Post by Admin on Aug 30, 2024 20:20:48 GMT
Every week the Author receives Jewish Messianic Faith articles via email, on Jewish themes of the Torah.
Today we would like to publish one such article in it's entirety and comment upon it for readers.
We note many readers are reading this posted article already. God bless you as you read these comments.
Shabbat Shalom Rob,
This is the portion of Scripture that will be read during Shabbat (Saturday) morning services in synagogues around the world. Enjoy!
Re’eh (See / Behold)
Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17; Shabbat Rosh Chodesh: Isaiah 66:1–24; maftir: Numbers 28:9-15; Matthew 7:7–29
“See (רְאֵה – Re’eh),” says Moses to the people of Israel, “I place before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known.” (Deuteronomy 11:26–28)
Last week in Parasha Eikev, Moses promised the Israelites that if they were obedient to the commands of the Torah, they would prosper in the Promised Land.
This week, as the children of Israel stand poised to cross over into the Jordan, God sets before the people two separate and distinct directions: a way of blessing if they choose to obey God’s commandments and a way of cursing if they choose to walk in disobedience to those laws.
These two directions, the blessing and the curse, are to be proclaimed on two mountaintops in the Land: Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal.
“Now it shall be, when the LORD your God has brought you into the land which you go to possess, that you shall put the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal.” (Deuteronomy 11:29)
Today, Nablus rests between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, the mountains
on which the Israelites were commanded to pronounce the blessings and
curses upon entering the Promised Land. This is also the location of Biblical
Shechem, the place where Abram built an altar to the Lord (Genesis 12:6–8).
Each one of us has been given this same choice to follow Him or not; in fact, the entire direction of our lives depends on which path we choose— the path of His blessing or of His curse.
Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah also told us of two paths — the narrow path that leads to life — and the broad path that leads to destruction. Sadly, it seems that few choose the narrow path. Most walk that broad path of destruction.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14)
Why does Yeshua, who is the Gate to salvation, tell us that the path of blessing is difficult, and that few enter His gate?
Because each day, we have to make hard choices between what our carnal nature desires and what is in alignment with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). To obey God requires that we crucify the desires of our flesh.
“I have been crucified with Messiah. It is no longer I who live, but Messiah who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Sadly, human pride, love of sin, and opposition from spiritual forces of darkness keep many walking the broad path of destruction, preventing them from entering into a life of blessing through obedience to God.
As well, too many new Believers think that coming to faith in Yeshua and living a life of obedience to God are supposed to make all the problems and trials of life disappear.
Yeshua did not promise this. In fact, He assured us that in this life we will have trouble. He Himself was persecuted, as were His followers.
Despite that, we need not be discouraged. We can be of good cheer, joyful in the Lord, for He has overcome the world.
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
(Romans 8:37)
Choosing to obey God’s commandments in times of trouble is not always easy, especially when the whole world seems to be going in a different direction.
Going against the current can take a great deal of exertion and determination — whether for spawning salmon or for people desiring to live a righteous life. It takes effort to swim against the current.
Even simply making the choice to obey God can be excruciatingly painful. Yeshua experienced this in the Garden of Gethsemane when facing the choice to submit to God even to the point of death on the tree.
It was here, in the dark valley of decision that the battle was won, when Yeshua said, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." (Luke 22:42)
This decision was so agonizing for Yeshua that He seemed to sweat drops of blood: “Being in an agony He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:44)
We may not actually sweat drops of blood, but we may come to a crossroad in our lives where we must also decide whether to obey God’s will or to choose our own way — and the cost may seem beyond our ability to bear. But God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us in every circumstance.
For that reason, we must always live with an eternal perspective, not allowing the trials of life to weaken our faith.
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
The Steps on the Path of Blessing
“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” (Deuteronomy 14:2)
This Parasha emphasizes that the path of blessing includes not following false gods or false prophets. All elements of pagan worship must be purged from our lifestyle so that we may be the holy people that God has called us to be.
The narrow way described in Re’eh includes God’s commandments regarding the consumption of clean and unclean animals: “You shall not eat any detestable thing.” (Deuteronomy 14:3)
Although many Christians consider these dietary commands abolished, Yeshua did not support this kind of thinking.
He made this astounding statement:
“Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill …. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17–19)
The path of blessing also includes giving tithes to the Levites, who were dependent on the people for their livelihood:
“You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you.” (Deuteronomy 14:27)
Generosity toward the poor is also important.
God said we are to open our hand and our heart to give to the poor in our land:
“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.” (Deuteronomy 15:7–8)
“You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.” (Deuteronomy 15:10)
Choosing the Path to Eternal Life
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
One of the most important choices each one of us must make is whether or not to receive Yeshua the Messiah as the atonement for all of our sins and through Him receive eternal life.
Our Messianic redemption (liberation / salvation / entrance into eternal life) is not something that we simply read about or hear preached. It is a not-so-distant reality.
When Yeshua returns, He will come on the clouds and every eye will see (Re’eh) Him.
“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7)
This New Covenant Scripture about the Second Coming of the Messiah is founded on several Messianic prophecies in which the Hebrew prophets also foresee Adonai coming with the clouds:
"In my vision at night I looked, and there before me was one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven. He approached the Ancient of Days and was led into his presence.” (Daniel 7:13)
"Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." (Luke 11:28)
Time is short. Yeshua is returning soon.
Today we would like to publish one such article in it's entirety and comment upon it for readers.
We note many readers are reading this posted article already. God bless you as you read these comments.
Shabbat Shalom Rob,
This is the portion of Scripture that will be read during Shabbat (Saturday) morning services in synagogues around the world. Enjoy!
Re’eh (See / Behold)
Deuteronomy 11:26–16:17; Shabbat Rosh Chodesh: Isaiah 66:1–24; maftir: Numbers 28:9-15; Matthew 7:7–29
“See (רְאֵה – Re’eh),” says Moses to the people of Israel, “I place before you today a blessing and a curse: the blessing, if you obey the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you today; and the curse, if you do not obey the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside from the way which I command you today, to go after other gods which you have not known.” (Deuteronomy 11:26–28)
Last week in Parasha Eikev, Moses promised the Israelites that if they were obedient to the commands of the Torah, they would prosper in the Promised Land.
This week, as the children of Israel stand poised to cross over into the Jordan, God sets before the people two separate and distinct directions: a way of blessing if they choose to obey God’s commandments and a way of cursing if they choose to walk in disobedience to those laws.
These two directions, the blessing and the curse, are to be proclaimed on two mountaintops in the Land: Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal.
“Now it shall be, when the LORD your God has brought you into the land which you go to possess, that you shall put the blessing on Mount Gerizim and the curse on Mount Ebal.” (Deuteronomy 11:29)
Today, Nablus rests between Mount Gerizim and Mount Ebal, the mountains
on which the Israelites were commanded to pronounce the blessings and
curses upon entering the Promised Land. This is also the location of Biblical
Shechem, the place where Abram built an altar to the Lord (Genesis 12:6–8).
Each one of us has been given this same choice to follow Him or not; in fact, the entire direction of our lives depends on which path we choose— the path of His blessing or of His curse.
Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah also told us of two paths — the narrow path that leads to life — and the broad path that leads to destruction. Sadly, it seems that few choose the narrow path. Most walk that broad path of destruction.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matthew 7:13–14)
Why does Yeshua, who is the Gate to salvation, tell us that the path of blessing is difficult, and that few enter His gate?
Rob replies : That is a hard question. Most people see Jesus and thus choose to live with Jesus under the Cain Covenant, or the Mount Sinai Covenant, or the Old Covenant. And living under this old covenant is all about human pious doings of the law and our human powers of endeavor which means nothing to the Lord. Like Israel of old "we do what is right in our own eyes (Judges 17:6).
Here is the verse where Israel chose to live by their own human effort to "do".
Ex 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do.
Sadly most people see obeying the Ten Commandments and other teachings in Scripture as things we do using human powers. And GOD did not remove human powers, since the people wanted it this way, gave Israel plenty of human works in which Israel could "establish their own righteousness before the Lord" :
Ro 10:3 For they being ignorant of God's righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God.
God has not choice but to deal with people in the world view they are stuck with and hope in time and influence enough to persuade them to change their world view and see a different world view of salvation through God, that means everything to God. But sadly many people refuse to change, so what else could God do? Out of the millions saved from Egypt in the Exodus, how many were saved alive to enter the promised land of Israel? Only two, Joshua and Caleb. All the rest died in their sins.
Consider one such human endeavor, to circumcise human male flesh.
However God also told Israel to do a different kind of circumcision:
De 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiffnecked.
Question: How does the human circumcise the tissue bag around the heart and still live?
Answer: Now we have moved into a new covenant that is based on faith, because this kind of doing is based entirely on Divine Power.
Because each day, we have to make hard choices between what our carnal nature desires and what is in alignment with the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). To obey God requires that we crucify the desires of our flesh.
“I have been crucified with Messiah. It is no longer I who live, but Messiah who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20)
Rob replies: How hard is it to claim a precious promise through faith in Jesus and receive Divine Power to do things our carnal nature would normally choose to do, but because we asked for this Divine Power, we do something totally Divine in Christ?
It is extremely hard to ask and pray in your mind, but really easy to achieve, because Jesus Divine Power does what you asked for specifically.
For example, if I do not ask, I will choose foods that are dysfunctional, laced with sugar, or GMO false god endeavor, or foods unclean and thus not healthy to eat.
However if I pray this quick precious promise "Lord let me eat foods that are functional"
or "Lead me not into temptation" we will eat foods only that a naturally functional.
Sadly, human pride, love of sin, and opposition from spiritual forces of darkness keep many walking the broad path of destruction, preventing them from entering into a life of blessing through obedience to God.
As well, too many new Believers think that coming to faith in Yeshua and living a life of obedience to God are supposed to make all the problems and trials of life disappear.
Yeshua did not promise this. In fact, He assured us that in this life we will have trouble. He Himself was persecuted, as were His followers.
Despite that, we need not be discouraged. We can be of good cheer, joyful in the Lord, for He has overcome the world.
Rob: Claiming "Lord hedge me with your angels care" or "Be a shield and guard for me" or other "precious promises", God promises to protect us. It is true we may be troubled because others around us do not like love demonstrated before them. We can claim precious promises like "O Lord let these troubles fall like straw".
It is important that we read Scripture to seek "precious promises" in them so we can "take takings as words to say them to Jesus our Saviour", in times of specific need (Hosea 14:2).
“I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33)
"In all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us."
(Romans 8:37)
Choosing to obey God’s commandments in times of trouble is not always easy, especially when the whole world seems to be going in a different direction.
Going against the current can take a great deal of exertion and determination — whether for spawning salmon or for people desiring to live a righteous life. It takes effort to swim against the current.
Rob replies: We have found claiming "precious promises" via faith in Jesus and appropriating the Divine Powers to ourselves, is really easy to achieve. The hard bit is to ask, to allow the mind to reason and ask. Instead we forget to ask because we are happy and thus we become exalted in our heart. And yes often our minds "take effort to swim against the current".
Ho 13:6 According to their pasture, so were they filled; they were filled, and their heart was exalted; therefore have they forgotten me.
This verse is a curse to the supporter of GOD because unless we give away our love, we become selfish from that love, because we do not give such loving away. This is an important principle to learn.
Even simply making the choice to obey God can be excruciatingly painful. Yeshua experienced this in the Garden of Gethsemane when facing the choice to submit to God even to the point of death on the tree.
It was here, in the dark valley of decision that the battle was won, when Yeshua said, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from Me; yet not My will, but Yours be done." (Luke 22:42)
This decision was so agonizing for Yeshua that He seemed to sweat drops of blood: “Being in an agony He prayed more earnestly; and His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” (Luke 22:44)
Rob replies: "Yes choosing in our minds, to ask of the Father can be hard, especially if you ask for something with far reaching consequences as Jesus our Saviour did.
Here is a far reaching "precious promise" we claimed, that took decades of years to receive blessings from:
Ac 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.
This "precious promise" says if you are saved, you will also save your family as well. I might have seem this with my Dad, while God cannot force salvation upon you, we can ask for a Divine Influence over our family as we daily seek Divinity via faith.
We may not actually sweat drops of blood, but we may come to a crossroad in our lives where we must also decide whether to obey God’s will or to choose our own way — and the cost may seem beyond our ability to bear. But God has promised that His grace is sufficient for us in every circumstance.
Choosing to obey God will lead to blessing; however, we may not receive our full reward until Heaven.
Rob replies: Notice the reward of the thief on the cross, dying slowly from crucifixion.
Lu 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.
Because the thief spoke a "precious promise", he was rewarded immediately with paradise, because of his faith.
Lu 23:42 And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom.
Notice Paradise is a Person as well as a Place. The Person is greater than the Place, for once you sow a "precious promise" by faith, you receive the Divine Power of Jesus immediately, because your asking is also of an immediate need. The verse is not saying the dead thief was raised to live with Jesus as a Person and a Place in heaven. No the thief received the Person immediately and was therefore in paradise. Faith is about hope as well, so the Place will follow later.
Living by faith in Jesus Divine Power is actually "heaven on earth" and why would anyone give up in the precious power of His Name flowing through us today, right now every day as a seedling bearing His precious fruits in us, because we asked for this?
For that reason, we must always live with an eternal perspective, not allowing the trials of life to weaken our faith.
Rob: Sadly I read "faith" here as something not what the torah teaches. Faith is not a lonely journey on your own trusting in the merits of your Saviour. FAITH is the daily journey of walking in His Divine powers every day, with an active Saviour and an active supporter of His Saviour, a human who asks for specific promises of power for specific needs as they journey together on the road of living. Such living is fantastic and powerful, full of Jesus love !
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.” (James 1:12)
The Steps on the Path of Blessing
“For you are a holy people to the LORD your God, and the LORD has chosen you to be a people for Himself, a special treasure above all the peoples who are on the face of the earth.” (Deuteronomy 14:2)
This Parasha emphasizes that the path of blessing includes not following false gods or false prophets. All elements of pagan worship must be purged from our lifestyle so that we may be the holy people that God has called us to be.
The narrow way described in Re’eh includes God’s commandments regarding the consumption of clean and unclean animals: “You shall not eat any detestable thing.” (Deuteronomy 14:3)
Although many Christians consider these dietary commands abolished, Yeshua did not support this kind of thinking.
He made this astounding statement:
“Don’t assume that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill …. Therefore, whoever breaks one of the least of these commands and teaches people to do so will be called least in the kingdom of heaven. But whoever practices and teaches these commands will be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:17–19)
Rob: Yes, today we are experiencing food far more unclean due to parasites and mirco organisms doing dysfunction in the food, we have god-move-over foods totally engineered by man pretending to know more than our Creator. These GMO foods are dangerous and bad for your health.
The Scriptures teach this principle
De 22:9 Thou shalt not sow thy vineyard with divers seeds: lest the fruit of thy seed which thou hast sown, and the fruit of thy vineyard, be defiled.
This Hebrew word is only used twice
Le 19:19 ¶ Ye shall keep my statutes. Thou shalt not let thy cattle gender with a diverse kind: thou shalt not sow thy field with mingled seed: neither shall a garment mingled of linen and woollen come upon thee.
This cannot refer to hybrids, for hybrids are natural but selective breeding. Such a natural example would be forcing a lion to mate with a leopard, or a sheep with a goat.
Or as scientists can do now, forcing the genes of bacteria to express themselves inside the genes of corn plants.
Notice the term expressed by the messages of God given to Mrs White
But if there was one sin above another which called for the destruction of the race by the flood, it was the base crime of amalgamation of man and beast which defaced the image of God, and caused confusion everywhere. God purposed to destroy by a flood that powerful, long-lived race that had corrupted their ways before him.—Spiritual Gifts 3:64.
Amalgamation is the process of forcing genes from one species into the genes of another species, what science calls today Genetically Modified Organisms.
We are becoming like the noble science humans achieved before the Great Flood.
Such people also engineered Genetically Modified Humans as well.
The path of blessing also includes giving tithes to the Levites, who were dependent on the people for their livelihood:
“You shall not forsake the Levite who is within your gates, for he has no part nor inheritance with you.” (Deuteronomy 14:27)
Generosity toward the poor is also important.
God said we are to open our hand and our heart to give to the poor in our land:
“If there is among you a poor man of your brethren, within any of the gates in your land which the LORD your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart nor shut your hand from your poor brother, but you shall open your hand wide to him and willingly lend him sufficient for his need, whatever he needs.” (Deuteronomy 15:7–8)
Prosperity and financial blessing are not simply the result of working hard. Neither is it owed to us because we are Believers.
Rob" One gets the impression that our doing here is based on human endeavor, not faith in Jesus.
It is dependent upon exercising the spiritual principles of sowing and reaping. As we give, it will be given back to us (Luke 6:38).
Rob: Yes this is principle is outlined in Hosea 13:6.
God will bless us as we sow generous seeds in giving to the poor and to God’s faithful servants.
Rob: We would say "Lord you are my provider, (Exodus 20:2) Now let me be a provider for others, as you have to me"
“You shall surely give to him, and your heart should not be grieved when you give to him, because for this thing the LORD your God will bless you in all your works and in all to which you put your hand.” (Deuteronomy 15:10)
Choosing the Path to Eternal Life
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed." (Isaiah 53:5)
One of the most important choices each one of us must make is whether or not to receive Yeshua the Messiah as the atonement for all of our sins and through Him receive eternal life.
Our Messianic redemption (liberation / salvation / entrance into eternal life) is not something that we simply read about or hear preached. It is a not-so-distant reality.
When Yeshua returns, He will come on the clouds and every eye will see (Re’eh) Him.
“Behold, He is coming with the clouds, and every eye will see Him, even those who pierced Him; and all the tribes of the earth will mourn over Him. So it is to be. Amen.” (Revelation 1:7)
This New Covenant Scripture about the Second Coming of the Messiah is founded on several Messianic prophecies in which the Hebrew prophets also foresee Adonai coming with the clouds:
“A prophecy against Egypt: See, Adonai [YHVH] rides on a swift cloud and is coming to Egypt. The idols of Egypt tremble before Him, and the hearts of the Egyptians melt with fear.” (Isaiah 19:1)
Rob: Nice verse
Rob: Nice verse
One day, we will all see the Son of man coming on the clouds with great power and glory! Until that day comes, may we choose to faithfully and diligently walk on the path of blessing, keeping His commandments and teaching others to do the same.
Rob: The Hebrew word "shamar" meaning "keep" actually means to "process".
For more on this see:
"Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it." (Luke 11:28)
Time is short. Yeshua is returning soon.
Shabbat Shalom from the Entire Bibles For Israel Family!
Rob replies: Yes shalom, let us live in paradise today. Experience Divine Power flowing in you today, because you asked for this. Amen