Tag: Torah reading 003

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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)

"'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 Atonement Discussions Prophets and Writings Torah

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

"From guilt to glory: Yom Kippur and the believer's transformative journey." Adobe Firefly AI palette knife-style image of men and women walking from left to right from gloom to joy.

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.

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Discussions Torah

Seed of hope is planted in the hearts of humanity groaning in a world of hate and violence (Genesis 1–4)

Seed of hope is planted in the hearts of humanity groaning in a world of hate and violence (Genesis 1-4)

The origins of not just the universe and creation but also hatred and violence in contemporary and ancient society are revealed in the first Torah reading, בְּרֵאשִׁית B’reisheet (“In the beginning,” Genesis 1:1–6:8), reveals. What makes the difference in not going down that dark road is listening to God’s voice in a world filled with confusion and disobedience.

This study explores the nature of sin, highlighting the responsibility individuals bear for their actions and how the Age of Ignorance is over with the revelation of the Creator through Yeshua the Messiah (Jesus the Christ). This exploration also touches upon gender and marriage in the context of God’s design, with an emphasis on the covenant of marriage and its role in humanity.

The origin and purpose of Israel are discussed, stressing its role as a light to the world. Additionally, we delve into the symbolic connection between nakedness and shame, relating it to the account of Adam and Chavah (Eve) and their choices that lead to judgment. It concludes with a message of hope centered around the Seed of the woman and the need for unwavering faith — trust — in God’s healing and salvation.

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Apostolic Writings Appointments With God Discussions Passover Prophets and Writings Unleavened Bread

Mad about matzah: Enlist Heaven in our eschewing leaven in our ‘new self’

"Mad about matzah: Enlist Heaven in our eschewing leaven in our 'new self.'" A plate is stacked with squares of matzah bread. A knife rests on one piece with chocolate sauce spread partially on it. A small piece of chocolate with nuts sits on top of the piece of matzah.

The seven-day Chag Matzot (Festival of Unleavened bread) is an annual memorial of and spiritual reflection on our redemption, reformation and restoration into the Kingdom of God. Part of the lesson of purging out leaven during the festival is mastering the malice and wickedness that is beckoning us to open our heart’s door to them. Rather, we should let in Yeshua (Jesus) to our hearts and, thus, lives as He knocks.

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Discussions Torah

Why promises to Heaven are a big deal (Numbers 30–36)

Why promises to Heaven are a big deal (Numbers 30-36)

When we make a vow to God, we must be willing to keep it even if it’s hard. Yet God also extends grace and forgiveness when we make vows rashly without informed consent.

We also learn that although God’s law protects women who make rash vows through the agency of their fathers or husband’s but when they act with evil intent, their deeds will not go unpunished.

We also learn from the prophet Jeremiah that when a nation is evil and rotten at the top, at the people follow their leaders on the path of evil, not only does the nation suffer the consequences, but even nature suffers.

This is the lesson of the Torah passage מטות Matot / מסעי Massei (“tribes” and “journeys of,” Numbers 30-36).

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

Hosea 1:1-2:4: Mercy in God’s uncovering our sin

Painting of the The Prophet Hosea and the Delphic Sibyl Fresco Borgia Apartments, Hall of the Sibyls, by Pinturicchio.

The promiscuous wife of a prophet of Israel and the mother of mankind walk into a Bible lesson…. The joke is on us if we don’t catch why the Hoshea (Hosea) was told to marry a harlot and connect her predicament of being discovered to the test given to Chavah (Eve) at the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Bad (Genesis 3–4).

Here’s a hint: “Nakedness” is an important symbol of a spiritual condition used in teachings in the Hebrew and Apostolic scriptures.

You and I are similar to Gomer. When we sin, we want to “get away with it.” We don’t want our sin revealed. We still have to have control over our desires. 

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Discussions Torah

Genesis 1:1–6:8: God commanded, but why should I listen?

If you were to chop off Genesis 1–5, you would not be able to competently answer this about the instructions and teachings of the Father and Messiah: “Why should I do that?” Two-thirds of children from Christian homes will walk away from their faith to varying degrees, and one of the main reasons for that fall off is they are not given honest answers about the authority of the Scriptures.