I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart
I will enter His courts with praise
I will say this is the day that the Lord has made
I will rejoice for He has made me glad.
This is an old chorus based on the Psalm 100:4
It’s a very familiar verse to everyone who is part of an assembly of believers in Jesus Christ/Yeshua haMashiach.
Most of us will identify the action of entering His gates, with going through the doors of the building where the meetings are held; and His courts with praise’ as moving into the sanctuary of the building. That’s what most of us have been taught for years and we would probably not think it meant anything else.
At the time this verse was written, there was only the Temple in Jerusalem/Yerushalayim. It was not considered the ‘church building’ of its day, although many people do think of it in that way. The Temple was the very dwelling place of our Heavenly Father however, as we know, He no longer dwells in a building. According to 1Cor. 6:19, The Temple containing the Holy Spirit of the Living God is now our bodies. The inner sanctuary, the Holy of Holies was where Gods presence dwelt and the sanctuary/holy of holies was inside the whole structure called the Temple. The innermost part of us, is the sanctuary for His Holy Spirit. He is residing in our born again from above spirit. Wherever a true believer is, that’s where the sanctuary of God’s presence is also.
We also have to remember that the church or ecclesia is not a building. Ecclesia, the called apart, or called out ones, are the people. They the individuals that make up the body of Messiah in the earth. We are the living stones that make up His habitation on earth.
1Peter 2:5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
So if these gates are not the physical ‘church building’ or ‘gates to the temple’ what are they?
Gates, as entrances and exits, have long captured our imagination. Many traditions are rich with gates and ours is no exception. Among others are:
Gates of Salvation,
Gates of Repentance,
Gates of Prayer,
Gates of Righteousness,
Gates of introspection and reflection,
Gates of Hell,
Gates of Glory,
Heavens gates.
In Hebrew the word gate is sha’ar.
שַׁ֫עַר
This word has many different meanings.
As well as gate, sha’ar can mean,
hair, a storm or tempest, a decision, to calculate,
a determination, a remnant or something horrible.
The Hebrew word for gate, sha’ar and its variations, appears more than 350 times in scripture. In Hebrew culture the imagery of gates covers both historical and spiritual meanings, being symbolic on many levels.
Most commentators on scripture believe that the first time a word is mentioned in the Torah is significant and tells of its deepest meaning.
For example:
The first mention of sha’ar
is immediately after the binding of Isaac.
This is when Abraham is blessed and God promises him that “your descendants will inherit the gate of their enemies” Genesis 22:17.
The next mention of sha’ar is in Genesis 24:60 when Rebecca leaves her family to marry Isaac, she receives a similar blessing: “May your offspring take possession of the gate of those who hate them”.
Gates, then, are points of protection and power. To possess the gate of our enemies is to control the forces that want to harm us. In ancient Israel, gates were the stronghold protecting daily life within the safety of city walls and gates; and so much of that life took place at the gates of the city, where the elders would gather and prophets would speak.
An interesting point is that the word sha’ar comes from the same Hebrew root as shiur (measure). In one interpretation of the verse “Her husband is known in the gates” The Hebrew sages teach that the husband is a metaphor for God, whose understanding is only known in measures. Our Heavenly Father makes Himself known to each individual according to the measure of the understanding of his or her heart.
It seems very strange that one word can mean so many different things and yet at the same time, be related?
If we look at the word in the context of a doorway, especially a doorway to our Heavenly Father, these words are all related.
For a long time, Gates have been a symbol of a point of communication between worlds and realms. In Genesis 28:17 following Jacobs dream of the ladder, he says, “This is no other than the house of God, and this is the gate of heaven”.
The spiritual significance of gates became increasingly more emphasized after the gates of Jerusalem were broken down and the Holy Temple was destroyed, Hebrew sages teach that the gate of heaven is the place to which prayers ascend.
As we often do with Hebrew words lets break down to the individual letters which we know from previous studies that they all have their own meanings and are pictures telling a story in themselves. The word sha’ar is made up of the letters sh = shin a = ayin and r = resh.
שַׁ֫עַר
For example in the first letter of the word for gate and that is a
שַׁ֫
Shin by which we get the idea of a storm or tempest which is expressed as or represents the passionate love of Heavenly Father for His children. It is telling us that when we go through this gate we enter the stormy passionate love of God.
עַ
Ayin is the next letter which represents deep spiritual insight. It gives us a picture that when we pass through this gate/sha’ar into the presence of God you are immersed into deep spiritual insight and understanding where we discover something horrible!
What could it be that is horrible? That is our sinful nature and the darkness hidden in the deep recesses of our hearts, remnants of the old man, the carnal nature.
In studying the Hebrew scriptures and beginning to appreciate the Israelite culture and way of life, we see how they lived and what their customs were.
In those days before there were wooden doors in a home, hair from animals was woven together to make a kind of doorway covering the entrance.
This door was to keep the wind from blowing dust etc. into the house it was not meant to keep out strangers.
Many times it was the wool from a lamb which was used to make this doorway.
We should not think this so strange because we know of course that it is the Lamb of God who cleanses us from our sin. He provides the doorway/gate to relationship with our Heavenly Father and He is able to protect us from spiritual contamination from the outside world, yet gives us a WAY to reach others and invite them into ‘His home.’
Furthermore we must make a decision as to whether or not to accept this gift of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God and to enter in through that provision.
ר
Resh is the final letter for the word door or gate/sha’ar and that is the letter r or Resh which represents repentance/teshuvah.
This could inspire a picture showing us that when we come together with other believers in Messiah, whether it is in a building we call a church or in a home; then together we find out the precious jewels to be unearthed in God’s Word. We will enter His gates where we will find deep insight into our sinful natures, leading us to repent of our sins and through the shed blood of the Lamb of God be cleansed so you can enter into the fiery, passionate and stormy love of God.
It would automatically follow that having been cleansed of our sin and having had the privilege of experiencing the
שַׁ֫ shin/ stormy passionate love of God, our heart will be filled with thankfulness towards Him.
In Hebrew thankfulness is the word todah, and its spelled
T for Taw D for Daleth and H for Hei/Hay.
todah: thanksgiving:8426
Original Word: תּוֹדָה Part of Speech: Noun Feminine Transliteration: todah Phonetic Spelling: (to-daw’) Definition: thanksgiving
תּ Taw gives the picture of expressing praise and thanksgiving,
דָ Daleth which is a door or portal to the last letter,
the ה Hei which speaks of the presence of God.
We learn that the behavior and lifestyle of the people in the assembly of Laodicea mentioned in Revelation 3:14-22 was not acceptable to the Lord. This made them neither hot nor cold in their relationship towards Him and this caused Him to say that He was ready to spew them out of His mouth.
What were they doing that made our Heavenly Father say that?
In verse 20
Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”
Here is an answer, in order to fully comprehend what it means, we must take a look at the Hebraic use of language in that day. This expression is one that a Jewish person of that time would quickly understand. To them it was an indication that Messiah was seeking to make His presence known, so He was knocking at the todah /praise and thanksgiving which is the doorway to His presence.
If an individual opens that dalet/doorway, that gate, with praise and thanksgiving Messiah will enter and His presence will fill the sanctuary, which as we have seen in scripture is our bodies, and He will not only dine with us, He will abide with us.
Another interesting point that we miss in our western culture is that in Middle Eastern, Oriental or Semitic culture of that day, and incidentally it still is today, when someone wants to reconcile with an enemy they will have dinner together and discuss their differences. This explains why inPsalms 23:5David writes that God prepares a table before him in the presence of his enemies. With an emphasis on cultural etiquette David is saying is that God lays the foundation or prepares the ground work for reconciliation with his enemies. When we read Revelation 3:20 we know that the Blood of the Lamb cleanses us from our sin, however it is our thanksgiving and praise that ultimately brings reconciliation us to the loving, stormy filled passion and the presence of our heavenly Father.
It is also of interest to note that all we have to do is open the dalet/door and Messiah Yeshua passes through, it is not us that passes through. This is the big change in the order of things, the protocol of how to approach a Holy God has changed from the directions given to Moses. Whereas it used to be that the people passed through the gates of the temple to enter the place of God’s presence, and then only the priests could enter the holy place; and only the High Priest could go into the holy of holies once a year on Yom Kippur. All the rest of the people had to stay in the outer court. Today it is up to us to ask and invite Messiah into the sanctuary, our bodies, to bring His presence into us. In praise and thanksgiving, we are inviting Messiah to enter our sanctuary and let it become His holy of holies.
“Open for me the gates of righteousness, that I may enter and thank God. This is the gateway to the Lord; the righteous shall enter it” Psalm 118:19.
All are thresholds of revelation where His divine presence reaches into our human realm.
In Hebrew the Jewish synagogue service tells us that:
Every morning God is said to open the gates of the east and break open the windows of the heavens, bestowing light to the world and its inhabitants (Shabbat morning prayer).
Sunrise over Jerusalem from the Mt of Olives
As the first light breaks through the darkness, it calls to us to wake up to the reality of His steadfast love and endless grace and mercy.
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. Lamentations 3:22/3
Every day is a new beginning.
Ezekiel contains several references to a gate that faces east. In Ezekiel 10:18–19, the prophet sees the glory of the Lord leave the temple through
the entrance of the east gate of the Lord’s house”;
the glory then moves east of the city to the Mount of Olives
Ezekiel 11:23
Later, Ezekiel sees the glory of the Lord return to the temple via
“the gate facing east” Ezekiel 43:1–5.
Gates open and gates close, but, we are told, there is one gate that is never closed. In Matthew 7:13-14 In this context Matthew is discussing the narrow gate leading to salvation, eternal life & the broad gate which leads to destruction. Yeshua/Jesus made it clear, the path to eternal life is open to everyone who asks. However, the gate to heaven is “narrow” in the sense of having a particular requirement for entrance—faith faith in Jesus Christ/Yeshua haMashiach. Salvation is found only in the Person of Jesus Christ/ Yeshua haMashiach. The Bible tells us that He is the only Way John 14:6. The “wide” gate is non-exclusive; it allows for human effort and all other of the world’s religions.
God offers salvation to everyone who accepts it John 1:12; 3:16-18; Romans 10:9; 1 John 2:2.But it is on His terms. We must come the way He has provided. We cannot create our own paths or come to a holy God based on our own efforts. They choose temporary, earthly pleasure over the self-sacrifice required in following Jesus/Yeshua.Mark 8:34; Luke 9:23; Matthew 10:37.The narrow gate is ignored. Most people would rather create their own religions and design their own gods. So it was with sorrow, not as a discrimination, that Messiah declared that the road to eternal life is
“narrow, and only a few find it.“
When faced with the choice between a narrow, bumpy road and a wide, paved highway, most of us choose the easier road. Human nature gravitates toward comfort and pleasure. When faced with the reality of denying themselves to follow Jesus/Yeshua, most people turn away. John 6:66. Messiah never sugar-coated the truth, and the truth is that not many people are willing to pay the price to follow Him.
We are to choose which gates we will enter into, let’s make sure the sha’ar we choose are the ones that take us into the passionate love of our Heavenly Fathers presence.
Shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and 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.
Confusion comes when there is lack of knowledge and understanding. Another reason is a lack of clarity when truth is obscured; and of us not thinking things through to the fullness of the consequences of our actions.
When we want our own desires filled in our own way, for our own benefit; then we become confused about what the Fathers’ will, plan and purpose is for us.
When James and John made a personal request for special treatment through their mother in Matthew 20, Messiah spoke to them in verse 22.
But Jesus answered and said, Ye know not what ye ask.
Are ye able to drink of the cup that I shall drink of, and to be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?
They say unto him, We are able.
Things that we think and imagine to be the most desirable, would often be the absolute worst for our spiritual progress; and in praying for these ‘good things’, we are apt to forget to count the cost that we must pay in order to gain them. Jesus/Yeshua sets the obstacles before the ambitious disciples, pointing out all that they would face.
Are ye able to drink of the cup?
Both Joy and sorrow, blessing and affliction, in Bible terms these are often referred to under the metaphor of a cup.
We read this in Psalm 11:6; Psalm 23:5; Isaiah 51:17 and Jeremiah 25:15. Here the cup signifies the internal, mental, and spiritual sufferings which Messiah enduredMatthew 26:39, 42.
That I shall drink of; ο{ ἐγὼ μέλλω πίνειν: which I am about to drink; or am purposing to drink.
He expresses His willingness and intent of suffering bitterly, and asks them if they are prepared to do the same. To be baptized, with the baptism He was about to endure. The baptism is significant of the external pains and persecutions, the waters in which He was to be totally immersed.
Psalm 69:2, 15.Saveme, OGod, forthewaters have come up to my neck. 2 I sink in the miry depths, where there is no foothold. I have come into the deep waters; the floods engulf me. 3 I am worn out calling for help; my throat is parched. My eyes fail, looking for my God.
But Jesus answered, and said,…. To her two sons, ye know not what ye ask.
Notice Messiah answered the sons not the mother who asked for this special request. They were seemingly very ignorant of the nature of Christ’s kingdom, which is spiritual, and not of this world: or they would never have asked such a question. They were supposing that His kingdom was as they imagined it to be from their own experience. However in asking for positions of authority, honors and riches, they might not have known the spiritual connotations of what they asked for. The brothers were no doubt promising themselves a future enjoying great pleasures and happiness, and were not even thinking that they may encounter unexpected trials, troubles and testings.
Messiah suggests to these disciples, that instead of indulging their ambitious desires of worldly grandeur, that they would do well to consider what a bitter cup He had to drink and what a sea of sorrows and sufferings He was about to be plunged into. And furthermore, whether they could think of enduring anything equal to it, for His sake; which was most likely to be in a short time, and what they would be called to endure. It was not going to be to honor, relaxing in luxury and pleasure before they entered the everlasting kingdom of His glory.
They were thinking that it would be with a special honor and a wonderful life should their request be granted, where in fact the truth was it would require much suffering and trial on their part.
In Mark 10:38,39. Our Savior gently reproves them for their ill advised request, and again reminds them, that He must first suffer, before entering into His glory, and that by much tribulation they also must enter into the kingdom of God. This was to inform them that suffering and hard trials were more in line with reality than their present thoughts of sitting at His right and left hand.
It is clear in Romans 8:17
for we must suffer with him, if we will be glorified together.
How ready are we to ask for things which we really have no clue about; and are we confused about our role and the path we should take?
There are times in our spiritual life when there is confusion and the way out of it is not simply to say that we shouldn’t be confused. It is not a matter of right and wrong but a matter of our Heavenly Fathers Holy Spirit taking us through a Way that for the present moment, we temporarily don’t understand.
It’s only by going through this spiritual confusion that we will come to understand of what God wants for us. In Luke 11:5-8 Yeshua/Jesus gave the example of a man who appears to not care for his friend. He was saying that sometimes this is how we perceive that the Father seems to be with us.
We will mistakenly think He is a unkind friend however we need to remember that the truth is He is NOT an unkind friend.
That time will come when all will be clear and everything will be explained. It can seem as if there is a cloud on the friendship relationship of the heart however, even love itself often has to painfully wait with tears for the blessing of a deeper fellowship and oneness.
When our Heavenly Father seems to be completely hidden and far from us, will we hold fast by keeping intact our confidence in Him?
In Luke 11:11 – 13He said that there are times when our Heavenly Father may seem like He is an unnatural and unloving father as if He is callous and indifferent.
However nothing could be further from the truth, and we are to remember that He is not …He is love; although it is not the selfish human emotion we call love, His love is of a totally different caliber and includes chastening and correction to keep us on course.
Luke 11:10 everyone who asks receives.
If all we see is a shadow on His face at this moment, we must hold fast to the Truth that He will ultimately give us clear understanding, and He’ll fully justify Himself in everything that He has allowed into our lives.
Luke 18:1 –8 when the son of man comes will he really find faith on the Earth? Will be find the kind of faith that counts on Him In spite of all the confusion?
Stand firm in faith, believing that what Jesus/Yeshua said is the truth, although in the meantime we may not fully understand what He is doing. There are bigger issues at stake than the personal things we are asking of Him right now.
Confusion and every unsure feeling is from the adversary; it’s an enemy of peace, clarity and truth.
Confusion is the dust raised by the feet of the devil and is designed by that subtle calculator, to cloud our vision and blind our eyes to the good that the Father has placed directly in our path; and if we continue in faith, which is the direct opposite of fear, we will surely find that path.
His Word guides us, it is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path Psalms 119:105
Yeshua/Jesus is the Word made flesh and His Spirit will always guide us as He is
the Way the Truth and the life.
John 14:6
Paul said
Not that I have already attained or am already perfected, but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
Phil. 3:12
We must never waver once we have clear guidance from the Holy Spirit of the Living God. If we set out to do what He has given us the instructions to do and sudden fear grips our hearts; know that it is a device of the enemy. Our Heavenly Father is NOT the author of fear but of courage and a settled sound mind. 2Tim. 1:7.
We should remember that fear is a spiritual force and we cannot fight a spiritual battle with carnal weapons, fleshly feelings and emotions or natural strength are not going to win the victory for us. The enemy will try to force us forward with pressure from many side. Our Fathers Holy Spirit always leads us, He never pushes us with anxious pressure.
Just as faith imparted to us by the Spirit of our Heavenly Father is a spiritual force, we have all been given the measure of faith according to Romans 12:3.
God has given to each a “measure of faith”.
This spiritual force is given to us to use for Him. This “faith” is the gift from which all the other gifts flow. This is what we apply when we speak out His word, knowing the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds. The spiritual armor He provides is for our protection and to defend against the enemies attacks.
When our thoughts, decisions and actions do not line up with the Word of God then confusion with ensue. The way to combat that is to keep essential communication between ourselves and the Father. Only when that channel remains completely open can we hear and obey and fulfill His purposes. We must resist every hindrance, especially in our thought life, we are to Humble ourselves before the Lord Resist the devil and he will flee. James 4:9.
Truly we must humble ourselves continually, not trying to work things out in our own way and strength. The deepest part of our being must be yielded to our Father. When we do this, we give Him full control of our lives and all our energies are focused on Him and not on ourselves.
God is not the author of confusion but of peace.
1 Corinthians 14:33.
There are times that we are tempted to measure ourselves against others, their lives, situations, etc., and maybe ask their advice without first asking our Heavenly Father and that can further our confusion. People may be used to confirm what we already know and have a witness about.
We are to be considerate and tolerant of others at what ever state of spiritual development they may be, but we are not to set our standards by theirs or take advice unless specifically guided by the Holy Spirit to do so.
True peace in Hebrew is shalom, it is harmony with His Spirit of Holiness and is a safeguard when we are making decisions.
Col 3:15 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]. And be thankful (appreciative), [giving praise to God always].
It is from the Greek word brabeuo, which in ancient times was used to describe the umpire or referee who moderated and judged the athletic competitions that were so popular in the ancient world. Paul uses this word to tell us that the peace of God can work like an umpire or referee in our hearts, minds, and emotions.
Phil 4:7 And the peace of God [that peace which reassures the heart, that peace] which transcends allunderstanding, [that peace which] stands guard over your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus
Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, do I give unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. John 14:27
The Hebrew word for peace, shalom (שׁלום) is derived from a root denoting wholeness or completeness, and its frame of reference throughout Jewish literature is bound up with the notion of shelemut, perfection.
YHWH Shalom means God who is peace, wholeness, completeness, nothing broken and nothing left out.Judges 6:24
(‘settled quietness and composure of mind ‘means, the fullness of the word for peace which is ‘Shalom’ which is ‘full, total and complete wholeness for the human spirit, soul (mind will emotions), and body.
In the Bible, the word shalom is most commonly used to refer to a state of affairs, one of well-being, tranquility, prosperity, and security, circumstances unblemished by any sort of defect. Shalom is a blessing, a manifestation of divine grace.
It implies wholeness, completeness, and well-being in all aspects of life, health, safety, harmony, and prosperity and harmony with God, self, and others.
This is the shalom/peace He leaves with us John 14:27 and in this peace, this shalom, there is no confusion. This is what we must wait for before we do anything. If there is any tiny, slightest doubt…then wait, until there is complete deep settled peace/shalom.
Is. 55:12 You will go out in joy and be led forth in peace; the mountains and hills will burst into song before you, and all the trees of the field will clap.
And by waiting with patience until we have that place of true peace/shalom, this is our faith in operation.
This is how He leads us with no spiritual confusion.
Shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and 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.
In Proverbs there are many helpful instructions for believers covering almost every area of our lives. It is a perfect daily reading for every month with 31 chapters! It is often called the book of wisdom being written mostly by Solomon who was known as the wisest man who ever lived. 1Kings 4:29-34.
In 1Kings 10 we are told that the queen of the south/Queen of Sheba came to visit Solomon because of his reputation; and so did many others from far and wide.
He had insights from the Lord because wisdom is what he asked for in relation to being able to rule Gods people with righteous judgments. 1Kings 3:1-15.
There is a scripture in Proverbs 27:6 which says
Faithful are the wounds of a friend but deceitful are the kisses of the enemy.
What are these wounds?
It takes grace to give Godly correction; and it takes greater grace to receive it. Unlike David, in 2 Samuel 12 who accepted Nathan’s correction and humbled himself when confronted with his issues, many people will not.
Wounds of a friend– Pats’ai‘ohav פצעי אוהב
Proverbs 27:6: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of the enemy.”
Today, with life’s unending difficulties and pitfalls, it causes many to be stressed out, and at times wondering when it will all stop. We should remember that Paul encouraged us all that without patience and faith, it is impossible to please God? Hebrews 11:6.
If we ‘know’ something, then clearly we don’t need faith to believe and wait for an answer. Faith is needed when we don’t understand what is happening to us or our loved ones, when there seems no rhyme or reason for the problems; or when there seems to be one thing after another piled on top of each other with no space to even come up for air. We can always look and find there are those worse off than wherever our situation is. Natural disasters that are happening worldwide, are leaving devastation and causing chaos for thousands, many with little hope of assistance or recovery. We often use our idiom of, ‘it never rains but it pours.’
These are the crises times when we need strong faith in our Heavenly Fathers ability to intervene and come to our aid and rescue us.
Maybe we can handle one, maybe two trials but when these hard testings come one right after the other, there is a choice to either begin to curse God or to hold tighter onto Him. Job being the prime example.
Strong faith is built up over time, faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word. Romans 10:17. We must have His Word planted deep within our very being. Just as muscles are built up by hard, tough exercise, we must exercise and strengthen our faith muscles long before we find ourselves in any crisis.
In the Hebrew text of Proverbs 27:6
At the beginning of the verse there is an interesting word, amen or faithful. So it reads:Faithful or amen are the wounds of a friend.
נֶ֭אֱמָנִים
Proverbs 27:6 HEB:נֶ֭אֱמָנִים פִּצְעֵ֣י אוֹהֵ֑ב NAS:Faithful are the wounds of a friend, KJV:Faithful [are] the wounds of a friend; INT:Faithful are the wounds of a friend
[אָמַן] verb confirm, support
aman: to confirm, support
Original Word: אָמַן Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aman Phonetic Spelling: aw-man’ Definition:to confirm, support
We are more used to hearing amen spoken out to indicate that we are in agreement or so be it. It is very similar to aman = support or confirm, with only the vowel different.
It is more usual for us to read that commentators interpret this proverb as saying that, the helpful, truthful, honest comments and advice that come from a friend can sometimes hurt and wound our feelings even when they are true.
It may be advice on dress code, personal hygiene or other habits that are antisocial; and even comments concerning our spiritual wellbeing or sinful, unacceptable behavior. These friendly bits of advice are much preferred from one who loves us, than from someone who just agrees with us just to please us.
In reality the essence of this verse is, that even through all the difficulties being faced, we hear the words that our hope and trust are in our Heavenly Father. Jesus/Yeshua said He will never leave nor forsake us, especially in the midst of these troubles; this indicates the individual is remaining amen or faithful to God.
In declaring our faith in His ability to sustain us and be with us through every situation, test and trial, we bring joy to our Heavenly Fathers heart.
The word for faithful or amen has the idea of:
supporting, true, staying, and faithful.
To be faithful to God means:
that we are staying with Him no matter what.
God can deliver us from the fiery furnace, but if He doesn’t, let it be known that we will still be faithful to Him. Daniel 3:18-28.
This verse in Proverbs tells us something about the nature of faithfulness.Faithful are the wounds of a friend.
Original Word: פָצַע Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: patsa Phonetic Spelling: paw-tsah’ Definition: to bruise, wound by bruising
Word Origin a prim. root emasculated* (1), one (1), wounded (1), wounding* (1).
To be emasculated is what happens to a eunuch
A eunuch is one who voluntarily goes under the knife.
The Hebrew word rendered as friend here is an unusual word to use for friend. It is the word ahav, aheb or oheb which is the word for love. Some examples in scripture where this word is used are below.
Recall letters v and b are interchangeable in Hebrew and the vowels a,e,i,o,u, are added for pronunciation as there are only consonants in the Hebrew alefbet.
Original Word: אָהַב Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: aheb Phonetic Spelling: aw-hab’ Definition:to love
This is in a ‘construct form’ in the Hebrew language and its sentence construction: link below
https://biblehub.com/hebrewparse.htm
and would be rendered as:
the loving one.
So we could read this as:
the loving one who voluntarily allows himself to be injured.
Does this description remind us of someone?
Let’s be quite honest, none of us would willingly volunteer to go into a time of trouble unless we are helping someone we love. If it were possible, many parents would willingly volunteer to take on their child’s illness or sickness, if it would heal them and prevent their suffering. There are many wartime testimonies of soldiers who have voluntarily laid down their lives for the sake of their friends, their brothers and sisters in arms. Stories of bravery, courage and self sacrifice are seemingly more common in times of life threatening crises for family and loved ones. Is it possible that this verse in Proverbs is making a reference to something even deeper in a subtle way? It may be a bit of a stretch, however we saw that we could read this as:
the loving one who voluntarily allows himself to be injured.
We know for certain that in the eternal plan of the ages, our Heavenly Father sent His son Yeshua/Jesus into this world. He did have to come to earth to be wounded and to die and He did this as a voluntarily act for our sake out of pure love. We are no doubt all familiar withJohn 3:16.
Is it possible that this 6th verse in Proverbs 27 is revealing something about Messiah’s death on calvary’s tree that we may not have thought of or even considered? We know from scripture and all the prophetic declarations throughout the TaNaKH that there are many reasons why Yeshua/Jesus had to suffer and die on the cross. However, here is one more reason, revealed in this verse and that was that He wanted to declare theamen or the faithfulnessof His love. He became: the loving one who voluntarily allows Himself to be injured.
He is also showing us and teaching us, that He used His time of crisis in a positive way; as an opportunity to show His faithfulness to us. Surely we shouldn’t offer Him anything less, even though we may get wounded in the process? But that wound is just a way to show our love to God. He told His disciples in John 15:15, I no longer callyouservants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called youfriends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. If we are His disciples then we too are His friends and He is our friend. Faithful are the wounds of a friend.
This week is the moed of Sukkot; links below for detailed posts on this wonderful 7th Appointed Time of our Heavenly Father. Our Season of Rejoicing!
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.
Malachi3:1“Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple;
For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’”A voice cries: “In the wilderness prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Is 40:3
Therefore thus I will do to you, O Israel; Because I will do this to you, Prepare to meet your God, O Israel.” Amos 4:12
Jonah 1:17 And the Lord prepared a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was in the stomach of the fish three days and three nights.
Jonah was to prepare the people of Nineveh for Gods’ judgment, he was to tell them to repent. When Jonah was disobedient then the Lord became a way preparer, to bring Jonah back to what he was supposed to be doing.
Proclaim this among the nations: Prepare a war; rouse the mighty men! Let all the soldiers draw near, let them come up! Joel 2:9.
Therefore, son of man, prepare for yourself baggage for exile and go into exile by day in their sight; even go into exile from your place to another place in their sight. Perhaps they will understand though they are a rebellious house. Ezek. 12:3.
Noah was a way preparer
In obedience to the Lords directive, he
prepared the ark to make a way to survive the flood.
By faith Noah, being warned by God concerning events as yet unseen, in reverent fear constructed an ark for the saving of his household. By this he condemned the world and became an heir of the righteousness that comes by faith. Heb. 11:7.
Moses was a
way preparer
in Ex. 14:1-32 preparing the way for freedom from Egypt by way of the reed/red sea.
And the Lord God Himself was again a
way preparer,
Behold, I am going to send an angel before you to guard you along the way and to bring you into the place which I have prepared.
Ex. 23:20.
Joshua and Caleb were way preparers. Going before the Israelites to cross the Jordan into the promised land. Joshua 3.
John the Baptist was a way preparer for Yeshua/Jesus.
Matthew 3:3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; make his paths straight.’” 4 And so John the Baptist appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins.
The disciples were sent out in twos, they were way preparers for Jesus/Yeshua. In Luke 10:1 After this, the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of Him to every town and place He was about to visit.
The apostles being sent out, were way preparers for Yeshua/Jesus and the gospel of His Kingdom. Luke 9:1-10 First it was the Twelve Apostles:
Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness
later he calls the Seventy in chapter 10:1-24.
In Matthew 28:16-20 and Luke 24:44-53
The great commission calls all believers and disciples to be
way preparers.
The 2 witnesses in Revelation 11:13-19
are
way preparers
for the second coming of Messiah.
All Way Preparers are to be
awake, alert, ready, they are to be watchful.
1 Corinthians 16:13
Watch ye stand fast in the faith quit you like men be strong.
How many times did Messiah say to watch? Here are a few:
Watch with me one hour Matthew 26:40-45.
Watch and pray.
Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. Matthew 24:42-51.
Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Matthew 24:44.
Rom. 13:11 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. Luke 12:47.
The Way Preparer for Messiah.
15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Eph. 6:15.
Those scribes in John’s day who were familiar with the TaNaKH, the Torah, Writings and the Prophets, sent a delegation to ask John two questions.
John 1:21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.”?
This was referring to Malachi’s prophecy that the prophet Elijah will come as a messenger before the appearance of the Messiah.
in Malachi 4:5. See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes.
And in
Is. 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
To this day Jews around the world still set out a cup of wine for Elijah at Passover /Pesach, in participation of his arrival as the forerunner the
way preparer of the Messiah.
The second question was are you the prophet. John 1:21. This referred to Moses/Moshe prophecy that God would send a prophet like me. Deuteronomy 18:15 – 19 I willraiseupforthemaProphet like you from among their brethren, and will put My words in His mouth, and He shall speak to them all that I command Him.
Clearly people knew the prophecies, another example is when we read of the time Philip talked with Nathanael. John 1:45 He said we have found him of whom Moses in the Law/torah and also the prophets wrote Jesus of Nazareth the son of Joseph.
After Yeshua/Jesus fed the 5000 the people began to ask if this was the prophet who is to come into the world. John 6:14. Then Peter identified Yeshua/Jesus as the prophet in Acts 3:22, 23.
Stephen before the Sanhedrin declared that Yeshua/Jesus was the promised Messiah. Acts 7:37 – 38. This is that Moses……
From the beginning there have been
way preparers.
Abraham was a way preparer leaving his homeland and becoming the father of faith and through him came Isaac Jacob Israel his Sons and the 12 tribes.
Joseph was a way preparer for the children of Israel giving them a safe place in the years of famine in Egypt.
Moses was a way preparer for the children of Israel to be released from Egyptian bondage. He was also a way preparer towards the promised land.
Reading through the Scriptures there are many heroes and heroines of faith who were way preparers for those who would come after. How many others can you find? John is one of many and with the spirit of Elijah as Messiah referred to him.
And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. Matthew 11:14
Then the disciplesunderstood that He was speaking to them about John the Baptist. Matthew 17:13
All the disciples were way preparers, going into the villages prior to Messiah arriving there. All the apostles and believers were way preparers. Go into all the world and preach…… whereas all those. written of in the TaNaKH way preparers were for Messiahs 1st coming, those in the Brit Chadashah are way preparers for His 2nd Coming/ return. Paul was a way preparer for the Gentiles to be reached with the gospel of the kingdom and to be grafted into the true vine, spiritual Israel. The one who brought us the way is Messiah Himself, Yeshua of Nazareth. He said I am the way the truth and the Life. The first believers were known as followers of the Way.
Yeshua/Jesus Himself is the way preparer for us to be reconciled to a Holy God Who we will be united with eternally. From Jesus/Yeshuas’ command ‘to go’, we too are way preparers; our mission field is right where we are. It is time we move out.
Prepare ye the way of the Lord.
Johns answer was from Isaiah 40:3,that he was a voice of one crying out in the wildernesssent as a way preparer to bear witness to the Messiah, Yeshua, Who was there present in their midst.
In Acts, Peter’s message is recalled when he spoke at Solomons portico, he was quoting from Deuteronomy 18:18 – 19 and he identified Jesus/Yeshua as the prophet like unto Moses.
Are you a way preparer?
Maybe it is time to find out?!
The days in which we are living are described in
Matthew 24 and in Luke 21:9-36 But when ye shall hear of wars and commotions, be not terrified: for these things must first come to pass; but the end is not by and by. 10 Then said he unto them, Nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: 11 And great earthquakes shall be in divers places, and famines, and pestilences; and fearful sights and great signs shall there be from heaven. …
Part of being a way preparer is carrying and giving the appropriate message given by His Holy Spirit, which is fitting for the time and season.
Are we giving meat in due season?
Mathew 24:45
To give them meat (τὴν τροφὴν, their food) in dueseason.
The message for this time is that it must be meat in due season. Why? Because it is to feed the believers from the Word of God.
It was a direct reference to
Ps. 145:15-21.
The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season.
The Lord God is moving and He wants us to be way preparers and providers of spiritual meat in due season.
It is time to move and get into the front ranks and hold our position. We must never flinch. Can our Heavenly Father be sure that we will never turn cowardly and flee? He promises to sustain us in dangerous positions. He is well able to keep us there and adequately supply every need by His grace.
“Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.” 1Pet 1:13.
Peter urges believers to prepare their minds for action and to be disciplined in their thinking. This preparation includes setting our hope fully on the grace to be received when Messiah returns. It emphasizes the need to focus our thoughts, aligning them with God’s promises and remaining alert and ready for His coming.
“In everything the prudent acts with knowledge, but a fool flaunts his folly.” Prov. 13:16.
Preparation involves acting with knowledge and discernment.
The prudent person carefully considers their actions and plans, while the fool recklessly displays their ignorance. This verse in Proverbs, reminds us of the significance of acquiring knowledge, seeking wisdom, and acting accordingly.
Being well-prepared requires understanding and thoughtfulness, avoiding foolishness and its consequences.The Bible emphasizes the importance of preparation in various contexts, offering guidance on both spiritual and practical aspects of life. Preparation is often linked to concepts such as wisdom, diligence, and foresight. Moses, was given detailed instructions by God to prepare the tabernacle and its furnishings with meticulous precision. Exodus 25-31. This shows the significance of being prepared to serve God as Daniel did, with a spirit of excellence, always offering our best work.
Joseph’s wise preparations during 7 years of abundance allowed Egypt to survive seven years of famine. Genesis 41. Proverbs frequently extols the virtues of planning, diligence, and foresight in all aspects of our lives.
As we have noted John was a way preparer,
but what does the phrase
That wisdom is justified by all children?
mean in
Luke 7:33, 35. For John the Baptist came neithereatingbreadnordrinkingwine; and ye say, He hath a devil.
John was a ascetic,
(definition: avoiding physical pleasures and living a simple life, often for religious reasons:)
He practiced strict denial as a means of physical and spiritual discipline; but why would his refusal to eat bread and drink wine lead the Pharisees to believe he was a demon possessed man?
We would say of a nun or monk who lived such a lifestyle that they were very godly people in leading lives of denial.
Interestingly in the Aramaic language
not eating bread and drinking wine
is an ancient idiom/ or expression:
la ekal la khma shetha khamea
and literally translated reads:
not consuming food and drinking the juice of fruits.
To say an individual consumes food and drinks the juice of fruits is like saying in English: we have lunch with friends at our favorite cafe, pub or bistro. This idiom is an expression of:
hospitality or interacting socially.
John the Baptist literally came out of the wilderness simply to preach, baptize those who repented of their sins and then went back into the wilderness. He didn’t interact with people socially or have lunch with with them, he didn’t live what was considered a normal life of those days. Yeshua/Jesus was not like John in that He came and lived among the everyday people so that He could minister to them.
Matthew 9:10-17, Mark 2:15-22, Luke 5:29-39
He interacted with them socially and often went to ‘sinners’ homes to eat, and this is why it was written:
He came eating and drinking.
There are those who say this scripture was to endorse the fact that Messiah actually drunk alcoholic drinks and even got drunk. To spin this from the expression/ idiom, would amount to setting our own Western thought and Greek mindset into an Aramaic idiom. Those who desire to drink alcohol and want it to be acceptable, use it to support their personal lifestyle; but it is far from the intent of the passage. We are not to twist the scriptures to make it fit how we want to live a compromised lifestyle and not feel guilty.
The word for wine in Greek used here is: Oinon which could mean: both fermented and unfermented wine and the Greek word doesn’t differentiate between them. However, Yeshua/Jesus spoke in a Aramaic Galilean dialect, and that language does have different words for fermented and unfermented wine; and the word used was khamea , which is a reference to unfermented juice from some fruit. It was not necessarily the fruit of grapes, it could have been apples, oranges, grapefruit, melon etc. The key is that it is unfermented, or non-alcoholic, meaning: the sugar content in the fruit had not turned into alcohol. It would seem that Messiah Yeshua/Jesus was mocking those accusing Him by saying in our vernacular: Look, the Son of Man comes drinking non alcoholic drinks with publicans and sinners and you accuse Him of being drunk?
Today we might say: you sit down in a social setting with all kinds of sinners drinking lemonade or Pepsi and people think you’re getting drunk with them?
The last phrase of the same scripture is:
but wisdom is justified by all her children.
What does that mean?
We must stop trying to understand with our western Greek/English mindset and try to understand the Eastern Oriental concept of wisdom. In English the word wisdom is always used positively however, in the eastern semitic mind, it can have both a positive and negative connotation. Sometimes in Aramaic the word wisdom which is: khekmtha, can idiomatically, have the expression of meaning stupidity, which is just the opposite. In the same way people in the west will say ‘that was such a bad movie, it was wicked’ really meaning, it was very good and extremely exciting!
Messiah was using a similar Aramaic idiom/expression in this scripture and it is quite likely He was inferring: because your arguments are so ridiculous it’s a clear indication of your stupidity. The reference to all her children has the meaning: whatever is the offspring from the parent or the original. It is in the same way we would say, a chip off the old block or the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. If the source is wise the offspring/children will be wise but if then the offspring/children are stupid… like begets like.
Yeshua /Jesus was the ultimate way preparer when He said
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. John 14:6.
For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Rom. 10:13.
and so was our Heavenly Father
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10.
David wrote in the23rd Psalm.A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows.
John 14:22 In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.
Today we are way preparers for Yeshua/Jesus and the gospel of His Kingdom. We are to go into all the world and tell people to prepare themselves for the soon return of our Messiah; to prepare the way for the Lord….
Then he said to his disciples, ‘Theharvestisplentiful, but the laborers arefew; therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’Matthew 9:27 Luke 10:2.
It’s time not only to pray for more laborers but to become one,
a way preparer…
Shalom mishpachah/family
and cheverim/friends!
It’s all about Life and Relationship,
NOT Religion.
You are greatly loved and 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.
I will enter His gates with thanksgiving in my heart 
That time will come when all will be clear and everything will be explained. It can seem as if there is a cloud on the friendship relationship of the heart however, even love itself often has to painfully wait with tears for the blessing of a deeper fellowship and oneness. 
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