Category: Apostolic Writings

These studies cover the writings by the closest shelakhim (apostles) of Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ). Commonly called the “New Testament,” this standard canon includes the four Gospels, the letters and the Apocalypse (Revelation).

Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Heaven needs you in the ‘big tent’ plan to transform the world (Numbers 4–6; Acts 21–22)

Heaven needs you in the 'big tent' plan to transform the world (Numbers 4–6; Acts 21–22). Shown is a computer rendering of the ancient Tabernacle of Israel.

While sponsoring four who were finishing their Nazarite vow (Num. 6:1–21, Messiah Yeshua’s shaliach (apostle) Paul connected the importance of the Torah as the guidebook for believers with his mission to take the good news of the focus of that guidebook (Messiah) to the nations who would hear it (Acts 21:15–22:24). The lessons of the Nazarite vow are key to Paul’s lesson.

Two key lessons from the Torah reading נָשֹׂא Nasso (“take up” or “carry,” Num. 4:21–7:89) are that the Holy One of Israel has always been concerned about lifting up the powerless (emphasized in the supernatural burden of proof for a jealous husband) and preparing the people of the world to enter Heaven’s “big tent” plan to accommodate many in the people of God.

Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Prepare now to stand and be counted on the Day of the LORD (Numbers 1–4; Luke 12, 15)

Prepare now to stand and be counted on the Day of the LORD (Numbers 1-4; Luke 12, 15). A black chess pawn is shown standing against seven white pawns.

Genealogy is a very popular hobby in our time. Many want to learn their origins. Some use insights history to understand where they are going. A springboard for such insights is the seemingly dull genealogical census in Torah reading בְּמִדְבַּר Bemidbar (“in the wilderness,” Num. 1:1–4:20).

The stories of our ancestors — whether recent such as those who served in World War 2 or ancient Spiritual ancestors in the Bible — can teach us to stand for what is right, even if we have to stand alone, instead of staying silent when the world is careening into evil.

Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Heaven’s promise of a fresh start: You can count on it (Leviticus 26–27)

Heaven's promise of a fresh start: You can count on it (Leviticus 26-27). Hand reaching down from above to a hand from below, with a sunset behind.

The Book of Leviticus may seem like a lot of dos and don’ts for a Tabernacle service that hasn’t existed for two millennia. But what’s revealed at the end, in Torah reading בְּחֻקֹּתַי Bechukotai/Bekhuqotai (“in My statutes,” Leviticus 26–27), is that it is the gospel of hope, promises from Heaven of the new covenant, that our past can be removed, setting us up for a bright future ahead of us.

Categories
Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Discussions Passover Pentecost/Shavuot Prophets and Writings Torah

How to increase righteousness on the Earth (Isaiah 11; John 20; Ezekiel 18)

How to increase righteousness on the Earth (Isaiah 11; John 20; Ezekiel 18). A sunset with a rainbow of cloud colors is seen from a beach.

A common caricature of Heaven is that God is obsessed with killing the wicked. Rather, the Bible talks about a better way to both rid the Earth of wickedness and increase the number of righteous. And that’s one of the key lessons of the festivals of Pesach (Passover), Matzot (Unleavened Bread) and Shavuot (Pentecost), lessons brought to their fullness in Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus). Here’s how that works.

Categories
Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Discussions Torah Unleavened Bread

The Exodus teaches us how to stand up to bullies

The Exodus teaches us how to stand up to bullies: Lessons from the seventh day of Unleavened Bread

Standing up to a bully is never easy. It’s not easy for an adult to do, but it’s even more difficult when our children have to stand up to those who would bully or persuade them to distrust their creators — their parents.

God, though the plagues of the Exodus and the drawing Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea, defended ancient Israel against the bullying of Pharaoh and his nation. Mitzraim (Egypt) taught Israel to deny their Creator, but God put Egypt in its place.

And on the Day of the LORD, God again will defend Israel and all those adopted into her from the bullying into apostasy.

We are being called to stand up to the government and the wealthy oligarchs who want our children to deny their parents and their Creator. That’s a key lesson from the memorial of the seventh and final day of the Festival of Matzot (Unleavened Bread).

Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

God wants to make you wealthy. It’s just not what you think (Luke 16)

God wants you to be wealthy: It's just not what you think (Luke 16:1-17)

The world doesn’t cancel debts. It seeks vengeance. Only Heaven willingly cancels debts stacked against it. And if we want to be citizens of Heaven, we should willingly cancel the debts against us too. That’s the lesson behind the Torah reading פקודי Pekudei (“accounts” or “countings,” Ex. 38:21–40:38) and the parable by Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus) of the unjust steward (Luke 16:1–17).

Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Tabernacle and Messiah: How we are transformed into Heaven’s character (Ezekiel 43–44)

Tabernacle and Messiah: How we are transformed into Heaven's character

The Sanctuary of Israel was created as a dwelling place for the LORD among His people. He repeatedly implored Moses to “build it as you saw on the mountain.” This was not a “mere” copy, but a facsimile, a visual representation on earth of what happens in heaven.

The Book of Hebrews makes it abundantly clear that Yeshua is the fullness of what all the elements in the Tabernacle represent. Heaven’s goal is to live among His people. This study of he Torah reading תצוה Tetzaveh (“you shall command,” Exodus 27:20-30:10) emphasizes how see that this close connection between Heaven and humanity is God’s self-expressed desire.