I wrote about how judgment and salvation had appeared together in the same place. While YHVH was cleansing His earth with water, Noah and his family "found grace in the eyes of Adonai" while floating above the destructive judgment below them. With Messiah's words, I showed how the days we live in are a fulfillment of "as in the days of Noah".
All of His Holy Scripture is living, especially His Torah. For some, the reading of His Word is no more than rote redundancy. Once they have learned the basics, there is little or no progression in learning. They just "camp" on their teachings and present them year in and year out, becoming pools of stagnation whether or not they realize it.
When SueJean and I make our way anew through a Torah cycle, we find something new in the way of teaching or revelation. We see a different view point from which we have not seen the stories within the portion. The story of Noah is no exception to this rule. Without changing what I previously wrote, I will try to paint a picture of Noah with a deeper meaning. In the Spirit of Living Torah, I share the following items of new learning.
While preparing my thoughts on that which I would write, I heard the words of the prophet Habbakkuk as he wrote in 2: 4. "Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright in him; but the righteous (just) shall live by his faith." Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and the righteous that followed them "found grace" in the same way--faith IN ACTION.
In regards to "the just shall live by faith", I can't help but think of Noah being oppressed daily by his wicked neighbors. "It has never rained here", they thought. "Everything to this point has been working well the way we've been doing things. There's no reason for it not to continue in the same manner." Sound familiar to us today?
Under spiritually suffocating conditions, Noah stayed faithful in his duties of building the ark Father commanded, and preaching of a coming judgment. It should be noted here that all the while he was preaching the coming judgment, his courage, strength, and obedient faith in YHVH compelled him to prepare for his own salvation, very much like Paul exorted the Philippians.
"So that, my beloved, as you always obeyed – not only in my presence, but now much rather in my absence – work out your own deliverance (salvation) with fear and trembling, for it is Elohim who is working in you both to desire and to work for His good pleasure." Philippians 2: 12-13
More about faith in a little bit, but now, the prophetic side of the Noah story. I have said many times there may be more end-time prophecy within the first five books of the Bible (Torah) than in the remaining 61 put together. In consideration of a Father that loves to "(tell) the end from the beginning", and Yeshua's words, "as in the days of Noah", the story of Noah is no exception to that premise.
In the study of Torah, there are companion portions within the writings of the prophets called "Haf Torah", which means "after Torah". During times of severe oppression, when the Jewish people were forbidden to study Torah, the rabbis picked writings that best dove-tailed with each Torah portion. Isaiah himself ties this part of his writings with Noah.
“In an overflow of wrath I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting kindness I shall have compassion on you,” said יהוה, your Redeemer. For this is the waters of Noaḥ to Me, in that I have sworn that the waters of Noaḥ would never again cover the earth, so have I sworn not to be wroth with you, nor to rebuke you."
Isaiah 54: 8-9
Father is declaring through Isaiah the end of all things regarding His remnant chosen. As it was in the days of Noah, as in the days when Judah and Ephraim were expelled from the land, judgment is once again going to fall upon mankind, only this time with a fiery inferno. It only remains to be seen exactly how He will shelter us from the fire storm. Yet, we must retain the faith that He is true to His Word. He WILL shield us just as with Noah.
At the beginning of the Haf Torah, Isaiah says.
At the beginning of the Haf Torah, Isaiah says.
“Sing, O barren one, you who did not bear! Break forth into singing, and cry aloud, you who have not been in labour! For the children of the deserted one (Ephraim) are more than the children of the married woman (Judah),” said יהוה." Isaiah 54: 1
Isaiah is speaking specifically of the two houses of Judah and Ephraim. Since the captivity of Babylon, and especially since Israel once again became a nation in 1948, the house of Judah in large part has returned to dwell in their homeland. That is not true of Ephraim. They were deserted and assymilated by Assyria, and ultimately scattered, thoroughly, among the nations.
The time for Father's declaration of the end of that exile and Ephraim's return is at hand, yes, at the very door. When that day arrives, a number as the stars of heaven will be gathered by Messiah Yeshua and dwarf the numbers of Judah. Thus will begin our three and one half year journey to the land promised to us through His covenant with Abraham and His promise to cause Ephraim and Judah to be reconciled once again into ONE house.
In the day of our deliverance, Isaiah says our dwelling places will be enlarged. We will go to the right and left. Our children will inherit the nations and inhabit the deserted cities. Not only does Father own the land of Israel. He IS the God of the whole world. No longer will we be shamed, hurt, or humiliated. The shame of our youth will be forgotten and the widow will be comforted and no longer reproached, because of Father's love expressed through Isaiah.
“For a little while I have forsaken you, but with great compassion I shall gather you." Isaiah 54: 7
At the beginning of this three and a half year great tribulation, we will be gathered together by our Husband Yeshua, likely in small groups at first, into what has been termed "the camp of the righteous". The judgment of the wicked will be manifested all around us, with mountain and hill moved out of their places and the seas displaced, revealing a great plane. Yet, as with Noah, we will be safe within His camp.
Though we be "afflicted and tossed with the storm" that surrounds us, we will be securely held in the hand of Messiah. While the storm rages outside the camp, we will be taught the purity of Torah directly from Him. We will be established in righteousness without fear and held far from oppression and ruin. Isaiah concludes chapter 54 with the following.
Though we be "afflicted and tossed with the storm" that surrounds us, we will be securely held in the hand of Messiah. While the storm rages outside the camp, we will be taught the purity of Torah directly from Him. We will be established in righteousness without fear and held far from oppression and ruin. Isaiah concludes chapter 54 with the following.
“No weapon formed against you shall prosper, and every tongue which rises against you in judgment you shall prove wrong. This is the inheritance of the servants of יהוה, and their righteousness from Me,” declares יהוה." Isaiah 54: 17
The 91st Psalm harmonizes perfectly with the prophetic words of Isaiah concerning Father's tribulation saints. Messiah will be our refuge and stronghold. We won't be ensnared by the traps of the wicked, or pestilence of night, or daytime destruction. We will impeccably trust Him. While we observe the plight of the wicked, no evil will befall us or plagues come near our dwelling places. Of the words of this Psalm, v. 7 sums up the whole matter.
"A thousand fall at your side, and ten thousand at your right hand; but it does not come near you."
Psalms 91: 1-7
Psalms 91: 1-7
Michah also speaks of this remnant of Jacob that once dwelled within the ranks of many nations but now is counted among those in the camp of the righteous. With the Spirit of the Living God as spoken of by Ezekiel and Joel, this righteous host led by the 144 thousand, Michah equates this remnant with a young lion among sheep. Father's enemies don't stand a chance against these blessed of YHVH. Michah writes the following.
"And the remnant of Jacob shall be among the gentiles, in the midst of many peoples, like a lion among the beasts of a forest, like a young lion among flocks of sheep, who, if he passes through, shall both tread down and shall tear, and there is no one to deliver. Let your hand be lifted up against your adversaries, and all your enemies be cut off." Michah 5: 8-9
Periloius times are just ahead. Some of us have been seriously heeding that warning for quite a while. Some of the things we have set aside will help us make it through part or even all the great tribulation. However, they may likely prove inadequate or even fail us altogether. Even so, there is one thing of utmost importance, even to our very survival. We must have faith in Messiah.
Although it is not part of original texts written by Paul, some well-meaning translator added a paraphrase of Habbakkuk into Paul's letter to the Corinthians.
"For we walk by faith, and not by sight." 2 Corinthians 5: 7
If kept within the context of what Paul is actually saying in this chapter, and other texts linked to this chapter, he is found to be in complete harmony with Habbakkuk, Michah, Isaiah, and the prophetic story of Noah. While most charismatic types have taken this verse terribly out of context to promote prosperity doctrines and various other matters involved with our physical life in general, Paul is concerned with ONLY one thing--our passage from death to life with the return of Messiah.
"For we know that if the tent of our earthly house, is destroyed, we have a building from Elohim, a house not made with hands, everlasting in the heavens. For indeed in this we groan, longing to put on our dwelling which is from heaven, so that, having put it on, we shall not be found naked. For indeed, we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we wish to put it off, but to put on the other, so that what is to die might be swallowed up by life." 2 Corinthians 5: 1-4
Paul is clearly encouraging us to look through spiritual eyes for that which garners life rather than physical eyes to obtain temporal things. It is the same faithful path chosen by Noah, who by obedience to Father endured the uncomfortable atmosphere of gross mocking and likely being the butt of every joke in town.
Just as Noah was preserved above judgment by his steadfast faith, we too will be preserved through the soon coming great tribulation in the camp of the righteous, ultimately to be "swallowed up by life". It is far better to look on what is NOT seen than that which IS seen (2 Corinthians 4: 18). So, consider what Paul says further in this passage.
"Therefore, being always of good courage, and knowing that while we are at home in the body we are absent from the Master......we are of good courage, and are well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Master."
2 Corinthians 5: 6, 8
The trials we face now and, even more, the trails we will face while treking through the wilderness of the great tribulation will seriously pale in comparison to the blessings we will receive from Messiah after crossing the finish line and entering His kingdom. With the Holy Torah etched upon the fabric of our heart, we must intently focus on the prize set before us--His Kingdom and Covenant of Peace. Otherwise, chaos and death will be our lot.
Isaiah closes this Haf Torah with the first five verses of chapter 55 which is among the most beautiful words in all of Scripture.
“Oh everyone who thirsts, come to the waters. And you who have no silver, come, buy and eat. Come, buy wine and milk without silver and without price. Why do you weigh out silver for what is not bread, and your labour for what does not satisfy? Listen, listen to Me, and eat what is good, and let your being delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come to Me. Hear, so that your being lives. And let Me make an everlasting covenant with you, the trustworthy kindnesses of David. See, I have given Him as a witness to the people, a Leader and a Commander for the people. See, a nation you do not know you shall call, and a nation who does not know you run to you, because of יהוה your Elohim, and the Set-apart One of Israel, for He has adorned you.” Isaiah 55: 1-5
Though made for a time to thirst and hunger, they now have water in abundance, even the water that makes a man never thirst again. There they will have an abundance of food, wine, and milk, both that which satisfies the flesh (one huge tailgate party) and that which makes a man never hunger again (the Words of Messiah Himself).
I often (more as this time approaches) see myself and a few friends in a day dream riding down the highway in a car with Yeshua at the wheel. It's a blessing beyond compare to just be riding (or walking) at His side. On our little journey, He spots a roadside park with beautiful trees and some picnic tables. He opens the trunk and retrieves some baskets with assorted fruits and nuts, some milk, honey, wine, and a BIG container of BBQ beef and baked beans. Then, as we sit and partake of the hospitality of His table, we listen intently as He teaches us the purity of His Torah. You might envision a slightly different table setting, but that's ok.
Isaiah links our little day dreams with what he calls a "covenant of peace" based upon the "sure mercies of David". This is the seventh and final covenant spoken of in Scripture, without nullifying the six that preceeded it. When our race toward this blessed prize is finished, we will experience the ultimate of what His disciples experienced on those long dusty roads--communing with Him daily. However, we won't have the emmisaries of the wicked lurking behind every tree to spoil our party.
Even so, Adonai Yeshua, come quickly! Eagerly and in earnest, we hope in Your return. Come, gather your remnant chosen. Take us with You as You sit upon Your Throne, high atop Your Holy Mountain in Jerusalem. There, let us ever commune and learn of You! We will there worship and adore You, and at Your bidding, assist in rebuilding that which was destroyed because of the wicked. There, let it be truly said as You promised our father, Abraham, and as Isaiah alludes in his conclusion--"all the nations of the earth will be blessed".
"I will bless them that bless thee, and him that curseth thee will I curse: and in thee shall all the families of the earth be blessed." Genesis 12: 3
"And I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these lands. And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed." Genesis 26: 4
"Adonai will preserve him, and keep him alive, And he shall be blessed upon the earth; And deliver not thou him unto the will of his enemies." Psalms 41: 2
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