Basis for our Studies:
The Bible tells us that the “End (of the world) is declared from the “beginning” (Isaiah 46:10). Certainly, this means that the early Biblical record of human history bears End-time prophetic significance. But, it’s actually even more specific than that. The original Hebrew word translated as “beginning” in Isaiah 46:10 is תישאר (rê’shı̂yth). This is the root of Bereshith, which is the Hebrew name of the first Book of the Bible, “Genesis”. In other words, prophecies of the End of the World are found in the Book of Genesis.
The Torah is one of the five keys for unlocking End-time Prophecy… Prophecy is unlocked through the Statutes!
The Lessons and Tests of Israel in the Wilderness are Prophetic - for the Last Days
1 Corinthians 10:1-6 – The experiences, lessons and tests of Israel in the Wilderness are “examples” for us.
1 Corinthians 10:11 - “Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.”
What is being worked on in each Test/Lesson is ONE THING: Shema – Love Yahweh with all your heart, soul and might
· Deuteronomy 6:4-9 “Hear (shema: to hear intelligently, to pay attention, obey, be a witness and proclaim / live it for others to see), O Israel (those that bear the 42 letter Name): Yahweh our God is one (primary, solely God, supreme, first) Yahweh: And thou shalt love Yahweh thy God with all thine heart (emotions, innermost being), and with all thy soul (breath, will – choices), and with all thy might (strength). And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house (that’s our down-time of resting, at the end of day), and when thou walkest by the way (in the commute, travel time), and when thou liest down (when you first lay down and before you fall asleep at night), and when thou risest up (when you first wake up in the morning). And thou shalt bind them for a sign upon thine hand, and they shall be as frontlets between thine eyes (we are sealed in the forehead and hand… the Shema is the Sealing). And thou shalt write them upon the posts of thy house, and on thy gates.”
Campsite #10: Rephidim (negatively means "railing" and "place of weakness"... and positively means "strengthening of the hands" and "to spread them" ) - Numbers 33:14-15
Rephidim is from the Hebrew root word “raphim” which means “to be neglectful of the Word of God.”
Exodus 17:1-7 – At Rephidim, Israel is threatening Moses’ life and in angry accusation and… It is an ongoing trial over thirst. This was Israel’s fourth time of provoking the Almighty.
Moses also named this spot “Massah” and “Meribah”…
There were faithful ones among Israel (Joshua… Caleb?... )… but Israel in majority was “leavened in bitterness” (as they had been since Alush).
Like Sodom, Israel is largely wicked at Rephidim (provoking Yahweh, threatening to stone Moses)… But, as we see in the story of Abraham and Lot, Yahweh would have spared Sodom for the sake of even 10 righteous! Similarly, there were a handful of righteous ones in Israel – enough to save it.
· The Righteous are called “the Salt of the Earth” in Matthew 5… Salt is a preservative agent… But if there isn’t enough “salt”… the “salt” had better get out, because the righteous, if they stay, will be destroyed with the wicked (Isaiah 13:9-14; Jeremiah 51:6; Revelation 18:14; 2 Corinthians 6:17-18).
At Rephidim, we see that Yahweh provides the Water of Life (in symbol) to everyone… but He doesn’t give protection… Protection from the giants in the Last Days will also only be given to the faithful.
In the Last Days, like at Rephidim, if Israel faces the giants in Yahweh, the giants are nothing! But, if Israel faces the giants alone, then Israel is as defenseless as “grasshoppers” against giants…
· 2 Corinthians 12:9 – “And he said unto me, My Grace is sufficient for thee: for My Strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
· Hebrews 11:34
· 1 Corinthians 10:1-4 – “Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.”
· Faith is “visualizing what Yahweh intends to do in a given situation and acting in harmony with it”. The opposite of faith is presumption (which is prideful arrogance).
Luke 18:8 – Yahweh says, “When I come, will I find faith on the earth (faithfulness)?”Book Links
Called to Canaan (3 book set, by Danette Davis and Shauna Manfredine)
Video Links