CONNECTING TO OUR COVENANTS: THE TALLIT

While He spoke these things to them, behold, a ruler came and worshiped Him, saying, “My daughter has just died, but come and lay Your hand on her and she will live.” So Jesus arose and followed him, and so did His disciples. And suddenly, a woman who had a flow of blood for twelve years came from behind and touched the hem of His garment. For she said to herself, “If only I may touch His garment, I shall be made well.” But Jesus turned around, and when He saw her He said, “Be of good cheer, daughter; your faith has made you well.” And the woman was made well from that hour.

When Jesus came into the ruler’s house, and saw the flute players and the noisy crowd wailing, He said to them, “Make room, for the girl is not dead, but sleeping.” And they ridiculed Him. But when the crowd was put outside, He went in and took her by the hand, and the girl arose. And the report of this went out into all that land. (Matthew 9:18-26 NKJV)

           

What is great about this story is that, under Jewish law, both woman and girl were unqualified to be touched; they were unclean. No one was allowed to touch them, especially not a Rabi. In the case of the bleeding woman, imagine the rejection she must have endured for 12 years! She was not touched, she was not allowed in the synagogue, no hugs, probably divorce, rejection. Where does she find this faith!? Matthew 14:34-36 tells us that news were already spreading about Jesus and the miracles He performed. People were begging to at least touch the fringe of his robe in order to be healed.

At the time, Jesus would have been wearing a Tallit, or prayer shawl. The Tallit was worn by men of power and authority. It represented the presence of the Lord, the authority of the word, the name, the grace, and the ways of God. According to Scriptures, God gave the Israelites specific instructions (Numbers 15: 38-31) on how to make this specific article of clothing. This is why it is so important to understand the Jewish roots of our faith! Here are some important things you need to understand about the Tallit:

 1.      It was a replica of the veil that was the entrance to the Holy of Holies.

 2.      Matthew 6: When you enter into your closet/tent to pray/ he that dwells in the secret place of the most High/ Elijah’s mantle, etc.

3.      Made of wool/Linen—in reference to a sacrificial lamb

4.      It had the color Blue—illustrating the sky, indicating royalty, and the limitless of heaven

5.      It was worn by those in authority—like Saul’s robe—it signified anointing/power

6.      Consisted of five knots that represented the 5 books of the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, Deuteronomy)

7.      There were four spaces between the knots that represented God’s name—Yeh/Ho/Vaw/Yir-eh’ (Jehovah)

8.      Altogether, there were 613 Loops that represented 613 commandments of God’s ways

9.     1.      There were 8 strands braided together—Eight is the number of new beginnings, or God’s grace. There were five double knots on each of the tassels, and with one of the fringes longer and the other coiled around the rest.  Seven, eight, eleven, and thirteen configurations after each knot totaled 39. This Hashem echoed “God is One,” or “for us.”
10. They wore the tassel tied to their hands to remind them no to sin and that they had the authority of the word, name, grace, and ways of God!

According to Mark 5:36, 41, when he head to see the dead girl, Jesus “took the damsel by the hand, and said unto her, Talitha cumi; which is, being interpreted, Damsel, I say unto thee, arise.” Doesn’t the Aramaic word “Talitha” remind you of something? Tallit-ha, do you see it? Again, it was His touch that brought her back to life, but remember: the Tallit would have been tied to His hands in remembrance of the authority they had because of their covenants from the word, name, grace, and ways of God! Here is Jesus meaning, ARISE, AND, SHINE! FOR YOUR LIGHT IS UPON YOU!

Tag along with me a little longer, according to the law of the time, Jesus would have received 39 lashes. This is great revelation! We, who are now under new covenant, not law, have greater power over anything that might try to hinder us. Scripture says:

But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.

(Isaiah 53:5, emphasis added)

Just like the woman with the issue of blood, we are now able to touch by faith the covenants of God because of what Jesus did for us on the cross. By His STRIPES, we are healed!   Friends, this is the month to touch God’s covenants by faith and to receive everything he has for us! Doesn’t that give you great faith and hope? I am undone.

Keeping the Word Alive,

Kent