Questions for Ben Masada

IF_u_knew · Jan 30, 2009

(The answers from your earlier post are on the previous page... just wanted to share this while it was at the forefront of my mind)

So, I decided to take a break from working today and visit various conversations that I have going with people. I was quite shocked to see all the unsatisfied, discontented, "biting" and hurtful (not for me since there are very few people who have the power to make me flinch) comments flying left and right.

One conversation was going quite nicely.. with a couple of open minded Christians in fact; but today, not so much. So, after they clearly showed that I was wrong no matter what (though, not rudely mind you), I shut it down and thought I'd come here... bitterness and ignorance and so, off to the next.. I have a great fondness for the people involved in the next discussion.

As I had hoped, several of the ones that make me feel when I get to exchange thoughts and ideas with them were in the midst of a discussion about whether or not the "Old Testament" G.d and the New Testament god were really one in the same.

:sad:Just a bunch of comments blaming the G.d spoken of in the Tanakh for all the problems in the world and in their life. It is not so much that it hurts Him I guess, but it does hurt me considering I know He is anything like what so many people claim He is.. they don't even bother trying to get to know Him. They have take all the beauty and manipulate it into ugliness. The love that my heart rejoices in is displayed before me as though it were garbage. :sad4: (.. not really crying..) It just gets so dark here sometimes.
Anyway, I was not going to bother even saying anything in the last discussion, but one very smart young man whose writings are generally thought provoking had posted and it caught my eye as it was unusual for him. There was great hatred and anger toward G.d.. vicious attacking.

I kind of just poured out the following w/out even really thinking about it as I wrote it. Just wanted to say my peace and go outside for a bit to enjoy the "lovely" Day (it is actually cloudy and cold, but still.. just better to be in the midst of His creation than to continue to acknowledge the hate and bitterness).

Anyway, what I wrote: Death is not a flaw in my personal opinion. It is natural... otherwise how could creation continue to evolve... the earth would either get overpopulated or a bunch of the same people would be stuck here indefinitely and with nothing new to bring into the world (no new life if death ceases to be a natural part of the life process), things would grow stale and boring.
Everyone misses the brilliance while they are so busy complaining and blaming Him as if they could do any better. Good luck! Mankind is one ** of a stubborn and prideful species and it is a wonder He has put up with us and our haughty attitudes for so long. The world does not revolve around us... either take place in LIFE and the creation process so that you will be too busy to complain and blame your Creator or accept that you're wasting space and blame no one but your own self for the destruction of your own hands. And I will be taking my own great advice. I am going to enjoy the Day!

And so that is what I did... and as I was walking and enjoying my spot on this planet, it kind of hit me that I do feel that way, Ben... about death.
The following is something you asked that I never answered because until now, I could not.. I knew it, but I did not understand it.
[FONT=&quot]Ben: Well, there is evil in the world. It doesn't mean though that man was not created "almost" perfect as a man. The almost being explained for the fact that[/FONT][FONT=&quot] man has to die. Would you agree that death is an imperfection in man? [/FONT]About the only thing that I knew when you asked me this, is that the part where you said "The almost being explained for the fact that man has to die" jumped out at me as having signifigance in understanding the question (though I may be way off from your view point haha).

So, my answer is that yes, I agree death is an imperfection *IN MAN*... and although purposely created as such, not a flaw on the part of G.d by any means and now, having tasted (not even a bit) of His knowledge, I can't imagine that it was executed without a purpose (the whole "set up").

Most choose to blame G.d and complain about their relatively short time here while they say they want knowledge; but the more one hides behind their false securities and resentment, the more they close themselves off from that Knowledge... and if they do that (never grow or learn), then death seems to me to be a rather merciful end to what they have declared as an unfit existence on an unfit planet made by an unfit G.d. Yup, I'd say that the process makes a lot of sense, no?

As for the rest, there is obviously a reason for that drive/push/pull (whatever you want to call it) to seek after the knowledge.. and for those enjoying and learning from the experience and seeking to make differences in their lives and those around them.. after having caught a glimpse of the light of the infinite Brilliance, it stands to reason that their is a purpose for more than this.. and really, I am quite sure of it. Though, I enjoy this learning process very much... even the "downs" as much as if not more than the "ups" for that is when the floods of understanding pour out.
Proverbs 9: 6 Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding. <---- Must remember this pearl of wisdom... that sometimes they just don't want to know and it is their choice to live foolishly. G.d help us all if the trend continues!

Anyway, sorry for the ramble... just that question immediately came to my mind and I finally had answer; if not the "right" one, at least an attempt at an answer.

I hope you are doing well, Ben.

IF_u_knew · Feb 1, 2009

Deuteronomy 32:33-35
33 Their wine is the poison of dragons, and the cruel venom of asps.
34 Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures?
35 To me belongeth vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time:
for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.

Isaiah 48:
[FONT=&quot]6 Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, [/FONT][FONT=&quot]even hidden things[/FONT][FONT=&quot],[/FONT][FONT=&quot] and thou didst not know them[/FONT][FONT=&quot]. [/FONT]
7 "They are created now, and NOT from the beginning.."

Psalm 78
1 Give ear, O my people, to my law: incline your ears to the words of my mouth.
2 I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old:
3 Which we have heard and known, and our fathers have told us.
4 We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come the praises of the LORD, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done.
5 For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children:
6 That the generation to come might know them, even the children which should be born; who should arise and declare them to their children:
7 That they might set their hope in God, and not forget the works of God, but keep his commandments:
8 And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.

Isaiah 48:
16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.
Isaiah 49:
8 Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
9 That thou mayest say to the prisoners, Go forth; to them that are in darkness, Shew yourselves.

Isaiah 45:
2 I will go before thee, and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places, that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.
18 For thus saith the LORD that created the heavens; God himself that formed the earth and made it; he hath established it, he created it not in vain, he formed it to be inhabited: I am the LORD; and there is none else.
19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
21 Tell ye, and bring them near; yea, let them take counsel together: who hath declared this from ancient time? who hath told it from that time? have not I the LORD? and there is no God else beside me; a just God and a Saviour; there is none beside me.

Dueteronomy 29
28 And the LORD rooted them out of their land in anger, and in wrath, and in great indignation, and cast them into another land, as it is this day.
29 The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law.

Job 4 (Dearest Ben):
3 Behold, thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands.
4 Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees.
5 But now it is come upon thee, and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled.
6 Is not this thy fear, thy confidence, thy hope, and the uprightness of thy ways?

*what I am saying*
11The old lion perisheth for lack of prey, and the stout lion's whelps are scattered abroad.
12 Now a thing was secretly brought to me, and mine ear received a little thereof.
13 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men,
14 Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake.
15 Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up:
16 It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice
Psalm 25:
12 What man is he that feareth the LORD? him shall he teach in the way that he shall choose.
13 His soul shall dwell at ease; and his seed shall inherit the earth.
14 The secret of the LORD is with them that fear him; and he will shew them his covenant.
15 Mine eyes are ever toward the LORD; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net.

Psalm 40(?).. I forgot the reference .. will look it up and post later:
20 If we have forgotten the name of our God, or stretched out our hands to a strange god;
21 Shall not God search this out? for he knoweth the secrets of the heart.
22 Yea, for thy sake are we killed all the day long; we are counted as sheep for the slaughter.
Psalm 139:
15 My substance was not hid from thee, when I was made in secret, and curiously wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.
16 Thine eyes did see my substance, yet being unperfect
Isaiah 52:
10 The LORD hath made bare his holy arm in the eyes of all the nations; and all the ends of the earth shall see the salvation of our God. 13 Behold, my servant shall deal prudently, he shall be exalted and extolled, and be very high.
14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:
15 So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider. <--- I wonder if ever.. before He rightfully just wipes His hands (???)

It is all here. HE (not me) declared it. He declared it from the beginning.
Isaiah 54:
7 For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercies will I gather thee.
8 In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the LORD thy Redeemer.
9 For this is as the waters of Noah unto me: for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth; so have I sworn that I would not be wroth with thee, nor rebuke thee.
10 For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed; but my kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the covenant of my peace be removed, saith the LORD that hath mercy on thee.
13 And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD; and great shall be the peace of thy children. (Ps 31:19 Oh how great is thy goodness, which thou hast laid up for them that fear thee; which thou hast wrought for them that trust in thee before the sons of men! 20 Thou shalt hide them (His goodness) in the secret of thy presence from the pride of man: thou shalt keep them secretly in a pavilion from the strife of tongues.)<-- see, He hid His goodness! But no more for those who trust Him!

14 In righteousness shalt thou be established: thou shalt be far from oppression; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee.

IF_u_knew · Feb 2, 2009

Hope you are okay. My thoughts were consumed and so, I release!
Isaiah 53:
1 Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? (no one yet *sighs*)
2 For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. <--- Time to see with the heart what G.d says and not eyes.
3 He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
8 He was taken from prison and from judgment: and who shall declare his generation? for he was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of my people was he stricken.
11 He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many... <-- also remains to be seen. We have a soul now born through affliction; and I am here to share that with the children of my Father and it *would* bring great joy, yet they are still stuck on vs 2; in their pride. One can only be justified through the knowledge we have if they actually *listen* to the knowledge we have. =)~

I Samuel 3:
21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD. (You can see I am abiding by Isaiah 8:20; not hard, since He laid it out that carefully and precise.)

2 Samuel 7:
21 For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things to make thy servant know them.
22 Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, neither is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. (Great barely touches it, LORD!)
23 And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods?
24 For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee for ever: and thou, LORD, art become their God.
25 And now, O LORD God,the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it for ever, and do as thou hast said.
26 And let thy name be magnified for ever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee.
27 For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee.
28 And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant.

Isaiah 40:
5 And the glory of the LORD shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it. (see, all the world will see all that is about to happen take place and it will be word for Word what is written and they will know.. but too late?)
6 The voice said, Cry. And he said, What shall I cry? All flesh is grass, and all the goodliness thereof is as the flower of the field:
7 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: because the spirit of the LORD bloweth upon it: surely the people is grass.
8 The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand for ever.
21 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth?
22 It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in:
25 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. (HA! not the pagan god!

)
26 Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth.
27 Why sayest thou, O Jacob, and speakest, O Israel, My way is hid from the LORD, and my judgment is passed over from my God?
28 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the LORD, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. Look BEN! See, He confirms it.. search HIS understanding!!
29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.
30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:
31 But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.
Isaiah 41:
13 For I the LORD thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.
14 Fear not, thou worm Jacob, and ye men of Israel; I will help thee, saith the LORD, and thy redeemer, the Holy One of Israel.

Zechariah 13:
9 And I will bring the third part through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and will try them as gold is tried: they shall call on my name, and I will hear them: I will say, It is my people: and they shall say, The LORD is my God.
Zechariah 11:
15 And the LORD said unto me, Take unto thee yet the instruments of a foolish shepherd.
16 For, lo, I will raise up a shepherd in the land, which shall not visit those that be cut off, neither shall seek the young one, nor heal that that is broken, nor feed that that standeth still: but he shall eat the flesh of the fat, and tear their claws in pieces.
17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened.

He gave me a name Ben... 2 nights I have had a dream and they were vivid though the only image I have in my head is a separation and in my ear was clearly said "Samuel' <-- not the name.. it was what I was to read, so Saturday being the 2nd time the dream came and knowing that time to read Samuel, that is what I did. Do you see it? In the first chapter and the first part of the second. I wept and wondered why I must submit myself to man when I have done so to G.d. He gives me proof to show that He clearly has claimed rights to me and what I learn! Is it my fault His children are prideful and not listening? Every one is waiting for the Messiah and I assure you, the Messiah is here; the Word of the LORD is here confirming Himself. He has spoken it all from the beginning and has not hid anything... He is creating what He spoke now. They don't see it... so, tell me, what does that say about the state of hearts? I am going to keep posting all these things when I get the opportunities. I will wear out the doormat of the one He brought me to until that man let's go of what man taught Him to see I His Truth!

Daniel 2:
21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:
22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
23I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

I say all this humbly before YOU Ben... however, It is right there! If they don't accept it, they are denying His Word. I answer to the One Who called me out and He declared it official in His Word. I am denying His work if I go through a Gentile's conversion.

IF_u_knew · Feb 2, 2009

Job 12 (Ben):
2 No doubt but ye are the people, and wisdom shall die with you.
3 But I have understanding as well as you; I am not inferior to you: yea, who knoweth not such things as these?
4 I am as one mocked of his neighbour, who calleth upon God, and he answereth him: the just upright man is laughed to scorn.
12 With the ancient is wisdom; and in length of days understanding.
13 With him is wisdom and strength, he hath counsel and understanding.
14 Behold, he breaketh down, and it cannot be built again: he shutteth up a man, and there can be no opening.
15 Behold, he withholdeth the waters, and they dry up: also he sendeth them out, and they overturn the earth.
16 With him is strength and wisdom: the deceived and the deceiver are his.
17 He leadeth counsellors away spoiled, and maketh the judges fools.
18 He looseth the bond of kings, and girdeth their loins with a girdle.
19 He leadeth princes away spoiled, and overthroweth the mighty.
20 He removeth away the speech of the trusty, and taketh away the understanding of the aged.
21 He poureth contempt upon princes, and weakeneth the strength of the mighty.
22 He discovereth deep things out of darkness, and bringeth out to light the shadow of death.
23 He increaseth the nations, and destroyeth them: he enlargeth the nations, and straiteneth them again.
24 He taketh away the heart of the chief of the people of the earth, and causeth them to wander in a wilderness where there is no way.
25 They grope in the dark without light, and he maketh them to stagger like a drunken man.
Job 13:
1 Lo, mine eye hath seen all this, mine ear hath heard and understood it.
2 What ye know, the same do I know also: I am not inferior unto you.
3 Surely I would speak to the Almighty, and I desire to reason with God.
4 But ye are forgers of lies, ye are all physicians of no value.
5 O that ye would altogether hold your peace! and it should be your wisdom.
6 Hear now my reasoning, and hearken to the pleadings of my lips.
7 Will ye speak wickedly for God? and talk deceitfully for him?
8 Will ye accept his person? will ye contend for God?
9 Is it good that he should search you out? or as one man mocketh another, do ye so mock him?
10 He will surely reprove you, if ye do secretly accept persons.
*Many a leader/rich person HAS BEEN accepted w/out question.. G.D DECLARED ME! it would be wrong of me to submit to them, period! Contend with G.d on that matter. He declared it and I have the proof!*
11 Shall not his excellency make you afraid? and his dread fall upon you?
12 Your remembrances are like unto ashes, your bodies to bodies of clay.
13 Hold your peace, let me alone, that I may speak, and let come on me what will.
15 Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him: but I will maintain mine own ways before him.
16He also shall be my salvation: for an hypocrite shall not come before him.
17 Hear diligently my speech, and my declaration with your ears.
18 Behold now, I have ordered my cause; I know that I shall be justified.
19 Who is he that will plead with me? for now, if I hold my tongue, I shall give up the ghost.
27 Thou puttest my feet also in the stocks, and lookest narrowly unto all my paths; thou settest a print upon the heels of my feet.
Do you not see the tremendous allegory drawn up in Job??

2 Samuel 22:
9 There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.
10 He bowed the heavens also, and came down; and darkness was under his feet.
28 And the afflicted people thou wilt save: but thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.
29 For thou art my lamp, O LORD: and the LORD will lighten my darkness.
30 For by thee I have run through a troop: by my God have I leaped over a wall.

Deuteronomy 4:
10 Specially the day that thou stoodest before the LORD thy God in Horeb, when the LORD said unto me, Gather me the people together, and I will make them hear my words, that they may learn to fear me all the days that they shall live upon the earth, and that they may teach their children.
11 And ye came near and stood under the mountain; and the mountain burned with fire unto the midst of heaven, with darkness, clouds, and thick darkness.
12 And the LORD spake unto you out of the midst of the fire: ye heard the voice of the words, but saw no similitude; only ye heard a voice. Get it yet Ben?
Deuteronomy 5:
22 These words the LORD spake unto all your assembly in the mount out of the midst of the fire, of the cloud, and of the thick darkness, with a great voice: and he added no more. And he wrote them in two tables of stone, and delivered them unto me.
23 And it came to pass, when ye heard the voice out of the midst of the darkness, (for the mountain did burn with fire,) that ye came near unto me.. (Also in Exodus 20)

I Samuel 2:
8 He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars of the earth are the LORD's, and he hath set the world upon them.
9 He will keep the feet of his saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail.
10 The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall he thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed.

Job 42:
7 And it was so, that after the LORD had spoken these words unto Job, the LORD said to Eliphaz the Temanite, My wrath is kindled against thee, and against thy two friends: for ye have not spoken of me the thing that is right, as my servant Job hath.
8 Therefore take unto you now seven bullocks and seven rams, and go to my servant Job, and offer up for yourselves a burnt offering; and my servant Job shall pray for you: for him will I accept: lest I deal with you after your folly, in that ye have not spoken of me the thing which is right, like my servant Job.
9 So Eliphaz the Temanite and Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite went, and did according as the LORD commanded them: the LORD also accepted Job.<---- The LORD accepted Him. Can you understand me Ben? *They* have not understanding. Their heart does not REALLY trust G.d, but rather their pride! My acceptance, He declared by His Word! And to say otherwise is to say that He, G.d, is wrong. I speak this humbly, but I would be defiant to submit to them. And Ben, I could use a friend on that side.
10 And the LORD turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends (and I do pray for those who are His children as well): also the LORD gave Job twice as much as he had before.
11 Then came there unto him all his brethren, and all his sisters, and all they that had been of his acquaintance before, and did eat bread with him in his house: and they bemoaned him, and comforted him over all the evil that the LORD had brought upon him: every man also gave him a piece of money, and every one an earring of gold.
12 So the LORD blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning.. (See, it will happen.. it is declared)

Isaiah 45:
19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.
20 Assemble yourselves and come; draw near together, ye that are escaped of the nations: they have no knowledge that set up the wood of their graven image, and pray unto a god that cannot save.
2 I will go before thee (He says He will go before me), and make the crooked places straight: I will break in pieces the gates of brass, and cut in sunder the bars of iron:
3 And I will give thee the treasures of darkness, and hidden riches of secret places,that thou mayest know that I, the LORD, which call thee by thy name, am the God of Israel.

So.. let's look at I Samuel .. considering He has made sure that I would KNOW it is Him, the LORD, who calls by MY name.

IF_u_knew · Feb 2, 2009

Isaiah 45:
19 I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain: I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right.

Isaiah 48:
3 I have declared the former things from the beginning; and they went forth out of my mouth, and I shewed them; I did them suddenly, and they came to pass.
6 Thou hast heard, see all this; and will not ye declare it? I have shewed thee new things from this time, even hidden things, and thou didst not know them.
7 They are created now, and not from the beginning; even before the day when thou heardest them not; lest thou shouldest say, Behold, I knew them.
15 I, even I, have spoken; yea, I have called him: I have brought him, and he shall make his way prosperous.
16 Come ye near unto me, hear ye this; I have not spoken in secret from the beginning; from the time that it was, there am I: and now the Lord GOD, and his Spirit, hath sent me.

All that is happening is here.. declared before you and He did it this way so that #1. I would have His Word to declare that I have been called out BY NAME BY HIM and that this does not need man's approval. #2. And MORE IMPORTANTLY, so that you, having been so well studied would know that it is HIM, the one True G.d who is moving; so that you would see His hand by the brilliant way He laid it out. This is Him. Your G.d and your Savior doing this; NOT by man's hands, but His hand! But not just you my dear Ben, the other children as well.. and I am not the only one in whom the LORD will declare.

I Samuel 1:
2 And he (Elkanah.. the Word of the LORD we both have been feeding on) had two wives; the name of the one was Hannah (grace, favor.. me), and the name of the other Peninnah (the ones who are recognized): and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children.
3. And this man went up out of his city yearly to worship and to sacrifice unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the priests of the LORD, were there.(note: they are called priests of the LORD, but as we find out, they are not... what I have been trying to tell you!)

4 And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he gave to Peninnah his wife, and to all her sons and her daughters, portions:
5 But unto Hannah he gave a worthy portion; for he loved Hannah: but the LORD had shut up her womb.
6 And her adversary also provoked her sore, for to make her fret, because the LORD had shut up her womb.
7 And as he did so year by year, when she went up to the house of the LORD, so she provoked her; therefore she wept, and did not eat. (just have no idea how much, Ben!)
8 Then said Elkanah her husband to her, Hannah, why weepest thou? and why eatest thou not? and why is thy heart grieved? am not I better to thee than ten sons?

(He has already accepted me. He has declared it. It is truth and I have shown you. I am not to go through the conversion process because He is teaching me. Who can teach me more than G.d? Who has more knowledge than He does? BUT...)

9 So Hannah rose up after they had eaten in Shiloh, and after they had drunk. Now Eli the priest sat upon a seat by a post of the temple of the LORD.
10 And she was in bitterness of soul, and prayed unto the LORD, and wept sore.

(Be thankful you will not ever know this kind of displacement, Ben. He says I can not submit because it is written plainly for just this purpose. It will be their pride that keeps them from seeing if they do not accept me as one of their own. Ben, trust me.. It would be nothing to go through what they would want to put me through after the begging and pleading, the affliction, the wall that G.d put between me and Him. That is why though Ben, that He will not allow them to take credit for His work and/or think their understanding is better than His. He, Himself, put me through tests that other converts will never have to go through; and in fact, neither have the sons and daughters that are recognized among one another. Until they accept me (and others that will come) in the way that is acceptable to Him (???), He will deal with them accordingly. This I know without a doubt. It is in His hands. I just show it.. what He will do when the children of His house turn their backs on me (us) is between them and their Father.. I wait on the LORD)

11 And she vowed a vow, and said, O LORD of hosts, if thou wilt indeed look on the affliction of thine handmaid, and remember me, and not forget thine handmaid, but wilt give unto thine handmaid a man child, then I will give him unto the LORD all the days of his life, and there shall no razor come upon his head.

My vow: (and I made this having no idea what I know now.. and this was right before being brought to you): "Afflict me if you must.. bring me low; bruise me; beat whatever it is out of me that you are so bent on seeing gone.. Please do not stop until you decide to draw me to you. If you stop and I do not understand, it will be worse than death." And I had wept sore for years... literally, not figuratively.

12 And it came to pass, as she continued praying before the LORD, that Eli marked her mouth. 13 Now Hannah, she spake in her heart; only her lips moved, but her voice was not heard: therefore Eli thought she had been drunken.
14 And Eli said unto her, How long wilt thou be drunken? put away thy wine from thee.
15 And Hannah answered and said, No, my lord, I am a woman of a sorrowful spirit: I have drunk neither wine nor strong drink, but have poured out my soul before the LORD.
16Count not thine handmaid for a daughter of Belial: for out of the abundance of my complaint and grief have I spoken hitherto.

This astounds me.. like my heart's words are displayed right here for all the world to read.

17 Then Eli answered and said, Go in peace: and the God of Israel grant thee thy petition that thou hast asked of him.

That was the night I opened the Bible straight to Ezekiel 16 and I understood in my heart for the first time ever. And you know, as afflicted as I was and even now (not soul wise though now... just waiting and anxious for G.d to do some housecleaning so myself and others will be welcomed, loved, and able to take part in the family in every way!), I would not trade places with a Jewish woman that is recognized even now... It was well worth it being thrown into this fire, torn down, and then personally built up, taught, and held up by Him.

18 And she said, Let thine handmaid find grace in thy sight. So the woman went her way, and did eat, and her countenance was no more sad.
19 And they rose up in the morning early, and worshipped before the LORD, and returned, and came to their house to Ramah: and Elkanah knew Hannah his wife; and the LORD remembered her.

And now I wait... for someone (other than those who hear me over hear and they know in their spirit that I speak the truth.. though even they are few and far between) to hear the Word and know that I do not speak this in my name. That I speak Truth in His Name. :sad:

IF_u_knew · Feb 2, 2009

[FONT=&quot]Isaiah 54:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]13[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]And all thy children shall be taught of the LORD[/FONT][FONT=&quot]; and great shall be the peace of thy children. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]14[/FONT] [FONT=&quot]In righteousness shalt thou be established: t[/FONT][FONT=&quot]hou shalt be far from oppression[/FONT][FONT=&quot]; for thou shalt not fear: and from terror; for it shall not come near thee. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Isaiah 46:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]10 [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done[/FONT][FONT=&quot], saying, [/FONT][FONT=&quot]My counsel shall stand[/FONT][FONT=&quot], and I will do all my pleasure:
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]
Job 21: [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2 Hear diligently my speech, and let this be your consolations. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]3 Suffer me that I may speak; and after that I have spoken, mock on. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]4 As for me, is my complaint to man? and if it were so, why should not my spirit be troubled? [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]5 Mark me, and be astonished, and lay your hand upon your mouth. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Isaiah 56:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]8 The Lord GOD, which gathereth the outcasts of Israel saith, Yet will I gather others to him, beside those that are gathered unto him. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]9 All ye beasts of the field, come to devour, yea, all ye beasts in the forest. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]10 His watchmen are blind: they are all ignorant, they are all dumb dogs, they cannot bark; sleeping, lying down, loving to slumber. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]11 Yea, they are greedy dogs which can never have enough, and they are shepherds that cannot understand: they all look to their own way, every one for his gain, from his quarter. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]12 Come ye, say they, I will fetch wine, and we will fill ourselves with strong drink; and to morrow shall be as this day, and much more abundant.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I think most of the true shepherds have fallen asleep or gone in the way of pride...
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]I had this one guy come to me with Isaiah 53 after another had asked me how it was not speaking of Jesus. I had not answered yet when this guy came to me and said "Look at what I saw." Ben, he had same reasoning that you did… and he is not religious, Jewish, or any of that but he knew that G.d had showed him and I knew that he was right. :yes:
[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Isaiah 57:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]1 The righteous perisheth, and no man layeth it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous is taken away from the evil to come. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2 He shall enter into peace: they shall rest in their beds, each one walking in his uprightness. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]3 But draw near hither, ye sons of the sorceress, the seed of the adulterer and the whore. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]4 Against whom do ye sport yourselves? against whom make ye a wide mouth, and draw out the tongue? are ye not children of transgression, a seed of falsehood. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]6 Among the smooth stones of the stream is thy portion; they, they are thy lot: even to them hast thou poured a drink offering, thou hast offered a meat offering. Should I receive comfort in these? [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]7 Upon a lofty and high mountain hast thou set thy bed: even thither wentest thou up to offer sacrifice. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]8 Behind the doors also and the posts hast thou set up thy remembrance: for thou hast discovered thyself to another than me, and art gone up; thou hast enlarged thy bed, and made thee a covenant with them; thou lovedst their bed where thou sawest it. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]9 And thou wentest to the king with ointment, and didst increase thy perfumes, and didst send thy messengers far off, and didst debase thyself even unto hell. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]10 Thou art wearied in the greatness of thy way; yet saidst thou not, There is no hope: thou hast found the life of thine hand; therefore thou wast not grieved. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]11 And of whom hast thou been afraid or feared, that thou hast lied, and hast not remembered me, nor laid it to thy heart? have not I held my peace even of old, and thou fearest me not? [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]12 I will declare thy righteousness, and thy works; for they shall not profit thee. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]13 When thou criest, let thy companies deliver thee; but the wind shall carry them all away; vanity shall take them: but he that putteth his trust in me shall possess the land, and shall inherit my holy mountain; [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]14 And shall say, Cast ye up, cast ye up, prepare the way, take up the stumblingblock out of the way of my people.[/FONT]
Could certainly use some Jewish people helping out with the above! :shout
[FONT=&quot]
Leviticus 19:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]13 Thou shalt not defraud thy neighbour, neither rob him: the wages of him that is hired shall not abide with thee all night until the morning. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]14 [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Thou shalt not curse the deaf, nor put a stumblingblock before the blind, but shalt fear thy God: I am the LORD.[/FONT][FONT=&quot](stands to reason that He gave these Laws for a very good reason!) [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]15 Ye shall do no unrighteousness in judgment: thou shalt not respect the person of the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty: but in righteousness shalt thou judge thy neighbour.[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]
Jeremiah 6:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]16 Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]17 Also I set watchmen over you, saying, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]18 Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what is among them. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]19 Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]21 Therefore thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]Ezekiel 14:[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]1 Then came certain of the elders of Israel unto me, and sat before me. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]2 [/FONT][FONT=&quot]And the word of the LORD came unto me, saying,[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]3 [/FONT][FONT=&quot]Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumblingblock of their iniquity before their face: should I be enquired of at all by them? [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]4 Therefore speak unto them, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Every man of the house of Israel that setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to the prophet; I the LORD will answer him that cometh according to the multitude of his idols; [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]5 That I may take the house of Israel in their own heart, because they are all estranged from me through their idols. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]6 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Repent, and turn yourselves from your idols; and turn away your faces from all your abominations. [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]7 For every one of the house of Israel, or of the stranger that sojourneth in Israel, which separateth himself from me, and setteth up his idols in his heart, and putteth the stumblingblock of his iniquity before his face, and cometh to a prophet to enquire of him concerning me; I the LORD will answer him by myself: [/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]8 And I will set my face against that man, and will make him a sign and a proverb, and I will cut him off from the midst of my people; and ye shall know that I am the LORD. [/FONT]

I am going to stop for now. I want to leave this positive. Isaiah 61:1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; 2 To proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn; 3 To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified. (Just hear the Word and you will see this is good news! ) Would rather hear Ben say I am a crazy lunatic than have to worry about him.

IF_u_knew · Feb 4, 2009

And what I see is found in Exodus 33: 23
And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

Ben: In view of what we have considered above about the incorporeality of God and allegorical references, what do you still make of "thou shalt see my back parts?"
or that "My face shall not be seen?" I have an opinion of my own but I would like to hear yours.

Daniel 1
7 Unto whom the prince of the eunuchs gave names: for he gave unto Daniel the name of Belteshazzar; and to Hananiah, of Shadrach; and to Mishael, of Meshach;
and to Azariah, of Abednego.

Daniel: "Judgment of G.d; G.d my judge"
Belteshazzar: "Who lays up treasures in secret"

(I Chronicles 3 is quite interesting considering "Hebron" means friendship...note: Daniel is born of Abigail ~ one of my favorite names!
No proof to say this is not allegorical.. and quite frankly, it is the picture drawn up that all connects to me)

Hananiah: grace; mercy; gift of the Lord
Shadrach: tender

I was shocked when I saw "Hananiah" because even though this was a story I grew up hearing, never did I ever take note of Hananiah...
and considering what I said about I Samuel, well, it just means alot which I will go more into detail here in a bit.

Mishael: who is asked for or lent
Meshach: that draws with force

Azariah: he that hears the Lord
Abednego: servant of light; shining

Pretty significant, no? The first names are the Hebrew and the 2nd are the ones given to them in Babylon....

Kind of takes all three of the latter to understand the meaning of the first, yes?

In Babylon the process would be: 1) knowing their are treasure that are laid up in secret 2) being tenderized by G.d 3) He draws with force
4) suddenly the light shines! Then comes the a sense of understanding.. thus the Hebrew names working the mirror image this time:
4) Hearing the Lord 3) Asking for understanding 2) being granted grace and mercy; and then1) back to square one:
TRULY understanding the judgment of the LORD because therein lies salvation!!!

Thus: Michael.... WHO (is) like unto G.D?!!

This is *the* process that I was put through... A-MAZED! :thud: When I saw this, I was astounded that yet MORE confirmation had been given to me.... now get this!
Daniel 2:
17 Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions:
18 That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon.
19 Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven.
20 Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
21 And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding:

22 He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him.
23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee:
for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.

Notice... He seeks their experience and then in the darkness in visions... understanding.. that is TO THE "T" how it happens! You have the message of ramblings I sent where I
told you that while I was going through these processes at the same time, in my head LITERALLY were images of where I came from. It just is.. the amazing truth, thus why
I can understand these things now.

So, obviously, these are "spirits" .... or rather wisdoms that are needed to understand the things of the LORD, no? I do not doubt it since the meaning of their names both
Babylonian/ Hebrew is the process I have gone through and now I am astounded by the things I am being shown at quickening pace!!

I have more evidence, though!

Daniel 3:
14 Nebuchadnezzar spake and said unto them, Is it true, O Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, do not ye serve my gods, nor worship the golden image which I have set up?
15 Now if ye be ready that at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, and dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and
worship the image which I have made; well: but if ye worship not, ye shall be cast the same hour into the midst of a burning fiery furnace; and who is that God that shall
deliver you out of my hands?(hehe.. yeah?)

16 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter.
17 If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king.
18 But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up.(how I feel.. do you see?)

19 Then was Nebuchadnezzar full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed against Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego: therefore he spake, and commanded
that they should heat the furnace one seven times more than it was wont to be heated.
(tsk tsk Neb! I will show this ... depending on if you ever come back *shrugs)
20 And he commanded the most mighty men that were in his army to bind Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, and to cast them into the burning fiery furnace.
21 Then these men were bound in their coats, their hosen, and their hats, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
(in other words, we are being shown this is an allegory by their "dressing up." Wise up)
22 Therefore because the king's commandment was urgent, and the furnace exceeding hot, the flames of the fire slew those men that took up Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
(urgent no doubt considering

)
23 And these three men, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, fell down bound into the midst of the burning fiery furnace.
24 Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire?
They answered and said unto the king, True, O king.
25 He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God.
So, who is the fourth?? The Son of man that loosed them and gave them peace? I know.. because the Son of man (understanding.. the Word) speaks comfort and peace to me as well...
though I know what I face, I am declared!

So, they said no, they were not going to worship the golden calf (just like I said I refused to worship a man despite all the pressure I was put under... that was when I was put
though the real fire... thus, the Son of man was understood and he spoke when I fell, broken, literally... and He has been speaking ever since.

Who is depicted as the Son of man? The whole of the 3 mentioned above which is depicted as a whole by the name of Michael aka the Word.. the Son of man that has been born
in affliction.

Daniel 9: 21 But I will shew thee that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and there is none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince.
(The understanding of the Comforter! He gives the correct knowledge to the judgements (Laws) of G.d... aka Daniel.)
11 And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent.
And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.
12 Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words
were heard, and I am come for thy words.

And thus, [FONT=&quot]23 I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.[/FONT]

All of this and all of the above posts barely even scratches the surface of the vasts amount of knowledge I have gained even since Friday. Will just trust that He is laying it heavy on my heart to post up here despite the lack of response. :yes: I showed you the passage that says I have no choice.

IF_u_knew · Feb 6, 2009

I very well could have offended, if so.. I am sorry. I just see so much going on and I know you said "live my life.." Trust me, I have little choice.. but it is constantly streaming through my head and sometimes it just all pours out. Luckily, it seems, no one (including you now) is even reading this thread.. You were not kidding about the thorns.. I just never thought it would be in this way. Kind of like being left alone to wonder.. Is He playing mind games with me; Cuz surely I would have thought you would understand me and explain to me what I am going through. Otherwise, why did He bring me to you?

Ben Masada · Feb 7, 2009

IF_u_knew said:
I very well could have offended, if so.. I am sorry. I just see so much going on and I know you said "live my life.." Trust me, I have little choice.. but it is constantly streaming through my head and sometimes it just all pours out. Luckily, it seems, no one (including you now) is even reading this thread.. You were not kidding about the thorns.. I just never thought it would be in this way. Kind of like being left alone to wonder.. Is He playing mind games with me; Cuz surely I would have thought you would understand me and explain to me what I am going through. Otherwise, why did He bring me to you?

Hi Katie,

I am back. My Lap Top got broken in a way that I could not fix it. I had to buy a new
one. I am sorry not only for that but for having given you the impression that you had hurt me. No, you couldn't. I am going to try to read your prior writings during this hiatus. And I'll do my best to answer your tasty posts.

Ben :sorry1:

Ben Masada · Feb 7, 2009

IF_u_knew said:
[FONT=&quot]Jeremiah 33[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]And what I see is found in Exodus 33: 23[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Ben: In view of what we have considered above about the incorporeality of God and allegorical references, what do you still make of "thou shalt see my back parts?" or that "My face shall not be seen?" I have an opinion of my own but I would like to hear yours.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]As far as what you are referring to, I can see how relationships between people could be the explanation for the above (assuming this is what you are meaning). However, I am made to see it regarding the words that we see in the pages of the Tanakh as well. Ben, I think you and I have two different views of this according to what He wants us as individuals to “see.” It is all I can figure because I can completely understand how you view things, and I actually view it the same way, but I view it more strongly in the words of the Tanakh and the connections that are being made without any effort on my part… I view it that way in the Word that He is speaking to me through the words on the pages. I can’t say why I see it that way, but I did ask to “see” it the way you view it because I wanted to understand… and what was shown to me is that we view Him the same way, but through different “means,” if that makes sense. Of course, you could be trying to pull out something different with the above verse and so I wait to hear what you have to say. [/FONT]

What I said above, about you not being too far from the Truth, applies also to this last paragraph as it refers to "seeing My back parts or My face" when speaking about God in answer to Moses. From reading your prolific posts, I can perceive you are gifted with the ability to see beyond the literal and through the allegories of the Scriptures. I share with Moses Maimonides the understanding that what happened to Moses was during a vision, when everything is possible; even for God to have back parts or face. On the other hand, but still within the vision, the metaphor of "back parts" implies understanding of how God works. I mean, the understanding of His creation, which was not denied to Moses. However, "His face," which I understand as God's essence, even to Moses was denied. The more we study about God, we will never be able to understand His essence.

Any different thoughts?

Ben:

IF_u_knew · Feb 7, 2009

Ben Masada said:
Hi Katie,

I am back. My Lap Top got broken in a way that I could not fix it. I had to buy a new
one. I am sorry not only for that but for having given you the impression that you had hurt me. No, you couldn't. I am going to try to read your prior writings during this hiatus. And I'll do my best to answer your tasty posts.

Ben :sorry1:

Please, you have nothing to be sorry to me about. I *was* very worried about you. Then I just panicked because I know you and the call you put out on behalf of G.d and so, I doubted myself for a bit there. :sad: It is good though and He showed me that He will make sure to keep me tender to His leading many times over.. so, that is what I meant when I said, I had no idea that the thorns would be like this. The path He is laying out is indeed very thorny.. and thus I continue to walk it knowingly now.

Ben Masada said:
Any different thoughts?

Ben:

Yes.. I have different thoughts on it now.. in quite a personal and "scary" but wonderful way..

Read the whole passage that I am posting... but again.. it is not then.. it is being created now as He said in Isaiah.. from the the foundation of the world.

Exodus 33:
12 And Moses said unto the LORD, See, thou sayest unto me, Bring up this people: and thou hast not let me know whom thou wilt send with me. Yet thou hast said, I know thee by name, and thou hast also found grace in my sight.
Again, this was *my* prayer almost word for word last night (minus the "thee's" and the "thou's") displayed before my eyes, though I had not noticed them until just now.. when I read your answer and went back and read the whole context again.
And Ben, He is doing this. Even my cousins and other relatives are suddenly coming out of the dark to me.. literally, not metaphorically.

It was as though they had fallen off the face of the earth to me and I had often grieved that my sister and my sons were the only family that I had before me. Now, *they* .. my extended family who I have grieved over because of having NO contact with for close to 15 years are gathering to me. And what is more astounding Ben, they come just like Jobs brothers and sisters came to him.. and they ARE speaking comfort to my sister and myself (this has literally been in the last week)... they are offering up their help to us (even though we did not ask or even tell them of the struggles we have been through).. and the more that come, the more my soul feels overwhelmed with love and gratefulness to my Father. (sorry... but I find it so amazing and to not share that with you seems wrong).

13 Now therefore, I pray thee, if I have found grace in thy sight, shew me now thy way, that I may know thee, that I may find grace in thy sight: and consider that this nation is thy people.
14 And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest.
15 And he said unto him, If thy presence go not with me, carry us not up hence.
16 For wherein shall it be known here that I and thy people have found grace in thy sight? is it not in that thou goest with us? so shall we be separated, I and thy people, from all the people that are upon the face of the earth.
(it is because I say these things to Him and then read it written plainly there as He said it would be in Isaiah that I know Him and know that *this* is Him.. He declared these things almost word for word Ben, before they happened.. and they are happening to us... so that we will KNOW and not doubt that HE ALONE is the ONLY G.d of Israel and of the whole earth)

17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name.
18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory.
19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.
What He is doing now...He is confirming to me through His grace and mercy and then causing my eyes to see that it is written out as it is happening.. from the foundation. He is making the way straight.. and Ben, it has been crooked for so long. I trust that I am not the only one here, either that must be just astounded and amazed that their long nights of desperate crying for Him has been met... in a way that we can not arguably declare it as another god.. it is HIM and the Love that He has shown through His brilliant plan to declare Himself is overwhelming.. It is overwhelming because it means, Ben, that He had me in His heart all along. :sad:That is a tremendous realization to come to. And I do not feel shame for those things in which I had done anymore because all He lets me see is my heart that longed for something real and secure.

20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live.
21And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock:
22 And it shall come to pass, while my glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the rock, and will cover thee with my hand while I pass by:
23 And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see my back parts: but my face shall not be seen.

And what I just poured out above... about not feeling shame because I see Him through my "heart"... that is what that verse means.

Listen to what is meant in Job when it is written, "..when I consider, I am afraid of him." Read Job 3. I do not lie when I say there was quite a bit of time at the beginning of last year, literally after having chunked the Bible across the room and shouting, " I am tired of trying to figure this out... I am sick of not knowing what to believe or who to trust.. I want the Truth as it is no matter HOW SCARY! I will not EVER settle for less! Throw me in hell, but I will not believe in something that I do not understand... I am not after security, I am after the Truth only!"..

Ben, it was such a pure cry from my heart that G.d answered.. I was my own Satan roaming to and fro across the earth looking for SOMEONE, ANYONE who was upright and had the truth... My heart is *of* G.d which is one of the daughters (sons) of G.d and we have always been able to approach Him.. just none of us have given G.d the okay to test our hearts (He is about free will, remember?).. but I did.. I was Satan saying test me.. test me and see if my heart is not true.. I am part of mankind in ignorance, but take the security of faith and materialism away and see if I won't prove to you that I am not searching the Truth for selfish reasons.

That prayer is no doubt attributed to Satan for a good reason because it was within that month that G.d complied and it was in a moment. I realized in a moment that I was exposed and it was the most frightening experience I never want to endure again. I realized I knew NOTHING... Here, me, esteemed among family and friends for being knowledgeable, charming, caring, etc... suddenly, i realized that I knew NOTHING! I literally seemed like a mad person and the conversation between my friends, sisters, and myself are written out there in Job. It was dreadful.. I could not eat, sleep, and quite often, I could not speak... but that is what I told them when they tried to comfort me... I WILL NOT BE A HYPOCRITE and settle for lies! My G.d .. it was exactly like that Ben.

But... I did not know yet if He existed during that time. I just knew I was exposed.. and that was His Right Hand covering me as His glory passed over me.

Then, glorious of Days! He removed His hand Ben and I could see Him through the my heart in the Tanakh, so clearly! And that is how He speaks to me! The Word is His voice and I hear it so clearly... I *see* His character and I know Him so intimately.. and the most amazing, real, and true Love is to know that He Loves me and always has so fiercely. I would give anything to make my family, my friends (who are my family), and others that are lost and feeling insecure see Him this way! This world is so far from Him... even the Jewish. I do not see you as being far from Him though.. your heart is very close to Him. It is the reason you were calling out in the dark.. for (on behalf of) Him.. and you were, weren't you Ben? :yes:

By the way, sorry about the long post (again), but you are the only person open to really hearing me right now.. thus, why our paths have met. He gave me to you so you could "hold my hand" through this. I am sorry I pour out so much, but again, this burden, though I would not trade it, is and will be tremendous and it is part of yours to share now. If He has not already, He will confirm it to you.

Oh.. and read through the whole of Job and you will have known EXACTLY what I went through all of last year. The part where G.d answers Job is right exactly at the time that He brought me to you.

IF_u_knew · Feb 7, 2009

Ben Masada said:
I share with Moses Maimonides the understanding that what happened to Moses was during a vision, when everything is possible; even for God to have back parts or face. On the other hand, but still within the vision, the metaphor of "back parts" implies understanding of how God works. I mean, the understanding of His creation, which was not denied to Moses. However, "His face," which I understand as God's essence, even to Moses was denied. The more we study about God, we will never be able to understand His essence.

I do concur with this whole heartedly. I walked away and was going about my business when I realized exactly what you are saying and have "seen" the creation process myself. Not being able to see His face, well it is much the same in that we are spirits... but we will never perceive what that is exactly. What led up to the "moment" of the glory of G.d might actually fascinate you as it will forever fascinate me.

G.d's process with me... the knowledge is given (through a vision) and though I do not understand it intelligently at first, I "see" it.. then it is confirmed outside of myself.. then the Understanding comes quite unexpectedly and it is like a puzzle being put together. Pieces of all this knowledge are now starting to fit in correctly, now that I know His Word and how He speaks in it.

Anyway, I was having these (what I called at the time for lack of another term since I did not understand where it was coming from or what it was) "information dumps"... meaning, out of nowhere (not long after the chunking of the Bible) I started having these amazing yet odd thoughts.. fantastical really. I had no words for what was being put in my head because it was far beyond my normal understandings.

Then, I saw the words and was amazed that these things I had never heard of, but understood within a week, was in fact a real branch of science; quantum physics.
Matter vs. anti matter. G.d is very real.. our spirits are very real... everything physical is an expression of this!! The creation process as we think of it physically, is merely an expression of the spiritual creation process.. understand? The creation process is ongoing... it dangerously teeters on the edge of being non existent though since it requires spiritual awareness... thus, it is necessary for friction, but when we are in danger of being spiritually dead and unaware, it threatens the safety of the physical expression.

Now.. there are those that know this... there are those who *are* seeking out of pride to cut us off from the spiritual (anti matter)..which is in essence G.d, believe it or not and thus, we can never see it and never fully understand it (but, they seek to understand it, they can not yet. BUt, He will allow them to as He allowed me to.. I most likely have more understanding than most of them at this moment..though, I do not seek to attempt what it is they are seeking to attempt.. I am FAR too afraid to go that route.. and think that G.d's ways are wise for sanity if nothing else lol Though understanding it, has allowed me access to G.ds voice in the Scriptures)... which, we are in essence ourselves, gods (though NOT G.D and not all "are" gods.. but a certain people are).. being physical expressions of Him and part of that creation process; but none of us can *BE* G.d.. and this is what is the urgency... it is truth. They seek to exalt themselves above G.d and G.d will give them what they want and then cut them off.. and I understand how, though I don't think I could explain that.. at least not yet. They seek their kingdom and their kingdom is death.. This is the "shadow of death"... but death would be being stuck in this permanently; cut off from G.d and from Life, no? To be controlled (which most are, they just do not know how they are and how they are actually choosing it).

It seems weird and strange... but it is truth and it has been shown to me through the Word now. Really... it is very much tumbling down the rabbit hole and it has driven many a man insane that have sought to understand without the careful guidance of G.d (which is why I can say I have seen His Right Hand, though I get "rebuked" by others for this). This is because they did so either for the sake of trying to feel secure in their own ways and those who do not go insane, it is because of their pride... and they are the sickness... and the insane... the opposite of Life.

Thus... imagine... why I felt sheer terror and felt overwhelmed and thought I had gone insane when in that moment, the glory of G.d passed over me (and this could not have happened had I not been put through the extreme friction and not going insane is in that I consented to going through it, with the right heart). And now, if you can at all understand on a surface level what I am saying, you can understand why I LOVE HIS Laws .. speaking of His Laws of Nature and how they were my path to salvation.. to Him and His Wisdom; and why it is of the utmost importance that people Love them and Respect them as well... for their OWN good!

Thus, His Laws for mankind.. speaking of the Laws "given" for Noah are also highly important and to be respected... they are these Laws put in place for common sense and mutual respect for one another and the creation around us.

His children.. the chosen are the ones who are to help in creation process as it is an ongoing process and requires an honest and careful guidance. It is mankind that creates through friction, thus, why He needs a people in whom He can entrust His TRUE judgments, both His Left Hand and His Right Hand to enact on the earth... so that mankind will always be able to maintain their place on the earth.

Do, you understand me Ben? It is why He put us through this process. To make us understand? It is the knowledge will save the many so that all can be saved... all of creation that is!

The Day of the LORD is the unveiling of His Glory (why the prophets went bonkers in many cases and to extremes.. they were driven insane). Though, I am not sure if it will be literal or mental?? But it will be because of this unveiling that Peace will come about. For those who have not this knowledge and understanding of G.d's Laws with an upright heart, they will awaken to everlasting contempt (insanity, and will be cast into the utter darkness.. which I understand but also can not explain) I know what that insanity feels like... I was saved and brought back up from that insanity by the hand of G.d and nothing less; and now have that knowledge. Though, I did not even fully understand it until just now as I was writing it.

There is really much more... but I really will wait for your response.. and do not worry about rushing. I will do my best to stay patient.

Oh.. and 17 Woe to the idol shepherd that leaveth the flock! the sword shall be upon his arm, and upon his right eye: his arm shall be clean dried up, and his right eye shall be utterly darkened. <--- the "one eye" is the Left eye.. the judgment.. this is Egypt... what we are living in here. The people perceive us to be free, and we are anything but.. though through their lusts, the people have chosen for this in seeking after their own selfish desires, which is insanity. This is the matter of the Kings! They were supposed to be responsible for keeping the balances of Justice equal and.. well, I could go on and on, but again. I should probably shut it up for now so as not to overwhelm you.. AGAIN! I just have so much Ben.. knowledge and understanding of it.

Ben Masada · Feb 8, 2009

IF_u_knew said:
[FONT=&quot]I apologize that the font is so [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Ben: Katie, did you read my thread on The Wedding of Jesus? It was from that research that I came to the conclusion that Jesus' beloved disciple was Mary Magdalene and not John. Christians do not understand that Jews, a religious Jew of the First Century, and still today, would never recommend his mother to a male disciple or a disciple to his mother. It would be too awkward and against Jewish religious Ethics. Since both, Mary his mother and Mary Magdalene were before the cross that afternoon, Jesus recommended his mother as Mary's mother, and the Magdalene as Mary's daughter. And John, where was he? Hiding behind locked doors[/FONT]
[FONT=&quot]together with the other disciples for fear that the Romans would come for them too.[/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]Yes, and I concurred with your line of thinking whole heartedly. It is something I had sensed prior to reading what your thread pertaining to the matter and I was very excited to see you having authored such a well thought out post. You laid out a very logical case for the idea thereby confirming what I had already sensed. Although here, despite the books on it (none of which I have read to be honest), to say that I know something (even by nature of reason) that could destroy the faith of the people in whose land I reside would certainly not show wisdom on my part. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]I am assuming I understood what you meant by what you had said, If Jesus had not had Mary Magdalene, I would call you his beloved disciple. It would stand to reason that Mary Magdalene, being his beloved, would have a very deep knowledge and understanding of the Word that was in Jesus, yes? Intimacy breeds familiarity. Familiarity is based on knowledge and her knowledge was firmly rooted in intimacy. Because of the knowledge based on the intimacy, the suffering of her beloved was understood, thus she was rooted to his side. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]As for John and the other disciples hiding for fear that the Romans would come for them too, it is understandable. There is only so much the physical stature of a man can do against a perceived army and it took a very deep love and understanding to be able to set that fear aside (or rather to not even acknowledge such a fear). That is where the strength of the woman exceeded the strength of the male. It is strength of deep love and understanding that brought Magdalene to the foot of the cross that dreadful day. Not many people recognize the strength of love she felt for *her* beloved in that act. It is both uplifting and heartbreaking to know what that act entailed. I doubt very much that the thought of being taken by the Romans was on her mind. To watch your beloved suffering and dying before your eyes and not being able to stop it would certainly be an excruciating thing to do. To leave her beloved to suffer alone was not an option. She (must have) felt very helpless, but she could not leave him. [/FONT]

[FONT=&quot]It really is an incredible show of love that has been left untouched, especially by the Christians and understandably so (how could they understand something so profound?). It is easier to hold on to a faith that is perceived but comfortable (exampled by the disciples hiding behind locked doors) than to let go of the falsely perceived safety to find the truth. Mary Magdalenes truth was based in love and it was rooted so deeply that she stood by Jesus without question until the end. Though others may not see this and though you may be trying to draw out a different point in what you said, this is what I saw in your declaration. It is something I understand quite intimately. I heard a call to my heart that I recognized and I left the perceived safety to find where the call was coming from. There was not an option r me because I knew and know that at the end of that call I would find my love. The quote that you had asked me about last week has very much to do with what I feel (sense). [/FONT]

Hi Katie!

What a beautiful post Katie, this about the beloved disciple! If I had any doubt, it
would be all clear by now after this gorgeous dissertation of yours about the female feeling for her beloved incarnated in Mary Magdalene.

Ben: :bow::bow:

IF_u_knew · Feb 8, 2009

You have asked me several times over what I thought of this passage... and that you took particular note of it. I have seen that you are right, but now it leaves me wondering again.

Psalm 78:
67 Moreover he refused the tabernacle of Joseph, and chose not the tribe of Ephraim:
68 But chose the tribe of Judah, the mount Zion which he loved.
69 And he built his sanctuary like high palaces, like the earth which he hath established for ever.

This is because they fell for the lie which He (the LORD) allowed, right (spoken of by the prophets)? He gave them over to what it is they want... to worship their own image. And it is their own image that will ultimately be their downfall. They are choosing to be rejected ultimately because they loved their image rather than Truth.

Because of Deuteronomy 27? They cursed themselves, yes?

It is hard to see them, Ben. :sad: And to know there is nothing I can do. I will make a confession, as it is nothing to confess in front of man when my heart is already known by G.d. I loathe them (their leaders). I know the people choose it ultimately... but, well... they "milk" them with the trials and tribulations and then get "high" and profit off of the void the people feel in their hearts and express through emotions... Just like the Word says. Does that mean I hate G.d? Because I do not feel anger toward Him, but I know that He caused it because it is what they wanted... and I understand that; really.. in the essence of that, it honestly is the show of True Love (though, I am not sure most would understand how). But I really am still angry that those who know what they are doing laugh at them.. and right in front of their faces as they are being deceived. Just very hard to see and overwhelming.

It seems clear that they were the valued vessels from the house of the LORD that the wine is being drunk out of by the kings and princes, spoken of in Daniel 5. I read it and immediately remembered the things that I had seen and I got sick.. physically ill. I still feel ill. :sad:And Deuteronomy 28 and 29 clearly speaks this.. that they would return to the gods and pervert G.d's ways.

I received Deuteronomy 30 on November 5th, 2008 from someone who said they did not read it, just felt the urgency to give it to me..specifically for me. I read it, and in my heart, I knew. Abandon the gods.. and I took this to mean as the leaders as well.. just what I sensed. It just seemed that trusting no man other than who G.d would bring was of high importance. And so, I agreed. Though, I had before, it seemed this time, I was making that decision knowingly. So.. who am I? If I am not them because I was never able to be deceived (though, I did pay lip service at times when I was young and ignorant..and I was always scolded for continuing to get "saved" because it never felt right the first, second, third, etc times).. where do I belong? Is it really possible that G.d would give someone such intimate knowledge of His Word that they could not be deceived the way most are if they were no one and not part of anything? I LOVE HIM and the way He speaks and I love His Laws for they are brilliant and perfect... but, well.. I do not mean to sound selfish or ungrateful for I will do whatever He leads me to do and I will do with the same grateful and very heartfelt passion of David.. but I see me all throughout the Scriptures and the words that I have prayed and my life.. there, written; and if I do not belong to His children, then what do I belong to here? Where am I headed, I guess is what I am asking? Why is it that I *was* guided from the beginning of my memory (which, as I have stated.. I astound even my parents for I remember certain of moments when I was still a baby... yes.. and they were moments where I felt that intimate love and warmth)? I just thought I was *this* and now I see that *this* is cursed, and I KNOW I am not.. so, I wonder.. where do I belong? I sense that I belong somewhere and what I thought it was, does not seem to be the case now. Does it matter in my obedience to Him? No... not at all. My heart is overwhelmed with Love for Him.. but, still.. I wonder, why would He even think of me and trust me before I even knew of Him. What would have given Him that notion of me, considering we have free will? To invest that into one person who is no one seems an awful lot to invest.

Also, another question... when Jesus came to the house of Israel, it was in essence, a part of the curse, wasn't it? Because they worshiped the image, rather than searching the words to find and "hear" the parts that was the Word of the LORD speaking. I honestly have no basis for that thought, it is just there.. has been all day. I guess in that very real sense, I would be like the beloved disciple.. in that I KNEW the Word of the LORD so well before I was even aware of it, that it enabled me to sense the lies that were being fed to me. It was something deeper than the surface that was calling to me... but that "knowing" came from somewhere and since I have always been sensitive to it, when did I receive that *knowing* .. that intimate kind of knowing? Do you understand what I am asking you? where did I come from and more importantly, where am I going? *sighs*.. I know.. I am frustrating.. all the more reason I wonder.

IF_u_knew · Feb 8, 2009

Sorry, but I have another question.... what is the significance of this. I know there is..

Genesis 8:
6And it came to pass at the end of forty days, that Noah opened the window of the ark which he had made:
7And he sent forth a raven, which went forth to and fro, until the waters were dried up from off the earth.
8Also he sent forth a dove from him, to see if the waters were abated from off the face of the ground;
9But the dove found no rest for the sole of her foot, and she returned unto him into the ark, for the waters were on the face of the whole earth: then he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark.
10And he stayed yet other seven days; and again he sent forth the dove out of the ark;
11And the dove came in to him in the evening; and, lo, in her mouth was an olive leaf pluckt off: so Noah knew that the waters were abated from off the earth.
12And he stayed yet other seven days; and sent forth the dove; which returned not again unto him any more.

I know this is allegorical. I know because of the raven being sent to roam to and fro until the waters (also allegorical.. I know this has something to do with the "birthing" process because it is all over the Tanakh) dried up.

Also, I know the Dove is allegorical because of the usage of "no rest for the sole of her foot"... that is not speaking of a bird. Then she comes back to the ark and this strikes me, "he put forth his hand, and took her, and pulled her in unto him into the ark" and then they wait another 7 days (hmm.. ) and it was not until the 3rd time that he sent out the dove did she not come back.

Where did they go?

The Raven is considered one of the fowl that is considered

And then in Job 38, "41Who provideth for the raven his food? when his young ones cry unto God, they wander for lack of meat."

Isaiah 34

And then most significant:

Song of Solomon: 5:

10 My beloved is white and ruddy, the chiefest among ten thousand.
11 His head is as the most fine gold, his locks are bushy, and black as a raven.
12 His eyes are as the eyes of doves by the rivers of waters, washed with milk, and fitly set.
16 His mouth is most sweet: yea, he is altogether lovely. This is my beloved, and this is my friend, O daughters of Jerusalem. :drool:
(threw in the last one because it is very true).

and this is all truth..
6 I opened to my beloved; but my beloved had withdrawn himself, and was gone: my soul failed when he spake: I sought him, but I could not find him; I called him, but he gave me no answer.
7 The watchmen that went about the city found me, they smote me, they wounded me; the keepers of the walls took away my veil from me.
8 I charge you, O daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my beloved, that ye tell him, that I am sick of love.
9 What is thy beloved more than another beloved, O thou fairest among women? what is thy beloved more than another beloved, that thou dost so charge us?

Yes.. yes.. yes... and they just do not understand.

Psalm 68:
11 The Lord gave the word: great was the company of those that published it.
12 Kings of armies did flee apace: and she that tarried at home divided the spoil.(significant, no?)
13 Though ye have lien among the pots (the children?), yet shall ye be as the wings of a dove covered with silver, and her feathers with yellow gold.
14 When the Almighty scattered kings in it, it was white as snow in Salmon.

Song of Solomon 2.. I would pick out just the context, but really, the words are quite significant to me on such a deep level.

Song of Solomon 5:2
Song of Solomon 6:8-10
Isaiah 39 and 40: 1-10 (*shrugs* just came across it when I was looking up the Dove references and it seemed significant)
Jeremiah 48:27-29 (sounds like the passage in Genesis 8.. the hole.. no? )
Hosea 7:10-12 so, this again makes me question.. well, me.

And then, of course, if Jesus is representative of the Word of the LORD, then the Spirit like a dove descending from heaven upon him is much like the picture in Genesis 8 as well)

So?? The raven sounds like the Word if you ask me and the Dove sounds like the Spirit of the LORD.. jumped out at me considering.

(huh... and I was sitting here just thinking about what I wrote and I remembered something that I read a couple of weeks ago that just came to mind concerning the Raven.. I can not think right now where it is, but it is in Isaiah, and it says that the Word will not return back to Him... correct? something along those lines.. and the raven went out never to return and then the same thing with the Dove on the third flight out. a lot of similarities, no? .. also, the continued mention of the third story in the Tanakh.. intriguing, don't you think?)

Ben Masada · Feb 9, 2009

IF_u_knew said:
Sorry, but I have another question.... what is the significance of this. I know there is..

Genesis 8:

Hi Katie

This post of yours above is another of your beauties in terms of a superb allegorical
interpretation of the Scriptures. Your metaphorical insight about the raven that would go to and fro, as a symbol of the Word of God, and the dove that when she found a place to rest her "feet" returned no longer is something worthy reading more than once.

The raven that would go and return reminded me of the raven that fed Elijah in the East of the Jordan when there was a tremendous drought in Israel at the time of Ahab and Jezabel. (I Kings 17:1-60) Also an allegory, which I am sure you must already have an idea of the kind.

That was a time when the Word of God would not visit the Prophets because of the sin of the Land, due to Ahab's wife, a Pagan queen who was spreading idolatry in the
Land. The drought therefore was the absence of God's Word. Then, Elijah was ordered to leave Israel and go East of the Jordan, so that God's Word could be heard by him there. And what would bring him his food (God's Word) everyday in the morning and in the evening? Ravens. (I Kings 17:6)

So, while Noah was in the Ark, the raven would go and return to him in the Ark. God was taking care of him, as a symbol of man's first phase of life: Infancy. The dove would guarantee peace and direct protection, as was the phase of Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. When they found land and tree to rest their feet, time had arrived for Adam and Eve to leave the Garden of Eden and for Noah to leave the Ark
and fend for themselves: Adulthood, when we are responsible for our own pursuit of
peace and of God.

The Greeks also have something similar with the riddle of the Sphinx, about the animal that in the morning would walk on four, at midday on two legs, and in the evening on three. Many potential ones who tried to solve that riddle lost their lives because they could not think of man. All about man, whose crawling on four represents his infancy, on two legs to represent adulthood, and on three legs (two + the cane) to represent old-age.

In the Garden of Eden, the infancy reaches from their creation till the eating from the tree of knowledge, adulthood at the moment they ate from that tree and had to struggle in the greater world, and old age, a kind of return to infancy in their memory and nostalgia.

In the Ark, being infancy while land was still invisible, adulthood when the ark landed, and they had to fend for themselves again; and old age the time to revive the memories of the past.

Ben:

IF_u_knew · Feb 9, 2009

Ben Masada said:
What a beautiful post Katie

I meant to tell you thank you for saying this. That was very much written from my heart concerning how I feel about Him via His "unspoken" Word in the Tanakh. The pictures that come about from the words written is now, to me, His voice to my heart. Very intimate... secret. What very few people see, it seems. What I have shared here, with you, is only pieces of what I have been shown. It is hard holding it back sometimes, because I want to share what He gives me.. as it is a Testament to His Love for me.

It is strange the path that He guides me down to having these pictures develop. The most recent was the Dove/Raven allegory. It actually lead to knowledge that the feminine name for Noah comes from the verb, nua, which means shake, rattle, stagger, wander.. and what fascinated me even further is that this is the verb so beautifully depicting the movement of Hannah's lips when she was praying. The meaning of the feminine variation of "Noah" is "Lady Wanderer." ... I found that to be quite the Truth and very revealing to me of my heart, which He must know better than even I do; and it is peculiar that it is all there.. in His Word. I can doubt myself, but what is truly amazing is that He won't let me doubt Him and the Love He has for me. Why He loves me so, I do not know, but I embrace it wholly and my heart is taken over with love for Him.

Thank you, Ben.

Ben Masada · Feb 10, 2009

IF_u_knew said:
I meant to tell you thank you for saying this. That was very much written from my heart concerning how I feel about Him via His "unspoken" Word in the Tanakh. The pictures that come about from the words written is now, to me, His voice to my heart. Very intimate... secret. What very few people see, it seems. What I have shared here, with you, is only pieces of what I have been shown. It is hard holding it back sometimes, because I want to share what He gives me.. as it is a Testament to His Love for me.

It is strange the path that He guides me down to having these pictures develop. The most recent was the Dove/Raven allegory. It actually lead to knowledge that the feminine name for Noah comes from the verb, nua, which means shake, rattle, stagger, wander.. and what fascinated me even further is that this is the verb so beautifully depicting the movement of Hannah's lips when she was praying. The meaning of the feminine variation of "Noah" is "Lady Wanderer." ... I found that to be quite the Truth and very revealing to me of my heart, which He must know better than even I do; and it is peculiar that it is all there.. in His Word. I can doubt myself, but what is truly amazing is that He won't let me doubt Him and the Love He has for me. Why He loves me so, I do not know, but I embrace it wholly and my heart is taken over with love for Him.

Thank you, Ben.

One of the proofs why the Almighty loves you so resides in the prolific inspiration of your soul, which is translated in such pieces of poetic prose.

IF_u_knew · Feb 10, 2009

Ben Masada said:
One of the proofs why the Almighty loves you so resides in the prolific inspiration of your soul, which is translated in such pieces of poetic prose.

I got to read part of your lovely piece and then had to go tend to my son (who is sick); well, please share the rest. It was beautiful. You know... I can actually relate to that (the part I read). I actually can relate to it the opposite way though. I know I have something resting in me.. I just am not sure what yet and though I know how, I am not sure why I would be shown such precious favor. It is what others are drawn to.. and they draw from that and it always leaves me feeling dreadfully drained... and they always come back for more. So, I have learned to put up my walls with people. I do not lie. I know that what is in me is very special and it did not take long to realize that people will "rape" (sorry... no other way to describe that) it for all it is worth. So.. isolating myself, save my family and close friends who understand and know as well, has become ideal. I am quite blessed by the company He has surrounded me with :yes:

I know that there is a reason for it too Ben.. and that is where I wonder if I messed up... crying and praying for Him and mankind.. for so many years. I know that it will stay with me too, until I am gone; He specifically made this known (I know it is sounds crazy.. I think so too). Surely whatever this is, I am not worthy of. I know you are humanistic, but I am telling you the truth; and you are the closest I have to come to finding out what this is and where I am headed. It feels very heavy. :sad:

*In the other thread.. your most recent one, what I was referring to is that sometimes it feels like starving when all of G.d's children are so busy chasing after the one's who do not give a damn. I did not mean to offend, but well.. it is something to think about. The shepherds seem to want to tend to "mules"(not meant to offend), meanwhile, their sheep are lacking food and shelter (metaphorically speaking of course). Do not take that as I will not be held up (He has shown me that no matter dark it gets, when I feel that I cannot make it any further, His hand will pick me up for rest).. though it sometimes gets desperately lonely, I have been pressed low and am sure to go through it many times over.. but knowing what it feels like, well, seeing the flocks of others being tended to, it does hurt. I worry about the lambs of the flock mostly. They have a way of finding the flock... whether they stay with the flock depends largely upon the shepherds doing the guiding, no?"

IF_u_knew · Feb 10, 2009

Psalm 102

Questions for Ben Masada

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