However specifically it was a white stone that was given to the High Priest in Israel and worn in front within the ceremonial robes. This white stone was one of two stones used when seeking the will of the Heavenly Father on the behalf of the nation of the Hebrew Israelites.
The two stones were called the Urim and Thummin.
They were used to determine the answer regarding
direction and decisions, on matters presented
on behalf of the people.
by the High Priest,
to the Lord God.
The Hebrew words “אוּרִים” (Urim)
and “תֻּמִּים” (Thummim)
are often translated as
“lights” and “perfections,” respectively.
These objects were placed within the breastpiece,
And he put the breastplate upon him: also he put in the breastplate the Urim and the Thummim.
Leviticus8:8
These two stones are not to be mistaken with the breastplate holding the 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel. The gold breastplate of judgement hung from chains of pure gold twisted like cords. In a pouch behind the breastplate were the urim and thummim.
As noted the High Priest’s breastplate held
12 stones
each one engraved with the names of the
12 tribes of Israel.
One of the stones was actually white –
The Hebrew word
יַהֲלֹם Yahalom
pronounced: yah-hal-ome’.
It was stone number 6,
signifying the 6th son of Leah – Zebulun.
What’s important about Zebulun?
We read in Isaiah 9:1-7:
But there will be no more gloom for her who was in anguish [for with judgment comes the promise of salvation]. In earlier times He treated the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali with contempt, but later on He will make them honored [by the presence of the Messiah], by the way of the sea, on the other side of Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles.The people who walk in [spiritual] darkness Will see a great Light; Those who live in the dark land, The Light will shine on them….For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. He will reign on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish and sustain it with justice and righteousness from that time and forevermore.
and quoted in Matthew 4:15
Leaving Nazareth, He went and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali, / to fulfill what was spoken through the prophet Isaiah: / “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles. “Land of Zebulun and land of Naphtali, the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan, Galilee of the Gentiles— / the people living in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of the shadow of death, a light has dawned.”
According to this interpretation, the sacred white stone is a symbol of Greco-Romans residing in Galilee who would receive light through the birth of Jesus/Yeshua.
Could the secret here be the Messiah Himself?
Could the white stone point to Jesus/Yeshua through the yahalom stone once adorning the breast of the High Priest of Israel? Perhaps?
Another intriguing possibility is with the theme of priestly attire, as written in Revelation.
We read of a white stone in Revelation 2:17.
17. Mee asher-oz•na•yim lo yak•shiv et asher ha•Roo•ach ma•gid la•k`hi•lot lam•na•tze•ach e•ten min-ha•man ha•sha•moor ve•na•ta•ti lo even le•va•na ve•al-ha•e•ven cha•kook shem cha•dash asher eesh lo yi•ko•ve•noo bil•tee ha•m`ka•bel.
18. He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches; To him that overcomes will I give some of the hidden manna to eat, and I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written, which no man knows except him who receives it.
“I will give him a white stone.”
This Scripture makes us think of another ancient custom which warned that if a man sins against a young woman of his tribe or of another tribe, he will be put to death.
However, sometimes the people accepted blood money and the culprit went free.
For the remainder of his life he lived in a white tent, or
rode a white camel,
and had a large white stone in front of his tent.
These were to show that no one had any right to harm him;
he is forgiven;
the price is paid
and it is now as though he had never
committed the sin.
Justified = Just as if I’d (never sinned)
“I will give him a white stone.”
Forgiveness,
vindication,
or
a proof of forgiveness
is shown by the white stone.
Judges 5:10 ye that sit on white asses in judgment. Palestinians aquainted with the law, religious or secular, in other words lawyers and rabbis usually select the white ass for their journeys in preference to the ordinary donkey or horse as it is much more impressive in looks and more sure footed. In Revelation we are told Messiah/Yeshua will return on a white horse.
In the first century, people understood that a white stone was a symbol of favor and overcoming against the odds.
The wording in the phrase “a white stone” is ordered differently in Greek. The Greek wording actually reads “psiephon leuken.”
The word psiephon refers to a stone or pebble, and leuken means white.
So rather than “a white stone,” it should be literally translated,
“A stone, a white one.”
This lays a particular emphasis on the color of the stone, so we must examine the primary way “white stones” were used in early New Testament times.
A white stone was commonly associated with
a vote of acquittal
or
a favorable vote.
This makes sense since Yeshua/Jesus took our guilt on the cross and paid the penalty for our sin in full.
The opposite was a black stone which indicated guilt.
When a Roman trial concluded, and it was time for a panel of judges to vote for the defendant’s innocence or guilt, the judges registered their votes by casting a black or white stone into an urn. A black stone symbolized a vote for guilt, and a white stone denoted a vote for innocence. When all the votes had been cast, the stones were emptied from the urn and counted one by one. If there were more black stones, it meant the judges had found the defendant guilty; if there were more white stones, it meant they had found the individual to be not guilty.
There was another way the ancient Greeks also used white and black stones for vote-casting when elections were held in a city.
One of the greatest privileges in Greek society was to vote about civic issues in a public election. In these elections, people used white and black stones to cast their votes, similar to the way such stones were used in legal trials. Votes were customarily registered by casting a black or white pebble into large vases that were set up throughout the city at designated locations. When the time for voting had concluded, the pebbles were separated into white and black piles and then counted. A white stone represented a person voting in favor of some issue, whereas a black stone represented a person was voting against it.
The Nelson Study Bible also says there was a
“custom in the Greek athletic games of giving a white stone to the victor in a contest, or to gladiators at the Roman games who had won the admiration of the public and had been allowed to retire from further combat.”
This could be alluding to our faithfully keeping God’s commandments while living in this corrupt world system.
In Roman and Greek Games, the winner of a contest was given a white stone of the overcomer, which then gave that individual access to places of honor at events and position in society. A white stone was sometimes used as a form of identification or proof of membership; similar to today where people are given a VIP pass to enter an exclusive gathering. Similarly, when our Heavenly Father gives us a white stone, it symbolizes His approval and acceptance of us into His family.
The white stone and a new name.
It was in the book of Revelation, Messiah addressed the Church of Pergamum, which was located in what is known today as Turkey. He promised to give hidden manna and a white stone to those who overcome.
“He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. To him who overcomes I will give some of the hidden manna to eat. And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” Revelation 2:17 (NKJV)
Someone who overcomes (some Bibles translate the word as “conquers”), is anyone who is saved from the second death. This means they’ve believed in their heart that Messiah died for their sins and rose again on the third day and they have turned from their sins and decided to follow Him for the rest of their life.
This scripture raises 2 questions:
What is the hidden manna and
what is meant by the new name?
We know from the book ofExodus that God sent food from heaven to feed the Israelites while they were in the wilderness.
Exodus 16: 4, 14, 15, and 31.
Now the house of Israel called its name manna. It was like coriander seed, white, and the taste of it was like wafers made with honey. Exodus 16:31 (ESV)
Some translations say it looked like
resin, gum resin
or bdellium.
Another says not bdellium but the Hebrew word is
bdeloah = precious stone..the pearl!
The Israelites had never seen food like it before,
so they called it manna,
which in Hebrew means “what is it?”
This hidden manna
which will nourish
over-comers
probably refers to Yeshua/Jesus,
who referred to Himself as the bread of life.
I am the living bread which came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever; and the bread that I shall give is My flesh, which I shall give for the life of the world.” John 6:51 (NKJV)
This stone in Revelation has a new name on it one that no one knows except the person who receives it?
Our parents gave us the name we have now when we were born in the physical realm; and as we are born again from above spiritually, when we are with Him we will receive a new, unique name from Him. Recall from previous posts, that names in Hebrew/Israelite culture are very important, have great meaning and often are prophetic indications on the life that bears that name.
To receive a white stone means that you are free from condemnation. You have been tried and have been found worthy. The white stone is a symbol of whom you have become through your faithfulness and your determination to rule over sin. It is Messiah/rock-solid faith and purity.
Therefore, when Messiah offered a stone, a white one to over-comers, He was placing a definite emphasis on the word white and it meant:
“I have reviewed all the evidence, and I have judged you not guilty!”
Yeshua/Jesus’ message to that church, and to us today, was that regardless of who they had been or what they had done before they came to Him, what mattered now, was who they had become in Him. As Messiah looked at them in light of His blood, He had cast
“a stone, a white one”
in their direction, affirming their full acquittal and complete release from their past sinful lives and memories.
Therefore, when the devil, or any person for that matter, tries to throw a stone of judgment against us by mentally tormenting us about past actions; we’ve already been forgiven and we may boldly answer:
Messiah Yeshua/Jesus has already cast His vote.
He has found me NOT guilty!
Regardless of any actions we may have committed in the past, Yeshua/Jesus’ blood has purged our conscience from dead works to serve the living God.Hebrews 9:14.
At the time the book of Revelation was written, a white stone was also equated with innocence. If you were to be tried for a crime, a white stone signified acquittal, and a black stone signified guilt. To receive a white stone means that you are free from condemnation. You have been tried and have been found worthy.
“To the one who is victorious, I will give some of the hidden manna. I will also give that person a white stone with a new name written on it, known only to the one who receives it” Revelation 2:17.
When Messiah promised a stone, a white one to the believers who overcame, He was not only announcing freedom, forgiveness, and acquittal from a past sinful life, but He was in effect also telling them:
My vote is for you. I am putting My full support behind you.
This is powerful when we fully realize what the white stone means in Revelation 2:17. It declares that Messiah has found us not guilty and that He is putting His full support behind us.
The white stone is a very precious thing! A new name, our new name, is something that brings great hope to every believer. It speaks of a new identity and a new nature that we acquire in Him. The Biblical use of name can denote the promise of immortality meaning it’s a name that will live on forever. It also speaks to inheritance and divine appointment for a special task in this life.
This white stone would contain a new name that no man knows, except the one who receives it. The meaning behind no one knowing your name is that no one will have power or dominion over you!
The basic Greek word translated stone is lithos.The stone is called white; but the word does not imply that it is a stone of white color, but that
it is shining, glistering white.
The word whiteis leukos and means:
brilliant from whiteness, dazzling white.
This was the white used to describe the angel’s raiment at Yeshua/Jesus’ tomb. This same white was used to describe Yeshua/Jesus’ garments when He was transfigured before Peter, James, and John on the Mount of Transfiguration.
“And His raiment became shining, exceeding white as snow; so as no fuller on earth can white them.” Mark 9:3.
Later the white stone took on new meanings and by the first century A.D., the white stone became an engagement stone.
However, in the first century the groom would give his bride a white stone and engraved on the stone would be a special name, the white stone became an engagement stone. It later took on the form of an engagement ring with the white stone being represented as a diamond. However, in the first century the groom would give his bride a white stone and engraved on the stone would be a special name.
It later took on the form of an engagement ring with the white stone being represented as a diamond. This is used in many cultures today.
The king’s diadem would probably have had a white stone set among many other stones.
Apparently the white stone had his name engraved on it. If the king were to remove that stone and give it to someone that would represent the ultimate authority a king could give to a person.
Another practice with the gemstones would be that the king would remove a stone from his diadem to give as a gift to a special servant.
It could be a red stone which represents a certain amount of royal power being bestowed upon this servant,
or it could be a green stone, representing his restoration,
or a blue stone representing wealth or riches.
In Hebrew the word for crown is nezer
Strongs #5145. נֵ֫זֶר (nezer) —
Crown, consecration, separation, dedication
Derived from the root נָזַר (nazar), meaning:
“to consecrate” or “to separate.” In Proverbs 27:24 ׳אַבְּנֵי נ Zechariah 9:16 stones of a crown, gemstones, diadem.
In fact, esoterically, the word nezer represents:
descending –
Nun,
from a joining together –
Zayin,
and a seeing with the naked eye –
Resh.
So, when a subject received a gemstone from the kings diadem, it would represent
the power inherent in that stone
descending from the king to the subject
to join that subject with the king in common enterprise
and the stone would a tangible object of this bond which could be seen with the naked eye.
When Solomon wrote this passage in Proverbs 27:24, it’s possible he could have had this in mind. As a king he could have given away gemstones from his diadem, but the power they granted would not last beyond his own lifetime and could not be passed unto the next generation.
The new name written on the white stone reflects our true identity and eternal purpose in Christ. It’s a name that speaks to who we are and the unique gifts and talents that God has given to you individually. This name reminds us of our worth and significance in our Father’s eyes, and it empowers us to live out our purpose with confidence.
This new name represents a close relationship with Him, where we can freely approach Him and experience His love, guidance, and presence in our lives.
His love has the power to change us from the inside out, molding us into the people He created us to be. With the white stone, we are reminded of His approval and acceptance, knowing that we are loved and cherished by Him.
Along with all the other meanings, the white stone reminds us we are children of the most High God, our new name represents the new nature and purpose our Father has given us, and it serves as a constant reminder of the unique and wonderful plans He has for each of our lives and how much we are loved.
Shalom, 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.
Original Word: הָיָה Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration:hayah Pronunciation: hah-yah Phonetic Spelling: (haw-yaw) Definition: To be, become, come to pass, exist, happen Meaning:to exist, be, become, come to pass
G1510 (eimi):
The Greek equivalent often used in the New Testament to express: being or existence,
as seen in Yeshua/Jesus’ declarations of
I am (e.g., John 8:58).
The Hebrew verb hayah is a fundamental term in the Old Testament, often translated as to be or to become. It conveys the idea of existence, occurrence, or coming into being. This verb is pivotal in expressing states of being and the unfolding of events. It is frequently used in the context of God’s self-revelation, as seen in the divine name I AM – YHWH or YHVH
Exodus 3:14.
(written both with a W and a V).
In ancient Hebrew culture, the concept of being was not merely about static existence but involved dynamic action and purpose. The verb “hayah” reflects this understanding, emphasizing the active presence and involvement of God in the world. The use of “hayah” in the context of God’s name (YHWH/YHVH) underscores His eternal, self-existent nature, distinguishing Him from the false gods/fallen angels of surrounding nations.
To fall out, come to pass, become, be
Come into being, become:
III. Be (often with subordinate idea of becoming); —
1 exist, be in existence (i.e. originally have come into existence),
Here is a little insight from Hebrew.
The word for
There was is yehi
A familiar place that we see this in scripture is in
Genesis 1:3 HEB: וַיֹּ֥אמֶר אֱלֹהִ֖ים יְהִ֣י א֑וֹר וַֽיְהִי־ KJV: said, Let there be light: INT: said God Let there be light and there
Which is rendered as:
AND HE WAS BECOMING
We don’t translate it that way because it doesn’t fit the word Famine. However, maybe it does from a Hebrew word play; during our studies we are seeing there are many such ‘plays on words’. We also have to remember there are ‘layers’ in the scriptures which we have learned are called:
PaRDeS using the first letters from 4 words.
The four levels of interpretation are called:
Parshat:
pronounced: peh-shaht –
meaning: simple.
The p’shat is the plain, simple meaning of the text.
Remez:
pronounced: reh-mez’ –
meaning: hint.
This is where another (implied) meaning is alluded to in the text, usually revealing a deeper meaning.
Gods’ Word is a Living Word and it ministers to the individual reader as they study His Word at whatever level they are at, whether a new believer or a mature scholar; there is always something fresh and new to be discovered in the scriptures.
Of course it is clear from the text that there was a literal famine in the land, meaning of course there was a lack of physical food.
What if we say and read the verse as:
He was becoming a famine in the land?
The Rabbis saw this double meaning, which gives the play on words and they brought out that meaning – that not only were the people suffering from a natural famine for physical food but spiritually for God as well.
Jewish literature gives the spiritual rendering as:
There was a lack of faith in the land.
For many especially in western countries, famine has little to no significance, however if we give Genesis 12:10 this second spiritual meaning:
And He /God was becoming a famine in the land.
It may have more truth to it than we freely want to admit.
There may be exactly what Amos warned of…
a
It sounds strange that this might be true in those nations seemingly overflowing with an abundance of Christian resources and multiple denominations; yet people are buying and consuming books, cd’s, dvd’s, youtube videos and conferences and still not being fed and filled with the simple truths of His Word. Is it because the teaching is on how to live successfully, prosperously and have everything you desire and so little on deep study of the Word of God, obedience and how to walk in holiness and self denial by crucifying the flesh life?
Original Word: רָעָב Part of Speech: Noun Masculine Transliteration: ra`ab Pronunciation:rah-av’ Phonetic Spelling:raw-awb’ Definition:Famine, hunger Meaning: hunger
Derived from the root verb רָעֵב (ra’ev),
meaning:
“to be hungry” or “to suffer hunger.”
Greek 3042 (λιμός, limos) –
Often used in the New Testament to describe:
famine or hunger,
as seen in passages like
Matthew 24:7:
“Nation will rise against nation,
and kingdom against kingdom.
There will be famines and
earthquakes in various places.”
The Hebrew word “raab” primarily denotes:
a state of famine
or
severe hunger.
It is used in the Old Testament/TaNaKH to describe periods of extreme scarcity of food, often as a result of drought, war, or divine judgment.
The term can also refer to the physical sensation of hunger experienced by individuals.
In the ancient Near East, agriculture was the backbone of society, and the success of crops was crucial for survival.
Famine was a common and feared occurrence, often leading to migration, social upheaval, and economic distress.
In the biblical narrative, famines are sometimes depicted as instruments of God’s judgment or as tests of faith. They also serve as pivotal moments in the lives of key biblical figures, such as Abraham, Isaac, and Joseph, influencing their decisions and shaping the history of Israel.
ra”av which is spelled in Hebrew letters:
resh ayin beth
(Recall in the Hebrew aleph bet that the letters b=bet/beth/beyt and v=vet are interchangeable and sometimes spelled differently.)
resh/reysh = prideful man
ayin =greed
beth = feelings of spiritual superiority.
The word forfaminehas its own built in meaning or picture, it is telling us what exactly brings about a spiritual famine; namely: Prideful man becomes greedy
and
develops feelings of superiority.
This brings not only famine to a nation but to church assemblies and individual lives. We may not be in a famine of food right now, but we may be in a spiritual famine of Gods’ Word and the presence of His Holy Spirit in our lives. We should look first to ourselves and we may find that we are still wandering through the wilderness, a desert land made up of our own hopes and dreams; plans we have made for ourselves so long ago and still not seen them fulfilled because we were the source and initiator of that plan.
Another reason could be that if we are in a place where everything seems to be falling apart all around us, even though there is advice, words of wisdom and knowledge but little helpful scriptural advice and nothing to drink that quenches that thirst in us. Is it, as the rabbis suggest, because that famine in our life is a lack of faith?
Aren’t we to live by faith as stated in Habakkuk 2:4?
This is what a believer is supposed to do but we are also warned that without faith its impossible to please God.
It is relatively so easy to step out of our faith because we allow our pride to rise up; and then we begin to trust in our own abilities, skills, giftings and mental reasoning instead of trusting our Heavenly Father. We must never forget that a mere twenty four hours can change a life forever through circumstances beyond our control such as loss of income, job, spouse, health. Etc etc.
Our hope is to be built on nothing less than
Messiah’s Blood and Righteousness…
Spiritual famine in our lives could be because
Galatians 5:24 is not fully manifested in us.
Those who belong to Him
have crucified the flesh
with its passions and desires.
These passions and desires of our natural, carnal, fleshly man are the things that contribute to spiritual famine. All physical passions, bodily cravings and lusts of the flesh are of the natural life of a person, and they war continually against the spirit. Satisfying cravings, addictions, desires, lusts of the body in all its different requirements have to be tempered by, and subject to, the spiritual man.
The natural life in itself is not sinful but we must abandon sin, having nothing to do with it in any way. Sin has its roots in rebellion, disobedience and pride which belongs to hell and the devil. It’s not a question of giving up sin but of giving up our individual right to ourself, our natural independence and our self will and being conformed to the image of His Son. Romans 8:29. This is where the battle is fought even Paul said he did what I didn’t want to do.
For I do not do the good I want to do, but the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. 20 Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it, but it is sin living in me that does it. 21 So I find this law at work: Although I want to do good, evil is right there with me.
Romans 7:19-25 19.
The things that are right and noble and good from the natural standpoint are more often than not, the very things that keep us from being Gods best. Once we come to understand that self-righteousness and natural moral excellence, opposes or aids in counteracting any attempt to surrender to the Lord God; we bring our soul into the center of its greatest conflict and yet, it is a battle we must not only fight but also win.
Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us. Hebrews 12:1.
What is determined as being bad and sinful is usually obvious however, we tend to argue over what is good and good is usually in opposition to the best. The higher up the ladder of moral excellence a person goes in their own strength and abilities, then the opposition to Yeshua/Jesus greatly increases. This is in contrast to those who are His, they have crucified the flesh of the carnal man that tries to control the lifestyle. Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts.
Galatians 5:24.
The cost to our natural life is not just one or two things here and there, but everything. Messiah made it clear that a person must“Deny himself to follow Me”.
Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to follow Me [as My disciple], he must deny himself [set aside selfish interests], and take up his cross [expressing a willingness to endure whatever may come] and follow Me [believing in Me, conforming to My example in living and, if need be, suffering or perhaps dying because of faith in Me]. Matthew 16:24.
We must deny our right to ourselves and fully realize who Yeshua/Jesus is before we will be able to bring ourselves to surrender all.
There is a caveat throughout the scriptures which continually teaches us to trust and rely on our Heavenly Father, and points to us needing to be aware of refusing to go to the funeral of our own independence.
For if we have become one with Him [permanently united] in the likeness of His death, we will also certainly be [one with Him and share fully] in the likeness of His resurrection. Romans 6:5. and 6. We know that our old self was crucified with Him so that the body of sin might be rendered powerless, that we should no longer be slaves to sin.…
The natural life is not spiritual, and it can only be made so through sacrifice. If we don’t purposely sacrifice the natural by dying to self, then the supernatural can never become natural to us. The truth is that we should be walking, living and manifesting the supernatural naturally.
John 14:12 “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do he will do also; and greater works than these he will do, because I go to My Father.
There is no high or easy road and yet everyone can accomplish it, this is not done just by praying but by sacrificing and exercising our will to do so and thereby being obedient by doing His will. Becoming a doer and not just a hearer only.
Here Paul was dealing with the relationship between the natural and the spiritual not simply with sin. He was making it clear that the natural man can only be transformed into a spiritual one through sacrifice; and without that sacrifice an individual person will live a divided life. Our Heavenly Father’s perfect will was for the natural to be changed into spiritual through obedience. Sin is what makes it necessary for that natural life to be sacrificed; this process was of course fulfilled in Messiah Himself.
We read of this in
Genesis 21:8-14.
This process was foreshadowed in Abraham
by him having to first give up Ishmael,
who was the son of the flesh, created using physical, natural, carnal means and their natural thinking of how to fulfill a prophetic promise in his own timeline.
This, before Isaac, who was the son of the spirit, who was given in God’s timing and through His intervention and provision.
Some of us are probably trying to offer up spiritual sacrifices to our Heavenly Father before we have sacrificed the natural. The only way we can offer a spiritual sacrifice to Him is topresent our bodies a living sacrifice. Romans 12:1
Therefore I urge you, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies [dedicating all of yourselves, set apart] as a living sacrifice, holy and well-pleasing to God, which is your rational (logical, intelligent) act of worship.
The work of sanctification in our lives means more than being free from sin, it means the very deliberate commitment of ourselves to the Heavenly Father, God of our salvation and being willing to pay whatever it may cost. The truth is that if we don’t sacrifice the natural to the spiritual, the natural life will resist and defy the life of the Son of God in us; and this resistance will produce continual turmoil and a lack of true shalom. This is always the result of an undisciplined spiritual nature and we go wrong when we stubbornly refuse to discipline ourselves physically, or think we have it conquered in our own strength. We are lazy and are not vigilant over how we live and what we eat and tend to pander to the demands of our own flesh. Many times we do things pertaining to morality which is simply what we choose and want to do, regardless of what the Word says; mentally thinking our way is still the better way and reasoning that it’s ok for us….God understands! We excuse ourselves by saying that we were not taught to be disciplined as a child…there is no excuse, now as an adult we need to discipline ourselves.
Sometimes we lean on a victim mentality, or saying it’s not our fault because of this or that situation; these are all excuses of the carnal mind. We need to change and become what the Word calls us to be.Be holy as I am holy. Leviticus 19:2.
We need to become obedient children, with self-control, reverent fear, and to stay alert both mentally and spiritually. This mental discipline requires a concentrated focus on trusting in our Heavenly Father to get us to our final destination, where we will experience the fullness of God’s grace in Yeshua haMashiach/Jesus Christ.
This reverent fear refers to a humble, respectful awe of God, which motivates us to live obedient, holy lives.
1Peter 1:15-16.
But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do; for it is written: “Be holy, because I am holy.”
Through Moses, God spoke to the people, saying, “Be holy because I, the LORD your God, am holy” Leviticus 19:2.
Both the Old and the New Testament stress the importance of cultivating personal holiness in the life of every believer:
In Hebrew, the words translated holy and holiness have to do with being set apart, separate, different, or dedicated. The absolute moral purity of God’s character sets Him apart, making Him different from every other living creature. Yet He calls His people to be Holy as He is Holy. Humans generally think of holiness as obeying God’s law. But, for God, holiness is not a mere action or a set of behaviors. Holiness is His essence. Our Heavenly Father is morally and ethically perfect by nature. So how can we set ourselves apart to reflect His Holiness in the way we live?
“You must live as God’s obedient children,” says Peter, “Don’t slip back into your old ways of living to satisfy your own desires” 1Peter 1:14, NLT.
If we don’t we will ruin our entire personal life for the Lord. Being one way in public to impress, deceive and delude others that we are spiritual, doesn’t fool our Heavenly Father or those with a discerning spirit. As long as we continue to pamper and gratify our natural life God is not actively involved in it. He is not there when we are gluttons or feed the flesh through any number of physical lusts, or anything that is apart from the gospel of His kingdom. Because anything of this world and its’ kingdoms He is not a partaker of or connected to.
Luke 4:5 The devil led him up to a high place and showed him in an instant all the kingdoms of the world. 6 And he said to him, “I will give you all their authority and splendor; it has been given to me, and I can give it to anyone I want to. 7 If you worship me, it will all be yours.”
Obviously, the Kingdom of satan has a king, which is satan himself. Furthermore, it’s not a democracy, and he could decide to give it to anyone he chose.
John 18:36: “Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world:
John 8:23 – Then He told them, “You are from below; I am from above. You are of this world; I am not of this world.
But once we are willing to put our flesh life out in the desert wilderness and are determined to keep it under control of our spirit, starving it of its’ cravings, our Heavenly Father and His Spirit of Holiness will be with us. He will then provide food for the hungry and the famine of His Word will be stopped.
Let’s make sure there is no famine in our very own personal land/house/dwelling and that we are Beingfilled with all the fullness of God and that Ephesians 3:19 is being completed unto a perfect man.
This kind of filling with the fullness of God implies total commitment to this filling. Our Heavenly Father wants us to be fully like Him because He wants to bring many sons/daughters to glory.
John 6:35. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.
No famine!
Shalom, 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.
And when one of the scribes came, and heard them disputing together, and saw that he had answered them well, he put a question to him, Which is the first commandment of all?
29. And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one Lord. 30. And, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength; this is the first commandment. 31. And the second, which is like it, is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: there is no other commandment greater than these. 32. And the scribe said to him, Master, thou hast answered well with truth, that there is one God, and there is no other besides him. 33. And that to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is better than all the burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34. And Jesus, when he saw that he had replied skillfully, said to him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And after that, no man ventured to put a question to him.
Matthew 22:37-40
But when the Pharisees heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they assembled together. 35. And one of them, a doctor of the law, put a question to him, tempting him, and saying, 36. Master, which is the great commandment in the law? 37. Jesus saith to him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. 38. This is the first and great commandment. 39. And the second is like it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as much as thyself. 40. On these two commandments the whole law and the prophets depend.
Luke 10:25-28
And, lo, a certain lawyer 1rose up, tempting him, and saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? 26. And he said to him, What is written in the law? How readest thou? 27. He answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. 28. And he said to him, Thou hast answered right: do this, and thou shalt live.
Master, which is the great commandment in the law?
He calls Him “master, Rabbi, or doctor”,
as the Sadducees had in Matthew 22:24.
Which is the great commandment in the law?
Notice this translation does not read
the greatest but the great.
That is, the great/greatest commandment,
or
the one most important.
Before we look deeper at Messiahs specific answer we should consider that the question is not which of the laws was the greatest, the oral, or the written law. The Jews give the preference to the law delivered by word of mouth; they prefer the traditions of the elders before the written law of Moses; but the question was about the written law of Moses; and not merely about the decalogue, or whether the commands of the first tablet were greater than those of the second, as was generally thought; or whether the affirmative precepts were not more to be regarded than negative ones, which was their commonly received opinion; but about the whole body of the law, moral and ceremonial, delivered by Moses: and not whether the ceremonial law was to be preferred to the moral, which they usually did. Yeshua/Jesus had already made a contribution to the discussion by setting the ethical above the ritual.
Matthew 15:1-20, cf. Matthew 19:18-22.
The point of this question was:
which kind of command is great in the law?
That is, what kind of a commandment must it be to constitute it a great one?
Not, which commandment is greatest as compared with the others?
One of them, an expert in the law, tested Him with a question:
Teacher, which commandment is the greatest in the Law?
Which is the great commandment . . .? Literally, of what kind. The questioner asked as if it belonged to a class. Messiah’s answer is definite, “This is the first and great commandment.”
Matthew 22:36 f. What kind of a commandment (qualitative, comp. Matthew 19:18) is great in the law; what must be the nature of a commandment in order to constitute it great? The commandment, then, which Yeshua/Jesus singles out as the great one κατʼ ἐξοχήν, and which, as corresponding to the subsequent δευτέρα, He places at the head of the whole series (ἡ μεγάλη κ. πρώτη,) in that of Deuteronomy 6:5,
The Jews are said to have divided the law into “greater and smaller” commandments. Which was of the greatest importance they had not determined. Some held that it was the law respecting sacrifice; others, that respecting circumcision; others, that pertaining to washings and purifying, etc.
The law / torah / instruction. The word “law” has a great variety of significations; it means, commonly, in the Bible, as it does here, “the law given by Moses,” recorded in the first five books of the Bible.
The scribes declared that there were 248 affirmative precepts, as many as the members of the human body; and 365 negative precepts, as many as the days in the year; the total being 613, the number of letters in the Decalogue. Of these they called some light and some heavy. Some thought that the law about the fringes/zitzit on the prayer shawl/garments was the greatest; some that the omission of washings was as bad as murder; some that the third commandment was the greatest. It was in view of this kind of distinction that the scribe asked the question; not as desiring a declaration as to which commandment was greatest, but as wanting to know the principle upon which a commandment was to be regarded as a ‘great’ commandment.
Messiah said the first and greatest commandment is to love God with all one’s heart, soul, mind and strength.
What readers outside of Israel and unfamiliar with Hebrew culture may not have realized is, that even a child knew the answer to the question on what the greatest commandment was.
How did they know?
Because they recited it every day in their morning prayers when they said the Shema. The daily declaration of faith:
Hear, O Israel, the L-rd is our G‑d, the L-rd is One. Blessed be the name of the glory of His kingdom forever and ever. You shall love the L-rd your G‑d with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words which I command you today shall be upon your heart.
This comes from the word of God inDeuteronomy 6
and specifically the biblical text of Deuteronomy 6:4-9,which contains the Shema,
a central confession of faith in Judaism and Christianity.
In the recitation of Deuteronomy 6:4-9,special emphasis is given to the first six Hebrew words of this passage:
Shema Yisrael, Adonai eloheinu, Adonai echad.
The Shema is the core Hebrew affirmation and admonition.
The reason they asked Him was because at that time there was amongst others, duly noted above, a big debate among the Pharisees, Scribes, Sadducees, Rabbis and Teachers of the Law, as to whether the greatest commandment meant we were to love God with
all our hearts, soul and might (strength)
or
hearts, soul and will.
To love Him with all our might would mean:
force ourselves to love God with all our hearts and soul, like gritting our teeth and doing it whether we want to or not.
But if we are to say we love Him with our wills, it would mean
we just simply sit back and decide, making a choice to love Him?
The issue is that the word meod could mean either or both.
mə·’ō·ḏe·ḵā
Deuteronomy 6:5 HEB: נַפְשְׁךָ֖ וּבְכָל־ מְאֹדֶֽךָ׃ NAS:your soul and with all your might. KJV:and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. INT:your soul all your might
3966 meod: Very, exceedingly, much, greatly
Original Word: מְאֹד Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: m`od Pronunciation: meh-ODE Phonetic Spelling: meh-ode’ Definition: Very, exceedingly, much, greatly Meaning: vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily
Derived from an unused root meaning “to vehemence” or “force.”
The Greek equivalent often used in the Septuagint (LXX) for “meod” is “σφόδρα” (sphodra), which also means “very” or “exceedingly.”
The Hebrew word meod, is an adverb, used to intensify the meaning of an adjective or verb. It conveys the sense of very or exceedingly, often used to emphasize the degree or extent of something. In the context of the Hebrew Bible, meod is frequently employed to underscore the intensity of emotions, actions, or characteristics.
In ancient Hebrew culture, language was often used in a vivid and expressive manner. The use of intensifiers like meod reflects a linguistic tradition that values emphasis and clarity. The Hebrew Bible, as a foundational text for Jewish and Christian traditions, uses meod to convey the depth of human experience and divine attributes, highlighting the importance of wholehearted devotion and the magnitude of God’s works.
The Pharisee who asked this question, as we learn in verse 35, asked it to test Yeshua/Jesus, because as previously mentioned, that even a child knew the answer to the question on what the greatest commandment was; however, the Jewish oral tradition taught by the rabbis referenced something called:
Derech Eretz, which literally means: the way of the land.
Hebrew: תורה עם דרך ארץ – Torah with “the way of the land”,
it’s a common phrase in Rabbinic literature referring to various aspects of one’s interaction with the wider world. A term used to describe proper behavior good manners,
Derech Eretz teaches respect for all of humanity, including those handicapped, the elderly, and those in need regardless of their race, religion or color. In contemporary Jewish life today, derech eretz, (literally “the way of the land”) means something like good manners or the done thing, proper etiquette, common decency and correct moral behavior.
However, in Messiah’s day the Pharisees taught that
Derech Eretz was equal to the study of Torah.
In the Mishnah in Tractate Avoth 2:2 it declares “Beautiful is the study of Torah with Derech Eretz, an involvement with both makes one forgets sin.”
This Pharisee wanted to test Yeshua to see if He agreed with them.
This is the basic point of their questioning Him.
Here we see the wisdom of Messiah and our Heavenly Father in His reply being aware that they were trying to trick Him.
Yeshua/Jesus knew what was in a person’s mind and didn’t need anyone to tell him what people were like, because He himself knew what was in every person. John 2:25
By the time Yeshua/Jesus was born, Aramaic had been the language of Palestine for centuries; because of this, the vast majority of scholars agree that He spoke almost exclusively in Aramaic, specifically in the Galilean dialect of Aramaic which would have been His native language. Aramaic was the common language in Judea and Galilee during Messiah’s time, and Hebrew, the language of the Bible and the Mishna, was also common among Jews. While He very likely spoke Aramaic, Hebrew, and Greek, Aramaic was probably the language He spoke the most. The Gospels record Messiah speaking numerous Aramaic words.
When Messiah grew up as a boy in the village of Nazareth, He no doubt attended the synagogue school. The Jewish child was sent to school in the fifth or sixth year of his life. The pupils either “stood, teacher and pupils alike, or else sat on the ground in a semicircle, facing a teacher.” Until the children were ten years of age, the Bible Torah and Tanakh was all they learned. Both rabbinic material and Josephus mention that in the first-century Judaism it was a duty, indeed a religious commandment, that Jewish children be taught Torah.
To learn Torah and to teach it, as it is written
“thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children ”
Deuteronomy 6:7.
The elementary school system among the Jews developed in connection with the synagogue. Even before the days of Yeshua/Jesus, schools for the young were located in practically every important town. Simon ben Shetach (75 b.c.) taught people systematically. He decreed that children should attend elementary school (בֵּת הַסֵּפֶר) the “house of the book.” The Book, of course, was the Torah, with the explanation and oral law. He decreed that children should attend elementary school (בֵּת הַסֵּפֶר) the “house of the book.” The Book, of course, was the Torah, with the explanation and oral law.
When the son reached the age of twelve, the Jews believed his education in the Torah was complete enough to help him know the Law and keep it. He was then known as a “son of the Law. Recall the event of Messiah age twelve, remaining in Jerusalem talking with the Rabbis.
Much of the Torah and the prophets and writings were memorized rather than written or read. However we know Yeshua/Jesus could read Hebrew as He read from the Isaiah scroll. This was not an isolated case as teachers, rabbis and visiting guests regularly read from the Torah Scrolls every Sabbath.
However, the school system did not develop until Joshua ben Gamla (64 CE) the high priest caused public schools to be opened in every town and hamlet for all children above six or seven. The word for education (חִינּוּך) in modern Heb. is derived from the root חָנַכְ, H2852, to train which is used in late Biblical Heb. “Train up a child in the way he should go…” (Prov 22:6). Other verbs are used to denote “training,” “instructing” and “learning.” Teaching and learning often took the form of repetition שִׂיחַ֒, H8488. The scribal school was attached to the Temple and was called the “House of Life.”
In the Mediterranean world in which Yeshua/Jesus lived, children held a different kind of status than they do in our world today. We expect our children to grow into adults and to engage in a life of fulfilled dreams. This was not the case for parents of Messiah’s day because more than half of the children born at this time never reached puberty, they died of diseases and of malnutrition; so when children appear in the Gospels, they usually are used to convey a very important message. For example such is the case in the passage of Mark’s Gospel 10:14.
In their culture, children had the free reign of the family compound. They lived in extended families, brothers lived with their brothers and their wives and their children; the eldest brother or their father was the patriarch. The women lived in one section of the home, usually to the rear where they were not so vulnerable to passers-by. The men lived in another room, usually near the front of the home and were seen as the protectors of their women and children.
The children roamed freely between the two areas and were often used by the adults to discover what was going on in the other rooms. They carried stories back and forth and were the ultimate destroyers of secrecy between the men and between the women as they had access to the whole house; so if anyone wanted to keep a secret, it was necessary to make sure there were no children within earshot. With this in mind, when the disciples tell the children to move away from Yeshua/Jesus, it may not have simply been a matter of giving Him some quiet time. It may have been that they were protecting him from gossip/stories that the children could retell to the adults; however, Yeshua/Jesus in welcoming the children shows that He has no secrets, that His life is open and what He talks about is for everybody who has ears to hear. The story is to show that Messiah offers a special relationship with all men and women including children. He was authentic, trustworthy, and didn’t try to hide His private life, by allowing the children into His life proved that.
Research revels that the first elementary school was probably in Jerusalem with the institution spreading to the urban centers at a later time. Joseph ben Gamala (c. a.d. 65) tried to make elementary education universal and compulsory by endeavoring to make provision for teachers in all provinces and allowing children to enter the school at the age of six or seven. Instruction was given in reading, and the Torah was studied both in its written and oral form. The curriculum in the elementary school was basically the Bible, the Old Testament and the Apocrypha. The Pseudepigrapha was not part of the formal education in school, though it had a widespread circulation. Scientific ideas were embedded incidentally in the Old Testament, this is true also of political ideas. The Old Testament was studied in Hebrew, except for a few passages in Aramaic, notably in Ezra and Daniel. Some apocryphal books were in Greek, but Hebrew continued as the language for scholarly study.
Back to the scripture in question and the four areas that Yeshua/Jesus included in His reply. Matthew only records three: heart, soul and mind.
Matthew 22:37 “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.”
From the Greek – KJV
both the text In Mark and
Luke both say all 4.
However from the Aramaic, the Peshitta Bible,
Matthew records all four areas:
Matthew 22:37 “Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love THE LORD JEHOVAH your God from all your heart and from all your soul and from all your power/might/strength and from all your mind.’
Messiah was making a direct quote fromDeuteronomy 6:5,yet it seems as if He did not quote the passage accurately? InDeuteronomy 6:5 He says
we are to love the Lord God with all our might,
but in Matthew 22:37 He says
we are to love Him with all our mind.
This seems to point to the fact that
mind and might are two separate things?
The One Who gave the covenant commandments in the first place would not have made such an mistake and it also seems strange that the Scribes and Pharisees who were trying to trap Jesus and knew every letter of the law backwards and forwards, didn’t point it out?
Here is where digging into the Peshitta, the Aramaic Hebrew translations helps to reveal what Yeshua/Jesus did.
The name Peshitta in Aramaic means “Straight”, in other words, the original and pure New Testament. The Peshitta is the only authentic and pure text which contains the books in the New Testament that were written inAramaic, the Language of Mshikha (the Messiah) and His Disciples.
This quote follows the Hebrew text of Deut 6:5and then adds another phrase
and from all your mind.
No OT text has these 4 stipulations as does the peshitta NT
in all three NT quotes of Deut 6:5.
The peshitta OT text does use the unusual word in its final phrasew’minkalah quinak – with all your faculities.
Messiah apparently preferred that the all your mindcondition be included in our love to God. Almost all Greek translations leave outall your strengthin this verse, but include it in the parallel passages ofMark 12:20 and Luke 10:27. However the critical greek text also leaves outwith all your soul in Mark 12:33. (Page58)
The on-line version of the Church of the East Peshitta New Testament text in Aramaic/English Interlinear Format. http://peshitta.org
Matthew 22:37 the Aramaic Bible shows that He did quote the passage correctly, the only difference being that He added a comment to it to challenge the Pharisees!
In the Greek the word
mind is dianoia
which simply means:
mind, understanding or imagination.
Yeshua/Jesus, however, was not speaking in Greek, He was speaking in Aramaic and according to the Aramaic Bible what He said was
from your power and your mind.
In Hebrew Strongs # 2430
cheylah: Strength, power, force
Original Word:חֵילָה Part of Speech:Noun Feminine Transliteration: cheylah Pronunciation: khay-LAH Phonetic Spelling:khay-law’ Definition:Strength, power, force
W’min kalah quinak – with all your faculties.
for the Hebrew word m’od or meod (strength, will).
He used two Aramaic words
kayla (power, strength)
and
Reina (mind, will)
meod: Very, exceedingly, much, greatly
Original Word:מְאֹד Part of Speech:Adjective Transliteration:m`od Pronunciation:meh-ODE Phonetic Spelling: meh-ode’ Definition: Very, exceedingly, much, greatly Meaning: vehemence, vehemently, wholly, speedily
Derived from an unused root meaning “to vehemence” or “force.”
Greek equivalent often used in the Septuagint (LXX) for “meod” is “σφόδρα” (sphodra), which also means “very” or “exceedingly.”
Definition
muchness, force, abundance
NASB Translation
abundantly (1), all (1), almost (1), badly (3), carefully (1), closely (1), diligent (1), diligently (3), enough (1), especially (1), exceeding (1), exceedingly (14), exceedingly* (3), excessive (1), extremely* (1), far (1), firmly (1), fully (1), great (16), great abundance (1), greatly (52), greatly* (1), hard (1), harder* (1), highly (4), immense (1), louder (1), measure (2), might (2), more (2), more* (1), most (1), much* (1), quickly (1), richly (1), serious* (1), severely (1), so (2), so much (1), sorely (1), strongly (1), swiftly (1), too (2), utterly (1), utterly* (3), very (139), very well (1), very* (2), violently (1), violently* (1), well (2).
Deuteronomy 6:5 HEB: נַפְשְׁךָ֖ וּבְכָל־ מְאֹדֶֽךָ׃ NAS: your soul and with all your might. KJV: and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. INT: your soul all your might
In The Lord’s Prayer ḥaylā/kayla translates as power.
The Aramaic says: For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
Definition: Authority, Power, Strength Meaning: might, positiveness. Word Origin: Derived from the root תָּקַף (taqaph), meaning “to overpower” or “to prevail.”
חָ֫יִל (chayil) — Strength, valor, wealth, army, capability. Word Origin: Derived from the root חוּל (chul), which can mean to twist, whirl, dance, writhe, or travail. Usage: The Hebrew word “chayil”
8632 tqoph tek-ofe’ (Aramaic) corresponding to 8633; power:–might, strength. 8633 toqeph to’-kef from 8630 ; might or (figuratively) positiveness:– authority, power, strength.
8633 toqeph to’-kef from 8630; might or (figuratively) positiveness:– authority, power, strength. 8632 tqoph tek-ofe’ (Aramaic) corresponding to 8633; power:–might, strength.
In this exchange we see
both the mind of Christ
and
the wisdom of the Father in operation.
Yeshua/Jesus answered in his own native language, Aramaic, which meant that He would have had to more clearly define the Hebrew word
meod (strength and/or will).
This word can be stretched to mean:
inner strength or resilience.
The wordmight
in Hebrew is simply the word
meod
which often used as an adverb to intensify and modify a verb.
אֱיָלוּת (eyaluth) — Strength, might, power. Word Origin: Derived from the root אָיִל (ayil), meaning “strength” or “might.”
As mentioned above, in The Lord’s Prayer
ḥaylā translates as power.
Aramaic said:For thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory.
If He would have saidkayla (strength)
ḥaylā power, strength; fortitude, endurance
Synonyms: (ḥaylā), (ˁūzā), (ˁušnā) energy…
He would have said that:
you must use your own power to do good works
as loving mankind to show your love for God.
If He would have just said
reina (will)
He would have simply said
you must choose to love God, regardless of Derech Eretz.
Instead, Yeshua/Jesus used both Aramaic words which clearly defined the word
mo’ed
as
the strength of your will.
In other words, in the Hebrew this commandment would read,
“Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart,
with all thy soul and with all the strength of your will.”
Again here Messiah used one of their own sayings on them.
When they wanted to equate oral tradition with the Torah but not place it equal or greater than Torah they say:
“The second is like unto it.”
Here Yeshua/Jesus confirms the importance of Derech Eretz by saying: you shall love your neighbor as yourself,
but without placing it above the commandment to
love the Lord with all your heart, soul and strength of your will.
In reality He did not misspeakDeuteronomy 6:5He simply translated it into the Aramaic!
But what is strength of the will?
Loving people as we term and understand it, is often hard if we are simply trying to do it in our own strength and base that love on human feelings and emotions; especially when there are problems, conflicts and other desires. In the case when we ‘feel’ we do not love someone, we are to love with meod – the strength of our will. Not by human emotion. but by letting the unconditional love of the Father flow through us to them. There can be times in relationships when love no longer comes naturally or there is abuse in that relationship, however in that case, we must choose to love and sometimes it will take all the strength of our will to love that person.
This is the same with our Heavenly Father. When the battles get tough, the mountains too steep and we cry out to Him and seemingly get no response and we may find it hard to love God in the midst of your struggle can we look up and say: “Father I still love you no matter what happens.” That is loving Him with all our meod. We just don’t love the Lord, we choose to love Him and sometimes it takes all the strength of your will to make that choice, just as Messiah clearly pointed out that the second is like the first. Sometimes we confront a person that we cannot naturally love, but we must make the choice to love and sometimes it takes meod – all the strength of our will, to follow Derech Eretz, respect and love for all mankind.
There is another verse inIsaiah 26:3where the Hebrew word is translated as Mind – Yetsar יצר Yod Samek Resh
Isaiah 26:3: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace,
whose mind is stayed on thee:
because he trust in you.”
Perfect peaceis something we all long for
and according to Isaiah 26:3,
we can have it so long as
our minds are stayed on Him,
Isaiah 26:3 HEB:יֵ֣צֶר סָמ֔וּךְ תִּצֹּ֖ר NAS:The steadfast of mind You will keep KJV:peace, [whose] mind [is] stayed INT:of mind the steadfast will keep
Original Word:יֵצֶר Part of Speech: Noun Masculine Transliteration: yetser Pronunciation:yay’-tser Phonetic Spelling: yay’-tser Definition: Inclination, imagination, mind, purpose, framework Meaning:a form, conception
G1271 (dianoia): Refers to the mind, disposition, or understanding.
– G1761 (enthema): Refers to an inward thought or purpose.
The Hebrew word yetse” primarily refers to the inclination or disposition of the mind and heart. It is often used to describe the inner thoughts and intentions of a person, whether good or evil. In the context of the Bible, yetser can denote the moral and spiritual inclinations that drive human behavior.
In ancient Hebrew thought, the concept of yetser is closely tied to the understanding of human nature and morality. The Hebrews believed that humans possess both
a good inclination (yetser ha-tov)
and an evil inclination (yetser ha-ra).
This duality reflects the ongoing moral struggle within individuals to choose between righteousness and sin. The idea of yetser is foundational in Jewish ethical teachings and is explored extensively in rabbinic literature.
Isaiah 26:3 HEB: יֵ֣צֶר סָמ֔וּךְ תִּצֹּ֖ר שָׁל֣וֹם ׀ NAS:The steadfast of mind You will keep KJV:[whose] mind [is] stayed [on thee]: because he trusteth INT: of mind the steadfast will keep perfect
The way we can obtain thisshalom/peace, is by
having our minds stayed on Him.
The text readsshalom shalom = double peace – perfect peace!
It conveys the idea of resting or relying on something for stability and strength. In the biblical context, it often refers to physical support, such as leaning on a staff, or metaphorical support, such as relying on God or His promises.
In ancient Near Eastern cultures, the concept of leaning or supporting was significant in both physical and spiritual contexts. Shepherds would lean on their staffs for support, and elders would lean on their wisdom and experience. Spiritually, the Israelites were encouraged to lean on the Lord God, trusting in His strength and guidance rather than their own understanding or the power of foreign nations.
When our imaginations cover our Heavenly Father, His peace will become our peace. His imaginations will become our imaginations.
How do you keep your mind stayed on God?
He is showing Himself all around us in the nature He created and part of every environment we may find ourselves in. Many times we just don’t understand that He is there; wanting to show us and teach us from every tiny flower and bird, to the huge energy of the sun and the entire starry universe. It really is so easy to keep our minds stayed on our Heavenly Father, if we will just stop and let Him reveal Himself to us.
The word strength and power
are basically the same word from the same root –
chayl/chayil.
In the Hebrew and Aramaic it means
to tremble or shake.
It comes from an Akkadian word chalu
which is a word used for:
a woman in labor, giving birth to a child.
Ephesians 6:10: Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.
In Greek the word forstrength or strong is
endynamousthe
from the root
en donamoo
where we are familiar with the reference to dynamite. It can meanpower and might. In this context, it is to grow stronger.
The Greek word for
power is
kratel
which is might, strength and power
and has the idea of establishing dominion.
The word
might isischyos
from the rootiswhich is:
a force to overcome immediate resistance.
The Greek does read well as Paul is exhorting us to become strong in the ability of God to establish dominion over an immediate problem or attack.
So now we know why they asked Yeshua/Jesus this question and…
that the inclination or disposition of the mind and heart is important and…
that we are to
love your neighbor as yourself but without placing it above the commandment to love the Lord with all our heart, soul and strength of our will.
And God will keep us in perfect peace
if
our imaginations/minds are stayed focused on Him.
Shalom, 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 our recent journey, we have just come out of the wilderness
and yet in this scripture in 1Kings 19, we read that
someone is running back into the wilderness!
In this account it was Elijah
who was running into the wilderness.
But why?
Because he had just had a confrontation with the wicked queen Jezebel, the wife and the evil influence behind king Ahab.
In fact there had just been a great victory with a powerful demonstration by the intervention of the One True God of Israel.
Elijah had challenged the prophets of Baal to prove their god was superior to the one true God of the Israelites.
After the confrontation Elijah ordered, “Seize the prophets of Baal; don’t let any of them get away!” The people seized them all, and Elijah led them down to Kishon Brook and killed them.
1Kings 18 :40
Then Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. Jezebel flew into an angry rage when she heard that her priests were dead and she sent a messenger to Elijah.
2 So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods deal with me, and ever so severely, if by this time tomorrow I do not make your life like the lives of those you killed!”
When Elijah heard these words he got up quickly and ran with his servant into the stormy night. The scripture said he was afraid and ran for his life escaping from Jezebel and her death threats.
After such a dramatic confrontation and an outstanding victory over the prophets of Baal
and seeing the power of God on Mount Carmel;
we note that he didn’t call on the Lord in his time of trouble as he had the previous day.
Perhaps he had believed Jezebel would leave him alone when she heard how powerful God was. Instead Jezebel did not pay the slightest attention to the one true God of Israel or His power, all she was interested in was vengeance and getting even with Elijah for killing her prophets.
In response, Elijah was overcome by fear and despair and fled for his life. He took his servant and journeyed to Beersheba in the kingdom of Judah, away from Jezebel’s oversight and authority. Yet even there, he was overcome by depression and isolation, Elijah left his servant behind and traveled alone into the wilderness, asking God to take his life.
Elijahs triumphant victory was followed by fear from an evil report.
We are to remember Ephesians 6 Having done all to stand to stand in the evil day. The evil day is often the day after the victory.
We are cautioned not to relax after a victory but stay alert, watch and be ready to stand firm in faith, which is the opposite of fear.
After he had killed 450 prophets Jezebel sent him a message.
He saw what she said… 1 Kings 19:3
He saw in Hebrew: רָאָה
Rarah- raw-aw; means: to see, have vision, look at, inspect, perceive, observe and to watch.
7200 raah: To see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
Original Word:רָאָה Transliteration:ra’ah Pronunciation:rah-AH Phonetic Spelling: raw-aw’ Definition: To see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
Corresponding Greek – G3708 (ὁράω, horao) – to see, perceive
– G991 (βλέπω, blepo) – to look at, behold
The Hebrew verb “ra’ah” primarily means “to see” in a literal sense, but it also extends to more abstract meanings such as
perceiving, understanding, or experiencing.
It is used in various contexts, including physical sight, visionary experiences, and intellectual or spiritual perception. The verb can also imply: the act of looking with intention or consideration.
In ancient Hebrew culture, seeing was not merely a physical act but often carried deeper implications of understanding and discernment. Prophets, for example, were often described as “seers” (ro’eh), indicating their ability to perceive divine truths. The act of seeing was also associated with witnessing events and understanding God’s will, reflecting a holistic view of perception that included both physical and spiritual dimensions.
What we see and hear on the outside affects us on the inside.
Elijah heard a threat and saw the image of the threat. He was listening to his physical senses and his feelings and emotions reacted to the perception in the natural realm. We cannot know everything we hear because it very likely cause us to run in fear.
1 Kings 19:3-4,
Elijah’s drastic despair and request for death, reveals the immense emotional and spiritual toll from the threats and opposition, even in the wake of God’s faithfulness on Mount Carmel.
Despite being a mighty prophet of God, in his humanity Elijah was still prone to feelings and emotions that brought overwhelming discouragement.
As he ran out of the gate of Jezreel, Elijah did not go to back to the widows house in Zarephath, nor could he hide in Judah because the king of Judah was friends with Ahab; so Elijah and his servant ran southward.
When he came to Beersheba in Judah, he left his servant there, while he himself traveled on a day’s journey into the wilderness.
He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die. “I have had enough, LORD,” he said. “Take my life, for I am no better than my fathers.”
Sat under has the meaning: he was depressed
and juniper has a meaning: to bind or attach.
Juniper is seen as a symbol of resilience, determination, and the ability to adapt to challenging circumstances
The Hebrew verb rakas primarily means to bind or fasten together. It is used in contexts where something is being securely attached or joined, often referring to clothing or armor.
He rarah- thought/perceived that things were so bad that he wanted to die. It was a false reality, he had allowed fear to control influence and guide his actions, he ran. This is the flight or fight syndrome. He ran on to the wilderness alone. He was tired and dejected and rested under the juniper/broom tree. Was he realizing that prophetically he needed his mind to swept out and cleansed/refreshed?
Was he finally looking for the Lord?
5 Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep.
Suddenly an angel touched him and said, “Get up and eat.”
6 And he looked around, and there by his head was a cake of bread baked over hot coals, and a jar of water. So he ate and drank and lay down again.
7 A second time the angel of the LORD returned and touched him, saying, “Get up and eat, or the journey will be too much for you.”
8 So he got up and ate and drank. And strengthened by that food, he walked forty days and forty nights until he reached Horeb, the mountain of God.
During the Israelites’ time in the desert with Moses, they camped at a place called Rithmah known for broom trees. It was named Rithmah simply because it means the place of the broom.Numbers 33:18–19. Apparently, broom trees were plentiful in the area, and the location served as a suitable camp for the children of Israel. Now we know more of the meaning that Juniper/broom is seen as a symbol of resilience, determination, and the ability to adapt to challenging circumstances; it was a symbolic meaning for them at the time.
Being spiritually, emotionally, and physically exhausted, Elijah quickly fell asleep in the shade of the bush.
Elijah sat down under a solitary broom tree
rō·ṯem, which means a juniper tree.
he was running away from danger.
rethem or rothem: Broom tree
Original Word: רֶתֶם Transliteration: rethem Pronunciation: reh’-them Phonetic Spelling: reh’-them Definition: Broom tree
The origin of the word רֶתֶם is uncertain, but it is believed to be derived from a root that may imply binding or covering, possibly due to the plant’s growth habit.
There is no direct Greek equivalent in Strong’s Concordance for the Hebrew rethem, as it is a specific plant native to the Middle Eastern region and not commonly referenced in Greek texts.
The term “rethem” refers to a type of desert shrub or small tree, commonly identified as the broom tree (Retama raetam). It is known for its ability to thrive in arid conditions and is often found in desert regions. In the Bible, it is associated with providing shade and shelter in harsh environments.
The broom tree is native to the Middle East and North Africa, often found in desert areas. It is characterized by its long, slender branches and small leaves, which help it conserve water. The plant’s ability to grow in barren landscapes made it a symbol of survival and resilience. Historically, its branches were used for fuel, and its roots could be used to make charcoal.
1 Kings 19:4 HEB: וַיֵּ֕שֶׁב תַּ֖חַת רֹ֣תֶם [אֶחָת כ] NAS: under a juniper tree; and he requested KJV: under a juniper tree: and he requested INT: and sat under A juniper a requested
1 Kings 19:5 HEB: וַיִּישַׁ֔ן תַּ֖חַת רֹ֣תֶם אֶחָ֑ד וְהִנֵּֽה־ NAS: under a juniper tree; and behold, KJV: under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel INT: and slept under A juniper a and behold
The “broom tree” is what some Bible translations such as the KJV and NASB call the “juniper”; other translations such as the ESV, CSB, and NIV speak of it as the “broom tree” or the “broom bush.” It grows to around 6 to 8 feet tall and can provide enough shade to shelter someone from the scorching desert heat.
Having roots and branches that burn hot, the broom tree was a source of fuel and high-quality charcoal during biblical times. Psalm 120:4 likens the judgment of God to “a warrior’s sharp arrows, with burning coals of the broom brush.”
The angel that visited Elijah made “some bread baked over hot coals”; since the broom tree was right there, it’s quite possible that the angel used its wood as fuel 1 Kings 19:6. The thick root of the broom tree was good fuel for fire, and in dire circumstances it could also be eaten. Job speaks of men who, in extreme conditions, resorted to eating broom tree roots: “Haggard from want and hunger, they roamed a the parched land in desolate wastelands at night. In the brush they gathered salt herbs, and their food was the root of the broom bush” Job 30:3–4 A broom tree’s roots are bitter and unappetizing but can provide some nourishment to a starving person.
Although the broom tree is just a desert shrub, but in the Bible it serves as an important reminder of God’s provision. As God sustained and sheltered Elijah under a broom tree, He also promises to give us rest and meet our needs. Matthew 11:28; Philippians 4:19.
Providing shelter from difficult situations is something that God is good at doing; He is “our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble” Psalm 46:1.
The juniper tree symbolizes refuge, protection against evil spirits, and strength, particularly highlighted in the story of the prophet Elijah in 1 Kings 19:4-5.
The juniper tree appears in both the Old and New Testaments, representing: comfort during distress and divine provision.
Junipers embody resilience and endurance, paralleling the challenges faced by believers, reinforcing themes of perseverance and faith.
Historically, juniper trees have been seen as symbols of protection and cleansing, used in rituals for purification and healing.Juniper berries possess medicinal properties and were historically utilized for various ailments, continuing to be valued in herbal remedies today.
Durable juniper wood has been employed in construction, including biblical structures, and remains popular in modern landscaping and decor.
One of the reasons a broom tree has that name is because the branches grow straight, with prickly small leaves at the end. They are said to be capable of providing shade for one person, with little room for covering more. All of that becomes a metaphor for Elijah being a singular prophet of note in the history of the “fathers” of those peoples.
The symbolism of a Juniper tree is as a protection against evil spirits, giving a reflection of how the divine “ancestors” of Yahweh protected the laws [the marriage vows] of Moses from corruption. Thus, Elijah was one broom of the Lord God, who was sent to sweep out the evil presence, the uncleanness, that had defiled the Northern Kingdom.
Elijah, sat down under a tree of branches He invited/offered/asked the Lord God of Israel to take his life. When the NRSV translation says, “ He asked that he might die,” it must be realized that Elijah was “asking” this of the Lord so the Hebrew word
וַיִּשְׁאַ֤ל
“way·yiš·’al” [“shaal”]
can be read as “he prayed.”
7952 shaal: To ask, inquire, request, demand
Original Word:שָׁאַל Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: sha’al Pronunciation: shaw-al’ Phonetic Spelling:shaw-al’ Definition: To ask, inquire, request, demand
Corresponding GreekG154 (aiteo): To ask, request
– G2065 (erotao): To ask, inquire
Elijah, on the other hand, represents a willing sacrifice to Lord, praying:
“It is enough; now, Yahweh, take away my life,
for I am no better than my ancestors.”
In that translation, the Hebrew word
מֵאֲבֹתָֽי
“mê·’ă·ḇō·ṯāy”
is translated generically as “ancestors.”
Englishman’s Concordance
mê·’ă·ḇō·ṯāy — 1 Occurrence
1 Kings 19:4 HEB: ט֥וֹב אָנֹכִ֖י מֵאֲבֹתָֽי׃ NAS: for I am not better than my fathers. KJV: for I [am] not better than my fathers. INT: better my fathers
The core word in that [“ab”] means “fathers.”
ab: Father
Original Word: אָב Transliteration: ab Pronunciation: ahv Phonetic Spelling:awb Definition: Father
Corresponding Greek– G3962 (πατήρ, patēr) – Father
The Hebrew word “אָב” (‘ab) primarily means “father” and is used in the Old Testament to denote a male parent. It can also refer to a forefather, ancestor, or a figure of authority and respect. In a broader sense, it is used metaphorically to describe God as the Father of His people, Israel, and by extension, all believers.
This relates Elijah to a lineage of prophets, where the “fathers” – Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – were not to be confused with the majority of people that declared relationship by blood, but only those whose souls were related through covenant/marriage relationship to the Lord God. The prayer was probably connected with his being condemned to death by Ahab, Elijah’s acts proved the true power and divinity of the God of Israel. When it was over, after the Lord had set fire to the wood and burned his sacrifice on the altar, leading to the death of 450 priests of Ba’al there was nothing more Elijah could do. Instead of trying to save himself from being killed by Ahab, Elijah offered his soul into the Heavenly Fathers hands.
It is highly likely that we will all come to some point in life where we will say, it is enough. This mighty prophet came to this point, and this gives us hope, it happens to all of us at one time or another.
Elijah slept under a juniper tree. He, like us sometimes, curled up in a ball and wanted to give up. Life can become too overwhelmingly hard for us, and the mountain in front of us can look too big to overcome. There was a day when Yeshua/Jesus climbed into a boat with the disciples and said, Let us go over to the other side. Everything seemed good and they had just heard the sermon on the mount, it looked like nothing could shake their faith. However in the account we read: And there arose a great storm. Our Heavenly Father brings storms into our lives to test our faith. To humble us as we see where we really are. We have to first be pulled down so that He can build us up and it is God that lifts us up, its not in our own strength..
We can say to Him, it is enough, however this comes from
our own reasoning, our own understanding
of what is happening around us and to us.
Scripture says we are not to lean on our own understanding.
For us as believers, we are faced with the ongoing challenge of walking through a world that we no longer belong in, and no doubt there will be many times we come to the juniper tree.
The juniper tree is also a place of
our own understanding,
our own rationalizing,
our own wisdom and thought patterns,
our own imaginations and determinations.
We arrive here when we take our eyes off our Lord and Savior, something we must never do because we never outgrow Him. We never come to a point of being independent from Him, or to the point that we will never need Him anymore. Spiritually we are in covenant with Him through faith in His Blood; we need him, and He loves us and is always there for us. He is faithful, even when we are unfaithful. He loves us, when we stop loving Him.
Elijah sat under the juniper tree and then he slept under the juniper tree. The progression shows he came to a point of complete hopelessness and finally he was emptied of himself; and this is when God moved in his life providing food and rest for him. The Bible assures us we have a merciful high priest, Messiah has great compassion towards us because He knows our frame, He remembers that we are but dust.
He suffered when he became a man, so that he could experience what we experience. Jesus/Yeshua was familiar with all our sufferings so He knows what we feel like. He knows our weaknesses, because He lived on the earth as one of us.
Elijah was a man like us, tempted to curl up in a ball and give up. Life can become overwhelming for us. The mountains we face can loom so big before us they seem insurmountable.
After hard spiritual battles we can be tired and vulnerable but we are never alone.
There is a place we can go, a place for spiritual direction and consultation, for rest, to receive refreshment from the provision of the Lord. Because like Elijah, without the Lord the journey will be too hard for us.
Elijah went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a solitary broom tree. He asked that he might die: “It is enough; now, Yahweh, take away my life, for I am no better than my ancestors.” Then he lay down under the broom tree and fell asleep. Suddenly an angel touched him and said to him, “Get up and eat.” He looked, and there at his head was a cake baked on hot stones, and a jar of water. He ate and drank, and lay down again. The angel of Yahweh came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you.” He got up, and ate and drank; then he went in the strength of that food forty days and forty nights to Horeb the mount ha-elohim.
Sometimes when we have been through a time of testing or great trial and we have persevered depending on the Lord to bring us through, we experience victory and a breakthrough in our situation. Gods’ intervention changes everything and the enemy appears to be on the run. This is when we may be tempted to relax and not be as alert as we should be, and its then that the enemy will exploit our inattention and fatigue and mount an unexpected attack like a whiplash. This kind of reaction can cause us to become fearful if we are not rooted and grounded in the Lord.
We are not to look at the physical circumstances but to look in faith to the Lord. However this is not always as easy as it sounds. We are in a physical human body with all the feeling and emotions and weakness of flesh. The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak. And like Elijah we feel like giving up, we have had enough and feel like we can’t take any more; we run away into the wilderness and finally totally exhausted sit under a juniper tree just wanting to die and go home and be with the Lord. Here under the juniper tree our loving heavenly Father will bring a time of refreshing to us so we can go forward.
Ps. 103:14 For He knows our [mortal] frame; He remembers that we are [merely] dust.
There was further work for Elijah to do
and God gave him a time of rest and refreshing with
food to eat and water to drink.
The presence of bread and water by Elijah’s “head” is indicating that his ego was replaced with spiritual food – bread cooked on coals, and everlasting water – a jar of water.
Elijah was touched by an angel, at the point of that touch, being told “Get up and eat” – the actual command is “arise” [from “qūm”], which also has a meaning to leave the body of flesh and enter the heavenly realm – Elijah was commanded to eat and receive of the Heavenly offerings from the Lord brought to him by an angel.
Original Word:קוּם Transliteration: quwm Pronunciation:koom Phonetic Spelling: koom Definition: Arise, stand, establish, confirm, endure, fulfill Meaning: to rise
Corresponding Greek– ἀνίστημι (anistēmi) – to rise, to stand up
– ἐγείρω (egeirō) – to awaken, to raise up
The Hebrew verb “qum” primarily means “to arise” or “to stand up.” It conveys the idea of rising from a lower position to a higher one, whether physically, metaphorically, or spiritually. It is used in various contexts, including standing up from a seated position, rising to take action, establishing something firmly, or fulfilling a promise or prophecy. The verb can also imply endurance or the act of being established over time.
In ancient Hebrew culture, the act of standing or rising was often associated with taking action, assuming responsibility, or preparing for a significant event. For example, standing could indicate readiness for battle, the beginning of a journey, or the assumption of a leadership role. The concept of “qum” also ties into the covenantal promises of God, where He “establishes” His word and fulfills His promises to His people.
In verse 6 we then read that Elijah “ate and drank, and lay down again,” The angel came a second time, touched him, and said, “Get up and eat, otherwise the journey will be too much for you,”’ this becomes Elijah being completely restored returning to life in the body of flesh as symbolic of resurrection. In the same way that after telling her to
rise – qum
to awaken, to raise up
Messiah told Jarius
“give her [his risen daughter] something to eat”
there is a need for spiritual food to feed the soul returned to the body of flesh. This is not a need for physical food, as resurrection from death is not simply about the physical flesh but for the soul to be strengthened.
To have our soul saved by the Lord of Heaven and Earth, we must die to self- all of our ego and self-will, and be reborn from above, in resurrection life having Messiah/Christ in us the hope of Glory.
Yeshua/Jesus then becomes the bread baked on coals and the jar of water that gives nourishment to our souls. Reminding us of John, where Yeshus/Jesus said, “I am the bread of life.” The bread of life is set by our head, when our heads have been emptied of self, and all ego is dead. If we don’t, then in a way we hang suspended between heaven and earth, trying to figure a way to save our own lives, which of course is an impossibility. Elijah shows us that the true goal should be to save our soul; and that means telling our Heavenly Father, “This is enough. Take my life.” Not to kill us physically but to finally and completely surrender all to Him!
When our Heavenly Father refreshes us, we can go for 40 days on the spiritual food bread and water. The bread of life – His Word, and the water of His Holy Spirit. 40 is symbolic of testing and trials both spiritual and physical 40 years in wilderness 40 days Jesus/Yeshua in the wilderness Moses etc., etc. In Him we will be sustained through every trial of life.
So repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins] and return [to God—seek His purpose for your life], so that your sins may be wiped away [blotted out, completely.
Acts 3:19
Elijah was restored and we know that
the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.
He repented of his fear, he changed his mind and his way of thinking, he returned to the Lord and received his directions to go forward.
His life was not over, but he needed the Lord
to restore him
and energize him
and strengthen him
so he could continue to run his race,
and in his case he literally outran the horses.
There is supernatural strength available for us too. Philippians 4 13 comforts us that, in the inevitable challenges of human frailty, sickness, aging, and opposition, and all the fiery trials and furnaces of affliction; supernatural help lies readily available to those who cling to Messiah.
“I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.”
This scripture encapsulates the essence of strength in Christ, emphasizing that it is through His empowerment.
Supernatural strength is not bound by natural limitations, but by its very name, the supernatural overcomes the natural and puts the believer, His child, into the hands of a loving Heavenly Father.
Through a series of extraordinary events, Elijah’s faith and calling were renewed and through these strategic directions, God realigned and re-commissioned His prophet.
This is not just a story of personal struggle and divine revelation, but also a testament to the enduring power of faith; and of the human experience of seeking understanding in moments of despair and feelings of failure.
1 Kings 19:5-8, ESV
God actively displayed His tender concern and nourishment, both physically and emotionally, to Elijah in his time of deepest need.
This dramatic, divine intervention, highlights how God strengthens, nurtures and equips His faithful servants, ministering to them in their emotional and spiritual brokenness.
Meanwhile, Elisha’s instant obedience after instruction, highlights his readiness to answer God’s call. This transition reveals God’s wisdom and attention to details and his organization of all things in arranging the next phase of His work through Elijah.
Original Word: נָבַט Transliteration: nabat Pronunciation: naw-BAHT Phonetic Spelling: naw-bat’ Definition: To look, regard, behold, consider Meaning: to scan, look intently at, to regard consider (2), depend (1), depended (1), gaze (1), gazed (1), look (34), look down (2), looked (11), looks (4), observe (1), observed (1), pay attention (1), regard (2), see (3).
Corresponding Greek – G991 (βλέπω, blepō) – to see, to look at
– G3708 (ὁράω, horaō) – to see, to perceive
The Hebrew verb “nabat” primarily means to look or gaze intently, often with a sense of consideration or contemplation. It can imply looking with favor, attention, or discernment. The term is used in various contexts, including God looking upon His creation, people looking to God for help, or individuals regarding one another with specific intentions.
In ancient Hebrew culture, sight and vision were often associated with understanding and perception. To “look” or “behold” was not merely a physical act but also carried connotations of insight and discernment. The act of looking could imply a deeper spiritual or emotional engagement, reflecting the importance of vision in both literal and metaphorical senses.
God has to lift us up and out of our depressive state and cause us to look down on our situations. We are seated with Him in the heavenly places and are to see things from His perspective.
Arise and eat was the command, these cakes were not ordinary cakes, they were as living coals of fire; Angels food, like the manna in the wilderness. Elijah was able to go 40 days and nights in the strength of those cakes. Isaiah was also touched with the living coal upon his lips which removed the sin the uncleanness from him. If we allow the living coals of the Fathers love to touch us and remove all uncleanness from our lives, we too can go in the strength of His love for many days. The Hebrew word for Gods’ strength is ko-akh
in the strength
בְּכֹ֣חַ
3581 bə·ḵō·aḥ
koach: Strength, power, might, ability, force
Original Word:כֹּחַ Transliteration:koach Pronunciation: koh-akh Phonetic Spelling: ko’-akh Definition:Strength, power, might, ability, force Meaning: vigor, a large lizard
Derived from an unused root meaning to be firm or vigorous, literal force in a good or bad sense or figurative capacity, means, produce; also from its hardiness, a large lizard its ability able to change and to accommodate surroundings as in chameleon, force, fruits, might, power, full strength, substance, wealth.
The Hebrew word “koach” primarily denotes physical strength or power, but it can also refer to mental or spiritual strength. It is used to describe the might of individuals, nations, and even God Himself. In the context of human ability, it often implies the capacity to perform tasks or achieve goals. When referring to God, it underscores His omnipotence and sovereign power over creation.
In ancient Israelite culture, strength and power were highly valued attributes, often associated with leadership and divine favor. Physical strength was essential for survival, warfare, and labor. The concept of “koach” also extended to the spiritual realm, where it was seen as a gift from God enabling individuals to fulfill their divine calling. The Israelites recognized that true strength came from God, Who empowered them to overcome their enemies and achieve victory.
We are to live and move and have our being in His/Gods’ strength. Ephesians 6:10 In conclusion, be strong in the Lord [draw your strength from Him and be empowered through your union with Him] and in the power of His [boundless] might.
Because as Romans 8:35 states Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.”
Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 9 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.…
Making a focal point of the tree as a source of comfort during his distress was symbolic of God’s provision and care. The tree of life representing Messiah to Whom we are grafted in and from where we receive our strength. God allowed Elijah to rest under the broom tree, giving the prophet much-needed strength before continuing his journey to Mount Horeb. 1 Kings 19:8–9.
This story is helpful to us to recognize where we have been and where we are going. Many make resolutions at the start of a new year deciding to make changes but rarely follow through, giving up after only a little while.
The angel said to Elijah,
the journey will be too great for thee.
This is so true for us, the journey through this life is too great for us in our own strength. If we try and make it through life in our own strength we won’t make it. If we try to make it to heaven our own way, we won’t make it either. We can pride ourselves on our independence but we are never, ever truly independent; even when we turn and run from God, even when we disobey God and are rebellious, He sends rain on the just and the unjust. He can give and He can remove, our health can be taken away in a heartbeat, our life can be snatched from the earth any second. We are in His hands and we need to remember we are never truly in control of anything. For the believer, we need spiritual meat and drink for the journey at hand, by reading our Bibles. We are what we eat, so eat the words of eternal life, they are what will sustain our life.
Job said, I have esteemed thy words more than my necessary food. Spiritual food is more important to us than physical food, and yet so often we will skip reading our Bible, we skip prayer, and fellowshipping with and worshipping our Savior. Even though this is what will get us through this life. The Bible says that Elijah went in the strength of the food that the angel gave him for 40 days and 40 nights to Mount Horeb. God’s word is God’s power, the power is in His Word. For us the power is in our faith in His Word. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. The Word of God is our food. When Elijah reached Mount Horeb he saw that God was in control and that’s where we must arrive at also.
In this account of the prophet Elijah, it revealed his moments of vulnerability and divine encounters. In the middle of great challenges, he experienced a profound personal crisis, and even questioned his mission, purpose and calling.
Even though the circumstances of life may seem beyond repair and completely overwhelming, be encouraged that no matter what problem you are in, no matter what life has thrown at you, you can have the peace, the true shalom of God in your heart. Things can seem desperate, hopeless, out of control, but if you turn your eyes to Jesus/Yeshua, if you simply believe and trust Him, if you will cry out and lean on Him and not your own understanding, there will be a great calm in your life.
Psalm 34, “The angel of Yahweh encompasses those who fear him, and he will deliver them.”
“Whoever eats of this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
Arise and eat – He is our meat and drink.
The Juniper tree is there for a reason and a season but we are not to stay under it forever.
Once we have recognized where we are and change our focus off of ourselves, have received the refreshing of the Lord and have clear direction of where we are to go. Then we choose to keep our eyes on Yeshua/Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.He will perfect that which concerns us and strengthen us to run our race and complete our task to His glory. Don’t give up family, we are so close to that finish line and the victors crown of eternal life.
Shalom, 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.
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