Who Rules the Throne of Your Heart?
We read in Exodus 17:14-16 ESV, “14 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write this as a memorial in a book and recite it in the ears of Joshua, that I will utterly blot out the memory of Amalek from under heaven.” 15 And Moses built an altar and called the name of it, The Lord Is My Banner, 16 saying, “A hand upon the throne of the Lord! The Lord will have war with Amalek from generation to generation.”’ (note: in the Young’s Literal Translation it says “‘because a hand is on the throne”)
Amalek was the grandson of Esau (Genesis 36:12) and Edom is also of Esau (Genesis 36:8). Amalek being a direct descendant of Esau was also one of the chiefs of Edom (Genesis 36:16). Esau is a spiritual and prophetic picture of our flesh as Esau valued the things of this world that pleased his flesh more than the firstborn birthright of his family as passed on by his father Isaac. The firstborn sons were to be set-apart to God and to be the priests of the family. The priest’s primary duty was to serve God and minister to their family. Esau sold his firstborn birthright in order to satisfy his physical hunger and we are told that he “despised” his birthright as stated in Genesis 25:34. The flesh loves the things of the world and despises the things of God. Therefore, the flesh worships and serves the current ruler of this world who only wants to steal, kill and destroy the people of God. That ruler is satan, who is only able to rule the flesh nature of mankind.
We also see this spiritual picture as written by the prophet Obadiah in regards to Edom/Esau and I will also say Amalek as they are all one and the same spiritually speaking, as them coming against and killing God’s people as well as being on and drinking on His holy mountain where His throne will be re-established. We know the Bible says His holy mountain is Jerusalem. God also states that Edom/Esau shall be cut off forever (Obadiah 1:10), just as we read in Exodus 17:14 where Amalek will also be cutoff or blotted out and the reign will belong to The Lord referring to God’s holy mountain in Jerusalem. (Obadiah 1:21).
We read in Jeremiah 3:17-18, “17 At that time Jerusalem shall be called the throne of the Lord, and all nations shall gather to it, to the presence of the Lord in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart. 18 In those days the house of Judah shall join the house of Israel, and together they shall come from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers for a heritage.”
We see the words “at that time” and “in those days”, the context of the re-establishing of the throne of The Lord being Jerusalem is referring to the 2nd coming of the King (Yeshua/Jesus) that will rule from Jerusalem and no longer will any other be able to set themselves up on His throne, on Jerusalem!
I find it interesting that the Hebrew words translated into the English as “throne” & “The Lord” in Exodus 17:16 are the abbreviated forms of these two Hebrew words. The normal Hebrew word for throne is “kisay” but the Hebrew word “kase” is used and it is missing the Hebrew letter “aleph” which is the only difference from the normal Hebrew word “kisay” for throne. The Hebrew letter “aleph” by itself means leader, strength, the authority head as in the father of a family, keep this in mind as we go forward. The complete name of God is represented by the 4 Hebrew letters yod, hay, vav, hay “YHVH” but only the letters yod and hay “YH” are given in this verse in the Hebrew. Based on my perspective of this verse, the abbreviated form of these 2 Hebrew words of “throne” and the “name of God” are symbolic of being incomplete in their revelation of God’s character and His authority to the people of God and to the world as long as Amalek has his hand on the throne. In other words, Amalek who is symbolic of flesh/antichrist/satan will always be trying to steal the throne of God as long as he lives and to confuse our understanding of God’s authority (Yeshua) and His character, and His truth, in order to cause us to fall from his attacks!
We read in Isaiah 41:10, “fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
We also read in Psalm 118:14-16, “14 The Lord is my strength and song,
And He has become my salvation. (Yeshua!)
15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation
Is in the tents of the righteous;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.
16 The right hand of the Lord is exalted;
The right hand of the Lord does valiantly.”
The “right hand” in the Bible is symbolic of strength and authority. Who is this “right hand” of God? It is Yeshua (Jesus), our salvation of God who has been given all authority and who sits upon the throne of God’s Kingdom.
As to the “hand” upon the throne of the Lord, I believe this passage in Exodus 17:16 is alluding to both THE Hand of God (Yeshua) and also to the hand of Amalek, of our flesh or satan as Amalek is a prophetic picture of the antichrist who desires to steal the throne of God so that he can pretend to be god and destroy the people of God. I believe the abbreviation of these 2 Hebrew words alludes to the throne of the Lord being diminished while the wrong hand is on the throne, as well as to the true authority of God’s Hand (Yeshua) and His character being diminished. We are not able to worship both flesh and God plus God hates a mix. As long as Amalek (our flesh/satan) is around to attack the people of God by trying to overtake the throne of our heart and mind our worship and understanding of God (YHVH) is diminished. In this spiritual picture, you have The Hand of God (Yeshua/Jesus) on the throne while warring against Amalek (flesh/hand of satan) for control of the throne of God over the people of God. As long as we are also fighting against Amalek (our flesh) satan has no power over us unless we are walking according to our flesh.
We read in Deuteronomy 25:17-18, “17 “Remember what Amalek did to you on the way as you came out of Egypt (the world), 18 how he attacked you on the way when you were faint and weary (lacking faith, joy & thankfulness and acting in the flesh), and cut off your tail, those who were lagging behind you, and he did not fear God.”
If you’ve been following the messages shared by this ministry you would already know that I believe that “Egypt” is symbolically and spiritually representative of the world. So, as the people of God had come out of Egypt (the world) and into the wilderness and began a pattern of grumbling (complaining) against Moses, Aaron & God, and we go on to see that Moses even reveals to them that their grumblings were actually against God and not himself or Aaron in Exodus 16:8 . The people first grumbled in Exodus 15:23-26 when they came to a place named Marah (meaning bitter) because the water there was too bitter to drink and the people grumbled to Moses. Moses then “cried out” to God and He revealed the way to make the water sweet to be able to drink as God tested the people there, and reminded them that He is their provider and healer if they will diligently listen to His voice. God then led them to a place of refreshment and rest from the heat as revealed in verse 27. Then the people grumbled against Moses and Aaron (God) again in Exodus 16:2-3 because of their hunger and desire for meat (symbolic of the desire of their flesh). And again the people grumbled for a 3rd time in Exodus 17:1-6, but this time they became more aggressive toward Moses and tempted God because they doubted that He was still in their midst as stated in Exodus 17:7. Yet, God through His divine mercy and grace still provided them “living water” that was brought forth from the Rock that was struck! Verse 6 begins with the word “behold”, which usually precedes an amazing act of God’s divine mercy and grace.
When we grumble, complain and become very fearful and/or angry because of the circumstances in and around our lives what does it reveal about our heart condition toward God?
It reveals that our heart is not right due to a lack of faith, joy and gratefulness for all that the Lord has done for us and revealed to us in our lives. If we believe that we are stronger or better than the people in wilderness at that time then we have already been deceived by the enemy and puffed up by pride and prepped for a fall. What we are seeing in the Exodus account is the flesh nature of all humans when our focus is not on God and our heart condition is wrong due to focusing on the desires of our flesh and not trusting God to provide for our needs.
It wasn’t until after the 3rd time that the people grumbled, became more aggressive (more in their flesh) with Moses and tempted God in Exodus chapter 17 that we read about Amalek attacking the people in the rear who were the ones lagging behind, or in spiritual terms the ones that had the least amount of faith, joy and were the most ungrateful.
When we keep our eyes focused on the Lord and trust in Him we are protected from the destructive attacks of Amalek (our flesh/satan). If our hearts stay inclined (joyful & thankful) toward the Giver of the living water (Holy Spirit) then we will thirst no more and our flesh will no longer have control over our lives. If we allow our thoughts and heart to become contentious toward the Lord and our family in Messiah we can limit (grieve) the living water’s (Holy Spirit) ability to help us thirst no more. We will then begin to be led by our flesh which can lead us to stop the flow, quench the living water in our heart and lives and become bitter and die from that thirst caused by our flesh (being attacked by Amalek). If we are focused on our physical needs (desires) and fears more than the Provider we will lack the living water/Holy Spirit in our lives and we will grow faint & weary. At this point, if we don’t follow the example given by Moses when things seem hopeless or look bad and then “cry out” to the Lord for His help with a humble, trusting and loving heart we can eventually become the ones that lag behind and the ones that Amalek (flesh/satan) attacks and destroys. May this never be! Our God is faithful to deliver when we cry out to Him!
We read in Ephesians 4:17-32, “17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about Him and were taught in Him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self (flesh), which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.”
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
We also read in 1 Thessalonians 5:12-22 , “12 We ask you, brothers (and sisters), to respect those who labor among you and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, 13 and to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 14 And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with them all. 15 See that no one repays anyone evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. 16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 19 Do not quench the Spirit. 20 Do not despise prophecies, 21 but test everything; hold fast what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.”
A shepherd’s job is to help guide and protect the flock. If a shepherd is not able to encourage the faint hearted, help the weak and be patient then that shepherd is not able to protect the flock from the attacks of the enemy! May we all have the kind of faith and love that encourages those that are struggling in their faith, helps those in need and is patient with them all. This takes a heart of compassion and love working along with humility and selflessness to help those who are at great risk of being attacked and overcome by their flesh and the ruler of the flesh. May we all have His true love that guards one another!
We read in Psalm 100, “1 Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! 2 Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing!
3 Know that the Lord, He is God! It is He who made us, and we are His; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture. 4 Enter His gates with thanksgiving,
and His courts with praise! Give thanks to Him; bless His name! 5 For the Lord is good; His steadfast love endures forever, and His faithfulness to all generations.”
HALLELUYAH! (Praise God!)
How do we guard ourselves from becoming bitter, lacking joy and lacking thankfulness?
We read in Romans 8:12-18, “12 So then, brothers (and sisters), we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons (and daughters) of God. 15 For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons (and daughters), by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!” 16 The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”
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We also read in Galatians 5:16-24, “16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. 17 For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, 21 envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. 24 And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
We have to begin crucifying our flesh, by denying the sinful desires of our flesh or else we will be led by our flesh and reject Yeshua as our King, the One who should be sitting on the throne of our heart and this will cause the living water (Holy Spirt) of God to leave us and so that we are destroyed by the hand of Amalek (our flesh/satan). Learning to die to our flesh is a process that increases through right relationship with the Lord over time. No one is expected to be able to put to death all their flesh overnight but we all are expected to give Him our heart and to do our best as He knows our heart and will have great mercy and grace for those who are really trying. For those that have greater obstacles in their way or that face greater struggles than others they need to cry out for His help and He will hear and move on their behalf granting them the needed mercy and grace to overcome, by and through His Holy Spirit, the living water.
We read in Philippians 4:4-9, “4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice. 5 Let your reasonableness be known to everyone. The Lord is at hand; 6 do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. 9 What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me—practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you”.
We have to guard our thoughts and reject those thoughts that lead to pride, fear, sinful lusts, hatred, bitterness, envy and every other evil thought . We do this by focusing on what is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, worthy of praise and think on these things! God’s promises, His blessings already experienced in our lives, His faithfulness and His love & mercy are some of those good and trustworthy things to think on.
The Apostle Paul goes on to say in Philippians 4:10-13, “10 I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”
May we not be alarmed or shaken by being in need or going without for a time or a season. Learning to trust God more and more throughout our walk with Him so that we are able to be content and able to rejoice even when things seem bad based on how it may look at the time. These situations are a time of testing and trials and may we draw near to the Lord to overcome. Even when the Lord brings us to a place that seems bitter (Marah), or when we may have to hunger for a while, or where there is no water in sight and we have to deal with thirst for a time may we not lose faith in Who our provider is and His faithfulness to provide our every need and continue to shower Him with praises of thanksgiving! If anyone is feeling faint and weak please cry out to Father from a humble and broken heart and He will draw close and save you! (Psalm 34:18).
May this be so for us all! May we remain in Him, in His Word and in prayer daily which will help us to faithfully serve the Lord with joy and thanksgiving and to rejoice no matter what our current circumstances are because He is faithful to deliver by and through His Right Hand, our Yeshua. It is He who brings forth the living water, the Holy Spirit so that we will thirst no more! Our walk with our God and our Messiah is a process and may we learn to grow in our walk of faith with each passing day, month and year as we ensure that only He is the King on the throne of our heart! Praise our God Almighty and may all honor and glory be given to His Holy Name! Amen! Amen and Amen!
Until next time, the Lord bless you and guard you.
Scripture References:
“12 (Timna was a concubine of Eliphaz, Esau’s son; she bore Amalek to Eliphaz.) These are the sons of Adah, Esau’s wife.” (Genesis 36:12)
“8 So Esau settled in the hill country of Seir. (Esau is Edom.)” (Genesis 36:8)
“16 Korah, Gatam, and Amalek; these are the chiefs of Eliphaz in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Adah. 17 These are the sons of Reuel, Esau’s son: the chiefs Nahath, Zerah, Shammah, and Mizzah; these are the chiefs of Reuel in the land of Edom; these are the sons of Basemath, Esau’s wife.” (Genesis 36:16)
“Then Jacob gave Esau bread and lentil stew, and he ate and drank and rose and went his way. Thus Esau despised his birthright” (Genesis 25:34)
“Because of the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame shall cover you, and you shall be cut off forever” (Obadiah 1:10)
“Saviors shall go up to Mount Zion to rule Mount Esau, and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s. (YHVH)” (Obadiah 1:21)
“And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him—what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”’ (Exodus 16:8)
“22 Then Moses made Israel set out from the Red Sea, and they went into the wilderness of Shur. They went three days in the wilderness and found no water. 23 When they came to Marah, they could not drink the water of Marah because it was bitter; therefore it was named Marah. 24 And the people grumbled against Moses, saying, “What shall we drink?” 25 And he cried to the Lord, and the Lord showed him a log, and he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. There the Lord made for them a statute and a rule, and there he tested them, 26 saying, “If you will diligently listen to the voice of the Lord your God, and do that which is right in his eyes, and give ear to his commandments and keep all his statutes, I will put none of the diseases on you that I put on the Egyptians, for I am the Lord, your healer.”
27 Then they came to Elim, where there were twelve springs of water and seventy palm trees, and they encamped there by the water. (Exodus 15:22-27)
“1 All the congregation of the people of Israel moved on from the wilderness of Sin by stages, according to the commandment of the Lord, and camped at Rephidim, but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 Therefore the people quarreled with Moses and said, “Give us water to drink.” And Moses said to them, “Why do you quarrel with me? Why do you test the Lord?” 3 But the people thirsted there for water, and the people grumbled against Moses and said, “Why did you bring us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our livestock with thirst?” 4 So Moses cried to the Lord, “What shall I do with this people? They are almost ready to stone me.” 5 And the Lord said to Moses, “Pass on before the people, taking with you some of the elders of Israel, and take in your hand the staff with which you struck the Nile, and go. 6 Behold, I will stand before you there on the rock at Horeb, and you shall strike the rock, and water shall come out of it, and the people will drink.” And Moses did so, in the sight of the elders of Israel. 7 And he called the name of the place Massah and Meribah, because of the quarreling of the people of Israel, and because they tested the Lord by saying, “Is the Lord among us or not?”‘ (Exodus 17:1-7)
“The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. “ (Psalm 34:18)