Month: November 2023

Days of Noah vs. Lot & Today.

Solomon had great wisdom and insight he said :

Everything that happens has happened before;

nothing is new,

nothing under the sun.

In Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 he wrote:

The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. 10 Is there any thing whereof it may be said, See, this is new? it hath been already of old time, which was before us.

Taking this together with what Messiah Yeshua/Jesus told us confirming this fact in Matthew 24 and Luke 17:26—37 And as it was in the days of Noah, so it will be also in the days of the Son of Man: 27 They ate, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark…. Likewise also as it was in the days of Lot; they did eat, they drank, they bought, they sold, they planted, they builded; 29 But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom. 

Yeshua/Jesus said that the days of Noah and Lot would be like the days just prior to His return and the establishment of His Kingdom.

We hear this referred to many times and even more lately in light of recent events… wars and rumors of wars…

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.

For nation will rise up against nation, and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be famines and earthquakes in various places.

Matthew 24:6-8

This certainly sounds like things that are happening right now….

Maybe we should take another look at what the days of Noah and those of Lot were really like and compare them? It may give us more of an indication if our days are similar to theirs.

We are told that most people will be going about their normal activities, unaware of the times. When He returns, society will be degenerate and wicked, just as it was before the Flood came. 

In the days of Noah and the days of Lot, only one family was protected. Yeshua/Jesus compared both to the End Times, so the same will be true just before His return. 

And God saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. And it repented the Lord that He had made man on the earth, and it grieved Him at His heart. 

The Hebrew phrase,

acharit ha-yamim – אַחֲרִית הַיָּמִים

often translated,

“latter days”

refers to the “end of days, or “last days”,

mentioned in both the Old and New Testaments, and points to a critical period late in human history. 

The Greek phrase “in the last days” 

ἐν ἐσχάταις ἡμέραις

also refers to the prophesied “End of Days,”.

Strong’s Hebrew: 319.

אַחֲרִית (acharith)

— the after-part, end

The Lord God told Noah and Abraham for Lot, that judgement was at hand. Yeshua/Jesus was telling us that it will be the same just before His return.

Here are some similarities and differences between the two events, as we read them, how many are in evident in the world today?

In the days of Noah wickedness was universal.

In Lots’ days wickedness was universal and we read of the five cities that God destroyed.

The events before the destruction, Noah built the ark and preached righteousness not allowing the wickedness to affect his family.

Whereas Lot moved into the wicked city of Sodom and the evil of the city vexed his righteous soul. Lot offered to give his daughters to the wicked men of the city.

God Himself brought the judgment on the wicked. Genesis 6:13.

God Himself brought the judgment on the wicked. Genesis 19:23.

Noah saw the violence that existed during this time but no violence was committed against him.

Lot saw the violence that existed during his time and experienced violence against him from the homosexual men of Gomorrah.

Regarding Family: Noah’s sons married wives who became righteous removing themselves from the wicked society.

Lots daughters were betrothed to wicked men these men were destroyed in the wicked society.

Noah and his sons and their wives were in unity in their beliefs and their work on the ark. They stood together against those who were wicked in that generation.

Lot and his family had no family unity. His sons were not even in contact with him. His daughters were influenced by the wickedness of Sodom and his wife turned back and was destroyed.

The judgment in Noah’s time lasted many days. Genesis 1:11, 8:14.

The judgment and lots times lasted only part of the day. Genesis 19:23-27.

The judgment of the flood even included the highest mountains.

The judgment on Lot’s time was only in the valleys.

Noah brought living animals out of the judgment.

No animals were saved in the location of the judgment in Lots time.

God caused His Spirit to pass over the waters to cause the waters to subside. Genesis 8:1.

There is no mention of Spirit in the destruction in Lots time.

Noah did not know that judgment was over until God told him to leave the ark.

Lot did not know when the judgment was over and he feared that there was more to come so he fled to a cave even though judgment had ended.

Noah was not vexed by evil, he found grace in the eyes of God. Genesis 6:9. God said that Noah was a righteous man in the midst of an evil generation. It does not say that Noah was vexed by their unrighteous deeds. Righteousness is defined as keeping the Commandments of God in other words keeping Torah.

Lot was vexed by evil and apparently he had not told his family to keep the way of Torah according to 2Peter 2:8. He lived in Sodom one of the five cities that were destroyed.

Noah was told to gather food for himself and the animals.

Lot was not told to gather food.

Noah knew of the coming judgment he had been told by God that the earth was going to be destroyed by a flood 100 years before it happened. Genesis 6:13. After the ark was built, God told Noah that the flood was going to start in seven days. Genesis 7:4 There was no panic just simple obedience to God’s command.

Lot did not know of the coming judgment that God was going to bring on the city until the angels came to take them out of it. Abraham knew of the coming judgment because he commanded his children to follow the ways of God, however he interceded for the righteous in the cities that were to be destroyed.

Noah did all that God told him.

Lot argued with the angels about where he was to escape to. Genesis 19:18.

Noah and his sons worked for 100 years to prepare for the time of judgment.

Neither Lot nor his family worked to prepare for the coming judgment.

Noah was warned directly by God.

Angels brought the warning to Lot.

Noah was given specific plans

Lot was not given specific plans.

Noah was told that the judgment was on the whole world.

Lot was not told that the judgment was only on the five cities so he may have believed that it was on the whole world.

Noah was called a preacher of righteousness; and He preached repentance for 100 years to all who came to mock him for building the ark.

Lot had spoken little about righteousness as we can see by the reaction of those who wanted him to bring out the angels. Genesis 19:9.

As a preacher of righteousness, Noah and his family were known to be in opposition to the accepted way of life in his time, they did not fit in.

Lot and his family were well known in Sodom. Although he did not accept the life style of Sodom, he was not known to be in opposition to it until he objected his last night there. He also offered to give his daughters, something that Noah would have never done. Lot had lived in Sodom without affecting it for good. He and his family had fitted into life as usual there, he sat at the city gates which was a sign of a leader of the city. Genesis 19:1.

Sexual wickedness was rampant before the destruction, in the form of multiple wives one for pleasure and one for reproduction. This custom had started with Lamech and had progressed to rape and seduction. This was perpetrated by the sons of the rulers who took women by force, leaving children who never knew their father. When these children grew up they brought an increase in the violence in the world. Genesis 6:1-5.

Sexual wickedness before the destruction of Sodom had increased greatly in all the five cities. Homosexual men forced themselves on all strangers who had the misfortune to enter the city. Genesis 19:5.

Noah had a very close relationship with the Lord God and did not need anyone to intercede for him.

Lot may not have been saved if Abraham had did not interceded for him. Genesis 19:29.

The door was shut by God in Genesis 7:16.

The door was shut by angels in Genesis 19:10.

All of Noah’s family were saved because they obeyed God, however, none of the world was saved because they did not obey him. All of mankind are descendants of Noah and his sons after the flood.

Lot’s sons-in-law would not leave the city so they were destroyed. Lot’s wife disobeyed the angels instructions and she was destroyed. The men of the cities were destroyed because of their unrighteous deeds. Lot and his two daughters were saved by obeying although they did argue with the angels.

Conditions at the time of deliverance: Noah and his family walked onto the ark on the day the rain came. There was no panic or confusion, just obedience to God’s commands even though the earth was covered in violence/hamas.

With Lot and his family, there was panic and confusion and there was violence in the city of Sodom as well as in the other four cities.

Noah and his entire family including his daughters in law were taken into the Ark.

Lot and his family had to flee on foot, his sons in law would not leave the city and his wife looked back and they were destroyed.

Noah sent a raven and a dove to see if the waters were receding.

Lot and his daughters had no way to know if the judgment was over.

What was saved from the destruction? Noah saved all that he needed The Lord God told Noah to bring the animals on the Ark to save them. He had all that he needed to replenish after the flood was over.

Lot did not save anything. He was saved as someone who runs out of his burning house with nothing but clothes he was wearing. All his works were burned up.

For no one can lay a foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ.  Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, his workmanship will be evident, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will prove the quality of each man’s work.… 1 Corinthians 3:12-13

The Lord God made a Covenant with Noah after the flood, to never again destroy the earth by water. He used the rainbow as a sign of the covenant. Genesis 8:20-22.

No covenant was made with Lot, however the Lord God did not make a covenant to never judge the earth by fire again.

After the destruction: Noah offered a sacrifice after the flood.

Lot was fearful of continuing destruction and fled to hide a cave.

Noah knew they were the only people left on earth and that they were to be fruitful and multiply.

Lots daughters believed that they were the last three people on the earth and could only repopulate the earth through incest with their father.

Noah and his sons were commanded to be fruitful and fill the earth and they did so. Genesis 9:1.

Lot and his daughters were not commanded to be fruitful and fill the earth but they did so in a sinful way.

God put the fear of man into all animals.

Lot and his daughters were fearful. Genesis 19:30.

Wine and sexual perversion after the destruction: Noah got drunk and was unaware of what took place. ‘His nakedness was seen by his son Ham.’

Lot got drunk and was unaware that his daughters had sexual relations with him.

God remembered Noah and caused the waters to subside.

Abraham, not Lot, was remembered by God and because of this, Lot was saved from the destruction of the fire. Genesis 19:29.

Dates are given for different stages of the judgment of the flood.

No date is given for the judgment by fire.

All mankind and all nations are descendants of Noah and his sons.

All of Lot’s descendants came through him and his daughters. Only the nations of Moab and Ammon, the two enemies of Israel came from Lot.

Honor and dishonor of their descendants: Noah’s descendants through Shem were men of honor whom the Lord God used; and this included Abraham, Isaac and Jacob together with Jacob’s 12 sons. God made a covenant with all of them. Some of Noah’s descendants through Ham were cursed; this included Amalek, who God said he would be at war with until the end of time.

Lot’s descendants were dishonored and were enemies of those under the Covenant. His descendants were born through incest with his own daughters , these are the people of Moab which means: ‘from father’. The other daughter named her son Benammi, which means: ‘son of my people.’ He became the father of the people of Ammon. This is the name of the capital of the nation of Jordan. Although Lot was related to Abraham, he did not follow in his ways.

The method of destruction: water destroyed the world in Noah’s day. Water is usually a substance that brings life because life cannot exist without it. The Lord God said He will never again destroy the Earth with a flood. Judgment came from the heavens and from the fountains of the deep.

Jude 1:7. “Even as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, of punishment.

Fire destroyed Sodom and the others cities in Lots’ day. Fire brings death and purification, the judgment came from the heavens. Genesis 19:23.We know that the destruction at the end of this age will be by fire. 2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

The extent of judgment: In Noah’s day, all animal life on the earth except what lived in the oceans and those on the Ark. Plant life recovered after the flood without any help from Noah or his family.

In Lot’s day, all life in the area of the five cities including plant life did not recover because the sulfur caused the soil to become too acidic, there is little that grows there even today.

In Noah’s day the wicked had no idea of the coming judgment, they were doing all the normal things of daily life.

In Lot’s day the wicked did not know of the coming judgment, they too were doing all the normal things of daily life.

In Noah’s day the wicked were taken out of the world and made examples for others who would want to live like them.

In Lot’s day the wicked were taken out of the world and made examples for others who would want to live like them.

Noah and his family were not taken out of the world.

Those who were delivered from Lot’s family were not taken out of the world.

In Noah’s day the judgment started in the daytime when the fountains of the deep burst forth. Genesis 7:11.

In Lot’s day the judgment started in the evening when the angels came, but the fire fell at dawn. Genesis 19:1.

Noah and his family could not see the judgment because they were in the ark with the window and door shut.

Lot and his family were told not to look at the judgment but his wife did, and she was destroyed together with the wicked.

Noah preached righteousness for 100 years without one convert because there was great spiritual blindness in the people.

In Lot’s day, the angels caused the wicked people to be struck with physical blindness.

Noah and his family were the only eight people out of the whole world, so the ratio of those saved to those destroyed could easily have been 1 in 1 million.

Lot and his two daughters were saved out of several small cities. The ratio could have been 3 out of 3000 or 1 in 1000 as those cities were small.

Noah and his family were transported in the ark above the mountains, they did not need to do anything to escape.

Lot and his daughters had to flee on foot over the rough ground. They had to make their own way in their own strength and could not carry much with them; they never left the surface of the earth.

After the flood, Noah and his family had a large place to live on top of the mountains. He may well have lived in the Ark after the animals had left and their home would have been 450’ x 75’ with 15 foot ceilings. Those who are righteous when Messiah returns will live in the new Jerusalem that comes down from heaven.

Lot and his daughters first went to the small city of Zoar then they became fearful and ended up living in a cave with very few possessions.

Those who are unrighteous and who see Messiah returning in great glory, will try to hide themselves in caves and rocks. Revelation 6:16 And they said to the mountains and to the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb,

There are too many similarities today to the days of Noah and Lot to ignore and as violence/hamas is again filling the earth and Matthew 24:12 tells us because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.

Many are falling away from the faith. Now is the time for our light to shine in the darkness and offer the good news of the gospel of the kingdom. It is time to tell people there is forgiveness of sin and of the grace and mercy we can receive through Messiah to restore our relationship with His Heavenly Father. Messiahs sacrificial death at calvary was on purpose to redeem us and give us eternal life.

If you have not received Yeshua/Jesus as your personal Savior and Lord and if you are not certain where your eternal future lies…make sure right now. Today is the day of salvation for we do not know the day nor the hour of His return…let’s all be ready …time is running out..

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Peace to friends and family.

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.

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

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are very precious in His sight.

Not sure ..you can be…

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,

SAY IT 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.

Bride of Isaac vs. Bride of Messiah

Last post we looked at the story in Genesis 23- 25 where Abrahams servant Eliezer, was sent on a long journey to choose a wife for his son Isaac. This search resulted in Rebecca becoming the bride of Isaac.

So many instances in the old testament scriptures are fore-shadowings of future events; and this account of finding

a bride for Isaac

is a foreshadowing of

the bride of Messiah.

First let’s compare

the Bride of Isaac to the Bride of Messiah Jesus/Yeshua.

Bride of Isaac (Rebecca)          

Bride of Messiah Jesus/Yeshua (Obedient Believers).

She fell in love with someone she had never met.

We fall in love with Messiah Yeshua/Jesus we haven’t seen.

Eliezer is a type of Holy Spirit: he told her all about the father(Abraham) and the son Isaac) but never gave his name. He referred to himself only as the servant of Abraham..

Holy Spirit tells us about the Father and Son. John 14:26

Eliezer was to bring the bride to the groom.

Holy Spirit brings the bride of Messiah into Fathers presence.

Eliezer gave the bride gifts as directed by father Abraham.

The Father gives gifts to the bride through His Holy Spirit. Hebrews 2:4.

Eliezer said that father Abraham had given all his possessions to his son. Genesis 24:36

The Father loves the Son Messiah Yeshua/Jesus and has given Him all things. John 3:35

Rebecca was asked if she would go with this man and she answered yes.

We must make a decision to follow Holy Spirit and the ways of the Father in order to become the bride of Messiah.

Rebecca was blessed for going.

Those who follow and go with Messiah will be blessed.  Psalm 16:11

Rebecca would jointly rule the house/ Kingdom of Isaac as his bride.

We will jointly rule the kingdom under Messiah. Revelation 1:6

Isaac came to meet her after prayer to the Heavenly Father.

Messiah is interceding for us and will come to meet us when our Heavenly Father says it is time.

Rebecca met Isaac after a long journey to the land.

Messiah describes Himself as a nobleman who went to a far country to receive a kingdom and return. Luke 19:12

Eliezer led Rebecca on a long and difficult journey.

Holy Spirit leads us through the difficult journey of life.

Eliezer’s name is not mentioned in this whole passage.

Holy Spirit does not speak of Himself but only of the Heavenly Father and the Son.

The hospitality and kind acts performed by Rebecca led Eliezer to worship the Heavenly Father.

This is the first time that the word worship is used in the Torah, (first 5 books of the Old Testament). Because Eliezer is a foreshadowing of Holy Spirit, we see that the Spirit of our Heavenly Father leads us into worship when we are obedient to His desires.

Next is a comparison of

Isaac as a foreshadowing of Messiah:

Isaac was the long awaited promised son Genesis 17:17

Messiah Jesus/Yeshua was the long awaited promised Son from Genesis 3:15.

Isaac was called Abraham’s only son.

Messiah is the only begotten of the Father. John 3:16

Abraham gave all his possessions to his son. Genesis 24:36

The Father loves the Son and has given Him all things. John 3:35

Isaac was offered in type and shadow on mount Moriah after a 3 day journey. He was considered as dead from the beginning of the journey because he was to be a sacrifice.

Messiah was offered up on the same Mount Moriah. He was in the grave for three days and nights. Matthew 12:40

Isaac came to Mount Moriah with Abraham and two servants, a total of four people.

Messiah Yeshua/ Jesus came to Jerusalem on the day of Nisan 10 and was crucified on the 14 Nisan a total four days.

There is no record of Isaac committing any sin.

Messiah lived a sinless life.

Isaac submitted completely to his father’s will even to the point of death.

Messiah submitted completely to His Father’s will even to death.

Isaac was raised from the dead in a type and shadow.

Messiah was raised from the dead after His death on the tree.

A nameless servant went to a far country to take him a bride.

The Spirit of the Heavenly Father came into the world for the bride of Messiah.

The bride had never seen him.

The bride of Messiah has never seen Him

Isaac waited for his father to get him a bride.

Messiah waits for His Father to say when it is time to get His bride. Matthew 24:36

Isaac and Rebecca came to meet each other in the field.

We will meet Messiah in the air. 1Thessalonians 4:17

Isaac married Rebecca, a beautiful bride adorned with the jewels that were given to her by the father of the groom.

Isaiah 61:10 I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Isaac did the work his father had done Genesis 26:18

Messiah does the works of His Father. John 5:19

Isaac marries his bride on the day they met it was evening.

Messiah will marry His bride today He returns at the end of the 6000th year day?

Interesting notes on a Hebrew/Jewish wedding.

Revelation 19:7 -9

The Jewish wedding is a unique illustration of Messiahs’ relationship with His followers. It is not strange then, that there are numerous references to it in the New Testament. In Bible times the process of getting married was made up of three phases that took more than a year to complete. The actual ceremony was the culmination of these three stages:

The first stage of the process is called

shiddukhin

and the word means

match

and it begins with the selection of the bride.

This is called:

making a match

in hebrew shidduk,

and it is performed by a match maker,

in Hebrew shad khan.

There is a reference to this in Genesis 24, where Abraham sends Eliezer his servant to make a Match for his son Isaac/Yitz’chak; trusting that God will guide the search. Women often become matchmakers and sometimes the father of the groom would make the match. In either case this is no longer commonly practiced; however, this is still a picture of all believers in Messiah Yeshua/Jesus having been chosen as Messiah bride. Ephesians 1:4

The second stage it is called

eyrusin

and means

betrothal.

It is the formal one year period of time when the two parties receive the betrothal blessings and become officially engaged.

They are not to live together, but the commitment is so secure that it would take a religious divorce, which is called a get, to nullify the agreement and the get is an option available only to the husband. So here we see a clear lesson from the Hebrew/Jewish wedding,

that believers are eternally secure in Messiah covenant,

because it cannot be broken unless He breaks it, which He says He never will.

As Jesus/Yeshua said: I give them eternal life they will absolutely never be destroyed and no one will snatch them from my hands.

John 10:28.

During this time of eyrusin, the groom has responsibilities, and the most pressing one being preparing the couple’s future home. Messiah Yeshua/Jesus said in my fathers house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be alsoJohn 14:1-3 …

The nissuin completes the 3 part process and the spiritual picture of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus – the Bridegroom and His bride.

According to ancient tradition, the groom comes for his bride at the end of the one year- eyrusin. Everything is made ready and the bride eagerly awaits his arrival. The groom could come for his bride only after the grooms father had given the command and when the father had given his approval that the place prepared for the son’s new bride was ready. Which is very clear here, that only the father knows that time; the son did not know the hour or the day when this would take place.

Matthew 24:36 But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of [ a]heaven, but My Father only.

When the father said it was a time the groom leading the procession through the streets of the village to the brides home; the shofar would be sounded to the shouts of the bridegroom comes!

At the close of nissuin there is a very happy celebration as is the modern Jewish wedding. In Revelation 19:7-8 there is a description of the time when Jesus Messiah marries His bride – the body of messianic believers. Let us rejoice and be glad. “Write this: Blessed are those who are invited to the wedding supper of the Lamb!”. Revelation 19:9 will be a great blessing to those who are invited.

Betrothed in Hebrew is ‘aras

There is a reference in Hosea 2:19

and I will betroth you to me forever. I will betroth you to me in righteousness and in justice, in steadfast love and in mercy.

The book of Hosea and the book of the song of Solomon both seem to portray our relationship with God as a betrothal. As noted, betrothal is similar to an engagement, only the couple are really married but do not live together or engage in intimate relationships. It lasts for about a year when the bridegroom comes to the bride’s father’s house and takes her away to his father’s house where he has built an addition to the family home and then they consummate the marriage.

The comparison here is that we are betrothed to Messiah Yeshua/Jesus while we are on the earth but the day will come when we pass from this earth when He comes to take us to His Fathers house to consummate the marriage covenant. This is what He was alluding to,  that we are merely in a betrothal stage in John 14:2

As already mentioned, the Hebrew the word

betrothal is aras

the lexicon simply says it means to betroth. Looking a little deeper into the Hebrew language and the Jewish meaning will give us a better understanding and help us to make a clearer comparison to our relationship with Messiah.

The word aras comes from a semetic root in the Sumerian language which means to desire. So the whole idea behind a betrothal is to build a desire between a man and woman. Many times a young man and woman did not really meet until their wedding day. So the betrothal was a time to get to know each other. Physical looks chemistry and love did not have anything to do with marriage. Love came after they were married or betrothed.

When a young couple were betrothed, traditionally the parents were to support the young man so he would not have to work during this period. The length of time for the betrothal was generally one year but it could be more or less. The idea was that this time would be spent where the couple would begin to learn about each other understand one another and learn to love each other and as they were falling in love their desire and passion for each other would increase to the point that the man would one day become to snatch his bride away and make her his wife by consummating the marriage covenant in the room he built onto his fathers house.

This is the same for believers, where our desire to be with our Savior grows daily and as we come to know him more intimately and long to be in His presence forever. No one, not even the bride knew when the bridegroom would come for his bride; everyone would anxiously await that day, watching all the signs that the bridegroom was getting ready. Then when the father gave the word and said it is tonight, then everyone would light a lamp and follow the groom as he went to his brides house. (think 10 virgin parable.)

Not even the bride knew the time,

but she knew the seasons,

and she had a good idea ,so much so that she would be

dressed and ready

when it was time and the bridegroom comes knocking at her door.

This is so clearly a picture of our lives here on earth. We accept Messiah Jesus/Yeshua as our Savior and then we are

betrothed to Him.

We live our remaining days in a betrothal with Yeshua/Jesus, learning to love Him, spending time alone with Him, letting Him meet our needs. All the time our desire for Him grows deeper and deeper, until the day comes we will no longer be separated from Him, and our Heavenly Father says it is time. Then He will come to take us to live in His Fathers house forever because we are part of Messiahs Bride.

The question we must ask ourselves is:

are we dressed and ready?

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Peace to friends and family.

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.

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

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are very precious in His sight.

Not sure ..you can be…

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,

SAY IT 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.

A Sign For Direction?

This story in Genesis 23- 25 is about Abrahams servant Eliezer, who was sent on a long journey to choose a wife for Abrahams son Isaac.

 and the Lord had blessed him in every way. 2 He said to the senior servant in his household, the one in charge of all that he had, “Put your hand under my thigh. 3 I want you to swear by the Lord, the God of heaven and the God of earth, that you will not get a wife for my son from the daughters of the Canaanites, among whom I am living, 4 but will go to my country and my own relatives and get a wife for my son Isaac.”

5 The servant asked him, “What if the woman is unwilling to come back with me to this land? Shall I then take your son back to the country you came from?”

6 “Make sure that you do not take my son back there,” Abraham said.7 “The Lord, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring[f] I will give this land’—he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there. 8 If the woman is unwilling to come back with you, then you will be released from this oath of mine. Only do not take my son back there.” 9 So the servant put his hand under the thigh of his master Abraham and swore an oath to him concerning this matter.

10 Then the servant left, taking with him ten of his master’s camels loaded with all kinds of good things from his master. He set out for Aram Naharaim[g] and made his way to the town of Nahor. 11 He had the camels kneel down near the well outside the town; it was toward evening, the time the women go out to draw water.

12 Then he prayed, “Lord, God of my master Abraham, make me successful today, and show kindness to my master Abraham. 13 See, I am standing beside this spring, and the daughters of the townspeople are coming out to draw water. 14 May it be that when I say to a young woman, ‘Please let down your jar that I may have a drink,’ and she says, ‘Drink, and I’ll water your camels too’—let her be the one you have chosen for your servant Isaac. By this I will know that you have shown kindness to my master.”

15 Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. She was the daughter of Bethuel son of Milkah, who was the wife of Abraham’s brother Nahor. 16 The woman was very beautiful, a virgin; no man had ever slept with her. She went down to the spring, filled her jar and came up again.

17 The servant hurried to meet her and said, “Please give me a little water from your jar.”

18 “Drink, my lord,” she said, and quickly lowered the jar to her hands and gave him a drink.

19 After she had given him a drink, she said, “I’ll draw water for your camels too, until they have had enough to drink.” 20 So she quickly emptied her jar into the trough, ran back to the well to draw more water, and drew enough for all his camels. 21 Without saying a word, the man watched her closely to learn whether or not the Lord had made his journey successful.

22 When the camels had finished drinking, the man took out a gold nose ring weighing a beka[h] and two gold bracelets weighing ten shekels.[i] 23 Then he asked, “Whose daughter are you? Please tell me, is there room in your father’s house for us to spend the night?”

24 She answered him, “I am the daughter of Bethuel, the son that Milkah bore to Nahor.” 25 And she added, “We have plenty of straw and fodder, as well as room for you to spend the night.”

26 Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord, 27 saying, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master. As for me, the Lord has led me on the journey to the house of my master’s relatives.”

Following a sign from our Heavenly Father is of course very important, but how can we tell the difference between the guidance of the Lord and our own wishful thinking? In the case of Abrahams servant it was easy, even before he had finished asking the Lord his prayers were answered!

This is not always the case when we don’t get  an immediate reply, we sometimes think that by mixing our circumstances together with prayers the Lord will somehow give us a sign through it. Sometimes we treat our Heavenly Father like a fast food drive-through, choosing from a menu to pick just what we want fulfilling the particular craving that our carnal nature lusts after. We so often need some kind of sign, something to hang our hopes on, because otherwise it seems so hard for us to hear Him.

This story in Genesis about Abrahams servant Eliezer is interesting because he seemed to make up this particular scenario as a way to choose Isaacs wife.

Or Did he???

In 24:7 Abraham said “The Lord, the God of heaven, who brought me out of my father’s household and my native land and who spoke to me and promised me on oath, saying, ‘To your offspring[f] I will give this land’—he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there. 

If we read carefully we see that Abraham had already received a promise concerning how he was to find a future wife for Isaac.

I will give this land’—he will send his angel before you so that you can get a wife for my son from there. 

The Angel or messenger had already prepared the way of this entire situation and how it would unfold. There is a huge difference between grasping for direction in random circumstances or in self-fulfilling prophecies; and not truly being directed by the Spirit of the living God.

Our Heavenly Father can and does guide us, and many times He will give us specific signs to follow but certainly not every time. The question we should ask ourselves is, do we know Him well enough to recognize His signs when we see them? We are not to focus on or look for specific signs because they are in the sense realm and that is where the enemy can interfere and try to mislead us away from the path that the Lord has chosen for us.

Col. 3:15-17

His Way is always peace, we will always have a deep seated peace within us. His Peace is the umpire, the settler of our hearts. He will never do anything nor tell us to do something contrary to His written word. His Spirit and His Word will confirm each other.

John 16:14

He will always speak to us through His Word by His Spirit of Holiness, confirming that the way of the Spirit is the way of the Word. His Holy Spirit speaks through and in agreement with His Word. As our minds are renewed, we are then receptive to godly principles, the implications of obedience and disobedience, and how each of us can uniquely apply His truth revealing the direction of our life.

And let the peace (soul harmony which comes) from Christ rule (act as umpire continually) in your hearts [deciding and settling with finality all questions that arise in your minds, in that peaceful state] to which as [members of Christ’s] one body you were also called [to live]. Colossians 3:15 Amplified Bible.

Before he had finished praying, Rebekah came out with her jar on her shoulder. Gen. 24:15

There are many reasons why we can miss the signs and direction of the Lord; however the most likely one is, that we have already made up our minds about the way we think things should go. Maybe we should give God a chance to show us His way first, it might just be that He has a better idea!

When we ask our Heavenly Father for direction in our life and it seems like our prayers aren’t even being heard, let’s remember how easy it was for Abrahams servant Eliezer. Could it be that the reason we have so much trouble discerning answers from the Lord is because we are praying with a pre-determined plan in our head?

Is it possible that the creator of the universe has something different for our future than the outcome we see?

We need to trust Him more for the outcome He has already planned for us.

Ps 139:16

Then the man bowed down and worshiped the Lord, 27 saying, “Praise be to the Lord, the God of my master Abraham, who has not abandoned his kindness and faithfulness to my master.

When our prayers seem to go out unanswered, we are often too quick to murmur and complain. Have we ever considered that we receive not because we ask amiss, wanting to fulfill our own worldly and fleshly lusts? James 4:3. So sometimes it is for our own good that things are withheld from us.

However, what about the times when God answers clearly, then we are quick to bless Him with thanksgiving, praise and worship. It seems we are then more likely to forget Him until the next time we want something.

Answered prayer is one of the many ways that our Heavenly Father shows His loving-kindness and faithfulness towards us. Proving that He not only remembers us but He is concerned about our daily needs and desires to be both the direction and destination on this journey and the provision in our lives.

We are not to set our minds according to our own desires but know that His ways are not always our ways and when He does respond, we must remain faithful to Him in return and continue to give Him the glory.

One thing is certain from the scriptures, if we are walking close to our Heavenly Father, we will not only hear Him and heed His directions but; everything we need will already have been prepared, ready and waiting for just the right time so we can fulfill the plans He has prepared for us. These provisions are on His pathway not the one of our choosing. Sometimes it is a good indication we are on the wrong path when there is no provision.

Ephesians 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Because our Father is no respecter of persons, in the same way as the messenger/angel promised to Abraham that he would go before him and orchestrate the future meeting at the well; and we often call these encounters divine appointments. We can be certain that He will also perfectly complete the plan He has for each of us.

Phil. 1:6 being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.

When we pray according to the will of our Father it is already taken care of, we just have to be obedient to walk by faith in what He has prepared, even when we don’t see it in the natural.

From last weeks post readers may find this video of interest:

(Utube link below)

https://youtu.be/hOJqLTc6RkU

 

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Peace to friends and family.

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.

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

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are very precious in His sight.

Not sure ..you can be…

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,

SAY IT 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.

A Timely Tale of Two Sons

Is the story of 2 brothers connected to

Matthew 24:21

and Yeshua/Jesus’ reference to the Days of Noah and the acharit hayamim/latter days; the Birthpangs/footsteps of Messiah/ikvot Mashiach and Jacobs trouble?

With all the focus on the nations in the middle east, an overview based on some historical facts may help us to understand what is happening and why. Governments and leaders around the world are beating war drums in the aftermath of recent events but as they say, the first casualty in war is truth; and maybe a better understanding of the different groups in that region, such as Hamas, Hezbollah, and the PLO, will help us understand what is going on and what may happen next. 

In all of what is unfolding we are certain of one thing, the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob is not taken by surprise because He is in control of everything. We must stay grounded in Him and not be moved or fearful by what we see and hear in the natural; but rather trust in Him and His Word. Psalm 121:4 tells us, The God of Israel never slumbers nor sleeps and His Word and all that is prophesied will indeed come to pass and be fulfilled in His time and way.

The tale of 2 sons, who were also brothers, goes back to Genesis.

In Genesis 4 we read about Cain/Kayin and Abel/Hevel and the 1st act of violence ended in Cain murdering Abel. It was the 1st time human blood was spilled. It was the beginning of the end when in Genesis 6:13 The Lord God saw that the earth was filled with violence and flooded the earth to cleanse it. Noah and his family were saved to start over.

Noah had 3 sons, Shem Ham and Japheth. Ham is the ancestor of Nimrod, and Abraham can be traced back through 10 generations to Shem.

The tale of 2 sons continues with Abrahams sons Ishmael and Isaac, who were half brothers.

Isaac continued the story when he fathered 2 sons Esau and Jacob; and we know that Esau was first born but gave up his birthright to Jacob for food. From Jacob, whose name was changed to Israel, come the Israelite tribes; and from Esau come the Edomite tribes as both of them had 12 sons.

This feud between the sets of brothers continues to this day through Ishmael and Esau and their respective descendants. This is an expansive subject and this post cannot cover all aspects, however an overview may help our perspective of the issues facing us today.  Referencing only what scripture tells us and in regards to the turmoil, violence, wars and rumors of wars, which we are told of in Matthew 24 will precede the return of Messiah.

The map below of ancient Israel, features the Biblical boundaries of the Land of Israel as described in Genesis 15:18 and Genesis 17:8. Possession of land and eliminating rivals are the focus of much biblical literature.

בַּיּ֣וֹם הַה֗וּא כָּרַ֧ת יְהֹוָ֛ה אֶת־אַבְרָ֖ם בְּרִ֣ית לֵאמֹ֑ר לְזַרְעֲךָ֗ נָתַ֙תִּי֙ אֶת־הָאָ֣רֶץ הַזֹּ֔את מִנְּהַ֣ר מִצְרַ֔יִם עַד־הַנָּהָ֥ר הַגָּדֹ֖ל נְהַר־פְּרָֽת׃

On that day Hashem made a covenant with Avram, saying, “To your offspring I assign this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates:

ba-YOM ha-HU ka-RAT a-do-NAI et av-RAM b’-REET lay-MOR l’-zar-a-KHA na-TA-tee et ha-A-retz ha-ZOT mi-n’-HAR mitz-RA-yim ad ha-na-HAR ha-ga-DOL n’-har p’-RAT

Genesis 15:18

וְנָתַתִּ֣י לְ֠ךָ֠ וּלְזַרְעֲךָ֨ אַחֲרֶ֜יךָ אֵ֣ת ׀ אֶ֣רֶץ מְגֻרֶ֗יךָ אֵ֚

ל־אֶ֣רֶץ כְּנַ֔עַן לַאֲחֻזַּ֖ת עוֹלָ֑ם וְהָיִ֥יתִי לָהֶ֖ם לֵאלֹהִֽים׃

I assign the land you sojourn in to you and your offspring to come, all the land of Canaan, as an everlasting holding. I will be their God.”

v’-na-ta-TEE l’-KHA ul-zar-a-KHA a-kha-RE-kha AYT E-retz m’-gu-RE-kha AYT kol E-retz k’-NA-an la-a-khu-ZAT o-LAM v’-ha-YEE-tee la-HEM LAay-lo-HEEM

Genesis 17:8

The map of ancient Israel is a document that has been studied by scholars and laymen for centuries. It has helped historians understand how external influences have shaped the land over time, and it reveals the ever-changing borders of ancient Israel.

Ancient Israel was initially inhabited by various Canaanite tribes, which were later conquered by the Israelites in the 13th century BCE. The Israelites then established their kingdom in the land, which extended from the Mediterranean coast to the Persian Gulf (Arabian Gulf).

The map above of ancient Israel shows the country’s territorial divisions during different periods of history. During the reign of King David, the kingdom of Israel included the land from the Euphrates River in the east to the River of Egypt in the west. Under King Solomon, the kingdom of Israel was at its peak and included parts of modern-day Egypt, Jordan, and Syria.

However, after the division of the kingdom into two states, Israel and Judah, in the 10th century BCE, the territory of ancient Israel was reduced once again. The northern kingdom of Israel was conquered by the Assyrians in 721 BCE and the southern kingdom of Judah was conquered by the Babylonians in 586 BCE, leading to significant changes in territory, population, and culture. Later, the Greeks established their own boundaries, and then the Romans.

The map reveals how these different forces have shaped the borders of the land over time. It also shows how certain cities or regions were important centers for trade or cultural exchange between different peoples during different historical periods.

Back to the sons… Abraham was called 1948 years after creation which is an interesting point!

Abraham had 2 sons one born of the flesh and one born of the spirit

One was by his own ability and one was by Gods ability.

Abraham tried to fulfill Gods promise to him by his own strength and did not wait on Gods timing. The son/fruit of the flesh always precedes the son/fruit of the spirit.

We act in our carnal understanding trying to help God out, by making the promises happen in our way and time. Fruit of the flesh always causes problems, flesh is flesh and spirit is spirit.

Ishmael’s mother was Sarahs handmaid Hagar; some scholars believe she was Egyptian, possibly pharaohs daughter? Type of the world/ gentile nations.  Islam considers her Abraham’s second wife, which was a custom in those days that to produce an heir if the wife could not conceive.

However Abraham should have waited for the son of the promise who would fulfill the prophecy that he would be the father of a multitude or many nations. Isaac gave birth to Jacob whose name was changed to Israel and he had 12 sons. The word to Ishmael was also that God would make him nations and Esau Jacobs brother also had 12 sons who became 12 tribes like the 12 tribes of Israel.

We often hear comments that Ishmael was a mistake that Abram and Sarai made that was a problem to all their future descendants. Ishmael was born according to the flesh that is by means of human design and effort.

Isaac was born through the promise and power of God. One lesson we learn is that actions inspired by works of the flesh without patiently waiting for Gods timing and provision will inevitably lead to conflict, hostility and produce fruit of the flesh.

However we see that YHWH spoke to her and blessed her and said that her descendants through Ishmael would be so many that they could not be numbered. If this was a mistake why would God cause Ishmael to increase his numbers? God knew of this before it happened and allowed it because it was always part of his plan. that these two nations should coexist to bring about the purposes of the Creator.

יִשְׁמָעֵאל Ishmael, Arabic Ismāʿīl, son of Abraham through Hagar,

The name Ishmael means: God will hear – yish maw ale.

Hagar, also spelled Agar, in the Old Testament

Gen. 16:1–16; 21:8–21.

Hagar called the Lord, the God who sees. El Roi

and the place was named: Beerlahairoi – the well of the living one.

Rom 4:1-25 Gal 4:21-5:1 Hebrews 7

Paul says Hagar represents the covenant God made with Israel at Mt.Sinai which bears children for slavery since her children are those who respond with the aspiration Ex.24:3 Deut 5:27 all the words which the Lord has spoken we will do. Whereas Sarah represents the covenant God made with Israel through the child of promise. (Yeshua) who bears children who are free and inheritors of the grace of God.

The Hebrew and middle eastern culture is very focused on family lines and having sons carries on the fathers house line and the inheritance always goes to the firstborn son. He carries the name and the responsibility of the family. Abraham fathered Ishmael first and that is the claim of the Ishmaelites better known as the Arab nations who are mostly muslins and believe Mohammed was the prophet sent from God and that Jesus/Yeshua was just another prophet along with all those of the Old testament.

Charts below:

Hamas? Hezbollah? The PLO?

Who’s Who in the Conflict with Israel.

There is a tendency to join the various anti-Western groups together as “Islamic terrorists,” however, the reality is a bit more complicated, so here is a brief look at some of these groups in more detail.

Some background on Palestine and Gaza.

Palestinian Arabs have occupied the area now known as Israel from the time the Romans exiled the Jews nearly 2,000 years ago.  Only very small Jewish communities survived until the 1880s when European Jews began emigrating to Palestine.  Jewish numbers increased in the area slowly at first but then more sharply after World War I.  

Palestine had been ruled by the Ottoman Empire for hundreds of years.  However, when the Ottoman Empire collapsed after World War I, Britain took control of the area.  In 1917, Britain issued its Balfour Declaration, encouraging the creation of a Jewish state.  Many Jewish populations within Europe were fleeing the devastation wrought by World War I, and Britain thought that Palestine might be a good place to resettle them.  Additionally, with the passage of more restrictive immigration laws in the U.S. in the 1920s, Jews simply found it easier to settle in Palestine.  

Naturally, tensions arose.  Many fights broke out between Jewish settlers, Palestinian Arabs, and the British government between the two World Wars.  However, after World War II, Britain could no longer afford to manage its overseas empire, and the United Nations agreed to divide Palestine between Jewish and Arab groups.  

In 1948, one day after the announcement of a new Jewish state, the surrounding Arab nations of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Iraq attacked Israel.   At the end of a year-long war, the Israelis won.  With the passage of the Israeli Land Acquisition Law in 1953, most of the land within Palestine was formally transferred from its former Palestinian owners to the new Israeli government.

But tensions never really ceased.  War broke out again in 1967 between Israel, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan.   After this war, Israel won control of both Gaza and the West Bank,  leaving the now-landless Palestinians living under the control of the Israeli government.

On top of many other issues, the Palestinians have a very high birthrate, which has made the Gaza Strip bordering Egypt one of the most densely-populated places on earth.  Poor, crowded areas, full of largely unemployed young people, are ripe grounds for terrorist groups to recruit.  And this is exactly what’s happened in Palestine. Though it must be said that not all those in Gaza nor all Palestinians are terrorists we know there are both good and bad people in every nation.

The PLO

The Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO) was founded in 1964 in Cairo, when leaders of 13 Arabic countries pledged to take action to liberate Palestine from Israeli rule.  The PLO acts as an umbrella group for six different Palestinian groups, the most prominent of which has been Fatah, to which Yasser Arafat belonged.  

While the PLO denied Israel’s right to exist for decades and conducted terrorist activities that ultimately killed thousands of Israelis, in 1993, Arafat entered into an agreement with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin in the Oslo Accords.  Arafat renounced terrorism and recognized Israel’s right to exist, and Rabin agreed to recognize the PLO as the official representative organization of the Palestinians.  

But fighting continued nonetheless. 

As the PLO claimed to back away from violence, other, more militant groups like Hamas have stepped in. 

The word Hamas means violence and was founded in the late 1980s, partially in response to the seeming ineffectiveness of the PLO.  Hamas is apparently an explicitly Islamic organization and is not about peaceful solutions or improving the lives of Palestinians. It’s about violently purging the state of Israel from the world.   

Hezbollah emerged from the Lebanese Civil War in the late 1970s.  They are a Shiite Muslim group, also dedicated to the eradication of Israel. 

The Iranian government provides the overwhelming majority of funding for Hezbollah, though Hezbollah has always insisted that they are in favor of Lebanese independence.  

Because Hezbollah is so much more sophisticated than Hamas, the Israeli government has been stationing troops at the Lebanese border

This post is only the briefest of overviews. People study Middle Eastern history for years and years, only to come away with the thought that we all need to get our spiritual houses in order.  

The Middle East conflict was prophesied in the Old Testament. The conflict is between two sons and, the descendants of Isaac and the descendants of Ishmael.

On the day of feasting during which Abraham celebrated the weaning of Isaac, Ishmael was “mocking” or “playing with” Isaac (the Hebrew word מְצַחֵֽק, “meṣaḥeq” is ambiguous). This caused Sarah to tell Abraham to send Hagar and Ishmael away.

Abraham circumcised Isaac on the eighth day, making him a party to the holy covenant God had established with Abraham. 

Isaac became Abraham’s sole heir, and Ishmael and Hagar were banished to the desert, though God promised that Ishmael would raise up a great nation of his own.

Abraham, Ishmael and Isaac form the link between the world’s three major monotheistic religions, Islam, Judaism and Christianity.

Isaac and Ishmael: Spirit and Flesh 21:8-11

In Galatians 4:28-29, Paul makes it clear that Ishmael represents the believer’s first birth (the flesh) and Isaac represents the second birth (the Spirit). Ishmael was “born of the flesh” because Abraham had not yet “died” and was still able to beget a son Gen. 16. Isaac was “born of the Spirit” because by that time his parents were both “dead” and only God’s power could have brought conception and birth. Ishmael was born first, because the natural comes before the spiritual 1 Cor. 15:46.

When you trust Jesus Christ, you experience a miracle birth from God John 1:11-13, and it is the work of the Holy Spirit of God John 3:1-8. Abraham represents faith, and Sarah represents grace Gal. 4:24-26, so Isaac was born “by grace … through faith” Eph. 2:8-9. This is the only way a lost sinner can enter the family of God (John 3:16-18.

It is worth noting that, in the biblical record, God often rejected the firstborn and accepted the second-born. He rejected Cain and chose Abel Gen. 4:1-15. He rejected Ishmael, Abraham’s firstborn, and chose Isaac. He bypassed Esau, Isaac’s firstborn, and chose Jacob Rom. 9:8-13, and He chose Ephraim instead of Manasseh Gen. 48. In Egypt, the Lord condemned all the firstborn Ex. 11–12 and spared only those who were “twice-born” because they were protected by faith in the blood of the lamb.

Isaac pictures the child of God not only in his birth but also in the joy that he brought. Isaac means “laughter,” and this time it was not the laughter of unbelief Gen. 18:9-15. In the parables recorded in Luke 15, Jesus emphasized the joy that results when lost sinners repent and come to the Lord. The shepherd rejoiced when he found the lost sheep, and the woman rejoiced when she found the lost coin, and they both asked their friends to rejoice with them. The father rejoiced when his prodigal son came home, and he invited the neighbors to a feast so they could share in his joy. There is even joy in heaven when sinners turn to God Luke 15:7, 10.

Nowhere do we read that Ishmael caused great joy in Abraham’s home. Abraham loved his son and wanted the best for him Gen. 17:18. From before his birth, Ishmael was a source of painful trouble Gen. 16, and after he matured, he caused even greater conflict in the family 21:9. The old nature is not able to produce the fruit of the Spirit, no matter how hard it tries Gal. 5:16-26.

 

Note a third comparison between Isaac and the child of God: He grew and was weaned Gen. 21:8. The new birth is not the end, but the beginning, and the believer must feed on God’s Word and grow spiritually Matt. 4:4; 1 Cor. 3:1-3; Heb. 5:12-14; 1 Peter 2:1-3; 2 Peter 3:18. As we mature in the Lord, we must “put away childish things” 1 Cor. 13:9-11 and allow God to “wean us” Ps. 131 from temporary helps that can become permanent hindrances.

Like every child of God, Isaac experienced persecution Gen. 21:9; Gal. 4:29. Ishmael was apparently an obedient son until Isaac entered the family, and then the “flesh” began to oppose “the Spirit.” It has well been said that the old nature knows no law but the new nature needs no law, and this is certainly illustrated in Abraham’s two sons.

Jewish children were usually weaned at about age three, so Ishmael was probably seventeen years old at the time Gen. 16:16 But God had said that Ishmael would become “a wild donkey of a man” 16:12 , and the prediction came true. The flesh and the Spirit are in conflict with each other and always will be until we see the Lord Gal. 5:16-26.

When, like Isaac, you are born of the Spirit, you are born rich Gen. 21:10. Isaac was the heir of all that his father owned, and God’s children are “heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ” Rom. 8:17). Abraham cared for Ishmael while the boy was in the home, but “Abraham gave all that he had unto Isaac” Gen. 25:5).

Finally, Isaac was born free, while Ishmael was the son of a slave Gal. 4:22. Freedom is one of the key themes in Galatians 5:1 and one of the key blessings in the Christian life 4:31.

No one is more free than the child of God who delights in His will and does it from the heart.

 God honored His promise to bless Abraham’s offspring through Sarah, but He also acknowledged and blessed Ishmael and Hagar. Ishmael, Abraham’s firstborn son with Hagar 

יִשְׁמָעֵאל Ishmael, Arabic Ismāʿīl, son of Abraham through Hagar,

Hagar, also spelled Agar, in the Old Testament Gen. 16:1–16; 21:8–21,

Descendants of the Ishmaelites

After roaming the wilderness for some time, Ishmael and his mother settled in the Desert of Paran, where he became an expert in archery. Eventually, his mother found him a wife from the land of Egypt. They had twelve sons each of whom became a tribal chief in one of the regions from Havilah to Shur, from Assyria to the border of Egypt. His sons:

Nebaioth (נְבָיוֹת Nəḇāyōṯ)

Kedar (קֵדָר Qēḏār), father of the Qedarites, a northern Arab tribe that controlled the area between the Persian Gulf and the Sinai Peninsula. According to tradition, he is the ancestor of the Quraysh tribe, and thus, ancestor of the Islamic prophet Muhammad.

Adbeel (אַדְבְּאֵל ʾAḏbəʾēl)

Mibsam (מִבְשָֽׂם Mīḇsām)

Mishma (מִשְׁמָע Mīšmāʿ)

Dumah (דוּמָה Ḏūmā)

Massa (מַשָּֽׂא Massāʾ)

Hadad (חֲדַד Ḥăḏaḏ)

Tema (תֵימָא Ṯēmāʾ)

Jetur (יְטוּר Yəṭūr)

Naphish (נָפִישׁ Nāfīš)

Kedemah (קֵדְמָה Qēḏəmā)

Ishmael also had one known daughter, Mahalath or Basemath, the third wife of Esau.

Ishmael appeared with Isaac at the burial of Abraham. Ishmael died at the age of 137.

 

According to the Book of Genesis, in the Hebrew Bible, Isaac rather than Ishmael was the true heir of the Abrahamic tradition and covenant, while at the same time being blessed by God with a great nation.

In some traditions Ishmael is said to have had two wives, one of them named Aisha. This name corresponds to the Muslim tradition for the name of Muhammad’s wife. This is understood as a metaphoric representation of the Muslim world (first Arabs and then Turks) with Ishmael.

Rabbinical commentators in the Midrash Genesis Rabbah also say that Ishmael’s mother Hagar was the Pharaoh’s daughter, making Ishmael the Pharaoh’s grandson. This could be why Genesis 17:20 refers to Ishmael as the father of 12 mighty princes. According to Genesis 21:21, Hagar married Ishmael to an Egyptian woman, and if Rabbinical commentators are correct that Hagar was the Pharaoh’s daughter, his marriage to a woman she selected could explain how and why his sons became princes.

 

According to other Jewish commentators, Ishmael’s mother Hagar is identified with Keturah, the woman Abraham sought out and married after Sarah’s death. It is suggested that Keturah was Hagar’s personal name, and that “Hagar” was a descriptive label meaning “stranger”.

Ishmael’s descendants “settled in the area from Havilah to Shur, near the border of Egypt as you go toward Ashur” Genesis 25:18 . 

Looking at the historical significance of the worldwide violence/ hamas, prevalent in Noahs day and the facts concerning the stories of two brothers; there is a connection to Jesus’ Messiahs reference to the Days of Noah and the acharit hayamim.

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. 7Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8All these are the beginning of birth pains. Matthew 24:5

The existence of hamas/violence is surely a sign of Messiah’s soon return…look up for our redemption draws ever closer and while we are looking, let’s intercede for all those innocent people caught up in the conflicts. Let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem as scripture tells us to and focus on our Heavenly Father, Who sees everything and is working all things together for good; for His ways are not our ways and we must trust His plan. As Messiah tells us not to be shaken by worldwide events because we are seeing biblical prophecy being fulfilled before our eyes.

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Peace to friends and family.

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.

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

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are very precious in His sight.

Not sure ..you can be…

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,

SAY IT 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.