What Is The Connection Between Aliyah, Aloe, Spikenard, Gardens, Trumpets and a Plough? Part 2

Part 2: Conclusion of..

What Is The Connection Between Aliyah, Aloe, Spikenard, Gardens, Trumpets and a Plough? 

The Song of Songs, or Song of Solomon also called Canticles.

Hebrew: שִׁיר הַשִּׁירִים, Šîr Haššîrîm,

Greek: ᾆσμα ᾆσμάτων, asma asmaton, both meaning Song of Songs, is one of the megillot (scrolls) found in the last section of the Tanakh, known as the Ketuvim (or “Writings”), and is a book of the Old Testament.

Incense contains spices

Spices in Hebrew is

בֶּשֶׂם

bosem

Phonetic: (beh’-sem)

Strong’s #1314 spice, balsam, the balsam tree

(an aromatic resinous substance)
This noun is derived from the root word בשם (B.S.M, this Semitic root is not used in the Hebrew Bible) meaning “to be fragrant.”

beyt – shin – mem

In the paleo Hebrew pictograph letters it looks like…

beyt: B, house, in, the body, the household or family, inside, within, amid. (tent – floor plan).

shin: S or Sh, eat, consume, destroys, teeth, ivory, point of a rock, a peak, to devour, something sharp, El Shaddai.

mem: M, closed, water, mighty, massive, many, chaos like the deep, to come from, like water down a stream.

(Remember Hebrew reads from right to left.)

From the Paleo/pictograph meanings, we could conclude the word

spices – bosem,

to mean:

Inside/within, (something to) eat/consume, to come from, like water down a stream.

(Think of a flowing smoke like fragrance in the air.. and the river of Lifes/chaim – flowing from both Eden and from His Throne.)

Whatever the fragrances of Eden were, we may not name them all accurately with modern translations, however, we see the spices chosen by God, winding and wafting by His Spirit throughout the Old and New Testament. They are interwoven into the history of humanity, usually indicating His presence in His Word, and His promise of a future Messiah. 

Spices can be:vegetable substances possessing a sharp taste and aromatic qualities. The Bible sometimes uses the Hebrew word bosem for spices in general, which literally refers to the rich fragrance of spices.

Purpose of Spices:

A real substance for a particular use, such as food or medicine and taken from nature

A Sanctified or set apart/holy, substance, for worship or to attend God’s presence, e.g.

The Tabernacle and its Furnishings

The Anointing of Priests

The dedication of the Ark of the Covenant &

The Mercy Seat

A substance accompanying and indicative of an acceptable offering (e. g. frankincense on a meat offering) or incense attending the prayers of saints in heaven.

Revelation 5:8 And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

Revelation 8:5:

And the smoke of the incense, (which came) with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel’s hand.

The word used to signify glory is Kavod – כָּבֽוֹד

Or Kabod. pronounced kaw-bode’: abundance, honor, glory

Strongs# 3519b

kaf – vet – vav – dalet

The meaning in the paleo pictographs…

kaf: palm of hand, a wing, to allow to cover, to open the hand, the power to suppress or build up.

vet: tent, house, body, the household or family, inside, within, amid.

vav: a nail, a peg, a hook, joining together, making secure, becoming bound or nailed to.

dalet: a door, a path, a way of life, movement into or out of.

Glory could be described using the paleo Hebrew pictographs as: the hand or wing covers the family/household within, joining together and making secure the movement through the door and pathway of life.

 

Continuing the purposes of spices: Attending the Shekinah Glory or a manifestation of Gods presence: in the case of the Shekinah Glory of God which appeared on the Mercy Seat of the Ark of the Covenant, where the sanctified, set apart/holy perfume was to be placed. (Exodus 30:34-38)

As the manifestation of Gods presence:  (Exodus 24:5,10, because the blood of the burnt offering, 24:5, was always to be placed upon the altar of sweet INCENSE, and the manifestation of Gods presence: 24:10 appeared afterwards).

There seems to be strong suggestions in scripture, that Gods Presence is associated with and follows after the spices/Incense/bosem – flowing like the water down a stream. The image of Water likened with Gods Word is already familiar to us.

Or: the presence of God in a communion between man and God, such as in the ‘Garden inclosed’ of the Song of Songs; because the Garden is filled with sweet aromas.

Could it be said, that it was prophetic, because it’s a place of Communion for the Sweet Savor which God ‘Smelled’ for the Travail in another garden (Gan) Gethsemane, the agony of Messiahs Soul?

Further continuing the purposes of spices…

As a fragrance or substance associated with kings, a gift fit for a king, or particularly with the Messiah of Israel.

This could be either directly, such as in the attendance of frankincense and myrrh at His birth and when offered to Him on the Cross. Or, indirectly, in a type and kind of the King of Israel, such as Joseph being carried to Egypt by spice merchants.

No doubt the aroma of frankincense and myrrh was drifting in the dry desert air, or in the gifts brought to Solomon by the Queen of Sheba; kingly aromas for the King of Israel.   

Lastly, spices in the Bible are associated with:

The riches of the world: over and over the mention of various spices are intertwined with the finery of wealth, which merchants brought to major ports and the outer regions of Israel. 

Notably scripture records that in the end of days, as the ‘Whore of Babylon’ meets her demise in the ‘smoke of her burning’; and the merchants in ships at sea, watch the city destroyed in one hour. They bewail the elegant cloths and woods, the precious metals and the spices, fragrances and perfumes which always accompanied and defined wealth and power.

Except perhaps where the instructions in Exodus are given for using the scents ‘of the apothecary’ in the Tabernacle; spices are relevant to the Song of Songs, probably more than in any other book.

Spices have a greater role, beyond anointing, in the book Shir HaShirim, the Song of Songs. This is the story of Israel and her Bridegroom, the ecclesia/called apart ones/church, and her beloved Messiah, and of God restoring to mankind perfect communion with Himself. Each spice mentioned, bears a particular significance pointing to the love and work of God, to Salvation and Messiah.

Spices as a Common Substance

As already mentioned, the first time we read of the word spices, is among the gifts that Jacob sent to Pharaoh, when his sons went into Egypt, to attempt to buy corn during a famine. The gifts are sent in part, to appease the anger of some elevated steward, whom he thinks has falsely accused his sons of double dealing. Jacob has no idea that it is his son Joseph, who he thought was long dead, was playing a little with the minds of his treacherous brothers. Gen.43:11

And their father Israel said unto them, If it must be so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts and almonds;

As we have seen they are also used as a gift; e.g. when given to Solomon by the Queen of Sheba, in I Kings 10:2

And she came to Jerusalem with a very great train, with camels that bare spices, and very much gold, and precious stones; and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart.

It is also seen among the items gifted to him by his people and Hezekiah’s treasure house contained the spices in 2 Chronicles 32:27; and Isaiah 39:2 among other riches. In Ezekiel 27:22, one notes the role of merchants and the trade of spices is referred to. 

While most spices were costly, the first way to view them in the Bible is as a natural substance, used for many purposes, but the two most prominent uses of spices have to do with the Tabernacle and their use in in the Presence of God.

Spices bosem: spice, balsam, the balsam tree

Strongs:1314

בֶּשֶׂם

pronounced beh’-sem

meaning: fragrant (2), spice (2), spices (22), sweet perfume-smell, spice, sweet (odour). In some Bibles sweet calamus is translated as aromatic or fragrant Cane.

Strongs:5561

sam·mîm, סַמִּ֗ים 

sweet spices

The general uses of spices are also mentioned throughout scripture, notably in the gall mixed with myrrh’s sedative powers, which were offered to Messiah during His crucifixion. 

Mark 15:23 And they gave him to drink wine mingled with myrrh: but he received it not.

Second purpose was for application due to the healing powers of balms and ointments.  Many of these same substances continue to be used today for medicinal as well as worship purposes.

This list includes: saffron, cinnamon, calamus, frankincense, myrrh and others.

     The spices of the Tabernacle are unique, in that they are commanded by God, and they mark the Word, Work, and presence of God in the Holy of Holies and Ark of the Covenant. 

There are several uses within the Tabernacle of the Spices:

As a garnishment on certain Sacrifices, (e.g. Meat Offering was adorned with frankincense), or;

As an anointing oil for the physical tabernacle altars and furnishings/tools.

 (Exodus 30:23-25)

Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred shekels, 24 And of cassia five hundred shekels, after the shekel of the sanctuary, and of oil olive an hin; 25  And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary: it shall be an holy anointing oil.

OIL Olive

The Hebrew word is

sheh-mehn

Shin, Mem, Nun Sophit (Nms).

Strongs# 8081

From H8080; grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively richness: – anointing, fat (things), fruitful, oil ([-ed]), ointment, olive, + pine.

from 8080 “shah-mahn” (Nms)

A primitive root; to shine, that is, (by analogy) be (causatively make) oily or gross: – become (make, wax) fat.

Oil means shine.

Also as previously mentioned, spices were used as an anointing before the Testimony of the Tabernacle, before the Ark of the Covenant. This was a slightly different, but set apart and holy spice/ointment which was not to be replicated, since it adorned the presence of God in the Shekinah glory on the Mercy Seat between the cherubim:

 And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum: these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight 35 and thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together pure and holy; Exodus 30:34 (also 35-38)

Cassia

Strongs:7102

qetsiah: cassia (a powdered bark)

קִצְיעָה

Kuph, Dalet, Heh (hdq);

pronounced: kets-ee-aw

or keed-dah/qiddah: (cassia)

Strongs:6916

קִדָּה

pronounced kid-daw’

H6915; kah-dahd – cassia bark, as in shriveled rolls.

A primitive root; to shrivel up, that is, contract or bend the body (or neck) in deference: – bow (down) (the) head, stoop.

Cassia means shriveled and bow (down) (the) head.

Stacte:

(Greek: στακτή, staktē

Hebrew word is natap/nat-taph/nataf/nataph

נָטָ֤ף

Nun, Tet, Peh (ptn)

Strongs:5189

are names used for one of the ingredients of the most sacred temple incense, called the HaKetoret, referenced in Exodus 30:34.

It was to be mixed in equal parts with onycha (labdanum), galbanum and mixed with pure frankincense and made into an incense for burning on the altar of the tabernacle.

The Stacte is from the Storax Tree below.

 A primitive root from 5197 “nah-taph” (; to ooze, that is, distil gradually; by implication to fall in drops; figuratively to speak by inspiration: – drop (-ping), prophesy.

Stacte means ‘ooze’, ‘drop’ and ‘prophecy’.

and Onycha.

The Hebrew word for onycha is

sh’khey-leth

Shin, Khet, Lamed, Tav (tlxs).

Strong’s # 7827

Onycha means ROAR

From an unused root probably meaning to roar; a lion (from his characteristic roar): – (fierce) lion. (or of a large shell)

The Onycha is also called Gum Rockrose.

Onycha is one of the four spices mentioned in the Old Testament (Exodus 30:34) and as an ingredient of KETORET, Holy Incense, (in picture below).

Like many other herbs and spices mentioned during Biblical times, the origin of onycha is shrouded in debate, starting with the name itself.

Various scholars have argued that the origins of onycha include one of the four following options: gum tragacanth from the Astralagus species; benzoin from the Styrax species; a mollusk; and the labdanum plant.

In Greek, it means fingernail; Gum tragacanth, a tree gum, has a resin that falls on the ground and looks like finger nails.

In Hebrew literature, it specifically states that onycha came from a plant, not a tree or animal.

Other Jewish texts indicate that onycha was a resin, pointing again to a non-animal origin. Furthermore, Jews considered fish and water animals to be unclean.

 

The final candidate for onycha is said to be labdanum.

Labdanum/ Gum Rockrose can be Cistus ladanifer and Cistus creticus, which are both called rock rose or rose of Sharon.

The leaves and twigs exude a musky-sweet, sticky, brown resin that is high in waxes. The name rose of Sharon perhaps comes from the fact that the plant grows extensively on the Israeli Sharon plains, which lie between Jaffa and Mount Carmel. The plant is native to the western Mediterranean region, where it thrives in the hot summers and cool dry winters, grows to 2.5 meters, and is cultivated for its scented foliage and showy flowers.

It is a vigorous, dense, upright shrub that bears ornamental white flowers which have 5 distinctive maroon spots at the base of its petals, are up to 10cm across and have yellow stamens and pistils at its centre.

The plant is covered with an aromatic resin.

According to Pliny the Elder, an herb called ladan (which is Arabic for labdanum) had a fragrant smell. The Bible mentions rose of Sharon:

“I am the rose of Sharon, and the lily of the valleys. As the lily among thorns, so is my love among the daughters. As the apple tree among the trees of the wood, so is my beloved among the sons. I sat down under his shadow with great delight, and his fruit was sweet to my taste” (Song of Solomon 2 KJ V).

Strongs:7827

וּשְׁחֵ֙לֶת֙

shecheleth: (an ingredient of the holy incense) perhaps onycha?

שְׁחֶלֶת

pronounced: shekh-ay’-leth

chelbenah:

or galbanum:

Strongs:2464

pronounced: khel-ben-aw:

gum, a type used in incense

חֶלְבְּנָה

Galbanum resin.

The Hebrew word galbanum is

khehl-b’nah

Khet, Lamed, Bet, Nen, Hey (hnblx).

Strongs #2464

From H2459;

galbanam, an odorous gum (as if fatty):

from Strongs 2459 kheh-lehv (blx)

From an unused root meaning to be fat; fat, whether literally or figuratively; hence the richest or choice part: –     best, fat (-ness),  finest, grease, marrow.

Galbanum means fat and also rich. Khelb’nah is also where we get our modern English word galbanum.

The remarkable thing about these spices is, that both,

the spices of the Tabernacle and its furnishings, and

the fragrance to attend the Ark,

were not commanded as mere perfumes with a specific purpose, but oil fragrances that God marked as holy; and for which the penalty for profaning their use was being cut off – karet, in Hebrew, or even death:

Exodus 30;33  Whosoever compoundeth any like it, or whosoever putteth any of it upon a stranger, shall even be cut off from his people.

Exodus 30:38  Whosoever shall make like unto that to smell thereto shall even be cut off from his people.

Some of the spices suggest spiritual things and as nothing is included in His Word without a good reason, looking at the spices and flowers reveals some of the wisdom that God gave to Solomon. This included the Holy Anointing oil and the Incense for the Temple.

SOME POSSIBLE SYMBOLIC INTERPRETATIONS FROM THE MEANINGS OF THE SPICES:

In the application of the Holy Oil of the Anointing and the Ointment of Incense, if anyone tried to make these or get involved with these other than its proper use, are they usurping the prophetic role of Jesus/Yeshua, the Messiah?

In the case of the Priests: would those who usurp the first oil compound be making themselves play the role of a false priest in which is the Aaronic Levitical line, from where Messiah would descend? Recall, God removed the Priesthood from the other tribes.

If we combine the definitions of each of the spices in the Holy Anointing Oil, again, not in exact order, it seems to make a story….

Myrrh: Bitter

Cinnamon: Erect

Calamus: Purchased

Cassia: Shriveled/Bow (down) (the) Head

Oil: Shine

It could it be saying: One who was purchased, took on the bitterness and was shriveled, then erected and afterward bowed down the head and later shining appeared?

Was this a hidden prophecy of Jesus/Yeshua being purchased in silver by Judas, and took on Himself the sins /the bitterness of the world. His flesh was shredded /shriveled with the whip, then He was erected on a cross, then bowed down His head and died. Later we see the angel who was like lightning /shining, as the stone was rolled away, and also could be that Jesus/ Yeshua shined after He was revived to life /resurrected from the dead?

In the case of the second oil compound, the Ointment of Incense for the Temple: would those who usurp this would make themselves as a false Messiah taking the place of Jesus/Yeshua, who is the Tabernacle made Flesh? Is that why if anyone partook or made these combinations, they would be cut off from their people?

God said He will give us an oil of joy for mourning, which is in the book of Isaiah which Jesus read as He began His ministry!

(**see the possible interpretation of second oil further down.)

Below is a list of the spices and their biblical significance in the Song of Solomon, or ‘ShirHashirim’

Song of Songs 4:14

Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices.

Nard or Jatamansi or Spikenard

Other names: nerd, nardo, muskroot.

Strong’s Hebrew: 5373.

נֵרְדְּ (nerd)

Phonetic Spelling: (nayrd)

https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-nerd-in-the-ark/

It has a woody fragrance which is notably aromatic, warm and sensual. This fragrance is a combination of sweet, spicy resin and animal-fat odors.  With Jatamansi, the essential oil is similar to an organic earthy scent.

The plant is found growing between 3,300 and 6,000 meters in the Himalaya mountains, and generally found clinging to both steep rocky cliffs and stony/grassy slopes.

Sometimes it has been reported seen growing from ravines in the rocks and in crevices and small depressions. It can also be found in wet meadows and by the banks of the rivulets in the high valleys and peaks ranging from 3,000 – 4,000 m.

It is the unseen root that is used Is this a reference to the unseen hand of God in our lives? Namely that when we are in places that seem inaccessible or insurmountable, God makes a way where there seems to be no way?

Spikenard, a fragrant oil, used for anointing

Mark 14:3

While He was in Bethany at the home of Simon the leper, and reclining at the table, there came a woman with an alabaster vial of very costly perfume of pure nard; and she broke the vial and poured it over His head.

John 12:3

Mary then took a pound of very costly perfume of pure nard, and anointed the feet of Jesus and wiped His feet with her hair; and the house was filled with the fragrance of the perfume.

Saffron

Strongs:3750

כַּרְכֹּם  karkom

Saffron, the most sought after of spices, has its origins in the most beautiful of places. This exotic spice is sold in small bundles of long red strands and is heralded for the intense yellow color it imparts on dishes and the complexity of flavor it lends.

From Kashmir, India; it is the world’s most expensive spice. Kashmiri Saffron has long, flat and silky threads with a distinctive aroma.

Approximately 5,000 flowers are required to provide threads enough to make an ounce because there are only three strands of saffron in each flower.

Saffron is a precious spice because of the vast acreage involved, in addition to the labor-intensive handpicking of the flowers and extracting of the tiny threads.

Kobe beef is generally $150 (and more) per pound, whereas saffron can cost up to $315/oz (for the very best kind). That’s roughly $5,000 a pound!

Crocin is responsible for the aroma, flavor and color.

Calamus:

The specific name calamus (meaning “cane”) is derived from Greek κάλαμος (kálamos, meaning “reed”)

Calamus qaneh or kah-neh

Kuph, Nun, Heh (hnq) : a stalk, reed

Strongs:7070 a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard): – balance, bone, branch, calamus, cane, reed, X spearman, stalk.

קָנֶה

pronounced kaw-neh’

from 7069 “kah-nah” (hnq), meaning: A primitive root; to erect, that is, create; by extension to procure, especially by purchase (causatively sell); by implication to own: – attain, buy (-er), teach to keep cattle, get, provoke to jealousy, possess (-or), purchase, recover, redeem, X surely, X verily.

Calamus: A sweet cane of Palestine also an ingredient of the holy ointment.

Calamus means purchased.

Sweet flag grows in India, central Asia, southern Russia, Siberia and Europe.

Calamus has been used for its fragrance, the plant was cut and used as a flavor for foods, and as a sweet smelling floor covering for the packed earth floors of dwellings and churches.

In addition to sweet flag and calamus other common names include: beewortbitter pepper rootcalamus rootflag rootgladdon, myrtle flagmyrtle grassmyrtle rootmyrtle sedgepine root, rat root, sea sedge, sweet cane, sweet cinnamonsweet grasssweet myrtlesweet rootsweet rush, and sweet sedge)

Cinnamon,

qinnamon or keenamohn”- Kuph, Nen, Mem, Vav, Nun Sophit (Nwmnq)

Strongs:7076

From an unused root (meaning to erect); cinnamon bark (as in upright rolls): – cinnamon.

קִנָּמוֹן

Pronounced: kin-naw-mone’

Cinnamon means erect.

Cinnamon is Asia’s Most Popular Spice Tree.

(Old Cinnamon Tree)

Found on the Islands of Malaya. Native to India, Malaya, Ceylon, China, Japan and Taiwan, and depending on the exact species, are as common to them as some of our native trees are to us. The cinnamon sticks we commonly buy, are made from the bark of the tree, and are rolled naturally by being sun-dried.

Two species of the cinnamon tree are most common, and provide most of the spice sold worldwide and is used in both sweet and savory foods.

The spice from the Cinnamomum cassia, has a stronger taste and dark brown color. This version of the spice is popular in the United States.

True cinnamon is a common term for the Cinnamomum zeylanicum, a native of Sri Lanka (Ceylon). Its spice is sweeter in flavour. While Cinnamomum verum is sometimes considered to be true cinnamon, most cinnamon in international commerce is derived from related species, which are also referred to as cassia to distinguish them from true cinnamon.

 (Cinnamon Fruit)

The Hebrew Bible makes specific mention of the spice many times: first when Moses is commanded to use both sweet cinnamon (Hebrew: קִנָּמוֹן, qinnāmôn) and cassia in the holy anointing oil.

In Proverbs where the lover’s bed is perfumed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon; and in Song of Solomon, a song describing the beauty of his beloved, cinnamon scents cover her garments like the smell of Lebanon.

Cassia was also part of the ketoret, the consecrated incense described in the Hebrew Bible.

The Hebrew word for cassia is keed-dah

Kuph, Dalet, Heh (hdq).

Strongs# 6916,

From H6915; cassia bark (as in shrivelled rolls): – cassia.

from 6915 “kah-dahd” (ddq), and its defintion

A primitive root; to shrivel up, that is, contract or bend the body (or neck) in deference: – bow (down) (the) head, stoop.

Cassia means shriveled and bow (down) (the) head.

It is also referred to as the HaKetoret (the incense). It was offered on the specialized incense altar in the time when the Tabernacle was located in the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.

The ketoret was an important component of the Temple service in Jerusalem.

The Ketoret incense:

Ex.30:34 And God said to Moses, Take for yourself sweet spices of stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; sweet spices of pure frankincense: shall be a part on a part: 35 And you shall make from her an Ointment of Incense, the work of a perfumer, salted (seasoned), pure and Holy:

A combination of spices.

Psalm 45:8 mentions the garments of the king (or of Torah scholars) that smell of myrrh, aloes and cassia.

(Cinnamon Flower)

According to Pliny, a pound (the Roman pound, 327 g) of cassia, cinnamon, or serichatum cost up to 300 denarii, the wage of ten months’ labour.

Cinnamon bark is widely used as a spice. It is used in cooking as a condiment and flavoring and also in the preparation of chocolate, especially in Mexico, which is the main importer of cinnamon.

True cinnamon, rather than cassia, is more suitable for use in sweet dishes. In the Middle East, it is often used in savory dishes of chicken and lamb.

(Cinnamon Leaves)

Frankincense tree; (above)

לְבוֹנָה

Lamed, Bet, Nun, Heh (hnbl)

lebonah

pronounced: leb-o-naw

(Strongs 3828) laban;

l’voh-nah or lbonah – leb-o-naw’;

frankincense

(from its whiteness or perhaps that of its smoke?)

(frank) incense.

from 3826 leeb-bah (hbl)

Feminine of H3820; the heart: – heart.

from 3820 leyv (bl)

the heart; also used (figuratively) very widely for the feelings, the will and even the intellect; likewise for the centre of anything:

 Also known as olibanum,

Hebrew: לבונה

Frankincense is a resin extracted from the Boswellia sacra tree (from the family of Burseraceae.)

Frankincense is stripped off the bark of the tree by slashing the tree and then allowing the sap or gum resin, the frankincense, in it to bleed out of the tree and become hardened.

It has associations with the hormone melatonin manufactured by the pineal gland in the brain – a gland long associated with the ‘third eye’ of consciousness-expanding experiences and enlightenment.

For this reason frankincense has been associated with the priesthood, with the ceremonies of an inner sanctum, Frankincense was ‘precious’  – and that reason may have been beyond its material value of the time.

When burned, it gave off a sweet-smelling fragrance. It was an ingredient of the holy incense used at the tabernacle and the temple.

It also accompanied grain offerings and was placed on each row of the showbread inside the Holy.​— Ex 30:34-36;

Frankincense means heart.

**Looking at these specific spices and their symbolic meanings together,

the Ointment of Incense

could reveal another story?

Stacte: Prophet

Onycha: Roar

Galbanum: Fat/Rich

Frankincense: Heart

“A prophet will roar out from the fatness and richness of his heart

The Prophet is Jesus/Yeshua, the Messiah, who spoke out (roared out) from the fatness and richness of His Heart towards the Jewish People, the Pharisees, Scribes, and Elders during His Ministry on earth.

Myrrh is extracted from resin.

Hebrew word for myrrh is “mohr”- Mem, Resh (rm)

Strongs#4753,

from 4843 “mah-rahr” (rrm)

Myrrh means bitter and from H4843; myrrh as distilling in drops, and also as bitter.

Myrrh, also called Commiphora myrrha and is native to Egypt.

The resin was frequently used in incense and perfumes in ancient Egypt, and the oil obtained from it was used for healing wounds in ancient Greece.

This particular resin has soporific/sleep-inducing/calming and tranquilizing properties, and for this reason is associated with a death-like state, even with death itself.

It has been found among the wrappings of Egyptian mummies, and its use in the mummification process is indicative of its associations with an apparent death – apparent, because the state was believed to be only the appearance of death. 

In many cultures and beliefs, death is merely the door to the other side: a necessary bridge that needs to be crossed and that bridge was represented by the resin myrrh.

Noting this third gift of the magi, this ‘shamanic death’, was therefore indicative of death as a state that, however seemingly-powerful, nevertheless could be transcended.

In these specifically-named three gifts we have the great symbolic significance as well as that of a valuable commodity.

Gold represents a deity,

Myrrh is suffering, and

Frankincense is worship.

And perhaps even the actual qualities of a priestly ‘kingship’ beyond mere earthly royalty, and mystical, symbolic death. For in resurrection even death is transcended, and our true and glorious immortality awaits. The gifts of the magi together suggest a picture of the future life of the receiver, even up to the crucifixion and beyond. 

Wise men consult with Herod.

Matthew 2:1-11. An interesting point is, that contrary to traditional timelines we may have been used to thinking from many childhood nativity plays; the ‘wise men’ did not visit Jesus/Yeshua at His place of birth, but some considerable time (weeks or even months) later at his ‘house’.

 The symbolism of myrrh is particularly telling:

the tree’s large thorns echo the crown of thorns of Jesus’ crucifixion, and the myrrh resin is harvested by deliberately ‘wounding’ the tree. A stake is driven into the tree deeper than bark level, which forces the tree to ‘bleed’ its precious resin.

(Think soldiers spear in His side.)

In light of what we are learning, taking a fresh look at the popular carol We three Kings of Orient Are, written in 1857 by Rev. John Henry Hopkinsis quite revealing. The relevant verses (sung in turn by each ‘king’ and then in chorus) are:

Born a King on Bethlehem’s plain

Gold I bring to crown Him again

King forever, ceasing never

Over us all to reign

Frankincense to offer have I

Incense owns a Deity nigh

Prayer and praising, all men raising

Worship Him, God most high

Myrrh is mine, its bitter perfume

Breathes of life of gathering gloom

Sorrowing, sighing, bleeding, dying

Sealed in the stone-cold tomb

Glorious now behold Him arise

King and God and Sacrifice

Alleluia, Alleluia

Earth to heav’n replies

zahab: gold 2091

Original Word: זָהָב
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: zahab
Phonetic Spelling: (zaw-hawb’)

Aloes, along with all the finest spices (not named).

 Aloe, ahalim: the aloe (a tree)

174 אֲהָלִים

pronounced a-haw-leem’

Aloe was a bitter spice and it tells all the sweetness of bitter things.

The bitter sweet which has its own fine application that only those who have felt it in life’s journey and experiences can understand.

Aloe wood

The bitter yellow juice can be found just below the skin of the leaves.

As the Myrrh was used to embalm the dead and it tells of death to something.

It is indicative of the sweetness which comes to the heart after it has died to its self-will and pride and sin.

There is an inexpressible presence that hovers about some of Gods children, simply because their mellow spirit and chastened countenance bears the very impression of His cross.

It is the holy/set-apart, evidence of having died to something that was once proud and strong but is now forever at the feet of Jesus/Yeshua, any strength now comes from this intimate relationship and the drawing and receiving of His Ruach HaKodesh/His Holy breath.

It is the heavenly essence of a broken spirit, as in one totally submitted to His will and revealing a contrite heart, as clear as the musical notes that issue from the minor key in a melody. It is true to say that one who is honestly ready to die, is truly ready to live..

Think Hebrew not Greek

There are 70 occurrences of spices in the scripture and they have great significance.

Here those mentioned in Song of Songs 4:14

 Aloe, Nard and Saffron, Calamus and Cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices

Song of Songs 1:3

“Your oils have a pleasing fragrance, Your name is like purified oil; Therefore the maidens love you

Song of Songs 4:10

“How beautiful is your love, my sister, my bride! How much better is your love than wine, And the fragrance of your oils Than all kinds of spices!

2 Chronicles 16:14

They buried him in his own tomb which he had cut out for himself in the city of David, and they laid him in the resting place which he had filled with spices of various kinds blended by the perfumers’ art; and they made a very great fire for him

Psalm 45:8

All Your garments are fragrant with myrrh and aloes and cassia; Out of ivory palaces stringed instruments have made You glad.

John 19:38-39

After these things Joseph of Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but a secret one for fear of the Jews, asked Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate granted permission. So he came and took away His body. Nicodemus, who had first come to Him by night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred pounds weight.

1 Chronicles 9:29-30

Some of them also were appointed over the furniture and over all the utensils of the sanctuary and over the fine flour and the wine and the oil and the frankincense and the spices. Some of the sons of the priests prepared the mixing of the spices.

Exodus 30:23 Take thou also unto thee principal spices, of pure myrrh five hundred shekels, and of sweet cinnamon half so much, even two hundred and fifty shekels, and of sweet calamus two hundred and fifty shekels,

לְבוֹנָה frankincense

Frankincense was a fragrance that came from the touch of the fire.

It was only in the burning of the powder, that sweetness rose in clouds from the heart of the flames.

It tells of the heart from which sweetness has been called forth, caused perhaps by flames of affliction, until the set-apart/holy/kadosh place of the soul, is filled with clouds of praise and prayer; reminiscent of the cloud of glory that filled the Mishkan sanctuary, and now resides within our hearts.

The question we need to ask ourselves is are we releasing and giving out the spices and perfumes of sweet odors from the heart?

It takes the fire of God in a spirit of burning…. Is. 4:4

for God is a consuming fire. Heb. 12:29

When the fire of the Holy Spirit is burning bright and clear in our lives, we’ll be able to help those in the dark to see clearly.

We need to keep our fire burning because the more the flame burns, the less wax it produces; (wax is symbolic of sin and weaknesses),  the Spirit is a Burning Flame.

Matt. 3:11-12 and Acts 2 His Ruach haKodesh imparted the fire and now we serve God because there’s a fire burning in us. The same One who sends us for His service and is the source of our service – is the fire burning in us.

Spikenard: 

“While the king sitteth at his table, my spikenard sendeth forth the smell thereof” (1:12 Song of Solomon).

The essential oil was also used by Roman perfumers.

It is a truth that we begin to smell like those in whose company we spend time. We all can attest to smoke and how the smell attaches itself to our clothes and hair. Or garlic, that unless all eat, it is overpowering in its odor on ones breath. What we imbibe saturates our physical bodies. The principle is true and therefore what we fill ourselves with, will eventually ooze out, filtering through to the outside and all see what is truly inside.

1Cor 2: 14,15 and 2 Corinthians 2:15-16 Amplified Bible (AMP) 15 For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which ascends] to God, [discernible both] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing; 16 to the latter one an aroma from death to death [a fatal, offensive odor], but to the other an aroma from life to life [a vital fragrance, living and fresh].

Proverbs 7:17

“I have sprinkled my bed With myrrh, aloes and cinnamon.

Song of Songs 4:14

Nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, With all the trees of frankincense, Myrrh and aloes, along with all the finest spices.

Revelation 18:13

and cinnamon and spice and incense and perfume and frankincense and wine and olive oil and fine flour and wheat and cattle and sheep, and cargoes of horses and chariots and slaves and human lives.

In Ephesians 3:19 The Word instructs us to know this the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fullness of God.

This means to reach a knowledge of the surpassing love of Messiah, so that we may be made complete in accordance with God’s own standard of completeness.

To be full of God, is to be full of everything God is to you and has for you.

To be full of God, is to come to a place of life, health, peace, abundance, total wellness.

Shalom in all its fullness.

The word of God is spiritual, and not mental or emotional. The word of God will renew our minds but mostly it will go down into our heart and cause faith and peace/shalom to rise and to grow. It is not felt at first, not until the shoot starts to come up.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free,” John 8:32.

As we meditate on the spices from Genesis to Revelation and the specific occasions they were used and the seasons of His appointed times, we should also pay attention to the blowing of the Shofar/ trumpet/rams horn, at this Yom Ha din/Day of the blowing of trumpets.

In our Heavenly Fathers calendar, it is a time of reflection, repentance/Teshuvah. A season of getting right with the Father, before the presence of His plough in our lives breaks up the fallow ground and in so doing, prepares our hearts to meet with Him.

It’s a time of being prepared as that bride for her groom and heeding the warning in the parable of the 10 virgins.

We are to have the spices adorn our gardens which represent our individual selves, and like Esther who was also prepared to meet the King.

Each young woman’s turn came to go in to King Ahasuerus after she had completed twelve months’ preparation, according to the regulations for the women, for thus were the days of their preparation apportioned: six months with oil of myrrh, and six months with perfumes and preparations for beautifying women Esther 2:12,

This exotic Biblical spice,

mor: myrrh מֹר

strongs 4753 from marar and is in small yellowish or white globules or tears. 

MYRRH (Heb. מוֹר, mor), one of the most important perfumes of ancient times. It is referred to 11 times in the Bible, more than any other perfume. The Hebrew, mor, refers to its bitter taste (mar, “bitter”); the root is common to the various Semitic languages, from where it was transferred to Greek μύῥῥα and Latin myrrha.

Pure Strongs:1865

Hebrew derowr (der-ore) means to move rapidly, freedom; hence spontaneity.

Myrrh Strongs: 4753

Hebrew mor (more) distilling in drops and also bitter.

The King James Version uses the word myrrh with the reference to different plants.

The verb מור ( mor) means to change, alter or exchange, and it obviously looks similar to the previous words (particularly the noun מור, mor, meaning myrrh).

Or mowr (more); from marar; myrrh (as distilling in drops, and also as bitter) — myrrh. (Hebrew – marar)

It was used in purification & beautification rites, in the formula for the Holy Anointing Oil, and in burial spices. Queen Esther was bathed in it for six months and with other aloes and perfumes for another six months before her presentation to the king.

She “soaked” 6 months in oil of myrrh … 6 more months in other spices … 12 months of preparation for 1 date … but 1 night with the King changed everything!

And so when we met Him for the first time it changed everything and our preparation time has been somewhat longer than Esthers’ 12 months!

The second meeting face to face

(paneh or panim), (face פָנִים paw-neem’)

will be when the last trumpet/shofar sounds; then it will be followed by the fulfillment of sukkot /to tabernacle with Him forever.

As we make aliyah

Aliyah, al-ee-yaw עֲלִיָּה

going up to the heavenly Jerusalem. We will be singing the psalms of His praise for He alone is worthy, as THE Yom Kippur sacrifice, who took our place as the ATONEMENT for sin.

In the verse 14 of chp. 4, Chief spices are included and scripture records that they attend the winds, North and South which are called to blow on the brides garden, which is ready for the bridegrooms appearance.

The bed of spices, is where the bridegroom goes to feed in the garden and to gather lilies. (6:2) Lastly, the call to the beloved to come like a young hart is mentioned first with reference to the mountains of Bether, and again in connection with the mountain of spices.

This seems to be speaking of the lovely communion with Mashiach/Messiah; if we visualize Him as the Living Tabernacle attendant with the sanctified perfumes of the sanctuary:

Make haste, my beloved, and be thou like to a roe or to a young hart upon the mountains of spices.

Where the word for spices is ‘besem’. Song of Songs 8:14

Powders of the merchants, then can in a general sense, be understood to indicate spices which were traded at the time, all rare and costly, and especially to leaders and kings.

Looking at a deeper spiritual meaning in the context of the bridegroom/King, who at the same time is the Living Tabernacle; we find those costly powders include all the categories and overlap. Namely: chief spices, the sweet spices, and the special spices. Here we can see the Messiah/Bridegroom as the living tabernacle:

Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with women and men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God.

The personifying of the Tabernacle is clear when it is noted that the tabernacle of God is WITH us, and that HE will dwell with us. Making a truly magnificent picture, that high on the fragrant mountains of Israel, garlanded with flowers, the flora and fauna including the deer and the spices and here in the Song above all songs, we find the bride lovingly summoned to the heights, (mountain of spices), to dwell for ever with her beloved Messiah.

 It seems significant to note that Spices are never introduced in the song during His absence; therefore the time of His return from “the mountain of spices” (Solomon 8:14) is to be contemplated.

At the last supper, the cup of betrothal was given by Him; later, the cup or marriage shall be presented by her upon His return (Matthew 26:29). And this will be fulfilled when he comes for His kallah/bride. כַּלָה

https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-hidden-mystery-of-the-kallah/

Proverbs 27:9 tells us that oil and incense bring joy to the heart.

And now we know that balsam and fragrant perfumes have a refreshing effect on us and comfort our natural spirits, when they sink and are tired.

The second part of the verse in Proverbs 27:9 KJV: Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart so [doth] the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel.

This indicates that likewise the very presence of a true-hearted friend, and much more their faithful counsel, cause a person’s soul to rejoice; especially when they are: ‘at such a loss, that he knows not how to advise himself.’

Meaning that good friends are like the anointing oil that yields the fragrant incense of God’s presence and we remember that is true because, there is the friend that sticks closer than a brother; which of course refers to Jesus/Yeshua His Ruach HaKodesh.

Don’t leave this page without assurance in your heart that the fragrance of His Ruach haKodesh is filling your garden today….and in turn being released into the earth drawing whosoever will into intimate relationship with Himself.

This is the 10 days of Awe beginning and it is also the New Year and the celebration of the creation of Adam.
For info on these Fall/Autumn Feasts click links below.
and https://www.minimannamoments.com/midweek-mannabite-the-sound-of-the-trumpet/ are about Feast of Trumpets/Yom Teruah (Day of Blowing)
and below are also about the Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot etc.

You are loved! Abundant shalom and New Year blessings to every reader from your family and friends at MMM.

L’shannah tovah  – may this new year be filled with health and happiness!

Make that life-saving decision – time is running out. Don’t miss the day of your visitation!

The Shofars Voice is Calling for you today!

This life is NOT all there is!

You are not here by chance!

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…Don’t put it off one more moment…

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.

You are now Born Again by the Holy Spirit of the Living God and you are part of the ever growing family of believers. You will never be the same again!

What Is The Connection Between Aliyah, Aloe, Spikenard, Gardens, Trumpets and a Plough?

In the recent Post: Swords, Mountains and Gardens, the garden of Solomon was referred to… because

A shofar is a rams horn/trumpet.

winds blow, trumpets blow, Gods’ Spirit blows and there is a connection between Edens Garden

where Gods life was blown into Adam that is the same spirit of the bridegroom blowing upon the garden in song of Solomon

Awake, O north wind, and come, O south, Cause my garden to breathe forth, its’ spices let flow…

Blow on my garden, that its spices may flow out. Let my beloved come into his garden, and taste his precious fruits.

AMPC [You have called me a garden, she said] Oh, I pray that the [cold] north wind and the [soft] south wind may blow upon my garden, that its spices may flow out [in abundance for you in whom my soul delights].

she calls the garden both hers and his, because of that oneness which is between them, Song of Solomon 2:16 & 4:16, whereby they have a common interest one in another’s person and concerns. This is of course symbolic of our relationship with the Lord, (the Bridegroom Yeshua/Jesus and the ecclesia/called out, ‘church’);  as it is of Israel to her God.

That the spices thereof may flow out; that my graces may be exercised to thy glory, the edification of others, and my own comfort.

Aliyah and the Plough.

עֲלִיָּה – Aliyah

There are several meanings to Aliyah in Judaism. Aliyah has the meaning for immigration of Jews from the diaspora to the Land of Israel (Eretz Yisrael in Hebrew).

Also defined as “the act of going up”—that is, towards Jerusalem—”making Aliyah” by moving to the Land of Israel is one of the most basic tenets of being an Israelite.

Another is the honor of reciting the blessings over the Torah and standing at the bimah while it is read; this is also called an aliyah (plural, aliyot), which means “going up.” This refers both to the physical ascent of the person to the bimah where the Torah is read and to the spiritual uplifting associated with participation in this event.

The third is connected to the Three Pilgrimage Festivals which are: 

Sukkot/ סוכות /Feast of Tabernacles /Festival of Booths which commemorates the wanderings of the Israelites in the desert after the exodus when they resided in booths. It is also the harvest festival – the  gathering of the fruits and grain from the field before the rains.

Passover/Pesach: the celebration of the exodus from Egypt is also the Spring Festival and the barley harvest and, 

Pentecost/Shavuot: is a celebration of the giving of the Torah, the grain harvest, and the festival of the first fruits.  

“Three times each year, all your males shall thus present themselves before God the Master, Lord of Israel.” (Exodus 34:23)

During the times of the Temple, three times a year the Israelites were called to pilgrimage to Jerusalem.

One in Passover/Pesach springtime, the second in early summer, Pentecost /Shavuot and the third for Sukkot in the autumn/fall; also called the Feast of Tabernacles/Booths. Of course there are 4 other feasts Unleavened Bread is connected to Passover; Yom Teruah/Trumpets and Yom Kippur are immediately prior to tabernacles.

The journey they all made is called the ALIYAH or the going up.

shloshet haregalim

הרגלים   שלושת

Simply because where ever you come from your journey was going to be an upward one in elevation due to Jerusalem’s location on seven hills. 

According to the tradition, the pilgrims used to stay with local Jerusalem families and despite the high number of visitors there was always room for all of them.

The pilgrims would bring the priests of the temple gifts from their fruits, harvest, cattle and flocks.

The main objective of the pilgrimage was to visit the Temple. Since the destruction of the Temple, the pilgrimage isn’t observed anymore.

As they traveled they sang and recited the Psalms of Ascent. The word ascent means a step, or an upwards climb. The Songs of Ascent is the ancient title of a collection of 15 Psalms, (or sacred songs).

These Psalms are so called because of the Aliyah and comprise Psalms 120 -134. They are also sometimes called Pilgrim Songs.

Israel Jerusalem old city; typical street sign in Hebrew/Arabic/ English. Note the word Ascent bottom right of the street signs because this was part of the road along which they walked.
Glazed ceramic street sign in English/Hebrew and Arabic of as saraya/ascent in the muslim quarter old city east Jerusalem Israel.

In Hebrew, the word Ascent is מעלה (ma’alah) which is used to describe upward movement, such as going up a hill or climbing stairs.

This was by way of preparation for the upcoming Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement, and the week of Tabernacles/Sukkot that followed.

It gave time for the Israelites to get their hearts right. This was an annual ‘making things right with God time’, prior to the first coming of Messiah.

Teshuvah

תְּשׁוּבָה, “turning to God”

In Modern Hebrew teshuvah means an “answer” to a shelah, or a question.

Here, God’s love for us is the question, and our teshuvah – our turning of the heart toward Him – is the answer.

Teshuvah is the Hebrew word for repentance and literally means to return to our Heavenly Father… and obey Him.

Deuteronomy 4:30 30 When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to YHVH your Elohim and listen to His voice.

Teshuvah is one of the great gifts God gives each of us – the ability to turn back to Him and seek healing for our brokenness.

There is a period of ten days between

Rosh HaShanah/Head of the Year/The Feast of Trumpets

and

Yom Kippur / יום כיפור/ The Day of Atonement, which are called the

Days of Awe/Yamin Nora’im/עשרת ימי תשובה,”

They are also called Aseret Yemei Teshuvah – the “Ten Days of Repentance.”

Then the blood of the Yom Kippur sacrifice was placed in the Holy of Holies, on the Kapporet/mercy seat, as the High Priest entered before the ark at this one time of the year.

These sacrifices are no longer necessary for the lamb of God has fulfilled all righteousness, however, as believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus Christ we can participate with personal prayer.

Another point of the Aliyah relevant to believers is that we are all called to continually, go up, on our journey through life; choosing the higher path every day, not just three times a year.

This time of reflection prior to the start of the fall feasts which begin this year with Rosh Hashanah at sundown on 29 September and ends at sundown 1st October. It is also the new year on the Hebrew Calendar and it will be the year 5780. (Hebrew: ראש השנה), (literally “head of the year”).

The trumpets will sound, the shofar – שופר – will be blown worldwide to call the children of Israel to the start of the 10 Days of Awe. The shofar blast is the annual signal that the spiritual year is coming to a close.

Yamin Nora’im/עשרת ימי תשובה.

A time of repentance, of getting right with God, before the Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement and subsequent Tabernacles celebration, which foreshadows that Messiah is coming one day to dwell with us; to permanently tabernacle with man.

This time of preparation is accompanied by a spiritual house cleaning and can often include a time of crisis, confusion, problems, dislocation and chaos.

After every harvest the fields are turned over and plowed ready for the next planting.

This is a picture of our life it is not something we like or even look forward to or see the flesh ever willingly initiate, nevertheless it is we that have to do it, God does not do this for us!

However Hosea 10:12, plowing up the follow ground is part of life.

12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. King James Version (KJV)

If we plant the good seeds of righteousness, our reaping will be a harvest of love.

If soil is never touched it gets hard because it settles down and it will never produce a great harvest, maybe just a few weeds.

Soil produces abundant fruit after the plow has gone through it, some people just use weedeaters/ Strimmers/ weedwhacker’s/ edge trimmers, etc. It’s really a lazy way of making a good show on the exterior because if we don’t pull up the roots, the weeds grow back. The plow turns everything over moving the earth completely upside down and it makes a big mess.

Only by doing this can the soil become loose and the rocks and stones be brought to the surface. It seems like chaos but it allows the oxygen, (breath of the Spirit) into the soil, then it is ready to become fruitful and bear life.

So when this process begins in our lives and it will… when we encounter crises, problems, turmoil, challenges and shaking, it is all the plowing of the Spirit.

He is allowing our lives to be turned over, not because we have done anything wrong, or that He doesn’t have a good purpose. It is because He does have a great plan and He wants our lives to bear much more fruit.

It is not something to fear or try to avoid but rather embrace, with a trusting submission to His faithfulness.

Our trust could be interpreted in the pictograph as: Look it is revealed that He is placing a fence around us, supporting and protecting us in the situation.

Just as the farmer prepares the fields, or the gardener the ground, it’s as natural as every process of growth.

1Cor. 4:17

6 Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day. 

17 For momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,

18 while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.

It is part of the pattern of life’s pilgrimage, they’re a necessity.

So be greatly encouraged for He has considered you worthy of such careful and precise attention and treatment, that in the end, will yield untold blessings beyond all comparison.

We are His

But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7

It seems foolish to place a treasure inside a jar of clay. Neither does it make much sense to hide something of value inside something that is not worth very much; however as the believer undergoes these harsh attacks the jar of clay is broken down, but then, the Life of God within, which can never be destroyed, can be both seen and shared more easily to others who need this treasure.

Paul says in vs.12 that the breaking process at work in his life resulted in new life in Messiah for the Corinthians.

The reason that God put His treasures into jars of clay, is so the jars of clay would be constantly reminded that they have no power and that they are as fragile as a clay pot, only He has all-surpassing power.

If there is turmoil in our lives right now recognize it as the Spirit of God plowing up our fallow ground and preparing it to receive the new seed, we are to look joyfully for the harvest that will come.

This is one natural season of the plough, another is the spring, after the winter months have hardened the earth.

So whenever your plowing season arrives and it will…

For it comes to every believer and those who choose to make Aliyah in that season, as the wind of His spirit/Ruach blows on my/His garden of our lives, that its spices may flow out we will be a sweet smelling fragrance..

2Cor. 2:15 For we are like a sweet-smelling incense offered by Christ to God, which spreads among those who are being saved and those who are being lost. For to God we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing.

Song of Solomon: The fig-tree hath ripened her green figs, And the sweet-smelling vines have given forth fragrance, Rise, come, my friend, my fair one, yea, come away.

..And will be released to those being saved

For we are a sweet fragrance to God in The Messiah among those who have life and among those who perish;

To God we are the aroma of Christ among those who are saved and among those who are dying.

Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma. Ephesians 5:1-2 

The Sweet Smelling Fragrance of our Worship. In Hebrews 1:9 we see that Messiah, the King of all Kings, was

“anointed of God, with the oil of gladness (joy), above all of His fellows.”

As a result of our worship of Him, of being in the Presence of our God and King Who was anointed above all… we will begin to exude the fragrance of His royalty.

Jam 5:7, Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. 8, Be ye also patient;…

The more abundant the yield, the more pleased is the husbandman, for His work is not in vain. Jesus’s parable not only informs us that God will do the cultivating, but it also tells us something about the manner in which that work will be carried out:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.”John 15:1

yielding to that husbandmans work makes it easier.

“I am the true vine, and My Father is the husbandman. Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit” (John 15:1-2).

The soul that expects to be fruitful must be prepared to submit to pruning, and that means sorrow, heartbreak, heartache, and all that goes along with pruning.

The branch does not perform the care, the vine provides it all; the branch only has to yield itself and receive. It is seeing this truth that leads to the blessed rest of faith and the true secret of growth and strength:

“I can do all things through Christ which strengthened me.”

Our lives would change dramatically if we only acted as the branches!

The ultimate goal of a true vine is to produce the right fruit of the desired quality by the husbandman and after all the tender care given to the branches, if it is not yielding fruit – the very purpose of that branch becomes defiled.

James 5:7, KJV: “Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

My father is the gardener and He knows the plans He has for us…

Jer. 29:11 For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the LORD, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope. 

For a tikvah/hope and a future for blessing and for a good outcome a future for blessing, we must let the ploughing and pruning prepare us for the plan He has for our lives.

As we remember Messiah at this season of fall feasts, we should also be mindful that one day the last trumpet will sound, the last shofar will be blown…. one year He will return …are we ready?

are we that sweet aroma?

 

He will make us like a garden of fountains whose streams are fed by the mountain springs from the same mountain of spices.

Look beyond,

look up,

for redemption draws nigh

Pruning seems to be destroying the vine and looks as if it’s all being cut away; but the gardener, the husbandman, makes his cut with a sharp knife because he sees the future and knows the final outcome will bring greater harvest. There are blessings we can never have unless we are ready to pay the price of pain. There’s no way to reach them save through suffering. This is the bitter sweet WAY and is not the gospel most want to hear or experience…but it is His Truth and the Way to Life.

Will He find faith (faithfulness of His Bride) when He comes…

Could this be the temptation that Jesus/Yeshua prayed we would not be led into; recorded in Matthew 6:13 – It is the faithlessness of unbelief, and of trying to change our viewpoint from that of our Heavenly Fathers, to one less hard in our eyes?

Jesus/Yeshua only said and did what He heard and saw the father do – nothing more nothing less – and was obedient to death. This is our path also, to take up our cross and follow Him. This is not an easy road and we are not to pray for an easy one but for the strength to follow Him on the one He took and the one He calls us to take after Him.

When He blows upon our garden let’s answer with all our spiritual senses and prepare ourselves for the return of the gardener, the husbandman and our bridegroom. Let’s be alert for the sweet fragrance of His presence as He calls us to Himself and be ready to say, ani lo. 

Listen for His call as the shofar trumpets sound this month… one day He will catch us away to be with Him to tabernacle/Sukkot with Himself forever. Is this the year?

Plough up that fallow ground, repent and get right with God, make aliyah, ascend the mountain of spices whereof the streams make glad.

In Ps. 46:4 David tells us prophetically

4There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles of the most High. 5God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 

Yeshua/Jesus is the river of life..

“And then they will see The Son of Man when he comes in the clouds with great power and with glory.” Mark 13:26

for He comes in the clouds with great glory to receive His bride unto Himself

Revelation 1:7 Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him–even those who pierced Him.

The Song of Songs, which is Solomon’s. אשִׁ֥יר הַשִּׁירִ֖ים אֲשֶׁ֥ר לִשְׁלֹמֹֽה: 

It is a timeless allegory of the relationship between God and the People of Israel, in terms of the love between a man and a woman.

A rose of the valleys: This is prettier than the rose of the mountains because it is always moist.

“As a rose among the thorns” 

Lily of the Valley has the meaning of:

humility, chastity, sweetness, purity.

Also means the return of happiness, which is the reason why it’s often used in weddings.

After Lily of the Valley finishes blooming, the red berries appear on the stem. 

The Latin name Convallaria means “valley” and Majalis means “blooming in May” (from Greek). This woodland plant is native throughout the cool temperate Northern Hemisphere in Asia and Europe. In different countries Lilies of the Valley are associated with sorrow, love, purity, innocence, tenderness and faith.

Spices in the Song of Songs permeate Solomons sweet story,  Shir Hashirim, is the equally pleasant presence of the fragrance of spices.

From previous post to refresh our memories:

Without the spices mentioned in this book of love between the Messiah and his Bride Israel, it would be harder to imagine the prophesied marriage, or the communion of believers with their God.  Spices seem to be referring to the ascent/aliyah to the heights of Israel, (Jerusalem) and pointing to spiritual heights experienced by being in the presence of our Lord and Savior. 

Conspicuously, the spices are found in the presence of both Bride and Bridegroom, and in the ‘garden enclosed’—a virtual garden of each delicate and holy spice.   Most of the spices mentioned are the spices of the Tabernacle, the use and purpose of each spice commanded by God to Moses and Israel, and pointing to the pleasant, beautiful realm of Heaven and the throne of God. 

A deeper look at each of the spices, shows not only the symbolic value of each substance, but the nature of the spices which point to Messiah and His suffering. (not included in that post but are in this one.)

We can say something like this to our Heavenly Bridegroom….Breathe upon me with your Spirit wind, stir up the sweet spice of Your life within me and spare nothing as you make me your fruitful garden. Hold nothing back until I release your fragrance. Please come and walk with me as you walked with Adam in your Eden paradise garden. Come and taste the fruits of Your life in me.

When Solomon talked of his beloved feeding the garden and gathering lilies: The Lord keeps on feeding and strengthening those who are maturing spiritually and gathering those who are away from His word and still need to know Him.

So man placed God in a garden of death and laid on Him spices, which also came from a garden.

In the Song of Solomon reference is made to the bride (us).

Let my beloved come into His garden.

Our lives are His garden too and we are also collectively His bride.

Song of Solomon 4:14. with nard and saffron, calamus and cinnamon, with every kind of incense tree, with myrrh and aloes, with all the finest spices.

Song of Solomon 8:14. Come away, my beloved, and be like a gazelle or a young stag on the mountains of spices.

The title in the Hebrew text is Shir Hashirim Solomon’s Song of Songs, meaning a song by, for, or about Solomon.

The phrase “Song of Songs” means the greatest of songs (cf. Dt 10:17,

“God of gods and Lord of lords”; 1Ti 6:15, “King of kings”).

The Shir Hashirim is our tikvah and our place of grace which is Messiah Himself.

The book took its title from the first two words, shiyr hashiyrim, usually translated as “the song of songs.” This remained the title in Greek and Latin Bible translations in later centuries. The repetition of the word song indicates that the writer considered this “the greatest of all songs.”

A deeper look at each spice, shows not only the symbolic value of each substance, but the nature of the spices which point to the life of Messiah and His suffering.

The spices in the Song of Songs are mostly found also in many other places in the Word of God:  occasionally they are used as parts of the Salvation message, sometimes they are only mentioned as rich and elegant elements for Kings and the very wealthy. 

The spices of Myrrh, Aloes, Frankincense, Saffron, Calamus, Cinnamon and others like a tapestry, weave and waft through the Scriptures, telling the history of God’s Way with mankind in a thread as amazing as the history that is recounted.

It is somewhat hidden from view in the mystery of the Tabernacle, the light and presence of God in the Ark of the Covenant, and the ministry behind the veil/vail entered into only by the High Priest until such time that the veil/vail is torn and the High priest forever was revealed. (Matthew 27:51)

Spices are present in 2 significant journeys into Egypt of those loved whom God loves dearly.  They are present as Joseph is carried captive into Egypt by the Midianites for the later deliverance of Israel; and spices were part of the early years of Jesus/Yeshua, who like Joseph son of Jacob, was also on his way down into ‘Mizraim’.

Scripture also mentions spices that were part of the clothing of the Levites, and they were present with each covenanted sacrifice.  in Song of songs, the betrothed are adorned with spices but in Proverbs, they are used in a mocking way concerning the harlots enticements.

(Proverbs 7:17 I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon)

First and last mentioned in the Scriptures.

We read of spices early in Genesis, and 3,000 years later find them in the burial and the resurrection of the Lord,

Luke 24:1 Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them.

later noting that in Heaven,  they are expressed as the sweet scent of the prayers of the saints.

Luke 5:8 And when he had taken the book, the four beasts and four and twenty elders fell down before the Lamb, having every one of them harps, and golden vials full of odours, which are the prayers of saints.

To ignore the quality of glory the scripture assigns to the spices, deprives believers of the deeper understanding of the love and grace/ of God, and the intricate fashioning of prophecies and similarities pointing to the finished work on the Cross.  

The term ‘spice’ or spices is first mentioned in Genesis 43:11, although Genesis 37 mentions ‘myrrh’ as one of the spices borne by the captors of Joseph on his way down into Egypt. Spices play an important role and symbol throughout the scriptures, so that while they do not appear called by name earlier, they do appear in the first book of the Torah/Pentateuch, marking one of the first fore-shadowings of a Hebrew/Israelite son, who was rejected by his brethren, and sold into captivity with brutal treatment, the history of which will twist and turn its way into their salvation.  The first mention of the general term ‘spices’ in Genesis 43:11 is found among the gifts that Jacob sends to Pharaoh:

And their father Israels aid unto them, If [it must be] so now, do this; take of the best fruits in the land in your vessels, and carry down the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices, and myrrh, nuts, and almonds:

we note that in the Garden of Eden,  there are distinctions made regarding edible plants— those that are seed bearing vs. those that are not, and we can be pretty sure that the Garden was permeated by the fragrance of spices. 

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which [is] upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which [is] the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. Gen 1:29

The term used for ‘spice’ or ‘spices’ is :

נְכֹאת or ‘nekot’

referring to a fragrant powder.

Gesenius.  

Following that, the term next used most frequently for ‘spice’ is

בֶּשֶׂם or ‘besem’

which can refer particularly to balsam wood or to any sweet smelling fragrance or spice. 

The first mention of ‘spice’ is in Exodus in which it is referred to as a substance in the Tabernacle of God:

Exodus 35:52 And spice 1314, and oil for the light, and for the anointing oil, and for the sweet incense.

…although it is mentioned twice before in Ex 25:6 and 30:23 where it is translated as the plural,‘spices’.  Beside the gift to Pharaoh from Jacob during the famine, and the mention of spices accompanying Joseph, a type of Christ into Egypt,  spices are mentioned early in the Bible as the visual component of worship and the Tabernacle: its sacrifices, incense, scent of the priests’ robes and furnishings, but most centrally, the special spices commanded of God to attend the Shekinah glory of God behind the vail of the Holy of Holies.

Last Mention

The Bible mentions the general words ‘spice’ (besem) 29 times in 25 verses, and ‘spices’ (nekot), 29 times in 31 verses though that is not an entirely accurate picture since the same words are at times translated both as singular and plural.  ‘Besem’, ‘Basam’ and nekot are all used, and the number is big if all the variations of the individually named spices such as spikenard, calamus and myrrh are included.  The last mention in the Bible of the word ‘spices’ is in the gospel of John at the burial and resurrection of Messiah:

Then took they the body of Jesus, and wound it in linen clothes with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury.

The greek word,

ἄρωμα or ‘aroma’ is used.

The aroma of spices then is seen on the wind of Eden, as Adam and Eve are cast out into the world where nothing grows, and immediately following the rejection of Joseph by his brothers; Joseph as the one who would save Israel is taken to Egypt, attended by myrrh and spices.

Within 400 years of that departure, those spices and others will adorn the Tabernacle and the presence of God in the Ark of the Covenant.  What a beautiful picture of the fragrances of paradise, weaving on the wind and the Word, and attending the worship of Israel for her God.

Spices coming in PART 2

Shalom to all!

Don’t leave this page without assurance in your heart that the fragrance of His Ruach HaKodesh is filling your garden today….please

make sure Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

NOT CERTAIN?

YOU CAN BE..

Its all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and very precious in His sight.

He longs to give you the Shalom He paid the ultimate price for..

Simply and honestly say the following, MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute, SAY IT RIGHT NOW…

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

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