Is There Any Hope?
In the previous blog article, “Patience” we learned how to acquire characteristics the Father requires of us all. In the process of putting in spiritual work, we will eventually acquire hope. If you haven’t already done so, I recommend you stop and first read my article on Patience before continuing.
Although mentioned in the previous article, I will recap what hope means in case someone is reading this without first reading my article on patience. The word for hope in the Greek (G1680 elpis) and Hebrew (seber H7664 & tocheleth H8431), means an expectation. Although in the Greek, hope can be an abstract expectation, just as we relate to it via the English language. However, in the Hebrew, a language in which words are not abstract, another word for hope is tiqvah (H8615). Tiqvah “represents a cord, rope, ground of hope/expectation,” as the Creator is spiritually our lifeline, the giver of our very breath of life. Therefore the word tiqvah (hope) will be our reference point. The word tiqvah comes from the root word kavah/qava (a verb), meaning to bind together, collect, to eagerly expect. In this blog article we are going to dig deep and reveal the many aspects of our tiqvah/hope (cord) and the reward it brings to those who have it.
Tiqvah the lifeline
We first see tiqvah (hope) being used as a lifeline in Yahshua (Joshua) 2:12-21, when Yahshua (Joshua) sent two men to do surveillance on the land, to include Yericho (Jericho) and they encountered the harlot Rahab. Rahab said to them,
“Now therefore, I pray you, swear unto me by YHVH, since I have showed you kindness, that ye will also show kindness unto my father’s house, and give me a true token:
13 And that ye will save alive my father, and my mother, and my brethren, and my sisters, and all that they have, and deliver our lives from death.
14 And the men answered her, Our life for yours, if ye utter not this our business. And it shall be, when YHVH has given us the land, that we will deal kindly and truly with thee.
15 Then she let them down by a tiqvah (cord) through the window: for her house was upon the town wall, and she dwelt upon the wall.
16 And she said unto them, Get you to the mountain, lest the pursuers meet you; and hide yourselves there three days, until the pursuers be returned: and afterward may ye go your way.
17 And the men said unto her, We will be blameless of this thine oath which thou has made us swear.
18 Behold, when we come into the land, thou shalt bind this tiqvah (line) of scarlet thread in the window which thou did let us down by: and thou shalt bring thy father, and thy mother, and thy brethren, and all thy father’s household, home unto thee.
19 And it shall be, that whosoever shall go out of the doors of thy house into the street, his blood shall be upon his head, and we will be guiltless: and whosoever shall be with thee in the house, his blood shall be on our head, if any hand be upon him.
20 And if thou utter this our business, then we will be quit of thine oath which thou has made us to swear.
21 And she said, According unto your words, so be it. And she sent them away, and they departed: and she bound the scarlet tiqvah (line, cord) in the window.”
In this instance, the tiqvah (hope) of Rahab came about due to the kindness she showed to the two sons of Alohim, despite the risk to her own life if she had been caught helping them. The two men showed Rahab and her family tiqvah by letting their brothers know that the people in the house with the scarlet tiqvah (cord) in the window were not to be harmed when the walls of Yericho came down and YAH’s people took the city. The marking of her home with the scarlet tiqvah (cord) was the true token of hope the two men had Rahab place in her window. From that moment, Rahab’s home and those in it became marked with tiqvah (hope). Let that sink in a minute.
Tiqvah in Waiting
Yob (Job) 6:8-9, “Oh that I might have my request; and that Alohim would grant me the thing that I tiqvah (hope) for!
9 Even that it would please Alohim to destroy me; that He would let loose His hand, and cut me off!”
Yob 7:6-8, “My days are swifter than a weaver’s shuttle, and are spent without tiqvah (hope).
7 O remember that my life is wind: mine eye shall no more see good.
8 The eye of him that has seen me shall see me no more: thine eyes are upon me, and I am not.”
Yob wanted death so his extreme suffering would end, but YAH had other plans for Him. Yob passed his laborious faith test. He endured until the end, just as YAH said he would. The testimony of Yob continues to stand the test of time, validating to us that YAH will never break the tiqvah (cord) of the righteous no matter how bleak a situation may appear. If He brings us to it, He will bring us through it (1 Cor 10:13).
Ps 62:5-6, “My soul, wait thou only upon Alohim; for my tiqvah (hope) is from Him. 6 He only is my rock and my yeshua (salvation): He is my defense; I shall not be moved.”
Ps 71:4-5, “Deliver me, O my Alohim, out of the hand of the wicked, out of the hand of the unrighteous and cruel man. 5 For thou art my tiqvah (hope), O YHVH Alohim: thou art my trust from my youth.”
Via the words of brother Yob and King David, we see that our tiqvah comes from YAH. If we remain faithful in our obedience to Him, He will not fail us. He will send us deliverance via His tiqvah that binds us to Him. I like to think of YAH’s tiqvah as not only a cord/rope but also an electric cord that delivers us converted and “on time” spiritual power. Hang on while I elaborate. In our physical world, we have a power source (e.g. electric company, solar, wind). The power source flows to a circuit breaker panel which in-turn feeds and distributes power to individual receptacles (aka electric sockets).
Each of us plugs in our computer’s electric cord. Now, the electric power that feeds the computer via the cord needs some finagling. The initial current inside the electric cord (aka jacket) rides the surface of the wire on the inside of the cord. We call this Alternating Current (AC).
Our computer can’t use this type of current because as its name implies, it alternates.
Our computer needs something more stable. It needs Direct Current (DC).
DC current flows inside the wire itself. DC current is more stable and is always looking for its grounding source. It is a constant direct current.
Our computer cords all have converter boxes on them. This box converts the AC current to DC current so our computer can be powered up for our use.
Let’s apply this concept spiritually. Our Creator is our Power Source. He is the giver of ruach (Circuit Breaker), the very breath of life of mankind (Gen 2:7). Those of us who seek YAH with our whole heart obtain the Ultimate Circuit Breaker, YAH’s Set Apart Spirit (RUACH Ha’Qadosh) & eventually eternal life to all those who overcome. When YAH calls us home, our ruach (spirit) leaves the body as our Circuit Breaker in our human body is switched to “off.” In the meantime, those of us who have ears to hear, plug in via the Father’s Word (Receptacle/Socket) and He warns us and instructs us on how to live according to His will.
If we continue in the faith and don’t miss the mark, our tiqvah (Electric Cord) is revealed to us (Matt 16:14-18, 1 Tim 1:1, Col 1:19-23). If you haven’t taken the time to read the Scripture verses I have just laid out, please do so before continuing. Clearly, our tiqvah is Yahshua! The computers represent each of us.
In this example, Yahshua is the electric cord with convertor box that will transform (convert) the powerful AC spiritual current to DC spiritual current for our use. This change in current (AC without, to DC within) is all done via our spiritual growth and Yahshua’s righteousness, “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of Alohim” Rom 12:2.
The Spiritual current that lies without (that Alternating Current) is so powerful that we cannot just hook up to it. It must be revealed to us in terms we can relate to, absorb, heed and do. As such, we need a Direct Current that provides us constant internal spiritual power. Yahshua is that liaison, that electric cord (tiqvah) from YAH that provides us that constant internal stable current in a form by which we can be and stay spiritually charged. Yahshua stated the following:
John 14:23, “… If a man love me, he will guard my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him.”
Rev 3:19-20, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasen: be zealous therefore, and repent. 20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
Although we are all physically separate receptacles (sockets) we are all spiritually hooked to one Power Source (YAH), one Circuit Breaker Panel (RUACH), one Socket (YAH’s Word/Truth), one Tiqvah, our electric cord (Yahshua), one Computer (One Body).
Eph 4:4-6, “There is one body, and one RUACH, even as ye are called in one tiqvah (hope) of your calling; 5 One Master, one faith, one immersion (baptism), 6 One Alohim and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.”
Physical Spiritual
Power Source YAH
Circuit Breaker Panel our ruach/ RUACH Ha Qadosh
Receptacle (Sockets) Scripture/YAH’s Truth
Electric Cord Tiqvah Yahshua
AC to DC Conversion Box Spiritual Growth (transforms the mind)
Computer Set Apart People plugged into YAH
We must use spiritual discernment to ensure we are using the true electric cord (Tiqvah) or we could be plugged into something wicked that leads us astray and juices us up with all kinds of wicked doctrines and evil spirits. We could even end up permanently short circuiting. YAH forbid!
1 Pet 1:2-16, “Elect according to the foreknowledge of Alohim the Father, through purification of the RUACH, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Yahshua Mashiach: Favor unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
3 Beruk (blessed) be the Alohim and Father of our Master Yahshua Mashiach, which according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again unto a lively tiqvah by the resurrection of Yahshua Mashiach from the dead,
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fades not away, reserved in heaven for you,
5 Who are kept by the Power of Alohim through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
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 honor and esteem at the appearing of Yahshua Mashiach:
8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of honor:
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the favor that should come unto you:
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the RUACH of Mashiach which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Mashiach, and the honor that should follow.
12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the Besorah unto you with the RUACH HaQadosh sent down from heaven; which things the messengers desire to look into.
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and tiqvah to the end for the favor that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Yahshua Mashiach;
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15 But as he which has called you is pure (perfect), so be ye pure in all manner of conversation;
16 Because it is written, Be ye pure; for I am pure (Matt 5:48/Ps 51:10).”
Our Tiqvah is a lively cord indeed! Let us not, as those of the world do, take the Besorah lightly as a thing out of date, unfit for “modern times.” Our Tiqvah abides in us despite the wickedness of the present age of this world.
Tiqvah the Door of hope
Concerning the restoration of YAH’s nation, Hos 2:14, “And I will give her, her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of tiqvah (hope): and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.” Precept Isa 65:8-10.
Zech 9:12, “Turn you to the strong hold, ye prisoners of tiqvah (hope): even today do I declare that I will render double unto thee;”
Ha’Mashiach is the Door, John 10:9-12, “I am the Door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
10 The thief comes not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.
11 I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd gives his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the Shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, sees the wolf coming, and leaves the sheep, and flees: and the wolf catches them, and scatters the sheep.”
Rev 3:19-20, “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasen: be zealous therefore, and repent.
20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
21 To him that overcomes will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in His throne.”
Let’s take a quick peek back at Hosea 2:14, “And I will give her, her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of tiqvah (hope)…”
Read in Hebrew, “…the valley of Trouble for an entrance of cord/rope/hope”
Yahshua is our entrance, the door we must go through and bind ourselves to as he is the cord (Vine/rope of hope). Why is Yahshua (the door) in the Valley of Trouble? He is the Door in the Valley of Trouble for a number of reasons, but we will touch on only one of those reasons at this time. One of the reasons Yahshua is the Door in the Valley of Trouble is because sadly, he is considered a stumbling block to all those with little to no spiritual understanding. Yet a treasure to those who seek and find spiritual wisdom, knowledge, and understanding:
1 Cor 1:22-24, “For the Yahudim require a sign, and the Gentiles seek after wisdom: 23 But we preach Ha’Mashiach atoned, unto the Yahudim a stumblingblock, and unto the Gentiles foolishness; 24 But unto them which are called, both Yahudim and Gentiles, Ha’Mashiach the Power of Alohim, and the wisdom of Alohim.”
1 Pet 2:7-8, “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious: but unto them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed, the same is made the head of the corner, 8 And a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the Word, being disobedient: whereunto also they were appointed.”
Those who stumble and fall all over Yahshua in the Valley of Achor (Trouble) do so because they are not a part of his sheepfold! They will never find the Door which is why they are void of tiqvah (hope/cord). As a result most people are anxious, agitated, fearful, depressed, freefalling, cordless, with no end in sight. My beloved reader, we are tied tightly to our Tiqvah, anchored securely to the Rock of our salvation. As others stubbornly reject YAH’s Truth and continue freefalling past us on all sides, we will not look down, but up from which our redemption comes (Luke 21:25-28).
We have been prisoners to the hypocrisy of theological lies, led blindly by false shepherds to enter into doors filled with pastures of noisome distractions to feed on poisonous grass. Yet with eyes that now see and ears that now hear what the RUACH is saying to the called out assemblies, we purge our hearts and put in righteous works as we trust and patiently wait for our promised Tiqvah. Our Tiqvah (hope) is so humble that he is favorably standing firm and knocking on himself (as he is the Door) for us to hear and let him in (Rev 3:20). Please return to the stronghold of YAH wherein the Door of Tiqvah currently stands waiting.
Summary
Due to the mercy of our Father, through Yahshua Ha’ Mashiach, we are connected with amazing tiqvah! Binding ourselves to the Tiqvah that is Yahshua, is our true token from death to life eternal, just as tying the scarlet tiqvah on the window was Rahab’s and her family’s token from death. Tiqvah, hidden in Wisdom is the Door as well as the cord that connects and binds us to our Beloved Creator. Those of us deeply rooted in YAH’s Truth will find Tiqvah and from it, we will never be cut off/unplugged.
“Who shall separate us from the love of Mashiach? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?
36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.
37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him that loved us.
38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor messengers, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come,
39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of Alohim, which is in Messiah Yahshua our Master” Rom 8:35-39.
Yahshua has been so favorably gifted and extended to us as an Olive Branch by our Power Source, the Great Creator. Therefore let us accept and follow the perfect example of our ultimate Tiqvah and all that he has to offer.
