Category: Appointments With God

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Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Discussions Pentecost/Shavuot

Spiritual viticulture: What Pentecost teaches us about thriving in God’s vineyard

Adobe Firefly digital painting depicting a vibrant, colorful scene of spiritual viticulture. A hand reaches out to hold a bunch of richly detailed grapes in shades of purple, yellow, and orange, surrounded by lush green leaves and golden hues. The background features an abstract, textured blend of blues, greens, and yellows, evoking a vineyard. Bold white text overlays the image, reading "Spiritual viticulture" at the top, and "What Pentecost teaches us about thriving in God's vineyard" below. The Hallel.info logo is visible at right.

Shavuot (Pentecost) isn’t just a harvest festival. This study explores its profound spiritual lessons about harvest and growth. Just like Wine Country grapevines need careful tending, so too our spiritual life requires intentional connection with God. This Festival of First Fruits remind us that everything is a gift, not our own achievement. Through challenges and Heaven’s empowerment by the Word (Yeshua, or Jesus) and the Spirit, we’re transformed from disconnected branches to fruitful participants in God’s redemptive work. It’s about gratitude, resilience and being part of something much larger than ourselves — Heaven’s harvest of the Earth.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Passover Torah Unleavened Bread

God’s grace: It’s more than forgiveness (Exodus 33–34; 1Corinthians 5–6, 10)

A vivid, impressionist-style digital painting bby Adobe Firefly depicts a multitude of people walking along a parted path through the sea, symbolizing the Exodus. The scene is filled with rich colors—blues, greens, oranges, and purples—conveying a sense of movement and divine presence. Bright light shines at the end of the path, suggesting hope and deliverance. Overlaid text reads: “God’s grace – It’s more than forgiveness. Exodus 33–34; 1 Corinthians 5–6, 10.” In the bottom right corner is the logo and website “hallel.info.”

This study explores spiritual maturity through ancient Israel’s journey from Egyptian slavery to freedom. Examining Exodus 13-15 and 33-34, alongside 1Corinthians 5, 6 and 10 reveals how God’s grace requires active participation, not passive acceptance. The Red Sea crossing symbolizes spiritual baptism, while the journey demonstrates the ongoing process of purging spiritual leaven and maintaining God’s presence through obedience, ultimately pointing to Messiah’s redemptive work and the believer’s transformative path.

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Torah readings Unleavened Bread

Shabbat Pesach (Sabbath of Passover) readings

"Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us, so let us celebrate the feast." (1Cor. 5:6-7)

The Shabbat (Sabbath) during the seven days of Chag Matzot (Festival of Unleavened Bread) traditionally has special Bible readings that help us step back and reflect on the overarching messages of Lamb Selection Day, Pesakh (Passover), Matzot and Bikkurim (Firstfruits). These relate directly to the life and mission of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).

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Torah readings Unleavened Bread

7th day of Chag Matzot (Festival of Unleavened Bread) readings

Unleavened Bread: 'celebrate the feast ... with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth' (1Cor. 5:8). Layers of matzot sit on a slate.

The Bible’s seven-day commemoration of Matzot (Unleavened Bread) is tied to both Pesach (Passover; without leaven) and Shavuot (Pentecost; with leaven). Here are readings that focus on Messiah-related themes of the last day of the festival.

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Appointments With God Discussions Passover Prophets and Writings Unleavened Bread

Cleaning the temple of the heart: Hezekiah’s spiritual revival flows from 2nd-chance Passover (2Chronicles 29–32; 2Kings 18–20; Isaiah 36–39)

**Alt-text**: A vibrant digital painting in an impressionist style shows four figures—two women and two men—dancing joyfully in a beam of light surrounded by swirling colors of blue, green, yellow, and red. The scene evokes a sense of spiritual celebration and renewal. Overlaid text reads: “Cleaning the temple of the heart. Hezekiah’s spiritual revival flows from 2nd-chance Passover – 2 Chronicles 29–32; 2 Kings 18–20; Isaiah 36–39.” In the lower-left corner is the logo and website “hallel.info.”

This study dives into Passover’s themes of return and renewal in 2Chronicles 29–32. Drawing on the Torah’s “Second Passover” instruction, King Hezekiah restored temple worship and invited the northern kingdom to celebrate this pivotal memorial to freedom, revival and unity. Also explored are Messiah’s eternal role in atonement and the importance of maintaining spiritual momentum from generation to generation.

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Torah readings Unleavened Bread

1st day of Chag Matzot (Unleavened Bread) readings

Studies in Torah

Because ancient Israel had to flee Egypt quickly during the Exodus and not let the dough to rise. Because Israel was afflicted in bondage in Egypt. These are a couple of the reasons the Torah gives for why these seven days of leaven-lessness following Passover are observed from generation to generation. Yet why does “leaven” get featured mention by Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) in the Gospels and by the Apostle Paul? Check out these Bible readings and related studies about Chag Matzot (Festival of Unleavened Bread) to discover the lessons that help us become alive in the Spirit of God.

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Appointments With God Discussions Passover Purim

From Purim to Passover: Unveiling the Messiah’s mission

A textured, palette-knife style oil painting depicting the connection between Purim and Passover. On the left, Queen Esther stands before King Xerxes in a grand Persian palace, symbolizing Purim, with royal purples and golds enhancing the scene. On the right, Passover is represented by Yeshua (Jesus) at the Last Supper, breaking bread with His disciples, illuminated by warm candlelight. In the center, a radiant figure of Yeshua stands as the bridge between the two events, symbolizing the fulfillment of both in His redemptive mission. The painting features bold, expressive strokes and vibrant colors, emphasizing divine providence and salvation.

This quick study of the book of Esther and the background of the Festival of Purim reveals how they are intricately woven into the redemptive narrative fulfilled in Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ). Just as Esther risked her life to save her people, Yeshua laid down His life to redeem humanity. The parallels between Purim, Passover and the Messiah’s mission reveal God’s sovereign plan.