Welcome to Teshuvah Day 39-Days of Awe
Prepare the Way
Matthew 3:5-8 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance
Prepare The Way
Gates are open
Roads are cleared
With prepared hearts
Call on God He is near
Groping in darkness
Knowing we are led
Faithful fearfully
Continuing ahead
The time is nigh
Season is here
Appointment with God
The Way is clear
Seek The Lord
While He is near
Listening ears
Perceive and hear
The Way is prepared
Gates swung wide
Call on Him
Until we walk side by side
© laurette laster
Prepare ye the way of The Lord. Do we know what John is talking about? Do we know what He and Isaiah knew and were referring too? They were referring to others being high minded or so spiritually superior that sinners in low places thought they didn’t have a chance of obtaining salvation. John is in the wilderness, the lonely place, the dangerous place, preaching to sinners. When these sinners heard the word preached, they confessed their sins and were baptized.
Matthew 3:5-8 People went out to him from Jerusalem and all Judea and the whole region of the Jordan. Confessing their sins, they were baptized by him in the Jordan River. But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to where he was baptizing, he said to them: “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath? Produce fruit in keeping with repentance
When John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, “Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!” For this he was speaking from the prophet Isaiah, saying; “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.” John speaking from the prophet Isaiah, “make His paths straight” is referring to the cities of refuge marked off by God when Israel first became a nation. These cities had to have maintained roads and be accessible at all times. When the Israelites came into the land of promise, each tribe was given land to possess.
The Levites, the priests were only given 48 cities and 6 of these were cities of refuge. These cities were for those seeking protection from death, having accidently killing someone. These cities were not for killers who had malice or a murdering spirit. These cities were for those looking for protection from the wrath of a family of the slain person. In this time an eye for an eye was the desire of members of the family. The intention of these cities of refuge was not to defeat or escape justice, but that in serving justice, mercy might be extended to those who were eligible for it. If a person was found guilty of murder then the city of refuge could not save him from the death penalty. If he were acquitted of any malice, he was not freed but was obliged to remain in the city of refuge. Leaving the boundaries of the city would leave the refugee susceptible to the avenger’s wrath.
The cities of refuge had to remain open and accessible day and night. The roads were “prepared” and maintained for easy access. The required width of all roads was 48 feet wide. Potholes or worn areas had to be filled in, thus level, bodies of water had to have a bridge span from one side to the other. All the debris had to be cleared off of the roadway. Each road was marked with sign posts saying; Refuge Refuge; It was the court’s responsibility to ensure the accessibility of the cities of refuge by improving the roads leading to them and posting signs with the words miklat, miklat (“refuge, refuge”) to show the way.
Looking at the account of the Cities of Refuge there are several similarities of Jesus Christ as our city of refuge! Christ is our shield and refuge against the penalty of all of our sins, except those sins that we commit willfully against the knowledge received through the gift of the Holy Spirit. Jesus does not shelter the obstinate or the unrepentant sinner, he does shelter everyone who accepts Him and calls on His name. We must realize that we were born in sin and shaped by iniquity. (Psalm.51:5). Each of us inherited sin through birth after the fall of Adam and Eve. To seek refuge in Christ we must flee from our old life and sinful desires. By doing this we find THE only refuge God has offered which is forgiveness and new life in Jesus. Fleeing to the city of refuge is when we repent and confess and willingly turn away from sin as we flee from the world. We must be honest and earnest in our desire to quit sinning with our body, our mind, and our affections. Like our ancient Hebrew brothers and sisters that sought the city of refuge, believing they would be safe if they could make it into the city, by faith, we now also seek Jesus Christ for the remission and forgiveness of our sins and seek refuge in Him by faith. We are assured that we will find protection if we call on the Name of The Lord but our actions and intentions must show we realize without Christ we are subject to the wrath of sin. The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life.
During the Days of Awe it is believed the books in heaven are open and The Lord God looks over our deeds of the year and is making decisions for the year to come. This is the season of Teshuvah and Return. We show a true desire to change by doing Teshuvah, which is “returning to God’s ways by studying His word. Reading His word we realize we have committed sins we run to our refuge Jesus Christ to repent, asking for pardon and for protection.
This is how we enter into a relationship with our Lord. Once He becomes our strong tower and our refuge we are in covenant with Him. His blood that was poured out on the mercy seat is for the remission of our sins.
Don’t miss your appointment; Teshuvah during the High Holy Days of Yahweh.
God bless you and keep you and make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you. The Lord lift His countenance upon you and give you Shalom.
Until next time, thank you for listening with me. Laurette
Through All Seasons 