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Wednesday, February 28, 2024

Staying in Your Own Lane

  Reading the latest Torah Portions, boundaries and consequences kept popping into my mind. Father blessed His children with the Law of Moses or Torah; the Father's Love Language.

 He set forth perimeters, guidelines, and instructions. Boundaries, if you will. 




If you are anything like me, you also struggle with setting and honoring boundaries. Either your own or others. Understanding or knowing how to set a boundary can be confusing, especially if you have never had it role-modeled as a child. Without personal boundaries, I allowed others to step over, step on, and talk down to me. 





Let's explore boundaries a bit more this week. Beginning with the question, what is a boundary? A simple definition of a boundary, according to Merriam-Webster Dictionary: 

Something that indicates or fixes a limit or extent. 

Those two trees mark the boundary of our property. 
The mountain range that forms the country's northern boundary synonyms bound, ceiling, limit, end, cap, line, extent, limitation, termination 


Staying in your own lane prevents confusion, chaos, and control. Boundaries define us. They define what is me and what is not me. 




A boundary shows where I end, and someone else begins, leading me to a sense of ownership. —Drs. Cloud and Townsend.




                                               Even Yeshua practiced healthy self-care

 Did you know that Yeshua set boundaries to protect from burnout? So, if He needed to slip away for some "Me time," how much more do we need to slip away for quiet time with the Father, with ourselves? 




Busyness can be a difficult hurdle to overcome! People press us for many reasons; busy moms have difficulty carving out precious quiet moments to care for their own needs. He gets that. He had to say no to those clambering for His time and energy. He set an example. 

Matthew 14:22 And at once, he compelled his disciples to embark on the ship and to go before him to the other side while he sent the crowds away. 23And when he had sent the crowds away, he went up to a mountain alone to pray and when it was dark he was there alone.

Sometimes the answer is no; sometimes it is wait, and sometimes yes to you and no to me. It takes wisdom and practice to set healthy boundaries. 





The links provided below will assist you to look deeper into this topic.




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Monday, February 12, 2024

The Father's Loving Boundaries

 


As I read the Torah portion of Mishpotim and Terumah, I pondered how it all fits with the recent blogs on intergenerational trauma. I liked what First Fruits of Zion wrote about the Hebrews escaping slavery into freedom. I want to share what the article said; the article is posted under resources for you to read.  


If you buy a Hebrew slave, he shall serve for six years; but on the seventh he shall go out as a free man without payment. (Exodus 21:2)

It seems that by offering laws regarding slavery, the Bible is condoning it. Slavery is ugly. Slaves in North America were kidnapped, maltreated, bought, and sold, subjugated to all sorts of cruelties and denied basic human dignities. Why does the Torah give laws about slavery?

The Bible's laws about slaves are meant for the protection and well-being of the people enslaved. The Israelites had just left slavery. They had experienced it in its ugliest form. It is only natural that God would address that institution and lay out rules to prevent the perpetuation of the maltreatment of slaves. God did not want the Israelites to treat their servants the way that they themselves had been treated.

This can be compared to an abusive home in which a son is beaten by his father. When the boy grows up, he beats his own children because that is the manner of parenting he learned from his father. The Bible's laws of slavery are meant to break that pattern of the mistreatment of other human beings.

Wow! Did you catch that? Those slavery laws were meant to break the PATTERN of mistreatment of others!

Abusive behavior is learned behavior. What is learned can be unlearned! Abba was trying to help them unlearn what they learned under generations of enslavement. 


The Father does not take harming others lightly. 



Saying I'm sorry sometimes does not close gaping wounds inflicted on the hearts we wounded.







As I read these Torah portions, I sense  Abba Yah's placing boundaries around His precious children to provide safety to those who have never known safety. Safety must be in place before one can begin to process the emotions trauma creates. 

Being raised in a dysfunctional, unloving environment does not provide a template for setting healthy boundaries or respecting others' boundaries. Respecting authority is often an issue for those raised with a critical parent. In Terumah, Exodus 25:2, He says to Mosheh

Speak to the people of Israel, that they take for Me a contribution. From every man whose heart moves him, you shall receive the contribution for Me. Then He says in verse 8 

Let them make Me a sanctuary that I may dwell in their midst. 

Do you hear that? He wants to dwell with them! 

Heavenly Love language...

We all have love languages. Our Heavenly Father has a love language! (Please see the link below to learn your and your loved ones' love language).

So, back to the Torah portion...The Father's "laws" are often misconstrued as oppressive, old-fashioned, and irrelevant. However, if we could see it as a loving Father providing safe boundaries for protection, it changes one's perspective. In the aforementioned Torah portions,  He is helping the former slaves to learn how to love. To love Him and love their neighbor as they love themselves.

Generational trauma leaves many without the ability to love themselves, let alone their neighbor. Generational trauma leaves gaps in the boundaries of all family members. 

As I pondered these Torah portions, wrestling with what He wanted to say to you through this blog, I had a "vision." I want to share it with you.

I saw a loving Father pacing the floor with a baby in his arms. The baby was crying relentlessly, suffering from symptoms of what I surmised was colic. This baby was swaddled in a blanket, held tight close to the Father's heart...He was bouncing the baby ever so gently while cooing, making shhh shhh shhh noises gently, calmly, lovingly. 




No scolding. 
No shaming.
No form of rejection.

Pure love.
Pure empathy.
Pure compassion.

I asked Abba to speak to my heart last night as I picked up His Word.
I said to Him, I know this sounds silly and childish, but I REALLY need to hear from You, Abba. 
I opened up His word to Psalms 23. I read it, tears streaming down my face, sobbing.
This morning, as I sat with my elderly mother, as is my custom, I picked up the devotion book Shalom in Psalms (link below); much to my delighted surprise, this morning's reading was Psalms 23. 

That is a Father's attentiveness...it still shocks me! That is a Father whispering  shhh shhh shhh, I am here, I am holding you close to My heart...

So, what are You whispering to my heart, Abba?

Yeah, though I walk through the shadow of the valley of death. You are there...

From the time He knits us together in our mother's womb until we breathe our last breath. He is there. Whispering His love, consoling our anxious hearts with His shhhh shhh shhhh, be still, know that I am Yah...I have you in my arms...close to My heart...

Two precious children of the Most High died in the last two weeks. From what they shared with me, their beginning wasn't ideal, but their ending was! They learned His love, His way. Their race is over. They finished well.

Psalm 90:12 tells us to number our days. That's a boundary of love...Leviticus 19:17, 18, and Mark 12:31 commanded us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. That's a boundary. That makes us safe to be around. 

So what do we do if we are that unconsolable crying one needing to be swaddled and held? What do we do if we didn't have parents who knew how to love us, swaddling us when we cried as infants, kissing our boo-boo's when we hurt, teaching us how to self-regulate our emotions? What do we do now, as adults, if we were not raised in a home that taught us proper boundaries? What do we do as an adult to learn how to respect boundaries? Learn how to love, to be a safe person for ourselves and others?


First, we admit our love deficit; we allow Him to bring us out of denial about the trauma we have suffered and addictions we use to numb our pain, those unmanageability patterns in our lives; we ask for clarity to see things from His perspective, and we surrender our ways of trying to make our lives work according to the ingrained patterns we learned from our family of origin. 





I don't have all the answers, but I know the One that does. I am going to provide some links to resources. I encourage you to ask Him to lead you to what you need. Next time, we will explore this topic further, Yah willing. 



It took her courage to set a boundary, validate her, and not condemn her. 



Resources and Articles for your education!


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Wednesday, February 7, 2024

Andrea L. Sims Ph.D. Unfolding the Besorah of The Kingdom Part III of “Unfolding The Kingdom” series

 

Art by Andrea


Unfolding the Besorah of The Kingdom

Part III of “Unfolding The Kingdom” series

Andrea L. Sims Ph.D.

Introduction

When I get a glimpse of something from Yah, I stay with it—keeping it before my eyes, pondering it in my heart, researching it until it becomes a part of me—something from Yah in me, for others. I find myself focusing on a few things instead of skimming over many and moving on. I’m not saying this is the only way to approach the Scriptures (or any topic of interest), just that it’s the way I do, naturally and habitually.

I discovered during my graduate studies that the scope of research can be defined in at least two ways: it can be “exhaustive”—everything that can possibly be found has been found, or it can be “comprehensive”—enough research has been gathered to support a thesis or at least provide sufficient evidence for a point that is trying to be made. 

Those principles of research do not work when digging into the Word of Yah, however. The “exhaustive” stage will have to wait until we are with him—in his Kingdom—to begin to come close. Yah’s words like “salvation,” “redemption,” “forgiveness,” “love,” “Yashar’el,” the “Millennium,” the “Bride/Guests,” and, yes, “The Kingdom” are beyond our ability to ever get to the fullness of them. But we can do something. We can search them out. We can glean some food for thought. We can at least ask some questions that had not been there before we began searching. 

Because . . . we don’t know what we don’t know . . .  until we get a glimpse of something. Then doors of understanding open, and more doors are presented until we become overwhelmed and . . . yes, even exhausted. And then we become exhilarated and begin again. That’s my experience, anyway. I pray that Yah will increase my “ya’da”—my understanding (my ability to understand—comprehend—and metabolize) his word so that my life is transformed by it. 

I didn’t know Messiah’s focus was on sharing the Besorah of The Kingdom (the “Good News”) until I heard a statement made by Dr. Stephen Pidgeon (www.cepher.net). But when I heard it stated that way, it got my attention. And I had to ask myself, “What is my focus?” I had to admit that my focus had not always lined up with his. That’s an understatement, really. And another glimpse I had been pondering came to mind again: Messiah came to do Yah’s will and to finish Yah’s work. Messiah did not come to begin something new! Yah’s will and work are inextricably linked to the Besor’ah of the Kingdom. 

Your throne is established of old:

You are from everlasting.

(Psalm 93:2)



Yahuah has prepared his throne in the heavens;

And his kingdom rules over all.

(Psalm 103:19)

Art by Andrea


In my mind, where there is a “throne”, there must then be a King; and where there is a King, there must be a Kingdom—established of old and lasting forever.  We are looking right into the face of Yah’s dominion over everything for all time (from Aleph to Tav). We are “looking” but we don’t see it . . . yet. But we can “call those things that be not as though they were” (Romans 4:17b). 

“While we look not at the things that are seen,
But at the things that are not seen:
For the things that are seen are temporal;
But the things which are not seen are eternal.”
(2 Cor. 4:18)

So, if Messiah’s purpose is to do Yah’s will and to finish Yah’s work, then it behooves us to look more closely into his focus: the Besorah of The Kingdom. 

The Besorah of The Kingdom

Here, again, I have to credit Dr. Pidgeon for another statement that stopped me in my tracks. It was a simple statement in a chat on Telegram, but it packed a punch for me. I’m paraphrasing, as I didn’t know at the time how impactful it would become or I would have taken a screenshot: 

The Besorah can be seen most clearly in two places—Luke 4 and Isaiah 61—through the lens of forgiveness.

Let’s take a look at these two references. But I encourage you to set aside what most of us have been taught about “the good news” and try to see what’s being said and the setting in which this is taking place. I think it is monumental. 

According to Luke 4:16-17, Messiah is in the synagogue in Nazareth on the Sabbath (“as was his custom”). He stands up to read and is handed the book of the prophet Isaiah. He begins reading in chapter 1:

“The Ruach Adonai Yahuah (the Spirit of Yah)
Is upon me,
Because Yahuah has anointed me to preach the Besorah (the glad tidings)
Unto the meek;
He has sent me to bind up the broken-hearted,
To proclaim liberty to the captives,
The recovery of sight to the blind,
And the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
To proclaim the acceptable year of Yahuah . . .”
(Isaiah 61:1-2).

Back to Luke 4:20-21: 
“And he closed the cepher (book), 
And he gave it again to the minister and sat down. 
And the eyes of all them that were in the synagogue were fastened on him.

And he began to say unto them,

‘This day is this Scripture fulfilled in your ears.’”

What are we to make of this word, “fulfilled”? I heard echoes of Messiah’s words—I came to do Yah’s will and to finish his work! This was/is his focus! Could there ever be more convincing evidence of Messiah’s connection to Yah’s will and plan for the ages? I’m thinking “not”. 

The Besorah (the good news) is now “out there”, so to speak. The question is, who will respond to it? I’m thinking it is those described by the prophet: 

The poor 
The brokenhearted
The Captives
The blind
The bruised

Art by Andrea




That Messiah came to bring physical, spiritual, emotional, psychological, financial, and cultural help to those in need is surely the definition of glad tidings (Strong’s G2098) and a fresh and cheerful message (Strong’s H1319). This is the Besorah of The Kingdom. We can see more clearly, too, why miracles and deliverances accompanied Messiah’s message. Those who responded must have needed them.

I just had to look and see if there is correspondence to the list above with the ones Messiah calls “Blessed” in Matthew 5. The Amplified version defines “blessed” as follows: happy, to be envied, and spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in Yah’s favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions. All those who respond to what Messiah offers, he calls “Blessed”:

The poor in spirit 
(the humble and who rate themselves insignificant)
Those who mourn
(for they shall be comforted)
The meek
(the mild, patient, long-suffering)
Those who hunger and thirst for righteousness
(those in right standing with Yah)
The merciful
(for they shall obtain mercy)
The pure in heart
(for they shall see Yah)
The makers and maintainers of peace
(for they shall be called sons of Yah)
Those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake
(for theirs in the Kingdom of Yah).
(Matthew 5:3-9)

But there was a price that was paid. We need to know that Messiah suffered, died, and was raised to life so that the invitation (to be made whole) is now possible. We, again, need to look at the King—for he has another side to him. 

The Suffering Messiah

Elohiym, who at sundry times and in diverse manners spoke in time past
Unto the fathers by the prophets . . .
(Hebrews 1:1)

What did the prophets of old have to save about Messiah? Isaiah puts it this way:

“. . . he has no form nor comeliness;
and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him.
He is despised and rejected of men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief:
and we hid as it were our faces from him;
he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 
Surely he has borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows:
yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of Elohiym, and afflicted. 
But he was wounded for our transgressions,
he was bruised for our iniquities:
the chastisement of our peace was upon him;
and with his stripes
we are healed.”
(Isaiah 53:2-5)

How can we reconcile Messiah’s position with the Father and his place in this world and in the world to come with Isaiah’s words? 

The soon coming King is described by the writer of Hebrews like this:

“ . . whom he (the Father, speaking of the Son) has appointed heir of all things,
by whom also he made the worlds.
Who being the brightness of his glory,
and the express image of his person,
and upholding all things by the word of his power, 
when he (the Messiah) had by himself 
purged our sins,
sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high . . .”
(Hebrews 1:2-3)

But the prophet has some things to say about us, as well:

“All we like sheep have gone astray;
we have turned every one to his own way . . .
(Isaiah 53:6)

And in spite of our wandering, our sinfulness, our transgressions, our iniquities, Messiah took them upon himself, enduring great suffering, being oppressed, afflicted, and silent, and went as a lamb to the slaughter (Isaiah 53:7).

It is an amazing mystery to me—this kind of love and sacrifice. The writer of Romans explains it this way:

“But Elohiym commends his love toward us, in that,
while we were yet sinners,
Mashiach died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood,
we shall be saved from wrath through him.
For if, when we were enemies,
we were reconciled to Elohiym by the death of his Son,
much more, being reconciled,
we shall be saved by his life.”
(Romans 5:8-10).

Elohiym, who at different times and in different ways, has spoken unto us (Hebrews 1:1) has also “in these last days spoken unto us by his Son” (Hebrews 1:2). What has Messiah said? I hear echoes like this:

“I have glorified you (the Father) on the earth:
I have finished the work which you gave me to do.”
(John 17:4)

“It is finished.”
(John 19:30)

Conclusion 

When Messiah stood and read from the Tanak (Old Testament), he linked, at least in my mind, several things:

1) the O.T. and the N.T.
2) the Father and the Son
3. the original covenant and the renewed covenant 
4. the Father’s will and work to his focus of doing both. 

He would have us know that the Father is from everlasting to everlasting; that the Father changes not; that the Father is the same yesterday, today, and forever. And, in a mystery, that if we have seen the Messiah . . . we have seen the Father! 


The King—who he is and what he came to do, and The Kingdom—what it is, are both paradigm-shifting in my understanding at this point. 


The Truth that Messiah came to “renew” the Covenant made with Abraham, even writing it on our hearts, so that we would walk with him in this life and be with him in the life to come, finds a home in those who are in need. 


He urges us to remember (“zakar” in Hebrew) his benefits—the benefits of believing the Truth and then walking according to the instructions he gives (his Torah):

“Bless Yahuah, O my soul:

And all that is with me, bless his holy name.

Bless Yahuah, O my soul;

And forget not all his benefits:

Who forgives all your iniquities;

Who heals all your diseases;

Who redeems your life from destruction;

Who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies;

Who satisfies your mouth with good things;

So that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s. 

(Psalm 103:1-5)

The Besorah, when it connects with a needy heart, finds a residence. At least it did in me. 


*************************


In Part IV of the “Unfolding The Kingdom,” I hope to have a discussion with you about the Parables of the Kingdom, which will include who is admitted into The Kingdom and who is refused entrance and why. 


As always, I’d love any feedback you may have on this topic.

 

Art by Andrea



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Thursday, February 1, 2024

Called to be a Freedom Fighter

 Moses, Aaron, Caleb, Joshua, Harriet Tubman, John Brown, Frederick Douglas, Lydia, and Abigail Mott, Sojourner Truth, William Craft, and more~

What do these mighty men and women of Yah have in common? They are all freedom fighters! 
Harriet Tubman was nicknamed  "Moses" by abolitionist William Lloyd Garrison. ...she was led solely by the Rauch at every step of her journey to gain her freedom and that of her family and others who dared to escape the taskmaster whip. 



Luther Cleveland, Reading Center, New York





Luther Cleveland was a freedom fighter for the Underground Railroad. I am his great-great-granddaughter. It is in my blood to cry out for freedom, like Mel Gibson in Braveheart...I, too, yell FREEDOM!!!!! I never understood my fascination for the Underground Railroad, which led me to devour information on the topic. When I began my journey in The Way, I asked Yah about my true identity.  The Ruach began revealing to me DNA/epigenetics. Although I cannot prove it, there is strong evidence that tribal blood runs in my veins...(I shared with Dr. Steven Pidgeon what the Ruach revealed regarding my family history, and Yah used that conversation with Dr. P. to confirm what the Ruach had been whispering to me concerning my identity) 

I have suffered from intergenerational trauma...I have been called to be an overcomer. Not just an overcomer but more than a conqueror through Yeshua. Not just that, but to much more...to speak prophetically, to speak His words of truth, of freedom from captivity...

I am a freedom fighter. 



Warrior Bride Ministries 
Every Child Deserves Freedom
833-WBM-SAVE

admin@wbmga.org

At Warrior Bride, we provide a holistic and biblically guided approach to restoration and healing for trauma survivors. We understand that each individual’s journey is unique, and our goal is to offer personalized strategies that remove obstacles for inner healing to be complete. We equip survivors including men, women and children with the necessary skills to overcome trauma stemming from exploitation, physical and mental abuse, and other dangers.


Healing the devastating effects of childhood sexual trauma emotionally is a journey of one layer at a time. Trauma becomes well rooted in many aspects of our life and each response, thought pattern and habit must be looked at, addressed, and corrected. Emotional healing sets your mind free. 

We are spirit beings first and foremost, so spiritual growth is a primary component of healing from complex trauma. Introducing clients to the ultimate Healer, the only one capable of restoring their spirit to its original potential, is our number one goal. Having a true spiritual foundation is key.


We often overlook the physical toll that childhood sexual exploitation can take on a survivor’s body. From untreated injuries to poor hygiene and malnutrition, the body keeps the score of every abuse it’s ever handled. We take a naturopathic approach to finding homeostasis in the body.


We believe everyone can use their talents and services to join the fight against child sexual exploitation. By walking survivors through healing and creating safe, trauma-informed communities for them to integrate into, we are creating a world where every child has the freedom they deserve.

Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?” – MLK

 

Kelly Hawley, founder of Warrior Bride Ministry, is a modern-day freedom fighter.  Please consider supporting this extremely important Torah based ministry. Kelly's team offers FREE services for victims of satanic ritual abuse along with sex trafficked victims. 

Please see the resource section for more information regarding Warrior Bride Ministries. 
Deborah, a woman chosen, called by Yah to fight alongside 
the mighty men. 



Yael, mighty woman of Yah
don't just stand there, do something!




There are hundreds of definitions of modern slavery. All of these include aspects of control, involuntary actions and exploitation. 

At Anti-Slavery International, we define modern slavery as when an individual is exploited by others, for personal or commercial gain. Whether tricked, coerced, or forced, they lose their freedom. This includes but is not limited to human trafficking, forced labour and debt bondage.




Yeshua reaches out to those drowning in sorrow, those needing a 
Savior


Maybe you have gone through various forms of slavery/bondage. Maybe you, like me, left abusers only to go back again and again, children in tow. The Hebrews wanted to return to Egypt. Back to what was familiar to them. Back to three hots and a cot, like an institutionalized inmate commits a crime to go back to the only life they know. 

. Like a traumatized momma, like a traumatized woman with nowhere else to go. 

Many people have fallen into this trap because they were trying to escape poverty or insecurity, improve their lives and support their families. Now, they can’t leave. 

According to the latest Global Estimates of Modern Slavery (2022) from Walk Free, the International Labour Organization and the International Organization for Migration: 

  • 49.6 million people live in modern slavery – in forced labour and forced marriage
  • Roughly a quarter of all victims of modern slavery are children
  • 22 million people are in forced marriages. Two out of five of these people were children
  • Of the 27.6 million people trapped in forced labour, 17.3 million are in forced labour exploitation in the private economy, 6.3 million are in commercial sexual exploitation, and nearly 4 million are in forced labour imposed by state authorities
  • The Covid-19 pandemic has exacerbated the conditions that lead to modern slavery
  • Migrant workers are particularly vulnerable to forced labour.

Source: Global Estimates of Modern Slavery: Forced Labour and Forced Marriage, Geneva, September 2022 

Types of slavery today 

  • Human trafficking. The use of violence, threats or coercion to transport, recruit or harbour people in order to exploit them for purposes such as forced prostitution, labour, criminality, marriage or organ removal
  • Forced labour. Any work or services people are forced to do against their will, usually under threat of punishment
  • Debt bondage/bonded labour. The world’s most widespread form of slavery. People trapped in poverty borrow money and are forced to work to pay off the debt, losing control over both their employment conditions and the debt
  • Descent–based slavery (where people are born into slavery). A very old form of slavery, where people are treated as property, and their “slave” status has been passed down the maternal line.
  • Child slavery. When a child is exploited for someone else’s gain. This can include child trafficking, child soldiers, child marriage and child domestic slavery
  • Forced and early marriage. When someone is married against their will and cannot leave. Most child marriages can be considered slavery
  • Domestic servitude. Domestic work and domestic servitude are not always slavery, and when properly regulated can be an important source of income for many people. However, when someone is working in another person’s home, they may be particularly vulnerable to abuses, exploitation, and slavery, as they might be hidden from sight and lack legal protection.

Why are people in slavery today? 

People may end up trapped in slavery because they’re vulnerable to being tricked, trapped and exploited, often as a result of poverty and exclusion and because laws do not properly protect them. 

People can be particularly vulnerable to modern slavery when external circumstances push them into taking risky decisions in search of opportunities to provide for their families, or when people find they are simply pushed into jobs in exploitative conditions. Anyone could be pressed into forced labour, but people in vulnerable situations – such as being in debt, or not having access to their passport – are most at risk. Crises like the Covid-19 pandemic and climate change can make people even more vulnerable to exploitation. 

Where do we find slavery? 

People are being exploited and pushed into slavery all around the world. While it may take different forms, we’re committed to ending slavery for everyone, everywhere. 

Slavery is a problem in the UK, where many people experience human trafficking, bonded labour and forced labour. Many products on our local shop shelves might have been made by people in forced labour, but the complex supply chains that businesses have created might make it harder for business to spot exploitation and abuses in their supply chains. In many cases they even hide behind this complexity to evade responsibility. That’s why we are pushing for new laws to protect workers and hold businesses accountable for exploitation occurring in their supply chains. 

Slavery may be hidden but it exists and it’s controlling the lives of millions of people. 


So, you see, dear reader, slavery has been around for generations. Trauma is traced back to the garden. This problem of slavery/bondage is much bigger than the human race. There is only One answer: a restorative relationship with the One True Elohim. Once that has been established, then one's own healing work needs to occur. Some of us have had demonic strongholds we needed help demolishing. 

Then one is ready to say...here I am, send me...

Do you want to be a freedom fighter, too? Here are resources to help you get started!




https://medium.com/ministrymatters/the-dynamics-of-slavery-and-oppression-and-a-look-at-exodus-b05fe5e74981

 https://www.iamafreedomfighter.org/must-watch-movies

https://warriorbrideministries.com/

https://warriorbrideministries.com/event-updated/

https://undergroundrailroadhistory.org/key-people/

https://www.antislavery.org/slavery-today/modern-slavery/

https://www.shilohproject.blog/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/Accompanying-Survivors.-pdf.pdf


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Leigh Caruthers "The Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs: The connection of sickness and sin" -A series "Examining the Testament of Re'uven"

photo by Leigh

Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs: The connection of sickness and sin.

Leigh Caruthers

Sickness and sin, is there a connection?

It is not so difficult to think there is a connection between sickness and sin. I have worked as a Nurse for over 20 years and looking back I most definitely can recognize sinful behavior that resulted in consequences or illness in many of my patients. Is it any surprise that the instructions given in scripture from the mouth of Yahuah are details of specific sins to avoid and the details of what happens when we do not obey? Food laws are provided, not to restrict us from good things, but to protect us from food that will bring about sickness, illness, and even a slow death from obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, strokes, and heart attacks. Yet the world rebels against these instructions and even creates false interpretations that these food laws do not pertain any more, nailed to the cross.  However, the unclean animals are still not healthy, they still cause disease and illness and people die every day related to breaking these dietary laws. If only we were warned they were bad. What other sins do we see in society being pushed as totally acceptable behavior? We see a society without Yahuah being their own guide to destruction.  

Examining the Testament of Reu'ven

The first book in the Testaments of the Twelve Patriarchs is Re'uven, the firstborn son of Ya'aqov (and Le'ah). This story is one of lust and consequences that stretch far beyond just disgracing his "father's bed" and family. It came at a personal cost to his health and even mental well-being. In his words of warning to his sons and his sons' sons on his deathbed, he describes in painful detail these consequences related to lack of self-control. 

Chapter 1:6-8 of the Testament of Re'uven: And behold I call to witness against you this day the ELOHIYM of heaven, that ye walk not in the sins of youth and fornication, wherein I was poured out, and defiled the bed of my father Ya'aqov. 7 And I tell you that he smote me with a sore plague in my loins for seven months; and had not my father Ya'aqov prayed for me to YAHUAH, YAHUAH would have destroyed me. 8 For I was thirty years old when I wrought the evil thing before YAHUAH, and for seven months I was sick unto death.  

There is no question about what sin Re'uven succumbed to. Lust. Lust can come in the form of just about anything that we have a weakness for. Right now the Torah portion Yithro/Jethro contains the point of history where Moshe received the 10 Devariym/Words/Commandments that are in effect to this day. In this story of Re'uven we will see him break several of the commandments. He will pursue "lying with" his father's wife Bilhah and will break the commandment of "you shall honor your Father and Mother." He will break the commandment of "thou shall not covet." Not only did he break these commandments of Yahuah, but he destroys his relationship with his father and the relationship between his father and Bilhah. Yahuah smote Re'uven with a "sore plague" in his loins for seven months. A direct and painful consequence of his sexual sin. This "sore plague" was painful enough that he reports he was "sick unto death." Sin will always have a consequence. Most people will not connect the sickness as a consequence of any sin committed. Instead of turning to Yahuah in repentance and sinning no more they simply go to the Doctor and get a shot or pills to overcome the physical affliction and then return to sin. Although there are sexually transmitted diseases now that curse the body even unto death and the people taken up with lust still do not see their sin in their sickness. 

Proverbs 26:11  As a dog returns to his vomit, 
so a fool returns to his folly.
Proverbs 26:12  See a man wise in his own conceit? 
There is more hope of a fool than of him.


The repentance of Re'uven

Chapter 1:9-10 The Testament of Re'uven: And after this I repented with set purpose of my soul for seven years before YAHUAH. 10 And wine and strong drink I drank not, and flesh entered not into my mouth, and I eat no pleasant food; but I mourned over my sin, for it was great, such as had not been Yashar'el. 

Is our repentance as loud as our sin? Are we holding ourselves accountable or putting the blame on others? It's the other person's fault. One lesson we learn from the repentance of Re'uven is that he did not downplay his indiscretion. He claimed it. He owned the responsibility and his repentance was as loud as his sin had been. He put his body and spirit through a detoxification of sorts that lasted for 7 years. Very interesting knowing that most of our cells regenerate every 7 years (skin cells daily and muscle cells longer at 15 years). He detoxified both his physical body and his spiritual soul.  He walked through this season of his life stripping away anything that might dull his senses, forging forward, sober and humble, denying himself even pleasant food to eat. He mourned over his sin. He gives us notice of seven ruachoth (spirits) of deceit that he saw as he repented. I believe these words are for us today to understand so that we can avoid them. 

Ephesians 6:12  For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, 
but against principalities, against powers, 
against the rulers of the darkness of this world, 
against spiritual wickedness in high places.

photo by Leigh



I believe it is here where man is deceived. People have forgotten that we live in a spiritual world and that we are spiritual beings. We have a nephesh or soul. The Hebrew term nephesh (chayyah) is often translated "living soul". With a soul is a spiritual aspect of life. There is much we do not see or aren't aware of in our daily life, but I promise they are there. It is these principalities I believe Re'uven warns us about. Let's take a look

Chapter 2:   Testament of Re'uven. 2 Seven ruachoth therefore are appointed against man, and they are the leaders in the works of youth. 3 [And seven other ruachoth are given to him at his creation that through them should be done every work of man. 4 The first is the ruach of life, with which the constitution (of man) is created. The second is the sense of sight, with which arises desire. 5 The third is the sense of hearing, with which comes knowledge. 6 The fourth is the sense of smell, with which tastes are given, to draw air and breath. 7 The fifth is the power of speech, with which comes knowledge. The sixth is the sense of taste, with which comes the eating of meats and drinks; 8 and by it strength is produced, for in food is the foundation of strength. The seventh is the power of procreation and sexual intercourse, with which through love of pleasure sins enter in. 9 Wherefore it is the last in order of creation, and the first in that of youth, because it is filled with ignorance, and leads the youth as a blind man to a pit, and as a beast to a precipice. 

Through this insight from Re'uven we begin to understand that these seven ruachoth are appointed against man from the beginning. We see they are initially appointed to benefit us but also can be used against ourselves if we are operating in our flesh. What it all boils down to is whether we are capable of controlling our own urges, desires, and flesh. All you have to do is look on social media or watch a commercial or a movie to see that society is currently being led by these "works of youth." Every one of these ruachoth is ruling the flesh of those who are in rebellion against the word of Yahuah, which in this current year of 2024 is a vast majority. The world is sick, and the cause is overwhelming sin. Sin is the transgression of the law. 

1John 3:1  BEHOLD, what manner of love the Father has bestowed upon us, 
that we should be called the sons of Elohiym: 
therefore the world knows us not, because it knew him not.

1John 3:2  Beloved, now are we the sons of Elohiym, 
and it does not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, 
when he shall appear, we shall be like him; 
for we shall see him as he is.

1John 3:3  And every man that has this hope in him purifies himself, 
even as he is pure.

1John 3:4  Whosoever commits sin transgresses also the Torah: 
for sin is the transgression of the Torah.

1John 3:5  And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; 
and in him is no sin.

1John 3:6  Whosoever abides in him sins not: 
whosoever sins has not seen him, neither known him.

1John 3:7  Little children, let no man deceive you: 
he that does righteousness is righteous, even as he is righteous.

1John 3:8  He that commits sin is of the devil; 
for the devil sins from the beginning. 
For this purpose the Son of Elohiym was manifested, 
that he might destroy the works of the devil.

1John 3:9  Whosoever is born of Elohiym does not commit sin; 
for his seed remains in him: and he cannot sin, 
because he is born of Elohiym.

1John 3:10  In this the children of Elohiym are manifest, 
and the children of the devil: 
whosoever does not righteousness is not of Elohiym, 
neither he that loves not his brother.


What I believe Re'uven is trying to warn us of is that we should not be subject to our flesh being led by the leaders of youth but to walk in obedience to Yahuah. We read in 1 John that sin is the transgression of the Torah. All of us are sinners, yet by the blood of Yahusha Ha'Mashiach we are saved. Without Yahusha we are sick in our sin, even unto death. That sickness can and will manifest in our flesh. The Torah is given to us as instructions on how to live a happy and healthy life. Yahusha is given to us to save us from the weakness of our flesh. He took our death sentence owed by each of us due to our transgression of the Torah. In that knowledge, we ought to walk like Mashiach as he walked in his flesh, in obedience to Yahuah following the narrow path. 

Matthew 6:33  But seek ye first the Kingdom of Elohiym, 
and his righteousness; and all these things 
shall be added unto you.

Romans 8:1  THERE is therefore now no condemnation 
to them which are in Mashiach Yahusha, 
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Ruach.

Romans 8:2  For the Torah of the Ruach Chayiym 
in Mashiach Yahusha has made me free 
from the Law of sin and death.

Romans 8:3  For what was impossible under 
the Law for the flesh to do, Elohiym did in sending his own Son 
in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, 
condemned sin in the flesh:

Romans 8:4  That the righteousness of the Torah 
might be fulfilled in us, 
who walk not after the flesh, but after the Ruach.


Join me next time as I continue to examine the Testament of Re'uven and the connection between sickness and sin. We will be reading Re'uven's disclosure about the eight ruach of sleep and their effects on our flesh. Leave me a comment and let me know your thoughts!

photo by Leigh


Scripture referenced from Cepher



















The Testament of the Twelve Patriarchs found in Cepher Bere'shiyth



















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