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Numbers 15-17: Tzitzitot a sign against rebellion; rebellions of ‘stick man,’ Korah and Reubenites

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This section could be titled, “The Three Stories of Rebellion”: of a man collecting firewood on Shabbat, of Korah, of two families of the tribe of Reuben. God dealt with each rebellion in a different way. All imprinted in the minds of the people over and again God was the one in charge, and it was God’s prerogative to choose Moses and Aaron. [read more]

Luke 6:1-11: Law vs. mercy: Does picking grain violate the Sabbath?

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There are three main classes of interpretation: 1. Yeshua is heralding the “end of Torah” and the “beginning of Grace.” 2. Yeshua was simply correcting unwarranted additions to the Torah. 3. Yeshua is talking about a “higher standard” for the Torah. [read more]

Leviticus 23-24 — ‘Feasts to the LORD’; ‘the LORD spoke to…’

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The 23rd chapter of Leviticus is a relatively obvious passage. The explanations are simple and self-explanatory, except for questions about the biblical timing of Firstfruits and Pentecost. The 24th chapter is a bit unusual and not so simple to decipher. When you read the book of Leviticus and you find the phrase “the LORD spoke to…” pay attention to whom is supposed to hear the message. There were some messages for the sons of Aaron but some messages were for the people of Israel. Each group had their own duties and responsibilities, and it’s God Himself Who decides. [read more]

Exodus 35-37 — Shabbat and the building of the Tabernacle

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Exodus 31 — pattern of the mountain starts to become a reality

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In Exodus 31, we meet the two men (beside Moses) whose work and talent were used to make the Tabernacle which began as the “pattern shown on the Mountain” a living, functional reality. However, he gives them a reminder that they are still supposed to keep the Sabbath, no exceptions. They can’t break the sabbath, even for the sake of building the Tabernacle or they will be “cut off from their people.” [read more]

Exodus 23-24 — lessons from the judgments of God such as ‘don’t boil a kid in its mother’s milk’

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We continue to study the judgements God revealed at Sinai after He revealed by His word the 10 commandments. Remember that the people of Israel were hearing these judgements for the first time. They didn’t have the advantage of the foresight we have and they haven’t been written down yet. They didn’t have the clarifications and admonitions from the Messiah Yeshua. [read more]

Journey to the 10 — Exodus 16 — manna and Shabbat

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We need to make our own personal connection to the Exodus and the events leading up to Sinai. These events are not only for those who have an ethnic Jewish heritage. This history belongs to all who are called by God our Father to take hold of Yeshua as our elder brother and kinsmen redeemer. At this point in the Exodus, God gives them manna to eat but also gives them very specific instructions of how, when and what to do with the manna after they gather it. The people violated those instructions and incurred different punishments for their folly. [read more]