Tag: bible

Testing Modern Prophets: A Scriptural Approach

Testing Modern Prophets: A Scriptural Approach

An on going email conversation with two Mormon Missionaries. Part 2.

Good Day, 

i want you to know that much prayer and thought go into my responses. As i am sure yours do as well. There is however something to be said of mourning that is important. This may not directly apply to you. As i don’t know if either of you were directly affected by the events in Michigan personally. However, we read of the importance of grieving throughout Scripture. As well, science has proven the process is good for body, mind and soul. Yahoshua said, “Blessed are those who mourn for they will be comforted.” Yahoshua, himself mourned and wept over friends and humanity. Now enough of that. As i believe we are not arguing this point but simply stating ideas each of us hold to be true. It is good to mourn.

i would raise the question that i am sure you have gotten before. That is to the point of eternal marriage. This will also tie into our later discussion on prophets. 

Yahoshua, confronted on marriage said, “Yahoshua answered them, ’The reason you go astray is that you are ignorant both of the Tanahk and of the power of Elohim. For in the resurrection, neither men nor women will marry; rather, they will be like angels in heaven.’” (Matthew 22:29-30) How do you interpret this statement by Yahoshua?

On the question of Prophets being around now. Certainly, it is within the power of Elohim to call Prophets in our modern day. As He calls Pastors, and Teachers alike. The question isn’t whether Prophets are called but rather how one is determined to be a true prophet of Elohim. Many will say that the Election of such positions by congregants of a particular denomination is sufficient. That it reveals the Will of Elohim. And certainly there is a case to be made here. The example of the election of Matthias in the book of Acts to replace Judas. (Acts 1:16-26) As they casted lots and it fell upon him. Of course they had some prerequisites that each man had to meet, like a job interview. Yet still this is the only time Matthias is mentioned. Later, Saul, would be called as an Apostle and is credited with writing half of the ‘New’ Testament. 

Is election by man a sign enough of a Elohim’s calling? No i don’t believe so. For Scripture provides tests for us on determining not only prophets but teachers as well. We are called to test everything. The Berean’s, also found in the book of Acts (Acts 17:10-12) are called noble for their pursuit of truth. They received with eagerness the word of the Apostles. Then went and study the Tanakh to see if what was being taught was truth. If it cannot be found in Scripture then no amount of feelings should persuade one to void Scripture. Again as we stated Elohim is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 

So how does one test the sayings of men who claim to be Prophets of Elohim? By testing everything: 

If they bring a different Gospel, they are not of Elohim. (2 Corinthians 11:3-4). Whether that message is brought by man or angel. If it diverges from the Tanakh it is to be ignored, accursed even. (Galatians 1:8-10) For even Satan masquerades as an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)The Torah tells us of prophets whose prophecy’s do not come to pass. (Deuteronomy 18:20-22)
In light of these passages what tests can we give to men who claim to speak for Elohim?       As to not repeat myself or belabor a point. i will just refer you back to the passage in 2 Timothy 3 from my previous response to you. (See previous post, Navigating Belonging).

Do they preach honoring the Sabbath Day as the 4th commandment states? 
“Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to YHWH your Elohim. On it you shall not do any work, you, or your son, or your daughter, your male servant, or your female servant, or your livestock, or the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days YHWH made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. Therefore YHWH blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” Exodus 20:8-11

“Surely My Sabbaths you shall keep… for it is a sign between Me and you throughout your generations, that you may know that I am YHWH who sanctifies you.” (Exodus 31:13). Do they preach honoring the Feast Days as the Torah teaches?        Here i would just refer you to Leviticus 23 in which the Feasts are given in detail. As well, that it is instructed the foreigner within their gates also celebrate them. This is in line with Romans 11 which teaches us that the Gentiles are grafted into Israel. We do not replace them we become one with them.

Do they preach that the gentiles are grafted into Israel and do not replace them?       
Here again as stated in the previous question on the relevance of the Feast Days. Romans 11 is quite clear that we are grafted in. It is in this that we become a light to Israel. In order to draw them back into covenant with Elohim through the Messiah Yahoshua.

Do they preach honoring the Torah in the fullness presented by Yahoshua? 
In Matthew 5 Yahoshua states, “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Torah until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17-19). The word FULFILL does not mean to do away with but rather to bring clarity. A fuller understanding of . . . in Hebrews we read that the New Covenant is not new like a new pair of shoes but new like the New Moon each cycle. Same moon, new emphasis. The Torah went from written on tablets to being written on our hearts and our minds. 

In conclusion anyone, prophet or teacher, teaching anything contrary to the Torah. These are not of Elohim. Therefore, are not to be feared nor listened to but rather cast out from among the Ekklesia. The heart is deceptive and signs are fleeting. He who believes by faith, to him it is counted unto righteousness. Yahoshua, warned against seeking signs, His word is sufficient. 

Clearly i don’t have all the answers, nor do i have full understanding. However, what i do have is sufficient for teaching, rebuking, correction, and training in righteousness. It is sufficient to complete, and to equip for every good work. As Timothy we are called to continue in what we have learned and have firmly believed. Knowing from whom we have learned it . . . Yahoshua the Word made flesh, He is the Way the Truth and the Life. The Torah is known as the Way, the Path, and Instruction. It is known as the Truth, Your Word is Truth. It is known as the Life, for man shall not live by bread alone but by every Word of Elohim. We do not need new revelation, we simply need to understand the sacred writings already provided to us.

It does bring me joy that you found something worthy of reflection in my book. Thank you for the kind words and the connection to your understanding of things. We are all on a journey of faith and we are all at different points of that journey. Yet, the key to that journey remains the same. We are to seek with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength, Yahoshua through His Word.

Shema Israel! Shema means to listen and obey. It is a declaration and a prayer. i pray every morning, Shema! YHWH our Elohim is ONE Elohim, love Him with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength. And the Words commanded in Scripture shall be taught diligently to our children. They are to be talked about in our houses, and as we walk on the way. When we lie down and when we rise. We are to bind them on our hearts and on our minds and write them on the door posts of our houses. (Deuteronomy 6:4-9) 
This is the same message over and over, meditate on the Word day and night. It is the Word that confirms to us truth. If it does not align with Torah then it is rubbish. 

Keep Reading, Part Three, 3rd Email Response

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Yahoshua: The Biblical Model for Living Faithfully

Yahoshua: The Biblical Model for Living Faithfully

If Yahoshua did it, and Paul says, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah,” what then? What is the excuse to do anything else? The idiom, “May you walk in the dust of your Rabbi.” Means to become like him, that you emulate him, in every way. May you be so close to him that he rubs off on you.

Yahoshua kept the Sabbath. (Matthew 12:1-8)
“At this time Yahoshua went through the grain fields on the Sabbath. His disciples were hungry, and they began to pluck heads of grain and to eat. But when the Pharisees saw it, they questioned Yahoshua. “Look, why do Your disciples do what is not lawful to do on the Sabbath?” From here most skip the full answer and focus only on Yahoshua’s final statement. “For the Son of Man is Master of the Sabbath.” I chose this particular instance of Yahoshua’s Sabbath keeping for a few reasons.

First, what seems to get ignored, is that the accusation was against Yahoshua’s disciples, and not Yahoshua Himself. Second, as He responded to Satan in the wilderness so He responded to the Pharisees. “Have you not read?” Is basically the same as “It is written.” The Pharisees should have known better than to put man’s tradition over Scripture. Here Yahoshua gives two examples from the Scriptures.

Yahoshua, which remember means, Yah’s Salvation or Yah is Salvation. Here at the end of this exchange He quotes from Hosea which the name means, ‘deliverer’. “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of Elohim rather than burnt offerings.” He says, “Had you known the meaning of this Scripture you would not have condemned the guiltless.” All this relates around the idea that Yahoshua, the Living Word of Elohim was with them. And the Pharisees were to wrapped up in their oral tradition to see the Words popping of the parchment.

Yahoshua’s final statement now makes much more sense in light of the context and cultural significance. “For the Son of Man is Master of the Sabbath.” It is not Him assuming the role of the Sabbath Day. It is not Him profaning the Sabbath Day. For had He done so He would not have been sinless and therefore unable to make atonement for sin. It was simply another declaration of His authority, His position, and His command of Scripture. It was not a license to break the Sabbath. It was not a license to go against the Words written by Moses and the Prophets. He wasn’t placing Himself over the Word, He IS THE WORD made flesh, as John describes.

Yahoshua kept the Feast Days.
“Halfway through the Feast of Booths, Yahoshua went up to the temple and started to teach.  Astonished, the Jewish leaders asked, ‘He’s never been taught! How has he mastered the Torah?’” (John 7:14-15).
“The next day the great crowd that had come for the festival heard that Yahoshua was coming to Jerusalem.” (John 12:12).
Here we see in John that Yahoshua clearly partook in the Feasts. There is even mention of Him being present for the Festival of Dedication. Which commemorates the re-dedication of the Temple or as we know it today, Hanukkah.
“Three times a year every male among you must appear before the presence of Adonai your Elohim. In the location He will select. At the Feast of Unleavened Bread, the Feast of Weeks, and the Feast of Booths.” (Deuteronomy 16:16).
Elohim, is clear about the celebration of His Feast Days. In fact had Yahoshua not celebrated them He would have been in opposition to the Word of Elohim. But, that is impossible because, He is the Word made flesh and He was sinless. Don’t you want to celebrate what Yahoshua celebrated?

Yahoshua forgave.
A recent global broadcast of a memorial service highlighted an important fact. It mentioned that Yahoshua forgave those who put Him to death. “Father, forgive them for they don’t know what they are doing.” Forgiveness is the most difficult calling. In some instances it seems unfathomable to do so. Yet, our Messiah, who was beaten beyond recognition, while breathing His last, did so. There is nothing that equals the torture of Messiah. “Father, forgive them.” I read these words and ask myself, would I be able to do the same?

Yahoshua kept the Commandments. (Matthew 5:17-20)
“Don’t think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to fulfill. Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not even a yud will disappear from the Torah. A stroke will stay as well. — Not until everything that must happen has happened. Anyone who disobeys the least of these commandments will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. This includes those who teach others to do so. But whoever obeys them and so teaches will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven. Your righteousness must be far greater than that of the Torah-teachers and Pharisees. Only then will you certainly enter the Kingdom of Heaven!”

First, let’s talk about the word here, fulfill. The word has also been translated as complete. Both are poor choices. Even in the Strong’s Concordance which is popular among western Christians for defining words has the full definition.

G4137 πληρόω – to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally.
to fulfill, i.e. to cause God’s will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God’s promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfillment –

Second, the idea of being more righteous than the teachers of Torah and Pharisees. The Scribes and the Pharisees that Yahoshua is referring to were more concerned about the oral traditions. They were self-righteous within their traditions. Yahoshua’s entire ministry was pointing out the right way to live out the commandments of Elohim. He did not slack in any of them. In fact, He brought clearer understanding to them. He said, “If you love Me, you will keep my commands“. Yahoshua is the Word made flesh, He is the walking Torah scroll. Don’t you want to love Him in a way He recognizes?

Yahoshua is the Word made flesh.
“In the beginning was the Word,
    and the Word was with Elohim,
and the Word was Elohim.
    He was with Elohim in the beginning.”
(John 1:1-2)

“The Word became flesh
    and made His home among us.
We have seen his glory,
    glory like that of a Father’s only Son,
        full of grace and truth.”
(John 1:14)

The Word, what was the Word being referenced here by John? Well, when it was written there was not a collection of books known as the ‘New Testament.’ Therefore, we can conclude that the Word being referred to is the Torah, perhaps even the Tanakh. That is Genesis to Deuteronomy, or through Malachi. If Yahoshua is the Word who came ‘to cause Elohim’s Word to be obeyed as it should be.’ Shouldn’t we want to live in obedience to the Word?

Yahoshua is Yah’s Salvation.
Yahoshua, quoting Isaiah in Matthew says, “‘These people honor me with their lips. But their hearts are far away from Me. Their worship of Me is useless, because they teach man-made rules as if they were doctrines.’” How can we say we know someone while using a name that has been poorly transliterated. Poorly, I say, because it is through the Greek and has been altered with the introduction of the letter ‘J’. Just say the name Jesus and then say the name Yahoshua. Do they even sound the same? We’re not talking about the name William and Bill, we are talking about Yah’s Salvation. The Fathers name within the Son’s name proclaiming Salvation to all who call on Him!

Moving on, when the angel Gabriel came to Joseph, he didn’t say name the boy Jesus. He actually said, name the boy Yahoshua. To really get the significance here we need to go back further. Moses, by Elohim’s instruction, appointed Joshua as his successor. However, Joshua wasn’t always Joshua, his name was Hoshea, which means, salvation. If you didn’t already know, names in the Scriptures are important. They have meaning, and purpose, and help drive the narrative of Elohim’s story.

Moses, changes Hoshea to Yahoshua, (Numbers 13:16) or in English, Joshua, which means YAH is SALVATION. Joshua was going to lead Israel into the promise land but it was through YAH (Yahweh). The true meaning of the name Jesus is simply Salvation, like the name Hoshea. Some good pastors and teachers who study have added to the meaning of Jesus, God-Saves or God is Salvation. It’s at least a step in the right direction but why the change? Compromise? We know the real name and its meaning is glorious. Yahoshua, the only begotten Son of Elohim, came to reconcile us to the Father. Through His blood, we are brought into the promise land. Yah truly is salvation. “I and My Father are ONE.” (John 10:30). Wouldn’t you want to call your best friend by their actual name? Shouldn’t we consider calling the Savior of the World by His given name?

Let’s wrap it up.
Simply put we can say we love Yahoshua. We can say we love the Father. We can say we want the Holy Spirit. However, as Yahoshua said, “These people honor Me with their lips but their hearts are far from Me.” He said this because there needs to be genuine heart change. There needs to be sincerity. There needs to be a dying to ourselves and a putting on of the new self. “If you love Me . . .” Let us walk in the dust of the Rabbi.

This is the way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Understanding the Role of Rabbi vs Teacher

Understanding the Role of Rabbi vs Teacher

i have thought about this series for some time. How do i share my understanding in a way that leads you, the reader, into curiosity? To inspire a deeper look into Scripture. To light a fire within you to be like the people of Berea. Who received with joy, the words being taught to them. But then went and searched the Scriptures to see whether or not it was true. There are plenty of posts you can go over in which i will have touched on these ideas presented here. Although, not so succinctly as i will try in this series of posts. i will present the options and then give my ‘why’s’ trying to be fair to both sides in the end. These are the topics i will present over the next few days. Yahoshua or Jesus (see last post); Rabbi or Teacher (Current Post); Adonai Elohim or Lord God; Feast Days or Holidays; Sabbath or Sunday. In the end it will be my goal to have persuaded you to begin to evaluate your ‘why’s’. To ask the question of yourself, “Am I using mans justification or Elohim’s Word, to determine my beliefs?” Let’s continue.

Rabbi or Teacher:
This comparison isn’t all that consequential. The point that i want to make with it is the mind set it produces. Let me start with simple definitions from dictionary.com. First, “teacher: a person who teaches or instructs, especially as a profession; instructor.” Second, “rabbi: the chief religious official of a synagogue, trained usually in a theological seminary and duly ordained, who delivers the sermon at a religious service and performs ritualistic, pastoral, educational, and other functions in and related to the role of a spiritual leader of Judaism and the Jewish community.” In most schools, elementary to university, a teacher teaches the student to know information. It is the teachers goal to instruct their student in a way that they become knowledgeable in whatever subject. A Rabbi on the other hand was to make mini versions of themselves. They would instruct their disciples in a manor that reproduced a mirror copy. In other words the disciples goal was to become just like his rabbi.

In Matthew 23:8 Yahoshua says, “But you are not to let yourselves be called ‘Rabbi’. Because you have one Rabbi, and you are all each other’s brothers.” Given the definitions above you can see why this was important to emphasize. If the goal of a Rabbi was to reproduce himself it stands to reason that Yahoshua would warn against it. The goal now is to become like The Rabbi, Yahoshua. For He alone is who we are to be like. Let’s take a look at Philippians 3.

Paul, who was a Pharisee and well learned scholar of Torah said this about his knowledge. As well most likely a mirror copy of his rabbi. “Yes, I gave it all up in order to know Him [Yahoshua Messiah]. That is, to know the power of His resurrection. And the fellowship of His sufferings as I am being conformed to his death. So that somehow I might arrive at being resurrected from the dead.” He was no longer concerned about imitating a man like himself. He wanted to imitate The Rabbi, Messiah Yahoshua. Paul continues his discourse to the Philippians in this way. “It is not that I have already obtained it or already reached the goal — no. I keep pursuing it. In the hope of taking hold of that for which the Messiah Yeshua took hold of me. Brothers, I, for my part, do not think of myself as having yet gotten hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind me and straining forward toward what lies ahead, I keep pursuing the goal in order to win the prize offered by Elohim’s upward calling in the Messiah Yahoshua. Therefore, as many of us as are mature, let us keep paying attention to this; and if you are differently minded about anything, Elohim will also reveal this to you. Only let our conduct fit the level we have already reached.”

When Paul later writes about imitating him, he emphasizes the point by saying, “For I imitate Messiah.” The idea is that we become like our Rabbi Yahoshua. To do what He did, say what He said, walk as He walked. Yahoshua said, “These things that you have seen Me do, even greater things will you do when I go to the Father.” Why would they do those things? Because, they were to be like Him, mirror images of Messiah. It is where the term ‘Christian’ comes from. It was a derogatory term that was warn as a badge of honor. To be called a ‘Christian’ meant that you were a mirror image of Messiah. Being called a ‘Christian’ today does not carry the same meaning.

The goal i have now is to be a disciple of Rabbi Yahoshua. To learn from Him and to be like Him in word and deed. There is an expression. It is “to walk in the dust of the rabbi.” It can also be a blessing: “May you be covered in the dust of your rabbi.” It means to walk so closely to Him that you begin to mimic even His mannerisms. For a long time i looked at Jesus as my teacher. He was instructing me and that was sufficient. But as i walked that road i found it easy, wide, and unchallenging. Oh sure i messed up but grace made everything inconsequential. Now with the fuller understanding of the idea of Yahoshua as Rabbi being a ‘Christian’ has a whole new meaning. Sure i don’t always get it right and i am far from perfect. Yet, i strive to be more and more like my Rabbi, Messiah Yahoshua, every moment of every day.

i don’t want to be merely taught by Yahoshua, i want to be like Him. i want to be covered in the dust of my Rabbi. On the flip side, i hope these posts teach you. i hope they stir a longing within you to desire the Way of The Rabbi. May you be covered in the dust of your Rabbi Yahoshua.

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Yahoshua vs Jesus: Exploring Name Significance

Yahoshua vs Jesus: Exploring Name Significance

i have thought about this one for some time. How do i share my understanding in a way that leads you, the reader, into curiosity? To inspire a deeper look into Scripture. To light a fire with in you to be like the people of Berea. Who received with joy, the words being taught to them. But then went and searched the Scriptures to see whether or not it was true. There are plenty of posts you can go over in which i will have touched on these ideas presented here. Although, not so succinctly as i will try in this series of posts. i will present the options and then give my ‘why’s’ trying to be fair to both sides in the end. These are the topics i will present over the next few days. Yahoshua or Jesus; Rabbi or Teacher; Adonai Elohim or Lord God; Feast Days or Holidays; Sabbath or Sunday. In the end it will be my goal to have persuaded you to begin to evaluate your ‘why’s’. To ask the question of yourself, “Am I using mans justification or Elohim’s Word, to determine my beliefs?” Let’s begin.

Yahoshua or Jesus:
The first question i usually get is, “Why not Yeshua?” The reason i choose to use the name Yahoshua is rooted in the Torah. A story of victory, and salvation. Taking what was common and presenting it as redeemed. The Name has meaning that is not filtered through transliteration or translations or passed through cultures. It is pure and it teaches, the name alone teaches. It originates with Joshua son of Nun. Well, there isn’t definitive more assumed but it seems historically reasonable. Joshua in Hebrew is Yahoshua. In Numbers 13:16 we read where Moses gives Hoshea the name Yahoshua. Hoshea by itself means Salvation. Yah is a condensed version of Yahweh or Yahovah which we can see in Psalm 68:4. Of course you will need to get a hold of a Bible that at least references the Hebrew names. The 1599 GNV is available online at Bible Gateway (see the footnotes). So Moses was reminding the people through the name of his successor. Yah is Salvation. Yah’s Salvation was leading them to the promised land. The same is true for our Messiah. Yahoshua, Yah’s Anointed One is our Salvation. Through Him alone we enter the Promised Land. Although similar the same argument cannot be made for the name Yeshua. We do not say HalleluYes, we say, HalleluYah, which is Praise Yah!

Jesus is a transliteration of Iesus, which is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Yahoshua. The letter ‘J’ was not introduced into the language until the 17th century. When it was introduced, it had a soft sound. It was used the same way as in Hispanic cultures today, like in the name Juan. In Greek however the sound of the I is literal I E SUUS. It is completely different. If we take the name Juan, the English transliteration is John. This might be fine for the average Joe but we are talking about the Name of Elohim! “You are not to use lightly the name of Adonai your Elohim. Because, Adonai will not leave unpunished someone who uses His name lightly.” Exodus 20:7 tells us. We should be intellectually honest. At minimum, we should call our Messiah by the English version of His Hebrew name, Joshua. Still even greater is honoring His given name, Yahoshua. Even if you choose a different spelling. However, i find my argument pretty compelling for Yahoshua.

For more on this topic you can check out the menu bar, “Why Yahoshua and other names and titles.”

Feel free to leave a comment below or ask a question@thewayoftherabbi.com

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Preparedness in Faith: Lessons from the Ten Virgins

Preparedness in Faith: Lessons from the Ten Virgins

Throughout Scripture the term “to be sleeping” has meant not necessarily to be asleep. It has meant to be ignorant of a thing or unaware. It has also meant, ‘to be dead’. i recently had a word stand out to me while reading Matthew 25:1-13. This is the parable of the 10 Virgins. i read it, prayed, and read it again, over and over. i just felt that there was something there. This is where it hit me, “They all became drowsy and slept.” They became tired, or bothered, bored perhaps. Then they gave in to neglect, and slept. All of them were asleep until they heard the cry, “Here comes the bridegroom!” It is at this time that we find out that half of the virgins were unprepared. They did not bring enough oil for their lamps. Now oil is symbolic of preparation, anointing, provision, knowledge, understanding and even wealth in some circumstances.

So what can we take from this? First, let us look at the passage in its entirety.
“The Kingdom of Heaven at that time will be like ten bridesmaids who took their lamps and went out to meet the groom. Five of them were foolish and five were sensible. The foolish ones took lamps with them but no oil, whereas the others took flasks of oil with their lamps. Now the bridegroom was late, so they all went to sleep. 6 It was the middle of the night when the cry rang out, ‘The bridegroom is here! Go out to meet him!’ 7 The girls all woke up and prepared their lamps for lighting. The foolish ones said to the sensible ones, ‘Give us some of your oil, because our lamps are going out.’ ‘No,’ they replied, ‘there may not be enough for both you and us. Go to the oil dealers and buy some for yourselves.’ But as they were going off to buy, the bridegroom came. Those who were ready went with him to the wedding feast, and the door was shut. Later, the other bridesmaids came. ‘Sir! Sir!’ they cried, ‘Let us in!’ But he answered, ‘Indeed! I tell you, I don’t know you!’ So stay alert, because you know neither the day nor the hour.”

Throughout Scripture Israel, the Hebrew Nation, has been referred to as the Bride. They entered into covenant relationship with Elohim. YHWH, divorces them for their unfaithfulness. Yet, He is constantly wooing them to come home. He even promises to them through Jeremiah restoration. The renewed covenant found in Jeremiah 31, is a beautiful picture of restoration. This restoration reiterates an invitation to the nations, that is, the gentiles. This we read in Paul’s writings, as well, Peter, James and John. Not to be left out we see it in Luke, Mark and Matthew as above. We can also read about this invitation in the Tanakh, it wasn’t a new idea brought by the Messiah. It was simply taught that now is that time, “The Kingdom of Heaven is at hand!” We the gentiles along with those of Israel who know Messiah, form the Ekklesia. We are apart of the New Covenant written of in Hebrews and presented by Messiah Himself. Which means as the ‘Church’ has stated often, we are the bride of Messiah. However, we must enter through the Messiah. So that the fullness of the covenant can now be written on our hearts and minds.

Do you have a hobby? Something you like to do and do regularly? Is there an activity that you do or a group that you like to participate in? Maybe you really enjoy where you work or it is simply spending time with family. In all of these instances, if you begin to tire or take a break from it, neglect can creep in. You can become bothered or even bored with what you are doing. Like marriage for instance. You love your spouse but there are times you want to be alone. In those moments, guard your hearts. Boredom can set in. You might even notice a bothered spirit about things you once didn’t recognize. Soon, neglect, and the once sacred covenant is broken or hanging by a thread. Once one falls asleep they don’t know until they wake up what a mess things have become. Some don’t realize it at all. When they wake up, they expect someone else to provide them with something to make it right. This is an unattainable expectation. It is the scenario five of the virgins found themselves. They wanted the prepared ones to provide for them rather than take responsibility for themselves.

In the parable of the 10 virgins we read that they became drowsy and slept. The term drowsy and slept has many meanings. One of which is neglectful and forgetful. In other words it could be that they began to neglect the covenant. They may have started to forget portions of the fullness of the covenant, thereby falling asleep. The 10 virgins are symbolic of believers in Yahoshua. They are waiting on Him to bring them to the wedding banquet. As time went on and it appeared that He was late the virgins got tired and fell asleep. All of them! Now there was a shout. They awoke as they now knew the time was coming that they would enter the banquet. Five of the virgins had enough oil in their lamps. Remember oil represents preparation, anointing, provision, knowledge, and understanding. Five awoke from their neglectful ways and were ready for the coming Bridegroom. Five awoke from their neglectfulness and were unprepared. They didn’t have the necessary knowledge or understanding and it was too late!

We all have the Word of Elohim. It is available to every single person in every single language now with AI and smartphones. No one will have an excuse for not being prepared. Unfortunately, wolves have crept into the Ekklesia and have brought a teaching of neglect to Elohim’s Word. They preach a different gospel and because most believers have become bored and lazy they do not know any better. They refuse to search out the scriptures to see if what they are being taught is true. Rather they cling to a few passages to justify their lazy neglectful ways. They sit under pastors who know more quotes from their spiritual heroes, than they know of Scripture itself. They know that Yahoshua is the Word made flesh. However, they fail to realize that the Word is the Torah. The Son of Yahweh is the very expression of Elohim, His Word made flesh. If we know Yahoshua, the Word, then we know Elohim. If we love Yahoshua, we will do as He commanded. We will not be neglectful of the covenant.

What lessons can we take away from the 10 Virgins? First, preparation, we must know that we know what we know. We must have the necessary understanding, study to show yourself approved. Listen and Obey, the Word of Elohim. Yahoshua said, “IF you love Me, you WILL OBEY MY COMMANDMENTS.” Yahoshua said, “Be watchful! Don’t let anyone deceive you.” Don’t get caught in the trap of New vs Old. It is one collection of writings, The WORD of Elohim. The Tanakh and the Apostles writes all point to the Torah. Do not get wrapped up in New vs Old Covenant. It is the same covenant but secured in a permanent way through the blood of Messiah Yahoshua. It is no longer simply written on stone, and it no longer requires the works of the Levitical Priesthood. It is in our hearts and minds. We have the seal of the Holy Spirit.

To dig a little deeper into the “Old Covenant” vs the “New Covenant”, you can read more about this topic. Check out this series of posts on Melchizedek titled Every Wind of Doctrine. i go into more detail on Melchizedek in these two posts: Levitical priesthood < Melchizedek (p2) and The Simplicity of Melchizedek’s Priesthood (P3).

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

The Dangers of Success: Lessons from Jeroboam and Aaron

The Dangers of Success: Lessons from Jeroboam and Aaron

What do Moses, Aaron, Gideon, Samson, Solomon, Elijah, David, the Hebrew Nation, cj, and countless others have in common? When successful, at peace in rest and comfort, a relaxed spirit allowed Satan an opening. Success can lead to a sense of self-righteousness and pride. This happens if one is not careful to remember the One Who brought the success. We can say all day long that: “Every good and perfect gift is from above. Coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights. Who does not change like shifting shadows.” But if we allow our own feelings to interfere, and we say, “Look what I have done!” We crack the door open for the devouring lion. There is much to be proud of. We can say, “Look at what Elohim chose to do through me.”

Success has another ugly head, the one that defies Elohim to maintain its power. We can look at many stories in Scripture to find this to be true. Today, I want us to look at Jeroboam. He was the first King of Israel after the Kingdom was split in two. It was taken from Solomon’s son, Rehoboam. In fact modern Israel is only one of the tribes of Israel, Judah. Jeroboam, in a move to keep his new found Kingship made some terrible decisions. 1 Kings 12:25-33 Tells the story, we will look at parts of it here.

“Nevertheless Jeroboam said to himself, “Now the kingship will return to the house of David. For if these people continue going up to offer sacrifices in the house of Adonai in Jerusalem, their hearts will turn back to their lord, Rehoboam king of Judah. Then they will kill me.”

Jeroboam found that his success was in jeopardy. He feared an awakening of the heart to Yahweh which would bring about a reunification of the Kingdom. If the people sought Adonai Elohim they would desire His ways over mans. So to establish his rule he made some changes.

“After seeking advice, the king made two calves of gold. He then said to the people, “You have been going up to Jerusalem long enough! Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you out of the land of Egypt!’ He placed one in Beit-El [Bethel] and the other in Dan. The affair became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one [in Beit-El and] all the way to Dan [to worship the other]. He also set up temples on the high places and made priests from among all the people, even though they were not descended from Levi.”

Does this at all ring a bell? Look at what Aaron did at Mt. Sinai while Moses was on the mountain. “When the people saw that Moses was taking a long time to come down from the mountain, they gathered around Aaron and said to him, “Get busy; and make us gods to go ahead of us; because this Moses, the man that brought us up from the land of Egypt — we don’t know what has become of him.” Aaron said to them, “Have your wives, sons and daughters strip off their gold earrings; and bring them to me.” The people stripped off their gold earrings and brought them to Aaron. He received what they gave him, melted it down, and made it into the shape of a calf. They said, “Israel! Here is your god, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!” On seeing this, Aaron built an altar in front of it and proclaimed, “Tomorrow is to be a feast for Adonai.” We are a fickle people.

Coincidentally, Jeroboam, like Aaron instituted his own feast days. “Jeroboam instituted a festival. In the eighth month, on the fifteenth day of the month, similar to the festival held in Jerusalem. He went up to the altar in Beit-El to sacrifice to the calves he had made. He placed in Beit-El the priests he had appointed for the high places. He went up to the altar which he had set up in Beit-El on the fifteenth day of the eighth month, in the month which he had chosen on his own, and instituted a festival for the people of Israel; he went up to the altar to burn incense.”

Sadly mans tradition of creating his own feasts to celebrate and honor Elohim has continued. The church today ignores His appointed feast days. They essentially call Elohim a liar. “Yahweh said, ‘And this day shall be unto you for a memorial; and you shall keep [it] a feast to Yahweh throughout your generations; you shall keep it a feast by an ordinance forever.’” Apparently, forever means, just until I change My mind, except, He is the same yesterday, today and forever. Or they will argue that the Feasts are for Israel. Yet again they ignore two things. First, that the gentiles are grafted into Israel. Second, that the feasts were to be celebrated by those who would join themselves to Israel. Instead, the church has said, “We will celebrate Christmas and Easter. We will call Sunday holy. God will like it because we said so.”

You know who else has this mindset? Yahoshua talks about this in Matthew 15:9 “And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the precepts of men.” Isaiah wrote something similar, “Therefore the Lord said: “These people draw near to Me with their mouths and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is but rules taught by men.” Ezekiel writes, “Her priests do violence to My Torah and profane My holy things. They do not distinguish between the holy and the common. They teach that there is no difference between the unclean and the clean. And they shut their eyes to the keeping of My Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them.”

What would happen if the church today began to seek Yahweh as His word describes. Isaiah says in 58:13-14 “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath, from doing your pleasure on My holy day, and call the Sabbath a delight and the holy day of Yahweh honorable; if you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure, or talking idly; then you shall take delight in Yahweh, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth, I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.” Imagine seeking after Elohim as He desires us to, it sounds pretty awesome to me. This is the way of the Rabbi.

Do you think Satan has a hand in the western church? In that he is influencing it to stray just enough off course that they dishonor Elohim. All the while thinking that they are worshiping Him. It’s been done before. Ecclesiastes tells us that there is nothing new under the sun. Paul thought he was doing the will of Yahweh when he was persecuting the followers of Yahoshua. Then he came face to face with Him. He realized then he was fighting the very Elohim he was trying to protect. The Sabbath is important to Elohim. Throughout the Torah and the Prophets He declares it. To the point that Elohim exiled the nation. So why would we think any different today.

Jeremiah writes in chapter 7, 8 Look! You are relying on deceitful words that can’t do you any good. 9 First you steal, murder, commit adultery, swear falsely, offer to Ba‘al and go after other gods that you haven’t known. 10 Then you come and stand before Me in this house that bears My name and say, ‘We are saved’ — so that you can go on doing these abominations! 11 Do you regard this house, which bears My name, as a cave for bandits? I can see for Myself what’s going on,” says Adonai.

The western church has been so successful that pride has crept in. No one wants to admit that they are wrong. They have fallen in love with their traditions that they ignore Elohim’s Feast Days. This is a dangerous practice. And we should be asking the questions. What did Yahoshua mean when He said, “If you love Me, OBEY My commandments”? What are we doing? Who are we honoring? What is truth?

This is the way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Are We Encouraging Weak-Willed Christianity?

Are We Encouraging Weak-Willed Christianity?

Warning: This post is going to sound very judgmental, cynical or snarky, it is not my intention. i don’t know how to ask the questions without them sounding so. Or perhaps it’s just me. i came across a post recently that touted 45,000 person attendance at a crusade. Impressively 5,500 came forward for the altar call. In a later post the idea of a fresh spiritual awakening may be occurring. They mentioned other points for why they believe this way. Notably, two of the current top ten secular songs in the nation are Christian. One of which is a collaborative effort between the current top Christian artist and a very popular secular artist. Which in my opinion takes some of the mystique away from its popularity. It’s not a terrible song, certainly not as heretical as some of the Christian songs out there have become. Heretical might be too strong a word, maybe lyrically challenged is better. Still are these signs of a true spiritual awakening?

Of the 5,500 who responded to the altar call at the crusade, the attendees were panned by the film crew. Many didn’t look like first-timers. Now, i admit this is a judgment call but as you look at them this was a familiar occurrence. Many wearing the attire of a nominal Christian, with religious symbolism adorning their bodies. Was this their yearly trek to Mecca or Jerusalem? Did they go there to pay their respects? Were they seeking forgiveness for the past years’ failings? Perhaps the altar call had feeders to initiate participation. This setup encouraged those hesitant participants. They might have been waiting for someone else in their area to ‘go first’? i am not suggesting here that altar calls are bad or unnecessary or even unproductive. i simply want to see genuinely passionate people. Who seek to truly repent of their way of life and seek to walk with Yahoshua.

Before i continue let me express this thought. i understand struggle. Sin isn’t foreign to me as Scripture says, “All have sinned and fall short of the glory of Elohim.” i even understand the idea Paul writes so passionately about in Romans 7:15-20. “I do not understand what I do. For what I want to do I do not do, but what I hate I do. And if I do what I do not want to do, I agree that the law is good. As it is, it is no longer I myself who do it, but it is sin living in me. For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out. For I do not do the good I want to do. But the evil I do not want to do—this I keep on doing. Now if I do what I do not want to do, it is no longer I who do it. But it is sin living in me that does it.”

The question i have is this, have we as a church fostered a pattern of weak willed Christianity? And have we done so based on poor interpretation of Scripture, and lazy reading. In Romans 6:12 Paul writes: “Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body. Do not let it make you obey its passions.” Later in chapter 7:7 he writes: “What then shall we say? That the Torah is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the Torah, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the Torah had not said, ‘You shall not covet.‘” We have become too dependent on Chapter and Verse, and Sectional headlines. For example in Romans, in the ESV, Chapter 7 has a heading, “Released from the Law.” If you read that then read the passage where will your mind go? It is like those suggestive recordings where the line you read is what you hear the recording say. If you read it another way then you will hear what you read. I don’t understand how that works exactly but it is by the power of suggestion.

Remove chapter and verse, remove headlines and what will you read Paul saying? Sin is bad. The law (Torah) tells us what sin is. It should be avoided at all costs. The struggle is real. Thank Elohim through Messiah Yahoshua for revealing to us and granting us His grace and mercy. We should do our best at keeping the Torah. Perhaps if we were intellectually honest with ourselves and with Scripture, we wouldn’t be in such a state. The interpretation affects the Church, the Nation and the World.

How do we get to a real faith awakening. An awakening in which the Ekklesia, and those desiring to join themselves to it, want to be obedient. Desiring what the Word of Elohim says, “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” How do we recognize genuine heart change? We know through Scripture that seed lands on many different types of ground. Let’s look at the Parable of the Sower from Luke 8:4-8. “A large crowd had gathered. They came from town after town. Yahoshua saw the crowd and told this parable: “A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he sowed, some fell along the path and was stepped on, and the birds flying around ate it up. Some fell on rock; and after it sprouted, it dried up from lack of moisture. Some fell in the midst of thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it. But some fell into rich soil, and grew, and produced a hundred times as much as had been sown.” After saying this, he called out, “Whoever has ears to hear with, let him hear!”

In this parable what is the manageable aspects? First, we can’t know the ground of someone’s life so like the sower, we plant seed everywhere. We water everywhere. We seek the good everywhere. Second, if we are the seed that finds the rocky ground, we must adjust our surroundings. If we find weeds, it is crucial to change our environment. “If you love Me, obey Me.” Yahoshua said. We must express the importance of following the Way. Only then is importance placed on shielding oneself from the world. Am i thankful for an Elohim who forgives? Who looks at the heart of repentance and judges them based on the actions of Yahoshua? Yes, one million times YES! However, this does not excuse me to then continue in sin. Even Paul writes, “So then, are we to say, ‘Let’s keep on sinning, so that there can be more grace’? Heaven forbid! How can we, who have died to sin, still live in it?”

Let me be clear, i am not against Christian music, nor am i against evangelistic crusades. What I am questioning is, at what compromise are we doing these things? At what expense do we undertake these actions under the guise of Christianity and inclusion? If we are unwilling to preach the whole of the gospel. Of which Paul himself teaches in Romans. Yet it is hid under the faulty headlines like, “Released from the Law.” If we began to teach the importance of Torah. Along side the amazing gift of grace, would we see the hundredfold increase Yahoshua said of the good soil? If we called those who responded to the message out of worldly living. Would we see them flourish rather than whither? This is the Way of the Rabbi.

When Yahoshua ate with sinners he didn’t join in their sin, he called them to repentance. He said, what you are doing is wrong, here is a better way. A way that leads to life. On a popular national Christian radio show a DJ said, “Jesus partied with sinners.” This error wrapped in some truth, like pigs in a blanket. Yes, he was ridiculed by the religious leaders for socializing with sinners. However, He didn’t condone their sin. He pointed them to a more excellent way. We, as scripture says, are to mingle with sinners. We are all sinners. However, we do not condone or excuse sin. When we leave Scripture open ended, we don’t tell the whole truth of Elohim’s Word. We are helping no one, least of all, ourselves.

The world is going to hate us. Why? Because we condone their practices? We say nothing of their high places? We party with them? No, it is the opposite. They are going to hate us because we set ourselves apart. We do this morally, and for lack of a better word, religiously. Not to say we are better than them but to say, the Elohim we serve is a better WAY. We say if it isn’t of Elohim, we don’t want it. If Elohim condemns it, we don’t want it. Yahoshua said, “Your sins are forgiven, now go and sin no more.” He said, “Follow Me.” He said, “The things that you have seen Me do, even greater things you will do. When I go to the Father.” Don’t you desire a more excellent way? Paul said, “Imitate me as I imitate Messiah.” In other words we are to Imitate Messiah. This is the Way of the Rabbi.

What should one do then? Seek Yahoshua. Read Scripture from the beginning to the end as ONE body of work. Understand that as gentile believers we are grafted into the people of Elohim and with that perspective read the Word. Find a Torah friendly Ekklesia that teaches that our foundation and root is Torah even as followers of Yahoshua. Who was the WORD made flesh. Desire a better way, the Way. Yahoshua said, “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except by Me.”

Remember: Sin is bad. The law (Torah) tells us what sin is. It should be avoided at all costs. The struggle is real. Thank Elohim through Messiah Yahoshua for revealing to us and granting us His grace and mercy. We should do our best at keeping the Torah.

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

From Israel to the Ekklesia: Embracing Our Holy Identity

History is full. i often look back on my life. i wonder what it would have been like if i had taken a different path. It was my Jr. Year of High School and i wanted to be a history teacher. i have always liked history. i can watch biographies and historical accounts without getting board. I enjoy reading history too. recently I have been studying Antiochus IV, often referred to as Antiochus Epiphanies. Antiochus was the King of Syria and captured Jerusalem in 167 B.C. He set a monument to Zeus in the Temple and slaughtered a pig on it. He persecuted the Jews living in his Kingdom mercilessly. He banned any Torah observance in stead making laws that required the breaking of Torah. In other words, as the Torah taught to honor the Sabbath, Antiochus required everyone to work on the Sabbath. The Torah taught to not eat unclean animals, Antiochus required the eating of pig and other unclean animals. The Torah taught to honor the Feast Days, Antiochus outlawed them. Antiochus banned Torah study, circumcision, and Jewish life essentially. Forcing Hellenization, the assimilation of Greek culture within Judaism.

These events lead to the Maccabean revolt which allowed for the re-dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. It also led to a period of Jewish self-rule. It is the foundation for modern day Hanukkah, known during the time of Yahoshua as the Feast of Dedication. Something mentioned in Scripture recorded by the Apostle John (10:22-23). “Then came the Festival of Dedication at Jerusalem. It was winter, and Yahoshua was in the temple courts walking in Solomon’s Colonnade.”

The purpose of the Torah, is that it serves as the contract of the covenant made with Israel. (Exodus 19:5-6) “Now if you obey Me fully. Keeping My covenant, then out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is Mine, you will be for Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” The purpose of Israel was to be a nation of Priests to the nations. A light in the world. A set-apart people of Elohim to point the nations to Elohim.

In what we call the New Testament, gentiles are grafted into Israel and as a whole we are called priests. The Apostle Peter writes, “But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, Elohim’s special possession. That you may declare the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His wonderful light. Once you were not a people, but now you are the people of Elohim. Once you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” The idea that believers in Yahoshua are now a royal priesthood, a holy nation, should call us to action. Yahoshua said, “If you love Me, keep My commandments.” What commandments? Yahoshua, is the Word, that is the Torah, made flesh. He is the fullness of the commandments. We are to be like Him. This is the Way of the Rabbi.

Early followers of Yahoshua weren’t called Christians, but Followers of the Way. Although, there is reference to the Ekklesia being called Christians in the book of Acts, it was a derogatory term. A word however used often by the Ekklesia to refer to Followers of the Way is saint. Unfortunately the term has been hijacked and turned into an honor only achievable by the most pious of people. The word derives from the Hebrew word Qodeshim. This is from Qadosh and Qadash. Remember from a couple weeks ago: Qadash means clean, consecrated, dedicated, pure, and sanctified. It also means set apart. For I am (Qadosh) Elohim, Holy-One, Sanctuary. So what does Qodeshim mean? It means ‘The Set-Apart Ones’. This isn’t a pious term this is a sign, a mark, a title.

We are the Qodeshim of Elohim, The Set-Apart Ones. We are called to be set-apart. We are a chosen people, a holy (Qadash) nation. A royal priesthood, Elohim’s special possession. If this is true, why would we want to assimilate into the culture around us. To mimic Greek culture in our worship practices? We are called to workout our own salvation with fear and trembling, take the narrow way. We are to be Qodeshim, set-apart from mans tradition, the Apostle Matthew records in his Gospel. “They worship Me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules, man made traditions.” Why do we want to follow the ways of Antiochus? To follow his decrees and his laws for the Jews of his time. Why do we want to follow the ways of Constantine, who wrote letters following the Nicene council. In which he attempted to separate from Torah. Something the early Ekklesia never did. Peter writes of Paul, “He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand. Which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.“

Paul himself writes, “What shall we say, then? Is the Torah sinful? Certainly not! Nevertheless, I would not have known what sin was had it not been for the Torah.” He goes on to say, “So then, the Torah is holy, and the commandment is holy, righteous and good.” It is in fact the Torah that marks us as being Set Apart, Qodeshim. We are the Ekklesia, the gathering of the saints. The Qadash people of a Qadosh Elohim. We are to be a light to the world around us. “Come out of her My people!” That is to come out of the ways of the world and the mystery religions of the pagan nations. To be holy. To be Set-Apart. To be royal priests. To be a chosen people. To no longer live by the ways of the nations around us but by the way of the Kingdom. “Your will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Be Qodeshim, be apart of “The Set-Apart Ones,” of Elohim.

This is the Way of the Rabbi,

You are loved,
cj

Exploring the Greatest Commandments: Love and Its Parallels

“Yahoshua answered, ‘The greatest commandment is, ‘Hear O Israel! Adonai our Elohim, Adonai is ONE. You shall love Adonai your Elohim. Love this way, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind and with all your strength. The second is this: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandments greater than these.” Mark 12:29-31 ~

Have you ever heard that the first and greatest commandment above is a quote from Deuteronomy 6:4-5? It is also said to be a summation of the first five commandments. Likewise, the second is a quote from Leviticus 19:18 and a summation of the last five commandments? i would be surprised if you haven’t heard this before. But, i do wonder if you have ever considered them to be parallel? The sixth aligns with the first. The seventh aligns with the second. The eighth aligns with the third. The ninth aligns with the fourth. Finally, the tenth aligns with the fifth. This is what i want to explore in this post and its significance if any.

Already you might be saying, how is the first commandment, “You shall have no other Elohim but Me.” And the sixth, “You shall not murder,” the same? Well, Yahoshua said, “You have heard, ‘You shall not murder.’ Now I say, even if you hate someone you have murdered them in your heart.” How do you hate someone? By wishing them dead? Perhaps, but how are ways we hate? We speak against them, gossiping about them. We harbor ill will towards them, wishing against their good will. We ignore them, turning our backs on them wishing they would go away. If we are called to love even our enemies, and to pray for them. How much more when we ignore Elohim, turning our backs on Him, not following His will. How much more are we murdering Him in our hearts and placing anything and everything in His place?

Have i peaked your interest? Now let’s look at the second. “You shall not make for yourself a carved image. You shall not make anything in the likeness of anything that is in heaven above or on the earth. You shall not bow down to them or serve them. For I Yahweh your Elohim am a jealous Elohim. Visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me. Yet, showing steadfast love to thousands of generations of those who love Me and keep My commandments.” Now the seventh, “You shall not commit adultery.” This one is easy. Idolatry is breaking the blood covenant with Elohim. Replacing Him with images and things. Giving our attention to and worship to created things. Adultery, is breaking the marriage covenant. Replacing our spouse with another, this includes emotional adultery. In fact most adultery starts in the heart emotionally. It is giving our time and attention to another. When we cheat on a spouse we are cheating on Elohim too! It is His marriage covenant that is being broken.

The third commandment says, “You shall not take the name of Yahweh your Elohim in vain. For Yahweh will not hold him guiltless who takes His name in vain.” How does this relate to the eighth, “You shall not steal“? To take the name of Elohim in vain is not merely using His name as a curse word. It is attributing things to Him, He did not say, “Do not add to or take away from His word.” We steal from our family when we do not share the Name of Elohim with them. We steal from our friends and others when we do not share His Name with them. The greatest theft of all is taking from others the Name of Yahoshua. Robbing them intellectually and spiritually. Of course, this still means not to steal property but what is property compared to eternal life? This comes down to lifestyle and living a life worthy of the calling. As Ephesians 4:1 declares. “So I, the prisoner of Adonai, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling. This is the lifestyle to which you have been called.”

Now for the commandment the majority of Christianity ignores. “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work. But the seventh day is a Sabbath to Yahweh your Elohim. On it you shall not do any work. You or your son or daughter. Nor your male or female servant, not even your livestock. This extends to the sojourner who is within your gates. For in six days Yahweh made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them. After He rested on the seventh day. Therefore Yahweh blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.” The ninth commandment is this; “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.” How do we bear false witness against our Messiah Yahoshua more than when we deny His Sabbath? The argument that Yahoshua is our Sabbath is shallow. It dismisses the intent of the Sabbath as a sign of the covenant. Much like the wedding ring isn’t the covenant of marriage but simply the sign of it. When we take off the sabbath day we are bearing false witness again our Elohim. Just like when we tell falsehoods of others, gossip, or outright lie, bearing false witness is a deep commandment.

The fifth commandment is about honor. “Honor your father and mother. That your days may be long in the land that Yahweh your Elohim is giving you.” The tenth commandment is also about honor. “You shall not covet your neighbor’s house, wife, servants, or anything that is his.” We dishonor our family when we covet others things. Wanting a better life than one was raised is different than wishing for or coveting someone’s life altogether. One might have had a terrible parent. Honor isn’t forgetting but it is forgiving. We are to Honor our family name as we are to honor the lifestyle of Yahoshua. We are to be content with what we have not coveting the life of our neighbors. Striving to be successful, is an honorable attribute and a way of honoring our parents.

So what is the big deal? As Scripture says, “If you are guilty of breaking one commandment, you are guilty of breaking them all.” This is true not just from a stand point of commandments of Elohim and sin. It is true because they are all connected. As Yahoshua declared when He quoted the Torah in response to the greatest commandment. Then adding to it the second. He was showing them and us that the commandments of Elohim our Father in Heaven are holy. They are a sign of our being in covenant with Him, signed in the blood of Yahoshua. Are we guilty of breaking the commandments? Absolutely. Does this excuse us from seeking to obey them? NO, may it never be! We show the Father our love when we choose to obey His commandments. Let us therefore walk as Yahoshua walked, in obedience to the Father. This is the way of the Rabbi that the Apostle Paul recognized. “You are to imitate me, just as I imitate Messiah.” This is echoed by our Messiah. “So Yahoshua replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, the Son can do nothing by Himself. But only what He sees the Father doing. For whatever the Father does, the Son also does.“

This is the way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj

Understanding ‘Holy’ Through Scripture: A Deep Dive

Understanding ‘Holy’ Through Scripture: A Deep Dive

2 Timothy 3:16-17
“All Scripture is from the breath of Elohim. Making it a profitable instrument for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness. So that the man of Elohim may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.”

Paul writes to a young pastor in Ephesus. He writes to encourage him. He writes to instruct him. He writes to warn him. The root of this letter for me is found in the passage above. Where Paul writes about the importance of Scripture as the foundation for ministry and life. We in the west are spoiled with the written Word. Most homes have a Bible whether it is read or collecting dust on their coffee table. Still many others have one in a box that they forgot is even there. In Timothy’s time the Word was not as available, not even close. For now we are spoiled. We are so accustomed to having the Word even at our fingertips. In fact, everywhere we go whether, on a computer or a smartphone, or the beautiful crinkle of a turning page. Absolutely, no one can use the excuse that they don’t have a Bible. Everyone has access to the Word.

Paul writes to Timothy and to you this instruction. “But as for you, continue in the things you have learned. In which you firmly believed, since you know from whom you have learned them. From infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures. Which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Messiah Yahoshua.” Paul writes this just before the passage above. The Scripture is paramount to instruction, conviction, correction and for training in righteousness. It is for our equipping to carryout the work of Elohim set before us.

Peter writes these words in his letter to the remnant of Jewish believers in Messiah. “As obedient children, do not be conformed to the passions of your former ignorance. But as He who called you is Holy, you also be Holy in all your conduct. Since it is written, ‘You shall be Holy, for I am Holy.‘” (1 Peter 1:16) Where does Paul and Peter get such wild ideas? Well from the Torah! Of course. “And Yahweh spoke to Moses. He said, ‘Speak to all the congregation of the people of Israel. Tell them, You shall be holy. For I Yahweh your Elohim am Holy. Every one of you shall revere his mother and his father. You shall keep the Sabbaths. I am Yahweh your Elohim. Do not turn to idols or make for yourselves any gods of cast metal. I am Yahweh your Elohim.‘” This from Leviticus 19:1-4 which isn’t even the more common reference to this quote. Rather Leviticus 11:44-45 is often sited. “For I am Yahweh your Elohim. Consecrate yourselves therefore, and be holy. For I am Holy. You shall not defile yourselves with any swarming thing that crawls on the ground. For I am Yahweh who brought you up out of the land of Egypt to be your Elohim. You shall therefore be holy for I am holy.”

Do you know what the word holy means? If you look it up in a dictionary you will get definitions like, sacred, revered, purity. These are not wrong definitions but they are not whole either. The word Holy in all of these instances comes from the words Qadash and Qadosh. Qadash and Qadosh are Hebrew and they have similar meanings. However, when used together they present a very powerful message. “Be Qadash, for I am Qadosh.” It means this, Be (Qadash) clean, consecrated, dedicated, pure, sanctified, set apart; for I am (Qadosh) Elohim, Holy-One, Sanctuary.

We set ourselves apart when we follow the Way of the Rabbi. Yahoshua, followed Torah, He was after all sinless. He observed the Sabbath. He ate clean. He honored His earthly parents. This intrigue’s me. Here we have our Messiah following the ways of the Father. Later, Paul writes, “imitate me as I also imitate Messiah.” Yet, so many find ways not to. Loophole after loophole because they have found comfort in their way. Yet very clearly we are taught to look to all of Scripture. We are told to live to a standard of Qadash because we serve Yahweh who is Qadosh! Is there grace? Of course there is. Is there forgiveness? Absolutely! Is there still a standard by which we are called to live? Without a doubt.

Hebrews 8 and Jeremiah 11 tell us of the coming renewed covenant. In which Elohim will write the law on our hearts and minds. So many will say that this is for Israel. They would be right. However, Romans 11 puts this in perspective when we read that we are grafted into Israel. This is not replacement theology it is adoption theology. We are adopted into the people of Elohim as Galatians 3 tells us. “You are all sons of Elohim through faith in Messiah Yahoshua. For all of you who were baptized into Messiah have clothed yourselves with Messiah. There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Messiah Yahoshua. And if you belong to Messiah, then you are Abraham’s seed and heirs according to the promise.”

What was Israel’s sin? Ezekiel writes, “Her priest have done violence to my Torah. They have profaned My holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common. Neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean. They have disregarded My Sabbaths so that I am profaned among them.” This is on Paul’s heart when he writes to the Romans. “I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of Elohim. Present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy (Qadash) and acceptable to Elohim. Which is your spiritual act of Worship. Do not be conformed to this WORLD, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind. That by testing you may discern what is the will of Elohim. What it is that is good and acceptable and perfect.” Later in the same 12th chapter he writes, “Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.”

In Isaiah and Ezekiel we read about a time to come and what will be expected. Not just of Israel by blood but also by those grafted into Israel by adoption. Isaiah writes, “If you turn back your foot from the Sabbath. From doing your pleasure on My holy day. Calling the Sabbath a delight and the Holy day of Yahweh honorable. If you honor it, not going your own ways, or seeking your own pleasure talking idly. Then you shall take delight in Yahweh and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth. I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of Yahweh has spoken.” (Isaiah 58:13-14) Ezekiel writes in the 44th chapter this (23-24). “They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common. Showing them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean. In a dispute they shall act as Judges, and they shall judge it according to my judgments. They shall keep My Torah and My statutes and all My appointed feasts, and they shall keep My Sabbaths Holy.”

We are to take on the full counsel of Scripture. The Berean’s were of more noble character. They eagerly received the words of the Apostles. Then, they searched the Scriptures to verify the teachings. This is what we are called to do! What Scriptures are we to search? The same ones that Paul tells Timothy to study. It is the Torah, and the Tanakh. We call it today the Old Testament. It is what Yahoshua quoted from and taught from and lived from. “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us.” What will you do with the words of Yahweh, “Be Holy (Qadash), for I am Holy (Qadosh)?” May you search the Scriptures for instruction, for conviction, for correction, and for training in righteousness. So that you, a child of Elohim, may be complete, fully equipped for every good work.

This is the Way of the Rabbi,
You are loved,
cj