Tag Archives: Hebrew Roots

ELUL, The Month of The Search… Praying The Lord’s Prayer IN HEBREW & ENGLISH

Practice reading The Lord’s Prayer in Hebrew (Matthew 6:9-15). Use the transliteration key in BLUE in order to practice reciting the prayer daily. You can incorporate the prayer before, during or after praying the Psalms.

Flow with these prayer strategies during the month of Elul and watch the power of GOD fall on your faithfulness.

The Month of Elul: August 20th – September 18, 2020. -29 Days of Elul

We learned this as children, and it has devolved for some as a “patty cake” type of prayer. It’s been relegated to the place of a nursery rhyme for far too many Christians.

Over the next few months I hope to demonstrate the revelatory power in this sweet, clear, concise, precious message to every believer on how to pray. It’s more than a simplistic pattern of prayer.

Let us press in for a new level through speaking the prayer in the Hebrew tongue and stand the watch.

Note: Click on the Attachment below in order to enlarge the picture. In Hebrew you read from right to left. Begin with… ah-vee-new she-bah-sha-my-eem

For Heather and Renae! Attached is a recording just for you!

If any of you have trouble printing out a copy of the prayer, send me an email to torahbythesea@gmail.com and we will forward you a copy as soon as possible. Thank You.

Recording #1 The Lord’s Prayer read in Hebrew only – very slowly
Recording #2 The Lord’s Prayer read in both Hebrew & English – very slowly –all verses

Over the next 33 days, remain faithful to Praying the Psalms with us and rehearse the Lord’s Prayer in your own ears, over your own spirit. Don’t be critical over your pronunciation, don’t be discouraged. GOD rewards your diligence in pursuit of Him and His Holy language.

Understanding will come. You never had to be perfect, we only need to be faithful in the little things.

During this Elul, we are taking a huge step towards GOD, through increased consecration and dedication, and GOD is Faithful!

May revelation and insight abound in you over the next 33 days, like never before! Amen.

PART 3 The Spirit of Witchcraft —One of the Works of the Flesh

continued from Part 2

Why Consult with the Witch at Endor?

King Saul did this in order to pacify his fear, in order to justify his suspicion, in order to pacify his own rebellion, against God. 

He resorts to consulting the witch at Endor a familiar spirit. Consulting by means outside of God. Saul only needed to humble himself and repent to open the door that would usher him back into the presence of God. He was still operating in self. Stuck in rebellion and stubbornness. 

We see this in 1 Samuel 28:6 

6And when Saul inquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not, neither by dreams, nor by Urim, nor by prophets.

In other words, God was giving him a message by not speaking to him. His glorious presence had departed from him and God allowed it to instigate repentance. 

WAS SAUL SEEING HIMSELF FOR WHO HE REALLY WAS???

Was Saul oblivious to the fact that he was in disobedience?

It’s very possible to be so stuck that we deceive our own selves.

Saul was in total denial that God had departed from him and was insistent on getting a word from the Lord.

So, Saul is going to create his own message.

So often this is what happens when the body of Christ becomes susceptible and tempted with witchcraft in the competition of fellow servants of Christ. 

It begins with denial toward the truth.

And wanting to imagine God is saying something he did not say and is not saying. And that is exactly what happened to Saul in this instance. 

2 Samuel 1:1-27

FIRST there is a concept to take note of here…

When GOD gives you an assignment, AND you know what it is AND you are not confused about the instructions. You perfectly understand…  

Know this:  The assignments that you fail to accomplish when it comes to the enemies of God, have a way of resurfacing.  

In other words, you can send yourself back around the mountain, because you failed to accomplish the task the last time!

Except this time you are contending with spirits that are stronger (because you have made them stronger by your rebellion and disobedience).  They’re objective was always to remove you from your place…now even more so!

Obedience is Better than Sacrifice.

The Amalekite King that Saul did not destroy in one of his moments of disobedience, believing he knew what was best on his own accord, instead of following the orders he was given by God.

HE THOUGHT HE HAD A BETTER PLAN THAN THE PLAN GIVEN TO HIM BY GOD

His actions caused the Amalekite’s to resurface in the book of Esther. It was also an Amalekite that finished him off after he fell on his own sword. What sword? The very disobedience he walked in took his own life. 

Remember that Prophet Samuel asked King Saul, “Did you do the Lord’s commandment?”, and King Saul replied that he had done the Lord’s commandment. 

Saul had not completed the assignment the way he was commanded to do. Saul did it his way and opened the door to a spirit that every generation continues fight. 

Every child with siblings has learned the hard way, that their disobedience/rebellion has the potential of causing the same behavior in their siblings.   Every rebellious friends goal is to get you to participate in their wicked behavior.  Point being: this type of behavior leaves another to have to pick up the bondage and fight the same battle again.

Someone has to slay the dragon!  If it’s your assignment, and you refuse to do it or you only do the part you want to do, then you leave another to finish the job.  You may even subject them to more spiritual dangers and stronger enemies because you chose not to finish your spiritual assignment.

The spirit of Amalek.

2 Samuel 1:1-27. The consequences of cooling off in one’s service to God.

Now it came to pass after the death of Saul, when David was returned from the slaughter of the Amalekites, and David had abode two days in Ziklag;

1 Samuel 30:1-31 Ziklag had been attacked by the Amalekites. David pursues them across the Negev Desert and defeats them –and rovers all, including his two wives.

Meanwhile, King Saul fights the phillistines in Mt Gilboa 1 Samuel 31:1-3

It came even to pass on the third day, that, behold, a man came out of the camp from Saul with his clothes rent, and earth upon his head: and so it was, when he came to David, that he fell to the earth, and did obeisance.

And David said unto him, From whence comest thou? And he said unto him, Out of the camp of Israel am I escaped.

A prisoner of Israel – from the battle with the Amalekites.

Consult your bible maps. note the position of Jezreel vs Mt Gilboa

And David said unto him, How went the matter? I pray thee, tell me. And he answered, That the people are fled from the battle, and many of the people also are fallen and dead; and Saul and Jonathan his son are dead also.

And David said unto the young man that told him, how knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead?

And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him.

The spirit of Amalek always insist everything happens by chance… there is no design, destiny or providence of GOD.

Note: King Saul was fighting the Phillistines on Mt Gilboa 1 Sam 28:4, David was fighting the Amalekites at that time.

And when he looked behind him, he saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, here am I.

The Amalekites were generational enemies of Israel. This Amalekite wants King David to believe he “just happened to be passing through a battle with Israel and the Phillistines?” Is he just waiting in the cut to see how the battle will turn out?

And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite.

And I am proud to declare and will not hide the fact that “I am Amalekite”. (Grandson of Esau, ever present enemy to Israel, known for their audacity) Ex 17:14 GOD will blot out the name of Amalek, Deut 25:17 Amalek did not fear GOD;

He said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me.

…”and Saul asked me to kill him

Amalek’s primary tactic is to sneak up from behind, to attack the weak, the lame, the young, the aged, the infirm, when they are too weak to lift up their own hands in defense… Deut 25:17, Ex 17:8-16

10 So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord.

… so when Saul is weak, you can stand up..

so I did as he asked, and then I took his crown and bracelet. (If I meant to do you and Israel honor, wouldn’t I have brought back his body for burial?

Note: This Amalekite who was being held by the Israelites is somehow at Mt Gilboa with King Saul on the battlefield, just passing through?

Was he escaped from the camp of the defeated Israelites at Mt Gilboa and heard about the defeat of the Amalekites before David?

Was he an Amalekite who just happened to be passing by the battlefield of King Saul & the Phillistines?

Was he an Amalekite who heard about the defeat of his people before David and went to the battlefield of King Saul and the Phillistines in order to cut off the weak and injured? Collecting the spoils of war?

Why is an Amalekite on the battlefield with the Phillistines?

11 Then David took hold on his clothes, and rent them; and likewise all the men that were with him:

(So, here you are David…a gift for the next King of Israel that we will destroy)

12 And they mourned, and wept, and fasted until even, for Saul, and for Jonathan his son, and for the people of the Lord, and for the house of Israel; because they were fallen by the sword.

13 And David said unto the young man that told him, Whence art thou? And he answered, I am the son of a stranger, an Amalekite.

I am ger… one who will sojourn in your land..inhabit the land, dwell here, abide (with hostile intent?), bring fear, remain in the land… ger (guwr) someone without original rights; Amalek had a lot to lose when Israel came out of captivity. They were occupying Israels land during their 400 years in captivity. They were not interested in seeing Israel set free.

an Amalekite – stated for the 2nd time Scripture repeats itself twice when we are supposed to be paying attention. (there is a bit of pride in this declaration)

14 And David said unto him, How wast thou not afraid to stretch forth thine hand to destroy the Lord’s anointed?

GOD was internationally known for anointing his people, especially His Kings, Priests and Prophets…. there is no way a person in the bloodline of Esau would not know that Saul was anointed by GOD). Amalek did not fear GOD.

15 And David called one of the young men, and said, Go near, and fall upon him. And he smote him that he died.

David was not deceived. He saw, heard, perceived what was going on. The Amalekite was mocking GOD, the Children of Israel, the Kingdom and everything they stood for… David recognized the enemies of GOD and Israel. Would you know when the enemy is mocking GOD in your life?

Do you know when someones story does not add up?

16 And David said unto him, Thy blood be upon thy head; for thy mouth hath testified against thee, saying, I have slain the Lord’s anointed.

17 And David lamented with this lamentation over Saul and over Jonathan his son:

18 (Also he bade them teach the children of Judah the use of the bow: behold, it is written in the book of Jasher.)

19 The beauty of Israel is slain upon thy high places: how are the mighty fallen!

20 Tell it not in Gath, publish it not in the streets of Askelon; lest the daughters of the Philistines rejoice, lest the daughters of the uncircumcised triumph.

21 Ye mountains of Gilboa, let there be no dew, neither let there be rain, upon you, nor fields of offerings: for there the shield of the mighty is vilely cast away, the shield of Saul, as though he had not been anointed with oil.

22 From the blood of the slain, from the fat of the mighty, the bow of Jonathan turned not back, and the sword of Saul returned not empty.

23 Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions.

24 Ye daughters of Israel, weep over Saul, who clothed you in scarlet, with other delights, who put on ornaments of gold upon your apparel.

25 How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the battle! O Jonathan, thou wast slain in thine high places.

26 I am distressed for thee, my brother Jonathan: very pleasant hast thou been unto me: thy love to me was wonderful, passing the love of women.

27 How are the mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished!

YOUR PRAYER LIFE IS… YOUR STRONGEST SPIRITUAL ASSET

While here on earth, Amalek sought to destroy the Israelites with a vengeance. His baseless hatred for Israel was shrouded in fear of Israel. Amalek never attempted to confront Israel face to face. That would have meant, taking on the tribe of Judah head-on (Ex 17). Why take on a lion when you can sneak up from behind and challenge the a cub… The Tribe of Dan…(whom they thought was a weak link).

The Tribe of Dan was the rearguard. Their job was to protect Israels treasures; the old, the young, the weak. 11 Tribes mounted the frontal defense and protected the flanks. Dan was the rearguard.

Note: When the children of Israel left Egypt, they were no way in the path of the territory of Amalek. Amalek pursued them when they had already passed by… a completely different path to Mt Sinai. And when did they attack? Right before the children of Israel were about to get their Word from GOD… Right before they were scheduled to receive their Word about their destiny.

If you find out who you are in GOD.. the enemy has a big problem. If Israel figured out that all of this territory that Amalek illegally inhabited really belonged to the children of Israel AND if they (the Children of Israel) ever got their fight back and remembered who they are/were…

Judah was already leading them to their promise… and Judah was not to be trifled with.

What they did not know is that Dan, was a Lion’s whelp… and if you have ever seen a lion’s cub play you would recognize that they are severely underestimated, have no idea that they are the smallest, love to wrestle and are always ready for the battle. Dan was quick like a viper and strong like a lion. Add prayer to the fight and they were unbeatable!

The spirit of Amalek continues their attempts to take out GOD’s Anointed. They are relentless. If they can get you so frustrated that you come out of prayer, curse, get angry, hold grudges, act out in rage, jealousy, nurse wounds, throw your hands down ( they have sufficiently weakened your hands in prayer).

If they can just poke at your heels, drag you down to a level where you are spiritually and emotionally broken, despondent, hopeless, feeling entitled and justified in your own behaviors… If Amalek can get you to operate in greed, pride, envy, strife, etc.

If they can get you to pick up the worlds weapons and put down the weapons of your warfare, then they have you in a headlock. Your hands become weak, you have no prayer life and you are subject to the enemy’s devices.

Prayer makes your hands strong… and in GOD’s Kingdom we need strong hands to war with in prayer! Hands Raised + Praise + Humility + GODs weapons= Power in Prayer ; means you win the battle!

Hands locked down and immobilized + use of the enemies weapons+ pride, lies, deceit etc.= no strength in prayer – You lose.

Rephidim ( Ex 17) means weakening of the hands. The children of Israel propelled themselves into a spiritual condition of Rephidim through all of their complaining, moaning, chiding- the sapped up their own anointing with their own mouths.

There was no water = there was no anointing. Why do we expect the anointing to flow in our lives, on our prayers, on our vision and dreams, when all we did all day was whine, moan and complain? Why do we expect the anointing to flow when all we did all day was point the finger, ridicule, blame, lash out, criticize our leaders, friends, brothers and sisters?

THE WORD OF GOD IS CLEAR ABOUT THIS POINT:

Negativity does not release the anointing. Frustration, complaining, etc does not release the anointing. Pointing the finger, blame, ridicule, etc does not release the anointing.

The Prayer of Faith releases the anointing.

You can’t be on both sides of the equation. You can not do both and expect your prayers to break through. There is no middle ground here. You can’t be double minded and expect power in prayer.

When I began this teaching I made a statement…the Spirit of Witchcraft- One of the Works of the Flesh. What I am saying is that, we can easily fall into the trap of thinking that witchcraft is happening somewhere from outside, being performed by someone else, directed at us through someone else.

I am showing you another side to the coin. The witchcraft of words can come from us… from within us, from our own actions, our own flesh.

We deceive ourselves in double mindedness, when we operate in disobedience, rebellion or in any of the activities described. We allow the spirit of Amalek to operate in our lives and only we can shut it down.

Saul wanted to operate in the things of GOD and the things of the world, as it suited him. It doesn’t work like that, and it cost him everything.

Reading Assignment: Read it all in context Starting at 1 Samuel 9 – 1 Samuel 15

Introducing… TalkTorahToMe.Cafe

A Special New Series I am introducing for my students containing brief insights regarding scripture passages that cross our paths during individual study times that can be shared and may be beneficial with all students.

SOME THINGS ARE JUST TRUE!

I especially like this example found in Psalms 110:4 which does quite a few things:

  • It demonstrates that passages we have read for years in the customary translations say much more than what we first thought they said… or much more than we were first taught.
  • There are so many gems to be found beneath the pages of scripture that a literal (p’shat) reading of the text will never reveal.
  • The depth of historical information that is often glossed over a fable, myth or impossibility..are actual fact with sign and manifestations that exist in the world today, we just aren’t aware of them.
  • The tendency some might have to relegate what seems impossible on the surface to our special internal compartments of faith (“I believe GOD anyway!”) is nice and sweet and beautiful… but completely unwarranted. GOD has just been Completely Amazing for a very long time! So much so that Faith isn’t even required, it’s just true!

Why do we need to know these particular facts about Melchizedek?

#1. Oftentimes we can present new information to our study groups that some students will invariably want to dispute or have multiple question with, for instance discovering that ancient commentaries reveal to us that Shem was born circumcised. “How do we know?”, “Where does it say that in the Bible?”, What does it mean?”, “Why does it matter?”

The 1st two questions I’ll answer right now. There are many facts in the scripture that are not spoken of multiple times, or proved int he sense that we may want proof. They don’t have to be.

There is no reason to dispute information such as “Shem was born circumcised” simply because we only have to look at what occurs in the world today. Our evidence is in today.

Mechizedek was born spiritually advanced, embracing the priesthood of GOD. Some say he misspoke and caused his priesthood to pass to Abraham because he was not careful with his words. That’s one possibility.

More intriguing to me, is that the verse doesn’t even say, “after the order of, or after th manner of” that’s poetic spin.

The verse actually reads, “Upon/after the Word of My Righteous King, a.k.a Melchizedek”

Whether the Angel of the LORD came and spoke these words (prophecied) unto Abraham on behalf of Our Righteous King, or YHVH (Adonai) came and prophecied these words by way of Melchizedek to Abraham…

The Priest of GOD passed his mantle to Abraham by prophetic utterance and Abraham caught it! Words ordained by GOD for you to speak, move faster than the speed of thought! This was not a ninety year old man talking to another ninety year old man. 400+ years in the LORD, Melchizedek was not a novice given to mishaps in prophetic utterance.

A 90 year old man in the LORD is not a novice, let alone a Man of GOD 400+ years in the LORD, in a time when the Glory of GOD was closer in the earth than today.

Besides, have you even known a healthy 90 year old man not to say what he means? Is that even possible?

Abraham was well qualified for the Priesthood, out of all those in his bloodline. (Genesis 11) and Melchizedek was sharp as a tact! He lived long enough to see Abraham & Isaac through their lifetimes, and to know Isaac’s sons.

Who has GOD sent to cover your lifespan with His Word? To call those things that be not in your life? To cover you while you travel the path of destiny? May they proclaim you to be the seed of Abraham, by the Word of My Righteous King!

Amen.

STRENGTHEN THE WEAK HANDS….Part 3

CONTINUED FROM PART 2 – Includes Full Recap of Exodus 17

How do you strengthen the weak hands? What makes your hands weak?

17 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.

Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?

And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?

And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.

And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?

Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

12 But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

14 And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:

16 For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

GOD, led the Children of Israel out by their Armies

Scripture does not specifically list the tribes in the marching orders until we get to the Book of Numbers, chapter 10. Yet, scripture does provide us an enormous amount of information that we can draw from to obtain a larger view. Scripture uses the same language in teaching us that they were led out by their armies.

When Joseph presented five of his brothers to Pharaoh (Gen 47:2), we can deduce that he presented his eldest brothers to Pharaoh first; Rueben, Simeon, Judah, Dan and Nephtali, (Levi had dedicated his household to the Priesthood).

When we consider the prophecy and blessings Jacob spoke over his sons, noting both their strengths and their weaknesses, it is Judah that arises as the most qualified to operate in power, authority and with the highest integrity as rulers over Pharaoh’s cattle.

This is extremely important to understand because Judah continued in their posts as the most highly skilled warriors.

Later, when the children of Israel succumb to the temptations of their neighbors lifestyles, and become slaves, it is only Judah and Levi that the warriors and the Priest that remain strong enough to remember who they were before 430 years in slavery.

In fact, it is only Levi that remained exempt from slavery, dwelling in Goshen. (While this is a teaching for another time, suffice it to say, that this was only because they remained “dwelling in their tents”). It was the anointing…the fact that they drew near to GOD…that protected them.

The anointing was present because of their separation and consecration. This is what preserved them and kept them out of the enemies hands.

Send Judah First…

Also, remember when the children of Israel left Egypt, they were 600K on foot, plus the numbers of the mixed multitude (Exodus 12:37). Nearly 1 million souls estimated.

“But God led the people about, through the way of the wilderness of the Red sea: and the children of Israel went up harnessed (left like an army ready for battle) out of the land of Egypt.” Exodus 13:18

Exodus 12:51 reminds us that, “the LORD did bring the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt by their armies.”

The Book of Numbers, Chapter 10, provides information on the formation of the Tribes (in their ranks and orders) as they left Mt. Sinai, confirming Judah was assigned the lead position.

13 “And they first took their journey according to the commandment of the LORD by the hand of Moses. 14 In the first place went the standard of the camp of the children of Judah according to their armies: and over his host was Nahshon the son of Amminadab.”

Dan was the Rear Guard

25 “And the standard of the camp of the children of Dan set forward, which was the rereward of all the camps throughout their hosts: and over his host was Ahiezer the son of Ammishaddai.”

You will recall, it was the tribe of Judah that guarded the cattle and all of the treasures and goods of Pharaoh.

Although the children of Israel were slaves in Egypt, Judah were still warriors.

Attacking from behind meant you did’nt have to fight Judah. (One tactical advantage).

Actually, even the Egyptians forces strategy was to attack from behind and drive them into the sea. GOD flipped the script, of course.

Remember, their ranks and orders from which they marched out of Egypt.

The Tribe of Dan was their rear guard. Judah was in the forefront.

By this time, EVERYONE had heard of what the GOD of Israel had done to the Egyptians, Everyone!

The GOD of Israel was internationally known.

The Spiritual Audacity of Amalek…

Of all the possible nations that could have come out against them to prove their might, prove they were better than the Egyptians, prove they were better than Israel, prove they did not fear the GOD of Israel…

It was family! Amalek, grandson of Esau, great Nephew of Jacob that came and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

Amalek came against the children of Israel when no other nation would dare.

We tend to read the scripture as if no other nations were around. Egypt was a resource for every nation around them, keeping many people alive through the famine. There’s a high probability that the nation of Amalek was even fed in the famine by the wisdom of Joseph.

Pull out your Bible Maps again. Notice that Amalek is occupying the territory that will belong to the Children of Israel, once they remember who they are in GOD!

Amalek has been living it up while the children of Israel were in captivity! They are occupying land GOD never gave them. GOD made it clear that Esau was to serve Jacob, not the other way around.

If the children of Israel make it to Sinai and receive their prophetic Word and the blessings of GOD, their next move is to come for the land GOD gave them.

The children of Israel remembered their names (Exodus 1:1). This was practically the only virtue they had left when in captivity.

What they had forgotten was, their spiritual identity, their prophecy, their ability to decree and declare a thing… they forgot how to call out in prayer, they forgot about the power of agreement, they forgot about their strength in unity…

They forgot how to operate in the power of GOD!

Your Prophecy is The Enemy’s Biggest Threat!

This is the enemy’s dilemma. “If you remember who you are, you will know that I am illegally possessing your land. If you ever get your mind back, and remember who you are in GOD, I will have to vacate your territory!”

Amalek is like that kindred spirit, that familiar spirit, that knows exactly who you are, while you may be oblivious to who they truly are! You don’t see their jealousy, their envy, their flat out audacity to provoke GOD, while they try and keep you from everything that GOD has for you.

Scripture is calling the place, Rephidim… to clue us in to the fact that this fight with Amalek is due to a lazy spiritual condition…lack of prayer which causes a weakening of the hands.

Your hands are not just a symbol of strength in prayer…

Your Hands Contain Your Strength in Prayer.

Lack of prayer leads to bickering, bitterness, argumentation, anger, contention, strife… the works!

lack of prayer – Weakens the Hands… How do I know?

And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

yad = hand

11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

  • held up = room (H7311) to exalt, to be high, rise up
  • let down = noo-akh (H5117) to rest, allow to settle
  • prevailed = gaw-bar (H1396) to be strong or mighty, to be magnified, strengthened, to be made firm…

Raising our hands up..only looks like a surrender in the natural. In the spirit, we are pulling down strength… we are reaching up and pulling down the glory of GOD.

When we raise our hands, we are exalting GOD, in the midst of being raised and lifted up!

When we lower our hands, and keep them down at our side, we are allowing our enemies the opportunity to rest, gather their strength–against us! allowing them to settle in our land and in our territory.

In the words of Rev. Rita, “That’s not good!”

12 But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

  • heavy = כָּבֵד kaw-vade (H3515)
    • from the root word כָּבַד kaw-vad (H3513) to become fierce, filled with glory, glorified, filled with honor, weighty (with glory), rich, respected,
      • glorious = כָּבוֹד kaw-vode (H3519) glory, honour (-able), weight, honored, abundance,
        • its root is also (H3513)

Moses hands became filled with the Glory. Moses hands became Fierce! Moses hands became filled with the weight of the Glory!

Moses hands became filled with glory, honor, respect, filled with the abundance of GOD!

Are you seeing what happened with Moses’ Hands?

All we need to know at this point is….

Do you want Your Hands filled with the Weight of the Glory!

12 But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

  • steady = emunah (H530) em-moo-naw firm, steadfast
    • from the Hebrew root word אָמַן aman (H539) trust, faith, firm, support, belief
      • ref: (H540) אֲמַן trust
      • ref: (H541) אָמַן trust, see Isaiah 30:21 (appears only 1x in scripture) “And thine ears shall hear a word behind thee, saying, This is the way, walk ye in it, when ye turn to the right hand (aw-man), and when ye turn to the left.”

“Moses Hands Became Filled with Faith & Trust…”

Moses hands became firm, steadfast, filled with faith and trust in GOD

12 But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

AMEN.

13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

  • discomfited = khaw-lash (H2522) to become weak, to prostrate oneself, to be overwhelmed
    • appears only 3x in scripture, Isaiah 14:12, Job 14:10
      • ref: use in Job 14:10 = to waste away

Did You See What Just happened?

Amalek became weak and overwhelmed through the power of Moses’ prayer!

and let’s make note of the significance of the agreement of Hur and Caleb… as well.

14 And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

Write this in Your Book!

14 And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

Rehearse this in Your Ears!

How do you think Lucifer weakens the nations?

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!” Isaiah 14:12

This happens whenever we listen to the voice that tells us not to pray!

15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovah-nissi:

16 For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

All of their moaning, and complaining brought them into a place of dryness and desolation. A place where they will never find the anointing.

And Then Came Amalek…

Posts Included in This Series on Prayer:

Strengthening the Weak Hands is a Priority: Isaiah 35:3-5, Job 4:3-4, Zeph 3:16, Heb 12:12

Scripture in the Public Domain provided by Biblegateway.com KJV

Photos by:

  • Olivia Snow, Praying Hands Folded on Lap
    All of the above photo’s compliments of UNSPLASH.COM

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog All Rights Reserved.

Disclosure: I am of the belief that any and all teachings on scripture, especially those on prayer should receive prayer before passing them along to others. For this reason, I encourage everyone who reviews these teachings to saturate each one in prayer before sharing, distributing or reproducing them in any fashion.

Anything that we hope to learn and accomplish through the Word of GOD must be born out of a spirit of prayer.

Prayer is the root of all our spiritual training. Study without prayer is futile. GOD ask that we meditate on His Word day and night, because without a dedicated personal prayer life, we can do very little for GOD and Man.

May GOD always send you a confirming word so that you will know that these words are true.

GOD Bless You Always,

Students/Subscribers have permission to print and share this information provided you do not use any of the teachings for profit or monetary gain of any kind. Please do not alter the material in any way. These conditions are subject to the additional term of giving full credit to torahisteaching.blog or Rev. S. Madison. Just send me an email to advise of your use of this material: torahbythesea@gmail.com Thank You.

STRENGTHEN THE WEAK HANDS….Part 2

CONTINUED FROM PART 1… STRENGTHEN THE WEAK HANDS….Part 1

How do you strengthen the weak hands? What makes your hands weak?

17 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.

Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?

And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?

And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.

And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?

Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of God in mine hand.

10 So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

11 And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

12 But Moses hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

13 And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

14 And the Lord said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:

16 For he said, Because the Lord hath sworn that the Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.

Working with One Hand Tied Behind Your Back…

Anyone who has ever injured their dominant arm or hand knows how difficult it is to perform even the simplest of task, like tying a shoelace, buttoning a shirt, or driving a car.

Of course, we adapt and learn how to manage. But in the meantime, we must deal with the difficulty of completing everything we need to do, in an awkward, labored and time consuming manner.

These are the times when we truly miss the ease and balance we are accustomed to, when both hands are in sync.

The smooth and seamless efficiencies, our left hand and right hand, produce together are amazing.

This is what it is like when our spirit is not in sync with the Spirit of GOD, or when as the body of Christ, we are not in sync with each other, or when we as Christians are out of sync with our Jewish heritage in the scriptures.

Spiritually Speaking…

Whenever the right hand, and the left hand are restrained or restricted from working together, we are inefficient, off balance and simply working harder than we have to, Spiritually.

Are We There Yet?

17 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.

Have you ever been driving/traveling to a location that you have not been before? I’m sure that you have. You have directions in your hand and you have been following them precisely. Yet, according to the directions you are almost there, but this street that you need to find…you can not locate.

You are beginning to wonder if you past it, so you turn around. Another mile passes, and you get the feeling that you are going in the wrong direction, so you stop and ask someone and you turn around once more…back toward the direction you were initially headed.

Finally, you see the street. This is the moment when you feel a little irritated with yourself because you were almost there, if you had just continued, a few more miles forward, you would have been there already!

Anyway, you shake it off, make your right hand turn and find the address you need and arrive. Perhaps a little late, but you can’t help being a tiny bit frustrated that you just didn’t keep going forward in the first place.

You Were Almost There!

17 And all the congregation of the children of Israel journeyed from the wilderness of Sin, after their journeys, according to the commandment of the Lord, and pitched in Rephidim: and there was no water for the people to drink.

When the children of Israel stopped and pitched their camp in Rephidim, they were virtually around the corner and down the block from Mt. Sinai.

They were right around the corner from the most important Prophetic Word they would ever receive…right around the corner from their breakthrough. They were almost there.

Instead of pressing in and going forward, they allowed themselves to degenerate into a place of negativity…getting frustrated, moaning, chiding, complaining, whining, worrying..

Wherefore the people did chide with Moses, and said, Give us water that we may drink. And Moses said unto them, Why chide ye with me? wherefore do ye tempt the Lord?

There is no water for the people to drink. Thirsty, they lash out at Moses.

Moses, is trying to tell the people that in fighting with him, they are actually fighting with, and rebelling against GOD.

When Scripture Repeats Itself 2 and 3 Times….

And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?

This is the 3rd mention we hear of the lack of water (verses 1, 2, 3). The repetition of any message found in scripture means that we need to pay close attention to what is happening and ask ourselves, Why is GOD repeating this so many times? What am I supposed to slow down and hear in this message?

GOD is trying to tell us something!

Instead of asking themselves, “What is really going on?, Why are we suddenly out of water?, What has shifted?” the people lash out at Moses.

Instead of praying..they are attacking… fighting with their leaders…accusing GOD and Moses of trying to kill them.

And Moses cried unto the Lord, saying, What shall I do unto this people? they be almost ready to stone me.

And the Lord said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river, take in thine hand, and go.

Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.

Horeb is the name of the mountain range in which Mt. Sinai is located. It means dryness or desolation. Horeb comes from the Hebrew root word, hareb  חרב, a verb meaning to dry up or lay waste.

And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?

We know these places… Massah מסה (massah), means to test, or to prove.

Massah comes from the Hebrew root word nasas which is a mettalurgical term for heating up iron ore in the fire. The hotter the better. The hotter the fire gets, the purest metals surface and can be collected.

Once these metals are smelted together, the stronger the iron becomes, and the best weapons and tools are forged.

Meribah מריבה, a place of strife, or agent of strife, from the verb ריב (rib), to contend.

The understanding of meribah can range from complaining and moaning through endless dispute, contention and strife, to flat out combat.

And he called the name of the place Massah, and Meribah, because of the chiding of the children of Israel, and because they tempted the Lord, saying, Is the Lord among us, or not?

Massah and Meribah, signs of our spiritual condition. Not just common names of cities or places, like Los Angeles or New York.

Scripture is providing us detailed information regarding the spiritual condition of the people.

Forgetting about the miracles they have witnessed, the blessings they have received, the people launch their accusations against GOD.

They are so full of flesh, that they are unable to see that the lack of water they are experiencing, is directly connected to the lack of the anointing.

Nothing in the Spirit= Nothing in the Natural

No Anointing = No Water

Whatever we loose in Heaven, is loosed on Earth. Matthew 16:19-20

Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

All the fighting, whining, moaning, and complaining…lashing out and threatning Moses, blaming GOD, rebelliuosness, etc unleashes a deadly spiritual enemy…

THEN CAME AMALEK…

Amalek is the grandson of Esau (Gen 36:12), the son of Jacob who despised his birthright (Gen 25:34).

Before we go into more details about who Amalek is spiritually and physically, notice that the Egyptians no longer pursued the children of Israel.

Look at your bible maps. When the children of Israel are coming out of Egypt, traveling through the wilderness it is not as if there are no other nations around.

Find Egypt, Goshen. Find the territory of Amalek. Find Rephidim. Find Mt. Sinai.

For a quick Reference: Click on this link if you do not have any bible maps handy and locate these sites on the map.

The territory of Amalek is above (North of) and behind Rephidim, where Israel makes camp (Ex 17:1).

Enemy Ambush

Amalek attacked the children of Israel from behind…a sneak attack (Deut 25:17-18).

If they had not been cowardly, they would have attacked Israel before they left Egypt!

Consult your map again. Egypt and Amalek are almost directly west and east of each other.

If Amalek had gone to battle with the children of Israel after they defeated the Egyptians, it would have been more of a face to face confrontation, as they came out of Egypt.

But Amalek was a cunning hunter (like Grandpa Esau), and waited until they had passed (Gen 25:24, 27).

We know this because GOD tells us that Amalek came from behind and attacked the weak, the lame and the aged. Ref: (Deut 25:17-18)

Send Judah First…

The Tribe of Judah lead Israel out of the wilderness.

You will recall in Genesis 47:6, Joseph and his brothers were given “The Best of the land” to dwell in, i.e. Goshen (draw near), with the most elite among them given such important posts as rulers.

NOTE: GOD moved Pharaoh’s heart ot give them the best of the land in Goshen, so that they have a clear demarcation point between Egypt and themselves to worship GOD, i.e. to draw near to GOD. (This was the original plan with the move).

Pharaoh asked Joseph if any of his brothers were “men of activity” (chayil). If so, “make them rulers over my cattle.”

Rulers is the Hebrew word sari (H8269, sar), meaning generals, chiefs, captains, etc. aka mighty men of valor, princes in the land.

Out of all of Joseph’s brother’s who could these “men of activity” be?

Well, we know that the sons of Jacob were all very fierce! It only took 2 of them, Simeon and Levi to take out all the men in the Kingdom of Shechem (Gen 34:25).

Reuben had already disqualified himself from the rights of firstborn (Gen 35:22), now with this act, Simeon and Levi had done the same. This is why Judah now sits in the place as 1st born, i.e. and officially the scepter fell to Judah(Gen 49:10).

Why does any of this matter? because if and when you present this teaching to others, you need to know that pointless disputes are waiting in the shadows.

It’s About Connecting The Dots...

While I don’t teach my students to enter into pointless debates and disputes. I do think it is vitally important for you to have all the facts. (Which is why there is so much detial in these posts).

Never Forget…

Every jot and title of the Word that we consume makes us stronger, untouchable, undefeated, and invincible.

It’s the lack of knowledge that makes us fragile, vulnerable and weak.

That being said, the questions that arise over which tribe led the children of Israel out of Egypt – (as points of contention)we do need to know or have an understanding of who was placed at the head of the camp and why.

Knowledge, Wisdom and Understanding of the scriptures is our strength. While some prefer disputes and may advocate confusion or consider these details trivial, I remind us all that, all scripture is profitable….(2 Tim 3:16).

We are not learning for our own self gratification….It may start there.. but it’s not just about us!

When the teachers and leaders in the ministry tire of the details, we leave the people open to attack and absolutely defenseless. The people have questions, and we need to be ready to provide as many infallible proofs as possible, through scripture itself, of what the Word has revealed. So that, they can decide for themselves what they believe and why?

In order to evaluate matters like this, we can apply some biblical reasoning to our questions.

How the children of Israel marched out of Egypt, the route they took, the nations they passed along the way, who attacked, who did not, how the attack came, how they defended themselves, each piece of information is critically important to how we prevent, protect and defend ourselves spiritually to this very day.

What they lived out physically and spiritually, we live out both spiritually and physically. (Notice how I phrased that).

CONTINUED N PART 3

Posts Included in This Series on Prayer:

Strengthening the Weak Hands is a Priority: Isaiah 35:3-5, Job 4:3-4, Zeph 3:16, Heb 12:12

Scripture in the Public Domain provided by Biblegateway.com KJV

Photos by:

  • Olivia Snow, Praying Hands Folded on Lap
    All of the above photo’s compliments of UNSPLASH.COM

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog All Rights Reserved.

Disclosure: I am of the belief that any and all teachings on scripture, especially those on prayer should receive prayer before passing them along to others. For this reason, I encourage everyone who reviews these teachings to saturate each one in prayer before sharing, distributing or reproducing them in any fashion.

Anything that we hope to learn and accomplish through the Word of GOD must be born out of a spirit of prayer.

Prayer is the root of all our spiritual training. Study without prayer is futile. GOD ask that we meditate on His Word day and night, because without a dedicated personal prayer life, we can do very little for GOD and Man.

May GOD always send you a confirming word so that you will know that these words are true.

GOD Bless You Always,

Students/Subscribers have permission to print and share this information provided you do not use any of the teachings for profit or monetary gain of any kind. Please do not alter the material in any way. These conditions are subject to the additional term of giving full credit to torahisteaching.blog or Rev. S. Madison. Just send me an email to advise of your use of this material: torahbythesea@gmail.com Thank You.

STRENGTHEN THE WEAK HANDS….Part 1

RELATED ARTICLES:

Exodus chapter 17 offers us, what I consider to be one of the best teachings I have ever had on the need for every believer to strengthen their hands.

Strengthening the weak hands, is about becoming strong in faith, and knowing where the weak link lies in getting us there.

There are so many teachings in the scripture that reinforce the principles we have the opportunity to learn in the Book of Exodus, and the Book of Mark is one of those teachings.

This teaching seeks to connect the dots from a completely different angle that normal.

I trust you will see things all come together when we cover Exodus 17 at a later date. For now, let’s begin with the messages both Job and Isaiah wrote admonishing us to keep our hands strong. Then we will look at a applicable of these principles in the Book of Mark, chapter 5.

Isaiah 35:3-5

Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.

4 Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God with a recompence; he will come and save you.

5 Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.

Amen.

Job 4:3-4

3 Behold, thou hast instructed many,
and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
Thy words have upholden him that was falling,
and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.

Some topics are uncomfortable. This one is uncomfortable for me.

This message bothers me a little bit. What bothers me is that I want to add a little honey or sugar to the message, but I have none to offer. So, here are the hard cold facts.

Everybody can’t go with you into the battle to fight for the lives of the saints. You have to know who can go and who can not.

I didn’t want to say it that way, but I’m pressed for time and I need to deliver this message. So, please forgive me if I stated that in an indelicate manner.

Nevertheless, please allow me to repeat that again in another way.

There are times in ministry when you have to discern and separate yourself from those in the ministry, that are not “qualified” to follow with you into certain aspects of your ministry assignments.

So, GOD in His Wisdom, left us this very important message through Paul…

1 Thessalonians 5:12 “And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the LORD, and admonish you”

That being said, everyone in the ministry is valuable and serves in their unique purpose and capacity, and we love that about them. However, we need to know who we are working with, in order to make good choices that benefit the souls we are responsible to care for.

In the Book of Mark chapter 5, the teaching we received regarding Jairus’s daughter is an excellent way to illustrate this point, along with many other valuable lessons that we can benefit from in the caring of souls.

I have highlighted in bold, a few key words we can look at that will allow us to pull a little honey out of the rock!

That being said, let’s dive right in!

The Book of Mark 5:21-43

21 And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea. 22 And, behold, there cometh one of the rulers of the synagogue, Jairus (One Giving Light, He Enlightens) by name; and when he saw him, he fell at his feet,

  • Jairus is taken from the Hebrew Word, ‘or’ meaning to be or become light, to give light, to shine. It has the same pronunciation as the English word, ‘or’.
    • ‘or’ is written with three letters; aleph( א ) – vav ( ו ) – resh ( ר )
  • “one of the rulers of the synagogue”, tells us that he worked in the Temple as an administrator. Jairus is an official appointed to manage the building, it’s contents and/or to make arrangements for the services (Luke 4:20), and were responsible for supervising the worship (Acts 13:15).
  • ruler of the synagogue; ‘ar-khee-soon-ag’-o-gos’ (G752) is used only 9x in scripture.

Which of the “rulers of the synagogue” do you think Jairus was?

  • Jairus could have been “one of the rulers of the synagogue” who became angry with Jesus in Luke 13:14 because He healed the crippled woman on the Sabbath, or he could have been, just one among the rulers of the synagogue, who believed Jesus and sought his help. You decide.

23 and besought him greatly, saying, My little daughter lieth at the point of death: I pray thee, come and lay thy hands on her, that she may be healed; and she shall live. 24 And Jesus went with him; and much people followed him, and thronged him.

  • healed = sozo pronounced: sode-zo (G4982) to heal, save, rescue,
    • to rescue from destruction and bring into divine safety
    • sozo is the root word for savior, deliverer (G4990)
    • appears 108x in scripture
  • live = zao pronounced: dzah-o (G2198) I live, am alive, to live , to experience the gift of life
    • spoken in connection to living waters, living bread, living in Christ, living GOD, Son of the living GOD, man shall not live by bread alone, those who hear shall live… etc
    • appears 141x in scripture
      • 1st appearance is in Matt 4:4, “Man shall not live by bread alone”
      • 2nd appearance is Matt 9:18, (Mark 5:23)
      • 3rd appearance is in Matt 16:16, “Son of the Living GOD”
      • 12th appearance is in Luke 10:28, “Do this and thou shalt live” (Parable of the Good Samaritan)

However, before they can reach his home…

25 And a certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, 26 and had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, 27 when she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, and touched his garment. 28 For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. 29 And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague. 30 And Jesus, immediately knowing in himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

The words above that are being translated as garment/clothes is the Greek word haimoni, which is defined in the concordance as outer garment, mantle.

Being that Jesus is a Jewish Rabbi, we must be mindful that he did not wear Roman clothing. The outer garment/mantle referred to as ‘clothes’, is a prayer shawl.

The prayer shawl of the Rabbi is their hiding place, a prayer closet of sorts that is solely dedicated to prayer and contemplation.

The prayer shawl is worn as an outer garment. It has tzit-tzit (fringes/tassels) around the borders/edges that hang below the thigh level. There are 613 tassels on the prayer shawl, one as a reminder for every commandment.

Once we stop reading and processing clothes, we can begin processing the knowledge and significance of tzit-tzit, and the prayer shawl, which contains the WORD, the Commandments and the Name of GOD, weaved in to the very cloth He was wearing.

When the certain woman touched the hem (fringes) of His prayer shawl, she had the faith to believe that she would connect with the anointing in His garments… she would be saturated in every prayer, every ounce of worship, and every Word of GOD.

She could connect with the power of GOD, like touching a piece of Heaven.

31 And his disciples said unto him, Thou seest the multitude thronging thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me? 32 And he looked round about to see her that had done this thing. 33 But the woman fearing and trembling, knowing what was done in her, came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. 34 And he said unto her, Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague.

Imagine the level of sensitivity that Jesus had, to notice a touch to that degree. Haptomai (G680), means a touch that has the power to influence.

Haptomai is used 36x in scripture. It is specific to what happens when one touches, or is touched by GOD, by any means, i.e., hand, cloth or spittle, and the anointing is transferred.

35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

Jairus arrives with Jesus and the disciples, but instead of giving GOD the praise and being in high expectation of a miracle, “there came certain ones of them” that behave like “those” that spied out the land and brought a reproach upon the land by their unbelief.

If we see GOD coming, shouldn’t our first thought be, “Thank You Jesus!”, knowing that help has arrived and I don’t have to wait on one more thing!

I honestly believe that I would be so ecstatic, knowing that everything is going to be alright!

But that is not the response some of the people had.

35 While he yet spake, there came from the ruler of the synagogue’s house certain which said, Thy daughter is dead: why troublest thou the Master any further?

In addition, before we can conclude with this verse, we need to see something else. There are 7 different words for ‘dead’ in the Greek New Testament. They do not have the same level of meaning.

  • Your daughter is a-poth-nace-ko (G599) is like saying that her spirit is separating from her body; I am dying, I am about to die. I AM NOT DEAD YET!
  • A few things are happening here. Jesus says she is sleeping (verse 39). Yet, here in verse 35, we have someone(s) eager to pronounce her dead.
    • Have you met that person? Always ready to pronounce doom and destruction? In some cases they say they are walking with Christ, but at the same time, they agree with every evil report? That’s Not Good.

So, here is the hard thing that we all have to know, understand and live with…

Note to Self: When it is time for serious intercession by which we intervene on a high spiritual level, there are some people that do not have the faith to believe. They are expecting death, when you are praying for life, and life abundantly.

When the crisis comes, you need people standing with you that are full of faith, not the ones waiting to run and tell you more bad news, or worse, misinformation.

  • These are not the people qualified to go into the room to pray for Talitha.

36 As soon as Jesus heard the word that was spoken, he saith unto the ruler of the synagogue, Be not afraid, only believe.

  • pisteuo = pist-yoo-o (G4100) faith in the Word, that is grounded in trust,
    • There are 2 different words for ‘faith’ in the New Testament. pisteuo (faith) and oligopistos (little faith, or of no confidence).
  • As soon as Jesus heard his ‘faithless’ words…
    • Jesus reassures the ruler of the synagogue...so that his faith does not fail. Jesus wants him to listen to Him, not to the ones that have no faith.
    • Keep your eyes and your ears, on the Word of GOD.

Faith… You either have it or you don’t. There is no middle way here.

  • pisteuo: to believe, entrust. some people have a form of faith, but do not completely trust GOD. With pisteuo, faith and trust are two sides of the same coin. There is not one without the other. We can’t just believe GOD, we have to trust Him.

Heb 4:2 “For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.

  • Some teach that this level of faith is a gift, that has to be given by GOD. I don’t disagree, because I know it to be very unique. But, I also believe that this is a level faith that you can elevate to by placing a demand on Heaven, as well as yourself.
  • The WORD has to be mixed with faith…the emet kind of faith.

Who Can You Take Into The Battle?

In the natural, some of us know what it is to have a friend that would go with you into the gates of hell, no questions asked. The friend who will fight your battle likes it’s theirs. Some of us have never known that kind of friend. That type of friend is a ‘gift‘.

GOD operates with His servants in ‘pisteou’, this higher level of faith. He believes in us more than we believe in ourselves. He will not only go out to war for us, He will go out ahead of us.

I am speaking of going beyond what I call, The Webster’s Dictionary Kind of Faith, and into pisteuo, is a supernatural kind of faith. Let’s call it the Greek equivalent of the Hebrew, emet (ee-met), which is faith and trust interwoven.

I hope that each of you can relate to the kind of friend I spoke of earlier. The one who is, “closer than a brother?” The friend that has your back, even when you don’t have your own back.

They are extremely rare… God Bless them all.

Pisteuo, is what GOD offers us.

It’s also what He is looking for… in us.

Pisteuo, is greater than what our friends can even offer us. I know our friends are great, but as awesome as they are, there is a supernatural level of faith, that exist between the believer and GOD.

Do you remember when a great storm cam up when Jesus and the disciples were aboard the ship? Reference: Matthew 8:23-27.

“And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.”

The phrase, “O ye of little faith”… in Greek is said, “o-lee-go- peice-stoes.”

The first time we hear words of this nature is in the Hebrew Scriptures, Deut 32:20

“And he said, I will hide my face from them, I will see what their end shall be: for they are a very froward generation, children in whom is no faith.” (low ay-moon)

Faith must be in our mouth (Psalms 5:9, 40:10, Habukkuk 2:4, Matt 8:9-10 )

If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say… Matt 17:20 

You Cannot take the Faithless in to the Fight, or even into the next room where you need the miracle to happen.

I’m introducing the Greek word ‘pisteuo’ to you as the kind of faith equivalent to ‘aman’ Certain people (verse 35) are not operating with pisteuo. They are focused on the natural. Even though they are praying (verse 38-39) they have not broken through to the supernatural level of faith.

Jesus had to look Jairus straight in the eye, and refocus his attention on faith.

It’s the kind of faith that knows understanding will come. Pisteuo says, “I don’t have to have all the facts before I can stand with you in complete agreement.” It’s the kind of believer that says, “I have GOD’s back”

Who is Able to Stand with GOD for the Miracle…

37 And he suffered no man to follow him, save Peter, and James, and John the brother of James.

When the crisis comes... only those operating with“pisteuo” can come with you, and you need to know who that is beforehand.

CAN YOU FLOW WITH THE ANOINTING?

Peter, James and John were equally yoked, in the sense that they could flow in the anointing with Jesus… they could fight the wars of GOD and not miss one beat. They could flow with the anointing!

Everybody is not qualified for the Mission Field.

  • When you have a work to do for GOD, leave the weak in faith behind…Do Not
    Take Them With You
    , leave them in the outer court… for now
    • Do you remember when Paul and Barnabas had a slight little ‘falling out’. Paul did not want to take John Mark with him on the mission field, because John Mark could not take the pressure. (a lesson for another day, Acts 15:22-41).
    • They could mess up the miracle… He took only the 3 disciples and her parents; those that have the strength to believe, invested in the outcome.
  • Don’t mess up the miracle…
    • Jesus did not call them out on their weak faith, He did not make a spectacle or make anyone feel bad, (The Holy Spirit is a Gentleman) He just knew who to take with Him for the miracle. The Spirit of GOD operates with love at all times.
      • pride, unkindness, ego, a haughty spirit… they can mess up the miracle. Because GOD rejects the proud (James 4:6).

Everybody is not qualified for the Mission Field.

There is a great deal of opinions about the reasons why Paul refused to take John Mark onto another mission field. You have to decide what you think about the matter.

Is it possible that some people are just not ready for the kind of mission you are assigned to?

38 And he cometh to the house of the ruler of the synagogue, and seeth the tumult, and them that wept and wailed greatly.

39 And when he was come in, he saith unto them, Why make ye this ado, and weep? the damsel is not dead, but sleepeth. 40 And they laughed him to scorn. But when he had put them all out, he taketh the father and the mother of the damsel, and them that were with him, and entereth in where the damsel was lying.

How did they switch up so fast from weaping and wailing to laughter? Were they really praying in the fist place? Are they there, just curious to see what happens?

The Crisis Will Come… Who Can Stand with You in Prayer?

Jesus is showing us something very important here. Do Not Take That Kind of Spirit with you into pray for someone, when the crisis comes.

41 And he took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.

  • hand(s) are very important in scripture. In this verse we tend to think about how precious it was that Jesus took her hand into his. There is more that we need to understand from this verse than, “Jesus held her hand, how sweet!”
  • Hand (G5495) in scripture means, the instrument a person uses to accomplish their purpose (intention, plan).
  • Could it be that Jesus is strengthening the weak hands? (Ref: Exodus 17)
  • Talitha cumi; Young girl or Little girl, arise
    • kum in Hebrew means to ‘arise’, to come up to a higher level.
    • talitha has more of a connotation of little lamb, a term of endearment. (taleh in Hebrew means lamb).
      • the priest wore fringes around their ends of their garments (prayer shawl), called tallith. a cloth/covering of light.

Strengthening the Weak Hands…

Jesus was calling her into her purpose! The hands are a symbol of strength in the torah. Look at the 1st appearance of ‘hand’ in the Book of Matthew (3:2,12).

  • 2 and saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
  • 12 whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.
    • the 1st appearance is a signal of time
    • the 2nd appearance is for purpose, to separate the wheat from the chaff.

Genesis 3: 22 And the Lord God said, Behold, the man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for ever.

In Hebrew ‘yad’ means hand. spelled yod ( י ) dalet ( ד )

  • Humanity ‘took’ what they ‘saw’ once before. It wasn’t theirs to ‘take’. What they took was set aside for GOD, meaning that it belonged to GOD. GOD only asked that 1 thing remained His, out of all of creation.
  • Not being satisfied with the abundance of everything else, they took what they saw, knowing it was not theirs for the taking.
  • This is a completely different lesson, and we will come back around to it…for now understand that the 1st use of hand in the scripture is revealing to us, that “In the beginning” man put forth his hand to take from GOD.

However, When Messiach came, He put forth His hand to restore.

42 And straightway the damsel arose, and walked; for she was of the age of twelve years. And they were astonished with a great astonishment.

  • The Supernatural Significance of 12 in the Scripture:
    • Note the connection to the 12 years infirmity of the woman with the issue of blood.
    • Talitha is 12 years old, 1 year before being at the age of maturity. Technically, to die before the age of 13 is to die, free of sin. It is at 13+ that one is now accountable for their sins.
      • Both their lives are being perfected in this moment, they shall live and not die.
    • 12 is the number of governmental perfection/governmental foundation, governmental rule. 12 Patriarchs, 12 Sons of Jacob, 12 Tribes, 12 Judges,
    • 12 Anointings; 5 Priests and 7 Kings
    • 12 disciples, 12 Gates of the New Jerusalem, 12 Months in the Year, Jesus is 12 when he taught in the Temple during Passover, 12 spies sent to spy out the land, etc.
    • 12 symbolizes GOD’s power and authority.
  • 12 has to do with the Rule and Authority of GOD in all of its uses in scripture.

GOD’s Power, Rule and Authority over life and death is being demonstrated here. In Matt 4:17, He announces that, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” We are seeing just that in Mark’s message. !

43 And he charged them straitly that no man should know it; and commanded that something should be given her to eat.

Who Will Hazard their Lives with You for the Anointing?

When You’re on assignment for GOD, is everyone on the same page? Are their those who are troubling the Pastor with words?, troubling the mission with words? contentious, argumentative, laughing when they should be praying? unfocused, worried? operating in fear and doubt?

Are they all over the place?

When it’s time to fight the Wars of GOD, who can you walk into that hospital room with, that has the same supernatural form of faith that you have?

Who can you call and say, a tornado is down the block and around the corner, and the next sound you hear out of their mouth is prayer?

When you need immediate help in a situation that you can not control, all you have to do is send a text saying, “pray” and they will not waste time trying to call you back, or five other people, to see what’s going on…they just stop, drop and pray?

Connecting the Dots:

Notice that Jairus name is symbolic of Light, He Enlightens. His name identifies him as a man of faith.

He has a daughter whose name is synonymous with the tallith, the prayer shawl. Our hands are our weapons of war. Lack of Prayer = Weak Hands.

The LORD has a tendancy to identify people in scripture, by their destiny and not by their difficulty. Could it be Jesus is telling us more than her name here? Couldn’t it be that He is identifying her spiritual condition?

Is He simply saying, “Little One Arise?” or is He saying, “Arise, Little One, like the lamb of GOD you are!, “Arise, and put your prayer shawl on!”

Kum, (arise) does not merely mean, stand up. It means to arise into a higher place, spiritually. Talitha is tallith with a hei at the end. You will recall I taught you earlier that the letter hei (h) at the end of a Hebrew word communicates arising into a higher level.

Before Jesus even arrives at her house, a woman touches the hem of his garment…His tallith, His prayer shawl.

We have always heard that the virtue ran through Him and healed the woman who was plagued with the issue of blood, for 12 years. Now He comes to the house of Light (Jairus’ house), whose 12 year old daughter is near death.

Jesus covers he with all of the virtue in His tallith.

Jesus is covering her in prayer and calling her to arise, by the power of His tallith.

Jesus is calling her into her purpose, not just holding her hand through the crisis. Talitha Arise!

She does not get to die today, she has a purpose and a destiny connected to the power of prophetic prayer.

STRENGTHEN THE WEAK HANDS…

Let’s be Strong in Faith! We can hold someone’s hand in a crisis, or… we can take their hand and call them into their destiny!

Not only can you not take the wrong person with you on your spiritual assignment, but ask yourself, “Am I up to the task?”

“How strong is my faith?” “Where does my faith end, and GOD begin?”

At the end of our faith, we should find the salvation of souls, especially our own!

“Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:9

AGREEMENT is one of the most powerful weapons you could eve have in prayer. Jesus took 3 proven disciples and the parents only, because these were all of the same spirit.

Who are you equally yoked with in prayer?

If no one, Ask GOD to send you someone, whose faith is even greater than yours!

Who will get up and pray with you at 3AM, because you need prayer? If you can’t think of anyone, ask GOD for a prayer partner.

Is there a higher level than this? YES. This is when you learn that you can ask GOD to wake someone up to pray, and He does.

If we operate as Kings and Priests in the earth, then we will call those things that be not as though they were!

We do not need the scorners and the mockers to agree, or those standing around faking like they are in prayer, while they pronounce death over the entire situation, as if there is no hope for us in GOD.

We leave every John Mark behind us, and go forth and speak life.

Arise Talitha, put on your prayer shawl and arise….we have work to do!

SUMMARY

I am introducing a lot of concepts in this message. Please re-read it numerous times, until you can read the verses under study and consider all of this material as you read this portion of scripture.

There is a great deal of cultural, historical, and contextual language information that I am giving you, and I hope you go over it, search out each verse and embrace what the Word is teaching us here in this segment of scripture.

It is vital that we learn to discern who we are laboring with, and what to do in such critical situations as the one that Jairus was facing.

Jairus was fighting for the life of his daughter. I believe that this teaching applies to the way in which we have to learn to fight for our dreams as well. There are times when our dreams are near unto death as well.

Posts Included in This Series on Prayer:

Strengthening the Weak Hands is a Priority: Zeph 3:16, Heb 12:12

Scripture in the Public Domain provided by Biblegateway.com KJV

Photos by:

  • Candied Hearts photo by Laura Ockell-Zaobpee
    Restricted Area photo by Kelli McClintock
  • Open Door photo, single chair in room by Alessandra Onisor
  • Open Door with Fire burning by Pavan Trikutam
  • Open Door in Mountain – Cover photo by Joshua Sortino
    • All of the above photo’s compliments of UNSPLASH.COM

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog All Rights Reserved.

Disclosure: I am of the belief that any and all teachings on scripture, especially those on prayer should receive prayer before passing them along to others. For this reason, I encourage everyone who reviews these teachings to saturate each one in prayer before sharing, distributing or reproducing them in any fashion.

Anything that we hope to learn and accomplish through the Word of GOD must be born out of a spirit of prayer.

Prayer is the root of all our spiritual training. Study without prayer is futile. GOD ask that we meditate on His Word day and night, because without a dedicated personal prayer life, we can do very little for GOD and Man.

May GOD always send you a confirming word so that you will know that these words are true.

GOD Bless You Always,

Students/Subscribers have permission to print and share this information provided you do not use any of the teachings for profit or monetary gain of any kind. Please do not alter the material in any way. These conditions are subject to the additional term of giving full credit to torahisteaching.blog or Rev. S. Madison. Just send me an email to advise of your use of this material: torahbythesea@gmail.com Thank You.

Do This in Remembrance of Me…

“Blow up the trumpet in the new moon (Rosh Chodesh),
in the time appointed (mo’ed, my appointment with You),

on our solemn feast day (Rosh Hashannah).
For this was a statute for Israel (All the Children of GOD),
and a law of the GOD of Jacob.” Psalm 81:3-4

Do you remember when Jesus said to the world..

“…because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John 20:29

I know Jesus said this to Thomas, but we also know He was speaking to the world… Us!

I want to dedicate this message today to the people in the 50 countries that have viewed this blog. Because of time constraints, while I love to provide multiple scriptural proofs for what I am teaching and saying, there are several scriptural proofs that I have not included.

In many ways, “You have not seen, and yet have believed!” That puts you in a completely different category. Amen!

However, I want to show you a few things that GOD said, that some of you already took by faith. ‘Cause I just cannot resist showing you how awesome You are!

The Prophets, Solomon, Haggai and David Prepared Us For Elul…

Lamentations 3:40

“Let us test and examine our ways, and return to the Lord!”

Haggai 1:5

“Now therefore thus saith the Lord of hosts; Consider your ways.”

Psalm 119:59

59  “I thought on my ways, and turned my feet unto thy testimonies..”

The Apostles Prepared Us For Elul…

The Many Infallible Proofs of the Purpose in Elul from the Apostles…Matthew, Paul, James and John. (The Apostles taught us to search our own hearts)

Matthew 7:3-5

  • And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?
  • Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye?
  • Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.

Galatians 6:3-4

  • For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.
  • But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another.

1 Corinthians 11:28

28 “But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup.”

2 Corinthians 13:5

“Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates?”

James 5:16

16 “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.”

1 John 1:8-9

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

A while ago, I told you a little story that I always tend to share with my classes during the Supernatural Seasons of GOD. Do you Remember it?

It was the story about a person who meets their soul mate and knows it. But their soul mate is from another country.

I told you about the effort the person will spend to get to know them. How we stay up all night on the phone talking… How we go to places we would have never gone before, because they are interesting to them… or special to them… I reminded you of how we put in the effort to learn every little thing, how important it is to know their favorite color, their favorite foods, their birthday, their favorite holidays, etc., etc., etc.

Do you remember that special love affair, in learning everything about them?

If you have ever shared in this experience, then we each have attended some special event, even if we never heard of it before, or would have never attended before… We do this because of our love for our own special someone… Someone of Value

Shed A Little More Light…

GOD, the Lover of our Soul, is Our Someone of Value today, and everyday. But especially on His Holy Days, that He devoted to us, and set aside for us, to bless us.

SO With the Doors Open and the Fire Lit, We Proclaim His Holy Days!

Because I Am…

It’s our way of saying, I heard, and I obeyed because I Love You! Even though I’m not Jewish, that’s not the point. Your Word is “An All-Inclusive Testament” that covers me, because I am the Seed of Abraham.

So, we have prepared all month, cleaning out our mental, emotional and spiritual closets… desiring to have everything in our hearts and souls all fresh and clean.

We’ve prepared every chamber of our heart for Him to inhabit. There is no place in our hearts that He can’t go.

You know that room that we close off to company, so that they can’t go in?

Well, during Elul, we made sure that GOD had an all access pass into our heart and soul.

Now, we can’t wait for GOD to inhabit our praises, right?

We Have Been Expecting You!

The House is immaculate and we are just plain giddy awaiting His arrival on Rosh Hashanna, just a few hours away!

Below is a link to the Candle lighting Times for anywhere you are in the world today!. Set your alarm on your phone…Light a cancel to Welcome in the Presence of GOD in faith, for Your Divine ‘moed’…

It’s time for Your Divine Appointment with GOD. You are declaring with the rest of the believing world, in unity, (with one heart, one mind, and one body) that GOD is Our One GOD!

We have been expecting you.

I think we all understand that we have atonement through the death and resurrection of Christ, I believe that the beauty in this is that we never forget the time He prepared in advance for us..

Special time just for You and Him…his and we acknowledge His gifts of His Life, Sacrifice, Atonement and Resurrection by living out GOD’s Commandment to Forever, throughout our generations acknowledge His Feast.

So we keep our Divine Appointment for His New Year, and shed a Little More Light

We’ve prepared every chamber of our heart for Him to inhabit. There is no place in our hearts that He can’t go.

What If I Did Not Spend The Time in Elul As I should Have?

God is Good! and Nothing is Impossible with GOD!

One Day, I will write a post about all the second chances I can think of that GOD has given His People. As His Child, just go boldly before the Throne and ask for another 29 days to search out your own heart. I have absolutely no doubt that the time is yours if you ask for it.

God is Good and His Mercy Endureth Forever!

Besides, can you even imagine GOD saying…Don’t spend more time with Me?

Amen.

Posts Included in This Series on Prayer for Elul:

Scripture in the Public Domain provided by Biblegateway.com KJV

Photos by:

  • Candied Hearts photo by Laura Ockell-Zaobpee
    Restricted Area photo by Kelli McClintock
  • Open Door photo, single chair in room by Alessandra Onisor
  • Open Door with Fire burning by Pavan Trikutam
  • Open Door in Mountain – Cover photo by Joshua Sortino
    • All of the above photo’s compliments of UNSPLASH.COM

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog All Rights Reserved.

Disclosure: I am of the belief that any and all teachings on scripture, especially those on prayer should receive prayer before passing them along to others. For this reason, I encourage everyone who reviews these teachings to saturate each one in prayer before sharing, distributing or reproducing them in any fashion.

Anything that we hope to learn and accomplish through the Word of GOD must be born out of a spirit of prayer.

Prayer is the root of all our spiritual training. Study without prayer is futile. GOD ask that we meditate on His Word day and night, because without a dedicated personal prayer life, we can do very little for GOD and Man.

May GOD always send you a confirming word so that you will know that these words are true.

GOD Bless You Always,

Students/Subscribers have permission to print and share this information provided you do not use any of the teachings for profit or monetary gain of any kind. Please do not alter the material in any way. These conditions are subject to the additional term of giving full credit to torahisteaching.blog or Rev. S. Madison. Just send me an email to advise of your use of this material: torahbythesea@gmail.com Thank You.

ELUL, Something of Value

You Are Worth the Fight…

Especially the fight that is waged internally… the internal struggles and spiritual battles that each one of us has to fight for our destiny. 💜

Everything that I want to show you about the WORD of GOD is extremely difficult to teach in the times of trouble… because the stress and pain that comes against us during difficult times, makes it even harder than normal for us to hear the WORD of GOD.

The pain is too loud in our ears and the strong teachings in the Word of GOD may sound like a rebuke, or even worse, they can sound like baseless and empty platitudes to a person facing a crisis.

So I pray constantly, that I am reaching you in a time of peace, so that your hearing is not emotionally compromised.

So, if by chance, I shake you with the WORD, please know that everything in me is writing to you with love.

WE HAVE TO STUDY IN TIMES OF PEACE

We study in times of peace to ensure that we have enough WORD in us to withstand [and fight] “in the evil day” (Eph 6:13).

We have to be able to withstand attack and stand against our impulse to run, (mostly from ourselves).

In the Book of Revelation 2:18-29, the Church of Thyratira is mentioned as one of the 7 Churches that Jesus specifically spoke to. The Churches represent “a type” of believer.

To obtain a deeper understanding of the scripture and the message we have to look a little deeper to understand that Jesus was not just talking about a place. When the audience of the 1st century heard mention of Thyratira they connected a few facts, just like we would today if I just called out a location today, for instance, “New York”.

Simply by saying ‘New York’, you would immediately have a sense of context. In the first century, saying “Thyratira” would provide context for the rest of the message.

SO LET’S PLACE THYRATIRA INTO IT’S PROPER Cultural CONTEXT

Thyratira was such a city. A city without walls. Thyratira was considered one of the unimportant cities. It was not connected to any major Greek trade routes. History tells us that it was a commercial center, filled with many trade guilds, but never rose to the level of a sprawling metropolis.

Christians were prohibited from participating in any of the trade guilds (comprised of coppersmiths and dyers), by the early church. The guilds at that time, were known to be comprised of people that belonged to various cults.

Thyratira is filled with commerce, cults corruption and christians. It is a unprotected city, already open to “every wind of doctrine”, with a fledgling church trying to take root at it’s center. (This sounds very similar to the situation some of us can find ourselves in today).

For all intents and purposes, Thyratira has no rule over it’s own spirit, as a city. No borders, no protection, it’s completely vulnerable. This is the atmosphere that the early church is trying to grow up in.

But scripture warned us about this type of spiritual condition and situation in advance.

He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down,   and without walls.Prov. 25:28

In ancient days, a city without walls was one open to anyone and everyone, at anytime.

While that MIGHT sound great on the surface, it’s extremely dangerous as well.

Normally, cities were constructed with walls in order to defend against enemy attack, providing borders and boundaries as a means of protection.

Cities without walls were vulnerable to invasion by raiders from any and every province that desired what the city held to offer.

The Church in Thyratira was so easily invaded by Jezebel, because it was like a city without walls. Spiritually, they were open to everything, entertaining everything, surrounded by everything, trying to operate in the things of GOD, but tolerating evil in their midst.

Not just tolerating evil, but succumbing to it.

It is possible, that because of their surrounding culture, they felt they could have one foot in and one foot out. As if, a little double-mindedness was alright.

Thyratira had a lot going for it. They were doing a lot of things right (verse 19).

But, they took their eyes off of GOD and lost their focus. As a result, they were headed into a storm and not out of one.

THEY NEEDED TO REBUILD THE WALLS

As a Church, in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation they had no control over building the physical walls of the city.

But they had total and absolute control over building up and maintaining the Spiritual walls we need to strengthen our spirit, so that we can resist Jezebel and her tactics to seduce us mentally, spiritually and physically.

2 Chronicles 14:6-7, not only confirms this point, but we should notice that King Solomon (author of the Book of Chronicles) points out that King Asa takes advantage of their time at rest, in order to rebuild the walls, during a time of peace.

“And he built fenced cities in Judah: for the land had rest, and he had no war in those years; because the Lord had given him rest.”

The ultimate objective of torah, in my experience, is to get us to the point that we are able to filter all of our problems, complications and situations, through GOD’s WORD, so that we do not react impulsively, with anger or out of frustration.

In times of peace, like Elul, we take the time to build ourselves up spiritually through setting ourselves before GOD at an intensified level, together as a community of faith.

In this way, our strength is multiplied.

Instead of emotionally reacting we ask ourselves a few questions first, like…

” Where am I, right now, on the pages of Scripture?” or

“Where is this situation on the pages of Scripture?, WHO FOUGHT THIS KIND OF BATTLE” or

” Who, in scripture, got the victory over this ridiculous situation that I am in?”

…and “What do I need to do to fix it, and What do I need to speak to this mountain, in order to move it?”

We speak retroactively saying, “I’m under attack” or “I’m being attacked”, but the question that I am posing to you today is three fold.

  • How are you responding during the attack?
  • Do you have enough scripture in you to see where you are on the pages of scripture?
  • Are you applying the biblical example/response that GOD provided on the pages of scripture to your situation?
  • Are you disciplined enough in the spirit to control your own tongue?
    • to control you own actions?
    • to control your own thoughts?
    • to be still and wait on the LORD to move on your behalf?

The Goal is to Control Ourselves, Not Others

If you take the time to ask yourself any of those questions during the “attack”, you will diffuse the situation ‘within yourself‘ enough, to see the situation for what it truly is…a way to pull you out of the spirit and into the flesh.

Don’t Be Pulled Out Of the Spirit

If we are pulled out of the spirit, then our flesh responds to the situation, instead of our spirit, and we get a flesh bound result.

More importantly, the prophetic anointing is unable to flow freely, when we are in the flesh.

(Our Spirit has more wisdom than our flesh. The difficulty we face, is in over-ruling our flesh, and allowing our Spirit to have a seat and a voice at the table).

If we subdue our flesh, and allow our spirit to respond to the situation, instead of our flesh, then we operate within the anointing, and obtain an anointed result.

Here’s the issue: Do you know when you are in the flesh vs. when you are walking in the anointing? Can you tell the difference?

If not, then you have to practice knowing/learning the difference in the little things, before you can move forward with the bigger issues. Self discipline, is the only way I know that you can learn to distinquish between the two.

REMINDER: Being impulsive, stubborn, easily provoked, easily manipulated, rebellious, willful, arrogant, etc. etc. unteachable… will never allow your spirit to rule over your flesh.

Studying the WORD of GOD is the best way I know, to learn how to master your own spirit.

We need wisdom… GOD in His Word is our best assurance against being manipulated by another, for their own personal agenda. It is through study of the WORD that you build up a resistance to the “wiles of the enemy”.

While there are plenty of enemies to go around, there are times when we can be our own worst enemy. We need to know the difference.

Since the inception of this blog, all paths of study have been leading to encouraging you to obtain a consecrated, dedicated prayer life. Prayer is your strongest weapon. You may have heard that all of your natural born life… “cause it’s true.”

What Feeds Your Flesh?

Prayer doesn’t. Meditating on the Word of GOD doesn’t. Operating in Love doesn’t. Kindness doesn’t. Obedience to GOD doesn’t…

Prayer, and doing what doesn’t feed your flesh, puts you spiritually in control.

Be Spiritually in Control of the Situation…

While the world desires to be Physically in Control of every situation, the People of GOD are being trained up by the WORD of GOD, to be SPIRITUALLY in Control.

Application of the WORD of GOD will put us in a position to have SPIRITUAL Control, which is far more powerful than physical control.

Physical control has its earth bound limitations. The only limitations that stand to interfere with your Spiritual Control, is your own level of faith, and resisting the temptations that come against your own flesh.

THE PART WE DO NOT WANT TO HEAR…

Unlimited Faith equals Unlimited Spiritual Control.

Many of us believe that we are operating with unlimited faith. That’s a GOOD THING.

What we need now, is for our unlimited faith to elevate us into a state of unlimited spiritual control.

ASKING THE TOUGH QUESTIONS…

But, what if I do have faith, and things are not working in my favor? That’s a GOOD Question.

“I have a consecrated, dedicated, full strength prayer life, and I am not seeing anything change for the better, are you saying I’m the problem?”

“It’s never GOD’s fault, it’s always me?

Here are the tough answers that are hard to hear…

Sometimes, no is no. But, I do not get a lot of “No’s”, and that is what I want to impart to you in these teachings, about the Word of GOD.

The past 42 posts have been primarily about prayer. They have also been about character correction and character formation, the staples of a consecrated lifestyle.

These entire posts for the Month of Elul, have been about encouraging you to conduct the search of your own heart, to judge yourself, that you not be judged… How did you do?


Did you clean out your closets? Are you still having arguments in your head with someone, about something, that you just can’t let go? Are there people that you just have not forgiven? Forgiveness is just too good for them?

I have had to negotiate a few peace treaties in my own mind. So many issues have built up over this year alone, that I am sure we each had to wrestle with, spirit, mind, soul and body.

Suffice it to say, there have been some hard places.

What I can share with you is that, unforgiveness will keep every one of those hard places bound to you, for another year, minimum.

It all depends on you, whether or not you will forgive and repent.

GOD instructed the Priesthood, not to touch any dead thing… so it would be wise not to carry the dead thing around with you for another year, right?

If you just read that statement

…I wrote above and the thought crossed your mind, “I am not a part of the Priesthood”, then that is a serious part of the problem right there.

Everyone, who loves GOD, says that they want to follow GOD, or desires to follow GOD, becomes a part of the Priesthood.

GOD is not raising you up to be a lifelong disciple. He is raising you up so that you can be sent, out!

Your purpose is not to sit in the pew for 120 years.

You are being raised up to take your Holy positions as Prophet, Priest and King.

The Priestly anointing is the glue that binds the Prophetic and Kingship together. If we are going to covet something good, covet the power of a priestly anointing.

The priestly anointing doesn’t appear to be as highly pursued as the others. It requires a great deal of self discipline, dying to self, obedience, dedication, faithfulness, sacrifice, patience, listening, kindness, submittedness, yieldedness, etc. etc.

The priestly anointing is a lot of work and absolutely no glamour. But it is your priestly anointing that carries the potential to elevate you beyond measure.

It is the priestly anointing that will help you rise to the full measure and stature of Christ Jesus.

Esau refused the garments of priesthood. He lusted after Kingship, but not to do GOD’s Work, he just wanted to rule the world. He had no prophetic anointing of his own, he depended upon the power of his father’s prophetic prayers in order to thrive..

David accepted the garments of the priesthood, because he excelled in humility. He never lusted after kingship, becasue he was humble. He accepted kingship in order to do the will of GOD. David did not need to depend on the prophetic prayers of others in order to survive. He had his own relationship with GOD in prayer. Evidenced by his prayers rooted and grounded in humility.

David is anointed, Prophet, Priest and King.

Jesus is anointed Prophet, Priest and King.

We are His fruit. His perfect will, is for you to do, “greater works than these…”

Are You Willing to Do The Greater Works?

Do you really want the greater works? Do you want to speak into the earth in His Name, as a king? Do you want to flow in the gifts of the prophetic as He desired that you do?

Will You Accept the Priestly Anointing?

I would see you reign in the prophetic, wield authority in the heavenly’s as king, and possess power and authority in the priestly anointing.

People will disappoint you, that’s a given. Actually, it can’t even be helped, because we are all fragile and vulnerable.

But people, can also surprise and delight you! That’s a given, which also can’t be helped.

You never really know which will happen first or what sequence of events will occur.

But they are both to our benefit because they both have the ability to make us stronger.

I hope you spent Elul in prayer. I hope that the anointing over this season transforms your life, because you humbled yourself to pray, and seek GOD’s Face. I pray that you fought for your place and position in the anointing!

The fight this month has been about you and only you. GOD is fighting for you!

Your soul matters, it is something of value. Your soul is the most precious possession that you share with GOD.

Notice, that I specifically stated that, ” it is the most precious possession that you share with GOD”, not that you own it. Because it does not belong to you.

That particular soul, that you are carrying around, The Lover of Your Soul, GOD, wants it to return to Him, as his personal possession.

Your soul contains evidence of your existence, evidence of who you are, and who you became in Honor of GOD’s Name. Your soul is evidence of GOD, evidence of Love, evidence of Truth, evidence of the Spirit of GOD, evidence of the Messiah, evidence of who you are to HIM.

Everyone wants proof that GOD exist…

You Are The Evidence GOD Sent into the world. You bear witness to His Word, by the Word of your testimony.

You Are Something of Value.

This post was revised after publication to clearly address my reference to the Book of Revelation, and my reference to a city without walls, Thyratira.

If you read this post earlier today, please accept my apologies for reposting…I just had to make certain to the best of my ability to be as clear and accurate as possible for you.

GOD Bless You,

May you leave this Month of Elul, refreshed, energized and ready to embrace your calling as Prophet, Priest and King! this New Year, Rosh Hashanna 5780.

Amen.