BLESSED MIGUEL PRO/BLACK FRIDAY
Wisdom, Chapter 18, Verse 25
To these the
destroyer yielded, these he feared;
for this sole trial of anger sufficed.
The destroyer angel fears nothing but the name of
God inscribed on the doorposts of the Jews written in the blood of the lamb. At
this does he stop his destruction, at this name the angel turns aside; at the
name of He that is the angel of death yields.
The
particular term "destroying angel" (malakh ha-mashhit) occurs
twice in the Bible, in II Samuel 24:16 and its parallel, I Chronicles 21:15.
Other allusions to this "destroyer" (mashhit), can be found in
Exodus 12:23 and Isaiah 54:16. In the cultures of the ancient Near East, gods
were believed to be responsible for death and destruction. The Bible, however,
does not portray such a configuration. Instead, the destructive agents act
according to God's instruction: they are His messengers and it is the Lord who
initiates death and destruction. We will see that the Bible refers to the
angelic forces of destruction in a way that negates the ideas of neighboring cultures.
The Plagues of
Egypt
The
destroying angel seems to be alluded to in the Bible's description of the slaying
of the firstborn, where he is called ha-mashhit: for the Lord will
pass over the door and not let the Destroyer enter and smite your home (Ex.
12:23). While is stated explicitly that the Lord passed through Egypt to smite
the firstborn (Ex. 12:12–13), and the text of the Passover Haggadah expounds
this to mean, "I and not an angel," verse 23 attests that the Lord was
accompanied by the destroying angel, whose nature is to strike down all whom he
encounters, unless – as here – the Lord restrains him. This seems to be the
intention of the Mekhilta's comment on verse 22, None of you shall go
outside the door of his house until morning: "This indicates that when
the destroying angel is given permission to do harm, he does not distinguish
between the righteous and the wicked." The Psalmist's account of the
plagues of Egypt (Ps. 78:49) indicates that the plagues were inflicted by mishlahat
malakhei ra'im – a band of deadly [lit. evil] angels. The
talmudic sages used the term mishlahat to describe a band of destructive
creatures, specifically a wolf pack. Kraus believes that this "band of
evil angels" does not refer to the "destroying angel" (mashhit)
associated with the last plague (Ex. 12:23), but to the demonic powers that the
Lord dispatches with every affliction. It seems, then, that we must distinguish
the "destroying angel," ha-mashhit, from the messengers of
death who come to punish individuals only. By contrast, the Destroyer is sent
by the Lord to kill multitudes through a plague. Unlike the deadly messengers,
who bring both natural and premature death, the Destroyer inflicts only a
premature, painful death. Still, this mashhit is controlled by God.
Wrath
Another
implicit allusion to the destroying angel can be found in For wrath [ketzef]
has gone forth from the Lord: the plague has begun (Num. 17:11 [RSV
16:46]). Milgrom sees this wrath or anger as an independent entity, similar to
the Destroyer that acts on behalf of the Lord. There are indeed several
references to it in the Bible. Thus (Num. 1:53), The Levites, however, shall
camp around the Tabernacle of the Pact, that the wrath [ketzef] may
not strike the Israelite community. Similarly, the mandate continues, No
outsider shall intrude upon you as you discharge the duties connected with the
Shrine and the altar, that wrath [ketzef] may not again strike
the Israelites (Num. 18:5). According to Rashi, this plague is spread by
the Angel of Death, who is also known as "the Anger before the Lord with
the authority to kill." In the Talmud, the Angel of Death (malakh
ha-mavet) has assistants, one of whom is actually named Ketzef: "Rav
Hisda said: 'They are: Fury, Anger and Wrath [Ketzef], Destroyer and
Breaker and Annihilator'". Elsewhere, Ketzef is the name of an angel of
destruction (Targum Yerushalmi, Numbers 17:11). He is also specifically
noted as acting on behalf of God, not as an independent entity: Wrath [ketzef]
has gone forth from the Lord (Num. 17:11). The Sages regarded the
Destroyer as an amoral force that could be overcome only through sacrificial
blood, incense, or some other ritual. However, these rituals were directed to
God, not to the Destroyer himself. In the ancient Near East, incense was burned
for the gods to placate them and still their anger. Egyptian reliefs depict
Canaanite priests standing on a high place and offering incense to Pharaoh, who
is massacring the inhabitants of a city. In both of the biblical stories about
the Destroyer (the Tenth Plague and the threshing floor of Araunah), the plague
is halted by a ritual act (placing blood on the doorpost, building an altar,
burning incense), but it is God, not His messenger, who responds.
Conclusion
The
destroying angel is explicitly mentioned twice in the Bible (II Sam. 24:16; I
Chron. 21:15). In addition, there are several other passages in the Bible and
rabbinic literature that refer to destructive supernatural forces. The idea of
the destroying angel as an independent force, acting of its own accord, is
foreign to the Hebrew Bible, which emphasizes that God is in control of these
destructive forces so as to negate polytheistic beliefs. The angel can do
nothing on its own initiative and must only act in compliance with the will of
God. It is He alone who deals death and gives life.
Black Friday is one of the busiest shopping days in
the United States. It is marked by massive crowds and discounted prices that
mean the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. Black Friday events in the
United States date back to 1932. There are two ideas as to the origin of
the name Black Friday, the first one is thought to have originated in
Philadelphia, where it was used to describe the burden of traffic that left
black track marks on roads. The second claims that Black Friday may also
have stemmed from business accounting in the 1930s. During this time,
businesses noted losses using red ink and their profits in black ink.
Therefore, Black Friday may have been used to imply that businesses
became profitable on this day as they go from being in the red to the black.
Black Friday is the fourth Friday of November or the day after Thanksgiving Day in the
US.
Black
Friday Facts & Quotes
·
According to IBM, for the first time
in history smartphones and tablets outpaced desktop computers for generating
consumer traffic to websites during Black Friday in 2015.
·
According to consumerreports.org,
heavily discounted televisions and other electronic items sold on Black Friday
can be derivative models. Derivatives are products that have been
manufactured specifically for sale at events like Black Friday. These
products vary in specifications, quality and have less features than standard
merchandise sold all-year long.
·
#BlackFriday tweets in 2015 saw many celebrities trying to also take
part in Black Friday sales by selling their own merchandise:
Shania Twain tweeted Head over to the online store for new holiday items and 20% off. #blackfriday.
Taylor Swift’s website Taylor Nation tweeted Don’t let that turkey daze get to you. You still have time to shop TS #BlackFriday deals!.
Chris Brown promoted his album #BeforeTheParty is available now! This is for you #TeamBreezy! #BlackFriday #Royalty.
Pitbull also took the opportunity to promote his merchandise It's that time of year! #BlackFriday #sale #ShopPitbull #Dale.
Shania Twain tweeted Head over to the online store for new holiday items and 20% off. #blackfriday.
Taylor Swift’s website Taylor Nation tweeted Don’t let that turkey daze get to you. You still have time to shop TS #BlackFriday deals!.
Chris Brown promoted his album #BeforeTheParty is available now! This is for you #TeamBreezy! #BlackFriday #Royalty.
Pitbull also took the opportunity to promote his merchandise It's that time of year! #BlackFriday #sale #ShopPitbull #Dale.
·
Mall of America, located in
Minneapolis, Minnesota, is the largest mall in the US with 4,870,000 square
feet retail space and more than 520 stores. The mall is also home to the
largest indoor amusement park in the US.
·
With a net worth of more than $136
billion, the six @Wal-Mart heirs own more wealth than the bottom 42% of
Americans. #BlackFriday , @Walmart shouldn’t be allowed to pay workers wages so
low that many qualify for Medicaid, food stamps, and government housing.
#BlackFriday . - Tweets by Senator Bernie Sanders in 2015
Black
Friday Top Events and Things to Do
·
Thanksgiving is a time to express
gratitude. Given that Black Friday follows Thanksgiving Day, use this day
to spread gratitude and cheer to others. If you have leftover turkey from
Thanksgiving Day, then use it to make sandwiches. You and your family can
deliver these to the homeless people in your community.
·
Hours before Black Friday sales,
most retailers send emails and secret offers to their subscribers. Sign
up and subscribe to your favorite retailers mailing list before this date.
Most stores will also send coupons specifically to use for Black Friday.
·
Make sure you have sufficient funds
in cash or on credit cards. Given that many will be shopping on Black
Friday, ATM machines may run out of funds or bank networks can be down
intermittently. Make sure to carry some cash in case this happens.
·
In 2015, more than 11 states across
the U.S. provided free access to State Parks. Rather than Black Friday
shopping, explore the great outdoors with free passes to State Parks. Our
top parks picks:
1) Olympic Park, Washington
2) Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California
3) Nickerson State Park, Massachusetts
1) Olympic Park, Washington
2) Humboldt Redwoods State Park, California
3) Nickerson State Park, Massachusetts
·
Carpool or take an Uber to your
favorite shopping destination. There will be limited parking space
available on Black Friday and some bus routes will be operating on a holiday
schedule.
Fitness
Friday-Hunting Workout
Recognizing that God the Father created man on Friday the 6th day
I propose in this blog to have an entry that shares on how to recreate and
renew yourself in strength; mind, soul and heart.
Elk hunting[1] (or indeed any rough-country hunt where drastic elevation
changes are a routine part of the hunt) requires a different kind of planning
and conditioning than your usual whitetail hunt. The most common problem
out-of-state hunters experience is not being in good enough physical condition
to handle constant up-and-down foot travel at high elevation - especially when
carrying a pack. The result is a physically exhausted hunter who is unable to
perform. Hours and days of precious hunting time are wasted due to need for
rest and recovery. Here’s a twelve-week plan that will prep you for the high
country. There are two main components to physical prep for rough-country
hunting: cardiovascular and muscular. Plan on exercising thirty to forty-five
minutes per weekday, alternating between cardio and muscular workouts. Be sure
to stretch and warm up gradually before workouts and cool off gradually
afterwards.
Week
One: Start out easy on yourself to lower
risk of hurting joints or tendons.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Go for a brisk 45-minute walk, preferably including up and down terrain.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Spend 30 minutes climbing up and down the local bleacher stairs (or a nice steep hill). Take regular short rests.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Go for a brisk 45-minute walk, preferably including up and down terrain.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Spend 30 minutes climbing up and down the local bleacher stairs (or a nice steep hill). Take regular short rests.
Week
Two: Step it up a little.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Add short stints of jogging to your walk.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: same 30-minute routine, just cut down on rest time.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Add short stints of jogging to your walk.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: same 30-minute routine, just cut down on rest time.
Week
Three: Start getting focused.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Begin pushing yourself, walking less and jogging more.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Same 30-minute routine, add three squats and three lunges (don’t use weights) alternately during short rest periods.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Begin pushing yourself, walking less and jogging more.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Same 30-minute routine, add three squats and three lunges (don’t use weights) alternately during short rest periods.
Week
Four: You should be feeling much stronger
by now, and hurting less. Remain careful to avoid injury.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Try to jog the majority of your 45 minutes.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Try to spend the entire 30 minutes climbing your stairs or hillside, alternating between five squats and five lunges every few minutes. Only rest at the ten and twenty minute marks.
Mon/Wed/Fri cardio: Try to jog the majority of your 45 minutes.
Tues/Thurs/Sat muscular: Try to spend the entire 30 minutes climbing your stairs or hillside, alternating between five squats and five lunges every few minutes. Only rest at the ten and twenty minute marks.
Daily Devotions
·
Please
pray for me and this ministry
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