Can we do תפילות prayers for:
Emet Ministries?That through them The האור Light, רפואה The Healing and The ואהבה Love of ישועת יהוה Yeshuath YHWH may come back to הארץ The Land of Israel?
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 By Daniel Rendelman DOWNLOAD printable version by clicking HERE. The Feast of Tabernacles, called "Sukkot" in Hebrew is a wonderful time of worship, fellowship, and joy. Sukkot is when we are to remember the wilderness journey of the Israelites from Egypt to the Promised Land. The scriptures teach in Leviticus 23:42 that believers are to "dwell" in the booth/Sukkah for seven days. The word "dwell" literally meaning to spend time in the Sukkah, various translations for this word as: dwell, stay, live. Some people spend the entire week living in their Sukkah while others enter the Sukkah for meals, family time, worship, relax, or study. Others camp for part of or the entire week of Sukkot. This has been the second year that my family has camped in a tent for the festival. I remember how in previous years we struggled to put up our tent in the midst of a downpour of rain. This year it may rain again and our family we definitely have our challenges with getting our gang of children to sleep! Regardless of the trials, Sukkot has been a blessed time of learning and worship. Of the many lessons learned during Sukkot, the serious side of Sukkot is one that should be considered. There are expectations for our relationship with YHWH and with each other. The Sukkah is a living example of YHWH's power and promise to be with His people. YHWH said to the nation of Israel, "make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among you," Exodus 25:8. The Hebrew word "among" is "Tavek." This is a root word that means "among, middle, between, within." This means that YHWH wanted the people to build the tabernacle so that He could dwell WITHIN the people. It's not the tent of Sukkot that attracts the presence. It is our heart and our efforts. It's not just the commandments but our heart and actions of preparing the tabernacle for YHWH's presence. "Then I will dwell among the Israelites and be their Elohim. They will know that I am YHWH their Elohim, who brought them out of Egypt so that I might dwell among them," Exodus 29:45-46. The presence of YHWH was meant to be in the midst of the people Israel. This can again be seen in Joel 2:2, "And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am YHWH your Elohim, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed." This verse from Joel has special Sukkot meaning. YHWH wants to be in the midst of Israel in the midst of our camp. YHWH was never meant to be separate or separated. When Adam and Eve were created in the Garden of Eden they had a perfect relationship with YHWH. Then after the fall, that relationship was hindered and YHWH was no longer in the midst of their lives. "Then the man and his wife heard the sound of YHWH Elohim as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the YHWH Elohim among the trees of the garden," Genesis 3:8. One reason that Adam and Eve hid from YHWH is because they realized a difference in the voice of YHWH. Before sin, His voice was inside of them and they were united with YHWH in perfection. Now, the voice was on the OUTSIDE. The loss of the voice scared them so much that the first couple hid among the trees (perhaps behind the tree of knowledge.) The voice was separated because Adam and Eve had chosen to eat from the wrong tree and seek after the knowledge of good and evil. We too are tempted with the same tree - the tree of knowledge. The desire to know more tempts us today. Adam and Eve should have been listening to the voice and eating from the tree of life! This fall teaches us a very good and timely lesson. Until we have eaten from the tree of life then we shouldn't worry about knowledge of the other spiritual issues. The tree of life or "eytz chayim" is the Torah of YHWH as revealed in the first five books of the Bible. To eat from the tree of life is to take the Torah and digest it until the Torah becomes part of our very inner being. This digestion of the Torah tree of life will produce the fruit of the spirit like love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self control. Until the voice is in our midst and we are walking with YHWH closely, we have no place studying the esoteric side of Torah. We spend so much time worrying about the minutia of the Torah. Countless hours are devoted to the little things, like the latest revelation from some Internet teacher. NOW, during Sukkot, is the time to get serious about the Tree of Life and the holiness of the camp. Too many believers squabble over calendars or outward observances like diet or homeschooling. Too much time is wasted learning about the newest conspiracy theory. Sadly, there are many people who choose to eat from the tree of knowledge with many hours of studying and yet these same people spend very little time listening to the Ruach in prayer. Knowledge is not the answer. Adam and Eve had knowledge. Having a relationship with Y'shua and His people is what we should be focusing upon. We must take the knowledge that we have learned and apply it through listening to the voice of YHWH and seeking the greater commandments of love, mercy, and justice. Rabbi Sha'ul / the Apostle Paul makes his case for such seriousness when he states that the knowledge of YHWH is nothing but dung. What matters is walking in His Word and gaining the power of the anointing. Philippians 3:8, "Yes doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Messiah Y'shua my Master for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ." Paul makes it very clear that "all things" are "but loss" compared to knowing Y'shua. Indeed, he goes as far to use the word "dung." This shows us that whatever we do that doesn't directly help our relationship with YHWH and other people is waste. Many good deeds, many good ideas, and many good books are nothing but waste. What dung is there in your life? What is wasting your time from prayer and fellowship with YHWH? What we know; what we think we know; our obedience; our Torah observance; is nothing BUT dung compared to winning Christ. The Greek word translated here for Christ is "Christos." In Hebrew this is the term "Moshiach." These terms have the same meaning. "Christos" and "Moshiach" both mean refer to the "anointed one, Messiah." This word could also reference the "anointing" that comes from the "anointed one." This anointing is the power to "preach the good news, bind up the broken, and proclaim freedom to the captives." This is the same anointing that the Messiah had. He has given us the call to "grant those who mourn in Zion, Giving them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting. So they will be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of YHWH, that He may be glorified," Isaiah 61:3. The anointing of YHWH - the prize of winning Y'shua will only be accomplished as we walk in holiness before YHWH and men. True holiness doesn't come from what you know. True set apartness comes from what you do with what you know! The scriptures state, "For YHWH your Elohim walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you." For YHWH to dwell in our midst we must have a sense of holiness. This set apartness must touch every area of our life. The big issues and the small issues must be given over to YHWH. YHWH can't walk in our midst if our life if full of junk and dung and waste. Deuteronomy 23:13-14, "As part of your equipment have something to dig with, and when you relieve yourself, dig a hole and cover up your excrement. For YHWH your Elohim walks in the midst of your camp, to deliver you and give your enemies over to you; therefore your camp shall be holy, that He may see no unclean thing among you, and turn away from you." The dung, the waste must be dealt with and buried if we want YHWH to walk in our midst. For our camp of Sukkot and our camp of life to be holy ground we must get past the crud. We must be holy as He is holy. "Y'shua said - Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect," Matthew 5:48. This is a repetition of Torah command in Leviticus 11:44, "I am YHWH your Elohim; consecrate yourselves and be holy, because I am holy."The original term "holy" or "perfect" is the Hebrew word "Kadosh." If you have been in the Messianic faith for any amount of time, this is a word that you have no doubt heard before. Most know the song "kadosh" as an anthem of worship. Yet, the word "kadosh" is so much more. The term means to be "sacred, holy, saint, set apart." I believe this simple definition has caused more pain and hardship upon believers than it's helped. A lot of people just get "weird" in their quest to be "set apart" and "kadosh." Essential oils, holy garments, organic diets, certain Hebrew words, home schooling, "correct" calendars, and tassels all set us apart from the world in no other way. At the core these items are holy - they can be found in YHWH's word. BUT they can also become weapons against us. Kadosh does not mean WEIRD. It doesn't even mean set apart from the world. What this word is trying to teach us is that we are to be set apart IN the world. We not to become reclusive believers who stay away from others in an effort to remain "holy." Nor are we to constantly rebuke others who do don't do things our way. We get so wrapped up in having our doctrines and beliefs RIGHT that we offend any who live contrary. We have been called to be "in the world but not of the world." We have been told to "come out of Babylon and touch not the unclean thing." WELL, as the book of Acts teaches - people are not unclean. The story of Peter falling asleep and dreaming of clean and unclean animals was used as a lesson to him and the first believers that there should be no distinction between Jew and Gentiles. Salvation has been granted for all. The Torah is for all of mankind. If we get weird or reclusive or offended at others then we will never accomplish Y'shua's call to "seek and save the lost sheep of the house of Israel." If we refuse to fellowship with people because their Torah keeping or their theologies are different then we are NOT being kadosh - we are being rebellious. There is a difference. Holiness is moral righteousness Holiness is loving your neighbor Holiness is giving the benefit of the doubt Holiness is walking in the Spirit Holiness is allowing the Spirit to dwell in YOUR camp True holiness will welcome the presence of YHWH and create a place that He can dwell. This is the serious message of Sukkot! The festival of Tabernacles is all about tabernaceling! Sukkot reminds us of the Savior's birth, the traveling tabernacle, the Temple, the harvest, and YHWH's presence during the wilderness. John 1:14 states that the "word became flesh and tabernacle/dwelt among us." The disciples experienced the presence of YHWH in a very tangible and exciting way as Y'shua walked with them for many years. Wouldn't that be great today?! Wouldn't it be nice to have Y'shua with us everyday to lead the way and explain things? Don't you think you could appreciate a few miracles that the Messiah might perform? Wouldn't it be nice to see Messiah interact with children or the religious people of today? That would be Sukkot! That's nice but something is better... John 16:7, "But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you." The tangible presence of Y'shua would be awesome but what we have today is so much better! The time of camping is great but we can have Sukkot everyday through the Ruach HaKodesh... 1 Corinthians 6:19, "Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from Elohim? You are not your own." We are YHWH's Sukkah now and His presence wants to dwell in OUR camp. We have a responsibility unto holiness. True holiness allows the Messiah's power to dwell within us! The presence of YHWH was meant to be in the midst of the people Israel. Remember the verse from Joel? Joel 2:27 - And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am YHWH your Elohim, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. Let's read it in context to understand the power of YHWH's presence. Joel 2:27 -32, "And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am YHWH your Elohim, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days. I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and billows of smoke. The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of the great and dreadful day of YHWH. "And it will come about that whoever calls on the name of YHWH Will be delivered; For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem There will be those who escape, As YHWH has said, Even among the survivors whom YHWH calls." The latter-day move of the YHWH is directly connected to His people walking in holiness. The phrase "and it shall come to pass afterward" points to the previous verse "and ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel." This latter day move of the Ruach HaKodesh / Holy Spirit will not and can not come until YHWH is made holy within the camp of His people. It's time to deal with our dung and get past our sin and get past ourselves. We need to make Sukkot a daily experience of waking in His Spirit and hearing His voice and following His ways. As we listen to the voice we must seek the gentle whisper. We should commit time each day for prayer and praise and listening. Study can become a god. The Internet can become a god. Instead of bowing to these gods we must choose to seek YHWH's face and then act upon what He has shown us. When is last time you told YHWH no? What has YHWH called you to do? What dung do you need to deal with? Follow what he revealed to you. Remember from where you have fallen and repent. Ask the Creator to reveal His holiness to you and to give you Spiritual ears to hear His voice. Then act upon what YHWH has spoken. Sukkot is one of three festivals that we are commanded to make the pilgrimage journey to Jerusalem for worship. This shows us that we must, at this time, come before YHWH with open hearts and open minds. As the Spirit of YHWH is given power and freedom to dwell in the midst of us individually THEN the Almighty will begin to dwell in the midst of us as a nation. The latter-day move of YHWH is literally the restoration of Exodus 25:8, 'YHWH said to the nation of Israel, "make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among you.'" May this verse become our prayer and plea as we seek to walk in holiness of thought, theology, emotion, and action. Sukkot Seriousness |
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