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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

One bread for one body: Messiah’s mission for Israel to the nations (Numbers 8; Matthew 14–16; Mark 8; John 6)

This study of the Torah reading בְּהַעֲלֹתְךָ Beha’alotcha (“when you raise up” [the lamps], Numbers 8–12) explores how the Menorah and Bread of the Presence in Israel’s Tabernacle foreshadowed Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus), the Light and Bread come down from Heaven (John 6:35, 48-51).

As the lampstand light shining on the bread illustrated Heaven’s watching Israel’s feeding words of life (Deut. 8:3) to the nations, Yeshua spreads the light and words of Heaven to the nations through His students (Matt. 4:4). Through the miracles of feeding the 5,000 and 4,000, Yeshua calls His disciples to sustain both Israel and the nations with his message (Matt. 14:13-21; 15:29-39). Yeshua builds upon the Torah lessons, the key of which is the promise that Israel would welcome Gentiles as one new community in Messiah (Eph. 2:11-22).

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Bondage-breaking power of the Bread from Heaven and Living Water (Exodus 15–17; John 6; 1Corinthians 10; Hebrews 3–4)

When we look at the Torah reading בְּשַׁלַּח Beshalach (“when he sent” or “after he had let go,” Ex. 13:17–17:16), we need to ask ourselves five big questions: Is God with us? Are we really free? Where are we going? How will we get our “daily bread”? Where will we find “living water”?

And via a number of parallel passages in the Prophets, Writings and Apostolic Scriptures, we learn that the answer to all those questions is Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ).

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Got knocked down? You can get up again (Deuteronomy 32–34)

The Torah does not end on a high note, but on a solemn one. The final dual reading — הַאֲזִינוּ Ha’azinu (“listen,” Deuteronomy 32) and וְזֹאת הַבְּרָכָה Vezot Haberachah (“and this is the blessing,” Deuteronomy 33–34) — is written so that when the descendants of Israel eventually hit rock bottom, they would see the way back home.

This restoration only is possible by the perfect Atonement offering — the Mashiakh (Christ). This is why we read through the entire Torah over the course of the year and put into practice those things that apply to us.

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Discussions Torah

Journey to the 10 — Exodus 16:1-19 — Wilderness of Sin, Sinai and daily ‘what is it?’ bread

The people of Israel had cried out from the burden of overwork but they didn’t want God to remove them from Goshen forever. Yet, that’s what God did in a miraculous way. As we have reached the fifth week leading up to Sinai, the people are becoming very homesick for Egypt as they are traveling further and further from Egypt. God brings the people of Israel to the wilderness of Sin where they murmur against God for the second time. God responds by making a surprising provision and another test of their willingness to listen and obey God.