Author: Daniel

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Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Why God makes such a big deal out of vows and oaths (Numbers 30–36)

Why God makes such a big deal out of vows and oaths (Deuteronomy 30-36). A black bailiff swears in a white woman wearing a white shirt and brown skirt while holding up her right hand and placing her left hand on a Bible. (Image from Adobe Stock Photos)

The Torah double portion מַּטּוֹת מַסְעֵי Matot-Massei (Numbers 30–36) focuses on vows. The theme of this section, echoed by Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) and His apostle Ya’akov (James), is say what you mean and mean what you say.

This is true whether we are engaging with our equals, our leaders or those who are in a more vulnerable and marginalized position in our society. We should also communicate honesty and forthrightly with God, because no idle word will be forgotten by our God. Every comment, every joke, every insult will be noted and accounted in His book.

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Discussions Torah

How you can rise above giant-sized fear (Numbers 13–15)

How you can rise above giant-sized fear (Numbers 13-15). Artwork shows four grotesque giants looming over several grasshoppers, referring to a line in which the 10 "bad report" spies of Israel said they saw themselves as grasshoppers compared to the giants in the land.

How do we see the troubles and difficulties we face each day? From our perspective, limited in knowledge and power, or from the perspective of the One Who made and sustains all things? That can make the difference between living a life paralyzed by fear or moving on courageously, no matter the outcome. This is a key undercurrent of the Torah reading שְׁלַח Shelakh (“send,” Numbers 13–15) and the teachings on faith by Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Unclean skins covering the holy Tabernacle? Pagan name for the LORD? (Numbers 1:1–4:20)

Torah reading Bemidbar Q&A (Numbers 1:1-4:20; Hosea 1:9-2:23)

Why would the Tabernacle be covered with the skin of an unclean animal? Why would God call Himself by the name of a pagan god? Here are answers to such questions from the Torah reading בְּמִדְבַּר Bemidbar (“in the wilderness,” Num. 1:1–4:20).

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Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

6 lessons from when fire comes from God

The closer we desire to be to God, the more He expects of us — more repentance, more humility, more love and compassion for those He created. We know who God and what He expects of us because of His words, the instructions He has given us to follow.

This is a key lesson from the deaths of two key priests in the Tabernacle from the Torah reading שמיני Shemini (“eighth,” Leviticus 9–11). God has given us counsel and instructions on how we are to conduct ourselves in the world, in our families, in our communities. He also tells us how we are to interact with Him.

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Discussions Torah

‘I will give you rest’: God’s blueprint for His dwelling among humanity (Exodus 35–40; 1Corinthians 3)

"I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28; Exodus 33:14): God's blueprint for His dwelling among humanity (Exodus 35-40; 1Corinthians 3)

Every believer is a mobile temple — dwelling place — to God. As we build our trust in Heaven’s Anointed One, Yeshua (Jesus), God will test that foundation from time to time. If we are building our faith with strong materials, the building will remain standing. If we are building our faith with weak materials, the building will fall. That’s a key lesson from the parable of the Tabernacle, brought to a crescendo in Torah reading וַיַּקְהֵל/פְקוּדֵי Vayakel/Pekudei, (“and he assembled”/“accounts,” Exodus 35:1–40:38).

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

How Heaven leads families from bondage to freedom (Exodus 21; Romans 6; Mark 10)

How Heaven leads families from bondage to freedom (Exodus 21; Romans 6; Mark 10)

One of the key lessons from Torah portion מִּשְׁפָּטִים Mishpatim (Exodus 21–24) and from the Prophets and Gospels is that God and Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) doesn’t separate religious and civil laws. The reasons for that are encapsulated in the Greatest Commandment and the Golden Rule — and in the Torah laws that restricted and ultimately abolished slavery.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

The gospel according to Moses

The gospel according to Moses (Exodus 4-5)

Some may think that the gospel started with the Bible books named after it. But that good news of the Kingdom of Heaven long preceded — and prepared the way for — the arrival of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ). In the Torah reading וארא Va’era (“I appeared,” Exodus 6:2–9:35), we see how Moses foreshadowed the gospel message and the work of the Messiah.