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“Treasures from the Secret Place”
Chapter 13

He shall cover you with His feathers,
And under His wings you shall trust…
Psalm 91:4b

I can only remember one short period that I rode a bus to school. We walked. There were times when I dreaded it. Backpacks were gear for campers not students. What did we do with the books? Well, I think the reason I’m not any taller is because of the volumes I jostled and hefted from one hip to the other for years from school to home and back.

When I consider the word wings, there is one particular day in the 7th grade that comes to mind. We lived in Pomona, California then, about a mile and a half from the Jr. High. The wind blew in strong gusts. Dust stung our eyes and school papers ripped from their moorings swooped and dove down the street sending my friends in hot pursuit.

Grateful to be without books that day, I pressed into the blasts with giddy joy. I loved the wind, dust or not. Then the question came, “I wonder, will it pick me up if I give it some wings?”

Bumbling with the conga shaped buttons on my car coat—yes, I can still remember those buttons, decorative but a chore to use, I formed a plan. If I held the sides of my coat out maybe the wind would carry me.

Gripping the bottom of each side I flung out my arms. Whoosh…I staggered backward banging into my friend Nola. “What are you doing?” she screamed.

Looking at the surroundings and gauging the obstacles, I tried again. No luck. Thankfully I didn’t have something to jump off of, or I would have tried and probably broke something. How I wanted wings.

But, people don’t have wings, yet God has wings? Goodness this chapter is full of puzzling detail.

Let’s cut to the chase and plunge into the Hebrew:

WINGS
3671: A common noun for a wing, the skirt or corner of a garment. It has the basic sense of to cover; an attached extremity. It indicates the wings of various birds or winged creatures in general (Gen 1:21; 7:14; Ex 19:4; Isa 8:8). It is used of wings of other beings as well: cherubim (1 Kings 6:24); seraphs (Isa 6:2); visionary beings like women (Zech 5:9); insects (Isa 18:1). It took on the sense of the outer edges, corners, or extremities of something, living or inanimate, i.e., the end(s) of the world (Isa 11:12; 24:16; Ezek 7:2). God carried Israel to Himself on the wings of an eagle (Ex 19:4). It indicates the edge of a garment (1 Sam 15:27). The idiom to spread (one’s) wings over means to take to wife (Ezek 16:8). It is used in other idioms to mean an attacking king (Isa 18:1; Jer 48:40; 49:22; Ezek 17:3,7); the healing wings of God’s sun of righteousness (Mal 4:2[3:20]). God is often noted as providing a shadow of protection for His people under His wings (Ruth 2:12; Ps 17:8; 36:7[:8 ]; 57:1[:2 ]; 61:4[:5 ]; 63:7[:8 ]; 91:4).

= Kaf 20 = Anointing of the hand on the head, Redemption. Means: To Bend Down, Surrender, Palm of Hand, Wing—Good works with our hands in Yeshua
= Nun 50 = Restoration, Holy Spirit, Jubilee. Means: Life
= Final Kaf 500 Anointing of the hand on the head, Redemption. Means: To Bend Down, Surrender, Palm of Hand, Wing—Good works with our hands in Yeshua

WINGS: When we Surrender our Life, He Anoints us, Redeems us and gives us His Life enabling us to do the works of Yeshua.

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

Colossians 3:3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God.

The other thing I learned as an adult, about this word wings is that the tallit or prayer shawl that the Jewish men wear have ‘wings’ with fringes on each end.

The woman with an issue of blood that touched the “hem” of Jesus’ garment, actually crawled through the crowd and grabbed hold of the fringes of Jesus’ prayer shawl.

In Malachi 4:2 it says: But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.

When she took hold of the fringes, in faith, she was healed.

The Hebrew meaning of the word tallit is “little tent”. In the days of Moses the tabernacle layout contained a “tent” of meeting—the holy place and the holy of holies. It was a place of prayer and intercession. It was a place of ministry to the Lord and ministry from the Lord to His priests. In the “tent of meeting” Moses met face to face with the Lord.

The men at the Western Wall pray, almost completely hidden under the tallit’s gentle folds. It enables them to be totally focused on Him.

The tallit has 613 knots tied in its fringes, each knot representing one of the commandments. The blue stripes and blue thread woven into the corner fringes of the shawl represent God’s covenant of grace. So, in essence, when the tallit is placed over or around a person, he is being wrapped in the very Word of God and His grace and covenant. For us as Christians, it would be equal to wearing the Bible.

Thus, wrapped in His covenant word they offer prayers to the One who hears.

Trust: under His wings thou shalt trust.
2620 : A verb meaning to seek, to take refuge, to flee for protection. The word is used literally in reference to seeking a tree’s shade (Judg 9:15) and taking refuge in Zion (Isa 14:32). It is commonly used figuratively in relation to deities (Deut 32:37), particularly of Yahweh. He is a shield providing refuge (2 Sam 22:31). Refuge is sought under His wings (Ruth 2:12; Ps 36:7[:8 ]; 57:1[:2 ]; 61:4[:5 ]; 91:4) and at the time of death (Prov 14:32).

= Chet 8 = New Beginnings. Means: Fence, Torah, Gate, or Tent wall – Separate, Protect, Cut Off

= Samekh 60 = Pride, Conceit, Earthly. Picture: A Tree propped up by a piece of wood. Means: To Lean Upon, a Prop or Aid, Hold, Assist or Support – the heart of God

= Hey 5 = Grace. Means: Revelation – 5 is the number of Torah, Behold, Give Attention – (if it comes at the end of a word: comes from letter before)

TRUST means to find refuge within His character and Word, to Lean Upon and find support in His Heart for you, fully believing that His Grace will support you and whatever you need will be Revealed.

~~~Journal Notes~~~

June 22, 2009

Woke up hearing this morning song:
“I will rise, when He calls my name
No more sorrow no more pain
I will rise on eagles wings
Before My God, fall on my knees and rise.
I will rise.”
(Chris Tomlin..I Will Rise)

“Lord, lift me on eagles wings to Your throne..”

“Hush now, peace be still.”

Suddenly we are soaring, riding the thermals and I am peeking out to see the landscape. The wind is in my face and I am covered, woven into His feathers, warm. We dive in a breath-catching plunge and then soar. Exhilaration, through the clouds into the sun and beyond to the 2nd heaven. Warfare screeches and clashing swords. Up, up higher we soar. The sound of mountain streams, soft breezes as I breathe in air perfumed with fragrant flowers. In the distance, there is a sound of children playing.

We come down in a meadow. The eagle transforms to Jesus. He holds out His hand and we walk. “This is the place of My throne, here above every nation, every principality and power. This is your hiding place. You can come here any time.”

I am aware of complete peace and separation from the world and all its woes. I cannot see it or even sense it. ALL IS WELL!

As long as He is our first love and we are doing our best to do His will, we are sheltered and empowered with His life.  We can trust Him to meet every need perfectly.  It may not be the way we expect…likely won’t be, but His heart is to reveal His love to us in every way we can possibly imagine.  We won’t be kept from trials, but He will be with us in them, bringing victory out of seeming destruction.

Just throw out your arms in abandon and let Him carry you and cover you in His wings. He can be trusted.

**Picture by Daniel F. Gerhartz