Author: Jeff

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Lost tribes and messianic restoration: Jeremiah’s message of hope to Rachel (Genesis 24; Matthew 2; Jeremiah 31)

Lost tribes and messianic restoration: Jeremiah's message of hope to Rachel (Genesis 24; Matthew 2; Jeremiah 31)

This study on the Torah reading חַיֵּי שָׂרָה Chayei Sarah (“Sarah’s life,” Gen. 23:1–25:18) explores biblical principles of respect, property ownership and the hope of resurrection. It centers around the stories of Abraham and David, emphasizing their sorrow and the significance of their real estate transactions in the history of the people of Israel, finding resting places for Sarah and the presence of Heaven.

Chayei Sarah also has important connections to prophecies to the events surrounding the birth of Yeshua Messiah (Jesus Christ), exploring messianic themes and emphasizing the continuity of these prophecies in early Jewish writings.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Is destruction of the wicked an example of ‘God so loved the world’? (Genesis 18–22; John 3)

Is destruction of the wicked an example of 'God so loved the world'? (Genesis 18-22; John 3)

The Torah reading וַיֵּרָא Vayera (“he appeared,” Genesis 18–22) grabs readers’ attention with its gripping account of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and the scandalous consequences of Lot’s choices. This seems at odds with “God so loved the world” (John 3:16).

This study explores the importance of trust (faith), the power of prayer and God’s mercy balanced with justice. We’ll see that God’s desire is to save humanity from divine judgment that must come to bring to an end the forces dragging humanity toward death. Mercy indeed triumphs over judgment for those who learn to trust their Creator. That’s how “light” (righteousness) overcomes “darkness” (wickedness).

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Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

God’s unwavering love: Foreshadowed in Abraham, realized in Messiah (Genesis 12–17)

God's unwavering love: Foreshadowed in Abraham, realized in Messiah (Genesis 12-17)

This study on the Torah reading לֶךְ-לְךָ Lech Lecha (Genesis 12–17) explores the spiritual lineage of Abraham and how it emphasizes God’s faithfulness and love, irrespective of human failings. This faithfulness and love reaches its fullness in Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ).

Being a true descendant of the covenant the Creator of Heaven and Earth made with him means embodying the trust — faith — he had in Heaven’s promises, not just sharing his DNA. We explore the importance of spiritual commitment over rituals such as circumcision, biblical criticism toward religious figures’ service without sincerity, and the necessity for total devotion for a covenantal relationship with God.

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Discussions Torah

Seed of hope is planted in the hearts of humanity groaning in a world of hate and violence (Genesis 1–4)

Seed of hope is planted in the hearts of humanity groaning in a world of hate and violence (Genesis 1-4)

The origins of not just the universe and creation but also hatred and violence in contemporary and ancient society are revealed in the first Torah reading, בְּרֵאשִׁית B’reisheet (“In the beginning,” Genesis 1:1–6:8), reveals. What makes the difference in not going down that dark road is listening to God’s voice in a world filled with confusion and disobedience.

This study explores the nature of sin, highlighting the responsibility individuals bear for their actions and how the Age of Ignorance is over with the revelation of the Creator through Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ). This exploration also touches upon gender and marriage in the context of God’s design, with an emphasis on the covenant of marriage and its role in humanity.

The origin and purpose of Israel are discussed, stressing its role as a light to the world. Additionally, we delve into the symbolic connection between nakedness and shame, relating it to the account of Adam and Chavah (Eve) and their choices that lead to judgment. It concludes with a message of hope centered around the Seed of the woman and the need for unwavering faith — trust — in God’s healing and salvation.

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Discussions Tabernacles Torah

Sukkot: A reminder of Heaven’s extreme makeover of our lives

Sukkot: A reminder of Heaven's extreme makeover of our lives

In the First Commandment, God says, “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery” (Ex. 20:2). As ancient Israel fled from Egypt and travelled to the Promised Land, they lived in booths, or סֻכֹּת sukkot in Hebrew. They weren’t supposed to live in these temporary shelters for 40 years in the wilderness. It was only because of their disobedience that they had to live that way for so long.

This study explores a key lesson of Sukkot (Festival of Tabernacles): We should be orienting ourselves towards God, not expecting Him to orient Himself toward us. 

It’s crucial for us to understand God’s character, to submit to His timing and molding us into His image — revealed through Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) — so that we will be a suitable people for God to dwell with for all time.

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Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Atonement Discussions

A memorial of Messiah: Heaven’s conscience cleaner (Leviticus 16; Hebrews 1–10)

Yom Kippur: A memorial of Messiah, Heaven's conscience cleaner (Leviticus 16; Hebrews 1-10). A robed figure in a white robe carries away a red robe over his left shoulder.

The prophet Yokhanan (John the Baptizer) said of Yeshua (Jesus), “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!”(John 1:29 NASB 1995). This study explores Hebrews 1–10, a thorough explanation of what Heaven is teaching and reminding us about in יוֹם הַכִּפֻּרִים Yom haKippurim (Yom Kippur, Day of Atonement), that it is an annual memorial of Yeshua as the ultimate high priest of Heaven to take away our guilt and allow us to go confidently to God.

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Discussions Torah

Moses and the Lamb sing of God’s justice and compassion (Deuteronomy 32)

Moses and the Lamb sing of God’s justice and compassion (Deuteronomy 32). A hand holds a palm branch against a blue sky.

Whom do we trust when we’re backed into a situation where there’s no escape and no way to overcome our pursuer? That’s what happened when the God of Israel led the newly freed nation to the sea, only to be pursued by the army of a superpower that had enslaved them. After Heaven opened the sea and redeemed Israel, a song of gratefulness arose on the opposite shore (Exodus 15). 

In the Torah reading הַאֲזִינוּ Ha’azinu (“listen,” Deuteronomy 32), Moshe (Moses) reminded Israel in verse of the folly in crying out to God for deliverance when times are bad then running away from God to every other way of life when things are good.

Later in the book of Revelation, those who are redeemed by Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) sing about the great works of redemption in the Song of the Lamb. In this study, we explore how our song of gratefulness and trust (faith) can rise to Heaven like those who have gone before us.