Bamidbar (The Wilderness) Journey to the Promised Land

Shalom Kol Yisrael,

I have wrestled with Yah as to what He would have me write this week. I take the utmost care to write what comes from Him and not from myself. We are living in the day where it is very important to hear His voice. Last week, we saw how the Father speaks to us in a still small voice. This week we will learn that we cannot get to Yisrael, the Land of Promise, until we pass through the wilderness (Heb. Bamidbar).

The Wilderness

So often when we think of the wilderness, we think of the good aspects. Our clothes never wear out. We have abundant food and water. We have a cloud by day and pillar of fire by night. But, we forget that the wilderness is full of contention and strife. Pride and arrogance were rampant in the wilderness. Is it any different today? Living in the diaspora should we expect anything different?

Through Gilgal to Yisrael

Just like our ancient forefathers we must pass through Gilgal to receive our inheritance. Gilgal is the place of cutting away of the flesh.

Yehoshua (Joshua) 5: 2 At that time YHWH said to Yehoshua, “Make knives of flint for yourself, and circumcise the sons of Yisra’el again the second time.” 3 So Yehoshua made knives of flint for himself, and circumcised the sons of Yisra’el at the Hill of Foreskins. 4 And this is why Yehoshua circumcised them: All the people who came out of Mitsrayim who were males, all the men of battle, had died in the wilderness on the way, after they had come out of Mitsrayim. 5 For all the people who came out had been circumcised, but all the people who were born in the wilderness on the way as they came out of Mitsrayim had not been circumcised. (Emphases added)

Notice how it is Yehoshua himself that does the circumcision. No one else is involved, Yehoshua circumcized all of the males himself. The cutting away of the flesh can only be performed by "YHWH is salvation" (Hebrew meaning of Yehoshua). Have we layed our lives down upon His altar and allowed our Salvation to set His flint knife to our lives? Are we seeking to justify an indulgent life or are we asking Him to cut away the self-indulgent attitudes that separate ourselves from Him?

If we truly allow Him to take His flint knife to our lives, we will understand the meaning of Gilgal. For Yehoshua further writes in verse 9, And YHWH said to Yehoshua, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Mitsrayim from you.” So the name of the place is called Gilgal to this day. Are we still experiencing the disgrace and the shame of Mitsrayim (Egypt)? Are we allowing ourselves to still be enslaved by others? Has our Salvation become our only King? For Scriputure says you can only have one master. “No one is able to serve two masters, for either he shall hate the one and love the other, or else he shall cleave to the one and despise the other. You are not able to serve Elohim and mammon." (Matthew 6:24)

Entering Our Inheritance Only by Faith

Yehoshua 3:6 And Yehoshua spoke to the priests, saying, “Take up the ark of the covenant and pass over before the people.” So they took up the ark of the covenant and went before the people. 7 And YHWH said to Yehoshua, “This day I begin to make you great before the eyes of all Yisra’el, so that they know that I am with you as I was with Mosheh. 8 “And you, command the priests who bear the ark of the covenant, saying, ‘When you come to the edge of the water of the Yarden, stand in the Yarden.’ ” 9 And Yehoshua said to the children of Yisra’el, “Come near, and hear the words of YHWH your Elohim.” 10 And Yehoshua said, “By this you shall know that the living El is in your midst, and that He is certainly driving out from before you the Kenaanites and the Hittites and the Hivvites and the Perizzites and the Girgashites and the Amorites and the Yebusites: 11 “See, the ark of the covenant of the Master of all the earth is passing over before you into the Yarden. 12 “And now, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Yisra’el, one man from every tribe. 13 “And it shall be, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests who bear the ark of YHWH, the Master of all the earth, come to rest in the waters of the Yarden, that the waters of the Yarden are cut off, the waters that come down from upstream, and stand as a heap.” 14 And it came to be, when the people set out from their tents to pass over the Yarden, with the priests bearing the ark of the covenant before the people, 15 and as those bearing the ark came to the Yarden, and the feet of the priests bearing the ark dipped in the edge of the water – now the Yarden overflows all its banks during all the time of harvest – 16 that the waters which came down from upstream stood still, and rose in a heap very far away at Adam, the city that is beside Tsarethan. And the waters going down into the Sea of the Arabah, the Salt Sea, were completely cut off. And the people passed over opposite Yericho. 17 And the priests bearing the ark of the covenant of YHWH stood firm on dry ground in the midst of the Yarden. And all Yisra’el passed over on dry ground, until all the nation had completely passed over the Yarden. (Emphases added)

If you read further in this passage you will see that this occurred at the time of Pesach (Passover). The waters at this time would have been the highest and most turbulent. Yisrael would have to express their faith in the Elohim of Avraham, Yitzchak, and Yaacov by stepping into these turbulent waters and standing in the Land of Yisrael. Shall we enter Yisrael by any way other than faith?

Crossing the Yarden to a Holy Inheritance

We fail to realize how precious the Land of Yisrael is to YHWH. There is a holiness to the Land that goes beyond our understanding. The Land is so holy that it will vomit the unrighteous out in due time if they fail to repent.

Vayikra 18:25 ‘Thus the land became defiled, therefore I punished it for its crookedness, and the land vomited out its inhabitants. 26 But you, you shall guard My laws and My right-rulings, and not do any of these abominations, the native nor stranger who sojourns among you, 27 because the men of the land who were before you have done all these abominations, and thus the land became defiled, 28 So let not the land vomit you out for defiling it, as it vomited out the nations that were before you. 29 For whoever does any of these abominations, those beings who do them shall be cut off from among their people.' (Emphases added)

Yehoshua, himself, was confronted with the holiness of the Land of Yisrael.

Yehoshua 5:13 And it came to be, when Yehoshua was by Yericho, that he lifted his eyes and looked and saw a Man standing opposite him with His sword drawn in His hand. And Yehoshua went to Him and said to Him, “Are You for us or for our adversaries?” 14 And He said, “No, for I have now come as Captain of the host of YHWH.” And Yehoshua fell on his face to the earth and did obeisance, and said to Him, “What is my Master saying to His servant?” 15 And the Captain of the host of YHWH said to Yehoshua, “Take your sandal off your foot, for the place where you stand is set-apart.” And Yehoshua did so. (Emphases added)

The Voice of Man Our Destruction

The Captain of the host of YHWH quietly stands with His drawn sword. But, the voice of man clamors for our attention. The voice of man will not fight the fight of faith for in the day of battle the voice of man flees. Trusting in the voice of man leads to our destruction. Yet, our Captain has quietly drawn His sword. If we fall on our faces before Him, He will lead us through every battle.

O Abba, may we humble ourselves under the mighty hand of YHWH. Let us patiently await the day that You and only You exalt us and lead us home out of the wilderness.

Shavua Tov,
--
Tzefanyah Pappas
Chazak Chazak v’nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us strengthen (encourage) one another!

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A Still Small Voice

Shalom Kol Yisrael,

The following verse has always moved me and it happens to be in this week's Haftorah portion for Parasha Pinchas. This letter will be a little different for I would like to share more of my heart with you.

1 Melakim (Kings) 19: 11 And He said, “Go out, and stand on the mountain before YHWH.” And see, YHWH passed by, and a great and strong wind tearing the mountains and breaking the rocks in pieces before YHWH – YHWH was not in the wind. And after the wind an earthquake – YHWH was not in the earthquake, 12 and after the earthquake a fire – YHWH was not in the fire, and after the fire a still small voice. (Emphases added)

We live in the day of big ministries and big revivals. In the West, we are not content with what we have. A culture exists that is counter to being faithful with the little. Yet, YHWH says He is not in this striving. I grew up in a small town and I have always enjoyed and appreciated the simple life. Yet, no matter from what walk of life you are from, the glitz and glamor of religion attempts to snare you and pull you in. I've been there, but now I find myself being pulled away to hear the still small voice of YHWH. I have no longing for the throng.

I am reminded of Tehillim (Psalm) 46: 6 The gentiles shall rage, Reigns shall topple; He shall give forth His voice, The earth melts. 7 YHWH of hosts is with us; The Elohim of Yaaqov is our refuge. Selah. 8 Come, see the works of YHWH, The ruins He has wrought on the earth, 9 Causing all fighting to cease, Unto the end of the earth. He breaks the bow and shatters the spear; He burns the chariot with fire. 10 Be still, and know that I am Elohim; I am exalted among nations, I am exalted in the earth! (Emphases added)

It is in hearing the still small voice of YHWH that Eliyahu (Elijah) saw the truth that he was not alone. He learned that there were yet seven thousand who had not bowed their knee to Baal. Yet, through the activity, the throng that was going on around him, Eliyahu even lost heart. If Eliyahu lost heart I certainly can!! This is where I believe we all need to seek Yah's still small voice. We as Yisrael need to come away to a quiet place so that we can be given YHWH's assurance that He is in charge. He knows the beginning from the end.

May you this week experience the glory and shalom of hearing His still small voice.

Shavua Tov.
--
Tzefanyah Pappas
Chazak Chazak v’nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us
strengthen (encourage) one another!

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Kiss the Son

Shalom Kol Yisrael,

This letter has been delayed since my wife and I spent a refreshing long 4th of July weekend away enjoying the west coast of Florida.  

I would like to share with you what Abba was showing me in a discussion I had with my wife on Shabbat, July 5th, for the Torah portion Chukat. 

These opening verses were the basis for our discussion:

Bamidbar (Numbers) 20: 2 Now there was no water for the congregation and they assembled against Mosheh and against Aharon. 3 And the people contended with Mosheh and spoke, saying, “If only we had died when our brothers died before YHWH!" “Why have you brought up the assembly of YHWH into this wilderness, that we and our livestock should die here? 5 “And why have you brought us up out of Mitsrayim, to bring us to this evil place? – not a place of grain or figs or vines or pomegranates, and there is no water to drink.” 6 Then Mosheh and Aharon went from the presence of the assembly to the door of the Tent of Meeting, and they fell on their faces. And the esteem of YHWH appeared to them. 7 And YHWH spoke to Mosheh, saying, 8 “Take the rod and assemble the congregation, you and your brother Aharon. And you shall speak to the rock before their eyes, and it shall give its water. And you shall bring water for them out of the rock and give drink to the congregation and their livestock.” 9 And Mosheh took the rod from before YHWH as He commanded him. 10 And Mosheh and Aharon assembled the assembly before the rock. And he said to them, “Hear now, you rebels, shall we bring water for you out of this rock?” 11 Then Mosheh lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod. And much water came out, and the congregation and their livestock drank. 12 But YHWH spoke to Mosheh and to Aharon, “Because you did not believe Me, to set Me apart in the eyes of the children of Yisra’el, therefore you do not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them.”  (emphases added)

1 Corinthians 10: 1  For I do not wish you to be ignorant, brothers, that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea, 2 and all were immersed into Mosheh in the cloud and in the sea, 3 and all ate the same spiritual food, 4 and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed, and the Rock was Messiah.  (emphases added)

All of us know that bringing forth water from a rock is a miracle.  Shouldn't every miracle be seen as a deeply spiritual act?   But, Shaul in his letter to the Corinthians even calls the Rock spiritual and refers to the Rock as Messiah.   So what is Shaul attempting to communicate here?

The Rock

Moshe said to the people in Bamidbar 20:10, ".....Hear now, you rebels, shall we bring water for you out of this rock?”  It is as if Moshe did not believe that YHWH could provide a miracle for such a rebellious people.   Shaul implies that by Moshe striking the Rock, he was actually striking Messiah Himself!  Because of this incident Moshe and Aharon were not allowed to enter the Promised Land, Eretz Yisrael.  Here, we see that Aharon is his brother's keeper and was responsible to correct Moshe and show him the right way.  Bamidbar 20:24 shows the consequence,  “Aharon is to be gathered to his people, for he is not to enter the land which I have given to the children of Yisra’el, because you rebelled against My mouth at the water of Meribah."

The Water of Meribah

The water of Meribah first appears in Shemot (Exodus) 17:7 where Moshe at that time was instructed to strike the rock.  Incidentally, Messiah, when He first came was struck, but when He comes again, He shall not stuck.  Is this not playing out to be a prophetic scenario of our future redemption?

Meribah was a place of contention and strife and thus the name which implies a place of quarreling, provocation, or strife.  But, Yisrael found themselves again in this place.   The second time proves to be a place filled with contention that Moshe couldn't even endure.  Yet, we are called to endure the hardships of the wilderness.  As it says in Hebrews 3: 14 For we have become partakers of Messiah if we hold fast the beginning of our trust firm to the end, 15 while it is said, “Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.” 16 For who, having heard, rebelled? Was it not all who came out of Mitsrayim, led by Mosheh? 17 And with whom was He grieved forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose corpses fell in the wilderness? 18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter into His rest, but to those who did not obey?


Kiss the Son

Shall we allow circumstances to dictate our behavior?   Do we understand the greatness of our calling in Messiah Y'shua?  How shall we treat the Son?    The Psalmist also alludes to this treatment in Tehillim (Psalm) 2: 11 "Kiss the Son, lest He be enraged, And you perish in the way, For soon His wrath is to be kindled. Blessed are all those taking refuge in Him."

A Warning for Us In These Last Days

Messiah Y'shua is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.  We all may know someone personally who left Messiah in their pursuit of Torah "Truth".    If we choose any other method to deal with sin or seek any other shepherd to lead us in the great redemption and in-gathering of all of Yisrael's exiles, are we striking the Son?  Are we striking the Rock?   Shall we only see Eretz Yisrael from a distance and not enter as Moshe?  May it not be so Abba, may it not be so.  Let us Kiss the Son!

Shavua Tov,
--
Tzefanyah Pappas
Chazak Chazak v’nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us strengthen (encourage) one another!

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Overlord or Overseer - 1 Kefa (Peter) 5

Shalom Kol Yisrael,

Recently a brother shared with me from 1 Kefa 5.  I was moved by the Ruach to share with you some of the insights Abba was showing me.

Biblical Understanding of An Overseer

1 Kefa 5: Therefore, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Messiah, and also a sharer of the esteem that is to be revealed, I appeal to the elders among you: 2 Shepherd the flock of Elohim which is among you, serving as overseers, not by compulsion but voluntarily, not out of greed for filthy gain, but eagerly, 3 neither as being masters over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock.  (Emphases added)

I will have to admit that whenever I hear the word "overseer" it conjures up images and scenes of slave masters in Alex Haley's book and miniseries "Roots".  But, in this passage, we are confronted with a very different overseer.  The Biblical example does not demonstrate a heavy handedness nor an attitude of "always being right".  This overseer in YHWH's kingdom is compelled voluntarily not to rule the flock, but to be an example to the flock.   That takes humility! 

Kefa further writes, "And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you shall receive the never-fading crown of esteem. 5 In the same way, you younger ones, be subject to elders. And gird yourselves with humility toward one another, for “Elohim resists the proud, but gives favor to the humble.” 6 Humble yourselves, then, under the mighty hand of Elohim, so that He exalts you in due time, 7 casting all your worry upon Him, for He is concerned about you. (Emphases added)

Here the elders are not speaking to the younger ones, "Submit to me."  But, their righteous example compels the young ones to follow the same example.  Most of us at one time or another have been extremely impatient with YHWH.  We want to have it all figured out.   In addition, we make decisions based on this impatience, while in the end if we had waited we would have experienced an "exaltation in due time".

The Overlords of Korah

This past Torah Parashah is a great example of what Kefa is speaking about.  Here we see the rebellion of the sons of Korah.  Incidentally, the Hebrew root for Korah from Strong's concordance says, "from the root qarach to depilate; make (self) bald".  Let's look at those verses in Bamidbar (Numbers) 16:

1 And Korah, son of Yitshar, son of Qehath, son of Levi, took both Dathan and Abiram the sons of Eliyav, and On, son of Peleth, sons of Re’uven, 2 and they rose up before Mosheh with some of the children of Yisra’el, two hundred and fifty leaders of the congregation, called ones of the meeting, men of name. 3 And they assembled against Mosheh and against Aharon, and said to them, “Enough of you! For all the congregation is set-apart, all of them, and YHWH is in their midst. Why then do you lift up yourselves above the assembly of YHWH?” 4 And when Mosheh heard, he fell on his face, 5 and spoke to Korah and all his company, saying, “Tomorrow morning YHWH shall make known who is His and who is set-apart, and bring him near to Him. And let Him bring near to Him the one whom He chooses."  (emphases added)

What do we know about Moshe and what can we discern from these men?  Bamidbar 12  says this of Moshe, "3 And the man Mosheh was very humble, more than all men who were on the face of the earth."  Yet the sons of Korah were "men of name"; overlords who desired to make a name for themselves and control the flock instead of being living examples of meekness and humble obedience to YHWH like Moshe.

Spirits Warring Against A Biblical Overseer

Toward the end of chapter 5, Kefa finally ends this section with an apropos exhortation, "8 Be sober, watch, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in the belief, knowing that the same hardships are experienced by your brotherhood in the world. 10 And the Elohim of all favor, who called you to His everlasting esteem by Messiah Y'shua, after you have suffered a while, Himself perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To Him be the esteem and the might forever and ever. Amein. (emphases added)

We are at war as I write this letter.  The devil is working every moment to tempt an overseer to become an overlord.  A spiritual war is taking place.  Spirits that seek dominion over you and I are fighting us right now.  And if we fail to discern this we will be consumed by our adversary the devil.  As we resist the devil may we always be reminded that we are not alone.  There are other brothers in this world that are experiencing the same kind of hardships that we are. 

I believe, 1 Kefa 5 is attempting to establish the qualities of a true overseer.  So the question bears asking, "Shall we stand against the spirit of the overlord and shall we desire to walk in a manner described by Kefa's example of an overseer?"  We have a choice. How shall we then choose?

Shavua tov.
--
Tzefanyah Pappas
Chazak Chazak v’nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us
strengthen (encourage) one another!

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By Emunah (Faith) Abraham.....

Shalom Kol Yisrael,

The Hebrew for faith is emunah (alef, mem, nun). The Hebrew conveys a depth to this that English cannot communicate. This specific word is used in Habakkuk 2 (see verse 4):

1 I stand at my watch, and station myself on the watch-tower, and wait to see what He says to me, and what to answer when I am reproved. 2 And YHWH answered me and said, “Write the vision and inscribe it on tablets, so that he who reads it runs. 3 “For the vision is yet for an appointed time, and it speaks of the end, and does not lie. If it lingers, wait for it, for it shall certainly come, it shall not delay. 4 “See, he whose being is not upright in him is puffed up. But the righteous one lives by his steadfastness. (Note: The English word steadfastness is used for the Hebrew emunah.)

A time of reproof is coming and it may be here already. How will we respond? Will we live in emunah as Abraham did?
Hebrews 11: 8 By belief, Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he was about to receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By belief, he sojourned in the land of promise as a stranger, dwelling in tents with Yitshaq and Yaaqov, the heirs with him of the same promise, 10 for he was looking for the city having foundations, whose builder and maker is Elohim. (emphasis added)

Destruction is all around look at the recent earthquake and typhoon in Asia and few years ago the tsunami. Countries like the USA who have been relatively immune from devastation of this magnitude and are now being hit again with flooding along the Mississippi River, while just 3 years ago the Mississippi River delta was ravaged by hurricane Katrina.

Abraham sojourned as a stranger in the land of promise. There was no permanency to his existence. He lived in tents. Today, I believe the people of Yisrael are being reproved for the kind of cities we have put our trust in. Abraham was content with his tent for the city he desired was one built by Elohim. The city built by Elohim will not crumble for it has foundations that will never perish nor fade away.

As our human institutions crumble could it be that Yisrael in the diaspora will have to humble themselves and enter the land of promise as a stranger living in tents like Abraham? I believe the first phase of this journey has begun as Yisrael is learning that it is only emunah that will save us. It is only emunah that will get us through these serious and hard times that are just around the corner. May we always remember that despite our circumstances the joy of YHWH is our strength every day!

Shavua tov,

Tzefanyah Pappas
Chazak Chazak v’nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us
strengthen (encourage) one another!
www.chazakyisrael.blogspot.com

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By the Rivers of Babylon - Part 2 Adversary to Yisrael's Restoration

Shalom Kol Yisrael,

The Ruach has lead me to do a short follow-up to last week's letter. A brother this week reminded me of a song called "By the Rivers of Babylon". This song is from Tehillim (Psalm) 137:

1 By the rivers of Babel, there we sat down and we wept as we remembered Tsiyon. 2 We hung our lyres upon the willows in the midst of it. 3 For there our captors asked us for the words of a song, and our plunderers for rejoicing, saying, “Sing to us a song of Tsiyon!” 4 How could we sing the song of YHWH on foreign soil? 5 If I forget you, O Yerushalayim, let my right hand forget. 6 Let my tongue cleave to my palate, if I do not remember you, if I do not exalt Yerushalayim above my chief joy. 7 Remember O YHWH, against the sons of Edom the day of Yerushalayim, who said, “Lay it bare, lay it bare, to its foundation!” 8 O daughter of Babel, who are to be destroyed, blessed is He who repays you your deed, what you did to us! 9 Blessed is He who shall take and dash your little ones against the rock.

What is Babel or Babylon? Was King David there? Could it be that Babylon is not only a place, but also a way one thinks? Perhaps, this is why King David wrote about it. Babylon means confusion and comes from the Hebrew root balal meaning to mix. Where did all of the people of Babylon who were building the tower go? They were "mixed" into all the world. Consequently, the attitude and the spirit of Nimrod prevails in all the societies of the world. In other words, if you are on foreign soil (i.e. any soil other than Yisrael) you are in Babylon. This spirit of Nimrod wants to be served instead of to serve. As a result, we are taught and programmed to forget our chief joy. The religious institutions of men want to take captive the minds of those who choose to be subservient to it. Their desire is that there would be no memory of Yisrael or Yerushalayim.

In Verse 7 we see the sons of Edom. They desire to wipe out the memory of Yisrael and Yerushalayim. In Hebrew, Edom means red. Sometimes the pictographic meaning of a Paleo Hebrew (Ancient Hebrew text) word can give a greater revelation to a word. Pictographically Edom means "leader of a pathway to chaos".

O Abba, we thank you for Y'shua our Mighty King who leads us in this spiritual war. Strengthen us O Yah that we would never bow down to man. Put away the sons of chaos (Edom) who war against the sons of Yisrael in our midst. May it be that the sons of Yisrael, demonstrate their faith in these last days and that we will never weary to do battle with the spirit of Nimrod as King Y'shua goes before us and YHWH is our rear guard.

Shavua tov,
--
Tzefanyah Pappas
Chazak Chazak v’nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us
strengthen (encourage) one another!
www.chazakyisrael.blogspot.com

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Adversary to Yisrael's Restoration

Shalom Kol Yisrael,

Something a brother shared with me recently struck a chord with my spirit. He said that he and his family are preparing for war spiritually. Now with any war, there is always an enemy. We certainly know that the devil is leading this campaign against the sons of Yisrael, but who is one of the major combatant's in this army?

I believe we must take heed to the spirit of Nimrod. Who was Nimrod? He was the son of Cush, grandson of Ham, great-grandson of Noah, was a Mesopotamian monarch and a mighty hunter before YHWH. He founded cities and was the ruler of the land of Shinar where the tower of Babel was built. This tower was an attempt to reach up into the heavens - YHWH's dwelling place. The people exalted themselves in their building by declaring, "Let us make a name for ourselves." (see Bereshit/Genesis Ch. 10 & 11)

What does his name mean? Dr. David Livingston on his ancientdays.net website says this, "It comes from the Hebrew verb marad, meaning "rebel." Adding an "n" before the "m" it becomes an infinitive construct, "Nimrod." (see Kautzsch 1910: 137 2b; also BDB 1962: 597). The meaning then is "The Rebel." Thus "Nimrod" may not be the character's name at all. It is more likely a derisive term of a type, a representative, of a system that is epitomized in rebellion against the Creator, the one true God." (emphasis added)

Since we are talking about a spirit, we can assume that the spirit of Nimrod could have appeared even before the man Nimrod.   Bereshit 3: 1  And the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which YHWH Elohim had made, and he said to the woman, “Is it true that Elohim has said, ‘Do not eat of every tree of the garden’?” 2 And the woman said to the serpent, “We are to eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden, 3 but of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Elohim has said, ‘Do not eat of it, nor touch it, lest you die.’ ” 4 And the serpent said to the woman, “You shall certainly not die. 5 “For Elohim knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be like Elohim, knowing good and evil.” 6 And the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, and she took of its fruit and ate." (emphasis added)

Rebellion for humanity started in this one rebellious act. Humanity continues to be plagued by the spirit of Nimrod. A system of rebellion was now set in place where men would be the authors of their own destiny. This was the beginning of religion. Religion stands against a relationship with YHWH. Here was the deception: Adam was made in the image and likeness of YHWH and was already like YHWH for YHWH spoke to him personally and instructed him!

We see the spirit of Nimrod arise through Cain as well. Instead of seeking a personal relationship with YHWH, he decided to do what was right in his own eyes. This became a recurrent theme through our history, until the earth became so full of "doing what was right in their own eyes", that Abba preserved the only righteous family, the family of Noach by placing them in an ark.

Then Abba began to lay a foundation through Yisrael's patriarchs. Abraham was a friend of Elohim (Yaacov/James 2:23). Without a Torah scroll he learned the way of YHWH by a personal relationship. " Abraham obeyed My voice and guarded My Charge: My commands, My laws, and My Torot.” (Bereshit 26:5) Thus, it happened for Yitzchak and Yaacov as well. A foundation was laid that a personal relationship with YHWH has to be at the center of everything we say and do. Even Moshe learned from YHWH as a friend.

Abba now desired to express that personal relationship not only through an individual, but through a nation as well, the nation of Yisrael. This personal relationship is expressed in Shemot (Exodus) 19:5, ‘And now, if you diligently obey My voice, and shall guard My covenant, then you shall be My treasured possession above all the peoples – for all the earth is Mine – 6 ‘and you shall be to Me a reign of priests and a set-apart nation.’ Those are the words which you are to speak to the children of Yisrael.” 7 And Mosheh came and called for the elders of the people, and set before them all these words which YHWH commanded him. 8 And all the people answered together and said, “All that YHWH has spoken we shall do.” (emphasis added)

Did Yisrael fulfill this call? No, for the spirit of Nimrod was evident again for the people desired to make a name for themselves. Yisrael wanted religion over a relationship. Shemot 32: 1  And when the people saw that Mosheh was so long in coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aharon, and said to him, “Arise, make us mighty ones who go before us. For this Mosheh, the man who brought us up out of the land of Mitsrayim, we do not know what has become of him.”

Did Yehoshua (Joshua) discern correctly that there was a sound of war in the camp? We see later on an implement of war was used to address the situation, Shemot 32: 27 And he said to them, “Thus said YHWH Elohim of Yisrael: Each one put his sword on his side, pass over to and fro from gate to gate in the camp, and each one slay his brother, and each one his friend, and each one his relative.” 28 And the sons of Levi did according to the word of Mosheh. And about three thousand men of the people fell that day." (emphasis added)

This is the very war we fight against. This is what has plagued Yisrael for thousands of years. Yisrael has sought mediators instead of a direct relationship with YHWH. Many of us even today look to man to tell us what the Word says instead of the very Author of the Word. This is religion. This is the spirit of Nimrod. This is rebellion. Yisrael's hardened heart to a relationship with YHWH was further demonstrated by 10 commandments written on tablets of stone. The very thing that was to be written on the heart was instead written on tablets of stone symbolizing Yisrael's stony heart.

A day is approaching where Yisrael will realize the religious graves that they have dug. Religion does not bring life and therefore religion cannot bring about Yisrael's restoration. Yeheskel (Ezekiel) 37 speaks of this calling forth from the religious institutions of man (the graves). Yeheskel 37: 7 And I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a noise, and there was a rattling. And the bones came together, bone to bone. 8 And I looked and saw sinews and flesh came upon them, and skin covered them, but there was no spirit in them. 9 He then said to me, “Prophesy to the spirit, prophesy, son of man, and you shall say to the spirit, Thus said the Master YHWH, “Come from the four winds, O spirit, and breathe on these slain, so that they live.” ” 10 And I prophesied as He commanded me, and the spirit came into them, and they lived, and stood upon their feet, a very great army. 11 And He said to me, “Son of man, these bones are all the house of Yisrael. See, they say, Our bones are dry, our expectancy has perished, and we ourselves have been cut off! 12 “Therefore prophesy, and you shall say to them, Thus said the Master YHWH, “See, O My people, I am opening your graves, and shall bring you up from your graves, and shall bring you into the land of Yisrael. 13 “And you shall know that I am YHWH, when I open your graves, O My people, and bring you up from your graves." (emphasis added)

O Abba, help us to seek a relationship with you. Turn our hearts of stone to flesh. Cause us to leave the graves of the religious institutions of men and seek your nation Yisrael founded in a personal relationship with Yisrael's King Y'shua and Yisrael's maker YHWH.

Shavua tov.
--
Tzefanyah Pappas
Chazak Chazak v’nitchazek
Let us be strong, let us be strong and let us
strengthen (encourage) one another!

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