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Appointments With God Atonement Discussions Prophets and Writings

Jonah 4: God does not desire the death of the wicked

The primary lesson of the book of Jonah is this: God is willing to hear to remove sin, even for people you don’t like. God doesn’t want to kill anyone: Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist, whatever. God wants all these groups to be saved. When Yeshua (Jesus) said that the sign of His being the Messiah was the “sign of Jonah” (Matt. 12:39; 16:4; Luke 11:29), it was not only about the three days in the fish representing his three days in the grave. The entire book of Jonah is the “sign of Jonah” Yeshua references.

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Discussions Torah

From freedom to war (Numbers 1:17-54)

Created by ChatGPT, this intricate paper-relief illustration shows the tribes of Israel organized for battle around the Tabernacle in the wilderness, with spear-bearing men and tribal banners surrounding distinct Levites serving near the sanctuary. Layered kirigami and origami textures create depth and a solemn, sacred atmosphere. Text overlay: “From freedom to war (Numbers 1:17-54).”

The lists of numbers in the book of Numbers can be somewhat overwhelming. The first chapters are talking about how they are to count and assemble an army, not the entire community. We don’t pay attention to Numbers 1 because it is “just a bunch of names and a bunch of numbers,” but these were real men who had to be ready to fight in a real war (Num. 1:17-54).

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Discussions Torah

The Hidden Message in Numbers 1:1-16: How the Names of Israel Point to Yeshua

Numbers 1 foretells Yeshua’s burden, the burden He tried to give up three times in the garden before His crucifixion (Matt. 26:39–44). That message is embedded in the meanings of the names of the tribes and clans, and that message becomes clear when the meanings are read together.

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Appointments With God Atonement Discussions Prophets and Writings

Jonah 3: Contrasting contriteness of Nineveh and Israel

Jonah 3 is a short chapter, but there is a lot in there. We are shown how the individual Ninevites responded to the message of Jonah. The repentance of the people grabbed the attention of the king of Nineveh who encouraged their repentance. The people of Nineveh believed God, and “it was credited to them as righteousness” (cf. Gen. 15:6), just as it was for Abraham.

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Discussions Torah

Leviticus 27: How to do something special for God

Richard Agee

The vows discussed in Leviticus 27 are voluntary and extraordinary, beyond what is required, to be dedicated to service in the Tabernacle. This is how you can do more than what is required, if you feel lead to do so. The type of vow described here is similar to a monastic vow, in which someone promises to serve God in His temple for an extended period, or even for one’s entire life.

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Discussions Torah

Leviticus 26: Blessings of obedience and curses of disobedience

It is only God Who can restore life from death, not only the death of a person but the death of a nation. God warns Israel and He will destroy their nation if they walk in idolatry but he will also restore their nation if they will humble themselves and accept their guilt.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

Jonah 2: Yonah’s messianic psalm on salvation for a righteous man

Yeshua (Jesus) said that the “wicked generation” was going to be only given one sign which Yeshua called “the sign of Yonah (Jonah)” (Matt. 12:38–41; 16:1–4; Luke 11:29–32). This chapter is the key to the “sign of Jonah” that Yeshua lived. The sign of Jonah was how Jonah’s reluctance to perform the duty God had for him was transformed into acceptance of God’s task for Him. Yeti was also reluctant to accept the task God set out for Him. When Jonah accepted his duty, Nineveh was saved. When Yeshua accepted His duty, all mankind was saved.