If God were to write a letter of scriptural comfort to you during any crisis or difficulty you faced, this would be it. This letter of love was written for a friend in just such a crisis. The scriptures it contains are words of comfort, not condemnation, and provides encouragement for anyone who believes in God. No matter what your faith is, this book will give you a sense of peace. Dear Child of God.

Isa 1:12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

Considering the definitions I found in the last section, there were a few of these words that stood out, and I was puzzled, so I looked them up.

Tenon - ten'-un (yadh): This word, occurring in Ex 26 and 36, is used in the account of the tabernacle to describe the "hand" or yadh by which its 48 boards were kept in place. Each board had two tenons which were mortised into it (Ex 36:22 margin). These tenons would be made of harder wood than the acacia, so as better to stand the strain of wind and weather.

Axle-trees  - A crossbar or rod supporting a vehicle, such as a cart, that has terminal spindles on which the wheels revolve.

A phallus - The emblem of the generative power in nature, carried in procession in the Bacchic orgies, or worshiped in various ways.

The fractional part of a nonnegative real number is the part of the number that appears after the decimal point.

After looking these words up, what I see is more of a picture of strength and even support. In the context of the verse, it looks like “who strong-armed you into this?”

"To tread" in this verse is indicative of "to trample." My courts refers to court, enclosure, settled abode, settlement, village, and town.

This was the cross reference to the verse.

Exd 23:17 Three times in the year all thy males shall appear before the Lord GOD.

So basically, they were fulfilling an obligation required by God, and there was no love in this…their duty.

Let me see if I can sum this up in a way most people would get. Let’s look at whatever it is that one might aspire to do…their dream job or career. What if all it took for you to achieve your dream was to show a bit of respect to someone like Donald Trump, who certain has the money and access to get pretty much anywhere, and virtually anything.

If you were required to appear before the Donald three times a year and impress him with your respect, how would you approach him? What would your motivation be? How would you appear before him…in his boardroom (court)? How would you address him? What would you wear, and how would you speak and present yourself?

Would you resent the fact that you were required to appear before him? Would it be the formality that you’d get sick of? Would you come in with a nonchalant, arrogant attitude, like you are owed something, and just treat the Donald like one of your boys? Would you come into his boardroom in street clothes because everyone is more relaxed these days, and no one really dresses up anymore?

Does the Donald have to just accept your cultural quirkiness; your natural hair, or dress, or other cultural oddities? Would some of you speak in street slang or ebonics because the Donald just has to understand where you’re coming from, so he just needs to adjust to your language and cultural choices? If you wanted to incur the Donald’s favor, would you present yourself in the style and the professionalism of his choice or your choice?

Knowing how smart the Donald is, most people know he can read people well. He would fully inspect you and your game, and see how you distinguish yourself in your presentation, from everyone else, particularly if you were chosen by him. Would he think someone put you up to approaching him for some shallow purpose; would he think you weren’t serious enough or devoted enough to your heart’s desire, or would you be able to convince him of your sincerity?

Remember, the reference from the prior verse is concerning offerings. I realize that the Donald would be a poor comparison to God, but I’m just trying to put this in a more familiar arena…and put it on a more understandable level.

Check your answers in the Donald scenario, and then amp it up about 1 million times. Put God in the seat of respect and honor, and then make your heart’s desire your offering to Him. How would it be then? Would you trample into his household in disrespect, failing to recognize how closely He’s watching you, and failing to distinguish yourself before Him? Would He think that someone put you up to this appearance in His presence because you were as phony as a two dollar bill? This is the essence of how the people of Israel approached God. They failed to show proper respect, and in essence, tried to manipulate God with a façade of tradition. Have you approached God with a sincere offering…your heart? It’s something to think about.

In the previous section, we discovered that God was not pleased with the offerings He was receiving. Here, His reasons continue.

Isa 1:12 When ye come to appear before me, who hath required this at your hand, to tread my courts?

This first section about “when ye come,” has a certain connotation that I found interesting. Basically, it means to go in, enter, come, go, come in. But it also means to fall or light upon, attack (enemy); it has one reaching to attain to, as well as to be enumerated, gather, cause to come, bring near, bring against, bring upon, to be introduced, be put.

Now for me, there were a few words that stood out, but it didn’t really start making sense until I checked out all the words in this verse.

“When ye come,” sounds simple enough, but one would certainly not go to any idea that involves an attack against an enemy, or someone reaching to attain to something, as if they had an ulterior motive. The word enumerated is indicative of numbering or listing. So here, it seems that the very fact that they’ve come is being numbered or listing in a series of errors in judgment they have apparently made.

The first words that stood out in the definition of “to appear,” are to see, look at, inspect, perceive, and consider.

Personally, I wouldn’t automatically come to the conclusion that an inspection was going on, but apparently, it was. God is checking out His people and seriously considering them. This is also evident in several other words defined in this section of the text, such as to learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out, give attention to, discern.

Also found in this text are the words distinguish, present oneself, to be seen, to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at, to be exhibited to, to look at each other, face. This tells me that there was a sense of respect and honor missing in their appearing before God, because this appearing seems to have a purpose of distinguishing oneself as if part of an exhibition. As such, one would want to be judged as “Best in show,” but apparently, the opposite was happening here.

This is even more apparent when the word “before” is looked at because it has the following connotations:

First, it means face or presence, and it references a person Then it references faces of a variety of creatures, such as of seraphim or cherubim, of animals, and then it mentions surface (face) of the ground. This reference to the faces of various creatures really emphasizes the “Best in show” idea in my mind; as if a comparison of species or groups was being done. Certainly one would think then, that God’s chosen people would come before Him and be assessed as the first place winner so to speak. But again, this was apparently not happening, and the opposite was occurring.

I’d be inclined to think that if they had truly been aware of the seriousness of this process…that they were being judged and assessed this much, this seriously, they would have come with the right attitude and the best offering they could. It makes me think of the attitude of Americans. By and large, most Americans take our position, rank, and the wealth and advantages we have in this country, for granted. They really don’t pay that much attention to people outside of themselves and their issues and agendas. So certainly, people outside of the country don’t really fall into the focus of very many Americans. There is a portion of the country that has awareness, but the vast majority is so self-absorbed, that they don’t care about anyone else. In this case, these people were so self-absorbed that they failed to have proper reverence, respect and concern about the nature of the ceremony or offering process and its purpose. They also disrespected God by coming into His presence in this lackadaisical manner.

So then the question becomes, “who hath required this?”
 
The following words define this question: to seek (to find or to secure), to seek the face or to be sought, require, desire or demand, exact; to ask or request.

I see God asking, “Who demanded this of you? Who sought you out to exact this desire? Who sought to secure this request of you?” In other words, someone must have prompted, demanded or had a noose around your neck and dragged you into this, because it seems you came into my presence under duress. Clearly, you didn’t come before me willingly.

Who hath required this…“at your hand”? When I looked up the word hand…wow! I was rather shocked. It has the following connotations: hand (of man), strength, power (fig.), side (of land), part, portion (metaph.) (fig.). In various special, technical senses it means: sign, monument, part, fractional part, share, time, repetition, axle-trees or axle, stays, support (for laver), tenons (in tabernacle), a phallus, a hand (meaning unsure), wrists. There was also a partial meaning towards consecrate.

You have to watch this. It's hysterical!

Hi All,

I know its been a minute since I posted in here, but don't think I've grown bored. Actually, I've gotten more excited, because I'm discovering so many new options. The problem with options is that there are so many more variables contained in each new option. As if life wasn't full of choices and decisions already, I've gotten to discover a whole new sector to maneuver through. Its amazing how there is never enough time in a day. It doesn't seem to matter if you are working or not working. The fact of the matter seems to be, are you directed? Do you have a goal or a purpose? There are a lot of people who may be unemployed, and who, seem to be just sitting around wasting time. Some of those are actually sitting around wasting time - I refer to those sitting on a stoop drinking beer and playing cards; but others are actively involved in chasing a dream.

Because of this dream chasing status, it may appear that they are doing nothing  because they aren't rushing to find another job, or panicking over their economic status. People...other people, tend to do more fussing over my situation, and do more to pressure me to get a 9-5, because they feel that is the answer. Personally, I don't see the need to panic. I'm not in crisis, as everyone supposes, simply because I'm not working. I've got God. What me worry? And the one thing I know...and have known for some time now, is that God's got me. He's got my back. It's just like having a husband that supports you. I could choose to be a worry-filled, whiny housewife, that moans and groans about everything, especially the inability to waste time and money shopping, but that's just not me.

Frankly, I'm one of the handful of Americans, who have actually come to understand and appreciate my wealthy status as compared to the rest of the world. By US standards, I've got little to nothing. In fact, a couple of years ago, I had applied for assistance with an extremely high light bill. The results that came back were laughable to me. This commission, or agency, had calculated my income along with my bills etc; by whatever means they utilized for their calculations of a qualifying a household for assistance, and notified me that I had qualified because I was, at that time, 150% below "poverty" level.

When I found this out, I nearly died laughing. They said I was poor, and I have been saying for the longest time, that I have too much! I called my family and told them the news, still laughing, because I found it comical. I had no idea that I was even close to "poverty" levels, let alone below it, and at 150%! It was hysterical to me. And yet, all my needs are met. Sure, I lost the car. It died, for those who don't know. And it was the car that God provided...free. Was I upset? No. I thought the timing was off...cause I had just gotten a field job with the census bureau that I lost as a result of the death of the car, but other than that...it was no big deal. The Lord giveth, and the Lord taketh away; all for God's purposes and plan, which I have no problem with.

Right now, I'm actually enjoying not having the car. It's less hassle because I'm not in traffic driving with visually impaired people who are road challenged. (And believe me, that's the nicest way I could have put that.) My stress levels are considerably less, and I get to enjoy a bit of walking again, because I'm taking the bus. It's far more relaxing because that pressure to rush everywhere and hurry to get things done is off of you. You stop trying to get a million things done in one day, and concentrate on 1 to 3 at the most. Riding a bus, time stops being such a big factor in everything you do, and so, it gets you closer to living in God's timeframe, which is so much cooler, without time restraints.

Then again, the timing could have been perfect, because maybe God didn't want me to stay in that job. I have since found out, through a friend who is still with them, that the census bureau is one of the most unorganized branches of the government. She only confirmed the confusion and chaos I saw in those three weeks I was with them, because it continued and got worse after I left. Their system of gathering the information is outdated to say the least, and their methodology is tremendously lacking in definitive direction. I can't even understand how it is that they are responsible for gathering and maintaining information, because their operation seems so uninformed and is in such disarray. So actually, it may have been a blessing in disguise.

Plus, I still have time now, to do the research I'm doing. That's what has been holding my attention lately, because I've come to realize that I need an agent. I do not want to attempt the self-publishing route on my next book, because it is a bigger chunk of me...much bigger. It's much more indepth than  my first excursion into the book/publishing world, and I don't want to make the wrong decisions in how it is presented. I don't have enough experience and knowledge of that industry yet, to call the shots on it. Matter of fact, I am not a business mind...I'm a creative mind, so I need to hire some business minds and let them run with it. That's my conclusion.

Publishing is not the only thing I've been researching, and not to say I didn't research it before, but my perception is different now. I'm looking into several things, which brings me back to the problem of options. When you have too many choices, it gets harder to make a decision because outcome variables cannot always be accurately predicted. This is where your faith gets tested. This is where you have to pray and ask for direction.

I was looking at "self-directed" IRA's, and I thought...if only one of these would say, "God-directed." Personally, I really don't want to self-direct anything, because I'm too much of a screw-up to hit the mark. I've got to have a higher up, preferably, the Highest higher up, to direct my feet and plans, because even with all the knowledge I'm gaining from all of this research; I still have to take all of this gained knowledge, and compartmentalize it and order it, and that's huge...too huge for my brain. It's overload. I've got too many other things to think about.

For instance...I need to focus on the next section of the study here on Isaiah, which I haven't been able to focus on because of all this information congestion in my brain. I need to finish the next hub I started on "Will the Real Christians Please Stand Up 2. I need to focus on my next book to finish that, which is a serious amount of study and work still yet to be done. I need to get with a friend and fellow designer, who offered me a possible freelance income oppt, long-term. It's all too much, and I'm not trying to race myself to the finish line, but one thing I have come to recognize: I'm only one person. I can't do it all. I need to delegate, and hire some people to handle certain aspects of this business for me.

And then...oh gosh...try to throw any semblance of a personal life into the mix. This is why I can't even think about dating...seriously. Who has the time? I still have a 13 year old to run behind, because he's not applying himself in school...smart as he is. Additionally, as I briefly mentioned in passing above, I'm trying to declutter my place, because I've come to the conclusion that I have too much.  So when I started this blog, talking about lack of time...can you imagine? I'm not even working right now, and I have time organizational issues. Imagine if I had a 9-5! I've enjoyed the slowing down I've had to do, and getting to stop and appreciate life. Lack of the car and the job has caused a slow down in my pace and yet...still my work is never done. How's time treating you?

Another one....amazing.

If you haven't seen this video, its worth a look.

Perhaps it is because they represent the strong leader, or chief one, and then again, perhaps they also represent tearing down “strongholds” or the “strong man.” But at this point, none of it had meaning or significance to God, because the motivation and purpose was misaligned.

Isa 1:11 To what purpose [is] the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

We are continuing our look at the five “W’s” and an “H” concerning sacrifices.

3. Where?
A) Upon altars (Exd 20:24)
B) To be brought to the place appointed by God
(Deu 12:6; 2Ch 7:12)

4. When?
A) On great occasions (very numerous)
(2Ch 5:6; 7:5)
B) For public use often provided by the state
(2Ch 31:3)
C) From the earliest age
 (Gen 4:3-4)
D) After the departure of Israel from Egypt
(Exd 5:3,17; 18:12; 24:5)
E) Under the Mosaic age
(Lev 1:1-7:38; Hbr 10:1-3)
F) Daily
(Exd 29:38-39; Num 28:3-,4)
G) Weekly
(Num 28:9-10)
H) Monthly
(Num 28:11)
I) Yearly
 (Lev 16:3; 1Sa 1:3,21; 20:6)
J) At all the feasts
 (Num 10:10)

5. Who?
A) By the patriarchs
(Gen 22:2,13; 31:54; 46:1; Job 1:5)
B) The whole nation
(Lev 16:15-30; 1Ch 29:21)
C) For individuals
(Lev 1:2; 17:8)
D) The Priests
1. Appointed to offer
 (1Sa 2:28; Eze 44:11,15; Hbr 5:1; 8:3)
2. Had a portion of, and lived by
(Exd 29:27,28; Deu 18:3; Jos 13:14; 1Cr 9:13)
E) The Jews
1. Condemned for not treating with respect
 (1Sa 2:29; Mal 1:12)
2. Condemned for bringing defective and blemished
(Mal 1:13,14)
3. Condemned for not offering
 (Isa 43:23,24)
4. Unaccepted in, on account of sin
 (Isa 1:11,15; 66:3; Hsa 8:13)
5. Condemned for offering, to idols
 (2Ch 34:25; Isa 65:3,7; Eze 20:28,31)

6. How?
A) Were accepted when offered in sincerity and faith
(Gen 4:4; Hbr 11:4; Gen 8:21)
B) Imparted a legal purification
(Hbr 9:13,22)
C) Could not take away sin
(Psa 40:6; Hbr 9:9; 10:1-11)
D) Without obedience, worthless
(1Sa 15:22; Pro 21:3; Mar 12:33)
E) The covenants of God confirmed by
(Gen 15:9-17; Exd 24:5-8; Hbr 9:19,20; Psa 50:5)
F) Were bound to the horns of the altar
(Psa 118:27)
G) Were salted with salt
(Lev 2:13; Mar 9:49)
H) Often consumed by fire from heaven
(Lev 9:24; 1Ki 18:38; 2Ch 7:1)
I) When bloody, accompanied with meat and drink offering
(Num 15:3-12)
J) No leaven offered with, except for
(Exd 23:18; Lev 7:13)
K) Fat of, not to remain until morning
(Exd 23:8)

So this gives us an idea of the importance of the sacrifices, and what the meaning and intent behind them was.

The Book of Isaiah

Chapter 1 V.11 Pt 2

Isa 1:11 To what purpose [is] the multitude of your sacrifices unto me? saith the LORD: I am full of the burnt offerings of rams, and the fat of fed beasts; and I delight not in the blood of bullocks, or of lambs, or of he goats.

What is this continuous repetitive and hollow action the people are taking that has incensed God?  To understand all this, we need to look at and get some understanding of the intent and purpose of “sacrifices,” so that we can understand why God is so disgusted with their efforts.

Let’s look at the five “W’s” and an “H.”

1. Why?

Part of the reason why sacrifices were a necessity is because it illustrated:

A) Prayer

Psa 141:2 Let my prayer be set forth before thee [as] incense; [and] the lifting up of my hands [as] the evening sacrifice.

B) Thanksgiving

Psa 27:6 And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.

(Psa  107:22; 116:17; Hbr 13:15)

C) Devotedness

Rom 12:1 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, [which is] your reasonable service.

(Phl 2:17)

D) Benevolence

Hbr 13:16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased.

(Phl 4:18)

E) Righteousness

Psa 4:5 Offer the sacrifices of righteousness, and put your trust in the LORD.

(Psa 51:19)

F) A Broken Spirit

Psa 51:17    The sacrifices of God [are] a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O God, thou wilt not despise.

G) Martyrdom

2Ti 4:6  For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

(Phl 2:7)

H) In faith of a coming Saviour

   Hbr 11:4,17,28

2. What?

The “what” here, will be a reference to what sacrifice is, and what is required to partake in it, as well as what it signifies.

A) It is a Divine Institution

Hbr 11:4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh.

(Gen 3:21; 1:29; 9:3; 4:4-5)

B) That is to be offered to God alone

Jdg 13:16 And the angel of the LORD said unto Manoah, Though thou detain me, I will not eat of thy bread: and if thou wilt offer a burnt offering, thou must offer it unto the LORD. For Manoah knew not that he [was] an angel of the LORD.

(Exd 22:20; 2Ki 17:36)

C) Which when offered to God, is an acknowledgement of God as the supreme God.

2Ki 5:17    And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules' burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.

(Jon 1:16)

D) What it consisted of and what was required:

1. Clean animals or bloody sacrifices (Gen 8:20)

        a. Required to be perfect and without blemish

        (Lev 22:19; Deu 15:21; 17:1; Mal 1:8, 14)

2. The fruits of the earth or sacrifices without blood (Gen 4:4; Lev 2:1)

        a. Generally the best of their kind

        (Gen 4:4; 1Sa 15:22; Psa 66:15; Isa 1:11)

3. An acknowledgment of sin (Hbr 10:3)

E) The different types of sacrifices:

                1. Burnt offering wholly consumed by fire

(Lev 1:1-17; 1Ki 18:38)

                2. Sin offering for sins of ignorance

                (Lev 4:1-35)

                3. Trespass offering for intentional sins

                (Lev 6:1-7; 7:1-7)

                            4. Peace offering

                            (Lev 3:1-17)

F) The problem?

1. Offered to false gods, are offered to devils

 (Lev 17:7; Deu 32:17; Psa 106:37; 1Cr 10:20)