Messianics Engaged in Political and Social Activism

Messianics Engaged in Political and Social Activism

Messianics Engaged in Political and Social Activism

by Rod Thomas | The Messianic Torah Observer

A speaker at a recent prophecy conference denounced apathy in the body of Christ and demanded Christians wake-up from their apathy and engage in political and social activism, so to speak. Given the mixed Faith Communities represented at this conference, I found myself questioning whether Messianics should be engaged in political and social activism.

Have we been called to take social or political fight, so to speak, to the streets of our society?

Who Do We Belong To?

You cannot understand what you’re supposed to do—what you’ve been called to do–if you do not understand or recognize:

  • –Who you are?
  • –What your purpose is?
  • –What the mission and goal is?

Otherwise, anything we engage in outside that calling and identity becomes our personal call.

Who determines what we’ve been called to do? I guess it depends on who we belong to. Who then do we belong to?

If we are Torah Observant Believers in Yeshua Messiah, then we ultimately belong to the Creator of the Universe.

If We Belong to the Creator Then…

We are not our own—we were purchased with a price:

–What? Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Cor. 6:19,20).

We are children of the Most High God (Yehovah). The Creator’s children are Israel. Israel was chosen of all the nation peoples of the world to be Yah’s children. Father chose Israel not because they were anything special in the earth:

Yahweh set His heart on you and chose you not because you were the most numerous of all peoples—for indeed you were the smallest of all, but because He loved you and meant to keep the oath which He swore to your ancestors: that was why Yahweh brought you out with His mighty hand and redeemed you from the place of slave-labour, from the power of Pharaoh king of Egypt (Deut. 7:7,8; NJB).

The Creator’s Plan For His People Israel

Father always intended, in addition to His chosen people being His beloved children, that be His priests before the nation peoples of this world:

“So now, if you are really prepared to obey me and keep my covenant, you, out of all peoples, shall be my personal possession, for the whole world is mine. For me you shall be a kingdom of priests; a holy nation…” (Exo. 19:5,6)

A Priestly Pedigree

The Levitical Priesthood

The social and political activism the priesthood engaged in was of a spiritual nature.

The Hebrews at Sinai failed to keep the Sinai Covenant (the conditional covenant):

“If you will pay careful attention to what I say and keep my covenant, then you will be my own treasure from among all the peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you will be a kingdom of cohanim (i.e., priests) for me, a nation set apart (holy)…”(Exo. 19:5, 6; CJB).

In reference to the golden calf incident (Exo. 32:24):

“They did not keep God’s covenant, they refused to follow His Law” (Psm. 78:10; NJB).

The Creator’s Plan for Israel Has Never Ceased

Despite the breaking of the covenant by the Hebrews, Father’s original plan has never ceased to be in play. He still intends to make His people a kingdom of priests to the people nations of this world:

“But ye shall be named the Priests of Yehovah: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves” (Isa. 61:6; KJV).

Gentiles Grafted-In To The Commonwealth of Israel

Most of us are not of clear, direct Israeli descent.

The plan of the Father included adding to Israel the nation peoples of this world—Gentiles:

Now suppose that some branches were broken off, and you are wild olive, grafted among the rest to share with the others the rich sap of the olive tree (Rom. 11:17; cf. Mat. 21:43).

Our engrafted state then comes with all the responsibilities, pedigrees, privileges and benefits enjoyed by our forefather Hebrews.

Contrary to conventional Christian thinking, engrafted Gentiles have NOT replaced the Hebrews! Engrafted Gentiles have been adopted into the Family of Yehovah!

Believers’ Identity and Purpose Revealed

As an engrafted people, we have received Israel’s identity and pedigree as priests of the Most High God to the nation peoples of this world. We are priests of Yehovah. Our High Priest is none other than Yeshua HaMashiyach.

What is a Priest and What Does a Priest Do?

The Levitical Priesthood serves as a precursor of what a Priest of Yehovah is to be like:

–Levitical Priests served as an example of righteous living to the people of the nation. These were held to a higher standard of behavior in comparison to the non-priestly Hebrews.

–Levitical Priests served Yehovah exclusively—24/7.

–Levitical Priests held no inheritance or any real property. Father was their inheritance (Num. 18:20-24; 26:62; Deu. 18:2).

  • The tithes, offerings and sacrifices brought by the people provided the Levitical Priests their sustenance.

–These did not only work in the sanctuary and temple and affect atonement and serve as intermediaries before Yehovah and the nations, but served as the guardians of Torah.

  • These were expected to rightly divide and disseminate the knowledge of Torah to the people:

“For the lips of a priest should preserve knowledge, and men should seek instruction from his mouth; for he is the messenger of Yehovah Sabaoth” (Mal. 2:7; NASB).

  • The Priests had to be of Levi lineage and only the sons of Aaron served in the sanctuary and temple.

–Lineage dictated whether you were a priest or not.

  • The High Priest was appointed by Yehovah (Lev. 8). Aaron, brother and spokesman for Moshe. The High Priest oversaw the entire Levitical Priesthood and He alone entered the Holy of Holies once each year and made atonement for the nation.
  • The Levitical Priests were responsible for the sanctuary and worship service. Anything that goes wrong with either the sanctuary or the worship services, the priests were held accountable.
  • The Levitical Priests served Yehovah conjointly with one another: certain priests were assigned to the sanctuary proper (i.e., the direct descendants of Aaron) while other Levites were assigned to assist the sanctuary priests in their duties.
  • The Levitical Priests were to differentiate between that which is holy and unholy; between that which is clean and unclean (cf. Eze. 44:23).

The Passing of the Levitical Priesthood

The Levitical Priesthood fell into disrepair as a result of sin and corruption. These despised (i.e., made light of; showed contempt for; disdain for) the Name of Yehovah through their blatant violations of Torah as it related to their sanctuary responsibilities (Mal. 1:6,7).

The once holy priesthood became an embarrassment to the nation of Israel and appeared pathetic before Yehovah (Mal. 2:1-4).

The priesthood never recovered from its corruption and downfall: priestly positions were purchased, sold and traded; Torah was all but replaced with tradition and man made laws.

The Priesthood Today

With the destruction of the Temple in 68-70 C.E., the Levitical Priesthood faded away and has been replaced with the Melchizedekian Priesthood. Our High Priest is Yahoshua HaMashiyach—High Priest after the order of the Melchizedekian Priesthood (Heb. 2:17; 5:10; 6:20). His earthly ministry brought permanent propitiation (i.e., reconciliation) for us.

Having completed His work here on earth, our High Priest now serves in the heavenly Mishchan (i.e., Temple)—in service not just to His Father, but to us by interceding on our behalf before the Creator day and night (Heb. 7:25).

If our Master walks 24/7 in His role as the eternal Cohen Gadol (High Priest) today what role are we to walk in? Yes, we are disciples of Yeshua. A disciple is a follower and student of their Master. As a disciple of Yeshua, we are being taught (i.e., trained) to be Priests of Yehovah. [See my post entitled: “Yeshua Messiah (aka Jesus Christ) As Our Apostle and High Priest.“]

Thus, our ultimate identity and purpose is that of a priest of Yehovah.

Yeshua HaMashiyach revealed to the Apostle John (i.e., Yochanan):

“And has made us a Kingdom of Priests to serve His God and Father (speaking of Yeshua)—to Him, then, be glory and power for ever and ever…and made them a line of kings and priests for God, to rule the world” (Rev. 1:6; 5:10).

Our Modern Day Role and Purpose as Priests in the Kingdom

As modern day priests in the Kingdom of Yehovah our Elohim, we embody many of the traits and tasks of the now defunct Levitical Priesthood of old:

  • We are keepers and disseminators of the Word of Truth.
  • We are responsible for carrying out proper worship of Father in these temples of ours (1 Cor. 6:19).
  • We are salt and light to the nations of the world (Matt. 5:13, 14).
  • We are to show the world the difference between that which is holy and unholy; clean and unclean.

It then becomes imperative that recognize who and what we are and then walk powerfully in that Truth 24/7.

Like the Levitical Priests of old, our lineage–this time not biological but spiritual lineage–predetermines our role in the Kingdom.

Father Chose Us—”He predestined us to adoption as sons through Yeshua Messiah to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will…we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to His purpose who works all things after the counsel of His will” (Eph. 1:15, 11; NASB).

[See my post entitled: “Our Calling to be Priests of Yehovah is not a Trivial Matter.”]

Peter on Messianics’ Identity as Priests

Peter writes to the scattered/dispersed Messianics residing in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia (all located in present day Turkey) in his 2nd general epistle (circa 60’s C.E.), admonishing them of the following:

  • Be sober-minded (1:13).
  • Focus on the hope that was brought to them (1:13).
  • Be obedient (1:14).
  • Abandon their former lives and practices and behaviors (1:14).
  • Be holy as our God is holy (1:16; cf. Lev. 11:44; 19:2; 11:45; 20:7).
    • This is Torah.
    • We become holy by being obedient to Father’s instructions.
    • Master Yahoshua showed and taught us how to live holy and righteous lives.
  • Fear/ reverence Yehovah (1:17; cf. Matt. 6:9; 2 Cor. 7:1; Heb. 12:28).
  • Bear in mind that they were redeemed by the precious blood of the Lamb (1:18; 19).
    • The atonement required in order to serve Yah.
  • Fervently love one another (1:22).
    • A commandment given to us by Master Yahoshua: “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another” (Joh. 13:34; NASB).

  • Put aside malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander (2:1).
  • Long for the Word so that they may grow in their delivered life (2:2).
  • Then Kefa expounds on his readers’ purpose as a “spiritual house of cohanim, holy (i.e., set apart for Yah) to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to Him through Yeshua Messiah (2:5, 9; cf. Rev. 1:6; Isa. 61:6).
    • Paul (Shaul) instructed the Roman Assembly of Messianics that they present their bodies as living sacrifices, holy, acceptable unto Yah, which is their reasonable service (Rom. 12:1).
    • The writer of Hebrews defined what those sacrifices must be: praises to Yehovah continually, which is the fruit of our lips giving thanks to His Name (Heb. 13:15).
  • As cohanim (i.e., priests) unto Yehovah, our acceptable sacrifices consists of a many things that bear semblance to those sacrifices offered by the Levitical Priests of old:
    • Praises unto Yehovah—loving Yehovah through worship.
    • Songs and Psalms unto Yehovah—loving Yehovah through worship.
    • Admonishments and meditations and intercessions—love for others—serving the Body.
    • Preaching and teaching the Word—loving Yah through obedience and loving others through teaching Truth.
    • Doing good for others—loving others through sacrifice of our resources, time and talents.
  • Kefa (Peter) reiterates that his readers were a chosen race (2:9).
    • These Father selected to be His special possession from all the nation peoples of this world as He had chosen the descendants of Abraham (Deu. 10:15).
  • Kefa’s readers are indeed of a royal priesthood (2:9), which I is an obvious drawback to Exodus 19:6 where Father declared as part of the Sinai Covenant: “Ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests and an holy nation…”
    • This was a foreshadowing of the even greater things to come for them in the Kingdom of Yehovah: “He (speaking of Yeshua) hath made us kings and priests unto Yah the Father…He has made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth” (Rev. 1:6; 5:10; KJV).
  • Isaiah prophesied of this in his day when speaking that there is coming a day when Israel would be named Priests of Yehovah; that men shall call them the Ministers of Yah (Isa. 61:6).
    • To fully restored Israel Jeremiah writes: “To you the nations will come from the ends of the earth and say, ‘Our fathers have inherited nothing but falsehood (i.e., lies), futility and things of no profit” (Jer. 16:19; NASB).
    • Zechariah writing about a restored Israel prophesies: “In those days 10 men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew (i.e., their tzitzits) saying, ‘Let us go with you, for we have heard that Yah is with you” (Zech. 8:23; NASB).
  • Peter declares that his readers, being Yah’s special possession with favored status; a peculiar people; a special people unto Him, must proclaim the excellencies (i.e., Gr.=aretes=the praises; the virtues) of the One who called them out of darkness into His marvelous light (2:9; cf. Tit. 2:14; Exo. 19:5; Deu. 4:20; 14:2).

Many believers feel compelled to seek after political or social changes because of their Faith.

Many believer contend that Yeshua and the Apostles were the consummate political and social activists of their day. And to some extent that were, but not in the sense of what we know to be 21st century political and social activism. An activist today is a person who campaigns to bring about political or social change.

Yeshua and the apostles were focused on furthering the Gospel Message and contending for the Faith. In the midst of doing this, they were often confronted by social and political entities opposed to their work. However, Yeshua and the apostles did not seek or “campaign” to bring about political or social change.

What Kind of Activism Should Messianics Engage In?

Scripture does not in my opinion provide room for Messianics to become social and political activists–at least not in the conventional sense of the title activist.

Activism that is based upon the tenets of Scripture can seem to be a noble thing, but is that what believers have truly been called to be and to do?

Many condemn those who opt to stick with the roles, tasks and purpose of Messianics/disciples of Yeshua as stipulated in Scripture.

Paul (Shaul) wrote to Timothy:

“No soldier on duty gets involved with civilian affairs, since he has to please his commanding officer” (2 Tim. 2:4; CJB).

Since Scripture clearly points to us being priests of Yehovah, in fulfillment of Father’s original purpose for His people, we should consider what Scripture has to say about priests once again. Of the priests, the Prophet Malachi wrote:

“The priest’s lips out to safeguard knowledge; his mouth is where the law should be sought, since he is Yahweh Sabaoth’s messenger” (Mal. 2:7; NJB).

Bringing people to a saving knowledge of Yeshua Messiah is not political or social activism. Yet many contend that it is just as important to bring about political and social change as it is to do that which Yeshua instructed us to do. Some feel bringing about social and political change is what Yeshua told us to do. Yet, Scripture offers no such support for such a claim.

Again, it is imperative that we recognize who and what we are before we start running off and doing things that we’ve not been told to do. Scripture clearly points to us being/becoming priests. We saw earlier in this post that priests have defined duties (when compared to the original Levitical Priesthood–a foreshadow of what we are to become today) and they do not involve themselves in the affairs of this world—regardless how terrible those affairs may be and how they violate Father’s laws.

The Problem With Messianic Engaging in Political and Social Activism

No group of Messianics/Hebrew Rooters can legislate morality in this world, no matter how hard they try. Morality comes only with repentance and a changed heart. We saw this clearly embodied throughout the history of the Hebrews as recorded in Scripture.

Overturning laws and legislating morality will not change anything in society (ex. Roe vs. Wade and abortions; homosexuality; etc.).

Activism (at least on the part of Messianics) assumes that the world around them accepts the sovereignty of Yehovah over their lives; accepts the Bible as containing the Word of Yah which they should obey; and that it is willing to consider turning to Yeshua in the pardon of their sins and to establish a substantive relationship with the Creator of the Universe.

Unfortunately, the world is currently being run by hasatan, along with all his systems, governments, technologies, etc. (Eph. 2:1, 2):

“And you hath He quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience.”

Recall the incident in the wilderness between hasatan and Master:

“The devil taketh Him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth Him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; and saith unto Him, ‘All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me’” (Matt. 4:8,9; KJV).

Instead of Political and Social Activism, How About Spiritual Activism?

So if some feel they are called to be social and political activists, I believe they must understand what True Activism is in the sight of Yeshua our Master: physical (conventional) versus spiritual activism?

Shaul brilliant wrote the following which must stands as the plumb line that defines the type of activism we must engage in as Torah Observant Believers in Yeshua Messiah:

 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.
 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
(Eph 6:12-13 KJV)

The activism Messianics are tasked to engage in is NOT physical and not in the face of men—but waged “eating carpet” before Father and pleading the blood of Yeshua on those souls who are affected and petitioning Father for forgiveness and intervention.

Let’s reason this thing out some here: Does being a Messianic demand we then confront the children of disobedience and the powers of hasatan’s world system and through rhetoric; demonstrations of anger (righteous indignation); protests; running for government office; participating in the political process; etc? Where does Scripture remotely suggests we do this? Or is there something else that Master has instructed us to do while He is away?

A famous Barna study of a few years ago that evangelical Christianity was hemorrhaging believers who were leaving the Faith for a number of reasons—one of which noted that the Faith had become irrelevant and was not challenging their Faith and lives enough nor were they being taught. Could the move to social and political activism that the church is taking be a root cause?

Messianics Called to Engage in Spiritual Activism

Master gave Messianics a great amount of work to do while He was away and while we await His return. Yet none of the things He gave us to do has anything to do with political and social activism.

Yahoshua instructed us to “occupy till He comes” (Luk. 19:13).

Contrary to what many believe, occupy here (Gr.=pragmateuomai) means to carry on the business of a banker or a trader. Our occupation is not militaristic in the conventional wisdom sense. The Scriptural meaning of occupy is consistent with the context in which it was used in the parable of the 10-pounds recorded in Luke 19:1-27, in addition to the Parable of the Talents recorded in Matthew 25:14-30 I encourage you to take the time and read these passages when you have the time.

Thus, armed with a Scriptural understanding of what it means to occupy till Master returns, would it be safe to say then that our occupying more accurately involves our helping to usher in the Kingdom of Yehovah on this planet through our preaching and teaching of the Word of Yehovah; our righteous and obedient living; and our steadfast and powerful intercessory prayers and fasting regimen? Waging spiritual warfare?

Yeshua’s Style of Activism

  • The parable of the talents in Matthew 25:14-30 teach us to make proper use of the time, resources and talents we’ve been given to declare the Gospel of the Kingdom to this corrupt and dying world.
  • Master confirmed that the two Great Commandments are loving Father with our whole being and loving one another as we love ourselves (Matt. 22:34-40).
  • Master explicitly instructed that we go into all the world and make for Him disciples; teaching those new disciples that which He taught us (Matt. 28:16-20).
  • Master sent out 70-disciples throughout Judea to declare the Kingdom of Yehovah and deliver the good news of the Gospel; heal the sick; raise the dead; cast out demons; bring hope to the lost and those in despair; give freely to all who would receive (Luk. 10).
  • Master declared that the harvest was plentiful but the laborers were few. The harvest being those who would answer the call for Messianic discipleship (Matt. 9:35-38).
  • Pick up our stakes and follow—imitate—obey Yeshua HaMashiyach. Become like Him and do that which He taught and modeled for us (Luk. 9:23).
  • Follow in Master’s footsteps (1 Pet. 2:21).
  • Seek the Kingdom of Yehovah and His Righteousness (Matt. 6:33).
  • Even our Master had His established purpose and mission which He stated was “…to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matt. 15:23). We see here in this particular story a prophetic shadow picture whereby a Gentile woman–a Canaanite woman to be exact–sought help from Yahoshua. And even within that paradigm of people, Master had a defined purpose: “For the Son of Man is come to save that which was lost (Matt. 18:11; 9:12; Luk. 19:10, 56; 1 Tim. 1:15; Joh. 5:27; 10:10; 12:47)

We must above all contend for the True Faith Once Delivered

Call to Action

Political and Social Activism may appear to be noble endeavors when it lines up with the basic tenets of Scripture. However, a Messianic’s activism is not founded in flesh and blood; in the streets; in your face; blocking abortion clinics; protesting; attending rally’s; being a nuisance; running for office; etc. The Messianic’s activism is found in his/her doing that which they’ve been instructed to do by our Master Yeshua Messiah.

Additionally, Messianics must constantly keep in the forefront of their minds and hearts that their struggle and contending for the Faith is not a struggle against flesh and blood, which political and social activism is. Theirs is spiritual struggle that can only be waged through spiritual means. Paul wrote to the Ephesian Messianics:

12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Eph 6:12-13 KJV)

I would only say this: If a Netzarim feels called to be a social and political activist, it behooves them to make sure that they are firmly in the will of Yehovah and that they are properly prayed up and fasted up and trained up to do so. Otherwise, they risk compromising their Faith and witness, in one form or another.

In Conclusion

If Messianics/Hebrew Rooters:

  • Properly contend for the Faith.
  • Teach our children the Word of Truth.
  • Live peaceably with one another.
  • Care for the less fortunate among the members of the Messianic Community.
  • Pray for the peach of Jerusalem.
  • Make disciples for Yeshua Messiah.
  • Obey Torah to the absolute best extent of our ability through the guidance and power of the Ruach haKodesh.
  • Take up our stakes and follow/imitate/obey Yeshua daily.
  • Be prayer warriors, praying continually and without ceasing.

If we were to do all these things–everyone believer giving it their all–then we would not have to resort to political and social activism to bring about change in the world; at least not in our community.

Faithfully Yours.

Torah Portion Re’eh–See–I Set Before You a Blessing and a Curse

Torah Portion Re’eh–See–I Set Before You a Blessing and a Curse

Torah Portion Re'eh--See--I Set Before You a Blessing and a Curse

by Rod Thomas | The Messianic Torah Observer

Torah Portion Re’eh–(See) I Set Before You a Blessing and a Curse–11:26-16:17

 

 

 

This week’s Torah Reading, entitled “Re’eh” or “See—I Set Before You a Blessing and a Curse,” is found in Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17. I found this reading to be rich in spiritual content and instruction, as I am sure many of you did as well.

 

 

 

The Rich Content Contained in this Parashah

 

 

 

This Reading covered a number of essential instructional topics and issues, some of which I’d like to cover in this post. These topics and post include:

 

 

 

  • The benefits or blessings associated with keeping Torah.
  • The curses associated with rejecting Torah and following after false gods and idol worshiping.
  • Prohibitions against idolatry.
  • The Creator stipulates how He is to be worshiped by the Hebrews, including instructions on the 3-pilgrimage Feasts.
  • Instructions concerning food consumption.
  • Instructions on tithing.
  • And a very brief mention of Sh’mittah and the disposition of slaves own by Hebrews.

 

 

 

See, I Am Setting Before You a Blessing and a Curse

 

 

 

This week’s Torah Reading begins with Moshe putting before the Hebrew nation what would become one of a series of final ultimatums and admonishments to keep Torah and avoid falling into idolatry before their conquest of the Land of Promise.

 

“See, I am setting before you today a blessing and a curse…”(11:26; QBE) 

 

What is a blessing in this setting? What is a curse in this setting?

 

We can compare and contrast this opening verse of this week’s Torah Reading with sister verses found in Deuteronomy 30:15, 19:

 

See, I have set before thee this day life and good, and death and evil…(KJV).

 

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death; blessing and cursing: therefore choose lilfe, that both thou and thy seed may live…(KJV).

 

Blessings are associated with life and that which is good in life. The curses are associated with death and probably every bad thing that can come upon one in life.

 

As it relates to blessing (i.e., life) and all that is good therein, Moshe reasons that the Hebrews would have a good life if they to “shama” (listen, keep and obey) His Torah (11:27). As it relates to the curse (i.e., death) and every bad thing life has to bring, these would come if the Hebrews DID NOT “shama” Torah and if they elected to “follow after false gods” (11:28).

 

 

 

A Foreshadow of Things to Come

 

 

 

This passage is a foreshadowing of our Master’s mission: 

 

“The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I have come so that they may have life and have it more abundantly” (John 10:10; KJV). 

 

The enemy, through his cunning efforts in the garden, stole our identity and potential to be children of the Most High Elohim. His scheming effort and man’s propensity to defy the instructions of the Creator, brought death to the whole world. Yet the Creator had a plan to restore mankind back to its original identity and full potential.

 

 The Abrahamic Covenant

 

Father chose a single man who would be the conduit by which life would be restored to the human race: that man was Abraham. Father established Abraham what is often referred to in scholarly Bible-talk as “The Abrahamic Covenant.” The Abrahamic Covenant was an unconditional agreement that the Creator made with Abraham. That agreement/covenant went something like this: 

 

“I will make of you a great nation. I will bless you and I will make your name great. And you are to be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, but I will curse anyone who curses you; and by you all the families of the earth will be blessed…I have given this land to your descendants—from the Vadi of Egypt to the great river, the Euphrates River; the territroy of the Keni, the K’nizi, and the Hitti; the P’rizi, the Refa’im; the Emori and the Kena’ani, the Girgashi and the Y’vusi” (Genesis 12:2, 3; 15:18-21; CJB). 

 

Yehovah sealed that agreement/covenant in blood by walking in the midst of the sacrificed remains of animals that Abraham laid out before them (Genesis 15:17). 

 

This covenant carried on through Abraham’s son and grandson, ultimately being fulfilled in great part by the Abraham—Isaac—Jacob descended nation of Israel.

 

 The Sinai Covenant

 

Although the Abrahamic Covenant carried through to the nation that escaped Egyptian bondage by the mighty hand of Yehovah, Father enhanced that covenant by promising the Hebrew that He would make them His cherished people among all the nations of the earth; that He would be their God; and that He would make this cherished people a nation of priests to the people nations of the world. The Sinai Covenant add on to the Abrahamic Covenant was a conditional agreement, whereby Father would bless the Hebrews with the covenant’s stated promises IF they obeyed His instructions/His Torah and abstained from idolatry. 

 

The Hebrews broke this conditional covenant. Yet Father honored his end of the conditional covenant as well as the unconditional Abrahamic Covenant. The Hebrews would take possession of the Land of Promise as well as Father would continue to protect and bless them in the Land as they kept His Torah.

 

 Torah Keeping Through the Centuries–That Pesky Sin Problem

 

From that point on to the advent of our Master (roughly a millennia and a half later), Torah keeping was about flourishing and remaining secure in the Land.

 

Torah served as a school master, pointing the Hebrews, and by default the world, to Messiah.

 

It served as the bar that the Hebrew strove to meet in terms of living a life that was acceptable to the Creator.

 

Through Torah-keeping the Hebrew learned what sin was. However, Torah also taught the Hebrew that because of their sinful nature, they will always struggle to keep Torah.

 

Torah showed the Hebrew (and by default the world) that he/she needed a savior. Mankind needs a savior because Torah can never eliminate. Indeed, Father placed into Torah provisions for the atonement of individual sins committed by the Hebrew. But like all men, the Hebrews continued to sin. Torah did not have the ability to justify and make men righteous before a Holy God. It could not eliminate all sin once and for all. Year after year, incident after incident, atonement had to be made to keep the peace between the Hebrew and Yehovah. Torah was not a permanent solution to the problem of sin. 

 

The other thing that Torah-keeping did for the Hebrews was that it made them secure and prosperous in the Land.

 

 The Renewed Covenant Under The Ministry of Yeshua Deals With The Sin Problem

 

From Yeshua on, under the auspices of the renewed covenant, Torah-keeping is done out of love and reverence for our Heavenly Father. Master’s earthly ministry fixed the rift that existed as a result of sin. The sin problem that Torah could not permanently overcome was now  and forever eliminated. 

 

In fixing that rift, we could now establish and maintain a substantive relationship with the Creator of the Universe.

 

Heart-based Torah-keeping, which is the basis of the Hebrew Rooters/Messianic Faith, is not done by Netzarim (i.e., members of the Way; disciples of Yeshua Messiah) to earn or purchase a spot in Yah’s eternal Kingdom. Torah-keeping is done out of love, honor and respect for Abba Father. It is the keeping of Torah through such a loving and honoring mindset that Netzarim are afforded a substantive and meaningful relationship with Yehovah, Creator of the Universe.

 

Through the saving work of our Master Yahoshua Messiah, we can now go boldly before Father’s Throne of Grace and praise, worship and petition Him as we are led by His Holy Spirit to do so. We no longer require a Levitical Priest or some other intermediary to be our go-between with Father. 

 

Yeshua’s earthly ministry and sacrifice on Calvary’s execution stake served justify and purify every would-be believer in Messiah before a Holy and Righteous God. That penalty for our sin which is eternal death has been commuted and we are henceforth pardoned, if we in a Trusting Faith, accept this free gift of pardon and follow Master. The blood of Yeshua cleanses us from all unrighteousness. Ultimately, we are granted the opportunity for eternal life and a place in Yehovah’s eternal kingdom.

 

 Is Torah-Keeping Still Valid For Believers Today?

 

So, if Torah-keeping still relevant for the 21st-century Believer in Yeshua Messiah? If so, what benefits does Torah-keeping provide still provide since the vast majority of Netzarim are not citizens of the Land of Israel?

 

Although Torah-keeping as was presented to the Hebrews was primarily based upon a series of covenants Yehovah made between Him and His Chosen People, we as engrafted members of the commonwealth of Israel, are compelled to honor Torah by keeping it the best way we possibly can, living outside the Land.

 

Torah-keeping to modern-day Netzarim is not tied to the Land as it was for our Hebrew forefathers. Torah-keeping for 21st-century Netzarim is holistically and intricately tied to relationships: the relationship we share with the Creator of the Universe; the relationship we share with our Master; and the relationships we share with one another. Thus our Torah-keeping extends way beyond living a prosperous and secure life in the Land of Promise. Ours is wholly eternal; spiritual; and relational.

 

I would be remiss to say that Torah-keeping for the 21st-century Netzarim does not result in blessings to be enjoyed on this earthly plane. Torah is living and by virtue of its Yehovah-breathed existence, its keeping will of course afford us the same blessings our Hebrew forefathers were promised.

 

 The Blessings Associated With Keeping Torah and the Curses Associated With Not Keeping Torah

 

This week’s Torah Portion Reading is one of the essential elements of our Messianic/Hebrew Roots Faith. This passage clearly suggests, if not directly instructs, that those who elect to take on a life of Torah can expect to live a good-life, while those that reject Torah can expect to lead a not so good life.

 

 We find in verse 29 where Father instructed the Hebrews to “put (KJV, CJB)/place (NAS, QBE)/set (NJB, ESV)/pronounce (NET)/proclaim (CSB, NIV) the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse upon Mount Ebal” (KJV).

 

 

Mounts Gerizim and Ebal

As a reminder of the blessings that come with keeping Torah and the curses that come from not keeping Torah, Father instructed the Hebrews to place the blessings on Mount Gerizim and the Curses on Mount Ebal.

What was the placement of blessings on Mount Gerizim and curses on Mount Ebal all about?

Mounts Gerizim and Ebal are located near the ancient site of Shechem which is the modern city of Nablus. A valley separates the two-mountains and the topography has been likened unto that of an expansive amphitheater with each mountain slope serving as seating sections, so to speak.

Historically, Abraham pitched camp and built an altar in ancient Shechem (Genesis 12:6). Jacob settled in Shechem and famously dug a well there. It is here that Yeshua requested of the Samaritan woman a drink of water and revealed to her that He was the prophesied Messiah and the terms of the renewed covenant that would emerge from His ministry (Genesis 33:18-20; John 4:5-7).

 

 

 

 

In the process of conquering the Land of Promise under the leadership of Yahoshua (i.e., Joshua), half the tribes if Israel positioned positioned themselves on Mount Gerizim and the other half positioned themselves on Mount Ebal in a ceremony that reaffirmed the covenant between Yehovah and the nation (Deuteronomy 27:12, 13). Joshua and the Levites witnessed this affirmation in the valley that separated the two mountains (Joshua 8:30-35).

 

We could speculate all day why Father elected to have the Hebrews set the stipulated blessings and curses on Mounts Gerizim and Ebal respectively. Father has a reason for doing everything He does and for everything He instructs us to do.

 

One thing is certain however: Father was big in reminders. Thus, He routinely gave the Hebrews tangible and visually impacting things to remind them of His Torah (e.g., tzitzits). In this particular case, it goes without saying that mountains don’t go anywhere and it is virtually impossible not to notice them. One will see them all the time if he/she is in that region. Thus, every time a Hebrew were to see Mount Gerizim, he or she would be reminded of the blessings associated with keeping Torah. Every time a Hebrew were to see Mount Ebal, he or she would be reminded of the curses associated with forsaking Torah.

 Idolatry Addressed 

In Deuteronomy 12:2-4, we learn the Hebrews received instructions for the dismantling of all vestiges of pagan, idol worship in the Land of Promise. This was extremely important to Yehovah and His instructions for clearing the Land of Idols and any remnants of pagan worship could not have been clearer. 

The Canaanites went to great lengths to proliferate their idolatry worship throughout the entire country. Unlike Father’s instructions that there be one place of sanctioned worship of Him in the Land, the Canaanites littered their country with countless altars, pillars and statues. 

Father would have no physical evidence of Canaanite pagan worship remain in the Land. Everything even remotely related to idolatry would be utterly destroyed.

Dealing With Our Personal Idols

Many of us, when we come to Faith, never think to remove the idols that we have prominently displayed or stored up in our homes and offices. Idols such as buddahs; Indigenous/Native American relics and symbols; Roman Catholic relics and trinkets; African art that represent forms of idolatry; and so much more, are often left in place in our homes and offices, most of the time out of ignorance. If we are Torah Observant Believers in Yahoshua Messiah, we are compelled to follow the example laid out in this section of this week’s Torah Portion Reading and rid our dwellings of idolatry-related objects. 

Indeed, some will suggest that these objects do not represent real gods and should not be taken seriously; that they should not present a problem in a believer’s home or office if that  believer is not worshiping them. The premise of this thinking may be true, the presence of such objects in a believer’s life (i.e., their home and office) still run contrary to the instructions Father gave that they should be removed and destroyed. 

Indeed, as Torah Observant Believers in Yahoshua Messiah, we must always be on the lookout for any relics or trinkets that are directly and indirectly tied to paganism and idolatry in our dwellings. Once such items are identified, we are compelled by Torah and the Holy Spirit to remove them immediately. Yes, they may look chic on our walls or on our mantles and bookshelves, but they are evil and Father demands they be discarded.

 Father Instructs the Hebrews On How He Will Be Worshiped by Them

In Deuteronomy 12:5-9, Father contrasts the idolatry practices of the Canaanites with how He was to be worshiped by His people in the Land.

Father declared that He would designate the place where He was to be exclusively worshiped. This centralized place of worship would dispel any disparity that could naturally arise in worship of Father as well as help keep the nation united in their Faith and obedience to Torah. 

We know from Scripture that the idols of the Canaanites had no capacity to speak, act or instruct men and women as to how they would be worshiped. The manner of their worship, then, obviously came from the sinful hearts of men, influenced by hasatan and his imps who came solely to destroy the works of the Creator and stymie any relationship that humans would have with Yehovah.

Contrary to the works of the enemy, the Creator of the Universe came to bring life to a guilt-ridden world. Yahoshua Messiah came to restore the life that humans lost and make that life abundant and eternally meaningful.

 The Canaanite’s Idolatry Was Repugnant to Father

The manner in which the Canaanites worshiped their fake gods was repugnant to Father. It was so repugnant to Father that He instructed the Hebrews to: 

30 be careful, after they have been destroyed ahead of you, not to be trapped into following them; so that you inquire after their gods and ask, ‘How did these nations serve their gods? I want to do the same.’

31 You must not do this to ADONAI your God! For they have done to their gods all the abominations that ADONAI hates! They even burn up their sons and daughters in the fire for their gods! (Deu 12:30-31 CJB)

Idol Curiosity Will Ultimately Kill the Cat (So To Speak)

It is only natural for humans to want to understand the peoples of other nations and cultures. That curiosity reigns within us even today. However, when it comes to religion and the worship of pagan, false gods, it is that human curiosity that will ultimately kill the cat: that cat being the Hebrews, and by default, us. 

Canaanite Moloch Worship

Worship of Moloch by the Canaanites was especially repugnant to Yehovah. No doubt the Canaanite’s children being sacrificed to this pagan god placed them in an especially despised place in Father’s eyes.

The Canaanites appear to had taken up the worship of Moloch, which certain scholars believe involved child sacrifices. Some have insisted that there is no evidence to support child sacrifices took place in the ancient near east. 

 

Well, Father said it did and that’s good enough for me.

Nevertheless, evidence of child sacrifice was recently discovered by archaeologists in Peru. This discovery was reported in a well written article I came across in the Los Angeles Times.

These South American people had to get the practice of child sacrifice from some source more ancient than they, wouldn’t you say? No doubt, Moloch worship, or other such Canaanite pagan rites are at the very heart of this particular find in Peru. 

 

 

 

 

Worship of Yehovah

In appointing the one, central place where the Creator would be worshiped, Father defined what that would look like beginning in verse six: the Hebrews would bring their burnt offerings, sacrifices, tithes, gifts, sacred offerings, freewill offerings and firstborn of their flocks and herds offerings. This was how worship looked back in the day. 

Furthermore, as we see in verse 7, Father wanted the time that He set aside for this worship–the 3-times during the sacred calendar year–to be joyous occasions for the worshipers:  

“And that is where you must eat in the presence of Yahweh your God, rejoicing over your labours, you and your households, because Yahweh your God has blessed you” (NJB).

Who says that our God is an uncaring, mean, and violent tyrant? I suggest that only those who abhor and reject the instructions of Yehovah and who seek to live their lives on their own terms view Him as such. 

The Pilgrimage Feasts of Yehovah

We find later on, that in addition to stipulating that He would be worshiped by the Hebrews in one, central place, He designated the times in which that worship would take place. We find in chapter-16 that Father required the Hebrews to assemble for worship at 3-specific moedim–set-apart days–feasts–festivals–sacred and holy assembly days (16:16, 17): 

1. Pesach (Passover)/Feast of Unleavened Bread (Matzah)–the Month of the Aviv at the Spring Harvest–generally in the 3rd to 4th months of the modern day Western Gregorian Calendar (16:1-8). 

2. Shavu’ot/Feast of Weeks/Pentecost–generally in the 5th to 6th months of the modern day Western Gregorian Calendar, at the time of the summer harvest (16:9-12). 

3. Festival of Sukkot/Feast of Tabernacles–generally in the 9th to 10th months of the modern day Western Gregorian Calendar, at the time of the fall harvest (16:13-15).

 Worship of Yehovah was Different in the Land Than It Was in the Wilderness

Moshe records in 12:8-10 that specifics to the worship of Yehovah by the Hebrews in the Land would differ from that during their wilderness sojourn.

I have suspected for quite some time that the Hebrews did not keep the sacred festivals during their years of sojourn in the wilderness as they did upon their taking possession of the Land. While the Hebrews sojourned in the wilderness, much of the worship of Yehovah appears to have been restricted to certain rites and ceremonies that would keep the Hebrews in a state of ritual cleanliness and maintain propitiation–atoning sacrifices and offerings for the sins of individual Hebrews and the nation as a whole. 

However, the annual moedim and pilgrimage festivals that the Hebrews were required to keep, along with their offerings, sacrifices and celebration observances, could not be accomplished properly in their wandering nation state.

First off, the people would not have proper agricultural harvests in which to present the offerings and sacrifices Yehovah required.

Secondly, in terms of the Hebrew’s flocks and herds, during the Hebrew’s wandering years, these were used solely for the various purity and atonement sacrifices. The animals from the Hebrew’s flocks and herds were not offered for Feast observance.

It is unclear how the Hebrew observed the annual Feasts during their wilderness sojourn, The only clue we have is from from Moshe’s record that:

“Every man did what he himself saw fit having not yet come to the resting place and the inheritance which Yehovah their Elohim had given them” (Deuteronomy 12:8, 9; NAS, adjusted).

As Torah Observant Believers in Yahoshua Messiah living in the 21st century, we do not worship Father as stipulated in this and other Torah Readings. First off, there is no Temple or Tent of Meeting in which to keep the annual Feasts of Yehovah. According to Shaul (i.e., Paul), we are now individual and collective temples of the Most High Elohim (1 Corinthians 3:16, 17; 6:19).

Secondly, with our Master’s atoning sacrifice on the execution stake, we no longer offer sacrifices of animals unto Yehovah. Those sacrifices could not at all dispense of human sins nor stave off the guilt and penalty of human sins. The writer of Hebrews penned:

“For the Torah has in it a shadow of the good things to come, but not the actual manifestation of the originals. Therefore, it can never, by means of the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, bring to the goal those who approach the Holy Place to offer them…Now every cohen (i.e., priest) stands every day doing his service, offering over and over the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins” (Hebrews 10:1, 11; CJB).

Scripture reveals that the instructions contained in this week’s Torah Portion/Reading were shadows of the good things that would come through the ministry of our Master Yahoshua Messiah. Consider the following:

“So don’t let anyone pass judgment on you in connection with eating and drinking, or in regard to a Jewish festival or Rosh-Hodesh (i.e., New Moon observance) or Shabbat. These are a shadow of things that are coming, but the body (i.e., soma or substance or reality) is of the Messiah” (Colossians 2:16, 17; CJB).

I get it. Many who are new to Hebrew Roots and the Messianic Faith, may be confused, if not ignorant, as it relates to how one should keep and observe the Feasts of Yehovah; that is, how they should worship the Creator. Father did not leave us clueless of this and our Master followed up with an even more substantive explanation of true worship for today’s believer.

Let’s consider a few passages:

The voice of joy, and the voice of gladness, the voice of the bridegroom, and the voice of the bride, the voice of them that shall say, Praise the LORD of hosts: for the LORD is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: and of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise into the house of the LORD (i.e.., today our bodies). For I will cause to return the captivity of the land, as at the first, saith the LORD. (Jer 33:11 KJV)

 

14 For here have we no continuing city, but we seek one to come. 15 By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name. 16 But to do good and to communicate forget not: for with such sacrifices God is well pleased. 17 Obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves: for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account, that they may do it with joy, and not with grief: for that is unprofitable for you. (Heb 13:14-17 KJV) 

And in response to the Samaritan woman at the well’s question related to the true place of worship of Yehovah, Master stated:

23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him. 24 God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth. (Joh 4:23-24 KJV) 

Consequently, as 21st century Netzarim, we are not required to gather our families, pack our bags and head on over to Jerusalem 3-times each sacred calendar year to keep Unleavened Bread, Shavu’ot and Sukkot as some in our Faith Community insists. [I recently did an episode of Sabbath Thoughts and Reflections entitled, “Feast Pilgrimages to Israel” in which I go into a more detailed explanation of this, I would invite you to check it out at your leisure.]

We are called to worship the Creator where He leads and provides, out of a willing, thankful, and joyous heart–both daily and during the annual Feasts of Yehovah our Elohim. If Father provides and leads, fellowships and fellowshiping with like-minded Netzarim is the best way to celebrate and keep the Feasts and weekly Sabbaths. This was how the first century Assembly of Messianic Believers in Yeshua Messiah did it up to the destruction of the Temple in 68-70 C.E. It would seem the efficacy of their worship practices should be considered as the example by which we should strive to emulate today.

The Hebrew’s Flocks and Herds

As an aside, It does not appear that the animals of the Hebrew’s flocks and herds were consumed as food. These were only used for sacrificial and purity purposes.   

We find later in this Torah Reading that Father gave the go-ahead to the Hebrews to consume the meat derived from their flocks, after they entered the Land of Promise: 

However, you may slaughter and eat meat wherever you live and whenever you want, in keeping with the degree to which ADONAI your God has blessed you. The unclean and the clean may eat it, as if it were gazelle or deer. (Deu 12:15 CJB)

It is in the succeeding verse that the Hebrews received instructions related to proper slaughter of their animals for food consumption and worship purposes. Animals to be sacrificed or consumed for food would humanely have the blood drained from their carcasses. Not only was this a humane method of slaughtering the animal, it also help prevent the Hebrews from inadvertently consuming the creature’s blood. 

16 Only ye shall not eat the blood; ye shall pour it upon the earth as water. (Deu 12:16 KJV)

23 Only be sure that thou eat not the blood: for the blood is the life; and thou mayest not eat the life with the flesh. 24 Thou shalt not eat it; thou shalt pour it upon the earth as water. 25 Thou shalt not eat it; that it may go well with thee, and with thy children after thee, when thou shalt do that which is right in the sight of the LORD. (Deu 12:23-25 KJV)

 Netzarim and Meat Consumption

This of course has tremendous considerations for us as modern day Torah-keepers: how is the meat that we consume processed? Is it processed according to Torah where the animal is bled out or is the animal slaughtered with the blood remaining in its carcass?

This can be a tough thing when one considers that we in most every case have limited to no control over how our meats are processed for our consumption.

Certainly something to consider when making meat purchasing choices. 

We must also bear in mind that the Hebrews were fed directly by Yehovah with manna and quail during the 40-years of their sojourn (Exodus 16:13, 46; Numbers 11:31, 32; Psalms 105:40). The day after the Hebrews took possession of the Land of Promise, the manna ceased and the people began subsisting on the produce of the Land (Joshua 5:12). 

 Dealing with Idolatry Instigators in the Assembly

This week’s Torah Portion Reading also addressed how the Hebrews were to deal with those individuals who would lead members of the assembly to take up idol and false gods worship (13:1-19). 

Any such individual, believed to be encouraging Hebrews to subvert their Faith or depart from Torah and take up false gods and idol worship would be identified; the claims made against them investigated (13:15(14)); and if the claims lodged against them are found to be true, the offender(s) were to be stoned if it involved an individual (13:11(10)) or killed by the sword if a community of offenders (13:16:(15)). 

So what does that say to us today? Certainly, we cannot nor should we kill those who seek to steer us from practicing our Faith or to worship false gods, although Torah instructed the Hebrews to do so.

We do not live in a Torah-based Theocracy as did the Hebrews of old. Yehovah’s Torah was the law of the Land and over the assembly.

As 21st-century netzarim, we must acknowledge that no nation in existence today lives under Torah. Some contend that the United States’ is a Judaian-Christian nation. Although many of the norms and laws of our nation imitate Biblical principles, they are non-the-less secular laws. As citizens of the world’s nations, we are compelled to live by their laws, just as the Jews of Yeshua’s day were compelled to live under Roman law.

Therefore, we must discern from the example given to us in Scripture what our present day responsibilities are related to dealing with those who seek to subvert and pervert us and our Faith within the confines of our nation’s laws. 

Shaul wrote to the Corinthian Assembly of Messianic Believers: 

22 If any man love not the Lord Jesus Christ, let him be Anathema (i.e., a person doomed for destruction; one who is cursed) Maranatha. (1Co 16:22 KJV) 

In other words, any who would seek to subvert the true Gospel Message, seek to steer us towards improper worship,  adopt pagan rituals, or harass and unsettle our fellowships–whatever–should NOT be permitted to be a part or remain within our fellowship circle. 

The Jerusalem Council, headed by the half-brother of our Master, James, determined that the assembly of gentile believers observe the Faith as follows: 

19 Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to God: 20 But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood. 21 For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day. (Act 15:19-21 KJV) 

Thus, the responsibility falls upon each of us, individually and collectively, to avoid idolatry and perversions of our Faith. The one true way of doing this, of course, is through our heeding the leading of the Holy Spirit (i.e., the Ruach HaKodesh), maintain steadfast obedience to Torah and the teachings of Yahoshua Messiah, prayer, and consistent and rigorous study of Father’s Word of Truth.  

 The Food Laws

Additionally in this week’s Torah Portion Reading we find the very important food laws and instructions (14:3-21). 

For new believers, the food laws can be one of the more challenging aspects associated with coming in to Faith. Apart from the obvious prohibition against consuming pork (i.e., swine), fully understanding those things which Father has deemed as food that we may consume can be somewhat tricky if not illusive. We must remember that this instruction was given to the Hebrews residing in the Ancient Near East around 15th to 16th century BCE (my determination). Some scholars place the giving of Torah around the 12th to 14th century BCE. 

Many of the products we have in our modern day Western food supply don’t easily correlate with the instructions found in our present reading. 

When I first came to Faith and adopted the Torah lifestyle, I struggled somewhat with the food laws. It wasn’t that I had a difficult time giving up pork and shellfish mind you. I struggled with understanding what in my refrigerator, pantry, and restaurants I could eat and remain Torah-compliant. Yes, bacon, sausage, shrimp and crab were easy to figure out, but what about the other foods I would frequently come across such as non-shellfish seafood; poultry and even canned foods, produce and beef. Many of these food products I ended up finding out contained Torah prohibited foodstuffs.  

Yes, I even turned to Rabbinic Jewish sources to point me in the direction of eating kosher. However, I ultimately found out that one can NOT be entirely trusting of the Rabbis’ determination of what is permissible and prohibited in terms of Torah observers’ food consumption. 

So I ultimately learned to keep it simple and recognize the basics of the Father’s food laws: 

1. Swine products are prohibited. Unfortunately, much of our Western culture is heavily based upon pork production. And pork products are not limited to just bacon and sausage. We are finding pork infused even in beef (i.e., like burger patties) to not only help make the beef go further volume-wise, but also enhance the flavor or the meat. Pork products are also used in other foods (some of which are Torah permitted foods) to help preserve and contain the product for human consumption. Gelatin is one good example of the universal use of pork in our modern day food supply. Things as simple as medicines and supplements are often encapsulated in port products. 

2. Seafood that does not possess fins and scales are prohibited.

3. Any animal that is not of the flock or herd is likely prohibited. Many of the animals that Father designated should not be consumed and were not considered food, were created and designed to keep the natural environment clean. Many of the prohibited creatures we recognize as scavengers. Scavengers are known to consume other dead animals; they often consume rotting carcasses (e.g., buzzards, shellfish, vultures, possums, etc.). Other animals are carnivorous creatures that hunt and kill other animals for their food and these are essentially a no-no. Why? Because they themselves are likely to consume prohibited creatures and foodstuffs. In terms of meat, it’s best to stick with domesticated animals of the herd and flock for meat. In terms of fowl, it’s best to simply stick with poultry and related creatures.

I could go on, but suffice to say that one of the many positive things that come out of living a Torah-based life is that it forces us to question the things we put in these temples of ours.

Eating clean is one of the many signs of a set-apart people. However, determining which things we can and cannot consume is only the beginning. The food laws, I believer, urge us to go further in our obedience and desire to be a set-apart people. We are urged to examine everything that we consume, from the food that adorns our breakfast, lunch and dinner plates, to the supplements, vitamins and medicines we take to enhance the quality of our lives. Many of the things we think are permissible to consume, may not be as we perceive them to be. Not only may these items be tainted with pork or shellfish, some of our food choices are not true foods at all. Many popular food products are man-made foods, produced in laboratories. Certainly, when we consider the fullness of Torah instruction and Torah Living, our obedience to Father’s food laws must go beyond just pork and shellfish.

 The Tithe

Additionally in this week’s TorahPortion Reading, we find instructions on giving: namely tithing (14:22-29). 

One of the most interesting things that I’ve come to observe about Hebrew Roots and the Messianic Faith is that there’s not a whole lot of emphasis placed on free will offerings and tithing by members of the Body. 

Part of the reason we don’t hear a lot about tithing and offerings is simply because we cannot tithe the way Torah stipulates. Tithing and offerings among the Hebrews was generally agriculturally-based. As we see in this passage, tithes and offerings in the day consisted of grain, wine, olive oil, cattle and sheep (14:23). 

These offerings were to be taken to the annual pilgrimage feast sites and presented to Yehovah through the Levitical system. Those Hebrews who resided a great distance from the designated place of worship, upon going up to worship during those set-apart days, could exchange there agricultural produce offerings and tithes for money, so that they would not be burdened with transporting animals and produce over great distances. 

Additionally, the proceeds from the Hebrew’s tithes would be used to finance their journey and accommodations at the Feast site (14:26). 

Today, with the Temple/Tent of Meeting no longer in operation, and by most of us not making our income through agriculture (i.e., we don’t grow our produce or raise animals for food), the act of tithing must be considered from the perspective of principle and honor than from the perspective of rote, mechanical giving of tithes. Are the instructions on tithing still in effect for Torah Observant Believers in Yeshua Messiah? I would say yes and no. No, because we can’t tithe as Torah instructs us for the stated reasons. However, I would also say yes, the principle of tithing and offerings remains a standard by which we must aspire and participate in. 

The principle of giving a 10th of our increase (i.e., our income or substance) to some aspect of the Faith, I believe, still applies. Shaul taught that the Messianic believers in Corinth should give from a cheerful heart, not out of necessity or grudgingly (2 Corinthians 9:7). 

Master instructed his disciples as they prepared to go on their first missionary trip that they give to others as freely as they had received (Matthew 10:8). Indeed, Master was not speaking of money in terms of His disciples’ giving to others. He was speaking to their giving of themselves and the authority and power invested in them by the Holy Spirit, which included healing the sick, cleansing the lepers, raising the dead and casting out demons. 

Master further instructed His disciples to give to everyone that ask something of them (Luke 6:30).

In the KJV, the term tithe is mentioned but twice: Matthew 23:23 and Luke 11:42. These 2-passages are 2-versions of the same incident in which Master criticized the tithing practices of the Pharisees, which was based on the rote, mechanical giving of their property through their practice of Rabbinic Judaism. Nevertheless, the New Testament is silent on the issue of tithing. 

However, the principle of tithing seems to have been taken to a whole new level under the renewed covenant and the Kingdom of Yehovah. It’s about giving what we have to fulfill whatever the need is for the Body of Messiah. The concept of giving goes beyond the 10th of what we take in from our wages. It becomes not only the giving of moneys, but also the giving of our talents and resources to the work of the Gospel and for the well being of Body. 

True to the concept of Torah being a school master for us, pointing us to Messiah, the concept of tithing must be practiced in Spirit and Truth; as a crucial part of our worship and dedication to our Faith. Far too many of the members of our Faith Community ignore the crucial example of the tithe in their lives. Many refuse to support ministries that spiritually feed them. 

A prominent internet-based Hebrew Roots teacher recently criticized another Hebrew Roots teacher for charging his supporters to attend his conferences, feast celebrations and for some of his teachings. This criticism was met with a great deal of support and praise by a great many of that criticizing Hebrew Roots teacher’s followers. One follower, in fact, stated quite proudly that the reason he supported that teacher’s ministry (i.e., he tuned in to hear the teachings online) was because that Hebrew Roots teacher’s content was all free.

I personally believe that the Word of Yehovah should and must be given, as Master instructed His disciples, freely–without charge. However, teaching the Word of Yehovah in our 21st century society, in virtually every case, cost that teacher something in order for him or her to deliver that teaching. It either cost that teacher money or it cost him or her time, effort, their personal material resources and in some cases, even their health. 

In our secular, western society, we get very little for free That which we do get for free, comes with a lot of rules and caveats attached to their use. Everything else we get, we must pay for in one form or another. Why then do we feel that the work of the Gospel and the Kingdom should be shouldered by those that deliver the messages, while we sit and collect the content of those teachings, in most cases, without so much as a thank you kind sir/thank you kind ma’am? That kind of mindset and practice is somewhat disingenuous if you ask me. Furthermore, that mindset is anti-Messiah. Yeshua taught that “…a laborer is worthy of his wages” (Matthew 10:10; Luke 10:7; 1 Timothy 5:18). 

Recall from Torah how the Levites were taken care of by the people’s offerings and tithes and even sacrifices. Father set this standard up and required the Hebrews to follow that instruction. Indeed, Shaul addressed this issue of supporting their teachers when he wrote the following: 

12 If others are sharing in this right to be supported by you, don’t we have a greater claim to it? But we don’t make use of this right. Rather, we put up with all kinds of things so as not to impede in any way the Good News about the Messiah. 13 Don’t you know that those who work in the Temple get their food from the Temple, and those who serve at the altar get a share of the sacrifices offered there? 14 In the same way, the Lord directed that those who proclaim the Good News should get their living from the Good News. (1Co 9:12-14 CJB)

I contend that for Hebrew Rooters and Messianics to hold back on their giving, for whatever reason, runs contrary to a true Torah-lifestyle and to the teaching of our Master Yahoshua Messiah.

The other thing that this Torah Reading addresses, in terms of the giving of tithes, is that the Hebrew’s giving would include financing the care and well being of the local Levite priests, the widows and orphans (14:28, 29). Indeed, our giving today must include caring for the poor and least fortunate of our Faith Community. I fear that we have way too many members of our Faith Community that are not being properly looked after by the general Body of Messiah. Torah instructs us to look after them.

 The Shemitah and Slaves

Lastly, we find in Deuteronomy 15:1-18, instructions on the keeping of the Sh’mittah. [I covered this in some detail in a recent post entitled, “Messianic Lessons Learned From Shemitah. If you are so led and inclined, I invite you to check out that post at your convenience.] I won’t go into it in this post. 

The other thing to mention that is contained in this Torah Reading is the concept of a Hebrew owned slave becoming a bond slave. Father gave instructions on Hebrews owning slaves in Torah. 

A Hebrew, however, was permitted to own a slave only up to the time of Sh’mittah. At the time of Sh’mittah, which occurred every 7-years, the Hebrew slave owner was required to release his slaves with certain provisions given to that slave in order for them to begin their new life of freedom. 

However, Torah made provision for the slave who desired to remain in his master’s household for the remainder of his or her life, in which case, the Sh’mittah release would have no bearing on that slave. The slave desiring to remain with their master would undergo a painful ceremony that make him/her a bond slave or bond servant. 

[I recently posted content on this provision of Torah and the amazing shadow picture that it portrayed in a recent post entitled, “Torah Observant Believer in Yeshua Messiah as Slave.” I invite you to check out that post if you are so led and inclined, in your leisure.]

 

Faithfully submitted in the Spirit of Messiah

 

Shavu’atov

 

Torah Portion ‘Ekev–On the Heel Of–Because

Torah Portion ‘Ekev–On the Heel Of–Because

Torah Portion 'Ekev--On the Heel Of--Because

by Rod Thomas | The Messianic Torah Observer

This week’s Torah Portion (i.e., Reading/Parashat) was entitled, ‘Ekev–On the Heel Of–Because. It is found in Deuteronomy 7:12-11:25. [If you follow the Torah Portions or Readings, I invite you to check out my post entitled, “Hebrew Roots and Torah Portions–Are They Still Valid for Today’s Believer?“]

Outline of Today’s Post

 

In this week’s Torah Portion / Reading), we:

Torah Portions

Torah Portions is simply a system by which the entire Torah is read annually.

  • We receive a rehashing of the Hebrews’ 40-year sojourn in the wilderness, leading up to their conquest of the Land of Promise.
  • We receive shadow pictures of the Renewed Covenant and the Kingdom of Yehovah that Yahoshua Messiah brought us.
  • We learn the benefits of keeping Torah as well as the penalties associated with not keeping Torah.
  • We learn exactly what Father expected of the Hebrews and we consider what our Master Yahoshua expects of us as His disciples.
  • We discuss where all this will end.

So What About Father’s Law or Torah?

 

Moshe (i.e., Moses) instructed that if the Hebrews would willingly and purposely listen (Hb. shama), keep (shamar) and do (asah) Father’s Torah (Hb. in this case it is: mishpat): then He would honor the eternal covenant He swore to their forefathers. (7:12) 

Mishpat are decisions and instructions that Father rendered to the Hebrews in His Torah, which the Christian world refers to as the Law.

 

Moses with Tablets of Stone

Moses delivered Torah to the Hebrews. This Torah Portion-Eikev–teaches the benefits of Torah -keeping and offers a shadow of the renewed covenant and the Gospel of the Kingdom.

What I am seeing here is a somewhat blurry yet clear understanding of what our responsibilities as Torah Observant Believers in Yahoshua Messiah must be as it relates to keeping Father’s instructions.

Here, in this Torah Portion passage, Father is reiterating to the Hebrews prior to entering the Land of Promise, that if they but keep His Mishpat (essentially, hear, guard and do His Torah), He would in return keep His covenant and extend His lovingkindness toward them which He swore to their forefathers: 

Now, if you will pay careful attention to what I say and keep my covenant, then you will be my own treasure from among all the peoles, for all the earth is mine; and you will be a kingdom of cohanim for me, a nation set apart…(Exo. 19:5,6; CJB).

 

So, if this particular passage is applied to the Hebrews going into and living in the Land of Promise, how should we as Torah Observant Believers in Yeshua Messiah view and apply it in our daily walk with Messiah?

Don’t Forget to Focus

First and foremost, let us not forget that our focus must always be on the RENEWED covenant whereby Father’s ordinance/judgments/Mishpat, or simply His Torah, is to be written on the fleshly tablets of our hearts (Jeremiah 31:31-33). 

A common trap of the Hebrew Roots/Messianic Faith movement is being overly consumed with the rote keeping and obedience of Torah and having a worldview that does not have our Master Yahoshua Messiah as the focus of our Torah observance. It’s so easy to be focused on the tenets of the original covenant (i.e., the Old Covenant) through rote-keeping of Torah, and fail to realize the bigger picture associated with living under the renewed covenant. 

How many of us in Hebrew Roots have heard teachings given by prominent and respected Messianic teachers who fail to acknowledge the instructions of our Master Yahoshua? Indeed, without a proper Messiah-centric worldview, it can be quite easy to lose sight that: 

…The goal at which Torah aims is the Messiah, who offers righteousness to everyone who trusts (Rom. 10:4; CJB). 

The renewed covenant, which we are currently under, is the basis upon which the Gospel of the Kingdom is built. 

Look, the days are coming, Yehovah declares, when I shall make a new covenant with the House of Israel and the house of Judah, but not like the covenant I made with their ancestors the day I took them by the hand to to bring them out of Egypt (cf. Exo. 19:5), a covenant which they broke, even though I was their Master, Yehovah declares. No, this is the covenant I shall make with the House of Israel when those days are come, Yehovah declares. Within them I shall plant my Law, writing it on their hearts. Then I shall be their God and they will be my people (Jer. 31:31-33; cf. 2 Cor. 3:3; Heb. 8:8-10; NJB).

 The Focus of the Renewed Covenant as Opposed to the Original or Old Covenant

For all intents and purposes, this renewed covenant is no longer just about being a special possession and most favored nation in the eyes and heart of Yehovah.

The renewed covenant is about establishing a one-on-one, intimate and personal relationship with the Creator of the Universe–something that only a few people in all of history have ever truly experienced and enjoyed. It is about a profound change of heart and mind, whereby the desperately wicked, sinful heart of a manor woman is changed to one of purity, permitting the establishment of a true, substantive and above all, personal relationship with the Creator.

Under the original covenant, we would enjoy peace and prosperity and favor with the God of our forefather. However, our relationship with Father would be limited to one of rote obedience of His Mishpat (ref. Deut. 7:12). 

Thus, by us being under the grace-based renewed covenant, we keep Abba’s Mishpat (i.e., His Torah) because we love Him and desire to please Him and because we have been instructed to do so by our Master Yahoshua. We clearly recognize our place and identity in the Kingdom of Yehovah and as proper, loyal and dedicated servants and children of the Most High.

As citizens of the Kingdom and children of Yehovah, we act the part with joy and thanksgiving and obedience to Father’s eternal instructions. No longer is our obedience enacted out of fear of incurring pestilence, sickness, poverty and death. Instead, our obedience is enacted from the depths of a pure and loving heart towards Father.

We realize that our destiny as citizens of the eternal Kingdom and as children of Yehovah rests in the hands of our Master. We are no longer our own. We belong to Master Yahoshua, who is our High Priest, intercessor and example. This is the basis upon which the Gospel of the Kingdom is built.

Shaul (i.e., the Apostle Paul) wrote to the Corinthian Assembly of Messianic Believers:

19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s. (1Co 6:19-20 KJV) 

Has Torah Been Done Away With?

Am I saying that Torah is done away with or that a Hebrew Rooter or Messianic should dismiss Torah altogether? Absolutely not! To the contrary indeed! 

Torah will always be our constitution. It serves to keep us in check and remind us what sin truly is. Torah-honoring and observance also results in our living abundant and blessed lives on this earth as outlined in the succeeding verses of this week’s Torah Portion. 

Torah, along with the work of the Holy Spirit, serves to humble and fashion us into a people of Yehovah our Elohim (Deut. 8:3). Our obedience of Torah pleases the Father and He extends His mercies and grace upon us as we walk out our Faith daily.

 The Old is the New on Steroids

Just because we are under the auspices of the renewed covenant doesn’t mean that the overriding principles and promises embedded in Torah and the old covenant don’t apply to the Torah Observant Believer in Yeshua Messiah today. Simply put: I see the renewed covenant as the old covenant on steroids. The renewed covenant has benefits added to it that the original covenant could only point to: 

For the Torah has in it a shadow of the good things to come, but not the actual manifestation of the originals. Therefore, it can never, by means of the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, bring to the goal those who approach the Holy Place to offer them (Heb. 10:1; CJB).

The Benefits of Keeping Torah

Although the promises outlined in this week’s Torah Portion (i.e., Torah Reading) were given to the Hebrews on the cusp of their entering the Land of Promise, Torah observance and honoring for Torah Observant Believers in Messiah must still be followed. As en-grafted citizens into the commonwealth of Israel, we are required to keep Torah. In so doing–that is, ‘Ekev–we naturally realize the promises associated with keeping Torah:

 

  • Father will abundantly bless us as individuals as well as our families (Deut. 7:13, 14).
  • Father will remove all illnesses from us (7:15).
  • Father will fight our battles for us and deliver unto us that which He has promised us (7:16-24).
  • Abba will use us to destroy the works of the enemy (7:25-26).
  • That which we own will last beyond its expected useful life (8:4).

 

Complacency Breeds Disobedience and Indifference Towards Father

Unfortunately, we learned from the example of the Hebrews that complacency often breeds disobedience and indifference toward Yehovah and that may lead to our alienation from Him (8:12, 19,20). We are compelled to think about Yah’s Word each day, throughout the day. Furthermore, we are compelled to discuss Father’s Word with one another as often as the opportunity presents itself. Even more important, we are compelled to teach the Word to our children. All of this is repeated throughout Father’s Torah. 

If anything, Torah serves to remind us that everything we receive in this life that is good comes from Yehovah our Elohim: 

But you shall remember Yehovah your Elohim, for it is He who is giving you power to make wealth, that He may confirm His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day (Deut. 8:18).

Shadow Picture Revealed

In chapter 10 of this week’s Torah Portion, we see beautifully portrayed a shadow picture of the renewed covenant. 

Moshe was instructed to cut out and bring to Father 2-tablets of stone. The first time that the covenant was etched in stone and given to Moshe, Yehovah provided the stone tablets (Exo. 31:18). This time, Father instructed Moshe to bring 2-stone tablets to Him where He re-wrote that which He originally wrote on the 2-tablets of stone that He provided Moshe and which Moshe destroyed in response to the Hebrews worship of the golden calf (10:1,2). 

This new set of tablets were then placed in the ark of the covenant (10:2-5). 

This foreshadowed a time in the future that Israel (which includes us today) will bring the tablets of their hearts to Yehovah and He will inscribe on them His Word and His Covenant (Jeremiah. 31:31). His Word would then dwell within us (symbolized by the tablets being placed into the ark). That Word is embodied in the Holy Spirit (i.e., the Ruach HaKodesh) that dwells within every true believer: 

I [Yahoshua Messiah] will ask the Father and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever that is the Spirit of Truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not see Him or know Him, but you know Him because He abides with you and will be in you (John. 14:16,17; NASB). 

Another beautiful shadowing that we see brought out in this week’s amazing Torah Portion is the example of the Levites, who Father separated out from the rest of the nation to serve Him (10:9). Here, Moshe is reiterates and rehashes the 40-year wilderness sojourn of the nation and how the Levites were not given any physical inheritance. 

Why were the Levites not given any physical inheritance? They were not given any physical inheritance because Father established that He alone would be their inheritance. 

Indeed, under the renewed covenant, we as a kingdom of priests unto Yehovah, seek not after physical possessions. Our possession is Yehovah, our God (i.e., our Elohim): 

And hath made us kings and priests [speaking of Yahoshua] unto Yehovah and His Father…(Rev. 1:6; KJV, adjusted).

And hath made us unto our Yehovah kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth (Rev. 5:10; KJV, adjusted).

Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of Yehovah and of Messiah, and shall reign with Him a thousand years (Rev. 20:6; KJV, adjusted). 

From the very beginning, one of the focal points of the original covenant, was that Father aimed to have selected unto Himself a special people (i.e., the Hebrews) and whom He would fashion into a royal priesthood that would serve Him before the nation peoples of the earth. This royal priesthood would serve help draw the pagan nations of the world into a saving knowledge of the True and Living Yehovah our Elohim. Unfortunately, the Hebrews failed to effectively carry out this plan and they of course defaulted on the original covenant. 

The good news is, however, that Father recognized from the very beginning that the hearts of His chosen people would prevent them from carrying out the full tenets of the original covenant. However, Father still had embedded from the beginning in His eternal plan, the advent of His Son–the Prophet–who would usher in the Renewed Covenant that would serve to bridge the gap that separated all humans from the Creator as a result of sin. Yeshua’s efficacious work established an opportunity for every man, woman and child to have a true and substantive relationship with the Creator, and become children of the Most High. Yahoshua is now and forever more our High Priest under the Melchezedekian-order (Heb. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 10).

 

Were the Hebrews Set Up For Failure?

Did Father set up His people for failure? No, not in the least. Although He knew beforehand that the Hebrews would fail to fulfill the tenets of the original covenant, He was compelled by His righteousness and holiness to extend to the Hebrews His grace and the opportunity to serve Him as a peculiar and treasured people. Even though the Hebrews faltered in their keeping of the orginal covenant, Father’s mercy has continued to be extended to them and to us. 

The one thing Father has always insisted upon as it relates to humans being loyal to Him–obeying His Word–is that every individual must maintain his or her own free will. Each person must make up in their own minds and purpose in their own hearts to serve and obey the Almighty. Father would never force any individual to love Him. 

We see this exemplified in the Torah instruction related to Hebrews owning slaves, whereby in the time that a slave was to be released, that slave had the opportunity to stay with His master. And in making that major life decision, that slave would be subjected to pain and the shedding of blood to secure that loyalty and pledge to serve his master for the rest of his life (Exo. 21:5,6). 

So what then did Father expect from His sin-prone, stiff-necked people? It was simple: 

And now, Israel, what does Yehovah your God ask of you? Only this: to fear (Hb.=yare or to reverence) Yehovah your God with all your heart and all your soul, to keep the commandments and laws of Yehovah, which I {i.e., Moshe] am laying down for you today for your own good…Yehovah your Elohim is the one whom you must fear and serve; to Him you must hold firm; in His name take your oaths. Him you must praise, He is your Elohim…You must love Yehovah your Elohim and always keep His observances, His laws, His customs, His commandments…Let these words of Mine remain in your heart and in your soul; fasten them on your hand as a sign and on your forehead as a headband. Teach them to your children and keep on telling them, when you are sitting at home, when you are out and about, when you are lying down and when you are standing up. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates. (10:12, 13, 20, 21; 11:1; 18-20; NJB, adjusted). 

Essentially, Father was simply asking His people to be obedient to His Torah: nothing more, nothing less. In so doing: 

…you may live long in the land Yehovah swore to give to your ancestors and their descendants, a land flowing with milk and honey (11:9; CJB, adjusted). 

Back when this was written, the emphasis was on the Hebrews living lives according to the way Yehovah required in order for them to flourish in the Land of Promise (11:9, 14, 15; 11:21; 22-25).

Held to a Higher Standard of Torah Living

Let us, however, not think that that’s all that is required of us as disciples of Yahoshua. We are being held to a much higher standard. The standard that we are being held to was taught and modeled for us by our Master. That which Master taught and modeled for us, He expects us to go and do likewise (cf. Luk. 3:11). On top of that, Master expects us to go out and make for Him disciples: 

Go. Teach all nations to carry out all the things that I have commanded you–forever (Matt. 28:19; Rood). 

Sadly, too many of us in Hebrew Roots today are so focused on keeping Torah as written in the Pentateuch of our dusty Bibles–even down to those ceremonial aspects of Torah that we can no longer keep–that we ignore the life of Torah that Master Yeshua came to teach us. 

Even in Torah, Father instructed the Hebrews to not focus on blind and rote obedience of His Torah. Instead, Father instructed the Hebrews to: 

Circumcise your heart and stiffen your neck no longer (10:16). 

It become a heart thing. Without a change of heart, it is difficult, if not impossible, to truly keep Torah the way Father intended it be kept from the very beginning. [See my post entitled, “A Broken Heart and Contrite Spirit Gets God’s Attention“] This is THE TORAH (the Good News–the Gospel of the Kingdom) that Master Yahoshua came to deliver to us.  

We Have a Rich Heritage and Big Sandals to Fill

As 10:15 shows, let us rejoice and be glad in the fact that we have been selected to be a part of Father’s grand Kingdom. We are following in the footsteps of giants and we have been en-grafted into a rich and treasured heritage. 

Father intervened into the affairs of men and found a man, Abraham, upon whom He would ultimately reconcile unto Himself all mankind, reclaim and restore the earth to its former glory, and establish His eternal kingdom on earth. It was through Abraham’s lineage that Master Yeshua would come and fulfill all of these things and we are the beneficiaries of this work. 

We are picking up where the Hebrews of old left off. However, we are not just picking up and carrying on as they should have. We are taking this thing to its fullest potential in Yeshua Messiah.[See my post entitled, “When Tradition Eclipses Torah“}

 

________________________________________________________________

 

Torah-Keeping–When it is Practiced in Sin

Torah-Keeping–When it is Practiced in Sin

When Torah-Keeping is Practiced in Sin

by Rod Thomas | The Messianic Torah Observer

This Week’s Torah Reading–D’varim

This week’s Torah Reading was D’varim. A section of it addressed our eventual abandonment of Father’s Torah after we were established in the land. As a result of our abandonment of Torah, the land would be overrun by Gentiles and we would suffer a panoply of hardships, including death, illnesses and destruction.
The accompanying Haftorah was contained in Isaiah 1:1-27. In this Haftorah Reading, Isaiah highlights our pending judgment that was coming as a result of the very thing we were warned about by Father and Moshe just before our conquering and possessing the Land of Promise.

The Prophet Isaiah

The Prophet Isaiah

The Prophet Isaiah was sent by God to warn Judah of the dangers associated with sinning while falsely keeping Torah.

Isaiah served as a prophet during the reigns of 4-kings (i.e., Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah) of Judah in the 8th century B.C.E. Biblical experts (whatever that truly means today) suggests that the Book of Isaiah was penned entirely by the Great Prophet, but was also likely penned in in two periods. These two periods seem to have taken place between 740 and 686 B.C.E with roughly 15-year separation period in between.

From what little we know historically of this period in Judah’s history, coupled with what Isaiah and his contemporaries wrote, Isaiah seems to have begun his ministry just a few years before King Uzziah’s death (`740’s B.C.E.). The prophet appears to have lived up to the 14th year o King Hezekiah’s reign (`698 B.C.E.). It is conceivable that Isaiah functioned in his prophetic office for the better part of 60-years.
I found the possibility that Isaiah’s spouse being a “prophetess” absolutely fascinating and exciting. No one can legitimately deny that our forefathers were a bit on the misogynistic side. Little is ever mentioned about women prophets although Scripture gives the identities of some 9-such women of the Most High (i.e., Miriam, Deborah, Huldah, Noadiah, Isaiah’s wife, Elizabeth, Anna, Daughters of Philip, and Jezebel). [There is also evidence emerging in mainstream Christianity that there were even female apostles and evangelists, the subject of which goes outside the realm of this post.] In addition to Isaiah being married to a prophetess, the couple had a son, Maher-shalal-hash-baz. One other interesting tradition that has been attributed to Isaiah was that he was a vegetarian (reference: Mark Braunstein, 1980; “Vegetarianism in Art”). Sadly, and what seems to be a common end to most of Father’s anointed prophets, Talmudic tradition [Yevamot 49b] holds that this Isaiah suffered martyrdom at the hands of King Manasseh, who ordered that Isaiah be sawn in two. (Reference: Wikipedia-Isaiah articles.)
So, under what circumstances and time frame did Isaiah pen his prophecies? It appears that this portion of the book of Isaiah was written around 700 B.C.E., about the time of the Assyrian invasion of the House of Israel (which occurred about 722 B.C.E.). We can surmise from Isaiah’s writings that his ministry to the Hebrews began sometime around 740 B.C.E., as he was called by Yehovah “in the year that King Uzziah died” (6:1). Although Assyria was an imminent threat to House of Israel, she also posed an existential threat to Judah. The people leaned toward self-reliance and defense against Assyria as opposed to divine protection and deliverance by Yehovah. Although House of Israel was doomed due to fall before Assyria, House of Judah was secure in the promise of Father’s conditional protections. Yet Judah kings Ahaz and Hezekiah, respectively, sought human alliances to stave off the Assyrian onslaught. And although Hezekiah eventually relented and trusted Yehovah, Judah would eventually fall before the coming Babylonian juggernaut.

Isaiah Delivers the Indictment Against Judah

Isaiah starts off his cepher delivering a crucial message given to him by Yehovah. This message is of a recurring theme as it relates to the Hebrews: “I raised and brought up children, but they rebelled against me” (vs. 2; NET). Interestingly, Father is declaring this message to both the inhabitants of heaven and earth (cf. Mic. 1:2). For the message to be declared before the inhabitants of both realms, it must be important.
The N.E.T. reference Bible places an even more ominous tone to this declaration. Here we see, in a personified sense, the Creator’s courtroom assembled. The heavens and earth are summoned to the “Creator’s courtroom as witnesses against Yehovah’s covenant people.”
So the question is thus begged: why has Father assembled this courtroom against Yehovah’s covenant people? Was this a mere confluence of unfortunate circumstances that led us to this point in the Jew’s history? Not exactly. This was all foretold to us and recorded centuries prior to Isaiah taking up his prophetic office. I refer you to the following:
 25 “When you become the father of children and children’s children and have remained long in the land, and act corruptly, and make an idol in the form of anything, and do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD your God so as to provoke Him to anger,  26 I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that you will surely perish quickly from the land where you are going over the Jordan to possess it. You shall not live long on it, but will be utterly destroyed. 27 “The LORD will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the LORD drives you.  28 “There you will serve gods, the work of man’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell.  29 “But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul. (Deu 4:25-29 NAU)
 17 “But if your heart turns away and you will not obey, but are drawn away and worship other gods and serve them,  18 I declare to you today that you shall surely perish. You will not prolong your days in the land where you are crossing the Jordan to enter and possess it.  19 “I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, the blessing and the curse. So choose life in order that you may live, you and your descendants,  20 by loving the LORD your God, by obeying His voice, and by holding fast to Him; for this is your life and the length of your days, that you may live in the land which the LORD swore to your fathers, to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, to give them.” (Deu 30:17-20 NAU)
 28 “Assemble to me all the elders of your tribes and your officers, that I may speak these words in their hearing and call the heavens and the earth to witness against them.  29 “For I know that after my death you will act corruptly and turn from the way which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days, for you will do that which is evil in the sight of the LORD, provoking Him to anger with the work of your hands.”  (Deu 31:28-29 NAU)
 “Give ear, O heavens, and let me speak; And let the earth hear the words of my mouth.  2 “Let my teaching drop as the rain, My speech distill as the dew, As the droplets on the fresh grass And as the showers on the herb.  3 “For I proclaim the name of the LORD; Ascribe greatness to our God!  4 “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just; A God of faithfulness and without injustice, Righteous and upright is He.  5 “They have acted corruptly toward Him, They are not His children, because of their defect; But are a perverse and crooked generation. (Deu 32:1-5 NAU)
In other words: centuries before Isaiah assumed his prophetic office, Father warned us in these 4-passages that we would end up in this position if failed to do what He instructed us to do in His Torah. Father was essentially saying to us: “Hey guys, look, I’m telling you today, with heaven and earth as my witnesses, you will be uprooted out of the Land of Promise and destroyed because of your corrupt nature. Your only hope of survival is to stay the course with me and do not follow after your own ways.

The Affects of Sin on the People of Yehovah

Sin has a deleterious effect on individuals as well as upon a nation. Let’s consider from Isaiah’s prophetic perspective what some of those effects are.
  1.  Sin causes a people to become stupid and foolish in terms of their responsibilities and the repercussions of their actions. In verse 3, Father expresses that simple-minded animals understand the natural order of things. However, sin has caused His people to “not understand” (i.e., biyn {bene} that is to discern, understand, consider).  The prophet Jeremiah echoed a similar refrain when He wrote: “Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming; but my people know not the judgment of Yehovah. In other words, initially the people of Yehovah may realize that the wages of sin is death and they may attempt to keep themselves from sin. However, once sin does take hold of the people, over time, they forget that sin leads to death and destruction and no matter how hard the emissaries of the Most High attempt to warn and sway Yah’s people to turn from their wicked ways, the people are too dense to understand the emissaries’ messages.
  2. Sin causes a people to become corrupt in all their ways. Verse 4 describes the weightiness of sin and how it corrupted His people so that they simply abandoned their Elohim.
  3. Sin brings with it penalties. In verse 5, Father asks His people, ” Why do you want more beatings?” No healthy-minded human being desires to be hurt or beaten. Yet sin has the pervasive nature of deadening one to pain and hurt, or at the very least, as in item 1 above, being so stupid and foolish that one does not realize that they are reaping the wages of their sin. Indeed, Father is trying, through Isaiah, to reason with His people by asking them: why do you insist on getting beat down? You can stop the continuous beat downs you are experiencing if you simply turn from sin and return back to me. The Prophet Jeremiah described this process as the people refusing to receive their correction. Instead of relenting to the scourging that sin brings them, the people of Yehovah harden their faces and their resolve to continue living as they’ve grown accustomed to living–the sinful, idolatrous, Torahless life.
  4. Sin ultimately takes over the entire body leaving nothing good; nothing redeemable. Father laments in verse 6 that from the sole of the foot even to the head, no spot is uninjured–wounds, welts, and festering sores not cleansed, bandaged, or soothed with oil” (CSB). Do we not see such a thing happening in our nation today? Is not the very fabric of this nation’s republic becoming so corrupt and hateful that there’s little hope for healing?
  5. Sin brings destruction to people’s property. In verse 7 Father points out to the people that their nation, cities and real properties are overtaken by destructive elements. The nation was warned that this would happen if they abandoned Abba’s Torah (Deuteronomy 28). In that warning, Father warned that the fruit of their land and all their labors would be consumed by others who were not of their nation. These marauding nations and people would consume all their produce and oppress and crush them. These oppressors will leave Yehovah’s people nothing behind. They will take everything. How many of us have abandoned Torah and given ourselves over to sin, only to see everything that we have worked so hard for dissolve away before our very eyes? Sin has that destructive effect. Eventually, nothing is left behind and our lives become desolate and barren (verses 8). We become as the people and land of Sodom and Gomorrah (verse 9).

Father Eventually Has His Fill of our Foolishness

If any lesson is to be had by us who are Torah Observant Believers in Yahoshua Messiah is that eventually, Father reaches a point where He has had enough with our foolishness. For us, the stakes are even higher. It’s one thing for the Creator of the Universe to endure the sinful ways of this unbelieving and lawless world in which we live. It is an entirely different thing for us, who go about keeping rote aspects of Torah (whatever that actually looks like), but continue to allow sin to reign in our lives.
Isaiah writes:

“What are your endless sacrifices to me? says Yahweh. I AM SICK of burnt offerings of rams and the fat of calves. I take no pleasure in the blood of bulls and lambs and goats. When you come and present yourselves before me, who has asked you to trample through my courts [at feast gatherings]. Bring no more futile cereal offerings , the smoke from them fills me with disgust. New Moons, Sabbaths, assemblies–I CANNOT ENDURE SOLEMNITY COMBINED WITH GUILT. Your New Moons and your meetings I utterly detest; to me they are a burden I am tired of bearing” (Isa. 1:11-14; NJP).

Oh dear God: can you hear the glee in the voices of the anti-Torah crowds at the reading of this passage of Isaiah. I personally have come across some teachings from traditionalists and fundamentalists who have hijacked this writing to support their anti-Torah agenda. For these anti-Torah teachers, Isaiah is passing along Yehovah’s sentiments that they claim show that He did away with His own Torah–even as far back as Isaiah’s day. And certainly, if one were to simply read these verses out of its proper context supported by one’s anti-Torah worldview, then of course it would appear that Father was circling back and telling the Hebrews that He really didn’t care too much for His own Law and instructions.
Come on! Context, context, context. Context is always king when delving into the immeasurable riches of Father’s Word. When this passage is read and studied in its truest context, we see quite clearly that He despised Judah’s disingenuous ways. Verse 13 of this chapter puts this whole thing into its proper perspective:  “I CANNOT ENDURE SOLEMNITY COMBINED WITH GUILT (i.e., iniquity; evil).”
In other words: some of us may pride ourselves as being of Hebrew Roots or of the Messianic Faith. However, if we are practicing the True Faith once delivered while boldly practicing sin, then “Houston, we have a problem.”

Father’s Response to Solemnity with Guilt

As reported by Isaiah in this passage, when we go about practicing our Hebrew Roots/Messianic Faith that is combined with guilt (i.e., Hebrew=aven which means iniquity or evil), Father refuses to hear our prayers. In fact, Father refuses to even look at us (CSB). Why, because our hands are covered in blood (verse 15). Is there no wonder why so many of us in our Faith Community are weighed down by poverty, sickness and family problems?
Father further warned that if the Judaeans chose to ignore the words of Isaiah, they would be “devoured by the sword” (verse 20). Indeed, Father warned of this in His Torah when He stated through Moshe:
“And I will bring a sword upon you that shall avenge the quarrel of my covenant. And when ye are gathered together within your cities, I will send the pestilence among you; and ye shall be delivered into the hand of the enemy…And I will scatter you among the heathen and will draw out a sword after you: and your land shall be desolate and your cities waste” (Lev. 26:25, 33).
Additionally, Father warned the Judaeans that their money would become worthless and their produce diminished (verse 21).
Father sealed this prophecy by His own Name:
“I Yehovah have spoken it” (verse 20).
Does Father’s Name carry with it any true meaning? Indeed, Moshe wrote of Father:
“God is not a man that He should lie; neither the son of man that He should repent. Hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken and shall He not make it good” (Num. 23:19; KJV).
Why do we ever doubt that which the Father states in His Word? What does it take for men to come around and actually recognize that our God is not a liar; He is not some myth; He is not fallible; He is not bipolar; He is not confused; He is NOT human. He means what He says and He always does what He says He is going to do.

The Fix for the Solemnity with Guilt Problem

Fortunate for us, as it would have been fortunate for Judaeans if they would have heeded Isaiah’s words in that day, there is an easy fix to this dilemma:
“Wash yourselves. Cleanse yourselves. Remove your evil deeds from My sight. STOP DOING EVIL. Learn to do what is good. SEEK JUSTICE by correcting the oppressor and defending the rights of the fatherless and by pleading the case of the widows” (verses 16-17).
Could there be no simpler solution to their problem? Could there be no simpler solution to many of our problems. If we simply were to stop sinning and keep Torah in “Spirit and in Truth” (John 4:23) the way Yahoshua our Messiah taught us, then Father will cleanse us from our unrighteousness. Isaiah beautifully writes:
And this is Father actually speaking through Isaiah–“Come now and let us talk this over. Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (verse 18). And “if you you have a willing attitude (Heb. “abah;” to willingly consent to something) and obey (Heb. “shamah;” to hear and do that which Father instructs us to do), then you will again eat the good crops of the land” (vs. 19).
Could it be any simpler? If the Judaeans were simply to adopt a change of heart that was fundamentally in-tune to Father’s Way of Life; and if they were to “Shamah,” listen and obey Father’s instructions, then they would flourish in total and uninterrupted safety in their land. (See my post “When Tradition Eclipses Torah.”)

A Shadow Picture Revealed

As He was teaching a handful of his disciples in the Dead Sea Valley in the winger of 27 C.E., a likely female disciple, in joyous and reverent response to what the Master was teaching proclaimed a thankful blessing upon Yahoshua’s mother. In response to that thankful blessing, Master countered with a Truth that remains true today as it was true in the day it was delivered:
“Even more blessed (Gr.=markarios, or happy; fortunate) are those who HEAR THE WORD OF YEHOVAH AND KEEP IT” (Luke 11:27, 28).
This was a recurring refrain in Master’s earthly ministry.
It was during a period of intense activity during Master ministry, this time near His home in Kfar Nahum (i.e., Capernaum). His family, seemingly having not seen Him in some time, desired to see Him in the midst of the crowds that routinely assembled to hear His teachings. In the midst of one of His teaching sessions, someone informed Yeshua that His mother and brothers were standing outside the venue and desired to see Him. Master, in a surprising response to receiving this news, stated:
“My mother and my brothers are those who hear the Word of Yehovah and do it” (Luk. 8:21).
Nevertheless, some will say, well, what does that have to do with the Isaiah Haftorah Reading? Well, I’d say this that Master taught–that being hearing and keeping the Word of  Yehovah–has a great deal to do with this Isaiah passage. It’s not the rote keeping of Torah that keeps us from harm’s way and in a right relationship with the Creator of the Universe. It’s the keeping of Torah the way Master Yahoshua modeled for and taught us. It involves a profound and permanent change of heart that seeks to keep Torah because we love Yehovah our Elohim. It involves a profound and permanent change of heart whereby we seek to live sinless lives. For when we hear and obey the Torah of Yehovah our Elohim with a pure heart that is not influenced or tainted by pervasive sin, then we will be blessed–markarios–happy and fortunate.

All is Not Lost–A Bright Future Ahead

We learn that Father will make right all that was wrong in Judea. He declared that He would “take vengeance of His adversaries and avenge Himself on His enemies” (verse 24; QBE). In addition, Jerusalem will get her reputation back as being a righteous and just city (verses 25-27).
Now, this is likely a prophecy set to take place in the End Times. Malachi the prophesied of such:
“But who may abide the day of His coming? And who shall stand when He appeareth? For He is like a refiner’s fire and like fullers soap. And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of sliver; and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver that they may offer unto Yehovah an offering in righteousness (3:2, 3; KJV; adjusted).
Indeed, the gist of this Haftorah, as sobering and ominous as it may appear to us today, is really a message of hope. Isaiah laid before the Judaeans, and for us today, the reality of our seemingly hopeless situation. The Judaeans (and in many circumstances, our negative situations even today) are the result of our disobedience and refusal to shamah the Words of our Father and the teachings of Yahoshua our Master. We can forestall any impending doom upon us that is as a result of our insolence if we but:
“Seek first Yehovah’s Kingdom and His Righteousness” (Matt. 6:33). If we make this our primary focus each and every day, everything in our lives will fall wonderfully and happily in line.
Let us seek His Kingdom with as much zeal and fervor as we can possibly muster and then we can truly enjoy the abundant life that Master Yahoshua promised we’d have. (Reference John 10:10) (If you zealously desire to know about living such a Kingdom-seeking life, check out my post entitle: “Living a Life Beyond the Norm.”)
Faithfully

 

The God Who is Evergreen

Greetings Fellow Saints in Training! Today was the 28th Day of the 2nd Biblical Month and the 39th day of the counting of the Omer. We trust that you have a blessed day in Messiah. My Torah studies today took me to Numbers 23: 13-26. Those of you who are Torah buffs...

The Samaritan Woman at the Well and Our Salvation

Greetings Fellow Saints in Training. Today was the 27th Day of the 2nd Biblical month and the 38th day of the counting of the omer. I trust you had a lovely day in Messiah. This morning prior to going to work and as part of my daily Torah studies, I happened upon...

Look and Live

Today is the 21st Day of the 2nd biblical month and the 32nd day of the counting of the omer. I trust this brief post finds you and yours well and blessed. Shalom. My #Torah study today provided a prophetic shadow picture of the Master and His sacrifice at Calvary. In...

Am I Clean or Unclean Before the Father?

Today is the 19 day of the 2nd Biblical Month and the 30th day of the counting of the Omer. In my Torah study this morning I came across Numbers 19. This chapter dealt with the issue of cleanliness and uncleanliness; more specifically how must Israel (more so...

Tzitzit Wearing

Greetings to you all this 23rd Day of the #CountingoftheOmer and the 12th Day of the 2nd Biblical Month on the Creator's Sacred Calendar. Today's #Torah reading marked the commandment by the Almighty to His people to wear #Tzitzits on each corner of their garments....

Is Torah Meant for All Believers (or Just the Jews)?

As I read Numbers 15:8-16, any doubt that I had about the applicability of Torah to true Believers in Messiah was quickly erased. vs. 15 reads, "...there will be the same law for you as for the foreigner living with you; this is a permanent regulation through all your...

God’s Promises Have a Shelf-Life

Indeed. The passage Num. 14:26-15:7 details how the Lord's disappointment and anger towards Israel was kindled after she rejected the promised land upon hearing the report from the spies. Father's promise of providing the chosen nation with a land flowing with milk...

As It Was In The Days of Noah

As It Was In The Days of Noah

Do recent advancements in DNA manipulation and Artificial Intelligence portend the return of Yahoshua Messiah? Are they elements of modern day spin-offs to the Days of Noah?

Each week it seems, we receive more and more disturbing news about the existential dangers posed by AI (i.e., Artificial Intelligence) and DNA manipulation.

According to Ian Sample, Science Editor for “The Guardian,” in his article entitled: “Thousands of Leading AI Researchers Sign Pledge Against Killer Robots,” reported that some 2,400 academics and industrialists pledged, by way of some signed document, that they or their organizations would “not participate in the development or manufacture of robots that can identify and attack people without human oversight.” This pledge, for lack of a better descriptor, is apparently intended to “deter military firms and nations from building lethal autonomous weapon systems, also known as Laws.”

The fact that such a document along with its 2,400 signed pledges seems to suggest that the threat that AI poses to mankind is real and that it must be taken seriously.

The developers of AI products and components have stated for years that their efforts are for the good of all peoples of the world; that AI would save mankind from its destructive-self; that it would improve and prolong the quality of life for all people. Nevertheless, as wonderful as this may seem to the most accepting and tolerant of us in the world, with the sole exception of the things and ways of YHVH, nothing seen as good ever comes without a price or bad side attached to it. In this case, the bad side, is of course, that AI would be employed by our governments to control us. And we all know that we can trust our governments to always do the right thing for its citizens. Right?

Then there’s the growing concern over supposed “advances” in DNA manipulation whereby we have the science knowhow to modify the genetics of mankind to fulfill whatever purpose meets the fancy of men. In another yet another article by The Guardian Science Editor, Ian Sample, this one entitled “Genetically Modified Babies Given Go Ahead by UK Ethics Body,” a UK ethics board is set to give a “green light” to the practice of “changing the DNA of a human embryo;” that is, if that modification is deemed to be in that child’s best interest. My question begs to this insanity is: who then determines what the child’s best interest actually are? The parents? The government? The enemy maybe?

What is actually being genetically altered in these children you ask? According to Sample, changes to the genes in the parents’ sperm and eggs. And why are geneticists doing this? Well, of course it is for the better interests of the children in that such manipulations will “save a significant number of babies from pain and suffering…the best chances in life.”

The problems associated with both genetic manipulation and AI killing machines are obvious. The broader concern for me, of course, has to do with these entities having prominent roles in the End Times. What threats, if any, does genetic modification and AI hold for Torah Observant Believers in Yahoshua Messiah in the days ahead?

I contend that far too many of us are fast asleep at the spiritual wheel, completely unaware of pending dangers that lie ahead of us. In Master’s Sermon on the Mount, Yahoshua prophesied the following: “For as were the Days of Noah, so will be the coming of the Son of Man. For as in those days before the flood they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day when Noah entered the ark, and they were unaware until the flood came and swept them all away” (Matthew 24:38, 39; Luke 17:28-30). When taken in context, the elements of Noah’s day that will be similar to those of the end times are, as John J. Parsons of www.hebrews4christians.com writes, “The days of Noah were marked by people who were asleep, blind, and unaware (i.e., agnostic). They went about their business willfully ignorant of the spiritual reality around them. For ten consecutive generations—from the creation of Adam until the generation of Noah—people progressively became more and more ignorant of spiritual reality and truth. Eating and drinking, romantic intrigue and marriage, buying and selling, and other worldly affairs were the preoccupations of the day…thus people lived their lives oblivious to the spiritual reality of all around them. They forgot who God was, who they were, why they existed, and where they were going…they were unaware.”

It goes without saying that sin has somewhat of an anesthetizing effect upon any and all societies. When sin is the norm of the day, Elohim-inspired morality rapidly breaks down which then leads to “spiritual blindness that leads to corruption and unthinking brutality and violence” (Parsons, 2018). If anything, this aptly described our present world to a “t,” wouldn’t you say? And if we take this description and compare and contrast it with what we know to have been transpiring in the days of Noah, it would not be too much of a stretch to believe that if we are not now living, we are at least heading for the End Times.

Ancient Book of Jubilees

The Ancient Book of Jubilees also addresses the manipulation of the natural order and the moral corruption of Noah’s Day.

The sixth-chapter of Genesis gives us a glimpse into what the natural and spiritual conditions were like in the times of Noah. It is recorded: The Nephilim were on the earth in those days (and also after this) when the sons of God were having sexual relations with the daughters of humankind, who gave birth to their children. They were the mighty heroes of old, the famous men. (Gen 6:4 NET) But the LORD saw that the wickedness of humankind had become great on the earth. Every inclination of the thoughts of their minds was only evil all the time. (Gen 6:5 NET)

There are varied understandings throughout Christendom as to the actual meaning of this brief, and not too detailed descriptions of these days of Noah. Conservatives vehemently deny that angels mated with woman who in turn produced the dreaded Nephilim (i.e., giants). These contend that angels cannot possibly mate with human beings. To the opposite end of the spectrum, however, some contend that indeed, spiritual entities did in fact mate with human women and Nephilim were the products of this prohibited union. But these folks go even further in their claims, basing their contention upon their reading and understanding of certain Apocryphal books such as the ancient books of “Enoch” “Jubilees,” and “Jasher.”

Ancient Book of Enoch

The Ancient Book of Enoch speaks to the moral and natural order degradation of Noah’s Day as initiated by the Watchers.

We find recorded in the 7th chapter of Enoch the following:

“Each of the 200 [the Watchers] chose a wife for himself and they began to go in unto them and to mate with them, and they taught them sorcery and enchantments, and the cutting of roots, and made them acquainted with plants. These women became pregnant and gave birth to great giants whose height reached up to 3,000 ells (most likely mistranslated as 30-cubits). These giants consumed all the food; and when men could no longer sustain them, the giants turned against them and dovoured mankind. They also began to sin against birds and beasts and reptiles and fish and to devour one another’s flesh, and drink the blood. Then the earth laid accusation against the lawless ones.”

Continuing on to the 8th chapter, we read:

“Azazel taught men to make swords, knives, shields, and armor from the metals of the earth. He taught the women how to see behind them (i.e., mirrors), how to make bracelets, ornaments and other kinds of jewelry using precious stones and the beautifying of the eyes with makeup of various color. This led them astray into fornication and ungodliness and they became corrupt in all their ways.”

Ancient Book of Jasher

The Ancient Book of Jasher speaks to the degradation of the established natural order.

The Book of Jubilees confirms the Enochian account with the following:

 

“And it came to pass when the children of men began to multiply on the face of the earth and daughters were born unto them, that the angels of God saw them on a certain year of this jubilee, that they were beautiful to look upon; and they took themselves wives of all whom they chose, and they bare unto them sons and they were giants [Nephilim]. And lawlessness increased on the earth and all flesh corrupted its way, alike men and cattle and beasts and birds and everything that walketh and on the earth—all of them corrupted their ways AND THEIR ORDERS and they began to devour each other, and lawlessness increased on the earth and every imagination of the thoughts of all men 9was) thus evil continually” (Jubilees 5:1, 2).

Now, the Ancient Book of Jasher goes somewhat deeper into this thing. It is recorded:

“And the wife of Lamech conceived and bare him a son at that time, at the revolution of the year. And Methuselah called his name Noah…And all the sons of men departed from the ways of the Lord in those days as they multiplied upon the face of the earth with sons and daughters, and they taught one another their evil practices and they continued sinning against the Lord. And every man made unto himself a god, and they robbed and plundered every man his neighbor as well as his relative, and they corrupted the earth and the earth was filled with violence. And their judges and rulers went to the daughters of men and took their wives by force from their husbands according to their choice, and the sons of men in those days took from the cattle of the earth, the beasts of the field and the fowls of the air, and taught the mixture of animals of one species with the other, in order therewith to provoke the Lord…” (Jasher 4:13-18).

Now, I get it. Many who read this post will reject my references to these so-called and oft-perceived non-inspired texts. But I submit that before we unceremoniously reject these books and label them as spurious and in some cases, evil, we carefully keep in mind that these books were revered, read, and often referenced by our forefathers down through the years and that each of these are mentioned in various passages of the inspired books of our present canon. Could these texts be spurious? Of course they could, but I am not at all certain that they are. In fact, I would go so far as to give these books the benefit of the doubt. If these texts can shed further light on this present darkness that we are experiencing and warn us of the times ahead, why would we not take heed of their content?

For purposes of this post, however, I reference these texts simply to shed a light upon the times we are “a-living.” Master stated that the end times would be similar to the times and days of Noah. So what do you say that we briefly compare and contrast the days of Noah with our present day?

  • People are marrying and being given in marriage. True in the days of Noah and certainly true today.
  • There is heightened spiritual activity ongoing in the world. True in the days of Noah and certainly true today. We may not be seeing Nephilim being conceived and birthed as of this writing, but with current DNA manipulation and AI technology soon to be commonly implemented in everyday life in conjunction with noticeably heightened spiritual activity taking place in virtually every nation on the planet today, is it not too much of a stretch to envisage Nephilim-like beings walking the earth in the not too distant future?
  • Agricultural genetic manipulation threatens to thoroughly corrupt Father’s natural order on this planet. True in the days of Noah and certainly we see it coming true today.
  • Lawlessness abounds worldwide. True in the days of Noah and certainly true today.

The bottom line with all that I’ve written in this post is that such stories as the advent of machines and technologies that could could threaten the existence of mankind are, for the Torah Observant Believer in Yahoshua Messiah, clear markers that the return of our Master is not too far off. Thus it behooves us to be acutely cognizant that our time to work the fields is quickly coming to an end.

Our Master stated it poignantly and succinctly:

“We must work the works of Him who sent Me as long as it is day; night is coming when no one can work” (Joh 9:4 NAU)”

I end with the words of the Apostle Paul who wrote:

“Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary (Gal 6:9 NAU)”

Faithfully Submitted

No Results Found

The page you requested could not be found. Try refining your search, or use the navigation above to locate the post.