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The Maternal Influence of Iguedo

Posted by Moshe Ben YAH on October 2, 2012 at 3:50 PM Comments comments (0)

The Maternal Influence of Iguedo

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The Origin of Iguedo though seems to be a great puzzle to Historians than that of Eri but her importance in history of Igbo origin could not be over emphasis. Some Scholar attempted to credit her as a daughter of Eri, but this attempt failed because there was no way She could be a daughter of Eri and got married to same man or his son inorder to begat Umueri. This is tantamount to taboo or "nso ani" in Igbo Culture. The Second Group has tagged her as Eri daughter who was allowed by her father to bear children at home without been married. But the Oral tradition of the entire Iguedo clans disagreed with this assertion as it could have amount to bastardization of Culture if Eri made such a taboo as all of their tradition indicates paternal origin

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From an account of One Mrs Paulina Osakwe now deceased, an aged woman from Nando clarified that in those (ancient) days, both Igbo , Igala and Binis are one people living in Anambra Valley under the leadership of Eri. That Iguedo was from Bini lineage seems be getting wide acceptance (taking consideration of her name).

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Iguedo was said to be a very powerful woman with mysterious power. She holds a lot of power that at her demise most of the town founded by her children was known by her name. This was later to become a tradition in Umu-Iguedo and entire Anambra Valley as children are easily recognized by their Mother's name rather than that of their fathers. This was due to the polygamous nature of the society then. Because by using ones Mothers name, it would be easier to know the exact person and lineage. Hence Dabawor (founder of Umueri) was known as child of Iguedo . Dabawor (Umueri) was the 3 child of Iguedo as she had previously bore two to Nnameyi (Founders of Ogbunike & Awkuzu) before Eri took her as wife after having divorced the previous Husband. At Demise of Eri, she got married to Iru whom she bore Ndo (The founder of Nando).

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An Oral account has it that at her death, Nando invited the rest of the children of Iguedo for burial arrangement. But then there was commotion and quarrellings on where to entered her body. Ogbunike who was the eldest of the Iguedos wanted the body to be taken home (Ogbunike) for burial since they are Children of the First Child but Nando Objected on the ground that they were people that took after her during her old age. Unknown to all of them, Umueri delegates went outside for private talk and came back singing war music. They cut off her head and took it home where it was buried in Nneyi Umueri. Today the trace of her tomb is found in the Shrine of the Aro Oracle of Umueri while her body was finally buried in Nando. In order to commemorate her memorial, there was traditional annual ritual festival called "Oriri nne Iguedo" been celebrated in Nnado unto this very day. And all her Children are expected to be there for the ritual of reunion of the Iguedos.

The Brief Historical Origin Of Umueri

Posted by Moshe Ben YAH on October 2, 2012 at 3:10 PM Comments comments (0)

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Umueri also known as Umuleri is part of ancient Umueri Clan which traced its origin to a warrior named Eri. The Oral tradition of the people traced the origin to waves of Migration led by Eri. Although there were no written records existing, its indeed obviously facts that the history and Origin of Umueri dates back to time immemorial and early part of human existence in this part of the world following emerging facts from ever constant oral tradition and recent archeological discoveries that tends to portray the Umueri enclave as the first area of human Existence in Southern Nigeria.

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According to the works of Dr Elizabeth Isichei While quoting L Froberius The Voice of Africa 1913 as quoted MDW Jefferies, the Divine Umunri King of Igboland PHD Thesis ( London ) 1934 wrote “The First cradle of human habitation in Igbo area were probably the Cross River and Anambra River Escarpment. In each of these areas, latter Stone Age sites have been excavated. For instance an ancient storage Relic was excavated in Umunagu Umueri in 1975 by Mr. Emmanuel Ozoemena. This ancient relic was said to have been used during Stone Age era probably 980 AD. Elizabeth Isichei went further to state, “This picture of an early nucleus of settlement in Northern Igbo land is confirmed by Igbo traditions.

 

 

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The Tradition of Umueri Clan which hitherto includes that of NRI states that both them and Igala emanated or descended from more ancient community in Anambra Valley . ''We are all descended from Eri but Igala went one way, Agukwu another, Amanuke another, Nteje and Igboariam and Others”. It was possible that the Igala and the Others were either wives, children or even descendants of concubines of the Great Eri.

 

 

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Historians have not agreed on exact place that Eri and his company came from. But it was quite clear that he comes from the east and moved further down and settled temporarily with his followers (among them Ogiso, progenitor of Bini, Aro' progenitor of the Aro people in Igboland and many others), to an area near the confluence of the Niger and Benue Rivers (present day Igala land). From there, Eri moved to the Anambra Valley and finally settled near the coast of Omabala river (corruptly called Anambra by the White men) at Okpotevi (In Ugume Umueri) near Obuaga, which is presently located in Aguleri. Some other accounts hold that Eri was specifically the direct descendants of Gad who is the 10th son of Jacob ( Israel ). (Ref. Gen: 46:16; Numbers 26:16). What is however certain is that Eri was the father and progenitor of Umueri and other Umueri clans and that his residence in Umueri remains the ancestral homes of the Igbo nation.

 

 

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According to tradition, Eri was a Great Warrior, hunter and Polygamist. He has a lot of children and wives (Not limiting to two as written by many writers). The Most famous of the wives was Iguedo from presumably the lineage of Edo (Bini) who was amongst the crowd of migrants at that time. She was also Mother to the founders of Ogbunike, Awkuzu, Umueri and Nando and a Daughter who was amongst the founders of Oboli Quaters of Onitsha( This explain the relationship between Umueri and Onitsha and other Iguedo clans). Eri due to his influence was said to have snatched (re-marry) Iguedo from Nnamenyi, another of the Migrants and she bore to him (Eri), Dabawor who founded Modern Umueri clan. At the Demise of Eri She re married again to Iru,a Hunter and Herbalist who was said to be part of Eri Company. It was here (in this relationship) that She begat Ndo who was the founder of Nando.

 

 

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Archeological Surveys reveals that before ancient war and growth in population scattered ancient Umueri clans into the forest of Igbo land, they were all living in Dabawor/Obuga area. Hence today, traces of their habitats are still visible in this area. For Instance, "Aguu Nri" and "Okpotoevi" are still at Ugume Umueri. Aguu Nri is an antiquity of Great Importance. It’s about half a thousand Year Old tree which is at Ama Iruakpu-Ugume, Umueri up till this day. It was said to be founded by Nri Ifikuanim who was the founder of Nri Kingdom . The Surviving Generation of Elders confirmed it as antiquity of Great Historical Importance. One Problem that had affected the fact of Aguu-Nri is contradiction emanating from the Nri,Aguleri and Other Communities claiming head to the origin of Eri. In this bid, a lot of distortions came up either by design or Ignorance of true Position.

 

 

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But In spite of these distortions, the name Umueri which literally means "Children of Eri" is a natural and unbiased nomenclature indicating Umueri relationship with Eri. Whatever historical view may be, One point remain untainted- that all the Children or Descendant of Eri once had their ancestral home in Umueri, as borne out by archeological, oral and anthropological records. Perhaps one pointer to these assertions is the existence of several trace of Umueri lineage in Some Northern Igbo towns and even western igbo areas. For instance, Umueri Ogbunike, Umueri Nteje, Umueri Okija, Ugume in Kwale area,Umuriam Nawfia( emanates from Umuriam Umueri) and a lot of other traces. It’s indeed worth to note that with exception of Umueri, there are no other towns that have such proof elsewhere.

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Culled from: www.umueriland.com/

Sound The Trumpet

Posted by Moshe Ben YAH on September 16, 2012 at 5:55 AM Comments comments (0)


Feast of First Fruits of Wine

Posted by Moshe Ben YAH on July 20, 2012 at 7:50 AM Comments comments (0)


The Feast of the First Fruits of Wine is a holiday celebrated by the ancient Israelites as described in the Temple Scroll of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The holiday, which is observed on the twenty-ninth day of the fifth month, is only identified by date in Leviticus 23:16 (count 50 days after the seventh sabbath).  Depending on bible translations, this count is lost or misunderstood by the majority of Hebraic practitioners. The date is significant because it is exactly 50 days after the 15th of Sivan, the festival of Shabuot (which means WEEKS). The Feast of First Fruit of Wine is only part two of a complete 150 day cycle of giving YHWH praise and thanksgiving for the First Fruits. First Fruits of Grain is represented by Shabuot (which was proceeded by a count of seven sabbaths), 50 days later is First Fruits of Wine and the final fifty days later is the First Fruits of Wood. 


On Feast of First Fruits of Wine, the Israelites were commanded to bring their first fruits of the grapes to the Temple as an offering. This feast day was a very happy day because "the wine gets atonement on this day" and was commanded to be observed as an annual celebration perpetually. After this Feast Day, the children of Israel were permitted to eat from their grape vines, whether the grapes were ripe or still unripe, because after the observances of this feast day, they had made a full atonement for the wine. It so happens that this day coincides with the modern Jewish period called "The Nine Days", a time when mourning practices take place and when wine and meat are prohibited.



 

 

Early July through August is the time of the Summer Fruits....

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 The Feast of First Fruits of Wine is not observed by any known modern Jewish group today. Yet, each of these First Fruits observance are clearly observed by Israel in the Dead Sea Scrolls and each one offers a very specific spiritual meaning and could this be the reason why the Feast of First Fruits of Wine was abandoned?  Consider the meaning of "Fruit of the Wine or Vine"..... hmmmm...

 

The Prophetic Spiritual Significance of these Three Feast of First Fruits Observances... Consider the End Time Harvest: Barley, Wheat, and Grapes

*  Author did not give his name but I thought this was an excellent application.  Also, please forgive the Greek names as I did not alter the article. shalom.

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The traditional view of the Harvest at the end of the age is that there is only one harvest, and then comes the end. That is incorrect. Scripture gives abundant witness to show that the one harvest mentioned in the below passage actually consists of three separate phases that differ in timing, as well as in the crop harvested. These are the three phases of the harvest - first the barley crop, next the wheat crop, and finally the crop of grapes.

Another parable He put forth to them, saying: "The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field; but while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat and went his way. But when the grain had sprouted and produced a crop, then the tares also appeared. So the servants of the owner came and said to him, 'Sir, did you not sow good seed in your field? How then does it have tares?' He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?' But he said, 'No, lest while you gather up the tares you also uproot the wheat with them. Let both grow together until the harvest, and at the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, "First gather together the tares and bind them in bundles to burn them, but gather the wheat into my barn."

(Matthew 13: 24-30)



The Barley Harvest and Rapture of the Saints

During the growing season of a farmers crop there is a first fruits growth that comes up in the field first. This crop is to be an offering to the Lord. It is to be tied with a red cord or a sheave to make it well known to all who are in the field that it is an offering to the Lord. We, as Christians and Messianic Jews, are the first fruits of the field of harvest. We are marked by the Holy Spirit as belonging to our Lord. Jesus was the first fruit and we will follow after Him.

These who believe are the barley grain. Barley grain is a soft seed. In days of old when they wanted to separate the grain from the chaff they would put the barley on a sheet holding the four corners and would raise the sheet to the wind. This process is called winnowing. It would easily separate the two and would give them the pure grain. This is what we are like. We are soft and pliable in the hands of the Lord to be corrected and re-aligned to His ways.

But now Christ is risen from the dead, and has become the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since by man came death, by Man also came the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ all shall be made alive. But each one in his own order: Christ the firstfruits, afterward those who are Christ's at His coming.

(1 Corinthians 15: 20-23)

We believe we will be part of the "in-gathering" (or Rapture) with Christ Jesus during this time. We will not experience the wrath of the 7 year Tribulation period:

For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, that whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with Him.

(1 Thessalonians 5:9-10)



The Wheat Harvest and the Tribulation Rapture

About half way through the 7 year peace treaty there will be a Rapture of the Tribulation Saints by the Lord. Before this can happen, many prophecies will occur that are in Ezekiel 36-39. There is also a direct correlation between Psalm 112 through 118 with the years of 2012 to 2018, with the 7 year peace treaty, the rebuilding of the Temple, and many other things spoken in the written word of the Bible (the inspired Word of God). As you begin to study this, you will see for yourself that this is true.

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands...

(Revelation 7:9)

Then one of the elders answered, saying to me, "Who are these arrayed in white robes, and where did they come from?"

And I said to him, "Sir, you know."

So he said to me, "These are the ones who come out of the great tribulation, and washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

(Revelation 7:13-14)

So we see in the above passages this wheat harvest will be a very great harvest, of those that had robes by virtue of their Faith in Messiah, but were not yet ready when the Bridegroom came for the Bride at the First Resurrection Harvest.

Wheat is a tougher grain than barley. Thousands of years ago, farmers used a tool called a "tribulum" to separate the chaff from their wheat. Today our word "tribulation" is derived from the name of that tool. It takes a tribulum to break the seed from the chaff. It goes through a breaking process to become free and be what our Father, the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob, would have us to be sons.

We have a God who loves us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus to come in the flesh and dwell among men, teach us the way, die for us as a perfect sacrifice with all the sins of the past, present and future upon Himself, and taking the stripes upon His back, shedding His precious blood, was buried, raised, and ascended into heaven, sitting at the right hand of the Father and making intercession for us. He did it all for us! Just as the ancient farmers used a tribulum to separate the chaff from their wheat, God will use the Tribulation to separate the chaff from the lives of the Christians at this time.



The final Harvest and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ!

The last harvest will be the grapes harvest that comes from the four corners of the field. The grapes have to be crushed to be made into "New Wine."

The Great Tribulation will bring this about. This symbolizes the people who accepted Christ during the second half of the 7 years, known as the Great Tribulation. That group of people will have to endure the most horrendous time on Earth ever.

It would surely in your best interest to come to know Jesus as Savior early rather than later. You can claim Him now:

Jesus, I thank You that You came to save us from our sins and redeem us back to the Father God that was lost when Adam sinned in the garden. Please forgive me of my sins and I choose to turn from them and I ask You to help me to sin no more. I invite You Jesus to be my Savior and Lord over all of my life. I invite the Holy Spirit to live in me and teach and guide me. Thank you Lord Jesus! Amen!

Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is.

(1 John 3:2)

 

 I really wonder what the FEAST OF FIRST FRUITS OF WOOD could possibly represent?


Restoration Is Within You!

Posted by Moshe Ben YAH on July 19, 2012 at 10:40 PM Comments comments (0)



"So Zadok and Abiathar took the Chest of God back to Jerusalem and placed it there, while David went up the Mount of Olives weeping, head covered but barefooted, and the whole army was with him, heads covered and weeping as they ascended."

~ Second Samuel 15: 27

The Prophecies of Isaiah are Fulfilled

Posted by Moshe Ben YAH on May 22, 2012 at 9:25 AM Comments comments (0)

The Prophecies of Isaiah that A Messiah would come is now fullfilled.

THE PROPHECY

THE FULFILLMENT

The Messiah:

Yeshua of Nazareth:

Will be born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14)

Was born of a virgin named Mary (Luke 1:26-31)

Will have a Galilean ministry (Isaiah 9:1,2)

Ministry began in Galilee of the Gentiles (Matthew 4:13-16)

Will be an heir to the throne of David (Isaiah 9:7; 11:1, 10)

Was given the throne of His father David (Luke 1:32, 33)

Will have His way prepared (Isaiah 40:3-5)

Was announced by John the Baptist (John 1:19-28)

Will be spat on and struck (Isaiah 50:6)

Was spat on and beaten (Matthew 26:67)

Will be exalted (Isaiah 52:13)

Was highly exalted by God and the People (Philippians 2:9, 10)

Will be disfigured by suffering (Isaiah 52:14; 53:2)

Was scourged by Roman soldiers who gave Him a crown of thorns (Mark 15L15-19)

Will make a blood atonement (Isaiah 53:5

Shed His blood to atone for our sins (1Peter 1:2)

Will be widely rejected (Isaiah 53:1,3)

Was not accepted by many (John 12:37, 38)

Will bear our sins and sorrows (Isaiah 53:4, 5)

Died because of our sins (Romans 4L25; 1Peter 2:24, 25)

Will be our substitute (Isaiah 53:6,8)

Died in our place (Romans 5:6, 8; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Will voluntarily accept our guilt and punishment for sin (Isaiah 53:7,8)

Yeshua took on our sins (John 1:29; Romans 6:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21)

Gentiles will seek Him (Isaiah 11:10)

Gentiles came to speak to Yeshua (John 12:20,21)

Will be silent before His accusers (Isaiah 53:7)

Was silent before Herod and his court (Luke 23:9)

Will save us who believe in Him (Isaiah 53:12)

Provided salvation for all who believe (John 3:16; Acts 16:31)

Will die with transgressors (Isaiah 53:12)

Was numbered with the transgressors (Mark 15:27, 28; Luke 22:37)

Will heal the brokenhearted (Isaiah 61:1,2)

Healed the brokenhearted (Luke 4:18, 19)

God's Spirit will rest on Him (Isaiah 11:2)

The Spirit of God descended on Yeshua (Matthew 3:16; Mark 1:10; Luke 3:22; 4:1)

Will be buried in a rich man's tomb (Isaiah 53:9

Was buried in the tomb of Joseph, a rich man from Arimathea (Matthew 27:57-60; John 19:38-42)

He will judge the earth with righteousness (Isaiah 11:4,5)

Yeshua was given authority to judge (John 5:27; Luke 19:22; 2 Timothy 4:1,8)

What is Shabuot All About

Posted by Eemah Hephzybah Omafuvwe on May 17, 2012 at 8:10 AM Comments comments (4)

 

 

The below trilogy on Shabuot is one that I have carried within me during this entire season of Counting Omer.  It is a synthesis of studies performed by others embedded in the revelations that the Ruwach continues to give to me.  So by Shabuot, I pray to have this fully revised and completed.  to the Eternal One, I Give Praise! Enjoy!

 

 




What Is Shabuot Really All About?

 

 


Lets Begin with When Is Shabuot?


This year, Shabuot is observed on May 27, 2012.  Using the Agricultural or Karaite Calendar. Many also refer to this calendar as the Ancient Biblical Calendar. Because the Victory Community of Yahweh’s Sword uses this calendar, I follow this calendar as well. So in the Garden many of our observances are centered around the Karaite Calendar. This year is very special because there is a syncronizing of dates when various Jews observe Shabuot. The Rabbinical Calendar, which most Hebrew Israelites also follow is based on the Babylonian Calendar and they observe Shabuot on May 27-28, 2012. There is also an issue of interpretation of Scripture as it relates to Shabuot or Pentecost. The May 27th date is based on Counting Omer beginning the first day after the first shabat after Passover and the Rabbinical date is based on Passover being the official Shabbath and beginning the count on the first day of Unleavened Bread. Well since Passover was on the Sabbath Day, both groups are in harmony with their dates this year. I give praise.  Now there is an added bonus this year as well. The Christian Calendar as show May 27, 2012 as the Day of Pentecost.  How wonderfully neat that is but do the two observances have anything in common?  We shall see as my lesson progresses.  Well, even when the dates between the various groups are not aligned, it does not matter which calendar you choose to follow. What matters is what you do from the first day of Counting Omer to the Shabuot (Feast of the First Fruits).  These fifty days are most important to those who honor the will of the Most High. Yet, many do very little in the vineyard during the season of Counting Omer.


Now is Counting Omer biblical or is it simply another tradition given to us by Judaism?

Counting Omer is indeed biblical. According to Karaite resources, Sunday April 8, 2012 was Yom Hanafat Ha'omer (Day of the Waving of the Sheaf). When the Temple stood this day marked the official commencement of the grain harvest (Dt 16:7): And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which the LORD thy God shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents. As a result,  sheaves of barley were cut and brought to the Temple as a wave-offering. This day also marks the beginning of the 50-day count to Shabuot (Pentecost; Feast of Weeks). Yom Hanafat Ha'omer is counted as Day 1 (April 8, 2012) and Shabuot as Day 50 - May 27, 2012 (Lev 23:9-22).


There are different methods of counting the 50 days. According to some the commandment 'and you shall count for yourselves fifty days' means to simply observe the 50th day as Shavuot while others actually declare out loud the number on each of the fifty days. A medieval Karaite practice combines two different methods of declaring the daily count. The first method is the counting of seven weeks. Each day, the number of the week and the number of the day in the week are declared. So for example, the first day is 'first day of the first week'. The second counting method used is an overall number for each day. In this method Day one is 'the first day' and Day 25 is 'the twenty-fifth day'. These two methods are used to satisfy the commandment to count seven weeks (Dt 16:9):  Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.

Karaites also focus on adhering to the commandment to count fifty days (Lev 23:15-17):  Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto the Lord.

 

 

 


What is the Significance Counting Omer and the Feast of Shabuot?

 

The Hebrew word sheba means seven, shabu'ah means week, and shabu'ot means weeks. Exactly seven weeks after the first harvest of barley is the celebration of Shabuot ("weeks"), one of the three pilgrimage observances where Israel were commanded to go to  the Temple to present the firstfruits of their spring crops before the LORD. Since Shabuot occurs on the 50th day after Passover, the Greek translators of the Torah called this day "Pentecost."

 

There are three or four names given to this Set Apart Day of Shabuot, typically know as Pentecost. There is Shabuot or Shavuot (spelling depends on your dialect only- v is based on Yiddish view and b is based on Afro-Asiatic view). Shabuot is the Hebrew word of “weeks”. So it is The Feast of Weeks of Chag Shabuot which says the same thing. This Ancient observance was based on observing the barley harvest. Now we also hear the term Pentecost which means fifty. In the Old Testament the word Pentecost is not there. This feast day was referred to as “Feast of Weeks”( Ex. 34:22; Duet. 16:9-10) because it was celebrated seven weeks after the offering of the barley sheaf. Also known as the “Feast of the Harvest” ( Ex. 23:16), because it came at the end of the barley harvest, and it was also known as the ” Feast of First Fruits” ( Ex 34:22 ; Num. 28:26), because it marked the beginning of the first fruits of the wheat harvest being offered at the temple. It is referred to in the New Testament as “Pentecost”, a term derived from the Greek pentekoste (meaning fiftieth). Can you feel the spiritual indications in each title? Seven is a very spiritual number, representing a procession completed. During the seven weeks between Passover and Shabuot, Torah speaks of awaiting for a latter harvest, which is the Creator’s best harvest wheat. Consider your soul as barley at Passover and it begins to transcend into higher spiritual grade and evolve as wheat by Shabuot. It is your inner being that is to be harvested for Pentecost or Feast of First Fruits or Feast of Weeks.



How does one transform from their state of barley into a state of wheat? Well consider an inner transformation from your lower consciousness into a higher or a more Yahlike consciousness? The simplest way is to spend time going within each day and communing with the Divine Creator. Kabbalists offer the Sefirot on the Tree of Life as a way to reflect on your own soul experience during this time. Each day, there is a Sefirot virtue pair for you to reflect upon and access your own ascension of spiritual virtues. My very first Shabuot was when I meditated on the Mount of Olives Sermon on the Mount offered by Yahshua Hamashiach.  Since that time, I often followed the traditions of Judaism (Kabbalistic teachings) where an Israelite Matriarch is featured each day in accordance with the seven Tree of Life sefirot pairs.  There are seven different seifirots which respresents very special attributes of Our Living Creator.  The Sefirot are ten modes or attributes through which YAH manifests Himself. The Sefirot are not God, but they are the medium through which specific qualities and attributes can be ascribed to Him. From higher to lower, they are:



Chochmah - Wisdom,

Binah - Understanding,

DAAT - Knowledge


Chesed - Loving kindness,

Geburah - Strength,

Tiferet - Beauty/ Compassion,

Netzach - Victory, Endurance

Hod - Splendor/ Majesty,

Yesod - Foundation / Connectivity,

and Malchut - Shekinah.

 


For Counting Omer, we focus on the lower seven sefirot are from higher to lower:  Chesod (Loving-Kindness),  Geburah (Strength), Tiferet (Beauty), Netzach (Majesty), Hod (Splendor), Yesod (Foundation) and Malchut (Shekinah). To learn more about each one, you may want to click on this site:  The Tree of Life

Lets put on our math hats for one minute.  There are seven sefirot and for each day of Omer two of the sefirah are paired together. In order for each of the seven sefirot to be paired with each of the seven, it will take how many days? I am certain we agree that it will take 7 x 7 = 49 days of Counting Omer.  Yes, Counting Omer is 49 days, which ends this year on the Seventh Sabbath, since Passover which is May 26, 2012.  Most of my lessons this year for Counting Omer came from a great website titled Ritual Well :  Bible Women for Counting Omer  Please also visit my website to get a Hebrew Israelite perspective on Matriarchs of Israel for Counting Omer.  Shabuot is the High Sabbath Day which follows the seventh Sabbath after Pentecost. this year it is May 27, 2012.



What Actually Happens or Should Happen on Shabuot?

Shabuot is a high Sabbath Day, so most observers will gather at a Kenneset and wave bread offering.



Our Rabbibical Jewish Family Observance of Shabuot

Our Rabbinical Jewish brethren often focus on the Book of Ruth to observe Shabuot. The Book of Ruth is read during the morning service prior to the Torah reading (On the first day of Shabuot in Israel, and on the second day in the diaspora). The reasons that they read the Book of Ruth are:

A) Acceptance of the Torah - The Book of Ruth is the story of a courageous Moabite woman who took upon herself the laws of the Torah. Since Shabuot commemorates the receiving of the Torah by Israel, the story of Ruth's journey from Moabite princess to the wife of one of Judea's leading citizens, is an inspiration for all.

B) The Harvest Time - The story of Ruth takes place during the period of the Counting of the Omer and culminates at the time of the wheat harvest, which is the time of Shabuot.

C) King David - According to tradition, King David, the great-grandson of Ruth, was born and died on Shabuot .

Our Rabbinical Family also associates Feast of Shabuot with Moshe giving the Ten Commandments at this time. I am not sure how the two are connected because it is not in the Scriptures that Moshe was given the commandments on Shabuot but so be it. I have no problems honoring or commemorating the Ten Commandments on any special Set Apart Time of Yahweh.




What Does Torah say about how to observe Shabuot?


Spiritual Lesson  #1: Bikkurim According to information at Headcovering by Deborah’s website:

The Hebrew term bikkurim and related termsfor the “first fruits” derive from the same root as bekhor, “firstborn(see Firstborn). On the same general principle that the firstborn of man andbeast belonged to the God of Israel and were to be devoted to Him, the firstfruits, including the first grains to ripen each season, were to be brought asan offering to God. Every Israelite who possessed the means of agriculturalproductivity was under this obligation (Ex. 23:19; 34:26, Num. 15:17–21;18:12–13; Deut. 26:1–11). A frequent synonym for bikkurim is reshit, “thefirst [fruits].”

Deuteronomy 26:1–11 contains detailed proceduresfor the offering of the first fruits, including the text of a liturgicalrecitation incumbent upon any who offered their first fruits in the sanctuary.The manner of oblation prescribed in that passage represents a distinctive mode, whereby the substances involved were not burnt on the altar but were merely displayed, and later assigned to the priests as part of their cultic (aspecific complex of beliefs, rites) income ( Num.18:12–13; Deut. 18:3–5). On the other hand, Leviticus 2:14 speaks of minhat bikkurim, “a grain offering of first fruits,” prescribing that part of itbe burnt on the altar.


It would seem, therefore, that at least some of the grain brought as first fruits was disposed of in that manner, although the prescription of Leviticus may reflect the tendency to accommodate older formsof sacrifice to the particularly Israelite practice of the burnt offering. Itis difficult to identify this minhah within the context of first fruit offerings. It has been identified with the “grain offering of fresh grain” (minhah hadashah) of Leviticus 23:16; but that poses a problem, since the rule wasthat no leavened dough could be brought up on the altar, and the offering offresh grain mentioned in that passage was to be baked from leavened dough. The offerings of first fruits were both an individual obligation and a part ofpublic festival celebrations, particularly the celebration of Shabuot, alsocalled Hag ha-Bikkurim, “the first fruits festival” (Ex. 23:16; 34:22;Lev. 23:16–17; Num. 28:26).


My conclusion is that Shabuot was a time of open observation of wave offering of the leavened bread not necessarily and in fact unlikely one wherethere was only a Levitical priestly offering but an open offering from all who harvestedand gathered to share their glory for the harvest.


Shabuot  is one of three holidays"firstfruits" mentioned in the Bible ( In Exodus 23:16 it is called,Hag Ha-katzir (Festival of the Harvest). The day of Firstfruits is found inNumbers 28:26;  for Passover, seeLeviticus 23:10;  for Sukkot, see Exodus23:16). Of all the yearly festivals, these were the three that required all menof Israel come to the sanctuary. From the time of David, that sanctuary was inJerusalem. They would offer the "firstfruits" of the differentharvests that took place during the year (Exodus 23:14-17, 19; Deuteronomy16:16).


As stated earlier, Passover week fellearly in the spring and marked the barley harvest. In the later spring, wheatripened and was harvested at Shabuot . Sukkot took place in the fall when thefinal harvest of the year was brought in, which included olives and grapes. Thus we hear of the Seven Fruits or Seedlings of Torah but we will have a separate blog on that topic.



Spiritual Application number #1:  we should bring forth our First Fruits to Our Heavenly Father.  For many, it will be aspecial tithe but for you what should it be. Because I see the Season of Counting Omer as a very special transformation from barley to wheat, I see this time for self-transformation aswell.  Yet not only are we concerned withascending in Spirit but we are vineyard workers during this season.  We should have been very involved withhelping to bring others into the Covenant of Abba Yahwah. This is the greatest “First Fruit” that  anyone can bring beforeYahwah on Shabuot.  Can you bring a newsoul to him on May 27th ? Yes, we will waive two loaves of bread which is symbol of leavened soulsready for sanctification (washing with Torah). 



Spiritual  Lesson  #2: Many Scriptures in the Passover Haggadah were originally recited at the dedication of firstfruits. Though werecall the events of the Exodus at Passover today, Shabuot  also recalled the four hundred years of bitterservitude in Egypt. In the Book of Deuteronomy, the instructions for celebrating Shabuot  conclude with the exhortation, "Remember that you were slaves in Egypt, and follow carefully these decrees."


Deuteronomy 26 describes another ceremony to commemorate our redemption from bondage. In fact, a whole part of the Passover Seder includes verses recited atthe dedication of firstfruits (Deuteronomy26:1-10). The text does not specifically state that this ceremony is to be performed on Shabuot , but the ceremony was to be performed on various firstfruit occasions, which wouldsurely include Shabuot . As the worshipper brought his firstfruits, hepronounced: "I declare today to the LORD your God that I have come to theland the LORD swore to our forefathers to give us." Then he recited wordsthat have become familiar from the Passover Haggadah:


Deuteronomy26:1-10 (KJV):

26 And it shall be, when thouart come in unto the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee for an inheritance, and possessest it, and dwellesttherein;

2 That thou shalt take of the first of all the fruit of theearth, which thou shalt bring of thy land that the Lord thy God giveth thee, and shalt put it in a basket, and shalt go unto the place which the Lordthy God shall choose to place his name there.

3 And thou shalt go unto the priest that shall be in thosedays, and say unto him, I profess this day unto the Lord thy God, that I am come unto the country which the Lord sware unto our fathers for to giveus.

4 And the priest shall take the basket out of thine hand, andset it down before the altar of the Lordthy God.

5 And thou shalt speak and say before the Lord thy God, A Syrian ready to perishwas my father, and he went down into Egypt, and sojourned there with a few, andbecame there a nation, great, mighty, and populous:

6 And the Egyptians evil entreated us, and afflicted us, andlaid upon us hard bondage:

7 And when we cried unto the Lord God of our fathers, the Lord heardour voice, and looked on our affliction, and our labour, and our oppression:

8 And the Lordbrought us forth out of Egypt with a mighty hand, and with an outstretched arm,and with great terribleness, and with signs, and with wonders:

9 And he hath brought us into this place, and hath given usthis land, even a land that floweth with milk and honey.

10 And now, behold, I have brought the firstfruits of the land,which thou, O Lord, hast given me.And thou shalt set it before the Lordthy God, and worship before the Lordthy God:

 


Spiritual Application #2: Should this ancient firstfruits ceremony beenincorporated into the Shabuot?

Absolutely YES in both the physical and spiritual reasoning of DELIVERANCE and THANKSGIVING.   We must begin to understand that the Lands that are even given upon us today should represent not Egypt butYour Liberation and opportunity to harvest for Our Heavenly Father.  May Jews and Hebrew Israelites make the very unfortunate error to think of the Promised Land as one place called physical Jerusalem but there is a Spiritual Jerusalem, which for many of us we can begin to walk on that land today and we can begin to cultivate that land today and harvest on that Land today, should we but choose to do so. 

 

The third temple has been destroyed where the Israelites could gather andbring forth their First Fruits.  Do you really believe that for nearly 2000 years our Heavenly Father would not want you to bring forth another offer of thanksgiving to HIM?  Of course not.  We have been commanded to till the soil.  If you do not understand how to spiritually “Till the Soil” you need to view a wonderful teaching by the Honorable Louis Farrakhan on his address to the  sistersof the Nation of Islam where he taught that not having a man to till the soilwas the first profession that Yahwah has given to the world.  His original purpose was to bring forth manto till the soil Genesis 2: 4,5): 4 These are the generations of the heavens and of the earthwhen they were created, in the day that the Lord God made the earth and theheavens, 5 And every plant of the field before it was in theearth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not aman to till the ground.

 

Well, not only was the First Adama created to till the soil, all of His Children are given that great commission.  In order to look to a Great Harvest, the soil must be tilled.  Tilling breaks up the rough stony soil and prepares it to receive seed so that the seed will have a chanceto root and grow.  This is what Shabuotrepresents to me.  It is a time when weare able to show our Heavenly Father that we have been doing His will, His first profession unto mankind. We are tillers of the soil and harvesters of souls for His Divine Covenant. Who have you helped to return to DERECH YHWH this Shabuot?


 



Does the Christian Pentecost have a relation to Torah’s Pentecost?

I must give credit to both Brother Victor Okoko and Elder Chukwudi Nwangwu who I have gleaned information from to help me bring this part of my lesson together.  This is not to say they agree with my conclusions below but their information helped me to draw my conclusions below.  Ise o .


The fulfillment or parallel  of these Shabuot to Pentecost is striking. Yahshuah died on Passover and Yahshaua resurrected on Yom Hanafat Ha'omer (Day of the Waving of the Sheaf) which was the First day after the first Sabbath andwhich marks the day we begin to Count Omer. For forty ensuing days, Yahshua appeared to his disciples in his resurrection body, and then ascended into Heaven (Luke 24 1-51) . Ten days later, the Sunday of the Feast of Pentecost, Ruwach HaQodesh (the Holy Spirit) descended upon the believers who were gathered in the upper room in Jerusalem and it is this great encounter that the followers of Yahshua officiated their movement of Nazarenes, which is now referred to as the Church. This great encounter took place on Shabuot.

 

In Christianity,it is believed that the Church was started on this Day of Pentecost.  In Acts 2, the 12 Apostles were all together in one place. (Matthias had just been chosen to replace Judas). They were filled with the Holy Spirit and began speaking, so that even the Jews fromother countries could understand the Apostles in their own language (Acts 2: 1-11). Peter got up and preached the first sermon (Acts 2: 14 - 41). He told these devout Hebrews about Yeshua who died for them and rose again. At the end of his sermon (that is all recordedin Acts, chapter 2) they were "cut to the heart" or convicted andwanted to know what they needed to do to be saved. Peter told them,"Repent and be baptized every one of you for the forgiveness of your sinsand you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." About 3000 people were baptized that day.



These reconciled events were obviously no coincidence, but were part of the overall plan and purpose of Yahweh in verifying the powerful meaning of thedeath and resurrection of Yahshua HaMaschiach, and the establishment of the newbody of believers in the Besorah of Yahshua.

From then on, the Jewish believers in Christ must have repeatedly informed the people of Israel about the nature of the fulfillment of Passover, YomHanfat Ha’omer, Days of Counting Omer and Shabuot.  Today many Messianic Hebrews baptize their newcoverts on Shabuot.  Shabuot is a time that we should give new life to souls in the vineyard of Yahweh. It is the remembrance of those who became filled with the Holy Spirit of Yahweh which representative of Torah. God’s Word is truth (Ps 119:160; Jn 17:17), and Yeshua reminds us that the Holy Spirit is a Spirit of Truth (Jn 15:26). We would dowell this Pentecost season to study the spiritual connection between Sinai and Zion.  YHWH said He will put his covenantin the Hearts of his children (Jeremiah 31: 31-34).  So this points to why our Jewish family who speaks to the Ten Commandments during Shabuot but what they really miss is that this is a time for a Spiritual encounter of Torah, which only the Ruwach HaQoDesh can bring to us all by was of the Besorah of Yahshua.

 



 

The Meaning of DERECH

Posted by Eemah Hephzybah Omafuvwe on May 10, 2012 at 5:30 PM Comments comments (0)

 

 "This says YHWH, Stand in the derech, and see, and ask for the

old paths, where is the tov derech, and have your walk in it, and you shall find rest for your beings.  But they said, We will not walk in it."

-Yirmeyahu 6:16

 



DERECH is the Hebrew term for the word PATH. Now let us ponder on other scriptures where the word DERCH was used and its deep implications:


Genesis 49:17

Dan shall be a serpent by the way, an adder in the DERCH, that biteth the horse heels, so that his rider shall fall backward.


Numbers 22:24

But the angel of the LORD stood in a DERCH of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side.


Job 28:7

There is a DERCH which no fowl knoweth, and which the vulture's eye hath not seen:


Job 30:13

They mar my DERCH, they set forward my calamity, they have no helper.


Job 41:32

He maketh a DERCH to shine after him; one would think the deep to be hoary.


Psalm 16:11

Thou wilt shew me the DERCH of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.


Psalm 27:11

Teach me thy way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain DERCH, because of mine enemies.


Psalm 77:19

Thy way is in the sea, and thy DERCH in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known.


Psalm 119:35

Make me to go in the DERCH of thy commandments; for therein do I delight.


Psalm 119:105

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my DERCH.


Psalm 139:3

Thou compassest my DERCH and my lying down, and art acquainted with all my ways.


Psalm 142:3

When my spirit was overwhelmed within me, then thou knewest my DERCH. In the way wherein I walked have they privily laid a snare for me.


Proverbs 1:15

My son, walk not thou in the way with them; refrain thy foot from their DERCH:


Proverbs 2:9

Then shalt thou understand righteousness, and judgment, and equity; yea, every good DERCH.


Proverbs 4:14

Enter not into the DERCH of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men.


Proverbs 4:18

But the DERCH of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day.


Proverbs 4:26

Ponder the DERCH of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.


Proverbs 5:6

Lest thou shouldest ponder the DERCH of life, her ways are moveable, that thou canst not know them.


Isaiah 26:7

The way of the just is uprightness: thou, most upright, dost weigh the DERCH of the just.

 

Isaiah 30:11

Get you out of the way, turn aside out of the DERCH, cause the Holy One of Israel to cease from before us.  


Isaiah 40:14

With whom took he counsel, and who instructed him, and taught him in the DERCH of judgment, and taught him knowledge, and shewed to him the way of understanding?)  


Isaiah 43:16

Thus saith the LORD, which maketh a way in the sea, and a DERCH in the mighty waters;


Joel 2:8

Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his DERCH:and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.



 


" For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed" .- Malchi 3:6

 


 


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