What would it be like to experience forgiveness . . . only one time a year?
If you know anything about the Jewish holy days (Biblical feast days), you may know that Yom Kippur is the Day of Atonement.
Strict repentance and special rituals had to be completed (as outlined in Leviticus 16 and Leviticus 23) in order for the Israelites to – yearly – receive forgiveness.
Forever Forgiven: The LORD has made a way for you
It has been traditionally believed that the names of the forgiven are written in the Book of Life on Rosh Hashanah/Yom Teruah, and sealed for the year on Yom Kippur.
The pressure must have felt intense. The fear of missing the mark could have been debilitating.
Failing in just one point could render the religious practitioner disqualified.
Talk about feeling burdened.
Maybe depressed.
Probably overwhelmed.
And definitely hungry. (It is a day of fasting!)
There was an element of hope, though.
Yom (Hebrew for “day“) Kippur (Hebrew for “atonement”) was considered the most Holy day of the year because the High Priest would enter the Holy of Holies to conduct the requirements for atonement on behalf of the nation of Israel.
Every year, the ceremony was to be repeated, a rehearsal for a future spiritual reality.
Besides prayer, song, and worship, the shofar is sounded, both to bring the assembly together and serves as an alarm of proclamation.
Yom Kippur is an amazing picture of what Messiah came to do
Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), God’s Son, came to earth to serve as the atoning sacrifice for our sins – once and for all.
Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) came to cleanse us of our sins
Now, instead of a yearly propitiation, forgiveness became available to all who would put their trust in Him and follow His Way.
Interestingly enough, the observance of Yom Kippur changed quite drastically after Messiah’s resurrection and the prophesied destruction of the Temple in 70AD. Now, the day no longer centers on animal sacrifices.
Isn’t it intriguing that today’s not-yet-believing Jews have to wrestle with this reality?
Many who refuse to accept that Yeshua (Jesus) is indeed the Messiah have to accept that the sacrificial element of Yom Kippur was interrupted.
Rather than accept substitutionary atonement, there are new, man-made “substitutions.”
Today, in the place of the now-absent Yom Kippur sacrifice, there is a great emphasis throughout the Jewish High Holy Days on teshuvah (repentance) and liturgical prayer or davening.
While there is certainly nothing wrong with intentional reflective times and repentance, and nothing wrong with praying and seeking God, the point of the Atonement of Yeshua is what Hehas done, not whatwecan accomplish, because truly without Him we can accomplish no-thing.
The reality is, Messiah died in our place. To save us.
Should Christians fast on Yom Kippur?
I personally believe that followers of the Savior ought to fast in solidarity with the God’s chosen people of Israel.
It is my opinion that those of us who have experienced redemption and the ongoing, everlasting, merciful, abundant forgiveness of our loving Messiah ought to spend some extra time on Yom Kippur fasting and praying for those who are in Yom Kippur services and yet do not yet understand that their Messiah has already come and is coming back soon.
Fast and pray, not out of obligation, but out of love for Israel.
There are many Messianic prophecies in the Bible, but what is found in Zechariah 12 in particular regarding mourning (i.e. genuine, travailing repentance) is very much related to Yom Kippur. We know that Messiah Yeshua will come back after the time of the tribulation and wicked nations will be about to attack Jerusalem.
Some of the text in Zechariah 12-14 can be complex, but the important detail that you must not overlook is the glorious fact that Yeshua Himself will save Jerusalem!
The vivid descriptions of the end of days in Matthew 24 and in other passages use imagery that relates to the Biblical feasts of Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. A “Great Shofar” will sound, just like the Shofar HaGadol used for Yom Kippur services.
It will be the inauguration of Messiah Yeshua, ben Elohim, ben David, ben Adam ruling New Jerusalem as King as He reigns during the Messianic age! We gain a much richer depth of understanding when we realize that the feasts outlined in Scripture are intended to very clearly show us what is to come and give us great hope in which to anchor our faith. Much of the “future” spiritual reality is very much an already-present reality – so rest in Him and enjoy life in abundance!
Mark 2:5, New Testament/Brit HadashahLuke 8:48, New Testament/Brit Hadashah
May you and your family enjoy the fall feasts together as we eagerly await the triumphant return of our Savior, Messiah Yeshua!
Do you have questions about the fall feasts? Leave a comment, and we will be happy to do our best to assist you! Shalom!
Pray for Israel on Yom KippurG’mar chatima tova. A verse for Yom Kippur: Revelation 3:5 “The one who overcomes thus will be dressed in white clothes; I will never blot his name out of the Book of Life and will confess his name before My Father and His angels.”Luke 7:48-50The Good News of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus the Christ)
What would you ask from Yeshua?
I was reading a book last night by Dr.Amy-Jill Levine. It was sent to me and I’m going to be writing a blog review for it soon. Update: Here is a link to my review: The Difficult Words of Jesus.While Dr. Levine and I definitely have our theological differences, I was struck by one very simple, but poignant question she posed. The rich young ruler of the Gospels was so preoccupied with storing up treasures in both earth and heaven that he wanted to know what he had to do to inherit eternal life – so he could fill up his heavenly “vault,” as Levine put it. The question that sparked my interest was this: if you were in that situation, able to stop Jesus in His tracks to ask Him any question in the world, what would you ask? What would you say?
What would you ask Yeshua?
Would you ask Him what it takes to “earn” eternal life? Demand a heavenly inheritance? Plea for salvation? Would you humbly ask for a healing? Would you ask something deeply theological, or would you stick to something more temporal?
In 1 Kings, King Solomon has the opportunity to ask anything of God.
He could’ve asked for details about what happens in the next life or the world to come. But he asks for something quite unexpected, and much much different than the riches sought by the young ruler in the Gospel story.
The fact that the Eternal One directs Solomon to ask Him for something, to ask for anythingat all is shocking.
It is shocking because it is unexpected, but it is also shocking because at the time, Solomon was walking in obvious disobedience.
King Solomon knew full well who God is, and his duty to honor the God of Israel as he ruled. After all, his father was King David who wrote most of the Psalms! Surely King Solomon had no excuse when he practiced idolatry and lustfully sought out his many wives. Solomon knew better than to worship pagan gods!
This Psalm, penned by King Solomon’s father, King David, speaks of the glorious ascent to the hill of YHVH.
It is certainly conceivable Solomon had his father’s words ringing in his ears as he
climbed up . . . not to a Holy Place, but to
the pagan
high place in Gibeon
to singe a thousand burnt offerings and incense.
On top of that, Shlomo (Solomon in Hebrew) had just married Pharaoh’s daughter. Shouldn’t he be feeling ashamed by now?
Many of us are well aware that Solomon’s foreign wives inspired him to pursue pagan practices. Yet even to this day Solomon is known for something else: his wisdom. God’s mercy, long-suffering, and patience really are remarkable.
Loving the LORD makes up the difference. His mercy endures forever.
On one particular trip up the Gibeon mountain, the trek plus the mountain air allowed Solomon to fall asleep that night. He probably didn’t have to count Israeli sheep in order to fall asleep. I imagine he fell into a fairly deep sleep just from the day’s activities.
The LORD Almighty, the Sovereign One, the Only True God, came to Solomon in a dream.
No messenger sent, no angel. God Himself appears to Solomon in the dream and says to him,
Solomon burned sacrifices not to YHVH, but to false gods, in this very place. But to demonstrate His Omnipresence and Perfect Sovereignty, Adonai challenges Solomon to go ahead, ask for something.
A conversation King to king
Solomon is king (melech) of Israel and in a sense, the LORD is treating him that way. Being a king, surely Solomon was used to asking for things and getting them. There are no restrictions, there are no asterisks, no strings attached.
There are no limits because the LORD is God of the entire universe.
Any other supposed deity would have to place a limitation. A blue genie could get trapped in a bottle along with the three wishes he might be offering. A less-than-Almighty god would have to say:
“Ask for something within reason.”
“Please keep it under 100 shekels.”
“There will be a 10% service charge, which will be handled by your next tithe.”
Solomon is allowed to ask the LORD Most High for absolutely anything because He is able to do absolutely anything.
YHVH is All-Powerful, unlike a genie in a bottle
If you could ask God for anything, would you want jewels? tools?
If you were the king or queen of Israel, what would you want? More wealth and riches?
Solomon doesn’t ask for any of these things, not even a new pet camel.
“What do you want, Solomon, what should I give you?
King Solomon is ready to answer, but first he is sure to flatter YHVH a little. Smart thinking. Maybe he felt an extra need to show honor and deference to Elohim if he was laden with guilt from his unfaithfulness. That or, like a wife trying to butter up her husband to complete a honey-do list, first she reminds him how much she loves him, appreciates him, and couldn’t live without him. Right? 🙂
Solomon begins to praise God and thank Him for the kindness He has shown to his father David. Solomon acknowledges his immaturity and demonstrates humility (1 Kings 3:6-8). He expresses how he views the situation he lives in, this context of governance over a chosen, great, and numerous people.
Only after all of that does Solomon dare to say what he would like from God.
Notice, King Solomon never says “wisdom.” He only describes it.
In Hebrew, the word for wisdom is chokhmah, and it is not found anywhere in this text, even though traditionally wisdom has been ascribed to Solomon. The Proverbs attributed to Solomon, however, do employ this term frequently. Here in 1 Kings 3, a form of the word chokhmah is used, chakham, but only by God Himself. God answers Solomon’s request for understanding and discernment by calling it wisdom (chakham).
It is quite evident that King Solomon avoids using the word chokhmah or any form thereof in his request of God.
So we must ask the question: why?
Perhaps it can be dismissed as too much of a technicality, but I do believe there is more to it.
Solomon may have been hesitant to ask for wisdom because in the culture of his day, despite being a king, he was asking a lot.
As early as the writings of Job, Jewish tradition has always held that wisdom is costlier than gold and silver (Job 28:12-15).
Maybe he thought it was too much to ask.
Wisdom is also personified in Scripture, interpreted as a divine attribute of God and embodied by Messiah Himself. While Solomon did not yet know his Messiah, Wisdom Incarnate, he would have had reverence regarding the subject of God’s Wisdom.
He had mustered his courage, and this pleased the LORD.
The LORD assures Solomon that he will give him wisdom and fame. He adds riches and honor to the package, but now He does add an asterisk:
“You will have all of this and a long life, if you walk in My ways as your father David did.”
God will hold King Solomon accountable – He wants Solomon to do what is right.
Solomon awakens from his dream, heads straight to Jerusalem to offer legitimate sacrifice there to Adonai, and holds a party for his servants (1 Kings 3:15).
King Solomon had so many great achievements, most importantly, the construction of the Temple. He was known for his sayings and proverbs, his riches and influence. But despite all of that, his heart strayed from the LORD. Lust was in the family line, and he seems to have inherited a generational curse. Because Solomon continued in disobedience, the Lord assured him the kingdom would be torn away under the reign of his son and that is exactly what happened.
What would you ask Yeshua?
We are all given the opportunity to ask God anything because He has made a way for us through Messiah Yeshua (Jesus). He might not come to us in a dream, but He is willing to listen to us because of His amazing grace.
He may not give us exactly what we want, but we definitely have the opportunity to share our heart with Him and He knows our deepest desires. Next time you are in prayer, ask of Him, and I know He will answer you in love. Learn from Solomon’s mistakes: keep a repentant heart, and go after the things of God, not the ways of the world.
The Father sent His Son to die for you. He loves you. Surely it is not too much for you to ask for something that is weighing on your heart, if you ask in humility, it shall be done for you.
Are you able to have a conversation with the LORD?
Are you in relationship with Him?
If you are sincerely sorry for your sins and your mistakes and your character flaws that sometimes get the best of you . . . and you have decided that you will trust in Him to help you change and turn away from continuing in sin, and if you have accepted the Truth that Yeshua (Jesus) is the King of Israel and would like Him to be the King of your heart, then you absolutely can be in communion and conversation with Him. Nothing can separate you from His love – and Messiah Yeshua bridged the gap between sin and darkness to enable you to be able to trust Him today with your life and your salvation. Believe in Him, obey His Word, and do not be afraid to go to Him in prayer. He hears you when you pray!
I hope this blog post has encouraged you! Please leave a comment, and consider subscribing! And, if you’d like, let’s connect on social media! Find us on Pinterest, Facebook, and Twitter. Shalom!
Blessings will abound! Blessed will you be in the city, in the field, your children, your land and produce, your flock (verses 3-6). Your enemies will flee from you! (v.7) You will lend and not borrow, you will be the head and not the tail (v.12, 13).
What’s not to like?
Certainly all of us who claim to love Adonai resonate with these promises. Surely, we are established as His holy people (v.9) and surely we walk in His ways. Right?
Uh oh. We may be getting on a slippery slope, my friends.
Blessings require us to LISTEN and to OBEY
These blessings are contingent upon consistent relationship with the Holy One of Israel. These blessings don’t just come because we have professed faith. These blessings require us to constantly LISTEN to what His Spirit is saying and obey what is written in His Word.
It is only natural for us to dwell on the things we like and try not to think about the stuff that we don’t. But we are not called to be natural, we are called to be spiritual.
Many believers know parts of Deuteronomy 28 very well – but if you check closely, those commonly cited passages are all found in the first 14 verses of the chapter.
I don’t hear anyone talking about the curses! And understandably so . . . they are overwhelming! Terrifying. But we must acknowledge the reality that there are REAL curses that DO afflict those who choose to disobey God.
There are 69 verses in Deuteronomy 28, not just 14. MOST of those verses describe the destructionthat will come to those who turn from ADONAI’S instructions.
Most people are concentrating on only 20% of the entire chapter. Most of us are ignoring 80% of Deuteronomy 28.
www.Adonaishalom.com
BUT THERE IS HOPE!
The curse of sin and death has been broken.
But if we do not understand what we have been saved from, we are missing half of that very blessing. Also, if we do not understand that sanctification is an ongoing process and that we either invite blessing or demise into our lives based on our choices (even after receiving salvation) we are prone to confusion and a less dynamic understanding of the relationship we hold as children of the Most High God.
THE CURSES ACTUALLY REVEAL HOW AMAZING LIVING UNDER BLESSING REALLY IS
You don’t have to live under any curse. You have the choice to follow the Savior, who chooses to bless us when we repent and reject a cursed life of sin and death.
How great a salvation! We were destined for curse but the Son of God, Yeshua ha Mashiach (Jesus the Christ) came to earth, died for our transgressions, our failings, and our disobedience, so that we may have life eternal if we believe in His Name.
We must confess that He alone is Lord and follow His ways.
www.adonaishalom.com
The curses outlined in Deuteronomy 28:15ff are so horrific that it just makes me think of just how awesome the gift of salvation truly is. We have been saved from terror, a hopeless, despairing future and so freely given love, security, and peace – the shalom that surpasses all understanding. So many people fear “keeping Torah,” citing legalism and claiming irrelevance, but if only they would understand how Torah illuminates what pleases God and rather than bind us, it frees us to more fully understand the richness of our salvation!
2 Timothy 2:15
So let’s commit ourselves to reading the entirety of the Bible, not just the parts we like.
Because even in those passages that seem so difficult or even dreadful to read . . . – even there in the depths, we can find the glimmer of the Gospel. He has given us hope and a future, so let’s learn and study the whole Word so we can step into our callings as ambassadors for His glorious Truth.
Shalom!
Pray for followers of Messiah Yeshua in Afghanistan
Be in prayer today for the believers in Afghanistan. I have heard reports of many missionaries fearing for their lives and believers reporting that they are literally trapped in that country, yet rather than lose heart, they are praying for revival in their land. May it be so, and may the Ruach haKodesh give them the protection and strength that they need.
We must even pray for the Taliban. That term in the Pashto language means, “students.” These students, unlike talmudim, have been taught to hate, to kill, and to force their religion upon the people of that nation. We must pray that they would come to know Truth and repentance, for only through Messiah Yeshua can anyone be saved from a life of misery and terror.
We pray for shalom. Just as we pray for the peace of Jerusalem, may there be peace in Afghanistan, that the children may run freely, the women may be safe, the pastors may preach openly without persecution, and the nation may be saved.
Please join us in prayer. Leave a comment so we know you’re praying with us! If you’d like, subscribe to stay updated! Blessings and Shalom.
Distinction between the unclean and the clean, distinction between that which is holy and that which is not, distinction between those who belong to Him and those who . . . don’t.
For consistency, a very similar passage is found in Deuteronomy:
We know what pleases God because He revealed to us plainly what animals are abominable for human consumption.
Let’s put this in today’s language. He revealed what animals are GROSS to eat.
Shrimp are bottom feeders. They are the garbage trucks of the ocean. Some go so far as to call shrimp the cockroaches of the sea! Pigs are dirty critters, too, you know, but also function as vacuum cleaners. You wouldn’t eat a vulture, would you? They clean up the roads nicely, but according to the Word, God really doesn’t want us eating them.
This really isn’t about being “under the law” or not – we are no longer under the curse of the law. But the law reveals to us that which has pleased our Father. Only Yeshua (Jesus) could fulfill it in its entirety, but as we live into our sanctification, it is fair to say we should strive to do all that which pleases God. Not for our salvation, but as fruit of our salvation.
Our lifestyle should reflect godliness!
Many preach that Christian believers should now eat whatever they want because we have been freed from the law and are now under grace. I can appreciate the intent, but in my view celebrating being freed from the curse of the law is much different than declaring independence from God’s wise and Holy Instructions. We can’t possibly keep every aspect of the law, that’s why Yeshua (Jesus) came, but it does give us, at the very least, an outline for holy living.
For me, this is a hard passage. It pleased God to bruise His Son. We have to ask the question, “why?” I believe it is because at the point this Scripture was fulfilled, Yeshua (Jesus) had taken our sin upon Him and sin is such an affront to a Holy God that it actually pleased Him to see it dealt with. And what is sin? Lawlessness.
So we need something to go by, a standard. God’s instructions give us that standard and Yeshua (Jesus) died for it.
So what about pork bacon? Pork barbecues? Shrimp scampi?
Well, let me tell you a story. A true one.
When I was in grad school, I used to attend a small Pentecostal church just a few miles from the university. I loved that church. I loved the people, I loved the music, I loved the ministry! The believers at this church loved the LORD and really did a good job of including newcomers and students (like me) and sharing the Gospel with love. It didn’t feel cliquish like so many small churches, and it was a wonderful place for any young believer to grow in their faith.
Like most evangelical churches, the pastor and leaders emphasized such spiritual practices as fasting and prayer and encouraged everyone to read the Bible for themselves. If you didn’t bring a Bible with you, an usher would have given you one.
The preaching seemed balanced and examples of Biblical praise and worship were cited from both Testaments.
These folks knew the Scriptures, and knew them well.
But I wasn’t entirely prepared for the fact that these believers had a slightly different understanding of the Christian’s relationship to the Hebrew Scriptures than I did. After accepting Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) during my undergrad years in Chicago, I have since held to what gets labeled as a “Messianic” (albeit thoroughly Pentecostal!) theological perspective.
I never struggled with the fact that my Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) was a Jewish Rabbi! When I moved out of my college bubble, I discovered most believers were not really interested in the Jewishness of Jesus, much less studying Torah’s relationship to the New Testament. Yeshua (Jesus) followed and fulfilled Torah so it seemed strange to me that everyone seemed to want to delete the first half of the Bible.
And I will never forget the day when many of us from the church went out for lunch at a little restaurant.
I guess I shouldn’t have been at all surprised when the pastor and the church leaders all ordered pork bbq plates. But I’m certain I unwittingly raised an eyebrow!
There were some cultural factors at play.
North Carolina is famous for pork barbecue, and I know from experience finding a place that serves turkey or chicken bbq is not easy. But this was actually a seafood restaurant. There were Biblically cleaner foods on the menu than swine flesh.
When the food arrived, one of the church elders actually said, “Thank you Jesus, for allowing us now to eat this pork!” I didn’t know to laugh or cry!
I realized that day in the restaurant that there was disconnect in traditional Christian practice from what is actually written in the Bible.
These same Christians who routinely practiced fasting and prayer were ok with the dietary restriction of fasting (another concept introduced in the Old, rather than New, Testament), but they were anti-dietary restriction regarding consumable foods.
Ultimately, aren’t we all guilty of picking and choosing at times, to strictly adhere to the things we like and to less fervently notice those things we don’t like?!
But, I simply posit this today: why not adhere to the LORD’s dietary instructions? For the most part, the only foods being argued about among Christians in America are pork chops, pork bacon, pork ham, and shrimp.
Paul (Rabbi Sh’aul) invites believers in 1 Corinthians 6:12to ask themselves an important question. Just because something is lawful to you, is it beneficial?
Something may or may not be permitted, but is it helpful?
A certain meal may not defile spiritually, but is it truly of benefit to me physically, especially when consumed with frequency?
The United States has a Judeo-Christian heritage. It seems to me that believers in the United States used to have a more holistic and pure understanding of the Scriptures. As a nation, we collectively know that certain animals should not be consumed!
No one is upset that restaurants don’t serve owls and bats.
But today, we have become divided by denominationalism and agendas.
And pork is cheap (and some would argue, delicious).
This has led to a selective and collective cultural amnesia.
We have forgotten where we came from.
It is no secret that our country has strayed farther and farther from God’s Word and ways.
Have you ever noticed the amount of fast food advertisements that obsess about pork bacon?
It is a symptom of a much larger problem.
Doctrines have been misaligned over the years to assimilate into our culture. I’m picking on the pigs today, but this applies to so many other Biblical issues, not just dietary choices.
Even if it is unintentional, most believers pick and choose when it comes to obeying the Word of God. We really ought to work hard not to over or under emphasize verses of Scripture to suit our personal desires.
The blame has to start at the top because so many Christians have simply been taught this way for their whole lives.
We have to guard our testimony because it can get a little tarnished by stuff like this.
What does Leviticus 11 have to do with our testimony?
The Gospel is intended to be preached to all, but specifically to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
If we do not take passages like Leviticus 11 seriously, it is difficult to share our testimony in communities that may look different from our own.
Reaching Jews and Muslims with the Good News
Christian outreach efforts in Jewish communities often fall flat.
Why?
Why won’t Jewish people accept the Good News?
A lot of it has to do with controversial passages such as Leviticus 11.
A Jewish person is simply not going to attend the local church pork barbecue event.
The pig is considered the mostrepulsive of all the unclean animals to most Jews! Can you see how it would seem very strange to a potential convert to see Christians eating unclean meats and praying a blessing over it in the name the same God of Israel?
How about the Muslim community? I have known many a Muslim who have very openly said to me that they are surprised Christians in our country eat “forbidden” meats. Like Jews, Muslims do not eat just anything.
Whether we eat or drink, we are to do so to the glory of God (1 Cor.10:31). We are free, yes. But let’s align our lifestyles to the Scriptures! Sometimes, for the sake of another, we must refrain from certain things. Even Paul had Timothy circumcised – not for the sake of salvation, but for the sake of the Jews in the region they were going to testify in of the goodness of Gospel Truth.
By no means am I telling you you “must” do these things in order to be a “good Christian.”
Instead, I would simply like you to reflect and pray on this topic.
For whatever you do, whether you eat or drink,
Always keep in line with Scripture, and study the Word for yourself!
Allow the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) to guide your decisions and interpretations.
Is that controversial enough?! 🙂
What do you think? We’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below! Shalom!
Review: “Mysteries of the Messiah” by Rabbi Jason Sobel
I am blessed to be participating in an “I Read with Audra” blog tour for Rabbi Jason Sobel’s new book: Mysteries of the Messiah: Unveiling Divine Connections from Genesis to Today.You may be interested to know that the foreword was written by Kathie Lee Gifford, who actually co-authored a previous book with Sobel titled, The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi. Most of the Scripture references in Mysteries of the Messiah come from theTree of Life Version of the Bible (TLV), which I find to be an excellent Bible translation and use frequently here on the Adonai Shalom blog.
Book Review
Mysteries of the Messiah by Rabbi Jason Sobel is absolutely on-topic, as more and more Christians are becoming aware of the importance of enriching their understanding of the Hebrew roots of their Christian faith. Accordingly, Rabbi Sobel’s book is addressed to Christian believers of all denominations. He commends the study of the New Testament, but encourages believers to take a deeper interest in the Old Testament (Hebrew) Scriptures as well, in order to build a more robust theology.
A Primer for Messianic Theology
As a Messianic Rabbi, Sobel does not diminish the Gospel. He uses illustrations from Hebrew to help traditionally-taught Christians encounter deeper meanings behind the words in Scripture that often go overlooked or misunderstood.
Mysteries of the Messiah is a necessary work for “such a time as this” as Sobel rightly assesses the current spiritual climate: believers are awakening to the true fullness of the Gospel, embracing the continuity of the Hebrew Bible (Tanakh) and the New Testament (Brit Hadashah). Importantly, Sobel understands that for many American Christians, delving into the riches of the Tanakh is a novel enterprise. Mysteries of the Messiah offers a primer for believers to explore Messianic prophecies and Biblical holy days, written in a gentle, conversational tone.
Rabbi Jason Sobel’s new book: Mysteries of the Messiah
Biblical numerology
First, the book itself begins with an accessible introduction into Biblical numerology. Sobel’s time spent under the tutelage of Rabbi Jonathan Cahn’s ministry in New Jersey becomes evident right from the start as he seeks to uncover hidden meanings and messages using numbers and calculations based on the Hebrew values of the aleph-bet letters. Many of Sobel’s insights are compelling and will enrich the thoughtful reader, but the reader may occasionally differ with his interpretive conclusions.
Messiah’s Identity
One thing that will not be disputed by any Messianic Jewish or Christian believer who reads Mysteries of the Messiah is Rabbi Sobel’s passionate insistence that Jesus of Nazareth, Yeshua ha-Notzri, was and is the promised Messiah of Israel. In the first chapter, Sobel identifies five specific areas that he believes reveal important clues about Messiah’s identity and shares his own testimony of receiving Messiah Yeshua as his own Savior. Readers interested in Messianic Jewish apologetics may particularly appreciate this early section of the book.
Great for readers who enjoy Bible Studies
The middle chapters will appeal to any readers who enjoy Bible Studies. Sobel invites readers to explore the extensive ways Messiah is revealed in the Scriptures from creation to beyond Pentecost (Shavu’ot) using the numerology he introduced in the earlier chapters. No knowledge of Hebrew or Greek is required for the reader to be able to gain an appreciation of linguistic nuances in the Bible thanks to Sobel’s easy-to-read writing style. Sobel presents Jewish concepts such as tikkun olam(repairing the world) in a very understandable and relatable way. Moreover, he writes with a pastor’s heart, encouraging believers in their faith. He shares his hope and prayer for Jews and Gentiles alike to unite in Messiah Jesus:
“When Jew and Gentile unite in Jesus, we become an unstoppable force for salvation, transformation, and revival.”
Sobel, Jason. Mysteries of Messiah: Unveiling Divine Connections from Genesis to Today. Nashville, TN: W Publishing Group, 2021.
Conclusion
Finally, Mysteries of Messiah concludes with an impressive revelation contained within the beloved Isaiah 9:6 passage related to Messiah’s lineage as the Son of David. I found it to be an enjoyable and refreshing read, one that may spark the reader to desire to delve deeply into the richness of Scripture’s mysteries and the Jewishness of Jesus even after finishing the book.
A book giveaway is going on now! Enter here to win! Update 2/22. This giveaway ended July 30, 2021.
About the Author: Mysteries of the Messiah by Jason Sobel
Raised in a Jewish home in New Jersey, Rabbi Jason Sobel dedicated much of his life in pursuit of a spiritual connection with God. After years of seeking and studying, he encountered God and found his true destiny as a Jewish follower of Yeshua (Jesus). Suddenly, all the traditions Rabbi Jason grew up with took on new depth and meaning as God connected the ancient wisdom of the Torah with the teachings of the Messiah.
Rabbi Jason received his rabbinic ordination from the UMJC (Union of Messianic Jewish Congregations) in 2005. He has a B.A. in Jewish Studies (Moody) and an M.A. in Intercultural Studies (Southeastern Seminary). He is a sought-after speaker and has made multiple appearances on national television, including the Trinity Broadcasting Network, the Daystar Network, and the Dr. Oz Show. Rabbi Jason is the author of Breakthrough: Living a Life That Overflows, Aligning with God’s Appointed Times, and Mysteries of the Messiah and he is also the coauthor of New York Times bestseller The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi with Kathie Lee Gifford.
Title: Mysteries of the Messiah: Unveiling Divine Connections from Genesis to Today Author: Rabbi Jason Sobel Publisher: W Publishing Group, an imprint of Thomas Nelson Release Date: March 23, 2021 Genre: Religion/Christian Living/Spiritual Growth, Messianic Interest
ISBN: 978-0-7852-4005-1
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Thank you to the publisher, W Publishing Group of Thomas Nelson, for the review copy. I have provided an honest review.
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I think it is my favorite because it was completely ignored by the church I attended growing up.
And I attended faithfully.
Obsessively faithfully.
If the doors of that church were open, I was there. Choir practice, youth leadership teams, bell choir, instrumental ensembles. It was a very large church with a large staff, so there were many opportunities for me, and I’m thankful for that. I probably wore out the pastors with all my theological questions, but they put up with me!
But despite all of those years in the church, I had never heard Acts chapter 2 when the LORD empowered the believers with the power of the Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh).
I even learned to preach and lead entire worship services before I went to college.
The problem is, I had learned to preach a false gospel…
I didn’t know that, of course.
But when I did figure that out, I felt deceived!
I was angry, hurt, but on-fire for Jesus (Yeshua).
My experience in a universalist church
See, I grew up in a universalist type of ‘church’ in which everything and anything could be considered ‘divine’ and the deity of Messiah was even questioned.
It was normal to practice ‘mysticism’ and the congregation built a pagan labyrinth so that they could become ‘closer’ to God. ‘Sin’ was explained away through relativism and none of the leaders I knew believed in a literal eternal hell.
Liberal social justice agendas were presented as ‘gospel;’ and homosexual clergy were not only accepted, but encouraged.
I am a very spiritual person and have been since I was very little, so I was intrigued by the “historical Jesus” debate and the off-center teachings presented to me by my pastors as a teenager. I had the opportunity to travel to France, and walked on the Chartres labyrinth, excited to bring back books and souvenirs reflecting what I know now to be an occult practice.
I had no idea that we were so outside of a Biblical framework, but I did know that the pastoral staff thought ill of evangelicals, calling anyone who took the Bible at its word a “fundie,” their pejorative term for a fundamentalist.
There was always talk of “inclusion,” but this really meant including only those who agreed with their far left agenda.
I was taught an imitation, but the LORD led me to TRUTH
When I went to college and later to Divinity School, I realized how far the church had strayed from Biblical Truth.
By studying Hebrew, I was awakened to the reality that Scripture is inspired and without error in its original form.
The one nice thing about being raised as a ‘Unitarian Considering Christ’ was we were always open to Judaism. I never struggled with the concept that Messiah Jesus stood on this earth as a practicing Jew, a Holy Rabbi with the greatest teaching of all time. Eventually, I accepted my Savior Yeshua and the glorious gift of salvation.
Hallelujah!
The Postmodern/Emergent Church is looking for an “experience”
The postmodern and emergent church movements were popular when I was a student. One thing that stands out to me with those who want to start drawing and painting in church is that people are genuinely looking for an “experience.”
The church, as a whole, has strayed so far from Scripture that people don’t realize that the experience they are looking for is found within the pages of the Holy Bible and that everything else is a cheap imitation.
Well-meaning people add things into worship services, not intending to become idolatrous, yet these extraBiblical practices lead people far far away from what they actually need.
Worldly empowerment vs. Divine empowerment
Inclusiveness, feminism, empowerment – all key words in the liberal agenda, mask the true need in the world today. The Gospel is inclusive of all who would be willing to make a change, but the Gospel isn’t going to change to suit humanity’s deviant desires.
It is good to feel empowered! But you have to be empowered with the right thing!
That’s why the power from on high is so important. Acts 2 is all about supernatural empowerment!
The Holy Spirit will empower you in your calling to do the will of the Father.
The world offers a false empowerment. Feminists and liberal activists don’t actually support or love women. They hate Biblical womanhood because they want women to be men.
That devilish agenda says: Go ahead, have children, but make sure you’re back on the job in 6 weeks after you have your baby. We wouldn’t want you to reconsider and stay home with your children.
When my second son was born, I had been serving as a hospital chaplain on a staff of primarily men. When I informed them I would not be coming back because I was choosing to stay home with our little ones, they told me I was overly traditional and that I would regret my decision.
No regrets here.
To me it was humorous that I had grown up more liberal than any of them, and now they were calling me ultra-conservative. 🙂
Shavu’ot = Pentecost
The believers gathered in the Upper Room were there on a feast day. It was called Shavu’ot, and Jewish believers had celebrated it for years. Our English translations call it “Pentecost,” and many Christians today mistakenly believe it was a newly established feast day after the Resurrection, but that’s not right.
The word for “Pentecost” comes from Greek, for 50, because Shavu’ot referred to the Feast of Fifty Days, better known as the Feast of Weeks. The timing of Messiah is perfect, so on this exact day, 50 days after the resurrection, the LORD poured out His Spirit upon the gathered believers to coincide with the feast.
Are you experiencing a time of waiting?
In Acts 1:4, Messiah Jesus (Yeshua) told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until they received the Promise of the Father.
Maybe you are waiting. Maybe you know the LORD has something more in store for you, but you’re in a waiting pattern. If you are waiting, but with a sense of expectation, with faith that He will work in your life – I assure you, He will.
The last phrase there, in Greek, “upon each and every one of them” is important for those interested in “inclusivity.”
The Greek is emphatic meaning that this included men and women.
ἐφ’ ἕνα ἕκαστον αὐτῶν eph hena hekaston auton Upon each and every one of them
The gifts and calling of the Eternal One are irrevocable (Romans 11:29). He calls men and women to share the Good News, and to be empowered by His very Spirit to do it well.
What was going on before this moment, before the power of Adonai came?
Prayer and supplication. Both men and women were present in an Upper Room prayer meeting.
The LORD uses men and women. In different ways, yes, but (if you are a woman reading this) don’t let anyone tell you that there’s no place for you in the ministry. That simply isn’t true. If He has given you a voice, you have something to say, so long as it lines up with the Word of God. Most of the people in the Upper Room were men. The women were outnumbered. But they were most certainly included.
God chose this group of men and women to be present to receive the inaugurating outpouring of the fire of the Holy Spirit because they were faithful in prayer and they were willing to obey!
Comfort will come after pain or loss
I have used this passage with women’s ministry groups because women in all walks of life endure all sorts of challenges and pain: Women who have recently lost their own mother, women who have been told by doctors they cannot have children, women who have ended pregnancies due to poor guidance by nonChristian medical staff or women who genuinely felt there was no other option, women who now live with the regret or guilt of any type of past sins.
The most emotionally painful thing to endure might be the mother who lost a child, whether that child was an unborn baby or an adult child. Many times it is out of that pain that the LORD will use you to minister to someone else. If you’ve been marginalized from the pulpit because you are a woman, you will also understand a hurt others will not understand.
Whatever you relate to as a horrible pain to endure was exactly the kind of pain the women (and the men) endured the day after the crucifixion.
Even though they knew what they had seen and heard and they knew that Jesus was the Messiah, and He told them He would rise again and He promised to send another Comforter . . . even so, there must’ve been so many questions going through their minds.
Maybe you have experienced something earth shattering. Maybe you have watched as something you have loved, dreamed of, or even built seems like it’s gone. When we ministered in Alabama and Tennessee, we frequently worked with people who had suffered devastating losses after tornadoes raged through their neighborhoods. Just know that the Spirit of the LORD can help you get through whatever has distressed you or twisted your life upside down.
What is your own personal Sabbath’s Day journey?
The verses contained in Acts 1:12-Acts 2:1 describe what occurred in (what most have calculated to be) 10 days from the Ascension described in Acts 1:9.
If there is a situation right now in your life, give it a few days. It might take ten, it might be four . . . it might be more than 10. But like I said earlier, God’s timing is perfect. You can trust Him.
Then they returned to Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives (Acts 1:12), a Sabbath’s Day journey – meaning it was a fairly short walk. They would not receive the Promise of the Father without resting in Him, without listening for His voice.
Maybe you’ve been traveling more than a Sabbath’s Day journey, keeping your agenda jam-packed. Honor the Sabbath, and the Lord of the Sabbath will meet you right where you are. Not everyone who desires to be baptized in the Holy Spirit receives that blessing right away. Think of it as a journey: He will satisfy your hunger and thirst when you need it most.
The Holy Spirit provides anointing so that you can be a Godly example to others
There is nothing more noble than to be an anointed, Holy Spirit-filled servant of God.
We need the power of God to change the way we speak, the way we interact, the way we present ourselves. You know, something that has been lost over time is the art of etiquette. I noticed this particularly when I lived in the south, having grown up in the north. Up North, we don’t usually say “yes, ma’am” and “no, sir.” It is wise and godly to teach your children, or your spiritual children, the etiquette of God’s Word. How to be a Godly example for others. It is more than attending an assembly. It is living the Word in thought, word, and deed, so that the transformation Christ has worked in you will be evident to all.
We need our etiquette to be anointed! If you comport yourself with grace, doors will open for you.
The Holy Spirit will empower you to pray for the salvation of your city!
We are not in Jerusalem, but we can tarry in our own cities, asking the LORD to intervene in these last days. I know from experience that those who have been immersed in false doctrines CAN be led to the Truth, but it requires prayer!
I am thankful for believers who prayed for me!
Pray, with fervor, without ceasing so He will send an outpouring of His power upon and into you, either for the first time, or for a new time.
Pray, pray, pray until the yoke-breaking, curse-disrupting and destroying, Almighty Power of the Most High descends upon you and believers around you and ignites your home and your city and your congregation with the Love of Messiah.
The most inclusive wonderful thing you can ever do is pray for someone and welcome them when they decide to become a citizen of heaven, too!
I look forward to hearing YOUR testimony! Please share your comments below. If you have not yet met Yeshua, the Promised Messiah of Israel, please reach out. He loves you very much and lived and died so that you could live eternally with Him. I would be so honored to pray for you or with you. If you’d like, please consider subscribing to our email list! Blessings and Shalom!
Today, we will look at Numbers 8-15 as well as a familiar passage from John 8 as we explore what happened to a man who was gathering firewood on the Sabbath.
“Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”
Many of us learned this somewhat outdated rhyme growing up.
Proverbs 18:21 teaches us that life and death are in the power of the tongue. Words do have the power to harm. Harsh, hate-filled words can hurt us and can leave us pretty scarred. On the flip side, words can be life-giving and confidence-building, a source of blessing.
Obviously, the childhood rhyme intends to help a child overcome being teased with the reassurance that childish name-calling usually excludes physical harm.
Unfortunately, our own words can come back to bite us. Sometimes we harm ourselves by the foolish things we say. A careless thought can become a careless word, for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.
Care must be taken to cultivate a life of kindness, goodness, and self-control, led by the Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh), so that the demeanor of the believer becomes more righteous in outlook and attitude rather than maintaining the self-serving posture of the natural man.
Learning from Miryam: We must be careful how we speak
Lashon Hara in Parashat Beha’alotcha/Beha’alotecha
When an individual fails to speak in a righteous manner, he or she risks committing sin known in Hebrew as lashon hara.Lashon hara means “evil tongue” or “wicked talk” and is considered a grave sin in Judaic thought, and for good reason. In Parashat Beha’alotecha Miryam was punished by God because she disapproved of her brother Moshe’s marriage to a Cushite woman and spoke against him (Numbers 12:1, 10).
Lashon hara engages the realm of death and brings curse right along with it. Rabbi Joseph Soloveitchik aptly wrote “Death is the symbol of the most intense defilement; therefore, he who is holy unto his Lord must keep away from such defilement.” (Soloveitchik,Halakhic Man, 32).
Most Christians have never so much as heard of lashon hara let alone tried to refrain from it. Overly simplistic sermons lightly address gossip, but all too many churches thrive on the gossip mill and abuse the doctrine of grace. If you have a prayer request for someone else, there is no need to give every exhausting, gossipy detail. The LORD knows the need. Explain enough, but have wisdom to avoid gossiping.
Scripture calls us to a much higher plane.
As called out, set-apart people, followers of Messiah should emulate Him. Yeshua (Jesus) was careful with His words, and we should be, as well. He, of course, knew Torah, and would have been entirely familiar with passages such as Numbers 15:30-31. In it, the reader is cautioned, that “the person who sins defiantly, whether native or outsider, reviles ADONAI and that person is to be cut off from his people. Because he has despised the word of Adonai and has broken His commandment, that person will certainly be cut off—his guilt will remain on him.”
Regardless of whether or not Miryam was justified in her opinion, evil speech could not be tolerated under the Law as it would lead to defilement. Defilement can be described as a state of being in which the offender could not rightly appear before the Holy One. Ultimately, lashon hara leads to destruction, so it must be dealt with immediately at its source. As the Apostle Paul (Rabbi Sha’ul) said, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? Certainly not!” (Rom.6:1-2a).
Learning from an unnamed man who was gathering firewood: We must be obedient
Keep Parashat Beha’alotcha in mind as you study Parashat Shlach
In Numbers 15:32, an unnamed fellow is stoned for collecting sticks and stones on the Sabbath day.
Yes, you read that right. Stoned. To. Death.
Numbers 15:32
Consider this:
Have you ever worked on a Saturday?
Have you ever tidied up your house or done some yard work on the Sabbath?
Miryam became a leper, but this Sabbath-breaking man was immediately put to death.
What is the difference between Miryam’s sin and firewood-man’s sin?
Miryam’s lashon hara sin was directed at Moshe (Moses).
The unknown guy’s Sabbath-violating sin was directed right at the Holy One.
Miryam endured a status of defilement as a punishment, but the unnamed man truly, in a sense, selected defilement – as a choice.
He did not concern himself with things above, but lived for the moment and disregarded God’s commandments.
The man in Numbers 15:32 is not named because he could be any of us
Why is gathering wood on Shabbat such a horrible thing?
Well, to put it into everyday language: it was like shaking your fist at your Creator.
“I don’t need You or Your Shabbat.”
2. “I don’t have time for You or for Your Shabbat.”
3. “I don’t care about the parameters in which I am to live.”
The work involved with gathering wood suggests the man was planning to start a fire, likely to cook a meal.
These are all prohibitions outlined by the Torah as violations of the Holy Sabbath.
He was guilty of blatant defiance.
Gathering firewood just doesn’t seem “so bad.”
As human beings with our limited understanding, we tend to “rank” sins. It would seem gathering firewood is a much “lesser” sin than a murderer or an abuser.
But we have to realize that sin is sin. Any transgression of God’s Eternal Law constitutes sin. Any.
And there is Good News! It’s more than Good, it’s Excellent News — the LORD has made a way for us through His Son, Yeshua (Jesus).
We fall short. But He doesn’t. He is the All-Sufficient One. And He extends His grace and mercy, His perfect forgiveness to you and me if we will receive Him.
Forgiveness is Available
This point is beautifully demonstrated by our Savior when, in the Gospel of John chapter 8 Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ) forgave a woman caught in adultery.
She was guilty, on all counts, of violating Torah.
Like the Sabbath firewood gatherer, she had violated Torah and her punishment (according to the Law) should be stoning.
Also like the firewood man, this woman is unnamed. All of us should see in her our own rebellions and failings.
Despite the adulterous woman’s sin, the LORD pointed out the sinfulness of all those who accused her.
Whoever had no sin, whoever was completely sinless, this person could go right ahead and cast the first stone.
The only One who could condemn her (the LORD Himself) chose instead to forgive her.
But forgiveness is available to us, if we will repent of our sin and allow Him to restore and deliver us.
Shabbat is intended to be a divine appointment
The LORD has commanded us to keep His Sabbath, and to keep it Holy because it is a set-apart time for us to pause, rest, reflect, and enter into communion with our Father. It is intended to be a blessing, not a burden; but in today’s fast-paced world, it can be a challenge to keep Shabbat.
It has been said that if we truly understood how glorious it is to meet with ADONAI on Shabbat, we would never dare to disrespect that time. We would never miss that Sabbath sacred appointment and we would choose to strive for purity of thought, word, and deed, that we would never be defiled and unable to come before His throne.
Our lives depend upon us being in communication and right relationship with our Savior, the One who washes us and declares us clean.
The man being stoned to death for dishonoring the Sabbath is an illustration for us.
Underneath that pile of stones laid a man who had no understanding of his need for a relationship with his Maker.
Bruised and buried, that man represents all of those who do not yet understand that Messiah has come – that Messiah was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities so that we might live and never die. Firewood man was completely clueless about how his transgression would end in disaster.
May you be inspired by the grace and mercy of the LORD to seek a greater communion with the Eternal One, the LORD of the Sabbath. May you guard your lips for this protects your life, (Proverbs 13:3), follow the Way of the LORD and keep His commands, and may you be blessed to be a blessing!
I hope this teaching has inspired you, challenged you, or otherwise blessed you! Leave a comment below and please consider joining the Adonai Shalom email list today!
Tzedek, Tzadik, & Tzedakah: Matthew 6:3-4 through a Hebraic lens
Charitable Giving and Ma’asar Kesafim
To our ears, doing “charitable deeds” or participating in “charitable giving” is like a fancy way of saying doing “good works, or “donating money.” Every year, the IRS will let you deduct some of your good deeds from Caesar’s bill, right? Charitable giving is tracked, graphed, sought-after, solicited, pleaded for, telethoned for . . . and for good reason – there is a healthy motivation when all parties involved win. But how charitable is our charitable giving, if it is done for a reward?
You may know that charitable giving was built into the legal system of ancient Israel. Today, the expectation to practice ma’asar kesafim, or, the giving of 10% of one’s income to the poor is standard tithing and ethical practice in Judaism. Certainly, Torah teaches generosity:
“If there is a poor man among you — any of your brothers within any of your gates in your land that ADONAI your God is giving you — you are not to harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother. Rather, you must surely open your hand to him and you must surely lend him enough for his need — whatever he is lacking. Watch yourself, so there is no unworthy thing in your heart saying, ‘The seventh year, the year of cancelling debts, is near,’ and your eye is evil against your poor brother and you give him nothing. Then he may call out to ADONAI against you, and it will be a sin upon you. You must surely give to him, and your heart is not to be grieved when you give to him — for because of this thing ADONAI your God will bless you in all your work and in every undertaking of your hand.
The generosity required by the justice of the Almighty does not diminish the giver’s net worth. Paradoxically, the individual who is sincerely generous will prosper and see increase according to Scriptural promises.
Besides help for the needy, tithes and offerings are also intended to support the work of ministry and preparation for the moedim (appointed times/feast days), brought into the house of the LORD. Sadly, many prosperity Gospel organizations have distorted this teaching, pressuring adherents to tithe, not out of love in righteousness, but out of a sense of obligation: warning that if one fails to tithe or does not give enough in offerings, blessings will be withheld or calamity will result. The true Gospel message related to tithing is simple. We are to give back what already belongs to the Most High, both in tithes and offerings, with thankfulness and pure motives.
It’z not to overwhelm you with highly foreign looking words starting with “tz,” but these are some important Hebrew terms to learn when studying the Scriptures from a Hebraic perspective. Hint: the initial “t” is almost silent and the tz makes the “ts” sound you hear in the word “it’s.”
A “charitable deed” in Hebrew is “tzedakah.” This word is very interesting because it is comprised of the Hebrew alephbet letter tzadi (tzadik) צ which is derived from the term for “righteous” or “righteousness.” A “tzadik” refers to a Righteous person; tzedakah, a righteous deed.
To be “charitable,” then, requires a solid dose of “righteousness,” or else the giving is, as Qoheleth would say, “in vain!” There is none righteous, no, not one (Rom.3:10) – only our Master and Teacher, Messiah Yeshua, the Righteous Branch, Christ our Righteousness. He is the only One worthy of the honorific: “Tzadik.” But precisely because Messiah Jesus died on our behalf and believers are, by faith, clothed in His righteousness, all believers have the opportunity to live in righteousness, not to earn salvation, but to reflect it.
Too many “once saved always saved” sermons have led uninformed believers to mistakingly believe that nothing is required to live into their sanctification. Sanctification is a process, bestowed fully at salvation; but, like the Kingdom, is an “already-not-yet” reality: we are saved and sanctified, but we need the Ruach haKodesh, the Holy Spirit, to continue His sanctifying work in us – a partnership in a sense – between the Almighty and the believer.
Another exercise in etymology will lead you to the discovery that another Hebrew term, “tzedek” means “justice.” True justice cannot exist apart from Incarnate Righteousness. Yeshua has ascended to the Father; we must now embody the virtues of kindness, humility, righteousness, justice; veritably, all of the Fruits of the Spirit! We cannot settle for the world’s misguided attempts at justice or mislabeling of sin as “social justice” precisely because of the world’s blatant defiance and devaluation of all things righteous.
Free righteousness or righteousness-free?
I alluded to this above, but it is truly a travesty that such a large portion of modern-day “Christianity” neglects deep reflection around the topic of righteousness. Yes, we have been given an amazing free gift, the free gift of righteousness as children of God, but too many assemblies, fellowships, and churches have taken a “righteousness-free” posture eliminating discussion of moral righteousness, Godly duty and obligation, and even ethics; preferring political allegiances and cultural norms.
The past year has highlighted this reality. “Conservatives” vs “liberals” on everything from mask-wearing to presidential picks. Most Christians fall into the “conservative” camp, but the label has been tarnished by the unwavering following of leaders who would dismantle the democracy we enjoy. Rather than accept the temporary burden of wearing a mask to protect those around oneself, battle cries waged that freedom was being stolen. Selfishness reigned as the Great Commandment to love your neighbor as yourself was archived along with all the other commandments that a rebellious people are uninterested in keeping.
True Biblical Christianity must be rooted in the fullness of the Hebrew Scriptures. Most Torah scholars would agree that bearing temporary discomfort for the benefit of another is not only a right decision, but the only right decision. Biblical justice involves caring for someone else, regardless of your personal sentiments. Does that other person deserve your compassion? Does that person live by the same standards to which you hold yourself and your family? Perhaps not. But righteousness puts aside one’s own preferences, seeking only to the do the will of the Father, which is to exercise love and share the Good News of salvation. The New Covenant bolsters the concept, exhorting believers to “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another.” (Romans 12:10, NKJV, emphasis added)
Messiah’s instructions in Matthew 6:3-4
Righteousness is demonstrable, yet lest we become “puffed up” as Rabbi Sha’ul would say, our Master Yeshua has words for us:
” . . . when you do a charitable deed, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, that your charitable deed may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will Himself reward you openly.” Matthew 6:3-4, NKJV
” . . . when you do tzedakah, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your tzedakah may be in secret; and your Father, who sees in secret, shall reward you.” Matthew/Mattityahu 6:3-4, TLV
Yeshua was addressing an issue in which people were doing their charitable giving with the hope of being seen or recognized in the public sphere for their philanthropy.
The Talmud was influenced by Jesus’ teachings
Midrash teaches: “The deeds of the righteous are always performed expeditiously; no time is lost in undertaking a mitzvah or in its execution.” (Bamidbar Rabbah 10:5; The Wisdom of the Hebrew Alphabet, Rabbi Michael L. Munk) The Talmud, written after Yeshua’s life on earth, arguably draws upon the wisdom He shared with His disciples. In discussion about the Hebrew alephbet, the dalet, written “ד”, can be examined in depth, demonstrating that its origin as “door” also alludes to the alms-seeker who may appear at one’s door. In his book, Rabbi Munk explains, “In a further lesson derived from the shape of the letters, the Talmud notes that the face of the ד is turned to the left, away from the ג, to show that the dal [beggar] should not have to face his gomel [benefactor]. Assistance should be given discreetly and with the greatest tact to preserve the self-respect of the recipient. In the highest form of charity, neither gomel nor dal should be aware of the other’s identity.”(Munk, 80).
When I came upon this fascinating analysis of the alephbet, Rabbi Yeshua’s words immediately came to mind. He said, “don’t let your left hand know what your right hand is doing.” The dalet ד is literally turned toward the left, so that no shame is unnecessarily placed upon the less privileged. Jesus was undeniably concerned for the well-being of the poorest of people, wisely instructing the disciples to conduct their good deeds in secret.
Tzedakah and righteousness are terms missing from the vocabulary of the modern church, but true believers have the opportunity to reclaim them as an awakening to the Hebrew roots of the Bible is occurring globally.
The greatest witness we can make is to live righteously for the healing of the nations.
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How Genesis 1:2 can help you lead a friend to the LORD (and away from the Jehovah’s Witness movement)
Each year after Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles), it is customary to begin re-reading through Torah (the first five books of the Bible). I personally believe it is vital to supplement Torah reading with readings from the rest of the Bible, including the Prophets and the rest of the Tanakh as well as, of course, the New Testament (B’rit Chadasha).
So it is the time of year when we begin back at Genesis (known in Hebrew as B’reishit).
Beginning at the beginning of time.
We do well to understand that in every undertaking in life, we ought embark only with our understanding framed by the history of creation. If we know our Creator and are in right relationship with Him, then we will understand our role as the created and realize our need for restoration and salvation.
Those who do not yet live in right relationship with the LORD, the Creator of All, cannot be called His children.
As God’s children, it is imperative that we share this Good News so that those who are perishing around us would be able to repent and know our Savior, too, and so, too, become children of the Most High God.
I will show you today a very simple method to share your faith, beginning at the beginning.
Are you confident in your ability to share and defend your faith?
As followers of Messiah Yeshua (the Lord Jesus Christ), it is our joyous duty to share with others the Good News of salvation.
We also need to be able to defend our faith.
Demonstrate that our faith is unshakeable!
It is so important to be equipped to share with others the Truth!
This is often called “apologetics.”
But rather than apologizing for what you believe, your task is to share it!
And be able to explain why you believe what you believe! Be confident! The LORD is with you and will give you the words and wisdom when you need it.
Today, I will focus on how one simple verse from Genesis can be used as a powerful spiritual weapon against one of the fastest growing cults: The Jehovah’s Witness organization.
The Jehovah Witness sect presents both a challenge and opportunity to Bible-believing Christians.
Are you ready to challenge yourself to share your faith?
Check out a simple and straightforward way to lead a friend to the True LORD of the Bible!
First, we must recognize that Truth is superior to cult religions and teachings
The Jehovah Witness cult continues to grow around the world. It is highly likely you will encounter a Jehovah’s Witness follower at some point.
You might think I am being very harsh calling it a cult.
However, given the high level of deception and falsehood, softer terms will not do.
Believers: we need to be educated about sects and cults in order to ask the Spirit of Truth to help us evangelize and minister to members of these erroneous organizations.
We also need to pray that the Spirit of all Truth, God’s Holy Spirit, the only True God would help us show genuine love, kindness, and compassion toward all of those who are trapped in confusion.
In order to properly witness to a member of a cult religion, we must ourselves be confident in Whom we have believed and know the Truth of Scripture for ourselves.
Genesis 1:2 can help you lead a friend to the LORD (and away from cult doctrines!)
Second, it is wise to have a solid understanding of trustworthy Bible translations
My husband and I pastored a mission congregation in the southern USA for many years.
The influence of the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the area astounded us.
It was a region impacted by true spiritual darkness.
The Jehovah’s Witness cult members were particularly successful in sowing their seeds of confusion among the Latino/Hispanic community in that area.
The JW movement convinced many Spanish-speaking farm workers in the community that an adulterated bible, their “New World Translation” was superior to any standard (ie. reputable) English or Spanish language Bibles such as the King James Version or Reina Valera 1960.
It is important to educate new believers about trustworthy Bible translations.
We had our work cut out for us teaching the Truth of Scripture as many lay folk didn’t seem to really care about the scholastic origins of the Bibles they were reading.
Third, be familiar with the unsettling founding of the Jehovah Witness Movement
If you have ever studied comparative religion or sects, you may know the founding of the Jehovah Witness movement sounds more like a business enterprise than a revelatory experience.
A group of men (most say about 30) reportedly gathered in a Brooklyn, NY building and invented the religion.
They produced a “translation” of the Bible without knowing the Biblical languages Hebrew or Greek. Again, this is known as the “New World Translation” or NWT.
The men changed generous portions of Scripture to suit their doctrinal inventions (in complete defiance of the command in Revelation 22:18-19 to never add to or take away from the LORD’s Book):
It is true many of the first followers of our Messiah Jesus were not highly educated men.
However, it is not true that folks should wholeheartedly trust translations from people who cannot at least rudimentarily engage the languages they are working to translate.
The sinister nature of the NWT “translation” becomes obvious from the very beginning of the tarnished text: right there in Genesis.
How to use Genesis 1:2 as a Perfect Starting Point for Effective Evangelism (particularly with Jehovah’s Witness followers)
I discovered an easy way to strike up a conversation with Jehovah Witness followers.
Simply ask them about the Holy Spirit:
I would ask a Jehovah’s Witness to open their Bible to Genesis 1:2.
A well known verse, it tells us the Spirit of God hovered over the waters at creation:
In the false translation used by the Jehovah’s Witness organization (the New World Translation), the word for the Holy Spirit (Ruach Elohim in Hebrew) has been completely eliminated and replaced by a lower-case and non-personal term, the “active force.”
Those who have participated in the JW organization for a long time may be more hostile to you trying to help them, but I found that for those who are newer to the JW ranks, many would talk to me.
The Holy Spirit gives believers the words we need when we need them.
And I can assure you, He is faithful.
The LORD of Truth can help you to reach those who have been falsely indoctrinated with the lies of the enemy that have been adopted by the Jehovah’s Witness organization.
The Jehovah Witness cult has injected a stronghold of deception and confusion into vulnerable people looking for answers to life’s questions.
There are SO MANY false doctrines in the JW religion!
Another easy place to start is with the nature of God.
God has been revealed to humanity as the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. We can discuss semantics on “echad,” the doctrine of “Trinity,” or the “Oneness of God” another time. But the point is, we believe in the Holiness and Deity of God. We do not diminish the Son’s standing by denying His divinity – He is Fully God, and we certainly do not take away our reverence and respect for the Holy Spirit of God.
The Simple Truth
For today, rejoice that you know the God of all Truth!
He is the Eternal One, Heavenly Father, the Prince of Peace, Lord of All, and the Mighty Comforter!
Our LORD is the one who saves, fully God and fully human revealed in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ our LORD)!
He is the Conquerer of death and the Conquerer of Confusion. He is King forever!
Do not shy away from sharing your faith!
There are SO many people who are hungry for the TRUTH!
You just might be the very person the LORD wants to use to bring others to know Him.
Are you reading this and have questions about the Truth of our Savior Jesus Christ (Yeshua haMashiach)? Please reach out! We would love to help you know more about the True Savior and Messiah who loves you and died for you so you could live eternally with Him. Pray today for members of the Jehovah’s Witness organization, that they would come to be free from the lies of the enemy.
Are you a member of the Jehovah’s Witness organization? Are you seeking to know the Truth about the Messiah, the Son of God? Please contact us, we would love to help you walk with the LORD:
“Since you were precious in My sight, you have been honored, and I have loved you.” Isaiah 43:4
