When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days. (Deuteronomy 4:30)
As I said yesterday, rabbinical commentators believe that this last day “revival” described above will come during a time of great distress just before the Messianic age. Messianic fervor and the expectation of redemption will be heightened during this time even though, perhaps because, it will be a time of great trial. Multiple Scriptures address this time which, in rabbinic literature, is commonly referred to as chavlei ha’Mashiach — the birth pains of the Messiah. This concept is underscored in the New Testament when Yeshua described the events leading up to His return — wars, rumors of wars etc. — and says, “these are the beginning of birth pains” (Matthew 24:8).
Considering all of this, it is very interesting that when Moses said that those who seek Him at that time will find Him, the Hebrew word translated as “find” is מצא matza’. In addition to “find,” this word also means “to attain, acquire and secure.” Now maybe you’re thinking that this word sounds familiar and, if you are, you’re right. This word is phonetically synonymous with מצה matzah, the Hebrew word for unleavened bread — the same kind of bread eaten at Passover and which Messiah broke and gave to His disciples as a representation of His body. It is also the same kind of bread that, a week later in Emmaus, the Messiah broke and blessed prompting Cleopas and his companions to realize who was standing before them — the risen Messiah.
Then their eyes were opened and they knew Him; and He vanished from their sight.” (Luke 24:30-31)
Beforehand they did not recognize Him; but when He broke the matzah, they recognized Him, or shall we say, “found” Him. This now leads us to our concluding thoughts for the day: God has foretold of a time in which those of His people who had given themselves over to the world and its ways will have a change of heart and begin to seek Him. Those who do so with pure hearts will “find” Him, and when they do, they will recognize the resurrected Messiah. Many more will come to know that the rabbi from Nazareth is much more than a rabbi; much more than a prophet — He is the Son of the Living God. And thus it is written:
“Behold, He is coming with clouds, and every eye will see Him, even they who pierced Him. And all the tribes of the earth will mourn because of Him. Even so, Amen.” (Revelation 1:7)
Blessings and Shalom,
Bill
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