Shalom Saints,

This was a two-tier teaching on the Bread of Affliction. First, David dealt with the unleavened bread being called the bread of affliction. Then David had a compelling teaching on making some sense of the affliction in the lives of Yehovah’s people.

Unleavened Bread as the Bread of Affliction

Passover/Pesach is the sacrifice; a picture/type of Yeshua. Yeshua is the lamb that was sacrificed to take away the sins of the world. Pesach is always to be in remembrance of our deliverance.

The unleavened bread is referred to as afflicted because it is missing something – leaven, which changes the look, texture and taste of the bread. The afflicted bread is a reminder of the deliverance from the gods and diseases of Egypt!

Only the first Passover was celebrated in the homes of the Israelites. All other celebrations were to be celebrated in the place where Yehovah had placed his name. Thus, the Passovers were celebrated as a nation.

Affliction in the Lives of Yehovah’s People

Elohim uses affliction to prompt repentance, to humble us, to teach us important lessons, to cause us to submit to His ways and often Elohim is thanked for the affliction that came into the lives of His people. David used the Bible examples of Israel in Egypt, King David, Job, Paul, Yeshua, and the tribulation Saints throughout his teaching to illustrate affliction.

David Rogers explained each one of the 6 reasons for affliction by giving examples and some historical background.

David concludes by saying that when we understand Elohim’s purposes in our afflictions, we get a renewed understanding of the affliction that comes our way.

Sharon’s Reflections on the Teaching

Here is one of my experiences of sowing and reaping as David Rogers discussed in this teaching.

When I left home Sunday, September 9, 2012, no one in my household, including me, had any inkling of an idea that “I” would go skating. This was based on my last skating experience in 1996 when I fell and had to have 4-5 stitches in my left eyebrow. Floyd had said, “Sharon, you ought to wear your bike helmet!”

How the prophets through the ages have been ignored; only to the demise of the un-listening ear and feet that stray from the path.

Sunday, when we walked in, I saw something I had never seen before at a skating rink. I was captivated, enchanted, pulled in “hook line and sinker”.

They had a modified rolling “walker” for the less experienced skaters. It was made out of PVC pipes. It was shaped like a horizontal V with legs that had wheels. The skater placed him/herself in the “V” and held on to the ends of the “V” and skated. I couldn't believe it. NOW, I COULD SKATE!!

It seemed all the walkers were being used by the smaller children. My mind was rolling; I was determined to skate. I thought, “I'll just snatch one of those walkers from a little kid when he comes off the floor for a rest or to eat.”

Then reality hits “I DON'T HAVE SOCKS. OK, OK, THINK.”

Winston had said he wasn’t going to skate so I could ask that he give me the pair of socks I told him to bring in case he would skate. I found Winston:

He then rolls up his pant leg.

Now, with my un-listening ears, I did not hear Winston say that last line.

Floyd heard the conversation. He did ask me if I knew where the nearest hospital was located. I was totally oblivious to his question. Floyd wouldn't have made a scene; he would have resolved himself to pick-up the (OR my) pieces later. After all, I was grown and he didn't have to rely on me to drive us home.

Then, I hesitatingly went out on the floor with an abandoned walker. The straight-ways were a breeze, but the curves were a challenge. I got better each time around. I was so proud of myself. After 5-10 minutes, I had worked up a sweat and my heart rate had increased tremendously. As I kept skating, I sweated less and my heart rate reduced. I was getting into the “zone”.

Floyd said I looked good out there, but be careful. Winston just shook his head.

I was sailing with a new found freedom. The curves were even easier. I hadn't learned how to cross my feet at the turn, I figured I'd master that on the next skating trip. The biggest challenge was to avoid running into skaters and little kids who had fallen on the floor.

After about 20 minutes, on the floor, and I was about one-half through the end curve, I had to swerve to miss a downed skater. My skates slipped out from under me and down I went. I had hit my right hip hard, but not hard enough to keep me from continuing to skate.

I got back up and jammed with the song “YMCA”. I even threw both of my hands up, off of the walker, as I passed Floyd. For the next 15-20 minutes, I was back in my youthful days, even better, because I never really knew how to skate.

I adopted the Eagles mantra, “Fly like an eagle, let the spirit carry me”. I actually got the skaters' knee dip and sway with the beat of the music. I rocked-out and widely smiled when the lights dimmed, the disco ball twirled, colored lights flashed and I heard Stevie Wonder's “My Eyes Don't Cry No More”. When the artificial smoke came down from the center ceiling, Carly Rae Jepsen's “Call Me Maybe”, got me bobbing my head.

I was no longer “in the zone”, I was “zoned out”. In other words, mentally and spiritually afflicted.

I sailed into the curve; I had mastered the short quick kick-outs to get me around the corner. Then Al Green jammed with “Let's Stay Together”. I was euphoric, I felt no more pain. I was free as a bird, light as a butterfly and as bright as the noon-day sun.

When I rounded the curve, I swerved to miss a small boy. Then my dream crashed. I felt pain. I was immobilized by my twisted leg. I felt as heavy as a water buffalo, and darkness had taken over my thoughts. I was physically afflicted with a broken leg!

At my horrific scream, throngs gathered over me. Later, Floyd mused that the song changed to the Beetles' “Come Together Over Me”! I think it was more like B. B. King’s, “The thrill is gone, baby. The thrill is gone!”

Buzz on the Teaching

Two hours before service, David Salinas and I were talking about the events of the week, his dog Pepper, and the Smash Burger he was going to have at sundown. As he turned to leave my office, he said for today’s service that he was going to start playing and just Worship. I said that I liked the fast songs first, but the times when he has started off with just Worship, it was just what was needed. He agreed.

Well, today it was more than needed. As Arthur said, it was personal time with the Father. I felt Him so strongly, as if He was engulfing me with His invisible, but palpable presence. I poured out my cares, my anxieties, my needs and wants. Then I just listened for His direction. This is what I heard from my Elohim.

I felt a great contentment that I had been heard and more than that, I had heard from My Father.

What has the Father told you lately?

Until next time… Blessings to You and Yours,

Sharon