Parashat Chayei Sarah (B‘reishit/Genesis 23−25:18) 5783 B”H

Love at first sight: a personal story

A Language Barrier

When I first met my husband, we didn’t even speak the same language!

We met at church, but I was part of the English-speaking ministry, and he, the Spanish-speaking. I would attend the Spanish language services from time to time to support the work they were doing, but I honestly did not understand much of anything.

I could decipher a few words here and there because I had studied French. (I had traveled to France and become quite fluent. I even minored in French in college.)

Yes, I did all of that work to marry a man who speaks Spanish.

I guess I missed the mark on hearing from God when we were selecting a foreign language to learn in the seventh grade. 😉

A man of God

Some of the sisters and brothers at the church had told me there was a young man in the Spanish congregation who was praying for me. They told me this guy would be my “prince.”

I told them they were crazy. It was sounding like an arranged marriage! I insisted that I didn’t speak Spanish, and that they should tell the poor fellow to find someone else!

Well, little did I know, this very good-looking young man really was praying for me.

He spent 6 months praying and fasting to seek God about whether or not I was to be his wife.

Wife?!

For those 6 months, I didn’t even know who he was! Apparently, he had seen me in a worship service and decided I was the one for him. (aww!)

He and several of the brothers in the church had agreed in prayer that if I was indeed to be his wife, the confirmation would be that I would begin to speak Spanish. I didn’t know about any of these plans about me until many months later.

So one day, these “godly conspirators” introduced me to my now-husband.

Though I could not speak his language, I could see the anointing of the LORD in his eyes, and I knew I was going to marry that handsome man.

Through interpreters, he asked me to go out to eat with him at a local Mexican restaurant.

An interpreter from the church accompanied us on all our first dates!

So we were very well-chaperoned!

I prayed and asked the Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh) to teach me the Spanish language. I had learned French without much difficulty, and I spoke the heavenly language given to me by the Spirit, so I knew I was not asking too much.

Within two weeks, I was forming sentences in Spanish, and by 3 months, I was completely fluent in the language.

Love is a great motivator! 🙂

We were married that year and this year we celebrated 15 years of marriage!

Rivkah & Yitzhak’s Love

Are you married?

When you met your future spouse, was it love at first sight?

Did you have the deer-in-the-headlights look going on?

Did you develop two left feet and trip every time your honey glanced in your direction?

Rivkah (Rebekah) sure did.

When Rivkah (Rebekah) saw Yitzhak (Isaac) for the first time, it was love at first sight.

She fell so head-over-heels in love with him that she fell right off her camel!

In fact, if you are looking for a sweet romantic comedy, you really need look no further than this love story in Genesis 24.

The Bible often gets a bad rap! Antagonistic people falsely characterize believers as uptight and rigid, lacking in humor. Having not read the Bible for themselves, these types of people ignorantly assume that the Bible is boring and irrelevant. But the Bible isn’t boring at all!

Abraham sent his servant to find a young maiden for his precious son, Yitzhak (Isaac) to love and marry. This servant managed Abraham’s wealth and was the oldest of the household, so he would have known Abraham’s preferences very well. Abraham obligated his servant to promise, by oath, that he would not find him a Canaanite woman (Genesis 24:3).

The servant wisely sought the LORD about the matter (Genesis 24:12-14) and requested a sign as confirmation that the young woman was the one for Yitzhak (Isaac): the young woman would draw water and grant a drink to the servant as well as to his camels.

A Sign as Confirmation

Before the servant had even finished his prayer of supplication, Rivkah (Rebekah) appeared with her water jar and proceeded to fulfill that which was proposed as a confirmation.

Long story short, the servant speaks with Rivkah’s (Rebekah’s) family about marrying Yitzhak (Isaac).

It is worth noting (especially because the culture was very patriarchal) that Rivkah’s family told the servant that they wanted to ask Rivkah’s opinion (Genesis 24:57-58). She was not forced into an arranged marriage. She freely elected to go despite her young age. Her family blessed her with their love and also Abraham’s servants before they departed (Genesis 24:60).

The Power of Prayer

Prayer is key in this passage. Abraham had demonstrated great faith, his servant was a praying man, Rivkah’s family prayed and blessed them, and then we find Yitzhak (Isaac) praying in meditation when the caravan arrived (Genesis 24:63).

The Bible says that Yitzhak lifted his eyes and saw the camels coming.

And at the same time, Rivkah lifted up her eyes . . . saw Yitzhak . . . and yes, fell off her camel (Genesis 24:64).

How embarrassing, no?

She scrambled to fix her veil and make herself presentable as Abraham’s servant informed Yitzhak that this young woman was to be his wife (Genesis 24:65c-66)! The Word says that Yitzhak (Isaac) loved Rivkah (Rebekah) and she became his wife (Genesis 24:67).

The Promise to Abraham would be fulfilled, beginning with the love story of Yitzhak and Rivkah

The LORD had promised Abraham that he would make his descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and the sand by the seashore. (Genesis 22:17) That promise began its fulfillment with the marriage of Yitzhak and Rivkah.

Abraham lived to be 175 years old and he “died at a good old age, old and satisfied” (Genesis 25:8).

What has the LORD promised to you?

The Bible contains promises that apply to your life, too!

When you seek the LORD and love Him with all your heart, He will speak to you and reveal those promises to you.

Repent, believe in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ our LORD), be baptized, and be filled with the Ruach haKodesh (the Holy Spirit)! As a child of God, by the mercy of our Savior, you are humbly entitled to the richness of His promises:

“For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far away—as many as ADONAI our God calls to Himself.” Acts 2:39

Would you like to share what God has spoken into your life? What promise of God particularly blesses and encourages you? Please leave a comment below!

Parashat Vayeira (B‘reishit/Genesis 18-22) 5783 B”H

Isaac: A Beloved son

If you are a parent, you know firsthand the eager anticipation and joy that comes with pregnancy and the birth of a child.

Abraham and Sarah had waited decades hoping for a child and finally reached the conclusion that they were too advanced in years to keep on hoping.

Sarah laughed when she heard the news she would have a son (Genesis 18:12).

She was 90 years old, can you really blame her?

According to Genesis 17:17, centenarian Abraham also laughed.

And the child’s name would be Yitzhak  יִצְחָק (Isaac) meaning, “he who laughs.”

After waiting that many years, this son was truly beloved.

Any child is so dearly loved, but can you imagine the depth of love these new elderly parents would have felt toward their precious child Isaac?

Abraham and Sarah had waited, given up, and then, by the grace of the Almighty One, received such an unexpected bundle of joy!

Messiah Yeshua (Jesus): our Heavenly Father’s Beloved Son

Our Father in heaven sent His only begotten, beloved Son to earth.

Yosef and Miryam (Joseph & Mary) were certainly surprised by the news that Mary would be the instrument through which Messiah would be born into this world.

There are many parallels between Abraham’s son Isaac and our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), God’s Son:

“Then He said, Take your son, your only son whom you love—Isaac . . . ” Genesis 22:2, emphasis added

“And suddenly a voice came from heaven, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Matthew 3:17, emphasis added

Aqedah עֲקֵדָה “binding”

The binding up of Isaac to be sacrificed is known in Hebrew as the aqedah (akedah/akeidah), which literally means “binding.”

Abraham was commanded to offer up his son Isaac as a burnt offering.

Isaac’s father would bind him up and place the boy upon the altar, but before it got to that point, Isaac asked a pivotal question:

“. . . Where is the lamb . . . ?” Genesis 22:7

The binding up of a beloved son would demonstrate the greatest of all love: one day the Lamb of God Himself would be bound and beaten, sacrificed in our place.

Do you know the Lamb of God today?

Where is the Lamb in your life?

Have you allowed the LORD to rescue you from bondage?

Isaac survived because of the intervention of a divine Messenger (Genesis 22:11).

Abraham’s son would be unbound: Isaac was set free, saved from a horrific death.

The first time the word “love” is found in Scripture

The word “love” is not used in Scripture until Genesis 22:2. The first time “love” is mentioned in the Bible occurs in this verse about Isaac, Abraham’s beloved son. It might surprise you that a word so central to our faith and to the unfolding of salvation history wouldn’t appear right from the outset, such as with Adam and Eve.

God’s Word is truly remarkable. The depth of love that Abraham had for Isaac could be compared to the profound love the Father has for His Son.

“By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac. Yes, he who had received the promises was offering up his one and only son—  the one about whom it was said, “Through Isaac offspring shall be named for you.” He reasoned that God was able to raise him up even from the dead—and in a sense, he did receive him back from there.” Hebrews 11:17-19, emphases added

Certainly the binding of Isaac prefigures the crucifixion: Abraham had the confidence that the LORD His Provider – YHVH Yireh – would not fail him. The Hebrews text above tells us that Abraham even reasoned that resurrection was possible. ADONAI had promised Abraham that he would be the “father of many nations” (Genesis 17:4), so by having faith in resurrection, Abraham could reconcile killing Isaac if he truly had to follow through with God’s demand. Abraham’s hope was that Isaac would be resurrected and continue the lineage, fathering many nations.

Abraham is a model of faith for every generation. He passed the test by maintaining unwavering trust in the LORD. Isaac’s father knew God and loved God, and knew first-hand nothing is impossible with God (Matthew 19:26; Luke 1:37). He had also come to learn that the God of Israel was merciful: Abraham had no reason to doubt God’s provision. Yet even so, it is one thing to have the willingness to forfeit one’s own life; indeed Abraham was even willing to sacrifice his own self – for what parent could kill their child without losing a part of their own self? The emotional pain would have consumed him, but there was nothing Abraham wasn’t willing to do for His LORD. But sacrificing of self is not quite the same as sacrificing one’s life entirely. And it is another thing altogether to have the faith to end one’s own child’s life if so required. Jewish midrash discusses many instances when God’s people have been in situations which required self-sacrifice, or situations in which parents have had to make the difficult decision to encourage their children to give up their lives rather than renounce their faith in the God of Israel.

Is your love for God that intense?

Are you truly willing to sacrifice anything for Him?

Do you live with this type of faith?

Do you have an unwavering confidence that no matter what, the LORD will see you through?

“Then He said, “Do not reach out your hand against the young man—do nothing to him at all. For now I know that you are one who fears God—you did not withhold your son, your only son, from Me.'” Genesis 22:12

Our children are on loan to us from the Holy One. We must entrust their well-being to the LORD, as He allows us to love and care for them.

Bound together in Love

Abraham loved his son. Surely, the events of the aqedah bound him and Isaac together with an even deeper love. The account of Abraham and Isaac (Yitzhak) should remind us today of the centrality of love. May we learn to reflect the virtue of Messiah’s love to those who are still looking for the Lamb – to those who are bewildered and look all around them, but do not realize the nearness of their salvation.

“And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.” Colossians 3:14

No matter what, always trust in our Loving Father who is full of compassion. He will provide for your every need, bind up the broken-hearted, and save you when you call upon His Name.

“Then Abraham lifted up his eyes and behold, there was a ram, just caught in the thick bushes by its horns. So Abraham went and took the ram, and offered it up as a burnt offering instead of his son.  Abraham named that place, ADONAI Yireh,—as it is said today, “On the mountain, ADONAI will provide.” Genesis 22:13-14

The Binding of God’s Word

Have you bound God’s Word to your heart?

The first portion of the Sh’ma urges us to “bind” the Word of God to our hearts and hands; to walk in His ways at all times and to teach our children to do the same:

“Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love ADONAI your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words, which I am commanding you today, are to be on your heart. You are to teach them diligently to your children, and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up. Bind them as a sign on your hand, they are to be as frontlets between your eyes, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:4-9, emphasis added

I encourage you today to seek the LORD and His Word. He is the God of Abraham and Isaac! Worship Him and praise Him for His all-encompassing love! Here are two worship songs that you may enjoy today. The first one is one of my all-time favorites: LORD God of Abraham by Paul Wilbur:

Shalom!

Please leave a comment below and let us know your thoughts! We love hearing from you, friends!

Parashot Noach (B‘reishit/Genesis 6:9-11) & Lech L’cha (B’reishit/Genesis 12-17) 5783 B”H

Most of us know about Abraham and Sarah, but how much do you know about Abram and Terah?

Abram’s father, Terah

Genesis 11:27-32 gives a genealogy leading up to Abram and Sarai, beginning with Terah, Abram’s father.

Abram had two brothers, Nahor and Charan (often anglicized as “Haran”), but Charan died. Charan was Lot’s father so he lived to be at least a young man, but he died before his own father Terah did.

They lived in a city called Ur, situated in Chaldean Mesopotamia.

Ur was known to be a prosperous place. The exact location is not definitive, but scholars find it reasonable to assume that Chaldea was located in the Fertile Crescent and that Ur was likely situated at the river delta where the Tigris and Euphrates rivers came together to spill into the Persian Gulf.

The city of Ur would’ve provided Terah and his family the benefits of urban life.

They would have had easy access to markets and trade opportunities as well as close proximity to fishing.

Despite all of that, Terah decided to leave it all behind. Genesis 11:31 tells us that the family left Ur with plans to reach Canaan.

Terah took his son, Abram, his daughter-in-law, Sarai, as well as Lot (his grandson) to Canaan. Scripture does not tell us why Nahor stayed behind nor why Terah decided to leave Ur.

Why Canaan?

If Terah had grown tired of the riotous idolatry rampant in the city of Ur, Canaan wouldn’t be a good place for relocation: Canaan was well-known for their plethora of gods.

You will find that sometimes Scripture leaves us with more questions than answers.

Was Terah a spiritual (albeit pagan) person, believing that the Canaanite gods could heal his broken heart after losing his son Charan?

Or similarly, was mourning the death of his son too unbearable – with all the memories associated with life in Ur – that Terah was simply seeking to move away, unconcerned with the Canaanite deities, just content to get away?

I don’t think it is unreasonable to believe that God Himself put it in Terah’s heart to leave Ur, preparing for the day when He would promise blessing to Terah’s son, Abram.

Regardless of the reason, Terah set out for his new life in Canaan.

Terah settled in Charan

Terah reached a place that the Bible calls, “Charan,” and stayed there.

So once again, we have more questions than answers:

Did Terah name this desert place, “Charan,” in honor of his son?

Was this place known as “Charan” before he got there, and therefore felt an affinity to it?

Whatever the reason, Terah stayed there and later died there, never making it to Canaan.

Did grief interfere?

Mourning a loss can be debilitating, and if we are not careful to seek the LORD as we mourn, our grief can begin to interfere with our ability to move forward.

We do not necessarily need to move “on” as though we will forget our loved one.

But we do need to continue taking steps in this life, walking . . . even if just baby steps, to move forward into the plan and calling that God has for us, despite any of our difficult circumstances and sorrows.

I heard a rather harsh interpretation of this passage once. The preacher said Terah stopped at “good enough”: that Terah never got to the Promised Land because he lacked vision.

Some then would argue Terah not only settled in Charan, he settled for Charan.

This could be the case.

We all know people who seemingly cannot conceive of anything more than what they have already seen or experienced; people who are limited in their ambitions and dreams. Proverbs 29:18 rightly warns, “Where there is no vision, the people perish…”

But I am not convinced that Terah was unambitious or lazy.

Sometimes grief can take on that appearance.

Given that Terah was 205 years old when he died, maybe he had some age-related health issues and didn’t feel like journeying all the way to Canaan.

The place called Charan was, in a sense, “good enough” for Terah. It was just that – a good place of solace, far from the bustling noise of Ur. A good place to heal. A good place to emotionally move forward.

Scripture does not record a divine mandate given to Terah. Could it be that God was leading Terah to Canaan, just as He would lead Abram there? We don’t know, but it would seem that if that were the case, Scripture would’ve recorded it.

What we do know is that Terah’s action in leaving Ur paved the way for future generations to live in blessing.

In that quiet, remote place, Terah’s son, Abram, was able to hear the voice of YHVH clearly.

Abram is called by the One, True God

If you look carefully at Genesis 12:1, you will notice the use of the tetragrammaton (the Name of God: YHVH). Genesis 12:1 says, “Now the LORD had said to Abram:”

The reason, “LORD” is in all caps there is because in the Hebrew manuscript is found the most Holy Name of God: YHVH.

Why doesn’t the text read, “Now God had said to Abram . . .” ?

Well, Scripture was not put together haphazardly. It was inspired by God Himself (2 Timothy 3:16), so it is orderly and cohesive. Everything you read in Scripture is there purposely. Purposefully.

So we should believe it is significant that YHVH makes Himself known to Abram; and it would seem to make sense that the reason the Divine Name is written in this verse is to make very clear that the God who was speaking to Abram is the One, True God rather than one of the Canaanite gods:

“For the LORD is the great God, and the great King above all gods.” Psalm 95:3

“For You, LORD, are Most High above all the earth; You are exalted far above all gods.” Psalm 97:9

The LORD’s Promises to Abram

“Now the LORD had said to Abram:

‘Get out of your country,
From your family
And from your father’s house,
To a land that I will show you.
I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.‘”

Genesis 12:1-3

This passage contains a 7-point covenant if you look closely.

God promises to Abram:

1. “I will make you a great nation” (Genesis 12:2)
2. “I will bless you” (Genesis 12:2)
3. “I will make your name great” (Genesis 12:2)
4. “You shall be a blessing” (Genesis 12:2)
5. “I will bless those who bless you” (Genesis 12:3)
6. “I will curse those who curse you” (Genesis 12:3)
7. “In you all the families of the earth shall be blessed” (Genesis 12:3)

7 is the Biblical number for perfection or completeness. Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ) had not yet come to earth, so how can this be a perfect covenant?

Because the Author is Perfect and His Promises are Perfect!

What was required of Abram?

The promises required much of Abram, if you consider it.

He had to leave his country and his clan, and even his father’s house, meaning he was to give up his leadership role as leading the family. Abram would’ve likely wrestled with the feeling that he was abandoning his responsibilities and obligations as the leader of his family’s group now that his father was deceased.

Leaving family behind was really not something that was done in those days!

But when God is going to bless you, He requires that you’re all in.

God required Abram to leave the life he knew.

The Bible records Abram acting in obedience, departing Haran with Sarai and Lot (Genesis 12:4-5).

Interestingly enough, Abram was not required to leave his possessions behind.

Genesis 12:5 tells us Abram, Sarai, and Lot gathered all their possessions (including people they had “acquired.”)

The evangelist in me really hopes those are people they had acquired for the cause of faith. Members of a pilgrim congregation.

But realistically speaking, it is apparent these people served as slaves. When we hear that term, we tend to immediately think of American slavery, which was horrific, violent, and completely unacceptable. We must hope that Abram and Sarai did their best to treat their servants well.

God had promised to prosper Abram, so Abram was permitted to take his possessions along with him on the journey to Canaan.

Have you left your old life behind?

Abram’s calling to leave his old life behind should resonate with you if you follow the LORD.

If you have not yet made the decision to trust the LORD with all your heart for your salvation, let this be an invitation today.

Remember, Abram had grown up in Ur and had gotten married there. He was accustomed to idolatry and the worldly pleasures offered to him by the city. Chaldea was known for astrologers and fortunetellers.

Abram had willingly moved to Charan with his father, Terah. If he was old enough to remember his brother, Abram, too, probably did a lot of mourning. He was an overcomer and a pioneer.

Today’s world is so very similar.

Idolatry and witchcraft have become mainstream.

Even many churches are participating in the devil’s holiday this month.

What you and I are called to do is to be different.

The LORD asks us to bury our old lives.

Leave the past in the past.

Sometimes that does include our griefs. We need to surrender to the LORD and allow Him to heal our broken hearts.

So today, turn away – repent – of your sin, be baptized by immersion, and follow Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ).

Allow the LORD to enter your life and ask Him to fill you with the Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh) with the evidence of speaking in tongues (Acts 2:4). He will bless you and heal you, restore you, and prosper you, if you will walk in His ways. The Good News of the Gospel is for you and your family!

Be willing to leave everything behind, because if you do, you will gain eternity!

He will give you new life!

“Therefore if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation. The old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17

Thanks for reading today! Please share any thoughts or comments below! I love to hear from you!

Parashat Noach (Genesis 6:9-11) 5783 B”H

The Holy Spirit hovered over the Waters at Creation

In studying Parashat B’reishit, I emphasized how Genesis 1:2 can help you share the Gospel. You may recall that I shared how this particular verse can be especially powerful when interacting with members of the Jehovah’s Witness organization. (Here is that post in case you missed it).

Today we move further into Genesis and we will see the consequences of what happens when people choose not to walk in the way of the LORD, but choose their own ways and their own misguided understandings at Babel.

B’reishit/Genesis 1:2 tells us:

“The earth was without form, and void; and darkness was on the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the face of the waters.” Genesis 1:2, NKJV

The Spirit of God (Ruach Elohim) was present at creation. Not some limited “active force.” Not something nebulous, unknown, or impersonal. We are talking about the Spirit of God here!

The very Spirit of the Most High God. The Holy Spirit. The Glorious, Marvelous, Wonderful, Precious Holy Spirt. So very near, so very known to those who seek Him, and so very personal that He indwells those who receive Him. Today, many do not focus on the Holy Spirit’s power and His ongoing work to empower believers. Yet, right away in verse 2 of the entire Bible is the Spirit of God made mention.

The Holy Spirit was hovering over the face of the waters.

In a sense, the earth was flooded – the waters at creation were parted on Day 3 so there could be dry land. The Spirit of God hovered because this implies a closeness, a nearness.

Not quite touching – not yet – but ever so near.

Not yet touching because there was yet darkness on the surface. But:

“Then God said, “Let there be light!” and there was light.” Genesis 1:3

I imagine this was such a powerful, explosive moment!

The creative power of the Holy Spirit poured forth to bring form to the earth and fill that which Scripture calls a void. All-inspiring, awesome power. And LIGHT.

We so desperately need the Holy Spirit of the LORD and the Light of His Truth!

As we just celebrated during the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot), He is the Living Water!

“Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture says, ‘out of his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.’” Now He said this about the Ruach, whom those who trusted in Him were going to receive; for the Ruach was not yet given, since Yeshua was not yet glorified.” John 7:38-39

Sinful humanity preferred the darkness rather than the Light

The LORD provided a beautiful world for us, but sin entered in. Yochanan (John) so eloquently wrote of this in his Gospel account:

“Now this is the judgment, that the light has come into the world and men loved the darkness instead of the light, because their deeds were evil.” John 3:19, emphasis added

It took ten generations from the time of Adam, but divine patience had run out. People repeatedly chose immorality and corruption over righteous living. The earth would be flooded.

Noach and his family survived the Great Flood

Noach נֹחַ (Noah) chose to walk in the Light.

Genesis 6:9 documents for us that Noach “walked with God!”

Surely Noach knew the priceless value of having the Spirit of the LORD guiding him in life.

When God told him to build the ark, Noach recognized God’s voice and followed the instructions given to him.

He believed God at His Word.

If age should teach us anything, it is that God’s Word always stands the test of time. Noach was 600 years old when the floodwaters came (Genesis 7:6). He knew God is reliable, and he chose to do as he was commanded.

Genesis 6:8 reveals that Noach found favor in the sight of the LORD.

Why? Because he dared to believe. He dared to trust God!

Noach’s boldness to believe spared him and his family.

After the Great Flood, it didn’t take long for humanity to once again make poor decisions.

Babel’s connection to the Flood

The Hebrew root word for flood, “mabbul” מַבּוּל, is actually related to the term “Babel” בָּבֶל‎.

You can hear the relatedness in the endings of the words: “ma-bul”. “Ba-bel.”

The Shared Memories of the Babel Community

The Flood was a part of the collective, or shared, memory of the Babel community.

As a group, the people living in that region of Shinar – known today as Babel – knew that they were descendants of flood survivors.

They had grown up hearing stories about great Grandpa Noach!

They knew the Flood had been real.

There was probably evidence in the vegetation and foliage around them. Perhaps downed trees or short shrubs growing back following the aftermath of the Flood.

People grew up in disaster recovery/survivor mode knowing their parents had either seen the days after the Flood firsthand or knew someone who had.

Post-Flood Disaster Recovery: Was the idea of building a tower so bad?

If your closest relatives had survived a major flood, wouldn’t you be interested in building on higher ground?

Wouldn’t you consider building “up” in hopes of avoiding a future deluge?

A watchtower could be incredibly useful. Someone could be assigned the job to check for rising water levels from afar!

Even if a future flood wasn’t the concern, a watchtower to provide advance warning of enemy advances could surely prove useful.

Building a tower wasn’t such a bad idea in and of itself.

And perhaps what happened in that place serves as a reminder to us to not rush quickly to judgment when considering the motives of others. Nonetheless, the Scriptures do indicate that the people did have selfish motives.

The problem was their rebelliousness:

The People Wanted MORE than a Tower

The generations after Noach who lived in Babel did not learn from previous generations’ mistakes. The disaster of the Flood wasn’t enough for them – they brought disaster upon themselves once again:

“Then they said, “Come! Let’s build ourselves a city, with a tower whose top reaches into heaven. So let’s make a name for ourselves, or else we will be scattered over the face of the whole land.” Genesis 11:4, emphasis added

The people wanted to make a name for themselves.

They wanted to establish a city and make themselves great.

They make no mention of building a city to honor the God who had rescued their families from the Flood.

They feared being scattered, so they united to build a tower whose top was to reach into heaven.

The people at Babel didn’t want to reach the edge of the sky or the edge of heaven, they wanted to reach into heaven: to go beyond the natural, God-ordained boundaries.

Their ambition got the best of them.

At Babel, the people demonstrated that unity can be productive. These people worked together – motivated by fear – to build a high place. They all spoke the same language and were able to communicate with ease.

Whether the purpose of the tower was for idolatrous worship or to create a throne for a primitive communist or totalitarian regime, the unity at Babel was not centered around a common godly purpose.

The city construction project and its tower had to be stopped. Sadly, the people unwittingly predicted their own demise: they certainly would be scattered over the face of the whole land:

“Then ADONAI came down to see the city and the tower that the sons of man had built.” Genesis 11:5

Notice: the LORD came down.

The tower may have been tall according to human standards, but it was short enough to God that He chose to come down to get a closer look at it.

Confusion of Languages

Do you enjoy foreign language study? Learning another language wasn’t necessary before that tower was built so if you find foreign languages hard, blame the Babel-onians.

“Come! Let Us go down and confuse their language there, so that they will not understand each other’s language. So ADONAI scattered them from there over the face of the entire land, and they stopped building the city. This is why it is named Babel, because ADONAI confused the languages of the entire world there, and from there ADONAI scattered them over the face of the entire world.” Genesis 11:7-9

The word “babel” is also closely related to “balal” בָּלַל, a verb that Strong’s Concordance describes as meaning not only “to confuse” or “to confound,” but also “to mix,” “to mingle,” and intriguingly, “to anoint.”

I have studied many languages and I actually enjoy it. What really intrigues me is when there are linguistic similarities between languages on complete opposite sides of the globe. There is so much evidence that what the Bible tells us occurred at Babel truly, historically, did happen. The world’s languages are mixed and mingled and they all came from one source.

So the LORD caused language to become mixed and the people’s communication confounded. But what about the possibility to translate this term “babel” with the kingly concept of “anointing?”

I think of it like this: the tower was anointed for its burial! There is speculation that the ruins of the Tower of Babel are being uncovered in Iraq, so there may be part of the tower still standing to this day, but all of these years . . . it has been dead and buried.

The true King of all kings, the True Anointed One, was showing these people who was still in charge.

The reversal of Babel at Pentecost (Shavu’ot)

Babel caused a lot of issues even for us today:

How much time and money goes into translation projects!

How difficult it can be to share the Good News that Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) has come with those who do not speak our language!

But thankfully, the LORD God reversed what happened at the Tower of Babel when He sent His Ruach haKodesh, His Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Shavu’ot):

“They were all filled with the Ruach ha-Kodesh and began to speak in other tongues as the Ruach enabled them to speak out. Now Jewish people were staying in Jerusalem, devout men from every nation under heaven. And when this sound came, the crowd gathered. They were bewildered, because each was hearing them speaking in his own language.” Acts 2:4-6, emphasis added

I have witnessed miracles in which people who do not speak the same language have been able to understand each other thanks to the gift of tongues. I have heard testimonies of the Gospel preached in a foreign tongue the speaker does not know, but the congregation does. The power of God is real, and there is restoration and freedom from every curse when we place our trust in Him, and Him alone.

The Spirit of the LORD will come upon you, just as He came upon the waters at the time of creation. Seek the LORD and you will surely receive the blessings He has for you.

Rising Above the Waters

The LORD will never flood the whole earth again, but natural disasters will still affect certain places at times. Floods have become so very frequent, and many have suffered great losses due to these catastrophic events.

Have you ever lost your home to a flood?

Have you ever worked or volunteered on a disaster response team and seen firsthand such widespread destruction?

Has a recent hurricane affected you or your loved ones?

Know this: God is a God of restoration. He will help you to rise above the waters. Just as Yeshua (Jesus) rose from the dead, He can resurrect what has been lost – whether in this life or the life to come. He had mercy on us when He sent His Son and His Spirit to give us a future and a hope after the Flood and after the Tower incident. He is a forgiving and loving Father, and He wants to care for you.

Will you be like Noach and walk with Him today?

Differentiate yourself from those who would take matters into their own hands. Instead, seek the guidance of the Holy Spirit when you make decisions and in this way, He will help you get through any situation!

We would love to hear from you. Comment below and share this post with your friends! Also, please subscribe to our monthly newsletter so you can stay updated on our ministry!

“Sukkot” is the Hebrew term referring to the Feast of Tabernacles (also known as the Feast of Booths in many English Bibles)

Many Christians today do not celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles because they have been taught that it has been done away with. So today, let’s look to the Scriptures to learn more about the Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot) and realize how relevant it remains today:

“Speak to Bnei-Yisrael, and say, On the fifteenth day of this seventh month is the Feast of Sukkot, forseven days to ADONAI. On the first day there is to be a holy convocation — you are to do no laborious work. For seven days you are to bring an offering by fire to ADONAI. The eighth day will be a holy convocation to you, and you are to bring an offering by fire to ADONAI. It is a solemn assembly—you should do no laborious work.” Leviticus 23:34-36

As we continue, I urge you to read your Bible carefully. Trust the Word of God and read to discover His Truth for yourself.

Prophecies from Zechariah, Jeremiah, and Isaiah

The prophet Zechariah foretells what will occur at the Mount of Olives when the LORD returns to rule.

“ADONAI will then be King over all the earth. In that day ADONAI will be Echad and His Name Echad.” Zechariah 14:9

“Echad” means One. The LORD our God, the LORD is One God. He alone will reign as King.

It will be a glorious time!

Now look at Zechariah 14:16:

“Then all the survivors from all the nations that attacked Jerusalem will go up from year to year to worship the King, ADONAI-TZVA’OT, and to celebrate Sukkot.” Zechariah 14:16

The nations along with Israel will celebrate Sukkot (The Feast of Tabernacles!) and celebrate our King! The Feast of Tabernacles is also known as Chag HaAsif, which means the “Feast of the Ingathering.” One day, we will all be gathered in the New Jerusalem. This is reason to rejoice!

“Therefore behold, days are coming,” says Adonai, “when they will no longer say: ‘As ADONAI lives, who brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt.’ Rather, ‘As ADONAI lives, who brought up and led the offspring of the house of Israel out of the north country and from all the lands where He had banished them.’ So they will dwell in their own soil.” Jeremiah 23:7-8

“It will come about in that day,
ADONAI will thresh from the channel of the River to the Wadi of Egypt,
and you will be gathered one by one, Bnei-Yisrael.

“It will also come about in that day, a great shofar will be blown. Those perishing in the land of Assyria and the exiles in the land of Egypt will come and worship Adonai on the holy mountain in Jerusalem.” Isaiah 27:12-13

Sukkot is about Rejoicing

Moshe (Moses) informed the people of the moedim, the “appointed times,” when they were to keep a holy appointment with the LORD. Sukkot is one of the moedim. We have the wonderful opportunity to spend a week in our sukkah (temporary dwellings) to celebrate and to grow closer to the LORD. In His Torah, the LORD specifically commands us to rejoice, or to be joyful, during this time:

“So on the fifteenth day of the seventh month, when you have gathered in the fruits of the land, you are to keep the Feast of ADONAI for seven days. The first day is to be a Shabbat rest, and the eighth day will also be a Shabbat rest. On the first day you are to take choice fruit of trees, branches of palm trees, boughs of leafy trees, and willows of the brook, and rejoice before ADONAI your God for seven days. You are to celebrate it as a festival to ADONAI for seven days in the year. It is a statute forever throughout your generations—you are to celebrate it in the seventh month.  You are to live in sukkot for seven days. All the native-born in Israel are to live in sukkot,  so that your generations may know that I had Bnei-Yisrael to dwell in sukkot when I brought them out of the land of Egypt. I am ADONAI your God.” Leviticus 23:39-43, emphasis added

When you celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles, you are participating in something Biblical. God-honoring.

Don’t get me started on all these churches that host “trunk-or-treat” and whitewash the devil’s feast of halloween.

If you need something to celebrate this autumn, go with the Feast of Tabernacles and leave the pagans to their paganism.

The Feast of Tabernacles and the Birth of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus)

No one can claim to know the exact date when our Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) was born.

But I can assure you, it is highly unlikely that he was born on December 25.

You have probably heard that December 25th was chosen as “Christmas” because our Savior is the Light of the World, so it was somehow “fitting” to choose the darkest time of the year to celebrate the coming of our Emmanuel.

The problem is, this pattern of thinking conforms to the world and at worst, it is aligned with Constantine and the rule of Rome.

Let us be free of the cult of paganism and false religion.

We need not conform to the pattern of this world!

Let us always look to the Scriptures.

The Bible says the Word became flesh and dwelt – “tabernacled” with us

“And the Word became flesh and tabernacled among us. We looked upon His glory, the glory of the one and only from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. The Greek term “dwelt” more literally means “tabernacled,” hence the translation provided by the Tree of Life Version cited above.

This is an awesome picture of what our Savior came to do!

He left His glorious throne above to meet with us.

As I mentioned earlier, we have sacred appointments – the moedim – and He gave us the Feast of Tabernacles as an experience. That we would realize the magnificence of the fact He meets with us in the most humble of abodes.

You see, perhaps you have never built or even seen a sukkah. A sukkah is sort of like a tent. It is a temporary structure built for this occasion.

No Room in the Inn, but room in a . . . sukkah?

When there was no room at the inn . . . could it be that all of the hotels and motels of Bethlehem were taken because a busy pilgrimage feast . . . known as Sukkot . . . was going on?

Many who study the Hebrew Scriptures believe it very possible that the birth of our Messiah coincided with this pilgrimage feast of Sukkot. The shepherds were in the fields and the sheep in the pastures – it couldn’t have been too terribly cold yet . . . Sorry, closet Constantinians, the first Christmas definitely wasn’t in winter.

I don’t mean to offend anyone since I know Christmas is a beloved tradition for a lot of people.

But I do mean to point out Truth versus modern day tradition.

Could it be that the innkeeper had a sukkah, which provided the extra space available for Miriam and Yosef (Mary and Joseph)?

Our Messiah, our Prince of Peace, was born in the most humble of places. If you build a sukkah, you will see it fits that description.

A humble dwelling place.

Need more evidence?

The Hebrew word, sukkah, is translated as “stable” (Genesis 33:17).

Celebrate the Incarnation of our Messiah this Sukkot

Our wonderful Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus) our LORD came to earth in a manner that demonstrated humility and the veracity of the Word. He never has contradicted His Word, and He never will.

On the contrary, the Word proves True every time, against any test.

This Sukkot, realize this amazing Truth. We currently dwell in temporary tabernacles of flesh, but one day, we will put on the eternal resurrected tabernacle because our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh) and He will raise us up incorruptible.

My husband is an immigrant to the United States and didn’t really grow up with Christmas carols. So he is fascinated by our culture in that by the end of November every radio station is playing Christmas songs. He loves the fact that the secular stations even play songs that honor our Savior.

So he wishes that they played these songs all year!

He doesn’t just want Christmas in July, this man would love to play Christmas songs on our stereo all year if I let him.

Do you love those beautiful songs, too?

Well, no need to wait any longer. Get out your Joy to the World playlist because the LORD has come, and will return! Let heaven and nature sing!!

He has come to tabernacle with you, my friend.

O Come, All Ye Faithful

Enjoy the feast, and invite your friends.

Perhaps someone will come to a saving relationship with Yeshua (Jesus) because of your faithful witness.

It was during the Feast of Tabernacles when Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ) revealed Himself as the Living Water. If you’d like to study that topic, more in-depth, I invite you to check out my post on the Living Water at the Feast of Tabernacles: Exploring John 7.

Speaking of Living Water, notice that an offering by fire had been required during Sukkot. Now, the Holy Spirit fills those who call upon His Name with Living Water and the Fire of Pentecost. Let your life be that offering to Him, on fire for your Savior, and filled with the precious Holy Ghost. Chag Sameach Sukkot!

Are you celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles this year? We pray you have a wonderful time with your family and friends, celebrating the coming of Emmanuel, the One who gives us Living Water!

https://adonaishalom.com/index.php/2021/09/14/living-water-at-the-feast-of-tabernacles-exploring-john-7/

5782 B”H

Yom Teruah (“Day of the Shout”) is the correct Biblical name for the Holy Day more commonly called Rosh Hashanah, meaning “Head of the Year.” To make things more complicated, Rosh Hashanah is additionally called Yom HaZikkaron, meaning “Day of Remembrance.” This refers to Leviticus 23:24‘s exhortation to have a “memorial:”

“Speak to the people of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of solemn rest, a memorial proclaimed with blast of trumpets, a holy convocation.” Leviticus 23:24. ESV

“Speak to Bnei-Yisrael, saying: In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you are to have a Shabbat rest, a memorial of blowing (shofarot), a holy convocation.” Leviticus 23:24 TLV

Notice, the Day of the Shofar/Shout is considered a Sabbath day. Many Christians today do not realize that there are Sabbaths that fall on days besides Saturday. It is yet another opportunity to have an appointment with the LORD. Consider celebrating the prophetic feast of Yom Teruah and the High Holy Days this year, taking time to rest and rejoice in the God of Israel!

Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah is very much associated with a time of repentance leading up to Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement). These days are known as the Days of Awe. Traditional Judaism teaches that on Rosh Hashanah your name may be written in the book of Life and that on Yom Kippur, it may be sealed there. As disciples of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus), we know that our name is written in the Book of Life at the moment of salvation, and it is by His Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh) that we are sealed.

What does the Hebrew word “Teruah” mean?

The Hebrew word, “teruah” תְּרוּעָה means “shout!” It is a startling, battlecry type of shout. Think of Jericho and the walls falling down. This is no time for a half-hearted noise. This word expresses a collective shout that is unified, massive, earth-shaking, and awe-inspiring.

Walls will come down, if you will participate.

Walls will come down, if you will believe.

The Israelites had been instructed to circle the city of Jericho 7 times on the 7th day.

“Then on the seventh time, when the kohanim blew the shofarot, Joshua ordered the people, “Shout! For ADONAI has given you the city!” Joshua 6:16

Shofarot is the plural for shofar. Shofars were sounded and the people shouted, and they won the city.

What battle are you facing?

Are you willing to do things God’s way?

Will you turn away from sin and enter into a relationship with Messiah Yeshua (Jesus)?

Teruah brings us to victory.

Sometimes we need to shout our praise and our thankfulness!

Blessed are the people who know the joyful teruah

The Bible says:

“Blessed are the people who know the joyful shout!
They walk in the light of Your presence, ADONAI.” Psalm 89:15

And that

“God has ascended amidst shouts of joy, ADONAI amidst the sounding of the shofar.” Psalm 47:5

Notice a theme here? JOY!

Though a battle may be raging, if we truly trust our Mighty Conqueror and Victorious Savior, we will have peace in the face of an enemy. Internally, we will have joy unspeakable. And it might even overflow in such a way that it is apparent externally.

Have you ever worshipped in such a manner? Tambourine in hand, dancing before your King? Arms lifted high in freedom of praise? Perhaps you have used worship flags or banners? Allow your joy to overflow and you will find great liberty, healing, and strength in the LORD’s presence!

Here is a song that may inspire you to praise in such a manner:

You see, once you realize from just how deep a pit you have been rescued, your praise changes. You won’t be ashamed to dance before your Creator. You will overflow with Living Water.

The Coronation of our King

Another very central theme during Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah is that the LORD (ADONAI) is King over all the earth. Traditional Judaism teaches that Rosh Hashanah is the appropriate time for the crowning of a king! Our Messiah Yeshua is King of all kings, the Victorious One and we look forward to His coronation again in Jerusalem!

“No misfortune is to be seen in Jacob,
    and no misery in Israel!
ADONAI their God is with them
    —the King’s shout is among them!” Numbers 23:21

This joyful verse from Numbers 23:21 uses the word “teruah” in connection to our King! Assuredly, even our King will shout and this prevents misfortune or misery from being among God’s people.

Are you among the people who know the joyful shout?

If your name is indeed written in the Book of Life, then this promise is yours today:

“Behold, I tell you a mystery:

We shall not all sleep,
but we shall all be changed—

In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last shofar.
For the shofar will sound,
and the dead will be raised incorruptible,
and we will be changed.” 1 Corinthians 15:51-54

The shofar will again sound the Day of our Resurrection!

What greater joy could there be?

We will rise with Messiah, incorruptible. We will live in His Heavenly Kingdom for all eternity!

Now I do believe that is worth a mighty shout of praise today!

Rejoice! Our King lives and reigns forever! Please leave a comment below, we would love to hear from you!

Yom Teruah: the day of the shout! AND: Rosh Hashanah Brisket Recipe!

Parashat Ki Tavo(D’varim/Deuteronomy 26-29:8) 5782 B”H

Discussing Torah can be divisive (though it shouldn’t be!)

Discussing the Torah among those who believe in Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus Christ) can be divisive.

But it really ought not be so.

After all, the King of all kings said this:

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets! I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17

He did not come to abolish the Torah or any of the other Scripture writings of the prophets. He came to fulfill them . . . so Torah remains important and relevant!

Instructions for Life

I know I have mentioned this before, but for those who may be new to the blog, Torah refers to the first five books found in the Bible, sometimes called the Pentateuch.

In most Christian circles, these books are referred to as the Law.

But the Hebrew word, “Torah” means more than “Law.” In fact, we could say it is softened a bit. Torah is the word for “instruction.” God gave us His instructions to follow.

Ah, but I suppose you are thinking “this is impossible! There is no way we could possibly follow everything written in Torah!”

Right you are, my sister or my brother.

It would be completely impossible for any of us to perfectly keep the commandments in Torah.

But, Messiah told us in the same chapter of Matthew to “be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect.” Matthew 5:48

If we love Him, we are to keep His commandments. (John 14:15). He has done away with the curse related to not keeping the entire law, but living in holiness and following His commandments/instructions for life still matters.

We are to strive for perfection, knowing we will fall short – but His grace and mercy are there to wash over us and make us holy. Our works will NOT save us. We are saved by His grace:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not from yourselves—it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8

Disregarding Torah often leads to Replacement Theology

Replacement theology is an erroneous doctrine.

This doctrine has taught that the church has superseded Israel and that the Law has been abolished.

The danger with replacement theology is that the Hebrew Scriptures (including Torah) ultimately get neglected and the continuum through time of the history of salvation and grace becomes broken and misunderstood. Disregarding Torah can be devastating – antiSemitism has flourished in places where Torah is criticized. We need only remember the Holocaust – how many Bible-believing Christians in Europe actually contributed to (whether directly or through apathy) the extermination of their Jewish neighbors? If you’re interested in reading more on this topic, check out my article on “Replacing Replacement Theology” here:

Replacing replacement theology: is the church the “New” Israel?

Preaching today must move beyond motivational speaking

I read an article just last week from Answers in Genesis that caught my attention because in it, the author suggests that the number one reason millennials are leaving the church is due to their lack of understanding of the Old Testament (Hebrew Scriptures).

Have you noticed that so much preaching today has become reduced to spiritual motivational speaking?

When Scripture is sparingly used, young people hearing the Good News do not get the full picture.

They do not understand the powerful continuity between the prophetic nature of the Hebrew Scriptures and the glorious fulfillment shared with us in the New Testament (Brit Chadashah).

If we ignore Torah, we will lose generations to confusion and disinterest.

Torah gives us a solid and balanced foundation for teaching and preaching from the New Testament!

Blessings for Obeying Torah (and the entire Word of God)

D’varim/Deuteronomy 28 assures us that if we “listen obediently to the voice of ADONAI your God, taking care to do all His mitzvot . . .”

He will

1. Set you high above all the nations of the earth
2. All these blessings will come upon you and overtake you (Deuteronomy 28:1-2)

I hear so many believers quote several of the blessings found in Deuteronomy 28:

Deuteronomy 28:3 “Blessed will you be in the city, and blessed will you be in the field.”

“Blessed will be the fruit of your womb, the produce of your soil, and the offspring of your livestock – the increase of your herds and the young of your flock.” Deuteronomy 28:4

“Blessed will be your basket and your kneading bowl.” Deuteronomy 28:5

“Blessed will you be when you come in, and blessed will you be when you go out.” Deuteronomy 28:6

The chapter goes on to say “every undertaking of your hand will be blessed” (Deuteronomy 28:8).

You will “overflow in prosperity . . . ” Deuteronomy 28:11

There is a reason this chapter is so popular!

But as I wrote in a previous article, don’t stop reading D’varim/Deuteronomy 28 at verse 14! The blessings are listed, but we mustn’t stop there!

If we quote these verses, but take them out of the context where they are found (in Torah!), we are misunderstanding these blessings.

Don’t stop reading Deuteronomy 28 at verse 14

What happens if we disregard God’s Word?

“But if you will not listen to the voice of ADONAI your God, to take care to do all His mitzvot and statutes that I am commanding you today, all these curses will come on you and overtake you . . .” Deuteronomy 28:15

This verse is followed by a lengthly list of some very terrifying curses.

“All these curses will come upon you and pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed—because you did not listen to the voice of ADONAI your God, to keep His mitzvot and statutes that He commanded you.” Deuteronomy 28:45

The point is reiterated several times in the passage:

“If you do not take care to do all the words of this Torah, the things written in this scroll, to fear this glorious and awesome Name, ADONAI your God, then ADONAI will make your plagues and the plagues of your descendants extraordinary – terrible and prolonged plagues, severe and prolonged illnesses. He will bring back on you all the diseases of Egypt that you were afraid of, and they will cling to you. Also every illness and plague that is not written in the scroll of this Torah, ADONAI will bring on you, until you are destroyed.” Deuteronomy 28:58-61

We are setting ourselves up for devastation if we refuse to familiarize ourselves with the basic principles found in Torah. The blessings listed above were assured to those who would obey and follow the LORD and His instructions. In like manner, the curses were assured to those who refused to do so. We must acknowledge the seriousness of the issues at stake!

If we determine that Torah is no longer relevant in any way, we are ultimately denying Yeshua (Jesus) as King of Israel! He is One with the LORD, He is God, the God of Israel and we must never deny His divinity and Lordship.

“For ADONAI is our Judge,
ADONAI is our Lawgiver,
ADONAI is our King—
He will save us!” Isaiah 33:22

Yeshua, God’s Son, (Jesus) fulfilled Torah because we fall short. But He did not abolish it. There is so much to learn from Torah . . . from the ways of the LORD. His instructions are given so we will know how to live a righteous lifestyle and live in a manner that pleases Him.

Are we free from the curses as followers of Messiah?

Absolutely.

If we are true followers of Messiah.

Today, there are many who may say, “Lord, Lord . . .” but do they really know Him?

If we have genuinely repented, and if we embrace the entirety of His Word, those curses will not fall upon us. We are free from the curse of the law because our Messiah became a curse for us when He died on the cross for our sins:

“Messiah liberated us from Torah’s curse, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”).” Galatians 3:13

Biblical Lifestyle

We are beyond blessed to live in a time when we can connect with other believers so easily and evaluate our posture on positions that the church has taken over the years. More and more followers of Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) are learning about the Biblical lifestyle found in the wholeness of God’s Word and it is an exciting time to be a part of as more and more people take Scripture more seriously!

We are nearing the New Year (Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashanah) and I pray that you will dedicate time, effort, and most importantly prayer, as you more closely walk with the Messiah of Israel!

I am a member of the Bible Gateway Blogger Grid (BG²). As a #BibleGatewayPartner, I have received a copy of “NET Eternity Now: The New Testament Series” published by Thomas Nelson Publishers at no cost to me in exchange for an honest review here on the Adonai Shalom USA blog. #BG²

“Eternity Now: The New Testament Series” (New English Translation

The “Eternity Now: New Testament Series” comes as a boxed set of five books. Each cover is appealing and each title captures the essence of the New Testament books contained within them. The titles are creative but remain theologically appropriate. I was particularly struck by the “Now but not Yet” title for John’s writings because it reminded me of one of my seminary professors who always reminded us of this aspect of John’s record. To me, this suggests accuracy and faithfulness to the original texts while tastefully displaying the creativity of those who compiled this series.

The New English Translation (NET)

Of note, the Bible version used here is the NET, the New English Translation. This is a fairly recent translation, completed in 2019. The translators’ aim according to the series’ note to the reader was to “creat[e] an English Bible translation that could overcome old challenges and boldly open the door for new possibilities.”

I’m assuming the “challenges” may refer to moving beyond the archaic language of the King James Version, but I am unsure as to of what exactly consistent the “new possibilities” hoped for by the translators. It seems to me that the New English Translation seeks a more vernacular tone making it easier for modern readers to understand without losing accuracy.

In each book, a letter to the reader explains more about the NET translation. One thing that I found particularly interesting was this claim: “Throughout the NET’s translation process, every working draft was made publicly available on the Internet. Bible scholars, ministers, and laypersons from around the world logged millions of review sessions. No other translation is so openly accountable to the worldwide church or has been so thoroughly vetted” (Eternity Now, viii). Additionally, the NET allows ministries to use the translation freely due to “ministry-first copyright innovations” (Eternity Now, x).

That really is very unique and an awesome use of modern technology for the sake of the Gospel!

Book Review and Description

The “Eternity Now“ series is a compilation of all of the books of the New Testament/B’rit Chadashah arranged in a manner making it read more like a novel. This book set would be a wonderful gift idea for a young person in your life who might not otherwise read the Bible.

Each book contains the writings of the New Testament, still divided into chapters, but verse number superscripts are left out. Again, this makes the text read more like a novel than a traditional Bible, but the Biblical text remains the same and has not been altered. This series would perhaps not be appropriate for traditional “study” due to the lack of verse number indicators, but would work well for any type of personal devotional.

The paperback format makes these books easy to carry. Someone sitting beside another on the metro will not immediately recognize that the person with one of these books is reading Scripture. It is reader-friendly, eye-catching, and somewhat unconventional.

My recommendation:

★★★★★

Rating: 5 out of 5.

I value anything that gets Scripture out to people, especially to people who might not otherwise read the Bible for themselves. This is a useful evangelical tool that I could see placed on coffee tables at clinics and coffeeshops with the hope that someone might pick it up to read and be surprised by the wonderful Good News it contains.

I recommend the “Eternity Now: New Testament Series” and hope that you find it to be a blessing either for yourself personally or for someone who you are praying will come to the saving knowledge of and relationship with our LORD.

Pastora Jennifer Mieliulis Fuentes, M.Div., Duke University

Book details

Title: “NET Eternity Now: The New Testament Series”
Author: Compilation
Publisher: Thomas Nelson
Release Date: July 2022
Genre: Bibles/Other English Translations/Reading

ISBN-13: 978-0-7852-9127-5

PURCHASE LINKS:  Amazon | FaithGateway Store

If you are looking for another wonderful Scripture resource, check out my review of “Spurgeon and the Psalms: The Book of Psalms with Devotions from Charles Spurgeon” also published by Thomas Nelson.

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Parashat Va’etchanan (D’varim/Deuteronomy 3:23-7:11) 5782 B”H

A Question about the Torah (שאלה sh’eilah)

One day a Pharisee asked Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) this question:

“Rabbi, which is the greatest commandment in the Torah?” Matthew 22:36

He was asking what is known as a sh’eilah – a question regarding the Torah. This Pharisee happened to be a lawyer. As such, he was trying to set up an argument against our Savior, but our LORD All-Wise and All-Knowing answered perfectly:

And He said to him, “‘You shall love ADONAI your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’  This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’  The entire Torah and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22:37-40

Yeshua quoted Scripture to answer the Pharisee’s question

Yeshua (Jesus) recited D’varim (Deuteronomy) 6:4-9 to respond to the Pharisee’s question about the Greatest Commandment. Messiah faithfully pointed back to the Scriptures that even the Pharisees knew so well. Rabbi Yeshua couldn’t be accused of “adding” or “inventing” a new faith.

He was pointing out that it was time to live the faith!

Because in Him, having a living faith would be possible because the Lord Yeshua alone was Perfect and He alone would fulfill Torah, giving us the possibility of new and eternal life if we will trust in Him.

The Greatest Commandment(s) are about love.

The Sh’ma

D’varim/Deuteronomy 6:4-9 is known in Judaism as the Sh’ma (also spelled out as Shema):

“Hear O Israel, the LORD our God, the LORD is one. Love ADONAI your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength. These words, which I am commanding you today, are to be on your heart. You are to teach them diligently to your children, and speak of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down and when you rise up. Bind them as a sign on your hand, they are to be as frontlets between your eyes, and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.” D’varim/Deuteronomy 6:4-9

This text is recited daily by Jewish people around the world.

Sh’ma means “Hear.” “So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Messiah.” Romans 10:17

There are many Jewish people who know this passage very well, but have no idea it is the Greatest Commandment according to the Messiah! By reciting it with such passion and dedication, they are actually in agreement with the New Testament (Br’it Chadashah)! The testimony of generations proclaims the importance of Sh’ma, but not everyone has yet realized its fulfillment in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ).

When we speak or sing the words of the Sh’ma, all of us can be reminded of several important truths that I believe can be listed out like note-taking . . .

Important Truths about the Greatest Commandment:

1. The LORD: YHWH: ADONAI: He is.
2. The LORD is our God. This is collective. He is the God of our nation and our communities if we will choose to follow Him.
3. He is One. He has made Himself known as our Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. He is Elohim (a plural term in Hebrew), but He is also One. There are no other gods. We are not pluralists or polytheists. These verses establish monotheism.
4. We are Israel. These verses speak to a Holy Nation, a set apart people. Whether native-born or grafted in, those who have chosen to follow Messiah are part of Israel. So these verses are true for you and me.
5. We are to love the LORD our God. The Sh’ma points back to the First Commandment, which was given just one chapter earlier (D’varim/Deuteronomy 5). The Ten Words (aka “Ten Commandments”) cannot be lived out and obeyed without first loving their Author. Notice, the first four commandments require us to love God. The last six commandments require us to love our neighbor.
6. These words are so important they are to remain on our heart. Proverbs 3:3 “Let kindness and truth never leave you— bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” Whatever is on our hearts will also be on our minds, and in this way we will have right thoughts and actions.
7. Children are valued. The Sh’ma assumes there will be children who must be taught. We are responsible to care for them and to “diligently” teach our children. If we are to do this task, we ourselves must be prepared. Therefore, study is expected and each generation is tasked to continue to teach the next.
8. We are to discuss the words of Scripture. We are to speak of these good things when we are in our homes but also when we are walking somewhere. We are to speak of the goodness of God when we are going to bed and when we wake up.
9. Our faith is a part of us – it is to be bound to us. It should be known by your kindness and hospitality that your home is a house where disciples live. Your home should not house idols or worthless things. Your home is a reflection of your faith. Some of us have mezuzot מְזוּזוֹת(plural for mezuzah) on our doorposts – beautiful reminders that contain the words of Sh’ma in them.

Yeshua (Jesus) cited the Sh’ma as the Greatest Commandment!

Yeshua cited the Sh’ma as the Greatest Commandment.

We learn from His example that Jesus came not to abolish the Torah, but to fulfill it.

“Do not think that I came to abolish the Torah or the Prophets! I did not come to abolish, but to fulfill.” Matthew 5:17

He shows us the law of love – that we must love God and love our neighbor and He did so by pointing back to the Scriptures and demonstrating it by His way of life.

We are challenged to live out the Greatest Commandments as well.

The Sh’ma in Revelation

Would you be surprised to know the Sh’ma‘s influence is even found all the way in the book of Revelation?

When Yochanan (John), the writer of Revelation, describes New Jerusalem, he describes the river of the water of life and the throne of God. Notice in verse Revelation 22:4, he writes that “His name shall be on their foreheads.” For those who had grown up with the Sh’ma, this would be a very obvious allusion to Deuteronomy 6.

“Then the angel showed me a river of the water of life—bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the city’s street.

On either side of the river was a tree of life, bearing twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month; and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 

No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in the city, and His servants shall serve Him. 

They shall see His face, and His name shall be on their foreheads. 

Night shall be no more, and people will have no need for lamplight or sunlight—for ADONAI Elohim will shine on them. And they shall reign forever and ever!” Revelation 22:1-5, emphasis added

The Consistency and Continuity of Scripture

No other book contains so many cross-references and clear fulfillments of its words as the Bible.

When I first became a follower of Messiah, I was truly fascinated by this reality. For so many years, I had been taught lies that the Scriptures (even from their original form) contained errors and that they were not to be fully trusted.

When I discovered for myself, through the study of the original languages, that the Scriptures were most certainly trustworthy and that their testimony proves the Truth of our Savior’s love and sacrifice, I felt free. Scripture is consistent and what I love most is that it proves itself time and time again through God-inspired verses that reveal His Truth.

The Sh’ma being the Greatest Commandment proves the continuity of Scripture.

Let us look to Messiah Yeshua’s example

Messiah Yeshua taught us to know Scripture, believe it, and use it!

When questioned by a Pharisee about the Greatest Commandment or by the devil himself tempting him in the desert, our LORD always had Scripture to use as armor. His responses were right out of Scripture. This is why Scripture memorization is so important!

When we feel that our faith is being challenged, we must look to our Savior’s example. We, too, need the sword of the Spirit to rightly divide the Word of God and stay armed for any spiritual battle. We will not be able to live out the Greatest Commandment to love the LORD our God without dedication to Him and His Word.

“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15, emphasis added

“And take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” Ephesians 6:17

Scripture Memorization

It isn’t always easy to memorize Scripture, but I find that the more I read the Word of God, it naturally becomes etched in my memory. So read your Bible! Study the Word! And you will reap the benefits of being able to stand against the wiles of the devil and give praise to the Almighty One whose Word is so intricately designed and perfect.

Let us love God and love one another, and in so doing, we will fulfill the Greatest Commandments.

What is your favorite aspect about Scripture? Are you familiar with the Sh’ma? What tips can you give to others to help them memorize the Word of God? Leave a comment below! We’d love to hear from you!

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Parashat D’varim (Deuteronomy 1-3:22) 5782 B”H

The Book of “Words”

The book of Deuteronomy is known as “D’varim” in Hebrew, which simply means, “Words.”

D’varim is comprised of 34 chapters, so yes, there are many words!

Our English term, “Deuteronomy” comes from the Greek term in the Septuagint, “deuteronomion,” which means “Second Law.” This is a misnomer; however. The Tree of Life Bible Introduction to Deuteronomy recognizes this and aptly states, “There is no second Torah.” It is a “second telling” of that which has already been told, the law and story of Israel, a recap for the next generation of Israelites.

Just as it was then, it remains important to continue to tell the story – HIStory: the marvelous true story of the LORD’s unfolding plan of salvation.

The wonderful words of life.

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Wonderful Words of Life

Do you know that wonderful hymn? It is a great song to remind us of the beauty of the Word of God.

For the full lyrics and even Spanish translation, check out this page on Hymnary. Here’s a recording you might enjoy listening to today:

From stuttering to speech-giving

In D’varim (Deuteronomy), Moshe (Moses) has matured in his ministry role.

We must smile for a moment. Moshe the reluctant stutterer is now providing full speeches! D’varim records three of his speeches addressing the growing nation of Israel.

Moshe overcame his fear of using words!

This is a lesson for us: if we fear public speaking or get nervous sharing the Good News of salvation with strangers, we can overcome those fears and anxieties. Moshe knew that he needed to provide pastoral instruction to the Israelites, just as we are called to live out the Great Commission.

Sometimes we overcome our fears because there is a need. If we place the need above our personal preferences and pray that the LORD by the power of His Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh) helps us, we can overcome and be used mightily for the salvation of souls.

Moshe did this and served as a spokesman for God. Then, One-Greater-Than-Moses came: Yeshua (Jesus). Yeshua was also a spokesman for God, but there is a key difference: Yeshua IS God!

HIS Word is so valuable, we must share the Good News that Yeshua has come!

May He help us share the wonderful words of life.

D’var HaShem (Lit.: “The Word of the Name”): The Word of God

The Hebrew term דָּבָר Davar (D’var) (plural: d’varim) is translated in the Septuagint (the earliest Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible) using the terms “logos” and “rhema.” “In the beginning was the Word (Λόγος/logos) and the Word (Λόγος/logos) was with God and the Word (Λόγος/logos) was God.” John 1:1

So, “In the beginning was the Davar and the Davar was with God and the Davar was God.” John 1:1

I point this out so that you can see a link between Deuteronomy and the Gospels. Messiah Yeshua (Jesus Christ) quoted from Deuteronomy frequently! When He was tempted in the desert (Matthew 4:1-11) He used the words of Deuteronomy to fend off the devil. Why Deuteronomy? It is a very practical book and contains the Sh’ma (Deuteronomy 6:4-9): the prayer that would become central to Jewish religious practice.

The Words, the D’varim, could be used as armor. Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) shows us that if we know the Bible, if we memorize Scripture, we can combat the fiery darts (Ephesians 6:16) of hasatan (satan) – and win!

There is power in those words because they are D’varim HaShem. They are the Words given by God. Divine words that all came together in the person of the Holy Word, the Word Incarnate – D’var HaShem, our LORD and Savior Yeshua (Jesus).

The Prophet Greater than Moses

Moses is so very revered by the Jewish tradition that to say anyone could be greater signifies a great deal. Many Jewish people today do not believe in Messiah because they do not realize that the One Greater-than-Moses has come. Great efforts have been taken to avoid using passages of Scripture such as Isaiah 53 in synagogue services so that Jewish people will not contemplate that the passage is talking about Yeshua of Nazareth. This is tragic! If you are able to befriend a Jewish person, you must share with them the d’varim of Isaiah 53 so they can see how this Scripture has been fulfilled in Messiah.

Just as Moshe gives a long discourse in D’varim, Messiah Yeshua gave a long discourse for the Sermon on the Mount. Messiah was proving He is the Prophet of whom Moshe spoke in Deuteronomy 18:15 – the One who would come and must be listened to! I love the way Dr. Christopher Smith explains this: “ . . . the farewell speech of the first Moses provides the inaugural content for the new Moses.” Moshe himself prophesied of Messiah:

“ADONAI your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from your midst—from your brothers. To him you must listen.” Deuteronomy 18:15

This Scripture assures us that there will indeed be someone greater than Moses, and we know and the Scriptures testify that in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) alone we have eternal life (John 5:39).

So share the wonderful words of life with someone today, that you may be an instrument, a spokesperson for the kingdom of God!

Just as the unbelieving Jewish people need to know Messiah, the believing Christians in our world need to know their connection to Israel. How much more deeply can we know our Savior if we understand the Messianic prophecies and His connection to the Jewish nation! May you be blessed today by His Word! Join us in praying for the nation of Israel, that unbelieving Jewish people would come to know their Messiah. We are praying also for Christian believers to learn more about the Jewish roots of their faith! Please leave a comment below and share with your friends!