A look at genesis 6 "noah" and the flood
Parasha "Noah"
GENESIS 6:9-11:32.....................ISAIAH 54:1-55:5..................1 PETER 3:18-22
In this Parasha, we see righteous Noach,. and his obedience to YHVH, as HE reveals the plan of destruction for mankind to Noach, and also, reveals HIS plan of YESHUAH (salvation) to Noach and his family. We see a definite division between "the bad guys" and the "good guy" between "unrighteousness" and "righteousness" Noach and his family were saved through obedience, and the obedience came from his FAITH in YHVH, so it still boils down to faith. Had Noach lacked faith, he would not have built the ark, and if he hadn't built the ark , ALL mankind and animal kind would have perished, and we would all be plants or flowers today.
But Noach DID build the ark, and G-d gave Noach sufficient time to do it in, more than 100 years to built, since he didn't have chain saws back then. The Ark was to be a "temporary house" for Noach, his family, and his animal friends. The Hebrew letter "beit" symbolizes a "house" and the letter beit is "2" in Gematria, which symbolizes "division and unity" which leads us back to the "division" that God made between evil mankind and Noach and his family, and "unity" which describes Noach's household of faith, Himself, his wife, (according to midrash, Noach married "Na'amah" a daughter of Enoch) and his three sons and their wives, and YHVH, (a pretty good family).
The dates are important, the "second month on the seventeenth day" was when the flood waters hit the earth, It was in the "second month" that YHVH allowed those that could not keep the Passover in the month of Nissan, to celebtrate it in the following month. the "second month" as Passover =judgment on the Egyptians and Salvation for the Hebrews, the flood meant "judgment on evil mankind, and salvation for the "Noach family"
The "Ark" itself, symbolizes "Yeshuah" for all those who entered it, salvation from death by water, yet Noach and his family still went "through" the judgment by flood waters, yet were not affected by it. Yeshua is our "Ark of salvation" from which we escape the punishment of eternal damnation
"The ark came to rest on the moutains of Ararat in the seventh month on the 17th dayof the month. This is during the time of "Sukkot" (Feast of Tabernacles) a time to rejoice because YHVH is in our midst, and we wave "green leafy plants" remember the dove brought back a "green leaf" an olive branch, the symbol of Israel, YHVH was in the midst of Noach and his family, and the Ark was a "temporary dwelling place" as were the "sukkot" in the wilderness.
In the "first month on the first day" Noach and his family came out of the ark and stepped on dry land, it was a great "Happy New Year" In the first month (NIssan) we celebrate Passover, and as the Israelites went "through" the waters and stepped on dry land in the land of Midian, so Noach and his family stepped on dry land, from being in the "midst" of the waters, yet safe and dry.
Another subject, about "Ham" after the flood, Noach got drunk!, Noach was righteous, he wasn't "perfect" he still had his flaws, he sinned just like we do, Ham "saw: the "nakedness" of his father Noach, yet Noach realized that Ham had "done" something to him, so we can only imagine, what Ham might have done, perhaps some sort of sexual, or homosexual act, but the Torah doesn't say what was "Done unto him" yet Noach cursed his grandson "Canaan" why Canaan? he didn't do anything, Yet Ham had already been blessed by Noach, so Noach couldn't curse him so he cursed "Canaan" that seems unfair doesn't it? but perhaps God gave Noah a vision of what the Canaanites would do in the future. so, he cursed them, and today, there are no Canaanites in the world.
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ISAIAH 54
"For a brief moment I have forsaken you, but with great mercies, I will gather you, with a little wrath I hid my face from you for a moment; but with everlasting kindness I will have mercy on you says YHVH your "Goel" (redeemer)"
This is just like a loving father, who chastises his children, with love, yet with sternness, YHVH is a Father, and a husband, to his beloved Yisrael, and to all of us who have been adopted into HIS family. Will a good father allow his children to do "whatever" without consequences? Will a good husband not guide his wife it what is good for her?
Those who are NOT his children, belong to the deceiver, the Father of lies, he will give "his" children whatever they want, because, in the end, they belong to him, and he wants company in hell. YHVH had mercy and grace "Chesed v' rachamim" in that while we were all sinners (and still are) came to earth in human form and gave HIS life for a ransom for many, so that all who wish to be gathered together, would trust in HIM who gave his life, and gave us YESHUAH!
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1 PETER 3:18-22
"Kefa ha talmid" (Peter the disciple) writes to believers and reminds them of the past, in the days of Noah, ALL heard the warnings of Noah, but none took heed, all laughed, all continued in their sinful ways, and all died in the waters of judgment, and now, in the fires of hell, too late, Yeshua went into the nether regions and "preached" to these souls, yet only to remind them that they had a chance, but now, forever, too late, the "Ark" of Noah was in a way, "Yeshua" the "Ark of Salvation". Yet to the others in Sheol, the ones in "paradise" He took them with him, "Led the captives free" including "Lazarus" who was there, yet the "rich man" took his place with the lost, who are still there.... and still suffer pain, fire, misery, sorrow, and forever...... kinda scary to think about that.
"Baptism" is symbolic of the resurrection of Messiah Yeshua, when as believers, we go through believers' baptism, we identify ourselves with the "burial" and resurrection of Messiah Yeshua. I guess it is kind of like having a "family crest" sewn onto our jacket, it tells the world who we are and to whose family we belong to..
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Ben Avraham
Abraham is blessed, yet also tested! (genesis 18 - 22)
PARASHA: " VaYera" (and he appeared) Abraham is blessed, yet also tested
GEN 18:1-22:24.....2 KINGS :1-37......2 PETER 2:4-11
There are several topics in this Parasha, first, the appearance of YHVH in the form of an Angel, together with two other "malachim" . One might wonder why "3" angels?. "3" represents the entity of "Elohim". Soon there will be "three" members of the family of Abraham and Sarah, namely "Yitzchak" YHVH is there to give a blessing to Abraham, but we see first, that Abraham first blesses the angels, He gives them comfort, food, drink, and they sit and rest for a while, after that, YHVH gives Abraham and Sarah the blessing
"Sarah your wife will have a son"
This can be considered a "miracle birth" since Sarah was past the age of child bearing. BUT even though Abraham was old, his seed was still potent, since when Sarah died, he married "Keturah" and had children with her, so, the problem was in Sarah, and not in Abraham, "Is anything too hard for the LORD?" If YHVH created the Heavens and the earth in 6 literal days, and divided the sea so that the Children of Israel could cross, and the countless of other miracles, could he not make the womb of Sarah fertile?
Sometimes we "laugh" inside like Sarah did, we just can't fathom miracles, do they still exist today? Yes, they do. the LORD hears our "laughter and sighs of unbelief" yet He still works miracles in our lives. I didn't think it possible to have my left ear healed, always having to clean it out, sometimes, going for days with hearing in only one ear, then, in Tiberias, laying on my bed in Tiberias Hostel, the ear just "opened" in a matter of one second, all of a sudden, I could hear again, in "both" ears, and both ears are still good, hearing out of both of them, that happened in July of this year. So, the LORD is still in the miracle business, it is just a matter of HIS perfect timing.
Many times, when we bless the LORD through serving HIM in different ways, HE responds with blessings for us, it kinda works both ways, when we help around the house, doing chores, (when we were kids in our parents' house) did not mom and dad do some special things for us? sometimes, without us expecting anything.
Then there is the case for LOT, Abraham intercedes for Sodom before YHVH since he knows Lot , his nephew and his family are there. First Lot pitches his tent "toward" Sodom, and then he is "inside" Sodom! What ever happened to his tent? He exchanged it for a house....and a job. Be careful as believers when we get TOO comfortable with the things of the world, just an example, One can look at a pig pen from afar, but then, we start to get closer, we get to the fence that separates the pig pen from the rest of the
world , but once you get into the pig pen, and start rolling around in the mud with the pig, you come out smelling like a pig,
The LORD has called us to be "separate" from the world, yet not to ignore the world, but to intervene and be a witness to the lost world. We can have lost friends, have a worldly job, but NOT to participate in the ACTIVITIES of the world, meaning the activities which are against what God teaches us in the Torah. Lot comes out, more unwillingly, they escape, Mrs. Lot looks back and is "Saltified" He ends up in a cave, allows himself to become drunk, his own daughters have sex with him, and he becomes the father of the people of MOAB and AMMON, two of Israel's worse enemies, One never knows what negative influence can come with becoming "too close" with the pagan activities of the world.
We can see something else: Abraham interceded for Sodom, yet it was destroyed yet Lot and his daughters saved. Moshe interceded for Israel on various occasions, and Israel was saved from destruction.
Noah NEVER interceded for the world, (as far as we know) and we know the rest.
We see that Abraham was tested, "Go offer up Yitzchak, your only son, as a burnt offering" Abraham knew that YHVH detested human sacrifices, yet he still obeyed, God did not say "sacrifice Isaac" he said "offer him" Maybe Abraham thought, "If I bring down the knife on Isaac my son, God will raise him up from the dead" this could be a thought, we can ask Abraham if that went through his mind when we meet him one day in heaven. we can see these things,
1. As Abraham offered up Isaac as a sacrifice, we should offer up our own selves as LIVING sacrifices, in service to YHVH
2. God was not willing that Abraham should bring down the knife on Isaac, his only son, but YHVH was not willing that the world perish in sin, and spared not HIS ONLY SON Yeshua, who died in our place
3. Isaac was taken OFF the altar and replaced by a RAM, WE were spared and in our place, YESHUA was sacrificed.
Isaac = all of humankind Ram = Yeshua
The ram was laid on an altar of stone, on top of wood, Yeshua was nailed to a wooden cross and laid in a tomb of stone.
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2 kings 4:1-37
We see the case of more miracles, this time, through Elisha the prophet. The widow owed money to a creditor, (probably her dead husband's debts) Elisha did not make the creditor "disappear" he wanted the widow to "honor" the debt, but gave her the ability to pay off the debt, through the sale of olive oil, BUT she had to express faith first, in getting as many jars as possible, and the miracle was done, She was blessed through her obedience, "She asked" "she obeyed" "She was blessed"
The Shunamite woman was also like Sarah, without a child, but she showed kindness to the prophet first, She blessed the prophet with kindness, and the prophet blessed her and her husband in return. When the child got sick and died, he even resurrected him from the dead. We were also DEAD in our sins, yet were resurrected to LIFE when God breathed INTO US the RUACH HA KODESH
(The Holy Spirit)
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2 PETER 2:4-11
The Apostle Peter mentions Lot as a "righteous person" yes, he was, yet he was tormented by the lawlessness of Sodom, Remember it was HIS choice to live there, He did not stop being righteous, yet he was affected by the conduct of the other city dwellers. As believers, we also suffer when we put ourselves in different situations, we can lose blessings, be affected emotionally, even physically, yet we are still children of the KING, and HE will always love us, and what ever the lost, will get us out of situations that are wrecking havoc on our lives, as he did with Lot
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Jacob (Yakov) Ben Avraham
A brief look at the Life/death of Sarah, Abraham's wife GEN 23:1-25:18
]PARASHA: CHAYEI SARAH (Sarah lives)
GEN 23:1-25:18................1 KINGS 1:1-31.............1 COR 15:50-57
The scriptures open with the "years of life" of Sarah, the wife of Abraham, the Father of our faith. It is not mentioned often the years of life of women, but here is an exception
We don't know when Abraham and Sarah got married, probably when they were in their 20s, people got married very young back then. Well, I got married when I was 20. If indeed, Abraham and Sarah got married around then, we can see that they spent more than 100 years together. Now imagine being married to the same person for "100" years
putting up with each other's "shenanigans" and "Meshugganahs" issues on this and that
"differences of opinion" No doubt, they must have had their uniqueness's, similarities and differences, BUT, they stayed together, which is more than we can say for todays marriages, that for little things, or misunderstandings, making mole hills into mountains, they run to the divorce lawyers.
Abraham Loved Sarah, He did not have multiple wives, only Hagar, but on the insistence of Sarah (unwisely) . BUT, like every person on this earth, YHVH called upon the soul of Sarah, to return unto HIM, YHVH is like a jeweler, who "lends" jewelry to men and women, the jewelry is on "loan" only, we can wear it, care for it, use it, but eventually, we must surrender the "precious jewel" to the jeweler when HE calls for it (him/her)
The title of the Parasha is "Sarah Lives!" yet it speaks of her "death" it states that she died at age 127. We can look at the numbers 1 2 7 in different ways and relate them to Sarah and her life with Abraham. First, in Hebrew Gematria, the number 127 is, in Hebrew letters "Qof' (Q)100 "Kaf" (K) 20, and "Zayin" (Z) 7 , "Qof" can symbolize holiness, like the word "Kadosh" and Sarah, as well as Abraham, was holy unto God, separated, dedicated to worship and serve HIM. "Kaf" is symbolized by and "open hand or palm" and symbolizes anointing, she was, in a way, anointed to give birth to the nation of Israel, the number 20 is the number of redemption, she was redeemed from her sterile state to a fruitful state, to bare a child, Yitzchak, "Zayin" is "7" and symbolizes a sword or plow, it symbolizes bringing "life" through "death. It breaks up the ground for the seed to come forth, and the seed was "Yitzchak" and later, came YESHUA, Sarah "died" but still brought for "life"
when we look at the numbers 1 2 7, we see "1" in "Echad" Sarah was ONE in unity with Abraham, and with YHVH, the "three" were "One" together, as ALL marriages should be
"2" is "covenant, a pact made between 2 people or 2 parties, the covenant was that "through the seed of Abraham, all the nations would be blessed" and it was so, through Yeshua HaMashiach, "7" is the perfect number, the number of completion, Sarah was made complete when Yitzchak was born, she fulfilled her purpose.
Sarah was a good wife to Abraham, although she had her faults, she did not wait upon the LORD and suggested to Abraham to have a child through Hagar, and thus, the Arab nations were born, yet God still told Abraham, "listen to the voice of Sarah" (sending Hagar and Ishmael away. Yet when Adam listened to the voice of Eve, and partook of the forbidden fruit, (I do not see where people get the idea it was an apple, it could have been any kind of fruit, or, an unknown fruit) God blamed Adam, "because you listened to the voice of your wife......" and the curse of sin came to this world and to us.
It doesn't matter if it is the voice of the wife or the husband, what matters is that the "voice" reflects the "voice of God", and this is done through wisdom. So, A wise woman and a wise man, complement each other in a marriage, if not, if God is left out of the marriage, then all that is left is "Esh" (fire) which soon "burns" out and becomes ashes.
How? "man, husband = Eeysh" and "woman/wife = Eeshah" both contain the letters Y A H which is one of the names of YHVH, take out those letters, you are left with "esh" (fire)
(you can see it better using the Hebrew letters)
Sarah's memory continues in "Riv'kah" the wife of Yitzhak, Rebecca (Riv'kah) shows compassion, love, concern, and gives service to Eleazar, who was sent to look for a wife for Isaac, by Abraham. No need for dating, only trust, Eleazar saw in Rebecca, the wife that Isaac needed, She was just asked "Will you go with this man?" she said "yes" she didn't ask, "Well, how much money does Isaac have?" or "Is he handsome, or ugly?" "fat or skinny?" "does he have fast camels?" or "does he like to party?" NO, she just trusted God, and became Isaac's wife. We can see our response as believers, YHVH sent Yeshua to get HIS bride, which is HIS body of believers, we are not forced, nor coerced, we come because we choose to become part of HIS family, when we are "born again" we become part of HIS bride, and now, we are "on the way" to the wedding ceremony.
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1 KINGS 1:1-31
Another person is dying, it's David, and like Sarah, he loved YHVH but had his faults, like all of us, He had a successor, Solomon, Sarah brought forth Isaac, and David brought forth Solomon, Isaac and Solomon, both followed Adonai, in HIS ways, yet they too had their faults, We are all following in the Torah of Adonai, will we falter? Yes, but HE will pick us up and up us on our feet again, He is "just to forgive and will forgive us of our unrighteousness" His blood covered us and forgave our sins, past, present, and future
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1 COR 15:50-57
flesh and blood can not inherit the Kingdom of Heaven, WHY? because we were born into sin, and only "sinlessness" can inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. We are awaiting that day when we will ALL be transformed, get new bodies, new minds, live "without sin" for ever
One can not fathom "for ever" not really, "finiteness" is different from "infiniteness" they both exist on other planes or dimensions of reality, however, the dimensions do cross for all of us, at the point of physical death. So important, to be ECHAD (one) with Messiah Yeshua, and accept His free gift of eternal life, remember, eternity is a very
looooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooonnnnnnnn nnng time.
Shabbat Shalom
Rabbi Ben Avraham
Joseph and his brethern, "a renewed relationship" gen 44:18-47:27
FAMILY REUNION FOR JOSEPH AND BRETHERN, "HEARTS RENEWED" (GEN 44:18-47):
PARASHA: "VaYIGASH" (and he drew near)
GEN 44:18-47:27.................EZEKIEL 37:15-28.................LUKE 6:9-16
We are approaching the climax of the reunion between Yosef and his brothers, "Y'hudah
approaches Yosef and really pours out his heart to him, Remember that Y'hudah will be the blessed tribe from who will come Messiah Yeshua. chap 44:18 until the beginning of chap 45, Judah shows a contrite heart, tells it like it is, he is even willing to be a "bond slave" instead of Benyamin (vs 33) this touches Yosef's heart, he now knows that his brothers have a change of heart, they are in the mode of "Teshuvah" (a change of heart, attitude, mind, way of thinking, etc) ...........THEN.....in chapter 45, we see a change of heart in Yosef.
45:3 "ANI YOSEF, HAYOD AVI?" (I AM JOSEPH, DOES MY FATHER LIVE?) Yosef acts no more as a judge, but as a family member, their "brother" when his brothers were before him, he had to act as a "judge" to test their hearts, when he saw their repentance, he changed roles and acted as their "forgiving brother" and all of chapter 45 reveals the "Yosef, the brother" and no longer "Yosef the judge" before he was "dayan" (Judge) now he is "mishpocha" family. He will, take care of them, will send for father Jacob, will give his family the best of Egypt (Goshen)
We can parallel this so much with Messiah Yeshua, and our relationship with Him. BEFORE our change of heart, before being "born again" God is our "judge" if we die in our sins, we will be judged guilty, and spend eternity separated from God, however, when we come to Him as repentant sinners, with contrite hearts, and receive Messiah Yeshua as Savior and LORD, ....THEN....His position changes, He will then be "Goeleinu" and not "dayaneinu" (our redeemer and not our judge) Well yes, in a way, he will be our judge, He will judge our works, our deeds in Heaven, but it will not be a salvation issue.
Yosef revealed himself to his brothers now as "family" Yeshua reveals himself to us as "family" Yosef sent for his father and brought all his "family" to the land of Egypt, to the good land of Goshen. God has provided for all of us, "mansions" in His Kingdom, and He will send for us in HIS good timing, this is "going the way of all the earth" all that have died in Messiah Yeshua, are now in HIS presence, and he will care for us ALL, in HIS Kingdom
This is the eternal hope, we are part of his family, we are members of the "Commonwealth of Israel" citizens of all races, yet trusting ONE master, ONE God, ONE LORD (YHVH)
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EZEKIEL 37:15-28
when we study scripture, we learned of the division between Israel, Judah was divided from the rest of the tribes of Israel, because of the evil son of Solomon, yet, even though e tribes were divided, they will become ONE (Echad) again, many millions of descendants of Abraham, will be joined together as ONE PEOPLE, today, we have the descendants of the divided tribes in many lands, the Ashkenazim of Germany and Eastern Europe, the Sephardim of Spain and the middle east, the Falashim of Africa, and in every corner of the world, there are the remnants of the divided tribes, yet, we are still ONE in Yeshua,
We are "bnei Yisrael baGoyim haOlam" (the children of Israel in the nations of the world)
yet we are joined together in faith and in the Torah, and in One Messiah, Messiah Yeshua
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LUKE 6:9-16
Yeshua heals a man with a withered hand on the Sabbath, The Pharisees, were stuck on "tradition" no work was to be done on the Sabbath, well then, you shouldn't even get out of bed on the Sabbath, because your leg muscles have to "work" to get out and up out of bed, if you want to get really technical, yet Yeshua (who is the author of the whole Torah)
defines Sabbath ethics, performing a "good deed" a "mitzvah" to help another is indeed permitted. For this reason, we are saved "unto good works" so that we may store up riches in Heaven. Some ask, what kind of "work" should not be done on the Sabbath, well, any thing that is really not essential, or something that can wait until the next day, The Sabbath is for resting and relaxation, worshiping HaShem and studying Torah (well, worship and study Torah is an everyday thing, wouldn't you say?)
Shabbat Shalom........Rabbi Ben Avraham
EX 18:1-20:23 "a brief look at the Ten Commandments"
Preview: A Brief Look at the Ten Commandments (EX 18:1-20:23)
PARASHA: "Yitro"
EXODUS 18:1-20:23................ISAIAH 6:1-7:6; 9:5-6..................MATTHEW 5:8-20
This is the portion where we see the "Ten Commandments" we can look at this as the "Ketuba Yisrael" (The marriage contract between Adonai and his people).
First,. Yitro, Moshe's father-in-law gives Moshe some very good advice, to divide the work and get some assistance. That is excellent advice, and we see this practical division of work/ministry ethics in the entire world. Pastor/rabbi, associate pastor/rabbis, teachers, cantors, music ministers, financial planners, maintenance workers, yard keepers, nursery workers, security, and the list can go on. The pastor/rabbi can not do all the work himself
the work is to be shared. That is why we have the spiritual gifts,. so that ALL believers can join in and form a well oiled machine, the pastor/rabbi leading, and above him, Adonai-Elohim. Who is Master and the Corner Stone of ALL.
1. "Anochi Adonai Eloheiha" (I AM the LORD thy God, thou shalt have no other gods before me"
Anything that comes before our worship of Adonai, anything that is considered more important than coming together to worship Adonai, is a false god, it can be gold and silver, spouses, sports, TV, jobs, etc.. not that those things are evil, they are not, but when they are considered more important, then, we have problems, let's make ADONAI our priority, and our witness, testimony, worship, first in our lives, least YHVH take away from us those other things that are coming first.
2. "Thou shalt not make unto thee graven images"
It isn't that we can't have pictures of grandma and grandpa on the wall, the bust of Beethoven on the piano, it is talking about "images, sculptures, statutes, that are used to so called "help us" in worship, we see in many religions icons, statues of Jesus and Mary, Joseph, the pope, etc.. but we should not use these, Adonai is SPIRIT, and He should be worshiped in Spirit and in Truth. We can consider an "image" a likeness of a person, a person that represents God, Are you saying we can't have a pic of Yeshua? Well, were you alive when he was alive? how do you know what he looked like? I know it is stepping on some toes, but this is what Torah says.
3. "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain"
We can take the name of God in vain both verbally, or by un holy, un righteous actions,
If we promise to do something and use God's name in that promise, and do not honor the promise, we have taken his name in vain, if we act un godly, or stay in the flesh, behave like the lost, laugh at crude jokes, follow the ungodly crowd, we take his name in vain, by our actions.
4. "Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy"
Saturday, the Sabbath, has always been the Sabbath, it was NEVER changed, not that it is wrong to worship on Sundays, it is also good, the synagogues were opened seven days a week for fellowship and prayer in Biblical times, and some still are. Scripture says that the disciples met together the first day of the week to break bread. Yes, that is praise and fellowship, sharing food together, but that does not mean that the Sabbath was changed to Sunday, it just shows a custom that was practiced, and it is still practiced today, Worship on Saturday and on Sunday is a "double blessing" Any work that is not necessary should wait for the week, Rest! it is a good thing. (even cars rest, when they are parked)
5. "Honor thy father and thy mother"
This goes without explanation, we all know that honoring them is self-engrained, inwardly, we know how to. but outwardly, sometimes we forget, and many dishonor mom and dad, back talking, yelling at them, physically hurting them, lying to them, cheating them, stealing from them, etc...Remember, when you think no one sees or hears you, think again, "Abba" does! and so do his holy angels, they cry, and the demons laugh, in the long run, you end up getting hurt, vengeance is mine, I will repay sayeth the LORD!
6 - 10. "Thou shalt not kill, commit adultery, steal, nor bear false witness against thy neighbor, nor covet ANYTHING that is your neighbors..."
Did you know that when one commits adultery, that person breaks all those commandments? he or she "kills" a relationship, "steals" what doesn't belong to him or her, is a "false witness" since now, that person is in "negative light" can not be trusted, and that person is "coveting" that which does not belong to him or her. The word "kill" means "murder" take the innocent life of another. it does NOT mean you can't defend
yourself or your family from those who wish to harm you, it does not mean you shouldn't bare arms and go into battle in the armed forces to defend your country against the enemy, Many of God's men and women were warriors; David, Joshua, Gideon, Shamgar, Deborah, etc... Did you know you can "steal" time? late for work? you're "stealing from your employer, time that belongs to him, Finally, we should not want what the other person has, just because we don't have it. That person might have headaches over it, Adonai will supply us with our needs, and sometimes, even our wants. want something the neighbor has? ask God! if He feels you need it, you will get it, if not, don't worry about it , you really don't need it, it would probably be more of a burden than a blessing.
____________________________________________ _________________________________________ ISAIAH 9: 6
"Unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon his shoulders, his name will be; Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace"
What wonderful words, what a promise fulfilled. for GOD came to us in human form, as a child, as the Son of God, "B'nei Elohim, a perfect Man as perfect God, to pay the price of sin committed by the first human (Adam) so He became the second Adam, He shall rule one thousand years, his government will be perfect and holy, His name is YESHUA, He counsels us through his WORD, he is Wonderful, Awesome, the word "wonder" is "Pelah" in Hebrew, which is "Aleph" spelled backwards. he will bring everlasting SHALOM, and He is for everlasting, from the past, now, and into the future
____________________________________________ __________________________________________ MATTHEW 5:8-20
if I comment on all this, I will not get any sleep tonight, so I will look at "Think not that I am come to destroy the Torah or the Prophets, I am not come to destroy but to fulfill"
"destroying" and "fulfilling" were common expressions among the rabbis in Yeshua's time
to "destroy" the Torah meant to "misinterpret or give a wrong interpretation of the meaning of some part of scripture, to "fulfill" was to give a correct interpretation of the Torah, looking at context, background, audience, purpose, original language, etc.. and this is what Yeshua did, he gave an exact interpretation of the Torah and the Neviim (The Prophets) I mean, he knows the meaning, He guided the hands and minds who wrote down the words.
5:19 "Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least mitzvoth, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall DO and TEACH them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of Heaven"
Many times, we don't pay attention to the small details of the Torah, we might think that they are minor issues, but in the eyes of Yeshua, they are NOT. Every detail in the Torah is important, every Mitzvah is important, to teach, to obey, to follow, no matter how small. Even the mitzvoth that we can no longer practice today, even the sacrifices, the temple priesthood, etc, one can teach the symbolism of the same, since all point to Yeshua.
5:20 "For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven"
One might ask, how is our righteousness different than the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees? We trust in YESHUA as Messiah, and our faith rests in HIM, and not in what we can DO. The scribes and Pharisees trusted in righteous WORKS, and not in righteous FATIH, they rejected Yeshua as Messiah (perhaps with the exception of Nicodemus) trusting in our WORKS will get us nowhere, Trusting in Yeshua, his complete redemptive act on Calvary's tree, reconcile us to Adonai.
Shabbat Shalom...............rabbi Ben Avraham
On being slaves/bondservants to Adonai EX 21:1-24:18
SHABBAT SHALOM: PARASHA: MISHPATIM (ordinances/judgments)
EX 21:1-24:18...................JEREMIAH 33:25-26.....................MATT 5:38-42
In this Parasha, we see many different mitzvoth/commandments that Adonai has given to Moshe to relay to Am Israel. If we read through them all, we can see that many are still for today, unfortunately, many people do not consider this, many were given to curb or discourage crime, theft, especially if the thief were caught, would have to pay double.
Another unfortunate mind-set, many, even Christians, believe that these commandments were "only" for Israel, that under the "New Covenant" we would not have to live under these. yet obedience to these has nothing to do with our "salvation" relationship with God. that issue is separate. "by faith in the sacrifice of Yeshua we are saved" the commandments were given so that, as believers, we might walk in a holy, life-style before Adonai, and our fellow man,. and many of these commandments have to do with our fellow man.
The first part deals with the issue of slavery. The type of slavery that Adonai talks about is NOT the slavery that we in America have learned about; The fate of thousands of Africans that were imported to the colonies, and lived in bondage for life. Slaves under the rule of Israel were only slaves for 7 years, afterwards, they were set free, and the master had to give them food, grain, oil, wine, etc so that the slave could begin a new life. The master had to treat them well, NOT mistreat them, there were consequences for mistreatment of slaves.
However, some slaves loved their masters and did not wish to leave, then, a ring was placed in their ear, indicating that, under their own free will, they were bonded to their masters, for "life" that would be until the year of Jubilee, "life" was 50 years. But looking at this in a derashic sense, Yeshua paid our price, and thus we were "released" from our slave master, Satan, before we come to Yeshua, we are slaves to sin, after we are released from the curse of sin, we now follow a new master. Do we really, would we really seek to be released from HIM? ....or... like Rav Shaul says, "we are bond slaves to Yeshua" by our own free will, we are willing to follow in his footsteps, obey his voice through the Torah and the Ruach Ha Kodesh (Holy Spirit) his rewards are worth it.
But there is another type of slavery, slavery to materialism, the love and pursuit of money, things, fame, importance, etc, and putting those thing ahead of our relationship with Adonai, makes us "slaves" to those things. Material things do have their place in our lives, but we should never become "slaves" to those things.
EX 21:18,19 Read these verses, they make sense even for today. If someone loses his or her temper and hurts someone, the least that person should do is pay the Doctor bill, pay his lost wages, maybe that way, the person will think twice before losing it and striking out and knocking the other person into the middle of next week.
EX 21:24,25 "Eye for an eye, Tooth for a tooth" doesn't mean that if you knock out my tooth, I get to knock out yours, it means I have to take you to the dentist and pay for a dental implant, (refer to verses 18, and 19 above) or "just and equal compensation for damage done"
EX 21:33. Makes sense even for today. It is probably a rule on construction sites, it is only a safety precaution to prevent accidents. If not, then we are inadvertently, "standing idly and allowing our brother's blood to be shed " or causing loss of property, limb, wound, etc
EX 22:18 "Thou shalt not suffer a witch to live" now THAT is a strict commandment, yet we live in a country that promotes freedom of religion, that commandment is not for today, rather we should reach out to those who follow Satan and pray for them, that they might come out of darkness and into the light of Yeshua
EX 22:21; 23:9 "Thou shalt not vex a stranger...." twice it is mentioned, Adonai considers this very important, that ALL people are treated right, both natural born and immigrants alike. We live in a country of immigrants, our ancestors were immigrants, yet today, many are "vexed" and are being sent back, separating families, harassment, etc, this nation is looking for judgement, unless Bible/Torah based values are returned to.
Adonai wants us to remember his feasts (23:14) since ALL point to Yeshua and illustrate Messiah in different ways.
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JEREMIAH 33:25,26
What a statement when we read this, "If my covenant is not.......then I will cast away the seed of Jacob" But we can see that HIS covenant is Permanent, His covenant is valid day and night, The Torah is for today as well as for yesterday, Just as Israel Lives, His Torah, his covenant lives, His "Living Torah" lives,
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MATTHEW 5:38-42
Yeshua is teaching some strong points. At times, difficult to follow through with, yet he points out that if someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the left. Many think this as a sign for passifism, to not defend yourself if attacked, but I believe this could be in
response to verbal insults or verbal abuse, to "turn the cheek" would be to ignore the insults and/or verbal abuse and not seek retaliation, to "strike back" with equal insults, rather to "pray for the person and forgive the person" (who knows, the person might have had a bad day, cat might have died)
Shabbat Shalom..................Rabbi Ben Avraham
"Giving to God" EX 25:1-27:19 (on freewill offerings)
Preview: "Giving to God" EX 25:1-27:19 (on freewill offerings)
PARASHA: "TERUMAH" (offerings, contributions)
EXODUS 25:25:1-27:19 ......................1 KINGS 5:12-6:13..............MATTHEW 5:33-37
In this week's Parasha, we see the financing and gathering of materials for the Mishkan (Tabernacle) Adonai says to "take an offering for me from everyone whose heart whose heart stirs him to give" This is a "freewill offering" nothing forced upon the people,
Adonai wants gold, silver, bronze, fabric, precious stones, etc. If we remember, Israel received all those materials back in Egypt when they left, so, one could say that the Egyptians financed the building of the House of God. Here we have a few million Israelites in the wilderness carrying around all these things, What are they going to do with them? it is like you and me on a deserted island in the ocean, with a wallet full of money, where are you going to spend the money? what good is it to us? No good at all!. so what is Israel going to do with all the gold and silver? Acacia wood? fabric? precious stones? spices? incense? God has a great idea.
Since I AM going to live among you, then build me a house! makes perfect sense. So everyone responds, later we learn that the giving was so much that Moshe had to say "Stop giving already" we have enough! So the blueprints are drawn up for construction to begin. Sounds like modern times, you want something built, get the money first, get the blueprints, and then the materials, then build. So we now see the articles that will go inside the Mishkan, (The Tabernacle) the House that YHVH will live to fellowship with HIS people.
1. HaARON HA KODESH (The Ark of the Covenant) made of acacia wood overlaid with gold. How does this symbolize Yeshua our Messiah? The wood symbolizes the "humanity of Messiah Yeshua, who was both "man" and "God" this wood is very tough and strong, a hardwood, It reminds us of the "cross of Calvary" where Messiah took upon all of our sins, It reminds us of his profession, he was a carpenter before beginning his ministry, and worked with wood. The gold reminds us of his holiness, his perfection, his purity,
the Aron HaKodesh was overlaid with gold both inside and out. The priest could see the outside of the Ark, but the inside was hidden, It reminds us of our holiness, people can see our outward appearance, but only God can see our inward self, if we are holy outside, are we the same inside? how are we behind doors? when we are alone in our cars? Do we behaive the same when we are alone? or does our language change? are we being honest with ourselves? with Adonai? or just who do we think we are fooling if not? or are we "gold" outside and "junk metal" inside? only you can answer that question
2. THE TABLE OF SHOWBREAD: also made of acacia wood overlaid with gold, also symbolizes Yeshua, both as man and as God, his humanity and his Holiness as both God and man. The table was for "bread of the presence" 12 loaves of bread that would be always on the table, before the presence of Adonai. 12 loaves representing the 12 tribes of Israel, and reminding us of "Yeshua the Bread of Life"
3. THE LAMPSTAND: (The Mennorah) made of pure gold, with 7 branches, "7" being the perfect number, this would be the only source of light inside the tabernacle, the "pure gold" reminds us of who Adonai is, "pure holiness and perfection" and Yeshua who is the "Light of the world" he also told his talmidim (disciples) "Ye are the light of the world" so, WE TOO, are to be "lights" in dark places, reflecting HIS holiness, and sharing, teaching HIS WORD, to those who will listen.
4. THE CURTAINS AND PLANKS for the tabernacle itself, were made of wood, and fine linen of purple, blue, and scarlet yarn. The colors symbolizing, "royalty" (purple) "heaven" (blue) and "the blood" (scarlet) tells us Yeshua's ministry, the "coming KING, who came from HEAVEN, to shed his BLOOD, for our sins. The tabernacle was an enclosed area, to"separate" the common Israelites from the priests, it reminds us of "separation" of the clean from the unclean, the righteous from the unrighteous, evil from good, rebellion from repentance,
5. THE BRAZEN ALTAR: made of acacia wood overlaid with "bronze". This would be for the sacrificing of animals, there would be a grill inside, so, we can imagine it like a huge 7 foot BBQ pit, "bronze" symbolizes "judgment" the symbolism here is "Yeshua" who is represented by the acacia wood, is being "judged" for our sins, in the fires of judgment, the animals being clean and without blemish, symbolize Yeshua, but the blood of these animals could only "cover" sins, but Yeshua's sacrifice "erased" "blotted out" out sins, forever, we are forgiven, but we have to accept his forgiveness personally.
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1 KINGS 5:12-6:13
Here we see King Soloman, who built the first Temple, His father David, had the desire and the ideas, and he was given credit for that, but it was Soloman who built it. We each have a job to do in our life in Messiah Yeshua, the jobs may be different, but they all give glory to God. Some are called to make up blueprints, come up with ideas, others are called to put those ideas together, and still others are called to carry out those ideas. Rav Shaul (Paul) was called to preach, Barnabas was called to support Paul, Soloman also provides employment for thousands of workers, a lot of work to do, for the glory of Adonai.
Today, the temple where Adonai resides is in our own bodies, he lives within us in the form of the Holy Spirit, and he makes himself known when we come together as a Kehilah (congregation) to worship and learn through teaching.
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MATTHEW 5:33-37
Yeshua teaches here, that we should not promise things using "oaths" or "swearing to.."
like many are accustomed to doing, "I swear to God that I'll pay you back by......" or "On my mother's grave, I swear that I'll care for you for ever......" Yeshua says NO, don't do this, how do we know the future? when we use God's name in promises and do not follow through, then we are taking his name in vain, but you say, "I plan to follow through" oh yeah? what make you think you will live to see that day? do you when that day will be? the day of your going home to meet Yeshua in person? it could be "before you follow through with your "oath"
So he says, "just say "yes" or "no" and leave it at that. Better yet, a good answer is, "I'll try to do my best to help you out" or "If the LORD permits, I'll do it" always taking into account the "perfect will of Adonai" in your life.
Shabbat Shalom...................Rabbi Ben Avraham
Exodus 27:20-30:10 (getting ready for praise, worship, and service to god)
SHABBAT SHALOM: Parasha: "Tetzaveh" (you shall command)
EXODUS 27:20-30:10.............EZEKIEL 43:10-27..............PHILIPPIANS 4:10-20
In this Parasha, we see various themes, commands that Adonai gives concerning praise and worship, our relationship with the KING of kings and LORD of lords.
"LIGHTING THE LAMPS" (the menorah) pure olive oil is used to light the lamps (seven) from the evening to the morning, Aaron and his sons would tend to this task. We can look at this from the view point of believers in Messiah Yeshua, that Our Messiah is ALWAYS on the watch, to care for us, when we are asleep from the evening to the morning, HIS light is burning bright, as a "watchman" during the night. The lamps need the olive oil and a wick in each lamp to make them all light. We can look at the oil as the "anointing" of the Ruach Ha Kodesh on our lives, as long as we are connected to the oil, WE as believers can have the Messiah's light, didn't HE himself say, "Ye are the light of the world" (Matt 5:14)
THE VESTMENTS OF THE PRIESTS: another important aspect of worship, every article had a meaning, the stones carved with the names of the tribes of Israel, on the shoulders of the priest, He carried the burden of Israel before Adonai, as Yeshua carried OUR burden before the Father, the burden of sin was HIS to bare, the sin of the whole world, the vestments were made of fine linen of the colors; blue, purple, scarlet, and gold thread was used. We can see these colors in symbolic ways; "blue" reminds us of the sky, the heavens, "purple" the color of royalty, "scarlet" reminds us of the blood Messiah shed, and "gold" reminds us of purity, the purity of Messiah, his life, his blood, his royal priesthood before the Father, and Heaven, our eternal home
THE BREASTPLATE AND EPHOD: very important part of the vestment. Inside the ephod were the "Umim and Thumim" meaning "lights and perfections" or "perfect lights" one can only imagine what these might have been. Some say they were two stones that "lit up" when questions to Adonai were asked, some say it might have been a parchment with the sacred name of God written, the Yod, Hey, Vav, and Hey, and when questions to God were asked, the stones on the breastplate, carved with the names of the tribes of Israel, lit up or glowed, different letters of the names of the tribes of Israel would light up forming "words" these would have to be deciphered by the priest through the guidance of the Holy Spirit, but this is just an idea. We will know for sure what the "Urim and Thumim" were when we are home in heaven. But we know for sure that Yeshua is the LIGHT and he is all about PERFECTION. we as believers are "seen as perfect" and as "light" in the eyes of Adonai through the blood of Messiah, we are "Kadoshim" to Adonai
CONSECRATION OF AARON AND SONS: they were consecrated as "priests" using the following articles: 1 bull, 2 rams, unleavened bread, and oil. What a picture this paints of Messiah Yeshua and us as believer "priests". The bull could symbolize the "strength" of God, as the ancient Hebrew letter "Alef" illustrates. the 2 rams reminds us of Yom Kippur when two goats were used, one to be sacrificed and one to bare the "sins of Israel" but here rams are used, the blood sprinkled on the altar, and also placed on the right ear lobe, the right thumb, and the right toe of Aaron and his sons. We can look at this as the mission of each believer-priest in Messiah: to "Hear" the Word of God, listening to HIS voice, to "Do" his will, doing, performing mitzvoth, and to "walk" in HIS ways. The oil is the "anointing" of the Spirit of God on our lives, and the "unleavened bread" reminds us of "Yeshua the Bread of Life"
DAILY SACRIFICES: also symbolic of Messiah Yeshua, every day, two lambs, fine flour, oil, and wine. Yeshua is the "Lamb of God" who took away the sin of the world with his "blood" (wine) and who is the "bread of life" (fine flour) why 2 lambs? one for the morning and one for the evening. Also the number 2 is the number for a covenant, it takes "2" to make a covenant, one to give the other to receive, "2" in a marriage, the "bride" and the "bridegroom" (reminds us of something? hello?)
THE ALTAR OF INCENSE: made of gold and acacia wood, again, the wood is the humanity of Messiah, and the gold, his purity, the incense is burned and the smoke goes up! reminds us of our prayers, that go "up" to God in the Heavens.
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EZEKIEL 43:10-27
Ezekiel has a vision of the millennial temple, and describes the altar for sacrifices. It will have 4 horns on each corner, and bulls, goats, and rams will be the sacrifices, we see that these are clean animals, and the blood of these animals placed on the 4 horns, in the 4 corners of the altar, we can look at this as the "4 corners of the world, the North, South, East and West, and the blood of Messiah was/is "all sufficient" for people in ALL four corners of the world. We can also look at the 4 horns as a picture of Calvary's cross, Messiah was pierced in his two wrists, the head was crowned with thorns, and the feet were also pierced.
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PHILIPPIANS 4:10-20
We see Rav Shaul commending the believers in Philippi, because of their support for him as a missionary and rabbi-preacher-evangelist. HOWEVER, he also states that he was content in ALL conditions, whether with or without funds, empty or full stomach, He just trusted Adonai for his needs, "I can do ALL things through Messiah who gives me strength" and being content in ALL conditions can only come through God's grace and strength. Are we content in ALL conditions? or...do we sometimes sing this song.........
grumble groan, grumble groan, grumble, grumble, grumble, groan, whine and cry, Wo is me, my oh my, my oh my, If things don't get better, I'll cry and cry! (hope that isn't your song)
SHABBAT SHALOM....................Rabbi Ben Avraham
EX 30:11-34:35 "Various themes" (silver, incense, rebellion, "seeing God" )
PARASHA: "KI-TISA" (When you elevate)
EXODUS 30:11-34:35...............1 KINGS 18:1-39....................1 CORINTHIANS 8:4-13
In this Parasha, we see various themes, I will try and comment a bit on all. First is the "counting of the people". Each person 20 years old and up, was to give one-half shekel of silver, this was to go to the Mishkan, (the tabernacle) so, if you collect 100 shekels of silver (a shekel was a measure of weight) back then, they didn't have coins as such, just pieces of gold, silver, bronze, etc, you would know that 200 people had been counted. Was God against counting "people" as we use the expression "counting heads" or "take a head count" well, King David took a census of the people and he was punished for that. Maybe
it was that Adonai didn't want the people to trust in their "numbers" but to trust in HIM who took them out of Egypt. And the silver contribution allowed the people to contribute to the maintenance of the Mishkan, when pieces wore out, they had to be replaced, this involved everyone. This silver was to be an "offering unto the LORD" we do the same, when we bring our "tithes and offerings" to our places of worship, we give to maintain our places of worship.
THE BRONZE LAVER: was built as a sort of "wash basen" for the priests after performing their sacrifices. Remember that their hands and feet were exposed to the blood was they slaughtered the animals at the brazen altar, before proceeding inside the Mishkan, they were to wash their "hands and feet" so that they would be "clean" upon entering the inner sanctuary, where the Menorah, the table of showbread, and the incense altar were. How can we apply it to our lives? The blood of Messiah was shed at the cross, this allows us to go into the presence of Adonai "clean" without spot, as the price for our sins was paid at the "brazen altar"of judgment.
THE HOLY OIL AND INCENSE: (30:22-38) these items were made especially for anointing and worship within the confines of the Mishkan, but not for the people to take home and use for personal use. It is not to say that today we can't use incense and oil for worship, both public and private, Yes, we can, many do, but not using the exact same ingredients, Many people use frankincense fragrance for incense and olive oil with the scent of frankincense and Myrr. for anointing oil, Many people use incense for "aromatherapy" as it also helps with relaxation and sleep.
BUILDING OF THE TABERNACLE: (31:1-11) Adonai puts wisdom in the hearts (and hands) of different workers to build the furniture of the tabernacle. Today we have the "gifts of the Holy Spirit" that enable us to serve in the body of Messiah, we have been called to different areas, not all can be teachers, rabbis, pastors, but can be involved in music, maintenance, records keeping, prayer warriors, interceders, counselors, etc, we all have a job to do in the Body of Messiah.
THE SABBATH: (31:12-18) Adonai considers this so important for us, that "keeping the Sabbath" is mentioned quite a few times in the Torah, It is time for "rest and worship" separate from the work week. Many now consider "Sunday" as the Sabbath day, but Adonai never changed the Sabbath to Sunday, It is mentioned in Acts that the early church meet together on the first day of the week to break bread, but this was a custom, it was not a "change" as some believe. Actually, the "first day (Sunday) happens when the sun goes down Saturday evening, and three stars appear, the early church celebrated "Havdalah" (saying goodbye to the Sabbath and welcomed the first day, with food fellowship and perhaps Torah study) Every day of the week is good to study the Bible and fellowship, not just the weekends
THE GOLDEN CALF: chap 32: a very time for "Am Israel" so soon did they forget that Adonai would not abandon them, visual "gods" were so engrained into their lives that they felt that they "needed a visual reminder" of God, perhaps the calf was used as it was an Egyptian diety (Hapis) that represented strength , and in the early Hebrew alpha-Bet , the "Aleph" was symbolized by the head of a bull or ox, symbolizing that "El Shaddai was strong, like a bull or ox" needless to say it didn't go over too well with YHVH and Moshe, "THOU SHALT NOT MAKE ANY GRAVEN IMAGES" PERIOD! for Adoani is to be worshipped in "Spirit and in truth" (Ruach v b'Emet), not via statues. A cross, the star of David are NOT images, they are ICONS which remind us of the Nation of Israel and our Messiah's death, but these are NOT to be bowed down to and worshipped.
COVENANT RENEWED: Adonai wanted wipe out all of Israel and start over with Moshe and his family, HOWEVER, Moshe intervened and this was not done. Was it a test? some wonder? would Adonai really destroy his people like that, leaving only Moshe? Yeshua also intervenes before the Father for us, do we some times act "stiff necked" and drive our Heavenly Father crazy with our behavior? Does he not wish sometimes to destroy us? but our hearts still beat. He gives Israel another chance, renews the covenant, gives a new set of commandments, and life goes on, for better or for worse, in Israel's case, it was more "worse" than "better" as history reveals.
LET ME SEE YOUR GLORY! asked Moshe, LORD, I really want to see you, But Adonai says to Moshe "No man can see the face of Adonai and live" but this is talking about his "pure essence" so, Moshe was hidden in the cleft of a rock and the LORD passed by, saying
"The LORD, the LORD merciful and gracious" some wonder why he says "LORD" twice? perhaps for emphasis, maybe he is saying "Alpha and Omega" there is much thought about that. he is merciful, gracious, longsuffering, full of goodness and truth, forgiving sin, .......YET...... not clearing the guilty, punishing sin, but we have to remember UN-REPENTED SIN, He is all loving and forgiving, but HE is also HOLY, and can not allow sin in his presence, and therefore, punishes and condemns all UNREPENTANT sinners, those who reject his love gift of "Salvation" (Yeshuah) through is ONLY BEGOTTEN SON (Yeshua) . If you have not already done so, would you continue to reject this love gift from the Creator of the Universe? Messiah Yeshua receives ALL who come to him in repentance and humbleness of spirit.
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1 KINGS 18:1-39
Elijah is used by God to test the faith of Israel, who were wayward, bowing to Baal, The contest was on, Baal lost, El Shaddai won, and the children of Israel saw "fire fall from Heaven which consumed the sacrifice" what more proof do you want? BUT...blessed are those who "believe" yet do not see some physical proof or evidence. These words came from Yeshua himself, it is easy to see a miracle, a heavenly manifestation, and then believe, but FAITH is all about "believing" and not trusting in something we can physically see.
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1 COR 8:4-13
Rav Shaul talks about "food" many times, believers think that they can not eat certain foods, because of different reasons, whatever the reasons they might be, but as long as they are "God's foods" which are biblically kosher, mentioned in Leviticus 11, we can eat them in any event, or in any occasion. YET Paul is emphasing that if we are around those who are weak in the faith, and refuse to eat certain foods, even if they are kosher, perhaps "wine" because it contains alcohol, or some are vegetarians because they "will not eat anything that has a face" ideology, if we are with them, then, as not to offend them, we should not eat something that will offend them, out of politeness and courtesy, even though we know better,
SHABBAT SHALOM.......Rabbi Ben Avraham
Free Will giving, Let's build God's House! EX 35:1-38:20
]Preview: Free Will giving, Let's build God's House! EX 35:1-38:20
Parasha:VaYAKHEL "and he assembled"
EXODUS: 35:138:20.............1 KINGS 7:13-26, 40-50...............2 COR 9:6-11
In this Parasha, we see the contributions to and the construction of the Mishkan (Tabernacle). Moshe has asked that "who ever was WILLING to bring FREE WILL OFFERINGS to build the tabernacle, which would be the home of Adonai to dwell among his people. the word "Mishkan" comes from the Hebrew root word letters "sh,k,n," (Shakan) One can look at the symbolism of the three Hebrew letters "sh(sheen) K(kaf) and n(noon) which could give us the message "The all consuming fire of Adonai, anoints (his house) for life. His house gives us life, When we come to worship in the house of God, there is life, and there is Yeshua who is the "bread of Life"
The offering of gold, silver, fabrics, etc...came from WILLING AND GIVING hearts of HIS people. God loves a cheerful giver, no one was obligated, people gave because they WANTED to. and so many people gave that Moshe had to say DON'T BRING ANY MORE STUFF we already have enough. (imagine pastors and rabbis saying that today) "Yo people, we have enough for two buildings"
Once the material goods were together, the building project began, Adonai gave the design and the dimensions to Moshe on Sinai, where he was for 40 days and nights,
It is interesting that in every design, we have numbers (how many, and measurements)
every number has symbolic and spiritual meaning, the numbers of the building of the Mishkan are; 28, 4, 5, 50, 11, 30, 6, 10, 20, 40, 2, 8, 16 these are measurements and the number of pieces used. so the Mishkan was all about union and division (2) creation and the world (4) also the letter "D" (dalet) is "4" in Gematria, D=door, there was one "door" of entrance into the tabernacle. (5) is "grace" (50) symbolized by the letter "N" = "life" (11) "judgment" "30" is symbolized by the letter "L" (lamed) which is "teaching" (6) the number of "man" (10) = Torah (law) (20) symbolized by the letter (K) "kaf" which means "anointing" (40) symbolized by the letter "M" (mem) which is "water, people, chaos (Adonai bring order out of chaos)it also symbooiizes trials and testing (8) = new beginning (16) is symbolized by the Hebrew letters "yod" and "vav" (Y and V) (the hand and the nail) WOW, does that remind us of something that occurred 2000 years ago, on Calvary's hill?
The tabernacle is about all of those symbolisms/meanings above, just think about them for a while, the connections will come to you
The most important article was the Ark of the Covenant (HaMishkan) which housed the tablets of the ten commandments, we believe both the second pair of tablets and the broken pieces which Moses broke, which gives us a message that even though we are sinners and we constantly break his commandments, he loved us so much that he made us "anew" giving us a second chance, renewed his relationship with us through YESHUA
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1 KINGS 7:13-26
In these verses we see the construction of the Temple in the time of Melech Shlomo (King Soloman) He brought Hiram, from the city of Tyre, which today is in Lebanon, To this man God gave wisdom to build the temple under the direction of Soloman. Today Adonai gives all believers wisdom and knowledge through Spiritual gifts so that "HaBeit Adonai" (The House of God) can function like a well oiled machine. We all have a part in the "building of God's house" which is his "Kehilah" (congregation, called out believers)
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2 CORINTHIANS 9:6-11
GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER, these verses explain it well, just as the Israelites gave out of bountiful hearts, we also should give cheerfully, not only of our income, but also of our time and spiritual gifts/talents, one ususally thinks only in "money" when "giving" is mentioned, but we also have our "time" how much of our "time" is given to serve God and minister to his people? how are we sharing and giving of our spiritual gifts? Some day, we will all have to give an account of how we gave of these three aspects in our lives.
Shabbat Shalom...................rabbi Ben Avraham
