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TOPIC: Jacob is the founder of Israel most closely associated by the sages, with CONSCIENCE, TRUTH and RIGHTEOUSNESS (Gen 27:11,12; 30:33)

TOPIC: Jacob is the founder of Israel most closely associated by the sages, with CONSCIENCE, TRUTH and RIGHTEOUSNESS (Gen 27:11,12; 30:33)

For many, that will be hard to accept, even though Jacob did say:

“So shall my righteousness answer for me in time to come…” (Gen 30:33).

But that’s only because satan reserved his most intense propaganda, to discredit the Hebrew grandson declared a PRINCE (Gen 32:28) to lend his name to the Household of God which is forever the church and holy nation of prophecy (Ex 19:5-8; Is 66:22; Lk 1:33; Acts 7:38; Eph 2:11,12,19; Heb 12:23).

No individual other than Moses, king David and the Messiah, has received the weight of the honour conferred upon Jacob.

Let’s consider the testimony to Jacob’s righteousness which the following scenarios paint.

Jacob’s righteous character is evident under the great strain of the trial of his faith in his encounter with Esau.

Jacob’s division of his household into “two bands” wasn’t just a prudent decision for self-defence and survival, even though his reasoning in Gen 32:8 and his appeasement strategy with lavish gifts, make that seem to be the case (Gen 32:7,8,13-23).

His reminding YHVH of His prophecies promising Jacob success, deliverance, protection, favour and great multiplication (Gen 32:9,12) showing that Jacob’s FAITH WAS STRONGER THAN HIS REASON, prove that (Gen 32:9-12).

While of course he was fearful of what the outcome of setting up the rendezvous with Esau would be (Gen 32:3), his Fear of God was stronger.

His actions show care, considerateness and kindness towards his dependents, not the desperate scheming of a fugitive and underdog, of which he was neither, having just been exalted to PRINCELY rank by the Angel of the LORD (Gen 32:28).

Esau, the cunning hunter and hands-on adventurer, had done well for himself, both in Canaan, and in Mnt Seir, after leaving the paternal home, which evidently made the crisis that arose over the birthright a distant memory, increasingly irrelevant to his new, apparently happy and contented married life, to Hittite and Ishmaelite stock (Gen 32:3; 33:9; 36:2,3,6-9).

There seems no trace of sibling envy and rivalry in the description of the reunion in Gen 33, especially verse 4, which must have allayed Jacob’s fears that Esau’s four hundred strong ‘household cavalry’ was an ominous presence (Gen 32:6).

In a prophetic twist, Rebekah’s hopeful prediction that Esau would somehow reform (“UNTIL thy brother’s fury turns away”) to allow Jacob a safe return, ON HER CUE (“THEN I will send and fetch thee from hence/Laban’s household” (Gen 27:43-45), is fulfilled by Jacob courageously taking the initiative to ‘test the water’ to “find grace in thy sight” (Gen 32:5) by sending messengers to let Esau know his plan to return to his father’s household (Gen 28:20,21; 32:3-5).

Rebekah could never have anticipated that her expectation of Jacob being TEMPORARILY ‘exiled’ from credible danger, “And tarry with Laban a FEW DAYS” (Gen 27:43), would stretch to TWENTY YEARS, due to Laban’s incessant demands (Gen 31:41) creating the ideal time and space, it seems, for Esau’s soul to be cured of its furious, murderous intent (Gen 27:41-44).

Reminds us of Rom 8:28

“And we KNOW that ALL things work together for good to them who love God, to them who are the called, according to His purpose,’ as Jacob surely was, and as we are, grafted into his household as his grandfather’s, father’s, and his seed, in the Messiah (Gen 12:2; 28:14; Lk 1:33; Rom 9:7; Gal 3:29).

From the very beginning, the Divine purpose and vision for mankind has been for the Presence and power of the risen Christ slain before Creation for our salvation from our sins through the redemption which is in His Blood (Matt 1:21; Rev 13:8), to inform, charge and pervade everything we think and do, in every season of our lives, in both the good times and through the inevitable testing times, through His merciful provision of “grace for grace” (one grace/measure of favour after another) from one act of faith in believing and trusting Him, to the next (Jn 1:16), to REVEAL HIS righteousness through His FAITHFULNESS to His promises bringing us hope, comfort, courage and victory (as “more than conquerors”), and thereby, glory to Father and Son, by the Holy Spirit (Rom 1:16,17).

The goal of Divine Instruction (‘the law’) in the righteousness of “the Way of the LORD” to which pious (‘plain’) JACOB was no stranger (Gen 18:18,19; 25:27; Lk 20:31; Rom 3:31; 2 Tim 3:14-17), is ‘Christlikeness,’ perhaps most neatly summarized in Lk 6:40, as “The disciple is not above his Master, but everyone who is PERFECT, shall be AS his Master.”

It follows that the goal of FAITH is the salvation of our souls BY REFINEMENT TO PERFECTION of our CHARACTER (1 Peter 1:2-9; 5:6-12), to once again mirror the Divine Nature, shattered by our iniquity which separated us from God (Gen 1:26; Rom 3:12; 8:29; 2 Peter 1:1-11).

The goal of that REFINEMENT like gold and silver, is the sanctification of the reborn ‘temples” of our Holy Spirit-filled bodies by the Father’s Glory, just as the Glory fell in the Tabernacle in the wilderness (Ex 29:43), when it was perfectly ordered in every part in conscientious service to God, to reflect the perfection of the covenant itself (something David desired for his household – Ps 101; 2 Sam 23:5) and which was the ideal at which JACOB aimed by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, long before the nation of Israel and the Tabernacle, existed (Gen 30:33).

His integrity, measured by righteousness, was his preoccupation.

It was the salvation from sin which would come out of Zion and be of and from the Jews (through the Tribe of Jacob’s son Judah), to which Jacob’s prudent life decisions led him, like Isaac and Abraham who also walked before God aspiring to perfection (Gen 17:1; Matt 5:48; 8:11,12), because throughout history, anyone who has longed for the righteousness of God by faith, as their urgent necessity (including Job – Job 1:8; 23:10-12), was credited with the eternal benefit of the saving power of the Blood of the Lamb of God (Rev 13:8), even as Israel received mass deliverance and healing on the merit of the PROPHECY of the Crucifixion which had not yet taken place to ratify the New Covenant (Is 53:4; Matt 8:16,17).

That includes Noah, the “preacher of righteousness” whose faith “condemned the world” for NOT believing warnings about the Flood Judgment, his sensible childlike trust in God rewarding Noah, by making him an heir of the righteousness which is of God, by faith (Heb 11:6,7).

There’s no higher human goal than being sanctified by God’s own Glory, the Sh’kinah, God’s visible Presence (Ex 29:43), for yielding to sanctification by the commandments through the Presence and power of His Spirit.

It is through REPLICATION of YHVH’s Character in us by our imitation of the perfect sonship of the Messiah, that the REVOLUTIONARY RESTORATIVE PURPOSE of the Gospel will be fulfilled.

When human nature, transfigured by Christ, has removed the last trace of impurity, the obstacle to the renewal of the face of the earth (Creation’s repair), in anticipation of the glories of a New Earth (Is 66:22-24; Rom 8:4,14,28-22)

The flow of revelation knowledge to which we have been made privy in these notes, is valuable background information to the AUTHENTIC Gospel of grace, which is the resurrection power offered in this life (pre-Resurrection power – Jn 1:12), to be “wholly sanctified, spirit soul and body,” for the transfiguring of our souls to prepare the Way of the LORD for Him to return for a worthy remnant, to LIBERATE CREATION from its bondage to rapidly increasing deterioration under the burden of its defilement by man’s Torahlessness (Is 24:3-6; 1 Jn 3:4), by “renewing the face of the earth” by His Spirit through the MANIFESTATION (revealing the existence) of accurately discipled, true-worshipper-material as covenant-keeping sons (Rom 8:18-22,29; 2 Cor 3:18; 7:1; 1 Thess 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13,14; Heb 12:14,28).

Which brings us to Isaiah 29:22-24, the fitting CLIMAX of any serious study of Jacob, proving that his rôle in the drama of reconciliation and restoration of mankind to God AS HIS SONS AND HEIRS, as co-heirs “in Jacob” (Gen 28:14; Rom 8:17; 11:17-29; 1 Jn 3:1-3), is nothing short of profound and deserving of high honour (Rom 13:7) because it is as “King of JACOB” that God the Son will rule “in Jacob” and reign over Jacob (as the Seed of Abraham, God’s Friend), to the ends of the earth, forever (Ps 59:13; Is 41:8; Lk 1:33; Rom 11).

The Holy One “given to Jerusalem to bring Glad Tidings” (Is 41:27) makes it known to us that He shall be known as “King of JACOB” (verse 21).

Like Job, whose recommendation by God as a superlative human being was comparable to Godly Noah (Gen 7:8,9; Job 1:8), and whose suffering for righteousness may, for all we know, have gone on as long as Jacob’s (who had a very different set of trials), Jacob had integrity from the start (Gen 25:27).

Job reaped a double- portion (Job 42) for “holding faith” all the way through to victory over a dreadful ordeal as an object lesson in patience and longsuffering to us all (Job 23:10-12; Rom 5:3-5; James 5:10,11); and Jacob became synonomous with the ‘unbounded’ blessing (Is 58:14) for likewise enduring to the end for the glory set before him, by consistently ‘sowing to the Spirit’ (remaining “dead to the law” i.e. walking lawfully) which brings with it, assurance of eternal life (Gen 32:28; 1 Tim 6:11-15; 2 Tim 2:5; Gal 6:7-9 ).

We can be sure Abraham, God’s friend, is absolutely delighted with the favour his God has chosen to shower on his grandson Jacob (of whom YHVH says, “I have taken and called thee from the ends of the earth from the chief men thereof,” which includes from amongst Abraham and Isaac) in the matter of election by grace (Is 41:8,9; 44:2,3; Rom 9:13-21; 11:25-29).

In Hebrew culture, the firstborn mantle is deemed to have passed from father to firstborn consecrated son, at bar mitzvah, when the father’s responsibility for his son expires. This is great incentive for the father to unselfishly champion his son’s success because the well-being, wisdom and competence of the CURRENT firstborn in a family materially affects the well-being of all other members of the family.

Where a firstborn is envied and/or diminished/obstructed rather than honoured and unselfishly encouraged, a curse plagues the family.

So like any proud father, granddad Abraham and father Isaac inwardly crow over the high personal calibre and accomplishments of their firstborn seed (which reflects well on THEM), no matter how far forward in their lineage, hence Jacob’s vested interest in US, as HIS seed in Christ, as described in the VERY DEEP Messianic prophecy in Is 29:22-24, where it is OUR sacrificial, uncompromising conformity to the Way of the LORD (Gen 18:18,19; Prov 16:3; Rom 12:1,2; Eph 5:10,15-17) in the midst of the House of JACOB (Lk 1:33; Rom 11; Eph 2:11,12,15,19; 3:6) which is what will “sanctify My Name” (the concept of ‘kiddush HaShem’) by showing by our willing obedience, that we not only love God but hold Him in reverence and Godly Fear (Is 29:23; Heb 12:28,29; 1 Peter 1:2,13-17; Rev 14:6,7,14).

Of all three fathers, it seems that from his two major prophecies (Gen 28:10-14 & 35:9-15), Jacob had the clearest idea of YHVH’s vision of the Abrahamic household of God which would bear his (Jacob’s) name, as a commonwealth as “one new man” (Eph 2:11,12,15,19; 3:6).

Notice in Is 29:22 how God refers to Abraham prophetically in asserting the function and stature of the coming House of Jacob as final status quo for His definition of the Household of God.

JACOB (whose name must remain – Is 66:22), is henceforth the supreme identity of the body of Christ (Lk 1:33) just as David’s coming ‘second’ Kingdom (Micah 4:1-8; 7:8-20; Mk 11:10) becomes the Kingdom of the Son of David.

YHVH bypasses mention of the House of ISAAC.

This is in no way a subordination of grandfather and father to Jacob (Gen 27:29 does not refer to Jacob’s FATHERS).

Jacob’s Godfearing forbears’ Houses are SUBSUMED in the House of their seed, Jacob, THROUGH their salvation through their Seed, the Messiah (Matt 8:11,12; Gal 3:16).

In other words, although, as believers grafted into the natural olive tree (the New Covenant of the House of Jacob [Judah & Ephraim]), WE are defined as being “in THEE (Jacob)” (Gen 28:14), by being in Christ, technically speaking, because we’re born agaIn by a faith-promise, not by law, we are “reckoned (“called”) in Isaac” (Rom 9:7) IN ORDER TO BE Jacob’s seed, AS Abraham’s seed! (Gal 3:29).

That’s a brain twister, but it stands to reason, since it’s one and the same DYNASTIC LINEAGE, there being no competition between the incumbent patriarchs.

For interest, Deut 4:10; 5:29; 17:19 & 31:12 describe the rôle of the Fear of YHVH in learning the covenant (reflected in learning righteousness in 2 Tim 3:14-17 & Heb 5:11-14; 6:1-11).

Jacob is assured in Is 29:22 that unlike future insolence and contempt for God’s precepts causing grievous backsliding (which the Exodus exposed and judged decisively), the Messianic commonwealth OF HIS (Jacob’s) PROPHECIES would not “fail the grace” to be made available to it to attain the Holiness (devoutness and virtue) of the Messiah, for the fullness of Deity to fill the body of the Messiah (Rom 8:4,29; Eph 3; Col 1&2; Heb 12:14,15,28 KJV; 1 Peter 1:2,13-17), Who would be the Seed of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Gal 3:16).

That would ensure that the promises given to Abraham would be fulfilled (Gen 18:18,19).

He (Jacob) will ‘see’ his Messianic household, the ingrafted “one new man,” sanctifying His (YHVH’s) Name by accepting correction, to “establish Torah” by obeying His will on earth, as it is in heaven (Is 29:23,24; Matt 6:9,10; Rom 3:31)

Even as you read this, the immortal spirit of Jacob must be observing us from amongst the great cloud of witnesses, to watch HOW WE’RE DOING on the “path of LIFE” (Ps 16:11) which we know from Matt 7:13,14 IS NOT THE BROAD PATH.

Because contextually speaking, Is 28:9-13 is closely related to 29:22-24, we are given a profound prophetic reminder by Isaiah the Prophet of salvation (Is 45:17-25), in 28:9-13, that eternal life is only for those whose baptism was sincere, as proved by their having submitted to the Spirit to be “weaned from milk, to know doctrine.”

If we’re to believe Y’shua and Paul, doctrine and the commandments respectively, are literally everything, whether one is circumcised or not, because it is a Biblical axiom that love is obedience, and obedience is a prerequisite to sanctity without which no-one will see the LORD

1 Jn 5:2&3; 2 Jn vs 5&6,9-11
1 Cor 7:19
Heb 12:14,28

Hundreds of texts and passages confirm that the Way to life and immortality is indeed narrow, and cannot even be ‘found’ (Matt 7:13,14) without acquaintance with the ways and laws of God “from His Mouth,” by abiding in His Word and by waiting on Him regularly for intimate fellowship and Instruction, about which both Abraham and Job are well qualified to testify, LONG BEFORE SINAI (Gen 26:5; Job 22:21,22).

For the same reason, Y’shua as Eternal Father (Avi Ad – Is 9:6,7), the Incarnate King of the Universe, Jesus-Y’shua being “the I Am, the First and the Last” (the Alef and the Tav, the Beginning and the End, the Amein) DECREES our recognition of Himself as “King of JACOB” both “IN Jacob” and “OVER Israel” (Ps 59:13; 68:34; Is 7:13,14; 44:6; 45:21; Lk 1:33; Rev 1:7,8,17,18), just as He decrees that we offer thanksgiving for the Father’s mercy in adopting us “in Jacob” despite His not having covenanted with us (Jer 31:31-34; Rom 11; 15:8-12).

Creation is not safe while the soul of mankind is defiled (Is 24:3-6; Rom 8:18-22).

Everything related to the condition of the Creation is rooted in the conduct of man.

God has intentionally created causality between the ebb and flow of righteousness, and degradation OR stabilization and recovery of Creation.

The New Covenant is our only Hope of Conservation and Improvement of the Universe and therefore of continuity of mankind, through the glory of Christ in US (sharing the mold of HIS Character), because the Gospel of salvation from our sins is the prerequisite for Israel’s exaltation to chief of nations to save Creation from its corruption by the curse of our sins (i.e the curse of the law of sin and death) (Rom 8:18-22).

The hope of the Gospel (life and immortality) is why He is returning to destroy those who despise Israel and “destroy the earth” (Is 60:12; Rev 11:18b)

The Bible is essentially the Gospel of Creation and Redemption of man and the Creation.

Tanach prophecy of the New Covenant shows what working parts of the Bible it is still necessary to fulfil to consummate the complete Plan of Redemption.

The shalom-shalom of the world as it ought to be, is what the true, Holy seventh day Shabbat, the call to sanctification, signifies.

This is why Judaism sums up the mission and calling of Jacob/Yeshurun as YHVH’s witness nation (Is 44:1-8), as “the mission of SANCTITY” (i.e. “everlasting Jewish salvation” to perfect the soul by sanctification by the commandments, for election for eternal life, because “many are invited but few are chosen” – Is 45:17-25).

Jesus is in full agreement (Matt 28:20; 1 Jn 3:3-10)

THAT in short, will be JACOB’s LEGACY on behalf of Abraham and Isaac.

We are participating in it, amongst JACOB’s eternal household, the dynasty of Abraham and David (Lk 1:32,33; Jn 10:16; Rom 11; Eph 2:11,12; Rev 21:12).

There’s no getting away from the fact that YHVH has exalted Jacob for attaining the crown of life as an exemplary overcomer.

He “apprehended,” to have a place reserved in the Kingdom of heaven (Matt 8:11).

Now must we (Phil 3:12-17).

His rôle in the “everlasting covenant” as the patriarchal titular identity of “the general assembly and church” of YaH’s elect-firstborn through Rebekah (Ex 4:22,23; Gen 25:23; Heb 12:23) has been largely underrated (Lk 1:33; Heb 13:20,21).

In Messiah, his family owns the Gates of the New Jerusalem.

We don’t gain access to the tree of life, except by entering in through those Gates into the Eternal City (Rev 21:12; 2:14,15).

Our identity in the end will be determined by which of HIS Twelve Tribes our adoption into the House of Jacob is attributed to.

Safeguarding the original innocence we’ve regained through the gift of the righteousness of YHVH, by abiding in the Vine through faithfulness to do His commandments, is our incomparable holy vocation (Matt 12:50; Jn 15:3-15; Eph 4:1-6).

Hallelu YaH

We are “gods” called to “glory and virtue,” to sanctify the Universe

“For the LORD (YHVH) is a great God, and a great King above ALL gods (and kings)”
Psalms 95:3; 135:2-5: 136:2; 1 Tim 6:15,16 KJV

“…He called them ‘gods’ (the congregation of the House of Jacob) TO WHOM THE WORD (Instruction/’Torah’) OF GOD CAME, and the Scripture CANNOT BE BROKEN” (Ps 68:26; 74:2; 82:1,6; 135:1-6; Lk 1:33; Jn 10:35; Acts 7:38)

The Word confirms that we are “gods” called to YHVH’s own glory, purity and excellence (virtue) (2 Peter 1:3), to sanctify the Universe with our HOLINESS (Rom 8:4,18-22; 1 Peter 1:13-17; Heb 12:14,28,29) as He sanctifies our temples of His Spirit, with His GLORY, according to the pattern (Ex 29:43).

Firstly, “A great God” in Ps 95:3 should read “THE Great God…” (the Unity & Oneness of YHVH’s Supreme Sovereignty is definitely implied by the translators, but is obscured by that grammatical slip) because as we well know, there simply is no other God (only lifeless counterfeits in abundance) (Deut 6:4,5; 4:39; Is 44:6-8,24; 45:21-23; 46:9; Mk 12:28-34).

Secondly, the PRINCIPLE that human beings can actually BE “gods” (always lower case, of course) is FORMALLY established by inference from Jn 10:35/Ps 82:1,2,6, fixing its origin to the founding of Israel as a nation at Sinai, where mankind (through Israel, YHVH’s light to the nations, as proxy) first heard the Ten Pronouncements (‘commandments’) of YHVH to which His awestruck elect nation instantly consented, with “ALL that the LORD hath spoken we WILL DO, and be obedient,” believing that all who would be joined to Israel in future, would likewise “enter into the covenant…and into the oath,” to do the same, in order to be established as His special treasure (Ex 19:5-8; 24:7,8; Deut 28:1,2,9; 29:12-15; Is 14:1; Rom 3:31; 1 Peter 2:9,10).

Our first duty as “gods,” as “children of the Most High” (Ps 82:1,6), once we’ve been baptized into the adoption of sons, is to keep FOURTEEN requirements: all Ten Commandments (which include the Gen 2:2,3/Matt 12:8/Heb 4:1-11 seventh day Shabbat as the first of “the first principles of the Oracles of YHVH” – Heb 5:12) plus the four Levitical regulations in Acts 15:20, derived from the marriage covenant. These are the nucleus of the yoke of Messiah (Matt 11:29,30; 28:20; Rom 3:31).

God unites us to Him by teaching us how to act according to His will, in order to cleave to Him – which becomes in turn, “our life and the length of our days” (Deut 30:10,11,20; 32:47; 2 Jn vs 5&6).

He united the foundational Ten Commandments as ONE, to shine like sapphire (Ex 34:27,28,32; Is 54:11). Those who divide them will see no light. James, speaking about the REDEEMED, makes this point in James 2:8-10, in connection with the six Words of the Royal Law (do to others as you’d be done by – Matt 22:39). The same applies to the first four Words (Matt 22:37,38). All Ten, the pillars of righteous civilization, are indispensable, to live acceptably to partake of the Father’s holiness (Heb 5:9; 12:1-4,8-14,28).

The House of Jacob’s description by the God of the Hebrews as “gods” would remain (just as the name of Jacob would remain the identity of the church forever – Gen 28:14; Ps 59:13; Is 29:22-24; 66:22; Lk 1:33; Rev 21:12) in anticipation of Israel’s corporate salvation (Rom 11:23-29), as an ASPIRATIONAL title (currently honoured more in breach than in observance), notwithstanding the fact that “walking after the flesh” (which became Israel’s default mode – Rom 8:12-14; 10:1-3) was NEVER acceptable to God.

If it were, and if there were no Spirit amongst them, Stephen would not have been stoned eviscerating his fellow Israelites for “ALWAYS resisting the Holy Spirit, AS YOUR FATHERS DID” (Acts 7:51-53) ; and Jesus would not have levelled His sweeping indictment in Jn 7:19 (which confirms Stephen’s later charge in verse 53), that “NONE of you keeps the law” (Jn 7:19).

Dismissing and voiding the good laws of God is never good! (Is 29:13; Mk 7:6,7,13; Rom 3:31; 7:7,12-16,22,25).

We err greatly if we imagine the Holy Spirit played a negligible rôle (or none at all), in the Exodus (Is 63:11-14), and if we assume it was not possible for an individual to have a circumcised ear and heart (Deut 10:16,17; Is 50:4,5; Jer 6:10).

Since being “under the law” means to be convicted by YHVH Himself for transgression of His holy laws (as ALL Israel was in Jesus’ day – Jn 7:19), it has ALWAYS been possible to be faithful “under grace,” by leaning not upon one’s own understanding and strength, but by resting in the Spirit, supernaturally obtain quickening power to overcome the power of sin AND discern WHAT Word to apply in ANY circumstance.

This ‘savoir-faire’ (knowing the right thing to do at the right time), has always been within grasp of pious men and women.

It’s the prize for a ‘tutored soul’ – a soul molded by obedience to righteousness to be “crucified to the world” (Gal 6:14). It’s what it means to live in the Spirit and walk in the Spirit, led by the Spirit (Rom 8:4,14; Gal 5:24,25).

There was ALWAYS a remnant which reflected the righteousness of God which is by faith, as a foil to those who did NOT mix the Word with faith, but who followed after righteousness TO merit BEING UPRIGHT (Heb 3&4).

Caleb & Joshua (along with Moses himself), were the outstanding examples of Spirit-led forerunners to New Covenant freedom in the Spirit to do right without UNNECESSARY strain – though entering into that blessed state of rest would always require holy labour (2 Cor 5:9-11; 2 Tim 2:5).

There was no bondage to the flesh in Moses’ and Caleb’s believing and doing.

The generation that perished in the wilderness for “contemning” (having contempt for and defaming) YHVH “these TEN times” (Nu 14), is testimony that Moses, Aaron, Caleb and Joshua and the surviving, like-minded remnant that eventually crossed the Jordan, were indeed “gods.”

The New Covenant has radically increased the power to overcome sin, and our comfort by the Spirit, in the process, through our washing of regeneration and renewal of the Spirit (Titus 3:4,5) through baptism into Jesus’ death and resurrection to “this new life,” through which we are enabled by the indwelling Spirit to draw on the fullness of the better promise that “sin has been condemned in the flesh” (Rom 8:3) so that “the righteousness of the laws of life which comprise the Way of YHVH (the paths of righteousness, precept by precept), may be fulfilled in us,” as the sanctifying work of the Spirit (Is 28:9-13; Rom 2:13,26; 3:20,31; 7:7,12-16,22,25; 8:4,14).

Calling the church of Israel (Acts 7:38) “gods” was intended to magnify God’s Instruction ABOVE EVEN HIS NAME (Ps 138:1,2; Is 42:21; Matt 5:19; Rom 3:31) AND highlight the vital rôle of a well-exercised human conscience in attaining His purity (Heb 5:11-14;;1 Jn 3:3,4), by setting the bar of holiness where it ought to be for spiritual offspring of the Godhead (Acts 17:29) so that there would always be an objective measure of obedience, as the basis of just judgment of motive, speech and actions.

We’ll see below how God uses “gods” as the benchmark for evaluation of Israel’s spiritual condition.

In other words, only a hypocrite with a seared conscience would not feel uncomfortable being called a “god.”

YHVH does not make PERFECTION a CONDITION to be known as “gods” (Eph 4:11-14; Col 1:28,29; 2 Tim 4:17).

Just as He calls us righteous (2 Cor 5:21) expecting us to “learn righteousness” to BE righteous (Is 26:9,10; 28:9-13; 51:1-7); so He calls us “gods” in expectation of our providing justification for bearing His Name and bearing that title.

it’s also important to bear in mind that while YHVH treats every saved individual as a “god” (subject to our living up to that honour in all truth and righteousness, failing which we’ll die compromised “as mere men” as CANCELLED “children of the Most High” – Ps 82:1,2,6,7), this is NOT SO with FRIENDSHIP with God, which is awarded highly selectively by Divine Prerogative ONLY AFTER the most rigorous proving of one’s consecration and integrity (Gen 22; Heb 11:8-19; Jn 15:3-15; James 2:17-24)

The God of HEBREW MONO-THEISM (i.e. of the “one faith” of the one and “the same body,” namely, the ekklesia/kahal YHVH/church of YHVH/ “congregations” of “Abram the Hebrew,” now reckoned “in Isaac” “from the fountain of Jacob”), is the only LIVING Deity (Gen 14:13; 28:14; Ps 68:26; 74:2; Lk 1:33; Acts 7:38; Rom 9:7b; Gal 3:29; Eph 2:11,12,15,19; 3:6,14,15; 4:5,6).

Which means that eternal life is nothing less than the OFFER to all the redeemed, of HEBREW ETERNITY (i.e. “sleeping” in Christ, the Seed of “Abram the Hebrew” – Gen 14:13; Gal 3:16, then resurrected to partake of the promise to Israel of rulership of the Universe), because we’re all saved by adoption (through baptism into Jesus as King of Jacob – Is 41:21,27; Lk 1:32,33) into the eternal House of Jacob (Ps 59:13; Is 14:1; 45:4; 54:3; Lk 1:33; Rom 11), the household of YHVH (Eph 2:11,12,19), to be heirs of the world with Israel, by grace, through the righteousness which is of faith (Rom 4:13,16; Rev 21:12).

This one, universal (common, ‘catholic’) (Titus 1:4; Jude vs 3) HEBRAIC faith which came out of Zion from the Jews for the “everlasting salvation” of Israel and the nations (consummated in the mystery of the Lamb slain before Creation), was Moses’ foundation message from YHVH to Pharaoh in Ex 3:13-18; Is 45:17-25, to extend grace to turn him and his people from idolatry.

Because of the deceitfulness of the heart, only a certain number of enlightened Egyptians called a “mixed multitude,” grabbed the opportunity to join themselves to the victorious God of Israel on Exodus 12:38.

That’s the Passover pattern, the forerunner for OUR “sprinkling,” surnaming by the God of Jacob, and ingrafting (by adoption) into the natural Hebrew olive tree (Israel’s covenants and commonwealth – Rom 9:4,5; 11:17-29) as co-heirs of the House of Jacob, to learn “the Way,” for the maturing to perfection of our souls, by obedience to character-forming precepts (1 Peter 1:22) to be “AS our Master” (Is 14:1; 49:5-8; 54:3; Lk 6:40; 20:21; Acts 24:14; Rom 11; Col 1:28,29; 1 Peter 1:2b; 1 Jn 3:3-7).

Mercy and compassion were the reason YHVH devised the destruction of idolatrous Egypt’s ten predominant “gods” (Ex 12:12-14).

He could have extricated Israel with far less Testimony about Himself, had He chosen to do so.

One day Egypt, too, will keep the genuine seventh day (Friday sunset to Sat sunset) Sabbath of the Fourth Commandment, the “sign” of sanctification (Gen 2:2,3; Ex 20:8-11; 31:13,16; Deut 5:15; Is 56:6; 58:13,14; 66:22-24; Mk 2:27,28; Heb 4:1-11), to prove that they’ve fully learnt the prophetic lesson of Passover and the Exodus to become believers in “the Messiah our Passover” (Is 19:24,25; 1 Cor 5:7,8) through the revelation knowledge, that “preservation in Christ” (from the penalties, shame and guilt of sin; and from the power of sin – Matt 1:21; Rom 8:3), is possible only by “sanctification by the Father” through our justification through reconciliation with the Father through the Sacrifice of Christ, the ONLY Hope for us ALL, of glory (Rom 5:8-11; 2 Cor 5:19,21; Col 2:26-29; Jude vs 1-3).

Let’s drill down now, into the question of the identity of “gods” in different contexts.

Ps 95:3 is a GENERAL STATEMENT branching into two (maybe thee) classifications of “gods,” namely,

  1. faithful true believers, as heirs of “the God of the whole earth” (Ps 82:1,2; 138:1,2; Jn 10:35; 14:15; Rom 8:17); and
  2. the pseudo-gods or fetishes (idols) of world idolatry (Ps 86:8,9; 97:7,9).

Possibly also,

  1. fallen angels (who were also “sons of God” – Job 1:6) AND the hybrid creatures (giants) caused before the Flood by angels fornicating with “the daughters of men,” gross abomination to YHVH (Gen 6:2,4-7).

The two MAIN classifications are reflected by the following two texts:

“[A Psalm of Asaph.] GOD STANDETH in the CONGREGATION of the mighty; he judgeth among the gods.”
Psalms 82:1, KJV

AND

“For the LORD is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared ABOVE ALL gods. For all the gods of THE NATIONS are IDOLS: but the LORD made the heavens.”
Psalms 96:4-5, KJV

The second sentence in the latter text confirms its context as idolatry.

The first text clearly refers to believers (Ps 82:1,6; Jn 10:35), the first indication that it was the Passover salvation-rescue that led to the redeemed from Goshen (and fleeing Egyptians) being credited as “gods,” as “a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” at Sinai when in good faith, YHVH CONSTITUTED the nation of Israel by receiving the refugee Exodus congregation of the House of Jacob there (Ex 15:13-16; Ps 68:26; 74:2) as His bride-designate, on the strength of their UNANIMOUS ACCEPTANCE of His marriage covenant of Ten Words “given in commandment” (acceptance on OUR behalf too – Deut 29:12-15), with accompanying Instruction (Ex 19:5-8; 24:7,8; 34:27,29,32; Deut 4:10,13,14).

Although the imputing of “gods” to men is strongly associated with the fulfilment of God’s prophecy to Abraham about the release of Israel from captivity (Gen 15:13-16; Ex 12:40-42), It seems that the epithet, “god/s,” is synonomous in EVERY generation (beginning with Seth and Enos, when men “began to call on the Name of the LORD” – Gen 4:25,26, through Enoch and Noah to Abraham, Isaac & Jacob, Moses, David etc), with anyone redeemed as “an heir of the righteousness which is by faith” (e.g. Heb 11:7); AND, having received the Word of the LORD (as in “unto whom the Word of YHVH came” – Jn 10:35), whose lives (“conversation”) would in the end prove to have been conscientiously consecrated and conducted acceptably, to be an offering acceptable to YHVH (Rom 15:16-18; Heb 12:14,28,29).

Which means, lives lived honourably as “children of the Most High” (Ps 82:6), in righteousness and true holiness (Ps 50:5,23; 15; 24; 106:3; Acts 10:35), to receive the crown of life through their willingness and obedience to submit to the process of sanctification (separation) from “friendship with the world,” to be sure to die “the death of the righteous,” in the Last Adam, like Jacob (Nu 23:9), to be reckoned worthy to enter the everlasting Kingdom like the fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Gen 18:18,19; 26:5; Matt 8:11,12; Lk 20:35; James 4; 2 Peter 1:1-11; 1 Jn 2:17,28,29; 3:7; Rev 18:4,5).

So this is a wonderful topic, bearing in mind our Father really does WANT to magnify us (Job 7:17,18; Ps 8:4-6), though on HIS terms, of course.

So it’s excellent for straightening out overall doctrine.

To begin with, it serves to humble us by the reminder that creation of distinctions (Jn 3:27; 1 Cor 4:7; 15:10) and assignment of talents, conferment of purpose (in predestination – Eph 1:11), orders (callings – Eph 4:1), set apart work (Mk 13:34), honours (titles, designations, epithets) and the award and distribution of rewards, is forever a matter of DIVINE PREROGATIVE.

We vainly take honour for ourselves by “the arm of the flesh” at our peril, given that pride AND the conceit and arrogance of presumption are deadly sins (Ps 19:13).

John 15; Phil 2:6,7 & James 2 clearly show us that Y’shua-Jesus’ essential EQUALITY with God (“I and the Father are One”) which He did not consider “ROBBERY of God” (because their DIVINITY is a Unique Uniplural Parity, with the Holy Spirit), cannot be used as a pretext for a PRIVATE claim, that we are God’s FRIENDS.

Proof of having counted the cost of carrying one’s own cross (Lk 14:27-35 ; Heb 12), the willingness to be a ‘living martyr’ by being obedient to YHVH’s will, is the LEAST condition for attaining that state of grace (Matt 6:9,10; 12:50; Lk 17:10; Jn 12:47-50).

Otherwise, we are guilty of FAMILIARITY, which is a vile ASSUMPTION OF INTIMACY which is a sure sign of the absence of appropriate honour and awe (reverence and Godly Fear of God) of the Creator-Ruler of the Universe and Saviour of the World (Is 8:13,14,16,20; Mal 1:6; Rev 14:6,7,12).

We find proof of Abraham’s devotion to the Fear of God (Ps 119:38) through submission to His Voice and His ways, TWICE CONFIRMED in Gen 22 , to which James 2:23,24 refers.

“…for NOW I KNOW…because thou hast done this thing, not witholding thy son…” said the Angel of YHVH about Abraham’s trustworthiness to carry out a command (Gen 22:12,16).

That should help us as “gods,” read Ps 138:1,2 with fresh insight.

Abraham did EXACTLY what it says.

In Abraham being willing to sacrifice Isaac (suppressing his paternal compassion to do his Father’s will), and in Isaac’s willingness to BE the sacrifice (equally astounding acts of devotion to God, by both father and son), Abraham magnified God’s command (Word) above even His Name, and passed the Mt Moriah test with flying colours!

How many of US have listened FOR the will AND yielded TO the righteous demands (“if ye do WHATSOEVER I command you”) of our Father, often for NECESSARILY extreme testing (1 Peter 1:2-9; 4:12-18), even like silver refined seven times in a clay oven, to prove worthy of the ultimate commendation, “friend” (Jn 15:14,15; James 2:23), because not all “gods” will attain that acknowledgement.

Very few of us would credit an instruction such as that given to Abraham to sacrifice his son of promise in Gen 22:1,2, as the Voice of YHVH.

As is true of so much in Scripture, NOTHING we’re allowed to partake of during our probation (Phil 2:12,13; 3:10-18; Heb 12) is to be taken for granted.

EVERYTHING pertaining to salvation into the Kingdom of light, must be “confirmed TO the end,” if we are to have “full assurance of hope, to the end” in order to “lay hold ON eternal life.”

Our sanctification is twofold:

  1. We’re saved from our sins through repentance and justification by faith through sanctification by the Blood of sprinkling and baptism;
  2. To overcome the POWER OF SIN through our sanctification by obedience to the Spirit (Acts 5:32; Rom 15:16-18; Eph 4:23;24,30; 1 Thess 5:23; 1 Peter 1:2b), to show evidence (fruit worthy) of the sincerity of our repentance (Acts 26:18,20).

Heb 6:11 assures us that that will require “the same diligence” as others who have taken Jesus seriously as our impeccable Rôle Model (Prov 23:17,18; 24:13,14; 1 Cor 1:8; 1 Tim 6:11-14; Heb 6:1-11; 1 Jn 2:3-6,17).

When we acknowledge the finished work of Reconciliation to the Father through the Atonement of YHVH-Immanu El as Y’shua the Word made flesh (2 Cor 5:19,21), we “all receive of His FULLNESS” (His righteousness, purity, innocence, the Character traits of His Divine Nature, the rights and obligations of heirs AND the title and stature of “gods,” as “children of the Most High”) as the IMMEDIATE benefit of being justified by faith through the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins.

From that moment on, our lives become a DEFENCE OF OUR REBORN INNOCENCE.

By learning righteousness to “deny (say no to) unGodliness” we have to PROTECT the PURITY which Jesus ascribed to us through our sanctification by His Blood, when we first believed the Word of faith, the grace that brings salvation (Jn 15:3; Rom 10:8-13; Titus 2:11,12).

The sincerity of our salvation is tested by EVERY choice we make, once becoming heirs of the righteousness of God, by faith.

Sin will “find us out.”

Being a “god” means living up to the Holiness of the “God of gods,” by which we demonstrate whether we’re willing to sanctify (‘hallow’) His Name on the narrow path of transfiguration of our souls from glory to glory to be conformed to His Image (Matt 7:13-27; Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 3:18), by doing His will on earth, as it is done in heaven, to work out our own salvation in fear and trembling (in love AND reverential and Godly Fear) to be accounted worthy to be included in the holy and spotless bride (Matt 6:9,10; Lk 17:10; 20:35; Phil 2:12,13; Heb 12:14,28)

The obedient “jewels” (of holiness) (Ex 19:5-8; Is 35:8; Mal 3:16-18; Heb 12:14,28; 1 Peter 1:2,13-17; 2:9,10) who served God “acceptably,” to “remain” in Christ to STILL BE “gods” in the end, will be welcomed to enter “the Everlasting Kingdom” because they’ll be RECOGNIZED AS PURE, by having been fully conformed to the Image of God by allowing Him to form Himself in us (Rom 8:29; Gal 4:19; 2 Peter 1:1-11).

They will be those who will have obeyed the Holy Spirit to the end, to be “the blessed and holy” worthy to be given “fine linen clean and white” to wear with holy and spotless Y’shua (Acts 5:32; 10:35; Rom 8:4,14; Eph 4:11-14,23,24,30; Heb 5:9; Rev 3:1-6; 19:7-9; 20:6).

We are Israel’s inheritance in Messiah (Is 14:1; 54:3; 49:5-8; 55:1-5; Lk 1:33; Rom 11).

We’ve joined THEIR remnant, not them, our’s.

That’s what Gabriel prophesied to Mary, to confirm dozens of Old Testament texts (Is 49:5-8; 56:6-8/Jn 10:16; Lk 1:32,33).

Bear in mind we are heirs of YHVH Himself, not just joint-heirs with Jesus as Messiah (Rom 8:17)

So it’s easier to understand why, as bona fide sons of God (1 Jn 3:1,2,3-7), we should we called “gods” provided we are wholeheartedly applying ourselves to walk in truth & righteousness and “true holiness,” NOT GRIEVING THE SPIRIT (Acts 5:32; Eph 4:23,24,30).

The LORD uses different labels and epithets for Israel in history, as well as for us all as co-heirs of and with Israel today, to describe us at different stages of our sanctification of spirit, soul and body (1 Thess 5:23), to show His pleasure or disappointment at our commitment and progress, or lack thereof.

“Yeshurun” (a description of ideal Israel – when noble and true, merciful and just) in Deut 32:15 & 33:5,26, and “gods,” are examples.

Deut 32:15 laments their failure to clear the bar of purification; while Deut 33:5,26 applauds the fine achievement which lies ahead, when Zion, refined like silver and gold, rises to chief of nations in their Land (Is 46:13; Jer 31:7,10,17,31-36; Haggai 2 :7,9; Micah 4:1-8; 7:8-20; Lk 2:32) and Y’shua will not only not be ashamed to call them brothers (Heb 2:11; 1 Jn 2:28,29), but as one of His many crowns, will joyfully and triumphantly wear the crown of “King in Yeshurun” as Head of the House of Jacob, forever (Is 44:1-8; Rev 19:12)

In Ps 86:2, He is warning Israel their backsliddenness is jeopardizing their use of “gods” as a compliment.

In disobedience, they self-congratulate themselves to their shame, a pitfall which we too need to avoid (1 Cor 15:34).

They will “die as MERE MEN (i.e. NOT “the death of the righteous”), if their error and unbelief and injustice persist (Ps 82:2,3; Heb 2:1-3; 10:26-39).

“For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons (no respecter of persons/impartial in judgment/consistent in chastising and scourging), nor taketh reward:”
Deuteronomy 10:17; Heb 12 KJV

“The LORD God of gods, the LORD God of gods, he knoweth, and Israel he shall know; if it be in REBELLION, or if in TRANSGRESSION against the LORD, (save us not this day,)”
Joshua 22:22, KJV

The great lesson in all of this is that everyone saved by grace into the PROMISE of salvation (it has to be “worked out” in word and deed with real understanding, through sanctification by the Spirit, hence “in fear and trembling” – Rom 15:16-18; Phil 2:12,13; 2 Thess 2:13), is a soul under reconstruction in the image of the Highest, El Elyon, to perfectly reflect His Character and Way of life.

The “But” in Ps 82:7 (implied in Is 41:23’s “Yea, do GOOD…”), reinforces the fact that being called a “god” is CONDITIONAL.

We’re all on what Judaism insightfully calls ‘a mission of sanctity,’ to sanctify the Creation which is groaning in bondage to decay, under the curse of defilement by the sin, transgression and iniquity of mankind (Is 24:3-6; Rom 8:4,14,18-22; Rev 11:18b).

It is appointed to “gods,” namely, true worshippers in Spirit and in Truth, to find and confine ourselves to the narrow path (Ps 119:1,45), to be undefiled by walking in the light, to ‘repair the world,’ to improve the Universe (‘tikkun ha olam’ in Hebrew), because it is only PROVEN righteousness as fruit worthy of repentance (Acts 26:18,20; 1 Jn 3:3-7) that will result in “the God of gods” sending His Spirit to “renew the face of the earth” (Ps 104:30).

So we have much to live up to, as “gods” “called to glory and virtue” (2 Peter 1:3-11) by being called in YHVH’s Name as those “created for YHVH’s glory, formed and made by Him” to inherit and curate the Universe amongst Israel’s remnant, as THEIR inheritance (Is 54:3; Rom 11).

No greater purpose and plan; no more noble theme and endeavour, has ever existed.

But none of it can be lastingly achieved without us being occupied with and deeply engaged in the transfiguration of our souls (minds, wills, emotions) from glory, to glory (Lk 21:19; 2 Cor 3:18), by each of us “putting on the new man (“learning Christ,” to imitate the perfected Last Adam) which is renewed in knowledge after the image of YHVH (Heb 11:1-3) Who created Him” (Eph 4:23,24; Col 3:10).

If more of us would see ourselves as “gods,” fully comprehending what that means in PRACTICE, both as an honour and as a comprehensive set of duties as true sons (Lk 17:10; Heb 12) there can be little doubt that the redemption of mankind and thereby, the Creation we’re part of, would be more speedily accomplished, with far less collateral damage along the way due to poor judgment through lack of exercise of the advanced meat of the Word (Heb 5:11-14).

Godly character (acquired by trials of obedience to righteousness – Rom 6:12-22; 1 Peter 1:2-9) is the criterion for the integrity by which our holiness is being tested, moment by moment (Job 7:18b; 22:21-30; Heb 5:9; 12:14).

To conclude, wrap your mind around the moral of the fascinating account of the healing of the paralytic in Matt 9:1-8, of whom Jesus said: “Which is EASIER to SAY: ‘Thy sins be forgiven thee,’ or, ‘Arise and walk (i.e. be made whole)?’ “

He continued with, “But that thee (the condemnatory scribes) may know that the Son of Man hath POWER on earth TO FORGIVE SINS… ‘Arise, take up thy bed and go unto thine house'”

Even though salvation from our sins is itself a miracle of conviction by the Spirit, and therefore, forgiveness of a repentant heart is RELATIVELY EASY, it is a far greater, time-consuming miracle of transformation (through step by step parting of the veil and redemption from the POWER OF SIN) for the Spirit of Truth and Holiness to renew the spirit of one’s MIND to all the counsel of God (Acts 20:25-32; Col 4:12), to purge, purify and SANCTIFY a professing believer in the WAYS of YHVH, to make their souls a mirror of the Divine Nature, to bring them to final redemption of their bodies (Jn 5:24,28,29; 17:17,19; Rom 8:4,14,29; 1 Thess 4:1-3a; 5:23; 2 Thess 2:13-15).

THAT is the great test of a “god” – ‘saying no to Ungodliness’ (Titus 2:12), and “adorning God’s doctrine” with good works (2 Tim 3:10; 4:3-8; Titus 2:10) consistent with our call to a sanctified, sacrificial life of well-doing (e.g. Matt 5-7).

Righteous works (commandments, ordinances, Biblical traditions) ultimately decide both eternal status and rewards, because once saved, faith without works is dead because we are called to “WORK RIGHTEOUSNESS” (“follow after righteousness” to BE righteous), not just PROFESS it (Acts 10:35; Rom 2:6-13; 8:3,4; 1 Cor 7:19; 11:1,2; Eph 2:10; 2 Thess 2:13-15; 1 Tim 6:11-14; Titus 2:11-14; James 1:22-25; 2:8-26; 1 Jn 3:7).

We are to imitate our Father’s works, to walk circumspectly as His Son did, being made perfect by the love command, to be perfect as He is in heaven (Matt 5:19,48; 12:50; Mk 12:28-34; Eph 5:1,10,15-17; 1 Jn 4:17).

The Gospel and the New Covenant it represents is actually the Reformation of the fall of man through restoration of our original innocence (Jn 15:3), in preparation to own and be worthy of being stewards of a Universe greater and far more glorious than the one that first existed when the earth was young (Jn 15:3).

The Gospel is the Glad Tidings “to the Jew first” (the first to be regarded as “gods”) that YHVH has made a way where there seemed to be no way, to restore the Image of God to man (Gen 1:26), as proof of preparation of our souls for eternity by being “chaste virgins” by striving for masteries of “the Way,” which will be the fulfilment of His promise to redeem “fallen virgin Israel,” and make them a commonwealth of nations.

That’s why CHRISTLIKENESS, meaning “gods” reflecting the marked traits of the Goodness of the “God of gods,” is the goal (telos) of Instruction in righteousness (Gen 35:9-15; Amos 5:2,4; 9:11-15; Lk 1:33; 20:21; Acts 24:14; Rom 8:29; 2 Cor 5:9-11; 11:1,2; Eph 2:11,12; 2 Tim 2:5; 3:14-17).

So there’s a lot more to “gods” than meets the eye.

“Among the gods there is none like unto Thee, O LORD; neither are there any WORKS like unto THY WORKS.”
Psalms 86:8; Rev 2:5,26; 3:2-6 KJV

Prayer for Jerusalem Whose Honorary Title is YHVH TZIDKENU, The Lord our Righteousness, the Title by which our LORD Y’shua the Messiah is called, for He and the Father are eternally One with Jerusalem


As Deity Incarnate (Is 7:13,14; 9:6,7), the Messiah Y’shua-Jesus, AND His City, Jerusalem, share the Title “YHVH TZIDKENU,” “The LORD our Righteousness” (Jer 23:5-8; 33:14-17; Rom 3:21,22)

We ought all to respond to conviction by the Spirit, of the fact that according to the pattern, for perfection of a chaste remnant virgin Israel of YaH (Rom 11:1-5,11-15,23-29; Gal 6:16), purification of Israel must be initiated IN and then radiate outwards FROM the redemption (with judgment AND by personal salvation) prophesied in and for Jerusalem (Is 1:27; Lk 2:38), for the nation to be fully committed to its set apart purpose as ancient witness nation (to minister the salvation which is by the righteousness which is of faith, UNTO sanctification by the Spirit, under grace – Is 27:6; Matt 24:9-14; Acts 10:35; Rom 3:31; Eph 2:10; 2 Thess 2:13,14; 1 Jn 3:3-10; Heb 12:14,28), as anchor community in the commonwealth of Israel.

This is “the same (Hebrew) body” as before, now enlarged by the New Covenant by adoption of believers from the nations who through surnaming by the God of Jacob (Is 45:4; Acts 15:14) are Israel’s inheritance in the Messiah – Is 14:1; 54:3; Acts 7:38; Lk 1:33; Eph 1:5; 2:11,12,15,19; 3:6).

Israel remains intact as witness nation as God’s firstfruits (Ex 4:22,23; Jer 2:2,3; Rom 9-11), His stewards of the Holy Torah, with Shabbat, its centrepiece, as the fulcrum of obedience to “the Way” (2 Sam 7:23-29; Is 44:1-8; 56:6; Jer 17:19-27; Neh 13:15-22), hence the contemplative expression ‘While Jerusalem PRAYS (shut down in intimate fellowship with the LORD on Shabbat), Tel Aviv PLAYS’ (Is 1:26,27; 2:2-4; 31:9b; Micah 4:1-8; Rev 11:8).

Therefore we are led to pray for sanctification of the elect royal City of Jerusalem (where the nations will bow the knee to Zion’s headship of the nations every Feast of Tabernacles) from all trace of “friendship with the world,” for its dynastic crown (the fallen monarchy/sukkah of David) to be restored, to again be “the Princess of the Provinces” (Lam 1), no longer a tributary (vassal) to foreign regimes, but pre-eminent in the estimation of all, to the ends of the earth, to BE “the praise of the whole earth,” BECAUSE THEY FINALLY YIELD TO THE SPIRIT TO BE SANCTIFIED IN RIGHTEOUSNESS through obedience to the commandments, to be “as their Master (is)” – by striving in the Spirit for masteries of “the Way of YHVH” so that God can fulfil His promises to Abraham because this remnant will “remain forever” inscribed for life in the Messiah (Gen 18:18,19; Deut 4:5-8; Ps 122:5; 132; Is 4:16; Jer 3:15-17; 31:7,10,17,31-36; 33:17-26; Zech 14:9-19; Lk 6:40; 20:21; Acts 24:14; Jn 17:17,19; 1 Jn 2:3-6,17,28,29; 4:17)

As it is written:

Deuteronomy 4:5-8
King James Version
5 Behold, I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as the Lord my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the Land whither ye go to possess it.

6 Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.

7 For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the Lord our God is in all things that we call upon Him for?

8 And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?

After all, what Israel was birthed to do, is proclaim the existence, Oneness and Majesty of their God while demonstrating the truth that the salvation which has come out of Zion is the grace to ‘say no to unGodliness’ (Torahlessness) to turn “from disobedience to the wisdom of the just,” for our souls to be purified by obedience to righteousness, to be holy, to lay hold on eternal life (Rom 6:1-22; Titus 2:11-14; Heb 12:14,15,28; 1 Jn 3:3-10).

Hence our prayer:

Father, in Y’shua’s Name, O that You’d “cut short in righteousness” the work of Your Hand in stripping away the foreskin of defiled Jerusalem’s backslidden Adamic nature, through “crucifixion with You” in the Messianic ‘mikveh of mikveh’s’ (Jer 17:13,14; Rom 1:6; 6:1-6; 8:3,4; Col 2:10-13) by shining Your “great light,” as both “God and Saviour” (Is 45:17-25; Titus 2:13), Incarnate as the Light of the world, into every shadowy recess in Your City, to have “the light of the knowledge of the glory of the Messiah Who is Your express Image,” irresistably draw her citizens HOME through Y’shua as “the hope (in Jer 17:13 hope = mikveh, of the glory) of Israel,” through “the one (Messianic) faith” and holy vocation as royal priesthood (Ex 19:5-8) through which You have ordained their glorious latter-house exaltation (Is 46:14; Haggai 2:7,9; Lk 1:32,33; 2:32; Eph 2:11,12; 4:1-6), through the power of utterance of Your Glad Tidings, which is “unto salvation to everyone who believeth, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.”

Force out true heirs of Israel as workers of YOUR harvest, into Israel Your vineyard (Is 5:7; Matt 21:40-43), so that the world can at last witness what “life from the dead” really looks like through an impeccable witness, faithful in every respect, to the Father’s Instruction in the everlasting covenant (Matt 5:19; Rom 3:31; 11:1-5,11-15,23-29; Heb 13:20,21)

Father, “open doors of utterance” to those whose sufficiency YOU are and who are equipped and prepared to proclaim the Glad Tidings of “everlasting (Jewish) salvation” “as it ought to be proclaimed” (Is 44:1-8; 45:17-25; Jn 4:22; Rom 9:4,5; 2 Cor 3:5,6) so that in time, Your vision FOR ZION, in Ex 19:5-8 and Eph 2:11-19; 3:1-10 may be fulfilled as salvation again radiates, this time globally through redemption in Jerusalem as every thirsty soul who resides in or frequents Your royal City (Matt 5:35) becomes a sanctified “living stone” whom You’re not ashamed to call a brother (1 Peter 2:5; Heb 2:11), building Your renewed spiritual House of Jacob (Jer 31:31-36; Titus 3:4,5) as Your Messianic holy priesthood to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God by Y’shua-Jesus the King-Immanu El- Messiah-Shepherd and Chief Cornerstone (Gen 49:24; Lk 1:33; 20:16-18; Eph 4:14-16; Heb 3:4-6), so that the stones of Jerusalem need not be raised up as children of Abraham or need to cry out in anguish, as the dust of Sodom and Gomorrah did (Gen 18:20,21; Matt 3:7-10; Lk 19:40-44; Rom 8:18-22; Rev 11:8).

So shall Balaam’s visions come to pass with the return of Y’shua, the “Star out of Jacob and Sceptre out of Israel,” as ‘Shiloh’-LORD Immanu El-Son of David (Gen 49:10; Nu 24:17,19; Acts 3:19-23), in the words: “…the people will dwell ALONE and not be reckoned among the nations” (Nu 23:9; Deut 32:8,9,43; 33:28; Ps 105:8-11; Jer 31:7,10,17,31-36; Rom 15:8); “Surely there is no (successful) enchantment (sorcery) against Jacob; neither is there any divination against Israel; according to THIS TIME (Y’shua’s return as Lion of Judah to destroy all their enemies on “the Day of Jerusalem” at Har Megiddo and later at Gog and Magog) it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel: (look at) ‘What God hath wrought.” “How goodly are thy tents O Israel and thy tents O Israel (Nu 23:23; 24:5-9; 2 Sam 7:23-29).

Amein

Keep Up The Good Fight

This week’s Parashah is from Genesis 32:4 – 36:43. After having done his best, in the name of self-preservation, to ensure that his brother Esau would be appeased, by sending his “gifts” off in droves over the Jabok River, with his more dispensable servant-wives and their offspring in the forefront, his somewhat more indispensable wife Leah and her offspring following suite and his most loved wife Rachel and her son his favourite Joseph at the back, Jacob is left alone watching the sun set, where he meets with a “man”. We can assume that this “man” is none other than the pre-existent Jesus, because who other would be referred to by Jacob as “God” and about whom other would Jacob be referring to when he says that he has “seen God face to face and yet his soul has been spared” (Genesis 32:31). Jacob wrestles with this man (God/Jesus) until the break of day. It’s an activity that Jacob engages in naturally, out of his own in-built fighter DNA without ever having been “instructed” or “pre-warned” to do so, yet this persistent wrestling, unbeknown to him until the announcement of a promise by God Himself (the “man”/ Jesus) would earn Jacob a brand new name that would endure till the end of time: “Israel”, actually “Yisra-El”, where “Yisra” means “He will fight” and “El” means “God”. Jacob had fought or struggled with both God and man and had prevailed. Now the people of God had just passed over the Jabok River in seed form, 12 children in all, one of which was a daughter and the youngest son Benjamin had not yet been born. It is said of Jesus that “he will reign over Jacob’s descendants forever” (Luke 1:33). So if you are the body of Christ, you are Jacob’s descendants, because you have been adopted into God’s household, the original, much-cultivated, more-beautiful-than-any-other and good and blessed-of-God olive tree, which is “Israel’s (Jacob’s – same person new name) “own olive tree” (Romans 11:24). Therefore this same fighter-DNA that was in Jacob, YOUR house-leader, operates inside of YOU. If the “man” (God/Jesus) was speaking to Jacob, he was speaking to you too, because you are Jacob’s descendants, adopted and grafted into his household/ olive tree by your faith and by your heavenly Father’s divine pre-destiny. Let us therefore continue to fight our battles with God and with man, in the name of and for the glory of that “man” (God) Jesus, knowing that the dawn WILL break, whereby we will have earned our eternal and heavenly name and title. May the God of YOUR adoptive household-father Jacob (“Israel”) bless you. https://goodolivetree.com/blog/category/author/parashat-hashavua/