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Discussions Torah

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

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

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.

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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 Historical references indicate that early followers of Jesus frequently recited the Lord’s Prayer, demonstrating active faith rather than passive belief.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.