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Milk and Meat of God’s Promised Land

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Judges 1:1-3 After the death of Joshua, the Israelites asked the Lord, Who shall go up first for us against the Canaanites to fight against them? 2 And the Lord said, Judah shall go up; behold, I have delivered the land into his hand.3 And Judah [the tribe] said to [the tribe of] Simeon his brother, Come up with me into my allotted territory, so that we may fight against the Canaanites; and I likewise will go with you into your territory. So Simeon went with him.

There are several ways to interpret the writings found in the Bible. Some are literal, like commands, instructions, and teachings. Others are inferred, like following the examples set before you. Still others are historically, and literally true, yet there is an allegorical, or symbolic meaning behind their narrative. For example when you read the parables of Jesus, or the Book of Revelation, most are not to be read literally, but symbolically. Participants in the New Covenant, primarily get their spiritual “milk” (a metaphor for the Word of God) from the New Testament. We can read and ascertain clearly what we are to do and not do. (which explains why most New Testament readers scratch their heads in confusion when they read the Parables of Jesus or the Book of Revelation). Unfortunately, or fortunately, when it comes to reading the Old Testament you will need to come prepared to read most of it allegorically, or symbolically (although it is literally, and historically true). You will need to see the message behind the message.

The passage in Judges 1:1-3 is just such an example. You can read it literally, and historically but it doesn’t make for much of an in-depth Bible study. As a pastor-teacher I could make the obvious point (which we all know and need to be reminded of) that when it comes to conquering our enemies we can’t do it alone. We need to call on others to help us achieve our goals. Which is a nice devotional thought – what the Apostle Peter, Paul, and the writer of Hebrews would call spiritual milk. But if you want some spiritual meat added to the meal you would need to ask for revelation from the Holy Spirit. He would reveal the message behind the message. You could begin with the Hebraic meanings of the words for the two tribes that partnered together: Judah, and Simeon. Judah means to praise, or give thanks, which is a form of worship (serving or ministering to the Lord). Simeon, on the other hand, means he who hears or a man of listening; or one who hears and accepts what is heard. Now, what’s the application? When I, or the church, partners in praise, thanksgiving, and worship (serving and ministering to the Lord) – with hearing and listening (to God) – accepting what has been heard – I, or the church, can defeat enemies. Not only can you defeat your enemies you are empowered to possess the manifestation of His Promised Inheritance. The real challenge comes when you ask, Is He calling you to partner with another – to see the manifestation of His Inherited Promises – in your life and theirs? Another thought, even more challenging, would be to ask, Do you want me to lay down the promises You’ve specifically given; the inheritance you have prophesied was mine; the dreams, and prophetic words You have given – so another can inherit theirs? Now, all of that taken together has enough milk, to wash down the meat at the table He has prepared for those who are spiritually hungry. But that table has only been prepared for those who have made the Lord their Shepherd.

Confession & Declaration 13

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Ephesians 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.

The Greek word for “brought near” comes from a root word which implies to “take into the arms and embrace.” But the fullness of the verse and what Christ actually did doesn’t really share the depths of what He actually did. You have to back up and begin in verse 10 and proceed through verse 16. Check this out. It’s really amazing: Ephesians 2:10-16 For we are God’s [own] handiwork (His workmanship), recreated in Christ Jesus, [born anew] that we may do those good works which God predestined (planned beforehand) for us [taking paths which He prepared ahead of time], that we should walk in them [living the good life which He prearranged and made ready for us to live]. 11 Therefore, remember that at one time you were Gentiles (heathens) in the flesh, called Uncircumcision by those who called themselves Circumcision, [itself a mere mark] in the flesh made by human hands. 12 [Remember] that you were at that time separated (living apart) from Christ [excluded from all part in Him], utterly estranged and outlawed from the rights of Israel as a nation, and strangers with no share in the sacred compacts of the [Messianic] promise [with no knowledge of or right in God’s agreements, His covenants]. And you had no hope (no promise); you were in the world without God. 13 But now in Christ Jesus, you who once were [so] far away, through (by, in) the blood of Christ have been brought near. 14 For He is [Himself] our peace (our bond of unity and harmony). He has made us both [Jew and Gentile] one [body], and has broken down (destroyed, abolished) the hostile dividing wall between us, 15 By abolishing in His [own crucified] flesh the enmity [caused by] the Law with its decrees and ordinances [which He annulled]; that He from the two might create in Himself one new man [one new quality of humanity out of the two], so making peace. 16 And [He designed] to reconcile to God both [Jew and Gentile, united] in a single body by means of His cross, thereby killing the mutual enmity and bringing the feud to an end.

When Jesus brought us near – the moment we trusted in the shed blood of Jesus – several things were activated at once: you were recreated to do the works Jesus does; brought into the rights of Israel’s covenant promises; we came into His Peace – Shalom; the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile was torn down – the separation was ended; He annulled the affects of the consequences of breaking the Law; one new man was created; we were reconciled in relationship with God; He destroyed the enmity between us; and He brought the feud to an end.

This act is powerfully demonstrated in an Old Testament prophecy found in Ezekiel 37:16-24 Son of man, take a stick and write on it, For Judah and the children of Israel his companions; then take another stick and write upon it, For Joseph, the stick of Ephraim, and all the house of Israel his companions; 17 And join them together into one stick that they may become one in your hand.18 And when your people say to you, Will you not show us what you mean by these? 19 Say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the stick of Joseph—which is in the hand of Ephraim—and the tribes of Israel his associates, and will join with it the stick of Judah and make them one stick, and they shall be one in My hand.20 When the sticks on which you write shall be in your hand before their eyes, 21 Then say to them, Thus says the Lord God: Behold, I will take the children of Israel from among the nations to which they have gone, and will gather them from every side and bring them into their own land.22 And I will make them one nation in the land, upon the mountains of Israel, and one King shall be King over them all; and they shall be no longer two nations, neither be divided into two kingdoms any more.23 They shall not defile themselves any more with their idols and their detestable things or with any of their transgressions, but I will save them out of all their dwelling places and from all their backslidings in which they have sinned, and I will cleanse them. So shall they be My people, and I will be their God. 24 And David My Servant shall be King over them, and they all shall have one Shepherd. They shall also walk in My ordinances and heed My statutes and do them.

Remember Joseph is a prophetic symbol of Gentiles or nations, and Ephraim was his son, whereas Judah is a symbol of Israel and the Jewish people. In essence the prophecy is stating that the two sticks will become one stick. This prophecy is even more powerful when you recall that Jesus is referred to as the Branch, or Rod, and then Jesus refers to us as branches. Jesus is the Nazarene (the Branch). In the Ephesians passage Paul states that through the Cross of Jesus the two houses have become one. Now we need to stop and ask, How many trees were in the Garden? You could say there were two sticks in the Garden – could you not? But it get’s better than that. The cross was made up of how many “sticks?” Jesus has taken the horizontal bar and the vertical bar and brought peace between man’s horizontal relationships with man and his vertical relationship with God. Even more profound is that the two sticks were designated with some names: Israel which means “God is Upright!” Jesus was upright on the cross drawing us to Himself. Judah means “Let Him Be Praised!” Joseph means “increase, or may He add.” And lastly there is Ephraim, which means, “two-fold increase, doubly fruitful.” The two sticks have been brought together to make One New Man. From the Jews the Nations or Gentiles have been born, and from the Gentiles, the Jewish people will be provoked to jealousy to embrace Yeshua (Jesus) as their Mashiach or Messiah. How powerful is that? We have been brought near – embraced by the Godhead to be covenant sons and daughters.

Now if that’s not something to marvel in amazement at I don’t know what is. Let’s get our praise on and begin declaring His Truth for the universe to hear.

Declaration 13: My Almighty, Mysterious Savior and Lord, I praise and worship You. Thank You that through Your precious Blood You brought me near. Not until now have I paused long enough to see the wonders of Your Love and the Power of Your Word. Through Your Blood I’ve been recreated to do the works Jesus does. Through Your Blood I’ve been brought into the rights of Israel’s covenant promises. Through Your Blood I have been embraced by Peace, and brought into the Fullness of Your Shalom. Through Your Blood You have torn down the dividing wall between Jew and Gentile and that separation was ended. Through Your Blood You annulled the affects and consequences of my breaking the Law. Through Your Blood I’ve been made into one new man. Through Your Blood I’ve been reconciled in my relationship with Father God. Through Your Blood the enmity, hatred and hostility that existed between us has been abolished. Through Your Blood the feud has been brought to an end. Yet the sweetest thing of all is how on the Cross You stretched out Your Arms in an Eternal Hug revealing the answer to the question the world’s been asking for centuries: God do You love me and if so, How much? And You stretched out Your Arms, took me into Your Embrace, using the two trees from the Garden. Through two sticks You brought that which was horizontal in me to live again vertically. Hallelujah! Lamb of God You are Worthy of My Praise! I exalt and lift You high! I run into Your Embrace. I love You My Precious Savior, Lord and God. You are Matchless and Worthy of all my Praises!