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Apostolic Writings Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

The innocent must suffer? Why biblical sacrifice still matters in the age of Messiah (Ephesians 5; Leviticus 1–2; Isaiah 48–49)

When Apostle Paul wrote “be imitators of God” (Ephesians 5), he was drawing on Heaven’s lesson in the Tabernacle korban (offering), which means “the thing that draws near.” We learn that true worship is offering our whole selves as a “living sacrifice” (Romans 12). Through the House of God, Isaiah’s Servant prophecies and the Lamb in the book of Revelation, we see God’s heart to dwell with humanity, transform us by His law and Spirit of love, and send us out to transform the world by loving our neighbors as ourselves.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Purity from the inside out: Heaven provides the Way (James 4; Genesis 32)

Ya’akov’s flight away from his father-in-law in Genesis 31-32 and Israel’s exodus from Mitzraim (Egypt) foreshadow the work of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus). This study examines James 4 and related passages to see God’s consistent plan of transformation, drawing near to believers and calling them to holiness. The New Covenant’s promise of internal change, includes God’s writing His Torah on hearts. The Word and the Spirit enable believers to live as a “kingdom of priests” dedicated to Heaven’s purposes.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

Is religion ‘opium’ or empowerment? How Cain and Abel reveal a good God amid a world of suffering (Genesis 4; Romans 3)

This study of Genesis 4 focuses on the offerings of Cain and Abel, tracing the narrative of atonement and the messianic hope (Gen. 3:15, 4:1) throughout the Bible. Confronting the problem of evil, we find that suffering refines our character and deepens trust in a good God (Rom. 8:18-22, 2Cor. 4:13-18). Though some deride religion as opium (Karl Marx), we are empowered to maintain an eternal perspective, embracing the transformative power of the Suffering Servant Who crushes the serpent’s head (Isaiah 53; Romans 3). As watchmen, we navigate media narratives, discerning truth and standing firm in wisdom (James 1).

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Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Discussions Prophets and Writings Purim Torah

Tree of Knowledge and Haman’s gallows: Esther shows us how to overcome our desire to replace God

Bible prophecy often talks about widespread persecution against the people of God in the “latter days.” But that seems so far removed from today’s society, where we have global human rights watchdog groups, U.S. First Amendment protections for religious freedom, the International Court of Justice and the United Nations.

This study of the Torah reading וַיִּקְרָא Vayikra (“and He called,” Levicus 1:1–6:7) plus readings for the Sabbath of Remembrance (Deuteronomy 25:17–19; 1Samuel 15:2–34; 1Peter 4:12–5:11) and the Book of Esther reminds us why we keep seeing outbreaks of perplexing violence throughout history, in spite of attempts to legislate away evil.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions Torah

‘He who has an ear to hear’: Listen as Messiah speaks through Israel’s Tabernacle offerings (Leviticus 1–7; Hebrews 10; Psalm 40)

The Torah reading וַיִּקְרָא Vayikra (“and He called,” Lev. 1:1–6:7) picks up immediately after God moved into the newly constructed Tabernacle (Ex. 40:34–38), ancient Israel’s tent shrine for the LORD. But the question then was, “Now what happens after God enters the Tabernacle and everyone must get out, for their own safety?”

To answer this and to help understand the seemingly strange and rather grotesque imagery of the sacrifices in the Leviticus, approach the book as one would a parable, like one tackles the parables of Messiah Yeshua (Christ Jesus).

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Discussions Torah

How our lives can become a ‘soothing aroma to the LORD’ (Leviticus 1–5)

The Creator of the heavens and the Earth wants to live among humankind, but there humankind is too attached with the muck-and-mire ways of this world. Heaven’s solution is acted out in the imagery and ceremony of Israel’s Tabernacle and in the work of the Messiah, Yeshua (Jesus). Discover in the Torah reading ויקרא Vayikra (“and He called,” Leviticus 1:1-6:7) how our heart’s cry determines whether we are a “soothing aroma” as Heaven transforms us.

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Discussions Torah

‘We have such a high priest’: Sacrifice of praise and a bridled tongue (Leviticus 1–5)

Why does the New Testament have such a large discussion about the Israel’s high priest and the offerings of the Tabernacle (Hebrews 4–14) in connection with Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ)? In the Torah reading ויקרא Vayikra/Vayiqra (“and He called”), covering Lev. 1:1–6:7, we have the “what” and “why” the various qorbanot (“offerings” aka “sacrifices”) in the Tabernacle services that were revealed to all the children of Israel. In the next Torah reading, God reveals to the Levites and priests how the sacrifices are to be processed and presented to HaShem (the Name).

Heaven has communicated this through the Torah, Prophets and Writings: Actions matter; obedience matters; animal offerings don’t. We were designed to be close to God, in communion with Him. Obviously, the Fall made that much more difficult, but that desire is still innate within us. And this is where we learn how to come closer to HaShem.