A Debt Repaid

 

A Debt Repaid

The Grand Scale Purim Spiel (Purim Play)

 

Israelite identity is far more important today than it has ever been in the recent past.  Thus I want to get right to the point, extracted from a teaching on the book of Esther given by Rabbi Fohrman of Alef-Beta.  Rabbi Fohrman highlights the interesting relation between Leah’s side of the family, as represented by the “Jews”, and Rachel’s, represented by the “Benjaminites” – Mordechai and Esther. In reflecting back on the story of Joseph, Fohrman mentions how Judah (Leah’s son) stood up for his brother Benjamin (Rachel’s son), in an attempt to save him from becoming a slave to the “Egyptian lord” (Genesis 44:33-34).  Fast forward now to the story of Purim. Esther the Benjaminite risked her life to save the entire Jewish population from an Amalikite overlord – Haman, thus repaying Benjamin’s “debt” to Judah. As many times as I have read the story of Purim, I had not seen it through the eyes of the two mothers, the two brothers, and two nations, until now.

If we fast forward again a few hundred years, we hear about a Messiah, from the root of Jesse, tribe of Judah, Leah’s descendant, saying that He has only come to Rachel’s side of the family that is to, “the lost sheep of the House of Israel [Joseph]” (ref. Mathew 10:6; 15:24).  Fast forward again to our day, at which time the descendants of Leah are settled in the land of Israel. Their religious leaders make the claim that the Messiah (Ben Yosef) has been in every generation, but hidden.  In this generation and in our day, they are even calling for Him to reveal Himself. But where is He?  The amazing thing is… that the Messiah Son of David, who was born on Leah’s side of the family, became the Redeemer and Messiah of the House of Rachel/Joseph. Therefore Rachel’s son Joseph remains indebted to Judah. Being that the Spirit of the Messiah is now indwelling a remnant from Rachel’s House, but camouflaged, so much so, that the Jews are not aware of His presence there. However, it is now Rachel’s children who will be the ones to bring Him back to Judah.  Thus, all Israel will be saved and the debt paid.  

When will this happen?  According to Revelation 18 and Jeremiah 50 & 51, it will be during the time of the fall of this present world’s Babylonian system.  One of the main references to this end-time scenario is found in Revelation 18:24-25: "The light of a lamp shall not shine in you [Babylon] anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived.  And in her was found the blood of prophets and saints, and of all who were slain on the earth".  I don’t think much more needs to be said, as the rich and “great men” of the earth have taken control and are using their influence and power through “sorcery” (in Greek “pharmakia”) to subject the rest of humanity to what seems best “in their eyes”.  Every nation is experiencing the effects of this at this time, as billions of small vials of serum are being mass produced to fulfill an agenda, devised by the “great men/merchants of the earth, who have become rich by the wealth of her [Babylon’s] sensuality” (Rev. 18:25, 3). However, YHVH declares regarding such a time: “I will bring back Israel to his home, and he shall feed on Carmel and Bashan; His soul shall be satisfied on Mount Ephraim and Gilead.  In those days and in that time,’ says YHVH, ‘The iniquity of Israel shall be sought, but there shall be none; and the sins of Judah, but they shall not be found; For I will pardon those whom I preserve’” (Jeremiah 50:19-20).

 “For Israel is not forsaken, nor Judah, by his Elohim, YHVH of hosts, though their land was filled with sin against the Holy One of Israel. Flee from the midst of Babylon, and every one save his life! Do not be cut off in her iniquity, for this is the time of YHVH's vengeance; He shall recompense her” (Jeremiah 51:5-6).

Two Wisdoms at War

 

It is very obvious that all that is happening in today’s world, both personally and corporately, may pose great challenges to our faith and trust in our Heavenly Father and His Messiah.  At the same time the scriptures encourage us to: “Consider it all joy…when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”, (James 1:2-4).  These words happen to address “the twelve tribes who are dispersed abroad” - in other words both houses of Israel.  It is interesting that right after stating “that you may be… lacking in nothing” the writer (James) points to one thing that most likely they (and us) were missing, and that is “wisdom”. “But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of Elohim… in faith without doubting” (verses 5&6). 

James elaborates on the nature or character of the “wisdom from above”:  “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. And the seed whose fruit is righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace” (James 3:17-18).

We just read that our faith is tested in the midst of trials. We may perceive our trials to be financial, physical, or the results of governmental decisions, but when it comes to the need for the “wisdom from Elohim”, the testing seems to be more in regards to our relationships within the family of Jacob.   

“What is the source of quarrels and conflicts among you? Is not the source your pleasures that wage war in your members?  You lust and do not have; so you commit murder [with the tongue]. And you are envious and cannot obtain; so you fight and quarrel. You do not have because you do not ask.  You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures” (James 4:1-3).  Here the writer presents the nature and character of the world’s wisdom that is waging war against the wisdom from above, and obstructs having sound and loving relationships. “But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not be arrogant and so lie against the truth.  This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic.  For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there is disorder and every evil thing” (James 3:14-16).

The warfare that goes on between the flesh and the spirit is not new, it is a daily battle for all of us who are striving after the wisdom and righteousness in Messiah Yeshua.  We all need the Father to impart His wisdom that can overcome the wisdom of the world, but it does not come without another condition and that is, asking with the right motives (ref. 4:3). 

Obtaining this wisdom, as we saw above, is based upon asking with faith and without doubting. The apostle reminds us of our father Abraham’s faith, of which there was living evidence when he offered up his only son (and in a way, his own life) (ref. 2:21-22).  Likewise, we too should be offering up… ourselves, in faith as a “living sacrifice” (ref Romans 12:1). It is only then that we will begin to see the evidence of the wisdom from above, and demonstrate the fruit of righteousness with which we may nourish others and brings about the oneness that unites the two families of Israel.

 “Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom” (James 3:13). “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of Elohim above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world” (Philippians 2:14-15).

“Now may the Elohim of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, the Father of glory, give to you a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of Him… and that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding” (Ephesians 1:17; Colossians 1:9).  

WIND AND FIRE

 

WIND AND FIRE

 

At the peak of his ministry Yochanan the Immerser made a declaration about the One coming after him, saying:  “He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit [Ruach in Hebrew, meaning both spirit and wind] and fire.  His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Matthew 3:11-12; Luke 3:16-17).

 Yochnan uttered wonderful words of promise - being immersed/absorbed/engrossed by the Spirit (Ruach) of Holiness, as well as by fire, a holy cleansing flame that would come from YHVH. Surely many were encouraged and stirred up when they heard those words; with their daily routines being ordered by an oppressive Roman rule, and the religious life by a corrupt Sadducee priesthood or legalistic rabbinic Pharisees, these words must have sparked excitement and anticipation. To be “gathered” as “wheat” to Elohim’s barn, to be in a safe place, protected and be made ready for the Master’s use – as wholesome bread (the “showbread” in the Holy Place)… Perhaps at last things were going to change….???  But, just a minute, not so fast… what is this about chaff and burning????

 

The chaff typically is gotten rid of by allowing the wind the blow it away. The chaff that Yochanan was talking about was going to meet an even worse lot. He announced that it would be burned. Even words spoken over Israel’s enemies were not so harsh: “O my Elohim, make them like the whirling dust, like the chaff before the wind!” (Psalm 83:14). Yochanan’s words are even sterner. Burning up the chaff “with unquenchable fire” Yochanan was in agreement with Psalm 11:6, which says: “Upon the wicked He will rain coals; Fire and brimstone and a burning wind shall be the portion of their cup”!

 

Wind (Spirit) and Fire. Both Yochanan and the above words employ the two together. The wonderful immersion of the wind of the Spirit and It’s fire is something we are longing for – cleansed by His fire, filled by His Spirit! Could it be that YHVH is using the very SAME wind/Spirit, and the very same fire to both cleanse and saturate, but also to blow away with an unquenchable fiery wind? Are we in the season of the near maturation of the wheat kernels (almost) ready to be harvested and be gathered into the Master’s granary, while the tares are being readied to be blown into the flames?    

 

Abba, let the fiery wind do its thorough work within me, so that the flame of Your Spirit may be generated from within me for Your purposes as You blow away evil with Your fiery breath! Yes, may we be one with His Spirit. May we be one with His Fire!