Tag: deeds of the flesh

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Discussions Torah

Esau’s birthright and the Israel–Gaza conflict (Genesis 25:19–28:9)

Esau's birthright and the Israel-Gaza conflict (Genesis 25:19-28:9)

This study of the Torah portion תּוֹלְדֹת Toldot (“generations,” Gen. 25:19–28:9) explores the concept of teamwork in prayer through the story of Isaac and Rebecca, who prayed together for 20 years to conceive children. We delve into biblical relationships, highlighting the patience and perseverance demonstrated by the patriarchs and matriarchs. Comparisons between the sons of the Spirit and flesh, represented by Jacob and Esau, shed light on the importance of spiritual and physical completeness.

We also explore the descendants of Jacob, Esau and historical figures, emphasizing the ramifications of short-term thinking versus long-term vision. It draws parallels between biblical narratives and contemporary geopolitical conflicts, reflecting on how perspectives and narratives can shape perceptions and actions.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

When divisiveness is toxic to the people of God but essential to humanity’s survival (Genesis 32–36; 1Corinthians 5)

When divisiveness is toxic to the people of God but essential to humanity's survival (Genesis 32-36; 1Corinthians 5)

God hates divorce — schism in what should be a supportive whole. But Heaven also brings division to separate truth from falsehood — good from bad — for the sake of all humanity. That’s a key lesson from the Torah reading וַיִּשְׁלַח Vayishlach (“and He sent,” Genesis 32:4–36:43) that shows why those who live like Eysau (Esau) can’t be part of the legacy of Israel: Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).

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Discussions Torah

Why the Way to the Kingdom of God is both open-armed and divisive (Genesis 32–33; Romans 8)

Why the Kingdom of Heaven is both open-armed and divisive (Genesis 32-33; Romans 8)

One would think that a direct encounter with Heaven would have made Ya’akov (Jacob), an ancient founder of Israel, more bold in how he acted in life. But what we see recorded in the Torah reading וַיִּשְׁלַח Vayishlach (“and he sent,” Gen. 32:3–36:43) looks more like fear than faith. After all, he sent his stuff and those closest to him on ahead in a meeting with his enraged brother Esau.

But one key lesson from this division and many others in the Bible is why God separates the righteous and the wicked. Yet we learn from the Prophets, Gospels and Apostles is that this separation is more about what’s happening with development of the open-hearted character than on external appearances.

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Discussions Torah

Stand up against ‘spiritual gravity’ — aka ‘the flesh’ (Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22)

Stand up against spiritual gravity (aka "the flesh") - Deuteronomy 1-3

We live with gravity. Though considered a weak force, between the massive Earth and us on its surface, gravity keeps us grounded, but it can also crush us. In the International Space Station in orbit, astronauts don’t feel gravity, and they need something to grab onto and push off of something. But if you were to go to Jupiter, gravity is so strong, that it would crush humans and kill them instantly.

How much more will “spiritual gravity” (aka “the flesh”) drag us down, age us and crush us unless we morally stand against it?

In the Torah reading דברים Devarim (“words,” Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22), we learn that God wants us to moving forward — rather than going in circles like a stunt driver burning doughnuts on the pavement — repeating the same mistakes. God treasures us and wants us to reach our destination and enter His rest. One day His rest will encompass the entire world and what we learn and practice now is a preparation for that time. God is willing to help us standing against the gravity of our old way of life and help us stand for what is right.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Galatians 6 — Law plus Spirit vs. Law plus flesh

The Christ-like life is compared to a race, but it’s not a cut-throat competition against our fellow believers. We are to help one another reach the ultimate goal. The “fruit of the Spirit” that are given to us by God to help us and others in this life are not a “grab bag” that we can pick and chose which fruits we want. We should want them all and use them all and we should share them with our fellow believers and the world at large. We are also called to understand that God is the same yesterday, today and forever. He has one plan for the salvation of man, not two, three for four versions.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Conversion by circumcision vs. by the Spirit (Galatians 5)

Paul’s discussions of circumcision, mainly in Galatians, Philippians and Romans, have been interpreted as being condemnation against the Torah, because the Law calls for circumcision for newborns and those wanting to participate in key parts of worship of God.

However, it must be remembered that circumcision by the first century A.D. had become an “identity marker” separating Jews from non-Jews. Like observance of Shabbat, circumcision was listed among the “works of [the] law” in the Dead Sea Scrolls that defined those separate from the corrupt religious system around the time of the first century. The rite of circumcision could be behind the division between Jewish and “unconverted” non-Jews that Paul dressed down Peter and the Galatian congregations in chapters 2 and 3 of this letter.