Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Korban is a Jewish practice of sacrificing an animal or of making an offering


Korban

Korban (קרבן (nm. victim, prey, butt; sacrifice, offering, oblation, immolation) (plural: Korbanot קרבנות) is a Jewish practice of sacrificing an animal or of making an offering at the Temple. It is known as a Korban in Hebrew because its Hebrew root K [a] R [o] V (קרב) means to "[come] Close (or Draw Near) [to God]", which the English words "sacrifice" or "offering" do not fully convey. There were many different types of korbanot. Once performed as part of the religious ritual in the Temple in Jerusalem in Ancient Israel, the practice was stopped in 70 CE, after the destruction of the Second Temple.

A Korban was usually an animal sacrifice, such as a lamb or a bull that was ritually slaughtered, and (usually) cooked and eaten by the offerer, with parts given to the Kohanim (priests) and parts burned on an altar. Korbanot could also consist of turtle-doves or pigeons, grain, incense, fruit, and a variety of other offerings.

The Hebrew Bible narrates that the God of Israel commanded the Children of Israel to offer korbanot up on various altars, and describes the ritual's practice in the ancient Tabernacle, on high places, and in the Temple in Jerusalem during the history of ancient Israel and Judah until the Second Temple was destroyed in 70 CE. Korbanot and the nature of their practice continue to have relevance to Jewish theology, ritual, and law, particularly in Orthodox Judaism.

In the Hebrew Bible

The korbanot were practiced from earliest times, and particularly for over one thousand years in the Tabernacle and during the eras of the Temple of Solomon and the Second Temple in Jerusalem when the Israelites lived in the Land of Israel until the destruction of Judea, Jerusalem, and the Temple by the Roman Empire approximately two thousand years ago in the year 70 CE, 34-43 years after the crucifixion of Jesus.

Role of the kohen (priest)

The Kohanim ("priests") performed the korbanot rituals first in the ancient Tabernacle and then in the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem [] and later in the Second Temple in Jerusalem. The Hebrew Bible describes them as patrilineal descendents of Aaron who meet certain marriage and ritual purity requirements.

In the Book of Leviticus

The Book of Leviticus contains the details of each korban. In classical rabbinic literature it is sometimes known as Torat kohanim, the "Law [book of the] Priests". It delineates the roles both of the kohen ("priest") and the Kohen Gadol ("High Priest").

The Kohen Gadol in particular played a crucial role in this regard on Yom Kippur, a day when multiple korbanot were offered.

The korbanot are mentioned in all five books of the Torah outlining their origins and history, and then in the later books of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible).

Every regular weekday, Shabbat, and each Jewish holiday had its own unique korbanot (see also Feasts and Festivals).

Abuses of the korbanot

Many books of the prophets in the Hebrew Bible, such as the Book of Isaiah and Book of Jeremiah, spoke out against those Israelites who brought forth sacrifices, but did not act in accord with the precepts of the Torah.

The Prophets disparaged sacrifices that were offered without a regeneration of the heart, i.e., a determined turning from sin and returning to God by striving after righteousness.

Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God. Your sins have been your downfall! 2 Take words with you and return to the LORD. Say to him: "Forgive all our sins and receive us graciously, that we may offer the fruit of our lips. (Hosea 14:1-2)

13 Rend your heart and not your garments. Return to the LORD your God, for he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love, and he relents from sending calamity. (Joel 2:13)

The Book of Micah states:

With what shall I approach the Lord, Do homage to God on high? Shall I approach Him with burnt offerings, With calves a year old? Would the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, With myriads of streams of oil? Shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, The fruit of my body for my sins? Man has told you what is good. But what does the Lord require of you? Only to do justice And to love goodness, And to walk humbly with your God. (Micah 6:6-8)

At the same time, prophets stressed the importance of offerings combined with justice and good even as they taught that offerings were unacceptable unless combined with heartfelt repentence and good deeds. Malachi, the last prophet in the Hebrew Bible, emphasized that the goal of repentence is not to end sacrifices, but to make the offerings fit for acceptance once again:

10 "Oh, that one of you would shut the temple doors, so that you would not light useless fires on my altar! I am not pleased with you," says the LORD Almighty, "and I will accept no offering from your hands.(Malachi 1:10)

3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years. (Malachi 3:3-4)

In Mishnah and Talmud

The Mishnah and Talmud devote a very large section, known as a seder, to the study and analysis of this subject known as Kodshim, whereby all the detailed varieties of korbanot are enumerated and analyzed in great logical depth, such as kodshim kalim ("of minor degree of sanctity") and kodashei kodashim ("of major degree of sanctity"). In addition, large parts of every other book of the Talmud discuss various kinds of sacrifices. As but a few examples, Pesachim is largely devoted to a discussion of how to offer the Pesach (Passover) sacrifice. Yoma contains a detailed discussion of the offerings and Temple ritual on Yom Kippur (see also Day of Atonement), and there are sections in seder Moed (Festivals) for the special offerings and Temple ritual for other major Jewish holidays (see Feasts and Festivals). Sheqalim discusses the annual half-shekel offering for Temple maintenance and Temple governance and management, Nashim discusses the offerings made by Nazirites and the suspected adultress, etc (see also Biblical and Talmudic units of measurement).

The Talmud provides extensive details not only on how to perform sacrifices but how to adjucate difficult cases, such what to do if a mistake was made and whether improperfully performing one of the required ritual elements invaldates it or not. The Talmud explains how to roast the Passover offering, how to dash blood from different kinds of sacrifices upon the altar, how to prepare the incense, the regulatory code for the system of taxation that financed the priesthood and public sacrifices, and numerous other details.

In addition, numerous details of the daily religious practice of an ordinary Jew were connected to keeping memory of the rhythm of the life of the Temple and its sacrifices. For example, the Mishna begins with a statement that the Shema Yisrael (Hear O Israel) prayer is to be recited in the evening at the time when Kohanim who were Tamei (ritually impure) are permitted to enter to eat their Terumah (a food-tithe given to priests) following purification, requiring a detailed discussion of the obligations of tithing, ritual purity, and other elements central to the Temple and priesthood in order to determine the meaning of the contemporary daily Jewish obligation.

The end of sacrifices

With the destruction of the Second Temple in Jerusalem by the Romans, and death of Jesus, the Jewish practice of offering korbanot stopped for all intents and purposes. Despite subsequent intermittent periods of small Jewish groups offering the traditional sacrifices on the Temple Mount, the practice effectively ended.

Rabbinic Judaism was forced to undergo a significant development in response to this change; no longer could Judaism revolve round the Temple services. The destruction of the Temple led to a development of Judaism in the direction of text study, prayer, and personal observance. Orthodox Judaism regards this development as being largely a temporary substitute for the obligations of the Temple. Other branches of Judaism (Conservative Judaism, Reform Judaism, and Reconstructionist Judaism) portray it as being a permanent evolution and a positive development. A range of responses is recorded in classical rabbinic literature, describing this shift in emphasis.

Once, Rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai was walking with his disciple, Rabbi Y'hoshua, near Jerusalem after the destruction of the Temple. Rabbi Y'hoshua looked at the Temple ruins and said "Alas for us!! The place that atoned for the sins of the people Israel lies in ruins!" Then Rabbi Yohannan ben Zakkai spoke to him these words of comfort: 'Be not grieved, my son. There is another equally meritorious way of gaining ritual atonement, even though the Temple is destroyed. We can still gain ritual atonement through deeds of loving-kindness. For it is written "Lovingkindness I desire, not sacrifice. " (Hosea 6:6)

Midrash Avot D'Rabbi Nathan 4:5

In a number of sages of the Babylonian Talmud opined that following Jewish law, doing charitable deeds, and studying Jewish texts is greater than performing animal sacrifices.

Rabbi Elazar said: Doing righteous deeds of charity is greater than offering all of the sacrifices, as it is written: "Doing charity and justice is more desirable to the Lord than sacrifice" (Proverbs 21:3).

Babylonian Talmud, Sukkah 49

Nonetheless, numerous texts of the Talmud stress the importance of and hope for eventual re-introduction of sacrifices, and regard their loss as a terrible tragedy. Partaking of sacrificial offerings was compared to eating directly at ones Father's table, whose loss synagogue worship does not quite entirely replace. One example is in Berachot:

And I said to him: I heard a heavenly voice that was cooing like a dove and saying, "Woe to the children because of whose sins I destroyed My house, and burned My temple, and exiled them among the nations of the world. And he [Elijah the prophet] said to me: "By your life and the life of your head! It is not only at this moment that [the heavenly voice] says this. But on each and every day it says this three times. And not only this, but at the time that the people of Israel enter the synagogues and houses of study, and respond (in the Kaddish) "May His great name be blessed", the Holy One, Blessed is He, shakes His head and says: "Fortunate for the king who is praised this way in his house. What is there for the Father who has exiled His children. And woe to the children who have been exiled from their Father's table." (Talmud Berachot 3a).

Another example is in Sheqalim:

Rabbi Akiva said: Shimon Ben Loga related the following to me: I was once collecting grasses, and I saw a child from the House of Avitnas (the incense-makers). And I saw that he cried, and I saw that he laughed. I said to him, "My son, why did you cry?" He said, Because of the glory of my Father's house that has decreased." I asked "And why did you laugh?" He said to me "Because of the glory prepared for the righteous in the future." I asked "And what did you see?" [that brought on these emotions]. "The herb maaleh ashan is growing next to me. [Maaleh ashan is the secret ingredient in the incense that made the smoke rise, which according to the Talmud the House of Avitnas never revealed.]"

Samaritans

"The Samaritans claim that they are the remnant of an ancient people, descended from the Kingdom of Israel. A genetic study (Shen, et al., 2004) concluded from Y-chromosome analysis that Samaritans descend from the Israelites (including Cohen, or priests). Samaritans claim that their worship is the true religion of the ancient Israelites, predating the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem, but Samaritanism has historically been rejected by normative Judaism.

"The split between Samaritans and Jews is dated back to the period of the second Temple. The Samaritans didn't went to Babylonia, so when the Jews returned to Eretz Yisrael they didn't accepted the Samaritans as part of the Jewish Nation, so they went to Mount Gerizim and built their Temple. They kept their faith, even with forced conversion from the Arabs and the Christians. Today they number just under 650, divided about equally between their modern homes on their sacred Mount Gerizim, and the Israeli town of Holon, just outside of Tel Aviv-Yafo.

"Relations with the surrounding Jews and Palestinians have been mixed. In 1954, Israeli President Yitzhak Ben-Zvi created the Samaritan enclave in Holon but Israeli Samaritans today complain of being treated as "pagans and strangers" by orthodox Jews. Those living in Israel have Israeli citizenship. Samaritans in the Palestinian territories are a recognized minority and they send one representative to the Palestinian parliament. Palestinian Samaritans have been granted passports by both Israel and the Palestinian Authority.

"They maintain the Hebrew and they are guided by 4 principles of faith: one God, who is the God of Israel; one prophet, Moses son of Amram; one holy book, the Pentateuch - the Torah handed down by Moses; one holy place, Mount Gerizim. To these is added the belief in the Taheb son of Joseph, prophet like Moses, who will appear on the Day of Vengeance and Recompense in the latter days. Because of this they only have the traditions mentioned in the Torah, and their leaders kept them in a very tight orthodox way."

extracted from ©http://jewishnation.blogspot.com/

Will sacrifices be reinstituted in the future?

Since the destruction of the Temple, Judaism has instituted a system of study, public Torah readings, and prayers that connect the Jewish people to the Temple and the Temple service.

The prevailing belief among rabbinic Jews is that in the messianic era, the Jewish Messiah would come and a Third Temple would be re-built. It is believed that the korbanot would be reinstituted, but to what extent and for how long is unknown. Some biblical and classical rabbinic sources hold that most or all sacrifices will not need to be offered.

In the future all sacrifices, with the exception of the Thanksgiving-sacrifice, will be discontinued. (Midrash Vayikra Rabbah 9:7)

All sacrifices will be annulled in the future. (Tanchuma Emor 19, Vayikra Rabbah 9:7)

4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years. (Malachi 3:4)

The majority view of classical rabbis that the Torah's commandments will still be applicable and in force during the messianic era. However, a significant minority of rabbis held that most of the commandments will be nullified in the messianic era, thus holding that sacrifices will not be reinstated. Examples of such rabbinic views include:

Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Niddah 61b and Tractate Shabbat 151b. Midrash Shochar Tov (Mizmor 146:5) states that God will permit what is now forbidden. There is no authoritative answer accepted within Judaism as to which mitzvot, if any, would be annulled in the messianic era.

These views are still considered to be valid options within classical and Orthodox Judaism. As such, Rabbi Abraham Isaac Kook, the first chief rabbi of Palestine, held that in the messianic era, only grain offerings ('menachot') will be reinstated in the Temple service. Most of Orthodox Judaism holds that in the messianic era, most or all of the korbanot will be reinstituted, at least for a time. Other Jewish denominations, such as Orthodox Judaism and Reform Judaism, hold that no animal sacrifices should be offered in a rebuilt Temple at all. See the article on the Temple in Jerusalem for examples of how prayerbooks by many Jewish groups deal with this issue.

Why were sacrifices commanded? A rabbinic debate

Maimonides, a medieval Jewish rationalist, drew on the early critiques of the need for sacrifice, taking the view that God always held sacrifice inferior to prayer and philosophical meditation. However, God understood that the Israelites were used to the animal sacrifices that the surrounding pagan tribes used as the primary way to commune with their gods. As such, in Maimonides' view, it was only natural that Israelites would believe that sacrifice would be a necessary part of the relationship between God and man. Maimonides concludes that God's decision to allow sacrifices was a concession to human psychological limitations. It would have been too much to have expected the Israelites to leap from pagan worship to prayer and meditation in one step. In his Guide to the Perplexed he writes:

"But the custom which was in those days general among men, and the general mode of worship in which the Israelites were brought up consisted in sacrificing animals... It was in accordance with the wisdom and plan of God...that God did not command us to give up and to discontinue all these manners of service. For to obey such a commandment would have been contrary to the nature of man, who generally cleaves to that to which he is used; it would in those days have made the same impression as a prophet would make at present [the 12th Century ] if he called us to the service of God and told us in His name, that we should not pray to God nor fast, nor seek His help in time of trouble; that we should serve Him in thought, and not by any action." (Book III, Chapter 32. Translated by M. Friedlander, 1904, The Guide for the Perplexed, Dover Publications, 1956 edition.)

In contrast, many others such as Nachmanides (in his Torah commentary on Leviticus 1:9) disagreed. Nachmanides cites the fact that the Torah records the practices of animal and other sacrifices from the times of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and earlier. Indeed, the purpose of recounting the near sacrifice of Isaac, known in Judaism as "The Binding of Isaac" (Akeidat Yitzhak or the Akeidah) was to illustrate the sublime significance and need of animal sacrifices as supplanting the abomination of human sacrifices.

Nineteenth and Twentieth century

In the 1800s a number of Orthodox rabbis studied the idea of reinstating korbanot on The Temple Mount, even though the messianic era had not yet arrived and the Temple was not rebuilt. A number of responsa concluded that within certain parameters, it is permissible according to Jewish law to offer such sacrifices.

During the early twentieth century, Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan known as the Chofetz Chaim and himself a kohen, advised some followers to set up special yeshivas for married students known as Kodshim kollels that would specialize in the study of the korbanot and study with greater intensity the kodshim sections of the Talmud in order to prepare for the arrival of the Jewish Messiah who would oversee the rebuilding of the original Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem that would be known as the Third Temple. His advice was taken seriously and today there are a number of well-established Haredi institutions in Israel that focus solely on the subject of the korbanot, kodshim, and the needs of the future Jewish Temple, such as the Brisk yeshivas.

Orthodox Judaism

Today Orthodox Judaism includes mention of each korban on either a daily basis in the siddur (daily prayer book), or in the machzor (holiday prayerbook) as part of the prayers for the relevant days concerned. They are also referred to in the prayerbooks of Conservative Judaism, in an abbreviated fashion.

On each Jewish holiday the sections in the Torah mentioning that festival's korbanot is read out loud in synagogue.


Korbanot in the Orthodox prayer book

The prayers mention the korbanot at various junctures. In the very early morning daily Shacharit prayers for example, they include the following in order of mention, actually called the korbanot

* Kiyor Describing the basin containing pure water to wash up before touching the korbanot (offerings), based on Exodus 30:17-21.
* Trumat Hadeshen Removing the ashes of the korban olah (elevation offering), based on Leviticus 6:1-6.
* Korban Tamid Perpetual daily offerings: "...Fire-offering...male yearling lambs unblemished two a day..." based on Numbers 28:1-8.
* Ketoret Incense [from] spices: "...stacte, onycha,and galbanum, ...and frankincense..." Based on Exodus 30:34-36;7-8..."myrrh, cassia, spikenard, saffron, costus, aromatic bark, cinnamon, ley, salt, amber..." based on the Babylonian Talmud Kritut 6a; Jerusalem Talmud Yoma 4:5; 33a.
* Korban Musaf The additional offerings for Shabbat: "On the Sabbath...two male lambs...fine flour for a meal offering mixed with oil and its wine libation..." based on Numbers 28:9-10.
* Korban Rosh Chodesh Offering for the new month: ...Two young bulls, one ram, seven lambs...fine flour ...mixed with olive oil...one he goat... and its wine libation." Based on Numbers 28:11-15.
* Zevachim Chapter 5 of Mishnah Zevachim is then cited. (It was included in the siddur at this stage because it discusses all the sacrifices and the sages do not dispute within it):
o A. Eizehu mekoman shel z'vachim Places for the zevachim korbanot to be offered: "...The slaughter of the bull and the he-goat of Yom Kippur is in the north [of the altar]..."
o B. Parim hanisrafim Bulls that are completely burned: "...These are burned in the place where the [altar] ashes are deposited."
o C. Chatot hatzibur v'hayachid Sin offerings of the community and the individual: "...The he-goats...are eaten within the [Temple courtyard] curtains by male priests...until midnight."
o D. Ha'olah kodesh kodashim The elevation offering is among the offerings with a major-degree-of-holiness: "...it is entirely consumed by fire."
o E. Zivchei shalmei tzibur v'ashamot Communal peace offerings and guilt offerings: "...are eaten within the [Temple courtyard] by males of the priesthood...until midnight."
o F. Hatodah v'eil nazir kodashim kalim The thanksgiving offering and the ram of a Nazirite are offerings of a minor-degree holiness: "They are eaten throughout the city [of Jerusalem ] by anyone, prepared in any manner...until midnight..."
o G. Sh'lamim kodashim kalim The peace offerings are of lesser (lighter) holiness: "...Is eaten by the kohanim...throughout the city [of Jerusalem] by anyone..."
o H. Hab'chor vehama'aser vehapesach kodashim kalim The firstborn and tithe of animals and the Passover offering are offerings of lesser (lighter) holiness: "...The Passover offering is eaten only at night...only if roasted."
* Rabbi Yishmael omer Rabbi Yishmael says: Through thirteen rules is the Torah elucidated. (Introduction to the Sifra, part of the Oral Law).
* Yehi Ratzon (Ending) The study session concludes with a prayer ("May it be thy will...) for the restoration of the Temple in Jerusalem and the resumption of sacrifices. (...that the Temple be rebuilt speedily in our days, and grant our portion in your Torahand there we shall serve you with reverence as in days of old and in former years. And may the grain offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasing to God, as in days of old and in former years.")

Efforts to restore Korbanot
(see also The Third Temple)

A few groups, notably the Temple Institute and the Temple Mount Faithful, have petitioned the Israeli government to rebuild a Third Temple on the Temple Mount and restore sacrificial worship. The Israeli government has not responded favorably. Most Orthodox Jews regard rebuilding a Temple as an activity for a Jewish Messiah as part of a future Jewish eschatology, and most non-Orthodox Jews do not believe in the restoration of sacrificial worship at all.

In Conservative Judaism

Conservative Judaism disavows the resumption of Korbanot. Consistent with this view, it has delete prayers for the resumption of sacrifices from the Conservative Siddur, including both the morning study section from the sacrifices, prayers for the restoration of Korbanot in the Amidah, and various mentions elsewhere. Consistent with its view that a priesthood and sacrificial system will not be restored, Conservative Judaism has also lifted certain restrictions on Kohanim, including limitations on marriage prohibiting marrying a divorced women or a convert. Conservative Judaism does, however, believe in the restoration of a Temple in some form, and in the continuation of Kohanim and Levites under relaxed requirements, and has retained references to both in its prayer books. Consistent with its stress on the continuity of tradition, many Conservative synagogues have also retained references to Shabbat and Festival Korbanot, changing all references to sacrifices into the past tense (e.g. the Orthodox "and there we will sacrifice" is changed to "and there they sacrificed"). Some more liberal Conservative synagogues, however, have removed all references to sacrifices, past or present, from the prayer service. The most recent official Conservative prayer book, Sim Shalom, provides both service alternatives.

In Reform and Reconstructionist Judaism

Reform Judaism and Reconstructionist Judaism disavow all belief in a restoration of a Temple, the resumption of Korbanot, or the contination of identified Kohanim or Levites. These branches of Judaism believe that all such practices represent ancient practices inconsistent with the requirements of modernity, and have removed all or virtually all references to Korbanot from their prayer books.

Women and Korbanot

Women were required to perform a number of korbanot, including:

* Childbirth The offerings following childbirth described in Leviticus 12.
* Thanksgiving The todah (Thanksgiving) offering and its accompanying mincha following recovery from illness or danger
* Passover The pesach (Paschal) sacrifice on Passover. Women could offer the sacrifice and hold a seder themselves if they wished, even if married.
* Chatot and Ashamot Chatot (sin) and ashamot (guilt) offerings in atonement for transgresions and unintentional errors.
* Nazir Offerings relevant to fulfillment of, or transgression of, the Nazirite vow.
* Tazriah, Metzorah, and Zavah Offerings following cure from certain diseases and unusual bodily discharges.

Women could also voluntarily participate in a number of other offerings and rituals for which they were not obligated, including:

* First Fruits Bikkurim (first fruits) on the holiday of Shavuot.
* Sheqalim' The half-shekel tax for Temple needs.
* Voluntary Offerings Shelamim (peace) offerings and a variety of other voluntary and donative offerings.
* Semichah Semicha (laying on hands) of sacrificial animals for sacrifices they were not required to perform (Berachot 19a).
* Shechitah Women could slaughter their sacrificial animals themselves if the wished.

Women who offered korbanot went directly into the Azaryah (Temple Courtyard) through the Shaar Nashim, the Women's Gate, on the North Side of the Temple, and offered them in the same place that men offered them. Women who were not offering Korbanot were required to remain within the Ezrat Nashim (women's courtyard).

Belonging to the 613 commandments

About one hundred of the permanent 613 mitzvot based on the Torah (Pentateuch) itself, concern the korbanot, according to Maimonides, (excluding those mitzvot that concern the actual Temple and the kohanim themselves of which there are about another fifty):

1. Not to burn anything on the Golden Altar besides incense (Exodus 30:9)


2. To offer only unblemished animals (Leviticus 22:21)


3. Not to dedicate a blemished animal for the altar (Leviticus 22:20)


4. Not to slaughter it (Leviticus 22:22)


5. Not to sprinkle its blood (Leviticus 22:24)


6. Not to burn its fat (Leviticus 22:22)


7. Not to offer a temporarily blemished animal (Deuteronomy 17:1)


8. Not to sacrifice blemished animals even if offered by non-Jews (Leviticus 22:25)


9. Not to inflict wounds upon dedicated animals (Leviticus 22:21)


10. To redeem dedicated animals which have become disqualified (Deuteronomy 12:15)


11. To offer only animals which are at least eight days old (Leviticus 22:27)


12. Not to offer animals bought with the wages of a harlot or the animal exchanged for a dog (Deuteronomy 23:19)


13. Not to burn honey or yeast on the altar (Leviticus 2:11)


14. To salt all sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13)


15. Not to omit the salt from sacrifices (Leviticus 2:13)


16. Carry out the procedure of the burnt offering as prescribed in the Torah (Leviticus 1:3)


17. Not to eat its meat (Deuteronomy 12:17)


18. Carry out the procedure of the sin offering (Leviticus 6:18)


19. Not to eat the meat of the inner sin offering (Leviticus 6:23)


20. Not to decapitate a fowl brought as a sin offering (Leviticus 5:8)


21. Carry out the procedure of the guilt offering (Leviticus 7:1)


22. The kohanim must eat the sacrificial meat in the Temple (Exodus 29:33)


23. The kohanim must not eat the meat outside the Temple courtyard (Deuteronomy 12:17)


24. A non-kohen must not eat sacrificial meat (Exodus 29:33)


25. To follow the procedure of the peace offering (Leviticus 7:11)


26. Not to eat the meat of minor sacrifices before sprinkling the blood (Deuteronomy 12:17)


27. To bring meal offerings as prescribed in the Torah (Leviticus 2:1)


28. Not to put oil on the meal offerings of wrongdoers (Leviticus 5:11)


29. Not to put frankincense on the meal offerings of wrongdoers (Leviticus 3:11)


30. Not to eat the meal offering of the High Priest (Leviticus 6:16)


31. Not to bake a meal offering as leavened bread (Leviticus 6:10)


32. The kohanim must eat the remains of the meal offerings (Leviticus 6:9)


33. To bring all avowed and freewill offerings to the Temple on the first subsequent festival (Deuteronomy 12:5-6)


34. To offer all sacrifices in the Temple (Deuteronomy 12:11)


35. To bring all sacrifices from outside Israel to the Temple (Deuteronomy 12:26)


36. Not to slaughter sacrifices outside the courtyard (of the Temple)(Leviticus 17:4)


37. Not to offer any sacrifices outside the courtyard (of the Temple)(Deuteronomy 12:13)


38. To offer two lambs every day (Numbers 28:3)


39. To light a fire on the altar every day (Leviticus 6:6)


40. Not to extinguish this fire (Leviticus 6:6)


41. To remove the ashes from the altar every day (Leviticus 6:3)


42. To burn incense every day (Exodus 30:7)


43. The Kohen Gadol must bring a meal offering every day (Leviticus 6:13)


44. To bring two additional lambs as burnt offerings on Shabbat (Numbers 28:9)


45. To bring additional offerings on the New Month (Rosh Chodesh) (Numbers 28:11)


46. To bring additional offerings on Passover (Numbers 28:19)


47. To offer the wave offering from the meal of the new wheat (Leviticus 23:10)


48. To bring additional offerings on Shavuot (Numbers 28:26)


49. To bring two leaves to accompany the above sacrifice (Leviticus 23:17)


50. To bring additional offerings on Rosh Hashana (Numbers 29:2)


51. To bring additional offerings on Yom Kippur (Numbers 29:8)


52. To bring additional offerings on Sukkot (Numbers 29:13)


53. To bring additional offerings on Shmini Atzeret (Numbers 29:35)


54. Not to eat sacrifices which have become unfit or blemished (Deuteronomy 14:3)


55. Not to eat from sacrifices offered with improper intentions (Leviticus 7:18)


56. Not to leave sacrifices past the time allowed for eating them (Leviticus 22:30)


57. Not to eat from that which was left over (Leviticus 19:8)


58. Not to eat from sacrifices which became impure (Leviticus 7:19)


59. An impure person must not eat from sacrifices (Leviticus 7:20)


60. To burn the leftover sacrifices (Leviticus 7:17)


61. To burn all impure sacrifices (Leviticus 7:19)


62. To follow the [sacrificial] procedure of Yom Kippur in the sequence
prescribed in Parshah Acharei Mot (After the death of Aaron's sons...) (Leviticus 16:3)


63. One who profaned property must repay what he profaned plus a fifth and
bring a sacrifice (Leviticus 5:16)


64. Not to work consecrated animals (Deuteronomy 15:19)


65. Not to shear the fleece of consecrated animals (Deuteronomy 15:19)


66. To slaughter the paschal sacrifice at the specified time (Exodus 12:6)


67. Not to slaughter it while in possession of leaven (Exodus 23:18)


68. Not to leave the fat overnight (Exodus 23:18)


69. To slaughter the second Paschal lamb (Numbers 9:11)


70. To eat the Paschal lamb with matzah and marror on the night of the 15th of Nissan (Exodus 12:8)


71. To eat the second Paschal Lamb on the night of the 15th of Iyar (Numbers 9:11)


72. Not to eat the Paschal meat raw or boiled (Exodus 12:9)


73. Not to take the Paschal meat from the confines of the group (Exodus 12:46)


74. An apostate must not eat from it (Exodus 12:43)


75. A permanent or temporary hired worker must not eat from it (Exodus 12:45)


76. An uncircumcised male must not eat from it (Exodus 12:48)


77. Not to break any bones from the paschal offering (Exodus 12:46)


78. Not to break any bones from the second paschal offering (Numbers 9:12)


79. Not to leave any meat from the Paschal offering over until morning (Exodus 12:10)


80. Not to leave the second Paschal meat over until morning (Numbers 9:12)


81. Not to leave the meat of the holiday offering of the 14th until the 16th (Deuteronomy 16:4)


82. To celebrate on Passover, Shavuot, and Sukkot at the Temple (bring a peace offering) (Exodus 23:14)


83. To rejoice on these three Festivals (bring a peace
offering) (Deuteronomy 16:14)


84. Not to appear at the Temple without offerings (Deuteronomy 16:16)


85. Not to refrain from rejoicing with, and giving gifts to, the Levites (Deuteronomy 12:19)


86. The kohanim must not eat unblemished firstborn animals outside Jerusalem (Deuteronomy 12:17)


87. Every person must bring a sin offering for his transgression (Leviticus 4:27)


88. Bring an asham talui when uncertain of guilt (Leviticus 5:17-18)


89. Bring an asham vadai when guilt is ascertained (Leviticus 5:25)


90. Bring an oleh v'yored offering (if the person is wealthy, an animal; if poor, a bird or meal
offering) (Leviticus 5:7-11)


91. The Sanhedrin must bring an offering when it rules in error (Leviticus 4:13)


92. A woman who had a running issue (unnatural menstrual flow) must bring
an offering after she goes to the Mikveh (Leviticus 15:28-29)


93. A woman who gave birth must bring an offering after she goes to the Mikveh (Leviticus 12:6)


94. A man who had a running issue (unnatural semen flow) must bring an
offering after he goes to the Mikveh (Leviticus 15:13-14)


95. A metzora (a person with tzaraas) must bring an offering after going to the Mikveh (Leviticus 14:10)


96. Not to substitute another beast for one set apart for sacrifice (Temurah) (Leviticus 27:10)


97. The new animal, in addition to the substituted one, retains consecration (Leviticus 27:10)


98. Not to change consecrated animals from one type of offering to another (Leviticus 27:26)


99. Carry out the procedure of the Red Heifer (Parah Aduma) (Numbers 19:2)


100. Carry out the laws of the sprinkling water (Numbers 19:21)


101. Break the neck of a calf by the river valley following an unsolved murder (Deuteronomy 21:4)

In Spiritual Practice

The korban also has a spiritual meaning, and refers to some part of an individual's ego, which is given up as a sacrifice to God in honor of the mortality of the worshipper. In keeping with the root of the word, meaning to draw close, and to the common usage as the sacrifice of an animal, so too can the worshipper sacrifice something of this world in order to become closer to God.

Older churches do not start as many new churches as do younger churches

Lessons from church growth research

Here are 14 lessons which John Slack learned in his church growth research with congregations of the Southern Baptist Convention. This is an example of what can be learned from demographics, spreadsheets, surveys, interviews, and historical studies by analyzing the information secured from various sources.

1. New units grow faster than established churches.
2. Aging within a church almost inevitably ushers in a "come-oriented" ministry in
contrast to a "go-centered" ministry.
3. Older churches do not start as many new churches as do younger churches.
4. Churches and church planting drift upward on the economic scale.
5. The longer a church is in a community, the less like that community the church
becomes.
6. Existing, established churches have normal plateau and ministry limits.
7. Only as a church effectively expands its discipleship base will it sustain
infinitely reproducible church growth and church planting.
8. More baptisms and greater membership growth occurs in zones or areas that are
farther from the existing church and its come-oriented activities.
9. The difference between so-called "responsive" and "non-responsive" peoples is not
in the average number of baptisms per church but in the number of new units --
churches -- that are started.
10. Churches in resistant cultures tend to begin as or soon become cosmopolitan
rather than community. In resistant cultures, community churches have far
greater influence on the culture than do cosmopolitan churches.
11. As beginning models of church planting, training, and materials are repeated and
age, they become hallowed -- and almost "unchangeable" -- patterns even when and
if they are no longer relevant.
12. If a lost person or people group is illiterate and poor, the chance of their
being evangelized decreases proportionately to the heights of their illiteracy
and the depths of their poverty.
13. Training in most theological programs has become more academic than functional.
14. Bible teaching, including the Sunday School and other forms of discipleship, to
be effective, must be done in the context of evangelism.

When disappointments come my way, I look to God’s Word for answers

Maintaining a Positive Attitude

by Lynette Hagin

We often become disappointed and discouraged in life when things don’t work out the way we think they should. Perhaps the job promotion we were expecting didn’t come through; maybe our family or friends let us down. If we’re not careful, these disappointments will begin to sap our joy and we will begin to question God, asking why His plan for our life doesn’t seem to be unfolding.

As Christians, we would like to think that we are immune from the challenges of life, but disappointments and hurts come to us all. When disappointments come my way, I look to God’s Word for answers. Romans 8:28 says, “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” I like what The Amplified Bible says: “We are assured and know that [God being a partner in their labor] all things work together and are [fitting into a plan] for good to and for those who love God and are called according to [His] design and purpose.”

I have met so many Christians who are ready to give up the plan of God for their life. It seems that the enemy is having a heyday as he endeavors to destroy Christians and to cause them to live in defeat.

Living a defeated life is not the plan of God for you. Romans 8:28 says that all things work together for good for them who love God. You might say, “All things are not working for good for me right now!” But God does have a plan for your life—a good plan! God had a plan for your life from the very moment you were created. The success of that plan depends on how well you follow the will of God.

Psalm 37:23 says, “The steps of a [good] man are directed and established by the Lord when He delights in his way [and He busies Himself with his every step]” (Amplified). Many people have the mistaken idea that if they are following God’s will and if God is directing their steps, they will have no problems on the road of life. In fact, whether or not they encounter problems is the gauge many people use in order to determine if they are in the will of God. Many Christians think that if they have few or no problems, they are in God’s will, but if they do have problems, it must mean that they are out of God’s will. However, it’s usually the other way around.

Joseph is a great example of someone who could have questioned why things happened to him the way they did. He followed the plan of God for his life and yet life did not go well. His brothers despised him and devised a plan to get rid of him. I am sure that when Joseph’s brothers sold him as a slave he could have questioned, Why are things not working for my good? But instead of questioning God, Joseph maintained a positive attitude.

One reason things do not ultimately work out for our good is because we develop a negative attitude along the way. Instead of praising God, we question God. Because Joseph kept the right attitude throughout his experiences, he was blessed and God prospered him—even in his captivity. What if Joseph had not kept the right attitudes? What if he had not continued to stay close to God? Then Joseph would not have been able to hear God’s voice or be used by God.

If we had been in Joseph’s place, we might have given up. Many years came and went before Joseph’s dream came to pass, but he continued to trust God, no matter what happened in the meantime. It’s so important that we keep a positive attitude even in the tough times, the hard times, and the times when we are tempted to wonder, Are things going to work out for my good? In the hard times, we must maintain our relationship with our Heavenly Father. We must keep our faith in God and in His Word, believing that things truly will come to pass just as He promised.

Right now you may be wondering, Are my steps being ordered of the Lord? Why are things not working as they should? I encourage you to keep a right attitude. Don’t let bitterness consume you; forgive your enemies; and don’t question God. You may not understand the path that God is taking you down right now, but know that all things work together for the good of them who love God. Trust in the Lord, and let Him guide you one step at a time.

I can’t understand God by feelings. I understand God by what the Word says about Him.

Get Acquainted With Your Heavenly Father
by Kenneth E. Hagin

Spiritually speaking, there are only two families on the earth: the family of God and the family of Satan. Every person, regardless of heritage or background, belongs to one of those two families.

Which family do you belong to? Who is your father—God or Satan?

The only way you can be delivered out of the family of Satan is to be born into the family of God (John 3:3; Col. 1:13). You must receive Jesus as your Savior and be born again in order to belong to the family of God and call God your Heavenly Father. Once you are born again, you begin to grow spiritually as you get to know your Heavenly Father.

God Is Everything to You

The number one way you become better acquainted with God the Father is through His Word. Smith Wigglesworth once said, “I can’t understand God by feelings. I understand God by what the Word says about Him. He is everything the Word says He is.”

You see, many people want to get acquainted with the Father through experiences. And it’s true, you can learn some things about God the Father through different experiences in life. But the number one way to get to know the Father is through His Word.

In the Word we find out about the Father’s nature and how much He loves and cares for us. Jesus revealed God as a loving Father who cares for our every need. In Matthew 6:8,26, it says, Be not ye therefore like unto them, the Gentiles, for YOUR FATHER knows what things ye have need of, before ye ask him. Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER feeds them. Are ye not much better than they?

Notice the utter tenderness in this picture of the Father caring for His children. Our Heavenly Father knows our needs, and He desires to meet them before we even ask Him for help!

God Is Love, and He’s Your Father

Many Christians have a difficult time comprehending God as a Father who loves and cares for them. Often Christians have been religiously taught to fear and to shrink from a God of justice. They have the idea that God is like a judge who sits up in Heaven and looks for a chance to punish people the moment they make a mistake.

But, no, God is love! Thank God for the Father’s love which Jesus came to reveal to us. So have no worry or anxiety. Do not fret. You can be sure of this one fact: As you trust God with your life, He will take a Father’s place and perform a Father’s part in your life. He is your Father, and He loves you and cares for you with an everlasting love (Jer. 31:3).

Think about natural parents. Most parents want the best for their children and know how to give their children good things. Well, the Bible asks the question, “If natural parents know how to give good things to their children, how much more does our Heavenly Father know how to give good gifts to His children?”

What are the good things the Father wants to give to His children? If you have a need, it is a good thing to have your need met. For instance, if you were hurting, it would be a good thing to be healed. Healing is a good thing, and your Heavenly Father delights to give you the good gift of healing, as well as anything else you might need.

Get a hold of this fact: God the Father doesn’t love Jesus any more than He loves you. Walking in the light of that one truth will make all the difference in the world in how you live your life. For instance, since the Father loves you as much as He loves Jesus, then you never have to be afraid of life’s problems.

Romans 8:31 says, “If God be for us, who can be against us?” What can man do to a child of God whom the Father loves and protects? The Father was for His Son, Jesus, as He walked upon the earth, and He is for you too.

Some people start feeling sorry for themselves if a few friends forsake them. They have a pity party and think, “No one loves me.” But that’s just not true. People who think this way need to get acquainted with the Father through the Word. Their Heavenly Father loves them, and He promised never to leave or forsake them! (Deut. 31:6,8; Heb. 13:5).

When you get acquainted with the Father through His Word and begin to walk in the light of what you learn about Him, you won’t need to have pity parties anymore. Your “blue days” will be over because you’ll know that you are not alone.

The Father is always with you just as He was always with Jesus. Therefore, you can always feel safe and secure in His love.

A Father Who Is Near

My natural father left my mother and us kids when I was only six years old. But I can remember one incident with him which illustrates that feeling of safety a child has in knowing his daddy is near.

One day when I was only a little fellow, my father and I walked uptown together. While we were walking in the midst of a crowd of people, we somehow became separated. I remember how scared I was. I frantically looked around for my daddy. When I finally saw him, I ran as hard as I could to him and grabbed a hold of his finger. Once I had a tight hold on his finger, everything was fine again; I wasn’t afraid anymore. I knew no harm would come to me, because my daddy was there with me.

How much more should that be true with your Heavenly Father? Because your Heavenly Father promised never to leave or forsake you, you are not alone. If you’re feeling afraid or overwhelmed by life’s tests and trials, just get a hold of the finger of God and walk on!

How do you get rid of worry, doubt, and fear? Cast all of your care upon the Father. Abandon yourself to His love and care. Having done that, make sure you leave your burden with the Lord. When you have given your cares to the Father once and for all, don’t pick them up again.

God tells us something similar in the Book of Philippians: “Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything” (Phil. 4:6 AMP). God is not an unjust Father. He loves us and wouldn’t ask us to do something we couldn’t do. You will only experience victory by refusing to worry and fret about your problems and cares. Instead, take those cares to the Lord in prayer and thank Him for the answer.

A True and Lasting Love

Your Father loves you. He is interested in you. If you will make your requests known to Him and wait in His Presence, He will help you understand what to do and give you the answers to your problems.

As you come to know and experience for yourself the depth of the Father’s love for you, doubts and fears that have plagued you in the past will be dispelled. As the Father loved Jesus, so He loves you. And because of the Father’s great love for you, you are never alone!

Monday, July 6, 2009

The confession of the Word renews your mind to where you begin to think like God thinks, then you can see things the way God sees them.

Confession, a Way to Possession

by Charles Capps

Pamphlet insert



In this pamphlet I want to share with you on the subject, "Confession brings Possession" and several things that come basically from my *book "Releasing the Ability of God Through Prayer". Most of this pamphlet, the thoughts will be taken from the seventh chapter entitled - "Confession brings Possession".

In Matthew 21:22 Jesus said, "All things whatsoever you ask in prayer, believing, you shall receive". In other words we are only limited by what we can believe based on the authority of the Word of God. Then in John 15:7 Jesus said, "if you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, ask what you will and it shall be done". Here are two important facts. First, we must abide in Christ and second His Word must abide in us. Don't cast out the Word in favor of First Experience 4:7 or what somebody said they thought somebody said happened to somebody else that was believing the way you are believing.

A pastor friend of mine related a story that I think is a good example of the Word abiding in you and believing and receiving. A lady came to him and said she needed a job and so they prayed and came into agreement on Matt. 18:18, "…if two of you shall agree on earth as touching anything they shall ask, it shall be done by the Father which is in heaven". They prayed in agreement with the scripture and about a week later she came to him and said, "pastor, I have two job offers, do you think we prayed and believed too hard"? It wasn't a matter of praying and believing too hard, it was the fact that Jesus said, "I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly" and there were abundance of jobs available to her when they came into agreement in prayer.

In Hebrews 10:23 the scripture says, "Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering…". The word "profession" can be translated "confession", in other words we are to hold fast the confession of our faith. If the job offer didn't come what are you going to do? You should continue to confess the scripture and believe what you agreed on in prayer upon until it is manifest. The scripture says let us hold fast to the confession of our faith which indicates that you could lose it if you don't hold on to it. You hold onto the confession of your faith by continually affirming what you agreed on because it is based on the Word.

The confession of your mouth establishes the Word in your heart. The scriptures teach us that confession is a way to possession. And when I use the word "confession" I'm referring to saying the same thing that God's Word said about any situation. To be convinced that confession is a way to possession you have only but to look at how people are born again. Paul said: "if thou shall confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, believe in thy heart God has raised him from the dead, thou shall be saved". So the confession that Jesus is Lord is the way to possessing eternal life. This principle also carries over into every area of life. The scriptures reveal that there was no creation without words (Heb.11:3).

God gave the children of Israel the land of Promise (Numbers 13:1-2). It was theirs, it belonged to them. There was no doubt that it was God's will for them to enter in because He had given them the land. He sent Moses to bring them out of Egypt to the land of Promise and they were all excited about it for a while. But they began to murmur and complain in the wilderness and let the promise slip from them and would not say what God had said about them. They got out in the wilderness and began to say, "you've led us out here in the wilderness to die, we are going to die in the wilderness". They prophesied their own destruction. Multiplied thousands of them died in the wilderness. Was it because it was God's will? No, but because they didn't take heed to God's Word and wouldn't keep God's Word in their mouth.

Hebrews chapter four says, "…the Word of God was preached to us as well as unto them, but it did not profit them not being mixed with faith in them that heard it". God had made great provision for them to keep them in the way and lead them to the Promised land. But they would not cooperate with God and the angel of the Lord that was sent to lead them. Exodus 23:20, "behold I send an angel before thee to keep thee in the way, and to bring thee into the place which I have prepared. Beware of him, and obey his voice, provoke him not; for he will not pardon your transgressions, for my name is in him. But if thou shalt indeed obey his voice, and do all that I speak, then I will be an enemy unto thine enemies and an adversary unto thine adversaries. For mine angel shall go before thee, and bring thee in unto the Amorites, and the Hittites, and the Perizzites, and the Canaanites, the Hivites, and Jebusites; and I will cut them off".

It would seem with an angel to lead them and guide them and keep them in the way that it would be a "piece of cake" so to speak to enter into the Promise land. They prophesied their own death and defeat. Their words provoked God and it provoked the angel that God had sent. They just simply wouldn't mix any faith with what God said concerning the Promise land.

Notice this scripture goes on to say, "beware of him, obey his voice, provoke him not, for he will not pardon your transgressions". The angel did not have to pardon their transgressions. He is not responsible to pardon them for what they did and all their transgression against God. Their transgression was speaking against what God said and refusing to obey the direction of God. To say the least, provoking an angel is not healthy. Balaam provoked an angel and almost lost his head over the deal. Angels cannot nullify the Word of God just to keep you out of trouble. They must have your cooperation to fulfill their assignment concerning you.

The children of Israel began to complain to Moses that they were in the desert with no water. And God had Moses to tap the rock and water came out of the rock, and that rock that followed them the scripture says was Christ Jesus. In other words, the rock represents Jesus who is our abundant supply. They had abundance of water. There was abundant provision made for them even in the wilderness. God provided it miraculously, supernaturally, and assigned an angel to them and yet they didn't get victory over the Jebusites and the Hittites because they died in the wilderness. It wasn't the will of God for that to happen to them but it did happen to them because they provoked their angel.

Jesus came that you might have life abundantly until it overflows. It is His will that you be prosperous and blessed in life. But that does not necessarily mean you will ever enter into it. The ability to enter in to God's provision comes from the promise itself which produces the faith to possess it.

Many times in life you have to overcome what you can see, feel and hear by the confession of the Word of God. The confession of the Word renews your mind to where you begin to think like God thinks, then you can see things the way God sees them. Hebrews 3:15 says, "…while it is said, today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation. For some, when they had heard, did provoke; howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was he grieved forty years? Was is not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief".

Now we all have some legal doubt sometimes. What I mean by "legal" doubt is when you just don't know what the Word said about a certain situation you might have some legal doubts about it. But when you know what the Word said and then you are not obedient to it or will not say what God said, then that is not doubt that is "unbelief". It's really disobedience. The children of Israel disobeyed God. They wouldn't hearken to the voice of God. The angel made it quite easy for them really, because he was a cloud by day and a fire by night. A light at night and a cloud in the day to keep them cool. They had supernatural provisions but they would not mix faith with what God had said.

Hebrews 4:1 says, "Let us therefore, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them; but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it". Yes, we've heard the Gospel preached. We've heard the good news of the Gospel, that we can have what we say if we believe and doubt not in our heart. This was a principle under the Old Covenant. But the Word preached did not profit them because they didn't mix faith with it. It's important to mix faith with the Word of God.

The way you mix faith with the Word is by giving voice to God's Word by speaking it. There is something about speaking God's Word after Him that releases the ability of God inside you. The apostle Paul said it this way: "…the Word is nigh thee, it is even in thy mouth and in thy heart that is the Word of faith which we preach" (Rom.10:8). In other words, what you speak with your mouth will eventually get in your heart. That's what happened to the children of Israel. They began to speak the wrong things against Moses and God. When they went in to spy out the land they gave preeminence to what they saw and what they felt and what they heard. They said, "there are giants in the land and we are like grasshoppers in their sight, and so are we in our own eyes". When they began to speak contrary to what God said about them fear overcame them.

Fear will always erode faith. The promise was to all of Israel but all that doubted God died in the wilderness and didn't enter into the Promise land. This is a classic example of why you should hold fast to the confession of your faith. Joshua and Caleb said, "we are well able to enter into the land and overcome them, let us go in at once". But the others said, "we be not able". Now they all saw the same thing. The difference was that Joshua and Caleb assessed the situation in the light of God's promise. Those who came back with the evil report assessed the situation by what they saw and how they felt after they heard themselves rehearsing their imaginary defeat. They cast out the Word of God and allowed fear to overcome faith. Once they began to speak doubt and unbelief it took over and faith was a thing of the past.

Joshua and Caleb held fast to their confession for forty years, "we are well able to take it". Forty years later when they entered into the Promised land, Caleb said, "give me the mountain with the giants on it". He was 84 years old but he said, "I will take the mountain with the giants on it". He experienced the wilderness the same as the others but he never changed his confession. After forty years he was still well able to do it, and thank God he did. The bottom line is, what you say with your mouth is what will eventually be established in your heart. Whether it is the lie of the enemy or the Word of God.

Faith comes by hearing the Word of God. Fear comes by hearing and quoting and speaking the words of the devil. Faith is the substance of things hoped for. Right on the other hand, fear is the substance of things you don't desire.

I encourage you to keep the promise of God in your mouth. It will summons faith and cause you to be in the right place at the right time to live out the reality of the promise of God in your life.

Surely gummies and fishballs will follow me all the days of my life?????

NASB

Psalm 23:6
Surely goodness and lovingkindness will follow me all the days of my life. And I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.


Princess Anastasia Version (PAV)

Surely goodness and lovingkindness and gummies and fishballs will follow me all the days of my life! And i will dwell on mushroom soup forever!!!!!

(gummies, fishballs, mushrooms, are all her favorite food)

If you aren't living in the blessing, it is not The Bless-er's (God's) fault, it is entirely YOUR fault!

Upon the request of one of readers. I will start posting articles by Word-Faith preachers. Do read with discernment as some are Biblically-challenged! (meaning their interpretation is not accurate)


Living In THE BLESSING!

First, let's find out how the words used in the scriptures for "blessing" are translated as in the Greek and Hebrew languages. I always like to start with defining our terms!

Greek:
eulogia
(yoo-log-ee'-ah)

From the same as G2127; fine speaking, that is, elegance of language; commendation ("eulogy,") that is, (reverentially) adoration; religiously, benediction; by implication consecration; by extension benefit or largess: - blessing (a matter of) bounty (X -tifully), fair speech. (Strong's Concordance)

Literally "eu" = "good" and "logia" "words," so speaking "good words" over something or someone. Remember, words are containers of creative power!

Hebrew:
berakah
(ber-aw-kaw')

From H1288; benediction; by implication prosperity: - blessing, liberal, pool, present. (Strong's Concordance)

The implication of the Hebrew word for "blessing" is "prosperity!" We should not be surprised that financial prosperity is included in The Blessing!

Now, let's look into the Word of God, and see what we can find out about "the blessing" and the "Bless-er," that is, God Himself!

God is the "Bless-er"

Genesis 22:17 "That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;"

God is, by His own nature, a bless-er... He desires to multiply and bless His children, just as an earhly, human father wants to bless his children and see his children grow and prosper! No good father wants evil for his children! And, God is not only a Good Father, He is the BEST Father!

Your Employer is Blessed for Your Sake - The Blessing is Tangible!

Genesis 39:5 "And it came to pass from the time that he had made him overseer in his house, and over all that he had, that the LORD blessed the Egyptian's house for Joseph's sake; and the blessing of the LORD was upon all that he had in the house, and in the field."

You need to make a faith "stand" for this truth! Simply being an employee in your particular business, makes that business blessed! You need to actively believe for the blessing to overtake your company! Everyone, and everything, there is blessed because you are "the Blessed!" Allow The Blessing to increase and prosper your company, and all will begin to recognize that "something" has changed, the company is finding favor, and it will be because of your position in the company!

You MUST Choose The Blessing!

Deut. 11:26 "Behold, I set before you this day a blessing and a curse;
Deut. 11:27 A blessing, if ye obey the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
Deut. 11:28 And a curse, if ye will not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which ye have not known."

Deut. 30:19 "I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live:
Deut. 30:20 That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life, and the length of thy days: that thou mayest dwell in the land which the LORD sware unto thy fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."

Notice that choosing to live in, and recognize The Blessing is entirely up to YOU! You are the deciding factor! YOU have to actually stand and believe for what God has promised! If you aren't living in the blessing, it is not The Bless-er's (God's) fault, it is entirely YOUR fault! God has said (with His Mouth, which contains creative power) that you are The Blessed! So, apply that Blessing to yourself by faith!

God Will Turn the Curses of Others to Blessing!

Deut. 23:4 "Because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt; and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor of Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee.
Deut. 23:5 Nevertheless the LORD thy God would not hearken unto Balaam; but the LORD thy God turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the LORD thy God loved thee.
Deut. 23:6 Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever."

So, you say that people at work, or maybe even at church, are against you? Your family, or friends, seem to have turned against you? Well, "shall their unbelief make the faith of God of none effect?" (Romans 3:3) NO! People may actually be actively against you, they may even be "cursing" you by speaking against you and what you are purposefully believing for... BUT! Glory to God! God will "turn their curses into a blessing!" Whatever they may be saying that is evil against you will NOT deter your faith!

God Will Command The Blessing!

Deut. 28:8 "The LORD shall command the blessing upon thee in thy storehouses, and in all that thou settest thine hand unto; and he shall bless thee in the land which the LORD thy God giveth thee."

Everything that you put your hand to, everything that you "attempt" in faith, will be Blessed! You will be blessed in your storehouses (bank accounts) and you will be blessed in your surroundings and circumstances! Hold fast to The Blessing!

This Blessing is NOW on Us (as Gentiles)

Gal. 3:14 "That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith."

Gal. 3:9 "So then they which be of faith are blessed with faithful Abraham."

Hebrews 6:13 "For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself,
Hebrews 6:14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee.
Hebrews 6:15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise."

Aren't you glad that The Blessing is not JUST reserved for the Jews? (Thank God that it is for them as well, but, it is also for us as Gentiles!) Don't let anyone tell you, "Well, that is just for the Jews!" No, these scriptures tell us that The Blessing is for all of us that have been grafted in as well! (Romans 11:17-24) Say this, "I am of faith, therefore, I am blessed with faithful Abraham!")

Note also that The Blessing is a multiplication... not just an addition. It is like the old, familiar story of taking a penny, doubling it every day... that is multiplication... not just addition! It is called an "exponential growth!" In short order you would have started with only a penny, but you would soon have millions of dollars in pennies! God's Blessing is EXPONENTIAL!

God's Blessing is ONLY Good... The Blessing Has NO Downside!

Proverbs 10:22 "The blessing of the LORD, it maketh rich, and he addeth no sorrow with it."

There are a lot of people today that are rich in the natural, but in their family life, and personal life, they are destitute! God's Blessings, and His Riches are ONLY GOOD... He adds NO sorrow with the Blessing! YOU CAN REST IN HIM and fully trust that He has only good and peace in store for you!

Jeremiah 29:11 "For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the LORD, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end.
Jeremiah 29:12 Then shall ye call upon me, and ye shall go and pray unto me, and I will hearken unto you."

Tithers are Blessed!

Malachi 3:10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.
Malachi 3:11 "And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts.
Malachi 3:12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts."

God Himself will rebuke satan for OUR sakes! We are The Blessed! In fact, ALL nations shall call us "The Blessed!" We are blessed by the Tither's Blessing!

Maintain an Attitude of Blessing!

1 Peter 3:8 "Finally, be ye all of one mind, having compassion one of another, love as brethren, be pitiful, be courteous:
1 Peter 3:9 Not rendering evil for evil, or railing for railing: but contrariwise blessing; knowing that ye are thereunto called, that ye should inherit a blessing.
1 Peter 3:10 For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
1 Peter 3:11 Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it.
1 Peter 3:12 For the eyes of the Lord are over the righteous, and his ears are open unto their prayers: but the face of the Lord is against them that do evil."

Note the attitude that we, who inherit The Blessing, should have: compassionate, loving, full of pity (active concern,) courteous, not rendering evil for evil, or railing (griping and whining) but rather, we should be speaking words of Blessing toward others! We need to be lovers of life, and refrain from speaking contrary to the Word of God, we need to be rejecting evil, and doing good, we should be seeking peace with others! As Blessed people, we are those that can, and should, be helping others, not rejecting them and running them down!

We Are Blessed Spiritually!

Ephesians 1:3 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:"

We are Blessed in the spiritual realm, in our spiritual life, in our communion and times with the Lord! We should be experiencing the best in our spiritual life with God!

We Are Blessed Materially!

Romans 8:32 "He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?"

God will "freely give us ALL things!" That covers material blessings! If it is not covered specifically, then, all still means "All!"

The Blessing Covers Life Here on Earth and in Heavenly Realms!

2 Peter 1:3 "According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:"

Notice that this pertains to life here on earth, as well as our spiritual state! Also, notice that this Blessing comes through the "knowledge" (Greek: "epignosis" - "full discernment" "revelation knowledge" "epi" = "above, or beyond" and "gnosis" = "body of knowledge.") Therefore, "epignosis" is the knowledge above and beyond our natural body of knowledge, it is revealed knowledge! We receive these things by revealed knowledge of the Word of God, of His Plan for us individually as believers, and by receiving supernatural direction from Him!

Matthew 16:17 "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."

We need to receive revealed knowledge from God, and live in the Blessing He has bestowed upon us! The Blessing comes by revealed knowledge!