The other day I was responding to a friends Facebook post, after one of my responses my friend sent me a private message requesting that I try to refrain from “diatribe” others. Well I needed to look this word up. Well here was the definition “A forceful and bitter verbal attack against someone or something”.
So as I sit here writing this the though that came to my mind was how Jesus reacted at the Temple and if he were to come today what would his reactions be towards those who claim he is the “New Covenant”
Let me step back and explain what started this, entire thing one person made a reference to the Jewish people wearing a Veil of non acceptance of Jesus as the Messiah and try as she might my friend was not going to remove this Veil from their eyes. In my attempt to explain to this person that Jesus did not come to save the Jewish people but to bring the words of the Living God to the rest of the Gentile world and that Jesus himself followed the Torah taught and preached it to his death, although I may have overreacted a little (yes read Sarcasm). This person then made the response that he has never read the Torah. (Read LMAO).
The more I though about that comment I though how sad for several reasons, that I must explain what the Torah is. First that in your many years of attending Church or Sunday school he has never received any knowledge of what the Torah actually is or even the word, and secondly you are sitting here writing a response to someone on FaceBook and refuse to not at least do a Google search on the word Torah.
So after a lengthy explanation of just what the Torah was and for those of you who think they may have never read it (read Sarcasm) it is the First 5 Books of the Bible. He responded back to me with well that was what happened then and now we are under a “New Covenant”, Paul being the Apostle to the Gentile told us we didn’t have to follow the Torah Law, that in Jesus offering for our Sins he completed the Covenant of Torah.
Well I got to thinking about that statement; those of you who know me or have read any of my material can imagine what I was then thinking of this person’s ignorance. All that aside I called Rick who I count on when I seek information from the New Testament because he has read thought the Bible many times beginning to end, something I will admit I am guilty of not completing. Like Rick I am a RED letter person, although the writings of Peter, James, and yes even Paul’s have there place. They are not the words of Jesus.
Now that I have established the reason let me then try to expense just what this so called “NEW COVENANT” is really all about. Let’s start with defining what a Covenant is. “A covenant is a solemn agreement to engage in or refrain from a specified action. It is commonly found in religious contexts, where it refers to sacred agreements between God and human beings. It may also refer to a formal alliance or agreement made by God with a religious community or with humanity in general. An example of a covenant relationship in Judaism and Christianity is that between Abraham and God, in which God made a covenant with Abraham that He would bless Abraham's descendants making them more numerous than the stars:
In doing my research for this Article I did a Bible search for the word Covenant the search raveled that the word Covenant appears 250 times in the King James Version. Of those 250 appearances not once does this word appear in the New Testament. That being the case how then does Christianity arrive at the theology of this New Covenant theory?
In order to rebuke this Theology I will start with the second Covenant God made with Man. This man was Abraham. Beginning with Chapter 15 through the end of Chapter 17, In Chapter 15 we see God telling Abraham to bring before him a three year old heifer, a three year old she goat, a three year old ram, a turtledove, and a young bird. Abraham then cuts the animals in 2 pieces God comes down with fire and consumes them. Thus we see the first Sacrifices to God, creating the covenant of Physical Sacrifice for all time between Abraham’s entire household both Home born Slave or bought were circumcised on that day.
So two things unfold in this covenant, the ritual of Sacrifice and the Circumcision both parts are required for any man who desires to be considered as part of the Covenant of Abraham. God also reveled to Abraham in Chapter 15 that his descendants will be enslaved and he would redeem them form there captives, and bring them forth to live in the land he promised to Abraham.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX. If you have been following our Articles and you happened to miss one or two please feel free to read them on our Blog at http://thelightinchristministry.blogspot.com/ also you can find the Ten Sefirot and the meanings for further reference as needed. If we haven’t posted a missed article please e-mail at bbrody1306@aol.com or call me at 903-819-6777.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Thursday, October 28, 2010
What Do We Miss? 1
Last time I left off with some serious questions about how you live and whose directions you follow for that life. Reading the letters from Paul I can see the confusion he must create in some Christians lives who see the contradictions within those words.
I would like to take a closer look at the disciple’s lives and their teachings. First of all, do you ever stop to think about why Jesus would have chosen the 12 men he choose? Why 12 normal under educated Jewish men? Why didn’t he choose 12 Pharisees or Sadducees? There are greater soulful reasons than I will get into today.
What I do wish to discuss here is how they lived their lives, they followed the Torah, raised in its word, wore tzitzit on the corners of their garments (Tallis or Prayer Shaw) followed the Shabbat did no work on the Lord’s Day, praised him and gave to those who were needy. Three times a year went to the Temple with there Sin offerings. Lived a life of simple means like you and I do going to work to provide for our families needs while helping those who are less fortunate then us I hope. Gave their 10% to the Levites as prescribed in the Torah and every seven years released those who owed them anything.
In addressing the differences we go to the book of Acts. First look at Peter’s vision about the issue with food. Peter had never dined with the Gentiles in his life. He had never eaten any of the foods that were no clean as denoted by the Torah. It is considered a Sin to eat Pork, Shrimp or of any animal that does not have a split hoof or crawls across the bottom of the sea. Jesus explains to him in this vision that through his Sin offering he has returned us back to the words in Genesis where God told Adam he created all animals for our consumption. I have always had questions over this conflict. First we are given the direction we are able to eat of any animal. Then when we get to the desert God had changed the game plan. So hear we see God separating the People of Israel from the rest of the world through all these directions.
Here’s the conflict, Jesus informed Peter in this vision that in His Sin offering these items are now clean again. Paul on the other hand claims that Peter is a hypocrite because he requires Gentile converts to follow Torah scripture by wearing Tzitzit on the corners of their garments, and binding them for a sign upon their hand and for frontlets between thine eyes (Tefflin) and becoming circumcised.
Peter and John still continue to follow the directions of Jesus given during their years spent with him. We have no way of knowing just all the things Jesus taught the disciples during his time with them all we have to go on are the words that were written and published in the texts that were left behind.
Paul on the other hand not having spent any time with Jesus during his life time takes the opposite direction, and educated man and he goes on to preach that since he is a Jew he must follow these commandments and Gentiles only being graphed in to the family of God need not follow the Torah Commandments. Acceptance of Jesus as your Sin offering then releases you of those Commandments.
Like today it is the general consensus and belief that when Moses received the written word from HaShem he also received the Oral Law (Talmud) Paul was one of these Jewish men who was raised that the Oral Law was as much a part of the Torah as the written words. When I attempted to post this question “Why do we follow the Talmudic Law which relieves us from giving our 10% to the Levites, there is justification by the Rabbi’s written in the Talmud that we not continue this practice. Yet the Torah states 3 times that it is considered a Sin if we refuse to care for the Levite amongst you”. HaShem didn’t tell Moses by the way this only pertains if you’re in the Land I will give to you, no he was quite clear that this was to happen where ever they carried the name of HaShem.
So the Rabbi’s way around that was to honor the Levite with the first and last readings of the Torah during the services. It is the Levite that is given the Honor to remove the Torah from the Ark, carry it around and return it to the Ark. This is how the Talmud gives tribute to the Levite that’s a far stretch from handing over 10% of your income to this group of people.
Isn’t that the same way of thinking Paul uses in his justifications, because I am a Jew I must do these things but you as a Gentile believer who have Accepted Jesus as your Sin offering are relieved from doing so?
Yet my question from a past article still stands, doesn’t one need to know what a Sin in God’s eyes was in order to be released from it an offer a Sacrifice to the Adonai for it?
So I pose this to you, the reader, open your eyes and step back look at Paul’s writings from the perspective I have just offered draw your own conclusions with the help of the Holy Spirit. Go to the Torah and find out what HaShem considers a Sin, find out just what you have agreed to accept Jesus to cleanse you from.
The Lord Bless you and protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
I would like to take a closer look at the disciple’s lives and their teachings. First of all, do you ever stop to think about why Jesus would have chosen the 12 men he choose? Why 12 normal under educated Jewish men? Why didn’t he choose 12 Pharisees or Sadducees? There are greater soulful reasons than I will get into today.
What I do wish to discuss here is how they lived their lives, they followed the Torah, raised in its word, wore tzitzit on the corners of their garments (Tallis or Prayer Shaw) followed the Shabbat did no work on the Lord’s Day, praised him and gave to those who were needy. Three times a year went to the Temple with there Sin offerings. Lived a life of simple means like you and I do going to work to provide for our families needs while helping those who are less fortunate then us I hope. Gave their 10% to the Levites as prescribed in the Torah and every seven years released those who owed them anything.
In addressing the differences we go to the book of Acts. First look at Peter’s vision about the issue with food. Peter had never dined with the Gentiles in his life. He had never eaten any of the foods that were no clean as denoted by the Torah. It is considered a Sin to eat Pork, Shrimp or of any animal that does not have a split hoof or crawls across the bottom of the sea. Jesus explains to him in this vision that through his Sin offering he has returned us back to the words in Genesis where God told Adam he created all animals for our consumption. I have always had questions over this conflict. First we are given the direction we are able to eat of any animal. Then when we get to the desert God had changed the game plan. So hear we see God separating the People of Israel from the rest of the world through all these directions.
Here’s the conflict, Jesus informed Peter in this vision that in His Sin offering these items are now clean again. Paul on the other hand claims that Peter is a hypocrite because he requires Gentile converts to follow Torah scripture by wearing Tzitzit on the corners of their garments, and binding them for a sign upon their hand and for frontlets between thine eyes (Tefflin) and becoming circumcised.
Peter and John still continue to follow the directions of Jesus given during their years spent with him. We have no way of knowing just all the things Jesus taught the disciples during his time with them all we have to go on are the words that were written and published in the texts that were left behind.
Paul on the other hand not having spent any time with Jesus during his life time takes the opposite direction, and educated man and he goes on to preach that since he is a Jew he must follow these commandments and Gentiles only being graphed in to the family of God need not follow the Torah Commandments. Acceptance of Jesus as your Sin offering then releases you of those Commandments.
Like today it is the general consensus and belief that when Moses received the written word from HaShem he also received the Oral Law (Talmud) Paul was one of these Jewish men who was raised that the Oral Law was as much a part of the Torah as the written words. When I attempted to post this question “Why do we follow the Talmudic Law which relieves us from giving our 10% to the Levites, there is justification by the Rabbi’s written in the Talmud that we not continue this practice. Yet the Torah states 3 times that it is considered a Sin if we refuse to care for the Levite amongst you”. HaShem didn’t tell Moses by the way this only pertains if you’re in the Land I will give to you, no he was quite clear that this was to happen where ever they carried the name of HaShem.
So the Rabbi’s way around that was to honor the Levite with the first and last readings of the Torah during the services. It is the Levite that is given the Honor to remove the Torah from the Ark, carry it around and return it to the Ark. This is how the Talmud gives tribute to the Levite that’s a far stretch from handing over 10% of your income to this group of people.
Isn’t that the same way of thinking Paul uses in his justifications, because I am a Jew I must do these things but you as a Gentile believer who have Accepted Jesus as your Sin offering are relieved from doing so?
Yet my question from a past article still stands, doesn’t one need to know what a Sin in God’s eyes was in order to be released from it an offer a Sacrifice to the Adonai for it?
So I pose this to you, the reader, open your eyes and step back look at Paul’s writings from the perspective I have just offered draw your own conclusions with the help of the Holy Spirit. Go to the Torah and find out what HaShem considers a Sin, find out just what you have agreed to accept Jesus to cleanse you from.
The Lord Bless you and protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Sunday, October 24, 2010
What Do We Miss?
I have been having somewhat of a dilemma lately, I have been wondering and contemplating on why most people place so much emphasis on formal Education.
As I have been looking into many aspects of this it has come to my attention that in Paul’s letter to the Church in Philippi Chapter 3 he makes a compelling argument over Formal Education vs. Knowledge of Torah and what it means to be educated in the following of the Lord’s directions.
Verse 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. The Law that Paul is referring to is the Oral Laws along with the Torah Laws. A good example of how he was unable to separate the two.
8) Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9) and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith
The statements Paul makes here are very telling about his feelings towards the Education he had received. In his formal training he was taught that there is no separation between the Oral Laws (Talmud) and the Torah (Written Laws). Much like it is taught to this day when obtaining a formal Jewish Education that there is not separation between the Written and Oral Laws.
In the absence of the Temple Jewish Culture today takes it’s directions from the Oral Law (Talmud). A Rabbinical set of Directions based on the Oral Law (Talmud) which is a derived set of instructions based on mans interpretations of the Written Law (Torah).
If we look back on the argument Paul had with Peter and John in Acts over circumcision he portrays this same way of thinking, it is not the law that makes a man righteous but his actions. Let us look back at the people of Israel in the desert the only thing the Lord asked of them was to follow his directions faithfully. First of all let’s look at why they were required to walk the desert for 40 years. Moses sends out 12 spies and they report back to him that the land is filled with people who will destroy them. So this is the first place where the people loose faith in God. He has just brought them out of bondage from Egypt and they still question his power. So they are forced to wonder the desert till that whole generation is gone, then a faithful new generation one who has lived a life solely dependant on God, are now allowed to enter into the promised land.
In the end of Verse 9 Paul admits that our righteousness can only be found through our Faithfulness to God.
Let’s look at Peter and John now. Not Pharisees fishermen by trade, Jewish men who had been raised in the word of Torah. To me these men represent the generation allowed to enter the Promised Land a generation who had faith in God and followed his directions through Torah.
When Jesus is questioned about the greatest commandment his answer was to Love the Lord your God with all you heart, this is a direction found in Deuteronomy 6.5. He also instructs them to Love thy Neighbor as thy self. Another direction found in Torah Why do we not see these as necessary directions we need to be following? The Torah is God’s directions for our lives we don’t have the right to pick and choose which ones we will follow and which to disallow.
A good example of this might be the story of the men who were about to stone the women, Jesus’ response was let he who is without sin cast the first stone, all then left. So the Torah tells us to stone those who commit a sin against the Torah, yet how do we follow through on these directions if we are yet sinful? I think the point Jesus made was a perfect example of literally following the Torah, how do we humans condemn others when we are sinful ourselves. Condemnation is God’s and his alone. God set out Guidelines for us to follow, and in our sinful nature he has given us a way to seek his forgiveness for our actions towards others.
So I leave you with these questions today. What do you Miss if you accept the Torah and God’s direction contained within the Torah as rubbish and follow Paul’s logic that in Jesus the Law is complete? Do you know what the Disciples knew pertaining to what a Sin Sacrifice was in a Jewish persons Life?
Are you trusting God in Faith and doing as he has instructed in Torah?
The Lord Bless you and protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX. If you have been following our articles and you happened to miss one or two please feel free to read them on our Blog at http://thelightinchristministry.blogspot.com/. Also you can find the Ten Sefirot and the meanings for further reference as needed. If we haven’t posted a missed article please e-mail at bbrody1306@aol.com or call me at 903-819-6777.
As I have been looking into many aspects of this it has come to my attention that in Paul’s letter to the Church in Philippi Chapter 3 he makes a compelling argument over Formal Education vs. Knowledge of Torah and what it means to be educated in the following of the Lord’s directions.
Verse 6 concerning zeal, persecuting the church; concerning the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. The Law that Paul is referring to is the Oral Laws along with the Torah Laws. A good example of how he was unable to separate the two.
8) Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ
9) and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith
The statements Paul makes here are very telling about his feelings towards the Education he had received. In his formal training he was taught that there is no separation between the Oral Laws (Talmud) and the Torah (Written Laws). Much like it is taught to this day when obtaining a formal Jewish Education that there is not separation between the Written and Oral Laws.
In the absence of the Temple Jewish Culture today takes it’s directions from the Oral Law (Talmud). A Rabbinical set of Directions based on the Oral Law (Talmud) which is a derived set of instructions based on mans interpretations of the Written Law (Torah).
If we look back on the argument Paul had with Peter and John in Acts over circumcision he portrays this same way of thinking, it is not the law that makes a man righteous but his actions. Let us look back at the people of Israel in the desert the only thing the Lord asked of them was to follow his directions faithfully. First of all let’s look at why they were required to walk the desert for 40 years. Moses sends out 12 spies and they report back to him that the land is filled with people who will destroy them. So this is the first place where the people loose faith in God. He has just brought them out of bondage from Egypt and they still question his power. So they are forced to wonder the desert till that whole generation is gone, then a faithful new generation one who has lived a life solely dependant on God, are now allowed to enter into the promised land.
In the end of Verse 9 Paul admits that our righteousness can only be found through our Faithfulness to God.
Let’s look at Peter and John now. Not Pharisees fishermen by trade, Jewish men who had been raised in the word of Torah. To me these men represent the generation allowed to enter the Promised Land a generation who had faith in God and followed his directions through Torah.
When Jesus is questioned about the greatest commandment his answer was to Love the Lord your God with all you heart, this is a direction found in Deuteronomy 6.5. He also instructs them to Love thy Neighbor as thy self. Another direction found in Torah Why do we not see these as necessary directions we need to be following? The Torah is God’s directions for our lives we don’t have the right to pick and choose which ones we will follow and which to disallow.
A good example of this might be the story of the men who were about to stone the women, Jesus’ response was let he who is without sin cast the first stone, all then left. So the Torah tells us to stone those who commit a sin against the Torah, yet how do we follow through on these directions if we are yet sinful? I think the point Jesus made was a perfect example of literally following the Torah, how do we humans condemn others when we are sinful ourselves. Condemnation is God’s and his alone. God set out Guidelines for us to follow, and in our sinful nature he has given us a way to seek his forgiveness for our actions towards others.
So I leave you with these questions today. What do you Miss if you accept the Torah and God’s direction contained within the Torah as rubbish and follow Paul’s logic that in Jesus the Law is complete? Do you know what the Disciples knew pertaining to what a Sin Sacrifice was in a Jewish persons Life?
Are you trusting God in Faith and doing as he has instructed in Torah?
The Lord Bless you and protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX. If you have been following our articles and you happened to miss one or two please feel free to read them on our Blog at http://thelightinchristministry.blogspot.com/. Also you can find the Ten Sefirot and the meanings for further reference as needed. If we haven’t posted a missed article please e-mail at bbrody1306@aol.com or call me at 903-819-6777.
Loving your neighbor as Thyself
Today being 2 days before Yom Kippur the Day of Atonement I was reading an Article written by a Rabbi about how this day can effect our life. A very interesting point came to mind through his words, he explained as most of us know that Jesus’ biggest point was to “Love your neighbor as Thyself”
Well that got me thinking about how we Love ourselves, in all that it means for us to love each other. I got to thinking of all the time I spent in therapy trying to figure out what went wrong with my first marriage. I realized that most of what had happened was because I had this screwed up idea of what it was to love me. What I learned through that experience is that you need to Love who you are before you can Love anyone else.
So now it comes down to how we love ourselves, in our culture today we effectively try to buy our way into happiness. Most of us are of the belief that if we have this House, Car, Computer, or Cell Phone these thing will make us happy. This for a lot of us has become the way we show Love for ourselves. What are we thinking?
This is our mindset when we go about the task of Loving our Neighbor as Ourselves. We then start to think of this in those terms.
Even if we look at this during the time of Jesus, what was so different? The people of that time period were still all about what they could gain from others.
Today in the United States we have Politicians who are trying to take money from one group and share it with those who have less. This to them is there twisted concept of Loving our Neighbor as Ourselves. The problem with those people is the wealth they have generated is kept for them. They are instant that we share ours with other, while refusing to practice that which they preach.
One of the things Jesus made a point of was that it was important not to just give someone some thing but to teach them how to earn it themselves. Most people in this world are very proud and it really takes a lot to swallow that pride and seek help, they are not looking for hand outs but a way to feel productive and earn for their own benefit. All they wish for is a way to earn the support to provide for their own needs. In the United States we have created a culture of Children who would rather collect a check from the government then go out and earn an honest days pay. How sad of a statement when all we are doing is breading a group of people that feel they are entitled to reap the benefits of another’s hard work.
So in all this maybe, this Yom Kippur we really need to take a good hard look at our own personnel way we Love ourselves, so to better qualify ourselves to Love our Neighbor truly as Thyself.
The Lord Bless you and protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX. If you have been following our articles and you happened to miss one or two please feel free to read them on our Blog at http://thelightinchristministry.blogspot.com/. Also you can find the Ten Sefirot and the meanings for further reference as needed. If we haven’t posted a missed article please e-mail at bbrody1306@aol.com or call me at 903-819-6777.
Well that got me thinking about how we Love ourselves, in all that it means for us to love each other. I got to thinking of all the time I spent in therapy trying to figure out what went wrong with my first marriage. I realized that most of what had happened was because I had this screwed up idea of what it was to love me. What I learned through that experience is that you need to Love who you are before you can Love anyone else.
So now it comes down to how we love ourselves, in our culture today we effectively try to buy our way into happiness. Most of us are of the belief that if we have this House, Car, Computer, or Cell Phone these thing will make us happy. This for a lot of us has become the way we show Love for ourselves. What are we thinking?
This is our mindset when we go about the task of Loving our Neighbor as Ourselves. We then start to think of this in those terms.
Even if we look at this during the time of Jesus, what was so different? The people of that time period were still all about what they could gain from others.
Today in the United States we have Politicians who are trying to take money from one group and share it with those who have less. This to them is there twisted concept of Loving our Neighbor as Ourselves. The problem with those people is the wealth they have generated is kept for them. They are instant that we share ours with other, while refusing to practice that which they preach.
One of the things Jesus made a point of was that it was important not to just give someone some thing but to teach them how to earn it themselves. Most people in this world are very proud and it really takes a lot to swallow that pride and seek help, they are not looking for hand outs but a way to feel productive and earn for their own benefit. All they wish for is a way to earn the support to provide for their own needs. In the United States we have created a culture of Children who would rather collect a check from the government then go out and earn an honest days pay. How sad of a statement when all we are doing is breading a group of people that feel they are entitled to reap the benefits of another’s hard work.
So in all this maybe, this Yom Kippur we really need to take a good hard look at our own personnel way we Love ourselves, so to better qualify ourselves to Love our Neighbor truly as Thyself.
The Lord Bless you and protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX. If you have been following our articles and you happened to miss one or two please feel free to read them on our Blog at http://thelightinchristministry.blogspot.com/. Also you can find the Ten Sefirot and the meanings for further reference as needed. If we haven’t posted a missed article please e-mail at bbrody1306@aol.com or call me at 903-819-6777.
THE BLESSINGS
I had a conversation with a young friend a few weeks ago over a commentary written in the Zohor by the author of the sacred writings. In this conversation, the commentary spoke of the Levites and how they were supposed to keep their hair, neat and clean cut. This commentary expressed that, as the connection between the people and the Lord, Levites were the connection from the left and center, or Spiritual non-physical, and man being on the right or the physical side.
As I sit here in my time of prayer it has been brought to my attention that it was the purpose of the Levite to maintain that connection to the Spiritual side for all the people of Israel. My young friend brought this to my attention as he felt that since I chose to allow my hair to grow that this might be a reason why I was having trouble gaining blessings from the Lord.
Then it hit me that this was not the design of the Creator. Let’s look at what assignment the Creator has bestowed upon the Tribe of Levi. The Creator has separated them from the general body of the people of Israel for service to Him. What was that service, and how were they to be compensated for their service?
Throughout the book of Numbers, directions for the Levites is given, their duties to the Tabernacle and their responsibilities to the people of Israel. Their compensation is to be a portion from all the remaining 12 Tribal Offerings to the Lord. Upon entering into the Land promised to them by the Creator, it was then separated by tribe, each tribe being given its own land to inhabit as their own. Into each of these lands, one section was set aside for the Levites use.
It is my belief that most people who read these sections of Torah assume that the Levites were given these lands to live on…let me say that again, to live on. I will put this into a perspective in our society today that most can understand. Modern day churches often provide a home for their pastor to reside in while ministering to their church, with the building and the land owned by the church. That is how the Levites’ land was directed and set aside—it was the Creator’s land, and when they moved to a different area, they were to receive property to reside on from a portion of the Levities land in the new area. An example of this would be if a Levite whose family resided within the Tribal land of Reuben, decided he was going to relocate his family to the Tribal lands of Judah.
He was allowed to sell off the land he had resided on in Reuben, and only was able to take his personnel passions with him, moving to the Tribal Lands of Judah. He would then contact the Levitical elders upon his entry and be given a portion of the Land that was theirs for his family to reside on. Thus receiving his portion out of the contributions from the Tribe of Judah and no longer receiving gifts from Reuben.
Anyway moving back to my point, it is the responsibly of the members of the Tribe of Levi to maintain a connection on behalf of the people of Israel. The blessings for the people were to come through the intervention of the Levite.
Based on the conversation I had with my friend and the commentary he read to me, I can understand why people tend to believe that the Levite no longer matters in the community of the Jewish believer. Today’s Jewish culture is based on Rabbinic Law which is referred to as the Talmud.
Please don’t misunderstand what I am saying. The Levite is still gifted a certain amount of respect within the Jewish community. If one was to go to any Synagogue today for a Torah Reading service, the Levite is granted the position of the first and last reading as well as the removal and replacement of the Torah Scroll in and out of the Ark.
As mortal men/women we look at those less fortunate then us as maybe they are not doing right by the Lord and he is withholding his blessing from them. I tend to view it as maybe we as a society have decided to change the rules, in order to best suit our own human desires by extrapolating authority from the Torah, that which is not ours to take.
The conclusions that I draw from all this is the blessing the Levi receives does not come from the Lord, he has already blessed them and taken them for service to him. For the performance of that service to him they were to receive their wages from all the people. We each need to ask ourselves where will we go the next time we seek a blessing in our life and what do we do in order to receive such a blessing.
Go look to the Book of 1 Samuel and see what Hannah did when she asked Eli the Levitical priest for his blessings to open her womb. How did she repay the Lord for granting that request?
The Lord bless you and protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX. If you have been following our articles and you happened to miss one or two please feel free to read them on our Blog at http://thelightinchristministry.blogspot.com/. Also you can find the Ten Sefirot and the meanings for further reference as needed. If we haven’t posted a missed article please e-mail at bbrody1306@aol.com or call me at 903-819-6777.
As I sit here in my time of prayer it has been brought to my attention that it was the purpose of the Levite to maintain that connection to the Spiritual side for all the people of Israel. My young friend brought this to my attention as he felt that since I chose to allow my hair to grow that this might be a reason why I was having trouble gaining blessings from the Lord.
Then it hit me that this was not the design of the Creator. Let’s look at what assignment the Creator has bestowed upon the Tribe of Levi. The Creator has separated them from the general body of the people of Israel for service to Him. What was that service, and how were they to be compensated for their service?
Throughout the book of Numbers, directions for the Levites is given, their duties to the Tabernacle and their responsibilities to the people of Israel. Their compensation is to be a portion from all the remaining 12 Tribal Offerings to the Lord. Upon entering into the Land promised to them by the Creator, it was then separated by tribe, each tribe being given its own land to inhabit as their own. Into each of these lands, one section was set aside for the Levites use.
It is my belief that most people who read these sections of Torah assume that the Levites were given these lands to live on…let me say that again, to live on. I will put this into a perspective in our society today that most can understand. Modern day churches often provide a home for their pastor to reside in while ministering to their church, with the building and the land owned by the church. That is how the Levites’ land was directed and set aside—it was the Creator’s land, and when they moved to a different area, they were to receive property to reside on from a portion of the Levities land in the new area. An example of this would be if a Levite whose family resided within the Tribal land of Reuben, decided he was going to relocate his family to the Tribal lands of Judah.
He was allowed to sell off the land he had resided on in Reuben, and only was able to take his personnel passions with him, moving to the Tribal Lands of Judah. He would then contact the Levitical elders upon his entry and be given a portion of the Land that was theirs for his family to reside on. Thus receiving his portion out of the contributions from the Tribe of Judah and no longer receiving gifts from Reuben.
Anyway moving back to my point, it is the responsibly of the members of the Tribe of Levi to maintain a connection on behalf of the people of Israel. The blessings for the people were to come through the intervention of the Levite.
Based on the conversation I had with my friend and the commentary he read to me, I can understand why people tend to believe that the Levite no longer matters in the community of the Jewish believer. Today’s Jewish culture is based on Rabbinic Law which is referred to as the Talmud.
Please don’t misunderstand what I am saying. The Levite is still gifted a certain amount of respect within the Jewish community. If one was to go to any Synagogue today for a Torah Reading service, the Levite is granted the position of the first and last reading as well as the removal and replacement of the Torah Scroll in and out of the Ark.
As mortal men/women we look at those less fortunate then us as maybe they are not doing right by the Lord and he is withholding his blessing from them. I tend to view it as maybe we as a society have decided to change the rules, in order to best suit our own human desires by extrapolating authority from the Torah, that which is not ours to take.
The conclusions that I draw from all this is the blessing the Levi receives does not come from the Lord, he has already blessed them and taken them for service to him. For the performance of that service to him they were to receive their wages from all the people. We each need to ask ourselves where will we go the next time we seek a blessing in our life and what do we do in order to receive such a blessing.
Go look to the Book of 1 Samuel and see what Hannah did when she asked Eli the Levitical priest for his blessings to open her womb. How did she repay the Lord for granting that request?
The Lord bless you and protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX. If you have been following our articles and you happened to miss one or two please feel free to read them on our Blog at http://thelightinchristministry.blogspot.com/. Also you can find the Ten Sefirot and the meanings for further reference as needed. If we haven’t posted a missed article please e-mail at bbrody1306@aol.com or call me at 903-819-6777.
Monday, May 3, 2010
A Soul’s Purpose
As a former United States Marine, I took an oath to serve and protect this country. Friday night I was asked by a friend to listen to a study given by Michael Berg, in which he gave a lesson on the Torah Portion for this week. May 2, 2010, was the 33rd day between Passover and Shavuot, for those who may not under stand this, it is written for us to count the days between when God delivered the Jewish people from Bondage in Egypt, to when He provided them with the Torah. On both of these great days, the people were to give thanks and provide a sacrificial offering unto Adonai (The Lord God Most High).
If you think Christians don’t follow this practice, well your wrong. Instead of counting the Omar, today’s Christians count the days of Pentecost. Interestingly, it’s the same number of days for the same events. God removes the people from bondage and then returns to give them instructions on how to live their lives in service to Adonai. In the case of Christians, Jesus died on the cross for their sins, then returned to instruct them further on living a godly life and on the message they were to bring to the Gentile world.
One must not forget that we are speaking of Jewish people here that were witnesses to these events. Once again he comes to the Jewish people to redeem them from the man-made bondage they had chosen to create. Yes you heard me right—man-made bondage they have chosen to create.
How then, you might ask, is following the Torah a man-made bondage?
Well that is a good question. See, the Jewish people who were in control of the land of Israel (and not the Romans) were a corrupted line of scholars who, in their quest to live like the societies around them, had forsaken Adonai. They created these rules and regulations based on men’s interpretations of the Torah and what they were supposed to do. Those Jesus taught understood he was the perfect sacrifice for our sin offering in the Temple, meaning there was no longer a need to bring a sacrifice before the Lord at these appointed times during the year, but it didn’t mean we should stop observing those days or create different ones for the same purpose.
Jesus, the sacrifice for our sins, removed the corruption from those whose decision it was to use the Torah in order to achieve their own desires.
So then why is it that we still refuse to listen and follow his directions? I would like those of you who are reading this to step back and really listen to this closely. Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, didn’t come 2,000 years ago to save the people of Israel! Sorry, but I need to say this yet again. Jesus didn’t come 2,000 years ago to save the people of Israel! He came, in fact, to awaken the souls of the rest of the world to the Laws and Light of the Torah and the Creator Adonai (The Lord God Most High). What is this you say? Wasn’t one of Jesus’ statements, “first to the Jew then to the Greek?”
Yes, let us look a little deeper into that statement made by Jesus, “first to the Jew then the Greek.” Does the Greek know of or have any understanding of Torah and Adonai? The answer is NO.
So then doesn’t it stand to reason that Adonai would use the Jews to bring his Torah and message of salvation to them first? He chooses them first to show his mighty power in bringing them out of bondage from Egypt.
Ok so back to my point. In Michael Berg’s lesson, he teaches of the understanding that when our soul enters this physical plane it is only but a small portion that enters a human body, and that the rest of our soul remains in the perfect world of the Lord Adonai and that, through our service and spiritual work, we connect to the rest of our soul remaining in the world of Adonai.
The sacrifice requirements were then used to open ourselves and receive from the part of our soul that reminded in the world of Adonai. This means that, in following a spiritual path and following the Torah or (Old Testament), we bring to ourselves the part of our soul that has remained with Adonai (The Lord God Most High). We are then enabled to gain a greater understanding of that which we have come to fulfill in this present lifetime.
The whole point of our soul’s purpose is to serve Adonai (The Lord God Most High) and to provide for those He has instructed us to care for. Jesus himself has instructed Christians to care for those same people that the Lord instructed the people of Israel to care for upon receiving the Torah from His own words on Mt. Sinai. It is written that the Lord Himself came to the people and instructed them with the Torah on Shavuot.
The Lord bless you and protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX. If you have been following our articles and you happened to miss one or two please feel free to read them on our Blog at http://thelightinchristministry.blogspot.com/. Also you can find the Ten Sefirot and the meanings for further reference as needed. If we haven’t posted a missed article please e-mail at bbrody1306@aol.com or call me at 903-819-6777.
If you think Christians don’t follow this practice, well your wrong. Instead of counting the Omar, today’s Christians count the days of Pentecost. Interestingly, it’s the same number of days for the same events. God removes the people from bondage and then returns to give them instructions on how to live their lives in service to Adonai. In the case of Christians, Jesus died on the cross for their sins, then returned to instruct them further on living a godly life and on the message they were to bring to the Gentile world.
One must not forget that we are speaking of Jewish people here that were witnesses to these events. Once again he comes to the Jewish people to redeem them from the man-made bondage they had chosen to create. Yes you heard me right—man-made bondage they have chosen to create.
How then, you might ask, is following the Torah a man-made bondage?
Well that is a good question. See, the Jewish people who were in control of the land of Israel (and not the Romans) were a corrupted line of scholars who, in their quest to live like the societies around them, had forsaken Adonai. They created these rules and regulations based on men’s interpretations of the Torah and what they were supposed to do. Those Jesus taught understood he was the perfect sacrifice for our sin offering in the Temple, meaning there was no longer a need to bring a sacrifice before the Lord at these appointed times during the year, but it didn’t mean we should stop observing those days or create different ones for the same purpose.
Jesus, the sacrifice for our sins, removed the corruption from those whose decision it was to use the Torah in order to achieve their own desires.
So then why is it that we still refuse to listen and follow his directions? I would like those of you who are reading this to step back and really listen to this closely. Jesus, the Jewish Messiah, didn’t come 2,000 years ago to save the people of Israel! Sorry, but I need to say this yet again. Jesus didn’t come 2,000 years ago to save the people of Israel! He came, in fact, to awaken the souls of the rest of the world to the Laws and Light of the Torah and the Creator Adonai (The Lord God Most High). What is this you say? Wasn’t one of Jesus’ statements, “first to the Jew then to the Greek?”
Yes, let us look a little deeper into that statement made by Jesus, “first to the Jew then the Greek.” Does the Greek know of or have any understanding of Torah and Adonai? The answer is NO.
So then doesn’t it stand to reason that Adonai would use the Jews to bring his Torah and message of salvation to them first? He chooses them first to show his mighty power in bringing them out of bondage from Egypt.
Ok so back to my point. In Michael Berg’s lesson, he teaches of the understanding that when our soul enters this physical plane it is only but a small portion that enters a human body, and that the rest of our soul remains in the perfect world of the Lord Adonai and that, through our service and spiritual work, we connect to the rest of our soul remaining in the world of Adonai.
The sacrifice requirements were then used to open ourselves and receive from the part of our soul that reminded in the world of Adonai. This means that, in following a spiritual path and following the Torah or (Old Testament), we bring to ourselves the part of our soul that has remained with Adonai (The Lord God Most High). We are then enabled to gain a greater understanding of that which we have come to fulfill in this present lifetime.
The whole point of our soul’s purpose is to serve Adonai (The Lord God Most High) and to provide for those He has instructed us to care for. Jesus himself has instructed Christians to care for those same people that the Lord instructed the people of Israel to care for upon receiving the Torah from His own words on Mt. Sinai. It is written that the Lord Himself came to the people and instructed them with the Torah on Shavuot.
The Lord bless you and protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX. If you have been following our articles and you happened to miss one or two please feel free to read them on our Blog at http://thelightinchristministry.blogspot.com/. Also you can find the Ten Sefirot and the meanings for further reference as needed. If we haven’t posted a missed article please e-mail at bbrody1306@aol.com or call me at 903-819-6777.
Monday, February 15, 2010
What do we Sacrifice for Adonai (The Lord God Most High)? 4
A good note here to consider is that from the time God brought this people from the Land of Egypt he had provide them one main Spiritual leader to guide them Moses Joshua, the Judges, Eli now Samuel, but this still didn’t satisfy the desires of these people, they wanted a more tangible form of Government, one that was more inline with the outside Society. It wasn’t enough to have the Torah and a group of 70 Elders with the guidance of the Lord upon the High Priest who over saw this Court. Their desire was for a Physical King of whom they could see, touch, and feel.
In Samuel Chapter 8 we see the Lord giving his people consequences for their choice to forsake him by requesting a Physical King. The consequence for their choice is they would be giving up their children and their land to whom ever was chosen as there Physical King.
At this point let’s take a look at Chapter 13:8 here we see Saul loosening faith because he refused to wait for the arrival of Samuel. So he takes Authority upon himself that was never his to claim, he then proceeded to offer the burnt offerings before the Lord as Samuel arrived shortly after Saul had completed the offerings. Samuel asks Saul why he has done this foolish thing taking Authority upon himself to perform duties of the High Priest? He we see the consequences for his actions in doing so, “13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. 14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.”
I recently had a discussion with a Rabbi over the subject of Authority in forsaking the Torah to follow the Talmudic or Rabbinic Laws, this was his response to my question of Authority, “The Five Books of Moses--and really, all of the Bible--gives a tremendous amount of authority to the "wise men in your gates"--to the point that "you shall not turn from their words to the right or to the left." Keep in mind that the Torah was not given in a vacuum”. So today we Jew and Christian continue on this path started when the people decide to replace the Lord as King and ruler over us, with our desire for the Physical, rather than the spiritual.
The point I am making here is Samuel raised in the Tabernacle by the High Priest Eli, being chosen by the Lord to speak his words, we should understand that Samuel was the “WISE MEN IN YOUR GATES.”
This all sounds so simple but when do we really look at the past as a picture for our future? We are here to learn and grow yet instead of changing our ways some of us continue to justify our choices and remain in a state of justification of these actions. Most of these choices are because of men who know better but chose to claim authority which was never there’s to claim.
Moses never Claims Authority for his actions, but when he messed up by striking the rock for water he sure took responsibility for those actions. Jesus never left us with the Authority to create a new church or faith; he left us with the Authority to ask of all things through him to Adonai “The Lord God Most High”. Much like Moses before him leaving us with the Torah as directions to live while releasing the need for our physical sacrifice before Adonai.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
In Samuel Chapter 8 we see the Lord giving his people consequences for their choice to forsake him by requesting a Physical King. The consequence for their choice is they would be giving up their children and their land to whom ever was chosen as there Physical King.
At this point let’s take a look at Chapter 13:8 here we see Saul loosening faith because he refused to wait for the arrival of Samuel. So he takes Authority upon himself that was never his to claim, he then proceeded to offer the burnt offerings before the Lord as Samuel arrived shortly after Saul had completed the offerings. Samuel asks Saul why he has done this foolish thing taking Authority upon himself to perform duties of the High Priest? He we see the consequences for his actions in doing so, “13 And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel for ever. 14 But now thy kingdom shall not continue: the LORD hath sought him a man after his own heart, and the LORD hath commanded him to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.”
I recently had a discussion with a Rabbi over the subject of Authority in forsaking the Torah to follow the Talmudic or Rabbinic Laws, this was his response to my question of Authority, “The Five Books of Moses--and really, all of the Bible--gives a tremendous amount of authority to the "wise men in your gates"--to the point that "you shall not turn from their words to the right or to the left." Keep in mind that the Torah was not given in a vacuum”. So today we Jew and Christian continue on this path started when the people decide to replace the Lord as King and ruler over us, with our desire for the Physical, rather than the spiritual.
The point I am making here is Samuel raised in the Tabernacle by the High Priest Eli, being chosen by the Lord to speak his words, we should understand that Samuel was the “WISE MEN IN YOUR GATES.”
This all sounds so simple but when do we really look at the past as a picture for our future? We are here to learn and grow yet instead of changing our ways some of us continue to justify our choices and remain in a state of justification of these actions. Most of these choices are because of men who know better but chose to claim authority which was never there’s to claim.
Moses never Claims Authority for his actions, but when he messed up by striking the rock for water he sure took responsibility for those actions. Jesus never left us with the Authority to create a new church or faith; he left us with the Authority to ask of all things through him to Adonai “The Lord God Most High”. Much like Moses before him leaving us with the Torah as directions to live while releasing the need for our physical sacrifice before Adonai.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Sunday, January 17, 2010
What do we Sacrifice for Adonai (The Lord God Most High)? 3
As we continue to look at the book of Samuel there are some further things I would like to point out in these first few chapters. To me it is very interesting to point out the similarities between Eli and Samuel. In both instances they followed the Lord and the directions of the Torah. While their children chose to become greedy with the gifts or the positions they were placed in.
In the case of the sons of Eli, their position was the care of the Priest Hood of the people, as I have pointed out last time this position was of great importance this position was to open the door for the Lord’s Blessing upon his people, but their greed was to take first for themselves then give to the Lord. Note same choice as Aaron’s son’s and the outcome was the same; the Lord put them to death. Because of the actions of Eli’s son God removed the Ark from the presents of the people of Israel for 7 months. For 20 years after the return of the Ark, it reminded in the care of the Levites and hidden from the people of Israel.
Take note that in 1 Samuel chapter 7:6 before the Lord would return his Presence to the House of Israel and allow the Ark and the Tabernacle to be restored first as a whole community all of Israel had to confess there sins before the Lord, at which time Samuel acted as chieftain of the Israelites at Mitzpah. It was at this time when the Lord returned his presence to the people and the Levites once again cared for the people’s sacrifices before the Lord, while Samuel seeking directions from the Lord sat in Judgment over Israel. One point to make clear here is the Lord showed Grace and Compassion to his people.
In Samuel’s case he placed his Son’s as Judges over the people to determine the truth based on the Laws of Torah, but their choice was greed in a manner of making decisions to suite those who would line their pockets with wealth. The outcome of this Choice was a revolt of the people seeking a King over all of Israel. Rejecting the Lord as their King!
At this point I would like to make some interesting points. All around Israel we see Kingdoms. Kingdoms that followed Gods that were tangible; ones made of Gold or such. Ones who could be seem or touched. What did this people have nothing but the King of The Universe for sure nothing tangible, yet were required to give their first fruits to Him and to a family that was to care for there spiritual needs before this non-tangible figure.
A good note here to consider is that from the time God brought this people from the Land of Egypt he had provide them one main Spiritual leader to guide them Moses Joshua, the Judges, Eli now Samuel, but this still didn’t satisfy the desires of these people, they wanted a more tangible form of Government, one that was more inline with the outside Society. It wasn’t enough to have the Torah and a group of 70 Elders with the guidance of the Lord upon the High Priest who over saw this Court. We needed one man to have that position.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
In the case of the sons of Eli, their position was the care of the Priest Hood of the people, as I have pointed out last time this position was of great importance this position was to open the door for the Lord’s Blessing upon his people, but their greed was to take first for themselves then give to the Lord. Note same choice as Aaron’s son’s and the outcome was the same; the Lord put them to death. Because of the actions of Eli’s son God removed the Ark from the presents of the people of Israel for 7 months. For 20 years after the return of the Ark, it reminded in the care of the Levites and hidden from the people of Israel.
Take note that in 1 Samuel chapter 7:6 before the Lord would return his Presence to the House of Israel and allow the Ark and the Tabernacle to be restored first as a whole community all of Israel had to confess there sins before the Lord, at which time Samuel acted as chieftain of the Israelites at Mitzpah. It was at this time when the Lord returned his presence to the people and the Levites once again cared for the people’s sacrifices before the Lord, while Samuel seeking directions from the Lord sat in Judgment over Israel. One point to make clear here is the Lord showed Grace and Compassion to his people.
In Samuel’s case he placed his Son’s as Judges over the people to determine the truth based on the Laws of Torah, but their choice was greed in a manner of making decisions to suite those who would line their pockets with wealth. The outcome of this Choice was a revolt of the people seeking a King over all of Israel. Rejecting the Lord as their King!
At this point I would like to make some interesting points. All around Israel we see Kingdoms. Kingdoms that followed Gods that were tangible; ones made of Gold or such. Ones who could be seem or touched. What did this people have nothing but the King of The Universe for sure nothing tangible, yet were required to give their first fruits to Him and to a family that was to care for there spiritual needs before this non-tangible figure.
A good note here to consider is that from the time God brought this people from the Land of Egypt he had provide them one main Spiritual leader to guide them Moses Joshua, the Judges, Eli now Samuel, but this still didn’t satisfy the desires of these people, they wanted a more tangible form of Government, one that was more inline with the outside Society. It wasn’t enough to have the Torah and a group of 70 Elders with the guidance of the Lord upon the High Priest who over saw this Court. We needed one man to have that position.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
What do we Sacrifice for Adonai (The Lord God Most High)? 2
How did we go from a big tent (Tabernacle) in the desert and in Israel to these big Million Dollar places of Worship? Who are the buildings for?
We posed these questions in the last article, so let us first look at how we went from a Tent or Tabernacle to the Temple and why is the Temple such of great importance to Man?
From the time the Ark and all that went into the Tabernacle was created in the desert it was moveable. When the Israelites finally were allowed to enter into the land of Israel, they set the Tabernacle up in one location. The thing to keep in mind is that the Ark and the Tabernacle were still moveable.
I was sent to Judges Chapter 19, here we find a Levi, a man of God who has his concubine (Wife of Convince) Raped and Murdered in the land held by the Tribe of Benjamin. What is important to note here is within this story is the location of the Tabernacle; at this point in time it was located within the boundaries of the Tribal Land of Benjamin in Beit-El. Since this was the place where the Ark of the Covenant resided so also there would have been large community of Levities.
One thing to point out in this story is that at this time the people of Israel stood behind the Levite and were appalled at the thought of angering the Lord by not protecting one of his chosen a Levi. So the people go to war with the Tribe of Benjamin after they refuse to turn over the ones who performed this vulgar act. At this time all but 600 men of the Tribe of Benjamin were killed at the approval of the Lord.
We can then find the Levites moving the Ark to a different location at Shiloh.
Why is it that we have forgotten that without the Tribe of Levi the people of Israel could not change the location of the Holy Ark of the Covenant? Oh wait it is not that we have forgotten this, most of you might not even have known this fact, or even realized that without the servitude of this Family it was forbidden to move the Ark or the Tabernacle, or give Sacrifice before the Lord.
Lets move forward into the Book of Samuel where we still find the Tabernacle in Shiloh. In the beginning of 1st. Samuel we see Hannah at the front of the Tabernacle speaking to the Lord from her Heart. Then comes along Eli the High Priest, Eli thinking she is drunk because her lips were moving but no words were coming out, approaches her. Hannah explains to him she is not Drunk but pouring out her heart to the Lord. As we have pointed out through several of our writings the High Priest was the connection to God for the people, he could open a passage that others could not. I know that some people have interpreted this as God answering Hannah’s prayer, but we should take a step back and see the bigger picture. She also received Blessing’s from the High Priest opening that gateway to the Lord. She promised that if the Lord would answer her prayer she would return the Child for a lifetime of service to Adonai.
Keep in mind that Samuel was not a Levite, but he was the first born to Hannah. This is very interesting to note, much like the Levite’s Samuel had no choice in his service it was promised by his mother. As required they came to the Tabernacle for their yearly pilgrimage, Samuel’s mother and farther are once again given a blessing by Eli (the High Priest). A Blessing that the Lord shall grant them more Children because of the faithfulness in complying with Hannah’s agreement with the Lord.
Another interesting point to observe is that Samuel was the firstborn to Elkanah and Hannah yet Elkanah never seems to complain about his son being placed in the service of the Lord for life instead of receiving his portion of his father’s house much like a Levite is to receive no inheritance. Samuel while in servitude to the Lord Samuel received a part of the Levite’s portion.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
We posed these questions in the last article, so let us first look at how we went from a Tent or Tabernacle to the Temple and why is the Temple such of great importance to Man?
From the time the Ark and all that went into the Tabernacle was created in the desert it was moveable. When the Israelites finally were allowed to enter into the land of Israel, they set the Tabernacle up in one location. The thing to keep in mind is that the Ark and the Tabernacle were still moveable.
I was sent to Judges Chapter 19, here we find a Levi, a man of God who has his concubine (Wife of Convince) Raped and Murdered in the land held by the Tribe of Benjamin. What is important to note here is within this story is the location of the Tabernacle; at this point in time it was located within the boundaries of the Tribal Land of Benjamin in Beit-El. Since this was the place where the Ark of the Covenant resided so also there would have been large community of Levities.
One thing to point out in this story is that at this time the people of Israel stood behind the Levite and were appalled at the thought of angering the Lord by not protecting one of his chosen a Levi. So the people go to war with the Tribe of Benjamin after they refuse to turn over the ones who performed this vulgar act. At this time all but 600 men of the Tribe of Benjamin were killed at the approval of the Lord.
We can then find the Levites moving the Ark to a different location at Shiloh.
Why is it that we have forgotten that without the Tribe of Levi the people of Israel could not change the location of the Holy Ark of the Covenant? Oh wait it is not that we have forgotten this, most of you might not even have known this fact, or even realized that without the servitude of this Family it was forbidden to move the Ark or the Tabernacle, or give Sacrifice before the Lord.
Lets move forward into the Book of Samuel where we still find the Tabernacle in Shiloh. In the beginning of 1st. Samuel we see Hannah at the front of the Tabernacle speaking to the Lord from her Heart. Then comes along Eli the High Priest, Eli thinking she is drunk because her lips were moving but no words were coming out, approaches her. Hannah explains to him she is not Drunk but pouring out her heart to the Lord. As we have pointed out through several of our writings the High Priest was the connection to God for the people, he could open a passage that others could not. I know that some people have interpreted this as God answering Hannah’s prayer, but we should take a step back and see the bigger picture. She also received Blessing’s from the High Priest opening that gateway to the Lord. She promised that if the Lord would answer her prayer she would return the Child for a lifetime of service to Adonai.
Keep in mind that Samuel was not a Levite, but he was the first born to Hannah. This is very interesting to note, much like the Levite’s Samuel had no choice in his service it was promised by his mother. As required they came to the Tabernacle for their yearly pilgrimage, Samuel’s mother and farther are once again given a blessing by Eli (the High Priest). A Blessing that the Lord shall grant them more Children because of the faithfulness in complying with Hannah’s agreement with the Lord.
Another interesting point to observe is that Samuel was the firstborn to Elkanah and Hannah yet Elkanah never seems to complain about his son being placed in the service of the Lord for life instead of receiving his portion of his father’s house much like a Levite is to receive no inheritance. Samuel while in servitude to the Lord Samuel received a part of the Levite’s portion.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Friday, November 27, 2009
What do we Sacrifice for Adonai (The Lord God Most High)? 1
Over the years as a member of a United Methodist Church this is the time of the year when they begin their Stewardship campaign in order to set up their budget for the New Year, based on what has been pledged. I am sure in most Christian Churches not only do they take a weekly offering, but try to obtain pledges from there members to gain a better understand of the funds they will have available to help themselves increase how they can better get there message out to not only their members but to bring entice new people to join.
There is one interesting thing to note here for some reason Churches pay their Pastors large sums of money to either entice them to be part of their Church or to keep them there. It is all very confusing to us as to why some Churches pay their Senior Pastor up wards of $150,000.00 plus a year while others may only receive $30,000.00 a year. Let us not forget that not only do they receive such large amounts of money the church also pays for their housing, utilities for their home, travel expenses and many more perks.
So what is the big deal, whom are they doing this for? Are they in the business for God it sure doesn’t seem like it to us, it sure looks like the Levites and the Priests in the Temple? The ones who benefited financially from the requirements to bring an offering for their sins, those who would go out and collect animal that were free and brought them to the temple said a blessing over them and sold them as something that was pleasing to the Lord, like God could care less where the offering came form.
I for one would love to just have my housing, utilities and transportation costs paid with enough to just be able to take my wife out or go on a vacation once in a while. I had a discussion with a former Pastor of mine who believed he could understand what I was going though with our financial circumstances, Then I preceded to ask him how, he received a good salary, had a home he wasn’t getting evicted from or had to worry if the electric or gas would be cut off. No I think not like some Pastors they try to help you walk in your faith, yet refuse to practice what they preach. I for one feel if you are going to be preaching to me then you better be walking the walk so to speak.
Not to be one way in just condemning Christians for there actions I also contacted several Jewish friends to see what the Synagogues are asking of their members in order to help provide for there continued service to the local community. What the responses where varied on the community most required a fee for seating during the High Holy Days as well as membership dues. Some just require dues, which cover everything.
Those we would like to commend for there actions are the ones who ask for nothing. Those who rely on the Lord to provide for there needs, every so often I listen to Pastor Richard Ellis, of the Reunion Church in Dallas TX. One message that really stuck in my mind was when he is asked about building a permit building to house his Church he refuses to. See Richards Church is held at the Dallas Convention Center Theater they have no permit building. According to Pastor Ellis this enables them to provide for the needs of the community by not having any overhead costs associated with a church building. I often wonder how many people could be helped if more churches would take up Richards view.
For the Jewish community I would say that there view for a need for a Building is to House the Ark, which houses the Torah scrolls. To them it is important to have a permanent building for this purpose.
What upsets us the most is much like many of our Christian and Jewish Communities today for some unknown reason they keep building these large and wonderfully expensive Buildings. The people who are directing these measures are those that are trying to bring in the people and there money, by offering there members such amenities as a Starbucks or a McDonalds right in there buildings.
So where are we going with all of this? How did we go from a big tent (Tabernacle) in the desert and in Israel to these big Million Dollar places of Worship? Who are the buildings for?
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
There is one interesting thing to note here for some reason Churches pay their Pastors large sums of money to either entice them to be part of their Church or to keep them there. It is all very confusing to us as to why some Churches pay their Senior Pastor up wards of $150,000.00 plus a year while others may only receive $30,000.00 a year. Let us not forget that not only do they receive such large amounts of money the church also pays for their housing, utilities for their home, travel expenses and many more perks.
So what is the big deal, whom are they doing this for? Are they in the business for God it sure doesn’t seem like it to us, it sure looks like the Levites and the Priests in the Temple? The ones who benefited financially from the requirements to bring an offering for their sins, those who would go out and collect animal that were free and brought them to the temple said a blessing over them and sold them as something that was pleasing to the Lord, like God could care less where the offering came form.
I for one would love to just have my housing, utilities and transportation costs paid with enough to just be able to take my wife out or go on a vacation once in a while. I had a discussion with a former Pastor of mine who believed he could understand what I was going though with our financial circumstances, Then I preceded to ask him how, he received a good salary, had a home he wasn’t getting evicted from or had to worry if the electric or gas would be cut off. No I think not like some Pastors they try to help you walk in your faith, yet refuse to practice what they preach. I for one feel if you are going to be preaching to me then you better be walking the walk so to speak.
Not to be one way in just condemning Christians for there actions I also contacted several Jewish friends to see what the Synagogues are asking of their members in order to help provide for there continued service to the local community. What the responses where varied on the community most required a fee for seating during the High Holy Days as well as membership dues. Some just require dues, which cover everything.
Those we would like to commend for there actions are the ones who ask for nothing. Those who rely on the Lord to provide for there needs, every so often I listen to Pastor Richard Ellis, of the Reunion Church in Dallas TX. One message that really stuck in my mind was when he is asked about building a permit building to house his Church he refuses to. See Richards Church is held at the Dallas Convention Center Theater they have no permit building. According to Pastor Ellis this enables them to provide for the needs of the community by not having any overhead costs associated with a church building. I often wonder how many people could be helped if more churches would take up Richards view.
For the Jewish community I would say that there view for a need for a Building is to House the Ark, which houses the Torah scrolls. To them it is important to have a permanent building for this purpose.
What upsets us the most is much like many of our Christian and Jewish Communities today for some unknown reason they keep building these large and wonderfully expensive Buildings. The people who are directing these measures are those that are trying to bring in the people and there money, by offering there members such amenities as a Starbucks or a McDonalds right in there buildings.
So where are we going with all of this? How did we go from a big tent (Tabernacle) in the desert and in Israel to these big Million Dollar places of Worship? Who are the buildings for?
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Friday, November 20, 2009
What do we Sacrifice for Adonai (The Lord God Most High)?
During our preparation for the High Holy Days of Rosh Hashana & Yom Kippur, we spent time having discussions about the place of the Tribe of Levi during these holidays.
So what is the connection in all off this you might ask? In order to see the connection we first take a look into the book of Genesis 34 &49:5-7. In this we see Shimon and Levi go after the man who raped their sister. After the young man his Father and their followers became circumcised thus complying with the agreement with Jacob. They did this in order to share their women. Shimon and Levi then go into the city and killed every man took all their possessions, the women, children and all of there animals. Jacob becoming enraged with them sought the will of the Lord and was given directions to pack everything he owned and move to the place where he fought with the Lord. As we look into Genesis 49:5-7 we see on Jacobs death bed that he promised Shimon and Levi that there children shall be scattered throughout the people of Israel.
Ok moving forward several generations we see Adonai pulling out one of the Son’s of Levi and choosing him to lead his people out of bondage and at that time create the people of Israel. At this point God requires Moses to count all the people by family, after this count is complete God tells him that instead of taking the first born from each family he will take the Levites in their place. Thus fulfilling Jacob’s words, that the Son’s of Levi will be scattered through out the land of Israel.
This past week a good friend reminded me of the Story about the little girl who sees a string of costume Pearls in the store and she does extra chores in order to make enough money to buy those fake Pearls. Every night when she would say her prayers with her Father he would ask her if he could have those Pearls. They were the thing she most wanted to hold on to in this world. Then one night while she was praying with her Father again he asked for those Pearls. This time she gave in and handed those fake Pearls up, and to her Father, who then returned to her a real set of Pearls.
The point in using this story is this, the Son’s of Levi were never given a chance to turn over there Pearls to Adonai, he had chosen them to replace all the first born of Israel to serve Adonai, by not only caring for his Temple, but all of the People of Israel. The Levites were to be in servitude to Adonai and all the people of Israel from the age of 25-50 then sever as teachers without physical labors. So where does that leave the people of Israel? Well let us address that for a minute. According to the Torah, the Levites were not allowed to possess any Land or holdings of their own. How this worked and this is our understanding that the Levites were given land to live on and care for. These lands in each of the Tribal communities were strictly for the use of the Levities. This was in a sense payment for their servitude to that community. If a Levite went from one community to another he took only his personal possessions, at the new community he would then be given a share of the Levities possessions of that community. This was Adonai’s way of providing for this servitude for which they had been chosen, not asked or given the choice, but required.
Today Christians Theologians based on the teachings of Paul try to explain and teach that it is every persons responsibility to share to good news and to minister to those in need. Why do they continue to use the Torah and Cultural Jewish Teachings, but refuse to speak up that these are the teachings of Jewish culture and of Jesus himself? His teaching’s strictly comes from the Torah and not the New Testament. What Jesus teaches of in the New Testament is directly from the Laws as given by Moses although in some cases he makes greater restrictions on certain Laws.
The fake Pearls in this story represent the things of this physical world in which we choose to hold on to our fear, anxieties anything we refuse to turn over to Adonai. To us they also represent the way today’s Christian Theologians teach their flocks. So maybe it is time for you to give up the fake pearls and open your eyes to the true teaching of Jesus the Jewish Messiah, realizing that every single time Jesus used the term “it is written or the scriptures’ say”, he was referring strictly to the Torah.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
So what is the connection in all off this you might ask? In order to see the connection we first take a look into the book of Genesis 34 &49:5-7. In this we see Shimon and Levi go after the man who raped their sister. After the young man his Father and their followers became circumcised thus complying with the agreement with Jacob. They did this in order to share their women. Shimon and Levi then go into the city and killed every man took all their possessions, the women, children and all of there animals. Jacob becoming enraged with them sought the will of the Lord and was given directions to pack everything he owned and move to the place where he fought with the Lord. As we look into Genesis 49:5-7 we see on Jacobs death bed that he promised Shimon and Levi that there children shall be scattered throughout the people of Israel.
Ok moving forward several generations we see Adonai pulling out one of the Son’s of Levi and choosing him to lead his people out of bondage and at that time create the people of Israel. At this point God requires Moses to count all the people by family, after this count is complete God tells him that instead of taking the first born from each family he will take the Levites in their place. Thus fulfilling Jacob’s words, that the Son’s of Levi will be scattered through out the land of Israel.
This past week a good friend reminded me of the Story about the little girl who sees a string of costume Pearls in the store and she does extra chores in order to make enough money to buy those fake Pearls. Every night when she would say her prayers with her Father he would ask her if he could have those Pearls. They were the thing she most wanted to hold on to in this world. Then one night while she was praying with her Father again he asked for those Pearls. This time she gave in and handed those fake Pearls up, and to her Father, who then returned to her a real set of Pearls.
The point in using this story is this, the Son’s of Levi were never given a chance to turn over there Pearls to Adonai, he had chosen them to replace all the first born of Israel to serve Adonai, by not only caring for his Temple, but all of the People of Israel. The Levites were to be in servitude to Adonai and all the people of Israel from the age of 25-50 then sever as teachers without physical labors. So where does that leave the people of Israel? Well let us address that for a minute. According to the Torah, the Levites were not allowed to possess any Land or holdings of their own. How this worked and this is our understanding that the Levites were given land to live on and care for. These lands in each of the Tribal communities were strictly for the use of the Levities. This was in a sense payment for their servitude to that community. If a Levite went from one community to another he took only his personal possessions, at the new community he would then be given a share of the Levities possessions of that community. This was Adonai’s way of providing for this servitude for which they had been chosen, not asked or given the choice, but required.
Today Christians Theologians based on the teachings of Paul try to explain and teach that it is every persons responsibility to share to good news and to minister to those in need. Why do they continue to use the Torah and Cultural Jewish Teachings, but refuse to speak up that these are the teachings of Jewish culture and of Jesus himself? His teaching’s strictly comes from the Torah and not the New Testament. What Jesus teaches of in the New Testament is directly from the Laws as given by Moses although in some cases he makes greater restrictions on certain Laws.
The fake Pearls in this story represent the things of this physical world in which we choose to hold on to our fear, anxieties anything we refuse to turn over to Adonai. To us they also represent the way today’s Christian Theologians teach their flocks. So maybe it is time for you to give up the fake pearls and open your eyes to the true teaching of Jesus the Jewish Messiah, realizing that every single time Jesus used the term “it is written or the scriptures’ say”, he was referring strictly to the Torah.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Sunday, September 27, 2009
To all my Christian friends
Today is the eve of Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. A day when the people of Israel give thanks to Adonai and ask for forgiveness for their sins committed the year before. A day directed in Torah that the High Priest may enter the inner chamber of the Tabernacle to perform the offering before Adonai. The day that we ask Adonai to write us in the lamb’s book of life for one more year. It is expressed that this is the day Moses returned to the people of Israel with the second set of Tablets.
For those who accept Jesus as the Messiah it is important to understand the concept that he has take the place of the High Priest as the intercessor on our behalf. He is the one who is allowed to stand in the inner chamber of the tabernacle to seek forgiveness for our sins. It is a day when we are to rest and be in prayer to Adonai the Father Almighty. This is a day Jesus would have held in strict observance.
When I saw this today I felt the desire to share this custom and see if you can fit this into your life in Christ. There is a ceremony called Kaparot performed by some sects of Jewish believers.
In the early morning hours of the day preceding Yom Kippur, the Kaparot ("Atonement") ceremony is performed. We take a live chicken (a rooster for a male and a hen for a female) and, circling it three times above our heads, we declare: "This is my replacement, this is my exchange, this is my atonement; this fowl shall go to its death, and I shall go to a long, good and peaceful life." The fowl is then slaughtered in accordance with Kosher Law, at which time we contemplate that this is a fate we ourselves would deserve, God forbid, for our failings and iniquities. The value of the fowl is given to the poor, and its meat eaten in the Yom Kippur meal; some give the fowl itself to the poor. (A alternate custom is to perform the rite only with money, reciting the prescribed verses and giving the money to charity. Kaparot can also be preformed in the preceding days, during the "Ten Days of Repentance" the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur).
What I find interesting about this is not only due they use this as a way to repent or offer this up to Adonai for their sins, but they eat the Chicken and give the value of it to the poor.
So of what value is this to us you ask? Maybe the thing we need to be looking for is how can we as Christian believers fit this Day of Atonement into our lives and be more like the Christ in following the directions of Adonai the Father Almighty no different then Jesus the Son followed and observed this Day of Atonement. One thing that is important to consider in all of this is even thought Jesus was sinless before Adonai, why would he have followed all these observances? The answer to that question is if he hadn’t followed the Laws as written in Torah, and then he would not have been sinless. So we too should consider that maybe we need to gain a greater understanding of the way Jesus lived in order to be more Christ like in our lives, our observances, and seeking repentance through his offering on our behalf.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
For those who accept Jesus as the Messiah it is important to understand the concept that he has take the place of the High Priest as the intercessor on our behalf. He is the one who is allowed to stand in the inner chamber of the tabernacle to seek forgiveness for our sins. It is a day when we are to rest and be in prayer to Adonai the Father Almighty. This is a day Jesus would have held in strict observance.
When I saw this today I felt the desire to share this custom and see if you can fit this into your life in Christ. There is a ceremony called Kaparot performed by some sects of Jewish believers.
In the early morning hours of the day preceding Yom Kippur, the Kaparot ("Atonement") ceremony is performed. We take a live chicken (a rooster for a male and a hen for a female) and, circling it three times above our heads, we declare: "This is my replacement, this is my exchange, this is my atonement; this fowl shall go to its death, and I shall go to a long, good and peaceful life." The fowl is then slaughtered in accordance with Kosher Law, at which time we contemplate that this is a fate we ourselves would deserve, God forbid, for our failings and iniquities. The value of the fowl is given to the poor, and its meat eaten in the Yom Kippur meal; some give the fowl itself to the poor. (A alternate custom is to perform the rite only with money, reciting the prescribed verses and giving the money to charity. Kaparot can also be preformed in the preceding days, during the "Ten Days of Repentance" the days between Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur).
What I find interesting about this is not only due they use this as a way to repent or offer this up to Adonai for their sins, but they eat the Chicken and give the value of it to the poor.
So of what value is this to us you ask? Maybe the thing we need to be looking for is how can we as Christian believers fit this Day of Atonement into our lives and be more like the Christ in following the directions of Adonai the Father Almighty no different then Jesus the Son followed and observed this Day of Atonement. One thing that is important to consider in all of this is even thought Jesus was sinless before Adonai, why would he have followed all these observances? The answer to that question is if he hadn’t followed the Laws as written in Torah, and then he would not have been sinless. So we too should consider that maybe we need to gain a greater understanding of the way Jesus lived in order to be more Christ like in our lives, our observances, and seeking repentance through his offering on our behalf.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Preparing for Rosh Hashana (Festival of Trumpets) & Yom Kippur the (Day of Atonement)
This is the Jewish month of Elul, it is very important to the Jewish believer; the 30 days of this month are ones we are to reflect on the past year and to look forward to the one to come. This is the month of Divine Mercy and forgiveness, a time to seek repentance.
How and why did this all come about you ask? If we look at the Book of Exodus Chapter 32 & 33, we see that while Moses was getting the Ten Commandments from the Lord the stiff necked people of Israel were building a Golden Calf. Adonai chases Moses back down the Mountain to witness this sinful act being committed. At that time he broke the tables. Moses then ask whomever desires to follow Adonai should come to him. It states that the Levites surrounded him. He then tells them to put on their swords and start to kill there Brothers, Sons, and Kinsmen who were refusing to repent for there sinful actions.
The following is based on the text, and the way the text reads the only ones who came to Moses were his family, the sons of Levi. The way this text is stated it would lead you to believe that the ones whom were put to death were Brothers, Sons and Kinsmen of Levi, yet they were told to go to the gates of each camp.
The text is very vague as to whether or not there were members of other tribes who took part in joining Moses, but the fact remains Joshua was not of the tribe of Levi and he accompanied Moses, part of the way up the mountain.
It is our collective opinion that Moses would have gotten the family of Levi, to put there swords on and surround him to protect him when he gave the order to the members of the other tribes to put those to death who refused to follow Adonai. The point to make here is that there were members of each tribe who chose to follow Adonai and Moses, otherwise each could not have killed his own Brother, Son, and Kinsman.
So we have looked at what started it all, so what does this have to do with us today, our point in bringing this to your attention is that this was the first time that in the history of Israel, there became a need for an intercessor for the people, from that moment on Adonai The Lord God Most High established the covenant of Sacrifice with the people of Israel and removed the negative faction from the people. So after Moses and the group who stood for Adonai, laid sword to the 3,000 people Adonai then brought a plague upon the rest. Leaving only those who choose to server Adonai and follow his Laws as directed to the people through Moses.
So the connection to the Light of Adonai for some maybe Jesus, that still doesn’t give them a free pass to not contemplate or ask forgiveness for our transgressions towards others, during the past year. These High Holy Days that follow this month are those Jesus would have been committed to follow and comply with to the utmost of his spirit.
It is a very interesting to note that the New Testament never makes direct reference to any other High Holy Day (a time to Sacrifice) by name other than Passover, when Adonai freed the people from slavery. However there are multiple references of Jesus being at the Temple. The people of that time only went to Temple for the High Holy Days Passover and Shavuot, this evidenced by further texts of the Levities store houses where they stored there grain and meat. If they only received great quantities of offerings in the spring summer and twice in the fall, this would feed the Levities through out the winter getting them to the spring Holiday of Passover. Then it is reasonable to extrapolate that this was Jesus attending the Temple on Days other then just Passover.
Christians are lead to understand that the time of Passover was when the Sacrifice and the intercession began, but the truth is that it began at least some 130 days after Adonai removed them from Egypt. As we have expressed and are written in the text from Exodus we have quoted.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
How and why did this all come about you ask? If we look at the Book of Exodus Chapter 32 & 33, we see that while Moses was getting the Ten Commandments from the Lord the stiff necked people of Israel were building a Golden Calf. Adonai chases Moses back down the Mountain to witness this sinful act being committed. At that time he broke the tables. Moses then ask whomever desires to follow Adonai should come to him. It states that the Levites surrounded him. He then tells them to put on their swords and start to kill there Brothers, Sons, and Kinsmen who were refusing to repent for there sinful actions.
The following is based on the text, and the way the text reads the only ones who came to Moses were his family, the sons of Levi. The way this text is stated it would lead you to believe that the ones whom were put to death were Brothers, Sons and Kinsmen of Levi, yet they were told to go to the gates of each camp.
The text is very vague as to whether or not there were members of other tribes who took part in joining Moses, but the fact remains Joshua was not of the tribe of Levi and he accompanied Moses, part of the way up the mountain.
It is our collective opinion that Moses would have gotten the family of Levi, to put there swords on and surround him to protect him when he gave the order to the members of the other tribes to put those to death who refused to follow Adonai. The point to make here is that there were members of each tribe who chose to follow Adonai and Moses, otherwise each could not have killed his own Brother, Son, and Kinsman.
So we have looked at what started it all, so what does this have to do with us today, our point in bringing this to your attention is that this was the first time that in the history of Israel, there became a need for an intercessor for the people, from that moment on Adonai The Lord God Most High established the covenant of Sacrifice with the people of Israel and removed the negative faction from the people. So after Moses and the group who stood for Adonai, laid sword to the 3,000 people Adonai then brought a plague upon the rest. Leaving only those who choose to server Adonai and follow his Laws as directed to the people through Moses.
So the connection to the Light of Adonai for some maybe Jesus, that still doesn’t give them a free pass to not contemplate or ask forgiveness for our transgressions towards others, during the past year. These High Holy Days that follow this month are those Jesus would have been committed to follow and comply with to the utmost of his spirit.
It is a very interesting to note that the New Testament never makes direct reference to any other High Holy Day (a time to Sacrifice) by name other than Passover, when Adonai freed the people from slavery. However there are multiple references of Jesus being at the Temple. The people of that time only went to Temple for the High Holy Days Passover and Shavuot, this evidenced by further texts of the Levities store houses where they stored there grain and meat. If they only received great quantities of offerings in the spring summer and twice in the fall, this would feed the Levities through out the winter getting them to the spring Holiday of Passover. Then it is reasonable to extrapolate that this was Jesus attending the Temple on Days other then just Passover.
Christians are lead to understand that the time of Passover was when the Sacrifice and the intercession began, but the truth is that it began at least some 130 days after Adonai removed them from Egypt. As we have expressed and are written in the text from Exodus we have quoted.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 18
Our question is much like who was benefiting from the sale of these offering in the Temple, who is truly benefiting from your financial gifts to the Church? Is it truly those in need or is it the ones who are in control of it?
We asked some tough questions at the end of last week’s article. Let’s look to the creation of the sacrifice process. Beginning at the start of the Book of Leviticus, Adonai gives Moses directions to what and how the sacrifice is to be performed and what portion is to be given to Aaron and his descendants for their keeping the Tabernacle and teaching the Torah.
It sure seems that somewhere along the way the Coheim lost sight of their duties and their job. It sure appears that they were the ones who, along the way, made these determinations that only the animals they deemed acceptable were to be used and sold to those in need of an offering. Our question and the point Jesus was making at the time was what gave these men the right to make this determination?
Even given this time that the People of Israel were no longer farmers or raising animals, why would they have created this farce in or around the Temple grounds. We would venture to say that their mind set would have been much like that of Judas, when the women anointed Jesus’ feet with the oil, Oil that could have been sold at a great price.
Although we will never know for sure if Judas was stealing from the ministry cash box, many Authors and Theologians are assuming that he was, merely because he was in charge of the funds, he was a known theft, and he made such a big deal over this event.
What concerns us with this matter is, what makes us any different today than those Jesus condemned for these actions. We build these Million Dollar Churches and Synagogues in order to praise Adonai, yet we care not for what he has directed us to do. We are more concerned with the appearances of our place of worship then we are of caring for the needy, more concerned with our own possessions and keeping up with the Jones then we are about our friends, neighbors, or the people of this world. We would rather spend hundreds of Thousands of Dollars to put in great sound systems to our places of worship than see that the members of our own Church have a roof over their heads, or are eating properly, or are able to seek necessary medical care.
If this is what your community of believers is all about then one really needs to reevaluate their place of worship and what the place of worship is really all about. The big question one really needs to be asking is What makes my place of worship any different than those that had control of the Temple when Jesus went in an cleared out the money changers and those extorting the people of Israel in Adonai’s Holy House?
The way one brings the Light of Adonai to this world is to care for the needs of other’s less fortunate than us. Adonai never once in his Torah states that it is important for you to spend Millions or Billions of Dollars for these houses of worship, yet the opposite we are supposed to shine the Light of Adonai in our giving to care for the needy. Maybe it is truly time for some to reevaluate what it truly means to spread the Light of Adonai for some and Jesus for others.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
We asked some tough questions at the end of last week’s article. Let’s look to the creation of the sacrifice process. Beginning at the start of the Book of Leviticus, Adonai gives Moses directions to what and how the sacrifice is to be performed and what portion is to be given to Aaron and his descendants for their keeping the Tabernacle and teaching the Torah.
It sure seems that somewhere along the way the Coheim lost sight of their duties and their job. It sure appears that they were the ones who, along the way, made these determinations that only the animals they deemed acceptable were to be used and sold to those in need of an offering. Our question and the point Jesus was making at the time was what gave these men the right to make this determination?
Even given this time that the People of Israel were no longer farmers or raising animals, why would they have created this farce in or around the Temple grounds. We would venture to say that their mind set would have been much like that of Judas, when the women anointed Jesus’ feet with the oil, Oil that could have been sold at a great price.
Although we will never know for sure if Judas was stealing from the ministry cash box, many Authors and Theologians are assuming that he was, merely because he was in charge of the funds, he was a known theft, and he made such a big deal over this event.
What concerns us with this matter is, what makes us any different today than those Jesus condemned for these actions. We build these Million Dollar Churches and Synagogues in order to praise Adonai, yet we care not for what he has directed us to do. We are more concerned with the appearances of our place of worship then we are of caring for the needy, more concerned with our own possessions and keeping up with the Jones then we are about our friends, neighbors, or the people of this world. We would rather spend hundreds of Thousands of Dollars to put in great sound systems to our places of worship than see that the members of our own Church have a roof over their heads, or are eating properly, or are able to seek necessary medical care.
If this is what your community of believers is all about then one really needs to reevaluate their place of worship and what the place of worship is really all about. The big question one really needs to be asking is What makes my place of worship any different than those that had control of the Temple when Jesus went in an cleared out the money changers and those extorting the people of Israel in Adonai’s Holy House?
The way one brings the Light of Adonai to this world is to care for the needs of other’s less fortunate than us. Adonai never once in his Torah states that it is important for you to spend Millions or Billions of Dollars for these houses of worship, yet the opposite we are supposed to shine the Light of Adonai in our giving to care for the needy. Maybe it is truly time for some to reevaluate what it truly means to spread the Light of Adonai for some and Jesus for others.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 17
Now it’s time to look at the Mikvah of Jesus and the events that followed. A closer look through the Gospel of John 1:29-35. According to John’s account it was the testimony of John the Baptist who was witness to the Rauch HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) upon Jesus.
There is a point that needs to be addressed here, Jesus claims John the Baptist was Elijah reborn, take a look at Second Kings Chapter 6:15-18, this is an example of the gift Elijah was gifted by the Lord. He was able to see and understand things others were not able to see. In this section of Scripture Elijah asked the Lord to remove the blinders from his young student’s eyes so he would be able to see the army of God.
The point we are trying to express here is that based on the account written in John’s Gospel, the way John the Baptist was able to determine that Jesus was the Messiah, and the one he was instructed to do the Mikvah for was that he would be surrounded by the Rauch HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) as a dove, the interruptive narratives given in the other Gospels attempt to lead the readers into the understanding that every person present at the time witnessed this, and based on John’s writings this was not the case.
One thing to keep in the back of your mind here is that all this was done far from the Temple grounds and before Jesus set one foot into the Temple. Just a thought but as the Scape Goat (Sin Offering) for the people the Mikvah of Jesus would have been performed off in the Wilderness before he had a Mikvah in order to enter the Temple grounds.
Jesus then begins his ministry and his teaching of the disciples. Unlike the other three Gospels, John’s tells the story of Jesus entering the Temple and driving out the money changes. This is a very important thing we need to address for our Society today.
We find it very interesting that in the 400 hundred years prior to Jesus, Adonai refused to have any contact with the people of Israel as they continued to go about their business of daily life. Was it that they were so wrapped up with themselves and the desires of the ones in control—the Sanhedrin?
Did the Rabbi’s and leaders of Israel have that much control over the people that they just rolled over a played dead. Who was benefiting from their controlling orders, it surely wasn’t those that Adonai had instructed it to be now was it? Adonai couldn’t have cared less where someone’s sacrifice came from, just that Adonai had provided it for that person. While those in control made it out to be that you had to purchase a Sheep or Dove or Calf from those at the Temple or your sacrifice would not have been acceptable before Adonai.
The sad part is that some churches today seem to lead people to believe in this concept. That in order to be part of their Church you must believe in their Doctrine and everything they stand for. While telling those you must give us your money, so we can continue the work of Adonai, without your support we can not continue our Ministry and get the word out.
Our question is much like who was benefiting from the sale of these offering in the Temple, who is truly benefiting from your financial gifts to the Church? Is it truly those in need or is it the ones who are in control of it?
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
There is a point that needs to be addressed here, Jesus claims John the Baptist was Elijah reborn, take a look at Second Kings Chapter 6:15-18, this is an example of the gift Elijah was gifted by the Lord. He was able to see and understand things others were not able to see. In this section of Scripture Elijah asked the Lord to remove the blinders from his young student’s eyes so he would be able to see the army of God.
The point we are trying to express here is that based on the account written in John’s Gospel, the way John the Baptist was able to determine that Jesus was the Messiah, and the one he was instructed to do the Mikvah for was that he would be surrounded by the Rauch HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) as a dove, the interruptive narratives given in the other Gospels attempt to lead the readers into the understanding that every person present at the time witnessed this, and based on John’s writings this was not the case.
One thing to keep in the back of your mind here is that all this was done far from the Temple grounds and before Jesus set one foot into the Temple. Just a thought but as the Scape Goat (Sin Offering) for the people the Mikvah of Jesus would have been performed off in the Wilderness before he had a Mikvah in order to enter the Temple grounds.
Jesus then begins his ministry and his teaching of the disciples. Unlike the other three Gospels, John’s tells the story of Jesus entering the Temple and driving out the money changes. This is a very important thing we need to address for our Society today.
We find it very interesting that in the 400 hundred years prior to Jesus, Adonai refused to have any contact with the people of Israel as they continued to go about their business of daily life. Was it that they were so wrapped up with themselves and the desires of the ones in control—the Sanhedrin?
Did the Rabbi’s and leaders of Israel have that much control over the people that they just rolled over a played dead. Who was benefiting from their controlling orders, it surely wasn’t those that Adonai had instructed it to be now was it? Adonai couldn’t have cared less where someone’s sacrifice came from, just that Adonai had provided it for that person. While those in control made it out to be that you had to purchase a Sheep or Dove or Calf from those at the Temple or your sacrifice would not have been acceptable before Adonai.
The sad part is that some churches today seem to lead people to believe in this concept. That in order to be part of their Church you must believe in their Doctrine and everything they stand for. While telling those you must give us your money, so we can continue the work of Adonai, without your support we can not continue our Ministry and get the word out.
Our question is much like who was benefiting from the sale of these offering in the Temple, who is truly benefiting from your financial gifts to the Church? Is it truly those in need or is it the ones who are in control of it?
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Monday, August 24, 2009
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 16
We are going to continue our discussion on Baptism and how we can relate it to the teachings of Jesus. Last week we introduced the word Mikvah it is a ritual bath designed for the purpose of ritual immersion in Judaism. The word "Mikvah", as used in the Hebrew Bible, literally means a "collection" generally, a collection of water as defined by Wikipedia.
As we pointed out last week this was the ritual John the Baptist would have been performing. A Mikvah pool is a specially crafted and designed pool used to perform a spiritual cleansing, although they are now performed in pools, any body of water, such as a lake stream or flowing water can be used to perform the Mikvah cleansing. Starting with the Tabernacle and following through the Temple eras it was a requirement for any Jewish person to undergo a Mikvah before he/she could enter onto the Temple grounds, and no the baths outside the Temple were not used to perform this those baths and pools were part of the cleaning process prior to going through the Mikvah process.
Baptism (from Greek baptizo: "immersing", "performing ablutions", i.e., "washing")[1] is the ritual act, with the use of water, by which one is admitted to membership of the Christian Church as defined by Wikipedia. As we pointed out last week if one wants to convert to Judaism that person is required to go through the Mikvah or immersion process.
This is a quote from and article found on Chabad.org site written by Rivkah Solonim. “In many ways mikvah is the threshold separating the unholy from the holy, but it is even more. Simply put, immersion in a mikvah signals a change in status -- more correctly, an elevation in status. Its unparalleled function lies in its power of transformation, its ability to effect metamorphosis.”
Do these words look familiar to any of you? Sounds like what happened to Jesus after being Baptized by John. Elevated just prior to entering the desert for 40 days to be confronted by Satin
Ok so I’m sure by know you are wondering what is the point here, so Jewish people call it a Mikvah, Christians call it Baptism, our point is that although Christians view it differently than their Jewish counter parts, Jesus does not, for us Jesus’ view is what it was meant to the Jewish people, it was a reconnection or rededication to God the Father Almighty in a ritual cleansing of ones Soul in order to accept the Torah and the Laws as found in the 5 Books of Moses.
Again we call on these verses from Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus himself confirms that the Mitzvoth of Torah will still be in effect long after his death. In verse 20 he is expressing to those listening that a persons that expects to enter the Kingdom of Heaven better be a person who will follow the Torah with a greater zeal then that of a Scribe or a Pharisee.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, 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.
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.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
As we pointed out last week this was the ritual John the Baptist would have been performing. A Mikvah pool is a specially crafted and designed pool used to perform a spiritual cleansing, although they are now performed in pools, any body of water, such as a lake stream or flowing water can be used to perform the Mikvah cleansing. Starting with the Tabernacle and following through the Temple eras it was a requirement for any Jewish person to undergo a Mikvah before he/she could enter onto the Temple grounds, and no the baths outside the Temple were not used to perform this those baths and pools were part of the cleaning process prior to going through the Mikvah process.
Baptism (from Greek baptizo: "immersing", "performing ablutions", i.e., "washing")[1] is the ritual act, with the use of water, by which one is admitted to membership of the Christian Church as defined by Wikipedia. As we pointed out last week if one wants to convert to Judaism that person is required to go through the Mikvah or immersion process.
This is a quote from and article found on Chabad.org site written by Rivkah Solonim. “In many ways mikvah is the threshold separating the unholy from the holy, but it is even more. Simply put, immersion in a mikvah signals a change in status -- more correctly, an elevation in status. Its unparalleled function lies in its power of transformation, its ability to effect metamorphosis.”
Do these words look familiar to any of you? Sounds like what happened to Jesus after being Baptized by John. Elevated just prior to entering the desert for 40 days to be confronted by Satin
Ok so I’m sure by know you are wondering what is the point here, so Jewish people call it a Mikvah, Christians call it Baptism, our point is that although Christians view it differently than their Jewish counter parts, Jesus does not, for us Jesus’ view is what it was meant to the Jewish people, it was a reconnection or rededication to God the Father Almighty in a ritual cleansing of ones Soul in order to accept the Torah and the Laws as found in the 5 Books of Moses.
Again we call on these verses from Matthew 5:17-20, Jesus himself confirms that the Mitzvoth of Torah will still be in effect long after his death. In verse 20 he is expressing to those listening that a persons that expects to enter the Kingdom of Heaven better be a person who will follow the Torah with a greater zeal then that of a Scribe or a Pharisee.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfill.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
19 Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, 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.
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.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 15
This week we wish to begin a discussion on the Christian ritual of Baptism and where its roots begin in Jewish Culture.
The beginning of the Jewish faith wasn’t started until the entire family of Jacob was removed from Slavery out of Egypt. When Adonai came down and gave the people of Israel his laws at Mount Sinai. On must keep in mind that Moses’ wife as well of many of the wife’s of Jacobs children were a diverse group. For instance Joseph married and Egyptian women, Moses wife was the daughter of a Priest from a different culture; it is told that many of the other wife’s of Jacobs Sons were Canaanites.
So how did it all begin for the people of Israel, Exodus 19:10 “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes”. The Jewish traditional understanding of this verse is that the people of Israel were immersed in water. It is not important if you believe this or not the important point is that the Jewish people were required to cleanse themselves before entering the Temple grounds period. To the Jewish believer they would have understood this as being part of the rich tradition of ones acceptance of the Torah that their forefathers took part in at Mt. Sinai.
So why is John the Baptist out baptizing people, what was he doing and why? Well this was a time when Adonai had left the presentence of his people for several hundreds of years. Adonai had kept his silence and left his people go about their business alone, without his directions. It was obvious from reading scripture he was at a point where he was allowing them to suffer at their own hands for as many put it their failure to comply with Torah Laws (Written) and not what mans interpretations were Talmud (Oral).
So just what was John out doing?, he was trying to bring the people of Israel back to the Torah, in his baptisms his attempt was to instill in the people a rededication to Adonai and his Torah. Which is why when Jesus came to him to be baptized John complained he wasn’t worthy of baptizing him, that Jesus was the Messiah and John was not worthy of the position of baptizing the Messiah found in Matthew 3:13-18. It wasn’t until Jesus told him in order to fulfill the prophets did John consent to do so.
The bottom line is no matter how we try to envision baptism or justify its meaning, if you fail to understand it’s meaning to the Jewish people, and why it was so significant for Jesus to be baptized. Even though Jesus is the Messiah and the Living Torah he has established and confirmed a need for the Jewish followers to recommit themselves to the Torah and the Mitzvoth contained within.
The Jewish culture and tradition during the Thousands of years before Jesus, any person who married outside of the Faith, would have been converted to Judaism in a ceremony called a Mikvah. Although the Bible doesn’t give details about these being performed it would have surly been obvious to its Jewish readers. It would be like me telling you my friend Kevin received his Doctorate in History. It is surly obvious and understood that Kevin wrote a Thesis and defended it.
So the next time you are attending a baptism or your Pastor does a service to rededicating your baptism understand that its true meaning is you are converting your self to following the Torah and the Mitzvah contained therein.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
The beginning of the Jewish faith wasn’t started until the entire family of Jacob was removed from Slavery out of Egypt. When Adonai came down and gave the people of Israel his laws at Mount Sinai. On must keep in mind that Moses’ wife as well of many of the wife’s of Jacobs children were a diverse group. For instance Joseph married and Egyptian women, Moses wife was the daughter of a Priest from a different culture; it is told that many of the other wife’s of Jacobs Sons were Canaanites.
So how did it all begin for the people of Israel, Exodus 19:10 “And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes”. The Jewish traditional understanding of this verse is that the people of Israel were immersed in water. It is not important if you believe this or not the important point is that the Jewish people were required to cleanse themselves before entering the Temple grounds period. To the Jewish believer they would have understood this as being part of the rich tradition of ones acceptance of the Torah that their forefathers took part in at Mt. Sinai.
So why is John the Baptist out baptizing people, what was he doing and why? Well this was a time when Adonai had left the presentence of his people for several hundreds of years. Adonai had kept his silence and left his people go about their business alone, without his directions. It was obvious from reading scripture he was at a point where he was allowing them to suffer at their own hands for as many put it their failure to comply with Torah Laws (Written) and not what mans interpretations were Talmud (Oral).
So just what was John out doing?, he was trying to bring the people of Israel back to the Torah, in his baptisms his attempt was to instill in the people a rededication to Adonai and his Torah. Which is why when Jesus came to him to be baptized John complained he wasn’t worthy of baptizing him, that Jesus was the Messiah and John was not worthy of the position of baptizing the Messiah found in Matthew 3:13-18. It wasn’t until Jesus told him in order to fulfill the prophets did John consent to do so.
The bottom line is no matter how we try to envision baptism or justify its meaning, if you fail to understand it’s meaning to the Jewish people, and why it was so significant for Jesus to be baptized. Even though Jesus is the Messiah and the Living Torah he has established and confirmed a need for the Jewish followers to recommit themselves to the Torah and the Mitzvoth contained within.
The Jewish culture and tradition during the Thousands of years before Jesus, any person who married outside of the Faith, would have been converted to Judaism in a ceremony called a Mikvah. Although the Bible doesn’t give details about these being performed it would have surly been obvious to its Jewish readers. It would be like me telling you my friend Kevin received his Doctorate in History. It is surly obvious and understood that Kevin wrote a Thesis and defended it.
So the next time you are attending a baptism or your Pastor does a service to rededicating your baptism understand that its true meaning is you are converting your self to following the Torah and the Mitzvah contained therein.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX.
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 14
This week we want to continue our discussions from the last several weeks on Reincarnation of ones Soul. As we had explained last week that the verse in Hebrews 9:27 is one statement many Theologians claim that rebukes this reality, and is what we will continue to address this week.
Since we are unable to research the Talmud online it was important to seek a response from someone who would be able to give us Talmudic references to Judgment upon death to better illustrate the Jewish perspective on this subject. Here are three different excerpts from the Talmud which reference this subject.
Ethics of our Fathers 3:1 Akavia the son of Mahalalel would say: Reflect upon three things and you will not come to the hands of transgression. Know from where you came, where you are going, and before whom you are destined to give a judgment and accounting. From where you came--from a putrid drop; where you are going--to a place of dust, maggots and worms; and before whom you are destined to give a judgment and accounting--before the supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He. ibid 3:16 He would also say: Everything is placed in pledge, and a net is spread over all the living. The store is open, the storekeeper extends credit, the account-book lies open, the hand writes, and all who wish to borrow may come and borrow. The collection-officers make their rounds every day and exact payment from man, with his knowledge and without his knowledge. Their case is well founded, the judgment is a judgment of truth, and ultimately, all is prepared for the feast. ibid 4:22 He would also say: Those who are born will die, and the dead will live. The living will be judged, to learn, to teach and to comprehend that He is G-d, He is the former, He is the creator, He is the comprehender, He is the judge, He is the witness, He is the plaintiff, and He will judge. Blessed is He, for before Him there is no wrong, no forgetting, no favoritism, and no taking of bribes; know, that everything is according to the reckoning. Let not your heart convince you that the grave is your escape; for against your will you are formed, against your will you are born, against your will you live, against your will you die, and against your will you are destined to give a judgment and accounting before the king, king of all kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.
I guess when one looks closer at these reflections from the Talmudic Laws it will give us a greater in sites into understanding the reason for the statement made in Hebrews. Keep in mind the Jewish people were the ones he was addressing in this text. As we explained in last weeks article this was just another reason why we think Paul was the author of this book, Paul would have been educated in these Talmudic teachings.
Although many of the teachings of Jewish and Christian Theologians wish to portray the non-existence of Reincarnation of Ones Soul, for the purpose of showing that to them the important point is not that it doesn’t exist, but what is important is that we are following God’s directions while we are here today, Love our neighbors, help the poor use the resources God has provided to us to care for others and not be selfish and use them only for our selfish desires.
The absents of any great details of just what Adonai’s Judgments will be is enough information for our belief that although this physical body will not return to this Physical plane our Soul will be judged for our merits and our wrong doings, as Jesus spoke of many times What you have done to unto the least of my brotherin you, you have done it unto me. Now it is important to note that anytime Jesus referred to his brotherin, he was referring specially to the Jewish people.
In closing this discussion one important point Jesus made to us all found in –Matthew 7:7 or Luke 11:9, Jesus tells us this “Seek and Yea Shall find Ask and it shall be given unto you Knock and it shall be opened unto you.” The point in closing is Jesus never told us that in giving us what we seek we would like what we are shown in truth. It is for us to choose to believe and follow Jesus or listen and follow Man’s interpretations of God’s directions.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Since we are unable to research the Talmud online it was important to seek a response from someone who would be able to give us Talmudic references to Judgment upon death to better illustrate the Jewish perspective on this subject. Here are three different excerpts from the Talmud which reference this subject.
Ethics of our Fathers 3:1 Akavia the son of Mahalalel would say: Reflect upon three things and you will not come to the hands of transgression. Know from where you came, where you are going, and before whom you are destined to give a judgment and accounting. From where you came--from a putrid drop; where you are going--to a place of dust, maggots and worms; and before whom you are destined to give a judgment and accounting--before the supreme King of Kings, the Holy One, blessed be He. ibid 3:16 He would also say: Everything is placed in pledge, and a net is spread over all the living. The store is open, the storekeeper extends credit, the account-book lies open, the hand writes, and all who wish to borrow may come and borrow. The collection-officers make their rounds every day and exact payment from man, with his knowledge and without his knowledge. Their case is well founded, the judgment is a judgment of truth, and ultimately, all is prepared for the feast. ibid 4:22 He would also say: Those who are born will die, and the dead will live. The living will be judged, to learn, to teach and to comprehend that He is G-d, He is the former, He is the creator, He is the comprehender, He is the judge, He is the witness, He is the plaintiff, and He will judge. Blessed is He, for before Him there is no wrong, no forgetting, no favoritism, and no taking of bribes; know, that everything is according to the reckoning. Let not your heart convince you that the grave is your escape; for against your will you are formed, against your will you are born, against your will you live, against your will you die, and against your will you are destined to give a judgment and accounting before the king, king of all kings, the Holy One, blessed be He.
I guess when one looks closer at these reflections from the Talmudic Laws it will give us a greater in sites into understanding the reason for the statement made in Hebrews. Keep in mind the Jewish people were the ones he was addressing in this text. As we explained in last weeks article this was just another reason why we think Paul was the author of this book, Paul would have been educated in these Talmudic teachings.
Although many of the teachings of Jewish and Christian Theologians wish to portray the non-existence of Reincarnation of Ones Soul, for the purpose of showing that to them the important point is not that it doesn’t exist, but what is important is that we are following God’s directions while we are here today, Love our neighbors, help the poor use the resources God has provided to us to care for others and not be selfish and use them only for our selfish desires.
The absents of any great details of just what Adonai’s Judgments will be is enough information for our belief that although this physical body will not return to this Physical plane our Soul will be judged for our merits and our wrong doings, as Jesus spoke of many times What you have done to unto the least of my brotherin you, you have done it unto me. Now it is important to note that anytime Jesus referred to his brotherin, he was referring specially to the Jewish people.
In closing this discussion one important point Jesus made to us all found in –Matthew 7:7 or Luke 11:9, Jesus tells us this “Seek and Yea Shall find Ask and it shall be given unto you Knock and it shall be opened unto you.” The point in closing is Jesus never told us that in giving us what we seek we would like what we are shown in truth. It is for us to choose to believe and follow Jesus or listen and follow Man’s interpretations of God’s directions.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 13
Two weeks ago we addressed the issue of Reincarnation of the Soul through the teachings of Jesus himself. Today we would like to elaborate on this subject as well as the words in Hebrews chapter 9:27 how many Christians are taught to use this verse in order to rebuke this issue.
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.
The Quest Study Bible NIV that we draw information from, explains that the author of the book of Hebrews is unknown, that most think it was written by Paul, or Luke. It claims that this book was written as a warning to the Jewish believers who were considering reverting to the ways of the Old Testament.
In looking at the context of chapter 9 in Hebrews starting with verse 19 going onto verse 26, the author is confirming our argument that Jesus has taken the place for our need to take a physical sacrifice to the High Priest in order for him to interceded on our behalf. That Jesus being before Adonai is interceding on our behalf.
After much research we are still trying to figure out how this statement even relates to the context of the rest of the paragraph, this statement just doesn’t fit into the context of the author’s argument, nor is there any other direct Biblical reference to this statement what so ever in the Old Testament, so where is the author gaining this information from in the first place? What we have been able to obtain is that there are references to Judgment after ones passing. So in this case the author has placed his own perception here in this statement.
So lets go out on a limb here, and go with Paul being the Author of the Book of Hebrews, Paul being a Pharisee, we can put him in the same category as Nicodemus that we addressed several weeks ago when Jesus himself was speaking to Nicodemus, found in John Chapter 3.
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
But lets look at this from a humans view point, If our Soul is Reincarnated it most assuredly would not enter the same physical body we currently exist in.
So as Jesus told Nicodemus “that we must be born again in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven,”
These statements of Jesus follow the Ancient Jewish Mystical Teachings, This in fact does follow our though process on how our soul can be given the chance to arise to the levels of the Ten Sefirot we have been discussing in these articles. Prior to the arrival of the Jesus the Messiah we were required by Adonai to have the High Priest intercede on our behalf.
The real issue then becomes do you listen to the Words and teaching of Jesus, or do you allow yourself to be taken by those of and unknown author of a document that was written to address Jewish believers, ones who followed the Laws of the Old Testament, and continued to do so after Jesus death and resurrection? Keeping in mind that these words Jesus spoke to us found in Matthew chapter 5:17-18.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.
The Quest Study Bible NIV that we draw information from, explains that the author of the book of Hebrews is unknown, that most think it was written by Paul, or Luke. It claims that this book was written as a warning to the Jewish believers who were considering reverting to the ways of the Old Testament.
In looking at the context of chapter 9 in Hebrews starting with verse 19 going onto verse 26, the author is confirming our argument that Jesus has taken the place for our need to take a physical sacrifice to the High Priest in order for him to interceded on our behalf. That Jesus being before Adonai is interceding on our behalf.
After much research we are still trying to figure out how this statement even relates to the context of the rest of the paragraph, this statement just doesn’t fit into the context of the author’s argument, nor is there any other direct Biblical reference to this statement what so ever in the Old Testament, so where is the author gaining this information from in the first place? What we have been able to obtain is that there are references to Judgment after ones passing. So in this case the author has placed his own perception here in this statement.
So lets go out on a limb here, and go with Paul being the Author of the Book of Hebrews, Paul being a Pharisee, we can put him in the same category as Nicodemus that we addressed several weeks ago when Jesus himself was speaking to Nicodemus, found in John Chapter 3.
10 Jesus answered and said unto him, Art thou a master of Israel, and knowest not these things?
But lets look at this from a humans view point, If our Soul is Reincarnated it most assuredly would not enter the same physical body we currently exist in.
So as Jesus told Nicodemus “that we must be born again in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven,”
These statements of Jesus follow the Ancient Jewish Mystical Teachings, This in fact does follow our though process on how our soul can be given the chance to arise to the levels of the Ten Sefirot we have been discussing in these articles. Prior to the arrival of the Jesus the Messiah we were required by Adonai to have the High Priest intercede on our behalf.
The real issue then becomes do you listen to the Words and teaching of Jesus, or do you allow yourself to be taken by those of and unknown author of a document that was written to address Jewish believers, ones who followed the Laws of the Old Testament, and continued to do so after Jesus death and resurrection? Keeping in mind that these words Jesus spoke to us found in Matthew chapter 5:17-18.
17 Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.
18 For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
Stepping out of the Comfort Zone 12
Last week the opportunity came up to minister to a young friend, Young I say she is 35, but what was so unusual about the whole encounter really hit me like a ton of bricks. This is the whole purpose of this Ministry and what this Series is all about. How do we reach people whose Comfort Zone lies in the belief that the New Testament is the spoken word of Adonai. During the conversation it was pointed out that there are many inconsistencies in Paul’s teaching and his writings in the New Testament text. Cindy asked if it was our belief that God allowed this text to be placed in the Bible with false truths. When she receive the response I saw a very upset and confused individual,
This was the perfect gift from Adonai on how to bring this issue to the fore-ground many have expressed to us that the New Testament is ordained by Adonai as his word and it is truth, or he would not have allowed it to be published.
Question then why did Adonai not destroy the people of Israel after the Golden Calf, or when the 10 spies came back and told of lies of Giants living in the promised land? The people of Israel decided to follow the spies instead of following Adonai, so Adonai made them walk for 40 years in the desert to die so only their Children would enter into The Promised Land.
We have written several pieces about the Tallis and Tefflin as well as one on “Surrounding Yourself in the name of God” in all our writings and teachings of how Jesus would have followed the Laws of Torah, we have been very consistent to the fact that these ways were designed by Adonai, for us to always remember that he is in control of our lives, that he is always watching over us, and that he Loves us and protects us from evil.
Let’s look at an inconsistency in the New Testament. For those of you who believe that the writings in the New Testament are in fallible this is going to be a thought pill to swallow. Found in Matthew chapter 1:1-17 is the genealogy of Jesus this is the one we find to be false because it traces the line of Jesus through Jeconiah who was cursed by Adonai. Adonai would have never brought his Kingdom through the Children of Jeconiah. Found in Luke chapter 3:23-37 we find a completely different genealogy this particular one we believe to be the true one for one reason it doesn’t come through Jeconiah but through Nathan.
However the most glaring fact is that they are different! Irrespective of the one we chose to believe to be true one must be incorrect. News flash the New Testament infallibility argument dead on arrival one simply cannot explain away the fact that the two genealogies are totally different from Solomon forward.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
This was the perfect gift from Adonai on how to bring this issue to the fore-ground many have expressed to us that the New Testament is ordained by Adonai as his word and it is truth, or he would not have allowed it to be published.
Question then why did Adonai not destroy the people of Israel after the Golden Calf, or when the 10 spies came back and told of lies of Giants living in the promised land? The people of Israel decided to follow the spies instead of following Adonai, so Adonai made them walk for 40 years in the desert to die so only their Children would enter into The Promised Land.
We have written several pieces about the Tallis and Tefflin as well as one on “Surrounding Yourself in the name of God” in all our writings and teachings of how Jesus would have followed the Laws of Torah, we have been very consistent to the fact that these ways were designed by Adonai, for us to always remember that he is in control of our lives, that he is always watching over us, and that he Loves us and protects us from evil.
Let’s look at an inconsistency in the New Testament. For those of you who believe that the writings in the New Testament are in fallible this is going to be a thought pill to swallow. Found in Matthew chapter 1:1-17 is the genealogy of Jesus this is the one we find to be false because it traces the line of Jesus through Jeconiah who was cursed by Adonai. Adonai would have never brought his Kingdom through the Children of Jeconiah. Found in Luke chapter 3:23-37 we find a completely different genealogy this particular one we believe to be the true one for one reason it doesn’t come through Jeconiah but through Nathan.
However the most glaring fact is that they are different! Irrespective of the one we chose to believe to be true one must be incorrect. News flash the New Testament infallibility argument dead on arrival one simply cannot explain away the fact that the two genealogies are totally different from Solomon forward.
The Lord Bless you and Protect you!
The Lord deal kindly and graciously with you!
The Lord bestow His favor upon you and grant you peace!
The Articles presented here are copy written by The Light In Christ Ministry in Sherman, TX
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