EMMANUEL...THE SEED OF THE WOMAN

We will be looking at the Seed of the woman. 1st a little background. After the flood, one of Noah's three sons Shem would have a descendant: Abraham.  The Lord God made a Covenant with Abraham…it was a blood Covenant. This Covenant was passed to Isaac, Jacob and Jacob's 12 sons. Before Jacob (Israel) died, he gave prophesies to his sons.

Judah would be the tribe that the Seed of the woman would come from. (This is also the Tribe of Kings…King David…Soloman.etc.) The Lord made a Covenant with David about his kingdom. The Davidic Covenant…1 Chronicles 17:11-14. Jesus would establish David's throne forever.

THE SEED OF THE WOMAN

  Genesis 3:15 the first prophesy of the Coming Redeemer.

He would come from the tribe of Judah.  Genesis 49:8-12. Shiloh- Hebrew- shiyloh (shee-lo) Tranquil; Shiloh, an epithet of the Messiah. From a primary root: shalah (shaw-law.}" To be tranquil. Secure or successful. To be happy. Prosper. Be in safety" Such a peaceful Name…Shiloh...

How many times have we been in situations where we were upset and then Jesus comes and in the middle of everything He brings peace.

 When I was a teenager (probably 13 or 14). I had gone through a lot of trauma. I would not sleep with the rest of the family upstairs (We were staying in Mancos Colorado for the summer: my step dad had a job there.) My mother and I were in the local drugstore and there were was a rack of paperback books.  I still am in awe that I found a paperback book about Jesus. I read it every night, and as I think about it, it went along with the scriptures. (At the time I did not know the Word.)  I remember the woman in the story touched His garment.  In reading about Jesus, I had such peace.  The fear I had been fighting evaporated.  There is an old song and I'm not sure of the exact words but here goes…

When Jesus comes the tempters power is broken.

When Jesus comes all fear has passed away.

He takes the gloom and turns it into glory

.For all is changed when Jesus comes to stay.

He is our Shiloh…our security, our safety…our tranquility.

Ps 108: 8. The scepter will not pass away from the Tribe of Judah.

 Re. 5:1-10. John wept much because no one was found worthy to open the seven seals... One of the Elders told John not to weep. KJV: Behold, The Lion of the tribe of Judah has prevailed to open the book and to loose the seals thereof.  John looks (expecting a Lion) instead, in the midst of the throne and the elders, stood a Lamb, as it had been slain. The Lion of the tribe of Judah" prevailed "by being the Lamb that takes away the sin of the world. John 1:36…Behold the Lamb of God. .  I find it interesting that the Elder and John the Baptist both said…Behold!  "Behold" in the dictionary means "To observe. Look. See. View and watch." "Look to Jesus!" He is the Author and Finisher of our faith. Heb. 12:2.

Isaiah 9:6-7 unto us a Child is born. Unto us a Son is given. The government shall be upon His shoulder: His Name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father, and the Prince of Peace.

Notice that unto "us" a Child is born.  Unto "us" a Son is given. He was given for us. John 3:16 God so loved _______ that He gave His only begotten Son, when you believe in Him you will never perish but you will have everlasting life. (Put your name in the blank.)  He was given for you and me.  Incredible!

I found it interesting in Is.9 (that it says "His Name" and then gives us five Names. (Five is the number of grace.)

WONDERFUL the Hebrew word is Pele (peh-leh) "A miracle. Marvelous thing. Wonder (ful-fully). From a primary root - pala (paw-law) to be great. To separate. Distinguish. Wonderful. Accomplish. Arise. Hidden (remember this one, it goes with our next study) Things to high. Miracles perform. (Be, great, make) wonderful. Works. Wondrous."

What do you see in this word that speaks to your soul?

I noticed "to separate". He was separated from His Father.  2 Cor. 8:9.

Then Miracle…marvelous thing…What a wonder that God the Son would take on flesh and tabernacle (pitch His earthly tent) with us. The wonder that the Holy Spirit would put God as a Seed into a woman's womb.

COUNSELOR Ya'ats (yaw-ats) a primary root." To advise. To deliberate or resolve. Take advice. Consult (give-take), Counsel (or). Determine, devise, guide - purpose."

Here is our Counselor. 1 Cor. 1:30. "He is made unto "us" wisdom…"

THE MIGHTY GOD.  The Hebrew word Mighty is gibbowr (ghib-bore) "powerful, Warrior, Champion, Chief, excel, Giant, mighty (man-one.) Strong man, valiant man." From a primary root, "gabar". To be strong, "to prevail", confirm, be great, be mighty, put to more strength…strengthen, be stronger, be valiant, valiant man or warrior. "

We have looked at this Word before- God - El (we saw it in Elohim-Creator and Elyown- The Most High.) "Strength as mighty, especially the Almighty God. Mighty One. Power strong." This Name also came from a Hebrew word "ayil" which means "anything strong- strength - a ram. A strong support. An oak or strong tree.

What do you think when you see "ram" in this word?

(I immediately thought of the ram that was caught in the thicket for Abraham and Isaac. The Lord provided the ram for the sacrifice. (We will be looking at this closer when we look at the Names of Jehovah.) His Name here was "Jehovah Jireh" Gen 22:14…Abraham called the place Jehovah Jireh. As it is said to this day, in the mount of the Lord it shall be seen." It was in the mountain range of Moriah that Jesus died on the cross…the Lord provided the Ram.) The Lord will provide.-Jehovah Jireh.)

Here are two Names, Almighty God and Jehovah Jireh, together they have basically the same meaning. We have double Names for God that give us a strong, powerful explanation of Who Almighty God is.

THE EVERLASTING FATHER

Everlasting "ad"-duration, in the sense of advance or perpetuity. Eternity ever (lasting,-more) old, world without end. From the primary root adah (awdaw) to advance. Pass on or continue. "

Father - the Hebrew "Ab" (awb) Father. Chief. Patrimony, principal.

Having an everlasting Father is what I absolutely need. How about you?

Isn't it interesting that Jesus is the Everlasting Father?

THE PRINCE OF PEACE

Prince… Sar (sar) a head person (of rank or class) captain (that had rule). Chief (captain) General, Governor, Keeper, Lord, Master, Prince (ipal) ruler, Steward. To have (exercise, reflex, get) dominion. Make self a prince (bear) rule.

Peace - Shalom. Safe, well, happy, friendly, welfare. Health, prosperity, peace, friend, rest, safe (ly) welfare…all is well. To be safe in mind, body or estate. Completed.

Jesus is the Ruler of Peace!

Isaiah 7:14 The Lord Himself will give you a sign; Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son and shall call Him Name Immanuel. (God with us).

(I did not know until I looked in Strong's, Isaiah had a son named Immanuel).

  Jesus is our Immanuel.  He is with us.

  Luke 1:26-38. Names: Jesus. Called the Son of the Highest. The Holy Thing born to you shall be called the Son of God.

   Matthew 1:23. The fulfillment of the prophesy.

  Why was He called the Seed of the Woman? In conception the sperm of the man is the seed that fertilizes the egg of the woman.  But here we see the Seed of the woman. He did not come from a man. He was planted by the Holy Spirit in the womb of Mary. His blood was pure.  No sin.

We can not fathom the God of the universe becoming a Seed to be planted in Mary's womb. To become flesh and blood.  To grow in a womb for nine months.  To be born through the birth canal into this world as a vulnerable baby.  To place His life, His care into human hands.  What a wonder! He was the Word made flesh…Immanuel God with us.

He came as the Light of the World and He conquered darkness.

THE GARDEN…THE ARCHENEMY…THE FALL.

 Many years ago I was going through something and it concerned a loved one. The Lord said to me and I wrote it in my journal, "The enemy will always attack the seat of your affections.  He has come against you because you are the seat of My affection. If he can hurt you he hurts Me." (Thank God, the Lord always turns what the enemy means for harm, into good for us.)

Adam (man and woman) were the seat of God's affections.  He crowned them with His glory and honor. I have been watching Billie Brim on Kenneth Copeland this week (She wrote a book called "The Blood and the Glory".) She said man was literally crowned and covered with the Glory of God.

Let's read Genesis 3. I'm like Susan in Chronicles of Narnia…"He's a beaver he shouldn't be talking."  Well, he's a serpent and he shouldn't be talking!

Had she talked to this serpent before? She doesn't seem shocked he's there and he's talking.

The serpent uses the Word of God against her …mockingly…"Has God said?"

Vs. 4. The serpent calls Lord God a liar. And then makes it sound like God is holding out on her.

(Don't ever try to reason with the devil…he is cunning…just say, "It is written…"

Speak the blood of Jesus and tell him to get out of your garden!)

Remember, she is talking to the arch enemy of God.  She is made in the image of God. Within her is the Breathe of God. She has "The life", Communion with God.  He walks with her and man every evening in the garden. They live in the presence of God. They are in perfect communion. All her needs are met.

First she looked. And then she desired it. And then she ate. And gave it to her husband who was with her! And he ate it!   1 Timothy 2:14.  He was not deceived!

Adam, what is happening? You have dominion.  You know the Word of God is true. You know if you eat of this tree you will surely die.  What about your wife?  She's talking to a serpent…a little help would be appreciated here! A lot of spiritual authority…Dominion…would have protected both of you.

Adam. Adam…you ate the fruit! Why didn't you speak up?  Were you tongue tied…you who named all the animals?  Were you so enamored with this woman and concerned with what she would think of you? Beats me Adam, you could have saved us a lot of trouble!!! Now was not the time to be passive!!!!! Why didn't you yell "Get out of my garden!!!!?

As soon as they ate, their eyes were opened to the nakedness, and for the first time they felt "shame."  They tried to cover their nakedness. (Did the Glory of God lift off of them when they sinned?)

Now they heard the Voice of the Lord God as He walked in the garden in the cool of the day….The echo of these words ring through time…"Adam where are you?"

For the 1st time they hid themselves from the presence of the Lord. (Selah…pause and think.) vs. 10 for the 1st time they were afraid…they had never known fear.

Sin makes us afraid of God…it makes us hide…it brings us shame.

Vs. 11…Did you go against the "One" commandment I gave you?

Now comes the Blame Game. Vs. 12 the man said, "The woman You gave me…she gave me of the tree, and I did eat."  Not only is he blaming the woman but he is blaming God for giving her to him.

Vs. 13 the woman said, "The serpent deceived me, and I did eat.

Vs. 14. The Lord God never asks the serpent why he did what he did. He curses him. I have never heard a serpent make a sound have you? Like other animals have their own voice…like a meow or bark.   As far as I know serpents only hiss and rattle. The serpent is more cursed then every beast and he will crawl in the dust and eat dust all the days of his life.

Vs. 15 the first prophesy given for a Redeemer.  He would be the Seed of the woman; He would bruise (or crush) the head of the serpent and the serpent would bruise His heel.

Beth Moore from "Jesus the One and Only"…" As Jesus ascended the last thing the disciples saw were the scars on His feet.  Now God incarnate stepped off this planet with feet scarred and bruised. As God predicted, the ancient serpent struck Christ's heel, but on the Day He ascended, all things were under His feet. Jesus Christ walked the way of humanity so humanity could walk the Way of God. How beautiful the feet that bring good news."

Through a woman, a Redeemer would come.

I want to share a story with you.  When I was born my mother and I lived with her family in the small town of Magdalena, New Mexico (where I was born). We lived outside of town on a ranch…it was barren, dry and desolate.  My mother told me this story: she had me outside playing in a galvanized tub (one or two years old). She heard something and looked down and there was a rattlesnake shaking his rattle.  She screamed and my 4ft 11inch grandmother came out the screen door with a rifle and shot the head off that rattler. Yea Grandma!  She was a Hot Shot!  (Too bad she wasn't in the Garden).

(It's ok Grandma, Jesus crushed the serpents head.)

Vs. 16-19.  The woman's conception would be more painful and her desire would be unto her husband and he would rule over her.

Adam, because he had listened to the voice of his wife and eaten of the tree, the ground would be cursed. The ground was cursed because of Adam…it would bring forth thorns and thistles and he would have to toil by the sweat of his brow.

I still see this in our lives.  The woman is so concerned about relationships and the man is preoccupied in his work and how to make a living. The woman is trying to work on their marriage while the man is working on his job. The job usually is his 1st priority.

Vs. 20- 24.Adam changed the woman's name to Eve.

 Innocent blood is shed in order to cover their nakedness. To ensure they do not eat of the Tree of Life (Why didn't they before?) they are sent from the garden.  The Lord God did not want them to live in a sinful state forever.  Vs 24...  Lord God drove them out of the Garden of Eden. Cherubim's and a flaming sword guarded the garden so they could never return.

  They had lived in perfect harmony with their Lord God and each other. Now sin separated them from God and from each other. (I doubt there was much harmony.) Now they had a sinful nature to deal with and the consequences of their sin.

Paradise lost! Sin…shame…loss of glory…fears…the 1st painful memory and regret…

They were driven out into the earth of thorns and thistles. Their footsteps were blame, shame and regret.

Romans 3:23 "For all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God."

With the Lord God, the Most High, there is always hope.  He has a plan …a plan of redemption.  We know Him as Jesus Christ, the Savior….the Seed of the Woman…the

Hidden Mystery of God.

THE MOST HIGH

We  are going to take a journey back into ages past so we will have a foundation of what caused the fall in the garden.

 We are going to look at another name for God…"The Most High".  Elyown  (El-Yone.)    Notice just as Elohim begins with El so does Elyown…El…Strength. The Almighty -The Mighty One…Power…Strong. 

The Most High…Elyown…Elevation, the Supreme, Most High, Upper Most.

From the primary root Alah (aw-law) to ascend. Be High. Arise up. Break of day.

Exalt. Excel. Light. Perfect. Take up work. Restore. Spring up.

         Someone last week mentioned "protection". Let's look at the Most High God in Psalm 91.1-2. "Those who live in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. (We already saw the El (the beginning of Elohim and Elyown means "Almighty") and here is what we say "I will say of the Lord, He is my Refuge, and my Fortress, my God; in Him will I trust." (It was a revelation to me  could the Secret Place of the Most High be Jesus Christ?)  Our life is hidden in Christ in God. (Col. 3:3.)

The Lord reveals through the scriptures. I believe He reveals in Ezekiel 28…The Lord has taken up a lamentation upon the King of Tyrus but in vs. 12-19. I believe He begins giving us information about Lucifer, the anointed Cherub. We find out he was in Eden, the Garden of God, (I believe this Garden of Eden was in Heaven) Lucifer was upon the Holy Mountain of God and walked upon the stones of fire.  God created him beautiful…his pipes may mean he was musical.

Lucifer was perfect in his ways from the day the Most High God created him. Vs. 15 iniquity was found in him.  This is where evil began…this is the root of sin.

Iniquity in Hebrew "avon" (aw-von) perversity, moral evil, fault, iniquity, mischief, sin, punishment of iniquity. From a primary root- to crook, do amiss, bow down, make crooked, pervert, perverse, trouble, and turn and do wickedly, do wrong.

Lucifer was. Anointed…Hebrew mimshach- in the sense of expansion-outspread with outstretched wings- anointed.

He was a covering cherub - Hebrew - cakak (saw-kak) a primary root…to entwine as a screen. To fence in. Cover over. Protect. Defense. Defend, hedge in. Join together.

I think of the Cherubim's that covered the Ark of the Tabernacle. Their wings stretched over the Mercy Seat of God.

(It is interesting that when Lucifer …now Satan wanted to try Job…he told the Lord…I can't touch Job because You have him hedged in…protected. (Job 1:10.)

Lucifer in Hebrew …heylel (from a primary root halal)… in the sense of brightness…the morning star…to be clear (original of sound but usually of color) to shine (hence to make a show) to boast. To be clamorously foolish. To rave. To celebrate. Boast self. Command. To be mad against. Rage- renowned.

Vs. 17…his heart was lifted up because of his beauty, he corrupted his wisdom because of his brightness. The Lord cast him to the ground. He will destroy this angel…he fell from Heaven.

Isaiah 14. (If you read all of Isaiah 14 you will find out more about the enemy, even though the Lord's proverb is against the King of Babylon. Vs. 12 Talks about Lucifer's fall…he fell from Heaven to the ground. (Where is the ground?).  The only "ground" I know of is earth.

The reason for his fall is described more clearly here…vs. 15-17. He wanted to exalt his throne above the Stars of God. (Many times the word "Stars" are referring to Angels.)

He wanted to sit upon the Mount of the congregation on the side of the north.

Mount in Hebrew is "Har" a mountain range of hills…  Promotion.

 he wanted to promote himself.

Congregation in Hebrew is "mowed" an appointment. A fixed time or season. A festival. An assembly. The place of meeting. Synagogue.

Vs. 14 he wanted to be like the Most High. (he wanted to be God).

Lucifer had a choice…he had a will…I found five "I will's" in these verses...

I have heard sermons that said a Covering Cherub covered the Glory of God.  The Glory of the Most High God cast him out of heaven. The Glory of God is wonderful, but when Lucifer came against it,   the Glory of the Most High would have been so powerful…I believe it caused not only  Lucifer to fall but caused the universe to experience a tremendous cataclysm eruption (When I looked up cataclysm in the dictionary…" Any violent upheaval. A sudden and violent physical action producing changes in the earth's surface…floods…deluge.) Remember in Genesis one, when the Spirit brooded over the darkness of the deep. (The earth was in darkness and the deep was agitating waters.)

Luke 10:18 Jesus saw Satan (now his name is changed) fall as lightning from Heaven.

This was "Star Wars."  In Satan's rebellion he took a third of the angels with him.Rev. 12 1-11.  In verse 9 he is called the dragon, the old serpent (remember that one) called the devil and Satan.

So now his name is changed from Lucifer…to Satan. Hebrew (saw-tawn)" an opponent, the arch enemy of God. Adversary. From a primary root - to attack, accuse, adversary."

Lucifer fell from Light.  He fell from the presence and Glory of the Most High God.

He became full of darkness…no light at all (although he tries to present himself as an angel of light. 2 Cor 11:14.) Jesus said there is no truth in him at all. We can not even conceive of the depravity when separated from the Light and Presence of God.

Thank God, Jesus came as The Light and The Way, the Truth and the Life.

I looked up archenemy in the dictionary… (The regular Random College Dictionary) and it said "chief enemy - Satan.")

We have talked about how this fall could have been catastrophic to the universe. This last week on one of the learning channels I watched a program on how the moon was made. The scientist (a lady) said 4 billion years ago the earth was hit with another planet the size of the planet Mars. It hit at such an angle that it didn't destroy earth but knocked off a piece of earth that began circling our earth and became our moon. She actually talked about earth as two different earths (before the collision) and after. She said there were gigantic tidal waves on the earth. (Sound familiar…the Spirit of God moved over the face of the deep (The agitating waters). I found it very interesting.

 One scripture has always intrigued me and I'm not sure of the answer. It is talking about the Covenant God made with David and His Seed (which is Christ) shall endure forever. Ps 89:37" it shall be established for ever as the moon and as a faithful witness in heaven." I do know that the Hebrew calendar is a lunar calendar. I've always wondered why the moon is a faithful witness in the sky. . (Thanks for putting up with my musing here). Could the moon have been made from that eruption? When satan fell from Heaven?

GOD PREPARED A GARDEN

THE GARDEN OF EDEN AND WOMAN

Adam is now a living soul.  Soul in Hebrew is Nephesh (neh-fesh) a breathing creature. Have life. To breathe. To be breathed upon.

 Life is "Chay" ( khah-ee) Alive! Strong, life…a living thing.

      I find it interesting that though the fish, the birds, and the animals all had life; only Adam was the one that the Lord God breathed into his nostrils the breath of life and Adam became a living soul.

      It is also interesting that animals have their own communication…but mankind are the only ones who can "speak" in our communication. We can speak the Word of God.

(Elohim spoke creation into being.)

                                                                       

      Let's read Genesis 2:8-20.  vs. 8 and vs. 15.  Jehovah Elohim (Lord God) planted a garden eastward in Eden and put the man into the Garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. (Adam was the "Keeper" of the garden.)

     The Hebrew for Eden…"Eden (ay-den) the region of Adam's home. Pleasure, delight, delicate. (Eden was a delight and a pleasure.)"

    Adam had a relationship and intimacy with God. He had received his breath and life from Lord God.  There was nothing that separated him from his Creator.

 What would it be like to have no sin element to deal with? No family dysfunction.  No emotional or physical wounds.  No fear. No pain. Only openness and total trust in your Creator.

Relationship without hindrance.

   Vs. 9…In the middle of the garden Lord God placed the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil.  Vs. 16 But the Lord God warned Adam, "You may freely eat of the fruit of every tree in the garden …except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit you are sure to die."

     Life Application Study Bible footnotes: "The name of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil implies that evil had already occurred, if not in the garden, then at the time of Satan's fall."

LASB: "Why would God place a tree in the garden and then forbid Adam to eat from it? God wanted Adam to obey, but God gave Adam the freedom to choose.  Without choice Adam would have been like a prisoner, and his obedience would have been hollow.  The two trees provided an exercise in choice, with rewards for choosing to obey and sad consequences for choosing to disobey.  When you are faced with the choice, always choose to obey God."

What are your thoughts on this?

I find it interesting that Lord God never told him not to eat of the Tree of Life.

In Deut. 30-19 the Lord said to Israel " I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death. Blessing and cursing: therefore choose life that both you and your seed may live. Also read vs. 20.

When we choose to obey God, we are choosing life….for He is our life.

Gen 2:18- 23. Adam named all the animals but there was not found a mate for him.  In the King James version… it is called "help meet."  Hebrew "Ezer- (ay-zer) aid - help. To surround, protect, aid, help, succor.

Random house dictionary, "Succor…help, relief, aid, assistance.  A person or thing that gives help, relief, aid. Etc. To help or relieve in difficulty, need or distress. (British - succour." Run to help")

Meet (from King James) in Hebrew is the same word as help "Ezer".

What do you think of this identification of woman?

I found it interesting that she was to surround and protect.  I think of the nurturing nature of woman.  When you read Proverbs 31…the virtuous woman…Virtuous means in Hebrew…"War worthy"…it's the same word as valor.

Adam named all the animals but there was not a "help meet" for him. Vs. 18:  "The Lord God had said "It is not good that man should be alone." (vs.18)

Gen 2:21 so the Lord God caused the man to fall into a deep sleep.  While the man slept, the Lord God took out one of the man's ribs and closed up the opening.  Then the Lord God made a woman from the rib and He brought her to Adam.  

Read his reaction…he was pretty excited, and Adam called her "woman", because she was taken from man. (Joyce Meyers says Adam exclaimed "Wow-Man")

In chapter 1 of Genesis, from vs. 27 (KJV) I had looked up the Hebrew for "female" and as I look back I didn't even write it down. I told the Lord, "I don't like that word…it is too violent."

Female in Hebrew is neqebah ( nek-ay-baw.) female ( from the sexual form) female, woman from naqb ( naw-kab) a primary root; to puncture, literally to perforate, with more or less violence. With holes, pierce, strike through.

I received the revelation from Beth Moore's last study on "Jesus, the One and Only." "Many believe the spear wound in Jesus side pierced His heart.  The wound suggests the picture of the Bride of Christ.  His betrothed has come from His side like the first woman came from Adams. Not Jesus rib however…from His heart."

Adam was put into a deep sleep and out of his side came his rib, which became woman.

I said to the Lord, as I was studying this, "But Lord, Adam didn't have to feel it, he was put into a deep sleep.  Jesus had to suffer the pain of the piercing."  I heard in my heart, "No He didn't" and Psalm 22 came to my mind. Ps 22:20. "Deliver my soul from the sword; my Darling from the power of the dog." (Gentiles were called dogs by the Jewish people.)

 John 19:30-37.  Jesus was already dead when He was pierced with the sword. Blood and water came forth.

LASB: "These Romans were experienced soldiers.  They knew from many pervious crucifixions whether a man was dead or alive.  There was no question that Jesus was dead when they checked Him, so they decided not to break his legs as they had done to the other victims. Piercing His side and seeing the sudden flow of blood and water (indicating that the sac surrounding the heart and the heart itself had been pierced.) was further proof of His death. "

As I was thinking of the blood and the water I thought of three scriptures Heb. 9:14, 1 John 1:7, and Eph. 5;25 "Husbands, love your wives even as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself  for it; that He might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the Word. One more scripture: John 15:3.

(Two cleansings…The Blood of Christ and the Word of God.")

Out of the side of Adam came woman.  Out of the side of Christ came His Bride, the church.

When Michelle and I were talking about the water and the blood she said, "Blood and water are always present with a birth."  Jesus gave birth to His Bride.

There was one other person who would be pierced.  Luke 2: 34-35 Mary's very soul would be pierced.

Jesus bears the scars on His hands and feet and on His side. I wonder if Adam bore a scar on his side for the helper…the woman?

                                  The Cleansing Power of the Blood

In the Every Day Life Bible: (Joyce Meyer's Life Point): "Notice in 1 John 1; 9 we are told if we confess our sins to God, He will "continuously" cleanse us.  I believe this is the spiritual parallel to the way our physical blood continuously cleanses our body.  Our blood works for us all the time to keep us cleansed of all poison, and the blood of Jesus works all the time. continuously cleansing us from sin . There is power in the shed blood of Jesus Christ! You and I are continually cleansed, not just every once in awhile, but frequently and continuously. There is only one requirement on our part: we must freely admit that we have sinned and confess our sins. Be quick to repent. Do not try to hide anything from God. He will never reject you. He knows everything anyway, but repentance releases the power of His blood on your behalf and makes it effective in your life. Confess your sins and allow the blood of Jesus to cleanse you on a regular basis."

 Joseph Prince: " the more you believe that all your sins are forgiven by the blood of Jesus, the more you will become whole - body, soul, and spirit."

Once again from the Hebrew…nequaba- Female means "to puncture, literally to perforate, with more or less violence. With holes, pierce, strike (female was taken from Adam's side.  The Bride of Christ was birthed from His suffering and the piercing of His side. (The water and the blood.) (Female was taken from Adam's side.  The Bride of Christ was birthed from His suffering and the piercing of His side.                                                                                                                                                                                            

THE WONDER OF IT ALL

Watercolor by Gloria Phifer

THE BREATH OF LIFE.

A LIVING SOUL

The first four days Elohim made the earth habitable. Gen. 1:20-23 on day five He created fish and birds. Can you see the whales and dolphins jumping? The eagles, hawks, geese flying? The sparrows, hummingbirds, cardinals, and parrots…are filling the trees! Do you hear the chirping and the splashing?

Let's read Genesis 1:24-26.  On day six, Gen1:24  Elohim said let the earth produce every sort of animal…As someone who loves animals I would love to have seen the earth covered with all different kind of animals.  The earth was coming alive!

How do you picture the activity?  Can you hear the sounds?

 Can you hear the roar of the lion, the trumpet call of the elephant? Hoof beats of a herd of horses? The elk as he lifts his head and heralds his call to his mate?  The wonder of it all.

On day six Genesis 1:26 "Elohim said let Us make man in Our image after Our likeness.

Make (Hebrew -asah )(aw-saw) Accomplish, appoint, bear, bring forth, execute, fashion, furnish, govern, grant, labor, be occupied, warrior, work, man, yield, use.

What stands out to you in this Hebrew word for "make"?

Image...Hebrew- tselem ( tseh-lem) to shade, resemblance, a representative figure, and image.

Likeness - demuwth ( dem-ooth)  resemblance, model, shape, like fashion, likeness, manner, similitude, to compare, to resemble, liken, consider, compare, devise, think, be like, similitude's.

What are your thoughts on image and likeness?

I was taken with "A representative figure and resemblance"…I can't think of anyone I would rather resemble than God.

In chapter 1:26 "Let them have dominion." Dominion - Hebrew -radah (raw-daw) a prim root. To tread down, subjugate, specifically to crumble off.  To have dominion, prevail against, reign, bear, rule, make to rule, ruler over, take ruler ship.

            Wow! Man was made to rule; to have dominion.

What do the words "rule and dominion" mean to you?

I see responsibility.  A trust given to one. A responsibility to be a representative of the

Creator.  His trust, to use this responsibility in the right way.  This very day we bear His resemblance, His likeness, His dominion (through Christ). We have this trust to be a representative of our Creator. (There is a saying "To whom much is given, much is required.)

What are your thoughts on being a representative of the Godhead in this world?

            There are two things that stand out to me about what we just learned about Adam, he was a warrior and he had dominion.  But did he know he had an enemy? Did he know he was the "Keeper" of Eden? (Awe the mysteries of God.) I always have so many questions.

Let's read Genesis two: 3-8.

 God blessed the seventh day and set it apart and He rested. There is a Rest of God for our souls…when we get into the" I Am's "of Jesus…we will look at the finished work of Christ in whichwe  rest. In the Ten Commandments He commands mankind to have a Day of Rest. we rest.

This might be a good thought to meditate on this week…resting in the finished work of the cross.

Rest is Shabath (shaw-bath) to repose, desist from exertion, celebration, still.

            In verse four… Elohim becomes Lord God.  Jehovah Elohim (or haw-yaw. Elohim.)

He goes into greater depth on the creation of man.
Jehovah means Lord...Lord Elohim. Jehovah is a Covenant God. It is only when Genesis speaks of mankind that Elohim becomes...Jehovah Elohim.  Lord God.

Vs. 7 The Lord God formed man out of the dust of the ground…

Formed -Hebrew- yat-sar (yaw-tsar) squeezing into shape, to mold into a form, especially as a potter. To determine, earthen fashion, form, frame, make, potter, purpose, press.

 Have you ever felt that God is the potter and you are the clay?

Is. 64:8, Jeremiah 18:6, and, Revelation 2:27.

Man- Adam ( aw-dawm) ruddy, human being, mankind, person, to show blood in the face, flush or turn rosy, to be dyed red, ruddy.

Adam was made from dust - aphar (aw-fawr) dust (as powdered or gray) hence-clay -earth, mud, ashes, dust, earth, ground, mortar, powder, rubbish.

            As I was doing this study I had an experience with the Lord.  Perhaps because I am a visual person and learn visually I see in my minds eye as I study. I would like to share it with you.

            I was standing at a distance and I saw the Trinity, God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit.  Adam lay on the ground…all his systems were in place (he was a "Go" as they say when a shuttle is ready to launch into space…"It's a go") There was no life in Adam, because there was no breath.

            I approached (and remember that word, "approached") Father God. "Papa God (which is what I call Him) can you hold back the breath?  You know what this is going to cost the Godhead…what Jesus will have to endure if this breath is given. Can't we spare Jesus this suffering?"

            I approached Jesus, my Savior, my Best Friend, and my Lord. "Lord, do You have to give Adam breath…the suffering, the abuse, the cross. Lord, I don't want you to go through that." (I sound like Peter don't I)?

            I approached the Holy Spirit, my Helper, my Comforter, my Teacher, the One Who lives within my spirit. "Dear Holy Spirit could you hold back Your breath…you know the cost."

            Then I was at a distance again. Looking at the three of them. If the breath wasn't given then I would not be able to approach each one.  They would no longer be my God.  Papa God would not be my Papa.  Jesus would not be my Lord, Savior and Friend.  The Holy Spirit would not be my Teacher, Helper, Counselor, the One Who lives in my spirit.

And I would not Be.  I would have no being.

I saw that it would be a loss for the Godhead.  There would not be Gloria, there would not be you!  The breath had to be given. We were the price of that breath.  They longed for us.  In the foreknowledge of God (which is beyond my comprehension) they knew each one of us and we are Their Joy!  More then we long for that intimacy and fellowship with our God.  They longed for intimacy and fellowship with us and put the plan into place, before the foundation of the world: "The Lamb which was slain from the foundation of the world." Hebrews 12:2 "Looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith; Who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame and is set down at the Right Hand of the Throne of God." Oh God, the wonder of Your love for us. Let the Lord be praised!

Do you know you are His joy? God so loved......that He gave His Only Begotten Son that if.......
would believe in Him, you would not perish but have everlasting life. (Put your name in the spaces. That is the Love of God for you and me. He gave so we could live.

Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground and breathed into His nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.   NKJV "A living being."

AMP notes: The same chemical elements are found in man and animal life that are in the soil. This scientific fact was not known to man until recent times, but God was displaying it here.

Life Application Study Bible..." From the dust of the ground" implies that there is nothing fancy about the chemical elements making up our bodies. The body is a lifeless shell until God brings it alive with His "breath of life".  When God removes His life-giving breath, our bodies once again return to dust.  Our life and worth, therefore, come from God's Spirit.  In reality, our worth comes not from our achievements but from the God of the Universe, Who chooses to give us the mysterious and miraculous gift of life. Value life, as He does.