Tekoa Manning

Bewitching and Identity, Part 2

Posted on December 16, 2020January 10, 2021 by Tekoa

In part one, we looked at bewitching in the Body. I also discussed travel at the airport. I want to continue this theme as we look at other ways of being bewitched. Let’s start with popular airlines and see if we can explore more ways to fly the friendly skies.

Delta Air Lines—Delta means Born 4th—Comes from the Mississippi Delta region. Mississippi means “Father of Waters.”

JetBlue Airways—formally called New Air—Big Breath of Ruach.

Allegiant Air– loyal or faithful

Spirit Airlines—Ruach HaKodesh Breath—wind-Holy Spirit.

The 4th Feast is Pentecost or Shavuot. This is the giving of the Torah and the outpouring of the Spirit. Hebrew number 4 means authority and government. Flying in a jet is flying with high-speed winds. Oh, how we need His Wind. This is when miracles take place, and people are transformed. It is also when we feel our Father’s grief or when we feel His Breath in the room, hovering and moving. When this happens to me, I usually weep in wonder that He would be mindful of us or change the room’s atmosphere and the sweet aroma of His presence. Blue is the color of the heavenly abode. Our father is loyal and faithful, and He longs for us to fly on His Spirit Airlines. Knowledge is a beautiful thing, but we need both, and I think we have to look at knowledge with different spectacles for a moment. “But knowledge puffs up while love builds up” (I Corinthians 8:1).

Wisdom and knowledge go together, and both should bring us to action.

When flying, we have to go through security to get on the plane. We must remove laptops/ and I-pads. Small phones, games, and our kindles are placed aside. We remove our shoes, coats, etc. But before this happens, we need our luggage checked in. We cannot soar with heavy baggage over 50 pounds unless we pay. Continue to think spiritually–the weightier matters require extra oil, extra cost, and action. Weightier matters can include baby lambs, widows, orphans, and the care of them. Deep introspection is needed, and this takes time and effort—a cost. On the flip-side, weighty baggage such as doubt, fear, and disobedience cannot be checked in. These get left behind to soar higher.

Before entering the Aircraft, at times, a person’s hands and feet may be tested for gun residue. Likewise, the priests had to wash their hands and feet on entering the Tabernacle or before approaching the altar of burnt offerings. The same is said for approaching a king.

“Aaron and his sons shall wash their hands and their feet from it; When they enter the tent of meeting, they shall wash with water, so that they will not die; or when they approach the altar to minister, by offering up in smoke a fire sacrifice to the LORD. “So they shall wash their hands and their feet so that they will not die; and it shall be a perpetual statute for them, for Aaron and his descendants throughout their generations.” (Exodus 30:19-21).

Would we be so quick to come before Him, enter the Most Holy Place, and make our request known if we thought we would die? Do we act like coming before the Holy One is a taco bell drive-thru where we pray and ask for certain men to be put in office, or we ask Yahweh to give us a new house, car or to save our loved ones when our feet and hands are covered in gun powder and anger? Uncleanness? Do we run into throne rooms without the heart of Esther? Oh, friends, may we be humbled to know He is in the Heavens. “Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore, let your words be few” (Ecclesiastes 5:2, BSB).

On a plane, we can have a window seat or a seat in the aisle. Both seats have benefits. First-time flyers may need the window for extra vision. When we go to purchase our tickets, we must give our location and our destination. Some questions to ask ourselves would be: Where am I? Where am I going? Am I airborne? Do I have honor for my flight attendants who bring refreshing water or food? Correction? Do we have reverence for the pilot and those who work at the airport? Has the co-pilot removed Our Father and placed him or herself in the pilot seat? We must enter through the correct gate at the airport. The wrong gate will lead us to a different location.

What about this flight mentioned in Ezekiel– soul flight? Is that even possible? The other day, I heard, “Tell the people to Check themselves.” I saw an airport lobby and people lined up to go through the metal detectors and scanners. I heard this concerning witchcraft and the seats of authority, both politically, socially, and in His leadership. We must check ourselves and be scanned before getting on an airplane. We must go through airport authority but beware of authority. Remember, certain women during Ezekiel’s day had assigned themselves to positions of authority, and they were leading Abba’s people astray through witchcraft. They were called prophetesses.

We must remember Deborah and Huldah and others were called this. Not because they were fortune-tellers or gave prophetic oracles but because they were women who had much wisdom and Spirit concerning His Torah, and yes, they could foretell certain things and hear Abba’s voice, but they had more than this. When Josiah wanted to know whether the book of the Law found in the temple was authentic, Josiah sent a group of government officials, all males, to seek the word of a woman. Her name was Huldah. Male dominance was vital in this society, and these men could have gone to Jeremiah, but they chose a woman. But these prophetesses here in Ezekiel 13 are not who they proclaim to be. They bedazzled the people of Adonai.

For Ezekiel to spend so much time correcting these teachers or oracle experts, we know this was not just a small group. Remember the number of false mouthpieces Jezebel had at her dinner parties? Do we mock His mouthpieces or say what the one King said about Abba’s true prophet? The king of Israel answered, “There is still one man who can ask the LORD, but I hate him because he never prophesies anything good for me, but only bad. He is Micaiah, son of Imlah.” (II Chron. 18:7). We can hate the messenger. We can call them cynical. When we do not like the message or the messenger, we should sit at His feet and ask the Father why. We should check our hearts. Have we become foolish in all our wisdom? We get puffed up like bread with yeast. Bread with yeast tastes good. Who doesn’t love a buttered loaf of sourdough or sweet pizza dough? Some things that make us feel puffed up and buttery are just feeding our egos.

Adonai said these false women in Ezekiel had saddened the hearts of His people. Saddened—Oh, friends, a false joy, false humility, and a false identity lead to sadness. May we take our shoes off and stand on Holy Ground. May we wash and look into the copper mirrors at our reflections. May we look back and ask ourselves if we were closer to Him last year or the year before than we are now.

Continuing with Ezekiel 13, “And you, son of man, set your face against the daughters of your people, who are prophesying out of their own heart, and prophesy against them.”

Verse 18: “And you shall say, ‘This is what the Master יהוה said, “Woe to the women sewing (Magic charms) cushions for all joints of the hand, and to those making veils for the heads of people of every size, to hunt beings (souls/nephesh)! You hunt the beings of My people, while you keep alive your own beings!”

Verse 18 in Orthodox version: “And say, Thus saith Adonoi Hashem: Hoy (woe, doom) to the seamstresses of magic charms on wrists, who make mispachot (amulets) for the rosh of every size to hunt nefashot! Will ye hunt the nefashot of My people, and yet save your own nefashot alive?

Notice the word “magic charms.”

כְּסָת֜וֹת (kə·sā·ṯō·wṯ)

Noun – feminine plural

Strong’s Hebrew 3704: 1) band, fillet, covered amulets, false phylacteries 1a) used by false prophetesses in Israel to support their demonic fortune-telling schemes.

False phylacteries—Remember those boxes on the head and the tefillin that are wrapped up the arm? Tefillin is leather boxes containing Torah verses worn by some Jews when praying, or an amulet or charm, worn for its supposed magical or supernatural power.

(In line with the plain and normal reading of the text, Rabbi Meïr Leibush ben Yehiel Michel Wisser (“Malbim”) in the Nineteenth Century made the poignant and insightful observation that the amulets and veils in the verse were the analogs to the tefillin and phylacteries, which were to represent the Law of Moses on the heart and mind (that is, on the hand and head). Thus the “magical” charms appear to be substitutes for the Covenant of Moses, which were to be affixed on the hand and head (that is, on the heart and mind per the verse from Deuteronomy).

Therefore thus said the Master יהוה, “See, I am against your cushions by which you hunt the beings there like birds. And I shall tear them from your arms, and shall let the beings go, the beings you hunt like birds.” This is wickedness. These women were bewitching His people.

“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the LORD. I will put My law in their minds and inscribe it on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they will be My people.” (Jeremiah 31:33, BSB).

What happens when a people forget their God but are still keeping the Sabbath, the New Moons, and coming together to celebrate? Isaiah paints a fearful picture we would all do well to meditate on.

“The vision of Isaiah the son of Amoz concerning Judah and Jerusalem, which he saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.

      Listen, O heavens, and hear, O earth;
            For the LORD speaks,
            “Sons I have reared and brought up,
            But they have revolted against Me.

      “An ox knows its owner,
            And a donkey its master’s manger,
            But Israel does not know,
            My people do not understand.”

      Alas, sinful nation,
            People weighed down with iniquity,
            Offspring of evildoers,
            Sons who act corruptly!
            They have abandoned the LORD,
            They have despised the Holy One of Israel,
            They have turned away from Him.

      Where will you be stricken again,
            As you continue in your rebellion?
            The whole head is sick
            And the whole heart is faint.

      From the sole of the foot even to the head
            There is nothing sound in it,
            Only bruises, welts and raw wounds,
            Not pressed out or bandaged,
            Nor softened with oil.

Your land is desolate,
            Your cities are burned with fire,
            Your fields—strangers are devouring them in your presence;
            It is desolation, as overthrown by strangers.

The daughter of Zion is left like a shelter in a vineyard,
Like a watchman’s hut in a cucumber field, like a besieged city.

      Unless the LORD of hosts
            Had left us a few survivors,
            We would be like Sodom,
            We would be like Gomorrah.

God Has Had Enough

Hear the word of the LORD,
            You rulers of Sodom;
            Give ear to the instruction of our God,
            You people of Gomorrah.

      “What are your multiplied sacrifices to Me?”
            Says the LORD.
            “I have had enough of burnt offerings of rams
            And the fat of fed cattle;
            And I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls, lambs or goats.

“When you come to appear before Me,
Who requires of you this trampling of My courts?

      “Bring your worthless offerings no longer,
            Incense is an abomination to Me.
            New moon and sabbath, the calling of assemblies—
            I cannot endure iniquity and the solemn assembly.

      “I hate your new moon festivals and your appointed feasts,
            They have become a burden to Me;
            I am weary of bearing them.

      “So when you spread out your hands in prayer,
            I will hide My eyes from you;
            Yes, even though you multiply prayers,
            I will not listen.
            Your hands are covered with blood.

      “Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean;
            Remove the evil of your deeds from My sight.
            Cease to do evil,

      Learn to do good;
            Seek justice,
            Reprove the ruthless,
            Defend the orphan,
            Plead for the widow.” (Isaiah chapter one, BSB version)

Are we a people who listen to lies? Do we lie to ourselves concerning our condition? Have we made the gospel a business? Are we seated in cushion seats with no Apostles or prophets to bring balance? Have we grown fat with knowledge but unaware of our condition?

Check your teachers and your walk and see if they encourage you to know your identity and gifts. To be led by a cloud by day and a fire by night. And check me too if you think of me as a teacher. And check yourself if you have reached a point where you feel superior to others or the opposite. Ask yourself if you feel free, anointed, and secure enough to minister to others and share the Good news with humility instead of an “I know more than you attitude.” Ask yourself if you look down on others who you deem less knowledgeable than you. Ask yourself if you fear being ostracized from a group due to your lack of knowledge? Ask yourself if you have been getting your worth from being in a clique or being acknowledged for your knowledge?

Identity is something we all struggle with. Many times I do not see myself as I am. I recently won an award for a novel I wrote. I used to be ashamed of this novel and never thought it was very well written. I started writing it in 1998 in a spiral notepad. If someone tried to purchase it at a book signing, I would tell them my other books were much better, but this book won an award. This book was accepted to the Kentucky Bookfair. I never saw the book as having worth until almost 20 years later. What if we do not see ourselves as having worth? What if we think we have more worth than others? See how this identity is tricky?

Do you feel insecure? Unable to speak. Were you in an abusive relationship or told as a child that you were never going to amount to anything? Have you lost your voice and identity due to a puppet master or self-anointed teacher who makes you feel unworthy or ashamed? Do you feel condemned or of no use to the Body? Do some use fear tactics and condemnation to keep you chained to a doghouse? Many people see puppet mastery going on in the political realm, but do you see it in His Body?

Ask someone who watches CNN to explain what is going on in the government, and you will get a totally different answer than those listening to Fox news. Both news media use catchy titles and words that promote fear of the future or fear and disdain for the opposing parties. Fear is a powerful tool. It can keep a person feeling too inadequate to do anything for the Father, but two demonized men living in a graveyard turned their city upside down after they were set free. They were no longer naked but clothed in their right mind.

Here is something to ponder: If you were bewitched before by leadership and removed yourself from a particular denomination or “church,” could there still be untruth in what you consider truth and I am not talking about theology–I am talking about bedazzling. Remember, Ezekiel was not talking to a people who had thrown out the Commandments written by the Finger of Yahweh.

The gospel of the Messiah should be unity, oneness, humility, and set apart. The Apostle Paul said he did not come to them with knowledge and difficult speech, and yet Peter says his letters are hard to understand for those lacking knowledge. Why would Paul even need to mention that he came to preach suffering? “For I resolved to know nothing while I was with you except Yeshua Messiah and Him crucified.” (1 Corinthians 2:2). I want to share a paragraph from Dr. Skip Moen in his blog titled Grave Cloth.

“Paul is not delivering a message of salvation theology.

He is talking about character and attitude. When it comes to presentation style, the emphasis is not on the glorious resurrection. It is on the humility and obedience of the crucifixion. Paul wants his readers to know that he came to them in fear, trembling, and utter humility. He didn’t come as a great scholar, a tremendous preacher, or an influential evangelist. He came as a servant of the crucified God.

Imagine how we would act if Paul were scheduled to preach at our church next week. Would we rush to the media, proclaiming his worldwide fame? Would we pile on the accolades, invite dignitaries, make sure that the local networks were present? Would we attempt to mimic Hollywood in our promotional campaign? Probably. We would have missed Paul’s point. The message of the gospel comes clothed in the rags of righteousness.” (Dr. Skip Moen).

Meditate on passages. Ask questions. Yeshua’s Disciples and John’s were arguing over who made more converts. They argued over who could sit next to Him on the throne. We argue over other things that at the end of the day do not make us more holy or more humble. We can have all that knowledge and not an ounce of love or humbleness or Ruach flowing through us. Are we keeping His Commandments like those in Isaiah’s day, oblivious to our condition? Oh, friends, may we seek Him with all our hearts to know His Son Yeshua and the fellowship of His sufferings.

“And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.” (I Corinthians 13:3, NASB).

Part One HERE

Photos by Unsplash

mask-Tamara Gak

watch–Laura Chouette

Suitcase–Alina Preobrazhenskaya

Flying lessons–Bee Felton

Windo–Martin Widenka

Doctrines of Demons, Elijah's prophetic Cup, TM

Have We Been Bedazzled or Bewitched? Part I

Posted on December 11, 2020December 27, 2020 by Tekoa

During the 1960s and ’70s, a show aired titled Bewitched. The show was about a married couple. Darrin is a mortal human; his wife, Samantha, is a witch with powers. She does not divulge to him about her witchcraft until their honeymoon night. At this point, she has already enticed him. Today witchcraft has become a booming business. But what about the Body of Messiah? Are we too involved in witchcraft? And I am not talking about disobedience but Tom Foolery.

Bewitching is defined as capturing someone or casting a spell on them—enticing a person or people. We say people are under a spell when they have been hypnotized. We can become mesmerized by social media, politics, or people who sit in cushioned seats of authority. Some are bewitched by Biden or Trump–Fox News or CNN. Some have become bewitched by the things of this world, but witchcraft is not just something that happens in secret around a cauldron with women dressed in pointy hats with black cats—no, this is going on today. Bewitching is right in the open before our eyes, and many do not see it.

Yeshua said, “At that time (tribulation/ Jacob’s trouble), if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it.” (Matthew 24:23, 26). Yeshua continues: if they say, He (Messiah) is in the wilderness,’ do not go out, or, ‘Behold, He is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe them.”

On a deeper note, here is the Messiah–let me describe the Messiah to you, if I describe Him as throwing out His Father’s commandments and changing the Sabbath, and say, “Look, here He is, do not believe it for Yeshua kept all His Father’s Commandments. If I say He is in the wilderness, and the scriptures tell us He came out of the wilderness with great POWER after He used the Word of the (Torah/ Old Testament) to defeat the enemy–then do not believe me. If I say He is in the inner rooms–a secret chamber, no, no, do not believe me, for He is coming as a Lion. “For just as the lightning comes from the east and flashes as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of Man.” (Matthew 24:27). He will not be hidden, but roaring.

Yeshua said, “Do not believe them”– why would one believe this if they did not admire or trust the source they were getting it from? One would have to be BEDAZZLED!

Paul said, “O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you?” These Believers had fallen under the influence of man-made traditions, yet they saw miracles.

“Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? Did you suffer so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain? So then, does He who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law (Oral law), or by hearing with faith?” (Galatians, 3:5).

Rabbi Sha’ul continues: “This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law (oral/traditions), or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?” (Gal. 3:2-3).

Traditions aren’t wrong. They can be good.

“Now I praise you because you remember me in everything, and hold firmly to the traditions, just as I delivered them to you.” (1 Corinthians 11:2 NASB). Yeshua endorsed both the written and oral Torah – and he upheld both in His actions. However, some of the leaders did things for show and wanted to impress men. It is a matter of inner intentions versus outer actions.

When we remove Yeshua, Messiah, we are bewitched. Yes, there are multiple ways to be deceived or drawn into strange apocalyptic tales, but what about the things we would never suspect. After all, a person who realizes they are being bewitched usually leave the cult or remove themselves from the power of the bewitcher. Yeshua says that these men could even deceive the elect. We say, “Oh, that could never happen to me.” But we would be wise to meditate on this.

We were never meant to remove the Instructions (Torah) of Elohim from our lives. The Torah is holy. Paul desires the Galatians to follow Torah through the Spirit. He longs for them to get rid of pagan traditions and traditions some Jews were bewitching them with—they were trying to work for salvation. In Messiah’s time, the Jewish people followed the Torah according to the Rabbinical interpretation (Oral Torah, the tradition of the elders, works of the law). The expressions “works of torah” and “under torah” are not found in the Tanakh (Old Testament). The Torah is instructions for a blessed life–It is holy and good.

Today, I see people working for knowledge. And we all need knowledge, but for some, the more knowledge they acquire, the less humility and love they seem to have. Many sit under trolls. What is a troll? A person who intentionally antagonizes others through mocking, sarcasm, and causes disruptions and arguments. We need to be immersed in the Spirit. Picture a head that weighs so much its body topples over. A person with a head so large they cannot see their feet or how they are walking. Or picture a head of authority that loves the best seats. Applause from men.

The man Sha’ul (Paul) was a Pharisee of Pharisees. He was from the tribe of Benjamin. He said, “I have applied in a figure to myself and Apollos for your sakes, so that in us you might learn not to think beyond what is written, so that none of you be puffed up on behalf of one against the other.

For who makes you to differ? And what do you have that you did not receive?” (I Cor. 4:6-7).

What is Paul talking about here? Ego inflation. It is causing division. It is everywhere today. Do not think beyond what it is written. Let’s take a group of Christians, those who now see that well-meaning men with titles have duped them —these now are eating everything they can and yearn to learn so much knowledge that they can never be deceived again. Oh, Hebrew Rooters, without Water and Son Light, you will die. You will rot. We may be learning but are we producing the good fruit of the Spirit? On another note, what many in Hebrew Roots call witchcraft is actually the Spirit, but some fear the very thing that can give them joy and intimacy.

Today’s media is full of bewitching matters concerning masks, vaccines, corruption, voter fraud, and on it goes. Sadly, bewitching is enchanting many in the Body of Messiah. Bewitching end-time fears of changing our DNA, the mark of the beast via vaccines, but there is a whole other beast working.

Ezekiel chapter 13 talks about witchcraft and deception. Who was Ezekiel’s audience? Wiccans? World leaders? No, Abba’s own people. One perplexing verse in Ezekiel 13 describes women in leadership who make souls fly like birds. Before we get to that verse, I want you to meditate on being airborne. Being air (Ruach) born is being born of the Spirit. Oh, Nicodemus, can’t you see, we must be reborn? We must worship in Spirit and Truth.

“The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” (John 3:8).

Is His Wind blowing through your gatherings? Can you feel His Spirit? Are we taking time to be in His presence or just learning, and learning, yet never coming to the knowledge of the truth?

Many have thrown out the gifts of the Spirit, the prophets, the five-fold, and have become caught up with teachers who profess to have knowledge no one else has, and perhaps they do. Paul did. Humble Sha’ul said, “And when I came to you, brethren, I did not come with superiority of speech or of wisdom, proclaiming to you the testimony of God. For I determined to know nothing among you except Yeshua, Messiah and Him crucified. (I Cor. 2:1-2).

“My message and my preaching were not with persuasive words of wisdom, but with a demonstration of the Spirit’s POWER.” (I Cor. 2:4).

Oh, the power of the Ruach–the Spirit’s power!!

Corinth had professional orators, Greek philosophers, and the majority of the people were wealthy. He was bringing a simple gospel that I feel has been lost. Do we have love and simple words for those who may not see what we do? Are we busy trying to correct those who may be way wiser than we are? Have we grown so busy in our learning that we scarcely pull up a chair and spend time with our Savior?

O foolish Hebrew Rooters, who has bewitched you?

aerial photography of airplane flying over sea of clouds

When a person goes to the airport (air– port–Ruach (Holy Spirit) portal), their “baggage” is checked in. All items are looked at— hidden objects that may be dangerous are removed. Think about what some of these hidden things in our luggage could be. Are we carrying a religious spirit, arrogancy, falseness, slander, lust, low self-worth, pride or fears, etc.? At the airport, our shoes are taken off and inspected. Hands and feet may be checked for gun powder. A person must have a passport to fly to other territories and higher heavens. One must have their identity in check. A picture i.d or photo reflects our outward appearance, but what about our insides or heart condition? What’s in your wallet? Are we more worried about how we appear to men?

“Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you are like whitewashed tombs which on the outside appear beautiful, but inside they are full of dead men’s bones and all uncleanness. “So you, too, outwardly appear righteous to men, but inwardly you are full of hypocrisy and lawlessness.” (Matthew 23:27-33-53).

We know people by their fruit, and yes, we can inspect fruit. We are to judge people in our community. “For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within (church/gatherings). But those who are outside God judges. Remove the wicked man from among yourselves” (1 Corinthians 5:12-13, NASB). When people say we can’t judge fruit, I beg to differ and stand with Paul. What about ourselves?

Dr. Moen, in his blog, titled Pay Day, explains how we can be hypocrites who practice our righteousness before men to be noticed by them:

“If we are motivated by self-interest, does that self-interest align with the Father’s will or are we seeking recognition from another source? This is not a simple matter to determine. The yetzer ha’ra is quite clever, capable of tinting even our purest motives with a hint of self-satisfaction. That’s where the instruction and guidance of our Rabbi Yeshua become essential. He pushes us to take the deepest look. And he does so by revealing a truly frightening possibility—that God will not acknowledge what we would use for self-glory. Think about the last act of righteousness you preformed. Think about your motivation. Was there any desire for recognition except from God? If you find something amiss, maybe that act will be a zero on the record and you will have to start over.” (Dr. Skip Moen—Pay Day)

Yeshua said, “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you build the tombs of the prophets and adorn the monuments of the righteous, and say, ‘If we had been living in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partners with them in shedding the blood of the prophets.’ “So you testify against yourselves, that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets. “Fill up, then, the measure of the guilt of your fathers. “You serpents, you brood of vipers, how will you escape the sentence of hell?”

This is an extraordinarily strong word. These religious leaders appeared to be righteous. Yeshua continues, and please meditate on this last portion.

“Because of this, I am sending you prophets and wise men and teachers. Some of them you will kill and crucify, and others you will flog in your synagogues and persecute in town after town. And so upon you will come all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. Truly I tell you, all these things will come upon this generation.”

You stiff-necked people with uncircumcised hearts and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit, just as your fathers did. Which of the prophets did your fathers fail to persecute? They even killed those who foretold the coming of the Righteous One. And now you are His betrayers and murderers— you who received the law ordained by angels, yet have not kept it.”

They had not kept the Torah in Spirit and Truth.

Have we been resisting the Holy Spirit? They had. Have we stoned His prophets and wise men? Have we thrown out the five-fold structure, becoming unbalanced–with big heads. Have we gone so far with our knowledge that puffs up that we don’t even realize we have become numb. Lacking oil? Teachers, prophets, and wise men with big heads and no love, empathy, compassion, or power of the Spirit– just looking spiffy to everyone outside while inside we are dead?

Yeshua said these Torah scholars had uncircumcised ears and hearts? Say it isn’t so? Is it so today? The Spirit longs to be intimate with us. The prophetic is not just witch hunters snatching people and holding them captive like those in Ezekiel. Whether anyone is interested in the “prophetic” or not, the prophets are coming. Elijah’s voice will come forth. There was not just Moses and Yeshua on the mount of transfiguration; Elijah was there too. Elijah must come and tear down the false altars. He must come and say, “Choose this day whom you will serve.” If Adonai be God, serve Him, if Baal be God, serve him, but Baal is alive and well today and so is witchcraft.

We repeat our mistakes.

Do those who boast of having excellent knowledge, do they have Spirit? Are Spirit and truth coming together? What about humbleness? What about mercy? Chesed?

“Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Messiah Yeshua (Philippians 2:3-5).

Oh, Abba, have we become like dead men with dry dead bones. Can we come together and live? A whole army? Unified? Can You do CPR on us? Oh, Abba, may we become like little children. May we be servants who wash feet. May we be about our Father’s business not looking for accolades or to be seen by men. May we not prophesy smooth itching ear words or fear. May our words be Yours and draw people to YOU and Your Spirit.

All our ways seem right to us, but You, Oh, Father weigh the hearts of all. May we wake up out of our slumber. May we find balance, walking in Spirit and Truth with great humility.

Part Two HERE

Photos by Unsplash: Lion by Robert Thieman

Airplane–
Johan Van Wambeke

Dove–Joshua J. Cotten

devotional, Inspirational

A Broken Tail Light

Posted on December 1, 2020December 1, 2020 by Tekoa

I am republishing some of my older blogs as my site New wine skins is closing. I hope you will enjoy these writings even if you’ve read them years ago:

When my grandpa was an old man, he got pulled over one night for a broken tail light in his pick-up truck. The officer, who had known my grandpa all his life, was stunned that he had never received a driver’s license. My grandpa lived through the great depression. He was a sharecropper at a tender age. He never finished school, and he never learned to read. How could he take the written exam?

The officer decided to just go for a drive with my grandpa on a trip. Afterward, if his driving went well, he’d issue him a license. Of course, he was a careful driver and passed, but times sure have changed. Missouri was one of the first to require a driver’s license in 1903, but South Dakota didn’t until 1959. Driving without a license today will get you in jail. Our cars require our attention. During this blog, I will compare us to a car.

A broken tail light or headlight is dangerous. Brakes that need to be repaired, even windshield wipers may not seem serious until it starts pouring rain. Our horn can cause an accident or prevent one. Ecclesiastes says, “There is a time to honk your horn and a time to remain silent.” Sometimes we need our horn. Sometimes it just makes a loud noise.

My husband and I went to dinner the other night. As we pulled into the parking lot, there weren’t any parking spaces close to the door. I noticed a car right across from the entry that was parked wrong– taking up two spaces.

I said, “Look how they parked. They caused everyone else to park wrong.”

He said, “There’s a sermon there.”

Whatever we do impacts those around us. It’s the ripple in the water. When we are angry, anxious, bitter, unforgiving, and impatient, we can significantly influence those around us. It works in the opposite manner too. If we are full of love, joy, peace, longsuffering, and keep no record of wrongs, we also affect those around us.

If I rear-end you in traffic, I can greatly harm your car and mine. If I slam my vehicle into one of your children, this doesn’t just impact your child. It distresses you too.

Miriam was put out of the camp for seven days and isolated for beeping her horn too loudly. God exposed her. When we speak negatively against another, we cause people to isolate the person or view them in a bad light. We plant seeds about their character. We can even plant seeds about their gift or assignment. Sometimes our license to drive is taken away from us, and we are removed from the road for a season because we were laying on the horn.

Not only does parking wrong cause a chain reaction but other things we do as well. If we want the person in front of us to go faster, and especially if they are in the fast lane, we may get as close to their bumper as possible. We aggressively are saying speed up. We are pushy, but do we do this in other areas? Yes.

What about when a car pulls out in front of us? We may have to slam on the breaks to prevent an accident. The guilty party in a wreck usually says, “I’m sorry. I didn’t see you.” Many times we don’t see or hear others because we are too focused on ourselves. Are we a better driver this year than last year?

Wrecks can happen in our relationships. Wrecks influence every car behind us and can leave others at a standstill. Jonah impacted everyone on the ship. They lost their cargo, but they also, in fear, prayed to Jonah’s God. The choice Jonah made to flee from his assignment caused the storm, not the devil. Maybe we all need to start becoming better drivers and obeying His road signs before we receive a ticket.

We yield at the stop signs instead of coming to a halt.

Have you ever been a backseat driver or tried to tell someone how to drive? Most of the time, people don’t like it. They have a route they are used to. People are afraid to take new paths–make new traditions. We are creatures of habit that have inherited lies. “Surely our fathers have inherited lies, vanity, and things wherein there is no profit.” Jeremiah 16:9. We throw out the olive tree and drag an evergreen in our house.

We want to drive our own way.

The more dents and wounds our car has, and the more wrecks we’ve been a part of, may cause us to get out of our vehicle for a season. We don’t feel like driving anymore. It’s hard out there on unpaved roads with potholes and construction zones.

Yes, this ole flesh of parking or driving any way we want, no matter how it affects everyone on the road, is not good.

How do we control our steering wheel? James says we can put bits in horse’s mouths and control them and also a ship but the tongue? Fuhgeddaboudit!

How much wood our tongues do kindle! Even our tapping fingers.

As I pondered the car space, I started thinking about our last vehicle, a Ford F150. I never could drive it well, and I never could park it. Many times when I parked it, my parking job looked like the car that had thrown everyone off. But what if someone passing by thought, “Look at them, they think their truck is all that!” And this is what we do. We assume. Even the car I saw and pointed out that had parked wrong may have had no choice because the car next to them was parked wrong.

We justify riding close to the person in front of us because, after all, what we have to do is important. We are trying to get somewhere, and our destination more important (sarcasm.) Even the car riding on our butt may be trying to get to a hospital before a loved one passes away. We ease off the gas to teach them a lesson when we might not have all the facts, but most of the time, it’s probably just rude behavior.

The person in the fast lane poking along might be zoning out. At times like this, we want to be in control of their car. We want to push them in the lane we think they should be in, even if they are driving the speed limit—even if they are getting off at the next exit. Our way of driving is best.

We even get offended when drivers don’t take our directions. Don’t we know the best way? Don’t we have all the truth? (Sarcasm.)

It is Abba who searches the engines in our cars. “For the eyes of the LORD move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.” 2nd Chronicles 16:9 NASB.

Completely His . . . not double-minded.

A heart that doesn’t have two opinions. It doesn’t have an olive tree and an evergreen. A heart that is separated from the world and the things the world does. The world drives hard and fast and has no patience for anyone. It’s pushy and loud. It can run people over for a Black Friday sale. It’s always riding our butts, and blasting out profane lyrics, and giving directions that lead to death. The world doesn’t take instructions. It closes its ears.

Regardless of these factors, my point is our parking job or driving can throw off everyone in our lane. So can our words or lack of them. I am guilty!

Have you ever been in a snowstorm that was so bad you found an 18 wheeler and stayed close behind it because it could light the way? Yeshua said, “I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness but will have the Light of life.” John 8:12 NASB.

Let’s all try and get in the slow lane and turn off the noise. Give people their space. Pray for those we love to find The Way. If our light is shining brightly for Him, we can act like that 18 wheeler amid the storm, and they will be drawn to HIM.

God has a GPS. When we follow His Ruach HaKodesh and His Word, He lights our path. His word is a lamp to our feet. Let’s all open the door and let the Authority inside our vehicles. He can show us how to drive better, safer, and softer. Let’s obey the traffic signs, and if we don’t understand them because we lack, perhaps He will send a teacher we can let in our car as my grandpa did.

May the Great Mechanic check our oil lamp and our engine light. When we allow Him to be in control, we are destined for greatness!

Blessings,

Tekoa Manning

Bible: NASB.

Car facts: http://www.automobilemag.com/news/fast-facts-the-113-year-history-of-the-drivers-license-110875/

Photos: Unsplash–Black Friday by Tim Mossholder

Speed Limit: by Ludovic Charlet

Anointing, prophetic

Joseph’s 4 Coats and David’s 3 Anointing’s

Posted on November 25, 2020November 25, 2020 by Tekoa

I remember the day I lost my coat, or rather, had it taken from me. Like Joseph, I was falsely accused and ended up running from the ministry I was in. It was all part of the Father’s plan. About a year later, my husband would also retire his position as an associate pastor, and we both would go on a journey that looked nothing like we imagined it would. During that period of introspection and searching out His Feasts and Torah, we missed ministry but learned so much. Four years later, I was praying about my coat, our ministry gifts, and asking Abba if we would ever get back to speaking and teaching at an assembly again. We longed to gather with like-minded believers. For weeks, I had been getting confirmation that Abba was going to give me another coat.

I thought of Joseph, who had a bloody coat, a servant’s coat, a managing warden coat, and then a royal robe. How many coats and shoes do we exchange walking through this thing called life? A man of many hats. A woman of many purses. Time passes by, and we change. We change our converse for work shoes or our shoulder bags for diaper bags. But sometimes, we change the most in the prison or hiding in caves. The hardships, the crushing grief, the sickness, the addiction, the divorce, the loss of a loved one, the silence from those we thought were our confidants. Heat the kettle, and it screams. Abba places us in the furnace, and we change. The ultimate goal? Gold. Shiny–gold. (Proverbs 27:21) “The crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold. And each is tested by the praise accorded him.” (Psalm 66:10) “For You, O God, have tested us; You have refined us like silver.” (Zechariah 13:9) “This third I will bring through the fire; I will refine them like silver and test them like gold. They will call on My name, and I will answer them. I will say, ‘They are My people,’ and they will say, ‘The LORD is our God.'”

So back to the coat.

A woman gave us a prophetic word that we were going to plant a sword in KY and that it was going to make a sound and that people would hear. Shortly after our confirmations, one day after watching a children’s movie, and bawling at the message that was piercing my heart, a message about perfect love casting out fear and being able to take the gloves off and celebrate our giftings without harming others, my husband walked through the door carrying a bag. My husband has never bought me clothes. I am not talking about money; I am talking about picking out clothing as a surprise. He came waltzing in with a boutique bag and sat it down in the chair next to me. I said, “What is this about?” He said, “I went to a boutique to get my mom a gift and felt strongly that I was supposed to buy you this. I don’t know if you’ll like it, I don’t even know if it’s your style, but it seemed the Father wanted me to get it.” Inside the bag was an angora coat like cape. It was burgundy red and cream with stripes that made a V shape– a one size fits all. When I put it on, the Holy Spirit hit me! I knew what it meant. It was my coat of many colors. And no, I am not Joseph. Far from it. But at that moment, I knew Abba, and my husband had just given me my coat. I had felt like Mary Poppin’s without her umbrella or carpet bag.

P.L. Travers, author of the childhood tale got the idea of Mary from her aunt Ellie (Name meaning great light/ El as in El Shaddai). Ellie, was a spinster who carried a carpetbag. When children came to stay, she gave them lessons in etiquette, suffered no-nonsense, and instructed them to “Spit spot into bed!”

I want to share a wonderful comparison of the anointing and journey of Joseph and David and ask you to think about your own life. Joseph was given 4 coats. These had intricate meanings. David, too, was given articles including, a coat. David was anointed three times. Both Joseph and David experienced similar journeys concerning hatred, humility, crushing, and maturity in order to receive the final mantle and the oil once they were mature enough for their assignments and prepared for Leadership. What comparisons can we learn from their journey, and how can this pattern guide us in our own lives? Anointing is a symbol that indicates authority that is given to a person. Each time David was anointed, his measure of authority increased. When he was to receive a new measure of authority, he was anointed again. Each time Joseph was given a new coat, his measure of testing and learning increased until he was wise enough to save a people during famine.

David’s 1^st Anointing: “So Jesse sent for his youngest son and brought him in. He was ruddy, with beautiful eyes and a handsome appearance. And the LORD said, “Rise and anoint him, for he is the one.”

So Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the presence of his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward. Then Samuel set out and went to Ramah” (I Samuel 16:12-13, BSB).

The Holy Ruach Spirit rushed upon him, and his eyes were beautiful to see into spiritual things. He is anointed by Adonai and not men. He is anointed in front of his family. After being hunted by King Saul for around 8 years, David is told to go to Hebron, and he is anointed the second time there.

David’s 2^nd Anointing: “Then the men of Judah came to Hebron, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah. And they told David, “It was the men of Jabesh-gilead who buried Saul.” (II Samuel 2:4).

David is anointed now by the men of Judah. This was the anointing of acceptance.

The third anointing is a picture of Messiah. David is anointed the 3^rd time, and he rules over all of Israel and Judah. He is 30 years old when he becomes king. Yeshua is 30 years old when he starts his ministry. “Joseph was 30 when the king made him governor, and he went everywhere for the king.” David was the young shepherd tending his father’s sheep. Yeshua was the Chief Shepherd tending His Father’s Sheep. Some scholars believe Yeshua died exactly 1,000 years after David’s death. A day unto the Lord is but 1,000 years and a 1,000 years a day.” David was prophet, priest, and king, just as Yeshua.

David’s 3^rd Anointing:

“So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, where King David made with them a covenant before the LORD. And they anointed him king over Israel. David was thirty years old when he became king, and he reigned forty years. In Hebron he reigned over Judah seven years and six months, and in Jerusalem he reigned thirty-three years over all Israel and Judah.” (II Samuel 5:3-4). This is a prophetic picture as well. Yeshua is 33 years old when crucified. We also see the 7 years and 6 months as a picture of tribulation and the Messianic Kingdom.

After David’s first anointing, we see jealousy and suspicion, and hatred coming from family. Joseph experiences the same hatred shortly after receiving his coat of many colors.

“Joseph’s coat of many colors was a kethoneth. Also, the fine robes of the king’s virgin daughters were kethoneth (2 Sam. 13:18). It is used as an evidence of honor of high position in Isaiah 22:21. Such robes were drawn up when working or running (2 Kings 4:29; 1 Kings 18:46). Similarly, Peter tells us to “gird up the loins of our mind” (1 Peter 1:13).” (Ancient Hebrew Clothing—Jeff Benner).

David’s 1^st battles with family: David’s father tells him to take grain, bread, and cheese and check on his brothers. For forty days, the Philistine Goliath came forward every morning and evening to take his stand and mock the army of Yah.

“David asked the men who were standing with him, “What will be done for the man who kills this Philistine and removes this disgrace from Israel? Just who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?” The people told him about the offer, saying, “That is what will be done for the man who kills him.”

Now when David’s oldest brother Eliab heard him speaking to the men, his anger burned against David. “Why have you come down here?” he asked. “And with whom did you leave those few sheep in the wilderness? I know your pride and wickedness of heart—you have come down to see the battle!” (I Samuel 17:26-28).

Although Eliab was tall and handsome like Saul, Adonai told Samuel that he was not to be king. Eliab knew that David had been anointed by Samuel for a great assignment and was jealous of his younger brother’s favor with God. He accuses him of the very thing in his own heart, pride, and envy. Shortly after defeating the giant, David is given his first coat/ girdle, sword, belt, etc.

David’s Girdle/coat: Then Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. And Jonathan removed the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, his sword, his bow, and his belt.” (I Samuel 18:3).

This is a prophetic picture of Jonathan (Adonai) passing down the kingship. Jonathan means YHVH (The Lord has given). Now, David, like Joseph in Egypt, is given his first assignment after his victory over the giant.

This is more of a message for early leadership and young prophets, but it stands true in many other positions Adonai is preparing a person for. Compare your own battles and favor from the Father.

“So David marched out and prospered in everything Saul sent him to do, and Saul set him over the men of war. And this was pleasing in the sight of all the people, and of Saul’s officers as well.” (I Samuel 18:4-5).

(1 Samuel 18:30) “Every time the Philistine commanders came out for battle, David was more successful than all of Saul’s officers, so that his name was highly esteemed.”

David is anointed by Samuel after protecting his father’s sheep from the lion and the bear.
David defeats the Giant with a slingshot and 5 smooth stones (Torah). This can be about our own battles in the mind/thoughts. Yeshua was tempted and battled the adversary for 40 days just as this philistine giant had mocked and taunted all Israel for 40 days. Yeshua and David defeated the adversary with the Torah (5 stones).
David afterward is given several positions by King Saul, and he is highly esteemed.
Now, David will be hated by his father-in-law, king Saul. Saul has a spirit of fear, jealousy, suspicion, dread, and a murderous spirit for David. “They have ascribed to David ten thousand, but to me they have ascribed thousands. Now what more can he have but the kingdom?” Saul looked at David with suspicion from that day on.” (I Samuel 18:8). “Now Saul was afraid of David, for the LORD was with him but had departed from Saul” (I Sam. 18:12). “When Saul saw that he was prospering greatly, he dreaded him” (I Sam. 18:15). Saul continues plotting schemes against David. “When Saul saw and knew that the LORD was with David, and that Michal, Saul’s daughter, loved him, then Saul was even more afraid of David. Thus, Saul was David’s enemy continually.” (I Samuel 18:28).

After the intense hatred comes a period of battling–this may look different depending on the assignment or calling, but it will be a battle no less. This is when your enemy or enemies recruit others to hate you, lie about you, chase you down to remove your assignment. This is the hounds of hell on your heel’s day after day. This is the period that seems to break a person. That is just what Adonai is looking for—a complete death to everything in this world and anything in us that is not of Him. Complete brokenness– like a wild horse trained for battle. This is when one acquires the anointing of humility—yes, great humbleness like the man Moses acquired. It is a time when you may be alone like Joseph in the prison or as David hiding in caves and rocks. This is the major preparation period, and this period usually lasts a long time. It ends with a second anointing, but the training is still not complete.

three tan running horses near rocky mountain during daytime

After David is given a test to destroy his enemy and take his life, he passes these by not touching the one who was anointed before him. Repeat that. Once King Saul and his sons are slain in battle, David only mentions the good Saul did and not the bad. He is ready for that second anointing and then the 3^rd. It is now around 15 years later since he was 1^st anointed. Notice during this waiting period, he is still working and writing a large majority of Psalms. He is still defeating enemies and taking wives.

“The Talmud (Horiyot 11b) explains that whereas all High Priests were anointed, a king was only anointed if he began a new dynasty or if there was some controversy surrounding his appointment. It should be noted that since oil was typically used to anoint people to greatness, the Torah occasionally uses the term to anoint (“mashach”) where it simply means to appoint to high position, without the use of oil (see e.g. I Kings 19:16,19 regarding Elijah’s appointment of Elisha as his successor, and Isaiah 61:1). Likewise, the Torah occasionally uses the term “the anointed one” = “mashiach” / “messiah” to refer to any person appointed to carry out an important task.” (Aish.com).

Elijah passed his mantle down to Elisha. The prophets had their own robes of beauty and authority. Although they did not look like the priest, they would have been distinct and recognizable.

Joseph’s coats: This will entail the prophets’ journey. Joseph, like David, is anointed. His father, Jacob, gives him his colorful prophetic coat. After receiving the coat, he begins to have vivid dreams. This is when hatred from his brothers and suspicion and pondering from his father occur. To my readers, your anointing will first be attacked by those closest to you—family/friends.

Joseph’s 1^st coat: “Now Israel loved Joseph more than his other sons, because Joseph had been born to him in his old age; so he made him a robe of many colors” (Genesis 37:3).

Joseph’s battle with family: His brothers saw that their father loved him more than all his brothers; and so they hated him and could not speak to him on friendly terms. (Gen. 37:4).

This may not come from jealousy of the young prophet being loved greater by a parent, but it could. It could also come from the young prophet marrying someone the family becomes jealous of or sibling rivalries like Cain and Esau. This may also be a parent who is very jealous of their own child or son in law.

“Then Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers, they hated him even more.”

This isa season where the prophet is just tasting the gifting of a Seer, and it is met with much jealousy and envy, just as David’s battle victories were. In the passage below, we see Joseph was in the valley of Hebron. Later, the Father gives Hebron to king David as the capital of his kingdom (2 Samuel 2:1).

“Then Israel told him, “Go now and see how your brothers and the flocks are faring and bring word back to me.”

So, he sent him off from the Valley of Hebron. And when Joseph arrived in Shechem (Shoulder—ridge), a man found him wandering in the field and asked, “What are you looking for?” “I am looking for my brothers,” Joseph replied. “Can you please tell me where they are pasturing their flocks?” “They have moved on from here,” the man answered. “I heard them say, ‘Let us go to Dothan.’ ” So Joseph set out after his brothers and found them at Dothan.” Dothan means two cisterns or wells. Joseph today is looking for His brother Judah and learning much from his Big brother, and Judah is seeing Messiah as Joseph unveils his identity. One day we all will be at that table eating and drinking–echad.

But for now, in our story, Joseph, the prophet, is wandering around looking for “his brothers.” The prophet must find those who are also seers and gather as they were doing at the school of the prophets that Samuel started later. But the first assignment given to the prophet is often among his or her own family.

Pay close attention young prophets, apostles, teachers, and leadership. After the favor from (Abba Father—Israel), and the coat of many colors comes intense hatred. After the gifts are revealed, the hatred is even greater. Also, Joseph is searching for his brothers. His brothers want to abort his assignment. They want to snuff out his dreams and his life. David says his enemies hate him without cause. He says his enemies are more than the hairs on his head. Can you see the jealousy and envy Joseph will have to fight and endure over the mantle given to him? Can you see the long journey ahead for David as he runs for his life and even feigns himself a madman at one point.

green tree on green grass field during daytime

(The city of Dothan is mentioned once more during the kingdom years, when it appears to have been the hometown of Elisha the prophet) (2 Kings 6:13) Again, Dothan means two wells or two cisterns.)

“Now Joseph’s brothers saw him in the distance, and before he arrived, they plotted to kill him. “Here comes that dreamer!” they said to one another. “Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. We can say that a vicious animal has devoured him. Then we shall see what becomes of his dreams!” (Genesis 37:18-19).

As we follow along, we see that after the giving of the mantle, the anointing oil poured out, and spiritual gifts comes jealousy and hatred that is so violent that they throw him in a pit and discuss murdering him. The young prophet and even the older prophet experience this in major ways. When Joseph’s coat is given to his father with the blood of a goat, he says, a vicious animal has done this—yes, their wild beastly nature had taken over. Notice the goat is used to dip Joseph’s mantle in. Often the prophet is made the scapegoat in the family. Prophetic ones often cause the other members of the family to see their reflection, their faults, and injustices. The scapegoat often sees the things in the family that needs corrected, healed, changed, and made holy, but most people do not like looking in the mirror, and they don’t want to hear correction from their younger brother.

“Rabbi Chiya: Regarding Isaac [when he felt Jacob’s goatskin-covered arms] the verse states, “Are you indeed my son Esau or not?” (Gen. 27:21). And therefore regarding Jacob the verse states, “Is it your son’s tunic or not?” This is all because the Holy One, blessed be He, is meticulous with tzadikim to a hair’s breadth.”

“Then they took Joseph’s robe, slaughtered a young goat, and dipped the robe in its blood. They sent the robe of many colors to their father and said, “We found this. Examine it to see whether it is your son’s robe or not.” His father recognized it and said, “It is my son’s robe! A vicious animal has devoured him. Joseph has surely been torn to pieces!” (Genesis 37:31-33).

Yes, the young prophet is torn to pieces by his own household. The young prophet is also a tad arrogant and not fully ready for the gifts. They may need to keep the gloves on for a bit longer. When the prophet is given the first mantle, they are usually in denial. Surprise. Wonder. Curiosity. Asking questions and revealing dreams and visions to those around them. Those who need not hear.

After Joseph is saved by Judah from death, he is taken to Egypt and is given another coat, which is a comparison of David’s journey. He learns to be a servant. He wears the servant’s coat. Notice how David and Joseph are given positions of power, much favor from Adonai and how both will be wrongfully accused.

“And the LORD was with Joseph, and he became a successful man, serving in the household of his Egyptian master. When his master saw that the LORD was with him and made him prosper in all he did, Joseph found favor in his sight and became his personal attendant.” (Genesis 39:3-4).

After Potiphar’s wife becomes lustful for Joseph, he is tested here and ends up fleeing and leaving that coat behind, but it is his coat once again that is used in deception against him. According to some Hebrew scholars, he was wearing a servant or slave attire and would have fled almost naked. And yet, if he had not been accused and placed in prison, he would have never been able to interpret the dreams of the baker and cupbearer and be remembered with favor and brought before the Pharaoh. All our trials are leading us to our destination. The harder the trials and testing, the greater the assignment. We have to have a greater fear of Adonai, a Holy fear, and no fear of man, which brings a snare.

difficult roads lead to beautiful destinations desk decor

The medieval Sefer HaYashar, a commentary on the Torah, gives Potiphar’s wife’s name as Zuleikha, as do many Islamic traditions. Zuleikha means brilliant beauty, but Joseph was strong enough to resist it. Your testing may not come in a man or woman but fame or fortune, esteem of men and others. But even our adversary appears as an angel of light.

“So Potiphar’s wife kept Joseph’s cloak beside her until his master came home. Then she told him the same story: “The Hebrew slave you brought us came to me to make sport of me, but when I screamed for help, he left his cloak beside me and ran out of the house.” (Genesis 39:16-18).

The next mantle Joseph will receive will be the coat of humility. He will be placed in prison but once again in a position of power. The final testing is the greatest. Like David running for his life year after year, Joseph will be imprisoned and placed in the fetters. Psalm 105 is rich with treasures to glean from.

“He permitted no man to oppress them,

And He reproved kings for their sakes:

15“Do not touch My anointed ones,

And do My prophets no harm.”

16And He called for a famine upon the land;

He broke the whole staff of bread.

17He sent a man before them,

Joseph, who was sold as a slave.

18They afflicted his feet with fetters,

He himself was laid in irons;

19Until the time that his word came to pass,

The word of the LORD tested him.

20The king sent and released him,

The ruler of peoples, and set him free.

21He made him lord of his house

And ruler over all his possessions,

22To imprison his princes at will,

That he might teach his elders wisdom.” (Psalm 105:14-22).

Notice, Joseph gets his greatest wisdom, as does David, after being crushed. Those who have suffered greatly teach the elders wisdom. Ponder that. An Elder is not only a person advanced age but a man of social status and wisdom. Joseph taught those in authority, wisdom. But he would never do that without the pit, the prison, the false accusations, and the hatred from those he loved. So, we count it all joy when we go through trials!!

Notice how similar this passage is to some about David earlier.

“While Joseph was there in the prison, the LORD was with him and extended kindness to him, granting him favor in the eyes of the prison warden. And the warden put all the prisoners under Joseph’s care, so that he was responsible for all that was done in the prison. The warden did not concern himself with anything under Joseph’s care, because the LORD was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.” (Gen. 39:20-23).

By the time Joseph was released from prison and appointed as head over Egypt, Joseph was 30 years of age (Genesis 41:46). Just as David, Just as Yeshua. Joseph was 17 when he was sold to Egypt, so his first anointing may have been around the same time as David’s.

Joseph is taken from the prison because of interpreting the Baker and the Cupbearer’s dreams. Although he is forgotten and 2 years go by, he is eventually remembered and ushered in.

Now, he will remove his prison attire because he is humble and mature enough for the position. He now will save a people. Can you see Yeshua? “Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from what He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).

“Then Pharaoh said to his servants, “Can we find a man like this, in whom is a divine spirit?” So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “Since God has informed you of all this, there is no one so discerning and wise as you are. “You shall be over my house, and according to your command all my people shall do homage; only in the throne I will be greater than you.” Pharaoh said to Joseph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Egypt.” Then Pharaoh took off his signet ring from his hand and put it on Joseph’s hand, and clothed him in garments of fine linen and put the gold necklace around his neck.”

Pharaoh commands the people to bow the knee to Joseph. We know that every knee will bow before Messiah when He returns in power and great Glory.

I believe we can see Messiah Yeshua in both these men, and prophetically speaking, I would advise you to study II Samuel 5:5. This is a picture of Messiah and His Kingdom. May your journey be filled with awe and wonder and more so through your trials and suffering. May joy pour forth. May oil be poured upon your heads. May your bloody coat be exchanged for a beautiful robe, for you are a King’s daughter or son.

Blessings,

Tekoa

Word definitions–Abarim Publications

Photos–Unsplash

Elijah's prophetic Cup, prophetic

Prophets are Built

Posted on November 10, 2020November 10, 2020 by Tekoa

Photo by Quino Al on Unsplash

If you were a God who wanted to wake people up, who would you send to do that job? John came as a voice. John was a High Priest and a prophet. Humble servants, teachers, and ministers of His Word are not just born equipped. They are thrown on His wheel.

Then I (Jeremiah) went down to the potter’s house, and there he was making something on the wheel. But the vessel that he was making of clay was spoiled in the hand of the potter; so he remade it into another vessel, as it pleased the potter to make” (Jeremiah 18:2-4.)

Soft clay can be smacked and thrown down on the potter’s wheel and reshaped. Once the pot is fired, we have a whole different story. Hashem told Jeremiah that He knew him before He placed him in the womb and called him to be a prophet to the nations, but Jeremiah was built. If you are unsure of what I am trying to articulate, read Lamentations. Most are familiar with a verse that says, “Your mercies are made new each morning,” but what was the prophet saying before all this? He was talking to a people who had not been obedient and had gone whoring. I think he may have been describing the curses that had overtaken God’s people due to their sins and their lack of keeping His Sabbaths and His Commandments. He was weeping for the Bride. The Book of Lamentations is read on the 9th of Av. It begins with the Hebrew word Eicha which means “how?” It is a prophetic response to the destruction of the temple in 586 B.C.E. We also our temples that at times, must destruct so that He can breathe new life into us.

“He has walled me in so I cannot escape; he has weighed me down with chains. Even when I call out or cry for help, he shuts out my prayer. He has barred my way with blocks of stone; he has made my paths crooked.

Like a bear lying in wait, like a lion in hiding, he dragged me from the path and mangled me, and left me without help. He drew his bow and made me the target for his arrows.

He pierced my heart with arrows from his quiver. I became the laughingstock of all my people; they mock me in song all day long. He has filled me with bitter herbs and given me gall to drink.

He has broken my teeth with gravel; he has trampled me in the dust. I have been deprived of peace; I have forgotten what prosperity is” (Lamentations 3:8-17).

If we are a son or a daughter, He will correct us and shape us on His Potter’s wheel.

Who is man to think that he is the one who can form the clay?

“Will the pot contend with the potter or the earthenware with the hand that shapes it? Will the clay ask the potter what he is making? or his handiwork say to him, “You have no skill”? (Isaiah 45:9, NEB)

Our Jesus/ Yeshua was placed on that wheel.

“Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered” (Hebrews 5:8).

How are Abba’s servants built? They are thrown on the potter’s wheel. Prophets usually haven’t met anyone they cannot relate to. Most of them have been through just about everything you can think of. Have you ever noticed that Elijah arrives on the scene, and we read nothing about his background? He boldly confronts kings and commands the sky to stay shut, and slaughters over 400 false prophets of Baal. How does one get such tenacity? Not by being pampered and coddled.

Prophets were fearful of the call. They said things like, “I can’t speak. I’m too young. I am the least in my Father’s house. I am a fig farmer. I stutter. They knew where prophets went. It was usually to oppose a priest—a king—a wicked leader with a booming voice from Adonai and then off to the prison, death, a cave, a lion’s den, a head on a platter. They were built to confront those no one else wanted to confront. A stiff-necked people. An Ahab. A Jezebel. A Saul who had not slain the wicked king he was ordered to slay.

The Father speaks: Go tell my servant David, the one who carried a giants head on a pole, that he is the man full of sin Nathan. Fast for 40 days and climb a mountain only to go back again because the people have been in idolatry and have been worshipping a calf and cry out for me to spare those same people who said, “Where is this Moses?” Yes, this Moses, whose staff parted the sea. This Moses who cried out for their very lives. This Moses, who was fashioned in the desert away from his family and home on the Potter’s wheel.

The burden of the word of the Lord Adonai—that’s how their letters were started. It is a burden to feel what the Father feels. It is a burden to see what the Father sees.

How do you build a man or woman with no regard for whether people will like the sound of the words they use? How do you build a person who doesn’t care if you never speak to them again?

Possibly the Potter wants such a person to be shunned by those esteemed. The ones in the critical circles. How does HaShem build and shape a vessel that will speak what He tells them to speak even if their closest friends and companions walk away? You cause them to be loved by people who they love with so much love it bubbles up inside their soul, and then you have those same people reject them, crush them, defame their character, and trust. You bring people across their path that are so precious to them, and you turn those same confidants into barking dogs that bite and snarl and growl at the messenger or give them a Judas kiss. Their words are twisted—they looked for ways to catch Yeshua in sin. They watched him like a spider. They accused him of casting out demons by the prince of demons.

“They watched him closely in an effort to trap him in something he might say” (Luke 11:54 ISV).

“But Jesus, on His part, was not entrusting Himself to them, for He knew all men, and because He did not need anyone to testify concerning man, for He Himself knew what was in man” (John 2:23-24 NASB).

How do you build something that has no concern for money? No regard for titles? No affection for the esteem of man? You strip them of everything they own. You cause them to live by a brook and let ravens feed them. You send them to a widow with a few drops of oil and a handful of flour. You leave them naked and bare, and they see all the material as refuse—worthless. Mother Teresa could not be bought—she had her eyes on a different prize. The apostles could not be bought. Oh, Saints do not look to store up treasures here that can bring no joy. Junk, you have to dust and worry about thieves stealing. Titles that only bring esteem from men.

How do you build someone who has more compassion for the sick than most? A person who will fast and pray and believe with someone who is suffering horribly? You give them sores all over their body as they scrape the discharge with some broken pottery. You blind them for three days. You give them a thorn in their flesh, a hip out of socket, a barren womb, and a taste of suffering that most cannot imagine.

When I first came out of an attack on my health and retired my cane, I sat outside a big meeting one night—a meeting where the megachurch parking lot filled up and any person coming in who was in a wheelchair, walker, or using a cane, I asked if I could pray for them. I cried with them. I knew what it was like to be sick unto death. I would have never had that compassion if I had not gone through it.

How do you build someone with grief for sin that causes them to weep when they see sin? Most of the people that I know who have been forgiven much love much. When a person sees a woman’s breast exposed and grieves over it instead of lusting. When we see men and women lusting after fleshpots that we used to partake of, and our heart doesn’t want to point a finger but instead grabs a cloak and covers their nakedness and cries out for their soul to be healed.

Moses looked at his sister, who had slandered him, and “Moses cried out to the LORD, saying, “O God, heal her, I pray!” (Numbers 12:13 NASB).

Awe, the Potter’s wheel.

When the Father speaks to me and humbles me, it is usually through people that I overlooked or thought “unimportant,” A person I judged by their titles or lack of them. Have you ever had the Father make you feel the way Jeremiah felt above?

He said he was made a laughing stock—mocked.

I write these next words not for pity—not for prayer, although I’ll take any I can get, but to show you something.

How do you make a marriage become so one in the Spirit you both think and act and speak the same? Most every night, my husband prays with me—many mornings as well, but at night he lays his hand on my stomach that refuses to work in divine order due to gastroparesis, and he speaks life over it. He watches it blow up like a balloon, and he sees my tears, and with those same tears he knocks, he asks, he is persistent like the widow who went before the unjust judge, and like Moses, he cries, “Heal my wife!” One night as he prayed, I thought of all the healthy and unhealthy wives who never hear such compassion from their husbands. I thought about how loved I am. How our very marriage has been placed on the Potter’s wheel for such a time as this and every trial, every valley of darkness has brought us closer. For some, it causes bitterness and division. My husband waited twelve years for me. Every year he prayed for a wife and waited. He went on a few dates because he did not feel they were the one. In the twelfth year, a woman at his assembly said, “Jeff the Father just showed me a field with beautiful flowers and there the sun was shining down on a blondish brown haired woman that the Father is “molding” for you.” Eve or Chavah was fashioned and constructed from the side of Adam. The Father was shaping me into a wife for my husband.

“So with the potter sitting at his labor, revolving the wheel with his feet. He is always concerned for his products and turns them out in quantity.

With his hands, he molds the clay, and with his feet, softens it. His care is for proper coloring, and he keeps watch on the fire of his kiln.” The Wisdom Books 38:29-30. NAB.

He is shaping you into just the right vessel for His use. It hurts at times to be smashed and remolded into shape, thrown on the wheel, and placed into a fiery pit, but in the end, He will fashion us into a vessel He sees fit to use.

“But now, Hashem, Thou art Avinu (Our Father); we are the chomer (clay), and Thou, Yotzreinu (our Potter, Maker, Creator); and we all are the ma’aseh (work) of Thy yad (hand.)” Isaiah 64:8 OJB.”

young independent man demonstrating palm on street

Elijah's prophetic Cup, Tekoa Manning, TM

Words: A Death Sentence?

Posted on October 29, 2020January 10, 2021 by Tekoa

There are many ways to say something and a season to speak and not to speak. Even the prophet Isaiah, who spoke for HaShem, cried out– I have unclean lips! Woe is me! Some of the righteous were stoned and beheaded due to their words, but they spoke them anyway. At the end of this blog, I will highlight Jeremiah and ask you, my readers, to try on his shoes in the face of death.

Have you ever wondered what our words sound like to Our Father in heaven? How did the men who argued and caused Him to change His mind sound? Are there keys to speaking?

When should we speak? How do we speak? To whom and for what reason. Much of this was covered in Part 1 of this series, but I wanted to add more.

When the Father commands us to speak, we must. When He instructs us to go minister to someone, we need to be obedient.

“Go, tell Pharaoh king of Egypt to let the Israelites go out of his country” (Exodus 6:11).
After a long time, in the third year of the drought, the word of the LORD came to Elijah: “Go and present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain upon the face of the earth” (I Kings 18:1).
A vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing and appealing to him, and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us” (Acts 16:9).
When you stand before Kings. (Acts 24)
When you are anointed and pressed to speak at a Festival as Peter, who preached about the Messiah who rose from the dead and about 3,000 came back into covenant. “And with many other words, he (Peter) solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” So then, those who had received his word were baptized; and that day, there were added about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:39)
When arrested: “Mark 13:11, ESV: “And when they bring you to trial and deliver you over, do not be anxious beforehand what you are to say, but say whatever is given you in that hour, for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit.”
(He will instruct our mouths): “Exodus 4:12 Now go! I will help you as you speak, and I will teach you what to say.” (Matthew 10:19). “But when they hand you over, do not worry about how to respond or what to say. In that hour you will be given what to say.”

But the LORD said to me,

“Do not say, ‘I am a youth,’

Because everywhere I send you, you shall go,

And all that I command you, you shall speak.

He will put His Words in our mouths: “Do not be afraid of them, For I am with you to deliver you,” declares the LORD. Then the LORD stretched out His hand and touched my mouth, and the LORD said to me, “Behold, I have put My words in your mouth.” (Jeremiah 1:7-9).

Ecclesiastes 3 says, “There is a time to speak and a time to remain silent.” How do we know which season it is?

Proverbs 15:23 says, “A man has joy in an apt answer, And how delightful is a timely word!” Words are spoken in season are delightful. If the season passes, we may have missed it.

Although silence is golden at times, there is also the sin of silence. This sin can be just as damaging as slander.

“Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother.” (Matthew 18:15).

If someone has sinned against you, you must bring words and go to them.

Yeshua says if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there before the altar and go to your brother.” (Matthew 5:23-24).

Remaining silent will cause bitterness to grow and a root of anger and unforgiveness to flourish. It must be dealt with swiftly.

“Argue your case with your neighbor, And do not reveal the secret of another” (Proverbs 25:9)

We often do the very opposite first! We tell everyone and leave going to our brother or sister last. I’m not speaking of wise counsel where you go and seek help. Many times that is needed, but that looks different than calling everyone you know and telling them what Old Aunt Betty did to you or Jimmy Bob, who lives across the street.

“Like apples of gold in settings of silver

Is a word spoken in the right circumstances.

“Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold

Is a wise reprover to a listening ear” (Proverbs 25:11-12).

When significant accomplishments occur or a person in your circle receives good news, we should not remain silent. When a baby is born, it is a great celebration. Many people give birth to gifts and dreams the Father has placed in their hearts, and we must share in their joy. We must not allow jealousy or envy to be in our hearts for others.

The next passage is layered and can be challenging to digest.

“Do not answer a fool according to his folly,

Lest you also be like him.

Answer a fool according to his folly,

Lest he be wise in his own eyes.” (Proverbs 26:4-5).

A fool can be interpreted as ewil, kesil, or nabal.

(“Fool” in Prov. 26:4-5) is Kesil in Hebrew–fool, stupid fellow, dullard, simpleton, arrogant one)

Kesil describes a person who is ignorant of the Father’s instructions and isn’t willfully acting like a fool. This type of fool may learn wisdom, so we answer him or her.

Nabal describes a false prophet and someone who has no fear of Adonai. The last one is ewil. This is the one you need to run from. Everything out of their mouth is slander and ridicule, and the person has no desire to learn. For more on a fool, Dr. Skip Moen has an excellent blog HERE.

This may be the most critical question we can ask ourselves. Why are we speaking? Did the Father tell us to? Was it Holy Spirit inspired? Or is it to make a jab at our ex-sister-in-law? Is it to prove to our cousin, whose liberal or conservative, that they are wrong? Is it to place shame on those who hurt us? Is it well thought out with honey and sweet-smelling perfume that makes our readers or listeners hungry for more? Is it for correction? Are we getting caught up in division or tangles we need to separate from because they don’t concern us?

We might be able to relax at the birthday party, wedding, or baby shower—we may speak freely with trusted friends, our spouses, or confidants, but at other times, in multiple situations, may we weigh our words. May we marinate our meat, may we tenderize it and brush it with spices and honey. May our fruit be ripe and good on the inside. May our words be like showers of rain to a parched soul. May our words bring joy to the downhearted. May our words break chains and release prisoners. May our words be as dove soap, cleansing with beauty and freshness. May our words dance when others are celebrated for their kind acts, good deeds, and integrity. May we sound like Ruth’s to the Naomi’s with bitter spirits.

No matter how careful we are with our words, we will always offend someone who is wounded, afraid, or they will misunderstand us.

Picture scales of justice. When we only hear one side of a story or judge a person or situation on one witness, we lack the testimony of two or three. Our words carry weight and vibration and life or death.

When we bring words to the Creator of all, do we weigh them? Prayer often begins with silence. Picture Esther going before the King and waiting for his scepter to fall and welcome her in the throne room. Picture Isaiah when he saw the Lord Adonai high and lifted up and was quick to speak what angels sang,

“Holy, Holy, Holy, is the LORD of hosts,

The whole earth is full of His glory.”

And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke.

Then I said,

“Woe is me, for I am ruined!

Because I am a man of unclean lips,

And I live among a people of unclean lips;

For my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts.” Isaiah 6:3-5.

Isaiah’s first response is that he has unclean lips and that the people around him have unclean lips. Meditate on that. Burning fiery coals from the altar was needed. This should remind you of Acts 2 when on the day of Pentecost/ Shavuot, fire lit on their tongues.

“Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a burning coal in his hand, which he had taken from the altar with tongs. 7He touched my mouth with it and said, “Behold, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away and your sin is forgiven.”

This man was a prophet; he spoke for Adonai. He was a Seer. And he still needed his mouth cleansed. We often place these men of old on a pedestal, that they were without sin. If their mouth spoke for Adonai, their mouth must have had a good Listerine dose, but even Isaiah knew he needed his mouth cleansed.

There are men in scripture who stood before the King of the universe and argued with Him, pleaded with Him, and challenged Him as Abraham did and Moses, as well as others.

Yeshua teaches us how to pray. Some learned to prayer saying “Dear Lord Jesus,” but Yeshua, when asked how to pray, said, “‘Our Father who is in the heavens, let Your Name be set-apart. . .” (Matthew 6:9, ISR).

Yeshua did not tell us to pray to him but to pray through the authority given to us through Him.

Sometimes when we pray or speak what we know the Father is telling us, we are hated unto death. I am closing Part #2 of this with Jeremiah, but also consider John the Baptist and Stephen. In Jeremiah 26, the people are ready to kill Jeremiah, the prophet. Some cannot see the beauty in the prophets words because they are focused only on light, positivity, and blessings– they do not realize that prophets words bring repentance and redemption. The Father commands Jeremiah to speak year after year and Jeremiah was obedient. He wasn’t BLESSED with a wife or children. The Father told him not to marry. He was despised for his words. He was mocked. They wrote songs and sang them and laughed at his warnings. He cried out for death and depression overtook him. He was thrown in a cistern in muck, sinking— Abba’s holy mouth piece. Think and ponder this. Study the prophets, both male and female and taste their words.

“Thus says the LORD, ‘Stand in the court of the LORD’S house, and speak to all the cities of Judah who have come to worship in the LORD’S house all the words that I have commanded you to speak to them. Do not omit a word! ‘Perhaps they will listen and everyone will turn from his evil way, that I may repent of the calamity which I am planning to do to them because of the evil of their deeds” (Jer. 26:2-3).

Sound familiar?

He then warms again. Picture Jeremiah standing before the leaders in his day, the scribes, the priest, etc., and speaking for Adonia.

“And you will say to them, ‘Thus says the LORD, “If you will not listen to Me, to walk in My law which I have set before you, to listen to the words of My servants the prophets, whom I have been sending to you again and again, but you have not listened; then I will make this house like Shiloh, and this city I will make a curse to all the nations of the earth.”

The priests and the prophets and all the people heard Jeremiah speaking these words in the house of the LORD. When Jeremiah finished speaking all that the LORD had commanded him to speak to all the people, the priests and the prophets and all the people seized him, saying, “You must die!”

(YOU MUST DIE!)(26:4-7).

What is Jeremiah doing now? Is he shaking? Pleading for his life? Doubtful. Was he fearful of men or fearful and completely sold out to say whatever the Father told him?

“Then the priests and the prophets spoke to the officials and to all the people, saying, “A death sentence for this man!”

(Can you see the rage that comes when men and women speak the truth and expose corruption?)

For he has prophesied against this city as you have heard in your hearing.”

Then Jeremiah spoke to all the officials and to all the people, saying, “The LORD sent me to prophesy against this house and against this city all the words that you have heard. “Now, therefore, amend your ways and your deeds and obey the voice of the LORD your God, and the LORD will change His mind about the misfortune which He has pronounced against you. “But as for me, behold, I am in your hands; do with me as is good and right in your sight. “Only know for certain that if you put me to death, you will bring innocent blood on yourselves, and on this city and on its inhabitants; for truly the LORD has sent me to you to speak all these words in your hearing.” (26:11-15).

Jeremiah is spared, and the people are given the medicine and instructions needed to stop the calamity. Many people find the prophet’s words harsh, but the prophet Jeremiah knew that he had to speak even if it cost him his life. May we all weigh our words on just scales and be brave to say what we need to and wise to know when to keep silent.

Part One HERE

Photos: Unsplash– Kyle Glen–library books, Annie Spratt, Everything has beauty.

TM, Tongue

High Strikers

Posted on October 23, 2020January 9, 2021 by Tekoa

What if everything we spoke in secret was played over a loudspeaker each morning to everyone we know? Tzara’at (leprosy) is a spiritual sickness, not a physical one. No one today gets this moldy exposure in their homes, on their clothing, or skin. If this were available today, the world would be ridden with it because we have no filters. A curse word or a tattoo in my adolescence had a different meaning than today. But sometimes we can curse without saying one vulgar word. Sometimes we are marked with leprosy that no ink gun can give.

Yeshua was and is the Great Physician. One day he was sitting, eating, and drinking with the sick. Their sickness was not physical but spiritual. “And when the scribes and Pharisees saw Him eating with the tax collectors and sinners, they said to His taught ones, “Why does He eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?” And hearing this, יהושע (Yeshua) said to them, “Those who are strong (healthy) have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.” (Mark 2:16-17, ISR).

Have you ever been to the doctor and had a bad experience? Perhaps their bedside manner was not very refined, or they lacked compassion, empathy, or worse, they decided all your aliments were your fault or a figment of your imagination. They would not listen to your problems. They offered no oil for your bruises and no prescription for your pain. My husband used to have a family doctor who was obese. My husband was not feeling well. He had high stress on his job, high blood pressure, and multiple issues that had taken a toll on him. He was roughly 25-pounds overweight. His physician was a good 75 pounds overweight but was very stern with him and a tad sarcastic about his weight. He told my husband he needed to lose weight and start an exercise regimen. Was the doctor aware of his own condition? How can we see to get rid of a splinter in our neighbors’ eye if we have a plank in our own? Words are powerful. What if we had to pour our words through a water purification system before speaking them?

Questions to meditate on:

How do we speak to the lost?
Are we instructive on potions and herbs, diet and exercise they need to incorporate, but just as obese/sick as them?
Are we compassionate to the sick and the sinner? Do we have empathy?
Do we shame people who have not seen what we see with our words?
Do we eat and drink with the sick or chastise them or even separate ourselves from the healthy like Peter did until Paul rebuked him? Paul rebukes him publicly because he had acted in a manner that led the rest of the congregation to think his behavior was okay. It was not a public post on social media but for the community who gathered there. (Galatians 2:11-21).
Would a sick sinner want to share a meal with us or Invite us to a wedding?
Do our lips have honey that is so sweet from His Word that others want to learn? How we speak to the sick tells a lot about us. If the sick need a doctor, doctors must go to medical school to wear a white coat and get a certificate. This can take over a decade. We can be called to be a doctor but lack schooling and a correct bedside manner.
Are we a doctor that cannot speak in layman’s terms? Do we listen to answer, or do we hear the heart cries of the sick?
Do we know when to go to our brother or sister, private or publicly in our community?
Who did Yeshua chastise?

“The Hebrew word for a prophet, navi ( Nun-Beit-Yod-Alef) comes from the term niv sefatayim meaning “fruit of the lips,” which emphasizes the prophet’s role as a speaker.”

Fruit of the lips: Take a seed and plant it in the earth. Water the seed and make sure it is planted where it can get sunlight. It will grow, but what kind of fruit will it produce? Jeremiah said, “Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why do all the faithless live at ease? You have planted them, and they have taken root; they grow and bear fruit. You are always on their lips but far from their hearts” (Jeremiah 12:1-2).

person holding orange fruit during daytime

A good tree cannot produce bad fruit. A bad tree cannot produce good fruit. Yeshua went on to explain, we will know them by their fruit. How? I once bought a beautiful pink lady apple. I brought it home and cut into it, and the inside was rotten. Fruit can be deceiving. This apple had the appearance of beauty to the eye of the beholder but was rotten to the core.

Picture a carnival and the sledgehammer game.

“A high striker, also known as a strength tester, or strongman game, is an attraction used in funfairs, amusement parks, fundraisers, and carnivals. It operates by utilizing the lever where one end holds a puck attached to the tower and the other end is struck by the person or contestant using a hammer or mallet. The aim of players is to ring the bell suspended on top of the tower. If the lever is struck with enough force, the puck will rise high enough to hit the bell, indicating a success.” (Wiki)

Are we high strikers, striking the cheeks of the sick, the lost, the immature person we used to be? Our words can strike with such force they are received like a hammer. Adonai’s word is a hammer breaking the rocks in pieces, but are we using our words in a manner where we think the bell ringing is a sign of strength when its actual weakness?

Examples with sarcasm/pride: “I really told them!” Boy, I let them have it with my political/ spiritual knowledge.” “I set those Christians straight about how they are not saying His Name correct, keeping His Calendar, Feasts, etc.” “I told them they were celebrating pagan holidays and full of evil.” “Yes, I pointed out all their wicked ways, as I was instructed to do just that by the Holy Spirit.” Hmm. Really?

Are we suffering from the strong man?

2 Person Hi Striker Carnival Game - Lets Party

Has anyone ever changed a person’s mind by posting a nasty meme or a post with condemnation? Even Nathan knew a parable about a little ewe lamb would have more weight than his finger-pointing. He spoke for Adonai. He did not slander David all over the Kingdom but went to him in private. Even David’s enemy, Saul, hunting him down with an army daily, was spoken of by David at death with honor and respect, but many today will murder a dead man with their lips. David could have said “Praise Yah! that no good, lying, witch of Endor seeking sinner is dead!” Instead, he said this:

“Saul and Jonathan, beloved and pleasant in their life,

And in their death they were not parted;

They were swifter than eagles,

They were stronger than lions.

“O daughters of Israel, weep over Saul,

Who clothed you luxuriously in scarlet,

Who put ornaments of gold on your apparel.” (II Samuel 1:23-24).

How to speak involves many layers. In the Book of Timothy, we see a list of words for leadership to follow. “Preach the word; be prepared in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and encourage with every form of patient instruction” (II Timothy 4:2).

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law “(Galatians 5:22-23, BSB).

Rebuke: “The definition of rebuke = to scold or criticize or reprimand someone for their actions.

“You shall surely rebuke your neighbor and incur no sin because of this person” (Leviticus 19:17). But who is our neighbor?

Knowing who, when, how, and why to rebuke is the key. “To correct a troublemaker or rebuke a wicked person is to bring down abuse on oneself. Do not rebuke a scoffer, for that person will hate you. Reprove a wise person, and that person will love you.” (Proverbs 9:7-8)

“Those who rebuke find favor and a good blessing falls upon them.” (Proverbs 24:25)

“Better is open rebuke than love that is concealed.”

A loving friendship that never has rebuke (correction) is really not a friendship. But rebuking involves mercy and tact, and receiving a rebuke involves humility. A mocker such as King Ahab, who rebuked Elijah, was given a sterner rebuke back. His blaming the prophet for famine and calling him a troublemaker was due to his lack of looking in a mirror.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” (Proverbs 27:5-6).

Septuagint, “More to be trusted are the wounds of a friend than the spontaneous (ἑκούσια) kisses of an enemy.”

Judas seals the deal with a kiss. We often picture Judas as the evil villain, but he was right there listening, collecting baskets of bread and fish, watching blind eyes open, and yes, betraying the Son of God and then hanging himself. The villain in Esther hanged himself too by his own cords.

(Proverbs 14:1) “The wise woman builds her house, but the foolish pulls it down with her hands.” Remember, a hand in Hebrew is also a mouth.

Are we hanging ourselves due to our words?

man wearing black cap with love your neighbour print during daytime

Have you ever kissed someone and then betrayed them? Have we as a Body allowed a spirit of Judas to live in our hearts? Have you ever wounded a friend? Did the friend, like Peter, need wounding? Did you do it in front of the group or go around behind Peter’s back and whisper about how immature he acted. How he isn’t fit for leadership? That would have been more harmful than correcting him in front of them. The darkness is exposed to light; Peter can repent and do what he should have been doing. The matter ends. No one needs to gossip about Peter. We better start getting this right. It is past time!

The harlot seals the deal with a kiss too.

“And there a woman met him,

With the attire of a harlot and a crafty heart.

She was loud and rebellious,

Her feet would not stay at home.

At times she was outside, at times in the open square,

Lurking at every corner.

So she caught him and kissed him”

Has Abba Father kissed you with the kisses of His Mouth, or has the harlot enticed you with her lips? HOW we speak tells others who we have been kissing, how we’ve been kissing, and where we’ve been kissing.

There are many ways to say something. How we speak, when, where, and to whom matters.

For example: If I wanted to teach children raised to wear Velcro shoes how to tie shoelaces, I could illustrate this by retying my shoes and giving instructions and examples of why lacing one’s shoes is the better way to go. First, I want to show how this simple teaching can go wrong due to words. Then I want you to imagine how a simple post to correct, reprove, and rebuke someone concerning their beliefs, both political and spiritual, can go wrong. As you read about Velcro and laces, think Torah/ think Christianity, and if you must, think politics.

1st Example: (Unfiltered)

What are people thinking? Are they taking their children hiking in Velcro shoes? Have you ever seen the military wearing Velcro boots? Even an idiot knows correctly laced shoes provide better support than poorly-fastened Velcro straps. The Martin family lets their kids wear Velcro. I saw them wearing Velcro the other day, even the 12-year-old. What kind of parents are they? Don’t they know it’s shameful? They are harming their children’s feet. And then they want to try and correct me on my children’s behavior. Have you ever?

2nd Example: (Filtered)

I feel teaching my five-year-old son to lace his shoes is essential. He will be an adult one day, and Velcro shoes may not exist then, plus Velcro shoes may not work on the job. He may need steel-toed boots or wing-tipped dress shoes. Research shows that correctly laced shoes provide better support. Velcro may come undone during track, rock climbing, or other sports. Laces fit different foot shapes better and are less likely to cause pain in general because the shoe is tightened across the foot’s entire length. I was raised wearing Velcro shoes and was taught that tying shoes was outdated and done away with. I was told it was just more work for me as a mom to teach my child to tie his shoes, but now he can tie up his boots, jacket string, make a square knot, and a fisherman’s knot. I am proud of his accomplishments, and I hope you will purchase a pair of laced shoes for your child.

black and black and white Converse All Star high-top sneakers

How we speak also involves who is in front of us, our audience.

Who:

Who is in front of you? Is it a broken woman with an alabaster box of perfume that the leaders consider a whore? A child (this can be a newborn believer or a literal child) is a demonized man in a graveyard who cuts himself? Is it a leader who is harsh and judgmental? Is it a leper? A friend? A drug addict. A king (David/ Nathan). A politician (Herod). An educated scholar? The list goes on and on. If we were to travel to Spain today and sit in a cafe, we would need to know how to speak Spanish to get the type of coffee and dessert we wanted unless our server spoke our language. If we speak Chinese and order it in our native tongue, chances are the Spaniard will not understand. Early in my ministry, I posted a small teaching on my facebook wall. A family member inboxed me and said, “I love to read your post, but lately I can’t understand anything you’re saying. I have to look up almost every other word and I am at work and don’t have time.” The Apostle Paul said something that needs to be meditated on with much thought. First, he told them if they were speaking in tongues without a translator, no one would understand them. Have you ever heard a clanging pot and pan fall un-expectantly?

“If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and exult in the surrender of my body, but have not love, I gain nothing.” (I Cor. 13:1-3).

Many will argue that they are using love in some of their videos, post, memes, etc. to correct others, but I must say we all need to taste our words. We need to ask ourselves who we are speaking to. Are we talking to a child? A newborn baby? A brand-new believer? Are we speaking to Christians, Messianic or unbelievers? Are we trying to speak to all of these on social media without thought that our audience is full of different people on different levels and journeys?

Are we speaking to leadership? Do we honor leadership? Have we appointed ourselves to be police officers who must expose everyone else’s actions and beliefs we deem wrong or wicked? Even the dead? Police represent authority, but authority must be trained. We may need a change of heart, especially if we compare ourselves as righteous and only see others as way below on our ruler and standard we have defined as holy—set apart. If we are yelling at people to repent and pointing at them, separating ourselves from anyone who has made an error, we may want to pull the plank out of our eye so we can see to remove the speck in our brother’s eyes. Yeshua and Paul know their audience when they speak.

Paul said, “Or do you not know, brethren for I am speaking to those who know the law/ Torah.” (Romans 7:1). Paul was speaking to an audience in this passage who knew the Father’s Torah/ Law. Some people do not have an understanding of His Torah, or they may have been taught it was nailed to the cross. Many times, these same people are keeping many portions of it. David can help us understand His Torah.

Psalm 119,

“O how I love Your law!

It is my meditation all the day.

Your commandments make me wiser than my enemies,

For they are ever mine.

I have more insight than all my teachers,

For Your testimonies are my meditation.

I understand more than the aged,

Because I have observed Your precepts.

I have restrained my feet from every evil way,

That I may keep Your word.

I have not turned aside from Your ordinances,

For You, Yourself have taught me.

How sweet are Your words to my taste!” (Psalm 119:97-103).

Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” His Words are sweeter than honey, but are ours?

At one point, Yeshua explains that certain people are blind and deaf. He gives those who knew Torah an antidote to being healed after he restores a blind man’s sight. “If you were blind, you would have no sin. But since you say, ‘We see,’ your sin remains” (John 9:41). What did He possibly mean here?

They say, “we are not blind–We see!” We see His Torah. We see our righteousness. We see–we are not like that sinner over there. We fast twice a week. We dress modestly. We do not keep Halloween. We do not keep Sunday. We don’t wear pants. We don’t smoke or chew or even say the curse words listed in the Bible. Oh, we think we see ourselves, but do we see the naked, sick, hungry, and broken soul created in His image that’s standing before us in need of oil and not condemnation. Do we see the Messiah we claim lives inside of us? Are we like Him?

After Yeshua cast out demons, the leaders and scholars said he did this by the prince of demons.

Who was He harsh with? When was He harsh? Why was He harsh at that moment? Yeshua answers the leaders like this:

“Either make the tree good and its fruit good, or else make the tree bad and its fruit bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. Brood of vipers (seed of the woman/seed of the serpent)! How can you, being evil, speak good things? For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things. But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Yeshua spoke differently to the sick, the demonized in the graveyard, and even the leader who met with him in private. Would you place a 1st grader in a class with an 8th grader? Would an English professor speak to her English Literature class in the same way as her GED class? Do you speak to babies in the same manner of speech as you would your counselor? If you are posting or saying words that are sharp, unpolished, sour, bitter, judgmental, arrogant, or angry, who are they healing that is sick? When Paul spoke sharply with rebuke, it was to those who knew the Torah or were learning it. They were cheating on their wives, getting drunk at the gatherings, and doing things worse than those of the world. We must know our audience. And yes, there have been times when the Father had me post something that those who are of the world did not understand. I have also been guilty of posting things out of anger, a judgmental attitude, self-righteousness, ignorance, and words that sure could have used some ajax and sandpaper. Laying things aside for a day or two and rereading what we want to say after calming down or praying on it may bring enlightenment. One may even decide they no longer need to say what they thought they did. And sometimes, we can reword it better after some time away from it.

I hope this blog helps us all think before we grab our keyboard or microphone. Remember what comes out of our mouths, lives in our hearts. Please check out Grace in Torah’s message called Taste Your Words HERE.

In Part Two, we will look at how to answer a fool in his folly and more.

Sources: all Photos by Zoltan Tasi, Lesley Juarez, Engin Akurt, Nina strehl,
Camila Damásio, except high striker.

#Doctrines of Demons, Healing of the soul, Tekoa Manning

Free Chapter on Sickness

Posted on October 19, 2020October 19, 2020 by Tekoa

This is an excerpt from my book Doctrines of Demons Part One:

When I was severely sick with a neurological disease and fibromyalgia, I attended a small congregation with a kind pastor. I noticed the pastor often looked at me, my cane, and my wobbly legs strangely. On one occasion, he prayed for me. It was a loud, boisterous prayer. “Lord, get to the root of this sickness, the very root!” I felt as if the root he may have been referring to was my sin. He had suggested more than once to me that sickness can be a spiritual issue. I wondered if he thought the root was something evil in my life like pride, lust, or anger. I remembered the scripture in Timothy about laying hands on the sick and seeing them recover. It also said, “And if they have sinned it shall be forgiven them” (James 5:13-15 KJV).

Many well-known Evangelist and pastors had prayed over me, but I was still suffering horribly. I pondered this and went over a list of people I had forgiven and the prayers I had prayed for HaShem to search me and cleanse me. I cried out to my Father that I knew I had sinned and had things I needed to work on, like most of us do, but still felt awkward in the presence of this pastor. It seemed every time he prayed for me; it was suggested I was responsible for this disease. I felt like I was constantly surrounded by Job’s friends. Of course, I was no Job. My past had its colorful moments. But I had returned to the Father with all my heart, just like the prodigal son, and I knew the Father had run to meet me, kiss me, and clothe me with a new robe. I was now in covenant with my Father.

The following Thursday night Bible study was quite a shock for me. I waddled in on my cane, and there was the pastor with one shoe off. His right foot looked swollen, and he was using a cane. Gout had set in his foot. Had God allowed this to happen for a reason? I was not sure, but I felt quite relieved that a minister I deemed to be very holy could also go through pain. It was confirmation that perhaps it happens to the best of us. He spoke about how his gout had caused him to get still before the Father because he couldn’t go to work and how he had a wonderful time in prayer at home resting. Sickness can be an unusual friend at times.

This chapter will enlighten you about scriptures, and your eyes and mind will be opened to sickness in a manner you may have never been taught. Have you ever wondered who the first person to become sick was written about in the Bible? Job would be the first, and I believe the next person written about was Jacob. After Jacob wrestled with an angel all night, his hip was out of the socket, and he walked with a limp afterward. Indeed, he walked with a limp until the day his sons buried him. Hosea says this about Jacob, “Yea, he had power over the ANGEL and prevailed.” (Hosea 12:4 KJV) Perhaps you have never pondered Jacob’s hip being out of socket? The devil had nothing to do with maiming Jacob. It was an angel! We have been taught that angels only protect us. This one WRESTLED with Jacob and injured him.

Many times the children of Israel were sick or even died because of complaining and bitterness. Snakes sent from God bit them, and the quail they requested came up through their nostrils. The earth even swallowed some. “The Lord sent fiery serpents among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died” (Numbers 21:6 KJV).

Miriam spoke against Moses, and HaShem struck her with leprosy, and then Moses begged HaShem to restore her, and He did. Yes, over and over again, we see sickness caused by sin. Now we know this is not always the case. Look at Job and all his troubles, and there are others that I will illustrate to you shortly.

When Adam and Eve fell, many believe we were then cursed, and that is when sickness came into existence, but that is not what God’s word says, “cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt, thou eat of it all the days of thy life; thorns and thistles shall it bring forth… (Genesis 3:17-18 KJV)

The Lord Adonai placed a curse upon the ground and the serpent. This curse on the soil is followed by Adam’s son Cain after he kills his brother: “The Lord said, “What have you done? Listen! Your brother’s blood cries out to me from the ground. Now you are under a curse and driven from the ground, which opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand. When you work the ground, it will no longer yield its crops for you” (Genesis 4:10-12 NIV).

After the flood came and Noah came out of the ark and built an altar to the Lord, that curse on the ground and the earth was broken. “And the Lord smelled a sweet savor; and the Lord said in his heart, I will not again curse the ground anymore for man’s sake; for the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth; neither will I smite any more everything living, as I have done” (Genesis 8:21 KJV). So, God knew that we had evil in us, even from our youth, yet He removed the curse on the ground.

Noah knew the curse was removed, and he planted a vineyard afterward. The land would once again be fruitful. Yahweh goes on to say this. “I will never again destroy every living thing, as I have done. While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease” (Gen. 8:21-22, ESV). This is a loving God who goes on in chapter nine to say that not just the plants and vegetation would be for food but also for the animals.

“And the Lord will take away from thee all sickness and will put none of the evil diseases of Egypt, which thou knowest, upon thee; but will lay them upon all them that hate thee” (Deut 7:15, KJV). Now, wait a minute, did you catch that? God is going to put sickness on people that hate His people. Wow! That doesn’t mean that every person who gets sick hates Israel. We know that is not the truth. This verse was more than likely speaking about the terrible plagues of boils and other ailments sent to Egypt during Pharaoh’s rebellion against Yahweh.

Sickness wasn’t something we hear Adam or Eve dying from, nor was it something Abraham or Isaac had, but Elisha, one of the mightiest men, died of a disease. “Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died” (II Kings 13:14, KJV). Elisha raised the dead, made an ax head float, cured Naaman of leprosy, and so forth, yet he died in his sickness. Several missionaries who were with Paul became sick, and Paul was not able to heal them but told the people these men had risked their life for the sake of the Gospel. You can read about Epaphroditus in Philippians, the second chapter, and a man named Trophimus in 2nd Timothy chapter four. “Erastus abode at Corinth; but Trophimus have i left at miletum sick” (II Timothy 4:20, KJV).

Both men were doing work for the Lord, and both men were with Paul. Now Paul was the apostle who could heal the sick with his apron. Why would Paul leave a man sick if he could heal him? Why then were they not healed? I hear men and women proclaim, “Greater works shall we do,” but Paul left Trophimus sick. Sickness can be challenging to grasp. Paul told Timothy, “Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach’s sake and thine often infirmities” (1 Timothy 5:23, KJV). The water back then wasn’t fit to drink, and the wine helped kill the parasites and bacteria. So, we see wine as a medicine prescribed by the Apostle Paul. He doesn’t say, “Timothy, don’t speak your stomach troubles, don’t even claim them, life, and death are in the power of the tongue. tell the devil where to go.” No, that does not happen, nor will you find one of these great men of God ever prescribing that formula.

Now, I want you to think about medicine differently. 2nd Kings 20 tells a story about a king named Hezekiah. Adonai told him to get his house so that He was taking Hezekiah’s life. Now this man was Godly, he was not a sinner, and when he heard it, he began to weep and argue his case with God. “In those days was Hezekiah sick unto death. And the prophet Isaiah the son of Amos came to him, and said unto him, thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order; for thou shalt die, and not live” (II Kings 20:1, KJV). Wow, can you imagine being greeted with this type of Word from God? He was only around forty years old. We all like to hear a prophetic word from the Lord, but not one of such doom. Hezekiah begins to cry out to the Lord and bring before Him how he has served Him with a perfect heart. The Bible says, “He wept sore.”

Before Isaiah left the court of his kingdom, God tells him to go back and listen to the beautiful promise He gives him. “Thus saith the Lord, the God of David thy father, I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will heal thee: on the third day thou shalt go up into the house of the Lord” (II Kings 20:5, KJV).

“And Isaiah said, take a lump of figs. And they took and laid it on the boil, and he recovered” (II Kings 20:7 KJV). Yes, good ole herbs, figs, and plants can cure many diseases.

Adam lived to be nine hundred and thirty years old, now that’s a ripe old age. The Bible says Moses lived to be a hundred and twenty years old and that his eyes were not dim, and his natural force was unabated. He still had the strength of a young man. No sickness there.

Remember, Yeshua healed. However, He didn’t just do it for any reason; there was always a lesson to learn. I hear people say, “Yeshua healed all; however, He didn’t heal everyone entirely. Yeshua has trouble in His hometown and says, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on A few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief.” (Mark 6:4-6, KJV). So we have unbelief. We also read about a man at the pool of Bethesda who was healed, but we don’t read anywhere in that story that the many others lying there were healed. Then we have an account after Jesus’ resurrection about a man who was laid at the temple gate for years. “Now a man who was lame from birth was being carried to the temple gate called Beautiful, where he was put every day to beg from those going into the temple courts” (Acts 3:2, NIV). Now Peter and John walk past him and say, “Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk”(Acts 3:6 KJV). Now we know Yeshua walked into the temple many times He must have passed this man.

Each time we study healings in the Bible, the process amazes me. Even from the Old Testament, Elijah laid his body upon the Shunammite’s son, who died, and then the boy sneezed seven times and came back to life. You have Naaman, who had to dip seven times in some water far from clean to get his healing. Then you have the priest who would quarantine the sick for seven days before checking their ailments, but how did Yeshua do it? Most asked Him to heal them. The lepers said, “If you will, you can make us clean,” and so Yeshua did. Blind Barnabas cried out all the more for his healing. The people tried to quiet him, but he would not give in. One blind man was healed after Yeshua took some clay or mud and spat on it and placed it on his eyeball. Then the man had to wash his eye in a pool of water. All the way there, the man’s faith was brewing, and he was saying, after I wash, I will see.

The woman whose daughter was vexed with a demon would not relent but had faith. Yeshua never met her daughter, but the Bible says the demon left her the same hour. Yeshua wanted to hear them speak it. He wanted to know that they believed He truly was able to make them whole. Sometimes He told them their sins were forgiven after He healed them, and sometimes He just felt virtue go out of Him, as He did with the woman with the issue of blood. Other times Yeshua didn’t heal them; he waited until they were DEAD, and then He called them to come forth. Yes, He is amazing!

Sickness and disease are mentioned in full detail in the book of Deuteronomy. There is a list of blessings and a list of curses. Most ministers and sheep are very familiar with the scriptures that ring, ‘You will be the head and not the tail, above and not beneath,” but little is discussed the curses and why they come. The 28th chapter of Deuteronomy begins a shortlist of blessing, around twenty or so, and then it goes on to list the sickness and suffering of curses which far outweigh the blessings. These things would fall upon the nation and people who worship idols and do not keep God’s commandments and statutes.

“The LORD will send upon you curses, confusion, and rebuke, in all you undertake to do, until you are destroyed and until you perish quickly, on account of the evil of your deeds, because you have forsaken me. The LORD will make the pestilence cling to you until He has consumed you from the land where you are entering to possess it. The LORD will SMITE YOU with consumption and with fever and with inflammation and with fiery heat and with the sword and with blight and with mildew, and they will pursue you until you perish. The heaven which is over your head shall be bronze, and the earth, which is under you, iron. The LORD will make the rain of your land powder and dust; from heaven it shall come down on you until you are destroyed. The Lord will smite thee with the botch of Egypt and with tumors, scabs and itch, sickness that cannot be healed” (Deuteronomy 28:20-24, 27).

The list is much too long to go over, but here are a few more. “The Lord will smite thee in the knees and in the legs with a sore botch that cannot be healed from the sole of your feet to the top of your head” (Deut. 28:35, KJV). So many forms of sickness and blindness are mentioned that it’s too much to list them all. Also, every sickness and every plague and all the diseases of Egypt He promised to bring until everyone is destroyed. These don’t come from Satan, but from Yahweh and on a people, who are sold out to idolatry.

I hear many people today talk about sickness. They make comments about a lack of faith, wrong confessions, and hidden sin, and they usually blame it on Satan. Most of the time, what I hear does not line up with the word of HaShem. How can we have a miracle—a healing—without sickness and suffering? Today, many ministers think sickness enters due to sin and the devil, but that cannot always be the case. “As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents that he was born blind? “Neither this man nor his parents sinned,” said Jesus, “but this happened so that the works of God might be displayed in him”(John 9:1-3).

Moses told the Lord that he was not eloquent or good at making speeches, but God answers him with this, “Who has made man’s mouth? or who makes the dumb or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the Lord?” (Exodus 4:11, KJV).

Many would call blindness, deafness, and paralysis a curse from Satan. But we just read God created it. When we read the New Testament, we find how they prayed for the sick. Today much has been distorted, especially in the Charismatic movement. Let us examine this again.

“As Peter traveled about the country, he went to visit the Lord’s people who lived in Lydda. There he found a man named Aeneas, who was paralyzed and had been bedridden for eight years. “Aeneas,” Peter said to him, “Jesus Christ heals you. Get up and roll up your mat.” Immediately Aeneas got up” (Acts 9:32-34).

Peter, did not ask God to get to the root of his sickness. He did not plead the blood over him or break generational curses. He did not bind anything. Peter did not say, “Aeneas, I’m sorry, but you just don’t have enough faith right now. Study Hebrews chapter eleven for a few more years, and I will be back to lay hands on you.”

King David said this about sickness and suffering, “Before I was afflicted, I went astray: but now have I kept thy word. Thou art good and doest good; teach me thy statutes” (Psalm 119: 67-6, KJV). He goes on in verse seventy-one to say, “It is GOOD for me that I have been afflicted; that I might learn thy statutes. I know, O Lord, that thy judgments are right, and that thou in faithfulness hast afflicted me.”

Job makes a statement in chapter twenty, one about what the wicked man’s life is like. He says, “Their houses are safe from fear. Neither is the rod of God upon them.” He talks about how they spend their days in wealth. King David speaks almost the same word in Psalm 73:3-5, “For I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked. They (The Wicked) have no struggles; their bodies are healthy and strong. They are free from common human burdens; they are not plagued by human ills.”

Job makes a comment to his wife after she tells him to curse God and die. He tells her she speaks as a foolish woman would speak. “What? Shall we receive good at the hand of God and not receive evil?” (Job 2:10, KJV).

Sometimes we give Satan too much credit. Occasionally, I think we spend too much time talking to Satan and about him. Many have been taught that every sickness comes from Satan or hidden sin. They never consider that this earth is getting old and that we have polluted it badly with factories, chemicals, landfills, oil spills, and water that is no longer fit to drink. Some believe we need more faith, and that medicine is not of our Father. I have seen countless people go off their medication and become severely sick, especially the mentally ill.

Sickness in a positive form is often mentioned in the Bible. If you read the parable of the great supper, you will find that the healthy, wealthy, and wise in their own eyes, did not have time to come to this great feast of the Lord. “The servant returned and told his master what they had said. His master was furious and said, ‘Go quickly into the streets and alleys of the town and invite the poor, the crippled, the blind, and the lame” (Luke 14:21, NLT).

Yes, the wealthy, busy people of the world rejected his invitation but not the sick and the poor. Why were they so willing to come? Sickness and poverty can humble a person significantly and cause them to realize that they need a Savior.

A man named Paul was one of the greatest apostles of all time. Paul didn’t start out that way. In fact, he was one of the persecutors of the church. He was one of the main ones who helped stone the Christians and threw them into prison. And the Bible says that as he was on his way to Damascus, he saw a bright light shining down from heaven, and he heard a voice, and he fell down on the ground. “And Saul arose from the earth; and when his eyes were opened, he saw no man: but they led him by the hand, and brought him into Damascus. And he was three days without sight, and neither did eat nor drink” (Acts 9:6-9, KJV)

So we have just read how HaShem struck Saul (Paul) blind for three days. He got Saul’s attention. By striking him with blindness, he was able to humble Paul. We even read here how he fasted and prayed during those three days. We also hear the voice of the Lord say that he will show Paul how greatly he must suffer for His name’s sake. Now Paul went on to influence Christian thinking in a way no other apostle could. He wrote at least seven books in the New Testament, books on bringing praise and glory to God. Through his suffering and famine type circumstances, he became a humble Apostle. He also said he was given a thorn in his flesh, a messenger from Satan to buffet him. He asked God three times to take it away, but God said, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me” (II Corinthians 12:9).

Sickness may be something you pay more attention to in the scripture now. Our bodies are supposed to get old. Paul said, “Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day” (II Corinthians 4:16).

“Remember, “Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died” (II Kings 13:14). Years later, a dead man was thrown into his tomb, landed on his bones, and was revived. He came back to life and stood upon his feet! He might have died of sickness and disease, but God’s word was still shut up in his bones, and his bones brought forth life.

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America, Elijah's prophetic Cup, Tekoa Manning, TM

Our nation–Job’s Wisdom

Posted on October 1, 2020October 14, 2020 by Tekoa

If you follow my Tekoa page or Facebook page, this blog is a couple of posts I’ve combined with a passage from an upcoming book on America and the wisdom of Job for our nation. I still have no working title but do feel it will be a book for a season that looks bleak to bring hope. If you already have read my post, scroll down to the free chapter. Blessings and Happy Sukkot!

The first post is from 9/30/2020:

I have read many comments and posts concerning the debate last night. I’ve also been reading many posts concerning The Return. Some were very harsh on the D.C. gathering– warning of the anti-messiah, freemasons, being too patriotic and a false revival, false repentance, etc. The most heartbreaking words were toward a messianic Rabbi Who spoke with great humility and said a prayer as close to Ezra’s or Nehemiah’s as I have ever heard. His prayer During The Return caused both my husband and I to get on our faces and weep. Does that mean we agreed with all who spoke or everything said? No.
Rabbi Kohn was sent years ago to a pastor who had cheated on his wife, embezzled money, and was put in prison for a season. With humbleness, I have watched him sit with Christmas trees behind him and teach the Father’s Feast days. It might not look right to some, but I’m sure taking a wife of harlotry (Hosea) or walking naked And barefoot (Isaiah), or making a city out of pots and pans didn’t look right either.

During the Day of Atonement, we ask for mercy for our sins, and we desire His mercy, but do we have compassion and mercy for others? Do we fear to slander men who are trying to do what they can to spread the Gospel? Do we have a Jonah attitude, or do we accept that our Father is merciful, slow to anger, and full of compassion, and we are grass? Who are we that He is mindful of us? Are we screaming to be heard, and spreading fear, instead of becoming one? Are we sick from the top of the head to the soles of the feet?
Are we the religious police who must draw men to ourselves as if we are the only ones capable of teaching the truth or capable of warning them of falseness? Again, heartbreaking. If it were up to some, they would be the only teacher anyone was allowed to be taught by.

There are many verses written ages ago warning of false messiahs that had come and will come. John said,
“Children, it is the last hour; and just as you have heard that the antichrist is coming, so now many antichrists have appeared.”
There is another verse that I’m reminded of:
“At that time, if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There He is!’ do not believe it.” Matthew 24:23.
There is also an anti-messiah spirit, and it can work through any of us.
Two men stood up to speak last night, and my heart broke for both of them. Why? Because when men like Ezra speak, people fall on their faces and repent. When men argue and talk over one another, it’s hard to listen. These men need prayer. Humility is refreshing. A heart that’s for a nation that is burning, being destroyed from the inside and full of bloodshed and unrest needs more than make America great again; it needs America to fear a King who is coming again to set up an everlasting kingdom. How will He rule?

“And He will delight in the fear of the LORD, And He will not judge by what His eyes see, Nor make a decision by what His ears hear; But with righteousness, He will judge the poor, And decide with fairness for the afflicted of the earth; And He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He will slay the wicked.” (Isaiah 11:3-4).

This nation needs repentance. I saw some of that at the Return. Maybe it was patriotic, and maybe there were issues, but I was pleased to hear shofars and songs by Paul Wilbur exalting The Great Elohiym. Our nation needs revival, but many are against even speaking the word revival because it’s not Torah enough. Because great tribulation and a day of darkness are coming–this is true, but out of great darkness comes great light.

And I’m hearing from friends who are preaching in Streets and parks and baptizing people. Ministers are going to the streets and loving the angry and broken to weeping. And yet many are slandering that they aren’t using the correct name of His Son, Yeshua. I say, know your audience. I say do what you can with what you have. A man in Acts didn’t have all the story, but he was preaching boldly, and then the Father sent helpers.

“Now a Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by birth, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the Scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately the things concerning Jesus, being acquainted only with the baptism of John; and he began to speak out boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately. (Acts 18:24-26).
Abba is faithful to send humble servants to help those spreading all the light they have with boldness.

These two men, Trump and Biden, who stood debating Will one day bow their knees to a higher power. Yes, one day, every knee will bow, even those who sow discord among brethren. I’m starting to think fasting words are more powerful than food, especially if they are full of finger-pointing and negativity and slander.
Men of flesh cannot come up with words or actions that pierce hearts or change the people of a nation without being engrossed in His Word and fearing Him–Him who places men on thrones and removes them. No amount of money, lost votes thrown in trash cans, corrupt media, or any other deceit can stop the Father from placing which man he wants on the thrown. And He may not want the one you are picking for His own reasons. He sent His servant Nebuchadnezzar. He erected gallows for Haman by Haman. I’m praying for them both. I’m praying for our nation. No matter who is elected, if you say, “Well, our nation is going to collapse now. We are finished.” Then you are placing trust in one of these men and not the one in control. Sometimes our temples need to be destroyed so He can rebuild them.

Ezra 9:
“O my God, I am ashamed and embarrassed to lift up my face to You, my God, because our iniquities are higher than our heads, and our guilt has reached the heavens. From the days of our fathers to this day, our guilt has been great. Because of our iniquities, we and our kings and priests have been delivered into the hands of the kings of the earth and put to the sword and captivity, to pillage and humiliation, as we are this day.
But now, for a brief moment, grace has come from the LORD our God to preserve for us a remnant and to give us a stake in His holy place. Even in our bondage, our God has given us new life and light to our eyes. Though we are slaves, our God has not forsaken us in our bondage, but He has extended to us grace in the sight of the kings of Persia, giving us new life to rebuild the house of our God and repair its ruins, and giving us a wall of protection in Judah and Jerusalem.
And now, our God, what can we say after this? For we have forsaken the commandments that You gave through Your servants the prophets, saying: ‘The land that you are entering to possess is a land polluted by the impurity of its peoples and the abominations with which they have filled it from end to end. Now, therefore, do not give your daughters in marriage to their sons or take their daughters for your sons. Never seek their peace or prosperity, so that you may be strong and may eat the good things of the land, leaving it as an inheritance to your sons forever.’
After all that has come upon us because of our evil deeds and our great guilt (though You, our God, have punished us less than our iniquities deserve and have given us such a remnant as this), shall we again break Your commandments and intermarry with the peoples who commit these abominations? Would You not become so angry with us as to wipe us out, leaving no remnant or survivor?
O LORD, God of Israel, You are righteous! For we remain this day as a remnant. Here we are before You in our guilt, though, because of it no one can stand before You.”

The second post is from 10/1/2020:

More thoughts this morning:
Pull up a debate from the 40s to the ’80s and compare it to today. It’s much more civilized. Reagan was even able to cause Mondale to laugh at his humor directed at him. But we’ve become so desensitized to our words and how we speak about people, we may not hear the full assassination of our words. Did Elohim give these men running for office life? Is His Breath in their lungs? Satan has created nothing, matter a fact, he was created by HaShem for His purposes. Was not Biden, as well as Trump, created in their mother’s womb? Will they not stand as you and I before the Judge of all the earth one day? Do they appear to be full of knowledge and wisdom from on High? Do they look strong and righteous having the ability to tame their tongues? Do their words like Job mentions, cause men to wait and listen for words that were as rain to parched souls? The wisdom that causes silence–

“To me they listened and waited,
And kept silent for my counsel.

“After my words they did not speak again,
And my speech dropped on them.

“They waited for me as for the rain,
And opened their mouth as for the spring rain.” (Job 29:21-32).
Possibly, we were allowed to see the opposite during the debate so we can get a better understanding of how frail and incapable men who have but a breath in their nostrils are of healing any type of pestilence and unrest on the earth.

I have to wonder what it would be like today to have such a job as president of the U.S. when our nation is burning. Our streets are full of violence and pestilence, and our economy, due to COVID, has suffered dramatically.
If someone gave me the job tomorrow, I wouldn’t want it. I’d lay prostrate in fear and ask as Solomon for wisdom. We need to pray for our president.
Many go to excellent links to make their candidates appear more worthy, more righteous, and more concerned about the people of America, but more than 2.2 million acres have burned in the state of California alone–Fires started by wicked men. The damage from riots and looting across the U.S. is estimated to be the costliest in insurance history – between $1 billion and $2 billion or more. Due to riots, thousands have been arrested, and many deaths have occurred, both to police and civilians. We wear a mask, but our mouths spew evil, and we wash, but we aren’t clean.
Can a fleshly man who puts his pants on like you and I fix evil and lawlessness? Can a fleshly man heal hearts and bring justice and mercy and shalom? Can a man or woman with any skin tone under the heavens fix America? I think we all know the answer to that but they can stand for LIFE, and put out fires, both internally and externally.
When other nations look at our streets on the news, what do they think? Looting, burning, violence, bloodshed, drugs, sex trafficking, child abuse, and cursing… evil upon evil. Hatred and rage and unrest. The earth is Crying Out.
I know Babylon is a harlot system, but One passage comes to mind– in one-hour judgment comes upon her.

“The kings of the earth who committed fornication and lived luxuriously with her will weep and lament for her, when they see the smoke of her burning, standing at a distance for fear of her torment, saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! For in one hour, your judgment has come.’
“And the merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her, for no one buys their merchandise any more: merchandise of gold and silver, precious stones and pearls, fine linen and purple, silk and scarlet, every kind of citron wood, every kind of object of ivory, every kind of object of most precious wood, bronze, iron, and marble; and cinnamon and incense, fragrant oil and frankincense, wine and oil, fine flour and wheat, cattle and sheep, horses and chariots, and bodies and souls of men. The fruit that your soul longed for has gone from you, and all the things which are rich and splendid have gone from you, and you shall find them no more at all. The merchants of these things, who became rich by her, will stand at a distance for fear of her torment, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city that was clothed in fine linen, purple, and scarlet, and adorned with gold and precious stones and pearls! For in one hour, such great riches came to nothing.’ Every shipmaster, all who travel by ship, sailors, and as many as trade on the sea, stood at a distance 18and cried out when they saw the smoke of her burning, saying, ‘What is like this great city?’
“They threw dust on their heads and cried out, weeping and wailing, and saying, ‘Alas, alas, that great city, in which all who had ships on the sea became rich by her wealth! For in one hour, she is made desolate.” Revelation 18:9–.

Things are coming upon us that we may not be prepared for. May it cause us to look UP and not at men to save us. Egypt cannot save us. No amount of wealth, power, or men with enticing words can save us. Men who have to read from an iPad because their cognitive mental capacity is weak. Men who cannot stop talking over other men because, like us, they have no idea how to be silent and tame their fire lit tongue for 2 minutes. Oh, that humility would fall on a nation. From the top of the head to the souls of the feet.

While this debate goes on and we draw closer to the election, I pray that we look to the Maker of Heaven and earth with humility and repentance. I pray that we do not place our hope or trust in men. I’m praying the Father gets our attention to the point we see our frailty and sickness and try to be lights to all people, even those we disagree with. This may not be our home, but it’s our home now, and the Earth is the Lords Adonai. He is not going to throw it away. We are not going to be taken out in a rapture. Where are the ones who were taken in scripture? Who are they?
“There will be two women grinding at the same place; one will be taken and the other will be left. “Two men will be in the field; one will be taken and the other will be left.” And answering they said to Him, “Where, Lord?” And He said to them, “Where the body is, there also the vultures will be gathered.” Luke 17:35-37 NASB.
Vultures gather to eat the flesh of the dead just as they gathered in Noah’s day after the flood. We will be left not taken, and
One day He will restore this earth to its proper condition. We go back to the garden.

Have a wonderful Sukkot, and as we celebrate the birth of the Messiah remember these words and who we place our trust in. (John 7:37-38) Now on the last day of the festival, Hoshana Rabbah, Yeshua, stood and cried out, “If anyone is thirsty, let him keep coming to me and drinking! Whoever puts his trust in me, as the Scripture says, rivers of living water will flow from his inmost being!”

Before I get to the excerpt from the upcoming release, Please pray for me as I have several books being edited and I need to know which one is to come forth first and also if the Father would want a publisher to take over. It is hard and tedious to pay for editing, make changes and new editions, and market. We also want to make sure it is His Word’s and anointing flowing through this pen and not just my own thoughts.

3 Job

“Behold, He restrains the waters, and they dry up;” (Job 12:15).

During the time of the Great Depression, the people waited for rain. They walked outside and searched for clouds with weary eyes. Their tongues stuck to the roof of their mouths. Their eyes stung from the dust that pricked their irises and made them walk like blind men. Dust kicked up and filled their parched throats. They prayed for rain, they sighed for rain, and they threw their hands up in the air for rain, but not a drop fell.

Many Americans are praying for peace, healing, justice, and order. Rioters in Minneapolis caused over 55 million in damages alone. As our nation searches for a drop of His Spiritual rain, none falls. I know that Adonai can open the windows of heaven and pour out His healing balm, but that will require us to take action through repentance and change. Many are expressing that it feels as if God has removed His strong right Arm of protection. Job felt like this. He sat in the dust and scraped his oozing sores with broken pottery. His own wife told him to curse Adonai and die. But if you want to know the secret to an abundant life, Job can tell you. There are genuine riches and gold that cannot be bought with money.

This man, Job, had a great life before his destruction hit. When he went out to the gate of the city, young men fled, older men stood, princes, refrained from talking, and nobles held their peace. Men kept silent at this man’s counsel, and after he spoke, they were left in awe. We know Job, though, for the time of famine he went through. Whether Job was a real person or a fable, this man went through a Great Depression way before the nation of America existed. This man went through the death of his children and lost his joy and all he had worked for in a moment.

In Job chapter 29, Job talks about the days before his destruction. He describes a life some have dreamed about, but I believe it can be attainable. Many of the answers to our financial, spiritual, and physical needs are written in this one chapter. Job is reminiscing about his past, the life he had lived under the protection of the Almighty. While reading these words, carefully meditate on the richness.

“And Job again took up his discourse and said,

“Oh that I were as in months gone by,

As in the days when God watched over me;

When His lamp shone over my head,

And by His light I walked through darkness;

As I was in the prime of my days,

When the friendship of God was over my tent;

When the Almighty was yet with me,

And my children were around me;

When my steps were bathed in butter,

And the rock poured out for me streams of oil!

“When I went out to the gate of the city,

When I took my seat in the square,

The young men saw me and hid themselves,

And the old men arose and stood.

“The princes stopped talking

And put their hands on their mouths;

The voice of the nobles was hushed,

And their tongue stuck to their palate.

“For when the ear heard, it called me blessed,

And when the eye saw, it gave witness of me,” (Job 29:1-11, NASB)

When was the last time we had princes and nobles astounded at our words? Has America ever washed her steps with butter? Butter and oil were symbols of wealth, luxury, and the anointing. And how often do we see men such as Job speak in front of the leaders of our nation? How did Job ((Iyov) get this esteem —this wealth? How did he get this prestige and favor from HaShem and man? The next verses hold the answers.

“Because I (Job-Iyyob) delivered the poor that cried, and the fatherless, and him that had none to help him, the blessings of him that was ready to perish came upon me: And I caused the widow’s heart to sing for joy. I put on righteousness, and it clothed me. My judgment was a robe and a diadem. I was eyes to the blind, and feet was I to the lame: And the cause which I knew not I searched out” (Job 29:12-14, KJB).

How can a nation and people be feet to the lame? We carry them. How can a nation be eyes to the blind? This comes when we see their sorrow and direct them with wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. Why would a widow’s heart be filled with joy? If her husband just passed away and she has children to feed, and then Job shows up at her door, she knows he is going to take care of them. He will feed her children and clothe them! He puts on righteousness as a garment because he is busy doing righteous acts. These are robes of the noble.

The Bible states in Job 29:13, that when the people died, they left their possessions to Job. Why would people leave their belongings and property to this man and not their relatives? Job helped them during their darkest hour when they had no rain. Job came when no one else would. He did much for others, even to his hurt. Job does not stop there. He says, “I broke the jaws of the wicked, and plucked the spoil out of his teeth” (29:17).

“Unto me, men gave ear, and waited, and kept silent at my counsel. After my words, they spake not again; and my speech dropped upon them. And they waited for me as the rain: and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain. If I laughed on them, they believed it not; and the light of my countenance they cast not down. I chose out their way and sat chief, and dwelt as a king in the army, as one that comforteth the mourners” (Job 29:21-25, KJB).

Did you notice how very similar this verse is to the one in Deuteronomy that we read earlier?

Have you ever met someone who was known for his or her greatness? Maybe it was an actor, sports star, author, or righteous leader. Whoever it was, you could not wait to tell your friends and family about meeting the person. Job was a celebrity in this way. He said if he laughed with them, they thought it was too good to be true that they were cutting up and having a good time with none other than Job. Job was so blessed that his presence and his words were like rain to the people around him. We will look at this rain with better vision in our next chapter.

“And they waited for me as the rain and they opened their mouth wide as for the latter rain” (Job 29:23). KJB

Blessings!

Check out my devotional Thirsting for Water for the New Year.

Unsplash photo by Engin akyurt

prophetic, Tekoa Manning, TM, torah

Prophetic Word for Elul–(Is it Evening?)

Posted on September 9, 2020October 14, 2020 by Tekoa

For shorter podcast/Video click the link below.

While studying and meditating during the month of Elul, I heard in my spirit that evening was here—that darkness comes before light.
Now, this is something most know if they have ever read Genesis/ Bereshit Chapter one. “The earth was formless and void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of God was moving over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2). It is after this sentence that Adonai said, “Let there be light and there was light. This light came before the sun, moon, and the stars. The sages call it as Ohr Ha-Ganuz, “the Hidden Light.” This light will shine again at a future time.
“And the city has no need of the sun or of the moon to shine on it, for the glory of God has illumined it, and its lamp is the Lamb. The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. In the daytime (for there will be no night there)” Rev. 21:23-25.
Our Messiah is light. The Torah is light. The Torah is a lamp for our feet, but this is not what the Father was directing me to search out. It was evening. Then it was dark.
The evening comes before darkness. Darkness before light. When will it be pitch black? When will the earth and the people feel such darkness? “Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even a darkness which may be felt” (Exodus 10:21). There are multiple ways to feel darkness. Anyone who has lived very long upon this earth has felt some form of darkness.
One of my favorite books is called Night by Elie Wiesel. In one portion of the book, Wiesel tells a story that has never left me. This story makes all the darkness I’ve experienced seem lighter in comparison. One portion of his account of the holocaust recounts the hanging of a young child. Wiesel hears a man asking, “Where is God? For God’s sake, where is God?” Elie Wiesel writes:
“And from within me, I heard a voice answer: “Where is He? This is where—hanging here from this gallows.” His most potent passage paints a scene so black one can see the chimneys’ blackened smoke and smell the horrors of death.
“Never shall I forget that night, the first night in camp, that turned my life into one long night seven times sealed.
Never shall I forget the smoke.
Never shall I forget the small faces of children whose bodies I saw transformed into smoke under a silent sky. Never shall I forget those flames that consumed my faith forever. Never shall I forget the nocturnal silence that deprived me for all eternity of the desire to live. Never shall I forget those moments that murdered my God and my soul and turned my dreams to ashes. Never shall I forget those things, even were I condemned to live as long as God Himself.
Never.”
Elie Wiesel, Night
During this darkness, a few in the camp put God on trial. Elie said, “It happened at night; there were just three people. At the end of the trial, they used the word chayav, rather than ‘guilty’. It means ‘He owes us something’. Then we went to pray.”

Elie continued to pray to HaShem His God there in the camps. He continued to keep the Sabbath as best as he could. He risked his life to put on tefillin that were smuggled in. In the “night,” he still prayed the Shema. Jesus/ Yeshua said this was the greatest commandment.
“Which commandment is the most important of all?”
Jesus replied, “This is the most important: ‘Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ h No other commandment is greater than these.” (Mark 12:29-31—Deut. 6:1-19).
Elie Wiesel experienced evening before night. It was gradual. The sun was setting, but he could still see light. Things got a little darker before too long and a little more until he was crammed in a cattle car with dead bodies and a bucket for waste. Evening is something I want you to meditate on. Evening means “the mixing.” It is a mixing of darkness and light often used to describe people. Our prayers begin in the evening. (Psalm 55:17) “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.”
When Noah landed and let the black raven out, it flew back and forth. Much flesh was awaiting its beak, not so with the dove.
“And behold, the dove returned to him in the evening with a freshly plucked olive leaf in her beak. So Noah knew that the waters had receded from the earth” (Genesis 8:11).
May we return to Him in the evening like the dove–to the Ark of His covenant. Returning with Israel freshly plucked and in our beaks (mouths), white (pure), and hovering over the waters. The dove returned in the evening. Evening can cause many to return to Him. Evening comes before darkness, and darkness comes before the Messiah. The day of the Lord Adonai is said to be a day of darkness and not light.
“Blow the ram’s horn in Zion;

Sound the alarm on My holy mountain!

Let all who dwell in the land tremble,

for the Day of the LORD is coming;

indeed, it is near—

a day of darkness and gloom,

a day of clouds and blackness” (Joel 2:1-2).
Evening has its own mysteries. Many things in scripture happened in the evening, not in the morning.
(Gen.19:1) And there came two angels to Sodom in the evening. . .
Violent men came out in the evening in Sodom, but so did Abba’s two messengers who may also represent the (Torah/prophets—Moses and Elijah).
Wicked men who wanted to sodomize the messengers came forth in the evening. Then something happens that is very prophetic in nature. “But the men (messengers/ angels) inside reached out, pulled Lot into the house with them, and shut the door. And they struck the men at the entrance, young and old, with blindness, so that they wearied themselves trying to find the door” (Gen. 19:10). Yeshua is the door. These wicked men cannot find the door due to their darkness. Yeshua said, “But if your eyes are bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light within you is darkness, how great is that darkness!” (Matt. 6:23). The Father shut the door of the Ark during the flood. “Then the LORD shut him in” (Gen. 7:16). The Father did not remove Noah and his family from the storm; he protected them in the darkness. But what was happening at evening? What did evening look like for Noah and his family? Was he busy working even in the dim light?
“…the righteous Noah rebuked them, urging, ‘Repent; for if not, the Holy One, blessed be He, will bring a deluge upon you and cause your bodies to float upon the water like gourds, as it is written, He is light [i.e., floats] upon the waters. Moreover, ye shall be taken as a curse for all future generations, as it is written, their portion is cursed’ in the earth.” (Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 108a).
Not only was it evening during Noah’s day, but it was evening during Abraham’s day in one location, Sodom and Gomorrah.
“But the same day that Lot went out of Sodom it rained fire and brimstone from heaven, and destroyed them all. Even thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed” (Matt. 17:29-30).
There is a woman that comes out in pitch darkness.
“For at the window of my house I looked through my lattice, And I saw among the simple, I perceived among the youths, A young man lacking heart, Passing through the street near her corner; And he went the way to her house. In the twilight, in the evening, In the black and dark night. And look, a woman met him, Dressed like a whore, With a hidden heart” (Proverbs 7:6-9, ISR).

The fall feasts are upon us. They come just as it gets darker outside. Not only does evening come swiftly, but the darkness in our streets filled with unrest also seems to grow more significant with darkness.
Darkness is also a word used to describe protection and beauty, as magnificent as a black stallion—a black panther slinking through the jungle, A black butterfly, or a black sapphire ring. Darkness is a womb protected by water. Darkness represents being hidden. Darkness is when the beast comes out of the jungle, the fields, the forest, stalking, and searching to devour something in the darkness. When someone is robbed, shot, or sexually assaulted, if it happens in the daytime, we proclaim, “They did it in broad daylight!” Yet, Adonai dwells in thick darkness.
“The LORD has said that he would dwell in thick darkness” (I Kings 8:12).
“He made darkness His hiding place, His canopy around Him, Darkness of waters, thick clouds of the skies” (Psalm 18:11).
`araphel is Strong’s H6205: thick darkness (8x), darkness (3x), gross darkness (2x), dark cloud (1x), dark (1x). (Exo 20:21) “And the people stood afar off, and Moses drew near unto the thick darkness H6205 where God was.”
“He bowed the heavens also, and came down.

With thick darkness under His feet.

“And He rode on a cherub and flew;
And He appeared on the wings of the wind.

“And He made darkness canopies around Him,
A mass of waters, thick clouds of the sky.

“From the brightness before Him
Coals of fire were kindled.

“The LORD thundered from heaven,
And the Most High uttered His voice.

“And He sent out arrows, and scattered them,
Lightning, and routed them” (II Samuel 22:10-15).

Could the evening be approaching our timeline spiritually? Evening comes before the Son/ sun. Evening comes bringing Jacob’s trouble and great tribulation before we see the sign of the Son of Man. Evening comes before wars, rumors of wars, before pestilence, and famine. Evening and “mourning” come before death and destruction. Evening comes, and the world grows cold and dark. Thieves break in and steal in the evening. They wear black. Death is draped in black clothing, black scarves, and black caskets driven in black hearses. But evening is not pitch black. Evening still has some light to work with. We are told to work while it is still light because the fall feasts represent the time of our Messiah’s return, and this occurs before winter brings death.

“It will come about in that day,” declares the Lord GOD,
“That I will make the sun go down at noon
And make the earth dark in broad daylight.

“Then I will turn your festivals into mourning
And all your songs into lamentation;
And I will bring sackcloth on everyone’s loins
And baldness on every head.
And I will make it like a time of mourning for an only son,
And the end of it will be like a bitter day” (Amos 8:9-10).

In Zechariah 7, we see a glimpse of the return of the Messiah. All the nations will gather against Jerusalem to battle. On that day, the Lord Adonai will fight against those nations, and the Messiah’s feet will stand on the mount of olives, and the mount of olives will be split in half. Please meditate on the last passage, verse 7 below.
“In that day His feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, which is in front of Jerusalem on the east; and the Mount of Olives will be split in its middle from east to west by a very large valley, so that half of the mountain will move toward the north and the other half toward the south. You will flee by the valley of My mountains, for the valley of the mountains will reach to Azel; yes, you will flee just as you fled before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah. Then the LORD, my God, will come, and all the holy ones with Him!
In that day, there will be no light; the luminaries will dwindle. For it will be a unique day which is known to the LORD, neither day nor night, but it will come about that at evening time there will be light” (Zechariah 7:4-7).
In the evening, there will be LIGHT.

Back in March, before Pesach/ Passover, the Father spoke to me and said the Spirit of Elijah is here. Invite him in and open the door for he is here.
Now, He is telling me it’s evening. The evening can last a long time–years even in Adonai’s timeframe since a day to the Lord is a 1,000 years and 1,000 years is a day (2 Peter 3:8). It takes anywhere from 70 to 1,000 minutes to become dark after evening. 7 is completion. 1,000-year reign with our King. Symbols are everywhere.
Evening may be swiftly approaching when things get darker on the earth. I’m not date setting, but even the people in Noah’s day had a timeline.
A few years ago, I had a dream. During this time, my husband and I led up meetings and Feast gatherings at a city building. In my dream, we were in the building, and a couple came in with a baby in a car seat. A blanket partially covered the baby, and it was a boy. I greeted the mother and asked her what she had named her son. She said Methuselah. I just looked at her with large eyes. His name means, “When He Is Dead It Shall Be Sent, Man Of A Javelin.” When he died, the flood came and destroyed the earth. His name and life were a warning. Man doesn’t live as long these days as they did in his day. I am thinking it is evening, but evening also has its powerful symbols.
I want to shift this message to an uplifting one and close with powerful verses that are beautifully filled with His Holy Spirit that hovered over the water in the darkness, just like the dove Noah released.
“As evening approached, he made the camels kneel down near the well outside the town at the time when the women went out to draw water” (Genesis 24:11). Women are drawing water right now. This is Abraham’s servant Eliezer. He is a foreigner and younger. He is going to find a bride for Isaac (laughter) at evening, and his name means Yah is my help or helper. The Holy Spirit is called a helper. Eliezer also means Yahweh’s ten. Can you see the Holy Spirit coming in the evening and women drinking from the wellsprings of life? “The Lord gives the word; the women who announce the news are a great host: (Psalm 68:11, ESV).
Eliezer came for Rebbeca and adorned her with jewels/ gifts. This is the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). He is the giver of gifts and fine jewels, not Tiffany and Co.

In John 8:12, Yeshua spoke to the people and said, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”

Ephesians 5:8-9 says, “For once you were full of darkness, but now you have light from the Lord. So live as people of light! For this light within you produces only what is good and right and true.”

There is a Kingdom of darkness and a Kingdom of Light. (Isa 60:2). Darkness may cover the earth, but Adonai shall arise, and His glory will be upon us. Can you picture it?
“For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness ( ערפל araphel -H6205) the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee.”
“HEBREW WORD OF THE DAY: Darkness (ערפל araphel, Strong’s #6205): There are two words in the Hebrew translated as darkness. The most common is the word hhoshekh [str:2822] and means “darkness.” The other word is “araphel” and has a meaning that is something more than just darkness. In Exodus 20:21, we read, “And Moses approached the “araphel” where God was.” This darkness is a different type of darkness. It may be alluded to in Exodus 10:21, which mentions the “plague of darkness” (hhoshekh) that could be felt. We often associate darkness with evil, and light with good, but, interestingly, most of the times when God appears, it is in this araphel, such as we saw in Exodus 20:21 but also in 2 Samuel 22:10, 1 Kings 8:12, Job 22:13, Psalm 97:2 and other places.” Jeff Benner.

Jeff Benner has one more nugget that I found worth sharing. It’s the definition of the word shine.

Shine–The word ‘or, as a noun means “light” and as a verb, it means to “give light” or “shine.” It is also related to the idea of bringing order, in the same way, that you bring about order in the darkness when you turn on the lights.

Strong’s: #216

May He appear, and may His Spirit hover over the water. May light spring forth out of the darkness and heal His people. May we be pockets of light all over this earth, shining.

Tekoa Manning

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