Pioneer
by Brad Scott
The word pioneer probably conjures up images of rickety old covered wagons blazing a trail across the west, on their way to discover new territories. This words origin is from the Hebrew word panah (פנה). This word is used in the Tanakh as, to clear a way, or to prepare a way. This is the fundamental meaning behind someone who is a pioneer. They are the first to go in and prepare the way for others. In the Articles section called "The Camels and the Well", I go into great detail to show that the ten camels were a picture of the commandments of YHVH, and that the true bride of Yitz'chak (Isaac) would be the one who comes to the well and also takes care of the camels. To accentuate this truth we are told in Bere’shiyt (Genesis) that the house of Yitz'chak's bride, Ribqah (Rebecca), was prepared for the camels.
Bere’shiyt 24:31And he said, Come in, thou blessed of YHVH; wherefore standest thou outside? For I have prepared the house, and room for the camels.
Ribqah's brother had gone ahead and prepared the house not just for the blessed of YHVH, but for the camels, as well. Take note of another pioneer in Scripture who also prepares the way for the Blessed of YHVH.
Yesha’yahu (Isaiah) 40:3The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, prepare ye the way of YHVH, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
We know from the testimony of the New Testament that Yochanan the Immerser fulfilled this role. Not only did Yochanan prepare the way for Messiah, but his ministry was to restore all things. I believe that he cleared the house and prepared it for the bridegroom and the camels (Torah) just like the events of Yitz'chak and his bride, Ribqah.
Mattityahu (Matthew) 17:11-13And Yeshua‘ answered and said unto them, Eliyahu truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, that Eliyahu is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they desired. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that He spoke unto them of Yochanan the Immerser.
When you prepare someone for the Messiah, are you leaving the camels outside?
Shalom Alecheim! ◊