Hebrew Voices #16 – Rooftop Revelations (Rebroadcast)

Ancient Jerusalem from Abu Tor by Nehemia GordonIn this episode of Hebrew Voices, Rooftop Revelations, Nehemia Gordon meets with Jerusalem Miri, who kept watch over the walls of Jerusalem by greeting the dawn and calling God's people to prayer, with songs from her heart to Yehovah, from a Jerusalem rooftop for nearly a decade. Linda wrote: “Wonderful interview, and thank you so much for the beautiful music, Miri. I've downloaded it and am enjoying it very much. It really speaks to the heart and spirit because it is from God's Word.”

Some of Miri’s songs found in this episode are available for purchase on Amazon. She has also graciously made many of her songs available for free download for supporters of Makor Hebrew Foundation. Close your eyes, open your heart, listen, and be blessed.

I look forward to reading your comments! Download Audio Transcript

Hebrew Voices #16 - Rooftop Revelations

You are listening to Hebrew Voices with Nehemia Gordon. Thank you for supporting Nehemia Gordon's Makor Hebrew Foundation. Learn more at NehemiasWall.com.

Benjamin Netanyahu: Le ma’an Zion lo ekhesheh, u’l’ma’an Yerushalayim lo eshkot. (For Zion’s sake I will not be silent, and for Jerusalem’s sake I will not rest. Isaiah 62:1)

Nehemia: Shalom, y'all. This is Nehemia Gordon with Hebrew Voices. I am here in the heart of Jerusalem with Miri. Miri is a Jewish lady from Georgia. And this is incredible, she's a Jewish lady from Georgia who has lived in Jerusalem for 15 years, who sings songs from her heart in the name of Yehovah.

Miri: That's right.

Nehemia: Miri, this is incredible. How did you come about singing songs, because it's not really popular today in the Jewish world. You know, most Jews who are going to sing songs about Scripture are going to follow the Rabbinical ban and not speak the actual name of God. And you're actually singing the name "Yehovah.” We've been sitting here, listening to some of your songs. And the audience, the listeners will get an opportunity to hear some of these songs that actually have never been broadcast in public before. Is that right?

Miri: That's right. I really didn't try to promote it. It was a very private years of learning and composing. And I feel like I can talk about these songs and how wonderful they are, because there's not something that I sat down and made up. It's like they just came to me.

Nehemia: Wow.

Miri: It was downloaded.

Nehemia: Okay, downloaded from heaven.

Miri: That's right, I really do believe that. And the style, the sound, the topics, the word from the Tanakh and everything, is from a very hidden time of worship and study that I felt led to do. It went on about 10 years, and I did this in private. So, I did give a few copies of the CDs to friends, but in general I didn't try to promote it or sell them.

Nehemia: I just gotta emphasize this point. I'm just amazed. I've heard these songs before, because I've known you for quite a number of years. And when we sat down to do this program, I asked you, “So Miri, where can people who are listening to this program buy your CDs?” And you told me something I didn't realize; that the CDs aren't for sale. Like this is something you did as this personal act of worship.

Miri: That's right.

Nehemia: And you told me it was a personal...How did you describe it, like...?

Miri: Keeping the watch.

Nehemia: Keeping the watch, this personal relationship and interaction you were having with the Creator of the Universe. And that's why you’ve created these songs and recorded them and put them on CDs.

Miri: Like a scribe, you know, so they wouldn't be lost.

Nehemia: Wow.

Miri: I have many, many notebooks.

Nehemia: But people actually can't go and buy these CDs, they're gonna actually have the opportunity… And this is actually something really special on this program that we haven't done before. People are going to have an opportunity to hear the full song, several of the songs. You've got lots of songs, but we've chosen possibly three or four songs. And we're going to actually intersperse them throughout the program as we discuss them. And then, people will have an opportunity to listen to them.

And with Miri's permission, we're actually going to make them available for download. So, if you're listening to this program on iTunes, or if you’ve downloaded it somewhere, go over to the nehemiaswall.com and find this episode. And there'll be links there where you can actually download the mp3 format of the song.

Miri: That'll be fine with me. And I'm a little bit shy, because it's so intimate. It's like a relationship that you might have, there's things you can do in public and things that you do in private that would never be shared. But because of the teaching that I learned from you, too, many of these thoughts and songs that I received were so shocking. You know, this is the main thing about me. I feel like I was called to keep the watch.

Nehemia: Tell us about your calling. So, you're from Georgia. You moved to Israel about 15 years ago. But you were telling me before the program about how you were in Jericho of all places, but when it was still safe to go to Jericho.

Miri: Yeah, long ago.

Nehemia: And that's how you, I guess, you had your calling. So, tell us about that.

Miri: That's the only way to explain it.

Nehemia: So, tell us what happened.

Miri: During the night I heard like this...

Nehemia: Like a scratching on the wall, or tapping. Tapping on the wall.

Miri: It wakened me, and I got up and went out on the mirpeset, and I noticed that there's some guy next door tapping underneath the window of a house to arouse everybody, because it was during the time of Ramadan.

Nehemia: So, it wasn't an angel from heaven that was tapping, it was the Muslim neighbor.

Miri: Well, yeah, but the reason was that they wanted to get up and have something to eat before they fast that day.

Nehemia: Oh, because they fast throughout the day. Okay, this is in Jericho, where people are Muslims.

Miri: And this is like a quarter to four in the morning. And so, what I heard loud and clear was, “Where are my people at this hour of the day?”

Nehemia: Wow, so the Muslims are waking up to eat before their fast. And you hear God saying to you, or putting on your heart or something…

Miri: Yeah, exactly.

Nehemia: Okay, the Muslims are doing that. Where are my people, why are they in their beds?

Miri: Exactly, snoozing away.

Nehemia: I'm one of those people.

Miri: Well, it's a special thing, a special assignment. And so, what I purposed to do was get up and keep the watch before any of those mosques aroused anybody. And I know there are also Jewish people in other denominations praying different hours, but it's something that I felt so strongly, that why should they be up doing their thing and generating power?

Nehemia: Well, and for those who don't know, and you experience this especially in certain parts of Israel which are next to where Muslims live. And sometimes, Jews and Muslims will be living next to each other, on top of each other. And you'll hear at 4:30 or 5:00 in the morning, the blasting of the loudspeaker of what they call the “muezzin,” what the Muslims call the prayer. And I hope this isn't offensive to anybody, but to me it sounds like a herd of sheep.

Miri: It’s droning like insects.

Nehemia: If you're sleeping, it really sounds obnoxious.

Miri: Really.

Nehemia: And what you're saying is...And this is actually a sensitive topic, but the truth is, there are some neighborhoods in some areas where the Muslims will use this as a sign of asserting their power.

Miri: Of course, to intimidate, dominate.

Nehemia: They'll actually literally turn up the microphone. There used to be a man standing on top of the tower doing the prayers. Now, it's actually a loudspeaker and a recording. And there are actually places in Israel where they'll turn it up so loud as to wake up the Jews and show, “Look, we have dominance here. You might think you control this land, but we're waking you up at 4:30 in the morning to hear our prayers.” And there have been some conflicts. There's a neighborhood in Jerusalem where, if I'm not mistaken, they actually put on the loudspeaker, “Shema Yisrael,” “Hear O’ Israel.”

Miri: That's wonderful.

Nehemia: You know, after taking the Muslims to court - and this is actually against the law to turn it up so loud that it would wake people up in the next neighborhood - they said, “Look, we won in court. The Muslims are still doing it, we can't stop them. They're gonna hear Shema Yisrael.” So, you decided that rather than letting them dominate the sound, that even before they woke up for their prayers, you were going to be in a relationship with the Creator of the Universe, doing the watch.

Miri: Yes, that's right.

Nehemia: I see in your notebook you have Habakkuk 2:1. Can you read us, what does it say there? What does that verse mean to you?

Miri: Well, this is the main thing I was impressed with after I returned in a few days to keep the watch at this hour. And this is what it says in Habakkuk 2:1, “I will stand upon my watch and set me upon the tower and will watch to see what He will say to me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.”

Nehemia: Let me read it in Hebrew. Al mishmarti e'emoda ve'etyatzeva al matzor, va'atzape lir'ot ma yedaber bi uma ashiv el tokakhti.” I love that, because the Muslims, at least originally, would stand up on a tower and now it's a loudspeaker on a tower. And you're saying that this is an idea that goes back to the time of Habakkuk, where the Prophet is saying, “I'm going to stand in the tower and see what God's gonna speak to me.”

Miri: Exactly, and I was living right on the wall.

Nehemia: So, you're taking back this message of Yehovah, this message of the Scriptures that the Muslims have hijacked. Oh, wow.

Miri: Yeah, I feel that so strongly. And where I lived, I had the fabulous view of the walls of the Old City. And you see the little slits in there. And it’s crenellated, they stand up on top of that.

Nehemia: Where to shoot out arrows, you mean? The little…

Miri: That's where the Jewish watchmen stood, and in other places too, but it just came to me so graphically…

Nehemia: The watchman on the wall.

Miri: That's right. But the main thing is, you're standing the watch in the night watch. But also, you are listening from Adonai Tzevaot, from Yehovah Tzevaot, the Lord of Hosts the instructions. And so, maybe He's going to reprove you. It doesn't say "maybe,” it says, "when I am reproved, what I'm going to answer.” Now, "reprove" means “gentle explaining, teaching, correction.” We have to open ourselves to be corrected from the Father, because otherwise we're not gonna know what He says, what He wants. We'll be listening to something else and get off on a tangent or get up our in our own thoughts from our own soul.

Nehemia: That's really deep.

Miri: It is deep, and this is what happened. I continued this way for 10 years. And it’s simple…

Nehemia: Wow, waking up early in the morning to do these watches and listen for God reproving you.

Miri: That’s right. And also, I would be on the keyboard worshiping and then these songs would come.

Nehemia: At 4:00 or 5:00 in the morning?

Miri: Well, from 4:00 to 6:00.

Nehemia: What, for 10 years?

Miri: I did.

Nehemia: And that's where these songs came from?

Miri: That's right.

Nehemia: Wow.

Miri: And also, I got myself fixed and cleaned up. Proper thoughts and beliefs, and what the Father wants from me, because it says, “I will look to see, I will watch to see what He will say to me.”

Nehemia: This is in Habakkuk 2 we're still in.

Miri: That's right.

Nehemia: If you come before God and you say, “God, I am righteous, I am saved, I am good,” you know, then you're not open to being reproved. You're not open to the correction that He can give us.

Miri: That's right.

Nehemia: “I’m not like other men, I am righteous,” then you’ve got a problem.

Miri: Well, I used to be that way. I thought I knew it.

Nehemia: Hey, I knew everything when I was 17.

Miri: See? But each of us needs that.

Nehemia: Amen.

Miri: And it only comes in the secret place, and this is where we meet. And other thing. I would be…

Nehemia: And hold on to the thought of the secret place, because I hope we're gonna get to Zephaniah, which is one of the songs, we'll get to that later. And Zephaniah... You see, I'm jumping ahead, this is what I do. Zephaniah is hidden of Yah, and there's a verse you've got, but we're gonna hold on to that for the end.

Miri: All right. And the thing about it is, like after this period of time was over, after about 10 years, I don't do it anymore. But I would try to go places and do things. And at 8 o'clock at night, I would be with my mouth open...

Nehemia: Because you're up at 4:00 to 6:00 on the keyboard, praying.

Miri: A quarter to 4:00.

Nehemia: Oh, wow.

Miri: Yeah, because I was getting into it and approaching the Father in prayer and worship before 4:00 o'clock. And also, I had all these little scraps of paper and spiral notebooks where I would scribble down things, and you should see it. And so, it took me a while to organize it.

And the reason that I recorded these is as a scribe, so it wouldn't be lost. But for me, I did share a few of these with people, but I wasn't promoting, trying to make money, no show biz, none of that. It was strictly private time, and I believe that this is the way the Father wants to deal with us, because think about Abraham. He was somewhere out, I mean, nothing. Just him and Yehovah. And that's the same way I felt, and also some of it...

Nehemia: But then what does He also say? He says, “I've chosen him because I know he will teach this to his children.” Meaning, at some point it's got to be passed on. It's great to have that personal relationship, I think it's crucial to have that personal interaction. But I also think, “The watchman on the wall, he stands there and he looks for the enemy to come. And when the enemy comes, he's got to blow the shofar.”

And now, Miri, it's time for you to blow the shofar and share this with people. And so, I'm going to ask you to give an introduction to the first song that we're actually going to play on this program, that's never been played on the radio airwaves before, never been podcasted before. And you can also download the song separately. It's a song that's based on Zechariah 8:23, and Psalm 122. And you've got a bunch of things in these different songs, so it's not just one verse.

But I want to read Zechariah 8:23. I'm going to read it in Hebrew and translate it, and then you can give your introduction to it. It says in Hebrew, I'll start in verse 20, it says, “Thus says Yehovah of Hosts, ‘od asher yavo amim veyoshvey arim rabot,’” “There shall yet come people and those who dwell in many cities,” etc. In verse 23, it says, “Thus says Yehovah of Hosts, bayamim hahema,” “in those days,” “asher yakhaziku asara anashim mikol leshonot hagoyim,” “that 10 men from all the languages of the nations shall grab hold,” “vehekhziku bikhnaf ish Yehudi,” “and they shall grab hold of the garment, or the wing, the edge of the garment of a Jewish man,” “ lemor,” “saying,” “nelkha imakhem,” “we will go with you,” “ki shamanu Elohim imakhem,” “for we have heard God is with you.” Wow, I love that verse. Now, how do you tie that into Psalm 122? That's homework, people, go read Psalm 122. That’s the homework for everybody.

Miri: There are many elements in these Psalms. You can't say every single Scripture, but it's the idea that the people from the nations are gonna come to the God of Israel, Yehovah, with the Jewish people, not the other way around. The Jews are not supposed to leave and go to some other belief. But the light to the nations, the light to the Goyim is the nation of Israel, and the God of Israel, Yehovah. And so, this is already happening, like what you're doing.

Nehemia: I've seen it happening around the world.

Miri: It's amazing. Okay, well this is the plan of the Father. And then, coming up to Jerusalem to praise the name of Yehovah in Jerusalem where the tribes go up, in the place where He's placed His name. So, that whole move…And that's why we have the millions of tourists coming here, because the Father is drawing everybody.

Nehemia: A lot of them will say they're not tourists, they're pilgrims, and they really are.

Miri: Exactly.

Nehemia: They're coming up in fulfillment of this prophecy, Psalm 122, and Zachariah 8:23 and some other verses mixed in there. And so, we're gonna play this song. And before we do it, I just want to ask everybody to sit back in a chair and close your eyes. And listen and join Miri from Jerusalem in prayer.

[Song]

Nehemia: Wow, that was such a beautiful song. Thank you so much. Wow, I love this music and look, I'm not a musical guy, I'll be the first one to admit. People ask, “But what do you listen to on your iPhone or your Galaxy all the time?” I'm listening to podcasts, and I'll be honest with you. I'm not a music guy but I absolutely love your music, Miri.

Miri: I'm so glad.

Nehemia: And that's why I had to come and talk to you and have this Hebrew voice expressed. You know, we were talking before, and you made the mention about how a lot of, especially Jews, they hear a southern accent, and there's a certain prejudice against it in the Jewish world. That's completely true.

But what I love about you, Miri, is that you're not the cookie-cutter Jew from Brooklyn who is singing the Schlock Rock. These songs were given to you, you believe, by Yehovah and you're sharing them, and you're authentic and I love that. I loved hearing this Miri in Jerusalem song. Let's go on, let's talk about some of your other songs. What's the next one that we're going to talk about?

Miri: Yeshu’at Yehovah.

Nehemia: Okay, now where does that phrase appear, for those who don't know.

Miri: Exodus 14:13 exactly.

Nehemia: Can I read that verse?

Miri: Please.

Nehemia: I want to read that verse. And of course, the context here of Exodus 14, is they're standing on the shore of the Red Sea. And the Egyptians have pinned them up against the Sea and they're thinking, “We're cooked, we're dead.” You know, we've got no chance, and they're complaining, they're kvetching. You know, they're Jews, they complain, they kvetch. Kvetch is the Yiddish word for complaint.

Vayomer Moshe el ha'am, “And Moshe said to the people,” “Al tira'u,” “Do not be afraid,” “hityatzevu ur'u et yeshu’at Yehovah,” “stand and see the salvation of Yehovah,” “asher ya'ase lakhem hayom.” “which He will do for you today.” “Ki asher ra'item et mitzrayim hayom lo tosifu lir'otam od,” “For as you have seen Egypt today, you will not see them yet again,” “ad olam,” “forever.” “And Yehovah yilakhem lakhem,” “And Yehovah will fight for you,” “ve'atem takharishun,” “and you will be silent.”

I love that, and what I really love... And look, I love the scriptural story, it stands on its own. But there's this great Rabbinical sort of embellishment of the story, but it's based on some things. And whether it's true or not, I love the message. So, this Rabbinical story is, okay, Moses said to the people, “You're going to see the salvation of Yehovah.” But between when that happened and the Sea split, there was some span of time, and somebody had to go in first.

So, who went in first? The Rabbinical legend said there was a man named Nakhshon. And where did they get this idea? Well, Nakhshon could be from the word nakhash, which means snake, but it also could be related to the word nakhshol, which means a wave that washes over somebody. And so, what the Rabbis are saying is that wasn't really his name, that was his nickname, Nakhshon, because he went in, and the story is he went up until the water was up to his neck. And that was a sign of how much faith he had. And that's why he was called “Mr. Wave,” because the waves are washing over him going into his mouth, the water is up to his neck, and then the water split.

And I don't know if that's what happened or not, but it's a beautiful sentiment. And that's what it means, “to see the salvation of Yehovah,” I think, is to step out on faith like that, and then Yehovah will come and perform His miracle. So, tell us about your song having to do with the salvation of Yehovah.

Miri: I realized that Yehovah is the savior, yeshu'at.

Nehemia: Amen. The phrase is, “Yeshu'at Yehovah,” the salvation of Yehovah. Yes, Ma’am.

Miri: Yeshu'at Yehovah is that His arm that brought us out of Egypt and made us a nation, and His strong arm. And also, it says His arm isn't too short that He can't save us.

Nehemia: Amen.

Miri: So, that was the concept here. And also, you know, we all have battles. It might not be bullets from real guns, but I'm telling ya, they can kill you.

Nehemia: Amen.

Miri: They can wound you. They can put you out of commission, put you on the sidelines. But I feel like this concept of Him covering us in the day of battle, never mind what the battle is, it’s maybe the Egyptians or something else. But it's talking about the arm of Yehovah is not short, that He can't save us. And He’s also God over us. It's kinda hard to explain it, but I saw Him as a covering, the banner. He is Yehovah nisi, our banner.

Nehemia: “Yehovah my banner,” that's a phrase that also appears in that context there in those chapters in Exodus.

Miri: That’s right. And it says, “You have covered my head…”

Nehemia: Wait, Yehovah nisi, isn't that the altar that was set up at some point? Where is that?

Miri: You know, I thought I had it written down, but I don't. But it says, “You have covered my head in the day of battle.” He's our banner.

Nehemia: Okay, so it's Exodus 17:15, it’s shortly thereafter. It says, “And He built there an altar, and he called its name ‘Yehovah nisi,’ Yehovah my banner.

Miri: That's right.

Nehemia: Wow. This is shortly after the crossing of the sea, which takes place in Exodus 14 and is sung about in Exodus 15. And this was the inspiration for the song of Yehovah being the savior. When we're talking about Yehovah being the savior...

Miri: It's in Isaiah, right?

Nehemia: Well, it's all over Isaiah, especially Isaiah chapters 40-66 it's one of the themes there. I just want to read one passage, which is Isaiah 41.

Miri: It says, “There's no one besides Me.” There's not another savior.

Nehemia: Amen. So, Isaiah 41, let me read this, verses 1-3. I'm going to do the New King James version, just because I can. And it says here, “Keep silence before me, oh coastlands.” This is Isaiah 41 1-3. “And let their people renew their strength. Let them come near and let them speak. Let us come near together for judgment, who raised up one from the east, who in righteousness called him to his feet, and who gave nations before Him.” This is talking about Cyrus, or that's the Jewish understanding, anyway. “And made him rule over kings who gave them as the dust to his sword, as driven stubble to his bow. Who pursued them and passed safely by the way that he had not gone with his feet, who has performed and done it calling the generation from the beginning, who has done all these things?” That's the question, who raised up Cyrus? “I, Yehovah am the first and the last, I am He” And I think that's not the verse I wanted to read, but it's a good verse, too.

Miri: You know what? The point is about King Cyrus...What did Yehovah say to this pagan king? “You are my mashiakh.” He spoke to King Cyrus, he says, “You are my mashiakh.”

Nehemia: Right, he actually called him a mashiakh, an anointed.

Miri: And that concept of well, we need to understand what the Father says, that the concept of mashiakh is, and not… listen, we've got to know what He says it is, and not what somebody else says it is.

Nehemia: Well, it's interesting, because you have different types of mashiakhs. This is way off topic, Miri, but let's do it.

Miri: Okay, get back to the…

Nehemia: No, so you've got mashiakh as anointed one. And there's a great passage where you have, who is it? Is it Eliyahu, I think, or maybe it's Elisha who’s called to anoint...No, it's Eliyahu, Elijah when he goes to Mount Sinai. And he's called to anoint Elisha as the Prophet, and Yehu as the King, and then also a Gentile King. So, it’s three people he's anointing, the Prophet is anointed, the King of Israel and the King of Syria are anointed.

And then we also have this other figure that's anointed in other passages, which is actually the first time, is in Leviticus five. It’s the High Priest who's anointed. He's called “Hakohen hamashiakh.” So, you have different messianic figures who were called “mashiakh.” So, Yehovah, He appoints this mashiakh, who is Cyrus. And there's a number of passages, but the one I was thinking of is Isaiah 45. And that is the passage that talks about Cyrus in the beginning, about how he's Yehovah's anointed. And then it says in verse 21, I love this, it says, “Halo ani Yehovah ve'en od,” “Am I not Yehovah and there is no other?” “Ve'en od Elohim mibal'aday,” “And there is no other God beside me,” “El tzadik umoshia,” “a righteous God and a savior,” “ayin zulati,” “there is none beside Me.” I love that. Yehovah is our savior and that's what your song is about.

Miri: That's right.

Nehemia: And what passage is it based on, this song?

Miri: Well, like we said, Exodus, because Yehovah is the savior...

Nehemia: Amen.

Miri: And His arm is not short that He can't save. And then, He covers our head in the day of battle. He's like the helmet of salvation.

Nehemia: Yehovah is the helmet of our salvation.

Miri: That's right.

Nehemia: And there are the battles that we face against foreign armies, but there are also the battles that we go up against just in our daily lives and encounter difficulties. And Yehovah is our savior, and He is our helmet. Yeah, wow.

And my nephew, I was talking to him recently, he was actually involved in that Gaza war. And it's sad that by the time this is broadcast, people might ask which one, because there may have been another war, I don't know. But he was involved in what they called the “50-day Gaza war” back in the summer of 2014. And he described how there would be mortar shells falling, and they'd knock you off your feet. And if you didn't have a helmet, you could get a concussion and get really hurt. And you're talking about Yehovah being the helmet in the day of battle. Like wow, He protects your head from the concussion, from the enemy that wants to bombard you and harass you and... Wow.

Miri: You know what they say.

Nehemia: What's that?

Miri: Life's tough, get a helmet.

Nehemia: Amen. All right, let's listen to the song, and here it is. Miri from Jerusalem, singing about Yehovah being our savior.

Miri: Yehovah nisi.

Nehemia: Yehovah nisi, yeshu'at Yehovah. Amen.

[Song]

Nehemia: Wow, I just love these songs, they just keep getting better and better. And now, let's talk about one more song before you're going to actually play something live at the end. We're gonna play one more track, which is based on Isaiah 60, and tell us how this song came to you.

Miri: Actually, I really can't remember all the details. During this time, like I said, I was living with a fabulous view of the Old City, and I had access to a roof. My bedroom opened onto the roof. And what I did was, I slept up there.

Nehemia: On the roof?

Miri: On the roof, every night during the time when it's not raining, which is about six months. It was the most awesome time of my life. And this was in like ‘99. I lived there for six years. And I bought a little mattress. And about 3:00 o'clock in the morning... I didn't sleep much, to tell you the truth. It was just the most... When I think about it, I wish I could do that again, but there's a heavy, heavy dew that follows about 3:00 in the morning, so you’ve gotta have a big quilt. You’ve gotta have a hat, because everything is saturated. But it is the most wonderful thing. And you have the night sky. And of course, I had the city nearby, so that view.

Nehemia: You just basically lift up your head and you can see the Old City, the walls of the Old City of Jerusalem.

Miri: Oh yeah, and I'm in the elements. And it was just the most awesome, I would say, six months.

Nehemia: Wow.

Miri: And I slept up there, and I feel like I really got that sound that is not western, it's not from Georgia, but I got the sound from mizrakhi.

Nehemia: That literally means “eastern” or oriental. And what that means in Israel is a certain style of music that Jews who came from Yemen and places like that brought with them. And, you know, when I listened to this song, Miri, it reminds me... And I could be completely off, because I'm not a music person. But when I heard this, the first thing that came to mind… I love this song, but the first thing that came to mind for me was the scene in the movie, “The Ten Commandments” with Charlton Heston, where he's sitting with Jethro. And they send Zipporah, or Sephora, to perform some kind of dance, I think, with her sisters, and it kind of had that flavor for me. And I don't know if it even sounds like that, I saw the movie so many years ago. But it has that kind of Middle Eastern sound to it.

Miri: A definite sound. And you know, it also says...I don't know where this is, you'll have to look this up, that God came from Teman, from Yemen.

Nehemia: Well, that's actually a theme, I think we spoke about this in the Prophet Pearls. There's a theme, actually, throughout the Tanakh, describing God coming from the mountains of the South. And sometimes it'll describe Him coming from Seir, sometimes from Teman, and the Teman they're talking about is probably in the Edomite kingdom back then. Sometimes from Sinai, and basically that is the route that God would take coming from Sinai to Israel, He would pass through Midian and Seir, and Moab, He would pass those places coming to Israel. And I think that is the significance of that image, of God coming from the mountains of the South, the revelation of God.

Miri: And also, like the Queen of Sheba came.

Nehemia: Yeah, the caravans she brought with her.

Miri: She brought her caravans. I don't want to say I had visions, but what would happen was, I would get these pictures...

Nehemia: Come on, Miri, share what happened. Come on, preach it.

Miri: It was so supernatural.

Nehemia: Don't hold back, Miri, tell us what happened.

Miri: So, in this song, what I saw was...

Nehemia: Don't be ashamed of the word that you've received, Miri. Share it with us.

Miri: I just saw what is coming, the praise and the worship to the Holy One of Israel, to the God of Israel, to Yehovah. And it was just so... I can only describe it like it was… Based in the Scripture, it talks about how the Gentiles and the Jews are gonna come together in great abundance and provision. And all of this is coming up, it's coming from somewhere, coming up, up, up, up, up, up to Jerusalem. It's all about coming up to worship Yehovah, where He placed His name forever.

Nehemia: And, of course, in Hebrew, there's this really interesting feature which is whenever you come to Jerusalem, it's described as coming up.

Miri: That's right.

Nehemia: And it doesn't even matter if you're coming from a place that's geographically higher than Jerusalem. You could be coming from Gibeah of Benjamin where Saul lived, which is actually higher than Jerusalem, and it's still described as “coming up” because Jerusalem, it's in the mountains. It's not the highest mountain, though, but it's higher in holiness. And I love that. I just love this image of you, Miri. You're lying all alone on a rooftop. You've got the walls of the Old City. You've got the honking of the cars and the noise and the tourists...

Miri: It was dead still.

Nehemia: Oh, it was dead still, okay. This must have been years ago, then.

Miri: Yeah, more or less. You know what I'm talking about, like there's no buses running.

Nehemia: Oh, okay, because it's the middle of the night, okay.

Miri: Generally, you can say people were kinda settled down.

Nehemia: Wow, so it was peaceful and quiet. And there's the dew falling down…

Miri: And the sky is so awesome.

Nehemia: And you've got this image of Yehovah coming from the south. I love it.

Miri: And it’s the people and what they’re going to bring to Him. And also, the thing about this is that the sky is not black. It's like this midnight blue with all the stars. And the clouds are usually pink, because I think it's a reflection from the lights of the city. It's unbelievable. I recommend that people take some time to do this, because it's so special. And also, you showing the Father that it’s a sacrifice, it's an offering to Him. I mean, it's a serious thing. Now, you might not be in a position to do it as long as I did it, but I'm telling you it's worth it.

Nehemia: And there are some actually relatively inexpensive places where you can stay close to there, where you could probably sleep on a roof.

Miri: I don't know.

Nehemia: There are, there are some places like on Jaffa road I know, where they'll let you sleep on the roof. I know because I was looking at some places for somebody who asked me about where they could build a sukkah. The high-end places, no way. You know, the five-star hotels will never let you do that. But there were some of these kinda like two or three-star places that would let you actually go up on the roof. Let me read this passage. I'm gonna read this here from... Actually this is your Bible, which is a Jerusalem Bible, the Jewish one, not the Catholic one.

Miri: Yes, Koren.

Nehemia: Right, published by Koren Publishing. And actually, one of the programs, I don't know if it's gonna be broadcast before or after this, is actually how the Koren Bible was published, how it was printed. It's a fascinating episode. But let me read this, this is the English here, Isaiah 60. I'm not going to read the whole thing, but this will give some context to the song.

It says in verse 4, “Lift up your eyes round about and see all that gather themselves together, they shall come to you. Your sons shall come from far and your daughters shall be nursed at your side. Then you will see and be filled with light, and your heart shall fear and be enlarged because the abundance of the sea shall be turned to you. The riches of the nation shall come to you.” And this is what you were talking about, all the nations coming to Jerusalem. “The multitude of camels shall come over thee, the dromedaries of Midian and Ephah and all they from Sheva shall come. They shall bring gold and incense, and they shall proclaim the praises of Yehovah.” I love it. Can we hear the song?

Miri: Yes. Okay, here goes.

Nehemia: Okay, here's the song.

Miri: Arise and shine.

Nehemia: Arise and shine. And once again, if you can, try to find a quiet place. And maybe the first time you're listening to this you're jogging, or you're on the treadmill, or you’re on the elliptical. But go back and listen to this again or download the song from nehemiaswall.com and listen. Find a quiet place. Maybe go up on your roof, or go out in your backyard, stare up at the sky and imagine yourself laying there in Jerusalem, the name where Yehovah placed His name forever. And the dew is coming down, the dew which in Jewish culture is a blessing. That dew that he talks about in Deuteronomy 32, which is the dripping of the word of Yehovah, it's coming down upon you. And close your eyes and listen to this song.

[Song]

Nehemia: Oh, wow, what another beautiful song. Thanks so much, Miri. And remember, you can download these songs at nehemiaswall.com. So, there's one more song, and this is something really special. I hope this works. This is a technology thing. I've asked Miri to do something really radical. Those first three songs we heard, those were recorded in studios, right, Miri?

Miri: That's right.

Nehemia: And this one you're actually going to play live, and we don't have really sophisticated equipment. We're here in Miri's apartment. I've got what I call the “poor man's recording studio,” which is just actually a piece of foam sitting in front of a recording device. It's an expensive piece of foam, but it's just foam. And I don't know how this is gonna work, but we're gonna give it a try. Tell us about this last song.

Miri: Well, in Zephaniah...

Nehemia: I love the name Zephaniah. We talked before how Zephaniah means “Zephan-Yah,” “hidden of Yah.”

Miri: Right, and the Scripture says in chapter 2 of Zephaniah verse 3, “If you seek righteousness, seek humility. It may be you shall be hidden in the day of Yehovah's anger.” So, that is something that I wanna grab hold to, because things are not going to get any better. As a matter of fact, they're going to deteriorate, and if we believe that there's a remnant that's going to be preserved no matter how bad it gets around here, it's promised to the righteous. And those are the ones that hear Yehovah's voice and obey.

Nehemia: Amen.

Miri: This verse is a great promise. Don't be afraid, fear there not. Let's see, this is in chapter 3 of Zefania.

Nehemia: That's Zephaniah, for all you English speakers, for all you Georgians.

Miri: That’s right. It says here, also, this is the promise of the revival of the Hebrew language, in chapter 3: 9.

Nehemia: Come on, it's one of my favorite verses in the Bible.

Miri: This is a short scroll, but it is packed with exciting things.

Nehemia: Homework time, go read the book of Zephaniah.

Miri: In chapter 3:9, it says, “Then I will convert the peoples to a purer language.” Why? “That they may all call upon the name of Yehovah to serve Him with one consent, or one shoulder.” This is also the promise of the revival of the Hebrew language. We can use the proper name and not have all kinds of different... Who knows who we're praying to?

Nehemia: I love that he says, “Why am I gonna turn them to a pure language, revive the Hebrew language? So that they'll all call upon the name of Yehovah with one shoulder, standing shoulder to shoulder.” I preach on this, go listen to the “Open Door” series. Miri, you've preached the passage. Now, would you sing it for us?

Miri: Yes, I'd be delighted.

Nehemia: Hallelujah.

Miri: And also, it's a promise that Yehovah, our God, in the midst of us, is mighty, in Yerushalayim. And this is a promise, and we need to keep reminding ourselves of this, that He is going to save. It says, “He will save, He will rejoice over you with singing.”

Nehemia: What verse is this?

Miri: In chapter 3 Zephaniah again it said, “I will give them a praise and a fame. And I will bring you in and gather you,” It's all about the regathering, too, and aren't we seeing that?

Nehemia: Wow. He’s given you this praise, would you share the praise with the people, please? Let me describe to people. We've got a keyboard here, and Miri has... I guess, what is that, the words in the book? What do you have in that notebook?

Miri: Because this keyboard has a lot of special effects, it has the percussion, it has the accompaniment.

Nehemia: I have no idea what any of that means, and I don't need to know.

Miri: You can make it sound like a guitar, or a harp, or you can make it sound like jazz. You have to set it, so what I'd like to do is just double check and make sure that I have it on the correct...

Nehemia: You're setting up your musical device here. And she's gonna play. This is live, this is authentic. This isn't in a studio somewhere. This is a woman coming before the Creator of the Universe in worship, and I love that. I love how authentic this is, that you really just did this out of your relationship with the Creator.

Miri: That's right. And it takes time, though. I spend a lot of time, and that's what it takes. But we’ve got time. What else have we got to do, right?

Nehemia: Amen.

[Song]

Nehemia: Wow. Miri, thank you so much for taking the time to speak to us and to play us your beautiful music, and I'm just so...I'm not a musical person, but I'm very uplifted and moved by this music.

Miri: Is it touching you?

Nehemia: It is. I'm feeling it deep in my spirit.

Miri: I got the chili bumps.

Nehemia: I got the chili bumps, too.

Miri: It makes you hot. I would sweat like going to the gym. And you cry...Listen, it's awesome.

Nehemia: Well, there you have it, listeners. We're here in Jerusalem, the heart of Jerusalem, and we're hearing these words that Miri has received here in Jerusalem, these songs and the sounds that she's got here in Jerusalem. And may it be the will of Yehovah, the Creator of the Universe, that we all come together, we all join one another from all the nations of the world. And we all come up to the place where He's put His name forever.

And on that day of His wrath, may He hide us deep in His bosom and protect us, and be the helmet on our heads. And may we have the blessing of Zephaniah to be hidden of Yah.

Miri: Amen.

Nehemia: Amen.

You have been listening to Hebrew Voices with Nehemia Gordon. Thank you for supporting Nehemia Gordon’s Makor Hebrew Foundation. Learn more at NehemiasWall.com.

We hope the above transcript has proven to be a helpful resource in your study. While much effort has been taken to provide you with this transcript, it should be noted that the text has not been reviewed by the speakers and its accuracy cannot be guaranteed. If you would like to support our efforts to transcribe the teachings on NehemiasWall.com, please visit our support page. All donations are tax-deductible (501c3) and help us empower people around the world with the Hebrew sources of their faith!


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Verses Mentioned: Zechariah 8:23 Psalms 122 Isaiah 43:11 Isaiah 59:12 Psalms 20:8 Deuteronomy 6:24-25 Psalms 45:11 Psalm 2 Isaiah 60 Deuteronomy 6:4 Habakkuk 2:1 Luke 18:11 Genesis 18:19 Zechariah 8:20-23 Psalm 122 Exodus 14:13 Exodus 17:15 Isaiah 41:1-3 1 Kings 19:15-16 Leviticus 5 Isaiah 45:21 Isaiah 60 Zephaniah 3:9
  • Wanda Ford says:

    Miri’s music really spoke to me. I love the beginning where where spoke about coming before Yehovah and letting Yehovah reprove or teach us.

  • Caroline Shemesh says:

    Wow. Goose bumps. Couldn’t stop crying.
    Cannot download it. Can you help?

  • Bill Avery says:

    Yehovah Yehoshia Beautiful! Yeshuat Yehovah!

  • Sherri says:

    I downloaded the album when you first did this broadcast and have played it many times. It is so inspirational and I really like her style. Thanks for bringing it to us for her.

  • Miri~ says:

    Well, bless my soul! What a blessing! Still, after all these years! Here I am, covered and hidden in the foothills of Appalachia, in the time of His anger…little did I know what I was sowing to the heavens during those years of keeping the night watch! o/
    Thank you, dear Nehemiah!
    And thank you, Father, for pouring into me these truths for healing and strengthening of all who have ears to hear. Thank you for all the dear ones who commented here, all the beautiful encouragements. We feed one another!
    Pray that you be found worthy to stand….

    • Jillian Kidd says:

      יהוה bless you and guard you, Miri ;). The songs were such a blessing, I held my phone up to my iPad during the podcast to record the songs. Then I discovered and downloaded the entire album in Apple Music! Feeling blessed.

  • Shun Wells says:

    Thank you Nehemia for all that you do. I can’t even begin to describe how awesome this episode was for me. You said that you aren’t a music person. Well I am a music person, and I’ve been looking for this type of music for years. For me this episode is proof of Psalms 37:4.

    Delight yourself in Yehovah and He shall give you the desires of your heart.

    Miri, as I listened to this episode Proverbs 31 kept entering my head. All I know about you is what I learned from this episode and your music that I have listened to, so in the Spirit of what I know about you I say the following: Proverbs 31:30-31

    Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that fears Yehovah, she shall be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

    I love your music Miri, and thank you so very much for sharing it with us.

    Blessed be Yehovah, for guiding me to Nehemia and to Miri’s music.

  • Miri says:

    Well, bless my soul! Thank you so much, Nehemia! The most wonderful years of my life, & what a dear friend and teacher you have been!

  • Ann Correa says:

    Love this! Yehovah is my Yeshua!
    And the whole of the book is written about Him! He is the Jew whom the nation’s are grabbing a hold of!!
    HalleluYah ! Yeshuati !

  • Rick says:

    Miri, your music is just what I’ve been looking for to enhance my Shabbat, thank you so much for sharing the talents Jehovah has given you. Shalom.

  • Rodger & Dawn McPherson says:

    Her music has truly blessed us on this Shabbat. Thank you both for sharing your love of the one true deity, YHVH?

  • Dawn Marie McAlister says:

    Thank you so much for this, Nehemia and Miri. I keep my Facebook small, but I did share the link with a public setting. May many come here and be reminded of how faithful our Father is, that He truly saves those who call on His Name in spirit and truth, and that His Name is on Jerusalem forever and ever. May He continue to raise up for Himself watchmen on the wall.

  • Angela&Dale Adams says:

    What a blessing, thank you Nehemiah and.
    Miri for sharing….I downloaded all the songs to my phone; now I can listen everyday and worship YHV.

  • catherine kipapa says:

    Thank you both for such a beautiful recording, it has come just in time. really needed to be inspired. May Yehovah Bless you both.

  • Janice says:

    Two years ago, after suffering with deep depression for years, and not wanting to use the typical medical solutions, the Spirit of Yehovah reminded me that the evil one hates praise. I was convinced that at least for me, I needed to start singing scripture to Yehovah. It is also a wonderful tool for meditating on Yehovah and keeping one’s heart fixed on Him.
    Being a bit musical, I put some scriptures to music from Psalm 34. and began to sing out loud to the Lord through my tears. I was amazed when I found the depression leaving.When it would come back I would sing the scriptures again…sometimes crying so hard I could hardly sing, but by His grace, I kept singing while meditating on the words of those wonderful scriptures…and again the heavy cloud would leave. I so wished that were more true praise music from the scriptures. And Yehovah has answered that prayer!
    Now I have found this truly gifted Servant of Yehovah and her music, and it is exactly what I yearned for. Thanks so much, Nehemia and Miri for posting this. It was time! Our precious Yehovah be praised who heard our cry and answered. Your music is from heaven and not of this earth for which I am so thankful!

  • Daniel Monroe says:

    Shoutstanding! Praise YeHoVaH for sending us Miri and her wonderfully inspired music. Really uplifts me to the core.

  • UKJ says:

    Thank you for such beautifully presented music.

    What immediately comes to mind is:

    “Isa 52:7 How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings, that publisheth peace; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth salvation; that saith unto Zion, Thy God (Yehovah) reigneth!”

    And immediately afterwards :

    “Jn 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

    Most here would agree that it is “Yehovah” who saves, some views may vary on how he is going to accomplish such!

    Again thank you! Most enjoyable music and presentation.

  • Shelley Cadd says:

    I feel the same as all the others. Thank u so much, N, for re-posting this. I have been longing to find the “right” music to fill my home with in the present season, east of Miri’s border.. This is perfect. Miri, maybe I can meet u at Pesach. Shelley

  • Mona Allen says:

    Thank you so much for these pure worship songs from JERUSALEM. I LOVE each song. It’s like water in a dry a thirsty land. I love to worship but more with the fathers Restored Name and just the purity and simple ways of these songs is so refreshing. I am from Alabama deep in the South . Is there By way I could get more of her songs other than ones listed. This is such a blessing. Thank you again. Shalom. Mona

  • Marie says:

    Thank you Nehemia.I downloaded it and I use it in my prayer time. Thank you Miri.

  • Mary Yeh says:

    I praise Yehovah for Miri’s standing in prayer in Jerusalem to move His Hand in protection! The songs she sings are spirit piercing and so full of heart-love to Him! I will be singing these with her from this download, to touch the Spirit of Yehovah. I do believe things will happen in Jerusalem to shake the whole world to bring all what the prophets have spoken of her to pass, the capital of the whole earth! Yehovah will be attributed being with His chosen people for real (and I pray soon!). I am excited that Miri believes with Nehemia, they will be those left in faithfulness when all calamity and chaos tries to destroy Jerusalem, the capital of Yehovah’s move. At least I believe that for these two! What faithfulness, obedience, and turning to Israel’s true God!

  • Ezracha Bat EPhrayim says:

    I took Nehemia’s advice and hit the couch and closed my eyes. It was easy to see the gimel caravan trotting along heading up to Yerushalyim loaded with provisions. Lovely voice. Praise Yah with tears of gladness! Toda Nehemia and Miri.

  • Wow! How wonderfully anointed and blessed are these songs.

    I wholeheartedly agree with Miri that Yehovah is drawing all men and woman to Jerusalem. My heart leaps with joy and gladness knowing that we will all be together glorifying and worshiping Him with songs, the dance, with musical instruments in the place where His holy name is written forever Halleluyah!!

    I love the rooftop story!! Thanking you so much Miri for sharing. Your testimony is very encouraging!!

    Thank You so much Nehemia.

    Blessings too you both!!

  • Janice says:

    Amazing! Miri M lives! Beautiful, Love Mizrachi !

  • Alex Dillon says:

    The skirts of Israel have room enough for every hand. Her fabric will clothe the naked when they come. Now I understand why I wake between three and four all the time. I wonder does Miri take naps? Because of this, I will stop thinking I am insomniac and join the watch. This music is such a gift. Thank you Nehemiah. Thank you Miri. I wonder where can I get a shofar and what other instruments break the powers of principalities in high places. You have no idea what my household is going through, how you have both blessed me.

  • Jackie Moll says:

    You both have given my soul a feeling of the deepest love and peace…

  • Albert Trevino says:

    Bravo! May The Father’s face shine upon Miri olam, always.

  • Mary Wittman says:

    So very beauitful. Thank you!

    I have also slept outside in the Florida keys weather permitting, whenever I could-HIS MAJESTY drapes over you! Feels like you become one!

  • Sherri Rogers says:

    Thank you, Miri, for your obedience. Obedience brings blessing – and I have certainly been blessed! Thank you, Nehemia, for your obedience in making this available.

  • Rocky Jackson says:

    YHVH bless Miri , this was breathtaking…