Tag: unclean

Podcast Episode: Peter’s Three Little Pigs

Podcast Episode: Peter’s Three Little Pigs

Pip: Peter had a vision involving a sheet full of animals, and somehow it became the most consequential real-estate dispute between clean and unclean in all of scripture.

Mara: Today we’re looking at a piece from cj that works through Acts 10 — Peter’s rooftop vision, what it actually meant, and what Israel had quietly forgotten about its own calling to the nations.

Pip: Let’s start with the vision, the pigs, and what Peter finally understood.

Peter’s Vision and the Nations

Mara: The post opens with a question that Acts 10 has been answering for centuries: what does it mean for something — or someone — to be called unclean, and who gets to decide?

Pip: And the anchor is Peter’s own words, once the vision lands. The setup is Acts 10:28-29, where Peter explains himself to Cornelius’s household: “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for.”

Mara: So the vision was never about dietary law. The sheet full of animals was a teaching tool — the real subject was the Gentiles standing at Peter’s door.

Pip: The post takes care to show how Israel arrived at this moment. The Torah was clear about welcoming the stranger — Leviticus 19:34 says to treat the foreigner as a native and love him as yourself. Exodus 12:49 and Numbers 15:16 both establish one law for native and stranger alike.

Mara: But somewhere between Sinai and the first century, a protective instinct calcified into total separation. Contact with Gentiles became a purity issue requiring Temple sacrifice and ritual cleansing. That’s the tradition Peter is carrying when the vision hits.

Pip: Which is why the Spirit’s staging is so deliberate — three times the sheet descends, three times Peter refuses, and then three Gentile men knock on the door. The number isn’t coincidence; it’s the lesson repeating until it sticks.

Mara: The post traces the original purpose back to Exodus 19:5-6, where Israel is called “a kingdom of priests” — priests exist to mediate between God and others, not to wall themselves off. Isaiah 42:6 and 49:6 frame the Messiah as the fulfillment of that priestly, outward-facing calling.

Pip: So Yahoshua isn’t dismantling Israel’s structure — he’s restoring what Israel was always supposed to be doing.

Mara: Peter’s conclusion in Acts 10:34-35 makes it explicit: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.” The apostles in Jerusalem respond: God has granted the Gentiles “the repentance that leads to life.”

Pip: A kingdom of priests that forgot it had a congregation — and needed a rooftop vision to remember.

Mara: The post is careful to note what the vision does not revise. The animals on that sheet were still unclean as food — the point was the people at the door, not the menu.

Pip: Isaiah 66:17 gets cited as a prophetic bookend: judgment still falls on those who eat swine’s flesh. The dietary instructions, the post argues, were not the thing being cleansed.

Mara: What shifts is the wall between peoples. What stays is the Torah’s instruction — and the post frames both as consistent expressions of the same God calling humanity back to His ways.

Pip: One vision, one sheet, one centurion — and the whole architecture of who belongs gets reexamined.

Mara: The thread from Sinai to Acts to Isaiah 66 is longer than it looks. There’s more to follow here.

Read the full post here: Peter’s Three Little Pigs

Peter’s Three Little Pigs

Peter’s Three Little Pigs

“Now I know not to call any man common or unclean.”

Once upon a time there were three little pigs. They were traveling the country side selling their wears. “Come and buy my brother, kill and eat him. He is fat and juicy and will make a great sandwich.” Said the oldest of the three pigs. The brother didn’t flitch but seemed to accept his fate. “Today, just moments ago on your rooftop you saw a vision and in that vision, we three pigs came to knock on your door. “‘Rise up kill and eat,’ the voice said. And now here we are your lunch has arrived.” The man who opened the door invited the three visitors in and after exchanging a few shekels, bought the portly brother. He prepared him and the entire household partook in the kingly feast of the fatted pig.

This amazing story is found in Acts 10. Let’s have a look. We find Peter, on the rooftop in prayer. He is seeking wisdom from Adonai, as we all should do. Now as we all do, he became hungry. In that time of prayer and using that urge of hunger Adonai gives Peter a vision. What is the vision, what does it entail? Before we get there we need the back story. We need more information to put into context what is unfolding within the words, and lines, and spaces of the page.

Although the Tanakh (Old Testament) instructed Israel to be a welcoming people, a light to the world. Overtime they cut themselves off from the nations. Rather than obeying the commandment to not assimilate into the cultures around them, adopting their practices and worshiping their gods. They took the extreme approach and had nothing to do with the nations around them. To do so made one unclean and required sacrifices and offerings at the Temple, ritual cleansing. Let’s look at three passages that talk about Israel and the foreigner together.

Leviticus 19:34
You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt: I am Yahweh your Elohim

Exodus 12:49
There shall be one law for the native and for the stranger who sojourns among you.

Numbers 15:16
One Torah and one rule shall be for you and for the stranger who sojourns with you.

This is what Israel had lost sight of and this is what Yahoshua (Jesus) is restoring. Not just reconciliation to the Father but of humanity itself and the order designed from the beginning of Israel. Isaiah writes:

Isaiah 42:6
“I am Yahweh, I have called You in righteousness, I will also hold You by the hand and watch over You, and I will appoint You as a covenant to the people, as a light to the nations.” (Granted these first two passages are about the coming of Messiah Yahoshua but it was through Judah a tribe of Israel in which Elohim would fulfill the promise of Israel being a light to the nations.)

Isaiah 49:6
“He says, ‘It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.'”

Isaiah 60:3
“Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising.”

Let’s take it one step further back. In Exodus 19:5-6 Elohim begins to layout the purpose of Israel. “‘Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine; and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words that you shall speak to the sons of Israel.‘” What is the role of priests? One of reconciliation, healing, instructors of the Way. But something went drastically wrong.

Now fast forward, Israel is broken apart the northern tribes are mostly scattered. Some have regathered and are known as the Samaritans of which many lessons were taught by Yahoshua. However, the Southern Kingdom, in part remains. Made up of mostly Judah, Benjamin, and some of the tribe of Levi as they were spread out throughout Israel not having any land of their own.

What a mess. There was a separation that remained as part of the curse pronounced against Israel for not obeying the instructions, the Torah, of Elohim. And at this point although there was an attempt to do so it was lost in man made traditions of which the Pharisees and religious leaders were very proud. This is what Peter knew and he would struggle with it for some time. His awakening however begins or continues, with this vision.

Acts 10:11-16
“And he saw the sky opened up, and an object like a great sheet coming down, lowered by four corners to the ground, and there were in it all kinds of four-footed animals and crawling creatures of the earth and birds of the air. A voice came to him, ‘Get up, Peter, kill and eat!’ But Peter said, ‘By no means, Adonai, for I have never eaten anything unholy and unclean.’ Again a voice came to him a second time, ‘What God has cleansed, no longer consider unholy.’ This happened three times, and immediately the object was taken up into the sky.”

As you could imagine Peter is greatly perplexed, he doesn’t know what to do with the vision. Then the Spirit said to him, “Behold three men are looking for you. Get up, go downstairs and accompany them without misgivings, for I have sent them Myself.” Who were these three men? They were gentiles, men sent from Cornelius a centurion and a believing Gentile. He was instructed by an angel of God, “Cornelius!” He responded, “What is it, Adonai?” And the Angel said, “Your prayers and offerings have ascended as a memorial before God. Now dispatch some men to Joppa and send for a man named Simon, who is also called Peter.”

The men explain who they are to Peter in this way. “Cornelius, a centurion, a righteous and God-fearing man well spoken of by the entire nation of the Jews, was divinely directed by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and hear a message from you.” So we have Peter having a dream about unholy things and then three ‘unholy gentiles’ come knocking at the door. Sent by a Centurion named Cornelius, who just so happened to be a God-fearing man, who had a vision to call Peter to his home. Do you see the correlation the reason for unholy and unclean things to be lowered before Peter. Can you see why God chose this visual as a lesson?

Let us hear from Peter his interpretation of the vision. “You yourselves know how unlawful it is for a man who is a Jew to associate with a foreigner or to visit him; and yet God has shown me that I should not call any man unholy or unclean. That is why I came without even raising any objection when I was sent for.” (Acts 10:28-29). Later in that same chapter (V34-35) Peter says this: “I most certainly understand now that God is not one to show partiality, but in every nation the man who fears Him and does what is right is welcome to Him.”

After these things Peter reports to the Apostles in Jerusalem. In closing the apostles said; “Well then, God has granted to the Gentiles also the repentance that leads to life.” (Acts 11:18). Much more can be said concerning this and all of it reflects the heart of God towards all the nations and tribes and tongues and people coming to know God. It is a calling back to God’s instruction the same instruction that calls Israel a light to the nation, still calls swine unclean and not meant for food. That has not nor will it change, it was unclean in getting on the Ark. It was unclean in Leviticus. It was unclean in Acts. And it is unclean now.

To drive this point home a bit further let’s look at Isaiah 66 a prophetic chapter looking at the second coming of Messiah and the Kingdom that follows. Isaiah records this in verse 16-17; “For Yahweh will execute judgment by fire and by His sword on all flesh, and those slain by Yahweh will be many. ‘Those who sanctify and purify themselves to go to the gardens, Following one in the center, Who eat swine’s flesh, detestable things and mice, will come to an end altogether,’ declares Yahweh.”

What is my motivation? It is to point to the Word and show anyone who will listen, that God from the fall has been calling mankind back to Himself and His ways. Will you choose to listen and obey the instructions of Elohim? This is the way of the Rabbi.

You are loved,
cj

Treading the Word: The Berean Approach

Treading the Word: The Berean Approach

To you, the reader, i write, with this one purpose in mind, that you would be stirred in your soul. A stirring so deep that you desire to read and study beyond this post. In order to gain a greater understanding of the Word of God. For it was the Bereans’ who were considered to be of more noble character. Why? It was for their desire to hear, and to study. That they would know if what they were being taught was true. And what did they study? The Scriptures, the Law (Torah) and the Prophets.

The word declares, “Study to show yourself approved. A workman that doesn’t need to be ashamed, rightly treading the Word of Truth.” The word treading is often translated as dividing. Many a wayward interpretation believes this is to divide up the words of God. Not true. It is to cut a path, maintain the truth, tread rightly the Word of Truth. For God’s Word is Truth. This was the heart of the Bereans’.

When reading the Word, one must ask themselves, to whom is the letter written. Yes, in the end it can be concluded that we are the intended audience. However, it is vitally important that we understand context. This will allow us to tread rightly the Word. To whom was it written? Where did they live? What is the backstory and therefore the overall purpose of the letter? When one knows the answers to these questions it becomes easier to know how to apply the Word today.

For instance, a passage often taken out of context is of the dietary law. Yahoshua is confronted about the washing of hands. The Pharisees question why Yahoshua’s disciples don’t wash their hands. Yahoshua answers it isn’t what goes in the mouth that defiles a man but what comes out of the heart. He challenged the Pharisees extra rituals. This had nothing to do with food and everything to do with extra man made burden. It is well known that an added phase, “Thereby declaring all foods clean.” Which now in most translations if it is present is so with brackets. For it was added much later and does not appear in the earliest of manuscripts.

The context was hand washing. The food on the table was all food. There wasn’t a giant ham on the table with lobster tails and shrimp. What was on the table was food. The question of cleanliness is of tradition. It was said that if a person with unwashed hands touched food, the food was unclean. It didn’t turn to ham it was a steak or a potato that was now ritually unclean. So Yahoshua pointed out that this was not a Torah commandment but a man made ritual. Yahoshua declared that all food considered good by God was not defiled. This was true even if one didn’t wash their hands.

Context matters, audience matters, time and place matter. This is just one example but there are many more. The modern church thinks that the Word of Elohim has been done away with in large parts. Calling the Scriptures old, yes, they are but they are still relevant. They are necessary to know sin, for what is sin? Sin is the transgression of Torah, sin is Torahlessness. The Word talks about the coming of the lawless one. What law is he going to be without? The law of the land? What land? Who’s land? The lawless one will be Torahless. Are you Torahless?

The opposite of Torahless is righteous. Righteousness is those commanded by God to be obeyed by man. Are you obeying the commands of God. Yahoshua said, “If you love Me, obey My commandments.” He also said, “Why do you call me Adonai Adonai and not do as I command?” And “Depart from Me, I never knew you, you who practice lawlessness.” Remember, lawlessness is Torahlessness.

This is the way of the Rabbi. To study to show yourself approved, rightly treading the Word of Truth. God’s Word is Truth.

You are loved,
cj

Supreme

“For Elohim in all His fullness was pleased to live in Messiah.” Colossians 1:19

“In the beginning the WORD already existed. The WORD was with Elohim, and the WORD was Elohim.” John 1:1

“. . . and through the Son He created the Universe.” Hebrews 1:2b

There is no other name under heaven in which on can be saved. Yahoshua is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. In the end, every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Yahoshua Messiah, to the glory of Elohim the Father. The Father, revealed through the Son, and in the Son. Revealed, even in Word, and Deed, in Name and in Purpose.

Joshua son of Nun, who led the people of Israel into the promised land was named Hoshea. It was through Moses, that Elohim changed his name to Joshua. Some would think this name is inconsequential, most read right over it because lets be real, names and genealogies are boring. However, here is a revelation to all of humanity. Hoshea means, salvation, the name change puts the emphasis on who is salvation, Yahoshua, means, YHWH IS Salvation.

Who saves? YHWH saves, Yahoshua saves, “I and My Father are One.” “But that the world may know that I love the Father, and as the Father has commanded Me, thus I do.” Paul said, “Be imitators of me, as I also am of Messiah.” What did Yahoshua do? He kept the Sabbath, He kept the feasts, He ate clean. What did Paul do?

He kept the Sabbath — Acts 17:2 & 18:4
He kept the Feasts — Acts 20:6 & 20:16
He instructed on the Feasts — 1 Corinthians 5:7-8
He believed in Torah — Acts 24:14
He taught the Torah — Acts 28:23 & Romans 3:31
He obeyed the Torah — Romans 7:25
He delighted in Torah — Romans 7:22
He said IMITATE ME as I IMITATE MESSIAH 1 Corinthians 4:16 & 11:1

Are we saved by keeping the Law or the Torah? No, we are saved by Grace as was Noah, as was Abram. We show our love for Messiah, by keeping His commandments. In Luke 6:46 Yahoshua said, “Why do you call Me ‘Adonai, Adonai,’ but not do what I tell you?” We are set apart by Torah. What significance is there in keeping Torah? It sets us apart from the pagan, and the unbelieving. To worship on the Sabbath demonstrates our thankfulness in His provision, if even the land was commanded to keep the Sabbath shouldn’t we? If Yahoshua became the Sabbath wouldn’t keeping it honor Him even more?

The very fact that the commandment starts with the word, “Remember,” should be motivation enough. It should also give us pause to reflect on why there has been such an attempt to forget the Sabbath. To celebrate the Feasts is to honor Him, “These are MY FEASTS” if we are His people should we not honor Him by keeping His Feasts and not the traditions of men, which is one of the major points of contention between Yahoshua and the Pharisees? And if clean and unclean came before the Torah, should we not also now keep the clean and unclean dietary practices? Certainly if Elohim is the same yesterday, today, and forever; we should. Does this make us Holy? No. Does it show that we love Him and want to honor Him? Yes!

We are instructed to be set apart, sanctified, holy. This is done through Yahoshua, who is our example, not our free pass to idolatry. “If we know what is good and we do not do it, that to us is sin,” said James. Also, in Revelation 3 Yahoshua says:

15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth. 17 You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked. 18 I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.

19 Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent. 20 Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.

21 To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on His throne. 22 Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”

It seems to me that this is a direct reflection of Jeremiah 31:31-34 in which is written:

Behold, the days are coming, declares Adonai, when I will renew My covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant I made with their fathers in the day I took them by the hand
to bring them out of the land of Egypt. For they broke My covenant,
though I was a husband to them.” it is a declaration of Adonai.
“But this is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after those days” —it is a declaration of Adonai—
“I will put My Torah within them. Yes, I will write it on their heart. I will be their Elohim and they will be My people. No longer will each teach his neighbor or each his brother, saying: ‘Know Adonai,’ for they will all know Me, from the least of them to the greatest.” it is a declaration of Adonai. “For I will forgive their iniquity, their sin I will remember no more.”

For those who will say that the Gentiles and Israel are two separate tracks of Elohim’s story with humanity, i give you Yahoshua, “And I have other sheep that are not of this fold. I must bring them also, and they will listen to My voice. So there will be ONE flock, one Shepherd.” (John 10:16) Is Messiah divided, that this ONE flock would be separate somehow? No, not at all, they become one under the Shepherd who is the WORD of ELOHIM made FLESH. And He declared that He is knocking on the heart of the lukewarm believer, and if we open to Him He will come in and in essence write the Torah on our hearts.

This is also taught by Paul, for he understood this to be true. “And even they, if they do not continue in their unbelief, will be grafted in, for Elohim has the power to graft them in again. For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.” Earlier Paul warned the gentiles, “do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you.” (Excerpts from Romans 11:18-24)

So then what? Is it by grace or works of the Law? As James says, “Faith without works is dead . . . I will show you my faith by my works.” Yahoshua said, “Why do you call Me Adonai, and not do as I commanded?” If we are to love Elohim with our whole heart, mind, soul and strength isn’t it reasonable to think that living by the commandments of Elohim is within the realm of loving Him completely? Keeping holy what he declares holy and unclean what he calls unclean, is this also not a sign of our love for Him? To join Him in celebration of His Feasts, is this not also a condition and confession of our heart?

i present this as a question, i choose to live it as a statement. i am not under the law, yet, i choose to live in the footsteps of My Adonai, by the power of His Holy Spirit within me, writing Torah on my heart.

You are loved,
cj