There are multiple synonyms for the Word of God including:
the Bible, Cannon, Scripture, Manuscripts, Sword of the Spirit, Fire, Hammer, Manna, Truth, Bread of life, Love Letter, Two Edged Sword, Book of Life, Torah, Pentateuch, Tanakh, etc.
One synonym not in the above list is a
Plumb line!
594 strongs#
אֲנָ֑ךְ a plumb line
anak: to plummet
Original Word: אֲנָךְ Part of Speech: Noun Masculine Transliteration:anak Phonetic Spelling: an-awk’
This was given in a vision to Amos.
amos עָמ֔וֹס amows
Strongs#5986
In the 7th chapter of Amos, He sees 5 things in visions:
1st. Locusts or grasshoppers destroying the crops and land. 7:2 When the locusts finished eating the vegetation of the land, I said, “Lord God, please forgive! … So the Lord relented…
When Amos prayed the Lord relented.
2nd Fire destroying the land. 4 The Lord God showed me this: The Lord God was calling for a judgment by fire. It consumed the great deep and devoured the land. 5 Then I said, “Lord God, please stop! …“This too shall not be,” said the Lord God.
When Amos prayed the Lord relented again.
3rd. Amos saw a plumb line in Gods’ hands…
7 Thus He showed me: Behold, the Lord stood on a wall made with a plumb line, with a plumb line in His hand. And the Lord said to me,
“Amos, what do you see?”
And I said, “A plumb line.”
and this time Amos did not pray.
4th A Basket of Summer Fruit
This is what my Lord Adonai has shown me: See, there was a basket of summer fruit. 2 He said: “Amos, what do you see?” “A basket of summer fruit,”
In the fourth vision, the Lord is showing that His people Israel, are ripe for judgment. Amos denounces the oppression and greed of the chieftains in vers. 4-10, and warns them that those who despise the Word of God shall some day suffer from a famine of that Word.
The word for
summer fruit
is
קַיִץ qayits.
This word is used to describe the harvest.
There is an interesting play on the words,
qaits is the Hebrew for summer fruit,
andqêts is Hebrew for end.
It is harvest time, the end of the agricultural year.
This fruit was the last harvest in Israel. When it was gathered, the farming cycle came to an end and as it was observed it gave the picture/idea of completeness. The picture, and the word expressing it, come together; the fruit-gathering, קיץ/qayits, like harvesting crops, was called from cutting, so also the word, end, cutting off, in קץ qêts.
At harvest-time there is no more to be done for that crop; whether it is good or bad, it has reached its end, and is cut down.
Summer fruit – kayitz
Prophetically, this basket depicts
the imminent time of judgment
because
the fruit is ready now for picking.
The whole cycle of our Fathers’ dealings with His children is completed. His mercies, instructions, chastizings, corrections, visitations, warnings and revelations, were completed and Israel is ripe like the harvest for the final judgment, one that will sweep down like a scythe.
5th Amos saw the Lord standing beside the altar.
The Lord stands beside the Holy altar of worship and Amos speaks the terrible judgment of the Lord upon His covenant people.
I saw the Lord standing beside the altar, and He said,
“Strike the doorposts, that the thresholds may shake,
And break them on the heads of them all.
I will slay the last of them with the sword.
He who flees from them shall not get away,
And he who escapes from them shall not be delivered.
“Though they dig into hell,
From there My hand shall take them;
Though they climb up to heaven,
From there I will bring them down;
The word of the LORD – Amos 9:2 NKJV
Israel had broken covenant and the words of the Lord that followed, reveal a terrible judgment and the death of His people of promise.
In Amos 7:7-9 we are given a picture of Israels spiritual state at that time. Amos was a seer or some say prophet. He saw things by way of God’s Spirit, he literally saw into the spiritual realm, in visions. Many of the prophets were simply given words to speak as we often read “the word of the lord came unto”… But others like Ezekiel and Elisha saw into the hidden realms of what was either actually happening, or what was about to take place.
In this instance with Amos in 1:1 it was given to him 2 years before the earthquake for a warning to the people to repent and change their ways! In verses 10-17 Amatzyah, the priest at Bethel, was a priest serving at the false altar built there at Beit El; who thought that the Northern Kingdom was in the right. The visions continued almost as though the priest Amatzyah at Bethel had had a change of heart following Amos’ appearance, and had stopped persecuting him.
Turn back a few pages to Amos 3:7..
7 “For the Lord God does nothing. without revealing his secret to His servants the prophets.
Our Heavenly Father will always give warnings of what He is about to do; and tells us by way of prophecy before He does anything.
10 Amaziah the priest of Bethel sent word to King Jeroboam of Israel, saying,
“Amos has conspired against you right here in the house of Israel. The land cannot endure all his words…
12 Then Amaziah said to Amos, “Go away, you seer!
Amos responds to the priest with the anointing of the Lord in his calling.
“I was no prophet…, But I was a sheep-breeder.
The five signs build in intensity and importance…
for this post we will focus on the 3rd vision Amos had.
“The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in His hand. 8 And the Lord said to me, Amos, what do you see? And I said, A plumb line. Then said the Lord, Behold, I am setting a plumb line as a standard in the midst of My people Israel. I will not pass by and spare them any more [the door of mercy is shut]. 9 And the [idolatrous] high places of Isaac (Israel) shall be desolate and the sanctuaries of Israel shall be laid waste, and I will rise with the sword against the house of King Jeroboam [who set up the golden calf shrines].[AMP]
What is a plumb line?
The plumb line
is used symbolically outside of Scripture for:
a divine, objective, and reliable standard of moral uprightness, justice, and truth.
The plumb line metaphors used in these contexts for a divine, objective, and reliable standard for truth, justice, and morality are compatible with the symbolic use of the plumb line in Scripture.
The idiom
plumb the depths
is derived from nautical usage; note the significance as we dig deeper into the Word:
Used to prevent a ship from running aground or to determine depth for dropping an anchor, seamen would sometimes lower a lead weight attached to a rope until it hit sea bottom. The rope was then retracted, and the wet portion measured to determine the depth of the water.
From this practice came the idiom, plumbing the depths, which means: to explore or examine something intensely to find the answer.
No matter whether the tool is a plumb line or a bubble level, the conceptual imagery of level and plumb is still the same – specifically, aligning ourselves to the divine, unseen laws of the universe.
Water follows the same gravitational laws that align the plumb line. For example, the liquid in a cup of or bowl will remain level even when placed on an un-level surface, leaving and oval shape of liquid below the rim of the container. The early Egyptians used hollowed out boards filled with water to check if something was level. It was only a matter of time, before a more useful instrument utilizing the leveling abilities of water was invented. That instrument is the bubble level, also called spirit level. (An interesting name as we are speaking of spiritual things!) Since the invention of the bubble level in the 17th Century, it has more or less replaced the plumb line for most plumbing and leveling needs. With further technological advancements, the bubble level is beginning to be replaced by the digital and laser levels, however even these levels are still dependent on the leveling properties of water/liquid to calculate their readings.
Plumb lines work because of the law of gravity. In every location in the world, gravity pulls objects toward the center of the earth. This law ensures that the plumb line will hang perfectly vertical anywhere on earth, allowing it to be a dependable standard for construction. Because the plumb line responds consistently to gravity, it serves as an objective, universal, and reliable absolute to which builders and carpenters can align their structures.Further, because gravity is an unseen force and the plumb line is always true, it’s very obvious why the plumb line became a symbol for a divine standard of morality, justice, and truth.
What is it used for?
A plumb line is a metal weight on the end of a string which is used to determine if a wall being constructed is vertical, straight, or not! Our Heavenly Father holds this measure against Israel, to see if they are straight against His standards.
Isn’t it true that we sometimes have the audacity to put a plumb line up to our Father telling Him that He doesn’t measure up to our expectations? That’s bad enough, but it is even worse when He puts a plumb line to us. Why? Because we all fall short of His glory.
If someone were to try to build a wall without a plumb line, the wall would probably move off the vertical to some degree and then it would not have sufficient structural integrity!
In this text, God is speaking through the prophet Amos about the condition of the corporate heart of His people Israel. The word wall in the Old Testament is often described as the human heart. The Lord now seems to stand upon this wall/Heart and He measures it; it appears to be a bulging wall that is bowing out. The structure and the house of Israel will fall!
Firstly, the plumb line is used in construction.
Secondly, the plumb line is used for testing what is built.
And, thirdly, it appears from the text that the plumb line is used in the work of destruction, for the casting down of that which is found not to be straight.
Israel was put to the test of God’s plumb line, and failed.
They failed to build correctly and what they built failed the test. What they had built, now had to be removed, so that a better one could be constructed. In the context of that failure, the rumbles of the approaching Assyrian horses hoofs could be heard!
Here again, the plumb line symbolizes God’s word!
God’s word is always straight, perfect and pure!
God’s word represents total soundness and integrity!
V 7-9 by a wall made with a plumb line.
If a building is not built true to a plumb or a spirit level that is absolutely straight up and down it will not stand for long.
If a Spirit level was placed against our life today, how upright and in line with the building blocks of chaim/life are we? The plumb line is a metaphor to show how off kilter the building was, in this case Israel.
Eph. 2:21 in whom each several building, fitly framed together, groweth into a holy temple in the Lord;
Fitly framed together – The word used here means:
to joint together,
as a carpenter does the frame-work of a building.
The materials are accurately and carefully united by mortises and tenons joints, so that the building will be firm and stable.
We are to understand that this building is inclusive of all the saints, and people of God; of the whole ecclesia/church, which is God’s building; and is a building of a spiritual nature, and will abide for ever.
The translators actually use three words in the English
to parallel the three words in the Greek.
Fitly framed together.
The first one is sun, which means together with.
The second one is harmos which means joint.
Joined together with.
And the third logeo, which is the verb of logos, which has the idea to arrange in order.
This could be like an arrangement of music or an arrangement of a sentence. However it’s to put something in order, and it’s a picture of what our Heavenly Father is doing to us, not something that we’re doing to ourselves. He is placing in the church and joining together with and fitly framing. It’s the idea of harmoniously fitting together, in a tight cohesiveness.
7:8 I am going to put out a plumb line among my people ..I will never again overlook their offenses.
He saw it as the standard of truth that it is, as the standard for vertical against which all structures would be judged as true. Just as the gravity, (electro-magnetivity), causes a plumb-line to hang perfectly and only vertical, is one of the most indisputable, consistent, physical forces known to mankind.This same powerful force holds the planets of our solar system in their orbits, just as the eternal character of our Heavenly Father is the force behind the standard of His word. His word is the standard against which, all spiritual buildings are compared, and it is the very means by which He builds a spiritual building.
His Word is the plumb-line He uses, to build a plumb spiritual wall. However, it is only seen as a plumb-line in relation to the wall, so in order for Amos to see the plumb-line, the Lord held it up next to the wall.
Amos sees the Lord standing by a wall built true to plumb (vertical), and the wall is built true to plumb because the Lord built the wall using the plumb-line that He held in His hand. The wall symbolizes God’s remnant people, that wall of living stones that He is building up into a holy habitation for Himself. It also speaks of the walls that surround Jerusalem that have been broken down, and that He is restoring.
Just as Amos looked at God’s Word and saw a plumb-line next to a wall, so the standard of God’s Word will only be revealed as the only standard of plumb; as it is seen in relation to His people, the Holy remnant. God is going to hold His Word up to His people and say look, the wall (heart) matches the plumb-line –
My people match My Word!
Only in relation to His people can anyone truly see the standard of His Word, for when the church at large views the Word of God, they don’t see it as a plumb-line, but as a list of concepts tied to the weight of Biblical authority. They can overlook or twist much in order to fit their concepts of God and spiritual things, pulling it down to the level of their own personal experience. However, when the Word of God is held up next to those who have been built according to its’ standard, suddenly, all else is shown to be crooked. In relation to God’s people who are becoming the Word of God, both the true standard contained in His word is revealed, and so is the spiritual poverty of the church’s religion and traditions.
This was revealed in many of the children of Israel not having, ‘eyes to see and ears to hear’, when Messiah came. However, one day soon they will have the blinders removed from off their eyes and see Him who they pierced, when the times of the gentiles are fulfilled.
InRomans 11Paul makes a compelling statement which he refers to as a mystery; that a partial hardening has happened until “the fullness of the Gentiles has come in” (Romans 11:25, ESV). The context helps us understand the meaning of the partial hardening and what the fullness of the Gentiles is.
While there are believing Jews and Gentiles, Paul explains that the nation of Israel as a whole has not yet received her Messiah;(Romans 10:18—11:10), but one day they will be saved through believing in their Messiah. The fullness of the Gentiles in Romans 11:25 reminds us of God’s worldwide focus; with the proclamation of the gospel of salvation. Also the chronology with the times of the Gentiles not yet complete. One day, the fullness of the Gentiles will be complete, and God will deliver the nation of Israel. Anyone who might have doubts about God’s faithfulness in keeping His promises, can consider these passages as important reminders that God has a detailed plan that He is fulfilling patiently and carefully.
In the meantime, Paul explains that there is a partial hardening of the nation and that many will refuse the Messiah, until the fullness of the Gentiles occurs. Israel’s hardening will continue until the divinely set number of Gentiles He has planned are saved: “Some of the people of Israel have hard hearts, but this will last only until the full number of Gentiles comes to Christ” (Romans 11:25, NLT).
God is building a spiritual building. He is rebuilding the walls that have been broken down since the standard set through the Apostles and Prophets of old. When that wall is completed, He is going to hold His holy and unchangeable Word up to His glorious remnant church, and His people will meet the standard of His word. He is then going to set the plumb-line in the midst of His people Israel and He is going to show for all of heaven, hell, and earth to see that she does not match up to the standard of His Word. This also applies to all believers in that He will show the poverty and the error of a people who believed a lie about themselves, seeing themselves as rich and increased with goods, and in need of nothing, when in fact the plumb line standard will show them to be wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. Revelation 3:17.
God said, “Behold, I will set a plumb-line in the midst of my people Israel; I will not again pass by them any more…”God is going to build His remnant people up until they match the standard of His Word, and He is then going to hold His Word up next to them to show that they match up. His people will then show His Word to be the standard by which God will measure His people, and He will then set the standard up against Israel and no longer spare them.
What a terrible revelation when the religious church sees her true condition for the first time, that which God has tried so many times to show her and see for the first time see what His remnant church has had to face so many times. Because His remnant church admitted her true condition that she wasn’t built plumb, the line could be used to build her and the Word of God was free to do its’ intended work.Not so with Israel as Amos saw, because she refused to admit her true condition, and now comes the horrific revelation that she’s not a part of that spiritual building at all and only after it’s too late. For her, the plumb line will no longer be used to build her but to show the shame of her condition. He will spare her no longer but will set His word in her midst for judgment as the Lord comes to her with the plumb-line in his hand.
iIs there a plumb line of the universe?…
and if so what would it be?
Is the plumb line of the universe the sound,
the frequency of Holiness?
Holy Holy Holy!
In Revelation 4:8 we read,
“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty.”
The one with all power, all authority, and all might is holy.
In Isaiah 6 notice the same refrain,
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts” or “Lord of armies.”
Psalm 99 and Romans 8:19 also tie together these two concepts of holiness and power.
The Lord is coming to His people – all of His people. He will draw near to His people, but as He says inMal. 3:5speaking of those for whom it is too late,“Then I will draw near to you for judgment…” The Lord told us years ago that He is coming to every church, that He knows which ones will open the door to Him when He knocks. For some He will come for blessing, and for some He will come for Judgment – the people will decide which it will be.
He is coming with His plumb-line in His hand.
This is exactly what a plumb-line is for, to make the work straight, or to test existing work and to see if it is standing true. It’s mostly used by builders, bricklayers, who want a finished wall to be properly constructed, to be standing totally straight.
Despite the simplicity of its’ appearance, it’s just a piece of string with a weight on the end, the plumb-line is an important safety device.
A wall that is off the true vertical plane, will be a danger to those who use the building, for it would be seriously weaken the structure and it would be in danger of collapse.
In the book of Amos, God shows the prophet that He is setting a plumb-line to:
test the faithfulness of his people.
He speaks to the prophet and asks him what he sees, and what he sees is a familiar sight.
A wall, with the Lord standing beside the wall, holding a plumb-line against that wall, and declaring that the wall is ‘off-plumb.’
God declares that the wall is His people, and that because the wall has failed the test, falling well short of what it should be, it must be removed, and a new wall built.
Our situation is far worse, we have what happened to Israel, as an example for us, so we could avoid their mistakes and yet, incredibly, we are indulging in that same rebellious immorality that Isaiah warned against:
To the works of sin, as of holiness, there is a beginning, then a progress, and a completion; a sowing of wild oats, as commonly said, and a fullness of wickedness; a maturity of people’s own plans and a maturity for destruction, in the sight of God. There was no more to be done, heavenly influences can only injure the ripened sinner, as dew, rain, sun, but the ripened fruit was Israel and she was ripe for destruction.
Isa 5:18 Woe to those who draw [calamity] with cords of iniquity and falsehood, who bring punishment to themselves with a cart rope of wickedness, 19 Who say, Let [the Holy One] make haste and speed His [prophesied] vengeance, that we may see it; and let the purpose of the Holy One of Israel draw near and come, that we may know it! 20 Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! 21 Woe to those who are wise in their own eyes and prudent and shrewd in their own sight! . . . .
24 Therefore, as the tongue of fire devours the stubble, and as the dry grass sinks down in the flame, so their root shall be like rottenness and their blossom shall go up like fine dust—because they have rejected and cast away the law and the teaching of the Lord of hosts and have not believed but have treated scornfully and have despised the word of the Holy One of Israel.25 Therefore is the anger of the Lord kindled against His people, and He has stretched forth His hand against them and has smitten them. And the mountains trembled, and their dead bodies were like dung and sweepings in the midst of the streets. For all this, His anger is not turned away, but His hand is still stretched out [in judgment].26 And He will lift up a signal to call together a hostile people from afar [to execute His judgment on Judea], and will hiss for them from the end of the earth [as bees are hissed from their hives], and behold, they shall come with speed, swiftly! [AMP]
We have but one hope: So, now, let us think, and let it be us that trembles before the only begotten Son of the Father, who bears the humble but so very revealing plumb-line in His resurrected, nail-pierced hand.
GOD Bears long, but HE Will Not Bear always with a provoking people.
God measures-up modern people too and we too fall far short. Measured against the law, we are very far away from the perfect, upright, righteous, moral beings we need to be in order to be admitted to fellowship with a God who is Holy and completely perfect in every respect. 1 John 1:5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth. That’s because we are sinners and every bit as rebellious as the Israelites of Amos’s day. Like them, there is nothing for us but judgment and justice, receiving what we deserve from God, judgement and eternal punishment. However there is HOPE…….
God took His plumb line and measured-up His own Son Jesus.
There was only one man who ever completely kept the law and God’s standards to the full; only one who when the plumb-line test was applied, was perfectly accurate in righteousness, and that One was Messiah Jesus/Yeshua. In fact, God said to him, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Matthew 3:17. And having declared the perfection of His own Son, God delivered Him up for us, at the cross, to take our sin and our punishment upon Himself, so that God’s perfect justice would be fulfilled in Him.
The plumb line is defined as justice and righteousness.
Isaiah 28:16-17
Romans 8:32 He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?
Galatians 3:10 For all who rely on works of the law are under a curse; for it is written, “Cursed be everyone who does not abide by all things written in the Book of the Law, and do them.” 11Now it is evident that no one is justified before God by the law, for “The righteous shall live by faith.” 12But the law is not of faith, rather “The one who does them shall live by them.” 13Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us—for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who is hanged on a tree”— 14so that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.
What should be our response to the plumb-line?
Realizing our own sinfulness, knowing that when our Heavenly Father measures us against His perfect standards, that we would fall short, and be under the curse of the law; being condemned by our own sins to be cast away from His presence for ever. And seeing clearly, through Holy Spirit’s work that Messiah/Christ has died for sinners, to take the punishment that they deserve, we respond, by repenting of our sins, and putting our trust in Him as our saviour.
To summarize:The plumb line symbolizes God’s Word!
God’s Word is always straight, perfect and pure!
God’s Word represents total soundness and integrity!
The wall in Greek means ’heart.’
Could God be watching men’s hearts? Of course He is!
Remember, every person will give an account to the plumb line!
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. In this you have done foolishly; therefore from now on you shall have wars.”
King Asa decided to trust in a perverted ‘Plumb Line!’
Hebrews 4: 12-13 For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. 13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account.
A plumb line is ALWAYS perfect, it doesn’t matter how you hold it.
Only Adonai the Lord, our Heavenly Father and Messiah Jesus/Yeshua are perfect.
And Holiness is the key.
The people that Amos was told to send a message to, had turned away from God, their hearts had become crooked. We can use God’s Word, the Bible, as our plumb line, however Messiah is also like our plumb line showing us what is good and right?
Say this out loud so you can hear it...
I don’t want to miss my season
and the time of my visitation.
There are:
signs in the heavens and famine of the word
8:9-11
and all who say disaster will not overtake us will die
9:10
prepare to meet thy god if you have not repented
4:12
if you seek Me you will survive twice!
5:4&6
v 14 seek good
He asks us today
Did you repent when you heard the Word of the Lord?
And did you bow down when the Lord showed you mercy?
This simple tool can help us understand whether what we have built is true, accurately straight and plumb, accurately vertical.
Matthew 24: Is a plumb line of judgment being held to us, to our civilization even as we read?
Because the time will come, when those who have been spared often, shall be spared no longer. However the Lord still calls Israel His people, which they are; and we are the grafted in gentile believers, furthermore …He is still calling today…
We need to show Repentance and Humility – to turn away form ALL that is not of His Kingdom – then when the judgment of the Lord comes, and when we cry out for mercy, forgiveness and the cleansing of His precious Blood….He hears and applies that Blood to our lives.
In truth, it would seem that holiness
is the plumb line of our Heavenly Fathers universe?
Now we know what Amos saw….
Shalom shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
You are loved, appreciated and prayed for..
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen
We are able to search the internet using digital ‘search engines’ to find out details on whatever subject we want..
Many times all we ever hear is
“I looked it up using a search engine on our web browser..”
…and there are several well known names we use.
These AI (artificial intelligences) answers to our search, are so immediate that we have come to prefer this instant answer, instead of asking the Lord and waiting patiently for His Holy Spirit to tell us; or by taking the time to research for ourselves in the Bible and Dictionaries or Thesaurus. We need to be aware of not allowing a popular search engine and the internet to be our source of supply instead of or in preference to our Heavenly Father.
We are to Search/Zarah
or Seek
the Lord with all our hearts
….and He will direct our paths.
Prov.3:5,6 & Deut.4:29
We are to Seek for Him while He may be found.
6 Seek the LORD while He may be found;
call on Him while He is near Is 55:6
However there is a Psalm where David states that
the Lord
searches
out our path.
Psalm 139:3 You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
Below are various translations where some say search, others say discern, comprehend, know and compassest.
ESV: You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Psalm 139:3,
Psalm 139 :3, NIV: You discern my going out and my lying down; you are familiar with all my ways. Psalm 139:3,
KJV: Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
Berean Standard Bible You search out my path and my lying down; You are aware of all my ways.
English Revised Version Thou searchest out my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
King James Bible Thou compassest my path and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.
A Hebrew word for SEARCH is ZARAH 2219
verb
זָרָה
zaw-raw
scrutinize, spread, scatter, winnow
Almost every modern English translation of the Bible will have a different rendering for the word search – zarah.
Some others are:
Living Bible: sees me
Aramaic Bible: know my ways
Holman Bible: observes me
International standard version: scrutinize my life.
King James version: compassest me
ESV: search me
Douay Reams Bible: understood me
New English translation: observes me
And NIV: discerns me
In all these different renderings, not one is wrong or better than another, and it could be that our Heavenly Father is showing us the rich meaning and depth of His Word. Through these words His Spirit reveals to us a greater understanding of the message He wants to impart to us. So in this case there is not a translation that is incorrect.
The Hebrew word comes from a primitive root:zuwr; to toss about; by implication, to diffuse, winnow — cast away, compass, disperse, fan, scatter (away), spread, strew, winnow.
Recall that every letter of a Hebrew word has its’ own meaning and pictograph. Each letter is a word and here the word zarah is spelled:
zayin resh hei.
זָרָה
The zayin זָ represents and looks like a sword which cut something open to expose the inner layers.
The resh רָ is bent over to the left some of the ancient Hebrew sages tell us that it is a sign of humility or shame.
The letter hei/hey ה is the third letter which represents the presence of God.
When God cuts through us and reveals what is inside of us it brings us to shame and humility in His presence…..However He does not leave us there…it’s a process.
Here the meanings: scrutinize, spread, scatter, winnow, carefully investigate; remind us of Messiahs words that were describing the divide and sift that was to come for His disciples in order to test their faith.
Just as Messiah Jesus/Yeshua said to Simon in Luke.
Simon, Simon, behold, Satan has demanded permission to sift you like wheat; but I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail; and you, when once you have turned again, strengthen your brothers. Luke 22:31-32 (NASB)
The Greek word which is translated as
demanded actually has the idea of a request.
satan has desired to sift you ALL…
WHY is this necessary?…
it is for us to see what is in us.
Messiah/Jesus said
the devil comes and finds nothing in me.
The key word in the phrase he has nothing in Me is nothing. The English word nothing is the correct translation of the Greek which is ou oudeis.
The word ou means not
and oudeis means no one, none or nothing.
When the Greek word ou is combined with oudeis,
nothing becomes emphatic.
The Greek phrase is a Hebrew idiom which has the legal sense of no claim.
Therefore, Messiah was simply saying that Satan had
no legal claim on Him.
In what sense does Satan have no legal claim on Messiah?
The answer is that Satan has no authority, claim or control over Messiah Jesus/Yeshua in any way, but he does have control over the world systems, kingdoms and non-believers.
There are two important points to help us understand what Satan controls.
The first point is that during the temptation of Messiah by the devil, he reveals that he has authority over the kingdoms of the world Luke 4:5-6. Notice that the devil states all of the kingdoms of the world were handed over to me.
And he led Him up and showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said to Him, “I will give You all this domain and its glory; for it has been handed over to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.” Luke 4:5-6 (NASB)
These verses help us understand that the devil not only owns the kingdoms of the world, but he controls them as well. Luke 4:5-6.
The second point is that in John 8:43-44 we read that non-Christians, (those who do not accept and believe that Jesus/Yeshua was and is the only begotten Son of the Living God and died in our place;) are under the control of the devil and have the same desires as the devil.
Why do you not understand what I am saying? It is because you cannot hear My word. You are of your father the devil, and you want to do the desires of your father. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth because there is no truth in him. John 8:43-44 (NASB)
The Greek word translated as of in the phrase
of your father the devil is the Greek word ekin.
It means out.
This means the Pharisees were like the devil, out of, being of that seed.
1 John 3:10 also reveals that we belong to either Christ or the devil.
By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious: anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. 1 John 3:10 (NASB)
The verse tells us every man and woman either belongs to God or belongs to the devil. Those who practice sin belong to the devil. The verses before and after verse 10 make this clear, non-Christians belong to Satan and he has control of them because they are not Christians. Scripture states that the devil is the god of this age, the ruler of this world, and the prince of the power of the air.
We know that we are of God, and that the whole world lies in the power of the evil one. 1 John 5:19 (NASB)
In contrast 1 John 5:18 tells us that Christians cannot be touched or controlled by Satan.
We know that no one who is born of God sins; but He who was born of God keeps him, and the evil one does not touch him. 1 John 5:18 (NASB)
Therefore, since Messiah/Christ was God and sinless, Satan could not control Him.
Satan had no legal claim on Him.
This is why Messiah said, . . . he has nothing in Me… and when satan tempted Him in the wilderness, he was not successful: Matthew 4:1-11; Mark 1:12-13; Luke 4:1-13. Messiah/Christ was without sin Hebrews 4:15.
Can we say the same…
What will be exposed
when we are sifted and scrutinized
by His Spirit of Holiness?
Who will withstand the time of shaking?
What will the light expose in us?
Once our Heavenly Father has opened us up and revealed all the shameful things in our lives; He does not leave us in that state, He cleans up our lives so they are worthy to carry His indwelling presence. He is going to pursue us until we are willing to let Him open us and cleanse us, so that He can abide/live inside of us and we can become what He created us to be in the first place.
He will zarah/search us in our lying down.
The word for lying down is rava’ . רָבַע
raba: to lie stretched out, lie down
(recall the letters b and v are interchangeable.)
Original Word: רָבַע Part of Speech:Verb Transliteration:raba Phonetic Spelling:raw-bah’ Definition:to lie stretched out, lie down
In all modern ways of understanding today, our Heavenly Father is watching us even in our most private moments. He is there looking for anything that may hinder the fullness of His presence in our lives. When He finds it, He pursues us until we confess only pure motives and honest intentions of our hearts towards Him. He searches foranything that could prevent Him from being all He longs to be in our lives. He observes the fruit of our lives, our actions and what is reproduced, then He prunes us so that we will bear even more fruit.
Is He really that intrusive /interested in our lives, watching and observing our paths and even our most Intimate moments?
Original Word:סָכַן Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:cakan Phonetic Spelling:saw-kan’ …acquaint self, be advantage, ever, be, unprofitable, treasurer. A primitive root; to be familiar with; by implication, to minister to, be serviceable to, be customary — acquaint (self), be advantage, X ever, (be, (un-))profit(-able), treasurer, be wont.
have I ever shewn the habit of doing thus to thee? hence shew harmony with (עִם) one Job 22:21, be familiar with, know intimately (subject ׳י) Psalm 139:3 (with accusative דְּרָכַי).
The word katan seems to have its origins in an ancient Phoenician word developed from: examining a wound to determine how to care for it.
It is a diagnostic search or a familiarizing. When used in a hiphal form it gives the picture of: God is not observing all our ways to make notes and assign grades for our performance; but to determine and understand the best way to correct and heal whatever wounds have been left as He fills us with His presence.
Like David there are no doubt many things in our lives we are ashamed of. Even though God has forgiven us we still have scars that remind us of our past sins and even some open wounds still remain that must be healed.
Maybe David is saying here that our Heavenly Father searches usout, even in our most intimate moments, to clean us up and forgive every single sin, no matter how secret and hidden we think it is. This is so He can enter our lives and fill us with His presence, His Spirit of Holiness.
There is another Hebrew word for
search – chaqar
resh quph chet
which also means:
to investigate,
examine thoroughly in order to expose a weakness.
Weaknesses can be in the form of old unhealed wounds and spiritual scars.
It is not only that He will search us, but He will also closely examine all of our wounds to determine the best treatment to heal them; so we can rest totally in His presence without the hindrance of guilt and shame. When we are running from God, resisting His searching gaze, it is often because we really don’t want to be cleaned up. We like our secret sins and we are comfortable with our wounds, preferring to live and walk as a casualty, with a victim mentality.
However, because our Father loves us and does not want to lose us, He will keep chasing after us until we allow Him to catch up with us and until we surrender; then He can clean us up and heal all our wounds. There are those rooms in our ‘house’ that need a deep, spiritual spring-cleaning. Attics, basements, cupboards and closets full of memories and hurts; those corners of our hearts and minds that we have closed off for too long.
It is only when we truly surrender and stop running, that we will discover the freedom giving joy of His presence. A relationship that is unhindered by sin, guilt and shame is one that allows true loving intimacy, the spiritual connection with our Creator Father, that of katan with Him.
Today…it’s time to stop running and hiding from Him, we often stay too busy to take the time we need to be in His presence.
We need Him, and we must seek His face/presence and only then we will find Him. If we truly want to walk with Him, it is critical to lay down self. Nothing less than total submission, a repentant heart and allowing Him to search us, will bring true humility and openness spiritually; which precedes the personal revival, restoration, maturity and Holiness of His called-apart-ecclesia.
Today it’s is time to answer the question for our own life….
Who is Searching For Who?
Shalom shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
You are loved, appreciated and prayed for
… and…
it’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen
There are many references to birds all through the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. They are part of our Heavenly Fathers creation and He feeds them.
Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Matthew 6:26
These were Jesus/Yeshuas’ own words which are of great encouragement to us.
Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.
Matt 10:29-31
There are also many English idioms using birds.
Our idiom
It’s for the birds.
Means: Worthless, useless, not to be taken seriously, no good.
This phrase often describes something that is only acceptable to people who are less intelligent or more gullible than oneself.
So why are these particular birds used by the Psalmist?
What is he trying to convey, and how does it apply to believers today?
In these 2 verses he mentions
a pelican or vulture, an owl and a sparrow.
We know from 2Tim. 3:16 that …
All Scripture is God-breathed [given by divine inspiration] and is profitable for instruction, for conviction [of sin], for correction [of error and restoration to obedience], for training in righteousness [learning to live in conformity to God’s will, both publicly and privately—behaving honorably with personal integrity and moral courage]; so that the man of God may be complete and proficient, outfitted and thoroughly equipped for every good work.
…He is trying to tell us something and it’s not to be taken lightly; it’s our Fathers’ Word to us on how to live the life of a believer and disciple. It is never worthless or useless because it is the Way, the Truth and the Life.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness –
A bird in the midst of desolation becomes a striking image of loneliness and distress.
The word rendered “pelican” –
קאת qâ’ath –
6893 qaath:קָאַת
Original Word:קָאַת Part of Speech:Noun Feminine Transliteration:qaath Phonetic Spelling: kaw-ath’
The Hebrew name of this bird is generally understood to mean “the vomiter” (From the Hebrew qohʼ, “to vomit”). And is supposed to have been a name given to the pelican from the idea of regurgitating, as it brings up the shells and other substances which it has swallowed too quickly.
The translators of the Greek Septuagint and Latin Vulgate versions identified the Hebrew word with the “pelican.”
It is a solitary and mournful bird, as also is the owl.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness: I am like an owl of the desert.
Always mourning in solitude and casting out fearful cries.
I am like a pelican of the wilderness,…. It may be so called, to distinguish it from another of the same name that lives on the waters; which has the name of “pelican” in Greek; however, it seems to be a bird of solitude, and the Psalmist compares himself to it.
According to references, it is an Egyptian bird, that inhabits the desert of the river Nile, this is where the name of Canopus Aegyptus comes from.
As to the Pelican.Leviticus 11:18. Some scholars say: “It has been objected that the pelican is a water-bird, and cannot, therefore, be the kâath of the Scriptures—“the pelican of the wilderness”—as it must of necessity starve in the desert; but a midbar (wilderness) is often used to denote a wide open space, cultivated or uncultivated, and is not to be restricted to barren spots destitute of water; moreover, as a matter of fact, the pelican after filling its huge pouch with fish, molluscs, etc., often retires to places far inland, where it consumes what it has captured. It breeds on the great sandy wastes near the mouths of the Danube. The expression ‘pelican in the wilderness,’ in the psalmist’s imagery, is a true picture of the bird as it sits in apparently melancholy mood with its bill resting on its breast.
Isaiah 34:11; Zephaniah 2:13, 14.
The Bible encyclopedia gives this insight on the Scriptures: “When the pelican is gorged with food, it often flies away to a lonely place, where it takes a melancholy attitude.”
He compares himself to solitude-loving birds which haunt desolate places and ruins, uttering weird and mournful cries. Isaiah 34:11; Zephaniah 2:14 (A.V. cormorant).
One observer recalls,
“this was certainly the most sombre, austere bird I ever saw….
It gave one the blues merely to look at it. David could find no more expressive type of solitude and melancholy by which to illustrate his own sad state. It seemed as large as a half-grown donkey, and when fairly settled on its stout legs, it looked like one. The pelican is never seen but in these unfrequented solitudes, and to this agree all the references to it in the Bible.”
(Heb. kaath , sometimes translated “cormorant,” as ( Isaiah 34:11 ; Zephaniah 2:14 ) though in the margin correctly rendered “pelican”), a voracious waterbird, found most abundantly in tropical regions. It is equal to the swan in size. It has a flat bill fifteen inches long, and the female has under the bill a pouch capable of great distention. It is capacious enough to hold fish sufficient for the dinner of half a dozen men.
The young are fed from this pouch, which is emptied of the food by pressing the pouch against the breast. The pelicans bill has a crimson tip, and the contrast of this red tip against the white breast probably gave rise to the tradition that the bird tore her own breast to feed her young with her blood. The flesh of the pelican was forbidden to the Jews. Leviticus 11:18 .
The pelican is one of the largest of the flying birds, attaining a length of over 1.5 m (5 ft), with a majestic wingspread of 2.5 m (8 ft) or more.
The yellowish beak is long and hooked, and the large elastic pouch beneath is scarcely noticeable when empty.
Heavy and lumbering on land, the pelicans are strong, graceful fliers and have been known to have their nesting places as much as 100 km (60 mi) from the places of their fishing. They are superb fishers, and their webbed feet enable them to maneuver swiftly in the water.
The pelican’s most distinctive feature is the large elastic pouch extending beneath its long beak.
The pelican plunges with open bill into a school of small fish. The pouch serves as a scoop, taking in the fish and often several quarts of water as well. When the bird comes to the surface the water runs out the sides of the bill and the fish are gulped down. They are never stored in the pouch.
Publications show that the pelican feeds its young by regurgitating partly digested food from its stomach, even bringing up whole small fishes when the young birds have attained sufficient size. The parent bird opens its beak and allows the young to poke into the vast throat, prodding for the regurgitated food.
Thus, the Hebrew name aptly fits the pelican.
When the pelican is gorged with food, it often flies away to a lonely place, where it takes a melancholy posture, with its head sunk on its shoulders, so motionless that it might be mistaken from a distance for a white stone. The bird assumes this attitude for hours at a time, thus befitting the melancholy inactivity to which the psalmist David refers when he illustrates the poignancy of his grief by writing that “I do resemble the pelican of the wilderness.” Ps. 102:6
So if we are ever lonely and melancholy, remember we might also resemble a pelican!
Here “wilderness” does not necessarily connote a desert, but simply an area away from human habitations, perhaps a swamp. During certain seasons, swamps in the northern Jordan valley are still the home of pelicans.
The pelican shows a distinct preference for uncultivated places, where it will not be disturbed by man. There it nests and hatches its’ young and retires after fishing. Because of this fondness for lonely, desolate places, the Bible uses this bird as a symbol of utter desolation. To symbolize Edom’s coming desolation, Isaiah foretold that the pelican would take possession of that land. Isa. 34:11. Zephaniah prophesied that pelicans would dwell among the pillar capitals of Nineveh, indicating total ruin and absence of humankind. Zeph. 2:13, 14.
The pelican is a high diver, although this may be difficult for one to believe when observing them on land.
Trying to walk about on his short, stout legs, the pelican is ungainly and awkward and his gigantic bill, with the large elastic pouch hanging beneath, only adds to his funny appearance.
In the air however, the picture is entirely different as he is extremely graceful, and at great heights exhibits a power and dignity equaled only by the eagle. His five-foot white body and eight/ten-foot wingspan make him spectacular in flight with apparently minimal effort.
and כּוס is the night-raven or the little horned-owl.
In the second line,
I am become as an owl in desolate places.
I am like an owl of the desert –
The owl is a well-known bird which dwells in solitudes and old ruins, and which becomes, alike by its seeking such places of abode, by its appearance, and by its doleful cry, the very emblem of desolation.
The bird is identified with the owl by the Hebrew in this passage, which should be rendered, owl of the ruins. Some, however, would identify this bird with the pelican, since khôs means cup, rendering as “the pelican, even the pouch-bird.”
The owl is called by the Arabs “mother of ruins,” and
“in the tombs or on the ruins, among the desolate heaps which mark the sites of ancient Judah, on the sandy mounds of Beersheba, or on the spray-beaten fragments of Tyre, his low wailing note is sure to be heard at sunset.” Tristram’s Nat. Hist. of the Bible, p. 194.
I am like an owl of the desert; or “of desert places“; in the Tigurine version; it is translated “the little owl” inLeviticus 11:17.
It delights to be on old walls, and in ruined houses, and cares not to consort with other birds, and it makes a hideous sorrowful noise.
Aelianus speaks of a bird of this sort in India, which has a large crop like a sack; and the Hebrew word “cos” here used signifies a cup or vessel, from whence it may have its name; and which he says makes a very disagreeable noise, to which the psalmist may compare the voice of his groaning.
I am like a great owl in the desert, I’ve become like an owl in the ruins.
Always mourning in solitude and casting out fearful cries.
And that he resembles or, is like them.
1819 dā·mî·ṯî – resemble, am like.
Psalm 102:6 HEB: דָּ֭מִיתִי לִקְאַ֣ת מִדְבָּ֑ר הָ֝יִ֗יתִי NAS: I resemble a pelican of the wilderness; KJV: I am like a pelican of the wilderness: INT: resemble A pelican of the wilderness have become
דּמה obtains the signification: to be like, equal, to be flat, even, and to spread out flat. They are both unclean creatures, which are fond of the loneliness of the desert and ruined places.
It is to such a wilderness, in loneliness and ruination, the psalmist has found himself. No doubt the words, hideous sorrowful noise of fearful cries, described the deep groaning at his condition. Many know that place, where no words suffice to describe our inner turmoil and distress. When we cry out to the Lord He always hears us and will comfort our waste places.
For the LORD will comfort Zion, He will comfort all her waste places; He will make her wilderness like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in it, Thanksgiving and the voice of melody. Isaiah 51:3 NKJV
As children grafted-in to spiritual Israel, this promise is for us.
Clean and Unclean Animals …17 the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, 18the white owl,the desert owl,the osprey,19 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat.…
Leviticus 11:13 Additionally, you are to detest the following birds, and they must not be eaten because they are detestable: the eagle, the bearded vulture, the black vulture, Leviticus 11:17 the little owl, the cormorant, the great owl, Leviticus 11:19 the stork, any kind of heron, the hoopoe, and the bat. Deuteronomy 14:17 the desert owl, the osprey, the cormorant,
Ps 102 :6I am like a [mournful] [a]vulture of the wilderness;
“I am like a pelican of the wilderness” Psalm 102:6,
and it is also to its’ habit of building in deserted places.
Although believers may have such experiences, they are not to overwhelm us or cause us to remain in them. We are to learn from them and grow in our relationship with our Heavenly Father; and furthermore be better equipped to help others who are still struggling through personal wildernesses.
I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.
He passes the nights without sleep
שׁקד: to watch during the time for sleep,
and is therefore like a bird sitting feeling lonesome
upon the roof, whilst all in the house beneath are sleeping.
His grief is that his enemies reproach him as one forsaken of God.
You are worth more than many sparrows.
Mt 10:29-31; Lu 12:6, 7
Sparrows are a symbol of hope.
Like the sparrows, we are to have hope in the Lord
and overcome grief and find comfort.
The Greek word strou·thiʹonis a diminutive form meaning:
any small bird,
but was used especially as applying to sparrows.
A variety of common house sparrow
(Passer domesticus biblicus) is abundant in Israel.
Small brown and gray birds, the sparrows are noisy and gregarious, chirping and twittering, fluttering from their perch on a housetop, tree, or bush to the ground and back again. Their diet consists chiefly of seeds, insects, and worms.The Spanish sparrow, Passer hispaniolensis, is also common, especially in the northern and central areas of Israel.
The only direct references to sparrows in the Bible are found in a statement that Messiah Jesus made during His third visit to Galilee which He restated approx. a year later in Judea. He pointed out that two sparrows sell for a coin of small value [literally, an assarion, worth less than five cents] or, if bought in quantities of five, for two coins of small value, Messiah stated that, though these small birds were counted as of such little worth, yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s knowledge and not one of them is forgotten. He then encouraged His disciples to be free from fear, and assured them, You are worth more than many sparrows. Matt. 10:29-31; Lu. 12:6, 7.
For many centuries, sparrows have been sold in Middle Eastern markets. As food, they were plucked and roasted on wooden skewers like shish kebabs.
An ancient inscription of Emperor Diocletian’s tariff law (301 C.E.) shows that of all the birds used for food, sparrows were the cheapest.—Light From the Ancient East, by A. Deissmann, 1965, pp. 273, 274.
Although the sparrow appears in the Hebrew Scriptures in theKJV Ps. 84:3; 102:7 and in other translations, the Hebrew term so rendered: tsip·pohrʹ, is evidently a generic term referring to small birds in general and not specifically identifying the sparrow.
“I am like an owl of the desert; I watch, and am as a sparrow alone upon the house top.”
The context of these verses is that of the suffering servant, crying out to God for salvation as his enemies surround him. This could be said to be a pretty good description of some believers today as both political and social forces try to suppress the Church. False religions and counterfeit spirituality creeps into members lives as they linger in leaving Babylon/the world and delay in obeying the call to come out from among them and be ye separate.
Strife, division and arguments arise from within, putting folks in opposition to one another; however, the Scriptures assure us of two things. First, that thegates of Hades shall not prevail against the Church. Matt 16:18. We should continually remind ourselves that the Church exists to reach the lost with Messiahs’ message of salvation; we do not need to save the institution of the Church and its’ many denominations. Secondly, that according to Col.2:15Jesus Christ/Yeshua HaMashiach, has already disarmed and triumphed over the demonic forces, having made a public spectacle of them.
The world is not our home and those who identify with its’ systems will continue to stir up fear, violence and anger; but we who call ourselves by Messiah’s Name, are invited to share in the joy and peace/shalom, of His Spirit of Holiness, knowing that God has already judged; and will judge once more on the last day. Vengeance is mine, I will recompense’ says the Lord. Deut 32:35; Rom 12:19.
Like an owl in the desert,
we must wait and watch as our enemies surround us.
But there is no need to despair, for
God is with us… Isaiah 7:14; Matt 1:23.
Are any of us melancholy pelicans,
bereaved sparrows,
or desolate owls?
Feeling vulnerable or abandoned?
Circumstances may have brought us to compare ourselves to these birds; and if they have, our Heavenly Father has already prepared the remedy and the solution. We are to place our trust and hope in Him. We are to look up and focus on the Lord.
We are to trade our sadness, our melancholy for His joy;
our loneliness for His presence
our desolation for His promises which are always yes and amen.
This is the great exchange of 2 Cor. 5:21.
It is the good news that
lifts burdens,
gives joy and
restores strength.
Martin Luther called this
the great exchange,
where our sin is credited to Jesus/Yeshua and the earned righteousness of Jesus/Yeshua is credited to:
Messiah, Jesus Christ earned eternal life for all believers…
The Great Exchange, whereby Jesus Christ went to the grave in our place, while we receive by faith the credit for His righteous life…
He died that we might live eternally…
He has given us restored fellowship for our rebellion and independence…
A new heart and new spirit for our hearts wicked iniquities…
His righteousness for our sins…
Power to live victoriously instead of defeat by the power of sin…
Gods’ glory for our shame…
His blessings and His spirit for the curse of sin and death…
We have exchanged His Healing for our sickness…
His riches for our poverty…
Hope replaces sorrow and regret…
Joy and peace for anxiety…
Adoption as sons, family in exchange for rejection and fear.
This is a positive statement to confess out loud:
According to Col. 1:28… I am complete in Christ/Messiah.Jesus/Yeshua has given me restored fellowship, new heart desires, His righteousness, power over sin, His glory, His Holy Spirit, health, prosperity, hope, joy, peace, adoption into His family and eternal life.
In times of loss, separation, betrayal, abandonment and the grief that follows, we should turn to the One who knows more than anyone how we are feeling. As the bereaved sparrow David mentions, he endures the loss, and turns in a hopeful attitude towards the future. We are to turn to Messiah and to hope in the Lord, Who is the anchor of our soul where the pain is deepest. He bore our sorrows, our pains and our griefs. He was betrayed and abandoned by those who He loved and had in turn declared their undying love for Him. For the joy that was set before Him to be restored into His Father’s presence, He has offered all that He paid for – to us.
We have a hope and a futureJeremiah 9:11.The plans He has for us are for good, for a positive and victorious outcome. Whatever the situation you’re in, He knows. As we trust in Him with all we have and lean not to our own understanding, He will direct our paths and restore unto us the joy of our salvation; replacing the loneliness with His loving presence.
Those who feel like the owl who is desolate and solitary will find companionship in the friend Who is also our brother as well as Savior, Lord and King. He walks with us and converses with us knowing already the intimate longings of our hearts. He is the One who will never leave us nor forsake us, the friend that sticks closer than a brother and will never stab us in the back. His love Is unconditional and all encompassing and never fails or changes. With Him by our side we are never alone or desolate.
And as with the sparrows, not one of them shall fall on the ground without your Fathers’ knowledge or consent. He knows and is in overall control of everything so, there is no need to fear anything.
If we are identifying today with the melancholy pelican, just feeling ‘plain down in the dumps‘, depressed and wanting to pull the covers over our heads and hibernate until next spring. There is a risen Savior and He is it to stay. Jesus/Yeshua is the answer to melancholy, to sadness, sorrow which has to flee when we call upon His Name. His is the Name above every other name. He is the Prince of Peace, our Sar Shalom, where no melancholy or depression can overshadow us; and as we declare Him sovereign in our lives, His Blood cleanses us and washes away all oppression and the shadows that bring it. The light of His glory and grace will dispel all darkness that tries to overwhelm our tender hearts and bruised souls.
He was bruised and beaten for us. He was mocked and rejected by those He came to save. All sadness and sighing flee away as we look to Him, the author and finisher of our faith. The restorer of our souls and the resurrector of our spirits. There is no other name by which men must be saved and when we receive all that He has for us, our joy will be full and our strength restored, so we can persevere and run the race to the finish.
So even if we have been a melancholy pelican,
a desolate owl,
or a bereaved sparrow;
today we can receive or renew all those promises
contained within that
great exchange.
See I have made all things new… Rev. 21:5
and
fear not you are worth
MUCH more
than many sparrows.
Shalom shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
You are loved, appreciated and prayed for
… and…
it’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen
What are we to do when we hear of wars and rumors of wars?
Messiah Himself prophesied of the signs that will occur and increase in both frequency and intensity before His Second Coming and the end of the world/age.
As it is today, we see a worldwide convergence of these signs like never before in history!
Matthew 24:6. You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. These things must happen, but the end is still to come.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English It is going to happen that you are going to hear battles and reports of wars. Take heed that you will not be troubled, for it is necessary that all these things should happen, but it will not yet be the end.
In Matthew chapter 24, Messiah describes the events leading up to His second coming and the establishment of His Kingdom on the Earth for His Millennium Kingdom. The scriptures in Revelation 5:10 New KJV And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth. and in 2Tim. 2:12 if we endure we shall also reign with Him. as well as in 1Pet.2:9.
tell us that His chosen, will be kings and priests ruling with Him on earth.
This post is not a line by line study of all these verses in Mathew, rather a look at verse 6 wars and rumors of wars; and how we are to respond as His talmidim/disciples. Today there are many conflicting news reports of what is happening in the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and elsewhere. This post is not a commentary on the wars in any measure, only on our response to how scripture is being fulfilled in our day and time.
We must as believers and disciples of Messiah pray earnestly for His will and plan and purpose to be established, and not what we think should be done. At times like these when distractions come and propaganda is flourishing, we should do as the disciples did and ask the Lord
what is happening,
how we should respond and
what is our role in these days.
This chapter in Matthew is doubly prophetic, in the sense that the Temple was destroyed in 70 A.D. after Messiah/Christ was resurrected and His ecclesia/called apart-ones/ church was established. However, it is also prophetic of events leading up to His return/ 2nd coming, when the Temple in Jerusalem will be rebuilt.
Jesus/Yeshua answered their questions and in all the scriptures we read He says we are:
to not be worried.
In verse 6
see that ye be not troubled:
Why?
Because our Heavenly Father knows what is happening
and what the final outcome will be.
Psalm 33:10-11 tells us clearly that:
8Let all the earth fear the Lord; Let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. 9For He spoke, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.
10The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. 11The counsel of the Lord stands forever, The plans of His heart to all generations.NKJV.
We are to look to Him, Who is the author and finisher of our faith and not to the arm of the flesh.
What does this mean for us?
It means, is He really first place in our lives?
Here in Lamentations 4 there is a great example for us.
Lamentations 4:17
New King James Version Still our eyes failed us, Watching vainly for our help; In our watching we watched For a nation that could not save us.
Amplified Bible [And as for us,] yet our eyes failed, Looking in vain for help. Watching [from the towers] we watched For a nation that could not save.
Aramaic Bible in Plain English The Person of LORD JEHOVAH divided them, and he will not continue to gaze at them. Do not accept the persons of the Priests, and to the Elders do not show affection
Definition. to disappoint, deceive, FAIL, grow lean
Lamentations 4:17 HEB: (עֹודֵ֙ינוּ֙ ק) תִּכְלֶ֣ינָה עֵינֵ֔ינוּ אֶל־ NAS: our eyes failed, [Looking] for help KJV: As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain INT: while failed our eyes to
New King James Version Still our eyes failed us, Watching vainly for our help; In our watching we watched For a nation that could not save us.
Amplified Bible [And as for us,] yet our eyes failed, Looking in vain for help. Watching [from the towers] we watched For a nation that could not save.
The Assyrians were ready to march on Judah and instead of turning to God for help, they, Judah, looked to the nation of Egypt to help and deliver them, yet Egypt had their own problems and would not come to help Judah. The people placed their hope of salvation in the arm of the flesh instead of the arm of the Lord.
The words..
our eyes yet failed for our help in watching…
is a sad state of affairs giving a picture of their situation.
We could say it in today’s vernacular as: our eyes have become worn out, or tired and exhausted watching for the help that never arrived.
This is reflected in our nations today.
Here in Lamentations, it is clear in what and in whom the hearts of the people were trusting; and the condition of their hearts was obvious by their behavior. We could say it’s the fruit ..it’s what is obvious for all to see.
Another Hebrew word for failed is kalah
which has the idea of:
becoming exhausted after putting
every part of your being into something.
kalah
Strongs# 3615
to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent.
Original Word: כָּלָה Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: kalah Phonetic Spelling: kaw-law’
Kalah
hey lamed kaf
כָּלָה
KALAH: Word Origin: a prim. root Definition: to be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent NASB Translation accomplish (2), accomplished (1), annihilate (1), annihilated (2), been consumed (2), been spent (1), brings to pass (1), brought (1), came to an end (1), ceased (1), come to an end (5), complete (1), completed (10), completely gone (1), completion (1), consume (6), consumed (16), decided (3), demolish (1), destroy (10), destroyed (4), destroyed them all (1), destroys (1), destruction (1), determined (1), devoured (1), died (1), end (4), ended (3), ending (1), exhausted (2), exterminated (1), fail (10), failed (1), fails (2), faints (1), feed (1), finish (6), finished (67), finishes (1), fulfill (2), languish (1), languishes (1), longed (1), make an end (1), over (1), perish (1), perishing (1), plotted (1), put an end (2), ravage (1), settled (1), spend (3), spent (5), terminate (1), use (1), used (1), vanish (2), vanishes (1), waste away (1), wastes away (1), yearned (1).
To waste away, be exhausted, fail, especially of eyes exhausted by weeping Lamentations 2:11,
strained by looking (figurative) for relief or refreshment, pine, languishLamentations 4:17;
Kalah is like waiting for that phone call that never comes, or the letter that never arrives; today it could be the unreceived text or email that would indicate our release from a stressful situation. Both Joseph and Daniel had to wait….
It’s easy to understand that both in and relying on our own strength, we would soon be complete, at an end, finished, accomplished, or spent or exhausted.
The people of Judah were unable to trust in the God they could not see. Their faith was not in His promises and the supernatural assistance He would provide.
They chose instead to trust in the strength of Egypt to help them.
In scripture, Egypt is a type of the world and its’ systems. They put their faith in the physical/tangible help that they could see and they believed that Egypts’ physical strength would save them; and yet it did not;
it failed- kalah –them.
It is the same today, for many who call themselves Christians by name, yet only pay lip service to our Heavenly Father. This is often because they do not have a personal relationship with Him; and although they say they have faith, and trust in God, when a crisis hits, they will look for an Egypt to trust in first, one that they can see to help them.
As examples, this can be in the form of people and government aid and help.
Jesus/Yeshua said of them: ‘These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me. Matthew 15:8.
We must heed the warning of those who have gone before us, that if the help/deliverance is not our Fathers’ planned way of escape, then doing it our way using the arm of the flesh, it will fail.
There is a well known old song whose lyrics say:
“stand up, stand up for Jesus, stand in His strength alone, the arm of flesh will fail you, ye dare not trust your own”.
Yes, the arm of flesh will fail you.
Why?
Because as humans, we are fickle, weak, and self-serving. We have a natural tendency to look out for our own interests. It’s not that our Heavenly Father cannot or will not use people and institutions to aid us; rather it’s who we turn to and trust in first. This is clear in His Word and even warns us there is a curse for trusting in man!
Amplified Bible Thus says the LORD, “Cursed is the man who trusts in and relies on mankind, Making [weak, faulty human] flesh his strength, And whose mind and heart turn away from the LORD.
Jeremiah 17:5 Aramaic Bible in Plain English Thus says LORD JEHOVAH: “Cursed is the man who trusts a son of man and will make a son of flesh his arm, and from LORD JEHOVAH his heart will turn away Cursed is the man who trusts in man, and will lean his arm of flesh upon him, while his heart departs from the Lord
New King James Version Thus says the LORD: “Cursed is the man who trusts in man And makes flesh his strength, Whose heart departs from the LORD.
2 Chronicles 32:8 With him is only the arm of flesh, but with us is the LORD our God to help us and to fight our battles.” So the people were strengthened by the words of Hezekiah king of Judah.
Psalm 118:8 It is better to take refuge in the LORD than to trust in man. Psalm 146:3 Put not your trust in princes, in mortal man, who cannot save.
Isaiah 2:22 Put no more trust in man, who has only the breath in his nostrils. Of what account is he? Isaiah 20:5 Those who made Cush their hope and Egypt their boast will be dismayed and ashamed. Isaiah 30:1 “Woe to the rebellious children,” declares the LORD, “to those who carry out a plan that is not Mine, who form an alliance, but against My will, heaping up sin upon sin.
The word vain comes from vanity, which we associate with pride.
Proverbs 16:18 warns us that
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
First pride, then the crash –
the bigger the ego, the harder the fall.
Trusting in the arm of flesh
is simply
trusting in human natural strength.
There is so much arm of the flesh available today, in the various arms of government which offer support; that people don’t need faith in God, and many simply feel entitled to all the governments so named ‘free’ handouts. These are not free as they are only available from the population who pay taxes on their earnings.
The scripture says we are to:
trust in the Lord.
WHY?
because this world and it systems have an expiration date.
Who and what do we look to for help in a crisis?
To whom do we turn first?
Whose name is the first one on our lips?
Of course we are to help each other, but as David said:
I look to the hills whence cometh my help?
and David qualified it precisely:
My help comes from the Lord which made heaven and earth.
Psalm 121:1-2
With all the negative news swirling around us and the uncertainties of what may happen next we are
not to be alarmed.
Don’t be troubled family.
He knows all these things are happening and is allowing them to proceed in order for all things to be fulfilled, according to His prophetic word.
Luke 21:28 And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh.
Our Heavenly Father is in control, no one or anything else is, whatever they may believe or tell us. The battle is spiritual first and we see the outworking in the natural realm.
But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. Matthew 10:29-31
Nothing happens without our Fathers’ acknowledgment and agreement, it’s all in His prophetic timing.
As Yeshua/Jesus said, you could have arrested Me anytime but this is the hour given to you according to Gods plan.
When Jesus was arrested, He said to them, “This is your hour—when darkness reigns”. Luke 22:53.
Every day of Me being with you in the temple, you did not stretch out the hands against Me; but this is your hour, and the power of the darkness.”
Aramaic Bible in Plain English I was with you every day in The Temple and you did not stretch forth your hands against me, but this is your hour and of the Prince of Darkness.”
The reason is clear, the darkness is given its’ allocated hour/time..but only for a short season as our Heavenly Father allows.
Amplified Bible The LORD has made everything for its own purpose, Even the wicked [according to their role] for the day of evil.
1 And Jesus went out, and departed from the temple: and his disciples came to him for to shew him the buildings of the temple. 2 And Jesus said unto them, See ye not all these things? verily I say unto you, There shall not be left here one stone upon another, that shall not be thrown down. 3 And as he sat upon the mount of Olives, the disciples came unto him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world? 4 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many. 6 And ye shall hear of wars and rumours of wars:
see that ye be not troubled:
for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.
This has happened all throughout the church age, the age of grace, and is not the only signs of the end. However, with a search you’ll see many rumors in news articles that line up with the rest of the verses.
7 For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places.
Pestilence can mean any plague/virus or natural disaster that disrupts normal life or way of living.
8 All these are the beginning of sorrows (birth pains).
verses 7-8 are specific signs of the second coming, and they are similar to birth pains as they increase in intensity and frequency.
9 Then shall they deliver you up to be afflicted, and shall kill you: and ye shall be hated of all nations for my name’s sake.
10 And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another. 11 And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
12 And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold. 13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all nations; and then shall the end come.
Nothing is a surprise or shock to Him.
This is why we are to
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart
Aramaic Bible in Plain English Hope in LORD JEHOVAH from your whole heart and do not trust upon the wisdom of your soul.
Amplified Bible Trust in and rely confidently on the LORD with all your heart And do not rely on your own insight or understanding.
New King James Version Trust in the LORD with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding;
Keep our eyes on the Lord keep our hearts open to our Heavenly Father as He leads and directs us and keep our words in line with His. Don’t focus on the negative things that fight our faith, but on those things that increase and sustain it which are listed in Phil. 4:8.
Not only on what but more importantly WHO
is true, noble, just, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise, we are to think on things that are of excellence. We are to think of our loving Heavenly Father, our Savior Who is full of mercy and truth, He is worth thinking and meditating on continuously. This faith this trust, of an absolute certainty, will never fail – kalah us.
Joshua 21:45 Not one of all the LORD’s good promises to the house of Israel had failed; everything was fulfilled.
and Joshua 23:14 And now I am about to go the way of all the earth, and you know in your hearts and souls, all of you, that not one word has failed of all the good things that the LORD your God promised concerning you. All have come to pass for you; not one of them has failed.
Romans 9:6 Theirs are the patriarchs, and from them proceeds the human descent of Christ, who is God over all, forever worthy of praise! Amen. 6It is notas thoughGod’s wordhas failed.
Amplified Bible However, it is not as though God’s word has failed [coming to nothing].
Numbers 23:19 God is not a man, that He should lie, or a son of man, that He should change His mind. Does He speak and not act? Does He promise and not fulfill?
It’s time to rise up, by forging deep roots in Him, for He is our strength and our salvation.
We are to build inner faith 1Samuel 17:36 strong in the inner man. He builds us up from the inside out where no one but Himself can see the progress. It is a pattern, a blueprint, used over and over in all His courageous Saints, who became great warriors and who won great victories.
Are we daily building inner faith?
David is one we easily recall. As a youth he was given charge over his fathers’ sheep, tending the flock making sure they were fed, watered; and protected from predators and enemies that would harm them and seek to kill, steal and destroy.
He killed the lion and the bear. Developing great courage and tactics of a fight that proved victorious; then when the giant Goliath challenged, he moved unflinchingly to confront this uncircumcised Philistine.
That which had been tested and tried when he was alone and no one had witnessed but God; became very evident to everyone present, in this moment of national crisis. It was said David was, above his fellows, and it was in this area of faith in his God; and the courage developed through experience, that his God would be his strength and work victory for him. Secret training through tests and trials, developed the secret faith, which had its’ moments of open revelation. It is our Heavenly Fathers’ Way. We are to build faith from the lesser challenges and it will be the measure of our deliverance and victory in the times of need.
During the greatest tragedies, David’s character, obedience and willingness to be a servant was proved; and he was given charge over his Heavenly Father’s flock, to guide guard and govern. To tend them and make sure they were fed, watered and protected from enemies who would steal, kill and destroy.
Our Heavenly Father tests before He entrusts. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by His Word and is also built up through our times of greatest need for the critical reason: to show us where help truly comes from….Not from the hills, but from God.
Is He really first place?
Trusting in the arm of flesh = kalah/failure
In the uncertain days we find ourselves living, when we are hearing of wars and rumors of wars
always remember that He said…
Do not be alarmed or let your heart be troubled…
…because He also said..
In Him there is NO failure..
No kalah..
NO disappointment..
and He will never deceive, grow tired or exhausted.
His eyes are always on us and will
NEVER FAIL…
so LOOK UP and
Trust in the Lord!
Shalom shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
You are loved, appreciated and prayed for
… and…
it’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are precious in His sight.
NOT SURE?
YOU CAN BE..
SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.
I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.
There are multiple synonyms for the Word of God including: 
6 I am like a melancholy pelican or vulture of the wilderness; I am like a [desolate] owl of the waste places.
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