On Saturday I shared the thoughts I had while praying about the current pandemic. I talked about the verses in 2 Chronicles 7 where G-d answers Solomon's prayer about the Temple. Those verses tell us that G-d says whenever something horrific happens to our world it is up to His children, those called by His name, to humble themselves, pray, seek His face, AND turn from their wicked ways. Not just one of those things, but ALL of them, in order for Him to forgive us and heal our land.
Today Jews around the world will celebrate Passover, beginning at sunset, and the countdown will begin to Pentecost. Those 50 days, referred to as the counting of the omer, are a time for introspection, a once a year in-depth look at oneself and make corrections or adjustments as needed. At least once per year we need to line ourselves up with the measuring stick, Jesus, and see how out of line we have become.
In Amos 7:8 G-d says He is about to drop a plumb line in the midst of His people Israel. For those who do not know, a plumb line is a string or rope connected to a heavy weight. It is used by builders to ensure their walls are straight. If a wall isn't perfectly straight, the entire building will be off. The sages say G-d meant there would be strict judgement coming on His people.
One of the things about learning the Hebraic teachings during the 1st century, is finding that the Rabbis of the day taught about fractals. A fractal, in simple terms, is a repeated, complex pattern. Perhaps you have seen a small picture that looks like the larger version of itself. Think of a picture of what appears to be an entire stalk of broccoli, but upon closer examination it is only one little branch of a stalk. If you are still unsure, please look up the definition and images.
Prophecies are fractals that are actually fulfilled over and over as time goes on, but with each fulfillment they become clearer and clearer. We have actually been taught that concept in church. In Christian circles one example is what is referred to as a "type of Christ." For example Abraham, Moses, David all exude a vague "Christ type" persona, a messiah for their generations. With each fulfillment the picture becomes clearer and clearer until Jesus appears on the scene.
Every year we should take the image of a fractal and look at ourselves in-depth to ensure the image we portray is becoming more and more clearly Christ-like. This is never an easy process, but we should want to become more like Christ and it will likely take a while to get all of the "Egypt" out of us.
Before we begin that process I will need to explain the model that is used to work through those days of introspection. If you do this in the coming days and then repeat the process at this same time every year for the rest of your life you will begin to see yourself come into line with the true plumb line, Jesus. Just like a fractal your alignment will become clearer and clearer each year.
That model is called The Tree of Life. Most of you have heard that term. It is mentioned in the 2nd chapter of Genesis. It is also mentioned in Revelation 22. I have always thought it was an actual tree, but is it? In Hebraic circles the term Tree of Life refers to the attributes of G-d. There are 10 attributes listed (for beginners).
It is a theoretical view of G-d from behind. I have a diagram on this website that can help you understand better. Those attributes are:
1. Keter - crown (top of head)
2. Chochma - wisdom (right ear)
3. Binah - understanding (left ear)
4. Chesed - loving kindness, grace (right hand)
5. Gevorah - strictness, judgement (left hand
6. Tiferet - harmony, compassion (heart or kidneys)
7. Netzach - endurance (right leg)
8. Hod - humility (left leg)
9. Yesod - foundation, bonding (reproductive)
10. Malchut - kingdom, sovereignty, leadership (feet)
For the counting of the omer only the last 7 are used. There are 7 weeks of 7 days.
Week 1 - chesed
Week 2 - Gevorah
Week 3 - Tiferet
Week 4 - Netzach
Week 5 - Hod
Week 6 - Yesod
Week 7 - Malchut
Working through the days each attribute is cross referenced with itself and the other 6. I know this isn't the easiest to understand. It is really something you have to work through to know what I am talking about. I will walk you through every day of the omer beginning on Thursday evening. We take one day at a time. As you work through the 49 days in 2020, then again in 2021, 2022 etc., you will see the fractal of your relationship with G-d become clearer and clearer.
For now get ready for Passover by reading the story in Exodus 6 - 12. Yes it is lengthy, but look for little gems you may have never noticed before. This year is probably the only year that Gentiles can truly appreciate and relate to the original Passover. In Exodus we see that the Israelites were quarantined in their homes away from other families, because a plague of death was about to move through their midst. As you sit in your home under the safer at home initiative to keep the Covid-19 virus from spreading, think deeply about the implications of the Passover story.
Until tomorrow evening, Shalom!
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