Burdens and Service-Thoughts and Reflections on Parashot Naso-Lift Up

by | Jun 12, 2019 | Blog, Podcasts

Burdens and Service--Thoughts and Reflections on Torah Portion Naso--Lift Up

by Rod Thomas | The Messianic Torah Observer

 

Service to YHVH as well as bearing necessary burdens for the Kingdom are essential requirements for every Torah Observant Disciple of Yeshua Messiah.

Welcome to “Burdens and Service—Thoughts and Reflections on Parshot Naso—Lift-Up.” Welcome.

The concepts of burdens and service are addressed in the 4th-chapter of Numbers.

The Gershonites’ Burden

Beginning at verse 21, we learn that the Gershonites (2,630 families descended from the Tribe of Levi) were tasked with carrying or bearing the burden “of the dwellings” (ie., the Tabernacle and Tent of Meeting). This would include the coverings and hangings of the Tabernacle (4:21-28).

So Aaron would give his son Ithamar orders to take up the Tabernacles and Tent of Meeting and the Gershonites would pack up and transport the various coverings and hangings to the next location. Upon arrival at the next location, those coverings and hangings would be re-erected.

Ithamar had full authority over the Gershonites as it related to their service as attendants and bearers of the elements of the Tabernacle.

The Merari’s Burden

Levitical tribesmen were tasked with carrying the burden of elements of the Tabernacle as discussed in this week’s Torah Portion Naso.

The Merari (3,200 families) were tasked with bearing the solid parts of the fabric of the Tabernacle and its associated court (4:29-33). Like the Gershonites, Ithamar supervised the Merari.

It should be noted that from a weight and bulk standpoint, the Merari bore the greatest burden of the serving tribes according to J. Hertz (Torah and Haftarah).

The Glory and Prestige of Serving

So did this fact make the Merari more important than the Gershonites or any of the other serving tribes? Absolutely not. You see, in YHVH’s economy, the burden of transporting the elements of the Tabernacle was indeed a honor and a privilege, regardless how great or small one’s service may have been.

Youth and the Aged a Consideration for Service

We also learn in this passage that service fell within 30 to 50 years of age. Certainly, the responsibility of taking down, resurrecting and transporting the elements of the Tabernacle was no trivial matter. Thus, such service required training and time for the youth to be assimilated into the work rotation. It was indeed a monumental task requiring precise logistical and physical support from all the attending tribes if it was to be carried out properly. Thus, the aged (ie., those over 50-years old) would be afforded retirement from the arduous service.

(Is not our God a thoughtful God?)

Reflections on Service and Burdens

When I reflected upon the significance of this section of the Torah Reading, the concepts of “service” and “bearing burdens” caught my imagination and attention.

Messianics Compelled to Serve and Bear Burdens

Contrary to churchianity convention, disciples of Yeshua Messiah are compelled to “serve” and “bear burdens.” And I believe that what we see embodied in this week’s Torah instruction was a shadow of the service and burden we are to take on as disciples of Messiah and children of Yah.

The Fake News Surrounding True Service

Now, much of the confusion around service and bearing burdens seems wrapped up in concerns by many (both within and without our Faith Community) that those who commit themselves to such endeavors are doing so to earn their salvation. Consequently, this is the same pathetic accusation that is leveled at our Faith Community by members of churchianity over our keeping of the Feast Days, the weekly Sabbath and the food laws.

And no matter how many times and ways we respond to this “fake news,” the naysayers stay with the same old allegation.

Salvation Continues to Remain a Free Gift From Yah

Regardless, we know that it is impossible to earn one’s salvation through deeds, service, the bearing of burdens, or for that matter, even the keeping of Torah. Because salvation is a gift from YHVH our Elohim. Nevertheless, we serve and bear burdens, just like we keep Torah, because we love YHVH, and because it’s simply the Godly thing to do.

Service and Burden Bearing Rarely Seen in Faith Today

Sadly, we see much of nothing happening as it relates to service and burden bearing in churches and fellowships these days. Fewer and fewer members of churchianity, as well as a few members in our Faith Community, are simply refusing to serve and bear burdens.

But when we shirk our service and burden bearing responsibilities, are we not despising or rejecting our Master Yahoshua Messiah? Did He not question a multitude of followers on a plain just outside of Kfar Nahum (aka Capernaum):

Yeshua Requires Service and Burden Bearing

“Why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do the things I say” (Luk. 6:46; CSB)?

One of the earliest Gospel mentions of bearing burdens is found in Matthew 11. And it was while addressing yet another multitude of followers that Yeshua declared this essential element of discipleship:

“Come to me all who labor and bear burdens and I will give you rest. Bear my “yoke” (Greek=”zugos”) upon you and learn from me. That I am tranquil and I am meek, and in my heart you will find tranquility in your souls. For my yoke is pleasant and my burden is light” (Mat. 11:28-30; AENT).

[If you would like to hear/read more on Messianic service, I invite you to listen to/read my post entitled, “Messianics Dedicated to Service.“]

Man-made Religion Places Unreasonable Burdens and Service Requirements Upon It’s Disciples

This essential passage of the Gospel is an example of Master Yeshua comparing His requirements for true discipleship with those of His counterparts—those pesky Pharisees. Master was essentially saying here that comparatively speaking, his followers had up to now been wrongly treated by members of their religion in that their leaders were foisting upon them unreasonable burdens and service requirements; just so they can be in good standing in their religion. But here Master tells them: ‘Hey guys, know what, I can do infinitely better for you.”

Taking Master’s Yoke Upon Us

Master Yeshua asked us to take His Yoke–His requirements–upon ourselves and learn from Him.

So in using an agricultural analogy, Master likened the requirements and service of discipleship to that of a “yoke.” Now, a yoke is a wooden crosspiece that is fastened over the necks of two animals and attached to the plow or cart that the animals are to pull. The animals could be said, in this situation, to be taking on a burden in the midst of their servitude.

Yoke Defined

Now, the term “yoke” or “zugos” in ancient Greek is a metaphor referring to any burden or bondage (eg., slavery).

Check out this verse in Acts regarding the concept of bearing yokes and maybe we’ll get some clarification as to what Master was referring in Matthew 11:

“And now, why do you test Elohim so as to place a “yoke” upon the neck of the disciples (ie., the newly converted Gentile believers) that which not even our forefathers nor us were able to carry” (Act. 15:10; AENT)?

Gentiles Messianics Spared the Yoke of Religion

Of course, Luke in this passage is actually documenting James’ response to Paul’s report of Gentiles’ coming to Faith through His ministry, defying the conventional wisdom that only Jews were being admitted to Faith. James here, in referring to the “yoke upon the neck of the disciples,” is actually referring to the “oral tradition” (aka, the “oral law” or the “Talmud”).

Now, certain Messianic Jews were defying Paul’s ministry teachings by circling back around to newly converted Gentiles, and demanding that they conform to the Talmud in order to be a part of the Faith Community. And we know James here is referring to the Talmud and not Torah because context confirms this. No true, practicing Jew would ever assert that Torah was “a yoke upon the neck of a Jew.”

The Problem with the Oral Law (Tradition)

The problem with the oral tradition, as alluded to by both Master and James was that it placed additional burden upon the Jew and potentially incoming Gentiles over and above Torah and the teachings of Yeshua. Therefore, those coming into Faith were being burdened with impossible to maintain man-made rules and traditions that, in many cases, superseded and supplanted Torah and the teachings of Yahoshua. And thus every member of the Way was expected to keep the oral tradition if they aspired to be named a member of the Body of Messiah according to the Judaizers.

Religion in Many Cases Subjugates its Members

But Paul referred to the Judaizers’ attaching of the Talmud to the Gospel as subjugation. This subjugation served to force the disciple into a life of servitude (Gal. 5:1; AENT). And servitude in this sense is basically slavery to religion as opposed being servants of Messiah.

Burdensome Rights

And then on the other hand the term “burden” or “phortion” in the Greek, is a metaphor referring to “burdensome rights” (Thayer’s Greek Lexicon). When we think about burdensome rights, we must consider what things Master Yeshua was asking those who would be His disciples to do. That which He was requiring of His disciples, is of course, recorded throughout the gospel accounts. And frankly, those requirements have not changed one jot or tittle.

The Burden of Torah-Keeping Not Really a Burden After-all

Essentially, Yahoshua is requiring that we, His disciples, keep Torah as He has taught and modeled for us. Plain and simple. No additional burdens or requirements would ever be placed upon His disciples. This, of course, runs contrary to the burdens that the Pharisees placed upon their disciples. (Yes, pharisees did indeed have disciples.)

Churchianity has falsely described Torah as being burdensome and impossible for anyone to keep. Interestingly, however, Jewish sages believed that Torah did not impose upon the Jew any unreasonable burden whatsoever.

According “Pirke Aboth” (aka, “The Sayings of the Fathers.” A compilation of ethical teachings and maxims supposedly passed down to the rabbis from Moses. These sayings are actually part of didactic Jewish ethical literature known as the Mishnah), service in accordance with Torah was not a burden. Hebraic understanding of taking on the burden or yoke of Torah was truly a symbol of obedience. For when one takes on the “Yoke of Torah,” he or she devotes his or herself to the service of YHVH and Yeshua Messiah.

Take-Away: Serve and Bear Your Load

So when considering this section of this week’s Torah Portion, the take away (at least for me) is not that of carrying across a wilderness physical burdens related to our Faith (which we really don’t have today per se) or having to endure the rigors of keeping Torah perfectly. Granted, as Messianic Torah observers, we are compelled to carry burdens (especially spiritual ones) and keep Torah as best we can. It’s a requirement of being a disciple of Messiah.

Rather, it’s about making ourselves available for service to YHVH and to the Body of Messiah.

Thus, when we make ourselves available to Yah’s service, He assigns us specific tasks that certifies the depth and health of our relationship with Him, as well as it brings glory to YHVH and edifies the Body of Messiah.

Until next time, I bid you boundless blessings and warmest Shalom.

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5-Facts About Pentecost [Shavuot] Every True Disciple of Messiah Should Know

by | Jun 7, 2019 | Blog, Podcasts

5-Facts About Pentecost [Shavuot] Every True Disciple of Messiah Should Know

by Rod Thomas | The Messianic Torah Observer

This is 5-Facts About Pentecost [Shavu’ot] Every True Disciple of Messiah Should Know.

Most of us who are Torah-keeping disciples of Yeshua Messiah recognize that Pentecost (aka, Shavu’ot) is one of the 7-annual, mandated Feasts of YHVH.

The practicing orthodox Jews of the world recognize the day with night-long Torah-studies, selected readings of the Tanakh (ie., books of the Old Testament), and with family meals and celebratory get-togethers.

Even churchianity recognizes Pentecost as a special day, citing it as the day the Christian and Catholic Church was officially born.

Beyond Pentecost/Shavuot being just another of the 7-annual mandated Feasts of YHVH, as a season and as a day, it is tremendously rich in spiritual meaning and significance for every true disciple of Y’shua Messiah.

Today, we will reveal and explore 5-facts about Pentecost/Shavu’ot we all should be aware of as we head into the day.

Fact 1. Pentecost [Shavu’ot] is About a Season as Much as it is About a Day

Most of you will be observing Pentecost (aka Shavu’ot) this coming S-nday, J-ne 9th. This according to the Calculated Jewish Calendar. Because I keep the observational calendar, Hilary and I will be keeping Pentecost the following S-nday, J-ne 16th.

I mentioned the reason for the disparity in dates in installment 27 of the Messianic Torah Observer. I would humbly refer you to that post for a detailed explanation of the disparity in the dates if you are so led.

Why Keep Shavu’ot?

As Torah Observant disciples of Y’shua Messiah, we keep Pentecost (aka, Shavu’ot) because Father commanded us in His Torah to keep each Feast in perpetuity. (At the very least we keep the spirit of the Feasts as the Ruach haKodesh/the Holy Spirit directs.) Why?

1. Because it pleases our Heavenly Father when we obey His commands such as keeping His Feasts at their appointed times.

2. The Feasts reminds us of Father’s Great Plan of Redemption and Salvation. They serve as rehearsals for us.

3. Our Master Y’shua and His disciples turned apostles kept these feasts. Their obedience to Torah serves the Body of Messiah as a foundation for righteous and holy living which is pleasing to the Father and is the right and proper thing for us to do.

4. Shavu’ot is the second of the 3-annual pilgrimage feasts. (I covered what a pilgrimage feast is in my post entitled, “Feast Pilgrimages to Israel.” So if you desire a more in-depth discussion on pilgrimage feasts, I would point you to that installment as well.)

Of the 7-annual feasts, the pilgrimage feasts have added importance because they required us to travel to and worship at the Sanctuary/Temple, the place where YHVH established His Name; His presence. Since the Temple no longer exists, under the auspices of the renewed covenant, we have effectively because the place where YHVH establishes His Name and presence. Thus, our keeping of the 3-pilgrimage feasts, which includes Shavu’ot, must be meaningful to us in every way possible.

(As an aside, I also posted an in-depth discussion on Shavuot last year entitled, “Keeping Shavuot—The Feast of Weeks—Pentecost—It’s Importance and Meaning to Messianic Believers Today.” I encourage you to check out that discussion which focused, as the title suggests, on the importance and meaning of the day to Yeshua-focused Torah keepers.)

Acts 2:1 and the Meaning of Pentecost/Shavu’ot

For purposes of this post, I want to briefly explore Shavu’ot from the perspective of Acts 2:1, which reads:

“And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place” (KJV).

Now, the AENT (Aramaic English New Testament) places somewhat of a different nuance on this verse. It’s rendering of this critical verse actually takes us in different direction than that of the KJV. Thus, the passage reads,

“And after the (fifty) days of Shavuot (Pentecost) were fulfilled, all were assembled as one” (AENT).

Do you recognize the nuance here? The AENT rendering of Acts 2:1 actually clarifies for the reader what Pentecost actually means in Luke’s accounting of the day just 10-days after the ascension of our Master to His Father in heaven. It speaks to a period of 50-days (which Jewish tradition calls “the counting of the omer”) leading up to the arrival of Pentecost, when all (ie., all of Y’shua’s disciples) were gathered together at a yet-to-be revealed location, in “one accord (ie., “homothumadon” or with one passion and purpose of mind).”

(If you desire a more in-depth discussion on the concept of the Jewish tradition of “The Days of Counting the Omer,” I invite you to listen to the first portion of my installment entitled, “10-Things You Must Do to Improve Your Understanding of the Bible.”)

Penteqostia

The Aramaic term used in this verse is “Pentaqostia,” which Andrew Gabriel Roth, author of the AENT says is a “loanword” meaning 50th-day. Pentaqostia is not a common Aramaic term. The AENT presumes that Luke wrote his account in Aramaic, effectively borrowing from Greek terminology (such as Pentecost) that is found throughout his work. Thus, Pentaqostia is derived from the Greek term “Pentecoste.” Roth contends that Luke, a Syrian-Antioch native, used the term Pentaquostia to appeal to his primarily Gentile, Aramaic-Greek reading audience.

Luke: a Most Unique Historian

Luke was a unique historian. Like his traveling partner the Apostle Paul, Luke was able to operate in both semitic and gentile worlds with the greatest of ease.

Pentecost: Both a Season and a Day

The AENT rendering of Acts 2:1 actually highlights the relevance of the 50-day “season” leading up to the feast day. And the relevance of those 50-days is recorded in Luke 24 and Acts 1. Thus the AENT defines Pentecost as a Feast composed of 50-days leading up to the mandated pilgrimage feast day.

Thus, Pentacostia is: (1) the Feast Day itself; and (2) it serves as a time marker (ie., the period of time leading up to the actual day of Pentecost).

The Date of Pentecost Each Calendar Year

As you may (or for that matter may not) know, Pentecost (ie., Shavu’ot) does NOT fall on the same day of the biblical calendar month each year.

When Father gave us instructions for Shavu’ot and Yom HaBikkurim (aka, Wave Sheaf Offering), He also gave us very strict instructions on how to determine the exact dates on which these two calendar events fall.

Now, there is a slight trick to nailing down when Shavu’ot falls. In order to determine the day when Shavu’ot falls, one must first nail down when Yom HaBikkurim (ie., Wave Sheaf) occurs. And this nailing down of the exact date of Wave Sheaf is a point of contention in our Faith Community. This is because the date of Wave Sheaf is not universally understood or agreed upon by members of our Faith Community.

(For a more detailed explanation of the Wave Sheaf Offering Day, I humbly invite you to listen/read my post entitled: “The Day of First Fruits or the Wave Sheaf Offering.”)

Determining When Wave Sheaf Falls is Critical to Determining When Shavuot Falls

The crucial element of this thing is determining exactly when Wave Sheaf falls during any given biblical calendar year. Accurately determining what day Wave Sheaf falls directly affects the date when Shavu’ot takes place each biblical calendar year.

Torah tells us when Wave Sheaf is to fall in each biblical calendar year:

“You are to count seven complete weeks starting from the day after the Sabbath, the day you brought the sheaf of the presentation offering” (Lev. 23:15; CSB).

In order to understand this instruction, we must take in context of the overall chapter. Wave Sheaf takes place only during the pilgrimage feast of Passover/Unleavened Bread. Wave Sheaf is easily marked by the weekly Sabbath that falls during the Week of Passover/Unleavened Bread. So when that weekly Sabbath hits, we know that the very next day (ie., S-nday) will be Wave Sheaf. That day MUST fall within the Passover/Unleavened Bread week. It cannot fall outside it. And lastly, Wave Sheaf always falls on a S-nday (ie., the first day of the week after the weekly Sabbath that falls during the Passover/Unleavened Bread Week.

It is on Wave Sheaf that we begin our 50-day count (ie., 7-week count) leading to the Day of Shavu’ot (Lev. 23:16).

When we as a community follow this basic instruction of Leviticus 23:15, we by default keep Shavu’ot at its appointed time (Num. 9:2-13).

Fact-2. The Day of Pentecost [Shavu’ot] Goes By a Number of Names

One of the greatest challenges facing a new convert to our Faith has to do with learning the language of our Faith. Most of us came from some sect of churchianity. The common vernacular of churchianity is pretty easy to understand as it generally matches our western, secular language. However, when individuals move into Faith (ie., Hebrew Roots/Messianic Faith), most are met with a whole other set of names and terminologies that is totally foreign to them.

The learning curve just for the language (ie., individual words and phrases as opposed to the entire Hebrew language) often associated with our Faith can be daunting to some. But learning key terms, phrases, and names is essential to one’s ability to understand the things of YHVH as recorded in the bible.

Understanding Names and Vernacular is Important 

Important elements of our Faith such as the designation of the Feasts of YHVH can be especially challenging to the new convert. Not only does the convert have to learn what the Feasts are, when and where they fall during the biblical calendar year and their significance to their walk in Messiah, he or she must also be able to recognize the various references, names and titles given to each Feast by the various writers of the bible.

Like the other annual feasts of Yah, Shavu’ot is referenced in scripture by at least 4-distinct English names or titles:

1. Feast of Weeks—Exodus 34:22; Deuteronomy 16:10.

2. Feast of Harvest—Exodus 23:16.

3. Day of First Fruits—Numbers 28:26.

4. Day of Pentecost—Acts 2:1; 20:16; 1 Corinthians 16:8.

Then of course there’s the name or term “Shavuot,” which is an Ashkenazi (one of two fundamental Jewish sects) Hebrew term. Sephardic Jews (the second Jewish sect) refer to the Day as Shavu’oth. Consequently you will not find Shavu’ot in most, if any, English translation of scripture.

Fact-3. Pentecost [Shavu’ot] is Chocked-Full of Key-Spiritual Meaning and Relevance

In their rawest form (ie., as they were literally prescribed and practiced in Torah and the Tanakh), the feasts served as annual reminders to us of Yah’s goodness, grace, mercy and sovereignty.

The First Shavuot at Mount Sinai

The first Shavuot was likely the day Israel received the Commandments of YHVH.

Many in our Faith contend that Torah was given to us on or around the Day of Shavu’ot, some 50-days after we were delivered from Egyptian bondage by YHVH. (I personally believe this to be true.)

The feasts also served as key historical markers in the life of ancient Israel: not only embodying our exodus from Egyptian bondage, but also the life and atoning sacrifice of our Master Yahoshua.

The 50-day/7-week period leading up to Shavu’ot matches the amount of time it would have taken us to depart Egyptian territory; trek across the Red Sea and the desert on the other side; enter into Arabia; assemble at the foot of Mount Sinai; and receive Father’s covenant and Torah (Exo. 12-20:1-17).

For the disciple of Yeshua Messiah, the 50-day/7-week period leading up to Shavu’ot is the same, allotted time frame that existed between Yeshua’s resurrection and the giving of the gift of the Holy Spirit as recorded in Acts 2.

What Happened During the 50-Days?

During this critical 50-day/7-week period:

  • Yeshua makes several appearances to His disciples (Mar. 16 and Luk. 24).
  • In appearing to His disciples during this time period, Master performed a number of signs/miracles in their presence (Joh. 20:30,31).
  • Yahoshua gives His disciples the Great Commission (Mat. 28:18-20; Joh. 21:24,25).
  • Master fully reveals the Gospel and foretells the imminent outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon His disciples (Luk. 24:45-49).
  • Yahoshua ascends to His Father on the 40th Day in the presence of His disciples and angels reveal His ultimate return to Jerusalem in the same manner that He left them (Act. 1:11).
  • On the day Yahoshua ascended to His Father, the disciples took up residence in a rented space in Jerusalem in accordance to the instructions provided to them by Yeshua (Luk. 24:52,53).
  • For 10-solid days, the disciples went to the Temple: teaching, preaching and praying (Mar. 16:20).

The disciples, by means of a makeshift lottery, selected Mathias to replace the trader Judas Iscariot. After this incident, we read nothing more about Mathias. Some in our Faith contend that the disciples acted prematurely and ignorantly, not realizing (or not having it revealed to them) that Judas’ replacement was to be Paul the Apostle. I tend to agree with that assertion.

The Feasts and Torah Are Shadows of Good Things to Come

Furthermore, the Feasts of YHVH have been described as “a shadow of the good things to come, [but] not the very image of the things” (Heb. 10:1; ESV).

I mentioned just a moment ago that I believed, along with many scholars and teachings in our Faith Community, that Torah was passed down to us by YHVH on Shavu’ot Day. Well, it would stand to reason in addition, that Shavu’ot foreshadowed the teachings, modeling and person of our Master Yahoshua our Messiah. Indeed, it goes without saying that Yeshua is the walking-talking Torah. He came down to earth from His Father above to teach us how to live and walk out Torah the way our Creator always intended us to live and walk out Torah.

Wave Sheaf Serves as our Marker for Shavuot

Wave Sheaf Offering

The Day of the Wave Sheaf Offering serves as the marker day to commence our 50-day count and lead us to Shavuot.

The Wave Sheaf Offering, which marked the start of the 7-week countdown to Shavu’ot was a shadow of Yahoshua being the “First Fruits” of YHVH’s great plan of salvation and redemption. As “first fruits,” Yahoshua ascended to His Father after His resurrection, having successfully atoned for our sins (Joh. 20:17; Col. 1:15-18; Rom. 8:29; Col. 1:15-18; and Rev. 1:5,6).

And of course, Shavu’ot foreshadowed and even marked the giving of the Holy Spirit to Yah’s elect. For the Holy Spirit empowers us to live and walk out Torah the way Yeshua taught and modeled for us during His earthly ministry. The Holy Spirit (ie., the Ruach haKodesh):

  • Inspires us to do the will of YHVH our Elohim.
  • Empowers us to walk in the will of YHVH our Elohim.
  • Comforts us in the midst of trials and tribulations.
  • It enlightens us by revealing the meaning of YHVH’s eternal Word of Truth.
  • And when we can’t remember what Father said about a particular thing in His Word of Truth, it brings those things to our remembrance at the proper time.
  • It creates, resurrects and heals in the mighty Name of Yeshua.
  • And so much more.

Fact-4. Fake-News is Attached to Pentecost [Shavu’ot]

Believe it or not, fake news surrounding Pentecost/Shavu’ot has been perpetrated upon churchianity as well as certain sectors of our Faith Community.

“Fake news” has to do with what some have termed the “Upper Room Conspiracy,” which I believe to be a very apt moniker for it.

Pentecost/shavuot, one of the annual, mandated Feasts of YHVH, is filled with spiritual significance that every true disciple of Messiah should be aware of.

Acts 2: 1b and 2, describe what is believed to be approximately 120 or so disciples gathered in one place in one accord on the Day of Pentecost. All of a sudden, a sound came from heaven. The sound was likened unto that of a “roaring wind” (or a “groning spirit”—Andrew Gabriel Roth—AENT). Luke records that the sound filled “all the house in which they were sitting.”

Verse 3 of the same 2nd chapter of Acts describes that this audible sound manifested itself visually as to that of “divided tongues and as fire sitting upon every one of the disciples” (AENT).

This of course was the long awaited and prophesied outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon His elect, and the token of the renewed covenant that was mediated by our Master Yeshua Messiah (Joe. 2:28; Act. 1:11-15; 2:17).

However, tradition would have us believe that this amazing miracle took place within the confines of the rented space Yeshua’s disciples procured for themselves the day Master ascended to His Father in heaven. Luke refers to this rented space as an “upper room” (Act. 1:13).

But did the miraculous outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Yeshua’s 120-disciples take place in that upper room in accordance with traditional teaching?

Contextually and semantically speaking, the answer is NO.

House: A Term for the Upper Room or The Temple in Jerusalem

The point of contention here has to do with the English term “house,” or in ancient Greek, “oikos.”

Depending on how “oikos” is used by the biblical writer, it may describe a literal house, abode or structure; all the individuals forming a family; or a race or descendants.

The Rented Room

Certainly, the fact that Master’s inner circle of 11-remaining disciples rented a space in Jerusalem in obedience to Yahoshua’s instructions (Act. 1:4), especially when we filter this situation through our western mindset, Luke’s choice of the term “oikos,” translated “house” in English, would naturally lead us to conclude that the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples as they sat in the upper room on the Day of Shavu’ot.

However, recall that at the beginning of this discussion, I mentioned to you that Luke was apt to borrow Greek terms in various places of his writings to describe uniquely Hebrew concepts. (eg., Pentaqostia for Shavu’ot). Truth be told, Luke’s use of “oikos” here is one of those instances.

Remember also that Luke was very familiar with Hebrew vernacular and terminology. But Luke also knew his Gentile audience. Thus he went out of his way to make his accounting of what had taken place, within a completely Jewish context, as understandable to his Gentile readers as he possibly could.

Greek Loanwords to Describe Uniquely Hebrew Things

Unfortunately, Luke’s efforts in making this purely Jewish incident understandable to his Gentile readers was not full-proof. Luke no doubt assumed that His Gentile readers would have at least a modest understanding of Jewish vernacular that he could reasonably frame within Greek/Aramaic terms (eg., “oikos” or house). However, Gentile readers who would come along, let’s say some 2,000-years later, would not have that same understanding of Jewish vernacular as some of the Gentiles of Luke’s day. Thus, we (ie., churchianity and members of our Faith Community) would be at a major disadvantage when attempting to translate and understand this and other similar passages of Scripture.

Oikos–Understanding The Term From a Hebraic Perspective

Contextually speaking, Luke’s use of “oikos” here is in no way referring to the disciples’ rented “upper room,” for a number of reasons which I’ll explain momentarily.

The term “house” or “oikos” in this passage must first be understood from a Hebraic/Jewish perspective.

House in Hebrew is “beit. Beit has the same variety of meaning as its Greek counterpart “oikos.” But like its Greek counterpart, in order to understand exactly what the writer is referring to, one must fully grasp the context in which beit is used. (Again, context, context, context is vital to an accurate understanding of scripture.)

Why Didn’t the Event Happen in the Upper Room?

Consider the following points of reason:

  • Cramming upwards of 120-people (men and women) into a single room (in this case the famous “upper room”) would be spatially challenging to say the least. Unless we’re talking about an auditorium of some sort, which is not likely the type of space Luke refers to as an “upper room.”
  • Having Yeshua’s female disciples hanging out in a rented room with their male counterparts over a period of days would certainly not be culturally appropriate for that time period and place.
  • Luke clearly announces that the Day of Pentecost had fully arrived (ie., the 50-days of counting had been completed and the feast day had finally come). Thus, in keeping with Torah, the 120-disciples would not have likely remained holed up in their rented room. Torah required that Hebrews on Shavu’ot proclaim and convene a holy convocation at the location YHVH placed His Name/His presence. And in the disciples dispensation (ie., era), the place of worship on the Day of Shavu’ot would have been on the Temple Mount at the Temple.
  • We also know from Luke’s accounting that for 10-consecutive days leading up to Shavu’ot the disciples—both the men and women disciples—spent their days on the Temple Mount at the Temple proper teaching, preaching and praying (Luk. 24:52,53). Luke describes the disciples being “at all times in the Temple.”

The Holy Spirit Was Poured Out on the Disciples While They Sat in the Temple

Given the context and taking into account the points of reason I just laid out for you, one would logically conclude that the term “house” or “oikos” as used by Luke in Acts 2 is referring to the Temple.

How so? It goes back to looking at this thing from a Hebrew perspective. Matthew, Mark and Luke refer to the Temple as the “House.” More specifically, Yeshua referred to the Temple as “The House of Prayer” and Luke records Stephen as referring to the Temple as “the House that Solomon built” (Mat. 12:4; 21:13; Luk. 2:49; Joh. 2:16,17; Act. 7:47). According to Andrew Gabriel Roth: “The Ruach haKodesh was clearly poured out in full view of those in attendance at the Temple, not in some hidden place” (AENT).

So the true story continues: that the Holy Spirit was shed upon Yahoshua’s 120-disciples in the presence of thousands of international Jews, attending and worshiping at the Temple in Jerusalem on the Temple Mount on Shavu’ot Day. And it was on that historic day that some 3,000-souls were added to the Body of Messiah.

These old and new disciples became one big family in Messiah. These—literally hundreds and thousands who stayed behind in Jerusalem—continued in the Temple daily in prayer, worship and in the breaking of bread from house-to-house.

And of course, the rest is history.

Why The Fact News Story About the Upper Room?

So why the centuries’ old fake news regarding the upper room and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Well, apart from simple ignorance of what was going on Hebraically on the Temple Mount that Day, it was probably a case of antisemitism. Indeed, as the years passed, the so-called “Church” attempted to remove every vestige of Hebraism they possibly could in response to their utter hatred of the Jews.

Sadly, this and so many other traditions of the “church” have been passed off as “Gospel Truth” because the church chose to abandon the Hebraic Roots of the True Faith once delivered.

Fact-5. Father Requires 5-Things of us on Pentecost [Shavu’ot]

Although today we cannot physically keep Shavu’ot as Torah instructs, as we keep all of Yah’s Word in Spirit and in Truth, I came across 5-basic, nonnegotiable things we must strive to do each Shavu’ot:

1. We are to proclaim a holy convocation (ie., a miqra or a sacred assembly) on the Day of Shavu’ot (Lev. 23:21; Num. 28:26). One can pretty much determine what a holy convocation (ie., a sacred assembly) looked like in ancient Israel under the auspices of the old covenant. But for us today, enjoying the tremendous benefits of the renewed covenant, it means that we must strive to assemble ourselves with other like-minded disciples of Y’shua Messiah when reasonably possible (Heb. 10:25). In convening a holy convocation on Shavu’ot, we might sing songs of praise and worship unto YHVH. We might engage in heartfelt prayer unto YHVH. Furthermore, we might engage in the reading of YHVH’s Word of Truth or receive teachings from Yah’s anointed teachers and leaders. All such activities are ordered by the leading of the Holy Spirit (aka, the Ruach haKodesh) and the needs and desires of the assembly (1 Cor. 12:27; Eph. 4:12).

2. We are prohibited from doing any servile work on Shavu’ot Day (Lev. 23:21; Num. 28:26).

3. The keeping of Shavu’ot is to be a perpetual regulation (ie., an everlasting statute) down through every generation (Lev. 23:21). In other words, we are compelled by this instruction to teach our children and those who we are assigned to disciple to keep Shavu’ot each year. And these in turn must teach their children and their assigned disciples.

4. We are to rejoice on Shavu’ot Day before YHVH our Elohim (Deu. 16:11). In other words, we must view the day as a time of celebration and worship before YHVH. This may take the form of spirit-filled praise and worship activities: singing and dancing before YHVH. It may also take the form of breaking bread with our fellow-feast goers.

5. Lastly, We are to bring general and freewill offerings to our sacred assemblies as a form of worship unto YHVH (Lev. 23:26-31; Deu. 16:10). For us today, it can be in the form of financial and material gifts to ministries that feed us. As well as it may be the “fruit of our lips” uttering praise and worship unto YHVH(Heb. 13:15). Additionally, it may entail doing good deeds on Shavu’ot such as assisting those in need of our help; visiting the sick and shut-in of one’ assembly; or lending one’s physical or knowledge expertise to address a brother or sister’s nagging matter or concern. How we serve others and YHVH on Shavu’ot is only limited by our own imagination and our willingness to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Until next time, stay well and blessed fellow saints of the Most High. Shalom. Take care.

 

 

What is Torah? – The condensed version!

by | Jun 18, 2015 |

What is Torah? Here is a condensed explanation. YHWH (God the Father) created everything, including Man. He commanded all living things - the birds, fish and animals - to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:21-25). He gave man some rules to follow as well. That is...

Questionnaire for our Christian friends

by | Jun 16, 2015 |

Shalom, everyone! My name is Carmen and I love to help people become Torah observant! To help you along the way, I have made up this questionnaire for our Christian friends. Enjoy! QUICK INTRODUCTORY QUESTION: Is it really true that to gain eternal life, all we have...

To Love Or Not Love Israel?That is the Question–Part 1

by | Jun 2, 2019 | Blog, Podcasts

To Love Or Not Love Israel?—That is the Question--Part 1

by Rod Thomas | The Messianic Torah Observer

o Love Or Not Love Physical Israel? That is the Question–Part 1
A Biblical, Historical and Personal Perspective on Physical Israel and Hebrew Roots

Why this Topic?

Recent surge in antisemitic type posts on social media involving folks within and without our Faith Community. Also lots of talk in government about physical Israel—the nation state of Israel—which, among so many other things, is polarizing our nation. The other thing has to do with the spiritual awakening we see going on in Israel of late:

  • Messianic fervor in the Land
  • Revival in the Land
  • Talk of reviving sacrifices and building the 3rd Temple
  • Recent conflicts involving the Palestinians
  • The recent wild fires engulfing parts of Israel
  • The extreme levels of support by many in our Faith Community for the nation state of Israel—sending moneys for support; Messianics in the U.S. elevating the nation state of Israel in their teachings, social media postings and the like
  • The looming Jared Kushner/President Donald Trump Middle East Peace Plan
  • U.S. sanctions against Iran.

Defining Physical Israel

Those who are Jews by birth. Paul confirms this in his writings (eg., Rom. 11:13-14; Phi. 3:4,5). For this discussion specifically, I include the citizens of the modern state of Israel who claim Jewish ancestry.

The diaspora of the House of Israel (3,000-years ago) and House of Judah (2,000-years ago) has resulted in a multi-cultural mix:

  • The Story of Ruth
  • Not every Ethiopian is Jewish
  • Should not be a racial issue, but it has become one because the hearts of people remain corrupted—on both sides—both Jew and Non-Jew alike
  • Skin, hair and eye color truly don’t matter when identifying physical Israelites
  • Competing entities claiming to be physical Israelites such as the “Black Israelists”
  • During their diaspora, Jews have undergone tremendous persecution (eg., the German Holocaust)

Some have latched onto teachings that portray physical Israel (specifically the modern nation of Israel)as impostors. Most notable is the assertion that the Jews today, both in and outside the land of Israel, are not descendants of Judah. These assert that Jews today (especially those living in the modern state of Israel) are really Khazarians (ie., descendants of the Khazars). Others assert that the modern nation of Israelites are Zionists. And Zionists are of the Illuminati and the Rothschilds.

Has She Been Lost And Forever Forgotten By YHVH?

The Tanakh suggests that Physical Israel has NOT been lost and forever forgotten by YHVH:

14 For I will be unto Ephraim as a lion, and as a young lion to the house of Judah: I, even I, will tear and go away; I will take away, and none shall rescue him.
15 I will go and return to my place, till they acknowledge their offence, and seek my face: in their affliction they will seek me early.

KJV Hosea 6:1 Come, and let us return unto the LORD: for he hath torn, and he will heal us; he hath smitten, and he will bind us up.
2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight.
3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the LORD: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth.
4 O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away. (Hos 5:14-6:4 KJV)

Contextually speaking, Hosea is prophesying of the return of the House of Israel to the Land of Promise here. To date however, House of Israel has not returned to the Land. (Could be some of us.)

5 Therefore have I hewed them by the prophets; I have slain them by the words of my mouth: and thy judgments are as the light that goeth forth.
6 For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than burnt offerings.
7 But they like men have transgressed the covenant: there have they dealt treacherously against me.
8 Gilead is a city of them that work iniquity, and is polluted with blood.
9 And as troops of robbers wait for a man, so the company of priests murder in the way by consent: for they commit lewdness.
10 I have seen an horrible thing in the house of Israel: there is the whoredom of Ephraim, Israel is defiled.
11 Also, O Judah, he hath set an harvest for thee, when I returned the captivity of my people. (Hos 6:5-11 KJV)

Could be speaking to Judah’s return to the Land after Babylonian Captivity, but since it’s grouped here with a return of House of Israel, Judah’s prophetic return to the land could be a dual prophecy.

Many contend that Judah forfeited her place as a chosen people of Yah when they crucified our Master, Yeshua Messiah (ie., the leaders of Judaism) and the nation’s rejection of Yeshua as their Messiah. Yet that which the Jewish leaders meant for evil (ie., in the crucifixion of our Master), Yah used for good to fulfill His eternal purpose:

28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. (Rom 8:28 KJV)

Indeed, Yah is not finished with Judah. As we see in Zechariah, Father will bring Judah back to Himself both physically and spiritually:

7 The LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah.
8 In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; and he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, as the angel of the LORD before them.
9 And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
10 And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.
11 In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
12 And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;
13 The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;
14 All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart. (Zec 12:7-14 KJV)

As maddening as this may sound, the Jew’s selling out of Y’shua to the Romans was ultimately good for the Jew. This concept of intended evils being used by Yah to achieve His purpose was clearly seen in Joseph revealing to his brothers that what happened to him by his brothers’ selling him into slavery ultimately served to save their entire family from the famine (Jasher 54:69):

“And Joseph observed all their acts (his brothers’) and said unto them, ‘Why do you look here and there? I am Joseph whom you sold to Egypt. Now, therefore, let it not grieve you that you sold me. For as a support during the famine did God send me before you’” (cf. Gen. 37:23).

Despite what many contend, physical Israel will play a pivotal role in the End of Days as this dual purpose prophecy seems to suggest:

  • YHVH receives the glory due Him when the world sees Judah back in the land.
  • When Ephraim returns to the land then will YHVH really be glorified.

The Title or Descriptor “Spiritual Israel” Is Not Biblical

Search as one may, the title or descriptor “Spiritual Israel” is not found in Scripture. I believe it was born out of the antisemitic-based doctrine of “Replacement Theology.”

Our Faith Community Seems To Fall Into 3-Groups As It Relates To This Issue

  1. Those who love physical Israel—specifically the modern state of Israel–even to the point of worship.
  2. Others who despise physical Israel for various and sundry reasons.
  3. Still others who are indifferent to physical Israel.

Why The Disparity in Viewpoints ?

Failure to adopt a universal understanding of who and what is physical Israel (to include the modern nation of Israel).

In failing to adopt a universal understanding of the significance (or insignificance) physical Israel currently plays and will play in our lives relative to biblical prophecy.

People of Faith have a nasty habit of boxing YHVH (and His Word and Work) to fit into preconceived boxes that they’ve constructed for themselves.

Those boxes are often built upon personal biases; fear; hatred; misplaced adoration; personal preferences; ignorance; bigotry; blind obedience. 

Reasons Given For Rejecting Physical Israel.

1. The inhabitants of the Land are not real Jews.

  • They are Khazarians
  • The Jews are Zionists
  • Rothschilds are behind the Jewish occupation of the Land
  • The Illuminati is behind the nation state of Israel
  • Jews are Christ-Killers
  • Christians or Messianics are now God’s “chosen people”
  • True Jews are those that possess a circumcised heart
  • The renewed covenant nullifies the existence of physical Israel and the old covenant.

2. The citizens of the Land are doomed and are not worth paying them any mind.

3. Believers of Y’shua under the New Covenant have replaced physical Israel.

Personal Analysis For The Rejection

1. The hatred towards the citizens and inhabitants of the nation state of Israel, as well as towards Jews worldwide, suggests that we may need a healing of our hearts. A softening of our hearts and souls. To love and care about others as our heavenly Father loves and cares for us. (Antisemitism)

2. Supersessionism, or as more popularly known to scholars as “Replacement Theology,” among so many other things, focus on Paul’s concerns about physical Israel and where they fit in Yah’s plan of salvation, and created a false doctrine that replaces physical Israel with Christians. These call themselves “spiritual Israel.”

Supersessionism vs Israel

Replacement Theology is at the heart of a great deal of the negative rhetoric we hear regarding physical Israel within Christian and Hebrew Roots circles today.

According to the supersessionists:

 

 

 

  • The new covenant through Jesus Christ supersedes the old covenant which belongs exclusively to the Jews. Most, if not all, supersessionists are anti-Torah in their worldview
  • The Christian Church has succeeded the physical Israelites as the definitive people of YHVH
  • The new covenant has replaced, superseded Torah, or the Mosaic Law
  • They reject dual-covenant theology, although some Christian sects teach that the moral law continues to stand
  • Catholicism contends that “the Church is the new people of God” (1965 Vatican Council II).

KJV Romans 9:1 I say the truth in Christ, I lie not, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Ghost,
2 That I have great heaviness and continual sorrow in my heart.
3 For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh:
4 Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises;
5 Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed for ever. Amen.
6 Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel:
7 Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called.
8 That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Rom 9:1-8 KJV)

 

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus.
29 And if ye be Christ’s, then are ye Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
(Gal 3:28-29 KJV)

When looking at the Supersessionists’ replacement theology from a biblical perspective, and for the moment resist spiritualizing the topic of physical Israel, I believe we must keep two things in mind:

Regarding the seed of Abraham: Abraham became the father of/to many nations—not just the Father of the Jews (I.e., House of Judah or the Jews) (Gen. 17:5). So why do we feel we have to replace physical Israel as a so-called “spiritual Israel?” The Bible nowhere suggests such a thing.

Case in point: Abraham had 8 sons according to Scripture (although churchianity teaches that he had just Isaac and the illegitimate Ismael):

I. Isaac
II. Ishmael
III. Zimran
IV. Jokshan
V. Medan
VI. Midian
VII. Isbak
VIII. Shuah

In using agricultural terminology, Paul put the issue of the “physical” Jew and Gentiles coming into Faith. He likened the Gentile coming into Faith as that of a “wild olive branch” that is grafted into a cultured olive tree. That cultured olive tree is true physical Israel—the commonwealth of Israel—those who keep the commandments of YHVH and have the testimony of Y’shua Messiah. (Rev. 12:17).

But Paul warned that we are NOT at all the tree nor have we become a replacement for the tree. We are branches (Rom. 11:17).

As branches being grafted to the tree, we become partakers of the tree, receiving the fatness (ie., the necessary nutrients) of the tree’s root system.

Paul further taught that it was unbelief (ie., blindness of the Jew) that led to our plum spot in YHVH’s Plan of Salvation. (If Judah would have recognized the visitation of her Messiah, those branches would have remained in place. Some physical Israelites, however, recognized and accepted the visitation of their Messiah, as have so many today who have come to a saving knowledge of Y’shua Messiah. These have been grafted back into the tree or the commonwealth of Israel.

And as we closer to the End, more and more of those purged branches (rebellious physical Israelites) will have the scales dropped form their eyes; the veil over the minds removed; and the callouses over their hearts broken off, and they will be grafted back into the tree along with us (Rom. 11:23,24).

9 And on that day I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.
10 “And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and pleas for mercy, so that, when they look on me, on him whom they have pierced, they shall mourn for him, as one mourns for an only child, and weep bitterly over him, as one weeps over a firstborn. (Zec 12:9-10 ESV)

As grafted branches, we must be very careful in adopting such attitudes as the “Supersessionists” have done: casting dispersions and hate toward those who are physical Israelites or Jews in general.

In fact, Paul warned about this very thing, which we see happening today, even in our own Faith Community. Paul warned that we must come at this question of being grafted in to the commonwealth of physical Israel, not from a place of arrogance, but from a place of fear (respect). In other words, be fearful (actually terrified) of losing your place. Paul wrote:

18 Boast not against the branches. But if thou boast, thou bearest not the root, but the root thee.
19 Thou wilt say then, The branches were broken off, that I might be graffed in.
20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by faith. Be not highminded, but fear:
21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.
22 Behold therefore the goodness and severity of God: on them which fell, severity; but toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. (Rom 11:18-22 KJV)

It should go without saying that supersessionists, in making such claims that they have replaced physical Israel, and are now THE chosen people of YHVH, that they best walk carefully as Paul so warned above. For the mantle of being Israel carries with it great responsibility. And they best be ready to fulfill that mantle or else.

We will pick this up in our next installment.

Faithfully

 

What is Torah? – The condensed version!

by | Jun 18, 2015 |

What is Torah? Here is a condensed explanation. YHWH (God the Father) created everything, including Man. He commanded all living things - the birds, fish and animals - to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:21-25). He gave man some rules to follow as well. That is...

Questionnaire for our Christian friends

by | Jun 16, 2015 |

Shalom, everyone! My name is Carmen and I love to help people become Torah observant! To help you along the way, I have made up this questionnaire for our Christian friends. Enjoy! QUICK INTRODUCTORY QUESTION: Is it really true that to gain eternal life, all we have...

Shemittah and Jubilee-Shadows of the Rest, Redemption and Freedom We Have in Messiah

by | May 25, 2019 | Blog, Podcasts

The Shemittah and Jubilee--Foreshadows of the Rest, Freedom and Redemption We Have in Messiah

by Rod Thomas | The Messianic Torah Observer

 

Are the Shemitah and Jubilee Commands Still in Effect?

The Shemitah and Jubilee regulations contained in this week’s Torah Portion embody the principle elements of rest, freedom and redemption. These three principle elements are intricately linked to the mission of our Master Y’shua Messiah.

Although we were commanded in Father’s Torah to observe Shemitah (ie., the Sabbatical Year) and Jubilee (Year of Release and Freedom), these two calendar events are Torah instructions that do not directly apply to us who are living outside the Land of Israel (Lev. 25:2). The commands related to the Shemitah and Jubilee were only applicable to the Hebrews residing in the Land of Israel.

Teachers and Preachers Capitalizing on the Shemitah and Jubilee

Johnathan Cahn-Messianic Jewish Rabbi

Johnathan Cahn and others were instrumental in introducing Shemitah to mainstream Christianity and Hebrew Roots communities.

Certain self-proclaimed Hebrew Roots and Messianic teachers and preachers have, over the last several years, successfully made “a dollar and a cent” peddling their books and DVD’s on this subject. These preachers and teachers turned successful authors and religious celebrities have hijacked Torah. They have, in effect, repackaged and snazzy’d up the instructions on Shemitah and Jubilee to appeal to a primarily traditional Christian audience. Their erroneous contentions are that the western world is subject to the judgments inherent in not keeping Shemitah and Jubilee. [I would recommend in addition to this discussion on Shemitah, my previous post entitled, “Feast Pilgrimages to Israel–Messianic Lessons Learned From Shemitah.”]

Members Misapplying the Instructions on the Shemitah and Jubilee

Other members of our Faith Community have misapplied the regulations tied to Shemitah and Jubilee to their personal vocations and businesses. The members who have misrepresented and misapplied Shemitah and Jubilee have generally been Hebrew Roots and Messianic congregation and fellowship leaders. They teach false doctrine surrounding Shemitah and Jubilee that prompt their members to give resources and moneys to their organizations.

The Dates for Shemitah and Jubilee Have Been Lost

The exact date when the last Shemitah and Jubilee occurred in Israel has been long lost and forgotten.

However, the Rabbis did take it upon themselves to establish the first Shemitah in the modern State of Israel in 1951-52. The last rabbinic-directed Shemitah on record was 2014-15. Consequently, many farmers in the land of Israel observe the Shemitah, although the commandments surrounding Shemitah and Jubilee are not universally accepted by the Jews of the modern state of Israel.

So What Should We Make of the Shemitah and Jubilee as Torah Observant Disciples of Messiah?

Now, none of what of this is to say that Shemitah and Jubilee hold no significance to the Yeshua-focused Torah Observant disciple of Messiah today. There is indeed tremendous spiritual and prophetic symbolism embodied in both calendar events that we must be aware of.

There are key principle elements of Shemitah and Jubilee that are intricately linked to our identity and redemptive status in Y’shua Messiah.

The elements of Shemitah and Jubilee I’m referencing are (1) rest, (2) redemption, and (3) freedom.

I believe the reason we have so many physically and spiritually oppressed people in our Faith Community today is because they have not truly embraced their royal and priestly identities nor have they recognized their redemptive status in Messiah. These do not walk in the power and might of the Creator’s precious Holy Spirit. Thus, they’re chronically ill; have never-ending financial problems; undergo continuous turmoil in their lives; are miserable individuals; and I could go on forever.

The Sh’mittah/Shemitah/Sabbatical Year—Allowing the Land to Rest

Our Torah Portion for this week is contained in Leviticus 25:1-26:2 with its Haftarah reading in Jeremiah 32:6-27 .

The reading begins with Father commanding us to give the land a “Shabbat Rest” every 7th year. During that year, there was to be no planting/sowing of crops and no pruning of fruit trees and grape vines. Whatever the land produced on its own during this Sabbath Rest period would be our food.

This year is also referred to as “The Sabbath” (or Sabbatical) Year. It has become more popularly referred to as the Shemitah or Shemitah Year.

Shemittah offered us the opportunity to exercise our faith for that year. If we were faithful in keeping the Sabbatical Year regulation, Father promised an abundant harvest that would cover us from the 6th year’s harvest (ie., the very last possible planting season before Shemittah began) and last us up the time that the 8th year’s harvest came in (25:20-22). This was not only faith in action, but also Father’s miraculous provision manifested.

Jubilee (Yovel) Freedom

The Year of Jubilee was a year of redemption. Slaves released and returned to their land. It was a year of property reverting back to their original owner. All symbolic of the work of our Master Y’shua Messiah.

The next calendar event referenced in this Torah Reading is Jubilee (aka Yovel/Yobel).

YHVH commanded us to keep Jubilee every 50th-year. It was to begin in year 49 on Yom Kippur (ie., the Day of Atonement). On that day, we were commanded to blow shofars the entire day.

Father described the time as a year of freedom (aka, liberty). In the Jubilee, all land property must revert back to its original owner. Beyond land property, slaves and servants were to be released or freed from their servitude and obligation. Any outstanding debts were to be eliminated and treated as having been paid in full by the creditor.

Keeping the provisions and regulations of Shemittah and Jubilee guaranteed our security and wellbeing in the land. Father promised that our harvests would be bountiful and our safety in the land would be guaranteed (25:18,19).

Right of Redemption

No land property would be sold to another on a permanent basis. There would always be included in the sale a “right of redemption” clause.

Now, this is a principle that puts the whole issue of land ownership into proper perspective for us. A fundamental law of property ownership is that no human ever truly owns land. All the land belongs to YHVH (25:23,24).

We read of this principle throughout Scripture:

Psalm 24:1—The earth is YHVH’s and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein” (cf. 1 Cor. 10:26-28; KJV).

The “Right of Redemption” provided for that at anytime after someone sells their property to a buyer, they or their next-of-kin could redeem the sold property at an amortized price (25:25-28). Otherwise, the property automatically reverted back to the original owner in the Jubilee Year without cost to the owner.

Themes—Shadow Pictures—Prophesies Embedded in Shemitah and Jubilee

As I previously mentioned, there are three fundamental themes or shadow pictures embodied in these two calendar events:

  • Rest—specifically tied to the Sabbatical Year or the Shemittah. We will see how this theme is manifested in the renewed covenant throughout Y’shua Messiah.
  • Redemption—specifically tied to the Jubilee Year. We will see how this theme is indicative of who we are and who we belong to as disciples of Y’shua Messiah under the auspices of the renewed covenant.
  • Freedom/Liberty/Release—specifically tied to the Jubilee Year. We will see how these themes are manifested in the life we enjoy as disciples of Y’shua Messiah and as children of YHVH our Elohim.

 The Shemitah, Jubilee and the Nazareth Incident

Many Messianic Jewish congregations throughout the world incorporate into their Torah—Haftarah readings on Shabbat, related readings from the New Testament (aka, the Brit H’dashah). For this week’s Torah Reading, Luke’s account of the events surrounding Y’shua reading from Isaiah 61 in a Nazareth synagogue seems most fitting for our discussion.

As the story goes, it was Master’s practice during His earthly ministry to attend synagogue service every Shabbat. Thus, it was at the very start of His ministry that he attended a synagogue service in his hometown of Nazareth on one particular weekly Sabbath day.

Luke records that Master was invited to read the Haftarah Reading for that particular Sabbath. The passage for that Sabbath happened to be out of Yeshayahu (specifically Isaiah 61:1,2a). What Y’shua read was as follows:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed me to preach good tidings to the poor. He hath sent me to proclaim release to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind; to set at liberty them that are bruised. To proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord” (ESV).

Can you see the Shemitah and Jubilee themes and shadows contained in Y’shua’s declaration that He is the fulfillment of Isaiah 61:1, 2: rest; release; liberty; the acceptable year of YHVH?

Rest

The first Shemitah principle is “rest.”

Master taught us the following:

Come to me all who labor are heavy laden and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls (Mat. 11:28,29; ESV).

When we were truly obedient to Father’s Torah, we prospered and existed in restful security in the Land He promised us and our forefathers. Of Father’s instructions, the Prophet Jeremiah wrote:

Thus saith YHVH, stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, we will not walk therein (Jer. 6:16; KJV).

So it is: when we give ourselves over to the teachings of our Master and follow Father’s Torah the way Master taught and modeled, we prosper and flourish. In that prospering and flourishing, we find rest. For we no longer are jostled about by the rigors of this uncertain life.

Freedom

The next principle that is beautifully illustrated in the Jubilee is that of “freedom” (aka referred to as liberty in most English translations of the New Testament).

Among a number of things, freedom in Messiah means freedom from the restraints and miseries of our earthly frailties to be manifested in the glorious condition of our future life:

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us. For the creation eagerly waits with anticipation for God’s sons to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to futility (frustration)—not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it—in the hope that the creation itself will also be set free from the bondage of corruption into the glorious freedom of God’s children” (Rom. 8:18-21; CSB).

There is a freedom that naturally comes to those who become disciples of Y’shua Messiah. Paul wrote to the Assembly of Messianic believers:

“Now the Lord is the Spirit and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Cor. 3:17; ESV).

We have liberty from the yoke of the ceremonial law and the servitude of corruption. We have direct access to YHVH 24/7 and we no longer require a human mediator.

We have freedom of speech through the agency of prayer/petitions/worship that are put forth to our Heavenly Father in spirit and in truth. Our hearts and the Holy Spirit direct our walk in Messiah, just as the Creator always intended us to live.

The “Spirit-empowered” message brought to the world by Messiah brought about a true nation of Israelites who would be freed from the entanglements of this world and the bonds of hasatan.

Freedom From The Evils of this World

For us today, this is the “Spirit-empowered” message we must grab hold to and walk in it. We have been freed from the evils of this world and we have the power to do great things in Messiah if we just take that step of Faith and live in that freedom.

Unfortunately, too many of us are reluctant to embrace the freedom and rest that comes with being a true disciple of Y’shua Messiah. We’re too busy getting into other things that we’re not supposed to be getting into. 

Freedom From Religion

Master’s “Spirit-empowered” message brought with it freedom from the enslavement of religion. Paul touched upon this when he addressed the problems that were being caused by Judaizers in the Galatian Assembly:

Yet because of false brothers secretly brought in, who slipped in to spy out our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, so that they might bring us into slavery (Gal. 2:4; ESV). 

 

For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whereby we cry Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God (Rom. 8:15,16; KJV; cf. Gal. 4:6).

Religion, secularism, and sin are all forms of bondage which Master came to deliver us from. We have received liberty—freedom and rest from these life influences.

Before coming to true Faith, when we were in the world or in religion, the things of this world, our flesh and religion served as our fathers—and by default our captors.

We’ve been freed from all that because we’ve been redeemed and adopted as children of the Most High God. Thus we can honestly refer to YHVH as Father. This is reality that we must fully understand and walk in if we are to live victorious lives as Torah observant disciples of Y’shua Messiah. 

When speaking to some of the religious leaders who believed in Him, Y’shua taught:

“If you continue in my word, then you are my disciples indeed. You shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. Then some of the Prushim retored, ‘We are Avraham’s seed! We were never in bondage to any man, so how can you say, ‘You shall be set free?’’ Y’shua answered them, ‘Truth, I say to you, whoever willfully commits sin is the slave of sin. The servant does not abide in the house forever, but the Son abides forever. Therefore, if the Son sets you free from sin, you shall indeed be free to abide in the house” (John 8:31-36; Rood’s Chronology).

Freedom From Sin

In being freed from the bondage of sin, it becomes our responsibility to not sin. For once we willingly submit ourselves to the tug and pull of sin, we become slaves to sin. Y’shua’s work has alerted us to this danger and has provided us the wherewithal to resist and overcome our sinful nature. It is the gift of the Holy Spirit that works within us to help us overcome our sinful nature. In living a life absent of sin, we abide with the Father in wonderful harmony; freedom; and rest.

Paul wrote to the Messianic Assembly of Believers in Galatia:

Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery (Ga. 5:1; CSB).

Redemption 

And the last shadow element of Jubilee to discuss is redemption.

On the subject of redemption Paul wrote to Titus:

That He might redeem us from all iniquity and purify unto Himself a peculiar people (Tit. 2:14; KJV).

We’ve been bought with a price (1 Cor. 6:20; 7:23). In so being purchased by YHVH—effectively being redeemed from hasatan who is the god of this earth through Y’shua’s sacrifice—we are obligated to walk in the ways of our redeemer.

Again, Paul wrote on redemption in the following two letters:

In whom (speaking of Y’shua Messiah) we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins (Col. 1:14; KJV).

 

 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons (Gal. 4:5; KJV). 

Take-aways and Call-to-Action:

1. Our focus must be Torah-living that is based in Spirit and in Truth.

2. As Yeshua-focused Torah-keepers, our focus should not be rote, mechanical obedience to man-made traditions that some claim are based on Torah. This does not mean we abandon the fundamentals of Torah. Torah serves as our baseline for living in accordance to the way Father would have us live as His beloved children. It is Father’s house-rules for acceptable Godly living.

3. We must walk in the freedom and redemption that Y’shua’s ministry and sacrifice purchased for us.

4. As Yeshua-focused Torah-keepers, we find rest and peace in Father’s and Master’s teachings. We don’t worry or fret about the things going on around us in this crazy world of ours. We live as people of Faith and trust Father to provide and guide and deliver us from problems when necessary. Just as was portrayed in our letting the land rest every 7th year, Father provided, prospered and protected us in the land.

5. Embrace the reality and walk in the rest, redemption and freedom that comes with being a disciple of Messiah.  We are a royal kingdom of priests and children of the Most High God (ie., Elohim).

Until next time, may you, your families and fellowships be most blessed, fellow saints of the Most High. Shalom. Take care.

 

 

 

 

 

What is Torah? – The condensed version!

by | Jun 18, 2015 |

What is Torah? Here is a condensed explanation. YHWH (God the Father) created everything, including Man. He commanded all living things - the birds, fish and animals - to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:21-25). He gave man some rules to follow as well. That is...

Questionnaire for our Christian friends

by | Jun 16, 2015 |

Shalom, everyone! My name is Carmen and I love to help people become Torah observant! To help you along the way, I have made up this questionnaire for our Christian friends. Enjoy! QUICK INTRODUCTORY QUESTION: Is it really true that to gain eternal life, all we have...

10-Things You Must Do To Improve Your Understanding of the Bible

by | May 18, 2019 | Blog, Podcasts

10-Things You Must Do to Improve Your Understanding of the Bible

by Rod Thomas | The Messianic Torah Observer

It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honor of kings is to search out a matter” (Pro. 25:2; KJV).

How’s your Bible Study life going these days? Good? Could be better? Bad? Non-existent?

Well, in today’s installment of the Messianic Torah Observer, I’m going to give you 10-things you can do (beginning today) that I guarantee will dramatically improve your understanding of the Bible; the things of YHVH and of His Torah; the teachings of Y’shua our Messiah; and even Paul’s writings and teachings. 

1. Read, read and read some more

There’s no way around it: we have to actually read our bibles in order for us to understand the things of YHVH our God (Elohim). And we must read our bibles on a frequent basis.

Bible Read Me

Abba communicates with us primarily through His Word. When we don’t properly read and study the Bible, we miss that which Father has to tell us.

The other thing is we desire to be well versed in the Word, we must at times be willing to read beyond the pages of our bibles. What I mean by “read beyond the pages of our bibles is that we must get in the habit of reading extra-biblical books and publications. I recommend reading (biblical) scholarly works in particular.

Additionally, do not settle for just one bible teacher. Most bible teachers tend to limit their focus and understanding of the bible to just one or two main topic areas. Those who tie themselves to just one teacher run the risk of becoming myopic in their biblical understanding and perspectives.

Lastly, invest in your education. Identify those extra-biblical books that will help you in your studies and when you can afford it, buy it. Do not fear the author(s) denomination per se. If you are grounded in the essentials of the Faith you should be capable of separating the meat from the bones (ie., truth from error).

[I invite you to read or listen to my post entitled “Understanding the Bible Part-2-Why Believers Should Read Their Bibles” for a more in-depth examination on the importance of bible study.]

2. Contextually learn your way around the Bible

If possible, read the entire book that contains your target passage or verse. (A passage generally consists of two or more verses.)

Context is one of the most important elements to sound bible study. In fact, context is vital to any true understanding of Paul’s writings and teachings.

When we attempt to circumvent context in our studies, we run the risk of misinterpreting and misunderstanding our focus texts.

3. Consult multiple English translations

There are many options available to you as it relates to having access to multiple English bible translations. Some are free of charge online resources such as BibleHub. Others are paid resources that contain multiple English translations such as Logos Bible Study Software and WordSearch Bible Software.

I would recommend, however, using a sound English Bible translation as your main reference bible such as the ESV, CSB, NASB or the NET. I personally favor the ESV.

4. Have Access to Multiple Extra-Biblical Resources

Resources such as Hebrew and Greek lexicons, bible dictionaries, geographical references, online biblical resource sites and a general internet search engine can be vital to your understanding of Scripture.

We must never overlook the fact that the bible is a book containing ancient texts, written over roughly a 2-millennia period, covering some 3,500-years of Hebrew history. Given the antiquated nature of the bible, many of the ancient Hebrew, Greek and Aramaic words used by the authors of the original writings are extremely difficult to translate into modern English.

For instance: most of us living in 21st-century western society are ignorant of the geography of the Middle East and Palestine. So many of the places the authors recorded in their writings will be foreign to us. Additionally, many of the customs, cultures and practices of the ancient peoples of Palestine would be foreign to us as well. Thus, the aforementioned resources serve to inform us of the ancient people, their practices, culture, society, etc. that would not otherwise be revealed in the bible.

5. Time

It is a widely held understanding in our western society that the most precious commodity any of us possess today is time. Unfortunately for many of us, time is so precious that any time we would conceivably have for study of Yah’s Word is reduced or eliminated by the cares of life.

When asked by His disciples to explain to them the meaning of the Parable of the Sower (ref. Luk. 8:4-8) that described how some seed–seed illustrative of God’s Word–fell upon thorny soil.  Y’shua explained seed falling on thorny soil as would-be believers who fail to receive or implement Truth in their lives because they are hampered by the cares and riches and pleasures of this life (Luk. 8:14).

Our eternal security—our relationship with the Most High—the health of our relationships with others—our service to the Kingdom of YHVH are detailed in the pages of the Bible. We have little hope of ever realizing our true destiny as Children of YHVH unless we get our noses into our Bibles on a frequent basis. Sadly, finding the time to do so for many of us is not an easy thing to do.

Nevertheless, finding the time to do so is something we must work out.

I vividly recall having to find time to study the Word when I was working. Well, determined to fit study into my busy schedule, I started getting up earlier than I was normally used to. I was successful in getting my studies in. And I was tremendously blessed by that effort.

At the very least, I would devote most of my Sabbath to the study of Yah’s Word.

Seek Father for ways to carve out time to meet with Him in prayer and study of His Word.

6. Much prayer and fasting

Prayer and fasting are vital elements of our Faith walk. When we deny ourselves sustenance (ie., food) in exchange for seeking Yah’s Face in fervent and meaningful prayer, by default we focus our entire attention on Father. In focusing our attention onto Father, He is then able, through His Holy Spirit, to teach us and reveal things about Himself and His Word that you would not otherwise receive going through a normal day (reference: Psm. 35:13; Dan. 9:3; Mat. 17:21; Mar. 9:29; 1 Cor. 7:5).

7. Immersive meditation

Biblical meditation, as it relates to the Torah Observant Believer in Y’shua Messiah, is a “pondering for a proper answer (Prov. 15:28); talking about wise things or Yah’s righteousness (Psm. 37:30; 35:28; 71:24).

It is upon Abba’s Word that we are to ponder “day and night” (Jos. 1:8; Psm. 1:2).

Biblical meditation may involve indiscernible mutterings (often described as whispering) and musings on our part throughout the day as it relates to Yah’s Word. The writer of Psalms 63:6 and 77:12 wrote about meditation/pondering upon YHVH and His works.

8. Discuss-Accountability Partner

Each of us needs someone who is really grounded in the Faith we can trust to discuss the things of the Faith with. I call such people “accountability partners.”

When we are without an accountability partner and we are walking out this Faith alone, open ourselves to negative doctrinal influences. A good accountability partner helps keep us centered on the fundamental elements of the Faith and helps us resist falling for false teachings and doctrines.

9. Get Rid of the Old Garbage

In order to be good students of the bible, each of us must be willing to dispel old and even present religious, cultural and experiential mindsets and understandings about biblical concepts we may have brought over with us from our past lives. We must be willing and unafraid to question all that we’ve ever believed or even currently believe that is not supported by Scripture.

Of those Ephesian women who were delving into false teachings (which Paul described as myths and fables), Paul commented that they were “always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth” (2 Tim. 3:7; ESV). What Paul was getting at in this verse was that there were individuals in the Ephesian Assembly of Messianic Believers who were constantly latching on to the latest and greatest false teachings. These women (and we’ll talk more in-depth about this in part-10 of our Paul and Hebrew Roots series) refused to give themselves over to sound teaching of Torah and the Gospel. These grabbed just enough truth to get themselves into spiritual trouble while they held on to their old ways. In so doing, they attached the little new truth they acquired in the assemblies to their original religious beliefs and practices. In so doing, they created myths and fables, and a false understanding of the True Faith.

This remains a real danger even today when we fail to give ourselves over to sound teaching of the Word.

[For a more in-depth discussion on the importance of getting rid of the old way of thinking and following sound, biblically sound doctrine, I invite you to read or listen to my post entitle “Endure Sound Doctrine I will Not.”]

10. Share

We are called by our Master to share that which we learn with others. (This is apart from discussing it with your accountability partner(s)).

Accumulating head knowledge related to the things of our Faith without sharing it with others is, quite frankly, deplorable and in some cases even sinful.

It was during Master’s first “Sermon on the Mount” that He declared to the attendees (and by default to us living today):

“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has lost its flavor, how shall the earth be salted? The salt is then good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men. You are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid. Men do not light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand; and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven” (Rood, Mat. 5:13-16).

Call to Action

Unlike a dear Brother in our Faith who I totally admire and respect is famous for telling his listeners to “go home and read your bibles,” I say go home and be one with your Bible. Allow your Bible to become real to you. Allow YHVH to reveal Himself to you through the pages of His eternal Word. When we do this, we allow the Word to take us to the greatest heights and deepest depths than ever before.

Until next time, may you, your families and fellowships be blessed in Y’shua Messiah. Take care. Shalom.

 

What is Torah? – The condensed version!

by | Jun 18, 2015 |

What is Torah? Here is a condensed explanation. YHWH (God the Father) created everything, including Man. He commanded all living things - the birds, fish and animals - to "be fruitful and multiply" (Genesis 1:21-25). He gave man some rules to follow as well. That is...

Questionnaire for our Christian friends

by | Jun 16, 2015 |

Shalom, everyone! My name is Carmen and I love to help people become Torah observant! To help you along the way, I have made up this questionnaire for our Christian friends. Enjoy! QUICK INTRODUCTORY QUESTION: Is it really true that to gain eternal life, all we have...