How will I know?

TheSignet and Staff(God’s pledge: The HolySpirit) is HOW.

A quick shout out to all the good (God-created, God-named, God-like, godly) mothers out there! To you God has given a honorable title … for many of us, you are the first expression of God that we see here on earth – the first image, likeness, and glory of God that we experience: The Womb Love. Same as with Sarah (Genesis 21:9-12), you reflect God-likeness in that you teach, counsel, and instruct us in The Way of The LORD (Isaiah 54:13, Proverbs 22:6, Proverbs 4:2)– you literally echo God’s heart … like the Garden of Eden, you are a place of nurture, a fountain of gardens.

While the emphasis of this blog is geared towards godly mothers, the same is true of godly fathers. I believe that every God-named parent has been given the unique honor and privilege to be an expression of God to their God-given children (anyone who calls them home). To all godly parents, thank you for your service of love in honor of God Who is Love.

That was a befitting start to this blog: honoring mothers (and fathers) in The LORD – mothers (and fathers) who are found belonging to God – this is the first command with a promise(Ephesians 6:2, Exodus 20:12). Speaking of promises, how do we know that what God promised will be?

Common to us all (in our relationship/walk with God) is the question:How will I know? How will I know it is God speaking to me? How will I know that what God said will happen? How will I know that I have a place in God’s family? These are important questions.2 Peter 1:10-11 encourages us to confirm God’s election and choice of us so that we don’t fall away or stumble – God’s confirmation is the guarantee of the fulfillment of His promise which makes us steadfast.

Abraham, Tamar, Moses, Gideon, Mary, and I have had our respective versions of this ‘how will I know’ question.  Somewhat similar to Gideon, I have asked this question many times and in many ways. Thankfully, same as His response was to Gideon, God gives me a favorable answer of peace each time. I reckon that Peace is always God’s answer to everyone who asks this question because He is Peace. This holds true even for Zechariah (John the Baptist’s dad) – he was given literal silence (I call it a peaceful quiet or quiet trust … some parents might call it a time-out 😃🤭). However you look at it, the truth remains: God always answers with Himself. He gives what is to be received and kept (taken to heart) – Proverbs 4:2(AMPC).

In response to the question: how will I know? Abraham was given Faith – evidence: a sign that outlived his time here on earth (Genesis 15:7-21)… He was given something Eternal (God). Tamar was givena Signet(both seal and cord)and a Staff(Genesis 38:16-29)… Moses was given the Name of The LORD (Exodus 3:7-15, Exodus 33:16–34:6)… Gideon was given PEACE(Judges 6:11-24A)… Mary was given GRACE (Luke 1:26-38).

For the purpose of emphasis and in keeping to the theme of this blog (RE: Godly Mothers), I’ll keep the spotlight on Tamar: a woman who woo-ed, won, and protected a man (Judah) –Jeremiah 31:22B– a woman who encompassed a man (Perez) by embracing him in her womb. This tender love mirrors the Womb Love in which God embraces us into His family and protects us like a mother would (with compassion).

It is this same Motherly (merciful) compassion of God that justified and glorified Tamar, making her forever His and a member of His family. Tamar’s place in God’s Kingdom is referenced in the prayer regarding Boaz’s house in relation to Ruth (another godly mother).

God willing, I’ll share more on Ruth in my next blog. For now, let’s zone in on Tamar.

Sooooo, Tamar was Judah’s daughter-in-law. She was married to Judah’s first son who died, and then to his second son who also died. Out of concern for his third son, who he didn’t want to die like the older two, Judah tricked Tamar into going back to her father’s house (we’ll see the significance of leaving your father’s house in my next blog – can’t wait to share it 🙂). Judah told Tamar to remain in her father’s house until his youngest son was grown and ready for marriage. Trusting Judah and taking him at his word, Tamar went and lived in her father’s house BUT Judah never sent for her when his third son (Shelah) was all grown up.

Fast forward a few episodes, Judah’s wife died. He and his friend (Hirah the Adullamite) went to his sheepshearers, possibly in search for peace or a good time, BUT along the way-side (literally … by the roadside), Judah ended up in the bosom of a woman he didn’t recognize was Tamar … yup, the daughter-in-law he abandoned! I’m not making it up … check outGenesis 38and read the story for thyself 🙂 .

As you’ll find in the story, there was an exchange between Tamar and Judah prior to doing the do. The account of which is narrated below 👇

Judah gave Tamar all that she asked for. After the deed was done, they both went their separate ways. Judah attempted to keep his promise by sending the kid through his friend so that he can receive his pledge from the mystery woman who now could not be found until 3 months down-the-road when Tamar was about to be burned alive for “playing the harlot” – which she did, literally! Judah, on the other hand, was about to find out who she played it with!

Long story short, when Tamar was brought forth, she took the things that were given to her in pledge:The Signet andThe Staff… and she had them presented to Judah. Seeing his belongings, Judah acknowledged them as his. Furthermore, he considered Tamar to be more righteous and just (more giving of water: justice, underserved kindness) than he was.

At the time of her delivery, Tamar had twins, the first of the two boys was named Perez which means breaking forth! Perez, son of Judah, is the Great (X7) grand Father of David, who is the Great (X25) grand Father of Jesus, Who is his Lord, Shepherd, and Father!

My point in highlighting the genealogy of Jesus(Matthew 1:1-25, Ruth 4:18-22)is to call attention to the significance of Tamar’s place in God’s purpose, plan, and household. Her role was significant and not misplaced because of what she was given:The Signet and Staff… without these items she would have been burned at the stake. Instead, she was redeemed and honored. The Signet and Staff– like the righteous and just Love of God – redeems and honors us in like manner. This same honor or honorable title was bestowed on Mary when she was called blessed among women.

Mary wasn’t honored because she was chaste (a virgin) … this can be deduced from the story of the foolish virgins, who also were chaste BUT weren’t honored. Mary was honored and called blessed because she believed/received what was given to her from The LORD (Luke 1:38)AND she held on to it (she kept it) till its fruition. As it is with all virgin-servants, what was given to Mary consists of God’s Covenant-Promise(Luke 1:31-33), His Oath (Name), and the Grace (Command) to believe – all of which are representations of The HolySpirit(Luke 1:35)… He is the Voice and Name of God that named her blessed – Mary was called by God’s Name: Blessed, Fruitful, Ephraim – the Name of the Son in Whom God takes pleasure solely because of the indwelling and signature fragrance of the HolySpirit Who is the pleasure of God.

God’s Glory–Voice and Word is Who confirmed Jesus as the Son of God, as belonging to GodMatthew 17:5… The same is true for us, God’s Covenant–Promise and Oath is the Glory–Voice and Word of God that confirms us and claims us as His Own … as belonging to Him. This has been God’s purpose and plan all along; that we will be His people and He will be Our God (Our Father, Our King, Our Protector) – THIS is The Covenant. The Promise that comes with (and guarantees) this Covenant is The HolySpirit … He is the guaranteed Promise that was given to us by God; He is the zeal with which God zakars and carries out His fulfilled Covenant of Love and Done (His fulfilled Purpose –Isaiah 25:1 AMPC).

God’s Covenant–Promise and Oath are the two immutable things and the three witnesses (the two and a third) indicating that God can NOT lie(Hebrews 6:17-20)… This Surety (The HolySpirit) is Who keeps us in the very certainty of God’s Presence: we within Him, and He within us(John 15:4-17). This is the covenant relationship that God wants to have with us. Hence, The Garden of Eden (Delight) – The HolySpirit (Who is in us and) in Whom we are planted. Hence, The Signet– an unbroken Engagement/Promise Ring:The seal and cord that can NOT be broken – The HolySpirit… this is why The HolySpirit had to come and is here! This is why The HolySpirit was and continues to be given. He is The Connector … He is the One Who keeps God (The Father) glued and attracted to us – God actively and jealously yearns for His HolySpirit.

The HolySpirit is The One Who gives us Faith – The Staff(1 Corinthians 12:9A)– the very essence of God that God finds irresistibly pleasing: His Holy Spirit.The HolySpirit is The Staff that we must lean on and live by– The Commander’s Staff (Judges 5:14NLT). He is The Shepherd’s Staff(Psalm 23:1,4)and the Name of The Shepherd(Genesis 49:24-25)… He is The Helper who blesses us with the blessings of heaven … including the blessings of the womb and and of the breast. He is the Name of The LORD that is the Strong Tower we must abide in. He is the Love of God that we must dwell and continue in –John 5:9. Abide in Him as He abides in you (FULLY). Delight in Him as He delights in you (FULLY). Like Paul, be found always belonging to God – bearing His Name (His Kingdom, His Righteousness … His Household Name).

The HolySpirit is the Faithfulness of God … He is the Faithfulness of all anointed ones, The First and Chief of us is Jesus: The Son of God, The Son Who was given(Isaiah 9:6)… in Him and because of Him, we’ve been given the Spirit of Sonship, The HolySpirit – He is the Kingdom of God within us(Mark 4:11 Luke 17:21)… He is the pledge: the Signet and the Staff that all those who belong to God have been given. Don’t talk yourself out of what is to be received (what God has given).

Do not say that you do not belong …

Don’t say I’m but a man, a boy, or eunuch … don’t say I’m barren, unmarried, too young, too old … I don’t have a job or house, etc. This was a type of excuse some gave when they were invited to The Feast of God’s Kingdom. None of these facts has any bearing on the truth (efficacy) and fulfillment of God’s purpose and plan for you. The only basis for which you have every right in to God’s fulfilled purpose and His will-be-done plan is His Name: The Name of The LORD, His Love, His Delight: His Holy Spirit.The HolySpirit is HOW you knowthat you belong and that God will do exactly what He said He will do.He is the ONLY confirmation you need … the ONLY confirmation there is: The Signet and Staff– hold on to Him, keep Him … He is God’s Command (Grace). Keep God’s Command.

Like Tamar, hold tight to what you have been given(Revelation 3:11). Do not throw it away because you don’t yet see/experience the reality of it. While it may yet not look like it, The Word of God inHaggai 2:19assures us that God will indeed make good on His promise: He will bless us – He calls us blessed. Though it may tarry, it will surely come to pass. Like Tamar, do not despise the wait … be patient. While you may feel abandoned, I assure you God assures you that He will not abandon you nor leave you short-changed.How do I know?The HolySpirit (God’s pledge: the Signet and Staff) is HOW… He can NOT Lie.

When Moses asked God: “how will they know?”, God gave him two signs and a third(Exodus 4:1-9)… In like manner, I give you two and a third sign (signature) from God’s mouth … believe it, receive it, take it to heart, it’s yours!

One …

Two …

... and a Third …