Author: Jeff

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Discussions Torah

‘Image of God’ and sanctity of life: Noah’s enduring lessons for the world (Genesis 8–9)

Adobe Stock image of artwork showing Noah's Ark resting in the mountains of Ararat with a rainbow over the vessel. Wording says, "'Image of God' and sanctity of life: Noah's enduring lessons for the world. (Genesis 8:15-9:17)."

The Noachide covenant (Genesis 9:1–17) establishes God’s promise to never again destroy the earth, foreshadowing the fulfillment of the Genesis 3:15 promise to Chavah (Eve). This study explores how that covenant emphasizes the sanctity of life, the prohibition on bloodshed and the command to “swarm” (repopulate) the earth — themes woven throughout the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1–3; 15:18; 22:17; 26:3).

Crucially, the covenant addresses humanity’s יֵצֶר הַרַע‎ yetzer ha-ra (the evil inclination, fallenness). That’s opposed to a common philosophy today that humanity is fundamentally טוֹב tov — Hebrew for good. The antidote is yetzer ha-tov, the good inclination made possible by following the Spirit of God’s guidance in taking captive our thoughts and bringing them into submission to the Heaven’s Word, embodied in Yeshua the Messiah, or Jesus the Christ. The Messiah’s work, foreshadowed by Noah’s ark, reconciles and restores us from our yetzer ha-ra as Heaven plans for humanity to emerge into a “new heavens and a new earth.”

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Discussions Torah

Taming the tide of violence: The Flood as a call to return to the Righteous One (Genesis 8:1–14)

Adobe Stock image shows artwork of a dove holding an olive branch in its beak with Noah's ark in the background floating on a rather calm ocean. Writing says, "Taming the tide of violence: The Flood as a call to return to the Righteous One. Genesis 8:1-14."

The Flood narrative in Genesis 8:1–14 reveals profound insights into God’s plan for restoring creation. This study explores the historical context, Hebrew language and Messianic connections in a passage that highlights the ongoing battle against evil and the promise of ultimate triumph.

Through a special form of the Hebrew verb for “remember” in Genesis 8:1 and an important shift in the global calendar from the time of the Flood to the Exodus, we gain deeper understanding of what God is doing across time and the role of God’s people in preserving the heritage of the Creator. This rich biblical account inspires hope in the Messiah’s victory and the restoration of all things.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Was Noah really righteous?: Lessons from the Flood for today (Genesis 6–7)

"Was Noah really righteous?: Lessons from the Flood for today (Genesis 6-7)." Adobe Stock image of the ark under construction, showing workers around it.

Genesis 6–7 highlights Noah’s righteousness and blamelessness in a corrupt world. Unlike his generation, Noah “walked with God,” demonstrating faith and obedience. His righteousness was not situational but consistent, rooted in his willingness to listen to God’s correction and fulfill His commands. This trust and humility set Noah apart, making him a vessel of God’s mercy and a model of faithfulness. This was a shadow of the coming Agent of Heaven’s mercy: Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Is religion ‘opium’ or empowerment? How Cain and Abel reveal a good God amid a world of suffering (Genesis 4; Romans 3)

"'Opium' or empowerment? How Cain and Abel reveal a good God amid a world of suffering (Genesis 4; Romans 3)."

This study of Genesis 4 focuses on the offerings of Cain and Abel, tracing the narrative of atonement and the messianic hope (Gen. 3:15, 4:1) throughout the Bible. Confronting the problem of evil, we find that suffering refines our character and deepens trust in a good God (Rom. 8:18-22, 2Cor. 4:13-18). Though some deride religion as opium (Karl Marx), we are empowered to maintain an eternal perspective, embracing the transformative power of the Suffering Servant Who crushes the serpent’s head (Isaiah 53; Romans 3). As watchmen, we navigate media narratives, discerning truth and standing firm in wisdom (James 1).

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Discussions

Discernment in a distorted world: Heaven’s guide for telling good from bad (Genesis 2–3; Ezekiel 28; Romans 5)

"Discernment an a Distorted World: Heaven's Guide for Telling Good From Bad (Genesis 2-3; Ezekiel 28; Romans 5)." Adobe Firefly AI layered-paper-style warm earth-tone image showing an open book as the ground out of which a garden is growing, hinting at the Torah as the foundation for truth and revelation of reality.

This study on Genesis 2-3, Ezekiel 28, and Romans 5 unpacks the significance of the Garden of Eden, the Trees of Life and Knowledge of Good and Bad, and how these ancient stories connect to the Messiah’s work of restoring the relationship between God and humanity. And it explores how using godly principles for selecting leadership helps avoid the toxic legacy of corruption for families, congregations and society.

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Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Atonement Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

From guilt to glory: Yom Kippur & the believer’s transformative journey

"From guilt to glory: Yom Kippur and the believer's transformative journey." Adobe Firefly AI palette knife-style image of men and women walking from left to right from gloom to joy.

This study explores יוֹם הַכִּפֻּרִים Yom Kippurim, the Day of Atonement in the Bible, which stands as a pivotal moment in the redemptive story, bridging the gulf between Heaven and Earth. Rooted in Leviticus 16 and echoed in Hebrews 3–10, this sacred day reveals the Messiah’s eternal work of covering sins, transgressions and iniquities.

From the Passover lamb’s blood on the doorpost to block the LORD’s destroyer to the high priest’s incense-shrouded entrance into the Holy of Holies, the themes of Yom Kippur point to the ultimate sacrifice of Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ), the Melchizedek priest who cleanses our consciences from the stain of a life separated from the presence of the Creator (Heb. 9:14).

Confronting the depths of the human heart, as seen in Genesis 4, Psalm 51, Isaiah 1 and Matthew 5, Yom Kippur calls us to a posture of brokenness and contrition, that we might experience the transformative power of forgiveness and restoration.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Transformed from within: The promise of the New Covenant (Deuteronomy 32; Micah 7; Hebrews 9–10)

"Transformed from within: The promise of the New Covenant (Deuteronomy 32; Micah 7: Hebrews 9-10)." Adobe Firefly AI layered-paper-style image of a woman standing on a shore while her suitcase sits at the bottom of the ocean. Micah 7:19b: "You will cast all our sins into the depths of the sea."

Humility before the Almighty is the heart of the swan song of Moshe (Moses), recorded in the Torah reading הַאֲזִינוּ Ha’azinu (“listen,” Deuteronomy 32). We learn that the people of God are not righteous in themselves, but they are made righteous by God’s mercy. In this study, we explore how a parallel passage in Micah 7:18–20 points us toward Heaven’s removal of the stain of our pasts and how Hebrews 9–10 reveals the Messiah’s pivotal role in that freedom, annually memorialized on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).