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Manasseh Journal of the Tribes 2
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Tuesday, February 7, 2012
Tuesday, December 27, 2011
VI---Ephraim's Aliyah Has Begun...!
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
He knows his true worship can only be offered in his Father's House.
He knows his true work can only be done on holy ground.
He knows his true song can only be sung in Zion. (He can only weep by the rivers of Babylon)
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
He knows his true worship can only be offered in his Father's House.
He knows his true work can only be done on holy ground.
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
V---Ephraim's Aliyah Has Begun...!
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun!
Ephraim's heart is turning to his Father.
Ephraim's heart is remembering Joseph and his grandfather Israel.
And Ephraim is hearing the tears of his grandmother Rachel.
And Ephraim is seeing his uncle Judah.
And Ephraim is knowing his true family.
And Ephraim feels the yearning hearts of his fathers.
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun!
Ephraim's heart is turning to his Father.
Ephraim's heart is remembering Joseph and his grandfather Israel.
And Ephraim is seeing his uncle Judah.
And Ephraim is knowing his true family.
And Ephraim feels the yearning hearts of his fathers.
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun!
IV---Ephraim's Aliyah Has Begun...!
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
"Ephraim consider well the earlier highway you took in your youth!"
I am pondering deeply the road of my youth.
Ephraim is setting up waymarks for himself to test and confirm the way to "home."
Ephraim is recognizing the guideposts and signposts of the way to Zion.
Ephraim's Aliyah journey on the ancient way " home" has begun!
"Ephraim consider well the earlier highway you took in your youth!"
I am pondering deeply the road of my youth.
Ephraim is recognizing the guideposts and signposts of the way to Zion.
Ephraim's Aliyah journey on the ancient way " home" has begun!
III---Ephraim's Aliyah Has Begun...!
Only Ephraim has given up building "trophy" houses. He dwells once again in tents of sojourning. Ephraim's gods are melting and crumbling in the fiery furnace of Egypt's afflictions---thence they are cast to the ground.
"I have heard Ephraim bemoaning, 'Thou hast chastened me, and I was chastened, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for thou art Yahweh my God. For after I had turned away I repented; and after I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded because I bore the disgrace of my youth.'
"Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him says Yahweh."
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
"I have heard Ephraim bemoaning, 'Thou hast chastened me, and I was chastened, like an untrained calf; bring me back that I may be restored, for thou art Yahweh my God. For after I had turned away I repented; and after I was instructed, I smote upon my thigh; I was ashamed, and I was confounded because I bore the disgrace of my youth.'
"Is Ephraim my dear son? Is he my darling child? For as often as I speak against him, I do remember him still. Therefore my heart yearns for him; I will surely have mercy on him says Yahweh."
II---Ephraim's Aliyah Has Begun...
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
Who but an Ephraimite would have even the foggiest idea of what the Hebrew word "Aliyah" means?
Only Ephraim will ponder the significance of joining Judah in the Land of Israel! The rest of the world, and most of Christianity, is distancing itself from "Israel"---horizontally, e.g. in world politics, and vertically in the doctrine of the "rapture."
Only Ephraim knows he is "poor, blind, pitiable, wretched, and naked." The riches he thought he had are but religious rags and pig slop.
Only Ephraim, the true prodigal son, has started his journey "home." His Father sees him afar off, knows the broken and repentant heart of his son Ephraim, and He has called for the feast, the robe, and the ring.
Ephraim, your Aliyah has begun!
Who but an Ephraimite would have even the foggiest idea of what the Hebrew word "Aliyah" means?
Only Ephraim will ponder the significance of joining Judah in the Land of Israel! The rest of the world, and most of Christianity, is distancing itself from "Israel"---horizontally, e.g. in world politics, and vertically in the doctrine of the "rapture."
Only Ephraim knows he is "poor, blind, pitiable, wretched, and naked." The riches he thought he had are but religious rags and pig slop.
Only Ephraim, the true prodigal son, has started his journey "home." His Father sees him afar off, knows the broken and repentant heart of his son Ephraim, and He has called for the feast, the robe, and the ring.
Ephraim's Aliyah Has Begun...!
Ephraim's Aliyah has begun...!
Ephraim's aliyah is a journey that begins in the heart. Ephraim, scattered throughout all nations, recalls and remembers all the deeds of his God. The blessings and curses visited upon him stir in his heart, and he yearns.
He yearns for the fulfillment of a promise spoken so long ago by a loving Father to his wayward son. "If you turn back to me my son, with all your heart and all your soul, then I, Yahweh your God, will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and I will gather you again from all the peoples where I have scattered you...from there I will come and fetch you and bring you into the Land which your fathers possessed, so that you also my dear Ephraim may possess it too.
When Ephraim's heart is moved to turn in this direction, it is at this crossroad, this waymark on his journey, that...Ephraim's Aliyah has begun!
Ephraim's aliyah is a journey that begins in the heart. Ephraim, scattered throughout all nations, recalls and remembers all the deeds of his God. The blessings and curses visited upon him stir in his heart, and he yearns.
He yearns for the fulfillment of a promise spoken so long ago by a loving Father to his wayward son. "If you turn back to me my son, with all your heart and all your soul, then I, Yahweh your God, will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you and I will gather you again from all the peoples where I have scattered you...from there I will come and fetch you and bring you into the Land which your fathers possessed, so that you also my dear Ephraim may possess it too.
Thursday, December 22, 2011
Ephraim's Aliyah
For more information on our efforts to help Ephraim in his journey to make aliyah
please see our new website
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
The Ephraimite Journey...or E. T. Phone Home!
Joseph had two sons by his Egyptian wife---Manasseh the firstborn and Ephraim---both blessed by Jacob/Israel, but the right hand of blessing, usually given to the eldest, was laid upon Ephraim instead of Manasseh. Egypt, Joseph's Egypt, is the starting point of Ephraim's journey.
His tribe and descendants became great and numerous during the slavery of Egypt. The Ephraimite leadership of Joshua brought the whole people of Israel to the crossing of the Jordan many years later after leaving Egypt. But that is far down the road of the journey, way ahead of all the things Ephraim would have to go through first.
Ephraim's prosperity as a son of Joseph slowly eroded and descended into slavery and bondage as the succeeding generations of the tribe in Egypt were forgotten by new ruling Pharaohs. The inertia of dwelling in Egyptian slavery then could only be transformed into the motion of "exodus" by the mighty actions of a mighty God. Only then was the command of "must leave Egypt" heard and obeyed.
But "getting out of Egypt" is not an adequate preparation for "getting into the Promised Land." A middle stage of testing and proving---the Wilderness---was required to purge the leftover attachments of Egypt. "The Wilderness" was for testing, proving, holy days, and feasting. It was to be the time of "betrothal" of Yahweh and the people of Israel. Only after that stage of their relationship was entered into could the nation proceed further into the fulness of the "marriage."
The stop at Marah for water was a trial of bitters. No water in the wilderness and you die. The water at Marah was undrinkable.
Does Ephraim understand the cup of bitter waters?
The "Promised" destination is the Land. What do "manna" and "Marah" have to do with the Destination?
How can such apparent contradictions be reconciled and understood? Why should Ephraim get excited at all about such a journey? Dying in the wilderness seemed the most likely outcome, so why not head back to Egypt!
Clearly not seen, clearly not apprehended, and clearly not appropriated are: 1) the covenant promises of Yahweh 2) the inheritance which is to be Ephraim' 3) the Land and its fruit 4) the Blessing 5) the Land as the place of "His footstool " 6) the place of Marriage, the Land of the Supper and Feast, the Land where your Family and your People dwell...
Clearly, Ephraim doesn't mind being Left Behind in Egypt!!
But consider: If the Messiah is coming to reign on earth, maybe the "rapture multitude" are going in the wrong direction---going up, when He is coming down---giving new meaning and insight into what it means to be "Left Behind"!
I don't want to be "Left Behind" in Egypt. I also don't want to be "Left Behind" in a rapture elevator going in the wrong direction! True rapture means, seems to me, to be where the Messiah was, is, and will be!
The Journey of Ephraim---the one really rapturous and the one to really get excited about---is the Journey Home: the place of dwelling, blessing, fig and vine, unity with our brothers, marriage to the Land and our Bridegroom, Sabbath Rest, Feasting and Peace. Sounds like Zion to me.
So...Ephraimites, listen up! Might be the time to Phone Home. Get some instructions and a journey map. Maybe Stephen Spielberg's "E.T." could be re-titled "Ephraim Time...Phone Home!
His tribe and descendants became great and numerous during the slavery of Egypt. The Ephraimite leadership of Joshua brought the whole people of Israel to the crossing of the Jordan many years later after leaving Egypt. But that is far down the road of the journey, way ahead of all the things Ephraim would have to go through first.
Ephraim's prosperity as a son of Joseph slowly eroded and descended into slavery and bondage as the succeeding generations of the tribe in Egypt were forgotten by new ruling Pharaohs. The inertia of dwelling in Egyptian slavery then could only be transformed into the motion of "exodus" by the mighty actions of a mighty God. Only then was the command of "must leave Egypt" heard and obeyed.
But "getting out of Egypt" is not an adequate preparation for "getting into the Promised Land." A middle stage of testing and proving---the Wilderness---was required to purge the leftover attachments of Egypt. "The Wilderness" was for testing, proving, holy days, and feasting. It was to be the time of "betrothal" of Yahweh and the people of Israel. Only after that stage of their relationship was entered into could the nation proceed further into the fulness of the "marriage."
The stop at Marah for water was a trial of bitters. No water in the wilderness and you die. The water at Marah was undrinkable.
Does Ephraim understand the cup of bitter waters?
The "Promised" destination is the Land. What do "manna" and "Marah" have to do with the Destination?
How can such apparent contradictions be reconciled and understood? Why should Ephraim get excited at all about such a journey? Dying in the wilderness seemed the most likely outcome, so why not head back to Egypt!
Clearly not seen, clearly not apprehended, and clearly not appropriated are: 1) the covenant promises of Yahweh 2) the inheritance which is to be Ephraim' 3) the Land and its fruit 4) the Blessing 5) the Land as the place of "His footstool " 6) the place of Marriage, the Land of the Supper and Feast, the Land where your Family and your People dwell...
Clearly, Ephraim doesn't mind being Left Behind in Egypt!!
But consider: If the Messiah is coming to reign on earth, maybe the "rapture multitude" are going in the wrong direction---going up, when He is coming down---giving new meaning and insight into what it means to be "Left Behind"!
I don't want to be "Left Behind" in Egypt. I also don't want to be "Left Behind" in a rapture elevator going in the wrong direction! True rapture means, seems to me, to be where the Messiah was, is, and will be!
The Journey of Ephraim---the one really rapturous and the one to really get excited about---is the Journey Home: the place of dwelling, blessing, fig and vine, unity with our brothers, marriage to the Land and our Bridegroom, Sabbath Rest, Feasting and Peace. Sounds like Zion to me.
So...Ephraimites, listen up! Might be the time to Phone Home. Get some instructions and a journey map. Maybe Stephen Spielberg's "E.T." could be re-titled "Ephraim Time...Phone Home!
Monday, May 23, 2011
To the Wilderness
Passover is simply the occasion of Israel's redemption from the slavery of Egypt. The instructions are precise, succinct, and simple---all for the single purpose of "covering" the people of Israel during the judgments of Yahweh on Pharoah and the people of Egypt. That release from slavery has no connection to the "wilderness", and the people of Israel prior to their redemption have no clues as to what to expect in that "wilderness" experience.
"Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness. (Exodus 5:1)
"Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness. (Exodus 7:16, 8:1)
"Let my people go... repeated, repeated...
Freedom is the absolute pre-condition.
Feasting and serving are all contingent on being free to hear and obey Yahweh's commands, and until that deliverance from the bondage of slavery is accomplished the people of Israel can do nothing in Egypt.
The confrontation between Pharoah and Yahweh escalates as the judgments increase in intensity, and it is the approach of the final "judgment" that signals the unveiling of Moses final words to the People of Israel and Pharoah.
"We must go 3 days journey into the wilderness... (Exodus 8:27)
"...for we must hold a feast to Yahweh... (Exodus 10:9)
Still, there are no clues as to what the "wilderness" experience will be like.
In all cultures, a settled people of cities and farms wage a constant struggle with the unknown forces of the wilds. All frontier people hold the borders of "wildness" at bay until the settlers can occupy and tame. The people of Israel were in the settled and familiar territories of Egypt, under the sovereignty and protection of a powerful king. All this---the known and secure---was to be left for the unknown in the wilderness.
In this day, the command to come out of Egypt and be separate unto God must be finally transformed into a sense of urgency: the sovereign God of Israel, Yahweh, is demanding a response... We must go...
So in this day, the wilderness experience is not an option for the People of Israel. If in fact, there is any reality of the Passover experience in the life of an Israelite, the wilderness is the next step in the journey.
What is it that we must go to?
Three purposes are mentioned, though the details are not given until the wilderness journey is under way.
First: the People of Israel will be proven and tested in the wilderness. The "issues" of the people will be revealed, e.g. idolatry, and then dealt with by repentance or discipline or judgment...
Second: the People of Israel are to hold a feast in the wilderness.
Third: the People of Israel are to serve Yahweh in the wilderness.
These three purposes of Yahweh are inherent in His plan for the People of Israel and,
You and I must go into the wilderness for these three purposes of Yahweh.
"Let my people go, that they may hold a feast to me in the wilderness. (Exodus 5:1)
"Let my people go, that they may serve me in the wilderness. (Exodus 7:16, 8:1)
"Let my people go... repeated, repeated...
Freedom is the absolute pre-condition.
Feasting and serving are all contingent on being free to hear and obey Yahweh's commands, and until that deliverance from the bondage of slavery is accomplished the people of Israel can do nothing in Egypt.
The confrontation between Pharoah and Yahweh escalates as the judgments increase in intensity, and it is the approach of the final "judgment" that signals the unveiling of Moses final words to the People of Israel and Pharoah.
"We must go 3 days journey into the wilderness... (Exodus 8:27)
"...for we must hold a feast to Yahweh... (Exodus 10:9)
Still, there are no clues as to what the "wilderness" experience will be like.
In all cultures, a settled people of cities and farms wage a constant struggle with the unknown forces of the wilds. All frontier people hold the borders of "wildness" at bay until the settlers can occupy and tame. The people of Israel were in the settled and familiar territories of Egypt, under the sovereignty and protection of a powerful king. All this---the known and secure---was to be left for the unknown in the wilderness.
In this day, the command to come out of Egypt and be separate unto God must be finally transformed into a sense of urgency: the sovereign God of Israel, Yahweh, is demanding a response... We must go...
So in this day, the wilderness experience is not an option for the People of Israel. If in fact, there is any reality of the Passover experience in the life of an Israelite, the wilderness is the next step in the journey.
What is it that we must go to?
Three purposes are mentioned, though the details are not given until the wilderness journey is under way.
First: the People of Israel will be proven and tested in the wilderness. The "issues" of the people will be revealed, e.g. idolatry, and then dealt with by repentance or discipline or judgment...
Second: the People of Israel are to hold a feast in the wilderness.
Third: the People of Israel are to serve Yahweh in the wilderness.
These three purposes of Yahweh are inherent in His plan for the People of Israel and,
You and I must go into the wilderness for these three purposes of Yahweh.
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Saturday, April 2, 2011
Your People, Your Inheritance
You may have seen "the sky" of Abraham... During a sojourn at Yeshivah Or Ephraim perhaps you will see "the Heavens" of Abraham. You have read of the wells Isaac dug. At Yeshivah Or Ephraim you will drink (and mikveh) at "the Springs" of Isaac. You have read of Yaacov, the supplanter, the trickster, the striver... At Yeshivah Or Ephraim you will know Israel. You have read of Yaacov's wives: the unloved and the loved... At Yeshivah Or Ephraim you will meet the Bride of Israel. You have built fancy houses... At Yeshivah Or Ephraim you will, once again, sojourn in tribal dwellings, each crafted to acquaint you with Israel's sons---Gad to his tents, Judah to his cottage... May your sojourn connect you to Israel and his sons and the Land. These are your people, this is your inheritance---get to know them at Yeshivah Or Ephraim!
Friday, April 1, 2011
Yeshiva Or Ephraim
Announcing...! The establishment and opening of Yeshivah Or Ephraim... for all Israel, and especially for those of Ephraim. Go to Weebly.com (website) for more details about various "Upward Bound" pre-aliyah preparatory programs and experiences to set you on a path "home".
April's Fool Day
It is erev Shabbat: I am broke, except for $8.64. I am alone, there is no one to light the Shabbat candles, and there is no challah for the Sabbath Table...and the mocking irony of the day is not abated by my tears--- What to do...?? (See Chapter 1 of "What to do" earlier in Journal) 1 Cor. 2:14 The natural man does not receive the gifts of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him... What to do...?? Send a "Shabbat Shalom" to the One you love! Send a "Come Quickly" to the Sabbath Queen, your Bride! And eat your Bread---feasting for it is His Table in the Wilderness... And drink your cup---rejoicing for such is the Kingdom of Israel, your inheritance... For His "Chesed", that is steadfast love (and the Hebrew includes goodness, kindness, benevolence, charity...) endures forever: these are the gifts of the Spirit of God the natural man deems foolishness. The world's gifts of the same name are quite different! So the world or natural man sees God's gift of the Sabbath as foolishness, especially if it is a day of brokeness, no bread, no candles, no money... Are you hearing the same "You are a fool...?" His (and my, and your?) answer to April's Fool Day: Shabbat Shalom, Ahuvi! Come Quickly, HaMalka HaShabbat! Come Quickly, Calah sheli!
Friday, December 24, 2010
Thursday, December 23, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Leadership in Israel
The many Israels of history include---
The Israel of the Patriarchs
The Israel of the Kings, Priests & Temple
The Israel of the Prophets
The Israel of the Messiahs
The Israel of the Rabbis
The Israel of the Zionists
The Israel of the Politicians
Yet to come... is the Israel of God!
At one time or another, leadership in Israel has been exercised by one or another of the above, and at times, they have been in direct opposition to one another: Kings vs. Priests, Prophets vs. Priests, Messiahs vs. all of the above... The history of Israel has been a long, uninterrupted contest of leadership focused on the question: "Who (or what) shall lead us?" The answers have taken every conceivable form from Patriarch to Priest to Politician...to Idol. Each leadership has been tested and revealed to have feet of clay. Nebuchadnezzar, "mighty and of exceeding brightness" (Daniel 2:31-33), glorious in stature and raiment, had feet of clay. Isn't all leadership, finally, standing upon the clay feet of Adam?
Kings, princes, prophets, teachers, shepherds... have a long history of leading the people astray. "An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule...my people love to have it so... But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away." (Jeremiah 5:23, 30-31) This same word can be found multiplied many times over, spoken to the kings, princes, teachers, shepherds... (Jeremiah 50:6, Ezekiel 14:9-11, 44:10-11, 48:11, Isaiah 56:10-12)
In whatever form, the Saul "image" is presented---President, Pastor, or Prophet---the people are drawn to the magnetic personality, the charisma, the "presence", the stature, reputation... They love the "image" and will follow it, heeding every dramatic gesture. God's word of "Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings." is answered with a "But... that is in vain! We will follow our own plans, and will every one act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart." (Jeremiah 18:11-12)
Here the heart of "Followship" is revealed. The People have a long history of following their own desires, thoughts, self-delusions, faulty vision, corrupted leadership. The people follow not only their own desires but every religious charlatan, political ideology, or charismatic person...whether king, priest, or peasant. When that happens, then the perfect synergy of "Leadership" and "Followship" gives Israel a perfect storm of recurring fiery judgments from their God.
The Third Problem of "leadership" has to do with the "feet of clay." Though the feet (in Daniel) are a composite of clay and iron, they cannot stand the testing of God that always comes. The glorious brightness, images finely crafted and dressed, badges, banners... all these trappings, impressive as they may appear to be, cannot replace, cover, or mask the inherent weakness of the clay feet. Such feet may for a time conceal the truth of the Person, the Community, or the Nation, but sooner or later the "spirit" will be revealed and tested. Both the clay feet and the spirit will be tested. (Deut. 13:3) Faithful in the "small" things (Luke 16:10) is helpful but not decisive or sufficiently convincing. Everybody is "happy" on a carnival cruise in the kingdom of this world, but such a cruise reveals nothing: not the captain, not the crew, not the seaworthiness of the ship, and certainly nothing about the passengers. The "Titanic" reveals everybody and everything---in body, soul, and spirit. The Bread of Adversity (Isaiah 30:20), Jacob's Trouble, the "End", the Day of the Lord... all these are testings of standing. Will any form of leadership be able to stand, or will they all "fall" before the leadership of God? Can any kind of leadership bring fresh revelation? Or will it be conventional wisdom re-packaged, "old" news rewritten with a fresh slant... namely, the same old story with a fresh face or new coat of paint?
Consider: the leadership of ancient Israel was a "pillar of fire" and a "pillar of cloud" that went before the people... What a contrast to the leadership of Jacob, born of the fear of the flesh, which sought to "appease" Esau. Thus, gifts, the flocks, women and children were arranged and divided---Jacob's strategy of leadership! Or what a contrast to the leadership in many armies: the headquarters "hooch" way behind the "front line." Fair to ask who is actually taking the fire, really exposed to risk, injury, loss of life and limb? Who has "skin" in the game...? Who is invested with their own money and not playing with OPM (in banking parlance known as Other People's Money)? Paul succinctly speaks to the situation: "You have many guides, not many fathers." (1 Cor. 4:13) Guides will give you a map, tell you where to go, perhaps even accompany you a ways, but it is not in their job description to risk their neck. In the best armies you get to be an officer by being in the "Front Line."
In Genesis (6:4, 11:4), the "mighty men" determined to "build a Tower" to heaven. They were seeking to make a Name for themselves. If there be any such thing as true leadership will it manifest these qualities? These qualities in the spirit?
Finally, if there be any such thing as true leadership does accountability to some other authority have to be operating? Are the finances published, particularly, when money comes from outside sources? In the political realm billions of dollars move here, there, and everywhere: to buy access, favor, or privilege, or...? In religion, billions of dollars are solicited, move here, there, and everywhere: to what godly purpose...?
The problem of the false leadership of King, Priest, or Teacher has been historically countered by the raising up of the Prophet. What to do when the false prophets of Jezebel and the King's Court Prophets mislead the people? The hirelings are eating at whose table?
"Lead, follow, or get out the way!" is a familiar and common expression in the military and corporate world. Is this a statement God would make? Or is this a subtle variation on the the theme of "Making kings, but not through me (Yahweh). And they shall cease for a little while from anointing kings and princes." (Hosea 8:4, 10)? Man anoints the man. God anoints the gift of His Spirit. Is not this the sense of the "anointing" that abides, teaches, causes one to know (1 John 2:20, 27)? And if the gift, Holy Spirit, and anointing are present, you have no need for a king, priest, prophet, teacher... to lead ... because in that day all shall know from the least to the greatest.
"Those who lead this people lead them astray... and those who are led by them are swallowed up." (Isaiah 9:13-16)
"But those who turn aside upon their crooked ways, Yahweh will lead away with evil doers! Peace be in Israel! (Psalm 125:5)
Leadership that is not in accordance to the Word of the Torah is not anointed by anything but the traditions of men. The Living Torah of the Word leadeth the sheep of Israel. Leadership that disposes of the Torah of the God of Israel cannot, and will not, be anointed by the God of Israel. Simply said, "He who says 'I know him,' but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:4) From the simplest oath, to the gossip, to fairy tales and myths, to the rebellion... is there anything here you don't understand, or that is not covered by His Word?
What is the leadership for Israel?
"Jacob (in spite of his fear!)...Yahweh alone did lead him." (Deut. 32:9-12)
"Lead me in thy truth, and teach me. Make me to know thy ways, O Yahweh...teach me thy paths" (Psalm 25:4-5) Thus says David.
"So thou didst lead thy people, to make for thyself a glorious name. (Isaiah 63:14)
"Thou gavest thy good Spirit to instruct them, and did not withhold thy manna from their mouth." (Nehemiah 9:19-20)
"The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own by name and leads them out." (John 10:3, 4)
Finally...
"Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou who leadest Joseph like a flock! ...shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh! Stir up thy might, and come to save us!
The Israel of the Patriarchs
The Israel of the Kings, Priests & Temple
The Israel of the Prophets
The Israel of the Messiahs
The Israel of the Rabbis
The Israel of the Zionists
The Israel of the Politicians
Yet to come... is the Israel of God!
At one time or another, leadership in Israel has been exercised by one or another of the above, and at times, they have been in direct opposition to one another: Kings vs. Priests, Prophets vs. Priests, Messiahs vs. all of the above... The history of Israel has been a long, uninterrupted contest of leadership focused on the question: "Who (or what) shall lead us?" The answers have taken every conceivable form from Patriarch to Priest to Politician...to Idol. Each leadership has been tested and revealed to have feet of clay. Nebuchadnezzar, "mighty and of exceeding brightness" (Daniel 2:31-33), glorious in stature and raiment, had feet of clay. Isn't all leadership, finally, standing upon the clay feet of Adam?
Kings, princes, prophets, teachers, shepherds... have a long history of leading the people astray. "An appalling and horrible thing has happened in the land: the prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests rule...my people love to have it so... But this people has a stubborn and rebellious heart; they have turned aside and gone away." (Jeremiah 5:23, 30-31) This same word can be found multiplied many times over, spoken to the kings, princes, teachers, shepherds... (Jeremiah 50:6, Ezekiel 14:9-11, 44:10-11, 48:11, Isaiah 56:10-12)
In whatever form, the Saul "image" is presented---President, Pastor, or Prophet---the people are drawn to the magnetic personality, the charisma, the "presence", the stature, reputation... They love the "image" and will follow it, heeding every dramatic gesture. God's word of "Return, every one from his evil way, and amend your ways and your doings." is answered with a "But... that is in vain! We will follow our own plans, and will every one act according to the stubbornness of his evil heart." (Jeremiah 18:11-12)
Here the heart of "Followship" is revealed. The People have a long history of following their own desires, thoughts, self-delusions, faulty vision, corrupted leadership. The people follow not only their own desires but every religious charlatan, political ideology, or charismatic person...whether king, priest, or peasant. When that happens, then the perfect synergy of "Leadership" and "Followship" gives Israel a perfect storm of recurring fiery judgments from their God.
The Third Problem of "leadership" has to do with the "feet of clay." Though the feet (in Daniel) are a composite of clay and iron, they cannot stand the testing of God that always comes. The glorious brightness, images finely crafted and dressed, badges, banners... all these trappings, impressive as they may appear to be, cannot replace, cover, or mask the inherent weakness of the clay feet. Such feet may for a time conceal the truth of the Person, the Community, or the Nation, but sooner or later the "spirit" will be revealed and tested. Both the clay feet and the spirit will be tested. (Deut. 13:3) Faithful in the "small" things (Luke 16:10) is helpful but not decisive or sufficiently convincing. Everybody is "happy" on a carnival cruise in the kingdom of this world, but such a cruise reveals nothing: not the captain, not the crew, not the seaworthiness of the ship, and certainly nothing about the passengers. The "Titanic" reveals everybody and everything---in body, soul, and spirit. The Bread of Adversity (Isaiah 30:20), Jacob's Trouble, the "End", the Day of the Lord... all these are testings of standing. Will any form of leadership be able to stand, or will they all "fall" before the leadership of God? Can any kind of leadership bring fresh revelation? Or will it be conventional wisdom re-packaged, "old" news rewritten with a fresh slant... namely, the same old story with a fresh face or new coat of paint?
Consider: the leadership of ancient Israel was a "pillar of fire" and a "pillar of cloud" that went before the people... What a contrast to the leadership of Jacob, born of the fear of the flesh, which sought to "appease" Esau. Thus, gifts, the flocks, women and children were arranged and divided---Jacob's strategy of leadership! Or what a contrast to the leadership in many armies: the headquarters "hooch" way behind the "front line." Fair to ask who is actually taking the fire, really exposed to risk, injury, loss of life and limb? Who has "skin" in the game...? Who is invested with their own money and not playing with OPM (in banking parlance known as Other People's Money)? Paul succinctly speaks to the situation: "You have many guides, not many fathers." (1 Cor. 4:13) Guides will give you a map, tell you where to go, perhaps even accompany you a ways, but it is not in their job description to risk their neck. In the best armies you get to be an officer by being in the "Front Line."
In Genesis (6:4, 11:4), the "mighty men" determined to "build a Tower" to heaven. They were seeking to make a Name for themselves. If there be any such thing as true leadership will it manifest these qualities? These qualities in the spirit?
Finally, if there be any such thing as true leadership does accountability to some other authority have to be operating? Are the finances published, particularly, when money comes from outside sources? In the political realm billions of dollars move here, there, and everywhere: to buy access, favor, or privilege, or...? In religion, billions of dollars are solicited, move here, there, and everywhere: to what godly purpose...?
The problem of the false leadership of King, Priest, or Teacher has been historically countered by the raising up of the Prophet. What to do when the false prophets of Jezebel and the King's Court Prophets mislead the people? The hirelings are eating at whose table?
"Lead, follow, or get out the way!" is a familiar and common expression in the military and corporate world. Is this a statement God would make? Or is this a subtle variation on the the theme of "Making kings, but not through me (Yahweh). And they shall cease for a little while from anointing kings and princes." (Hosea 8:4, 10)? Man anoints the man. God anoints the gift of His Spirit. Is not this the sense of the "anointing" that abides, teaches, causes one to know (1 John 2:20, 27)? And if the gift, Holy Spirit, and anointing are present, you have no need for a king, priest, prophet, teacher... to lead ... because in that day all shall know from the least to the greatest.
"Those who lead this people lead them astray... and those who are led by them are swallowed up." (Isaiah 9:13-16)
"But those who turn aside upon their crooked ways, Yahweh will lead away with evil doers! Peace be in Israel! (Psalm 125:5)
Leadership that is not in accordance to the Word of the Torah is not anointed by anything but the traditions of men. The Living Torah of the Word leadeth the sheep of Israel. Leadership that disposes of the Torah of the God of Israel cannot, and will not, be anointed by the God of Israel. Simply said, "He who says 'I know him,' but disobeys his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1 John 2:4) From the simplest oath, to the gossip, to fairy tales and myths, to the rebellion... is there anything here you don't understand, or that is not covered by His Word?
What is the leadership for Israel?
"Jacob (in spite of his fear!)...Yahweh alone did lead him." (Deut. 32:9-12)
"Lead me in thy truth, and teach me. Make me to know thy ways, O Yahweh...teach me thy paths" (Psalm 25:4-5) Thus says David.
"So thou didst lead thy people, to make for thyself a glorious name. (Isaiah 63:14)
"Thou gavest thy good Spirit to instruct them, and did not withhold thy manna from their mouth." (Nehemiah 9:19-20)
"The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own by name and leads them out." (John 10:3, 4)
Finally...
"Give ear, O Shepherd of Israel, thou who leadest Joseph like a flock! ...shine forth before Ephraim and Benjamin and Manasseh! Stir up thy might, and come to save us!
Friday, December 17, 2010
Stepping Out in Faith
I wrestled with the title of this message for a bit. It could have been titled many different things. For example:
Letting Benjamin Go; Saying Goodbye to Security; Leaving Your Comfort Zone; You get the picture. It's the idea of setting out on a new and unchartered journey to a new and possibly undiscovered, uninhabited place. It could be a lonely place, it could be tumultuous, maybe it's a place that "no man has gone before". It's a place that may be in the dark for us (or seemingly so because we can only see the Lamp at our feet and the Light at our path). Ahead of our steps it's very dark, but not really though. The place we are heading toward is actually in the brightest Light of all. It's the place where the true LIGHT dwells. It's the place that He has already set up for us, and He is just patiently waiting for us to follow HIS steps to arrive there.
I've been reading about our father and his faith. Not our Heavenly Father, but our forefather Abraham. Abraham or Abram as he was called at that time in his life, was a hero in faith. He should be our example, and I believe that his story was penned for that very reason, to encourage us in our faith. To build up our trust in the providence of Yahweh, our heavenly Father who never leaves us nor forsakes us. Abraham was the man who was called the "friend of God".
Abraham's life was not much different than ours. We would benefit greatly from studying the "father of faith".
His life was in Ur, a very civilized place in the world, with everything a man could ever want. He lived there with his family. Ur was also a place where idolatry abounded, and unfortunately Abraham's father Terah was an idolator. We never think of God using someone from an idolatrous background to do HIS work, but the call of God can come regardless of one's roots.
Look at Genesis 12:1 " and Yahweh said to Abram, " Go, get yourself out of your land, from your relatives, and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you."
God had a three-fold command to Abram:
1. Leave your society
2. Leave your stability
3. Leave your security
What would God like us to see?
1. Leave your society. Abraham's country was idolatrous. There was a warning in this command for Abram as well as for us. Be careful of societal boundaries. It may mean leaving, it can sometimes be a challenge for, us but although we are "in" this society, we are not part of this society. The more like society you become, the less impact you will have for the cause of Yeshua.
This is not only a warning for young people, but for us as well.
2. Leave your stability. Abram was not only told to leave his country, but to leave his relatives as well.
It's quoted in "the Patriarchs", "leave all that life has encircled you with; leave the stability of home and friends, and that circle of people you know; leave the pattern of life and break out of it". I'm going to send you to someplace totally new and different. Break out of the norm."
This command was probably one of the most difficult things for Abram. We've all got our comfortable patterns of living. We do not easily break away from the "norm".
3. Leave your security. Lastly Abram was told to "go forth from your father's house". He was told that he not only had to leave his country, but all his relatives, and his father's house. This was a completely foreign concept. You did not leave your father's house, in fact, after you married, you actually would build on to your father's house with your new wife moving in to the family home with you. It was a foreign concept to leave your father's house. That is exactly what God asked Abram to do--- leave his security, the security of life and family. He was told in a sense to " just trust Me and come along with Me, Abram".
Ponder this story for a moment:
A little boy was his grandfather's constant companion. They would often go on short trips together- to the grocery store, sometimes to the lake to fish, or wherever the grandfather needed to go. The boy always tagged along with his grandfather, they were delightful companions. One day the grandfather said " Let's go for a ride".
The boy asked, "Where are we going?"
The grandfather left without him. When he got back, the little boy looked crestfallen and asked, " Grandfather, why did you leave me behind?" The grandfather looked at him and said, " Because you asked me where we were going. If you really wanted to go with me, it wouldn't have mattered where we were going."
The author goes on to tell us that this same thing is in the heart of the man or woman of faith. God says, " Go", or "Do", or "Be". But we say, "OK, LORD, where is the security package? What are the benefits? Where are You taking me? How long will I be there?"
So God moves on to the next person.
Continuing with Abraham: So God commanded Abram, "leave your society, stability, and leave you security. Leave it all behind Abram. " I have something much better for you.
One of the difficult things we need to be warned of, as individuals and as fellowships, is that we can fall into a pattern that is so predictacle. We know exactly what is going to happen in our comfortable conformed lives, so we never dare to risk anything for God. Never stepping out in faith...we want to see it all in front of us. As a result, our availability and capability for the Kingdom of God is greatly hindered.
We should take heed that we not fall into a pattern of security and stabilty with familiar things, thereby missing out on the possibility of moving on to greater things with God. In Genesis 12, Abram was commanded to throw away all his "securities", and become a wanderer, a pilgrim, a pioneer. Abram was to become as Charles Spurgeon once wrote, "shipwrecked on the island of God's sovereignty". This is where we want to live. Responding to God's call means finding our security in God alone.
Do we really want that? Can we really rest in that?
Letting Benjamin Go; Saying Goodbye to Security; Leaving Your Comfort Zone; You get the picture. It's the idea of setting out on a new and unchartered journey to a new and possibly undiscovered, uninhabited place. It could be a lonely place, it could be tumultuous, maybe it's a place that "no man has gone before". It's a place that may be in the dark for us (or seemingly so because we can only see the Lamp at our feet and the Light at our path). Ahead of our steps it's very dark, but not really though. The place we are heading toward is actually in the brightest Light of all. It's the place where the true LIGHT dwells. It's the place that He has already set up for us, and He is just patiently waiting for us to follow HIS steps to arrive there.
I've been reading about our father and his faith. Not our Heavenly Father, but our forefather Abraham. Abraham or Abram as he was called at that time in his life, was a hero in faith. He should be our example, and I believe that his story was penned for that very reason, to encourage us in our faith. To build up our trust in the providence of Yahweh, our heavenly Father who never leaves us nor forsakes us. Abraham was the man who was called the "friend of God".
Abraham's life was not much different than ours. We would benefit greatly from studying the "father of faith".
His life was in Ur, a very civilized place in the world, with everything a man could ever want. He lived there with his family. Ur was also a place where idolatry abounded, and unfortunately Abraham's father Terah was an idolator. We never think of God using someone from an idolatrous background to do HIS work, but the call of God can come regardless of one's roots.
Look at Genesis 12:1 " and Yahweh said to Abram, " Go, get yourself out of your land, from your relatives, and from your father's house, to a land that I will show you."
God had a three-fold command to Abram:
1. Leave your society
2. Leave your stability
3. Leave your security
What would God like us to see?
1. Leave your society. Abraham's country was idolatrous. There was a warning in this command for Abram as well as for us. Be careful of societal boundaries. It may mean leaving, it can sometimes be a challenge for, us but although we are "in" this society, we are not part of this society. The more like society you become, the less impact you will have for the cause of Yeshua.
This is not only a warning for young people, but for us as well.
2. Leave your stability. Abram was not only told to leave his country, but to leave his relatives as well.
It's quoted in "the Patriarchs", "leave all that life has encircled you with; leave the stability of home and friends, and that circle of people you know; leave the pattern of life and break out of it". I'm going to send you to someplace totally new and different. Break out of the norm."
This command was probably one of the most difficult things for Abram. We've all got our comfortable patterns of living. We do not easily break away from the "norm".
3. Leave your security. Lastly Abram was told to "go forth from your father's house". He was told that he not only had to leave his country, but all his relatives, and his father's house. This was a completely foreign concept. You did not leave your father's house, in fact, after you married, you actually would build on to your father's house with your new wife moving in to the family home with you. It was a foreign concept to leave your father's house. That is exactly what God asked Abram to do--- leave his security, the security of life and family. He was told in a sense to " just trust Me and come along with Me, Abram".
Ponder this story for a moment:
A little boy was his grandfather's constant companion. They would often go on short trips together- to the grocery store, sometimes to the lake to fish, or wherever the grandfather needed to go. The boy always tagged along with his grandfather, they were delightful companions. One day the grandfather said " Let's go for a ride".
The boy asked, "Where are we going?"
The grandfather left without him. When he got back, the little boy looked crestfallen and asked, " Grandfather, why did you leave me behind?" The grandfather looked at him and said, " Because you asked me where we were going. If you really wanted to go with me, it wouldn't have mattered where we were going."
The author goes on to tell us that this same thing is in the heart of the man or woman of faith. God says, " Go", or "Do", or "Be". But we say, "OK, LORD, where is the security package? What are the benefits? Where are You taking me? How long will I be there?"
So God moves on to the next person.
Continuing with Abraham: So God commanded Abram, "leave your society, stability, and leave you security. Leave it all behind Abram. " I have something much better for you.
One of the difficult things we need to be warned of, as individuals and as fellowships, is that we can fall into a pattern that is so predictacle. We know exactly what is going to happen in our comfortable conformed lives, so we never dare to risk anything for God. Never stepping out in faith...we want to see it all in front of us. As a result, our availability and capability for the Kingdom of God is greatly hindered.
We should take heed that we not fall into a pattern of security and stabilty with familiar things, thereby missing out on the possibility of moving on to greater things with God. In Genesis 12, Abram was commanded to throw away all his "securities", and become a wanderer, a pilgrim, a pioneer. Abram was to become as Charles Spurgeon once wrote, "shipwrecked on the island of God's sovereignty". This is where we want to live. Responding to God's call means finding our security in God alone.
Do we really want that? Can we really rest in that?
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
God Would Do That!!
Many are the "religous" assertions concerning what God would or wouldn't do...Perhaps it would be helpful and profitable for you to consider the following:
Now Yahweh said to Abram, "Go from your country and your father's house to the land that I will show you..." (Gen. 12:1)
God would do That!!
Yahweh said to Moses, "Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them up in the sun before Yahweh that the fierce anger of Yahweh may turn away from Israel". (Num. 25:4)
God would do That!!
And Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job?...behold all that he has is in your power...only upon himself do not put your hand." (Job 1:8-12)
God would do That!!
...and when they came to the threshing floor of Nachon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Uzzah...and God smote him there...and he died there beside the ark of God. ( 2 Samuel 6:1-7)
God would do That!!
Thus says Yahweh, "Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun"... nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned Yahweh the child that is born to you shall die...and Yahweh struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David and it became sick...on the seventh day the child died. (2 Samuel 12:11-18)
God would do That!!
For Yahweh has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, the prophets, and covered your heads the seers. (Isaiah 29:10)
God would do That!!
And you son of man..."lie upon your left side and I will lay the punishment of the house of Israel upon you...you shall bear their punishment. For I assign to you a number of days, three hundred ninety days...so long shall you bear the punishment of the house of Israel...and you shall lie down a second time, but on your right side, and bear the punishment for the house of Judah...forty days I assign to you...and you shall make bread and eat it as a barley cake baking it in their sight on human dung." (Ezek. 4:1-12)
God would do That!!
When Yahweh first spoke through Hosea, Yahweh said to Hosea, "Go take to yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry, for the land commits great harlotry by forsaking Yahweh." (Hosea 1:2)
God would do That!!
Thus says Yahweh of hosts...the wise men shall be put to shame...lo they have rejected the Word of Yahweh...therefore I will give their wives to others and their fields to conquerors becuase from the least to the greatest everyone is greedy for unjust gain; from priest to prophet everyone deals falsely." (Jer. 8:4-12)
God would do That!!
So then He has mercy upon whomever He wills and He hardens the heart of whomever He wills. (Romans 9:18)
God would do That!!
GOD DID DO THAT!!!
Posted by Yael
Now Yahweh said to Abram, "Go from your country and your father's house to the land that I will show you..." (Gen. 12:1)
God would do That!!
Yahweh said to Moses, "Take all the chiefs of the people and hang them up in the sun before Yahweh that the fierce anger of Yahweh may turn away from Israel". (Num. 25:4)
God would do That!!
And Yahweh said to Satan, "Have you considered My servant Job?...behold all that he has is in your power...only upon himself do not put your hand." (Job 1:8-12)
God would do That!!
...and when they came to the threshing floor of Nachon, Uzzah put out his hand to the ark of God and took hold of it for the oxen stumbled. And the anger of Yahweh was kindled against Uzzah...and God smote him there...and he died there beside the ark of God. ( 2 Samuel 6:1-7)
God would do That!!
Thus says Yahweh, "Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house; and I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun"... nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned Yahweh the child that is born to you shall die...and Yahweh struck the child that Uriah's wife bore to David and it became sick...on the seventh day the child died. (2 Samuel 12:11-18)
God would do That!!
For Yahweh has poured out upon you a spirit of deep sleep, and has closed your eyes, the prophets, and covered your heads the seers. (Isaiah 29:10)
God would do That!!
And you son of man..."lie upon your left side and I will lay the punishment of the house of Israel upon you...you shall bear their punishment. For I assign to you a number of days, three hundred ninety days...so long shall you bear the punishment of the house of Israel...and you shall lie down a second time, but on your right side, and bear the punishment for the house of Judah...forty days I assign to you...and you shall make bread and eat it as a barley cake baking it in their sight on human dung." (Ezek. 4:1-12)
God would do That!!
When Yahweh first spoke through Hosea, Yahweh said to Hosea, "Go take to yourself a wife of harlotry and have children of harlotry, for the land commits great harlotry by forsaking Yahweh." (Hosea 1:2)
God would do That!!
Thus says Yahweh of hosts...the wise men shall be put to shame...lo they have rejected the Word of Yahweh...therefore I will give their wives to others and their fields to conquerors becuase from the least to the greatest everyone is greedy for unjust gain; from priest to prophet everyone deals falsely." (Jer. 8:4-12)
God would do That!!
So then He has mercy upon whomever He wills and He hardens the heart of whomever He wills. (Romans 9:18)
God would do That!!
GOD DID DO THAT!!!
Posted by Yael
Monday, December 6, 2010
What's A Grape To Do???
"Whine" in Your Future!!
Golda: Gertrude, who's that Guy with the "cutters"?
Gertrude: Stop hollering...your screaming in my ear!
Gail: No problem, girls...we are just hanging out here in the sun...Ahhhhhhh...
Gigi: I'll just pull some leaves down over us... He'll never notice us. And the cart is almost full anyway. Relax, girls. Gladys and Grace you keep a lookout both ways.
[Ginger and Gloria never see the skillful, swift hand. No one feels the snip. Not until their bunch is in the harvest tub rolling down the vineyard aisle.]
Golda (screeches): Help, I am upside down in the tub!
Gertrude: Shhhhh.... We're all OK. Hey girls, it could be worse... we're not bruised, were not on the ground getting run over... Shhhhh Greta, it really wasn't Gladys' and Grace's fault.
Golda (panicking): I hear something! What's that hum? Don't you hear it? What's happening?
Gail: Relax, Golda. No problem. It's just a conveyor belt. Smoooooth ride... See, this isn't so bad!!
Gina, Ginny, & Gabby: I don't know about this... I want to be back on the vine... I don't think this is what it seems... There's a sign up ahead... Gertrude can you see what it says?
Gertrude: Well, ladies... Ummmm, it says "Please remove all jewelry."
[Dead Silence except for hummmm, hummmm...]
Gertrude: Well, I hate to tell you this ladies, but there's another sign up ahead.
Gila, Gwen, Gina, Ginny, Gabby, & Greta: I knew it...!! I knew it...!! This can't be good!!
[Loud-SPEAKER]: "It's conversion time...time to make a decision... All wine grapes to the right... All raisin grapes to the left... Time to make a decision... All wine grapes to the right... All raisin grapes to the left...
[Silence in the Bunch]
Chorus of voices: Which way do we go? What do we do? How do I get off... I want to go back! This ain't fair! I don't like this! We are gonna get crushed! We are all going to die!!
Gertrude: If you want to save your skin, you've got to go left into the hot, drying sun and become a raisin.
Gertrude: As for me, I choose to go right, into the Hand of the Master Vintner.
*
**
Many Months later... at Chateau Groom
**
Gertrude the Grape, Vintage 2010 (reflecting on her journey of becoming wine...):
So many things I didn't understand, and so many things that were rather terrifying, certainly surprising after the tender care of life in the vineyard. The sun, the good soil, the rains... You knew exactly the best conditions... You knew exactly the right time for the harvest. But none of us knew that the only way to make wine was for the grape, me, to be crushed! While moving down that conveyor belt to the crusher, I was tempted to go left and become a raisin! Were You rejoicing or grieving over each grape going to the crusher? It was so lonely as a single grape, but now I understand You couldn't make Wine from one grape, no matter how plump and sweet! We went into the crusher as single grapes, and came out, the juice, all flowing together to become Your Wine. Strange how the grapes that chose to be raisins always remain single. We lost our "skins", but the best parts all flowed together into your Vats to become Wine.
***
The Master WineMaker: The Year 2010 is a wonderful Vintage, Gertrude. So let the Feasting begin...!!
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