10.5.25 ~ Restored Vision

Good morning! 

The Feast of Tabernacles is upon us. It's an opportunity to shine as stars in the night (Dan. 12:3; Gen. 1:14). With the end of our Torah studies in sight, we will begin a new cycle starting all over again in Genesis 1 where we will uncover more majesty from heaven above to aid us in living a stronger testimony for the dark days ahead (Deut. 6:4-8; Rom. 12:1,2; Psa. 44:22,23; Rom. 8:36) with the ultimate goal of being conformed into the image of His dear Son, the living Word (Rom. 8:29; Gen. 1:26-28) With this image God has given to us a task as co-creators reestablishing fruitfulness through an intimate relationship of connecting heaven and earth (Gen. 2:4; Matt 6:20). 

You may recall in the opening chapter of Genesis, after God had separated that which was echad/one into two, separating heaven and earth that it was not deemed good’ (Gen. 1:6-9). The heavenly realm was now separate from the earthly. Ugh!

Yet, for those who shine as the stars (Dan. 12:3)...

Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever. (Dan. 12:3)

...they are committed to override cultural norms from this earth for heavenly  norms which opens the door for all kinds of adventures. Their heart is passionate for restoration/tikkun in life's major areas: spiritually, emotionally, physically, spiritually. and financially. They have vision to fulfil Yeshua's prayer: "...on earth as it is in heaven" (Matt. 6:10). They become living Proverbs 29:18.  

Where there is no vision/chazon, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. (Prov. 29:18)

Oftentimes this verse is used to cast a vision for some sort of building program or establish long term goals for our congregations...nothing wrong with goals, or projects!  Personally, for the ministries overseas, I have three monster ones: purchase land to build a true health care facility, purchase a building for a school, and build a house for leaders...huge and doable goals. 

With that said, have you ever fully considered what proverbs 29:18 says?: “Where there is no vision/revelation, the people perish/cast off restraint; but happy is he who keeps/shmar, guards and cherishes, the Torah.”  Notice, the word ‘revelation’ is used. This better explains what the King James Version is saying when it uses the word ‘vision.’ In typical Hebrew parallelism, the phrases are meant to offset one another: “no revelation” versus “cherishes the Torah”  “cast off restraint” versus “happy [blessed]”. Not often taught when 'pulpiteers' are casting a vision. 

The fact that the American Evangelical church has lost the culture war by forfeit is proof that she has not adhered to ‘revelation’ – which is Torah (i.e. God’s revealed Word).  She has “cast off restraint” because she thinks God’s instructions are merely suggestions, and all that matters is ‘faith’”.  Forgetting once again that faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God (Rom. 10:17). 

Solomon was right.  God doesn’t need you to have a vision, a goal or a five-year plan.  He wants and needs you to observe the plan He already put in place 3500 years ago and ultimately from the beginning (Gen. 1; Jn. 1).  God is in the process of establishing His Kingdom here on earth, the vanguard of a coming worldwide domination of His righteousness.  He has already given the constitution of the Kingdom and the marching orders for its expansion.  We ignore them at our peril.  Solomon noted that whenever men and women disregard the revelation/chazon, terrible things happen.  Conversely, whenever men and women cherish God’s instructions, a state of well-being ensues. 

Solomon parallels this beautifully with Proverbs 11:14  “Where there is no guidance, a people falls,” and  here, “where there is no understanding of the revelation from God, the society deteriorates into chaos.”
Can Chazon be translated as “vision” as the King Jimmie states?  Yes, but it is related to the “seeing” of a prophet, not to the planning commission at the church.  The church is called to obedience not to programming.  Once again, we are back at the Garden.  When Eve ate from the Tree, she cast off restraint.  She had no “vision”.  She did what was right in her own eyes.  She determined what was good for her!  And the rest is history.  What is true for one, is true for all.  Society follows that same collective path of Eve with the same result – ‘atsav – sorrow.

For each of us, during this Feast season, " Will we step away from the “vision” casting catastrophe of our Greek planning preoccupation to shine as the stars in the night, turning many to righteousness? Maybe, just maybe, by doing step one the desires of our heart will come to pass. 

Chag Sameach Sukkot!!

Shalom,
Alan

Shabbat morning's zoom call: I've been bought by the heavenly Master. Should I obey His commands or be free to do what I want?

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