Dealing with Confrontation

A quote concerning Jacob and his preparation to meet Esau (who had years ago desired to kill him):
"Jacob prepared himself for his confrontation with Esau in three ways: he sent Esau a gift to appease him, he prayed, and he made ready for war."

The above quote provides with good instruction on dealing with those that oppose us. Whether spiritually, in business, or among those who at one time we considered close to us, but now stood in opposition. First, send an act of kindness. Perform some good deed for the one who may oppose you. Treat them the way you would like to be treated. Demonstrate the love of YHWH to them. Second, you should pray. Pray for G-d's blessing on their life and on yours. It is not wrong to pray that you would be blessed. It is not an act of selfishness; it is an act of good sense. Finally, prepare for war. Every one has freedom of choice. We may not always be able to anticipate the choices of others. In all cases, the final act to prepare for war is an act of self preservation. Life is precious, and that includes yours. So prepare for war, and prepare well.

Follow these three suggestions and you will be prepared to deal with all opposition, no matter where it originates.

Daily Word: Meditating on the Hebrew Alphabet (Ayin)

The sixteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is called Ayin. In ancient Hebrew, Ayin meant an eye. The pictograph of an eye symbolizes to see, to understand, to experience, and to be seen. Words with Ayin demonstrate some aspect of the eye or sight. The Hebrew word for to continue or forever is ad. The word picture tells us that you can continue when you see the door. The Hebrew word for pleasant or the garden of Eden is e-den. The word picture for e-den informs us that it was where you could see or to experience the door of life. The word for weep is da-ma. The word picture describes weeping as the blood of the eye. The word for to hear, to understand, and to obey is sha-ma. The word picture tells us that to hear is to see the name.

Psalm 119 verses 121-128 all begin with the letter Ayin. Since the letter Ayin is the eye, these eight verses speak of seeing or understanding. It is to the G-d of lovingkindness (v.124) and precepts (v.128) that we place our trust. Verse 127 says: "Therefore I love Thy commandments above gold, yes, above fine gold." Can you make that declaration? Do you love G-d's commandments more than gold?

Today is a good day for considering what you love above all else. What controls your heart? Is it the commandments of G-d or something else? It doesn't matter what the something else is; if it is not G-d's commandments, you have erred.

Daily Word: Meditating on the Hebrew Alphabet (Samech)

The fifteenth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is Samech. In ancient Hebrew, it meant a prop, i.e. a support. It symbolizes: (1) support; (2) a slow twisting; or (3) turning aside. Thye Hebrew word for refuge or trust is cha-sah. The word picture tells us that a refuge comes from the fence of support. We have previously learned that the Torah is a fence to keep us from difficulties. The word for grandfather is sav. The word picture is that a grandfather supports the house or family. There is great wisdom with those with grey on their heads. We should listen to the older generation for their wisdom. The word for moody is sar. The word picture informs us that a moody person is a propped up person. Finally, the Hebrew word for book is se-fer. The word picture is that a book will support the mouth of a man or woman. The contents of a book will help you speak to other people. What have you been reading and how has it helped you speak to other people?

Psalm 119 verses 113-120 all begin with the letter Samech. Since we know that Samech means a prop, these eight verses teach us how G-d supports and upholds those who lean completely, not selectively, on His Torah. Verse 113 says: "I hate those who are double-minded, but I love Thy Torah." Do you love the Torah? Or, are you like most Christians that believe the Old Testament has passed away? Are you free from those restrictions? I have one question, "So, how is that working out for you?"

Today, consider what supports you. What holds you up? Is it the word of G-d, or is it the traditions of man or a church? When you can lean completely on G-d and His word, you will find peace, i.e. shalom (nothing missing, nothing broken).

Daily Word: Meditating on the Hebrew Alphabet (Noon)

The fourteenth letter in the Hebrew alphabet is Noon. In ancient Hebrew, it meant a fish. It symbolizes a fish darting through water, i.e action and life. We would expect words that contain Noon to have action and life in their pictographs. The Hebrew word for son is ben. The word picture says that he is the life of the family. This means that he will continue the family name. He continues the life of the family. The Hebrew word for eagle is ne-sher. The word picture reveals the eagle as the living prince. The Hebrew word for expel or reject is nee-dah. The word picture tells us that to expel is what comes from the moving door. Again, we see action; the door moves to expel. The Hebrew word for please is nah. The word picture informs us that to ask please is an action of strength.

In Psalm 119 verses 105-112, each verse begins with Noon. Since Noon means action or life, these eight verses tell us that G-d's word is like a lamp to my feet (allowing action even in the midst of darkness). When I find myself in trouble, I can turn to G-d's word to revive me and carry me through whatever I am facing. Verse 109 says: "My life is continually in my hand, Yet I do not forget Thy Torah." Can you say that? Can you affirm that your life is in G-d's hand? Can you testify that you have not forgotten His Torah? If you can't, you can not pick and choose what verses you want from this psalm. Do you want His word to be a lamp to your feet and a light to your path? Don't forget His Torah. Do you want ADONAI to revive you? Don't forget His Torah.

Today, ask yourself, "Have I forgotten G-d's Torah? Do you want His word to light your path and be a lamp to your feet? If so, don't forget His Torah. Incline your heart toward the statutes of Elohim. He will guide you and never fail.

Daily Word: Meditating on the Hebrew Alphabet (Mem)

The thirteenth leter in the Hebrew alphabet is Mem. In ancient Hebrew, it meant water. It symbolized: (1) a mighty, massive or many; (2) chaos; or (3) to come from like water down a stream. The Hebrew word for mother is em. The word picture informs us that a mother is the strong water. A mother is like the water that never fails; she is the life giver. The Hebrew word for thirst is tsa-ma. The word picture is that when you thirst, you are hooked by water strongly. The Hebrew word for bitter is mar. The word picture is that a bitter person is as a chaos man. Have you noticed that those who are bitter in life are surrounded by chaos? They go hand in hand.

In Psalm 119 verses 97-104, all verses begin with the letter Mem. Since Mem means water, these eight verses tell us that as water in the desert produces life and growth, G-d's word causes us to flourish. When you grow in G-d's word, you increase in insight, understanding, and wisdom. If you want these attributes in your life, they are available to you. However, you will need to study G-d's word. The power is in His word. There you will find wisdom and life.

Today, consider your study habits. Do you really take time to study G-d's word? Or, are you content to read a few passages and wait for church to receive some nourishment. Make today a day of study. Dig into G-d's word. As you do, you will find insight, understanding, and wisdom increasing in your life.

Daily Word: Meditating on the Hebrew Alphabet (Lamed)

The twelfth letter of the Hebrew alphabet is Lamed. In ancient Hebrew, Lamed meant a cattle goad or shepherd's staff. A cattle goad was used to drive animals to their destination. The pictograph of a rod symbolizes control, prodding or urging forward, going forward, or a tongue. As we consider several Hebrew words with Lamed, remember the picture of control or going forward. One Hebrew name for G-d is el. The word picture informs us that G-d is the first or the strong authority. The Hebrew word for heart is lev. The word picture tells us that the heart is what controls the inside. One life lesson is that people generally do what they want to do. People are not overwhelmed by some outside force. Instead, they give in to an evil inclination that is inside of them. Too often, Christians like to "pass the buck" and blame the devil, when it is themselves at fault. The Hebrew word for tongue is la-shon. The word picture explains that the tongue is the rod that devours and establishes life. Proverbs 18:21 says: "Death and life are in the power of the tongue...."

In Psalm 119 verses 89-96, all verses begin with Lamed. Since Lamed means a staff, these eight verses tell us that G-d's authority controls and protects us like a shepherd's staff. When we see the Sovereignty of G-d and how it impacts our lives, we will be able to speak in confidence verse 94: "I am Thine, save me." However, don't forget the rest of the verse, "For I have sought Thy precepts." The Hebrew word for "precepts" is pikkudim and it means to take oversight or charge. G-d will save us when we allow Him to take charge of our lives. That includes obedience to Torah.

Today, consider who is in charge of your life. Who or what controls you? What is inside your heart that is the hand that guides you? If it is anything other than YHVH, you are on dangerous ground.

Daily Word: Meditating on the Hebrew Alphabet (Kaf)

The eleventh letter of the Hebrew alphabet is Kaf. In ancient Hebrew it meant a palm or a wing. It symbolizes to allow, to cover, or to open. The hand performs all these functions. It allows; it can cover; and it can open the way. Hebrew words that contain Kaf will demonstrate some attribute of the hand. The Hebrew word for yes is ken. The word picture informs us that to say yes is to open your hand to life or activity. The Hebrew word for priest is ko-hen. By placing Hey in the middle of the word for yes, the word picture is formed that tells us that the role of the priest is to reveal the heart of the "yes." The Hebrew word for all, complete, or everything is kol. The word picture tells us that it is "whole" when you open the hand of the rod. The Hebrew word for forgive is kee-per. The word picture tells us that to forgive comes when, instead of pronouncing judgment, you cover the mouth of the person. This is exactly what occurs by the grace of G-d. The mouth of the accuser is covered when we receive grace from ADONAI.

In Psalm 119 verses 81-88, each verse begins with the letter Kaf. Since Kaf is the open hand, these eight verses inform us that we all need the open hand of G-d. Too often we seek the open hand of man, when it is the mercy, compassion, and grace from the open hand of G-d we need. Consider whose hand you seek. Is it the favor of man, or the favor of G-d?

Today, consider the hand of G-d. Look to His past faithfulness to act in the present. It is because of what His hand has done in the past, we can have trust in His hand to open in the present. Our future, as well as our present, is secure because of His open hand. Seek His open hand and not man's.