Delrifkah: Thought FOR TODAY

An eternity is any moment opened with patience.
VANISHING SERPENTS
"(The Egyptian magicians). . . each cast down his rod, and they turned
into serpents. But Aaron's rod swallowed their rods." [Exodus
(Bereshith) 7. 12 Tanakh, Torah]
Just like the future Image of the Beast in the book of Revelation, which
will seem to have life, these magician-induced serpents are "lying
wonders." [2 Thessalonians 2. 9; Revelation 13. 15] Evil spirits do
possess certain powers, which can be used to impress their worshippers
with the magical insights and abilities of the images. However, neither
man nor demons can really create life; they simply imitate, steal, cheat
and lie. Creation is a privileged prerogative, indulgence, or advantage
of GOD ETERNAL. HE alone can and did "create all the living
creatures." [Genesis (Bereshith) 1. 21 Tanakh, Torah]
Both human magicians and demonic spirits can, however, generate hypnotic
mental states and occult hallucinations; by which ungodly people, like
Pharaoh, may be deceived into seeing as real physical entities.
However, when their demonstration was over, there was nothing to show
for it. Even the magician's rods (not serpents) were gone, for Aaron's
rod became a genuine serpent who had made a meal of them. In a true
creation miracle, Aaron's GOD OF HOSTS had transfigured the dead atoms
of a wooden stick (just as HE later caused it to sprout, put forth buds,
produce blossoms and yielded ripe almonds, see Numbers/B'Midvar 17. 8)
into a living serpent capable of consuming other sticks which only
"appeared (impersonated)" to be serpents.
The deception of the magicians was revealed later when they were unable
to imitate the mighty hand of GOD turning dust into lice throughout the
land of Egypt. [Exodus/Shemot) 3. 18] There is a limit to the things
the ALMIGHTY LIVING GOD will allow, even of deceivers, proving that only
HE is the CREATOR/SUSTAINER of life and does as HE wills!
The miracle of Aaron's rod can also be seen as a parable: Aaron's Rod
of Life took on the nature of the serpent, just as the LORD JESUS was
"made sin" for us. [2 Corinthians 5. 21] But then, it swallowed up the
other serpent-rods, and the sting of "that old serpent" was put away.
Thus, "death is swallowed up in victory. O DEATH, where is your sting?"
[1 Corinthians 15. 54 - 55] In YESHUA ha'MASHIACH, VICTORY IS AHEAD!
and we are more then conquerors because of our WONDERFUL LORD.

Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
MERCIFUL KING awaken our soul to grateful acknowledgement of YOUR grace
which has bestowed upon us the gift of life, and make our pathway come
in safety to the coveted goal -- YOUR LOVING PRESENCES. LORD, YOUR
loving-kindness is mighty over us, and we are ever thankful to YOU.
Blessed be YOUR HOLY NAME.
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
The one who cannot escape the consequences of the OLD COVENANT, is the
one who will not accept the blessings of the NEW.
BLOOD COVENANT
"Now may the GOD of peace who brought up our LORD JESUS from the dead,
that GREAT SHEPHERD of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting
covenant." [Hebrews 13. 20]
The Hebrew word "beriyth" translates to covenant, treaty, agreement,
pledge, testament, divine ordinance or contract. The theme of THE
COVENANT is expressively significant in the book of Hebrews more then
any other book in the NEW COVENANT. It is especially one for the
allotment of an inheritance, which is most significant of all covenants.
This NEW COVENANT is also called "a better covenant." [Hebrews 7. 22; 8.
6] "For this is the covenant that I will make with the House of Israel
after those days, says the LORD: I will put MY Laws in their mind, and
write them on their hearts; and I will be their GOD, and they shall be
MY people. I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins
and their lawless deeds I will remember no more." [Hebrews 8. 10, 12 -
quoting Jeremiah/Yirmeyah 31. 33]
The LORD YESHUA ha'MASHIACH is "the MEDIATOR of the NEW COVENANT, by
means of death, for the redemption of the transgressions under the FIRST
COVENANT, that those who are called may receive the promise of the
eternal inheritance" [Hebrews 9. 15] "not according to our works, but
according to HIS OWN purpose and grace which was given to us in MESSIAH
YESHUA before time began." [2 Timothy 1. 9]
The OLD COVENANT was signed by ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF: "When the sun set
and it was very dark, there appeared a SMOKING OVEN (Hebrew: 'ashan
tannuwr), and a FLAMING TORCH (Hebrew: 'esh lappiyd) which passed
between those pieces. On that day the LORD made a covenant with Abram
saying, 'To your offspring I assign this land, from the River of Egypt
to the great river, the River Euphrates.'" [Genesis (Bereshith) 15. 17 -
18 Tanakh, Torah; see all Genesis/Bereshith 15]
The NEW COVENANT is everlasting and our inheritance is eternal, for the
blood of this COVENANT was made with the infinitely precious blood of
the LORD JESUS "WHO has been perfected forever" [Hebrews 7. 28] WHOM GOD
has raised from the dead and now "HE continues forever... an
UNCHANGEABLE PRIESTHOOD, since HE always lives to make intercession" for
all who "come to GOD through HIM." [Hebrews 7. 24 - 25] Even now,
won't you come to the MASTER?

Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
JESUS! . . . Greetings in HIS SWEET & LOVELY NAME. May the flame of
YESHUA ha'MASHIACH burn brightly in your heart as you share HIS light
with others.
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.
Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Choose hope over despair.

DELIGHT IN THE LAW
"Blessed (happy) is the man who has not followed the counsel of the
wicked, or taken the path of sinners, or joined the company of the
insolent; rather, the TEACHING of the LORD is his delight, and he
studies and recites that teaching day and night." [Psalms/Tehillym 1. 1
- 2]
The Law should be a joy and a delight to anyone who really loves the
LORD GOD. The Law is not harsh or burdensome as some may think, though
grace has set us free from the Law. The Apostle Paul even said of grace,
"for I delight in the Law of GOD according to the inward man." [Romans
7. 22] "The Law is holy and the commandment holy and just and good."
[Romans 7. 12] David testified that "the TEACHING of the LORD is
perfect, renewing lifeÂ…the precepts of the LORD are just, rejoicing
the heart; the instruction of the LORD is radiant, lighting the eyes."
[Psalms (Tehillym) 19. 7 - 8 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
There are numerous extraordinary testimonies in Psalms 119 expressing
the advantages of God'S Law. "Happy (Hebrew: 'esher) are those whose
way is blameless, who follow the Teaching (Law) of the LORD...Open my
eyes that I may perceive the wonders of YOUR Teaching...May YOUR tender
mercy reach me that I might live, for YOUR Teaching (Law) is my
delight...Oh how I love YOUR Teaching! It is my study and contemplation
all the day...Those who love YOUR Teaching enjoy well-being and
encounter great peace; they encounter no adversity." [Psalms (Tehillym)
119. 1, 18, 77, 97, 165 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
The COMMANDMENT (Law) of GOD was not set aside when MESSIAH YESHUA came,
obvious from HIS first remark of the Law in the NEW COVENANT. The LORD
JESUS said, "Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the
Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say
to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by
no means pass from the Law till all is fulfilled." [Matthew 5. 17 - 18]
Furthermore, the Law is not for Jews only, for its first mention in the
OLD COVENANT affirms, "There shall be one Law for the citizen (Jew) and
for the stranger (Gentile) who dwells among you." [Exodus (Shemot) 12.
49 Tanakh, Torah]
The purpose of the Law is to convict, the Law cannot and does not save.
The Law defines what sin is and shows us our urgent need of the SAVIOUR.
We are saved by grace alone through faith alone. "For whoever shall keep
the whole Law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all."
[James 2. 10] But, "CHRIST has redeemed us from the curse of the Law,
having become a curse for us (for it is written, 'Cursed is everyone who
hangs on a tree')." [Galatians 3. 13] "The ScRIPTURE has confined ALL
UNDER SIN, that the promise by faith in JESUS CHRIST might be given to
THOSE WHO BELIEVE." [Galatians 3. 22]
Our LOVING AlmightY GOD is holy and just, and HIS Law is not a burden,
but is a delight -- restoring the soul, and bringing true fulfillment,
righteousness and great peace to those who love it.

Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
Draw me to YOU with the breath of love, swiftly shall I come to stand
within YOUR radiance that I may attain the sweetness of all intimacies
in YOUR PRESENCE. My soul aches to receive your love. . . only by the
tenderness of YOUR PURE LIGHT, MOST HOLY LORD can I be healed. . .
engage my soul in YOUR service that I may taste the ecstasy of YOUR
perfect righteousness. "Be'Ezrat ha'shem (with the help of God)" - my
soul will be exalted and greatly rejoice.
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.
Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

THE NINTH HOUR
"And about the ninth hour MESSIAH YESHUA cried out with a loud voice,
saying, 'ELI, ELI, LAMA SABACHTHANI?' that is, 'MY GOD, MY GOD, why have
YOU forsaken ME?'" [Matthew 27. 46]

YESHUA ha'MASHIACH, the SIN-LESS LAMB OF GOD, at the zenith of suffering
for the sins of the world uttered this desolate cry at the ninth hour,
for this was the time of the regular evening sacrifice, as well as the
time of evening prayers for the Israelite people.
At the ninth hour is when Elijah prayed, on Mount Karem'El, to the MOST
HOLY ONE against the prophets of Baal, and GOD, the ALMIGHTY RULER,
answered by fire from heaven. [1 Kings (Melakhim Alef) 18. 36 - 39]
Ezra's great prayer of confession and intercession also happened at this
same hour [Ezra/Ezra 9. 5] and a wonderful renewal and awakening with
the LORD GOD followed among the covenant people of Israel. When Daniel
uttered his own prayer of confession and intercession "about the time of
the evening offering" [Daniel/Danyel 9. 21] GOD OMNIPOTENT sent the
Angel Gabriel to answer his prayer.
In the NEW COVENANT, "Peter and John went up together to the temple at
the hour of prayer, the ninth hour" [Acts 3. 1], and the result was the
first apostolic miracle. Cornelius was the first Gentile convert to
LORD JESUS, WHO was praying "about the ninth hour of the day" [Acts 10.
3] when he, like Daniel, received a visit from an Angel of GOD to tell
him to send for Peter, who would introduce him to MESSIAH.
At the ninth hour, GOD THE RIGHTEOUS ONE answered all these recorded
prayers, at the time of the daily evening sacrifices. However, when
YESHUA ha'MASHIACH prayed, the HEAVENLY FATHER did not answer since HE
had forsaken HIS OWN SON.
"ELOI, ELOI, lama sabachthani?" that is, "MY GOD, MY GOD, why have YOU
forsaken ME?" [Mark 15. 34] was the cry of the LORD JESUS CHRIST, the
MAN OF SORROWS. HE knew! And now we know that it was simply because HE
"loved me, and gave HIMSELF for me." [Galatians 2. 20] CHRIST'S love
is greater then can be measured, but it can be ascertained by the cross
and separation from the FATHER, so HE "was made a little lower than the
angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honour, that
HE, by the grace of GOD, might taste death for everyone." [Hebrews 2. 9]
The LORD MESSIAH YESHUA died of a broken heart. . . that we might live.
Such incredible love!

Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
May GOD, WHO separates the holy from the secular and forgives our sins.
, As we bid farewell to Sabbath, we perform the Havdallah Service by
tasting the wine, smelling the spices, seeing the shadow of the candle,
hearing the prayers and songs and touching family and friends. We pray
that each of you have a "Tov Shavua (good week) - a week of peace, joy
and gladness - may gladness reign and joy increase as we live our life
in MESSIAH and share HIS GOOD NEWS of Salvation with others!"
Kadosh, Kadosh, Kadosh, (Holy! Holy! Holy!)
Adonai Elohim SHADDAI (LORD GOD ALMIGHTY)
Asher Hayah Va-ho-veh VaY'vo (WHO was and is and is to
come!)

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
If you have, hold on to it; if you know, be silent; if you can, do!

CUSTOMS - BRITH MILAH
"GOD further said to Abraham: 'As for you, you and your offspring to
come throughout the ages shall keep MY covenant. Such shall be the
covenant between ME and you and your offspring to follow which you shall
keep: every male among you shall be circumcised. You shall circumcise
the flesh of your foreskin, and that shall be the sign of the covenant
between ME and you. And throughout the generations, every male among you
shall be circumcised at the age of eight days. As for the home born
slave and the one bought from an outsider who is not of your offspring,
they must be circumcised, home born and purchased alike. Thus shall MY
covenant be marked in your flesh for an everlasting pact. And if any
male who is uncircumcised fails to circumcise the flesh of his foreskin,
that person shall be cut off from his kin; he has broken MY covenant.'"
[Genesis (Bereshith) 17. 9 - 14 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

Brith (bris or berith - means to bind, bond, obligation, cutting) Milah
(Covenant of Circumcision) is the Abrahamic Covenant, which is the basis
of Judaism and CHRISTianity, is the most marvelous document in
existence. Every Jewish boy today, when eight days old, is circumcised
according to the commandment. This practice, which is 4,000 years old,
is still held in high esteem by all Jews.

"Brith Milah" is a great celebration which takes place in the home where
relatives, friends, and neighbours have gathered. When the child is
carried in for circumcision, he is greeted with the familiar Hebrew
phrase: "Bruch haBah (Blessed is he that comes)." Attending the
ceremony, according to custom, there is always the invisible guest,
Elijah. The infant is placed upon Elijah's Chair just before the
operation. This, the Jews believe, insures the child's health and
promotes quick healing. At every circumcision, Elijah is supposed to be
seated at the right hand of the "sandek (one who holds the infant during
the operation)" - and the words "Zehu Kisei Eliyahu (This is the Chair
of Elijah)" must be said in a loud voice.

The one who performs the operation of circumcision, called by the Hebrew
term "Mohel" is so expert in this operation that no surgeon can compete
with him in his performance or in the safeguarding of the life and
health of the baby.

Part of the ceremony is naming the boy, which is done immediately after
the circumcision. The Ashkenazic Jews usually name the child after some
near relative who has passed away; whereas the Sephardic custom is to
name the child in honour of a living relative. This is an old custom
and is intended to keep family memories alive. When the boy is named
after the circumcision, he enters into the Covenant (Brith) and becomes
an inheritor of everything connected with it.

When the "CHILD born" and the "SON given" of Isaiah's prophecy
[Isaiah/Yeshayah 9. 6] was eight days old, Miryam (Mary) observed this
ceremony for HIM: "And when eight days were completed for the
circumcision of the CHILD, HIS NAME was called YESHUA (JESUS), the name
given by the angel before HE was conceived in the womb." [Luke 2. 21]

YESHUA, being a Jew "according to the flesh" - was subjected to every
law and commandment of GOD given to Israel in order to finish or fulfill
the OLD COVENANT and establish the NEW. For circumcision of the flesh
is a type and shadow of a greater experience of the heart. The
operation of circumcision signifies the cutting off the old creation --
the eighth day is the "morrow after the Sabbath" -- the day of
Resurrection, the day of the new creation!

OMNISCIENT HOLY GOD does not establish the fact of a person's Jewishness
from the outward manifestation, but HE recognizes the TRUE JEW from the
condition of the INNER MAN! HE commanded the Israelites: "Circumcise,
therefore, the foreskin about your heartS, and stiffen your necks no
more." [Deuteronomy (Devarim) 10. 16 Tanakh, Torah]

When Nicodemus, a religious leader of the Jews, a Pharisee, came to
MESSIAH JESUS by night to inquire concerning the way to heaven, YESHUA
answered: "You must be born again." [John 3. 7] The OLD COVENANT was
sealed with circumcision of the flesh; the NEW COVENANT is sealed with
the new birth or circumcision of the heart. Here, circumcision was
inferred to be the mark of death upon the Adam life. With the natural
man there is no power to love ALMIGHTY CREATOR GOD with all the heart,
soul, and strength; but the LORD promised a spiritual birth which would
make this possible: "Then the LORD your GOD will circumcise your heart
and the heart of your offspring, to love the LORD your GOD with all your
heart and soul, in order that you may live." [Deuteronomy (Devarim) 30.
6 Tanakh, Torah]

The new birth takes place when "with the heart man believe unto
righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation"
[Romans 10. 10] - when an individual makes a turn-about-face to GOD MOST
HIGH, to forsake his sins and accept the righteousness of GOD in YESHUA
ha'MASHIACH. The heart is circumcised, the old law is cut away, and a
new law takes its place. The ordinances rituals, ceremonies, sacrifices
under the OLD COVENANT are fulfilled, finished, done away in the HOLY
ONE OF ISRAEL, the DELIVERER WHO has come out of Zion – JESUS OF
NAZARETH, the SON OF THE LIVING GOD!

"And you are complete in HIM, WHO is the HEAD of all principality and
power. In HIM you were also circumcised with the circumcision made
without hands, by putting off the body of the sins of the flesh, by the
circumcision of MESSIAH (CHRIST JESUS)." [Colossians 1. 10 - 11]

Oh, my Jewish people, do you pride yourself that you are a Jew and that
you have obeyed the commandment of HOLY LORD GOD under the OLD COVENANT?
Listen to the words of Jeremiah, your own Jewish prophet, who wrote by
the inspiration of the SPIRIT OF GOD: "Lo, days are coming - declares
the LORD - when I will punish all WHO ARE CIRCUMCISED with the
UNCIRCUMCISED -- Egypt, Judah, Edom, the people of Ammon, Moab, and all
who are in the farthest corners, who dwell in the wilderness. For all
these nations are UNCIRCUMCISED, and all the House of Israel are
UNCIRCUMCISED OF HEART (their minds are blocked to GOD'S
commandments)." [Jeremiah (Yirmeyah) 9. 25 – 26 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

GOD OMNIPOTENT does not recognize circumcision of the flesh above the
new birth. Jew and Gentile alike are commanded to obey "you must be
born again." Jews and Gentiles need an operation to cut away the
foreskin of their heart in order to enter into the KINGDOM OF GOD. It
does not matter if one is born a natural Jew; he does not merit heaven
by that fact; he is not even known as a TRUE Jew by GOD HIMSELF until
his heart is changed, until he repents of his sins and accepts as his
MESSIAH REDEEMER, the LORD JESUS!

"For in CHRIST JESUS neither circumcision nor un-circumcision avails
anything, but a new creation." [Galatians 6. 15] "For he is not a Jew
who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the
flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of
the heart, in the spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from
men but from GOD." [Romans 2. 28 - 29]


Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
Welcome Sabbath! – Queen of the week! Joyously welcoming Sabbath
Presence.
May the LORD GOD enlighten us with HIS wisdom and sustain us with HIS
power. For the TORAH, for the privilege of worship, for the prophets,
and for this Sabbath Day, given us for sanctification and rest, for
honour and for glory, let us thank and bless the LORD our GOD.


Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Pray, don't complain!
FIGHT OF FAITH
"Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life to which you
were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence
of many witnesses." [1 Timothy 6. 12]
Genuine saving faith in the LORD JESUS is not characterized by a single
act of belief, but by a life lived in faith. This fact is depicted and
expressed throughout HOLY SCRIPTURE.
FAITH IS A DOOR by which we may enter into the family of the redeemed.
Paul reported how OMNISCIENT GOD "had opened the door of faith to the
Gentiles" [Acts 14. 27] it then becomes a "household of faith"
[Galatians 6. 10] to all who have entered. "The just shall live by
faith." [Galatians 3. 11]
FAITH IS WORK "Remembering without ceasing your work of faith" [1
Thessalonians 1. 3] is crucially imperative, because "faith without
works is dead." [James 2. 20] Love is done in deed and truth, "By
grace you are saved through faithÂ…not of works" but we are "created
in MESSIAH YESHUA unto good works." [Ephesians 2. 8 - 10] It is work
to keep the faith, it is a labour of love done in patience of hope that
is before us in the power and strength of the TRUE & FAITHFUL ONE, the
LORD JESUS.
FAITH IS A FIGHT We are to fight a good fight of faith. "Fight the
good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also
called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many
witnesses." [1 Timothy 6. 12] CHRISTians are constantly under attack by
Satan, and it is only through faith that we can stand. "Let us who are
of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love." [1
Thessalonians 5. 8] Our faith becomes an invincible shield "able to
quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one." [Ephesians 6. 16] When
we actively take and use it, "this is the victory that overcomes the
world, even our faith." [1 John 5. 4] MESSIAH YESHUA comforts,
strengthens and encourages us with HIS words, "These things I have
spoken to you, that in ME you may have peace. In the world you will have
tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." [John 16.
33]
Therefore, like the patriarch Abraham, we should not waver at the
promise of GOD through unbelief. We should be "strong in faith, giving
glory to GOD." [Romans 4. 20] Our faith is well placed, for it centers
on MESSIAH JESUS, the MIGHTY CREATOR, the LIVING SAVIOUR & SOON-COMING
KING. There is a door of faith, then a household of faith, followed by
the work of faith, and the fight of faith, with the shield of faith, and
all of this is in the wonderful "WORD of faith, which we preach."
[Romans 10. 8]
When we dwell with GOD MOST HIGH, our sure place of defense is our
REFUGE, the MIGHTY FORTRESS. And, our faith is firmly established in
the LORD YESHUA ha'MASHIACH - the SOLID ROCK, the FOUNTAIN OF LIVING
WATERS.

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
Praised are YOU, LORD GOD, WHO builds Zion, Jerusalem the Holy City of
the GREAT KING. . .
"Oh, give thanks to the LORD! Call upon HIS NAME; make known HIS deeds
among the peoples!
Sing to HIM, sing psalms to HIM; talk of all HIS wondrous works!
Glory in HIS HOLY NAME; let the hearts of those rejoice who seek the
LORD!
Seek the LORD and HIS strength; seek HIS face evermore!
Remember HIS marvelous works which HE has done, HIS wonders, and
the judgments of HIS mouth,
O seed of Abraham HIS servant, you children of Jacob, HIS chosen
ones!" [Psalms/Tehillym 105.1-6]
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
For every problem, there is an opportunity.

STAND STILL
"It is not for you to fight this battle; STAND STILL, wait, and see your
deliverance by the LORD, O Judah and Jerusalem; do not fear or be
dismayed by this great multitude; go forth to meet them tomorrow and the
LORD will be with you." [2 Chronicles (Dibre Hayamin Bet) 20. 17 Tanakh,
Kethuvim]

The Ammorites, Mobites and Edomites had organized "a great multitude"
seeking to destroy Judah under King Jehoshaphat. However, the king and
his people came together to "seek the LORD GOD" in prayer for
deliverance, and the SPIRIT OF THE LORD ALMIGHTY spoke through Jahaziel
assuring them that "the battle is GOD'S, not yours." [2 Chronicles
(Dibre Hayamin Bet) 20. 15 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

Then the OMNIPOTENT CREATOR sent the answer as to how the battle was to
be won, the strange instructions were "Stand Still (Hebrew: yatsav)."
Just watch SOVEREIGN GOD'S wondrous hand accomplish it! And HE did.
All their enemies were constrained by the LORD to fight and destroy each
other, without the Israelites having to fight at all. In the same way,
at the Red Sea when everything looked hopeless, "Moses said to the
people, 'Have no fear! Stand Still! and witness the deliverance which
the LORD will work for you today.'" [Exodus (Shemot) 14. 13 Tanakh,
Torah] So the whole multitude obeyed and all Pharaoh's armies were
overthrown in the middle of the Sea.

In Isaiah's day, when Israel was tempted to call on pagan Egypt for help
against pagan Assyria, the HOLY ONE said concerning Israel's armies.
"Truly, I call her Rahab-Hem-Shebeth (her strength is to sit still)."
[Isaiah (Yeshayah) 30. 7 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

As the ship was being beaten, thrashed and defeated in the storm, and
the terrified sailors were about to abandon the boat, when Paul warned,
"Unless these men stay in the ship, you cannot be saved." [Acts 27. 31]
So they stayed (stood still), and the ALMIGHTY ONE spared every man.

When we have done all we can and the situation seems hopeless, this is
the time to "sit still" and trust our INVINCIBLE GOD to work it out in
HIS OWN good way. "Only you must not rebel against the LORD. Have no
fear then of the people of the land, for they shall be as food for our
consumption; their protection has departed from them, but the LORD is
with us. Have no fear of them!" [Numbers (B'Midvar) 14. 9 Tanakh, Torah]

The unique LORD GOD SUPREME specializes in things thought impossible.
Do you have any rivers you think are un-crossable? "Be still, and know
that I am ELOHEY; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted
in the earth! The LORD YEHOWAH T'SEVAOT (LORD GOD OF HOSTS) is with
us; the ELOHEY of Yaacov is our FORTRESS." [Psalms (Tehillym) 46. 10 -
11 Tanakh, Kethuvim]


Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!!
Continue to bestow YOUR blessings on us, our FATHER & KING. Teach us to
seek YOU evermore within the sanctuary of our souls, within the
tabernacle of YOUR WORD, and in the congregation of YOUR worshipers!
May the message of GOD'S WORD and the love of YESHUA ha'MASHIACH the
SAVIOUR bless your heart and make you fully whole (holy).

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.


Email: delrifkah.kralman@comcast.net
delrifkah.kralman@comcast.net>
Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/
<http://delrifkah.homestead.com/>

Thoughts Archived: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/delrifkah/
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/delrifkah/>

End-time Events: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/Facepage.html
<http://delrifkah.homestead.com/Facepage.html>

Please visit our web page for teachings on Bible texts and subjects.

Also notice the section showing the disparity between the Holy Bible and
the Muslim Koran (Quran).

The newest section is our thought by thought study through the Bible.
Having completed the Torah (books of Moses), and the New Testament, we
are now going through the book of; [2 Samuel].

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Stand rather at the threshold of the HOUSE OF GOD, than dwell in the
tents of wickedness.
SHADOW OF DEATH
"May darkness and the deep gloom of the shadow of death reclaim it; may
a dark cloud lie over it; may what blackens the day terrify it." [Job
(Iyowb) 3. 5 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
This wretched ruinous curse was uttered by Job after he sat for months
in appalling misery, then conclusively, he cursed the day he was born.
This bewildered patriarch had long been living in the grim "shadow of
death" -- but could not die.
The SUPREME MASTER CREATOR HIMSELF said, "Have the gates of death
(Hebrew: sha'ar maveth) been disclosed to you? Have you seen the gates
of the shadow of death (Hebrew: sha'ar tsalmaveth) or deep darkness?"
[Job (Iyowb) 38. 17 Tanakh, Kethuvim] These are eloquent and
rhetorically speculative questions, for no one in Job's day had ever
returned from death.
Who knows what lies beyond those hideous, grim doors of death? MESSIAH
YESHUA does! HE told us, "I am HE that lives and was dead; and behold!
I AM ALIVE FOREVER MORE. AMEN! And, I have the keys of hell and of
death." [Revelation 1. 18] When the LORD JESUS, the EVERLASTING KING
conquered death, HE destroyed its stings (not its sorrow). We can
therefore say, along with David, "Though I walk through a valley of the
shadow of death and deepest darkness, I fear no harm, for YOU are with
me; YOUR rod and YOUR staff -- they comfort me." [Psalms (Tehillym) 23.
4 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
This same confident assurance is available to the "whosoever will" seek
the LORD OF GLORY; the confidence "that turns the shadow of death and
deep darkness into the morning dawn (of hope)." [Amos (Amus) 5. 8
Tanakh, Nevi'im] Then, we can thank the ETERNALLY TRUE & LOVING GOD
that "the DAYSPRING from on high has visited us; to give light to those
who sit in deep darkness and the shadow of death, to guide our feet into
the way of peace." [Luke 1. 78 - 79] Having a personal relationship
with our wonderful LORD GOD fulfills all our hopes and longings. . . and
we have perfect peace that flows like a gentle river.

Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
Exalted and hallowed be God'S greatness in this world of Your creation.
May YOUR will be fulfilled and Your sovereignty revealed in the days of
our lifetime and the life of the whole House of Israel speedily and in
our time. May You be blessed forever, even to all eternity. May YOU,
MOST HOLY ONE, be blessed, praised & honoured, extolled & glorified,
adored & exalted above all else. Blessed are You beyond all blessings &
hymns, praises & consolations that may be uttered in this world. May
peace abundant descend from heaven with life for us and to all Israel,
Amen.
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Even when we cannot forget, remember to forgive. We are to pursue
justice and to love mercy. . . then you will understand why mercy is the
greater justice.
IT WAS A CROSS
"The message of the Cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but
to us who are being saved it is the power of GOD." [1 Corinthians 1. 18]
The LORD MESSIAH YESHUA died on a cross, not on a torture stake as some
suggest or believe. Others hate the cross and the CHRIST of the Cross
to the point they even deny HIM and the fact that it ever happened.
"They are the enemies of the Cross of CHRIST." [Philippians 3. 18] From
the beginning, when the ALMIGHTY ONE began to deal with man, the Cross
has been there.
In the Garden of Eden "the LORD GOD caused to grow every tree that was
pleasing to the sight and good for food, with the TREE OF LIFE in the
middle of the Garden, and the TREE OF THE KNOWLEDGE OF GOOD & EVIL."
[Genesis (Bereshith) 2. 9 Tanakh, Torah] A tree with its branches
grows up from earth into the heavens, and the boughs sprout and grow
branching out in various directions -- thus, a figure of the cross.
The HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL gave Moses instructions for the Tabernacle in the
Wilderness. The placement of the furniture for this Holy Structure
resembled a cross. [Exodus/Shemot 25 - 30] The three doorways in the
Tabernacle show the LORD YESHUA – WHO is the WAY, the TRUTH, and the
LIFE. We approach the fullness of spiritual life only through HIM.
The GATE (WAY) opened up to the court where were the Alter of Sacrifice
and the Laver. The DOOR (TRUTH) entered into the ministering area where
was the Golden Lampstand, the Table of Showbread, and the Altar of
Incense. The VEIL (LIFE) was the entrance to the Holy of Holies where
the Ark of the Covenant with its Mercy Seat were. In the arrangement of
these pieces of furniture, the CROSS is formed.
Aaron and his sons preformed the duties of the priests. When they
presented an offering before the Omnipotent Creator, the breast of the
sacrifice was called the Wave Offering which was waved side-to-side; and
the thigh of the sacrifice was known as the Heave Offering which is
raised-and-lowered before the LORD GOD. [Exodus/Shemot 29. 26 - 27]
These movements likewise demonstrate a Cross.
The CHRISTian's cross is compared to MESSIAH'S cross in that it is a
voluntary, self-sacrifice for the needs of others and "the offense of
the Cross has ceased." [Galatians 5. 11] Daily we keep "looking unto
JESUS, the AUTHOR and FINISHER of our faith, WHO for the joy that was
set before HIM endured the Cross, despising the shame, and has sat down
at the right hand of the Throne of GOD." [Hebrews 12. 2]
Amazingly there is power that comes to us through suffering; and without
the cross, we are nothing. Looking back on the beneficial effects of
suffering, we should experience deep appreciation for the blessings of
being in the hand of the LORD GOD, and be counted worthy. The FAITHFUL
GIVER of every good gift distributes crowns for the crosses HE gives us
for our profit, designed for each individually. And now the believer
can say along with Paul, "I have been crucified with CHRIST; it is no
longer I who live, but CHRIST lives in me; and the life which I now live
in the flesh I live by faith in the SON OF GOD, WHO loved me and gave
HIMSELF for me." [Galatians 2. 20]
Let us diligently guard our doctrine (and concepts) lest we make the
Cross of the YESHUA ha'MASHIACH , our LOVING SAVIOUR, of no effect by
what we consider our "words of wisdom." This was the primary concern of
Paul when he said, "for CHRIST did not send me to baptize, but to preach
the GOSPEL; not with wisdom of words, lest the Cross of cHRIST should be
made of no effect." [1 Corinthians 1. 17] The LORD YESHUA ha'MASHIACH
redeemed us when HE stretched out HIS arms on that Rugged Cross, and
died in our place.

Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
We gratefully acknowledge, O LORD, our GOD, that YOU are our CREATOR and
PRESERVER, the ROCK of our life and the SHIELD of our help. We give
thanks to YOU for our lives which are in YOUR hand, for our souls which
are ever in YOUR keeping, for YOUR wondrous providence and for YOUR
continuous goodness, which YOU bestow on us day by day. Truly, YOUR
mercies never fail and YOUR loving-kindness never ceases. Therefore do
we forever put our trust in YOU! Thank YOU again LORD for saving my
soul!
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Deciding "not to choose" is still making a choice.
SEARCH! GET UNDERSTANDING
"They (the Levites) read from the scroll of the TEACHING OF GOD,
translating it and giving the sense; so they (the people) understood the
reading." [Nehemiah (Nechemah) 8. 8 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
When Ezra read the BOOK OF THE LAW OF MOSES, the Levites would explain
the teaching to the people [Nehemiah/Nechemah 8. 7], so they could
understand it literally. "Then the people answered, 'Amen! Amen!' with
hands upraised. Then they bowed their heads and prostrated themselves
before YEHOWAH with their faces to the ground." [Nehemiah (Nechemah) 8.
6 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
If people, especially true CHRISTians, would spend more time reading
God'S Word, they too would perceive and understand the many treasures in
it. The congregation of Israel in Ezra's time found the Word both vital
and interesting as "the people were weeping as they listened to the
words of the TEACHING." [Nehemiah (Nechemah) 8. 9 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
Then, "standing in their places, they read from the scroll of the
TEACHING OF YEHOWAH their GOD for one-fourth of the day, and for another
fourth they confessed and prostrated themselves before the LORD their
GOD." [Nehemiah (Nechemah) 9. 3 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
Today we have the entire WORD OF GOD written down and easily obtainable
for the reading. Therefore, CHRIST-like-ones should be even more
concerned and we should have a better understanding. The narratives of
the OLD COVENANT are understood in the wonderful light of the NEW
COVENANT. You will find love, humbleness, peace, pearls, roses
diffusing their scent, blessedness, resurrection and heavenly treasures.
Also, you will find that the MOST HIGH GOD is leading us into and
victoriously through the battles in this wilderness.
One simply needs to read the HOLY SCRIPTURES and believe it literally,
and accept it. Keep in mind that the understanding of the WORD OF THE
LORD comes by careful study of the LIFE-GIVING SCRIPTURE because,
"precept (rule, guideline) must be upon precept, precept upon precept,
line upon line, line upon line, here a little, there a little."
[Isaiah/Yeshayah 28. 10]
In reality, SACRED SCRIPTURES are not hard to understand, just hard to
believe and obey. The BIBLE was written with the important objective of
being understood and well-established into our being. The HOLY SPIRIT,
it's WRITER, lives within the true believer. "The HELPER, the HOLY
SPIRIT, WHOM the FATHER will send in MY NAME, HE will teach you all
things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you."
[John 14. 26] It is our responsibility, however, to put HIS WORD into
our minds by READING THE WORD!!!
May the mind-set of your heart ever be like that of King David who said,
"Oh, how I love YOUR TEACHING! It is my meditation all the day...to do
what pleases YOU, ELOHEY, is my desire; YOUR TEACHING is in my inmost
parts." [Psalms (Tehillym) 119. 97; 40. 8 Tanakh, Kethuvim] Seek the
LORD, the MIGHTY GOD OF ISRAEL and live.

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
O magnify the LORD with me and let us exalt HIS NAME together. HIS glory
is in the earth and in the heavens. HE is the STRENGTH of all HIS
servants, the PRAISE of them that truly love HIM, the HOPE OF ISRAEL,
the people HE brought near to HIMSELF. HIS Law is a Tree of Life to them
that lay hold of it, and the supporters thereof are happy. Its ways are
ways of pleasantness, and all its paths are peace. HalleluYAH!
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Some minds are like concrete, thoroughly mixed up and permanently set.

SINCE THE BEGINNING
"When YOU did awesome wonders we dared not hope for, YOU came down, the
mountains quaked at YOUR PRESENCE. Such things had never been heard or
noted since the beginning of the world. No eye has seen them, nor have
men heard or perceived them, O GOD, but YOU, WHO act for those who trust
and wait for YOU." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 64. 4 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

Paul, drawing from this beautiful OLD COVENANT promise, applied it to
believers everywhere of all generations who are guided by the HOLY
SPIRIT OF GOD. "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into
the heart of man the things which GOD has prepared for those who love
HIM." [1 Corinthians 2. 9] We will receive the special rewards
especially prepared for us in its proper time.

We were chosen "in HIM before the foundation of the world, that we
should be holy and without blame before HIM in love." [Ephesians 1. 4]
For YESHUA "saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to
our works, but according to HIS OWN purpose and grace which was given to
us in CHRIST JESUS before time began." [2 Timothy 1. 9] The ETERNAL
ONE, the HOPE OF ISRAEL even had our redemption from sin planned "with
the precious blood of CHRIST." The LORD JESUS, GOD'S PRECIOUS BELOVED
SON "was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was
manifest in these last times for you." [1 Peter 1. 19 - 20]

Such wondrous love is not comprehendible, it is beyond our
understanding; but such marvelous things await those who diligently seek
God, the MIGHTY ONE OF JACOB. Those who wait for HIM and are found
faithful can rejoice, for "your reward will be great, and you will be
sons of the MOST HIGH." [Luke 6. 35]

The LORD MESSIAH YESHUA and the HEAVENLY FATHER are both worthy of
abundantly rich blessings: "Worthy is the LAMB WHO was slain to receive
power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honour and glory and
blessing! ...Blessing and honour and glory and power be to HIM WHO sits
on the Throne, and to the LAMB, forever and ever! Amen" [Revelation 5.
12 - 13] "Blessing and glory and wisdom, thanksgiving and honour and
power and might, be to our GOD forever and ever. Amen" [Revelation 7.
12] Worthy is our LORD GOD MOST HIGH, worthy of all praises, let all
who have breath praise the HOLY ONE for HE is praiseworthy, Amen!



Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
As we bid farewell to Sabbath, our prayer is that the LIVING FOUNTAIN
refresh and sustain each of you, our cherished friends. May the LIGHT
of the HOLY ONE, blessed be HE, fill your up-coming week with a yearning
desire to submit to HIS inscrutable will and give you strength for your
daily tasks. May some of the sweetness of Sabbath be a part of each day
as you share the knowledge of wisdom of the LOVING MASTER with others.
"Tov Shavua! (have a good week)!"

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.


Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Whoever studies the Law and does not teach is like a myrtle in the
desert, of which no one can enjoy the fragrance.
TWO EVERLASTING COVENANTS
"For this to ME is like the waters of Noah: As I swore that the waters
of Noah nevermore would flood the earth, so I swear that I will not be
angry with you or rebuke you, said the LORD your REDEEMER." [Isaiah
(Yeshayah) 54. 9 Tanakh, Nevi'im]
Over 4,000 years have passed since the flood of Noah's day -- yet the
ALMIGHTY GOD of all flesh is still keeping HIS Covenant with Noah; water
has never again gone over all the earth to destroy all life. "The
rainbow shall be in the cloud, and I will look on it to remember the
Everlasting Covenant between ELOHIYM and every living creature of all
flesh that is on the earth. ELOHIYM said to Noah, 'When the bow is in
the clouds, I will see it and remember the Everlasting Covenant between
GOD and all living creatures, all flesh that is on earth. That shall be
the sign of the Covenant that I have established between ME and all
flesh that is on earth.'" [Genesis (Bereshith) 9. 16 - 17 Tanakh, Torah]
EL SHADDAI gave Noah the Rainbow Covenant Promise for his own rare
obedience before the flood. This Covenant with Noah is unconditional. .
. even in Heaven there is an Eternal Rainbow, "And there was a rainbow
around the Throne, in appearance like an emerald (green, signify life;
round/circle, denotes un-ending, eternal)." [Revelation 4. 3]
There is another judgment coming upon the face of the whole world,
however and there are numerous warnings of it throughout HOLY SCRIPTURE:
"For the mountains shall move and the hills be shaken, but MY loyalty
shall never move from you, nor shall MY Covenant of peace be shaken -
said the LORD WHO takes you back in love." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 54. 10
Tanakh, Nevi'im] "MY righteous triumph I grant is near, MY SALVATION
has gone forth. MY arms will judge and shall provide for the peoples;
the coastlands shall trust in ME, they shall look to MY arm and trust.
Raise up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath:
Though the heavens melt away like smoke, the earth wear out like
garments, and its inhabitants die out as well like gnats; but MY VICTORY
(SALVATION) shall stand forever, MY TRIUMPH (RIGHTEOUSNESS) shall remain
unbroken." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 51. 5 - 6 Tanakh, Nevi'im] There is a
great judgment coming very soon that will shake the whole earth -- with
it comes another unconditional covenant as is the Covenant the MARVELOUS
CREATOR made to Noah.
The EVERLASTING KING, speaking to the Children of Israel avowed, "In
slight anger, for a moment, I hid MY face from you; but with kindness
everlasting I will take you back in love - said the LORD, your
Redeemer." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 54. 8 Tanakh, Nevi'im] This FAITHFUL
ONE, the REDEEMER, the HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL is the BELOVED MESSIAH YESHUA
WHO is called GOD OF THE WHOLE EARTH. "For HE, your MAKER ('Asah) will
be as a husband (BA'AL: LORD – to rule over, support, take up) to
you. HIS NAME (ha'SHEM) is "LORD OF HOSTS (YEHOWAH T'SEBAVTHA)." The
HOLY ONE (QADOWSH) OF ISRAEL is your REDEEMER (GA'AL) WHO will save you
– HE is called the GOD (ELOHEY) of all the earth." [Isaiah
(Yeshayah) 54. 5 Tanakh, Nevi'im]
The REDEEMER OF ISRAEL, the GOD OF THE WHOLE EARTH, has also made a
Covenant with all who appropriate and take advantage of HIS great work
of redemption. "This is the covenant that I will make with them after
those days, says the LORD: I will put MY Laws into their hearts and in
their minds I will write them. Their sins and their lawless deeds I will
remember no more." [Hebrews 10. 16 - 17]
"Then ELOHIYM will be their GOD, and they will be HIS people. All shall
know the HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL, from the least to the greatest. For
ALMIGHTY GOD will forgive their iniquity, and their sin HE will remember
no more." [Jeremiah (Yirmeyah) 31. 33 - 34] What a WONDERFUL GOD &
SAVIOUR! I should think it would be enough just to save us…but
there is so much more.

Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
Praise and gratitude be to our PRAISED ONE, GOD OMNIPOTENT for HIS
invisible hand that continually guides our lives and we are greatly
blessed, as we live each moment for HIS glory.
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
While there is life, there is hope.

BLINDED MINDS
"But even if our GOSPEL is veiled (hidden), it is veiled to those who
are perishing, whose minds the god of this age has blinded, who do not
believe, lest the light of the GOSPEL of the glory of MESSIAH YESHUA,
WHO is the IMAGE OF GOD, should shine on them." [2 Corinthians 4. 3 - 4]

The Devil, that evil dragon, is the "ruler of this world" [John 12. 31],
the wicked one "who deceives the whole world." [Revelation 12. 9] It is
sobering to realize that this horrendously vile ruler and his demonic
cohorts have the power to blind the minds of unbelievers, preventing
them from comprehending even the simplest elements of the SAVING GOSPEL
of our precious LORD JESUS. "The wicked will do wickedly and none of the
wicked will understand; but the wise will understand." [Daniel (Danyel)
12. 10 Tanakh, Kethuvim] "He who is wise will consider these words, he
who is prudent (Hebrew: biyn – to discern, careful, sensible) will
take note of them. For the ways of the LORD are right; the righteous can
walk in them, while sinners stumble on them." [Hosea (Hoshea) 14. 9
Tanakh, Nevi'im]

However, MESSIAH, the HOLY ANOINTED ONE can make the blind to see! In
answer to prayer and through the faithful presentation of the WORD OF
TRUTH, "the FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, the FATHER OF GLORY, may
give you the SPIRIT OF WISDOM and revelation in the knowledge of HIM,
the eyes of your hearts understanding being enlightened; THAT YOU MAY
KNOW." [Ephesians 1. 17 - 18]

The LOVING SAVIOUR, YESHUA ha'MASHIACH desires that people come to HIM,
therefore, HE gives HIS witnesses weapons that can even overcome Satan,
and open the eyes of the spiritually blind. The spiritual weapons are
truth and righteousness, peace and faith, the WORD and prayer.
[Ephesians 6. 11, 13 - 18] "For the weapons of our warfare are not
carnal, but mighty through GOD to the pulling down of strongholds;
casting down imaginations of reasonings, and every high thing that
exalts itself against the knowledge of GOD, and bring into captivity
every thought of our mind, to the obedience of CHRIST." [2 Corinthians
10. 4 - 5]

Even though Old Slew-Foot, the Devil, is far more intelligent and
powerful than we, or those we seek to reach, our MIGHTY GOD OMNIPOTENT
still enables us to recapture their minds, and bring them to CHRIST THE
REDEEMER, as we proclaim HIS truth, by HIS amazing, saving grace and in
HIS NAME! Even now, the choice is still for every individual to make.


Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
Whoever walks upright, works righteousness and speaks the truth will
abide in the LORD'S Tabernacle and dwell in HIS holy hill. Watch and
pray that you may be found worthy. Be encouraged and stand strong, the
LORD MESSIAH JESUS our KING is coming soon!

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.



Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/


Thoughts Archived: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/delrifkah/
<../../../../delrifkah/>

End-time Events: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/Facepage.html
<http://delrifkah.homestead.com/Facepage.html>

Please visit our web page for teachings on Bible texts and subjects.

Also notice the section showing the disparity between the Holy Bible and
the Muslim Koran (Quran).

The newest section is our thought by thought study through the Bible.
Having completed the Torah (books of Moses), and the New Testament, we
are now going through the book of; [2 Samuel].

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Don't seek to be seen; but seek to shine that others may see.

CHASTISEMENT of OUR PEACE
"HE (YESHUA the MESSIAH) was wounded because of our sins
(transgressions), HE was bruised because of our iniquities (sin,
wickedness). HE bore the chastisement (punishment) for our peace that
made us whole, and with HIS stripes we were healed." [Isaiah (Yeshayah)
53. 5 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

Isaiah 52:13 through Isaiah 53:12 contain the clearest and fullest
exposition of the substitutionary sacrifice of the LORD JESUS for our
sins found in the HOLY SCRIPTURES. The PRECIOUS LAMB that was slain in
our place.

The two most important themes focused on in Isaiah are Law & Judgment
and Grace & Salvation paralleling all the other books of both the OLD &
NEW COVENANTS. The prophecies of John the Baptist's coming to prepare
the way of MESSIAH are there along with the prophecies of things to
happen before the second coming of the LORD JESUS CHRIST along with the
New Heavens and the New Earth.

The central theme of Isaiah records MESSIAH YESHUA'S chastisement upon
Himself for our peace. Salvation is the very heart of the GOSPEL.
YESHUA ha'MASHIACH was "wounded. . . pierced through" as with great
spikes and "bruised -- crushed to death" for our sins that we could
receive peace and reconciliation of being restored with GOD ALMIGHTY
because the LORD JESUS was "chastised" in our place. {Hebrew: "mawcar"
means discipline, punishment, correction, chastening, a shameful
humbling.} YESHUA, the CRUCIFIED ONE "was delivered up because of our
offenses, and was raised because of our justification." [Romans 4. 25]

The WONDERFUL SHEPHERD & OVERSEER of our soul, "bore our sins in HIS OWN
BODY on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for
righteousness by WHOSE stripes you were healed." [1 Peter 2. 24] And,
we are forever "healed" of our malignant, lethal sin-sickness because HE
received the harsh blows of the Roman whip that caused the "stripes"
that should have been unleashed upon us.

Oh! the unfathomable, immeasurably wondrous love the HOLY OMNISCIENT
CREATOR has for us!


Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
We gratefully acknowledge, O LORD our GOD, that YOU are our CREATOR and
PRESERVER, the ROCK of our life and the SHIELD of our help. We give YOU
thanks for our lives which are in YOUR mighty hand, for our souls which
are ever in YOUR keeping, for YOUR wondrous providence and for YOUR
continuous goodness, which YOU loving provide for us day by day. Truly,
YOUR mercies never fail and YOUR loving-kindness never ceases. Therefore
we put our full trust and confidence in YOU alone. Thank YOU LORD for
being so good and for YOUR tender mercies!

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.


Email: delrifkah.kralman@comcast.net
delrifkah.kralman@comcast.net>
Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/
<http://delrifkah.homestead.com/>

Thoughts Archived: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/delrifkah/
<../../../../delrifkah/>

End-time Events: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/Facepage.html
<http://delrifkah.homestead.com/Facepage.html>

Please visit our web page for teachings on Bible texts and subjects.

Also notice the section showing the disparity between the Holy Bible and
the Muslim Koran (Quran).

The newest section is our thought by thought study through the Bible.
Having completed the Torah (books of Moses), and the New Testament, we
are now going through the book of; [2 Samuel].

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
It is only a fool who has never felt like one.
SUFFERING FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS
"But and if you suffer for righteousness sake, happy are you; and be not
afraid of their terror, neither be troubled." [1 Peter 3. 14]
Few CHRISTians in America have actually suffered physical persecution or
martyrdom and tribulation for the cause of the LORD JESUS. However,
HOLY SCRIPTURES emphasize that "all who desire to live godly in MESSIAH
YESHUA will suffer persecution" of some kind, particularly that "in the
last days perilous times will come." [2 Timothy 3. 12, 1] Persecution
is not something we look for, but we should understand it, and react
appropriately when it comes. As the world descends deeper into
humanism and occultism, we may even face physical persecution as many
CHRISTians in communist, Muslim and other pagan lands already have.
These influences are increasingly flooding into America and the entire
world daily, setting us up for the same persecutions and GOD'S just
wrath.
Indeed, the hour of tribulation is here. SCRIPTURES warn that we will
suffer tribulation. [1 Thessalonians 3. 4] But, "Do not fear any of
those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed...you will be tested
and you will have tribulation. Be faithful until death, and I will give
you the Crown of Life." [Revelation 2. 10] Through it all we are
encouraged to "be of good cheer, I (MESSIAH YESHUA) have overcome the
world." [John 16. 33]
Peter, who once was fearful and denied the Lord OF RIGHTEOUSNESS, warns
us not to fall into the same reaction. Do not be afraid or troubled,
Peter stressed, instead -- "REJOICE!" Unusual counsel, but very good
advice. "Rejoice to the extent that you are partakers of CHRIST'S
sufferings; that when HIS glory is revealed, you may be glad with
exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the NAME of JESUS, blessed are
you; for the SPIRIT OF GLORY and of GOD rests upon you." [1 Peter 4. 13
- 14]
The only time we are to fear is in reference to fearing failure to enter
GOD'S rest. "Therefore, since a promise remains of entering HIS rest,
let us fear lest any of you seem to have come short of it...Looking
diligently lest anyone fall short of the grace of GOD; lest any root of
bitterness spring up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one
morsel of food sold his birthright." [Hebrews 4. 1; 12. 15 - 16] This
warning should only motivate continued obedience.
YESHUA, THE GREAT SHEPHERD said, "Blessed are you when they revile you
and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for MY
sake. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, for great is your reward in
heaven." [Matthew 5. 11 - 12] And, "do not cast away your confidence,
which has great reward." [Hebrews 10. 35] The Apostle Paul, who
suffered great persecution and finally martyrdom, warned that we should
be "in no way terrified by your adversaries...for to you it has been
granted on behalf of MESSIAH, not only to believe in HIM, but also to
suffer for HIS sake." [Philippians 1. 28 - 29]
"And they overcame him (Satan the Accuser) by the blood of the LAMB and
by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the
death." [Revelation 12. 11] What joy and a glorious honour await
those of us who overcome!

Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
We lift up our hearts and our hands to YOU, GREAT GOD in Heaven for YOUR
loving-kindness, O LORD, is mighty over us and we are ever thankfully
indebted to YOU, MOST MERCIFUL GOD. We will examine our ways and test
them, and return to YOU, O MOST HIGH.
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
"Get um!". . . is not making intercession for your enemy.
CUSTOMS - RITUALISTIC SLAUGHTERING
"Only be sure that you do not eat the blood, for the blood is the life;
you may not eat the life with the meat." [Deuteronomy (Devarim) 12. 23
Tanakh, Torah]
Orthodox Jews are very careful in their method of killing animals for
food. The trachea and esophagus are severed by means of a sharp knife,
entirely devoid of notches, so that the blood may flow easily out of the
body through the slit made.
Slaughtering , according to the Jewish method, causes instantaneous
unconsciousness, and permits the greatest effusion of blood. The knife
must be of a described size for each kind of animal, and of the maximum
keenness, to prevent the slightest unnecessary suffering. It provides
for as complete a draining as possible. In addition to this draining,
the meat is soaked in water for half an hour, kept in salt for a full
hour, and then thoroughly rinsed. Some meat is broiled, however,
without this special treatment. Eggs, which have blood spots, are
forbidden by Jewish law.
A qualified Shochet (butcher) carefully examines the animal, which after
being declared "fit for food" or "kosher" is slaughtered. If he finds
the animal sound, he seals the parts with the mark "kosher" in
contradistinction to "terefah" meaning "unfit" and originally signifying
something torn by a wild animal. "You shall not eat meat torn by beasts
in the field; you shall throw it to the dogs." [Exodus (Shemot) 22. 31
Tanakh, Torah; Genesis/Bereshith 31. 39; Leviticus/Vayikra 7. 24; 22. 8]
The blood of MESSIAH YESHUA was drained from HIM for the life of the
world; HE was torn by "wild beasts" or "strong bulls of Bashan"
according to the prophecy "Many bulls have surrounded ME; strong bulls
of Bashan have encircled ME." [Psalms/Tehillym 22. 12]
YESHUA ha'MASHIACH was made "terefah - unfit" - therefore the Jewish
people, as a nation, did not partake of HIM. In prophecy they declared:
"...when we saw HIM, there is no beauty that we should desire HIM. HE is
despised and rejected by men, a MAN of sorrows and acquainted with
grief. And we hid, as it were, our faces from HIM; HE was despised, and
we did not esteem HIM." [Isaiah/Yeshayah 53. 2 - 3]
But, the LORD JESUS was cursed for the sake of the sinner! HE was made
"unfit" that the sinner might be accepted in HIM. YESHUA, the GLORIOUS
ANOINTED ONE , was made sin that all believing on HIM might be made
righteous (kosher)! This was to fulfill the PRECIOUS WORD OF GOD
concerning the MESSIAH OF ISRAEL WHO is the SAVIOUR of the world!

Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
Welcome Sabbath! – Queen of the week! Be pleased, O LORD our GOD, to
revive and strengthen us by YOUR commandments, and especially by the
commandment of the Seventh Day, this Sabbath Kodesh (holy Sabbath)
before YOU, that we may rest and repose thereon in love in accordance
with the precept of YOUR will. In YOUR favor, O LORD our GOD, grant us
such tranquility that there be no trouble, grief or lamenting on the day
of our rest. Let us, O LORD our GOD, behold the consolation of Zion YOUR
City, and the rebuilding of Jerusalem YOUR Holy City, for YOU are the
LORD of salvation and of consolation. Amen
May yours be a "Yom She'kulo Shabbat (a day which is
all-Sabbath)!"
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.
---

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
The righteous are held responsible for their generation.
MESSIAH ALONE
"But by the grace of GOD I am what I am; and HIS grace toward me was not
in vain, but I laboured more abundantly than they all. Yet not I, but
the grace of GOD which was with me." [1 Corinthians 15. 10]
The grace of the LORD GOD is nothing less than the unlimited love of the
SOVEREIGN HOLY ONE expressed in the GREATEST GIFT of HIS ONLY-BEGOTTEN
SON, YESHUA ha'MASHIACH our SAVIOUR & KING, WHO "poured out HIS life
unto death, and was numbered among the sinners, whereas HE bore the
guilt of many, and made intercession for the transgressors" [Isaiah
(Yeshayah) 53. 12 Tanakh, Nevi'im] This is the unequivocally
(undeniably definite) undeserved love of the LOVING CREATOR GOD toward
sinners.
If one were to review the writings, works and life of the Apostle Paul
you would conclude that he was one of the most dedicated and fruitful
CHRIST-like-ones who ever lived. But being a man, Paul had to wrestle
with the sin of pride by reminding himself, time and time again, that he
owed all to the grace, guidance and provision of GOD MOST HIGH.
Paul could well have boasted that he had laboured more abundantly than
any of the other apostles, but then he brought himself up short with the
reproof, "not I, but CHRIST!" All of his work and success in
fruit-bearing he owed completely to the loving grace of Almighty GOD.
Paul's great testimony concerning his new and changed life in MESSIAH
YESHUA was, "I have been crucified with CHRIST; it is no longer I who
live, but CHRIST lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh
I live by faith in the SON OF GOD, WHO loved me and gave HIMSELF for
me." [Galatians 2. 20] The transformed, righteous, powerful life Paul
now lived was not his own accomplishment, but absolutely and entirely
due to the indwelling SPIRIT OF CHRIST.
We should never boast of our own life, deeds or works, but to "reckon
ourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to GOD in MESSIAH YESHUA
our LORD." [Romans 6. 11] Remember always, it is "not I, but CHRIST"
-- HE is to be our praise and testimony.

Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
As we bid farewell to Sabbath, we wish to express our hope that the
upcoming week will be filled with Divine blessings as you allow the Holy
One of Israel to guide you through life. HE is worthy of all our praise
and worship, even in difficult times.
Have a delightful and blessed week, "Shavua Tov!"
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.
----

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
You cannot know wine by looking at the barrel.
BRIGHTENING PATH OF PAIN
"There is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the LORD, the
RIGHTEOUS JUDGE, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but
also to all who have loved HIS appearing." [2 Timothy 4. 8]
It is such a blessing to know that the ALMIGHTY CREATOR makes no
mistakes, that our illness is not something that just happened to you.
"Shall the thing framed say to HIM that framed it, HE has no
understanding?" [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 29. 6 Tanakh, Nevi'im] NO! the
enduring is yours, without a doubt, but the responsibility for it is
entirely HIS, and what a difference that makes! Nothing can even touch
the child of GOD without HIS permissive will. It is not necessary for
us to know the reason, for they are safe with our dear, wonderful
OMNIPOTENT CREATOR, "in WHOM are hid all the treasures of wisdom and
knowledge." [Colossians 2. 3]
Surely the BLESSED MAKER & REDEEMER will also be glad when these trials
are all over and HE will no longer have to watch HIS children suffer,
when all tears will be wiped from our eyes, and a song put upon our
lips. Until then, cannot we "endure hardship, as a good soldier of
MESSIAH JESUS" [2 Timothy 2. 3] and spare HIM the sound of our wailing?
Sometimes, LORD GOD'S response comes in a Still Small Voice, and we
must listen in order to hear it. At other times, we can even feel
ourselves resting quietly in HIS mighty hand.
Each day must be lived with expectancy as though it were to be our last,
and there is so much to be done, to purify ourselves and set our houses
in order. Almighty OMNIPOTENT GOD'S mercy is renewed with each new day:
"The kindness of the LORD is not ended, HIS mercies are not spent. They
are renewed every morning - great is YOUR faithfulness and grace!"
[Lamentations (Ekhah) 3. 22 - 23 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
O LORD GOD, YOUR quickening power, YOUR strengthening grace, YOUR mercy
LORD is so needed for those who sin and go astray, and those who sorrow.
And, YOU provide cherished rest for those who toil. For this, we thank
you freely, abundantly and without measure.
May the MERCIFUL ONE'S loving and protective wings arch over each of you
as HIS footsteps come ever nearer. Tomorrow's tasks, old pain, old
memories, forgotten as into HIS gentle hand; adrift on a sea of peace --
to sleep -- then awake to see the HOLY BELOVED ONE'S blessed face!
Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
Our MIGHTY & GRACIOUS LORD GOD chooses what we go through; we choose how
we go through it. Choose carefully!
May peace abundant descend from heaven with life for us and to all
Israel, Amen.
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
GOD hides HIMSELF in HIS manifestations and shows HIMSELF in HIS
concealments.
CUTTING OF THE COVENANT
"When the sun set and it was very dark, there appeared a Smoking OVEN,
and a Flaming TORCH which passed between those pieces. On that day the
LORD made a covenant with Abram." [Genesis (Bereshith) 15. 17 - 18
Tanakh, Torah]
EL ELYON, GOD MOST HIGH promised Abram that he and his descendents would
inherit the land of Israel. When Abram asked the LORD GOD how he would
know this for certain, the ALMIGHTY ONE commanded Abram -- "Bring ME a
three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old female goat, a three-year-old
ram, a turtledove, and a young pigeon." When Abram brought them, he cut
them in two -- down the middle -- and placed each piece opposite the
other, except the birds were not cut in half. [Genesis (Bereshith) 15. 8
- 10 Tanakh, Torah]
This "cutting of the covenant" was prepared by Abram; but entered into
by the great SOVEREIGN GOD alone in the form of a SMOKING OVEN (Hebrew:
'ashan tannuwr) and FLAMING TORCH (Hebrew: 'esh lappiyd), ALMIGHTY GOD
passed between the sacrificed animals. Abram did not pass between them,
as a great horror and darkness fell upon him and he fell into a deep
sleep during that time. [Genesis/Bereshith 15. 12]
The HOLY ONE knows man's weakness and that HE (ALMIGHTY GOD) alone would
remain faithful. This is an "unconditional blood covenant" called in
Hebrew the "karat berit." When the COVENANT MAKER made the promise to
Abraham, "because HE could swear by no one greater, HE swore by
HIMSELF... determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise
the immutability of HIS counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two
immutable things, in which it is impossible for GOD to lie." [Hebrews 6.
13 - 18]
To understand the importance of the consequence in the "cutting of the
covenant" one needs to realize first that, a covenant is entered into
between at least two people. If either party breaks the covenant, that
which happened to the sacrificial animals is what will happen to the one
who breaks the covenant. Therefore, in HIS great mercy, GOD caused
Abram to fall asleep while HE took on the entire responsibility for both
parties. "And now, O ADONAI YEHOWAH, YOU are ELOHIYM and YOUR WORDS
will surely come true, and YOU have made this gracious promise to YOUR
servant." [2 Samuel (Shemuel Bet) 7. 28 Tanakh, Nevi'im]
Our EXCEEDINGLY WONDERFUL GOD is faithful throughout time. Again as
the PILLAR OF CLOUD (Hebrew: 'ammuwd 'aanan) and the PILLAR OF FIRE
(Hebrew: 'ammuwd 'esh), HE lead the Israelites day and night bringing
them out of Egypt and through the wilderness. [Exodus/Shemot 13. 21] In
HIS manifold mercies, the MAJESTIC GOD OF ISRAEL did not forsake HIS
people, ever going before them to give them light and show the way they
should go in spite of the fact that they sinned against HIM continually
with their much murmurings, complainings, and making of the golden calf.
The SOVEREIGN HOLY ONE was continually present, even in their times of
rest, "over the Tabernacle a CLOUD OF THE LORD rested by day, and FIRE
would appear in the CLOUD by night, in the view of all the House of
Israel throughout their journeys." [Exodus (Shemot) 40. 38 Tanakh,
Torah]
We look forward to the day when HIGH & EXALTED ONE again becomes the
Pillar and Fire, "When the LORD has washed away the filth of the
Daughter Zion, and from Jerusalem's midst has rinsed out her infamy - in
a spirit of judgment and in a spirit of purging - the LORD will create
and spread over the whole shrine and meeting place of Mount Zion, a
CLOUD by day and SMOKE with a glow of FLAMING FIRE by night. Indeed,
over all the glory of HIS whole shrine shall hang a canopy which shall
serve as a pavilion for shade from heat by day and as a shelter for
protection against drenching rain or storm." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 4. 4 - 6
Tanakh, Nevi'im] The GREAT GOD OF PRESENCE will fulfill HIS promises to
us, performing HIS WORD, and completing HIS Covenant.

Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
We have a MIGHTY AWESOME GOD, and HE is on the Throne ruling over the
affairs of men. HE is worthy of all our praise and worship, even in
difficult times.
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
He is a free man who remembers; and is free because he remembers.

FIRSTBORN OF EVERY CREATURE
"HE (MESSIAH YESHUA) is the IMAGE of the invisible GOD, the FIRSTBORN
over all creation." [Colossians 1. 15]

"I will appoint HIM first-born, highest of the kings of the earth."
[Psalms (Tehillym) 89. 27 Tanakh, Kethuvim] "Let ME tell of the decree;
the LORD said to Me, 'YOU are MY SON, I have FATHERED YOU this day."
[Psalms (Tehillym) 2. 7 Tanakh, Kethuvim] This psalm is talking about
YESHUA ha'MASHIACH. It could not have been referring to King
David, as some have suggested, because David was the eighth born son of
Jesse. [1 Samuel/Shemuel Alef 17. 12 - 14]

The majority, if not all cults claim that the LORD JESUS CHRIST was not
eternal, but merely the first created being -- perhaps an Angel, before
becoming a MAN. However, the verse does not say HE was the "first
created of every creature" but "the first-born of every creature
(creation)." The next verse says that "by HIM were all things created."
[Colossians 1. 16] JESUS was not created (fashioned, bent, shaped,
produced, made), for HE HIMSELF, was and is the OMNISCIENT, OMNIPRESENT,
OMNIPOTENT CREATOR. "All things were made by HIM; and without HIM was
not anything made that was made." [John 1. 3]

The MESSIAH, JESUS is born of GOD, HE was not made the "ONLY BEGOTTEN
SON OF GOD." [John 3. 16] The Hebrew word "yachiyd" and the Greek word
"monogenes" means the same -- only, brought forth, unique,
one-of-a-kind, not to be replaced. "No man has seen GOD at any time. The
ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, WHO is in the bosom of the FATHER, HE has declared
HIM." [John 3. 16; Hebrews 11. 17] The DEVOTED HEAVENLY FATHER is
omnipresent - though invisible, inaudible, inaccessible to the physical
senses. The ETERNALLY-EXISTING SON is the "iMAGE" of the invisible
FATHER, the ONE WHO declares, reveals, and embodies HIS essence and
personification. Although HE is always "in the bosom of the FATHER,"
yet HE is eternally also "the brightness of HIS glory, and the express
(precise, exact) IMage of HIS PERSON." [Hebrews 1. 3] The LORD JESUS
is the UNCHANGING-LIVING WORD, WHO was "in the beginning with GOD" [John
1. 2], and WHO always "was GOD." [John 1. 1]

Thus, the phrase, "FIRSTBORN of every creature" can be literally
translated as "BEGOTTEN before all creation." The eternal
inter-relationship of the PERSONS OF THE GODHEAD is beyond human
comprehension in its fullness; the best terminology human language can
use to describe it are "SON" and "BEGOTTEN." The LORD YESHUA
ha'MASHIACH, "the WORD made flesh" -- is the ONLY BEGOTTEN, ETERNAL SON
OF THE FATHER, forever shining forth as THE IMAGE of the otherwise
INVISIBLE GOD. As the firstborn has preeminence over his siblings,
MessiAH Jesus has the preeminence over all creation; "And HE is the
head of the body, the church, WHO is the beginning, the FIRSTBORN from
the dead, that in all things HE may have the preeminence (supremacy,
superiority, incomparable, dominion, primary)." [Colossians 1. 18]


Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
Grant us peace, YOUR most precious gift, O ETERNAL SOURCE OF PEACE.
Bless YOUR people that we may be a stronghold of peace and proclaim YOUR
salvation. May contentment reign with each heart, health and happiness
in the homes of those YOU redeemed. Strengthen the bonds of friendship
and fellowship and plant virtue in every soul, and may the love of YOUR
HOLY NAME permeate every heart. Praised are YOU, O LORD, GIVER of peace.

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.



Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
In order to rescue the flesh, we must work on the spiritual.
YOUR NAME & WORD
"I bow toward YOUR Holy Temple and praise YOUR NAME for YOUR steadfast
love and faithfulness, because YOU have exalted YOUR NAME, YOUR WORD
above all." [Psalms (Tehillym) 138. 2 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
The WORD OF GOD is not greater than GOD, of course, but is greater than
HIS NAME which is immeasurably infinite and magnificent. The NAME of
GOD represents all that HE is and all that HE does and is supremely
deserving of the praise of all HIS creatures.
However, we can only know HIS NAME, what HE is and what HE does through
HIS WORD. The full demonstration or exposition of HIS character of truth
and HIS acts of love and mercy can be discerned only through HIS WRITTEN
WORD, which becomes greater than HIS NAME, by manifesting and revealing
HIS NAME.
"As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children
of GOD, to those who believe in HIS NAME." [John 1. 12] We believe on
HIS NAME, and thereby receive HIM, by trusting HIS WORD OF TRUTH and
appropriating (claim, seize, absorb) HIS forgiving mercy; we deny HIS
NAME by doubting HIS WORD and despising HIS extended free gift of
salvation. "The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, HIS ears
attentive their cry. The face of the LORD is set against evildoers, to
erase their names from the earth." [Psalms (Tehillym) 34. 15 - 16
Tanakh, Kethuvim; 1 Peter 3. 12]
The WORD OF GOD is LIGHT: "YOUR WORD is a lamp to my feet, a LIGHT for
my path." [Psalms (Tehillym) 119. 105 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
The WORD OF GOD is TRUTH: "Sanctify them by YOUR TRUTH. YOUR WORD is
TRUTH." [John 17. 17 - 18]
The WORD OF GOD is LIVING & REVITALIZING: "For the WORD OF GOD is
living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even
to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a
discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart." [Hebrews 4. 12 -
13]
The WORD OF GOD is PERFECT, SURE, RIGHT, PURE, CLEAN, TRUE, RIGHTEOUS:
"The Law of the LORD is perfect, converting the soul; the testimony of
the LORD is enduring, making the simple wise; the statutes of the LORD
are just, rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the LORD is clear,
enlightening the eyes; the fear of the LORD is pure, abiding forever;
the judgments of the LORD are true, righteous altogether." [Psalms
(Tehillym) 19. 7 - 9 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
The WORD OF GOD is PROFITABLE: "All SCRIPTURE is given by inspiration
of GOD, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for
instruction in righteousness, that the man of GOD may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work." [2 Timothy 3. 16 - 17]
May the GREAT GOD OF ISRAEL, the SAVIOUR enable us, in full sincerity of
heart and mind, to bow down and worship the MASTER OF CREATION and HIS
HOLY WORD. And in everything believe and obey HIS promises and HIS
commandments.
There are many who charge CHRISTians with placing too much emphasis on
the Written WORD, but it is impossible to place too much emphasis on
Holy Scripture, for ALMIGHTY GOD HIMSELF has magnified HIS WORD even
above HIS NAME!

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
Magnified and hallowed, praised and glorified, exalted and extolled
above all be the NAME of the SUPREME KING of kings, the HOLY ONE,
blessed be HE, in the worlds which HE created, the world and the world
to come, in accordance with HIS desire and with the desire of them that
fear HIM. YOU LORD GOD are the ROCK EVERLASTING, the LORD of all
creatures, the GOD of all souls, WHO dwells in the wide-extended
heights, WHO inhabits the heavens of heavens of old; WHOSE holiness is
far above the Throne of Glory. We wait for YOUR return to Zion that we
may see you eye-to-eye and behold YOUR goodness, YOUR salvation, and
YOUR mercy.
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
If you don't have wrinkles, you have not laughed enough.

CUSTOMS - GOD is ECHAD
"Hear, O Israel! The LORD our GOD, the LORD is ONE!" [Deuteronomy
(Devarim) 6. 4 Tanakh, Torah]

The Hebrew word used here for one is "echad" meaning united one. HEBREW
SCRIPTURES teach the concept of plurality in GOD; that is to say, that
the ONE GOD manifests HIMSELF in THREE PERSONS: The HEAVENLY FATHER -
THE SOURCE of all things. As the ANGEL OF THE LORD, the WORD OF GOD,
the MESSIAH, the SON OF GOD, the VISIBLE REVELATION & EXPRESSION. And,
as the HOLY SPIRIT.
These THREE constitute a UNITY (echad). To have a unity in the
connotation of "echad" there must be a plurality -- for instance: when
CREATOR GOD made Adam and Eve, HE stated that they shall be "echad" - a
unity composed of two persons. At the Tower of Babel, YEHOWAH said,
"All the people are echad (one) and the language echad (one) to all of
them." [Genesis/Bereshith) 11. 6]
OLD COVENANT SCRIPTURES describe the GODHEAD as composed of three
co-eternal and co-equal PERSONS WHO are the same in subsistence, but
distinct in substance. There are three names for GOD which include
these THREE PERSONS: ELOHIYM, ADONAI, and EL SHADDAI.
The tri-unity of GOD is implied in Aaron's priestly benediction:
"YEHOWAH bless you and keep you (the FATHER). YEHOWAH make HIS face to
shine upon you and be gracious to you (the SON). YEHOWAH lift up HIS
countenance upon you and give you peace (the HOLY SPIRIT)." [Numbers
(B'Midvar) 6. 24 - 26 Tanakh, Torah]
All three PERSONS of the GODHEAD are seen in the following texts: "Come
near to ME, hear this: I have not spoken in secret from the beginning;
from the time that it was, I was there. And now the LORD GOD and HIS
SPIRIT have sent ME (MESSIAH YESHUA)." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 48. 15 Tanakh,
Nevi'im]
"For HE said, 'Surely they are MY people, children who will not lie.' So
HE became their SAVIOUR. In all their affliction HE was afflicted, and
the ANGEL OF HIS PRESENCE saved them; in HIS love and in HIS pity HE
redeemed them; and HE bore them and carried them all the days of old.
But they rebelled and grieved HIS HOLY SPIRIT; so HE turned HIMSELF
against them as an enemy, and HE fought against them." [Isaiah
(Yeshayah) 63. 8 - 10 Tanakh, Nevi'im]
It is thrilling to note that the Hebrew letter "sheen" - the initial
letter of the name for GOD (SHADDAI, means all sufficient) was formerly
taken by the Jews to represent the manner of DIVINE existence: It is
composed of THREE perpendicular strokes, with ONE to unite them (Sheen:
\\\ )!
In pronouncing the priestly or Aaronic Benediction the Rabbis today lift
their hands in blessing over the people. The hands are held with the
fingers of each hand depicting three strokes joined together, as in the
letter sheen, which in turn represents the NAME of GOD. As stated, the
letter sheen is composed of three perpendicular strokes with one to
unite them. How vividly the hand symbolizes the NAME of GOD
(represented by the letter Sheen) and also the trinity: THREE-in-ONE,
ONE-in-THREE!
It is claimed that in BIBLE times when a king issued a decree, it was
always given in the plural form, indicating the will of the kingdom in
issuing this decree. This idea (the plural of majesty) is quite
prevalent among many religious teachers. To this idea there seems to be
some serious objections.
A Hebrew teacher was asked what the Jewish scholars did with the
expression "ELOHIYM" - found many times in the first chapter of the book
of Genesis/Bereshith. He answered that it was the custom in the
BIBLICAL times to speak of the king and of the kingdom, and of the
things done in the kingdom in a plural form. All documents, the teacher
replied, were issued in this manner.
Attention was then called to the experiences found in the books of Ezra
and Nehemiah. It is stated in these books that Cyrus, Darius and
Artaxerxes each issued a decree. These three men were the kings of the
Medes and Persians. In none of these decrees issued, do the kings speak
of themselves in the plural form. It is always, "I, …Cyrus" or "I,
…Darius" or "I, …Artaxerxes." [2 Chronicles/Dibre Hayamin Bet
36. 22 - 23; Ezra 6. 1 - 8; 7. 11 - 13; 6. 14]
HOLY OMNISCIENT, OMNIPOTENT, OMNIPRESENT GOD , the ALPHA & OMEGA is a
TRINITY. HE is both ONE and THREE. However, HE is not both ONE and
THREE in the same respect. GOD is One as to HIS essence of being, but
THREE as to hypostases, persons, and modes of life and functioning. The
human mind has a triune constitution - it is made up of the intellect,
the sensibility, and the will -- three minds, but of one mind.
Many times GOD called HIMSELF the GOD OF ABRAHAM, the GOD OF ISAAC and
the GOD OF JACOB. HE seemed to love to reveal HIMSELF through this
name, this is the revelation of the FATHER, SON and HOLY SPIRIT -- for
Abram means the exalted father who became Abraham, the father of a
multitude. Isaac means laughter. He was the promised son, the JOY of
the father. Jacob is known as the heel grabber or supplanter – the
one who became "Israel" or "a prince with GOD" - and this speaks of the
work of the HOLY SPIRIT.
Three is the numerical "signature" of the DIVINE BEING. GOD has stamped
HIS signature on the universe HE created (Time: past, present, future;
Kingdoms: animal, vegetable, mineral; Views: earth, sea, sky; Forms
Matter Assumes: solid, liquid, gas; Colours to One Ray of Light: blue,
red, yellow; etc.)
Also, there is the three-fold constitution of man proclaims the
TRI-PERSONAL GOD WHO created him in HIS OWN IMAGE. The Sh'ma,
expressing the TRI-UNITY of the GODHEAD, leads the command calling upon
man's threefold nature: spirit (hearts sensitivity to the SPIRIT OF
GOD), soul (eternal human characterization, disposition, essence) and
might (body, flesh) to love his TRIUNE CREATOR GOD!

Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
Good Sabbath! Praise to Almighty CREATOR God! We praise and bless you O
GOD for lovingly and graciously giving YOUR Holy Shabbat - The Bride,
The Queen - the imagery of beauty & radiance, testifying to the
tremendous affection that the Sabbath is enjoyed among YOUR people in
YOUR presence.
We thank YOU, Great & MIGHTY GOD for by YOUR grace we were taught the
sanctity of the weekly day of rest and the Sabbath is the sign of the
tie that binds us to YOU. Keep us ever grateful and grant us YOUR
perfect rest. Amen

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
It's a good idea to send a lazy person for the Angel of Death.
OUR KINSMAN REDEEMER
"In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD
was GOD." [John 1. 1]
The LORD JESUS is "GOD THE WORD" WHO was from the beginning. And when
"the fullness of the time had come, GOD sent forth HIS SON, born of a
woman, born under the Law, to redeem those who were under the Law, that
we might receive the adoption as sons." [Galatians 4. 4 - 5]
Since sin separates us from GOD'S holiness, we needed a SINLESS REDEEMER
to pay the price for our salvation. The LORD YESHUA ha'MASHIACH became
that "one MEDIATOR between GOD and men, the MAN CHRIST JESUS, WHO gave
HIMSELF a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." [1 Timothy 2. 5
- 6] GOD THE WORD became MAN to accomplish and fulfill the
requirements of the Law: "If a resident alien among you becomes rich,
and one of your kinsman who dwells by him becomes poor, and gives
himself to the resident alien among you, or to a member of the alien's
family, he may be redeemed again even after he has sold himself over.
One of his KINSMEN SHALL redeem him." [Leviticus (Vayikra) 25. 47 - 48
Tanakh, Torah]
"For we do not have a HIGH PRIEST who cannot sympathize with our
weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin."
[Hebrews 4. 15] The LORD JESUS, the GOD/MAN, "had to be made like HIS
brethren, that HE might be a merciful and faithful HIGH PRIEST in things
pertaining to GOD, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. For
in that HE HIMSELF has suffered, being tempted, HE is able to aid those
who are tempted." [Hebrews 2. 17 - 18] "The SON OF GOD has come and
has given us an understanding, that we may know HIM WHO is true; and we
are in HIM WHO is true, in HIS SON JESUS CHRIST. This is the TRUE GOD
and ETERNAL LIFE." [1 John 5. 20] MESSIAH YESHUA is "the GRACE OF GOD
that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying
ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and
godly in the present age." [Titus 2. 11 - 12]
To find this AMAZING GRACE, we must "turn back to YOU, O LORD, and we
will be restored" [Lamentations / Ekhah 5. 21]; come humbly to the
BLESSED SAVIOUR, the LORD YESHUA ha'MASHIACH, confess your sins, and
receive HIS mercy and forgiveness. "If we confess our sins, HE is
faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all
unrighteousness." [1 John 1. 9]
So, "let us come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy
and find grace to help in time of need." [Hebrews 4. 16] Our LOVING
REDEEMER awaits and invites whosoever will, "Come!"

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
As we bid farewell to Sabbath, our prayer is the LIVING FOUNTAIN refresh
and sustain each of you, our cherished friends. May the LIGHT of the
HOLY ONE, blessed be HE, fill your up-coming week with a yearning desire
to submit to HIS inscrutable will and give you strength for your daily
tasks. May some of the sweetness of Sabbath be a part of each day as
you share the knowledge of wisdom of the LOVING MASTER with others.
"Tov Shavua! (have a good week)!"

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
In order to be a realist in Israel, you must believe in miracles.
[David Ben-Gurion]

AUTHOR OF PEACE
"GOD is not the AUTHOR of confusion but of peace." [1 Corinthians 14.
33]

"The wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gently,
willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and
without hypocrisy. The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those
who make peace." [James 3. 17 - 18] The whole world and our personal
lives remain in confusion, turmoil, and strife; and the source is that
Old Dragon, Satan, "the god of this world." [2 Corinthians 4. 4]

The only ONE WHO can bring true peace is the ONE WHO is the AUTHOR OF
PEACE. HE is "the GOD OF PEACE WHO brought up our LORD JESUS from the
dead." [Hebrews 13. 20] Moreover, HE is "the MIGHTY GOD, the
EVERLASTING FATHER, the PRINCE OF PEACE." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 9. 6
Tanakh, Nevi'im] Melchizedek ("my King is righteous") was the KING OF
SALEM or KING OF PEACE [Hebrews 7. 2] and HE is "the LORD OF PEACE." [2
Thessalonians 3. 16] Melchizedek was, at least a type of the incarnate
MESSIAH, if not in fact the obvious pre-incarnate appearance of the LORD
YESHUA ha'MASHIACH, the SON OF MAN.

The LORD JESUS CHRIST is all of these, the AUTHOR OF PEACE, the LORD OF
PEACE, the PRINCE OF PEACE, the KING OF PEACE and the incredible GOD OF
PEACE; and our only SOURCE OF PEACE!

Some day very soon, "HE shall speak peace to the nations; HIS dominion
shall be from sea to sea, from the River to the ends of the earth."
[Zechariah (Zecharyah) 9. 10 Tanakh, Nevi'im] In that day, we are
reminded that, "the GOD of peace will crush Satan under your feet."
[Romans 16. 20] "In token of abundant authority and of peace without
limit, upon David's throne and over HIS Kingdom, that it may be firmly
establish in justice and in equity now and evermore from that time
forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD OF HOSTS shall perform
this." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 9. 7 Tanakh, Nevi'im] What a glorious day
that will be!


Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
Rejoice and magnify the LORD with me and let us exalt HIS NAME
together. HIS glory is in the earth and in the heavens. HE is the
strength of all HIS servants, the praise of them that truly love HIM,
the HOPE of Israel and the whole world. HalleluYAH!
"Chazaq ve'Emats!" "Be strong and very courageous, that you may
observe to do according to all the Law which Moses MY servant commanded
you; do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may
prosper wherever you go. This BOOK OF THE LAW shall not depart from your
mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe
to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make
your way prosperous, and then you will have good success."
[Joshua/Yehoshua 1.7-8]


Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
When we offer others a hand, we are lifted.
LOVE - FAITH - JOY
"WHOM having not seen you love. Though now you do not see HIM, yet
believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory;
receiving the end of your faith - the salvation of your souls." [1 Peter
1. 8 - 9]
Peter had seen the LORD, so he was writing to those who had not. And
like those of MESSIAH'S time, we can have a personal relationship with
the HOLY CREATOR, even though we cannot physically see HIM now.
"Blessed are they that have not seen and yet have believed." [John 20.
29] Like them, we also have terrible trials and we are "tested by
fire." [1 Peter 1. 7] Our responses to YESHUA, while in the midst of
trials, should find us "to the praise, honour and glory at the
revelation of MESSIAH YESHUA."
LOVE HIM Love makes trials bearable. "We love HIM because HE first
loved us." [1 John 4. 19] "Greater love (Hebrew: racham – love
deeply, tender affection; checed – mercy, compassion) has no man
than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." [John 15. 13]
"Who shall separate us from the love of CHRIST? Shall tribulation, or
distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril or sword?"
[Romans 8. 35] The LORD YESHUA, our FOUNTAIN OF LIVING WATER, loves us
too much to abandon us, and we should learn to love HIM in return.
BELIEVE HIM "YOU safely guard him in perfect peace whose confidence is
in YOU; whose trust (Hebrew: batach - believes) is in the LORD alone."
[Isaiah (Yeshayah) 26. 3 Tanakh, Nevi'im] "Blessed is he who trusts in
the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is. He shall be like a tree planted by
waters, sending forth its roots by a stream; it does not sense the
coming of heat, its leaves are ever fresh; it has no care in a year of
drought, it does not cease to yield fruit." [Jeremiah (Yirmeyah) 17. 7 -
8] Beyond doubt, our faith is well founded.
REJOICE IN HIM "But rejoice (Hebrew: samach – merry, joyous,
brighten) to the extent that you partake of CHRIST'S sufferings; that
when HIS glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy." [1
Peter 4. 13] The proper response to trials brings inexpressible joy.
The end of such faith in our WONDERFUL LORD is the complete and absolute
supreme salvation of our souls with many triumphant victories of faith
along the way. . . and a joy this world could never know.

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
The Amidah (Judaism's most central prayer, recited 3 times daily):
"Sound the great Shofar to announce our freedom, raise the banner to
gather our exiles, and gather us together from the four corners of the
earth. Praised are YOU, LORD, WHO gathers the dispersed of HIS people,
Israel. And to Jerusalem, YOUR City, may YOU return in mercy. May YOU
dwell there as YOU have promised. Build it now in our day and forever,
and speedily reestablish the throne of David in her midst. Praised are
YOU, Lord, WHO builds Jerusalem." Amen!

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

Email: delrifkah.kralman@comcast.net
<mailto:delrifkah.kralman@comcast.net>
Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/
<http://delrifkah.homestead.com/>
Thoughts Archived: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/delrifkah/
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/delrifkah/>
End-time Events: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/Facepage.html
<http://delrifkah.homestead.com/Facepage.html>
Please visit our web page for teachings on Bible texts and subjects.
Also notice the section showing the disparity between the Holy Bible and
the Muslim Koran (Quran).
The newest section is our thought by thought study through the Bible.
Having completed the Torah (books of Moses), and the New Testament, we
are now going through the book of; [2 Samuel].

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
No secret causes GOD concern, HE knows all.

NAARAH - BETHULAH - ALMAH
"He (Abraham's servant) had scarcely finished speaking (to the LORD
GOD), when Rivkah (Rebekkah), who was born to Bethuel, the son of Milcah
the wife of Abraham's brother, Nahor, came out with her pitcher on her
shoulder. The young woman (Hebrew: naarah) was very beautiful, a virgin
(Hebrew: bethulah) whom no man had known." [Genesis (Bereshith) 24. 16
Tanakh, Torah]

Rivkah (Rebekkah) is called a virgin (bethulah); later, in Genesis
24:55, she is called an engaged virgin (Hebrew: almah). The RIGHTEOUS
SOVEREIGN LORD, speaking by the HOLY SPIRIT through the prophet Isaiah
said, "The LORD HIMSELF shall give you a sign: Behold, a virgin (almah
– engaged virgin) shall conceive and shall bear a SON and shall call
HIS NAME "IMMANU'EL (with us is GOD – GOD with us)."
[Isaiah/Yeshayah 7. 14]

"Naarah" simply means "young woman." But, what is the difference
between an almah and a bethulah?? Two thousand years after MESSIAH was
born to the virgin Miryam (Mary), people would say that almah does not
mean virgin -- it simply means a young woman, but not necessarily a
virgin. However, the MASTER OMNISCIENT CREATOR had already set a
precedent (standard), a witness and a testimony for HIMSELF, for Yeshua,
and for Miryam (Mary) from the beginning of recorded history in the Book
of Genesis/Bereshith:
When Rivkah (Rebekkah) appeared at the well in the afternoon, before
she drew the water for Abraham's servant, she was called a bethulah
(un-engaged virgin). A few hours later, still a virgin, she was now
called an "almah." The only difference being that she was now an
"engaged virgin (almah – engaged virgin)" having consented to marry
Isaac, who was still in the Land of Promise. Rivkah is now "betrothed"
or "engaged" and has never even seen her husband to be.

Speaking through Isaiah, the LORD GOD OF ISRAEL, had specified that the
woman who would conceive and bear a SON, "IMMANU'EL" would be an virgin
(almah) . . .an espoused, engaged, betrothed virgin (almah). Thus, the
Hebrew words used in the account of Rivkah's engagement to Isaac makes
it absolutely, undeniably and unquestionably clear. All three
descriptions are used to describe the wife of Isaac, long before the
couple even met.

In Deuteronomy regarding the "Law of Marriage" you can see the
differences also. "If a young woman (naarah) who is a virgin who is
engaged (almah) to a husband for whom a bride-price had been paid -- if
a man comes upon her in a city and lies with her then you shall bring
them both out to the gate of that city, and stone them to death with
stones; the girl because she did not cry for help in the town, and the
man because he violated another man's wife...But if the man comes upon
the engaged woman (almah) in the open country, and the man lies with her
by force, only the man who lay with her shall die, but you shall do
nothing to the woman." [Deuteronomy (Devarim) 22. 23, 25 Tanakh, Torah]
However, "If a man finds a young woman (naarah) who is a virgin, who is
not engaged (bethulah), and he seizes her and lies with her, and they
are discovered, the man who lay with her shall pay the young woman's
father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife. Because he
has violated her, he can never have the right to divorce her."
[Deuteronomy (Devarim) 22. 28 - 29 Tanakh, Torah]

We know that Miryam (Mary) was engaged to Joseph, and was the chosen
almah who would bring forth a SON, MESSIAH YESHUA. [Luke 1] Joseph, a
most honourable man, "did not know her (Miryam) until she had brought
forth her firstborn SON." [Matthew 1. 25]

The GREAT, MIGHTY & HOLY GOD OF HOSTS not only sets the stage, but
brings about all that HE says HE will do. "For with GOD, nothing is
impossible." [Luke 1. 37] O LORD GOD, my HOPE and my PRAISE, "Nothing
is too wondrous (extraordinary) for YOU!" [Jeremiah (Yirmeyah) 32. 18
Tanakh, Nevi'im] HalleluYAH!

Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel!
O that Judah be saved and Jerusalem dwell in safety!
May you be a witnesses of the MOST HOLY God'S care, love and presence.
Those who are of the righteous seed that the LORD has set apart, are
double blessed with double joy.


Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
May the memory of the past impress us with the duty to remain faithful
to our heritage and to be mindful of our obligations.
TISHA B'AV
"By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat, sat and wept, as we thought of
Zion. There on the poplars we hung up our lyres, for our captors asked
us there for songs of joy, our tormentors, for amusement, "Sing us one
of the songs of Zion." How can we sing a song of the LORD on foreign
soil?" [Psalms (Tehillym) 137. 1 - 4 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
One of the major fast days in Jewish tradition, and a day of historic
mourning in Jewish life is the Ninth of Av. This is a fast day second
in importance to the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) in the Jewish year.
It is the day of mourning for the destruction of both Temples. And, it
once was kept in remembrance of the day in the year 558 BCE (Before
Common Era/BC - Before CHRIST) when the mighty forces of the Babylonian
armies under Nebuchadnezzar laid waste Jerusalem and slaughtered many of
its inhabitants enslaving and exiling the survivors. Also, according to
tradition [Taan 4. 4 Jewish Encyclopedia] the decree concerning Israel's
forty years of wandering in the wilderness was made on the Ninth of Av.
On the Ninth of Av in the year 70 CE (Common Era/AD- After Death {of
MESSIAH YESHUA}) the Romans swooped down on Jerusalem and destroyed the
Second Temple and almost annihilated the nation of Israel. Tisha b'Av
today commemorates the destruction of the Second Temple rather than that
of the First, recognizing the fact that the second destruction was the
greater catastrophe for the Jewish people. It is marked as "A Day of
National Gloom." In the synagogues the Book of Lamentations is recited
to a sad and mournful melody. The book was written by the Prophet
Jeremiah, who warned the Jews to repent to prevent the fall of
Jerusalem, which he prophesized. His advice not only was ignored, but
he also was imprisoned for stating views that threatened the king's
power. The TORAH Sages also teach that the MESSIAH will be born on
Tisha B'Av as a sign that there is yet redemption in all the
destruction.
At midnight there is a lamentation for the destruction of the Temple.
Then, people usually visit the cemetery after the morning service. On
the Ninth of Av in Jerusalem, devout Jews meet at the Kotel (Western
Wall) or visit the Tomb of David, voicing their grief and pain over the
fall of Jerusalem. One of the songs or chants is a mournful hymn known
as "The Wailing Song" which is said to date from the time of Ezra:
"HE is great, He is good: HE will build HIS Temple speedily:
In great haste, in great haste; in our own day speedily.
LORD, build; LORD, build, build YOUR Temple speedily.
HE will save, HE will save; HE will save HIS Israel speedily;
At this time now, Oh, LORD, in our own day speedily
LORD, save! LORD, save! Save YOUR people, Israel speedily."
One can almost hear the children of Israel praying at the end of the
Feast of Tabernacles on the day of the Great Hosanna: "Save now, I
beseech YOU, LORD!" and see HIM WHO is "THE ANSWER" to their prayer
standing in their midst. The LORD MESSIAH YESHUA is THE TEMPLE REBUILT
-- for HE was seemingly destroyed, but on the third day ALMIGHTY GOD
raised HIM from the dead! The Jew, whose eyes are opened to behold the
ANOINTED ONE of whom Moses and the prophets wrote, has no need to mourn,
to have Tisha b'Av day in his life! Whomever has accepted Yeshua (the
LORD JESUS) into their heart as MESSIAH, LORD & KING can declare with
David: "You have turned my lament into dancing, YOU put off my
sackcloth and girded me with joy and gladness, that my whole being might
sing hymns to YOU endlessly; O LORD my GOD, I will praise YOU forever."
[Psalms (Tehillym) 30. 11 Tanakh, Kethuvim] May our HEAVENLY FATHER
hear our prayers that our long-awaited MESSIAH JESUS, the SON OF GOD,
the SON OF David, the KING of kings, come quickly. May HIS Holy Temple
be rebuilt speedily, even in our day.
Special Note: Tisha b'Av (9th of Av) starts tonight at sunset and lasts
until tomorrow evening (evening-to-evening). Tisha b'Av should hold
significance, not just for the Jewish people, but for everyone. The
threat of terrorism is worldwide, though most acutely felt and
experienced in Israel. Let us take this day to join hearts with our
Israeli and Jewish brethren around the world and offer united and
fervent prayer to our HEAVENLY FATHER, the GREAT GOD OF ISRAEL, the LORD
OF HOSTS.
We invite everyone to join in solidarity with our Jewish friends and
family in fasting for 24-hours beginning at sunset tonight until sunset
tomorrow night and to pray for Israel. We encourage everyone to light a
candle in their homes this evening in memory of the Israelis who have
died in this present daily war with the Palestinians; and read Psalm 83
aloud. I encourage parents to gather their children and do this as a
family prayer time. Let us take this day to join hearts with our
Israeli and Jewish brethren around the world and offer united and
fervent prayer to our the OMNIPOTENT LORD GOD for HIS mercy through
judgment; pray for the coming of KING MESSIAH speedily even in our day.
The actual intent of such practices are in preparation for coming to
grips with Israel's sin which led to the loss of the Temple, not just
once, but twice. When the spies returned from the land, there was
weeping when there should have been rejoicing. So, throughout history,
God has given Israel reason to mourn on this day, Tisha b'Av, the Ninth
day of the month of Av. Also, it is suggested as the day the Wondering
Hebrews sided against Joshua and Caleb's report to that the Promised
Land could be conquered, thus sinning with the unfaithful spies.
[Numbers/B'Midvar 13. 30 - 31]

Sha'alu (Pray) for the shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of
Israel! ...
Commit to obey GOD all the way to HIS Land of Promised in holiness and
integrity of life. Take advantage of every opportunity to express your
overwhelming gratitude for ALMIGHTY GOD'S goodness and grace to us, and
to renew our commitment to walk in loving obedience all the days of our
lives.
May our HEAVENLY FATHER hear our prayers -– that our long-awaited
MESSIAH YESHUA, the SON OF DAVID, KING of kings comes quickly. May HIS
Holy Temple be rebuilt speedily, even in our day.

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem is praying for the return of Messiah
Jesus and His Kingdom.
Web Page: http://delrifkah.homestead.com/