Is it possible for us to understand how to approach The King of the Universe? The prophet Isaiah gives us a clue when finding himself before the throne of Yahweh and the Seraphim angel with six wings proclaiming holy, holy, holy. He states:
“Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”
Isaiah 6:2-3
After making this statement, a Seraphim angel touches his mouth with a burning coal and says, “Behold, this has touched your lips, and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin is forgiven.”
I find it fascinating, that this text depicts a human being actually being in the court of Heaven. Some would say this is only a vision—something reserved for a righteous few. But is it? What does Isaiah portray to us in areas of approaching and worshipping the Creator of the Universe? And, does the study of Yitro show us a similar pattern?
Three months after Israel is rescued from Egypt, a covenant vow is made. Israel accepts the calling to be God’s chosen people. To substantiate the intentions, YHWH speaks to Moses and says, “I shall come to you in a thick cloud, so that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe in you forever.” From this verse, we can conclude the following:
1) YHWH wants His Voice to be heard.
2) Moses would be the one chosen to intercede for Israel.
3) The Law of Moses will last forever.
Fast forward to the days of Yeshua and we can see a similar picture. At Yeshua’s baptism, the voice of YHWH comes out of Heaven and says, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well-pleased.” (Matthew 3:17) Following His baptism, there is a time of transfiguration, where a cloud forms over His disciples and a voice comes out of heaven stating, “This is My beloved Son, listen to Him.” (Luke 9:35)
Like the story of Moses, we become aware of two more important declarations from the court of Heaven.
Like the story of Moses, we become aware of two more important declarations from the court of Heaven.
1) Yeshua is the Son of Elohim
2) His disciples (those who follow) must listen. But listen to what?
In the Book of Acts, the apostle Peter reminds the crowd that Yeshua, the Son of God was sacrificed as the perfect Lamb to do away with our sins. Yeshua defeated death. Yeshua ascended to Heaven. And Yeshua is sitting at the right hand of Yahweh interceding for all of Israel forever. (Acts 2)
In these two pictures of Moses and Yeshua, I am concluding that Moses (the giver of Yah’s Law) will remain forever so that we know how we have been judged. At the same time, we can be aware that Yeshua (the willing sacrifice) redeemed us thru His works as given to Him by The Father. So what does this have to do with approaching YHWH or coming into His presence?
“To pray” or “te-fi-la le-hit-pa-let” takes on the Hebraic understanding of appealing wholeheartedly or uttering from one’s heart solemnly without voice but in words of praise and worship. In praying, we come before and into the presence of Elohim.
Moses prepared the people to hear Yah’s voice by having them consecrate themselves (spiritual self) and by washing their garments (outer self). YHWH then descended in His Glory speaking the “words” of a marriage contract between Him and His people. But the people ask for Moses to be their intercessor, in that they are afraid to speak or come near. Though in almost stark contrast, the disciples of Yeshua wanting to know how to do the works of The Kingdom come near to Him and ask, “How do we pray?”
In the Torah and through the New Testament, we can begin to see the differences and similarities in approaching YHWH. In the days of Moses, YHWH is approached with a humble sacrifice. . .with holy trepidation, praise, and honor, with a priesthood interceding for them. During the days of Yeshua and after His resurrection we are called to do the same, but under the blood of the Lamb—the One who conquered the Law of death. Those who accept this sacrifice are afforded access to approach Elohim. . . to come near as a royal priesthood.
So if we can access the Father through the intercession of Yeshua (The Great High Priest) should we do so haphazardly? Yeshua taught His disciples “to pray” with the words, “Our Father which art in Heaven, hallowed by Thy Name. Thy Kingdom come to Thy Will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.”
In the first words of this mighty prayer, Yeshua teaches that “The Name” is holy and that YHWH’s Kingdom operates on this earth as it does in Heaven. Moses, Samuel, Elijah, Paul, Peter, and John, recognize this authority, by calling themselves bondservants, which should give us the first clue as to how to approach Yahweh. (I Kings 8 & 9). A bondservant accepts their assignment and like Isaiah will say, “Send me!” (Is. 6:8-9).
In recognition of Kingly importance, would we come into the courts of an earthly king speaking our own utterances without acknowledging the kingdom we are entering into? Of course not. When we go into our prayer rooms, how often are we silent with holy reverence to wait on the Lord to see what He might say first? How often do we give Him honor and praise before we begin to make noise, cry, beg, or sob? When Israel was at the foot of Yah’s mountain they were in awe—they couldn’t speak.
When Yeshua needed to be refreshed He sought solitude to hear from His Father. I imagine He too, began with no voice, but in holy worship to eliminate the chaos thrown at Him daily.
Isaiah entered the courts by recognizing his uncleanliness. He was humble. In doing so, he was not only covered but cleansed.
We are told that Yah knows the hairs on our heads and that the Ruach (given through Yeshua) groans or intercedes for us, knowing our deepest thoughts. So what is a prayer for anyway?
I am thinking that “to pray” is for us to acknowledge our need to worship. As servants of the Most High, we are called to listen for true knowledge and wisdom. In these last days, it is time for us to humble ourselves before the King of Kings and allow Him to stretch forth His Mighty Hand, rather than us trying to expose our little hand. This is our opportunity to learn, listen, and obey. Therefore, let us praise Yah without ceasing and seek Him daily alongside our intercessor, Yeshua, Our Messiah.
Be blessed,
Rollyn