02/15/2008 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

The subject of head coverings has been a source of much confusion for many believers in the Messiah.

However, in this study it will be evident that the reason why it is a source of confusion is because of a lack of understanding as to its purpose.

Many have written studies which examine historical data or various theories which attempt to explain the head covering issue.

But we can learn why women should cover their heads and why men should not cover their heads simply by looking at the reasons given in 1 Corinthians and studying out those reasons in other scriptures.

Let's start with the first verse in 1 Corinthians:

1 Corinthians 11:1-2 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Messiah. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

1 Corinthians 11:1-2 Imitate me, just as I also imitate Messiah. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that you remember me in all things and keep the traditions just as I delivered them to you.

In the opening verses of 1 Corinthians 11, we see that Paul encouraged the Corinthians to imitate him as he imitates Yahushua. Of course, there is nothing wrong with imitating anyone who is imitating Yahushua since anyone doing so is actually imitating Yahushua.

In the second verse, the Corinthians are encouraged to keep the "traditions" that were delivered to them by Paul. Since a good portion of the following verses will be discussing the head covering, it is likely that the head covering is one of those "traditions." 

Some have suggested that since Paul chose to call it a "tradition" rather than calling it a "commandment," and we find no commandment in the law of Yahweh regarding the head coverings (with the exception of the priests), we are free to ignore the principles given in 1 Corinthians 11. However, there are several problems with this.

Firstly, the Greek word translated "traditions" here is #3862 "paradosis" which literally means "transmission" or "something given over." There are some instances where it is used negatively, such as in Mark 7:9:First of all, the Greek word translated "traditions" here is #3862 "paradosis" which literally means "transmission" or "something given over." There are some instances where it is used negatively, such as in Mark 7:9:

Mark 7:9 - He said to them, "All too well you reject the commandment of Elohim, that you may keep your tradition.

But in other instances, this word is used very differently:

2 Thessalonians 2:15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast and hold the traditions which you were taught, whether by word or our epistle.

2 Thessalonians 3:6 - But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Master Yahushua Messiah, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

Notice that Yahushua's name is invoked when commanding the Thessalonian brethren to withdraw from every brother who doesn't keep to the "paradosis" (traditions) of the 1st century believers in Yahushua.

The "paradosis" of the 1st century believers that Yahushua Himself sent out unto the world were not traditions of men that could be ignored and set aside. The "paradosis" of the body of Messiah were expected to be kept. 

So obviously, there was more to the "paradosis" of the early believers than just a commandment, idea or doctrine of men. So important was the need to keep the "paradosis" that was given by the apostles, anyone straying from them was cut off from the assembly.

The idea that we are free to ignore any commandment given in the "New Testament" is completely without basis. Those who choose to ignore the principles given regarding the head covering in 1 Corinthians 11 on the basis that these things were not covered in the Torah/'Old Testament'/Law of Yahweh are not being consistent in their belief. 

For instance, everyone agrees that we should obey the commandment to be baptized in Yahushua's name for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38), but you won't find this specifically commanded in the law of Yahweh.

We also follow Yahushua's "new commandment" to "love one another as I have loved you" and follow Yahushua's admonitions to "Judge not, that you be not judged" and "do not cast your pearls before swine" along with Paul's admonitions to "pray without ceasing" and Kepha/Peter's admonition to "cherish and nourish" our wives.

But I don't know of anyone who would argue that we shouldn't follow these things on the basis that we don't see an identical commandment in Yahweh's law.

The truth is, we should obey all of scripture and not assume we can ignore any of it. Yahweh's word should be heeded regardless of what year Yahweh chose to inspire the words.

Now in the case of the head covering, any man who chooses not to heed the "paradosis" of the head covering is not only ignoring scripture, they are also dishonoring Yahushua: 

1 Corinthians 11:3-4 - But I want you to know that the head of every man is Messiah, the head of woman is man, and the head of Messiah is Elohim. 4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

So we need to be sure that we are not dishonoring Yahushua. Anyone who dishonors Yahushua is also dishonoring Yahweh the Father:

John 5:23b - He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

But why does it dishonor Yahushua when a man covers his head while praying or prophesying?

Finding out exactly why a man dishonors Yahushua by covering his head while praying/prophesying is very important.

Thankfully, we don't have to look very far in order to find the basic answer. We are given the reason why in verse 7:

1 Corinthians 11:7 - For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of Elohim; but woman is the glory of man.

So the reason why men should not cover their heads while praying/prophesying is because man "is the image and glory of Elohim."

Therefore, it is evident that Yahweh wants to see His own image glory during the times that we pray or prophesy. This is given as the reason as to why a man "indeed ought not to cover his head".

Therefore, the clear principle given here is this: Do not cover up the glory of Yahweh while in His presence. Doing so dishonors Yahushua the Messiah.

Of course, none of us want to dishonor Yahushua. But in what way does a man praying and prophesying with an uncovered head dishonor Yahushua? This is an important question that deserves an indepth study in order to find the answer. 

"The Image and Glory of Yahweh"

It is important to concentrate on the words written in this portion of the study in order to grasp the full meaning of the head covering subject, and why a man should not cover his head.

We will work from this foundation to discover the reason why a woman should cover their head. For unless we really understand why a man dishonors Yahushua when covering His head, we will not really understand the purpose of the head covering.

Firstly, we know that Adam was created in the image and glory of Yahweh.

Genesis 1:26 - Then Elohim said, "Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth."

At this time, all was perfect and Adam was indeed in the image of Elohim.

However, as we all know, Adam sinned. Because of Adam's sin, man's image and glory is no longer the true image and glory of Elohim. After all, the image of Elohim is a righteous image, and His glory is a righteous glory. But since we are sinners, we are no longer in that image and glory:

Romans 3:23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of Elohim,

So how can a sinner be restored and once again become the image and glory of Elohim? Only through Yahushua the Perfect One who is indeed the image and glory of Yahweh:

Hebrews 1:1 Elohim, who at various times and in various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the worlds;

Hebrews 1:3 who being the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the word of His power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high

So Yahushua is the true image and glory of Elohim. Yahushua never sinned and fell short of His glory. For this reason, we need Him to restore us to the image of Elohim again.

Notice that Hebrews 1:3 said that Yahushua is the 'brightness' of Elohim's glory. There are also a number of places Yahushua is called "the Word."

John 1:1 - In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim.

John 1:14 - And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

Revelation 19:13 - He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of Elohim.

So He is the Word and He is also the glory of the Father. We see other parallels in scripture where the word of Yahweh is called a lamp, a light:

Psalm 119:105 - Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path.

And continuing that thought we see Yahushua saying:

John 8:12 - Then Yahushua spoke to them again, saying, "I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life."

So Yahushua is the light, the brightness of Yahweh's glory. He is the "Word" and the express image of Elohim fully.

Adam, the first man, was created in the image of Yahweh but he sinned. Yahushua, who came into the world as the 'second' Adam did not sin. 

Romans 5:14-15 Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over those who had not sinned according to the likeness of the transgression of Adam, who is a type of Him who was to come. 15 But the free gift is not like the offense. For if by the one man's offense many died, much more the grace of Elohim and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Yahushua Messiah, abounded to many.

Through Yahushua, it is no longer we (Adam) who live, but Messiah who lives in us. Thus, through Yahushua we are restored as the true, undefiled image and glory of Elohim:

Galatians 2:20 - "I have been crucified with Messiah; it is no longer I who live, but Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of Elohim, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Since Yahushua is living in us, Yahweh does not see our own corrupted image when we pray or prophesy, but He sees "the brightness of His glory and the express image of His person," Yahushua the Messiah IN US. 

So while praying and prophesying, the man must be sure not to cover his head, for in Yahushua he is the image and glory of Yahweh. When we pray, we need to let the image and glory of Elohim (Yahushua) be uncovered and let our own glory be covered. Otherwise we are dishonoring our Head (Yahushua):

1 Corinthians 11:4 - Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

1 Corinthians 11:7 - For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, forasmuch as he is the image and glory of YAHWEH:

So we must not be praying or prophesying without the image and glory of Elohim seen upon us. We need the glory of Elohim through Yahushua the Messiah, for it is through Him that we are saved and it is through Him we are restored to the righteous image of Elohim that was originally created.

Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Yahushua, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,

Hebrews 10:21 - and having a High Priest over the house of Yahweh, 22 let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. 23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.

Notice that it says we enter the holiest by the blood of Yahushua, through the veil, that is, His flesh. If we are looking for a veil to put on when coming to Yahweh in prayer, we need to look no further than Yahushua the Messiah. There is a reason that the veil to the holy of holies (wherein lies the mercy seat) was split in two when Yahushua died.

In light of these things, let's now review the verses which said a man should not cover his head:

1 Corinthians 11:3 - But I would have you know, that the head of every man is the Messiah; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of the Messiah is YAHWEH.

1 Corinthians 11:4 - Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

1 Corinthians 11:4 - Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonors his head.

1 Corinthians 11:7 - For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of Elohim; but woman is the glory of man.

So we must not be praying or prophesying without the image and glory of Elohim seen upon us.

We need the glory of Elohim through Yahushua the Messiah, for it is through Him that we are saved and it is through Him we are restored to the righteous image of Elohim that was originally created. 

So it should be pretty clear as to why it dishonors Yahushua when a man chooses to cover his head. He is rejecting the work of the High Priest, Yahushua, who entered to holiest place in the heavens to atone for us with His own blood.

Yahushua came to this earth and died for our sins so that He might be raised again, enter the Holiest place with His own blood and live in us, a people who don't even consider ourselves to be alive, but consider Yahushua to live and reign in us.

To put some artificial cover on our heads is to deny the work of Yahushua in us. Yahushua's veil is all we really need. 

So, in conclusion, any man covering his head while in prayer or during prophesying is dishonoring Yahushua the Messiah, the One whose glory should be made manifest unto Yahweh.

Many give their reasons as to why a man should or should not cover his head. But the scriptures give us the reason. We only need to dig a little deeper and then we can grasp the full meaning.

So what about the "Old Testament" which commands men to wear the head covering?

Upon reading what is often called the "Old testament,", we do a command for certain men to cover their heads. 

Upon reading what is often called the "Old testament,", we do see a command for certain men to cover their heads. 

But the command is not directed to anyone except the priests who functioned in the tabernacle service.

On the surface, it might seem contradictory for 1 Corinthians to say that men ought not cover their heads, while it is written in the Law that the High Priests 'must' cover their heads.

Here are the scriptures in the law of Yahweh which teach that the High Priest wore a miter (Heb. #4701 mitsnepheth):

Exodus 29:6 - And thou shalt put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy crown upon the mitre.

Leviticus 16:4 - He shall put on the holy linen coat, and he shall have the linen breeches upon his flesh, and shall be girded with a linen girdle, and with the linen mitre shall he be attired: these are holy garments; therefore shall he wash his flesh in water, and so put them on.

So we see that the High Priest wore a type of head covering, (Heb. #4021 migba`ah).

This was not commanded to be worn every time the priest would pray his personal prayers or prophesy, but it was commanded to be worn whenever he performs his priestly duties in the tabernacle/temple:

Exodus 28:43 - "They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they come into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place, that they do not incur iniquity and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and his descendants after him. 

Now scripture teaches us that Yahushua is also a high priest, but of the heavenly temple:

Hebrews 5:9-10 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by Elohim as High Priest "according to the order of Melchizedek,"

Hebrews 8:3 - For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices. Therefore it is necessary that this One also have something to offer.

Hebrews 8:4 - For if He were on earth, He would not be a priest, since there are priests who offer the gifts according to the law;

Hebrews 8:5 - who serve the copy and shadow of the heavenly things, as Moses was divinely instructed when he was about to make the tabernacle. For He said, "See that you make all things according to the pattern shown you on the mountain."

Notice it says that if Yahushua were on the earth, He would not be a priest of the earthly tabernacle.

This is because He is the High Priest of the heavenly tabernacle, "according to the order of Melchizedek."

So the sons of Aaron are the priests of the earthly tabernacle, and Yahushua is the High Priest of the heavenly tabernacle. 

The priesthood and tabernacle on the earth are a "copy and shadow" of the heavenly priesthood and tabernacle. So as a part of Yahweh's desire for it to be a copy and shadow, the priests were commanded to wear linen garments--including a linen head covering. 

Leviticus 16:4 - "He shall put the holy linen tunic and the linen trousers on his body; he shall be girded with a linen sash, and with the linen turban he shall be attired. These are holy garments. Therefore he shall wash his body in water, and put them on.

What did the linen represent? According to scripture, linen is a symbol for righteousness:

Revelation 19:7-8 - "Let us be glad and rejoice and give Him glory, for the marriage of the Lamb has come, and His wife has made herself ready." 8 And to her it was granted to be arrayed in fine linen, clean and bright, for the fine linen is the righteous acts of the saints.

A similar scripture is found in Isaiah 61:

Isaiah 61:10 - I will greatly rejoice in Yahweh, My soul shall be joyful in my Elohim; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

And earlier in the 61st chapter of Isaiah it says:

Isaiah 61:1 - "The Spirit of Yahweh Elohim is upon Me, Because Yahweh has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

Isaiah 61:2 - To proclaim the acceptable year of Yahweh, And the day of vengeance of our Elohim; To comfort all who mourn

Isaiah 61:3 - To console those who mourn in Zion, To give them beauty (Heb. #6287 Pe'er) for ashes, The oil of joy for mourning, The garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; That they may be called trees of righteousness, The planting of Yahweh, that He may be glorified."

When Yahushua returns, His bride will receive "beauty" for ashes, that we might be called "trees of righteousness" and glorify Yahweh.

The Hebrew word translated "beauty" in this verse is "Pe'er." It's interesting that the same Hebrew word is used to describe Ezekiel's turban:

Ezekiel 24:17 - "Sigh in silence, make no mourning for the dead; bind your turban (Heb. #6287 Pe'er) on your head, and put your sandals on your feet; do not cover your lips, and do not eat man's bread of sorrow."

We can gather from all of these scriptures that the linen turban specifically is a symbolic representation of having righteousness upon our heads.

Ashes were often put upon the heads of those who were in great distress (2sam 13:19). Yahushua said that He would give us "beauty" instead. So rather than having ashes on our heads, we will have something glorious. Perhaps the ashes (created by burning) represent what we might have had without Yahushua the Messiah: death and damnation by burning.

So it can be clearly seen that the priestly head covering represents righteousness. Because the priesthood and tabernacle on the earth is a "copy and shadow" of the heavenly priesthood and tabernacle, the linen garments were given to represent the righteousness of the heavenly High Priest, Yahushua the Messiah.

Again, this was only necessary during the times that they functioned in the tabernacle or temple area:

Exodus 28:43 - "They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they come into the tabernacle of meeting, or when they come near the altar to minister in the holy place, that they do not incur iniquity and die. It shall be a statute forever to him and his descendants after him.

Thus when the High Priest entered the temple and went beyond the veil into the most holy place, he would need to have a representation of righteousness upon him or He would die.

So is there anything contradictory here with the scriptures in 1 Corinthians?

I don't see anything at all. If a temple were functioning today, the priests should indeed continue to obey what the law of Yahweh commands in regard to the head covering while ministering in the temple. This fulfills the function of the temple/tabernacle on the earth, to serve as a "copy and shadow" of the heavenly one.

What about the "Kippah?"

Today, some are claiming to justify the Jewish tradition of wearing a kippa (a round skullcap), or covering your head with a Talit (a rectangular garment) while praying. The reasoning is that we are all "priests of our home" and should therefore wear a head covering just as the priests of Yahweh did who functioned in the tabernacle.

But if this is the real reason, why stop with the head covering? With that reasoning, you would also need to wear the linen tunic & sash, the crown on top of your head covering, the breastplate with the 12 stones, and don't forget the blood of a young bull as a sin offering and a ram as a burnt offering when you enter the holy of holies (Leviticus 16)!

Of course, this argument doesn't really hold water at all because we are not High Priests who are functioning in an earthly tabernacle. Still, many insist on it even though it is not commanded anywhere.

Some claim to be following the example of David who apparently prayed one time with a head covering on. But Yahushua had not yet shed His blood, entered the heavenly Holy of Holies and took His position as High Priest.

We will discuss this at length in a moment.

Meanwhile, what do those who wear the "kippah" do with the passage in 1 Corinthians? One of the main points made by those who hold to this belief is what they believe to be a mistranslation of 1 Corinthians 11:4. They believe the phrase "head covered" is a mistranslation of the Greek which has "Kata Kaphalay":

1 Corinthians 11:4 Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered [Kata Kaphalay], dishonors his head.

They instead translate the Greek phrase "Kata Kaphalay" as having something "down over your head." They believe that this scripture is referring to a woman's head covering, not a man's head covering. Thus, they believe that Paul was simply pointing out that any man wearing a woman's garment is dishonoring the Messiah.

But is this true? Was Paul really only talking about a men in the Corinthian assembly wearing a woman's head covering? 

To help us answer this question, let's look for other possible places where this same Greek phrase is used. One problem is that this phrase isn't used anywhere else in the "New Testament" scriptures. For this reason, what it really means might be up to interpretation.

Thankfully, the Septuagint, a Greek translation of the Hebrew scriptures dating to 200-300 BCE, uses the exact same phrase "kata kaphalay" in one place.

It is used in the following scripture when referring to Haman's head covering:

Esther 6:11-12 - So Haman took the robe and the horse, arrayed Mordecai and led him on horseback through the city square, and proclaimed before him, "Thus shall it be done to the man whom the king delights to honor!" 12 Afterward Mordecai went back to the king's gate. But Haman hurried to his house, mourning and with his head covered [Kata Kaphalay]

The phrase is also correctly translated "head covered" in various English translations of this Greek phrase. The context of this scripture is speaking of the time that Haman was humiliated by having to parade through town and honor Mordecai, his enemy.

Obviously, after being totally humiliated, Haman wouldn't desire to humiliate himself even further by putting on a woman's head covering. So clearly, it can safely be concluded that "kata kaphalay" simply means "head covered." There is no need to add anything else to that.

The reason given in 1 Corinthians 11 as why men should not cover their heads has nothing to do with putting on a woman's garment. Paul didn't quote from the law and warn the Corinthians against putting on women's clothing. Instead, he says:

1 Corinthians 11:7 - For a man indeed ought not to cover his head, since he is the image and glory of Elohim.

With all that we have read, comparing various scriptures on these matters, we can understand that in baptism, we died with Messiah and we are also raised with Him.

Colossians 2:12 Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of Elohim, who raised Him from the dead.

Thus, it is Yahushua the Messiah who lives in us. The old Adam died and neither Adam nor his glory should be manifested in Yahweh's presence.

Yahushua (the second Adam) needs to be what Yahweh sees while praying and prophesying. It is His image and glory that now dwells in us.

We are His body, the body of the Messiah. The men who choose to wear a head covering are causing the image and glory of Elohim to be covered.

Thus, scripture says they dishonor Him and are failing to give proper recognition to Yahweh's work in them through Yahushua the Messiah.

We need to be a people who not only accept the good news that Yahushua lives in us, we need to be acting like it and proclaiming this good news to all the world.

When a man obeys the principles of the head covering in 1 Corinthians 11, he is recognizing Yahushua's work in him and the heavenly High Priesthood of Yahushua the Messiah, a priest after the order of Melchizedek, the priest that gave us access to the true Holy of Holies:

Hebrews 10:19 Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Yahushua, 20 by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,

Hebrews 10:21 - and having a High Priest over the house of Yahweh,

Hebrews 10:22 - let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.

Hebrews 10:23 - Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful

Hebrews 4:15-16 - For we do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but was in all points tempted as we are, yet without sin. 16 Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

It is true that David did not heed these things, but Messiah had not yet taken His role as High Priest.

Scripture says that this is a "new and living way," so let's not fear something that scripture teaches on the basis that it is new, or old.

Let's learn to obey all of Yahweh's inspired words in the scriptures, no matter when they were written, or who happened to be holding the pen. Let's be like the wise scribes:

Matthew 13:52 - Then He said to them, "Therefore every scribe instructed concerning the kingdom of heaven is like a householder who brings out of his treasure things new and old."

Our participation in Messiah's death and resurrection is a new principle that was never directly taught in the law. 1 Corinthians 11 and other scriptures show that the head covering issue is directly connected to this.

If He lives in you, don't dishonor Him in your prayers by covering the image and glory of Yahweh: Yahushua the Messiah living in you. 

Instead of trusting in our own glory to approach the throne of Yahweh (which would cause our sins to be made manifest), Yahweh desires that Yahushua, the High Priest of the heavenly tabernacle, is seen in each us. We are His body.

With Him, we are declared righteous. Without Him, we cannot approach the Father. He is the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father, except by Him.

We are ministers of the new covenant (2Cor 3:6). The promise of the new covenant was that the law of Yahweh would be placed in our hearts and minds.

Jeremiah 31:33 - "But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says Yahweh: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.

This is accomplished by His Spirit dwelling in us through Yahushua the Messiah, the "Word" which became flesh:

John 1:14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

It is His image and glory that dwells in us. This is the good news (gospel) that should not be rejected:

2 Corinthians 4:3 - But even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing,

2 Corinthians 4:4 - whose minds the elohim of this age has blinded, who do not believe, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Messiah, who is the image of Elohim, should shine on them.

2 Corinthians 4:5 - For we do not preach ourselves, but Messiah Yahushua the Master, and ourselves your bondservants for Yahushua' sake.

2 Corinthians 4:6 - For it is the Elohim who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of Elohim in the face of Yahushua Messiah.

The word is a light, a lamp unto our feet. And it is in our hearts through Yahushua.

Yahushua is the word made flesh who dwells within us.

He is the "Brightness" of Yahweh's glory.

Thus, the light has shown in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the "glory of Elohim in the face of Yahushua the Messiah."

Therefore, let's not cover that glory. Let's allow this "image and glory of Elohim" to shine in His presence, giving thanks to Yahweh our Elohim for this awesome work in Yahushua! We are the light of the world in Him!

For it is this awesome work that enables us to be declared righteous before Yahweh. Let's rejoice over the treasure that Yahweh has given, Yahushua the Messiah living in us:

2 Corinthians 4:8 - But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of Elohim and not of us.

2 Corinthians 4:8 We are hard pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;

2 Corinthians 4:9 - persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed --

2 Corinthians 4:10 - always carrying about in the body the dying of the Master Yahushua, that the life of Yahushua also may be manifested in our body.

Yahushua is indeed a treasure in our otherwise weak earthen vessels to show forth Yahweh's AWESOME power in redeeming our souls. In our prayers, and in all that we do, let's cause the life of Yahushua be manifested in our body.

Colossians 3:1-3 If then you were raised with Messiah, seek those things which are above, where Messiah is, sitting at the right hand of Elohim. 2 Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. 3 For you died, and your life is hidden with Messiah in Elohim.

So rather than bringing Him dishonor, let's honor and lift up the name of Yahushua the Messiah, believing the good news and putting it into action through our prayers and through our actions.

John 5:23 that all should honor the Son just as they honor the Father. He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him.

I will share again next week, this time discussing head coverings for women. May Yahweh bless you, and may He have mercy on us all!!