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Monday, June 27, 2016

Cunningly Devised Fables; Idols and Dragons; Shysters in Current Events

We haven’t had a good “end of the world” scare craze in a while. We seem to have gone through all the silly superstitions of blood moon, tetrads, harbingers, Mayan calendars, and special secret planets flying into our solar system, seen only by a special few, only to realize they were all lies. I do believe there have been quite a few hirelings scamming the innocent within the Body of Christ. In our time, social media spreads these juicy fables quite quickly, and many spend money on books and lectures that were all superstitions. The promotors of those falsehoods walk away with pockets full of cash and never apologize for being wrong. Daniel had to point out a couple of scams to a new ruler in Babylon. It seemed that in Daniel’s day fables and the craft of deception were just as popular as they are today. This tells us that it is the same old story just a few thousand years later. 

This past week Britain’s people voted to leave the European Union, and as usual the ones who lost are having emotional meltdowns. People across the pond were told if Britain voted to leave the EU the stock market could suffer. Um, really the stock market would have tumbled no matter which direction the vote went. Nervous investors don’t need much of an excuse when the economy is in a recession to create volatility. Yet these types of votes, which are not what the ruling class wants, are always promoted as harming the working class, so the working class better get in line if they don’t want to lose their retirement savings. This is the same kind of “warnings” the American people are receiving in advance of the Presidential Elections. Again the market will tumble regardless of who the next President is. The scam seems to be like a cowboy with a cattle prod shocking people no matter which way they turn, just as long as the cowboy keeps the cows (the masses) in fear and in emotional instability, all is well.

Similarly, as long as the hireling keeps the masses in fear, all is well. The masses will make poor decisions in elections and in making purchases when they are scared. It is the same within the Body of Christ. The one hireling with the special secret knowledge of an ancient mysterious formula proving the end of the world is near, is in need of funding to spread the word that the sky is falling, thereby keeping the multitudes in the Body of Christ in fear and in emotional instability. If we recognize the game we can learn to beat it. Let me stress that again, if we know how the hand will be played, we can learn to win the card game. This week’s vote in England does not affect the coming of Christ, the revised Roman Empire, or the start of the tribulation. It simply means that a little more than half of Britain’s residents do not like the globalization of their country. They like their society, customs, and laws; and are not happy with the way their nation has been run as part of the EU. But this is perfect fodder for the deceivers and scammers to spin a tale and play a game that includes emptying the pockets of the average person. Let’s be alert beforehand so we do not become victims. Paul tries to help us.

Eph 4:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; KJV

Eph 4:14 So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching and wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning and cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. AMP

Eph 4:14G2443that G3371no longer G1510.3should we be G3516infants, G2831being swelled G2532and G4064carried round about G3956by every G417wind G3588of the G1319instruction, G1722in G3588theG2940cunning G3588 G444of men, G1722in G3834cleverness G4314to G3588the G3180craft G3588of the G4106delusion

We see that Paul refers to us as infants. Instead, since we know that there will be people trying to confuse us and give us “new rules” to live by, we can stop listening to them regarding their mystical knowledge of biblical laws. Notice that delusion is a craft. The shyster slyly beguiles people into listening to him, and his false sincerity and concern for his audience fools people into a new wind of doctrine.

Years ago, a man gave a talk about his “ministry” and how important it was, and how he was now speaking across the country gathering wonderful saints to help with his mission. The mission was to bring about the end times by flying a helicopter over the temple mount and dropping a brick, a corner stone, on the temple mount, to start the new temple. Oh brother. The man went from church to church collecting donations, yet the man himself didn’t believe in Jesus. The money that good “infant” Christians gave was a waste. It was a clever scheme. Likewise I wonder how many emergency food packets and MRE’s people have bought that are now passing their shelf life. Let’s not be fooled again.

2 Peter 1:16 For we were not following cleverly devised stories when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah), but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty (grandeur, authority of sovereign power). AMP

2Peter 1:16G3756For not G1063 G4679[2discerning G34543fables G18111following after] G1107did we make known G1473to you G3588the G3588 G2962[4of our Lord G1473 G*5Jesus G55476Christ G14111power G25322and G39523arrival], G235but G2030[2spectators G10961having been] G3588 G1565of that ones' G3168magnificence.

Peter refers to cleverly devised stories or fables. Peter gets defensive that they were not scamming anyone, which means that people were aware of others who did come up with cunningly devised fables. This is a way people will attempt to mislead others, such as the secrets behind red moons and the miracles of full moons during equinoxes that fall on feast days which are on a lunar cycle. Cleverly devised fables that stole money from infants in the Body of Christ. Paul tells us not to give importance to legends fables and myths.  

1 Tim 1:3-4 As I urged you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on where you are at Ephesus in order that you may warn and admonish and charge certain individuals not to teach any different doctrine, 4 Nor to give importance to or occupy themselves with legends (fables, myths) and endless genealogies, which foster and promote useless speculations and questionings rather than acceptance in faith of God's administration and the divine training that is in faith (in that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence) —  AMP

If we observe what Paul says, people were spinning tales, and bloviating about their own genealogy. Someone paints colorful stories, whether about themselves or some other mystical subject, and sells them to the Body of Christ, the mature ones must stand up and warn the immature. This is tricky as the stories seem so believable, but the innocent will be fooled. Some deceivers wear ridiculous clothing just to seem more believable, but as Paul continues, we are to refuse and avoid these things.

1 Tim 4:7 But refuse and avoid irreverent legends (profane and impure and godless fictions, mere grandmothers' tales) and silly myths, and express your disapproval of them. Train yourself toward godliness (piety), [keeping yourself spiritually fit]. AMP

If this is the game the devil uses to keep us occupied with meaningless things, we can be sure he will disguise every story with premier urgency and expediency. The devil will make every story seem as if we must do something immediately. Read this book, give a donation, buy useless items, cloister ourselves with others who “believe” just like us, we will be the only ones who know, hurry do it now. Paul tells Timothy the time is coming.  

2 Tim 4:3-5 For the time is coming when [people] will not tolerate (endure) sound and wholesome instruction, but, having ears itching [for something pleasing and gratifying], they will gather to themselves one teacher after another to a considerable number, chosen to satisfy their own liking and to foster the errors they hold, 4 And will turn aside from hearing the truth and wander off into myths and man-made fictions. 5 As for you, be calm and cool and steady, accept and suffer unflinchingly every hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fully perform all the duties of your ministry. AMP

Manmade fictions inspired by evil. Once there are a group of people who start to believe one fable, they seek out other deceivers together, as a group, to hear from them. They move from one con artist to another all being deceived together. This can be micro groups within the church or entire churches. We can see a pattern here of keeping Christians off balance.

Titus 1:14 [And may show their soundness by] ceasing to give attention to Jewish myths and fables or to rules [laid down] by [mere] men who reject and turn their backs on the Truth. AMP

Paul says to show our soundness by not giving attention to Jewish myths, fables, and rules. The book of Ecclesiasticus writes about how the rich take advantage of others. Sometimes it’s those who want to be rich who mistreat others as well. Let’s take this apart line by line.  

Ecclus 13:4-8 The rich man hath done wrong, and yet he will fume: but the poor is wronged and must hold his peace.

Interesting and self-explanatory. Even though an innocent or immature person would expect the rich man to repent for doing wrong, usually the rich person will throw a fit, attempting to convince everyone he is right. Let’s not be surprised when we see this happen. Let’s take note here as well, a poor person in context is not someone who is homeless and on government assistance. Poor people are working class people, those who have less wealth and must work for what they have.

Ecclus 13:5 If thou give, he will make use of thee: and if thou have nothing, he will forsake thee.

If an immature person gives to a rich person, the rich person will make use of the poor person, wanting more money over and over. I remember I was registered to vote under a certain political party. Instead of mail advertisements and phone solicitations asking me to vote for their candidate, they must have thought that it didn’t matter who I voted for since I was registered under their political party, instead they spammed me with solicitations for money. I thought about that for a while because the reality is, there are people in my community who can’t afford a sandwich. Yet half of these people running for political office have oil wells in their back yards and the other half have insider trading secrets. Isn’t it interesting that rich people ask for money from poor people. And again a working class individual is compared to someone who has wealth so as not to have to work quite as hard as the average person. The rich person’s “work” is to take the money from the working class. I bet many people didn’t realize there is a “class” war going on which is irrespective of nations, borders, and land mass. 

Ecclus 13:6 If thou have any thing, he will live with thee, and will make thee bare, and he will not be sorry for thee.

The rich or the rich wannabe’s will move in with you and use everything you have and not feel bad about it. This is a boorish house guest.

Ecclus 13:7 If he have need of thee he will deceive thee, and smiling upon thee will put thee in hope; he will speak thee fair, and will say: What wantest thou?

The rich will pat you on the head and make you feel special. 

Ecclus 13:8 And he will shame thee by his meats, till he have drawn thee dry twice or thrice, and at last he will laugh at thee: and afterward when he seeth thee, he will forsake thee, and shake his head at thee. Douay-Rheims

The rich will expect the best food from you and eat until there isn’t any more left, not once but two or three times. When you are broke he will forsake you and shake his head at you as if you are not good enough for him. It is funny that there are many hirelings in the church who do the exact same thing.

If we remember, we are trying to stay ahead of the games and the schemes of evil people who want to take advantage of the immature. We have a story from the Book of Daniel that was taken out by the Masoretes, but had been included in the older Septuagint. It is about the temple of Bel and its deceitful priests.

We should be aware that many people are emotionally attached to their canon of scriptures. But what many people do not realize is that canonization evolved and changed over the years. There are varying cannons of scripture worldwide as well. The Masorete’s and the Romans made some of the final alterations around 300 AD to 1000 AD, but during the first century there were many books included in the regular canon that do not appear in today’s Bible’s. The Septuagint was part of the first century canon, and three of the missing chapters in the Book of Daniel were also included in that canon. This is the last chapter in the Book of Daniel in the Septuagint. This takes place near the end of the captivity or after the captivity during the time that Cyrus is King. Daniel holds a high government position as he had during his entire time in captivity in Babylon. Remember that Cyrus is from Assyria and had conquered Babylon and was now acquainting himself with their gods.    

Chapter 14
Bel and the Dragon
14:1 And king Astyages was gathered to his fathers, and Cyrus of Persia received his kingdom. 2 And Daniel conversed with the king, and was honoured above all his friends.
3 Now the Babylonians had an idol, called Bel, and there were spent upon him every day twelve great measures of fine flour, and forty sheep, and six vessels of wine. 4 And the king worshipped it and went daily to adore it: but Daniel worshipped his own God. And the king said unto him, Why dost not thou worship Bel? 5 Who answered and said, Because I may not worship idols made with hands, but the living God, who hath created the heaven and the earth, and hath sovereignty over all flesh.
6 Then said the king unto him, Thinkest thou not that Bel is a living God? seest thou not how much he eateth and drinketh every day? 7 Then Daniel smiled, and said, O king, be not deceived: for this is but clay within, and brass without, and did never eat or drink any thing.
8 So the king was wroth, and called for his priests, and said unto them, If ye tell me not who this is that devoureth these expenses, ye shall die. 9 But if ye can certify me that Bel devoureth them, then Daniel shall die: for he hath spoken blasphemy against Bel. And Daniel said unto the king, Let it be according to thy word.

Daniel has put himself into quite a position, but he has done this sort of thing before. At the time of King Darius, Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den for praying to Yahweh. Now let’s notice how many priests there were. Darius set 120 priests over the kingdom and Daniel was one of them. At this time however, there were 70 priests of Bel and Daniel was not numbered among them. Now it was not just the 70 priests that we want to pay attention to, but their wives and children. That means under the priesthood of Bel, there would have been over 140 adults and maybe a minimum of 70 children.

Dan 14:10 Now the priests of Bel were threescore and ten, beside their wives and children. And the king went with Daniel into the temple of Bel. 11 So Bel’s priests said, Lo, we go out: but thou, O king, set on the meat, and make ready the wine, and shut the door fast and seal it with thine own signet; 12 And to morrow when thou comest in, if thou findest not that Bel hath eaten up all, we will suffer death: or else Daniel, that speaketh falsely against us. 13 And they little regarded it: for under the table they had made a privy entrance, whereby they entered in continually, and consumed those things.
14 So when they were gone forth, the king set meats before Bel. Now Daniel had commanded his servants to bring ashes, and those they strewed throughout all the temple in the presence of the king alone: then went they out, and shut the door, and sealed it with the king’s signet, and so departed. 15 Now in the night came the priests with their wives and children, as they were wont to do, and did eat and drink up all.
16 In the morning betime the king arose, and Daniel with him. 17 And the king said, Daniel, are the seals whole? And he said, Yea, O king, they be whole. 18 And as soon as he had opened the dour, the king looked upon the table, and cried with a loud voice, Great art thou, O Bel, and with thee is no deceit at all.

Well we know there is more to the story, remember the ashes Daniel threw on the floor?

Dan 14:19 Then laughed Daniel, and held the king that he should not go in, and said, Behold now the pavement, and mark well whose footsteps are these. 20 And the king said, I see the footsteps of men, women, and children. And then the king was angry, 21 And took the priests with their wives and children, who shewed him the privy doors, where they came in, and consumed such things as were upon the table. 22 Therefore the king slew them, and delivered Bel into Daniel’s power, who destroyed him and his temple.

So the priests and their families came in through a secret door, ate the food, and then left. There would have been more than 200 people going in to eat the offerings to Bel. There have been many stories of these types of scams happening in the temples and churches around the world. It seem as if people who trust in Yahweh mistakenly trust in all people. Yahweh is the Creator, men and women are not. This is the deception the devil promotes, that Christians should trust everyone, because everyone is good and upright, especially if they are in the church. If we remember not to blindly trust people, we won’t fall for the next big end of the world scam. Jesus told us of wolves wearing sheep’s clothing.

In the same temple of Bel there was a dragon. What is a dragon? No one knows for sure. There are lizards and reptiles in the Middle East, and this could be an extinct version of our medieval dragon. Whatever it was, we know that Daniel had dominance over it. It seems from Cyrus’s words that this could have been a “one of a kind” or the only one of its kind left in the region. 

Dan 14:23 And in that same place there was a great dragon, which they of Babylon worshipped. 24 And the king said unto Daniel, Wilt thou also say that this is of brass? lo, he liveth, he eateth and drinketh; thou canst not say that he is no living god: therefore worship him.
25 Then said Daniel unto the king, I will worship the Lord my God: for he is the living God. 26 But give me leave, O king, and I shall slay this dragon without sword or staff. The king said, I give thee leave. 27 Then Daniel took pitch, and fat, and hair, and did seethe them together, and made lumps thereof: this he put in the dragon’s mouth, and so the dragon burst in sunder: and Daniel said, Lo, these are the gods ye worship.

Daniel boiled together pitch, fat and hair. Pitch is a tar resin derived from plants, and depending on the type of plants, in large doses it could be poisonous. The fat and the hair probably disguised the pitch and when ingested, the animal’s intestines burst. That tells us the pitch had some type of fermentation in the intestines. Imagine the people who worshipped in that temple, first the priests and their families are exposed for eating the food dedicated to Bel, and now the beloved dragon dies. The people are mad at Daniel and they throw him, once again, into the lion’s den. .

Dan 14:28 When they of Babylon heard that, they took great indignation, and conspired against the king, saying, The king is become a Jew, and he hath destroyed Bel, he hath slain the dragon, and put the priests to death. 29 So they came to the king, and said, Deliver us Daniel, or else we will destroy thee and thine house.
30 Now when the king saw that they pressed him sore, being constrained, he delivered Daniel unto them: 31 Who cast him into the lions’ den: where he was six days. 32 And in the den there were seven lions, and they had given them every day two carcases, and two sheep: which then were not given to them, to the intent they might devour Daniel.

They regularly fed the lions; and just like the last time  they stopped feeding the lions, the lions didn’t eat Daniel. But Daniel was going to go hungry, so Yahweh sent Daniel food. The Prophet Habakkuk brings Daniel some food.

Dan 14:33 Now there was in Jewry a prophet, called Habbacuc, who had made pottage, and had broken bread in a bowl, and was going into the field, for to bring it to the reapers. 34 But the angel of the Lord said unto Habbacuc, Go, carry the dinner that thou hast into Babylon unto Daniel, who is in the lions’ den.
35 And Habbacuc said, Lord, I never saw Babylon; neither do I know where the den is. 36 Then the angel of the Lord took him by the crown, and bare him by the hair of his head, and through the vehemency of his spirit set him in Babylon over the den. 37 And Habbacuc cried, saying, O Daniel, Daniel, take the dinner which God hath sent thee.

Notice that the Prophet was not living in captivity in Babylon. He had never been there. Habakkuk was one of the Prophets that did not live in Judah, and was probably part of the Essene/Nazarene/Therapeutae culture. Imagine an angel dragging the Prophet to a place he had never been, while carrying a bunch of food. Yahweh is concerned for Daniel. By this time Daniel must have been 80 to 90 years old, as we know the captivity was 70 years and he was a young man when he went into Babylon. What do you think would have happened when Habakkuk lowered the food into the den? We would think the lions would have eaten it. But instead they even left that food alone. If Habakkuk was going out to feed the reapers, this was a large amount of food, not just a bowl for one person. So Daniel had enough food to sustain him for the seven days.

Dan 14:38 And Daniel said, Thou hast remembered me, O God: neither hast thou forsaken them that seek thee and love thee. 39 So Daniel arose, and did eat: and the angel of the Lord set Habbacuc in his own place again immediately.

Habakkuk had the same experience as others in the Bible. Just like Phillip, he was transported back to where he had been. Daniel just proved again to another King that Yahweh is Great.

Dan 14:40 Upon the seventh day the king went to bewail Daniel: and when he came to the den, he looked in, and behold, Daniel was sitting. 41 Then cried the king with a loud voice, saying, Great art Lord God of Daniel, and there is none other beside thee. 42 And he drew him out, and cast those that were the cause of his destruction into the den: and they were devoured in a moment before his face.

We might think that this is a wild story; and standing alone this seems farfetched until we realize that all the other stories in the Book of Daniel are just as lively. Three young boys hanging out in a burning fiery furnace with an angel, a king who turns into a beast and lives outside, handwriting appearing on a wall during a party, Daniel being thrown in the lion’s den for praying to Yahweh, plus various dreams and visions and prophetic truths that have an incredible accuracy concerning Jesus’ triumphal entry in to Jerusalem.

We don’t know why the Masoretes threw out this chapter, as well as the other two. But there are some things that we learn from it. First of all, there are scammers everywhere, and religious scammers are everywhere. Once someone makes the truth known, the scammers rally to suppress the truth. In this case they attempt murder. Just like the rich who do wrong and get mad over being caught, those who are doing wrong scream, cry, and fight, trying to spin the truth and put up a smoke screen. They tell people to “pay no attention to the man behind the curtain” and try to distract people from seeing the truth. One man brought the entire sham of the temple of Bel and it’s dragon to light. One man against thousands of Bel worshippers. Instead of the Bel worshippers recognizing they had been had, they got mad at Daniel for proving the truth. This happens in many church groups, once a popular “end of the world” story is proven wrong, the few naysayers who had been speaking the truth are persecuted, instead of the deceiver who profited from stealing people’s money. The majority would rather throw those telling the truth to the lions rather than the deceiver. The deceiver will go on to another deception with his group of followers.


Noting these things, the way we look at current events is to take a huge step backward. Take note of all the players, look to where the money is going. Look to where the loudest crybabies are melting down. Observe all sides of an issue or story. Who has the colorful stories, who is exaggerating, who has a financial stake in this, then do not get involved unless the Holy Spirit is leading the way. It would be far better to be pulled by the hair into a situation by an angel rather than to attach ourselves to a “movement” that is not from Yahweh. It doesn’t matter what kind of fear people are promoting, if it involves you giving someone money for knowledge, walk away. The Holy Spirit has more knowledge than a two hundred page book written by someone making a living off their own speculations. Maybe we should go through our bookshelves and noticed how much money we have spent on people’s speculations only to now recognize that it was a waste of time and money. Cunningly devised fables will continue to permeate the church in part because there are many hirelings in sheep’s clothing and in part because the sheep attempt to take the easy road and follow hirelings and false prophets. If we remember, at the turn of the century (2000) the big news was that the EU was now the revised Roman Empire and the end of the world was near. Then there were too many nations in the EU and that didn’t seem likely. Today a revised fear has emerged regarding Britain’s exit from the EU. But if we are told this vote means the end is near, we will forget to look at the Bible, as to what things must take place before the start of tribulations on the earth. Let’s hang onto our wallets this go round and be the lone voice of reason among the Body of Christ. It’s time to show the world our soundness, Titus 1:14.

Monday, June 20, 2016

Apothecaries; Who Taught Perfumers and Confectionaries; Changing Diets and Medicines

I’m not sure that we are fully conscious of the fact that mankind has had many teachers. Not just Yahweh, but the Holy Spirit, angels, watchers, and demons. Most teach what is good and right, some teach what is harmful to humans. We have the subjects of a perfumer, confectioner, or apothecary in the Bible. Herbs, plants, oils were used for healing and health and are still used by some today. Who taught humans what plants would be beneficial for what ailments? Who had this knowledge and who discovered this knowledge? We may not have thought it through, but the ancient knowledge of medicinal plants was not a trial and error process tested on humans. That would have been silly. Could you imagine how many people would have died eating the incorrect plants for an ailment before each region or tribe could determine what a particular plant was beneficial for? Also, because of tribal living it would have been difficult to determine what plants were helpful for specific healing as plants are sometimes specific to certain regions. What works in one region may not be available in another region. Yet it is only today, with our modern knowledge of biochemistry, botany, and biology that we have evidence that plants, herbs, and trees have healing properties for mankind. While always being healthy is not necessarily our main goal in life, our goal is to make Jesus known; we have been given botanicals for health benefits. The rules regarding eating, and how mankind should sustain itself have also changed throughout the Bible as well. It will also change again in the future. Today, there are many ancient remedies being explored with a scientific approach, but how did humans come by this knowledge.

Ecclesiasticus gives us a bit of wisdom regarding physicians, also mentioning Moses’ healing the bitter waters of Marah.     

Ecclus 38:1-15 Honour a physician with the honour due unto him for the uses which ye may have of him: for the Lord hath created him.2 For of the most High cometh healing, and he shall receive honour of the king.3 The skill of the physician shall lift up his head: and in the sight of great men he shall be in admiration.4 The Lord hath created medicines out of the earth; and he that is wise will not abhor them.5 Was not the water made sweet with wood, that the virtue thereof might be known?6 And he hath given men skill, that he might be honoured in his marvellous works.7 With such doth he heal [men,] and taketh away their pains. 8 Of such doth the apothecary make a confection; and of his works there is no end; and from him is peace over all the earth,9 My son, in thy sickness be not negligent: but pray unto the Lord, and he will make thee whole.10 Leave off from sin, and order thine hands aright, and cleanse thy heart from all wickedness.11 Give a sweet savour, and a memorial of fine flour; and make a fat offering, as not being.12 Then give place to the physician, for the Lord hath created him: let him not go from thee, for thou hast need of him.13 There is a time when in their hands there is good success.14 For they shall also pray unto the Lord, that he would prosper that, which they give for ease and remedy to prolong life.15 He that sinneth before his Maker, let him fall into the hand of the physician. KJV

The Most High Comes with healing. He gave men the skills of an apothecary to make confections. Yahweh created medicines out of the earth and if we are wise we will not abhor them. Physicians should pray to the Lord for remedies to prolong life. Let’s read Exodus.

Ex 15:23-26When they came to Marah, they could not drink its waters for they were bitter; therefore it was named Marah [bitterness].  24 The people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?  25 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a tree which he cast into the waters, and the waters were made sweet. There [the Lord] made for them a statute and an ordinance, and there He proved them, 26 Saying, If you will diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord your God and will do what is right in His sight, and will listen to and obey His commandments and keep all His statutes, I will put none of the diseases upon you which I brought upon the Egyptians, for I am the Lord Who heals you.  AMP

Yahweh who heals you, wants you to drink sweet water and desires us to be in health. Elisha had an experience where there was death in the stew during a famine.

2 Kings 4:38-41 Elisha came back to Gilgal during a famine in the land. The sons of the prophets were sitting before him, and he said to his servant, Set on the big pot and cook pottage for the sons of the prophets. 39 Then one went into the field to gather herbs and gathered from a wild vine his lap full of wild gourds, and returned and cut them up into the pot of pottage, for they were unknown to them. 40 So they poured it out for the men to eat. But as they ate of the pottage, they cried out, O man of God, there is death in the pot! And they could not eat it. 41 But he said, Bring meal [as a symbol of God's healing power]. And he cast it into the pot and said, Pour it out for the people that they may eat. Then there was no harm in the pot. AMP

Meal thrown into the pot saved the sons of the prophets. They accidently ate too many wild gourds which they didn’t know in those amounts were poisonous. Think about that, some plants in small doses would not harm us but in large doses could kill us. Notice that poisonous plants didn’t just enter the earth. When Yahweh created it, it was all very good.

Gen 1:29-30 And God said, See, I have given you every plant yielding seed that is on the face of all the land and every tree with seed in its fruit; you shall have them for food. 30 And to all the animals on the earth and to every bird of the air and to everything that creeps on the ground — to everything in which there is the breath of life — I have given every green plant for food. And it was so. AMP

Every plant was for food, but by Elisha’s day there were poisonous plants. After Adam sinned in the garden the ground became cursed and grew thorns and thistles.

Gen 3:17-18 And to Adam He said, Because you have listened and given heed to the voice of your wife and have eaten of the tree of which I commanded you, saying, You shall not eat of it, the ground is under a curse because of you; in sorrow and toil shall you eat [of the fruits] of it all the days of your life. 18 Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth for you, and you shall eat the plants of the field. AMP

After Adam sinned the ground was producing weeds so it was harder to grow foods. It took more work to pull weeds and dig up soil. But shortly after that time, some angels came to earth and the earth became more of a mess.

Enoch CHAPTER VI.
1. And it came to pass when the children of men had multiplied that in those days were born unto them beautiful and comely daughters. 2. And the angels, the children of the heaven, saw and lusted after them, and said to one another: 'Come, let us choose us wives from among the children of men and beget us children.' 3. And Semjâzâ, who was their leader, said unto them: 'I fear ye will not indeed agree to do this deed, and I alone shall have to pay the penalty of a great sin.' 4. And they all answered him and said: 'Let us all swear an oath, and all bind ourselves by mutual imprecations not to abandon this plan but to do this thing.' 5. Then sware they all together and bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it. 6. And they were in all two hundred; who descended in the days of Jared on the summit of Mount Hermon, and they called it Mount Hermon, because they had sworn and bound themselves by mutual imprecations upon it. 7. And these are the names of their leaders: Sêmîazâz, their leader, Arâkîba, Râmêêl, Kôkabîêl, Tâmîêl, Râmîêl, Dânêl, Êzêqêêl, Barâqîjâl, Asâêl, Armârôs, Batârêl, Anânêl, Zaqîêl, Samsâpêêl, Satarêl, Tûrêl, Jômjâêl, Sariêl. 8. These are their chiefs of tens.

As Jude tells us, these angels took off their spiritual bodies and procreated with humans. But they also taught humans some things they shouldn’t have. While Yahweh was the first one to tell Adam what he could and couldn’t eat, and angels taught Adam how to grow food, the watchers taught mankind things about plants and roots too. We don’t know if what the watchers taught was all good or partially good or all bad, we just know it was knowledge that early humans did not have before.

Enoch CHAPTER VII.
1. And all the others together with them took unto themselves wives, and each chose for himself one, and they began to go in unto them and to defile themselves with them, and they taught them charms and enchantments, and the cutting of roots, and made them acquainted with plants. 2. And they became pregnant, and they bare great giants, whose height was three thousand ells: 3. Who consumed all the acquisitions of men. And when men could no longer sustain them, 4. the giants turned against them and devoured mankind. 5. And they began to sin against birds, and beasts, and reptiles, and fish, and to devour one another's flesh, and drink the blood. 6. Then the earth laid accusation against the lawless ones.

The shedding of blood for food had not been taking place until this time. After the flood Noah and his sons are warned not to eat flesh with the blood in it. Enoch goes on to tell us there was more knowledge given to mankind by the fallen watchers.

Enoch CHAPTER VIII.
1. And Azâzêl taught men to make swords, and knives, and shields, and breastplates, and made known to them the metals of the earth and the art of working them, and bracelets, and ornaments, and the use of antimony, and the beautifying of the eyelids, and all kinds of costly stones, and all colouring tinctures. 2. And there arose much godlessness, and they committed fornication, and they were led astray, and became corrupt in all their ways. Semjâzâ taught enchantments, and root-cuttings, Armârôs the resolving of enchantments, Barâqîjâl, (taught) astrology, Kôkabêl the constellations, Ezêqêêl the knowledge of the clouds, Araqiêl the signs of the earth, Shamsiêl the signs of the sun, and Sariêl the course of the moon. And as men perished, they cried, and their cry went up to heaven . . .

The Book of Jubilees tells us more.

Jubilees 5:1 And it came to pass when the children of men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born unto them, that the angels of God saw them on a certain year of this jubilee, that they were beautiful to look upon; and they took themselves wives of all whom they chose, and they bare unto them sons and they were giants. 

Jubilees 7:20. And in the twenty-eighth jubilee Noah began to enjoin upon his sons' sons the ordinances and commandments, and all the judgments that he knew, and he exhorted his sons to observe righteousness, and to cover the shame of their flesh, and to bless their Creator, and honour father and mother, and love their neighbour, and guard their souls from fornication and uncleanness and all iniquity. 21. For owing to these three things came the flood upon the earth, namely, owing to the fornication wherein the Watchers against the law of their ordinances went a whoring after the daughters of men, and took themselves wives of all which they chose: and they made the beginning of uncleanness. 22. And they begat sons the Nâphîdîm, and †they were all unlike†, and they devoured one another: and the Giants slew the Nâphîl, and the Nâphîl slew the Eljô, and the Eljô mankind, and one man another. 23. And every one sold himself to work iniquity and to shed much blood, and the earth was filled with iniquity. 24. And after this they sinned against the beasts and birds, and all that moveth and walketh on the earth: and much blood was shed on the earth, and every imagination and desire of men imagined vanity and evil continually. 25. And the Lord destroyed everything from off the face of the earth; because of the wickedness of their deeds, and because of the blood which they had shed in the midst of the earth He destroyed everything. 26. "And we were left, I and you, my sons, and everything that entered with us into the ark, and behold I see your works before me that ye do not walk in righteousness; for in the path of destruction ye have begun to walk, and ye are parting one from another, and are envious one of another, and (so it cometh) that ye are not in harmony, my sons, each with his brother. 27. For I see, and behold the demons have begun (their) seductions against you and against your children, and now I fear on your behalf, that after my death ye will shed the blood of men upon the earth, and that ye, too, will be destroyed from the face of the earth. 28. For whoso sheddeth man's blood, and whoso eateth the blood of any flesh, will all be destroyed from the earth…….34. And now, my children, hearken: work judgment and righteousness that ye may be planted in righteousness over the face of the whole earth, and your glory lifted up before my God, who saved me from the waters of the flood. 35. And behold, ye will go and build for yourselves cities, and plant in them all the plants that are upon the earth, and moreover all fruit-bearing trees. 36. For three years the fruit of everything that is eaten will not be gathered: and in the fourth year its fruit will be accounted holy [and they will offer the first-fruits], acceptable before the Most High God, who created heaven and earth and all things. Let them offer in abundance the first of the wine and oil (as) first-fruits on the altar of the Lord, who receiveth it, and what is left let the servants of the house of the Lord eat before the altar which receiveth (it).

Noah’s sons were to plant all the plants and trees that were on the earth after the flood. Then there were rules to the first fruit offerings. Notice that wine was not forbidden but was also an offering along with oil. Now let’s take note of what one of Shem’s descendants found.

Jubilees 8:1. In the twenty-ninth jubilee, in the first week, in the beginning thereof Arpachshad took to himself a wife and her name was Râsû’ĕjâ, [the daughter of Sûsân,] the daughter of Elam, and she bare him a son in the third year in this week, and he called his name Kâinâm. 2. And the son grew, and his father taught him writing, and he went to seek for himself a place where he might seize for himself a city. 3. And he found a writing which former (generations) had carved on the rock, and he read what was thereon, and he transcribed it and sinned owing to it; for it contained the teaching of the Watchers in accordance with which they used to observe the omens of the sun and moon and stars in all the signs of heaven.  4. And he wrote it down and said nothing regarding it; for he was afraid to speak to Noah about it lest he should be angry with him on account of it. 

Kainam knew how to read and write and he transcribed what he found carved on a rock from the watchers. So notice, the teachings were not just word of mouth before the flood, they were written. Kainam found them, knew the old language, and put them into written form. Technically speaking the watchers were still teaching mankind through their carved teachings that survived the flood. It may be the demons (disembodied spirits of the heirs of the fallen watchers) then used these carvings and taught mankind after the flood. But angels also had to teach Noah about medicines for healing after the flood.

Jubilees 10:1 And in the third week of this jubilee the unclean demons began to lead astray †the children of† the sons of Noah; and to make to err and destroy them. 2. And the sons of Noah came to Noah their father, and they told him concerning the demons which were, leading astray and blinding and slaying his sons' sons……4. But do Thou bless me and my sons, that we may increase and multiply and replenish the earth. 5. And Thou knowest how Thy Watchers, the fathers of these spirits, acted in my day: and as for these spirits which are living, imprison them and hold them fast in the place of condemnation, and let them not bring destruction on the sons of thy servant, my God; for these are malignant, and created in order to destroy. 6. And let them not rule over the spirits of the living; for Thou alone canst exercise dominion over them. And let them not have power over the sons of the righteous from henceforth and for evermore." 7. And the Lord our God bade us to bind all. 8. And the chief of the spirits, Mastêmâ, came and said: "Lord, Creator, let some of them remain before me, and let them hearken to my voice, and do all that I shall say unto them; for if some of them are not left to me, I shall not be able to execute the power of my will on the sons of men; for these are for corruption and leading astray before my judgment, for great is the wickedness of the sons of men." 9. And He said: "Let the tenth part of them remain before him, and let nine parts descend into the place of condemnation." 10. And one of us He commanded that we should teach Noah all their medicines; for He knew that they would not walk in uprightness, nor strive in righteousness. 11. And we did according to all His words: all the malignant evil ones we bound in the place of condemnation, and a tenth part of them we left that they might be subject before Satan on the earth. 12. And we explained to Noah all the medicines of their diseases, together with their seductions, how he might heal them with herbs of the earth. 13. And Noah wrote down all things in a book as we instructed him concerning every kind of medicine. Thus the evil spirits were precluded from (hurting) the sons of Noah. 14. And he gave all that he had written to Shem, his eldest son; for he loved him exceedingly above all his sons.

Shem received the knowledge of the medicines for the diseases they would suffer and how to heal with herbs. Now they had the knowledge, recorded by Noah, to thwart the harm evil spirits would inflict on them. Think about this, Shem who lived in Jebus had a school in Jerusalem that was attended by many people including Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and also had the written knowledge of healing herbs and medicines. This was knowledge that was passed onto the prophets, and eventually the people we have come to know as the Essenes/Nazarenes/Therapeutaes. The same people who taught John the Baptist and Jesus. Interesting.

After the flood Yahweh had to change the rules about what foods to eat.

Gen 9:1-4 AND GOD pronounced a blessing upon Noah and his sons and said to them, Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth. 2 And the fear of you and the dread and terror of you shall be upon every beast of the land, every bird of the air, all that creeps upon the ground, and upon all the fish of the sea; they are delivered into your hand. 3 Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you; and as I gave you the green vegetables and plants, I give you everything. 4 But you shall not eat flesh with the life of it, which is its blood. AMP

Now humans could eat all flesh, birds, beasts, fish, and creeping things, as well as herbs, plants, and fruit. The only requirement was not to eat any flesh with the blood still in it. The dietary requirements have stayed the same in this age, and we now know through medical science ingesting too much blood is toxic and one can end up with iron overdose that can cause many serious problems. Not to mention on a spiritual level that the life of the flesh is in the blood.

Lev 17:11 For the life (the animal soul) is in the blood, and I have given it for you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls; for it is the blood that makes atonement, by reason of the life [which it represents]. [Rom 3:24-26.]  AMP

Yahweh had to teach Moses what oils and perfumes to use in the temple. Man could have made his own blend, but Yahweh had a specific blend in mind. We are not sure why but what we do know from our modern understanding is that aromas can have a therapeutic effect on humans. The inhalation of certain extracts can heal, calm, energize, or inspire higher brain power, creatively or mechanically. In the Greek language the occupation of a perfumer is the same as the Hebrew occupation of an apothecary. In our day we would think of a perfumer as someone who develops perfumes and scent combinations, and while this is a good description of what a perfumer is, there is a healing component that the word apothecary embraces. People can be healed from some sicknesses using aroma therapy.

Ex 30:25 And thou shalt make it an oil of holy ointment, an ointment compound after the art of the apothecary [7543]: it shall be an holy anointing oil. KJV

Ex 30:25 And you shall make of these a holy anointing oil, a perfume compounded after the art of the perfumer [7543]; it shall be a sacred anointing oil. AMP

Ex 30:25G2532And G4160you shall make G1473itG1637[3oil G55452scented unguent G391a holy], G3464a perfumed liquid G3460.1scented G5078by the craft G3460.2of a perfumer --G1637[4oil G55453scented unguent G392a holy G1510.8.31it shall be]

Here are a few more instructions from Yahweh. Stacte is a balsam and onycha and galbanum are aromatic gum resins still used today. These were plants. Onycha, some speculate to be mussels; but considering mussels are shell fish and unclean, and the temple was not near the ocean, that idea is incorrect. Onycha is benzoin derived from the bark of several trees and it is said to have a vanilla scent. Who would think to extract these resins and combine them with frankincense?

Ex 30:34-36 And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight:35 And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection[7545] after the art of the apothecary [7543], tempered together, pure and holy:36 And thou shalt beat some of it very small, and put of it before the testimony in the tabernacle of the congregation, where I will meet with thee: it shall be unto you most holy KJV

OT:7543 raqach (raw-kakh'); a primitive root; to perfume: KJV - apothecary, compound, make [ointment], prepare, spice.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

OT:7545 roqach (ro'-kakh); from OT:7542; an aromatic: KJV - confection, ointment.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

In the Hebrew a confection is a scented ointment, but in Greek it is known as incense.

Ex 30:35G2532And G4160they shall make G1473with it G2368[2incense G3460.11scented],G2041 a work G3460.2of a perfumer -- G3396[4being mixed G25131a pure G20413work G392holy]

2368 θυμίαμα thumiama thoo-mee'-am-ah From G2370; an aroma, that is, fragrant powder burnt in religious service; by implication the burning itself KJV Usage: incense, odour.

Neh 3:8Next to them repaired Uzziel son of Harhaiah, one of the goldsmiths. Next to him repaired Hananiah, one of the perfumers [7546], and they abandoned [fortification of] Jerusalem as far as the Broad Wall [omitting that part of the ancient city and reducing the area]. AMP

OT:7546 raqqach (rak-kawkh'); from OT:7543; a male perfumer: KJV - apothecary.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

It is interesting to recognize that this word for male perfumers is apothecaries in the Hebrew. Female perfumers were called confectionaries as we will see shortly. The Greek language does not differentiate between male or female, both are perfumers. It seems that the Hebrew wants to suggest the men are medicinal workers and the women make incense.  While this was an important part of temple service and it was required knowledge, it is not gender specific. Both men and women could be perfumers. Both men and women had knowledge of oils, resins, and spices for healing and temple service.

OT:7548 raqqachah (rak-kaw-khaw'); feminine of OT:7547; a female perfumer: KJV - confectioner.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

1 Sam 8:13 And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries [7548], and to be cooks, and to be bakers. KJV

1 Sam 8: 13G2532And G3588 G2364your daughters G1473 G2983he will take G1519for G3460.2perfumers, G2532and G1519for G3095.3cooks, G2532and G1519for G4070.1baking.

Samuel was explaining to the people why they didn’t want to have a King, but as we know the people didn’t listen. He was predicting that the king would take their daughters as servants in various occupations. He mentions that their daughters would be taken to work as perfumers for the king. This implies Samuel believes the king would live in certain luxury.  

We should look at what some of these plants are. We know what myrrh and cinnamon are as well as olive oil. Calamus is a plant that is a reed or a cane and it must have a sweet aroma. Cassia is some type of Iris as per the Greek, but the Hebrew notes it as a bark.

Ex 30:22G2532 AndG2980 the lord spoke G2962 G4314to G*Moses, G3004saying,
 23G2532And G1473you G2983take G2238.2spices, G3588the G438flower G4666[2myrrh G15881of choice] -- G4001five hundred G4608.2shekels, G2532and G2792[2cinnamon G2174.21sweet smelling] G3588 G2255half G3778of this -- G1250two hundred G2532and G4004fifty, G2532and G2563[2calamus G2174.21sweet smelling] -- G1250two hundred G4004fifty,
 24G2532and G2463of oil of cassia -- G4001five hundred G4608.2shekels G3588of the G39holy place, G2532and G1637olive oil G1537from G1636olives --G1511a hin!
 25G2532And G4160you shall makeG1473it G1637[3oil G55452scented unguent G391a holy], G3464a perfumed liquid G3460.1scented G5078by the craft G3460.2of a perfumer --G1637[4oil G55453scented unguent G392a holy G1510.8.31it shall be]

2563 Thayer: 1) a reed 2) a staff made of a reed, a reed staff 3) a measuring reed or rod 4) a writer's reed, a pen
κάλαμος kalamos kal'-am-os Of uncertain affinity; a reed (the plant or its stem, or that of a similar plant); by implication apenKJV Usage: pen, reed.

Calamus OT:7070 qaneh (kaw-neh'); from OT:7069; a reed (as erect); by resemblance a rod (especially for measuring), shaft, tube, stem, the radius (of the arm), beam (of a steelyard):KJV - balance, bone, branch, calamus, cane, reed,  spearman, stalk. (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

2463 Thayer: 1) a rainbow
ἶρις iris ee'-ris Perhaps from 
G2046 (as a symbol of the female messenger of the pagan deities); a rainbow(“iris”)KJV Usage: rainbow.

Cassia OT:6916 qiddah (kid-daw'); from OT:6915; cassia bark (as in shrivelled rolls): KJV - cassia.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)
OT:6915 qadad (kaw-dad'); a primitive root; to shrivel up, i.e. contract or bend the body (or neck) in deference: KJV - bow (down) (the) head, stoop.(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright © 1994, 2003, 2006 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Ecclesiasticus reminds us of the time of Josiah, and remembering how he cleaned up Judah is like a perfume made by an apothecary.

Ecclus 49:1-4 The remembrance of Josias is like the composition of the perfume that is made by the art of the apothecary: it is sweet as honey in all mouths, and as musick at a banquet of wine.2 He behaved himself uprightly in the conversion of the people, and took away the abominations of iniquity.3 He directed his heart unto the Lord, and in the time of the ungodly he established the worship of God.4 All, except David and Ezekias and Josias, were defective: for they forsook the law of the most High, even the kings of Juda failed. KJV

The position and occupation of perfumer was a respected position because of the knowledge it possessed. Remember that this was knowledge that came from Noah to Shem. It is interesting that so far we have Yahweh teaching people about apothecary, as well as angels, and fallen angels. Solomon will note for us that another teacher we have is the Holy Spirt.

Wisdom 9:17-18 And thy counsel who hath known, except thou give wisdom, and send thy Holy Spirit from above?18 For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee, and were saved through wisdom. KJV

Our diet has changed since the flood. Plants and herbs are no longer pure. There are thorns, and thistles, and things that can make us sick in the wrong quantities. Even though we have natural plants and herbs, we know that some natural substances can be used and altered to be harmful. What we know is that demons also influence humanity and they do have a plan to make people sick. And just as the angels noted to Moses in the Book of Jubilees, men would need medicines to ward off the effect of demons. Also man would need medicines to counter the effects of sin. James tells us this.  

James 5:14-15 Is anyone among you sick? He should call in the church elders (the spiritual guides). And they should pray over him, anointing him with oil in the Lord's name. 15 And the prayer [that is] of faith will save him who is sick, and the Lord will restore him; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. AMP

James 5:14G770Is anyone sick G5100 G1722among G1473you? G4341Let him call on G3588the G4245elders G3588of the G1577assembly, G2532and G4336let them pray G1909over G1473him, G218having anointed G1473him G1637with olive oil G1722in G3588the G3686name G3588of the G2962Lord!

There is a need for apothecaries who can pray over the sick. While our religious institutions have lost this information, we can gain some of it back through science. Apothecaries were supposed to be prophets and priests, male and female. We are to anoint people and places with oils, as well as help to heal people with herbs and perfumes/oils. It is the Holy Spirit who can teach us what an ill individual needs. These are some of the extracts that were used in the Bible.

Calamus; Cassia; Cedarwood; Cinnamon; Cypress; Fir; Frankincense; Galbanum; Hyssop; Juniper; Myrrh; Myrtle; Pine; Spikenard.

For the overcomer, Jesus will give them to eat from the tree of life. Then in the future our diets will change again and the New Earth will have a tree of life that has twelve types of fruit and its leaves will be for the healing of the nations.

Rev 22:2 Through the middle of the broadway of the city; also, on either side of the river was the tree of life with its twelve varieties of fruit, yielding each month its fresh crop; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing and the restoration of the nations. [Gen 2:9.] AMP


The perfumers were aroma therapists, but they also used extracts and herbs for healing people. Angels and watchers taught early humans. Perfumers, aka apothecaries, gained their knowledge because Noah passed it down to Shem. Now we can understand why Jesus was given gold, frankincense, and myrrh at his birth. While the fallen angels left behind knowledge on carved stones, we do not know what that information entailed, but we recognize that if there is a way for Yahweh’s Creation to be distorted, the devil will tempt man to distort it. It is our job to connect with the Holy Spirit as our teacher, so that we can anoint the sick and pray over them. This was some of the knowledge that Shem taught in Jebus, and was knowledge that the Essenes, Nazarenes, and Therapeutaes had. It was knowledge that Jesus had and knowledge that we can gain back. There are many surveys about Christians being on more medications than non-Christians. It seems it is easier to go along with mankind’s manufactured cures, but Yahweh did give us plants to help us. It may be that we over-medicated Christians can regain the apothecary knowledge the devil has hidden from us because it is Yahweh’s way to better health.