RTW 2024

Then I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds so they did not blow on the earth or the sea, or even on any tree.

Revelation 7:1

“They will never again be hungry or thirsty;
    they will never be scorched by the heat of the sun.
For the Lamb on the throne
    will be their Shepherd.
He will lead them to springs of life-giving water.
    And God will wipe every tear from their eyes.”
Revelation 7:16-17

• (August 31)

• רוּחַ ruach: wind, breath, spirit
• The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit [ruach] of God was hovering over the surface of the waters. 
  Genesis 1:2
• Tallit: prayer shawl (a symbol of God’s covering/protection), Tzitzit: tassels, Mitzvah: command, Kanaf: wing or corner
• Why 4? “You must put four tassels on the hem of the cloak with which you cover yourself—on the front, back, and sides.”
  Deuteronomy 22:12
• “You have seen what I did to the Egyptians. You know how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.”
  Exodus 19:4
• “Say therefore to the Israelites: I am the LORD, and I will free you from the burdens of the Egyptians and deliver you from slavery to them. I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment.  I will take you as my people, and I will be your God. You shall know that I am the LORD your God, who has freed you from the burdens of the Egyptians.”
  Exodus 6:6-7 (NRSVUE)
• He will raise a signal for the nations and will assemble the outcasts of Israel and gather the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.
  Isaiah 11:12 (NRSVUE)
• Then he said to me, “Speak a prophetic message to the winds, son of man. Speak a prophetic message and say, ‘This is what the Sovereign LORD says: Come, O breath, from the four winds! Breathe into these dead bodies so they may live again.’”
  Ezekiel 37:9
• “You, O mortal, thus says the Lord God to the land of Israel: An end! The end has come upon the four corners of the land.”
  Ezekiel 7:2 (NRSVUE)

Trust that God is our very breath, our protection, our covering, our redeemer in any and all situations.