Daniel’s Repentance

Daniel found himself at the end of Jeremiah’s prophecy of 70 years in Exile. Like most of us he wanted to know what was to come next.

This whole land shall become a ruin and a waste, and these nations shall serve the king of Babylon seventy years. Jer. 25:11

Daniel 9

1   In the first year of Darius the son of Ahasu-erus, by birth a Mede, who became king over the realm of the Chaldeans —  2 in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, perceived in the books the number of years which, according to the word of the LORD to Jeremiah the prophet, must pass before the end of the desolations of Jerusalem, namely, seventy years. 

Like most people of faith, Daniel now turns to God for further instructions. He repents, both for himself and his nation.

As we now live at the end of the prophecies of Daniel 2 and 8 and those judgements are about to fall upon these nations. Forget the nonsense that is the Rapture. Judgment is coming. It is time for us to follow Daniel’s example and repent for our selves and our nations. Just substitute your nation and capital city, for Judah and Jerusalem, unless of course you live in modern Israel, then pray the prayer.

FYI: I personally think that the Judgment of the Nations is eminent, so this call to repentance is rather urgent. However everyone in church history has thought this for centuries. So, even if I am wrong in this, we must remember that everyone faces the Judgment at their death, and death can be very unexpected.

Daniel’s Prayer

3   Then I turned my face to the Lord God, seeking him by prayer and supplications with fasting and sackcloth and ashes.  4 I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession, saying, “O Lord, the great and terrible God, who keepest covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments,  5 we have sinned and done wrong and acted wickedly and rebelled, turning aside from thy commandments and ordinances;  6 we have not listened to thy servants the prophets, who spoke in thy name to our kings, our princes, and our fathers, and to all the people of the land.  7 To thee, O Lord, belongs righteousness, but to us confusion of face, as at this day, to the men of Judah, to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and to all Israel, those that are near and those that are far away, in all the lands to which thou hast driven them, because of the treachery which they have committed against thee.  8 To us, O Lord, belongs confusion of face, to our kings, to our princes, and to our fathers, because we have sinned against thee.  9 To the Lord our God belong mercy and forgiveness; because we have rebelled against him,  10 and have not obeyed the voice of the LORD our God by following his laws, which he set before us by his servants the prophets.  11 All Israel has transgressed thy law and turned aside, refusing to obey thy voice. And the curse and oath which are written in the law of Moses the servant of God have been poured out upon us, because we have sinned against him.  12 He has confirmed his words, which he spoke against us and against our rulers who ruled us, by bringing upon us a great calamity; for under the whole heaven there has not been done the like of what has been done against Jerusalem.  13 As it is written in the law of Moses, all this calamity has come upon us, yet we have not entreated the favor of the LORD our God, turning from our iniquities and giving heed to thy truth.  14 Therefore the LORD has kept ready the calamity and has brought it upon us; for the LORD our God is righteous in all the works which he has done, and we have not obeyed his voice.  15 And now, O Lord our God, who didst bring thy people out of the land of Egypt with a mighty hand, and hast made thee a name, as at this day, we have sinned, we have done wickedly.  16 O Lord, according to all thy righteous acts, let thy anger and thy wrath turn away from thy city Jerusalem, thy holy hill; because for our sins, and for the iniquities of our fathers, Jerusalem and thy people have become a byword among all who are round about us.  17 Now therefore, O our God, hearken to the prayer of thy servant and to his supplications, and for thy own sake, O Lord, cause thy face to shine upon thy sanctuary, which is desolate.  18 O my God, incline thy ear and hear; open thy eyes and behold our desolations, and the city which is called by thy name; for we do not present our supplications before thee on the ground of our righteousness, but on the ground of thy great mercy.  19 O LORD, hear; O LORD, forgive; O LORD, give heed and act; delay not, for thy own sake, O my God, because thy city and thy people are called by thy name.” 

Daniel’s Answer

20   While I was speaking and praying, confessing my sin and the sin of my people Israel, and presenting my supplication before the LORD my God for the holy hill of my God;  21 while I was speaking in prayer, the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the first, came to me in swift flight at the time of the evening sacrifice.  22 He came and he said to me, “O Daniel, I have now come out to give you wisdom and understanding.  23 At the beginning of your supplications a word went forth, and I have come to tell it to you, for you are greatly beloved; therefore consider the word and understand the vision. 

After this prayer Daniel is told one of the greatest prophecies in all the Bible, that the Messiah will come in 490 years, a subject we have already cover in, Daniel 9: Proof that Jesus/Yeshua is the Messiah

Poor in Spirit?

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Matt. 5:3 

This seems to come out of the blue. What exactly is the poor in spirit? However our Messiah is quoting Isaiah. 

All these things my hand has made, and so all these things are mine, says the LORD. But this is the man to whom I will look, he that is humble and contrite in spirit, and trembles at my word. Is. 66:2 

The Isaiah passage is about those who are unworthy of entering the throne room. With the exception of those who are poor in spirit. 

The unworthy were committing great sins and then offering large sacrifices but with no shame, no repentance, no remorse. Our Lord looks for the humble in spirit. Those that tremble at His Word, and dread His justice and wrath. The humble in spirit are those that realize that there is no bargaining with God. There is nothing one can do to gain God’s favor. There is no sacrifice we can make. There is only acknowledging that He made all sacrifice unnecessary. A sacrifice that we are unworthy of.

God’s grace is free, not cheap, it cost God’s Son, His life.

The Kingdom belongs to the humble. That is why the arrogant cannot see it.

What is a Son of Peace?

5 Whatever house you enter, first say, ‘Peace be to this house!’ 6 And if a son of peace is there, your peace shall rest upon him; but if not, it shall return to you. 7 And remain in the same house, eating and drinking what they provide, for the laborer deserves his wages; do not go from house to house. Luke 10:5-6

The context of this verse, is the sending out of the seventy. They were going  to Jewish communities to announce the Kingdom. Something that the Jews were expecting any day. They all knew of Daniels Seventy Weeks Prophecy, and new the time was fulfilled. This is not about general evangelism to people who know nothing of God’s plans and purposes.

The passage is also in a culture of hospitality. There were no hotels, campgrounds, or other accommodations for travelers. Towns and individuals were expected to be hospitable, taking travelers in and providing food and shelter.

The “son of peace,” is a Hebrew idiom, meaning a hospitable person.

To be a “son of something,” means to be in the group of what ever the something is. We see this usage in 2Kings. 

And the sons of the prophets who were in Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that today the LORD will take away your master from over you?” And he said, “Yes, I know it; hold your peace.” 2Kings 2:3

Shalom has many meanings; completeness, contentment, friendship, quiet, safety, soundness, tranquility, welfare, and of course lack of conflict. However these are people looking for the Sar Shalom i.e. the Prince of Peace.

For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government will be upon his shoulder, and his name will be called “Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Is. 9:6

Messiah is instructing the seventy to go where they are welcomed and wanted. Where there are people who know the Kingdom is coming and are seeking to understand that Kingdom. 

The Song of Songs: Life in the Harem of God

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A look at the typology of the Song of Songs.

God gave us the gift of a love song.  However, because He gave it with a great deal of erotic content the Church has sought over the centuries to discourage believers from even peeking at their gift. However, there comes a time when a believer is mature enough to handle the information contained in this little package.  Don’t let the overpious keep you from tearing the wrappings off your divine package.

He meant for this sensual book to bring us into a deeper and more authentic relationship with Him, as we come to realize that we are meant to be God’s lovers.  We begin to realize that His omnipresence allows for all of us individually to be His one and only, His favorite! if you will.  He uses the literal harem of Solomon as a springboard to explain the intimate relationship He wants with His people.

In Christ

In the Harem by Fabio Fabbi (1861 – 1946)

Or in the harem to stay with our little allegory. One needs to understand that the harem is where all the women’s work was done, unlike what our western fantasies are. The cooking, cleaning, and laundry where all done in the harem and by the harem.

But if Christ is in you, although your bodies are dead because of sin, your spirits are alive because of righteousness. Rom. 8:10

This is a term only Paul uses. The inherited churches have made this out to mean salvation. As if it is the same thing; Messiah in you, and you in Messiah.

In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. Rom. 15:17

But it is God who establishes us with you in Christ, and has commissioned us; 2Cor. 1:21

Back up the Bible Bus. Being in Messiah has something to do with that hated word, WORKS. After all isn’t a commission a JOB?

To be “in Messiah” is to follow His teachings, to be His student, His servant, to obey His words, to do as He did. Noah and his family had to be in the ark to be saved, the man-slayer had to be in the city of refuge to be safe from the avenger of blood. [Num. 35:6] To me “in Messiah” is not a metaphor or figure of speech, it is a reality. It is a job, a profession, ones life’s work.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. Col. 3:17

So what are we to do? Well! to start with, there are Ten Commandments, they were never suggestions.

Satyrs in the Bible

Unlike the bad translation that gave us Unicorns in the Bible, the satyrs are actually there in the Hebrew. The Hebrew word sa’ir can mean goat or in these passages it means those mythological half man half goat creatures from the ancient religions that surrounded Israel.

So it is understandable that they like the rest of pagan mythology are condemned by the Bible.

So they shall no more slay their sacrifices for satyrs, after whom they play the harlot. This shall be a statute for ever to them throughout their generations. Lev. 17:7

. . . and he appointed his own priests for the high places, and for the satyrs, and for the calves which he had made. 2Chr. 11:15

Then we come upon what at first glance seems a very strange Isaiah passages. In an oracle concerning Babylon’s demise. Isaiah seems to be treating these mythological creatures as if they were real. This is a cultural misunderstanding.

But wild beasts will lie down there, and its houses will be full of howling creatures; there ostriches will dwell, and there satyrs will dance. Is. 13:21

The satyrs that dance is a reference to the constellation we call the little dipper. The ancients called this constellation the goats and goat-herder or Pan and the satyrs, because to them these stars danced around the Northstar every night. Isaiah is chiding Babylon’s pride by saying in a very poetic manner is that when great Babylon is gone the stars will still turn in their place.

No Other Gods

One of the many problems with the post-modern church’s teachings is that they excuse putting things before God. Sometimes they even encourage it. They no longer teach truth to error. Are we faithful brides to our Lord or are we whores?

They teach that if good things happen to one then God is blessing, if bad things happen it is Satan’s fault. There is no responsibility for ones own condition.

That’s not exactly what the Word says.

25   Therefore, putting away falsehood, let every one speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.  26 Be angry but do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger,  27 and give no opportunity to the devil.  28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his hands, so that he may be able to give to those in need.  29 Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for edifying, as fits the occasion, that it may impart grace to those who hear.  30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, in whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, with all malice,  32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Eph. 4:25-32

Holding to false teachings, being angry, not working for what our grandparents called an honest living. All these things grieve the Spirit and give opportunity to the devil.

If Satan has an opportunity he will surely take it. If we entertain false teachings, false prophecy, or false beliefs, then we leave ourselves open to attack.

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

All lies come from Satan. So if your belief is in falsehoods you are following Satan and not following God. Especially if those lies are of a religious nature. In a conversation Messiah had with the Pharisees, he told these teachers of the Bible that they were not teaching truth.

You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks according to his own nature, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

The devil has not changed his stripes. He works the same way he did back then. So how is our faith? Is it Biblical? Or is it the Traditions of men?

There are Ten Commandments they were not suggestions. They are the “Perfect Will of God.”

It all comes down to That very first commandment.

1   And God spoke all these words, saying,  2 “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage. 3   “You shall have no other gods before me. Ex. 20:1-3

What are we putting before God?

See Also: The Pagan Origins of Christmas

Messiah as Firstborn

Our Messiah is the firstborn of all creation, as well as the firstborn of the dead, as well as being the firstborn of Mary and Joseph.

Can an unclean things bring forth a unclean thing? Once there was this tomb outside of Jerusalem that did.

For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, in order that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Rom. 8:29

Aside from being the great “predestination” verse we are also informed the Messiah is the firstborn of the brethren. He is the pre-eminent leader of His Congregation. The firstborn were to be dedicated to God, they were the head of the family and as such were responsible for the others welfare. No one can or should try to usurp His firstborn status. He is our leader. We have no king but Messiah.

He is the image of the invisible God, the first-born of all creation; Col. 1:15 

This is not to mean as some cult teach that Messiah is a creation. The Greek is actually prototokos pases ktiseos which is, born before all the creation. The word, with only the change of the accent, prototokos, signifies actively the first begetter or producer of all things. The firstborn here is used in the sense of His pre-eminence.

He is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning, the first-born from the dead, that in everything he might be pre-eminent. Col. 1:18

He is the head of the Congregation as ancient kings were heads of the kingdoms. He is the head of the government with the right to make and enforce laws. The Greek is arche, prototokos ek o nekros, beginning, ruler, principle, born or the dead.

The Curse of rebuilding Jericho

The city of Jericho from the ruins of the old walls

A little known passage about Jericho.

Joshua laid an oath upon them at that time, saying, “Cursed before the LORD be the man that rises up and rebuilds this city, Jericho.  At the cost of his first-born shall he lay its foundation, and at the cost of his youngest son shall he set up its gates.” Josh. 6:26 

And yes someone over 400 years later did rebuild Jericho.

In his days Hiel of Bethel built Jericho; he laid its foundation at the cost of Abiram his first-born, and set up its gates at the cost of his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spoke by Joshua the son of Nun. 1Kings 16:34

Who are the First Born?

In our culture we no longer honor firstborns the way they did in agrarian societies. In the culture of the Bible the firstborn was given a double portion of the inheritance. Part of his double portion was that all the father’s land usually came to the firstborn undivided. With this extra wealth came extra responsibilities, for the firstborn was responsible for his widowed mother and any unwed sisters. This is why we see at the cross Messiah handing the responsibility for His mother’s care to John. It was probably not because he felt his brothers were unworthy but rather His knowledge that John would live longer.

There are several passages concerning firstborns in the Bible. Over the next few weeks we will look at all of them. There are the firstborn of Egypt, the first born of Israel, the Levite who become the firstborn, the curse on the firstborn of any who would rebuild Jericho, our Messiah is the firstborn of the dead, and last of all the congregation is the assembly of firstborn.

First and Foremost the Firstborn is one who must be Redeemed

Egypt’s Firstborn a type of Israel’s Firstborns

For when Pharaoh stubbornly refused to let us go, the LORD slew all the first-born in the land of Egypt, both the first-born of man and the first-born of cattle. Therefore I sacrifice to the LORD all the males that first open the womb; but all the first-born of my sons I redeem.’ Ex. 13:15

Because the Lord had taken the firstborn of Egypt He now requires the service of the firstborn of Israel. These firstborn were to be consecrated to the Lord as priests. However things are changed after the tabernacle is built. In Numbers 3-4 the Levites and their cattle replace all the firstborns of the other tribes, and those of the other tribes are redeemed and no longer must serve the Lord and his temple.

And you shall take the Levites for me — I am the LORD — instead of all the first-born among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstlings among the cattle of the people of Israel.” Num. 3:41

Every time a newborn came into a family this law is reemphasized as five shekels were to be paid to the high priest.

FYI: A shekel is not a coin but rather a unit of measure. Coins don’t come into existence until just prior to Alexander the Great. Five ancient shekels amount to just about 100 grams of pure silver. This fluctuates to modern currencies see Silver Gram Price Calculator

Joseph – Rachel’s firstborn son, was sold by his brothers for twenty silver pieces, the equivalent of five shekels. This established that the standard “price” for a (firstborn) human is five shekels, which are given to the priest to redeem the child.

The changing of the law is troublesome because God never changes.

But thou art the same, and thy years will never end.” Heb. 1:12b

Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and for ever. Heb. 13:8

What must be remembered is that He is not changing the need for redemption but rather who will provide the required sacrifice. The change in the law of the redemption of the firstborn is a type for the change in the law of the insufficient sacrifice of the blood of goats and bulls to the one sufficient sacrifice of His own Son.

. . . he entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but his own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. Heb. 9:12

For it is impossible that the blood of bulls and goats should take away sins. Heb. 10:4