust might not fail.

When Jesus/Yeshua spoke of little or faith that might fail, He was referring to faith that was immature and needing further experience to grow by tests and trials; just as our faith grows and matures with every test and trial we go through.

Messiah continued…And once you have TURNED back in repentance strengthen your brothers.. Teshuvah turning..

Strong’s Hebrew: 8666.

תְּשׁוּבַת (teshubah) — a return, answer

תְּשׁוּבַת (teshubah) tchuvä;

בַ

Recall the hebrew letters b and v bet/vet בַ

are the same.

In the Hebrew mindset, Turning is not Conversion but repentance.

It is the ability to turn back to Him and seek healing for our brokenness.

Psalm 51 is sometimes called “Perek Teshuvah

the great chapter of repentance

which includes the well known scripture:

Create in me a clean heart …..

tchuvä;

Teshuvah is better translated as “return” and signifies:

a return to the original state,

and there we will have our ‘answer’, the place of restored relationship and peace, true shalom.

Teshuvah has 3 parts:

first, the regret of our sins,

secondly, the decision to change,

and third, a verbal confession of our sins.

We could also say there are the 4 R’s of Repentance:

Recognize: what we are doing wrong

Regret: with godly sorrow

Resolve: to change and do better in the future

Refrain: from exposing ourselves to things and people where there is temptation.

In truth, whenever we sin, we should immediately do Teshuvah;

to turn from evil, and to turn to the good.

2Cor. 7:10 godly sorrow worketh repentance For the sadness that is used by God brings a change of heart that leads to salvation–and there is no regret in that! But sadness that is merely human causes death

Acts 3:19-21 19 Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from

 the presence of the Lord,

After repentance

sins are blotted out

and

times of refreshing come.

and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.

The season of Teshuvah is the month of Elul,

the 6th month of the Hebrew spiritual Calendar.

This is the equivalent of the months of August /September for the Gregorian calendar months and are observed over a period of 40 days.

August 26th is Elul 9, Elul is the 12th and final month in the Jewish civil calendar, or the 6th month, from nisan. (Recall Israel has 2 calendars Civil and Religious. These are covered in previous posts).

Elul 1 5783 began on August 18th 2023

Rosh Hashannah is on September 16th this year.

It is a month that connects the past year with the coming year..

Elul ( אֱלוּל)

Elul is traditionally a time of introspection and a time to review one’s deeds and spiritual progress over the past year.

This month is set aside for Teshuvah/Repentance in anticipation of the Fall Appointed Times/Feasts. The month of Elul is a time to prepare for Yamim Nora’im, The Days of Awe by getting our spiritual House in order.

This is a time to look into our hearts and ask the Ruach HaKodesh to search them and reveal any hidden sins, resentments, forgiveness, pride, anger, bitterness etc. and to repent, make Teshuvah and work at walking according to the Spirit and not the flesh.

For Messianic Believers in Yeshua/Jesus we look back and rejoice over our past redemption and deliverance during the Spring Appointed Times /mooedim/ Feasts of Messiah, With the Fall Appointed Times /mooedim /Feasts we look forward to our future deliverance and exodus from this earthly realm and to the return of our King. This is a time that we prepare ourselves as His Bride and make sure we are ready to hear the Sound of the Shofar! For the trump will sound.

Link below for more on the Appointed Times/feasts of the Lord

https://www.minimannamoments.com/disciples-divine-design-moadiym/ 

Notably the last 10 Days of this season of Teshuvah come between Rosh Hashanah and leading to Yom Kippur are specifically designated for Teshuvah, when in Hebraic tradition the gates of prayer and repentance are said to be more open than at any other time during the cyclical Hebrew year.

For messianic believers, Yeshua/Jesus is our sacrificial lamb. He has paid the price for our sin and as we have repented/teshuvah/ turned to Him; we have forgiveness of sin and are restored to a relationship with our Heavenly Father.

We do not have to wait a whole year to be forgiven because of Yeshua/Jesus we can repent immediately we sin, trusting in the power of His shed blood to not only cover our sins, but erase them. Then we are forgiven and the broken fellowship, the separation because of sin is restored.

Strong’s H8666

teshuvah; an abstract concept meaning,

“returning;” from 

Strong’s H7725

 שוב shuv,

a primitive root meaning,

“to return.”

The 3-letter root is:

shin + vav + bet.

shin ש =

two front teeth, sharp, press, eat, two, again.

vav ו =

the tent peg, add, secure, hook.

bet ב =

the house, household,

family, in, within

To put these together we have:

Again (shin) secure oneself (vav) to the house (bet). The house we have left, (like the prodigal son), to which our Heavenly Father returns us, is His house, because Genesis, His story, began with the Father, a beautiful garden, and the two children He had made to dwell with Him forever, to be a part of His household. His story will eventually be complete…full circle!

Shuv is the root of teshuvah, “repentance.” The term most often used to describe this restoration in the New Testament, is salvation or justification.

The abstract concept of teshuvah is used sparingly in the Hebrew scriptures; most English translations of repentance and restoration are of the verb, shuv.

Here it refers to Simon Peter / shimon kefa, RETURNING to unshakable trust after denying Him three times.

John 21:15 – 17 strengthen your brothers,

which he effectively did/ fulfilled in the early messianic community. Acts 1-15

This is what we are also called to do after we stumble into sin – once we have TURNED back in repentance and are restored and refreshed we are to strengthen our sisters and brothers..

Sifting exposes weaknesses that need to be, and can be strengthened by the infilling of His Spirit Acts 2:14 Peter stood up and said let me tell you what this means

and later in verse 41, 3000 were added.

Sifting is part of the process our Heavenly Father uses and applies to our lives. Then the weaknesses that surface and are exposed can be dealt with accordingly; salvation includes freedom, deliverance from all bondage.

Messiah prayed for Peter by name because He knew him and his previous stumblings.

In the same way He knows each of us our strengths and weaknesses. However just as with Peter and the talmidim/ disciples, He does not leave us in our weaknesses.

In the last three posts we have looked at His Spirit of Holiness. Ruach haKodesh, and His role in our lives. Peter was filled with that same spirit, a holy boldness spoke through him, he was never the same again.

The same can happen for us also, however we must be willing to surrender all, holding nothing back. If we have been saved for many years and feel a dryness in our walk and relationship with Him…

then it’s probably time to teshuvah –

to return to our first love ….

Click link below for more:

https://www.minimannamoments.com/returning-to-your-first-love/

The Lord had breathed on them in John 20:22, and it would seem that was the point of their being born again from above.

And when he had said this, he breathed on them, and saith unto them, Receive ye the Holy Spirit: Aramaic Bible in Plain English. 

This would mean that this infilling of His spirit was a separate occasion, different from the salvation moment and different from water immersion.

Paul also found this to be true in Acts 19:22

There he found some disciples 2 and asked them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” They answered, “No, we have not even heard that there is a Holy Spirit.”  3“Into what, then, were you baptized?” Paul asked. “The baptism of John,” they replied.…

…46For they heard them speaking in tongues and exalting God. Then Peter said,

Acts 10:47 Can anyone forbid these people from being baptized with water? They have received the Holy Spirit just like us.”

 So he ordered that they be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. Acts 2:38.

Is it possible that a lack of true heartfelt repentance is a spiritual block to receiving the fullness of His spirit?

According to scripture,

Repentance is a commandment and

only the obedient receive His spiritual gifts?!

And if we love Him we will obey what He asks of us?

So much of what our Father wants to accomplish in our lives is prevented by us; we are a stumbling block to ourselves, it is not our Father Who is withholding from us, it’s our self centered disobedience!

Acts 11:17
So if God gave them the same gift He gave us who believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I to hinder the work of God?”

Acts 15:8
And God, who knows the heart, showed His approval by giving the Holy Spirit to them, just as He did to us.

In Matthew 3:11 John declared two separate immersions or baptisms – one out ward cleansing the other inward cleansing

 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:

Here is a question for every reader to consider and ponder.

Have we ever come to the point in our lives where we can say the words from this verse..

I indeed …but He?

Until that moment comes we will never know what the baptism/infilling of His Holy Spirit means.

I indeed am at the end of myself and I cannot do anything more.

We have been struggling trying to walk a spiritual walk with only physical carnal tools, abilities and weapons; and we simply get worn out because it has been in our own strength.

We indeed are out of options, our energies and resources are completely spent, leaving us exhausted and feeling like we should just give up.

But He begins right there at that point of complete lack.

He does the things that no one else can ever do.

Are we really, truly, honestly, prepared for His coming?

When Jonah/Yona/Dove, preached in Nineveh they made a choice…and repented before judgment came upon them, a sign Messiah referred to..

We know He is coming again but He is also coming first in a personal way to each individual. He cannot come and do His work in and through us as long as there is anything blocking the way, whether it is something good or something bad.

When Messiah comes to us, are we prepared for Him to expose every wrong thing we have ever done into the light?

Because that is exactly where He comes and wherever we know we are unclean and need to repent, is exactly the place where He will stand and highlight the need and wherever we are clean, where we have dealt with that sin that hinders our relationship with Him He will walk away; expecting us to follow Him.

The sifting is in process in our lives and like Peter, there is the option of repentance, of turning.

Repentance does not produce a sense of sin, it produces in us a sense of unworthiness that words cannot express. It is not just an emotional feeling of being sorry for doing something and then turning around and continuing to do it again and again.

Derived from the Greek word METANOIA it means:

to have a complete change of mind; and to have a renewed mind in Yeshua HaMashiach /Jesus Christ. It means to forsake the old way of thinking, living and doing and to humbly seek our Heavenly Fathers will for our lives.

Romans 12:2 And be not conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind that you may prove what is good, and acceptable and perfect, will of God.

When we find that true repentance, we realize that we are absolutely helpless and that like John, we are not worthy even to carry His sandals.

Have we ever repented like that, or do we have lingering thoughts of trying to defend our actions?

Perhaps the reason our Fathers Holy Spirit is restricted from coming into our lives in fullness, is that we have not come to the point of complete repentance in true humility.

In verse 11 he will baptize you….. John is not speaking here of the baptism of Holy Spirit as an experience, but as a work performed by Messiah Yeshua/Jesus .. He will baptize you.

The only experience that those who are baptized with His Holy Spirit are ever conscious of, is the experience of being aware of their absolute unworthiness, of how truly dependent we are on His mercy, grace and forgiveness.

I INDEED was us in the past, BUT HE came and something miraculous happened. We must get to the end of our ourselves, where we can do nothing but He does everything. It feels like a point of complete helplessness and it is because…. without Him we have nothing and we are in big trouble when we think we don’t need Him. He looks for our complete and total surrender, not just our acceptance of His offer of salvation and belief in Him.

Have we surrendered all?

Is there any part of us that we are withholding from our Heavenly Father?

Is there any area of our lives that we still want to be in control?

Today is the day to make certain and to allow the sifting process to complete its objective, then we can turn like Peter did and strengthen those Father puts in our path.

True repentance leads to complete surrender, then we, as the prepared vessels can be filled with His Spirit of holiness.

Christ in us, not only the hope of future glory, but present power to accomplish His will, plan and purpose and for His good pleasure. Let us be sure, certain, that we do not miss the day of our visitation. Let us grab it with both hands. We are only promised today so let’s surrender all to the only One who surrendered all for us. We don’t know the day nor the hour He is coming back for His Bride; a body of believers who are ready, without spot and wrinkle on their robes of righteousness.

The season, the time of Teshuvah is constant for the messianic believer; we are to be those wise bridesmaids with our lamps filled with oil/spirit of holiness. It’s a wake up call to all of us to be ready spiritually, prepared mentally with the mind of Christ; focused and not sleeping, looking for His return. Every day believers leave this world behind – one day it will be our turn.

The same cry that John called out is echoing through the ages into our hearing…repent for the kingdom of the heavens is near

…its the same cry that Messiah preached in Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

We cannot be saved without true repentance, being sorry is not enough. Acts 17 warns us… it’s a command, not an option; and when Messiah said it 2000+ years ago, how much closer are we today?

Time as we know it will soon run out,

we need to hear truth not ear tickling, comfortable messages from our pulpits; because only truth will make us free. We must have ears to hear, because only the truth we hear and apply will change us into vessels He can use….

There is a timely warning for us all to wake up in

A basic part of focusing on teshuvah is Who our Father is; and we can see that in the Thirteen Attributes of Mercy that were revealed to Moses after the sin of the golden calf in Ex. 34:6-7:

Link below to the Thirteen Attributes

13 ATTRIBUTES OF GOD’S MERCY.

Our Heavenly Father’s great compassion, in Hebrew His rachamim, is for us to make it to the end, to endure and mature and grow in grace and faith; so that once we return to Him we are to strengthen our fellow believers. Because everyone goes through the refining fires, the times of sifting and separating. This is the work of His Spirit of Holiness in us as we saw last post.

Again everything is connected, we cannot compartmentalize His working in our lives, nor can we say we don’t need this part or that part. We cannot choose His method or the instruments of His preparation for our promotion. Listen to what the Ruach HaKodesh is saying to us and showing us, as we submit ourselves more and more to His Way, His Truth and His Will for our lives.

Do we as Believers in the Messiah need to Repent, to do Teshuvah?

What does the Word say?

Read again His message to the 7 Assemblies/Synagogues in Revelation and we will see correction from our Messiah and His warnings to repent. Revelation 2-4

As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. Revelation 3:19

 

Prophets like Jeremiah and Joel were calling the people to return to the Lord:

They said, ‘Repent now everyone of his evil way and his evil doings, and dwell in the land that the LORD has given to you and your fathers forever and ever. Jer. 25:5

Joel 2:12-13 AMPC Therefore also now, says the Lord, turn and keep on coming to Me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning [until every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship is restored].

The verb ישׁוּב, turn oneself, turn about, is here used in a double sense: first, as turn away from one; and then turn towards him, return again. 

In the new Testament in Acts 3:19 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord. 

This season also reminds us of Esther and her willingness to prepare herself before coming into the Kings presence so she could approach him and ask for mercy for her people. This is a reminder that in humility with a truly repentant heart we can always approach the King of Kings and allow His countenance to shine on us.

Prophetically,

Teshuvah’s 40 days of repentance,

prepares believers for Messiah’s appearing!

We must choose to allow our Father’s Ruach HaKodesh, Who loves us, to rebuke and chasten us so we can bring true fruits of repentance and go forward a Bride without spot or blemish ready for the Wedding Feast!

Turn and keep on coming to Messiah family, for surely this is our hearts desire that every hindrance is removed and the broken fellowship with our Lord is restored.

This is His desire for us…

and it’s time to turn!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם‎,

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

Who Is Searching For Who?

Doing a search is a popular statement these days.

We are able to search the internet using digital ‘search engines’ to find out details on whatever subject we want..

Many times all we ever hear is

“I looked it up using a search engine on our web browser..”

…and there are several well known names we use.

These AI (artificial intelligences) answers to our search, are so immediate that we have come to prefer this instant answer, instead of asking the Lord and waiting patiently for His Holy Spirit to tell us; or by taking the time to research for ourselves in the Bible and Dictionaries or Thesaurus. We need to be aware of not allowing a popular search engine and the internet to be our source of supply instead of or in preference to our Heavenly Father.

We are to Search/Zarah

or Seek

the Lord with all our hearts

….and He will direct our paths.

Prov.3:5,6 & Deut.4:29

We are to Seek for Him while He may be found.

6 Seek the LORD while He may be found;

call on Him while He is near Is 55:6

However there is a Psalm where David states that

the Lord

searches

out our path.

Psalm 139:3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.

Below are various translations where some say search, others say discern, comprehend, know and compassest.

ESV: You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Psalm 139:3,

Psalm 139 :3, NIV: You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Psalm 139:3,

KJV: Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

Berean Standard Bible You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways.

American Standard Version Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, And art acquainted with all my ways.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English You know my way and my steps and you have investigated all my ways.

English Revised Version Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

King James Bible Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.

A Hebrew word for SEARCH is ZARAH 2219

verb

זָרָה

zaw-raw

scrutinize, spread, scatter, winnow

Almost every modern English translation of the Bible will have a different rendering for the word search – zarah.

Some others are:

Living Bible: sees me

Aramaic Bible: know my ways

Holman Bible: observes me

International standard version: scrutinize my life.

King James version: compassest me

ESV: search me

Douay Reams Bible: understood me

New English translation: observes me

And NIV: discerns me

In all these different renderings, not one is wrong or better than another, and it could be that our Heavenly Father is showing us the rich meaning and depth of His Word. Through these words His Spirit reveals to us a greater understanding of the message He wants to impart to us. So in this case there is not a translation that is incorrect.

The Hebrew word comes from a primitive root:  zuwr; to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow — cast away, compass, disperse, fan, scatter (away), spread, strew, winnow.

Recall that every letter of a Hebrew word has its’ own meaning and pictograph. Each letter is a word and here the word zarah is spelled:

zayin resh hei. 

זָרָה

The zayin   זָ   represents and looks like a sword which cut something open to expose the inner layers.

The resh  רָ  is bent over to the left some of the ancient Hebrew sages tell us that it is a sign of humility or shame. 

The letter hei/hey ה is the third letter which represents the presence of God.

When God cuts through us and reveals what is inside of us it brings us to shame and humility in His presence…..However He does not leave us there…it’s a process.

Here the meanings: scrutinize, spread, scatter, winnow, carefully investigate; remind us of Messiahs words that were describing the divide and sift that was to come for His disciples in order to test their faith.

Just as Messiah Jesus/Yeshua said to Simon in Luke.

Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. Luke 22:31-32 (NASB)

The Greek word which is translated as

demanded actually has the idea of a request.

satan has desired to sift you ALL…

WHY is this necessary?…

it is for us to see what is in us.

Messiah/Jesus said

the devil comes and finds nothing in me.

The key word in the phrase he has nothing in Me is nothing.  The English word nothing is the correct translation of the Greek which is ou oudeis.

The word ou means not

and oudeis means no one, none or nothing.

When the Greek word ou is combined with oudeis, 

nothing becomes emphatic.

The Greek phrase is a Hebrew idiom which has the legal sense of no claim.

Therefore, Messiah was simply saying that Satan had 

no legal claim on Him.

 In what sense does Satan have no legal claim on Messiah?

The answer is that Satan has no authority, claim or control over Messiah Jesus/Yeshua in any way, but he does have control over the world systems, kingdoms and non-believers.

There are two important points to help us understand what Satan controls.

The first point is that during the temptation of Messiah by the devil, he reveals that he has authority over the kingdoms of the world Luke 4:5-6. Notice that the devil states all of the kingdoms of the world were handed over to me.

And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.” Luke 4:5-6 (NASB)

These verses help us understand that the devil not only owns the kingdoms of the world, but he controls them as well. Luke 4:5-6.

The second point is that in John 8:43-44 we read that non-Christians, (those who do not accept and believe that Jesus/Yeshua was and is the only begotten Son of the Living God and died in our place;) are under the control of the devil and have the same desires as the devil.

Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. John 8:43-44 (NASB)

The Greek word translated as of in the phrase

of your father the devil is the Greek word ekin.

It means out. 

This means the Pharisees were like the devil, out of, being of that seed.

1 John 3:10 also reveals that we belong to either Christ or the devil.

By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:10 (NASB)

The verse tells us every man and woman either belongs to God or belongs to the devil. Those who practice sin belong to the devil. The verses before and after verse 10 make this clear, non-Christians belong to Satan and he has control of them because they are not Christians. Scripture states that the devil is the god of this age, the ruler of this world, and the prince of the power of the air.

We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 John 5:19 (NASB)

In contrast 1 John 5:18 tells us that Christians cannot be touched or controlled by Satan.

We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18 (NASB)

Therefore, since Messiah/Christ was God and sinless, Satan could not control Him. 

Satan had no legal claim on Him.

This is why Messiah said,  . . . he has nothing in Me… and when satan tempted Him in the wilderness, he was not successful: Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13. Messiah/Christ was without sin Hebrews 4:15.

Can we say the same…

What will be exposed

when we are sifted and scrutinized

by His Spirit of Holiness?

Who will withstand the time of shaking? 

What will the light expose in us?

Once our Heavenly Father has opened us up and revealed all the shameful things in our lives; He does not leave us in that state, He cleans up our lives so they are worthy to carry His indwelling presence. He is going to pursue us until we are willing to let Him open us and cleanse us, so that He can abide/live inside of us and we can become what He created us to be in the first place.

He will zarah/search us in our lying down.

The word for lying down is rava’ . רָבַע

raba: to lie stretched out, lie down

(recall the letters b and v are interchangeable.)

Original Word: רָבַע
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: raba
Phonetic Spelling: raw-bah’
Definition: to lie stretched out, lie down

Strong’s Hebrew: 7250. רָבַע (raba) —

to lie stretched out, lie down

This word comes from old Akkadian word RV,

which has the idea of lying down to reproduce.

raba: to lie stretched out, lie down

In all modern ways of understanding today, our Heavenly Father is watching us even in our most private moments. He is there looking for anything that may hinder the fullness of His presence in our lives. When He finds it, He pursues us until we confess only pure motives and honest intentions of our hearts towards Him. He searches for anything that could prevent Him from being all He longs to be in our lives. He observes the fruit of our lives, our actions and what is reproduced, then He prunes us so that we will bear even more fruit.

 

Is He really that intrusive /interested in our lives, watching and observing our paths and  even our most Intimate moments?

He is obviously acquainted with all our ways.

Here that word acquaint in Hebrew is

katan which is used in a hiphal form.

spelled with a letter c or k. Strongs 5532

cakan — to be of use or service, benefit

cakan: benefit

Original Word: סָכַן
Part of SpeechVerb
Transliteration: cakan
Phonetic Spelling: saw-kan’
 acquaint self, be advantage, ever, be, unprofitable, treasurer.
A primitive root; to be familiar with; by implication, to minister to, be serviceable to, be customary — acquaint (self), be advantage, X ever, (be, (un-))profit(-able), treasurer, be wont.

Hiph`il Perfect1singular הִסְכַּ֫נְתִּי Numbers 22:20; 2masculine singular הִסְבַּ֑נְתָּה Psalm 139:3

Imperative הַסְכֶּןנָֿא Job 22:21

Infinitive abs. הַסְכֵּן Numbers 22:30; — be used, wont, strictly exhibit use, or habit,

הַהַסְכֵּן הִסְכַּנְתִּי לַעֲשת לְךָ כֹּה Numbers 22:30 (J) 

have I ever shewn the habit of doing thus to thee? hence shew harmony with (עִם) one Job 22:21, be familiar with, know intimately (subject ׳י) Psalm 139:3 (with accusative דְּרָכַי).

The word katan seems to have its origins in an ancient Phoenician word developed from: examining a wound to determine how to care for it.

It is a diagnostic search or a familiarizing. When used in a hiphal form it gives the picture of: God is not observing all our ways to make notes and assign grades for our performance; but to determine and understand the best way to correct and heal whatever wounds have been left as He fills us with His presence.

Like David there are no doubt many things in our lives we are ashamed of. Even though God has forgiven us we still have scars that remind us of our past sins and even some open wounds still remain that must be healed.

Maybe David is saying here that our Heavenly Father searches us out, even in our most intimate moments, to clean us up and forgive every single sin, no matter how secret and hidden we think it is. This is so He can enter our lives and fill us with His presence, His Spirit of Holiness.

There is another Hebrew word for

search – chaqar

resh quph chet

which also means:

to investigate,

examine thoroughly in order to expose a weakness.

Weaknesses can be in the form of old unhealed wounds and spiritual scars.

It is not only that He will search us, but He will also closely examine all of our wounds to determine the best treatment to heal them; so we can rest totally in His presence without the hindrance of guilt and shame. When we are running from God, resisting His searching gaze, it is often because we really don’t want to be cleaned up. We like our secret sins and we are comfortable with our wounds, preferring to live and walk as a casualty, with a victim mentality.

However, because our Father loves us and does not want to lose us, He will keep chasing after us until we allow Him to catch up with us and until we surrender; then He can clean us up and heal all our wounds. There are those rooms in our ‘house’ that need a deep, spiritual spring-cleaning. Attics, basements, cupboards and closets full of memories and hurts; those corners of our hearts and minds that we have closed off for too long.

It is only when we truly surrender and stop running, that we will discover the freedom giving joy of His presence. A relationship that is unhindered by sin, guilt and shame is one that allows true loving intimacy, the spiritual connection with our Creator Father, that of katan with Him.

Today…it’s time to stop running and hiding from Him, we often stay too busy to take the time we need to be in His presence.

We need Him, and we must seek His face/presence and only then we will find Him. If we truly want to walk with Him, it is critical to lay down self. Nothing less than total submission, a repentant heart and allowing Him to search us, will bring true humility and openness spiritually; which precedes the personal revival, restoration, maturity and Holiness of His called-apart-ecclesia.

Today it’s is time to answer the question for our own life….

Who is Searching For Who?

Shalom shalom mishpachah/family

and cheverim/friends!

You are loved, appreciated and prayed for

… and…

it’s all about Life and Relationship,

NOT Religion.

You are 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

Five Chosen In A Line Unbroken – Part 5

Toldot of the Melech

Generations of the King

Tol’dot, Toldos, or Tol’doth – Generations

תּוֹלְדֹת

Melech – King

 מֶלֶךְ. 

The book of the generation of Jesus Christ,

the son of David, the son of Abraham.

2 Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob;

and Jacob begat Judas and his brethren;

3 And Judas begat Phares and Zara

of

THAMAR

and Phares begat Esrom;

and Esrom begat Aram;

4 And Aram begat Aminadab;

and Aminadab begat Naasson;

and Naasson begat Salmon;

5 And Salmon begat Booz

of 

RACHAB;

and Booz begat Obed of

RUTH;

and Obed begat Jesse;

6 And Jesse begat David the king;

and David the king begat Solomon of

her that had been

THE WIFE OF URIAS;

7 And Solomon begat Roboam; and Roboam begat Abia;

and Abia begat Asa;

8 And Asa begat Josaphat; and Josaphat begat Joram;

and Joram begat Ozias;

9 And Ozias begat Joatham; and Joatham begat Achaz;

and Achaz begat Ezekias;

10 And Ezekias begat Manasses; and Manasses begat Amon;

and Amon begat Josias;

11 And Josias begat Jechonias and his brethren,

about the time they were carried away to Babylon:

12 And after they were brought to Babylon,

Jechonias begat Salathiel;

and Salathiel begat Zorobabel;

13 And Zorobabel begat Abiud; and Abiud begat Eliakim;

and Eliakim begat Azor;

14 And Azor begat Sadoc; and Sadoc begat Achim;

and Achim begat Eliud;

15 And Eliud begat Eleazar; and Eleazar begat Matthan;

and Matthan begat Jacob;

16 And Jacob begat Joseph the husband

of

 MARY,

of whom was born

JESUS,

who is called Christ.

 

Here is the last one of the five

written in the geneology of Messiah.

The identity of her that had been

the wife of Urias;

is

Bathsheba

בת שבע

Strong’s Hebrew: 1339.

בַּת־שֶׁ֫בַע (Bath-sheba) 

Bath-sheba:

(perhaps) daughter of oath,

the mother of Solomon

Original Word: בַּת־שֶׁבַע

Transliteration: Bath-sheba
Phonetic Spelling: bath-sheh’-bah
from bath and perhaps shaba, sheba

בת ( bath ): Ahban, Baalis, Baana (h), Bath-shua, Ben, Ben-abinadab, Ben-ammi, Ben-deker, Bene-berak, Bene-jaakan,… • Via שבע ( sheba’ ): Barsabbas, Beersheba, Beth-ashbea, Elisheba, Elizabeth, Jehosheba, Sheba

Bathsheba, also spelled Bethsabee, in the Hebrew Bible.

2 Samuel 11, 12; 1 Kings 1, 2,

Bathsheba:

Bat ‘daughter of’,

shebaabundance’.

The Book of Chronicles changed her name to Bathshua.

Her story can be found in 1Kings chapters 1 and 2

As this womans’ dramatic life unfolded, it also secured her place in the geneology of the future Messiah of Israel. Her role is looked at as rather a questionable one because it is not really certain who seduced who?

Bathsheba is portrayed by the midrash as a modest woman who carefully observed the laws of family purity, but who found herself, without any conscious action on her part, in an adulterous affair with the king.

Taking a look at the situation from another angle let the reader research/be a good Berean and decide.

Things are not always what they first appear to be!

Usually the first thing we associate with King David is his adulterous affair with Bathsheba as both were married at the time however, before we condemn them both out of hand we must recall that Jesus/Yeshua said in Matt 5:

 27 “You have heard that it was said to those of old, ‘You shall not commit adultery.’ 28 But I say to you that whoever looks at a woman to lust for her has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

The scriptures also refer to adultery as being with other gods and idols

…when… backsliding Israel committed adultery I had put her away, and given her a bill of divorce; yet her treacherous sister Judah feared not, but went and played the harlot also… through the lightness of her whoredoms, that she defiled the land, and committed adultery with stones and stocks (sticks/idols).” Jeremiah 3:8-9

so it covers a multitude of sins and its a lifelong battle over faith in Jesus/Yeshua vs. faith in Idols of the Heart. Idolatry is of paramount importance as it violates the first and greatest of what we refer to as the 10 commandments.

“You shall have no other gods before Me” Ex 20:3 “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart . . .” Mt. 22:36.

And who among us can say we have not sinned in some way…

If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us.

Rom. 3:10-18

As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are altogether become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.

John 8:7.

“So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her.”

Of course it goes without saying that it takes two and there is no indication of forcing her against her will…

So with that in mind and before we condemn anyone…..

lets see how the story unfolds…

First who was she?

Bathsheba was the daughter of Eliam

who was one of David’s elite mighty men.

2 Samuel 11:3; 23:34 – 39

Bathsheba the daughter of Eliam; but of Ammiel

according to I Chron 3:5,

Her father is identified by some scholars with Eliam,

mentioned in 2 Sam. 23:34 as

the son of Ahithophel.

She was married to one of Eliams comrades in arms called

Urias,

more commonly known as

Uriah the Hittite.

אוּרִיָּה הַחִתִּי ‎ – ʾŪriyyāh haḥittī

Yahweh is my light’.

So Bathsheba was the beautiful grand-daughter of Ahithophel, a shrewd military and political counselor of David.

Her father and husband were stationed at Jerusalem, directly under the control of the King. They were David’s personal bodyguards, his champions, renowned for their bravery. 

So being as she was a member of an elite warrior family, as her husband Uriah was a high-ranking professional soldier. Since her grandfather, father and husband were close allies of David’s, it is safe to assume that she and David had already met before the famous scene where David sees her bathing.

Uriah being a mighty man in David’s elite army, may have been bonded to David, becoming a proselyte; i.e. believing in the God of Israel.

Uriah was also among the specially regarded Thirty of David’s army, implying he was one of the best soldiers in the military.  We assume that all who were counted among David’s mighty men were men David deemed to be trustworthy.

Uriah was listed as one of David’s heroes in 2 Samuel 23:39. The most important of these was Uriah the Hittite.

What is Uriah’s family connection?

To understand the genealogy of Uriah, we must start at the beginning with Noah’s son Ham. Most researchers will readily admit that Ham is considered to be the father of the African nations. If this is true, then it would mean that Ham’s descendants are Africans. It can be found in Genesis 10, where Uriah’s family connection is identified as belonging to Ham.

The name of Ham’s sons are: Cush, Mizraim, Phut and Canaan.

The Hitittes are descendants of Canaan.

The canaanites are in the land of Canaan and their descendant families are: Hivites, Jebusites, Arvadites, Girgashites, Amorites, Arkites, Sinites, Hittites-Heth.

דוד   DAVID

David means: beloved

Original Word: דָּוִד.

Phonetic Spelling: daw-veed’

a son of Jesse.

David – דָּוִד ‎ is described in the Hebrew Bible as:

King of the United Monarchy of Israel and Judah.  

In the Books of Samuel, David is a young shepherd who gains fame first as a musician

and later by killing the enemy champion Goliath.

He becomes a favorite of King Saul and

a close friend of Saul’s son Jonathan.

The first reference to Bathsheba in this scripture describes her as very beautiful.

It is also where we read about David walking in the early evening on his palace rooftop and he looks down on his city where he saw her bathing in the privacy of her courtyard.

This scripture in 2 Sam 11:2-4 tells us several things; first

It was late one afternoon, Bathsheba was most probably on the house’s flat roof, a tented area in a warm climate was often used by the women of the family for a variety of tasks.

The Jewish tradition of purification applied to women every month and they were considered to be unclean and the bathing ended the 7 days separation by the ritual cleansing.

This points to 2 things:

it shows she was not carrying Uriah’s child, and it was a normal practice to be purified, and therefore not necessarily a planned provocative act.

 

The scriptures do not mention any other children between Bathsheba and Uriah.

The terrace may or may not have been screened by latticework

in Judges 5:28 the mother of Sisera watched the road through a lattice.

The text does not tell us whether Bathsheba knew she was being watched.

David may have been screened from sight by a lattice, so that she was unaware of his presence. Or she may have been quite aware she was being watched.

Did she go willingly? Or was she a victim taken to the palace against her will?

The text gives a clue that she went willingly.

The sentence reads

…David sent messengers to get her, and she went‘,

suggesting that, though young, she was ambitious and strong-willed enough to seize her chance.

The proximity of her dwelling was close enough for David to see because her husband was one of his mighty men he would have been close at hand if needed.

Jerusalem at the time of King David.

The small area in the lower right of the map is Jebus, the fortress captured by David. The walled area above is a large flat rock on which the city of Jerusalem grew. The house of Uriah and the palace of David may have been in the upper area.

Second, David should have been at war out on the battlefield but he was not, he was at home.

Wrong place, wrong time and he saw something he wasn’t supposed to see?

His physical senses were activated and he desired /lusted after what his eyes beheld. A covetous desire entered in through his eye gates….

So he sent someone to find out who she was.

Sadly even after he found out whose wife she was 11: 4 he sent messengers to bring her to him. The fact that she was married to Uriah did not deter him from his decision.

The eternal question is… did she know that David could see her or did she think he was away fighting which was usually the case?

Then, could she have resisted his moves; or did she have no other choice due to the fact that the ancient societies were dominated by men and after all he was the King?

It is interesting that the scripture condemns David however, it does not put the blame on Bathsheba. Further reading shows us that not only did David suffer for the rest of his life as a consequence of his lustful choice; both their family and the entire nation of Israel paid the price.

Was she also a clever and unscrupulous woman?

The next we hear is that Bathsheba was going to have his child. On receiving this news David called Uriah back from the battlefield, encouraging him to go home and spend intimate time with his wife in an effort to cover up his actions.

Uriah refused at first; it almost seems that he had to have known what was going on, and why he was summoned. There were plenty of people to tell him – maybe outraged family members who had seen Bathsheba go to the palace? Or soldier-friends who had watched her pass through the guard-house at the entrance of the palace?

Above:The reconstruction of the gates at Gezer shows the sort of gates Bathsheba would have passed through to get to the palace. Note the compartments at the side of each gate.

These provided shelter for guards on duty, and she and David’s messenger could not have passed through without the soldiers seeing them.

The events of that night would probably have been known to many people.

But there is no record saying that Uriah confronted David with what he knew. Instead, he took the line of passive resistance. He told David he would not break the rules of soldiers on active service since he was still technically on duty.

Ancient people believed that marital relations robbed a man of some of his physical strength, so during active service soldiers were required to abstain from them.

Next, David tried again by plying him with intoxicating liquor. but despite every inducement, Uriah stuck to his stance of faithful behavior to his position in Davids military.

When that did not work either, David plotted a cold-blooded murder in order to cover up his sin.

He sent Uriah back onto the battlefield with a sealed letter to the army’s captain, Joab, who was Uriahs commander; with the very clear and ominous instructions in 2 Samuel 11:15 to arrange Uriahs’ death.

We are told that the plans succeeded and in verse 26

 

Soon after Uriah had returned to the army and delivered the letter, he was sent into battle to storm the walls of a city. Following David’s instructions, the soldiers around Uriah pulled back and left him alone, so that he was surrounded by the enemy and cut down.

The sin began with covetous lust for what belonged to another, then it selfishly took what it wanted to satiate that desire and the scripture fulfilled itself in this case literally. The progress included lies, deception, then murder, leading to the death of an innocent.

Then the lust, when it has conceived, bears sin; and the sin, when it is full grown, brings forth death. James 1:15

‘When the wife of Uriah heard that her husband was dead, she made lamentation for him.’

Bathsheba suddenly became a widow and went into mourning.

Did Bathsheba know that David had arranged to have her husband killed?

Did she mourn for the death of a good man?

Or was her mourning just pretense? 

The story of Bathsheba’s seduction as we have it in the Bible was probably edited by court story-tellers during the reign of her son Solomon, and doubtless influenced by Bathsheba and her son. 

This is why it is so hard to tell what really happened.

We only know two things:

what Bathsheba wanted us to know, and

what she was forced to acknowledge because it was already public knowledge. 

Following the time of mourning, David married her and she gave birth to a son.

However vs.27 tells us the Lord was displeased with Davids’ actions.

This treachery in breaking the trusting relationship between him and his friend, gives us the insight that even the Godliest people are sinners.

All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…

It seems to be very conflicting when in 1Samuel 13 :14 we are told very surprisingly that:

David/he was a man after God’s own heart.

which seems strange after this course of events.

However this is in reference to the fact that

he was repentant.

And as God looks on the heart this quantifies the statement.

Even though God forgives the truly repentant person – the consequences of that sin can linger on long after the initial event and the time of repentance. This is why people think they have got away with things and often don’t relate events that occur even years later with previous actions.

Repentance – Teshuvah

RETURN to the Lord and His ways.

It was nine months later when David repented following the confrontation from Nathan the prophet finally David confessed in verse 12:13

I have sinned against the Lord.

The prophet Nathan’s words recorded in the spine chilling verses 13&14

and even though David fasted and prayed for seven days the words of the prophet came true. Sin brought forth death and what David had sown he reaped – death.

Surely Bathsheba’s heart was broken for there are very few things worse than losing a child.

However, overtime David comforted her and later she gave birth to another son whom David called Solomon.

Shlomo/Solomon in Hebrew shelomoh,

שלמה

has a meaning of

his replacement,

perhaps referring to Bathsheba’s first baby who died soon after birth.

Scripture says that the Lord sent Nathan with another word calling him

Jedidiah which means:

beloved of the Lord. Vs 24/25

Even though there were consequences from their actions and there was punishment for them God did not withhold his love from David, Bathsheba, or their child; but instead poured out His mercy and Grace on them.

Furthermore, He did not change His mind concerning his promise to establish David’s line for ever; and would choose their son, Solomon to establish that Royal line and so keep the Davidic covenant.

7:12 – 13.

Years passed, and Bathsheba and King David grew older. We hear nothing about Bathsheba’s life during these long years and probably the rest of her life was spent in the palace.

She lived in the royal harem and gave birth to three more sons; however Solomon was the one chosen by the Lord.

David’s life was one of adversity 12:10-11, of ups and downs and an out-working of the punishment that, the sword would never depart from his house; for what he had done.

The events in their lives shaped history with some of the most painful examples of rebellion by Absalom.

Bathshebas emotions must have been in shreds especially when Ahithophel, her own grandfather join forces with Absalom to fight against David. 15:31 11:3; 23:24.

It’s very possible there is some truth to the speculation that Ahithophel turned on David’s as an act of revenge for seducing his granddaughter and murdering her husband.

 Bathshebas influence became stronger in the royal court as David came to the end of his life.

In his old age, David lost his ability to father any more children and in consequence, his political power.

Eventually, concerns arose about the king’s continuing decline – in ancient Middle Eastern societies, the ability to produce children by the king, was closely linked with the state of the nation. If the king was no longer able, it was a bad omen for the well-being of the country.

So they searched for a beautiful girl throughout all the territory of Israel, and found  Abishag the Shunammite, and brought her to the king. The girl was very beautiful. 1 Kings 1:1-37

When, despite her beauty, the king could not show he was able to have relations with Abishag, it was considered time for a co-regency. This meant that someone would rule alongside David, to help him.

 

Most people took it for granted that this co-regent would be the next king.

David’s oldest surviving son was Adonijah, a young man impatient for power.

Not waiting for David to die, he proclaimed himself king and was accepted as such by many people.

The text implies this was done without David’s knowledge. It was a palace coup in which Bathsheba and her adviser Nathan maneuvered to secure the throne for Solomon.

1Kings 1-2, Nathan came to her to warn her that Adonaijah was planning to make himself king, Nathan encouraged her to go and tell David immediately 1:13. On hearing the prophet, she went and told David what he had said. Because he respected her, David was able to order Solomons coronation immediately and this stopped Adonaijah rebellious attempt from becoming king.

Bathsheba begs the dying David to name Solomon his heir,

from a painting by Goodall

Solomon took the throne, honored his mother, and was advised by her. She took part in court intrigues, occupying the most prestigious position a woman could hold, and accepted the title of Queen Mother; which was the most powerful position a woman could hold and the first woman in the history of Israel to hold this title.

Bathsheba out witted Adonijah in his attempted coup d’etat and she secured the throne for her own son. 

According to the Bible, Adonijah approached Bathsheba with an odd request: to help him get Abishag as his wife.

Adonijah begs for Bathsheba’s help.

On the surface, this seems a harmless thing to ask, but  Abishag was considered one of David’s wives, and marriage to a widow of the previous king was a way of making a claim on the throne!

It is hard to believe Adonijah would have made such a request, to Bathsheba of all people. She knew only too well that Adonijah was very dangerous and could never marry Abishag.

The whole episode seems to have been contrived to execute Adonijah. Solomon may have been reluctant to do this and so it took a public accusation of treason, made by Bathsheba, to give him good reason for killing his half-brother.

In 2:19-24 we read that Solomon didn’t always grant Bathshebas requests however, he respected her, bowed to her and even put a throne for her right next to his; and she remained a respected influence within the court.

This is the last we hear of Bathsheba, maybe because her son was secure on the throne and her own position was safe.

Bathsheba would have no doubt been aware of Gods’ plan to include Solomon in the Royal line of King David; which the Scriptures said would somehow continue forever. 

She would not have known how far the story would eventually lead in that, she would become integral to the genealogy line of the future Messiah of Israel.

The scriptures show Bathsheba as capable, ambitious, and gifted. She gave David a son, Solomon, who was noted for his wisdom and intellectual brilliance. Her son presided over a court famous for its literature, culture, wealth, architectural achievements, and consolidation of Judah-Israel as a nation-state.

Bathsheba is clearly listed in Matthew chapter 1 even though her Name is not mentioned per se, stating only:

her who had been the wife of Uriah!

The whole promise of the Redeemer is in

Genesis 3:15

which declares the seed of a woman

through many wombs/rechem,

grace and mercy…

More on the connection between Womb and Mercy at:

https://www.minimannamoments.com/mystery-of-rechem-the-secret-of-living-like-royalty/

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

will bring that about

and will crush satan and the sin that he caused.

The promise of the coming Messiah

echoes all throughout the Old Testament/Tenach and

the Brit Chadashah/New Testament

declares

He is here

and His Name is Yeshua/Jesus.

Matt 1:1.

The most amazing thing about this first chapter is that it goes against the Jewish protocol because it includes five individuals in the line of Messiahs genealogy, these 5 were women, usually only men were named.

However, God has a very good reason for including them because it emphasizes the whole truth of the gospel and the reason why Jesus/Yeshua came.

It is in His Name –

Salvation

for He shall save His people from their sins v.21

Ephesians 1:11 – 12 tells us that He is in control, and every time He shows His grace and mercy and His undeserved kindness to those who have sinned and deserve punishment …all glory goes to Him.

Even though Solomon became the wisest man that lived and according to Scripture in Ecclesiastes 7:20

Even he was very aware that there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.

God’s loving kindness is from everlasting to everlasting and His mercies are new every morning…

Great is His faithfulness

and all these stories are written for us to shows these truths.

Bathsheba is four of the five in the line unbroken,

whose lives give hope to the lost,

encouragement to the disappointed,

acceptance to the rejected,

a raising up to those who have fallen;

and forgiveness for the repentance sinner.

Humble hearts touched by the unconditional love of a father who loves His children so much that He

corrects,

chastises and restores us;

in the process of teaching, training

and growing us up;

to become all that has destined us to be.

When we truly understand the reason

for His adjustments in our lives, we will start to welcome them,

instead of trying to side step them.

If we are being attended to, then we are greatly loved by Him.

For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, And scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. – 

and you have forgotten the exhortation which reasons with you as with sons, “My son, don’t take lightly the chastening of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by him; For whom the Lord loves, he chastens, And scourges every son whom he receives.” It is for discipline that you endure. God deals with you as with sons, for what son is there whom his father doesn’t discipline? But if you are without discipline, whereof all have been made partakers, then are you illegitimate, and not sons. Furthermore, we had the fathers of our flesh to chasten us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much rather be in subjection to the Father of spirits, and live? For they indeed, for a few days, punished us as seemed good to them; but he for our profit, that we may be partakers of his holiness. All chastening seems for the present to be not joyous but grievous; yet afterward it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been exercised thereby. -Hebrews 12:5-11

His Story is HiStory – God is the author of it all.

Everything is purposed Eph 1:11 and Romans 8

Knowing this is often a mute point, however, we need to carefully consider as we look at the reality of the fact –

it is all

HIS STORY

from The Genesis to the Revealing

the only true and correct history IS GODS’ not mans’.

Humans who are influenced by the spirits in this world, Eph. 6; that are not promoting His Story; change parts, times and in many cases, huge chunks of information. Facts have been altered and in some cases not just hidden but are outright lies.

What we are taught we simply believe, trusting those who filled our innocent minds as children. If we have not got a solid foundation from the Word of God, we will not have His truth and we will see and experience this life with a skewed view point and confused understanding.

Many call it providence yet in reality it is what someone said is,

the hand of God in the glove of history.

As we move from tragedy to triumph for the glory of God, we often wonder how our individual lives fit into Gods plan; yet we trust Him that all things are purposed.

We are predestined to become… Romans 8:30.

It is not until after things unfold that we see with 2020 vision..

which is hindsight.

This is called the walk of faith – for if we knew what was to happen then we would not need faith to believe –

we would know!

Their descendent was and is

our Savior, Lord and

soon returning king.

Bathsheba

was indeed

one of five,

another notable woman

sealed into

the line unbroken

another story connected to the

House of Bread

Beth-Lechem

and of Him, who when we eat of,

we will never hunger again for

He is the Bread of Life!

Don’t leave this page until you are certain you are grafted in to this family, this royal hose of David that this geneology is true for your life too….that

You are His offspring,

a child of THE KING of KINGS

Shalom, shalom, mishpachah!

You are loved and appreciated and prayed for daily.

Please don’t leave this page without the knowing in your heart you are totally His.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

Its all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.

 

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.