Illusion and Solution

Illusion and Solution

"But you, Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book until the time of the end; many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase" (Daniel 12). Since there are no punctuations in the Hebrew Bible, the second part of the verse may be read thus:  “Until the time of the end many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall increase." This certainly is a very apt description of our day and age. Knowledge of the ages has been added on to new discoveries and is consolidated to form conclusions and far-reaching interpretations regarding YHVH’s Word. Because travel across the globe is available and every spot is accessible, many are becoming restless as various possibilities of future scenarios are impelling them to act or move in a number of directions, often with Israel, Jerusalem, or Zion being the focus. Crisscrossing the globe, going here and there, with visions of Restoration and Returning to the Land ahead of them (Jew and non-Jew), some are making their way to Israel from many places.

At the gates of the Land, however, there are no big billboards announcing WELCOME HOME! The sidewalks, rather than being paved with gold are often lined with litter, which not only hits the eye, but also offends the nose trills. On the road from the airport, instead of shofars blowing, the ears are blasted by car horns. The pure language that the returnee expects to hear makes for a babble of sounds. And, although Isaiah 55:1 proclaims: “All you who are thirsty, come to the water! You without money, come, buy, and eat! Yes, come! Buy wine and milk without money- it's free!” at the marketplace the vendors and cashiers have not been informed of the above. The mansions that Yeshua promised are not available yet, and the comer to the land has to overpay his stay in, quite often, dumpy digs. Then, after having sacrificed all, having spent hard-earned resources that were allocated for this ascent to Zion, a less-than-kind or polite government official announces that the visa has expired and two weeks are given in order to leave the country.

Wow… the dream has just been dissolved and melted into a paddle right before the eyes (and wet feet) of the well-meaning, polite, and prayer-saturated trusting would-be Israelite. What went wrong?

A certain passage in Isaiah 51:17-52:15 unfurls a sequel which may throw some light on the complex predicament that was described above. Before we start to follow this sequel, let us point out that in the context of the passage it seems that “Jerusalem” and “Zion” are used in a more comprehensive way in reference to the people of Israel, and as such may be attached not only to the Jews, but also to Israelites of other backgrounds. The passage starts with a call, “Rouse yourself, rouse yourself…” (51:17 emphasis added), words that are echoed by 52:1, “Awake, awake! Put on your strength…” (emphasis added). Interestingly these verbs are from the same Hebrew root meaning, “to wake up.”  But what does this ‘waking up’ entail?

YHVH makes reference to the “cup” that He Himself has handed to Zion, calling it “a cup of poison” (51:22 literal translation). In the previous verse He says of her that she is, “drunk but not with wine.” Immediately after that (in 52:2).  He enjoins her to “shake [herself] off from the dust…”  The verb used for “shaking” is similar in sound to the other two, underscoring, all the more, the process of waking, rising, and shaking off the old and moving into a new reality. The “dust” mentioned, is “a’fah’r” – the very substance that natural man was created from (Gen. 2:7), and which the serpent was destined to consume (Gen. 3:14).  

To further elaborate on what “Zion” and “Jerusalem” are called to do in their process of waking, let us look at 52:1, 2 and 11: “For the uncircumcised and the unclean shall no longer come to you… Loose yourself from the bonds of your neck, O captive daughter… Depart! Depart! Go out from there, touch no unclean thing; go out from the midst of her…”  What does the unclean consist of? What does it mean to come out of ‘her’? What is the drunkenness mentioned? Drunkenness, of course, is addiction, bondage to the glamour and promises of the ways of the world, to their methodologies, enticing security, rationale, goods, competition, intellect etc., all of which are subtly imbedded in the soul. YHVH continues to describe the sad condition of the addict: “You have sold yourselves for nothing… “(52:3), rendering the addict as worthless. However, He goes on to say, “but freely you will be redeemed” (literal translation). There is no payment for redemption. That cost has already been fully covered!

This now gives rise to the great exclamation and declaration: “Therefore My people shall know My name; Therefore they shall know in that day that I am He who speaks: 'Behold, it is I.' "(v. 6). What is the “speaking” which YHVH is referring to? It is the Good News of Salvation (52:7,8). Upon its proclamation, which includes facing YHVH face to face (or “eye to eye,” v. 8), so that even the ruined places (us), still awaiting their restoration, are able to, “break forth, shout joyfully together…” (v. 9) because comfort and redemption have already been granted, though have not been fully made manifest yet. Along with the above-mentioned call to those who are coming out to be cleansed, they are tagged with a label – “You who carry the vessels of YHVH” (52:11).

Another group of people carrying the vessels of YHVH was the priests in the wilderness. They were warned repeatedly to be careful in the process of dismantling the holy vessels, and maintaining their own purification lest they die. Later on in history, David and his entourage brought the Ark of the Covenant to Jerusalem. In addition to the Priests and Levites, David invited ‘all of Israel’ from ‘all over’ to join the procession (2^nd Chron. 13:2). As the joyful group was making its way up to the city, with singing, playing of instruments and dancing, it seemed suddenly that the ark was about to fall over. A man by the name of Uzzah stretched forth his hand to support YHVH’s holy vessel, and for that he was smitten on the spot and died. In 13:11 it says that this was an “outbreak” – “peretz” - against Uzzah.  In Exodus 19:22, before the giving of the Torah, with all of its preceding sanctification, YHVH warns the people not to dare come up the mountain lest He would have an “outbreak” (“peretz”) against them (Ex. 19:22).

The original “Peretz” is Judah’s son from Tamar (Gen. 38:29), from whom descended David (Ruth 4: 18-22) and Messiah Yeshua. It is no wonder then that in Micah (2:12,13) the “Poretz,” Breaker, is described as the King who goes ahead of His flock, hence the ‘holy vessel’ that we all carry within (Is. 52:11) – His Presence – cannot be handled contrary to His will or timing, or brought to its resting place prematurely.

Our original text in Isaiah 52, describes the flock (of “Zion”) and their return and restoration, after their rising, waking up from the stuper of drunkenness and addiction to captivity, shaking off their ‘dust,’ embracing the Good News, and cleansing themselves: “You shall not go out with haste, nor go by flight; For YHVH  will go before you, and the Elohim of Israel will be you rear guard” (v. 12).   

YHVH’s promise to restore His people to Himself as a Nation, and bring them back to the Land, stands sure and secure. Contrary to many predictions, He assures us that it will not be done in “haste” – “chipazon” – and as a “form of escape” – “menusah.”  The Poretz will not only make the way, but will also be the rearguard.  In the past, YHVH admonished His people:

"In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength" (Is. 30:15). However, YHVH reminded them that, “you would not.” May these words not be said of us!

 Rimona