Selah - An Indepth Study

Hebrew word “Selah” - Pronounced “SAY’ - luh”.   
Also spelled: Sela, (Grk): Petra, (Calah), Sala, Sal, Salal, Solela.  These words all have integrated meaning from the root word meaning to lift/lifted up.

The exact meaning has been debated since the second century.
Since the 19^th century, it has become the focus of a handful of publications exploring it’s meaning and function in the Psalms.  The unearthing of the Dead Sea Scrolls offered a clue in understanding it’s use in the *Second Temple period.

It appears that the meaning and function of our word Selah has been missing in action since antiquity.
The Vulgate (Latin version of the Bible) offers the even more enigmatic semper, which means always. 
The Septuagint translated this word to mean through the Psalm, or inter-Psalmic – a division.

AS A VERB:  Strong’s Concordance states Selah is a live term in the *Second Temple Period.
What do you suppose they mean by a “live” term?  Read a little further and find out:

In Psalms & Habakkuk.  In Psalms, it appears 71 times in 39 Psalms.  Many of the lines that include selah use it as a conclusion or break in the stanza.  Thirty-one of these were directed to the choirmaster or director.  These uses easily reference selah as a type of musical instruction,  which strongly indicates that it represents a fairly common feature of Jewish worship, and particularly worship in the late Persian period. The use of this word was revived in the first century BC (says BDB Theological Dictionary), which makes it highly likely that the Jewish communities of the first century AD knew of it and probably used it, and that means we should expect to see it in the New Testament.  A key feature remains the achievement of a kind of mass-harmony. It seems to us that those Jewish communities enjoyed an ability to sing the way a flock of starlings may dance and pump: without central direction or plan but without anyone bumping into their neighbor.  Here, is the meaning of a "live" term.  After all, we are talking about the verb form.

 

In Habakkuk, it appears 3 times in Chapter 3:3, 9 and 13.  Here it calls us (as in most of the Psalms) to pause, reflect and praise God; to “lift up, exalt”.  It most commonly occurs per Psalm just once, or twice but it also occurs three times and once it occurs four times (in Psalm 89).

Haba. 3:9, In some translations “Selah” is omitted, in the original Hebrew text, at the end of 9a and at the end of verse 13. 

Recent studies show that if we develop a mindset of gratitude it will improve mood, decrease depression and improve sleep. Our bodies were designed to give praise and thanks to God.  By living a life of selah, lifting up the Lord, through controlled song and dance in our worship, that blessing returns to us.

AS A NOUN:  Sela refers to a “cliff or crag”.   Even when used to “lift up, exalt” it is a fitting definition for both the soaring cliffs of Petra (Greek for Sela) and the omnipotent God of Psalms, who deserves constant praise. 

Gen. 5:25, we find the name of MethuSelah, the oldest living man.  His name means “His Death Brings Desparing Rest”.  (Desparing means: unequaled.)  Selah can reference something unequaled.  The Flood came AFTER Methuselah died.  Can we see an unequaled period of devastation (or change), when there was a new beginning?  Could this also be the original meaning of the verb used in the Psalms to indicate a musical rest or a pause to praise?  The flood was a period of rest for Noah and his family.

Judges 1:36, refers to Sela as a place (a noun).

I Sam. 23:28, shows the word Sela as a place where Saul stopped pursuing David.  David went on to En Gedi (Oasis on west shore of Dead Sea) which is not far – both are in the southern and southwest area of the Dead Sea. Sela was Edom’s capitol.  Saul's search for David in Sela, was interrupted; could David have been hiding in the rock cliffs of Sela?

II Kings 14:7, references Sela as part of Edom (the capitol).  This verse could be transliterated as the king “took the rock by war”.  The meaning to Sela here is “rock”.  Selah was a specific city (possibly modern-day Petra), a stronghold noted in Edom.

 

Psalm 32:7, Selah highlights the very nature and character of God.  Good example in this verse: “hiding place” can reference Selah as a noun and “songs of deliverance” (praise of God) reference the word as a verb.  The overall message in this Psalm is one of human sin followed by divine deliverance.  (Sin = verb; deliverance = noun)

Isa. 16:1 references Sela as a place made of rock. 
Isa. 42:11 infers Sela is mountaintops. 
Isa. 63:1 references Edom, whose capitol is Sela.  Isaiah is describing the coming of Christ as vengeance for Edom’s persecution of His people.  (Will Edom/Sela shelter God’s people?)

Jeremiah 48:28, NIV says “rocks”.  Hebrew says “Selah”.  Greek says, “Petra”.  These three words reference the same thing: a place of rocky cliffs.

Daniel 11:41, predicts that Edom will be delivered.  Sela was the capitol of Edom.  Sela will be delivered.

Obadiah 1:1-3, Here Edom is referenced as having clefts of rocks – where Sela is.  It is easy to hide in the clefts of rocks.

In Habukkuk. 3:3, “God came from Teman (south of Jordan), from Mt. Paran.”  According to Rashi (a second century Hebrew historian) this references the giving of the Torah (the five books of Moses).  The Torah was given to Moses on Mt. Sinai.  We then conclude that Paran is another name for Sinai.  (Teman and Paran, are south of Judah, in Edom.  Edom is also in the area of Sinai.) 
* Simplify:  Mt Paran is in Teman – Torah was given from Mt. Sinai (also called Mt. Paran) – Both are in the southern area of Judah in Edom, who’s capitol city is Sela.
Different names of places are used possibly due to different times in history with different tribes and people inhabiting these areas and using variations of languages.

Haba. 3:19, In this verse, the term “high places” is referenced by some scholars as Sela.

Mt. 24:16, In this verse, the term “mountains” is referenced by some scholars as Sela.  (Matthew wrote in great detail to the Hebrew people.)  New Testament calls this Petra in the Greek. 

Lk. 21:1, Here, the word “mountains” is also referenced as Sela, by Bible scholars.  (N.T: Petra)

Rev. 6:15 & 16,  Scholars of the Bible interpret “rocks” and “mountains” as a reference to Sela just southeast of Dead Sea, which is in the south of Israel.

Rev 12:13 & 14 Read these verses with substituted words.  Interpretation: Dragon = Satan, woman = Israel, male child = Jesus, wings = airplane, wilderness = Sela, a time = one year, times = 2 years, half a time = six months. 

P.S:  Job 28:19, The price of wisdom, which is to seek and find answers in God’s Word, is worth more than pure gold.  The word “valued” (“compared” in the NIV is a mistranslation) is taken from “Calah” which is another term for Selah.  Is he saying, the place of Sela is of high value?   Also of great value is praising or listening for God (Selah as a verb).

My Research Summary:
Sela(h): noun = Sela, verb = Selah, Greek = Petra
For this word to be referenced so many times, it must be important.
Since it is hidden, is it a reference to the End Times and/or meant for us to “seek and find” a “pearl of great price” (as in Job 28:19)?

Sela was built during 3 periods: 18th century thru 2^nd century BC when it was destroyed by an earth quake; second century to 106 BC; and 106 BC to 363 AD.
Sela was the capitol of Edom (Heb: red); Edomites descended from Esau who had red hair. Gen. 36:43  
Mt. Seir is in Edom, southeast of the Dead Sea.  Gen. 32:3, 36:8,  Deut. 2:22.
Heb: Seir means “hairy” or “rides on the storm”.  Esau was known as being hairy with a temper.

Sela was capitol of Edom, land of Edomites, enemies of the Hebrew people, descendants of Esau.  God takes evil and turns it to good. 

Did David hide from Saul at Sela Before moving to the En Gedi Oasis?  I Sam. 23:25 & 28

As a verb it means a pause in prose where one listens and God speaks; His word is a resting place.
In Hebrew, as a noun, Sela means lofty, craggy rock, stronghold, cliff.  Jesus is our rock of safety.

 

The rocky cliffs of Sela (called Petra in the New Testament) glow golden red at sunset.  Dwellings and passageways are built into the walls with doorways and windows. There is only one way in and out; it is narrow.  This stronghold cannot be seen from the sky.

 

From the Hebrew alphabet (Alef-bet) the letters that make up the word, Sela, are hey, lamed and samech.  Hey (heh) references God’s grace.  Lamed (LAH-mehd) references a shepherd’s staff of protection.  Samech (SAH-mehkh) references a prop that lifts up.  Defining these letters in the word Sela/Selah we can define the word to represent the grace of God, the protection of our divine Shepherd and lifting up praise to both.

Question: Is the craggy cliffs of Sela where God will shelter His chosen people in safety during the tribulation?
AMEN

Second Book Begins Here

 HERE IT IS

> When I penned my book, "Evidence of God", it was meant to be followed by another. With the tragic onset of COVID, all plans for book signings, speaking engagements and publication was thwarted - even after Zondervan showed interest in publishing.

> "Evidence of God" was of a personal nature but I mean to follow that with an in depth writing of a book titled "From the Beginning" which has nothing to do with my life, finding my personal Jesus or finding my children after 50 years of separation.

> I am now prompted to do something with my writings and notes for this second book. 

> I am going to publish it right here - in parts. Whether I complete the entire volume or not, what I do have will be here for anyone to read who is interested in hermaneutics and/or apologetics in every day English, via Hebrew/Messianic interpretations.

> Hopefully, this will spur me to continue my research and actually complete this in-depth study.

> "In The Beginning" begins here.

> Dedication To Mary: My roll model. You are everything that I aspire to be. I love you, then, now and always

 

Book 2, "From The Beginning" 

The Logos

The First Communion

Names are so fascinating in the Bible.  They help translate events and their meanings.

Interesting chain of events: Gen 14:18 Melchizedek, king of Salem (Salem means "peace"), gave communion to Abram (means "Father of Altitude"), later named Abraham ("Father of Multitude"). He blessed Abram and Abram gave tithe.

This is the first mention of communion in the Bible and it lays the foundation for blessing and tithing. Notice God's blessing comes first because He is so gracious.  Notice also: after the tithe is paid, God makes a covenant with Abram to give a son (to Abram's barren wife in their old age) and countless offspring. 

Jerusalem is called the foundation of Salem; Jerusalem means "God's Delight". This communion was held in the Valley of Shaveh (means "King's Valley") Melchizedek means "My King is The Lord of Righteousness".
 
Let's put this together: "My King is The Lord of Righteousness" met in the "King's Valley" for the first communion, a ritual to mark the coming out of Egypt (Egypt translates "stress"), a type of sin (OT) (in the New Testament, the crucified Christ dying to cleanse our sin), with the "Father of Altitude" in Salem ("Peace") where we find Jerusalem, "God's Delight".  

Another way: "My King, Lord of Righteousness" went to the "King's Valley" to take out/cleanse of sin the "Father of Altitude" who honored this with giving a tenth of all he had and in return received the desire of his heart. (You can't out give God) This took place in the "Peace" of "God's Delight".

Abram became Abraham and was later asked to offer his beloved son as sacrifice to God.  This is a foretelling of the sacrifice our father made with  his beloved son, Jesus.  P.S: At the last minute, our loving Father provided an animal sacrifice and spared the boy.  
 
Our gracious God wants to bless us with the desires of our hearts in a place of peace - this is His delight.

Amen

God Said "Please"

So excited, just have to share - A fact from study of the original Hebrew text of the Bible (called the Tenach):

In the Old Testament, the word "please" has been omitted over the centuries by translators, to the tune of 410 times in the Old Testament - 176 times in Hebrew version of the New Testament.

Example: Gen 22:2 Read it for yourself in your Bible. The Hebrew Bible reads: "Please take your son . . ." This portrays God in a different light than harsh and merciless.... He always allows us a choice. 






"Please" demonstrates compassion. It has a reassuring affect while asking someone to do something very difficult. In the NT, the thief on the cross said (In Heb. NT), "Lord, remember me please . . ." 
Lk 23:42







Again: Ps 118:25 and Jn 12:13 says "Save us we beseech you . . ." original Hebrew: "Save us, please, O Lord! O Lord, please, send us prosperity."

Whatever could be the reason that this significant gesture should be omitted so many times by translations ?  Perhaps the earliest of them wanted a contrast between the God of the Old Testament and Jesus of the New Testament.  Isn't it wonderful to have such a precious God. 

Amen

The Precious Book of Psalms

The Psalms were written as independent pieces, by many authors, for different purposes over many centuries.  David is the best known author but not the only one.  Despite this, they are listed in a sort of "Divine Order".  There is a divine order to everything in the Bible.  Psalm 72 is accepted as written by Solomon while Psalm 90 is accepted as being written by Moses.

In II Sam 22 and I Chr 16 you can find two more Psalms of David. In Psalms 18 and 105 you can find lines from these two Psalms.  Note: we are told in I Chronicles that the Psalm is by David.  Therefore, Ps 105 cannot be an "orphaned" Psalm, as stated below.

David was favored by God because he offered so much praise.  We should recognize God through praise much more than we do.  I believe His favor would be greater, if we did.

The words "Psalm" and "Psalter" come from the Greek translation of the Old Testament where they originally referred to stringed instruments such as harp, lyre and lute, then to songs sung with their accompaniment.  Some are written as prayer to God and others written as praise of God;  prayer and praise as professions of faith and trust.

There are 150 Psalms: 34 lack super scriptions; they were written above or outside something else.

Psalms: 1 & 2 are known as "The Introductory" Psalms

Songs of the Sons of Korah: 42 - 49, 84 & 85, 87 & 88

Songs of Asaph: 50, 73 - 83

Songs of Ascents:  120 - 134

Psalms 93 through 100 carry a theme of "The Lord Reigns".

Psalms 113 through 118 are known as "The Hallel" (Hallel means praise) and are recited by Observant Jews on Jewish Holy Days as an act of praise and thanksgiving. 

Psalms 120 through 136 are referred to as "The Great Hallel".  Hallel is a Jewish prayer, a verbatim recitation of praise.

Psalms 146 - 150 are recognized as "The Conclusion" Psalms.  They proclaim praise to the Lord more than others.
There are further compilations.  These writings are separated into five books, each of which was provided with an appropriate concluding doxology. 

Book 1:  In Psalms 1 - 41 "Yahweh" is used and are pre exile from the period of the monarchy.  This name (Yahweh) is the greatest reverence for God.

Book 2:  In Psalms 42 - 72 "Elohim" is used and are also pre exile and from the period of the monarchy.  "Elohim" is a plural word referring to God and Jesus (if not also the Holy Spirit).

Book 3: 73 - 89

Book 4: 90 - 106

Book 5:  107 - 150
* In Psalm 110, David is proclaimed as "a priest forever" along with being a king, composer, warrior and prophet.

It has been speculated, these books may have been divided to make five because Moses wrote five books.

Psalms that are not credited to an author are sometimes called "orphaned".  They are: 1, 2, 10, 33, 43, 71, 91, 93 through 97, 99, 104 through 107, 111 through 119, 135 through 137 and 146 through 150.

Psalms 10 and 43 are believed, by some, to be continuations of their previous psalm.  This would exempt them from "orphan" status.

 Interesting:
Psalm 117 = shortest chapter
Psalm 119 = longest chapter
Psalm 118 = middle chapter of the Bible
   594 chapter before Psalm 118
 +594 chapters after Psalm 118
 1188 = Ps. 118:8  Read this verse !
*(This has to be divine order)

The book of Psalms is called "heart of the Bible"
David, the author, is called "A man after God's heart"
The Psalms are written as songs to God
The word Psalm means "Song/hymn"

The Psalms are poetic, prophetic, encouraging, instructional, exalt God, hopeful and conversational.

Examples:
Fearful?  Read Psalms 56, 91, 23
discouraged:  42
lonely:  62, 71
sinful:  32, 51
worried: 37,73
angry:  13, 58
resentful:  77, 94
forsaken:  88
doubting:  119 

The word "Selah" appears in 39 Psalms and the book of Habakkuk.  The meaning of this word has been discussed a lot.  I, personally, believe it to have three meanings depending on where it is placed.  It could mean to take a pause for reflection.  It can mean a pause to listen for God to convey a message to you.  In certain psalms that refer to the end time, a place of refuge or safety, it can refer to the place known as Petra.  In this instance, Selah/Petra relates to a place next to The Valley of Moses.  The Hebrew word "Selah" translates into the Greek word "Petra".  This place has a fascinating history.  (I will be writing on this topic at a later date.)

I want to end with the Introduction to the Book of Psalms from the Hebrew Old Testament (The Tenach):

For nearly three thousand years, every situation in a Jew's life has been reflected in King David's Book of Psalms.  Referring to this Book, God said to David, "One day of your songs and praises is more precious to Me than the thousands of offerings that will be brought by your son Solomon."  In illness and in strife, in triumph and in success, the Jew opens his Book of Psalms and lets David become the harp upon which his own emotions sing or weep.  Who can assess the worth of the little Book that has been the chariot bearing countless tears to the Heavenly Throne?

Upon reading of King David's many ordeals, one can begin to understand how he could compose the psalms that capture every person's joy and grief, thanksgiving and remorse, cries from the heart and songs of happiness.  He was the Sweet Singer of Israel; more than that however, he experienced the travail of every person, and that is why everyone can see himself mirrored in David's psalms. 

Many of the psalms were composed to be sung by the Levites in the Temple, with musical accompaniment, and such psalms generally begin by naming the instrument upon which they would be played.  Many of the psalms are attributed to authors other than David, but according to one view in the Talmud, he was the author of them all, presumably drawing upon ideas or texts and weaving them into his own compositions.

Whatever  the authorship of the psalms, one thing is certain:  Since the day it was composed, the Book of Psalms has become interwoven with the souls of countless Jews.  The psalms are part of the daily prayers.  They are recited at moments of illness and crisis.  They are changed joyously in times of good fortune and when heartfelt prayers have been answered.  The last verse of the Book proclaims: "Let all souls praise God, Hallelujah!"  The Sages expounded homiletically that the verse also means to teach:  "Praise God for every breath that you are privileged to take."  This degree of gratitude that sees everything - even as automatic an act as drawing breath - as a Divine gift is one of the countless teachings of David.  It is the soul that permeates the entire Book of Psalms.

Amen

The Divine Order of 3

This is NOT numerology, it is Divine order:


 3 is the number of the God Head; God's personal number of completeness

There are 3 parts of a man: spirit, body and soul

God allowed Gideon 300 men to fight the Midianite army

Jesus was 3 days in the grave

There were 3 hours of darkness when He hung on the cross - Lk 23:44

Three virgins in Jesus life: mother Mary, virgin donkey He rode into Jerusalem and the virgin tomb where He was laid.

3 women came to the tomb

Peter denied Christ 3 times

3 times Jesus told Peter to feed His flock

There were 3 disciples at the Mt. of Configuration: Peter, James, John

There were 3 figures  on the Mt. of Configuration: Moses, Jesus, Elijah

There were 3 crosses

When Jesus was arrested, He answered "I Am" 3 times

Jesus took 3 disciples from the group near to His place of prayer in Gethsemane - Mt 26:37

There was a daily temple sacrifice at 3 pm every day

There are 3 woes to Babylon in Rev. 18

There are 3 "hallelujahs over Babylon's fall - Rev 19

There are 3 angels in Rev 14

There are 3 parts of the earth: sea, earth and sky

Noah had 3 sons

There were 3 wise men

There were 3 shepherds

There were 3 in the Holy family in Bethlehem

Christ had 3 temptations

He raised 3 people from the dead

He had 3 friends: Mary, Martha and Lazarus

He was betrayed for 30 pieces of silver

Jesus ministry lasted 3 years

There were 3 men thrown into the fiery furnace

Jonah was 3 days in the belly of the fish

Jesus had 3 nail holes

Jesus gave up the ghost at 3 pm

In a dream, Peter saw unclean food 3 times

There were 3 beings sent to Abraham before the fall of Sodom

There were 3 items placed in the arc of the covenant

Abraham's journey to Mt Moriah, with Isaac, was 3 days

3 sacraments:  wine, bread, oil

Sarah prepared 3 measures of meal for Abraham

3 patriarchs: Abraham, Isaac, Jacob

3 categories of Jews: Kohen, Levi, Yisrael

Woman at the well called Jesus 3 different titles (Jew, Sir, Prophet) before He proclaimed He was the "I Am"

The number 3 appears 457 times in the Bible
The precision with which the Bible numbers all fall into their places cannot be accounted for except by the supernatural power and wisdom of a God Who is infinite. 

 

A Study of Gideon

It takes only three chapters: there are miracles, an amazing battle, the rise and fall of a hero, action and revenge, Judges 6,7,8.  In the book of Judges you can find all the men and women in charge of Israel before God appointed the first king, Saul.  Ooooops!  God did not appoint Saul.  The people wanted a ruler so bad that they insisted on him.  If you don't know how that turned out; well, let's just say God knows what He is doing.

The Hebrew name Gideon means "Warrior".  Gideon was marked with a purpose when he was born.   There is no evidence that Gideon had ever served as any kind of warrior until God called  him.

Read Verse 2 and then look up Isa 2:19, Jer 48:28 and 49:8  
I submit to you that these verses refer to Petra (Grk), also called Selah (Heb).  Both these names refer to a place next to Wadi Musa, "Valley of Moses" and offers supernatural protection.  A place where the Hebrew people wandered for 40 years. This place of red rock caves is invisible from the air and impenetrable from the ground.

Selah was the capitol of Edom.  Edomites descended from Esau, a red head.  The word "Selah" means lofty, craggy rock, stronghold, cliff.  "Selah" is also a pause in prose where one listens and God speaks.  (See Psalms)  God's word is a place of safety and rest.  *I will do a more indepth study of this in the future.

V 6:11 tells us that God manifested Himself.  (see V 14)  Gideon was threshing wheat to hide it from the Midianites, who were taking everything from the Hebrew people.  Gideon is also addressed, by God, as a "mighty warrior".  This is a positive statement from God to a man who is hiding from his enemies. 

V 12 & 13:  Gideon is talking frankly with what he believes is an angel and complains of all the troubles that have come upon his people.  Never mind that the Hebrew people have chosen to follow another god - or, rather, false gods of the Midianites.  

In V 14, Gideon is told to use the strength he has to go up against the Midianites.  God will not give him any super power.  He is expected to work on faith.

In V 15, good ol' Gideon argues with God, showing his weakness in faith.  In V 16, God tells Gideon all he needs is God in order to strike down ALL the Midianites like there were one man.  A strong statement to counter Gideon's weak argument.

V 17:  Now Gideon wants proof of God's word; a sign.  But, he is willing to make an offering to God, recognizing Him for who He is and showing gratitude and honor.  God tells Gideon He will wait - just as He waits for our gifts and offerings of faith.

In the few verses that follow, we see Gideon taking much time to prepare matzos and cook meat.  He is instructed on how to make this offering and watches as God consumes the offering with fire.  Ex.3:2, Nu 22:22, Ex 12:8
Then, Gideon built an alter to the Lord and called it "Jehovah Shalom" (God is Peace) because he had seen the Lord (pre-incarnate Jesus) face to face.  Guess Moses was not the only one.  Ex 24:11


Gideon goes on to tear down the alters and Asherah pole his father had made to Baal.  I recently viewed a short film about the Asherah pole and Baal worship.  Baal worshipers used to sacrifice young children to be burned alive.  Priests of Baal would publicly conjugate with women (representing the Goddess Asherah) then, the people would have public orgies.  Mass graves have been uncovered holding hundreds of carcasses of children.  No wonder God detested this idol worship.


In Judges:6:37 & 39, we find Gideon asking God for proof of a promise to make the Israelite army victors over the Midianites. In Judges 7:10 & 11, we find God offering yet another proof. This demonstrates the patience, understanding and grace of our Heavenly Father. We ask for something and God blesses with even more.

Great Battle Scene: Read in the book of Judges 7:2 & 8   Now see this amazing battle in Judges 7:19 - 23 WOW! This is better than an action adventure movie! Three hundred men surrounded an army that was so big it could not be counted (they were thick as locusts and camels were so many they could not be counted).

The three hundred shoulders were armed with shofars (trumpets made from ram's horns) and earthen pottery with a torch (light) inside. No swords, arrows or spears. They split into companies of 100 each and surrounded the Midianites. When Gideon gave the signal, 300 blew their trumpets and broke the pots. This would make one heck of a racket and shown a lot of bursting lights. Anyway, the Midianites (thick as locusts) were so confused that they turned on each other and ran off. Now, I would like to see this on the big screen: a multitude, action, camels stampeding, trumpets sounding, fireworks, confusion - great stuff!  Not one soldier of Gideon's was killed and the Midian army had to be chased down.


Amen

Language of The Bible

The Jewish People are known as the chosen people of God.  This, because they were picked to be the ancestors of Jesus from among the twelve sons of Jacob, whom God renamed "Israel".  The Israelites are not Jews, but the Jews are Israelites.  Judah was the fourth son of Jacob/Israel and represents the fourth tribe of Israel.  (The number 4 is representative of the earth and the name Judah means: "The Praise of The Lord")  His mother was Jacob's beloved Leah.  Gen.46:12

The Old Testament was written in the Hebrew language by Moses, the poets and the prophets, Genesis through Malachi.  It was the language Adam spoke.  In my writings, I will make frequent reference to the Hebrew language for translations in the Old Testament.  The same goes for the Greek of the New Testament.

FYI:  the Hebrew language reads right to left, has 22 letters in the alphabet and uses those letters for numbers.  It is a bit complicated when you grow up with English but highly descriptive and beautiful in meaning.  Hebrew goes much deeper in meaning than English, rendering more to the meaning.  A typical example is the word "Shalom" which is translated "peace".  BUT indeed, is much more.  To understand it in Hebrew, you have to translate it as "perfect peace" with a meaning of health, calm assurance, great peace and prosperity; the perfect peace of God.  Heb.4:12 

Letters represent numbers; there is no actual number system in Hebrew outside of the alphabet.  This gives greater significance to  numbers.  Each number/letter has a meaning.  ie:  7 is the number of completion, 5 represents God's grace, 10 is the number representing law and 12 the number to represent government.  Every number in the Bible has deeper meaning than just a count.  We can go deeper into this in another writing.

Another interesting word is "hesed". I have seen this word translated as "faith" which does not go near the description of all of the positive aspects of God: faithfulness, peace, love, truth, honor, eternal, steadfast, gentleness, shelter, and on and on, encompassing every adjective that describes this magnificent being.

"Hesed" - a beautiful Hebrew word that cannot be defined by one English word. This word encompasses all the positive assets of God: faithfulness, honesty, love, wisdom, compassion, generosity, grace, devotion, joy, loyalty, etc, etc, etc. This amazing word can only define God because any human beings are incapable of possessing all of these qualities. 

There are no swear words in Hebrew.  Of course, it is God's language.  To curse or swear, the Hebrew people must borrow a swear word from another language.

I find that Jewish people have a reverence for God that I have never witnessed.  They will not write His name; instead you may see "G_d" or the term "Hashem" which means "The Name", referring to "Yahweh". 

When studying any culture, it is important to know the language in order to truly understand.  In studying the Old Testament, it is an enormous help to understand the basics of Hebrew. 

Jesus was Jewish of the Hebrew people.  He spoke Hebrew, Aramaic, Greek and probably Roman.  What the heck, He was God in flesh so He could speak any language at any time with anyone.  I am sure He could speak in one language to a crowd and the Holy Spirit would translate in any tongue to a listener who spoke a different language - just like on the first Pentacost.

The Bible will make you wise.  As Jesus often said, "It is written."
Rev.1:3

Amen

The Gospels - Matthew

In the four gospels, we find 89 chapters.  Four chapters are on the childhood of Jesus.  There are 12 chapters of the public ministry of Jesus in John alone. 

What Matthew could have looked like

NOTE:  The disciples were very young, most mere teenagers.  I will be writing on this in detail in the future.

The four gospels are referred to as "Synoptic" gospels.  Synoptic means "to view together".  Together they compose the complete life of our Savior. 

Matthew wrote with detailed precision, as the accountant that he was.  In Matthew we find Jesus portrayed as a king, symbolized by the lion, exalted and represented by the color purple, associated with royalty (although among Jews the color considered as royal is red).  The phrase, "kingdom of heaven" is only referenced in this book of the gospels.  Matthew has the most chapters, 28, probably because he wrote with a lot of detail.

This first of the gospels is written to Jews of prominence and shows Jesus geneology, through Joseph, back to King David thus proclaiming His physical claim to the throne in the kingdom of God.  The tribe of Judah is listed to show His Jewish kinship as coming from the chosen people; Jesus being THE chosen one.   It does not state that Jesus was begotten of Joseph because there was no physical connection.  In the begats of Mt, chapt. 1, we find the four gentile women listed:  Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba (listed as Uriah's wife).  A few names were left out because they were not worthy.  In AD 17, Romans burned all archives.

NOTE: Most often non believers are not mentioned by name in the Bible, but these women were and/or became believers based on evidence in their stories.

NOTE:  Matthew records three sets of 14 generations: 3x14 = 42 months = 3 1/2 years: the time of tribulation.  The first set of generations runs Abraham thru David; the second runs David thru Babylon and the third runs Babylon thru Jesus.  These reference morning, noon and evening of the time of this age.

In those days, tax collectors cheated and stole from their own people - the worst of the worst.  People despised tax collectors, did not trust and shunned them.    Matthew was, actually, serving another country (Rome).  He had given an oath to Ceasar, as a God.   He was considered a traitor of his people for the love of money - a type of idol worship.  To his credit, in Mt 9:9, Jesus said two words, "Follow Me", and Matthew did.  Jesus explains his choice in 9:12.

Matthew, writing to prominent Jews, records the visit of the Magi and their dealings with king Herod (Herod, Heb: "Evil").  (I have read an account showing Herod as descendant of Esau.) 

in Mt 2:2 we find a parallel to Gen 3:9:  In Genesis, is the first question in the Bible,  "Where are you?"; God asked of Adam.   Adam, the first man, was hiding from God from the guilt of his sin.  Here, Mt 2:2, is the question from the Magi (a class of priests among the Persians and Medes who formed the kings privy council) inquiring about the second Adam, Jesus, who came to do the job that Adam failed at: uniting man's relationship with God.

In Mt 2:13 we are told of the escape into Egypt; Egypt translates "stress".  This is very interesting not only in this story but also the story of Moses saving the Israelites out of Egypt (stress).

We see the humility of John the Baptist in Mt 3:11

In the baptism of Jesus, we see the Holy Spirit, in symbol of a dove, lighting on Jesus.  (See Ps 2:7)  In Gen 8:9, the dove found no resting place from the ark.  The dove would not land on dead bodies of the condemned/condemnation.  The Holy Spirit cannot rest on us under condemnation.  The Holy Spirit, in Matthew, found no condemnation in Jesus - only grace.

When Satan tells Jesus to turn stones to bread in Mt 4:3, he is telling Him to get fed from the law (the 10 Commandments were written on stone).  Jesus refused because He came to fulfill the law NOT to enforce it.

In 4:20, it is interesting to note the phrase "I will send you out to fish for men/people" was originally, in Greek, "Let me be your guide".  Further in verse 20, "followed him" is "became His disciples", in the original Greek.  These differences in wording do put a slightly different slant to the meaning.

In Mt 10 we find the first commission assigned to the apostles.  Verse 11:25, "little children" originally read "disciples" who actually are children in their stage of spiritual growth.  Chapt. 12:31&32 reveals what might be the "unpardonable sin".  

It is very interesting, in lieu of Matthew's view of Jesus as King, that in verse 21:3 he refers to Him as THE Lord (not "my" Lord). 

Many parables are recorded by Matthew along with Peter's declaration, Jesus prediction of His death, the transfiguration, healing, divorce, the little children, His entry into Jerusalem, taxes, hypocrisy, woe to teachers of the law, signs of the end time, the plot against Him, last supper, the garden, His arrest, trial, Peter's denial, crucifixion, burial and ends with His resurrection.  

I find it interesting in 27:25, "All the people [Jews] answered, "His blood is on us and on our children!"  Surely, they had no idea what a curse they were pronouncing on generations.

This record ends with the resurrection, ascension and promise to be "with you always, to the very end of the age.".  
Amen
  
* I'll be back in a few days with notes on the book of Mark.

Believers Are Free

Well, it's Monday again and I had coffee in front of my favorite tel-evangelists on TBN.

When the coffee is gone and the programs are over, I have a little talk with my Heavenly Father.  This morning, I say "thank you" which is usually reserved for bedtime.  (Like counting sheep, only better.)  I was raised to pray for others in the morning and thank God at night.  This seems to help with too much self indulgence.  Although,  my Father in heaven is a generous father and I know I can ask for anything anytime. 

After four half hour sermons, from four different speakers, I am feeling particularly good about my freedom as a Christian.  (This is a pretty good way to start the week.)  To be the righteousness of God, as a gift, through the sacrifice of Christ is so much more than we realize; so much more than we deserve.  We do not have to work for anything.  We just accept by believing of, and in Jesus and His resurrected life.  That's it!  I don't think about this as much as I should.  It makes me very much at peace, with a lot less stress.

Christians are free from worry and fear.  We will be saved through the rapture before the worst of the end times.  We do not have to please God by working to do right.  We do not have to feel guilt - it's been taken away.  You can't change it.  It's already happened.  Whether you believe it or understand it.  We are saved from this world now.

When God looks at a believer, He sees His Son, Jesus.  In God's eyes we are as pure as our Savior Himself.  His shed blood covers over all sin and God can only see Jesus'  holiness.  Yes, we are holy.  We are ambassadors of heaven.  We are apostles.  We are brothers and sisters with Christ.  We can lay all problems at the feet of our savior and he will plead our case for us.  We can go directly to God, the Father and commune.  And. . . He will answer us.

When a believer dies, he sleeps.  He knows nothing.  In a twinkling of an eye he wakes to the rapture with all other believers throughout history.  This is an amazing thing to understand.  Talk about reducing fear.  

As Jesus is in heaven, so are we.  We, as believers, can heal and be healed, teach and be taught, anoint and be anointed, give and take communion and receive the same standing as Christ Himself.  Understand, we achieve this through what He did and the blood He shed - not by anything we could ever do.  We are sinners; have been, are and will be until we are changed to that new life.  Our sins no longer count against us.  Even as we sin today, it is already forgiven - because we believe that is why Jesus died and rose.

Some time ago, I left a Bible study because the leader was teaching that a believer can lose their salvation.  I guess, by committing a sin.  At first, I thought we might just agree to disagree, as brother and sister in Christ.  That does not work.  For one thing, both of us stand firm in our belief.  

Let me plead my case here:  Did Jesus die for nothing?  Is he saying that Christ needs to be nailed to that tree again so he can be saved every time he slips?  I say,  "NO".  It is once and for all - like Paul said.  Once died for all!  It is done!  We are saved.  We are free!  True believers WANT to do what pleases our Father because we know the love involved and the sacrifice from Him and The Son.

Let us be humble and take a few times today to reflect on all this.  Let's go through our Monday being happy for the amazing blessings God has freely given to us through His most beloved son, that He is so proud of. 
Amen

The Perfect Number

Three, the perfect number.

In Hebrew, the number three is represented by the third letter of that alphabet: gimel, which loosely resembles a backward "L".  This letter is represented by a camel and means to lift up, pride and/or benefit.

There is so much about this number and so many mentions of this number in the Bible that I am going to single out and list, in summary form, just a few:

3 days Moses traveled with the arc of the covenant, Nu 10:33
3 cities of refuge, Nu 35:14
3 days Joshua camped before crossing into Jordan
3 times Samson lied to Delilah, Jgs 16:15
3 times each year Solomon made sacrifice to the Lord at the alter he had built for the lord, I Kings 9:25

David's choice in I Chron 21:12 involves 3 options;
Two riddles are given in Prbs 30:15 and 18, using the number 3
3 times a day Daniel prayed, Dan 6:10
3 days Jesus was missing before being found in the temple
3 is the number of the God Head

There were 3 women at the well
Jesus was 3 days in the grave
After He died, there were 3 hours of darkness
3 women came to the tomb
3 times Peter denied Christ

3 times Jesus told Peter, "Feed/shepherd my lambs/sheep"
There were 3 disciples at the Mt. of Configuration
There were 3 crosses
There were 3 nails used to hang Jesus
At 3 pm each day was the temple sacrifice

At 3 pm Jesus gave up His spirit
3 parts of man: spirit, body and soul
3 parts of the planet: sky, earth and sea
Noah had 3 sons to replenish the earth
3 young men were thrown into the fiery furnace

Jonah was 3 days in the big fish
And there are many, many more uses.  A concordance is an interesting tool for further research.

Themes of the first 3 chapters of Genesis are reflected in the last 3 chapters of Revelation.

The third section of Psalm 119, v.17-24, represents the pride of the writer as he brags of his accomplishments.

The book of Revelation is dominated with the number seven, but you can find several references to thee number 3:
3 woes to Babylon
3 hallelujahs to Babylon's fall
3 angels
3 measures of barley
3 unclean spirits
. . . and more.
Do you see any connection with any of the numbers in situations I have listed?  I won't tell you of any in this posting.

It is a fascinating journey any time you want to study a number in the Bible. God's word, imparted by the Holy Spirit to human hands to write in divine order.

Amen

Divine Order

I love to see divine order in the Bible.  This book that has defied the ages and everyone who has tried to disprove it only to become a believer.  I love it!  It's like an ace up the sleeve of God.  Seek and you shall find.

If you have not read my blogs in March of this year about "The Book", you can find more listings of divine order there.


The original text of the Old Testament was written in Hebrew, the language that God gave to Adam.  This is an amazing language that could not have just "evolved".  There is divine order in the Hebrew language.  It uses letters for numbers.  Names have meanings that fit the story or person.  Numbers have meaning and relate to God, text or story.  It is detailed, full of signs and meanings under the surface.

Over the years, I have noticed how most churches like to stick to what they can explain in the stories of the Old Testament and the instructions of the apostles in the New:  The lesser prophets are glossed over, the major prophets are used for reference, Revelation is usually misinterpreted, can't preach on Song of Solomon (too much sex for church), don't need Proverbs because we are all that smart and Psalms are just poetry.  Even the stories of the Old Testament are just for introducing kids to the Bible.  Wrong answer; thanks for playing; let's try again.

The Bible is so much more.  There are pearls in the most unexpected places.  No one likes to read the "begats" but therein lies the connections, the lineage and where all the tribes of man came from and are found today.  I will confess that history and geography are not as interesting to me but I have a friend who studies both and her understanding amazes me.

Anyway, let's get to it.  It is so exciting to find divine order, connection and God at work through His Spirit working through the writers. 

In the book of Revelation, we see 22 chapters.  The Hebrew alphabet has 22 letters.  Not too long ago, I found out that each Hebrew letter corresponds to a chapter, in order.  Example: Rev 1 discusses Jesus.  First Hebrew letter, Alef, refers to the leader or head.  This continues throughout the book with Chapt 22 talking about Eden restored in the form of the New Jerusalem (heaven) on earth.  The last letter of the Hebrew alphabet, Tav, stands for covenant.  This Eden restored/heaven is the renewal of the first covenant God/Jesus made with Adam in Gen 2.  The number 22 represents revelation/light (light on the word/idea).

Okay!  Recently, I found this order taking a step further with Psalm 119, the longest Psalm.  This Psalm has 22 sections AND each section relates to the letters of the Hebrew alphabet - in order of appearance.  Tadaaaaa! 

We can conclude that each section of Psalm 119 relates, in subject, to each chapter of Revelation.  Oooooooh!  Example: first section of the Psalm v. 1-8 is parallel to Hebrew letter Alef, meaning leader or head (same as Rev 1) and these verses also refer to our head of the church, Jesus.  This theme runs consistent with all the letters of the Hebrew alphabet in order.  Then . . . the last section of the Psalm, v. 169-176 proclaims a desire to have a covenant with God.

God is speaking to us through his words in this book.  Read it!  Seek and you will find.  Knock and the door will be opened.  He has so much to say to us.  He wants to communicate with you.  You are His great desire. 

We will go more into detail about this later.
Praise be to the Almighty Trinity God of the universe!
Amen

Study of Jonah, Chapt. 4

Great chapter.  I find so much humor in it.  Great writer!  (This book is commonly attributed to Jonah himself.)  He had his faults but he knew how to build the story to a climax and entertain at the same time.    (I am a great movie buff and this would make a tremendous movie without deviation from fact.)

In the blog about Chapter 1, I mentioned all the ups and downs in this little prophetic book.  Well, Chapter 4 is no different. 

In the first verse, Jonah is mad - again.  In the second verse, he tells God, I told you so.  In verse three, he is so angry and frustrated over God's mercy that he wants to die.  In today's world, revenge is a common cry.  Jonah hated the people of Nineveh more than his own life.  There is the possibility that Jonah was afraid, if Nineveh was spared, they would again turn on Israel.  He was jealous that God could spare those who had oppressed his people.  Do we see this hate and fear in the middle east today?  Did Jesus see this depth of hate at the cross?

Verse 4 is God's answer to Jonah.  Hebrew text reads, "Is it right for you to be grieved to death?"  God expects us to understand his grace and mercy.  He expects us to reflect His gracious attitude in our lives.  (Jonah's blood pressure must have been sky high.)  God knows that when we exert negative emotions we can only hurt ourselves.  There is no peace for Jonah at this point. 

Verse 5 says Jonah was waiting to see what would happen to the city.  Did he think he might have changed God's mind?  Did he think God would care more for his feelings than the entire city of Nineveh?  Verse 6:  God's is understanding of Jonah and shows him compassion by providing shade.  Indeed, a miracle was done with the plant growing up immediately.  This made Jonah happy.  Well, I guess: shade from the very hot sun of that middle eastern climate.  I would be very happy.

Here comes the lesson:   We all go through these lessons from our loving father in heaven when we need correcting - just like a caring earthly father.  That is why God caused the plant to die.  This, of course, put Jonah back into another bad mood.  Do you see the frustration here?  Do you see the humor of God?  Jonah was so mad and God is giving him a trial; taunting him in order to teach him a lesson.  When you were growing up, did your parent ever do this to you?  (My grandfather did it a lot.  A little salt in the wound to drive a point home.)  Again, Jonah says he wants to die rather than to live like this: mad, jealous, spiteful, hot, tired, frustrated and not being able to manipulate God to do what he wanted.  He was a pouting child. 

Jonah is more worried about loosing his shade than the death of an entire city.  This back and forth conversation between God and Jonah shows God's tolerance.  He could have let Jonah die but God had a purpose for Jonah.  After all, he had not yet written this great book.

In verses 10 and 11 God makes his point plain to Jonah.  Jonah was given the plant for shade - without working for it.  (God does spoil His children.)  There were 120,000 people, plus animals, in the great city of Nineveh that Jonah wanted dead.  People with lives, feelings, families, friends, jobs and futures.  God was trying to explain that Jonah was wrong to have this hatred and jealousy to other human beings. 

I also see that this lesson worked and Jonah eventually came to a greater understanding of himself or he could not have penned this story from a impartial perspective.  Reach out to God, trust His grace and you will sail the calm sea of peace in your life.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> * * * <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Our lessons: 
1.  God's word is final
2.  God knows best
3.  God is an amazing teacher
4.  It is good to obey God before He has to teach us a lesson
5.  God's grace is for all His children/creation

* Note about the number 120 (120,000 population):  This number represents the end of law (the end of human effort) which is replaced by grace.  We clearly see God's grace extended to the people of Nineveh who in the past have condemned God's people.

I am sure there is more in this amazing little book that I have yet to discover.  The Bible is so full of subtle, under the surface, messages that it awaits our seeking them out. 
Seek and you will find.

Amen