Harvest 100-60-30 Fold (the Parable of the Soil)

And He told them many things in parables, saying, “Behold, a sower went out to spread some seed. As he was scattering the seed, some seeds fell by the road; and the birds came and ate them up. Other seeds fell on rocky ground, where they didn’t have much soil. They sprang up immediately, because the soil wasn’t deep. But when the sun came up, they were scorched; and because they had no roots, they withered away. Other seeds fell among the thorns, and the thorns grew and choked them out. But others fell on good soil and were producing fruit. They yielded a crop—some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty. He who has ears, let him hear.” Matthew 13:3-9

If you have spent any time in church, you have heard this parable. It is referred to as the Parable of the Sower but my pastor and bible teacher both refer to it as the Parable of the Soil.

What is a parable? It is a short, instructive and often metaphorical scenario from ordinary life used to illustrate a moral or spiritual lesson. A parable prompts the listener to make a judgment and self-reflect. The dictionary says it is a simple story (wildly inaccurate) with the universal truth (agreed).

I think the soil parable has a clear surface message. One farmer. Four kinds of soil. Each soil results in a different outcome for the seed.

One rabbinical teaching method that Jesus readily employs is called, pardes. Pardes literally means orchard but it is also an acronym (keep in mind that Hebrew doesn’t us vowels):

Peshat: literal or simple meaning. Simple does not mean easy. This level of understanding is critical. The inability to understand the literal meaning will skew further interpretation.

Remez: hinted meaning. These hints point us back to same words used in other passages of scripture typically within the Tanakh or Old Testament that further explain the concept.

Drash: expounded meaning. A creative process calling us to explore, search and develop a deeper understanding of the text and the scripture it points back toward. Examples are the Midrash or Biblical commentaries.

Sod: secret meaning. A meaning that cannot be taught but only revealed by God, Himself through the Holy Spirit or Ruach HaKodesh. The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law (Deuteronomy 29:29).

Jesus answers the question why parables in Matthew 13:10-16 (the verses directly following the parable of the soils), The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?”

He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them. Whoever has will be given more, and they will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what they have will be taken from them. This is why I speak to them in parables: Though seeing, they do not see; though hearing, they do not hear or understand. In them is fulfilled the prophecy of Isaiah (6:9-10):

‘You will be ever hearing but never understanding; you will be ever seeing but never perceiving.  For this people’s heart has become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears and they have closed their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.’

But blessed are your eyes because they see, and your ears because they hear. For truly I tell you, many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.

Recently after reading the Parable of the Soils, I was struck by the crop yields mentioned. Why did Jesus list the numbers in reverse order, and what is the significance of those numbers?

I want to back up just for a second to point out that we STILL struggle today with hearing, understanding, seeing and perceiving. As Christians we are quick to judge but if you look in the mirror, I think you will see an accurate reflection of the western church. Read Revelations.

Reversing the numerical order. Can I know if Jesus did this himself or if it was Matthew or even the translator? No. I cannot know if Jesus reversed the order or if Matthew wrote it down accurately or purposely changed the order (Mark has it 30-60-100), or if the translator changed what was written. Does it matter? Perhaps but perhaps not.

Significance of the numbers. Without going down too much of a rabbit hole, there is meaning in these numbers. My opinion, Jesus is pointing us to the idea of pardes and progressive spiritual growth. The goal is the hundred times harvest which could be why it is mentioned first BUT if you have ears and you hear, you WILL reap something regardless …hundred, sixty, thirty.

One hundred (100) implies holiness. The letter representing the number of 100 is kuf which is the “k” sound. Kuf points us to kadosh (holiness) which in turn leads us to Kedushah. Kedushah are prayers based on Isaiah 6:3 and Ezekiel 3:12 which exalt the HOLINESS of God. 1 Peter 1:16, Instead, just like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in everything you do. For it is written, “Kedoshim you shall be, for I am kadosh.” Leading us straight to Leviticus 11:44-45, “For I am Adonai your God. Therefore, sanctify yourselves, and be holy, for I am holy. You are not to defile yourselves with any kind of creeping thing that moves on the earth. For I am Adonai who brought you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God. Therefore, you shall be holy, for I am holy.

Sixty (60) represents blessing. The letter is samech. It sounds like “s”. Samech means support, abundance, the infinite presence of God or divine providence. Numbers 6:22-27, The Lord spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to Aaron and his sons, saying, Thus you shall bless the people of Israel: you shall say to them, The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord lift up his countenance upon you and give you peace. “So shall they put my name upon the people of Israel, and I will bless them.” This is known as Aaron’s or The Priestly Blessing. It was bestowed by Adonai upon the priests called to spiritually lead a nation or kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6 and 1 Peter 2:9).

Thirty (30) is ministry. Specifically, it is age at which you were mature enough to begin ministry. Joseph become administer of Egypt at 30. David took the throne at 30. Jesus becomes rabbi at 30. At age thirty, Levitical priests were eligible to serve in the tabernacle or temple. Numbers 4:3-4, from thirty years old up to fifty years old, all who can come on duty, to do the work in the tent of meeting. This is the service of the sons of Kohath (son of Levi and grandfather of Moses, Aaron and Miriam) in the tent of meeting: the most holy things. Thirty is the letter lamed. Lamed sounds like “l”. Its meaning is related to teaching and learning. It signifies a readiness to lead, dedication, strength, responsibility and energy. It is also the symbol of the King of Kings representing royalty and authority.

Scholars from the catholic faith associated these numbers with levels of chastity (snort laugh):

30: Represents those who are married and live a life of faithfulness and good works.

60: Represents chaste widows who have chosen to devote their lives entirely to God after the death of their spouse.

100: Represents virgins and clergy who have taken vows of celibacy, signifying the highest level of dedication.

Protestant scholars settled on spiritual growth (eye roll):

30: Represents the initial conversion and the first fruits of a believer's life.

60: Represents a deeper commitment and more productive phase of ministry and service.

100: Represents the highest level of spiritual maturity, which may include martyrdom or a life of perfect self-sacrifice for the gospel. 

Here are my insights. Use them as you see fit. Each choice carries its own reward.

We accept Yeshua as Messiah which is salvation (peshat). The reward of salvation is eternal life and relationship with God. We are filled with the Holy Spirit, surrendering our will, and thereby granted authority and ministry, thirtyfold (remez). We diligently seek Him, sixtyfold (drash). We seek righteousness, hundredfold (sod).

Mic drop...SNORT

Love God. Love people. - Warren Beemer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Love God. Love People.

Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Nevi’im. I did not come to abolish but to complete. Mattityahu 5:17 Orthodox Jewish Bible

Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. Matthew 5:17 New International Version

The older and hopefully wiser that I get, the more I study scripture. I am gripped by this verse. Yeshua came to fulfill not abolish. Jesus came to satisfy not replace.

I have been unable to find anywhere in the Gospels or the New Testament where Jesus says, or the apostles teach that He came to toss out Judaism and begin anything new. Jesus was not a Christian.

Jesus was a JEWISH rabbi. His disciples, opponents, and the broader public all referred to Him in this manner. Rabbi means my master or my teacher. It is a term of respect within the Jewish community and represents the bond between teacher and student.

Reaching the status of rabbi took hard work. It wasn’t for everyone. After attending Beit Sefer (ages 5-9), He would have continued to Beit Talmud (ages 10-13). School was held at the local synagogue. Early emphasis was literacy and memorizing Torah. School ended at manhood, around age 13. Most Jewish men would go on to study a trade, generally that of their father.

Side note: Everyone was allowed to attend Beit Sefer even girls.

Only the brightest students, those capable of memorizing accurately great portions of the Torah, Nevi’im, and Ketuvim, would be invited to continue onto Beit Midrash (ages13-15). After Beit Midrash, was apprenticeship. Students became disciples under established rabbis beginning an intense period of learning and fellowship. Rabbi and disciple spent a great deal of their time together just as Jesus did with his disciples.

Becoming a rabbi required a semikha or ordination. Your rabbi would lay hands on you, transfering authority. This process of transferring authority has been passed down since Moses received the Torah on Sinai. Just like today, qualification for ordination reflects knowledge of language, history, text, philosophy, and law. Yeshua went through this entire process. No lost years but rather years of rabbinical study and hard trade work. Most rabbis learned a trade because one was not allowed to accept money for teaching Torah.

Side note: Jesus was referred to as rabbi (Hebrew) or teacher (Greek) 63 times in the Gospels and his followers as disciples 275 times in the New Testament.

You should understand that I am not a fan of organized religion. Most organized religion seeks its own gain. MANY atrocities have been committed in the name of religion that had little or nothing to do with the teachings of Jesus or the Tanakh.

I am not saying I am not a Christian but I also not saying that I am as I would need to understand your definition to allow myself to be labeled by you. I prefer to call myself a believer.

Jews did not coin the name “Christian”. To do so would have given credence to Yeshua being the Messiah. Non-Jewish inhabitants of Antioch, as described in the Book of Acts, were the first to apply the term "Christian" to Jesus' followers. It was not a name chosen by Jesus or the apostles or His disciples. Scholars agree that it would be used contemptuously but over time the offensive was reclaimed as a designation.

Before anyone called them anything, Jesus called his followers disciples. “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, so also you must love one another. By this all will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John13:34-35).

The Book of Acts mentions “The Way” several times. In Acts 9, Saul is looking to arrest anyone belonging to The Way. Acts 19, Saul now Paul faces opposition from those speaking evil of The Way while in Ephesus. In chapter 24, Paul identifies himself as a worshiper of God according to The Way.

Consider the following:

• If we are to reflect God and God IS love why are so many churches full of condemnation, criticism and hate?
• Why create rules beyond those contained in the Bible?
• Why choose division instead of mercy, grace and forgiveness?
• Where is our reverence of God? 

 Who needs hell when we have each other? Yeshua understood.

Jesus pissed off the establishment. I would argue that it was part of the plan. Currently, over 45,000 denominations of Christianity exist globally. It wasn’t quite as drastic during the first century.

The Sadducees originated from the priestly lineage of Zadok, who served as high priest under King David and became the inaugural high priest of Solomon's Temple. Think of wealthy aristocracy in the fashion of those underneath the direct royal line in England. They reject belief in afterlife, resurrection, angels and spirits. No coming messiah. Only what is WRITTEN in Torah alone.

Pharisees believed in written and oral Torah. Oral Torah is eventually written down and is comprised of the Mishnah and the Gemarah, collectively known as the Talmud. They come from varying economic classes NOT priestly heritage. They do believe in afterlife, resurrection, angels, spirits and a coming messiah. They are strictly adherent and devoted to the law. EXTREMELY pious.

Pharisees had two prominent schools of thought at the time of Jesus:

• The House of Hillel the Elder accentuated tolerance and empathy. “That which is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow. That is the entire Torah; the rest is the explanation; go study it.”
• The House of Shammai emphasized strict obedience and a stringent application of law in Jewish life. “Say little and do much.”

Zealots. Fiercely opposed to any foreign occupation as God ALONE is the ONLY legitimate ruler of Israel and are willing to take violent action to achieve liberation. Think of a Pharisee with a sicarii or dagger.

Lastly, the Essenes are a sect of Judaism so fed up with the corruption of the Sadducees and Temple life that they haul ass out to the desert to set up shop. They are isolated and communal. Observant. Celibate. Pacifist. Focused on purity and holiness. We are generally familiar with them in connection with the Dead Sea Scrolls. Some scholars suggest that John the Baptist, whose father was a priest, may have been trained by the Essenes rather than the Sadducees which is why he chose a desert lifestyle and focused on water baptism.

God sends Jesus into a faith that is arguing over not only interpretation of Torah but the legitimacy of the Nevi’im (prophets) and Ketuvim (writings), an Israel that is aggressively occupied by Rome and world that is being reshaped by Hellenism culture (think if it makes you happy, it can’t be that bad…and yes, I am singing Sheryl Crow).

Side note: Marty Soloman from the BEMA Discipleship podcast points out that Jeus lived among with Pharisees for 3 years without losing His life but after one week with the Sadducees, He was hung on a Roman cross.

Swing back to the text: “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them.”

Seems clear, yes?

I am not throwing the baby out with the bathwater. I am not creating anything new. Everything I am saying and relating and ministering is in the text (Old Testament). I am not replacing anyone or kicking them out. I am including the aliens, the outcast and the homeless.  Everyone is welcome. Everyone has ALWAYS been welcome. You have misread and misinterpreted the text. You have misjudged the intentions of Adonai. BUT! He IS love and so sent me to help you refocus, remind you of the story, and to reclarify the point.

Side note (thank you, Donald Miller): “You’d think God would come right out and tell us what to do in the Bible, but He doesn’t. He mostly tells stories, and He rarely stops the story to say what the point is. He just lets the characters and conflict hang in the air like smoke.”

What is the point?

My friend and pastor, Warren Beemer summed it up simply: Love God. Love People.

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Torah? And He said to him, ‘You shall love Adonai your God with all your heart and will all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment (Deuteronomy 6:5). And the second is like it, you shall love your neighbor as yourself (Leviticus 19:18). The entire Torah and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.’” Matthew 22:36-40

Jesus consistently directs us back to God, to the sacred texts, and to the unfolding narrative. God is weaving a grand story that stretches across the cosmos and through all of time…a tale that has unfolded for millennia and continues to be inscribed in this very moment. It is a saga of extravagant, unrelenting love, ever in pursuit. This promise extends to all the children of Abraham, just as He vowed, embracing you and me despite our status as Gentiles—strangers, outsiders, wanderers without a home. Every one of us qualifies for His boundless love; no soul is left out.

I've often pondered why God permitted the diaspora of His people. There's much to explore in that question, but one truth stands out starkly: the Jewish people have been scattered across the globe, becoming neighbors to all humanity in the process.

Love God. Love people.

One reason God is thought to have chosen Abraham was his renowned generosity and hospitality.

Love God. Love people.

For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. John 3:16

Love God. Love people.

The outsider dwelling among you shall be to you as the native born among you. You should love him as yourself for you dwelled as outsiders in the land of Egypt. I am Adonai your God. Leviticus 19:34

Love God. Love people.

Jesus did not come to usher in a new faith or a new people but rather to bring us all back to the original plot by expanding our understanding.

Love God. Love people.

I invite you to reinvent your faith by resubscribing to the OG story: Love God. Love people.

Walk This Way

I often find myself struggling to trust God for myself. I have great faith for others but when it comes to me, I almost fail. I wrestled with my A-type personality for years. I understand the necessity of being able to prostrate myself before the King of the Universe and my Messiah but having that be my go-to position is a difficult task. Trusting. Not leaning unto my own understanding. Acknowledging in all my ways. Yikes! Bring me a straight path!

Thankfully God gave me the tools I needed to understand how to get where He wanted me to go including bending my will to His. He lovingly gave me chapter names to a book He wanted me to write. Obediently, I wrote what came bursting out of me diligently for months but to this day, I do not know if the book is done…though I have a sneaking suspicion that it is not quite finished yet.

The chapter names are as follows: Faith. Be Patient. Be Still. Be Love. Be Fearless.

I am not big on “Christian” formulas. I feel they are a bit misleading and perhaps a way of trying to get around just living out your faith every day, day in and day out. If you do not know what I mean by formula, I mean those sermons or teachings that go something like 12 steps to prosperity/healing/salvation or 50 ways to leave your lover (just kidding that’s a Paul Simon song). And yet, there is a pattern to what God showed me in the names of those chapters.

Faith is defined in the Bible (Hebrews 11:3) as the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of realities not seen. For by it the elders receive commendation. By faith we understand that the universe was created by the Word of God, so that what is seen did not come from anything visible.

What does the Word mean when it says the elders receive commendation? Other translations say that they obtained a good report or were praised or won God’s approval. I think anything that brings with it the approval of Adonai needs to garner our attention, yes?

The rest of the chapter provides many examples of faith noted for dying without receiving the things promised—but they saw them and welcomed them from afar, and they confessed that they were strangers and sojourners on the earth (verse13). Important to note here that our Biblical forefathers understood even before Yeshua’s arrival that Earth is not their forever home and like us, the longed for the heavenly city God is preparing.

Yet more examples follow, none of them pleasant, but the author ends the chapter thusly, and all these, though commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised— because God had provided something better for us, so that only with us would they reach perfection. I have read and reread this portion of the chapter. I even considered leaving it out, but we cannot just leave out the parts of God’s Word that we do not like because we are uncomfortable. Instead, we should seek out meaning and understanding.

We reach perfection together as the Kingdom of God is fully established at the end of time. However, we are called to work towards being perfect just as our Father in Heaven is perfect (Matthew 5:48).  The Greek word used here is téleios meaning complete, mature, fully grown. Chapter 12 goes on to explain that we have a cloud of witnesses surrounding us and this should help us throw off sin and run the race Jesus set out before us. He is our example on how to run it successfully.

The act of being patient and being still are often confused as being the same thing but ARE NOT. I no longer pray for patience without being super specific, but I pray freely and regularly to be still.

Synonyms for patience are tolerant, long suffering, composed, even tempered.

Synonyms for still are unmoving, motionless and immobile.

Patience is a fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23). What is patience? The dictionary defines it as the capacity to accept or tolerate delay, trouble or suffering without getting upset or angry. It is the ability to endure without complaint showing self-restraint in the face of provocation or affliction. In short, it means you can suffer with a smile. Patience is about you. Your submission.

The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still (Exodus 14:14). The Hebrew word for still here is tacharishun meaning silent, speechless or to hold one’s peace. Be still and know that I am God. I am exalted among nations. I am exalted in the earth (Psalm 46:10). Differently, the Hebrew word in Psalm 46:10 is raphah which means to relax (release tension or anxiety), sink down (surrender), cease striving, stop fighting, quit resisting or let it go…let it go (do you hear Elsa singing #snort) but really it is let go. Being still equals shut up, block out noise, submit, and let God do God. Stillness is about God. Your trust.

Love. God is love. I have written extensively about Love and God being Love and that we are to reflect His Love and what that is supposed to look like as we walk our daily lives. Just to recap though in case this is the first time you have stumbled upon my blog…the greatest act of LOVE was Jesus crucified for you and me. Love is not a warm fuzzy feeling though we do associate feeling with love but rather a choice to put the needs and sometimes wants or desires of others before those of ourselves. It is reflected most accurately via sacrifice not euphoria.

In 1 John 4:18, the Bible states that perfect love casts out fear and that there is no fear in love. God’s love is perfect and unconditional. It was manifest to us through the life, death and resurrection of Jesus as well as every word in the Bible. Love creates security and inspires courage. Love replaces loneliness and anxiety. It transforms.

Be fearless. Everyone is afraid of something. Even people that jump out of airplanes or purposely walk into what they believe is a haunted house. Fear defined is an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain or a threat. Supposedly, there are 365 verses in the Bible telling us not to fear or be afraid or something akin…one for each day of the year. I won’t be counting them for myself, but I do know there is A LOT of scripture addressing fear. Out ability to overcome fear is obviously something that concerns God.

In Luke 12:7, Jesus points out that God knows the number of hairs on our head as proof that we are important. “Aren’t five sparrows being sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten before God. Indeed, even the hairs of your head are all numbered. So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows.” We are called to live a life without fear. This is an undoubtable fact made apparent to me as I study the scripture both old and new. Yet, I would argue that today more than any other time throughout history, fear is prevalent and rising.

Harnessing the ability to walk without fear is the key to walking properly in faith and Love. It allows us to go where He calls without faltering. It allows us to not just believe in every good thing but trust in every good thing. I argue that faith, patience, stillness and love are building blocks to living a life free of fear. Our prayers should echo the lyrics of Hillsong’s Oceans:

You call me out upon the waters, the great unknown where feet may fail and there, I find You in the mystery in oceans deep, my faith will stand. And I will call upon Your Name and keep my eyes above the waves when oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace for I am Yours and You are mine.

Your grace abounds in deepest waters. Your sovereign hand will be my guide where feet may fail, and fear surrounds me. You've never failed, and You won't start now. So, I will call upon Your Name and keep my eyes above the waves. When oceans rise, my soul will rest in Your embrace for I am Yours and You are mine.

Spirit, lead me where my trust is without borders. Let me walk upon the waters wherever You would call me. Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander and my faith will be made stronger in the presence of my Savior. I will call upon Your Name. Keep my eyes above the waves. My soul will rest in Your embrace.

I am Yours and You are mine.

We should actively ask for our faith to stretched and tested making us more resilient so that we grow in patience, expand our ability to be still, reflect better the unconditional love of God and finally be able to walk out life fearlessly…knowing without a shadow of a doubt that God is good. He is GOOD! He is kind. He is patient. He does not envy. He does not brag. He is not puffed up. He does not behave inappropriately. He does not seek His own way. He does not provoked. He keeps no account of wrongdoing. He does not rejoice over injustice. He does rejoice in the truth. He bears all things. He believes all things. He hopes all things. He endures all things. He never fails. He has no favorites. He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow. These facts alone about our God should administrate shalom.

I no longer want to be afraid of the future or what comes next. I do not want to be afraid of failing. I want to walk upright in righteousness having a testimony that shouts to the world that my God is an AWESOME God. I want to trust that He will never leave me or forsake me. I want to KNOW He will not allow all that He has planted within me to wither and die but rather He guarantees it will to come to complete fruition and be harvested. I want to say no to fear! And that isn’t to say there isn’t sometimes pain along the way because we live in a broken world, but I want to be the dangerous one. The battle was won on The Cross and satan is supposed to be our bitch not the other way around.

I want to WALK THIS WAY.

Be an Ass

Before Saul was King of Israel, this is what the Bible tells us about who he was and what he was doing…

Now there was a man of Benjamin whose name was Kish son of Abiel son of Zeror son of Becorath son of Aphiah son of a Benjamite. He was a mighty man of valor and he had a son whose name was Saul—young and handsome—there was no one among Bnei-Yisrael better than him. From his shoulders and up he was taller than any of the people.

Now the donkeys of Kish, Saul’s father, were lost. So Kish said to his son Saul, “Take now one of the servants with you, get up and look for the donkeys.” So he passed through the hill country of Ephraim and passed through the land of Shalishah, but they did not find them. Then they passed through the land of Shaalim, but they were not there. Then he passed through the land of Benjamin but still did not find them. When they arrived in the land of Zuph, Saul said to his servant with him, “Come, let’s go back—otherwise my father will stop worrying about the donkeys and start worrying about us.” (1 Samuel 9:1-5 TLV)

I am going to summarize a bit here and make a long story shorter. Well, hopefully.

Kish’s servant tells Saul, Dude…there is a man of God near the town we are headed. I’ve got a little jingle in my pocket. Let’s give the local seer some coin in exchange for the location of the donkeys. Soooooo, they head on into town, run into some girls who are on their way to the local well and ask them about the whereabouts of said man of God. The girls point toward town because as luck would have it, the seer happens to be just ahead of them. He was in town for a little breakfast before heading back up the mountain for a full day of sacrifices.

Samuel is easily found by Saul because God, as He often does when we are faithful in prayer and mutual conversation, had already given Samuel a heads up that Saul was coming his way.

“Tomorrow about this time, I will send you a man from the land of Benjamin, and you will anoint him ruler over My people Israel. He will deliver My people from the hand of the Philistines. I have observed My people, because their cry has come to Me.” (1 Samuel 9:16 TLV)

The Tribe of Benjamin. What do you know about them? Remember anything particular from Sunday school or church? You probably know that Benjamin was Jacob and Rachel’s youngest son. She calls him Ben-Oni, meaning son of my sorrow because she dies shortly after giving birth, but Jacob renames him, Benjamin, son of my right hand. He is the full brother of Joseph. Unlike Joseph, he is protected by his half-brothers whose mother is Leah. He is the father of the Tribe of Benjamin. The Tribe of Benjamin begets Saul, the first King of Isreal, his son, Jonathan (of course) and Mordecai, the uncle of Queen Esther. You might even know that Paul was a Benjamite (I am now singing I come from the land down under because Benjamite reminds me of vegemite).

Jabob’s blessing over his son and the future tribe says, Benjamin is a ravening wolf—in the morning he devours spoils, and in the evening divides plunder. (Genesis 49:27 TLV)

Moses’s blessing stated, The beloved of Adonai, rests securely beside Him. He shields him all day long. Between His shoulders he rests. (Deuteronomy 33:12 TLV)

Jacob’s blessing indicates Benjamin will be successful warriors, and Moses’ follows up emphasizing the divine protection and favor of God over the tribe.

Benjamin WAS a tribe of warriors known for their military expertise. They are a population of ambidextrous soldiers (they could wield weapons using either hand) especially skilled in archery and use of the sling. The Tribe was strategically located between Judah to the south and Ephraim to the north. It skirts the shores of the Dead Sea and the Jordon River. Within its borders were the towns of Jerusalem (split with Judah), Jericho and Bethel.

The southern Kingdom of Judah (tribes of Judah and Benjamin) were protected but permanently separated from the northern Kingdom of Israel (tribes of Reuben, Simeon, Dan, Naphtali, Gad, Asher, Issachar, Zebulun, Manasseh, and Ephraim) after the conquest of the Assyrian Empire. Israel was exiled by Assyria’s King Sargon the Second, who scattered the Jews throughout his empire. The deportation of approximately 30,000 Israelites gives way to the idea of the “Lost Tribes” and beginning of diaspora. Diaspora of all 12 tribes becomes complete after the subjugation of the Kingdom of Judah by the Babylonians.

Let’s back up just a bit and think more about Saul:

Kish, Saul’s father is a mighty man of valor (gibbor chayil in Hebrew: gibbor - mighty or valiant and chayil – valor, strength, wealth and capability, as well as army).

Saul was young, handsome and taller than any of the people (no one in Israel is better than him, the Hebrew words used mean young, handsome and choice).

All that about Kish and Saul being said, why was Saul the one out looking for his father’s donkeys? Seems a bit beneath his position, no?

God told Samuel explicitly that Saul would deliver Israel from the Philistines.

Saul hails from the Tribe of Benjamin, soldiers skilled in the use of the sling.

Back to the story…Samuel invites Saul to go ahead of him up to the mountain so that they can have dinner together presumably after he is done performing the sacrifices for the community. He tells Saul that he is a “seer” and promises that in the morning before Saul leaves, he will tell Saul all that is in his heart (Saul’s not Samuel’s) and assures him that the donkeys were, in fact, found and therefore there is no further need to worry. He compliments Saul by pointing out the desirability of not only Saul himself, but the house of his father. Saul answers Samuel peculiarly pointing out that he is from the least clan (Matrites) of the smallest tribe. Samuel throws a dinner party for about 30 people. Saul is set at the head of the table and well fed.

Side note: a seer or ro’eh or chozeh is someone who receives divine revelation through visions and or dreams. A prophet or nabi or navi speaks truth on behalf of God, delivering a divine message and guidance, yes but using scripture.

When morning comes, they rose early and Samuel proclaims the word of God over Saul, anointing him with oil atop his head and kissing him. The proclamation is a question, “has Adonai not anointed you ruler over His inheritance?” Samuel gives Saul a laundry list of things that will follow. Saul will go here and there and do this then that before meeting up with a bunch of prophets after which he will be seized by the Ruach of Adonai (Spirit of God). He is then to proceed to Gilgal where he is to wait for Samuel for 7 days. When Samuel finally arrives, he will make offerings and sacrifices then instruct Saul about what comes next.

Side note: Gilgal is the place where the Jews celebrated their first Passover in the Promised Land and were circumcised post Egypt. It is over the Jordon River on the eastern border of Jericho.

All happens as Samuel predicted. Saul’s heart is immediately transformed by God in the very moment he turns to leave Samuel. When he runs into the band of prophets, Saul is filled with the Spirit of God and himself prophesies. Everyone notices BIG changes in Saul. Some start asking questions because apparently, this is QUITE the transformation. Saul’s uncle corners him, detective-style, he wants to know EXACTLY what happened while he was gone finding those donkeys. Obviously, the uncle feels something is amiss, but Saul only gives him half the story, leaving out the bit about being anointed king.

The Tiffany translation of these events: Saul was a tall, handsome, strapping young man but maybe not the brightest bulb in the bunch which is why his father sends him out looking for donkeys instead of keeping him home doing something more pertinent to the family business. HOWEVER! After the infilling of the Holy Spirit, Saul is transformed into someone who suddenly can prophecy which does not mean tell the future but does mean interpret the scripture and speak to its immediate importance (think Jesus at 12 who stayed behind at the temple). No longer the bumbling dumb jock, those that know him start to wonder what the heck happened on the road while trying to find a bunch of lost donkeys.

Samuel gathers all the tribes together in Mizpah.

Side note: Interestingly, the word Mizpah has come to be representative of a deep emotional bond, particularly in times of separation.

Samuel singles out the Tribe of Benjamin then the Clan of Matrites (Rain of Jehovah equivalent to the idea of divine provision) and lastly, Saul (the donkey herder) as the first King of Israel. Instead of boldly stepping into the role of king, Saul is initially absent from this gathering. The Bible says they had to ask Adonai where he was and God said behind a bunch of stuff (kelim = vessels, supplies, equipment or stuff but verse reads baggage) and they had to run and bring Saul out from there.

Samuel announced to all the tribes, “Do you see the one Adonai has chosen? Surely there is no one like him among all the people!” The people all shouted and said, “Long live the king!” Samuel explains the rules of kingship, writes them in a scroll and places it before Adonai. Then Samuel sent all the people away, every man to his house. Saul also went home to Gibeah, accompanied by men of valor whose hearts God had touched. But certain worthless men said, “How can this one save us?” So they despised him and brought him no present. But he kept silent. (1 Samuel 10:24-27 TLV)

Before having a king, Israel was ruled by God through judges. These judges were not like our judges. Judges were not just legal figures but rather civil and spiritual leaders. Judges had authority in specific regions as opposed to over the whole of Israel. God used judges not just to interpret His law but to administrate justice and deliver the Israelites from oppression whether that oppression was external or internal.

Israel was to be reigned over by God, Himself, making this kingdom set apart from any other in the world. The Kingdom of Israel was never meant to be of the world though it was in the world (sound familiar). Before the anointing of Saul as king, God had Samuel warn Israel that obeying a physical king would not be akin to being beholden to the King of the Universe. If you want the full description of God’s cautioning, it can be found in 1 Samuel 8.

There is a HUGE difference in being governed by a man versus LOVE, as Love is patient and kind. It doesn’t envy, brag or get puffed up. It doesn’t behave inappropriately or seeks its own way. It never provokes or keeps account of wrongdoing. Love never rejoices over injustice but instead rejoices in truth. Love bears, believes, hopes and endures all things. It never fails…unlike man.

Israel was meant to be qodash-set apart, consecrated, sanctified, made holy and dedicated to the purpose and story of God. A kingdom of priests (Exodus 19:6), strategically placed in the crossroad of the world. A monarchy like no other with shalom at the center. All people on earth were going to be blessed through them (Genesis 12:3).

Be an ass. Get an ass herder.

Where’s the beef?

Recently, I was having a long chat with a good friend. We were discussing a podcast that I have been listening to for a couple of months now, the BEMA Discipleship Podcast with Marty Solomon.

As I shared before, in 2014, I asked God to reveal His nature to me. That question sparked an adventure, leading me to a new church, a new pastor, and a fresh perspective, though it required navigating through a whole lot of muck. Much of the muck needed to be chucked (snort)! The flawed theology I was taught as a child in church has led me to believe that corporate American church habitually gets it wrong.

There’s no one to blame; most are simply passing on what they’ve been taught. By sidelining the Old Testament due to the “new covenant,” we inevitably overlook crucial aspects of God and His nature.

When the hour came, Yeshua reclined at table, and the emissaries with Him. And He said to them, “I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer. For I tell you, I will never eat it again until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God.”  And when He had taken a cup and offered the bracha (blessing), He said, “Take this and share it among yourselves. For I tell you that I will never drink of the fruit of the vine from now on, until the kingdom of God comes.” And when He had taken matzah and offered the bracha, He broke it and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body, given for you. Do this in memory of Me.” In the same way, He took the cup after the meal, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you. (Luke 22:14-20 TLV)

But now Yeshua has obtained a more excellent ministry, insofar as He is the mediator of a better covenant which has been enacted on better promises.  For if that first one had been faultless, there would not have been discourse seeking a second. For finding fault with them, He says, “Behold, days are coming, says Adonai, when I will inaugurate a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah.  It will not be like the covenant I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt. For they did not remain in My covenant, and I did not care for them, says Adonai.  For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says Adonai. I will put My Torah into their mind, and upon their hearts I will write it. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.  And no more will they teach, each one his fellow citizen and each one his brother, saying, ‘Know Adonai,’ because all will know Me, from the least of them to the greatest.  For I will be merciful toward their iniquities, and their sins I will remember no more.” In saying “new,” He has treated the first as old; but what is being made old and aging is close to vanishing. (Hebrews 8:8-13 TLV)

“Behold, days are coming” —it is a declaration of Adonai— “when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— not like the covenant I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they broke My covenant, though I was a husband to them.” it is a declaration of Adonai. “But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days” —it is a declaration of Adonai— “I will put My Torah within them. Yes, I will write it in their heart. I will be their God and they will be My people. No longer will each teach his neighbor or each his brother, saying: ‘Know Adonai,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest.” it is a declaration of Adonai. “For I will forgive their iniquity, their sin I will remember no more.” Thus says Adonai, who gives the sun as a light by day and the fixed order of the moon and the stars as a light by night, who stirs up the sea so its waves roar, Adonai-Tzva’ot (Lord of Hosts or Lord of Armies) is His Name. (Jeremiah 31:31-34 TLV)

The author of Hebrews clearly quotes Jeremiah, conveying the same message: God is establishing a new covenant with Israel, writing His Word directly on their hearts. The need for priesthood is eliminated, as everyone will know Him, individually. Adonai will forgive their sins, remembering them no more.

The Hebrew word for iniquity is avon which means iniquity, guilt or wrongdoing (perversion, crookedness, wickedness, distortion of what is right, sin, misdemeanor, iniquity, crime, and offence) but includes not only the transgression, itself, but the consequences or punishment AND the state of being held responsible for the wrongdoing PLUS the burden of guilt. Yikes! His forgiveness covers a bit more than the mere text in English expresses.

Which brings me back to my point with regard to corporate American church but before I burrow down that rabbit hole, let’s go back, look at Luke and what Jesus said about what He came to do:

• Not to abolish but to fulfill the law and the prophets. Matthew 5:17
• Seek and save the lost. Luke 19:10
• Not to be served but to serve and give His life as ransom for many. Mark 10:45
• Not to do His own will but to do the will of His Father. John 6:38
• Not to bring peace (shalom) but a sword. Matthew 10:34 (in my opinion this is reference to the Spirit which is referred to in Ephesians 6 as a sword)

The verses from Luke that describe the last supper are the only in which Jesus, himself, uses the word covenant: “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is poured out for you. (Luke 22:20) He says that he will not eat this meal again until “it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God”.

First let’s discuss the old covenant for just a quick second. Adonai makes a promises Abram that if you follow Me, I will make your name great. Out of you will come a great nation. They will be a nation of priests and bring blessing for all the families of the earth. The covenant becomes binding via a ceremony which includes blood through animal sacrifice. It is further established as everlasting through circumcision (again with blood). This is all found in Genesis.

As clearly described in the scripture above from Hebrews and Jeremiah, the Jews did not hold up their end of that covenant but God being LOVING above all else allows His only begotten Son to offer Himself as the sacrifice needed for this NEW covenant. A covenant sealed by blood, like the first, but this NEW covenant extends to both Jew and Gentile.

Our days start in the morning and conclude in the evening, but Jewish days start and end in the evening in the evening. Shabbot begins Friday evening and ends Saturday evening. The meal in the upper room was on Shabbat. The daytime had been part of what is referred to as Preparation Day, when Jews thoroughly clean their homes to make sure it is free of all leaven. Logically, the upper room meal was the Passover seder. A Passover seder is a ritual meal and ceremony which retells the Hebrews exodus from Egypt including the Passover.

Passover begins in the evening on the 14^th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan and the festival on the evening of the 15th and last for 7 days. The Feast of Unleavened Bread is celebrated immediately following Passover. Jesus was most certainly crucified during these holy days and most likely during the daytime on Passover, itself. It is a fulfillment of the law and the prophets that He became the lamb without blemish that was sacrificed for ALL iniquity, His feet (6 days before Passover) and head (2 days before Passover) anointed as was the custom per the Old Testament. The anointing IS important because it signifies the lamb being set apart for the purpose of God.

We are told these stories without context, missing too much information and therefore unable to grasp the profound meat of the story. We are only given milk.

“IT is fulfilled in the kingdom of God” is the act of Jesus laying down His life for the atonement of sin once and for all. The fulfillment of the old covenant. No more need for animal sacrifices and ALLLLLLLLL those laws in found in the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. Leaving us instead with just two commandments given to us by Yeshua: (1) love the Lord God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind and (2) love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:37-39).

In the Greek, the word for neighbor is plēsion which means close by or near. Most of the New Testament was written in Greek including Hebrews but know that Matthew was first written in Hebrew. The Hebrew words that mean neighbor are shakhen and re’a. Re’a is akin to friend or companion. It also carries a wider meaning, referring to another person or fellow citizen. Shakhen is parallel to inhabitants, acquaintances or someone that lives nearby in the same area. In the Old Testament, the Bible's usage encompasses a broader concept of community, including strangers.  Abraham was famously hospitable to strangers. Hebrews 13:2 warns us, “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers—for in doing so, some have entertained angels without knowing it.” I think it is clear Jesus intended for us to LOVE…period (mic drop).

Can you see my point about American church? We are told all the significant Old Testament stories in Sunday School. As teenagers, they focus on keeping us in the pews by any means necessary, often through distraction. Adulthood arrives, and you choose your beliefs, but how can you truly decide when you’ve never been properly taught? No one revisits those stories to clarify their context, significance, or how the Old Testament connects to the New, much less to our own lives. Instead, we are spoon fed raecipes and formulas like 50 ways to leave your lover (snort)…okay not really but how many sermons have you heard that are 7 steps to a life of blessing or 3 keys to accessing favor, blah, blah, BLAH!

This is where understanding that Jesus was a Jew and studied the Torah, the Nevi’im, the Ketuvim – all together known as the Tanakh. He went to synagogue and school. His education started around 5 years old (same as when we begin Sunday School). From ages 5 to 9, He would have attended Beit Sefer, which emphasized literacy and memorizing the Torah.  Next, He would have attended Beit Talmud (ages 10-13) focusing on studying interpretations and engaging in debates over those interpretations. School ended at 13-14 (manhood) after which most Jewish men went on to learn a trade to provide for their family.

Side note: MOST Jewish boys would have attended Beit Sefer. MOST Jewish men were literate.

Yeshua became a rabbi which meant between the ages of 13-15, He enrolled to be formally educated at Beit Midrash. He most likely became an apprentice or disciple of a rabbi. He would have vigorously and with fervor discussed and argued over Mishnah (oral tradition of Jewish law) and Talmud (commentary on Jewish civil and ceremonial law). We know Jesus was an exemplary student because in Luke 2:41-52, He freaks His parent’s out by staying behind at the Temple after the Festival of Passover, they found Him days later in a group of rabbis that were “amazed by His understanding” and His answers to the questions asked. Even today the average observant Jew spends a minimum of 15 minutes a day on Torah study plus Shabbat.

American church does promote study outside of Sunday School or Vacation Bible School. But why? Where did the church lose the desire to study and know God’s word on a corporate scale? I suspect it has something to do with it being in Latin instead of our spoken tongues. When God used man to write on His behalf, it was always done so that man could read it whether in Hebrew, Aramaic, or Greek.

I DO know we’ve lost the wonder of God’s stories. We lost reverence for Him, treating Him more like a genie in a bottle than the King of the Universe. The Torah’s story of God’s love is completely overlooked. Instead, we naively think love only arrived with Jesus. We never receive lessons on hospitality and then wonder why we struggle to love our neighbor. We landed ignorantly on replacement theology. We grant power to the adversary that should be reserved solely for Adonai. We’ve splintered a thousand times over into a myriad of denominations. We get a lifetime of spoonfuls of sugar (milk) instead of a single bite of meat, much less a meal from the Word.

I refuse to keep asking myself, where’s the beef? I want to KNOW God. I want to KNOW Yeshua. I want to KNOW the Spirit. Unknowingly, I asked for meat, thinking I’d already received it, unaware of the far greater abundance awaiting. If the church won’t guide me, I’ll pursue rabbit holes, as through them I’ve gained a deep respect for I AM THAT I AM. He is both mystery and predictable. We were the bride of Adonai before Jesus revealed the wedding plans. Despite attending church since I was a wee lass, I finally learned that truth at 54.

At this point in my walk of faith…I want a lot less “where’s the beef” and a lot more “we got the meat”.

Side note: Priscilla is believed to be the unnamed author of Hebrews. Gentile believer. Wife of a Jew. Tent maker. First century missionary alongside her husband, Aquila and Paul.

So what? Who cares?

Have you ever read the genealogy of Jesus? It is found in the first chapter of Matthew which is the first book of the New Testament. I am not going to list it all here, but I have always found it interesting that four women listed besides Mary, as his mother. Tamar. Rahab. Ruth. The wife of Uriah.

Luke 1:26-33 states that the angel, Gabriel, visited Mary and announced God’s plan to make her the mother of the Messiah. Twice, Gabriel told Mary she was favored by God; so, I am going to go out on a limb and testify that Mary was a “good girl”. I say girl, as most scholars believe Mary to have been 14-16 years of age when she became a mother. Girls reached the age of maturity at their bat mitzvah which was celebrated at the age of 12. Maturity in this sense of the word means developing enough understanding to be responsible for your actions. Boys matured one year later at the age of 13.

It’s not a giant leap to see that this whole scenario was scandalous. Mary was already betrothed to Joseph. Betrothal was a year-long process but from the moment the marriage was agreed up, you WERE married for all practical purposes though you did not live together. We do not know how far into the betrothal Mary and Joseph were when Mary fell pregnant, but we do know as it is mentioned in Luke 2:5 that they were still only betrothed when Jesus was born.

Squirrel! Jesus was not born on December 25^th. Shepherds don’t graze their flocks in winter. Additionally, scripture gives us some big hints based upon when John the Baptist was conceived by Elizabeth and Zechariah. CS Lewis Institute explains below:

The Bible doesn’t give us the exact date of Jesus’ birth, however, there are a number of clues that enable us to make an educated guess as to the month of His birth. Luke tells us that God sent the angel Gabriel to Nazareth to announce the conception of Jesus to the virgin Mary “in the sixth month of Elizabeth’s pregnancy.”

The conception and birth of John the Baptist by his mother, Elizabeth, provides us with one way of calculating the month of Jesus’ birth. Zechariah, Elizabeth’s husband was performing his once in a lifetime priestly duty in the temple when the birth of John the Baptist was foretold by the angel Gabriel.

Jewish priests were divided into 24 orders which ministered in the temple throughout the year. The order of Abijah, of which Zechariah was a part, was the eighth priestly division (1 Chronicles 24:6-19) and served in the temple during the tenth week of the priestly cycle. The start of the 10th week coincided with the second Sabbath in the Jewish month of Sivan, which runs approximately from mid-May to mid-June. Soon after Zechariah returned from his temple duties Elizabeth became pregnant with John the Baptist.

Therefore, using the biblical texts above we can guess the month of Jesus’ birth to be around the month of Tishri (mid to late September). To arrive at this date, we start at the conception of John the Baptist, Sivan (June), count forward six months to arrive at Gabriel’s announcement of the conception of Jesus, Kislev (December), then count forward nine more months, the time for a normal human pregnancy, to reach Tishri (September), when Jesus was most likely born.

Yet other scholars suggest the month of Nisan as it signifies redemption and is associated with Exodus and Passover. There is an extraordinary amount of significance around the month of Nisan. I will let you go down that rabbit hole all by yourself. Side note…Nisan (March-April) and Tishri (September-October) are oddly enough both months considered the first month of the year dependent on which Jewish calendar you are observing (religious or civil).

Back to my initial point, Mary was favored, i.e. preferred or recommended by God. So, what about the rest of those other chicks listed in family tree of the Messiah? Tamar (Genesis 38). Rahab (Joshua 2). Ruth (Ruth). The wife of Uriah (2 Samuel 11).

Tamar was the daughter-in-law of Judah. Judah is the fourth son of Leah and Jacob. Tamar married Judah’s eldest son, Er. God kills Er because he is wicked. According to custom, the second son which in this case is Onan, is to be a surrogate for his dead brother and impregnate Tamar with a son so the Er’s lineage can continue. In doing so, Tamar is solidified into this family instead of being left alone with nothing. Onan isn’t hip to this plan due to the economics of it all. Hence for constantly spilling his seed on the floor and refusing Tamar a child, God too takes the life of Judah’s second son for wickedness.

Obviously, besides being a terrible brother Judah is not a great father nor is he terribly observant. Judah, not knowing it was God punishing his sons decides Tamar is a black widow. He refuses her his third son but does not declare her a widow leaving Tamar in limbo, both childless and without the ability to remarry. Tamar knows the laws, customs and her rights. She devises a plan to secure her future. She tricks Judah on his way home from a festival into having sex with her, posing a veiled prostitute. I said he wasn’t observant (insert snort laugh here). He offers Tamar his seal, cords and staff as a pledge to pay. Judah does try to pay but SHOCKER the “prostitute” is nowhere to be found when he returns.

Fast forward a bit and rumor has it that Tamar is pregnant. Even though Judah is giving her the runaround with regards to the customs of either securing her place in the family via a surrogate or releasing her as a widow, Tamar is to remain chaste. As the head of the family, Judah’s honor is at risk if Tamar is pregnant out of wedlock. His intention is to burn Tamar alive believing the rumors that she has, in fact, become a prostitute and worse, gotten herself knocked up. When she is brought before him for judgement, she has his seal, cords and staff in hand. Judah instantly recognizes the items as his own. He also points out to those present that she is more righteous than he because he failed her in his duty as father-in-law. She delivers twins, Perez and Zerah. Perez is in the line of Jesus.

Rahab was a prostitute in Jericho. Joshua secretly sends out two spies to explore the land but especially Jericho. These spies somehow happen right into the home of Rahab. She, being no stranger to strange men allows these spies to stay with her. Weirdly, the King of Jericho sends word to Rahab asking about the men that were seen entering her home as he believes them to be spies. Rahab tells the King’s men, yeah, they came to me, but I did not know where they were from; they left before dark when the gates closed plus, I have no idea where they went. She encourages the King’s men to pursue the spies on the road to the Jordon River which they do but Rahab has hidden the spies on her rooftop.

Rahab not unlike the centurion from Capernaum had faith in God without an up close and personal experience. She believed the stories she’d heard about Adonai, King of the Universe and her faith in Him allowed Him to put her in the right place at the right time not only help the Israelites defeat Jericho but also save her family from certain destruction. When the spies left her, they instructed her to gather her family into her father’s house and tie a line of scarlet cord in the same window she had helped them escape. When the walls of Jericho finally fell, the spies were ordered by Joshua to rescue Rahab and her family from the rubble. Joshua spares their lives as the spies had promised. Rahab marries Salmon, believed to be one of the two spies. They have a son named Boaz, who becomes the kinsman redeemer of Ruth (and Naomi).

Ruth is a Moabite (from the land of Moab who was Lot's son) that marries the son of Naomi and Elimelech. Naomi and Elimelech were Judeans that had settled in Moab to escape famine. The husbands of Naomi and Ruth both die (and Orpah, who was married to Naomi’s other son). Ruth stays with Naomi instead of returning to her father’s house as a window. Naomi takes them back to her homeland specifically to Bethlehem (home of King David) and cunningly straight to Boaz. Boaz is from Elimelech’s (her husband’s) family, a man of substance and a landowner. Naomi knows that in Bethlehem they will not be homeless nor starve.

Naomi also knows Boaz needs a wife. Ruth likely was physically beautiful because Boaz notices her straight away. He orders his men to purposely drop extra grain for her, allow her to drink from the jars of water or wine provided for the workers and importantly to keep their hands to themselves where she is concerned. He seeks Ruth out and tells her to not stray and glean only from his fields. When she asks him why such favor to a foreigner, he tells her that he has heard how she has cared for Naomi, leaving behind family and all she had known. He then blessed her, May Adonai repay you for what you have done, and may you be fully rewarded by Adonai, God of Israel, under whose wings you have come to take refuge” (Ruth 2:12). When the harvest was over it was time for threshing. Naomi tells Ruth to bathe and perfume herself. She further instructs Ruth to keep herself hidden from Boaz during the workday but after supper when everyone is laying down for the night, place herself directly at Boaz’ feet.

Boaz wakes in the middle of the night startled to find a woman at his feet. Groggy, he asks who are you? Ruth declares herself calling him “goel” (kinsman redeemer). He again blesses her. Boaz praises Ruth’s loyalty and valor AND he extols her for not chasing after a man because of age or status. He tells her there is another kinsman redeemer, closer than himself but if this man is not willing to marry her, he would take her as his wife. It is a Disney perfect happily ever after and their son is Obed, father of King David who defeated Goliath and arranged for murder of Uriah.

Bathsheba is the wife of Uriah, the Hittite. The Hittites were from an area called Anatolia in modern day Turkey. Uriah is a soldier in the army of King David though is a not Hebrew. I think it is important to make mention that Bathsheba’s name is omitted from the lineage of Messiah although anyone that knows the stories of the Bible would instantly understand the reference. There is much speculation as to why and I am not going to answer that question but rather leave the resolution of that mystery between you and the Holy Spirit.

To set the stage, David is king, and it is a time of war. For whatever reason, David is not out fighting with his men as he should be but instead in Jerusalem roaming around his palace, obviously bored. One night, he gets up from his bed and strolls onto his rooftop. From his vantage point he can see a woman bathing and she is very beautiful (direct quote from the Bible). Lust rises in David. He sends someone to retrieve her, has sex with her, and BOOM she is pregnant. Uriah is at war, so getting pregnant is indeed a problem.

As king, David commands the entire army. He calls Uriah in from battle, questions him about the troops and the battles yada yada then orders him to go home (wink, wink) but Uriah does not obey. He sleeps in the doorway of the palace. In the morning, David’ servants inform him that Uriah never left the palace grounds. David questions Uriah as to why he did not go home as he was commanded. Uriah states that the Ark (of the Covenant) and armies of Israel and Judah (two kingdoms initially united by Saul) are camping in open fields while at war and as a brother in arms, he was not going to allow himself the creature comforts of home.

David NEEDS Uriah to go home…at the very least be in the same place as his wife so that David’s sin can be covered. Uriah is uncompliant. Keeping him away from the battlefields another day, David ups the ante. Spending all day with Uriah in the palace, David gets Uriah drunk, hoping in his wine daze he will finally go home to his wife. Uriah being righteous spends another night in the doorway.

Desperate now, David decides to cover evidence of his adultery with Bathsheba with the murder of Uriah. He writes a letter to Joab, the commanding officer of his army instructing Joab to put Uriah at the front of the most intense battle so that his life would be lost. Adding insult to injury, David has Uriah himself deliver this letter to Joab when he returns to the front. Joab did as he was instructed by his king. Bathsheba and David are the parents of Solomon.

Forty-one men are listed from Abraham to Messiah in the genealogy of Jesus and those five women.

Eleanor Roosevelt once said, “well behaved women rarely make history” and this is totally true in ancient times. If you know the name of a woman that lived in antiquity, it is because she was exceptional or peculiar. I have learned to take notice of the women mentioned throughout the Bible both good and bad as there is always something to learn under the surface of the text.

Mary was good and favored by God. Tamar, Rahab, Ruth and Bathsheba were - not so good - YET also favored by God as evident in them being not only in the ancestry of Jesus but mentioned as such in the Bible. I guess you could argue that Ruth was good, but she knew uncovering and lying at Boaz’s feet was a risk because while there was cultural significance to this act (seeking protection, provision and effectively initiating a proposal for levirate marriage), it certainly wasn’t kosher.

My point being THIS: a schemer, a prostitute, an opportunist and an adulterer are found among the few women mentioned in the direct lineage of Jesus. As believers you and I were adopted into His family (2 Corinthians 6: 18). Our past never had the ability to disqualify our adoption. We never had to be good or Jewish just forgiven. Forgiveness brings with it the favor of God (Romans 4:7-8).

Adonai looked at our mess and said…So what? Who cares?

You should have led with that…

My sister recently lost a very close friend, Dilan. Dilan was part of a group of friends who have been tightly knitted since middle school and high school. Honestly, they were a rowdy crew in their youth. Loud, funny, beautiful girls. Dilan and her immediate bestie, Goldie, always stood out from the crowd to me. Both blonde and bubbly but kind and sweet.

Instead of losing touch, as these girls went on to different colleges and universities, got married, had children and lived their adult lives, they purposed to remain close. Each year, these friends take at least one trip together to the Texas coast. It is called, Teenies to Queenies (or maybe it’s the other way round).

Late in the summer or early autumn, these women wrangle up their daughters and head down to the beach for a long weekend of fellowship, love and laughter. Along the way, they sowed their love for each other into their babies. Needless to say, when Dilan passed, they leapt into action to help soothe and care for her children in a way that only lifelong friends can.

Many of their daughters are about the same age. These yearly trips fostered a closeness between them like their mothers before them. The daughters, too, rallied around their lifetime friends. Micah, Goldie’s oldest started sharing the Word of God as a means of comfort to Lennon, Dilan’s eldest. After their conversations, Lennon would often ask the ladies and Micah questions about God, His love and the scriptures. Though her mother was a believer who had taken her to church when she was young, faith in God wasn’t something Lennon had practiced. Lennon began to search through the Word on her own and somehow landed in the book, Revelations.

When next Lennon spoke with Micah, she told her about what she had read in Revelations and asked her if it was true that if she gave her life to Jesus that she would spend eternity with her mother in Heaven. Micah said yes and Lennon said, “girl, you should have led with that!”

Lennon’s proclamation got me thinking about what we should be leading with as we walk out our faith. To those around us, we should reflect God, but have we delved far enough into our faith to really know the attributes and personality of our Creator, His Son or the Spirit? God is LOVE (1 John 4:7) but is it enough to just be LOVE to those around us?

Jesus says in John 16:33, “in this world YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE”. Trouble is not something we can outrun or should be unexpected but how do you reflect God when you are in trouble? Is His Love still apparent when you are suffering? The entirety of verse 33 says this: “These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have shalom (peace). In the world you will have trouble but take heart! I have overcome the world!”. Jesus spoke these words to His disciples shortly before being arrested which resulted in His crucifixion.

In 2013, I asked God to help me better understand His nature. He put in my spirit that I was get under the authority of a specific pastor which meant, I needed to make a change and leave my church. My family went to church together on Sundays. My church had given me a job after my divorce and the people that surrounded me there had become a second family to me. It was not comfortable to leave behind the familiar for the unknown and it took me a year to finally be obedient, stepping out and away into what God had clearly told me.

Unwittingly, I had asked God to throw me into the fire and refine me. I always joke about praying for patience because the outcome of that prayer is being continually tossed into situations that force you into learning that skill. I steer clear of praying for patience.

Bigger ask. Bigger lesson. I gave much less thought to asking to better understand His nature than I had asking for patience. Looking back now, I mean, what was I thinking?

 I can tell you what I wasn’t thinking:

·       I wasn’t thinking that I was about to learn how to walk through fire with a smile.

·       I wasn’t thinking that I was going to learn to love people that I didn’t even like.

·       I wasn’t thinking I was going to give to people that I thought already had enough.

·       I wasn’t thinking that learning to truly unconditionally love anyone including Him meant I had let go of my identity.

·       I certainly wasn’t thinking that leaning into Him meant I had to become comfortable with leaning into the unknown.

If God would have led with, this is going to suck, I would have never EVER asked the question. I am human after all but maturity in our faith should walk us into asking better questions of Him. No more genie in a bottle asks and a whole lot more how can I be like Jesus asks.

After Lennon learned she could again be with her mother, she asked Jesus into her heart and the fire of LOVE was lit within her. The fire of a new believer always burns so brightly and beautifully. In a wisdom beyond her years or maturity in her faith, Lennon realized and then spoke out loud for all of those that loved her mother to hear, that she asked God why He had allowed her mother’s death and that He answered her, “for your salvation”.

This week, my sister baptized Lennon. She sent us the video so we could watch the culmination how the love of these women, all friends of Dilan and their children, especially, Micah, coupled with the Love of God had answered Dilan’s prayer of salvation for her eldest daughter was now manifested and made whole. I cried as I watched. How could I not? In the darkest moment of my sister’s life, she led with love. God matched that love with His own and the result was this beautiful request of Lennon’s for baptism.

We are all going to have trouble…some we create for ourselves, some created by others and some created just by living in a broken world, but Jesus did not leave alone in this space. He left us with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) and the answer, is yes, it is as simple as leading with LOVE.