CANDLEGLOW LESSON
PARASHAH YITRO (Exodus 18:1-20:23) Week 17
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As I sought direction from the Holy Spirit for the tapestry lesson, I struggled with the complexity of the historical journey of Exodus, and of the new Nation’s entry into the desert wilderness, or Bamidbar. As I ran and prayed aloud over the Parashah’s flow of events, I continued to circle around the base of Mount Sinai. The vision of Mt. Sinai led my prayers. I saw the mountain as eternally set apart from the rest of the earth as most holy ground.
Adonai said, “Don’t come any closer! Take your sandals off your feet, because the place where you are standing is holy ground. I am the God of your Father,” he continued, “The God of Avraham, the God of Ytz’chak and the God of Ya’akov.” (Exodus 3:5 CJB)
This was the exact place imprinted on the eternal tapestry of the Lord, before the foundation of the world, to usher the descent of the Lord from heaven, reaching out to a fallen, fearful people. This was the exact site of the engagement ceremony between God Most High, El Elyon, and his Covenant people, the descendants of fathers Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. This was the Mountain of fulfillment; this was the Mountain of the words of Adonai; this was the revelation of Yahweh, and His Testimony of The Ten Words which bring LIFE.
“See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword – it cuts through to where the soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart. Before God, nothing created is hidden, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.” (Hebrews 4:12 CJB)
How amazing, how intricately woven in time and space is this place of “The Ten Thorny Words of the Lord,” commanded to be digested by the new Nation of Israel. Yes, the Testimony of the Lord in His word must be eaten and digested in order for it to change and nourish us. The word of the Lord is to be our milk, but also our medicine. As sinful people, we are in need of healing, then nourishment. We cannot be nourished until our disease has been laid bare in order to be cut away. Healing and nourishment will then come.
This is the Lesson of the Mountain of the Sword. By His supernatural purpose, it cut deeply into the hearts and minds of a nation of slaves; slaves to fear, idol worship, unbelief and immorality. Worshipping at the base of a mound or hill was a common practice in the ancient pagan religions. The people made an elevated place with their hands, of stones and earthly materials, serving as the altar where sacrifices would be made to a man-made god. This was superstition with a capital S.
The Sinai Mountain is a tremendous sight in the midst of a barren desert. This was the Mountain of the Lord not made by the hands of men, but by Adonai’s creative force! This was not a mound where people came to make peace with the forces of nature. This was the Holy Mountain where Adonai descended from heaven to unveil His Omnipotence, His Omnipresence, and His Omniscience!
This is the Lesson of the Mountain of the Sword. In utter authenticity, the Mountain of the Sword would host the presence of The Most-High and His Testimony. The Mountain of the Sword would host His Ten Words which are a sword. His words cut to the heart of the truth and carve away all that is of the enemy; of lies and deception believed for far too long. Yes, the time had come for the revelation of God’s Testimony atop the Mountain of the Sword, with the powerful and purposeful Ten Words of the Lord God Almighty.
This is the Lesson of the Mountain of the Sword. Adonai, in his abounding grace appeared, veiled inside a cloud of thunder and lightning in order to preserve the people who stood behind a pre-ordained boundary at the base of Mt. Sinai, so they would not be consumed by the light of His Divine Presence. (Shekinah) His Testimony, His Ten Words, interpret for the human soul, His holiness.
This was the Mountain of the Sword of His Glory, come down to save!
CANDLEGLOW LESSON FOR SHABBAT: ~ THIS FEAST OF THORNS ~
Commanded to taste this feast of thorns, offered to us by a Holy Lord.
Our willing lips open to receive the ten bitter bites which cut, like a sword!
Trust Him dear seeker, with head bowed low.
Take in humbly, each bloody stem.
Hearts that are punctured by His Words, laid bare.
We plead…Make us more like You, dear Lord!
Father of Feasts and Testimony sweet, your goodness we seek in the ten thorny bites.
May your word and your will be done in our life, and one day at your feet, we behold heaven’s light.
Yes, that day to kneel at your throne of grace, where angels guard your presence, wings ablaze!
These bitter bites, ten thorny Words did make. A beauty eternal brought forth, for our sake!
Exquisite plumes of God’s mercy poured forth from the crushing, bruising sacrifice, so great!
The blood of Messiah, shed for the whole human race!
To our knees we will fall in the sweetest surrender; presented to Abba Father by Yeshua, His Son,
Face-to-Face!
By Sydney Hewitt, 2013