Footsteps Wherever You Go
A Shavuot Review of the Journey


Bamidbar “In the wilderness”
Numbers 1:1-4:20
Hosea 2:1-2:23
Hebrews 12:18-29


We’ve been looking at the significance of the feasts relative to the return of Yeshua and the gathering of the righteous. The following contexts help us to understand the role of the wilderness in Israel's gathering and return. Once the pieces are put together, it looks as though the final wilderness journey will begin in the nations of Israel's exile, not the geographic wilderness of the exodus from Egypt.

  • The Lord spoke to Moses in the wilderness of Sinai, in the tent of meeting, on the first day of the second month, in the second year after they had come out of the land of Egypt, saying, “Take a census of all the congregation of the people of Israel, by clans, by fathers' houses, according to the number of names, every male, head by head. From twenty years old and upward, all in Israel who are able to go to war, you and Aaron shall list them, company by company. (Nu 1:1-3)

  • The Lord spoke to Moses and Aaron, saying, “The people of Israel shall camp each by his own standard, with the banners of their fathers' houses. They shall camp facing the tent of meeting on every side. (2:2)

  • And the Lord said to Moses, “List all the firstborn males of the people of Israel, from a month old and upward, taking the number of their names. And you shall take the Levites for me—I am the Lord—instead of all the firstborn among the people of Israel, and the cattle of the Levites instead of all the firstborn among the cattle of the people of Israel.” (Nu 3:40-41)

  • For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. For they could not cope with the command, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, “I am terrified and trembling.” But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are enrolled in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel. (He 12:18-24)

All Israel is the firstborn son, drawn to the wilderness between Passover and Shavuot in preparation for a revived entry to the Promised Land, which they forfeited due to the Golden Calf and the evil report of the ten spies:

  • “Then you shall say to Pharaoh, ‘Thus says the LORD, “Israel is My son, My firstborn.’” (Ex 4:22)

  • “You are the sons of the LORD your God; you shall not cut yourselves nor shave your forehead for the sake of the dead.” (Dt 14:1)

The children of Israel are never to link themselves to the dead, for their Promise, the Promise of the Fathers was to inherit a Land inhabitable “long days” only with resurrection from the dead. After Yeshua, they are the “firstfruits” of life from the death.

  • “...and in the wilderness where you saw how the LORD your God carried you, just as a man carries his son, in all the way which you have walked until you came to this place.” (Dt 1:31)

The destination is the Garden and resurrection. Going to Jerusalem, like ascending and going into the Garden, is a matter of alah, or in modern Hebrew, aliyah, "going up."

When Does Israel “Go up”?

  • But you shall set boundaries for the people all around, saying, ‘Beware that you do not go up on the mountain or touch the border of it; whoever touches the mountain shall certainly be put to death. No hand shall touch him, but he shall certainly be stoned or shot through; whether animal or person, the violator shall not live.’ When the ram’s horn sounds a long blast, they shall come up to the mountain.” So Moses went down from the mountain to the people and consecrated the people, and they washed their garments. He also said to the people, “Be ready for the third day; do not go near a woman.”

  • So it came about on the third day, when it was morning, that there were thunder and lightning flashes and a thick cloud over the mountain and a very loud trumpet sound, so that all the people who were in the camp trembled. And Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they stood at the foot of the mountain. (Ex 19:12-17)

  • Then Moses went up with Aaron, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel, and they saw the God of Israel; and under His feet there appeared to be a pavement of sapphire, as clear as the sky itself. Yet He did not reach out with His hand against the nobles of the sons of Israel; and they saw God, and they ate and drank. Now the LORD said to Moses, “Come up to Me on the mountain and stay there, and I will give you the stone tablets with the Law and the commandments which I have written for their instruction.” (Ex 24:9-12)

This banquet, which Yeshua alludes to in his teachings, is one in which the children of Abraham, or the righteous, sit down at the table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the Garden of Eden upon entry for a banquet. The elders have a glimpse of this celestial meal when they go up.

Israel Ascends to Greatness from the Wilderness
Israel’s “Removal” is from the Wilderness

  • The Torah is from the Wilderness
  • The Mishkan (Tabernacle) is from the Wilderness
  • The Sanhedrin (Court) is from the Wilderness
  • The Priesthood is from the Wilderness
  • The Levitical divisions are from the Wilderness
  • The Monarchy is from the Wilderness: “a kingdom of priests” and Mercy Seat
  • The Goodly Gifts are from the Wilderness
The Well
The Manna
The Clouds of Glory
  • *Two crowns were bestowed to each individual Israelite by sixty myriads of ministering angels when Israel said, “We will do and we will hear,” and crowns were taken away upon the sin of the Golden Calf. Although this is tradition, not Torah, the writer of the letter to the Hebrews also alludes to it.
  • Prophecy is from the Wilderness (including burning bush).

Alah, or going up, can mean both ascent and removal from. When ultimately Israel makes aliyah, she goes up spiritually to touch and inhabit the Garden and Jerusalem, removed from the death of the natural world. She can go up and in the cloud, the power of entropy suspended. When Israel is “removed from”, she dies in the wilderness because of unbelief, removed from the columns of smoke and cloud.

  • He subdues peoples under us and nations under our feet...He chooses our inheritance for us, the pride of Jacob whom He loves.* Selah. God has ascended with a shout, the LORD, with the sound of a trumpet...God reigns over the nations, God sits on His holy throne. (Ps 47:3-8)

The seventy elders had a glimpse of the Throne and Adonai's ultimate rule over the nations at Shavuot. The shofars signal these glimpses of final victory in the feasts. Notably, the Psalm mentions, "Jacob whom He loves." Contrast this with:

  • “Esau I have hated...”(Mal 1:3)

The iron and clay feet of the Red Beast Esau, or Edom (Rome), are replaced by the “inheritance” of Israel, who will rule with Messiah from Jerusalem and Mt. Zion, imposing the will of Heaven upon earth after the wrath of the Lamb and their resurrection with shofars. The Lamb will set his feet on the Mount of Olives, shattering the nations' rule over the inheritance of Jacob. The nations’ dread and fear of Israel is prophesied in Torah: Nu 22:3; Dt 2:25; Dt 11:25 and Joshua 2:9-11 (preceding the yovel marches around Jericho).

Another prophecy of Edom's, the Red Beasts', ultimate defeat:

  • “In Your faithfulness You have led the people whom You have redeemed;In Your strength You have guided them to Your holy habitation.The peoples have heard, they tremble; anguish has gripped the inhabitants of Philistia. Then the chiefs of Edom were terrified; the leaders of Moab, trembling grips them; all the inhabitants of Canaan have despaired. terror and dread [will] fall upon them; by the greatness of Your arm they are motionless as stone, until Your people pass over, LORD, until the people pass over whom You have purchased. You will bring them and plant them in the mountain of Your inheritance, the place, LORD, which You have made as Your dwelling, the sanctuary, Lord, which Your hands have established. The LORD shall reign forever and ever.” (Ex 15:13-18)

The wilderness and the mishkan are associated with a verse in the Song of Songs:

THE BRIDE
  • “What is this coming up from the wilderness like columns of smoke, perfumed with myrrh and frankincense, with all the scented powders of the merchant?” (So 3:6)

The Song of Songs documents how the Bride will go up from the wilderness to enter the Land of Promise, from Mishkan to Mikdash (Temple), a permanent residence.

The wilderness and the Mishkan :

  • Columns of smoke: Pillar of fire, pillar of cloud, incense offerings, outer altar smoke. 
  • Perfumed with myrrh and frankincense: The spices of the altar sacrifices
  • With the scented powders (avakah H81) of the merchant: The variety of “dust” resulting from Jacob’s wrestling at the crossing of the Jabbok River returning his sons to their inheritance after his exile with Lavan. (from H79/80 avak, the Jacob’s wrestling match “Esau’s angel” who had to depart at daybreak in Ge 32:24-25). Each of the twelve tribes represents a different “spice,” or gift, blessing.

The census in Bamidbar establishes the numbers and names that will be reckoned for war readiness in the camps. The encampments were a Divine “engine” of the twelve tribes facing the four winds controlled by four angels. When Israel is apostate, she abandons her watch to those different powers instead of synchronizing them by functioning as a kingdom of priests and judges at the twelve gates of Jerusalem. Each of the four angels is thought to represent one of the 4 beast kingdoms.

  • And the dragon stood on the sand of the seashore. Then I saw a beast coming up out of the sea, having ten horns and seven heads, and on his horns were ten crowns, and on his heads were blasphemous names. And the beast that I saw was like a leopard, and his feet were like those of a bear, and his mouth like the mouth of a lion. And the dragon gave him his power and his throne, and great authority.

  • I saw one of his heads as if it had been fatally wounded, and his fatal wound was healed. And the whole earth was amazed and followed after the beast; they worshiped the dragon because he gave his authority to the beast; and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who is able to wage war with him?” A mouth was given to him speaking arrogant words and blasphemies, and authority to act for forty-two months was given to him. And he opened his mouth in blasphemies against God, to blaspheme His name and His tabernacle*, that is, those who dwell in heaven. (Re 13:1-6)

*Hebrew cognates to Greek skaynay are: ohel, mishkan, sukkah

As a review, the “water” dragon who gave authority to the “land” beast was Egypt. Historically, Pharaoh Neco to Nebuchadnezzar.

This principle is applied when studying prophecy from a Jewish standpoint:

  • When the beast emerges from the wilderness or forest, it is strong and builds empires that endure.

  • When the beast emerges from the water, or sea, it will quickly weaken and die, no matter how fierce it may appear. 

In Revelation, an example is how the earth of the wilderness “helped the Woman,” and swallowed the flood of wickedness.

  • For this reason, rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them. Woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has come down to you with great wrath, knowing that he has only a short time.

  • And when the dragon saw that he was thrown down to the earth, he persecuted the woman who gave birth to the male Child. But the two wings of the great eagle were given to the woman, so that she could fly into the wilderness to her place, where she was nourished for a time, times, and half a time, away from the presence of the serpent. And the serpent hurled water like a river out of his mouth after the woman, so that he might cause her to be swept away with the flood. But the earth helped the woman, and the earth opened its mouth and drank up the river which the dragon had hurled out of his mouth. So the dragon was enraged with the woman and went off to make war with the rest of her children, who keep the commandments of God and hold to the testimony of Jesus. (Re 12:12-17)

Here is a prophecy to the King of Babylon, the “dead head” of the beast, resurrected among the nations as “Babylon the Great,” who has fallen (past) and will fall (future), fallen, fallen:

  • “Who made the world like a wilderness and overthrew its cities, who did not allow his prisoners to go home?” (Is 14:17)

Isaiah says the "world" is "like a wilderness." This is a clue that the wilderness of Yeshua's Footsteps will at least partially be among the nations of Israel's exile.

  • “As I live,” declares the Lord GOD, “with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out, I assuredly shall be king over you. I will bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you are scattered, with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out; and I will bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face. Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you,” declares the Lord GOD. “I will make you pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant; and I will purge from you the rebels and those who revolt against Me; I will bring them out of the land where they reside, but they will not enter the land of Israel. So you will know that I am the LORD. (Ezek 20:33-38)

The Hebrew cognates to the Greek word for tabernacle, skaynay, all point to the Israelite encampment in the wilderness. The Ohel Moed (Tent of Meeting, Tent of the Appointed Time), Mishkan (Tent of the Indwelling Presence), and Sukkah (Sukkot of Glory, synonymous with the Clouds of Glory) in which Israel dwelled with the Divine Presence. 

It’s possible that those who keep the moedim in the power of the Ruach HaKodesh are already dwelling in heaven at the time that these arrogant blasphemies take place. This level of heaven may be a similar interim arrangement as the wilderness journey of well and manna. There seemed to be little awareness on the Israelites' part of the elevated wilderness state in which the laws of entropy slowed or paused. Imagine already being in an initial gathering in the wilderness of the peoples, yet not even being aware of it!

Because of their lack of spiritual growth in the wilderness, the rebels were purged. Ezekiel suggests that once again, there will be a reckoning like in Bamidbar, a counting of battle-ready warriors and firstborn assembly. Those who rebel will be brought to this wilderness, yet will not be able to enter the Promised Land in a gathering of those inscribed and sealed in the Book.

Ezekiel prophesies that Israel will "pass under the rod," a phrase associated with the Feast of Trumpets and the resurrection. If an Israelite passes under the rod in the wilderness, he/she will either be resurrected to life or wander on in the wilderness. At the end of ten days, the gates of Yom HaKippurim close, and those who failed to repent will be unable to enter the Holy City.

Shavuot, which concludes Pesach because the omer of barley must be completed, is thought to be the feast at which the righteous are sealed. This is the month of the census, the Reckoning for the future resurrection on the Feast of Trumpets. From Shavuot to Trumpets, these are those who will not fall asleep spiritually, but walk in their sealing, which are the tefillin of The Holy One. (So 8:6) Like their father Abraham, they continue in their wilderness tests, yet these tests bring them to perfection, not destruction, so that they will bring a good report of the Land of their inheritance.

Aliyah can indicate going up into the inheritance, and removal from the bonds of a fallen earth, or it can indicate removal from the final gathering of the tzaddikim.

Now let's review the the Hebrews passage for these Shavuot-sealing to Trumpets-resurrection details:

  • “For you have not come to a mountain that can be touched and to a blazing fire, and to darkness and gloom and whirlwind, and to the blast of a trumpet and the sound of words, which sound was such that those who heard begged that no further word be spoken to them. For they could not cope with the command, “If even an animal touches the mountain, it shall be stoned.” And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, ‘I am terrified and trembling.’ But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to myriads of angels, to the general assembly [cognate-moed] and church [cognate-kahal] of the firstborn who are enrolled [katav] in heaven, and to God, the Judge of all, and to the spirits of the righteous [tzaddikim] made perfect...” (He 12:18-21, 23)

Shavuot is the moed of being written and sealed in the Book, crowned by myriads of angels for one's commitment to "do and hear" the commandments, being made righteous by the work of Yeshua to enter the Holy City in resurrection like the tzaddikim of ancient times: "And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many." (Mt 27:53)

Wherever you go in exile, there you are in the wilderness. From there, you will be gathered, first from your calling out of Egypt and the peoples to salvation, and then again from the wilderness when you accept the Covenant upon yourself, genuinely and sincerely promising to let the Ruach HaKodesh lead you to perfection until the resurrection of the dead.


We tentatively plan to live stream Footsteps Wherever You Go on YouTube at approximately 4:00 pm Eastern on Shabbat.

You are also invited to join us at River of Life Tabernacle on Sunday for Shavuot service beginning at 11:00 am Central.


The Israel Sukkot tour is full, but...
the LIMITED MOBILITY TOUR is November 28th-December 8th. Itinerary and registration are now available to view. Scroll all the way down the newsletter or click here to read more.



SHABBAT SHALOM!

A Shavuot Selection for you and your Christian friends...

Standing With Israel offers insights into the Second Chapter of Acts and why many from the nations are turning aside to see a supernatural fire of the Word burning. It examines Cornelius' and Peter's prayers that opened the door to fellowship between Jewish and non-Jewish believers in Jesus. Standing With Israel explains the events of Acts 10 in the context of the Amidah, the Standing Prayer prayed three times daily by observant Jews. An in-depth study of the prophetic nature of the prayer demonstrates how the Judges of Israel and the infirm woman that Yeshua healed explain the resurrection of Messianic Judaism, growing Christian interest in their Hebraic roots, as well as the “spirit-filled” movements of the last century. Jewish and non-Jewish believers alike are urged to take hold of the unifying prayer to build a house of prayer for all nations. This second edition includes study questions for each chapter, which makes it an excellent resource for Bible study groups looking for a beginner introduction to ancient Jewish prayer.
LIVE STREAM POSSIBLE, BUT NOT GUARANTEED, THIS SHABBAT !

The Torah teaching, IF POSSIBLE, will be at approximately 4:00 Eastern, so Click to go to our YouTube channel. We add free Torah portion teachings to the YouTube Channel each week. Shavuot Service at River of Life is at 11:00 am CENTRAL on Sunday, June 5.
Join us for Elul New Moon Aug. 26th- 28th. Discount Registration is only during the month of March.


You can register now for Women of Valor!

Registration is now open online. We will be gathering at the beautiful Lake Junaluska Conference Center in the Smoky Mountains of North Carolina. This is a destination venue with a variety of great recreational opportunities. All five meals are included in the Women of Valor registration fee. Please follow the link on the website to reserve your hotel room accommodations with our group discount.

You can now register for

When Our Community Goes from ME to WE

FRANKLIN MARRIOTT COOL SPRINGS
700 Cool Springs Blvd, Franklin, TN 37067


It's a little later this year, but we're excited to see you all again at REVIVE!

There will also be a pre-REVIVE Leadership Training this year. Join Pastors Bill & Beth Cloud, Pastors Mark & Tammy McLendon and Dr. Hollisa Alewine for a 2 day seminar prior to REVIVE 2022 at the Marriott Cool Springs Hotel in Franklin, TN for the LEADERSHIP TRAINING 2022.  These leaders bring to the table years of experience in a variety of areas as it pertains to the faith walk and serving others.

This seminar is designed to encourage and assist those who are either leading a congregation or who feel called to begin a local congregation.  With the great need that there is for healthy communities to be established in order that we may gather together with like-kind and like-mind, it is our desire to help equip the body of Messiah with the tools they need to be a part of building up the body of Messiah. 

We look forward to joining you for this time of learning about the joy of being a part of a community of believers.

Your continual prayers for the children of LaMalah and our brothers and sisters in Kenya are so much appreciated. Our current need is a well and solar pump for a cost-free source of clean water. The cost of drilling is estimated at around $15,000, and with fees, permits, solar pump, and other equipment installation, we think the final bill will be around $25,000. We wired the funds to begin with drilling, and praying for the funds to arrive for the later stages of installation. At this point, we are still $7000 short in US dollars.

This week, Brother Ndungu writes:

Shalom my Sister,

We had a wonderful Shabbat. I do hope it's going well on your end. I was in Nyandarua visiting to encourage brothers and sisters and thank Abba am back home safe .

We grieve with you for the loss of a loved one. It's not always easy.

We say thank you very much indeed . We are hopeful we will get licences and permits this coming week . We need permits from Water Resources management (Warma), Nema ( National enviroent management) RUWA and the county goverment. We have since placed our applications, and we will keep you updated as we progress.

When we have a lasting and reliable water source,we will really do a good work towards being self food reliant. In a few years, we will have fruits like oranges, pawpaws and melons .

Again, thank you and blessings in abundance!

Peter


If you feel led to help with the operating expenses of LaMalah or would like to fund two additional greenhouses ($5000 apiece), you can always use the donate button below or send a check by snail mail to:

The Creation Gospel
PO Box 846
East Bernstadt, KY 40729

Creation Gospel Workbook sales go to the ministry, so take a moment and shop our webpage or Amazon. You can also sign up on Amazon Smile by selecting "The Olive Branch Messianic Congregation, Inc.," as your designated charity, which is the umbrella organization for The Creation Gospel.

Did you know?
You can listen to the live streams of our podcasts on Podbean by clicking on the link below. Soon we'll be adding Torah portions.

We are transferring most of our YouTube videos to Odysee, which will eliminate those pesty ads. All this takes time and money, so it won't happen tomorrow, but it is something to look forward to soon. You can see what has been posted so far on The Creation Gospel at Odysee. The videos will remain on YouTube as well.
The weekly Shabbat live streams are available either on demand at our new Creation Gospel podcast page or at Hebrew Nation Radio. Please note the following air times (PST) on Hebrew Nation Radio:

Thursdays: 9-10 am & 10-11 p.m.
Mondays: 4-5 am & 2-3 p.m.
"A LIGHT TO MY PATH"
November 28 – December 8, 2022

Leader: Dr. Hollisa Alewine
Tour Coordinator: Kisha Gallagher
“Your Word is a Lamp unto my feet and a light to my path” will be our guide in this limited mobility tour of Israel. A journey through the Land of Israel does not have to be at a lightning pace. In fact, when Esau urged Jacob to travel home with him, Jacob objected: “I will proceed at my leisure, at the pace of the cattle that are ahead of me and at the pace of the children.” The Word will light our way and illuminate our path on this more leisurely tour. If you ever thought you couldn’t keep up with a tour group, this might be the trip for you.

We will look to the Word for the significance of the locations on our itinerary, and because we’ve included more museums on this tour, we’ll be able to see into the past of Israel by viewing its remarkable artifacts. We’ll also come away with a greater understanding of why Israel’s geography, weather, and agriculture are emphasized in the Scriptures.

While our transportation will not have wheelchair lifts, there will be room to store walkers or wheelchairs beneath the bus. If you need assistance for boarding and deboarding the bus or personal care, your assistant will need to register and travel with you. While we can limit the challenges in a nation built on rocks, we can’t eliminate them entirely!

Click here to view the itinerary and register.