the Righteous Branch
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Rethinking the Olive Tree

10/15/2015

 
Woe to those who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness,
who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! [Isa 5:20]
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The Word of יהוה is good, light and sweet. We know that Messiah as the Word of יהוה is good, for in Him was His Father well pleased. Messiah is the Light and in Him is no darkness. As the sweet, faithful Seed of the Word of יהוה, He did nothing of His own accord, He was not controlled by desires of His flesh. He only spoke His Father’s command or word. No doctrine of men. No traditions. No lies. He was the Firstfruit of the resurrection. It is written that He had no form or majesty that we should look at Him, and no beauty that we should desire Him. Considering that throughout the Word of יהוה men are compared to trees, have you ever examined which tree accurately testifies of Messiah?
There is a reason for our Heavenly Father’s design. He communicates to His children spiritual concepts through physical things. This is known as “speaking in parables.” (Greeks refer to it as “analogical reasoning” or against logical reasoning.) In fact, Paul explains that His invisible attributes are clearly seen through His creation, that we may understand Him through what He created, that we are without excuse.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse. [Rom 1:18-20]
Throughout the Word of יהוה men are compared to trees. Trees of the field are compared to man’s life [Deu 20:19]. Isaiah describes trees of righteousness, a planting of יהוה. Messiah is referred to as a Branch of Righteousness, a Branch growing out of the root of Jesse [Isa 11:1-10, Jer 23:5-8, Jer 33:14-16, Zec 6:12-15]. John spoke metaphorically of people as trees when he told the brood of vipers to produce fruit in keeping with repentance. Figuratively referring to people, Messiah taught that a tree is known by its fruit. He also expounded the parable of how the disciples were as branches, how they should abide in Him and bear fruit. The same fruit. The fruit of light. So if our Heavenly Father created a tree with certain attributes that testify of Messiah, then what tree bears witness of the fruit of righteousness? If believers are as branches grafted to such a tree, what fruit represents “fruit in keeping with repentance”? Which tree accurately represents a faithful people, a people who are called by His Name, a people referred to as Israel? Let’s examine the attributes of the olive tree to determine if it accurately testifies of Messiah. Let’s examine the attributes of the olive tree to determine if its branches accurately testify of believers abiding in the Righteous Branch, producing fruit in keeping with repentance, walking as He walked, faithfully obeying the Word of יהוה. 
Expounding the Parable of the Olive Tree
Creation testifies that the branches of the olive tree produce bitter fruit…so bitter, in fact, that the fruit is not palatable raw from the tree but only after fermentation or pickling. At the center of this bitter fruit is an inedible seed that is as hard as stone. Its flesh is plump and oily. The olive tree awakens or blossoms in the spring after other fruit trees have already awakened; the small blossoms are hidden by evergreen leaves. These small blossoms are largely wind-pollinated; most olive varieties are self-pollinating. The fruit is harvested in the “dark” portion of the year, after the intensity of the heat has passed, as the hours of the darkness of the night exceed the hours of the light of the day (see Prodigy of the Almond Tree: Part 1). The olive tree is described as having a graceful and billowing appearance; in other words, the olive tree has a beauty of its own. Furthermore, did you know that the olive tree is regarded as an invasive “weed” tree [1]?
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​      Bitter fruit…
                       seed as hard as stone…
                            plump and oily flesh…
                                  small, hidden spring blossoms…
                                       self-pollination by the wind…
                                             a beauty of its own…

Throughout the Word of יהוה, people are compared to trees, and their fruit is what they do and say. The fruit of bitterness is associated with a rebellious, disobedient people [H4805, H4784], people who will not hear the Word of יהוה. 
H4805
mer-ee'
From H4784; bitterness, that is, (figuratively) rebellion; concretely bitter, or rebellious: - bitter, (most) rebel (-ion, -lious).

 
H4784
maw-raw'
A primitive root; to be (causatively make) bitter (or unpleasant); (figuratively) to rebel (or resist; causatively to provoke): - bitter, change, be disobedient, disobey, grievously, provocation, provoke (-ing), (be) rebel (against, -lious).
Throughout the Word of יהוה, the children of Israel continuously rebelled against the commands of יהוה and are described as “a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of יהוה [Isa 30:9]. [Click here for more verses - bitterness and rebellion.] In regards to the seed of a tree, the seed is found within the fruit. At the core of the bitter olive fruit is an inedible seed that is as hard as stone. Likewise, at the core of stubborn and rebellious people who will not hear the Word of יהוה are hearts described as “hard as stone” [click here for verses]. Regarding the fruit of the olive tree, each cell contains a tiny droplet of oil; this olive oil is expelled from the flesh. According to the Word of יהוה, the rebellious people were full of arrogance and pride and are referred to as “waxen fat, shiny”, “enclosed in fat”, “hearts as fat as grease” [click for verses]. This conveys the imagery of flesh that is full of oil or grease. In creation, trees can be pollinated by the wind or by bees and insects. (Remember the Hebrew word for “bee” is "deborah" [H1682] which is associated with “command” or “word” [H1696].) Metaphorically speaking, Paul describes someone who is pollinated by the wind as being “tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes” [Eph 4:14]. These bitter and rebellious people with hearts as hard as stone and waxen fat were carried away by falsehood, lies, traditions and doctrines of men. They would NOT receive the Word of יהוה. In other words, they were pollinated by the winds of doctrine as opposed to the Word or “debar” of יהוה.
 
In contrast, Messiah was not rebellious. He was not bitter. Rather the Righteous Branch from the stump of Jesse was the faithful, sweet, Seed of the Word of יהוה. He was not proud or arrogant. In fact, He did nothing of His own fleshly desire. His heart yielded to the desires of His Father. He was pollinated by the commands (“debar”) of His Father. He spoke nothing of His own accord but only what His Father commanded Him. There were no falsehood or lies in Him. He guarded or watched over His Father’s Words. Perfectly. As a result, He was stricken, beaten, shaken, crushed. But He wasn’t destroyed. He was the Firstfruit of the resurrection, the first to “awaken” from death or sleep. He was clothed in garments of righteousness and justice; He was called the “Just One” and the Righteous Branch. It is written that He had no form or comeliness, no beauty that we should desire Him.
The Tree That Testifies of Messiah
Is there a tree that serves as an accurate witness testifying to these things?

           watchful…
                 first to resurrect or awaken…
                       white garments of righteousness…
                             pollinated by the Word or “debar”
                                    firstfruits…
                                          flesh withering in the heat…
                                                stricken…beaten…shaken…crushed but not destroyed
                                                       sweet, single, edible seed…             
       
YES there is such a tree! There is a tree known as the watchful tree. It was created to be the first of the fruit trees to awaken from its winter slumber as the heat and light noticeably increase at the dawn of a new cycle. Upon awakening or “resurrecting” from a state of dormancy or sleep, this tree clothes its naked branches in white blossoms. Bees are critical to pollination. Upon pollination, firstfruits resembling flames of fire begin to emerge from the calyx and hastily or rapidly grow. Within six to eight weeks of pollination, these firstfruits are harvested, but only a few; these firstfruits are hand-picked before the intensity of the heat arrives. The other fruits remain on the branches to mature in the heat so the inner core may grow firm. The flesh of the fruit splits open and withers in the summer heat so that all that remains is a sweet, single, edible seed. No flesh remains. In the seventh month following blossoming - in the “light” portion of the year at the intensity of the summer heat [see Heat, Harvest & Tribulation] - its branches are ready for harvest…the second and final harvest for this tree. Harvesters strike, beat and shake the seed from the tree. This tree is renowned for its seed, a seed known as one of the world’s healthiest foods. When this seed is crushed, it yields a remarkable, golden oil as well as a choice meal or fine flour. What is this tree? This tree serves as the pattern for the lampstand in the holy place – producing the fruit of light. A branch from this tree serves as a sign to the rebellious and was chosen to represent the High Priest and the house of Levi…the earthly priesthood…the servants of יהוה. Our Heavenly Father showed this tree to Jeremiah in a vision to communicate that He was watching over His Word to perform it. The seed of this tree is shaped like an eye (hint, hint – the very thing a person uses to be “watchful”). This tree that testifies of Messiah – the Righteous Branch – is the sweet ALMOND TREE! 
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What Happened to the Witness?
What do you think happened to cause many people to think of the olive tree when they think of Messiah? What do you think happened to cause many to think of the olive tree as the tree that believers will be grafted to? What do you think happened to cause many to regard the bitterness of the olive as sweet and good? Consider the olive tree throughout history.  In Roman and Greek mythology, the olive tree was considered a sacred tree. Its leafy olive branches, or olive wreaths, were used to crown the victors of friendly games and bloody wars. Olive branches were ritually offered to deities and powerful figures as emblems of blessings and purification. 

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The oil from the olive was used to anoint kings; it was burnt in the sacred lamps of Greek temples. The olive tree was associated with athletic competitions held throughout Greece in ancient times. It served as the "eternal flame" of the original Olympic Games. Athletes were anointed with olive oil. Contrast this with the system of our Heavenly Father. Our Heavenly Father chose a budding and blossoming almond branch yielding ripening almonds (firstfruits) to represent His chosen servants. Not an olive branch. Our Heavenly Father chose budding and blossoming almond branches to serve as the pattern for the source of light in the holy place of the tabernacle in the wilderness. Not an olive branch. Our Heavenly Father chose to show Jeremiah a branch of an almond tree to communicate that He was watching over His Word to perform it. Not an olive tree. 

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Consider what occurred during the reign of Antiochus IV. As Antiochus IV invaded and conquered other nations, he introduced Greek customs and culture into their way of life. During his reign, a gymnasium was built in Jerusalem to introduce the children of Israel to the Greek mode of educating young people. Gymnasiums, a word derived from gymnos meaning naked, were of great significance to the Greeks. There men trained for public games, offering their naked bodies as a tribute to their gods. The Olympic games were dedicated to their god Zeus. Olive oil and olive wreaths played a major role in these competitions. Also, according to historical accounts, an altar of Zeus Olympios was erected in the temple of God. This brought about a mingling of attributes of the Greek culture into the holy and pure temple of God. As these customs and religious ceremonies including olive branches and olive oil were mingled into the temple of God, perhaps later generations eventually adopted the sacred olive tree of the Greeks into the ways of יהוה. Thus the significance of the almond tree was eventually replaced with the olive tree. Has anyone questioned the concept of mingling elements from two different trees in a holy and pure place? The oil from the fruit of an olive tree into a lamp that is patterned after an almond tree? As we become more familiar with our Heavenly Father and His ways, it becomes clear that He does not condone mingling: 
​When the Lord your God cuts off before you the nations whom you go in to dispossess, and you dispossess them and dwell in their land, take care that you be not ensnared to follow them, after they have been destroyed before you, and that you do not inquire about their gods, saying, ‘How did these nations serve their gods?—that I also may do the same. You shall not worship the Lord your God in that way, for every abominable thing that the Lord hates they have done for their gods, for they even burn their sons and their daughters in the fire to their gods. [Deu 12:29-31]
 
Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee. [Lev 19:19]
 
You shall not intermarry with them, giving your daughters to their sons or taking their daughters for your sons, for they would turn away your sons from following me, to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD would be kindled against you, and he would destroy you quickly. [Deu 7:3]
Paul and the book of Revelation also address the subject of mingling: 
​Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial?” Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? [2 Co 6:14-15]
 
And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: 'The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God's creation. "'I know your works: you are neither cold nor hot. Would that you were either cold or hot! So, because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth. [Rev 3:14-16]
In 1841, a man named John Kitto even questioned the type of oil used in the holy place. He wrote:
The drupe of the almond has a leathery covering, not pulpy or edible, like that of the peach.  Its productive value lies in the well-known and much-valued sweet kernel of the stone, or nut.  These kernels yield on expression one-half their weight of oil, the well-known oil of the almonds, which is more agreeable than the common expressed oils.  It is remarkable that this oil is not once mentioned in the Scriptures. Indeed even olive oil is not very often mentioned by name; and we think that in many of the cases in which "oil," simply, is mentioned without the specification of its quality, it is wrong to suppose that olive-oil is always intended; for it is incredible that the oil of almonds could be unknown to, or unvalued by, a people who sought after and employed vegetable oils so largely as the Hebrews. (p. ccxii)
(Kitto, John. Palestine: The Physical Geography and Natural History of the Holy Land. London: Charles Knight & Co., 1841.)
Conclusion
Creation testifies that the parable of the olive tree is one of bitterness and rebellion. Figuratively, the olive tree represents a bitter and rebellious people with plump flesh that is full of grease and a heart as hard as stone. The olive tree does NOT accurately testify of Messiah, the Righteous Branch, the Firstfruit of the resurrection, the faithful Seed of the Word of יהוה, the Light of the world. The olive tree does NOT accurately testify of the One who guarded or watched over His Father’s commands to protect them from doctrines, traditions and lies of men. Neither do the branches of a tree which produce bitter fruit accurately testify of believers who are producing the fruit of repentance, receiving the Word of יהוה, producing the fruit of light, firstfruits of the resurrection. Our Heavenly Father created the sweet almond tree to serve as such a witness.

It is time for us to awaken and consider that traditions and doctrines surrounding the olive tree may be one of the lies that we have inherited. Considering the witnesses of our Heavenly Father’s creation, we are without excuse. Whether due to Hellenization, the lying pen of the scribes, or inherited lies [Jer 8:8, Jer 16:19, Amo 2:4], it appears that the truth has been suppressed. We may be guilty of calling something that stands for evil as good, darkness as light, bitter as sweet. We need to think about what we proclaim in saying that we are grafted into an olive tree: the proclamation of a rebellious people with hearts as hard as stone, not receiving the commands or “debar” of יהוה, not walking in His ways, receiving lies, traditions and doctrines of men, a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of יהוה. The attributes of the sweet almond tree bear witness to a faithful people, a faithful Israel, trees of righteousness, a people who are grafted into the Righteous Branch, a people who are walking in the ways of יהוה. Which tree best describes you?

As we continue in His Word, may we know His Truth and may His Truth set us free!
  
~ Followers of the Righteous Branch
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[1]    Campbell, Malcolm. "Fact Sheet: Olives - Weeds." Gardening Australia. N.p., 10 Oct. 2003. Web. 12 Oct. 2015. <http://www.abc.net.au/gardening/stories/s963141.htm>.

        Thompson, F. Neal. Assessing Individual Managerial Performance. Atlanta: Pub. Services Division, School of Business Administration, Georgia State U, 1967. TreesforLife.org. Feb. 2012. Web. 12 October 2015.​<https://www.treesforlife.org.au/sites/default/files/BFL/Fact_Sheets
​/Drill_and_Fill_fact_sheet_Feb2012.pdf
>.
 
        "Common Olive Olea Europaea Subsp. Europaea." Factsheet. The University of Queensland. Special Edition of Environmental Weeds of Australia for Biosecurity Queensland., 2011. Web. 12 Oct. 2015. <http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/080c0106-040c-4508-8300-0b0a06060e01/media/html/Olea_europaea_subsp._europaea.htm>.
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Verses – Bitterness, Rebellion [H4805, H4784]                                          return to article
H4805​
And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron's rod [branch - H4294] again before the testimony, to be kept for a token [sign – H226] against the [sons of the] rebels [bitterness, rebellion – H4805]; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.  (Num 17:10)
 
For I know thy rebellion [bitterness, rebellion – H4805], and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] against the LORD; and how much more after my death?  (Deu 31:27)

For rebellion [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] is as the sin of witchcraft and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of the LORD, he hath also rejected thee from being king.  (1Sa 15:23)

And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not.  (Neh 9:17)

Even to day is my complaint bitter [bitterness, rebellion – H4805]: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.  (Job 23:2)

An evil man seeketh only rebellion [bitterness, rebellion – H4805]: therefore a cruel messenger shall be sent against him.  (Pro 17:11)

That this is a rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:  (Isa 30:9)

And they, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear, (for they are a rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] house,) yet shall know that there hath been a prophet among them.  (Eze 2:5)

And thou, son of man, be not afraid of them, neither be afraid of their words, though briers and thorns be with thee, and thou dost dwell among scorpions: be not afraid of their words, nor be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] house.  And thou shalt speak my words unto them, whether they will hear, or whether they will forbear: for they are most rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805]. But thou, son of man, hear wha I say unto thee; Be not thou rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] like that rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] house: open thy mouth, and eat that I give thee.  (Eze 2:6-8)
 
As an adamant harder than flint have I made thy forehead: fear them not, neither be dismayed at their looks, though they be a rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] house.  (Eze 3:9)
 
And I will make thy tongue cleave to the roof of thy mouth, that thou shalt be dumb, and shalt not be to them a reprover: for they are a rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] house. But when I speak with thee, I will open thy mouth, and thou shalt say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; He that heareth, let him hear; and he that forbeareth, let him forbear: for they are a rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] house.  (Eze 3:26-27)

Son of man, thou dwellest in the midst of a rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] house, which have eyes to see, and see not; they have ears to hear, and hear not: for they are a rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] house.  Therefore, thou son of man, prepare thee stuff for removing, and remove by day in their sight; and thou shalt remove from thy place to another place in their sight: it may be they will consider, though they be a rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] house.  (Eze 12:2-3)
 
Son of man, hath not the house of Israel, the rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] house, said unto thee, What doest thou?  (Eze 12:9)
 
For I am the LORD: I will speak, and the word that I shall speak shall come to pass; it shall be no more prolonged: for in your days, O rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] house, will I say the word, and will perform it, saith the Lord GOD.  (Eze 12:25)
 
Say now to the rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] house, Know ye not what these things mean? tell them, Behold, the king of Babylon is come to Jerusalem, and hath taken the king thereof, and the princes thereof, and led them with him to Babylon;  (Eze 17:12)

And utter a parable unto the rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805] house, and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Set on a pot, set it on, and also pour water into it:  (Eze 24:3)
 
And thou shalt say to the rebellious [bitterness, rebellion – H4805], even to the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD; O ye house of Israel, let it suffice you of all your abominations,  In that ye have brought into my sanctuary strangers, uncircumcised in heart, and uncircumcised in flesh, to be in my sanctuary, to pollute it, even my house, when ye offer my bread, the fat and the blood, and they have broken my covenant because of all your abominations. And ye have not kept the charge of mine holy things: but ye have set keepers of my charge in my sanctuary for yourselves.   (Eze 44:6-8)


H4784
And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels [to be bitter, rebel – H4784]; must we fetch you water out of this rock?  (Num 20:10)
 
Aaron shall be gathered unto his people: for he shall not enter into the land which I have given unto the children of Israel, because ye rebelled against [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] my word at the water of Meribah.  (Num 20:24)
 
For ye rebelled against [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] my commandment in the desert of Zin, in the strife of the congregation, to sanctify me at the water before their eyes: that is the water of Meribah in Kadesh in the wilderness of Zin.  (Num 27:14)
 
Notwithstanding ye would not go up, but rebelled against [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] the commandment of the LORD your God:  (Deu 1:26)
 
So I spake unto you; and ye would not hear, but rebelled against [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] the commandment of the LORD, and went presumptuously up into the hill.  (Deu 1:43)
 
Remember, and forget not, how thou provokedst the LORD thy God to wrath in the wilderness: from the day that thou didst depart out of the land of Egypt, until ye came unto this place,H4725 ye have been rebellious [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] against the LORD.  (Deu 9:7)
 
Likewise when the LORD sent you from Kadeshbarnea, saying, Go up and possess the land which I have given you; then ye rebelled against [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] the commandment of the LORD your God, and ye believed him not, nor hearkened to his voice.  Ye have been rebellious [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] against the LORD from the day that I knew you.  (Deu 9:23-24)
 
If a man have a stubborn and rebellious [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them:  (Deu 21:18)
 
And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious [to be bitter, rebel – H4784], he will not obey our voice; he is a glutton, and a drunkard.  (Deu 21:20)
 
For I know thy rebellion [bitterness, rebellion – H4805], and thy stiff neck: behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, ye have been rebellious [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] against the LORD; and how much more after my death?  (Deu 31:27)
 
Whosoever he be that doth rebel against [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] thy commandment, and will not hearken unto thy words in all that thou commandest him, he shall be put to death: only be strong and of a good courage.  (Jos 1:18)
 
If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God:  But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers. (1Sa 12:14-15)
 
And it came to pass, as they sat at the table, that the word of the LORD came unto the prophet that brought him back: And he cried unto the man of God that came from Judah, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Forasmuch as thou hast disobeyed [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] the mouth of the LORD, and hast not kept [guard, keep, wait for, watch – H8104] the commandment which the LORD thy God commanded thee, But camest back, and hast eaten bread and drunk water in the place, of the which the LORD did say to thee, Eat no bread, and drink no water; thy carcase shall not come unto the sepulchre of thy fathers.  (1Ki 13:20-22)
 
And when the prophet that brought him back from the way heard thereof, he said, It is the man of God, who was disobedient [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] unto the word of the LORD: therefore the LORD hath delivered him unto the lion, which hath torn him, and slain him, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake unto him.  (1Ki 13:26)
 
For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter [to be bitter, rebel – H4784]: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel.  (2Ki 14:26)
 
Nevertheless they were disobedient [to be bitter, rebel – H4784], and rebelled against thee, and cast thy law behind their backs, and slew thy prophets which testified against them to turn them to thee, and they wrought great provocations.  (Neh 9:26)
 
Are there not mockers with me? and doth not mine eye continue in their provocation [to be bitter, rebel – H4784]? (Job 17:2)
 
Destroy thou them, O God; let them fall by their own counsels; cast them out in the multitude of their transgressions; for they have rebelled [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] against thee.  (Psa 5:10)
 
And might not be as their fathers, a stubborn and rebellious [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] generation; a generation that set not their heart aright, and whose spirit was not stedfast with God.  (Psa 78:8)
 
And they sinned yet more against him by provoking [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] the most High in the wilderness.  (Psa 78:17)
 
How oft did they provoke [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!  (Psa 78:40)
 
Yet they tempted and provoked [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] the most high God, and kept [guard, keep, wait for, watch – H8104] not his testimonies:  (Psa 78:56)
 
He sent darkness, and made it dark; and they rebelled [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] not against his word.  (Psa 105:28)
 
Our fathers understood not thy wonders in Egypt; they remembered not the multitude of thy mercies; but provoked [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] him at the sea, even at the Red sea.  (Psa 106:7)
 
Because they provoked [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] his spirit, so that he spake unadvisedly with his lips.  (Psa 106:33)
 
Many times did he deliver them; but they provoked [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] him with their counsel, and were brought low for their iniquity. (Psa 106:43)
 
Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron; Because they rebelled against [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] the words of God, and contemned the counsel of the most High: Therefore he brought down their heart with labour; they fell down, and there was none to help. Then they cried unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and brake their bands in sunder. (Psa 107:10-14)
 
But if ye refuse and rebel [to be bitter, rebel – H4784], ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.  (Isa 1:20)
 
For Jerusalem is ruined, and Judah is fallen: because their tongue and their doings are against the LORD, to provoke [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] the eyes of his glory.  (Isa 3:8)
 
The Lord GOD hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious [to be bitter, rebel – H4784], neither turned away back.  (Isa 50:5)
 
But they rebelled [to be bitter, rebel – H4784], and vexed his holy Spirit: therefore he was turned to be their enemy, and he fought against them.  (Isa 63:10)
 
As keepers [guard, keep, wait for, watch – H8104] of a field, are they against her round about; because she hath been rebellious [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] against me, saith the LORD.  (Jer 4:17)
 
But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] heart; they are revolted and gone.  (Jer 5:23)
 
The LORD is righteous; for I have rebelled [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] against his commandment: hear, I pray you, all people, and behold my sorrow: my virgins and my young men are gone into captivity.  (Lam 1:18)
 
Behold, O LORD; for I am in distress: my bowels are troubled; mine heart is turned within me; for I have grievously rebelled [H4784 H4784]: abroad the sword bereaveth, at home there is as death.  (Lam 1:20)
 
We have transgressed and have rebelled [to be bitter, rebel – H4784]: thou hast notH3808 pardoned. (Lam 3:42)
 
And she hath changed [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] my judgments into wickedness more than the nations, and my statutes more than the countries that are round about her: for they have refused my judgments and my statutes, they have not walked in them.  (Eze 5:6)
 
But they rebelled [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] against me, and would not hearken unto me: they did not every man cast away the abominations of their eyes, neither did they forsake the idols of Egypt: then I said, I will pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt.  (Eze 20:8)
 
But the house of Israel rebelled [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] against me in the wilderness: they walked not in my statutes, and they despised my judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; and my sabbaths they greatly polluted: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them in the wilderness, to consume them.  (Eze 20:13)
 
Notwithstanding the children rebelled [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] against me: they walked not in my statutes, neither kept [guard, keep, wait for, watch – H8104] my judgments to do them, which if a man do, he shall even live in them; they polluted my sabbaths: then I said, I would pour out my fury upon them, to accomplish my anger against them in the wilderness.  (Eze 20:21)
 
Samaria shall become desolate; for she hath rebelled [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] against her God: they shall fall by the sword: their infants shall be dashed in pieces, and their women with child shall be ripped up.  (Hos 13:16)
 
Woe to her that is filthy [to be bitter, rebel – H4784] and polluted, to the oppressing city!  (Zep 3:1)
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Verses – Hearts as Hard as Stone, Rebellious                                           return to article
Therefore say, 'Thus says the Lord GOD: I will gather you from the peoples and assemble you out of the countries where you have been scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel.' And when they come there, they will remove from it all its detestable things and all its abominations. And I will give them one heart, and a new spirit I will put within them. I will remove the heart of stone from their flesh and give them a heart of flesh, that they may walk in my statutes and keep my rules and obey them. And they shall be my people, and I will be their God. (Eze 11:17-20)
 
I will take you from the nations and gather you from all the countries and bring you into your own land. I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean from all your uncleannesses, and from all your idols I will cleanse you. And I will give you a new heart, and a new spirit I will put within you. And I will remove the heart of stone from your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my Spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes and be careful to obey my rules. You shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers, and you shall be my people, and I will be your God. (Eze 36:24-28)
 
But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear. Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the law, and the words which the LORD of hosts hath sent in his spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts. Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the LORD of hosts: But I scattered them with a whirlwind among all the nations whom they knew not. Thus the land was desolate after them, that no man passed through nor returned: for they laid the pleasant land desolate. (Zec 7:11-14)
 
His [Leviathin’s] heart is hard as a stone, hard as the lower millstone… He sees everything that is high; he is king over all the sons of pride."  (Job 41:24, 34) 
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Verses – Plump and Oily, Proud and Arrogant                                           return to article
But this people hath a revolting and a rebellious heart; they are revolted and gone. Neither say they in their heart, Let us now fear the LORD our God, that giveth rain, both the former and the latter, in his season: he reserveth unto us the appointed weeks of the harvest. Your iniquities have turned away these things, and your sins have withholden good things from you. For among my people are found wicked men: they lay wait, as he that setteth snares; they set a trap, they catch men. As a cage is full of birds, so are their houses full of deceit: therefore they are become great, and waxen rich. They are waxen fat, they shine: yea, they overpass the deeds of the wicked: they judge not the cause, the cause of the fatherless, yet they prosper; and the right of the needy do they not judge. Shall I not visit for these things? saith the LORD: shall not my soul be avenged on such a nation as this? A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?  (Jer 5:23-31)
 
They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly.
(Psa 17:10)
 
The proud have forged a lie against me: but I will keep thy precepts with my whole heart. Their heart is as fat as grease; but I delight in thy law. (Psa 119:69-70)
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