On this date in history, 12/20/1803: France turns over control of New Orleans and Lower Louisiana to the United States. #otd #tdih #louisianapurchase

#hanukkah (חֲנֻכָּה‎ dedication) Day 2 Quote: "[The Greeks] set up the abomination of desolation upon the altar... And burnt incense at the doors of their houses, and in the streets. And when they had torn into pieces the books of the Torah which they found, they burnt them with fire" (1 Maccabees 1:54-56).

Seeking prayers for an anonymous mom I recently met, whom I fear is in a dangerous situation, along with her children. I'm not comfortable giving much detail but, Yah knows who is in need and I'm asking all of you to lift her up in prayer and ask that Yah cover her with His protection and help her to seek refuge, if she needs to. ??

Thought for Today: Tuesday December 20:

Today, as you wake up and get on with your tasks, may your soul awaken to the wonder of Elohiym’s movement in your life. He is with you, in you, around you and for you. His Love and Favour surrounds you like a shield. Listen for and to His Voice as you go through this day. Forsake your worries and fears and cling to faith instead. You are safe in His Hands!

SERIES B --- A CHOSEN PEOPLE -- LESSON 21

TO EGYPT

WAGON TRAIN TO A NEW LAND

From Genesis 46:1-7, 26-34

Gathering all of his possessions, Jacob left for Egypt with his family, making his first stop at Beersheba. There he offered sacrifices to YHVH the Elohiym of his father Isaac. That night YHVH spoke to him in a vision. [Jacob! Jacob!] YHVH called. [Who is calling?] Jacob asked. [I am YHVH the Elohiym of your father. You must not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make a great nation from your descendants. I will go with you to Egypt and I will bring your descendants out again, but the hand of your son Joseph will close your eyes in death there.] Leaving Beersheba, Jacob and his family journeyed onward to Egypt, carrying their goods in the wagons which Pharaoh had given them. With them they brought their cattle and all that they had possessed in Canaan. The caravan included Jacob and his sons and daughters, his grandsons and granddaughters and other family members. There were thirty-six of Jacob’s descendants who went to Egypt with him, in addition to the wives of Jacob’s sons. Including Joseph’s two sons, Jacob had a family of seventy there. As they approached Egypt, Jacob sent Judah ahead to let Joseph know that they were coming so that he could meet them in Goshen. Joseph prepared his chariot and rode to Goshen to meet his father. When they met, Joseph hugged Jacob again and again and wept for quite some time. [I am ready to die now,] said Jacob, [for I have seen you and know that you are alive.] Then Joseph prepared for them to meet Pharaoh. [I will tell Pharaoh that you have arrived in Egypt,] he said, [and that you have come all the way from Canaan to join me here. I will tell him that you are shepherds, for you take care of cattle, and that you have brought your flocks and herds and all that you have. When Pharaoh summons you before him and asks what work you do, you must tell him that you are shepherds and have been since you were young, and that even your ancestors were shepherds. Since shepherds are hated in many parts of Egypt, he will let you settle here in the rich lands of Goshen.]

COMMENTARY

EGYPTIAN AND ISRAELITE FAMILY LIFE

Wagons carried Israel and all his family to a joyful reunion with his lost son. YHVH Himself told Israel to go. In the land of Egypt, safe from conflict with the peoples of Canaan, YHVH would multiply the family. And there Israel would see Joseph again! Jacob and his family had many surprises when they moved to Egypt. Among them were the different customs surrounding family life. Joseph and his Egyptian family were very different from his father Jacob and his Hebrew shepherd’s family. Unlike his father, Joseph had only one wife, Asenath. In Egypt, wealthy women could own property, so a woman like Asenath, who had come from a wealthy family, was financially independent. Both husband and wife supervised the household, and appeared together in society. Such things were forbidden among the Israelites, where a woman was totally dependent on the males of the family, had few rights of her own, and was kept largely hidden from men. Both Israelites and Egyptians loved children, but treated them differently. Among wealthy Egyptians, children were nursed for three years and were raised in separate women’s quarters. They often went out with their parents. At the age of four, boys went to boarding school where they trained to become government officials, scribes, priests or artists. Girls grew up at home, where they learned to be midwives, priestesses, professional mourners or dancers. Among the Israelites, boys remained at home and learned their father’s trade, which at this time was usually shepherding. Girls were taught to be wives and mothers.

Hanukkah is an eight day commemoration celebration of the re-dedication of the temple, after it had been desecrated by the wicked greek sovereign of Syria. Though the events leading up to the original Hanukkah were prophesied by Daniel, and Hanukkah is mention in John 10:22, it is not a feast of YAH described in Leviticus 23. However, the events of the original Hanukkah point to end time events and its important to understand the prophetic meaning of Hanukkah to be prepared for the perilous times ahead. 

Watch this informative Ministry Update video up on our YouTube channel to know what’s going on at Triumph In Truth Ministries. This short video is the intro to our new Home Worship Video Resource which you can watch now!

As long as we are to call ourselves followers of Christ, let the Name be blasphemed in the observance, not the overstepping, of discipline, while we are being approved of God, not while we are being reproved. Oh blasphemy, bordering on martyrdom, which now proves me to be a Christian, while for that very account the world detests me! The cursing of well-maintained discipline is a blessing of the Name. As Paul said, "If I wished to please men, I should not be Christ's servant."
-Tertullian, On Idolatry, chapter 14

Reuben was a terrible leader. In Genesis 42:37, he even offered to kill his own sons if he lost Benjamin in Egypt. What!?

In contrast, Judah offered his own life as security for Benjamin's, showing himself to be a transformed man, a true leader of his people. And when Jacob listened to Judah, acted in faith, and sent Benjamin to Egypt in v14, he didn't lose the two sons as he feared (Benjamin and Simeon), but gained one he thought already lost (Joseph).