The Mystery of Kaphar Nachum – Our Home Away From Home?

Bayit – בַּיִת – which is Hebrew for a home;

A place of Love – Ahavah

and

Welcome – Be’ruchim ha’ba’im!

First Century Israelite Home/House

The homes of poor families were small and simple, the walls were built of mud-brick or rough stone.

The roofs were constructed of clay covered woven branches.

The living spaces were used for cooking and weaving/household work. The family’s domestic animals, (e.g. donkey/goat), were kept in the lower level for protection at night. Each floor was about 7ft (2.13meters) high; same width and length of 24ft (7.32meters).

Below a typical 3rd to 8th Century house: built of Basalt.

Other examples of stone built – בַּיִת – bayit – similar to which Jesus/Yeshua may have lived in.

Is it possible that Yeshua/Jesus was born in the lower area of a house where the animals and the mangers were kept? The scriptures tell us in Matthew 2:10-11 that when the wise men came, they visited Him in a house – bayit, so the family had obviously moved there from somewhere else. Matthew described the arrival of the wise men from the East: 

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

So it was probably a bayit, a house similar to those in the pictures.

Shalom bayit (also shelom bayit, shlom bayit, or (Yiddish) sholom bayis or shlom bayis)

Hebrew: שְׁלוֹם בַּיִת, literally:

peace of the home.

Shalom Bayit is the Jewish religious concept of domestic harmony and good relations between husband and wife.

In the Hebrew Alef Bet the second letter B is Bet.

In the ancient pictograph language

the letter B- bet, was represented as a tent/home

Bet – b – Family, house, in tent floor plan.

Other words beginning with BET:

The mystery of Kaphar Nachum –

kə-PUR-nee-əm – נַחוּם כְּפַר

– Kfar Naḥūm,

It literally means ‘Nahum’s village”.

It was a fishing village established during the time of the Hasmoneans, located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Satellite picture of the Sea of Galilee.

Traditions indicate that this was the birthplace of the prophet Nahum, hence the name.

Kaphar Nachum – kə-PUR-nee-əm – נַחוּם כְּפַר – Kfar Naḥūm.;

or as we are familiar with the spelling Capernaum.

It served as Yeshua/Jesus’ home in the Galilee, although He did not own His own property (Mt 4:13-14; 8:20).

Mentioned briefly in

https://www.minimannamoments.com/stones-tel-a-secret-as-they-cry-out-from-the-place-of-fishing-

The name Capernaum 

(Καπερναουμ) Καπερναουμ

is a Greek transliteration of the

Hebrew כפר נחום (kaphar nahum),

which obviously consists of two elements.

The first part of the name is the word כפר (kapar), meaning village, and secondly the word nahum from the verb נחם (naham), to be sorry or to comfort.

Full meaning is –

Village Of Consolation, Protected By Being Sorry.

Some Related names connected to it are:

כפר (kapar): Caphtor, Caphtorim, Chephar-ammoni, Chephirah, Chephirim, Yom Kippur. 

נחם (naham): Manaen, Menahem, Naham, Nahamani, Nahum, Nehemiah, Nehum, Tanhumeth.

It was in existence from the 2nd century B.C. to the 7th century A.D. 

Capernaum was built along on the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee /Lake Tiberias, in what was then called Palestine and had up to 1500 residents.

Capernaum, was a small, prosperous fishing center as well as a crossroads for merchants traveling the Via Maris (Latin for “Way of the Sea”), an ancient road connecting Egypt with what today would be Syria, Iraq and Iran.

This made Capernaum a very strategic location for Yeshua/Jesus, due to fishing, trade and agriculture as well as a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the region. (Matthew 4:12-16).

It is best known as the birthplace of Peter and his home was here Matt 8:14, so also were the homes of John, Andrew and James as well as the tax collector Matthew and the centurion whose servant Yeshua/Jesus healed. Matt. 8:5. 

Yeshua/Jesus made Capernaum His home/

Bayit – בַּיִת

– a place of Love – Ahavah

and

Welcome – Be’ruchim ha’ba’im

during the years of His ministry:

Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. (Matt 4:13).

Archeology suggests Capernaum, like other fishing communities in the north shore of the Sea of Galilee was founded during the Hasmonean period of independence, before the Roman Empire occupied the land. So when Messiah resided there, Capernaum may only have been in existence for 1 – 200 years.

Yeshua/Jesus came to Capernaum כפר נחום (kaphar nahum), from Nazareth right after His temptations by Ha’satan (Matt 4:13)

Following confrontation and rejection in the synagogue of His childhood home, Nazareth, He relocated His ministry to Capernaum.

Nazareth in Biblical Greek

Ναζαρετ
Ναζαρεθ

Hebrew Strong’s #3478: Nazareth  = “the guarded one (pronounced nad-zar-eth’)

Some scholars derive the name from נצר I (nasar I), meaning to watch, and translate it with something like Watch (tower) or Sentinel. Others like to believe that the name Nazareth came from the verb נצר II (nasar 2), meaning to be green, and translate it with Branch(es).

From the verb נצר (nasar), to protect or preserve, means to watch, guard or keep.

or the noun נצר (neser), branch or shoot alludes to the prophetic, messianic words in Book of Isaiah 11:1, ‘from (Jesse’s) roots a Branch (netzer) will bear fruit’.

From the verb נזר (nazar), to consecrate oneself.

From the verb זרע (zara’), to scatter to sow, or זרה (zara), to scatter to winnow.

The name Nazareth also means Scattered or Sown, and became applied to that form of Judaism (that of the Nazarenes) that harvested adjacent cultures for insights.

This was an ideal spot for Messiah to deliver His messianic message; it was larger than Nazareth and was on the main Damascus Highway. As a result, Yeshua/Jesus was able to reach out to more people. It was also a safe distance from the dangers of Herod in Tiberias.

 

The Gennesaret area was one of the most prosperous and crowded districts of Palestine/Israel. 

Capernaum as mentioned, lay on the great Via Maris highway between Damascus and Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean Sea, and between Tyre and Egypt.

It was located not far from other important sites mentioned in scripture such as, Bethsaida, the Mountain of Beatitudes, and Tabgha, as well as the Jordan River and Tiberias on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Since Capernaum became Yeshua/Jesus’ home town and many of His miracles occurred there, the people of Capernaum had a front row seat to much of His ministry.

However the conversion rate was disappointing and in Matt 11:23, He pronounced a strong curse on His village, it was one of the three cities cursed by Yeshua/Jesus for its lack of faith.:

“And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You shall descend to Hades, for if the miracles that happened in you would have happened in Sodom, it would have remained until today..But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.”

The city rejected the Lord Jesus, and its doom was sealed.

So completely has it perished that the very site is a matter of dispute today.

Today the ruins of Capernaum are owned by two churches: the Franciscans control the western portion with the synagogue

and the Greek Orthodox’s property is marked by the white church with red domes.

Yeshua/Jesus has invited four disciples —Peter, Andrew, James, and John— to be fishers of men.

On the Sabbath, they all went to a local synagogue in Capernaum. 

Yeshua/Jesus teaches in the synagogue, and again the people are astounded at his manner of teaching.

He does so as one having authority and not as the scribes.

Soon after Yeshua/ Jesus settled there, He began to preach in the synagogue. The town was soon referred to as “his own city.” (Mt 9:1) 

“They went as far as Capharnaum, and as soon as the sabbath came he went to the synagogue and began to teach. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.”

While Yeshua/Jesus was teaching, we read that a man with an unclean spirit entered and addressed Him.

“In their synagogue just then there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit and he shouted, `What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God’. But Jesus said sharply, `Be quiet! Come out of him!’ and the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsion and with a loud cry went out of him.

The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. `Here is a teaching that is new’ they said `and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him’. And his reputation rapidly spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.” (Mk 1:21-28) 

However, to the Jewish people of Capernaum, Yeshua/Jesus’ teaching came more from His heart, rather than the text on a scroll to be read aloud. In addition, Jesus had a new Gospel to share with them and they believed His promises. (Mark 1:21-22, Luke 4:31-32)

The Synagogue

 

Greek and Latin writing on some of the basalt columns of the synagogue in Capernaum.

The ruins of the synagogue

and even the house of Peter’s mother-in-law have been discovered at Capernaum.

 

Perched in the middle of town, adorned with Corinthian columns and friezes, are remains of a synagogue which dates back to the fourth of fifth century.

Later excavations revealed that, in fact, two synagogues were built here, with the first one dating back to the first century.

Scholars propose that Christ taught here, just as mentioned in the Gospels. Here, Jesus taught about the bread of life: (John 6:35-59) 

I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst… I am the living bread that comes down from heaven, so that a man may eat it and not die. I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever, and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world…

The 1st century Synagogue of Capernaum where Messiah preached.

In the Byzantine period, the white synagogue would have stood out dramatically from the surrounding black basalt buildings, whereas in the 1st century, the Capernaum synagogue blended into its setting.

The dating of this synagogue is debated, but it is clearly later than the first century.  Excavations have revealed a synagogue from the time of Jesus with walls made of worked stone and 4 feet thick.

These earlier walls were preserved up to 3 feet high and the entire western wall still exists and was used as the foundation for the later synagogue.

Yeshua/Jesus was confronted by a demoniac while teaching here (Mark 1:21-27).

In Capernaum, Jesus healed the servant of the centurion. This Roman official was credited with building the synagogue (Luke 7:3).

During excavations beneath the foundations of this octagonal Byzantine martyrium church at Capernaum, archaeologists made one of the most exciting Biblical archaeology discoveries: they uncovered one residence that stood out from the others – a simple first-century A.D. home that may have been the house of Peter, the home of Jesus in Capernaum.

This house became the object of early Christian attention with 2nd century graffiti and a 4th century house church built above it. 

In the 5th century the large octagonal Byzantine church was erected above this, complete with a baptistry. 

Pilgrims have since referred to this as the house of Peter.

When visiting Israel in the early 90’s it was a very special experience to stand in/close to, the place where Yeshua/Jesus healed the man with the withered hand, raised Peter’s mother-in-law from her sick bed, and made the first of His seven “I AM” declarations after feeding the 5,000, saying,

“I am the Bread of Life whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35)”

From the ancient ruins of Capernaum on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, it’s possible to see in the distance, the town of Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene.

As already noted in Messiah’s day, Capernaum, (also meaning – hamlet of repentance or comfort), was one of the Chief cities of Galilee on its north-west shore. The “land of Gennesaret,” very close to, if not in which it was situated, was one of the most prosperous and crowded districts of Israel. This city lay on the great highway from Damascus to Acco and Tyre.

There is no mention of it prior to the Babylonian captivity. It has been identified with Tell Hum, about two miles south-west of where the Jordan flows into the lake. Here are extensive ruins of walls and foundations, and also the remains of what must have been a beautiful synagogue, which it is conjectured may have been the one built by the centurion (Luke 7:5), in which our Lord frequently taught (John 6:59; Mark 1:21; Luke 4:33).

Other scholars have suggested that the ruins of the city are to be found at Khan Minyeh, 3 miles further to the south on the lake shore.

Some scriptures that are also connected:

At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Matthew 11:25

Mark 1:21

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

Mark 2:1

And again he entered into Capernaum, after [some] days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

Mark 9:33

And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

Luke 4:23

And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.

Luke 4:31

And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.

Luke 7:1

Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum

Luke 10:15

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

John 2:12

After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

John 4:46

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

John 6:17

And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

John 6:24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

John 6:59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

When Jesus finally departed from Nazareth, He dwelt in Capernaum (Mt 4:13) and made it the main center of His activity during a large part of His public ministry.

Simon Peter’s Wife’s Mother Lay Sick (Mat 8:14-17; Mk 1:29-34; Lk 4:38-41). 

Then a Leper Came to Him (Mat 8:2-4; Mk 1:40-45; Lk 5:12- 16). 

They Brought to Him a Paralytic (Mat 9:2-8; Mk 2:1-12; Lk 5:17-26).

Near by He called the fishermen to follow Him (Mk 1:16), and the publican Matthew the Tax Collector (Mat 9:9; Mk 2:13, 14; Lk 5:27, 28). from the receipt of custom

It was the scene of many “mighty works” (Mt 11:23; Mk 1:34).

Here Jesus healed the centurion’s son (Mt 8:5),

the nobleman’s son (Jn 4:46),

cast out the unclean spirit (Mk 1:23);

and here also, probably, He raised Jairus’ daughter to life (Mk 5:22, etc.).

In Capernaum the little child was used to teach the disciples humility, while in the synagogue Yeshua/Jesus delivered His ever-memorable speech on the bread of life. (John 6).

From the scripture we read that Capernaum was a city of considerable importance. Some scholars think that the words “shalt thou be exalted,” etc. (Mt 11:23; Lk 10:15), mean that it stood on an elevated site. It may perhaps refer to the excessive pride of the inhabitants in that city. It was a customs station, and the residence of a high officer of the king (Mt 9:9; Jn 4:46, etc.). It was occupied by a detachment of Roman soldiers, whose commander thought the good will of the people worth securing at the expense of building for them a synagogue (Mt 8:5; Lk 7:5).

Capernaum is also the location of the healing of the paralytic lowered by friends through the roof to reach Jesus, as reported in Mark 2:1–12 and Luke 5:17–26.

Artists reconstruction of 1st century courtyard house at Capernaum

Ark of the scrolls at Capernaum.

The Torah shrine, the niche showing a wooden cabinet carved in stone. Representing the covenant given to Moses here in an ancient synagogue.

Close up of Menorah carved in stone.

Under the monumental building are the remains of the early Roman synagogue from the times of Messiah, which was built with the local (black) basalt rock. This earlier synagogue was the center of activities of Yeshua/Jesus, where He taught.

Mark: “And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.”

 

Mosaic found in Caparnaum.

   Peter, also known as Simon Bar-Yonah, was one of Jesus’s 12 apostles. 

Peter’s Primacy

Because he was a fisherman, his house was also located close to the lake.

    The shape of an Octagon, was typical of early churches and structures such as Kathisma south of Jerusalem.

In 1990 a modern church was built over the 5th century church, over St Peter’s house. You can walk up to the main floor, which has a glass bottom in the center, and view the site.

The house of Jesus at Capernaum Luke 5:19 Mt 4:13 Mk 2:1 9:33

Did the roof have ceramic tiles?

the Greek word keramos is used, as in pitched roof not flat!

This photo is of a restored Talmudic era village modeled on the ruins of a fourth – eighth century village at Qatzrin in the Golan Heights. Similar basalt construction was found in the ruins of Capernaum during the time of Messiah.

The unhewn logs were used as rafters with branches and saplings as cross support.

The top was overlain with tightly packed clay.

A view from the white synagogue at Capernaum towards the lake.

These are the ruins from the first few centuries AD. The houses were built of basalt igneous stone, the same as in the Talmudic era villages.

Yet the Greek says:

Luke 5:19 And not finding by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his couch into the midst before Jesus.

Flat topped roof of timber and branches overlain by packed clay with clay pigeon house on edge of wall.

Isaiah 61:1-3;

Matthew 4:13; Matthew 16: 24

Many quote that He had nowhere to lay His head:

Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:57– 62

He states that to simply fulfill Isaiah 9:12

The Government of the Promised Son – Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, As when at first He lightly esteemed The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, And afterward more he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan.

He spent time also in Peter’s house.

There is a story that says that Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head…

however He had to have slept, He had to eat somewhere during that three years of ministry.

The disciples asked Him where He was from… He said Come and See John 1:39

Scripture tells us that He was in the house…

This place? Ha Makom – was on the shores of Galilee, the village named Capernaum.

This was where He had a base of ministry, a home where He lived when not traveling. People came here from all over the Galilee and He received them here showing mercy, forgiveness and compassion. This place, brought restoration for those that were condemned, had sickness, depression, disease. Where the blind, lame, paralyzed and rejected, found healing and wholeness.

This was the center of His ministry. The reason why it is called Capernaum is, it a translation of its’ original name.

Caper is for the Hebrew Kaphar and can be translated as town or village.

So what is The Mystery of Kaphar Nachum Our Home from Home?

and what has the prophet Nahum got to do with Messiah’s ministry?

Naum is the name Nahum or Nachum which is the same name as the prophet Nahum the Elkoshite in the Old Testament who gave the prophecy of Nineveh.

However there is NO REAL CONNECTION to the prophet – so this really is a mystery!

Why this village, why here for there is no word for coincidence in the Hebrew language there is no such thing as chance or luck? Rather it could be providence, synchronicity, serendipity, orchestrated our heavenly fathers purposeful timing and reasoning. God is very specific, everything He does has a reason.

A deeper look into the name reveals that it is more that just a persons name it is full of meaning:

To comfort,

console,

to repent,

to change direction

and as the center of Messiah ministry Capernaum could be translated as the  village of comfort, the village of consolation and repentance;

where all who came were received with compassion; sins were forgiven, lives were changed, broken were restored sick were healed, oppressed were delivered and set free.

No one was turned away all were taken in, all who were rejected were received and comforted and accepted. As we turn to Him we are comforted and became whole.

And wherever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and sought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. Mark 6:56

In this Place – Ha Makem of Kaphar Nachum. The Place of Miracles is where we will find Him and His compassion and tender loving kindness.

We don’t need to travel to Israel to the Galilee.

For the mercy, comfort, healing and restoration are not confined to one location. Call on me and I will hear you…

2 Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; 3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jer. 33:2-3

He is the place /Ha Makem of Kaphar Nachum.

So He was completely identified with the name of that town/ City.

And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Berean Study Bible.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Col 1:17

In Him are all the riches of His glory.

We all have a home – for heaven is our home – but we are not there yet…

However while we await His return and we are busy about our Father’s business, we can Abide in our home from home – abiding in Jesus/Yeshua – the place of comfort and consolation.. HE IS

Ha Makem of Kaphar Nachum.

He is HOME – Bayit – בַּיִת

the place of comfort and consolation

– the place of Love – Ahavah

and

Welcome – Be’ruchim ha’ba’im!

For in Him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28

We all have a home from home it’s the place of Kaphar Nachum.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. John 15:7

In Revelation 3:20, Messiah tells us, “…if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will comein to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

To sup, means to eat and fellowship with someone. When you sup with someone, you and they are sharing in and partaking of the same things.

Call upon Me and I will answer you, says the LORD. I will not turn you away. You have access to Me. I will hear your prayers and answer them. Jeremiah 29:12

When he calls out to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor.

Psalm 91:15

Shalom, shalom

‘Mishpachah’ ‘Family’!

משפחה 

Mish-pa-KHa

Please don’t leave this page until you make sure that Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Kaphar Nachum…

your home away from home…

for until we get to our real home in heaven abiding in Him is our abode, our

Bayit – בַּיִת

our kaphar nachum

the place of comfort and consolation

– a place of Love – Ahavah

and

Welcome – Be’ruchim ha’ba’im!

Make certain Jesus is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

It’s all about Life and Relationship not Religion.

NOT SURE?

Then simply 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 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.

 

The LOOK of Shavuot?

The last of the 4 Spring Appointed times is Shavuot in Hebrew and in parts of Europe Pentecost is also known as Whit/Whitsuntide. Whitsun (Old English for “White Sunday”) is the forty-ninth day (seventh Sunday) after Easter Sunday.

It is also the anniversary of the conversion and baptism of 3,000 people. It is believed that the name comes from Pentecost being a day for baptisms, when participants would dress in white. The name Pentecost comes from the Greek word ‘Pentekostos’, meaning ’50.

‘Whitsun’ is also thought to derive from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘wit’, meaning ‘understanding’, to celebrate the disciples being filled with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. As in many languages “to see” and “to know” are interrelated concepts. So that “to wit” is not only about knowledge but witnessing.

On the knowledge side, it is also easy to see the link with wise and witty and wittingly. The “Witan” being the Anglo Saxon assembly of wise men – knowing enough to have their word in the destiny of the community.

Wit could therefore, be said to infer “He makes Himself known!” God, is love, He made known His Wisdom, His Power, and His mind, He made Himself known, they were filled with the Ruach HaKodesh/Holy-Set Apart-Spirit Yeshua/Jesus/The Word made flesh!

Shavuot – שבועות – was both an agricultural festival and a celebration of God giving His newly-free people the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Through the giving of the Law, He taught them how to live as a redeemed community, a kingdom of priests, and a holy (set-apart) nation (Ex. 19:6).

The name of the festival is actually derived from the Hebrew word shavuah, שְׁבוּעַ meaning week. Shavuot (weeks) is the plural form. Shavuot marks the end of the seven-week period called Sefirat HaOmer (Counting of the Omer), which began at Passover/Pesach.

From a Hebrew roots perspective, one of the most significant occurrences has to do with the historical understanding of what Shavuot during the second temple period meant to the Jewish nation. The disciples of Messiah Yeshua were gathered together, and when there were loud noises, tongues of fire, and voices speaking in many languages, this was an obvious clue: it was the second ‘coming/giving’ of the Torah and the fulfillment of the prophesy given by Joel. 

Shavuot has several other connections:

One being Zechariah, John the Baptist father, who was in the Temple at Shavuot when the angel appeared to him.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/why-was-the-priest-in-the-water-conclusion-of-the-mystery

For more on Shavuot connections to Ruth Boaz and Shavuot /Pentecost as the perfect picture of the harvest wedding and covenant.
https://www.minimannamoments.com/50-days-later-an-earthly-and-spiritual-harvest-pentecost-shavuot/

The Scroll of Ruth (מגילת רות) – a beautiful story about God’s redemptive love – is read on the second day of Shavuot. As the Goel (kinsman-redeemer), Boaz was a wealthy man of the tribe of Judah (Bethlehem) who married a Gentile bride. Boaz’s name means “in Him is strength,” a picture of the Mashiach Yeshua, The book of ruth is read, which is the ingrafting of the gentiles and Exodus records where the Lord descended in fire. Also Ex 1:13,14 mentions coals of fire; and out of the fire went forth lightning. Ezekiel Chapter 3 the sounds of great rushing; then in Acts 2:3, the account of the rushing mighty wind and the fire sitting on them is not coincidence!

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

In Jerusalem it all started with 120 in the upper room.

Yeshua had ascended 10 days before, having spent 40 days with His disciples teaching them and preparing them during the Omer count.

The on-going transformation of the Disciples  finally led up to Shavuot-Pentecost. This day was the most powerful day for Yisrael as it was when the Torah was given to Moses/ Mosheh. Now it also became the most powerful day among the Talmidim/Disciples, and those who would become Sh’liychiym /the Apostles, as it represented the new thing that Adonai/the Lord was doing among His people in fulfilling prophecy.

The coming of the RUACH at Shavuot/Pentecost released a new dimension of God’s power from on high and from that moment on the fire/zeal of God, that was imparted not only changed the world in which they lived but ultimately spread the Good News to the four corners of the whole earth. 

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Set-apart Spirit has come upon you and you shall be My witnesses in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) and in all Yahuḏah (Judea) and Shomeron (Samaria) and to the end of the earth.”

Instead of imagining that all the Disciples were in fear and hiding in some private place, from scripture we read that they were in assembling daily in the Temple Courts/Beyth Ha Mikdash.

This was where they would come daily and as they grew in number; here they would continue in the teaching and the understanding of the renewed covenant/the Brit Chadashah.

This event had been prophesied through all the Tanakh/the Old Testament and which finally found fulfillment in the sacrificial blood of the Messiah, Yeshua.

He was the promised seed of David, the Messiah, the son of Elohim through whom all have redemption and access to the Chesed/ the Mercy and favor of Our Heavenly Father as revealed from the beginning/Genesis/Beresheet.  

Acts 2:46 And they (the Disciples or taught ones) continued daily to meet together with one accord in the Beyth Ha Mikdash (the Set Apart House of Yahweh- The Temple)and of breaking of Lekhem (bread) from House to House and did eat their food with gladness and singleness of Heart.

Acts 3:1-2 Now Kepha (Peter) & Yochanan (John) went up together into the Beyth Ha Mikdash (the Temple) at the hour of petition, the ninth hour. 2 and a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried whom they laid daily at the gate of the Temple which is called beautiful (the Yapho Gate or today the Jaffa Gate) to ask alms of them that entered into the Beyth Ha Mikdash (the Temple);

 

Then after the Ruach HaKdesh – the Set Apart – Holy Spirit was poured out upon them fulfilling Joel, they grew to 3000 on the Shavout following Messiah’s death on Passover. That was just the beginning however, something special was about to happen that would cause them to grow even more, and it would also cause them to enter into conflict with the nations leaders.

In the book of Acts we find

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. 

This has been mistranslated and from the original should read…

Peter and John entering the Temple at the hour of THE prayer.

Why is this significant?

Because It was 3:00 in the afternoon, approaching evening. According to the Torah, sacrifices were to be offered in the morning and in the evening (see Numbers 28) – beginning and ending Israel’s day at sundown, with atonement and drawing closer to God. These times became special times of prayer for the Jewish people – which they still are to this day.

THE prayer is referring to saying the Amidah.

In the literal translations it is called the hour of THE Prayer.

The Amidah (Hebrew: תפילת העמידה, Tefilat HaAmidah, “The Standing Prayer”), also called the Shemoneh Esreh (שמנה עשרה), is the central prayer of the Jewish liturgy. 

 Among observant Jews, it is referred to as HaTefillah, or “the prayer” of Judaism. The prayer is also sometimes called Amidah (“standing”) because it is recited while standing and facing the Aron Kodesh, the ark that houses the Torah.

The Amidah Standing Prayer in English is also know as the standing prayer. It has been suggested that this is what the disciples were doing in the upper room when Yeshua joined them.

Traditionally every individual should wash their hands before saying this prayer and it is said by the Jews, along with the Shema, three times a day. These Prayers are to teach how to present ourselves in Awe, Fear, Respect, and learn to approach the King as the servants of the Living God. 

The individual praying should if at all possible, stand with one’s feet together while reciting the Amidah as a show of respect for God. The rabbis add that this stance reflectss Ezekiel’s the vision of angels in which the feet of the angels appeared as one (Ezekiel 1:7).

The custom is to face the direction of Israel, and if in Israel, to turn to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. This is because all prayers head towards the Temple Mount and then rise up. This also shows respect for the Temples, which were central to Hebrew life, and reminds us that the synagogue was established to try to fill the gap in Hebrew life left by the Temple’s’ destruction. In many synagogues in the west, the ark is on the eastern wall of the synagogue for this reason.

The Amidah is the core of every Jewish worship service, and is therefore also referred to as HaTefillah, or “The prayer.” Amidah, which literally means, “standing,” refers to a series of blessings recited while standing.

The translation of the word AMIDAH means to standup, so the prayers are normally recited while standing and facing the East as the Messiah, YHVH, Jesus, will come back from that direction.

The Amidah is commonly referred to as the silent prayer. This, however, is a misnomer, for the Amidah is to be said softly, not silently, to yourself. The words should be audible to your ears and your ears alone.

This was the situation with the prayers of Channah/Hannah.

The Amidah includes three distinct sections. The first section includes prayers that praise. The middle section includes 13 requests. These requests focus on practical needs like health, and the ability to make wise choices but also more lofty yearnings for redemption and justice. These requests can change depending on the time of year or holiday. The last section includes prayers of gratitude. You can also include your own personal prayers anytime during the middle or end.

On festivals, particularly the pilgrimage holidays of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, the middle portion of the Amidah similarly describes how God has given these holidays as a gift to the Jewish people for joy and celebration.

There are also references to the biblical patriarchs, King David and Jerusalem to be remembered in glory.

Despite the official absence of requests, the holiday prayers of the Amidah do in fact ask that God enable us to enjoy and celebrate the holiday with gladness of heart. They end with a blessing, thanking God for sanctifying the people of Israel and the holiday.

At the start of the prayer:

My EloHim/Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise.

Each of us is aware of our abilities and potential, and we all experience fear, doubt and hesitation. Many of our limitations in life are more perceived than real. Often, it is only fears/false imaginations, that are holding us back.

In Hebrew the word for lips is the same as the word for banks, as in river banks.

The Hebrew word for lip is שפה. Interestingly, this word is quite versatile: it also means language and bank (of a river, a sea, etc). In a connected “of” (construct) state, שפה becomes שפת, so that a river bank is שפת נהר – literally, a bank of a river.

The banks of a river define its limits.

When we say “God, open my lips,” we are also saying, “God, help me to see beyond my perceived limitations, banks, boundaries. Help me to see all the way to the horizon of my potential.”

And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

This was a strategic location to beg. Religious people are to be charitable to the poor and needy. 

Nearing the Temple, we see that it is a very beautiful building. All around the outside are the porches, which are covered walks, separated by rows of large pillars or posts. The floors are of marble of many colors.

The pillars are so large that three men can scarcely stretch their arms so as to meet around them. Some of the pillars are one hundred feet high.

Along the walls we see seats for people to sit on, and all day long the people rest on the benches or move about between the pillars.

The Hekel Gate, which leads to the Temple is made of dazzling brass, more costly than silver and gold, and it is very richly decorated. The double doors to this gate are so heavy that twenty men are needed to open and close them.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/mystery-of-the-hekel/

As Peter and John made their way to the Beautiful Gate. Here they stop.

When the crippled man saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms.

For many, many years this poor crippled man has been carried to the Temple gate. Day after day he has been sitting there begging for money from those who come to the Temple. He is now over 40 years of age, but has never walked. 

But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!”

He looks up at Peter.

He hoped this man would give him money. For an instant, Peter disappoints him by saying, “Silver and gold have I none.”

But Peter has more to say:

“Such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

Acts 3:4- 7 And Kepha (Peter) fastening his eyes upon him with Yochanan (John) said “look on us”. 5 and he gave heed to them expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Kepha (Peter) said “Silver and Gold have I none but such as I have give I you; In the name of Yahshua the Messiah of Netzereth rise up & walk. 7 and he (Kepha) took him by the right hand and lifted him up and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

They gave him the LOOK of Shavuot – we could say it was a Pentecostal look!

And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “In the name of Messiah Yeshua the Nazarene walk”!

(“in the name” means “because of who Yeshua is, and what He is able to do, and because of the authority He has given me”) 

 Peter seemed to know exactly what God wanted to happen in this situation, and he was given authority – Messianic authority, the Son of God’s divine authority, and he used it by commanding the crippled man to walk.

This healing had a specific purpose with regard to advancing the kingdom of God’s Son. 

Many times miracles are given for the testimony of Jesus Christ;

as was the man blind from birth.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/heres-mud-in-your-eye/

The lame man was a well known figure at the gate called Beautiful. (Eastern Gate.) No one would be able to deny what had been done in the name of Jesus.

Then Peter takes hold of the right hand of the lame man and lifts him up, and a great miracle happened to the lame man. 

And immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

The miracle was immediate and it was very public – right at one of the entrances to the Jerusalem temple, and at the time when the religious Jewish people were entering to take part in the closing prayers of the day! 

The feet and ankles of the helpless man received strength. For the first time in his life he stands alone! He walks! He leaps! He goes into the Temple with Peter and John, praising God as he enters!

The happiest day of his life! No more need he be carried about; no more begging for money, for he is healed! All through the power of God.

The people in the Temple know the man who is healed. They all likely turn to see and listen as he praises God. For many years they probably had passed by this man as he sat at the gate and begged, and many times had dropped a coin into his lap. Now he is walking and jumping. They cannot understand what has just happened.

As the three men walk out on Solomon’s porch. All the people follow us out on the porch. They stand and wonder. They cannot believe their eyes, but there before us stands the man whom God has healed.

Is it possible it happened at the very moment that the part of the prayer for healing was being said, that the man started giving God the glory??

“Look at me!

I’m standing during the Standing Prayer!!

God does heal!!!”

For 40 years he had heard or said this prayer, no doubt wondering if it was really true!

(Part of the prayer is to be healed, so he had prayed 3x a day for 40 years and wanted to stand as this was a standing prayer!)

Acts 3:6-9 tells us he was praying, let me stand for the standing prayer and finally he was able to stand for the standing prayer. And this is no doubt why Peter pulled him to his feet!

This was to show everyone there that he stood at the time of the standing prayer.

He was not healed prior to that time because Yeshua/Jesus wanted everyone to witness the miracle on Shavuot – His ways are higher than ours.

Just like the blind man who was blind from birth was for the glory of god to confirm the prophetic word stating that “the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness” (Isaiah 29:14, 18).

Miracles were not everyday events for the Chosen People. There were only a couple of times and with only a few men when an outpouring of miracles took place in their history: Moses and Joshua and the Exodus from Egypt through their entry into the Land of Israel; then in the time of Elijah and Elisha. Other than those special times and those few men, miracles were a rarity.

However there had been an exception to that history in that, many great miracles had just happened the previous three or four years involving the young Rabbi from Nazareth. But He had died, and the miracles had stopped!

Except, there were those unusual events that had taken place on the Shavuot following the Nazarene’s death, when a very loud noise had been heard when Yeshua’s followers had been meeting, and then a group of Yeshua’s Galilean Jewish followers spoke to the people of Jerusalem in the languages of the lands where many had come from, and those Galileans claimed that they had never learned those languages.

And now, a great miracle of healing and restoration had just taken place through two of Yeshua’s closest followers. What did it mean?

How was Peter able to say to the sick man, “Rise up and walk”? Was it because he had seen Yeshua/Jesus heal the sick? At one time Yeshua/Jesus took hold of the hand of Peter’s wife’s mother, when she was sick with fever. Yeshua/Jesus lifted her up and the fever left her [Mark:1:30];[Mark:1:31]).

It was not only because Peter had seen Yeshua/Jesus do these miracles; Peter was able to do this because he had the power of God with him. He had been saved and sanctified and he was one of those who were in the upper room when the baptism was given. He had received the Ruach haKodesh/Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost/Shavuot. Yeshua/Jesus had told the disciples that when the Ruach haKodesh/Holy Spirit came, they should receive power to work for Him. Now Peter had that power and he was using it, too!

Peter knew exactly what it meant, and wanting to fulfill his mission, and tell these people the Good News about the final atonement and salvation made possible by the Crucified-Yet-Risen Messiah, Simon Peter used this God-given opportunity to give his  great sermon.

Like Peter, we constantly need to use our God-given opportunities to tell people the Good News about the Messiah!

This was a most wonderful transformation in the lives of His called ones, in that only a short while ago they were in unbelief; but through the work of the RUACH (Spirit) their faith had grown and also their understanding. 

Then, at Shavuot, a new dimension of that faith had emerged with the coming of the RUACH Ha Kodesh /the Holy Spirit, giving them boldness to speak. With that step of faith, came authority & power from on high that saw the mighty works of God revealed both through the Word and power, and those who repented and believed numbered about 5,000 men.

What is amazing in the actions of Kepha (Peter) & Yochanan (John) is that they were so full of faith that it says that Kepha took the man by the right hand and lifted him up.

Acts 3:11- 12 And as the lame man which was healed held Kepha (Peter) & Yochanan (John) all the people ran together to them in the covered walkway that is called Shelomoh’s (Solomon’s) portico, greatly amazed. 12 And when Kepha saw it he answered the people. “You men of Yisrael why marvel you at this? Or why do you stare at us as though by our own power or our Torah or Shabbat piety we had made this man walk.

The Elohim of Abraham and of Yitzchak (Isaac) and of Yaacov (Jacob), the Elohim of our fathers has esteemed his son Yahshua; 16 through belief in his name has made this man strong whom you see and know; yes the belief which through Yahshua’s name has given him this complete health in the presence of all. 

The Mighty miracle that was done in this man was the means by which Our Heavenly Father was drawing His people to Himself.

It was also the perfect opportunity for the disciples to speak the wonderful words of the Salvation found only in Yeshua/Jesus.

Then they further expounded the truth of the Mashiach (Messiah) as revealed through the Scriptures of the Torah, the Nevim (Prophets) & the Ketuvim (the Wisdom Writings). Through the work of the RUACH Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) we see the assembly of believers supernaturally multiplying. 

Kefa and Yochanan were arrested … were questioned as to what power or name they had done this … they boldly stated.. The Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Yeshua Mashiach of Natzeret).

An important point we may have missed is that this man, who according to Acts.4:22 was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.

That meant Yeshua/Jesus probably walked past him a minimum of 100 times in the temple and never healed him! This happened after Yeshua/Jesus died at around 33 yrs of age and this man who was only 7 yrs older than Yeshua/Jesus had been lame from his birth.

Seen from the Jewish perspective this was undeniable:

At the hour of prayer he asked for money, he was over 40, sat daily for 40 yrs, every single time Yeshua/Jesus went through that eastern gate, He passed by that man and never helped or healed him, even the day He rode into Jerusalem and he had not been healed but surely his healing at this time was the perfect timing of our Heavenly Father, Who had him right there at the Temple gate awaiting this exact time to heal this man.

God waited 40 years for all to be gathered in the Temple, so at the very moment of the Amidah, while all Israel was praising God.

(Until now we as gentiles, have missed the full significance of this event).

Divinely designed, to not only esteem the Messiah and be a miracle for this man but that it would be so significant as to trigger a greater revival than that of Shavuot, bringing a large crowd of Yisraelites to faith in name of Yeshua the righteous one.

One thing we must be sure to remember is to Keep our eyes on Yeshua/Jesus.

To FIX our eyes on Him and continually LOOK on HIM…   

This is where miracles begin!

He is the author and finisher of our faith and the LOOK of Shavuot

is

Love

Compassion

Healing

and in His perfect timing,

His plans and purposes will be fulfilled.

Shalom Shalom!

Chag Sameach Shavuot Mish-pa-KHa!

Please don’t leave this page until you have fixed your eyes on Him and without knowing you are saved and assured that you belong to Him; with a deep conviction that you know where you will go, when your body can no longer sustain you in this realm. 

Make certain Jesus is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him. 

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

Its all about Life and Relationship not Religion.

NOT SURE?

Then simply 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 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.

Are We in A Divine Pause?

40th day of the Omer on the Hebrew Calendar is 25 IYYAR, it was on Thursday, May 30th.

– Divine Gaps and Pauses – בהשהייה

The 40th day also marked the day of Yeshua/Jesus’ Ascension into the Heavens.

Shamayim – שָׁמַיִם

Strongs 8064: Phonetic Spelling: (shaw-mah’-yim)

Then Jesus blessed them, and as He gave the blessing, He began to ascend into heaven.

The account of Yeshua/Jesus’ Ascension is found in Luke 24:50-51 and Acts 1:9-11.

It is plain from Scripture that it was a literal, bodily return to heaven.

 The Ascension is a mystery of faith, just like Yeshua/Jesus’ Resurrection, with which it is closely associated. The event is mentioned briefly in Mark (16:19) and Luke (24:50-53).

“This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in just the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”

Messiah, Ascension of, and as the forerunner of His people. Hebrews 6:20

He was the first fruit.

This event occurred 40 days

which is the 40th day of the Omer count to Shavuot (Total 50 days – Pentecost)

There is some significance to certain numbers in the Bible, however we should be discerning about trying to interpret their meanings. God did have reasons for using certain numbers over and over in the Bible, but only He may know the true reasons.

The number 40 is used 159 times. There is a general consensus among scholars that it is a number symbolizing trial, testing, or judgment. 40 also represents transition or change; the concept of renewal; a new beginning. The number 40 has the power to lift a spiritual state. This seems evident in a number of places in the Bible, however, it also is used for more than that.

Every time one finds the number forty in Torah, its inner meaning is the ascent from one level to the next higher one. (Ascension!)

The letter Mem is the thirteenth letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet, Alphabet. The letter Mem has the numeric value of forty (40).

The Mem represents the age, or time of completion.

The pictograph for Mem looks like a wave of water, whereas the classical Hebrew script (Ketav Ashurit) is constructed of a Kaf with a Vav beside it: Interesting note is that the gematria for these components equals the value for the Divine Name.

Below is a list of the ways it could be taken as a number signifying trial, testing, judgment, transition or change, the concept of renewal, or a new beginning.

Strongs #40 is Abimelek- Phonetic Spelling: (ab-ee-mel’-ek) – אֲבִימֶלֶךְ – meaning ‘father is king’!

When God destroyed every living thing on the Earth by flood, it rained 40 days and 40 nights (Gen 7:4,12,17).

Three men in the Bible fasted 40 days and 40 nights: Moses (Ex 34:28)(Deut 9:9,18,25)(Deut 10:10), Elijah (1 Kin 19:8), and Jesus (Mt 4:2)(Lk 4:2)(Mk 1:13).

Because Israel refused to enter the Promised Land, God condemned them to wander in the “wilderness” for 40 years (Num 14:33-34)(Num 32:11-13)(Deut 8:2)(Josh 5:6).
(God also kept their clothing and sandals from wearing out for the whole 40 years: Deut 29:5, Deut 8:4.)

The Israelites were given manna in the desert for 40 years to “test” and “humble” them (Ex 16:35)(Deut 8:3,16)

When scourging someone, they could not receive more than 40 lashes (Deut 25:3)(2 Cor 11:24).

The Israelites were in captivity to the Philistines for 40 years for doing evil (Judg 13:1). 

Goliath taunted Israel for 40 days and nights (1 Sam 17:16), until David defeated him.

Ezekiel laid on his right side for 40 days to “bear the iniquity” of Judah’s sins (Ezek 4:6).

God proclaimed judgment against Egypt, saying it would be desolate for 40 years (Ezek 29:10-12).

God gave Nineveh 40 days to repent or be overthrown (Jonah 3:4).

Other References:

After the flood waters had receded, and the tops of the mountains were visible, Noah waited another 40 days to open the window of the Ark (Gen 8:6).

Isaac was 40 years old when he took Rebekah as his wife (Gen 25:20).

Esau, Isaac’s son, also got married when he was 40 (Gen 26:34).

Embalming took 40 days in early Bible times (Gen 50:3).

Moses was on Mt. Sinai for 40 days and 40 nights (twice!) (Ex 24:18)(Ex 34:28)(Deut 9:9,11,18,25)(Deut 10:10).

The spies that Moses sent to spy out the Promised Land were there for 40 days (Num 13:25)(Num 14:34).

One of those spies was Joshua, and he was forty years old when he went (Josh 14:7).

Moses died when he was 120 years old (Deut 34:7). His life can be divided into 3 sections of 40 years: (first 40) being born and growing up in Pharaoh’s house in Egypt (Acts 7:20-23), (middle 40) fleeing to Midian after killing the Egyptian, and living there for 40 years (Acts 7:29-30), (last 40) returning to Egypt, the exodus, and the events that followed (Acts 7:36)(Ex 7:7).

Aaron died 40 years after the Israelites had left Egypt (Num 33:38).

Three different times in Judges, the land had rest for 40 years (Judg 3:11)(Judg 5:31)(Judg 8:28).

Eli judged Israel for 40 years (1 Sam 4:18).

Ishbosheth became king over Israel when he was 40 years old (2 Sam 2:10).

Three kings reigned for 40 years: David (1 Kin 2:11)(2 Sam 5:4-5), Solomon (1 Kin 11:42), and Joash (2 Chr 24:1)(2 Kin 12:1).
(Saul may also be a part of this group [Acts 13:21], but this is controversial [1 Sam 13:1].)

The 10 lavers in the Temple each held “40 baths” (about 230 gal.) of water (1 Kin 7:38).

The time period between Jesus’ resurrection and ascension was 40 days (Acts 1:3).

The book of Exodus has 40 chapters.

The average length of a woman’s pregnancy is 40 weeks.

In other denominations observance of Lent is the 40 days before easter (not counting Sundays).

So the meaning of trial, testing, or judgment could be aligned with the Omer as days of self spiritual preparation. A gap in time, a season of a divine pause?

As a point of reference today, most technical equipment and those with Remote Control units often have a pause or hold button that will suspend action, the motor, the motion.

Or to stop the DVD video and/or replay the one we are watching. It is convenient and on our time schedule then when we are ready we continue to fit in with our plans.

We are often put

on the phone, which can be frustrating while music is played.

The Omer is like a spiritual pause.

When the disciples were

on hold – ( בהשהייה ) –

because He had said to them –

wait – שְׁבוּ־ – šə·ḇū- 

in Jerusalem

after the 49 days of the Omer, it was Shavuot and the Ruach HaKodesh came.

Then the pause was removed and the command to

go – לְכ֣וּ –lə-ḵū

replaced the command to . 

wait – שְׁבוּ־ – šə·ḇū- .

It was set in as an appointed time of preparation and an Annual rehearsal for all the generations prior to Messiah appearance.

This was a very long divine pause/gap, from it’s initiation and institution at Sinai to its fulfillment in Jerusalem. God’s timing and ways and thoughts are not like our human ones.

We often forget that after His resurrection, first fruits; the risen Messiah was seen by many. Was He with His disciples for all of the 40 days, almost 6 weeks?

Was He still teaching them in His resurrected body?

The first written reference to the resurrection is in 1Cor 15:3-12; Here is context:

 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, 4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, 5 and that he appeared to Peter/Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

9 For I am the least of the apostles, unworthy to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. 10 But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace toward me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than any of them, though it was not I, but the grace of God that is with me.11 Whether then it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

Read verse 6 again…..how many?

he appeared to Peter/Cephas, then to the twelve. 6 Then he appeared to more than 500 brothers at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. 7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. 8 Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.

It is amazing that nowhere in the 4 gospels is there a record of an appearance to more than 500 brothers and sisters at one time. (The reference to brethren always included the women and children.)

The location where Yeshua/Jesus met with the disciples in the last chapter of Matthew was in Galilee on a mountain top. 

The particular mountain was not specified, although according to tradition there were two possible locations, Mt. Tabor and Mt. Hermon.

Mt. Tabor (above) is in the Jezreel Valley in southern Galilee.

Mt. Hermon in northern Galilee rises to over 9,000 feet above sea level.  Either location would have provided a safe place away from the watchful eyes of the authorities for a group of 500 or more subversive (rebel lions!) peasants to gather.

Interesting to note that the base of Mt Hermon was known as the gates of hell, because it was a pagan altar to Pan.

The followers of Yeshua/Jesus climbed the mountain and the risen Messiah appeared to them, and what did the disciples see? 

Our scripture doesn’t give us much of a clue, just one verse 17:  And when they saw him they worshiped him; but some doubted.

Why did some doubt? Whatever His followers saw that day must not have been totally convincing because this indicates that despite His appearance there was still some room for honest doubt, enough to be recorded.  Maybe some of them simply couldn’t believe their eyes and ears; even though Yeshua/Jesus appeared to them and spoke to them, still they doubted.

There is not much written in the Scriptures of what he taught them or did during that one month in 10 days.

However He was bridging the gap, the pause, as they counted the Omer to Shavuot/Pentecost.

Was He with them daily in Jerusalem as they met in the upper room?

We do know He was seen in Galilee.

On the morning of the Resurrection, the angel tells the women to tell the disciples that Messiah would go before them into Galilee.

“Go quickly and tell His disciples that He has risen from the dead; and behold, He is going ahead of you into Galilee, there you will see Him; behold, I have told you.” (Mt 28:7)

After seeing the angel on their way to tell the men, the risen Messiah met them…

9 Suddenly Jesus met them and said, “Greetings!” They came to Him, grasped His feet, and worshiped Him.

Then said Jesus unto them, Be not afraid: go tell my brethren that they go into Galilee, and there shall they see me. 28:10

We might think that it would be better to remain in Jerusalem. Obviously in the city, He would have more witnesses to the resurrection.

Why did Yeshua/Jesus chose Galilee?

Maybe because Galilee served every purpose that Jerusalem couldn’t!

It was a call to faith.

Yeshua/Jesus had been warning them, prophesying that He would be killed but would rise from the dead (Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:34, Luke 9:22).

This would be an act of faith for them to go to Galilee purposefully to meet Him there. They would of necessity have to believe the eye-witness testimony of the women who reported that they saw Yeshua/Jesus risen from the dead.

Furthermore, they would also have to believe that Yeshua/Jesus was really going to appear to them. The location away from Jerusalem, would help to separate them from that highly emotional environment which might be seen as a place where false identifications or hallucinations might proliferate.

Instead they had time to calm their emotions as they traveled the miles to Galilee because if they were really going to meet Yeshua/Jesus in Galilee it would be the real person and not be any mirage or trick.

Those who had made the pilgrimage for  Pesach/Passover would be returning home. A remote mountain in Galilee would be a good location to meet with His disciples without chance of interruption, because He wanted to show Himself openly to all His assembled disciples. The Jews would not have permitted them to assemble in Judæa. Another reason may have been that this location would allow Yeshua/Jesus to easily choose those who were to be witnesses of His resurrection.

We saw in a previous post that the Jews of that time believed that the soul of the departed hovered around the tomb for several days after death. If Yeshua/Jesus met the disciples in Galilee then there would be no suspicion that the post-resurrection appearances were of this kind. (Cf. Edersheim, Life, II, 631). Nobody could claim that the disciples only saw Yeshua/Jesus’ ghost hovering around His tomb.

This choice in location showed His wisdom because Galilee was home. He was well aware of the disciples emotional and psychological state. Just as the two on the Emmaus Road, they were broken and in despair, probably even frightened.

Judas had met a horrible end, Thomas was alone with his doubts and depression, many were confused.

His goal was to regroup them and help rebuild their faith, bringing the fulness of His shalom to their shattered hopes.

His choice of home is echoed in the prodigal sons return home and also today when young people mess up their lives and need to know some semblance of normality and hope, going back home is their best option. Here they will most likely find that security, love and a sense of belonging/family stability that they might live more safely among their own relations …

Yeshua/Jesus was aware that taking them back to Galilee would be a positive move because in Galilee, Yeshua/Jesus had preached, and performed very many miracles there.

This would help remind them of their time with Him, the miracles, casting out demons, healing the sick, preaching to the multitudes, the victories and the successes. Taking them out of the hostile environment of Jerusalem; which was a place of conflict, where the attacks of the Jewish leaders were relentless and it was the place of turmoil, suffering and death.

The meeting in Galilee would be a more calm and friendly place; which would make it easier for them to see their new apostolic calling: to take the gospel message of the kingdoms to the uttermost ends of the earth.

These may be some reasons why He chose Galilee, because He knew best and has always known what He is doing.

The most important question is, do we believe He knows what He is doing and will we trust Him?

He does not say they should not see Him before: for they saw Him – all but Thomas – that very evening. All of them saw Him eight days later; and both times were before they went into Galilee: but this He said, to put them in mind of what He had promised them, Matthew 26:32. Also to confirm the words of the angel; and which might serve for a confirmation of the truth of these things, both to the women, and to the disciples, when they observed the exact agreement between Jesus/Yeshua’s words, and those of the angel.

Go tell my brethren;

This was significant in that He was meaning those who were not His kinsmen according to the flesh, but His disciples, who were in this relation to Him, as all the elect of God are.

Not only through His incarnation, He being their “Goel”, their near kinsman, and Redeemer, and of the same nature, flesh, and blood with them, and like unto them in all things, excepting sin. This was rather on account of their divine adoption, to which they were predestinated, and which they received through His redemption, and under the witness of the Ruach:

“And he stretched forth his hand toward his disciples, and said, Behold my mother and my brothers! his disciples For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.” Matthew 12:49,50

The disciples stood in an unique relationship to Messiah, who is the eternal Son of God, and heir of all things; and that relationship was in Him now He was raised from the dead, and had all glory given to Him. Here He declared this relationship, even when they had so recently forsaken Him;

Go, tell my brethren indicates His continued affection for them and their fellowship with Him in His glory.

It gives rise to the question did he visit His mother and brothers and sisters?? We know in 1Cor 15:7 Then he appeared to James,

But no reference to the family.

Mount of Olives –

A place of goings and comings.

Jesus/Yeshua explains that God has given Him all authority in heaven and on earth. “Go, therefore,” Jesus urges them, “and make disciples of people of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the holy spirit, teaching them to observe all the things I have commanded you.” Matt 28:18-20.

While the disciples are still in Galilee, Jesus/Yeshua directs them to return to Jerusalem. When meeting with them in the city, He says: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but keep waiting for what the Father has promised, about which you heard from me; for John, indeed, baptized with water, but you will be baptized with holy spirit not many days after this.”​—Acts 1:4, 5. exactly 10 more days after His Ascension.

Later Jesus meets again with his apostles. He leads “them out as far as Bethany,” which is on the eastern slope of the Mount of Olives. (Luke 24:50)

The apostles are on the Mount of Olives with the resurrected Messiah when He begins to rise heavenward.

Soon a cloud obscures him from their sight. After His resurrection, Messiah had materialized a supernatural fleshly body. But now He dematerializes the body He used on this occasion, and He ascends to heaven ‘bodily’ as a spirit creature. (1 Cor. 15:44, 50;1 Peter 3:18)

As the faithful apostles are gazing after him, “two men in white garments” appear beside them. These are materialized angels, who ask:

“Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky?

This Jesus who was taken up from you into the sky will come in the same manner as you have seen him going into the sky.”​ 

Acts 1:10, 11.

Yeshua/Jesus left the earth without a huge public display, His faithful followers being the only observers.

Does this indicate that He will return “in the same manner”​—without public fanfare, with only his faithful followers discerning his presence in Kingdom power?

Like the thief in the night? It’s the second coming that every eye shall see Him not when He comes for His Bride/Challah.

On the top of the mount of Olives are the Church of the Ascension and the Chapel of the Ascension, both claiming to be the spot from where Jesus ascended to heaven.

The Chapel of the Ascension is actually neither a chapel nor a church but a mosque run by Muslims and a myth was made up about finding on the two footprints, which they said were made when Jesus pressed into the earth before leaping into the air.

A building was built over it and Muslim men who concede that they are Muslim only when directly questioned, charge an entrance fee to unsuspecting Christians under a sign that labels their mosque, “CHAPEL OF THE ASCENSION.

What does the Bible say about the spot from which Yeshua/Jesus ascended to heaven?

The Bible simply says that it was on the “mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey.” 

Worth noting that “a Sabbath day’s journey” isn’t the distance to be covered by walking for a day. It is a specific distance of 2,000 cubits, equal to 3,000 feet, 1,000 yards or 914.4 metres.

So the location of Jesus’ ascension could be anywhere on the Mount of Olives, which is a mountain ridge that runs about 1,000 yards east of Jerusalem.

Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, “Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?” And He said to them, “It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority. But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight.

And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven?

This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is near Jerusalem, a Sabbath day’s journey. (Acts 1:6-12)

It seems as if we really are in a divine Gap/ Pause that has lasted over 2000 years! They all thought, including Paul, that His return was imminent.

God’s pauses are longer than ours; many of His gaps are extended beyond our life times and even generations.

We are still

on hold

since the time of Jesus/Yeshua reading in the synagogue from the scroll of Isaiah.

When He paused, at 61:2 saying, today this is fulfilled in your hearing.

He rolled up the scroll never finished the portion….

At the end of this divine gap when the pause is removed, the heavens themselves will roll up like a scroll as the rest of the verse will be fulfilled.

Is His second coming connected in some way to Shavuot/Pentecost feast?… maybe?

What we do know is He is returning for His bride – כַּלָה – kallah

Phonetic Spelling: (kal-law’) Strongs 3618

we are to be ready looking for Him.

Our prime focus must be on being spiritually prepared. which is the message of the parable of the 10 virgins. Having our oil lamps filled. The Shavuot promise was completed; the oil, the spirit, the ruach was poured out. Be-being filled, we cannot afford to relax spiritually. We know not the day or the hour and when we least expect Him…..He will come.

The signs of the times, of the return of the King listed in Matthew and Luke, are all around us and are increasing.

The long gap almost complete?

Is the pause button on the age of grace, the times of the Gentiles being fulfilled and coming to an end?

In an hour we think not …. are we ready?

 

Completion…. Is the prophetic scripture in Isaiah 61 verse 3 about to resume?

The only reason the end of the age has gone on so long is due to the patience of God. Our heavenly father is waiting for the precious fruit of the earth James 5:7

Behold, the husbandman waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently until it receives the early and latter rain. Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, and has long patience for it, until he receives the early and latter rain.

Any unripe and premature fruit are bitter and hard, that’s exactly what James was referring to when he spoke of waiting for the precious fruit of the earth; except the fruit he spoke of was people. He is waiting for the ‘precious fruit of the earth.’

In the same way as a farmer patiently waits for the early and later rains to fall and for the harvest to ripen and be reaped, Yeshua/Jesus wants us to understand that He is waiting for ‘precious fruit.’ Every man, woman and child is precious to the Lord.

God’s promises are for us personally, but they are also for everyone who will believe. Because of this, God delays what all believers long for.

God is not slow, but patient.

The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.

God is not limited by hours in a day or by the number of days in a year. 2 Peter 3:8 says that to God, “A day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years is like a day.”

It is a beyond human patience – it’s the long suffering, compassionate love of a parent waiting for the child to grow up and do what they know to do. To fall in line with the program and stop being wayward children doing their own thing.

It’s time for us to grow up into the fullness of the likeness of the Son He said for us to emulate and until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, growing into a mature man with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness.

Hebrews 6:1; Ephesians 4:13-15,

It’s time to make our heavenly father smile, as we wait eagerly watching for His return; for the pause is coming to an end and the end of Is. 61:1  and verse 2 is about to begin

And all through to verse 11… righteousness and praise will spring forth before all the nations.

Isaiah 53:6. We all like sheep have gone astray.

Isaiah 56:6 seek the Lord while he may be found call while he is near

The day of vengeance of our God to comfort all who mourn Matthew 5:4

he will give beauty for ashes and oil of joy for mourning

The garment the prayer shawl/tallit, of praise instead of the spirit of infirmity.

This word in Strongs 3544 in Hebrew is KEHEH – כֵּהֶה

Phonetic Spelling: (kay-heh’)

that truly means to be pale, dull, faint or dim is used as an expression for feeling weak, sickly, so they could be called Oaks of righteousness the planting of the Lord so he would be glorified.

(They are called Oaks, as the opposite of weak and sickly.)

Luke 4:18, 19

 The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.

The spirit of the Lord is upon me to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor……..

There He stopped and declared it was fulfilled in their hearing.

Indicating that He was the substance of which the ritual had been merely a type foreshadowing His Coming.

The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me “The Spirit of Jehovah is upon me” – The Septuagint, Vulgate, and St. Luke, ( Luke 4:18;), and a MS., and two old editions omit the word אדני Adonai, the Lord; which was probably added to the text through the superstition of the Jews, to prevent the pronunciation of the word יהוה Jehovah following.

The following is yet to be completed…

Isaiah 61:3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.

Ver. 3. To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion. Isaiah 61:4-11 King James Version (KJV)

4 And they shall build the old wastes, they shall raise up the former desolations, and they shall repair the waste cities, the desolations of many generations.

5 And strangers shall stand and feed your flocks, and the sons of the alien shall be your plowmen and your vinedressers.

6 But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.

7 For your shame ye shall have double; and for confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.

8 For I the Lord love judgment, I hate robbery for burnt offering; and I will direct their work in truth, and I will make an everlasting covenant with them.

9 And their seed shall be known among the Gentiles, and their offspring among the people: all that see them shall acknowledge them, that they are the seed which the Lord hath blessed.

10 I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

11 For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.

While we wait and we are on HOLD…

So it would seem we are in a divine

 The anniversary of Messiahs Ascension has passed once again and the Gap to Shavuot is closing fast. One of these days the pause button will be released and the play will continue to the fulfillment of the end of this age.

What remains for us, is to be clothed in the armor of light and look up.. for our redemption draws nigh.

Besides this you know what [a critical] hour this is, how it is high time now for you to wake up out of your sleep (rouse to reality). For salvation (final deliverance) is nearer to us now than when we first believed (adhered to, trusted in, and relied on Christ, the Messiah). Rom.13:11

And He is NOT slack concerning His promises…

Shalom shalom…

Please don’t leave this site without knowing you are saved and assured that you belong to Him; with a deep conviction that you know where you will go, when your body can no longer sustain you in this realm. 

Make certain Jesus is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him. 

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

Its all about Life and Relationship not Religion.

NOT SURE?

Then simply 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 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.

Sapphire – Ten Sayings – Part 2 – and a Rebel Lion?

Sapphire from a word in the French language, which in turn comes from a Latin word, this comes from a Greek word which originates in an ancient Hebrew word  סַפִּיר  SAPPIR. sap-peer’ Strongs 5601.

The root of the Hebrew word is SAPHAR and it means:

to speak,

to tell,

to declare.

So it would follow that if the tablets were made of sapphire (SAPPIR) they declared the Word of the Lord, the content of His covenant in their meaning –

they spoke, told, and declared.

EX 24:10 work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body

כְּמַעֲשֵׂה֙ לִבְנַ֣ת הַסַּפִּ֔יר וּכְעֶ֥צֶם  הַשָּׁמַ֖יִם .

 

His Word is the most precious stone above any jewel and here every Word of God is a sapphire and a spoken one, declaring His love and commitment to His people. Every Word of His is a priceless treasure, a saphar. The Word is a Jewel – a sapphir – Yeshua was the Word made flesh.

He is the precious stone beyond all price.

He SPOKE,

and DECLARED the word of Lord,

He came to TELL us the good news of the renewed covenant.

We in turn are sapphires for Him,

speaking, declaring and telling of His love. 

Isaiah 62:3 – Thou shalt also be a crown of glory in the hand of the LORD, and a royal diadem in the hand of thy God. Zechariah 9:16-17 – And the LORD their God shall save them in that day as the flock of his people: for they [shall be as] the stones of a crown, lifted up as an ensign upon his land.

One day we will be jewels in His crown.

So much of the, beyond earthly phenomena, concerning the things of the Lord cannot be comprehended by our finite minds. These constructs are outside of our normal thinking.

The tablets were said to contain the whole of the law, which sounds ridiculous and yet, even 50 years ago, no one would have believed, or imagined a computer, that could fit in your pocket, (mobile cell phone). Equipped with massive storage capacity and worldwide access to infinite information at our fingertips!

In a recent article above.  Did these Sapphires come from heaven???

The question to ponder is.. The Word says John 1:3  that nothing was made without Him..

All things were made by him; and without him was not any thing made that was made;

..therefore, technology is not superior to God and He must be the originator of it. Think of Elijahs ‘chariot of fire’ and Ezekiel’s wheels within wheels.

The Ancient Of Days, the Glory Of God, appears to the Prophet Ezekiel. He Sees Messiach Yeshua ( Messiah Jesus ), “the likeness of a Man above, upon a throne, which had the likeness of a Sapphire stone“.

This glorious unfolding open vision of God’s extreme glory was revealed to the Prophet, before sending him to the rebellious house of Israel.

There are many instances where biblical events could be understood as possible references to ‘technology’, as we understand and how we would describe it today. These things are not a surprise to God!

Isn’t it interesting that we call the hand-held-portable ones ‘tablets’!

Today technical specialists are working with crystalline materials. Crystals have magnetic properties, which enable them to retain much information. Granite and many other stones have a similar structure. (Magnets and magnetic properties are used in all computers and data storage components, even back to the reel to reel tape and compact cassette.)

Clear crystal and blue sapphire are also among the foundations of the New Jerusalem.

Apparently the first set of tablets that were smashed were kept and placed in a second ark/box and stored beside the main ark of the covenant.

Were the 2nd set also cut from the sapphire throne?

How did he engrave them?

Hammer and chisel?

These were forbidden, so sometime we have to go to the world of legends to find the revelation of truth. 

The sages of the Hebrews puzzled long over the apparent difficulty of building the grandeur of the temple of Solomon without the known building tools of the iron chisel and hammer. Yet the very use of these instruments was forbidden by the Lord of hosts.

“In building the temple, only blocks dressed at the quarry were used, and no hammer, chisel or any other iron tool was heard at the temple site while it was being built.” 1 Kings 6:7

There is also a reference in the ancient writings to a worm called a Shamir.

This is not the only time that worms are used for God’s purposes.

Click below

https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-secret-of-how-a-worm-preached-the-gospel/

Another reference to sapphire stone is in Exodus 28:15

Sapphire was one of the precious stones set in the high priest’s “breastplate of judgment”.

So there are several references where sapphire is connected to both rebellion and judgment. 

Below are some possible options of how the engraving was done in both cases.

Whereas the Talmudic traditions, such as the BT Sotah 48:B, suggest that the gemstones were set in the breastplate while ‘in the fullness’ it appears that the faceting and size of these stones appear to be uniform and equal. 

According to tradition the incredible stone cutting Shamir worm was rediscovered by Solomon who learned of this amazing little worm, no bigger than the grain of barley that could cut through any stone on earth. It was better than the sharpest iron instrument known. 

Solomon learned that Moses also used this ‘worm’ in order to engrave the ten commandments on the stone that Yahweh had entrusted to him. Again according to tradition, since that day, the ‘worm’ was kept in the custody of the demon Ashmedai, the Prince of the Sea, who in turn kept it in the safe custody of the hoopoe bird (or woodcock). 

In the Mishnah Avot 5:6, the Shamir was created on the sixth day of creation and was given to the hoopoe-bird (woodcock) who kept it in her custody throughout the ages in the Garden of Eden.  This marvelous bird would on occasion take this worm and carry it across the earth, carrying it tightly in her beak, letting it down only to create a fissure on a desolate mountain peak so that the seeds of plants and trees could sprout and provide her food.

When the Israelites were camped near Mount Horeb/Sinai, the Lord brought the Shamir and gave it to Bezalel, בְּצַלְאֵל, to engrave the names of the twelve tribes on the twelve stones of the breastplate of the high priest, Aaron.  Then the Lord gave it back to the custody of the hoopoe-bird.  Here she kept it in a leaden box, with fresh barley, wrapped in a woolen cloth.  That is until Solomon needed it to build the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem.  Since that day, the Shamir has been lost.

Of course, most Talmudic arguments were debated during the Roman imperial rule. In Latin, the Shamir was known as smiris corundum, the substance of sapphires and rubies and the hardest known gem next to the diamond.  The substance of legends has a kernel of truth and now we know the ‘rest of the story’. 

The process of engraving by the shamir included a special method of splitting the gemstones open but at the same time not missing any part of the stone. 

Maybe within the hoard of the treasures of Solomon’s temple, we will find evidence of the technological sophistication, such as diamond drills, diamond and corundum bit saws that scholars have long felt did not exist in the 11th century BCE. 

The Ancient Solar Premise is another suggested option:

Archimedes and the burning mirror.

The premise embraces ancient cultures from all over the world. It shows how they all used potent mirrors to turn stone to glass, vaporize metals and win wars.

When this tool is combined with the operation of the world’s iconic pyramids, shrines and stone circles, a paradigm shift is forced. The picture below shows an intense dynamic tube of energy.

The power has been made as high as 15MW/sqm with this method. This easily splits or melts just about any stone.

Is this the fabled ‘Shamir worm’ mentioned in the Old Testament? It is certainly capable of delivering many of the results associated with the Shamir.

For further research, there are photos online of the results of using the devices and videos showing this technology actually in use.

What was the finger of God?

Does He have fingers like us.. as Yeshua/Jesus had?

Could it have been some form of laser? God is not human form or He could not be omniscient, omnipresent and omnipotent.

According to 1 John 1:5; He is Light, Light is energy. He has lightning proceeding from the place of His presence/His throne.

Lightning is plasma energy, electric emanations.

People often say the touch of God’s power to heal and restore feels like a tingling sensation; similar to electricity flowing through the body, and also many times like heat.

Heat is energy… think solar…

Ever touched something and got a shock from it? Static electricity will even make your hair stand on end!

Luke 11:20 says But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, then the kingdom of God has come upon you

The finger of God is Ruach HaKodesh.

We are electric beings in an electro-magnetic universe!

How does one restart a heart that has arrested?

We send a strong electric current through it!

Our brains are computers and neurons continually fire across the synapses with electrical current sending information to the rest of the body……

The 1st broken set of tablets is somewhere…. And maybe will be revealed in Gods perfect time, together with the ark of the covenant that was hidden by Josiah.

In the eighteenth year of his reign, King Josiah of Judah ordered the caretakers of the Ark of the Covenant to return it to the temple in Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 35:1-6; cf. 2 Kings 23:21-23).

Tradition says that the Ark was hidden by Josiah (Mishna, Shekal 6:1–2; Talmud: Yoma 52b, 53b–54a; Horayoth 12a).4 Irrespective of this and despite the two preceding accounts regarding Ethiopia and Tannis, the Ark appears again in the biblical narrative when King Josiah ordered the return of the Ark of the Covenant to the temple.  the Ark had to have been hidden between the 18th year of Josiah, (when we are told he had it taken to Solomon’s temple), and 35 years later, when the temple was destroyed; it was NOT taken to Babylon, based on the information from the Scriptures which told what went to Babylon & what was returned).

 It was most likely hidden just prior to the destruction of the temple, when Jerusalem was surrounded by the Babylonian siege wall; and it was hidden somewhere within the confines of the city wall of Jerusalem and the Babylonian siege wall. The entire city AND the temple were destroyed in 586 BC by the Babylonians, so the Ark could have only escaped destruction or captivity by NOT being anywhere in the city.

The destruction of the 1st set was a consequence of rebellious behavior on the part of the people. A lack of patience gave way to taking things into their own hands and doing their own thing.

They had just exited Egypt and were still full of the worlds ways. They had been set free but were not fully delivered or renewed in mind. They assumed Moses was dead after almost 6 weeks had passed waiting in the desert and they became fearful of their future with no leader.

This rebellion at Shavuot when the covenant was given resulted in judgment and death 3000 perished.

Yeshua came to fulfill the law.

God’s instructions included the 7 Appointed times! Moses delivered it Messiah fulfilled it.

At the Shavuot of Pentecost when the Ruach HaKodesh, was given there was salvation – eternal life and it is recorded that 3000 were present. 3000 came to life, here fulfilling the statement, the letter kills but the spirit gives life.

The old and renewed covenant are joined together, both initiated on the same date.

The spirit given the same day as the law; because

the law can tell us the will of God

but only

the Spirit can give us the the power to live it.. and for it to be evidence in our lives of His indwelling presence.

Then, His presence was contained in a specially prepared vessel – an ark. In the second His presence contained in specially prepared vessels – believers who had counted the Omer of 50 preparation days.

The definition of a rebellion is a resistance against something, particularly the government, authority or other controlling forces.

Strongs 4784 marah: מָרָה

to be contentious or rebellious

Phonetic Spelling: (maw-raw’)

Strongs 4805 meri: מְרִי rebellion

Phonetic Spelling: (mer-ee’)

Strong’s Number: H4776  mĕrad מְרַד rebellion

Biblical Pronunciation: meh-RAHD

An example of a rebellion is a refusal by a large group of people to follow a law.

The Jews rebelled against the Roman rule of tyranny – so not all rebellion is wrong!

Rebellion, uprising, or insurrection is a refusal of obedience or order. It refers to the open resistance against the orders of an established authority.. A rebellion originates from a sentiment of indignation and disapproval of a situation and then manifests itself by the refusal to submit or to obey the authority responsible for this situation.

 It is action against those in authority, against the rules, or against normal and accepted ways of behaving.

If we look in Matt.23:1-12, at some of the comments and actions of Jesus/Yeshua in connection to the hypocrisy Pharisees and Sadducees and the then Sanhedrin who ruled over the people, He actually was ‘in rebellion,’ according to the dictionary definition, against their (man-made) laws.

However this rebellion, was a righteous stand against those who had perverted and twisted God’s original commandments.

The original rebellion against God was ha satan Satan personifies rebellion. It was Lucifer’s rebellious action that saw him tossed out of heaven and renamed Satan, Adversary:

How you are fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! How you are cut down to the ground, you who weakened the nations! Isaiah 14:12

In referencing Satan’s fall from heaven Yeshua/Jesus said in

Luke 10:18 “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven”.

The five “I will” statements made by Satan in Isaiah 14 each take a step toward God, with each new step being greater than the previous. Satan’s desire to “climb the ladder” and ascend to heaven may mean that his rebellion began on earth. He desired to raise his seat above that of all the other angels.

In chapter 3:7 John called the religious leaders..

Jesus/Yeshua said they were of their father the devil and pronounced Seven Woes Upon the Scribes and Pharisees, Matt. 23:13-36; John 8:44.

Only Matthew records this scathing denunciation of the Jewish religious leaders.

These woes, in contrast to the Beatitudes, denounce false religion as utterly abhorrent to God and worthy of severe condemnation. No passage in the Bible is more biting, more pointed, or more severe than this pronouncement of Messiah upon the Pharisees.

It is very significant that He singled them out, as opposed to the Sadducees, who were more liberal, and the Herodians, who were the politicians. The Pharisees, while attempting to honor the Word of God and manifesting an extreme form of religious observance, were actually the farthest away from God.

No wonder it was something to rebel and have a righteous revolution against!

His first condemnation, in 23:13, related to the fact that they did all they could to shut out others.

False religion and pretense are always the worst enemies of the truth and are far more dangerous than immorality or indifference.

As the religious leaders of the Jews, they were held guilty before God of blocking the way for others seeking to enter into the kingdom of God.

 Messiah’s condemnation of the Scribes and Pharisees pretensions, does not rule out reasonable recognition of authority in Israel or in the church, but obviously prohibits making this a goal in itself.

Instead, He held before them the desirability of one who ministers, and being a servant concluding,

“And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted” (v. 12).

His disciples were not to seek to be called ‘rabbi’, and were forbidden to use the word ‘father’, indiscriminately, even though Paul used ‘father’, correctly in 1 Corinthians 4:15, and John addressed fathers in 1 John 2: 13-14. The general teaching is clear.

They were not to seek man-exalting titles such as rabbi/teacher, father, or minister, in order to gain the recognition of men; they are not titles but descriptive of the functions of service. Disciples of Messiah are not to exalt themselves but should seek to serve others and leave the exalting to God Himself.

Yeshua/Jesus concluded with the seventh woe, in verse 29, in which He charged them with building tombs of the prophets and garnishing them with decorations and claiming that they would not be partakers with their fathers in martyring prophets.

Yeshua/Jesus called their very witness to account, that they were the children of those who killed the prophets, and He told them, in verse 32,

“Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.”

In other words, do what your fathers did and even do worse.

Yeshua/Jesus was, of course, referring to their intent to kill Him and to their later persecution of the church.

In the severest terms, in verse 33, Yeshua/Jesus addressed them,

“Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?”

He described the Scribes and Pharisees as poisonous snakes, destined for terrible judgment which would be theirs in hell, specifically Gehenna, the place of eternal punishment.

So in this instance, the definition of a rebellion: being a resistance against something, particularly the government, authority or other controlling forces; and an example of a rebellion, is a refusal by a large group of people to follow a law… It would seem to be the correct word!

Furthermore, while looking at the word rebellion

itself and dividing it in two.. we get

REBEL LION!

Could it be said that Yeshua/Jesus was the Rebel Lion of the tribe of Judah!?

He came and reversed the curse and re-established our spiritual connection to our Heavenly Father.

It seems this rebel-lion was more of a revolution, an insurrection prior to the resurrection!

We need to rise up and become rebel lions, rebelling and standing against the antichrist system of the world and occupy till He comes. Even though the devil is the ‘god of this world’ and was able to offer it to Jesus/Yeshua, He refused and went to the cross; then He said  

but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

Eph. 6:12  (KJV). For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

This is what we are to rebel against as we follow Him so we are to be rebel lions against all false teaching and the traditions of men that make the Word of God of no effect.

Let us become those Rebel Lions of the tribe of Judah and rise up in the TRUTH of His Word and His Luchot cut from Sappir, the Saphar – speaking, telling, declaring the victory – not by sight but by faith – Because…

we have been crucified with Christ, and we no longer live, but Christ lives in us. The life we now live in the body, we live by faith in the Son of God, who loved us and gave Himself for us. Gal 2:20

Please don’t leave this page until you are no longer in

rebellion

towards The Father/Av or Messiah Jesus/Yeshua but make sure you are a

Rebel Lion of the Royal Tribe of Judah walking

on the stones of

heavenly fire – the paved work of sapphire.

Shalom Alecheim!

Please don’t leave this site without knowing you are saved and assured that you belong to Him; with a deep conviction that you know where you will go, when your body can no longer sustain you in this realm. 

Make certain Jesus is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him. 

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

Its all about Life and Relationship not Religion.

NOT SURE?

Then simply 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 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.