In Times of Need and During Days of Uncertainty …. Who’s Got Our VAV?

Who’s got our Vav?

This reference to the Hebrew Alefbet is because the letter Vav also has the numerical value for 6.

This is a military term for fellow soldiers and all military personnel meaning basically, who has your back/ blind side covered is: your 6.

This is by way of saying during combat situations, I’ve got your 6 or, watch your six.

 

I’ve got your six was a phrase first used in the U.S. Armed forces Basically means “I’ve got your back.” It comes from the old pilot system in which directions correspond to hours on the clock, where 12 o’clock is forward and 6 o’clock is behind.

Thus anyone behind you is at your six. Six o’clock is straight behind you and sets up the best strike zone. WWI pilots were the first to say, “I got your six,” meaning

they’ve got you covered so the enemy can’t come up behind your back and kill you.

It declares a story of loyalty. . . I’m loyal to you. I’ve got you covered.

Sometimes 4 paws help out too!

As we are in the spiritual battle of the ages it also applies to everyone who has accepted salvation through Jesus/Yeshua’s Atoning Blood. In case we weren’t already aware, that was the moment when we automatically became part of the army of the Lord; we are in a battle, a spiritual one that continually spills over into the natural realm.

 Ps 18:18 Amplified Version.

They confronted and came upon me in the day of my calamity, but the Lord was my STAY and SUPPORT.

This is an interesting point: 18 is 3×6 and used twice for this Psalm reference.

Vav is the 6th letter of the alef bet and has that numerical value; recall, they are interchangeable in the Hebrew language.

So we have vav vav vav twice. The paleo pictograph for VAV is a PEG meaning:

to: add, secure, hook, stake, nail, a tent peg, joining together becoming bound or nailed to.

This is a securing item, something that keeps something else in place; and something we can fasten something to. So we, as 6’s, (also the number of man), can fasten our hope/tikvah to it like an anchor/ogehn and securely attach our faith to His promises including that of protection for our 6/Vav/back.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-secret-of-the-ogehn-of-tiqvah/

Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace/Shalom –

whose mind is

stayed firmly

and

securely fastened

on Thee because he trusteth in thee.

Isaiah 26:3. This is connected to Eph. 6 and also with feet being shod with peace/shalom and having the mind covered by the helmet of salvation.

So who’s really got our backs, our 6, our Vav in times of war and conflict?

In Psalms – Mizmor LDavid

מזמור  לדוד 

 

In Psalm 91:4 we read of the buckler

 

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary 

Buc”kler\, n. [OE. bocler, OF. bocler, F. bouclier, a shield with a boss, from OF. bocle, boucle, boss. See Buckle, n.]

A kind of shield, of various shapes and sizes, worn on one of the arms (usually the left) for protecting the front of the body.

The Medieval Buckler is in throat area, sword extended. Buckler extended, sword kept back. good pose to wind up a powerful strike. if you look carefully, you see that the fighter is looking over the shield at the enemy. His sword arm is protected, but not impeded by the shield. This large shield covers the body.

Buckler shield was one of the most common medieval shields and was specifically useful for swordsmen because of its lightweight structure. It was designed to deflect the attacking blades and could be easily controlled.

Buckler definition is – a small round shield held by a handle at arm’s length. How to use buckler in a sentence.

The shield was adapted and made larger in size so that the soldier could protect his foreleg as well as his torso while in combat.

 

He is our buckler*

A buckler*. (*Heb. ‘Buckler’ means, ’that which goes around’, a very large shield to protect the whole body on 3 sides. The Lord gives full protection).  

And mentioned also in Psalm 23 where we are told the rod and staff fend off the enemies and also direct and rescue and comfort us respectively.

Recall the relevance of rod/branch and staff from recent posts.

We are to remain under the shadow of His wings and in that safe place we are to abide.

For more click on link below:

https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-secret-of-the-letting-down-of-wings/

However if we do venture out onto the battlefield, which is unavoidable, we need to know that His protection is over us. One of the most well known and most quoted scriptures pertaining to protection is in Ephesians 6:12-18.

And this same shield is also referred to in that scripture.

For a moment, let’s clear our minds from what we think we know of this familiar scripture and look at it with fresh eyes.

Ephesians 6:10-19 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the Power of His Might. PUT ON the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.

NOTE: He does not say to wear it for a certain length of time!

Nor does he say to take it off again!

For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood,

but against principalities,

against powers,

against the rulers of the darkness of this age,

against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.

Therefore take up the whole armor of God,

that you may be able to withstand in the evil day,

and having done all,

to stand.

Stand therefore, having girded your waist with Truth,

having put on the breastplate of Righteousness,

and having shod your feet with the preparation of the Gospel of Peace;

above all, taking the shield of Faith

with which you will be able to quench all

the fiery darts of the wicked one.

And take the helmet of Salvation,

and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God;

praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,

being watchful to this end with all

perseverance and supplication for all the saints;

and for me, that utterance may be given to me,

that I may open my mouth boldly

to make known the mystery of the Gospel.

We need to be sure not only that we are familiar with this scripture but that we are proficient with its’ meaning, operation and its’ defenses. We need to know that His gospel of shalom/peace, is on our feet. Shalom being the opposite of RA, which is out of harmony with the Lord.

Thou wilt keep [him] in perfect peace/Shalom – whose mind is stayed firmly and securely fastened on Thee because he trusteth in thee. Isaiah 26:3

Shalom – nothing missing nothing broken. Recall the full definition from previous posts or click link below to read it:

https://www.minimannamoments.com/shalom-ha-makem-the-place-for-our-life-to-mature/

Like every piece of equipment if we don’t use it correctly and apply the makers instructions, it does not work efficiently and operate how it’s supposed to and designed to. In order to get the best results from anything, we have to make sure we are following the manufacturers instructions/directions. if we don’t use these recommendations, very often we have to dig out those instructions and dust them off when things go wrong! This is usually because we didn’t take the time to fully familiarize ourselves with the equipment before hand.

In Eph 6, we often focus on the items themselves and not on their function and purpose.

The battle we are in is VERY real and it is not going to get easier or stop until Messiah returns. When we suddenly find ourselves in the midst of a surprise attack, that is not the time to wonder where our weapon is; or to not be certain our defenses are in position.

Helmet of salvation – keep your mind focused on Him.

Breastplate of righteousness – assurance of right standing before Him.

Belt of truth – His Word in us, memorized scriptures that are relevant to a given situation.

Feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. The Peace that passes all understanding to garrison, guard and keep our thoughts and direction in line with His Will.

These are all defensive pieces of armor.

The only offensive part is the sword of the spirit which is the Word of God, that is spoken scripture coming out of our mouth/pey, speaking forth His Word.

We are not fighting flesh and blood and so this battle cannot be fought with physical weapons. The only thing we need offensively is His Word. and who is the word? Jesus/Yeshua.

It is not a natural conflict, this war is not of this world, so we need supernatural weapons and supernatural protection. This armor once spiritually applied, should never be removed. Nowhere does it ever say to take it off again! Therefore we need only confirm and affirm verbally that it is in place every night before we sleep and every morning before our feet touch the floor.

As each piece has a meaning to our spiritual health and wellbeing, we are responsible to make sure that we are secure and that we are walking in repentance, which keeps us under the Blood of Jesus/Yeshua and all that His Blood does for us.

Click link for Scripture based prayers for both the Blood of Yeshua/Jesus and the armor.

https://www.minimannamoments.com/scripture-based-prayers/

This shield is a large curved one that covers front and 2 sides of the soldiers body

however,

our back is not covered

and therefore vulnerable.

Does this mean there is no protection at our backs??

– Fear NOT!

BUT God!

He has made provision for that also, and in knowing this, it establishes His shalom in us. Nothing missing or broken and He keeps us in perfect Shalom/Peace.

So what is this extra protection?

Our Heavenly Father is concerned about detail so here is His answer to

the only part

not covered

in Eph. 6 armor.

It’s the rereward.

And we find it in Isaiah 58:8

Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thine health shall spring forth speedy: and thy righteousness shall go before thee; the glory of the LORD shall be thy rere-ward.

and

For ye shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight: for the LORD will go before you; and the God of Israel will be your rereward. Is 52:12

This is a portion of the blessing and favor that Isaiah declared would result when Israel turned back to walk with God in true repentance.

Shall be thy rere-ward – 

Shall gather thee up.

That is, shall bring up the rear, the glorious power and providence of God, preserving his people; or the glorious Lord himself, our Lord Jesus Christ, the brightness of His Father’s glory, He, as the Word may be rendered,

shall gather thee

He gathers His people to Himself;

He protects and defends them;

He takes care of the weak and feeble, and that are straggling behind;

and He brings them up, being the reward,

and saves them. 

 Our rereward / rearguard.

(Rearguard of an army is to give protection on the march.)

His Glory is also our protection/ rereward

(going before and coming after or behind us in the form of His Goodness and Mercy.)

 

Is there is any further meaning in the pictographs?

The word rereward

in Hebrew is

acaph

and this word is used throughout the scriptures.

It means: to gather or collect.

In some scriptures, it also gives the idea of:

gathering together by,

(as we would coin the phrase) bringing up the rear.

In some translations, the phrase, the rear guard is used instead.

The word acaph is made up of

alef sameach and fey/pey

Or

Aleph Samech Pey.

(This is simply a optional/different spelling of the same letters.)

אָסַף

and is pronounced  aw-saf’.

The paleo Hebrew pictographs, (word pictures,) reveal the images of:

An Ox, a Prop and a Mouth. (Read left to right).

Aleph/Alef     

 is the picture of the ox    

and has the meaning of:

the strong leader or God the Father.

 

Samech/Sameach   

is the picture of a prop   

 

a support maybe a spine with ribs?    

and means:

to support, sustain to twist slowly, or to turn. 

 

Pey/Fey   

is the picture of the mouth   

and means:

to speak or a word.

Pei-hei: Peh  – open mouth –

to declare or express communication spoken written a letter or letters a language word or words. Articulated vocalized distinct definite and manifested.

Second part Hei: to reveal make known or be evident.

Combining the meanings of the letters Alef/Aleph and Samech/Sameach from the pictogram/pictographs; 

it could be interpreted and indicate that:

a strong leader is speaking, or declaring he will support or uphold someone.

This strong leader, is our Heavenly Father, Who promises His support to those who turn to Him in true repentance in a special way.

As well as the letter Samech being a picture of a support, something that is able to prop up something else, the idea is also given that the support has a twist or turning in it.

The picture given here by the Samech/prop, could represent that: the glory of the LORD will be gathered, turned and/or twisted around His people in protection.

What a truly amazing promise giving us a clear visual form!

As everything is connected, another link is also noted with Samech; recall the posts focusing on the Menorah, the Almond Tree, Oil and Olive Tree, the source of Light/AWR and Life/CHAIM and the Branch/Choter:

As a newborn must nurse to receive nourishment for survival and growth so must we. As we are born again and desire the milk of His Word. Like the new born child we must latch on firmly grasping and holding on to the SOURCE of that nourishment and ABIDE in His Name and His Word.

The attachment is the process of grafting into the Gephen/Vine/the Olive Tree. He is the Light /AWR of our Life, and the Source of all life His Lifes/Chaim in us.

Click link below for more on chaim
 https://www.minimannamoments.com/the-mysteries-of-im/

The menorah the lampstand is a supporter of the oil which gives light and is representative of our life in Him.

Samech – the source – like the menorah

contains the

shemen שמן

The Holy Anointing Oil

Shin Mem Nun

SHIN: His essence or being power intense dynamic like blazing fire a force a whirlwind. Dispensing provision source of being.

MEM hidden concealed the place where the seed is planted nurturing developing then trauma incubation ripening and birth

NUN birthing brought forth suddenly

His essence of being tremendous and powerful the source of being concealed

like a time of incubation

until the time of ripening

a birth brought forth in new life

His Name is in the Oil in the Shemen

SHEM N

shemen שמן – Samech Mem Nun–

and in this,

Messiah’s Name is brought forth!

Because in Hebrew it is: שמן המשחה

shemen ha-mishchah, “oil of anointing”

המשחה

ha-mishchah

Mashiach or Messiah!

Strong’s Hebrew: 8081. שָׁ֫מֶן (shemen) — fat, oil

Shemen afarsimon was a prized oil used in antiquity.

It’s mentioned in Psa.133 as the “precious ointment”

The holy anointing oil,

(Hebrew: שמן המשחה 

shemen ha-mishchah,

“oil of anointing”)

formed an integral part of the ordination of the priesthood and the High Priest as well as in the consecration of the articles of the Tabernacle (Exodus 30:26) and subsequent temples in Jerusalem.

 Who is our High Priest?

The Menorah also stands as a support for the Holy Anointing oil and the Light that comes forth from it. The Light of the world is Messiah Yeshua/Jesus.

There are Spiritual Principles incorporated here:

Faithfully completing the task assigned with patient endurance – like the trellis for the vine, it is the structure that supports and continually upholds.

John 15:1-10 Tells us of The Vine and its’ Branches. The Vine is its Life SUPPORT. The Source of Life.

If the Branch does not heed and complete the directions fulfilling the makers instructions, the patterns inbuilt inn the DNA, which are both unique and integral to that seed, will not result in the production of fruit ,or replicate itself.

The Source of Life is in the Instructions.

The Branch that does not follow instructions is cut off/pruned.

Never to bear fruit.

Fruit is only produced by the Branch that stays attached to the source getting its life from the source. 

To have oil or wine the fruit must be pressed.

Like the Menorah we need oil to produce light. So Not only will not following instructions mean not producing fruit, nor wine, nor oil; it is also is death and these are eternal principles.

And do not fear those who kill the basar (flesh), but are unable to kill the nefesh (soul); but rather fear the One who is able to destroy both basar and nefesh in Gehinnom.

Matt. 10:28; that is spiritual death literally, separation from the Father – the source of lifes/chaim.

Fear the Lord in an attitude or reverence and respect for Who He Is not as in afraid.

Rising up like sap through the vine and giving life to us the grafted in Branches which bring forth fruit. He alone is the source of our life, the branches must remain connected to the Vine, the source, or they will wither and perish. And of course we are not neglecting the alert embedded in the almond branch – watch be alert and ready!

Our Heavenly Father knows that we may be able to defend ourselves from those things that come at us from the front. Those are the attacks that we can see, however, God promises to protect and defend us from all attacks that come against us from behind, from the direction of our rear, where we cannot always see.

Our VAV, our 6, is a blind spot for us but not for Him.

The scripture says that His glory, His manifested presence, His Shekinah, His Ruach HaKodesh, provides a hedge of protection that cannot be breached or broken through by anything, as long as we are honoring our part of His Covenant with us.

Another very interesting reference to Acaph is found in Judges 18:25 and records where the children of Dan threaten to kill Micah and the inhabitants of Laish whom they have just robbed.

Here the word Acaph is translated as lose, and in this scripture context, it means not only: to gather, but, to gather for destruction.  

It could be said to mean that even though God the Father promises to support and be the rear guard to those that return to Him and walk in true repentance; we see from the scripture, that His glory can also gather in order to take away. So it can mean destruction for those that come against God’s faithful people. 

Another promise of Him looking after the safety of His people and ensuring their victory.

And for those who choose to return to their God and turn from their disobedience, the promise increases to impart even more blessing.

Because each letter has a unique numerical value, we can add to our understanding of the pictographs. It is found in the meaning of the numbers that each of these letters represent.

(Reading right to left.)

אָסַף

80 60 1

Aleph/Alef is the number 1 

and refers to: deity, unity, sufficiency, and God the Father.

Samech/Sameach is the number 60 

and stands for: pride.

Gaon  גַּאֲוָה

גֵּוָה gevah

 עֲנָוָה humility anavah

Pey/Fey is the number 80

and is: 8 x 10,

or, a new beginning

or a new birth ordained in heaven.

Adding the meaning of the numbers together with those we have already from the pictograms; it could be said that:

Alef/God the Father, fey/pey/, states that He will samech/ surround and support those who choose to follow Him faithfully. Not only will He sameach/surround and protect His people with His glory, but the enemy 60 will be sameach/gathered and taken away for destruction.

We know that man’s worst enemy is his own pride, so our Heavenly Father will gather/ sameach and destroy man’s pride/60 with His glory, and instead offer man a new beginning 80 pey fey and a new birth/ 80 /pey /fey.

The promise of safety, protection and security that is hidden in the word Acaph was to one day come through His Son. This of course we know has happened and Yeshua/Jesus said it.

Recorded in John 17:1-5

Glorify Your Son, so that the Son may glorify You— 2 just as You gave Him authority over all flesh in order that as to all that You have given Him, He may give eternal life to them. 3 And this is eternal life: that they may be knowing You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ Whom You sent-forth.

Paul also speaks of it confirming in Col. 1:27.

To whom God would make known what the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

So who has our 6 – our Vav?

Our Heavenly Father God Does!

He covers that which is behind as well as going before us.

The LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you He will not fail you or forsake you. Do not fear or be dismayed.” Isaiah 45:1-13

Remember …NOW we are certain that not only does The Lord go before us, He is behind us, He is around us, beside us, above us  and underneath us are His everlasting arms.

That is complete protection!

Be encouraged!

Be Strong in the Lord and in the power of His Might.

It’s the position He takes behind us and anyone looking at us from the front will be aware of the One who stands behind us. He protects us where we cannot see and where the enemy may try to attack.

When we are in the armor no one can see who is inside that suit!

Prayer example/option:

Adonai/Lord, Avinu/Abba/Father in the Name of Yeshua/Jesus, cover me with your atoning blood and reveal to me the weapons at my disposal. When the enemy tries to attack, remind me of the authority You have given me in your Word and through Jesus/Yeshua’s victory. I know I am seated in heavenly places spiritually, help me to be victorious for Your Glory that I may continue to serve in Your kingdom not mine. I trust completely in the authority and power you have placed in me by Your Ruach HaKodesh/Holy Spirit. Thank you that You are with me in times of need, trouble and uncertainty, You have my back covered.

Included below for easy reference, are some scriptures from the Psalms, Isaiah and Deut.

We would do well to learn these and hide His Word in our hearts, as this is the Sword that we will need to employ. This is the offensive weapon we are to speak forth, while Father has our 6/Vav/ He is our Acaph.

Promises

Isaiah 51:3The LORD will comfort Israel again and have pity on her ruins. Her desert will blossom like Eden, her barren wilderness like the garden of the LORD. Joy and gladness will be found there. Songs of thanksgiving will fill the air.

Psalm 23:4 Even when I walk through the darkest valley,I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me. Your rod and your staff protect and comfort me.

Our Refuge is in the Lord.

Psalm 62:6-8 Truly He is my Rock and my salvation; he is my fortress, I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge. Trust in him at all times, you people; pour out your hearts to him, for God is our refuge.

Psalm 91:4-5He will cover you with his feathers, and under His wings yo will find refuge. His truth is your shield and armor. You do not need to fear terrors of the night, arrows that fly during the day,

Fear not!

It’s not a suggestion! It’s a command!

Deuteronomy 3:22 Ye shall not fear them: for the Lord your God he shall fight for you.

Deuteronomy 33:27 The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before thee; and shall say, Destroy them.

Psalm 27:1 The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 91:1-16 He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.

I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; my God, in Him I will trust.”

Surely He shall deliver you from the snare of the fowler

and from the perilous pestilence.

He shall cover you with His feathers,

and under His wings you shall take refuge.

His Truth shall be your shield and buckler.

You shall not be afraid of the terror by night, nor of the arrow that flies by day, nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness, nor of the destruction that lays waste at noonday.

A thousand may fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand, but it shall not come near you. Only with your eyes shall you look, and see the reward of the wicked.

Because you have made the LORD, who is my refuge, even the Most High, your dwelling place,

no evil shall befall you, nor shall any plague come near your dwelling.

For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways.

In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.

You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.

“Because he has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him.

I will be with him in trouble I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My Salvation.”

Mizmor l’David Hashem Roi

Psalm 23 

 מִזְמור לְדָוִד, ה׳ רֹעִי (תהילים כ”ג)

 The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.

2 He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

3 He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

4 Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

5 Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

6 Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.

Below a short video of Psalm 23 sung in Hebrew with translation.

Mizmor le’Dovid, 
Hashem ro-i lo echsar. 
Binot desheh yarbitzeini, al mei menuchot yenahaleini. 
Nafshi yeshovev yancheini bemagalei tzedek lema’an shemo. 
Gam ki elech be’gei tzalmavet, lo ira ra ki atah imadi, shivtechah u’mishantechah hemah yenachamuni. 
Ta’aroch lefanai shulchan neged tzor’rai dishanta vashemen roshi, kosi rivaya. 
Ach tov va’chesed yirdifuni kol yemei chayai ve’shavti be’veit Hashem l’orech yamim.

מִזְמור לְדָוִד,
ה׳ רֹעִי לֹא אֶחְסָר.
בִּנְאוֹת דֶשֶׁא יֵרְבִּיצֵנִי,
עַל-מֵי מְנֻחוֹת 
יְנַהֲלֵנִי.
נַפְשִׁי יְשׁוֹבֵב, יַנְחֵנִי 
בְמַעְגְלֵי-צֶדֶק לְמֵעֵן
שְׁמוֹ.
גַם כִּי-אֵלֵךְ בְּגֵיא
צַלְמָוֶת לֹא-אִירָא רָע
כִּי-אַתָּה עִמָדִי, שִׁבְטְךָ
וּמִשְׁעַנְתֶּךָ הֵמָה
יְנַחֲמֻנִי.
תַּעֲרֹךְ לְפָנַי
שֻׁלְחָן נֶגֶד צֹרְרָי,
דִשַנְתָּ בַשֶמֶן
רֹאשִי כּוֹסִי רְוָיָה.
אַךְ, טוֹב וָחֶסֶד
יִרְדְפוּנִי כָּל-יְמֵי חַיָי,
וְשַׁבְתִּי בְּבֵית-ה׳
לְאֹרֶךְ יָמִים.

 mp3/4 of all the Psalms link below as it was too large a file to upload.

https://youtu.be/x-WBL4CKV-w

Shalom, shalom, mishpachah!

You are loved and appreciated and prayed for daily.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read the posts and for all your kind and encouraging comments. Please continue to share with others, like and subscribe for notifications of new postings.  It all helps to freely spread the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth and reaches others with the blessing of His Truths that always point us to Our Heavenly Father, Through Jesus/Yeshua by the power of His Holy Spirit/Ruach HaKodesh.

As always, a very warm welcome to each and every subscriber/follower/visitor, both old and new; and remember that the post is best viewed on the Homepage site in full color!

In Times of Need and During Days of Uncertainty Our Heavenly Father has our VAV

because

He is our Acaph!

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

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE That God has your 6?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

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

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

 

 

 

Who or What is the Mystery of the Choter, or is it Both? Conclusion.

In Hebrew, the word branch is netzer, and is actually only three consonantal letters: NZR.

Note that the town N a Z a R eth contains the same three primary letters plus an ending often attached to nouns. In the Aramaic form of Nazareth.       

So the traditional view is that this word is derived from the Hebrew word for Nazareth -Nazara, that was used in ancient times. Nazareth, in turn, may be derived from either na·tsar, נָצַר, meaning to watch, or from ne·tser, נֵ֫צֶר, meaning branch.

   

Strong’s Hebrew: 5342. נֵ֫צֶר (netser) — a sprout, shoot

Branch: From natsar; in the sense of greenness as a striking color; a shoot; figuratively, a descendant, branch. 

Righteous Branch is one of the names of Jesus/Yeshua. The Hebrew word: tsemakh (branch), and the expressions sprout and spring forth, were widely understood as Messianic terms.

A Branch, or the Branches of a tree, are the glory of that tree.

Messiah, the Son of man, being the real offspring and son of David according to the flesh, is the glory of all David’s line, and of the whole ekklesia. Matthew 22:45

The Hebrew equivalent of ekklesia is the word qahal (קהל). It is translated in most occurrences as an assembly. The first mention of qahal – ekklesia – ‘church’, is in Devariym, Deuteronomy.

This is where we get our word ecclesiastical in relation to what we term church. 

It does not mean a building but a separated, called out, called apart, body of people.

The Hebrew word used in five references, semah/Tsemakh, simply means sprout, growth or branch. The remaining occurrence has the word hoter, meaning branch or twig.

Israel is also often referred to as a vine. The Lord brought Israel, the vine, out of Egypt and planted it in the promised land. As the Lord blessed the vine, it prospered and “sent out its boughs to the Sea, its shoots as far as the River” ( Psalm 80:11 ). The fruit that the vine produced, however, was an embarrassment to the Lord and steps were taken against it (ref: Isa 5:1-7 ). More often, however, the prophets use the analogy of the vine and branches to describe Israel’s future restoration ( Isa 60:21 ;  Hosea 14:6 ).

This too is clear in the New Testament referring to the Vine and Branches Meaning.

There is ALWAYS Necessary Pruning

and fruit only comes by

ABIDING IN the the Vine.

The 3rd and most important truth of Jesus/Yeshuas’ words is that “… every branch that brings forth fruit He cleanses/prunes, so that it will bear more fruit.” In other words, if you are in the right condition and bear fruit for the kingdom of God, then necessary pruning is waiting for you.

Jeremiah mentions the Branch so does Zechariah and the one we are probably more familiar with is from Isaiah 11:1. There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

Here Isaiah traces the human descent of the Son of David. The descendants of Adam are pictured as a Tree and from this Tree the Messiah is traced to a branch (Rod) from the Branch or (Stem) of Jesse, who is the father of David.

(It is still a term used to trace our own family heritage – Family Tree.)

 In Isaiah 11:10, the Hebrew word used for root (sheresh); implies: a root that remains alive and sends up a shoot or branch; thus, the root of Jesse was a root from which more descendants could come.

In that day the branch of the LORD shall be for beauty and glory and the fruit of the earth for greatness and honor to those that are freed of Israel. In that day shall the branch of the LORD be beautiful and glorious, and the fruit of the earth shall be excellent and splendid for them that have escaped of Israel.

Jesus Himself said in John 15:5

I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.

And followed it by saying John 15:6

If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up; and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned.

Romans 11:16,17-24.

From the menorah design in Ex 25:32, And six branches shall come out of the sides of it; three branches of the candlestick out of the one side, and three branches of the candlestick out of the other side:

To Yeshua Himself

John 15:6

AND

Zekaryahuw (Zechariah) 6:12 And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaks YHWH of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of YHWH:

13 Even he shall build the temple of YHWH; and he shall bear the glory, and shall sit and rule upon his throne; and he shall be a priest upon his throne: and the counsel of peace shall be between them both.

*Note: this is a prophetic picture of the Messiah (the Son) whose name is The Branch and He is receiving many crowns (Revelation 19:12), and He is also a High Priest after the order of Melchizedek which means King of Righteousness (Malki-Tzadiq). 

So What About CHOTER?

We may better understand the deeper meaning if we first seek out the original root of the rod and branch in Isaiah 1:11, by looking at the meaning from the paleo Hebrew pictographs:

 

The scripture says the root was Jesse; (remember no letter J in Hebrew). Matthew records the geneology of Messiah and it’s often a part we skip over, however there are numerous treasures hidden within these lists, we just have to look a little deeper. Here it records that Jesse was a direct descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, he was in fact King Davids father.

God’s judgment was declared on a prideful people who had forgotten Him that will level them to nothing more than stumps:

See, the Lord, the Lord Almighty,
    will lop off the boughs with great power.
The lofty trees will be felled,
    the tall ones will be brought low.
34 He will cut down the forest thickets with an ax;
    Lebanon will fall before the Mighty One.

Is. 10 33 34

Just when the enemy is about to capture Jerusalem, God intervenes and destroys the hostile army.

Remember there were no chapter and verse divisions in the original scrolls. So it continues without a break, in the very next verse says

But a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse,
    and from his roots a bud shall blossom.
2 The spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him:
    a spirit of wisdom and of understanding,
A spirit of counsel and of strength,
    a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the Lord,
3     and his delight shall be the fear of the Lord.

Jesse was part of the faithful remnant. The next verses speak of the shoot that will come from this stump.

Who is the rod/choter and branch/natser?

Verse 4 says of the coming Messiah:

Not by appearance shall he judge,
    nor by hearsay shall he decide,
4 But he shall judge the poor with justice,
    and decide fairly for the land’s afflicted.
He shall strike the ruthless with the rod of his mouth,
    and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked.

In the word CHOTER, the pictograph characters reveal more showing us the following:

חֹטֵר

Phonetic Spelling: (kho’-ter)

Branch, rod, twig –

choter: chet – tet – reysh,

Chet: Picture of the fence and means private to separate an inner sanctuary or room

Tet: Picture of a snake coiled up meaning to surround ensnare or encircle

Reysh: Picture of a head and means a person, highest or the prince.

So it could read as: a picture of a prince that is coming who will surround or encircle someone with a fence or hedge of protection.

Because it it written within this context in the Scroll of Isaiah, it is somewhat safe to say that it is indicative of the coming Messiah.

The number value of the letters also give an insight into who it is that will be protected.

Chet = 8 and signifies a new beginning

Tet = 9 means an evaluation of humanity ending in judgment and the conclusion or end of a matter.

Reysh= 200 this number shows the insufficiency of man compared to the all sufficiency of God.

By putting this information together, it could be interpreted as:

the Messiah or coming highest/prince is going to surround and protect insufficient fallen humanity who will be given a new beginning/ fresh start.

This means that anyone who chooses Messiah will be both surrounded and protected from judgment!

Is there any difference between Messiah as in this ROD/CHOTER

and the

NATSER or SPROUT

נֵצֶר

Natser: #5342 a sprout a shoot.

Phonetic Spelling: nay’-tser

Shoot – Natser has the letters;

Nun/Noon – Zsadi – Reysh

Nun/Noon – picture of the fish and means life activity seed

Zsadi – picture of the fishhook and means to catch and a strong desire or need and can also mean just or righteous.

Reysh – picture of the head and means a person, highest or the prince.

So this could be said to mean that in the Natser: there is a future prince that has a strong desire to catch someone and give them life.

So if we believe Messiah is Yeshua/Jesus, then we must consider who it is He desiring to catch and how will He catch them? If we look at the numerical values of the letters in the alef bet, it may show us an answer and give further understanding.

Nun/Noon = a numerical value of 50. This signifies Ruach HaKodesh, Holy Spirit, (Pentecost/Shavuot, 59 days after Spring Appointed Times,) and also meaning deliverance, followed by rest.

Zsadi = a numerical value of 90 which has a combined meaning of the judgment of humanity and of God’s perfection.

Reysh  = a numerical value of 200. This number shows the insufficiency of man in comparison to the all sufficiency of God.

So from this we could understand that: it has been ordained in heaven that the power of Gods’ Holy Spirit/Ruach HaKodesh, and the prince that will come, is enough to both catch and save humanity from judgment.

This concept is echoed by Paul in Gal. 4:3-5.

The pictographs also reveal that when Messiah comes the 1st time He will be separated, surrounded and cut off, to fulfill and complete judgment (on sin); just as Isaiah’s forest stumps were cut off.

There is also Good News in the word Natser because, in a final picture from the word sprout, (which comes from a root that means literally: greenness as a prominent color,)

The picture of noon/nun = new life, from the old stump. Just as in the resurrection of the future Messiah.

The one who was the sprout will grow to become the root and gives us the confirmation that this root is Yeshua/Jesus, The Messiah.

How?

It’s because Isaiah could have used a more common word for natser in this scripture, but he didn’t and by doing so we look at the following, because its pointing us to something else as confirmation.

When the letter Tav, which is a pictograph of the crossed sticks, is added to the word natser it makes the word NatsareT which is known to us today as Nazareth. So the TAV the cross, 2 sticks, is the connection linking Messiah to come with Jesus/Yeshua the Nazarene; meaning coming from Nazareth. Matt 2:23. Npy only is it a picture of a cross it is also the final/last letter of the alef bet bringing it to a close, as in the first and the last – the alef tav.

The name of this tiny village of Nazareth tells us something about the people living there and offers a clue to the identity of the child Mary would bear. As we have noted, Nazareth may come from the Hebrew netzer, which means branch or shoot. Sometimes when a tree is chopped down, a shoot will grow from the stump, allowing a new tree to spring up where the old one has died. That shoot is called, in Hebrew, a netzer.

Why would the people who founded this village have called it the branch?
 
Much of the Old Testament was written predicting, or in response to, the destruction of Israel. The northern half of the country was destroyed by the Assyrian Empire in 722 B.C. The southern half of the country, known as Judah, was destroyed by the Babylonian Empire in 587 or 586 B.C.

The prophets, in speaking about the destruction and re-emergence of Israel, used the metaphor of Israel being like a tree that had been cut down, but which would sprout up once again. Israel would be led by a messianic figure called the branch, so again, Isaiah 11:1-4, 6 says:

A shoot will grow up from the stump of Jesse;
a branch will sprout from his roots.
The LORD ’s spirit will rest upon him, 
a spirit of wisdom and understanding,
a spirit of planning and strength,
a spirit of knowledge and fear of the LORD.
He will delight in fearing the LORD.
He won’t judge by appearances,
nor decide by hearsay.
He will judge the needy with righteousness,
and decide with equity for those who suffer in the land. … 
[And in those days] the wolf will live with the lamb,
and the leopard will lie down with the young goat;
the calf and the young lion will feed together,
and a little child will lead them.
 

 

The netzer was a promise of Hope – Tikvah

The word as used in Isaiah 11 pointed to the promise that, though Israel had been cut down like a felled tree, she would rise up once again.

Fifty years after the destruction of Judah by the Babylonians, the Jewish people would return to the city of Jerusalem. Judah would rise up like a shoot. And the people hoped for the coming of the branch that the prophets foretold would lead the people—a Messiah.

Jeremiah and Zechariah also use this same imagery, though they use a different word for branch than netzer.
 
When the village founders named their village Nazareth they may have chosen this name as a way of expressing hope that God would once again restore Israel—that though Israel had been cut down by the Assyrians, the Babylonians, the Greeks, and then the Romans, a branch would come up from the stump.

They may have chosen this name because, in the words of the prophet Isaiah, it was a sign that there are no hopeless causes with God. They may have chosen this name as a way of articulating their hope that one day the Messiah would come to Israel. It was as if they were saying:

We believe there is always hope.

We believe God will deliver us.

We believe the day will come when God will send a new king who will deliver us.


Little did they know that the branch

foretold in Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Zechariah would be a

child who would grow up in their own village!

Hebrew – Naẕerat

Yeshua` of Natsaret

Hebrew Netzer.

Reminder:

One view holds that Nazareth is derived from one of the Hebrew words for branch, namely ne·ṣer, נֵ֫צֶר, and alludes to the prophetic, messianic words in

Isaiah 11:1, ‘from (Jesse’s) roots a Branch (netzer) will bear fruit’.

Nazareth may come from the Hebrew netzer, which means branch or shoot.

Sometimes when a tree is chopped down, a shoot will grow from the stump, allowing a new tree to spring up where the old one has died. That shoot is called, in Hebrew, a netzer .

Nazareth ( the guarded one ) 

Olive trees in Nazareth, Israel.

Strong’s #3478: 

Nazareth (pronounced nad-zar-eth’) or Nazaret nad-zar-et’;

The Aramaic word for Nazarite is spelled Nun, Tsade, and Resh, where the Hebrew word for Nazarite is spelled Nun, Zayin, and Resh.

There appears to be a Semitic play on words here as the Tsade and the Zayin both make a z sound.

We can distinguish between the two by showing the Tsade as a ts and the Zayin as a z.

So the Mystery of the Choter

is

IN the BRANCH, 

it’s IN JESUS/YESHUA

It is BOTH a Who and a What!

Who is Messiah Himself; the shoot from the stump of Jesse from whose roots a Branch will bear fruit.

We are a part of that fruit and grafted in to the Nazarene from Nazareth our Natser Branch and the Righteous Branch of the Lord, prophesied by the prophets and also our soon returning Prince of Peace/Sar Shalom.

The very Branches of the Menorah and the Rod of Aaron were also indicators of Our Redeemer.

Please don’t leave this page until you are certain you are a netser of the choter, 

a grafted in

Nazarene or Notsriym,

of THE Nazarene/Notsri;

נוצרי 

the ONE who is THE true BRANCH – THE real CHOTER!

Shalom, shalom, mishpachah! You are loved and appreciated and prayed for daily.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read the posts, please share with others, like and subscribe, it all helps to freely spread the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth and reaches others with the blessing of His Truths that point us to  Our Heavenly Father Through Jesus/Yeshua by the power of His Holy Spirit.

A very warm welcome to each and every subscriber/follower/visitor, old and new; and remember that the post is best viewed on the Homepage site in full color!

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

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

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

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

Who or What is the Mystery of the Choter? or is it Both?

Why is any of this important?

Why do we need to focus on these things?

Simply because we have grown up with a western based Christianity with a primarily Greek mindset. We focus more on the Renewed Covenant /New Testament and neglect the Old where our true roots are to be found, beyond the Greco/roman church doctrines and dogmas. These, at best, have forgotten, or at worst ignore and even deny the essential roots of the faith in a Messianic Savior. This Messianic Savior who was from the tribe of Israel and whose ancestors trace back to Adam through Jacob, Isaac, Abraham, Moses, et al.

We are reminded to include the whole of God’s Word, not just the bits we like or make us feel good.

The particulars of God’s Word are of utmost importance, even the very words (2 Timothy 2:15), but we must study to understand the words in their context and in light of the whole counsel of God: “For I did not shrink from declaring to you the whole purpose of God” (Acts 20:27).

Everything ultimately points to Jesus/Yeshua and to see Him in all the details of all the scriptures is the wonder of His Living Word. And it should bring us not only delight and great joy; but serve to support the faith and trust in the God whose design is perfect in every aspect of His creation.

The One who took the time to put it in a form that we can read, see and comprehend the miracle that we are and to choose the unsurpassed and incomparable offer of forgiveness/redemption/salvation; which He has made to those called according to His purpose.

The reason we are to study to show ourselves approved, is that by so doing, we come to know Him and the power of His resurrection; as Paul said in Phil.3:10.

These posts, hopefully, are an aid for those with limited time and resources, to be able to enjoy the revealing that Daniel spoke of in the future days. These are those in which we are privileged to be alive! That the prophets desired to see. 1Peter 1:12

We know the familiar stories and yet we still see through a glass darkly, however as we dig together, He continually reveals more of Himself by Ruach HaKodesh to those whose desires are truly toward Him.

 

חֹטֵר

choter
Phonetic Spelling: (kho’-ter)
Definition: branch or twig, a rod

Choter is a Hebrew word for branch, rod, offshoot or twig and here in 11:1 Isaiah uses it prophetically.

Any interpretation of prophecy by its very nature is both mysterious and miraculous, because the very boundaries of time and eternity were crossed in that moment when our Heavenly Father told us the future before it was ever lived; and realizing this can leave us with the feeling of having touched eternity.

Choter or sometimes spelled Hoter; it is pronounced Koter and the letters CH sound hard like a K, and it’s only found 2 x in this form in scripture. The word choter/hoter,  meaning branch or twig. We can see that the literal meaning leads to a more metaphorical one.

Confusion and misunderstanding come in translations from the original language because more than twenty different Hebrew and Greek words are used to connote this growth; they have been translated variously as a branch, shoot, sprout, tendril, or twig; and include Natser, Netzer, semah, sheresh, Anaph branch, to name a few.

Strongs# H6057

ענף aneph

ענף anaph

נצר H5342 Netser 

There are 11 verses with the branch as a type and 118 occurrences in 14 translations.

Also the Hebrew word for Staff is matteh (masculine), and can be pronounced either mat-teh or mat-tah. It is defined as a branch, tribe, rod, staff, or standard (4294); as in Aarons staff which budded!

For this post we will look specifically at Hoter/Choter and two other Hebrew words which are also translated branch. Netser refers to young branches or sprouts.

The imagery of stumps, roots, shoots, and branches is Messianic and reappears throughout the prophets, especially in Isaiah and Jeremiah.

Tsemakh is a noun that comes from the Hebrew verb for sprouting or shooting.

Tsemakh

The verb is often used in connection with these messianic names and links with other names for example in Jer. 23:5-6; 33:15-16; Zech. 3:8.

Netser Phonetic Spelling: nay’-tser

נֵצֶר

Strongs #: 5342

Bible reference: Isa. 11:1

A shoot [khoter] will come up from the stump of Jesse;
from his roots a Branch will bear fruit.

 

Strong’s Concordance number: 6780

Bible references: Zech. 3:8; 6:12

Listen, High Priest Joshua, you and your associates seated before you, who are men symbolic of things to come: I am going to bring my servant, the Branch.

Two similar prophetic names of Jesus/Yeshua, are the Branch of the Lord and the Righteous Branch -Tsemakh tsedaqah. Zechariah connected the messianic term with the role of the servant of the Lord.

The two Hebrew words for Branch are obviously interchanged. One is tsemach (transliterated zemach), and used in all the verses for branch except the major messianic link in Isaiah 11:1 and 2 others, 1 in Isaiah and 1 in Daniel; where natser, (transliterated Nazer) is found. Jesus/Yeshua is called this latter word literally. The hometown of Jesus/Yeshua is Nazareth (Fem. plural of Nazer is Nazeroth).

We can understand further meaning in prophesy from the literal meaning of the actual text in the Hebrew language, that which defies the rules of normal translation. These instances are usually associated with an ironic play on words.

This is the use of double meaning/double entendre; or a similarity in sound and meaning, that continues the idea in the context of a passage as the form of the word may continue to be used in the passage to carry along what is being spoken about.

Even though the subtlety of the use of play on words is lost in translation it should not be thought of as useless decoration. It is a part of the inspired thought processes and in at least one case, it is a vehicle of miraculous revelation.

Branch of the Lord.

Note For New Readers:

The point of this post is not to focus on which word, or the variations of how its spelled, and which is correct; but is rather for the meaning and application to our lives as we follow Jesus our Messiah in the WAY; which is the real aim and goal of mmm.

Just reading about a subject will not do much good if we don’t think on its application to us personally and then prayerfully apply that revealed knowledge to our life and ministry.

The Words of scripture are living and alive and need to be living and alive in us if we are to grow and mature and flower and bear fruit.

All these metaphors, allegories and parables are more than stories and information, they are the meat of the Word that feeds us.

Milk and Meat.

A perfect metaphor for the degrees of maturity required to partake of spiritual food analogous to that required for physical food. It is important that we know where to begin with the milk of God’s word, and that we recognized the necessity for growth in understanding the milk so that we can go on to understand the meat.

1Cor. 3:2

As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ.

Eph 4:13-15

In Isaiah 11:1 both the words

Choter חטֶר  

and

Natser נצר

are together in the same verse.

Natser/Netzer is another Hebrew word for branch.

There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots.

Significantly it is in context with a prophetic declaration of One Who will come in the future that will be known as a Branch and will also ‘function’ as a Branch.

From Isaiah 11:1 There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his Roots.

חטֶר

One definition of this word is: of any division extending like a branch; any arm or part connected with the main body of thing; 

Isaiah’s use of the Hebrew word nazer or branch and of nazeroth which is obviously identical with Nazareth in form;(simply remove the vowels). Isaiah uses other related forms of the same word which have meaning when seeing them in their connection to Nazarene fulfillment of that which was spoken by the prophets.

It was not uncommon for the prophets to depict the Messiah as a new shoot or branch growing from David’s stock, even though that tree would be cutoff. Isaiah proclaims that a shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse.

Messiah came into the world as a child, a baby, it could be said from the genealogy recorded in Matthew, He was a tiny shoot from an old sawed-off stump. God brings amazing new things out of old stumps!!!

Jesus/Yeshua fulfilled the prophecies about the branch by springing up from David and the tribe of Judah to become the Priest-king of the Kingdom of God.

Real Facts that help us understand/digest the Scriptures: Indigenous to Israel, there is a tree that is practically indestructible even when chopped and cut down, new trees grow from the shoots that sprout from the stump, the base and root system. Even when it is burned, regrowth quickly starts from the roots and brings forth new branches.

This is the olive tree and it has a complex root system that is particularly strong and symbolizes a strong grip on the ground. These roots can find their way through cracks in rocks as they search for deep sources of water.

In Israel, olive trees flower in the spring when temps reach 70 degrees F. and will not flower before 5 years of age.

In all these descriptions note the details that bear reflection upon the characteristics that should be in the life of a disciple!

The olive tree is another one most frequently mentioned in the Bible. Scripture writers used olive tree imagery to describe Jesus/Yeshuas’ roots in the tribe of Judah and the relationship of Jews and Gentiles. Jesus/Yeshua also uses the analogy of the relationship of the Grapevine to the branches, to describe His relationship with His disciples:

“I am the vine; you are the branches” John 5:15.

The branches derive their very existence and ability to produce fruit from the vine. Detached, the branches cease to live or produce. Likewise, apart from Jesus/Yeshua, an individual does not have either spiritual life or fruit.

When an olive tree is very old;

(often reaching ages of hundreds and some even 1,000’s of years growth;) and having reached its maximum yield, It is common for farmers to cut it down to improve its future growth.

Before long, new shoots emerge from the old stump, and the tree begins once again to produce olives.

This aspect of the olive tree provides an image of Isaiah’s prophecy,

‘A shoot will come up from the stump of Jesse; from His roots a Branch will bear fruit’ (Isa. 11:1).

As a descendant of David, Jesus//Yeshua was the shoot from the stump of Jesse (David’s father).

The word has a great variety of possible translations and it is linked to Nazarene, Nazarenes, or Nazareth and is translated: keep, keeping, kept, watchman, watchers, besieged, preserve, preserver, subtle, hidden things, monuments, and BRANCH.

In most scriptures it’s translated as: keep, in the sense of guarding and keeping something safe.

It is translated three times as branch in Isaiah and one time in Daniel.

When Isaiah uses the word it must at least raise a curious interest for the believer. Due to the possibility of play on words or double meaning in contexts that are obviously messianic: it is an amazing reference to Jesus/Yeshua.

It is certain that they point to Jesus/Yeshua as the Messiah because of His connection with Nazareth and because Here also was a virgin named Miriam/Mary.

In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the virgin‘s name was Mary. (Lk. 1:26-27)

He is called the Nazarene in Matthew 2:23. And He came and dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophets, He shall be called a Nazarene.

Orthodox Jews will not mention Jesus/Yeshuas name and they certainly will not call Him Christ /Messiah since calling Him Christ/Messiah, would be a confession of what they do not yet believe.

He is most often referred to by Orthodox Jewish scholars as The Nazarene. In Hebrew. Notsri;

נוצרי 

There is apparently no word in the modern Hebrew language corresponding to the word Christian; so Christians are referred to as: the Nazarenes or Notsriym,

The Nazarene literally means:

the one who is the branch!

Consequently His name is The Branch, literally fulfilling this prophecy and amazingly so called, even by those who believe in Him the least.

Israel tour guides have been known to lead tourists to stand next to an ancient Olive Tree.

Then they point to the bottom of the tree, where new shoots come up from the ground, and say for example:

This town is called Nazareth and the root of that word is netzer. These shoots coming up out of the ground are called netzers.

Obviously Jewish tour guides don’t recognize the significance of this word however, However, it’s clear to those who know Jesus/Yeshua as Messiah.

Nazareth today, above and an old picture below.

Here in the town where some of the people from the line of David had resettled after exile, is also where Jesus/Yeshua grew up, the prophesied (Is. 11:1) shoot

The English word for netzer emerged from the root of Jesse (David’s father).

Here the Root of Jesse is written in Hebrew, Shoresh Yishai.

Jesus/Yeshuas own words in His prayer in John 17:

“That all of them may be ONE, Father…” 

is foundational to understanding the purpose of Netzer.

The warning words of the Prophets had been realized, the tree had been felled and all hope had been dashed, and the kingdom that once was had been broken in two. God’s promise to David (son of Jesse), of an heir who would reign forever, had apparently failed.

Or had it?

What do we SEE?

Connection Link to previous post below:

https://www.minimannamoments.com/what-is-the-connection-between-almonds-and-olive-oil-with-messiah-and-lampstands-part-3/

Then a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse, 
and a branch from his roots will bear fruit.

The tree was the kingdom of Israel, which had been divided into two, Israel and Judah, after Solomon departed the scene. Israel, the northern kingdom, was about to be carried off into captivity by Assyria. That was the prophecy of earlier chapters. However, a remnant of Israel would return from exile, but only a remnant, and would turn to the LORD in faith.

Then Isaiah spoke of an “anointing” that would lift the burden of the oppressor off their shoulders and would completely destroy the yoke from off their neck; Isaiah 10:27. The power of the enemy would be broken. And then, a shoot would grow from the stump of Jesse.

A remnant and a shoot, it seems so little, so small and yet, that is so often how God does His work. Indeed, in Zechariah 4:10, He says, Do not despise these small beginnings.

As the Old Testament frequently notes; e.g. in Jer. 11:16, Hosea 14:6, the olive tree is beautiful.

The faithful followers of God/Jesus/Yeshua, are compared to vigorous olive trees, and their children are said to be like the shoots that appear at the tree’s roots, guaranteeing its survival and future generations.

In Rom. 11:11-24, the New Testament uses olive trees to help illustrate the plan of salvation and Paul describes ‘Christians’ as either natural olive branches, those of Hebrew/Israeli background, or olive branches that have been grafted onto Jesus/Yeshua, those who are heathen/Goyim/Gentiles.

As branches grafted into Jesus/Yeshua, ‘Christians’ will only bear fruit if we are attached to and have a personal relationship with Him and are walking in His WAY.

In the same chapter Paul draws attention to grafting a branch into a stock. It was usual for a farmer to take a wild root or stock and graft into it a cultivated scion.

That was not the case with Israel, the cultivated olive tree; the branches broken off were replaced by wild olive shoots, in other words, Gentile believers. When the Deliverer from Zion comes, however, it will be easy for Hm to restore Israel to its rightful position (vs. 25-27).

The olive tree provides an excellent lesson for non Jewish disciples.

Because Jesus/Yeshua was rejected as Messiah, God cut many Jewish branches down, however,

He did not uproot the tree.

The shoot of Jesus/Yeshua and the branches of His Gentile followers grew from a Jewish stump. As His followers/disciples, we are branches growing from Jewish roots.

The picture of the olive tree is a constant reminder that Jesus/Yeshua is our source of life; our branch springs from Jewish roots. The beautiful olive tree reminds us of God’s eternal plan of salvation and His expectation that all His branches will bear abundant fruit.

Branch is capitalized six times in the Old Testament inferring the understanding of a title name. The Hebrew word used in five of them, semah, simply means sprout, growth, or branch.

The remaining occurrence has the word hoter, meaning: branch or twig…..

As usual the post ‘grew’ in length while assembling!

Both the conclusion and paleo pictograph meaning coming in part 2.

Shalom shalom mishpachah! You are loved and appreciated and prayed for daily.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read the posts. If they have been a blessing if you haven’t already, please like, share and subscribe, it all helps to freely spread the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth and reaches others with His Truths.

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

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

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

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

What Is The Connection Between Almonds and Olive Oil With Messiah and Lampstands? Part 3

Continuing from the question in part 2

What did Jeremiah see?

“Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, ‘Jeremiah, what do you see?’ And I said, ‘I see a BRANCH (rod) of an almond tree.’ Then said the Lord to me, ‘You have seen well; for I will hasten my word to perform it’

Jeremiah 1:11-12

In response to the Lords initial question Jeremiah says he sees an almond tree. God then responds that He is watching.

What is the point here? Remembering we are examining the connection between Almonds and olive oil with Messiah and lampstands/menorahs.

In all languages other than Hebrew it makes absolutely no sense.

There is no way to understand this verse in its full meaning as shown here without knowing some Hebrew. It is just another indication that Hebrew is essential to fully understand the Word.

However the answer is in the almond….

The Hebrew word for almond, shakeid, (sha’qed, shaked.) is the same root word for awaken and watch and also means watchful, to be diligent, to strive, be steadfast.

This word is sho’ked.

Remember in the Hebrew Alefbeit/Alphabet, there are no letter vowels so it would read the same – shqd and sometimes written shkd as the Hebrew letter for k and q are the same for its pronunciation.

The word of the LORD came to me, What do you see, Jeremiah? I see the branch of a shaqed, (almond tree), I replied. The LORD said to me, you have seen correctly, for I am shoqed (watching) to see that My Word is fulfilled. Jeremiah 1:11-12

shaqed, (almond tree),

shoqed (watching)

The word play indicates that there is an interrelation between the almond (tree) and divine watching.

So symbolically the almond represents God’s watchfulness over His people.

The almond tree is mentioned a number of times in the Old Testament.

In the Scriptures this play on words regarding the use of almond and God’s watchfulness (i.e., faithfulness) is very specific: The purpose is to give greater insight and intention behind the writers’ words. (Remember pardes).

https://www.minimannamoments.com/pardes-what-is-that/

This is Gods’ way of confirming. 1:7-14…    for I am ready to perform my word.

What does this mean?

As the word in Hebrew for almond is shaqed, meaning to keep my word and the word also spelled SHAKEID – Shaqad H8245 is a root meaning to be alert, that is: sleepless, to be on the lookout, (whether for good or ill); hasten, remain, wake, watch for.….

He is saying, ‘THIS’ is how I am going to keep My Word. ‘THIS’, being the manner or way He is going to do it, and as confirming, I am the same yesterday, today and forever; we can understand this meaning when He says it. 

As we look at the almond in the physical, we can see and understand that spiritually it means: He is going to keep His Word and to perform/do, His Word.

I am ready to perform to do. It is Time!

It is interesting that the very same root, sha•kad, that God was using to stress His diligence in keeping His word, appears 26 times in the New Testament with the same exact meaning. (The English translation may vary from verse to verse, but the Hebrew root is always shaked, which makes it so much easier to understand).

For example: “They continued steadfastly in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and prayer”. Acts 2:42

“to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and incorruptibility, eternal life”. Romans 2:7

Here is another example of using passive language to convey sha•ked as the active verb,

“Watch! Stand firm in the faith! Be courageous! Be strong!” 1 Corinthians 16:13

Here, too, the call is to work hard on the ways of faith and not only just to watch.

Shaked: the root means to be watchful, to awaken and be vigilant.

The Almond Tree being the 1st to blossom, watchful for the CHANGE of the seasons. We are at one of those seasons right now. Change is a word for this season.

 A rod of an almond tree — as we have noted the word שׁקד, almond, means primarily wakeful, vigilant, and is applied to this tree because it wakes up to life, and blossoms in January, while the other trees are still in their winter’s sleep. Because of this attribute, it is a natural symbol of vigilance, and so God uses it in suggesting His own ever-wakeful activity.

He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: he that keepeth thee will not slumber. Psalm 121:5

There is an urgent need to be watchful, for the enemy will attack when we least expect. While righteous men sleep, the enemy does not. This battle is spiritual and spirits do not need to sleep!

1Peter 5:8 tells us, “Be sober, be vigilant for the devil, your adversary walketh about seeking whom he may devour.” When the righteous people are weary evil lurks in every corner.

The adjective vigilant means watchful, or alert and attentive to danger or trouble. It appears that the LORD has shown Jeremiah that his rod has bloomed like Aaron’s did; and what Jeremiah puts his hand to do will be blessed of God – because here, the rod of the almond tree means to awaken and be ready to do whatever God has for him to do.

It could also mean that God is ready to release His judgment, as a rod, is also an instrument of punishment, the rod of the almond may be intended here as the symbol of that punishment which the prophet was about to announce.

What was about to be fulfilled at that moment, was the 2nd thing Jeremiah saw which was a boiling pot facing away from the North.

Judgment was about to be poured out on Israel and as we are spiritual Israel judgment begins at the house of God……1 Peter 4:17

 

SHAQED means: the almond tree or nut; as being the earliest in bloom.

SHAQAD is a primitive root that also means: to be alert, sleepless; to be on the lookout, remain, wake, awake, watch for, be alert, wait.

The Greek words: GREGOREUO [gray-gor-yoo-o], means: keep awake, watch, be vigilant.

שקד shaked, from שקד shakad, to be ready, to hasten, to watch for an opportunity to do a thing, to awake; because the almond tree is the first to flower and bring forth fruit.

(Repetition in this post is on purpose we need to pay attention and remember its’ meaning as it is so pertinent to our current season).

It blossoms in January, when other trees are locked up in their winter’s repose; and it bears fruit in March, just at the commencement of spring, when other trees only begin to bud.

It was here the symbol was given with which God was about to fulfill His promises.

Surely the Lord GOD will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets. Amos 3:7. As He also did with Abraham Gen.18:17.

(The word מקל, (makkel,) though ordinarily meaning rod, is here used in the sense of shoot or twig.)

Almond Trees in bloom meant to look forward with certainty to happiness in the married state. Spiritually the meaning for us is:

Winter is going to end..

Suddenly and

maybe out of season

then

The King will say:

“Arise, my darling,
    my beautiful one, come with me.
See! The winter is past;
    the rains are over and gone.
Flowers appear on the earth;
    the season of singing has come,
the cooing of doves
    is heard in our land.
The fig tree forms its early fruit;
    the blossoming vines spread their fragrance.
Arise, come, my darling;
    my beautiful one, come with me.”  Song of Songs 2:10-13.

Are we diligently looking for our spiritual Bridegroom?

 

The Bridegroom IS returning for His Bride.

Here it seems, is the most significant part of this post.

The message was not just for Jeremiah it was prophetic …..then, and it’s as true and as sobering today.

It is extremely important and could be said to have an urgency to it.

If that is correct, then it needs to be understood by all at this hour in which we are serving our Messiah Jesus/Yeshua. Perceiving the seriousness of our times is our responsibility and it behooves us to pay attention, according to His words, which were repeated many times, both in the Gospels and in those of the other New Testament writers. Mark 13:33 Matt 24:36 Luke 21:36 etc.

 Watch means to stay wide awake. When the New Testament commands us to watch, it is usually the translation of one of two Greek words (gregoreuo and agrupneo), which have similar meanings—to stay awake and to be sleepless. They are usually meant in the metaphorical and spiritual sense – to be vigilant and on guard, fully awake, aware, alert and intently focused – with several applications and implications.

An intense watching over.

Eph 5:14.  Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.

1Peter 5:8. Be sober, be vigilant

Be watchful – Stay alert.

The adversary is poised to pounce, and would like nothing better than to catch us napping.

Keep your guard up.

We are not the only ones plunged into these hard times. It’s the same with Christians/Believers all over the world. So keep a firm grip on the faith, the suffering won’t last forever and not beyond what we are able to endure. 1Cor.10:13

Blessed are those slaves whom the master will find on the ALERT when He comes; is also referring to the 10 virgins parable.

The meaning of the almond tree, therefore, is that God in heaven watches a sinful nation walking away from Him and declares it will have consequences. His message to humanity today is still the same: God is watching!

He will watch over His word either for curse or for blessing.

When sin and immorality engulf nations and even penetrate the Ecclesia/Church, we should remember: God is watching!

When nations assail Israel and seek to divide her land, we can be sure: God is watching!

Still, the message of the almond does carry a strong encouragement. Jeremiah also foresees a miraculous restoration for Israel.

“And it shall come to pass, that as I have watched over them, to destroy, and to afflict… so will I watch over them, to build, and to plant, says the Lord.” (Jeremiah 31:28)

If we decide to consecrate our lives to God, then He promises to watch over us for good. Even with our weaknesses and frailties, His eyes are always upon us!

Jeremiah saw a BRANCH

Yeshua Jesus Messiah

is the Branch

and we are grafted in.

Recall the shapes in the design of the Menorahs branches,

which reminds the onlooker of a flowering tree of life.

The same Tree of Life in Beresheet/Genesis, Eden and in Revelation/New Jerusalem/Shamayim.

The bowls

גְ֠בִעִים

ḡə-ḇi-‘îm

[shall be] made like almond [blossoms]

מְֽשֻׁקָּדִ֞ים

mə-šuq-qā-ḏîm

blossom bloom pricha פְּרִיחָה

blossoms blooms prichot פְּרִיחוֹת

on branch

בַּקָּנֶ֣ה
baq-qā-neh

[with] an [ornamental] knob

כַּפְתֹּ֣ר
kap̄-tōr

וָפֶרַח֒

wā-p̄e-raḥ

and a flower

On each of the six side arms were 3 golden almond blossoms and together with the 4 on the center shaft, there were exactly 22 almond blossoms. Between the 22 flowers, there are 21 connections. From the lowest flower to the top flower on the shaft to the 6 lamps, there are 3×8+3=27 connections, and together with the highest connection from the top flower on the shaft to the middle lamp, there are a total of 28 (4×7) connections. Together they are 50 parts + 7 lamps.

God paid attention to the details from the very beginning; for He commanded that every single almond blossom on the Menorah should consist of 3 parts, namely, the cups, buds and blossoms (petals).

(3 parts yet still one! each coming forth from the other in progression and connected – needing each other in order to do what they were created to do!)

Together they are 3 x 22=66 single flower parts.

Seven branches and 7 lamps

נִיר

ner – lamp: pronounced neer.

Kanim: plural from qaneh. Strongs: 7070 prononced: kaw-neh

קָנֶה

The Menorah had 7 lamps 1 lamp on top of the middle stem and 1 on top of each of the other 6 branches. Each lamp was made of the same gold used to form the rest of the menorah. The lamps were boat shaped with pointed ends that faced the center lamp.

(The picture below is the correct orientation of the wicks.)

The center of the lamps resembles a basin. Each lamp had a cover on it with a hole in the middle for the oil. (see picture in part 2)

The wicks were positioned by either bending them towards the center or by clamping them down between the bowl and the cover.

They were lit daily from right to left. (Same direction as the Hebrew language is read and Messiah sits on the right.)

פְּרָחִים flowers perachim

פֶּרַח flower perach

Nine flower blooms these were ornamental parts to beautify the menorah. According to historical documents the flowers was similar to roses.

Not as the western roses rather more like the Dog rose. 

They were fashioned at the top of each branch just before the lamps. The other two flowers were on the main stem and included one at the base of the menorah. The sages connect the flowers with the book of Leviticus because which begins with 9 words.

כַּפְתֹּרִֽים plural

kaf-to-ree’m

literal meaning: descendants

11 fruits

These were the decorations that extended from the shaft and the branches at the top just before the lamps. The branches extended outward from the top of the three fruits on the main stem, and also appeared at the top of each branch, shaped like apples. They are sometimes likened to the buds/flowers, that develop into fruit.

All of the fruits had almond decorations engraved on them.

The sages connect the buds with the book of Exodus where the first verse begins with 11 words.

22 cups

גְּבִיעַ

a cup – gabia  

Phonetic Spelling: gheb-ee’-ah

The flower cups or goblets that resembled almond buds were really chalice like containers used to hold large quantities of liquid. They are likened to stems that supply the liquid for the blossoms and fruit of a tree. 3 cups were located at the top of each branch and an extra cup located lower on the main stem.

Note: There are so many variations of the design! However the illustrations included are to help our understanding of the spiritual meaning God was conveying to us through the Menorah.

There are 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet, which are considered the building blocks used in divine revelation; and have been assigned to the design elements of the Menorah.

The sages connect the flower cups with the book of Deuteronomy where the first verse begins with 22 words.

טֹ֖פַח Handbreadth

to’-fakh – tophach

(add im, for plural.)

This refers to the height of the Menorah. The first 3 tefachim were the base itself.

The other elements the cups, buds and flowers were then placed up the tree.

The sages connect the height of the Menorah with the book of Numbers where the first verse begins with 17 words.

One base (i.e., yarech: יָרֵךְ) with three legs.

(see picture further down)

Strongs #3409

yaw-rake 

יָרֵךְ

The base was either square or rectangular in shape and was made of pure hammered gold.

The Brown-Driver-Briggs’ Definition of this word gives some further insight that out of the side of Messiah came the church
1) thigh, side, loin, base

1a) thigh

1a1) outside of thigh (where sword was worn)

1a2) loins (as the seat of procreative power)

1b) side (flank) (of object)

1c) base

Just as God exclusively chose Aaron to minister before Him, Jesus/Yeshua, was the One exclusively chosen to be the great High Priest of the re-newed covenant. Heb 5:4

And just as Aaron’s lifeless rod miraculously brought forth life, Jesus/Yeshua’s cross which was also made of wood resulted in buds and blossoms of new life following His resurrection. He went into the sanctuary made without hands and there offered His blood for the everlasting atonement.

אַהֲרוֹן   Aaron Aharon (a-har-one’) 4294

מַטֶּה matteh or mattah  (mat-teh’)

a staff, rod, shaft, branch, a tribe.

Aaron’s rod, was a picture of God’s authority of judgment, just as the Messiah cross and resurrection justifies Gods exclusive choice of Jesus/Yeshua, who is the Lord our Righteousness.

The light from the Menorah was a spiritual light. It was not seen from the outside of the Mishkan in the wilderness, but only while inside the holy chamber. It enabled service to God to be performed and was not light used for profane purposes.

The six lamps faced the Central lamp which is a picture of Jesus/Yeshua; the light of the world, whose arms and legs were beaten /hammered for our sins.

The Shamash.

He is the light of the world – the servant lamp, the suffering servant who brings light to everyone in the world. The central shaft held the light of the servant lamp and served as a base for the other branches.

The Menorahs radiance symbolized divine light and this light is the radiance of Jesus/Yeshua. 1John 1:5; John 8:12.

Messiah is pictured in the Menorah as the tree of light/life and the servant of the Lord, the light of life and the One who is likened to pure beaten/ hammered gold. He provides us with support, sustenance and light from the oil of the Holy Spirit, therefore our lives grow out of our connection and relationship with Him.

He is the light of the Lord. Psalm 27:1. He is the Shamash who comes down to ignite the light of life within all who will believe. For the one who has the Son has life.

One Menorah. Exodus 25:36, 26:6. The Torah is made up of five separate books but it is one. Similarly, the children of Israel were divided into priests, Kohanim, Levites and Israelites; put together they form one nation.

The Menorah was to be made by hammering the single piece of solid gold into one shape.

The word translated hammered or beaten comes from the Hebrew word meaning difficult.

Strong’s Hebrew: 4749. מִקְשָׁה (miqshah מִקְשָׁה

Strong’s Hebrew: 7186 קָשֶׁה qasheh (kaw-sheh’)

One commentary says that the pattern and method for making the menorah was difficult for Moses to understand.

Strongs #8403

תַּבְנִית tabnith  (tab-neeth’)
Definition: construction, pattern, figure

Because of this, he was to give the task of constructing it to Betzalel – (the carpenter from the tribe of Judah!)

Another image of hammered or beaten gold suggests that it is shaped and refined through testing and pressure.

The Menorah symbolizes light, growth, unity, the tree of life and the unity of Torah. All its parts were formed from a single piece of pure gold that was beaten and hammered into shape. Exodus 25:36

This is a symbol of the divine substance as Gold has a hint of the color of blood combined with the pure white.

The Menorah sat on a three legged base which was an allusion to the hashilush ha kodesh – His triune nature, which is the root of all reality. Just as the many parts of the Mishkan were put together to form one tabernacle so the many parts of the Menorah would likewise fashion to form one lampstand. Jesus/Yeshua taught that there would be one flock from both Jews and Gentiles – one new man having one shepherd. John 10:16

Messiah Jesus/Yeshua did not command us to become Jewish or to observe Talmudic Laws. The word law being: instruction, direction, describing our boundaries and guide to life which is contained in the 10 commandments. Jesus/Yeshua reiterated these in Mark 12:31 and includes loving your neighbor as yourself; which is from Leviticus 19:18 – ‘You shall not take vengeance, nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself; I am the LORD.

It would seem that the only newly stated law we are connected to is the law of the spirit of life in Jesus/Yeshua.

Romans 8:2

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: 4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Haronem

H r n m

menorah 

מְנוֹרָה    

The Hebrew word Menorah has a simple meaning of lamp.

The pictographs could read: Behold the Headperson  nailed/pegged, brings life from chaos/water.

מְנוֹרָה seven-lamp (six branches)

The lamp stand in today’s synagogues, called the ner tamid (lit. the continual lamp; usually translated as the eternal flame), symbolized by the Menorah.

Verse 37: 7 places for the oil. The receptors for the wicks were 7, in center the servant branch. The wicks placed a certain way on each side so that the 3 wicks pointed to the center, to the servant candle in the middle. This one in the center the servant candle was always lit and always burned.

The hatavah – the cleaning and replenishing of the oil lamps and the replacing of the wicks – There were 3 steps for the priests to stand on to maintain the wicks; and oil every day new oil fresh oil, as yesterdays oil was not appropriate for today, it was replaced daily.

Pattern, a word used often in the scriptures and Jesus/Yeshua is our pattern; and we can see that pattern in the Menorah also.

Pure beaten oil for the lamp. Not candle wax or other oil to burn with. Olive oil burns with a bright light and little smoke, so it had to be clear and pure. In everyday families homes, the best oil was used daily for eating and lesser oil for burning for light, but only the best was used in the tabernacle. The small Ceramic lamps were for home use.

Focus was on the main servant light, at no time there was no light on the menorah.

From evening until morning, sundown to sunup.

The Holy Place was always illuminated by the light of the Menorah; from within.

So too, the Holy Place, the abode of Gods’ Holy Spirit is within – our life, and we should always be illuminated with His glorious light as He indwells us by His spirit. The only source of light and nourishment (table of shewbread) was in the Holy Place: our nourishment comes from within. He is the Bread of Life.

The darkest hours were given light from all the combined lamps. The darker it is, the brighter the light appears.

Wick פְּתִילָה ptila

When wicks were needed they came from the priests white linen garments, which were recycled when too old or torn to be worn. Cut into strips and woven together, these fed the oil to the flame.

The old garments were also used as swaddling clothes for the newborn!

Above picture: The illustration shows the western lamp as the source of the flame of all six of the other lamps. Far right: The kohen is holding the lit wick of the western lamp on the right, and directing it toward the unlit wick of the lamp that is positioned adjacent to it on the Menorah. The same procedure was then repeated, extending the flame of the 2nd lamp to the wick of the 3rd lamp and in this way all 7 lamps were kindled.

A recent 2018 reassessment of artifacts in hitherto unpublished report of 1930s excavations, relating to a discovery in the Negev desert town of Shivta in the 1930s; yielded a very rare 1500-year-old flax lamp wick. Above: the Byzantine-period flax wick and its copper casing.

Without the priestly connection there would be no flame for the temple lamps.

Yeshua/Jesus is our High Priest. Walking in His Ways produces light in our lives.

The extra oil will be needed for the bride to enter the bridal chamber when her bridegroom returns.

The real question is not

where is the Menorah

but

WHO is the representation?  

The source of fire for all seven of the Menorah lamps is the – נר המערבי – western lamp. Jesus/Yeshua is the light of the world and this light will never go out nor can it be extinguished.

The Menorah – Why do we have it?

Heb. 9:24 tells us the earthly sanctuary is a type of the heavenly sanctuary –

the earthly are copies of the true,

the real.

For Christ has entered, not into holy places made with hands, which are copies of the true things, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God on our behalf. Berean Study Bible 

Hebrews 9:23 So it was necessary for the copies of the heavenly things to be purified with these sacrifices, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. Hebrews 10:1 For the law is only a shadow of the good things to come, not the realities themselves.

God gave us a hint, a shadow of what He was about to do and when

Jesus/Yeshua was about to come.

The Menorah not only speaks of the light of the world but about also the resurrection of Jesus/Yeshua and the first fruit; as in the almond blossom on the Menorah, the first to bloom.

Where is the real Menorah? According to historians, many treasures were stored in the Vatican basement.

St. Peter Basilica Vatican

The important thing is…

not where is it but,

Who is the menorah?

The Menorah symbolizes Jesus/Yeshua: He is the light of the world, because He is the love of the Father in person, the Word and the Savior.

The Holy Spirit/Ruach HaKodesh, without the oil, there is no light and no illumination.

The Bible/Word: 7 parts, 49 scrolls with 66/70 books = the Word of God = the light in this dark world.

The Book of Life/Chaim: eternal life (Rev. 3:5, 20:12-15), and it is to be our way of life, as a light in this world (Mt. 5:13-16)

The Menorah is not a normal lampstand; it is a miracle, just as the Bible itself is also a miracle.

Let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of JESUS CHRIST… this man stands here before you whole… Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:10-12).

In the beginning was the WORD, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the LIGHT of all mankind. The LIGHT shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God whose name was John. He came as a witness to testify concerning that LIGHT, so that through him all might believe.

He himself was not the LIGHT; He came only as a witness to the LIGHT. The true LIGHT that gives LIGHT to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. The WORD became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:1-14).

I am the LIGHT of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the LIGHT of life (John 8:12).

I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me (John 14:6).

And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work (Rev 22:12).

 So why did God choose an almond tree to show how His Word will come to pass?

In Israel, because as we have found out, the Almond tree is one of the earliest to bloom and actually blossoms in late winter.

The process from the BRANCH growing and ready to yield fruit takes two years but from this point,

literally overnight,

a beautiful white flower appears.

In fact, it happens so quickly sometimes the blossoms will form even before its leaves grow.

After a long wait the tree SUDDENLY blossoms.

In Jeremiah 1:11-12, the prophet Jeremiah talks to God, who uses the symbol of the almond branch to suggest He is watching the Israelites to see that they follow His Word. 

It is a symbol of new beginnings and God’s watchfulness,

To the Hebrews the almond-tree was the symbol of a new life. It is at the foot of an almond-tree (luz) that access can be obtained to the mysterious city of Luz, It is also the name of the town close to which Jacob/Israel, had his vision and which he named Beith-el, or House of God.

The connection between the almond-tree and heaven, indicates that the idea of immortality may be explained yet again by the symbolism of the almond – also called luz. לוז

more at:
https://www.minimannamoments.com/i-will-put-my-name-part-2/

The almond tree symbolizes:

a quick budding out of season

and why The Lord uses almonds in scripture to relay the message that:

He is watching over His Word to HASTILY perform it.

We are in a season where God is watching faithfully over His word and bringing it to pass in an accelerated time!

Because the almond tree not only blossoms very quickly, but it also blossoms during the winter while all the other tree and herbs are waiting (sleeping), for the next season. His reference to it at this hour, indicates that we are in a season where God is not waiting for the perfect conditions to bring His word to pass, but He is making it come to pass during the off season!

The season when no one is looking for anything, the season where everything is supposed to be hibernating, and in slumber, when everything is not aware.

The season of awakening, of quickening is happening while everyone is asleep. He is waking up the ecclesia/’church’, during the season of slumber, and He is doing it quickly.

Summary for original question 2:

What is the connection between Almonds and olive oil with Messiah and lampstands?

 

The connection to the Menorah and Almonds: Almond tree first to bud, bloom and yield fruit. He is the first fruit resurrected. Death to life.

Aarons staff/rod: proclaimed him the one chosen to be high priest.

Jesus/Yeshua is the good Shepherd from Ps. 23 and John 10:11.

Jesus/Yeshua is the high priest. (See Psalm 2:7, Psalm 110:4 and Hebrews 5:5.)

Jesus/Yeshua is the light of the world, the light of the holy place.

He was there in Genesis 1:1 the Alef and Tav written in the middle of the first verse. (See chart depicting this in last post).

He is the light of the Holy of Holies where the ark of the covenant is and in which was placed the Staff/Almond Rod of Aaron.

He is the servant, the Shamash, the Center candle of the Menorah.

Jesus/Yeshua is the Branch; the tree of life; the Olive tree, the one to whom we are grafted in, and whose oil (spirit), filled the almond shaped lamps of the Menorah.

One final and very timely reference is that of Jeremiah who interestingly enough also found himself at the bottom of a well…looking UP for his redemption!

https://www.minimannamoments.com/well-well-now-eye-see/

Shaqad – ready to perform my Word.

Everything is in Gods timing.

What do we see?

God is even now fulfilling His prophetic Word.

Next time we look at an almond, remember the Menorah, the Messiah and the Word/ Jesus/Yeshua Himself.

He is about to perform, to do.

The almond staff of the high priest who is also the good Shepherd, the symbol of new resurrection life were placed in the box/ark, under the kapporet – under the blood -in the holy of holies!

What do we see?

Now we are His ark in the earth.

The container of His Ruach/Spirit.

His life is in us.

His is light is in us, and the oil for the almond Menorah lamps is in us by His indwelling, the Ruach HaKodesh. It is up to us to allow Jesus/Yeshua, our High Priest, to daily trim our wicks and give us fresh olive oil every morning with His daily mercies.

And we have become the Shamash light, serving others and kindling light into the lives of those around us in the world who are still in a great darkness; and also to be encouraging to those who have seen the light but who need reminding who’s we are and whom we serve.

What do we see?

He is about to perform His Word. Fulfillment of our ultimate destiny is at hand. His plan will be performed in His time.

Be alert – Be watchful.

We live in unprecedented times and prophecy is unfolding even as we read this. Matt 24:33 Look up redemption draws near.

Remember the almond and be ready.

Shaqad!

The King is coming and this time, not as a suffering servant but as judge and King, sovereign over all.

The sign of the almond tree and the Menorah is warning those watching to stay alert and Be Ready…

Bride Be Ready!

1 Peter 4:7
But the end of all things is at hand: be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer.

The almond tree represents the sure timing of the Lord, just as certain as spring will follow winter, Gods’ Word will come true. He watches diligently over it. His promises, purposes and judgments are all fulfilled, whether we believe it or not.

Minimannapropheticmoment:

God is releasing the ability to see the things of the Spirit/Ruach with the eyes of our faith.

How many are waiting for their suddenly, and their breakthroughs? For everyone who is waiting for their fulfillment of a Word given by God. Know for certain that He is diligently watching over His word to you, making sure to fulfill it.

Take this Word to heart.

This Almond tree is a picture of strength and endurance. Why? Because although this flower looks fragile and delicate, it can withstand harsh winter winds and rain.

James 1:2-4 Consider it all a joy, my brethren when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance, and let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

The almond tree blossom heralds the soon arrival of spring. In the Spirit, many find ourselves toward the end of a very long winter. Well, hold on because (spiritual) spring is coming and your sudden breakthrough of God’s word is about to blossom and bear fruit.

Remember the Almond

For our part, we are to be alert …so…

what do YOU see?

Be watchful and know what is happening around you and don’t be casual with the things of God and we won’t become casualties, spiritual or otherwise.

For those with eyes to see whose spiritual heart is sensitive to the times in which we are living, it is clear that the days are moving us quickly to a time prophesied in the word by Jesus Himself. The signs of the end of this age are all around us and are rapidly increasing the birth pangs are getting closer together and we are instructed to be ready to be spiritually alert.

We must be prepared, we must have our lamps filled with oil, just as the high priest filled the oil of the temple menorah daily, so that when he lit the lampstand it gave light into the sanctuary and then shone forth from the kaporet /mercy seat, out through the windows to the world outside.

We are to daily invite the ruach of our high priest Jesus/Yeshua to fill our sanctuary, our spirit, soul and bodies, with the oil that will in turn give forth light when lit by the holy set apart fire of His spirit. Then we will be the light of the world as He was and that He said we would be.

We are crucified with Christ, the tree of resurrection life has made place for us to be grafted in branches as typified in the almond tree and the menorah.

So the connection is:

Almonds that were on the Menorah decoration had great meaning and a double inference to watching.

The tree was the source of the rod that budded and declared the confirming of the Aaronic priesthood and of death to life in resurrection.

The staff that budded was kept in the ark/box the dwelling place of God. His throne, the place of His presence; of heaven on the earth at that time.

Look up for our redemption draws nigh. Meaning, we are not yet fully completed and must endure to the end. Look up to Him. 

For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.

Revelation 19:10

When the angel tells John that:

 the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy;

he saying that the prophecy is giving glory to Jesus/Yeshua. 

The Spirit of Prophecy Points Back to God, the Spirit of prophecy has and always will point man to the goodness of God towards man and also the good news that Messiah paid the price for our sins on the Cross because the Spirit of Yeshua/Jesus has, and will always, bring reconciliation for man to the Father.

The Menorah/Lampstands of Revelation refer to the Ecclesia, the called out ones, the congregation of believers.

It’s time to stop playing, we need to focus on the gospel of the kingdom.

We’ll know we’re following the laws of the ReNewed Covenant when everything we do, say, or think,

(like the flames on the Menorah),

points to The Shamesh; in other words, TO Yeshua/ Jesus, giving Him all the honor, all the praise, and all the glory. When we are occupied only with how much we are loved by our wonderful Savior, and are enveloped by what He did for us, we will not even be conscious of the fact that we are following and obeying His commandments.

Shalom Shalom ‘Mishpachah’ ‘Family’!

Please don’t leave this page until you are certain He is the Light of your life.

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

You are greatly loved and precious in His sight.

NOT SURE?

YOU CAN BE..

SAY THE FOLLOWING FROM YOUR HEART RIGHT NOW…

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

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