LECH LECHA: new Torah portion video: http://youtu.be/uTgM9qSDDvg
Tuesday, October 30, 2012
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
VID-EOTIONALS
As I have been beginning the Torah all over, I have tried to come up with not only ways to make it fresh for myself, but also ways to make my findings new for my readers. I have taken to the thought of video blogs, or what I like to call: vid-eotionals. Until I can figure out how out add a link for such things, I encourage you for look at the following links.
B'REISHEET: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otPV_EqOk4o&feature=plcp
NOACH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8wG2hruLOQ&feature=plcp
B'REISHEET: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=otPV_EqOk4o&feature=plcp
NOACH: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N8wG2hruLOQ&feature=plcp
Monday, October 15, 2012
THE BLESSING OF MOSHE
“This is the blessing that Moshe the man of God pronounced on the Isra’elites before his death.”
Deuteronomy 33:1
If you recall, back in the later portions of Genesis, we looked at details both visible and hidden within the words of Ya’akov given to his sons before his passing. Of all the sons listed, there were three specifically that I pointed to that later had references once more to Deuteronomy 33. I would like to spend a few minutes looking at these again as we come close to the end of this book, and the Torah as a whole.
We begin once more with Zebulun. Ya’akov prophesied over this son that the tribe would live at the seashore. Four hundred plus years later this prophecy would be seen truthful as Joshua would allot to this tribe the area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee. This allowed for trading routes, in which Zebulun was heavily involved, and as was also declared on them by Moshe in Deuteronomy 33:19, stating they shall take the abundance of the seas and the treasures hidden in the sand. It is awesome to see all the pieces come together. Ya’akov spoke also that the border of Zebulun’s territory would be at Sidon. When Joshua divided the land, Sidon was not included in the piece given to Zebulun. In fact, it was not theirs until the tribe of Asher was unable to defeat the remaining Canaanities. The tribe of Zebulun began attacking and defeating the Canaanities and this victory allowed them the land that had been spoken of as theirs prior.
Genesis 49:19 speaks concerning Gad, and Ya’akov jumped right to the point with one sentence. “Gad – a troop will troop on him, but he will troop on their heel.” This verse doesn’t seem to make sense. A troop will troop? Although written with the same words in English, in Hebrew it reads that a GADUWD (army) will GUWD (invade) him. In the end, however, Gad would GUWD them back. In this we piece together that Gad would be attacked but in the end would find victory. In Judges 10 we see this truth as for eighteen years the Philistines vexed the children of Isra’el before finally having their justice served. It is this constant state and declaration of war that kept the men of Adonai ready with the faces of lions. Even Moshe blessed the tribe of Gad in Deuteronomy 33:20, stating that they dwelled like a lion and tore the arm with the crown of the head. Although no one famous person in the Bible is shown to derive from the tribe of Gad, one main theme is. As stated in I Peter 5:8, we are to be ready at any moment for the enemy to attack us. He may indeed guwd us, but in the end we will be victorious and guwd his heel.
To Asher also Ya’akov is quick and to the point, stating that Asher’s food is rich, fit for a king. In saying little, Ya’akov was stating that Asher would enjoy the rich products of the fertile land, teeming with items to sustain life and find himself serving his food before royalty. The tribe of Asher failed to remove the Canaanite/Phoenican inhabitants once in their Promised section, and perhaps forewent their military capability. There is thought that based on the words of Moshe in Deuteronomy 33:24, oil was present within the land of Asher, be this an idea of an oil such as olive oil or in the manner of Texas tea. In the end, though, we read that Asher would be blessed, despite the oil’s form.
While we could go on with each of the sons and tribes and find how the words spoken by Ya’akov later matched the words spoken by Moshe, I wanted just to leave us with the tidbits of these three. It is in these three I find a hope for myself. The time span between these words first spoken by Ya’akov and later spoken by Moshe is close to 440 years, and yet, in Adonai’s time, they came true. So then here is the hope. What He has promised to you and me, He has every intention of completing. We are not forgotten even though at times we may feel that way. And we are not forsaken even though sometimes we feel alone on this journey. Adonai will be sure to allow His promise to become our reward. Let us not give up on waiting for Him.
Deuteronomy 33:1-29
Deuteronomy 33:1
If you recall, back in the later portions of Genesis, we looked at details both visible and hidden within the words of Ya’akov given to his sons before his passing. Of all the sons listed, there were three specifically that I pointed to that later had references once more to Deuteronomy 33. I would like to spend a few minutes looking at these again as we come close to the end of this book, and the Torah as a whole.
We begin once more with Zebulun. Ya’akov prophesied over this son that the tribe would live at the seashore. Four hundred plus years later this prophecy would be seen truthful as Joshua would allot to this tribe the area between the Mediterranean Sea and the Sea of Galilee. This allowed for trading routes, in which Zebulun was heavily involved, and as was also declared on them by Moshe in Deuteronomy 33:19, stating they shall take the abundance of the seas and the treasures hidden in the sand. It is awesome to see all the pieces come together. Ya’akov spoke also that the border of Zebulun’s territory would be at Sidon. When Joshua divided the land, Sidon was not included in the piece given to Zebulun. In fact, it was not theirs until the tribe of Asher was unable to defeat the remaining Canaanities. The tribe of Zebulun began attacking and defeating the Canaanities and this victory allowed them the land that had been spoken of as theirs prior.
Genesis 49:19 speaks concerning Gad, and Ya’akov jumped right to the point with one sentence. “Gad – a troop will troop on him, but he will troop on their heel.” This verse doesn’t seem to make sense. A troop will troop? Although written with the same words in English, in Hebrew it reads that a GADUWD (army) will GUWD (invade) him. In the end, however, Gad would GUWD them back. In this we piece together that Gad would be attacked but in the end would find victory. In Judges 10 we see this truth as for eighteen years the Philistines vexed the children of Isra’el before finally having their justice served. It is this constant state and declaration of war that kept the men of Adonai ready with the faces of lions. Even Moshe blessed the tribe of Gad in Deuteronomy 33:20, stating that they dwelled like a lion and tore the arm with the crown of the head. Although no one famous person in the Bible is shown to derive from the tribe of Gad, one main theme is. As stated in I Peter 5:8, we are to be ready at any moment for the enemy to attack us. He may indeed guwd us, but in the end we will be victorious and guwd his heel.
To Asher also Ya’akov is quick and to the point, stating that Asher’s food is rich, fit for a king. In saying little, Ya’akov was stating that Asher would enjoy the rich products of the fertile land, teeming with items to sustain life and find himself serving his food before royalty. The tribe of Asher failed to remove the Canaanite/Phoenican inhabitants once in their Promised section, and perhaps forewent their military capability. There is thought that based on the words of Moshe in Deuteronomy 33:24, oil was present within the land of Asher, be this an idea of an oil such as olive oil or in the manner of Texas tea. In the end, though, we read that Asher would be blessed, despite the oil’s form.
While we could go on with each of the sons and tribes and find how the words spoken by Ya’akov later matched the words spoken by Moshe, I wanted just to leave us with the tidbits of these three. It is in these three I find a hope for myself. The time span between these words first spoken by Ya’akov and later spoken by Moshe is close to 440 years, and yet, in Adonai’s time, they came true. So then here is the hope. What He has promised to you and me, He has every intention of completing. We are not forgotten even though at times we may feel that way. And we are not forsaken even though sometimes we feel alone on this journey. Adonai will be sure to allow His promise to become our reward. Let us not give up on waiting for Him.
Deuteronomy 33:1-29
Thursday, October 4, 2012
THE SONG OF MOSHE
“’Hear, oh heavens, as I speak! Listen, earth, to the words from my mouth!’”
Deuteronomy 32:1
This second to last parashah in the Torah is titled Ha’azinu, and translated from the Hebrew it means “Listen to this.” It is in this portion we read of Moshe’s final words, known by many as the song of Moshe. Following this song, Moshe would ascend Mount Nebo and overlook the Promised Land before passing away. Remember, as a result of his own disobedience in hitting the rock as opposed to speaking to it, he lost the option to enter. Yet nonetheless, he obeyed this time in writing his song, knowing full well what would soon come. It was in this song, however, that future generations would find their way back to the Torah.
But with a title that translates as “Listen to this,” what are we supposed to listen to? Moshe speaks that his words are like the rain that waters the grass and showers the plants. He also states that Adonai is great. Those two items alone could keep us busy for days. As I have taken the time this year to study the Torah, I can agree that Adonai has used Moshe’s words to water my faith. And in so doing, I feel I have come into a deeper understanding of His ways, with a strong desire to do His will. I will be honest, I had read the Bible from cover to cover in the past, but in taking a full year to read just the Torah, to study the words and depth, and to challenge myself to live it despite the comments of those around me, I now see just how awesome Adonai is. In reading on this deep level, I want to do as He commands.
As I continue to read and re-read this chapter, I find things that grab my attention. For instance, look with me at Deuteronomy 32:10-11. It is here we read that Adonai found His people in the desert, calling out to Him for deliverance. And what was His action? Adonai protected His people. Is this not what He does even still? Hearing His name called, Adonai comes with aid and rescue because we are still the pupil of His eye. In Him we have the deliverance that we cry out for. And then look with me at verses 12-14. I love how it says so clearly that the people were not led through the desert by happenstance, or chance, or even another god, but by Adonai Himself. This too is true of today. We are so quick to believe life is good based on everything but Adonai, but it comes down to Adonai leading us. There is no one who compares to our God.
Clearly these happy days did not last for the entire forty year travel, and as we soon read in the verses that follow, the people turned from Adonai. I cannot answer for you, but I know this is me being explained here. I am fully aware that I have been one who, even though knowing the truth of Adonai, found myself desirous of other gods. Adonai in verses 26-27 could easily be speaking about me in stating that He considered putting an end to these people. These were, just as I was, supposed to be solely His, yet both they and I allowed ourselves to be turned around. I became a nation with no common sense, lacking discipline, and having no wisdom. But praise be to Adonai who took pity on me (v 36), and made atonement for the land of His people (v 43).
Again, I do not know about you, but this chapter explains me in perfect order. If not for the grace of Adonai, I too should have passed away in the desert. Call it being born in the right time at the right place, or call it luck, or call it chance, I will call it His will. But the greatest thing about it is seen right at the beginning. In heeding, or hearing, His words, I have turned from my wicked ways so as to worship Him. I have heard the song of Moshe. If my life were to end tonight, as Moshe’s did after this psalm, would I find myself in His kingdom, or in that of the ruler of this world? I know my answer, do you know yours? If not, let the truth in this Torah portion point your way. I pray it points you to the watering of your grass and the truth of Adonai’s awesomeness.
Deuteronomy 32:1
This second to last parashah in the Torah is titled Ha’azinu, and translated from the Hebrew it means “Listen to this.” It is in this portion we read of Moshe’s final words, known by many as the song of Moshe. Following this song, Moshe would ascend Mount Nebo and overlook the Promised Land before passing away. Remember, as a result of his own disobedience in hitting the rock as opposed to speaking to it, he lost the option to enter. Yet nonetheless, he obeyed this time in writing his song, knowing full well what would soon come. It was in this song, however, that future generations would find their way back to the Torah.
But with a title that translates as “Listen to this,” what are we supposed to listen to? Moshe speaks that his words are like the rain that waters the grass and showers the plants. He also states that Adonai is great. Those two items alone could keep us busy for days. As I have taken the time this year to study the Torah, I can agree that Adonai has used Moshe’s words to water my faith. And in so doing, I feel I have come into a deeper understanding of His ways, with a strong desire to do His will. I will be honest, I had read the Bible from cover to cover in the past, but in taking a full year to read just the Torah, to study the words and depth, and to challenge myself to live it despite the comments of those around me, I now see just how awesome Adonai is. In reading on this deep level, I want to do as He commands.
As I continue to read and re-read this chapter, I find things that grab my attention. For instance, look with me at Deuteronomy 32:10-11. It is here we read that Adonai found His people in the desert, calling out to Him for deliverance. And what was His action? Adonai protected His people. Is this not what He does even still? Hearing His name called, Adonai comes with aid and rescue because we are still the pupil of His eye. In Him we have the deliverance that we cry out for. And then look with me at verses 12-14. I love how it says so clearly that the people were not led through the desert by happenstance, or chance, or even another god, but by Adonai Himself. This too is true of today. We are so quick to believe life is good based on everything but Adonai, but it comes down to Adonai leading us. There is no one who compares to our God.
Clearly these happy days did not last for the entire forty year travel, and as we soon read in the verses that follow, the people turned from Adonai. I cannot answer for you, but I know this is me being explained here. I am fully aware that I have been one who, even though knowing the truth of Adonai, found myself desirous of other gods. Adonai in verses 26-27 could easily be speaking about me in stating that He considered putting an end to these people. These were, just as I was, supposed to be solely His, yet both they and I allowed ourselves to be turned around. I became a nation with no common sense, lacking discipline, and having no wisdom. But praise be to Adonai who took pity on me (v 36), and made atonement for the land of His people (v 43).
Again, I do not know about you, but this chapter explains me in perfect order. If not for the grace of Adonai, I too should have passed away in the desert. Call it being born in the right time at the right place, or call it luck, or call it chance, I will call it His will. But the greatest thing about it is seen right at the beginning. In heeding, or hearing, His words, I have turned from my wicked ways so as to worship Him. I have heard the song of Moshe. If my life were to end tonight, as Moshe’s did after this psalm, would I find myself in His kingdom, or in that of the ruler of this world? I know my answer, do you know yours? If not, let the truth in this Torah portion point your way. I pray it points you to the watering of your grass and the truth of Adonai’s awesomeness.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
SUKKOT
“Adonai said to Moshe, ‘Tell the people of Isra’el, “On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the feast of Sukkot for seven days to Adonai. On the first day there is to be a holy convocation; do not do any kind of ordinary work. For seven days you are to bring an offering made by fire to Adonai; on the eighth day you are to have a holy convocation and bring an offering made by fire to Adonai; it is a day of public assembly; do not do any kind of ordinary work.”’”
Leviticus 23:33-36
As we come to the end of the Jewish season of high holy days, we come to the beginning of the seven days of Sukkot. This Festival begins on the 15th of Tishri, the fifth day following Yom Kippur, and moves us from a solemn time to a joyous occasion. Sukkot is so joyful that it has also been named Z’man Simuchteinu, the Season of Rejoicing. Like Pesach (Passover), and Shavu’ot (Pentecost), this season is also one of the three pilgrimage festivals.
Sukkot is a season we find two distinct purposes within. Historically, Sukkot commemorates the forty-year period during which the Isra’elites wandered in the desert and lived in temporary shelters, known as sukkahs. To quote Barney Kasdan, "We know from the Torah that God dwelt with his people in their forty-year wilderness camping trip. Yet, as we camp in booths today, we should be reminded that this same faithful God watches over our lives." The second derives from Leviticus 23 where Adonai speaks concerning the fall harvest. Sukkot was to be a time of bringing in the latter harvest; a Jewish Thanksgiving so to say. No work is permitted on the first and second day, as well as the final day following where convocation is performed.
The word “sukkot” translates as “booths” and refers to the temporary dwelling place known as the sukkah. In Leviticus 23:42 we read that within these booths for seven days, all people of Isra’el are to dwell. It is in these temporary homes that one is to, at the very least, enjoy a meal with family as a reminder of the command. Since it is only temporary, it serves that the exterior three walls would seem flimsy. It is the roof that bears the utmost importance as it should consist of anything grown from the ground, be it corn stalks, branches, or palm branches. Likewise, the interior also fits in with the harvest theme as fruit decorates the inside of the sukkah. As the feast then begins when the sun falls, the kiddush is said over the wine and a blessing pronounced over the challah.
Reading in Leviticus 23:40, we find the details of taking for ourselves a fruit, palm branches, twigs of a braided tree and brook willows. With these we are to rejoice before Adonai for seven days. This mix is known as arba minim in Hebrew, or the Four Species. Today we know this as an etrog (a citrusfruit similar to a lemon), and palm branch, two willow branches and three myrtle branches. The six branches are woven together and are referred to in themselves as the lulav, while the citrus is held separately. While holding these one recites a blessing, then waves the items in all directions. This symbolizes the fact that Adonai is everywhere. These items are also held during the Hallel prayer as well as during processions around the pedestal where the Torah is read from. But why these plants? It is said that the long straight palm branch represents the spine, the myrtle leaf represents the eye, the willow the mouth, and the fruit the heart. All of these parts have the potential to be used for sin, but should be used instead to live out His commands.
But let us consider a deeper truth found in the remembrance of Sukkot. Let us consider the memory of Yeshua dwelling with us. Look with me at John 7:2. It is here we read that the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near. Starting in verse 14, we read that not only did Yeshua attend, but He also taught the people. It was on the final day, the great day of the Feast that something awesome happened, but is overlooked by so many.
“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Yeshua stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’”
John 7:38-39
So what is so exciting here? This event happened on the final day of Sukkot, the day on which all the people would come together in the Temple. The priest would pour water on the altar seven times, and the people would all walk around the altar seven times, shouting each time, “Save us!” Here they were calling to the Messiah, yet not seeing He was right in front of them. Hearing this, in their presence, Yeshua stood and declared, “I am here! I am the water poured out; the living water. Taste me and you will never thirst again.” Yeshua saw the praise and spoke out that He indeed was there. He was their drink. And He speaks these same words to us. Do we see Him as our drink?
Better yet, do we see Him as our salvation? Many believe that Sukkot could indeed be the true time of Yeshua's birth. Whether we take the three and a half years of Christ's ministry to subtract from Shavout, or we consider the shepherds would not have been outside with sheep in the cold of winter, we still would come to rest that sometime in the late fall that Yeshua was born. Both these ideas add to show us that Yeshua was born in the season on Sukkot. It is Sukkot that is known as the holy day commemorating Adonai's dwelling with His people, and how fitting that it would be fulfilled in this season. He truly was Emmanuel – God with us.
So then, how does Sukkot apply to us today? The sukkah is a guideline illustrating Adonai's desire to dwell with His people. Perhaps the true question that should be asked in this season is more straight forward. We asked it once, but I ask it again. Is Yeshua dwelling with you? There are many Jews who this season will set up a sukkah and thank Adonai of the latter harvest. A simply search on Google.com brings up many illustrations of the ways and booths people will celebrate in. But as this is just a demonstration, perhaps we need to focus more on you personally.
Is Yeshua able to dwell in you? Have you opened yourself up and received Him as Lord of your life? Are you going through the motions and confessing only for the security of 'life insurance', or do you truly worship Adonai? Yes, this is a season of celebrating the harvest, but there are many that have not been harvested (Matt 9:37-38). Adonai wants to dwell with all His children; He wants to sukkah with them. Isn't it time we ask ourselves if He has a place to dwell in us? And then, isn't it time we invite others into our dwelling as well?
Leviticus 23:33-36
As we come to the end of the Jewish season of high holy days, we come to the beginning of the seven days of Sukkot. This Festival begins on the 15th of Tishri, the fifth day following Yom Kippur, and moves us from a solemn time to a joyous occasion. Sukkot is so joyful that it has also been named Z’man Simuchteinu, the Season of Rejoicing. Like Pesach (Passover), and Shavu’ot (Pentecost), this season is also one of the three pilgrimage festivals.
Sukkot is a season we find two distinct purposes within. Historically, Sukkot commemorates the forty-year period during which the Isra’elites wandered in the desert and lived in temporary shelters, known as sukkahs. To quote Barney Kasdan, "We know from the Torah that God dwelt with his people in their forty-year wilderness camping trip. Yet, as we camp in booths today, we should be reminded that this same faithful God watches over our lives." The second derives from Leviticus 23 where Adonai speaks concerning the fall harvest. Sukkot was to be a time of bringing in the latter harvest; a Jewish Thanksgiving so to say. No work is permitted on the first and second day, as well as the final day following where convocation is performed.
The word “sukkot” translates as “booths” and refers to the temporary dwelling place known as the sukkah. In Leviticus 23:42 we read that within these booths for seven days, all people of Isra’el are to dwell. It is in these temporary homes that one is to, at the very least, enjoy a meal with family as a reminder of the command. Since it is only temporary, it serves that the exterior three walls would seem flimsy. It is the roof that bears the utmost importance as it should consist of anything grown from the ground, be it corn stalks, branches, or palm branches. Likewise, the interior also fits in with the harvest theme as fruit decorates the inside of the sukkah. As the feast then begins when the sun falls, the kiddush is said over the wine and a blessing pronounced over the challah.
Reading in Leviticus 23:40, we find the details of taking for ourselves a fruit, palm branches, twigs of a braided tree and brook willows. With these we are to rejoice before Adonai for seven days. This mix is known as arba minim in Hebrew, or the Four Species. Today we know this as an etrog (a citrusfruit similar to a lemon), and palm branch, two willow branches and three myrtle branches. The six branches are woven together and are referred to in themselves as the lulav, while the citrus is held separately. While holding these one recites a blessing, then waves the items in all directions. This symbolizes the fact that Adonai is everywhere. These items are also held during the Hallel prayer as well as during processions around the pedestal where the Torah is read from. But why these plants? It is said that the long straight palm branch represents the spine, the myrtle leaf represents the eye, the willow the mouth, and the fruit the heart. All of these parts have the potential to be used for sin, but should be used instead to live out His commands.
But let us consider a deeper truth found in the remembrance of Sukkot. Let us consider the memory of Yeshua dwelling with us. Look with me at John 7:2. It is here we read that the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near. Starting in verse 14, we read that not only did Yeshua attend, but He also taught the people. It was on the final day, the great day of the Feast that something awesome happened, but is overlooked by so many.
“On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Yeshua stood and said in a loud voice, ‘If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him.’”
John 7:38-39
So what is so exciting here? This event happened on the final day of Sukkot, the day on which all the people would come together in the Temple. The priest would pour water on the altar seven times, and the people would all walk around the altar seven times, shouting each time, “Save us!” Here they were calling to the Messiah, yet not seeing He was right in front of them. Hearing this, in their presence, Yeshua stood and declared, “I am here! I am the water poured out; the living water. Taste me and you will never thirst again.” Yeshua saw the praise and spoke out that He indeed was there. He was their drink. And He speaks these same words to us. Do we see Him as our drink?
Better yet, do we see Him as our salvation? Many believe that Sukkot could indeed be the true time of Yeshua's birth. Whether we take the three and a half years of Christ's ministry to subtract from Shavout, or we consider the shepherds would not have been outside with sheep in the cold of winter, we still would come to rest that sometime in the late fall that Yeshua was born. Both these ideas add to show us that Yeshua was born in the season on Sukkot. It is Sukkot that is known as the holy day commemorating Adonai's dwelling with His people, and how fitting that it would be fulfilled in this season. He truly was Emmanuel – God with us.
So then, how does Sukkot apply to us today? The sukkah is a guideline illustrating Adonai's desire to dwell with His people. Perhaps the true question that should be asked in this season is more straight forward. We asked it once, but I ask it again. Is Yeshua dwelling with you? There are many Jews who this season will set up a sukkah and thank Adonai of the latter harvest. A simply search on Google.com brings up many illustrations of the ways and booths people will celebrate in. But as this is just a demonstration, perhaps we need to focus more on you personally.
Is Yeshua able to dwell in you? Have you opened yourself up and received Him as Lord of your life? Are you going through the motions and confessing only for the security of 'life insurance', or do you truly worship Adonai? Yes, this is a season of celebrating the harvest, but there are many that have not been harvested (Matt 9:37-38). Adonai wants to dwell with all His children; He wants to sukkah with them. Isn't it time we ask ourselves if He has a place to dwell in us? And then, isn't it time we invite others into our dwelling as well?
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
YOM KIPPUR
It is on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, that we want to find an AT-ONE-MENT with Adonai. The Day of Atonement is Adonai’s biblical holy day established on Isra’el’s sacred calendar as a covenant of repentance and promise. It is on this day that the fullness of his blessings and presence come into our lives. It is on this day in history that once a year, the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies and make atonement for the nation. It is a perfect illustration of regeneration for those who follow Adonai's atonement.
To be so blunt, Yom Kippur is the equivalent of the church goers who attend church on Christmas and Easter. If a Jewish person goes to synagogue on no other day, he will make an effort to not miss this holy day. The Jewish people on this day will refrain from work, fast, and attend synagogue services on this day. As during the Days of Awe Adonai inscribes our names in His books, on Yom Kippur the judgment is sealed. This day is, essentially, our last appeal, our last chance to change the judgment and demonstrate our repentance and make amends. After the sealing, the destiny of the person is set for the next year.
Let us consider the fast related to Yom Kippur. The focus of this fast is the depriving of ourselves so that we may focus fully on Adonai’s Word. This holy day is considered a complete Shabbat, meaning that no work can be performed. This also includes the refraining of eating and drinking for the 25 hour period, starting before sunset the evening before (this year being Sept 25, 2012) until after nightfall on Yom Kippur (Sept 26, 2012). Let me add to save us from any confusion that the Jewish days begin at sunset as opposed to sunrise. While additional restrictions are named in the Talmud, the Torah speaks nothing against bathing, wearing perfumes, leather shoes, or being intimate with your spouse. These truly named restrictions within the Torah can be lifted where a threat of life is concerned, and the fast is not mandatory for children under age twelve and women who are pregnant.
The term Yom Kippur is seen in the Torah as plural, written as Yom Ha-Kippurim, indicating the process of cleansing from transgressions, iniquities, and sins. The term also alludes to the two great atonements given by Adonai. These include the nations turning to Yeshua for cleansing and forgiveness, as well as the purification of ethnic Isra’el during the great Day of the LORD in the end times.
Kippurim translates into “a day like Purim”. If you recall the spring festival of Purim, you may also recall it was the celebration of the salvation of the Jewish race under Esther. Promoted as Queen, Adonai placed Esther in a key position for a specific time. Her act of bravery in going before the King uncalled and requesting he come to a dinner she was having, in which she begged for the lives of the Jews, brought about not only the death of Haman, but also the salvation of the Jews. It is this same truth that we find relating to us at this holiday as Yom Kippur celebrates our deliverance and salvation for which Yeshua sacrificed Himself on the cross, delivering us from the hands on our enemy.
One other aspect that should be pointed out is the color white. It is customary to wear white on this holiday, as well as dress the table in white. As white symbolizes purity, it helps to remind us that our sins shall be made white as snow.
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18
To understand the fullness of this passage we must first see the comparison of sin to scarlet. The word scarlet in Hebrew is SHANIY, which is accurately translated. However, it is deeper. The scarlet in this word is actually a dye that was used to color the cloth red and was the dried blood of a coccus ilicis worm. This comparison then makes more sense when you consider that a dye is not supposed to wash out. But still there is more. When the female of this scarlet-shaded worm was ready to give birth, she would fix her body to the trunk of a tree permanently, with no intention of ever leaving again. It is there she would give birth and stay until her young left. She, still fixed, would stay on the trunk.
It is in this illustration that two pictures are seen. The first is the dye that was used to stain clothes red. The second was the fixation of the worm to the tree, which seems to be an example of how sin desires to stay fixed on to us. But within these truths about the color red is a greater truth…that of Adonai’s cleansing. Greater than even a laundry soap with bleach added in it are the words said by Adonai. “[Our sins] shall be as white as snow…[and] they shall be like wool.” It was Yeshua’s blood that paved a way of cleansing for us. Our job then is to reason together with Him. Our job is to see our sins under the same microscope and light that He does, admit we have sinned, and ask His forgiveness. It is in this moment, in this prayer, and with this broken and contrite heart that Adonai hears us and brings His supernatural detergent and stain fighting action to remove the stain of our sin. This day becomes a true laundry day, and a day when the stain is removed.
Remember, the focus of this required fast is the depriving of ourselves so that we may focus fully on Adonai’s Word. It is common to see many spending hours in the synagogue or in prayer. An afternoon nap is normally had so as the people can stay alert throughout the evening and continue their time of study and prayer.
The next piece that I want to bring out concerning Yom Kippur relates to the liturgy of the day itself. Different than any other day, this holy day even comes with its own prayer book, called the machzor. The evening service beginning Yom Kippur is known as Kol Nidre, meaning “all vows” and within the prayer of the same name, we ask Adonai to annul all personal vows we make in the next year. An example would be like how I used to pray in college. “If I pass this test, I’ll go to church every time the doors are open.” The reason for the Kol Nidre is not to prove we cannot keep our vows, but rather because we take vows seriously and consider ourselves bound to them even if made under stress. This prayer gave comfort to those years ago, converting to Christianity for fear of life, yet felt unable to break away from Christian beliefs and return to Jewish roots. For those who have come to the synagogue for this service, the sound of the tekiah gedolah, the long blast of the shofar, will end this evening service.
The concluding service on Yom Kippur is known as Ne’ilah and usually runs much shorter than the Kol Nidre. During the service, the ark (the cabinet where the scrolls of the Torah are kept) remains open throughout the service, therefore implying that one must stand the entire service. Desperation is heard in the prayers as many see this as the last chance to get the positives in before the holy day ends. Again, with a long blast from the shofar, the service ends, the people return home and break their fast. However, the fast is broken by taking the Shabbat meal first, as after hours of no food and drink, the first thing on our lips should be the sweetness of Yeshua’s life sacrificed for us to atone for our sins.
In Leviticus 16 we read concerning the ceremony first performed by the children of Isra’el following their great exodus.
5 "He is to take from the community of the people of Isra'el two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering. 6 Aharon is to present the bull for the sin offering which is for himself and make atonement for himself and his household. 7 He is to take the two goats and place them before ADONAI at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 8 Then Aharon is to cast lots for the two goats, one lot for ADONAI and the other for 'Az'azel. 9 Aharon is to present the goat whose lot fell to ADONAI and offer it as a sin offering. 10 But the goat whose lot fell to 'Az'azel is to be presented alive to ADONAI to be used for making atonement over it by sending it away into the desert for 'Az'azel.”
The ceremony begins with two goats. One goat was named the Chatat and would be slain as a blood sacrifice, a symbol of the covering of sins for the people. The second goat was named the Az’azel, or Scapegoat, and would be brought before the priest. The priest would lay his hands on the goat's head as the sins of the people were confessed. Whereas the first was slain, the Scapegoat was released into the wilderness as a representation of the sins being removed from the people.
When Yeshua our Messiah died on the cross, He did so for our sin. Yeshua, who knew no sin, became our sacrifice and Scapegoat. As his body was beat and cut, He became our Chatat with His blood being spilled out for us. Yet He also became our Az’azel in that He took our sin away from us. It is only because of His sacrifice and forgiveness of our sins that we have the ability to stand in His presence. The Greek word KAPPARAH means propitiation. In Greek mythology this word was used in showing appeasement to the gods. But this word also means atonement. On the cross, Yeshua was displayed as our kapparah, our sacrifice, the fulfillment of all that is celebrated at Yom Kippur. The atonement has been made and forgiveness is offered.
It is in Leviticus 17:11 we read that the blood of the sacrifice paved the way for our atonement. The verse reads,
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”
Without this price paid or atonement made, our sin would continue to separate us from Adonai. It is because of His love for us that we have been redeemed and given access. It is because of His payment that we have been sought after for unity with Him. It is because of His atonement – His at-one-ment, that we are able to have relationship with Him.
The message within all the Torah is simple – Adonai is holy and we also must live our lives to reflect His holiness. As such we read of the things that are clean, blessed, and right in contrast to those that are dirty, cursed, and sinful. We are to be holy as He is holy. But we are human and prone to sin. Adonai knew this would be a fact for we have freewill. Yet He did not create us and leave us to live without a chance. Rather He made a way for us to be redeemed from the curse. Yeshua HaMashiach is our high priest and has offered a true atonement for our sin. He has paved the way for our at-one-ment, so let us then come before Him, confessing our sin and turning from our wrong way to embrace the oneness with Him.
As we finish our study on Yom Kippur, I point us to another lesson we are reminded of during this holy day, that of Jonah. It is in the book of Jonah that we see the truth of confession. If we confess and turn from our sin, Adonai is faithful and just to forgive us as He did the people of Ninevah. Because of the great wickedness of Ninevah, Adonai had determined an exact time in which He would destroy the city. However, before He did so He gave warning. Adonai asked Jonah to go and proclaim that His destruction was coming. After Jonah ran from Adonai, spent a few nights inside a fish and was vomited out, and then finally obeyed, the proclamation was made. When the people heard this warning, however, they began to believe the words. In fact, the city declared a fast. Once the king caught a hold of this warning, he too declared a fast. The king went even so far as to declare a fast not only of the people, but also of the animals (Jon 3:7). He reasoned, "Who knows? Adonai may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish." Talk about a serious change of direction for Nineveh.
As Adonai watched the change in the hearts of the city, He relented. Jonah 3:10 goes on to say that, "When Adonai saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened." I don't know about you, but I read that and find myself stirred with hope. He knows the many stupid things I have done, and the sins I have committed both on accident and on purpose. Yet in reading this story I am encouraged to consider that maybe Adonai is saying the same thing to me. Perhaps He is warning me to get right so as to avoid destruction. It would only seem to make sense. From the beginning in Genesis Adonai has only wanted for us to obey His decrees, follow His ways, and serve Him only. Is that any different than what He desired from Nineveh? Is it any different from what He desires from us now? So then maybe instead of being hard headed and walking around with cotton balls in my ears, I should listen and obey. Maybe it is time for a fast, a change, and a requesting of Adonai to forgive me as I recommit the path I am on. There is hope for us all that He will relent, but we first must admit our errors and change our ways as Nineveh did.
To be so blunt, Yom Kippur is the equivalent of the church goers who attend church on Christmas and Easter. If a Jewish person goes to synagogue on no other day, he will make an effort to not miss this holy day. The Jewish people on this day will refrain from work, fast, and attend synagogue services on this day. As during the Days of Awe Adonai inscribes our names in His books, on Yom Kippur the judgment is sealed. This day is, essentially, our last appeal, our last chance to change the judgment and demonstrate our repentance and make amends. After the sealing, the destiny of the person is set for the next year.
Let us consider the fast related to Yom Kippur. The focus of this fast is the depriving of ourselves so that we may focus fully on Adonai’s Word. This holy day is considered a complete Shabbat, meaning that no work can be performed. This also includes the refraining of eating and drinking for the 25 hour period, starting before sunset the evening before (this year being Sept 25, 2012) until after nightfall on Yom Kippur (Sept 26, 2012). Let me add to save us from any confusion that the Jewish days begin at sunset as opposed to sunrise. While additional restrictions are named in the Talmud, the Torah speaks nothing against bathing, wearing perfumes, leather shoes, or being intimate with your spouse. These truly named restrictions within the Torah can be lifted where a threat of life is concerned, and the fast is not mandatory for children under age twelve and women who are pregnant.
The term Yom Kippur is seen in the Torah as plural, written as Yom Ha-Kippurim, indicating the process of cleansing from transgressions, iniquities, and sins. The term also alludes to the two great atonements given by Adonai. These include the nations turning to Yeshua for cleansing and forgiveness, as well as the purification of ethnic Isra’el during the great Day of the LORD in the end times.
Kippurim translates into “a day like Purim”. If you recall the spring festival of Purim, you may also recall it was the celebration of the salvation of the Jewish race under Esther. Promoted as Queen, Adonai placed Esther in a key position for a specific time. Her act of bravery in going before the King uncalled and requesting he come to a dinner she was having, in which she begged for the lives of the Jews, brought about not only the death of Haman, but also the salvation of the Jews. It is this same truth that we find relating to us at this holiday as Yom Kippur celebrates our deliverance and salvation for which Yeshua sacrificed Himself on the cross, delivering us from the hands on our enemy.
One other aspect that should be pointed out is the color white. It is customary to wear white on this holiday, as well as dress the table in white. As white symbolizes purity, it helps to remind us that our sins shall be made white as snow.
“Come now, let us reason together,” says the LORD. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.”
Isaiah 1:18
To understand the fullness of this passage we must first see the comparison of sin to scarlet. The word scarlet in Hebrew is SHANIY, which is accurately translated. However, it is deeper. The scarlet in this word is actually a dye that was used to color the cloth red and was the dried blood of a coccus ilicis worm. This comparison then makes more sense when you consider that a dye is not supposed to wash out. But still there is more. When the female of this scarlet-shaded worm was ready to give birth, she would fix her body to the trunk of a tree permanently, with no intention of ever leaving again. It is there she would give birth and stay until her young left. She, still fixed, would stay on the trunk.
It is in this illustration that two pictures are seen. The first is the dye that was used to stain clothes red. The second was the fixation of the worm to the tree, which seems to be an example of how sin desires to stay fixed on to us. But within these truths about the color red is a greater truth…that of Adonai’s cleansing. Greater than even a laundry soap with bleach added in it are the words said by Adonai. “[Our sins] shall be as white as snow…[and] they shall be like wool.” It was Yeshua’s blood that paved a way of cleansing for us. Our job then is to reason together with Him. Our job is to see our sins under the same microscope and light that He does, admit we have sinned, and ask His forgiveness. It is in this moment, in this prayer, and with this broken and contrite heart that Adonai hears us and brings His supernatural detergent and stain fighting action to remove the stain of our sin. This day becomes a true laundry day, and a day when the stain is removed.
Remember, the focus of this required fast is the depriving of ourselves so that we may focus fully on Adonai’s Word. It is common to see many spending hours in the synagogue or in prayer. An afternoon nap is normally had so as the people can stay alert throughout the evening and continue their time of study and prayer.
The next piece that I want to bring out concerning Yom Kippur relates to the liturgy of the day itself. Different than any other day, this holy day even comes with its own prayer book, called the machzor. The evening service beginning Yom Kippur is known as Kol Nidre, meaning “all vows” and within the prayer of the same name, we ask Adonai to annul all personal vows we make in the next year. An example would be like how I used to pray in college. “If I pass this test, I’ll go to church every time the doors are open.” The reason for the Kol Nidre is not to prove we cannot keep our vows, but rather because we take vows seriously and consider ourselves bound to them even if made under stress. This prayer gave comfort to those years ago, converting to Christianity for fear of life, yet felt unable to break away from Christian beliefs and return to Jewish roots. For those who have come to the synagogue for this service, the sound of the tekiah gedolah, the long blast of the shofar, will end this evening service.
The concluding service on Yom Kippur is known as Ne’ilah and usually runs much shorter than the Kol Nidre. During the service, the ark (the cabinet where the scrolls of the Torah are kept) remains open throughout the service, therefore implying that one must stand the entire service. Desperation is heard in the prayers as many see this as the last chance to get the positives in before the holy day ends. Again, with a long blast from the shofar, the service ends, the people return home and break their fast. However, the fast is broken by taking the Shabbat meal first, as after hours of no food and drink, the first thing on our lips should be the sweetness of Yeshua’s life sacrificed for us to atone for our sins.
In Leviticus 16 we read concerning the ceremony first performed by the children of Isra’el following their great exodus.
5 "He is to take from the community of the people of Isra'el two male goats for a sin offering and one ram for a burnt offering. 6 Aharon is to present the bull for the sin offering which is for himself and make atonement for himself and his household. 7 He is to take the two goats and place them before ADONAI at the entrance to the tent of meeting. 8 Then Aharon is to cast lots for the two goats, one lot for ADONAI and the other for 'Az'azel. 9 Aharon is to present the goat whose lot fell to ADONAI and offer it as a sin offering. 10 But the goat whose lot fell to 'Az'azel is to be presented alive to ADONAI to be used for making atonement over it by sending it away into the desert for 'Az'azel.”
The ceremony begins with two goats. One goat was named the Chatat and would be slain as a blood sacrifice, a symbol of the covering of sins for the people. The second goat was named the Az’azel, or Scapegoat, and would be brought before the priest. The priest would lay his hands on the goat's head as the sins of the people were confessed. Whereas the first was slain, the Scapegoat was released into the wilderness as a representation of the sins being removed from the people.
When Yeshua our Messiah died on the cross, He did so for our sin. Yeshua, who knew no sin, became our sacrifice and Scapegoat. As his body was beat and cut, He became our Chatat with His blood being spilled out for us. Yet He also became our Az’azel in that He took our sin away from us. It is only because of His sacrifice and forgiveness of our sins that we have the ability to stand in His presence. The Greek word KAPPARAH means propitiation. In Greek mythology this word was used in showing appeasement to the gods. But this word also means atonement. On the cross, Yeshua was displayed as our kapparah, our sacrifice, the fulfillment of all that is celebrated at Yom Kippur. The atonement has been made and forgiveness is offered.
It is in Leviticus 17:11 we read that the blood of the sacrifice paved the way for our atonement. The verse reads,
“For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”
Without this price paid or atonement made, our sin would continue to separate us from Adonai. It is because of His love for us that we have been redeemed and given access. It is because of His payment that we have been sought after for unity with Him. It is because of His atonement – His at-one-ment, that we are able to have relationship with Him.
The message within all the Torah is simple – Adonai is holy and we also must live our lives to reflect His holiness. As such we read of the things that are clean, blessed, and right in contrast to those that are dirty, cursed, and sinful. We are to be holy as He is holy. But we are human and prone to sin. Adonai knew this would be a fact for we have freewill. Yet He did not create us and leave us to live without a chance. Rather He made a way for us to be redeemed from the curse. Yeshua HaMashiach is our high priest and has offered a true atonement for our sin. He has paved the way for our at-one-ment, so let us then come before Him, confessing our sin and turning from our wrong way to embrace the oneness with Him.
As we finish our study on Yom Kippur, I point us to another lesson we are reminded of during this holy day, that of Jonah. It is in the book of Jonah that we see the truth of confession. If we confess and turn from our sin, Adonai is faithful and just to forgive us as He did the people of Ninevah. Because of the great wickedness of Ninevah, Adonai had determined an exact time in which He would destroy the city. However, before He did so He gave warning. Adonai asked Jonah to go and proclaim that His destruction was coming. After Jonah ran from Adonai, spent a few nights inside a fish and was vomited out, and then finally obeyed, the proclamation was made. When the people heard this warning, however, they began to believe the words. In fact, the city declared a fast. Once the king caught a hold of this warning, he too declared a fast. The king went even so far as to declare a fast not only of the people, but also of the animals (Jon 3:7). He reasoned, "Who knows? Adonai may yet relent and with compassion turn from his fierce anger so that we will not perish." Talk about a serious change of direction for Nineveh.
As Adonai watched the change in the hearts of the city, He relented. Jonah 3:10 goes on to say that, "When Adonai saw what they did and how they turned from their evil ways, He had compassion and did not bring upon them the destruction He had threatened." I don't know about you, but I read that and find myself stirred with hope. He knows the many stupid things I have done, and the sins I have committed both on accident and on purpose. Yet in reading this story I am encouraged to consider that maybe Adonai is saying the same thing to me. Perhaps He is warning me to get right so as to avoid destruction. It would only seem to make sense. From the beginning in Genesis Adonai has only wanted for us to obey His decrees, follow His ways, and serve Him only. Is that any different than what He desired from Nineveh? Is it any different from what He desires from us now? So then maybe instead of being hard headed and walking around with cotton balls in my ears, I should listen and obey. Maybe it is time for a fast, a change, and a requesting of Adonai to forgive me as I recommit the path I am on. There is hope for us all that He will relent, but we first must admit our errors and change our ways as Nineveh did.
Saturday, September 22, 2012
COURAGE
“Be strong, be bold, don’t be afraid or frightened of them, for Adonai your God is going with you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6
I woke up this morning with one short phrase going through my head, as if Adonai was giving me a command for today. I heard the words, “Be courageous today.” I must admit, I am not sure what I am supposed to do with these words; I am not sure what He has planned for me today. Am I going to face an enemy where courage will be needed to overcome? Am I going to be looking face to face in the eyes of fear? And quite honestly, I am questioning what courage really is. It has to be more than a singing lion found near a yellow brick road that later helps overcome a witch. What is courage, Adonai’s definition of courage?
Looking in the Strong’s is where I find the best definition of the word, courage. It is here in Deuteronomy 31:6 and in Joshua 1:9 that the word ‘AMATS is given, meaning strong, alert, bold, and determined. This is the same word used in Ruth 1:18 to describe Ruth’s stance in going with Naomi. “When Naomi realized Ruth was ‘AMATS to go with her, she stopped urging.” Joshua was being told to be determined, Ruth was determined, so what will I be?
As I was working to understand this word, though, something caught my attention for the first time. Read this bit from Matthew Henry’s Commentary speaking concerning Joshua’s account. “He knew well what a discontented people they were, and how unmanageable they had been in his predecessor’s (Moshe’s) time; let him therefore expect vexation from them and be of good courage.” I have always imagined that Adonai gave this command to Joshua because Moshe was gone and he needed a pep-talk. But there is more. Adonai knew the hearts of these people. He knew that they needed a leader. By placing Joshua in that position of leadership, He also knew that these people were going to continue to do wrong and work to undermine the authority given to Joshua. So then, Adonai said, “Be strong and courageous. Take your stand in Me, Joshua. Draw the line right now before these people test you and be determined in your stance in Me.”
I think back to the words that were in my head, that were fresh just hours ago, and it begins to make sense. Adonai is telling me to be determined today. He knows what is on my mind, but better yet, what the enemy will throw at me today. He is warning me now to know who I am in Him, and to draw that line of determination in my walk with Him. I am to be courageous in how I lead my family today. I am to be courageous in how I interact with people I will run into at the store or gas station. I am to be courageous in how I communicate today. I am to be determined in every step I take today, not allowing fear or discouragement to sneak in and have its way. I have been charged with mission – to be strong and courageous. And still the greatest part of all this is the remainder of Deuteronomy 31:6. Adonai promises, He will neither fail nor abandon me. I can step out in courage, knowing He has my back.
Deuteronomy 31:1-31
Deuteronomy 31:6
I woke up this morning with one short phrase going through my head, as if Adonai was giving me a command for today. I heard the words, “Be courageous today.” I must admit, I am not sure what I am supposed to do with these words; I am not sure what He has planned for me today. Am I going to face an enemy where courage will be needed to overcome? Am I going to be looking face to face in the eyes of fear? And quite honestly, I am questioning what courage really is. It has to be more than a singing lion found near a yellow brick road that later helps overcome a witch. What is courage, Adonai’s definition of courage?
Looking in the Strong’s is where I find the best definition of the word, courage. It is here in Deuteronomy 31:6 and in Joshua 1:9 that the word ‘AMATS is given, meaning strong, alert, bold, and determined. This is the same word used in Ruth 1:18 to describe Ruth’s stance in going with Naomi. “When Naomi realized Ruth was ‘AMATS to go with her, she stopped urging.” Joshua was being told to be determined, Ruth was determined, so what will I be?
As I was working to understand this word, though, something caught my attention for the first time. Read this bit from Matthew Henry’s Commentary speaking concerning Joshua’s account. “He knew well what a discontented people they were, and how unmanageable they had been in his predecessor’s (Moshe’s) time; let him therefore expect vexation from them and be of good courage.” I have always imagined that Adonai gave this command to Joshua because Moshe was gone and he needed a pep-talk. But there is more. Adonai knew the hearts of these people. He knew that they needed a leader. By placing Joshua in that position of leadership, He also knew that these people were going to continue to do wrong and work to undermine the authority given to Joshua. So then, Adonai said, “Be strong and courageous. Take your stand in Me, Joshua. Draw the line right now before these people test you and be determined in your stance in Me.”
I think back to the words that were in my head, that were fresh just hours ago, and it begins to make sense. Adonai is telling me to be determined today. He knows what is on my mind, but better yet, what the enemy will throw at me today. He is warning me now to know who I am in Him, and to draw that line of determination in my walk with Him. I am to be courageous in how I lead my family today. I am to be courageous in how I interact with people I will run into at the store or gas station. I am to be courageous in how I communicate today. I am to be determined in every step I take today, not allowing fear or discouragement to sneak in and have its way. I have been charged with mission – to be strong and courageous. And still the greatest part of all this is the remainder of Deuteronomy 31:6. Adonai promises, He will neither fail nor abandon me. I can step out in courage, knowing He has my back.
Deuteronomy 31:1-31
Saturday, September 15, 2012
TUG OF WAR
“I call on heaven and earth to witness against you today that I have presented you with life and death, the blessing and the curse. Therefore, choose life, so that yo will live, you are your descendants.”
Deuteronomy 30:19
Did you know that Tug of War was an Olympic sport from 1900 to 1920? Teams from other nations would gather in a host country before many to show their strength. I never knew this before today. For me, it was always a childhood game that we played growing up. Do you remember playing tug of war as a child? I do. My fondest memory of this game was back in grade school, during the times when we would have our Field Day competitions. This was the chance for the strongest class to show their strength as a whole against the weaker classes, much like they did during the Olympics and even before that. I remember being in that strong class during fourth grade. But as the years went on and students were randomly placed in other classes, I also found myself being mixed in with a weaker bunch. I am not sure I would qualify myself as a poor sport, but no one ever wants to lose.
As I was doing my personal Bible study and devotion recently, my scripture passage landed in Romans 7. It is in this chapter we find Paul’s do-do. “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Rom 7:15). Paul was telling the reader that he finds a personal game of tug of war going on for his spirit. In the moments when he does not want to sin, he finds himself sinning or being tempted strongly to do so. He wants to serve Adonai, and knows he should, but then he finds himself doing what he knows is not right. Is that not a perfect picture of what we also struggle with?
In my own life I find there is a constant battle going on. Just like Paul, I find myself engaged in a battle of tug of war. On one side is the army of hell that is pulling me with all their might over to their side of sin. On the other side is the army of Adonai who is also pulling me away from sin and into eternal life. I am that little red flag in the middle tied to the rope. I find myself yanked and pulled back and forth as both sides work in resistance of each other. Where will I end? I know that I should do Adonai’s will and resist all temptation and not give in to sin. But I also know that sin can be fun. For years I have experienced the momentary joy of sin. The problem is, when sin is done I am left with the constant vomit of guilt that the enemy spews on me. Is it worth it? No. After being spewed on for so many years, I don’t want sin anymore.
In the end, Paul’s words in verse 21 are true. When we desire to do good the enemy will be right there waiting for us. The enemy only cares about our destruction (Jn 10:10). He will lure us with temptation, puff up our pride, and promise us the world, but in end he will leave broken, shamed, and empty. Is that the life we want? It is not what I want. So as the red flag hanging from the middle of the rope, I want to exert my being to the side that shows promise. Moshe told the Isra’elites to choose life over death in Deuteronomy 30:19. As such, it is time that I personally take a stand with my brothers and sisters who have made that choice. I choose life. How about you?
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
Deuteronomy 30:19
Did you know that Tug of War was an Olympic sport from 1900 to 1920? Teams from other nations would gather in a host country before many to show their strength. I never knew this before today. For me, it was always a childhood game that we played growing up. Do you remember playing tug of war as a child? I do. My fondest memory of this game was back in grade school, during the times when we would have our Field Day competitions. This was the chance for the strongest class to show their strength as a whole against the weaker classes, much like they did during the Olympics and even before that. I remember being in that strong class during fourth grade. But as the years went on and students were randomly placed in other classes, I also found myself being mixed in with a weaker bunch. I am not sure I would qualify myself as a poor sport, but no one ever wants to lose.
As I was doing my personal Bible study and devotion recently, my scripture passage landed in Romans 7. It is in this chapter we find Paul’s do-do. “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do” (Rom 7:15). Paul was telling the reader that he finds a personal game of tug of war going on for his spirit. In the moments when he does not want to sin, he finds himself sinning or being tempted strongly to do so. He wants to serve Adonai, and knows he should, but then he finds himself doing what he knows is not right. Is that not a perfect picture of what we also struggle with?
In my own life I find there is a constant battle going on. Just like Paul, I find myself engaged in a battle of tug of war. On one side is the army of hell that is pulling me with all their might over to their side of sin. On the other side is the army of Adonai who is also pulling me away from sin and into eternal life. I am that little red flag in the middle tied to the rope. I find myself yanked and pulled back and forth as both sides work in resistance of each other. Where will I end? I know that I should do Adonai’s will and resist all temptation and not give in to sin. But I also know that sin can be fun. For years I have experienced the momentary joy of sin. The problem is, when sin is done I am left with the constant vomit of guilt that the enemy spews on me. Is it worth it? No. After being spewed on for so many years, I don’t want sin anymore.
In the end, Paul’s words in verse 21 are true. When we desire to do good the enemy will be right there waiting for us. The enemy only cares about our destruction (Jn 10:10). He will lure us with temptation, puff up our pride, and promise us the world, but in end he will leave broken, shamed, and empty. Is that the life we want? It is not what I want. So as the red flag hanging from the middle of the rope, I want to exert my being to the side that shows promise. Moshe told the Isra’elites to choose life over death in Deuteronomy 30:19. As such, it is time that I personally take a stand with my brothers and sisters who have made that choice. I choose life. How about you?
Deuteronomy 30:15-20
APPLES AND HONEY
“No, the word is very near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart so you may obey it.”
Deuteronomy 30:14
It is around this time that many Jewish believers will partake in the eating of apples and honey. This custom is one of the most meaningful during the time of Rosh Hashanah as it is a representation of a sweetness we desire in the year to come. It is by dipping the apple into the honey that we make a sweet fruit taste even sweeter. But the use of these two items is deeper.
The apple is a representation of the Torah received on Mount Sinai. It is said that as the apple tree ripens its fruit on the Jewish calendar in the month of Sivan, so also the Torah was given to Moses during the same month. This illustration then can be wrapped up in stating that all spiritual wisdom and insight, which is the sweetness of Adonai’s Word, can be tasted in our relationship with Him. We can take this idea one step further when reading the words of Solomon in his love letter where he writes, “Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men” (SOS 2:3). Yes, the lover is talking about her man, but this reflects also our hopeful view of Adonai. It is He who is our God among all the other gods that desire our affections.
Honey, in contrast, is a symbol of the search for the material, the security, and the prosperity that is needed in the year to come. Psalm 81:16 reads, “But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” It is this honey from the rock that will satisfy us. Maybe better said, it is He who is the honey, for it is His provision in each area we are involved in that is needed. And from Him who is the Rock, we will be secure and satisfied.
So then, we dip the apple into the honey just as we also dip his Word into the assurance that He will fulfill all that He has promised. It is in His love for us, in His sweetness, that we find a true satisfaction. As Deuteronomy 30:14 states, the Word is very near to us, so near that it is even in our mouths and hearts. When it is this close that literally we can taste it, we should have our heart set to obedience.
As the date of September 16 approaches and a new year according to Adonai’s calendar begins, I find myself wanting all that He has for me. I want His security and provision in these last few days, but I want His security and provision in the year to come as well. I want to continually taste and see that Adonai is good. So as a physical reminder to myself of who He is, what His Word promises, and what I desire for the next year, I then partake in the dipping of apples into honey. I long with all that is in me to deeper my relationship with Him and taste more intimately the Adonai I serve and have chosen from all the other gods who desire my affection. Come, join me at the table, and eat with me. Let us taste and see the goodness of Adonai.
Deuteronomy 30:11-14
Deuteronomy 30:14
It is around this time that many Jewish believers will partake in the eating of apples and honey. This custom is one of the most meaningful during the time of Rosh Hashanah as it is a representation of a sweetness we desire in the year to come. It is by dipping the apple into the honey that we make a sweet fruit taste even sweeter. But the use of these two items is deeper.
The apple is a representation of the Torah received on Mount Sinai. It is said that as the apple tree ripens its fruit on the Jewish calendar in the month of Sivan, so also the Torah was given to Moses during the same month. This illustration then can be wrapped up in stating that all spiritual wisdom and insight, which is the sweetness of Adonai’s Word, can be tasted in our relationship with Him. We can take this idea one step further when reading the words of Solomon in his love letter where he writes, “Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men” (SOS 2:3). Yes, the lover is talking about her man, but this reflects also our hopeful view of Adonai. It is He who is our God among all the other gods that desire our affections.
Honey, in contrast, is a symbol of the search for the material, the security, and the prosperity that is needed in the year to come. Psalm 81:16 reads, “But you would be fed with the finest of wheat; with honey from the rock I would satisfy you.” It is this honey from the rock that will satisfy us. Maybe better said, it is He who is the honey, for it is His provision in each area we are involved in that is needed. And from Him who is the Rock, we will be secure and satisfied.
So then, we dip the apple into the honey just as we also dip his Word into the assurance that He will fulfill all that He has promised. It is in His love for us, in His sweetness, that we find a true satisfaction. As Deuteronomy 30:14 states, the Word is very near to us, so near that it is even in our mouths and hearts. When it is this close that literally we can taste it, we should have our heart set to obedience.
As the date of September 16 approaches and a new year according to Adonai’s calendar begins, I find myself wanting all that He has for me. I want His security and provision in these last few days, but I want His security and provision in the year to come as well. I want to continually taste and see that Adonai is good. So as a physical reminder to myself of who He is, what His Word promises, and what I desire for the next year, I then partake in the dipping of apples into honey. I long with all that is in me to deeper my relationship with Him and taste more intimately the Adonai I serve and have chosen from all the other gods who desire my affection. Come, join me at the table, and eat with me. Let us taste and see the goodness of Adonai.
Deuteronomy 30:11-14
REVERSED EXILE
“…and you will return to Adonai your God and pay attention to what he has said, which will be exactly what I am ordering you to do today – you and your children, with all your heart and all your being.”
Deuteronomy 30:2
In Deuteronomy 30:1, Moshe records that when the time arrives that the people, who had been driven to other nations come back to Adonai, that at that time they will re-enter the land. I don’t know about you, but I feel like I have been in this position before. I know that there have been times when I have strayed from what He has commanded in the Torah. The interesting thing, and the point at which I am grateful of, is that Adonai knew this would happen to His people. Here we do not read if you slip into this time of falling away from Me, but rather we read when the time comes and these things have happened. Adonai knew His people would turn their backs on Him.
While I am thankful that my back-turning moments have not surprised Him, I am more thankful that He has made a way for my return. In verse 2 we read that if we return to Adonai, pay attention to what He has said, and do as He has ordered with all our heart and being, then He will reverse the exile we have been in. What is this change known as? This is teshuvah – repentance. In the Hebrew language, the term repent stems from the verb ‘shuv’, meaning more accurately to turn around. If going left, we turn right. If headed north, we go south. It is the making of a 180 degree turn around. Teshuvah is not merely a change of mind, but rather includes also a change of behavior.
As we see in this passage, when one is sincere about leaving the sin behind and following after Adonai, He does not say, “Too bad,” but rather says He will take us back. Adonai receives sincere repentance, and reconnects us to Him when repentance is sought. On this note, I encourage you, as I know I need to do as well, to go and seek His forgiveness. Whether on purpose, or by accident, we have probably sinned. So then let us make teshuvah. Let us now, before it is too late, seek Him while He can still be found.
Deuteronomy 30:1-6
Deuteronomy 30:7-10
Deuteronomy 30:2
In Deuteronomy 30:1, Moshe records that when the time arrives that the people, who had been driven to other nations come back to Adonai, that at that time they will re-enter the land. I don’t know about you, but I feel like I have been in this position before. I know that there have been times when I have strayed from what He has commanded in the Torah. The interesting thing, and the point at which I am grateful of, is that Adonai knew this would happen to His people. Here we do not read if you slip into this time of falling away from Me, but rather we read when the time comes and these things have happened. Adonai knew His people would turn their backs on Him.
While I am thankful that my back-turning moments have not surprised Him, I am more thankful that He has made a way for my return. In verse 2 we read that if we return to Adonai, pay attention to what He has said, and do as He has ordered with all our heart and being, then He will reverse the exile we have been in. What is this change known as? This is teshuvah – repentance. In the Hebrew language, the term repent stems from the verb ‘shuv’, meaning more accurately to turn around. If going left, we turn right. If headed north, we go south. It is the making of a 180 degree turn around. Teshuvah is not merely a change of mind, but rather includes also a change of behavior.
As we see in this passage, when one is sincere about leaving the sin behind and following after Adonai, He does not say, “Too bad,” but rather says He will take us back. Adonai receives sincere repentance, and reconnects us to Him when repentance is sought. On this note, I encourage you, as I know I need to do as well, to go and seek His forgiveness. Whether on purpose, or by accident, we have probably sinned. So then let us make teshuvah. Let us now, before it is too late, seek Him while He can still be found.
Deuteronomy 30:1-6
Deuteronomy 30:7-10
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
SECRET THINGS
“The secret things belong to the LORD our God but the things revealed belong to us and to or children forever; that we may follow all the words of this law.”
Deuteronomy 29:29
Only one President of the United States has ever resigned, that being Richard Nixon. His resignation was based alone on a matter in which he attempted to cover up. The Watergate scandal became the headline during the early 1970’s as it worked to break news concerning a break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex. It was Nixon and his administration that attempted to cover up the committee’s involvement. However, the end result of the scandal eventually led not only to the resignation of Nixon on August 9, 1974, but also the arrest of others working in relation with him to hide what had been done. Call it sloppy cover up, call it a traitor in the camp, or call it karma. Whatever you call it, this well known event in history only goes to show us that what is done in secret is never hidden from Adonai.
Deuteronomy 29:29 informs us first that the secret things belong to Adonai. It is true that many problems within the family, the neighborhood, or nation stem from root issues we are unaware of. There is a spiritual battle going on all around us that we may not always see with the human eye. We see the affects many times, but not always the root. For example, we see the person sitting at the bar downing drink after drink, but we do not see the root issue of rejection or hurt that brings the person to drinking. The same was true of me. People saw my addiction to pornography but did not see the pain, the rejection, the loneliness that brought me back over and over again.
The verse continues on, though, to state, “…but the things revealed belong to us and our children forever.” As I read this portion of the verse I am reminded of a worship song’s lyrics that state, open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see You. As I see the person at the bar, or the one coming out of a porn shop, or what have you, I find myself first fighting judgment. One would think I wouldn’t judge having been in those shoes myself, but it is a fight still. Nevertheless, it is my duty to pray for that person. Not knowing what always to pray, my first prayer is for Adonai to open my eyes to what the root issue is. What is it that draws this person there, or makes them act a certain way, or results in their deep pain? As Adonai opens my eyes to these factors, then I find myself in a better place and with deeper understanding towards how to pray. It is then as I intercede in prayer for others that He can reveal both the root of the problem and its solution.
How does this relate to Watergate? The secret things were hidden at first. The who, why, how, where and when were all hidden from the public. But down underneath the surface level, the root cause was continuing to fester. Eventually with the right discernment, the right slip up, and the right opening of the eyes, the nation was no longer in the dark and knew what action to take. I use this relatable illustration to point the same in the spiritual. I urge you to pray for your family, your friends, your neighbor, and your nation. We are in a spiritual battle daily. Only when we ask Adonai to open our eyes to the deeper things will we be allowed to see the root of what is hurting those around us. As much as we desire freedom from what is holding us down, so we should also desire their freedom as well. Let us pray. Let us pray for them. And let us pray for opened eyes.
Deuteronomy 29:16-29
Deuteronomy 29:29
Only one President of the United States has ever resigned, that being Richard Nixon. His resignation was based alone on a matter in which he attempted to cover up. The Watergate scandal became the headline during the early 1970’s as it worked to break news concerning a break-in of the Democratic National Committee headquarters at the Watergate office complex. It was Nixon and his administration that attempted to cover up the committee’s involvement. However, the end result of the scandal eventually led not only to the resignation of Nixon on August 9, 1974, but also the arrest of others working in relation with him to hide what had been done. Call it sloppy cover up, call it a traitor in the camp, or call it karma. Whatever you call it, this well known event in history only goes to show us that what is done in secret is never hidden from Adonai.
Deuteronomy 29:29 informs us first that the secret things belong to Adonai. It is true that many problems within the family, the neighborhood, or nation stem from root issues we are unaware of. There is a spiritual battle going on all around us that we may not always see with the human eye. We see the affects many times, but not always the root. For example, we see the person sitting at the bar downing drink after drink, but we do not see the root issue of rejection or hurt that brings the person to drinking. The same was true of me. People saw my addiction to pornography but did not see the pain, the rejection, the loneliness that brought me back over and over again.
The verse continues on, though, to state, “…but the things revealed belong to us and our children forever.” As I read this portion of the verse I am reminded of a worship song’s lyrics that state, open the eyes of my heart Lord, I want to see You. As I see the person at the bar, or the one coming out of a porn shop, or what have you, I find myself first fighting judgment. One would think I wouldn’t judge having been in those shoes myself, but it is a fight still. Nevertheless, it is my duty to pray for that person. Not knowing what always to pray, my first prayer is for Adonai to open my eyes to what the root issue is. What is it that draws this person there, or makes them act a certain way, or results in their deep pain? As Adonai opens my eyes to these factors, then I find myself in a better place and with deeper understanding towards how to pray. It is then as I intercede in prayer for others that He can reveal both the root of the problem and its solution.
How does this relate to Watergate? The secret things were hidden at first. The who, why, how, where and when were all hidden from the public. But down underneath the surface level, the root cause was continuing to fester. Eventually with the right discernment, the right slip up, and the right opening of the eyes, the nation was no longer in the dark and knew what action to take. I use this relatable illustration to point the same in the spiritual. I urge you to pray for your family, your friends, your neighbor, and your nation. We are in a spiritual battle daily. Only when we ask Adonai to open our eyes to the deeper things will we be allowed to see the root of what is hurting those around us. As much as we desire freedom from what is holding us down, so we should also desire their freedom as well. Let us pray. Let us pray for them. And let us pray for opened eyes.
Deuteronomy 29:16-29
S.T.A.N.D.
“’Today you are standing, all of you, before Adonai your God – your heads, your tribes, your leaders and your offices – all the men of Isra’el…’”
Deuteronomy 29:10
Growing up I was in the choir. Yes, I was a choir boy. But I loved it. I loved the singing, the performances, the spot light of the solo, and the blending of many voices. I started in choir in elementary school and continued all the way up to college. I remember the choir teachers, the happy singers, and the countless rehearsals. But one memory I will never forget happened in junior high. It's as if it were yesterday, standing in front of the crowds at Christmas singing Christmas carols to the older people in the retirement home. There I was in my spot giving all my joy to the world when suddenly the room went black. I don't know if you've ever fainted, but this being my first time, I had no idea what was happening. One second you're fine, then the next you're seeing black spots and trying to stand up after coming face to face with the ground. I was helped to my feet and after I regained awareness, told what had happened as I was offered a drink of water.
So what did happen? Outside of the overly warm temperature inside to counter balance the cold temperature outside, I did one thing wrong. Can you guess? If you've ever been in choir you know the answer. I locked my knees. I did what choir teachers tell you to never do. And under the heat and nervousness of the people watching, I fainted. I did not hold my stance.
The Bible talks about standing. In Deuteronomy 29:10 we read that the people were Nitzavim, were standing, before Adonai. All the heads, the tribes, the leaders, and the officers were standing before Him. They were standing with the purpose of entering into a covenant with Adonai. But we also see a standing being done in both I Corinthians 15:58 and 16:13, where Paul warns us to stand firm. In the same book, Paul tells us to stand under Adonai's way out when we are tempted (10:13). Gideon was told to have his troops stand firm and Adonai would smite the enemies without the soldiers making a move (Jud 7:21). Paul again tells us that when we have done all we can, we stand (Eph 6:13). But what does standing mean? A simple definition is our 'established position'. I have my own definition: Solid, Tenacious, And Never Defeated. Look at these verses with me using this as our definition.
“’Today you are Solid, Tenacious, And Never Defeated, all of you, before Adonai your God – your heads, your tribes, your leaders and your offices – all the men of Isra’el…’” Deut 29:10
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, be Solid, Tenacious, And Never Defeated." Eph 6:13.
"Be on your guard; be Solid, Tenacious, And Never Defeated in the faith; be men of courage; be strong" I Cor 16:13.
If I had held the position in choir of standing, but not locking my knees, I would not have fainted. But because I did not stand correctly, I fell. So that is the challenge. How are you standing? Are you wobbly, close to fainting, propped up against the wall, or relying on crutches? If so, I urge you to stand on the solid rock. Are you Solid, Tenacious, And Never Defeated? There is only one way to get there. Let us all STAND on Adonai.
Deuteronomy 29:10-12
Deuteronomy 29:13-15
Deuteronomy 29:10
Growing up I was in the choir. Yes, I was a choir boy. But I loved it. I loved the singing, the performances, the spot light of the solo, and the blending of many voices. I started in choir in elementary school and continued all the way up to college. I remember the choir teachers, the happy singers, and the countless rehearsals. But one memory I will never forget happened in junior high. It's as if it were yesterday, standing in front of the crowds at Christmas singing Christmas carols to the older people in the retirement home. There I was in my spot giving all my joy to the world when suddenly the room went black. I don't know if you've ever fainted, but this being my first time, I had no idea what was happening. One second you're fine, then the next you're seeing black spots and trying to stand up after coming face to face with the ground. I was helped to my feet and after I regained awareness, told what had happened as I was offered a drink of water.
So what did happen? Outside of the overly warm temperature inside to counter balance the cold temperature outside, I did one thing wrong. Can you guess? If you've ever been in choir you know the answer. I locked my knees. I did what choir teachers tell you to never do. And under the heat and nervousness of the people watching, I fainted. I did not hold my stance.
The Bible talks about standing. In Deuteronomy 29:10 we read that the people were Nitzavim, were standing, before Adonai. All the heads, the tribes, the leaders, and the officers were standing before Him. They were standing with the purpose of entering into a covenant with Adonai. But we also see a standing being done in both I Corinthians 15:58 and 16:13, where Paul warns us to stand firm. In the same book, Paul tells us to stand under Adonai's way out when we are tempted (10:13). Gideon was told to have his troops stand firm and Adonai would smite the enemies without the soldiers making a move (Jud 7:21). Paul again tells us that when we have done all we can, we stand (Eph 6:13). But what does standing mean? A simple definition is our 'established position'. I have my own definition: Solid, Tenacious, And Never Defeated. Look at these verses with me using this as our definition.
“’Today you are Solid, Tenacious, And Never Defeated, all of you, before Adonai your God – your heads, your tribes, your leaders and your offices – all the men of Isra’el…’” Deut 29:10
"Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, be Solid, Tenacious, And Never Defeated." Eph 6:13.
"Be on your guard; be Solid, Tenacious, And Never Defeated in the faith; be men of courage; be strong" I Cor 16:13.
If I had held the position in choir of standing, but not locking my knees, I would not have fainted. But because I did not stand correctly, I fell. So that is the challenge. How are you standing? Are you wobbly, close to fainting, propped up against the wall, or relying on crutches? If so, I urge you to stand on the solid rock. Are you Solid, Tenacious, And Never Defeated? There is only one way to get there. Let us all STAND on Adonai.
Deuteronomy 29:10-12
Deuteronomy 29:13-15
Saturday, September 8, 2012
DECLARING THE PROMISE
“If you listen closely to what the LORD your God says, observing and obeying all his commands which I am giving you today, the LORD you God will raise you high above all the nations on earth; and all the following blessings will be yours in abundance – if you will do what the LORD your God says…”
Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Part of the armor named in Ephesians 6 that we are to stand wearing is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. As I give thought to this piece, I am embarrassed to think that sometimes we fail to hold this weapon. Maybe I speak from personal experience only. This weapon is living and active, however. And this weapon holds the key from us being proactive or defensive. Yet I know for myself that I do not always carry my sword with me. I am not talking about physically carrying my Bible everywhere I go, but rather spiritually carrying the Word. If His Word is alive and active, and sharper than any double-edged sword, then would not this piece be valuable to carry anywhere and everywhere?
Over the week I have been reminded of a few of the promises that are named in God’s Word. But before I spend time to remind you as well, let me share with you a simple lesson concerning a king’s decree. We see it in the story of Esther, and we see it in the story of Daniel. In both cases a decree was made. In the book of Esther, the king signed a law into place that all Jews were to be killed. After the evil plot of Haman was uncovered, the law could not be reversed. Instead, the king made an addendum. Where once the Jews were powerless, now they were able to defend themselves. The same idea is seen in Daniel. When the tricksters came to the king requesting a decree be put into place concerning praying, the king signed it. The king had no knowledge of the effect it would have in relation to Daniel. When they caught Daniel praying to Adonai as opposed to the king, the order had to be fulfilled. The king was even reminded of the decree he had made in the case that he thought about going soft.
So what does a decree have to do with promises? Much! Adonai has spoken and laid out for us in His Word a list of blessings. He has decreed that they are ours. The question is why are we not flowing in them? Do we need to remind Adonai as if He has amnesia? No, I do not believe so. Do we need to pray five Hail Mary’s and dunk seven times in the Jordan River to see fulfillment. The answer here is also no. So then, how do we tap into the blessings that are stored up for us? I believe the answer is in two parts. First, according to Deuteronomy 28:1, we are to listen closely to what He is saying, and observe and obey all His commands. The blessing that He has for us will be poured out as we obey what He is telling us. But second, we must also stand on His Word, declaring who we are in Christ. Note that one cannot go without the other based on this passage.
Look with me at Deuteronomy 28 in a little more depth. His blessings are in the city and the countryside. His blessings are on the fruit of my body, my land, and my livestock. They are on my grain-basket and kneading-bowl. The passage continues and I read they are on me when I come and go, when the enemy is attacking me from one direction and fleeing seven ways, and when I find myself no longer the borrower but the giver. I stand on His Word and I declare His truths over my life. I will be blessed. I will be blessed because He has decreed it. He cannot go back on His Word just as in the times of Esther and Daniel.
The Word is our sword. The Word holds our blessing. We have got to understand, though, how to fight with it. If we are not doing the will of Adonai, to walk in the ways of observation and obedience in what He commands, then we are only holding a piece of metal. But in using it right, in the full obedience as intended by the Maker, gives us the victory of blessing over the enemy. In using it correctly, we see the enemy flee in seven directions, we see the increase of our finances and become the giver, and we see the promotions and overflowing baskets that are in our homes. We must obey Him and then declare that our blessings are here just as our Lord God has already decreed.
Deuteronomy 28:7-69
Deuteronomy 29:1-9
Deuteronomy 28:1-2
Part of the armor named in Ephesians 6 that we are to stand wearing is the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. As I give thought to this piece, I am embarrassed to think that sometimes we fail to hold this weapon. Maybe I speak from personal experience only. This weapon is living and active, however. And this weapon holds the key from us being proactive or defensive. Yet I know for myself that I do not always carry my sword with me. I am not talking about physically carrying my Bible everywhere I go, but rather spiritually carrying the Word. If His Word is alive and active, and sharper than any double-edged sword, then would not this piece be valuable to carry anywhere and everywhere?
Over the week I have been reminded of a few of the promises that are named in God’s Word. But before I spend time to remind you as well, let me share with you a simple lesson concerning a king’s decree. We see it in the story of Esther, and we see it in the story of Daniel. In both cases a decree was made. In the book of Esther, the king signed a law into place that all Jews were to be killed. After the evil plot of Haman was uncovered, the law could not be reversed. Instead, the king made an addendum. Where once the Jews were powerless, now they were able to defend themselves. The same idea is seen in Daniel. When the tricksters came to the king requesting a decree be put into place concerning praying, the king signed it. The king had no knowledge of the effect it would have in relation to Daniel. When they caught Daniel praying to Adonai as opposed to the king, the order had to be fulfilled. The king was even reminded of the decree he had made in the case that he thought about going soft.
So what does a decree have to do with promises? Much! Adonai has spoken and laid out for us in His Word a list of blessings. He has decreed that they are ours. The question is why are we not flowing in them? Do we need to remind Adonai as if He has amnesia? No, I do not believe so. Do we need to pray five Hail Mary’s and dunk seven times in the Jordan River to see fulfillment. The answer here is also no. So then, how do we tap into the blessings that are stored up for us? I believe the answer is in two parts. First, according to Deuteronomy 28:1, we are to listen closely to what He is saying, and observe and obey all His commands. The blessing that He has for us will be poured out as we obey what He is telling us. But second, we must also stand on His Word, declaring who we are in Christ. Note that one cannot go without the other based on this passage.
Look with me at Deuteronomy 28 in a little more depth. His blessings are in the city and the countryside. His blessings are on the fruit of my body, my land, and my livestock. They are on my grain-basket and kneading-bowl. The passage continues and I read they are on me when I come and go, when the enemy is attacking me from one direction and fleeing seven ways, and when I find myself no longer the borrower but the giver. I stand on His Word and I declare His truths over my life. I will be blessed. I will be blessed because He has decreed it. He cannot go back on His Word just as in the times of Esther and Daniel.
The Word is our sword. The Word holds our blessing. We have got to understand, though, how to fight with it. If we are not doing the will of Adonai, to walk in the ways of observation and obedience in what He commands, then we are only holding a piece of metal. But in using it right, in the full obedience as intended by the Maker, gives us the victory of blessing over the enemy. In using it correctly, we see the enemy flee in seven directions, we see the increase of our finances and become the giver, and we see the promotions and overflowing baskets that are in our homes. We must obey Him and then declare that our blessings are here just as our Lord God has already decreed.
Deuteronomy 28:7-69
Deuteronomy 29:1-9
OVERTAKEN AND LIBERATED
“All these blessings will come upon you and accompany you if you obey the LORD your God.”
Deuteronomy 28:2
As a lover of history, especially the historic events related to World War II, I find myself drawn to reading articles or stories of Holocaust survivors. Without going into a full history lesson, I want to share a brief overview of historic events related to the liberation of Nazi concentration camps. In July 1944, Soviet forces were the first to approach Majdanek, outside of Lublin, Poland. The march on the Germans by the Soviets caught them off guard, therefore allowing the Russian army to see the extent of death being used by their enemy. But this liberation was only one of many. In the months to follow, additional camps in Belzec, Sobibor, and Treblinka were also overtaken by Soviet forces before they finally liberated Auschwitz in January 1945. As the Allies continued to work together liberating additional camps in the Baltic states and Poland, Germany soon realized they were being overtaken with massive efforts. Shortly thereafter, Germany surrendered.
In Deuteronomy 28, Moshe challenges the people of Isra’el with words concerning blessing. Moshe spoke that if they fully obeyed the Adonai and followed His commands, then He would set His people above all nations. But then he continued and spoke that all these blessings of Adonai would come on the people and accompany them. Another version uses the term ‘overtake them’. In practicality, just as the Allied forces overtook Germany, so Adonai would send His blessings to overtake those who walked in obedience to Him. Let us look at two examples of this truth.
The first example that comes to my mind is Yosef. Granted, Yosef suffered many things in his younger years before finding himself in the position of second in command, but look at Genesis 39:3-4a. “When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Yosef found favor in his eyes and became his attendant…” Did you catch that? Adonai blessed Yosef in everything he did. Why? Because Yosef obeyed and served Adonai in everything he did. The blessings of Adonai overtook Yosef because he lived his life in obedience to Him alone. Although he lived in a foreign land, he did not forsake his God. Adonai’s blessings came upon Yosef and when the time was right, his liberation from prison also came and he was promoted to a place of prominence.
But let us also look at another example from the time after Moshe’s words were spoken. If we look into the book of Ruth, we find that Adonai used Boaz as a means of blessing for Ruth and Naomi. Ruth 2:15-16 shares that Boaz gave orders to his men to pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up. Ruth and Naomi had little, and as such, Ruth went and found the approval of Boaz to glean in his field. Basically, Ruth was given the approval to go behind the workers and gather any leftover grain. Boaz, then, instructed his men to purposefully leave larger portions behind that she then would glean and use for food. By using Boaz, blessings overtook Ruth.
I want to be in a position where blessings come upon me. I want to be in a place where I am overtaken by Adonai’s hand of blessing and liberated from the enemy of lack and bondage. But, this cannot happen if I am not walking in obedience to Him. The examples of Yosef and Ruth show that Adonai’s blessing can overtake us. True, He will bless us with what we need out of His love for us, but I don’t want just enough. I want blessings to overtake me. And I want to see blessings overtake you. Let us then put ourselves in a place where this can happen; where we can be overtaken and liberated. Let us walk in full obedience to Adonai.
Deuteronomy 27:1-10
Deuteronomy 27:11 – 28:6
Deuteronomy 28:2
As a lover of history, especially the historic events related to World War II, I find myself drawn to reading articles or stories of Holocaust survivors. Without going into a full history lesson, I want to share a brief overview of historic events related to the liberation of Nazi concentration camps. In July 1944, Soviet forces were the first to approach Majdanek, outside of Lublin, Poland. The march on the Germans by the Soviets caught them off guard, therefore allowing the Russian army to see the extent of death being used by their enemy. But this liberation was only one of many. In the months to follow, additional camps in Belzec, Sobibor, and Treblinka were also overtaken by Soviet forces before they finally liberated Auschwitz in January 1945. As the Allies continued to work together liberating additional camps in the Baltic states and Poland, Germany soon realized they were being overtaken with massive efforts. Shortly thereafter, Germany surrendered.
In Deuteronomy 28, Moshe challenges the people of Isra’el with words concerning blessing. Moshe spoke that if they fully obeyed the Adonai and followed His commands, then He would set His people above all nations. But then he continued and spoke that all these blessings of Adonai would come on the people and accompany them. Another version uses the term ‘overtake them’. In practicality, just as the Allied forces overtook Germany, so Adonai would send His blessings to overtake those who walked in obedience to Him. Let us look at two examples of this truth.
The first example that comes to my mind is Yosef. Granted, Yosef suffered many things in his younger years before finding himself in the position of second in command, but look at Genesis 39:3-4a. “When his master saw that the LORD was with him and that the LORD gave him success in everything he did, Yosef found favor in his eyes and became his attendant…” Did you catch that? Adonai blessed Yosef in everything he did. Why? Because Yosef obeyed and served Adonai in everything he did. The blessings of Adonai overtook Yosef because he lived his life in obedience to Him alone. Although he lived in a foreign land, he did not forsake his God. Adonai’s blessings came upon Yosef and when the time was right, his liberation from prison also came and he was promoted to a place of prominence.
But let us also look at another example from the time after Moshe’s words were spoken. If we look into the book of Ruth, we find that Adonai used Boaz as a means of blessing for Ruth and Naomi. Ruth 2:15-16 shares that Boaz gave orders to his men to pull out some stalks for her from the bundles and leave them for her to pick up. Ruth and Naomi had little, and as such, Ruth went and found the approval of Boaz to glean in his field. Basically, Ruth was given the approval to go behind the workers and gather any leftover grain. Boaz, then, instructed his men to purposefully leave larger portions behind that she then would glean and use for food. By using Boaz, blessings overtook Ruth.
I want to be in a position where blessings come upon me. I want to be in a place where I am overtaken by Adonai’s hand of blessing and liberated from the enemy of lack and bondage. But, this cannot happen if I am not walking in obedience to Him. The examples of Yosef and Ruth show that Adonai’s blessing can overtake us. True, He will bless us with what we need out of His love for us, but I don’t want just enough. I want blessings to overtake me. And I want to see blessings overtake you. Let us then put ourselves in a place where this can happen; where we can be overtaken and liberated. Let us walk in full obedience to Adonai.
Deuteronomy 27:1-10
Deuteronomy 27:11 – 28:6
UNIQUE TREASURE
“In turn Adonai is agreeing today that you are his own unique treasure, as he promised you; that you are to observe all his mitzvoth; and that he will raise you high above all the nations he has made, in praise, reputation and glory; and that, as he said, you will be a holy people for Adonai your God.”
Deuteronomy 26:18-19
About twelve years ago I was out taking a walk and saw a coin on the ground. Now I am the kind of person that will stop and pick up money when found, even if it happens to be only a penny. So when I bent down to grab this coin, I found a coin I had not seen before. Using a little spit to wipe the dirt off, I found the top to look like a nickel. When I turned it over, though, I saw a buffalo. In my mind, I had just found a treasure. I hurried home to do a better cleaning job and found the date. Oh I was sure this was something now. Later that day, I made a call to a local coin collector and told him about my treasure, wondering exactly how much it may be worth beings so old. I was shocked to hear his quote. “Because I have so many and they are still common, it won’t be worth more than a dollar.” What? How could it be only worth that much? If it was so common why was this the first time I had seen one? I was perplexed that my treasure was not as unique as I had thought.
I was reading the Bible last night with my children and we read a section from Deuteronomy 26. Even though the passage doesn’t say the words “IF” and “THEN”, the latter part of the chapter really is an if/then statement. Let me show you. “You are agreeing today that Adonai is your God and that you will follow his ways; observe his laws, mitzvoth (commands), and rulings; and do what he says.” This is the “IF”. If we agree to do all that Adonai has decreed, keeping His commands and walking in His ways, then we get to enjoy the benefit. And the benefit, the “THEN”, is so worth doing what He has commanded us.
Here is the “THEN”. “In turn Adonai is agreeing today that you are his own unique treasure, as he promised you; that you are to observe all his mitzvoth; and that he will raise you high above all the nations he has made, in praise, reputation and glory; and that, as he said, you will be a holy people for Adonai your God.” The “THEN” is that He raises us up above others in praise, reputation, and glory. But what is more, in doing the “IF” we become His unique treasure. Unlike my coin which did not turn out to be worth thousands, Adonai places a great value on us.
But before I close, I want to take a minute to explain just how valuable we are to Him. The word for ‘unique’ in Hebrew is CAGULLAH. We translate it not only as unique, but also as valued property, peculiar treasure, a jewel, or possessed. Think about this. In Adonai’s part of this joint relationship He is agreeing that we are His possession, His jewel of value, and His treasure. There are many days when I do not feel like a treasure. In fact, I probably have more days when I feel like a trash can in His presence as opposed to a treasure. Yet He thinks highly of me. Granted I need to do my part in keeping His commands and walking solely in His ways, but when I do as He has commanded I am looked at as His unique treasure.
I am so tired of looking in the mirror and feeling overtaken with disgust. I am so tired of stepping out of line with Him and being left to my own demise. I want to walk only in His ways, agreeing with Him today that I will follow Him, observe His laws and commands, and do what He says. I do not want to do it only for the “THEN” portion, but because in the “THEN” portion I begin to see myself as He sees me. I begin to see I truly am His unique treasure.
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Deuteronomy 26:12-15
Deuteronomy 26:16-19
Deuteronomy 26:18-19
About twelve years ago I was out taking a walk and saw a coin on the ground. Now I am the kind of person that will stop and pick up money when found, even if it happens to be only a penny. So when I bent down to grab this coin, I found a coin I had not seen before. Using a little spit to wipe the dirt off, I found the top to look like a nickel. When I turned it over, though, I saw a buffalo. In my mind, I had just found a treasure. I hurried home to do a better cleaning job and found the date. Oh I was sure this was something now. Later that day, I made a call to a local coin collector and told him about my treasure, wondering exactly how much it may be worth beings so old. I was shocked to hear his quote. “Because I have so many and they are still common, it won’t be worth more than a dollar.” What? How could it be only worth that much? If it was so common why was this the first time I had seen one? I was perplexed that my treasure was not as unique as I had thought.
I was reading the Bible last night with my children and we read a section from Deuteronomy 26. Even though the passage doesn’t say the words “IF” and “THEN”, the latter part of the chapter really is an if/then statement. Let me show you. “You are agreeing today that Adonai is your God and that you will follow his ways; observe his laws, mitzvoth (commands), and rulings; and do what he says.” This is the “IF”. If we agree to do all that Adonai has decreed, keeping His commands and walking in His ways, then we get to enjoy the benefit. And the benefit, the “THEN”, is so worth doing what He has commanded us.
Here is the “THEN”. “In turn Adonai is agreeing today that you are his own unique treasure, as he promised you; that you are to observe all his mitzvoth; and that he will raise you high above all the nations he has made, in praise, reputation and glory; and that, as he said, you will be a holy people for Adonai your God.” The “THEN” is that He raises us up above others in praise, reputation, and glory. But what is more, in doing the “IF” we become His unique treasure. Unlike my coin which did not turn out to be worth thousands, Adonai places a great value on us.
But before I close, I want to take a minute to explain just how valuable we are to Him. The word for ‘unique’ in Hebrew is CAGULLAH. We translate it not only as unique, but also as valued property, peculiar treasure, a jewel, or possessed. Think about this. In Adonai’s part of this joint relationship He is agreeing that we are His possession, His jewel of value, and His treasure. There are many days when I do not feel like a treasure. In fact, I probably have more days when I feel like a trash can in His presence as opposed to a treasure. Yet He thinks highly of me. Granted I need to do my part in keeping His commands and walking solely in His ways, but when I do as He has commanded I am looked at as His unique treasure.
I am so tired of looking in the mirror and feeling overtaken with disgust. I am so tired of stepping out of line with Him and being left to my own demise. I want to walk only in His ways, agreeing with Him today that I will follow Him, observe His laws and commands, and do what He says. I do not want to do it only for the “THEN” portion, but because in the “THEN” portion I begin to see myself as He sees me. I begin to see I truly am His unique treasure.
Deuteronomy 26:1-11
Deuteronomy 26:12-15
Deuteronomy 26:16-19
Tuesday, September 4, 2012
WEIGHTS AND MEASURES
“You are to have a correct and fair weight, and you are to have a correct and fair measure, so that you will prolong your days in the land Adonai your God is giving you. For all who do such things, all who deal dishonestly, are detestable to Adonai your God.”
Deuteronomy 25:15-16 CJB
As a child of the 80’s, I remember the movies of the 80’s. I remember when Marty first took his travel back in time in Doc Brown’s DeLorean time machine. I recall when Maverick and Ice Man were at each other’s throats as they worked to prove to each other whom the better pilot at Top Gun was. And I still remember the first time I watched Daniel-son wax on and off, using the crane kick to defeat Johnny for the karate title. Marty would make two more journeys before the series was concluded. We never knew what happened to Maverick really. And Daniel-son would come close to death in Japan before reclaiming his title for a second year. But it is in the second segment of Daniel-son’s karate experience that a specific memory sticks out to me. While in Japan, Daniel exposed Sato’s son as a cheat when he saw dishonest weights being used for profit, robbing from the poor for his own benefit. The segment may be two minutes total in length, but it is an image that I remember almost as much as Peter Cetera singing the love song.
I was reminded of this movie clip last night as I was studying. Looking in Deuteronomy 25:15, I read, “You are to have a correct and fair weight, and you are to have a correct and fair measure, so that you will prolong your days in the land Adonai your God is giving you.” It was during the last words spoken by Moshe to the Isra’elites, as he had been prompted by Adonai to give, that Moshe gave orders for a variety of things. Weights and measurements happened to be one of those things Adonai wanted to address. In fact, even the dealings of weights and measurements fell within the blessings and curses of Adonai. An honest weight and accurate measurement was required. If it was followed, the blessing of prolonged days in the Promise Land would be Adonai’s gift to His people. In order for this to be the blessing, then we can easily deduce that the curse would be an early removal from the Promise Land. The people were being warned to choose correctly. In the verse following, Adonai then clearly states that dishonest weights and measures are detestable in His sight.
While I know it is true today that we have a more accurate system in weighing and measuring, it does not mean that we are absent from the blessing and curse. In fact, if anything, we still have the ability to be dishonest in our accounts. Periodically I measure my children so they can see how much they have grown. I have caught them a time or two ever so slightly lifting their heels while I measure them. This was more so prominent when they were a bit too small for the rides at the fair or a theme park. Wanting so badly to enjoy the ride, I would notice their heels lifting. But I have also been convicted myself when recording my weight, working hard to get a low number yet knowing full well it is not a true and accurate reading of myself. If we know that it is detestable in His eyes, why is it not in ours? Furthermore, when will it be?
I have come to a point where I am seeking Adonai’s opinion more and more. Where once I used to allow myself off the hook for small sins, I now find myself unable to tolerate any sin I commit. Does that mean I am better than you? No way. There is plenty that I still want to be allowed to get away with, plenty of measurements I wish applied to others and not me. But I am not exempt from His ruler or scale. I will be judged according to the same measurements. So then, with this reality in mind, I have started to pray that I would love the things Adonai loves and hate the things that He hates. I want to be in accordance with Him, no matter how hard it may be. Walking the straight line is not the easiest thing to do, especially when so many obstacles and deer paths flood the main route. However, if I want to walk in the ways of Him in every area that I will be measured in, then I have to prevent myself from stepping in the pathway of sin. It is high time I measure myself not according to the world’s measurements, but rather Adonai’s. His true measurements will not give reason for detestable deeds.
Deuteronomy 24:14 – 25:19
Deuteronomy 25:15-16 CJB
As a child of the 80’s, I remember the movies of the 80’s. I remember when Marty first took his travel back in time in Doc Brown’s DeLorean time machine. I recall when Maverick and Ice Man were at each other’s throats as they worked to prove to each other whom the better pilot at Top Gun was. And I still remember the first time I watched Daniel-son wax on and off, using the crane kick to defeat Johnny for the karate title. Marty would make two more journeys before the series was concluded. We never knew what happened to Maverick really. And Daniel-son would come close to death in Japan before reclaiming his title for a second year. But it is in the second segment of Daniel-son’s karate experience that a specific memory sticks out to me. While in Japan, Daniel exposed Sato’s son as a cheat when he saw dishonest weights being used for profit, robbing from the poor for his own benefit. The segment may be two minutes total in length, but it is an image that I remember almost as much as Peter Cetera singing the love song.
I was reminded of this movie clip last night as I was studying. Looking in Deuteronomy 25:15, I read, “You are to have a correct and fair weight, and you are to have a correct and fair measure, so that you will prolong your days in the land Adonai your God is giving you.” It was during the last words spoken by Moshe to the Isra’elites, as he had been prompted by Adonai to give, that Moshe gave orders for a variety of things. Weights and measurements happened to be one of those things Adonai wanted to address. In fact, even the dealings of weights and measurements fell within the blessings and curses of Adonai. An honest weight and accurate measurement was required. If it was followed, the blessing of prolonged days in the Promise Land would be Adonai’s gift to His people. In order for this to be the blessing, then we can easily deduce that the curse would be an early removal from the Promise Land. The people were being warned to choose correctly. In the verse following, Adonai then clearly states that dishonest weights and measures are detestable in His sight.
While I know it is true today that we have a more accurate system in weighing and measuring, it does not mean that we are absent from the blessing and curse. In fact, if anything, we still have the ability to be dishonest in our accounts. Periodically I measure my children so they can see how much they have grown. I have caught them a time or two ever so slightly lifting their heels while I measure them. This was more so prominent when they were a bit too small for the rides at the fair or a theme park. Wanting so badly to enjoy the ride, I would notice their heels lifting. But I have also been convicted myself when recording my weight, working hard to get a low number yet knowing full well it is not a true and accurate reading of myself. If we know that it is detestable in His eyes, why is it not in ours? Furthermore, when will it be?
I have come to a point where I am seeking Adonai’s opinion more and more. Where once I used to allow myself off the hook for small sins, I now find myself unable to tolerate any sin I commit. Does that mean I am better than you? No way. There is plenty that I still want to be allowed to get away with, plenty of measurements I wish applied to others and not me. But I am not exempt from His ruler or scale. I will be judged according to the same measurements. So then, with this reality in mind, I have started to pray that I would love the things Adonai loves and hate the things that He hates. I want to be in accordance with Him, no matter how hard it may be. Walking the straight line is not the easiest thing to do, especially when so many obstacles and deer paths flood the main route. However, if I want to walk in the ways of Him in every area that I will be measured in, then I have to prevent myself from stepping in the pathway of sin. It is high time I measure myself not according to the world’s measurements, but rather Adonai’s. His true measurements will not give reason for detestable deeds.
Deuteronomy 24:14 – 25:19
A GET
“…but the second husband dislikes her and writes her a get, gives it to her and sends her away from his house; or the second husband whom she married dies.”
Deuteronomy 24:3
I wish this were not true, but it is. I am divorced. In pouring over the Scriptures many times, I am much aware of the fact that the Torah does not allow for divorce, at least not for the reasons we use today. In Deuteronomy 24, the implied detail in found in the word ‘indecency’. If an indecency was found, he was able to give her a ‘get’, however, if not, he could not. But what qualified as an indecency?
Some teachers of the Torah claim that this may refer to anything a husband found displeasing in his wife. If she burnt his dinner, or had a bad hair day, he could remove her through divorce. Other teachers of Torah have a different view and taught that indecency referred only to sexual immorality of some type, or a breach in chastity.
In the book of Matthew, we read of Yeshua’s approach. Yeshua disallowed divorce except for the reason of marital unfaithfulness (Mt 5:31). He also explained in Matthew 19:8, that the reason for divorce in the Torah was based on man’s hard heart. In truth, hardness of heart is a nice way of saying there was a refusal to repent. Hardness of heart can be found in the cheater who refuses to cease or in the spouse who refuses to forgive. As we are encouraged to forgive, that leaves only one option – that which Yeshua left as the only possibility, infidelity. But please note, Yeshua was not saying that when this happens divorce is the only option. No, He encourages us to forgive even still.
Divorce is not to be permitted when it is done for the reason of marrying another person. According to Yeshua in Mark 10:11-12, when a man divorces his wife for the reason of purposefully marrying another woman, his second marriage is considered adulterous. The same is true of a woman who divorces her husband only with the intent to be with another man. This is not legitimate grounds for divorce.
But let me offer one more piece. When the two split ways, and the wife remarries, if her second husband also gives her a divorce, she is not able to come back to her first husband. She cannot have a man in between and come back to her first husband as this is not right. I say this because I have had this discussion often with my children. They have asked many times now that their mother is single again why I will not remarry her. The answer is simple. In Deuteronomy 24:4 we read that she is now defiled. “It would be detestable to Adonai, and you are not to bring about sin in the land Adonai your God is giving you as your inheritance.”
Deuteronomy 23:25 – 24:4
Deuteronomy 24:5-13
Deuteronomy 24:3
I wish this were not true, but it is. I am divorced. In pouring over the Scriptures many times, I am much aware of the fact that the Torah does not allow for divorce, at least not for the reasons we use today. In Deuteronomy 24, the implied detail in found in the word ‘indecency’. If an indecency was found, he was able to give her a ‘get’, however, if not, he could not. But what qualified as an indecency?
Some teachers of the Torah claim that this may refer to anything a husband found displeasing in his wife. If she burnt his dinner, or had a bad hair day, he could remove her through divorce. Other teachers of Torah have a different view and taught that indecency referred only to sexual immorality of some type, or a breach in chastity.
In the book of Matthew, we read of Yeshua’s approach. Yeshua disallowed divorce except for the reason of marital unfaithfulness (Mt 5:31). He also explained in Matthew 19:8, that the reason for divorce in the Torah was based on man’s hard heart. In truth, hardness of heart is a nice way of saying there was a refusal to repent. Hardness of heart can be found in the cheater who refuses to cease or in the spouse who refuses to forgive. As we are encouraged to forgive, that leaves only one option – that which Yeshua left as the only possibility, infidelity. But please note, Yeshua was not saying that when this happens divorce is the only option. No, He encourages us to forgive even still.
Divorce is not to be permitted when it is done for the reason of marrying another person. According to Yeshua in Mark 10:11-12, when a man divorces his wife for the reason of purposefully marrying another woman, his second marriage is considered adulterous. The same is true of a woman who divorces her husband only with the intent to be with another man. This is not legitimate grounds for divorce.
But let me offer one more piece. When the two split ways, and the wife remarries, if her second husband also gives her a divorce, she is not able to come back to her first husband. She cannot have a man in between and come back to her first husband as this is not right. I say this because I have had this discussion often with my children. They have asked many times now that their mother is single again why I will not remarry her. The answer is simple. In Deuteronomy 24:4 we read that she is now defiled. “It would be detestable to Adonai, and you are not to bring about sin in the land Adonai your God is giving you as your inheritance.”
Deuteronomy 23:25 – 24:4
Deuteronomy 24:5-13
GUARD YOURSELF
“When you are in camp, at war with your enemies, you are to guard yourself against anything bad.”
Deuteronomy 23:10
I can't remember where I heard this, but it might have been in a song one time. The thought has always stayed with me, even though sometimes I wish it would leave me alone. What consumes your thoughts controls your life. Think about that with me for a minute if you will. What we give so much thought to is who we will become. For instance, my background is splattered with thoughts of pornography. There was a time when I meditated so much on the pictures and acts and fantasies that I could not look at a woman without thinking about acting on what filled my mind. To see a woman was to see a way that I could be satisfied. I lived consumed with greed, selfishness, and pride. I lived a lie and became a good actor, but Adonai knew the truth.
In 2000, when my wife walked out on me for the constant mistreatment, lies, and addictive behaviors, I was forced to see and to re-evaluate my life. I had lost my job, my wife, and just weeks before walked through our first miscarriage. Life was ugly, and I hated myself. But why? Easy to answer. My thoughts were not Adonai's thoughts. My actions were not His actions. And my behavior did nothing to bring others to His light. In all honesty, I wanted Him to kill me because of the shame and hopelessness I felt.
When I tell people about this part of my life, I tell them I was looking at three main decisions. One was death, either by my doing or Adonai's. A second was to go on without changing, just continuing to live the life I was, with or without my wife. And the third was to begin to call out to Adonai for help like never before. I chose the third. I began to seek counseling and to get real help. I began to get honest with myself about myself. But the biggest change was that I began to give these thoughts to Him. It didn't happen overnight, and I'd be wrong if I said that I didn't have my share of stumbles while getting help. But as I started the course of renewing my life with Adonai and believing His thoughts about me, my thoughts about my actions began to change. I found myself beginning to guard myself like commanded in Deuteronomy 23:10.
The Bible says we are to take captive our thoughts. Why? Because let's face it, whether you have been in my shoes and dealt with pornography, or self image, or fear and worry, or what have you, we get so wrapped up and consumed in it that we cannot see beyond this mirrored reflection of ourselves. It always stays in the 'me'. How will this affect me? Our consumption needs to be on Him. What you think about the most will become your idol. That is why we are to take captive our thoughts. There should be no other god before our Adonai.
I challenge you to question who your god is. Is it Adonai, or something else? What or who consumes your thoughts?
Deuteronomy 23:8-24
Deuteronomy 23:10
I can't remember where I heard this, but it might have been in a song one time. The thought has always stayed with me, even though sometimes I wish it would leave me alone. What consumes your thoughts controls your life. Think about that with me for a minute if you will. What we give so much thought to is who we will become. For instance, my background is splattered with thoughts of pornography. There was a time when I meditated so much on the pictures and acts and fantasies that I could not look at a woman without thinking about acting on what filled my mind. To see a woman was to see a way that I could be satisfied. I lived consumed with greed, selfishness, and pride. I lived a lie and became a good actor, but Adonai knew the truth.
In 2000, when my wife walked out on me for the constant mistreatment, lies, and addictive behaviors, I was forced to see and to re-evaluate my life. I had lost my job, my wife, and just weeks before walked through our first miscarriage. Life was ugly, and I hated myself. But why? Easy to answer. My thoughts were not Adonai's thoughts. My actions were not His actions. And my behavior did nothing to bring others to His light. In all honesty, I wanted Him to kill me because of the shame and hopelessness I felt.
When I tell people about this part of my life, I tell them I was looking at three main decisions. One was death, either by my doing or Adonai's. A second was to go on without changing, just continuing to live the life I was, with or without my wife. And the third was to begin to call out to Adonai for help like never before. I chose the third. I began to seek counseling and to get real help. I began to get honest with myself about myself. But the biggest change was that I began to give these thoughts to Him. It didn't happen overnight, and I'd be wrong if I said that I didn't have my share of stumbles while getting help. But as I started the course of renewing my life with Adonai and believing His thoughts about me, my thoughts about my actions began to change. I found myself beginning to guard myself like commanded in Deuteronomy 23:10.
The Bible says we are to take captive our thoughts. Why? Because let's face it, whether you have been in my shoes and dealt with pornography, or self image, or fear and worry, or what have you, we get so wrapped up and consumed in it that we cannot see beyond this mirrored reflection of ourselves. It always stays in the 'me'. How will this affect me? Our consumption needs to be on Him. What you think about the most will become your idol. That is why we are to take captive our thoughts. There should be no other god before our Adonai.
I challenge you to question who your god is. Is it Adonai, or something else? What or who consumes your thoughts?
Deuteronomy 23:8-24
Saturday, September 1, 2012
UNEQUALLY YOKED
“You are not to wear clothing woven with two kinds of thread, wool and linen together.”
Deuteronomy 22:11
Back when I was a freshman in high school, (and I am going to date myself with this comment), Paula Abdul was just becoming famous. One of the many hits on her debut album was titled, “Opposites Attract.” I can still see the video in my mind of her and MC Scat Kat dancing as they explain their differences and how those differences bring them together. But if you were to ask marriage counselors if this coined phrase is true, you might receive a different response. In essence, to save us from learning the hard way in this situation, Adonai forbid it from the beginning. Now He did not say people wise that opposites do not attract, but if everything in His Word is not only literal, but also a type and shadow, would it not be true in marriage as well?
Beginning in Deuteronomy 22:9, we read that one is not to sow two kinds of seed between rows of vines. In verse 10, we read that the plow is not to be done by a mixed combination of ox and donkey together. And in verse 11 we see that clothing is not to be made of two kinds of thread. While these prohibitions were named specifically by Adonai, and do not mention the weaving of people, we can easily see this too is the case. Paul writes in II Corinthians 6:14-16, that the weaving of a believer with an unbeliever is just as much an error. The partnership these two share is as inappropriate as the yoking of the ox and donkey.
We live in a time when we are told to marry for love. But truth be told, we can fall in love with almost anyone. While I was in high school, a few years after Abdul’s debut, I began to have feelings for a Mormon girl. Sure she was sweet, and we had many things in common, but I had no business dating her. Yet I allowed myself to fall deeper and deeper in love with her. When the relationship was over, I found myself more invested in the Mormon faith than I ever intended. I allowed myself, like Solomon with his many wives, to be pulled away from Adonai and slowly giving in to the teachings of Joseph Smith. My error was that I placed myself in a position to be unequally yoked.
There is a reason why Adonai forbids the weaving of certain things. There is a safety that comes in obeying His command to not yoke unequal things. Yes, opposites do attract, but because they do doesn’t mean they should. I am looking for my bride, but I have learned to become picky in the search. I want a bride who is equal with me in the faith, and I cannot settle for anything less.
Deuteronomy 22:8 – 23:7
Deuteronomy 22:11
Back when I was a freshman in high school, (and I am going to date myself with this comment), Paula Abdul was just becoming famous. One of the many hits on her debut album was titled, “Opposites Attract.” I can still see the video in my mind of her and MC Scat Kat dancing as they explain their differences and how those differences bring them together. But if you were to ask marriage counselors if this coined phrase is true, you might receive a different response. In essence, to save us from learning the hard way in this situation, Adonai forbid it from the beginning. Now He did not say people wise that opposites do not attract, but if everything in His Word is not only literal, but also a type and shadow, would it not be true in marriage as well?
Beginning in Deuteronomy 22:9, we read that one is not to sow two kinds of seed between rows of vines. In verse 10, we read that the plow is not to be done by a mixed combination of ox and donkey together. And in verse 11 we see that clothing is not to be made of two kinds of thread. While these prohibitions were named specifically by Adonai, and do not mention the weaving of people, we can easily see this too is the case. Paul writes in II Corinthians 6:14-16, that the weaving of a believer with an unbeliever is just as much an error. The partnership these two share is as inappropriate as the yoking of the ox and donkey.
We live in a time when we are told to marry for love. But truth be told, we can fall in love with almost anyone. While I was in high school, a few years after Abdul’s debut, I began to have feelings for a Mormon girl. Sure she was sweet, and we had many things in common, but I had no business dating her. Yet I allowed myself to fall deeper and deeper in love with her. When the relationship was over, I found myself more invested in the Mormon faith than I ever intended. I allowed myself, like Solomon with his many wives, to be pulled away from Adonai and slowly giving in to the teachings of Joseph Smith. My error was that I placed myself in a position to be unequally yoked.
There is a reason why Adonai forbids the weaving of certain things. There is a safety that comes in obeying His command to not yoke unequal things. Yes, opposites do attract, but because they do doesn’t mean they should. I am looking for my bride, but I have learned to become picky in the search. I want a bride who is equal with me in the faith, and I cannot settle for anything less.
Deuteronomy 22:8 – 23:7
ON THE TREE
“’If someone has committed a capital crime and is put to death, then hung on a tree, his body is not to remain all night on the tree, but you must bury him the same day, because a person who has been hanged has been cursed by God – so that you will not defile your land, which Adonai your god is giving you to inherit.’”
Deuteronomy 21:22-23
I recall the account of Yeshua’s death and resurrection. The Saturday left the women and the disciples hopeless, while leaving the cohen and Pharisees fearful. The Savior, the one who had come as a baby, the one who had healed so many, the one who had raised others from the dead, now lay dead and in His own tomb. Hope was gone. But was it? Didn’t Yeshua say to His disciples that His death would result in resurrection? In Luke 18:31-33 He spoke of His death. “[Yeshua] took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.’” Did the disciples forget all this? They had seen the mocking, heard the insults, watched the crowd spit on Him and flog Him. And just three days ago they watched their hope die on a cross. Was the belief that He would rise again gone as well?
But the fullness of the events had not yet played out. As the dawn broke on the third day, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb (Mt 28:1). They were carrying their spices and questioning who would roll the stone away so that they could anoint Yeshua (Mk 16:3). But as they were walking toward the tomb, a violent earthquake shook the ground. When the ladies approached the tomb, they found the stone already rolled away and an angel sitting upon it (Mt 28:2). They peered inside but found no one, living or dead. And then the angel spoke, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for [Yeshua], who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Mt 28:6). The women hurried away, and in Matthew’s account, were suddenly met by Yeshua and fell in worship of Him, clasping His feet. At that moment, the One who had overcome death spoke to them, telling them to announce His return to the others.
He was alive! Though He suffered a violent death of hanging on a cross, a death worthy of only a cursed man (Deut 21:22-23), He now was alive and well. And His death paid our price. Galatians 3:13-14 reads, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Avraham might come to the Gentiles through Yeshua, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” His death paid for my sin, and His rebirthing, His resurrection paved the way for my coming into His family and receiving the promised blessings.
I am no one special, for what Yeshua did for me He has also done for you. By hanging on the cross and being the curse in our place, He also paved the way for our redemption, buying us back from the enemy. And while hope seemed lost, He was completing His plan of salvation for our lives. When the time was right, when the three days had passed, Yeshua raised from the dead victorious over the devil. Death could not hold Him down. But now, as with those who have gone before you, you must make a choice. Yeshua has paid the price, but have you made the decision to return to Him? The time is getting shorter each day, and soon there will be no more chances. Let today be the day that you enter into a return. It is not enough to know of Him, you must know Him.
Deuteronomy 21:10-21
Deuteronomy 21:22 – 22:7
Deuteronomy 21:22-23
I recall the account of Yeshua’s death and resurrection. The Saturday left the women and the disciples hopeless, while leaving the cohen and Pharisees fearful. The Savior, the one who had come as a baby, the one who had healed so many, the one who had raised others from the dead, now lay dead and in His own tomb. Hope was gone. But was it? Didn’t Yeshua say to His disciples that His death would result in resurrection? In Luke 18:31-33 He spoke of His death. “[Yeshua] took the Twelve aside and told them, ‘We are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written by the prophets about the Son of Man will be fulfilled. He will be handed over to the Gentiles. They will mock him, insult him, spit on him, flog him, and kill him. On the third day he will rise again.’” Did the disciples forget all this? They had seen the mocking, heard the insults, watched the crowd spit on Him and flog Him. And just three days ago they watched their hope die on a cross. Was the belief that He would rise again gone as well?
But the fullness of the events had not yet played out. As the dawn broke on the third day, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to look at the tomb (Mt 28:1). They were carrying their spices and questioning who would roll the stone away so that they could anoint Yeshua (Mk 16:3). But as they were walking toward the tomb, a violent earthquake shook the ground. When the ladies approached the tomb, they found the stone already rolled away and an angel sitting upon it (Mt 28:2). They peered inside but found no one, living or dead. And then the angel spoke, “Do not be afraid, for I know that you are looking for [Yeshua], who was crucified. He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” (Mt 28:6). The women hurried away, and in Matthew’s account, were suddenly met by Yeshua and fell in worship of Him, clasping His feet. At that moment, the One who had overcome death spoke to them, telling them to announce His return to the others.
He was alive! Though He suffered a violent death of hanging on a cross, a death worthy of only a cursed man (Deut 21:22-23), He now was alive and well. And His death paid our price. Galatians 3:13-14 reads, “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is written: ‘Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree.’ He redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Avraham might come to the Gentiles through Yeshua, so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.” His death paid for my sin, and His rebirthing, His resurrection paved the way for my coming into His family and receiving the promised blessings.
I am no one special, for what Yeshua did for me He has also done for you. By hanging on the cross and being the curse in our place, He also paved the way for our redemption, buying us back from the enemy. And while hope seemed lost, He was completing His plan of salvation for our lives. When the time was right, when the three days had passed, Yeshua raised from the dead victorious over the devil. Death could not hold Him down. But now, as with those who have gone before you, you must make a choice. Yeshua has paid the price, but have you made the decision to return to Him? The time is getting shorter each day, and soon there will be no more chances. Let today be the day that you enter into a return. It is not enough to know of Him, you must know Him.
Deuteronomy 21:10-21
Deuteronomy 21:22 – 22:7
BOUNDARY STONE
“Do not move your neighbor’s boundary stone set up by your predecessors in the inheritance you receive in the land the LORD your God is giving you to possess.”
Deuteronomy 19:14
Early settlers were known for marking their land with either stakes, stones, or some type of fence visible to others of where their property began and ended. The problem, though, was with property sometimes so expanded, the owner was unable to monitor his boundaries well. This allowed for his neighbor to sneak in and change the boundary by moving the partition. You could wake up one day and unknowingly have a few feet missing from your land. The concept, however, was not anything new. In fact we read in the Torah that there was a punishment for those who did move the boundaries, thus proving that it did happen. And in Deuteronomy 27:17, a curse was placed on the one who moved the original boundary.
Yet as I was reading this verse, I began to think of boundaries. It seems more so these days that boundaries do not keep us away, but rather stand as a challenge to us. What do I mean? When I see a sign that says, ‘keep off the grass,” my first inclination is to step on the grass. If I see a sign that reads, “beware of dog,” I fight the urge to taught the dog to see it he is as vicious as the sign leads one to believe. But I see this principle concerning marriage as well. It seems that a ring on person’s finger, which in a way is a boundary stone of the marriage commitment, no longer means, “don’t touch.” The rise in affairs for not honoring this boundary stone has become great.
In Hosea 5:10 it is spoken of Y’hudah that they are like men who move boundary stones. I pray this is no longer us. I pray that we are the ones who see the boundaries and instead of testing them, or crossing them, that we are those who honor them. And not just in keeping off the grass, watching out for the dog, or not giving in to an affair. I pray that we are the ones who no matter what the boundary is, honor Adonai by not moving the stones to our advantage. Hosea concludes this verse in saying that Adonai will pour out His fury on them like water. This makes me want to put my hands right back into my pockets, and touch no boundary stones at all.
Deuteronomy 19:14 – 20:9
Deuteronomy 20:10 – 21:9
Deuteronomy 19:14
Early settlers were known for marking their land with either stakes, stones, or some type of fence visible to others of where their property began and ended. The problem, though, was with property sometimes so expanded, the owner was unable to monitor his boundaries well. This allowed for his neighbor to sneak in and change the boundary by moving the partition. You could wake up one day and unknowingly have a few feet missing from your land. The concept, however, was not anything new. In fact we read in the Torah that there was a punishment for those who did move the boundaries, thus proving that it did happen. And in Deuteronomy 27:17, a curse was placed on the one who moved the original boundary.
Yet as I was reading this verse, I began to think of boundaries. It seems more so these days that boundaries do not keep us away, but rather stand as a challenge to us. What do I mean? When I see a sign that says, ‘keep off the grass,” my first inclination is to step on the grass. If I see a sign that reads, “beware of dog,” I fight the urge to taught the dog to see it he is as vicious as the sign leads one to believe. But I see this principle concerning marriage as well. It seems that a ring on person’s finger, which in a way is a boundary stone of the marriage commitment, no longer means, “don’t touch.” The rise in affairs for not honoring this boundary stone has become great.
In Hosea 5:10 it is spoken of Y’hudah that they are like men who move boundary stones. I pray this is no longer us. I pray that we are the ones who see the boundaries and instead of testing them, or crossing them, that we are those who honor them. And not just in keeping off the grass, watching out for the dog, or not giving in to an affair. I pray that we are the ones who no matter what the boundary is, honor Adonai by not moving the stones to our advantage. Hosea concludes this verse in saying that Adonai will pour out His fury on them like water. This makes me want to put my hands right back into my pockets, and touch no boundary stones at all.
Deuteronomy 19:14 – 20:9
Deuteronomy 20:10 – 21:9
Tuesday, August 28, 2012
HAS GOD SAID?
“’But if a prophet presumptuously speaks a word in my name which I didn’t order him to say, or if he speaks in the name of other gods, then that prophet must die.’”
Deuteronomy 18:20
Growing up I have found myself many times sitting under the ministry of a prophet. It started at a young age when it was first prophesied over me that I would be a pastor. At the age when little boys are out on the soccer field or preparing to play football, I was found in church. The prophet called up the little children and I went forward. As the prophet prayed over me and revealed my destiny as per Adonai, it registered within my heart. It became my identity and all I could think about. Over the course of time I have sat again under this prophet, as well as a few others. I have heard Adonai share many details of life with me, and as the time goes forward they come true. They are not fortune-tellings, and crystal ball revealings, but true words from Adonai Himself. But maybe I have been fortunate. I have allowed myself to listen and sit under trusted prophets.
Here in Deuteronomy 18:20, where Adonai is speaking through Moshe details about prophecy, He explains clearly that if the prophet speaks for Adonai when not ordered, or if he speaks in the leading of other gods, that ‘prophet’ must die. In reading this I am reminded of the words of Ezekiel 13:6. Speaking concerning false prophets, Ezekiel declares, “Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They say, ‘The LORD declares,’ when the LORD has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled.”
I would like to ring the bell of warning if I may. We live in a time when people want to know the future, want to hear the good things to come, and want to live care-free. But I urge us to not allow our ears to be tickled. Adonai speaks still today – it is true. Yet Adonai will not speak against His Word. Years ago it was explained to me that prophesy should be a confirmation to something Adonai has already placed in your heart. For me, this has been true. Just recently I attended a meeting where I had felt Adonai leading me in a certain direction. I prayed over this for days, asked counsel of others, and sought hard to make sure it was Him and not me. When I went to the church days later to hear the speaker, it was prophesied over me the answer from Adonai. This person knew nothing except my name, yet spoke His words, “Run to complete the task I have called you to. Be bold, step out, and run.”
When it is Adonai, it will bear witness with what He has already told you. But let us be aware of those who speak on their own behalf and claim it as Adonai’s.
Deuteronomy 18:14 – 19:13
Deuteronomy 18:20
Growing up I have found myself many times sitting under the ministry of a prophet. It started at a young age when it was first prophesied over me that I would be a pastor. At the age when little boys are out on the soccer field or preparing to play football, I was found in church. The prophet called up the little children and I went forward. As the prophet prayed over me and revealed my destiny as per Adonai, it registered within my heart. It became my identity and all I could think about. Over the course of time I have sat again under this prophet, as well as a few others. I have heard Adonai share many details of life with me, and as the time goes forward they come true. They are not fortune-tellings, and crystal ball revealings, but true words from Adonai Himself. But maybe I have been fortunate. I have allowed myself to listen and sit under trusted prophets.
Here in Deuteronomy 18:20, where Adonai is speaking through Moshe details about prophecy, He explains clearly that if the prophet speaks for Adonai when not ordered, or if he speaks in the leading of other gods, that ‘prophet’ must die. In reading this I am reminded of the words of Ezekiel 13:6. Speaking concerning false prophets, Ezekiel declares, “Their visions are false and their divinations a lie. They say, ‘The LORD declares,’ when the LORD has not sent them; yet they expect their words to be fulfilled.”
I would like to ring the bell of warning if I may. We live in a time when people want to know the future, want to hear the good things to come, and want to live care-free. But I urge us to not allow our ears to be tickled. Adonai speaks still today – it is true. Yet Adonai will not speak against His Word. Years ago it was explained to me that prophesy should be a confirmation to something Adonai has already placed in your heart. For me, this has been true. Just recently I attended a meeting where I had felt Adonai leading me in a certain direction. I prayed over this for days, asked counsel of others, and sought hard to make sure it was Him and not me. When I went to the church days later to hear the speaker, it was prophesied over me the answer from Adonai. This person knew nothing except my name, yet spoke His words, “Run to complete the task I have called you to. Be bold, step out, and run.”
When it is Adonai, it will bear witness with what He has already told you. But let us be aware of those who speak on their own behalf and claim it as Adonai’s.
Deuteronomy 18:14 – 19:13
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
ABOMINABLE PRACTICES
“When you enter the land Adonai your God is giving you, you are not to learn how to follow the abominable practices of those nations.”
Deuteronomy 18:9
Do you realize that every morning people purposefully read the internet or newspaper, or have an application on their phone that will give them a daily horoscope? Did you know that cartoons now are becoming bolder in expressing satanic rituals in the name of innocence to our children? Is it understood the true danger of playing with an Ouija board or having your palm read? These things, as innocent as they may seem, are open doors to the enemy. In fact, more blatantly, these things are considered by Adonai as abominable or detestable. They are detestable for the very fact that they open our lives to the enemy’s plan of demise.
It is for this very reason that Adonai repeats in Deuteronomy 18 that He wants us to have nothing to do with these detestable practices. And in the case we are unclear as to what they may be, Adonai lists them for us.
- People who sacrifice their son or daughter in the fire
- People who practice divination or sorcery
- People who interpret omens
- People who engage in witchcraft or cast spells
- People who are a medium or spiritist
- And finally people who consult with the dead
The nation of Isra’el was coming into the Promise Land cleaned up, and Adonai intended for them to stay that way. He did not want them to revert to their past, or even to open the door to the enemy. But just as Adonai did not want us to do it then, so He does not want us to do it now. His intention is our freedom, not our slavery. So then let me ask you this. Are you opening the door to these abominable practices? Are you reading the horoscope? Are you involved in any level to witchcraft? Are you doing anything that keeps the door open to your downfall? Shut it! Shut the door now! Do not give the enemy a foothold at the destruction of who Adonai has made you. Remove these abominable practices now, before it is too late.
Deuteronomy 18:1-5
Deuteronomy 18:6-13
Deuteronomy 18:9
Do you realize that every morning people purposefully read the internet or newspaper, or have an application on their phone that will give them a daily horoscope? Did you know that cartoons now are becoming bolder in expressing satanic rituals in the name of innocence to our children? Is it understood the true danger of playing with an Ouija board or having your palm read? These things, as innocent as they may seem, are open doors to the enemy. In fact, more blatantly, these things are considered by Adonai as abominable or detestable. They are detestable for the very fact that they open our lives to the enemy’s plan of demise.
It is for this very reason that Adonai repeats in Deuteronomy 18 that He wants us to have nothing to do with these detestable practices. And in the case we are unclear as to what they may be, Adonai lists them for us.
- People who sacrifice their son or daughter in the fire
- People who practice divination or sorcery
- People who interpret omens
- People who engage in witchcraft or cast spells
- People who are a medium or spiritist
- And finally people who consult with the dead
The nation of Isra’el was coming into the Promise Land cleaned up, and Adonai intended for them to stay that way. He did not want them to revert to their past, or even to open the door to the enemy. But just as Adonai did not want us to do it then, so He does not want us to do it now. His intention is our freedom, not our slavery. So then let me ask you this. Are you opening the door to these abominable practices? Are you reading the horoscope? Are you involved in any level to witchcraft? Are you doing anything that keeps the door open to your downfall? Shut it! Shut the door now! Do not give the enemy a foothold at the destruction of who Adonai has made you. Remove these abominable practices now, before it is too late.
Deuteronomy 18:1-5
Deuteronomy 18:6-13
STUDY HALL
“When [the king] takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites.”
Deuteronomy 17:18
I will admit, as I am sure you probably have already figured out, I was a ‘nerd’ in school. I was the type of student who wanted homework, and if I didn’t have enough I would ask for more. Chalk it up to boredom, constantly having to be busy, or being nerdy, I call it being studious. For me there was, and really there still is, an excitement that came in learning something new. I tell you the truth, if college wasn’t so expensive, I may have already enrolled myself as a lifetime student. But in a way I am. Of my own accord I have placed myself in the lifelong school of God, vowing to learn His ways and statutes. So then it should come as no surprise that as I was studying once again last night, God would show me a requirement given to the Israelites concerning an earthly king, and the lessons I can still gleam from this requirement for myself, today.
In reading the Torah Parasha portion titled ‘Shoftim’, I found Deuteronomy 17:14-20. It is in this passage that Adonai speaks to Moshe concerning later on down the line that Israel will want a king. Other nations at the time had them, and there was nothing wrong with them, but there were certain requirements that Adonai was placing on the one who would become such for Israel. As I read these requirements, I was able to spot the areas in which some of Isra’el’s past kings went wrong. Adonai’s first requirement was that the king had to be a descendent of one of the tribes of Isra’el. We see this in Isra’el’s history with Saul, the first king, being from the tribe of Benjamin. But we see later where self appointed kings such as Herod the Great, had no relation to the tribes. This then is why Yeshua was titled the King of the Jews. Herod may have been the king of the region, but Yeshua was the King of the people. The next requirement concerned his horse collection, or rather the limit he would have on personal items. A king of Isra’el was to not have many wives as there was the possibility that they could sway him and turn his heart away. Haven’t we seen this in the life of Solomon? Not only did he intermarry, but his wives veered his heart away from Adonai. This requirement is followed then with the command to not acquire an excess of silver and gold, which I believe again could be used to steal the king’s heart from Adonai.
It was the next requirement, though, that really caught my attention. Verse 18 reads, “When [the king] takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites.” As I thought about my own study habits I was reminded that I personally seem to remember something better when I write it down. Could it be the same here? The king was to write it down, carry it with him, and read it daily. First just let me say, this may benefit us all these days. But in thinking about these actions, I was reminded that we are supposed to hide His Word on our hearts so that we will not sin (Ps 119:11). Additionally, the New Living Translation of Psalm 40:8 reads, “I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” The king was to have the Word, the Torah, with him so that he would have Adonai’s ways before him, being guided and humbled, and holding himself to the same rules of Adonai that he was to govern his people with.
So then, let me ask this. Would we not benefit also from not only hiding Adonai’s Word in our hearts, but writing it down, carrying it with us, and reading it daily? In Jewish dress, the four corners of the tallit have twisted threads called tzitzits. Each strand, each thread, each knot within the tzitzit has value and is to remind the one wearing it of the 613 commands found within the Torah. Not only was the king to write down the Torah, but when wearing the tzitzits he wore a physical remembrance of the Torah. We may not wear this clothing as part of our daily dress these days, but what are we doing to carry His Word, remind us of His Word, and be guided by His Word? If we are truly His pen, and His Law is written on our heart, then we need to consider if we are reflecting His writing or our own.
Deuteronomy 17:14-20
Deuteronomy 17:18
I will admit, as I am sure you probably have already figured out, I was a ‘nerd’ in school. I was the type of student who wanted homework, and if I didn’t have enough I would ask for more. Chalk it up to boredom, constantly having to be busy, or being nerdy, I call it being studious. For me there was, and really there still is, an excitement that came in learning something new. I tell you the truth, if college wasn’t so expensive, I may have already enrolled myself as a lifetime student. But in a way I am. Of my own accord I have placed myself in the lifelong school of God, vowing to learn His ways and statutes. So then it should come as no surprise that as I was studying once again last night, God would show me a requirement given to the Israelites concerning an earthly king, and the lessons I can still gleam from this requirement for myself, today.
In reading the Torah Parasha portion titled ‘Shoftim’, I found Deuteronomy 17:14-20. It is in this passage that Adonai speaks to Moshe concerning later on down the line that Israel will want a king. Other nations at the time had them, and there was nothing wrong with them, but there were certain requirements that Adonai was placing on the one who would become such for Israel. As I read these requirements, I was able to spot the areas in which some of Isra’el’s past kings went wrong. Adonai’s first requirement was that the king had to be a descendent of one of the tribes of Isra’el. We see this in Isra’el’s history with Saul, the first king, being from the tribe of Benjamin. But we see later where self appointed kings such as Herod the Great, had no relation to the tribes. This then is why Yeshua was titled the King of the Jews. Herod may have been the king of the region, but Yeshua was the King of the people. The next requirement concerned his horse collection, or rather the limit he would have on personal items. A king of Isra’el was to not have many wives as there was the possibility that they could sway him and turn his heart away. Haven’t we seen this in the life of Solomon? Not only did he intermarry, but his wives veered his heart away from Adonai. This requirement is followed then with the command to not acquire an excess of silver and gold, which I believe again could be used to steal the king’s heart from Adonai.
It was the next requirement, though, that really caught my attention. Verse 18 reads, “When [the king] takes the throne of his kingdom, he is to write for himself on a scroll a copy of this law, taken from that of the priests, who are Levites.” As I thought about my own study habits I was reminded that I personally seem to remember something better when I write it down. Could it be the same here? The king was to write it down, carry it with him, and read it daily. First just let me say, this may benefit us all these days. But in thinking about these actions, I was reminded that we are supposed to hide His Word on our hearts so that we will not sin (Ps 119:11). Additionally, the New Living Translation of Psalm 40:8 reads, “I take joy in doing your will, my God, for your instructions are written on my heart.” The king was to have the Word, the Torah, with him so that he would have Adonai’s ways before him, being guided and humbled, and holding himself to the same rules of Adonai that he was to govern his people with.
So then, let me ask this. Would we not benefit also from not only hiding Adonai’s Word in our hearts, but writing it down, carrying it with us, and reading it daily? In Jewish dress, the four corners of the tallit have twisted threads called tzitzits. Each strand, each thread, each knot within the tzitzit has value and is to remind the one wearing it of the 613 commands found within the Torah. Not only was the king to write down the Torah, but when wearing the tzitzits he wore a physical remembrance of the Torah. We may not wear this clothing as part of our daily dress these days, but what are we doing to carry His Word, remind us of His Word, and be guided by His Word? If we are truly His pen, and His Law is written on our heart, then we need to consider if we are reflecting His writing or our own.
Deuteronomy 17:14-20
POLES AND STONES
“You are not to plant any sort of tree as a sacred pole beside the altar of Adonai your God that you will make for yourselves. Likewise, do not set up a standing-stone; Adonai your God hates such things.”
Deuteronomy 16:21-22
In looking back at Exodus 20:3-4, we read that one of the commandments given to the people of Isra’el was that no other gods were to be before Adonai. Whether carved out or not, or even representing Adonai or not, the fact remained that nothing was to be worshipped except for Adonai Himself. Here in Deuteronomy 16, we see again Adonai commanding His people that no pole or stone was to be used in any form of worship.
Right away my mind travels to Judges 6 and the account of Gideon. Although Gideon is not found within the Torah, we read of his tearing down his father’s altar to Baal and cutting down his Asherah pole (Jud 6:25). In the morning when the town awakes to see what has happened, they question the people and find that it was Gideon who caused the chaos. Livid, the people demand the father, Joash, to release his son to their punishment. However, Gideon’s father leaves the argument stating that if Baal is god, then he can defend himself (Jud 6:31).
But what happened? What was it that turned the people over time from agreeing to this command of no idols and gods, to what we read in Judges? I come up with two suggestions, and in all honesty I pray they never become our reasons. First, the people were swayed. We see this in the account of Solomon also. Just as Solomon allowed the women in his life to sway him from Adonai, so also Adonai’s chosen people swayed from their first love. As such, they began to serve sticks and rocks. The second suggestion, they did not see Adonai as all He proclaims to be. Because of the trial in the desert, because of the battles that had to be fought, because life was not served to them on a silver platter, the people began to question who Adonai was. Instead of remembering Him as the one who had parted the Red Sea, or the one who provided manna and quail in the wilderness, they began to see Him as the one who brought them there to die with a lack of water, or of a land of giants.
Let us be careful that in the times when things do not come handed to us, we do not turn our backs on Adonai. We are to worship the Creator, not the creation. Serving the rocks and sticks will only put us back in Egypt instead of the Promise Land that awaits us.
Deuteronomy 16:18 – 17:13
Deuteronomy 16:21-22
In looking back at Exodus 20:3-4, we read that one of the commandments given to the people of Isra’el was that no other gods were to be before Adonai. Whether carved out or not, or even representing Adonai or not, the fact remained that nothing was to be worshipped except for Adonai Himself. Here in Deuteronomy 16, we see again Adonai commanding His people that no pole or stone was to be used in any form of worship.
Right away my mind travels to Judges 6 and the account of Gideon. Although Gideon is not found within the Torah, we read of his tearing down his father’s altar to Baal and cutting down his Asherah pole (Jud 6:25). In the morning when the town awakes to see what has happened, they question the people and find that it was Gideon who caused the chaos. Livid, the people demand the father, Joash, to release his son to their punishment. However, Gideon’s father leaves the argument stating that if Baal is god, then he can defend himself (Jud 6:31).
But what happened? What was it that turned the people over time from agreeing to this command of no idols and gods, to what we read in Judges? I come up with two suggestions, and in all honesty I pray they never become our reasons. First, the people were swayed. We see this in the account of Solomon also. Just as Solomon allowed the women in his life to sway him from Adonai, so also Adonai’s chosen people swayed from their first love. As such, they began to serve sticks and rocks. The second suggestion, they did not see Adonai as all He proclaims to be. Because of the trial in the desert, because of the battles that had to be fought, because life was not served to them on a silver platter, the people began to question who Adonai was. Instead of remembering Him as the one who had parted the Red Sea, or the one who provided manna and quail in the wilderness, they began to see Him as the one who brought them there to die with a lack of water, or of a land of giants.
Let us be careful that in the times when things do not come handed to us, we do not turn our backs on Adonai. We are to worship the Creator, not the creation. Serving the rocks and sticks will only put us back in Egypt instead of the Promise Land that awaits us.
Deuteronomy 16:18 – 17:13
Sunday, August 19, 2012
DOING WHAT IS RIGHT
“…because you obey the LORD your God, keeping all His commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in His eyes.”
Deuteronomy 13:18
Please forgive me if I sound like a broken record, but haven’t we heard this command already? If you’re like me, you read over this verse and in the back of your mind feel as though you have heard these words already. And the truth is, we have. Remember, Deuteronomy was the second giving of the Law, right before of people of Isra’el entered the Promise Land. Yet why would the people need to hear these words again. Well remember once more that the original people who Moshe led out of Egypt passed in the desert. This was their children the Moshe was now leading. Even still, we hear the same command to do what is right.
Many times I look at the Hebrews in the Torah as being an arrogant and stubborn people. However, the more I look at them and read their acts, the more I see me in them. The reason they needed so many reminders was because they so often forsook His ways and got in trouble. Here again the words of Moshe, via Adonai, were to keep the commands of Adonai. Yet we see later on in Joshua, Judges, and following, that they slipped back from the ways of Adonai and then suffered the consequence.
So the question begs, what is the punishment for our not keeping the ways of Adonai? More so, do we even fear the consequence for not doing His will, or have we brushed it off saying that was Old Testament and Adonai is no longer in the business of smiting His people. Truth be told, it was hardly ever God who smote, but rather the open door because of the sin of the people that had been left open. Their disobedience became the open door for the enemy to come in through. Sin is still a door the enemy travels in through today. As is seen in this passage, and the many that follow, failing to keep the commands of Adonai can result in disaster. Let us heed the words Moshe spoke on this day. Let us here the call to obey.
Deuteronomy 14:1-21
Deuteronomy 14:22-29
Deuteronomy 15:1-18
Deuteronomy 15:19 – 16:17
Deuteronomy 13:18
Please forgive me if I sound like a broken record, but haven’t we heard this command already? If you’re like me, you read over this verse and in the back of your mind feel as though you have heard these words already. And the truth is, we have. Remember, Deuteronomy was the second giving of the Law, right before of people of Isra’el entered the Promise Land. Yet why would the people need to hear these words again. Well remember once more that the original people who Moshe led out of Egypt passed in the desert. This was their children the Moshe was now leading. Even still, we hear the same command to do what is right.
Many times I look at the Hebrews in the Torah as being an arrogant and stubborn people. However, the more I look at them and read their acts, the more I see me in them. The reason they needed so many reminders was because they so often forsook His ways and got in trouble. Here again the words of Moshe, via Adonai, were to keep the commands of Adonai. Yet we see later on in Joshua, Judges, and following, that they slipped back from the ways of Adonai and then suffered the consequence.
So the question begs, what is the punishment for our not keeping the ways of Adonai? More so, do we even fear the consequence for not doing His will, or have we brushed it off saying that was Old Testament and Adonai is no longer in the business of smiting His people. Truth be told, it was hardly ever God who smote, but rather the open door because of the sin of the people that had been left open. Their disobedience became the open door for the enemy to come in through. Sin is still a door the enemy travels in through today. As is seen in this passage, and the many that follow, failing to keep the commands of Adonai can result in disaster. Let us heed the words Moshe spoke on this day. Let us here the call to obey.
Deuteronomy 14:1-21
Deuteronomy 14:22-29
Deuteronomy 15:1-18
Deuteronomy 15:19 – 16:17
Wednesday, August 15, 2012
EVERYWHERE I GO
““Obey and pay attention to everything I am ordering you to do, so that things will go well with you and with your descendants after you forever, as you do what Adonai sees as good and right” “
Deuteronomy 12:28
It was my freshman year in college when I heard the best definition of integrity I have ever come to know. Sitting on the tile floor during hall meeting, my chaplain called out that integrity is who we are when no one is looking. Nineteen years have passed since I first heard those words, and yet they still play over and over in my mind. All the little things I think I hide, whether they be from my kids or from others, someone still knows about. Every little thought, every little action, every little place I go when I am alone is not hidden from Him no matter how well I try to hide it from others.
When I would drive from Oklahoma to California during college I would always pass an XXX club outside of Amarillo, Texas. I would be telling a lie if I said that the thought had never crossed my mind to go inside during those travels. After all, who would have known? Many times I was traveling alone, and reason played games in my mind that it would just be ‘our little secret.’ But I never stopped. Maybe it was because of the words my chaplain had spoken. Yet just last summer I drove past this same club once more when taking a road trip. With only myself in the car at 3am, and the red XXX beckoning passersby, I continued on. Was it again the words of my chaplain that played in my mind? Was it my maturity in my walk with Yeshua after nineteen years? Or was it because I knew that even if no one else knew, Adonai would know? Honestly, I think it was a little of all three.
As I was studying once again this Torah portion, my eyes landed on Deuteronomy 12:28, which reads, “Obey and pay attention to everything I am ordering you to do, so that things will go well with you and with your descendants after you forever, as you do what Adonai sees as good and right” (CJB). It seems only obvious that the He would not see visiting a strip club as good and right. But isn’t it just as obvious to understand that Adonai would not see living a lie as good and right also? Who we are when the door is closed needs to match who we are when the door is open. But does it?
My mind journeys back to the movie, The Truman Show, where Jim Carrey’s character’s life is secretly being filmed for all the world to see. Unbeknownst to him, every action he performs is public. Every tear cried, every woman loved, and every aspect of his morning preparation is watched by the world. This idea scares me, but why? Could it be that I have a secret life that I am still trying to hide? While my life may never be displayed on a jumbo-tron in Times Square, it is seen constantly by Adonai. There is no such thing as privacy in His presence. Perhaps this is why David wrote the lyrics of Psalm 139:7-10. “Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I lie down in Sh’ol, you are there. If I fly away with the wings of the dawn and land beyond the sea, even there your hand would lead me, your right hand would hold me fast” (CJB). David knew that there was nowhere to hide from the eyes of Adonai.
In our challenge to do what is good and right in the eyes of Him, we must remember that He watches all that we do. Adonai watched as I drove past the XXX club both years ago and more recently, but He has also watched as I have told lie after lie to friends and family, as I have cheated, as I have flipped channels late at night, and as I spoken words I should never have said. Even if you haven’t seen it, Adonai has seen it all. And He has seen all that you also have done. The awesome part is that He offers forgiveness to us for these actions if we ask Him. There is nowhere we can go to escape His view, but there is also nowhere safer than in His arms. With this, I urge you to run into His arms, confess the sins He already knows about, and allow His love to wash away your sin. He loves you so much; that is why He is watching. Friend, you are the apple of His eye.
Deuteronomy 12:1-28
Deuteronomy 12:28
It was my freshman year in college when I heard the best definition of integrity I have ever come to know. Sitting on the tile floor during hall meeting, my chaplain called out that integrity is who we are when no one is looking. Nineteen years have passed since I first heard those words, and yet they still play over and over in my mind. All the little things I think I hide, whether they be from my kids or from others, someone still knows about. Every little thought, every little action, every little place I go when I am alone is not hidden from Him no matter how well I try to hide it from others.
When I would drive from Oklahoma to California during college I would always pass an XXX club outside of Amarillo, Texas. I would be telling a lie if I said that the thought had never crossed my mind to go inside during those travels. After all, who would have known? Many times I was traveling alone, and reason played games in my mind that it would just be ‘our little secret.’ But I never stopped. Maybe it was because of the words my chaplain had spoken. Yet just last summer I drove past this same club once more when taking a road trip. With only myself in the car at 3am, and the red XXX beckoning passersby, I continued on. Was it again the words of my chaplain that played in my mind? Was it my maturity in my walk with Yeshua after nineteen years? Or was it because I knew that even if no one else knew, Adonai would know? Honestly, I think it was a little of all three.
As I was studying once again this Torah portion, my eyes landed on Deuteronomy 12:28, which reads, “Obey and pay attention to everything I am ordering you to do, so that things will go well with you and with your descendants after you forever, as you do what Adonai sees as good and right” (CJB). It seems only obvious that the He would not see visiting a strip club as good and right. But isn’t it just as obvious to understand that Adonai would not see living a lie as good and right also? Who we are when the door is closed needs to match who we are when the door is open. But does it?
My mind journeys back to the movie, The Truman Show, where Jim Carrey’s character’s life is secretly being filmed for all the world to see. Unbeknownst to him, every action he performs is public. Every tear cried, every woman loved, and every aspect of his morning preparation is watched by the world. This idea scares me, but why? Could it be that I have a secret life that I am still trying to hide? While my life may never be displayed on a jumbo-tron in Times Square, it is seen constantly by Adonai. There is no such thing as privacy in His presence. Perhaps this is why David wrote the lyrics of Psalm 139:7-10. “Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I climb up to heaven, you are there; if I lie down in Sh’ol, you are there. If I fly away with the wings of the dawn and land beyond the sea, even there your hand would lead me, your right hand would hold me fast” (CJB). David knew that there was nowhere to hide from the eyes of Adonai.
In our challenge to do what is good and right in the eyes of Him, we must remember that He watches all that we do. Adonai watched as I drove past the XXX club both years ago and more recently, but He has also watched as I have told lie after lie to friends and family, as I have cheated, as I have flipped channels late at night, and as I spoken words I should never have said. Even if you haven’t seen it, Adonai has seen it all. And He has seen all that you also have done. The awesome part is that He offers forgiveness to us for these actions if we ask Him. There is nowhere we can go to escape His view, but there is also nowhere safer than in His arms. With this, I urge you to run into His arms, confess the sins He already knows about, and allow His love to wash away your sin. He loves you so much; that is why He is watching. Friend, you are the apple of His eye.
Deuteronomy 12:1-28
ALL THE LAWS AND RULINGS
“And you are to take care to follow all the laws and rulings I am setting before you today.”
Deuteronomy 11:32 CJB
Allow me to first confess that in no way am I a learned Jewish scholar. I am far from it to be honest. With that said, I want to share a lesson I am finding from reading the Torah portion, spanning from Deuteronomy 11:26 thru 16:17, titled RE’EH, or ‘see’. As I have been studying this section, He has indeed been helping me to ‘see’.
Deuteronomy 11:26 begins by stating, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.” Reading on we learn that the blessing Moshe was speaking of would come from listening and heeding the commands, or mitzvot, of Adonai. The curse would come from doing the opposite and turning aside from Adonai to follow other gods. Haven’t we read this before? As part of the Ten Commandments, Adonai commanded His people not to bow down or serve other gods, but rather to serve Him only. And Adonai also gave both throughout the forty year journey and here again right before their entry, His commands concerning their practices and behaviors. So off hand, this choice seems pretty black or white. And while I would suggest that many, if not all of us, would declare that we would choose the way of blessing, I would question if we have.
The command continues, however, and we read that when Isra’el was to have entered the Promised Land they were to place the blessing on Mount G’rizim (Gerizim) and the curse of Mount ‘Eival (Ebal). In my own study I questioned the significance of these two Mounts? In researching this I found that Mount G’rizim means “cuttings off”. Now please notice, I did not make a typo by writing “cuttings”. This term alludes to pruning. In order for a tree to flourish and grow fruit, it goes through times of pruning, cutting off the dead so that the living can continue. It was on this Mount that the pruning of Adonai’s people would happen so that the living and fruit bearing would continue. And it was the opposite on Mount ‘Eival. Mount ‘Eival was known as barren, bald, and bare. No tree flourished on this mount, and therefore no fruit either. Whether due to climate issues or simply just a curse on this mount prior to the Isra’elites, the fact remained that nothing flourished physically on this mount.
This chapter of Deuteronomy ends with a final command for both the Isra’elites and all those who will follow. “And you are to take care to follow all the laws and rulings I am setting before you today.” As we know, there will come a time when each of us will be judged. Our actions will determine whether we are found on Mount G’rizim or Mount ‘Eival. I pray that it is the Mount of blessing. But the end decision in where we are found rests in the decisions we make now. Do we follow all the laws and rulings? Do we follow enough to get by? Do we follow any at all? Hebrews 10:26-31 states that if we continue to sin after we know the truth of our sin, we should not be surprised when Adonai judges us. Mount ‘Eival is not the place I want to find myself in the end, so I must begin to make better choices now. Life and death has been set before us all. Let us choose life. Let us stand on the blessed Mount G’rizim.
Deuteronomy 11:26-32
Deuteronomy 11:32 CJB
Allow me to first confess that in no way am I a learned Jewish scholar. I am far from it to be honest. With that said, I want to share a lesson I am finding from reading the Torah portion, spanning from Deuteronomy 11:26 thru 16:17, titled RE’EH, or ‘see’. As I have been studying this section, He has indeed been helping me to ‘see’.
Deuteronomy 11:26 begins by stating, “See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse.” Reading on we learn that the blessing Moshe was speaking of would come from listening and heeding the commands, or mitzvot, of Adonai. The curse would come from doing the opposite and turning aside from Adonai to follow other gods. Haven’t we read this before? As part of the Ten Commandments, Adonai commanded His people not to bow down or serve other gods, but rather to serve Him only. And Adonai also gave both throughout the forty year journey and here again right before their entry, His commands concerning their practices and behaviors. So off hand, this choice seems pretty black or white. And while I would suggest that many, if not all of us, would declare that we would choose the way of blessing, I would question if we have.
The command continues, however, and we read that when Isra’el was to have entered the Promised Land they were to place the blessing on Mount G’rizim (Gerizim) and the curse of Mount ‘Eival (Ebal). In my own study I questioned the significance of these two Mounts? In researching this I found that Mount G’rizim means “cuttings off”. Now please notice, I did not make a typo by writing “cuttings”. This term alludes to pruning. In order for a tree to flourish and grow fruit, it goes through times of pruning, cutting off the dead so that the living can continue. It was on this Mount that the pruning of Adonai’s people would happen so that the living and fruit bearing would continue. And it was the opposite on Mount ‘Eival. Mount ‘Eival was known as barren, bald, and bare. No tree flourished on this mount, and therefore no fruit either. Whether due to climate issues or simply just a curse on this mount prior to the Isra’elites, the fact remained that nothing flourished physically on this mount.
This chapter of Deuteronomy ends with a final command for both the Isra’elites and all those who will follow. “And you are to take care to follow all the laws and rulings I am setting before you today.” As we know, there will come a time when each of us will be judged. Our actions will determine whether we are found on Mount G’rizim or Mount ‘Eival. I pray that it is the Mount of blessing. But the end decision in where we are found rests in the decisions we make now. Do we follow all the laws and rulings? Do we follow enough to get by? Do we follow any at all? Hebrews 10:26-31 states that if we continue to sin after we know the truth of our sin, we should not be surprised when Adonai judges us. Mount ‘Eival is not the place I want to find myself in the end, so I must begin to make better choices now. Life and death has been set before us all. Let us choose life. Let us stand on the blessed Mount G’rizim.
Deuteronomy 11:26-32
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