Faith Matters

When the Seed Went Nuclear

Welcome back. In the first and second segments of this three-part article we were introduced to the symbolism of biblical parables, and why Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) used them effectively in His teachings. We traced the origins of man’s relationship with ‘Seed’, the nefarious bearer of ‘seed’, and where the mustard fits in. Through ancient Hebrew definitions, word pictures and basic arithmetic notations, we now have a better understanding of how certain biblical events and characters linked to this story transpired, and what it means to us today. In this final segment we will continue where we left off in Part Two, looking at a broader and enduring application of “grace”. Finally we will end the series by analyzing the scientific relationship and prophetic implications behind the “Parable of the Mustard Seed.”

Grace and the Seed

In Part Two we found Genesis chapter 6 verse 8 where the noun ‘grace’ appears for the first time in the Bible —“But Noah found grace in the eyes of the LORD.” Hebrew Definition of  chên/hen (חן): favour, grace, acceptance.

Verse 22 says, “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.” Noah needed grace for the purposes of building for his family and selected creatures the life-saving ark from God’s impeding judgement by the flood.

We also found a record by the prophet Zechariah, of Zerubbabel needing grace for the purpose of building a new temple in Jerusalem (4:7-10; Ezra 5:2).

Zerubbabel, Hebrew compound of two elements—From, verb zara’ (זרע) or nouns zera’ (זרע) and zerua’ (זרוע) meaning to scatter seed or to sow. May also refer to: sperm, child, offspring, posterity, family or a whole community. For example:

• His seed (כי זרעו)
• conceive children (ונזרעה זרע) —Numbers 5:28
• her offspring or descendants (יתר זרעה) —1Kings 11:39
• a woman has conceived seed (אשה כי תזריע) —Leviticus 12:2.

The second part Babel (בבל) is from the verb balal (בלל) meaning to mix, mingle, confuse, confound. Hence, Zerubbabel  זרבבלmeans Seed of Babel or, Seed out of Babel —(Abarim Publications’ Biblical Dictionary).

From verse 6 of Zechariah chapter 4 we begin to witness a very interesting development during an exchange between Zerubbabel and the Angel delivering a message from God.

“This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel:
‘Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,’
Says the Lord of hosts.
‘Who are you, O great mountain?
Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain!
And he shall bring forth the capstone
With shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” ’ ”

—vv. 6,7

What was the intensity of “Grace, grace” all about? Earlier in chapter 3 we see Zerubbabel’s colleague Joshua (Jeshua) facing intense opposition from Satan accusing him of being clothed with filthy garments —meaning iniquitous ineligibility. But the Lord overrules the objection and rebukes Satan off Joshua for the sake of Jerusalem (3:1-2).

“Then the Angel of the Lord admonished Joshua, saying, “Thus says the Lord of hosts: ‘If you will walk in My ways, And if you will keep My command, Then you shall also judge My house, And likewise have charge of My courts; I will give you places to walk Among these who stand here” (vv. 6-7).

While Zerubbabel needed grace for his role in leading returnees from exile tasked with construction of the second temple in Jerusalem, Joshua needed grace for his role as new high priest in Jerusalem (Ezra 2:2; 5:2; Zechariah 3:1-6).

As we continue to track together on this, I would like to underline the conditional statement communicated to Joshua, the high priest —‘If you will walk in My ways, And if you will keep My command . . . “ Compare that to another conditional statement in Genesis chapter 6 verse 22 that says, “Thus Noah did; according to all that God commanded him, so he did.”

Earlier in verse 16 God instructed Noah to make a window for the ark, and set the door of the ark in its side. Once all the occupants were in, the door was sealed to the flood waters, and barred potential intruders from outside. Once you are in, there was a list of things “we do not do here.” That is how the family of eight managed to survive together in a confined environment with a wide variety of creatures for the entire duration of the great flood. The window was for the purpose of letting in some fresh air, lighting, and monitoring—the eye.

Speaking of the ‘eye’, Noah found grace in the “eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8). Zerubbabel was assured there are seven eyes of the Lord, which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth to support his temple-building efforts (Zechariah 4:10). Just before that the LORD of hosts says, “For behold, the stone That I have laid before Joshua: Upon the stone are seven eyes (Zechariah 3:9).

Towards the end of Part Two we found out that the “seven eyes” are prophetically revealed as seven Spirits of God in Isaiah chapter 11—“The Spirit of the Lord, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord” (vv. 1-2).

That is what the Lord has packaged on the inside of grace. That is what Noah and his family needed if they were to survive the confines of the ark for one year with “every animal, every creeping thing, every bird, and whatever creeps on the earth, according to their families” (Genesis 8:18-19).

Towards the end of Joshua’s courtroom encounter the Lord of hosts and Judge delivered a verdict against the adversary saying, ”And I will remove the iniquity of that land in one day” (Zechariah 3:9-10). Despite all the dogged opposition, the temple work in Jerusalem was completed with shouts of “Grace, grace to it!” —Not by might nor by power, but by the watchful seven eyes of the LORD (v. 4:6). It is important to remember that Zerubbabel needed to keep his hand on the plumb line, while Joshua the high priest needed to keep walking in the ways of the Lord, and keep His command . . .  

Peter, the early Church Apostle compared believers to “living stones, being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood . . . ,” —for what purpose? To “offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 2:5). That sounds like a duo purpose comparable to what Zerubbabel and Joshua accomplished together. In Jeremiah 31 it says,

“Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, that I will sow the house of Israel and the house of Judah with the seed of man and the seed of beast. And it shall come to pass, that as I have watched over them to pluck up, to break down, to throw down, to destroy, and to afflict, so I will watch over them to build and to plant, says the Lord.

—vv. 27-28

Jeremiah was not prophesying exclusively about the Jews and Israelis —the Lord was talking about the beneficiaries of ‘grace’ under the New Covenant (31:2; 31-34).

Notice the intense activity involved; “to sow seed, to pluck up, to break down, to throw down, to destroy, to afflict, to watch, to build and to plant.” Grace is not idle. We are called to get busy fixing things in the House of the Lord (Beit HaMikdash). Towards the end of Noah’s story the Lord declared, “While the earth remains, Seedtime and harvest, Cold and heat, Winter and summer, And day and night Shall not cease” (Genesis 8:22).

The NT epistle of James stresses, “Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead” (2:16,26). James’s characterization of faith also aligns with how not to define grace. ‘Shouts of grace, grace’ is a clarion call to get busy for kingdom purposes locked up in you. It is practical (John 13:17). Favor won’t come knocking on you just like that—you have an obligation to follow the “Way”, the “Truth”, and emulate the lifestyle of the One who promised to lead by example. Grace will watch over you as you do God’s will (John 14:6; Matthew 11:28-19; Jeremiah 31:27-28).

We have lingered on this for a while because we needed to; Grace talks about real things, not an idea—it is not abstract. Grace works with, not for those who live in the real world, not of the abstract (Ephesians 2:10). It is the realities of the world we live that compel us to find grace in the eyes of the Lord (Genesis 6:8).

The Seed and the Grace

The following books in the Christian NT Bible typically end in this style; “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen” —Some versions . . . be with you all. Amen. (1Thessolonians 5:28; 2Thessolonians 3:18; Romans 16:27; 1Corinthians 16:23-24; Philippians 4:23; Revelation 22:21). The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, John & Luke all end with, Amen. (1Timothy & 2Timothy; Titus, Hebrews, also end with, “Grace be with you. Amen.” —Some versions, “Grace be with you all. Amen.”

It is worth mentioning that the specific Hebrew word used to imply ‘grace’ in the majority of the NT references above is hesed/chêsêd (חסד). Meaning goodness, kindness, faithfulness mercy, favour; to be good, be kind. In the original Hebrew Bible the term hesed חסד indicating ‘favor’ in particular occurs 3 times only in three verses (Esther 2:17; Job 10:12; Daniel 1:9).

Remarkably the commutative result of hen חן + hesed חסד equals 130, reducing back to (1+3+0=13). That is not a coincidence. Rather underscores God’s concept of ‘renewal’ —chadash (חדש).

For this article we will endeavor to work with our original grace, hen חן.

So far, we have been introduced to three key words that when translated in Hebrew all have the same ending. It is written, “On the testimony of two or three witnesses every matter shall be confirmed” (2 Corinthians 13:1 –NASB).

1. Grace (חן)
2. Stone (אבן)
3. Amen (אמן)

In His letter to The Persecuted Church in Smyrna Messiah Yeshua instructed John to write, “‘These things says the First and the Last, who was dead, and came to life:’” (Revelation 2:8). Then to The Lukewarm Church of the Laodiceans Yeshua instructed John to write, “‘These things says the Amen, the Faithful and True Witness, the Beginning of the creation of God . . :’” (Revelation 3:14).

The first letter alef (א) of our last word Amen (אמן) is a picture of the strong leader, the first. Yeshua said I am the “First”. Amen (אמן) numerical value equals 100, which reduces back to (1+0+0=1), the alef (א).

The last character, of our last word Amen (אמן) is nun (נ,ן), a picture of seed, heir, offspring, life, fish, continuity . . . Numerical value of 50, which reduces to (5+0=5) pointing back to the hey (ה) meaning to behold (to make known), to teach by revelation.

Grace (חן) and Amen (אמן) intersect at nun (נ,ן) in a sense that when Noah was instructed to build the ark, its primary purpose was to protect the “seed” of “life” for “continuity” after the great flood (Genesis 7:3; 9:9; 10).

• Chet (ח)=To fence off, to surround and protect
• Nun (נ,ן), = Seed, offspring being shielded, or protected

Where does Stone (אבן) fit into this picture? Remember that ‘stone’ (Zechariah 3:9; 1 Peter 2:7,8), the ‘capstone’ (Zechariah 4:6,7), and the ‘cornerstone’ (1 Peter 2:6,7)? Behold! It is pointing back at Yeshua (Jesus) ישוע —numerical value equals 386, reducing to (3+8+6=17), which is the ordinal level of the 17th Hebrew letter pe/peh (פ,ף), a picture of a mouth, to declare, to blow, to scatter (seed). Numerical value of 80, reducing to (8+0=8). The numerical value of stone, eben אבן equals 53, reducing to (5+3=8). Hence, Yeshua (ישוע) is ‘He’ who the prophet Isaiah was pointing at when he prophesied;

He will be as a sanctuary (חן), But a stone of stumbling (אבן) and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.

—Isaiah 8:14

What are the two houses of Israel mentioned there in verse 14? The answer is in the next verses bellow:

Bind up the testimony (v. 16),
Seal the law among my disciples.
And I will wait on the Lord (v. 17),
Who hides His face from the house of Jacob;
And I will hope in Him.
Here am I and the children whom the Lord has given me (v. 18)!
We are for signs and wonders in Israel
From the Lord of hosts,
Who dwells in Mount Zion.

—Isaiah 8:16-18

The “house of Jacob” (v. 17) is before God changed his name (Genesis 35:2). Jacob led his household to repentance, turned away from idolatry and discarded the foreign gods (vv.2,4). Jacob built an altar to the Lord at Bethel (בית־אל) as God had commanded him (vv. 1,7). God responded by changing Jacob’s name to Israel, thus ending decades of iniquitous stumbling blocks from birth linked to dishonesty. Jacob had his flaws, so did his grand parents Abram and Sarai before him. That is why the Lord saw it fit to break the cycle early by choosing the name of Jacob’s father, Isaac Himself (Genesis 17:5,15,19). Names carry key markers in the unseen realm that impact our physical existence tremendously.

Then God appeared to Jacob (יעקב) again, when he came from Padan Aram, and blessed him. And God said to him, “Your name is Jacob; your name shall not be called Jacob anymore, but Israel (ישראל) shall be your name.”

— Genesis 35:9-10

The difference between the numerical value of Jacob (11) יעקב, and Israel (10) ישראל tells the story of a legal issue resolved. “Bind up the testimony, Seal the law among my disciples” (Isaiah 8:16).

Once Jacob, the head (ר) was legally set free in the spirit realm, the Lord of hosts began to pour out a blessing, and to defend the interests of the family (seed) against the adversary (v. 18).

So He called his name Israel. Also God said to him: “I am God Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall proceed from you, and kings shall come from your body. The land which I gave Abraham and Isaac I give to you; and to your descendants after you I give this land.”

—Genesis 35:9-12

God was fulfilling a promise He made to Jacob previously saying, “your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed (Genesis 28:14).

The prophetic implications of the ‘two houses of Israel’ not limited to ethnic Jews or Israelis. Data estimate Jewish population at 15.7 million worldwide in 2023, with over 7.2 million residing in Israel and about 8.5 million live outside Israel. According to the Council on Foreign Relations today, about 21 percent of Israel’s population is Arab, totaling some two million people. Surely that does not look like descendants as many as “the dust of the earth,” does it?

This may probably come as a surprise to those who unwittingly harbour certain feelings about Israel. But have you ever stopped for a moment and asked why God prefers to call the territory comprising the UN state of Israel simply as, My Land ar’Tzi ארצי (Jeremia 2:7)? From day one, the earth is called ha’Aretz הָאָֽרֶץ (Genesis 1:1; 9:19). Why are such nouns like country, land, also referred to simply as eretz ארץ (Genesis 12:3-17)? Because it is global —Israel ישׂראל is not one single nation. It is a group of nations, people, peoples, or congregation (Deuteronomy 33:4). There is plenty more to it than the current political boundaries of the current Jewish state (ארץ ישראל), the size of New Jersey (US). It is ‘His Land’ ar’Tzo ארצו —God’s treasured real estate (Deuteronomy 33:13). The distinction based on Isaiah chapter 8 verse 14 is between who will turn and call on the name of the Lord, and those who feel what they are doing works for them just fine.   

It is universal because the compound name Israel ישראל is directly associated with the God (אל) of faithfulness, good and upright (ישר) —The Lord who fulfils His promises to those who love Him, and follow His ways (Deuteronomy 32:3,4). The God of all creation is interested in the welfare of everyone because all are created in His image (Genesis 1:26,27). When any one of us fails, it is God’s own image that hurts, and it is God’s name that suffers reproach.

Would you allow me to share one more thing concerning the noun Aretz/Eretz (ארץ)? It represents the authority (ל) God installed in his Holy place at Mount Zion (Isaiah 8:18; Hebrews 12:22). Ask CNN, Al-Jazeera, the BBC, AP, Reuters, etc. —the entire global media enterprise admit nothing happens in the tiny territory of Israel nested between ‘the river’ and ‘the sea’ without attracting the attention of their cameras. Why? Because you know something they don’t know about the Mustard Seed From your Bible (1 Corinthians 1:18-25).

The Seed and the Stone

The Lord asked this question: ”For who has despised the day of small things (Zachariah 4:10)? Now it is our time to ask ourselves, what more do we know about that Stone (אבן) of stumbling linked to Yeshua, and the land (eretz ארץ) of His ancestors? If we split the stone in two we get a son, ben (בן) and a silent leader (א), the first.

Bet or Beth/Beyt/Beit (ב) is the second Hebrew letter in the alef bet. Numerical value of 2. Pictographic meaning house, tent. Scriptures say thousands of years before Yeshua was born the Word of the Lord went out that Messiah would come from the seed of David, and from the town of Bethlehem, בית לחם (Jeremiah 23:5-6; John 7:41-42).

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah
Though you are little among the thousands of Judah,
Yet out of you shall come forth to Me
The One to be Ruler in Israel,
Whose goings forth are from of old,
From everlasting.”

—Micah 5:2

The very first book of the Bible, Genesis (בראשית), introduces another place starting with Beit (ב). Jacob’s grandfather Abraham built an altar to God between Bethel בית־אל and Ai (Genesis 12:8). During his travel in the area, Jacob took the stone on which he had rested his head, set it up as a pillar, and declared the place Bethel, God’s house (Genesis 28:18,19,22).

When Yeshua said I am the first, and the Last —the Amen אמן, He summarized the grand story; from Bethel בית־אל of Genesis בראשית, to Bethlehem בית לחם of the New Testament Brit Chadashah (ברית חדשה).

The Mustard Seed and Science

It is not a click-bait to Judaism. We are simply trying to retell the story following the footsteps of Yeshua. Rabbis teach that, “While the mustard seed is not the smallest seed known to man, it was the smallest of the seeds known to the Judean farmers of Yeshua’s time. The height of the quick-growing black mustard seed of the Holy Land can exceed heights of 3 meters (10 feet), which is tall enough to provide rest for birds.”

—(The Messianic Prophecy Bible Project)

Science tells us that not even the smallest seed known, is the smallest particle of matter. There are many others smaller than an atom in nature. Aluminium is a chemical element with symbol Al and atomic number 13. We also know that Aluminium is the most abundant metallic element in Earth’s crust and the most widely used nonferrous metal. Notice the shocking revelation from the verdict rendered against Adam following his fall to sin in Eden.

Then to Adam He said, “Because you have heeded the voice of your wife, and have eaten from the tree of which I commanded you, saying, ‘You shall not eat of it’:

“Cursed is the ground for your sake;
In toil you shall eat of it
All the days of your life.
Both thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you,
And you shall eat the herb of the field.
In the sweat of your face you shall eat bread
Till you return to the ground,
For out of it you were taken;
For dust you are,
And to dust you shall return.”

—Genesis 3:17-19

An aluminium isotope consists of 13 protons, 13 electrons, and 14 neutrons, much smaller than an atom. We also know that Silicon (Si) is a chemical element with an atomic number 14. Biochemists say Silicon is an essential trace element present in a human body. It is linked to bone health. Humans are symbiotic with the land (הארץ).

It is quite surprising who shows up in the Google search quote; “I want to know what God thinks. The rest are details.” —Albert Einstein. His illustrious profile is not connected to the world of religion. He was a German-born theoretical physicist widely celebrated as one of the greatest and most influential scientists of all time. He won the Nobel Prize in 1921.

In the Energy section of the exhibition spotlighting “Einstein’s Special Theory Of Relativity,” the American Museum of Natural History published a very interesting piece titled, “The most famous equation in the world, E= mc², arrived rather quietly.”

Knowing what we know now, “quiet” was at the centre of the puzzle in what science journals often describe as Einstein’s “miracle year” —That is when he published the blockbuster paper describing “the interchangeable nature of mass and energy, or what came to be known as E=mc².”

—(EarthSky: Einstein’s most famous equation)

Wednesday, 27 September 1905 was 27th of Elul, 5665 on the Hebrew calendar. Rabbis teach that Elul (אלול) is the 12th and final (last) month in the Jewish civil year. It is also the 6th month counting from Nisan (aka Abib אביב), which is referred to as “the first month of the year,” according to the biblical calendar (Exodus 12:2; Deuteronomy 16:1).

Elul precedes the month of Tishrei תשרי aka אתנים Ethanim (1 Kings 8:2), which is “the seventh month” counting from Nisan (Numbers 29:1,7,12). On the Jewish civil calendar the month of Elul strategically ends the year, and becomes a connector to the new year, Rosh HaShanah (ראש השנה) beginning with Tishrei.

The third letter counting from right to left in the Hebrew אלול (Elul) is the sixth letter of the Hebrew Alef bet (alphabet), Vav/waw (ו). Like Greek, Hebrew is both alphanumeric and pictographic. Every Hebrew letter or word has both meaning and function. Vav/waw (ו) has a Gematria (numerical value) of 6. Pictographic meaning of hook, nail, to connect, to attach, to add or secure.

Elul (אלול) is a composition of two words; val ול and el אל. The latter is primarily associated with the naming convention of God as in; Elohim (אלהים —Genesis 1:1), or El Shaddai/Almighty (אל שדי—Genesis 17:1).

Besides being the sixth month counting from Nisan on the biblical calendar—a bridge between the old and the new year on the Jewish civil calendar—Elul (אלול) also symbolize something else vitally important; a desperate need to connect with, or to God.

The month of Elul is a time of reflection in many Orthodox Jewish communities. Traditionally, the quietness of the morning is interrupted by the sounding of the shofar except on Shabbat. It is a solemn call to repentance in anticipation of the very special and holy period known as the High Holy Days—Rosh HaShanah (Jewish New Year) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) in Israel and the diaspora.

It is widely believed that Elul is the time when the Psalmist David began to recite Psalm 139;

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;
And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

—(vv. 23-24)

David’s resume also include; a shepherd boy who killed Goliath the giant, Israel’s greatest servant king, a man after God’s heart, and a commander of the Lord’s people army (1 Samuel 13:14).

History doesn’t tell us much about Albert Einstein’s faith. All we know his parents, Hermann Einstein and Pauline Koch were middle-class secular Ashkenazi Jews (Amos 9:7–15). “As a child, Einstein became fascinated by music (he played the violin), mathematics and science.”

—(The History Channel: Einstein’s Early Life 1879-1904)

What does David the Psalmist and Albert Einstein the theoretical physicist have in common? They were both fascinated by God’s unfathomable “mind” and arithmetic prowess.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!

—Psalm 139:17

“I want to know what God thinks. The rest are details.” —Albert Einstein

We learn from the prophets that David was the youngest of eight sons of Jesse and was “keeping the sheep” (1 Samuel 16:11). In Jewish law and tradition a child gradually begins to assume greater responsibility for his or her actions at the Bar/Bat Mitzvah (בר מצווה) age. Rabbis teach, The rite of passage associated with this observance is the Bar Mitzvah for boys at age 13, and Bat Mitzvah for girls at age 12.

“Bar Mitzvah literally means son of commandment and Bat Mitzvah means daughter of commandment.  However, the term in rabbinical usage has come to mean one who is subject to the law.”

—(The Messianic Prophecy Bible Project: The Bat and Bar Mitzvah: Discover This Key Jewish Tradition).

This means David began his career tending his father’s sheep at the tender age of 13. Also, it was his Bar Mitzvah status that legally qualified him to be anointed king by the prophet Samuel at Bethlehem (1 Samuel 16:12-13).

David’s predecessor, Saul described him three times as “na‛ar” (נער), meaning a boy, lad, youth, servant (1 Samuel 17:33,55). They say never judge a book by its cover. The Philistine champion, Goliath made a costly mistake when he despised David over his looks too.

And when the Philistine looked about and saw David, he disdained him; for he was only a youth, ruddy and good-looking.

—(1 Samuel 17:42)

Many scholars of the Tanakh (Hebrew Bible) estimate that David was about 15 years old when he killed the Philistine giant, Goliath. That assessment seems about right according to the lapse of time since David was anointed by Samuel, and embarked on his new career as King Saul’s harp player and armorbearer (1 Samuel 16:14-23).

This journey seems to be getting more exiting as we find something else that David, the harp player has in common with Albert Einstein, the violin player—music.

There is more. Einstein was born on  Friday, 14 March 1879 (20th of Adar, 5639 on the Jewish Calendar). “He dropped out of school in 1894 and moved to Switzerland, where he resumed his schooling.”

—(The History Channel: Einstein’s Early Life 1879-1904)

We know Einstein did not become king like David, but dropping out of school at age 15, and moving address from his parent’s home in Munich (German) to Zurich (Switzerland), was a milestone in life somewhat similar to David’s experience approximately 2700 years earlier. David finished his career as the first King of the United Kingdom of Israel. Today, Einstein’s groundbreaking Theories Of Relativity and his famous equation E = mc² are the anchor on which modern scientific innovations are tethered—Quantum Physics, Nuclear Fusion, Microwaves, X-Rays, and much more. It remains man’s best effort ever in explaining how the Universe works.

The Forbes magazine describes E = mc² as Einstein’s greatest equation, a triumph of the power and simplicity of fundamental physics.

—(Forbes 23 Jan 2018: The Three Meanings Of E = mc²).   

Undoubtedly, Einstein’s work won him accolades the world over, one of the greatest and most influential scientists of all time. But it came at a huge personal cost and sacrifice—solitude, frustration, and stubborn pushback by peers and cynics.  

The Psalms David authored are filled with mixed emotions often starting with tension, anxiety, tears, and ending in singing and Praising God for His deliverance.

Hear my cry, O God;
Attend to my prayer.
From the end of the earth I will cry to You,
When my heart is overwhelmed;
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

For You have been a shelter for me,
A strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in Your tabernacle forever;
I will trust in the shelter of Your wings. Selah

. . . For You, O God, have heard my vows;
You have given me the heritage of those who fear Your name.
You will prolong the king’s life,
His years as many generations.
He shall abide before God forever.
Oh, prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him!
So I will sing praise to Your name forever . . . ,

— Psalm 61:1-8

Emotional roller-coaster is another place where David and Einstein met. Science and Music was their escape route. Most importantly, both reserved a place for God somewhere deep inside their heart. When God directed the prophet Samuel to find and anoint Israel’s future king, He also gave him some clues. “Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, For the LORD does not see as man sees; for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” (1 Samuel 16:7).

The volume of Psalms David wrote reveal to the world what he felt about God and the Universe.  

The heavens declare the glory of God;
the skies proclaim the work of his hands.
Day after day they pour forth speech;
night after night they reveal knowledge.
They have no speech, they use no words;
no sound is heard from them.
Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,
their words to the ends of the world.

—Psalm 19:1-4 (New International Version – NIV)

The Bible is a repository of scientific marvels. When we dissect our miracle month Elul (אלול) it is a connector form of two words— ול and אל. It means to “run to and fro, go to and fro” (Amos 8:11-14). The literal rendering of that is shûţ/shoot שוט (to whip, to lash that is (the sea with oars) to row Ezekiel 27:26). It occurs 13 times in 13 verses in the original Hebrew Bible.

Just like our kids begin to transition into adulthood at Bar/Bat Mitzvah (בר מצווה) age 13, Elul (אלול) is the launching pad when we reflect on how far we have come, and where we should be going. Remember, every letter of the Hebrew alef bet is also a number (א+ל+ו+ל). Hence, our maths commutative law says Elul אלול equals (30+6+30+1=67), where ( 6+7=13).

Scriptures refer to Messiah Yeshua as the Mediator of the New Covenant (Hebrews 12:24).  The first chapter of the NT gospel of Matthew begins with, “The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham” (1:1). The Hebrew name David (דוד) is a picture of a double-door (two-leaved) entrance (Ezekiel 41:23; 1 Kings 6:31-35). Messiah Yeshua is the connector of the Old and the New (John 10:7,9; 14:6).

This brings to memory our ‘connector month’ we discussed earlier, Elul (אלול). We are told that the historical city of Galilee named Nazareth is where the angel of the Lord, Gabriel told Mary she would bear a child and call his name, Jesus, the Son of God. The angel Gabriel made the announcement in the sixth month (Elul). Moreover, the angel also revealed to Mary that “Elizabeth your relative has also conceived a son in her old age; and this is now the sixth month (Elul) for her who was called barren.” (Luke 26,36).

Basic etymology of the compound name Nazareth is from the noun נצר (neser), branch or shoot. Also from the verb זרע (zara’), to scatter to sow seed, or זרה (zara), to scatter to winnow. Nouns זרע (zera’) and זרוע (zerua’) meaning a sowing or that which is sown.

But you, O mountains of Israel, you shall shoot forth your branches and yield your fruit to My people Israel, for they are about to come. For indeed I am for you, and I will turn to you, and you shall be tilled and sown (nazara’tem; נזרעתם).

—Ezekiel 36:8-9

When the angel Gabriel appeared to Mary to tell her about her impending pregnancy, that is not the moment when the “Word” of God planted a Seed of salvation in the spiritual DNA. It was the moment the clock began ticking on the physical manifestation of the Mashiach Yeshua (Jesus Christ) in flesh (Luke 1:26). Yeshua is the ‘Seed’ of hope God promised in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:15). Agricultural cycles and seasons in the Holy Land where Yeshua was born and raised are the perfect example of how God keeps renewing His faithfulness and love for His people from generation to generation (Leviticus 26:10; Amos 9:13).

Modern Nazareth is he largest Arab city in Israel. It is the location of the domed Basilica of the Annunciation popular with Christian tour groups from around the world. It is the perfect example of peaceful coexistence between Jews and Arabs, Muslims and Christians, secular progressives and traditionalists —Only the Prince of Peace can make that possible (Luke 1:37)

It is impractical to embrace the new without reflecting on, or grasping where we have been. All God’s ways are cyclically expressed in seasons and agricultural cycles. The New Covenant (Brit HaDashah ברית החדשה) is a “renewal” (חדש) and “confirmation” of the old, not a supersession.

For I will look on you favorably and make you fruitful, multiply you and confirm My covenant with you.
You shall eat the old harvest, and clear out the old because of the new.

—Leviticus 26:9-10

Today we can look at the impact of global religious explosion and think of the double doors that Messiah Yeshua opened in the unseen realm when He arrived in Bethlehem. Many out there including atheists have some opinion about Jesus. Millions of Muslims around the world frequently read about Nabi Isa (prophet Jesus) in the Quran many times every week. They are told His name means the “salvation of God”. In Part One we mentioned a 2022 statistic estimating over 45,000 faith groups around the world that identify as “Christians”

—( International Bulletin of Mission Research – IBMR).

Remember the words of Prophet Isaiah? —“He will be as a sanctuary (חן), But a stone (אבן) of stumbling and a rock of offense To both the houses of Israel, As a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem.” (Isaiah 8:14).

While millions say their faith in the Name of Yeshua is a sanctuary for their hearts, history also bears the relics of brutal conflicts across the globe in the name of religion, land, and politics. Why? That ancient irredeemable seed of evil sown by the creepy adversary in Eden has propagated for millennia influencing billions after its kind (1 John 3:8,9).

You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources, for he is a liar and the father of it.

—John 8:44

So often I wish Yeshua was not this accurate, and that all that which is happening now around the world is fiction. But every time you turn on the TV screen, or activate the next social media app on the cell phone you just have to pray and hope the next bad report is not someone you know, or close to family. But it is closing in fast every passing day. So much so that many more are progressively itching for their chance on the streets to vent their anger, frustration, and hatred against someone, or something. Others even hate the very earth where they live because they have been told it is overpopulated and the climate is worsening.

Like the proverbial coin, those who put their trust in God have a choice to win. It is written; “And I will put enmity Between you and the woman, And between your seed and her Seed; He shall bruise your head, And you shall bruise His heel.” (Genesis 3:15).

The Psalmist David wrote, ”The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at My right hand, Till I make Your enemies Your footstool. The Lord shall send the rod of Your strength out of Zion. Rule in the midst of Your enemies!” (Psalm 110:1:1-2).

Our reality does not feel like David’s Announcement of Messiah Reign is a holiday resort. But the battle lines are already active in the unseen realm. Those who have been here throughout 2024 have seen trouble in every quantifiable matrix.

He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

—1 John 3:8

In certain cultures they say the loudest dog is not necessarily the most vicious one. The Apostle Paul saw all the chaos of our day from afar. There is only one outcome, and it is not supposed to be fair —”the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly” (Romans 16:20).

While Albert Einstein was busy contemplating God’s thoughts, another set of doors opened in the unseen realm.

“But you, Daniel, shut up these words and seal the book until the time of the end. Many will roam to and fro, and knowledge will increase.”

—Daniel 12:4 (BSB)

Faith and the Mustard Seed

A chilling report by the History Channel points to late 1930s when Einstein’s theories, including his equation E=mc², helped form the basis of the development of the atomic bomb.

“Almost immediately after Albert Einstein learned of the atomic bomb used in Japan, he became an advocate for nuclear disarmament. He formed the Emergency Committee of Atomic Scientists and backed Manhattan Project scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer in his opposition to the hydrogen bomb”

—(History Channel – Einstein’s Early Life 1879-1904).

The world today is being held at ransom with thousands of nuclear warheads among a dozen nuclear armed nations. A collection of dense microscopic nuclei are the seeds those with apocalyptic desires found a way of manipulating them to cause maximum atomic harm at the press of a button. Two Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki were destroyed by the world’s first deployed atomic bomb on August 6 and 9, 1945, during World War II (1939-45) by two American B-29 bombers. An estimated 120,000 people perished instantly and many thousands more reportedly died of radiation exposure.

Global instability rising steadily following Russia invasion of Ukraine February 24, 2022, and the October 7, 2023, slaughter of an estimated 1200 and kidnaping of over 300 by Gaza-based Hamas led terror groups. Again threats of tactical, even strategic nuclear explosion capable of destroying the entire planet many times over are growing louder. The Iranian theocratic authorities led by the Ayatollah openly expresses their enduring desire to wipe Israel off the map, and have made little effort of calming the anxiety of those suspicious of their nuclear ambitions. A growing number of TV and YouTube channels run by certain Charismatic Cristian groups link current global conflicts with the end-time prophetic “Gog, of Magog” events (Ezekiel 38–39). Should we spend sleepless nights over any of that? Certainly not.

Just as the prophet Daniel was told to “seal the book until the time of the end”, Yeshua told John to “open the Book” approximately 600 years later.

And he said to me, “Do not seal the words of the prophecy of this book, for the time is at hand. He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him [e]be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still.”

—Revelation 22:10-11

Undoubtedly 2024 (Hebrew 5784) has been such a momentous year. Fourth Hebrew letter dalet (ד), the picture of a door; out or in, knock, path, way, portal. Numerical value of 4. From ancient times our world has been shaped with many doors opening and closing at key strategic historical markers. From Abraham to David; and From Yeshua’s double-doors to this age. Bible prophecy is frighteningly accurate, I can almost hear the hinges turning at the next two-leaved entrance of 2028 (5788).

Just when dark forces thought it is their time to shine, and that they can continue to impose their will with impunity, they are not ready for what is coming —the twin doors are about to swing wide open come 5788. Despite of all the seemingly unhinged instability and violence unleashed in the world right now there is hope. According to the open Book of prophecy, there is not going to be a nuclear explosion or anything close anywhere on the earth anytime soon. Not because the regimes wielding the world’s nuclear arsenal and their allies have suddenly learned to fear God—They will have to figure out how to shoot down the sun, moon and the stars out of heaven first, and how to measure the heaven above and the foundations of the earth beneath (Jeremiah 31:35-37).

Not only that, God is not done with His creation yet. We are just a few billion people on earth right now. God promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob descendants as many “as the dust of the earth . . .” (Genesis 28:14). Depopulation proponents will have to convince the unchanging God to amend His constitution too. Just like that open door that Einstein peered through to learn the mysteries of the atom, 5788 is lining up an even greater surprise:

For the earth will be filled
With the knowledge of the glory of the Lord,
As the waters cover the sea.

—Habakkuk 2:14

I believe it with all my heart because Yeshua said so, and it happened before when Noah found “grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8; Matthew 24:36-39). According to Isaiah 11:1-2, “The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord” was part of the grace package Noah found in the eyes of the Lord.

Just so you know, imminent opening of the double-doors in 5788 is just the beginning . . . Messiah Yeshua made it clear that, “for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet” (Matthew 24:6). Until then, we are called to just hold station (Revelation 22:11).

As we wrap up this incredible journey into the Mystery of the Mustard Seed, how about taking a final pitstop where Faith meets the Mustard seed.

So the Lord said, “If you have faith as a mustard seed, you can say to this mulberry tree, ‘Be pulled up by the roots and be planted in the sea,’ and it would obey you. 

—Luke 17:6

Some Bible versions including the KJV call the mulberry a ‘sycamine‘ tree. In the original Aramaic/Hebrew plain text it is referred to as a ‘sycamore‘ šiqmâ/shiqmâh שקמה. Not to be confused by the American Sycamore (Platanus occidentalis), which is one of Iowa’s largest trees. There are over 100 species of mulberry trees in fruit, and fruitless varieties. Our mulberry tree Yeshua connected to “faith as a mustered seed” is exactly the same type referred to as a sycomore/sycamore-fig which Zacchaeus, the chief tax collector climbed to see Yeshua (Luke 19:4).

Although the mulberry is known for its picturesque landscaping, it also comes with a dark side. Like the parasitic mistletoe we mentioned earlier some, especially the white mulberry variety, are invasive. The root system is quite aggressive and known to easily destroy drains and other vital underground resources. They grow aggressively fast which can cause ecological succession. In his article titled “Trees and Tree Planting” publiched at 8billiontrees.com on February 16, 2024, Georgette Kilgore wrote; “Moreover, mulberry roots are known to expand in search of water and nutrients, damaging property and foundations. Yes, it causes ecological threats by invading woodland, open forests, and disturbed areas commonly affected by the mulberry weed.”

That invasive nature and issues often linked to the spread of pests and ailments are some of the main reasons why some varieties such as the white blueberry has been outlawed in several parts of the United States. Besides governmental legal restrictions, George also pointed out that some people dislike the mulberry for the terrible mess its dropping fruits can cause on lawns, driveways, and sidewalks. “When picking the fruit is almost impossible not to get stained with the deep red colours.”

The fruit mulberry variety produce juicy but toxic berries that can only be consumed safely when perfectly ripe. Similar to the mistletoe the mulberry leaves and bark also contain highly toxic white sap which can be dangerous to humans and animals. Its ability to retain sap enables the mulberry to survive in arid environments. That could be one of the reasons why the ancients nicknamed the mulberry, a weeping tree (Psalm 84:6; Genesis 21:16).

The mulberry is also called a tree of valleys especially because it is attracted to the abundance of water there (1 Kings 10:27). Those hydro-intensive characteristics is the clue that the shrub where Hagar and her son Ishmael took shelter and found a well, was a sycamore or Red mulberry variety (Morus rubra) (Genesis 21:16,19; Psalm 23:2b).

The Psalmist David wrote, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil;” (Psalm 23:4). Because it was in the Valley of Rephaim (Giants) where the LORD helped him to triumph against Philistine adversaries in front of the mulberry trees. (1 Chronicles 14:8-16)

Now that is where the rubber meats the road; Yeshua’s Parables depicting faith, the mustard seed, the mulberry tree, and Zacchaeus the tax collector point to one thing—How God can use adversity to bless. Digging foundation first is the normal way of building a house. I hope we have done just that since the last two parts we have covered. Without further ado we can confidently guess that Yeshua was talking about Himself. We know He is that “Word” that was with God at day one of creation (John 1:1-3). Only God can “speak” things in or out of place. Yeshua said, “I and My Father are one” (John 10:30). Meaning, He is God (Deuteronomy 6:4; Zechariah 14:9).

Remember nearly 2700 years prior the prophet Micah foretold that Messiah Yeshua would come from Bethlehem, the “smallest” and most despised city of Judah (Micah 5:2).

Knowing what we know now from The Parable of the Mustard Seed, we can by experience paraphrase Yeshua’s statement of Luke 17:6 meaning;

“If only you keep trust in Me, your prayers concerning a seemingly insurmountable and persistent situation will finally bear the desired outcome” (Hebrews 11:6). 

For those who have caught the maths bug since we started, here is a summation view of it all before we close.

The mustard seed (grain), Hebrew is gargar hachardal גרגר החרדל —Numerical value of mustard חרדל equals 242, which reduces to (2+4+2=8). Commutatively, (2+2+2+2=8), or (2×2)×2=8.

Eight (8) is the number of Yeshua (ישוע), and is also the number of the “Great and Awesome Day of the Lord” (Malachi 4; Leviticus 23:36,39). This day is also known as “Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah”.

Remember that first character of the first word Bereshit בראשית of the first sentence in the first book of Bible, Genesis is bet/beit (ב). Numerical value of 2.

The last character, of the last word Amen (אמן), from the last sentence in the last book of the Bible, Revelation is nun (נ,ן), numerical value, 50.

When beit is combined with nun ( בן), it means “son”. Yeshua is the Son of God (John 5:17,25).

When the numerical value of beit (ב) is added to the numerical value of nun (2+5+0=7), the number of completion (finality) which is also the number of Messiah (משיח).

The prophet Zachariah wrote, “For who has despised the day of small things? For these seven rejoice to see The plumb line in the hand of Zerubbabel. They are the eyes of the Lord, Which scan to and fro throughout the whole earth.”

Yeshua told John in a vision that “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last” (Revelation 1:11). The Hebrew equivalent of the Greek Alpha is the “alef” (א) and the Omega is the “tav” (ת) — All 22 letters of the Hebrew alphabet (alef bet) describe who Yeshua is. All creation revolves around Him. While that is another of countless ways to describe Yeshua, we chose to piggyback on the beit-nun (בן) in the context of our “Mustard Seed” journey.

Conclusion

It is so easy to misunderstand God. We need wisdom from the Lord to be able to understand the intricate details of His word (Isaiah 11:1-2). Only through following the Lord by faith can we grasp the deep mysteries of His ways. The Parable of the Mustard Seed teaches believers a great lesson about how God humbled Himself from Glory, and come to save the needy world through the work of Messiah Yeshua. The mustard seed is the ultimate symbol of humility without which the hopeless world would perish without a saviour. It is also a symbol of how the enemy of God’s people can use the slightest opportunity to slither his way in disguised as the agent of good, and drag his victims into calamity. Satan, the devil is the embodiment of gaslighting—calling “evil good, and good evil; Who put darkness for light, and light for darkness; Who put bitter for sweet, and sweet for bitter!” (Isaiah 5:20).

The Pictograph behind the 14th Hebrew letter of the Alef bet Nun (נ,ן) is a “seed”. Seeds have life. they are activated to germinate  when the conditions are right. The first thing a seed does is to put down root before the branches and leaves appear. Yeshua said He is “The Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). He is the “seed” from which all “life” spring (Genesis 3:15; John 1:4; 2Timothy 2:8). Yeshua is also the “root” that supports life (Romans 15:12; Revelation 5:5). Yeshua, the creator of all (John 1:1-3) had to lower Himself to our level “beit-nun” (בן) in order to save fallen humanity (John 3:16). From that humble beginning, Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) sits on the throne as the “King of Kings and the Lord of Lords” (Revelation 19:16).

Yeshua explained this to his disciples skilfully in “The Parable of the Tares” (The Parable of the Weeds —BSB).

He replied, “The One who sows the good seed is the Son of Man. The field is the world, and the good seed represents the sons of the kingdom. The weeds are the sons of the evil one, and the enemy who sows them is the devil. The harvest is the end of the age, and the harvesters are angels.

—Matthew 13:37-39 (BSB)

Those who are feeling apprehension over what is happening right now in the world, you are not alone. God feels what you feel because you bear His image. That is what the vendetta against you is all about. You are still alive because this is the best timing in God’s will for your life. Hold station. Yeshua promised, “Behold, I am coming quickly! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (Revelation 22:7).

God is a rewarder of those who stay the course against all odds—Having a backbone and fortitude to go through the most challenging of seasons. There is a crown to win. God’s promises do not have an expiration date. From Genesis (Bereshit) to this day, what He promised is evident; to believers, and non-believers. Unbelief, or hostility towards God doesn’t influence His plans and purposes from the foundations of the world.

“While the earth remains,
Seedtime and harvest,
Cold and heat,
Winter and summer,
And day and night
Shall not cease.”

— Genesis 8:22

One thing for sure, the adversary is on notice; final countdown of that Great and Awesome Day of the Lord is pulpable (Joel 3:14-16; Zechariah 14). Those alive come 5788 will probably revisit this publication and glorify God for His faithfulness. Like withering leaves in the fall (autumn), you are about to witness those anti-purposes of God forces tumbling down fast. It doesn’t matter how hopeless it may feel or look like right now where you are, there is no time for malaise—remain focused on the enduring promises of God. Do not react to phantom threats, be resolute but hopeful. Do not get mad, get motivated. They just want to provoke you into violence to give them an excuse to crack down, tear down the rule book, even declare martial law. God is on your side. The Lord will fight for His image you represent, for His name’s sake, and for His purposes in the earth. Nothing breaks the enemy’s will to fight like a worrier who spends more time on their knees than feasting their eyes on the screens of deception (Judges 7:5-7).

And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.

—Romans 16:20

Thank you for your time tracking with me this far. In case you missed Part One and Part Two, please follow this links back, I promise you will be blessed. Also, I would like to encourage you to share with others. Finally, your comments are the best inspiration for me to keep writing more articles like this, and to know how and where I can improve. Please keep them coming.

Thank you and God bless.