9.20.24 ~ Life is About Choices

 Good morning!

The first morning of work at Faithworks was exactly what I expected. Vision cast. Expectations made known. Teamwork mindset established and making sure you enjoy what you do (Deut. 28:45-47).

This week's Torah portion, Ki Tavo/When you come in, concludes with blessings and curses...they are powerful. Will get to those tonight, but for now let's go back to the tail end of Genesis where Jacob gives his prophetic words to Judah/praise and Issachar/reward center around the behavior of a donkey (Gen. 49:11,15)...very strange, isn't it? The two blessings from Jacob are linked together. Both are described as crouching down, Judah as a lion and a royal warrior and Issachar as a donkey between the sheepfolds, a prophet-shepherd. Issachar lies down to guard the two sheepfolds; those sheep that were present and those not there (John 10:14-16) all becoming one (Jer. 31:31-34; Ezek. 37; Rom. 11:14-26).

Ironically, asses have a natural affinity to protect other forms of livestock against all types of predators. Judah and Issachar form a paradox concerning the Kingdom of Heaven. Rulership, through Judah, is the reward of humility, service and patience, the spirit of prophecy. Nice guys only finish last in 'Satan's kingdom'!

Do you remember the story of the lost herd of female asses that young Saul searched (1 Sam. 9:3-20)? After they were found, Samuel anoints Saul as a king of Israel and tells him to go out to the school of the prophets. Three men going to worship at Beit El/house of God met Saul and gave him two round loaves/keekar of bread, and he continued on to meet the prophets who met him with singing and musical instruments, and Saul began to prophesy under the influence of the Holy Spirit/Ruach HaKodesh (1 Sam. 9:3-26). The text goes on to tell us that Saul was 'changed into another man' with a 'changed heart'(1 Sam. 10:6)???

How did that happen? He went from shy, Mr. Congeniality to a war-general, super hero overnight. What a difference humble obedience to and caring for the estate of his father will do. Definitely burdensome work with delayed reward. It wasn't easy, but it led to the anointing, two round loaves/keekars of bread and a joyful song!

Issachar's blessing was to be an ass: to serve, get low, protect the sheep, and perform hard work. Yet, his very name implies that he will be rewarded for his mundane blessing. To serve one another is a blessing, and it is the spirit of prophecy because those who serve are doing the deeds of Yeshua. This steady, patient service is necessary in the assemblies because it was the tribe of Issachar who was faithful in times of war. The ass is also the warrior who washes his robes in the blood of grapes, a metaphor for war in the Prophets.

Judge Deborah's and Barak's fight against the iron chariots of Sisera was not fought with pride, but humility. Deborah didn't fight back with horses of pride, instead she saddled her ass and fought back with strong-boned donkeys: the humble, but mighty warrior tribe of Issachar (Judg. 5:15; 1 Chron 12:23-40). Why didn't Dan fight? Were they too preoccupied? Too proud to follow a woman? The list of questions could go on and on and... What we do know is Issachar exercised Dan's blessing in battle.

Barak/blazing light  joined forces with Deborah/Dabar/the word and Issachar. Deborah's husband's name was Lapidot/flaming torches to light the way. It was a humble, blazing saddles on asses that paved the way to defeat the war horses of the Canaanites (Job 39:19-25). Deborah's name, means 'bee' and the root of her name is Davar/or Word (John 1:1). Samson made a riddle for his enemies with honey. Like the Word, a bee pollinates and makes fruit possible; also like the bee the Word can ring forth a sting of death to the disobedient like Sisera.

Because of Issachar's humility and devotion to the flock and the Word, they had the ability to understand the times and seasons (1 Chron. 12:32). They had the ability to endure, not get worn out, with the routine of their calling, which is a great warning to all of us for the last days (Dan. 7:23-27).

Life is about choices! Happy preparation day and remember Exodus 23:4,5, & 12).

Shalom!

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