Tag: resurrection

What Exactly Was Written On A Stauros In Three Languages And Why?

The word stauros is the Greek word for cross.

Strong’s Greek: 4716. σταυρός –

stauros

an upright stake.

In regular use a

stauros/σταυρός is a beam.

The word for a cross is διασταύρωση which is the equivalent of σταυρός that means thru beam or perhaps a cross beam; a stake or post (as set upright), i.e. (specially), a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to death.

Definition of Greek cross : a cross having an upright and a transverse shaft equal in length and intersecting at their middles.

The Hebrew word for

a cross is

צלב  tselev

this word does not appear in the Tenakh/Old Testament, however it’s used in Modern Hebrew translations of the Brit Chadashah/New Testament for the

cross of the crucifixion.

A tselev/cross is often used as a mark,

as we say

in X marks the spot.

There are 2 words meaning mark in Biblical Hebrew.

1 is the Hebrew word

אות

ot,

Strong’s #226

and the 2nd is the word

תו

tav,

Strong’s #8420.

The 2nd word is also the name of the

last letter in the Hebrew alphabet,

which is the

ת  tav.

In Ancient Hebrew writing, the letter tav is written as,

a picture of a mark.

It is interesting to note that both the Hebrew words meaning mark have the letter tav as part of their construction.

Secondly, what was written on

the sign was known as a

titilum, or title,

and was used to

describe the crime of the accused.

So we then understand it was not unusual to place a sign over the one being crucified.

However we know Messiah Yeshua/Jesus was without sin and died an innocent death so what was written?

Wasn’t it just His name?

What does the scripture say?

The gospel of Luke lists three charges that the religious leaders accused Yeshua/Jesus of before Pilate. Luke 23:2.

The trial before the religious court of the Jews, which took place in the dead of night, was illegal and every requirement of the Mosaic Law was broken by the High Priest and his co-conspirators. Before the dawn, these evil men found Yeshua/Jesus guilty and marched Him to the governor’s residence with three political accusations against Him.

First, He was charged with perverting the people and stirring up strife. They accused Him of being a revolutionary agitator inciting the people to riot, but nothing was further from the truth. He was meek and lowly and came to save His people from their sin. Yeshua/Jesus came to give them:

rest from their labor,

spiritual nourishment for their soul,

forgiveness of sin,

and life everlasting.

He came to re-establish the nation of Israel’s

covenant with God,

so they would return/teshuvah,

to being His chosen people/am segulah, 

who would tell the world of God’s goodness and grace.

(Matthew 14:22; 16:20; Mark 1:45; 6:42; John 6:15).

The Jewish leaders actually hoped that the Messiah would bring about an uprising against the Romans and free them from pagan rule, but they had misinterpreted the scriptures and therefore did not recognize Yeshua/Jesus as the Messiah..

WHY?

because He came to

free them from sin,

and not the Romans.

(Luke 4:19)

In truth, they were guilty

of the charge that they accused Him of.

Second, He was accused of being an anarchist who was turning the people against the Roman constitution,The Jewish authorities also accused him of incitement to oppose the government by withholding taxes from Rome. The Jewish leaders had attempted to trick Him by asking whether or not it was lawful for us to pay taxes to Caesar.

Yeshua/Jesus realizing their evil intent said, “Why do you test Me, you hypocrites? Show Me the tax money.” So they brought Him a denarius. And He said to them, “Whose image and inscription is this?” They said to Him, “Caesar’s. And His wise answer exposed their trickery, when He said to them  “render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s.”

Matt. 22:18–22.

and finally

they accused Him of challenging Caesar because He claimed He was a king!

Yeshua/Jesus had never made such a claim directly. In fact, it was the religious leaders themselves that hoped that the Messiah would come to set up a temporal kingdom to overthrow the Romans freeing them from their tyrannical control and establish His earthly rule.

The final accusation was perhaps the most shocking. Yeshua/Jesus, the anointed Messiah of God was their rightful King. He had been sent from the Father to set up His kingdom of Righteousness – not a worldly kingdom but the kingdom of heaven, but FIRST His people had to repent of their sin and believe on the Messiah Yeshua/Jesus for the forgiveness of sin.

We read in this verse,

“and they began to accuse Him, saying, ‘We found this man misleading our nation and forbidding to pay taxes to Caesar, and saying He Himself is Christ, a King.'”

Later stating, we have no king but Caesar.

12 But when the chief priests and the elders brought charges against him, he did not answer. 13 Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the charges they are bringing against you?” 

Matthew 27:12-14

When Pilate directly asked Yeshua/Jesus if He was a king, Messiah responded that His kingdom is not of this world. John 18:33-38.

To all these accusations, Pilate found no fault in Yeshua/Jesus.

The religious leaders wanted to get rid of Yeshua/Jesus because they were fearful and jealous of His ever increasing popularity with the people.

Their misgivings were further inflated, especially after Lazarus was resurrected form the dead.

They had admitted to one another that…

the world is gone after him. John 12:19.

After this they made a decision and set out to destroy Him by any means; even if it meant that they would bear false witness against Him. In so doing, they were moved by the devil himself, who is a liar and the father of lies. Luke 8:44.

Mark 15:61 records the conversation between the cohen hagadol/high priest and Yeshua/Jesus; who asked Him…

Are you the Mashaich Ben HaM’vorakh?

Yeshua replies, I AM /Anochi.

In reply to this direct question, He does not hesitate and precisely identifies Himself with the ONE Who spoke to Moshe/Moses at the burning bush. Ex.3:14. Here He not only affirms that He is the Messiah, the son of God/YHVH, but indicates that He is to be identified with Adonai Himself.

In Judaism the tearing of ones clothes is a sign of grief and shock. As we read on, the High Priest/Cohen haGadols’ reaction seals the situation that they were seeking and they condemn Him to death for their perception of Him blaspheming.

 

The indictments against Yeshua/Jesus

in Luke 23:2

were false and illegitimate.

Indict – meaning: to charge with a crime.

It comes from the Latin indicere, meaning:

to make known formally

or

to proclaim,

which in turn comes from

in plus dicere,

meaning:

to say to bring a formal accusation against, as a means of bringing to trial.

to charge with an offense or crime; accuse of wrongdoing; castigate; criticize.

The three false accusations made against Messiah escalated further when they cried,

“We have no king but Caesar.” 

“Let His blood be on us and on our children.” 

“Crucify Him!”

Matthew 27:37-38  tells us that they had a tablet (σανίς)

put over the cross containing a statement of the crime

(τὴν αἰτίαν αὐτοῦ)

for which the offender was being executed,

And set over His head, His accusation —

That is, a superscription, containing the substance of his pretended crime, written in capital letters, and in these remarkable words,

THIS IS JESUS/YESHUA, (John adds, OF NAZARETH,)

THE KING OF THE JEWS.

The other gospels do not express the title so fully.

 

This was what He was accused of and charged with.

This was His crime and this is what they killed Him for.

Murdered Him for He was innocent.

They crucified Him without cause.

He was sinless and died

for you,

for me,

for everyone who

will accept His sacrificial death on their behalf!

The charge against Him was..

He said He was King of theJews.

This is recorded in

John 19:21-22, “Therefore the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate, “Do not write, ‘

The King of the Jews,’

but, that ‘He said, “I am the King of the Jews.”

‘Pilate answered, “What I have written, I have written….”

Yohanan/John 19:19

reads as follows:

“Now Pilate wrote a title and put it on the Cross.

And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS.”

Pontius Pilate wrote the words

JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS

on a sign in Hebrew, Latin and Greek,

and placed it on the cross above the head of Messiah.

The Bible says it was written in three languages.

Why in 3 languages?

because

Latin was the native tongue of the Romans,

Hebrew was for the Jews,

and for anyone else,

Greek, was the common everyday language of the time.

It was probably a very large sign, if not three of them,

which could be easily read from the busy road.

Yeshua/Jesus/ישוע

was the featured criminal

and was sentenced to death under Roman law for

sedition against the Roman state,

and under Jewish law for

the sin of blasphemy.

In Hebrew, the sign read as follows:

“Yahuwshuwa Ha’Nazarei W’Melech Ha’Yahuwdiym”

In many places around the world on certain depictions of the crucifix, both sculpted and pictorial, especially as related to the Catholic religion, a stylized plaque or parchment with the letters

INRI

can be seen painted on the sign attached to Jesus/Yeshua’s cross; either just above or below the figure and in some cases, these letters may be carved into the cross. This is an example of the Vatican highlighting Latin instead of the Hebrew language. 

In the Gospel of John 19:19-20, the inscription is explained: 

 

INRI is an acronym /abbreviation for the Latin:

Iesus Nazarenus, Rex Iudaeorum.

In English: Jesus the Nazarene/Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews, which was posted on the cross by order of the Roman procurator, Pontius Pilate.

The letters SPQR sometimes seen stand for:

Senatus Populus Que Romanus –

(The Roman Senate and People),

designating the civil authority that presided over the scene.

Latin uses the letter “I”

instead of the English “J”,

and “V” instead of “U”

e.g., Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judaeorum.

The English translation is then

“Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews.”

Pilate was reticent to crucify Yeshua/Jesus without some strong justification especially after his wifes’ dream. The one he used was the standing Roman treaty with the Jews which allowed them self-government. When they complained that Yeshua/Jesus was interfering with that self-rule by holding Himself to possess authority that He lacked, Pilate challenged him to deny that he was called “King of Jews.” He did not deny the accusation. 



Some believe that the justification for His crucifixion was that He claimed an illegitimate title. However John 19:21-22 states that Pilate rejected the charge that Yeshua/Jesus was crucified because He falsely claimed to be king and instead stated that the reason He was crucified was because, He was the King of the Jews.

It seems that Pilate was personally convinced that He was the Jewish Messiah. This appears to be further corroborated by the Eastern Orthodox Feast of Saint Pontius Pilate on June 25 since early church histories state that after converting to Christianity, Pilate himself was martyred by double crucifixion. 

 

However John specifies that the inscription was also in Hebrew.

Hebrew: יֵשׁוּעַ הַנָּצְרִי מֶלֶךְ הַיְּהוּדִים –

Common to each of these is the specific declaration:

מֶלֶךְ הַיְּהוּדִים , the King of the Jews.

The name יֵשׁוּעַ Yeshua means The Lord’s Salvation,

or Cry Out to the Lord for Help.

It is the short version of Yehoshua (Joshua),

which means The Lord Saves (or turns) Us.

In comparison, prior to being transliterated FROM the Hebrew Bible, the name Ἰησοῦς (Iesous) did not exist in Greek. Through multiple translations and changes in pronunciation, a tradition of saying Jesus has obscured His name, Yeshua. It has shifted His perceived message and identity from Hebrew to Greek.

 John 12:23-32 is a reference to the

Sfirat HaOmer – Firstfruits

and the prophetic fulfillment of this appointed time of the Lord. The traditional observance of these days points us to the resurrection of Messiah. It’s a harvest festival and barley sheaves are waved before the Lord. The grain that had come from the earth was now lifted up high for all to see. Yeshua/Jesus Himself referred to His resurrection when He said.

 

The time has come for the son of man to be glorified and I tell you that unless a grain of wheat that falls to the ground dies, it stays just a grain but if it dies it produces a big harvest. When I am lifted up from the earth I will draw all men unto Me.

 

This parable was told to his Jewish disciples/talmidim as they had come to celebrate Passover/Pesach just before Sfirat HaOmer Firstfruits. John 12:1,20. We in the western Christianity calendar dates of festivals, miss the significance of the whole week, as it holds so much more in revealing Messiahs completed work as His Father had planned.

The resurrection of Messiah from the dead

is perfectly symbolized in

the wave offering of the first fruits

which the Christianity of the west does not even mention.

Because of the set appointed days from the time of Moses it was

imperative for Him to die exactly on Pesach/Passover

in order to fulfill the prophecies.

So too

He must rise from the dead

on Sfirat HaOmer – Firstfruits..

1Cor. 15:20 20 But now Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep. 

The firstfruits were the first of the season’s crops given by faithful Jewish people to God. Paul’s use of the term here means that Yeshua/Jesus was the first of the crop of “the dead” to be resurrected. His was the pattern for what is in all believers’ future. 

1 Cor. 15:51; 1 John 3:2.

In 1 Corinthians 15:20-34 he confirms that Yeshua/Jesus did indeed rise from the dead, and became the firstfruits of them that slept. This means He is the first to rise from the dead, Him being the firstfruits shows he is a representative of the future ‘harvest’. Paul is making a connection to Leviticus 23:9-14 which is the third and final part of the spring feast of the Pesach/Passover, which is the offering of the firstfruits of the barley harvest/ Sfirat HaOmer.

Yeshua/Jesus fulfilled the Passover/Pesach by

shedding His blood on the tree,

and the

feast of unleavened bread

by

giving His flesh for the world;

being buried, and He rose from the dead

on the waving of the sheaf of the firstfruits ,

fulfilling it by being

the firstfruits of the resurrection.

It is understood that the first fruits are from the barley harvest which is also going to produce the same kind of barley as the firstfruits did, indicating that our resurrection will be exactly like His resurrection!

The Wave Offering:

The Israelites offered wave offerings 

as a sign of peace and service to God.

For more https://www.minimannamoments.com/first-fruits/

Was there one more ת tav in the צלב tselev ?

One to ponder, let the reader decide… We know Yeshua/Jesus was crucified on a very important day in the Jewish calendar, Pesach/Passover. This means that Yerushalayim/Jerusalem, where He died, would have been filled with Jews who had come to celebrate Passover/Pesach as one of the 3 festivals they were obligated to attend annually. The following is interesting to note:

When a Jewish family arrived in Yerushalayim/Jerusalem for the Pesach/Passover, they would either purchase or bring with them a special bronze name tag. This name tag would have the family name written on it. They would tie a rope or thread to the tag and hang it around the neck of a lamb they were going to sacrifice. Each father desired that God would know their family was observing the Pesach/Passover, and that the lamb that bore the family name was being sacrificed for them.

All of the events of the week of the Pesach/Passover feast deal deeply in types and foreshadows that point directly to Yeshua/Jesus as being the Passover Lamb for the world.

Was Pilate used to put the Fathers title name on His lamb for the entire world to see?

Did Pilate’s inscription, became the Father’s name tag? The Jews had been bringing Pesach/Passover lambs to the Temple with their bronze name tags and by this, were saying,

‘YHVH see our name. This lamb is for our family.’

Did our Heavenly Father hang His Son on the highest hill in Yerusalayim/Jerusalem where He also put His Name, to tell all of humanity… ??? inferring something similar to saying…

…Look here, My name, this is My Lamb and it’s Pesach/Passover, you are taking your lambs to the Temple; and when the blood is flowing in the Temple from the Pesach/Passover lambs of the people, My Son’s sinless Blood will be flowing for the redemption of mankind, so that you can once again have access and fellowship with Me.

Yeshua ha Notzri Melech ha Yehoodim

One thing we do know for certain the cross is

EMPTY

And so is the

TOMB

And we serve a resurrected savior

Who is alive forevermore

He is our High Priest

and

He left behind Him the crown of thorns

because

He IS not only

(what Pilate wrote on the stauros/tselev title,)

King of the Jews…

He IS

King of All Kings…

As He hung on Calvary’s

stauros/tselev

Cross,

shedding His blood

for every one of His bitter accusers

and for each of us,

He was heard to pray,

Hallelujah!

שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם‎,

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week,

chag sameach – happy holiday

chag Pesach sameach –

have a happy Passover

you are greatly loved and prayed for daily. Please don’t leave here without assurance of your salvation Remember…

you are one of His Am Segulah – Treasured People,

and you Have Passover Faith

Pesach  Emunah

Let the deep inner knowing that you are sealed to the day of redemption by the Blood of Messiah Jesus/Yeshua bring you His shalom right now!

Not sure ..you can be…

Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord, Your Passover Lamb

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.

 

Climbing Mountains and Leaving For Home – Comings and Goings

Having just completed the 49 days of Counting the Omer.

This season runs from the First Fruits – בִּכּוּרִים – Bikkurim/Resurrection

to

Pentecost/Shavuot/שָׁבוּעוֹת which begins on the 50th day from פסח – Pesach/Passover.

We remember Yeshua/Jesus was with them for 40 days after His Resurrection and appeared to many during that time, up to the day He returned Home to heaven/shamayim.

1Cor. 5:16. After that, He appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.

In John 20:17 we are told that on the first day of the week after Passover/Pesach, Jesus/Yeshua appeared to Mary Magdalene, (Miriam of Magdala).

The women that came to the tomb (Mary the Mother of James, Salome, and Joanna), then a first appearance to Peter. He also appeared to the rest of the 12 Disciples with Thomas absent, later He appeared to them with Thomas present.

The occasion recorded in 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, to 500 at one time, then to James (presumably James the brother of Jesus), then to all the Apostles, and last to Paul himself.

There was also the meeting with the 2 disciples on the Emmaus road.

The 40th day of the Omer was when His Ascension took place and the promise was given to those present that He will return the same way they saw Him go.

Click link below for more on Ascension

https://www.minimannamoments.com/are-we-in-a-divine-pause/

His second coming shall be in like manner as Acts 1:10-11 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them.

His Cross is the door/Dalet by which whosoever will can enter into the eternal life to be with the Father.

Dalet door of the cross

Click link below for more on Dalet/door:

https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-pesach-dalet-in-time-a-man-between-2-realms-yonah-and-the-watches-of-the-night/

Because of His resurrection, Jesus/Yeshua, has the right to give eternal life to anyone, and by His ascension our Savior entered heaven, keeping the door open for humanity.

His previous Transfiguration which began on another Mountain was completed on the Mountain of Ascension.

The Transfiguration was a manifestation of His glory a powerful demonstration of His divine nature, which He possessed prior to coming to earth in a human body.

Before Abraham was I AM. John 8:58

Undoubtedly, the purpose of His transfiguration, into at least a portion of His heavenly glory, was so that those of His disciples who were closest to Him, could gain a greater understanding of Who He was. Surely He underwent a dramatic change in appearance when the disciples saw Him in His glory.

After six days Jesus took with him Peter, James and John the brother of James, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. There he was transfigured before them “his face did shine as the sun,” “and his garments became glistering, exceeding white, so as no fuller on earth can whiten them.”

Luke 9:27; Matthew 17:1-8.

One of the purposes of the Transfiguration may have been to strengthen the faith of the disciples in His divine nature before they experienced the shock of the difficult days ahead of them.

In early times, the mount of the Transfiguration had become known as the holy mount. (2 Peter 1:18). It seems to have been known by the faithful, and one tradition identified it with Mount Thabor/Tabor.

The other view, and probably more likely one, is that Mount Hermon was the site of the transfiguration.

Hermon means: Devoted or Sanctified!

Mount Hermon from the Sea of Galilee

It is in the far north, the location of Caesarea Philippi, at the southwestern foothills; 25 miles northeast of the Sea of Galilee to the Golan Heights.

It is situated on a terrace 1,150 feet high overlooking a lush fertile valley. Here also, is the easternmost source for the Jordan River.

It is one of the four major headwaters.

During the Hellenistic period (323 to 31 B.C.), this city was originally called Panias (also spelled Paneas) because of its close association with the Greco-Roman god Pan. The modern name, Banias, is an Arabic corruption of the original.

In order to distinguish it from the harbor city on the Mediterranean called Caesarea Maritima, it became known as Caesarea Philippi. Philip, one of Herod the Great’s sons, renamed it so in honor of Emperor Augustus in 2 B.C.

Here in Caesarea Philippi, there was once a magnificent temple which dominated the landscape, constructed of white marble by Herod the Great to the godhead of Caesar. An earthquake in 363 C.E likely destroyed the city.

There is a cave immediately to the north of Caesarea Philippi.

This cave was said to be the birthplace of the Greco-Roman god Pan/Faunus, the god of nature, fields, forests, mountains, flocks and shepherds.

The pagan worshipers would make sacrifices at the mouth of the cave where they had built a sanctuary to Pan/Faunus.

It would seem to make sense for the transfiguration to take place in that region where Messiah had been ministering and where Peter made his confession.

Not coincidentally, at the base of this mountain was the place known as the gates of Hades, (gates of hell).

To the pagan mind, the cave at Caesarea Philippi created a gate to the underworld (Hades), where they believed fertility gods took up residence during the winter.

This location was especially unique because it stood at the base of a cliff where spring water flowed. At one time, the water ran directly from the mouth of a cave set in the bottom of the cliff. This region is referred to in the Old Testament by the name Baal-gad, which is described in the northernmost conquest of Joshua as being in the Valley of Lebanon below Mount Hermon (Josh. 11:17; 12:7; 13:5; also see: Judges 3:3; 1 Chron. 5:23).

The name Baal-gad meant literally Master Luck, the name of a god of fortune who may later have been identified with Pan. One good reason the Bride of Messiah should refrain from using the term good luck when offering encouragement to one another; but rather offer shalom and blessings to each other in Jesus/Yeshuas name.

This region was the northernmost extent of Yeshua/Jesus’ ministry and no doubt He found some privacy here with His disciples in this non-Jewish region, no less, because it was beyond the jurisdiction of Galilee’s ruler, Herod Antipas. It was here in the district of Caesarea Philippi, not long before before His final journey to Jerusalem and crucifixion that He asked the 12 disciples,

Who do you say that I am?

Matt.16:15.

It is a very important point that Jesus/Yeshua chose to ask this question here, since there were few areas anywhere else with more religious significance; and because it was filled with the temples of ancient Syrian Baal worship. Historians have identified at least 14 such temples, it was a place beneath the shadow of ancient gods.

Imagine the scene, Jesus/Yeshua was standing in an area with the temples of the Syrian gods, a place where the Greek gods were believed to look down, and the place where the most important river in Israel has its source, (the Jordan river), and asked them Who they thought He was.

Messiah knew what He was doing when choosing the 3 disciples, Peter, James and John to follow Him to the summit of Mount Hermon. His choice was not random and because of His well-defined objective, He was not concerned the rest would feel rejected or resentful but did what needed to be done. Peter would testify later, saying:

“for we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the father honor and glory when such a voice came to him from the excellent glory: “this is my beloved son, in whom I am well pleased.” and we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with him on the HOLY MOUNTAIN.” 2 peter 1.16-18

Some may wonder why He didn’t choose His beloved Mount of Olives, or where He heard the prayer of His servant/prophet Elijah, and responded with fire on Mount Carmel? Or even the Mount of Beatitudes, where He taught, revealing the secrets of eternal life? Why did He choose the highest and most difficult mountain to climb in Israel?

Psalm 133 gives us an answer:

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!

It is like the precious oil upon the head, running down on the beard, the beard of Aaron, running down on the edge of his garments.

It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing – life forevermore.”

Yeshua/Jesus chose Mount Hermon, because He wanted to point out to His disciples what it represents, as described in the Psalm.

It was prophetic because it spoke of unity, harmony and perfect peace/shalom, among the children of God in the Kingdom of Heaven; and accurately portrays the picture of our Heavenly Fathers’ family gathered around His throne. He expresses His joy and delight in seeing His children around Him, the fruit of the sacrifice of His first born, Jesus/Yeshua.

Comparing the joy to: like the precious oil upon the head.

This precious oil upon the head represents the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the form of a physical anointing/Shavuot/Pentecost; and it is something that can only be understood by those who have had this experience.

Like the dew of Mount Hermon is the reference to the sources of water that form the rivers, which merge together forming the River Jordan. Mount Hermon is the water source for all of Israel. Water is life/chaim, it is impossible to live without its existence and in those days, the greatest wealth of a community was water, for that reason, settlements were always built around wells/water sources. Another reason He said, John 4:14; but whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life.

When the Psalmist writes, the dew of Hermon that descends upon the mountains of Zion, he is portraying the fullness of life that Gods’ children enjoy in His presence.

Mount Hermon could be said to be a sanctuary that is invisible to the eyes of the wicked, being revealed to the chosen ones, because of its splendor and spiritual significance, no wonder the Messiah chose it from among the others and,

from it,

God commands the blessing

and life/chaim/lifes, forevermore!

 

It is like the dew of Hermon, descending upon the mountains of Zion; for there the Lord commanded the blessing – life forevermore.”

Small wonder the devil tried to usurp it for his own!

Because of this significance, no doubt Messiah deliberately set Himself against the world’s religions and was asking to be compared with them. Here in this setting, is where Peter boldly replies with his great confession,

You are the Messiah/the Christ, the Son of the living God. Matt. 16:16.

Now the significance of this tremendous statement of faith becomes clearer and it changed everything for the disciples.

Then Yeshua/Jesus responds in Matt. 16:17-18 Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell [literally, Hades] shall not prevail against it.

Here His reference to the cave and the gates of Hades at Mount Hermon, makes complete sense!

It is plain from Scripture that His ascension from another mountain, that of Mount of Olives; was a literal, bodily return to heaven. He rose from the ground gradually and visibly, observed by the disciples. Straining to catch a last glimpse of Yeshua/Jesus, when a cloud hid Him from their view, then, 2 angels appeared and promised the onlookers…in just the same way that you have watched Him go. Acts 1:11.

The daily route Jesus/Yeshua took in and out of the city passed over the Mount of Olives. From ancient times the revered rise overlooking Jerusalem from east was seen with importance.

The Mount of Olives is a mountain ridge east of and adjacent to Jerusalem’s Old City. It is named for the olive groves that once covered its slopes. He led the disciples over the summit and onto the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. Interestingly, the journey was what is defined as a Sabbath’s journey; or a little more than 1/2 mile.

Mark:11:1; [Luke:19:29];[Luke:24:50

The ascension was the ultimate, indisputable evidence that Jesus Christ/Yeshua HaMashiach was triumphant, conquering ha satan/the adversary and all his hosts. Here is the extent of His victory, but it also reveals the measure of the power which has been bestowed upon His saints to carry out His work on earth until He returns.

It emphasizes the fact that we are given the serious responsibility of putting His will into effect on earth, as He reigns from heaven.

Matthew 6:9-13 verse 6:10.

The Rabbi/Teacher’s parting words commissioned His people to make disciples of every creature among the nations throughout the earth (Mt. 28:18-20; Mk. 16:15-16; Lk. 24:47).

This was 10 days before Shavuot and the Holy Spirit/Ruach HaKodesh outpouring.

Pesach/Passover is incomplete and Shavuot/Pentecost obstructed and the Second Coming of Messiah impossible without His Ascension!

Acts 2:5  And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them.

Click below for previous posts which focus on Shavuot/Pentecost.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/50-days-later-an-earthly-and-spiritual-harvest-pentecost-shavuot/

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

https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-look-of-shavuot/

This reference to Cloven Tongues may have been an indication to them that the fire was not strange fire but Holy acceptable fire from heaven.

Leviticus 11:3. Whatsoever parteth the hoof, and is cloven footed, and cheweth the cud, among the beasts, that shall ye eat.

However one of the main meanings to them was that Pentecost/Shavuot was the celebration of the giving of Torah in the wilderness and the manifested presence of God came as fire and remained with them by night for 40 years; and furthermore, fire was always known as a cleansing agent.

This was the presence of God, the impartation of His spirit infilling the properly prepared vessels; igniting that zeal to go and make disciples of all nations.

One final interesting point is that, a critical scene was repeated post resurrection but pre ascension.

The location was beside the Sea of Galilee in Luke 5:1-11; Matt.4:18-22; Mark 1:16-20.

Notably the place/HaMakem, of Calling.

See 

https://www.minimannamoments.com/have-we-heard-it/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-calling-part-2/

Here in Matthew 4:22, Yeshua/Jesus called them and they left everything to follow Him….. (Have we?)…

But not until after He told them them to let down their nets for a catch. Which they did and pulled in a huge haul of fish.

He stated He would make them fishers of men. Then in John 21, He is again in Galilee beside the sea and tells them to let down their nets for a catch.

Once again the nets were filled to overflowing.

He tells them to come and eat.

Again the reference to feeding them for He is the bread of life.

This is at the end of His time with them.

We see the reference to

the beginning and the end

the first and the last

the Alef and Tav

the Alpha and Omega,

(Rev.22:13)

start and finish of their time with Him.

The catch of fish to becomes the catching of men,

catching souls for the kingdom of the Heavens.

The 2nd time was the place of commissioning.

A question arises always where did the fire, hot coals, fish and bread come from?

The coals/ Stones were hot so it would seem that He had been there a while.

Bring some fish He says.

Jesus saith unto them, Bring of the fish which ye have now caught. John 21:10

The bread wouldn’t have been the flat crisp sort so that it could be broken, not a soft loaf like we usually think of.

This makes another question. Where did He get the bread from, was it another miracle?

Did He turn some of the stones beside the sea of Galilee into bread?

Stones that look very much like bread!

This was the very subject of an earlier temptation the devil used against Him, to prove that He was the Son of God/YHWH.

Now it was no temptation, but instead, a provision to feed His children-mishpachah/disciples-talmidim/friends-cheverim.

He was and is the Son of the Living God, the Creator of the universe, who took the elements of the dirt of the earth He created to form us. Surely then, as the devil came testing/ tempting Him, He was able to do just that… or it would not have been by its’ very definition – a temptation?

What we do know is everything points to Jesus as Messiah, savior and He points always to the father. Everything has meaning whether we fully understand it or not.

Pentecost/Shavuot was a ‘second giving’, of the Torah.

A giving of Himself, of His risen Spirit/Ruach;

to fill them and fire them up.

His Torah/Word is no longer written on stone but in their,

and our,

hearts of flesh.

He is the living Torah, the living Word made flesh and is still living amongst us.

Knowledge is not the end goal here in these posts… but Relationship is.

Knowledge and understanding, are simply an aid to a deeper understanding of the One who gave His life for us.

This Shavuot /Pentecost allow the Ruach/Spirit of Holy Fire to do His complete work in us that we become vessels fit for the Masters use.

The purpose being that so many more souls are added to His kingdom.

As we are climbing the mountains with Him following His lead know we are soon leaving for home too. It’s possible that when He said earlier meet me in Galilee it was also related to meet me in the kingdom of God because Galilee was a home where the meeting could go on without any distraction! Did Yeshua/Jesus choose Galilee to show them how they would also join Him in the Kingdom of God, the kingdom of His Heavens?

Keep your eyes upon Jesus/Yeshua.

Look full in His wonderful face

and the things of this world will grow strangely dim

in the light of His glory and grace.

Be ready… Look to the Son!

When we look at this do we see son rise or sun set?

https://www.minimannamoments.com/sonset-sunrise-sunset-sonrise-apocalypse-of-the-tamid/

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

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

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

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

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

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

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

We left Part 1 with the question:

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

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

The next connection to Almonds was the Rod of Aaron:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Has similar language

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

and is typified in three elements connected to the menorah.

The Bud

the Flower

and

the Fruit.

See chart below for other symbolism.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Three of the many 7’s in Scripture:

7 Appointed Times

7 Spirits of God

7 Days of the week, etc.

Some symbolism meanings:

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

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

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

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

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

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

How does an almond tree grow?

And what we can learn?

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

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

The menorah is the only light in the Holy place.

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

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

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

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

The menorah is also a symbol of the brides mission.

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

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

The cups of the menorah:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

The buds and blossoms of the menorah:

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

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

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

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

Jeremiah 1:11 – 12

What do you see Jeremiah?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Techiyat HaMaitim – המתים תחיית – 

The Resurrection Of The Dead

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Conclusion in Part 3 – including what did Jeremiah see?

Shalom Shalom ‘Mishpachah’ ‘Family’!

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

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

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

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

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

 

Thinking Outside The Box On The Lighter Side Of Life?

God is LIGHT.

1 John1:5. This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is LIGHT, and in him is no darkness at all.

The first time we hear the word LIGHT is in Genesis 1:3.

In Hebrew the word Light is:

Or  – אוֹר.

(Familiar to us too, as part of the English word orb meaning a ball of light.)

For most of us, Light is a thing. Some scientists regard LIGHT as having zero mass, (no physical substance), however one of the other basic meanings for light is lamp: a device [noun] that sheds light.

The word LIGHT is a singular, common noun and can be concrete or abstract, depending on use; for example: Concrete: Turn off the light before you go to bed.

Some origins of the word Light:

Old English lēoht, līht (noun and adjective), līhtan (verb), of Germanic origin; related to Dutch licht and German Licht, from an Indo-European root shared by Greek: leukos- white and Latin: lux – light.

 Light in physics, is visible electromagnetic radiation. The most well known and dramatic example is the Northern and Southern Lights the Aurora Borealis and Aurora Australis.

The human eye can typically detect radiation (light) in the wavelength range of about 400 to 750 nanometers. Nearby shorter and longer wavelength ranges, although not visible, are commonly called ultraviolet and infrared light.

A definition of Light: something that makes things visible or affords illumination:

All colors depend on light. 

https://www.minimannamoments.com/what-does-the-mysterious-roy-g-biv-reveal-about-ahavah/

The interesting thing about the Hebrew word for LIGHT – Or, is that it is a verb, meaning, it is an action word.

It is a word that does something and it is also a prime root, meaning:

to be, or become light.

In our thinking, Light is an element that aids sight, or a time of day, or describes a color tone, which is very different.

Strongs #216 Or/Ohr:

Phonetic Spelling: (ore)

Pronounced OAR

’ō·wr

Sometimes also written AR and AWR

As we are discovering everything is connected, so this is a follow on to the posts on Shofar and Jubilee Yovel/Yobel and the Keys of Light; because there is a further amazing connection between them all.

First, let’s look at Light, with reference to the ancient Paleo Hebrew Texts and their pictograph letters.

Genesis 1:3.

Vayomer Elokim yehi-or vayehi-or.

God said, Let there be light, and there was light.

let there – yehi/ yhi – יְהִ֣י – the letters Yod+Hey+Yod

Light Be – (yehi) – or. אוֹר – the letters Alef+Waw/Vav+Resh/Reysh

This was an action.

The first use of the Hebrew language is in Genesis in the creation account:

yehi or – Light Be!

Which can also be written:

yehiy or,

meaning:

light exist.

God also gave Hebrew names to the

sky (shamayim),

land (erets),

sun (shemesh),

moon (yerey’ach),

stars (kokhaviym)

and man (adam).

When God formed Adam he apparently gave him this spoken language and communicated with him (Genesis 1.28). The man also used this same language to give names to all of the birds (oph),

animals (behemah),

beasts (hayahsadeh)

and woman (iyshah).

Since God is the originator of the Hebrew language, He is also the originator of the alphabet. Over time all alphabets evolve. Therefore, it is possible for the writing system of Noah’s day to display changes from the alephbet given to Adam.

In the ancient Hebrew Paleo Pictograph language, the word light is very close to the Ancient Hebrew word for box. It would certainly have given us something to question if the people who translated the original text had put it in the word box instead of light! Genesis 1:3 would have read, Let there be box and box was!

However, there is a very interesting relationship between the two words.

The word LIGHT in Genesis 1:3 is translated as AWR (OR) and is pronounced oar.

There are several different spellings for the same word so they are included here so we don’t get confused and think it is a different word with a different meaning.

(OHR – OR – ORE – AR – AWR – OWR).

Remember to read from right to left in the pictograph below. Alef Waw Resh

So as not to be confused, note that the letters W, WAW is also known as = VAV for V

And the letter R for Resh also known as Reysh.

Numerical value of the letters:

A =1; V/W= 6; R=200.

The 3 pictographs are:

Resh/Reysh – Waw/Vav – Alef

Aleph – pronounced as AH or EH. Picture of the ox head, meaning: strength and power, yoked to.

Waw or vav – pronounced as W, O or U. Picture of the nail or hook, meaning: to add something, or secure a thing.

And Resh or Reysh pronounced as R. Picture of is the head of a person, meaning: Headship, chief, first.

The parent root word, (which means, where the basic meaning is found;) comes from AR.

AR in its basic definition is the verb meaning: ORDER, to order, to gather, to organize.

A further definition is shown by what is called the concrete noun, meaning the object or thing, and this is the word BOX. A BOX can be thought of as a kind of tool or helper, an aid; something that is used for organizing or creating order.

AR – Alef Resh

The A -Alef is a picture of an Ox, which in the west is more commonly called a cow.

The Alef speaks of the action to lead, leading, to be led by, to be put in the front.

The actual, or concrete meaning, is an Ox – one of a team yoked together. One of the two yoked oxen would be experienced, in order to help the other less experienced one. So the weaker would learn from the stronger by following.

(Note here of the meaning behind Jesus/Yeshua saying, that His Yoke was easy.

Why?

Because He is the more experienced of the 2 in the yoke. The 2 in the yoke being us and Him, as we are yoked together with Him in covenant. He also gives us the command: Follow Me. He leads us, as in Ps.23.)

Lastly the abstract concept in the Alef is one of strength.

The second letter R – Resh/Reysh is a picture of a persons head and speaks first of the action, the doing, to start, to begin. As well as concrete images, giving us an understanding of a top, or a summit, like that of a mountain; and also that of a human being as being the top, or highest, of all of Gods’ creation.

So from this we learn that R/resh, represents the concept of top, or source, strength from above and being led from above, from the top.

Returning to the image of boxes, with this meaning, order and organization would appear to have something to do with: being led from the top and strength from above.

In the middle East millennia ago, the idea of Boxes/containers, would have not been uncommon to a people whose nomadic lifestyle necessitated continually packing up and moving. No doubt they had something in which to place and carry their possessions.

When we move from one place to another, we too are familiar with boxes.

Placing items into containers is a natural action and we usually place items down into a box from above.

In Hebrew thought, it could be described as a strong action and also as having strength to function; whereas viewing an unorganized, disarrayed pile of items spread around everywhere, (not in a box), and not collected; could be weak when considered in comparison, and lacking the strength of order and organization.

Boxes in this ancient Hebraic thinking are examples of strength from above.

Next, looking at the Hebrew word AWR for light, the root coming from AR, in this word there is a letter W in the middle. This letter is a WAW or a VAV. It is a letter that is added in between the A and R. It is called an infix.

The Pictograph for the letter WAW or VAV is a nail, which gives the visual meaning of binding, or attaching, as in an action like adding a tent peg.

It also has an abstract concept of adding to, or, increase and is used as the connecting or conjunction word: AND.

When the letter WAW or VAV is added to words, it appears to give a greater emphasis to its’ meaning.

In this case it indicates that it is taking a single event of carefully placing items in order into a box and is turning it into a broader conceptual meaning; that of getting everything in order, as in overall organization and light.

Without light in a room, it would be almost impossible to get everything in order. To see what we are doing, we need light. To organize items, whether in a kitchen, garage or office, we also need containers or boxes because things get mixed up and chaotic without order.

With the addition of the letter waw/vav, the nail, we are given a word with an adjusted meaning of:

order that is more enduring in its existence, it is longer lasting and is attached to everything

and this is referring to

LIGHT – AWR/OR.

In Hebrew thought, Light has strength from above, having the same properties as the pictographs show for the box.

However, this strength is enduring and affects everything.

The thing that unites these is the common theme of ORDER that comes out of disorder, confusion and chaos.

The place we started was at Genesis/Beresheet/Beginning, where Darkness (hashak) was on the face of the deep before the account of the creation events.

There was a lot of organizing in the sequence recorded here. God came and it is stated that the waters were separated/organized; darkness and light were separated/organized;

sea and land were separated/organized and given boundaries.

Animals, fish, birds, etc., were told to multiply within their own kind; they were separated and organized into species, like being placed into a kind of box. None of this could take place without LIGHT. The scripture says God is LIGHT and He also spoke and said LIGHT BE and there was LIGHT.

LIGHT was the medium of transference, the WAY in which He caused ORDER to come forth from Himself, (as He IS LIGHT); and to in turn bring order out of Chaos in the creation of the earth. In a similar way we organize things in our thinking and then put it into practice by organizing, ordering and putting the things around us that we need in our lives. We invariably put things in boxes or one sort or another.

In John 8:12, He promises we shall have the LIGHT of life; this may be a reference to the order of our new born again life experience coming out of the chaos of our lost state. He came that we might have life (chaim/lifes) and He said He was the LIGHT and LIFE of men, so He was; in exactly the WAY that the Father sent order and LIGHT to humanity. When we follow Him, our walk will not be a walk of confusion and chaos but as we walk in the LIGHT as He is, we will have a walk of organized order, which is a reflection of our Heavenly Father and His Creation.      

In previous posts we looked at the Shofar and the Hebrew word had a vav in it, as do other words we have looked at. In the same way some English words have different spellings (e.g. U.S. and U.K. use an s or a z in the word realise/realize) and in word endings like yesterdays or holidays, just an s is added to make a plural ending. There is also the plural ending of ies, for words like daisy into daisies. So variations are not uncommon.

Why is this important?

Because in the Hebrew language there is more of a reasoning and meaning by adding the letter vav/waw to a word.

And this will help us to see the connection between Light, Yovel, Shofar, Jubilee and Box.

The LIGHT of Gods’ throne/presence, rested on the mercy seat /kapporet between the cherubim/keruvim on the covering /lid of the ARK/BOX of the covenant.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/are-we-boxed-in/

This same LIGHT– OR, that was present at creation was the same Word that was also there.

The Hebrew word for ARK, ARON, has the same root letter AR as the word for a vessel/container, as does the vessel Noah built, both by Gods’ design for construction.

This was also an ARK of that covenant promise and would have looked more like a BOX than a boat shape that we think of today.

So A and R, Alef and Resh/Reysh,

are the root letters of both

BOX – ARON and LIGHT- AWR.

Recall that in the Ancient Hebrew mind, LIGHT is seen as ORDER, as without light we would be lost in the chaos of darkness.

So we see the Hebrew word for light is אור (or) and is derived from the parent root אר (ar). The word derived from this parent root is the word: ארון – aron, pronounced a-rone: formed by adding the ון to the end of the root letters A&R.

This word means a box and is also related to order, in the sense that items are placed within boxes as a way of bringing about some kind of order.

The Ark of the Covenant was a BOX that was used to place important items within it, including: the stone tablets with the 10 sayings inscribed on them, Aaron’s staff was in there and the pot of Manna, this was done by placing down into it from above, kept them in order.

Jesus/Yeshua, is not only the Word but also our ARK we get into Him for our salvation.

He was there at the beginning – Beresheet -Genesis – בְּרֵאשִׁ֖ית

Colossians 1:16-17  “For by him [Jesus] all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.”

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  The same was in the beginning with God.  All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made.  In him was life; and the life was the light of men.  And the light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not. John 1:1-5

He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. John 1:10

Jesus/Yeshua is the light that was there at the beginning.

Jesus/Yeshua is the fulfillment of prophecy and of the Jubilee/Yubel.

All words are made up of alphabet letters, from alef to tav.

Jesus/Yeshua said He was the alef tav.

He is the Word. He is the alefbet.

He is the fulfillment of every prophetic utterance and no word of God returns void. Is. 55:11.

That is the whole essence and reason for prophecy; it is the spoken Word. When we declare His Word, His power is in those words and must also be contained in the individual letters that make up the word; especially in the Hebrew and Aramaic language.

God always begins with the Word. John1, and the Word was before all things He has always existed. The Word brought forth the creation into existence. From nothingness, came the universe by means of the Word.

He spoke before it existed.

First the Word, then the reality.

This is the essence and order of prophecy, speaking forth the oracles of God.

Before He creates, He sends forth the Word; and so He sent His Word -Jesus/Yeshua. He sent an angel to speak the WORD to Miriam; and then the Word was made flesh. Before creation, He sends forth His word, and Jesus/Yeshua came. Then restoration was created, through His life, death and resurrection.

I am the resurrection and the life –

I am the alef and the tav. (alpha-omega. Gk.) Jesus/Yeshua is all the letters.

Tav tikomah = resurrection in Hebrew. Resurrection is the ultimate restoration, return and the fulfillment of the prophetic Jubilees.

It is our ultimate end and our victory. This is the victory that overcomes.

He is our Jubilee, the resurrection and the life.

As resurrection is supernatural, it’s a reversal of death, just as jubilee is a reversal of loss, resurrection brings back, restores and raises up what was dead, that which was lost. We were dead in sin and similarly Israel was ‘dead’ also, no longer existing as a nation until 1948 when it was reborn, restored and the people returned. Teshuvah = return.

With any birth in the natural, growth occurs into what has not yet been; going from childhood to maturity.

Resurrection is not the same process.

Resurrection does not begin from the beginning, from birth, but from the end; from the conclusion of what we had become and at death, what we once were.

In Resurrection, we become again what we were at the final point.

Example: at His resurrection, Jesus/Yeshua did not become a baby again but was seen as He was before death, however He was changed from glory to glory, better than before.

So resurrection and Jubilee are synonymous. At resurrection we will be restored and return to the father in a final Jubilee/Yubel for all. As the yubel/shofar sounds,

Lev. 25; you shall return – TASHUVU.

The law of Jubilees was commanded in Lev. 25 and had a fulfillment in Israel in 1948.

Jesus/Yeshua is the fulfillment of every prophetic word, of every covenant, becoming the agent of salvation, the agent of yubel/jubilee.

He was the perfect sacrificial lamb of God, the covenant keeper, the Light/awr, that was contained in the box/ark/aron. He is our ark/box as typified in Noah whose ark/aron/box saved His family. We are Messiahs family/משפחה /Mish-pa-KHa; and we are the people who lived in darkness who have seen a great light/or/awr. For He is the Light and His life is the light of men.

Psalm 119:105  Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.

Psalm 130:5 In His Word I Hope.

As Jesus/Yeshua said when on the earth, He was Light in this world; now we are the Light. So it’s time to let our lights shine.

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

Even if our light seems small … it is enough to disperse and dispel the darkness.

In Hebrew, HhaSHak = darkness.

In Greek:

σκοτίᾳ,   skotia

darkness 

φῶς  phōs

light

The Word is Torah, God’s instruction/teaching.

The word Torah refers to the first five books of the bible: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy – Torah, the instruction teaching of Moses. Hebrew is read from right to left;
Below are the Hebrew alphabet letters that make up the word TORAH, and each words’ meaning: 

Torah comes from the word orah – light. Every time we see the word Light in the scripture, we could also read it as Torah. This is why His Word is a lamp to our feet and a Light to our pathWAY.

Torah gives teaching and instruction, direction and guidance. So by Thinking Outside The Box On The Lighter Side Of Life; and examining the ancient pictographs, in which it was possibly first written; there is an amazing connection between the letters A&R in the Hebrew words for Yovel/Shofar/Jubilee and Light, Box/Ark.

Jesus/Yeshua is Light, Torah, Lifes/Chaim, the Word, Yovel, Jubilee, Teshuvah, Covenant and Box/Ark, because everything points to Messiah where everything has its alef and tav!

Shalom shalom Mishpachah/ Family.

Don’t leave this page without knowing for absolute certain you are an ark. 

An ARON –

a treasure chest of His Presence!

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

Make certain Jesus 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.

NOT SURE?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

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

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