Tag: Jerusalem

Go Out and Dig

It began at nightfall on August 10 this year, and concluded at nightfall on Sunday, August 11 2019.

 The 9th of Av, Tisha b’Av,

 Tish‘āh Be’āv בְּאָב תִּשְׁעָה

What is its’ significance and is there anything we can learn from it? 

Tisha is the Hebrew word for the number 9

Av is the 11th month of the Hebrew Calendar and falls in July or August.

 It is the saddest day on the Jewish calendar because it is the culmination of the Three Weeks of Sorrow…

a period of time during which, Israel marks the time of the destruction of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem.

 The 9th of Av, Tisha b’Av, commemorates a list of catastrophes so severe, it seems as if it is a day set aside by God for suffering. National calamities occurred and because of this it is a time of mourning and also of repentance.

From morning to moUrning is only a matter of adding U (yoU) into the mo_rning time of each day! When we are focused on self, we are not focused on Him. When we are focused on Him we rejoice to see that His mercies are new every morning.

When we, that is our flesh, gets in the mix we enter into the mourning!

Tisha B’Av is a record of both destruction and renewal following the things that have happened to Israel over the centuries.

The first and earliest reference is in Deuteronomy 1:1 –3:22

Devarim

דברים

Words;

which comes from the phrase

Eleh ha –  – Devarim

meaning:

These are the words.

Deuteronomy 1:1

Deuteronomy is Greek and means:

repetition of the Torah

it is derived from the Hebrew phrase, Mishnah ha Torah. Deuteronomy 17:18

דברים – Devarim

That is from the first verse of Deuteronomy, the final book of the Torah of Moses as he begins to remind this new generation of Israelites of the law given to them at Mount Sinai after their miracle Exodus from Egypt.

 In our English Bibles, Devarim is known as “Deuteronomy,” from a Greek word used to translate the phrase mishneh ha-Torah (“copy of the Torah,” Deut. 17:18).

The Hebrew, Sefer D’varim, refers to its first words: Eleh ha-d’varim, “These are the words [that Moses addressed to all Israel]” (Deuteronomy1:1). Derived from the Greek translation for Mishneh Torah, Deuteronomium means “second law” and refers to the fact that Moses is repeating the Exodus/Numbers narrative.

The term can also stretch to mean discourses or talks. The English name, Deuteronomy, comes from the name which the book bears in the Septuagint (וץפוסןם ליןם) and in the Vulgate (Deuteronomium).

This first reference is of the 12 spies, which is, Meraglim – מרגלים – in Hebrew.

It comes from the root word ragil, which means to habituate oneself, to become accustomed to. Did the meraglim put too much value on the habit and predictability of life?

The Hebrew word refers to one who scouts a land to gather information and the English word refers to one who explores a land for apparently recreational purposes. Nonetheless, the twelve spies which Moshe/Moses sent are generally known as meraglim—not tarim.

Meraglim which can also mean traitors or deserters. In Numbers 13, the Hebrew word describing the group is also the word usually translated as men or as princes.

The Hebrew year was 2448 – 1312 BCE. During the time of Moses, The Israelites were in the desert, recently having experienced the miraculous Exodus, and were now about to enter the Promised Land of Canaan. To assist in formulating a prudent battle strategy they send out a reconnaissance mission first.

These meraglim, included Caleb and Joshuah and were the cream of the Israelite tribes. Moses chose one righteous prince from each of the 12; Levi being the only tribe which was exempt.

Joshua was a type of Yeshua/Messiah who would bring salvation to the people and lead them into the promised land.

Joshua, who was to succeed Moses’ had been known up until this point in time, as Hoshea, which is the same Hebrew word as Joshua (Yehoshua), but without the letter yud/yod.

Moses added the yud/yod to Hoshea’s name, changing its’ meaning to:

God will save you [from their plans].

Adding a Yod was no random act for the letter Yod, although the smallest of the letters, is the little that holds a lot.

Yod/yud has a numerical value of 10 symbolic of the full manifestation of God; it represents the spiritual, all of that which is beyond the physical, yet it plays the most important role in the whole of Creation.

The first letter of God’s name YHWH is a Yod/Yud.

Yod represents a mere dot, iota (in Greek), a little speck, a tiny point in which all the divine energy of Creation is concentrated.  For infinite God to create a finite world there had to be contraction, a containment. The God of infinity made something finite.

All 22 letters have a yud contained in them as the first point of every letter that is formed.

It is also a picture of humility. An example being, when Jacob was renamed from Ya’akov to Yisrael, all that remained of his former Hebrew name was the letter Yod!

Each letter of the Hebrew alphabet in the Old Testament has an associated pictogram (a symbol or icon) that adds meaning to the open text.

This is evidence of a supernatural hand of design behind the original Hebrew text of the Bible and a very good reason to look at their original meaning. 

Moses did this before the scouting mission. No doubt the added boost of spiritual power this new name represented, would serve him well in the difficult times that were to come.

Joshua is a Biblical given name derived from the Hebrew Jehoshua/ Yehoshua (יהושע) meaning the LORD is salvation. יְהוֹשֻׁעַ

The name was a common alternative form of the name יֵשׁוּעַ – yēšūă which corresponds to the Greek spelling Ἰησοῦς (Iesous), from which, through the Latin Iesus, comes the English spelling Jesus.

יֵשׁוּעַ

The 12 Spies (Meraglim) return on the eighth day of Av and report that the land is unconquerable. That night, the 9th of Av, the people cry.

Joshua (Yehoshua) tried to reason with the people giving his positive report,

but the people were not convinced, and went so far as to threaten to stone Caleb and Joshua.

They insist that they’d rather go back to Egypt than be slaughtered by the Canaanites. God is not happy with this public demonstration of distrust in His power, to bring them successfully into the land He had promised them.

And His presence appeared in the Tabernacle expressing His exasperation with the nation and His intention to wipe them out.

This was not the first time that this had happened, only 12 months earlier God had considered destroying the people after the sin of the golden calf. It was at that time, God gave Moses the 13 Attributes of Mercy, and explained the process through which Divine forgiveness could be obtained.

Moses once again begged for mercy, pointing out that if God were to destroy the people right there, the nations would mistakenly think that He did not have the power to bring them into the Promised Land. After Moses recounted the 13 Attributes, God agreed to spare the children of Israel. 

https://www.minimannamoments.com/13-attributes-of-gods-mercy/

However, because they accepted the slanderous report of the 10 Spies in the desert; the decree was issued forbidding them from entering the Land of Canaan, consequently that generation of Israelites never enters the Holy Land. Only their children had that privilege, after wandering in the desert for another 38 years.

The 9th of AV was the day they returned to Kadesh where they were camped. It was almost 6 weeks after scouting the land. (40 days)

The spies went to the people instead of to Moses and Aaron, with the bad report and a warning that conquering those in the land would be impossible. The biggest obstacle being that the cities were fortified with walls as was Jericho.

Only two of those who returned showed faith and had a positive attitude.

After the immediate rejoicing over the abundant produce they returned with, the bad report caused the people to yearn for what they had left behind in Egypt. Numbers 14:3-4

Because of this they were delayed 40 years from entering the promised land.

A year for each day they had been in the land spying. 

Except for Yehoshua bin Nun (Joshua the son of Nun) and Kalev (Caleb) the son of Jephunneh, every person 20 years of age and older were fated to die in the wilderness.

The other 10 spies were immediately killed by a plague sent from the Lord.

So they wandered for 40 years and the Hebrew writings record that, each year on the eve of the 9th of AV Moses would tell the people,

Go Out and Dig!!

Every year, on Erev Tisha B’Av, they would leave the close vicinity of the camp and go and dig their own graves. They would then lay down and sleep in them overnight. The next day the shout went up, let the living separate from the dead.

The understanding was that those of them who had reached the age of 60 would not rise the next day and that first

morning

some 15,000 individuals were found dead in their graves. This was indeed a moUrning day. 

According to tradition, this harrowing ritual was repeated annually for 40 years, until the original 600,000 male Israelites who left Egypt, those who doubted that they could attain the Promised Land finally died.

(600,000 did not include women, children and old men.)

So every year, those who were supposed to die that year passed away, and those that survived returned to their tents. (Bava Batra 121a, Rashbam).

Accordingly, throughout the forty years, the people were

first buried and

then died.

This continued until a year came that no one died….

That particular year they thought they had got the day wrong and so they slept an extra night in their graves.

This continued for 5 nights until the 15th AV when they observed the full moon, they then realized their calculations were correct and rejoicing broke out as they realized that no more of that generation would die.

This is why the 15th AV – Tu B’AV is a day of celebration…

and always on a full moon.

In modern Israel it is a day of

romance and love – chag ahavah.   

חג

 האהבה ‎ 

The word “Tu” ( ט”ו) is an acronym for 15 – derived from Tet (9) and Vav (6).

The phrase “Tu B’Av” indicates the 15th day of the month of Av 

(i.e., Chamishah Asar B’Av)

באב ט״ו  on the Jewish calendar.

The wilderness generation had finally died and the new generation was ready to enter the land of promise.

The second national catastrophe was that The First Temple was Solomon’s Temple destroyed by Nebuchandnezar and the Neo-Babylonian Empire on the 9th of Av 3340 (423 BCE). 10,000 were killed and the remaining tribes in the southern kingdom were exiled to Babylon and Persia/Iran.

Next national catastrophe occurred when the Jews rebelled against Roman rule, they believed that their leader, Simon Bar Kochba, would fulfill their messianic longings. Their hopes were cruelly dashed in 3892/ 132 CE as over 100,000 of the Jewish rebels were brutally slaughtered in the final battle at Beitar as the battle was lost. The Beitar fortress was the last standing Jewish fortress in the Bar Kokhba revolt of the 2nd century CE, destroyed by the Roman army of Emperor Hadrian in the year 135. The site of historic Betar (also spelled Betar or Bethar), next to the modern Palestinian village of Battir, southwest of Jerusalem.

Next

One year after their conquest of Beitar, another catastrophe occurred at the Beit Hamikdash on the Temple Mount (Har HaBayit), Israels holiest site.

This happened in 3830 or 70 CE (500 years after the destruction of the First Temple), as the Roman empire under Emperor Titus, drew closer to the Second Temple in Jerusalem, and were about to torch it, the nation of Israel were shocked to realize that their Second Temple was destroyed on exactly the same day as the first led by a roman General named Turnus Rufus. Jerusalem was rebuilt as a pagan city and renamed Aelia Capitlina and all Jews were forbidden access.

Beit Hamikdash is the Hebrew phrase for the Temple that was first built by King Solomon.  (literally “The Holy House”)

A bayit is a house. Mikdash comes from kadosh, meaning holy. Beit Hamikdash

בית המקדש

generally the term used is Churban HaBayit (literally, “the destruction of the House”).

The Temple was considered as:

the neck of the world.

The place where Heaven touches Earth, where mortals can feel eternity.

It was built in the time of Shlomo HaMelech, King Solomon, who was the son of King David, and was destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar II and the Babylonians after the Siege of Jerusalem in 587 BCE.

בֵּית־הַמִּקְדָּשׁ   Holy Temple

It was subsequently replaced with the Second Temple.

The purpose of the Beit Hamikdash was to inspire each individual to become a miniature Beit Hamikdash. So in the absence of the Beit Hamikdash, (which is no longer necessary since Messiah has come), we are to create God’s Temple within His own creation.

Much as the Babylonians destroyed the First Temple, as retaliation for an ongoing Jewish revolt, the Romans destroyed the Second Temple and Jerusalem in 70 CE.

The second temple lasted for a total of 585 years (516 BCE to 70 CE). Jewish eschatology includes a belief that the Second Temple will be replaced by a future Third Temple.

Yet another catastrophic event happened on 9th Av 1290 (5050). The Jews were expelled from England having been there since William the conqueror invaded in 1066 bringing with him the Jews that were living in Normandy, France.

The next catastrophe happened in In 1492, (5252).

The Golden Age of Spain came to a close when Queen Isabella and her husband Ferdinand ordered that the Jews be banished from the land.

The edict of expulsion was signed on March 31, 1492, and the Jews were given exactly four months to put their affairs in order and leave the country. The Hebrew date, year 5252, on which no Jew was allowed any longer to remain in the land where he had enjoyed welcome and prosperity. 

Known as The Inquisition in Spain and Portugal it culminated in the expulsion of the Jews from the Iberian Peninsula. Families were separated, many died by drowning and there was a massive loss of property. 

1492 also noted as the year Columbus ‘discovered America’.

On the 9th of Av saw the start of both world wars.

In 5674/1914 Britain and Russia declare war on Germany.

The First World War began.

Then, just a few years later in sept 1939/5699, came World War II and the Holocaust, ending on 2nd sept1945 /5705.

Historians speculate, the 2nd world war was actually the long drawn-out conclusion of World War I that began in 1914/5674 due to First World War issues being unresolved,

Incredibly Germany declared war on Russia, effectively catapulting the First World War into motion, on the 9th of Av, Tisha b’Av

Hebraic mindset sees this as another confirmation of the deeply held conviction that history isn’t haphazard; events – even terrible ones – are part of a Divine plan and have spiritual meaning. The message of time is that everything has a rational purpose, even though we don’t understand it.

This is the season of reading the Book of Lamentations and remembering the historical events that took place on Tisha b’Av. No wonder it is the Jewish day of mourning; the temple was destroyed the nation dispersed and they lost their homeland.

It is little wonder they approach this time of each year with a certain trepidation, as there is no word for coincidence in the Hebrew language, everything has a time and a purpose.

The timely caveat is for all believers to pray for the nation and the people of Israel; for the shalom of Yerushalayim/Jerusalem…

because, if we do not learn from history we seem destined to repeat it; and the western youth of today have not even the slightest clue of the horrors man can do to fellow man. Yes, God is in control, of course; however we are to pray without ceasing and when we don’t know about certain events or choose to downplay or ignore them, it shows a lack of wisdom concerning God’s mandate.

We have a part to play and we must be doers of that part for we are grafted in as part of spiritual Israel.

The key with God is that He never leaves nor forsakes us and especially His covenant family who are the apple of His eye. The Lord delivers him out of all his troubles.

God has delivered Israel time and time again and the fact that they are a prospering sovereign nation today is a miracle in itself. Many empires have risen and fallen and are lost to time and history.

Israel remains because they are in the palm of His hand and it is where He has put His Name.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/more-than-one-palm/

https://www.minimannamoments.com/i-will-put-my-name-here/

Surely this is a picture of Hope/tikvah in its fullness, considering all Israel has endured throughout the millennia.

Their Hope/tikvah is in the Lord, the God of Israel, and His promise is always to restore and renew!

Their, and our, mourning will be turned into dancing and joy. Ps. 30:11

Pray their eyes are opened to see their Messiah is Yeshua.

As Moses anointed Joshua to lead the children of Israel into His promised land Messiah Yeshua will return to lead us all.

Blessed are they whose HOPE/tikvah is in the Lord… and they surely needed such an ANCHOR/O’gehn, to take them through all their times of testing.

For thou art my HOPE (tikvah), O Lord GOD: thou art my trust from my youth. (Ps. 71:5)

He IS

SHALOM SHALOM!

Family

משפחה

Mish-pa-KHa

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

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

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

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.

The LOOK of Shavuot?

The last of the 4 Spring Appointed times is Shavuot in Hebrew and in parts of Europe Pentecost is also known as Whit/Whitsuntide. Whitsun (Old English for “White Sunday”) is the forty-ninth day (seventh Sunday) after Easter Sunday.

It is also the anniversary of the conversion and baptism of 3,000 people. It is believed that the name comes from Pentecost being a day for baptisms, when participants would dress in white. The name Pentecost comes from the Greek word ‘Pentekostos’, meaning ’50.

‘Whitsun’ is also thought to derive from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘wit’, meaning ‘understanding’, to celebrate the disciples being filled with the wisdom of the Holy Spirit. As in many languages “to see” and “to know” are interrelated concepts. So that “to wit” is not only about knowledge but witnessing.

On the knowledge side, it is also easy to see the link with wise and witty and wittingly. The “Witan” being the Anglo Saxon assembly of wise men – knowing enough to have their word in the destiny of the community.

Wit could therefore, be said to infer “He makes Himself known!” God, is love, He made known His Wisdom, His Power, and His mind, He made Himself known, they were filled with the Ruach HaKodesh/Holy-Set Apart-Spirit Yeshua/Jesus/The Word made flesh!

Shavuot – שבועות – was both an agricultural festival and a celebration of God giving His newly-free people the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Through the giving of the Law, He taught them how to live as a redeemed community, a kingdom of priests, and a holy (set-apart) nation (Ex. 19:6).

The name of the festival is actually derived from the Hebrew word shavuah, שְׁבוּעַ meaning week. Shavuot (weeks) is the plural form. Shavuot marks the end of the seven-week period called Sefirat HaOmer (Counting of the Omer), which began at Passover/Pesach.

From a Hebrew roots perspective, one of the most significant occurrences has to do with the historical understanding of what Shavuot during the second temple period meant to the Jewish nation. The disciples of Messiah Yeshua were gathered together, and when there were loud noises, tongues of fire, and voices speaking in many languages, this was an obvious clue: it was the second ‘coming/giving’ of the Torah and the fulfillment of the prophesy given by Joel. 

Shavuot has several other connections:

One being Zechariah, John the Baptist father, who was in the Temple at Shavuot when the angel appeared to him.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/why-was-the-priest-in-the-water-conclusion-of-the-mystery

For more on Shavuot connections to Ruth Boaz and Shavuot /Pentecost as the perfect picture of the harvest wedding and covenant.
https://www.minimannamoments.com/50-days-later-an-earthly-and-spiritual-harvest-pentecost-shavuot/

The Scroll of Ruth (מגילת רות) – a beautiful story about God’s redemptive love – is read on the second day of Shavuot. As the Goel (kinsman-redeemer), Boaz was a wealthy man of the tribe of Judah (Bethlehem) who married a Gentile bride. Boaz’s name means “in Him is strength,” a picture of the Mashiach Yeshua, The book of ruth is read, which is the ingrafting of the gentiles and Exodus records where the Lord descended in fire. Also Ex 1:13,14 mentions coals of fire; and out of the fire went forth lightning. Ezekiel Chapter 3 the sounds of great rushing; then in Acts 2:3, the account of the rushing mighty wind and the fire sitting on them is not coincidence!

https://www.minimannamoments.com/2-x-3000-a-marriage-made-in-heaven/
https://www.minimannamoments.com/shavuot-2-x-3000-a-marriage-made-in-heaven-conclusion/

In Jerusalem it all started with 120 in the upper room.

Yeshua had ascended 10 days before, having spent 40 days with His disciples teaching them and preparing them during the Omer count.

The on-going transformation of the Disciples  finally led up to Shavuot-Pentecost. This day was the most powerful day for Yisrael as it was when the Torah was given to Moses/ Mosheh. Now it also became the most powerful day among the Talmidim/Disciples, and those who would become Sh’liychiym /the Apostles, as it represented the new thing that Adonai/the Lord was doing among His people in fulfilling prophecy.

The coming of the RUACH at Shavuot/Pentecost released a new dimension of God’s power from on high and from that moment on the fire/zeal of God, that was imparted not only changed the world in which they lived but ultimately spread the Good News to the four corners of the whole earth. 

Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Set-apart Spirit has come upon you and you shall be My witnesses in Yerushalayim (Jerusalem) and in all Yahuḏah (Judea) and Shomeron (Samaria) and to the end of the earth.”

Instead of imagining that all the Disciples were in fear and hiding in some private place, from scripture we read that they were in assembling daily in the Temple Courts/Beyth Ha Mikdash.

This was where they would come daily and as they grew in number; here they would continue in the teaching and the understanding of the renewed covenant/the Brit Chadashah.

This event had been prophesied through all the Tanakh/the Old Testament and which finally found fulfillment in the sacrificial blood of the Messiah, Yeshua.

He was the promised seed of David, the Messiah, the son of Elohim through whom all have redemption and access to the Chesed/ the Mercy and favor of Our Heavenly Father as revealed from the beginning/Genesis/Beresheet.  

Acts 2:46 And they (the Disciples or taught ones) continued daily to meet together with one accord in the Beyth Ha Mikdash (the Set Apart House of Yahweh- The Temple)and of breaking of Lekhem (bread) from House to House and did eat their food with gladness and singleness of Heart.

Acts 3:1-2 Now Kepha (Peter) & Yochanan (John) went up together into the Beyth Ha Mikdash (the Temple) at the hour of petition, the ninth hour. 2 and a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried whom they laid daily at the gate of the Temple which is called beautiful (the Yapho Gate or today the Jaffa Gate) to ask alms of them that entered into the Beyth Ha Mikdash (the Temple);

 

Then after the Ruach HaKdesh – the Set Apart – Holy Spirit was poured out upon them fulfilling Joel, they grew to 3000 on the Shavout following Messiah’s death on Passover. That was just the beginning however, something special was about to happen that would cause them to grow even more, and it would also cause them to enter into conflict with the nations leaders.

In the book of Acts we find

Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the ninth hour, the hour of prayer. 

This has been mistranslated and from the original should read…

Peter and John entering the Temple at the hour of THE prayer.

Why is this significant?

Because It was 3:00 in the afternoon, approaching evening. According to the Torah, sacrifices were to be offered in the morning and in the evening (see Numbers 28) – beginning and ending Israel’s day at sundown, with atonement and drawing closer to God. These times became special times of prayer for the Jewish people – which they still are to this day.

THE prayer is referring to saying the Amidah.

In the literal translations it is called the hour of THE Prayer.

The Amidah (Hebrew: תפילת העמידה, Tefilat HaAmidah, “The Standing Prayer”), also called the Shemoneh Esreh (שמנה עשרה), is the central prayer of the Jewish liturgy. 

 Among observant Jews, it is referred to as HaTefillah, or “the prayer” of Judaism. The prayer is also sometimes called Amidah (“standing”) because it is recited while standing and facing the Aron Kodesh, the ark that houses the Torah.

The Amidah Standing Prayer in English is also know as the standing prayer. It has been suggested that this is what the disciples were doing in the upper room when Yeshua joined them.

Traditionally every individual should wash their hands before saying this prayer and it is said by the Jews, along with the Shema, three times a day. These Prayers are to teach how to present ourselves in Awe, Fear, Respect, and learn to approach the King as the servants of the Living God. 

The individual praying should if at all possible, stand with one’s feet together while reciting the Amidah as a show of respect for God. The rabbis add that this stance reflectss Ezekiel’s the vision of angels in which the feet of the angels appeared as one (Ezekiel 1:7).

The custom is to face the direction of Israel, and if in Israel, to turn to Jerusalem and the Temple Mount. This is because all prayers head towards the Temple Mount and then rise up. This also shows respect for the Temples, which were central to Hebrew life, and reminds us that the synagogue was established to try to fill the gap in Hebrew life left by the Temple’s’ destruction. In many synagogues in the west, the ark is on the eastern wall of the synagogue for this reason.

The Amidah is the core of every Jewish worship service, and is therefore also referred to as HaTefillah, or “The prayer.” Amidah, which literally means, “standing,” refers to a series of blessings recited while standing.

The translation of the word AMIDAH means to standup, so the prayers are normally recited while standing and facing the East as the Messiah, YHVH, Jesus, will come back from that direction.

The Amidah is commonly referred to as the silent prayer. This, however, is a misnomer, for the Amidah is to be said softly, not silently, to yourself. The words should be audible to your ears and your ears alone.

This was the situation with the prayers of Channah/Hannah.

The Amidah includes three distinct sections. The first section includes prayers that praise. The middle section includes 13 requests. These requests focus on practical needs like health, and the ability to make wise choices but also more lofty yearnings for redemption and justice. These requests can change depending on the time of year or holiday. The last section includes prayers of gratitude. You can also include your own personal prayers anytime during the middle or end.

On festivals, particularly the pilgrimage holidays of Pesach, Shavuot and Sukkot, the middle portion of the Amidah similarly describes how God has given these holidays as a gift to the Jewish people for joy and celebration.

There are also references to the biblical patriarchs, King David and Jerusalem to be remembered in glory.

Despite the official absence of requests, the holiday prayers of the Amidah do in fact ask that God enable us to enjoy and celebrate the holiday with gladness of heart. They end with a blessing, thanking God for sanctifying the people of Israel and the holiday.

At the start of the prayer:

My EloHim/Lord, open my lips, that my mouth may declare Your praise.

Each of us is aware of our abilities and potential, and we all experience fear, doubt and hesitation. Many of our limitations in life are more perceived than real. Often, it is only fears/false imaginations, that are holding us back.

In Hebrew the word for lips is the same as the word for banks, as in river banks.

The Hebrew word for lip is שפה. Interestingly, this word is quite versatile: it also means language and bank (of a river, a sea, etc). In a connected “of” (construct) state, שפה becomes שפת, so that a river bank is שפת נהר – literally, a bank of a river.

The banks of a river define its limits.

When we say “God, open my lips,” we are also saying, “God, help me to see beyond my perceived limitations, banks, boundaries. Help me to see all the way to the horizon of my potential.”

And a man lame from birth was being carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple that is called the Beautiful Gate to ask alms of those entering the temple.

This was a strategic location to beg. Religious people are to be charitable to the poor and needy. 

Nearing the Temple, we see that it is a very beautiful building. All around the outside are the porches, which are covered walks, separated by rows of large pillars or posts. The floors are of marble of many colors.

The pillars are so large that three men can scarcely stretch their arms so as to meet around them. Some of the pillars are one hundred feet high.

Along the walls we see seats for people to sit on, and all day long the people rest on the benches or move about between the pillars.

The Hekel Gate, which leads to the Temple is made of dazzling brass, more costly than silver and gold, and it is very richly decorated. The double doors to this gate are so heavy that twenty men are needed to open and close them.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/mystery-of-the-hekel/

As Peter and John made their way to the Beautiful Gate. Here they stop.

When the crippled man saw Peter and John about to go into the temple, he began asking to receive alms.

For many, many years this poor crippled man has been carried to the Temple gate. Day after day he has been sitting there begging for money from those who come to the Temple. He is now over 40 years of age, but has never walked. 

But Peter, along with John, fixed his gaze on him and said, “Look at us!”

He looks up at Peter.

He hoped this man would give him money. For an instant, Peter disappoints him by saying, “Silver and gold have I none.”

But Peter has more to say:

“Such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.”

Acts 3:4- 7 And Kepha (Peter) fastening his eyes upon him with Yochanan (John) said “look on us”. 5 and he gave heed to them expecting to receive something from them. 6 Then Kepha (Peter) said “Silver and Gold have I none but such as I have give I you; In the name of Yahshua the Messiah of Netzereth rise up & walk. 7 and he (Kepha) took him by the right hand and lifted him up and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

They gave him the LOOK of Shavuot – we could say it was a Pentecostal look!

And he began to give them his attention, expecting to receive something from them. But Peter said, “In the name of Messiah Yeshua the Nazarene walk”!

(“in the name” means “because of who Yeshua is, and what He is able to do, and because of the authority He has given me”) 

 Peter seemed to know exactly what God wanted to happen in this situation, and he was given authority – Messianic authority, the Son of God’s divine authority, and he used it by commanding the crippled man to walk.

This healing had a specific purpose with regard to advancing the kingdom of God’s Son. 

Many times miracles are given for the testimony of Jesus Christ;

as was the man blind from birth.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/heres-mud-in-your-eye/

The lame man was a well known figure at the gate called Beautiful. (Eastern Gate.) No one would be able to deny what had been done in the name of Jesus.

Then Peter takes hold of the right hand of the lame man and lifts him up, and a great miracle happened to the lame man. 

And immediately his feet and his ankles were strengthened. With a leap he stood upright and began to walk; and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God.

The miracle was immediate and it was very public – right at one of the entrances to the Jerusalem temple, and at the time when the religious Jewish people were entering to take part in the closing prayers of the day! 

The feet and ankles of the helpless man received strength. For the first time in his life he stands alone! He walks! He leaps! He goes into the Temple with Peter and John, praising God as he enters!

The happiest day of his life! No more need he be carried about; no more begging for money, for he is healed! All through the power of God.

The people in the Temple know the man who is healed. They all likely turn to see and listen as he praises God. For many years they probably had passed by this man as he sat at the gate and begged, and many times had dropped a coin into his lap. Now he is walking and jumping. They cannot understand what has just happened.

As the three men walk out on Solomon’s porch. All the people follow us out on the porch. They stand and wonder. They cannot believe their eyes, but there before us stands the man whom God has healed.

Is it possible it happened at the very moment that the part of the prayer for healing was being said, that the man started giving God the glory??

“Look at me!

I’m standing during the Standing Prayer!!

God does heal!!!”

For 40 years he had heard or said this prayer, no doubt wondering if it was really true!

(Part of the prayer is to be healed, so he had prayed 3x a day for 40 years and wanted to stand as this was a standing prayer!)

Acts 3:6-9 tells us he was praying, let me stand for the standing prayer and finally he was able to stand for the standing prayer. And this is no doubt why Peter pulled him to his feet!

This was to show everyone there that he stood at the time of the standing prayer.

He was not healed prior to that time because Yeshua/Jesus wanted everyone to witness the miracle on Shavuot – His ways are higher than ours.

Just like the blind man who was blind from birth was for the glory of god to confirm the prophetic word stating that “the eyes of the blind shall see out of obscurity, and out of darkness” (Isaiah 29:14, 18).

Miracles were not everyday events for the Chosen People. There were only a couple of times and with only a few men when an outpouring of miracles took place in their history: Moses and Joshua and the Exodus from Egypt through their entry into the Land of Israel; then in the time of Elijah and Elisha. Other than those special times and those few men, miracles were a rarity.

However there had been an exception to that history in that, many great miracles had just happened the previous three or four years involving the young Rabbi from Nazareth. But He had died, and the miracles had stopped!

Except, there were those unusual events that had taken place on the Shavuot following the Nazarene’s death, when a very loud noise had been heard when Yeshua’s followers had been meeting, and then a group of Yeshua’s Galilean Jewish followers spoke to the people of Jerusalem in the languages of the lands where many had come from, and those Galileans claimed that they had never learned those languages.

And now, a great miracle of healing and restoration had just taken place through two of Yeshua’s closest followers. What did it mean?

How was Peter able to say to the sick man, “Rise up and walk”? Was it because he had seen Yeshua/Jesus heal the sick? At one time Yeshua/Jesus took hold of the hand of Peter’s wife’s mother, when she was sick with fever. Yeshua/Jesus lifted her up and the fever left her [Mark:1:30];[Mark:1:31]).

It was not only because Peter had seen Yeshua/Jesus do these miracles; Peter was able to do this because he had the power of God with him. He had been saved and sanctified and he was one of those who were in the upper room when the baptism was given. He had received the Ruach haKodesh/Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost/Shavuot. Yeshua/Jesus had told the disciples that when the Ruach haKodesh/Holy Spirit came, they should receive power to work for Him. Now Peter had that power and he was using it, too!

Peter knew exactly what it meant, and wanting to fulfill his mission, and tell these people the Good News about the final atonement and salvation made possible by the Crucified-Yet-Risen Messiah, Simon Peter used this God-given opportunity to give his  great sermon.

Like Peter, we constantly need to use our God-given opportunities to tell people the Good News about the Messiah!

This was a most wonderful transformation in the lives of His called ones, in that only a short while ago they were in unbelief; but through the work of the RUACH (Spirit) their faith had grown and also their understanding. 

Then, at Shavuot, a new dimension of that faith had emerged with the coming of the RUACH Ha Kodesh /the Holy Spirit, giving them boldness to speak. With that step of faith, came authority & power from on high that saw the mighty works of God revealed both through the Word and power, and those who repented and believed numbered about 5,000 men.

What is amazing in the actions of Kepha (Peter) & Yochanan (John) is that they were so full of faith that it says that Kepha took the man by the right hand and lifted him up.

Acts 3:11- 12 And as the lame man which was healed held Kepha (Peter) & Yochanan (John) all the people ran together to them in the covered walkway that is called Shelomoh’s (Solomon’s) portico, greatly amazed. 12 And when Kepha saw it he answered the people. “You men of Yisrael why marvel you at this? Or why do you stare at us as though by our own power or our Torah or Shabbat piety we had made this man walk.

The Elohim of Abraham and of Yitzchak (Isaac) and of Yaacov (Jacob), the Elohim of our fathers has esteemed his son Yahshua; 16 through belief in his name has made this man strong whom you see and know; yes the belief which through Yahshua’s name has given him this complete health in the presence of all. 

The Mighty miracle that was done in this man was the means by which Our Heavenly Father was drawing His people to Himself.

It was also the perfect opportunity for the disciples to speak the wonderful words of the Salvation found only in Yeshua/Jesus.

Then they further expounded the truth of the Mashiach (Messiah) as revealed through the Scriptures of the Torah, the Nevim (Prophets) & the Ketuvim (the Wisdom Writings). Through the work of the RUACH Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) we see the assembly of believers supernaturally multiplying. 

Kefa and Yochanan were arrested … were questioned as to what power or name they had done this … they boldly stated.. The Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth (Yeshua Mashiach of Natzeret).

An important point we may have missed is that this man, who according to Acts.4:22 was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was showed.

That meant Yeshua/Jesus probably walked past him a minimum of 100 times in the temple and never healed him! This happened after Yeshua/Jesus died at around 33 yrs of age and this man who was only 7 yrs older than Yeshua/Jesus had been lame from his birth.

Seen from the Jewish perspective this was undeniable:

At the hour of prayer he asked for money, he was over 40, sat daily for 40 yrs, every single time Yeshua/Jesus went through that eastern gate, He passed by that man and never helped or healed him, even the day He rode into Jerusalem and he had not been healed but surely his healing at this time was the perfect timing of our Heavenly Father, Who had him right there at the Temple gate awaiting this exact time to heal this man.

God waited 40 years for all to be gathered in the Temple, so at the very moment of the Amidah, while all Israel was praising God.

(Until now we as gentiles, have missed the full significance of this event).

Divinely designed, to not only esteem the Messiah and be a miracle for this man but that it would be so significant as to trigger a greater revival than that of Shavuot, bringing a large crowd of Yisraelites to faith in name of Yeshua the righteous one.

One thing we must be sure to remember is to Keep our eyes on Yeshua/Jesus.

To FIX our eyes on Him and continually LOOK on HIM…   

This is where miracles begin!

He is the author and finisher of our faith and the LOOK of Shavuot

is

Love

Compassion

Healing

and in His perfect timing,

His plans and purposes will be fulfilled.

Shalom Shalom!

Chag Sameach Shavuot Mish-pa-KHa!

Please don’t leave this page until you have fixed your eyes on Him and without knowing you are saved and assured that you belong to Him; with a deep conviction that you know where you will go, when your body can no longer sustain you in this realm. 

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

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

Its all about Life and Relationship not Religion.

NOT SURE?

Then simply SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus 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 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. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Revealing The Overcoming Resheet of Bikkurim

Who is The Overcoming Resheet of Bikkurim ביכורים

First Fruits – Reishit Katzir

Passover is always on 15th Nisan it begins at sundown on 14th.

Pesach is the first day of the celebration – Passover, that lasts for a week and is called the Feast of Unleavened Bread. The day following the first day of Unleavened Bread is called Reishit Katzir the Day of FirstFruits.

It is the beginning of the harvest, sometimes confusingly called the Feast of Firstfruits.

Re’shiyth – ראשׁית

Strongs #H7225 re’shiyth, ray-sheeth’; from the same as 7218; the first, in place, time, order or rank (specifically, a firstfruit): — beginning, chief(-est), first(-fruits, part, time), principal thing. Pronounced ray-sheeth’

ראשׁית קָצִיר – Reishit Katzir

קָצִֽיר qasir

Strongs 7105 Katzir-קָצִיר – qâtsı̂yr

pronounced kaw-tseer’.

Of first fruits harvest, harvesting, crop, what is harvested or reaped.

קָצִיר – Katzir

In ancient times on this day, a sheaf, (an omer) of barley, (the first grain crop to ripen); was waived before the Lord in a prescribed ceremony.

This was to mark the start of the counting of the Omer, thereby initiating the 49 day countdown to the harvest festival of Shavuot – Pentecost. Lev. 23:9-12.

For the Passover Lamb to become the Sheaf of First Fruits and present Himself as the Omer, He had to give up/lay down His life and take it up again.

John 10:17 Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again. 18 No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.

Deuteronomy 26:1–11
Speak to the Israelites and say to them; “When you enter the land I am going to give you and you reap its harvest, bring to the priest a sheaf of the first grain you harvest.  He is to wave the sheaf before the Lord so it will be accepted on your behalf; the priest is to wave it on the day after the Sabbath.  On the day you wave the sheaf, you must sacrifice as a burnt offering to the Lord a lamb a year old without defect together with its grain offering of two-tenths of an ephah[a] of the finest flour mixed with olive oil— a food offering presented to the Lord, a pleasing aroma— and its drink offering of a quarter of a hin[b] of wine.  You must not eat any bread, or roasted or new grain, until the very day you bring this offering to your God.  This is to be a lasting ordinance for the generations to come, wherever you live.  Leviticus 23: 10-14

Temple plate and scythe for the first cutting.

On this day, the priest would waive a sheaf, an Omer of green barley before the Lord as a symbolic gesture dedicating the upcoming harvest to Him.

The day following the first day of Unleavened Bread, (the day after the Sabbath – the morning the women go to the tomb), is called Reishit Katzir – 

Reishit Katzir represents the resurrection of Yeshua our Mashiach Yom HaBikkurim) whereas Shavuot, (Chag HaBikkurim), represents the giving of the Torah at Sinai and the giving of the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) at Jerusalem. Nisan 17 in the Old Testament – Torah.

A Note about Chag Ha-Bikkurim

Pronounced: Hahb-bik-koo-REEM

The Hebrew term bikkurim derives from the same root as bekhor – “firstborn.” A frequent synonym for bikkurim is reshit, “the first [fruits].”

Bikkurim ביכורים

literally, firstfruits

First ripe, Hasty fruit, the first-fruits of the crop

Hebrew: בִּכּוּר, bikkûr (H1061)

Pronunciation: bik-KOOR

Definition: The first-fruits of the crop.

In the torah, the general principle that the firstborn of man and beast belong to the Lord is also applied to the first fruits to ripen each agricultural season. Beginning with a sheaf of the new barley harvest, the omer on Reishit Katzir, and culminating in the celebration of Pentecost – Shavuot. Also known as Chag HaBikkurim, which is the festival of first fruits representing the birth of the church/ecclesia; and our future glorious state as part of the coming harvest at the end of the age.

The Torah begins with the words:

“Be-reishit bara Elohim et ha-shamayim ve-et ha-aretz,”.

The most popular translation of “be-reishit” is “In the beginning,” and the phrase would read, “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.

The Hebrew word for “in the beginning” in Bereishit 1:1, could have been reishit. However, the word used was bereshit. Pronounced: beh-ray-SHEET

It is possible that the use of Bereishit (reishit with the second letter, bet, at its beginning) is significant in that, by its inclusion it may indicate a second beginning, or a recreation?

Where there may be unknown time between  verse 1 and 2 in Genesis chapter 1.

1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 Now the earth was formless and empty, darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was hovering over the waters.

and also where there seems to be a second reference to creation. The first story runs from Genesis 1:1 to Genesis 2:3; the second story picks up at Genesis 2:4 and runs to the end of the chapter at Genesis 2:25? Interesting thought!

The Beginning wraps the End –

The End wraps the Beginning.

Isaiah 46:9-10

Genesis 1:3 God said let there be LIGHT and

John 8:12. Jesus said I AM the LIGHT.

He IS THE Beginning – 

He is the God of New Beginnings.

The Wave Offering is called Tenufat HaOmer and is performed the day after the Sabbath, (our Sunday), Yom Rishon.

Strongs 8573 – Original Word: תְּנוּפָה

Tenuphah: a swinging, waving, wave offering, offering

Part of Speech: Noun Feminine
Transliteration: tenuphah
Phonetic Spelling: (ten-oo-faw’)

Exodus 29:24  HEB: וְהֵנַפְתָּ֥ אֹתָ֛ם תְּנוּפָ֖ה לִפְנֵ֥י יְהוָֽה׃

KJV: and shalt wave them [for] a wave offering before..

ephah: an ephah (a measure of grain)

אֵיפָה   (ay-faw’)

Strongs: 374 ephah

HEB: וְהָעֹ֕מֶר עֲשִׂרִ֥ית הָאֵיפָ֖ה הֽוּא׃ פ

(Now an omer is a tenth of an ephah.)

6016 omer – a sheaf – עֹמֶרה

The Sheaf of firstfruits – the day after the Sabbath.

This is the day of firstfruits, the Resheet. Reishit Katzir. 

(Spelled both Reishit and Resheet)

The Wavesheaf Offering (Beginning of the Harvest/Reishit Katzir or Day of the Firstfruits/Yom HaBikkurim

The start, the beginning of the harvest. It is the time of the First grain, the first blossom of the first, new harvest. This firstfruits, the resheet, would represent all that would be reaped and gathered in during the rest of the harvest in the following days.

The first sheaf of the harvest in spring was lifted before the Lord and dedicated to Him on the day of Resheet.

How this applies to Messiah and resurrection day. They were to reap the harvest – and then bring, “THE sheaf of the First Fruits of your harvest to the priest” – notice here it does not say – “a sheaf” but rather – “the sheaf” – it is one marked off as the First Fruits of the harvest.

אֲלֻמָּה

Strongs #485

alummah: a sheaf

אֲלוּמָה   al-oom-maw’

(‘alummah, `omer, `amir)

Yeshua’s Resurrection was our FirstFruit wave offering that was pleasing to the Lord.

As He offered to the Father the early crops on what will be an overwhelming harvest at the end of this age – Acharit Hayayim.

We understand the fact that Messiah has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 1Cor.15:20-23

Total = 3 days and nights (Matt 12:40)

Yeshua raised on the 3rd day (Luke 24:45-6)

Yeshua/Jesus rose from the dead on the first day of the week, after being in the tomb three days and nights.

The disciples and then encountered the risen Lord on Nissan 14, a Sunday morning (Matthew 28:1 – 10).

This means He was crucified on Nissan 14 and resurrected on Nissan 17 (the corresponding Gregorian dates for these dates vary from year-to-year).

The women came to the tomb while it was still dark. Matt 27:61. Mark 16:1-8. John 20:1-2

Pesach/Passover represents all salvation and deliverance by the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.

Yeshua Ha Mashiach in whose blood we are trusting that we’ve been justified.

יֵשׁוּעַ  is a verbal derivative from “to rescue”, “to deliver”.

Its root word is yasha . עַשָׁי. H3467 yasha (below) which is also the root word of salvation. H3444: עַשָׁי H3467 yasha to save, be saved, be delivered (Blue Letter Bible).

 

mashiach: anointed מָשִׁיחַ

maw-shee’-akh strongs 4899

Anointed (1), anointed (34), anointed ones (2), Messiah

Chag HaMatzot represents our sanctification as we rid ourselves of the old – שׂאר, seor, Strong’s #7603 – leaven/sin

of Egypt/world and die to the carnal flesh nature of the old man. This is represented by the burial of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus and with us identifying with His death.

The Lords supper was a Passover seder the same meal that is celebrated every year. It is not simply a meal it is in fact a service.

The leader is the one who serves the Matzah/bread and all the other elements which are required.

It’s not about serving yourself at a buffet or a smorgasbord; it’s about being served and letting the leader serve you. This is clear that the Lords supper is not about serving self.

So when we sit at His table

He is the one who serves us the bread of life.

Sometimes even as believers we live to serve ourselves. However, in the Lords supper, Our Heavenly Father is saying, in effect, that He will take care of our needs. He will give us the bread of life and the new wine of joy. He wants us to sit at His table and allow Him to minister to us. Then in His love, we serve another, because it is the Lord’s supper, not a buffet.

The main focus of this post is that..

Yeshua the Messiah is our Firstfruit Bikoreem/Bikkurim

Chag Ha-Bikkurim

The Hebrew term Bikkurim comes from the same root as the word bekhor –first Born.

In the Torah there is a principle that the firstborn of both man and beast belong to the Lord. It is also applied to the firstfruits to ripen in each agricultural season.

Beginning with a sheaf of the new barley harvest (omer) on Reishit Katzir, and ends in the celebration of Pentecost Shavuot.

This is also called Chag Ha-Bikkurim – the first fruits festival, which bears repeating, also represents the birth of the ekklesia (church) the Called Out Ones.

They are not happening coincidentally, the wave offering and the resurrection of Jesus/Yeshua are linked together prophetically by the apostle Paul. 1Cor. 15:20-23

Which says that in fact Jesus Christ/Yeshua HaMashiach, has been raised from the dead, the first fruits all those who have fallen asleep.

For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive. But each in his own order: Christ the first fruits, then at his coming those who belong to Christ.

Here Paul clearly links the first fruit offering with the resurrection of Jesus our Messiah Yeshua our Mashiach.

Yeshua/Jesus’ resurrection was like a wave offering presented before the Father, as the firstfruits of the harvest to come. Jesus/Yeshua, presented His firstfruits offering to the Father on this day.

Because it was representative of the entire harvest by it’s consecration, it encompassed every sheaf that would follow.

It took place that day after the Passover Sabbath. It was the day of new life. This was the day that also marked the beginning of spring and at the same time sealed the ending of the winter. This is a day that reveals a mystery.

This world is a fallen world. Everything is under the curse of sin and death, everything that lives also dies. It’s like the shadow of winter that hangs over it all year – but God’s will is to redeem that which is fallen; to give life in place of death.

The promise of this redemption is that one day the barrenness of winter will be broken, the cause of death will be destroyed once and for all.

The one thing that will break that winter and bring new life is the first fruits and that date HAS COME!

Some 2000+ years ago on the Day of Resheet He rose as THE first fruit, EXACTLY when the firstfruits are lifted up to the Lord.

Resurrection Day is the Day of the Resheet. And why? Because He is Resheet.

Day of the Resheet – the first fruits are raised up from the Earth.

It ended the winter of our lives and began the spring that gives new life.

Matthew 27:52 –53 the tombs also were opened. And many bodies of the saints who had fallen asleep were raised, and coming out of the tombs after His resurrection they went into the holy city and appeared to many.

Yeshua/Jesus is the first begotten of the father (Hebrews 1:6)

The firstborn of creation (Col. 1:15)

The first begotten of the dead (Rev. 1:5)

And is the firstfruits of those who are to be resurrected (1 Cor. 15:20-23)

Pesach/Passover represents our salvation and deliverance by the sacrifice of the lamb of God, Yeshua the Mashiach. We are justified by trusting in the blood of the Lamb of God.

Chag HaMatzot represents our sanctification as we rid ourselves of the old leaven of Egypt. (The type of the world) and die to the carnal nature. This is represented by the burial of the Messiah/Mashiach and our identification with his death.

The best part is that the Resheet/sheaf, stood for, and represented ALL that would follow. It means that as He overcame death unto life, so can we; and so can everyone who comes after the first.

Jesus the Messiah of New Beginnings. Yeshua the Overcoming Resheet of Bikkurim.

Messiah is our Passover Lamb, our Tamid. He is also our Bikkurim/the Firstfruit.  Be certain that He is in your life and heart as the days draw ever closer to the end of the age..Open the Door/dalet of your heart/lev and let the Resheet of Bikkurim in..

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

NOT CERTAIN?

YOU CAN BE..

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

You are greatly loved and very precious in His sight.

He longs to give you the Shalom He paid the ultimate price for..

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

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.

The Pesach Dalet in Time; a Man Between 2 Realms; Yonah and The Watches of the Night.

In previous posts we have seen that the Hebrew letter Dalet, represents a door, or an opening and a place, (Hakem) of a threshold. It’s a point where one can CROSS from one place or location into another. A doorway or transition can also be called a portal.

It is where we get our English word Port from, where ships come and go to other places and destinations. Many towns have port as part of their names due to their proximity to water. It is also reflected in the French word for the door – la porte.

Sea going vessels have portholes for windows, again representing a connecting barrier and indicating two sides which are separated.

Interesting they are circular, not square and have 3 component parts which are connected into one unit.

Windows also represent a barrier and indicate a change, a threshold, and a place of passing, or looking through to a different Hakem.

Ha Makem’- ‘The Place’-המקום

We are quite familiar with the Exodus story and remember this event is inexorably linked through time to the events at Passover/Pesach. Ex.12: 21-27.

On the night of the Passover, the Hebrews were to put the blood of the Lamb on the wooden beams of their doorways. This was probably the only WAY /portal/in and out of their home, as slaves, they would have had little luxuries.

They would have then entered in through the bloodstained doorway and stayed inside their houses. When they passed through that WAY again, it would be for the last time. It would be to leave Egypt and never return.

It would be to depart from all bondage of that life of slavery and in going through the portal, they entered a new life of freedom.

They were entering a new realm and eventually a new land; with a new identity as the people chosen by the Lord when they accepted the covenant at Sinai. A people set apart – Holy, to the Lord. This is the gospel message! And the type for our lives and us both as individuals and corporately is clear.

The blood was not on the threshold, so they did not tread on it, it was on 3 sides and looked like a door.

The letter TAV also resembles a door shape.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/nail-i-am/

The last letter of the alef bet and is the symbol of the cross.

This blood marked the door transforming it into a portal – a spiritual transition point. A supernatural phenomena, enabling them to pass from the old to the new, effective in the spiritual realm for its divine purpose. This was so prophetic as, centuries later there would come the fulfillment of another Pesach, with another lamb, whose blood was shed for the world

and that blood created another supernatural portal.

The DOOR (Dalet) – THE WAY (Derech) back to the Father, spiritual reconciliation restored.

This portal transcended all previous types and shadows of His plan for He is the Dalet. He is the One between 2 realms; spanning the transition zone, the bridge. The Pesach Dalet in time that leads to eternal life.

The spiritual number 4, which is represented by Dalet in Hebrew, means message motion or world.

We should not mistake His death for a martyrs one. According to John 8:37, He came on purpose to die. It was His plan. He was a willing sacrifice, His free will choice to offer His life for ours. The key was in His deaths, reminding us that death leads to life and is not anything to be feared.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-mystery-of-in-his-deaths/

We merely exchange this body of flesh for something far better. Death has lost it’s sting of sin if we are truly saved; it’s just a simple transition through a portal in time. And Jesus/Yeshua Messiah is that Dalet.

The cross was a tree, made of wood, some translations say it was the same wood as the lintels of the Hebrews dwellings back in Egypt.

Both were marked with the Blood of a lamb.

The Romans used the cross beams as an execution stake, a most cruel, punishing death. And yet its very use became the fulfillment of God’s perfect plan to redeem all mankind.

Look at the cross from another perspective.

It’s a set of wooden beams just like those that formed the doorway, and marked with the Blood of the Passover Lamb, Messiah Jesus/Yeshua. In a sense, the cross is also a Portal… so the only Way it can truly be understood and known and experienced is BY (X) entering in.

How do we enter in?

BY (X) becoming One/Echad with Him. 

Unlike physical doorways into places in the earth realm/kingdom, that take us from one place to another; this doorway, this portal is the WAY to a different realm. It’s a portal leading to a new Kingdom, a new reality and a whole new existence. This door enables us to leave behind our old lives, (just as the Israelites left Egypt,) and enter into a new realm. A new chaim, a new existence, a new reality with a new King and Lord.

The door is narrow, it’s only the width of a beam of wood and we must lay down all we are carrying because the door is not wide enough for burdens to be carried through it.

But it seems like there’s no opening in the cross… that is because it is a spiritual experience. His kingdom and realm is not of this world. It is supernatural, above natural. The only WAY to know this doorway, to experience this portal, is to go through it – through Him.

Those who do, will leave the kingdoms of the world behind and enter in, to the realm of His kingdom of the heavens/shamayim; which spiritually began here, and is our equivalent of entering the promised land through the portal of His cross.

It’s the only WAY to leave what we can never leave.

It’s the only WAY to go where we could never go.

By entering the portal, the Dalet of His cross. He is the door, the portal in time, the Dalet of Pesach.

The Door of the sheep of which He was the Passover Lamb.

A Question of Jonah’s Timing.

Yonah is the name Jonah in Hebrew and means dove. The connection to Jesus/Yeshua is referenced in Matthew 12:40 and can be understood when examined from the Hebraic mindset and the Jewish way of counting days and nights. Sunset always starts the Hebrew day, it’s roots are in Genesis 1.

In Hebrew Weeks is Shavua. [שבוע] A cycle of seven days, mirroring the 7 day period of the book of Genesis in which the world is created.

The names for the days of the week, like those in the creation account, are simply the day number within the week, with Shabbat being the seventh day. Each day of the week runs from sunset to the following sunset and is figured locally.

The Hebrew calendar follows a seven-day weekly cycle and in Hebrew, these names may be abbreviated using the numerical value of the Hebrew letters,

for example ‫יום א׳‎ Day 1, or Yom Rishon ‫יום ראשון‎:

Day 1 Yom Rishon – abbr. יום א meaning first day corresponds to Sunday  ‫יום ראשון

Yom Sheni – abbr. יום ב   meaning second day corresponds to Monday   ‫יום שנ

Yom Shlishi – abbr. ‫יום ג׳ meaning third day corresponds to Tuesday יום שלישי

Yom ReviʻI – abbr. ‫יום ד׳   meaning fourth day corresponds to Wednesday יום רביעי

Yom Chamishi – abbr. ‫יום ה׳ meaning fifth day corresponds to Thursday יום חמישי

Yom Shishi – abbr. ‫יום ו׳ meaning sixth day corresponds to Friday יום ששי

Yom Shabbat – abbr. יום ש׳ meaning rest שבת, or more usually Shabbat יום שבת

Also known as Yom Shabbat Kodesh יום שבת קודש (“holy rest day”).

This means that our Friday really begins on Thursday evening at sunset. The 2nd day begins at sunset on our Friday and continues through the daytime of our Saturday. Then our equivalent of Sunday begins at sunset on Saturday and continues through Saturday night and the hours of daylight of Sunday, making the third day.

Because the Jewish system was to count any portion of daylight as a full day, then Friday a.m. through Sun a.m. would have been understood as, and seen as, 3 complete days and nights. Reference to Jonah.

 

1st Day of the 3 days: Friday (really Day 6 of the week) was sunset on Thurs. night to sunset on Friday (really Day 5 of the week).

2nd Day Saturday (really Day 7 of the week) was from sunset on Friday night to sunset on Saturday night

3rd Day Sunday (really 1st day if the week) was from sunset on Saturday night to sundown on Sunday. Resurrection that day.

He was crucified at 9am on Friday and released His Spirit to the Father at 3pm. His body was prepared for burial and interred at sunset the same day. That was the beginning of the festival of Unleavened Bread. Then on Sunday after sunrise He became the first fruits.

To help explain the hours look at The Roman versus Mosaic Time Clocks

Sundials were used prior to the numbers on a clock face that we are accustomed to.

Venetians and Germans, both under Roman Influence, developed the modern clock. According to authorities, and Roman Catholic Church Archives, (Vatican Library); the first hour of the day began at what we now call 6 o’clock in the evening – directly opposite to the God’s original time clock as described in the Bible! This was likely done by demonic spirits (Eph. 6:112) influencing leaders, in order to spiritually disorient and disempower people.

This causes confusion and made understanding the scriptures harder. God is not the author of confusion, and why would He change that which He originally set in place and said was good? When we read of the 3rd hour, it is really 9 o clock and the 6th hour is 12.

The standard Mosaic Time Clock was in use for many thousands of years and people began their days in the evening according to Genesis 1:5 and John 11:9.

It’s physical orientation was changed upside down and back to front!  We know who is responsible for that!

Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work say of him that made it, He made me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding? Isa.24:1
The Lord preserveth the strangers; he relieveth the fatherless and widow: but the way of the wicked he turneth upside down. Ps. 146:9

Theoretically by reverting back to God’s WAY of keeping time, left and right brain function would improve as so too would people’s spiritual receptivity.

In the Creation Calendar, Hebrew Hours begin at sunrise and sunset.

A Hebrew Hour occurring between sunset and sunrise is called a Hebrew Night Hour.

A Hebrew Hour occurring between sunrise and sunset is called a Hebrew Day Hour. 

Sunset occurs and the First Watch begins exactly at the beginning of the first Hebrew Night Hour.

The Second Watch begins exactly at the beginning of the fourth Hebrew Night Hour. 

Mid-night occurs and the Third Watch begins exactly at the beginning of the seventh Hebrew Night Hour.

The Fourth Watch begins exactly at the beginning of the tenth Hebrew Night Hour, and ends at sunrise at the end of the twelfth Hebrew Night Hour. 

Sunrise is always exactly at the beginning of the first Hebrew Day Hour. 

Mid-day occurs exactly at the end of the sixth Hebrew Day Hour. 

Sunset occurs exactly at the end of the twelfth Hebrew Day Hour.

The duration of a Hebrew Hour varies with the season.

A Hebrew Day Hour is shorter in duration during winter when a Hebrew Night Hour is longer in duration.

A Hebrew Day Hour is longer in duration during summer when a Hebrew Night Hour is shorter in duration.

JEWISH TIME DIVISIONS IN THE 1ST CENTURY A.D.

Jesus/Yeshua replied, ‘Are there not 12 hours in a day?’
John 11:9

Why did He say this? Is it in reference to the importance of the Hours, Days, Times and Seasons of which we are to be mindful? They all have a deep meaning and He was not one to waste words, so it must have an importance that we have not fully understood.

A Hebrew Day consists of 12 Hebrew Night Hours and 12 Hebrew Day Hours.

The midpoint of the 12 Hebrew Night Hours is called Mid-Night. The moment of Mid-night occurs exactly halfway between sunset and sunrise separating the 6th and 7th Hebrew Night Hours. 

The midpoint of the 12 Hebrew Day Hours is called Mid-day. The moment of Mid-day occurs exactly halfway between sunrise and sunset separating the 6th and 7th Hebrew Day Hours.

Between the moment of sunset at the end of the 12th Day hour and the 1st hour of the Night is called Between the Evenings or evening twilight.

At the last moment of that hour as the night begins is called Twinkling of an eye! 

These are the 12 Day hours of a day and what follows is what took place at each of them. As everything is connected to Messiah and speaks of Him and His fulfillment of Fathers’ plan of redemption, read with that perspective of, type and shadow, in mind and allow Ruach HaKodesh to reveal Himself to us in them.

The numbers on a Hebrew clock are the letters of the alef bet which each have numerical value. This one represents the modern clock with 12 at the top.

FIRST HOUR DAWN-8AM 
After the priests prepare the altar (Lev 1:7; 6:1-6/8-13; Mishnah: Tamid 1:2), the first male lamb of the Tamid sacrifice is brought out and tied to the altar at dawn (Mishnah: Tamid 3:2-3:3)

Sunrise over mount of Olives.

The twice daily communal sacrifice of the Tamid is the focus of religious life for the covenant people (Ex 29:38-42; Num 28:4-8). It is the only sacrifice other than the Feast of First Fruits or the Sabbath that requires a single male lamb for the liturgical service. The Sabbath requires a male lamb in addition to the Tamid lamb for each of the two Sabbath services (Num 28:9-10)

SECOND HOUR  8-9am

THIRD HOUR 9-10AM 
The incense is offered in the Sanctuary and the first Tamid lamb is sacrificed as the Temple gates open [Mishnah: Tamid 3:7; Edersheim, The Temple, chapter 7,

ROMAN TIME 9-10AM 
It is the time for the communal “Shacharit” (morning) prayer service (Acts 2:15) at the start of the 3rd hour. Individual morning prayer may be recited until noon (Mishnah: Berakhot 4:1A; Acts 10:9)

FOURTH HOUR 10-11AM

FIFTH HOUR 11-12PM

SIXTH HOUR 
The second lamb is brought out and tied to the altar at high noon. [Mishnah: Tamid 4:1]

NOON -1PM 
The second Tamid lamb is given a drink from a gold cup and remains near the altar until the time of sacrifice (Ex 29:41; Mishnah: Tamid 3:4; 4:1G; Josephus, Against Apion, 2.8[105]).
Individual afternoon prayer lasts from the sixth hour (noon) to about the eleventh hour (5 PM), the length of the time from when the second lamb is tied near the altar to the conclusion of the afternoon service (Mishnah: Berakhot, 4:1C; Acts 10:9).

SEVENTH HOUR 1-2PM

EIGHTH HOUR 2-3PM

NINTH HOUR 3-4PM 
The second Tamid lamb is sacrificed [Antiquities of the Jews 14.4.3 (14:65); Philo Special Laws I, XXXV (169)]
3 PM is the second hour of prayer [Acts 3:1; 10:9] “Minchah” (gift-offering); also called the hour of confession.

TENTH HOUR 4-5PM

ELEVENTH HOUR  5-6PM

The afternoon liturgical service is concluded with the burning of the incense (sacrifices of the two lambs is embraced by the burning of the incense, making it a single sacrifice) and the priestly benediction (Mishnah: Tamid, 6:3-7:2; Num 6:24-26).

TWELVETH HOUR 6PM-SUNDOWN

The end of the 3rd watch and the beginning of the 4th watch was signaled by a trumpet call, which occurred at the end of every watch.

This one was known as the cockcrow, as Jesus/Yeshua noted in Mark 13:35:
So stay awake, because you do not know when the master of the house is coming: evening, midnight, cockcrow or dawn.

Matthew 26:34, Luke 22:34, and John 13:38 all record:  “I tell you the truth,” Jesus answered, “This very night, before the cockcrow, you will disown me three times.

Cocks crow in the morning not during the night. This is the end of third watch of the night, in the time of Christ and the beginning of the tenth Hebrew Night Hour.

So it would seem He was saying that Peter would deny Him before the start of the tenth Hebrew hour, which was a full 2 hours before sunrise.

In our Lord’s time the Jews had adopted the Greek and Roman division of the night into four watches, each consisting of three hours, the first beginning at six o’clock in the evening (Luke 12:38; Matthew 14:25; Mark 6:48). But the ancient division, known as the first and second cock-crowing, was still retained.

The cock usually crows several times soon after midnight (this is the first crowing), and again at the dawn of day (and this is the second crowing). Mark mentions (14:30) the two cock-crowings.

Roman Horn

Matthew (26:34) alludes to that only which was emphatically the cock-crowing, the second, kok’-kro-ing (alektorophonia):

An indefinite hour of the night between midnight and morning

(Mark 13:35), referred to by all the evangelists in their account of Peter’s denial (Matthew 26:34, 74 ; Mark 14:30; Luke 22:34; John 13:38). (It is derived from the habit of the cock to crow, especially toward morning.)

And is also a symbol of the Resurrection, our Lord being supposed to have risen
from the grave at the early cock crowing:

Roosters were not allowed in the city, according to Jewish ritual law. More likely, the Gospels refer to the trumpet call marking the changing of the guard at 3 A.M. This trumpet blast, heard city-wide, was called the cock-crow.

Roman signal horn.

Notice that according to St. Mark, Jesus went to the cross at the third hour, which in Jewish time corresponds to our 9AM [Mark 15:25], and according to the Gospel accounts He gave up His life at the ninth hour, our 3PM.

At the 9th hour during the temple lamb sacrifices, the same words were also shouted.

It is finished!

The Jewish day began at sundown.

sunset over old city

The daytime was divided into 12 seasonal hours, but the day division of hours was focused on the schedule of the Tamid sacrifice. 

Twelve-hour night time division. 

In Judaism, an hour is defined as (1/12), one twelfth of the time from sunrise to sunset, so, during the winter, an hour can be much less than 60 minutes, and during the summer, it can be much more than 60 minutes. This proportional hour is known as a ‘sha’ah z’manit’ (lit. a timely hour).

The daytime hours are often divided into Sha`oth Zemaniyoth or “Halachic hours” by taking the time between sunrise and sunset or between dawn and nightfall and dividing it into 12 equal hours.

Halachically, a day ends and a new one starts when three stars are visible in the sky.

The time between true sunset and the time when the three stars are visible (known as ‘tzait ha’kochavim’) is known as ‘bein hashmashot’.

The nighttime hours are similarly divided into 12 equal portions, albeit a different amount of time than the “hours” of the daytime.

(Roman night watch division was adopted after Roman occupation began in 63 BC)

THE NIGHT WATCH IN THE 1ST CENTURY A.D.

Sundown to 9PM First watch

9PM to midnight Second watch

Midnight to 3AM Third watch 

3AM to sun rise Fourth watch

Sixth to the ninth hour were the hours of darkness when Messiah was on the cross.

The Roman calendar took precedence with the Julian calendar. Julius Caesar first implemented it in 46 B.C. Since the Roman emperor’s system miscalculated the length of the solar year by 11 minutes, the calendar had since fallen out of sync with the seasons.

The Julian Calendar marked a major change from the Lunar Republican Calendar, being a Solar calendar and the predecessor of the Calendar still in use today. It was not until 1582 AD that Pope Gregory XIII decreed a modification to the Julian calendar, giving us the “Gregorian Calendar” that governs modern time.

He removed 10 days from the calendar!

In reference to Jesus/Yeshua, the year was returned to 0 and separated B.C. from A.D. We are now at 2019 A.D. It is really approx. the year 6019, if we count from Creation to Messiah 4,000+ years and then add 2019!

Gives a whole new meaning to the statement no man knows the day nor the hour.

Some other references to hours

In contrast to Matthew, Mark, Luke and Acts, the book of John, as it now exists in the Greek manuscripts, numbers hours from midnight as the Romans did.

Pilate questioned  יהושע the Messiah at the sixth hour Roman reckoning according to John 19:14 which is the twelfth Hebrew Night Hour.  

יהושע the Messiah sat at Jacob’s well at Sychar at the sixth hour Roman reckoning after a tiresome journey according to John 4:6 which is the twelfth Hebrew Day Hour.

A nobleman travelled the better part of a day from Cana to Capernaum and met  יהושע the Messiah at the seventh hour Roman reckoning according to in John 4:52 which is the first Hebrew Night Hour.

The disciples came to the place  יהושע the Messiah was staying at the tenth hour Roman reckoning and stayed with Him for the rest of that day according to John 1:39. The tenth hour Roman reckoning is the fourth Hebrew Day Hour.

Acts 2:15 Peter speech at pentecost/ Shavuot four these are not drunk as you assume as it is the third hour of the day. 9 AM is the hour of morning prayer how is hour three equal to 9 AM?

John 4:6 it was about sixth hour which was noon 12 o’clock this also fits with the evening morning the first day. John 4:2 1 PM the seventh hour.

Because the clock has been reversed and that was 2000+ years ago and since that time everything has been altered to benefit those under the influence of the god of this world. Primarily to hide the truth and to throw everything out of kilter. The scriptures say he will change the times and seasons, that spirit of antichrist working in the worlds systems. The opposite of and in contrary rebellion to all that which was set in place by the Lord. He is the wrong DOR, an acronym for Direct Opposite Reverse.

For example: The evening and the morning constitutes a day, not morning and evening. The english language goes from left to write instead of right to left and books are red from left to right. This is not the way that the Hebrew language is written and read.

If we follow the scripture in Matthew 20:1–6, then 9 AM is the third hour.

vs.5, six and nine are equal to 12 Noon and 3 P.M.

vs 6. 5 PM is the 11thhour.

So if the day begins at sundown which is 6 P.M. to us, with the original clock that would be 12 PM.

Then 1 AM would begin and two cycles of the clock face for 24 hours would give the 24 hours of the day.

If this is true then what we call ‘anti clockwise’ is actually not anti but correct?

We really should be vigilant because..

Time is running out so…..

Messiah is The Pesach-Dalet in Time; He is The One Between 2 Realms; and the type of Yonah is fulfilled in The Watches of the Night.

Shalom Aleikhem Mishpachah  שָׁלוֹם עֲלֵיכֶם‬  מִשְׁפָחָה

Please Do Not leave this page without the surety in your heart that you have Messiah our Passover Lamb, our Tamid in your life and heart as the days draw ever closer to the end of the age..Open the Dalet of your heart and let the King of Glory in..

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

NOT CERTAIN?

YOU CAN BE..

Its all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are greatly loved and very precious in His sight.

He longs to give you the Shalom He paid the ultimate price for..

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

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name. Amen.