19 – 21 May 2024
Make me to go in the path of your commandments; for therein do I delight.
The above, as I have come to begin all these messages, realizing the LORD is with me always, is me opening His word (today to Psalms 119:35), not randomly, but as He in me, supernaturally by my hand, opens it, and from there begins to speak, leading me, us, on His path to light (understanding).
The Hebrew words rendered “Make me to go in the path” are darak nathiyb, meaning “to tread; by implication, to walk; also to string a bow (by treading on it in bending),” and “to tramp; a (beaten) track.”
In the first of these (darak), the LORD refers us back to the previous post and Isaiah 42:16, where He tells us it’s a way the blind haven’t known, into which He says, “I will lead them.”
Isaiah 42
16 And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not; I will lead them [dakar] in paths that they have not known: I will make darkness light [will reveal to them these things they haven’t known because they’ve been hidden in the ignorance men created and taught] before them, and crooked things straight. These things will I do unto them, and not forsake them.
17 They shall be turned back, they shall be greatly ashamed, that trust in graven images [men created and put in My place], that say to the molten images [they formed], You are our gods.
18 Hear, you deaf; and look, you blind, that you may see.
19 Who is blind, but my servant [not seeing anything that the corrupt world sees]? or deaf [not hearing the corrupt words of men who’ve destroyed all truth], as my messenger that I sent? who is blind as he that is perfect, and blind as the LORD’s servant?
20 Seeing many things, but you observe not [the idols of men]; opening the ears, but he hears not [the things of men].
21 The LORD is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honorable.
22 But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivers; for a spoil, and none says, Restore [shuwb – return the understanding you have taken away].
23 Who among you will give ear to this [and hear the voice of the LORD]? who will hearken and hear [shama’ – and obey] for the time to come [‘achown – now in these last days of darkness]?
24 Who gave Jacob for a spoil, and Israel to the robbers? did not the LORD, he against whom we have sinned [chata’ – to miss {His presence}]? for they would not walk in his ways, neither were they obedient unto his law.
This last verse defines the crux of the matter, which takes us to the first two uses of the word mitsvah, rendered “commandments,” defining (in Genesis 26:5 and Exodus 15:26) the prime command (obeying the voice of the LORD), even before any written commandments.
Genesis 26
3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with you, and will bless you; for unto you, and unto your seed [of the promise], I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I swore unto Abraham your father; [In Genesis 22:17 & 18, saying “That in blessing I will bless you, and in multiplying I will multiply your seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and your seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because you have obeyed {shama’} my voice {qowl}.”]
4 And I will make your seed [Isaac’s – the son of the promise that is by faith in the Father with us speaking to us] to multiply [those who have the same faith] as the stars of heaven, and will give unto your seed all these countries; and in your seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;
5 Because that Abraham obeyed [shama’ – heard the voice as the LORD’s and became obedient to] my voice [qowl], and kept [shamar] my charge [mishmereth – to guard and preserve My words from men’s corruption], my commandments [mitsvah], my statutes, and my laws [towrah – the word’s first use, the Law, to this point only spoken].
Exodus 15
1 Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spoke, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously [ga’ah – a five times used word speaking of the pattern of victory over the enemies {Edom} mixed among us, and the mouth of those {Moab} that are the gates of hell]: the horse and his rider has he thrown [ramah – deceived] into the sea.
2 The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation [yshuw’ah – Jesus, Jehovah’s Salvation manifested in the flesh, therein hidden from the ignorant]: he is my God, and I will prepare him a habitation [in my, our, flesh]; my father’s God, and I will exalt him [His voice above all others].
3 The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name.
4 Pharaoh’s chariots and his host [the army of darkness] has he cast [yarah – flowed His teaching against] into the sea [humanity at large]: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea [at this limit reached, where their proud waves are stayed].
5 The depths have covered them: they sank into the bottom as a stone [silenced].
6 Your right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: your right hand, O LORD, has dashed in pieces the enemy.
7 And in the greatness of your excellency you have overthrown them that rose up against you: you sent forth your wrath, which consumed them as stubble.
8 And with the blast of your nostrils the waters were gathered together, the floods stood upright as a heap, and the depths [understanding held in the darkened deep] were congealed in the heart [minds] of the sea [humanity at large].
9 The enemy said, I will pursue, I will overtake, I will divide the spoil; my lust shall be satisfied upon them; I will draw my sword, my hand shall destroy them.
10 You did blow with your wind [and Your Spirit, You unknown, moving upon the face of the darkened waters], the sea covered them: they sank as lead in the mighty waters.
11 Who is like unto you, O LORD, among the gods? who is like you, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?
12 You stretched out your right hand, the earth swallowed them [like Korah, as in Revelation 12:16].
13 You in your mercy have led forth the people which you have redeemed: you have guided them in your strength unto your holy habitation.
14 The people shall hear [shama’ – and obey], and be afraid: sorrow shall take hold on the inhabitants of Palestina [the invading army].
15 Then the dukes of Edom [the leaders of these enemies among us at war with us] shall be amazed; the mighty men [‘ayil] of Moab [whose mouths are the gates of hell], trembling shall take hold upon them; all the inhabitants of Canaan shall [be humiliated and] melt away.
16 Fear and dread shall fall upon them; by the greatness of your arm they shall be as still [damam – silent] as a stone; till your people pass over [‘abar – passover death into life], O LORD, till the people pass over [’abar – into life], which you have purchased [qanah – resurrected in Your new creation].
17 You shall bring them in, and plant them in the mountain [Your now perfected government] of your inheritance, in the place, O LORD, which you have made [Your new creation] for you to dwell in, in the Sanctuary, O LORD, which your hands have established.
18 The LORD shall reign forever and ever.
19 For the horse of Pharaoh [the great house of wickedness in power] went in with his chariots and with his horsemen into the sea, and the LORD brought again the waters of the sea upon them; but the children of Israel went on dry land in the midst of the sea.
20 And Miriam the prophetess, the sister of Aaron, took a timbrel in her hand; and all the women went out after her with timbrels and with dances.
21 And Miriam answered them, Sing you to the LORD, for he has triumphed gloriously [ga’ah]; the horse and his rider has he thrown into the sea.
22 So Moses brought Israel from the Red sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur [wall about them – the lies they learned under their oppressors]; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water.
23 And when they came to Marah [bitter], they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter [mar – polluted with wickedness, as now in this land]: therefore the name of it was called Marah. [Isaiah 5:20 Woe unto them that call evil good, and good evil; that put darkness for light, and light for darkness; that put bitter {mar} for sweet {mathowq}, and sweet {matowq} for bitter {mar}! 21 Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes, and prudent in their own sight!]
24 And the people murmured [luwn – remained in ignorance] against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?
25 And he cried unto the LORD; and the LORD showed him [yarah – flowed waters to Him from] a tree [of life], which when he had cast into the waters, the waters were made sweet [mathaq – a five times used word wherein the LORD refers us to its uses in Psalms 55:14 and Proverbs 9:17 – see below]: there he made for them a statute [choq – a decree] and an ordinance [mishpat – judgment], and there he proved them [nacah – to make them believe He was present with them, speaking from the tree of life],
26 And said, If you will diligently hearken to [shama’ – obey] the voice [qowl] of the LORD your God, and will do that which is right in his sight, and will give ear to his commandments [mitsvah], and keep [shamar – guard and protect from corruption] all his statutes [choq – the things here decreed], I will put none of these diseases upon you, which I have brought upon the Egyptians [your oppressors, the tyrant is power]: for I am the LORD that heals [rapha’] you.
27 And they came to Elim [the palms – from ‘aiyl, as in verse 15 above; here the mighty man, the tree, strengthened by understanding received, who prevails against the gates of hell], where were twelve [the perfection of God’s Government] wells of water [men in power from whom His word flows righteousness], and threescore and ten [God’s setting all things in their right order] palm trees: and they encamped there by the [life-giving] waters.
Psalms 55
1 Give ear to my prayer, O God; and hide not yourself from my supplication.
2 Attend unto me, and hear me: I mourn in my complaint, and make a noise;
3 Because of the voice of the enemy, because of the oppression of the wicked: for they cast iniquity upon me, and in wrath they hate me.
4 My heart is sore pained within me: and the terrors of death are fallen upon me.
5 Fearfulness and trembling are come upon me, and horror has overwhelmed me.
6 And I said, Oh that I had wings like a dove [Oh that fables men created about this end time were true, the sweet words of the false prophet who’ve led God’s people into their fall away from truth]! for then would I fly away, and be at rest.
7 Lo, then would I wander far off [rachaq – flee from this time when the earth is ruled by evil decree], and remain in the wilderness. Selah.
8 I would hasten my escape from the windy storm and tempest [ca’ar – the whirlwind from where the LORD’s word is heard and fulfilled].
9 Destroy, O LORD, and divide their tongues: for I have [in their words] seen violence and strife in the city.
10 Day and night they go about it upon the walls thereof [speaking their fables and causing God’s people to trust in their false words]: mischief also and sorrow are in the midst of it.
11 Wickedness is in the midst thereof: deceit and guile depart not from her streets.
12 For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him:
13 But it was you, a man my equal [‘erek – who before set things in their right order], my guide [‘alluwph – a leader of God’s people], and my acquaintance [yada’ – one who should know better].
14 We took sweet [mathaq] counsel together, and walked unto the house of God in company. [1 John 2:18 Little children, it is the last time: and as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists {resisting and opposing this word of God}; whereby we know that it is the last time. 19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us. 20 But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things.]
15 Let death seize upon them, and let them go down quick into hell [let the earth swallow them]: for wickedness is in their dwellings, and among them.
16 As for me, I will call upon God; and the LORD shall save me.
17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.
18 He has delivered my soul in peace from the battle that was against me: for there were many with me.
19 God shall hear, and afflict them, even he that abides of old. Selah. Because they have no changes [chaliyphah – they refuse to come from death into life, refuse to put off corruption: their garment spotted by the flesh], therefore they fear not God.
20 He has put forth his hands against such as be at peace with him: he has broken his covenant.
21 The words of his mouth were smoother than butter, but war was in his heart: his words were softer than oil, yet were they drawn swords.
22 Cast your burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain you: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. [1 Thessalonians 3: 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the LORD.]
23 But you, O God, shall bring them down into the pit of destruction: bloody and deceitful men shall not live out half their days; but I will trust in you.
Proverbs 9
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be yet wiser: teach a just man, and he will increase in learning.
10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
11 For by me your days shall be multiplied, and the years of your life shall be increased.
12 If you be wise, you shall be wise for yourself: but if you scorn, you alone shall bear it.
13 A foolish woman [churches led away by false prophets and false teachers, teaching that feelings provoked by fables should outweigh a sound mind able to critically think] is clamorous: she is simple, and knows nothing.
14 For she sits at the door of her house, on a seat in the high places of the city,
15 To call passengers who go right on their ways:
16 Whoso is simple, let him turn in hither: and as for him that want understanding, she says to him,
17 Stolen [ganah – deceiving] waters are sweet [mathaq], and bread eaten in secret [not knowing it is corrupted by deception] is pleasant [na’em – is easy to agree with {because of its sweetness}].
18 But he knows not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.
It is of these men and women the LORD speaks in the other two uses of the word mathaq, in Job 20:12 & 21:33.
Job 20
5 That the triumphing of the wicked is short, and the joy of the hypocrite but for a moment?
6 Though his excellency mount up to the heavens [saying they are places where understanding is found], and his head reach unto the clouds [where it is reserved];
7 Yet he shall perish forever like his own dung [the excrement they teach]: they which have seen him shall say, Where is he?
8 He shall fly away as a dream [like their false teaching, which shall be removed from the earth], and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night [the creation of the ignorant].
9 The eye also which saw him shall see him no more [there false teaching]; neither shall his place [where understanding should be found] any more behold him.
10 His children shall seek to please the poor, and his hands shall restore their goods.
11 His bones are full of the sin of his youth, which shall lie down with him in the dust [the ruin of the earth under their false teaching and misleading].
12 Though wickedness be sweet [mathaq] in his mouth, though he hide it [deception] under his tongue;
13 Though he spare it [chamal – though he speaks of compassion and sympathy], and forsake it not; but keep it [deception with malice] still within his mouth:
14 Yet his meat [his deep understanding] in his bowels is turned [to excrement when his speaks it], it is the gall [mrorah] of asps within him [it’s the bitterness of a serpents mouth].
15 He has swallowed down riches [these treasures of the LORD he holds in the belly of hell], and he shall vomit them up again: God shall cast them out of his belly.
Job 21
27 Behold, I know your thoughts, and the devices which you wrongfully imagine against me.
28 For you say, Where is the house of the prince? and where are the dwelling places of the wicked? [when you know where I Am and where you are.]
29 Have you not asked them that go by the way [as if you don’t know]? and do you not know their tokens [have you realized yet what these are signs of],
30 That the wicked is reserved to the day of destruction? they shall be brought forth to the day of wrath.
31 Who shall declare his way to his face [who will declare the LORD’s way is in manifesting His presence in the day of His wrath and the destruction of the wicked]? and who shall repay him what he has done [‘asah – what He has made, accomplishing His new creation]?
32 Yet shall he [the wicked] be brought to the grave, and shall remain in the tomb [among the dead].
33 The clods of the valley [the hardness of the earth without the LORD’s word from the clouds] shall be sweet [mathaq] unto him, and every man shall draw after him [all that receive their sweet word of deception shall be drawn into death with them], as there are innumerable [dead] before him [paniym – present with them in hell].
34 How then comfort you me in vain, seeing in your answers there remains falsehood?
The word rendered “clods” in verse 33 above is regeb, with only appears one other time, in Job 38:38 as the LORD is speaking to him from the whirlwind (ca’ar).
Job 38
33 Know you the ordinances of heaven? can you set the dominion thereof [when heaven rules over the earth, when I establishes My government here] in the earth?
34 Can you lift up your voice to the clouds [where My word is reserved for this time of war], that abundance of waters may cover you?
35 Can you send lightnings [this understanding from the cloud], that they may go and say unto you, Here we are [as My words say “Here I Am”]?
36 Who has put wisdom in the inward parts? or who has given understanding to the heart [mind]?
37 Who can number [caphar – declare in writing] the clouds in wisdom? or who can stay [stop] the bottles of heaven [to keep this understanding there],
38 When the dust [the ruin of the earth] grows into hardness, and the clods [regeb] cleave fast together?
39 Will you hunt the prey for the lion [of Judah]? or fill the appetite of the young lions [“I and the children the LORD has given me are for signs and wonders“ among His people],
40 When they couch [shachach – humble themselves and become obedient] in their dens, and abide in the covert [cukkah – their booths: tabernacles] to lie in wait [for their LORD]?
41 Who provides for the raven [those covered in the darkness of their own ignorance] his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander [in the darkness] for lack of meat [without this deep understand only He provides].
The word m’ownah, rendered “den” in verse 40 above, only used nine times, refers us to its first use in Deuteronomy 33:27 and later to Amos 3:4.
Deuteronomy 33
26 There is none like unto the God of Jeshurun [under whose rule we prosper], who rides upon the heaven in your help, and in his excellency on the sky.
27 The eternal God is your refuge [m’ownah], and underneath are the everlasting arms: and he shall thrust out the enemy from before you; and shall say, Destroy them.
28 Israel then shall dwell in safety alone: the fountain of Jacob shall be upon a land [‘erets – the earth] of corn and wine; also his heavens shall drop down dew.
29 Happy are you, O Israel: who is like unto you, O people saved by the LORD, the shield of your help, and who is the sword of your excellency! and your enemies shall be found liars unto you; and you shall tread upon their high places.
Amos 3
3 Can two walk together, except they be agreed [on the time and place]?
4 Will a lion [of Judah] roar in the forest, when he has no prey? will a young lion [the children the LORD has given me] cry out of his den [m’ownah], if he have taken nothing [opening their mouths with the meat he provided]?
5 Can a bird fall in a snare upon the earth, where no gin is [where no trap is set] for him? shall one take up a snare from the earth, and have taken nothing at all?
6 Shall a trumpet be blown in the city, and the people not be afraid? shall there be evil [ra’] in a city, and the LORD has not done it [‘asah – made it understood at the agreed time]?
7 Surely the LORD God will do nothing, but he reveals his secret unto his servants the prophets.
8 The lion [of Judah] has roared [His voice as the trumpet sounding], who will not fear? the LORD God has spoken, who can but prophesy [speak His revealed word as commanded]?
Psalms 119
33 Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I shall keep it unto the end.
34 Give me understanding, and I shall keep your law; yea, I shall observe it with my whole heart.
35 Make me to go [darak] in the path [nathiyb] of your commandments [mitsvah]; for therein do I delight.
36 Incline my heart unto your testimonies, and not to covetousness.
37 Turn away my eyes from beholding vanity; and quicken you me [into life] in your way.
38 Establish your word unto your servant, who is devoted to your fear.
39 Turn away my reproach which I fear: for your judgments are good.
40 Behold, I have longed after your precepts: quicken me [to life] in your righteousness.
41 Let your mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even your salvation, according to your word.
42 So shall I have wherewith to answer him that reproaches me: for I trust in your word.
43 And take not the word of truth utterly out of my mouth; for I have hoped in your judgments.
44 So shall I keep your law continually forever and ever.
45 And I will walk at liberty: for I seek your precepts.
46 I will speak of your testimonies also before kings, and will not be ashamed.
47 And I will delight myself in your commandments [mitsvah], which I have loved.
48 My hands also will I lift up unto your commandments [mitsvah], which I have loved; and I will meditate in your statutes.
Jeremiah 11
1 The word that came to Jeremiah from the LORD saying,
2 Hear [shama’ – and obey] you the words of this covenant, and speak [these words I’ve given you] unto the men of Judah [the current crop of corrupt leaders], and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem [God’s people at large who follow and obey these leaders];
3 And say you unto them, Thus says the LORD God of Israel; Cursed be the man that obeys [shama’] not the words of this covenant,
4 Which I commanded your fathers in the day that I brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, from the iron furnace, saying, Obey [shama’] my voice [qowl], and do them, according to all which I command you: so shall you be my people, and I will be your God:
5 That I may perform the oath which I have sworn unto your fathers, to give them a land flowing with milk and honey, as it is this day. Then answered I, and said, So be it, O LORD.
6 Then the LORD said unto me, Proclaim all these words in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem, saying, Hear [shama’ – and obey] you the words of this covenant, and do them.
7 For I earnestly protested unto your fathers in the day that I brought them up out of the land of Egypt, even unto this day, rising early and protesting, saying, Obey [shama’] my voice.
8 Yet they obeyed [shama’] not, nor inclined their ear, but walked every one in the imagination of their evil [ra’] heart: therefore I will bring upon them all the words of this covenant, which I commanded them to do: but they did them not.
9 And the LORD said unto me, A conspiracy is found among the men of Judah, and among the inhabitants of Jerusalem.
10 They are turned back to the iniquities of their forefathers, which refused to hear [shama’ – and obey] my words; and they went after other gods to serve them: the house of Israel and the house of Judah have broken my covenant which I made with their fathers.
11 Therefore thus says the LORD, Behold, I will bring evil [ra’] upon them, which they shall not be able to escape; and though they shall cry unto me, I will not hearken [shama’ – and obey and give their requests] unto them.
12 Then shall the cities of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem go, and cry unto the gods unto whom they offer incense: but they shall not save them at all in the time of their trouble [ra’].
13 For according to the number of your cities were your gods, O Judah; and according to the number of the streets of Jerusalem have you set up altars to that shameful thing, even altars to burn incense unto Baal.
14 Therefore pray not you for this people, neither lift up a cry or prayer for them: for I will not hear [shama’ – will not obey or give them what they request] them in the time that they cry unto me for their trouble [ra’].
15 What has my beloved to do in my house, seeing she has wrought lewdness with many, and the holy flesh is passed from you? when you do evil [ra’], then you rejoice.
16 The LORD called your name, A green olive tree, fair, and of goodly fruit: with the noise of a great tumult he has kindled fire upon it, and the branches of it are broken.
17 For the LORD of hosts, that planted you, has pronounced evil [ra’] against you, for the evil [ra’] of the house of Israel and of the house of Judah, which they have done against themselves to provoke me to anger in offering incense unto Baal.
18 And the LORD has given me knowledge of it, and I know it: then you showed me their doings.
19 But I was like a lamb or an ox that is brought to the slaughter; and I knew not that they had devised devices against me, saying, Let us destroy the tree [of life] with the fruit [lechem – the bread] thereof, and let us cut him off from the land of the living, that his name may be no more remembered.
20 But, O LORD of hosts, that judges righteously, that tries the reins and the heart, let me see your vengeance on them: for unto you have I revealed my cause.
21 Therefore thus says the LORD of the men of Anathoth [whose prayers the LORD answers, but not giving them what they requested], that seek your life, saying, Prophesy not in the name of the LORD, that you die not by our hand:
22 Therefore thus says the LORD of hosts, Behold, I will punish [paqad – as the Chief Overseer of the earth against] them: the young men shall die by the sword [the word they refuse to hear as My word and obey]; their sons and their daughters shall die by famine [without this bread]:
23 And there shall be no remnant of them: for I will bring evil [ra’] upon the men of Anathoth [which is my answer to their prayer], even the year of their visitation [pquddah – now in MY presence as the Chief Overseer of the earth].
Jeremiah 25
27 Therefore you shall say unto them, Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Drink you [your own evil words], and be drunken, and spue, and fall, and rise no more, because of the sword [this word they refuse] which I will send among you.
28 And it shall be, if they refuse to take the cup at your hand to drink, then shall you say unto them, Thus says the LORD of hosts; You shall certainly drink [your own evil words].
29 For, lo, I begin to bring evil [ra’a’] on the city which is called by my name, and should you be utterly unpunished? You shall not be unpunished: for I will call for a sword [this word to be heard] upon all the inhabitants of the earth, says the LORD of hosts.
30 Therefore prophesy you against them all these words, and say unto them, The LORD shall roar from on high, and utter his voice from his holy habitation [ma’own]; he shall mightily roar upon his habitation; he shall give a shout [from His archangel, which is as a trumpet sounding], as they that tread [darak] the grapes, against all the inhabitants of the earth.
31 A noise shall come even to the ends of the earth [ending the old and beginning the new]; for the LORD has a controversy [riyb – about who is best suited to rule the earth, the LORD who made it or those who’ve brought it to ruin] with the nations [who haven’t known Him], he will plead with all flesh; he will give them that are wicked to the sword [this word they refuse shall be manifested into reality, as warned], says the LORD.
32 Thus says the LORD of hosts, Behold, evil [ra’] shall go forth from nation to nation, and a great whirlwind [ca’ar – from where the LORD’s voice is heard] shall be raised up [‘uwr – awakened] from the coasts of the [end of the old and beginning the new] earth.
33 And the slain of the LORD shall be at that day from one end of the [old] earth even unto the other end [the beginning] of the [new] earth: they shall not be lamented, neither gathered, nor buried; they [their animated dead flesh] shall be dung upon the ground.
34 Howl, you shepherds, and cry; and wallow yourselves in the ashes [of the old earth you’ve brought to ruin], you principal of the flock: for the days of your slaughter and of your dispersions are accomplished; and you shall fall like a pleasant vessel [become a desolation].
35 And the shepherds shall have no way to flee, nor the principal of the flock to escape.
36 A voice of the cry of the shepherds, and a howling of the principal of the flock, shall be heard: for the LORD has spoiled their pasture.
37 And the peaceable habitations are cut down because of the fierce anger of the LORD.
38 He has forsaken his covert, as the lion: for their land is desolate because of the fierceness of the oppressor, and because of his fierce anger.
Isaiah 63
1 Who is this that comes from Edom [from the battle against the enemies mixed among us], with dyed garments from Bozrah [from the sheepfold, the strong hold of the enemy]? this that is glorious in his apparel, travelling in the greatness of his strength [His understanding]? I that speak in righteousness, mighty to save.
2 Wherefore are you red in your apparel, and your garments like him that treads [darak] in the winefat [gath – only used five time, meaning “a wine-press (or vat for holding the grapes in pressing them)”]?
3 I have trodden [darak] the winepress [of My wrath] alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread [darak] them in my anger, and trample [ramac – a nineteen time used word referring us to Ezekiel 34:18, where the reason is given why the LORD alone tread these grapes, because all other have fouled those they tread which unwashed feet: the corruption picked up in the journey] them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment.
4 For the day of vengeance is in my heart, and the year of my redeemed is come.
5 And I looked, and there was none to help; and I wondered that there was none to uphold: therefore my own arm brought salvation unto me; and my fury, it upheld me.
6 And I will tread down [buwc – referring to its use below in verseb18] the people in my anger, and make them drunk [under the influence of the fouled wine they’ve consumed] in my fury, and I will bring down their strength to [remove the understanding of] the earth.
7 I will mention the loving-kindnesses of the LORD, and the praises of the LORD, according to all [these treasures] that the LORD has bestowed on us, and the great goodness toward the house of Israel, which he has bestowed on them according to his mercies, and according to the multitude [of His divine charity] of his loving-kindnesses.
8 For he said, Surely they are my people, children that will not lie: so he was their Savior.
9 In all their affliction he was [I Am] afflicted, and the angel [mal’ak – messenger] of his presence [paniym – in whom He manifests His presence] saved them: in his love [long suffering to give this word and declare it is His presence alive in me working and speaking unknown] and in his pity he redeemed them; and he bare them, and carried them all the days of old.
10 But they rebelled, and vexed his holy Spirit [among them working and speaking unknown]: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.
11 Then he remembered the days of old, Moses, and his people, saying, Where is he that brought them up out of the sea with the shepherd of his flock? where is he [in whose flesh is He now manifested, from whom His word is poured out, which evidence says “hear I Am”] that put his holy Spirit within him [Moses, the flesh in which the LORD chose to lead them]?
12 That led them by the right hand of Moses with his glorious arm, dividing the water before them [as He does this day, in these last days of darkness], to make himself an everlasting name [an identity that cannot be denied]?
13 That led them through the deep [revealing these treasure from heaven], as a horse in the wilderness [with the strength to carry them in this time of desolation], that they should not stumble?
14 As a beast goes down into the valley, the Spirit of the LORD caused him to rest: so did you lead your people, to make yourself a glorious name.
15 Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of your holiness and of your glory: where is your zeal and your strength, the sounding of your bowels [His word from within my flesh] and of your mercies toward me? are they restrained?
16 Doubtless you are our father, though Abraham be ignorant of us, and Israel acknowledge us not: you, O LORD, are our father, our redeemer; your name is from everlasting.
17 O LORD, why have you made us to err from your ways, and hardened our heart from your fear? Return for your servants’ sake, the tribes of your inheritance.
18 The people of your holiness have possessed it but a little while: our adversaries [the misleading shepherd who lead God’s people] have trodden down [buwc] your sanctuary.
19 We are yours [alone LORD]: you never bare rule over them [the shepherds of corruption, who’ve fouled My pasture with their unwashed feet]; they were not called by your name [not called by You to manifest Your identity].
In Ezekiel 34, when the LORD speaks to the “shepherds” and of “feeding” the word is ra’ah, which we know has an affinity with the word (also transliterating to ra’ah) meaning to “see.”
Ezekiel 34
1 And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,
2 Son of man [I Am], prophesy against the shepherds [ra’ah – the seers] of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus says the LORD God unto the shepherds [ra’ah – the seers]; Woe be to the shepherds [ra’ah – the seers] of Israel that do feed [ra’ah – see for] themselves! should not the shepherds [ra’ah – the seers] feed [ra’ah – see for] the flocks?
3 You eat the fat, and you clothe you with the wool, you kill them that are fed [ra’ah – by the things you see for yourselves]: but you feed [ra’ah – see] not [for] the flock.
4 The diseased have you not strengthened [with My word I give you], neither have you healed [with My word I give you] that which was sick, neither have you bound up [with My word] that which was broken, neither have you brought again [into My presence] that which was [by you] driven away, neither have you sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty [of your deceptions and misleading] have you ruled them [into ruin].
5 And they were scattered, because there is no shepherd [ra’ah – no seer]: and they became meat to all the beasts of the field, when they were scattered.
6 My sheep wandered through all the mountains, and upon every high hill: yea, my flock was scattered upon all the face of [paniym – from My presence on] the earth, and none did search or seek after them.
7 Therefore, you shepherds [ra’ah – seers], hear the word of the LORD;
8 As I live, says the LORD God, surely because my flock became a prey, and my flock became meat to every beast of the field [all those on the earth without My Spirit], because there was no shepherd [ra’ah – no seers], neither did my shepherds [ra’ah -seers] search for my flock, but the shepherds [ra’ah – the seers] fed [ra’ah – saw for] themselves, and fed not [ra’ah – and see not for] my flock;
9 Therefore, O you shepherds [ra’ah – blind seers], hear the word of the LORD;
10 Thus says the LORD God; Behold, I Am against the shepherds [ra’ah – these blind seers]; and I will require my flock at their hand, and cause them to cease from feeding [ra’ah – from seeing for] the flock; neither shall the shepherds [ra’ah – these blind seers] feed [ra’ah – see for] themselves any more; for I will deliver my flock from their mouth [their words by which the devours and swallow into the belly of hell], that they may not be meat for them.
11 For thus says the LORD God; Behold, I, even I, will both search my sheep, and seek them out.
12 As a shepherd [ra’ah – as a good seers] seeks out his flock in the day that he is [as I Am] among his sheep that are scattered; so will I seek out my sheep, and will deliver them out of all places where they have been scattered in the cloudy [when understanding has been removed from the earth and is held there with Me alone] and dark day [when the earth is cover in mass ignorance of Me and My way].
13 And I will bring them out from the people, and gather them from the countries, and will bring them to their own land [‘adamah – this new generation of man I create], and feed them upon the mountains of Israel by the rivers [of these life giving waters], and in all the inhabited places of the country [‘erets – this new earth I create].
14 I will feed [ra’ah – see for] them in a good pasture, and upon the high mountains [My new government I’ve created] of Israel shall their fold be: there shall they lie in a good fold, and in a fat pasture shall they feed [ra’ah – see for them] upon the mountains [leading My new government that rules over the new earth] of Israel [in whom I reign and rule].
15 I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, says the LORD God.
16 I will seek that which was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was sick: but I will destroy the fat and the strong; I will feed [ra’ah – see for] them with [good] judgment.
17 And as for you, O my flock, thus says the LORD God; Behold, I judge between cattle and cattle, between the rams and the he goats. [see Matthew 25 below]
18 Seem it a small thing unto you to have eaten up the good pasture, but you must tread down [ramac] with your feet the residue of your pastures [you’ve defiled]? and to have drunk of the deep waters, but you must foul the residue with your feet [of your deep understanding that is corrupted, by your feet which must be washed]?
19 And as for my flock, they eat that which you have trodden with your feet; and they drink that which you have fouled with your feet.
20 Therefore thus says the LORD God unto them; Behold, I, even I, will judge between the fat cattle and between the lean cattle [between those who refuse to wash their feet of the corruption and those have purified themselves and are thereby able to see My presence and see for the flock].
21 Because you have thrust with side and with shoulder, and pushed all the diseased with your horns, till you have scattered them abroad;
22 Therefore will I save my flock, and they shall no more be a prey; and I will judge between cattle and cattle.
23 And I will set up one shepherd [ra’ah – One seer] over them [My Chief Overseer of the earth, Who I have chosen, not as man sees, but by the heart only I see and know], and he shall feed [ra’ah – see for] them, even my servant David [I Am]; he shall feed [ra’ah – see for] them, and he shall be their shepherd [ra’ah – their seer].
24 And I the LORD will be their God, and my servant David a prince among them; I the LORD have spoken it.
25 And I will make with them a covenant of peace, and will cause the evil beasts [the dead ruling the world without My Spirit] to cease out of the land [‘erets – the new earth I’ve created]: and they shall dwell safely in the wilderness [among the desolation, upon which we shall build], and sleep in the woods [not fearing the evil beast].
26 And I will make them and the places round about my hill [My new government] a blessing; and I will cause the shower [my word from heaven] to come down in his season; there shall be showers of blessing.
27 And the tree [of life] of the field shall yield her fruit, and the earth shall yield her increase, and they shall be safe in their land [‘adamah – this new generation of man], and shall know that I am the LORD, when I have broken the bands of their yoke, and delivered them out of the hand of those that served themselves of them.
28 And they shall no more be a prey to the heathen [who haven’t known Me], neither shall the beast [the dead without My Spirit] of the land [‘erets – of the old earth] devour them; but they shall dwell safely, and none shall make them afraid.
29 And I will raise up for them a plant of renown, and they shall be no more consumed with hunger [by not hearing the word of God] in the land [‘erets – in the new earth], neither bear the shame of the heathen [the consequences of following those without the LORD’s Spirit, who make promises they are unable, and never intended, to bring into reality] any more.
30 Thus shall they know that I the LORD their God am with them, and that they, even the house of Israel, are my people, says the LORD God.
31 And you my flock, the flock of my pasture, are men, and I Am your God, says the LORD God.
John 13
3 Jesus knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he was come from God, and went to God;
4 He rises from [this] supper, and laid aside his garments; and took a towel, and girded himself.
5 After that he [as the Rock] poured [out of himself these life giving] water into a bason, and began to wash the disciples’ feet [of the corruption they picked up in the journey through the age], and to wipe them with the towel wherewith he was girded.
6 Then comes he to Simon Peter: and Peter says unto him, LORD, do you wash my feet?
7 Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do you know not now; but you shall know hereafter [because He here and now tells us].
8 Peter says unto him, You shall never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash you not [of the corruption, like leaven, that corrupts the whole body], you have no part with me.
9 Simon Peter says unto him, LORD, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head.
10 Jesus says to him, He that is washed needs not save to wash his feet, but is clean every whit: and you are clean, but not all.
11 For he knew who [Judas: Judah, the leaders, seers, shepherds, who feed themselves] should betray him; therefore said he, You are not all clean.
12 So after he had washed their feet, and had taken his garments, and was set down again, he said unto them, Know you what I have done to you? [Ephesians 5: 26 That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27 That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.]
13 You call me Master and LORD: and you say well; for so I Am.
14 If I then, your LORD and Master, have washed your feet; you also ought to wash one another’s feet.
15 For I have given you an example, that you should do as I have done to you.
16 Truly, truly, I say unto you, The servant is not greater than his LORD; neither he that is sent greater than he that sent him.
17 If you know these things, happy are you if you do them.
18 I speak not of you all: I know whom I have chosen: but that the scripture may be fulfilled, He that eat bread with me has lifted up his heel [the blind seers, exalting their corruption above My words] against me.
19 Now I tell you before it come, that, when it is come to pass [as it now has], you may believe that I am he.
Matthew 15
7 You hypocrites, well did Esaias [in Isaiah 29:13] prophesy of you, saying,
8 This people draw nigh unto me with their mouth, and honor me with their lips; but their heart [mind] is far from me.
9 But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the [corrupt] commandments of men.
10 And he called the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand:
11 Not that which goes into the mouth defile a man; but that [words] which comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.
12 Then came his disciples, and said unto him, Know you that the Pharisees [the religious dividers, the blind seers] were offended, after they heard this saying?
13 But he answered and said, Every plant [of renown], which my heavenly Father has not planted [who exalt themselves above the Father’s planting], shall be rooted up.
14 Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.
Isaiah 29
9 Stay yourselves, and wonder; cry you out, and cry: they are drunken, but not with wine; they stagger, but not with strong drink.
10 For the LORD has poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers has he covered.
11 And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray you: and he says, I cannot; for it is sealed:
12 And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray you: and he says, I am not learned.
13 Wherefore the LORD said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:
14 Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvelous [eye opening] work among this people, even a marvelous [eye opening] work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid.
15 Woe unto them that seek deep to hide their counsel from the LORD, and their works are in the dark, and they say, Who sees [ra’ah] us? and who knows us?
16 Surely your turning of things upside down shall be esteemed as the potter’s clay: for shall the work [ma’aseh – what He has made] say of him that made [‘asah] it, He made [‘asah] me not? or shall the thing framed say of him that framed it, He had no understanding?
Jeremiah 6
16 Thus says the LORD, Stand you in the ways, and see [ra’ah], and ask for the old paths [nathiyb], where is the good way, and walk therein, and you shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.
17 Also I set watchmen [tsaphah – Overseers, who see these hidden treasures] over you, saying, Hearken to the sound [qowl – the voice] of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken.
18 Therefore hear [shama’ – and obey], you nations [you who haven’t know Me], and know, O congregation, what is among them.
19 Hear [shama’ – and obey], O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it.
The only other time Jeremiah uses the word nathiyb appears in Jeremiah 18:15 in a continuation of the above passage.
Jeremiah 18
9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;
10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey [shama’] not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.
11 Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah [the current crop of corrupt leaders, blind shepherds], and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return you now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.
12 And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.
13 Therefore thus says the LORD; Ask you now among the heathen [those who haven’t known Me], who has heard such things [that there is no hope]: the virgin of Israel has done a very horrible thing. [Jeremiah 23:14 I have seen also in the prophets of Jerusalem an horrible thing: they commit adultery, and walk in lies: they strengthen also the hands of evildoers, that none does return from his wickedness; they are all of them unto me as Sodom, and the inhabitants thereof as Gomorrah.]
14 Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon [purity seen on high, from where flows these waters] which comes from the rock [from whom they flow] of the field [on the earth]? or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place [a place they haven’t known] be forsaken [as they have forsaken My words]?
15 Because my people has forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths [nathiyb], to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;
16 To make their land [‘erets – the earth] desolate, and a perpetual hissing [their ruin drawing attention to itself]; every one that passes thereby [‘abar – passes over their way from death into life] shall be astonished [not understanding why they choose death], and wag his head [in disbelief and wonder].
17 I will scatter them as with an east wind before [paniym – My Spirit manifesting MY presence against] the enemy; I will show them the back [they shall only see it after I have done it], and not the face [paniym – not knowing it is My presence manifested], in the day of their calamity.
18 Then said they, Come and let us devise devices against Jeremiah [the LORD rising among us to raise His people from death into life]; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.
19 Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.
20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before you [paniym – as Your presence] to speak good for them, and to turn away [shuwb – that they would return to You, and receive Your word, that it wouldn’t be] your wrath [but your good] from [upon] them.
Psalms 119
95 The wicked have waited for me to destroy me: but I will consider your testimonies.
96 I have seen an end of all perfection: but your commandment [mitsvah] is exceeding broad.
97 O how love I your law! it is my meditation all the day.
98 You through your commandments [mitsvah] have made me wiser than my enemies: for they are ever with me.
99 I have more understanding than all my teachers: for your testimonies are my meditation.
100 I understand more than the ancients, because I keep your precepts.
101 I have refrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep your word.
102 I have not departed from your judgments: for you have taught me.
103 How sweet are your words unto my taste! yea, sweeter than honey to my mouth!
104 Through your precepts I get understanding: therefore I hate every false way.
105 Your word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path [nathiyb].
106 I have sworn, and I will perform it, that I will keep your righteous judgments.
107 I am afflicted very much: quicken me [into life], O LORD, according unto your word.
Psalms 58 below is titled, Michtam of David. Michtam translates to what, who, this, or that katham, meaning to inscribe indelibly. It is a once used word that appears Jeremiah 2:22, rendered “marked.” The Interlinear Bible renders Michtam as “a secret treasure.”
Jeremiah 2
19 Your own wickedness shall correct you, and your backslidings shall reprove you: know therefore and see [ra’ah] that it is an evil thing [ra’] and bitter [mar], that you have forsaken the LORD your God, and that my fear is not in you, says the LORD God of hosts.
20 For of old time I have broken your yoke, and burst your bands; and you said, I will not transgress; when upon every high hill and under every green tree you wander, playing the harlot.
21 Yet I had planted you a noble vine, wholly a right seed: how then are you turned into the degenerate plant of a strange vine unto me?
22 For though you wash you with nitre, and take you much soap, yet your iniquity is marked [katham – indelibly written] before me [paniym – by My presence manifested, and you are revealed], says the LORD God.
23 How can you say, I am not polluted, I have not gone after Baalim [the false gods of this world]? see your way in the valley, know what you have done: you are a swift dromedary traversing her ways [carrying your burden of corrupt through generations];
24 A wild ass used to the wilderness, that snuffeth up the wind [breathing in any evil spirit] at her pleasure; in her occasion who can turn her away? all they that seek her will not weary themselves; in her month they shall find her [words to be death and the gates of hell].
25 Withhold your foot from being unshod, and your throat from thirst: but you saidst, There is no hope: no; for I have loved strangers, and after them will I go.
26 As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so is the house of Israel ashamed; they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets.
Psalms 58
Michtam [the secret treasure] of David
1 Do you indeed [keep silent when you should] speak righteousness, O congregation? do you [keep silent when you should] judge uprightly, O you sons of men?
2 Yea [you do], in heart you work wickedness; you weigh the violence of your hands in the earth.
3 The wicked are estranged [from God] from the womb: they go astray as soon as they be born, speaking lies.
4 Their poison [in their words] is like the poison [in the mouth] of a serpent: they are like the deaf adder that stop her ear [refusing to hear and obey the voice of LORD];
5 Which will not hearken [shama’ – and obey] to the voice [qowl] of charmers [‘achash – the small voice], charming [chabar – that fascinate them] never so wisely [chakam – with the wisdom He is teaching].
6 Break their teeth [with which they devour dead flesh], O God, in their mouth [their words]: break out the great teeth of the young lions, O LORD.
7 Let them melt away [ma’ac] as waters [from broken cisterns, whose explanation hold no water] which run continually [halak – that walk away {in shame}]: when he bends [darak – to walk away, tread] his bow to shoot his arrows [at the understanding of the innocent], let them be as cut in pieces [cut short of their evil destination].
8 As a snail which melts [expends itself by moving on the slime it secretes], let every one of them pass away [halak – as they walk their way]: like the untimely birth of a woman, that they may not see the sun [this light of this new day].
9 Before your pots feel [the heat of] the thorns [the misleader on fire beneath them], he shall take them away as with a whirlwind [sa’ar – with terrible fear], both living, and in his wrath. [Jeremiah 2:12 Be astonished, O you heavens {places where understanding should be found and isn’t}, at this, and be horribly afraid {sa’ar}, be you very desolate, says the LORD. 13 For my people have committed two evils; they have forsaken Me the fountain of living waters, and hewed them out cisterns {bo’r – only used here, from ba’ar, meaning an explanation}, broken cisterns {bo’r}, that can hold no water.]
10 The righteous shall rejoice when he sees the vengeance: he shall wash his feet [of corruption] in the blood of the wicked.
11 So that a man shall say, Truly there is a reward for the righteous: truly he is a God that judges in the earth.
