and probably the one we are most familiar with, is that of adove
Yonah
יונה in
Luke 3:22 which tells us that Holy Spirit descended like a dove upon Messiah. Continuing from last weeks post where we looked at the symbol of the dove another well known symbol is:
“The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit”John 3:8; 20:22.
The life-giving influences of our Heavenly Father’s Holy Spirit are symbolized and expressed aswind or breathin scripture. It is the invisible, yet everywhere-present power. As John reminds us, we hear the sound and we can identify His influence in the lives of His children by His Spiritual Gifts and Fruit; just as in the natural we see the effects of wind blowing in the trees.
The meaning of the words forspiritin both the Greek and Hebrew languages are synonymous with breath or wind. On the day of Shavuot/Pentecost the powerful outpouring of His Holy Spiritwas accompanied bythe sound of a mighty, rushing wind.Acts 2:2.
HolySpirit, coming as wind, depicts His power and His guidance. The work of His Spiritbreathes into a life, and something happens inside that individual. There’s power but also a gentleness, like a breeze. The source is not visible and we can’t see where it came from or where it goes, but all of us can say there have been times when His Spirit has come and dealt with us, and no human being knew or could explain how it happened.
In the account inActs 2:3, it wasn’ta wind that blew in; it was thesound of a rushing mighty windprobably like a fierce storm.That sound is what got the attention of the crowd. His Holy Spirit is dynamic, irresistible, and unstoppable.
The symbol is the picture form of the idea that comes in the Hebrew language –Spirit is breath. Wind is air in motion. Breath is the synonym for life/chaim. Spirit and life are two words for one thing. So in the symbol, the rushing mighty wind at Shavuot could be said to be the highest work of our Fathers’ Spirit bringing the impartation of a new supernatural life.
It is the Spirit that quickeneth.
Scripture reminds us that we are as dead, that is: being separated from our Heavenly Father, unless we are joined to Him by faith in Messiah Jesus Christ/Yeshua HaMashiach.
They which believe on Him receive the Spirit, and by doing so, receive the life which He gives, or, are born of His Spirit. It is the purpose of the Spirit of God to impart this new life, and why He is called, the Spirit of life/chaim; because, if life is given, it must be equal with the source of that life.
FIRE
784 esh: a fire
Original Word: אֵשׂ Part of Speech:Noun Feminine Transliteration:esh Phonetic Spelling: (aysh)
Holy Spirit comes as fire,
which is a symbol of
power and presence
and it emphasizes
purification:
“I baptize you with water for repentance. But after me comes one who is more powerful than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire” (Matthew 3:11; see also Exodus 3:2; Isaiah 4:4; Luke 3:16–17; 1 Thessalonians 5:19).
That day of Shavuot/Pentecost, the disciples saw “what seemed to be tongues of fire” resting on them, and they were filled with the Holy SpiritActs 2:3–4.
The scripture says thattongues as of fire appeared over the heads of each of those who gathered togetherActs 2:3. Holy Spirit comes as fireto work something deep into the substance of our lives and He works in two ways:
to probe the innermost places of our lives, refining us as gold or silver is refined in the fire;
and also to soften or temper our personalities.
The purifying fireburns out the workings of the adversary. When the three Hebrew children were thrown into the furnace, not only were their lives spared, but also their clothes didn’t burn. However, the ropes holding them in bondage did burn.
In Isaiah 4:4 it speaks of Holy Spirit being,a spirit of judgment and burning.Judgment has to do with deliverance, in the way the judges of Israel led people out of bondage into freedom. Holy Spirit, coming like fire, burns away any binding grip that the enemy has imposed on us and brings deliverance or freedom to us.
Refiners fire Mal.3:2
The metaphor offirealso suggestspurifying. ‘The Spirit of burning‘ will burn the uncleanness out of us. It’s the only way by which we can ever be made clean. No washing or rubbing will ever remove the dirt, it cannot cleanse sin. The way to purge a soul is the same process as is done with clay. It’s thrust into the fire which will burn out of it all the blackness/evil/that which is out of harmony with the Fathers Spirit.
When the love of the Father is spread into our hearts, and the fire of His Divine Spirit enters into our spirits to melt us down; then the scum, the dross will come to the top, and can be skimmed off the surface.
Our sins are conquered by two things: first by theBlood of Messiah Jesus Christ,which washes us from all the guilt of the past; the other is thefiery influence of His Spirit of Holinesswhich makes uspure and clean.
‘Cloven tongues as of fire‘ — the fire of His Spirit.
klo’-v’-n:
In the Old Testament, clovenis represented by a participle fromshaca, “to split,” and applied to beasts thatdivide the hoof.Leviticus 11:3; Deuteronomy 14:7.
Beasts with hoofs completely divided into two parts, that were also ruminant and were allowed as food for the Israelites; so this was significant as to them, it meant clean and it was alright to receive it.
Original Word: מַיִם Part of Speech: Noun Masculine Transliteration: mayim Phonetic Spelling: mah’-yim
Water symbolizes the cleansing nature of Holy Spirit’snew birth: “Jesus answered, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit’”
Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions
Joel 2:28 -32 28 “And it shall come to pass afterward. That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see
Isaiah 44:3 ‘For I will pour out water on the thirsty land And streams on the dry ground; I will pour out My Spirit on your offspring And My blessing on your descendants;
He said to Nicodemus:‘Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.’
So this water will cleanse, it will satisfy and refresh, it will be productive and will fertilize, and
‘everything shall live whithersoever that river cometh.’
Original Word: מְשַׁח Part of Speech: Noun Masculine Transliteration: meshach Phonetic Spelling: mesh-akh
Oilis a sign of Holy Spirit’s approval, anointing, and power:
The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free
The scenes in the Bible of Israel’s kings, prophets and priests being anointed with oil are pictures of our Heavenly Father’s choice and His blessing.
The New Testament uses theanointing with oilas a picture of the blessing of Holy Spirit on all believers:
You have an anointing from the Holy One, and all of you know the truth”1 John 2:20.
The anointing, the oil of Scripture, is directly related to His Holy Spirit’s work in our life.2 Cor. 1:21-22.
This anointing makes us sensitive,1 John 2:20. Many times we may have sensed something was wrong, or that something was right, but we didn’t know why or how we knew.
Holy Spirit,by His anointing and presence, confirms Who and whatHe is…the Spirit of Truth, of Holiness, of Wisdom.Obeying Holy Spirit means that He will give us wisdom when we need it in the practicalities of our everyday lives.
All the primary offices of Scripture:
prophets, priests, and kings involve anointing.
As prophets, we as believers, are called to speak the Word of the Lord. There are times when His Holy Spirit will give us words of comfort, exhortation or counsel for others.
As priests, our Father wants to anoint us for worship to renew us, so that our worship doesn’t become religious, stale, habitual, or formal.
As kings, it is not a one time anointing: it takes fresh anointing from Holy Spirit for the authority of His life to flow through us, so we can move in confidence to oversee our homes, families, relationships, businesses, and colleagues. When we try to manage things our own way we will not be anointed and things will be hard.
For those who have been overcome by the spirit of mourning, our Father wants to anoint them with the oil of rejoicing. This will aid the lifting of our heads, with a refreshing that helps us to see beyond our circumstances with a deep abiding hope.
‘Ye have an unction,‘ says John ‘from the Holy One.’ Prophets, priests, and kings were anointed with consecrating oil, as a symbol of their calling, and of their fitness for these offices; a preparation for a specific and distinct service. All those who make commitment of their lives to Messiah and The Father have, by the anointing of His Holy Spirit, been made prophets, priests, and kings to Him.
This anointing enables the believer to understand, apply, and administer spiritual truth and to discern truth from error.
Our Father’s Spirit will not operate in an environment where there is no truth at work. If people operating in a lie, which is worldly wisdom that does not agree with God’s truth; then His Anointing will not be evident in us. If we want to enjoy the fullness of His Spirit’s anointing it is necessary for us to be living a sanctified life through His love, which has been shed abroad in our Hearts by the same spirit. Romans 5:5. This means we cannot have anything against another and expect to experience the fullness of His spirit of unity and holiness.
We know Him as our Shepherd
and as His sheep we are
anointed for protection.
Anointing the heads of sheep with oil shielded them from deadly insects, so anointing became symbolic of blessing, protection and empowerment.
Original Word: מָטַר Part of Speech: Noun Masculine Transliteration:matar Phonetic Spelling: maw-tawr’
Similar to water, rain is a symbol of Holy Spirit’s refreshing:
“Let us acknowledge the LORD; let us press on to acknowledge him. As surely as the sun rises, he will appear; he will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth”Hosea 6:3.
Rain has a double meaning:
first as refreshing, where there has been dryness and barrenness.Joel 2:23-29.
Secondly, as a way of bringing restoration where there has been loss.
Isa. 28:11-12.
When Peter refers to
thepouring out
at Pentecost/Shavuot inActs 2:17,
he is referring to thelatter rainthat brought about the harvest and fruitful crops. It is a reference to the Lord saying that as a promise of hope, He will sendrainto fields [people] that are totally barren.
The need to be refreshed doesn’t necessarily mean that we’ve sinned, or are in a backslidden state because Holy Spirit, coming as rain, comes to bring refreshing and restoration. Just as dry ground is refreshed when rain falls upon it.
Other passages tell us that His Spirit is likened to a flowing stream, for example, when Messiah said,‘He that believeth on Me, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water,’
Another is recorded in Revelation when John saw a‘river of water of life proceeding from the throne.’By comparing Holy Spirit with a river of water is showing an order, first the cleansing, then the refreshing, and finally the satisfying.
There is only one thing that will quench the thirst in our souls/spirits. The world can never do it; neither wealth nor fame, because we will be just as thirsty after drinking from these streams as we were before. There is one spring ‘of which if a man drink, he shall never thirst’, by drinking from the ‘the river of the Water of Life, which proceeds from the Throne of God and the Lamb.‘ Holy Spirit will satisfy all our needs. ‘Ho! every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters!’
Original Word: נָהָר Part of Speech: Noun Masculine Transliteration: nahar Phonetic Spelling: naw-hawr’
Rivers in scripture are a picture of the abundance and prosperity that flow forth from His Holy Spirit: “On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, ‘Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them’” (John 7:37–38; see also Psalm 1:3).
Rivers are channels or conduits to places where the refreshing flow of water is needed. John points out that after Messiah’s ascension the work of Holy Spirit was to become available as
rivers of living water.
John 7:37-39.
Holy Spirit is manifest in rivers so that not only is the rainrefreshing on us, but so that the Lord would make us overflowing tributaries/rivers of His Holy Spirit bringing His life, and love to others.
Our Heavenly Father wants relationship for people to know Who He is. For that to happen He takes people who will let the rivers of living water be awakened in them and allow that flow to gush out of their lives.
Original Word: יַיִן Part of Speech: Noun Masculine Transliteration: yayin Phonetic Spelling: yah’-yin
A symbol of the joy-giving quality of the indwelling presence of Holy Spirit is sometimes given as wine. On the day of Pentecost/Shavuot some cynical observers thought the disciples were drunk on wine; when in fact it was the outpouring of the Spirit and fulfillment of Joels prophecy. In Acts 2:15–17, Peter explained, “These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: ‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams’
Ephesians 5:18draws an analogy for the symbolism of Holy Spirit as wine.
Yeshua/Jesus describes the new work of His Father, through the ministry of His Spirit, as new wine coming into old vessels. The issue of wine isn’t simply alcohol; it’s, how much of what the world offers do we get involved in to make us feel happy? How much a person needs the stimulants of the world will define how much they are living for Jesus/Yeshua.
The life of a disciple is not a call to isolation but to be set apart in holiness;
we live in the world, but His Spirit in us keeps the world’s uncleanness and pollution out.
Holy Spirit comes as a Seal or Pledge.
2856 chatham: to seal, affix a seal, seal up
Original Word:חָתַם Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: chatham Phonetic Spelling: khaw-tham’
Late Hebrew id.; Aramaic חֲתַם,
pledge עֲבט
עֲבט noun [masculine] pledge,
article pledged as security for debt; —
absolute ׳ ע
Deuteronomy 24:11,13; suffix עֲבֹט
Deuteronomy 24:10
(as accusative of congnate meaning with verb),
6162 erabon: a pledge
Original Word: עֲרָבוֹן
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: erabon
Phonetic Spelling: ar-aw-bone’
5667 abot: a pledge, article pledged
Original Word:עֲבוֹט
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: abot
Phonetic Spelling: ab-ote’
Holy Spirit is represented as
a seal or pledge expressing:
God’s ownership of the believer:
“And you also were included in Christ when you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation. When you believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession—to the praise of his glory”
The passive voice of the verb indicates that the individual does not dress himself. The apostles were to remain in Jerusalem until they wereclothedby God with the Holy Spirit’s power.
The believers conscience, touched by the Spirit of God is enlightened by the same Spirit, ‘Ye are all the children of God by faith in Jesus Christ’; and all of us possesses His Spirit Whoteaches, inspires, and enlightens,His Spirit Who is the guide to all truth. So‘the wind bloweth where it listeth,’ and the voice of His Holy Spirit and we hear the quickening voice within ourselves.
Finally inIsaiah 11:2This scripture reveals how the mind of Messiah is formed by the influence of His seven-fold Spirit of Holiness dwelling within us.
Of all the symbols included, probably wind, fire, water, oil, are the most well known symbols for the Fathers Holy Spirit.
One powerful image of Holy Spirit is described in Isaiah 59:19. He writes that the Lord arrives “… like a rushing tide driven by the breath of the Lord”. What an image of our Heavenly Father’s power and beauty! It makes us think of the way the sea crashes over rocks as the tide rolls in, those waves are unstoppable and have tremendous power when they hit the rocks.
Although Romans 8:11 was an encouragement to the believers in Rome, it is also an encouragement to us today:
“If the Spirit of him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, he who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.”
Paul is telling us that the Spirit who arrives,
like the unstoppable power of a rushing tide,
the same
Spirit Who resurrected Messiah from the dead, lives in us, today!
This means that whatever obstacle we are confronted with today, our Heavenly Father is able to sendHis Spiritto us with thepowerof a rushing tide.We often quote the scripture inIsaiah 59:19
King James Bible So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him…
Most translations add a comma after the word flood however there are no punctuation marks in Hebrew, no commas. The translators added the comma where they thought it would read the best. If we remove the comma and read it with the emphasis on the power of the Lord, not on the strength of the enemy, it would read:
when the enemy comes in……LIKE A FLOOD the Spirit of the Lord shall lift up a standard against him.
Our Heavenly Father is encouraging us today through His Ruach. He is our comforter, helper, encourager, the breath of life. He brings us a new life in Messiah, and though our outward bodies are wasting away, our inner man, is being renewed each day. This happens through the power of Ruach – God’s Breath within us.
Our Heavenly Father desires to move in our lives by His Spirit, to equip us, strengthen and empower us; and in these turbulent times we need Him more than ever to discern and direct our steps.
Today, if we haven’t already done so, invite Him by saying,
Holy Spirit, come upon me, You are welcome in my life.
It may help to take one of Holy Spirits symbols each day and invite Him to impart Himself in a fresh way in our lives. Allow Messiah to minister to us the fullness and richness of His Holy Spirit.
Mark 1:8 says it’s Jesus/Yeshua who baptizes with His Holy Spirit and He will, by
Pouring refreshing rain on us,
Opening flowing rivers in us,
Breathing gentle wind into our lives and anointing us with the oil of gladness..
The anointing of God is His Holy Spirit. He flows as a river of love, from the throne of grace, through the hearts of believers, bringing life to all that receive His touch.
As He fills us with Holy new wine and
Refines and tempers us with fire,
He is purifying us and equipping us for service.
Heavenly Father, send Your Holy Spirit to us..
שָׁלוֹםעֲלֵיכֶם, Shalom aleikhem
chaverim and mishpachah!
Peace to friends and family.
Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.
Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.
It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.
You are very precious in His sight.
Not sure ..you can be…
SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,
SAY IT RIGHT NOW…
Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past. I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name.
As mentioned in the last post we are at the start of the annual weekly scripture portions reading through Tanakh comprising the Torah, the Haftorah and the Brit Chadashah/Re New-ed Covenant/Testament.
Could be read as: and the land had existed in confusion and was unfilled, and darkness was upon the face of the deep water and the wind of Elohiym was fluttering upon the face of the waters,
The fluttering
is significant as we read in
Mark 1:10
“he (John) saw the heavens torn open, and the Spirit like a dove descending on Him (Jesus).
The wings of a dove are always
fluttering
to stay in the air.
Here was the Son, the Father as He spoke, and His Spirit was present descending in the same way a fluttering dove would hover just as He had overshadowed Mary several decades previously.
Verse 3
and~he~will~SAY וַיֹּאמֶר / wai’yo’mer
Elohiym אֱלֹהִים / e’lo’him he~will~EXIST(V)
יְהִי / yê’hi) LIGHT אוֹר / or
and
~he~will~EXIST(V) וַיְהִי / wai’hi
LIGHT אוֹר / or
Could be read as:
and Elohiym said,
light will exist,
and
light existed.
For those desiring to do further research
there is an excellent transliteration site
of Hebrew to English is at qbible.com
Emptiness and the deep gave way to substance;
and darkness gave way to light.
Nothingness obeyed the Word
and responded to the authority of His will.
Then creation stumbled in humanity, in us,
when humanity heard the Word,
substance became nothingness
and light reverted to darkness.
It should give us pause for thought when
nothingness can hear and obey!
Then why are we so stubborn?
We so often fail to both hear, to listen to His Word and do what He says!
Even nothingness was not rebellious to the Creators voice!
This heart of rebellion in the human soul echoes the words of the slyest beast of the field…
Did God say?
Did He really say?
The voice of doubt, curiosity and rebellion, seeks a compromise of His truth and in the very question, undermines the authority of His Sovereignty in our lives. These doubts attack our convictions and then we consider other things that amount to nothing more than deceptive seducing lies; then we begin to entertain thoughts concerning them…and eventually believe the error.
He has given each of us
the power to choose when we hear His Word.
To listen and obey,
or to ignore,
separation from the Father is the inevitable result.
Sin will always challenge the Word
BUT
the good news is
we have been created anew
and have been given New Life in Messiah
and been granted rulership over sin.
We are new creatures in His image and likeness
and have the power in Yeshua/Jesus
to turn from sin and darkness.
Halleluyah!
In Hebrew Bereshit or B’reshiyt
is the first word of the 1st book of the Bible/Tanakh.
And so the title is its’ beginning.
(His Torah being the first 5 books attributed to Moses).
The very first letter of the 1st word is
B
in the Hebrew alefbet
Bet/Beit/Beyt
and herein is the 1st revelation/revealing
of Adonai/Yehoveh/YHVH.
This letter Bet or Beit means house.
Some scholars point out that the letter itself is composed of
3 x the letter shape of the letter vav
(our letter V as in vine).
Bet is also used for the letter V, vet without the dot.
the house of creation is then the life of the universe?
The same word Bet
also has another function
in the Hebrew language
and means IN.
This suggests our Creators intention of
living/abiding
withIN this realm He created.
This voice/Kol,
that He spoke,
reveals the glorious power of the creation of the universe
by His spoken Word
and in a way reveals the threefold nature of Yehoveh by the use of the plural ElohIM and the word bara He created; which we noted earlier that all 3 were present at Yeshua/Jesus’ immersion.
Let’s take a moment to remember
our bereshiyt, our beginning,
the day we were forgiven,
redeemed,
cleansed,
delivered from darkness
and brought into His glorious light.
The day we repented of our sin
accepted His free gift of salvation and eternal life;
cleansed and restored to fellowship/relationship with Him.
He truly is the Genesis, the beginning, the b’reshiyt;
our beginning, our b’reshiyt, …
it is the Truth of us all!
Shalom shalom
‘Mishpachah’
‘Family/Tribe’
משפחה
Mish-pa-KHa,
friends, visitors and every reader…
Please don’t leave this page before making certain you have
a new b’reshiyt/beginning
and are born from above.
Know of a certainty that Jesus/Yeshua 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.
It’s all about Life and Relationship, not Religion.
NOT SURE? YOU CAN BE..
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 all 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.
How Well Do We Know Ruach HaKodesh 
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