THE PARABLE OF
THE SHEAF OF FIRSTFRUITS
Understanding the truth about the Sheaf of Firstfruits is an important
key to gleaning more knowledge about Yahshua. It is also an important key in
determining when Pentecost is to be observed.
Yahweh
spoke to Moses saying, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them,
When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest
thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf
of the firstfruits of
your harvest unto the priest: And he shall wave the sheaf
before Yahweh, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the
priest shall wave it. And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt
offering unto Yahweh. And the meat offering thereof shall
be two tenth deals of
fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto Yahweh
for
a sweet savour: and the
drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin. And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green
ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your Elohim: it
shall be a statute for
ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings,” Lev. 23:10-14.
One of the
key things that we must understand about Scripture, especially the Torah, is
that it was written about Yahshua. Moses wrote of Yahshua as Yahshua told the people of
His day, “Do not think that I will
accuse you to the Father: there is one that accuseth you, even Moses, in whom ye trust. For had ye believed Moses, ye would
have believed me: for he wrote of me,”
Jn. 5:46.
Moses wrote about Yahshua in parables. The
ordinances of divine service, worldly sanctuary, priesthood, etc. were figures
or parables (Heb. 9:1-9).
Hebrews 9:8-9 states, “The Holy Spirit this signifying, that the way into the
Holiest of all was not yet made manifest, while as the first tabernacle was yet
standing: which was a figure
for the time then present…”
The word
“figure” is translated from the Greek word “parabole” which is elsewhere
translated as “parable.”
Parables were for the purpose of keeping things hidden (Mt.
13:10-17). Yahweh purposely blinded the great overall majority of Israel (Ro.
11:7-10, 25) through those parables.
Paul reveals that a vail is still upon the heart of the Israelites, so
that when Moses is read they continue in blindness (2 Cor. 3:13-15). The only
way to remove the vail, the blindness, is to turn to Yahshua (2 Cor. 3:16).
The sheaf of firstfruits was a parable of Yahshua. Let’s look into this
parable to see if our understanding of the Savior might be magnified by it.
THE OMER
The first thing we need to find out is what a sheaf
was. The word “sheaf” gives us the idea of a
bundle of wheat, but such was not the case. The Hebrew word that has been translated as sheaf is “omer.”
An omer was a measured amount. We read in Ex. 16:36, “Now an omer is
the tenth part
of an ephah.”
Furthermore, Ezekiel says that an ephah was a tenth of an homer, “Ye shall
have just balances, and a just ephah, and a just bath. The ephah and the bath
shall be of one measure, that the bath may contain the tenth part of an homer,
and the ephah the tenth part of an homer:
the measure thereof shall be after the homer.”
Today, our dry measure is in bushels, pecks, quarts,
etc. Israel measured in
homers, ephahs, and omers. An homer was the greatest measure. The ephah was a
tenth of an homer, while the omer was a tenth of an ephah. In other words, the
omer was a tithe of a tithe.
THE TITHE
OF THE TITHE
There is an important concept regarding the tithe of the tithe. Yahweh
spoke to Moses saying, “Thus speak unto the Levites, and say unto them, When
ye take of the children of Israel the tithes which I have given you from them
for your inheritance, then ye shall offer up an heave offering of it for Yahweh,
even a tenth part of the
tithe. And this
your heave offering shall
be reckoned unto you, as though it were the corn of the threshingfloor, and as the fulness of the winepress. Thus
ye also shall offer an heave offering unto Yahweh of all your tithes, which ye
receive of the children of Israel; and ye shall give thereof Yahweh’s heave offering to Aaron the priest,”
Num. 18:26-28.
When the children of Israel reaped their fields, they measured their
increase in homers, just as our farmers today measure their yield in bushels.
A homer would have been equivalent to about 8
bushels in today’s measure. A bushel is equivalent to 4 gallons or 16 quarts,
therefore, an homer would be equivalent to 128 quarts.
The tithe of the homer, the ephah, was given to the Levites. An
ephah would be equivalent to .8 bushel or 12.8 quarts. The Levites, in turn, tithed their tenth, the omer, to the
high priest. An omer would be equivalent to .08 bushel or .32 gallon or about 1.28 quarts
(which is less than a half a gallon). The Levites gave the best of what they had received in
their tithe.
The point is that the tithe of the tithe always belonged to the high
priest. The high priest dwelt in or near Yahweh’s tabernacle, the place of the
abode of Yahweh’s name. The high priest was, in turn, a type of Yahshua, the
heavenly high priest. The omer, the tithe of the tithe was also a type of Him. Yahshua, being the heavenly High Priest, as well as the omer
(sheaf) of firstfruits, belonged to
Yahweh.
THE MANNA
After the deliverance from Egypt into the wilderness of Sin, Israel began
to murmur against Moses and Aaron because there was no longer any bread (Ex.
16:1-3). Yahweh told Moses that He would rain bread from heaven for them (v. 4).
Israel was to gather a certain rate every day (v. 4, again).
The children of Israel would go out and gather the manna every day. Some
gathered more, some less, but it was meted out (measured) with an omer (v.v.
6-18) so that everyone had the proper amount.
The “omer” of manna sustained Israel throughout their trek in the
wilderness. This “omer” of manna was called “bread from heaven” (v.4).
It was a type of Yahshua, the true bread from heaven. Yahshua said, “Verily,
verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father
giveth you the
true bread from heaven. For the bread of Elohim is He which cometh down from
heaven, and giveth life
unto the world....For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent
me....The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I
am the bread which came down from heaven....I
am that bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the wilderness, and are
dead. This
is the bread which cometh down from heaven, that a man may eat thereof, and not die. I
am the living bread which came down from heaven: if any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and
the bread that I will give is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the
world,” Jn. 6:32-33, 41, 48-51.
Yahshua is the omer of true bread from heaven Who sustains His people in
their trek throughout this life’s wilderness just as the manna sustained
Israel throughout their wilderness trek.
THE BARLEY
The grain that was associated with the sheaf (omer) of
firstfruits was barley. It was usually sown in autumn following the “early
rains.” In Palestine barley ripened a month earlier than wheat. It was usually
harvested in March or April. (International Standard Bible Encyclopedia.)
This time period is also associated with the Passover and days of Unleavened Bread. The sheaf (omer)
of firstfruits was offered during the Days of Unleavened Bread.
Since Barley was the first grain harvested each year in Palestine; the
masses looked forward to the beginning of its harvest with great anticipation.
But barley doesn’t have a high content of gluten which is necessary for porous
bread. Therefore, barley was a staple of the poor and animals.
Immediately after Yahshua’s birth he was wrapped in swaddling clothes
and placed in a manger, which is a crib for feeding livestock. Yahshua’s
followers are His sheep. He is their food, their bread from heaven.
Isn’t it interesting that He was born in Bethlehem which, in the Hebrew, means
“house of bread!”
Forty days after His birth His parents brought Him to the temple as
written in Yahweh’s law, “Every male that opens the womb shall be called
holy to Yahweh.” (Lk. 2:22-23).
The sacrifice offered by Yahshua’s parents reveal their penury for they
offered “a pair of turtledoves, or two young pigeons” (Lk. 2:24). Yahweh’s
law stated, “And when the days of her purifying are fulfilled, for a son, or
for a daughter, she shall bring a lamb of the first year for a burnt offering,
and a young pigeon, or a turtledove, for a sin offering, unto the door of the
tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest: Who shall offer it before
Yahweh, and make an atonement for her; and she shall be cleansed from the issue
of her blood. This is the
law for her that hath born a male or a female. And if she be not able to bring a lamb, then she shall bring
two turtles (dove), or two young pigeons; the one for the burnt offering, and the other for a sin
offering: and the priest shall make an atonement for her, and she shall be
clean,” Lev. 12:6-8. Yahshua’s parents didn’t have the means to provide a
lamb and offered the sacrifice of the poor.
Yahshua came to preach the evangel to the poor, “The Spirit of Yahweh is
upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the evangel to the poor;
he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the
captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are
bruised, 19 To preach the acceptable year of Yahweh. This is taken from Isa.
61:1-2 where the word “poor” is translated as “meek.” Meek is translated
from the Hebrew word “anawv”
which also means: depressed
(fig.) in mind (gentle)
or circumstances (needy,
espec. saintly).
The idea of the word is: the oppressed, humble, meek, poor, afflicted, needy,
etc.
James says that Yahweh has chosen the poor of this world rich in faith,
and heirs of the kingdom (2:5).
The sheaf (omer) of
firstfruits consisting of the barley, the food for the poor and animals, is a
type of Yahshua Who is the food for the poor of this world and the sheep of His
pasture (animals).
TIMING
As stated above, the barley was the first grain to ripen. Its ripening
took place in our months called March and April. The Hebrew month, however, was
Abib. Abib means a tender green ear. It especially has to do with grain, that
is, the barley. But it also has to do with the tender green ears of almost all
vegetation appearing in the spring.
Abib was to be the first month of the year, “This month shall be unto
you the beginning of months: it shall be the first month of the year to you,”
Ex. 12:2.
It just so happens that the
Passover, and days of unleavened bread, along with the green ears of barley are
coordinated by Yahweh to all take place in this month.
THE
ATONEMENT
The Hebrew word for barley is “se’or.” It comes from the primitive
root word “sa’ar.” Another Hebrew word stemming from “sa’ar” is “se’ir.”
Among other things, “se’ir” means goat.
The high priest was to take two kids of the goats (se’ir [-im]) on the
Day of Atonement for Israel’s sins (Lev. 16:5, 7-10, 15-22). The relationship
between the words barley (se’or) and goat (se’ir) reveal their association
as an atonement offering and their type in representing Yahshua.
The blood of the goat (se’ir) of the sin offering was used to atone for
the people, holy place, and the altar.
The live goat (se’ir) was let go alive into the wilderness, bearing the
sins of the people on his head to a place not inhabited (where nothing else
lives). This goat (se’ir) was called the “azazel.” “Se’ir” also
means; satyr, faun, devil. Azazel comes from two Hebrew words “azaz” and “azal.”
“Azaz” means: to be stout, strong, harden, impudent, prevail, etc.
“Azal” means: to go away, disappear, fail, gad about, go to and fro, be
gone, spent, etc.
The kids of the goats were chosen while they were yet young, tender,
gentle and innocent. The goat of the sin offering for Yahweh was a type of
Yahshua under these conditions and attitudes.
The azazel was spared, kept alive, and sent into the wilderness to grow
strong, stout, hardened, and impudent. It was to be allowed to gad about, go to
and fro. Such is the statement Satan made to Yahweh in Job 1:7 and 2:2. He was
going to and fro, walking up and down (gadding about) in the earth.
The azazel represents Satan who is stout, strong, hardened, and impudent.
His ways prevail today as he gads about, going to and fro, stirring up strife
and contention in the earth. He was the serpent who deceived the woman in the
garden of Eden, bringing pain, suffering and death upon mankind. He is revealed
in the book of Revelation as a very evil, angry, impudent and unrepentant being.
He will eventually fail,
however, and disappear, to be seen no more (Rev. 20:1-3, 10).
Yahshua is the goat (se’ir) of the sin offering through Whom we have
received the atonement, “And not only so,
but we also joy in Yahweh through our Master Yahshua Messiah, by whom we have
now received the atonement,” Ro. 5:11.
THE
ESTIMATION
But what does barley (se’or) have to do with the atonement? The book of
Leviticus says, “And if a man shall sanctify unto Yahweh some
part of a field of his
possession, then thy estimation shall be according to the seed thereof: an homer
of barley
seed shall be valued at
fifty shekels of silver,” Lev. 27:16.
An homer of barley was estimated at fifty shekels of silver. An ephah,
which is a tenth of an homer, would be estimated at 5 shekels while the omer, a
tenth of the epahah would be estimated at .5 (1/2) shekel of silver.
This half shekel was important for we read, “And Yahweh spake unto
Moses, saying, When thou takest the sum of the children of Israel after their
number, then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto Yahweh, when
thou numberest them; that there be no plague among them, when thou
numberest them. This they
shall give, every one that passeth among them that are numbered, half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary:
is twenty gerahs: an half shekel shall
be the offering of
Yahweh. Every one that passeth among them that are numbered, from twenty years
old and above, shall give an offering unto Yahweh. The rich shall not give more,
and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel,
when they give an offering unto Yahweh, to make an atonement for your souls. And thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of Israel, and shalt appoint it for the
service of the tabernacle of the congregation; that it may be a memorial unto the children of Israel before Yahweh, to make an atonement for your souls. Notice that this atonement money was
for a memorial, similar to the Passover memorial.
The omer of barley, the omer of firstfruits, was estimated at 1/2 (half)
a shekel of silver, the atonement money required for the children of Israel. Thus, we can see the relationship between the barley (se’or
from sa’ar) and the goat (se’ir from sa’ar). They both carry the role of
atonement in relationship to the Sovereign Yahshua.
THE
FIRSTFRUITS
The sheaf
(omer)
was called the omer (sheaf) of firstfruits (Lev. 23:10). The Hebrew terminology is “omer re’shiyth.” The
word “firstfruits” is translated from the Hebrew word “re’shiyth” (tyviare). Re’shiyth
is more frequently translated as “beginning” than “firstfruits.” For
example, we read, “In the beginning...” in Gen. 1:1. The Hebrew word is
“be-re’shiyth” (“tyviareB.”). In this case, the second letter of the Hebrew alphabet,
“beit” (B), is added to re’shiyth to give the idea that we get in the
English, to wit: “In the.”
The Psalmist says, “The fear of Yahweh is the beginning (re’shiyth)
of wisdom...,” 111:10. In Proverbs 1:7 we read, “The fear of Yahweh is the
beginning (re’shiyth) of knowledge...”
From this we learn that the “omer of firstfruits” could be rendered
the “omer of beginnings,” for the omer that was offered was the
very first omer that began the harvest season.
This omer typified Yahshua as the beginning. The apostle John wrote,
“In the beginning (the Hebrew word would be bere’shiyth/tyviareB) was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was
Elohim. The same was in the beginning with Elohim. All things were made by him;
and without him was not any thing made that was made...And the Word was made
flesh, and dwelt among us, we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only
begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth,” Jn. 1:1-3, 14.
The book of Hebrews says, “Elohim, who at sundry times and in divers
manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, Hath in these last
days spoken unto us by his Son,
whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; Who
being the brightness of his glory,
and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his
power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the
Majesty on high; Being made so much better than the angels, as he hath by
inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the
angels said he at any time, Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee? And
again, I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son? And again, when
he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the
angels of Elohim worship him. And of the angels he saith, Who maketh his angels spirits,
and his ministers a flame of fire. But unto the Son he
saith, Thy throne, O Elohim,
is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is
the sceptre of thy
kingdom. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; therefore Elohim, even
thy Elohim, hath anointed
thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows. And, Thou, Master, in the beginning (tyviareB) hast
laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of thine hands:
They shall perish; but thou remainest; and they all shall wax old as doth a
garment...,” 1:1-11.
The apostle Paul writes, “Paul, an apostle of Yahshua Messiah by the
will of Yahweh, and Timotheus our brother, To the saints and faithful brethren in Messiah which are at
Colosse: Grace be unto
you, and peace, from Yahweh our Father and the Master Yahshua Messiah. We give
thanks to Elohim and the Father of our Master Yahshua Messiah, praying always
for you, Since we heard of your faith in Messiah Yahshua, and of the love which
ye have to all the
saints, For the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, whereof ye heard before
in the word of the truth of the gospel; Which is come unto you, as it is in all the world; and bringeth forth fruit, as it
doth also in you, since
the day ye heard of
it, and knew the grace of
Elohim in truth: As ye also learned of Epaphras our dear fellowservant, who is
for you a faithful minister of Messiah; Who also declared unto us your love in
the Spirit. For this cause we also, since the day we heard it,
do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the
knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; That ye might
walk worthy of the Master unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work,
and increasing in the knowledge of Elohim; Strengthened with all might,
according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with
joyfulness; Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be
partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from
the power of darkness, and hath translated us
into the kingdom of his
dear Son: In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible
Elohim, the firstborn of every creature: For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible
and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
And he is before all things, and by him all things consist.
And he is the head of the body, the assembly: who is the beginning,
(tyviare)
the firstborn from the
dead; that in all things
he might have the
preeminence,” Col. 1:1-18.
Yahweh does not change (Mal. 3:6). He has always began all things in
Yahshua as Paul writes, “Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift
of the grace of Yahweh given unto me by the effectual working of his power. Unto
me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should
preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Messiah; And to make all men
see what is
the fellowship of the
mystery, which from the beginning (tyviare) of the world hath
been hid in Elohim, who created all things by Yahshua Messiah: To the intent
that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places
might be known by the
assembly the manifold wisdom of Elohim, According to the eternal purpose which
he purposed in Messiah Yahshua our Master; In whom we have boldness and access
with confidence by the faith of him. Wherefore I desire that ye faint not at my
tribulations for you, which is your glory. For this cause I bow my knees unto
the Father of our Master Yahshua Messiah, Of whom the whole family in heaven and
earth is named,” Eph. 3:7-15.
Yahweh declares the end from the beginning, “Remember this, and shew
yourselves men: bring it again
to mind, O ye transgressors. Remember the former things of old: for I am
Elohim, and there
is none else; I
am Elohim, and there
is none like me, Declaring the end from the beginning
(tyviare),
and from ancient times the
things that are not yet
done, saying, My counsel
shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure,” Isa. 46:8-10.
“I have declared the former
things from the beginning (tyviare);
and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass. Because I knew that thou art
obstinate, and thy neck is
an iron sinew, and thy
brow brass; I have even from the beginning (tyviare) declared it to thee; before it came to
pass I shewed it thee: lest thou shouldest say, Mine idol hath done them, and my graven image,
and my molten image, hath commanded them,” Isa. 48:3-5.
Yahshua is the beginning (tyviare)
of all Yahweh’s
creation, “And unto the angel of the assembly of the Laodiceans write; These
things saith the Amein, the faithful and true witness, the beginning (tyviareB) of the creation of Elohim,” Rev. 3:14.
The omer of beginnings (sheaf
of firstfruits) was a
type of Yahshua through Whom the great spiritual harvest was begun. Yahshua is
the true omer re’shiyth (omer of firstfruits, omer of beginnings).
THE COUNT
The omer was to be waved on the morrow after the Sabbath (Lev. 23:11).
With the waving of the omer of beginnings, they were to begin counting. Seven Sabbaths had to be complete (49 days). On the
morrow after the seventh Sabbath (the fiftieth day), a new wave offering was to
be presented before Yahweh (v.v. 15-17). This day was called the Feast of
Harvests, Feast of Firstfruits, Feast of Weeks and Pentecost.
There has been controversy as to when this count began. Some say the day
after the first high day of Unleavened Bread. Others say the first day of the
week following the Sabbath that occurs during the Days of Unleavened Bread.
The Jewish people who follow the method of the Pharisees, observe the day
after the first high day. This caused Pentecost to fall on Sivan 6, which may
occur on any given day of the week. Those who use the second method will always
observe Pentecost on the first day of the week, which would be the morrow after
the seventh Sabbath (Lev. 23:16) as well as the beginning
of the week.
Those
who follow the Pharasaical method are not following Scripture closely. The
majority of Pharisees rejected and denied Yahshua as the Messiah. Those who did
receive him had to follow Paul’s example counting those things loss (dung) in
order to win Messiah, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Master. To write
the same things to you, to me indeed is
not grievous, but for you
it is safe.
Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the concision. For we are the
circumcision, which worship Yahweh in the spirit, and rejoice in Messiah
Yahshua, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have
confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might
trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching
the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the assembly; touching the
righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me,
those I counted loss for Messiah. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but
loss for the excellency
of the knowledge of Messiah Yahshua my Master: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win the Messiah,” Phil.
3:1-8.
Paul wrote that when Moses is read, a vail is upon the Israelites heart.
The only way to remove the vail is through Yahshua, “But even unto this day,
when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart. Nevertheless when it shall
turn to the Master (Yahshua), the vail shall be taken away,” 2 Cor. 3:15-16.
Yahshua was raised to be accepted as the wave sheaf on the morrow after
the regular Sabbath during the Days of Unleavened Bread. Our count must begin
with that day.
Notice the account in John 20:1, “The first day of the week cometh
Miriam Magdalene early, when it was yet dark, unto the sepulchre, and seeth the
stone taken away from the sepulchre.” This Scripture should read “And on the
first of the Sabbaths” (plural), for the Greek word is Sabbaton. It is
rendered as such in the Greek Interlinear Bible.
E. W. Bullinger’s Companion Bible makes this comment regarding John 20:1, “The
first day of the week=On
the first (day) of the Sabbaths (pl.). Te mia ton sabbaton. The word “day” is rightly supplied, as mia
is feminine, and so must agree
with a feminine noun understood, while sabbaton
is neuter. Luke 24. 1 has the same. Matthew reads, “towards dawn on the first
(day) of the Sabbaths”, and Mark (16.2), “very early on the first (day) of
the Sabbaths”. The expression is not a Hebraism, and “Sabbaths” should not
be rendered “week”, as in A.V. and R.V. A reference to Lev. 23. 15-17 shows
that this “first day” is the first of the days for reckoning the seven
Sabbaths to Pentecost. On this day, therefore, the L-rd became the firstfruits
(vv. 10, 11) of G-d’s resurrection harvest (1 Cor. 15. 23).”
Yahshua told Miriam, “Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my
Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and
your Father; and to my Elohim, and your Elohim,” Jn. 20:17.
He had to ascend before the Father in order to be accepted as the
firstfruits from the dead, and for the count to Pentecost to begin.
Fifty is a very significant number in Yahweh’s spiritual plan. Fifty is
the number of freedom, liberty, jubilee.
Fifty days after the acceptance of Yahshua as the “omer of beginnings
(sheaf of firstfruits)”,
the Holy Spirit was given. (Acts 2:1-4). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth,
“I have yet many things to say unto you, but ye cannot bear them now. Howbeit
when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into
all truth: for he shall
not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that
shall he speak: and he
will shew you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine,
and shall shew it
unto you. All things that
the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and
shall shew it unto
you,” Jn. 16:12-15. “But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto
you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth,
which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me: And ye also shall bear
witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning,” Jn. 15:26-27. “If
ye love me, keep my commandments. And I will pray the Father, and he shall give
you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever; Even the
Spirit of truth; whom the
world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know
him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you,” Jn.14-15-17.
The Holy Spirit, being the Spirit of truth, is also the Spirit of liberty
or freedom, for the truth sets us free, “Then said Yahshua to those Jews which
believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then
are ye my disciples
indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth
shall make you free,”
Jn. 8:31-32.
As we have seen, Yahshua came to proclaim deliverance and liberty (Lk.
4:18-19). Yahshua is the omer of fifty, the omer of truth, deliverance, liberty,
and freedom.
THE TWO
WAVE LOAVES
On the fiftieth day two wave loaves were to be brought out of their
habitations, of two tenth deals (ephah), baked with leaven. This was a new meat
offering. They were fristfruits unto Yahweh. While the word “firstfruits in the
“sheaf of firstfruits” is tyviare
(v. 10), the
word “firstfruits” used here is translated from a different Hebrew word. It
is “bikuwr” or “bakar.” This will be covered in another article. The
essential thing here is that one omer has become two, representing increase.
Yahshua is Yahweh’s Word (Jn. 1:1-3, 14). By the Word of Yahweh were
the heavens made, and all the host of them by the breath (spirit) of His mouth (Psa.
33:6). He sends forth His Spirit and they are created (Psa. 104:30, first part).
The Hebrew word for “create [-ed]” is “bara.” Bara means: to
create; (qualified) to cut down (a wood), select, feed (as formative processes),
dispatch, do, make (fat). Yahweh sends forth His Word (dispatches), His Spirit,
His Son, Yahshua. He begins things which grow (make [fat]) and produce (do)
fruit.
When we repent and are baptized, we receive the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).
The Spirit we receive is an earnest, “Now he which stablisheth us with you in
Messiah, and hath anointed us, is Elohim; Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts...Now
he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is Elohim, who
also hath given unto us the earnest of
the Spirit,” 2 Cor.
1:21-22, 5:5. This earnest of the Spirit is only a small portion, like a seed.
The seed germinates in us and we are to grow, “As newborn babes, desire the
sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby,” 1 Pet. 2:2. “But grow in grace, and in the
knowledge of our Master and Saviour Yahshua Messiah.
To him be
glory both now and for
ever. Amein,” 2 Pet. 3:18. All of this begins with the omer re’shiyth, the
omer of beginnings, the omer (sheaf) of
firstfruits,
Yahshua the Messiah.
If we return to Psalm 33 we read, “For the Word (dabar) of Yahweh is
right (upright, straight), and all His works are done in truth...By the Word (dabar)
of Yahweh were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His
mouth...For He spake (omer) and it was done (became); He commanded, and it stood
fast,” (v.v. 4, 6, 9).
The word “spake” is translated from another Hebrew word which is also “omer.” The word “omer” in Lev. 23 is (rm,[o). The word “omer” in Psa. 33 is (rm;a'). The only difference between the two is the the first letter in each. Omer in Lev. 23 begins with the Hebrew letter ayin ([), while in Psa. 33 it begins with the Hebrew letter (a). Study of the Scriptures reveals that both words apply to Yahshua Who is the omer (rm,[) re’shiyth, and the omer (rm;a') relating to Yahweh’s Word (dabar).
Truly, when we study the Scriptures as to how they relate to and speak of
Yahshua, many wondrous things are revealed. Yahshua is the “Omer Re’shiyth”
of the New Testament Assembly. He is our “True Bread from Heaven,” our
“Atonement,” our “Firstfruits,” our “Beginning,” our
“Deliverer,” our “Truth” that sets us free. May Yahweh help each of us
to “grow” in Him.
By Jerry Healan
PART IV
PERMEATION
As we have seen, the dragon, the serpent, Leviathan, the devil, and Satan
has permeated, infiltrated the whole world, and all organizations, governments,
institutions, religions, etc. The kings and rulers of the earth have aided this
great permeation (Psa. 2:1-3; Rev. 17:1-5; 18:3, etc.).
But we need to explore one final thing, that is, our own selves! As we all
should know, the oceans and seas of the earth are salty. Did you know that our
own bodies possess the same saltiness as the seas? We have to have that
saltiness so that the electrical impulses of our bodies, and cellular structure
will work.
Do this experiment, take a glass of distilled water, place two silver rods
in it that are connected to a simple battery pack, one lead to the positive, and
one to the negative, also attached to a small light bulb. There will be no
activity at all. But take a saline solution (saltwater mixture), and add a drop
of the saline solution to it, the light bulb will begin to glow faintly. Add
more drops and the bulb will burn brighter and brighter with each added drop of
the saline solution.
Our bodies need this saltiness in order to operate, period! We are
wonderfully made! Nothing would function without this salt (saline) solution in
our bodies. Collectively, we would be called the “sea, or waters of
humanity.”
The Psalmist declares, “O Yahweh, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom
hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. So is this great and
wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts.
There go the ships: there is that Leviathan,
whom thou hast made to play therein,” Psa. 104:24-26.
What does the angel tell the Apostle John? “Come hither; I will shew unto
thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth
upon many waters,” Rev. 17:1 (last part)!
Here is the situation; when Adam was placed in the Garden of Eden, he was
commanded to not eat of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, “And
Yahweh Elohim commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest
freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not
eat of it:
for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die,” Gen. 2:16-17.
“Of it” is translated from the Hebrew word mimenu
(wnmm). The ISA
Basic Interlinear translates it as “from
him.”
As long as they had not eaten of the tree, they were naked and not ashamed
(Gen. 2:25). The Pictorial Hebrew reveals the meaning of the word “ashamed”
which is sfb
(buwsh). The beit (b)
is a picture of a house, tent, temple, etc. The waw
(f) is the picture of a nail,
which is utilized to nail things together or establish. The shin (s)
is the picture of teeth with which we eat, consume, destroy, etc. Our house (b) is our body. At the point
of Gen. 2:25 they had no destruction (s) added (f) to themselves.
Eve told the serpent, “But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst
of the garden, Elohim hath said, Ye shall not eat of it
(wnmm/from him), neither shall ye touch it,
lest ye die,” Gen. 3:3.
The serpent answered, “...Elohim doth know that in the day ye eat thereof
(wnmm/from him), then your eyes shall be
opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil,” Gen. 3:5.
Now, let’s dissect this word mimenu
(wnmm)with the Pictorial Hebrew. When a mem (m)
is placed in front of a word, it gives the idea of “from.” The waw (f)
at the end of the word gives the gender “him.” The meat of the word, so to
speak, or the main idea is discovered by the last two letters. This mem (m)
is a picture of water, which, in this case, typifies chaos. The nun (n)
is the picture of a seed, sperm, heir, etc. Thus, to eat from him would produce
a life, an inheritance (n)
of chaos (m)!
Surely die (Gen. 2:17) is translated from mot
(tfm) tamoot (tfmt).
Look at these words! tfm
(die, death) means chaos (m)
adds (f) death/cessation (t). Furthermore, tamoot (tfmt) has to do with beginning
and ending in death, cessation. In other words, in the day that they ate of that
tree their bodies would be enclosed with death from which they simply would have
no power to deliver themselves. Their posterity would also suffer the
consequences of being imprisoned in death from conception to the end.
Yahweh told Adam, “Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife,
and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not
eat of it
(wnmm/from him): cursed is the ground for thy
sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life,” Gen. 3:17.
The clincher is found in verse 22, “And Yahweh Elohim said, Behold, the
man is become as one of us, to know good and evil: and now, lest he
put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live for
ever.”
“Of us” is also translated from mimenu
(wnmm) and should have been translated as FROM
HIM! Man was already made in Elohim’s image (Gen. 1:26-27). There is a saying,
you are what you eat. They had eaten of the forbidden tree and become like
it/him.
Adam’s disobedience made all of us sinners, “Wherefore, as by one man
sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men,
for that all have sinned: (For until the law sin was in the world: but sin is
not imputed when there is no law. Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses,
even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression,
who is the figure of him that was to come,” Ro. 5:12-14.
Sadly, we follow our first father Adam’s example of not only self
destruction, but destruction of those around us.
The serpent is the one who has the power over mankind. He is spirit,
“….the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom
also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh,
fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the
children of wrath, even as others,” Eph. 2:2 (last part)-3.
He has power over the flesh. Our flesh is like a radio, television,
microwave, etc. receiver! Look at what is revealed, “And you hath he
quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked
according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air,”
Eph. 2:1-2 (first part).
The overall general Hebrew word for spirit, and air, as well as breath is ruach. The serpent is the “prince of the
power of the air (ruach).
We must breathe (ruach)
the air (ruach) of this world in order to
live! This air (ruach) enters into the lungs, is first sent to the heart, which
then pumps it to the brain which receives the greatest part before going to the
rest of the body.
This prince of the power of the air knows what our fleshly weaknesses are
and charges the air we breathe with lusts, desires, moods, attitudes. As we have
seen, he has the power of death from which it isn’t possible for us to escape
of ourselves.
I have an article on hand that reveals scientists have now proven that DNA
can be “re-programmed” through words and frequencies (vibrations).
Thus, as previously revealed, we are made of dust, and dust was assigned to
be the serpent’s food!
SLAVERY
Pharoah, and Egypt were types of this slavery. Israel went into Egypt to be
saved from starvation, but once there the trap was set. After Jacob and Joseph
died another Pharaoh arose who didn’t know Joseph and he and the Egyptians
worked underhandedly to bring them into the bondage of slavery. (Ex. 1)
Pharaoh wore the headdress of the serpent. He was the serpent’s super
agent. But look at the salvation of Yahweh. He utilized Joseph as a savior for
the then known world including Egypt, and Israel. Then He utilized Moses, in
combination with the judgments of plagues on Egypt, and the Passover lamb, to
rescue, deliver, save His people Israel from their bondage to slavery to Egypt.
But these were only types of a far greater slavery imposed by a far greater
slave master. But it is also a type of a far greater deliverance, a far greater
salvation in the future through the true Passover Lamb Yahshua the Messiah (1
Cor. 5:7).
The serpent continues to work in the children of disobedience (Eph. 2:2).
But he also works against Yahshua’s people who have been called out of this
world for Paul reveals that there is a law of sin in the flesh (Ro. 7:23). He
also reveals that this law of sin in the flesh is quite contrary to the Spirit
of Yahshua, which when we struggle against by our own power, we lose the battle,
but if we yield to the Spirit of the Messiah, we win!
Paul also writes, “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which
are in the Messiah Yahshua, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in the Messiah Yahshua hath made me free from
the law of sin and death. For what the law could not
do, in that it was weak through the flesh, Yahweh sending his own Son
in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in
us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that
are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is
death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. Because the carnal mind
is enmity against Yahweh: for it is not subject to the law of Yahweh, neither
indeed can be. So then they that are in the flesh cannot please Yahweh. But ye
are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of Yahweh
dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of the Messiah, he is none of
his. And if the Messiah be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the
Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up
Yahshua from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up the Messiah from the dead
shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.
Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh.
For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do
mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. For as many as are led by the
Spirit of Elohim, they are the sons of Elohim. For ye have not received the
spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption,
whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit,
that we are the children of Elohim: And if children, then heirs; heirs of
Elohim, and joint-heirs with Messiah; if so be that we suffer with him, that we
may be also glorified together,” Ro. 8:1-17.
CONCLUSION
We have discovered so many things concerning Leviathan. Leviathan is
actually a proper noun, while Satan is
truly a common noun that should actually be rendered as ha-shatan (the adversary).
The name means “Uniting serpent” which is associated with a wreath
(symbol of death), also the constellation called the dragon, and with Babylon.
We have seen how he was preternaturally formed, which is outside of nature.
He was perfect when he was created, but turned to iniquity.
Seir, the Horite, and his family (seven sons) were types of him. Ha-Seir
means “the devil” which is Esau’s inheritance. Horite means cave dweller
which associates Seir and his family with Mithras whose day of the week was
Sunday, and birthday was December 25th.
In the Ugaritic texts Lotan (the name of the oldest son of Seir) was the
seven headed dragon. In Scripture, Leviathan is shown to have heads (plural).
He has deceived mankind into naming the days of the week in order to be
raised up in worship, as he seeks to exalt his throne above the stars of El (Isa.
14).
In accordance with Zechariah chapter three, Satan (ha-shatan) is at the
right hand of the high priest Yahshua son of Yosedek (the righteous Yahweh)
resisting (satanizing) him.
We have seen how he is related to the beast and dragon of revelation; how
Romans (the inheritors of Babylon) have been associated with him.
We have seen how his symbols are exhibited throughout the earth in every
manner of life.
We certainly hope that this has been a valuable eye opening presentation for
all of you as it has been for this author. I began this treatise not realizing
how deeply it would take me. There is so much more to the story, but it must be
ended so we can go on to other things.
There are other articles and booklets that we would like to suggest you
request which will help to increase your information of this subject even more.
SUGGESTED MATERIALS:
Esau’s Inheritance
The Tsar
The Devices of Satan
The Iron Furnace
Who Is the Idol Shepherd?
The Curse That Comes Upon The Earth
The Spirits Like Frogs Identified
JH
Submitted by
Virginia Jones, Darrell & Pam Artmann, Frank Hawes
How did Moses feed everyone? Read and feel
comforted. Amazing Data on Moses. Moses and the people were in the desert, but
what was he going to do with them? They had to be fed, and feeding 2 or 3
million people requires a lot of food.
According to the Quartermaster General in the
Army, it is reported that Moses would have to have had 1500 tons of food each
day. Do you know that to bring that much food each day, two freight trains, each
at least a mile long, would be required?!
Besides you must remember, they were out in
the desert, so they would have to have firewood to use in cooking the food. This
would take 4000 tons of wood and a few more freight trains, each a mile long,
just for one day.
And just think, they were forty years in
transit. And Oh yes! They would have to have water. If they only had enough to
drink and wash a few dishes, it would take 11,000,000 gallons each day and a
freight train with tank cars, 1800 miles long, just to bring water!
And then another thing! They had to get across
the Red Sea at night. Now, if they went on a narrow path, double file, the line
would be 800 miles long and would require 35 days and nights to get through. So
there had to be a space in the Red Sea, 3 miles wide so that they could walk
5000 abreast to get over in one night.
But then, there is another problem...each time
they camped at the end of the day, a campground two-thirds the size of the state
of Rhode Island was required, or a total of 750 square miles long. Think of it!
This much space for camping.
Do you think Moses figured all this out before
he left Egypt? I think not! You see, Moses believed in his Creator. Abba took
care of these things for him.
Now do you think Abba has any problem taking
care of all your needs?
Our EL is an Awesome Yah!!! So when the road
you're traveling on…seems difficult at best, just remember, keep on praying,
and Yah will do the rest.
But, if you have missed knowing the SAVIOR our Messiah, Yahshua you have missed everything in the world!!!!
The 2015 calendar was published in our last edition (Jan.—Mar). We find
that we must make corrections to the spring portion of that calendar.
The new moon of Abib was not sighted on the day that we predicted. It was
seen on the evening of the 21st of March rather than the 20th. This delayed
Passover one day as well as Unleavened Bread.
Passover day was observed on the Sabbath day of April 4th, while unleavened
bread was observed on the 5th—11th. This means that the count to Pentecost
began on the 12th rather than the 5th, because the count must begin on the
Sabbath that occurs in unleavened bread. This means that Pentecost will be
observed on the 31st of May rather than the 24th.
We sincerely apologize for this error in computation and the inconvenience
that it has caused.
We have carefully reviewed the fall feast day dates, and feel assured that
they will be correct.
Again, we apologize and pray that you were able to discover the correction
and observe the days correctly. If not, the fault is with us and not yourselves.
May you be greatly blessed in Yahshua,
Jerry
Healan
.