This daily dose of encouragement focuses on this week's parasha "Masei." The hebrew letters for this parasha "Masei" is מסעי which stands for Mem, Samech, Ayin, & Yod. Before we begin expounding on the Hebraic meaning of the pictographic symbolisms pertaining to this word; I want to ensure that you spiritually understand the history pertaining to this Parasha. Each word in Hebrew in and of itself is extremely descriptively similar to the cliché that goes something like this:

A picture is worth 1000 words.

The modern Hebrew language (based mostly on the original Paleo-hebrew) is a language based upon mental pictures that one individual is trying to convey to the other. From a Hebraic perspective; Within each of these word pictures are hebrew letters that paint an even more detailed description of a thought. So, just one word in Hebrew in this case is similar to a seed that once planted, fertilized and harvested properly will produce an abundant harvest anywhere from 1000 times or more. In this parasha we're going to elaborate on how the Holy Spirit actually fertilized/cultivated the seed of Yah's word based upon the circumstances and situations the children of Israel found themselves in. Here Moses is recapping the journey (literally; the way in which Yah had to order their steps) which we biblically understand to be the Exodus from Egypt to the River Jordan, just before the promise land. He summarizes the events surrounding the 42 major sites or locations over approximately 40 years of journey.

Now with this said we can better understand the explanation pertaining to the ancient semitic picture graph and modern hebrew letter meanings within the word "Masei." Please take into account the word and the letters within this word literally will begin to explain the key of the whole reason why our Heavenly Father caused the children of Israel to embark on such a grueling journey.

As stated in the beginning of this devotional, the hebrew letters for "Masei" is מסעי and stand for Mem, Samech, Ayin, & Yod. The following is the ancient semitic meaning to included the modern hebrew meanings for each hebrew letter:

Mem

- Water, Mighty, Chaos, Blood

Samech

- Thorn, Grab, Hate, Protect

Ayin

- Eye, Watch, Know, Shade

Yod

- Arm & Closed Hand, Work, Throw, Worship

IN CONCLUSION:

Our memory verse for today's devotional is

Numbers 33:2 ESV "MOSES WROTE DOWN THEIR STARTING PLACES, STAGE BY STAGE, BY THE COMMAND OF THE LORD, and these are their stages according to their starting places."

Although we don't have time to go into all of the spiritual implications pertaining to each stage, the cumulative essence of what they were to learn is well hidden within the word "Masei." The (well pleasing) pathway to the promise land that was chosen for the children of Israel was not Yah's perfect well. But like the redemptive work of Yeshua

(Matthew 3:17b KJV "And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, IN WHOM I AM WELL PLEASED."), the promise land journey chosen by Yah was in His well pleasing will. By this we mean it already started off in error based on their disobedience:

Deuteronomy 1:2 NLT "NORMALLY IT TAKES ONLY ELEVEN DAYS TO TRAVEL from Mount Sinai to Kadesh-barnea, going by way of Mount Seir."

So why did Yah have to order their steps the long way around!?! He know what was in them, the constant desire to be disobedient by crying out to go back to Egypt. Mem stands for the internal Chaos warring against the Mighty hand of Yah. The Blood sacrifice of animals and the constant intercession by Moses (which was a symbolic type of Yeshua the Messiah) were the only thing that kept them from being destroyed sooner. Samech stands for the Thorn in the flesh that they became to Moses. But through these experiences their offspring began to Grab a hold of faith by believing and trusting Yah. They began to understand the importance of Hat(e)-ing evil and Protect-ing the words of Yah to include the Torah. Ayin stands for Eye, which indicates how Yah was Watch-ing their behavior in order to Know the depth of their obedience. Only when their obedience was made complete did He act on their behalf (2 Cor. 10:6b KJV). He covered them with His Shade of protection to preserve a people called by His name. Yod stands for the Strong Arm and closed hand (fist) with which He would save His people. As the children of Israel began Work-ing toward doing what His Torah commanded then, Yah began to Throw away the obstacles and purify His people. Their Worship became a sweet smelling savour unto the most High.

See Yah This Sabbath ... Much love in Yahushua!
Rabbi John Wesley A. PhD & Pastor Martha
Congregation Beth Hashem in Durham & Greenville NC