LOVE OR LUST?

15 Tammuz, 5769


Growing Each Day
Rabbi Abraham J. Twerski

Blessed are You, O God, King of the Universe, Who created everything for His glory (The Marriage Ritual).

The surging divorce rate in recent years is appalling. While the Torah indeed provides for dissolving a relationship, there has never been in Jewish history anything like the current number of failed marriages.

Perhaps the problem stems from the partners' primary goals as they enter marriage. In Western civilization, what is called "love" has been accepted as the cornerstone of marriage. Unfortunately, this "love" too often refers to an attraction for the partner because of how he or she can gratify the other's physical and emotional needs. If this primary goal is not adequately met, the cement of the relationship disintegrates, and secondary factors alone cannot maintain it.

In the past, the primary focus of a marriage was the establishment of a family. [The first mitzvah found in the Torah is be fruitful and multiply (Genesis 1:28).] While physical and emotional needs were important, they were not primary, but secondary. Hence, when problems of this nature did develop, the relationship was still held together by the primary binding forces, and these secondary problems could be rectified and resolved.

Today I shall ...
... try to realize what the true primary goals of my relationship with others should be.

What does this say to you my Friends? Again and again, we hear that the divorce rate is on the rise. How much further can it go? Will it eventually rise hire than marriages?
Back in the old days, you got marrried and no matter what was going on you stayed together. Now days, when one looks at the other wrong, get a divorce. But, let me be clear, I am not saying everyone should stay together....NO! I know that there are marriages that are not made in Heaven! Mine is a prime example.

I have been married going on 37 years. Yes, a very long time. How many happy years?.....let's see.....hmmmmm, well, I'll give at least a couple of years a good nod. Or maybe we should say were there any happy days in there.

My marriage is together by the grace of God. He gives me the strength to carry on, otherwise I don't think I could handle it. The past five years this marriage has been completely under the hand of God. He has controlled a very big part of it....but it does get out of hand occasionally.

My husband and I are definately two people who should have never been together. But, you are thinking, sometimes opposites attract and make good marriages. Yes, sometimes they do but that is when both the opposites have a common goal and family comes first.

My husband had an attitude, as Dear Abby put it, "he was a marrried man living a single life". But, through it all we stayed together. Was it the for the best? I don't know. I do believe our lives would have been completely different. Who knows what could have happened? But we cannot live in the past. I do not dwell on it...I am always truthful about it but I do not sit and have a pity party.

I have said to my son, "Don't listen to your heart. Listen to your head." He is thinking again about leaving his wife and for all it is worth, she is not leaning on changing her ways and they are not going to have any children so for me, I believe it would be for the best.

He was on a road that was completely different than where he is at now. He was attending church, helping in a ministry where he worked on people's cars and I believe the LORD had someone for him. But he fell for a woman not of the LORD.

We will pray and let the LORD deal with this.

My daughter and her husband renewed their wedding vows. They both wanted to do this and I have to say, there were those of us who weren't truly on board with it. I am quite confidant that they will be together a long time but again, this is another marriege not made in Heaven! There has been a lot of foolishness and adultry and abuse...from both of them.

There is one BIG thing that bothers me. Because of this view on marriage now a days, so many young people do not get married when they conceive a child. Back in the day, you "had" to get married. Now, its a choice...abortion or raise the baby yourself. So many first borns are discarded because of the foolishness of the young. "Oh they will ruin their lives with a baby, they are too young!" But it's ok to have an innocent baby murdered!

The teaching below is wonderful! It is by Yomi F. Opeola and it addresses the sacrifices of the first borns. We have got to understand that it is more than just mere killing of the unborn...we are sacrificing these firstborn of God to the devil!

As always I only want the best for you!
With love to you in and through Yeshua our Savior and soon coming King....His servant, gloria


Abba Father, I thank you this day for your abundant blessings and for enlightening the eyes of our understanding regarding the Feast and the principles of Firstfruits; in the name of Yeshua HaMashiach, Amen! Amen! Amen!
While in college, my minor was in Anthropology. In those days, I love to spend hours in the library just to learn more about different cultures. My favorite was the eastern culture. I was always intrigued and fascinated by the Jewish culture particularly.

Later on, when I became regenerated and born again by God’s spirit, it dawned upon me that hasatan (satan) has a counterfeit for every true doctrine, principle and precept that originated from the true God, Elohim! Also, I soon learned that every culture has a form of truth that is either twisted or perverted by satan. In Africa, certain ritual and festivals are openly offered to pagan gods and therefore when I became a believer it was easy to discern the error and vanity of such practices. However, here in America or other civilized western societies run by charitable secret societies (The Masons ET all), it is not quite as blatant and therefore takes a spiritual "Sherlock Holmes" to detect. A general rule of thumb is that a good counterfeit resembles the original. One thing is certain in every country, the secret to hasatan’s success lies in the secrecy of his clandestine moves! So, if this study seems offensive to some, it probably is. Pardon me, if you will! I waited for years to publish this as you’ll soon learn. Now, I can wait no longer; there’s too much at stake. I tremble for we must all appear someday before the Great King, Yeshua, at the Bema judgment seat. This one thing I have desired all my days, that is to serve and worship my King at his earthly throne in Jerusalem! As for me, the time to kiss and tremble at His feet is now, so I pray you will at least read it and meditate upon the truths presented and may the Holy Spirit give us all an answer of peace!

Eph. 6:12, For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers (kos-mok-rat'-ore, the one- world rulers) of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

THE NEW YAMS FESTIVAL!
I remember as a young boy back home in Nigeria among the Yoruba and Ibo tribes we have the festivals of the new yam! This was a harvest feast at beginning of the Yam harvest, to celebrate and give thanks to god for a bountiful harvest. It was often filled with food, dancing and palm-wine drinking coupled with spiritual offerings to the gods of harvest. This ancient practice of firstfruits is not necessarily evil unless the worship or offerings are ignorantly given to a pagan god or deity as was the case with my culture and many other pagan cultures around the globe.

The Feast of Firstfruits was originally mandated by YHVH, The LORD, the rightful owner and king of the universe. He alone demands and deserves the firstfruits and firstborn of all according to Psalm 24!

Exodus 13:1-2, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.

Notice that in the above verse, God did not just command but demanded that whatever opens the womb of man or beast is his. To this effect, God pronounces Blessings for obeying and Curses for disobeying the commandment of firstfruits. In order that man may be properly instructed in His ways, God instituted the Feasts. The Feast of Firstfruits is my focus in this study. Satan, God’s arch enemy, also desires your firstfruits. Why? It is simple. Whoever gets your firstfruits is your god. And so, there’s a spiritual warfare going on since the beginning even to this present time. This could be called "The battle of firstfruits or firstborn!" In fact, the first recorded battle was recorded in Exodus on the night of the Pesach (Passover). God commanded and demanded that Pharaoh let his people (His firstborn) go. Pharaoh, acting for hasatan refused because he wanted them for himself. Pharaoh learned the hard way that God means what He says and says exactly what He means. But Pharaoh was stubborn. God unleashed some of the most gruesome plagues and the devil’s chief aim was defeated. What follows thereafter was the mandate for the Feasts of the LORD! Now, can you see why there is more to the Feast of Firstfruits than truly meets the eyes?

Again, it bears repeating as I have said time and time again; the feasts of the LORD, YHVH (The Blessed One) reveal the multi-faceted blueprint of God’s plan to redeem his people, Jews and Gentiles, from the kingdom of darkness to the Kingdom of light. The Feasts (Moedim) are literally God’s appointed times to meet and celebrate with us. These festival times also known as holy convocations highlight the major workings of Yeshua in the role of the Kinsman Redeemer in the Spring Feasts. In the Torah, whoever is the kinsman redeemer is also the Avenger of blood! Therefore, Yeshua must come back to fulfill this role as well. This is detailed for us in the books of Isaiah and Revelation. If the concept of the Kinsman Redeemer sounds foreign to you please read the book of Ruth especially in the account of Boaz as the wealthy Jew who redeemed his gentile bride and she became fully adopted into Israel as expostulated by Rav Shaul ( Apostle Paul in Ephesians 1:5-10. Likewise, Yeshua has redeemed us and adopted us into the commonwealth of Israel. However, he comes back as the Avenger of Blood in the Fall Feasts to avenge and restore all things. Yes assuredly, he will avenge every innocent blood shed from the times of Abel to present day "Hinnom Valley" of Wichita, Kansas. Remember, the Prophet Yeshuyahu (Isaiah) hinted at this in his proclamation in the sixty-first chapter regarding "…the day of vengeance of our God".

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound; to proclaim the acceptable year of the LORD, and the day of vengeance of our God; to comfort all that mourn. Isaiah 61:1-2.

How do we know this is talking about the Messiah? Well, the answer can be found in the words of Yeshua, himself, when he quoted the same passage at the opening of his ministry with the deliberate omission of the phrase: "the day of vengeance of our God". You’ll notice that in the above scripture, the phrases: "The acceptable year of the LORD" and "The Day of Vengeance of our God" are separated by a "coma" only, and joined by the word: "and" which is a conjunction. However, when Yeshua publicly declared the spiritual mandate of His Ministry in Luke 4:18, he purposely stopped in the middle of the sentence and did not pronounce: "The day of vengeance". Why? This is because, he had not yet come to proclaim and execute the Day of Vengeance of our God. HalleluYAH! When this realization hits you it will fill your eyes with contrite tears of gratitude as it did mine the first time. You see, Yeshua willingly made himself "The Acceptable" offering for all our sins in that acceptable year. He is the Great Kinsman’s Redeemer that redeems God’s promised people from the destroyer. And, at the appointed time he will execute the day of Vengeance of our God at his second coming. And then we shall forever be with the Lord in his glorious Messianic kingdom. Come quickly Yeshua, HaMashiach (Lord Jesus)!
In the meantime God has instituted these endless cycles of feasts to help us to rehearse and live out the awesome plans and purposes of the Father till Shiloh comes.

WHY OFFER FIRSTFRUITS TO YHVH (THE LORD)?
The short answer is that God commanded and demanded it! And they are His and His alone!

Exodus 13:1-2, And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine.

This phrase: "it is mine" is in the possessive case and is the only usage of its kind in the entire tanak (Old Testament). It is the Hebrew phrase: awh y:l (Li hu)! The construction of this phrase in the Hebrew caused me to pay closer attention, so I called up Rabbi Richard Segal (Leader of my local congregation) for some deeper insight. Sure enough, according to the grammatical construct in the Hebrew, there is a "y,yod" separating the "Li" and "Hu". Richard goes on to explain that it amplifies the possessive case. Therefore, he believes the NASB translation has a truer rendition of this verse. So, here it is in the New American Standard.

Ex. 13:2, Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the first offspring of every womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and beast; it belongs to me; awh y:l (Li hu)!.

WOW! It is such a powerful possessive expression that it is used this way only once in the entire bible. It is almost like the Father is saying "This firstborn is mine, and therefore no man or spirit or angel or any other creature may touch or lay claim to him. And if you do, you take an opposition stand against God! Achan did this in Jericho (Which was a kind of firstfruit city of the promised-land) Joshua 7:10-26. And it wrought destruction in his life! Why? That is because the firstfruit is like a two-sided coin, if you give it to God, it heaps blessings, upon the rest of the fruits of the womb and so much more. However, if you or anything touches it; it will heap untold misery and ultimately, destruction upon your life until proper redemption or restitution is made! Joshua understood this principle very well. To gain deeper insight on this, read the book of Joshua especially the first ten chapters. Rav Shaul (Apostle Paul) was another great man that operated and taught about the principles of firstfruits. In fact, all but two of the eight usages of firstfruits in Brit Hadasha (New Testament) were quoted by the Apostle Paul in reference to the Gentile church. So, understand and know that this principle carries over into the New Testament as well. Interestingly, the principle of firstfruit is referenced more in the New Testament than tithing.

Though, some bible scholars teach that Tithing and Firstfruits are the same, I disagree. In 2Chronicles 31, the children of Israel prospered under Zedekiah because they operated on all three: Tithes, Offerings and Firstfruits!

1Co 16:15, I beseech you, brethren, (ye know the house of Stephanas, that it is the firstfruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted themselves to the ministry of the saints,)

As Christians we must embrace all of God’s word from Genesis to Revelation. This commandment is all through the scripture from Exodus to Revelation and has dual application for both Jews and Gentiles. On the one hand it addresses our need to offer to God rightfully the firstfruits of all our produce or harvest and on the other hand it covers also the firstfruit of the womb (firstborn) as well of both man and beasts. In fact, in the Brit Hadasha (The New Testament) it’s used more in this regard.

1Co 15:23, But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
Jas 1:18, Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

The truth of the matter is that if you don’t offer your firstfruits or firstborn to the Great Kinsman Redeemer, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus Christ), the destroyer (Hasatan) will steal, kill or abort your firstfruits and cheat you of your blessings of firstborn. The blessing of firstfruit is the "promise of more to come". There are thirty two instances of the word firstfruits in the scripture and eight of those are in the New Testament so this is not just an Old Testament concept. The mandate for the Feast of Firstfruits (bikkurim in Hebrew) is found in Leviticus 23:10-12, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest: and he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it, and ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto the LORD.

The Feast of Firstfruits proclaims and rightfully acknowledges the God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel as the sovereign owner and ruler of the earth and all the fullness therein. This feast is unique in that there’s an added blessing associated with the feast. And it is called the Blessing of the firstfruits. Yeshua promises abundant Blessings to the man or woman that offers the firstfruits of all his substance. Conversely, failure to adhere to the principles of firstfruits has brought about untold curses and judgment upon any individual, family or entire nation that ignores it.

Joshua 7:11-12, Israel hath sinned, and they have also transgressed my covenant which I commanded them: for they have even taken of the accursed thing…therefore the children of Israel could not stand before their enemies, but turned their backs before their enemies, because they were accursed: neither will I be with you any more, except ye destroy the accursed from among you.

For years I have attempted to write this article but never really was able to until now. Let me explain what I mean. Some years back, The Holy Spirit put a burden on my heart to go to the Abortion clinic also known as Tiller’s Clinic on the east part of town. Prior to this time, I had very little knowledge about abortion. So, early one morning I went there to pray, and my life was never the same! I arrived there and met Pastor Philip Wood and a few faithful prayer warriors. Philip asked if I had ever been there before and I said, no. He decided to give me a tour of the place. I tried so hard to keep my cool but to no avail. My eyes were drowned in my tears! I started to go to the clinic regularly to pray two or three times per week. About three months later, it was impressed upon my heart to go and march around the abortion clinic seven times and rebuke the spirit of Molech! At this time, I must confess, I had little knowledge of Molech but went anyway that cold and bitter morning. Here is the mystery of it all! While walking around, it was so cold that I had to pause every so often to warm my hands. On one of these occasions, I paused by the drainage valley behind the clinic. The words: "Hinnom Valley" came to mind very strongly, so I took out my pocket pc and wrote it down so that I could research it later. I kept walking! Now, about the sixth time going around encompassing the clinic and the valley; the words: "Firstfruits" came to mind and then I got it! By the time I walked around the seventh time, I was speaking in tongues like a house on fire. Then the Lord, Yeshua revealed to me that the spirit of Abortion was the spirit of Molech of our age and that the valley behind Tiller’s clinic was like "The Hinnom Valley", then I became spiritually energized. Thus, this teaching entitled: "Abortion! And the Offering of Firstfruits" was conceptualized that morning. Armed with this new revelation, I ran home to begin a study that took about three years to be brought forth! You see, Mr. Tiller, much like Achan has brought a curse upon the city of Wichita. We too like Joshua and the children of Israel must therefore ourselves remove the accursed things from our midst. And God will remove this dark spiritual cloud that hangs over the city.

ABORTION AND THE CURSE OF MOLECH!
After years of research on my own on the subject of Abortion and its spiritual implications on a society, I am convinced beyond a shadow of doubt that the sin of abortion is as the sin of Molech in fact both are operated by the same evil spirits in high places. Now, I don’t believe that these young girls (16yrs to 24yrs old) have any idea they were aborting the firstfruits of their wombs (in most cases). But, I thank God for the blood of Yeshua! It covers a multitude of sins. If we will humble and confess our sins, He’s faithful and just to forgive and to cleanse us (from blood stains) from all unrighteousness. HalleluYAH! Please understand that writing this expose has become the hardest thing for me to write because I tremble with much trepidation before YHVH (The Blessed One) as I do not want to glorify any other than Yeshua, my Lord. Certainly, this is not to put anyone into condemnation but to cause you and me to fall on our faces in humility and repentance before God. Amen? Look, it is a spiritual battle!

Fortunately, if you’re a believer in the Messiah all he wants is Teshuva (Repentance). But, let me assure you are not a believer in the Messiah if you have ever counseled a young girl directly or indirectly to get an abortion, please don’t rationalize it away in your pride because it will haunt you and the girl and everyone else involved. It is wickedness and it’s an abomination because it robs God of the one thing that is uniquely his, firstfruits! What must you do? First, you need to confess your sins and accept the Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus, the Messiah) as Lord and Master by confessing and believing in Him as your Savior! Rom. 10:9-10. Then, you’re born again! Then find a bible believing church or Messianic congregation for discipleship and growth.

1. PLAGUES OR TERMINAL DISEASES!
Studies after studies have shown that in our world today the rate of cancers and other terminal diseases is unprecedented in history of mankind. While it’s true that we are living longer but the quality of life is not golden for most of the aged. Far too many are committed to institutionalized living at the sunset years of life due to poor health. Why?

Num 8:17, 19b, For all the firstborn of the children of Israel are mine, both man and beast: on the day that I smote every firstborn in the land of Egypt I sanctified them for myself…that there be no plague among the children of Israel, when the children
of Israel come nigh unto the sanctuary.

2. SPIRITUAL CURSE UPON A CITY OR NATION!
Abortion can cast a spiritual curse upon families, cities or nations.
To illustrate my point, let’s take a look at the tragic story of Achan in Joshua 6:18 – 7:10. There are many salient points and spiritual elements in this story that one can easily write a book. First of all, the story centers on the first military conquest of Yeoshua (Joshua) in the promised-land. This very prosperous and well fortified city was won practically without a battle.

Joshua 6:17 ¶ And the city shall be accursed, even it, and all that are therein, to the LORD: only Rahab the harlot shall live.

3. LACK OF FRUITFULNESS IN ALL ENDEAVORS!
Those that willfully chose not to honor God with the firstfruits of all their increase will suffer will not prosper spiritually or financially! The number one key to prosperity in life is to honor and acknowledge that YHVH (The LORD) is the owner and source of all wealth. (More about this later under the subtitle, The Eight Principles of Firstfruits later)

Prov. 3:9, Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.

4. EVIL SHALL COME UPON THEM!
Jeremiah 2:3, Israel was holiness unto the LORD, and the firstfruits of his increase: all that devour him shall offend; evil shall come upon them, saith the LORD.

Jer. 32:35, And they built the high places of Baal, which are in the valley of the son of Hinnom, to cause their sons and their daughters to pass through the fire unto Molech; which I commanded them not, neither came it into my mind, that they should do this abomination, to cause Judah to sin.

Milton writes of the pagan god Molech in Paradise Lost below.

"First, Moloch, horrid King, besmeared with blood
Of human sacrifice, and parents’ tears;
Though, for the noise of drums and timbrels loud,
Their children’s cries unheard that passed through fire
To his grim idol. Him the Ammonite
Worshiped in Rabba and her watery plain,
In Argob and in Basan, to the stream
Of utmost Arnon. Nor content with such
Audacious neighbourhood, the wisest heart
Of Solomon he led by fraud to build
His temple right against the temple of God
On that opprobrious hill, and made his grove
The pleasant valley of Hinnom, Tophet thence
And black Gehenna called, the type of Hell."
- Paradise Lost, i. 391-405

Sources: Smith's Bible Dictionary, Philadelphia, A. J. Holman, Co., Revised Ed., p. 205
Jordan, Michael, Encyclopedia of Gods, New York, Facts On File, Inc. 1993, p. 168

Molech, (or Molek) was the chief god of the Phoenicians, and Canaanites, mentioned as the god of the Ammonites. The victims were slowly burned to death in the outstretched arms of this idol, which were metal, hollow and could be heated on the inside. Some say they fell into the fire below. Manaseh offered his son to Molech. Solomon erected an altar to this god on one of the summits of Mount Olivet.

1Kings 11:7-8, Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

This idol worshipping continued there and in Tophet until Josiah abolished it and defiled the altars of Molech and Baal shortly before Babylonian captivity. I believe this act uniquely endeared King Josiah to the Father’s heart that even the prophet Jeremiah mourned and lamented grievously with all of Israel at his death. Boy oh boy, how badly we need more "Josiahs" today!

1Kings 23:10 And he defiled Topheth, which is in the valley of the children of Hinnom, that no man might make his son or his daughter to pass through the fire to Molech.

We need Godly leaders like Josiah to charge and infuriate God’s people against this evil and insidious spirit of Molech in our cities today. Yes, this evil spirit is alive and well in America today chiefly in the form of abortion. Yes, abortion may not be seemingly as gory and despicable as the offering of young, helpless babies in fiery arms of Molech, the elements are eerily similar and the result the same: termination of life! It’s just that in our modern day era of technological sophistication, we perform this horror in clandestine, well lit rooms of abortion clinics, as our firstfruits seeds pass through the laser fire of modern day Molech!

Oh, yes in our selfish reasoning we call it choice, or a woman’s right or this or that! How about God’s right? And amazingly the statistics are the same for Christians and unbelievers alike in this gross atrocity and violation of his Torah. God have mercy on us! Clearly, the judgment has already begun in the house of God. And yet very few are making the spiritual connection. Admittedly or not there is a dark and ominous correlation between abortion and the rate of breast cancer, prostrate cancer and other reproductive diseases amongst prevalent Christians.

Isaiah 1:18-20 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow…but if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

Of course, in the course of researching for this article I was not shocked to discover that the overwhelming majority of people committing abortion are young girls with no previous birth. This confirms undoubtedly that abortion is a ploy of the enemy to kill and destroy the firstfruits of their womb. Furthermore, I was able to unearth a lot of statistics associated with the evil ramifications of abortion on a young woman’s body, soul, mind and spirit. Nevertheless, Planned Parenthood and their hordes of highly trained priests would have us believe that abortion is a good thing. No, don’t buy their lies. The truth of the matter is that abortion opens up a woman’s inner chamber to diseases, abortion traumatizes and abortion kills! And that’s exactly what the Planned Parenthood and their sponsors want. Yes, make no mistake about it; their main goal as stated by their founder, Margaret Sanger, is to reduce the world population of the unfit and undesirables elements of society. Abortion is just one of the many strategies employed by the world rulers, the "Cosmo Krateros" in their diabolical plan to ultimately reduce the world population by two-third!

1Cor. 11:31-32, For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But when we are judged, we are chastened of the Lord, that we should not be condemned with the world.

Remember God’s chastisement is to engender in our hearts true "Teshuva"; a genuine repentance and a complete turn around! However, if we refuse and rebel through gain-sayings and rationalization and apathy, then we shall be destroyed by the sword!

In Proverbs chapter three, the bible clearly links the offering of firstfruits with abundance and fruitfulness. Could abortion, which is a violation of this divine principle affect the fruitfulness of a woman’s womb? Again, the purpose of this study is not to put anyone in condemnation but rather to invoke a godly sorrow that leads to genuine repentance. I honestly now believe the sin of abortion has reached a national crisis. The blood of the innocents no doubt cries out for justice. And we are all guilty for allowing this evil abomination in our midst. So, in a sense we all need to humble ourselves and repent for the sin of our nation so that God may heal our land. We need to cleanse ourselves from the spirit of Molech which is the spirit of abortion. In 1993, a researcher by the name of Joel Brind presented his thesis at the Association of Interdisciplinary Research in Values and Social Change held in Milwaukee, WI.

Among his findings were four major health risks associated with abortion in regards to a woman’s productive organs.* There is an 800% increase in breast cancer for women less than 18 years old who have an abortion after the eighth week of pregnancy. * On average there is an 80% increase in breast cancer if the woman has an abortion before a live birth. * Risk of breast cancer increases with the number of abortions. * Women who have an abortion before a live birth and develop breast cancer have a greater possibility of having a faster growing tumor with a poorer cure rate than women who have not had an abortion.

While such studies point out the delicate balance God has placed between creation and the observance of biblical laws, the risk of disease should not be viewed solely as a personal judgment from God, however. The mere fact that one increases the chance of individual harm through unbiblical activity only proves that God's laws were intended first and foremost for our spiritual and physical protection. God loves each one of His children and it hurts Him when we take the life of the weakest and innocent through abortion. Jesus invites everyone to live in accordance with His Word, which is "health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones" and have life more abundantly, John 10:10

Prov.3:7-9, Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil. It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones. Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase.

For those that may have been involved directly or indirectly in this sin of Molech or abortion there is forgiveness and complete cleansing through the blood of Yeshua. According to John 1:9, Yeshua is faithful and just to forgive and cleanse us if we confess our sins.
1John 1:9-10, If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

THE EIGHT PRINCIPLES OF FIRSTFRUITS!
I am indebted to Rich Marshall (the author of the book, "God @ work") for first opening up my eyes to these truths at a local Vineyard Church here in Wichita, many years ago. Thank you Richard, may God continue to bless and prosper your ministry. For more info about Rich Marshal, visit his website at: www.godisworking.com . Now, I am certain there more truths regarding firstfruits than just these, however these are the ones that I have found to be most prominent.

1. Firstfruits Are Commanded and Demanded by God!
Only God by virtue of his ownership of the heaven and earth has any legitimate claim over all there is. And He has all things, yet in some special and unique way, He wants us to acknowledge that by giving to God that which rightfully belongs to Him. Will you honor Him with your firstfruits? Then proclaim loudly: awh y:l (Li hu)!

Exodus 13:2, Sanctify unto me all the firstborn, whatsoever openeth the womb among the children of Israel, both of man and of beast: it is mine awh y:l (Li hu)!

2. Firstfruits Must Be First Of Its Kind!
Here are some examples of firstfruits; it is really easy once you purpose in your heart to live a firstfruit lifestyle. If you are a farmer your first crops that season will be your firstfruits; if you are mother your firstfruit is your first son that opens your womb. Now, scripturally a child begins at conception in the womb not at birth. In fact, it has now been medically proven that at conception, the cell contains a unique DNA that contains all the genetic code for this baby. God called Jeremiah while he was still in his mother’s womb. John the Baptist was anointed as a child while in his mother’s womb; Luke 1:15

Accordingly, Aben Ezra & Kimchi. commented on Ps.24, Ver. 1. The earth [is] the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof] The whole universe, all the terraqueous globe, both land and water, and the circumambient air, and all that is therein; the fishes of the sea, the fowls of the air, the beasts of the field, all plants and vegetables that spring out of the earth, and metals and minerals in the bowels of it; all which are the riches of the Lord the earth is full of, #Ps 104:24; see #Ps 50:10-12.

3. FirstFruits Must Honor God!
When you wake up in the morning to a new day, do you immediately give praise and honor to YHVH, The Creator of the universe? The God in whose hand thy breath is Dan.5:23 Or are you much too busy with your ministry or your office work? Your first waking moments of each day offer tremendous opportunity to honor God through praise and thanksgiving. Prov. 3:9-10, 9 Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase:so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. This is perhaps the key verse among thirty-two or more verses that promise abundance and prosperity upon those that have so cultivated the principles of firstfruits that to them it has become a lifestyle. Notice the phrase: "All thine increase", it implies everything. The culminating result is a life of abundance in areas of life. Mark 1:35

4. Firstfruits Must Not Be Touched or Claimed Until Offered!
Yeshua as our firstfruits offering to the Father was not to be touched until after he had first presented himself before the Father in heaven.
Joh 20:17, Jesus saith unto her, Touch me not; for I am not yet ascended to my Father: but go to my brethren, and say unto them, I ascend unto my Father, and your Father; and to my God, and your God. There are serious consequences for holding on to the firstfruits rather than consecrating them to God! Joshua 6:18 And ye, in any wise keep yourselves from the accursed thing, lest ye make yourselves accursed, when ye take of the accursed thing, and make the camp of Israel a curse, and trouble it.

5. Purposed For Destruction!
Yeoshua (Joshua) was perplexed! They had just suffered a major defeat and destruction from the enemy at Ai and Yeoshua fell on his face! In his bewilderment, he ponders, "Why would God allow them to conquer a bigger and much fortified city like Jericho and then allow such destruction of his people in the hands of little city of Ai?" God’s response: Joshua 7:10
Rom. 11:16, For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. When properly applied it sanctifies and blesses the rest of your increase, Prov.3:9

6. They Are The Promise or Token Of More To Come!
Yeshua is the best example of this by being firstfruit of the resurrection from the dead. By his resurrection on the third day as prophesied, it is an infallible proof and promise that we too shall be raised up when He comes back for his own at His second coming. HalleluYAH! 1Co 15:20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.

7. The Offering Of Them Consecrates The Whole Or The Rest!
Rom. 11:16, For if the firstfruit be holy, the lump is also holy: and if the root be holy, so are the branches. When properly applied it sanctifies and blesses the rest of your increases, Prov.3:9.

8. They Are Always Given To The Priest or Pastor!
Le 23:10 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest.

Shalom Aleichem (Peace be unto you)
Yomi F. Opeola
(B.I.F.A.M)