Shabbat Sabbath

 

Shalom all

This is a resend of the message sent on Day 4 of Month 12 on the Creator’s Calendar, also known as February 25, 2023 on the Roman Calendar.

This message has been recorded on YouTube and you can listen at the following link.

Today is Day 4 of Month 12 on the Creator’s Calendar, also known as February 25, 2023 on the Roman Calendar.

February is an interesting month because Rome has only allotted 28 days, which is impossible for a lunar month.

February was actually an afterthought. Originally, the Roman Calendar only had 10 months.

In the 700s BCE, the second king of Rome, Nima Pompilius, added January and February to the end of the calendar in order to conform the year to coincide with a solar cycle.

The two new months were both originally 28 days long. At that time, March 1 became New Year’s Day.

The name itself derived from the Roman god Februus, and the accompanying festival of purification leading up to the new year.

Later, in 153 BCE, the beginning of the year was moved to January 1.

Of course, we already discussed the reason for that. Janus is the two headed Roman god who looks into the past, and into the future. He is a god associated with time, portals and transitions.

This is all perfectly normal, and nothing out of the ordinary. Right?

Wrong. It is yet another reminder that we are living in a false and distorted reality deriving from Rome – the Fourth Beast built into the great image whose head is Babylon. (see Daniel 2) While we trace these things to Rome, they all fall under the umbrella of Babylon.

So, we are existing within a Babylonian matrix that blinds the inhabitants of earth from the truth, even when it shines above them as lights in the sky. We need to get “unplugged” and Passover is the perfect time to focus on that.

For instance, while we are nearing the end of February according to Rome, we actually just began Month 12 on the Creator’s calendar when we saw the renewed moon several days ago (February 21, 2023).

What a show it was with Nogah (Venus) and Tzedek (Jupiter) aligned above it. I hope you had an opportunity to see it, and sound the shofar.

The planet Nogah means “bright light” in Hebrew, but the Romans associate it with a fertility goddess.

The planet Tzedek means “righteous,” but the Romans associate it with their chief deity.

Remember that YHWH placed these lights in the heavens for “signs.” Sadly, very few look up these days.

If they do, it is usually for astrology and fortune telling, or they are looking for aliens. Even astronomers insist on ascribing pagan names to new planets and moons. As with the calendar, their purpose is to direct people away from the Creator and an acknowledgment of His Creation.

It’s definitely not easy to get to the truth these days. With all of the information available these days, it is actually easier to distract people. The truth can get lost amidst all the mass of data. Like a needle in a haystack.

Well, that’s the lesson we learn from gold and jewels. Most things of value require effort and digging. Along the way, it is important to pause from our distractions and “look up.”

When Yahushua was warning the “fig tree generation” concerning the judgment that would befall them He stated: “Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Luke 21:28

Last week I talked about the fact that we are in the generation when the punishment over the House of Yisrael has ended.

While much of the world is focused on the Jewish people currently occupying the Covenant Land, our attention should be on the House of Yisrael, not Judah or the Jews.

Judah already had an opportunity to return. They rejected the Messiah, and Yahushua pronounced judgment.

It all played out as Malachi foretold. Consider the last prophetic text in most versions of the Tanak (Old Testament) that literally means “My Messenger” ( Malachi).

“4 Remember the Torah of My servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Yisrael. 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of YHWH comes. 6 And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.” Malachi 4:4-6

This is exactly what happened to Yahudah.

Elijah came in the form of John the Immerser.

In fact, here was the promise given to the priest Zechariah, the father of John, through the Messenger Gabriel.

“13 But the Messenger said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zechariah, for your prayer has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth, 15 for he will be great before YHWH. And he must not drink wine or strong drink, and he will be filled with the Set Apart Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Yisrael to El-YHWH Elohim, 17 and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for YHWH.” Luke 1:13-17

While John is often depicted as a wild man in the desert, he was actually at the heart of a major “revival” that was taking place in preparation for Yahushua.

I place the word “revival” in quotes because it had a much different meaning from how modern Christianity currently views it.

John was preparing people by warning them concerning judgment, and calling them to repentance. That is what prophets primarily do. They warn people and point the way back to YHWH.

John is likened to Elijah because he was sojourner, just like Elijah was a sojourner. He was filled with the same Spirit.

Elijah confronted the foreign gods that had invaded the House of Yisrael through Ahab and Jezebel. John was busy calling out the Herodians and the false religious leaders of his day.

Here is a synopsis of his work from the text of Matthew.

“1 In those days John the Immerser came preaching in the wilderness of Yudea, 2 Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah when he said, The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of YHWH; make his paths straight. 4 Now John wore a garment of camel’s hair and a leather belt around his waist, and his food was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then Jerusalem and all Yudea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, 6 and they were immersed by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” Matthew 3:1-6

People were flocking out into the wilderness to hear his message, and get immersed. Again, notice that he was preparing their hearts. They were confessing and repenting.

We read another account in Mark.

“4 John appeared, immersing in the wilderness and proclaiming a immersion of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. 5 And all the country of Yudea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins.” Mark 1:4-5

This is an actual example of what YHWH would call “revival.”

Repentance, confession, immersion. They were turning back to YHWH and washing away the filth of the world, and religion.

While many were prepared for Yahushua, most did not receive Him. The reason was because they were too immersed in a religion that would eventually become known as Judaism.

John was very blunt about the condition of the religious leaders.

“7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his immersion, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 8 Bear fruit in keeping with repentance. 9 And do not presume to say to yourselves, ‘We have Abraham as our father,’ for I tell you, Elohim is able from these stones to raise up children for Abraham. 10 Even now the axe is laid to the root of the trees. Every tree therefore that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 11 I immerse you with water for repentance, but he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry. He will immerse you with the Set Apart Spirit and fire. 12 His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and gather his wheat into the barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Matthew 3:7-12

It is important to understand that John was calling the religious leaders of that “fig tree generation” a bunch of snakes. Yahushua agreed when He stated: “Serpents, brood of vipers! How can you escape the condemnation of hell?” Matthew 23:33

By characterizing them as serpents, He was going straight back to the deception of the Garden, where man was supposed to bear fruit. Instead, Adam and Hawah [Eve] partook of the forbidden fruit.

So, it all comes down to bearing fruit in keeping with repentance. Yahushua cursed Yahudah, because they forgot the Torah of Moses, and they failed to bear fruit.

He called down judgment upon the land “with a decree of utter destruction,” as foretold by Malachi. Remember when He stated: “You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another that will not be thrown down.” Matthew 24:2

We know that the Yahudim and the religious leaders were observing the Passover. While they may have been circumcised in the flesh, many of their hearts were not circumcised. That is why the message last week was about Making our Preparations with Circumcised Hearts.

The Pharisees were good at outward appearances, but inside they were corrupted.

“25 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you clean the outside of the cup and the plate, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence. 26 You blind Pharisee! First clean the inside of the cup and the plate, that the outside also may be clean. 27 Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs, which outwardly appear beautiful, but within are full of dead people’s bones and all uncleanness. 28 So you also outwardly appear righteous to others, but within you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” Matthew 23:25-28

I’m sure that the Pharisees knew how to throw a heck of a Passover Seder.

The first time my family and I attended a Seder in Jerusalem over 20 years ago, it was conducted by a descendent of the Pharisees. The meal eaten in haste lasted over 5 hours!

That was a real eye-opener for me, and I began to better understand Yahushua’s critiquing of this religious sect.

So, it’s not about the outward show. Rather, it is about what happens on the inside first. We have to prepare the inside, and those preparations will then become visible on the outside.

We have heard a lot about prepping over the last couple decades, since the Y2K scare. While I recommend having a “go bag” ready at your Passover Seder, the most important thing to have prepared is your heart.

Last week I received a question from a sister regarding preparing to leave.

That is a question we all should really think about as we prepare our hearts to celebrate Passover.

Consider how long you have been rehearsing Passover. During that time have you ever really rehearsed it? I mean really rehearsed it?

Be honest now.

Do you have your affairs in order in the event that you will be leaving?

Do you have your Mezuzah on the doorposts of your house, and on your gates as a sign?

Are you eating the meal in haste, or are you treating it like a feast?

Do you have a “go bag” ready at your door?

That is actually a modern-day realization of the directive to eat it “with your belt fastened, your sandals on your feet, and your staff in your hand. And you shall eat it in haste. It is YHWH‘s Passover.” Exodus 12:11

Are you prepared to walk out the door, and never look back?

That is exactly what the Yisraelites had to do.

Yes, they failed many times after that, but how do you think you would do? Could you even take the first step?

Of course, YHWH gave the Yisraelites a lot of motivation to leave. He decimated Egypt. There wasn’t much reason to stay. Plus, He loaded them up with a bunch of wealth to take with them.

When thinking about leaving, I like to consider Lot. Instead of a corporate departure, his circumstance simply focused on his family.

Many do not realize that the incident described in Genesis 19 was most likely after Passover.

“1 The two messengers came to Sodom in the evening, and Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed himself with his face to the earth 2 and said, “My lords, please turn aside to your servant’s house and spend the night sand wash your feet. Then you may rise up early and go on your way.” They said, “No; we will spend the night in the town square.” 3 But he pressed them strongly; so they turned aside to him and entered his house. And he made them a feast and baked unleavened bread, and they ate.” Genesis 19:1-3

Did you notice the mention of a Feast, and Unleavened Bread? That is probably a hint. Remember that the Passover occurs on Day 14 of Month 1. Yisraelites did not leave on Day 14 of Month 1. They were in their homes, covered by the blood of the lamb.

They came out of their homes the following morning, plundered the Egyptians, took all their herds, flocks and possessions from Ramses and then assembled at Succot. They left the night following the Passover. Their journey began during a Feast – the first day of the Feast of Unleavened Bread.

I will spend more focus on the timing in a future article, because it is very important.

For now, back to Lot for a moment. Imagine inviting a couple of guests to dinner for a feast, and then having to leave your home that very same night.

Interestingly, not all of Lot’s family followed the instructions of the messengers and left. His wife turned back and fell under judgment. She physically turned back.

She was drawn back by something. Was it friends? Family? Personal belongings?

Whatever it was, her heart was not prepared to leave. She had attachments that did not allow her to escape judgment.

So, my answer to the sister’s question regarding preparation was simple. We all must consider the attachments that would hinder us from leaving after the upcoming Passover.

That will probably be different for a lot of people, but what about a house, a business, or family for starters. They all create strong attachments, and we need to be careful where we plant roots.

If we plant roots in Babylon, we might find ourselves stuck in Babylon.

Yisrael is actually referred to as “the planting of YHWH.” If you are part of the Covenant Assembly of Yisrael, you need to be prepared to be planted in the soil that YHWH chooses.

Do you remember when Yahushua read from Isaiah 61 in the synagogue.

“16 And He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as was His custom, He went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and He stood up to read. 17 And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to Him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, 18 The Spirit of YHWH is upon me, because He has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, 19 to proclaim the year of YHWH’s favor. 20 And He rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Him. 21 And he began to say to them, Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.” Luke 4:16-21

Here is a more expanded portion of the text of Isaiah.

“1 The Spirit of Adonai YHWH is upon me, because YHWH has anointed me to bring good news to the poor; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound; 2 to proclaim the year of YHWH’s favor, and the day of vengeance of our Elohim; to comfort all who mourn; 3 to grant to those who mourn in Tzyon – to give them a beautiful headdress instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of YHWH, that He may be glorified. 4 They shall build up the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former devastations; they shall repair the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. 5 Strangers shall stand and tend your flocks; foreigners shall be your plowmen and vinedressers; 6 but you shall be called the priests of YHWH; they shall speak of you as the ministers of our Elohim; you shall eat the wealth of the Nations, and in their glory you shall boast.” Isaiah 61:1-6

Did you notice what Yahushua left out when He read from this passage?

At that point He stopped short of the declaration of the ‘day of vengeance.” He was still trying to fertilize the fig tree (Yahudah) to see if it would bear fruit. (see Luke 13:6-9)

He also did not get to the planting of YHWH portion.

Why? Because Yahudah was still planted in the Land. They had not yet been uprooted again.

The House of Yisrael still needs to be transplanted from Babylon, back into the Land. The House of Yisrael is the planting of YHWH, and we are supposed to be like trees, planted in the Garden.

The Covenant Land represents the Garden, and the people of YHWH are called to be Oaks of righteousness.

An oak is known for its strength, but what is righteousness?

That’s easy. The answer is provided as follows:

“And it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to do all this Commandment before YHWH our Elohim, as He has commanded us.” Deuteronomy 6:25

“Your righteousness is righteous forever, and your Torah is true.” Psalm 119:142

Obedience to the Commandments found in the Torah are righteous acts that amount to good fruit. When YHWH sees us following His instructions, He sees good fruit.

So, we are in the “oak tree generation” and the righteous instructions will make us set apart.

When we consider leaving, the question is whether you are just like everyone else, with the same attachments to the world?

Are you set apart, or are you exactly the same as the world.

Do you blend in or stand out?

Are you living just like Babylon? If so, you may find leaving to be a difficult process.

Remember how the Yisraelites from Egypt had trouble with food.

“4 Now the rabble that was among them had a strong craving. And the people of Yisrael also wept again and said, Oh that we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we ate in Egypt that cost nothing, the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, and the garlic. 6 But now our strength is dried up, and there is nothing at all but this manna to look at. 7 Now the manna was like coriander seed, and its appearance like that of bdellium. 8 The people went about and gathered it and ground it in handmills or beat it in mortars and boiled it in pots and made cakes of it. And the taste of it was like the taste of cakes baked with oil. 9 When the dew fell upon the camp in the night, the manna fell with it.” Numbers 11:4-9

The simple diet of the wilderness was not enough for some. While manna sounds delicious, people apparently wanted more variety to tantalize their taste buds.

Imagine the problems people today would have!

Maybe fasting is a good way to start detaching from the lusts of the flesh.

How about all of the entertainment that society is immersed in? Movies and television are debased, and intended to degenerate your mind.

Garbage in leads to garbage out. It’s hard to claim that you are set apart if you are watching and listening to filth and lawless nonsense all of the time. The radio and social media can be just as bad.

These are just a few simple examples. There are many ways that we can prepare for Passover, and literally unplug from Babylon.

The deliverance provided through the Passover is so that we can continue to live. Passover is all about life, and the way that leads us back to eternal life.

While we are preparing for a covenant meal, and an Appointed Time, that rehearses the plan of YHWH to redeem and deliver a people, there has been a lot of talk about revival.

I was actually listening to a podcast from Mike Adams regarding the dioxins that resulted from the intentional burning of the hazardous materials spilled during the recent Ohio train wreck.

I was interested in hearing about the effects of the dioxins, and he ended up getting sidetracked to the issue of revival. Specifically, he mentioned a revival that was going on at Asbury University in Kentucky that began February 8th.

Apparently, what started as a worship service just didn’t stop and continued for weeks, drawing people from all over the country.

Well, earlier this week, after two consecutive weeks of non-stop music and prayer, the President of the University announced that they needed to wind down the revival, because the traffic in the local town was getting too congested.

Typically, if the Set Apart Spirit was being poured out, traffic would be the last thing on people’s minds. Apparently, they felt the need to limit the revival to people 25 and younger to alleviate the traffic problems.

I’ve been around long enough to experience, and observe various Christian revivals like Brownsville, and the so-called “Toronto Blessing.”

I hate to be a party pooper, but most of them are emotional and experientially driven movements.

As a result, they often end up going off the rails with things like “Holy Laughter,” and getting “Slain in the spirit,” or “Drunk in the spirit.” They even digress into manifestations of the Kundalini spirit prevalent in eastern mysticism.

Don’t take me the wrong way. I understand the desire many people have to experience Elohim. If I didn’t know better, I probably would have hopped in a car to go there myself. I spent a lot of time in College ministry decades ago travelling all over the place.

People desperately want to feel good, and they will flock to a place where they can experience love and peace.

I don’t doubt that it was a wonderful time for those involved, but the real question is whether their “revival” involves repentance, and turning to YHWH? Or will it just be an emotional high within the context of Christianity.

The problem is that I was not properly taught in Christianity, and most of these people are not being properly taught either. We can only hope that these experiences ignite a spark into a flame that actually leads people into the truth of the Covenant of Fire included in the first word of the Scriptures – B’resheet.

As John stated, He immersed with water, but the Messiah immerses with fire.

That Covenant of Fire was renewed by Yahushua at Passover. Just as Noah and his family survived the judgment by water, only those in the renewed Covenant will survive the coming judgment of fire.

I hear a lot of talk about people being “hungry for God,” but often the manna of YHWH does not satisfy them. They want the smorgasbord of flavors offered by Babylonian religion.

All too often the band, the amplifiers and the sound system is mistaken for “the presence of God.” The presence of Elohim unimaginable to most, and puts you on your face. Read Exodus 19:16 to 20:19 for a taste of what it can be like.

It is critical to remember that following YHWH is not about an emotional experience. Rather, it is about diligence, and obedience.

What is often called a revival is not how the Scriptures use the word “revive.”

It’s funny that all this talk about revival had me humming the chorus to one of my old favorites by Carmen. (I’m dating myself for sure.)

Revive us oh Lord

Revive us oh Lord

And cleanse us from our impurities

And make us holy

Hear our cry

And revive us …oh Lord!

It’s a nice song, but here is the rub. We need YHWH to cleanse us, but after that, revival is not something passive. We actively participate in our own revival by walking in the way of “holiness.”

YHWH doesn’t zap us and make us “holy” during an altar call at some church service. Holy means “set apart,” and we become set apart as we walk in His ways, and follow His Son.

The ones with revived spirits and hearts will be able to dwell with the Most High.

“For thus says the One who is high and lifted up, Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Set Apart: “I dwell in the high and set apart place, and also with him who is of a contrite and lowly spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly, and to revive the heart of the contrite.”” Isaiah 57:15

The Hebrew word used for “Revive” is “Hayah,” which means “life.”

So, revival is all about life. Either people are / have been forgotten and left for dead and coming back to life, or people headed to death and destruction turning back to the way of life.

Hosea was the prophet to the House of Yisrael, and he specifically refers to the timing of the revival for the House of Yisrael.

“1 Come, and let us return to YHWH; For He has torn, but He will heal us; He has stricken, but He will bind us up. 2 After two days He will revive us; On the third day He will raise us up, That we may live in His sight.” Hosea 6:1-2

Remember, Yahushua came for the lost sheep of the House of Yisrael. That is why He was resurrected on the third day. It was specifically timed to send a message.

Remember also that the punishment of the House of Yisrael was 2,730 years – three millennial days.

True revival is what I talked about last week. It involves a generation coming back to the Covenant, which is the path to life.

The House of Yisrael being restored to life is the picture of revival that we should be looking for.

“16 The word of YHWH came to me: 17 Son of man, when the House of Yisrael lived in their own land, they defiled it by their ways and their deeds. Their ways before me were like the uncleanness of a woman in her menstrual impurity. 18 So I poured out my wrath upon them for the blood that they had shed in the land, for the idols with which they had defiled it. 19 I scattered them among the nations, and they were dispersed through the countries. In accordance with their ways and their deeds I judged them. 20 But when they came to the nations, wherever they came, they profaned My Set Apart Name, in that people said of them, ‘These are the people of YHWH, and yet they had to go out of His land.’ 21 But I had concern for My Set Apart Name, which the House of Yisrael had profaned among the nations to which they came. 22 Therefore say to the House of Yisrael, Thus says Adonai YHWH: It is not for your sake, O House of Yisrael, that I am about to act, but for the sake of My Set Apart Name, which you have profaned among the nations to which you came. 23 And I will sanctify et-My Great Name, which has been profaned among the nations, and which you have profaned among them. And the nations will know that I am YHWH, declares Adonai YHWH, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 24 I will take you from the Nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. 25 I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. 26 And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. 27 And I will put My Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey My rules. 28 You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your Elohim. 29 And I will deliver you from all your uncleannesses. And I will summon the grain and make it abundant and lay no famine upon you. 30 I will make the fruit of the tree and the increase of the field abundant, that you may never again suffer the disgrace of famine among the nations. 31 Then you will remember your evil ways, and your deeds that were not good, and you will loathe yourselves for your iniquities and your abominations. 32 It is not for your sake that I will act, declares Adonai YHWH; let that be known to you. Be ashamed and confounded for your ways, O House of Yisrael. 33 Thus says Adonai YHWH: On the day that I cleanse you from all your iniquities, I will cause the cities to be inhabited, and the waste places shall be rebuilt. 34 And the Land that was desolate shall be tilled, instead of being the desolation that it was in the sight of all who passed by. 35 And they will say, ‘This land that was desolate has become like the garden of Eden, and the waste and desolate and ruined cities are now fortified and inhabited.’ 36 Then the nations that are left all around you shall know that I am YHWH; I have rebuilt the ruined places and replanted that which was desolate. I am YHWH; I have spoken, and I will do it. 37 Thus says Adonai YHWH: This also I will let the House of Yisrael ask me to do for them: to increase their people like a flock. 38 Like the flock for sacrifices, like the flock at Jerusalem during her Appointed Feasts, so shall the waste cities be filled with flocks of people. Then they will know that I am YHWH.” Ezekiel 36:16-38

Did you notice that “the Word of YHWH” came to Ezekiel. It doesn’t mean that someone brought him a Bible. So many equate codex books with the Word of YHWH, which is really a deficient understanding.

You see, the Word of YHWH was uttered at creation, and those words continue to create. That is why we are in an expanding universe. They are not simply confined to ink on a page, the Word is living and powerful.

Yahushua is the Word in the flesh. He is the Aleph Taw, because the Aleph Taw contains all of the characters, and likewise, all of the words of the Hebrew language. I deal with this important distinction in the Walk in the Light book titled The Scriptures.

There are more Bibles in existence now than ever before in the history of mankind. Sadly, the world is not getting any better. In fact, it is getting worse. There is a famine of the Word, and handing out Bibles is obviously not the solution.

“Behold, the days are coming, says Adonai YHWH, That I will send a famine on the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing et the words of YHWH.” Amos 8:11

Did you notice the Aleph Taw (et)? The solution to this famine is the Aleph Taw (et) – the Messiah.

Did you know that the Hebrew word for “bee,” is “deborah?” It is the feminine form of the Hebrew word “debar,” which literally means “word.”

The bee is actually a perfect example of how the Word of YHWH goes forth, always moving and “pollinating,” and the result of all the work is sweet honey. So, the Word isn’t a book on a shelf. It is like Yahushua, Who was always moving, and spreading the “good news” of the Kingdom. That is why He later instructed His disciples to “go,” and do the same.

Interestingly, our English Bibles contain a portion of the Torah commonly called “Numbers.” The actual Hebrew word is “B’midbar,” which means “In the Wilderness.”

The Hebrew word for “wilderness” is “midbar,” and it contains the root “debar” – “word.” It is actually the word “debar” prefaced with a “mem,” (m) which represents “water.” So “watering of the word” is the literal meaning of the Hebrew word for “wilderness.”

We are currently in exile in the wilderness. We are like the generation that heard John preaching in the wilderness, headed for judgment and destruction. We need to prepare for YHWH, and the return of His Son.

Did you notice the motivation for the return of the House of Yisrael as expressed by YHWH in Ezekiel 36?

You guessed it. The Name of YHWH.

This return of the House of Yisrael will involve cleansing, a new heart, being filled with the Spirit and a literal return to the Covenant Land through obedience to the Covenant.

Do you remember why the Yisraelites were delivered from Egypt in such a dramatic fashion?

That’s right – The Name of YHWH. (Exodus 9:16)

Last week, I talked about the fact that we are still talking about Egypt at Passover, but Jeremiah alludes to a greater Exodus.

I also showed the calculations that revealed we are in the generation that will see this return to the Land. Read what else Ezekiel has to say about the restoration of the House of Yisrael.

“1 The Hand of YHWH was upon me, and he brought me out in the Spirit of YHWH and set me down in the middle of the valley; it was full of bones. 2 And he led me around among them, and behold, there were very many on the surface of the valley, and behold, they were very dry. 3 And he said to me, “Son of man, can these bones live?” And I answered, “O Adonai YHWH, you know.” 4 Then he said to me, “Prophesy over these bones, and say to them, O dry bones, hear the word of YHWH. 5 Thus says Adonai YHWH to these bones: Behold, I will cause breath to enter you, and you shall live. 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will cause flesh to come upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and you shall live, and you shall know that I am YHWH. 7   So I prophesied as I was commanded. And as I prophesied, there was a sound, and behold, a rattling, and the bones came together, bone to its bone. 8 And I looked, and behold, there were sinews on them, and flesh had come upon them, and skin had covered them. But there was no breath in them. 9 Then he said to me, Prophesy to the breath; prophesy, son of man, and say to the breath, Thus says Adonai YHWH: Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe on these slain, that they may live. 10 So I prophesied as he commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived and stood on their feet, an exceedingly great army. 11 Then he said to me, Son of man, these bones are the whole House of Yisrael. Behold, they say, ‘Our bones are dried up, and sour hope is lost; we are indeed cut off.’ 12 Therefore prophesy, and say to them, Thus says Adonai YHWH: Behold, I will open your graves and raise you from your graves, O my people. And I will bring you into the Land of Yisrael. 13 And you shall know that I am YHWH, when I open your graves, and raise you from your graves, O My people. 14 And I will put My Spirit within you, and you shall live, and I will place you in your own land. Then you shall know that I am YHWH; I have spoken, and I will do it, declares YHWH.” Ezekiel 37:1-14

Now this is the picture of true revival!

Here it is again – “I will put My Spirit within you, and you shall live (chayitem).” Revival equates to “life” (chayah), also rendered as “chai.”

So, everyone out there with a “chai” (חַי) necklace can now testify that they are advertising the much anticipated “true and final revival” according to the prophets – the revival of the House of Yisrael.

That’s a powerful testimony and witness. What an opportunity for spreading the good news.

As a result, Scriptural revival is not about flocking somewhere to sing songs about Jesus. It is about returning to YHWH, and His ways. The prophetic revival that we are looking for is the House of Yisrael becoming restored to life.

There is an interesting connection with Passover, and the prophecy concerning the dry bones. You see, I believe that these dry bones in the valley allude to an event recorded in the Book of Yasher involving Ephraim.

Here is Chapter 75 from the Book of Jasher.

“1 At that time, in the hundred and eightieth year of the Yisraelites going down into Egypt, there went forth from Egypt valiant men, thirty thousand on foot, from the children of Yisrael, who were all of the tribe of Joseph, of the children of Ephraim the son of Joseph. 2 For they said the period was completed which YHWH had appointed to the children of Yisrael in the times of old, which he had spoken to Abraham. 3 And these men girded themselves, and they put each man his sword at his side, and every man his armor upon him, and they trusted to their strength, and they went out together from Egypt with a mighty hand. 4 But they brought no provision for the road, only silver and gold, not even bread for that day did they bring in their hands, for they thought of getting their provision for pay from the Philistines, and if not they would take it by force. 5 And these men were very mighty and valiant men, one man could pursue a thousand and two could rout ten thousand, so they trusted to their strength and went together as they were. 6 And they directed their course toward the land of Gath, and they went down and found the shepherds of Gath feeding the cattle of the children of Gath. 7 And they said to the shepherds, Give us some of the sheep for pay, that we may eat, for we are hungry, for we have eaten no bread this day. 8 And the shepherds said, Are they our sheep or cattle that we should give them to you even for pay? so the children of Ephraim approached to take them by force. 9 And the shepherds of Gath shouted over them that their cry was heard at a distance, so all the children of Gath went out to them. 10 And when the children of Gath saw the evil doings of the children of Ephraim, they returned and assembled the men of Gath, and they put on each man his armor, and came forth to the children of Ephraim for battle. 11 And they engaged with them in the valley of Gath, and the battle was severe, and they smote from each other a great many on that day. 12 And on the second day the children of Gath sent to all the cities of the Philistines that they should come to their help, saying, 13 Come up unto us and help us, that we may smite the children of Ephraim who have come forth from Egypt to take our cattle, and to fight against us without cause. 14 Now the souls of the children of Ephraim were exhausted with hunger and thirst, for they had eaten no bread for three days. And forty thousand men went forth from the cities of the Philistines to the assistance of the men of Gath. 15 And these men were engaged in battle with the children of Ephraim, and YHWH delivered the children of Ephraim into the hands of the Philistines. 16 And they smote all the children of Ephraim, all who had gone forth from Egypt, none were remaining but ten men who had run away from the engagement. 17 For this evil was from YHWH against the children of Ephraim, for they transgressed the Word of YHWH in going forth from Egypt, before the period had arrived which YHWH in the days of old had appointed to Yisrael. 18 And of the Philistines also there fell a great many, about twenty thousand men, and their brethren carried them and buried them in their cities. 19 And the slain of the children of Ephraim remained forsaken in the valley of Gath for many days and years, and were not brought to burial, and the valley was filled with men’s bones. 20 And the men who had escaped from the battle came to Egypt, and told all the children of Yisrael all that had befallen them. 21 And their father Ephraim mourned over them for many days, and his brethren came to console him.” Jasher 75:1-21

It appears from this traditional account of history that some from Ephraim miscalculated. They got ahead of YHWH. They needed to wait for Moses, the messenger sent to speak the Words of YHWH to the Children of Yisrael.

They tried to do it in their own strength, and they even went the wrong way – the way of the Philistines. That was the most direct route, but YHWH had other plans.

“When Pharaoh let the people go, Elohim did not lead them by way of the land of the Philistines, although that was near. For Elohim said, “Lest the people change their minds when they see war and return to Egypt.”” Exodus 13:17

YHWH had to prepare them for war by teaching them to trust Him. He said that He would fight their battles. He first needed to get them cleaned up by providing them with water from the rock in the wilderness. Do you see the pattern?

Right now, there is much orchestrated chaos and confusion in the world. People are desperate for hope and answers, and they are getting anxious. That places them in a very vulnerable position to be deceived.

The Scriptures warn us of great deceptions ahead, even involving miracles. We must not make the same mistake as Ephraim. We were promised “a Prophet like Moses,” and we must continue to rehearse until Yahushua tells us to leave. (see Deuteronomy 18:18-19)

The only way to avoid being deceived is by staying on the straight and narrow path that leads to life. The Covenant journey that begins at Passover with the blood of Lamb of Elohim (Yahushua) is the only way to true revival, and life.

If people are hungry for God, they need to look to the “Bread of Elohim” – Yahushua. He is the bread from heaven Who came down to give life to the world. (John 6:34-35)

That is why Yahushua was born in Bethlehem, which literally means House (Beth) of Bread (Lechem).

Here is the promise of the One born in Bethlehem.

“2 But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, who are too little to be among the clans of Yahudah, from you shall come forth for Me one who is to be ruler in Yisrael, whose coming forth is from of old, from ancient days. 3 Therefore he shall give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth; then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Yisrael. 4 And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of YHWH, in the majesty of the Name of YHWH His Elohim. And they shall dwell secure, for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.” MikaYahu (Micah) 5:2-4

Did you notice that the Messiah was specifically born in Bethlehem Ephratah?

Ephratah means “fruitful.”

The prophecy in Micah was referring to the death of Rachel, the beloved bride of the man Yisrael. Here is the account.

“16 Then they journeyed from Bethel. When they were still some distance from Ephrath, Rachel went into labor, and she had hard labor. 17 And when her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Do not fear, for you have another son. 18 And as her soul was departing (for she was dying), she called his name Ben-oni; but his father called him Benjamin. 19 So Rachel died, and she was buried on the way to Ephrath (that is, Bethlehem).” Genesis 35:16-19

Through the death of Rachel, the twelfth son of Jacob was born in the Promised Land. Rachel named him Ben-oni – “son of my sorrow,” but Jacob named him Ben-yamin – “son of the right hand.”

This was a prophetic event pointing to the right Hand of YHWH – Messiah Yahushua. And Micah was given that understanding.

The Messiah was born and adopted by a man named Joseph, so that His brother Joseph, “the fruitful son” could return to the Covenant. (Genesis 49:22)

Indeed, Yisrael later adopted Joseph’s son Ephraim, whose name means “fruitful.” He placed his right hand upon Ephraim’s head, and Ephraim took the place of the firstborn Reuben. (Genesis 48:5)

Ephraim became the first-born son, at the right hand of Yisrael.

What a powerful prophetic picture, and what an amazing future that awaits the fruitful sons from the House of Yisrael!

At the final Passover meal before His crucifixion, Yahushua renewed the Covenant, and declared that the broken bread was His Body.

“This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” Luke 22:19

We have the privilege and honor of remembering Yahushua during the approaching Passover.

We remember His broken body and shed blood that allow us to be revived and restored to YHWH through the renewed Covenant.

The reason He has not returned is because He has been waiting patiently for the punishment over the House of Yisrael to be completed.

We are now in that time, and part of that generation.

While we consider redemption and deliverance through the renewed Covenant at the approaching Passover, we must stay focused on the majesty of the Name of YHWH, and the fruitfulness that comes from obedience.

That is how we will experience true revival that leads to everlasting life!

Berakhot

Todd

www.shemayisrael.net

Shema Yisrael (Hear O Yisrael) are the words that Yahushua spoke when asked what was the First Command.

“The first of all the Commandments is:
Hear, O Yisrael,
YHWH our Elohim, YHWH is one.”
Mark 12:29

“He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Matthew 11:15