Threshold Covenant by Craig Hill

I was sent this article by a friend. It is a very interesting look at the passover blood on the doorposts.

THE THRESHOLD COVENANT

Craig Hill pastor of Family Foundations International.

I have found that there are several profound principles and practices in the Bible that we, as westerners, totally miss simply because the eastern imagery is unfamiliar to us. One such practice, the understanding of which is a key that opens profound new insight into the Bible, is a particular type of blood covenant known as the "Threshold Covenant".

In the ancient East, when a host became aware that a guest was to call on him, if he wished to receive and honor that guest, he would pour out a sacrifice of blood at the threshold of his dwelling. The sight of this blood sacrifice was then taken by the guest to be an invitation to pass over, or step across the blood-stained threshold and enter into a covenant of hospitality with the host. Since the blood on the threshold represents the life of the host, the greatest insult a guest could convey would be to step on the threshold, and thus in the blood (Hebrews 10: 26-29).

Blood Covenants
Covenants in the East have for centuries been ratified by the outpouring of blood. While blood in the western mind is usually thought to represent death, the the eastern mind, blood represents life, God told the Hebrew people in Leviticus 17:11 "For the life of the flesh is in the blood, and I have given it to you upon the altar to make atonement for your souls".

So the blood poured out on the threshold was representative of the life of the host. This greeting customs was, and still is in many parts of the Middle East today, commonly known and practiced.

The costliness of the blood was indicative of the dgree of honor to be conveyed to the guest. If the guest was to be lightly esteemed, the blood of a dove or pigeon might be offered. If he was to be honored more highly, then perhaps the blood of a goat or an ox may be used. If the guest was a king, then the blood of a very special animal called "the fatted calf" reserved for a king, would be used.

So, when an invited guest crossed the threshold of the host's home, he was agreeing to come in peace and to support, bless and honor that host while in his home. No honorable man would cross the threshold of a host's home with an intent to rob, kill, or do the host harm. The host, on the other hand, by receiving the guest, was obligated to defend, protect and provide for the guest while in his home. To an eastern mind, how strong is that covenant of hospitality? So strong that a host would even protect a stranger who has passed over, or covenant-crossed his threshold, to the same degree that he would protect one of his own family members.

Abiding Under the Shadow:
We find recorded in Genesis 19:1-11 the account of Lot receiving into this home as guests two angels, whom he believed to be strangers on a journey. The wicked men of the city came that evening to Lot's home and demanded that he grant them access to the two strangers that they might homosexually rape them. Lot, as a covenant host, responded that he would not give them up, but rather would protect these guests to even a greater degree than he would protect his own virgin daughters, because, he states, "they have come under the shadow of my roof" Genesis 19: 6-8.

This phrase "to come under one's shadow," is very interesting. It is a Hebrew idiom denoting the covenant commitment of a host to protect one who has covenant-crossed the threshold with all available resources, even unto the death of the host. Without threshold covenant understanding, Lot's response makes no sense to us as westerners. However, this insight opens up for us the incredible statment God is making to us in Psalm 91: 1-2 when we are told, "He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High, shall abide UNDER THE SHADOW OF THE ALMIGHTY." God is stating here that, to the same degree Lot was willing to protect those who had passed over this threshold, with all available resources, God is willing to do the same for all who have covenant-crossed His threshold where the blood of the Messiah is poured out.

Undestanding Passover:
Let's now look at how this custom of threshold covenenat applies to the Passover. In ancient times, it was common practice for a king to travel throughout his land securing the loyalty of his subjects and ridding the land of his enemies. Usually, the king would travel with a large entourage of diplomatic emissaries, his harem, and his army. In each village, either he, personally, or one of his diplomats would pass over (covenant-cross) the threshold of the homes of each loyal family, enter in that home in peace, and delcare the terms of the kingdom. However, wherever the king found a disloyal family who refused his sovereignty over them, he would not pass over the threshold of that house, but rather would send the army in and rid that home of his enemies. How would the king tell which families were loyal to him and which were not? The primary indicator was the blood poured out at the threshold of the house, inviting him in.

This understanidng of the historic, eastern threshold covenant greeting custom and its apllication to the visit of a king is critical in understanding the events surrounding the Hebrew Passover recorded in Exodus 12. I believe that this event has been taught, by many Jewish and Christian teachers, in the opposite manner from the way in which it actually happened.

"And you shall take a bunch of hyssop, dip it in the blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two doorposts with the blood that is in the basin (threshold very bottom of the doorway). And none of you shall go out of the door of his house until morning. For the Lord will pass through (abar) to strike the Egyptians; and when He sees the blood on the lintel and on the two doorposts, the Lord will pass over (pasakh) the door and not allow the destroyer to come into your houses to strike you" Exodus 12: 22-23.

In looking at the Hebrew verbs used in this passage (abar and pasakh), it became evident to me that the way I had looked at this event all of my life was exactly the opposite of the way it actually happened. I had alwasy been taught that the Passover event had to do with the blood of the lamb being placed on the door of the house to ward God off and make sure that He didn't come into the house. The concept was more of God being a wrathfull killer, Whom you want to ensure will not come into your house.

The actual event was just the opposite. God told Israel that when He saw the blood on the lintel and doorposts of their homes, He would pass over (Covenant-Cross)(pasakh) that door. In other words, He would come into that house and not allow the army (destroyer angel of death, that He had released to destroy the Egyptians) to come in to harm them. He would rather instead send the destroyer (army) into the houses of the disloyal enemies who did not place the blood of the lamb on the lintel and doorposts of their houses to welcome the conquering King.

an observation: When we look at the lintel and door posts. It creates a Chet, the 8th letter of the Hebrew aleph-beit. which means life. So the angel of death would have seen the the LIFE (God made manifest throught the Blood of Jeshus, King of King and Lord of Lords) was a guest. And the angel would know the Blood of the creator and not harm the occupants. WOW.
added by editor

While this threshold covenant greeting custom would have been very familiar to the Israelites of that time, it is very foreign and unfamiliar to most of us as modern westerners. Consequently, many of us have misinterpreted the purpose of the blood of the lamb in Passover. Which picture of God more describes the relationship you have embraced with Him? Do you perceive God as someone to invite into your home, or someone to ward off and keep out of your home?

Once we understand the eastern concept of threshold covenant ant the Jewish Passover, we are now prepared to understand the New Covenant made by the blood of Messiah Yeshua (Jeremiah 31: 31-34). Yeshua came to give up His life and pour out His blood at the threshold of His Father's eternal dwelling. In the New Covenant, God Almighty reverses the roles form the Hebrew Passover. He now says, "I wish to treat you as a king, and to invite you to step across the threshold where the most precious blood in the universe is poured out. This is not the blood of a goat, a bullock or even "the fatted calf." This is My own blood poured out through Messiah Yeshua." When we step across this threshold, we enter into a blood covenant with Him, thus obtaining His authority and benefits including eternal life, healing and protection.

Article by Craig Hill
Family Foundations International, in Littleton, Colorado.

The Burn: Long Island Guidelines

Even though there are guidelines that I posted on this month's Burn event, I rewrote them and decided to post them here in case you need them! Love, t

The Burn: Long Island Guidelines

This Burn is our fast of time and feast of affection. It is a wonderful opportunity to draw together as the Body of Christ and offer the gift of worship in unity and love. We are intentionally coming together as an answer to Jesus’ prayer for us to be One with Him and each other. Let's come ready to offer adoration to the One who loves us.

ALL of the arts are welcome to present an offering! Let me know if you have something you want to present. If you are interested in leading a set of worship, please let me know at Gworship9@yahoo.com. 

There are no stars here before the Lord. Everyone is invited to participate in worship and prayer. You may jump in musically provided you are able to yield to the leader and work with your instrument in a larger group. (Sorry, this is not the place for beginners to try out an instrument although we encourage you to learn!!)

I.                   Prayer: We pray the Bible.

A.                All prayers should be biblical, edifying, encouraging prayers – blessings, thanksgiving, supplications and petitions before the Lord. 

B.                 Testimonies of the Lord’s work are worship! We love them! Please share but keep it concise/to the point. Make sure it is in line with the movement of the set. If you are unsure, ask the Burn Leader.

C.                Prayers are to God alone. He knows the deal. Please do not explain your prayers, teach/preach from your prayers or yell on the microphone.

D.                Please do not correct the “body of Christ” or the world either subtly or overtly.

E.                 Please do not address or take on satan or powers and principalities. That arena belongs to God.

F.                 Healing through deliverance should take place in private if at all possible to protect the dignity of the brother or sister that is being prayed for. Ask for help from the leadership and we’ll take you somewhere safe.

G.                For order and love’s sake, the Burn/Prayer Leader in cooperation with the Worship Leader is the one who gives instruction for the larger group if there is an opportunity for ministry.

II.                Worship Leaders: Decide in advance if there is a leader or two or if you want to wait and see if someone is feeling "anointed"

III.             Whoever is leading needs to be comfortable with communicating clearly, be comfortable holding their gifts for flare and talent in check to serve the larger group and be very patient with those who will jump in even if they are not really sounding as nice as the leader may like or being as sensitive to the Spirit as they would prefer i.e., they need a gentle touch !

IV.              The instructions for your set (keep them short and simple) and overall directions need to be given up front before everyone jumps in so they are confident and they know how to follow you when you are changing direction and can signal you if they are inspired.

V.                 Come prepared with one, two or three really simple songs and a few 2, 3 or 4 easy chord progressions that are also in easy musical keys to follow. You may teach new songs, but most of the songs chosen should do two things:

A.                Convey your heart and yet

B.                 Be familiar to everyone in order to act as a diving board so that the worship can spring from it corporately and spontaneously.

VI.              Leaders:  please bring a copy of the music with lyrics in simple "chord" notation (e.g. G, Am, C, D, etc. ) and we'll either make enough copies for everyone or if you would like I can set up the screen and they can be posted.

VII.           Leader(s) need to come at least 30 minutes early so there is enough time to make copies and make last minute changes. I have LOTS of music and if you get a last minute change in your spirit, you can scan the “library” and it will give us time to adjust.

VIII.        Chord Progressions: The chord progressions will be useful for following the Holy Spirit in free spontaneous worship without losing people along the way. It will also pave the way for prayer. I know that many musicians may be able to jump in without instruction but when there is a large group that has never worked with every person in the room musically and they are not all as free or familiar with the same music.... that leads to a lot of insecurity. This is about love and preferring one another.   There are varied skill levels, spontaneity levels and worship streams/preferences at play. Taking this step of restraint prefers others and offers some safety and stability until everyone is confident.

IX.              Chord progressions should be communicated clearly and out loud so everyone can follow regardless of their skill level. Not everyone will need it but at least those less adept at improvisation musically will still feel valued and a part of the larger tapestry/symphony.

X.                 If, as a team, you would rather wait and see who is "anointed" that night - that works too but then everyone coming out should to be encouraged in advance to bring ONE easy song with a chord progression and then wait and see how the Holy Spirit leads.

XI.             

An unforseen follow up to my last contemplation

I rewrote the last blog and expanded my memories of the prayer set and the lessons taught. It seemed the Holy Spirit was bringing to mind Matthew 11. When I was done and had reposted the edit, I read through my email and ran across this. I realized the Lord was driving the lesson home...
http://www.internetmonk.com/archive/the-ninth-station-jesus-falls-the-third-time

The Ninth Station: Jesus Falls the Third Time

17 Apr by Lisa Dye

Scripture

“He was despised and rejected by men, a man of sorrows and familiar with suffering. Like one from whom men hide their faces he was despised, and we esteemed him not” (Isaiah 53:3 NIV).
“In bringing many sons to glory, it was fitting that God, for whom and through whom everything exists, should make the author of their salvation perfect through suffering” (Hebrews 2:10).
(With references in the Meditation to Matthew 11:28-30, Matthew 23:2-4, Matthew 26:36-44, 2 Corinthians 12:9, 10, Philippians 2:5-11, Hebrews 4:14-16.)

Meditation
Jesus is reeling in the street, struggling through the gauntlet of human flesh and sweat and dust and hurled abuse. Simon is there, carrying the cross for him to Golgotha just ahead. Yet, it hardly matters. Jesus can no longer walk – no longer feel his feet touch the stones of the street. Weakness so pervades his body that even his agony is blurred by numbness. He is nearly empty of everything – of blood, of pain and of his whole being.

The clamor of the crowd stills for a moment as Jesus stops moving and the procession halts. Those near hear the rasp of his ragged breath, watching him sway in slow motion and collapse. Impact forces the air from his body in a sharp groan. Then it is quiet.

The crowd peers at him with a low buzz of speculation starting to rise. Is he already dead? The rabbi’s chest heaves and the people start shouting again.

While the cacophony gains momentum, Jesus opens his eyes and studies them, the heat from the street renewing his consciousness of pain. He has been pressed to the ground by their guilt and staggered under their load of suffering. Now he is with them in profound weakness, pierced by the paradox of the circumstance. Burdened beyond bearing on the one hand and left void on the other, he is both filled up with sorrows and empty of strength, inadequate for further existence.

Yet, he knew it would come to this. He left the Father, risking everything to enter humanity. He laid aside his prior place to be with his people and knew there were only two ways to return. Both would regain his position, but only one would make him their Savior. He had submitted and served and suffered for them and he would not return to his Father without the completion of these things. He would not take his place again by force, by a bold grasp of what was rightfully his. He would arrive there humbly, obediently and submissively – poured out of all that could be poured out, altogether abandoned, perfected in his partaking of human sorrows.

The enemy had tried him … to see if he would depart without the payment. The temptation to return by the easier path had come in Gethsemane. “My Father, if it is possible may this cup be taken from me …” But the cup would bring the consummation of the course. The cup would make him the Christ. And it was only as Christ he could make this people his brothers, sons and daughters of God.
Now, Jesus feels the soldier’s foot prod him to move, but he cannot. This weakness is part of the cup. This weakness is theirs, but they don’t know it. Each of these people around him is helpless, without power and without life before God. But he, having shared the nature and glory of equality with his Father, is being emptied out for them. He is feeling the devastating drain of his own power and life before God. This is not a fraction of the world’s weakness. It is all of it. The void being left in him is measureless.

Yet, it is the way of perfection. There would never in all eternity be a weakness he would not comprehend. His people would always find his sympathy as they approached him and he would speak to his Father for them with infinite compassion born out of infinite suffering.

That he is now bearing their guilt and sicknesses and embodying their frailties means they will be free. His words to them in the towns surrounding Galilee have not empty ones. “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.” These people have tried to keep the law, but the requirements are tiresome and impossible. Their teachers have done nothing to help, but continue putting the heavy loads of more law on them.

But no more. By his perfect living he is atoning for them. By his present suffering he is identifying with them. By his imminent dying he is purchasing their peace with God. Once and for all, he is fulfilling the law that they have labored under. He is plumbing the depths of their weakness in human flesh and with divine understanding so that he might welcome these profoundly weary people into his yoke. So that he might make their burdens light. He is drinking the last dregs of the cup that will make them whole.This time the soldier reaches down and hefts the almost dead weight of Jesus. “Come. We’re almost there.”

Action

I will not despise my human frailties, but anticipate the opportunity they provide to see Christ’s life manifested powerfully in me. I know I can boldly approach God with every weakness because Christ is at his right hand interceding with a perfect compassion that comes from perfect understanding. As I stand there, I will expect what has been promised – mercy and help and Christ’s strength coming to rest on me.

Prayer

Jesus, forgive me for so quickly seeking to escape weakness, for panicking when it invades my life. When I am confronted with my frailty, I am often like Jonah and take desperate measures to flee it. Thank you that I cannot outrun your love or your compassion or your desire to be my help in times of need. Help me to see my most fragile moments as chances to know the fullness of fellowship with you and experience the flow of your life and power that longs to rush into my empty and weak places.

Chorus

We adore you, O Christ, and we bless you. Because by your holy cross you have redeemed the world.

Contemplations on Isaiah 40

We started the prayer set on Friday with Matthew 5 and the Sermon on the Mount. For unknown reasons, I followed by singing/contemplating Isaiah 40 beginning in verse 21-22 with this little chorus: "Do You not know, have you not heard... It's God Who sits above the circle of the earth." Little did I know that there is a clear path between the King's power and perspective and living in the King's value system.

As is often the case, when I sit before the Lord and listen for His promptings, I get a deeper revelation of His great kindness and love. He leads me into passages that I have always developed in the perception of anger and wrath over our sins and He redefines them in light of Jesus and love.

This little meditation set was no different. As I read and sang further, I saw He was describing His strength on our behalf to subdue all that oppresses us and His comfort in letting us know that He knows, He understands and He does not grow weary in encouraging us and teaching us - helping us to be "overcomers" just like Jesus. (Actually, it would be better to say "with Jesus, through Jesus and in Jesus". )

In verse 29 in particular, He says that He gives strength to the weary and to him who lacks might, He increases power. I pondered that - what do you give strength and power for, Lord?

Suddenly, one of our older saints began to pray Revelation 3:12-13 and it confirmed my thoughts:
¹²'He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he will not go out from it anymore; and I will write on him the name of My God, and the name of the city of My God, ^the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God, and My new name. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.'

It became clear that being an overcomer was the key and it brought me deeper into reading the passage in that light. I saw a clear encouragement that He helps us in our poverty of spirit, our meekness,etc.by supplying the power of love (grace) we need. Read it with me. The entire chapter of Isaiah 40 was about comforting God's people that her warfare had ended and He had removed her iniquity - by Whom? By His own power. He was coming in strength (get this) like a Shepherd carrying lambs in His bosom and gently leading nursing ewes. It was by His power, strength and tenderness that she would overcome - that she would live the Kingdom life by the strength of the King. He, Himself is the strength to the weary to overcome. As we wait for the Lord, He comes alongside us and gives us new strength - HIS- to mount up above our destitution with wings like eagles. We conquer the sins that beset us with His strength - not ours. Selah.

I love that we live in that story now with Jesus - the Good Shepherd. John 10:11

In Matthew 11 we see this idea repeated, "Come to Me, all you who are weary and heavy laden and you will find rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:28 

Actually, if you spend time in Matthew 11, you'll see that Matthew parallels Isaiah 40's description of the one crying out in the wilderness with Jesus speaking about John in this light and the in the same section, He describes Jesus as the supplier of strength and the answer to our struggle. He is the provider of power for him who lacks might. It is the lead in to "Come to me". He is clearly the gentle power supply. "Take my yoke upon you for my yoke is easy and my burden is light."


The following link is to a brief devotion by John Piper ( To the Rob Bell defenders... humility is called for. Have a listen. There is wisdom and awe in his heart for Jesus. He is due honor as a beloved brother. To those who don't understand this reference - good for you!)  Anyway - John is contemplating the very same thing from a different passage in scripture. The reference is different but the idea is the same... The God who sits above the circle of the earth is deeply, lovingly invested in providing the will and strength to live in the victory of being an "overcomer" and a pillar in the Temple of the Lord.
http://www.desiringgod.org/blog/posts/your-acting-is-his-acting

IHOP-LI Mission Statement

Introduction to Night and Day Worship/Prayer:

For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation. For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities--all things have been created through Him and for Him. Colossians 1:13-16

The scriptures above are the primary reason for building a House of Prayer on Long Island. He is our Creator. He has shown us His Beauty, showered us with His Mercies and stirred our love for Him from a freed heart. He is so very worthy of our unending worship and our joyful affirmation of His desires. This alone is the reason for Night and Day Worship/Prayer in the region. However, there is a subordinate reason:

Love + Justice = Mission.

God is the brilliant Creator and Demonstrator of this equation. His unyielding commitment in Love combined with the mercy of His Just Heart sets in motion the mission of His transformational grace; all to His Glory and the glory of His creation.

In Isaiah 56-61 and Luke 18 (among other passages), God clearly links our worship-filled prayer in faith to this equation and outcome. He is clear that His love is not only enormous it is also deeply interactive; linked to our involvement. Woven into the fabric of His creation is this truth: the emergence of the Kingdom of God here on earth comes through agreement with Him, expressed through the pleasures of prayer, worship and deeds of mercy/justice. It is within this dynamic that we discover, in Him, unending treasures of joy.

When we pray in agreement with His heart, God is demonstrably loved, honored and enjoyed. Serendipitously, so are we. As a result, His Kingdom manifests in power and true, biblical justice is released on earth as it is in Heaven. This results in the transformation of hearts and lives through Love.

Understanding these principles, as we corporately agree with God through concerted intercession, we are preparing the way for the Church itself (the Body of Christ) to have a strategic impact of Love and Power in the region.  The ultimate goal is the summing of all things in Christ, Who is both the beginning and the end.

IHOP-LI: The Ark House of Prayer is a growing regional, mission-base; expressing these principles by serving Long Island and New York City's metroplex through worship-filled prayer. Our prevailing desire is to see Long Island/NYC fully equipped and engaged in Worship-filled Prayer 24-7-365; carrying a mantle of love, power and the good news that Jesus is The King and the Kingdom of Heaven is at hand.
Our desire is:

1. To develop an inter-denominational 24-7-365 Worship/Prayer Center
2. To facilitate relational connections between Church and Para-church ministries from all over Long Island/NYC through worshipful music/the arts and prayer for our region
3. To serve, support and equip worship communities on Long Island to engage in Worship-filled Prayer

We believe this will transpire:

1. By cultivating and nurturing a regional mission-base that is open 24-7-365 as a furnace of worship and prayer here on Long Island
2. By serving the local church in equipping/developing/nurturing many relational communities of lovesick, worshiping-intercessors throughout the region.

IHOP-LI is part of a global worship-prayer-missionary movement that draws its inspiration from David's Tabernacle and later, the Moravians who demonstrated the powerful impact of the marriage between worship, prayer and evangelism. (See http://www.zinzendorf.com/countz.htm)

IHOP-LI is sustained by voluntary lovers of God; i.e., those who willingly pour out their lives as a responsive offering to Jesus and humanity through worship, intercession and deeds of justice/mercy in the power of His Love. We are missionaries to the region; paving the way for the Church in worship-filled prayer and by living simple lifestyles in order to quickly respond to opportunities for love, evangelism and biblical justice.

As "Intercessory Missionaries", we spend a great deal of our time worshiping God while in a prayerful, agreeing partnership with the heart of Our Father, the Lord Jesus, the Holy Spirit by means of the scriptures He inspired. (In other words, we pray the Bible.)

We very specifically pray for the region, our families, the local & corporate Church and our communities so they are saturated in love and empowered to walk in the Grace of His Purposes.  Additionally, we partner with the Church (both locally and regionally) to worship together and walk out our prayers in practical expressions of love.

The result we seek is both a regional and global awakening to the Beauty and Worth of the Lord Jesus, the Christ, the release of true, biblical justice on the earth and a fresh empowerment for the Churches of Long Island and NYC. (See Ephesians 1-3)

 This has three clear benefits for Long Island/NYC and the Church:

1. Blessing the Bridegroom-King (Jesus): exalting His Love and Beauty
2. Blessing the Bride (the Church): releasing her into the fullness of her identity
3. Blessing the Land (the Region): creating an atmosphere of love expressed in power that is conducive to healing and evangelism while unveiling a sober understanding of the urgency of the hour we live in.

Imagine an entire region saturated by and alive with night and day worship, intercession and the pleasure of His Presence! It will be both breathtaking and remarkably powerful.

Our Prayer: At the beginning of our journey to establish this House of Prayer, the Spirit of the Lord laid these words on our hearts:

 “I long for Long Island . . . See what I will do with an Island that longs for me.”

We are responding to His desire by asking that He establish a House of Worship/Prayer on Long Island that will move Him like a kiss blown straight to His heart. The Father is coming . . . and we long for Him.

"Lord, our prayer is:

That You would be loved;

That the nations would flock to You;

That Your Kingdom would come!"