From:          Gary Collett
To:               heb_roots_chr@geocities.com
Subject:       Jerusalem, Hand of God

Greetings from Jerusalem!

     Symbolism can be dangerous, especially if taken out of context!   The
whole picture is important, including... where did the symbol originate,
what does it mean and how is it used?  In looking at "Jerusalem, hand of
God" I think it is important to see a Biblical antiquity.  We know that
the city was an important site for the meeting of Melchizedek and
Abraham.

    In the Israeli news during the last few days the announcement was
made of archaeological findings in the "City of David", which proved the
city was established centuries before King David.  It is very probable
that the city was "VERY OLD" when Abraham came to visit!

The establishment of the city pre-dates the creation of the Jewish
people.  This shows me
that the illustrations of the Geology of the city, Jerusalem, are for all
peoples (not just Jewish).  Much of the "realism" and "symbolism" that
God uses to illustrate His plan, story, intents, goals and desires center
in and around Jerusalem.  This was depicted with Melchizedek, who accepts
Abraham through whom the Jewish people and Messiah (Christ) came.  That
same Messiah will return to the same city!  Yes, the city today is a bit
older than at the time of Melchizedek and is obviously covered with a few
more buildings, which means the hills without the buildings, etc, would
show the geological "hand" and the "shin" far easier when standing on the
mountains  surrounding Jerusalem!  Is this why there are scriptures which
state there is a place where God placed His name?

   Ok!  Let's look at the Shin for a moment.  It is best seen from the
south looking north.  Doing so, would put the Hinnom Valley on the "left"
side and the Temple Mount on the "right" side.

    In Biblical days if you wanted to insult a person you told them to
"go to Hinnom".  Why was this an insult?  The Hinnom Valley was the site
where the city refuge, the dump was established.  The dung, garbage and
all stinking refuge was taken there.  There were fires burning the mess
and an abundance of flies!  A very apt description of the concepts of
"Hell"!  The ancient curse telling someone to "go to Hinnom" is actually
the equivalent of the modern day curse when someone or something is told
to "go to hell".  Interesting then that it is on the "left" side of the
city.

    On the other side, the "right" side, one would see the Temple Mount
where God  manifested Himself.  Both the Tabernacle in the wilderness and
the First Temple in Jerusalem are recorded to have experienced the ten
manifestations of God's presence.  The Second Temple is said to not have
the manifestations because it was considered apostate under the Roman
appointed/controlled Jewish priests.  The High Priests at the time of
Christ did not qualify to be Jewish priests as they were not Cohen of the
tribe of Levi, as required Biblically.  This then raises a question...was
there something of greater value further to the "right" than the Temple
Mount at the time of Christ?  (I believe so). 

  The illustration of the Hinnom Valley and The Temple mount as related
to the name of God, El Shaddi, the Shin, shows there is a choice of God
on the "right"  or "Hell" on the "left".  Any city on earth giving such a
story through geology, and especially as we next look at the city from
the North  seeing  the "hand", is a special city?   Looking at the "hand"
will also give an interesting insight to the first miracle of Jesus when
he turned the Ashes of the Red Heifer water into wine in Canna of
Galilee.

  Here are answers to a few questions we have relieved:  Who are we
associated with?  We represent a non-prophet organization in the USA
named "Jerusalem Ministries International", P.O. Box 1668, Everett, Wa.
98201.  We attend King of Kings Assembly in Jerusalem where Debra is on
the worship team.  Our snail mail address in Jerusalem is P.O. Box 11388,
Jerusalem 91113, Israel.

   Next time ...  more on the "hand" and the first miracle.

Until then,

In His Love,   --Gary and Debra Collett

*****************************************************************

To educate, train and equip for study both the Jew and
Non-Jew in the Rich Hebraic Heritage of our Faith.

Please visit the Hebraic Roots Global Network
Web Site located at:

http://www.hebroots.org/


                          HEBRAIC ROOTS SEMINAR

Hebraic Heritage Ministries is having a Hebraic roots seminar in
Houston, Texas,  September 11-13, 1998. For more info, see the
Website:

http://www.hebroots.org/houston.html

Eddie Chumney
Hebraic Heritage Ministries Int'l