Author: Jeff

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Discussions Torah

When these men tried to tell God who was in charge, it didn’t go well (Numbers 16–18)

When these men tried to tell God who was in charge, it didn't go well (Numbers 16-18). Bearded man in a blue dress shirt wears a crown and looks up to the right quizzically.

The Torah reading קֹרַח Korakh/Korach (“Korah,” Numbers 16–18) presents us a difficult lesson in the dangers of democracy. As Americans, we pride ourselves on living in a country where all citizens who are age 18-plus are granted a vote in how our school boards, cities, counties, states and the nation itself are governed. 

Korach and those following him wanted to rule God’s house itself in a similar manner. Ambassadors and disciples of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) should carefully and humbly take to heart how God’s judgment utterly humiliated and destroyed Korach and his rebels.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

‘Let your light shine among men’: When God’s people need re-enlightenment (Zechariah 1–4)

'Let your light shine among men': When God's people need re-enlightenment (Zechariah 1-4)

The prophet Zechariah had a special relationship with God. He received eight prophesies in the same night then additional prophesies and visions as well. Many of these messages reveal important information about the identity and calling of the future Messiah — Yeshua (Jesus).

Zechariah was a descendant of Aaron the high priest and most likely born in Babylon or Persia during the Babylonian exile. Zechariah was a contemporary of the prophet Haggai. Both tell us that even when the people of God are in exile and living in subjection to pagan powers, God is in control and remembers His people. He hasn’t forgotten their mission or their calling. Heaven brings on the exiles to re-awaken the people to that mission.

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Discussions Torah

Mt. Sinai is everywhere Yeshua wants to be (Numbers 9–11)

Mt. Sinai is everywhere you — and Yeshua — want you to be (Numbers 9-11). Tents pitched in front of Mt. Sinai.

In the Torah reading בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ Beha’alotcha (“when you raise up” [the lamps], Numbers 8–12) we learn two main lessons: First, what started in Sinai (approaching God’s Presence) won’t stay in Sinai. (Hint: It will travel with the people, in the midst of the assembly.) Second, God is always willing to give us every opportunity to repent and participate fully in His community.

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Appointments With God Discussions Pentecost/Shavuot

Pentecost: God’s global invitation to become part of Heaven’s family

Pentecost: God's global invitation to become part of Heaven's family. Six people toast with wine glasses full of different beverages across a table covered with foods.

Shavuot (Pentecost) is an invitation to all mankind to meet and fellowship with God. He sent the same invitation through Moshe (Moses) to the first generation of Israel post-Exodus that God sends through His Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus).

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Discussions Jubilee Prophets and Writings Sabbatical Year

What happens when we take Heaven’s mercy for granted (Jeremiah 16–17)

What happens when we take Heaven's mercy for granted (Jeremiah 16-17)

“It’s good to be king!” Except when invaders are about to conquer your kingdom because of your predecessors forgot Who put the crown on their heads and Who gave them the Land they ruled. The closing chapters of the Bible book of Vayiqra (Leviticus) foretell of Israel’s dystopian future, but it didn’t have to be that way. The companion passage to the Torah reading בְּהַר Behar / בְּחֻקֹּתַי Bechukotai (“on the mountain” / “in My statutes,” Leviticus 25–27), shows a moment just before that horror arrived when a king tried to reverse centuries of oppression in the Promised Land, Heaven’s mercy for Israel and the world.

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Discussions Torah

‘You are the light of the world’: Importance of an ‘othered’ people for a world dismayed by darkness (Leviticus 21–24)

'You are the light of the world': Importance of an 'other' peoplee for a world dismayed by the darkness (Leviticus 21-24)

The otherness (aka holiness) of the Kingdom of God can be a preservative for the world and an offense. Heaven’s messages and messengers can bring life-saving hope or abhorrent reminders of a life that’s being squandered. A key lesson from the Torah reading אָמַר Emor (“say,” Leviticus 21–24) is the ongoing and recurring work Heaven does through us by way of Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ).

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Toward a more relevant Torah for today’s world (Leviticus 16–20)

Toward a more relevant Torah for today's world (Leviticus 16-20). Image of a mezzuzah at an angle above a Torah text.

Some are concerned about making the Bible more relevant to modern society, by playing down or sidestepping the “icky” or seemingly backward depictions and instructions in it. However, among the key lessons from the dual Torah reading אחרי מות Acharei Mot (“after the deaths”) and קדושים Kedoshim (“holies/holy”) (Leviticus 16–20) is that the what seems obsolete is anything but that — especially for how they undergird the gospel of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).