Tag: Miracles

The Mystery of Kaphar Nachum – Our Home Away From Home?

Bayit – בַּיִת – which is Hebrew for a home;

A place of Love – Ahavah

and

Welcome – Be’ruchim ha’ba’im!

First Century Israelite Home/House

The homes of poor families were small and simple, the walls were built of mud-brick or rough stone.

The roofs were constructed of clay covered woven branches.

The living spaces were used for cooking and weaving/household work. The family’s domestic animals, (e.g. donkey/goat), were kept in the lower level for protection at night. Each floor was about 7ft (2.13meters) high; same width and length of 24ft (7.32meters).

Below a typical 3rd to 8th Century house: built of Basalt.

Other examples of stone built – בַּיִת – bayit – similar to which Jesus/Yeshua may have lived in.

Is it possible that Yeshua/Jesus was born in the lower area of a house where the animals and the mangers were kept? The scriptures tell us in Matthew 2:10-11 that when the wise men came, they visited Him in a house – bayit, so the family had obviously moved there from somewhere else. Matthew described the arrival of the wise men from the East: 

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

So it was probably a bayit, a house similar to those in the pictures.

Shalom bayit (also shelom bayit, shlom bayit, or (Yiddish) sholom bayis or shlom bayis)

Hebrew: שְׁלוֹם בַּיִת, literally:

peace of the home.

Shalom Bayit is the Jewish religious concept of domestic harmony and good relations between husband and wife.

In the Hebrew Alef Bet the second letter B is Bet.

In the ancient pictograph language

the letter B- bet, was represented as a tent/home

Bet – b – Family, house, in tent floor plan.

Other words beginning with BET:

The mystery of Kaphar Nachum –

kə-PUR-nee-əm – נַחוּם כְּפַר

– Kfar Naḥūm,

It literally means ‘Nahum’s village”.

It was a fishing village established during the time of the Hasmoneans, located on the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Satellite picture of the Sea of Galilee.

Traditions indicate that this was the birthplace of the prophet Nahum, hence the name.

Kaphar Nachum – kə-PUR-nee-əm – נַחוּם כְּפַר – Kfar Naḥūm.;

or as we are familiar with the spelling Capernaum.

It served as Yeshua/Jesus’ home in the Galilee, although He did not own His own property (Mt 4:13-14; 8:20).

Mentioned briefly in

https://www.minimannamoments.com/stones-tel-a-secret-as-they-cry-out-from-the-place-of-fishing-

The name Capernaum 

(Καπερναουμ) Καπερναουμ

is a Greek transliteration of the

Hebrew כפר נחום (kaphar nahum),

which obviously consists of two elements.

The first part of the name is the word כפר (kapar), meaning village, and secondly the word nahum from the verb נחם (naham), to be sorry or to comfort.

Full meaning is –

Village Of Consolation, Protected By Being Sorry.

Some Related names connected to it are:

כפר (kapar): Caphtor, Caphtorim, Chephar-ammoni, Chephirah, Chephirim, Yom Kippur. 

נחם (naham): Manaen, Menahem, Naham, Nahamani, Nahum, Nehemiah, Nehum, Tanhumeth.

It was in existence from the 2nd century B.C. to the 7th century A.D. 

Capernaum was built along on the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee /Lake Tiberias, in what was then called Palestine and had up to 1500 residents.

Capernaum, was a small, prosperous fishing center as well as a crossroads for merchants traveling the Via Maris (Latin for “Way of the Sea”), an ancient road connecting Egypt with what today would be Syria, Iraq and Iran.

This made Capernaum a very strategic location for Yeshua/Jesus, due to fishing, trade and agriculture as well as a fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy concerning the region. (Matthew 4:12-16).

It is best known as the birthplace of Peter and his home was here Matt 8:14, so also were the homes of John, Andrew and James as well as the tax collector Matthew and the centurion whose servant Yeshua/Jesus healed. Matt. 8:5. 

Yeshua/Jesus made Capernaum His home/

Bayit – בַּיִת

– a place of Love – Ahavah

and

Welcome – Be’ruchim ha’ba’im

during the years of His ministry:

Leaving Nazareth, he came and lived in Capernaum, which is by the sea, in the region of Zebulun and Naphtali. (Matt 4:13).

Archeology suggests Capernaum, like other fishing communities in the north shore of the Sea of Galilee was founded during the Hasmonean period of independence, before the Roman Empire occupied the land. So when Messiah resided there, Capernaum may only have been in existence for 1 – 200 years.

Yeshua/Jesus came to Capernaum כפר נחום (kaphar nahum), from Nazareth right after His temptations by Ha’satan (Matt 4:13)

Following confrontation and rejection in the synagogue of His childhood home, Nazareth, He relocated His ministry to Capernaum.

Nazareth in Biblical Greek

Ναζαρετ
Ναζαρεθ

Hebrew Strong’s #3478: Nazareth  = “the guarded one (pronounced nad-zar-eth’)

Some scholars derive the name from נצר I (nasar I), meaning to watch, and translate it with something like Watch (tower) or Sentinel. Others like to believe that the name Nazareth came from the verb נצר II (nasar 2), meaning to be green, and translate it with Branch(es).

From the verb נצר (nasar), to protect or preserve, means to watch, guard or keep.

or the noun נצר (neser), branch or shoot alludes to the prophetic, messianic words in Book of Isaiah 11:1, ‘from (Jesse’s) roots a Branch (netzer) will bear fruit’.

From the verb נזר (nazar), to consecrate oneself.

From the verb זרע (zara’), to scatter to sow, or זרה (zara), to scatter to winnow.

The name Nazareth also means Scattered or Sown, and became applied to that form of Judaism (that of the Nazarenes) that harvested adjacent cultures for insights.

This was an ideal spot for Messiah to deliver His messianic message; it was larger than Nazareth and was on the main Damascus Highway. As a result, Yeshua/Jesus was able to reach out to more people. It was also a safe distance from the dangers of Herod in Tiberias.

 

The Gennesaret area was one of the most prosperous and crowded districts of Palestine/Israel. 

Capernaum as mentioned, lay on the great Via Maris highway between Damascus and Caesarea Maritima on the Mediterranean Sea, and between Tyre and Egypt.

It was located not far from other important sites mentioned in scripture such as, Bethsaida, the Mountain of Beatitudes, and Tabgha, as well as the Jordan River and Tiberias on the northwestern shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Since Capernaum became Yeshua/Jesus’ home town and many of His miracles occurred there, the people of Capernaum had a front row seat to much of His ministry.

However the conversion rate was disappointing and in Matt 11:23, He pronounced a strong curse on His village, it was one of the three cities cursed by Yeshua/Jesus for its lack of faith.:

“And you, Capernaum, will not be exalted to heaven, will you? You shall descend to Hades, for if the miracles that happened in you would have happened in Sodom, it would have remained until today..But I say unto you, That it shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom in the day of judgment, than for thee.”

The city rejected the Lord Jesus, and its doom was sealed.

So completely has it perished that the very site is a matter of dispute today.

Today the ruins of Capernaum are owned by two churches: the Franciscans control the western portion with the synagogue

and the Greek Orthodox’s property is marked by the white church with red domes.

Yeshua/Jesus has invited four disciples —Peter, Andrew, James, and John— to be fishers of men.

On the Sabbath, they all went to a local synagogue in Capernaum. 

Yeshua/Jesus teaches in the synagogue, and again the people are astounded at his manner of teaching.

He does so as one having authority and not as the scribes.

Soon after Yeshua/ Jesus settled there, He began to preach in the synagogue. The town was soon referred to as “his own city.” (Mt 9:1) 

“They went as far as Capharnaum, and as soon as the sabbath came he went to the synagogue and began to teach. And his teaching made a deep impression on them because, unlike the scribes, he taught them with authority.”

While Yeshua/Jesus was teaching, we read that a man with an unclean spirit entered and addressed Him.

“In their synagogue just then there was a man possessed by an unclean spirit and he shouted, `What do you want with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are: the Holy One of God’. But Jesus said sharply, `Be quiet! Come out of him!’ and the unclean spirit threw the man into convulsion and with a loud cry went out of him.

The people were so astonished that they started asking each other what it all meant. `Here is a teaching that is new’ they said `and with authority behind it: he gives orders even to unclean spirits and they obey him’. And his reputation rapidly spread everywhere, through all the surrounding Galilean countryside.” (Mk 1:21-28) 

However, to the Jewish people of Capernaum, Yeshua/Jesus’ teaching came more from His heart, rather than the text on a scroll to be read aloud. In addition, Jesus had a new Gospel to share with them and they believed His promises. (Mark 1:21-22, Luke 4:31-32)

The Synagogue

 

Greek and Latin writing on some of the basalt columns of the synagogue in Capernaum.

The ruins of the synagogue

and even the house of Peter’s mother-in-law have been discovered at Capernaum.

 

Perched in the middle of town, adorned with Corinthian columns and friezes, are remains of a synagogue which dates back to the fourth of fifth century.

Later excavations revealed that, in fact, two synagogues were built here, with the first one dating back to the first century.

Scholars propose that Christ taught here, just as mentioned in the Gospels. Here, Jesus taught about the bread of life: (John 6:35-59) 

I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never be hungry; he who believes in me will never thirst… I am the living bread that comes down from heaven, so that a man may eat it and not die. I am the living bread which has come down from heaven. Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever, and the bread that I shall give is my flesh, for the life of the world…

The 1st century Synagogue of Capernaum where Messiah preached.

In the Byzantine period, the white synagogue would have stood out dramatically from the surrounding black basalt buildings, whereas in the 1st century, the Capernaum synagogue blended into its setting.

The dating of this synagogue is debated, but it is clearly later than the first century.  Excavations have revealed a synagogue from the time of Jesus with walls made of worked stone and 4 feet thick.

These earlier walls were preserved up to 3 feet high and the entire western wall still exists and was used as the foundation for the later synagogue.

Yeshua/Jesus was confronted by a demoniac while teaching here (Mark 1:21-27).

In Capernaum, Jesus healed the servant of the centurion. This Roman official was credited with building the synagogue (Luke 7:3).

During excavations beneath the foundations of this octagonal Byzantine martyrium church at Capernaum, archaeologists made one of the most exciting Biblical archaeology discoveries: they uncovered one residence that stood out from the others – a simple first-century A.D. home that may have been the house of Peter, the home of Jesus in Capernaum.

This house became the object of early Christian attention with 2nd century graffiti and a 4th century house church built above it. 

In the 5th century the large octagonal Byzantine church was erected above this, complete with a baptistry. 

Pilgrims have since referred to this as the house of Peter.

When visiting Israel in the early 90’s it was a very special experience to stand in/close to, the place where Yeshua/Jesus healed the man with the withered hand, raised Peter’s mother-in-law from her sick bed, and made the first of His seven “I AM” declarations after feeding the 5,000, saying,

“I am the Bread of Life whoever comes to me shall not hunger, and whoever believes in me shall never thirst” (John 6:35)”

From the ancient ruins of Capernaum on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, it’s possible to see in the distance, the town of Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene.

As already noted in Messiah’s day, Capernaum, (also meaning – hamlet of repentance or comfort), was one of the Chief cities of Galilee on its north-west shore. The “land of Gennesaret,” very close to, if not in which it was situated, was one of the most prosperous and crowded districts of Israel. This city lay on the great highway from Damascus to Acco and Tyre.

There is no mention of it prior to the Babylonian captivity. It has been identified with Tell Hum, about two miles south-west of where the Jordan flows into the lake. Here are extensive ruins of walls and foundations, and also the remains of what must have been a beautiful synagogue, which it is conjectured may have been the one built by the centurion (Luke 7:5), in which our Lord frequently taught (John 6:59; Mark 1:21; Luke 4:33).

Other scholars have suggested that the ruins of the city are to be found at Khan Minyeh, 3 miles further to the south on the lake shore.

Some scriptures that are also connected:

At that time Jesus answered and said, I thank thee, O Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because thou hast hid these things from the wise and prudent, and hast revealed them unto babes. Matthew 11:25

Mark 1:21

And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.

Mark 2:1

And again he entered into Capernaum, after [some] days; and it was noised that he was in the house.

Mark 9:33

And he came to Capernaum: and being in the house he asked them, What was it that ye disputed among yourselves by the way?

Luke 4:23

And he said unto them, Ye will surely say unto me this proverb, Physician, heal thyself: whatsoever we have heard done in Capernaum, do also here in thy country.

Luke 4:31

And came down to Capernaum, a city of Galilee, and taught them on the sabbath days.

Luke 7:1

Now when he had ended all his sayings in the audience of the people, he entered into Capernaum

Luke 10:15

And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.

John 2:12

After this he went down to Capernaum, he, and his mother, and his brethren, and his disciples: and they continued there not many days.

John 4:46

So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

John 6:17

And entered into a ship, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was now dark, and Jesus was not come to them.

John 6:24 When the people therefore saw that Jesus was not there, neither his disciples, they also took shipping, and came to Capernaum, seeking for Jesus.

John 6:59 These things said he in the synagogue, as he taught in Capernaum.

When Jesus finally departed from Nazareth, He dwelt in Capernaum (Mt 4:13) and made it the main center of His activity during a large part of His public ministry.

Simon Peter’s Wife’s Mother Lay Sick (Mat 8:14-17; Mk 1:29-34; Lk 4:38-41). 

Then a Leper Came to Him (Mat 8:2-4; Mk 1:40-45; Lk 5:12- 16). 

They Brought to Him a Paralytic (Mat 9:2-8; Mk 2:1-12; Lk 5:17-26).

Near by He called the fishermen to follow Him (Mk 1:16), and the publican Matthew the Tax Collector (Mat 9:9; Mk 2:13, 14; Lk 5:27, 28). from the receipt of custom

It was the scene of many “mighty works” (Mt 11:23; Mk 1:34).

Here Jesus healed the centurion’s son (Mt 8:5),

the nobleman’s son (Jn 4:46),

cast out the unclean spirit (Mk 1:23);

and here also, probably, He raised Jairus’ daughter to life (Mk 5:22, etc.).

In Capernaum the little child was used to teach the disciples humility, while in the synagogue Yeshua/Jesus delivered His ever-memorable speech on the bread of life. (John 6).

From the scripture we read that Capernaum was a city of considerable importance. Some scholars think that the words “shalt thou be exalted,” etc. (Mt 11:23; Lk 10:15), mean that it stood on an elevated site. It may perhaps refer to the excessive pride of the inhabitants in that city. It was a customs station, and the residence of a high officer of the king (Mt 9:9; Jn 4:46, etc.). It was occupied by a detachment of Roman soldiers, whose commander thought the good will of the people worth securing at the expense of building for them a synagogue (Mt 8:5; Lk 7:5).

Capernaum is also the location of the healing of the paralytic lowered by friends through the roof to reach Jesus, as reported in Mark 2:1–12 and Luke 5:17–26.

Artists reconstruction of 1st century courtyard house at Capernaum

Ark of the scrolls at Capernaum.

The Torah shrine, the niche showing a wooden cabinet carved in stone. Representing the covenant given to Moses here in an ancient synagogue.

Close up of Menorah carved in stone.

Under the monumental building are the remains of the early Roman synagogue from the times of Messiah, which was built with the local (black) basalt rock. This earlier synagogue was the center of activities of Yeshua/Jesus, where He taught.

Mark: “And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the Sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught.”

 

Mosaic found in Caparnaum.

   Peter, also known as Simon Bar-Yonah, was one of Jesus’s 12 apostles. 

Peter’s Primacy

Because he was a fisherman, his house was also located close to the lake.

    The shape of an Octagon, was typical of early churches and structures such as Kathisma south of Jerusalem.

In 1990 a modern church was built over the 5th century church, over St Peter’s house. You can walk up to the main floor, which has a glass bottom in the center, and view the site.

The house of Jesus at Capernaum Luke 5:19 Mt 4:13 Mk 2:1 9:33

Did the roof have ceramic tiles?

the Greek word keramos is used, as in pitched roof not flat!

This photo is of a restored Talmudic era village modeled on the ruins of a fourth – eighth century village at Qatzrin in the Golan Heights. Similar basalt construction was found in the ruins of Capernaum during the time of Messiah.

The unhewn logs were used as rafters with branches and saplings as cross support.

The top was overlain with tightly packed clay.

A view from the white synagogue at Capernaum towards the lake.

These are the ruins from the first few centuries AD. The houses were built of basalt igneous stone, the same as in the Talmudic era villages.

Yet the Greek says:

Luke 5:19 And not finding by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went up to the housetop, and let him down through the tiles with his couch into the midst before Jesus.

Flat topped roof of timber and branches overlain by packed clay with clay pigeon house on edge of wall.

Isaiah 61:1-3;

Matthew 4:13; Matthew 16: 24

Many quote that He had nowhere to lay His head:

Matthew 8:20; Luke 9:57– 62

He states that to simply fulfill Isaiah 9:12

The Government of the Promised Son – Nevertheless the gloom will not be upon her who is distressed, As when at first He lightly esteemed The land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, And afterward more he will honor Galilee of the nations, by the Way of the Sea, beyond the Jordan.

He spent time also in Peter’s house.

There is a story that says that Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head…

however He had to have slept, He had to eat somewhere during that three years of ministry.

The disciples asked Him where He was from… He said Come and See John 1:39

Scripture tells us that He was in the house…

This place? Ha Makom – was on the shores of Galilee, the village named Capernaum.

This was where He had a base of ministry, a home where He lived when not traveling. People came here from all over the Galilee and He received them here showing mercy, forgiveness and compassion. This place, brought restoration for those that were condemned, had sickness, depression, disease. Where the blind, lame, paralyzed and rejected, found healing and wholeness.

This was the center of His ministry. The reason why it is called Capernaum is, it a translation of its’ original name.

Caper is for the Hebrew Kaphar and can be translated as town or village.

So what is The Mystery of Kaphar Nachum Our Home from Home?

and what has the prophet Nahum got to do with Messiah’s ministry?

Naum is the name Nahum or Nachum which is the same name as the prophet Nahum the Elkoshite in the Old Testament who gave the prophecy of Nineveh.

However there is NO REAL CONNECTION to the prophet – so this really is a mystery!

Why this village, why here for there is no word for coincidence in the Hebrew language there is no such thing as chance or luck? Rather it could be providence, synchronicity, serendipity, orchestrated our heavenly fathers purposeful timing and reasoning. God is very specific, everything He does has a reason.

A deeper look into the name reveals that it is more that just a persons name it is full of meaning:

To comfort,

console,

to repent,

to change direction

and as the center of Messiah ministry Capernaum could be translated as the  village of comfort, the village of consolation and repentance;

where all who came were received with compassion; sins were forgiven, lives were changed, broken were restored sick were healed, oppressed were delivered and set free.

No one was turned away all were taken in, all who were rejected were received and comforted and accepted. As we turn to Him we are comforted and became whole.

And wherever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and sought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole. Mark 6:56

In this Place – Ha Makem of Kaphar Nachum. The Place of Miracles is where we will find Him and His compassion and tender loving kindness.

We don’t need to travel to Israel to the Galilee.

For the mercy, comfort, healing and restoration are not confined to one location. Call on me and I will hear you…

2 Thus saith the LORD the maker thereof, the LORD that formed it, to establish it; the LORD is his name; 3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not. Jer. 33:2-3

He is the place /Ha Makem of Kaphar Nachum.

So He was completely identified with the name of that town/ City.

And He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.

Berean Study Bible.

He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together. Col 1:17

In Him are all the riches of His glory.

We all have a home – for heaven is our home – but we are not there yet…

However while we await His return and we are busy about our Father’s business, we can Abide in our home from home – abiding in Jesus/Yeshua – the place of comfort and consolation.. HE IS

Ha Makem of Kaphar Nachum.

He is HOME – Bayit – בַּיִת

the place of comfort and consolation

– the place of Love – Ahavah

and

Welcome – Be’ruchim ha’ba’im!

For in Him we live and move and have our being. Acts 17:28

We all have a home from home it’s the place of Kaphar Nachum.

“Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. John 15:7

In Revelation 3:20, Messiah tells us, “…if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will comein to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”

To sup, means to eat and fellowship with someone. When you sup with someone, you and they are sharing in and partaking of the same things.

Call upon Me and I will answer you, says the LORD. I will not turn you away. You have access to Me. I will hear your prayers and answer them. Jeremiah 29:12

When he calls out to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble. I will rescue him and give him honor.

Psalm 91:15

Shalom, shalom

‘Mishpachah’ ‘Family’!

משפחה 

Mish-pa-KHa

Please don’t leave this page until you make sure that Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Kaphar Nachum…

your home away from home…

for until we get to our real home in heaven abiding in Him is our abode, our

Bayit – בַּיִת

our kaphar nachum

the place of comfort and consolation

– a place of Love – Ahavah

and

Welcome – Be’ruchim ha’ba’im!

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.

It’s 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.

 

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.

Mystery of a Pur, a Secret Name and a Miracle.

If I Perish, I Perish –

Remembering Purim 

 On the fourteenth day of the month of Adar in the late winter, (early springtime), the Feast of Esther is celebrated as her amazing life is remembered. From evening of Feb 28th to evening of March 2nd on Western calendar, and  13th 14th 15th of Adar on the Hebrew calendar.

The story of Purim is recorded in the Book of Esther (Megillat Esther).  There are three main characters: the heroes of the story Esther and her cousin Mordecai, and Haman, the villain who wickedly plots to destroy the Jewish People. This is an account of the Queen of Persia, (a Jewess) who was victorious over the evil intentions of Haman. It was Haman’s intentions to initiate a nation wide program of genocide against all the Jews in the Medo-Persian empire.  Haman was the chief Minister of the Persian emperor, Ahasuerus (Xerses), King (486-465 BC.)  There’s much that people didn’t know about Queen Esther. For one, her name wasn’t Esther. It was Hadassah, but she took the more Persian-sounding name for her public face. 

For more on this click on link https://www.minimannamoments.com/who-was-hadassah/Purim is the story of how God used the courage of Esther, a young girl, who was known for her engaging personality and surpassing beauty; to save “God’s chosen people”, at the time they were threatened by extermination.“Who know whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 

When Mordecai challenged her with the urgent truth, she demonstrates loyalty, to Mordecai her foster father who had raised her from a small child. (He was also her genetic cousin and some scholars maintain she was married to Mordecai).With faith filled prayer to God, together with fasting by her 7 handmaidens (2:10; 4:15) and all the Jews in Sushan fasting for 3 days, Esther risked her life. In order to save her people, scattered all over the empire, from death; she courageously sought the direct audience of the King without his invitation.Esther, an orphan who had been raised in Persia by her cousin Mordecai, is a beautiful, young Jewish woman. 

When Vashti, the Queen of Persia, falls out of favor with Ahasuerus, (King of Persia), Esther becomes part of his harem. The hidden hand of God is at work in her life in the king’s harem, and he falls head over heels in love with her. He loves her so much, in fact, that he singles her out to be his queen.

The king does not know, however, that Esther is a Jew, since Mordecai had advised her not to reveal her identity. The Story of Esther gives us an insight into the Jewish cultural identity at the time, and how it can sometimes be important to hide that identity to preserve social harmony, which can be engineered using official ignorance. It was a need to know basis! Her secret name was a Hebrew one.

There is a difference between hiding one’s identity and losing that identity altogether and the danger is in compromise.

Compromise is what happened when Babylon took the Jewish people into captivity, their Jewish identity disappeared going underground; they reappear in the Persian Empire not as people of a Jewish nation, but as a race.  This makes the Book of Esther distinctive.   Within the story, Esther, is fully a Persian (todays Iran), her life is surrounded by the culture of Persian life; and she lives a life without publically showing any cultural identity, either to the people, or to the God, in whom she believed.  The story concerns wicked Haman, the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, who was promoted to the role of viceroy or prime minister. The age old tension between the descendants of Esau is still going on, as the arch rivals of the Hebrews, through the Amalekites, from whom Agag was descended, (1 Samuel 15:8) in the 16th generation. (Targum Sheni, Josephus Antiquities xi.6.5) Agag was the king that King Saul had refused to kill in 1Samuel 15:9. Although Samuel finally killed Agag, members of his family escaped and had children; so Haman was born due to Saul’s disobedience.

Disobedience always has consequences; for it is an outward show of pride, in that an individual thinks they know better than God and declares it by their following actions/decisions just as Saul did.

King Saul believed he was showing mercy to King Agag but it was based on human feelings. Gods Mercy is not based on feelings, He was seeing ahead to save His people from future destruction. His ways are not our ways and His thoughts not as ours. 

The Scriptures tell us clearly that, pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.

James gives an explanation of human wisdom that can often be touted as common sense. This is why we need the Holy Spirit to teach us and to be led by Ruach HaKodesh; not simply by a need or by our feelings, emotions and five physical senses; but by His leading alone. None of us wants, or needs to miss Gods leading.

Sometimes there is a delay before consequences take effect and in such cases, people do not always make the connection. Esther 9:28.1Samuel 15:33, records the prophet Samuel being obedient when God told him to complete what Saul had not done.Haman, as a type of anti-Messiah, not only hates the Jewish people with a venomous passion, but all those who refuse to bow their knee to the kingdom of darkness.Because of petty pride, Haman is seeking revenge when he does not receive the respect he felt he deserved from Mordecai, who worked at the gate of the citadel. This escalates out of proportion when Haman decides that revenge is not just personal but is on a greater level, and involves a whole nation.  This ‘type’ was repeated in our modern generation in the WW2 Holocaust. 

 In a world where human life has little value, personal and petty whims can cause the massive annihilation of people.

To sacrifice an entire race in genocide on the whims of one individual in not uncommon in ancient history. It is one of the most nefarious in the devils arsenal of tactics to eliminate God’s chosen.Darius I

A few years prior to this, the father of Ahasuerus (Xerxes), Darius I, massacred the entire class of Magi.  Fifty years before that, there was a general massacre of the Scythians in the North Lands. 

NOTHING JUST HAPPENS…

In a world where there is plurality and tolerance, acceptance is assured unless one chooses to be different.  That difference may be either too good or too bad.  Even if we are too good, being different will eventually trigger animosity and hatred, this has been the reason for anti-Semitism throughout the ages.  

For Esther to remain silent, during the first five years of her being queen is commendable.  However there comes a time when we are called to testify and become transparent before the world and Esther’s time had come. 

And it was a time of miracles…

God always puts people in places to be agents of His deliverance, yet sometimes He has to act beyond the assistance of willing human agents.

This was the idea that triggered Mordecai to say, “For if you remain completely silent at this time, relief and deliverance will arise for the Jews from anther place, but you and your father’s house will perish.  Yet who know whether you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” (4:14)Esther appealing to the King.

For those with eyes to see, and ears to hear, the hand of God was unmistakably working with His people, the providence of God stands supreme everywhere in this book. 

“Esther ‘happens’ to be chosen queen;

Mordecai ‘happens’ to be in a position to thwart a palace coup and to get his name recorded in the king’s chronicles;

the king  ‘happens’ to be unable to sleep, so as to call for the chronicles to be read to him;

it ‘happens’ that the account of Mordecai’s actions should be read at that time.

The book seems to say that none of this is happenstance.  Esther denouncing Haman.

Many times when God appears to be silent, He is at work to keep His covenant promises with Abraham’s seed.Of all the books of the Old Testament The Book of Esther is unique.  The New Testament does not contain quotes from it and among the Dead Sea Scrolls no fragments of it were found.  Scholars have noted the lack of religious overtones, as there is no mention of the Torah or the covenant. 

However as the Bibles central theme is about the revelation of God,

He is revealed here as being hidden in the heart. 

Both the people and the days of Esther could be considered a reflection of Gods people in the End Times who, though sealed (6th Seal), by Him, they still remain hidden and dispersed throughout the whole world.  The remnant church, which will only be known to God, will no longer exist as an institutional hierarchy.

Remnant, meaning faithful believers.

 Many question are posed by the events recorded in Esther.

What if Esther did not exist, or she did not respond to the calling of God and be willing to give up her life for her people? 

Within eight years, Ahasuerus was assassinated by a courtier, Artabanus.  Esther before King Ahasueras.

No doubt, Ezra, the lawyer and scribe, was alive at the time of Esther.  Fifteen years later, under the rule of Artaxerxes I, Ezra leads the second group of Jews back to the Holy Land in 458 BC. 

Was Artaxerxes I, the son of Esther and Ahasueras (Xerxes I)? 

Without Esther, would Ezra have been killed in the genocide?

Without Ezra, would the compilation of the Tanach, the Old Testament, been completed? 

Without Esther, would Nehemiah, the governor, have been killed?

Would the third migration back to Israel have never occurred? 

Maybe there would not have been enough Jews to migrate back to the Land of Israel. Esther was important to the redemption of God’s chosen people and without Esther, we would not have a clear picture of how the hand of God works in a pluralistic, segregated and subjugated society as will exist in the End Times. 

It shows that for those who humble themselves in fasting and in prayer God lifts them over the demonic forces, which oppress them. 

Could the book of Esther be a prophetic book? 

These End Days may still have further revelations from God as type meets anti-type.The sages say that the very SECRETS OF REDEMPTION are found in the Megillah of Esther. It is an extremely deep book:

E.g. “What happened to Mordecai?” Why is he not mentioned elsewhere? Well in fact he is!! In the Mishna Sh’kalim 5 (Historical commentary), it records that he became an officer in the Beit HaMikdash (Temple) when it was rebuilt and he was in charge of overseeing the “bird” offerings. His name was changed to P’sakia, because he P’SAK could “open up” the understanding of WORDS.** The P’siska Niddah says the bird offerings are the most difficult job in the Temple.

** https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-rules-of-pardes/

One of the sages pointed out that Mordecai is also mystically hidden in the Torah in the reference to one of the types of incense!!! “Pure myrh” is literally in ARAMAIC  “MOR DACHAI”.What we are left with in remembering Esther is …Gods timing is perfect.

God humbles the proud and exalts the lowly who trust in Him. He knows everything that is happening and we are to trust Him completely with our lives and everything and everybody in them.

One person can change everything.

One person’s actions or non-actions can influence the outcome of critical decision-making.

Here in this instance, one woman’s obedience and courage led to a whole nation of people being saved from extinction.

And more importantly by their continued presence on this earth, they gave birth to descendants who in turn produced the line from which Messiah Yeshua was born.

No Esther, would have meant no Israel….

and therefore no Savior

with no redemption for anyone!

We owe so much to certain individuals whose faith and commitment has been pivotal in forming the future in which we now live.

Lets remember those whose lives really mattered and learn from their sacrifices and emulate their faith and courage as if the lives of our nation depended on it.

For in truth – they do!

It is often a date on the calendar that slips by unnoticed, however, when we see a reference to Purim or Esther, there’s a whole lot more going on.

And who knows that whoever is reading this today…“Who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” 

As Mordechai implored Queen Esther to plead for the Jewish People before King Ahasuerus, the Ruach HaKodesh is calling to those who follow Yeshua (Jesus) to plead with the King of Kings and Lord of Lords to save Israel from those with murderous agendas against her. We must remember, however, that the battle is ultimately not with flesh and blood, but with principalities, powers and rulers of the darkness—spiritual hosts of wickedness in heavenly places.  (Ephesians 5:12)

Yeshua called us to pray for our enemies and, therefore, even as we seek God’s deliverance of Israel, we also pray for the salvation of those who are now enemies of the Jewish People, of Israel, and even of God Himself.

 This is not a time for true Believers, the Bride of Messiah, to remain silent. 

Time is quickly running out…

We cannot be complacent and think that we are safe simply because we are in the King’s house.

The same forces that seek to destroy Israel, also have in their evil plans to annihilate all of God’s people, including Christian believers.

Mordechai: A Picture of the Holy Spirit

Mordecai Writing The First Purim Letter

Many other parallels can be drawn in the Book of Esther between the Ruach HaKodesh and Mordechai.

For instance, Mordechai seems to have one real task and that is to raise Esther to maturity.

 He instructs, teaches, leads, and guides her, directing her when to speak and when to remain silent (Esther 2:10; 4:14).

Similarly, it is Holy Spirit/ Ruach HaKodesh, that faithfully continues the work that has begun in us, leading and guiding us, bringing us to maturity and preparing us to be a beautiful Bride without spot or blemish, whom Messiah will soon be returning for.

 Mordechai faithfully watches over Esther,

THE BRIDE OF THE KING.

He stands outside the gate; hovering over her to make sure she is kept safe. (Esther 2:11)

Likewise, the Ruach (Spirit) of God hovered over the waters at creation, and He hovers over each of us keeping a protective watch.

Mordechai is privy to secret information, such as the plot against the king, just as the Ruach knows all deep and secret things of the hearts of men. 

Mordechai intercedes for God’s people with cries and groaning (Esther 4:1).  The Ruach also intercedes for us, even when we don’t know what to pray.

“We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us through wordless groans.  And He who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for God’s people in accordance with the will of God.”  (Romans 8:26–27)

Like the partnership between the Holy Spirit and the Body of Messiah, Mordechai partners with Esther to carry out the authority of the King in saving the Jewish people from destruction.

As Purim is kept with great joy, remember Esther’s bravery in rising up and speaking out on behalf of the Jewish People.It takes courage to resist the “Hamans” of this world and stand firm against popular opinion in our culture, which is most often opposed to God and righteousness.

Purim is Hebrew for, ‘the lots that were cast.’

Pur means Lot.

The lots that were cast, Esther 3:7, determined the fate of the Jewish people so the story appears to be about the law of lots and chance.

Mathematicians and scientists call it the ‘P’ factor and they insert it into all equations and formulas. It is the ‘P’ of Probability.

In the story, everything seems to be out-of-control, the wicked and ungodly prosper and the righteous who love God are cast down.

As the book comes towards his conclusion those seemingly circumstances of chance start coming together and everything begins to turn around for good. The hand of God is evident and He turns the outcome to His Plans and Purposes.

The same can be said of our lives, which often emulate the book of Esther, with events seemingly happening by chance or for no reason. (Many name it luck.)

It is the Purim of life.

However as we follow Him in obedience and not going our own ways and decisions, then He will work for good, all the things we don’t understand, that don’t make sense.

Even though sometimes it is hard to see when they are happening right in front of us. As we stay close to Him, nothing in our lives will ever happen for no reason, when we love God and are called according to His Purpose.

It is conditional of course to that fact as all His Promises are.

So when we don’t understand, just trust on Press on, for in the end we will always have more than enough reason to celebrate his love.

In these end times, it will take great courage, infused by Holy Spirit, to count the cost and say with Esther, “If I Perish, I Perish.”

Shalom and Happy Purim!

ARE WE REALLY READY FOR THE RETURN OF THE KING?

Its very reminiscent of the ‘hide and seek’ game we played as children.. and the cry, ‘I’m coming ready or not’! .. and He is..

Please don’t leave this site 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?

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.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/welcome-come-taste-some-bread-of-life-bread-from-heaven/life-changing-information-guaranteed/

A Lot Can Happen In A Week

  During the process of gathering and assembling all the pertinent information for the Spring feast posts; the reality of the facts and the multiple events surrounding our central focus became clearer than ever before. At best we are prone to forget, at worst we ignore all the activity and miracles taking place on and around the same time as we remembered the Passover.

Even though the week has physically passed, it is still highly relevant as the halfway point, (25th day) to Pentecost is called the 2nd Passover. A 2nd chance to prepare our hearts. For these are His Divine appointments. 

This particular year, everything changed. What had been in the planning and on hold stage, prophetically rehearsed for millennia, was now taking place and unfolding in real-time.

Although many of these events are recorded in all four Gospels, those here are primarily followed in Matthew  chapters 20-28 and John 12.

Prior to the start of passover week,

Jesus/Yeshua raises Lazarus from the dead no doubt one of the last events

that made the chief priests decide to do something about Him, but they did not want to do it right on the festival of Passover. 

In Luke 12:20–21 the Greeks asked Philip to take them to Jesus. In verse 24, He taught on the seed falling to the ground, prophetically declaring what was about to occur in His own life. 

John 12: 28 God’s voice came from heaven, “and I did glorify and I shall glorify again” the crowd heard thunder.

In verse 29, an angel spoke to Him and 

He begins by prophesying that He will be betrayed and the chief priests and scribes will condemn him to death.

 James and John were arguing who would sit on his right or left hand. 

Verse 30 Jesus heals two blind men. He touched their eyes and

immediately they received their sight and followed him.

Then He tells the disciples to go to Bethphage, near the Mount of Olives and to bring the donkeys colt, fulfilling Zechariah 9:9

Then the triumphal entry as recorded in

John 12:12, the next day he entered Jerusalem on the donkey.

Jesus weeps over Jerusalem because they miss their appointed time of visitation.

In John 16:23; His teaching to ask the Father in His Name.

John 17. The whole chapter Jesus prays for all believers.

 verse 12, Jesus went into the temple but before-hand, He purposefully and thoughtfully made a whip

and then turned over the tables in the temple courtyard where the merchants were trading animals and birds for the temple sacrifices and drove them out.

vs. 14 The blind and lame came to Him and He healed them.

This displeased the chief priests and scribes and was the final straw to them trying to get rid of Him.

 He went to Bethany and stayed there

John 12:16 also tells us that days before Passover, Jesus came to Bethany.

John 12:19 was the withering of the fig tree,

then John records in 12:12-9, the crowd saw it and then the high priests wanted to kill Lazarus after Jesus raised him.

John 12:23 He was teaching daily in the temple and the chief priests and elders came and challenged Him.

Vrs 31- 41 He warned them and then verse 45-46 they realized was He meant.

Chapters 22 and 23 He continued teaching and called them hypocrites,

verse 24, He left the temple and went and sat on the Mount of olives,

here He tells them of the events that are going to take place in future.

chapter 25 teaches the parables of 5 wise

and 5 foolish virgins.

Also the

and the separating of the sheep and goat nations.

 Chp. 26:2 He tells the disciples that after two days is the feast of the Passover and the Son of Man will be betrayed to be crucified.

Chapter 26:3-5, the chief priests, scribes and elders talked to Caiaphas and consulted how they might take Jesus and kill him.

Matthew 26:6 Jesus was in Bethany in the house of Simon the leper.

Matthew 7-13, 19 is the record of the woman who washed His feet with her tears and emptied her alabaster box of precious ointment over Him which Jesus stated prophetically, was in preparation for His death.

Jesus tells Simon He knows what he is thinking and declares that the one who is forgiven much, loves much.

14-16 Judas Iscariot went to the chief priests and they gave him 30 pieces of silver.

17- Jesus tells His disciples to go and make ready for the seder meal and the Passover

23 24 Jesus tells that one of them there will betray Him

26 He takes the bread and the cup and institutes communion as we know it.

John chapter 13:4-7 if after supper He took a towel poured water into a basin and washed the disciples feet.

John 36: Jesus prays in Gethsemane – Gat Sh’monim, which means olive press. This was an enclosed grove with its oil press.

And olive grove was not a garden, we know it better as Gethsemane.

Vs.40 Peter, James and John could not stay awake one hour, three times He goes to the disciples and they were sleeping each time.

Jesus sweats blood with the stress of the burden of the world’s sin that he is taking upon Himself. Luke 22:44 and Mark 14:33, 34 tells us that He almost died at this point.

There is some scientific data confirming that under extreme stress, blood will be forced through capillaries to the skin surface, appearing as if blood is being sweated.

Verse 43 He saw an angel. 

47-49 Judas arrives with the chief priests and elders of the people and betrays Jesus with a kiss.

John chapter 18:5–7 Jesus spoke ‘I am that I am’, ‘Anochi’, with such a powerful authority and anointing they all fell backward to the ground.

and the rest to follow…….