Isaiah 9:6-7 For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of His government and peace There will be no end, Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, To order it and establish it with judgment and justice From that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
The Hebrew letter mem, equivalent to our English letter “M,” has a fascinating characteristic: it has two forms. The “open mem” appears at the beginning or middle of a word, with a small opening in its design. The “closed mem,” however, is used exclusively as the final letter in a word, fully sealed in its appearance. This distinction is consistent throughout the Hebrew language—except for one extraordinary exception found in the Bible.
In Isaiah 9:6-7, we find this exception within the word l’marbeh, which means “to the increase.” Normally, the word would have with an open mem, but here, a closed mem is used instead. This unique occurrence appears in Isaiah’s prophecy about the Messiah: “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end…” The closed mem is a deliberate anomaly, drawing attention to this passage and pointing to a deeper truth about the Messiah.
Rabbinic tradition connects the letter mem to the womb. An open mem symbolizes a womb that is ready to give birth, while a closed mem represents a sealed womb. This detail in Isaiah’s prophecy aligns perfectly with the earlier prophecy in Isaiah 7:14: “Behold, a virgin will be with child and bear a son, and she will call His name Immanuel [God with us].” The closed mem in l’marbeh hints at the miraculous virgin birth of the Messiah, whose arrival would defy natural understanding.
This small, yet profound detail in the Hebrew text reminds us that God’s Word is intricately woven with meaning. The Messiah’s birth was no ordinary event; it was a miraculous act of God’s divine plan to bring salvation to the world. As we reflect on this, let’s marvel at the richness of God’s Word and His perfect design, which points us to the glory and majesty of Yeshua (Jesus), the promised Savior.
No matter how impossible your situation may seem, remember this: Yeshua, the Messiah, is the ultimate Breaker. He broke forth from the closed womb to fulfill God’s plan, and He broke free from the tomb to give us victory over sin and death. He tore down every barrier that once separated us from God and from one another. If you’re feeling stuck, trapped, or in need of a breakthrough, take heart! The same Messiah who opened the way for all of humanity can bring freedom and hope to your life. Trust Him to make a way where there seems to be no way—He’s the God of breakthroughs!
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[worthy_plugins_devotion_single_body]As ambassadors of Christ, we don’t just represent His Kingdom–we reflect His heart. Paul’s words in Colossians 4:5-6 are not just good advice; they’re a commissioning. We are called to walk wisely among those who do not yet know Christ, recognizing that every interaction is a divine opportunity.
“All this is from God…” These words usher us into the breathtaking reality that salvation is not born of human effort, wisdom, or willpower — it is entirely the work of God. From beginning to end, it is His plan, His initiative, His unrelenting grace. Through Yeshua (Jesus), God stepped into our brokenness and reconciled us to Himself, repairing the relationship that sin had shattered. Reconciliation is not merely a theological concept — it is the restoration of intimacy with the Father. We did not ascend to Him in holiness; He descended to us in mercy. The Creator did not wait for us to find our way back. No, He came down in Yeshua, arms stretched wide in love, calling us home.
In the age of social media, where hot takes go viral, outrage spreads in seconds, and comment sections become battlegrounds, James offers a divine pattern that stands in stark contrast to the digital frenzy. His instruction is timeless but urgently needed today: be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger. These three commands — revolutionary yet straightforward — cut through the noise of our reaction-driven culture and call us to a Spirit-led posture in a screen-lit world.
In Matthew 21, Yeshua (Jesus) approached a fig tree full of leaves but found no fruit. He cursed it, and it withered. This dramatic act was not about the tree—it was about Israel. The fig tree had the appearance of life, but it lacked the substance of transformation. It was a warning to a nation full of religion but void of repentance. The tree became a symbol of spiritual barrenness, of form without fruit.
The parable of the fig tree is not just a message to observers — it’s a summons to the faithful. The fig tree puts out its leaves first, then comes the fruit. Spiritually, that’s a call to live in readiness even before the final harvest arrives. Yeshua (Jesus) tells His disciples, “Be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect” (Matthew 24:44).
Among all fruit-bearing trees, the fig tree is uniquely prophetic–because it is one of the few that produces two harvests in a single growing season. First comes the early crop in spring, known in Scripture as the “first ripe fig” (Isaiah 28:4), and then a second, more abundant harvest in late summer or early fall. This uncommon pattern is a living picture of prophecy woven into the fabric of creation.
Yeshua (Jesus) didn’t merely offer a suggestion–He issued a command: “Learn the parable.” In Greek, the word manthano (μανθάνω) implies disciplined learning, not casual observation. In Hebraic thought, to “learn” a parable means to press into its hidden meaning until it transforms how you live. The fig tree is not just a poetic image–it’s a prophetic mandate. And Yeshua expected His disciples, including us, to understand it deeply.