Come
Up
Higher!
Hebrew words for higher:
adjective: עִלִי. overhead, upper, topmost.
In Hebrew
לבוא means: come up (verb) – lavo
כאן – here – kan
Strong’s Hebrew: 5927. עָלָה (alah) —
to go up, ascend, climb
A primitive root;
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or
actively mount.
above (7), above* (32), covered* (1), exceedingly (1), forward (2), greater (1), greatly (1), heaven (4), high above (1), high* (1), higher
Word Origin a prim. root. Definition to be high, exalted (NASB Translation) build high (1), exalt (2), exalted (4), haughty (4), high (4), higher.
Strong’s Greek: 511. ἀνώτερος (anóteros) — higher
come up higher
Anaba Ἀνάβα come up
hōde ὧδε here
We have just recently remembered Pentecost/Shavuot/shavuoth/shavos/shevuoth on our Heavenly Fathers calendar. (There are several ways of spelling the Hebrew Appointed Time; however most people know it as Pentecost.)
Our Fathers Appointed Times also reveal His glory in His creation. As the days grow darker in the world, there remains an everlasting light, Jesus/Yeshua said:
I am the light of the world;
and it is the
Servant Light
of our Savior and of His/our Father that will never be extinguished. Recall from previous posts that the center light of menorah is called the Shamash, meaning servant, and this light is also remembered with the observance of Pentecost/Shavu’ot, the 50th day following the waving of the First Fruit harvest sheaf.
The Menorah מְנוֹרָה
was the source of light to enable the priesthood to
SEE
giving light to minister
in the wilderness Mishkan/Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem.
His Spirit of Holiness/RuachHaKodesh was the fire/light which descended upon them at Shavuot/Pentecost enabling them as members of the born from above priesthood, to boldly minister the good news of the kingdom. Exodus 25:31-40
The 7 branched menorah is described in the Torah in exquisite detail, however, one detail is not clearly defined: this detail is the actual shape of the 6 branches which extend from the main stem of the menorah. Are the 6 branches straight, or are they curved? While many scholars believe that the 6 branches are rounded, there are a few who think that the 6 branches are straight; both shown below.
The shamash
is the candle used to light the other candles of the Hanukkah menorah.
In Hebrew,
shamash: pronounced shah-MAHSH
literally means helper.
He is the suffering servant
the shamash,
who lights everyone in the world who comes to Him.
He is the center, the supporting trunk for the other branches.
John 15:5 A picture of Jesus/Yeshua, the light of the world, whose arms and legs were hammered for our sins, just as the hammering of the gold shaped the menorah. The light itself came from the burning of pure olive oil; a symbol of anointing and Ruach HaKodesh/His Spirit of Holiness, which was kindled by the hand of a man of peace and humility.
It is a spiritual light and not seen from the outside of the Temple, only from the inside, and only for Holy/Kadosh purposes.
For more detail on Shamash/menorah click link below:
A Chanukah/Hanukkah menorah,
also known as a chanukiah, has 9 candles:
8 candles in a row, and 1 helper candle, known specifically as a shamash,
which is set apart/sits higher, from the others.
It is not counted as one of the candles.
For students of Gods’ Word, this was the day that marked
the birth of the
called out assembly/ecclesia
in Yerushalayim/Jerusalem by the impartation of
His Ruach ha’Qodesh/Spirit of Holiness appearing like cloven tongues of fire
on the Disciples/Talmadiym/Talmidim
who had waited together for this serious moment.
(holiness spelled both Kodesh or Qodesh)
The significance of the tongues of fire appearing as cloven was surely a comfort to the talmidim/disciples as their understanding of Torah and the Holy/set apart/clean vs. unclean animals were identified by their cloven feet.
Cloven hooves are hooves that split into two toes. Under these restrictions, camels, which chew cud but do not have cloven hooves, would not be kosher, nor would pigs.
Clean Animals Have Split Hooves.
Of the clean animals that walk on the earth Yehovah said:
You may eat every animal with cloven hooves, having the hoof split into two parts, and chews the cud.
Recalling also that this commemorates another day, when Moses/Moshe brought to the whole of the house of Israel
the great covenant of Yahuah –
the Ten Devariym/sayings:
handwritten on caphire/sapphire stone
by the very finger of our Heavenly Father,
these are the instructions in
the covenant of life/chaim
and were also given on the
50th day.
More details at link below:
https://www.minimannamoments.com/sapphire-and-10-sayings/
For those of us who seek to come out of Babylons’ worldly system – to be separate and apart from its ways and to live our lives in harmony with Our Heavenly Father and Jesus/Yeshuas’ instructions, His light remains. It is a powerful light, and like the menorah shining brightly, we are to be glowing brilliantly with Yeshua/Jesus, the light of the world in us!
These Appointed Times are
an annual call to each of us,
not only to dig deeper into His Word and understand all that He wants to reveal to us there, but also to
come up higher…
as John was instructed..
Why?
so He can show us things..
for those with eyes to see and ears to hear
these things will be revealed …
it’s all about timing and preparation.
Revelation 1:10-11
And the first voice which I heard was like a trumpet speaking with me, saying, Come up here, and I will show you things which must take place after this. Rev. 4:1
He was saying to John
I want you to SEE..
far beyond what you see right now…
but you must
Come! Come up higher.
I will show you things to come.
I will open your eyes to see!
“Go up. Come up. Come up higher.”
He wants us to see certain things;
and in order to see more,
we have to go up.
The word
aliYAH,
is a common word among the Jews…
Aliyah in Hebrew means:
elevation or going up
and can refer to two different parts of Jewish life. It either refers to being called up to say the blessing before or after reading the Torah in the synagogue, or it refers to moving to the land of Israel. It is considered a great honor to be given an Aliyah – going up, to recite the blessing over the Torah.
The term aliyah, going up to Israel, is used in Genesis in reference to Jacob’s bones being brought from Egypt to what would be the Land of Israel, Eretz Israel, in Hebrew.
Also defined as
the act of going up that is, towards Jerusalem
making Aliyah by moving to Israel
and is used by those returning to the land of Israel.
Aliyah means to ascend,
literally: go up to YAH.
עליה
Pronounced: a-LEE-yuh for synagogue use,
ah-lee-YAH for immigration to Israel,
Origin: Hebrew, literally, to go up.
When we obey what His instructions are,
we are literally
going up
to see what He has to tell us.
Our obedience brings us into His presence so that He can show us more of Himself,
more about ourselves, and
more insight to the strategies concerning the work of the adversary/enemy.
He will give us the Way to walk forward in the midst of His glory.
He will provide a fearlessness and boldness, courage that will enable us to be over-comers in this life.
We have recently remembered Pesach/Passover, which also celebrates the subsequent exodus out of Egypt, Israel was in the wilderness 40 years.
As the pilgrims
go up – making aliyah to Jerusalem/Yerushalayim
for the shalosh regalim
they sing the Psalms of David and Solomon.These are called the Psalms/Songs of ASCENT..
In Hebrew, the word translated as
ascent is ma’alah (מעלה),
which means:
ascent or degree
and indicates a movement upward.
There are 15 Psalms of Ascent,
Psalms 120-135
שִׁירים הַמַּעֲלוֹת
Shirim haMa’alot,
תהילים של עלייה
psalms of ascent.
Our Heavenly Father wanted them to
aliyah/go up
annually so that they could see that He, who had done mighty things on their behalf, was about to do mighty things again and to bring them into the Promised Land of Israel and fulfill all that had been prophesied.
We too are in a wilderness and He wants us to reflect on
where we are
as we press forward to the promised land in glory.
We have heard His voice:
to come out of Egypt, and
to come out of the world,
to come out of the religious system that is sneakily riddled with traditions of men.
He says, “Come up – come up higher!”
Don’t settle for less
because our Heavenly Father
ALWAYS has more for us..
Now to Him who is able to do
exceedingly abundantly above
all that we ask or think,
according to the power that works in us…
Eph. 3:20.
We should be like Caleb’s daughter Acsah
who asked her father for springs of water.
כָלֵ֑ב Caleb 3612
Acsah or achsah עַכְסָ֥ה aksah 5915
Upper and lower springs.
Digging deeper into wells of salvation/lower springs
and the coming up to higher springs/places; where the springs of living water flow down the mountains. This should remind us of the rivers of living water and His outpouring into our lives of His Ruach HaKodesh/Spirit of Holiness.
…Caleb asked [Acsah], “What can I do for you?”
She replied, “Do me a special favor. Since you have given me land in the Negev, give me also springs of water.”
So Caleb gave her the upper and lower springs. Judges 1:14b-15,
Achsah, was Caleb ben Yefune’s only daughter.
She was offered in marriage to the man who would lead an attack on the city of Debir, also called Kirjath-sepher/Kirjath-sannah.
This was done by Othniel, Caleb’s brother’s son, who accordingly obtained her as his wife.
Achsah in Hebrew: עַכְסָה, also Acsah.
One meaning of her name is: courageous
עַכְסָה
also: Adorned, or Bursting the Veil!
Acsah or achsah. עַכְסָ֥ה aksah 5915
Othniel עָתְנִיאֵ֥ל 6274 Joshua 15:17
כָלֵ֑ב Caleb. 3612
בֶּן־ son – ben 1121
קְנַ֖ז of Kenaz 7073
Achsah was the daughter of Caleb, prince of the tribe of Judah.
She was the only girl in the family, and had three brothers.
Achsah also has the meaning of
ankle-chain, anklet.
Her father promised her in marriage to whoever should take Debir.
And Caleb said, “I will give my daughter Acsah in marriage to the man who attacks and captures Kiriath Sepher”. Judges 1:12.
Caleb was seeking to award a man who proved himself a fearless warrior, valiant in battle, and more importantly one who had the courage and faith to obey God’s command to conquer.
Acsah’s narrative serves as an example of contrasting between good and evil in order to reveal how far life has degenerated. The Book of Judges can be read as a chronological narrative or as a geographical one, either way, we see the huge contrast between the start and the end: it starts with good leadership and good circumstances in the land; and ends with no leadership and horrific ones.
On the whole in many cultures these days, conditions and practices have improved, however, Acsah’s story is telling us so much more.
In this narrative we see a very critical part of a whole situation which alerts us to the danger imposed upon those who are vulnerable and powerless.. This happens when everybody does what seems right in their own eyes. 21:25.
Proverbs 14:12 warns us, as do many proverbs which describe the consequences of a particular action or character trait; referring to the blinding effects of passion and self-will; which make people think their own way is best and the most desirable as it appears to be right.
There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way to death.
Reading Acsah’s story serves as a reminder to do ALL things by the leading and guidance of and in and through the power of His Ruach HaKodesh/Spirit of Holiness. That means we commit to trust and obey, doing only what is right in our Heavenly Father’s eyes. We must never do what merely seems right, leaning on our own understanding. Rather, in all our ways we must acknowledge Him, and He will direct our paths. Prov.3:6.
In this story Acsah’s husband Othniel had already received a gift of land from her father Caleb but then she asks for more…. Give me also…. We should also be eager for all that our Father has for us. She very wisely asks for the water source which in that time and location is the basis of staying alive… The springs she requested would supply water to their inheritance of dry southern land.
If they had only asked for the lower spring, whole sections of the land would have stayed barren and dry and only a portion of the available resource would have been used.
We too need the fresh water of His Spirit/Ruach and as Pentecost/Shavuot was the fulfilling of that prophesied outpouring we are now able to receive His refreshing anytime. Whenever we are feeling weary, tired and overwhelmed, and need a fresh anointing on our lives and ministries; a fresh infilling of His Spirit is waiting for us; we simply have to yield and receive. Our Heavenly Father is one of abundance and we are
not to settle for less
than the fullness and abundant life He has for us…this is why Jesus/Yeshua came.
In Luke 11:13 in the Complete Jewish Bible, following instruction on prayer by Jesus/Yeshua to His disciples/talmidim, He says clearly to: keep on asking keep on seeking how much more will the Father
KEEP GIVING
the Ruach HaKodesh/Spirit of Holiness from heaven
to those who keep asking Him..
We need both the upper and lower springs to feed into our lives. Notice in verse 14, she says, do me a special favor.
Acsah knew she had her fathers favor and she had faith in that special relationship …surely we see the analogy for us if we are in that place of abiding/living in His presence. We too should have the knowing, of the security in His lovingkindness towards us and that we can receive ALL that He has for us.
To know Him and the power of His resurrection is
to know His ability to replenish, refresh and refill us.
He is calling us higher…
speaking to us about stepping into
a new level of holy boldness and spiritual authority. Not in our strength, ways or abilities..but in His!
Cheverim, Mishpochah – friends, family; we are called for such a time as this…we are joint heirs with Mashiach/Messiah, King of Kings and Lord of Lords…
When our mindset is stuck in the lower springs we can’t receive the inheritance of those upper springs. We must consider our true identity and calling in Messiah, in Christ, who we truly are in HIM … we are created in His glorious image …
There is a further lesson for us to learn in Acsah’s story. Her father had treated her more like a prize to be won for the one who could gain victory over the city of the giants. Judges 1:12-13
It would have been easy for her to assume a victim mentality…
Her name means: anklet, which is an adornment..
remembering in those days it also referred to the
anklets or leg chains
that held prisoners to the prison stocks.
Acsah/Achsah, did not give in to the temptation of …poor pity me.. she had the attitude of: an heir ready to receive her inheritance. Furthermore the physical inheritance of well watered land was enhanced spiritually, as the faith of her father Caleb and the generation of Joshua lived on and prospered in her husband Othniel.
We are told in Judges 3:9-11, the Spirit of God came upon Othniel. He became Israel’s first judge and deliverer, and because of his leadership, the land had rest for 40 years. True Shalom when we enter into His rest!
The common western definition of peace is — the absence of conflict or war — but in Hebrew it means so much more:
The root word of Shalom is shalam.
One of the first uses of the word shalam in the Torah is in
Exodus 21 and 22…
meaning: peace, harmony, wholeness, completeness, prosperity, welfare and tranquility soundness, health, safety and prosperity, nothing missing and nothing broken.
A higher state of mind and spiritual vision can only be reached through the higher practice of personal character. If we live up to the highest and best we know how, our Father will always
call us to come up higher
and when we do we will be faced with other challenges and temptations to further help in forming our characters.
Staying humble is the key to greatness in the Kingdom of God.
Both the Father and the adversary will use the strategy of elevation… but satan uses it for example: as temptation by lifting up in pride and the effects and results are completely different.
Our growth in grace/chen is not measured by the fact we have not backslidden or turned back from following Messiah but that we have an understanding and insight into where we are spiritually.
As a good wise father He withholds some things from us until the growth of our personal character attains the level He deems we are ready to receive them. As we grow in maturity, we have a higher viewpoint and when He shows us a truth, we are accountable to immediately apply the truth we know and begin to live it, applying it to our lives.
Attentiveness and receptivity will always lead to greater intimacy. Like the disciples/talmidim, who waited on His Spirit to fill and empower them, we must learn to pay attention sometimes by waiting upon Him. He leads us from strength to strength, we simply need to place our trust in Him and not in our own understanding or trying to ‘fix it’ by employing our own ways….
We must be receptive, open, and teachable if we want a deep meaningful relationship; and we must be willing and available, giving time to building that relationship.
Going deep
also requires us
to come up higher
where we are called to be seated in heavenly places
and then we will begin to see all things
from our Fathers perspective
from above and not beneath!
Whatever our calling, our function to His called-apart-ones, our inheritance is assured to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose… Rom.8:28
and we are challenged to remember
both the upper and lower springs offer
continual infilling
for us.
Time to Aliyah – come up higher.
As the disciples waited to
come up higher
counting the days from the omer;
maybe they were finally learning to
count the cost
of being disciples of the Master.
He was seen by so many during those days, still speaking of the kingdom, cultivating the seeds of His Spirit that were to soon spring forth and bear much fruit!
Everything they had trained and waited for came and they were ready…are we?????
May our days of counting lead to a lifetime of bearing good fruit.. May there be fire in our bones that set our tongues aflame to declare the great things of our Heavenly Father and His Kingdom…. as we
Aliyah
COME UP HIGHER!
Please wait 4 seconds for this song to begin…
and tell Him.. Hineni, here I am! Lead me…
Where I am going, you cannot follow Me now,
but you will follow later.
John 13:36
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