Categories
Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Mourning to rejoicing: Healing broken families, healing a broken world (Genesis 42–43; Isaiah 1, 50–52; Jeremiah 8; Deuteronomy 4; Revelation 21)

In this study, we trace God’s redemptive plan through Joseph’s story, revealing how Yeshua (Jesus) fulfills the pattern of salvation. From Joseph’s grain provision during severe famine to the Lamb’s Book of Life on the Day of the LORD, we see God’s consistent desire to dwell among His people. The journey from brokenness to restoration demonstrates how submission, trust and repentance transform lives. As we anticipate the New Jerusalem, we’re reminded that God’s ultimate goal is intimate connection — writing His law on our hearts and bringing us into complete shalom.

Categories
Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Atonement Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

From guilt to glory: Yom Kippur & the believer’s transformative journey

This study explores יוֹם הַכִּפֻּרִים Yom Kippurim, the Day of Atonement in the Bible, which stands as a pivotal moment in the redemptive story, bridging the gulf between Heaven and Earth. Rooted in Leviticus 16 and echoed in Hebrews 3–10, this sacred day reveals the Messiah’s eternal work of covering sins, transgressions and iniquities.

From the Passover lamb’s blood on the doorpost to block the LORD’s destroyer to the high priest’s incense-shrouded entrance into the Holy of Holies, the themes of Yom Kippur point to the ultimate sacrifice of Yeshua haMashiakh (Jesus the Christ), the Melchizedek priest who cleanses our consciences from the stain of a life separated from the presence of the Creator (Heb. 9:14).

Confronting the depths of the human heart, as seen in Genesis 4, Psalm 51, Isaiah 1 and Matthew 5, Yom Kippur calls us to a posture of brokenness and contrition, that we might experience the transformative power of forgiveness and restoration.

Categories
Discussions Torah

Learning how to receive Heaven’s mercy (Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22)

God forgives us for our screwups when we turn back from them (i.e., repent). What must we then do? Forgive others. That includes those in the Body of Messiah who we think have “lied” to us about the Sabbath’s being changed, Day of Atonement’s being abolished, New Moon’s being nailed to the cross or the Torah’s being abrogated. Those who taught us these things may have been misled themselves or had misunderstood or misinterpreted teachings. Our job is to forgive.

That’s a key lesson Moshe (Moses) had for the second generation of Israel, who had to grow up outside the Promised Land because of the failings of the first generation in trusting every word that proceeds from the mouth of God. The Torah reading דברים Devarim (“words,” Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22) is the beginning of Moshe’s address near the end of his life, spanning most all the book.

Categories
Discussions Torah

Regret vs. repentance (Genesis 25:19–28:9; Malachi 1–4)

Who we came from doesn’t necessarily define who we are or will become. On the flip side, if we aren’t “born again” (John 3) into the best of the legacy passed to us — the Kingdom of God — we can turn it into an abomination.  

The Torah section תולדות Toldot (“generations,” Gen. 25:19–28:9) reminds us that we are called to recognize the good around us and must become wise to the frequent folly of “following your heart.” We should have the desire to be mature and complete in the knowledge of and relationship to God. We should not be dismayed when “curveballs” come our way.

Categories
Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

Deuteronomy 1–3; Isaiah 1: Why crowdsourcing your morality is a fail

In the Torah reading דברים Devarim (“words,” Deut. 1:1–3:22), Moses started giving a more complete record of what happened during the entire 38 years in the wilderness.

The Israelites didn’t have the same degree of bravery as their cousins (Edom, Ammon and Moab). They didn’t follow God’s direct instructions and suffered as a consequence. Their leaders became rotten; they ignored Torah, and the people suffered as a consequence.

This is why God hits the reset button from time to time (e.g., the Flood, first-born of Egypt, Day of the LORD), and sets aside a remnant to carry His truth into the world. A remnant is more teachable than a mob.

Categories
Appointments With God Atonement

Yom Kippur: Afflict the former way of life to be reborn

Every mistake, goof up in our Torah walk can fall into one of three categories: sin, transgression or iniquity. Sin is missing the mark on accident. Transgression is doing something wrong when you know better. Iniquity is when you do something wrong as an act of rebellion.

Discover in this study why God blots out our sins, transgressions and iniquities, and why we want the Messiah to present us to God free of our long list of shortcomings.

Categories
Discussions Torah

Deuteronomy 1:1–3:22: Growing in grace by every word from God

The roller-coaster ride of ancient Israel through trust in the LORD, apathy and rebellion mirrors the turmoil that swirls around our daily lives.

This week’s Torah reading, דברים Devarim (“words,” Deut. 1:1–3:22), starts a “second telling” — deuteronomy in Greek — to the post-Exodus generation of why Israel exists and what its mission is. The parallel reading in Isaiah 1:1-27 and the Sermon on the Mount teach us how our interpretation of and living out the Ten Commandments and the rest of the Torah can go terribly wrong if we don’t learn the why behind the what of God’s instructions.