Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
October 5, 2021 6:10 AM
Marlena Elizabeth
marlenaelizabeth.com
03/10/21 Message from God
“Harden not your hearts
In these troubled times
Open a window in your heart
to allow God’s Hope, Love, Peace and Joy
to enter within
Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
he is coming to those who open
their hearts to him.
Be not Afraid, Trust in the Lord
And know your faith will lead
you back home to God
His Gentleness, Kindness and Forgiveness
await your contrite heart
Please i urge you – Time is of the essence”
End of Message
This message needed to go out quickly, therefore subsequent study is a reflection of this.
“Harden not your hearts”
Hebrews 3:7–15 (KJV) Serious Warning Against Unbelief/Be Faithful
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost saith, To day if ye will hear his voice,
8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do alway err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence stedfast unto the end;
15 While it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
Voice g5456. φωνή phōnē, fo-nay´; prob. akin to 5316 through the idea of disclosure; a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by impl. an address (for any purpose), saying or language:—noise, sound, voice.
Thayer – τοῦ θεοῦ, of God,—teaching, admonishing, whether in the O. T. Scriptures or in the gospel, Jn. 5:37; Heb. 3:7, 15; 4:7
TDNT – The admonition to stand fast in the final evil times is supported in Hb. 3:7 f., 15; 4:7 by a ref, to ψ 94:7 f.: σήμερον ἐὰν τῆς φωνῆς αὐτοῦ ἀκούσητε, μὴ σκληρύνητε τὰς καρδίας ὑμῶν … Now that God has spoken eschatologically through the Son (Hb. 1:2) the gt. “to-day” (→ VII, 274, 27 ff.) has dawned which will end with the Sabbath rest of the eschaton (→ VII, 19, 22 ff.; 34, 12 ff.). Until this is reached God’s voice sounds forth in the preaching of the community to warn and to comfort.
Harden g4645. σκληρύνω sklērunō, sklay-roo´-no; from 4642; to indurate, i.e. (fig.) render stubborn:—harden.
TDNTA – sklērýnō. 2. The NT uses it figuratively in Acts 19:9; Rom. 9:18; Heb. 3:8, 13, 15; 4:7. It is linked with unbelief in Acts 19:9, God punishes by means of it in Rom. 9:18, but Christians are admonished against it in Heb. 3:8 etc.
Bible Sense – to harden (make stubborn) — to cause to be hardened or make stubborn
Hearts g2588. καρδία kardia, kar-dee´-ah; prol. from a prim. κάρ kar (Lat. cor, “heart”); the heart, i.e. (fig.) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by anal.) the middle:—(+ broken-) heart (-ed).
Thayer – 2. univ. καρδία denotes the seat and centre of all physical and spiritual life; and b. the centre and seat of spiritual life, the soul or mind, as it is the fountain and seat of the thoughts, passions, desires, appetites, affections, purposes, endeavors [so in Eng. heart, inner man, etc.]; γ. of the will and character: Heb 3:8
Bible Sense – heart (internal feature) — the locus of a person’s thoughts (mind), volition, emotions, and knowledge of right from wrong (conscience) understood as the heart.
Provocation g3894. παραπικρασμός parapikrasmŏs, par-ap-ik-ras-mos´; from 3893; irritation:—provocation.
Bible Sense – bitter provocation — actions that cause violent and bitter irritation or anger
Hebrew Alignment – h4808. מְרִיבָה merîybâh, mer-ee-baw´; from 7378; quarrel:—provocation, strife (see Water from the Rock – Meribah Ex 17:7)
Heb 3:15 Cited also in these passages
Psalm 95:1–11 (KJV) A Call to Worship and Obedience
Hebrews 4:1–10 (KJV) The Promise of Rest
Bible Search “Open a Window”
results Dan 6:10, Mal 3:10
Daniel 6:10 (KJV) Daniel in the Lion’s Den
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Windows h3551. כַּו kav (Chald.), kav; from a root corresp. to 3854 in the sense of piercing; a window (as a perforation):—window.
h3854. לַהַג lahag, lah´-hag; from an unused root mean. to be eager; intense mental application:—study.
Bible Sense – window n., an opening in a wall that allows for light and airflow: Da 6:11 (1×)
Greek Alignment – θυρίς n., window: Da 6:11 (1×)
g2376. θυρίς thuris, thoo-rece´; from 2374; an aperture, i.e. window:—window. 2 x Acts 20:9, 2 Cor 11:33
Chamber h5952. עַלִּית ʿallîyth, al-leeth´; from 5927; a second-story room:—chamber.
h5943. עִלַּי ʿillay (Chald.), il-lah´ee; corresp. to 5942; supreme (i.e. God):—(most) high
BDB – n.f. roof-chamber
GHCLOT – עִלַּי Chald. most high, supreme used of the only and most high God
DBL – upstairs room, upper room, a room on the roof area (Da 6:10)
Bible Sense – upper room n., a room on a level above the ground floor: Da 6:10 (1×)
The word “chamber” my mind recalls the heart having chambers.
Chambers and valves of the heart – Mayo Clinic
“A normal heart has two upper and two lower chambers. The upper chambers — the right and left atria — receive incoming blood. The lower chambers — the right and left ventricles — pump blood out of your heart. The heart valves, which keep blood flowing in the right direction, are gates at the chamber openings (for the tricuspid and mitral valves) and exits (for the pulmonary and aortic valves).”
Combined with God’s message “Open a window in your heart” a window is an opening in a wall (in this case heart) that allows for light to enter.
Matthew 6:22 (KJV)
22 The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
Eyes are Windows to the Soul – Bible Verses and the Biblical Meaning of Eyes (biblestudytools.com)
Your eyes in this sense represent the focus of your life and what you are seeking. If you are simply seeking money and pleasure, rather than the love and truth of God, you will ultimately find despair. The exact phrase “Eyes are Windows to the Soul” comes from Shakespeare who often found inspiration from the Bible and biblical themes for his plays.
Proverbs 15:30 (KJV)
30 The light of the eyes rejoiceth the heart: And a good report maketh the bones fat.
Researchers also agree unknowingly to scripture
The Eyes Really Are the Windows to the Heart – Versant Health
“There’s no question annual eye exams are critical for vision and eye health, but their benefits go well beyond ocular health. A routine exam is not only an “early detection” strategy for eye health, but heart health as well. ……..
Research shows that a regular eye exam can identify a number of cardiovascular conditions, often before the patient even knows they have an issue.”
Proverbs 17:22 (KJV)
22 A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: But a broken spirit drieth the bones.
1 John 1:5 (KJV) Walking in the Light
5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.
1 John 1:7 (KJV)
7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.
2 Corinthians 4:4 (KJV)
4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.
2 Corinthians 4:6 (KJV)
6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Genesis 1:3 (KJV)
3 And God said, Let there be light: and there was light.
Bible Search – “Troubled Times”
results Ne 9:27, 32, Job 38:23, Ps 9:9, 10:1, 27:5, 37:39, 41:1, Pro 25:19, Isa 33:2, Jer 2:27, 28, 8:15, 11:14, 14:19, 30:7, Eze 7:7, Da 12:1
Jeremiah 8:15 (KJV) The Peril of False Teaching
15 We looked for peace, but no good came; and for a time of health, and behold trouble!
x verse looked for peace
Jeremiah 4:10 (KJV) The Lion Comes from his Thicket
10 Then said I, Ah, Lord God! surely thou hast greatly deceived this people and Jerusalem, saying, Ye shall have peace; whereas the sword reacheth unto the soul (NKJV – heart lit soul).
See “Lion” connection re timing, please see previous message “Warning Seal 4 is soon to be broken! (marlenaelizabeth.com)”
Job 30:26 (KJV) Job’s Cry to God
Isaiah 59:9 (KJV) Israel Walks in Darkness
1 Thessalonians 5:3 (KJV) The Day of the Lord
Peace and Safety Connection see blog “Doom – The End Has Come, a Day of Trouble – Now here. (marlenaelizabeth.com)”
x verse time of health
Proverbs 4:22–23 (KJV) Security in Wisdom
22 For they are life unto those that find them, And health to all their flesh.
23 Keep thy heart with all diligence; For out of it are the issues of life.
Psalm 68:20 (KJV) The Glory of God in his Goodness to Israel
20 He that is our God is the God of salvation; And unto God the Lord belong the issues from death.
Jeremiah 30:4–7 (KJV) Restoration of Israel and Judah/ The Time of Jacob’s Trouble
4 And these are the words that the Lord spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah.
5 For thus saith the Lord; We have heard a voice of trembling, Of fear, and not of peace.
6 Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? Wherefore do I see every man with his hands on his loins, as a woman in travail, And all faces are turned into paleness?
7 Alas! for that day is great, so that none is like it: It is even the time of Jacob’s trouble; But he shall be saved out of it.
x verse Jer 30:7
Ezekiel 7:6–12 (KJV) The End is Come
I covered Eze 7:7 in blog Doom – The End Has Come, a Day of Trouble – Now here. (marlenaelizabeth.com)
Bible Search “Prepare the way “
Malachi 3:1 (KJV) The Coming Messenger
1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: And the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, Even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: Behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.
Prepare h6437. פָּנָה pânâh, paw-naw´; a prim. root; to turn; by impl. to face, i.e. appear, look, etc.:—appear, at [even-] tide, behold, cast out, come on, × corner, dawning, empty, go away, lie, look, mark, pass away, prepare, regard, (have) respect (to), (re-) turn (aside, away, back, face, self), × right [early].
BDB – 2. a. turn and look e. fig. look at, consider • fig., c. acc. דֶּרֶךְ make clear, free from obstacles, Is 40:3; 57:14; 62:10 Mal 3:1
GHCLOT – to clear a way, i.e. to prepare it, cast it up, Isa. 40:3; 57:14; 62:10; Mal. 3:1
Luke 3:4–6 (KJV) John the Baptist Prepares the Way
4 As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
Prepare g2090. ἑτοιμάζω hĕtŏimazō, het-oy-mad´-zo; from 2092; to prepare:—prepare, provide, make ready
BDAG – ⓐ of things that are being put in readiness Lk 3:4
Thayer – to prepare the minds of men to give the Messiah a fit reception and secure his blessings: Mt. 3:3; Mk. 1:3; Lk. 3:4, (fr. Is. 40:3); 1:76
Bible Sense – to prepare — to make ready or suitable or equip in advance for a particular purpose or for some use, event, or other purpose.
Be not Afraid, Trust in the Lord
Psalm 56:11 (KJV)
11 In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid What man can do unto me.
Psalm 112:7 (KJV)
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: His heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord.
Psalm 125:1 (KJV)
1 They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, Which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever.
Isaiah 12:1–6 (KJV) A Hymn of Praise
1 And in that day thou shalt say, O Lord, I will praise thee: though thou wast angry with me, Thine anger is turned away, and thou comfortedst me.
2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: For the Lord JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation.
3 Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
4 And in that day shall ye say, Praise the Lord, call upon his name, Declare his doings among the people, Make mention that his name is exalted.
5 Sing unto the Lord; for he hath done excellent things: This is known in all the earth.
6 Cry out and shout, thou inhabitant of Zion: For great is the Holy One of Israel in the midst of thee.
Midst h7130. קֶרֶב qereb, keh´-reb; from 7126; prop. the nearest part, i.e. the centre, whether lit., fig. or adv. (espec. with prep.):—× among, × before, bowels, × unto charge, + eat (up), × heart, × him, × in, inward (× -ly, part, -s, thought), midst, + out of, purtenance, × therein, × through, × within self.
Sirach 34:14–20 (NRSV)
14 The spirit of those who fear the Lord will live,
15 for their hope is in him who saves them.
16 Those who fear the Lord will not be timid, or play the coward, for he is their hope.
17 Happy is the soul that fears the Lord!
18 To whom does he look? And who is his support?
19 The eyes of the Lord are on those who love him, a mighty shield and strong support, a shelter from scorching wind and a shade from noonday sun, a guard against stumbling and a help against falling.
20 He lifts up the soul and makes the eyes sparkle; he gives health and life and blessing.
Know you faith will lead you back home to God
When i heard these words i was instantly transported to a time in my life when i would listen to a song called “Love will lead you back” Taylor Dayne. What can i say, i love heart ballards but today listening to the lyrics its like God singing/calling to us knowing one day we will return to him. The day is now today.
Partial Lyrics (Chorus)
“Love will lead you back
Someday I just know that
Love will lead you back to my arms
Where you belong
I’m sure, sure as stars are shining
One day you will find me again
It won’t be long
One of these days our love will lead you back.
Stars are shining my mind went to the covenant promise
Genesis 15:5–6 (KJV) God’s Covenant with Abram
5 And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.
6 And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.
Genesis 22:17 (KJV) God Test Abraham’s Faith
17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
Hebrews 11:1–3 (KJV)
1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Faith g4102. πίστις pistis, pis´-tis; from 3982; persuasion, i.e. credence; mor. conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), espec. reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstr. constancy in such profession; by extens. the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself:—assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.
Bloomfield – Πίστις, εως, ἡ, (πιστὸς,) faith, belief, trust, prop. ‘firm persuasion, confiding belief in the truth, veracity, or reality of any person or thing.’ Heb. 11:1: so, with the idea of hope and certain expectation
Bible Sense – trust (faith) — strong confidence in, and reliance upon, someone or something; often with the object of trust understood.
Hebrews 11:8–10 (KJV) By Faith
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
Contrite Heart
Psalm 51:17 (NKJV)
17 The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit, A broken and a contrite heart— These, O God, You will not despise.
Contrite h1794. דָּכָה dâkâh, daw-kaw´; a prim. root (comp. 1790, 1792); to collapse (phys. or mentally):—break (sore), contrite, crouch.
DBL – contrite, i.e., have an attitude of penitence or humility (Ps 51:17)
GHCLOT – Niphal, pass. to be broken, crushed, Psal. 38:9; used of the heart, Psal. 51:17
Bible Sense – contrite adj., feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses. Nifal: Ps 51:17
Greek Alignment – ταπεινόω v., humble; abase: Ps 38:9; 44:20; 51:10, 17(4×)
g5013. ταπεινόω tapĕinŏō, tap-i-nŏ´-o; from 5011; to depress; fig. to humiliate (in condition or heart):—abase, bring low, humble (self).
Luke 3:4–6 (NKJV) John the Baptist begins his Ministry
4 as it is written in the book of the words of Isaiah the prophet, saying: “The voice of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord; Make His paths straight.
5 Every valley shall be filled And every mountain and hill brought (g5013) low; The crooked places shall be made straight And the rough ways smooth;
6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.’ ”
Isaiah 57:14–21 (NKJV) Comfort for the Contrite/Healing for the Backslider
14 And one shall say, “Heap it up! Heap it up! Prepare the way, Take the stumbling block out of the way of My people.”
15 For thus says the High and Lofty One Who inhabits eternity, whose name is Holy: “I dwell in the high and holy place, With him who has a contrite and humble spirit, To revive the spirit of the humble, And to revive the heart of the contrite ones.
16 For I will not contend forever, Nor will I always be angry; For the spirit would fail before Me, And the souls which I have made.
17 For the iniquity of his covetousness I was angry and struck him; I hid and was angry, And he went on backsliding in the way of his heart.
18 I have seen his ways, and will heal him; I will also lead him, And restore comforts to him And to his mourners.
19 “I create the fruit of the lips: Peace, peace to him who is far off and to him who is near,” Says the Lord, “And I will heal him.”
20 But the wicked are like the troubled sea, When it cannot rest, Whose waters cast up mire and dirt.
21 “There is no peace,” Says my God, “for the wicked.”
Matthew 24:21–26 (KJV)
21 For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.
22 And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.
23 Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not.
24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall shew great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.
25 Behold, I have told you before.
26 Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert; go not forth: behold, he is in the secret chambers; believe it not.
Secret Chambers g5009. ταμεῖον tamĕiŏn, tam-i´-on; neut. contr. of a presumed der. of ταμίας tamias (a dispenser or distributor; akin to τέμνω tĕmnō, to cut); a dispensary or magazine, i.e. a chamber on the ground-floor or interior of an Oriental house (gen. used for storage or privacy, a spot for retirement):—secret chamber, closet, storehouse.
BDAG – ② gener. a room in the interior of a house, inner room • ἐν τοῖς ταμείοις in one of the inner rooms Mt 24:26; Lk 12:3.
Louw-NIda – n: a room in the interior of a house, normally without windows opening to the outside—‘inner room.
Thayer – 2. a chamber, esp. ‘an inner chamber’; a secret room
Bible Sense – inner room — a room located in the inner parts of a house or building
Hebrew Alignment – חֶ֫דֶר—dark room
h2315. חֶדֶר cheder, kheh´-der; from 2314; an apartment (usually lit.):—([bed] inner) chamber, innermost (-ward) part, parlour, + south, × within.
Secret chambers is very different to Daniel 6:10 ….. his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem…
Chamber h5952. עַלִּית ʿallîyth, al-leeth´; from 5927; a second-story room:—chamber.
h5943. עִלַּי ʿillay (Chald.), il-lah´ee; corresp. to 5942; supreme (i.e. God):—(most) high
Luke 8:16–18 (KJV) Parable of the Lamp
16 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, covereth it with a vessel, or putteth it under a bed; but setteth it on a candlestick, that they which enter in may see the light.
17 For nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest; neither any thing hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.
18 Take heed therefore how ye hear: for whosoever hath, to him shall be given; and whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken even that which he seemeth to have.
May this bless those who have eyes to see, and ears to hear.
Marlena Elizabeth
Blog Post Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord (marlenaelizabeth.com)
