Abraham Lincoln

If I sound a bit grumpy its because I just spend two hours reading mans Sabbath theology. If I have learnt anything that is to stray away from fallacy. The early church has openly taken responsibility for the changing of the Sabbath day from the seventh day to the first. Little do they know and all the millions that follow, it is one big lie. You might say how is it a lie people all around the world enter through church doors every Sunday. Well gay partners are allowed to marry in some states now, but that doesn't mean that God recognizes it. God doesn't recognize common-law marriage either but many people do it. The hearts of many men will fail them. The strength, wisdom and wealth of man will also fail them. No man on the face of the earth, not yesterday, not today nor tomorrow has been given the authority to change what HASHEM has established. I am a Messianic Jew but don't think for a moment I follow this Lords day routine. What God sets apart has Holy cannot be removed. How is it that men and women can read what the early Roman church takes responsibility for, and not see it for what it really is. Persecution, persecution and persecution. Today the Roman church or Catholic Church is a billion strong. The second commandment is not to have any idols of any kind, especially in the image of any heavenly body. Hello. I'm worried about the salvation that so many think they carry around with them. Yes it is a gift. Yes it is grace. It is not do what you want. The church body just like our observant Jewish brothers have the task of picking up the bible for themselves and study. Yeshua said my people perish for a lack of knowledge. If trust comes from hearing you better know who you're listening to. 

Perhaps this is an issue of identity. Early second and third century Rome dictated by Constatine had no desire for the Jewish identity, and hence came a change to the weekly Sabbath. Jews and Gentile followers were being persecuted by the thousands just as in fifteenth century Spain. So what was one to do? Again I ask how is it no one in the church is speaking up. Rome is to busy following the Pope rather then God. We are not to bow to anyone but the Father in Heaven. The church has taken it upon itself to lead the blind to the spiritual gas chambers, and doesn't know it. Who's perfect not anyone Jew or Gentile but lets be honest, when will man stand up as many of our forefathers had and take a stand. This goes beyond hatred for the Jewish identity, it is ignorance. 

Please read your bibles starting with Genesis not John. Read it all. Digest it, allow it to manifest within your spirit.

Shalom.

Abraham Simpson aka el abuelo

 Several times in my life I have looked to Abraham for the great steps of faith he'd taken.  God calls him out among the people and makes a covenant with him, stating that through him, all nations will be blessed.  Later on, when called to make a sacrifice, Abraham takes his son Isaac up to be sacrificed to God.  His incredible faith and devotion has encouraged me throughout my own walk with Christ. 

 Perhaps because of my own recent confusion and attempts to figure out God, I read through his story in Genesis and began to see a completely different side of this Great Man of Faith. 

 I don't want to discredit the faith that Abraham does show.  Afterall, the writer of Hebrews highlights this faith as he exhorts those reading:

"Faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1)

Abraham was a man of great faith...but inevitably he was also a man...whose faith, at times, seemingly faltered. 

Confusion and impatience must have brewed in the heart of Abraham for several years.  God promised to Abraham descendents, yet even by the age of 75, he was without child.  Again the Lord promises to give Abram's descendents the land through which he passes.  Still no child.  Again, God tells Abraham, "KNOW FOR CERTAIN" (Gen 15:13) with regards to the fate of his descendents. 

Wait?  God, do you not see...Abram has NO children! 

Eventually, Abram and His wife discuss the matter, realizing that the Lord had prevented her from bearing children thus far, Abraham sleeps with Sarai's maid, Hagar.  Hagar bears Abram's first son, Ishmael. 

Regardless of the importance that is given to a "first son" in the ancient days, this was not the child God was planning to use.  Over 20 years after he first made His promise to Abraham, God finally gives them a child, through Sarah.  His name is Isaac and he became the descendent through which the covenant would continue on.  

Yes, Abraham is a man of faith, but Abraham also had his moments of little faith in the Lord.  Thinking about these lapses has led me to marinate on the idea of control.  God promises his followers a life of blessing and purpose (Jer. 29:11).  We may pursue God out of faith, we may fight for God's will in our lives, but there is something that happens when God's hand is seemingly still.  When waiting ensues, or when God's timeline seems much slower than ours we begin to take things into our own control.  We walk in faith, but fear causes us to, in the middle of that faith journey, do or not do things that we could be trusting God for.  In the same way, we look and we wait and inevitably we find ourselves taking things into our own hands.  Just as with Abram and Hagar, we try to manipulate and control the situation - we try to complete God's purposes in our own way, on our own time...in all reality that rarely works!

It's so easy to jump in and try to make things happen...waiting and walking in faith is hardly easy, but we mustn't forget that God is going to do what he wants to do...we just need to let go and let him do it.

Lord, I confess to you that so often I jump in and try to force your hand to move.  I confess that so often I doubt your promises...especially when you don't work according to my timeline.  God please help me with this impatience.  I want to wait on you and I don't want to force things...your ways are right and pure and your timing is perfect...in all that I do, please help me to wait on you.  I thank you for this faith journey that I walk even today.  please continue to help me trust and have faith in your love. Amen 

Here is a small extract

Always Stay in Center Keep Emotions Away From Your Decision's .

_

There are two major emotions we go through each day they are Happiness & Sadness a.k.a depression .When we are not presented with either of these emotions and are left in a cold neutral place ,people can't stand this they cannot just be , they can't remain in this center this dreadfully scary unknown realm .
So they thrust themselves in to sadness (worry ,anger ,fear) and then try to cure it by doing something that provides temporary release from this misery tailored by them for themselves. The secret is to adjust to the middle ground -  this scary realm in between where your emotions can't affect you ,where they cant sway you'r Decisions .

Seemed Really interesting do read the rest at Online Business Journal .

Regards .

Praise God .

Salim Abraham .

Childhood and education

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, to Thomas Lincoln and Nancy Hanks, two uneducated farmers, in a one-room log cabin on the 348-acre (1.4 km²) Sinking Spring Farm, in southeast Hardin County, Kentucky (now part of LaRue County), making him the first president born outside the original Thirteen Colonies. Lincoln's ancestor Samuel Lincoln had arrived in Hingham, Massachusetts in the 17th century, but his descendants had gradually moved west, from Pennsylvania to Virginia and then westward to the frontier.^[4]

For some time, Thomas Lincoln, Abraham's father, was a respected and relatively affluent citizen of the Kentucky backcountry. He had purchased the Sinking Spring Farm in December 1808 for $200 cash and assumption of a debt. The family belonged to a Hardshell Baptist church, although Abraham himself never joined their church, or any other church for that matter.

In 1816, the Lincoln family was forced to make a new start in Perry County (now in Spencer County), Indiana. He later noted that this move was "partly on account of slavery," and partly because of difficulties with land deeds in Kentucky: Unlike land in the Northwest Territory, Kentucky never had a proper U.S. survey, and farmers often had difficulties proving title to their property.

When Lincoln was nine, his mother, then 34 years old, died of milk sickness. Soon afterwards, his father remarried to Sarah Bush Johnston. Lincoln was affectionate toward his stepmother, whom he would call "Mother" for the rest of his life, but he was distant from his father.^[5]

In 1830, after more economic and land-title difficulties in Indiana, the family settled on public land^[6] in Macon County, Illinois. The following winter was desolate and especially brutal, and the family considered moving back to Indiana. The following year, when his father relocated the family to a new homestead in Coles County, Illinois, 22-year-old Lincoln struck out on his own, canoeing down the Sangamon River to the village of New Salem in Sangamon County.^[7] Later that year, hired by New Salem businessman Denton Offutt and accompanied by friends, he took goods from New Salem to New Orleans via flatboat on the Sangamon, Illinois and Mississippi rivers.

Lincoln's formal education consisted of about 18 months of schooling, but he was largely self-educated and an avid reader. He was also a talented local wrestler and skilled with an axe.^[8] Lincoln avoided hunting and fishing because he did not like killing animals, even for food.^[9] At 6 foot 4 inches (1.93 m), he was unusually tall, as well as strong.

Yearly actions of Abraham Lincoln in brief till he was president.

1830 - In March, Abe and his family begin a 200 mile journey to move to Illinois where they settle on uncleared land along the Sangamon River, near Decatur. Abe makes his first political speech in favor of improving navigation on the Sangamon River.

1831 - Abe makes a second flatboat trip to New Orleans. His father moves again, but Abe doesn't go and instead settles in New Salem, Illinois, where he works as a clerk in the village store and sleeps in the back. Wrestles a man named Jack Armstrong to a draw. Learns basic math, reads Shakespeare and Robert Burns and participates in a local debating society.

1832 - In March, becomes a candidate for Illinois General Assembly. The Black Hawk War breaks out. In April, Abe enlists and is elected Captain of his rifle company. Re-enlists as a private after company is disbanded. He serves a total of three months but does not fight in a battle. August 6, loses the election. The village store he worked in goes out of business. Lincoln and partner, William Berry, purchase another village store in New Salem.

1833 - The store fails, leaving him badly in debt. Lincoln is appointed Postmaster of New Salem. In Autumn, Lincoln is appointed Deputy County Surveyor.

1834 - On August 4, Lincoln, age 24, is elected to the Illinois General Assembly as a member of the Whig party. Begins to study law. In December, meets Stephen A. Douglas, 21, a Democrat.

1835 - In January, former store partner William Berry dies, increasing Lincoln's debt to $1000. On August 25, Ann Rutledge, Lincoln's love interest, dies from fever at age 22.

1836 - August 1, re-elected to the Illinois Gen. Assembly and by now is a leader of the Whig party. September 9, Lincoln receives his law license. Begins courtship of Mary Owens, 28. Has an episode of severe depression in December.

1837 - Helps to get the Illinois state capital moved from Vandalia to Springfield. April 15, leaves New Salem and settles in Springfield. Becomes a law partner of John T. Stuart. In Summer, proposes marriage to Mary Owens, is turned down and the courtship ends.

1838 - Helps to successfully defend Henry Truett in a famous murder case. August 6, re-elected to the Illinois Gen. Assembly, becoming Whig floor leader.

1839 - Travels through nine counties in central and eastern Illinois as a lawyer on the 8th Judicial Circuit. December 3, admitted to practice in United States Circuit Court. Meets Mary Todd, 21, at a dance.

1840 - In June, Lincoln argues his first case before the Illinois Supreme Court. August 3, re-elected to the Illinois Gen. Assembly. In Fall, becomes engaged to Mary Todd.

1841 - January 1, breaks off engagement with Mary Todd. Has episode of depression. March 1, forms new law partnership with Stephen T. Logan. In August, makes a trip by steamboat to Kentucky and sees twelve slaves chained together.

1842 - Does not seek re-election to the legislature. In Summer, resumes courtship with Mary Todd. In September, accepts a challenge to a duel by Democratic state auditor James Shields over published letters making fun of Shields. September 22, duel with swords is averted by an explanation of letters. November 4, marries Mary Todd in Springfield.

1843 - Lincoln is unsuccessful in try for the Whig nomination for U.S. Congress. August 1, first child, Robert Todd Lincoln, is born.

1844 - May, the Lincoln family moves into a house in Springfield, bought for $1500. Campaigns for Henry Clay in the presidential election. In December, dissolves law partnership with Logan, then sets up his own practice.

1846 - March 10, a son, Edward Baker Lincoln is born. May 1, nominated to be the Whig candidate for U.S. Congress. August 3, elected to the U.S. House of Representatives.

First known photograph of Lincoln, about 1846

1847 - Moves into a boarding house in Washington, D.C. with his wife and sons. December 6, takes his seat when Thirtieth Congress convenes. December 22, presents resolutions questioning President Polk about U.S. hostilities with Mexico.

1848 - January 22, gives a speech on floor of the House against President Polk's war policy regarding Mexico. In June, attends the national Whig convention supporting General Zachary Taylor as the nominee for president. Campaigns for Taylor in Maryland and in Boston, Mass., then in Illinois.

1849 - March 7 and 8, makes an appeal before the U.S. Supreme Court regarding the Illinois statute of limitations, but is unsuccessful. March 31, returns to Springfield and leaves politics to practice law. On May 22, Abraham Lincoln is granted U.S. Patent No. 6,469 (the only president ever granted a patent).

1850 - February 1, his son Edward dies after a two month illness. Lincoln resumes his travels in the 8th Judicial Circuit covering over 400 miles in 14 counties in Illinois. 'Honest Abe' gains a reputation as an outstanding lawyer. December 21, his third son, William Wallace Lincoln (Willie) is born.

1851 - January 17, Lincoln's father dies.

1853 - April 4, his fourth son, Thomas (Tad) is born.

1854 - Re-enters politics opposing the Kansas-Nebraska Act. Elected to Illinois legislature but declines the seat in order to try to become U.S. Senator.

1855 - Does not get chosen by the Illinois legislature to be U.S. Senator.

1856 - May 29, helps organize the new Republican party of Illinois. At the first Republican convention Lincoln gets 110 votes for the vice-presidential nomination, bringing him national attention. Campaigns in Illinois for Republican presidential candidate, John C. Frémont.

1857 - June 26, in Springfield, Lincoln speaks against the Dred Scott decision.

1858 - In May, wins acquittal in a murder trial by using an almanac regarding the height of the moon to discredit a witness. June 16, nominated to be the Republican senator from Illinois, opposing Democrat Stephen A. Douglas. Gives "House Divided" speech at the state convention in Springfield. Also engages Douglas in a series of seven debates with big audiences.

1859 - Illinois legislature chooses Douglas for the U.S. Senate over Lincoln by a vote of 54 to 46. In the Fall, Lincoln makes his last trip through the 8th Judicial Circuit. December 20, writes a short autobiography.

1860 - March 6, delivers an impassioned political speech on slavery in New Haven, Connecticut. Also in March, the 'Lincoln-Douglas Debates' published.

May 18, 1860 - Nominated to be the Republican candidate for President of the United States. Opposes Northern Democrat Stephen A. Douglas and Southern Democrat John C. Breckinridge. In June, writes a longer autobiography.

Deuteronomy 30:11- 14 - For this commandment that I command you today - it is not hidden from you and it is not distant. It is not in heaven, [for you] to say, "Who can ascend to heaven for us, to take it for us, so that we can listen to it and perform it? Nor is it across the sea, [for you] to say, "Who can cross to the other side of the sea for us to take it for us, so that we can listen to it and perform it? Rather the matter is very near to you - in your mouth and in your heart - to perform it. 

It is written in the psalm, "I shall not die, but live." In order really to live, man must first give himself to death. But when he has done so, he discovers that he is not to die, he is to live.

How to say Torah. - I shall teach you the best way to say Torah. You must cease to be aware of yourselves. You must be nothing but an ear that hears what the universe of the Word is constantly saying within you. The moment you start hearing what you yourself are saying, you must stop. 

By extension, the entire natural universe serves HASHEM without expecting compensation. All the celestial bodies (sun, moon, etc) have no concept of self identity. 

To have no self identity goes against the grain of society. Moses had no self identity. The moment his universe lined up with that of HASHEM is when he went out into the fields with his brothers. Moses had wealth, shade from the sun and upon the horizon, kingship. Because he gave up the wealth and authority (a foreshadow of Yeshua) concerning the things of Egypt, HASHEM gave unto Moses a leadership role second only to Messiah Yeshua. When we lay down our lives for our brothers as did Yeshua (on his own authority) HASHEM directs His eyes towards us. Forty years to the day at the age of eighty while doing none other than shepherding a flock of sheep, HASHEM appears to Moses His servant. Prayers will be answered, the promise to Abraham concerning his descendants is underway and slave labor for the Jews of Egypt will cease. Blessed be the God of our fathers, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. 

The above is mandatory not optional. Change comes in season not over night. This is the mistake that millions teach when it comes to approaching the alter. Without the spirit to guide us, without the lamp upon our feet and light upon our path we would all be groping in the darkness. God must be in the home from the moment of conception, first with marriage and upon the arrival of our children. We must make our decisions intellectual decisions. When we follow the masses we become like the open field, with the rushing of the northern wind, we perish. 

As one travels the road of Torah he or she becomes less in tuned with any personal ambitions. Like time all things move forward this is the way of Torah. Each day is a new moment to take hold of, to do as HASHEM does and that is to create continuously. Yochanan the immerser responded to a disciple, "I must become less so that he can become more." 

We shall continue. We will endure.

Shalom and abundant peace.

We are now about half way through the book of Deuteronomy our hearts are anxious and our spirit awaiting the climax. HASHEM delivers His message through His faithful servant Moses. The days of wandering endlessly are drawing to a close, we are in need of instruction. We pay attention but our thoughts are scattered, we just want to unpack. Our flight delayed. This covenant has spanned four hundred and forty years. Abraham, Isaac and Jacob have left their impact, the bones of Joseph not yet laid to rest. 

Parashas Shoftim speaks of many decrees that are to be established and observed once the Children of Israel are established in the land of promise. They are righteous judges, appointed kings, punishment for idol worship, cities of refuge and the art of battle. 

D'varim 16: 18 - 20 - Judges and officers shall you appoint in all your cities - which HASHEM, your God, gives you - for your tribes; and they shall judge the people with righteous judgment. You shall not pervert judgment, you should not respect someone's presence, and you shall not accept a bribe, for the bribe will blind the eyes of the wise and make just words crooked. Righteousness, righteousness shall you pursue, so that you will live and possess the Land that HASHEM, your God, gives you. 

King David acknowledged that righteousness and justice is the foundation of HASHEM'S throne. God informs us in verse twenty that righteousness is of the utmost importance and we must treat it as so. 

Genesis 17: 1- 2 - When Abram was ninety-nine years old, HASHEM appeared to Abram and said to him, "I am El Shaddai; walk before Me and be perfect. I will set My covenant between Me and you, and I will increase you most exceedingly." 

"Walk before Me and be perfect." Abraham's heart felt trust in HASHEM was accounted to him as righteousness. Genesis 15: 3- 6 - Then Abram said, "See. to me You have given no offspring; and see, my steward inherits me..." Suddenly, the of HASHEM came to him, saying, "That one will not inherit you. Only him that shall come forth from within you shall inherit you." And He took him outside, and said, "Gaze, now, toward the Heavens, and count the stars if you are able to count them!" And He said to him, "So shall your offspring be!" And he trusted in HASHEM and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. 

Till this day many congregation leaders regardless of their denomination preach that the grace that has been given to us as a gift is suffice. Continuing. The majority of those who have been taught this also believe that Jews all over the world do the works in which they do in order to inherit one's mercy, love and salvation. This is hardly the fact. Where does this sad lie come from? And where lies its poisonous roots. Salvation from the mouth of many biblical Jews including the one who shall return, Yeshua, know very well where it derives. Read it for yourselves. 

To walk before God and be perfect takes work, everyday work. Salvation is all some desire. Works come from trust. If not for trust Abraham would not have worked so diligently as he did. My personal opinion is that Abraham didn't have to, it was natural for him.

Sp to walk before God and be perfect is to understand what it means to walk before Him. Go and study. The world's legal system is corrupt to a point where even the innocent don't feel safe or protected. State by state and city by city all make rules and regulations as they go about their day to day affairs. Have you ever laid your eyes upon the statue with the blindfold stating, "Justice is blind." There is no room for such disgrace and injustice when it comes to a world that HASHEM told us to inhabit. Isaiah 59: 4 - 14 - No one calls out in righteousness and no one is judged truthfully; trusting in emptiness and speaking vanity, conceiving wrongdoing and giving birth to wickedness. They hatch adder's eggs and weave spider webs: Whoever eats of their eggs will die, and when the eggs are squeezed a viper is hatched. Their webs will not become a garment, and people will not clothe themselves with their work; their work is the work of wickedness and an act of corruption is in their palms. Their feet run to evil, and they rush to shed innocent blood; their thoughts are thoughts of wickedness; plunder and calamity are in their roads. They know not the way of peace and there is no justice in their circuits; they have made their paths crooked; all who walk them do not know peace. This is why justice has become distant from us and righteousness has not reached us; we hope for light, but, behold, there is darkness; for brightness, but we walk in deep darkness. We grope the wall like the blind; and like the eyeless we grope; we stumble at noon as in the dark of night; as if in graves like the dead. We all growl like bears and moan like doves. We hope for justice, but there is none; for salvation, but it is distant from us. For our willful sins have increased before You and our transgressions have testified against us; for all our willful sins are with us and we are aware of our iniquities; defiance and denial of HASHEM and withdrawal from after our God, speaking of oppression and rebellion, conceiving and contemplating words of falsehood from the heart. Thus justice has been withdrawn and righteousness stands at a distance; because truth has stumbled in the street, and integrity cannot enter. 

Please allow us to continue. 

The difference between Kings anointed of God and self appointed kings is the distance between Heaven and earth. An earthy king is self ruling, the King sanctified of HASHEM rules with God in mind. He is given the power and authority like that of a Kohen Hagadol (High Priest) to minister, guide and see to both their physical and spiritual needs. Moses was a King, a true king because he put the Children of Israel first as did Yeshua. Moses was void of himself, transparent and willing to lay down his life to sanctify all that is HASHEM'S. 

Deuteronomy 17:14 - 20 - When you come to the Land that HASHEM, your God gives you, and possess it, and settle in it, and you will say, "I will set a king over myself, like all the nations that are around me," You shall surely set over yourself a king whom  HASHEM, your God shall choose; from among your brethren shall you set a king over yourself; you cannot place over yourself a foreign man, who is not your brother. Only he shall not have too many horses for himself, so that he will not return the people to Egypt in order to increase horses, for HASHEM has said to you, "You shall no longer return on this road again." And he shall not have too many wives, so that his heart not turn astray; and he shall not greatly increase silver and gold for himself. It shall be that when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself two copies of this Torah in a book, from before the Kohanim, the Levites. It shall be with him, and he shall read from it all the days of his life, so that he will learn to fear HASHEM, his God, to observe all the words of this Torah and these decrees, to perform them, so that his heart does not become haughty over his brethren and not turn from the commandment right or left, so that he will prolong years over his kingdom, he and his sons amid Israel. 

The sad truth is that after King Solomon, idolatry became the norm. Disobedience was wide spread, both Judah and Israel now a disgrace in the eyes of God. At times there was peace, and usually it came after the children of Israel cried out to God, however this did not last. Where would we be today if we had only learned to walk before God with trembling and awe. Glory was to be for Israel and long its day; a city without walls, children playing in the streets and old men and women sit with a staff in their hand.

There was a glimpse of hope for a period of time, a young king took office. His name Josiah and at the age of eight the Kingdoms throne was occupied. 2nd Kings 22: 1 - 23: 30 -Josiah was eight years old when he became king, and he reigned for thirty one years in Jerusalem. His mother's name was Jedidah daughter of Adaiah, of Bozkath. He did what was proper in the eyes of HASHEM, following the ways of his forefather david; he did not veer right or left. In happened in the eighteenth year of king Josiah that the king sent Shaphan son of  Azalaih son of Meshullam, the scribe, to the Temple of HASHEM, saying, "Go up to Hilkiah the Kohen Gadol, and [tell him] that he should collect all the money that is brought to the Temple of HASHEM, which the gatekeepers have collected from the people, and they should give it over to the workmen-in-charge in the Temple of HASHEM, to repair the deterioration of the Temple, for the carpenters, the builders, and stonemasons, and for buying wood and quarried stones to repair the Temple. However, no accounting shall be made with them for the money given over into their hand, for they act with integrity."  Hilkiah, the Kohen Gadol, said to Shaphan the scribe, "I have found a scroll of the Torah in the Temple of HASHEM. Hilkiah gave the Scroll to Shaphan, and he read it. Shaphan the scribe came to the king and brought a report to the king, and he said, "Your servants have counted the money that was found in the Temple, and have given it into the hand of the workmen-in-charge in the Temple of HASHEM. Shaphan the scribe then told the king, saying, "Hilkiah the Kohen has given me a scroll." Shaphan then read it before the king. It happened that when the king heard the words of the Scroll of the Torah, he rent his garments. The king commanded Hilkiah the Kohen, Anikam son Shaphan, Achbor son of Micaiah, Shaphan the scribe, and Asaiah, the Kings servant, saying, "Go and inquire of HASHEM on my behalf, and on behalf of the people and on behalf of all of Judah, concerning the words of this Scroll that was found; for great is the wrath of HASHEM  that has been incited against us, because our fathers have not listened to the words of this Scroll, to fulfill all that was written for us." So Hilkiah the Kohen, Ahikam, Achbor, Shaphan and Asaish went to Hudlah the prophetess, the wife of Shallum son of Tikvah son of Harhas, the keeper of the royal garments, who dwelled in Jerusalem, in the study house, and they spoke to her. She said to them, "Thus said HASHEM, God of Israel; Say to the man that sent you to me, "Thus said HASHEM: Behold, I am bringing evil upon this place and upon it's inhabitants - [namely] all the words of the Scroll that the king of Judah read - because they have forsaken Me and burned offerings to the gods of others, in order to anger Me with all their handiwork; My wrath has been incited against this place, and it will not be extinguished. And concerning the king of Judah who sent you to inquire of HASHEM, thus should you say to him: 'Thus said HASHEM, God of Israel: [Regarding] the words that you have just heard - because your heart is soft and you humbled yourself before HASHEM when you heard that which I have spoken about this place and its inhabitants, that they would become a desolation and a curse; and you rent your garments and cried before Me, and I, too have heard - the word of HASHEM. Therefor. behold, I will gather you in to your forefathers  - you will be gathered to your grave in peace -n and your eyes will not see all the evil that I am bringing upon this place.'" They brought this report back to the king.

CHAPTER TWENTY THREE - The king sent out and gathered to himself all the elders of Judah and Jerusalem. The King went up to the Temple of HASHEM, and all the men of Judah and all the inhabitants of Jerusalem with him, as well as the Kohanim and the prophets and all the people, from small to great, and he read in their ears all the words of the Book of the Covenant that had been found in the Temple of HASHEM. The king then stood at his place and sealed a covenant before HASHEM, to follow HASHEM and to observe His commandments and His testimonies and His decrees with all [his] heart and all [his] soul, to uphold the words of this covenant written in this Book of the covenant that had been found in the Temple of HASHEM. The king then instructed Hilkiah the Kohen Gadol, the Kohanim of the second rank, and the gatekeepers to remove from the Temple of HASHEM all the articles that had been made for the Baal, for the Asherah, and all the hosts of the heavens. He had them burned outside Jerusalem, in the plains of Kidron, and their ashes carried away to Beth-el. He also dismissed the priests whom the kings of Judah had appointed to burn offerings at the high places in the cities of Judah and in the surrounding areas of Jerusalem, as well as those who burned offerings to the Baal, to the sun and to the moon and to the constellations and to all the heavenly hosts. He removed the Asherah from the Temple of HASHEM to the Kidron Valley outside Jerusalem; he burned it in the Kidron Valley and ground it to dust, and then scattered its dust over the graves of the [idolatrous] common people. He demolished the rooms of the idolators that were in the Temple of HASHEM, where the women would weave curtains for the Asherah. He brought all the priests from the city of Judah, and he defiled the high places where these priests used to burn offerings from Geba to Beer-sheba; he smashed the high places at the gates and the one that was at the entrance of the gate of Joshua the governor of the city, which was situated at the one's left [when entering] the city gate. But, the priests of the high places were not permitted to ascend the alter of HASHEM in Jerusalem; rather they would only eat unleavened among the brethren. He also defiled the Topheth, which was in the Valley of Ben  , so that no man could pass his son or daughter through the fire for the Molech. He also abolished the horses that the kings of Judah had designated for [worship of] the sun, [which would race] from the entrance to the Temple of HASHEM to the office of Nethan-malech, the officer in the outlying area of the city. He burned the chariots of the sun in fire. And the alters that were on the roof of the upper story built by Ahaz, which the kings of Judah had set up, and the alters that Manasseh had set up in the two courtyards of the Temple of HASHEM, the king smashed; he eliminated [them] from there and threw their dust into the Kidron Valley. And the high places facing Jerusalem, south of the Mount of Olives, which Solomon king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonian, for Chemosh the abomination of Moab , and for the Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, the king defiled. He shattered the pillars and cut down the Asherah-trees, and he filled up their places with human bones. Also the alter that was in Beth-el - the high place that Jeroboam son of Nebat built, with which he caused Israel to sin - also that alter and its high place he demolished; he burned the high place and ground it into dust, and burned the Asherah-tree. Josiah then turned and saw the graves that were there on the mountain and he sent [men] to take the bones out of the graves, and he burned them upon the alter and defiled it; in accordance with the word of HASHEM, which the man of God had prophesied about these events had proclaimed. Josiah then said, "What is this tombstone that I see?" The people of the city said to him, "It is the grave of the man of God who came from Judah and prophesied about the deeds that you have done upon the altar of Beth-el. He said, "Leave it alone. Let no man move those bones." His bones saved the bones of the prophet who came from Samaria. Furthermore, all the temples of the high places in the cities of Samaria, which the kings of Israel had built to anger [HASHEM], Josiah removed and he did to them like all the deeds that he had done to Beth-el. He slaughtered all the priests of the high places who were there upon the alters, and burned human bones upon them, and he retuned to Jerusalem. The king then commanded the people saying, "Perform the pesach-offering unto HASEHM your God, as written in this book of the Covenant. For such a pesach-offering had not been celebrated since the days of the judges who judged Israel, and all the days of the kings of Israel and the kings of Judah; but in the eighteenth year of king Josiah this passover was celebrated unto HASHEM in Jerusalem. Furthermore, the necromancers and the conjurers of spirits, the teraphim, the execrable-idols and all the abominations that had been seen in the land of Judah and Jerusalem, Josiah removed in order to uphold the words of the Torah that were written in the Scroll that Hilkiah the Kohen found in the Temple of HASHEM. Before him there had never been a king like him who returned to HASHEM with all his heart, with all his soul, and with all his resources, in accordance with the entire Torah of Moses, and after him no one arose like him. Nevertheless, HASHEM did not relent from His great flaring anger, for His anger had flared up against Judah because of all the provocations with which Manasseh had angered Him. So HASHEM said, "Judah, as well, will I remove from My presence, as I removed Israel; and i will reject this city which I have chosen, Jerusalem, and the Temple of which I had said, 'My name would remain there.'" The rest of the deeds of Josiah and all that he did - behold, they are recored in the Book of Chronicles of the Kings of Judah. In his days Pharaoh Neco, the king of Egypt, went up to wage war against the king of Assyria by the Euphrates River; King Josiah went to confront him, and [Pharaoh] killed him in Megiddo when he saw him. His servants drove him, dead from Megiddo in a chariot, brought him to Jerusalem and buried him in his grave. The common people took Jehoahaz son of Josiah, anointed him, and crowned him king in place of his father.

So we see in a young king at the age of about twenty six and in the eighteenth year of reign Josiah is introduced to Torah. His eyes now open, he rents his garments and sets out to destroy all that which HASHEM considers abominations. Is this not what we should be doing today? Pagan deities are the norm these days as they have been for ages. The ways of paganism have formed a bond with many people and are now apart of millions of households. Many have grown distant and because of the masses in society, majorities are following blind guides into bottomless pits. "Well God knows my  heart and besides we don't worship the tree or the bunny rabbit we just do it as a family and community event." Does that sound familiar? The harvest is great and the workers are few, pray that the Father send more workers." 

                                                                        Where Are You

 So many have heard My voice

Many have seen Me

Yet I see not near, only in the distance your backs turned,

When you look to be embraced

Are My arms not stretched outward unto you

I hear my voice from afar,

It is written, is it not

My fathers appointed times

His placement concerning My life and reasons to rejoice,

Who are these false gods put in place by men

Celebrating not My birth or My true resurrection

Given from My Father in heaven,

You call Me God and speak My name

Yet the feasts where there ought to be many

Stand very few,

You say with words you know My Father

And that you are grateful for Me

How is it then you think you’re showing love

When My Father’s work has been over shadowed,

I say unto you

There will be a day when many will call upon Me

Not on days which are full of idols,

Or the day of sun worship

But on that day when so many are in great need,

And your false gods are destroyed.

Shalom to everyone and may your Sabbath be one of delight.

Rabbi Lawrence