כג בְּכָל-עֶצֶב, יִהְיֶה מוֹתָר; וּדְבַר-שְׂפָתַיִם, אַךְ-לְמַחְסוֹר.
Beresheet/Genesis 41:1 – 44:17Prov 14:23 In all labour there is profit, But talk of the lips leads only to poverty.
The Hebrew can also be read as “in every sorrow there is profit” This Hebrew word “profit” can also mean “pre –eminence or abundance”. This root word for “abundance” is “yatar” which carries the meaning of the abundance of a remnant which brings about preservation.
At the end of this age – miketz – all of mankind will know that the revelation and life of Messiah comes with a great price.
This verse goes on to say that this abundance will not come about by “talk.” It is going to require a great sacrifice to be part of the bride of Messiah.
Mat 25:1 “Then the reign of the heavens shall be compared to ten maidens who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.
Mat 25:2 “And five of them were wise, and five foolish.
Mat 25:3 “Those who were foolish, having taken their lamps, took no oil with them, Mat 25:4 but the wise took oil in their containers with their lamps.
Mat 25:5 “Now while the bridegroom took time, they all slumbered and slept.
Mat 25:6 “And at midnight a cry was heard, ‘See, the bridegroom is coming, go out to meet him!’
Mat 25:7 “Then all those maidens rose up and trimmed their lamps.
Mat 25:8 “And the foolish said to the wise, ‘Give
us of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’
Mat 25:9 “But the wise answered, saying, ‘No, indeed, there would not be enough for us and you. Instead, go to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.’
Mat 25:10 “And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, and those who were ready went in with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut.
Mat 25:11 “And later the other maidens also came, saying, ‘Master, Master, open up for us!’
Mat 25:12 “But he answering, said, ‘Truly, I say to you, I do not know you.’
The Number Ten - Law, Testing, and Representation
The number '10' in Hebrew is ‘eser’ the verb “asar” spelled the same means to have an abundance or to become wealthy.
Blessing for the Torah:
Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,
v’natan lanu eht Torah-to.
Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”
(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe,
(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe,
you have selected us from among all the peoples,
and have given us your Torah. Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)
Torah Readings:
- 41:1-14
- 41:15-38
- 41:39-52
- 41:53 – 42:18
- 42:19 – 43:15
- 43:16-29
- 43:30 – 44:13
- Maftir: 44:14-17
Haftarah: (1 Kings 3:15 – 4:1)
Special Chanukah reading for this year: Bemidbar/Numbers 7:1-17; 7:30-35; Zechariah 2:14 – 4:7
Aliyah Rishon 41:1-14.
Gen 41:1 And it came to be, at the end of two years’ time, that Pharaoh had a dream, and saw him standing by the river,
In Romans 10:4 we are reminded that Yahshua is the goal or the purpose of the Torah. We must at least consider the possibility that this Torah portion could be referring to the “two years” or “two thousand” years that have come and gone since our Messiah’s first coming. Hence the title of the parasha “miketz” or “at the end”
If so, the text that follows could suggest that in the end of these two thousand years we too will experience a period of an abundance of “Torah revelation” and then a period of leanness, perhaps the great tribulation when there will be a famine for the hearing of YHVH’s word. (Amos 8:11,12)
We must also consider the possibility that the “assembly of called out ones” have also been in a kind of prison for the past 2000 years as we have not known the full extent of our restoration and blessing in Messiah. It will be through much suffering that the bride will be liberated from this 2000 year prison to be prepared for the coming Messiah.
Gen 41:2 and saw seven cows coming up out of the river, fine looking and fat, and they fed amongst the reeds,
Gen 41:3 then saw seven other cows coming up after them out of the river, ugly and lean of flesh, and stood by the other cows on the bank of the river.
Gen 41:4 And the ugly and lean of flesh cows ate up the seven fine looking and fat cows. Then
Pharaoh awoke. Gen 41:5 And he slept and dreamed a second time and saw seven heads of grain coming up on one stalk, plump and good,
Gen 41:6 and saw seven lean heads, scorched by the east wind, coming up after them.
Gen 41:7 And the seven lean heads swallowed the seven plump and complete heads. Then Pharaoh awoke and saw it was a dream.
Gen 41:8 And it came to be in the morning that his spirit was moved, and he sent and called for all the magicians of Mitsrayim and all its wise men. And Pharaoh related to them his dreams, but there was no one who could interpret them for Pharaoh.
Gen 41:9 Then the chief cupbearer spoke to Pharaoh, saying, “I remember my crimes this day.
Gen 41:10 “When Pharaoh was wroth with his servants, and put me in confinement in the house of the captain of the guard, both me and the chief baker,
Gen 41:11 each one of us dreamed a dream in one night, he and I. Each of us dreamed according to the interpretation of his own dream.
Gen 41:12 “And there was with us a Hebrew youth, a servant of the captain of the guard. And we related to him, and he interpreted our dreams for us. To each man he interpreted according to his own dream.
Gen 41:13 “And it came to be, as he interpreted for us, so it came to be. He restored me to my office, and he hanged him.”
Gen 41:14 Then Pharaoh sent and called Yosĕph, and they hurriedly brought him out of the dungeon. And he shaved and changed his garments, and came to Pharaoh.
They made Yosef who is a type of Messiah to look like a pagan gentile. After two thousand years we have done the same. However things are beginning to change and once again many are discovering the true Hebrew Yahshua. Baruch ha Shem.
Aliyah Sheni 41:15-38
Like Yosef the only hope an end time generation will have will be in the faithful remnant of Torah observant believers in the true Yahshua and worshippers of YHVH alone.
Gen 41:15 And Pharaoh said to Yosĕph, “I have dreamed a dream, and there is no one to interpret it. Now I myself have heard it said of you that you understand a dream, to interpret it.”
Gen 41:16 And Yosĕph answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me, let Elohim answer Pharaoh with peace.”
Gen 41:17 And Pharaoh said to Yosĕph, “See, in my dream I stood on the bank of the river
Gen 41:25 And Yosĕph said to Pharaoh, “The dream of Pharaoh is one. Elohim has shown Pharaoh what He is about to do:
Gen 41:29 “See, seven years of great plenty are coming in all the land of Mitsrayim,
Gen 41:30 but after them seven years of scarcity of food shall arise and all the plenty be forgotten in the land of Mitsrayim. And the scarcity of food shall destroy the land,
Gen 41:31 and the plenty shall not be remembered in the land, because of the scarcity of food following, for it is very severe.
Gen 41:32 “And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the word is established by Elohim, and Elohim is hastening to do it.
Gen 41:33 “And now, let Pharaoh look for a discerning and wise man, and set him over the land of Mitsrayim.
Gen 41:34 “Let Pharaoh do this, and let him appoint overseers over the land, to take up one-fifth of the land of Mitsrayim in the seven years of plenty.
Gen 41:35 “And let them gather all the food of those good years that are coming, and store up grain under the hand of Pharaoh, and let them keep food in the cities.
Gen 41:36 “And the food shall be for a store for the land for the seven years of scarcity of food which shall be in the land of Mitsrayim, and do not let the land be cut off by the scarcity of food.”
Gen 41:37 And the word was good in the eyes of Pharaoh and in the eyes of all his servants.
Gen 41:38 And Pharaoh said to his servants, “Could we find another like him, a man in whom is the Spirit of Elohim?”
Is it not possible that that we could be nearing the end of a seven year period where YHVH has made an abundant revelation of Torah and the true Messiah available to His called out ones. Following this initial period of 7 years another 7 years will follow which could be the great tribulation.
This could also be a reference to the prophet Amos where he points to a famine of the hearing of the words of the YHVH in the last days.
Amo 8:11 “See, days are coming,” declares the Master יהוה, “that I shall send a hunger in the land,
not a hunger for bread, nor a thirst for water, but for hearing the Words of יהוה.
not a hunger for bread, nor a thirst for water, but for hearing the Words of יהוה.
Amo 8:12 “And they shall wander from sea to sea, and from north to east – they shall diligently search, seeking the Word of יהוה, but they shall not find it1. Footnote: 1Jer. 5:13, Hos. 8:12, Ezek. 34:3-10.
Aliyah Shlishi 41:39-52
Gen 41:39 Then Pharaoh said to Yosĕph, “Since Elohim has shown you all this, there is no one as discerning and wise as you.
Gen 41:40 “Be over my house, you yourself, and at your mouth all my people shall kiss – only in the throne I am greater than you.”
Kjv Gen 41:40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.
This is most probably a reference to the fact that the words that come out of Yosef’s mouth are just as good as the words that come out of Pharoah’s mouth. This can also be said of Yahshua. The words that come from Yahshua’s mouth are just as good as the words that come from YHVH’s mouth.
Yochanan/Joh 14:10 “Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak from Myself. But the Father who stays in Me does His works
Gen 41:41 And Pharaoh said to Yosĕph, “See, I have set you over all the land of Mitsrayim.”
Gen 41:42 And Pharaoh took his seal-ring off his hand and put it on Yosĕph’s hand. And he dressed him in garments of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.
Gen 41:43 And he had him ride in the second chariot which he had. And they cried out before him, “Bow the knee!” And he set him over all the land of Mitsrayim.
Gen 41:44 And Pharaoh said to Yosĕph, “I am Pharaoh, and without a word from you let no man lift his hand or foot in all the land of Mitsrayim.”
Gen 41:45 And Pharaoh called Yosĕph’s name Zaphnath-Panĕaḥ. And he gave him as a wife Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On. And Yosĕph went out over all the land of Mitsrayim.
This could be a veiled reference to the Father including a Gentile bride for His son.
Commentators are not sure of what Yosef’s new name means. Two popular possibilities are “the bread man of life” and according to Hirsch “the one who holds the secrets”
Speaking of Messiah Shaul/Paul says:
Col 2:3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
It is also believed that Yosef’s wife was the daughter of the woman who tried to seduce him.
Gen 41:46 Now Yosĕph was thirty years old (age when Yashua also began to minister) when he stood before Pharaoh sovereign of Mitsrayim. And Yosĕph went out from the presence of Pharaoh, and went throughout all the land of Mitsrayim.
Gen 41:47 And in the seven years of plenty the ground brought forth generously.
Gen 41:48 And he gathered all the food of the seven years which were in the land of Mitsrayim, and laid up the food in the cities. He laid up in every city the food of the fields which surrounded them.
Gen 41:49 Thus Yosĕph gathered very much grain, as the sand of the sea, until he ceased counting, for it was without number.
Gen 41:50 And to Yosĕph were born two sons before the years of scarcity of food came, whom Asenath, the daughter of Poti-Pherah priest of On, bore to him.
Gen 41:51 And Yosĕph called the name of the first-born Menashsheh, “For Elohim has made me forget all my toil and all my father’s house.”
Gen 41:52 And the name of the second he called Ephrayim, “For Elohim has caused me to bear fruit in the land of my affliction.”
Speaking of Ephraim who was the younger yet received the blessing from Yakov we read in Beresheet:
Gen 48:19 And his father refused, and said, I know it, my son, I know it: he also shall become a people, and he also shall be great: but truly his younger brother shall be greater than he, and his seed shall become a multitude of nations.
Repeated:
Rom 11:25 For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles be come in. (same as “mello goyim” or fullness of gentiles in Ber 48:19)
The meaning of Melo HaGoyim could be: The completeness and multitude of a people massed together consisting of the non-Hebrew descendants of Abraham, who are believers in Yahshua as Messiah who have been included as citizens of the commonwealth of Yisrael through the blood of Messiah. (Eph 2:12-19)
Aliyah Revi 41:53 – 42:18
Gen 41:53 And the seven years of plenty which were in the land of Mitsrayim came to an end,
Gen 41:54 and the seven years of scarcity of food began to come, as Yosĕph had said. And the scarcity of food was in all lands, but in all the land of Mitsrayim there was bread.
Gen 41:55 But when all the land of Mitsrayim hungered, and the people cried to Pharaoh for bread, Pharaoh said to all the Mitsrites, “Go to Yosĕph, do whatever he says to you.”
These are same words that Miryam used when Yahshua performed his first miracle at Cana Galilee. (Jn 2)
Gen 41:56 And the scarcity of food was over all the face of the earth, and Yosĕph opened all the storehouses and sold to the Mitsrites. And the scarcity of food was severe in the land of Mitsrayim.
Gen 41:57 And all the earth came to Yosĕph in Mitsrayim to buy grain, because the scarcity of food was severe in all the earth.
Gen 42:1 And when Yaaqob saw that there was grain in Mitsrayim, Yaaqob said to his sons, “Why do you look at each other?”
Gen 42:2 And he said, “See, I have heard that there is grain in Mitsrayim. Go down to that place and buy for us there, and let us live and not die.”
Three times in this chapter the word for food is not “ochel” but “shever” (vs 1,2,19) The Hebrew word “shever” can also appear as “sheber” which means to shake or brokenness. Brokeness is the doorway to spiritual wholeness and being truly fed. Famine does not overcome those broken before Elohim
Gen 42:3 And Yosĕph’s ten brothers went down to buy grain in Mitsrayim.
Gen 42:4 But Yaaqob did not send Yosĕph’s brother Binyamin with his brothers, for he said, “Lest some harm come to him.”
Gen 42:5 And the sons of Yisra’ĕl went to buy grain among those who journeyed, for the scarcity of food was in the land of Kenaan.
This is the first time the phrase “ benei Yisrael” or the “sons of Israel” is used. Only those who are making their way back to Yosef will be called the sons of Yisrael/Israel.
Gen 42:6 And Yosĕph was the governor over the land, he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Yosĕph’s brothers came and bowed down before him with their faces to the earth.
Gen 42:7 And Yosĕph saw his brothers and recognised them, but he acted as a stranger to them and spoke to them harshly, and said to them, “Where do you come from?” And they said, “From the land of Kenaan to buy food.”
Gen 42:8 So Yosĕph recognised his brothers, but they did not recognise him.
Gen 42:9 And Yosĕph remembered the dreams which he had dreamed about them, and said to them, “You are spies! You have come to see the nakedness of the land!”
Gen 42:10 And they said to him, “No, my master, but your servants have come to buy food.
Gen 42:11 “We are all one man’s sons, we are trustworthy, your servants are not spies.”
Gen 42:12 But he said to them, “No, but you have come to see the nakedness of the land.”
Gen 42:13 And they said, “Your servants are twelve brothers, the sons of one man in the land of Kenaan. And see, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no more.”
Gen 42:14 And Yosĕph said to them, “It is as I spoke to you, saying, ‘You are spies!’
Gen 42:15 “By this you shall be proven: By the life of Pharaoh, you do not leave this place unless your youngest brother comes here.
Gen 42:16 “Send one of you, and let him bring your brother, while you are kept in prison. So let your words be proven to see whether there is any truth in you, or else, by the life of Pharaoh, you are spies!”
Gen 42:17 And he put them all together in prison for three days.
Gen 42:18 Now Yosĕph said to them the third day, “Do this and live, for I fear Elohim:
Aliyah Chamishi 42:19 – 43:15
Gen 42:19 “If you are trustworthy, let one of your brothers be confined to your prison house, and you, go, bring grain for the scarcity of food of your houses.
Gen 42:20 “And bring your youngest brother to me, and let your words be confirmed, and you do not die.” And so they did.
Gen 42:21 And they said to each other, “Truly, we are guilty concerning our brother, for we saw the distress of his life when he pleaded with us, yet we did not listen, that is why this distress has come upon us.”
Gen 42:22 And Re’ubĕn answered them, saying, “Did I not speak to you, saying, ‘Do not sin against the boy,’ and you would not listen? And see, his blood is now required of us.”
Gen 42:23 And they did not know that Yosĕph understood them, for he spoke to them through an interpreter.
Gen 42:24 And he turned himself away from them and wept, but came back to them and spoke to them. And he took Shimon from them and bound him before their eyes.
The name “Shimeon” comes from the word “shema” There is an often repeated prophecy from Yeshayahu/Isaiah 6:9 that says that Elohim’s people will hear but not hear, see yet not see. This is an indication that the Father has taken away from them spiritual discernment.
The Midrash comments on Yesh/ Is 6:9 and says the following:
Genesis Rabbah 91:6
“Since the day that Joseph was stolen, the Set Apart Spirit departed from him [Jacob] so that he saw yet did not see, heard yet did not hear.”
“Hearing” or Shimeon was locked up.
When Yashua eventually makes his appearance one of the first people to see and recognize him was “Shimeon” a preist on the temple mount. Luke 2:25,26. We see that one the first disciples that Yahshua calls is Shmeon Petros - Mt 4:18. Signifying that “hearing” was once again being restored.
Gen 43:1 But the scarcity of food was severe in the land.
Gen 43:2 And it came to be, when they had eaten up the grain which they had brought from Mitsrayim, that their father said to them, “Go back, buy us a little food.”
Gen 43:3 But Yehudah spoke to him, saying, “The man vehemently warned us, saying, ‘You do not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ ”
Gen 43:4 “If you let our brother go with us, we go down and buy you food.
Gen 43:5 “But if you do not let him go, we do not go down, because the man said to us, ‘You do not see my face unless your brother is with you.’ ”
Gen 43:14 “And Ěl Shaddai give to you compassion before the man, so that he shall release your other brother and Binyamin. And I, if I am bereaved, I am bereaved!”
Gen 43:15 And the men took that present and Binyamin, and they took double the amount of silver in their hand, and arose and went down to Mitsrayim, and stood before Yosĕph.
Aliyah Shishi 43:16-29
Gen 43:16 And Yosĕph saw Binyamin with them, and said to the one over his house, “Bring the men home, and make a great slaughter, and prepare, for these men are to eat with me at noon.”
Gen 43:17 And the man did as Yosĕph said, and the man brought the men into Yosĕph’s house.
Gen 43:18 And the men were afraid because they were brought into Yosĕph’s house. And they said, “It is because of the silver, which was put back into our sacks the first time, that we are brought in, to throw himself upon us and fall upon us, to take us as slaves, our donkeys too.”
Gen 43:19 So they came near to the man over the house of Yosĕph, and spoke to him at the door of the house,
Gen 43:23 But he said, “Peace be with you, do not be afraid. Your Elohim and the Elohim of your father has given you treasure in your sacks – your silver had come to me!” And he brought Shim’on out to them.
Gen 43:26 And when Yosĕph came home, they brought him the present which was in their hand, into the house, and bowed down before him to the earth.
Gen 43:27 And he asked them about their welfare, and said, “Is your father well, the old man of whom you spoke? Is he still alive?”
Gen 43:28 And they said, “Your servant our father is in good health, he is still alive.” And they bowed their heads down and did obeisance.
Gen 43:29 And he lifted his eyes and saw his brother Binyamin, his mother’s son, and said, “Is this your younger brother of whom you spoke to me?” And he said, “Elohim show favour to you, my son.”
Aliyah Sheviee 43:30 – 44:17
Gen 43:30 And Yosĕph hurried, for his emotions were deeply moved towards his brother, and he looked for a place to weep, and went into his room and wept there.
Gen 43:31 Then he washed his face and came out, and controlled himself, and said, “Serve the food.”
Gen 43:32 And they set him a place by himself, and them by themselves, and the Mitsrites who ate with him by themselves, for the Mitsrites could not eat food with the Heḇrews, for that is an abomination to the Mitsrites.
Gen 43:33 And they sat before him, the first-born according to his birthright and the youngest according to his youth, and the men looked at each other in astonishment.
Gen 43:34 And he took portions to them from before him, but Binyamin’s portion was five times as much as any of theirs. And they feasted and they drank with him.
Gen 44:1 And he commanded the one over his house, saying, “Fill the men’s sacks with food, as they are able to bear, and put each man’s silver in the mouth of his sack.
Gen 44:2 “And put my cup, the silver cup, in the mouth of the sack of the youngest, and the silver for his grain.” And he did according to the word of Yosĕph which he spoke.
Gen 44:3 As soon as the morning was light, the men were sent away, they and their donkeys.
Gen 44:4 And when they had gone out of the city, not having gone far, Yosĕph said to the one over his house, “Rise up, follow the men, and when you overtake them, say to them, ‘Why have you repaid evil for good?
Gen 44:5 ‘Is this not the one from which my master drinks, and with which he indeed divines? You have done evil in what you have done.’ ”
Gen 44:6 So he overtook them and spoke these words to them.
Gen 44:7 And they said to him, “Why does my master say these words? Far be it from us that your servants should do according to this word.
Gen 44:8 “See, we brought back to you from the land of Kena’an the silver which we found in the mouth of our sacks. How then should we steal silver or gold from your master’s house?
Gen 44:9 “With whomever of your servants it is found – he shall die and we shall become my master’s slaves as well.”
Gen 44:10 And he said, “Now also let it be according to your words: he with whom it is found becomes my slave, and you are innocent.”
Gen 44:11 And they hurried, each man let down his sack to the ground, and each opened his sack.
Gen 44:12 And he searched, with the oldest first and with the youngest last, and the cup was found in Binyamin’s sack.
Gen 44:13 And they tore their garments, and each man loaded his donkey and went back to the city.
Gen 44:14 And Yehuḏah and his brothers came to Yosĕph’s house, and he was still there. And they fell before him on the ground.
Gen 44:15 And Yosĕph said to them, “What deed is this you have done? Did you not know that a man like me indeed divines?”
Gen 44:16 And Yehuḏah said, “What do we say to my master? What do we speak? Or how do we clear ourselves? Elohim has found out the crookedness of your servants. See, we are my master’s slaves, both we and he also with whom the cup was found.”
Gen 44:17 But he said, “Far be it from me to do this. The man in whose hand the cup was found, he becomes my slave. And you, go up in peace to your father.”
Midrash:
Vs 33 and 34 The seating position must have made them realize that Yosef possessed hidden wisdom.
Vs 30 This was a crucial moment for the plan of YHVH to come to completion. If Yosef did not control himself, he would spoiled the plan of YHVH.
The Hebrew word for “deeply moved” is “nicmeru”.
The Hebrew root word comes from the word “comar” which is a pagan priest.
In 2 Kings 23:5 and Zephaniah 1:4 we read about the “cemarim” or idolatrous priests.
It is interesting that the Hebrew word for “net” is “macmorot” the root word also being “comar”
In Hisrsch’s commentary of this verse the question arises “are you a Cohen (priest unto YHVH) or are you a “comar” an idolatrous priest”.
A “comar” is a priest that stirs up strong emotions in order to trap people. The goal of the “comar” is trap you into doing what he believes you should be doing. The “cemarim” will often restrain their emotions until they cannot hold them back any longer and then these emotions will burst forth into strange actions that some believe to be deeply spiritual.
The Hebrew Cohen (priest) is not dependent upon strong emotion, their service is not meant to entice mysterious feelings or uncontrolled outbursts of emotion. Emotions can be good servants but bad masters.
If you look in a modern Hebrew dictionary for the meaning of the word “comer” you will be shocked to find that it means “pastor” Maybe this is just prejudicial, however over the past 200 years more and more evangelical preachers have themselves developed an art of stirring up the emotions of the people. Sadly I believe we find the same phenomena in modern day charismatic praise and worship; emotions are stirred.
Praise and worship was meant to be the truth proclaimed with melody to bring you to the goal of walking in the truth. (Torah observance)
“The hidden treasure in their sacks” Regardless of whether the Jews have accepted our Messiah or not, they still possess a great spiritual treasure. It is profound to see the “spiritual treasures” that come up from their writings and their insights of the Kingdom and the Messiah. Let us not judge this treasure because it is some strange sack
Rom 3:1 What then is the advantage of the Yehudite, or what is the value of the circumcision?
Rom 3:2 Much in every way! Because firstly indeed, that they were entrusted with the Words of Elohim
Rom 9:4 who are Yisra’ĕlites, whose is the adoption, and the esteem, and the covenants, and the giving of the Torah, and the worship, and the promises,
Rom 9:5 whose are the fathers, and from whom is the Messiah according to the flesh, who is over all, Elohim-blessed forever. Amĕn.
Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-‘Olam, asher natan lanu Toraht-emet,
v’chay-yeh o’lam nata-b’tochenu.Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”
(Blessed are you YHVH, our Elohim, King of the Universe,you have given us your Torah of truth,
and have planted everlasting life within our midst.
Blessed are you, Yahweh giver of the Torah.
Ameyn.)
Please note these notes are under construction and are subject to correction and are in no way a final authority on any subject.
Quote: Letter written by Corrie Ten Boom – 1974
"The world is deathly ill. It is dying. The Great Physician has already signed the death certificate. Yet there is still a great work for Christians to do. They are to be streams of living water, channels of mercy to those who are still in the world. It is possible for them to do this because they are overcomers.
Christians are ambassadors for Christ. They are representatives from Heaven to this dying world. And because of our presence here, things will change.
My sister, Betsy, and I were in the Nazi concentration camp at Ravensbruck because we committed the crime of loving Jews. Seven hundred of us from Holland, France, Russia, Poland and Belgium were herded into a room built for two hundred. As far as I knew, Betsy and I were the only two representatives of Heaven in that room.
We may have been the Lord's only representatives in that place of hatred, yet because of our presence there, things changed. Jesus said, "In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." We too, are to be overcomers – bringing the light of Jesus into a world filled with darkness and hate.
Sometimes I get frightened as I read the Bible, and as I look in this world and see all of the tribulation and persecution promised by the Bible coming true. Now I can tell you, though, if you too are afraid, that I have just read the last pages. I can now come to shouting "Hallelujah! Hallelujah!" for I have found where it is written that Jesus said,
"He that overcometh shall inherit all things:
and I will be His God,
and he shall be My son."
and I will be His God,
and he shall be My son."
This is the future and hope of this world. Not that the world will survive – but that we shall be overcomers in the midst of a dying world.
Betsy and I, in the concentration camp, prayed that God would heal Betsy who was so weak and sick.
"Yes, the Lord will heal me," Betsy said with confidence.
She died the next day and I could not understand it. They laid her thin body on the concrete floor along with all the other corpses of the women who died that day.
"Yes, the Lord will heal me," Betsy said with confidence.
She died the next day and I could not understand it. They laid her thin body on the concrete floor along with all the other corpses of the women who died that day.
It was hard for me to understand, to believe that God had a purpose for all that. Yet because of Betsy's death, today I am traveling all over the world telling people about Jesus.
There are some among us teaching there will be no tribulation, that the Christians will be able to escape all this. These are the false teachers that Jesus was warning us to expect in the latter days. Most of them have little knowledge of what is already going on across the world. I have been in countries where the saints are already suffering terrible persecution.
In China, the Christians were told, "Don't worry, before the tribulation comes you will be translated – raptured." Then came a terrible persecution. Millions of Christians were tortured to death. Later I heard a Bishop from China say, sadly,
"We have failed.
We should have made the people strong for persecution,
rather than telling them Jesus would come first.
Tell the people how to be strong in times of persecution,
how to stand when the tribulation comes,
– to stand and not faint."
We should have made the people strong for persecution,
rather than telling them Jesus would come first.
Tell the people how to be strong in times of persecution,
how to stand when the tribulation comes,
– to stand and not faint."
I feel I have a divine mandate to go and tell the people of this world that it is possible to be strong in the Lord Jesus Christ. We are in training for the tribulation, but more than sixty percent of the Body of Christ across the world has already entered into the tribulation. There is no way to escape it.
We are next.
We are next.
Since I have already gone through prison for Jesus' sake, and since I met the Bishop in China, now every time I read a good Bible text I think, "Hey, I can use that in the time of tribulation." Then I write it down and learn it by heart.
When I was in the concentration camp, a camp where only twenty percent of the women came out alive, we tried to cheer each other up by saying, "Nothing could be any worse than today." But we would find the next day was even worse. During this time a Bible verse that I had committed to memory gave me great hope and joy.
"If ye be reproached for the name of Christ, happy are ye;
for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you;
on their part evil is spoken of,
but on your part He is glorified."
(I Peter 3:14)
for the spirit of glory and of God resteth upon you;
on their part evil is spoken of,
but on your part He is glorified."
(I Peter 3:14)
I found myself saying, "Hallelujah!
Because I am suffering, Jesus is glorified!"
Because I am suffering, Jesus is glorified!"
In America, the churches sing, "Let the congregation escape tribulation", but in China and Africa the tribulation has already arrived. This last year alone more than two hundred thousand Christians were martyred in Africa. Now things like that never get into the newspapers because they cause bad political relations. But I know. I have been there. We need to think about that when we sit down in our nice houses with our nice clothes to eat our steak dinners. Many, many members of the Body of Christ are being tortured to death at this very moment, yet we continue right on as though we are all going to escape the tribulation.
Several years ago I was in Africa in a nation where a new government had come into power. The first night I was there some of the Christians were commanded to come to the police station to register. When they arrived they were arrested and that same night they were executed. The next day the same thing happened with other Christians. The third day it was the same. All the Christians in the district were being systematically murdered.
The fourth day I was to speak in a little church. The people came, but they were filled with fear and tension. All during the service they were looking at each other, their eyes asking, "Will this one I am sitting beside be the next one killed? Will I be the next one?"
The room was hot and stuffy with insects that came through the screenless windows and swirled around the naked bulbs over the bare wooden benches. I told them a story out of my childhood.
"When I was a little girl, " I said, "I went to my father and said,
"Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ."
"Tell me," said Father,
"When you take a train trip to Amsterdam,
when do I give you the money for the ticket?
Three weeks before?"
"Daddy, I am afraid that I will never be strong enough to be a martyr for Jesus Christ."
"Tell me," said Father,
"When you take a train trip to Amsterdam,
when do I give you the money for the ticket?
Three weeks before?"
"No, Daddy, you give me the money for the ticket just before we get on the train."
"That is right," my father said, "and so it is with God's strength.
Our Father in Heaven knows when you will need the strength to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.
He will supply all you need – just in time…"
Our Father in Heaven knows when you will need the strength to be a martyr for Jesus Christ.
He will supply all you need – just in time…"
My African friends were nodding and smiling.
Suddenly a spirit of joy descended upon that church and the people began singing,
Suddenly a spirit of joy descended upon that church and the people began singing,
" In the sweet, by and by,
we shall meet on that beautiful shore."
we shall meet on that beautiful shore."
Later that week, half the congregation of that church was executed.
I heard later that the other half was killed some months ago.
I heard later that the other half was killed some months ago.
But I must tell you something. I was so happy that the Lord used me to encourage these people, for unlike many of their leaders, I had the word of God. I had been to the Bible and discovered that Jesus said He had not only overcome the world, but to all those who remained faithful to the end, He would give a crown of life.
How can we get ready for the persecution?
First we need to feed on the Word of God, digest it, make it a part of our being. This will mean disciplined Bible study each day as we not only memorize long passages of scripture, but put the principles to work in our lives.
Next we need to develop a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Not just the Jesus of yesterday, the Jesus of History, but the life-changing Jesus of today who is still alive and sitting at the right hand of God.
We must be filled with the Holy Spirit. This is no optional command of the Bible, it is absolutely necessary. Those earthly disciples could never have stood up under the persecution of the Jews and Romans had they not waited for Pentecost. Each of us needs our own personal Pentecost, the baptism of the Holy Spirit. We will never be able to stand in the tribulation without it.
In the coming persecution we must be ready to help each other and encourage each other.
But we must not wait until the tribulation comes before starting.
The fruit of the Spirit should be the dominant force of every Christian's life.
But we must not wait until the tribulation comes before starting.
The fruit of the Spirit should be the dominant force of every Christian's life.
Many are fearful of the coming tribulation, they want to run. I, too, am a little bit afraid when I think that after all my eighty years, including the horrible Nazi concentration camp, that I might have to go through the tribulation also. But then I read the Bible and I am glad.
When I am weak, then I shall be strong, the Bible says. Betsy and I were prisoners for the Lord, we were so weak, but we got power because the Holy Spirit was on us. That mighty inner strengthening of the Holy Spirit helped us through. No, you will not be strong in yourself when the tribulation comes. Rather, you will be strong in the power of Him who will not forsake you. For seventy-six years I have known the Lord Jesus and not once has He ever left me, or let me down.
"Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him", (Job 13:15)
for I know that to all who overcome,
He shall give the crown of life.
Hallelujah!"
He shall give the crown of life.
Hallelujah!"
- Corrie Ten Boom - 1974