WORKS OF MY HANDS

January 22, 1999

"I was glad when they said to me let us go up to the house of YHVH" (Psa.122:1). "For there shall be a day when the watchmen will cry on Mount Ephraim, `arise, and let us go up to Zion, to YHVH our Elohim" (Jer.31:6). In last week's letter I wrote to you about what I thought, or whom I thought, the house of YHVH might be. If it is true, and the house of Jacob, Israel, Judah, and David, all make up this dwelling place of the Most High Elohim, then their restoration would become very important to understand, especially in light of "the works of YHVH." For "unless YHVH builds the house we labor in vain" (Psa. 127:1).

When I read about "the work of YHVH," I usually think about the creation, or the great deliverance of our forefathers out of Egypt, and how YHVH took care of them throughout the wilderness journey. But in Isaiah YHVH points out another aspect of His work. "Therefore thus says YHVH, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob: "Jacob shall not now be ashamed, Nor shall his face now grow pale; when he sees his children, The work of My hands, in his midst, they will hallow My name, hallow the Holy One of Jacob, and fear the Elohim of Israel" (Isa. 29:22-23). How are these children of Jacob the "work of His hands"?

Elohim the farmer

One of the first things we see Elohim doing, in keeping covenant and in working things out after the council of His will, is sowing a seed. "I will sow them among the peoples, And they shall remember Me in far countries; they shall live, together with their children, and they shall return" (Zech. 10:9). A farmer or husbandman, takes seed in his hand and with a throwing motion scatters it upon the ground. Then, at the end of the growing season, He will bring in the harvest. "Also, O Judah, a harvest is appointed for you, when I return the captives of My people" (Hos. 6:11). "I will winnow them with a winnowing fan in the gates of the land" (Jer. 15:7). "His winnowing fan is in His hand, and He will thoroughly clean out His threshing floor, and gather His wheat into the barn; but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire" (Matt. 3:12; Luke 3:17).

Another work that a farmer does is to plant shoots or branches in the ground. "Then all your people will be righteous; they will possess the land forever. The branch of His planting, the work of His hand, that He might be glorified" (Isa. 60:21). Pruning and grafting form another aspect of the work of his hands. "For before the harvest, when the bud is perfect and the sour grape is ripening in the flower, He will both cut off the sprigs with pruning hooks and take away the cut down branches" (Isa. 18:5). This work becomes more evident as Jacob was called an olive tree, "YHVH called your name, Green Olive Tree, lovely and of good fruit. "With the noise of a great tumult He has kindled fire on it, and its branches are broken off, for the Lord of hosts, who planted you, has pronounced doom against you for the evil of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke Me to anger in offering incense to Baal" (Jer. 11:16-17). In these verses we see the reason why the olive branches were cut off. The Apostle Paul picks up on this typology in his letter to the Romans. How is it, that he uses the concept of the wild and the natural olive branch? As we see, branches were broken off from both trees, and scattered into all the nations. However, ultimately a day was to come when a root would shoot up from the tribe of Judah, and the house of David. "And in that day there shall be a Root of Jesse, Who shall stand as a banner to the people" (Isa. 11:10; Rom. 15:12). This root was the only one that was preserved from the original stock, and the only one that the scattered branches could be grafted into. Olive branches need an olive root to be joined to, in order to live and produce fruit.

"Oh, give thanks to YHVH, call upon His name; make known His deeds among the peoples! Sing to Him, sing psalms to Him; talk of all His wondrous works! Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth, O seed of Israel His servant, You children of Jacob, His chosen ones (the work of His hands), He is YHVH our Elohim" (1Chr. 16:8-9,12-14).

When everything is said and done we will "sing the song of Moses, the servant of Elohim, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvelous are Your works, YHVH, Elohim Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints" (Rev. 15:3).

This theme "the work of the Lord" will be continued next week

Be encouraged, your in good hands, YHVH is conforming you to His image and likeness in Yah'shua the Messiah. He is also gathering us and will build us into the temple of His rest, into the city where the Lamb is the light, and the nation that will be His light to the nations.

Ephraim Frank

Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell (shevet achim) together in unity…in this Elohim commands the blessing life eternal (Psa.133).

HOUSE OF YHVH

January 15, 1999

This morning as I was reading Psa. 23, I was struck by the last statement: “that I may dwell in the house of YHVH forever” What does it mean to dwell in the house of the Lord? Is it a future event that takes place after death? Is it some building on the corner of Church Street? “One thing have I desired of YHVH, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of YHVH all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of YHVH, and to enquire in his temple” (Psalms 27:4).

What and where is the “House of YHVH”?

King Solomon prayed upon the dedication of his temple, “But will Elohim in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain thee, how much less this house which I have built” (1Chr. 6:18). King David recorded for us another perspective, “Where shall I go from Your Spirit, or where shall I flee from Your presence? If I ascend up into heaven, You are there, if I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea" (Psa. 139:7-10).

So where is the house of YHVH?

Again, David gives us a clue, “For YHVH has chosen Zion; He has desired it for His habitation. ‘This is My resting place forever; here I will dwell for I have desired it’” (Psa. 132:13-14). “The hill (Mount Zion) which Elolim desires to dwell in; YHVH will dwell in it forever” (Psa. 68:16). This provided me with a lead to Elohim's (possible) dwelling place, albeit only in a form of a mountain, and not a house.

"I was glad when they said to me, let us go into the house of YHVH. Our feet shall stand within your gates, O Jerusalem. Jerusalem is built as a city that is compact together; where the tribes go up, the tribes of YHVH, unto the testimony of Israel, to give thanks unto the name of YHVH. For there are set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the house of David. Seek for the peace of Jerusalem: they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within your walls (or armies), and prosperity within your palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of YHVH our Elohim I will seek thy good" (Psa. 122:1-9).

Thus far we see that Mount Zion, Jerusalem and the house of David are all connected to the dwelling place of YHVH, or to His house. However, there is another possibility mentioned in the Gospel of Luke: “and He (Yah'shua ) will reign over the house of Jacob forever; and His kingdom will have no end” (Luke 1:33). “That men may know that Elohim rules in Jacob to the ends of the earth” (Psa. 59:13). In addition, mention is made in scriptures of YHVH dwelling in the House of Judah. Remember the two sisters, Oholah (Samaria) in Ephraim and Oholibah (Jerusalem) in Judah (Ez. 23:4). Here we can see "what's in a name". Oholah means: "her tent". but Oholibah means, "My tent is in her". Elohim declares that He will dwell in Judah's tent, or house.

So after all this running around what have we discovered about the house of YHVH? In an all-encompassing dimension, the house of YHVH is the house of Jacob, but within the house of Jacob is the house of Judah, and within the house of Judah is the house of David (where the throne is). So like any tabernacle/ temple this one too, has three parts; an outer court (Jacob), holy place (Judah) holy of holies (David). A house within a house, makes up the house of YHVH.
What does His house look like?

The New Covenant answer to this question would be the "believers". "What? Do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have of Elohim, and you are not your own?" (1 Cor 6:19). "What agreement has the temple of Elohim with idols? For you are the temple of the living Elohim; as Elohim has said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people" (2 Cor. 6:16) (Ez.37:27). In this scripture (quoted by Paul), the restored house of Jacob, or the whole house of Israel, under the new covenant, is being addressed: "I will dwell IN them, and walk in them". Peter refers to these as living stones. "You also, as living stones are built up a spiritual house" (1Pet. 2:5). "In whom all the building fitly framed together grows into a holy temple in the Lord" (Eph. 2:21). But where is the quarry from which these stones have come? "Look to the rock from which you were hewn, And to the hole of the pit from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father, And to Sarah who bore you" (Isa. 51:1-2). What happened to the stones? "How dark the gold has become, how the pure gold has changed, the sacred stones are poured out at the head of every street… regarded as earthen jars in the hands of the potter” Lam. 4:1-2). I can see and hear the enemies of the Messiah scoffing as they did in the days of Nehemiah. “Can they revive the stones from the heaps of dust and rubble even the burned ones…if a fox should jump on it he would break their stone wall down” (Neh. 4:2-3). Elohim has not forgotten His tender mercies, even though He Himself burned and tore down the former house, because of inequity and sin. But now, will He not build the latter house and will it not be much greater? "The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former,' says YHVH of hosts. `And in this place I will give peace" (Haggai 2:9). Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is actually praying for the restoration of the house of Jacob.

We know, “unless tYHVH builds the house we labor in vain”. We are those precious sons of Zion, redeemed, and restored living stones that Elohim has brought up out of our dusty graves to be built into His dwelling place. Yah'shua being the chief corner stone. "Behold, I lay in Zion A chief cornerstone, elect, precious, (1Pet. 2:6) (Isa. 28:16). We the restored stones of Zion, are being built into a city whose builder and maker is Elohim (Heb. 11:10). The city that Abraham was seeking for would ultimately be built from his very own seed.

"For YHVH has built up Zion, He has appeared in His glory” (Psa 102:16). The chief corner stone was put into place, when the Father raised Yah’shua the Messiah from the grave. In like manner He is restoring us, gathering us, and will one day bring us to the place which is called for “His name sake” and there He will build His dwelling place, His house, His city, His nation, that will manifest His light and His glory. We will be His resting place.

"Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of YHVH's house, shall be established on the top of the mountains, And shall be exalted above the hills; And all nations shall flow to it (Isa. 2:2) (Mic. 4:1). "For my brethren and companions' sakes, I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of YHVH our Elohim I will seek thy good" (Psa.122: 8).

Ephraim
Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity, (shevet achim)… for in this Elohim commands the blessing life eternal (Psa. 133).

THUS SAYS THE GREAT I AM

January 8, 1999

This letter was taken from my manuscript "Thus says YHVH" (1983-84).

"Will YHVH cast off forever? Will He never be favorable anymore? Is His lovingkindness gone forever? Has His word failed for all generations? Has Elohim forgotten to be gracious? Has He in anger shut up his tender mercies?" (Psalm 77:7-9).
Just as these questions raced through the heart and mind of David king of Israel, thousands of years ago, so too they have been on the hearts and minds of many generations of Elohim's people. Even to this very day, both Jew and Christian, who believe in the Elohim of Israel, the Elohim of the Scriptures, are wondering and searching in order to know and understand the mysteries of their Elohim. Especially when the pressures of life's circumstances begin to build up, and the sky seems like brass and tiredness and hopelessness is the order of the day. Where is Elohim in all this? Although it is quite natural to experience such times, and king David was no exception, but I do believe that he posed those questions from a heart whose sole concern was to see the restoration of all Israel.
If you too have been asking those questions, perhaps the following compilation of scriptures may help shed a ray of light or hope, assuring you personally and nationally that our Elohim is who He claims to be, namely the faithful covenant keeping Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob: "But now says YHVH that created you, O Jacob, and He that formed you, O Israel: 'Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by your name; thou art mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you, when you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon you. For I am YHVH your Elohim, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior'." (Isaiah 43: 1-3)
"Since you are precious in my sight, you are honorable, and I love you, therefore…Fear not: for I am with you: I will bring you from the east, and gather you from the west; I will say to the north, give up; and to the south, keep not back; bring my sons from far, and my daughters from the ends of the earth, even you, who are called by my name (vs 4-7). You are my witness and My servant whom I have chosen: that you may know and believe Me, and understand that I am He: before Me there was no Elohim formed, neither shall there be after Me. I, even I, am YHVH and beside me there is no savior…you are My witness, says YHVH, that I am Elohim (vs 10-12).
"Yes, before the day was I am He; and there is none that can deliver out of My hand; I will work, and who shall reverse it? I am YHVH, your Holy One, the creator of Israel, your King (vs 13; 15)... "Yet now hear, O Jacob my servant; and Israel, whom I have chosen" (Isaiah 44:1)…"Thus says YHVH, the King of Israel, and His redeemer YHVH of hosts; "I am the first, and I am the last; and beside me there is no Elohim. And who, as I, shall call, and shall declare it, and set it in order for me, since I appointed the ancient people, and the things that are to come, shall come" (v 7)…. "Fear not, neither be afraid; have I not already told you, and have I not declared it? You are even my witness. Is there a Elohim beside me? Is there any other Rock? I know of none" (v. 8).

"Remember this, O Jacob and Israel; for you are My servant: I have formed you, you are My servant. O Israel, you shall not be forgotten of Me. I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, your transgressions, and, as a cloud, your sins. Return to me; for I have redeemed you" (21-22)… "I have even called you by your name (Jacob): I have surnamed you (Israel), though you have not known me. I am YHVH, and besides Me there is no other, there is no Elohim beside Me: I girded you, even though you have not known me…I am YHVH, and there is none else" (Isaiah 45:5-6).
"I form the light, and create darkness, I make peace, and create evil, I YHVH do all these things" (v.7)…. "Therefore, ask Me of the things that are to come concerning My sons, and concerning the work of my hands…I have made the earth, and created man upon it: I, even my hands, have stretched out the heavens, and all their host have I commanded" (vs.11-12)…. "I am YHVH and there is none else….there is no other Elohim beside Me; a just Elohim and a Savior; there is none beside me" (v.21).
"Sing, ye heavens; for YHVH has done it: shout, ye lower parts of the earth: break forth into singing, ye mountains, O forest, and every tree therein: for YHVH has redeemed Jacob, and glorified himself in Israel (Isaiah 44:23)."
Be encouraged today fellow Israelite, YHVH will do what He says He will, "for He works all things after the counsel of His will" (Eph. 1:11). "In the same way Elohim, desiring even more to show to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath" (Hebrew 6:17). "Therefore thus says YHVH who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, Jacob shall not now be ashamed, neither shall his face now wax pale. But when he sees his children, the work of mine hands, in the midst of him, they shall sanctify my name, and sanctify the Holy One of Jacob, and shall fear the Elohim of Israel. They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine" (Isa. 29:22-24).

Ephraim Frank

"How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity…for in this Elohim commands the blessing life everlasting" (Psa.133).

LIVING BONES

December 30 1998

In this day and age we are especially privileged, having a unique opportunity of watching and witnessing the ending of a millenium, a century, and the year 1998. In this era of communication the entire story of humanity can be placed on a microchip, and be sent out in a matter of seconds all over the world. What are your thoughts, as we head into the future? Are they full of hope and expectations of great and wonderful things? Do you have our Elohim's prophetic perspective on the future? Has your excitement risen with the thought of the Messiah's imminent return?

This week's Parasha (Gen 47:28-50:26) reading could not have been more appropriate for the occasion of the end of the common year. "Vayechi," means "and he lived." What a seeming contrast this is to the deaths of two of our greatest Patriarchs, which this Parasha recounts! But yet, right in between the records of those deaths, we find the blessing and promise of "life."

In the beginning of the Parasha, we see Jacob calling his son Joseph who was to be the recipient of the birthright, to his side. He asks him to put his hand under his thigh and to take an oath that he would carry his body out of Egypt and bury it with his fathers, in the land of Israel. Jacob knew prophetically that someday his seed would come out of Egypt and return to the land of promise. This act, of putting the hand under the thigh we already witnessed in a previous Parasha, where Abraham asked his senior servant to go and carry out his request of getting a wife for his son Isaac (Gen 24:2). This symbolic act was a commitment to carry out a very important directive, to the best of one's ability; as the thigh represents the strength of man and the hand is that which accomplishes the work. When sealed by an oath, which denotes faithfulness, the thigh and the hand unite in one purpose.

Just before Jacob dies, he imparts the blessing of the family birthright to Joseph and to his sons. He gives to them his name and national identity - "Israel"- along with the covenant promises of fruitfulness (Ephraim); "the fullness of the nations." Years later when Joseph is about to "lay down with his fathers", he calls his brothers together and prophesies the future of the nation. Interestingly, after all that Joseph had endured and had gone through in his life, it was this final prophetic proclamation which gained him recognition in the renowned "hall of fame of faith." "By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel; and gave commandment concerning his bones" (Heb 11:22). May our faith also meet the challenge of the prophetic word in like manner.

Both Jacob and Joseph were embalmed, Egyptian style, and as we know leaves the corpse recognizable, albeit in a very dry state. Thus, Jeremiah's appalling prophetic description of Israel-Zion, because of sin and Elohim's righteous judgments come to mind: "Their visage is blacker than a coal; they are not known in the streets: their skin cleaves to their bones; it is withered, it is become like a stick" (Lam. 4:8). Perhaps it is in light of this scripture that we should re-examine the two "sticks" in the valley of the dry bones (Eze. 37).

In keeping to the promise that the children of Israel made many years before Moses took the bones of Joseph with him: for Joseph had made the children of Israel solemnly swear, saying, "Elohim will surely visit you; and you shall carry up my bones with you" (Exodus 13:19). What a prophetic picture of the Messiah of Israel taking the dead dry bones of the whole house of Israel with him to the cross, and then carrying them to the grave. But now through the same power that raised Him from the dead, He is raising them up into newness of life - "Vayechi"! Yes, and as all good stories end, "and he lived" (happily ever after) but not in Egypt. As we follow on in the scriptures, the story continues with Joshua bringing these bones out of the wilderness and into the land of promise. "And the bones of Joseph, which the children of Israel brought up out of Egypt, they buried in Shechem, in a parcel of ground which Jacob bought from the sons of Hamor, the father of Shechem for a hundred pieces of silver: and it became the inheritance of the children of Joseph" (Josh. 24:32). Here is another beautiful prophetic picture of our Messiah's ultimate objective, to restore and bring back to the land the whole house of Israel.

The New Covenant establishes the conditions upon which the fulfillment of all the Torah and the Prophets depend, the sovereignty of the "I will" of Elohim Almighty "I will open your graves, I will cause you to come out, I will cause breath to enter you that you may live, I will put sinews on you, make flesh grow back on you, and cover you with skin, I will pour clean water on you, I will put my Spirit with in you, I will write the Torah on your hearts, I will bring you back to the land where you will live securely, with one Shepherd and one King over you. Why is Elohim doing all this? 'I do not do this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which you have profaned among the heathen, whither you went. And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which you have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am YHVH, saith YHVH ELOHIM, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land” (Ezekiel 36:22-24). This was not only a testimony to the heathens, but also that "you might know that I am YHVH your Elohim" (Ezekiel 37:6).

“So I prophesied as He commanded me, and the breath came into them, and they lived - "Vayechi" - and stood up upon their feet, an exceeding great army” (Ezekiel 7:10).

Ephraim

"How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell (shevet achim) together in unity…for in this Elohim commands the blessing life eternal" (Psalm 133).

TO BE WISE

December 25, 1998

What is happening today with the covenant that Elohim made with Abraham, has He already fulfilled it and therefore no longer relevant?

Hosea the prophet ends his writings with this statement: "Whoever is wise, let him understand these things" (Hos. 14:9). What things are we to understand with wisdom? The Apostle James says, "If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of Elohim, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him" (James 1:5). However, the scriptures speak of two kinds of wisdom, the wisdom of this world, and the wisdom that is from above. (See James 3:13-18). The first step into this heavenly wisdom is: "The fear of YHVH" ( see Proverbs 15:33, Job 28:28).

Our forefathers, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph were all examples to us of men who feared YHVH, who believed Elohim and walked by faith. "All scripture is given by inspiration of Elohim, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness" (2 Tim. 3:16). Abraham was reckoned righteous because he believed Elohim (ref. Gen 15:6, James 2:23) What was it that he believed? He believed that Elohim would give him a land, offspring (seed), and a nation. Joseph also "by faith, when he was dying, made mention of the exodus of the sons of Israel, and gave orders in regards to his bones" (Heb. 11:22).

"For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope" (Rom 15:4). Our forefathers believed that Elohim would be faithful to His covenant. Their faith became our hope. What is, then, our hope? Is it not in the Messiah, whose mandate it is to restore Jacob, and gather Israel (ref. Isa 49:5; Luke 1: 31-33) and to understand with wisdom the examples and instructions from the writings of Moses, the Prophets and the Apostles?

The American Heritage Dictionary defines "wisdom" as: understanding what is true, right, and lasting. If I may add, that there is nothing more true, right and lasting than the Word of Elohim, and the covenant promises that He made with our father Abraham. Let us ask for this wisdom, in order that we may understand what is happening today to the land, the seed, and the nation. He promised to send us His Spirit, so that when, "He the Spirit of truth has come, He will lead you and guide you into all truth" (John 16:13).

Hosea's warning to be wise and discerning was echoed by Paul in his letters: "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel" (Rom 11:25). He also prayed that "the Elohim of our Master Yeshua Hamessiah, the Father of glory, would give us the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him and that the eyes of our understanding might be enlightened" (see Eph. 1:17-18).

The book of Hosea lays out prophetically the historical destiny of the House of Joseph (Israel or Ephraim). The Messiah Shepherd of this house does not want us to be blind or ignorant, therefore, let us return to what is true, right and lasting: the faithfulness of Elohim to His covenants with the whole house of Israel.

"Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou that leadest Joseph like a flock; thou that dwellest between the cherubims, shine forth. Before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh stir up thy strength, and come and save us. Turn us again, O Elohim, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved. O YHVH Elohim of hosts, how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy people? Thou feedest them with the bread of tears; and givest them tears to drink in great measure. Thou makest us a strife unto our neighbours: and our enemies laugh among themselves. Turn us again, O Elohim of hosts, and cause thy face to shine; and we shall be saved" (Psa. 80:1-7).

"I shall strengthen the house of Judah, I shall save the house of Joseph, and I shall bring them back" (Zech. 10:6). "The sons of Judah and the sons of Israel will be gathered together, they will appoint for themselves one leader, and they will go up from the land, for great will be the day of Jezreel (Elohim will sow)" (Hos. 1:11). "Whoever is wise, let him understand these things, whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of YHVH are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but the transgressors will stumble in them" (Hos.14:9).

Ephraim

"Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell (Shevet Achim) together in unity…for in this Elohim commands the blessing life eternal" (Psa. 133).

THE TORAH OF MOSES

December 11, 1998

When I hear the word “Toro”, my mind immediately conjures the picture of a big and fierce black bull, pawing up dirt and getting ready to charge the red cape of a matador. A similar scene is played out by some, upon hearing a word of a very similar sound: “Torah”. To these individuals this word is much like the red cape, dangling within a few feet of the bull. “I am not under law!” they exclaim emphatically, as their reasoning leaves them, charging forth into the proverbial
red cloth. Why is there so strong a reaction to that one little word? Might it be some sort of insecurity and fear of loss? Could it be something more ancient working deep in the heart? Is it a spiritual issue, or perhaps some other matter?

If Torah is equated with law, meaning “legalism” which imposes action (works) for salvation, it would indeed be a shift, away from the New Covenant gift of grace and from our spiritual heritage. Let us review a few scriptures which pertain to this topic: “For sin over you shall not have lordship, for ye are not under law, but under grace” (Romans l6:14). This is speaking very clearly about sin, or the ‘law of sin and death“, lording it over us, and not about Elohim’s Loving Instructions. The Torah declares that disobedience to Elohim, or to His Word (which includes the first five books of the Bible), will bring about death. But to hear and obey the voice or word of YHVH is life (Deuteronomy 30:19). “What then? Shall we sin because we are not under law but under grace? Let it not be!” (Romans 6:15). This is referring again to being under the rule, or dominion, of sin. It is impossible to sin, and at the same time to be under grace. If sin is lording over you, you will be under the law that governs sin (that is the curse). If you are practicing righteousness, you will be under the law that governs blessings. Is the goodness of YHVH, seen in the Torah, that leads to repentance, pointing us to the grace that is in the New Covenant. “The Law has become our tutor to lead us to the Messiah” (Galatians 3:24), but if I may add, not only to Him, but further, to know Him in the height, length, breadth and depth.

“But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; after those days, says YHVH, I will put my Torah in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts, and will be their Elohim and they shall be my people and they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying know YHVH for they shall all know me from the least of them unto the greatest of them” (Jeremiah 31:33-34).

Chapter four of the letter to the Galatians is one of the most difficult to understand, because it can be interpreted in many different ways. My opinion is that this chapter deals with our level of spiritual maturity, rather that with the Law-versus-Grace issue. It is impossible not to be under some type of law, whether it be reaping and sowing, cause and effect, blessings and curses or gravity. There are laws that govern the physical realm. There are also laws which influence the soul, and of course there are laws which affect the spiritual domain. Therefore, actions, attitudes, thoughts and words are not without their varying consequences, whether one is a believer or not.

To live in the flesh, or to sin, is to live in a state of rebellion, missing the mark of Torah, which is a revelation of Elohim’s divine order. “If by the Spirit you are led, you are not under law of sin and death but under the law of Elohim or life in Yeshua” (Galatians 5:18). To walk in the Spirit is to walk in obedience to Elohim’s commandments, His statutes, ordinances, and principles that are in the Torah and are now being written on our hearts.

Torah, as understood by the early Apostles, refers to the first five books of Moses. It was viewed as the prophetic root of the full counsel of Elohim, the blueprint for the redemptive plan. All through the book of Acts, and the other writings, the Apostles quote from these scriptural sources. Does that mean that they were “under law”?

Paul himself preached and taught from morning to evening from the Torah of Moshe and the Prophets. “So when they had appointed him a day, many came to him at his lodging, to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of YHVH, persuading them concerning Yeshua from both the Torah of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening” (Acts 28:23). Was he under law? Paul was a Torah-practicing Jew. Did that make him a hypocrite? The Apostles used the Torah for building the foundations of the Gospel of the Kingdom and proving that Yeshua was the Messiah. Were they “under law”?

YHVH promised that in the later days we would understand the things which have been written in the torah of Moshe and by the Prophets. “The fierce anger of YHVH will not return until He has done it, And until He has performed the intents of His heart. In the latter days you will consider it” (Jeremiah 30:24). Is this why we, as the redeemed of YHVH, as the returnees to Zion and to our Israelite heritage, must take seriously the exhortation in Malachi 4:4-6: "Remember the Torah of Moses, My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of YHVH, and he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse."

What is this “fierce anger of YHVH” and His “great and dreadful day” in which He smites the earth with a curse? Remember what He had to do to the Egyptians when He sent those horrible ten plagues in order to bring His people back to the land. Why such devastating judgments?

Because YHVH is a jealous Elohim, and that which belongs to Him He desires to possess. “YHVH’s portion is His people, Jacob is the lot of His inheritance” (Deuteronomy 32:9). Absolutely nothing is going to stop our Elohim from fulfilling all that has been spoken by His servant Moshe. As a matter of fact, even Yeshua said: “If you believed Moses, you would also believe me; for he wrote of Me. But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words” (John 5:46-47). Just a few verses prior to that statement, Yeshua exclaimed: “You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is these that bear witness of Me…I have come in My Fathers name, and you do not receive Me; if another shall come in his own name, you will receive him” (John 5:39, 43). We must be careful today because many are coming in His name, but without knowing the Yeshua of Torah, in ignorance they will give glory to man. “How can you believe when you receive glory from one another and you do not seek the glory that is from the one and only true Elohim?” (John 5:44).

Paul’s letter to the Corinthians speaks of hardness over the mind, and a veil over the heart, that when the Tanach (Old Testament) is read, even to this day, those who read it cannot understand what is written there. But when we come to the Messiah it becomes life, for the Holy Spirit has been given to lead and teach us into all truth (ref. 2Corinthians 3: 14-15, 18; John 16:13). But if we have discarded the whole counsel of Elohim in Torah, we will still remain ignorant of what is written for our edification, especially “that we might know Him the only true Elohim”; “And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments” (1John 5:20; 2:3). Does knowing Him and keeping His commandments put us under law or does it transform us into His image and likeness from glory to glory?

Ephraim

"How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity…for in this Elohim commands the blessings – life eternal" (Psalm 133: 1-3).

RESTORATION

December 4, 1998

We hear a lot today about renewal, restoration, and revival. We see and hear about the move of YHVH’s Spirit from many corners of the globe. Over night some obscure ministries catapult into fame and fortune. They become the authority “on-how-to-get-Elohim-to-move-in-your-life.” Is this the restoration that YHVH is speaking about in His word, or is it a refreshing experience, like a visit to an oasis in the wilderness? It appears to be a move of YHVH’s grace. “Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of YHVH; and that He may send Yeshua the Messiah appointed for you, whom heaven must receive until the periods of time of restoration of all things about which YHVH spoke by the mouth of His holy prophets from ancient times” (Acts: 3:19-21).

As we journey back to the “ancient times,” we find the prophets quite consistent about a “restoration,” especially of the house of Jacob. One of the first assignments given to the Messiah, for example, was: “to bring Jacob back inorder that Israel might be gathered to Him...to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel and then to make them a light to the nations” (Isa. 49:5-6). “I will restore the captivity of the tents of Jacob and have compassion on his dwelling places” (Jer.30:18). “I will take you from the nations, gather you from all the lands, and bring you into your own land” (Ez.36:24). It is very interesting to note that the Hebrew word for restore, is the same as for “repent:” “Shoov.” It also has other shades of meaning, such as: to turn back to a starting point; to come back home; recall, recompense, recover, refresh, relieve, requite, rescue, retrieve, reverse, and reward. The restoration of the fallen booth of David (a united Israel) in Acts 15:16, is another example of Jacob’s restoration as a national entity. Also the angel announced to Miriam that He (Yeshua) "would be great, and would be called the Son of the Highest; and the YHVH would give Him the throne of His father David. And that He would reign over the house of Jacob forever, and of His kingdom there will be no end" (Luke 1:32-33).

The last verse written by the last of the prophets from of old, Malachi, has to do with restoration: “He will restore, or turn the hearts of the children to the fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse” (Mal. 4:6). Who are the children? Who are the fathers? In the Tenach the word “fathers” almost always refers to the Patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and the word “children” to their progeny, or seed.

Throughout the scriptures we see YHVH working or doing things in secret or in mystery, things that are hidden from the eyes of our understanding. Even as YHVH multiplied the seed of Abraham, He did it without the Patriarchs even knowing, as we see in these scriptures. “Though art our Father, though Abraham does not know us, and Israel does not recognize us, yet though art our Father, our Redeemer from of old is Thy name” (Isa. 63:16). “Therefore thus says YHVH, who redeemed Abraham, concerning the house of Jacob, “Jacob shall not now be ashamed, nor shall his face now turn pale; But when He sees his children, the work of My hands, in his midst, they will sanctify My name; indeed, they will sanctify the Holy one of Jacob, and will stand in awe of YHVH - Elohey Israel, and those who err in mind will know the truth, and those who criticize will accept instruction” (Jer.29:22-24). “Remember, O YHVH, what has befallen us; Look, and see our reproach! Our inheritance has been turned over to strangers, our houses to aliens. We have become orphans without a father, our mothers are like widows” (Lam.5:1-3). In YHVH’s prophetic time, He will reveal, lift the veils, and bring to light that which He Himself has hidden. Are we in that great hour of revelation-restoration, when the sons of Zion arise and shine with the light that comes from the glory of YHVH? (see Isa 60) Are these the times of the restoration of the two sticks, the two nations, the two families? Are the children yearning for their true identity? Are they looking for their roots and desiring to return home without even understanding why? Is this the time that YHVH Himself is acting upon the hearts in answer to the prayer of our forefathers “Restore us to thee, Oh Soveriegn One, that we may be restored; Renew our days as of old,” (Lam.5:21)?

“I have surely heard Ephraim grieving ‘Thou hast chastised me, and I was chastised, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, For Thou art YHVH my Elohim” (Jer. 31:18). "Heal me, O YHVH, and I will be healed; save me and I will be saved, for Thou art my praise” (Jer. 17:14). Is this the time when Elohim’s blazing judgements upon the house of Joseph ends and His lovingkindness and compassion begins. Ephraim (the whole house of Joseph) was called “a gentle” “not my people” an outcast, banished ones and an orphan. But now, in the Messiah, they are called: “vessels of mercy” “watchmen” “priest of the most High Elohim” and “sons of the living Elohim” (Hos. 1:9-10).

“Oh, give ear, Shepherd of Israel, Thou who dost lead Joseph like a flock; Thou who art enthroned above the cherubim, shine forth! Before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh, stir up Thy power, and come to save us! O Elohim, restore us and cause thy face to shine upon us, and we will be saved” (Ps. 80:1-3).

“Is not Ephraim my dear son? I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. I will gather you from the remotest parts of the earth, with weeping you shall come, with supplication I will lead you; a great company you shall return here (to the land). For YHVH has ransomed you, and redeemed you from the hand that was stronger than you (remember Pharaoh and his army?)...You shall come and shout for joy on the height of Zion (Elohim’s resting place), you shall be radiant over the goodness of YHVH... Set up for yourself roadmarks, place for yourself guideposts; direct your heart to the highway, the way by which you went and return, O virgin of Israel, return to these your cities” (from Jer.31).

“Therefore behold days are coming,” declares YHVH, “when it will no longer be said, ‘As YHVH lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt, but ‘As YHVH lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them, for I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers” (Jer.16:14-15).

“In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel (Ephraim) and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave their fathers as an inheritance” (Jer. 3:18).

Ephraim

“Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell (shevet achim) together in unity...for in this Elohim commands the blessing life eternal” (Psa. 133).

DO NOT FEAR

November 27, 1998

“Pharaoh and his army drew near...the sons of Israel looked up...they were filled with fear and cried out to YHVH” (Ex,14:10).

Do you sometimes feel that the kingdom of “sin and death”, which ruled over you as a slave, is breathing down your neck again? You may feel that the ruler of this world and his armies are drawing ever nearer to you. At times like these we may wonder, Why did Elohim bother to take us out of Egypt in the first place? “Were there no graves in Egypt?” (Exodus 14:11).

Is your personal situation and circumstance so trying, that you wish Elohim would just remove you from this life? “Oh Elohim, just take me back to Egypt, spare me of this wilderness trial, or please just whisk me off to the promised land!” Times like these enable us to better identify with our forefathers. They too, daily faced real life situations, which were loaded with real needs and fears. Elohim’s Word records these examples for us to learn from. They are a living blueprint and may serve as roadmaps for us as we learn to walk in faith. Even in life’s darkest valleys the still small voice of YHVH is always with us. However, we must still, read the Word, and pray if we are to hear these words of YHVH: “DO NOT FEAR! Stand by and see the salvation of YHVH which He will accomplish” (Ex. 14:13). “YHVH will fight for you while you keep silent” (v.14).

Oh yes, there are times for loud praises, crying out in praying or doing many exploits, but there is also a time for the Holy One of Israel to speak these words from the mouth of the prophet: “In repentance and rest you shall be saved, in quietness and trust is your strength” (Isa.30:15). We have no choice, we cannot turn back. But, can we hear the voice of YHVH saying to us: “Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward!” (Ex.14:15).

The words: “Fear not”. to include “Have no fear” occur over one hundred and seventy times in the scriptures. The only “fear” we are instructed to develop is the, “fear of YHVH”. With this perfect fear comes wisdom: “The fear of YHVH is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding” (Pro. 9:10). Thus to know Him is perfect love “and there is no fear in love, perfect love casts out fear” (1 John 4:18).

Ten of the twelve spies came back with an evil report and all of Israel was infected. This resultant fear made it necessary for all of Israel to wonder around in the desert for forty years. We must not let the fear of man deny us of our inheritance, nor to keep us out of Elohim's will. Interestingly the two leaders with the good report were, Caleb of the Tribe of Judah and Joshua the Ephramite. Let us today who are inheritors of the covenant promises be like Joshua and Caleb, a true Ephramite and Judahite, positive and fearless examples of leaders who can take that which Elohim is giving to us. Even Caleb who had served YHVH fourty-five years and was at the youthful age of eighty-five said these words “I am still as strong today as I was in the day Moses sent me, as my strength was then so my strength is now for war and for going out and coming in. Now then give me this hill country about which YHVH spoke...” (Jos. 14:11-12)! Come let us be those watchmen on the hills of Ephraim who call out “Arise, and let us go up to Zion, to YHVH our Elohim” (Jer 31:6). Therefore, just as Joshua was an Ephramite let us also remember these words that were spoken to him: “Be strong and courageous! Do not fear, tremble or be dismayed, for YHVH your Elohim is with you wherever you go” (Josh. 1:9).

“Is not Ephraim my dear son? I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness. I will gather you from the remotest parts of the earth, with weeping you shall come, with supplication I will lead you; a great company you shall return here (to the land). For YHVH has ransomed you, and redeemed you from the hand that was stronger than you (remember Pharaoh and his army?)...You shall come and shout for joy on the height of Zion (Elohim’s resting place), you shall be radiant over the goodness of YHVH... Set up for yourself roadmarks, place for yourself guideposts; direct your heart to the highway, the way by which you went and return, O virgin of Israel, return to these your cities” (from Jer.31).

“Therefore behold days are coming,” declares YHVH, “when it will no longer be said, ‘As YHVH lives, who brought up the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt, but ‘As YHVH lives, who brought up the sons of Israel from the land of the north and from all the countries where He had banished them. For I will restore them to their own land which I gave to their fathers” (Jer.16:14-15).
“In those days the house of Judah will walk with the house of Israel (Ephraim) and they will come together from the land of the north to the land that I gave their fathers as an inheritance” (Jer. 3:18).

Ephraim

GATES

November 20, 1998

“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; even lift them up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” Psalms 24:9: In these days we hear a lot about “gates.” Gates seem to be very important to YHVH, as He told Israel that they should write His commandments on the gate of their tents and houses: “Therefore shall ye keep all the commandments which I command you this day, and thou shalt write them upon the door posts of thine house, and upon thy gates” (Deu. 11:8,20). The Israelites were told to bring in the tithes every three years and place them in their gates. The elders, judges, officers were to sit in the gates and conduct the affairs of the city. Thus, whoever was in control of the gates commanded all that went on in the city or the nation. They had dominion over all the affairs of the kingdom. Armies knew that if they could not take the gate they could not take the city.

I have often wondered about the significance of the word that YHVH had spoken to Abraham, after he brought Isaac down from the aborted sacrifice on Mount Moriah: “That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies” (Gen. 22:17). Before leaving her family to join Isaac, Rebekah’s relatives blessed her: “Thou art our sister, be thou the mother of thousands of millions, and let thy seed possess the gate of those which hate them” (Gen. 24:60). Isaac and his seed were given a double blessing; YHVH was giving them a prophetic mandate to possess, control or rule by force the gates of those who hate them.

Isaac’s progeny was given a position of authority in the earth. Can this fact be detected in the words that YHVH used to describe the multitudes which would come from the forefathers: “stars” (designed to govern the night Gen.1:16), “sand of the sea” (boundaries for the waters (of humanity)? “When the Most High divided to the nations their inheritance, when He separated the sons of Adam, He set the bounds of the people according to the number of the children of Israel, for YHVH’s portion is his people; Jacob is the lot of his inheritance” (Deut.32:8).

YHVH is speaking about His faithfulness to the covenant of multiplicity, but He is also indicating that Isaac’s chosen seed (Jacob) would have a position of dominion and authority. They were to be the head of the nations, the boundary for the peoples, and the spiritual gates that would either protect or allow the spiritual enemies of Elohim to enter and control the rest of the peoples. YHVH had giving them exclusive rights to His scepter when He calls them after the order of Melchizadec; a nation of princes and priests. There are twelve gates into this earth realm from the spiritual realm. The names that are written on those twelve gates are the twelve tribes of Israel. These gates have been given to Israel in order to govern and protect the city and kingdom of their Elohim. However YHVH’s chosen nation has been taken by force by the enemies of Elohim.

When Israel gave up their Elohim as king, the prince of this world, Satan (the dragon) took over and entered in and gave his ruling power to the beast (the flesh of man): “the dragon gave him his power and his throne and great authority” (Rev. 13:2). The beast is worshipped (humanism) and becomes so great that nothing is to be compared to him: “who is like the beast?” He becomes so powerful that it is said of him: “who can make war with him” (Rev. 13:3-4). Yet, in the midst of this greatness we see a little stone hitting this beast on his feet of clay, and growing into a large mountain until it consumes the whole earth (see Dan. 2:35). We know that this little stone is YHVH’s ruling Son Yeshua and that when he came and gave His life, the gates of hell can no longer prevail.

The angel of Elohim Gabriel, when first appearing to Miriam, said to her that the one to be born of her would set up the kingdom of Elohim in the house of Jacob: “He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and YHVH shall give unto him the throne of his father David, and he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever; and of his kingdom there shall be no end” (Luke 1:32-33).

It is very clear where the Messiah would set up his kingdom. Perhaps this is why the disciples of Yeshua, asked him just before he ascended into the heavens to sit at His Father’s right hand: “Lord, wilt thou at this time restore again the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6b).

The usage of the word “restore” must mean that it was there sometime in the past. A good indication of this was during the time of the prophet Samuel. Samuel was complaining to YHVH that the people were not listening and they wanted a king to judge them like the other nations (1 Sam. 8:5). YHVH answered the prophet in these words ”they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me as king over them” (1 Sam. 8:7) (1 Sam. 12:12). The number one characteristic of a kingdom is that its government is headed by a king. Thus for YHVH’s kingdom to be restored to Israel, a king must be enthroned over the nation. From Gabriel’s message we should have no doubt as to who that is.

When we look at the Messiah’s response to the disciples question we can see that His intention was to make them witnesses to this kingdom. How? “when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, you shall be my witness...” What is the kingdom of Elohim? Paul tells us very clearly in his letter to the believers in Rome: “the kingdom of Elohim is not eat or drink, but righteousness, peace and joy in the Spirit of Holiness” (Rom. 14:17) It is the nature of the Father in the life of the new creation man. The main reason for the power from on high to come into the life of the believer was for Elohim to set up His dominion, that is the Lordship of the Messiah in and over the life of every one that was redeemed. But even more so as it would altimately be seen in the coorprete House of Jacob and the 12 tribes of Israel. This is why the restoration of all Israel as a single nation will be apposed by the principalities and powers in heavenly places. They have been the controling forces in the gates (twelve tribes). But as the Holy One through the power of the His Spirit cleanses the gates and comes into them as the King of glory, Satans rule on this earth will be cast down and the malanial reign of the Messiah will begin. But first Yeshua must restore those twelve gates. These gates are also seen as His sheilds in the earth. “The princes of the people are gathered together, the people of the Elohim of Abraham: for the shields of the earth belong unto Elohim: He is greatly exalted” (Ps 47:9).


The apostle again says that we have been taken out of the kingdom of darkness and transfered to the kingdom of his beloved son (see Col. 1:13); this is not something that is yet to come, it happens to every believer that has received the “Holy Spirit” the power from on high. It is His power which witnesses to righteousness, peace and joy in the life of the believer. It is the nature of the new life, with His Torah written in the blood of the Lamb on the doors and gates of the heart. The fullness of the Torah was in the life of the Lamb, and the life of the Lamb was in the blood and in Yeshua’s blood was righteousness, peace and joy. Thus resident in the life of the believing nation the redeemed twelve tribes, is the authority to sit in the gates of every nation and rule those nations with a rod of Iron, but not only to rule, but also to sit to judge with equity the sons of men and to witness the eternal light the shekina glory of the Son.

Our warfare is not with flesh and blood nations, but with the principalities and powers of this evil world. We as redeemed Israelite believers must become mature in holiness, even as our Heavenly Father is Holy. If we do not defeat this power of sin in our personal life how are we going to do it when it comes to nations. May those gates now say: “But thou, O YHVH, art a shield for me; my glory, and the lifter up of mine head” (Ps 3:3).

Ephraim

"How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity… for in this Elohim has commanded the blessings – eternal life."

PRAYING THE PSALMS

November 13, 1998

This letter is going to be a little out of character, as I would like to share some scriptures that YHVH gave us in the midst of troublesome times. I am sure if Elohim is working in your lives, as He is in ours, you need some encouragement. We usually read the Psalms daily, according to the day of the month; for example on the 6th of Nov., we read Ps. 6, 36, 96 and 126. When we woke up that particular morning, my wife said to me that she felt as if she was preparing for her own funeral. I felt the same. A cloud of gloom and doom hung over us. One cannot help but talk to Yeshua at such times, because the enemy is also going to put his “two cents” into these situations if he hasn’t already.

We opened our bibles to His word and this is the way He led us to pray:
“O YHVH, rebuke me not in thine anger, neither chasten me in thy hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me, O YHVH; for I am weak: O YHVH, heal me; for my bones are vexed. My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O YHVH, how long?
Return, O YHVH, deliver my soul: oh save me for thy mercies' sake. For in death there is no remembrance of thee: in the grave who shall give thee thanks?
I am weary with my groaning; all the night make I my bed to swim; I water my couch with my tears.
Mine eye is consumed because of grief; it waxes old because of all mine enemies.
Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity; for YHVH has heard the voice of my weeping.
YHVH has heard my supplication; YHVH will receive my prayer.
Let all mine enemies be ashamed and sore vexed: let them return and be ashamed suddenly” (Psa. 6:6-10).

“Thy mercy, O YHVH, is in the heavens; and thy faithfulness reaches unto the clouds. Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O YHVH, thou preserves man and beast. How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O Elohim! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings. They shall be abundantly satisfied with the fatness of thy house; and thou shalt make them drink of the river of thy pleasures. For with thee is the fountain of life: in thy light shall we see light. O continue thy lovingkindness unto them that know thee; and thy righteousness to the upright in heart. Let not the foot of pride come against me, and let not the hand of the wicked remove me. There are the workers of iniquity fallen: they are cast down, and shall not be able to rise" (Psa. 36:5-12).

“O bless our Elohim, you people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard: Which holds our soul in life, and suffers not our feet to be moved. For thou, O Elohim, has proved us: thou has tried us, as silver is tried. Thou brought us into the net; thou laid affliction upon our loins. Thou has caused men to ride over our heads; we went through fire and through water: but you brought us out into a wealthy place.
Blessed be Elohim, which has not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me"(Psa.. 66:8-12,20).

Psa 96 was up lifting as we worshipped and then in Psa. 126 he reminded us of our calling, this Psalm really spoke to our heart, and the desire to proclaim what great things our Elohim, the Elohim of our fathers, the Elohim of Israel has done. “When YHVH turned again the captivity of Zion, we were like them that dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, and our tongue with singing: then said they among the heathen, YHVH has done great things for them. YHVH has done great things for us; whereof we are glad. Turn again our captivity, O YHVH, as the streams in the south. They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goes forth and weeps, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him" (Psa.126:1-6).

The Messiah Yeshua stands with the winnowing fork in His hand to bring in the harvest of a seed (the seed of Abraham), that the Father had sown into all the earth. What a privilege to be a part of this great company of those who are redeemed by His blood and now returning to Zion to give testimony of the great things He, the Elohim of Israel has done!

"For, lo, the days come, saith YHVH, that I will bring again the captivity of my people Israel and Judah, saith YHVH: and I will cause them to return to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they shall possess it" (Isa,30:3).

"Therefore fear thou not, O my servant Jacob, saith YHVH; neither be dismayed, O Israel: for, lo, I will save thee from afar, and thy seed from the land of their captivity; and Jacob shall return, and shall be in rest, and be quiet, and none shall make him afraid" (Jer.30:10).

Please note: Jer. 30:24: "The fierce anger of YHVH shall not return, until he has done it, and until he has performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days you shall consider and understand it."

Be encouraged, nothing, NO NOTHING can separate us from the love of Elohim that is in our Messiah Yeshua.

Ephraim

"How good and how pleasant it is for brothers to dwell together in unity... for in this Elohim commands the blessings - life eternal" (Ps. 133: 1-3).