Delrifkah: HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY.

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
O come! O come EMMANU’EL!
WORSHIP HIM      
"When HE again brings the FIRSTBORN into the world, HE says — Let all the angels of GOD worship HIM." [Hebrews 1. 6]
JESUS the CHRIST is "the ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON, which is in the bosom of the father" [John 1. 8], but the day finally came when HE had to enter humankind, and the ETERNAL WORD "was made flesh, and dwelt among us, and we beheld HIS glory, the glory as of the ONLY BEGOTTEN of the FATHER full of grace and truth." [John 1. 14]  Fulfilling the OLD COVENANT prophesy — "The PRESENCE (glory, Hebrew: kabod) of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh, as one, shall behold — for the mouth of the LORD has spoken." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 40. 5 Tanakh, Nevi’im]  By eternal generation, by the incarnation, by the virgin birth, and by the resurrection, HE is in every significance GOD’S FIRST BEGOTTEN — ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON.
So, when YESHUA first entered the world, born of a virgin (Hebrew: alma : engaged virgin), HIS HEAVENLY FATHER called on all the innumerable angles in the heavenly host to bow down and worship HIM.  There are several other MESSIANIC prophecies as applied to YESHUA ha'MASHIACH.   "Rejoice, O Nations, with HIS people! For HE will avenge the blood of HIS servants, wreak vengeance to HIS adversaries; and HE will provide atonement for HIS Land and HIS people, and wipe away HIS people’s tears." [Deuteronomy (Devarim) 32. 43 Tanakh, Torah]  "Bless the LORD, O HIS angels, who excel in strength, who do HIS WORD, ever obedient to the voice of HIS WORD. Bless the LORD, all HIS hosts, HIS servants who do HIS will and HIS pleasure. Bless the LORD, all HIS works, through the length and breadth of HIS dominion; bless the LORD, O my soul." [Psalms (Tehillym) 103. 20 - 22 Tanakh, Kethuvim]  
However, it is a specific decree of GOD, proclaimed throughout the universe at the time of the human birth of HIS SON, and recorded in the Hebrew Text.  All the angels of the infinite cosmos bowed in solemn worship, but a special contingent was commissioned to watch directly over the birth, and proclaim the GOOD NEWS to those nearby, "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising GOD and saying — "Glory to GOD in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men!" [Luke 2. 13 - 14]   The angles saw and worshipped, the shepherds heard and made it widely known.  And "and all those who heard it marveled at those things which were told them by the shepherds." [Luke 2. 18]   May each of us do likewise — glorify and praise the GREAT LOVING LORD GOD for all the things we have heard, and seen, and experienced...and bow down and worship the MAGNIFICENT KING OF THE UNIVERSE.
Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel !
Redeem Israel , O ELOHIYM, out of all their troubles!
The Third Light is the LIGHT of Justice. No nation can endure who is unjust to the weak. "Justice, always justice shall you pursue!"
"Take heed that you judge in righteousness, for you do not judge for man but for the GOD WHO is with you in judgment."
Although it was a dark day for our generation on the eve of Chanukkah this year as the UN cast another appalling vote and the United States, our former ally, refused to veto. And yet, the timing couldn’t have been better because the story of Chanukkah reminds us that we are not in charge and that the world will run the way the ALMIGHTY ONE is and has always been in control. If a rag-tag band of yeshiva boys can defeat the Greek-Syrian army, surely, in our sophisticated age, we need not despair. We need only recognize THE SOURCE of our help—YESHUA, the ROCK OF Ages our MIGHTY WARRIOR/REDEEMER.
Trusting that you are having an unforgettable and joyous Chanukkah - blessings to each of you.  
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes.  Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.
Web Page:   www.delrifkah.com

This came up in my memories over at Facebook. I no longer receive the emails but recommend others go through the list and share.
Elaine

Ministeries of Del & Rifkah Kralman
October 9, 2020
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Ho'Shanah Rabbah
A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Sitting in the Sukkah reminds us to be aware of and grateful for the SOVEREIGN ONE'S absolute, all-encompassing protection.
HO'SHANAH RABBAH
"You shall dwell in booths for seven days; all who are native Israelites shall live in booths, in order that future generations may know that I made the Israelite people live in booths when I brought them out of the land of Egypt, I am the LORD your GOD." [Leviticus (Vayikra) 23. 42 - 43 Tanakh, Torah]
Ho'Shanah Rabbah is the name of the seventh day of Sukkot, and is a holy-day in itself. It is the final day of Chol Hamo’ed Sukkot (the intermediate days of Sukkot). In BIBLE times, the Jews who came to celebrate the Feast carried lights and torches to the Temple area illuminating most of Jerusalem and surrounding areas. It was on the last day of Sukkot, the day of the Great Ho'Shanah, while the people rejoiced, the water being poured forth and the priests blew the trumpets, the Levites were singing the Great Hallel (Praise) and the people were praying, "Ho'Shanah, hatshlichana (Save now, I pray, O LORD; O LORD, I pray, send us prosperity!)!" [Psalms (Tehillym) 118. 25 Tanakh, Kethuvim]
The LORD Y’SHUA ha'MASHIACH stood in their midst to tell them that HE was the answer to all their celebration! Y’SHUA knew that a drought existed in their hearts as Isaiah stated, "All who thirst, come to the waters." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 55. 1 Tanakh, Nevi'im] "The LORD will guide you always; HE will satisfy your thirst in parched places...and you will be like a watered garden, like a spring whose waters do not fail." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 58. 11 Tanakh, Nevi'im] Thus, the LORD Y’SHUA declared to them — "If anyone thirsts, let him come to ME and drink. He who believes in ME, as the SCRIPTURE has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water." [John 7. 37 - 38] By this, the LORD JESUS was speaking of the HOLY SPIRIT, which they that believe on HIM should receive.
Oh Yes! The LORD Y’SHUA is the RAIN for which the people prayed. HE is the LIGHT of the world, the GLORY that fills the Temple. HE is the WINE poured out with the water, as well as the WATER OF LIFE. Y’SHUA ha'MASHIACH is the LORD OF THE HARVEST, the GREAT INGATHERER! Some glorious day there shall be a greater ingathering of a greater harvest which John describes . . . "After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples and tongues, standing before the throne and before the LAMB, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, "Salvation (Ho'Shanah) belongs to our GOD WHO sits on the Throne, and to the LAMB!" [Revelation 7. 9 - 10]
The Sukkot foreshadows MESSIAH'S PROTECTIVE PRESENCE over Israel during HIS Thousand-Year Kingdom Reign. The HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL promised this covenant of friendship with the children of Jacob: "I will place MY Sanctuary among them forever." [Ezekiel (Yehezke-El) 37. 27 Tanakh, Torah] As we eagerly await in imminent expectation for that glorious time, may we be even more urgently faithful to obey and serve as our LORD & KING commissioned, that we may dwell forever with HIM in that Heavenly Sukkah.
Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
”If I forget you, O Yerushalayim, let my right hand wither.” Psalms 137:5
Sabbath of Shemini Atzeret – “Eighth Day” [Parasha – the appointed reading: Deuteronomy 14:22 – 16:17; Numbers 29:35 – 29:40; 1 Kings 8:54-66; Luke 2:21-32]
With GOD'S help, the Jewish people will refuse to be "Weeping Willows" any more.
"Chag Sameyach — a joyous Sukkot to you and yours, may these days be extraordinary and kept sacred!"
Sukkah - Festival of Booths, Day 7 — HO’SHANAH RABBAH [Numbers 29:26-34] — Great Ho’Shanah
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes. Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
It is easier for one to raise a myriad of olive trees in Galilee than to
bring up one child in the Land of Israel. [MIDRASH Raba]

THE STORY OF CHANUKAH (Part 1 of 4)
Chanukkah means dedication. It is the Jewish Festival celebrating the
Maccabees' victory over the Syrian army in 165 BCE (Before Common
Era/BC—Before CHRIST).

The Feast of Dedication, Chanukah, celebrates two miracles: First, the
victory of a small greatly outnumbered army of Jews (the Maccabee) over
the strong and forceful Greek army. The Jews had taken their stand for
their faith, their GOD, and their way of life. . . and won! The
Maccabees drove the Greeks from the Promised Land, reclaimed the Holy
Temple in Jerusalem (which had been desecrated by the Seleucids) and
rededicated it to the service of YEHOWAH ELOHEY.

The second miracle was that of the Menorah and the light that burned for
eight days (which should have lasted only one day), allowing a ritually
pure oil to be made as prescribed by those assigned to do so. Having
the Menorah lit continually in the Temple was extremely important to
worship the GREAT GOD OF HEAVEN as HE instructed.

Alexander the Great once conquered all the countries around the
Mediterranean Sea, creating a vast Greek Empire. At the age of 33, he
died broken-hearted, feeling that he had conquered all that was worth
conquering. Wherever the Greek army went, Greek culture, language and
religion were forced upon the population known as "Hellenism."

After Alexander died, the Greek Empire was divided among his generals:
Antigonus received Asia; Ptolemy, Egypt; Seleucus obtained Babylon;
Lysimachus acquired Hellespont; and Cassander took over Macedonia.
There were wars back and forth continually for years.

At the time of the Maccabees, Antiochus Epiphanies (means: the deified
god) ruled Syria and Ptolemy ruled Egypt. These two warred over the
Holy Land. Antiochus launched a military campaign against Egypt in
order to bring all of Israel under Syrian dominion. They imposed
Hellenistic culture and religion on all they conquered with a vengeance.
The Syrians were incredibly barbaric, even the Greek language was
imposed upon the people they conquered. It was forbidden to study
TORAH, observe Shabbat, use the Hebrew language or perform circumcision.
Circumcised baby boys were killed and the mothers were forced to carry
the dead infants hanging from their necks. Jews were given the choice
to give up Judaism or die, often by torture; pagan temples were built
throughout Israel. Then they plundered and desecrated the Temple of
ELOHEY on the 24th of Kislev 168 BCE.

The soldiers even sacrificed a swine on the Temple Altar, the HOLY TORAH
was spattered with pig blood and cut into pieces, then burned. Then
Antiochus committed the ultimate offense — on the birthday of Zeus,
which is the month of Kislev (December) 24. Antiochus had his soldiers
erect an idol of Zeus Olympus, the Greek's supreme deity, in the
Holy of Holies of the Temple of ELOHEY. Not surprisingly, the idol bore
the face of Antiochus himself. He demanded that the people bow down to
worship his idol god. {As described in Daniel/Danyel 9. 27; 11. 30-31;
Matthew 24. 15–17} Many Jews would not give allegiance to a heathen
deity, and as many as 80,000 people chose to die rather than commit
idolatry.

. . . to be continued

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
Be blessed as we bid farewell to Shabbat! May the ALMIGHTY ONE, WHO
separates the holy from the secular, forgive our sins and grant us a
good week as we continue in HIS service!
The 8-Nights of Chanukkah start tonight at sundown, December 8th this
year. Prepare to enjoy the Festival of Lights!
Welcoming the First Light of Chanukkah... The Shehecheyan' u
—blessings said over these special Chanukkah lights: MESSIAH YESHUA
is shown in the Chanukkah lights as the middle SHAMAS (Servant) Candle.
HE came to minister, serve and save; HE serves mankind with HIS
wonderful salvation. Genesis/Bereshith 1. 3-4 describes the creation of
the first light: "ELOHIYM said— Let there be light, and there was
light. GOD saw that the light was good, and GOD separated the light from
the darkness."

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our
Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He
comes. Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and
the world will experience true godly universal peace.

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

Customs - God is Echad 
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 ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON OF GOD, the VISIBLE REVELATION & EXPRESSION; and, the HOLY SPIRIT — THE COMFORTER & TEACHER.  
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" (one) — 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, YEHOWAH, 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 Y’SHUA)." [Isaiah/Yeshayah 48:15 Tanakh, Nevi'im]  
"For HE said — Surely they are MY people, children who will not lie.  So HE became their SAVIOR.  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 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!
Welcoming Sabbath of Va’etchanan – "And I Besought (Entreat) " [Parshat, assigned reading: Deuteronomy 3:23 - 7:11; Isaiah 40:1-26; Luke 3:2-15] 
  The Shabbat following Tisha b’Av is also called Shabbat Nachamu, the Sabbath of Comfort
  Happy Tu B’Av – the LOVE DAY – when the daughters of Jerusalem would go out and dance in the vineyards located on the outskirts of the city.  And everyone who didn’t have a wife would go there to meet their soul-mate.
  May the LORD GOD  hold you in the palm of HIS hand.  "Z'man Simchataynu — A time of our rejoicing!"  Today (evening to evening) marks a joyous day on the Jewish calendar — Tu B'Av (15th day of the month of Av).  Many celebrations throughout Israel are scheduled in commemoration of the day, with love as their theme.  The TALMUD states that on Tu B'Av, the young unmarried women of Jerusalem would borrow white clothing — so that their wealth or lack of it would not stand out — dancing and singing in the vineyards in order to be noticed by their prospective husbands.  Many weddings are thus celebrated on Tu B'Av.
  This day marks several other BIBLICAL and historical events besides being the conclusion of the death decree of the generation that wandered in the desert wilderness.  They were thus punished for believing the Ten Scouts discouraging report on the Land of Canaan.  
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes.  Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.  
Email:  delrifkah@gmail.com
Web Page:  www.delrifkah.com
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Do You Not Care? 
A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Silence is the wisest first answer to any question; the second is compassion.  
DO YOU NOT CARE?     
"And HE (Y’SHUA) was in the stern of the ship, asleep on a pillow.  And they (the disciples) awoke HIM and said to HIM — TEACHER, do YOU not care that we are perishing?" [Mark 4:38]  
There are times when we have great problems and our HEAVENLY FATHER seems to ignore our prayers.  However, the LOVING GOD OMNIPOTENT cares about HIS OWN dear children, even about the sparrow.  If there is not some clear reason why HE fails to answer, such as sin in our lives, then perhaps it is simply a test of our faith to refine us, just as was in Job's case.  
When the disciples thought the LORD MESSIAH Y’SHUA did not care, HE rebuked them saying, "Why are you so fearful?  How is it that you have no faith?" [Mark 4:40]  Miryam (Mary) and Martha sent word to the BELOVED MASTER that their brother Lazarus was deathly ill, but HE "stayed two more days in the place where HE was." [John 11:6]  "Did I not say to you that if you would believe you would see the Glory of GOD?" [John 11:40]  
A woman of Canaan, one day, cried out to the LORD Y’SHUA for mercy on her demon-possessed daughter, "But HE answered her not a word.  And HIS disciples came and urged HIM saying — Send her away, for she cries out after us."  She kept calling on MESSIAH though HE seemed not to care.  Finally the MASTER said to her, "O woman, great is your faith!  Let it be to you as you desire.  And her daughter was healed from that very hour." [Matthew 15:23, 28]  
The disciples, Lazarus' sisters, and the Canaanite woman all wondered at the attitude of the BELOVED LORD; but the fact was that HE did care.  And finally, the LORD JESUS did calm the storm, raised Lazarus from the dead, and healed the Canaanite woman's daughter.  MESSIAH'S delay was to test and strengthen their faith.  
Our wonderful FAITHFUL & TRUE WITNESS tests us also, "that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of MESSIAH Y’SHUA." [1 Peter 1:7]  May we be fully persuaded that "when HE has tested me, I shall emerge pure as gold." [Job (Iyowb) 23:10 Tanakh, Kethuvim]  This comes from obeying the LIFE-GIVING WORD OF GOD, living pure and knowing that our hearts are right with the MOST HIGH GOD.  
Sha’alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
"When YOUR WORDS were offered, I devoured them; YOUR WORD brought me the delight and joy of knowing that YOUR NAME is attached to me, O LORD GOD OF HOSTS." Jeremiah 15:16
  May GOD, WHO'S PRESENCE dwells within us, bless you abundantly.  And, may peace abundant descend from heaven with life for us and all Israel, Amen.  
  Watch and pray, the LORD MESSIAH Y’SHUA is coming soon to set up HIS Kingdom.  The descendants of HIS servants shall inherit it, and those who love HIS NAME shall dwell in it.
  May the ALL-PRESENT ONE fill you with HIS DIVINE PRESENCE that HE may be glorified and your life enriched.  
Counting of the Omer Day 44  
Rosh Chodesh begins this evening  
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes.  Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.  
Email:  delrifkah@gmail.com  
Web Page:  www.delrifkah.com  
End-time Events: http://delrifkah.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).

Messiah, Mediator, Redeemer 
A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
It is the Fruit, not the Experiences and careful rehearsing of details, that matter in a CHRISTian’s life; since only the Fruit is the clearly identifiable evidence of being born anew.  
MESSIAH, MEDIATOR, REDEEMER     
"If a resident or stranger among you becomes prosperous, and one of your kinsmen who dwells by him becomes poor, and sells himself to the stranger or sojourner close to you, or to a member of the stranger's family, he shall have the right of redemption even after he has given himself over.  One of his kinsmen shall redeem him, anyone of his family who is of his own flesh shall redeem him." [Leviticus (Vayikra) 25:47-48 Tanakh, Torah]  
The LORD MESSIAH Y’SHUA is the REDEEMER of mankind.  HE became as one of us so HE could, by HIS sacrificial death, deliver us from sin and Satan's hold.  "Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, HE HIMSELF likewise shared in the same, that through death HE might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.  For indeed HE does not give aid to angels, but HE does give aid to the seed of Abraham.  Therefore, in all things HE 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 2:14-18]  
What Y’SHUA, the HOPE OF ISRAEL, knew by HIS omniscient knowledge, HE wanted to know by experience, thus making HIMSELF perfect.  "It was fitting for HIM, for WHOM are all things and by WHOM are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the CAPTAIN of their salvation PERFECT THROUGH SUFFERINGS." [Hebrews 2:10]  
"For there is one GOD and 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]  "JESUS THE MEDIATOR of the NEW COVENANT." [Hebrews 12:24]  
"Now HE (Y’SHUA ha'MASHIACH) has obtained a more excellent ministry, inasmuch as HE is also MEDIATOR of a BETTER COVENANT, which was established on better promises." [Hebrews 8:6]  "If anyone sins, we have an ADVOCATE with the FATHER, JESUS CHRIST THE RIGHTEOUS.  And HE HIMSELF is the PROPITIATION (full legal equivalent for wrong done) for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world." [1 John 2:1-2]  
"HE has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of HIMSELF.  And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment, so CHRIST was offered once to bear the sins of many.  To those who eagerly wait for HIM HE will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation." [Hebrews 9:26-28]  
"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.  And because you are sons, GOD has sent forth the SPIRIT OF HIS SON into your hearts, crying out — ABBA, FATHER!" [Galatians 4:4-6]  
Marvelous! Awesome! Wonderful! is our GIFT OF SALVATION and GOD'S amazing love!  
Sha’alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
"Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge HIM, and HE shall direct your paths." Proverbs 3:5-6  
  As we bid farewell to Shabbat, may our lips ever declare praises to our KING, HELPER, SAVIOR & SHIELD and magnify HIS glory for HIS loving kindness is mighty over us.  Blessed are YOU, WHO in YOUR glory gives life and light to the whole world; for YOUR great goodness and endless mercies, we give YOU thanks.
  May the LIVING ETERNAL GOD, blessed be HE, hold you close, may HE hold you ever so close in the palm of HIS mighty hand and watch over you.  Have a great week honoring the HOLY ONE WHOM we celebrate and adore! 
  It is pointless to argue with those who happily pervert reality in the service of their profoundly held prejudices.  What we can accomplish on our own is hardly noteworthy.  But, with the hand of the MASTER DESIGNER in our life, great and marvelous things happen.  Think about that as you enjoy your up-coming week.  
Counting of the Omer Day 41  
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes.  Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.  
Email:  delrifkah@gmail.com  
Web Page:  www.delrifkah.com  
End-time Events: http://delrifkah.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).
DELRIFKAH.COM
Facepage

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
To be without questions is not a sign of faith, but a lack of depth.  

SEEKING AFTER SIGNS
"An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign, and no sign will be given to it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so will the SON OF MAN be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth." [Matthew 12. 39 - 40]  
Today, if ever there was one, this is "an evil and adulterous generation!"  Once again, there is a pervasively wide-spread mass of people seeking after signs and miracles.  The explosive rise of the so-called New Age movement has produced a devastatingly amazing interest in all forms of occultism, supernatural phenomena, astrology, channeling, extrasensory perception, near-death experiences, unidentified flying objects, meditations and mysticism of every strange variety.  

CHRISTian circles abound with such practices as well, as there is an unhealthy interest in new revelations and other supernatural signs.  The LORD YESHUA rebuked those who wanted special signs, however.  "Unless you people see signs and wonders, you will by no means believe." [John 4. 48]  HE already has given us the greatest of all signs — HIS bodily resurrection from the dead, the best- evidenced fact of all history — and this should be more then sufficient, just like HE told the scribes and Pharisees.

There is a real great danger in seeking such signs and wonders, for may of these things — while perhaps being supernatural — are not from CREATOR GOD.  "For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect." [Matthew 24. 24]  Because an "evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign." [Matthew 12. 39] 

GOD tests to see if you will believe and are committed to the RISEN ONE.  "O LORD OF HOSTS, YOU WHO judge righteously, testing the heart and the mind." [Jeremiah (Yirmeyah) 11. 20 Tanakh, Nevi’im]  Whereas, Satan—that despicably cunning (shrewd, crafty, sneaky, devious) dragon "deceives the whole world...by those signs which he was granted to do." [Revelation 12. 9; 13. 14]

Unlike the first generation of MESSIAH’S followers, we have the complete WRITTEN WORD OF GOD, both OLD and NEW COVENANTS, and they are sufficient for every need of every believer until KING JESUS returns.  "And so we have the PROPHETIC WORD confirmed, which you do well to heed as a light that shines in a dark place, until the day dawns and the DAY STAR rises in your hearts; knowing this first, that no prophecy of SCRIPTURE is of any private interpretation, for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of GOD spoke as they were moved by the HOLY SPIRIT." [2 Peter 1. 19 – 21] 

 

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel !
Redeem Israel , O ELOHIYM, out of all their troubles!
Exalted and hallowed be GOD'S greatness in this world HE created. May YOUR will be fulfilled and YOUR sovereignty revealed, MOST HOLY ONE, in the days of our lifetime and the life of the whole House of Israel speedily and in our time, Amen.  May YOU be blessed forever, even throughout all eternity. YOU are to be blessed, praised & honored, extolled & glorified, adored and exalted above all else. Amen
Zey ha-yom asaw ADONAI, nagilah ve-neesmechah voh. . .This is the day the LORD has made, we will rejoice and we will be glad in it.


A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Life is often heavy...only because we attempt to carry it.

MY REDEEMER, MY ROCK & MY SALVATION
"You were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of JESUS, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot." [1 Peter 1. 18 - 19]
The LORD YESHUA ha’MASHIACH was "without blemish and without spot" and is the SUSTAINER of the entire universe. [Colossians 1. 17-b]   HE died so we unfit sinners would have hope and life through HIM.  CHRIST'S love and eternal plan leaps out of the pages of HOLY SCRIPTURE reaching out to the blind, lame, and dumb.  HE, the COMPASSIONATE ONE cares for those who are marred, blemished and blotted with spots of sin on them.   GOD THE WORD, the ONE WHO stopped a funeral procession and raised the dead.   May we ever bow our hearts and praise such a LOVING SAVIOR!

MESSIAH YESHUA offered HIS "precious blood" to redeem unfit people like me.  HE took death upon HIMSELF so unworthy sinners might survive and experience eternal life with HIM.  Even death was unable to hold this HOLY ONE in its grip.  The PIERCED REDEEMER proved to be the LORD GOD ETERNAL even over death itself.  "The LORD lives! Blessed is my ROCK! Exalted be GOD, my SALVATION, my DELIVERER." [Psalms (Tehillym) 18. 46 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

We who were unfit and unacceptable — warped and twisted with sin, yet now, washed spotlessly clean in HIS precious blood, follow the leading of our BLESSED REDEEMER by extending our hearts and hands to those who are dead in their sins.  We must share the "GOOD NEWS" that the MESSIAH, YESHUA OF NAZARETH, came into this world to buy us back to the HEAVENLY FATHER, which HE paid for with HIS shed blood.  The LORD JESUS said, "Come unto ME, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (shalom, perfect peace). Take MY yoke upon you and learn from ME, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls. For MY yoke is easy (yoke of service) and MY burden (yoke of obedience) is light." [Matthew 11. 28 - 30]

The wondrous LORD MESSIAH YESHUA should no longer be the ROCK OF OFFENSE to either Jew or Gentile.  May you accept YESHUA (JESUS) as your LIVING MESSIAH, your SALVATION, your only REDEEMER.  HE is the ROCK OF ISRAEL and the world.  HE is waiting to receive you now.


Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel !
Redeem Israel , O ELOHIYM, out of all their troubles!
LORD our GOD, great, eternal, wonderful in glory, WHO keeps covenant and promises for those that love YOU with their whole heart, YOU are the LIFE of all, the HELP of those that flee to YOU, the HOPE of those who cry to YOU, cleanse us from our sins, secret and open, and from every thought displeasing to YOUR goodness — cleanse our bodies and souls, our hearts and conscience, that with a pure heart, and a clear soul, with perfect love and calm hope, we may venture confidently and fearlessly to pray to YOU. Amen

Tradition or Truth 
A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
"Many a man who does not fear GOD wraps himself in a Prayer Shawl." [-Abraham ibn Esra] Everything is a choice.  
TRADITION OR TRUTH     
"This shall be to you a Law forever for all time:  In the seventh month, on the tenth day of the month, Tishri, you shall practice self-denial; and you shall do no manner of work, neither the citizen nor the alien who resides among you.  For on this day atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you of all your sins; you shall be clean before the LORD." [Leviticus (Vayikra) 16. 29 - 30 Tanakh, Torah]  
The "Days of Awe (Yamim Nora’im)" refers to the ten days between Yom Teruah (Day of Trumpets/Rosh ha’Shanah) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) which can alter the sentence of one’s fate if a person repents of his sin, makes restitution, and returns to the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  Thus, the goal of Yamim Nora’im is to return (teshuvah) to the BLESSED ONE with their whole heart, soul and might.  This results in DIVINE forgiveness and at-one-ment with GOD which is only possible through MESSIAH'S forgiveness, extended to all those who embrace HIS "once-for-all" sacrifice for our sin.  
Among the many preparations for the awesome day of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement), and perhaps one of the most important, is the seeking of forgiveness from friends, relatives and acquaintances — for actual wrongs done or to soothe bad feelings that may have arisen during the year.  This is one aspect of our behavior that cannot be forgiven by the ALMIGHTY unless forgiveness is first sought from those we have wronged.  Another custom practiced on the eve of Yom Kippur is to bathe (mikvah) so we become pure in preparation for services and prayer.  
"I have forgiven" are the eternal words spoken by the FAITHFUL, TRUE & LIVING GOD on the tenth of the month of Tishri, after Moses prayed and fasted for forty days on behalf of the Jewish people.  This day became Yom ha'Kippurim, the Day of Atonement, for all generations.  Any time a Jew (or Gentile) sincerely repents, he is forgiven.  But, this day has a special meaning because of the forgiveness granted to the Jews on this day.  
Yom Kippur and all the laws pertaining to it started before sunset, as do all the holidays, with candle-lighting by the women of the house.  A Yahrzeit (24-hour) Candle is also lit in the house in honor of the holiday, as it is a day of fasting and we cannot honor it with a special festive meal.  The light also reminds us of the Second Tablets that were given to the Jewish people on this day, for light symbolizes the TORAH.  
On Yom Kippur, no work (melachos) may be done and it is referred to as Shabbos Shabbason — a total rest day just like Sabbath.  In fact, the doubled wording teaches us that even if Yom Kippur comes out on Sabbath, the laws of Yom Kippur are observed on that day and are not postponed, unlike other fast days when they occur on Shabbos.  
On Yom Kippur, five activities are specifically prohibited:  Eating and drinking, anointing oneself with perfumes or oils, and washing (for pleasure), wearing leather shoes, and marital relations.  Men go to the Synagogue (Shul) wearing white garments called kittels — and women often dress in light colors or white, which symbolizes purity.  
The evening service begins with the chanting of Kol Nidrei (all vows) which is intended to nullify in advance all vows and promises which Jews have been forced to make, or have made hastily in emergencies of sorrow or passion.  During each main prayer, we say the "Viduy (confession - "we have sinned!")" — beating the heart with the right hand at each phrase as we enumerate all the sins we may have committed and ask GOD OF HOSTS, the HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL for forgiveness.  The Viduy is phrased in the plural ("we have sinned!"), for all Jews and Gentiles are considered — one body — and we are all responsible for one another.  
One of the unique prayers of Yom Kippur is the Avodah section in the Musaf Prayer, which describes in detail the great and awesome service performed on Yom Kippur by the Priests in the Holy Temple.  This service was highlighted by the entry of the High Priest into the Holy of Holies, the place where the original tablets of the Ten Commandments were kept in the Ark of the Covenant.  Only on this one day a year, and only after much preparation, was the High Priest alone allowed to enter.  Described are his preparations, the service, and the exciting conclusion — when the Jewish people knew they were granted forgiveness. [Leviticus/Vayikra 16]  
In these present times, Jews everywhere feel that by fasting and repenting for twenty-four hours in obedience to GOD'S righteous commandment, they are forgiven of all their iniquities and their names are written in the BOOK OF LIFE.  Although they no longer have a Temple, nor a high priest, and no sacrifice, they are so convinced of the need of an atonement, that rather than confess that they have absolutely none, they teach that repentance and the day itself will atone for all sin. [Hilchoth T'shuvah c.i 2]  But, the LORD GOD stressed,  "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have assigned it to you for making AN ATONEMENT for your lives upon the altar; it is the BLOOD, as life, that makes expiation for the soul." [Leviticus/Vayikra 17. 11 Tanakh, Torah]  For this reason, blood must be shed.  
As believers in the LORD Y’SHUA, we know that we have a GREATER HIGH PRIEST and HIS precious blood has been shed for sinners.  Y’SHUA ha'MASHIACH is our KIPPUR (Covering, Atonement).  HE is the only means of salvation for both Jew or Gentile and forgiveness is an eternal gift.  "Seeing then that we have a GREAT HIGH PRIEST who has passed through the heavens, JESUS, the SON OF GOD, let us hold fast our confession.  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.  Let us therefore come boldly to the Throne of Grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." [Hebrews 4. 14 - 16]  "For such a HIGH PRIEST was fitting for us, WHO is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; WHO does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for HIS OWN sins and then for the people's, for this HE did ONCE FOR ALL when HE offered up HIMSELF." [Hebrews 7. 26 - 27]  HalleluYAH! Our GREATER HIGH PRIEST, Y’SHUA, has done it all . . . the price is paid in full; and we, who believe, are bought back by HIS perfect atonement.  
Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel! 
”Diligently obey the VOICE of the LORD your GOD to observe carefully all HIS commandments.” Deuteronomy 28:1
  The day after Rosh ha’Shanah marks the Fast of Gedaliah (Tzom Gedaliah – governor of Judea; 2 Kings 25:25), one of the “minor fast days” in the Jewish calendar year.  The fast begins early this morning at dawn and ends in the evening at dusk.  
  The meaning of the fast:  After the destruction of the First Temple, some 2,560+ years ago, the majority of the Jewish people were exiled to Babylon.  The conqueror, Nebuchadnezzar eventually eased some of his harsh restrictions and allowed some Jews to remain in the Land of Israel.  He even appointed a righteous Jew named Gedaliah to administer the territory.  Gradually more Jews who had escaped from the horrors of the war into neighboring countries began to return to their homes in Israel, the Promised Land.
  Gedaliah was realistic about the limitations of Jewish sovereignty, he understood that for their own self-preservation the Jews in Israel needed to cooperate fully with the nation who had conquered their land.  However, this political subservience was intolerable to some Jews and a man named Yishmael benNetaniah, spurred on by jealousy from foreign influences arose and ignored the King of Babylon.  On the 3rd of Tishrei, Yishmael treacherously killed Gedaliah along with many other Jews and Babylonians.  
  After the murder of Gedaliah, the Jews feared reprisal from the King of Babylon and thought to flee to Egypt to save themselves.  Since Egypt was a morally corrupt society, the Jews were in a quandary – weighing the physical threat against the spiritual danger.  So, they turned to the Prophet Jeremiah who was secluded in mourning to ask for advice.
  For an entire week, Jeremiah pleaded with GOD for an answer.  Finally, on Yom Kippur, he was answered. Jeremiah called the Jews and told them to stay in Israel and everything would be fine.  GOD was planning to make the Babylonians act mercifully toward the Jews, and before long, all the exiled Jews would be permitted to return to their own soil.  But, Jeremiah told them, if the Jews decided to go to Egypt, the sword from which they were running would kill them there.  
  Unfortunately, the prophet's words did not penetrate, and the people refused to believe.  All the Jews remaining in Israel packed their bags and went down to Egypt.  They even kidnapped Jeremiah and took him with them!  Now the destruction was complete; the Land of Israel was completely barren.
  A few years later, as you may have guessed, Babylon conquered Egypt and tens of thousands of Jewish exiles were completely wiped out.  The lone survivor of this massacre was Jeremiah — his prophecy had become painfully true. [see Jeremiah/Yirmeyah 40 – 41; 2 Kings/Melakhim Bet 25:25–26]  
Days of Awe – Day 33 of Repentance (Yom ha’Peduth/Teshuvah) 
 “Gmar Chatima Tova”  May you have a good sealing  
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes.  Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.  
Email:  delrifkah@gmail.com  
Web Page:  www.delrifkah.com  
End-time Events: http://delrifkah.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).

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
The foolishness of GOD is DIVINE wisdom, demanding faith. Life is a delicious opportunity right now. You will never get that moment back again.  

DILUTING SCRIPTURE    
"Be careful to observe only that which I enjoin (direct, command, instruct)upon you; neither add to it nor take away from it." [Deuteronomy (Devarim)12. 32 Tanakh, Kethuvim]  

There are many people in a large variety of cults who think their leader has a new revelation some new inspired word from ALMIGHTY GOD. They have not received any new commands, but have obviously failed to look into what is written and believed what the LIFE-GIVING WRITTEN WORDsays. This is heresy, and extremely foolish. Though it seems to also be a practice of some denominations who presumptuously cut out and/or explain away every BIBLE verse they consider offensive in some way. This is an exceedingly dangerous practice since "anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire." [Revelation 20. 15] 

Paul too spoke words of diligent caution to the Galatians— "I marvel that you are turning away so soon from HIM WHO called you in the grace of CHRIST, to a different gospel, which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the Gospel of CHRIST.  But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other Gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed.  As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other Gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed." [Galatians 1. 6 -9]  

The warning is confirmed throughout HOLY SCRIPTURE. "I know that whatever ELOHIYM has brought to pass shall be forever: Nothing can be added to it, and nothing taken from it — ELOHIYM does it, that men should fear (revere, respect, be in awe of) HIM." [Ecclesiastes (Kohelet) 3. 14Tanakh, Kethuvim] "Thus says the LORD: 'Stand in the court of the LORD'SHouse, and speak... all the words that I command you to speak.  Do not omit a word.  Perhaps they will listen and turn back from their evil way, that I may relent concerning the calamity (punishment) which I am planning to bring on them because of the wicked and evil acts they are doing.’" [Jeremiah (Tehillym) 26. 2 - 3 Tanakh, Nevi’im] 

In the final testimony of the LORD Y’SHUA ha’MASHIACH to those who were to be HIS followers comes the clear command not to add to or dilute the INSPIRED LIFE-GIVING WORD: "If anyone takes away from the words of the Book of this Prophecy, GOD shall take away his part from the Bookof Life, from the Holy City, and from the things which are written in this Book." [Revelation 22. 19] 

If men believe it or not, the HOLY SCRIPTURE is the exact, infallible, unerring, fixed, established, absolutely precise and true WORD OFGOD. The HIGH & LOFTY ONE says what HE means, and means what HEsays. The various authors of the BIBLE occasionally used figurative language, in which case the symbols are usually explained in context. When the writer clearly intends to be understood literally, such as in the first chapter of Genesis, it is dangerous to impose some symbolic meaning on the passage to take in outside considerations.

This appears to be what Paul meant when he said, "We have renounced the hidden things of shame, not walking in craftiness nor handling the WORD OF GOD deceitfully, but by manifestation of the TRUTHcommending ourselves to every man's conscience in the sight of GOD.  But even if our Gospel is veiled, 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 CHRIST, WHO is the IMAGE OF GOD, should shine on them." [2 Corinthians 4. 2 - 5] 

Changing or diluting what "is written" is completely unforgivable and is a treacherous path for those who choose the broad and easy way. It will be easier at MESSIAH’S Judgment Seat to explain why we believed GOD than why we believed men who questioned the ALMIGHTY ONE. 


Sha’alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
"The LORD takes pleasure in those who fear HIM, in those who hope in HISmercy. Praise the LORD, O Jerusalem! Praise your GOD, O Zion!" Psalms 147:11-12
 Praised are YOU, O LORD GOD, for great is YOUR love for us and YOUR compassion boundless.  Be gracious to us that we may understand and fulfill the teachings of YOURREVERED WORD.  Enlighten our eyes in YOUR Law that we may cling to YOURcommandments. Thank YOU for YOUR saving power, for from YOU comes our help. Draw us nearer to YOU to serve YOU in faithfulness. Joyfully, we lift our voices and proclaim YOURPRECIOUS NAME.

Savior, Creator, Word

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
It is pointless to argue with those who happily pervert reality in the service of their profoundly held prejudices.

SAVIOR, CREATOR, WORD
"In the beginning was the WORD, and the WORD was with GOD, and the WORD was GOD. HE was in the beginning with GOD. All things were made through HIM, and without HIM nothing was made that was made." [John 1. 1 - 3]

In the first chapter of John’s gospel, there are many names and titles associated with the LORD Y’SHUA ha’MASHIACH, this is amazingly extraordinary. Y’SHUA is "the TRUE LIGHT, which lightens every man that comes into the world." [v. 9] HE is "the ONLY-BEGOTTEN of the FATHER, full of grace and truth" and "the ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON, which is n the bosom of the FATHER." [v. 18] John the Baptizer called HIM "the LORD" [v. 23], "the LAMB OF GOD, which takes away the sin of the world" [v. 29], and "the SON OF GOD." [v. 34] HIS disciples then called HIM "MASTER" [v. 38], and "MESSIAH" [v. 41], as well as "JESUS of Nazareth." [v. 45] Nathanael accredited HIM as being the "KING of Israel" [v. 49], and Y’SHUA called HIMSELF "the SON OF MAN." [v. 51]

The first title John ascribed to the LORD Y’SHUA was plainly "the WORD" — from a word hard to interpret in its complete richness; at best meaning "reason, communication, doctrine, speech" and so much more. With reference to MESSIAH, it tells us that HE is always the ONE WHO reveals, speaks for, manifests, explains, and incarnates the HEAVENLY FATHER. "HIS NAME is called THE WORD OF GOD." [Revelation 19. 13]

John takes us back before Genesis/Bereshith 1:1 where we learn that the pre-incarnate CHRIST created all things. "For by HIM all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through HIM and for HIM." [Colossians 1. 16] "In the beginning" HE was, before HE created! And all things were made by HIM. "The WORD OF THE LORD... stretches out the heavens, laid firm the foundation of the earth, and forms the spirit of man within him." [Zechariah (Zecharyah) 12. 1 Tanakh, Nevi’im] "By the WORD OF THE LORD the heavens were made, all the host of them by the breath of HIS mouth." [Psalms (Tehillym) 33. 6 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

"I praise YOUR NAME for YOUR steadfast love and faithfulness; YOU have magnified YOUR WORD above YOUR NAME." [Psalms (Tehillym) 138. 2 Tanakh, Kethuvim] The LORD JESUS CHRIST is the TRUE GOD and ETERNAL LIFE. As the ETERNAL, OMNIPOTENT WORD OF GOD, the pre-incarnate SON OF MAN spoke all things into being, the LORD YESHUA ha’MASHIACH is the WORD and the WORD is GOD!

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
”Grow in the grace and knowledge of our LORD & SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST. To HIM be the glory both now and forever. Amen!” 2 Peter 3:18
Our prayer as we end this day of Sabbath: O GOD, keep my tongue from evil and my lips from speaking guile. Be my support when grief silences my voice, and my comfort when woe bends my spirit. Plant humility in my soul, and strengthen my heart with perfect faith in YOU. Help me to be strong in trial and temptation and to be patient and forgiving when others wrong me. Guide me by the Light of YOUR counsel, that I may ever find strength in YOU, my ROCK and my REDEEMER, my GLORY and the LIFTER of my head. Praise and all thanks to YOU! Amen
Enjoy a week blessings and serving others.

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes. Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.

Email: delrifkah@gmail.com
Web Page: www.delrifkah.com
End-time Events: http://delrifkah.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 Prophet

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
There is so much that we could see in the physical as well as in the spiritual world if we would just let ALMIGHTY GOD touch our eyes!

THE PROPHET
"The LORD your GOD will raise up for you a PROPHET from among your own people, like myself (Moses); HIM you shall heed." [Deuteronomy (Devarim) 18. 15 Tanakh, Torah]

Prophecy Fulfilled: On the last and greatest day of the Feast (Sukkot/SIMCHAT TORAH), the MESSIAH LORD Y’SHUA stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to ME and drink. Whoever believes in ME, as the SCRIPTURE has said, streams of Living Water will flow from within him. By this HE meant the SPIRIT, WHOM those who believed in HIM were later to receive. Up to that time the SPIRIT had not been given, since JESUS had not yet been glorified. On hearing HIS WORDS, some of the people said — "Surely this MAN is THE PROPHET." [John 7. 37 - 40]

Y’SHUA ha'MASHIACH is the only ONE WHO righteously executes the offices of Prophet, Priest and King. HE is the SUBSTANCE of GOD'S character stamped in HUMAN FORM. When JESUS, GOD'S ONLY BEGOTTEN SON speaks to us, HE fulfills the office of the SUPERIOR PROPHET; when Y’SHUA purged our sins, HE accomplished the perfect work of the PRIEST; and after carrying out the once-for-all sacrifice, the LORD JESUS sat down at the right hand of the MAJESTY on high, where HE sits as KING. [Hebrews 1. 1 - 3]

MESSIAH, THE PROPHET: Speaking to Moses on Mount Horeb the LORD GOD said, "I will raise up a PROPHET for them from among their own people, like yourself; I will put MY WORDS in HIS mouth and HE will speak to them all that I command HIM; and if anyone fails to heed the words that HE speaks in MY NAME, I MYSELF will call him to account." [Deuteronomy (Devarim) 18. 18 - 19 Tanakh, Torah]

"The SPIRIT OF THE SOVEREIGN LORD is on ME, because the LORD has anointed ME; HE has sent ME as a herald of joy to the humble, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives and liberation from darkness to the imprisoned; to proclaim a year of the LORD'S favor and the day of vindication by our GOD; to comfort all who mourn." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 61. 1 - 2 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

"CHRIST, WHO has been appointed for you — even JESUS. HE must remain in heaven until the time comes for GOD to restore everything, as HE promised long ago through his holy prophets. For Moses said — The LORD your GOD will raise up for you a PROPHET like me from among your own people; you must listen to everything HE tells you. Anyone who does not listen to HIM will be completely cut off from among HIS people." [Acts 3. 20 – 23; Deuteronomy/Devarim 15:15, 18, 19]

"JESUS returned to Galilee in the power of the SPIRIT, and news about HIM spread through the whole countryside. HE taught in their synagogues, and everyone praised him. HE went to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, and on the Sabbath Day HE went into the synagogue, as was HIS custom. And HE stood up to read. The Scroll of the Prophet Isaiah was handed to HIM. Unrolling it, HE found the place where it is written — The SPIRIT OF THE LORD is on ME, because HE has anointed ME to preach GOOD NEWS to the poor. HE has sent ME to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the LORD'S favor. Then HE rolled up the SCROLL, gave it back to the attendant and sat down. The eyes of everyone in the synagogue were fastened on HIM, and HE began by saying to them — Today this SCRIPTURE is fulfilled in your hearing." [Luke 4. 14 - 21]

"After the people saw the miraculous sign that Y’SHUA did, they began to say — Surely this is THE PROPHET WHO is to come into the world." [John 6. 14]

MESSIAH, THE PRIEST: "I will raise up for MYSELF a FAITHFUL PRIEST, who will act in accordance with MY wishes and MY purposes. I will firmly establish HIS House, and HE will minister before MY ANOINTED forevermore." [1 Samuel (Shemuel Alef) 2. 34 - 36 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

"The LORD said to my LORD: Sit at MY right hand until I make YOUR enemies a footstool for your feet. The LORD will stretch forth from Zion YOUR mighty scepter; hold sway over YOUR enemies. The LORD has sworn and will not relent, YOU are a PRIEST forever, after the manner of Melchizedek, a RIGHTFUL KING by MY decree.'" [Psalms (Tehillym) 110. 1 – 2, 4 Tanakh, Torah]

"Therefore, holy brothers, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on JESUS, the APOSTLE and HIGH PRIEST WHOM we confess. But CHRIST is faithful as a SON over GOD'S House. And we are HIS House, if we hold on to our courage and the hope of which we boast." [Hebrews 3. 1, 6]

"No one takes this honor upon himself; he must be called by GOD, just as Aaron was. So CHRIST also did not take upon HIMSELF the glory of becoming a HIGH PRIEST. But GOD said to HIM — YOU are MY SON, today I have become YOUR FATHER. And HE says in another place — YOU are a PRIEST forever, in the order of Melchizedek." [Hebrews 5. 4 - 6]

MESSIAH, THE KING: "See, a time is coming — declares the LORD — when I will raise up a TRUE BRANCH to David's line. HE shall reign as KING and shall prosper, and HE shall do what is just and right in the land. In HIS days Judah will be delivered and Israel will dwell secure. This is the NAME by which HE shall be called: THE LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS (VINDICATOR)." [Jeremiah (Yirmeyah) 23. 5 - 6 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

"I have installed MY KING on Zion, MY Holy Mountain! I will proclaim the decree: the LORD said ME — YOU are MY SON; I have FATHERED YOU this day. Ask it of ME, and I will make the nations YOUR domain; YOUR possession, the ends of the earth. YOU will rule them with an iron scepter; shatter them like potter's ware." [Psalms (Tehillym) 2. 6 - 9 Tanakh, Torah]

"GOD, WHO at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by HIS SON, WHOM HE has appointed HEIR of all things, through WHOM also HE made the worlds. The SON is the radiant brightness of GOD'S GLORY AND THE EXPRESS (precise, exact) IMAGE of HIS PERSON, upholding and sustaining all things by HIS POWERFUL WORD, when HE had by HIMSELF purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the MAJESTY in heaven." [Hebrews 1. 1 - 3]

The LORD Y’SHUA, blessed be HIS GLORIOUS NAME, was the PROPHET WHO revealed GOD'S truth; the PRIEST WHO provided GOD'S redemption; and the ETERNAL KING WHO imparts GOD'S power! Thus, Y’SHUA ha'MASHIACH is exalted above all blessings and praise, the LIVING WORD!

Sha’alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
“The end of all things is at hand; therefore, be serious and watchful in your prayers.” 1 Peter 4:7
Welcoming Sabbath of Shelach – “Send Thou” [Parasha-the appointed reading: Numbers 13:1 - 15:41; Joshua 2:1-24; Matthew 10:1-14]
May we so labor in YOUR service, LORD GOD, that our lives become a hymn of praise to YOU. We thank, adore and praise YOU with all our being!

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes. Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.

Email: delrifkah@gmail.com
Web Page: www.delrifkah.com
End-time Events: http://delrifkah.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).
DELRIFKAH.COM

True Priests of God

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
O LORD our MIGHTY KING, YOU gave us this great and holy seventh day in love, for which we bless and praise YOU.

TRUE PRIESTS OF GOD
As chosen priests of the OMNIPOTENT GOD, we march through earth’s wilderness, called out from the world, cleansed and with the christened anointing oil on us. Each one of us perform his assignment that ALMIGHTY GOD has given individually and bears the true testimony being fully commissioned of the precious things of GOD witnessing in thought, word, and actions. We are the living tabernacle of the MOST HIGH GOD showing HIS power, presence and miraculous life.

Thus we are chosen, called, committed, cleansed, clothed, consecrated (sanctify, made holy, bless, purify), christened (anointed), conformed (obedient), and commissioned (duties assigned). To better clarify our life’s stand in this unique position we will look into each glorified characteristic of what it is to be specially designed and likened to our PRECIOUS MASTER.

CHOSEN — "For you are a holy people consecrated to YEHOWAH ELOHEYK; the LORD your GOD has chosen you to be a people for HIMSELF, a special treasure above all the peoples on the face of the earth." [Deuteronomy (Devarim) 7. 6 Tanakh, Torah] "You are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, HIS OWN special people, that you may proclaim the praises of HIM WHO called you out of darkness into HIS marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of GOD, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy." [1 Peter 2. 9 - 10]

CALLED — "I, YEHOWAH, in MY grace have called you in righteousness, I will hold your hand; I will keep you and appoint you as a covenant to the people, as a light to the Gentiles — to open blind eyes, to bring out prisoners from the prison, those who sit in darkness from the dungeon." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 42. 6 - 7 Tanakh, Nevi’im] God has "Called you out of darkness into HIS marvelous light." [1 Peter 2. 9] "Moreover whom HE predestined, these HE also called; whom HE called, these HE also justified; and whom HE justified, these HE also glorified." [Romans 8. 30]

COMMITTED — "Commit your works to the LORD, and your thoughts will be established." [Proverbs/Mishle 16. 3] "Leave all your way to the LORD, trust also in HIM and HE will do it." [Psalms (Tehillym) 37. 5 Tanakh, Kethuvim] "Cast your burden on YEHOWAH and HE will sustain you; HE will never let the righteous be moved." [Psalms (Tehillym) 55. 22 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

CLEANSED — "If we walk in the light as HE is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of JESUS CHRIST HIS SON cleanses us from all sin." [1 John 1. 7] "Atonement shall be made for you to cleanse you, that you may be clean from all your sins before the LORD." [Leviticus (Vayikra) 16. 30 Tanakh, Torah] "You were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the NAME of the LORD Y’SHUA and by the SPIRIT of our GOD." [1 Corinthians 6. 11]

CLOTHED — "Let YOUR priests, O YEHOWAH ELOHIYM, be clothed (in holy garments) with salvation, and let the saints rejoice in YOUR goodness." [2 Chronicles (Dibre Hayamin Bet) 6. 41 Tanakh, Kethuvim] "I will also clothe her priests in victory, and her saints shall shout aloud for joy." [Psalms (Tehillym) 132. 16 Tanakh, Kethuvim] "HE put on the garments of retribution for clothing, and wrapped himself in zeal as in a robe." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 59. 17 Tanakh, Nevi’im] "I will greatly rejoice in YEHOWAH, my whole being exults joyfully in ELOHEY; for HE has clothed me with the garments of salvation, HE has covered me with the robe of righteousness." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 61. 10 Tanakh, Nevi’im]

CONSECRATED — "Dedicate (consecrate) yourselves to the LORD this day, that HE may bestow (place upon, give, bequeath), on you a blessing this day." [Exodus (Shemot) 32. 29 Tanakh, Torah] "I am the LORD your GOD: you shall therefore consecrate yourselves and be holy, for I am holy." [Leviticus (Vayikra) 11. 44 Tanakh, Torah]

CHRISTENED — "YEHOWAH is the strength of HIS people; HE is the stronghold, the saving refuge (shelter) of HIS anointed." [Psalms (Tehillym) 28. 8 Tanakh, Kethuvim] "YAH is my strength and might, HE has become my deliverance. This is my EL — I will praise and glorify HIM; ELOHEY of my father, and I will exalt HIM." [Exodus (Shemot) 15. 2 Tanakh, Torah] "Exult (glory) in HIS HOLY NAME; let all who seek the LORD rejoice! Seek the LORD and HIS strength; seek HIS PRESENCE continually!" [1 Chronicles (Dibre Hayamin Alef) 16. 10 – 11 Tanakh, Kethuvim]

CONFORMED — GOD’S desire is that we are conformed to the image of HIS SON, Y’SHUA. "For whom HE foreknew, HE also predestined to be conformed to the image of HIS SON, that HE might be the firstborn among many brethren." [Romans 8. 29] "But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the LORD, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the SPIRIT OF THE LORD." [2 Corinthians 3. 18] "To the pilgrims… elect according to the foreknowledge of GOD THE FATHER, in sanctification of the SPIRIT, for obedience and sprinkling of the blood of JESUS CHRIST." [1 Peter 1. 1 - 2]

COMMISSIONED — Fear of the LIVING GOD and keeping HIS commandments is the whole commission of man. "Revere GOD and keep HIS commandments! This applies to all mankind, for GOD will bring every work into judgment, man must give account for everything he has done, including every secret thing, be it good or evil." [Ecclesiastes (Kohelet) 12. 13 - 14 Tanakh, Kethuvim] "Behold, the fear of the LORD is wisdom; to depart from evil is understanding." [Job (Iyowb) 28. 28 Tanakh, Kethuvim] "The beginning (best part) of wisdom is the fear of the LORD; all those who practice it gain sound understanding by obeying HIS commandments. HIS praise endures forever." [Psalms (Tehillym) 111. 10 Tanakh, Kethuvim] "The fear of the LORD is the beginning (best part) of knowledge." [Proverbs (Mishle) 1. 7a Tanakh, Kethuvim]

Each one of us are called by the LOVING MASTER and are to perform faithfully the assigned task the MOST HIGH GOD has given to us. May we be found faithful bearing evidence to WHOM we belong and sharing HIS directive to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the FATHER and of the SON and of the HOLY SPIRIT, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age. Amen." [Matthew 28. 19 - 20] Amen!

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
”Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and HIS greatness is unsearchable.” Psalms 145:3
Welcome Shabbat! – Celebrating the traditional Melaveh Malkeh (escorting in the Sabbath) - Queen of the week!
This is the Sabbath of Bamidbar – “In The Wilderness” [Reading: Numbers 1:1 - 4:20; 1 Samuel 20:18-42; Matthew 4:1-17]
Be pleased, O LORD our GOD, to strengthen us by YOUR commandments, and especially by the commandment of the seventh day, this great and holy Sabbath, given for our rest and repose in love in accordance with the teaching of YOUR will. In YOUR favor, O LORD our GOD, grant us such repose that there be no trouble, grief or lamenting on the day of our rest. Let us, O LORD, behold the consolation of Zion and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, YOUR Holy City, for YOU are the GOD of our salvation and consolation in WHOM we find great joy and pleasure. It is a mitzvah to take delight in Shabbat observance, as Isaiah said, "You shall call Shabbat a delight."
Day 43 of the Omer
Today is Yom Yerushalayim – Jerusalem Day

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes. Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.
Web Page: www.delrifkah.com
End-time Events: http://delrifkah.com/Facepage.html

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Rabbi Akiba said — Everything is foreseen, yet freedom is given; the world is judged by grace, yet all is according to the amount of good works." [TALMUD, Aboth 3. 19]
HOLY SCRIPTURE says — "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the Gift of GOD, not of works, lest anyone should boast." [Ephesians 2. 8 - 9]

PRESENT WORLD ENDS
"Now when the thousand years have expired, Satan will be released from his prison and will go out to deceive the nations which are in the four corners of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle, whose number is as the sand of the sea. They went up on the breadth of the earth and surrounded the camp of the saints and the beloved city. And fire came down from GOD out of heaven and devoured them. The devil, who deceived them, was cast into the Lake of Fire & Brimstone where the beast and the false prophet are. And they will be tormented day and night forever and ever." [Revelation 20. 7 – 10]

All Satanic rebellion is completely crushed. And, the old heaven and old earth, the testing grounds, will pass away. "Heaven and earth will pass away, but MY WORDS will by no means pass away." [Luke 21. 33] "YOU, LORD, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the work of YOUR hands. They will perish, but YOU remain; and they will all grow old like a garment; like a cloak YOU will fold them up, and they will be changed. But YOU are the same, and YOUR years will not fail." [Hebrews 1. 10 - 12] "The world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of GOD abides forever." [1 John 2. 17]

This will occur at the time of the Great White Throne Judgment: "Then I saw a Great White Throne and HIM WHO sat on it, from WHOSE face the earth and the heaven fled away. And there was found no place for them... Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away; also there was no more sea." [Revelation 20. 11; 21. 1]

The elements will be dissolved by fire: "All the host of heaven shall be dissolved, the heavens shall be rolled up like a scroll." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 34. 4a Tanakh, Nevi'im] "The heavens and the earth which are now preserved by the same word, are reserved for fire until the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men — The Day of the LORD will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up with fervent heat." [2 Peter 3. 7, 10]

The Great White Throne Judgment will be accurate and just, based on the words, actions, attitude, stewardship, thoughts and motives of each individual. "For there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, nor hidden that will not be known." [Luke 12. 2] "I saw the dead, small and great, standing before GOD, and books were opened. And another book was opened, which is the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to their works, by the things which were written in the Books. The sea gave up the dead who were in it, and Death and Hades delivered up the dead who were in them. And they were judged, each one according to his works." [Revelation 20. 12 – 13]

The LORD MESSIAH Y’SHUA taught us to fear GOD: "And I say to you, MY friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do. But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear HIM WHO, after HE has killed, has power to cast into Hell; Yes, I say to you, fear HIM!" [Luke 12. 4 – 5] For after the 1,000 Year Kingdom, death and hell (a temporary confinement) will be cast into the Lake of Fire, which is the eternal abode of all wicked. "Then Death and Hades were cast into the Lake of Fire. This is the second death. And anyone not found written in the Book of Life was cast into the Lake of Fire. The cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the Lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." [Revelation 20. 11 - 15; 21. 8] Their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched." [Mark 9:44, 46, 48]

Therefore beloved, looking forward to the things which are about to take place, be diligent to be found by the RIGHTEOUS & HOLY LORD GOD in peace, without spot and blameless.

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
"The LORD YEHOWAH lives, in truth, in judgment, and in righteousness; — the nations shall bless themselves in HIM, and in HIM they shall glory." Jeremiah 4:2
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!
Day 30 of the Omer

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes. Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.

Email: delrifkah@gmail.com
Web Page: www.delrifkah.com
End-time Events: http://delrifkah.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).

Perfect Timing

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY...
One is truly blind when you cannot see what is wrong with what GOD calls sin.

PERFECT TIMING
"The righteous man perishes, and no one considers and takes it to heart; pious men are taken away, and no one gives thought that because of evil, the righteous was taken away." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 57. 1 Tanakh, Nevi'im]

Typically, the death of a promising young man or woman seem perplexingly tragic. This is true and even more painful in the sudden death of a child. HOLY SCRIPTURE tells of an incident when it was a blessing in the case of the child of Jeroboam since his little son was the only one of that household who would be mourned. "As for you (Ahijah speaking to the wife of Jeroboam), go back home; as soon as you set foot in the town, the child will die. And all Israel shall mourn for him and bury him, for he alone of Jeroboam’s family will be brought to burial, because in him there is found something good toward LORD, the GOD of Israel." [1 Kings (Melakhim Alef) 14. 12 - 13 Tanakh, Nevi’im]

A CHRISTian can be confident in GOD’S total plan for their lives no matter their age for they will not be "cut off before their time" for we are confident that no event will occur before the MAGNIFICENT CREATOR’S perfect timing, for HE "works all things after the counsel of HIS OWN will." [Ephesians 1. 11] We know that GOD loves us greatly because HE sent HIS ONLY-BEGOTTEN SON WHO HE dearly loved to die for us. Therefore, "all things work together for good to those who love GOD, to those who are the called according to HIS purpose. For whom HE foreknew, HE also predestined to be conformed to the image of HIS SON." [Romans 8. 28 - 29] "The Gospel, according to the power of GOD, WHO has 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 MESSIAH Y’SHUA before time began." [2 Timothy 1. 8 – 9] "Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of GOD commit their souls to HIM in doing good, as to a FAITHFUL CREATOR." [1 Peter 4. 19]

Indeed, the ALL-KNOWING ONE has allowed the righteous to perish and the merciful to be taken away to spare them from "the evil to come" either increasing tribulation in the world, or even the further growth of developing sin in their own lives. It may be that their untimely departure "to depart and be with CHRIST… is far better" [Philippians 1:23] and will be used of GOD to lead others to MESSIAH and salvation. It also should give their loved ones greater and more enthusiastic incentive to learn more of the WORD OF GOD and HIS gracious promises, as well as to forsake sin in their own lives. In situations where death seems to have been hastened because of a great zeal for the LORD, the friends and loved ones can rejoice that the martyr’s "crown of life" [Revelation 2:10] is awaiting them.

Many other things that we cannot yet understand may exist "For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become HIS counselor? Or who has first given to HIM and it shall be repaid to him? For of HIM and through HIM and to HIM are all things, to WHOM be glory forever. Amen" [Romans 11. 34 - 36] However, we do know that not even a sparrow "falls to the ground apart from your FATHER'S will. But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows." [Matthew 10. 29 - 31]

Though we may now not fully understand, we can rest in the fact that our ALMIGHTY HEAVENLY KING OF GLORY does all things well.

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
”Eem eshkakhech Yerushalayim — If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither.” Psalms 137:5
May the MOST HIGH LORD GOD anoint and empower you daily. Remember, worship is always essential– and our focus is on Y’SHUA, the ONE WHO is our ROCK OF AGES, our FORTRESS, our LIGHT & SALVATION, our soon-returning MESSIAH & KING. Come into HIS PRESENCE reverently with thanksgiving and enter HIS courts with praise.
Day 25 of the Omer

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes. Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.
Email: delrifkah@gmail.com
Web Page: www.delrifkah.com
End-time Events: http://delrifkah.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).




Messiah Y'Shua, The Rock
A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
The route to wisdom is humility.
MESSIAH Y’SHUA, THE ROCK
"All drank the same spiritual drink, for they drank of that spiritual ROCK (Hebrew: T'SUR) that followed them, and that ROCK was CHRIST." [1 Corinthians 10. 4] "The NAME of YEHOWAH I proclaim; give glory to ELOHEINU! The ROCK! — HIS deeds are perfect. Yes! all HIS ways are just; the faithful EL, never false. True and upright is HE." [Deuteronomy (Devarim) 32. 3 - 4 Tanakh, Torah]
When the children of Israel began their forty year wanderings through the wilderness, GOD OMNIPOTENT commanded Moses to strike the ROCK (T'SUR — "SMITTEN ROCK OF JUDGMENT") so thirst-quenching waters might be miraculously provided. "I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb. Strike the rock and water will issue from it, and the people will drink." [Exodus (Shemot) 17. 6 Tanakh, Torah] This SMITTEN ROCK OF JUDGMENT is a beautiful type of MESSIAH Y’SHUA being smitten once on the cross producing life — giving forth the pure waters of salvation for us.
At the end of the forty years Moses struck the ROCK OF PROVISION in disobedience to ETERNAL GOD'S command simply to "speak to the rock" for its cool refreshing water. "And Moses raised his hand and struck the rock (cela) twice with his rod." [Numbers (B'Midvar) 20. 11 Tanakh, Torah] This ROCK is a type of the risen, ascended ANOINTED SAVIOR WHO is seated at the Throne of Grace. Now, we as believers simply SPEAK to our LOVING MASTER in order to receive our daily, fresh, redeeming grace.
Paul the Apostle, in his letter to the Corinthians, reminds us that the reason they received physical water was that their spiritual ROCK, Y’SHUA ha'MASHIACH, had been with them supplying their needs from the beginning to the end. How wondrously amazing to know that the ALL-SUFFICIENT ROCK is always with us. The LORD JESUS promised, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." [1 Corinthians 10. 4]
We begin with the SUFFERING MESSIAH at the Cross, continue with HIM through this life; then, we travel with HIM right into heaven. "Though I walk through the valley of deaths 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] Our ROCK, Y’SHUA ha’MASHIACH, is trustworthy and unwavering. "I adore YOU, O LORD, my ROCK (T'SUR — ROCK OF JUDGMENT), my FORTRESS, my RESCUER, my GOD, my ROCK (CELA — ROCK OF PROVISION), my STRENGTH in WHOM I seek refuge and in WHOM I put my trust; my SHIELD, my MIGHTY CHAMPION, the HORN of my salvation, my HAVEN, my HIGH TOWER. I will call upon the LORD WHO is worthy to be praised. I called on the LORD and was delivered from my enemies." [Psalms (Tehillym) 18. 2 - 4 Tanakh, Kethuvim] The LORD JESUS, our PERFECT FOUNDATION, the SOLID ROCK, is our GREATEST JOY and our HIGHEST PRAISE.
Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
”Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; and HIS greatness is unsearchable.” Psalms 145:3
O GOD, WHO alone is all good, WHOSE mercies fail not; WHOSE loving-kindnesses never cease, we have all our hope and trust in YOU. We bless YOU, our SALVATION and our HELP, our GOD WHOM thanksgiving and eternal praises are due. We are ever grateful that YOU dwell in us!
Day 24 of the Omer
Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes. Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.
Email: delrifkah@gmail.com
Web Page: www.delrifkah.com
End-time Events: http://delrifkah.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).

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Circumstances are instrumental tools for the wise. 

OUR PERFECT EXAMPLE    
"To this you were called; because CHRIST JESUS also suffered for you leaving you an example, that you should follow HIS steps." [1 Peter 2. 21] 

The four following verses establish a sanction of praise to the LORD Y’SHUA ha'MASHIACH for HIS character, nature, attributes and HIS works, accomplishments and many wondrous deeds:

HIS CHARACTER:  "WHO did not commit sin, nor was guile found in HIS mouth." [1 Peter 2. 22]  This refers to a very careful inspection and examination with "no sin or guile (deception)" found anywhere.  The MOST HOLY LORD, the ANOINTED ONE is TOTAL PERFECTION & ALL—TOGETHER LOVELY. 

HIS LIFE:  "WHO, when HE (Y’SHUA) was reviled (injurious slander — a bitter, sharp, heart-breaking wound), did not revile in return; when HE suffered, HE did not threaten; but committed HIMSELF to HIM (GOD THE FATHER) WHO judges righteously." [1 Peter 2. 23]  "Shall not the JUDGE (Hebrew: SHEPHAT) of all the earth deal justly?" [Genesis (Bereshith) 18. 25-b Tanakh, Torah] 

HIS SACRIFICE:  "WHO HIMSELF (Y’SHUA) bore our sins in HIS OWN BODY on the tree; that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness — by WHOSE stripes (literally one bleeding stripe — MESSIAH was so brutally beaten and mutilated by HIS tormentors that HE was simply one massive bruised laceration), you were healed (our healing is past tense at the point of salvation... referring primarily to spiritual healing rather than physical)." [1 Peter 2. 24]  "But HE was wounded because of our sins, crushed because of our iniquities.  HE bore the chastisement that made us whole, and by HIS bruises we were healed." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 53. 5 Tanakh, Nevi'im] 

HIS MISSION:  "For you were like sheep going astray, but are now returned to the SHEPHERD and OVERSEER (the KING ETERNAL — Y’SHUA THE ANOINTED ONE) of your souls." [1 Peter 2. 25]  "Like a SHEPHERD (Hebrew: RO`IY) HE pastures HIS flock: HE gathers the lambs in HIS arms and carries them in HIS bosom; gently HE leads those who are with young." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 40. 11 Tanakh, Nevi'im] 

MESSIAH Y’SHUA our REDEEMER & SAVIOR, the EVERLASTING GOD has done all to provide our atonement and cover our sins before the GREAT & HOLY GOD OF HEAVEN & EARTH.  The SON OF MAN, the LORD JESUS, lived a Sinless Life; then died the WORTHY SACRIFICE to redeem HIS OWN special people. 

Thank YOU, LORD — now and throughout all eternity we will praise YOU, our FATHER for YOUR majestic loving-kindness and goodness to us! 


Sha’alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
”Eem eshkakhech Yerushalayim —If I forget you, O Yerushalayim, let my right hand wither.” Psalms 137:5
  If a sacrifice does not accompany good deeds it is meaningless.  Watch and pray... the LORD MESSIAH Y’SHUA our KING is coming soon; the signs are everywhere! 
  We magnify and sanctify YOUR GREAT NAME, O LORD GOD; may YOUR Kingdom be established speedily and in our time for our eyes long to see YOUR face!  A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Circumstances are instrumental tools for the wise. 

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes.  Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.  

Web Page:  www.delrifkah.com

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Mankind may be the cause of events in this world, but GOD works all things together, the good and the evil, all the pieces of the puzzle, for the purpose of redemption 

WHO IS HE    
Agur ben-Yakeh, the writer of the Proverb, surveyed — "WHO has ascended heaven to and come down?  WHO has gathered up the wind in the hollow of HIS hand?  WHO has wrapped the waters in HIS garment?  WHO has established all the extremities of the earth?  What is HIS NAME or HIS SON'S NAME, if you know it?" [Proverbs (Mishle) 30. 4 Tanakh, Kethuvim] 

The LORD Y’SHUA, the WORD OF GOD that took on flesh and became a MAN, is the ONE being spoken of in this text.  JESUS is the SON OF THE LIVING GOD.  "A CHILD is born to us, a SON is given to us.  And authority (government) has settled on HIS shoulders.  HE has been named — WONDERFUL (SECRET), COUNSELOR (PLANNER OF GRACE), the MIGHTY GOD, ETERNAL FATHER, RULER OF PEACE." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 9. 6 Tanakh, Nevi'im] 

It was through Y’SHUA ha’MASHIACH that ALMIGHTY GOD'S purpose might prosper.  Out of HIS anguish the "RIGHTEOUS SERVANT makes the many righteous, it is their punishment that HE bears; assuredly, I will give HIM the many as HIS portion, HE shall receive the multitude as HIS spoil.  For HE poured out HIMSELF to death and was numbered among the sinners, whereas HE bore the guilt of the many and made intercession for sinners." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 53. 11 - 12 Tanakh, Nevi'im]  In love, the LORD Y’SHUA ha’MASHIACH "gave HIMSELF for us, that HE might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for HIMSELF HIS OWN special people, zealous for good works." [Titus 2. 14] 

"We know that 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]  "You are MY witnesses — declares the LORD — MY servant whom I have chosen, that you may know and believe in ME, and understand that I am HE.  Before ME no god was formed, and after ME none shall exist — none but ME.  I, even I, am the LORD, and besides ME there is no Y’SHA` (SAVIOR)." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 43. 10 - 11 Tanakh, Nevi'im] 

Our LOVING CREATOR alone is a GREAT OMNIPOTENT GOD WHO proclaims beforehand what HE will do.  There is no other GOD besides HIM WHO became as we are that HE might deliver us from sin's grip.  The HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL exclusively saved us for HS glory, redeem us back to the HEAVENLY FATHER, and purified us from all unrighteousness.  Then, HE made us HIS OWN special people.  Now we are HIS witnesses, proclaiming and broadcasting publicly that HE is LORD of lords, GOD of gods, the KING of all ages.  "Indeed before the day was, I am HE; none can deliver from MY hand.  When I act, who will reverse it?" [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 43. 13 Tanakh, Nevi'im] 

"The LORD of Hosts has sworn this oath — As I have designed (thought), so shall it happen; what I have planned, that shall stand (come to pass)... For the LORD OF HOSTS has planned, and who can annul or foil it?  HIS hand is stretched out (poised, prepared), and who can stop it (turn it back)?" [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 14. 24, 27 Tanakh, Nevi'im]   Isn't HE wonderful! 

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
”Eem eshkakhech Yerushalayim — If I forget you, O Yerushalayim, let my right hand wither.” Psalms 137:5
  We have an AWESOME GOD, and HE is on HIS Throne ruling over the affairs of men.  The LORD is worthy of all our praise and worship, even in difficult times.  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 our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes.  Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness. 


Web Page:  www.delrifkah.com

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Beauty is the indomitable (strong) power of life, the determination to live on despite all difficulties, the drive for eternity...the ultimate goal. 

ABRAHAM: ALTERING COURSE OF HISTORY (Part 2)    
"Abraham believed GOD, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.  And he was called the friend of GOD." [James 2. 23] 

The Covenant
Finally, when Abraham was seventy years old he had a great vision known as the Karat Berit “Cutting of the Blood Covenant.” [Genesis/Bereshith 15]  This Covenant singled out him and his family for a special existence in humanity.  It is really the beginning of the Jewish story. 

This Special Covenant is a two-way commitment between CREATOR GOD and the Jewish people that will unleash forces to compel it to continue, including horrific suffering.  That is why Abraham is at first terror-stricken by the vision.  He sees darkness, vultures and fire, the enslavement in Egypt and the destructions that will come upon the Jewish people throughout history, perhaps even Auschwitz and the other death camps. 

Nevertheless, far from a punishment leading to annihilation, the suffering of the Jewish people will ultimately make them stronger and bring them back to their commitment to The Covenant.  And we have seen this borne out in history again and again.  Just look at the enormous advances of the Jewish world after the Holocaust, which is only the most recent example of this terrible phenomenon. 

Jewish history begins with Abraham's acceptance of The Covenant.  Whatever happens to the Jewish people is a result of that Covenant.  All the ups and downs are based on GOD’S perfect plan of salvation, for the promise of MESSIAH WHO came as portrayed on the pages of HOLY SCRIPTURE. 

In reality, Abraham’s choice is the choice that faces each and every generation, indeed each and every Jew.  The struggle within the Jewish people to live by The Covenant and pursue its goals or to give up on it — as well as the struggle of the world to break The Covenant from them – is part and parcel of the struggle implied by acceptance of The Covenant. 

Beyond Impossible
Of course, at the time Abraham is offered to enter into the covenant there is one technical problem: he has no children and his wife is incapable of having children.  She is infertile. 

That, too, is part of The Covenant: under normal circumstances there is no Jewish future.  The Jewish people are always “infertile” coming face-to-face with the impossible.  There cannot be another generation.  And the world counts upon it; it is a sure thing that they will disappear.  After 3,000 years they are still waiting for it to happen.  Who could imagine that after so many years we are still here?  That is the covenantal nature of Jewish history. 

The Covenant, impressed in the flesh of the Jew through circumcision, emanates from a realm beyond human reason.  It is our commitment to our GOD and a higher morality.  It is our faith and our responsibility; our history and destiny.  And it all originates in the great person, Abraham, who single-handedly, through YEHOWAH KABODI, GOD THE GLORIOUS ONE, changed the course of civilization. 

Yet a GREATER ONE has come, the HOLY ONE promised that the woman's "Seed" would crush the head of the serpent. [Genesis/Bereshith 3. 15]  This ONE WHO was born as an INCREDIBLY ATONING MIRACULOUS SIGN to all Israel.  "Assuredly, my LORD will give you a sign of HIS OWN accord!  Behold, a young virgin (Hebrew: almah — engaged virgin) is with CHILD and about to give birth to a SON.  Let her name HIM, IMMANU'EL (Hebrew: with us is GOD)." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 7. 14 Tanakh, Nevi'im]  This SON is none other than Y’SHUA ha'MASHIACH (JESUS THE CHRIST) for HE, and only HE fulfills all the 300 prophecies of the MESSIAH in the OLD COVENANT (TANAKH) that are found in the Law, the Prophets and the Writings. [Luke 24. 44] 

May you know and believe the ALMIGHTY CREATOR GOD, as did Abraham which GOD accounted to him for righteousness. [Genesis/Bereshith 15:6; Romans 4:3; Galatians 3:6; James 2:23]  You then will be privileged to receive HOLY GOD'S GREATEST BLESSINGS here and now... that of knowing the LORD Y’SHUA ha’MASHIACH, our WONDERFUL LOVING REDEEMER, personally.  The LORD Y’SHUA is returning very soon as the RIGHTEOUS JUDGE and HE will rule and reign forevermore as "KING of kings and LORD of lords."  Hallelu'YAH! 

Sha’alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
”Eem eshkakhech Yerushalayim — If I forget you, O Yerushalayim, let my right hand wither.” Psalms 137:5
  As we bid farewell to Shabbas, our prayer is that GOD, WHO'S PRECIOUS SPIRIT dwells within us, bless you abundantly. 
  May it be YOUR will O GOD that our homes become a sanctuary worthy of YOUR HOLY PRESENCE wherein YOUR NAME shall be hallowed, that YOU may come and grant YOUR blessings and YOUR DIVINE grace each and every day.  We give ourselves over into YOUR keeping, our hearts contrite, and our prayers made with a repentant heart.
  May peace abundant descend from heaven with life for us and to all Israel.  Mighty are those who rejoice in YOU, LORD GOD MOST HIGH.
  May some of the sweetness of Sabbath be present throughout the week.

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes.  Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness. 


Web Page:  www.delrifkah.com

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Time is like a river…you cannot touch the water twice because the flow that has passed will never pass again.. 

ABRAHAM: ALTERING COURSE OF HISTORY (Part 1 of 2)    
"Abraham believed GOD, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.  And he was called the friend of GOD." [James 2. 23] 

Abraham: Altering the Course of History
Our forefather changed the way the world thought about itself, life and especially the MAJESTIC CREATOR. 

That is why his name was changed from Abram (Hebrew: exalted father), Abraham, means “father of numerous nations.”  He is the father of civilization as we know it.  From his time and onward, people would never think about themselves the same way. 

Abraham was born at a time of tremendous upheaval and turmoil.  He lived in a world with a collective memory of the Great Flood; a world contending with the tyranny of Nimrod, the first intensively wicked tyrant [Genesis 10:8]; a world that will divide into separate nations [1 Chronicles 1:19]; a world deeply at conflict with itself that ill endure more than two decades of war between major powers; a world buried under the heel of a thousand years of idolatry; a world gone mad – ultimately, a world with no hope for the future...until Abraham appeared, a man used by ALMIGHTY GOD. 

THE TYRANNY OF IDOLATRY
Abram was born in Mesopotamia/Chaldea, modern-day Iraq.  It is believed that Abram was the oldest of triplets born to Terah (Abram, Nahor Haran -Gen 11:24).  Terah was a merchant who sold idols, a thriving business.  There was a different idol for every mood, temperament and personality.  The masses believed in paganism though they were frightened of it.  The more sophisticated people, however, knew it was nothing but as far as they could see there was no other alternative.  There was no other philosophy in the world so they didn’t go beyond it.  God’s call on Abram’s life provided the leadership to change all that.  His travels finally led him from Mesopotamia through Syria to the promised Land of Israel.  This truly was a time of great movement and migration of Abraham’s family including his father Terah and brothers except Haran who died in the land of the Chaldeans. 

Jerusalem was called Shalem (Salem) at the time.  According to Oral Tradition, Noah’s son, Shem and his grandson Eber, introduced an institution located there dedicated to morality and knowledge of the CREATOR.  However they did not have a large following as one had to go to it, which was not exported to others.  However, Abraham changed that. 

Historians say that a number of the Pharaohs were essentially monotheists.  Not coincidentally, those Pharaohs lived around and after the time of Abraham.  However, his visit to Egypt (Genesis 12) made an impression.  The idea of monotheism took hold in the highest echelons of Egyptian society.  It looked as if they had no way to sell it to the masses because there was a tremendous bureaucracy of idol worship.  Egyptian society remained pagan because the idol worship was so strongly believed and practiced that the Pharaoh himself could not turn it around.  Whether they believed it or not, the priests were not going to give up their profession. 

Outside of Egypt, however, Abraham’s name spread rapidly among the masses.  His ideas, character and personality became the talk of the civilized world.  Countless individual families now believed there is a God of creation, morality, and that there was a greater purpose to life. 

Family Life
Abraham married Sarai his half sister, who’s name was also changed to Sarah.  “And I will bless her and also give you a son by her; then I will bless her, and she shall be a mother of nations; kings of peoples shall be from her." [Gen 17:16]  EL SHADDAI told Abraham to listen to Sarah — “Whatever Sarah has said to you, listen to her voice; for in Isaac your seed shall be called.” [Gen 21:12-13] 

Yet, these two great people had a long and difficult life together.  Sarah was barren for many years.  In trying to remedy the situation, Sarah asked Abraham to bear a child for her through her maidservant, Hagar.  Ultimately, the child born from her, Ishmael, caused many problems.  Eventually, GOD told Abraham to banish Hagar and Ishmael from his household, which was extremely difficult for him. 

Abraham had a nephew, Lot (Hebrew: Lowt, means covering, veil), whom he hoped would be his heir apparent, but once Lot tasted success he decided to go his own way and settled in Sodom.  Lot is not necessarily an evil person; he just does not want to shoulder any responsibilities – and Sodom is the ideal place for a person who wants to escape responsibility. 

Domestic strife in Abraham’s house is omnipresent.  All he wants to do is build civilization through his family and all his family does is fall short of the task or forsake him. 

. . . to be continued
Sha’alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
”Eem eshkakhech Yerushalayim — If I forget you, O Yerushalayim, let my right hand wither.” Psalms 137:5
  Welcome Sabbath - Come, let us welcome the Bride of the Week, Sabbath of Toldot - “Generations” [Parasha - the appointed reading: Genesis 25:19 - 28:9; Malachi 1:1 – 2:7; Matthew 10:21-38] 
  May its radiance illumine our hearts as we kindle the candles of Sabbath!  Blessed are You, Lord God, King of the Universe, who made us holy with his commandments and favored us, and gave us His holy Shabbat, in love and favor, to be our heritage, as a reminder of the Creation.  Amen 
  As you celebrate the day, remember to continually give thanks in all things and to share Sabbath’s sweetness with those around you. 

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes.  Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness.  

Web Page:  www.delrifkah.com

A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
Our most valuable possessions are things money cannot buy. 

IN REMEMBRANCE OF YOU    
"I thank my GOD upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy." [Philippians 1. 3-4] 

"Grace to you and peace from GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST." [Philemon 1. 3]   We humbly and graciously thank the MOST HIGH GOD for allowing us to have such wonderful, personal CHRIST-like friends all over the world.  Our special, faithful, dedicated friends, family — who have held us up in prayer, encouraged us, laughed with us and at us, lightened burdens, cheered us, refreshed and supported us and our ministry in the service of MESSIAH Y’SHUA.  We are truly richly blessed and owe such a debt to the ALMIGHTY ONE for the treasured gifts HE has given us in each of you. 

This is devoted to our beloved family of friends in the LORD OF ALL, the KING OF ISRAEL:  "To the saints and faithful brethren in CHRIST... Grace to you and peace from GOD our FATHER and the LORD JESUS CHRIST.  We give thanks to the GOD and FATHER of our LORD JESUS CHRIST, praying always for you... for your faith in JESUS CHRIST and of your love for all the saints; because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the GOSPEL, which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of GOD in truth." [Colossians 1. 2-6] 

And this we pray, "that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the day of CHRIST, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by JESUS CHRIST, to the glory and praise of GOD." [Philippians 1. 9 - 11] 

"Brethren, your faith grows exceedingly, and the love of every one of you all abounds toward each other." [2 Thessalonians 1. 3]  We personally know "of your love and faith which you have toward the LORD JESUS and toward all the saints... and every good thing which is in you in MESSIAH Y’SHUA." [Philemon 1. 4 - 6]  "For this reason we also thank GOD without ceasing, because when you received the WORD OF GOD which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the WORD OF GOD, which also effectively works in you who believe." [1 Thessalonians 2. 13] 

May the MIGHTY GOD OF HOSTS keep each of you "steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the LORD, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the LORD." [1 Corinthians 15. 58]  "Watch, stand fast in the faith, be brave, be strong.  Let all that you do be done with love." [1 Corinthians 16. 13 - 14] 

Precious one, know always that you are cherished, appreciated and loved.  We thank YOU LORD, our MIGHTY & GREAT GOD and praise YOUR GLORIOUS NAME, for each treasured individual YOU have blessed us to share in their lives.  We prayerfully ask YOU, OMNIPRESENT LOVING MASTER, to bless, enrich and strengthen each one as only YOU can.  Watch over each life and bring them closer to YOU as only YOU can.  With thanks and praise. . . Amen, Amen!

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel !
”Eem eshkakhech Yerushalayim — If I forget you, O Yerushalayim, let my right hand wither.” Psalms 137:5
Here are four Jewish insights to unlock the door to gratitude. 
1. Give thanks for life itself - Life itself is a gift which we should never take for granted. 
2. Strengthen your gratitude muscle - Say thank you three times a day to people who have treated us with kindness. 
3. Thank those who had an influence on your life - The Talmud compares teachers to stars.  The TALMUD explains that just as stars are always present even when they cannot be seen, a teacher’s influence continues even when a student can no longer see them.  Give heartfelt thanks for the impact they had on your life. 
4. Keep the gratitude flowing - Say thank you to GOD, HE is our constant SOURCE  of blessings.  And, never forget the good done for you by others. 
  Happy & Blessed Thanksgiving! Our dear friends, we wish you a festive, warm, loving, blazingly bright, and happy Holy Days.  May this season be filled with thanksgiving in your heart shining bright into the lives of those who so desperately need the love, peace and joy that burns brightly in you. 
  Truly, giving thanks is such a cherished conversation with the PRECIOUS ONE WHO redeemed us, do it every day, you will be continually grateful that you did!  “Give thanks to the LORD, call on HIS NAME; make known among the nations what HE has done.  Sing to HIM, sing praise to HIM; tell of all HIS wonderful acts.  Give thanks in all circumstances, for this is GOD'S will for you in CHRIST JESUS.” 1 Thessalonians 5:18  Let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to GOD, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to HIS HOLY NAME. 

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes.  Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness

Web Page:  www.delrifkah.com 


A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
One who pursues greatness, greatness will flee from him; one who flees from greatness, greatness will pursue him. [Talmud Eiruvin 13b] 

ARROGANT PRIDE    
"I constantly spread out MY hands all day long to a rebellious people, who walk in the way that is not good, following their own thoughts; a people who provoke ME to anger, who continually to MY face, sacrifice in gardens and burn incense on altars of brick... Who say, 'Keep your distance!  Do not come near me, for I am holier than you!’" [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 65. 2 - 3, 5 Tanakh, Nevi’im] 

People have not changed over the centuries, societies are filled with those who proclaim they are better, superior, and holier then others, their attitude  clearly marks them.  Similar to the high priests and Levites in MESSIAH’S story of the Good Samaritan, they prefer to walk by the needy rather than stoop to help them.  Even in many churches, such arrogance can be found, and it continues to be a problem.  James warns, "For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place" and say to the poor man — "You stand there" or "Sit here at my footstool" — have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?" [James 2. 2 - 4] 

There is a list of things the ALMIGHTY LORD GOD hates recorded in the Book of Proverbs:  "Six things the LORD hates; seven are an abomination to HIM: A haughty (proud) look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart (mind) that devises evil plans, feet that are swift in running to evil, a false witness who speaks lies, and one who incites (sows) discord (arguments, conflicts, disputes) among brethren." [Proverbs (Mishle) 6. 17 - 19 Tanakh, Kethuvim]  Notice, the primary detestable act is "A proud look."  Whenever we are tempted to think we are superior in any way, we need to take our eyes off others and fasten them on our EXALTED SAVIOR, but "we dare not class ourselves or compare ourselves with those who commend (praise) themselves.  But they, measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise." [2 Corinthians 10. 12] 

In his pride, Satan (Lucifer) proclaimed —  "I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne higher then the stars of GOD; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation on the summit of Zaphon (the City of the GREAT KING – see Psalms 48.3); I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the MOST HIGH."   However, the MOST HOLY LORD GOD will see that he is "brought down to Sheol, to the lowest depths of the Pit." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 14. 13 - 15 Tanakh, Nevi’im]  The RIGHTEOUS JUDGE will punish the proud because, "Every haughty (proud) person in heart is an abomination to the LORD; assuredly, he will not go unpunished." [Proverbs (Mishle) 16. 5 Tanakh, Kethuvim] 

The LOVING CREATOR GOD gave us the spirit of humility, which is the beginning of true holiness.  "Thus says the HIGH & LOFTY ONE WHO inhabits eternity, WHOSE NAME is HOLY: "I dwell on high in holiness, with him who has a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, reviving the hearts of the contrite one." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 57. 15 Tanakh, Nevi’im]  "On this one will I look: On him who is poor and of a contrite spirit, and who trembles at MY WORD." [Isaiah/Yeshayah) 66. 2]  The HOLY ONE is still changing lives today, seek HIM while HE may be found, call upon HIM while HE is near for HE will abundantly pardon.  Follow the LORD Y’SHUA, for the love experience of a lifetime, and then beyond throughout all eternity. 


Sha’alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
”Eem eshkakhech Yerushalayim—If I forget you, O Jerusalem, let my right hand wither.” Psalms 137:5
  CREATOR of the Universe, we come before YOU to praise and extol YOUR greatness and goodness.  YOU, LORD GOD, are the FOUNTAIN from which all blessings flow.  In all the experiences of life, we recognize that YOUR guiding hand establishes our work and that YOUR love lifts our lives to nobler effort.  Praying that the inspiration of this day strengthen our faith in YOU.  Purify our spirits that in our daily tasks we may be conscious of YOUR PRESENCE.  Continue to bestow YOUR benediction on us and teach us to seek YOU ever more.  Help us to live that when we have gathered our final harvest, many shall rise up with us to magnify and bless YOUR PRECIOUS NAME. 
As we enter Rosh Chodesh, we greet the new month of Kislev 

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes.  Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness. 

Web Page:  www.delrifkah.com

"Heavenly Father, our cups are running over with Your goodness. Thank You for loving us, for saving us and for keeping us. Please help us to always have a thankful heart. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
A HEBREW SAGE MIGHT SAY. . .
In the beginning GOD wished to render justice, but when HE observed that the world could not rest on justice, HE rendered mercy. [TALMUD, Rosh ha'Shanah 17] 

GOSPEL PREACHED TO THE WORLD    
"He who endures to the end shall be saved.  And the GOSPEL of the Kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come." [Matthew 24. 12 - 14] 

The MOST HIGH GOD OF HEAVEN is faithful in all things.  "There is no other god besides ME, a JUST GOD and a SAVIOR; no god exists besides ME.  Turn to ME, and be saved, all ends of the earth!  For I am GOD, and there is none else." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 45. 21 – 22 Tanakh, Nevi'im] 

The SOVEREIGN ETERNAL ONE desires that none be lost, and all come to the knowledge of the truth in saving faith. [1 Timothy 2. 4]  "So HE became their SAVIOR.  In all their troubles HE was afflicted, HIS OWN PRESENCE delivered them; in HIS love and in HIS pity HE redeemed them; and HE bore them and carried them all the days of old." [Isaiah (Yeshayah) 63. 8 – 9 Tanakh, Nevi'im]  "The STONE that the builders rejected has become the CHIEF CORNERSTONE.  This was the LORD'S doing; it is marvelous in our sight." [Psalms (Tehillym) 118. 22 - 23 Tanakh, Kethuvim] 

Men were given the privilege of sharing the WONDROUS LIFE-GIVING MESSAGE that whoever believed would be saved.  This GOOD NEWS had gone out from Judea, Samaria, then into the uttermost parts of the world, and continues today.  The HOLY LORD has always had devoted followers with hearts willing to complete the great commission, which is still to "go into all the world and preach the GOSPEL to every creature!" [Mark 16. 15] 

The prophets, apostles, disciples, missionaries and modern-day world evangelism thought the WORD had been spread completely by their teaching on radio, internet and television.  However, the ALMIGHTY let it be known that it still is not complete.  As you read the Book of Revelation, you find that GOD HIMSELF will be the ONE to assure the task is complete, for HE shows the way it will be accomplished HIS perfect and complete way. 

Two Witnesses:  The FAITHFUL & TRUE, the AUTHOR & FINISHER of our faith affirms: "And I will give power to my two witnesses, and they will prophesy one thousand two hundred and sixty days, clothed in sackcloth. These are the two olive trees and the two lamp stands standing before the God of the earth." [Revelation 11. 3 - 4]  When they finish their testimony, the beast from the bottomless pit will make war on them and kill them, but after three days, the BREATH OF LIFE from GOD will enter them and they will ascend into heaven in a cloud. [Revelation 11. 7 - 14] 

144,000 Jewish Witnesses:  The SAVIOR OF OLD has 144,000 un-defiled, virgin Jewish men "who follow the LAMB wherever HE goes.  These were redeemed by MESSIAH from among men being first-fruits to GOD and to the LAMB.  And in their mouth was found no guile, for they are without fault before the Throne of GOD." [Revelation 14. 4 – 5; 7. 1 - 8] 

Remnant of the Woman's Seed:  Again in Revelation we see that those who are left behind, will overcome Satan, the Accuser,  by "the blood of the LAMB and by the word of their testimony" for they did not love their lives to the death. [Revelation 12. 11] 

Three Angels' Announcement:  "Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the EVERLASTING GOSPEL to preach to those who dwell on the earth — to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people saying with a loud voice — Fear GOD and give glory to HIM, for the hour of HIS judgment has come; and worship HIM WHO made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water." [Revelation 14. 6 - 7] 
  "And another angel followed, saying — Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication." 
  "Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice — If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of GOD, which is poured out full strength into the cup of HIS indignation.  He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the LAMB." [Revelation 14. 8 - 10] 
May each of us be found faithful doing our HEAVENLY FATHER'S business when HE comes... for the crowns we will win, is the souls of men: "Therefore, my beloved and longed - for brethren, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the LORD, beloved." [Philippians 4. 1]  "For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing?  Is it not even you in the presence of our LORD JESUS CHRIST at HIS coming?  For you are our glory and joy." [1 Thessalonians 2. 19 - 20] 

Sha'alu (Pray) for the Shalom (Peace) of Jerusalem and all of Israel!
”If I forget you, O Yerushalayim, let my right hand wither.” Psalms 137:5
  May you have a heart to know YEHOWAH, that HE is the LORD of your life.  Oh, return to HIM with your whole heart.  May each of you be delivered from trouble and harm, or strengthened through it.  Heal us O LORD, make us righteous in YOUR sight.  May the message of GOD'S PRECIOUS WORD and the love of Y’SHUA ha’MASHIACH the SAVIOR bless you and bubble-up in your heart to overflowing. Amen 
  Beloved brethren, we encourage you to stand firm and confident in the LORD Y’SHUA.  May you be filled with HIS wisdom, knowledge, righteous discernment, and boldness especially as we go forth in the battle against the enemies of our saving faith. 

Praying for the peace of Jerusalem, is praying for the return of our Messiah and Lord and for the Kingdom of God He is bringing when He comes.  Then God's Will shall be done on earth as it is in Heaven and the world will experience true godly universal peace which is the fruit of Righteousness. 

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