Author: Jeff

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

All-in bets on the Kingdom of God last a lifetime

Going all-in for the Kingdom of God

The “easy days” of being a believer in God through Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) are fast coming to an end in Western nations. But in this accelerating shift, the people of God are learning what those in repressive areas today and in centuries past have clinged to in dark times: The “death” of the old way of life helps one remain standing as comfort and security crumble around.

These are some of the key lessons in this study of the Torah passage ויצא Vayetze/Vayetzei (“he went out,” Gen. 28:10–32:2).

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Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Money and Messiah: How Heaven teaches us to respect others and ourselves

Money and Messiah: How Heaven teaches us to respect others and ourselves

A section of the Torah reading חיי שרה Chayei Sarah (“Sarah’s life,” Gen. 23:1–25:18) makes a big deal about a real estate transaction Abraham did for a burial plot for his wife Sarah. Rather than an arcane factoid from ancient times now long gone, this deal is a key lesson on the Golden Rule — how highly Heaven values humanity, and how people should similarly respect others and ourselves.

Rather than “he who has the gold makes the rules” or “do unto others before they do it unto you,” the Golden Rule and related instructions on property rights teach us to find value in others and ourselves based on what’s inside of us: our character, who we truly are.

And one of the key parts of this lesson is the great Gift given to humanity through Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus), beautifully explained by the Suffering Servant prophecy in Isaiah 52:13–53:12.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Messiah: Door to the ark of salvation (Genesis 6–7; Matthew 24)

Messiah: Door to the ark of salvation (Genesis 6-7; Matthew 24)

Just as there was one door to Noach’s ark and the salvation it offered from the waters of the flood, there is only one Door to salvation to save us from the eternal destruction of wickedness that will come at the final judgement.

From the Torah passage נֹחַ Noach (Gen. 6:9–11:32), we see how its main figure tried to warn his generation of the trouble that laid ahead for the earth.

Similarly, Yeshua (Jesus) did the same in His generation, and He has called each generation of His followers to warn their generation of the coming “time of trouble.”

As the proverb says, history may not repeat itself, but it rhymes. And studying the history of the world from the Torah (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) is how we can know what will happen, even if we don’t understand exactly when these things will happen.

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Discussions Torah

Eden’s two trees: Paths of life and death (Genesis 2–3)

Eden's two trees: Paths of life and death (Genesis 2-3)

It could be easy to dismiss as myth the Bible account of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2–3). Can god-like wisdom come from eating fruit from a special tree? How could the fate of humanity be tipped toward toil and sorrow just because Adam and Eve selected fruit from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Bad versus the Tree of Life?

But this passage from the beginning of the Book of Beginning — בְּרֵאשִׁית Beresheet (“in the beginning,” Gen. 1:1–6:8) really directs us to the key question the Creator asked the first couple before and after their fruit selection: Will you choose life or choose death? Appeal, similar to what Moshe posed in Deut. 30:19 and what’s seen in the Book of Revelation, was presented physically in the form of two trees, both of which the Holy One created.

And this choice of the path toward life versus the path toward death is one that each of us have to keep making from one moment to the next.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

How to become a rock of character in a sinking world of sand (2Samuel 22)

How to become a rock of character in a sinking world of sand (2Samuel 22)

Moses was not the only Hebrew Bible dignitary who wrote a song of deliverance. In this study, we will explore King David’s song of deliverance, as recorded in 2Samuel 22.

Just as Israel had been delivered from Egypt, David had been delivered from two different enemies: King Sha’ul and the Philistines.

Yet, David didn’t brag about his military prowess or his own cunning, but about God’s deliverance. He acknowledges that God is the source of his righteousness, wisdom and power.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

2 steps to repentance: Turn away from what’s bad; turn toward Who’s good

2 steps to repentance: Turn away from what's bad; turn toward Who's good

The Shabbat (Sabbath) between Rosh Hashanah (Feast of Trumpets) and Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) is called the Shabbat Shuvah, or Sabbath of Restoration/Return.

Traditional readings for this day from the prophets Hosea, Micah and Joel warn us that when our spiritual eyes are opened, He will show us where our community, our nation has veered away from Him, just as He will show us where we have turned away from Him on a personal level.

During this time of preparation for God’s judgement, we have an opportunity to see where have we gone off the right path. We should want to turn away from evil and turn back to the good. God has promised us through all the Prophets, the Apostles and through the Messiah Himself that the heart of God is toward His people. Heaven is looking for us to repent and change our hearts towards Him.

Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Choose a selfless life for the salvation of the world (Deuteronomy 29–30)

Choose a selfless life for the salvation of the world (Deuteronomy 29-30)

Moses said effectively, “Choose life, not death” (Deut. 30:19-20). It sounds like such an easy thing to do. But the truth is that it’s easier to walk the path of death than it is to walk the path of life. Our “flesh” drags us to follow our own inclinations, what we think is right rather than what God thinks and what He has taught us is right. In the Torah portion נִצָּבִים Nitzavim (“standing,” Deut. 29:9-30:20), Moses tells us that the Torah is not too hard for us, but it can be immensely difficult for us if we are not following through in letting the Spirit of God lead us.