This week’s study is called, “When you elevate?” In the Biblical text, elevate can mean census which is to rise, lift up, or stand. So, if you were to be counted as a follower of Yahweh, how would you lift up His Name? And, when you are counted, what will be seen? Do you display the power of Yahweh? Would you like to?
Consider the following pictures:
In our Exodus portion, we see elevation for those being counted equally, whether rich or poor, through the imagery of a shekel. In Biblical times, a shekel was considered to be worth 11.4 grams of silver or one day’s worth of labor. Isn’t it interesting that Yahweh asked for only ½ a shekel to be given to Him. How does this value of money signify a rising up to others?
When the priests came before Yahweh to make atonement for Israel, they had to wash their hands and anoint themselves with a special oil. What kind of picture does this give us today? Are we required to wash and anoint ourselves? If we are a royal priesthood, what would the specifics of this look like?
In Exodus 31, the Sabbath also seems to be significant to Yahweh. Why is this such an important sign between man and God? And when we keep it, how are we refreshed? What does “keeping” the Sabbath look like to you?
Israel asked for a false god to be made for them when they started to doubt the return of Moses and the Presence of Yahweh to their camp. What are ways we can guard against following into this same type of trap today? Are there times you believe God is not coming back to your home and you have allowed a false god to enter?
I believe the Elijah story in I Kings 18 gives us eight clear steps in learning how to elevate and be counted.
At the start of the chapter, Elijah meets with another prophet by the name of Obediah. Elijah tells him to send a message to the wicked king Ahab, but Obediah is afraid to do so. Elijah reassures Obediah that he will intercede.
Step 1: We elevate by not bowing to fear!
Shortly after, Elijah meets Ahab and sets up the “show down on Mount Carmel.” He presents two distinct choices: Serve baal, a man-made solution or serve Yahweh, the King of all solutions.
Step 2: There are only two choices in life. Choose Yahweh for He is life.
**Quick Memo: In both the golden calf story found in Exodus 32 and the baal worship found in 1 Kings, we see chaotic noise with a deliberate attempt to create man-made worship. The attempt was not made by the neighboring pagans, but was made by the House of Israel. Do we still see this happening today in houses of “worship?” Is there an effort to create worship that is not ordained by Yahweh, but is instead directed by personal desire?
Back to our story:
*Elijah takes on the majority by stating he is one against 450. He repairs the altar that has been torn down by Isreal.
Step 3. It’s possible to repair our connection with YHWH through personal proclamation and by a willingness to repair our lives.
* Elijah takes 12 stones according to the number of the tribes of Israel to build the Lord’s altar.
Step 4: God’s covenant promise is bigger than one tribe. Lift up your promise and your stone.
* Elijah digs a trench “the size of two measures of seed.”
Step 5: Prepare for the water of life and the seed of promise. Stop doubting and start anticipating!
* Elijah arranged the wood and cut the ox by himself—a picture similar to Abraham and Isaac.
Step 6: Only you can accept the willing sacrifice given by Yeshua.
* Elijah fills up 4 pitchers of water to pour onto the sacrifice. Why 4 pitchers? (Consider the four directives in the first command found in Exodus 20 and the Hebrew letter Dalet for the number four.)
Step 7: Recognize the “I AM” as God. Accept your deliverance from sin. Claim the power of redemption into His Kingdom. Ready yourself to live as a new person.
* Elijah prayed at the evening sacrifice by asking for God’s revelation to be made known.
Step 8: Realize the Kingdom of life is about Yah’s power and not our power. Pray for the baptism of Holy Fire and proclaim the fullness of God to the unbeliever.
I sincerely hope you are blessed this Sabbath.
In love,
Rollyn