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In Ancient Footsteps - Elul 2009 #2 Empowering the Believer with Biblical Answers
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New Moon sighted over Jerusalem| The Land, The Home, the Birthplace |
Stop and consider the 'land' in which you dwell. Do you dwell in a secure and safe place, a well developed country where order usually rules or do you linger between safety and despair? Is your security threatened, your job, your relationship, your very existence? Many times we think we dwell in security when in reality we do not. In a twinkling of an eye our world can come crashing in around us - the banks can close, the economy fail, our freedoms erased or more importantly a relationship ends or a loved one dies.
The piece of land that we call our own, is not really our own - we have no absolute control over it and it can be reduced to rubble at a moment's notice. Especially in this day and age when bombs can be fitted into the sole of a shoe or a small briefcase. And while our piece of land may change in an instant, our trust in who truly OWNS the land should be firmly rooted in the foundation of our faith!
Examine your 'piece of land' and turn the matter over and over in your mind, in your consciousness, and see if that piece of land outweighs the trust you have placed in the One who owns all property. If it does, then it is time to reevaluate your priorities, to release that piece of land to the true owner of the entire universe and to allow yourself to step through the doorway of HIS kingdom and reside in the only piece of land that truly will make a difference. Let us reside on His piece of land - spiritually and physically!
As Abraham was told to 'leave your land, your birthplace, the home of your parents, and go to the land that I will show you,' so too will Abba show us what we need to leave behind. As you examine your 'piece of land' begin by rooting out the weeds that clutter the landscape. Don't just tear off the tops - search out beneath the surface and carefully grab hold of the root of the problem or habit and begin to free yourself from it's grasp. Allow the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) to assist you seek to find the root of that persistent weed that seems to always entangle itself around your feet tripping you up when you least expect it. Dig deep, don't stop, for this is the time of change - can you feel it in the air?!! Yes! This is the time set apart from Yahovah Himself for us to search out, repent and return! Let us put our whole hearts into readying ourselves for our King!
To be continued tomorrow....
| Recipes and Tips |
TZIMMIS
Source: "Spring Valley Cook Book"
- 4 bunches carrots
- 3 Tbs brown sugar
- 2 Tbs - oil
- 2 tsp salt
Grate/cut carrots into fine pieces, and combine all ingredients in a saucepan. Let simmer on a small flame without water. When slightly brown, add a little water. Cook over heat about two hours.
| Olive Oil |
Genesis 8: 11 And the dove came in to him in the morning; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off….
Exodus 27: 20 And thou shalt command the children of Israel, that they bring thee pure oil olive beaten for the light, to cause the lamp to burn always.
Deuteronomy 7: 13 …thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil…
Deuteronomy 8: 8 …A land of oil olive, and honey.
Judges 9: 8-9 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man…
Psalms 23: 5 …thou anointest my head with oil…
Proverbs 27: 9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart…
Matthew 6: 17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face.
Mark 6: 13 …and anointed with oil many that were sick…
Luke 10: 34 And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine…
James 5: 14 Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.
Olive oil was a precious commodity during the biblical era - as it is today. However I believe they appreciated it much more then since all we have to do is hop in the car and go to the store to pick up a bottle whenever we feel like it! In ancient days of course it was much more difficult to obtain...even if you did have an olive tree outside your back door!
Symbolically, the olive tree represents many things, one of them being abundance and joy. We read in Ps. 52:8 where the Psalmist speaks of a man "like an olive tree flourishing in the house of God." Remember too the dove that Noah sent out which returned with the olive branch (Gen. 8:11) and then later in the Renewed Covenant on the Mount of Olives is mentioned many, many times. And of course, we must not forget how the Israelites are compared to an Olive Tree .. with both the house of Judah and the house of Ephraim as the two sticks that will one day be reunited.
Kings and priests were anointed with pure olive oil as well as the olive and it's oil being a staple of daily life. In ancient days it was used to fry foods, season them and to give them moisture. Not only was bread made with olive oil, it was dipped in spiced oil for eating. The oil was used for perfume, for soothing the skin and for over all healing, just as it is used today.
Many other cultures also treasured the fruit of the olive and the wood of the tree. The Greeks anointed kings and athletes with olive oil and the olive tree is mentioned in the Iliad and the Odyssey. Athenian coins had an olive on them because their goddess considered the olive sacred. The leafy olive branches were used to crown victors, and it was also used during rituals.
Just an added note, when buying Olive Oil, always seek to acquire cold-pressed organic Olive Oil to reap the full benefits of this wonderful gift of Abba!
Knowing the END from the BEGINNING
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