The old man sat calmly at the foot of the granite mountain, patiently waiting for his mind, soul and breath to grow still and silent so that he could once again hear the voice of God.  The long and winding path leading to the clearing at the base of the mountain seemed longer and more difficult to navigate with each passing year, but the serenity of the spot made prayer not only possible but pleasurable.  Once the old man’s heart stopped racing and his breath returned to normal, the old man would simply sit among the sounds of the song birds and wait for the solitude and serenity to usher in the spirit of prayer.  The old man would listen carefully among the subtle breeze for the still small whisper of the Creator’s voice walking in his garden. The granite mountain stood majestic and motionless before the old man pointing heavenward and inspiring a sense of stability and strength.  Mostly the old man would spend the day alone with the mountain, but on occasion a backpacker, day hiker, or some other tourist would stumble up the path to the clearing and admire the mountain.  Rarely did the presence of other people or creatures disturb the old man’s meditation.

But life is dynamic not static or routine.  This day would be different than every other day.  As the old man sat silently before the mountain, his peace was violently disturbed by the sound of a person running and snorting up the path with reckless abandoned.  The old man opened his eyes momentarily and saw a young man of 16 or 17 years of age, flailing his harms and running with all the vigor of youth.  The old man looked to see if the boy was in danger, but saw nothing or no one threatening the boy.  The old man looked intently at the boy and could see the red flush of rage on his face.  Tears streamed down the young man’s cheeks and white froth was evident on the corners of his down turned mouth.  The young man ran aggressively right toward the mountain and yelled at the top of his lungs… “I hate you!”  “I hate you!” shouted the mountain back.  “You’re ugly!” shouted the boy.  “You’re ugly” shouted the mountain in return. “You’re mean,” said the boy angrily.  “You’re mean,” said the mountain just as angrily. “You shut up!” said the boy. “You shut up!” responded the mountain.  “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!” screamed the boy.  “I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!” screamed the mountain.  Frustrated and crying the young man ran back down the pathway from the mountain just as angry as when he first arrived.

The old man looked at the mountain and pondered what had just occurred.  Seeing the mountain once more serene and silent the old man returned to his own stillness and tried again to calm his startled heart and racing mind.  As he closed his eyes and took in a long soothing breath he heard the sound of gentle footsteps coming up the path toward the mountain.  Again he opened his eyes to see if the boy had returned.  Instead, the old man was surprised to see a young maiden of about 10 years of age.  Quietly and peacefully the young maiden made her way up to the mountain.  She looked so very small and delicate against the large rocky mountain, and yet she showed no fear at all.  As the old man watched, the young girl stood face to face with the mountain.  With a voice as sweet as the song birds the little girl spoke to the mountain in her small but steady voice.  “I love you!”  “I love you” said the mountain gently.  “You are sweet,” said the girl.  “You are sweet,” said the mountain.  “You are beautiful,” said the girl.  “You are beautiful,” said the mountain in reply.  “I love you,” said the little girl tenderly.  “I love you,” said the mountain to her just as tenderly. “Good bye,” said the maiden.  “Good bye” said the mountain.  The little girl bowed toward the mountain and then turned peacefully and happily headed down the path from which she came.

Again the old man watched intensely and pondered anew what he had observed.  Many a time the old man sat before the mountain in silence and the mountain never spoke a word to him.  But then the angry boy came shouting hateful and angry words and the mountain spoke back equally hateful and angry words in the same tone of voice.  When the little maiden spoke lovingly and kindly to the mountain, however, the mountain spoke lovingly and tenderly back to the little girl.  Truly there was much to be learned from the mountain this day.  The old man pondered whether it was the mountain that spoke or was it the voice of God that was now speaking to the old man in the events of this very peculiar day.

The words of wisdom found in the scriptures now echoed in the heart and mind of the old man.

(Proverbs 18:21 NRS) Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits. 

(Proverbs 15:1 NRS) A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

The old man pondered how the young man stormed and raged at the mountain and how the mountain stormed and raged right back.  The young man’s anger kindled a rage within him and provoked the mountain to likewise rage against him.  Clearly speaking in anger is not productive.  The boy vented his rage and yet left just as angry as when he came.  The young man accomplished nothing in his angry speech.  Instead he made an enemy out of an otherwise quiet and peaceful mountain.

(Proverbs 15:18 NRS) Those who are hot-tempered stir up strife, but those who are slow to anger calm contention. 

(Proverbs 19:11 NRS) Those with good sense are slow to anger, and it is their glory to overlook an offense. 

(Ecclesiastes 7:9 NRS) Do not be quick to anger, for anger lodges in the bosom of fools. 

(Psalm 37:8 NRS) Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath. Do not fret– it leads only to evil. 

(Proverbs 16:32 NRS) One who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, and one whose temper is controlled than one who captures a city. 

(James 1:19-20 NRS) You must understand this, my beloved: let everyone be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger; ²⁰  for your anger does not produce God’s righteousness. 

The old man likewise pondered the young maiden who spoke softly, lovingly, and tenderly to the mountain invoking the mountain to speak to her in tenderness and love.

(Proverbs 24:26 NRS) One who gives an honest answer gives a kiss on the lips. 

(Proverbs 23:16 NRS) My soul will rejoice when your lips speak what is right. 

 (Galatians 6:7-9 NRS) Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for you reap whatever you sow. ⁸  If you sow to your own flesh, you will reap corruption from the flesh; but if you sow to the Spirit, you will reap eternal life from the Spirit. ⁹  So let us not grow weary in doing what is right, for we will reap at harvest time, if we do not give up. 

(James 3:17-18 NRS) But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. ¹⁸  And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.  

The old man began to understand the message of the mountain.  What we speak and how we speak to others, effects how they speak to us in return.  If we speak angrily, sarcastically, arrogantly, and hurtfully to others, we will provoke them to treat us with the same anger, sarcasm, arrogance and hurtful intentions.   The young man shouted to the mountain in anger and received anger in return.  The young maiden, however, turned the mountain’s wrath to tenderness with her soft and tender voice.  If we speak lovingly to others they will indeed speak lovingly in return.  Our words, like seeds, bring forth a harvest—they will not return to us empty.  What we sow we shall reap.

(Luke 8:11 NRS) “Now the parable is this: The seed is the word of God. 

(Isaiah 55:10-11 NRS) For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there until they have watered the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, ¹¹  so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and succeed in the thing for which I sent it. 

Then the old man contemplated his own actions.  He sat silent before the mountain and said nothing.  In return the mountain honored his desire for silence and let the old man pray without interruption. The old man loved coming to the clearing before the mountain for prayer and has enjoyed a long prayerful life with the mountain.

(Psalm 34:12-13 NRS) Which of you desires life, and covets many days to enjoy good? ¹³  Keep your tongue from evil, and your lips from speaking deceit. 

(Proverbs 13:3 NRS) Those who guard their mouths preserve their lives; those who open wide their lips come to ruin. 

(Proverbs 21:23 NRS) To watch over mouth and tongue is to keep out of trouble. 

(Proverbs 10:19 NRS) When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but the prudent are restrained in speech. 

(Proverbs 17:28 NRS) Even fools who keep silent are considered wise; when they close their lips, they are deemed intelligent. 

The old man pondered anew the great power of the tongue.  The young man by the power of his tongue moved a mountain to anger.  The young maiden by the power of her tongue soothed the mountain and restored its peace. The old man by restraining his tongue caused the mountain to remain silent. “Truly,” thought the old man, “we must learn to tame the tongue if we are to serve the righteous purpose of God.”

(James 3:2-12 NRS) For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. ³  If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. ⁴  Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. ⁵  So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits. How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! ⁶  And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. ⁷  For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, ⁸  but no one can tame the tongue– a restless evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹  With it we bless YHWH and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. ¹⁰  From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. ¹¹  Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? ¹²  Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh. 

“What drives our tongue to such mischief?” the old man questioned. “Surely it is not the tongue that is to blame,” said the old man.  “After all,” he mused, “the young man was angry before he spoke, and the young maiden was filled with love before she spoke.”  “No,” he said, “there is more to be learned from the mountain.”  Then the old man contemplated further upon the words of scripture.

(Matthew 12:34 NRS) You brood of vipers! How can you speak good things, when you are evil? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. 

(Matthew 15:18 NRS) But what comes out of the mouth proceeds from the heart, and this is what defiles. 

(Luke 6:45 NRS) The good person out of the good treasure of the heart produces good, and the evil person out of evil treasure produces evil; for it is out of the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. 

“Yes!” cried the old man aloud, “It is our hearts that drive our tongues.  We must not only tame our tongues but purge our hearts of all anger, malice, bitterness, and hurtful intent.”

(Colossians 3:8 NRS) But now you must get rid of all such things– anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive language from your mouth. 

(James 3:14-16 NRS) But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. ¹⁵  Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. ¹⁶  For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 

(2 Timothy 2:19-23 NRS) But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this inscription: “YHWH knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who calls on the name of YHWH turn away from wickedness.” ²⁰  In a large house there are utensils not only of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for special use, some for ordinary. ²¹  All who cleanse themselves of the things I have mentioned will become special utensils, dedicated and useful to the owner of the house, ready for every good work. ²²  Shun youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on YHWH from a pure heart. ²³  Have nothing to do with stupid and senseless controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.

“Even our tongues may become vessels of honor to the Creator if we cleanse our hearts,” declared the old man with understanding and joy.

(Psalm 24:3-5 NRS) Who shall ascend the hill of YHWH? And who shall stand in his holy place? ⁴  Those who have clean hands and pure hearts, who do not lift up their souls to what is false, and do not swear deceitfully. ⁵  They will receive blessing from YHWH, and vindication from the God of their salvation. 

(Psalm 73:1 NRS) Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart. 

(Matthew 5:8 NRS) “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.  Truly God is good to the upright, to those who are pure in heart. 

“How do we cleanse our hearts and bridle our tongues?” thought the old man to himself.

(Proverbs 20:9 NRS) Who can say, “I have made my heart clean; I am pure from my sin”? 

Then the old man recalled the promises of the Creator.

(Ezekiel 11:19 NRS) I will give them one heart, and put a new spirit within them; I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, 

(Ezekiel 36:26 NRS) A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you; and I will remove from your body the heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh. 

And so the old man bowed his head, closed his eyes and prayed.

(Psalm 51:10-12 NRS) Create in me a clean heart, O God, and put a new and right spirit within me. ¹¹  Do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your holy spirit from me. ¹²  Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit.

And when he had finished his prayer the old man stood and bowed before the mountain and calmly said, “Shalom.” The mountain blessed the old man in return and calmly said “Shalom.”

]]> http://fromthemountain.net/from-the-heart/the-talking-mountain/feed/ 1 http://fromthemountain.net/from-the-heart/the-tree-that-would-be-king/ http://fromthemountain.net/from-the-heart/the-tree-that-would-be-king/#comments Mon, 19 Dec 2011 18:43:04 +0000 Glenn http://fromthemountain.net/?p=951

The storm was truly the fiercest and most savage that any of the trees of the forest had ever experienced in all of their years.  The rain poured down upon them bending their bows with the weight of the water.  Hail fell with such ferocious force that it ripped holes through their leaves and broke small twigs from their branches. The winds ravaged the remaining leaves and twisted large branches to the breaking point, snapping them with great explosive power.  Even some of the oldest trees of the forest were uprooted and pushed onto younger trees which buckled and broke under the great weight of the mighty fallen stalwarts. But the worst was yet to come. Flash, bang, flash, bang, flash, flash, boom, boom, boom, the lightning strikes were everywhere.  Unable to run or duck for cover the tall trees of the forest were easy targets for the relentless strikes of lightning.  Fires burned uncontrolled all over the forest. The winds helped the flames to spread from tree, to tree, to tree, until the whole forest was ablaze. There was simply no escape.  When it was over, the entire forest was reduced to nothing more than smoking ash.

But as is the case in the cycle of nature, where there was death, new life eventually began.  After a year of laying quiet, a small sprout of a tree began growing in the center of the burned out forest.  It was not much at first, just a sprout, a twig, and then leaves.  Eventually other trees began sprouting and growing around it.  Slowly the scorched earth was healed and a fledgling forest began to emerge.  The little sapling of a tree at the center of the forest boasted to all the other trees, how he was the first tree in the forest. “Therefore,” said he, “I should be the King of Trees and all other trees should bow to me and respect me.”  “After all,” boasted the little tree proudly, “I was the first to sprout, the first to get leaves, and the first to branch!”  At first all the other saplings listened to the boasting of the little tree and directed their attention toward this self-appointed “King of Trees”. But in time the other trees begin looking heaven ward stretching and reaching for the sky. Year after year all the trees grew taller, fuller, thicker and more majestic in appearance.  All, that is, with the exception of the little tree in the center of the forest. The little tree continued to remain focused only upon himself. While the other trees sought to bring honor and beauty to the whole forest, the little tree was always boasting and bragging, about how he was the first to sprout, the first to leaf, the first to branch and how he was the center of the forest.  Because he was in the center of the forest the other trees received more rain and sunlight and grew much faster and taller.  But the little tree in the center would daily remind them all, “I was the first to sprout, the first to leaf, the first to have branches, the first, the first, the first, I am the King of Trees!” he would shout.  The other trees would listen and humbly declare, “Yes, you were the first, you are the center, you are the King of Trees”.

Eventually the other trees grew even larger, taller, thicker, and their combined canopy crowned the forest and looked quite royal in appearance.  But the little tree in the center of the forest appeared puny in comparison.  The little tree would not be out done by his fellow trees and continued to boast and brag to the other trees, “I was first to sprout, I was first to leaf, I was first to branch, I am the King of Trees!”   But the other taller trees hardly listened to the puny little squirt of a tree hidden in the shadows of their grandeur in the center of the forest.  This caused the little tree to shout even louder and brag even more, “Look at me all you other trees; I am the center of the forest!  All other trees grow around me!  I am the center of the forest!    I was first to sprout, I was first to leaf, I was first to branch, I am the center of the forest.  I am the King of Trees!”  But to all the other trees his puny little voice just sounded like a small insignificant breeze blowing through the forest floor.  All the other trees had grown above the little tree’s arrogance, boasting, and claim of superiority.  All the other trees were happy just being trees in the forest.

“This will never do” squeaked the little tree, “They have to listen to me. I was first to sprout, I was first to leaf, I was first to branch!  I am the center of the forest! I am the King of Trees!”  So the little tree boasted louder and louder, and with greater vehemence. “They’re just jealous” cried the little tree, “because I am the center of the forest, I am the King of Trees.” Realizing that no one was really listening, the little tree started attacking the other trees, accusing them of stealing his sunlight, robbing him of his rain, and trying to over shadow his glory.  It was all the other trees’ fault that he was so small.  He called the other trees evil names, and tried to spread malicious rumors around the forest about the trees that grew all around him.  And still he boasted “I was first to sprout, I was first to leaf, I was first to branch, I am the center of the forest, I am King of Trees!”  But the other trees no longer listened to the pathetic and insignificant little tree with the great big ego.

This enraged the little tree even more, so he made a deal with the mindless little squirrels of the forest that sometimes played in his branches.  He convinced the little squirrels that he would give them more nuts if they would just break off the branches of the big trees so he could get more sunlight and rain.  Being somewhat mindless the squirrels attacked the big trees and broke off many small branches.  The little pathetic tree rejoiced in the damage they caused his bigger subjects.  “Now, with command of my squirrel army, these big trees will soon see that I truly am the King of Trees!” said the little tree proudly.   But while climbing the big trees, the squirrels discovered that the big trees had bigger nuts and many more than the puny little tree that was bossing them around.  So the squirrels abandoned the little tree and forgot all about him and his tiny nuts.   Since the squirrels had pruned some of the smaller sucker branches from the big trees they grew even bigger, taller, thicker and fuller.  The more the little tree tried to tear down the bigger trees, whether by his words or by his actions, the bigger the other trees became and the small and more pathetic the little tree appeared.  But still the little tree kept boasting, “look at me, listening to me, bow to me, I was first to sprout, I was first to leaf, I was first to branch, I live in the center of the forest, I am King of Trees!”  But no one listened, not even the mindless squirrels.

One day a truck filled with foresters drove into the forest.  The men got out and began looking and marveling at the great and giant trees that had grown in the once burned forest.  “What marvelous trees” said the men one to another. “Truly spectacular!” said another of the foresters.  “Finally,” said the littler tree, “Someone my size who will listen to me.”  “If I can just get their attention, I’ll tell them how rebellious these other trees are and how selfish they are, how they won’t give me the respect and homage I’m owed, and how they rob me of sunlight and rain.“  So the little tree began waving his little branches and shaking his leaves, and bragging, “Look at me, look at me, I was first to sprout, I was first to leaf, I was first to branch, I am the center of the forest, I am the King of Trees.”  Then the foresters looked at the pathetic and puny tree shaking in the breeze at the center of the forest. “Good!” thought the little tree, “I have their attention now. Clearly they can see that I am the King of Trees.” The little tree quickly began rehearsing his complaint to the forester. Then one of the foresters grabbed an ax from the back of the truck and approached the puny looking tree in the center of the forest.  “Yes!” cried the little self-appointed King of Trees with joy, “They will hear my complaint and chop down all these giant rebels. Now they will see that I am King of Trees.”  Oh how happy the little tree was at the thought of the giant trees being chopped down to size. “When these rebellious trees lay on the ground in pieces, then I will tower over them, then they will see that I am truly the King of Trees,” declared the puny tree. But to his total shock and astonishment, he heard the forester say, “Look at this pathetic little tree in the center of the forest, he will never amount to anything.”  ”He’s just taking up space, sucking up nutrients, and becoming a fire hazard,” said the other forester.  “WHAT?!” shouted the little tree indignantly.  But before he could begin his explanatory boast, “But I was first to sprout, first to leaf, first to branch, I am the center of the forest, I am the King of Trees!”, the ax fell with a thud and silenced the pathetic little tree. All the other trees simply stared at the heavens and basked in its light content and happy just to be trees of the forest.

A man who feels the need to tear down others in order to look big in his own eyes is truly a small person to begin with. A man who continues to tear down others to look big in the eyes of others, reveals that he is indeed a very, very small person to begin with.  Such a person sees their world like the Israelites who gave an evil report about the land of Israel.

(Numbers 13:32-33 NRS) So they brought to the Israelites an unfavorable report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land that we have gone through as spies is a land that devours its inhabitants; and all the people that we saw in it are of great size. ³³ There we saw the Nephilim (the Anakites come from the Nephilim); and to ourselves we seemed like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.” 

Filled with fear and unbelief, these Israelite spies described the inhabitants of the land as the giants of ancient folklore, while at the same time describing themselves as helpless little grasshoppers.  That there were no such giants in the land at the time was revealed by Moses in the Book of Deuteronomy.

(Deuteronomy 2:9-13 NRS) YHWH said to me: “Do not harass Moab or engage them in battle, for I will not give you any of its land as a possession, since I have given Ar as a possession to the descendants of Lot.” ¹⁰  (The Emim– a large and numerous people, as tall as the Anakim– had formerly inhabited it. ¹¹  Like the Anakim, they are usually reckoned as Rephaim, though the Moabites call them Emim. ¹²  Moreover, the Horim had formerly inhabited Seir, but the descendants of Esau dispossessed them, destroying them and settling in their place, as Israel has done in the land that YHWH gave them as a possession.) ¹³  ”Now then, proceed to cross over the Wadi Zered.” So we crossed over the Wadi Zered. 

Moses was trying to comfort and assure the children of Israel that there was really nothing to be afraid of.  Note how Moses speaks of the giants as formerly inhabiting the land.  In other words, there were no mythical giants living in the land at the time of the spies reports, it was complete exaggeration. There was truly nothing to be afraid of.  But since the Israelite spies saw their adversaries as big, strong and invincible, while at the same time, they saw themselves as being little, frail and vulnerable, they were afraid and put fear in the hearts of others by giving an evil report of the Promise Land.

The man or woman that attempts to look big by tearing down others reveals that in their own eyes, they see their enemies as huge, strong and invincible while seeing themselves as small and helpless grasshoppers. Only a truly small and weak person has to destroy, tear down or chop down others in order to look big themselves.

When a person begins attacking and tearing down another person without provocation, it reveals another reality. We are told in the Torah that those who violate the Torah and are under a curse and will be afraid even when no one is attacking them.  The cursed will feel threatened when no one is threatening them.  In other words, they will imagine all manner of threats and offenses against themselves.

(Leviticus 26:14-17 NRS) But if you will not obey me, and do not observe all these commandments, ¹⁵  if you spurn my statutes, and abhor my ordinances, so that you will not observe all my commandments, and you break my covenant, ¹⁶  I in turn will do this to you: I will bring terror on you; consumption and fever that waste the eyes and cause life to pine away. You shall sow your seed in vain, for your enemies shall eat it. ¹⁷  I will set my face against you, and you shall be struck down by your enemies; your foes shall rule over you, and you shall flee though no one pursues you. 

(Leviticus 26:36 NRS) … the sound of a driven leaf shall put them to flight, and they shall flee as one flees from the sword, and they shall fall though no one pursues. 

Those who attack others and tear them down without provocation are not only small and weak in their own eyes, but are also feeling threatened for no apparent reason.  This would seem to indicate that they are not walking in accordance with the Torah but are feeling the sting of the curse.  Generally such people are afraid that their own sins, faults, flaws, shortcomings, and weaknesses will be exposed.  These tiny trees are afraid that people will see how small and weak they are.  Fearful of exposure and judgment these little people seek to blame their faults and failures on others. These poor puny souls spread rumors and attack others because they are afraid that others will see their faults and weaknesses and see how small and pathetic they really are. To distract from their own sins and shortcomings, these self-appointed kings begin to attack others, pointing out everyone else’s flaws (whether real or imagined) to avert such attention from themselves.

The Hebrew word galah (gimmel, lamed, hey) means to “uncover” something.  Fourteen times in the eighteenth chapter of the Book of Leviticus the children of Israel are prohibited from “uncovering” the nakedness of others.  The Hebrew word kafar (kaf, fey, resh) means “to cover”.  Fourteen times in chapters sixteen through seventeen of the same book we are told to make “coverings” (atonements).  In other words, as the covenant people of YHWH we are not to expose people’s shortcomings, faults, and weaknesses but cover them in love.

(Leviticus 19:16 NRS) You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am YHWH. 

(Proverbs 11:13 NRS) A gossip goes about telling secrets, but one who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a confidence. 

(Proverbs 18:8 NRS) The words of a whisperer are like delicious morsels; they go down into the inner parts of the body. 

(Proverbs 20:19 NRS) A gossip reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a babbler. 

(Proverbs 26:20 NRS) For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases. 

 (Proverbs 10:12 NRS) Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses. 

(1 Peter 4:8 NRS) Above all, maintain constant love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins. 

Gossiping, exposing other people’s weaknesses, judging others unfairly or by a different standard than used for oneself, and bearing false witness against another person, are all contrary to the Torah.

(Exodus 20:16 NRS) You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor. 

(Proverbs 10:9 NRS) Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever follows perverse ways will be found out. 

(Proverbs 19:9 NRS) A false witness will not go unpunished, and the liar will perish. 

(Exodus 23:1 NRS) You shall not spread a false report. You shall not join hands with the wicked to act as a malicious witness. 

(Proverbs 20:10 NRS) Diverse weights and diverse measures are both alike an abomination to YHWH. 

When we encounter those who utilize these unrighteous means to make themselves look big, we should resist the temptation to fight back measure for measure. We need not stoop to their size or bow to their pathetic claims. Instead, we should recognize that we are already bigger than them.  We have already risen above such things.  Like the trees of the forest we should turn our gaze heavenward, bask in its light and rejoice at being a part of the forest.  We need not defend or fight back. Their words are nothing more than an insignificant breeze blowing on the forest floor. It is the Creator who has raised us up and placed us in his forest.

(1 Corinthians 12:18 NRS) But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. 

Each member has a purpose, a talent, a gifting, a calling.

(1 Corinthians 12:28-30 NRS) And God has appointed in the assembly first apostles, second prophets, third teachers; then deeds of power, then gifts of healing, forms of assistance, forms of leadership, various kinds of tongues. ²⁹  Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰  Do all possess gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues? Do all interpret? 

(1 Corinthians 12:17 NRS) If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole body were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? 

When we are unjustly attacked by those who see themselves as small and weak, we must learn to rise above the fray, turn the other cheek, and even pray for those who feel the need to tear down others in order to appear big in their own eyes.

(Matthew 5:39 NRS) But I say to you, Do not resist an evildoer. But if anyone strikes you on the right cheek, turn the other also; 

(Luke 6:22-23 NRS) “Blessed are you when people hate you, and when they exclude you, revile you, and defame you on account of the Son of Man. ²³  Rejoice in that day and leap for joy, for surely your reward is great in heaven; for that is what their ancestors did to the prophets. 

(Luke 6:27-28 NRS) “But I say to you that listen, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, ²⁸  bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you. 

The petty persecution we endure from such little sickly trees will only serve to strengthen us for the greater challenges and offenses yet to be endured. We must not lose heart at such futile attacks from the small and weak, but we must be strong and courageous. The time will come when the keeper of the forest and true King of Trees will come and lay the ax to the root of  such fruitless trees.  In the meantime we would do well to heed the words of the psalmist.

(Psalm 1:1-6 NRS) Happy are those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or take the path that sinners tread, or sit in the seat of scoffers; ²  but their delight is in the instruction  of YHWH, and on his instruction they meditate day and night. ³  They are like trees planted by streams of water, which yield their fruit in its season, and their leaves do not wither. In all that they do, they prosper. ⁴  The wicked are not so, but are like chaff that the wind drives away. ⁵  Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous; ⁶  for YHWH watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish. 

The boys living in the small village on the furthest edge of kingdom were quite bewildered when a uniformed messenger riding an ornately decorated horse handed them each a large envelope with their name written on it in calligraphy and sealed with wax bearing the imprint of the king’s signet ring.  Each boy stood motionless as the messenger rode off in a cloud of dust and vanished into the distance.  The whole town buzzed with curiosity as to the content of the letters.  The village was so small and distant from the palace that most residents gave little thought to the king or his affairs.  Most citizens of the village, likewise, believed that the king gave little thought to them or their affairs.  But all this changed with the presence of the royal rider and the mysterious envelopes.   Speculation was buzzing among all of the villagers.  Some feared that the two youth had committed some grave offense against the king and were being summoned to appear before the royal court for punishment or even execution.  Others feared that the boys had been enlisted into the king’s army. Yet others pondered the possibility that the boys were being sought as laborers in the king’s palace.  Soon the whole town was gathered around the two boys who stood staring anxiously at the two ornate envelopes clasped between their fingers.  Finally, after some excited encouragement, the boys broke the seals and opened the envelopes.  Inside each envelope was an equally ornate letter.  Slowly the boys removed their letters and read. The crowd waited and watched the boys puzzled look.  Finally, someone shouted from the crowd, “Read it aloud!  Read it aloud! What does it say?” Shocked into consciousness by the sound of other voices, William began to read his letter aloud;

“To Master William Redwine, from his Royal Highness King Hendricks.

As all in the kingdom well know, I have but one child, a beautiful daughter, named Princess Anna Marie, who is sole heir to my fortune and my kingdom.  At present, there has been no suitable suitor found for her.  I hereby invite you to a challenge for the right to marry my daughter and become king.  

Included in this letter is a map to the whereabouts of my daughter.  Follow the map to the location of the princess. The first one to complete this challenge shall win my daughter and my kingdom.

Signed,

King Hendricks the Wise

“Mine says exactly the same thing,” chimed in Cedrick!

The two boys exchanged letters as everyone gasped when they heard the content of the letters.  The people began to cheer proudly and encourage the two boys from their village, calling them King Cedrick and King William!  The two boys, who had been friends from their early childhood looked at each other and laughed. 

Soon the two boys began preparing for their quest.  Cedrick looked carefully and at the map which began at the entrance of their village and wound surreptitiously through mountains and valleys, rivers and streams, forest and fields and ended at the king’s mountain retreat perched on the edge of a cliff overlooking the palace.  Cedrick knew that this quest would take some time and prepared for a long and potentially dangerous journey.

William also looked at the very detailed map provided by the king and pondered its path.   Clearly the way marked out on the map was very long and largely followed the winding road that travelled through numerous villages, towns and hamlets along the way to the mountain retreat.  Taking such a path would take many days and risked many delays and distractions.  William thought again about the invitation which stated, “The first one to complete this challenge shall win my daughter and my kingdom.”  William pondered aloud; “If Cedrick follows the path it will take him several days of riding to get to the mountain.  If, I travel alone, and make my own path, I can arrive there days before he does.  How shocked he’ll be when he finally arrives to find that I have been made king!”  With this thought dominating his mind, William began plotting his own quick course from his village to the king’s mountain retreat.

In the morning, Cedrick arrived at William’s home and knocked upon the door to see if he was ready for the journey.  It was William’s little sister who opened the door and informed Cedrick that William had already left at night, taking advantage of the light of the full moon, to make his way to the princess.  Cedrick was somewhat surprised, that his long-time best friend was now his clever competitor.  Without wasting any further time Cedrick snapped the reigns and headed his horse down the road in hopes of catching his old friend. 

Cedrick rode long and steady throughout the whole first day without stopping except to water and feed his horse.  It was a quiet and lonely day without William to share in his adventure.  Cedrick had hoped to see some sign of William but was content to ride on alone.  William on the other hand was riding quick and hard hoping to stay far ahead of his competitor.  William had followed the road out of their village for a few miles, then turned into the woods and began following the stream that lead to the big river.  This short cut would save William several miles of travel.  At sunset, the woods became too dark to travel safely forcing William to rest his horse and wait until sunrise.  

The next morning, it was Cedrick who was first to rise with the early morning sun and begin his journey.  Looking carefully at the map Cedrick began heading for the next stop along the way.  William was angry when he realized that he had slept in.  The cover of the trees prevented the first light of the sun from arousing him.  Fearing Cedrick’s approach, William hastily packed his supplies, spurred his horse and raced full gallop for the bridge which laid another day’s journey downstream.

After travelling alone for most of the morning, a stranger approached Cedrick on a small pony.  Cedrick slowed the pace of his own horse to welcome the stranger on the little beast.  The old man wore an old tattered cape which hung nearly to the ground.  Cedrick was glad to hear the voice of another person. The stranger asked Cedrick where he was headed.  Cedrick informed the old stranger that he had been invited by the king to meet the princess.  The old man laughed a toothless laugh and cried “Oh to be young again!”  Cedrick smiled at the sight and sound of this welcomed stranger.   The old man asked the young suitor, “Do you have a gift for the princess?”  Suddenly, Cedrick’s heart sunk within him.  In all of his thoughts of preparing for the journey, he had given no thought to the conclusion of the journey.  Cedrick had not thought about the princes at all only himself.  Now, he realized the error of his way, for he had no gift for the princess.  “No,” Cedrick answered shamefully.  “No bother,” said the old man.  With a quick gesture the old cloaked stranger pulled his hand out from under his cape and handed Cedrick a small package wrapped in an old tattered cloth.  “Give her this,” cried the old man, “It isn’t big but it is precious to those who know what it is.”  With this exchange the old man waved and parted company with Cedrick heading down a remote path to the valley below.  Cedrick put the package unopened into his pack and continued his journey on the designated path. “How could I have been so selfish as not to consider the princess,” Cedrick murmured to himself.

William continued to push forward on his journey alone.  He continued to follow the river heading for the bridge that crossed over into the royal lands.  William was quite happy to be travelling alone, undistracted, and uninterrupted by others.  He had chosen his own course and followed his own plan perfectly.  He knew that he was at least an entire day ahead of his old childhood friend and now competitor.  But this lead gave William no comfort.  He knew that the journey was still a long one, in spite of his many shortcuts.

As nightfall came on Cedrick saw the lights of a small town before him.  He looked forward to finding a place to rest and tend to his horse.  As he approached the town he heard the sounds of a woman’s cry.  Cedrick galloped his horse closer to the sound. There before him was a woman on her knees crying and praying.  It seems that her husband was trapped beneath a wagon that had tipped over when its wheel slid into a ditch.  Cedrick quickly released the horses and reattached their reigns to the side of the wagon.  After cutting the load free, Cedrick called to the horses to pull.  Within seconds the wagon was upright and the man set free.  “Thank you, thank you, thank you,” cried the woman.  “How can we ever repay you?” asked the liberated man.  “There is no need to repay,” said Cedrick, “I was glad to be of service to you.”  “We are a poor,” said the man, “but our word is good. Remember our word and it will serve you well.  Virtue is its own reward!”    As night fell, Cedrick found a barn for he and his horse to lodge in.  Cedrick thought long and hard about the words of the rescued man….”Our word is good.  Remember our word and it will serve you well. Virtue is its own reward.”  The words seemed to bring a certain warmth to Cedrick’s heart as he slept that night.

William again rode hard until nightfall and slept fitfully by the side of the river.  His horse stood cold and wet from the long journey and hard ride.   William thought about starting a small fire to help keep them warm, but feared that the light would give away his location and draw unwanted attention.  The ground was cold and hard but exhaustion overcame discomfort and William was quickly asleep.  In the morning William saddled his horse, packed his gear and continued his journey uninterrupted.  Certain of his victory, William began imagining what it would be like to be king ruling over a kingdom.  The thought of beating his rival also brought joy to his heart sparked William on.

Cedrick likewise rose early and began his journey.  Again checking the map, Cedrick followed the road which headed toward the bridge into the royal lands.  As he rode gently down the path Cedrick noticed that his horse had begun to limp.  He quickly dismounted and walked beside his stead to watch his legs and hooves carefully.  It was the left rear foot that the horse was favoring.  Fearing that a shoe was loose, Cedrick walked the horse back to town to the blacksmith to be re-shoed. The blacksmith carefully inspected the horse and stopped when he came to his left rear leg.  After checking the shoes the smith declared that they was perfectly fine.  Then he pulled out a peculiar looking hooked knife and began digging in the bottom of the horses left rear hoof.  Slowly the blacksmith removed what appeared to be a small bent key that had lodged itself under the shoe.  The blacksmith put the key on his anvil and gave it a mighty whack with his sledge instantly straightening the key.  He tossed the key to Cedrick who looked at it curiously and thoughtlessly put it in his pocket.  After thanking the smithy Cedrick was back on his journey.

A couple of miles from the bridge to the royal lands, Cedrick observed a small leather purse sitting on a tree stump on the side of the road.  Thinking that someone had lost their money, Cedrick stopped and walked over to the stump.  The purse was marked with the same royal seal that was on the letter he had received from the royal rider.  Cedrick carefully picked up the bag and held it in his hand.  Though small in size the bag was remarkably heavy.  “It must be quite a treasure,” Cedrick thought to himself, perhaps it was lost by the king.  I’m going into the royal lands and will return it to the him when I see him.”  Curious as to what treasure was inside the pouch Cedrick loosened the strings and looked inside. To his amazement it was nothing more than ordinary pebbles.  Still, the pouch obviously belonged to the king and therefore Cedrick put it in his pack and continued down the road.

William came to the bridge early in the morning while the sun was still rising.  The guards at the bridge were not yet awake.  This did not stop William who attempted to cross without wakening them.  But as soon as his horse touched the bridge a small bell rang and the soldiers quickly prevented him from passing.  “Who are you?” shouted the first soldier.  “William is my name,” declared the rider.  “What is your business in the royal lands?” inquired the soldier. “I was invited by the king to meet and marry his daughter,” William declared proudly.  The soldiers looked at one another and began to mock and laugh. “Well then,” declared the guard condescendingly, “If the king invited you to marry his daughter, surely he gave you the password to cross his bridge!”  “Password!” shouted William, “No one said anything about a password!”  William began randomly shouting out words in hopes of stumbling upon the right one. “No, no, no, and no!” declared the captain of the guard.  “Give it up” shouted the others. The soldiers continued to laugh and sport with the angry and frustrated young suitor.   William begged the men to let him pass over to the other side but to no avail.  In anger, William violently spurred his horse and stormed off down the banks of the river to find another crossing.

Several hours later, near nightfall, Cedrick likewise approached the bridge.  The guards stopped him and asked his name.  “Cedrick Chapman is my name and I come by the king’s invitation.”  The guard looked at Cedrick and said, “And I suppose you are going to marry his daughter?”  Cedrick looked quizzically at the soldier and said, “I have been invited by the king to come to meet him.”  “Then it would serve you well to know the password to cross into the kings land,” declared the soldier.  “Password,” Cedrick thought to himself, “No one said anything about knowing a password.”  The soldiers slowly gathered around Cedrick and began to mock him as they had done to William.  But then the words of the rescued man came rushing back to mind. ”Our word is good.  Remember our word and it will serve you well. Virtue is its own reward.” Cedrick sat up in his saddle and boldly declared “Virtue is its own reward.” The soldiers fell suddenly silent and quickly opened the gate that the young man could cross the river into the royal land.

William was racing as hard as he could to the next bridge hoping not to lose time to his rival.  At the bridge William crossed in a fury.  The royal land was still miles up the road from where he crossed.  He delighted in thinking that Cedrick would likewise face the same humiliation of not knowing the password.  He soothed his wrath by imagining the blank and stupid look on Cedrick’s face when the guards stopped and mocked him.

Cedrick stopped for the night and made camp at the bottom of the mountain.  He carefully unpacked his horse and built a small fire to keep them both warm.  William kept pushing harder and harder, faster and faster to make up for lost time. Suddenly William’s spent horse staggered and fell.  Lame and exhausted the black stead, covered in sweat, simply collapsed by the side of the road.  It was well into night when William spied the small fire burning beside the road.  Abandoning his horse William silently began to creep closer to the fire. It was then that William spied the horse grazing freely among the trees.  As he quietly crept closer, he was shocked to see that it was his old-friend Cedrick peacefully sleeping beside the fire.  William could not believe that Cedrick had arrived before him.  “How did he know the password?” he thought to himself.  Then without making a sound, William slowly led Cedrick’s horse down the road and mounted him.  It was not until morning that Cedrick discovered that his stead had wandered off.  While looking for his faithful companion Cedrick stumbled upon the exhausted and neglected horse of his old friend.  Cedrick tended to the horse and got it back on its feet.  He led the horse to the river and then released it into the meadow to graze and regain its strength. 

Cedrick could not believe that his long-time best friend would do such a thing to his horse, or that he would steal his horse.  Knowing that William was far ahead of him did not deter Cedrick.  Cedrick calmly packed up what he could carry and began on foot up the mountain path to the king’s retreat.  Part way up the path Cedrick came across his horse tied to tree and knew that William was close by.  Cedrick walked quietly up the path only to see William standing on the edge of a great chasm.  Before him on the other side was the king’s retreat with a draw bridge raised high in the air.  A balance scale was built onto stone shelf jutting out of side of the mountain.  In one pan of the scale was a leather pouch with the king’s seal on it.  William was working frantically to find the right amount of stones to balance the scale.  Too much or too little weight and the bridge would not descend.  Again and again William tried without success to balance the scale.  Cedrick reached in his bag and found the leather purse he had found sitting on the tree stump beside the road.  Without saying a word to his old friend, Cedrick walked right passed a very shocked William and sat the bag on the scale.  The needle bobbed back and forth finally coming to rest exactly at 0. The giant bridge began to creek and crack and then slowly dropped across the chasm and settled into place.  William angrily pushed Cedrick out of the way and ran across the bridge to the king’s retreat.  Cedrick walked slowly behind him.  As they reached the door of the retreat an elderly woman in royal robes came to greet them.  She opened the door and led them down a long hall way to the princess’ chamber.  Before she opened the door she asked both young men “Have you brought a gift for the princess.”  Cedrick calmly answered yes.  William silently nodded.  As Cedrick reached for the package given to him by the old stranger, the woman opened the door to the chamber.  As the young men were about to enter the room William snatched the package from the stunned Cedrick’s hand and raced ahead into the princess’ presence.  William quickly bowed down and extended his hands toward the princess and confidently declared, “I have brought you this gift your highness.”  Cedrick also entered the room and silently knelt before the princess.  An attendant fetched the gift from William’s hands and brought it to the princess.  The princes smiled and asked William “What is in this package? What is your gift and why did you choose it?”  William’s pride quickly turned to panic. “It is something special for you Princess Anna because you are special,” William blurted out nervously hoping to have covered his ignorance. “But what is it specifically?” she asked again patiently. “What shall I find beneath this old tattered cloth?”   William hung his head in silence and shame.  The princess turned her gaze to Cedrick, who had up until now remained silent.  “Do you know the contents of this bundle?” asked the princess.  “No,” said Cedrick. “An old man gave it to me, because in my excitement to undertake this quest, I had thought only about my own needs and provisions, and had given very little thought to you.  The old man gave me this and told me to give it to you.  He said it was not big but precious to those who know what it is.”  The princess smiled at Cedrick’s honesty and began to open the package.  Slowly she unwrapped the bundle to discover a small, rather plain looking wooden box with a small lock on it.  The princess stared at the unimpressive gift and scowled.  William felt some hope rising in his veins.  The princess again looked at the two men and said, “I fear I do not know what it is, and therefore do not value it very highly.”  Feeling somewhat disappointed and embarrassed Cedrick hung his head and put his hands in his pockets—it was then that he felt the small key retrieved from his horse’s hoof.  Withdrawing the key from his pocket, Cedrick approached the princes and said, “Maybe this will unlock the mystery.”  The princess again smiled and placed the key inside the lock.  Everyone watched intently as the princess opened the lid to reveal a most beautiful and rather large black pearl.  “This is the pearl lost from my mother’s crown when I was just a child.  While riding in a carriage I was sitting on my mother’s lap, playing with her crown, when I suddenly tossed it from the open window of the carriage.  Our coachman retrieved the crown but without the black pearl that once graced it. Now, when the crown is given to me, I will be able to restore the damage I had done as a child.  Thank you sir, you have indeed given me a most precious gift.  Cedrick knelt before the princess and bowed his head. 

With this exchange of gift and gratitude, a strong dark voice from the back of the chamber called for the young men to stand up.  The King walked out of the shadows and stood most formidably before them.  “Now,” said the king, “It is time for me to fulfill my promise.  I declared that the one who fulfilled the challenge first would receive my daughter and my kingdom.  Which of you came through the door first?”  William, quickly spoke up, “I did your Highness, I came through the door first.”  “So you did,” declared the king, “But you did not complete the challenge.  The challenge was to follow the map!  You undertook to circumvent my explicit instructions and to find your own quicker way here.  Since you failed to keep my instructions, you were not prepared to meet my daughter.  You did not receive the gift of the stranger, you did not gain knowledge of the password, you did not find the weighted purse, you did not receive the key to unlock the heart of my daughter or the doors to my kingdom.  Therefore you will not receive anything. You may return with what you came with–a selfish and rebellious heart.   But, as for you Cedrick Chapman, by following my instructions  you have discovered much along the way and were well prepared to receive my daughter as wife and to rule over my kingdom in gentleness, compassion, integrity, and virtue.  I welcome you into my heart as son and heir to my kingdom…Virtue is indeed its own reward.

We are told repeatedly in the scriptures that the righteous walk, and indeed live, by faith.

(Habakkuk 2:4 KJV) Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. 

(Romans 1:17 KJV) For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 

(Hebrews 10:38 KJV) Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. 

After Adam and Chavah rebelled against the explicit prohibition of the Creator we are told that they become like gods deciding things for themselves.

(Genesis 3:5 KJV) For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. 

With their eyes opened Adam and Chavah began making decisions for themselves as to what was good and what was evil in their lives.  Our ancestors became self-ruled. From the point of the fall onward, man became predominantly a sensually oriented being.  In other words, man lived more by his sense of taste, touch, smell, hearing, and sight, rather than by the word of living God.  Man’s flesh or sensual nature often put the descendants of Adam at enmity with the Creator. 

(Romans 8:7-8 KJV) Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸  So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. 

The Creator’s ways and man’s ways are not the same.

(Isaiah 55:8 KJV) For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith YHWH. 

It is for this reason that the scriptures encourage us not rely upon our own understanding but to fear YHWH and seek his ways

(Proverbs 3:5-7 KJV) Trust in YHWH with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. ⁶  In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. ⁷  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear YHWH, and depart from evil.

(Proverbs 10:29 KJV) The way of YHWH is strength to the upright: but destruction shall be to the workers of iniquity.    

We must come to understand that the Creator is omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, and eternal.  We, on the other hand, are finite in time, space, and understanding.  Because of our finiteness we cannot possibly know what the Creator knows.  It is for this reason that we are encouraged to trust the way of YHWH over above our own knowledge and reason.  In our finiteness we often think we have understanding when we don’t.

(Proverbs 14:12 KJV) There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 

(Proverbs 16:25 KJV) There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death. 

We often think we know more that the Eternal One, but this only leads us into trouble.  We are also often deceived by our own eyes and sense.  The Eternal One knows what we will face in the days ahead.  The Eternal One knows what we need to be prepared to face the challenges that lay ahead of us.  The Eternal One knows what we need to succeed. 

(Matthew 6:8 KJV) Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. 

It is also for this reason that we are instructed to give thanks in all circumstances.

(1 Thessalonians 5:18 KJV) In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Messiah Yeshua concerning you. 

Because the Father knows what we need he lovingly leads us in paths that will equip and prepares us to succeed in fulfilling our calling. 

For those who are goal oriented the walk of faith is sometimes a difficult one.  We are all tempted at times to take shortcuts to the goal that has been set before us. To circumvent the way of YHWH is to lean to one’s own understanding. The Eternal One not only designates the goal but he also designates the way we are to accomplish the goal.  The walk or way is every bit as important as the goal itself.  We cannot lie, steal, cheat, sneak and deceive our way into the heart of the Eternal One or his reign. We cannot achieve godly results by ungodly means. We cannot hope to achieve a godly end by walking an ungodly path. The end does not justify the means. To enter the reign of YHWH means that we submit ourselves whole-heartedly to his instructions on how to walk and where to walk on the way to accomplishing his goal.  To deceitfully call in sick to an employer in order to keep the Feasts of YHWH is not pleasing to YHWH.  A deceitful feast is an abomination to YHWH! 

(Proverbs 12:22 KJV) Lying lips are abomination to YHWH: but they that deal truly are his delight. 

(Proverbs 15:8 KJV) The sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to YHWH: but the prayer of the upright is his delight.    

To walk by faith means that we must learn to trust the character of the Eternal One who has called us.  In spite of what our senses and reason are telling us, we must submit not only to the word of God but to his character and nature as well.  We must trust that in his infinite wisdom and abounding love, the Creator will not lead us astray nor harm us, but will guide us in right pathways.  When we are facing challenges, trials, and tests along life’s journey we must not become discouraged, but recognize that the omniscient and eternal God is leading us in right pathways, in order to equip and prepare us to succeed in the days to come.  We must learn to pray with David,

(Psalm 23:1-6 KJV) YHWH is my shepherd; I shall not want. ²  He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters. ³  He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. ⁴  Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. ⁵  Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. ⁶  Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of YHWH forever. 

                          From the Mountain Ministry

Seeking the Source of Life and the Word

524 Westwind DriveMuskegon,MI49445

231-744-6369

TRADITION, TRADITION!

By Glenn McWilliams

One of the most precious memories of my childhood is that of the occasional family slide show.  Every now and then, on a quiet winter night, when the sky grew dark, my father would dig to the back of the cramped coat closet like a pirate digging for buried treasure.  After several minutes of muffled complaint, out he’d come from the closet with the old slide projector, retractable screen, a little TV dinner tray and some boxes of old slides.  Instantly our living room would be transformed into a miniature theater.  Emerging from the kitchen were the sounds and smells of exploding popcorn kernels ricocheting off of the aluminum sides of the electric popcorn popper.  Soon the lights would be turned off, the Hi-Fi turned down, and with the flip of a switch we would all be staring in anticipation at the incredibly bright light reflecting off of the big blank screen.  For hours we would all marvel at my father’s slides from Japan, where he spent the first two years of his married life in the Army before my brother and I were born.  We would view family pictures of times, events, pets and loved ones long lost to memory.  We would relive family vacations, graduations, birthdays, holiday gatherings, and an occasional spectacular sunset, snowfall, or some other creative act of God captured on film.  In between episodes, my brother and I would jump to place our contorted hands before the intense beam of light being cast upon the empty screen. Each twist and turn of our fingers casting shadow pictures of dogs, rabbits, camels, birds, butterflies, monsters, funny faces, and anything else our over active imaginations could conceive.  After numerous oohs, aahs, laughs and tears, the seemingly endless supply of slides would be exhausted, the popcorn would run out, and the show would come to an end.  We would wince as the lights were suddenly turned on.  Now with the popcorn corn gone, the lights on, and our hearts gently warmed, Dad would fold up the screen while the projector fan hummed quietly in the background, and we would all look intently at one another and remember that we were family.  These fading photographs were the semi-permanent witnesses that we were indeed connected to one another by more than just blood.  We were a family with a history, a heritage and traditions that were uniquely our own.  Within the frames of these slides were recorded many shared moments and memories, hard times, good times, great times.  These occasional slide shows in our little living room theater served as the reminder that we belong to one another.  Eventually, like the slides themselves these feelings would begin to fade, exhausted by the stress and strain of daily schedules and time in general.  Responsibilities, duties and desires would eventually pull us all in opposite directions, and away from one another.  And so when it seemed that we were all becoming strangers to each other, passing one another without concern or connection, my Dad would again venture into the closet and search for the hidden treasures buried behind the moth balls and winter coats in the little metal boxes.  And the shadow pictures would begin all over again.

Most of our families have such traditions.  We all need special times to connect or reconnect us with our history, our heritage, our friends, our people, and especially our family.  This is the reason we have traditions.  For most people this is what the “HOLIDAYS” are all about.  Holidays are about history, heritage, and traditions that bind us together. In the musical Fiddler on the Roof, Teviah answers the question, “What keeps the fiddler from falling off the roof?” with one word, TRADITION!  This is a profound insight.  It is indeed tradition that binds us together and protects our sense of community.  It is our traditions that stabilize us when all else is shaking.  It is our traditions that give us identity. When we lose these traditions we often find ourselves feeling cut off, isolated, confused, feeling vulnerable and as though we are living on shaky ground.

For most believers in Jesus, these foundational traditions have generally focused upon the three big holidays of Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter.  For many families these are the only times within the year where the whole extended family has the time and or the desire to gather together as family.  Year after year the “Christian” influence upon our culture has accommodated and encouraged the building of family traditions that identify us and bind us together as a specific family but also as a part of the larger family called the Church.  It should not surprise us then that it is precisely these same time honored family traditions that often become the greatest stumbling blocks for those believers in Yeshua that have been stirred by the Spirit to leave traditional Christianity and begin living a Torah observant life. 

Many Torah observant believers in Yeshua the Messiah find themselves either suddenly or eventually in conflict with many of their family’s traditions and customs.  Newly discovered truths concerning the pagan origins of many of Christianity’s feasts and traditions tear at the very heart of the family’s beloved traditions and therefore at the very heart of the family itself.  It is precisely moments like these that evoke remembrances of Yeshua’s words to those who would be his followers;

“He that loveth father of mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me”(Mt.10:37).

“If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.”(Luke 14:26)

“Suppose ye that I am come to give peace on earth?  I tell you, Nay; but rather division: For from henceforth there shall be five in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.  The Father shall be divided against the son and the son against the father; the mother against the daughter and the daughter against the mother…” (Luke 12:51-53).

 Anyone who has ever tried to explain to their family that they were no longer going to celebrate Christmas or Easter, or attend Church on Sunday mornings knows first hand what Yeshua was talking about.  These are some of the most difficult and volatile situations that a family will ever endure.  To break from these time honored family traditions that every year identify and bind the family together is tantamount to breaking away from the family itself.  But this need not be the case.  I believe that with a little effort much of the hurt, heart ache, loneliness and offense can be avoided in these matters.  In fact I believe that it is possible with a little love, knowledge and understanding not only to preserve the family but strengthen it as well.  Therefore let us turn our attention to the matter at hand.

There are two critical issues at the heart of this volatile situation that require careful understanding.  The fist issue is the enormous amount of emotions and sentimentality that overlay most of our family traditions.  As has already been stated, these family traditions are often seen as the glue that binds the family together.  To threaten these traditions is seen as threatening the family itself.  The second issue is concerned with the forbidden pagan origins that unknowingly underlay many of these same beloved family traditions.  For the Torah observant believer this is where the conflict begins.

Most believers will acknowledge and agree that Christmas and Easter are indeed rooted in a pagan past and are filled with numerous pagan symbols and forms of worship.  December 25, for example, is not, and never was, the birthday of Yeshua.  But instead this well celebrated day is the birthday of a pagan fertility god named Tamuz.  The Christmas Tree, and the Yule Log are also pagan symbols from the Babylonians, Druids and Norse traditions that proclaim the winter solstice.  Santa Claus, himself is simply a remake of the Canaanite god Marduk, the god of prosperity, to which people sacrificed their infants in hopes of receiving gifts.  The 40 days of Lent are a time set apart for the grieving of Tamuz.  This 40 day period was celebrated by denying oneself some sweet pleasure in this life, so that it may accompany Tamuz into the afterlife.  Easter is named after the fertility goddess Eos, Ishtar or Astarte, whose worship is mentioned in the Bible as an abomination to YHWH.  The tradition of dying and giving Easter eggs is part of the worship of the fertility goddess Ishtar who fell from the sky in an egg.  All of these “traditions” are condemned in the Torah.  YHWH forbids even the mention of the names of other gods and expressly prohibits his people from incorporating any pagan worship practices into our worship of Him (Exodus 23:13; Deuteronomy 12:30-32).  Clearly these pagan practices have no place in the body of Messiah.  Yet for centuries our families have been celebrating such pagan practices without even realizing it.  We inherited customs and traditions from the generations before us, many of which date back to the pagan practices of our ancestors who lived long ago in the distant past of the “Old Country” from which our families came. Thus we ourselves may be one of those who the prophet Jeremiah said would come from among the nations saying,

“Our fathers have inherited only falsehoods and futility and there is no value in them.” (Jeremiah16:19).  

Over the years many of these practices have lost their original religious significance, or have been erroneously given some christianized meaning, a practice which is clearly condemned and forbidden in the scriptures

Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou enquire not after their gods, saying, How did these nations serve their gods? even so will I do likewise. Thou shalt not do so unto YHWH thy God: for every abomination to YHWH, which he hateth, have they done unto their gods; for even their sons and their daughters they have burnt in the fire to their gods.   What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.  (Deuteronomy12:30-32). 

We must realize however, that what makes these celebrations and traditions significant to most people is not their religious significance, either old or new, but the reality that they have become filled with emotional and sentimental significance. These traditions hold meaningful memories and family histories.   Most people can no longer explain why their families do what they do around these holidays—it’s simply “tradition”.  For most people these  holiday gatherings and practices are simply sentimental traditions that identify us as part of the same family. 

As the truth concerning the origins of these practices becomes known, it is difficult to suddenly forsake generations of tradition and warm memories in order to start something new.  These long held family traditions are in some ways the glue that binds family members together.  Traditions help give a sense of belonging and identity.  Without these special moments and traditions there appears to be a vacuum, and a sense of disconnectedness from the past, from our roots, from our family, and those we hold near and dear to us.  When we separate from these traditions we also send a message of judgment upon those who continue to observe or have observed these traditions in the past. But, as we shall see, this does not need to be the case.  Becoming Torah Observant does not mean we must give up either family or tradition.  It is the goal of this teaching to help believers who are trying to understand and embrace the Torah observant life, to make the transition gracefully and meaningfully without destroying their relationship with their Christian friends and family.

Without question one of the strongest prohibitions in all of the scriptures is against the practice of Idolatry.  In Genesis 12 we witness YHWH calling Abram to leave his idolatrous father, kinfolk and country and go to a new land and become a people exclusively devoted to YHWH.  In the story of the Exodus we witness YHWH systematically judging and revealing the impotency of the false gods and idols of Egypt.  By turning the Nile river into blood God defeats Hapi the god of the river (Ex. 7:14).  By the plague of frogs Heqt the frog goddess is exposed as useless against YHWH (Ex. 8:1ff).  The plague of lice, and swarming things buried Seb the earth god (Ex. 8:16ff).  Next YHWH smites the livestock of Egypt and bullies Hathor the cow-faced goddess to defeat (Ex. 9:1ff).  God then sends a plague upon the Egyptians exposing Imhotep the god of medicine as impotent (Ex. 9:8ff).  YHWH brings down Nut (Isis) the sky goddess by a destructive hailstorm (Ex. 9:13ff).  Seth the protector of fields is plowed under by a plague of locust (Ex. 9:23ff).  The evil star Ra’ah is cast down to defeat by the power of YHWH (Ex. 10:10f).  God snuffs out the light of Horus the sun god with a plague of darkness (Ex. 10:21f).  Next YHWH exacts justice from Amunre the god of first born by destroying the firstborn of Egypt (Ex. 11:1ff).  Baal-Zephon god of war and protector of Egypt is defeated in the wilderness (Ex. 14:1ff). Finally Pharaoh himself a god in Egypt was swallowed up in the Red Sea in Ex. 14:25ff.  It is the clear defeat of all the false gods that caused the children of Israel to proclaim, “Who is like unto thee, O YHWH, among the gods? Who is like thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?”(Exodus 15:11).  It was this great display of power over the false gods of Egypt that inspired the children of Israel to accept YHWH’s unique invitation to become his “Peculiar treasure”, “a kingdom of priests”, and “a holy nation.”(Exodus 19:5-6).  The prohibition against idolatry becomes explicit in the Sinai covenant.

 “I am YHWH thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.  Thou shalt have no other gods before me.  Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth.  Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I YHWH thy God am a jealous God…”(Ex. 20:2-5). 

This prohibition is again emphasized when YHWH says,

“Ye shall not make with me gods of silver, neither shall ye make unto you gods of gold.”(Ex 20:23). 

The prohibition is further strengthened with the command

“Make no mention of the name of other gods, neither let it be heard out of thy mouth.”(Ex. 23:13). 

YHWH again explicitly states,

“Thou shalt not bow down to their gods, nor serve them, nor do after their works; but thou shalt utterly overthrow them, and quite break down their images.”(Ex 23:24). 

Finally YHWH commands the children of Israel concerning the paganism of the world around them,

“Take heed to thyself that thou be not snared by following them, after that they be destroyed from before thee; and that thou inquire not after their gods, saying How did these nations serve their gods?  Even so will I do likewise.  Thou shalt not do so unto YHWH thy God;…”(Dt. 12:30-31). 

In these few scripture verses YHWH our God makes clear his prohibitions concerning other gods.  The children of Israel are forbidden to: 1) Worship other gods or goddesses.  2) Worship, make, sell or otherwise benefit from the images of other gods.  3) Speak the names of other gods, 4) Practice pagan forms of worship even if they are unique to a particular god, 5) Incorporate any pagan worship practices into the worship of YHWH.  6) Allow them to exist, and finally 7) Make covenant with idol worshippers. 

Because of these prohibitions, those who desire to keep the Torah must then purge the pagan practices from their lives no matter how dear and familiar they have become.  When Paul describes the two trees in Romans chapter 11, it is the Gentile believers that are referred to as branches from a wild olive tree.  These wild branches desiring to become a part of Israel (the cultivated tree) with all of its covenants and promises must be cut off from their natural wild tree and grafted into the cultivated one.  This requires that the wild branch be cut off from its pagan past and made one with Israel.

For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office:   If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them. For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead?For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches.And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree; Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.And they also, if they abide not still in unbelief, shall be graffed in: for God is able to graff them in again. For if thou wert cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and wert graffed contrary to nature into a good olive tree: how much more shall these, which be the natural branches, be graffed into their own olive tree?For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in.  (Romans 11:13-25). 

Once grafted in the Gentile believers become citizens of the commonwealth of Israel and inheritors of the promises of God.

Wherefore remember, that ye being in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands; That at that time ye were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: But now in Messiah Yeshua  ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us;Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace;And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God;And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Yeshua Messiah himself being the chief corner stone;  (Eph. 2:11-20). 

This citizenship in Israel requires us to put away our past pagan practices, for there is no place for other gods nor their worship among the children of Israel.

Then Jacob said unto his household, and to all that were with him, Put away the strange gods that are among you, and be clean, and change your garments:  (Genesis 35:2 KJV)

Most, Christians recognize that when they come to faith in the Messiah and are baptized they are to put away the past sins of their life.  As Paul wrote to Timothy,

 “Let everyone that nameth the name of the Messiah depart from iniquity” (2 Tim. 2:19).

 We should take note here that the word “iniquity” is a translation of the Greek word “anomos” which means “Torahlessness”.  Thus Paul is saying that all who name Yeshua as their sovereign master should depart from the Torahless life of their pagan past.  Like adultery, lying, stealing, and murder, idolatry is one of those sins that must be put away.  We must remember that the Torah prohibits us from applying the same old pagan practices to our God.  As fellow citizens with the saints in the commonwealth of Israel, we enter the covenant and become a part of the body of Messiah.  We also become part of the kingdom of priests that YHWH called Israel to be.  As such, we are by our obedience to the TORAH the embodiment of God in the world.  This is the purpose of the Torah.  Torah is the revelation of God.  Torah is the image of God.  To lead the Torah observant life is to manifest the revelation of God in the world.  This is what Yeshua meant when he said he did not come to destroy the Torah and the prophets, but to fulfill it

Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.  (Matthew 5:17).

 To fulfill the Torah means that he gave it substance and meaning.  Yeshua did this by living out the Torah in his flesh.  Since we are the priests and body of YHWH what we do in our lives reflects directly upon him.  Paul teaches this in his letters to the Corinthian believers.  Paul writes,

“Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Messiah?  Shall I then take the members of Messiah, and make them the members of an harlot?  God forbid…Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit which is in you, which ye have of God and ye are not your own?”(1 Cor. 6:15-19).

 And again Paul writes

“Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Messiah with belial? Or what part hath the temple of God with idols?  For ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.  Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate saith YHWH, and touch not the unclean thing and I will receive you.  And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith YHWH Almighty.”(2 Cor. 6:14-18).

 As the body of Messiah and the manifested revelation of the image of God, it is of vital importance that we never bow ourselves to any other god, or associate pagan worship practices to the name and revelation of YHWH.  Therefore, to serve YHWH our God we must be completely cut off from the pagan practices of the past.  As priests of YHWH we are called upon to protect the revelation of God from defilement and desecration.  We must serve YHWH alone as God. 

While this exclusive devotion to YHWH and his Messiah Yeshua, may mean we are cut off from our old family traditions it does not mean that we must be completely disconnected from our family and living in a vacuum.  In fact Paul tells us that the opposite is true.  Returning to Paul’s letter to the Romans, we should note that the wild branch is not simply cut off and left to wither but is grafted into another very vital tree, where the wild branch may now partake of the root and fatness of the divinely planted tree,

And if some of the branches be broken off, and thou, being a wild olive tree, wert graffed in among them, and with them partakest of the root and fatness of the olive tree;  (Rom. 11:17). 

This means that we are not forsaking community but that we are embracing a whole new identity, community and past.  While cut off from our old pagan traditions for the sake of Messiah, we are grafted in to a new family, a new heritage, and new traditions.  As branches grafted in we are new citizens of the commonwealth of Israel with a rich heritage and magnificent inheritance beyond what any other nation or family could possibly offer us.  We must be clear that by coming into Israel through faith in Yeshua the Messiah, we not only become recipients of this unique heritage but we also become inheritors of a very incredible future!

Unfortunately for most believers these traditions belonging to the Children of Israel, the planted and cultivated olive tree, are completely foreign.  The Christian Church has largely replaced the Feasts of the YHWH, and the traditions of his chosen people with Christianized pagan customs instead.  This is the very thing Yeshua criticized the Pharisees for;

“Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.  For laying aside the commandment of God, ye hold the tradition of men,…”(Mark 7:7-8). 

It is this reality that prompted Jeremiah to prophesy of a day when

“The Gentiles shall come unto thee (Israel) from the ends of the earth, and shall say, ‘Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is not profit.”(Jer. 16:19).

 Likewise Zechariah prophesied

“Thus saith YHWH of Hosts, In those days it shall come to pass that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, ‘We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.’” (Zech. 8:23). 

The scriptures are filled with such prophecies, of the Gentiles being grafted in to the people of Israel, with their rich heritage and even richer promises for the future.  Unfortunately, again these teachings have been ignored or even lost from the preaching of the Christian Church. 

As the Ruach HaQodesh, the Holy Spirit, continues to move upon believers hearts and reveal the truth to them, many will do as Shaul/Paul has said,

“Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith YHWH, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith YHWH Almighty.” (2 Cor. 6:17-18).

 As we come out, therefore, from our old Christianized Pagan family practices, customs and traditions, we need not fear that there will be a sudden vacuum, loneliness, or sense of disconnectedness.  Instead, by keeping the Torah, we shall find ourselves belonging to and enjoying some of the most meaningful and beautiful traditions, customs, and practices the world has ever known.  We will find ourselves sharing with our family and loved ones the rich heritage and hope filled future of our new family the Children of Israel.  As we bring our lives into rhythm with the patterns of the Torah, we shall certainly find ourselves overwhelmed with the sense that we now belong to something very special, something much more meaningful than simple sentimentality.  With this said, as way of introduction, let us turn our attention to a few of these new customs and patterns of life that identify us and bind us to our new family the Children of Israel.

 One of the first things we should notice about the Torah Observant life is that it has a very unique rhythm to it.  There is a daily rhythm of daily sacrifices made morning and evening (Ex. 29:39), which until the temple is restored, has been replaced with twice a day prayer.  We also have the daily practice of blessing YHWH after we eat (Dt. 8:10).  This daily rhythm of prayer is followed by the weekly rhythm of keeping the Sabbath.  Every Friday evening as the sun sets, the Sabbath begins.  On this day we cease from mundane labors, rest, commune with the Holy One in a most intimate way, and gather with our faith family.  This is a time for rest, refreshing, and studying the Torah.  This weekly rhythm is followed by a monthly rhythm based upon the cycle of the moon.  Each month we go outside at sunset and watch for the emergence of the first tiny sliver of the New Moon which marks the beginning of the Biblical month.  At this time we blow our shofars/rams horn trumpets, and declare it to be a new month.  By watching for the New Moon we help keep all of the other rhythms in beat.  It is by the sighting of the New Moon that sets the pattern of the yearly rhythm of the Feasts of YHWH; the Passover, Feast of Unleavened Bread, First Fruits, the Feast of Weeks, Day of Trumpets, Day of Coverings, and the Feast of Sukkot. 

The Christian Church has erroneously referred to these yearly feasts as the “Feasts of the Jews” or as “Jewish Holidays”.  This is said to make a distinction between that which is practiced by “the Jews” and that being taught and practiced by the Christian Church.  But these Feasts are not “the Feasts of the Jews” as the Church teaches, they are the “Feast of YHWH” as the Scripture teaches.  It is YHWH, not the Jews, that commands that His people keep these eight special celebrations.  In Leviticus chapter 23, YHWH describes these special celebrations with two very powerful words.  The first is the word “Moedim” which is often translated into English as “Feast” but in Hebrew it means “Appointed Times”.  We should understand these celebrations are in fact times appointed by YHWH our God for a specific purpose.  It is YHWH who plays the fiddle we dance to, The Creator of the Universe is the one who now sets the rhythm of our lives by commanding us to keep certain appointed times.  The second word that YHWH uses to describe these special celebrations is “Miqra” which is often translated as “Convocation” but in Hebrew means “Rehearsal”.  A rehearsal is what we do to prepare ourselves for some specific event.  That the yearly rhythm of feasts, are commanded that we learn how to recognize and prepare for certain times that have been appointed in time by YHWH the Lord of heaven and earth.   As we shall soon see each of these Appointed times for Rehearsal not only celebrates some past event of our history as the Children of Israel, but also helps to prepare us for some future event.  

In other words each of these special celebrations declares both the history and mission of the Children of Israel as well as the life and ministry of Yeshua the Messiah.  Again, we find the list of these celebrations in Leviticus 23.  The weekly Sabbath, the Passover, the Feast of Unleavened Bread, Feast of First Fruits, the Feast of Shavuot (Pentecost), The Feast of Teruah (Trumpets), Yom Kippurim (Day of Coverings) and the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles) are the eight commanded Feasts of YHWH.  These feasts are ripe with the identity and traditions of the people of God.  These feasts are also filled with vital prophetic images that declare God’s promises concerning future events, as well as the identity and work of Yeshua the Messiah.  Being judged by their pagan family members for leaving their old ways, and keeping the Torah, The Apostle Shaul encourages the believers in Colosse saying,

 “Let no man therefore judge in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Messiah.”(Colossians 2:16-17). 

The Author of the Letter to the Hebrews, makes a similar statement about the Torah as a whole;

“For the Torah have a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things…” (Heb. 10:1). 

Shaul states this message yet another way in his letter to the Corinthian believers when he writes,

“For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.” (1Cor.13:12). 

Clearly the Torah and the Feast are prophetic shadow pictures of “Good things to come”.  Just as my brother and I would move our hands in certain patterns to cast shadow pictures upon the blank screen, so too we who observe the Torah, by moving our lives in certain patterns cast the shadow pictures of the Messiah’s work, life, death, resurrection and return upon the blank screen of the world.  It would seem wise then that we not forget, forsake or abandon these commanded practices but that we observe, study, and learn from them all that they proclaim.

Let us look just briefly at each of these moedim and discover how they declare our past, shape our present and prepare us for our future.  We begin with the Sabbath that reminds us of the story of creation.  The Sabbath looking back declares YHWH ELOHIM as the creator of the universe.  For six days He worked, but on the seventh day He rested and set apart the SEVENTH day.  So by celebrating the Sabbath on the Seventh day we declare YHWH ELOHIM as the creator of the world.  But remembering that with YHWH one day is as a thousand years (2 Peter 3:8) we look forward to the seventh millennium as the time when Messiah will reign upon the earth, restoring all things to a new creation.  Thus by keeping the Sabbath we look forward to Messiah as our great rest from the struggles and sins of the world. 

The Passover is the historical celebration of how YHWH heard the cries of our ancestors as they suffered in bondage in Egypt, then with a mighty hand delivered them to freedom.  But this was not without cost.   By the blood of a lamb the Children of Israel were spared from the judgment of Elohim.  This same celebration also foreshadows how our deliverance from bondage to sin and death was not without cost, but was won by the blood of Messiah the Lamb of Elohim.  Thus the story of Passover declares death of Messiah.

The second of the Spring Moedim is the Feast of Matzah or unleavened bread.  Historically this feast reminds us of how our ancestors were driven out of Egypt in haste, and did not have time to let their bread rise.  So with all of their possessions packed and ready to go, they left Egypt by the command of Pharaoh as YHWH had promised.  By eating Matzah we recall how the Children of Israel traveled in haste.  But prophetically, leaven is a form of corruption and rot and therefore symbolizes sin.  It was Yeshua himself that took bread and said, “this is my body”.  So we see in the Feast of Matzah how the body of Messiah remained uncorrupted by sin, and did not rot in the grave. 

Three days after Passover, was the celebration of Bichorim or Firstfruits.  This is the time of year when the barley was ready to be harvested.  All of the seeds that had been planted now emerged from the earth to bear fruit and give an abundant harvest.  Before any of the grain could be eaten, first a sheave of the first of the harvest would be brought before the Altar of YHWH and waved as a wave offering.  Again historically this declared the faithfulness of YHWH who brought Israel through the wilderness to a land flowing with milk and honey.  But prophetically it is a picture of the resurrection and ascension of the Messiah who came forth from the grave as the firstfruits of the dead, and ascended to the right hand of YHWH in glory. 

After seven weeks and one day there is another Moedim called Shavuot or the Feast of Weeks.  Like Birchorim, Shavuot was a time of harvesting.  This time it was the wheat that was harvested.  But traditionally it has been the time of celebrating the giving of the Torah.  It was at the time of Shavuot Moshe received the Torah at Mount Sinai.  But prophetically this Moedim is a shadow picture of the Ruach HaQodesh which was poured out on the 120 followers of Messiah in Jerusalem exactly on this day.  We should remember that it is the pouring out of the Ruach HaQodesh that writes the Torah upon our hearts marking the beginning of life in the renewed covenant.

In the fall of the year we rehearse three more appointed times.  The first is the Feast of Teruah or Feast of Trumpets.  This celebrates the blowing of the Shofar/Trumpets that assembled and warned the Children of Israel as coming danger.  The sound of the Shofar is a call to action.  In this case it is a warning of judgment, and a calling to repent and assemble to the Torah.  Prophetically we see the shadow picture of the coming Day of YHWH when Messiah comes at the blast of the Last trumpet, to judge the earth. 

The feast of Trumpets is followed 10 days later by Yom Kippurim the Day of Atonements.  This is a when a covering was made for the Tabernacle and the people of Israel so that YHWH could remain among them in spite of the defilement of the world..  Once a year the Children of Israel would bring their sin offering and asked to be cleansed of their sins.  The Temple also would be cleansed from all its contamination.  Prophetically we see the shadow picture of Messiah who comes to cleanse His people once and for all from the contamination of the fallen flesh preparing them to abide with Him in His Messianic Kingdom.

Finally we have the final rehearsal, the Moedim of Sukkot.  Sukkot is the Hebrew word for tents, booths or tabernacles, and celebrates the time when our ancestors dwelt with YHWH in tents in the wilderness.  So for one week each year the men of Israel are to again erect tents or booths and live outside.  Prophetically the feast of Sukkot is a shadow picture of Messiah once again dwelling among men on earth.  This is the picture of the Messianic Kingdom finally come.

How unfortunate it is that the Christian Church has abandoned these important prophetic shadow pictures which so directly impact upon our future and so clearly proclaim the work and coming of Messiah. By replacing the word of God with the traditions of men, these important appointed rehearsals have been removed from the lives of believers, leaving them unprepared for Messiah’s return.  By returning to the Feasts of YHWH believers will again find themselves walking in rhythm with their Biblical ancestors.  By keeping these holy rehearsals at their appointed time we find ourselves experiencing the stories and events of the scriptures first hand.  By living in rhythm with the Word of God we find our faith in Messiah renewed, and their lives prepared for his coming.  There is no greater or more meaningful heritage that we could belong to than to counted among the Children of Israel. 

For those who are coming out of Babylon, do not be afraid.  Slowly but surely as your heart desires to keep the Torah, you will find yourself more and more out of step with the old world you were in, and more and more in rhythm with life and heritage of the Children of Israel.  Slowly at first and even awkwardly life will begin to change.  Soon you too will be excited to see the shadow pictures being cast upon the blank screen of your home.  Your heart will be warmed and renewed as each Moedim cast its prophetic shadow picture over your heart and life.  Each day, each week, each month, and each year will begin to draw you into a new and living faith, as a member of the family of God.  You will rejoice with each opportunity to again celebrate all the YHWH has done for your ancestors, to bring you to this day, and to prepare you for the day yet to come.  With each passing time of prayer, Sabbath, New Moon, and Moedim the void of your exodus from the wild olive tree will be filled with the fatness of the covenants, and the heritage of Israel.  Before you know it you will be inviting friends and families to come and join you in these holy rehearsals helping to make the Feasts of YHWH a regular part of your whole family’s heritage.       

]]> http://fromthemountain.net/from-the-heart/traditions-traditions/feed/ 1 http://fromthemountain.net/from-the-heart/2011-september-newsletter/ http://fromthemountain.net/from-the-heart/2011-september-newsletter/#comments Sun, 04 Sep 2011 20:37:44 +0000 Glenn http://tktorahkeepers.com/?p=695 Dear Brothers and Sisters,

As the appointed times and holy rehearsals of the seventh biblical month approach, there is much to be done.  Yom Kippurim is of particular importance.  The Hebrew word kefar (kof, fey, resh) means “cover or covering.”  On Yom Kippurim, the “Day of Coverings,” YHWH commanded an elaborate ritual of sacrifice and offerings in order to make a “covering” not only for the people of Israel, but for the Altar, the Tabernacle, and its furnishings.  This covering was to provide the means by which the defilement, caused by Israel’s contact with the nations, the dead, various afflictions, as well as, violations of the distinction between tahor and tamie would be covered allowing fellowship between YHWH and the people of Israel. Since the Holy and the unholy, the sacred and the profane, the pure and the defiled, cannot dwell together without the holiness of YHWH consuming the defiled, it is necessary that a covering be made to protect the defiled people of Israel from the consuming holiness of YHWH.

Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? ¹⁵ And what concord hath Messiah with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? ¹⁶ And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. ¹⁷ Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith YHWH, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, (2 Corinthians 6:14-17 KJV)

And he shall make a covering for the holy place, because of the uncleanness of the children of Israel, and because of their transgressions in all their sins: and so shall he do for the tabernacle of the congregation, that remaineth among them in the midst of their uncleanness. (Leviticus 16:16 KJV)

We should recognize that living in exile makes it very difficult to truly “keep” the Torah. Our food is defiled by all manner of additives from tamei sources, there are few to no “kosher” restaurants in most cities, clothing without some type of “mixed fibers” are hard to find, and the rhythm of the world’s calendar is far different than the biblical calendar.

The cultures, that most of us live in, are filled with violence, sexual exploitation and vulgarity.  We are daily assaulted with the defilement of the world. We should also recognize that we are likewise defiled from within as well.  All of us from time to time find ourselves returning to the ways of the flesh. Our carnal nature seizes the throne of our soul and asserts its will in our lives over and against the reign of the Spirit of the Holy One.  It is for all these reasons that we cannot count on our own righteousness to draw near to YHWH.  We cannot come to the feast in our own covering expecting to draw near.

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6 KJV)  

The consuming holiness of YHWH would consume our defiled garments and leave us naked and ashamed. In Yeshua’s parable of the wedding feast (Matthew 22:1-14) the guest without a wedding garment was cast out into the darkness. We too must be “covered” if we are to have communion with the Father.  Of YHWH it is said,

Who coverest thyself with light as with a garment: who stretchest out the heavens like a curtain: (Psalm 104:2 KJV)

YHWH covered himself in light. We may recall that when Moses came down the mountain his face radiated with light.

And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him. (Exodus 34:35 KJV)

I would suggest that Adam and Chavah were also originally “covered” in light as they enjoyed intimate communion with the Creator.  As long as Adam and Chavah walked in obedience to the word of YHWH they were the Image of YHWH and therefore would have been covered in his glorious light.  When they fell, however, their nakedness was exposed and they tried to hide themselves.  The image of YHWH and his glorious light 

was gone from them.  YHWH quickly covered there nakedness with coverings of skin.

Unto Adam also and to his wife did the YHWH God make coats of skins, and clothed them. (Genesis 3:21 KJV)

In these events we should come to understand that because of our failure to keep the Torah and be the image of YHWH we too need a “covering.”   We cannot approach YHWH by our own merit.  Therefore, we must put on Messiah. 

But put ye on the Lord Yeshua Mesiah, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof. (Romans 13:14 KJV)

For as many of you as have been baptized into Messiah have put on Messiah. (Galatians 3:27 KJV)

Yeshua, in his perfect obedience to the word of YHWH is the light of YHWH in the world.  As we put on Messiah, conforming our lives to his, we too are clothed in the light of the Image of YHWH and may again approach the Holy One in confidence and love.

Shalom

Brother Glenn

When little children are given a present they are often more enamored with the wrapping, the ribbon, and the box, than they are with the actual gift inside.  In fact, because of their inexperience and ignorance, they may not even know to look inside the box.  The bright colors of the paper and ribbons are enough too entertain them and satisfy them.   Only after the child matures and gains in experience does she learn to look past the distraction of bright colors, the wrapping, and the ribbons, to seek for the treasure inside the package.  Once the child discovers the content of the box a new level of joy and excitement takes over.  When the child discovers how to rip through the wrapping and open the box a new level of satisfaction emerges.  Once the hidden prize has been discovered the little girl will play for hours upon hours oblivious to all of those around her.  Eventually, however, the attraction of the toy or doll will fade and the desire for something more will take over.  It is a long time spent in this stage of life looking and searching for the next joy, the next box, the next hidden treasure to be unlocked.  Many never leave this stage in their life.  Some, however, will learn to look past the wrappings and ribbons, past the packaging and play things, and read the loving words written on the card that accompanied the present.  For some it will be these words that mean more than the trinket hidden within the treasure chest.  The words of the giver will last longer than any toy in the box.  For some, however, there will be something more.  Some will go beyond the words written on the card and cherish the thought behind the words.  These thoughts, are truly precious for they are but fleeting.  It requires a great deal of maturity and wisdom to avoid the distractions of wrapping and ribbons and words, to cherish the thoughts behind it all.  But it takes an even great wisdom, maturity, and discipline to cherish the thinker and source of the thought behind the words and gifts and wrapping and ribbon.

Both the story and analogy are descriptive of our faith journey.  We often begin with a fascination with the bright colors and carvings, the ribbons and wrappings of religion, the work of men’s hands.  For many it is the external expressions of God that fascinate and entertain us.  Big church buildings, ornate sanctuaries, large worship teams, youth groups, and big screen TVs, are the signs of blessings.  Robes and rituals make worship exhilarating and mystical and entertain us for hours.  Eventually, however, the liturgies and litanies lull us into a sleepy comfort that does not satisfy our appetite for novelty.  So our search begins again for the next hidden prize.  We search beyond these superficial wrappings and begin to look a little more deeply into the box, searching for hidden meanings and prophetic revelations.  We squeal with delight when we finally crack the code and unlock the box and discover some prophetic nugget inside.  These prophetic puzzle pieces fascinate and entertain us almost endlessly as we assemble and reassemble the pieces into an endless array of spiritually prophetic possibilities.  Again and again we change the course of history, our lives, and the image of God as we put the pieces together one more time.  But soon these prophetic puzzles and their failed predictions leave us cold.  We simply don’t have all the pieces we need to understand their message.  So we turn to the written word and study to unlock the clues.  The written word seems to speak to us.  Again our hearts are revived.  We love our Bibles.  But soon this too leaves us wanting more.  We find mistakes and flaws in the translations.  We find that there are contradictions and unanswered challenges. We read it every day and feel so much stronger in our faith and our understanding, and yet still feel strangely empty.  All of this study seems cold and academic. We want more.  We want to hear the voice of God.  We seek to understand the thoughts behind the words to know the heart behind the gifts.  When all else fails we turn to prayer.  No longer entertained by the external signs and expressions of the Creator we want intimacy with the Creator.  We don’t simply want to hear the voice of YHWH we want contact, communion, oneness with the thinker of the thoughts.

It is not easy to arrive at this level of intimacy.  We are so easily distracted by the light that we miss the sun.  We are so easily distracted with the gift that we miss the giver.  YHWH is eternal.  YHWH is without beginning and without end.  YHWH is not limited in time and space.  There is nowhere that he is not.  Therefore he is present wherever you are at the moment.  The problem is that we have been so accustomed to looking at all the various paintings, portraits, and totem poles that man have made of him, that we do not recognize or know him when we see him.  To remedy this we must read the card.  Within the written word YHWH reveals his character and nature that when we sit still long enough we will recognize his voice.

Unfortunately, even when we hear his voice we are distracted by the voice and forget all about YHWH. We may think of a lover who has been gone on journey for a long time.  Every night we look at the photograph of them and fondly recall our time with them.  The photograph helps to fill the void but truly is no replacement for our lover.  Soon, we receive a letter in the mail which contains the words of our beloved. We delight in the letter and read it every night while holding the picture close. Again our heart is stirred but still longing.  The phone rings.  It is our lover.  What joy to hear their voice!  The photo, the letter, and the voice are indeed a much better combination.  Our soul is  comforted and delighted.  But even this combination is not enough.  We are still longing for more.  Nothing will compare to the intimacy experienced when our loved one has returned and we may truly become one with them.  When this happens, the photo, the letter,  and the voice are of little use.

We may also think of the child whose father has gone on a long trip.  The child misses his father.  When the father calls the child answers the phone and is so ecstatic to hear his father’s voice that he runs off screaming “Its Daddy, its Daddy, its Daddy!” without ever listening to his father’s words.  The goal is not to hear the Creator’s voice.  The goal of our prayer is intimacy with the Creator.  We may indeed receive revelation.  But we must not take our focus off of the revelator.  We must not be distracted by revelation.  The purpose of revelation is to reveal YHWH.  YHWH is the goal and object of our faith.   No amount of revelation, prophecy, rituals, ribbons or wrappings will satisfy what our soul hungers for.  The gifts are indeed wonderful, and we should be extremely grateful, but they are meant only to bring us closer to YHWH.   We must always search for who is behind the ribbon, who is behind the wrapping, who is behind the gift, who is behind the words, who is behind the thought, for surely it shall all end with the Eternal One.  There is nothing beyond God.

Henry had been living and laboring in the forest nearly all of his life. Henry’s father and grandfather before him were likewise woodchoppers in the same forest.  In all of his years in the forest Henry had never come upon anything that he would call mysterious or unusual. Henry did occasionally see a brightly colored salamander or newt scampering in the moist soil beneath a fallen and rotting log, or a woodland snake sunning itself on the rocks, but they were certainly not a threat.  Never had Henry seen anything remotely unusual, mythical or threatening in the forest. For Henry the forest was simply home.    Henry would sometimes laugh at the villagers’ curiosity and well-intended warnings concerning the mysterious serpents of the forest.  Benefitting from their phobia of the forest, Henry never did or said anything to discourage the villagers’ fears or to change their minds.

The young woodchopper rose each morning with the sun and songs of the birds, and prepared himself for a long day of cutting, chopping and hauling wood.  Henry would pack his simple lunch of bread, cheese, and fruit, sharpen his ax, pack his saw onto his sled and then travel deep into the forest.  Henry would look for standing timber and freshly fallen trees or limbs, cut them up, stack the wood onto his sled and pull it back to his little cabin in the woods.  When his wood pile was large enough, he would load it onto his two wheeled cart and push it into the villages to sell.  All in all Henry’s life was rather mundane, routine, and quiet.

One particular day, early in the morning, Henry packed his cheese, bread and fruit into his bag, sharpened his ax, packed his saw, and headed into the forest for the day.  As the young man traveled deep into the forest he noticed that the forest was strangely silent.  No birds singing, no wind blowing through the branches, and no crickets chirping.  Then suddenly he heard a peculiar low growl and hissing sound coming from somewhere close by him.  Henry stopped and listened as a slight chill ran up his spine.   Suddenly, without seeing anything, Henry felt something strike against his tall leather boot.  Henry jumped back and dropped his ax.  When he looked down at his boot he observed a most peculiar looking creature.  It appeared to be a deep green snake-like creature with a mane of yellow hair around its head and leathery wings part way down its back.  The creature was only about three feet long but raised its body off the ground and stared up into the eyes of the very shocked boy.  Henry tried to back away from the creature but with every step that Henry took backwards the mysterious serpent moved slowly closer.  Finally, the frightened young boy reached slowly into his pack and broke off a small piece of cheese and threw it into the leaves toward the side of the serpent.  With lightning quick speed the creature struck at the cheese as Henry took off running back toward his cabin.

A little later in the day Henry cautiously returned to the place of his unsettling encounter to gather up his hastily abandoned ax, saw and sled. There would be no wood cutting for Henry this day.

After a very restless night, Henry again rose with the sun and song birds and prepared himself to head back into the forest to gather wood for the villagers.  As Henry journeyed down the path into the forest, thoughts of the creature were foremost in his mind.  Henry wondered now if his encounter with mysterious creature was real or just a figment of his imagination.  Did he really see the beast or was it just a dream?   Before the young woodchopper was very deep into the forest, the peculiar beast again appeared before Henry blocking his path hissing, growling and vibrating its leathery wings. There was no question that the creature was real.  The serpent seemed to rise up and look straight through Henry without fear or feeling.  Once, more Henry reached into his pack and threw a piece of cheese into the leaves at a little distance from the creature.  With unbelievable speed the serpent struck out and consumed the small morsel of cheese as Henry quickly ran down the path out of sight of the serpent.

Day after day this ritual encounter repeated itself as Henry headed into the forest.  Every day the peculiar serpent met Henry a little closer to his home.  Henry also noticed that the creature seemed to grow longer and larger with each encounter.  The creature also seemed to grow in ferocity and appetite.  Henry began packing bigger and bigger lunches to appease the beast which continued to grow in boldness and stature.

One morning as Henry prepared to head into the forest the young woodchopper sharpened his ax, packed his lunch, packed his saw and opened the door of his cabin only to find the beast blocking the doorway and looking straight into his eyes.  Henry trembled inside and out as he attempted to grab some bread or cheese from his bag, but before Henry could withdraw his hand from the bag the monster struck with lightning speed and Henry was gone never to be seen again.

The practical lessons to be learned from the story of Henry may be understood on several different levels.  The first application of this lesson is on an individual and personal level.  The calling and purpose of man was to be the very manifest image of the Creator in the world.

And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth. ²⁷ So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. ²⁸ And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:26-28 KJV)

For mankind to fulfill this unique calling it was necessary that Adam be created with two natures:  A carnal, tangible, visible nature, like the animals that were created before him, as well as a spiritual nature that could relate to the Spirit Creator.

And YHWH God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul. (Genesis 2:7 KJV)

The Spirit Creator communicated knowledge, wisdom and understanding to the spirit of Adam.  The spirit of Adam informed the soul of Adam how to feel, understand, and see the world about him.   The soul of Adam informed his flesh or carnal nature how to manifest this revelation in the world around him.  As long as Adam lived in this proper created order he would fulfill his calling to be the manifest image of the Creator in the world.

Since man had a carnal, tangible or animal nature, it was essential that man have food to sustain his body.  The Creator lovingly provided Adam (all mankind) as well as the other carnal creatures with food to sustain them.

And God said, Behold, I have given you every herb bearing seed, which is upon the face of all the earth, and every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat. ³⁰ And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to everything that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is life, I have given every green herb for meat: and it was so. (Genesis 1:29-30 KJV)

They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst. (Psalm 104:11 KJV)

He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry. (Psalm 147:9 KJV)

The eyes of all wait upon thee; and thou givest them their meat in due season. (Psalm 145:15 KJV)

While mankind shared a carnal nature with the animals and a similar diet as the animals, YHWH set Adam apart from the animals by placing upon him a particular prohibition unique to Adam.

And out of the ground made YHWH God to grow every tree that is pleasant to the sight, and good for food; the tree of life also in the midst of the garden, and the tree of knowledge of good and evil. (Genesis 2:9 KJV)

And YHWH God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: ¹⁷ But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. (Genesis 2:16-17 KJV)

Man, with his two natures, was not to live solely by carnal sustenance. In fact, we should understand from this prohibition that man’s life was sustained not merely by “bread” but by obedience to the word of the Creator. Let us recall the words of our anointed teachers, Moses and Yeshua;

And he said unto them, Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which ye shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this law. ⁴⁷ For it is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing ye shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it. (Deuteronomy 32:46-47 KJV)

And he humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that he might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of YHWH doth man live. (Deuteronomy 8:3 KJV)

But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. (Matthew 4:4 KJV)

Rabbi Yeshua also taught that we are not to labor for the bread that perishes but for that which leads to everlasting life.

Labour not for the food which perisheth, but for that food which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed. (John 6:27 KJV)

That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:6 KJV)

It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63 KJV)

Let us be clear, our Master is not talking simply about our stomachs—but all carnal appetites. We must be careful not to over feed our carnal or animal nature while neglecting our spiritual nature.  Adam was commanded to be fruitful and multiply.  But with this first commandment came the second commandment to exercise dominion over the animal realm—which included his own animal nature.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:28 KJV)

I would contend that sexual intercourse clearly belongs to the animal nature. The Creator lovingly made the act of procreation very pleasurable.  However, we are not to act like animals that mate only to satisfy instinct and carnal desires. It is for this reason that YHWH followed the command to be fruitful and multiply with a command to exercise dominion and restraint over our carnal nature. We should not be surprised that the fall of man was precipitated by Adam and Chavah failing to exercise this dominion over the animal realm.  While the serpent may appear as the most obvious culprit in the story of man’s fall, we should note the sensual language used to describe Chavah’s reasoning.

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6 KJV)

Adam and Chavah allowed their carnal senses to rule their soul rather than their Spirit informed spirit.  By failing to exercise dominion over their own sensual nature Adam and Chavah desecrated the image of YHWH.

Like our ancestors, we too are called to exercise dominion over our animal nature.  Rabbi Yeshua taught,

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon. (Matthew 6:24 KJV)

The Apostles Shaul (Paul) and John also warned against the dangers of allowing the carnal or animal nature to rule our lives.

For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. ¹⁷ And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever. (1 John 2:16-17 KJV)

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. ⁹ But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Messiah he is none of his. (Romans 8:5-9 KJV)

If we are to truly serve YHWH we must learn how to bridle and rule over the beast of our flesh rather than appease it.

Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. (Psalm 32:9 KJV)

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. (Psalm 39:1 KJV)

A whip for the horse, a bridle for the ass, and a rod for the fool’s back. (Proverbs 26:3 KJV)

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. (James 3:2 KJV)

To this end the Apostle Shaul encourages us to walk in the Spirit rather than the flesh.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16 KJV)

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25 KJV)

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Messiah Yeshua, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Romans 8:1 KJV)

We may also note a number of references in the Proverbs warning against the temptations of the “strange woman.”  In many respects we may understand this “strange woman” to be our own sensual, carnal or animal nature drawing us away from the guidance of the Spirit Creator.

To deliver thee from the strange woman, even from the stranger which flattereth with her words; ¹⁷ Which forsaketh the guide of her youth, and forgetteth the covenant of her God. ¹⁸ For her house inclineth unto death, and her paths unto the dead. ¹⁹ None that go unto her return again, neither take they hold of the paths of life. (Proverbs 2:16-19 KJV)

For the lips of a strange woman drop as an honeycomb, and her mouth is smoother than oil: ⁴ But her end is bitter as wormwood, sharp as a two-edged sword. ⁵ Her feet go down to death; her steps take hold on hell. ⁶ Lest thou shouldest ponder the path of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them. ⁷ Hear me now therefore, O ye children, and depart not from the words of my mouth. ⁸ Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house: ⁹ Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel: (Proverbs 5:3-9 KJV)

Say unto wisdom, Thou art my sister; and call understanding thy kinswoman: ⁵ That they may keep thee from the strange woman, from the stranger which flattereth with her words. ⁶ For at the window of my house I looked through my casement, ⁷ And beheld among the simple ones, I discerned among the youths, a young man void of understanding, ⁸ Passing through the street near her corner; and he went the way to her house, ⁹ In the twilight, in the evening, in the black and dark night: ¹⁰ And, behold, there met him a woman with the attire of an harlot, and subtil of heart. ¹¹ (She is loud and stubborn; her feet abide not in her house: ¹² Now is she without, now in the streets, and lieth in wait at every corner.) ¹³ So she caught him, and kissed him, and with an impudent face said unto him, ¹⁴ I have peace offerings with me; this day have I payed my vows. ¹⁵ Therefore came I forth to meet thee, diligently to seek thy face, and I have found thee. ¹⁶ I have decked my bed with coverings of tapestry, with carved works, with fine linen of Egypt. ¹⁷ I have perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. ¹⁸ Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. ¹⁹ For the goodman is not at home, he is gone a long journey: ²⁰ He hath taken a bag of money with him, and will come home at the day appointed. ²¹ With her much fair speech she caused him to yield, with the flattering of her lips she forced him. ²² He goeth after her straightway, as an ox goeth to the slaughter, or as a fool to the correction of the stocks; (Proverbs 7:4-22 KJV)

To keep thee from the evil woman, from the flattery of the tongue of a strange woman. ²⁵ Lust not after her beauty in thine heart; neither let her take thee with her eyelids. ²⁶ For by means of a whorish woman a man is brought to a piece of bread: and the adulteress will hunt for the precious life. (Proverbs 6:24-26 KJV)

Note all of the “sensual” language associated with the “strange woman”.  The “strange woman” is clearly associated with our carnal nature. Proverbs chapter 9 provides a powerful contrast between the wise woman and the simple woman, or the spiritual person and the carnal person.

A foolish woman is clamorous: she is simple, and knoweth nothing. ¹⁴ For she sitteth at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city, ¹⁵ To call passengers who go right on their ways: ¹⁶ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, ¹⁷ Stolen waters are sweet, and bread eaten in secret is pleasant. ¹⁸ But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell. (Proverbs 9:13-18 KJV)

The foolish woman is loud and clamorous demanding attention.  She is simple and acts on impulse and instinct rather than knowledge and understanding.  The simple woman tempts with sensual pleasures. Our carnal nature, like the animals, knows nothing except what pleases and satisfies its desires.  Moral judgments are a matter of the spirit not the flesh.  The carnal nature acts on impulse and instincts and demands satisfaction. The carnal life, like the way of the simple woman, leads to death. The carnal person cannot please God.  We may contrast this with the wise woman.

Wisdom hath builded her house, she hath hewn out her seven pillars: ² She hath killed her beasts; she hath mingled her wine; she hath also furnished her table. ³ She hath sent forth her maidens: she crieth upon the highest places of the city, ⁴ Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: as for him that wanteth understanding, she saith to him, ⁵ Come, eat of my bread, and drink of the wine which I have mingled. ⁶ Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. (Proverbs 9:1-6 KJV)

Let us note that the wise woman “hath killed her beasts.”  By exercising dominion over her carnal nature the wise or spiritually minded woman built up her house.  We should understand “the house” not simply as brick and mortar but as her household, her family.  Those who follow after the Spirit gain understanding through revelation knowledge and are capable of making moral judgments. The Apostle Shaul wrote,

But the natural (carnal) man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV)

If we are to be wise and spiritually informed people with understanding then we must learn to bridle, tame, or even crucify “the beast” of our flesh.  This is not always easy but it is necessary.  The mysterious serpent in the story of Henry the woodchopper may be understood to be some fault or weakness of the flesh.  We all have our weaknesses.

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8 KJV)

We all have our favorite or pet sins that we tend to hold onto, protect, nurture and appease.  Young Henry learned a very difficult lesson.  If we do not deal with the beast quickly, it will tend to grow larger and larger in our lives.  The more we attempt to appease the flesh the more the flesh demands from us. In many respects this is the foundation of addictions.  We feed our flesh a little, and it demands a little more, and then more and still more, until finally, what was once just a small pet sin, threatens to consume us.

The horseleach hath two daughters, crying, Give, give. There are three things that are never satisfied, yea, four things say not, It is enough: ¹⁶ The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough. (Proverbs 30:15-16 KJV)

Our carnal lusts, impulses, desires and appetites are in many respects like the fire that never has enough, but constantly demands to be fed.  We must learn to quench these fires when they are yet small smoldering embers.  We are not to warm ourselves or seek comfort in their heat.

A similar lesson may be learned from the psalmist.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful. ² But his delight is in the law of YHWH; and in his law doth he meditate day and night. ³ And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper. (Psalm 1:1-3 KJV)

Let us note the verbs in the first verse; walk, stand, sit.  All of us may at some point be tempted in our flesh by stimulus beyond our control. We may recall that Chavah had no control over whether there would be a seductive talking serpent in the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil.  However, she could have kept walking and not stood their engaging the temptation.  If we should stumble upon such tempting stimulus, we should quickly turn and walk away.  We should not keep walking where we shall be stimulated and tempted yet further.  We should not stand there and entertain the pleasures of the temptation as Chavah did in the Garden of Eden. Nor, should we sit there further feeding our flesh and its endless appetites.  Our Master, Yeshua the Messiah also taught us to cut off such offending thoughts, impulses, or carnal stimulation before they grow to consumes us.

But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart. ²⁹ And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. ³⁰ And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (Matthew 5:28-30 KJV)

We should understand the lesson of Henry, and not simply try to entertain or appease our carnal nature. The sooner we tame, bridle or crucify the beast, subjecting our carnal nature to the reign of the Spirit informed spirit the sooner we shall find ourselves at peace.

There is yet another level of understanding to be discerned from this story.  We should likewise understand the corporate application of this teaching.  This is especially true of the words of Yeshua just quoted.  As the children of Israel the calling to restore the image of YHWH in the world is a corporate calling.  Israel collectively is to serve as the living Tabernacle of YHWH.  As a community of believers we are to be the many member body of Messiah manifesting the image of the Creator in the world around us.

What we do privately and collectively directly impacts upon our ability to manifest YHWH.  It is important that the corporate body also exercise care as to what it allows and disallows as part of the body. The Torah is filled with teachings on what is and is not acceptable among the children of Israel or body of believers.  Deuteronomy 13 provides us with a classic example for our lesson.  The chapter begins with an individual prophet or dreamer who tempts the people to violate the covenant and worship other gods, then progresses to include a family member that begins to practice and encourage disobedience to the Torah, and finally the teaching addresses what to do if an entire city begins to practice idolatry.

If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, ² And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; ³ Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for YHWH your God proveth you, to know whether ye love YHWH your God with all your heart and with all your soul. ⁴ Ye shall walk after YHWH your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments, and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. ⁵ And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath spoken to turn you away from YHWH your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which YHWH thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee. (Deuteronomy 13:1-5 KJV)

If thy brother, the son of thy mother, or thy son, or thy daughter, or the wife of thy bosom, or thy friend, which is as thine own soul, entice thee secretly, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which thou hast not known, thou, nor thy fathers; ⁷ Namely, of the gods of the people which are round about you, nigh unto thee, or far off from thee, from the one end of the earth even unto the other end of the earth; ⁸ Thou shalt not consent unto him, nor hearken unto him; neither shall thine eye pity him, neither shalt thou spare, neither shalt thou conceal him: ⁹ But thou shalt surely kill him; thine hand shall be first upon him to put him to death, and afterwards the hand of all the people. ¹⁰ And thou shalt stone him with stones, that he die; because he hath sought to thrust thee away from YHWH thy God, which brought thee out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage. ¹¹ And all Israel shall hear, and fear, and shall do no more any such wickedness as this is among you. (Deuteronomy 13:6-11 KJV)

If thou shalt hear say in one of thy cities, which YHWH thy God hath given thee to dwell there, saying, ¹³ Certain men, the children of Belial, are gone out from among you, and have withdrawn the inhabitants of their city, saying, Let us go and serve other gods, which ye have not known; ¹⁴ Then shalt thou enquire, and make search, and ask diligently; and, behold, if it be truth, and the thing certain, that such abomination is wrought among you; ¹⁵ Thou shalt surely smite the inhabitants of that city with the edge of the sword, destroying it utterly, and all that is therein, and the cattle thereof, with the edge of the sword. ¹⁶ And thou shalt gather all the spoil of it into the midst of the street thereof, and shalt burn with fire the city, and all the spoil thereof every whit, for YHWH thy God: and it shall be an heap forever; it shall not be built again. ¹⁷ And there shall cleave nought of the cursed thing to thine hand: that YHWH may turn from the fierceness of his anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as he hath sworn unto thy fathers; ¹⁸ When thou shalt hearken to the voice of YHWH thy God, to keep all his commandments which I command thee this day, to do that which is right in the eyes of YHWH thy God. (Deuteronomy 13:12-18 KJV)

Let us take careful note of the progression of this teaching.  If we tolerate a false prophet or teacher among the community, then we shall surely see our family members turned away from the truth.  If we tolerate our family members violating the covenant and worshipping false gods and encouraging others to do so, we shall surely see whole communities beginning to worship other gods and violating the Torah.  If the sin is not stopped at the beginning it will permeate and pollute individual members and eventually corrupt the whole body.  Like Henry’s mysterious creature, the more we tolerate, appease, and condone corruption, pollution, wickedness and sin among the body of believers the greater it grows until it consumes the whole congregation.

Please, do not get me wrong.  I am not advocating witch hunts throughout the body of Messiah.  Nor am I suggesting that we excommunicate everyone that has some theological disagreement with us.  What I am suggesting is that it is important that we as a people learn to police ourselves.  We need to be upright and honest in our dealings. We need to exercise caution as to who we endorse, invite to teach in our fellowships, or associate the name of YHWH with.  We should not be afraid to address matters of gross immorality within our fellowships and congregations. At present, members of the body of Messiah are at a great disadvantage. Without any recognized leadership or authoritative body, every individual and every congregation, fellowship, or home group is left to their own sad devices. At some point in time this divided body must create a vehicle by which matters of faith, theology and morality may be addressed without malice or bitterness.  At present our corporate testimony as the children of Israel is greatly diminished and clouded because of all of the confusion within the body.  Again, I am not asking for an inquisition, witch hunt or heretic barbeque.  I am, however, saying that until we learn how to address matters of morality, theology, piety, and faith, the confusion renders our testimony helpless.  I am also suggesting that the faster we address these issues, while they are still small matters, the better it will be for the body in the long run.  Ignoring such matters or trying simply to appease the pollution, confusion, and corruption, will only lead to greater destruction later.  We should consider that if we stop an evil prophet or false teaching planting poisonous seeds in one of our family members, then we have saved one soul, and stopped the poison from spreading to the rest of the body.  If we stop the false prophet and teacher from spreading error, wickedness and falsehood throughout an entire family or city then we have saved numerous souls and possibly a nation. Let us not forget the Israel’s existence is dependent upon YHWH’s presence among us. By protecting the Israel from false prophets, false teachings, pollution, corruption and gross immorality we also protected the name and image of YHWH which is to be manifested among us. It is for this reason, national security and the image of YHWH, that we, as the children of Israel, must not allow the embers of false teachings, corruption or immorality turn into the fires of destruction. We must not let the venom of false hood and sin spread through our families, our fellowships, or our nation.  We must learn to address “the beast” right from the start and not feed it or allow it to grow within our ranks.

When we learn of false prophecy, false teaching, gross immorality, corruption, wickedness, or sinfulness taking place within the body of believers, we must address it quickly.  We must not address it with an attitude of maliciousness or hatred, but with soberness and love.  We must, address these threats in such a way as to provide every opportunity for the offending party to correct the error and experience genuine reconciliation to the community.  Pointing the finger of accusation without hope the of reconciliation is not consistent with the nature and character of YHWH who tempers his justice with mercy.  Let us recall that YHWH takes no delight in the death of sinners.

Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord YHWH: and not that he should return from his ways, and live? (Ezekiel 18:23 KJV)

Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord YHWH, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? (Ezekiel 33:11 KJV)

We must learn to speak the truth in love in hopes that the errant brother, sister, elder, teacher, or prophet will repent and yet be restored.

Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him; ²⁰ Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins. (James 5:19-20 KJV)

Let us likewise recall the words of our Master,

What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? ⁵ And when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. ⁶ And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. ⁷ I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance. ⁸ Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? ⁹ And when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and her neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me; for I have found the piece which I had lost. ¹⁰ Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. (Luke 15:4-10 KJV)

If these sincere efforts fail, however, we must be ready to sever the unrepentant member from the body for the sake of the whole body and the name and image of YHWH.  As Yeshua said,

And if thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. ³⁰ And if thy right hand offend thee, cut it off, and cast it from thee: for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish, and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell. (Matthew 5:29-30 KJV)

We must not allow the venomous beast of sin and wickedness to poison the whole body and desecrate the image of YHWH manifested among us.  We must not entertain or appease sin, in our personal walk or in our corporate life as the body of Messiah.  It would be better for us to tame, bridle, or kill the beast rather than allow it to ultimately consume us.

Again I want to warn against a self-righteousness spirit of vigilante justice or witch hunting. Let us remember the words of our Master,

For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. ³ And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? ⁴ Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? ⁵ Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye. (Matthew 7:2-5 KJV)

We should always begin such processes of accountability by taking care of all of the little “pet sins,” confusion, mixture and pollution in our own lives first.  We should begin the process of protecting the corporate testimony of the body of Messiah by first removing the beams from our own eyes, before we begin looking elsewhere. Only when this is done are we able to encourage our brethren to do likewise, until the whole body is purged.  When this happens, we will be able to fulfill the calling to be the image of YHWH.  If we are serious about this calling, at some point we as the children of Israel and the body of Messiah must begin to address the conflicting testimony that presently emanates from the our communities. But until we learn how  argue for the sake of truth rather than pride, power, popularity or vengeance, the beast of division will continue to grow until it consumes us.

Bobby Spitzer was a young man fresh out of high school and looking for work.  Everyone in the town knew Bobby.  Bobby was the “All American” high school athlete of incredible strength, agility, speed, and confidence.  Bobby held school records in football, wrestling, and track.  His name was in the newspaper or on the evening news nearly every month.  Young high school sweethearts and college recruiters were regularly calling him on the phone or knocking at his door.  While such success at a young age is a marvel and can lead to wonderful and even exceptional opportunities for those who are so blessed with it, it can also have its pitfalls.  While Bobby was, all in all, a good boy, his pride was nearly as big as he was.  Bobby’s ego had eaten up all of this success and attention with a gluttonous appetite.  Besides, humility, Bobby Spitzer was also lacking a summer job.

Like everyone else in town, Aaron Johnson was well aware of Bobby Spitzer. Johnson’s Market was a regular and generous sponsor of the local high school athletic program.  When Bobby showed up at the market asking for work, it was “Old man Johnson” that came out to greet him. Aaron Johnson invited Bobby into his small overly cluttered office and invited him to sit down.  Aaron looked Bobby over, and after a brief interview agreed that he could use the young man to help around the market.  Aaron gave Bobby the job.

Bobby was working out well at the store. He was punctual, helpful, and industrious.  One night Mr. Johnson scheduled Bobby to come in to work late at night.  A large shipment of canned goods and produce was coming in.  Generally these deliveries were made at night when the big trucks would not interfere with traffic and stocking the supply-room and shelves would not interfere with customers.  Bobby showed up right on time.  The truck driver unloaded all of the crates and boxes in the small alley behind the market.  Bobby looked around to see who else was going to help move all this freight into the store.  The young man was rather shocked when he realized that the only other help that night was “Old man Johnson.”  “O great,” Bobby thought, “A thousand heavy boxes to carry and my only help is an old man.  Before the nights over I’ll probably be carrying him!”  Without much more thought the two men began the arduous task of moving the boxes and crates out of the alley and into the storeroom.  “Old man Johnson” slowly bent down and picked up his first box of canned goods and slowly walked with them into the store.  Bobby watched how slowly the old man moved and offered, “Hey, Mr. Johnson, you don’t have to do that, I can move all these boxes, you just tell me where you want them.”   Aaron Johnson, smiled and thanked the young man, and said, “That’s alright son, I’ll do my share.”  “Yea right, I’ll be doing ten boxes to his one!” Bobby said under his breath.  With this Bobby’s competitive spirit kicked in.  While Mr. Johnson continued to pick up one box at a time, Bobby began loading up two, three, even four boxes at a time and carrying them in.  Mr. Johnson continued at his own steady pace.  After a couple hours of hauling, Bobby was starting to tire a bit.  He was stopping a little more frequently between loads to catch his breath.  Mr. Johnson just kept going on, one box at a time.  Bobby was starting to feel a little put out.  This eighty year old man looked just as fresh as ever.  “Come on, Mr. Johnson, at your rate we’ll never get done,” Bobby said half-jokingly and half-seriously.  Mr. Johnson smiled and said, Son, I’ve been doing this longer than you’ve been alive.”  The gauntlet had been thrown down.  Bobby looked at Mr. Johnson, and again began carrying four and even five boxes at a time.  Mr. Johnson warned Bobby not to over-do it but to take his time.  But Bobby’s pride wouldn’t let him even hear the old man’s advice.  Bobby was working fast and hard, Mr. Johnson slow and steady.  The piles of boxes and crates seemed endless.  Bobby was wearing down now, and a sense of injustice, self-pity, and even anger was starting to grow within him.  Bobby was not accustomed to losing.  But “Old man Johnson” was still going strong and steady without so much as a break.  Bobby could take it no more.  He tried to pick up six boxes and walk with them.  Aaron scolded Bobby and told him to put them down.  No sooner had Aaron spoke when the bottom box broke and all the jars of pickles came crashing down and shattered on the street.  The other boxes in Bobby’s hands likewise fell.  Aaron just shook his head and told Bobby to get the broom and clean up his mess.  “Everybody has their limits Bobby” the old man said.  Now Bobby was steaming.  “Limits!” shouted Bobby, “I’ll show you limits.”  And with these words Bobby began looking for heavy things to lift.  He recklessly hoisted heavy box after heavy box into the air.  “Can you lift that Mr. Johnson?” Bobby shouted.  “Can you lift that?” He shouted again and again as he hoisted crate after crate and box after box from the remaining stacks of freight.  By the time he was done shouting and hoisting the alley was in complete disarray and Bobby was absolutely exhausted.  Bobby had to prove once and for all that he was the stronger man.  But while Bobby was busy displaying his athletic prowess, Mr. Johnson simply turned away and quietly and steadily moved his boxes into the storeroom.  Finally Mr. Johnson had finished his “fair share” of the work.  Bobby, on the other hand was still standing among the pickles and strewn boxes clogging the alley.  “If you’re finished playing” said Mr. Johnson sharply, “I’ll help you carry the rest of your boxes Mr. Spitzer, so we can get the job finished and go home.”

Bobby stood quietly looking at the old man eye to eye.  An unfamiliar sense of shame and humility slowly overwhelmed the young boy and his face blushed and his eyes welled up as his gaze turned downward.  Even then Aaron Johnson simply picked up the next box and walked slowly and steadily to the storage room.  Bobby cleaned up the pickles and glass and grabbed the next box.  When all the work was finally complete Bobby Spitzer silently grabbed his coat and headed for the door.  Bobby was sure that after his sad performance in the alley, Mr. Johnson would fire him.  Before Bobby reached the door he heard Mr. Johnson call to him.  “Here it comes,” Bobby thought.  Aaron came walking over to Bobby and handed him an envelope.  “My severance pay?” asked Bobby.  Mr. Johnson looked at Bobbly and smiled his usual reassuring smile.  “No, Bobby, it is a little bonus.  Because of your help here tonight, I was able to get this job done in record time.  Thank you!”  Bobby just stood and stared.  “Sorry sir,” Bobby said, “for the way I acted out there.”  Aaron Johnson gazed at Bobby Spitzer with a warm and fatherly look and said, “Son, there are all kinds of strengths, just as there are all kinds of weaknesses.  You’ve master one form of strength.  In fact, you’ve mastered the easiest of them—physical strength.  But when you get on in years, you’ll discover that the man who can control himself; his anger, his desires, his ego, his pride, his appetite, his ambitions, his passions, and his tongue is truly the stronger man.”   “I thought I was strong” Bobby said, “that is, until tonight.”  “The reason, I outlasted you Bobby,” said Aaron, “was because I had the strength to work within my limits, and not let my ego cause me to keep up with the ‘All American Athlete’.  I had the strength to control my desire to prove that at eighty I was just a strong as you.”

Bobby’s pride was too battered and weary to resist this sage advice and he took old man’s words to heart.  The old man extended his arm over Bobby’s tired shoulders, as he turned out the lights to the market, and two men walked out of the store and said good night.

He that is slow to anger is better than the mighty; and he that ruleth his spirit than he that taketh a city. (Proverbs 16:32 KJV)

From the very beginning man was created with two natures: A spiritual nature capable of communing with the Spirit Creator and receiving divine revelations, as well as a carnal or tangible nature capable of manifesting the Creator’s divine self-revelation in the visible world.  The Creator blessed man and commanded him to exercise “dominion” over the tangible world. This would, of course, include man’s own tangible carnal nature.

And God blessed them, and God said unto them, Be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. (Genesis 1:28 KJV)

But, as man soon learned, the tangible nature is not always so easily mastered.  In the Garden of Eden, Adam and Chavah were tempted by their carnal sensual nature.  Instead of exercising dominion over the temporal, tangible, carnal nature they gave in to it.

And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. (Genesis 3:6 KJV)

Since that time chaos and conflict has reigned in the world of man.  Since the day Adam and Chavah gave into their carnal nature, all humanity has been wrestling with these two natures.  The Apostle Shaul most clearly understood this internal battle.

For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. (Galatians 5:17 KJV)

Every day, several times a day, each of us find ourselves facing the two trees in the Garden of Eden. The Tree of Life represents the spirit man eating and living by divinely revealed knowledge and wisdom.  The forbidden Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil represents the carnal man motivated by his lusts and appetites eating and living by sensual knowledge gained through his sense.  By eating of the Tree of Life, the revealed word of YHWH, we feed our spiritual nature.  By eating of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, we feed our carnal man. If we predominantly feed and exercise the spirit nature we will be a spiritual person.  If we predominantly feed and exercise our carnal nature we will be a carnal person. Again the Apostle Shaul understood this simple dynamic.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. ⁶ For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. ⁷ Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. ⁸ So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. (Romans 8:5-8 KJV)

The carnal man is at enmity with the Creator because it cannot, by nature, receive spiritual things.

But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. (1 Corinthians 2:14 KJV)

The Apostle Shaul makes it quite clear that we cannot strike a balance between these two natures. To try and live by both natures equally is still to be eating of the mixed fruit of the Tree of Knowledge of Good AND Evil.  While we were created to have two natures, the carnal nature is to be subject to and under the dominion of the spirit nature. Only when the carnal nature is tamed can the strength of the spirit nature exercise its full faculties. For many of us, our carnal nature is far stronger than our spirit nature.  Rabbi Yeshua taught us,

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one, and love the other; or else he will hold to the one, and despise the other… (Matthew 6:24 KJV)

No man can enter into a strong man’s house, and spoil his goods, except he will first bind the strong man; and then he will spoil his house. (Mark 3:27 KJV)

Truly if we desire to be spiritual men and women we must learn to bind, bridle and tame our carnal nature. We must exercise dominion over the carnal realm.

Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee. (Psalm 32:9 KJV)

I said, I will take heed to my ways, that I sin not with my tongue: I will keep my mouth with a bridle, while the wicked is before me. (Psalm 39:1 KJV)

For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. ³ Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. ⁴ Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. ⁵ Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. ⁷ For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: ⁸ But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. (James 3:2-9 KJV)

If we are to be strong righteous men and women we must learn to feed and exercise our spirit more than our flesh.  We must learn to walk in the spirit rather than the flesh.

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16 KJV)

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:25 KJV)

To walk in the Spirit is to live our lives in complete submission to the revealed word of YHWH as given to Moses and as taught by Yeshua our Rabbi.  It is learning to walk by the revealed word of YHWH in spite of what we see with our eyes, hear with our ears, smell with our noses, taste with our tongues, and feel with our own hands.

For we walk by faith, not by sight: (2 Corinthians 5:7 KJV)

Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. (Hebrews 10:38 KJV)

For us to be free of the tyranny of the carnal nature we must put this sinful nature to death.  By faith in Yeshua the Messiah, we identify ourselves as members of the Body of Messiah.  By being a member of the body of the crucified Messiah we crucify our flesh  in him on the cross.  By being a member of the body of the resurrected Messiah we are raised to live a new life filled with the Spirit of the Holy One.  By faith therefore we put the old carnal dominated man to death and live now as a spiritually oriented man living in submission to  and led by the Spirit of Holy One.

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. ⁷ For he that is dead is freed from sin. ⁸ Now if we be dead with Messiah, we believe that we shall also live with him: ⁹ Knowing that Messiah being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. ¹⁰ For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. ¹¹ Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Yeshua Messiah our Lord. ¹² Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. ¹³ Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. (Romans 6:6-13 KJV)

And they that are Messiah’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. ²⁵ If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. (Galatians 5:24-25 KJV)

I am crucified with Messiah: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Messiah liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20 KJV)

Let us be clear to understand that neither Shaul nor Yeshua are teaching that we are to utterly destroy or eradicate our carnal nature and become pure disembodied spirit beings.  YHWH created us to have a spirit nature and a carnal nature.  Both natures are essential for us to fulfill our calling to be the image of YHWH in the world.  We are called to crucify the carnally oriented man not the carnal nature itself. To crucify the carnally oriented man is to destroy the carnal nature’s tyrannical reign over our spirit nature.  To crucify the carnal man implies that we crucify the man who lived predominantly by the reign of the carnal nature. To crucify this old carnal man is to restore the carnal nature’s proper relationship and subjection to the spirit nature.  The carnal man uses the carnal nature to serve the desires of the flesh. As spiritual men and women we  are called to sanctify even our carnal nature by exercising dominion over it and offering it up as a living sacrifice to the service of YHWH’s created and holy purposes.

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. (Romans 12:1 KJV)

While becoming spiritual men and women may sound quite romantic it requires a great deal of strength. There are many today who claim to be spiritual men and women and yet constantly resist the Spirit’s call to submit to the word of YHWH as revealed by the statutes, ordinances, judgments, distinctions, instructions and commandments contained in the the Torah.   Our Rabbi, Yeshua the Messiah, taught,

If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15 KJV)

Genuine obedience and submission to the Torah is the true sign of love and spiritual strength. This is what it means to love YHWH with all our heart, mind and strength.

And thou shalt love YHWH thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. (Mark 12:30 KJV)

If we truly love YHWH we will use all our strength to subdue our carnal nature and offer it to YHWH as a fit vessel for him to manifest himself in the world.  If we truly desire to be a righteous person,  a faithful servant, and a fit vessel for YHWH to use, then we must learn to feed our spirit nature with the life giving meat of YHWH’s revealed word, through disciplined study and prayer.  We must also learn to exercise our spirit nature by walking in the spirit as led by the Spirit of the Holy One.  We must also learn how to bind, bridle, and tame our carnal nature through spiritual obedience to the pure word of YHWH that we may offer up our entire life, body and spirit, as a living sacrifice acceptable and useful unto YHWH our Creator, Redeemer, and Savior.

We should note in this teaching the great difference between the ways of the spirit and the ways of the flesh.  The way of the flesh or carnal nature is one of rebellion.  The strength of the carnal man is observed in his carnal oriented life and his rebellion against and flight from the yoke of Torah.  The strength of the spiritual man, however, is observed in his ability to subdue his carnal nature and submit it in loving obedience to the Creator joyfully accepting the yoke of Torah.  The strength of the carnal nature is observed in rebellion and license. The strength of the spirit nature is revealed by the loving, willing, and joyful submission of the believer to the will and word of YHWH as expressed in the Torah.  Every day, and many times a day, we stand between the two trees in the garden and must decide by what strength we are to live by.

Summer was far from over and Sarah still had quite a bit of time to spend in the country with grandma and her friends.  Ruth Ann Houghton lived immediately next door to Sarah’s Grandma. Grandma and Ruth Ann had been neighbors a very long time.  Sarah remembered how helpful, kind and generous Ruth Ann was to Grandma when Grandpa was sick and dying.  Ruth Ann made dinner for Grandma and Grandpa almost every night for a whole month.  Ruth Ann would come sit with Grandpa so Grandma could go shopping or simply take a walk or even a nap.  After Grandpa died, Ruth Ann and her husband Theodore would invite Grandma to dinner, or to go with them to get ice cream.  They were such good neighbors.

Now, unfortunately it was Ruth Ann who needed neighbors and friends.  Theodore had been in and out of the hospital almost all winter.  Everyone hoped that by summer he would be up and around and helping Ruth Ann in the garden. But with time, Ted’s sickness only seemed to grow worse. Ruth and Ted both loved their flower gardens.  Most of the summer these two love birds would be working hard side by side in the flower beds.  Now, for the first time in years, Ruth labored alone to keep the flowers looking good.  Sarah could see the sadness in Ruth Ann’s eyes as she labored alone in the garden.  On occasion Sarah would go over and offer to help Ruth Ann.  Ruth always graciously accepted Sarah’s offer.  Sarah really enjoyed working with Ruth Ann and learned quite a bit about flowers, life,  marriage, family and dealing with hard times.

One particular morning, toward the end of Sarah’s stay with her Grandma, she saw Ruth Ann out in her garden alone.  Even though it was a beautiful day, Ruth Ann looked extremely sad and tired.  Grandma told Sarah that the doctor had been to the house and was not very encouraged about Mr. Houghton’s condition.  Sarah looked across the fence at Ruth Ann and asked if she could go help her.  Grandma proudly said yes.

Sarah said hello to Mrs. Houghton, and then quietly knelt down beside her and began pulling weeds and sifting the dirt through her fingers.  Ruth Ann talked about the beautiful flowers and the weather, and the birds, and even the worms that were in the garden.  The small talk seemed to help bring light back into her eyes.  But there was still a profound sadness in her voice.  Sarah did not dare ask anything too personal or about Mr. Houghton.   Small talk was sufficient for this day.

Ruth Ann was transplanting some plants into big pots for the front porch.  She began looking around, searching for something, but without saying what.  Sarah finally asked “What are you looking for?” “I need an old clay pot” Ruth Ann said, but I guess I’m out of them.  I had some here earlier, but I guessed I used them all up.”  Sarah, thought for a moment and then said,” I have one, I’ll be right back.”  Sarah ran into the house grabbed her homely looking lopsided clay pot and brought it over and gave it gladly to Ruth Ann.  Sarah just knew that this would bring a smile to her face.  Ruth Ann looked up at the misshapen pot quizzically and said, “Oh, no, no, Sarah, this is your pot, I couldn’t use it.”  Sarah, looked at Ruth Ann and said, No, you can use it.  I’ll make another better one next summer.  Go ahead and use it.”  So Ruth Ann said “Okay if your sure you don’t want it. “ “I’m sure,” said Sarah. And with that Ruth Ann smashed the pot on a rock breaking it into little pieces and stuffed the little shards into the bottom of the bigger pot to help with drainage.  Sarah stood frozen in complete shock. Her heart broken into little shards along with clay pot.  Sarah could feel the shock, anger, and tears rising up in her throat and simply said, “Good-bye, I have to go do something for Grandma.”  “Ruth Ann looked up and said “Good-bye Sarah and thanks for the pot.” But Sarah never looked back.

Sarah ran as fast as she could into Grandma’s house and threw herself into Grandma’s surprised arms.  “Oh Grandma,” Sarah cried, “I gave Mrs. Houghton my favorite pot from art camp to use for her flowers and she broke it!”    “Sarah dear,” Grandma responded calmly, “I’m sure she didn’t mean it.  Accidents happen.”  “No! Grandma,” Sarah said with a shaking and angry voice, “she did it on purpose!”  “Sarah are you sure?” asked Grandma.  “Yes, she took it and smashed in on the ground and then took the pieces and put them in the bottom of a big pot for drainage.”  “Oh, Sarah, I’m so sorry. I’m sure she did not realize that you meant it to be a gift.” Said Grandma reassuringly.  But the words fell on deaf ears and a broken heart.

For the next few days, Sarah remained in the house and stayed mostly in her room alone.  She lay on the bed looking at the little desk where the pot used to be and felt a profound sadness.  Eventually, Grandma made her way up the stairs to Sarah’s room.  “Sarah,” said Grandma, “We need to talk.”  Sarah sat up on the bed and made room for Grandma to sit down with her on the bed.  Grandma pulled up a chair instead and sat face to face with the sulking girl.  “Sarah, I want to ask you a couple of questions.”  Sarah nodded her consent. “Sarah, should we call the police on Mrs. Houghton for stealing your pot?”  Sarah gave Grandma a puzzled look.  “Grandma, Mrs. Houghton didn’t steal my pot, I gave it to her.”  “You gave it to her only on condition that she use it exactly as you instructed her?” asked Grandma. “Not exactly” said Sarah.  “Then she told you she was going to use it one way and then when you gave it to her she tricked you and used it another way?”  “No,” said Sarah, “I just gave it to her.  She said she needed a clay pot, so I gave her mine.  I didn’t know she was going to smash it.”  “You just gave it to her free and clear?” asked Grandma.  “Yes, I just gave it to her,” said Sarah a little frustrated. “But did you give it free and clear?” pushed Grandma.  “YES!” Sarah said raising her voice a little.  “Yes, I freely gave it to her,” Sarah repeated. “But was it clear?” Grandma asked intently.  Sarah looked at her Grandma’s face and saw the peculiar glint in her eye.  Sarah thought for a moment and then said, “I don’t know what you mean by ‘clear’?  Clear of what?”   Grandma moved closer to Sarah and said, “There used to be boys who would play pranks on people by putting a piece of thin, almost invisible string, on a dollar bill.  They would then lay the dollar bill on or near the sidewalk. When someone tried to pick up the dollar the boys would pull the string and the dollar would return to them.”  “Sometimes,” Grandma continued, “when we give gifts to people we still have ‘strings attached’. We give the gift, but it is connected with all manner of expectations and conditions. We expect the recipient to use our gift a certain way, we expect them to cherish our gift, we expect them to think highly of us for giving them the gift, we expect them to appreciate our sacrifice, to thank us, and to give us something in return.”  Sarah listened carefully.  “Why did you give your pot to Mrs. Houghton?” Grandma asked quietly.  “She is a nice lady who had done a lot for you and I wanted to make her happy,” Sarah said honestly.  “Is that all?” asked Grandma.  “Well,” Sarah pondered, “I guess I was looking for her to praise me a little and say how beautiful the pot was, and how nice it was of me to give it to her.  And I guess I was looking to feel pride in myself for making someone else feel better.”  “Oh,” said Grandma, “so it wasn’t given freely and clearly.”  “No, I guess not,” said Sarah.  “Sarah, you wanted Mrs. Houghton to be happy right?” “Right,” said Sarah.  “So you gave her your prized pot to use.”  “Yes,” said Sarah.  “And she used it, said thank you, and was happy, right?” “Right” said Sarah.  “Then,” said Grandma, “you accomplished what you intended.”  “You are right Grandma, I really shouldn’t be angry with Mrs. Houghton.  It was me that was wrong for giving a gift with strings attached.”  “Yes,” said Grandma, “strings that were still attached to your heart.  You were still attached to that little pot.  When we give a gift we must sever the strings.  We must give it free and clear.  Once we give our gift, it belongs to the one who receives it, and they are free to use it however they see fit.  Your intent was to give and to bless.  Once given we must not hold on to the gift or try to control it.  If we do, then we have been dishonest and not really given the gift at all.” “Thank you Grandma,” said Sarah with a smile spreading warmly across her face.  “That’s alright,” said Grandma, “Let us go down stairs and bake Mrs. Houghton some cookies to brighten her day. I’m sure she is missing you.”  “It sounds good to me,” declared Sarah as she sprang from the bed, ran down the stairs and into the kitchen full of life and light.

I have heard many believers declare that they have given their lives to the Sovereign Ruler of the Universe.  I too have often made this claim in prayer.  “Father, I am yours!”  “I give you my whole heart, mind, and being.” But when the Sovereign chooses to throw my life down upon the rocks and shatter it, I realize how many strings are still attached to the gift of life I claimed to have given him “free and clear”.  Our Master Yeshua taught us that a wise king weights the cost of a battle before he enters the battle. A wise builder weighs the cost of building before he starts the project and a disciple must weigh the cost before giving his life in discipleship to his Master.

If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. ²⁷ And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. ²⁸ For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it? ²⁹ Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him, ³⁰ Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish. ³¹ Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand? ³² Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace. ³³ So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple. (Luke 14:26-33 KJV)

YHWH did not go to Egypt and capture Israel as his bride, forcing or coercing her into a marriage covenant.  YHWH wooed Israel, redeemed Israel, delivered Israel, blessed Israel and invited Israel into a unique and exclusive relationship with him.  Israel was asked to give themselves to a life lived exclusively by the revelation of YHWH as given to Moses on Mount Sinai.  Israel agreed to give themselves wholly to this covenant life with YHWH.  Likewise, Yeshua did not go about capturing his disciples by force or coercion. Our Master invites us into an exclusive relationship with him.  Having received this invitation to discipleship we must weigh carefully the true cost of this covenant life and be prepared to give ourselves wholly to him.  This is not easy.  We must cut the strings off our heart and loose our expectations.  We cannot give our lives with the expectation that we are going to become some famous leader, honored preacher, world renowned teacher, respected elder or revered saint.  The fact is we may be called upon to be a simple, humble, unnoticed servant.  Maybe it will be our humiliation, our injustice, our suffering, our persecution, our brokenness, and our weakness that will best serve the Father’s perfect purpose.  Do we love YHWH enough to truly give him our life without strings attached, to use as he sees fit; to lift up or cast down as he deems necessary to accomplish his perfect will?  Do we truly believe that his work and will are the most important things in the whole world? Are we willing to give YHWH our life without reservation, without expectation, without strings?  As a believer and disciple of Yeshua, the Father’s perfect will and work are to be the priority of our lives, nothing should be as important.  We must be willing to give everything to the accomplishing of YHWH’s will. What else could possibly be more important? The Apostle Sha’ul encouraged the brethren,

Let this mind be in you, which was also in Messiah Yeshua: ⁶ Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: ⁷ But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: ⁸ And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. (Philippians 2:5-8 KJV)

Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. ¹²I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: everywhere and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. (Philippians 4:11-12 KJV)

The Apostle Sha’ul did not care how he was used by YHWH, he was only glad to be used to fulfill the perfect will of the Father.

I had to learn this lesson a number of years ago.  We had just finished dinner when the phone rang.  The person on the other end of the line was in dire need of help and advice.  Barbara, my wife was doing the dishes while I was sweeping the floor. Barbara answered the phone and began listening intently. I could discern from her expression there was a crisis in progress.  Barb, silently mouthed the name of the person, and I knew instantly what was happening.  I stood waiting for Barb to hand me the phone.  I was, after all, the professional minister for 20+ years.  I was “Pastor Glenn.”  I was the one trained in counseling and the bible.   But while I waited expectantly to be handed the phone, Barb just kept listening and talking.  Finally she left the kitchen and went into the bedroom for privacy. I finished sweeping and then moved to the sink to finish the dishes.  I am not too proud to confess that my ego was smarting a bit.  It was then that deep within my heart I heard the Father asking me; “Glenn, is MY ministry the most important thing in the world to you?”  “Yes,” I answered without a moment’s hesitation.  “Even when it is accomplished by someone else?” He then asked.  Ouch!  I realized then, that it is the fulfillment of YHWH’s will that is of utmost importance not who does it.  YHWH’s will is perfect.  I realized that at that moment, the best I could do to assure that YHWH’s ministry was being accomplished was to quietly sweep the floor and do the dishes so that YHWH’s chosen vessel, my wife, could administer YHWH’s love to the person in crisis.  YHWH had chosen Barbara for that particular crisis not me.  He had chosen me for the floor and the dishes.  I should have been just as happy to do the dishes as I would have been to counsel a brother or sister in crisis.  If I had truly given myself without strings attached, I would have been pleased to know that YHWH’s will was being done, regardless of who he had chosen to do it.

Sometimes, we are chosen for great things.  Sometimes we are chosen for little things. Sometimes we are chosen for honor. Sometimes we are chosen for humiliation. And sometimes we are not chosen at all.  We are to do nothing but wait on the Father.  If we have given ourselves freely and clearly to YHWH, then we should be happy in all these circumstance, knowing that the omniscient God has made the right choice at the right time to accomplish his perfect purpose on earth.  If we are elevated or put down, if we are blessed or broken, if we are raised to a place of honor or hung upon the cross, we should rejoice to know that YHWH’s will was done and we played some small part in it. We should rejoice to know that we were used of YHWH to fulfill his perfect and loving plan, regardless of whether it was through our suffering or through our honor, through our strength or through our weakness, through our wholeness, or through our brokenness. The fulfillment of the perfect will of YHWH should be the most important thing in our lives as disciples and believers.  Regardless of how the Creator chooses to use the earthen vessel we give him, we should rejoice that his perfect will is being done.

By Brother Glenn McWilliams of  TK TORAH KEEPERS

Henry picked up his presentation papers from off of the table, stuffed the pages hastily into his briefcase, politely turned to look at the gentlemen and ladies sitting around the big boardroom table, calmly and curtly said “Thank you,” and walked out of the conference room without even shutting the door behind him.  While his appearance was calm and cool his heart and mind were hot and racing.  This had not been the first time that Henry stood before the partners of the firm and had his presentation completely ripped apart by one or more of the participants. But today was particularly painful.  This time, it was not one of the wise and well seasoned veteran partners of the firm, but a young, ambitious, arrogant, upstart, want-a-bee, underling that mockingly picked at the presentation like a vulture eating road-kill.  Henry’s heart was filled with anger, rage, frustration, and even a hint of pure hatred.  The dog-eat-dog world of big business and big finance had taken a toll on Henry’s soul.  Once gentle, trusting, enthused, and inspired, Henry now found himself growing cynical, skeptical, hard-hearted, critical, resentful, and even bitter.  The dejected presenter gathered his coat, left his office and headed for home.  Outside in the hustle and bustle of the city streets the cold air whipping between the buildings did nothing to calm the fire raging within.  Henry began to recall the early days when he first joined the firm.  He was young and excited, even honored to be a part of such a corporation.  But today!  Today was another matter.  After 14 years of sacrifices, late nights, canceled family engagements, and battling his way through office politics, Henry was no longer excited or honored.  Instead he found himself mentally turning the tables on all those thick-headed, stiff-necked, simple-minded, unappreciative, self-obsessed, dictators who sat in judgment on his presentation.  Like a hawk-eyed predator Henry keenly focused in of every weakness of his prey,  feeding the fire of his resentment by picking at the numerous faults and weaknesses of every participant at the earlier meeting.  Having been with the company for 14 years, Henry had heard his share of the office gossip about each particular member of the company.  Now, these little tasty morsels of unsubstantiated tripe seemed a delicious feast spread before him to feed his growing hunger for revenge.  So obsessed with his own malevolent self-pity, Henry did not notice the two men who had joined him in his walk to the subway.

Like Henry the two men appeared to be ordinary business men on their way home.  Neither man was particularly memorable or intriguing.  Both were rather ordinary looking men in their middle years, of average height, weight and appearance.  They both carried a leather briefcase and wore long wool overcoats and felt hats.  They did not appear to be in a hurry nor did they appear to be following Henry, though they did remain very close to him.  All three men descended the long dark set of stairs to the crowded subway platform below.  Only while they stood in line for the turn-style did Henry take note of the men who had been walking with him for quite a few blocks, and were now pressed against him by the pulsing surge of the crowd.  Henry was the first through the gate and began walking to the designated stop on the platform, when suddenly one of the two men stepped up close to Henry and put his hand on Henry’s elbow.  Just as Henry turned to see what the gentleman wanted, the second of the two men grabbed Henry’s other arm and said “Come with us.”  Completely off guard, Henry looked at the two men and without a word began to walk quietly with them.

The three men journeyed down the platform into the darkness and beyond the crowds. Henry could not see a thing.  Afraid of falling onto the tracks in the dark, Henry grabbed hold of the arms of the men leading him.  Suddenly the darkness lifted and Henry was standing in a strange place.  He had never seen such a place before.  Like the subway station, the place was bustling with long lines of people.  From the top of the stairs where the three men stood, it looked somewhat like a human stockyard.  Once more Henry looked inquisitively at the men who stood stoically on either side of him like sentinels.  Without saying a word Henry turned and watched as lines of people appeared before a panel of men and women sitting at a long table.  This panel appeared to be some sort of tribunal that judged people and determined which station platform they would continue to.  As each person appeared before the tribunal, a dark dressed man would stand up and read a list of accusations.  Then messengers would appear with written testimonies that either affirmed or denied what the dark dressed accuser had declared.

Henry, finally found his voice and asked the two men who had accompanied him, “What happens to these people?”  The men calmly answered, “The ones who are sent to the platform on the right have been shown mercy and will live. The ones on the left have been found guilty and are condemned to die.”  Somewhat shocked by the serious nature of the answer, Henry quickly turned and looked again at the scene below him.  So many people were gathered there, and yet the majority of them were being sentenced to the platform on the left.  There were but one or two fortunate souls standing on the platform of life.  Looking again at the crowd gathered on the platform of death Henry began to studied their faces. Without averting his eyes from the scene below, Henry again asked his escorts, “Who are these people? Where did these people come from?”  The men encouraged Henry to look carefully and see who they were.  Henry leaned forward to gain a better vantage point and concentrated his vision.  He recognized the young, ambitious, arrogant, want-a-bee, underling that mocked his earlier presentation.  And there!  There were a couple of the veteran partners that denied his project.  Over there was greasy the fingered currier who always left smeared fingerprints on his work.  And there, there stood the fat office girl who never refilled the paper in the copy-machine when she was finished.  Over there was that selfish brat of a school boy who wouldn’t give up his seat on the subway for the old lady. Soon Henry began recognizing all manner of people who he has known encountered worked with, and above all complained about or cursed under his breath.  But he also noticed some people that he genuinely liked, but had on occasion, had differences of opinions with. With eyes wide open Henry turned to the two men face to face and boldly inquired, “What are all these people doing here?”  The men answered and said, “All of these people have been sent here by you.”  “By me?” Henry questioned incredulously.  “Yes, by you” the men answered.  The Accuser can accuse these people for what they have done wrong in their lives, but he cannot convict them without a second witness. You have provided the tribunal with the second witnesses.  Your complaints, curses, accusations, and criticisms have all been recorded.  Your own accusations have joined with those of the accuser and by your testimony these people are judged.   Shaken, Henry then turned his gaze to the nearly empty platform of life and asked desperately, “And what about them? Who are they?  How did they get here?”  The men responded honestly, “You have sent these people here as well.  These are those people that you interceded for, those you have prayed for, those who you have asked forgiveness for.” Henry looked again and recognized the old lady who lived in the apartment below him, who was suffering from a mysterious undiagnosed sickness.  And there was the homeless man, that he occasional talked to and gave a few dollars to.  And there was the crippled son of his secretary who he had indeed mumbled a prayer for.  And there was the old man who backed into his car, but quickly offered to pay for all damages.  Because of his age, the old man feared that the authorities would take away his license.  Henry remembered praying for the old man, that he would not lose his license.  “But there are so few! There are so few!” Henry repeated out loud.  “I have, by my unbridled mouth, condemned so many souls to death.” Henry confessed “And I have saved so few” he shamefully added.  Then with a pained heart Henry asked, isn’t there anything I can do to help these people?”  “Yes,” answered the men. “You can intercede for them.”   “Yes,” cried Henry, “Yes, I will immediately intercede for them.  I do not want their deaths charged to my account.”  With this confession and revelation, the two men once more grabbed Henry’s arms and led him through the darkness to the subway station platform, where Henry found himself standing as usual waiting for his long trip home.  Henry looked first to his left and then to his right, but saw no one. Henry was standing alone on the platform. The sounds of the train startled him. Henry shook as if he was startled awake from a momentary sleep or dream. Henry entered the subway car and found an open seat.  He looked out the window into the darkness but saw nothing.  Henry, took a deep breath, sighed, then closed his eyes and began to pray.

When asked concerning the greatest commandment, Yeshua answered as follows.

And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? ²⁹ And Yeshua answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; YHWH is our God YHWH is One: ³⁰ And thou shalt love YHWH thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. ³¹ And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. (Mark 12:28-31 KJV)

This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:38-40 KJV)

When asked about the greatest commandment, Yeshua responded with the Shema; “Hear O Israel YHWH is our God, YHWH is One.”  To believe that YHWH is the one and only true God is the first commandment.  To believe that the One and Only God is our God means that we should love, fear and obey him with all of our heart, soul, mind, and strength.  The command to “love of God,” expresses not only our sentiments toward the Creator, but also our recognition of his sovereignty over our lives.  We should note that our Rabbi, Yeshua the Messiah, has taught us that belief in YHWH is to be expressed in two ways; the love of God and the love of neighbor.  In truth, these are one and the same thing.  Since it is impossible for us to embrace, kiss, hug, minister to or serve the Omniscient, Omnipresent, Omnipotent, invisible God, then we direct this love and service toward that which he loves, his creation. This is what Yeshua taught when he said,

He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. (Matthew 10:40 KJV)

Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me. (Mark 9:37 KJV)

He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me. (Luke 10:16 KJV)

And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. (Matthew 25:40 KJV)

Then shall he answer them, saying, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye did it not to one of the least of these, ye did it not to me. (Matthew 25:45 KJV)

John affirmed this teaching in a negative statement.

If a man say, I love God, and hateth his brother, he is a liar: for he that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? (1 John 4:20 KJV)

The principle is a simple one.  We cannot love him whom we cannot see without loving those we can.  To love our neighbor is to love God.

If the Ten Commandments were written with five commandments on one tablet (or possibly on one side of the tablet) and five written on the other tablet (or reverse side of the same tablet)[1] then it would stand to reason that the first tablet began with the commandment declaring YHWH as God and deliverer, and forbidding the worship of any other god.

And God spake all these words, saying, ² I am YHWH thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. ³ Thou shalt have no other gods before me. ⁴ Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of an thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: ⁵ Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I YHWH thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; ⁶ And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments. ⁷ Thou shalt not take the name of YHWH thy God in vain; for YHWH will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain. ⁸ Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. ⁹ Six days shalt thou labor, and do all thy work: ¹⁰ But the seventh day is the Sabbath of YHWH thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: ¹¹ For in six days YHWH made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore YHWH blessed the Sabbath day, and hallowed it. ¹² Honor thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which YHWH thy God giveth thee. (Exodus 20:1-12 KJV)

Note that all of the commandments that follow the first commandment are birthed by the first commandment.  The command to worship the One True Sovereign God of the Universe exclusively is the foundation for the rest of the commandments.  Making idols or bowing down to them, claiming to belong to YHWH while secretly or openly worshipping other gods, ignoring YHWH’s appointed day of rest, and dishonoring YHWH’s representatives in our lives (father and mother) are all prohibited by the first commandment.  The same may be said of the second set of commandments.

Thou shalt not kill. ¹⁴ Thou shalt not commit adultery. ¹⁵ Thou shalt not steal. ¹⁶ Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor. ¹⁷ Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s house; thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbor’s. (Exodus 20:13-17 KJV)

All of these commandments have to do with loving one’s neighbor.  Loving one’s neighbor begins by not killing him!  We should note however, that the act of adultery is a form of mentally or emotionally murdering the unsuspecting husband or wife.  If a man commits adultery with his neighbor’s wife, then he has murdered his neighbor mentally, so that he may possess the man’s wife.  If one steals from her neighbor, she murders her neighbor mentally so she may possess her neighbor’s property without guilt.  If one bears false witness, he is guilty of murdering a person’s reputation.  The same is true for coveting, which is a form of mentally murdering a neighbor in hopes of receiving his property or good fortune.

Another form of such murder is by participation in the ministry of accusation.  The “Adversary” or “Devil” is often referred to as “the accuser of the brethren.”  The Greek word diabolos which is most often translated as “devil,” means “one who accuses falsely, one prone to slander, slanderer, or accuser.”

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Messiah: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. (Revelation 12:10 KJV)

The “Adversary” of YHWH, of his Messiah, and of his people, carries on an endless ministry of accusation.  We may see a hint of this ministry in the story of Job.

⁶ Now there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before YHWH, and Satan came also among them. ⁷ And YHWH said unto Satan, Whence comest thou? Then Satan answered YHWH, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. ⁸ And YHWH said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? ⁹ Then Satan answered YHWH, and said, Doth Job fear God for nought? ¹⁰ Hast not thou made an hedge about him, and about his house, and about all that he hath on every side? thou hast blessed the work of his hands, and his substance is increased in the land. ¹¹ But put forth thine hand now, and touch all that he hath, and he will curse thee to thy face. (Job 1:6-11 KJV)

Again there was a day when the sons of God came to present themselves before YHWH, and Satan came also among them to present himself before YHWH. ² And YHWH said unto Satan, From whence comest thou? And Satan answered YHWH, and said, From going to and fro in the earth, and from walking up and down in it. ³ And YHWH said unto Satan, Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil? and still he holdeth fast his integrity, although thou movedst me against him, to destroy him without cause. ⁴ And Satan answered YHWH, and said, Skin for skin, yea, all that a man hath will he give for his life. (Job 2:1-4 KJV)

Again let us recall that accusation is not enough to convict or sentence.  Truth is established by the testimony of two or more witnesses.

…In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (2 Corinthians 13:1 KJV)

At the mouth of two witnesses, or three witnesses, shall he that is worthy of death be put to death; but at the mouth of one witness he shall not be put to death. (Deuteronomy 17:6 KJV)

One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. (Deuteronomy 19:15 KJV)

While the ministry of the adversary is a ministry of accusation, the ministry of Messiah is a ministry of intercession.

Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. ²⁷ And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God. (Romans 8:26-27 KJV)

Who is he that condemneth? It is Messiah that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us. (Romans 8:34 KJV)

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. (Hebrews 7:25 KJV)

Just as there were two trees in the Garden of Eden, giving us choice, so there are two ministries that daily invite us to participate.  One is the ministry of the adversary of YHWH and his people; it is the ministry of accusation and death.  The other is the ministry of the Messiah; a ministry of intercession and life.  Every day, we must decide which ministry we will align ourselves with.  Every day we must decide which ministry we want to be associated with.  Every day we must ponder how many souls we will send to the left by our gossip, complaints and curses, and how many we will send to the right by our prayers and intercessions. We must determine how many will receive mercy and life because we aligned ourselves with Messiah, and how many will be condemned because we gave our voice as a second witness to the adversary’s accusations.  Let us never forget,

Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof. (Proverbs 18:21 KJV)

If we are to be members of the body of Messiah then we must take on the yoke of Messiah and learn to bridle our tongues. Even our tongues must submit themselves to Yeshua’s word, will and ministry.

Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. ³⁰ For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:29-30 KJV)

If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain. (James 1:26 KJV)

My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation. ² For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body. ³ Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body. ⁴ Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth. ⁵ Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! ⁶ And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell. ⁷ For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: ⁸ But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. ⁹ Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God. ¹⁰ Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be. ¹¹ Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter? (James 3:1-11 KJV)

Let us not forget the teachings of our Master Yeshua,

But I say unto you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you, ²⁸ Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you. ²⁹ And unto him that smiteth thee on the one cheek offer also the other; and him that taketh away thy cloke forbid not to take thy coat also. ³⁰ Give to every man that asketh of thee; and of him that taketh away thy goods ask them not again. ³¹ And as ye would that men should do to you, do ye also to them likewise. (Luke 6:27-31 KJV)

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