Reflections on shabat, July 17, 2026

  Images from left: 1) A crane eats snakes and frogs in a swamp. 2) A young boy greedily eats a hamburger. 3) A woman eats a gourmet meal at a hotel. 4) A photo of what a big dinner in heaven would be like.

  Regarding the image 1) According to one story, an angel invited a crane to heaven. The crane asked: "Can I eat snakes and frogs there?" The angel replied: "You can't." The crane replied: "I'm not interested in that kind of heaven." The fact that a crane eats snakes and frogs in a swamp is comparable to the fact that most people have become accustomed to eating all kinds of filth, both literally and spiritually. 

We reread the Bible verses in the picture

>>2 Wherefore do you spend money for that which is not bread? and your labour for that which does not nourish? hearken diligently unto me, and eat you that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. 3 Incline your ear, and come unto me: hear, and your soul shall live; and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.<< Isaiah 55:2-3

>>16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of: 17 For the kingdom of Elohim is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he that in these things serves Messiah is acceptable to Elohim, and approved of men.<< Romans 14:16-18

>>7 Let us be glad and rejoice, and give honour to him: for the marriage of the Lamb is come, and his bride has made herself ready. 8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteous deeds of the believers. 9 And he said unto me, Write, Blessed are they which are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. And he said unto me, These are the true sayings of Elohim.<< Revelation 19:7-9

Worrying is mostly pointless!

  The Israelites lived before and now, like the pagans: they worried about what they would eat, what they would drink and what they would wear. According to the teaching of Adonai Yeshua, we should not worry about such things, but seek first the Kingdom of Elohim and his righteousness, and all other necessary things will be given to us along with it.

  That teaching is difficult to internalize, especially for those living in Western countries, whose lives are socially secured from cradle to grave. Rarely does a situation arise in which a hardworking and wise, well-educated and healthy person finds himself unemployed, in financial distress and even homeless! But as a result of the great depression and mass unemployment, this happens to many.

  That is why I even see it as positive that Elohim is starting to shake the foundations of our lives, if they are completely built on human society. He allows us to be shaken through natural disasters, famine, wars, illnesses and surprising events in order to prepare us for the eternity to which we are heading.

Paul's teached of right and wrong worry

1) 2 Corinthians 7:10

>>For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of. But the sorrow of the world works death.<<

2) Philippians 2:12-13

>>12 Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is Elohim which works in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.<<

  It is an exceptionally bad time now and the corruption is immense! Wars and famines occur in many areas. Jews are hated and persecuted. Every day, an average of 13 Christians are killed for their faith and one in 7 Christians (387 million) experiences persecution for their faith. In 2025, there were a total of 2.645 billion Christians.

  The whole world is a battlefield for the powers of the spirit. The powers of glory will fight against the powers of darkness until the last moment for every human soul. Elohim wants to save every person, and does not want any of us to go to hell, to eternal separation from Him. Let us help our neighbors to be saved!

  We live here for only a short moment compared to eternity. So we are always on the way to eternity. Our Creator wants to teach and train us for the life that awaits us beyond the veil of time. He loves us greatly and showed it by sacrificing His Son Yeshua on the cross of Calvary as a sin offering for us!

Our inner self needs constant change

  Just as a small child grows and changes quickly, learning the ways of people, so we are called to grow and change into the likeness of our heavenly exemplar, Yeshua the Messiah. Here we are helped by the Holy Spirit and the Holy Scriptures. Many life circumstances and difficulties also guide us to holiness and patience.

  Each of us has our own earthly life course carefully planned in advance by our Creator. If we agree to walk the path shown by Him, we will experience His love and tender care even here on earth in the darkest moments of our lives. Then He says: "Let there be Light!" And the Light comes.

  Let us always be grateful to the Creator that we are so well cared for! As the apostle Paul wrote, our heavenly Father trains and disciplines us for heavenly life, so that we may share in His holiness. After all, our earthly father disciplines us only for a short earthly life!

Songs suitable for the topic

Obs. Our Savior's original name in Hebrew is Yeshua HaMashiach HaNotzri

The LORD is Building Jerusalem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcn1sQdRSWs

In the cross in the cross be my glory
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnDQhGxbPS4

Along the Road
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fCup8BqtEoM

The Lily of the Valley
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8SKf93klqc

Unto Thee O Lord
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjqlkWhz-aA

P.S. 1 You can check out the interesting stages of my life from the link below. My life has been a great adventure. There have been successes and setbacks. Adonai Yeshua has always helped me!
https://seventh-river.blogspot.com/2020/02/the-seventh-river.html

P.S. 2 I have also prepared these studies in Finnish. They consist of selected Bible translations and include various hymns:
https://yakov-tutkielmia-sapattina.blogspot.com/2026/07/pohdintaa-spattina-1772026.html