Shabbat Message of
1) And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. 2) Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the elohim do to me , and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. 3) And when he saw that , he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Yahudah, and left his servant there. 4) But he himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O YHWH, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers. 5) And as he lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. 6) And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. 7) And the angel of YHWH came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. 8) And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of Elohim. 9) And he came thither unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, the word of YHWH came to him, and he said unto him, What doest thou here, Elijah? 10) And he said, I have been very jealous for YHWH Elohim of hosts: for the children of Yisra'El have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 11) And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before YHWH. And, behold, YHWH passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before YHWH; but YHWH was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but YHWH was not in the earthquake: 12) And after the earthquake a fire; but YHWH was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13) And it was so , when Elijah heard it , that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? 14) And he said, I have been very jealous for YHWH Elohim of hosts: because the children of Yisra'El have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. 15) And YHWH said unto him, Go, return on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: 16) And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Yisra'El: and Elisha the son of Shaphat of Abelmeholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room. 17) And it shall come to pass, that him that escapeth the sword of Hazael shall Jehu slay: and him that escapeth from the sword of Jehu shall Elisha slay. 18) Yet I have left me seven thousand in Yisra'El, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. 19) So he departed thence, and found Elisha the son of Shaphat, who was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen before him, and he with the twelfth: and Elijah passed by him, and cast his mantle upon him. 20) And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee? 21) And he returned back from him, and took a yoke of oxen, and slew them, and boiled their flesh with the instruments of the oxen, and gave unto the people, and they did eat. Then he arose, and went after Elijah, and ministered unto him.
Tradition
Religion - A strong belief in a supernatural power or powers that control human destiny
Tradition - An inherited pattern of thought or action; A specific practice of long standing
Hypocrisy - An expression of agreement that is not supported by real conviction; Insincerity by virtue of pretending to have qualities or beliefs that you do not really have
Mar 7:1-16 Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem. (2) And when they saw some of his disciples eat bread with defiled, that is to say, with unwashen, hands, they found fault. (3) For the Pharisees, and all the Jews, except they wash their hands oft, eat not, holding the tradition of the elders. (4) And when they come from the market, except they wash, they eat not. And many other things there be, which they have received to hold, as the washing of cups, and pots, brazen vessels, and of tables. (5) Then the Pharisees and scribes asked him, Why walk not thy disciples according to the tradition of the elders, but eat bread with unwashen hands? (6) He answered and said unto them, Well hath Isaiah prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoreth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. (7) Howbeit in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. (8) For laying aside the commandment of YHWH, ye hold the tradition of men, as the washing of pots and cups: and many other such like things ye do. (9) And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of YHWH, that ye may keep your own tradition. (10) For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, whoso curseth father or mother, let him die the death: (11) But ye say, If a man shall say to his father or mother, It is Corban, that is to say, a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me; he shall be free. (12) And ye suffer him no more to do aught for his father or his mother; (13) Making the word of YHWH of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.(14) And when he had called all the people unto him, he said unto them, Hearken unto me every one of you, and understand: (15) There is nothing from without a man, that entering into him can defile him: but the things which come out of him, those are they that defile the man. (16) If any man have ears to hear, let him hear.
Mar 7:20-23 And he said, That which cometh out of the man, that defileth the man. (21) For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders, (22) Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness: (23) All these evil things come from within, and defile the man.
Tevye - Tradition.. "You ask me why we do these things... I tell you.. I Don't Know!"
When we allow tradition in our lives we cancel YHWH's Word!
Mat 15:2-3 Why do thy disciples transgress the tradition of the elders? for they wash not their hands when they eat bread. (3) But he answered and said unto them, Why do ye also transgress the commandment of YHWH by your tradition?
Mar 7:13 Making the word of YHWH of none effect through your tradition, which ye have delivered: and many such like things do ye.
Deu 12:32 What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it.
Mar 4:11-20 And he said unto them, Unto you it is given to know the mystery of the kingdom of YHWH: but unto them that are without, all these things are done in parables: (12) That seeing they may see, and not perceive; and hearing they may hear, and not understand; lest at any time they should be converted, and their sins should be forgiven them. (13) And he said unto them, Know ye not this parable? and how then will ye know all parables? (14) The sower soweth the word. (15) And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, Satan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts. (16) And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately receive it with gladness; (17) And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended. (18) And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word, (19) And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful. (20) And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some a hundred.
No root - No real connection to the Kingdom within. If we continue to hold fast to the traditions (doctrines) of men, there will never be any Genuine Knowledge that can only be received from walking and living in the Kingdom. Because of this:
...any truth of the word that was sown in their hearts is taken away...
...immediately they are offended...
...the Word is choked out and they become unfruitful...
Our lives are spoiled until we reject YHWH!
If we resist the light of YHWH by following false traditions of men we blaspheme the Ruach...
Col 2:8 Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Messiah.
1Pe 1:18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers;
Mar 7:9 And he said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandment of YHWH, that ye may keep your own tradition.
We have become Hypocrites without even knowing it
Mat 23:1-38 Then spake YHWSHUA to the multitude, and to his disciples, (2) Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: (3) All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. (4) For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. (5) But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, (6) And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, (7) And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. (8) But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Messiah; and all ye are brethren. (9) And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. (10) Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Messiah. (11) But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. (12) And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. (13) But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in. (14) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation. (15) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves. (16) Woe unto you, ye blind guides, which say, Whosoever shall swear by the temple, it is nothing; but whosoever shall swear by the gold of the temple, he is a debtor! (17) Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gold, or the temple that sanctifieth the gold? (18) And, Whosoever shall swear by the altar, it is nothing; but whosoever sweareth by the gift that is upon it, he is guilty. (19) Ye fools and blind: for whether is greater, the gift, or the altar that sanctifieth the gift (20) Whoso therefore shall swear by the altar, sweareth by it, and by all things thereon. (21) And whoso shall swear by the temple, sweareth by it, and by him that dwelleth therein. (22) And he that shall swear by heaven, sweareth by the throne of YHWH, and by him that sitteth thereon. (23) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier matters of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. (24) Ye blind guides, which strain at a gnat, and swallow a camel. (25) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye make clean the outside of the cup and of the platter, but within they are full of extortion and excess. (26) Thou blind Pharisee, cleanse first that which is within the cup and platter, that the outside of them may be clean also. (27) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness. (28) Even so ye also outwardly appear righteous unto men, but within ye are full of hypocrisy and iniquity. (29) Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchers of the righteous, (30) And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets. (31) Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets. (32) Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers. (33) Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell? (34) Wherefore, behold, I send unto you prophets, and wise men, and scribes: and some of them ye shall kill and crucify; and some of them shall ye scourge in your synagogues, and persecute them from city to city: (35) That upon you may come all the righteous blood shed upon the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel unto the blood of Zechariah son of Barachias, whom ye slew between the temple and the altar. (36) Verily I say unto you, All these things shall come upon this generation. (37) O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! (38) Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.
Sky - If you looked up it appeared blue, but if you looked at the horizon where the sky was truly blue.. and looked up from there you could see the sky's color change to almost black! But the whole time the sun was shining brightly! Like a lot of people.. if you look only at them through your perceived notions.. they look great! But if you compare them to the "Real Thing" (The Master) all the sudden it is like looking through a mirror that is fogged up!
1Jn 3:1-2 Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of YHWH: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. (2) Beloved, now are we the sons of YHWH, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.
We need to leave off tradition... and walk in the footsteps of our Master
Mat 4:19 And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.
Mat 8:22 But YHWSHUA said unto him, Follow me; and let the dead bury their dead.
Dead traditions, dead teachings, dead beliefs!
Luk 9:59 And he said unto another, Follow me. But he said, Master, suffer me first to go and bury my father.
1Ki 19:20 And he left the oxen, and ran after Elijah, and said, Let me, I pray thee, kiss my father and my mother, and then I will follow thee. And he said unto him, Go back again: for what have I done to thee?
He wanted to hang on to what he had.. much like Elisha when EliYAH called him! We too often want to hang on to what we have and it keeps us away from the truth!!!
Mar 8:34 And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Luk 18:22 Now when YHWSHUA heard these things, he said unto him, Yet lackest thou one thing: sell all that thous hast, and distribute unto the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, follow me.
Mar 10:21 Then YHWSHUA beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Sell (get rid of) all the traditions and false teachings we have clung to!
Mat 9:9 And as YHWSHUA passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him.
Joh 1:43 The day following YHWSHUA would go forth into Galilee, and findeth Philip, and saith unto him, Follow me.
Joh 13:36 Simon Peter said unto him, Master, whither goest thou? YHWSHUA answered him, Whither I go, thou canst not follow me now; but thou shalt follow me afterwards.
We like Matthew, Philip, Peter and the other disciples have to drop everything... thoughts, icons, preconceived ideas and follow the Master!!!!
Joh 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:
Joh 12:26 If any man serve me, let him follow me; and where I am, there shall also my servant be: if any man serve me, him will my Father honor.