Tag: ’emuna – faithfulness – Strong’s H530

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Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Set the captives free: The Bible’s real message on slavery & redemption (Exodus 21–22; Jeremiah 34)

A digital oil painting created by ChatGPT in a bold palette-knife style shows a diverse group of people journeying from darkness into light. On the left, figures emerge from shadow and bondage, symbolizing slavery in Exodus. They move through parted waters toward a radiant, open landscape of freedom and hope. At the center, a luminous, robed figure with outstretched arms represents Messiah Yeshua, welcoming men, women, and children of many backgrounds into redemption and unity. The right side glows with warm golds and blues, intentionally left simple and uncluttered to accommodate a text overlay. In the upper right corner is the text, “Set the captives free: The Bible’s real message on slavery & redemption (Exodus 21–22; Jeremiah 34).” A small Hallel.info watermark appears in the lower right corner.

The Bible’s laws about slavery can be troubling, but they reveal something deeper: Even within ancient realities, God’s instructions are aimed to bring dignity, protection, and a pathway to freedom for everyone — Israelites and outsiders alike. In Exodus 21-22, Jeremiah 34 and similar passages, we see that Scripture moves toward greater justice, mercy and inclusion. Ultimately, all these hopes find their fulfillment in the Messiah, Who opens the door to true freedom for every person and nation, showing God’s heart to set all captives free and welcome all into His family.

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Discussions Torah

Emunah and amen: Foundation of true faith in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 1–3; Hebrews 3–4)

"Emunah and Amen: Foundation of true faith in the wilderness (Deuteronomy 1-3; Hebrews 3-4)" Adobe Firefly AI image of the Jordan River valley with palm trees on each bank.

Israel’s entry into the Promised Land was marked by a rollercoaster of faith and trust in God, as Moshe (Moses) behinds to recount in the Torah reading דְּבָרִים Devarim (“words,” Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22). Echoed in Psalm 95 and Hebrews 3–4, the generation that witnessed God’s mighty deliverance from Egypt failed to fully trust (אָמַן ’aman), say amen to Him at the border, dooming them to wander four decades in the wilderness until they died off.

This study explores how the new generation was challenged to overcome their ancestors’ lack of trust–faith (אֱמוּנָה ’emunah), foreshadowing the righteousness credited through Messiah (Christ) (Hebrews 10; Matthew 24).

As the Day of the LORD looms, including the prophesied restoration of the Temple, there’s a need for personal and communal cleansing, reflecting on the high priestly ministry of Yeshua (Jesus) (Hebrews 1–10) and the enduring symbolic significance of Shabbat and the Promised Land of the “rest” Yeshua provides for our souls.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Luke 18:1-8: Loss of trust in God’s promises, justice

Jeff

In Luke 18:8, Yeshua said that before the Son of Man’s return that “the faith” would be scarce on Earth. From the Greek word for “faith,” pistis, we learn that we need to seek God’s strengthening of the “pillars” that supporting our role as “temples” for God on Earth: trust in God’s promises and justice.

Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions

Lessons in Communicating With God 3: ‘Faith’ according to the Bible (Luke 11:1-13)

Prayer serves as a vital means of two-way communication with God, grounded in Scripture, and requires humility and persistence. Historical references indicate that early followers of Jesus frequently recited the Lord’s Prayer, demonstrating active faith rather than passive belief. Key biblical examples emphasize the importance of trust and reliability in earnest communion with God. As believers express their faith, they should acknowledge God’s unwavering trustworthiness. Ultimately, our response to God’s promises should be one of acceptance and action, demonstrating true faith.