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“But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3

This week we are back at the beginning in the parshah readings*. This week’s Torah reading is Bereshit (‘in the beginning’), reading the first chapters of Genesis. In the above text, Paul warns about a corrupted mind, pointing back to the beginning, to our ancestors in the Garden. In the history of the Fall, as recorded for us in Genesis 3, it may not be apparent at first sight that the Fall revolves around our mind. If we only read this text literally, we miss the spiritual depth that His Word wants to teach us.

“For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil. And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat. And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.” Genesis 3:5-7

Literally, the text is about opened eyes that can see. The woman ‘saw’ that the tree was good for food, that it pleasant to the ‘eyes’. As a result of eating of the tree, the ‘eyes of them both were opened’. It also says that the woman desired to be made ‘wise’, and that eating of the tree would lead to ‘knowing’ good and evil. So the spiritual depth of this text refers to the mind. And that is why Paul uses this history to warn us about our mind. Seeing in the Bible means not only literally seeing with our physical eyes, it means seeing and understanding spiritually.

“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.” Matthew 13:13

What man became to ‘see’ by eating of the tree was the ‘wisdom’ of the world, which is foolishness (1 Corinthians 3:19). By eating of the tree, man traded the Wisdom of YHWH (Proverbs 8), that gives Life (Proverbs 8:35), for the wisdom (good and evil) of the world. Man traded Truth for lies and delusions of the world.

Before the Fall, life with YHWH was simple. Man walked with Him in the Garden, and although they were naked, they felt no need to hide from Him (Genesis 3:8-10). When the knowledge of good and evil, the wisdom of the world, entered the mind of man, life became complicated. It is the lies and delusions of the world that make our lives difficult. But Paul writes in 2 Corinthians 11:3 that this simplicity is still there in our mind, it is in Yeshua the Messiah. In the Word that is Life, that was in the world but was not known by the world, that is full of Truth (John 1:1-14). If we do not allow our mind to be ‘corrupted’ by the wisdom of the world, the evil of the world nor the good of the world, then we will return to that simplicity that is in Him. Then we walk with Him again, and we no longer feel the need to hide. In His truth is where we should be, where we should walk. In the world, but not of the world.

“They are not of the world, even as I am not of the world. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.” John 17:16-17

Where are you (Genesis 3:9)? Who reigns in your mind?

* The parshah is the traditional Bible reading schedule, read weekly by Jews, Messianic Jews and other Shabbat observers.

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I have posted numerous blogs on this website, explaining the deeper meaning of Biblical words and parables. To prevent blogs from becoming too long, I do not always repeat the explanation of words and parables that I use, but refer to other blogs where the reader can find the explanation. As the number of blogs on the website grows, the references become more and more. That is why from now on, I would like to refer the reader to the search function on this website, where all the blogs can be found where I use the relevant words or parables. More explanation can be found there. The reader will find more explanation in my book, which is available for free download.

“He will turn again, he will have compassion upon us; he will subdue our iniquities” Micah 7:19

The Hebrew word translated with subdue in this text is kabash (strong 3533). In other places in the Bible, this word is used in the context of subjection of earth or land (see Genesis 1:28, Numbers 32:29, 32, Joshua 18:1 and 1 Chronicles 22:18) or slaves (see 2 Chronicles 28:10, Nehemiah 5:5 and Jeremiah 34:11, 16).

In Colossians 3:1-2 the earth is used opposite of above: “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection [NKJV: mind] on things above, not on things on the earth.” See also 1 Corinthians 15:47-53, John 8:23, James 1:17 and John 3:12, 31. Genesis 6:5 shows us that sin is our mind and heart (the thoughts of the heart, that caused the flood). Thus, when earth (or land) is subdued, it refers to subduing the ‘thoughts of the heart’ of Genesis 6:5: the lies and delusions in our mind. Or as Paul calls it in 1 Corinthians 3:19, the ‘wisdom’ of this world. And this is what we read in Micah 7:19.

Slaves refer to sin (lies in our mind and heart) as well. In John 8:34 Yeshua says: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin.”

And Paul also writes about this in Romans 6. A number of verses :
“knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (…)
Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. (…)
Do you not know that to whom you present yourselves slaves to obey, you are that one’s slaves whom you obey, whether of sin leading to death, or of obedience leading to righteousness?”
Romans 6:6, 12, 13, 16 [NKJV]

Paul writes that our old man was crucified with Him and we should no longer be slaves of sin (verse 6). But we cannot sit back. Paul calls on believers (the saints in Rome, Romans 1: 7) not to let sin reign (verse 12) and to become slaves to obey YHWH, as instruments of righteousness (verses 13 and 16). Righteousness is opposed to iniquity that will be subdued by Him, in Micah 7:19. So Paul makes it clear that although our old man was crucified with Him, it is still possible to remain slaves of sin, slaves of lies and delusions in our mind. We cannot sit back, we have to do something.

Of the old man that Paul writes about in Romans 6, we read in his letter to Ephesians also:
“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth” Ephesians 4:22-25

The putting off of the old man (verses 22 and 25) and putting on the new man (verse 24) is here again described as an action. And here also it becomes clear that it is about our mind (verse 23) and truth versus lies (verse 25).

Why, then, does Micah 7:19 say Hé will subdue our iniquities? And also in Ephesians 4:23 it says that we wíll be renewed in our mind. That is not formulated as an action. These verses tell us what will happen if we put off the old man, put on the new man, and obey YHWH: He will subdue our iniquities (lies and delusions), and our mind will be renewed. It is about our mind again. YHWH cleanses and frees our mind with the truth of His Word (Ephesians 5:26, John 8:31-32, Ephesians 4:21). Our part is to fill our mind with His truth, and then He will subdue our iniquities (lies and delusions) and renew our mind.

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I have posted numerous blogs on this website, explaining the deeper meaning of Biblical words and parables. To prevent blogs from becoming too long, I do not always repeat the explanation of words and parables that I use, but refer to other blogs where the reader can find the explanation. As the number of blogs on the website grows, the references become more and more. That is why from now on, I would like to refer the reader to the search function on this website, where all the blogs can be found where I use the relevant words or parables. More explanation can be found there. The reader will find more explanation in my book, which is available for free download.

“Publish in the palaces at Ashdod, and in the palaces in the land of Egypt, and say, Assemble yourselves upon the mountains of Samaria, and behold the great tumults in the midst thereof, and the oppressed in the midst thereof. For they know not to do right, saith the LORD, who store up violence and robbery in their palaces.” Amos 3:9-10

In the Bible, palaces, houses and other places of residence refer to our mind. Ashdod, Egypt and Samaria are associated with idolatry in the Bible. In Ashdod, the idol Dagon was worshiped (1 Samuel 5:3). In Samaria sacrifices were brought to idols (1 Kings 13:32, 16:32). And Egypt had numerous idols that were challenged by the ten plagues, bringing their powerlessness to (or into the) light (Exodus 12:12). Idolatry in the Bible refers to lies and delusions in our mind and heart. In Egypt the Israelites had fallen into idolatry. In the desert time, YHWH purified the heart and mind of the Israelites by showing Who He Is (Exodus 3:14) again and again. By making His truth known to them. His truth removes lies and delusions (idolatry) in our mind and heart. After the physical deliverance from Egypt, the minds and hearts of the Israelites had not yet been delivered. From time to time, the Israelites wanted to return to Egypt (Numbers 11:5, 2 Kings 18). How quickly do we fall back into lies and delusions?

We only really see the influence of lies and delusions in the mind and heart when we are on the mountains. Mountains refer in the Bible to the 100-fold mind (Matthew 13), the mind that resembles His thoughts (Isaiah 55:8), in which we resemble Yeshua (2 Corinthians 3:18) Who was one with the Father (John 5:19, 30, 17:22). It is to these mountains that we must flee from the abomination of desolation (Matthew 14:15-16). Away from ‘those who store up violence and robbery in their palaces [mind]’ (Amos 3:10). On the mountains we see from a different perspective, His perspective. Then we will look at the things which are not seen that are eternal, instead of the things of this world which are temporal (2 Corinthians 4:18). Then we will no longer allow our mind to be desolated by the abomination of lies and delusions of this world.

So this text from Amos is connected to Matthew 14. Both texts call us to go to the spiritual 100-fold mountains, that is: to grow to the mind and heart of YHWH. Only then do we see the tumults, oppression and desolation that lies and delusions bring. In our mind and heart, and in the actions we do as a result of the state of our mind and heart. For with lies and delusions in our mind and heart, we ‘know not to do right’ (Amos 3:10). Because we store up violence and robbery (lies and delusions) in our palaces (mind).

There is hope for Ashdod. In Acts 8:40 the gospel was proclaimed in Ashdod, the good news of His Kingdom, His truth in our mind and heart (Luke 17:21). There is also hope for Samaria. Acts 8:14 says they had received His Word, His truth. And there is hope for Egypt, ‘in that day’:

“In that day shall there be an altar to the LORD in the midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to the LORD. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the LORD of hosts in the land of Egypt: for they shall cry unto the LORD because of the oppressors, and he shall send them a saviour, and a great one, and he shall deliver them. And the LORD shall be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the LORD in that day, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow unto the LORD, and perform it. And the LORD shall smite Egypt: he shall smite and heal it: and they shall return even to the LORD, and he shall be intreated of them, and shall heal them. In that day shall there be a highway out of Egypt to Assyria, and the Assyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian into Assyria, and the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall Israel be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in the midst of the land: Whom the LORD of hosts shall bless, saying, Blessed be Egypt my people, and Assyria the work of my hands, and Israel mine inheritance.” Isaiah 19:19-25

His truth will overcome!

What about you? How many violent lies and delusions have you stored up in your mind (palace)? To what extent does your mind make you live in tumults and oppression? Are you already on your way to that mountain?

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I have posted numerous blogs on this website, explaining the deeper meaning of Biblical words and parables. To prevent blogs from becoming too long, I do not always repeat the explanation of words and parables that I use, but refer to other blogs where the reader can find the explanation. As the number of blogs on the website grows, the references become more and more. That is why from now on, I would like to refer the reader to the search function on this website, where all the blogs can be found where I use the relevant words or parables. More explanation can be found there. The reader will find more explanation in my book, which is available for free download.

“I will bless the LORD, who hath given me counsel: my reins also instruct me in the night seasons.” Psalm 16:7

The meaning of reins in the Bible goes beyond the physical bodypart. In Psalm 7:9 God tries the reins, in Psalm 26:2 as well, and in Psalm 16 we are instructed by our reins. Our heart too is tried and tested. Tested is what is in our heart and mind: are these lies and delusions from man (‘wisdom’ of the world)? Or is it His truth (which is foolishness to the world)? In Psalm 16 David’s reins instruct him from the counsel that YHWH has given him (verse 7): from His truth that David stored in his ‘reins’. David writes that he has set YHWH always before him, like Paul he looks at the things he does not see, which are eternal. And that is what makes David’s heart glad (verse 9).

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

And that is the path of life (verse 11).

During the sacrificial rituals, the kidneys are always specifically mentioned. The kidneys had to be burned on the altar (Exodus 29:13). This shows that God wants us to offer our ‘reins’ to Him. He desires that we sacrifice all that is in our reins that is not of Him.

“For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering. The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.” Psalm 51:16, 17

“For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.” Hosea 6:6

YHWH desires that we know Him, and knowing Him starts with filling our heart and mind with His truth.

David’s reins instructed him His truth. What are your reins instructing you? What will God find when He searches your reins?

“and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.” Revelation 2:23

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I have posted numerous blogs on this website, explaining the deeper meaning of Biblical words and parables. To prevent blogs from becoming too long, I do not always repeat the explanation of words and parables that I use, but refer to other blogs where the reader can find the explanation. As the number of blogs on the website grows, the references become more and more. That is why from now on, I would like to refer the reader to the search function on this website, where all the blogs can be found where I use the relevant words or parables. More explanation can be found there. The reader will find more explanation in my book, which is available for free download.

“Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious house.” Ezekiel 12:2

If you start to pay attention, you will notice how often the Bible speaks of houses. Houses that are leprous (Leviticus 14:34), houses that are cursed (Job 5:3), earthly houses and eternal houses (2 Corinthians 5:1-2), houses that cannot be shaken, or that fall (Luke 6:48- 49), and rebellious houses, as in this text from Ezekiel. I have often written that house in the Bible refers to our mind; you can use the search function on this website if you need further explanation. This text from Ezekiel shows that a rebellious ‘house’ causes us to have eyes to see, but see not, and ears to hear, but hear not. Yeshua speaks about these rebellious ‘houses’ when He explains to His disciples in Matthew 13 that He speaks in parables “ because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand.”

We do not like to be called rebellious. But what exactly does rebellion mean in the Bible? Proverbs 17:11 says that “an evil man seeketh only rebellion”. The Flood was caused by the “imagination of the thoughts” of the heart of man being “evil continually”. And if you think man has changed since then, realize that Matthew 24 says it is no better now than in the days of Noah. So, rebellion is in our mind and heart. It causes us to “take counsel” but not of Him and thus “add sin to sin” (Isaiah 30:1). If we take counsel of man, instead of Him, we add thought to thought that is not His. Rebellion is our mind, our own wisdom of man. And that is the wisdom of the world, which is foolishness with God (1 Corinthians 3:18-19). Rebellion is every thought we think we know better than He does. Like the first man in the Garden, that started the Fall…

But the good news is that Yeshua wants to cleanse our ‘house’! That is what He made clear when He cleansed the temple – the house of His Father.

“And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves, And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” Matthew 21:12-13

His house was meant to be a house of prayer, our mind (house) is meant to hear Him. When Paul calls us to “pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17), he does not mean that we have to sit with our eyes closed and hands folded (or up) all day long. He means that we should be continuously connected to Him through prayer so that we hear His voice instead of the voice of our own thoughts or thoughts from other people. But to what extent have we made our ‘house’ a den of thieves?

The text continues:

“And the blind and the lame came to him in the temple; and he healed them.” Matthew 21:14

If we let Him cleanse our mind with His truth, He heals our mind. His truth makes free (John 8:30-32). And that means that we are no longer blind, but then we will see, and hear. Then our ‘house’ is a house of prayer, where we can hear Him:

“Speak, LORD; for thy servant hearet.” 1 Samuel 3:9

“This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” Matthew 17:5

What is in your house? Let your ‘house’ be cleansed by Him, so that you will hear and see Him more and more.

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I have posted numerous blogs on this website, explaining the deeper meaning of Biblical words and parables. To prevent blogs from becoming too long, I do not always repeat the explanation of words and parables that I use, but refer to other blogs where the reader can find the explanation. As the number of blogs on the website grows, the references become more and more. That is why from now on, I would like to refer the reader to the search function on this website, where all the blogs can be found where I use the relevant words or parables. More explanation can be found there. The reader will find more explanation in my book, which is available for free download.

“According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is. If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.” 1 Corinthians 3:10-15

Paul writes that he laid the foundation in the teaching he gave. He hastens to mention that that foundation is, of course, the Rock Yeshua (1 Corinthians 10:4). We read this in the parable of the house (mind) on ​​the Rock as well (Matthew 7). Paul is referring to the teaching of Yeshua: His Word, His truth that we must accept in our mind and heart. How can we know this? In verse 1 of this text from 1 Corinthians Paul mentions his ‘speaking’, and immediately after this text above Paul writes that God’s Spirit dwells in our temple (mind, heart) (vs 16, 17). And he continues with the wisdom (thoughts) of the world, which is foolishness (lies and delusion) (vs 18, 19), and with the vain thoughts of man (verse 20).

So the foundation is the teaching of Yeshua, and that is truth because His Word is truth (John 17:17). The works that we build upon that foundation refer to the teaching we give to others, for we have seen that the context of this text refers to the teaching of truth (wisdom), or of lies and delusion (foolishness). And of course what we do, or do not do, comes from what is in our mind and heart (Jeremiah 18:12, Mark 7:21-23).

With which material can we compare our teaching? Is it gold, silver, precious stones? Or wood, hay or stubble? What we teach is tried by fire. What is that fire?

“Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD” Jeremiah 23:29

Fire is His Word, and His Word is truth. So what we teach is tried by the fire of His truth, and then it becomes clear whether we have taught truth, or lies and delusion (the ‘wisdom’ of the world). If our teaching abides, we will receive a reward. What is that reward? We find it in the parable of the talents (Matthew 25). The servants with the two and five talents gained talents, and they received a reward: “thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things”.This refers to spiritual ruling. And that comes not without the responsibility of continue to earn talents by teaching His truth.

So the rewards we will receive are different for everyone, depending on what we have taught others about His truth; and also whether we have taught others His truth. For the servant who buried his talent received no reward. What we teach others depends on the measure of His truth in our mind. Because we cannot teach truth that we do not have. To the extent that we are set free by His truth, we can teach more of His truth to others. So that, after we are first set free from our own lies and delusions, we can also set others free. For His truth sets free (John 8:30-32).

What do you build upon the foundation of His Word? What are your ‘works’? What would happen to your thoughts if they are tried by the fire of His truth? Will they be burned? Or will they abide?

“Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward.” 2 John 1:8

“And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.” Revelation 22:12

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I have posted numerous blogs on this website, explaining the deeper meaning of Biblical words and parables. To prevent blogs from becoming too long, I do not always repeat the explanation of words and parables that I use, but refer to other blogs where the reader can find the explanation. As the number of blogs on the website grows, the references become more and more. That is why from now on, I would like to refer the reader to the search function on this website, where all the blogs can be found where I use the relevant words or parables. More explanation can be found there. The reader will find more explanation in my book, which is available for free download.

“And he made the laver of brass, and the foot of it of brass, of the lookingglasses of the women assembling, which assembled at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.” Exodus 38:8

One of the objects at the tabernacle was the laver of brass. This laver contained the water that was used to cleanse the priests before serving in the tabernacle before YHWH (Exodus 30:18-21). A remarkable detail is that the laver was made of mirrors (lookingglasses). What is the deeper meaning of this?

The Hebrew word translated in this text with lookingglasses, is marah (strong 4759). Marah means vision and is always used in the context of visions of YHWH. Marah comes from mareh (strong 4758) and this means sight, or what is seen. So it has to do with sight; and when it comes to seeing the things of YHWH, it is about spiritual sight. And that is what Yeshua refers to when His disciples ask Him why He speaks in parables.

“Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not; and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. And in them is fulfilled the prophecy of Esaias, which saith, By hearing ye shall hear, and shall not understand; and seeing ye shall see, and shall not perceive: For this people’s heart is waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them. But blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear.” Matthew 13:13-16

According to Yeshua, we can see, but not understand or perceive. And if we close our eyes to His truth, we do not see, we do not hear, we do not understand with our heart, and we do not receive His healing.

The laver had to be filled with water. What does water do to us spiritually?

“Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.” Ephesians 5:25-27

We are cleansed by the water of His Word, of His truth. And then we will see!

“Jesus answered and said unto her, Whosoever drinketh of this water shall thirst again: But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:13-14

If we drink the Living Water of His truth, we shall live!

What does this have to do with the mirrors of the laver? The mirrors the laver was made of refer to spiritual sight. Spiritual sight is necessary to see the things of YHWH. The priests had to cleanse themselves with water from this laver before entering the tabernacle of the congregation, before meeting YHWH Himself in the tabernacle. The more we are washed and filled with the Living Water of His Word, the more we will see Him.

“But blessed are your eyes, for they see…” Matthew 13:16

How do you use your (spiritual) eyes? Can you say, as Paul did:

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

“If thou wouldest seek unto God betimes, and make thy supplication to the Almighty; If thou wert pure and upright; surely now he would awake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.” Job 8:5-7

This text contains a promise for those who seek YHWH earnestly. He will then make our habitation prosperous. Habitation refers to our mind. More specifically, this text says: He will make the habitation of our righteousness prosperous. In my previous blog I wrote that righteousness refers to His truth. If we seek Him earnestly, His truth makes our mind prosperous.

Seeking Him earnestly, is seeking His truth earnestly. And that is filling our mind and heart with His truth, so that His truth will replace more and more our own thoughts of lies and delusion (Isaiah 55:8). Seeking him earnestly is looking at the eternal things which are not seen (2 Corinthians 4:18). Matthew 6:33 says the same: seek first His Kingdom. Whatever we do, His Kingdom first. His Kingdom in our mind and heart, within us (Luke 17:21), should be our priority. And His Kingdom in our mind and heart is His truth in our mind and heart. The parables of Yeshua are always about this Kingdom, and are always connected with other texts throughout the Bible. Job 8:7 as well:

“Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is like to a grain of mustard seed, which a man took, and sowed in his field: Which indeed is the least of all seeds: but when it is grown, it is the greatest among herbs, and becometh a tree, so that the birds of the air come and lodge in the branches thereof.” Matthew 13:31-32

“Though thy beginning was small, yet thy latter end should greatly increase.” Job 8:7

If you seek YHWH earnestly, if you earnestly fill your heart and mind with the truth of His Word, then His truth will make your mind prosperous. And although the beginning is small, it will greatly increase.

Where do you look at?

“While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18

“But if ye will not hear these words, I swear by myself, saith the LORD, that this house shall become a desolation.” Jeremiah 22:5

I often write about the spiritual meaning of house in the Bible (our mind). YHWH’s teaching is constantly repeating. We learn through repetition. That’s why we come across this ‘house’ in many places in the Bible. As here in Jeremiah 22.

With our ‘house’ we must serve Him. And that means that He wants His truth to be in our ‘house’. That He wants His Word in our house. For His Word is truth (John 17:17). And the context of this verse in Jeremiah is the same (see verse 2).

If His Word is not in our ‘house’, then our house will become a desolation. This refers to our fallen mind. We can fill our mind with His truth, or with lies and delusion. Verse 13 calls this unrighteousness and wrong:

“Woe unto him that buildeth his house by unrighteousness, and his chambers by wrong”

And this is opposite the righteousness (truth) of His Word:

“Behold, I have longed after thy precepts: quicken me in thy righteousness.
Thy testimonies that thou hast commanded are righteous and very faithful.
Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.”
Psalm 119:40, 138, 142

In verse 40 it says that righteousness (truth) quickens. The Hebrew word translated here with quickens is chayah (strong 2421) and it means life. We find this also in Proverbs:

“He that followeth after righteousness and mercy findeth life, righteousness, and honour.” Proverbs 21:21

Truth or delusion, life or death. What do you choose?

“See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil; (…) therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live: That thou mayest love the LORD thy God, and that thou mayest obey his voice, and that thou mayest cleave unto him: for he is thy life” Deuteronomy 30:15, 19, 20

“Hear ye the word of the LORD, O house of Jacob, and all the families of the house of Israel” Jeremiah 2:4

In the Bible, house is often used to mean family, or generation. For example, the house of David, or Joshua who states, “but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD” (Joshua 24:15). Here, too, house is not meant literally, it is about the family, or generations of David and of Joshua, and not about their literal house. House is also used in the spiritual meaning of our mind. Is there a connection between the two?

Why does the Bible sometimes involve the whole ‘house’ in the consequences of one individual who has committed a serious sin? We see this with Pharaoh whose whole house was plagued because of Sarai (Genesis 12:17), or with Korah when he rose up against Moses (Numbers 16). The sons and even the little children were killed as well. These are my thoughts. Raising the children in your ‘house’, in your family, means that they adopt your thoughts. Of course we also develop our own opinions and ideas, but in our mind there are traces of the thoughts of our parents. The lies and delusions in the thoughts of the parents are passed on to the children. And so lies and delusions continue for generations. If a serious sin (and it all begins with the lies and delusions in our mind, the thoughts of our heart of Genesis 6:5) the whole ‘house’ bears the consequences, then the weeds of these lies and delusions through the generations are destroyed.

In our Western society at this present time we are quite individualistic. That was very different in Biblical times. YHWH is a God of generations, of families and of the collective. He makes His covenant with generations, with a collective. He calls the generations (Isaiah 41:4). In the ‘house’of Israel all families of the earth will be blessed (Genesis 28:14). All families must give Him glory (Psalm 96:7). So the whole ‘house’. A ‘house’ that can be broken down by lies and delusions. But also a ‘house’ that is being baptized (Acts 16), and a ‘house’ that we build together into a house of God. When His thoughts have become our thoughts (Isaiah 55:8).

“Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit.” Ephesians 2:19-22

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