An Observation

 

After being reproved by YHVH the prophet Habakkuk utters the following:  “I will stand on my guard post and station myself on the rampart; and I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me…” (Habakkuk 2:1 emphases added).  In other words, when something is unfolding before one’s eyes, it is incumbent to listen to YHVH as to what one is sees or, to interpret correctly what a sovereign Elohim is causing to take place in one’s environment. When fear or reverence for YHVH Elohim is lacking, man will turn to gods of wood, stone, plastic or even to himself.  Worshipping idols will always end in disastrous consequences. No need to go to the web search engine, google or another, for an answer as to what we are seeing and experiencing, that is if we are awake! 

There is a widespread awareness of the disaster that struck in Florida at 1 o’clock in the morning, when an apartment building collapsed while people were asleep and thus over 150 of them perished,  crushed beyond recognition, before they even knew what was happening.  Is this tragedy a picture held up before the American people, who idolize their recreation and “fun in the sun” indulgences? Is the party life style of a civilization that condones “child sacrifice”, “gender confusion” and teaches children to sin, coming to an end?  Addressing the issue of children, Yeshua warned: “… whoever causes one of these little ones who believe to stumble, it would be better for him if, with a heavy millstone hung around his neck, he had been cast into the sea” (Mark 9:42).

A huge part of northwestern United States is experiencing days of extreme heat. These temperatures will dry out the massive forests and create a tinder box for fires of unprecedented proportions.  Could it be that those beautiful wooded territories that have supplied the timber for much of what is idolized in the works of man’s hand, will go up in the flames of YHVH’s judgments?  The floods in the heartland of America’s breadbasket are also creating a situation that speaks to the culinary over-indulgence and appetites which have become an obsession in a nation blessed by the Creator’s mercy and favor. 

The southwestern states have been in drought conditions for over 20 years. They are also seeing their water supplies dwindling and farmlands drying up.  Not to mention, the pandemic, and mass shootings that are plaguing the country.   But yet life goes on as man sleeps, while the prophets prophesy lies to appease man rather than please Elohim.  Instead of a wakeup call, they teach escapism, distracting from a call to repentance.  Some are more concerned about how the end time scenarios will work out rather than seeing what YHVH is speaking to the nation as a whole.   Christians who love Israel are watching and listening to their seers on how Israel (the Jewish state) will fulfill the latter’s interpretations of the end times and the return of Yeshua.  However, it is at the expense of seeing their own role in what has been prophesied concerning them, as the seed of Abraham and Jacob.  Many have been duped into believing a prosperity gospel which has lulled them to sleep, while impending disaster is ready to collapses their cracked and crumbling materialistic foundations.  Cheap grace and love have replaced the “obedience of faith” and YHVH’s loving instructions.

In Amos 3 YHVH addresses the entire family of the sons of Israel: “You only have I chosen among all the families of the earth.  Therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities” (verse 2).

“Therefore, at such a time the prudent person keeps silent, for it is an evil time.  Seek good and not evil, that you may live; and thus may YHVH Elohim of hosts be with you, just as you have said! Hate evil, love good, and establish justice in the gate! Perhaps YHVH Elohim of hosts may be gracious to the remnant of Joseph” (Amos 5:13-15).  

Stop Beating Around the Bush

 

We are all familiar with the phrase, “beating around the bush”.  The origin of this idiom is associated with hunting. In medieval times, hunters hired men to beat the area around bushes with sticks in order to flush out game taking cover underneath.  In the contemporary vernacular it more or less means, to delay or avoid talking about something difficult or unpleasant.  “Just stop beating around the bush and tell me what the problem is!” would be one example of the usage of this phrase. “What are you really trying to say?” is then the thrust of this expression.   

When it comes to the Israelite identity I do not want to find myself beating around the bush.  I can no longer hold back declaring the importance of the restoration of the lost (but gradually emerging) tribes of Israel.  Our identity as the seed of the forefathers is so important to YHVH that, should this not take place He promised to inflict a curse on the earth. Because of the failure of the faith people to repent, return to Torah and embrace their true Abrahamic roots (ref. Malachi 4:4-6), the problems that are currently being experienced on earth could very well be connected to the impending curse!

The father of “the faith” was promised the heritage of the nations (ref. Psalm 111:6; Romans 4:13). How was the Almighty going to bring this about other than by sowing the Abrahamic seed into the field of this world? One seed into one field (as YHVH doesn’t violate His own Torah where it says that no two kinds of seed are to be sown in same field. See Leviticus 19:19). The mystery of “the faith” is in that seed, although hidden until a time ordained by Elohim to be revealed.

Thus, if we analyze carefully verse 23 of Galatians 3, we will be surprised at what we may find regarding the above point: “But before faith came” [erchomai - can also mean appear, arise or come forth] we were kept in custody [phroureo - meaning guarded] by the Torah, being shut up [sygklelo - meaning shut up together with] to the faith which was later to be revealed [apokalyptō - meaning to uncover, to lay open that which has been covered]. In other words, the above scripture tells us that, before the faith “appeared” or was “revealed”, we were guarded by the Torah, being enclosed with it until the time in which the faith was, again, to “break forth” (from the seed).

In the following verse (24) we find out that YHVH has given the Torah to Israel as a schoolmaster, so that its instructions will ultimately lead them to the promised Kinsman Redeemer and Messiah. Indeed, multitudes of Israelites throughout the generations have been and are following Yeshua (albeit mostly not realizing their own identity).

Could it be that YHVH anointed, called and chose the forefathers’ seed to administer His Kingdom of righteousness here on earth as it is in heaven?  Perhaps this is why He uses the title “Israel” and calls them a kingdom of priests.  Why would Elohim send His “seed” – Yeshua – into this particular family? Is it not so that they would fulfill their covenant mandate and become the “sons of Elohim” whom the whole creation is waiting for? Doesn’t it seem strange that someone who claims to be “in Messiah” through “faith”, with scripture clearly pointing out that Abraham is the natural father of this very faith (ref. Romans 4:16; Galatians 3:7), would turn around and declare that they are not of his seed? Would this not constitute believing a lie? 

There are many ways of denying Yeshua, Who is the “Spirit of the Word” and the anointed presence in the covenants of promise. We know what Yeshua said about that: “If you deny me before men, I will deny you before My Father” (Matthew 10:33).  Moreover, Yeshua is the Salt of the covenants of Elohim, and that is why His redeemed remnant of Israel is also called to be that same salt of the earth, thus preserving and bearing witness to the reality of His righteousness and faithfulness to Israel His inheritance.  

Thought for Food

 

There is a familiar adage that says “food for thought”.  But what about “thought for food”?  I was pondering this a couple of weeks ago, after writing the article “Organic Food”.  Scientific studies show that thoughts (especially the ones we believe) have an effect on the mind, emotions and physical health etc.  As a result there are many professionals, in a diversity of related fields, who attempt to help those who suffer from a verity of ailments due to poisonous thinking.   If we look at thoughts as food, what comes to mind is a table around which we sit with our eating utensils, dishes and cups.

In 1 Corinthians 10:21 the apostle makes an interesting observation: “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord's Table and of the table of demons”.  One has to surmise that  those tables are laden with food, which the host has placed them there for edification. As we all know from childhood, the 23^rd Psalms proclaims:  “You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies” (verse 5).  Perhaps YHVH’s table is right next to the table of the enemy?!

Obviously we are looking at spiritual tables on which spiritual food and drink are being served.  The question is, what is served on those tables that we can freely partake of?  Let’s look at YHVH’s table and see what we can find there.  Of course one would expect fruit like, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).  Yes, also a few veggies such as: mercy, graciousness, hopefulness, faithfulness, encouragement, etc. Then there is also the “milk of the word”, and in order to quench the thirst, there is “the water of life”. For those who are not vegetarian, a leg of “Lamb” is available, which is a revelatory Word that speaks to the heart.

As to the enemy’s table, instead of describing what is being served there, let’s just say that the menu appeals to the lusts of the flesh of our humanity.  If we eat or if we drink to the glory of Elohim (ref.1 Corinthians 10:31), giving thanks to Him for the food that He is serving us, we will not desire the adversary’s defiled delicacies.  Yeshua invites us every day to arise and recline at His table and take from His hand, healthy “thought filled” provisions for our daily bread.