Worthy Brief - 6/2/2020
Friend, do not fear them!
Numbers 14:9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them."
Yesterday, we learned the root-related Hebrew words for "bread" (lechem), "fight" (lehilachem), and "war" (milchama); three words which share the same Hebrew letters, "Lamed", "Chet", and "Mem".
When the twelve spies were sent out by Moses into the land of Canaan, ten came back with a bad report. Joshua and Caleb, however, returned with a good report, saying in essence, "If God is for us -- then who can be against us?" The two courageous spies expressed their confidence in a way that was quite cool: "Do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us." [Numbers 14:9]
Now recall the "literal" connection in Hebrew between BREAD, FIGHT, and WAR. Joshua and Caleb were using the Hebrew language to utterly assure the Israelites of YHVH's power to give them victory in battle. In modern language one could say, "Don't worry guys, we're going to eat them up in this fight, we'll make mince meat out of them!"
Whether they grasped this linguistic encouragement and the spirit behind it or not, the Israelites allowed fear to paralyze them -- and ended up sacrificing an entire generation 40 years in the wilderness. Let's not make the same mistake, but rather, listen to the clues of the faithful. There is almost a lightheartedness in the language and attitude of those who really trust their God. Fear is alien to them. "We'll eat them for breakfast!" is their battle cry. "Our enemies are our 'bread' and the "war" has already been won!"
Friend, the nations rage, the rulers take counsel together against YHVH and against His Messiah. YHVH sits in the Heavens and laughs, before He derides, vexes, and finally dashes them to pieces.[Psalm 2] If we're walking closely with Him there is an authority in our faith because "the righteous are bold as a lion." [Proverbs 28:1] God has truly provided in every way -- our substance, our victory, and our protection. So, do not fear them.
Your family in the Lord with much agape love,
George, Baht Rivka, Elianna & Obadiah
Orlando, Florida
Editor's Note: Worthy Ministries is happy to announce that after years of labor and prayer to this end, Worthy News and Worthy Devotions are now available for churches and ministries, FREE of charge and FREE of advertising through our new syndication network! If you are interested, please visit Worthy Plugins.
Editor's Note: Be sure to submit any prayer requests you may have to the Worthy Prayer Team!
Plastic Nile: Three-quarters of fish in world's longest river contain microplastics
Sky News has carried out the first-ever scientific research into plastic pollution in the River Nile - and discovered that a staggering three-quarters of the fish analyzed contained microplastics.
Libya conflict: Russia and Turkey risk Syria repeat
Libya looks to be at the end of one bleak chapter, but there is no guarantee that the next will be any better for a country that has been torn to pieces by civil war and foreign intervention since Col Muammar Gaddafi met his grisly death in 2011.
Europe, World Shocked Over U.S. Violence
Protestors in Europe and other countries have joined demonstrators in the United States to express outrage over the death of George Floyd. The unarmed black man died in the U.S. city of Minneapolis after a white police officer pressed his knee on Floyd’s neck until he stopped breathing.
Israel-Palestinian Conflict
Israel, Saudi Arabia in secret talks to curb Turkish presence on Temple Mount
Israel and Saudi Arabia have been reportedly engaged in secret talks since last December, through American mediation, over including Saudi representatives in the Islamic Waqf Council at the Temple Mount in Jerusalem. This development has been taking place against the backdrop of US President Donald Trump's deal of the century, and the plan to apply Israeli sovereignty in the Jordan Valley and the large settlement blocs in Judea and Samaria.
Inside the United States
US President Warns Military To End Riots As Police Use Teargas Near White House
U.S. President Donald Trump has visited the 200-year-old church near the White House that was set on fire by protestors over the weekend after warning he may deploy the military to end days of rioting and looting across the nation.
Trump Calls Governors ‘Weak’ as Riots Prompt 4,400 Arrests
U.S. President Donald Trump has called state governors “weak” amid ongoing riots rocking American cities, prompting thousands of arrests.
Trump: US Will Designate Antifa as Domestic Terrorists
Declaring on Saturday that the Antifa movement is responsible for recent widespread violence and rioting in America, President Trump announced the US will designate the organization as terrorists, Fox News reports. A loose affiliation of groups based mostly in left-wing US cities, Antifa is a far-left militant movement whose protest tactics against those it considers fascist, racist, or far-right-wing include threats, property destruction, physical violence, and harassment.
US Law Enforcement Officers Join Protests Against Police Brutality
Even as rioting continued across the US this weekend, police squads were seen joining with peaceful protests against the death of George Floyd at the hands of police in Minneapolis on May 25, Forbes reported. Especially poignantly for some, police officers were seen and photographed kneeling in solidarity with protestors and the anti-racism movement.
Christian News
India Christian Families Injured and Hiding after Hindu Attacks
Three Christian families were hiding in India’s Chhattisgarh state on Sunday after they were attacked by Hindu nationalists while sleeping in their homes, rights investigators confirmed.