Skip to main content

Passover 2020 and the Plagues

2020 has been a kicker so far: drought, bushfires and now a global pandemic.  Anyone would think it was the beginning of the end.... It's certainly been an opportunity for our Father to refine us and prepare us for what lies ahead, just like a good Father should. 

We were unable to gather together at Hebron this year for the Passover meal because of the social isolation restrictions but we did gather online for a time. 

In a few months we will be able to get together again here at Hebron and enjoy each other's company and the property.  The rains are coming so the dams will replenish, the paddocks will be green and everything will be fresh again.  The house will be filled with chatter, laughter and the sound of board games being won or lost. 

I am so blessed to be able to see the transitions of seasons and experience the harsh realities of the weather.  The ferocious winds, heat, dust, weeds and flies can at times seem overwhelming but it only takes the amazing super moon this Passover or the appearance of new grass for the difficulties to recede and be put into perspective.
The challenges that life and this world throw our way also recede and are put into perspective when we consciously and deliberately come to the Father.  His love manifested in the Passover, in Messiah Yeshua, and the giving of Torah and His Ruach.  He understands our frailties, our health challenges, fears, sorrows and disappointments, and wonderfully causes our hearts to fill and spirits to soar again. 

Yeshua, the first fruits, our Messiah and bread of life gives hope and assurance to those who love and obey Him.  Death where is your sting?!  Though the fig tree does not blossom, and there be no fruit on the vine...yet will I exult in YHVH, I will rejoice in the God of my salvation!  

This week of Unleavened Bread is a precious time of daily observance and reflection on the Manna from heaven.  As we 'take up our execution stake' daily and put the humanistic desires aside to follow Him, putting His kingdom first, it is my fervent hope that we are blessed with an increased understanding of His Word and the times that we live in.

My kids joke that my life hasn't changed at all during this time of social isolation because of the COVID-19 virus, and being a bit of a hermit, they're not far from the truth.  But I do miss our Shabbat gatherings and meeting you face-to-face.  I think that being restricted in our social gatherings can also place more pressure on families and marriages, especially when there are challenges and tensions, so my prayer for you all is that the Prince of Peace, our great shalom, will fill your hearts and homes with the faith, joy and love that can only come from Him. 
Be blessed this week and I will see those who can make an online catch-up on the last sabbath for unleavened bread in a few days.

Comments

  1. A great encouragement to see the Father's hand in these increasingly strange times.

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Thanks for taking the time to contribute to the Hebron Herald.

Shalom

Popular posts from this blog

Sukkot in the Adelaide Hills

  With the autumn feasts upon us I was reflecting on Sukkot last year and how the year since has been full of YHVH's blessings and encouragements.   The HTTN community purchased the property nearly 19 years ago and we have worked hard to develop it.  There is still much to be done so that it can facilitate the purposes that YHVH wants for it but He has proven Himself faithful to His word over the years.  Not a minute too late, not a minute too soon.   We are looking forward to celebrating Yom Teruah next week and then Sukkot a few weeks later.  Hebron will once again be filled with the sound of shofars, singing and laughter.  Yes, there have been times of weeping and even then He proves Himself merciful and faithful. Hallelu Yah!  

Leaves of the tree are for the healing...

Over a year ago Yakira and I dreamt of how Hebron's fellowship house could  be updated and better suited to how we functioned as a messianic community.    We could see a fellowship room that had room to easily accommodate people and all the instruments.  Of course there had to be room to wave branches during Sukkot and the odd flag or two as well!  Being of the creative ilk we also wanted it to be aesthetically pleasing and could see the HTTN logo painted on a wall.   The design of the logo has evolved over time to reflect the mandate that YHVH has set for this part of His body in Adelaide.  Sonya devoted many hours to bring to life the visual expression of that mandate and Yakira redesigned the logo.    Why so much attention to a logo and visual expression of the mandate?  Because we as a community of torah-loving disciples of Messiah Yeshua have hearts that hold dreams and promises that are bigger than us as individuals or even co...

Shalom with Messiah

In a few weeks we will begin the next phase of the moed with Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur and Sukkot.  As with every year, we are eagerly anticipating this time with YHVH and the community in the Adelaide Hills.   One thing we say every year is that we long for the day when the wider Messianic community come together at Sukkot to celebrate with praise, feasting and fellowship.  It would seem that the Messianic community is relatively young and scattered in Australia and in the early days we would at times wonder if there was anyone else responding to the call to come out of the Christian church system and return to the ancient paths.  And of course there were and are. It's always so exciting when we meet another person or family who are on the same path and we can rejoice together.  We all have different stories, backgrounds and experiences but the common and binding truth is that YHVH is love and that love is expressed not only in His redemption but in the fullness o...