May 11, 2007
"Who has performed and accomplished it, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I YHVH the first, and am with the last. I am He" (Isaiah 41:4). Rephrased this verse would read: "I YHVH, the first and the last, have performed and accomplished it, calling the generations from the beginning." Because YHVH is speaking here very specifically about the life of Ya'acov in his progeny throughout all its generations, we, who have his life in this generation, are assured of His continual involvement, until He will fully accomplish His word and purpose for the whole house of Ya'acov.
"But you, Israel, My servant, Ya'acov whom I have chosen, descendant of Avraham My friend, you whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its remotest parts, and said to you, 'you are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your Elohim. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand'" (Isaiah 41: 8-10). These words from the Elohim of Ya'acov, especially to those of us who have come from the "rejected" side of his house (meaning the lost tribes), are very encouraging and comforting, indicating that YHVH is "watching over His word to perform it" (Jeremiah 1:12).
YHVH warns those who content with or war against His servants, but at the same time tells us (Israel/Ya'acov) not to fear: "Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; those who contend with you will be as nothing, and will perish. You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them, those who war with you will be as nothing, and non-existent. For I am YHVH your Elohim, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'do not fear, I will help you'" (Isaiah 41:11-13).
The greatest challenge that we, as the redeemed of Israel have, is to contend with the spirits of unbelief and doubt. However, these two messengers of Satan are discernable because of their modus operandi (mode of operation) of exalting themselves above the knowledge of the Word of Elohim (ref. 2 Corinthians 10:5). In this generation of the seed of the forefathers, we are being challenged like never before: from the cares and the riches of the world, to wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes and other natural disasters, and in particular the rise of the sword of Islam. The frogs are croaking the message of "fear" from every avenue of communication. But in the case of YHVH's redeemed remnant, fear should not be a motivating factor in decision making. We need to be strong in the strength of His "Righteous Right Hand", whom we know as Yeshua our Messiah and our righteousness.
If we will humble ourselves and pray, YHVH will answer and will not forsake us. He will open rivers on the bare heights; springs in the midst of the valleys. He will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land fountains of water (ref. Isaiah 41:17-18).
In this generation we need to know who we are and to whom we belong. We are His redeemed remnant "Israel", His servant. We are here and alive in Messiah for His namesake, that is, we are to be a manifestation of His nature. This is first seen in our families, and then in our relationships with one another in the body of Messiah.
May our studies of Torah (scriptures) this week be accompanied by "faith, hope, and love", all of which, working together, establish us in the unity of His Kingdom, as a holy nation and royal priesthood.
As we enter into His Shabbat, "let the peace of Elohim rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15).
Ephraim
"Who has performed and accomplished it, calling forth the generations from the beginning? I YHVH the first, and am with the last. I am He" (Isaiah 41:4). Rephrased this verse would read: "I YHVH, the first and the last, have performed and accomplished it, calling the generations from the beginning." Because YHVH is speaking here very specifically about the life of Ya'acov in his progeny throughout all its generations, we, who have his life in this generation, are assured of His continual involvement, until He will fully accomplish His word and purpose for the whole house of Ya'acov.
"But you, Israel, My servant, Ya'acov whom I have chosen, descendant of Avraham My friend, you whom I have taken from the ends of the earth, and called from its remotest parts, and said to you, 'you are My servant, I have chosen you and not rejected you. Do not fear, for I am with you; Do not anxiously look about you, for I am your Elohim. I will strengthen you, surely I will help you, surely I will uphold you with My righteous right hand'" (Isaiah 41: 8-10). These words from the Elohim of Ya'acov, especially to those of us who have come from the "rejected" side of his house (meaning the lost tribes), are very encouraging and comforting, indicating that YHVH is "watching over His word to perform it" (Jeremiah 1:12).
YHVH warns those who content with or war against His servants, but at the same time tells us (Israel/Ya'acov) not to fear: "Behold, all those who are angered at you will be shamed and dishonored; those who contend with you will be as nothing, and will perish. You will seek those who quarrel with you, but will not find them, those who war with you will be as nothing, and non-existent. For I am YHVH your Elohim, who upholds your right hand, Who says to you, 'do not fear, I will help you'" (Isaiah 41:11-13).
The greatest challenge that we, as the redeemed of Israel have, is to contend with the spirits of unbelief and doubt. However, these two messengers of Satan are discernable because of their modus operandi (mode of operation) of exalting themselves above the knowledge of the Word of Elohim (ref. 2 Corinthians 10:5). In this generation of the seed of the forefathers, we are being challenged like never before: from the cares and the riches of the world, to wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes and other natural disasters, and in particular the rise of the sword of Islam. The frogs are croaking the message of "fear" from every avenue of communication. But in the case of YHVH's redeemed remnant, fear should not be a motivating factor in decision making. We need to be strong in the strength of His "Righteous Right Hand", whom we know as Yeshua our Messiah and our righteousness.
If we will humble ourselves and pray, YHVH will answer and will not forsake us. He will open rivers on the bare heights; springs in the midst of the valleys. He will make the wilderness a pool of water, and the dry land fountains of water (ref. Isaiah 41:17-18).
In this generation we need to know who we are and to whom we belong. We are His redeemed remnant "Israel", His servant. We are here and alive in Messiah for His namesake, that is, we are to be a manifestation of His nature. This is first seen in our families, and then in our relationships with one another in the body of Messiah.
May our studies of Torah (scriptures) this week be accompanied by "faith, hope, and love", all of which, working together, establish us in the unity of His Kingdom, as a holy nation and royal priesthood.
As we enter into His Shabbat, "let the peace of Elohim rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful" (Colossians 3:15).
Ephraim
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