By Maria Merola אריאל
© Copyright Double Portion Inheritance February 2017
No matter how much we study the Holy Scriptures, we will never fully understand it’s meaning, unless we read it in the original language it was first written in. What most people refer to as “The Old Testament,” is called “The TaNaKh,” in Hebrew, which is an acronym for Towrah, Nabiym & Ketubiym” (Law, Prophets & Writings).
We are about to uncover some hidden gems from the Hebrew Tanakh that are invisible to the English reader. Like a nugget of gold that is hidden beneath layers of rock and dirt, the true contents can never be realized, unless we burn away the impurities, leaving behind only the gold that remains.
The Messenger of the Covenant Comes as Refining Fire
Malakiy (Malachi) 3:
3 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and YHWH, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom you delight in: behold, he shall come, says YHWH of hosts.
2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appears? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’soap:
3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto YHWH an offering in righteousness.
Who is this “messenger” in the above prophecy in Malachi? The Hebrew word for “messenger” is #H4937, “malak” in the Hebrew Concordance. This is the same Hebrew word used for the English word “angel” in other passages of scripture.
This messenger is speaking about our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa (many call him Jesus). He is the one who came to bring the message of the good news, the gospel of the kingdom. He is obviously “The messenger of the new covenant.”
The Messenger of the Covenant Always Reveals Himself By Fire
One of the distinctions made by Yahuwchanon (John) the Baptist is that he came to immerse (baptize) with water unto repentance. However, he said that the one who was to come after him, would baptize his followers with the Holy Spirit & fire:
Mattithyahuw (Matthew) 3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance. but he that comes after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Ruwach ha’Qodesh (Holy Spirit), and with fire.
1st Keefa (Peter) 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perishes, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Yahuwshuwa Mashiyach.
Chazown (Revelation) 3:18 I counsel you to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that you may be rich; and white raiment, that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness does not appear; and anoint your eyes with eye-salve, that you may see.
The Feast of Weeks, aka Shabuwoth/Pentecost is Marked by an Outpouring of Fire
The very first Pentecost did not take place in the second chapter of Acts as most Christians have falsely been taught to believe. The first Pentecost in history was on Mount Sinai. YaHuWaH made a covenant with the nation of Yisra’el there, as he appeared descended upon the mountain with fire:
Shemoth (Exodus) 19:18 And mount Sinai was altogether on a smoke, because YHWH descended upon it in fire: and the smoke thereof ascended as the smoke of a furnace, and the whole mount quaked greatly.
Every year, as the season of the Feast of Weeks is approaching, (usually around the month of June on our Gregorian Calendar), the Weekly Towrah Portion called “Nasso” includes the Haftarah reading from Judges 13.
In Hebrew, this feast is called Shabuwoth (Shavuot in Modern Hebrew) aka Pentecost in Greek.
In this account, the parents of Shimshown (Samson) had a visitation with the Malak (Messenger) of YaHuWaH, and they offered up to him a sacrificial goat.
In this study, we are going to learn about the Pre-incarnate Messiah, who visited many people throughout the Tanakh or the Old Testament. In particular, on the Feast of Weeks is when we read about the Messenger YaHuWaH coming to Samson’s parents with the gift of a son in their old age. This gift was given to them AFTER they offered up a burnt offering, or in other words “An offering made by fire” (Leviticus 23:10-20).
When we read this account in our English bible, this is how it reads:
Shophetiym (Judges) 13:3 And the angel of the LORD appeared unto the woman, and said unto her, Behold now, thou art barren, and bearest not: but thou shalt conceive, and bear a son.
The first thing that I would like to point out is that the English translators used the word “angel” to translate the word “messenger” in this passage, which is the Hebrew word “malak.”
I am going to illustrate the difference between the English word “angel” (which is derived from the Latin angelos), and the Hebrew word that is often used in the “Old Testament,” which is “malak.” Below is the Strong’s Hebrew Concordance definition for the English word “angel.” As you can see, it can also mean the following: messenger, king, ambassador, prophet.
Whenever most of us English-speaking folk hear the word “angel,” we envision a winged creature dressed in a long, white robe, with a halo above his head. Where do we get this notion from?
It is from all the Medieval & Catholic artwork we have seen from the likes of Michelangelo, and others!
This idea offended me because my perception of an “angel” was a “lesser being” than our Creator, Elohiym. It never occurred to me to look up the word in Hebrew, which has a much broader meaning.
5 For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honour.
6 You made him to have dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.
The Apostle Shaul (Paul) repeated the same concept in 1st Corinthians 15:
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Messiah shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they that are Messiah's at his coming.
24 Then comes the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to Elohiym, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he has put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he has put all things under his feet. But when he says all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
Again, Shaul (Paul) repeats the concept in Ephesians & Colossians.
Ephsiym (Ephesians) 1:
20 Which he wrought in Messiah, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.
Qolasiym (Colossians) 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
It is clear from these verses, that our Messiah has always existed in eternity as “The Messenger YaHuWaH,” or in other words “The Word YaHuWaH,” who at one time in history (between 3 B.C. & 30 A.D,) visited us here on earth for 33 years of his mortal life, in the form of human flesh:
How could “The Word” be WITH Elohiym, the Father, and also be Elohiym the Father at the same time?
A spirit has no physical form, nor any visible image! However, the Father has chosen to manifest himself (make himself visible) through his Son, Yahuwshuwa, who is HIS VISIBLE IMAGE!
Yahuwchanon (John) 14:9 Yahuwshuwa said unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he that has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father?
Yahuwchanon (John) 6:46 Not that any man has seen the Father, save he which is of Elohiym, he has seen the Father.
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 32:30 And Ya’aqob (Jacob) called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen Elohiym face to face, and my life is preserved.
17 And Manoah said unto the Malak (messenger) YHWH, What is your name, that when your sayings come to pass we may do you honour?
18 And the Malak (messenger) YHWH said unto him, Why ask you thus after my name, seeing it is SECRET?
Incidentally, guess what the name Shimshown (Samson) means?
It means “SUNLIGHT!”
Malakiy (Malachi) 4:2 prophetically refers to our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa as “THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS!”
In Tehilliym (Psalms) 8, King David wrote:
4 What is man, that you are mindful of him? and the son of man, that you visit him?
5 For you have made him a little lower than the angels, and have crowned him with glory and honour.
6 You made him to have dominion over the works of your hands; you have put all things under his feet.
The Apostle Shaul (Paul) repeated the same concept in 1st Corinthians 15:
21 For since by man came death, by man [Messiah] came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Messiah shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Messiah the firstfruits; afterward they that are Messiah's at his coming.
24 Then comes the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to Elohiym, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he has put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he has put all things under his feet. But when he says all things are put under him, it is manifest that he is excepted, which did put all things under him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject unto him that put all things under him, that Elohiym may be all in all.
Again, Shaul (Paul) repeats the concept in Ephesians & Colossians.
Ephsiym (Ephesians) 1:
20 Which he wrought in Messiah, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
21 Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
22 And has put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the assembly.
23 Which is his body, the fullness of him that fills all in all.
Qolasiym (Colossians) 1:16 For by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him:
Qolasiym (Colossians) 2:15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a show of them openly, triumphing over them in it.
It is clear from these verses, that our Messiah has always existed in eternity as “The Messenger YaHuWaH,” or in other words “The Word YaHuWaH,” who at one time in history (between 3 B.C. & 30 A.D,) visited us here on earth for 33 years of his mortal life, in the form of human flesh:
Yahuwchanon (John) 1:1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohiym, and the Word was Elohiym.
How could “The Word” be WITH Elohiym, the Father, and also be Elohiym the Father at the same time?
It is because the Father is A SPIRIT:
Yahuwchanon (John) 4:24 Elohiym is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.
A spirit has no physical form, nor any visible image! However, the Father has chosen to manifest himself (make himself visible) through his Son, Yahuwshuwa, who is HIS VISIBLE IMAGE!
Qolasiym (Colossians) 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible Elohiym, the firstborn of every creature:
Yahuwchanon (John) 14:9 Yahuwshuwa said unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet have you not known me, Philip? he that has seen me has seen the Father; and how say you then, Show us the Father?
Yahuwchanon (John) 1:18 No man has seen Elohiym at any time, the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he has declared him.
Yahuwchanon (John) 6:46 Not that any man has seen the Father, save he which is of Elohiym, he has seen the Father.
In Leviticus 23:15-22, the priests are commanded to offer up a goat as a sin offering to YaHuWaH for the Feast of Weeks.
Do you see the connection?
If we are commanded not to worship “angels” in Colossians 2:18, why would Samson’s parents offer up a goat to this messenger?
The answer is simple, this was no ordinary angel!
The Messenger was the Pre-incarnate Messiah, Yahuwshuwa, who is YaHuWaH’s bodily image!
After they offered up a goat to him, YaHuWaH gave them a miracle son who would grow up to destroy the Philistine Temple of Dagon.
In this account, Manoah asked the messenger “What is your name?”
The Messenger replied, “Why do you ask me my name, seeing that it is a secret?”
Where else have we seen this same question asked?
In Genesis 32:28-30, Ya’aqob (Jacob) was also visited by the same Messenger (Malak YaHuWaH), but it says that he wrestled with “a man.”
Afterwards, Ya’aqob/Jacob declared: “I have seen Elohiym face to face, and my life is preserved!”
Jacob said he had seen Elohiym face to face, and yet he wrestled with a “man,” not an angel!
Jacob then asked the messenger about his name:
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 32:29 And Ya’aqob (Jacob) asked him, and said, Tell me, I pray you, your name. And he said, Wherefore is it that you do ask after my name? And he blessed him there.
Bereshiyth (Genesis) 32:30 And Ya’aqob (Jacob) called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen Elohiym face to face, and my life is preserved.
King Solomon also asked the question: “What is his name, and what is his son’s name?”
Mishley (Proverbs) 30:4 Who has ascended up into heaven, or descended? Who has gathered the wind in his fists? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is his name, and what is his son’s name, if you can tell?
Is it not obvious that the Messenger who visited the parents of Shimshown/Samson is the same Messenger/Word who became flesh and dwelled among us?
*Note: in the original Hebrew Text, the phrase “OF THE” is not there! Therefore, whenever you see the term “angel of the LORD,” in your English Bible, it is actually “Malak YaHuWaH” meaning “Messenger YaHuWaH.” This is the “Word of YaHuWaH” appearing in visible form!
Shophetiym (Judges) 13:
17 And Manoah said unto the Malak (messenger) YHWH, What is your name, that when your sayings come to pass we may do you honour?
18 And the Malak (messenger) YHWH said unto him, Why ask you thus after my name, seeing it is SECRET?
The Hebrew word for “secret” is “piliy” and it means “WONDERFUL!”
Can you guess who this messenger was that visited the parents of Shimshown (Samson)?
See below for the clue:
Yeshayahuw (Isaiah) 9:6 For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called WONDERFUL, Counsellor, EL Shaddaiy (Mighty EL), The Everlasting Father, Sar Shalom (Prince of Peace).
Incidentally, guess what the name Shimshown (Samson) means?
Malakiy (Malachi) 4:2 prophetically refers to our Messiah, Yahuwshuwa as “THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUSNESS!”
Each of the biblical patriarchs emulate some aspects of our Messiah’s
character, and Samson is no exception. For in the same way that Samson took down the Philistine Temple, (with one sacrifice of himself), so did our Messiah also conquer the power of sin, and the kingdom of darkness by offering up his life as a ransom. In this way, Samson was a prophetic “type” of Messiah. Therefore, it is no wonder that his birth was a miraculous one, just like the virgin birth of our Messiah!
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