Musing - Did God give us a Compass?

Hebraic Musing - Did God give us a Compass?

I love reading Scripture and discovering hidden meanings with fresh messages.  All too often our English translations miss interesting interpretations.  For example… In Genesis 13: 14 we read, “And the LORD said to Abram…. “Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north צָפֹנָה (tzafonah) and south נֶגְבָּה (negebah), east קֵדְמָה (kedmah) and west יָמָּה (yamah).”  NIV 

Our English translations make these sound like navigational terms; but in the symbolic and physical language of Ancient Hebrew the origin of these words was closely tied to the local geographical environment.  Abram was given these words from the LORD while living in Canaan land after nephew Lot had chosen the garden-like land for himself.

The Hebrew word translated as “to the north” צָפֹנָה (tzafonah) is connected to Mt. Tsafon or Zaphon (Isa. 14: 13 “I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of the sacred mountain.”).  It is now known as Jebel Aqra on the border of Syria and Turkey. This mountain lay to Abram’s north when God told him to look in all directions.

The Hebrew word נֶגְבָּה (negebah), traditionally translated as “to the south,” literally means “to the Negev.” This refers to the name of the desert wilderness in southern Canaan, now Israel.

The word translated “to the west” is from יָמָּה (yamah), which literally means “to the sea”, obviously the Mediterranean.

And the word “east” is from קֵדְמָה (kedmah), which evokes an image of “going back to something from an earlier time.” Its root is connected to the idea of “antiquity” or the distant past.  From a Biblical perspective, itsuggests the Garden of Eden that God planted “in the east” at the beginning of history in Gen. 2: 8.

So was the LORD telling Abram to look in four directions in order to spin him around?  Or was there a symbolic significance in order to get Abe to recognize that the LORD planned to bless him?  Abe is being prepared to receive the “promises land” eventually; remember Lot chose the more favorably looking land at the time.  God was symbolically telling Abraham to look high and low, past and future; which is where God has been and will be for Abram.  Later the LORD will be changing Abram’s name to Abraham when He gives Abram an H, to become Abraham.  And the Hei (h) symbolizes the breath of God.  Interesting!

Someone put it very well: “To read the Bible always and only in translation is like listening to Bach always and only played on the harmonica. You will certainly get the tune, but you will miss pretty much everything else.”

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

Do we recognize that God sees our highs and lows as well as our future and past?

Will the LORD be blessing you during your Highs, Lows, Future and Past?

May you “Lift up your eyes from where you are and look north and south, east and west.”

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          December 31, 2019

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note –  Inspired by and excerpted from “Jewish Insight into Scripture” by Eli Lizokin-Eyzenberg. p 86.

Insight #20 – A Holiday Parable

            Hebraic Insight #20 – A Holiday Parable

Please enjoy this little parable I found that brings out the importance of obeying G-d’s commands regarding ‘feast’ days – some of which He said were ‘mandatory’!   And all too frequently they are referred to as Jewish Holidays; but should be called G-d’s Holidays. (BTW – the word “holiday” originated from “Holy Day”)

“Once upon a time there was a  wonderful King that ruled a Kingdom.  The King was always doing fine and wonderful things for His people.  The people desired in their hearts to worship and glorify the King and His wonderful deeds.  So the King planned appointed times each year; special times for celebrations to tell other stories of His deeds to the people’s children and to glorify the King.  The King wrote the instructions of how to observe the celebration in a book called the Book of Wisdom.  For many years the people enjoyed these celebrations.  Each year they would learn more about their King and feel closer to Him.  They realized the King’s celebrations were not only to tell stories of the things the King had done for His people in the past, but also foreshadows of more fine things the King was planning to do for them in the future.

There was another kingdom that did not worship the King.  They worshiped objects such as statues, animals, trees, and the sun.  In this other kingdom, the people practiced several different annual parties that glorified the people and the objects instead of the King.  Each party had a different theme.  In some they dressed up like animals and other beings.  In some they decorated their homes and gave gifts to each other.

Then a man from this other kingdom visited the King’s kingdom and told the people the annual parties were much more fun than the King’s celebrations.  Some of the people wanted to continue celebrating the ceremonies that worshipped the King.  Other people wanted to replace the special celebrations with the new celebrations.  Through the years people started to combine both sets of celebrations.  They would practice the annual parties, meant to worship objects such as statues, animals, trees, and the sun, but they would say that they were worshipping the King, not the object, so everyone would be happy.  They changed the appointed time of the King’s celebration to new times that coincided with the annual parties.  The people of both kingdoms were combining so many traditions that no one could tell that there were two kingdoms.  The kingdoms blended into each other.  This continued for many years until the most recent generations forgot the celebration that the King planned that glorified the King and His wonderful deeds for the people.

One day a man was reading the Book of Wisdom.  He came across a little known chapter that told about the King’s appointed times each year – special times for celebrations to tell the stories of His deeds to the people’s children and to glorify the King.  He was so excited!  He went to tell the people about the wonderful celebrations.  This mad the people very angry.  They felt that the man was condemning them for traditions that they had innocently done all their lives.  They did not understand.

The man was sad, but he decided to keep the King’s celebration in his own family.  The man’s family learned much about the King.  In fact, each year the man and his family grew closer and closer to the King because of the wonderful stories they learned about during celebrations.  The man and his family learned that the King had special secrets that revealed foreshadowings of more fine things the King was planning to do for them.  That man wanted so much to share these stories with others.  Even though the man was continually rejected, he continued to tell about the King’s celebrations.  After a while, a few other families (who had always felt uncomfortable about the annual parties they kept) listened to the man.  They read the chapter in the Book of Wisdom and also got excited.  Soon many people returned to celebrating the King’s appointed times, worshipping and telling stories about the King.  This made the King very happy!”

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

Which of God’s feast days have we been ignoring?
And what blessings might we be foregoing?

Is this how Christmas became a Holiday instead of a Holy Day?

Simchat Torah (Joy of the Torah)      

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          December 24, 2019

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” (above is #56 in the book)
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – This “Hebraic Insight” was first published in 2009 and permission to republish was granted me, the author.

Musing - How Many Doors does the Bible Mention?

Hebraic Musing - How Many Doors does the Bible Mention?

Jesus called Himself a door in John 10:9 “I am the door; if anyone enters through Me, he will be saved.” Was this new?  Or was there a pattern of foreshadowings leading up to His statement?  Some translations use the word “gate”; same meaning.

The Ark DOOR – “Put a door in the side of the ark” was God’s specific instruction in Genesis 6:16.  “Then the LORD said to Noah, ‘Enter the ark, you and all your household, for you alone I have seen to be righteous before Me in this time.’” Genesis 7:1    The Ark is symbolically Jesus since the Ark saved the righteous ones, and the Ark had only one door. 

The Passover DOOR – In Exod.12:7 the Israelites were told to “… take some of the blood and put it on the two doorposts and on the lintel of the houses (door frames).” So in Exod. 12:13 God promised “The blood (of the Lamb on the door) shall be a sign for you on the houses where you live; and when I see the blood I will pass over you…”  In other words, you will be saved from the destructive plague.

The DOOR for Slavery – One could commit oneself to a “Master who loves you and cares for you.”  Here’s the procedure God told to the masters in Deut. 15:16-17  “It shall come about if he says to you, ‘I will not go out from you,’ because he loves you and your household, since he fares well with you;  then you shall take an awl and pierce it through his ear into the door, and he shall be your servant forever.”  Note that the statement “I will not go out from you” is a commitment by the bondservant to the good Master.  Doesn’t that sound like a salvation prayer?  Who is your Master?  Does He love and care for you?

The Sheep’s DOOR – Jesus referred to himself as a shepherd and we are His sheep so he said “Truly, truly, I say to you, I am the door of the sheep.” John 10:7  And Jesus went on to say “I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” John 10:11 

The Narrow DOOR or Gate – Jesus had reason to stress the need to find the door (gate).  “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it.  For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matt.7:13-14

The Temple’s Inner DOOR – Solomon built the Temple with “its inner doors for the holy of holies” 2 Chron.4:22.  And the Temple’s predecessor, the Tabernacle, had a veil entrance to the Holiest of Holies.  Once a year on the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur, the Israelites dealt with sin.  But Hebrews 10:4 recognizes “For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins.”  So now we have a DOOR to the Holiest of Holies!  “Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus,” Heb. 10:19-20 

 The DOOR of the Tomb – In Matthew 28:2 we read “an angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled away the stone” and that led to some of the most powerful words from the angel “He is not here, for He has risen”!  
BTW – Is that a picture of the entrance?   Or the Exit?

When Jesus said “I am the door”, the focus on a single door to salvation was already established.

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

BTW – God mentions “Door” when dealing with Cain in Gen. 4:7
“And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door..”

Are we bondservants with ears pierced by our LORD and Master’s words?

Have you gone through the DOOR?

“Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; Keep watch over the door of my lips.”  Ps.141:3

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              December 17, 2019

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Bible references are from the NASB version.

To        My “Musing” Friends 

From:  “Yosef” (Joe) & Irene Brusherd        December 10,  2019

In October we celebrated our 7^th wedding anniversary.  BTW the number 7 represents “Perfection” in God’s symbolic Heavenly Hebrew language.

Here’s a few highlights of another busy year.

Wednesday evenings finds Irene at her highly active Women’s “Incense” Prayer Group, at Immanuel Baptist Church; and she alos enjoys ministering to her Spiritual daughters, Jules, Diane and Crystal.  

Joe still enjoys publishing his weekly Hebraic Musings and he lead the men on “Wednesday Knights” in a verse by verse study of 1^st & 2^nd Peter.  Now we are studying Creation Science to overcome the lie of evolution.  How could evolution result in the amazingly awesomely “created in the image of God” creatures that we are?  We just returned from the Creation Museum and the Ark Encounter – Incredible sites, a must see (A full day in each at a minimum)!

Our favorite habit is to include prayer for servers in our frequent meals out.  They always ask, “Is there anything else I can do for you?” and we say, “Yes, join us in prayer.”  Most often they do and wonderful relationships develop, including salvation prayers!!! 

In May Irene displayed and sold some of her “Glass Orchid” jewelry (real orchids coated in resin) at the Fayetteville Orchid Show.  It’was a delightful opportunity to display her talent, products and stories.  And to share the Gospel! 

Son, Jon, went to work for JC Penny in Blythe, TX, while Diane, Kristin & Scott are still in Battlefield, MO.  Jon’s son, Scott, graduated H.S. in May so many in the family converged in Springfield for a celebratory reunion.  

In May Joe flew to Virginia at the request of Joel’s daughter, Caitlyn, for a unique graduation celebration.  She invited a “Wisdom Council” of wise folks so she and her friends could Q&A them about life’s issues.  Thus Joe got to enjoy time with Joel & Liz and Caitlyn, Andrew & Jackson.

June was NOT a good month.  On June 9^th Irene & Joe were on the phone with a deputy sheriff in Oracle, AZ, learning that Irene’s son, Mark, had taken his pistol and ended his life.  This disastrous loss is still a challenge for many of us since Mark always said that our son, Joseph, was “the brother I never had”; and Joseph had developed a Brotherly relationship with Mark.  We are all dealing with the lack of good closure.  We befriended Mark’s neighbors, Randy & Jackie Rice who considered Mark to be a son.  A hard loss for all of us, especially for Irene’s loss of her only son.

In October we attended the Filipino Assemblies of the FirstBorn’s Ministerial Conference in Joe’s old church in Escondido, CA.  We had a great reunion with our brothers and sisters we miss so much at Calvary Lighthouse Mission and with FAFB ministers and with Pastor Floyd and Sister Arliss.

Son Joseph & Jeanna settled into their own home in Bella Vista after adjusting from 13 years in Honduras.  They hosted a “simple” Thanksgiving meal for 25 or so family and friends that included Kirk & Beth and their Charity & Faith.  And son Jim was there; but alas Annie had to work.  Naturally, Susan was there to be Aunt Sue to the nieces, nephews and grand-nieces and grand-nephew.  Joseph & Jeanna still have Jewelayna at home; Jesse is in training for Rogers P.D.

Joseph & Jeanna’s family is growing with Asana Grace Rose born on October 10^th to Jonathan & Courtney; they are just starting to fill their new home in NC.  AND during Thanksgiving dinner we learned that John & Joy are adding number four in August next year.  They already have Adeline, Arabelle & Ayo.  AND there is another family addition coming as G’son Josiah proposed to Briana.  We met Briana in CA in October and gave approval!

That’s just a sample of family events this year!

We realize that we are blessed way beyond what we deserve.
Thank you Jesus!

♫ We’re so glad we’re a part of the Family of God…♫
Have a very Merry Christmas and be a Blessing in the New Year

   Irene  & Joe  “Yosef” Brusherd

Musing – How Significant Are You?

Hebraic Musing – How Significant Are You?

There are two distinct ways to try answering this question which gets to a core issue for all of us. Everyone is seeking significance.* We will answer the question “How significant are you?” later.  Meanwhile –

Where does the world encourage us to find our significance? 

·      In advertisements:  If you drive the right car, wear the right clothes, live in the right neighborhood, have the right education, wear the right perfume, carry the right credit card, …….  you will be significant (according the prompting of advertisements).

·      Amongst your peers:  If you take credit for accomplishments and brag (or even mention) what you’ve done, or your title or position.  Jesus called out the Pharisees for the way they strutted for significance.  “Everything they do is done for men to see: They make their phylacteries wide and the tassels on their garments long;  they love the place of honor at banquets and the most important seats in the synagogues;  they love to be greeted in the marketplaces and to have men call them ‘Rabbi.'”  Matthew 23:5-7 NIV

Who do you want to be rewarded by?  Here is how Jesus answers in Matt.6:1: “Be careful not to do your ‘acts of righteousness' before men, to be seen by them.   If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.”  And another answer in Luke 11:5-6:  “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by men.  I tell you the truth, they have received their reward in full.   But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”  

When “Reward” is mentioned about 60 times in the Bible, it is like a double edge sword.  Who do you want to reward you?   Why did Jesus have to tell us “I do not give to you as the world gives.”?   John14:27

The key question - How Significant Are You to the God of the Universe?  To answer, look at the examples we have of “Unity” or “United-ness” or “Abiding” we have with the God-head!  Such Intimacy!  Union!  Oneness!

·      “I in them and you in me.  May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me.”  John 17:23

·      7 “If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and …”John 15:5***

·       “until we all reach unity in the faith”  Ephesians 4:13

·       “How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity!” ♫  Psalm 133:1

·      “If we have been united with him like this in his death, we will certainly also be united with him in his resurrection.”  Romans 6:5

·      “If you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any fellowship with the Spirit,…”  Philippians  2:1

·      “By this we know that we abide in Him and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.” 1 Jn4:13***

·      “As for you, the anointing which you received from Him abides in you, and … and just as it has taught you, you abide in Him. Now, little children, abide in Him…”  1 John 2:27-28***

Points to ponder   or   RSVP

Do we fully appreciate that the God of the Universe has revealed
all three persons of Himself to you!    Isa.64:4  &  1 Cor.2:9-10

If you divide the infinite love of God by the number of people in your church,
how much love does God have for you?**

How significant are you in the world?   vs.   How significant are you to God?

♫ We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord, And we pray that our unity will one day be restored….♫   

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                          December 3, 2019

Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”   Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

*     Inspired by Lesson #8 of “The Truth Project” by Focus on the Family.
**   In mathematics --   infinity / 652 = infinity
*** NASB;  all other references are from NIV