Malachi 4:5
Look, I will send to you Eliyahu the prophet before the
coming of the great and terrible Day of YHVH.
6
He will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and the
hearts of the children to their fathers;
otherwise I will come and
strike the land with complete destruction."
How kind and gracious is our Father YHVH to give us the opportunity to be drawn back to the ancient paths and allow our hearts to be changed. I'm no student of eschatology but I can see the times advancing to the day when the feasts will be fulfilled and YHVH ushers in the next age.
We have become new creations in Him and co-heirs of the promise. May we therefore become predisposed to take on His nature rather than the carnal nature of man; keeping our eyes fixed on the age to come and our hearts filled with His Words of prophetic purpose and hope.
At Hebron this week we were all busy completing a variety of tasks. These limited times of working together not only help keep Hebron developing but also develop and maintain our relationships. When the days ahead become more difficult we don't want to go into 'survival for me and mine' mode, but rather we would like to see the strength of the community relationships provide sustenance and encouragement. We've all experienced the fickleness of friendship and long for the steadfastness found in covenantal love, but it is the Ruach HaKodesh that binds with cords that cannot be broken.
Unfortunately I was rather remiss in taking photos last weekend but rest assured a variety of tasks were completed; orchard maintenance, fence maintenance, tractor maintenance and separating the ram from the flock. We also took caper cuttings and hoping that we get a good strike to be planted next year. We also have about 100 trees that will be ready to be planted out in May.
It's extremely rewarding to see trees we planted 6 years ago doing so well.
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The first coat of paint on the living room wall was put on and once finished it will
brighten and freshen up the community area.
Both dams have been replenished and there are tadpoles galore. It's wonderful to see how the land and animals have been refreshed by all the rain we've received. I've never seen so much green grass at this time of year and it will be interesting to see how long it lasts. Unfortunately the capers are beginning to turn for the season due to the colder weather. Capers are deciduous and the leaves will turn a purple colour before dropping off. Each week I pick a handful of capers and caper berries so I hold big hopes for next year.
Picking up on the theme of predispositions, we often pick up quirks of character from our parents, be it good or bad. I have a lot to thank my father for, but the eye for a handy piece of equipment may or may not be one of them. The previous home of our Red Lady holds many temptations and I succumbed to this little handmade trailer for the back of the ride-on mower. I've never been one for glitz or glamour, but unique and handy will get me every time.
May our Light and our Salvation be your encouragement, comfort and strength this week.
Shalom
Matthew 11:7-15:
ReplyDeleteAs these men were going away, Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John, “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? But what did you go out to see? A man dressed in soft clothing? Those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ palaces! But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I tell you, and one who is more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is written,
‘BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.’ Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force. For all the prophets and the Law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear."
Matthew 17:10-13:
And His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.
Luke 1:17:“It is he (John the Baptist) who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”
This is why we must always look to the NT to correctly interpret the OT for us. The reality always casts the shadow, not the other way around. Jesus says very clearly that the return of Elijah was not literal but spiritual, and has happened in John's ministry. Jesus and Luke both quote Malachi in reference to John. John himself also claims to be fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy.
Peace to you all!
The people John preached to and baptised in preparation for the Lord were not all of Israel, but a remnant. This remnant prevented God's wrath which was poured out on national Israel in AD70 from being a COMPLETE destruction.
Picking up on the theme of predispositions...
ReplyDeleteBut the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your petition has been heard, and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you will give him the name John. You will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. For he will be great in the sight of the Lord; and he will drink no wine or liquor, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit while yet in his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the sons of Israel back to the Lord their God.
What a promise of Godly predisposition! To be filled with the Holy Spirit before even being born, before even exercising our "free will" to "choose" to believe! Hallelujah our God is most gracious beyond measure and all glory will be rendered unto Him!