For it is written: “His mother said to the servants, do whatever He tells you.” Yahweh tells Peter, James and John, “…This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well PLEASE; hear ye him.” (Matthew 17:5) Yeshua (Jesus), ask Peter three times (to conduct the heavily pattern of all earthly Shepherds) when Christ said to Peter, “FEED my sheep.” (John 21:17) Now, unto the church (flock, fold, remnant, servants, SHEEP) there sit upon the throne of Heaven on the right hand of Yahweh, a ‘King of Kings’ who has all power on earth and in heaven, who name is above all names, a prince of peace that shares with us. “If you love me keep my commandments.” John 2:5
When Gabriel an angel of Yahweh appeared to the Jewish Maria (G3137), the angel shared some profound revelation to our future mother of our savior. “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God.” (Luke 1:30) Was Maria without sin? No. Did Maria (Mary) have a life reflecting bitterness or loneliness? Maria was a handmaid unto Yahweh, and not unto man. “O LORD, surely I am Your servant, I am Your servant, the son of Your handmaid…” (Psalms 116:16) Our bible does not say Maria was fair (beautiful), but this does not mean that her heart towards the Lord was not beautiful, for she found favor with the Living Elohim (God). During Maria’s day it was custom that Jewish women marry around 18 to 20 and men 20 to 24 years of age. Maria was probably married a little after the age of 23-24.
However, the Pharisees and Sadducees to name a few were rewriting the Holy writ called the Talmud of Babylon (Babylon means ongoing confusion). These religious leaders were adding and replacing the Laws of Moses, one in particular the adding of conspiracy theories to manipulate the Torah. These seedlings, planted by the children of Satan, adopted laws that turned Solomon’s porch, the house of prayer into swap meets and social clubs. Yeshua, was haste to rebuke these blind teachers and those who follow them. “Every plant, which my heavenly Father hath not planted, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they be blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.” (Matthew 15:13-14) These counselors and judges were allowing the wicked to escape judgement.We see this going on right before our eyes today, and if it was not written in the bible, I would not believe it is so. A society that overlooks the wicked in their hearts like Barnabas, and prosecute those who are spiritually free in Christ. “How long will ye judge unjustly, and accept the persons of the wicked? Selah.” (Psalms 82)
Maria is Greek, why her name was changed to Mary would need further study because (NT) was written in Greek. Changing a person name also changes the direction and purpose of their ministry, nevertheless when a person understands the mystery in their name, they will also learn their ministry. “…for as your name is so are you…” (1 Samuel 25:25). Many of us have received some kind of pet or nickname after birth or later on in life, and these nicknames are physical perspective in how one has perceived you, just always remember that a person can ‘know of you,’ but it does not necessarily mean they ‘know you’, so if they only know of you and you do not know of them. What more can be said, if time is precious and faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of Elohim, then do you question your daily conversations, to see if they represent the gates of heaven or hell? Indeed, for we know that life and death is in the power of the tongue; thereby, Christ came not to condemn, but many condemn themselves, unknowingly. “But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words, you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt 12:36-37)
Jacob’s son is older now he has had the privilege to learn their ways. Jacob’s final words were to issue out the blessings and curses to his sons apart from their ministry. Jacob takes Manasseh the oldest (UK) and Ephraim the youngest (Euro, US) and crosses their blessings, giving the greater blessings to the youngest and the lessor to the oldest. This adoption process did not affect the ministry that was handed down by their mother who also was a virgin, a daughter of an Egyptian Priest. History has shown us that Egypt has many gods. Why is this important because the ‘light’ to lead Israel and all nations (gentiles/unbelievers), back to orderly worship would come out of the tribe of Judah and none other “I AM the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”John 8:12 Paul shares with us. “But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to devils, and not to God…” 1 Cor 10:20
Many of Yahweh’s people still have closed eyes when it comes to the knowledge and teaching of Yeshua, just as my eyes were once closed to that same teaching of the prophets and the Torah. However, as the Holy Spirit teaches us to embrace all of God’s word. I see how the spirit of the flesh has deceived many in believing we can hold His cup in one hand, while holding the world’s cup in the other one. “You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons.” 1 Corinthians 10:21; 2 Corinthians 6:15
Jacob’s spiritual crossing or passing down can be seen in the story of John the Baptizer, his birth order was the household of Levitical priesthood, but the Spirit of Yahweh, crossed it to the office of a prophet, though this crossing is of the same household of worship to Yahweh. John’s parents believed in the same Elohim as Elijah, and not like the adoption process that took place with Jacob’s grandsons. “And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah, who was to come.” (Matthew. 11:14; Lk. 1:17; Malachi 4:5-6) Now, Jacob hands down the Lord’s spiritual directions for each of his 12 sons and 2 adopted grandson Manasseh and Ephraim. However, in this study, we will focus on Judah’s blessing whose name means PRAISE.
“Judah, your brothers will praise you; your hand will be on the neck of your enemies; your father’s sons will bow down to you. 9You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness-who dares to rouse him? 10The scepter (King) will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his. 11He will tether his donkey to a vine, his colt to the choicest branch; he will wash his garments in wine, his robes in the blood of grapes. 12His eyes will be darker than wine, his teeth whiter than milk.” (Genesis 49:8-12)
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: The spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him. A spirit of wisdom and of understanding, a spirit of counsel and of strength, a spirit of knowledge and of fear of the LORD, and his delight shall be the fear of the LORD not by apparency shall he judge…” (Isaiah11:1-3)
The perfect offering of salvation will come out of the body of a virgin; this virgin who knew no other form of worship outside of the faith of Yahweh symbolically point to the pureness of her Faith, but in a practical sense she was a virgin and knew no man. Maria (Mary) name points to the type of ministry our savior would embrace. Her name is the same as Miriam who was Aaron and Moses’s oldest sister in the Book of Exodus, not only was she their sister, she was a prophetess unto Yahweh. Miriam played a very important role in Moses’s earlier life; and, Jewish sages and scholars both agreed that Miriam was one of the Hebrew midwives given the name Puah. Which is a Phoenician derived name which point to those in power at that moment in Egypt. This process of name changing appears throughout the bible, so just remember our names are reflections of the kingdoms in control.
Torah refers to her as ‘Miriam the Prophetess’ and both Maria (Mary) and Miriam names have the same meanings, (Sea of, bitterness, rebellious, blessed and discerning). Now, wait a minute settle down and get the ants out of your undergarments, ask yourself these few questions. Was Moses born during a time of great bitterness, by the hands of Egyptians against the Lord’s people? Did Miriam rebel against the household of Pharaoh, in fear of Yahweh (the Lord) to save all Hebrews’ boys? If, you have pondered on those two questions then you can understand why Miriam’s mother given her that name, being born in a time of great affliction against the children of God. Likewise, Mary and Miriam were born in a system that reflected a spiritual and physical bondage, both were in need of divine intervention.
Moses was a type of Christ, a shadow of an image of things to come, and just as Christ brought forth Salvation unto all who believe and follow His precepts. Moses was a chosen vessel by Yahweh to deliver ‘the children of God’ out of their bondage. A messianic message of song and thanksgiving appears in Exodus 15, the Israelites leap for joy because of the Lord’s ‘salvation’. “The LORD is my strength and song, and he has become my salvation. This is my God and I’ll praise him; the God of my father and I’ll exalt him.” (Exodus 15:2) Elizabeth tells Mary, “For, lo, as soon as the voice of thy salutation sounded in mine ears, the babe leaped in my womb for joy.” Miriam dancing and the playing of tambourine while rejoicing in the salvation of the Lord? (Exodus 15:20) Maria (Mary) done likewise with a prophetic dance of words when she spoken a similitude of song and thanksgiving. Let us compare both songs of ‘praise’ with Miriam in Exodus 15 and Luke chapter 1 with Mary’s prophetic words.
Miriam praise:
12 “You stretched out your right hand, and the earth swallowed them. You have led with your gracious love this people when you redeemed. 13You have guided them with your strength to your holy dwelling.”
Maria praise:
50“And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. 51 He hath shewed strength with his arm; He hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. 52 He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree.”
Indeed, Miriam ministry points to Mary who also was a prophetess who received a message of promise from the angel of the Lord, “surly, the Lord GOD will do nothing, but until he reveals his secret unto his servants the prophets.” (Amos 3:7) A prophet or prophetess could only receive the hidden things of Yahweh then and now. Amen
As Elizabeth birth forth a forerunner in the spirit of Elijah, and Maria (Mary) delivers a bridegroom who would be the branch to turn our bitter waters sweet for it is written: “…there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branchshall grow out of his roots…” (Is 11:1) Strong’s Concordance gives the Hebrew meaning of the word tree (H6086) as: carpenter, staff, stick or stock wood. This branch would become the spine and backbone that gives firmness to the BODY (H6095,96,97,98 & H3290). Without Him there would not be any rejoice, our feeble bodies would be as a jelly fish, a man o’ war, imprison by the sting of death, so we rejoice making his way our delight because, “Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:54-55; Hosea 13:14; Is 57:1-2
When the children of Israel finished praising Yahweh, three days into the wilderness of Shur, Moses was met with a great wave of grievance from amongst the people in the WILDERNESS. They were thirsty and the only water in sight was BITTER (lit.) so it was called Marah (Miriam; Maria). This was too at the wedding banquet where Maria was grieved about the uninspected turnout of friends and guest. There had to be more than 10 guest at this particular wedding because 10 is the Hebrew gematria of assemble, or a complete congregation.
While serving wine is an important honor, it is served during the Birkat Hamazon, here is where prayers of blessings and thanksgiving are lifted up by each guest. Both male and female commune alike joining together as ONE BODY, the Word and the name of Yahweh is spoken at the end of each blessing. The Lord’s name is only spoken when the wedding party has 10 guest or more but this is not done on Sabbath Day services, nor was it so during Moses’s day where women and men fellowship in one place concerning the Holy text, for it is written: “…the women who served at the entrance to the tent of meetings.” (Exodus 38:8; 1 Samuel 2:22)
How this story parallels with the bitter water at Shur, and how Mary’s dire need to provide that which was pivotal to the custom of a Jewish wedding is a foreshadow of Christ soon to come ‘Wedding Banquet.’ When we are all gathered together on the day of AT-ONE-MENT, when he returns for his bride with the Host (Sabaoth, armies) of Heaven, which mean YAHWEH or YOVAH ‘HE IS COMING’. “Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draw nigh.” James 5:1-8
By the waters of Marah, the Lord shows a tree to Moses, then Moses casted it into the bitter water, making it sweet for ALL the camp to drink. Maria (Mary), tells the SERVANTS, “…to do what every he tells you.” Yeshua’s instructions along leads our bitter lives, unto the WAY of sweetness, which is eternal life, but we must DO what every he tells us. He has given us his word and we are fortunate to have permission to read it, this is the doing of the Holy Spirit. Yahweh’s spirit is not going to teach you anything outside of His gates, for it is written: “Blessed is the man that heareth me, watching daily at my gates, waiting at the posts of my doors.” Proverbs 8:34
Before the wedding comes to a close the bridegroom stomps on a wine glass at the ending of the wedding and all the guests shouts “Mazel tov” (congratulation). This breaking of a wine glass is symbolic of reminding Israel of the destruction of Jerusalem’s Temple in a.d.70, and too the broken society in which we live in. While Maria upbringing was under Torah, the universal sting of Death was inherited from the first man Adam, it was broken at the cross by Yahshua (Jesus) our Messiah, the perfect sin offering for all. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob had to believe in the promises of Yahweh, by faith just as we have to believe in the return of the Messiah by faith. The instructions to our faith were not nailed on the cross, it was spiritually handed to Maria. Now the hour has come and Christ hands over His Faith to his Jewish mother he says, “…Woman, behold thy son!” then “…unto his disciples Behold thy mother! (John 19:26-27) Behold (G1492) is the Greek meaning ‘to know’, Does your heart know him, for it is written: “These people draw near to Me with their mouth, And honor Me with their lips, But their heart is far from Me.” (Matthew 15:8)
Maria (Mary) is the WOMAN whom DELIVERED (lit.) the Messiah of Judah (Messianic Judaism), to humankind in its purest form. A ministry where ITS bread (Manna) came down from the gates of heaven, but Satan desires nothing more to destroy the gate of Yahweh, he knows he cannot destroy but busy against the heel of woman. The enemy has cause many to go astray and lose their way, but this is not the case with Yashua’ church. He promised us that the ‘Gates of Hades’ will not prevail, and leaves a door open to All who desires REST. Moreover, this does not mean we are exempt from life’s struggles, but He ensure us if we are overcomers, we will neither be exempt from His kingdom. Though he is away for a moment we were not left without the keys to an ‘everlasting gospel.’ A gospel where the ‘Father of Host’ tells the disciples to, “Hear ye him”. Yeshua leaves the care of his FLOCK in the hands of a shepherd. He tells Peter, the shepherd of all shepherds, love me first. How is this to be done, by keeping his commandments, then I repeat, then Go Feed My Sheep!
The time is appointed and now at hand the last day church will be called, laughter the meaning of Isaac’s name. Sarah mocked(laugh) when Yahweh/Yeshua promised a child in her older age. Genesis 18:10-15 BEHOLD, in that great day many are going to be liken to the two thieves on the cross many will laugh, mock and make play (H6711); while others will morn. “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.”
