I can still be surprised

Recently I read, "Reading translations are like drinking downstream of the source. You cannot be sure it is pure." I wish I had taken time to write down the authors name so she could have credit.

Picture by Leah Tetzlaff

That phrase sums up why I study Hebrew. Meaning is often lost in translation. I am convinced that translators do their work with the best of intentions, but as the translation ages, readers, even teachers and preachers add their own understanding to the translated passage. I'm sure that happens even with perfect understanding of the original language.

Trust YHVH with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your path straight. Proverbs 3:5-6

The surprise this morning is Psalm 23. That simple psalm of trusting the Almighty when life is scary. We teach it to our little ones to give them comfort from the shadows that hide in the closet or under the bed.

The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

The pictograph message of the Hebrew letters tells me more about "my shepherd" and "shall not want". Shepherd is ra'ah and tells of man who looks to the hand of the Almighty for his needs. But want is chacer which tells the story of being fenced in and dependent on man for my needs. Those who look to the hand of the Almighty are not wanting, Those dependent upon men suffer from want. It is rather like government health care. There are all sorts of benefits promised to citizens but we are wanting what was promised. Benefits and good health remain unattainable. We who look to the Almighty already have... what we desire.

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou are with me. Psalm 23:4

This verse might have been an even bigger surprise. The Valley of the Shadow of Death is not a dark hike through the mountains, but a trench that is dug for your dead body, a grave.

All of our lives, all that we do, how we live on this earth, lead to one unavoidable destination. A grave. I honestly thought that this passage was about the difficult times of life. It is actually about our ultimate destination on earth. Death.

Hope is found in the pronoun "Thou" from the Hebrew attah, which speaks of Y'shua-Jesus. The root word of attah is the Aleph-Tav 'ot whom Y'shua-Jesus said was him. (Revelation 1:8, 21:6 and 22:13) We get our English translations down stream of Hebrew. The phrase came to us from Greek so we say that Y'shua is the Alpha and Omega from the Greek alphabet, which has no real meaning (unless we lean on our own understanding instead of acknowledging Him). The 'ot has a hey (the 5th Hebrew letter) as a suffix. Hey pictures insight from heaven. As a suffix it makes the root word fruitful (Some say it feminises the word, assuming that Hebrew is like French or Latin). When a believer goes to the grave, Y'shua-Jesus is with them.

And God raised Him (Y'shua-Jesus) up again, putting an end to the agony of death, since it is impossible for Him to be held in its power. Acts 2:24

When life ends and your remains are set in the trench, the grave, Y'shua-Jesus is with you. Since death has no power over Him, it has no power over those who are in Him. But you MUST be born again. If not... you probably know the consequences of death without the Savior. I urge you, look to the Almighty, not men. ...and dwell in the house of the LORD for all eternity Psalm 23:6b

Maranatha,
Mrs. Hagerty, March 23, 2017

The Valiant Warrior, Lesson 5: Proverbs 31:14

She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from afar. Proverbs 31:14

My mother is a wonderful hostess and cook. My mother in law could take everyday food and lay down a meal that would almost make me believe she had been expecting me. I come from women who are amazing hostesses. Sadly, that is not me. I have a difficult time getting two dishes to finish at the same time, I frighten more souls then I make feel loved when they come to my table. Am I therefore disqualified as a Proverbs 31 Woman?

This week

(1) The Hebrew letter hey

(2) Hebrew word of the week; hayah (hay-yah)

(3) Review of Lessons 1-4,

(4) like a ship

     food from afar

(5) Conclusion

(1) The letter hey.          

 The Hebrew letter Hey (5) is one of my favorites. I LOVE the little stick figure with his arms in the air who proclaims BEHOLD! Why is the hey used for “behold”? It is the letter of revelation, a window to heaven.

As the number 5 hey represents “a people called out of mankind, redeemed and saved, to walk with God from earth to heaven” (Bullinger,129). Grace is also associated with hey (5).

From E.W. Bullinger, page 130. “Grace means favor. But what kind of favor? Favor shown to the miserable is called mercy; favor shown to the poor is pity; favor shown to the suffering is called compassion; favor shown to the obstinate is patience; but favor shown to the unworthy we call GRACE!”

Romans 3:24 they (all who have sinned and fall short, v 23) are justified by his grace as a gift (freely), through the redemption (the buy-back program) which is in Christ Jesus,

The word translated “gift” (or freely) occurs in John 15:25 as “without a cause”

John 15:25 It is to fulfill the word that is written in their Torah, 'They hated me without a cause.'

“Gift” and “without a cause” are from the same Greek word. Just as there was no actual cause why they hated Y’shua-Jesus, there is also no “cause” in us why God should ever justify us. So Romans 3:24 could read, “Being justified without a cause by his grace.” Favor to the unworthy.” (Bullinger 130)

When God chose Abram and Sar'ai, he marked them with his grace when He added the letter of revelation to their names, the letter hey. Hey adds a breathy sound to words. Spirit is the breath of God. By adding hey to their names he indicated that his Spirit was filling them.

Hey as a prefix to a word works as like a direct object (The President instead of a president for instance). As a suffix, hey makes a word feminine. Just about every key word we have looked at in Proverbs 31 has a hey suffix and is translated as “she girds” or “she is like.” More than adding the word she, the hey suffix says that the word is fruitful.

(2) Hebrew word of the week hayatah (ha-yaw+ta+ha)

Hayah (the root word without the suffix) means “to exist.” It means more than simple existence. It means as God exists, all things follow God in their existence. Take another look at that sentence;

 as God exists, all things follow God in their existence. 

That is almost an overwhelming thought.

The first use of ha-yah is Genesis 1:2, The earth was… the word translated “was” is ha-yah. Even though it was formless and empty it still existed. Next use is Genesis 1:3, God said, “Let there be light”… “let there be” is ha-yah. English plays with the tense (time). Elohim said, “The earth is… there is light…

I AM is the famous name of YHVH. The ha-yah with an aleph prefix. This prefix is called “Qal Imperfect, first person, masculine” in Hebrew grammar. It does not have a tense. We give these verbs a tense in English. At the most basic level of understanding, God told Moses, “I IS” (Exodus 3:14)

 I had a difficult time finding this word used in a way that blew open the doors of understanding for me, until I came to a verse in Hebrews.

Hebrews 11:6 And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.

Hayah is belief by faith. Ha-yaw is “The God” (yaw is a short form of YHVH). The unseen God exists. He rewards us for seeking him.

 (3) Review of Lessons 1-4

Lesson 1: Aleph, the strong leader, the mighty God. The key aleph word in Proverbs 31 is ‘ishshah meaning woman. In the beginning, God created women to be strong. Only wisdom is more valuable then the chayil-virtuous woman.

Lesson 2: Bet the house, the Son of God. Our key bet word was batach-worthy of trust. The idea of one woman for one man for one life as something that can be trusted (a safe place to fall when we are weak). Just as we are safe trusting Y’shua-Jesus, our husband (even if we have not met him yet) can trust in us because of Him.

Lesson 3: Gamal the Spirit of God who brings what we need, be it comfort, help or daily food. The key word was gamal meaning to bring a person to maturity for service. Not weakening our husband by making him dependent on us, but strengthening him to serve God, not yourself because we are yoke-mates, serving together.

Lesson 4: Dalet the door. We learned that Y’shua is the door. We come to him as needy people and he provides for us. Our key word was darash to seek along The Way.

(4) Lesson 5: She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. Proverbs 31:14

The Proverbs 31 woman’s existence is like “the ships” of the merchant. Verse 14 is dominated by the Hebrew letter hey, for insight from the breath of God. In the 21^st century, merchants transport cargo on huge container ships. Nearly every man who has taught this passage to me seems to think that this verse is all about boats, merchants and exotic food. Bad news for a post-modern, subsistence farmer who buys local. By men’s standards I am disqualified from being a Proverbs 31 woman because of my shopping habits.

I hope by now you are a step ahead of me and know that God’s Ways are very different then the ways of men. When Bathsheba advised her son on finding a valiant warrior for a wife, merchant ships were still powered by the wind. To carry food from far away, the sails must be filled with wind to move the boat. Even the largest, most impressive boat at the dock is “dead in the water” unless its sails are filled with the wind. Wind and Spirit are the same word, Ruwach.

Be filled with the Spirit. We are moved with purpose by an invisible force we call “the Spirit of God” Y’shua spoke of the Spirit when he answered Nicode’mus.

John 3:3-8 Jesus answered him, "Amen, Amen (Truly, truly), I say to you, unless one is born anew, he cannot see the kingdom of God."  Nicode'mus said to him, "How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother's womb and be born?"  Jesus answered, "Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born anew.'  The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound of it, but you do not know whence it comes or whither it goes; so it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit."

Often scripture seems to compares being filled with the Spirit to drunkenness. A common name for alcoholic beverages is “liquid courage.” Being filled with the spirit is our courage. Paul wrote, “I can do all things in him who strengthens me.” (Philippians 4:13) No matter what Paul’s circumstance, no matter what resistance he faced, what threats he was under, no matter how hopeless his circumstances seemed, he knew that he was along for the ride and he would get where God intended him to go. That is how Paul was like a ship, filled with the wind of the Spirit, moved with purpose through these storms. It is no different for you and me. It was that way for our master Y’shua too.

Mark 14:35-36 And going a little farther, he fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from him. And he said, "Abba, Father, all things are possible to thee; remove this cup from me; yet not what I will, but what thou wilt."

Hebrews 12:2 looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

…bringing her food from afar. What is our food?

John 4:31-35 Meanwhile the disciples besought him, saying, "Rabbi, eat."  But he said to them, "I have food to eat of which you do not know." So the disciples said to one another, "Has any one brought him food?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me, and to accomplish his work.

We come to God, believing that He Is, not so we can have cheese from Italy, wine from New Zealand or produce from Chili. The reason we are filled with the Spirit as a ships sails are filled with the wind is to do the will of God. That is the definition of our food. The purpose that drives our life is in being the hands and feet that accomplish the will of God. This is the reason that I live in Him and He lives his life through me, to the glory of God.

Galatians 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me; and the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good tidings to the afflicted; he has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound;  to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all who mourn;  to grant to those who mourn in Zion - to give them a garland instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, the mantle of praise instead of a faint spirit; that they may be called oaks of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he may be glorified.

John 6:33-36 For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven, and gives life to the world."  They said to him, "Lord, give us this bread always."   Jesus said to them, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to me shall not hunger, and he who believes in me shall never thirst.

The Valiant Warrior, the Proverbs 31 woman, is a powerful force because she is filled with the Spirit, the Ruwach of God to do His will. She does not need to be strong willed, head strong, single-focused or physically fit. In the Kingdom of God, there is nothing wrong with anyone who has any of these attributes. But none of these characteristics will empower you to do the will of God (the food of the kingdom). You need only look to women like Corrie ten Boom, Joni Erickson-Tada, or Dorie Van Stone to realize that the will of God is accomplished, not by might, nor by power, but by the Ruwach of YHVH (Zechariah 4:6). My sister in Messiah, be filled with that Ruwach, that Spirit, as a ship’s sails are filled with the wind.

(5) Conclusion Maybe, like Nicodemus, you try to be good, you go to church, you memorize passages of the Bible but it still feels like you may be missing something. You wake up at night, thinking about your life and your life to come. Perhaps it is not comforting, your night thoughts may frighten you. Pick up your Bible, open it to John’s Gospel, chapter 3. It was at night that Nicodemus, the very religious, instructor of the people of God, came to Y'shua-Jesus. At some point all of us must come to him. What He said to Nicodemus he says to all of us.

You must be born again.

There will be no wind in your heart’s sails or food from heaven unless you have been born again. You already realize there will be wrath for every soul who is not born again (John 3:36), that is what wakes you up in the night. How are you born again?

John 3:14-15 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of man be lifted up, that whoever believes in him may have eternal life."

Moses lifted up a serpent in the wilderness? Yes he did. That was what God told him to do after the children of Israel sinned. Their sin was “speaking against YHVH (the LORD) and Moses, despising the food provided for them.” Snakes were sent to bite the people, many died without repentance from their attitude with ungrateful hearts. (Numbers 21:4-9). The people came to Moses, realizing that the snake bites were the result of their own criminal violation of Torah (sin), begging for the serpents to be removed. Moses prayed, YHVH answered. He instructed Moses to put a bronze serpent on a pole. When someone is bitten, if they look in faith to the serpent lifted on the pole, they would live. If they try to hide the bite or treat it themselves they die.

That is how it is with us. We sin for a lot of reasons. The Apostle John summed it up by saying “we lust” and boast about it. It feels good, that is how sin works, that is why we do it, until we feel the sting of the serpent’s bite. Look to Jesus who was lifted up on a pole, the cross, look in faith and he will give you the eternal life that we call born again. It really is that simple.

1 John 2:15-17 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh and the lust of the eyes and the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world. And the world passes away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.

In the wilderness, God did not remove the serpents. He does not remove temptation to sin for us either. We will still be tempted, we will still sin, but we expose our life, our deeds to the light (John 3:19-21) and by faith in Y’shua-Jesus, turns us away from our sin (repentance), when we look to him for life. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

Do you need to be perfect to do the will of God? I suspect that you have met enough Christians by now to know that even the most powerful are not perfect, they are simply yoked to Y’shua, they expose their deeds to his light, and claim his righteousness because our own righteousness is worthless. That is how it will be for you too. Your goodness is never good enough for eternal life (the kingdom of heaven), but the goodness of Y’shua covers you. That is why we can pray, “Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven.  Give us this day our daily bread;” (Matthew 6:10-11) and that is why we say, “For I find my delight in thy commandments, which I love.” (Psalm 119:47) Filled with his Spirit, doing his will, is our power (the wind that moves us) and our daily bread, because we exist for him and by looking to him. Be that woman.
Mrs. Hagerty, October 13, 2014 (Happy Columbus Day!
Updated December 4, 2014 MsH

The Hebrew letter hey

  She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from afar.     Proverbs 31:14

How many of you knew that the Proverbs 31 woman is written as an acrostic? An acrostic uses a Hebrew letter to paint a picture of what is being taught. Proverbs 31:14 springs from the Hebrew letter hey (or hei). The word for hey is often translated "behold." When Y'shua says "behold" it is a flag word, he is about to give you insight from heaven, understanding that you cannot see without the Spirit of God.

This ancient image of the hey is one of my favorites. I use it in my Bible to tag the word "behold" and what comes after it. If you are someone who writes in your Bible you should try this sometime. The things you can learn are fun. YHVH the LORD uses this fifth letter to indicate revelation of spiritual things. The sound you make when you say the word hey is a very breathy sound. You probably already know that the word for spirit and the word for wind are the same word in both Hebrew and Greek. How the word is used in a sentence determines how it is translated into English. The more I learn Hebrew (and I really do not know it beyond a first grade level, if that well), the more I wonder how frustrating translation work must have been at times with words like Spirit and wind.

Hey represents the breath of God, the Spirit, the wind, that gives life to the word of God. I wonder if you are like me in thinking that at the immersion (baptism) of Y'shua-Jesus we were given a fantastic picture of the breath of God (the Spirit) giving life to the Word of God, made flesh. A rare moment when the Breath of God was manifest as a dove (dove and tears are the same Hebrew word with different vowel marks, the passage, if translated from Hebrew, could read ...I saw the Spirit descend as tears from heaven...). On the day that you submit to that new life, what Christians call, "born again" the breath of God, the Spirit, will likewise quietly fill your heart, tho it will not be a visible filling and you will not hear the "well done" until your finish your time on earth and meet YHVH face to face in Heaven.

The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!  This is he of whom I said, 'After me comes a man who ranks before me, for he was before me.' I myself did not know him; but for this I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel." And John bore witness, "I saw the Spirit descend as a dove from heaven, and it remained on him. I myself did not know him; but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, 'He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes with the Holy Spirit.' And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God." John 1:29-34

The letter hey was used to show God's eternal covenant with both Abraham and his wife Sarah. By adding the letter hey to their names, no one would ever again say their name without the breathy sound of the Spirit. An eternal reminder of YHVH's filling in their lives. The same thing happened to Jonathan, the dear friend of King David, but it is impossible to see in English.

I did my preschool lessons on the letter hey in another acrostic, Psalm 119: 33-40. where I first learned that the divine breath, the Spirit of YHVH is cause of all I receive from the Word of God. I've made some changes to the passage to fit the orginal Hebrew instead of the often anti-Torah translation.

Psalm 119:33-40 Hey 

33 Teach me (point the way), O YHVH, the way of thy appointments (as the feast days); and I will keep (guard and protect) it to the end. 
34 Give me understanding, that I may keep (guard and protect) thy Torah and observe (hedge with thorns) it with my whole heart (the heart is the shepherds house in Hebrew pictograph). 
35 Lead me in the path of thy commandments (mitsvah generally the 10 commandments, but all God's commands are included), for I delight in it. 
36 Incline (stretch me out, turn me to see--the picture of me as the little stick figure lifting my hands in wonder!) my heart to thy testimonies (evidence, the witness given), and not to gain (covetousness, a discontent with what I have)! 
37 Turn (cover) my eyes from looking at vanities (idolatry, evil, paganism that is folded into worship of the true God who has told us how he will be worshipped); and give me life in thy way. 
38 Confirm (cause me to stand or take a stand) to thy bond-servant thy promise, which is for those who fear (moral reverence) thee. 
39 Turn away (carry, to pass or cross over) the reproach (shame) which I dread; for thy ordinances (mishpat- legal judgements, Torah based decisions) are good. 
40 Behold, I long for thy precepts (from a root meaning "visits" precepts are times with God in His Torah, during the "appointed feasts" or anytime our focus is on God); in thy righteousness give me life! 

I'll end this pretty study on the Hebrew letter hey with one of my favorite Amy Carmichael poems, The Flame.

From prayer that asks that I may be sheltered from winds that beat on Thee,  

From fearing when I should aspire, from faltering when I should climb higher 

From silken self, O Captain , free thy soldier who would follow Thee.

From subtle love of softening things, from easy choices, weakenings, 

(Not thus are spirits fortified, not this way went the Crucified) 

From all that dims thy Calvary O Lamb of God, deliver me.

Give me the love that leads the way, the faith that nothing can dismay

The hope no disappointments tire, the passion that will burn like fire; 

Let me not sink to be a clod; make me thy fuel, Flame of God.

John 10:1 The door and the theif

"Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber;  John 10:1 

Amen, amen, I further-say to you...

Our English Bibles are full of surprises. The Jewishness of Jesus has been erased. I started my morning intending to pray for a friend whose marriage is in distress. When my own marriage was on shaky ground, John chapter 10 was my go-to passage for prayer. I've never done a word study on the passage but I have prayed it many times.

I was happily surprised to see that John 10:1 does not begin, Verily, verily (what does that mean?) or even "Truly, truly" but the Jewish Messiah began this chapter with the words, "A'men, a'men." Stand firm--believe and have faith in the Torah. I wondered what else I did not know about this favorite passage.

"I say" is translated from the Greek word lego, just like the toy. It means a foundation to build your life upon. The solid foundation, the rock that is Messiah. 

If you have been following the Proverbs 31 study I have been doing, you may know by now that Y'shua is the door, the dalet. We are the sheep

So Jesus again said to them, "Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers; but the sheep did not heed them. I am the door; if any one enters by me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:7-10

Then he led forth his people like sheep, and guided them in the wilderness like a flock. Psalm 78:52

For he is our God, and we are the people of his pasture, and the sheep of his hand. O that today you would hearken to his voice! Psalm 95:7

Know that the LORD is God! It is he that made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Psalm 100:3

I also believe that when we come to Y'shua for salvation, (to be born again) we commit ourselves to a righteous life style, a life of faith (amen in Hebrew) that is described in Torah as The Way. 

...but climbs in by another way

If ever you set down to do a word-study on "the way" one thing will quickly become clear. There is a way that is laid out by God and then there are many "other ways" that lead to death and destruction.

"Enter by the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is easy, that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many.  For the gate is narrow and the way is hard, that leads to life, and those who find it are few. Matthew 7:13-14

I'm not sure if this means anything or not, but ever since discovering that words like hamas and allah are both in the Old Testament, and neither is flattering, I have started wondering what else it tucked into Scripture that once seemed neutral but has meaning in these last days. In that light, I noticed that the word translated "but" (but climbs in by another way) is not the from the usual Greek word that is translated "but." In this passage it seems to be the word "allah" the enemy of Messiah. Allah climbs in by "another way" he is a thief (a klepto who steals by fraud and in secret) and a robber (a brigand- someone who openly uses violence, especially against travelers -those who walk the way- to rob them).

Verse 1 of John chapter 10 is as far as I got. I am praying for my friend and her family. She has chosen the way of life, her husband is still a prisoner of the enemy of souls. They love each other but the Serpent does not want to give up his prize. To me that can only mean that Y'shua is calling the husband. Now the Serpent is using violence (cruel words and cruel thoughts) instead of secret fraud against that couple's mind to keep him from The Way of life. 

Do you know people in marital distress? Don't feel sorry for them, Y'shua is fixen to rescue them but we must pray. Now is the time to pray for the freedom that Messiah sets us free with. Joy!

 and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free."  John 8:32

The Valiant Warrior, Lesson 3, Proverbs 31:12

She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

 Proverbs 31:12

“The word comfort is from two Latin words meaning “with” and “strong” – He is with us to make us strong. Comfort is not soft, weakening commiseration; it is true, strengthening love

 – Amy Carmichael

This week

(1) The Hebrew letter gimel

(2) Hebrew word of the week; gamal

(3) Review of Lesson 2 

(4) Barnabus

(5) Conclusion

(1) The third letter of the Hebrew aleph-bet is the gimel (rhymes with camel). Remember that the letter aleph reminds us of God the father. The letter bet pictures the son. The third letter, gimel, pictures the third person of the God-head; the Spirit. The letter gimel teaches us about kindness without making us dependent. How many of you know that the Spirit is called “the helper and the comforter”?

John 14:26 "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.

Acts 9:31 So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

Help and comfort are acts of kindness that strengthen us so that we can stand on the Word of God without fear. Gimel is represented by the number 3. Three stands for everything that is solid, real substantial, complete, and entire. (Bullinger p. 102) Three is symbolic of divine perfection. There are three persons in the God-head. I am astonished that a concept as difficult to nail down as the Spirit of God (the Ruach ha Qodesh) is what gives substance to faith. It is the Spirit who makes the things of Messiah real and solid in our daily walk (Bullinger 105). Any attempt we make to live out the commandments is nothing but religion without the life giving Spirit of God.

Gimel is the number 3.

• The third day of creation was when the waters and land were separated (a resurrection as pictured by baptism
• The third commandment tells us to not speak YHVH's name in vain (to make it worthless)
• Leviticus, the third book of scripture instructs us on how we ought to righteously worship YHVH by faith

·    I like this, in English, gimel rhymes with camel because the pictograph of gimel is of a camel. The camel represents wealth. It is able to travel long distances with cargo. The gifts the magi brought to the Messiah, when he was a child in Bethlehem, are traditionally said to have been carried by camels.

Matthew 19:24 "Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God."

Ever wondered what this weird verse means? Because the gimel represents the Spirit but the pictograph is the camel, and brings wealth to mind, then perhaps the Word is teaching us something about the kind of wealth that is important. When we love “things” more than we love God, even if we really love God a lot, we have a problem. Treasure, stuff, is for earth not heaven. The woman who is dependent upon Heaven, who asks God for her daily needs, has treasure in heaven. Spiritual treasure can easily pass through the eye of the needle. Earthly treasure cannot. Do you say you love God with all your heart? Is there anything you are unwilling to give up? The things you want to hang onto are the things you treasure in your heart.

Matthew 6:19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. "But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 19:20-22 The young man said to Him, "All these commandments I have kept; what am I still lacking?" Jesus said to him, "If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me." But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property.

(2) “She will do him good” is from the Hebrew word gamal, a word very similar to gimel. In fact, in Hebrew the two words look exactly alike, they just have different vowel points. Gamal (pronounced gaw-mal’) is a word that means “to mature, to wean” The valiant warrior is a woman who encourages others to grow in the Spirit, to become warriors in fellowship. To do that she has to be a spiritual woman. A woman of kindness and a woman of comfort. She has to be a woman who hopes the best for her sisters, for her family. A woman who points to the need for God, not herself, as the central point of others lives.

(3) In lesson 2 we learned that the Valiant Warrior is a woman worthy of trust. There is nothing about her as an earthling, a natural woman that makes her worthy of trust. It is the Spirit of Y'shua-Jesus who has made her heart his temple; that gives her worth. This week I want to show you a man named Barnabas who trusted the Spirit of Y'shua in Paul, even though Paul's natural self had proven to be worthless.

(4) Do you remember the story of Barnabas and Paul? Barnabas is the picture of Gamal. He was kind and comforting without making Paul weak or dependent on him. Paul had hurt many of his people. He was cruel beyond belief to the believers in Jerusalem. When he came back to Jerusalem after his salvation, people were afraid of him. There was bitterness and hurt because of who he was before he met Y’shua-Jesus. If not for Barnabas there would have been no fellowship or ministry for Paul. The world might have never known the brilliant Bible writer in not for Barnabas. 

Barnabas trusted God more then he feared Paul. It was the Holy Spirit living in Paul that he was willing to trust. Paul was living his life in submission to that Spirit but he had been so utterly wicked as a natural, though very religious man, that no one else was willing to trust him. It took a special kind of believer, a (man in this case) who was chayil! There are no books of the Bible written by Barnabas. But I wonder if you realize that if it had not been for Barnabas, we might not have any of the great epistles of Paul.

Barnabas practiced the ministry of Gamal. He did good for Paul when everyone else would do evil by withholding the love of God, and who could blame them? I do not know if Barnabas personally felt the sting of the old Paul, scripture does not say, but I know he knew about Paul's old life, I am sure that it was an often discussed subject.

Acts 9:26-31 When he came to Jerusalem, he (Paul) was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. 

So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.

Someday, when you become a wife, there is a very good chance that you will feel deeply crushed, hurt right to the core of your soul. You will think that the person who hurt you is your husband. But even in a marriage our battle is not against flesh and blood. At that season of your life you will have to decide if you wish to be a Valiant Warrior, like Barnabas, and do good for your husband (I am sure he will have to make the same choice about you, Satan loves a soft target) or do you want to be a victim? Victims have rights, they have advocates but the Chayil woman has something far better. She has the power of the Holy Spirit.

Choose friends who make you strong. Anyone can weaken you by feeling sorry for you and encourage you to just blow off the person who caused you pain. (I am NOT talking about bruises, broken and sprained bones or the constant verbal attack that some men are fond of) But a friend who encourages you, reminding you that our battle is not against flesh and blood but against wicked spirits in dark places, is the kind of person you want around to encourage you when the invisible battle is raging.  BE THAT FRIEND! That valiant warrior.

 (5) I’ll conclude with a favorite poem-prayer from my valiant warrior hero of the faith.

From prayer that asks that I may be
Sheltered from the winds that beat on thee,
From fearing when I should aspire,
From faltering when I should climb higher
From silken self, O Captain free
Thy soldier who would follow Thee.
From subtle love of softening things,
From easy choices, weakening,
(Not thus are spirits fortified,
Not this way went the Crucified)
From all that dims Thy Calvary
O Lamb of God, deliver me.
Give me the love that leads the way,
The faith that nothing can dismay
The hope no disappointments tire,
The passion that will burn like fire;
Let me not sink to be a clod;
Make me Thy fuel, Flame of God
-- Amy Carmichael 

Mrs. Hagerty, September 29, 2014
Updated November 22, 2015 MsH

The Valiant Warrior, Lesson 2: Proverbs 31:11

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. 

The Proverbs 31 woman is not who you think she is. Valiant Warrior is a better tag then Victorian Woman. Her battle is not against flesh and blood. Her weapons are not of this world. Neither are her ideals. MsH

This week

1.  The Hebrew letter bet
2. Hebrew word of the week, batach
3.  A short review of Proverbs 31:10
4.  She can be trusted because of her trust in YHVH
5. A word about Wisdom

(1) The Hebrew letter bet is the 2^nd letter of the Aleph-bet but the first letter of Scripture. “Bet” pictures a house. The pictograph is of a tent, something you go into. Being a member of a family is something most of us value, most of the time. However, there is a basic problem when people live together in one tent or house (bet). It is their differences. The very thing that makes us special is also the reason for the possibility of division. Marriages begin in romance, that is never how they end. A heart that is willing to trust is often required.

The numeric value of bet is two. Here is a fact about the number 2. It is the first number that can be divided. One of the most basic ideas about the number two is division because of difference. Light was the second creation. God said it was good. God divided the light and the darkness. Division and difference are key ideas about bet. (E.W. Bullinger)

Matthew 12:25 Knowing their thoughts, he said to them, "Every kingdom divided against itself is laid waste, and no city or house divided against itself will stand;

Bet is often used as a prefix. When bet is used at the beginning of a root word it tells us that the subject or object is IN something. For instance, the very first word of Scripture is, re’shiyth (pronounced “ray-sheeth”). It means, “at the head, the start, the first. Re’shiyth has a  bet prefix.
“In” + “the start-the first” giving us our English phrase, “In the beginning” b^are’shiyth. The English word is Genesis.

The heart of her husband Batach -trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. Proverbs 31:11

(2) Batach (pronounced baw-takh’) is a Hebrew root word meaning, “go quickly to, for refuge”

How many of you know that “trust” is not something that you have in yourself? What you have in yourself might be confidence. Trust is something we have for other people. Other people trust us. The people who love us usually trust us. One difference between trust and love is that it is often easier to stop trusting someone then it is to stop loving them. Love is probably stronger than trust but I want the people that I love to trust me. For me, this means that I must be worthy of their trust.

What does it mean to be worthy of trust? It is as simple as making what is important to the person I love, important to me. It isn't just about keeping secrets.

Psalm 52:7-8 "Behold, the man who would not make God his refuge, but trusted in the abundance of his riches and was strong in his evil desire."  But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I Batach-trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever.

Proverbs 3:5-6 Batach-Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your Ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.

I watch so many people try to figure out their choices, try to make sense of their situation in order to plan their next move in life. They check their bank account to see what they can afford. An upgrade seems more important then contentment. Yah (the LORD) deserves your trust. But we want to "lean on our own understanding" and choose what seems best for us. Trusting Yah with the control of your heart can give you a helpless feeling. I would like to testify that "leaning on my own understanding" does not take away the helpless feeling. You know this to be true whenever things go wrong. The best a life plan can do for you is distract you with the discipline of sticking to your plan. Walking in The Way is walking with Y'shua (Jesus) in control. He straightens the path, not so you can see what is coming, to prepare yourself, but because he already knows what is coming and wants you to walk straight through it. How do I acknowledge him in The Way? That is a study in itself. But for me, acknowledgement of God resulting in a choice to trust Him begins with thanking Him for everything and in everything.

...give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

(3) Last week we saw that the Valiant Warrior is a woman of Chayil, 

In Proverbs 31:10 we were introduced to a woman who is a powerful force, able to do the ministry that God created Chavah-Eve to do. Eve's job was to guard Adam (she has his back) and to be his ‘ezer, his co-warrior, to guard and protect creation. We found out that a “chayil” woman is of greater value than anything else that a man could desire on earth. Only Wisdom has more value than the Valiant Warrior. No one has more value than a valiant woman with wisdom.

(4) This week we learn that the woman of chayil is someone who can be trusted. 

Many people will “trust you…. With their secrets, with their tears, even with their gossip, but being a woman of Batach-trust is something that is reserved for the closest relationship.

Batach-trust is a godly trait more than a human attribute. The woman who can be trusted is a woman who has trusted in Y’shua-Jesus herself. Because she trusts Him, she is able to reflect that in her relationships. Batach-trust is not an accident of being raised in a godly family or being born special. Instead it is something we receive as a “seed gift” when we come into relationship to The Savior. A seed gift is something that grows stronger with use. This helps explain why the Valiant Warrior is such a valuable wife and friend.You are safe when you trust her. Only Wisdom has more value than she does. Why is Wisdom special? Let’s take a peak.

Proverbs 2:6-10 For YHVH gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.
 He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, Guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves The Way of His godly ones.
 Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course.
For wisdom will enter your heart and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;

God the Father, Abba, give wisdom.It does not come from education or life experience, as valuable as those things are. Wisdom is the ability to see life from a perspective that is closer to the Fathers.

Our heart is meant to be wisdom's house. Wisdom is not kept in books. Books contain knowledge. Wisdom does more then make sense of knowledge (that is understanding). Wisdom gives life to what you know. Wisdom is a shield (a form of protection). Earthly shields have grips that allow us to hold on to them. The shield of Wisdom is gripped with the integrity of our life.  

Proverbs 3:19 YHVH by wisdom founded the earth, by understanding He established the heavens.

Why is Wisdom so valuable? Wisdom is not a thing but a spirit, a person. Do you need one more hint about the value of Wisdom? Here is a passage that does not talk about wisdom but about "the founding of the earth, creation, We know the earth was created by Wisdom. (Proverbs 3:19) But who is Wisdom? Look at the next hint from Scripture.

John 1:1-3   In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God.  All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.

Do you know who Wisdom is yet? He created the world, Your heart was created to be his home. He was given to us by God the Father. Do you know who he is yet? I call him Y'shua (Hebrew for Salvation), you might know him by the name Jesus. 

(5) Wisdom is the only person that has greater value then the Valiant Warrior 

Now you know, Wisdom is Jesus and Jesus is Wisdom. Your heart was meant to be his home. Without Wisdom, you will never be a Valiant Warrior. You can be really smart, or you can be someone who has a very difficult time learning anything. It does not matter what you know. What matters is, "Does Jesus live in your heart?

On being smart or not very smart, it is important to me that you remember the difference between having a hard time learning and being a fool. There is no shame for a person who finds learning difficult. A fool is something different. Never call a believer a fool, (Matthew 5:22). The reason is that a fool can be (and probably is) really smart, meaning full of knowledge. Knowing information or being ignorant does not make a person a fool. Only one thing qualifies a person as a fool. They say in there heart, there is no God. (Psalm 14:1 and Psalm 53:1)

Without Wisdom you are no different then Eve who was deceived by the Serpent. “Wisdom that comes from above” living in the heart of Eve may have prevented her from being deceived. Adam batach-trusted her. How deeply did Adam trust her? Scripture says that Eve was deceived but Adam sinned. Adam was willing to do what he knew was sin because he trusted Eve! Does that help explain why a Valiant Warrior, a Chaiel woman is so valuable? Her husband’s heart can safely trust her because she trusts God. Eve "leaned on her own understanding" instead of acknowledging God. Adam trusted her to acknowledge God, not her own understanding. The brilliance of the Serpent was not in causing her to desire to be like God, All of us want to be like the one we love and follow. No, the genius of the serpent was to deceive Eve into "thinking for herself" instead of acknowledging God. In this world, not everything can be figured out and categorized in our heads. But by faith we can acknowledge God's Word. Faith means to stand firm on something. The Hebrew idea is Amen, meaning I take my stand on the Word of God. That word is written on my heart where Wisdom lives when Jesus is invited in.

You cannot make yourself that woman of valor, you must be, “born again” for Wisdom, Y’shua-Jesus to make his home in your heart. The more you live according to the Word, the Torah of God, the more your heart, Jesus home, becomes a safe place for the one you love. Only by Jesus can two people become one. There is no other way. One cannot be divided. Do you loose yourself by becoming one with your husband? Not at all, because the secret is that you and your husband become one by being bound together like a rope with Y'shua as the third, unbreakable strand.

Note: many will say, Adam should have protected Eve. Or, she should have submitted to Adam;s judgement. All true statements. But this is a lesson for a woman and we are responsible for what we do, not for what others do. MsH
Mrs. Hagerty, September 22, 2014
Updated November 16, 2015, MsH

The Valiant Warrior, Proverbs 31:10, Lesson 1

 A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. Proverbs 31:10  rsv

Note: Proverbs 31: 10-31, commonly referred to as “The Proverbs 31 Woman” are presented as an acrostic in Hebrew. Therefore each lesson begins with a brief and simplistic lesson on the Hebrew letter that begins the verses. I hope this blesses you as it has me. MsH

1. The Hebrew letter Aleph
2. Review of the Prologue 
3. The Hebrew word Chayil (excellence)
4. Her worth is more then Rubies 
5. What is wisdom?
6. Conclusion

(1) Aleph is the first letter of the Hebrew Aleph-Bet (alphabet). Unlike our English letters, which only represent a sound, Hebrew letters suggest an image, known as a pictograph, and a numeric value as well as a sound.

The letter Aleph is the first Hebrew letter. It is silent. The pictograph for Aleph is an ox head. Aleph pictures strength and leadership. It represents the Almighty, Elohim, as the master and leader. 

The letter Aleph has the numeric value (gematria) of both 1 and 1000. It is first in everything and it adds great value to all it is connected to. Y'shua--Jesus taught us that the first and the greatest commandment is “Love God with all your heart.” As believers, our first passion is to love God!

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. Proverbs 31:10 nasu

(2) In the Prologue I talked about “One woman, one man, for one life” as a source of strength for men. We saw that Solomon’s mother rebuked him for his many women because that destroys his virtue, his strength.  Walking “The Way” (the spiritual path of life) requires us to have the strength known as virtue, It is what makes us chayil - valiant.

We saw that Adam’s ministry was to keep the garden, meaning to guard or protect it and to make it fruitful. Chavvah-Eve was created to protect and aid Adam. THEY are created in God’s image.  When the two become one in marriage, something supernatural happens. We become strong for the ministry God created us for.

This week we will look at Proverbs 31:10 the excellent wife who is far more valuable then the rock she wheres on her finger.

(3) Chayil (pronounced khah’-yil) is from a root word that means “to dance” or “to twist or whirl in pain” (many subjects in Hebrew have both a positive meaning and a negative one.) Chayil describes a force which can be used to describe an individual or an army. The attributes of virtue, valor and strength describe chayil.

Proverbs 12:4 A chayil- excellent wife is the crown of her husband,
But she who shames him is like rottenness in his bones.

A women of strength and virtue is not a door mat! She is actually the crown on a man's head. Not to be walked on, not even equal. A woman of valor is the glory of a man, polished and well cared for. She isn't about gold or pretty stones, she is his helmet, his protection. More then a pretty helmet, her power is supernatural. Many husbands say that their wives "intuition" has protected them from foolish mistakes. She is the crown. The opposite is a woman who is all about herself instead of all about us.

 1 Samuel 10:26 Saul also went to his house at Gibeah; and the chayil-valiant men whose hearts God had touched went with him.

Chayil is not just about being a good woman. It is a person whose life has been touched by the Almighty. They have responded to his touch. The hand of discipline is harsh. The person who is chayil, men and women, need only a touch to respond.

 Exodus 18:21"Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people chayil-able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens.

Out of all the choices you have available to you, "select" a spouse (don't settle for a life-partner the way the world does) who is chayil.  

 Psalm 18:32 The God who girds me with chayil-strength  And makes my Way blameless?

The chayil person is supernatural, touched by the Almighty, born from on high. Chayil is not a character trait that a person is born with. It is who a person is because they submit their will to the Almighty.

 Psalms 60:12 and 108:13 Through God we shall do chayil-valiantly,
And it is He who will tread down our adversaries. 

 My personal life verse is Micah 6:8. It teaches that Elohim-God shows us what good is. Y'shua-Jesus is our visual aid for living a good life. The Almighty has told us what he requires of us in the Torah (the first 5 books of the English Bible). We are to live a life of truth and justice while loving mercy. That is what it means to "walk humbly" with our Elohim-God. The key that unlocks a chayil-excellent life in the eyes of Elohim-God is being born again. Only when we are reborn from on high can the Ruwach-Spirit of God live in our hearts. Did you know that the Hebrew word for heart is a pictograph for Shepherds House? According to the Prophet Jeremiah, we have a "change of heart" from stone to flesh and the Torah-the Word of God is written right on our heart of flesh. A stone heart can be all about justice (usually for others). The opposite kind of person can be all about no justice and believe they are showing mercy. Only the Almighty can make a person chayil- born again, able to live the truth in justice while loving mercy.

(4)…Her worth is far above rubies

The chayil woman has great value to God. She brings this virtue into her relationships. There is no greater worth in marriage then chayil from the man or woman. With the attribute of chayil; they (the two as one) have great value as a godly couple.

Solomon’s mother mentions the great value of this woman as being more then rubies, but what has greater worth than rubies?

The word translated “rubies” should have been translated “pearl.” (strongs #6443 Paniyn pronounced paw-neen’) People say that rubies, or diamonds and emeralds are costly, but God does not see the world the way people see the world. Gemstones are rare and that makes them valuable, but they are  just pretty rocks. A pearl is something beautiful that has been created from pain (a painful irritant in the soft flesh of an oyster).

Matthew 13:46  …and upon finding one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had and bought it.

Being chayil is not an automatic attribute of a person who has been born again. Salvation begins the process but it takes time to become a person of valor and excellence. It is an attitude of contentment and thanksgiving in all things. 

Revelation 21:21  And the twelve gates (of the new Jerusalem of God, the Bride of Messiah) were twelve pearls; each one of the gates was a single pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold (gold must be refined in fire to be pure), like transparent glass.

Isaiah 61:1-3 The Spirit of the Almighty YHVH is upon me,
Because YHVH has anointed me
To bring good news to the afflicted;
He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted,
To proclaim liberty to captives  And freedom to prisoners;

To proclaim the favorable year of YHVH
And the day of vengeance of the Almighty;
To comfort all who mourn,

To grant those who mourn in Zion,
Giving them a garland instead of ashes,
The oil of gladness instead of mourning,
The mantle of praise instead of a spirit of fainting.
So they will be called oaks of righteousness,
The planting of YHVH, that He may be glorified.
 

(a garland is a necklace and something as tiny as ashes are irritants in an oyster)

What is it that is worth more than pearls to God?

Job 28:12-18 "But where can wisdom be found? And where is the place of understanding?  " Man does not know its value, Nor is it found in the land of the living (the physical world).  "The deep says, 'It is not in me'; And the sea says, 'It is not with me.'  Pure gold cannot be given in exchange for it, Nor can silver be weighed as its price. It cannot be valued in the gold of Ophir, In precious onyx, or sapphire.  Gold or glass cannot equal it, Nor can it be exchanged for articles of fine gold. Coral and crystal are not to be mentioned; And the acquisition of wisdom is above that of pearls.

 Proverbs 3:13-15  How blessed is the man who finds wisdom and the man who gains understanding.  For her profit is better than the profit of silver and her gain better than fine gold. She is more precious than jewels; and nothing you desire compares with her.

Proverbs 8:11  "For wisdom is better than jewels; And all desirable things cannot compare with her.

(4) What is wisdom?

 1 Samuel 16:6-7 When the prophet Samuel came to the house of Jessie to anoint one of his sons the king of Israel without knowing which one God had chosen.

When they (Jessie’s oldest sons) entered, he (Samuel) looked at Eliab and thought, "Surely the LORD'S anointed is before Him." (apparently Eliab is handsome and tall)  But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but YHVH looks at the heart."

Wisdom is “seeing" from God’s perspective”

Beauty when all we see is filthy ashes

Joy (our chayil-strength) when the world brings mourning

Praise when circumstances are heavy.

(5) The reason the chayil woman has great value is because she does not fake her attitude. God is her strength and her life. She is human, so, like Samuel when he saw Eliab, she may think that the beautiful things and people of the world are chosen by the Almighty. But just as it only took a word to redirect Samuel, you could say, "a touch," she does not dwell on earths beauty, but looks for the Almighty's choice. The Bible is the light on her path. We know that heaven is our home but how we live our life until we get there is described in the Torah and powered by the indwelling Ruwach-Spirit of God for the chayil woman. The lesson of the pearl is that it is God Himself who makes us chayil-strong. That is what Matthew 25: 14-30 and the “talents” entrusted to the servants teach us. What we do with the gift of chayil- determines our worth.

Note: nothing bad about beauty, Esther spent a year perfecting it. But Esther was a Chayil woman first and beautiful second. Beauty always fades but Chayil-excellence, virtue grows stronger.

BE THE ALEPH WOMAN! (not the alpha) A woman of chayil-strength, a leader bringing others to Messiah, A woman who trusts the Almighty when life is hard.

Mrs. Hagerty, September 15, 2014
Updated November 13, 2015 MsH