That said, I do want to encourage you: if you have never built a sukkah in your backyard, may this be the year!
The best way to understand something is by doing – by participating.
So, if you want to gain a deeper understanding of how our Savior lived and understand the truly impactful things that Messiah Yeshua (Jesus) said and taught, gaining a solid understanding of what Sukkot/the Feast of Tabernacles is and how it has been celebrated will increase your own Biblical comprehension and give you much greater spiritual revelation.
The “Last and Greatest Day of the Feast” described by John refers to Hoshana Rabbah, a special day at the ending of Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles.
You may recognize the word, “Hoshana” in that term, Hoshana Rabba. We get the term “Hosanna” from this, a pleading for the Holy One to “please save.”
It has an emphatic tone in Hebrew: “Save now!”Hoshiana! It was a special day to plead for salvation.
A song you may enjoy: Hoshiana by Joshua Aaron
The Artscroll Siddur (a popular version of the Jewish siddur/prayerbook) contains an interesting prayer for the Feast of Tabernacles’ Hoshana Rabbah (p.757, Sukkos) pleading that God would “remove the . . . partition separating” “us from You.”
Writings in the Talmud and even Josephus describe Sukkot in historical terms, giving full credibility that Sukkot was indeed celebrated every year.
The Talmud and Rabbi Akiva, the prominent 1st century Jewish rabbi, describe the water libations that were part of the Feast of Tabernacle services every year.
The historical record gives us an idea about what every Jewish family would have been accustomed to during the yearly feast.
While the water ceremony was not established by Torah, there is evidence in the Tanakh that the pouring of water had become part of the Sukkot tradition to demonstrate gratitude for rain at least as far back as the time of Zechariah, or soon after, as the prophet definitely references it.
The feast lasted either 7 or 8 days (there is some controversy on how long it actually lasted), but what is certain is that Hoshana Rabbah was an exuberant gathering.
Water was drawn from the Pool of Siloam, brought to the Temple, poured on the altar, and berakhot (blessings) were said, thanking the LORD Most High for rain.
That same pool of water would be the site where the blind man was healed and Messiah’s healing ministry would expand.
The waters would cleanse, purify, and usher in a new reality. The Messiah had come, was standing before them, and He would fill those who believed in Him with His Living Water.
During Sukkot, the Jewish community thanked the God of Israel for rain
The people gathered would have been expecting to see the synagogue leaders circling the altar 7 times and they were used to watching the outpouring of water. But they would not have been expecting the Rabbi from Nazareth to declare that He is the source of all Water! His words reveal that He is One with the Creator! And not just any old water, Living Water!
I like the way that Leon Morris succinctly describes this:
“In words reminiscent of those in [John]4:10, Jesus gives the invitation to the thirsty to come to [H]im and drink. There is the implication that the thirsty soul will find that Jesus fills the need that cannot be supplied elsewhere. The appropriateness of the words at this feast is that, throughout the seven days, libations were made in the Temple with water brought from the pool of Siloam (Sukkot.4:9), but on the eighth day no water was poured, and this would make Jesus’ claim all the more impressive.”
Morris, Leon. The Gospel According to John. NICNT. Cambridge: William B. Eerdmans Publishing Company, 1995. Emphasis added.
Sukkot is such a special time for the people of God, and I invite you to celebrate it this year!
If you do, you will be part of a worldwide dress rehearsal, because Scripture indicates future celebrations of this joyous feast!
“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
May you be filled with Living Water and equipped to testify to the nations!
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“…In that day living waters will flow from Jerusalem…” Zechariah 14:8“With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation.” Isaiah 12:3Luke 22:20
How our family celebrates the Feast of Tabernacles
I love Sukkot (the Feast of Tabernacles) because it gets us outside and is a genuine change in our routine. This year, the boys built a fire pit so the whole family can stay warm during the chilly evenings and, of course, make Sukkot S’mores.
Be sure to include your children in every aspect of the preparation and actual celebration. Not only do they love to be included, this will train them to continue keeping the feast with simcha (joy) as they grow up and have their own family. Our children love to build and decorate the Sukkah with lights and branches and art projects. The Feast of Tabernacles is something they look forward to every year!
Hachnasat or’chim: Welcoming Guests
If you have friends or family who have never celebrated the Feast of Tabernacles, there are so many wonderful (and simple) ways to introduce them to the Biblical feasts by living this out – invite them for a special dinner in your sukkah and have a campfire together. Practice the art of hospitality; you will be blessedas you bless others. Remember, Yeshua (Jesus) loved to eat and drink with His disciples, and even with those the world shunned as “sinners” and “outcasts.” May your tent always be open to the stranger.
The Feast of Tabernacles is intended (indeed, commanded!) to be a joyous celebration – for everyone! – so make it so! Be enthusiastic!
Over the years, we have been able to share the richness of Sukkot with so many visitors to our sukkah and it is always a blessing.
Theme Nights and Activities for children, teens, and tweens
I mentioned above that it is important to include your children in ways that make it fun for them.
Some years, we have made edible sukkahs with graham crackers and candies, just like gingerbread houses but way cooler. Hint: get some animal crackers that come with camels. Those are a huge hit with the little ones to put in the “front yard” of your snack.
Check out this Selfie Scavenger Hunt for Sukkot that I put together this year for tweens and teens. They will love the opportunity to use a cell phone and they might learn a thing or two while having fun. Post your selfies on our Facebook page for extra fun!
Selfie Scavenger Hunt for Sukkot
Many Chabad groups advertise “Pizza in the Hut” nights, which we have adopted as a yearly family tradition. What child will object to pizza?!
If the weather permits and you are up for it, camp out in the sukkahfor a night, or the whole week. Kids love sleepover parties. If they’re going to stay up all night, at least this is for a great reason!
Again, if the weather permits, have a cook out! Fire up thegrill!
If you do happen to invite guests, have your children prepare something for your visitors. Perhaps an appetizer, or a placemat, or the child could be the host for the evening. They will learn the importance of welcoming guests and practice their social skills.
If you invite many guests or are hosting a sukkah with a congregational group, you could set up various stations. Make caramel apples at one table, paper chains at another table, some edible sukkahs at another, and even a games table.
What are your favorite aspects of celebrating Sukkot? Do you have any other theme night or activity ideas that you do with your family? Leave a comment below!
Menu & Recipe Ideas for the week of Sukkot/the Feast of Tabernacles
Menu ideas for Sukkot
Here in the north, planning for Sukkot requires consideration of the temperatures, especially when Sukkot is in October. This year, Sukkot starts in September, so we may not be such Frozen Chosen this year. Even so, the evenings are definitely crisp, so soups and stews are some of the best foods to serve during the feast. I recommend planning at least a week in advance so you don’t need to worry about your menu items during the feast. The best advice I can give is: keep it simple. Have a tray so you can easily transport food from your indoor kitchen to the backyard and vice versa.
I always make sure we have plenty of fresh apple cider. It’s versatile since it can be served warm or cold and is the perfect autumn beverage. Besides apple cider, we always have coffee, hot chocolate, andtea on hand.
If you keep Shabbat, chances are good you own a slow cooker. Make your favorite taco meat and assemble some tacos. An easy-to-transport meal when its ready.
You can make a charcuterie platter with some cheese, crackers, and hummus.
This year I am planning to try this recipe by Tori Avey for a healthy curried vegetable stew.
I will probably not have time to make these, but this dessert recipe for Sukkot Lemon “Etrog” Cupcakesfrom 18 Doors looks scrumptious and so very festive!
All the fun aside, the real reason any of us are celebrating the Feast of Tabernacles is because we take the Bible seriously. The appointed times outlined in Scripture really are like “appointments” with our Heavenly Father. We meet with Him, and He meets with us and we are grateful because in the original tabernacle, there was a veil of separation that has now been torn apart.
Let your Light shine during the Feast of Tabernacles and say “no” to trunk-or-treat nights
One thing I have found troubling among traditional “Christian church” ministry groups is that most of them now host “Fall Festivals,” “Trunk-or-treat” nights, and other “Harvest” activities. These autumn outreach events do not have anything to do with the Feast of Tabernacles or any aspect of the Bible for that matter, yet plenty of time, money, and effort is put into them. Attempts to justify the events always circle back to “evangelism.”
Let your Light shine during the Feast of Tabernacles
We do not need to imitate paganism.
It is as if these churches balk at Scripture (many unintentionally, I know). Sadly, rather than being unique and set apart from the world, they are in many ways adapting to the world. With Sukkot often being in October, the very best alternative to the satanic feast of halloween is to light up the week of Sukkot in your sukkah and pray for your neighborhood. Shine your light during God’s appointed times and do not participate with the devil’s feast. The Eternal One’s light will always shine brighter – Yeshua isn’t in a competition. He already won.
Some argue that “trunk or treat” is just a fun time for children to dress in costumes. If you want your children to dress up, why not simply abandon the devil and his evil imitations and allow them to dress up for a much better celebration during Purim? Our children do not feel they are “missing out” on halloween. They know they will get to dress up and get plenty of candy during Purim in the springtime. They, too, have no desire to associate with the darkness.
The best opportunity you will have to evangelize is to live out the Bible. The opportunities to share the Good News of our Messiah will be plentiful.
How will you celebrate the Feast of Tabernacles this year? Where will you be? I hope to celebrate some day in Israel! Leave a comment, share, and/or subscribe! We’d love to hear from you! Chag Sukkot sameach!
Yom Kippur and Messiah’s return
updated 10/3/22 5783 B”H
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!
1 Kings 4
Yom Teruah: the day of the shout! AND: Rosh Hashanah Brisket Recipe!
Yom Teruah is the day of the shout! The day to sound the shofars and remember that with a shout, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah will return for His people! It is the more “Biblical” term for what is more widely known as “Rosh Hashanah,” which means “Head of the year.” We celebrate a new year and we await Messiah’s return.
I love to be able to share these Biblical feast days with my family, especially our children.
They love to sound the shofar and they eagerly pour honey on the apples they have freshly picked from our apple tree. Tonight, we will begin our celebration with a traditional brisket dinner.
It is common to serve a brisket on Rosh Hashanah
Are you looking for an easy, delicious brisket recipe? Look no further! I have combined several recipes that have circulated recently and I think this is a real winner:
How will you celebrate this special day? Post your Rosh Hashanah pictures on our Facebook page!
Above all, may your year be sweet and the LORD be honored! Maranatha!
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.
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.
Do you have quarantine fatigue? Tired of wearing a mask in the middle of the hot summer? You’re not alone.
None of us want to hear more about Covid-19, yet this pestilence doesn’t seem to be ending. We know we are in the last days, so we should not be surprised by these occurrences. Our Messiah cautioned us that there would be outbreaks of sickness. The pandemic is not over, and we must exercise wisdom and caution.
As though that isn’t enough to worry about, some of us struggle with anxiety issues. You might not get Covid, but you might be living in fear that you will. May you find shalom in the words of Scripture.
I recently had to have an unexpected surgery. Believe me, I was anxious! Anything to do with needles gets me quite riled up. But the LORD is faithful! He gave me a Word just days prior from Isaiah 58:8-10, and the promise contained within provided me the peace I so desperately needed.
I would like to share some other Scripture passages that I believe will help you in whatever situation you find yourself in. Rely on His strength, and I assure you, He will comfort you and free you from fear!
To begin, Psalm 27 is a wonderful Psalm to help overcome fear. The first verse is very well known:
What is needed in times of trouble is confidence. Being confident in the LORD means you have the ability to trust that the One in whom you have placed your trust for your salvation is able in the here and now to help you. Psalm 27 address this as well:
Though an army camp besieges me, my heart will not fear.
Though war breaks out against me, even then will I be confident.
Psam 27:3, TLV
Use the Psalms as a springboard for prayer.
The Almighty and Eternal One has helped you before. He will help you again.
I feel that the Ruach haKodesh (the Holy Spirit) illuminated me to an important spiritual reality, the day I was set for surgery. He reminded me of Yeshua’s words in John 14:1 “Do not let your heart be troubled. Trust in God; trust also in Me.” There’s an imperative in there – do not LET. Do not ALLOW. Do not PERMIT.
But that means you and I, we have a choice here. Our emotions can really mess with us, but we are to take control over that by keeping our mind renewed and set on spiritual things. Scripture tells us to take our thoughts captive:
When I started to really think about that, I found myself better able to control my fear. That’s the key, isn’t it? Controlling your fear, so fear doesn’t control you. I kept telling my heart it was not allowed to fear. I have not been given the spirit of fear, but of love, power, and a sound mind (2 Tim.1:7). He has given us authority, so we need to use trust Him and use it (Luke 10:19). Yeshua repeats this instruction in verse 27 of the same chapter:
Faithfulness + Faith = Confidence that you will be delivered from your fears
Do you have a track record of being faithful to the LORD and His mission? Overcoming anxiety truly becomes a matter of faith. If you have diligently sought the LORD prior to undergoing a test or trial, it will naturally be easier for you to rely on Him during the storm and you will be able to confidently confess that He has delivered you from all your fears.
As a believer, if you have determined to love the LORD your God with all your heart, and follow Messiah Yeshua, you are part of a Holy Nation, the Royal Priesthood of believers. You have been saved, sanctified, set apart, and His promises go right along with that.
Have you been encouraged today? What are some of YOUR favorite Bible passages to get you through a tough time? Comment below! Shalom, mishpocha
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
Did you enjoy this book review? Have YOU read the book? Leave a comment about what YOU thought about it!
Thank you to the publisher, W Publishing Group of Thomas Nelson, for the review copy. I have provided an honest review.
*Giveaway link provided as a service to readers. Giveaway is not sponsored by Adonai Shalom blog. Readers may enter giveaway at their own personal discretion. Rules for giveaways and contests differ in each state/region, please adhere to local laws related to giveaways.
King Balak believed in the supernatural realm. He professed faith in Balaam’s powers: “I know that whoever you bless will be blessed and whoever you curse will be accursed!” (Num.22:6). Clearly, Balaam had a reputation as a divination expert in the region. Balaam has been called a “prophet for profit” and the “seer who couldn’t see.” He didn’t get these nicknames for no reason. He had a prophetic gifting and even interacted with the LORD God of Israel, but he was much more interested in collecting divination fees than seeking the will of ADONAI.
A Talking Donkey, Border-line Animal Abuse, and a Message
King Balak wanted Prophet Balaam to curse Israel in hopes that he could fight against the Israelites and win.
Balaam had every intention of fulfilling the king’s request through his oracles, but the God of Israel told him not to curse Israel because they are blessed.
If you have never read the account, I encourage you to do so because you will read about a talking donkey, border-line animal abuse, and a special messenger/angel of the LORD with a message for this selfish prophet.
Why rely on the media to inform you of stuff that is “strange but true?” You can’t make this stuff up, nor would you want to. Read Numbers 22 for yourself here.
“The rebuke that Balaam received from the donkey . . . was the result of miraculous intervention by God, but Peter emphasizes the ironic symbolism: Balaam’s sin was irrational, and he was rebuked by an irrational beast.”
Beale, 1056
Likewise, Judah (known more commonly in English as Jude) categorizes Balaam right along with other ungodly people who have gone before, from the time of Sodom and Gomorrah, Cain, and Korah, all acting “like animals” who have no reason.
What we can learn from the false doctrine of Balaam
Balaam thought “a little sin” wouldn’t do any harm. That just wasn’t true.
Balaam’s demise should be a lesson to the lukewarm. There are so many people who attend churches and congregations, yet have little love in their hearts. So many people claim to be pastors and teachers, prophets and evangelists, but they either have given up the anointing or have sought to use it for selfish gain.
We must beware of the false doctrines that prevail, and seek only the LORD and His Truth.
Too many believers today think that if they have one foot in the door to heaven, they can experiment a bit with the other foot.
That’s a bad idea because before they know it, they will slip on the uneven ground.
Follow the way of the LORD – stay true to Him and His Word, and He will guide You in His Perfect way.
Balaam ended up blessing Israel and prophesying of the coming Messiah!
As much as Balaam didn’t want to admit it, he knew he couldn’t get away with cursing Israel.
The prophecy ends with various descriptions of Israel’s triumphs.
Balaam and Balak, defeated, went their own separate ways. (Numbers 24:25).
Sometimes the enemy will try to raise up all kind of chaos in your life. If you remain faithful to Messiah Yeshua, Jesus the Son of God, the devil will eventually have to give up and move on. The victory is guaranteed, if you will continue to trust in Him.
My brother in Christ was asking if this would be considered a Messianic prophecy.
I responded that yes, I believe this is a Messianic prophecy because Balaam wanted so very much to curse Israel (but again see Numbers 23:8 in which he discovers that is altogether impossible). The LORD puts His Word into Balaam’s mouth and Balaam ultimately finds himself prophesying about the future – including the coming Messiah.
Israel is at war today.
The Messianic prophecy of Numbers 23:21 is indeed an uplifting promise for us to remember today and to share with our friends in Israel.
There shall be a time when “no misfortune is seen in Jacob”
and “no misery observed in Israel.”
This verse gives us the certainty that we know the LORD their God is with them – the King, the Lion of Judah, and ultimately Israel will have victory and the shout of our King will be heard.
