Zion's Voice

Torah Portion for 3rd October - 10th October

Torah portion            Genesis 1: 1 – 6: 8

Haftarah portion     Isaiah 42 : 5 – 43 : 10

“in the beginning”

Setting the pattern   

“In the beginning God ......”.  We are not told when the beginning was, but we are told that God was there. More than that, In John 1:1 we discover that “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God”  and in John 1: 14 “the Word became flesh and dwelt amongst us”

Deuteronomy 29:29 tells us that there are secret things that belong to God, and there are other things which are made known to us, our children and our children’s children.

Long ago I ceased arguing about the date of the beginning, but there is  no discussion on the fact that God was there. And the same person who carried a Roman cross up the hill at Calvary about 2,000 years ago was also there. We stand squarely on the declared truth of Scripture for that verification.

In verse 14 of Genesis 1, most English translations have the words “times  and seasons” Less well known is that the Hebrew word translated “seasons” is “mo’edim” (plural). So an accurate translation would be “for times and appointed times”. We are familiar with the word “mo’ed” from our reading of Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16. These are times when God said “These are MY weekly (Shabbat) and annual (Festivals)  ‘appointed times’ to meet with you.”. So right here in Genesis, God is laying the very foundations of His plan, later to be revealed by Moses for His relationship with His people. He set the Sun, the Moon and the Stars in place to be pointers and reminders to the people of the times, long into the future, when He would require them to gather to Praise and Worship Him in exactly the manner He would later describe.

In more recent times of course, much has been written and prophesied about the “lights in the firmament” and their particular significance today (2015). I refer to the phenomenon of the ‘tetrad of blood moons’ which we have observed in the skies over the past two years, which have coincided with the timing of the “appointed times’ of the Lord.

The narrative of the early chapters of Genesis is ‘bread and butter’ teaching for children in Sunday Schools. It is very familiar to most people with elementary Christian teaching. That is not to diminish its value, but it does make it difficult to glean new insights from these stories.

Chapter 4 contains the account of God’s relationship with the brothers Cain (the crop farmer) and Abel (the herdsman). Many commentators and Bible teachers have speculated about the reasons for God’s acceptance of Abel’s offering and the ‘disrespect’ shown for Cain’s offering. I note in verse 7 of this chapter God gives Cain a piece of advice (which he ignores with disastrous consequences). If I may paraphrase this advice it is “Get over it, get on top of it and do better next time”.

This might provide a lesson for us. We are usually aware when we have done something, or said something, or been ‘something’, that we know would disappoint God. We know it because we are disappointed in ourselves, just as Cain was disappointed in himself. In His infinite love, mercy and grace, God says “Don’t give in, don’t ‘spit the dummy’,  try again, but this time take account of the things I have taught you”.

There is a most interesting encounter described in Genesis 4 : 8.  Adam and Eve had been disobedient.. and they knew it. Then we are told they HEARD God in the garden, so they hid from His presence. There are notable occasions when God ‘appeared’ to people in the Scriptures, but most often He is a Voice that is heard. Adam and Eve were quite deliberate in their attempt to hide from God.

Does it occur to you that we can get “hidden” from God in other ways too. Our actions, our friendships, our conversation, our TV viewing habits, all provide means by which we may become ‘hidden’  from God 

But more importantly, how do we find God’s presence. Firstly, by taking heed to His word. By engaging Him in conversation (it’s called prayer), by keeping company with those who are like minded in desire to know God better.

 James 4:8, contains a wonderful; promise of the Lord.   “Draw near to God and He will draw near to you….”  So that His Voice may be heard.   It could be called setting the pattern.

The question posed by God to Adam and Eve is a good one. It’s a question He asks of each one of us.  Where are you?

Shabbat Shalom  

RS

Torah Portion for 27th September - 3rd October

Torah portion             Deuteronomy 33: 1 – 34: 12

Haftarah portion      Joshua 1 : 1 – 18

“and this is the blessing”

Let us share the blessing

We have reached the end of the Torah reading cycle for the year. It is appropriate that it ends with Moses declaring a series of blessings on ELEVEN of the tribes which are about to go in to possess the Land. Moses did not mention the tribe of SIMEON in his blessings, and we are left to our own searches to find out why. It appears significant, but it may NOT be.

(Jacob enjoined Simeon and Levi together in his blessing to the boys in Genesis 49. They were sons of Leah, and acted together with great treachery towards the Shechemites in taking revenge on account of their sister Dinah. Jacob proclaimed that they would be divided and scattered in Israel. The Levites, of course, had no Land possession, and the  Simeonites, being the smallest and weakest of the tribes, was apportioned land, near Beersheva, within the boundaries of the larger territory allotted to Judah. There is also evidence (2 Chronicles 15:9) that they wandered about, as Jacob had prophesied, and at least some of them moved up to the Northern Kingdom of Israel during the reign of Asa and Josiah).

This week I spent a long time looking at the blessings of both Jacob (to his sons) in Genesis 49 and Moses (to the families of those sons) in our parashah this week.  Interesting as that all was to me, I found myself captivated by the lesson for us today which can be drawn from the verses which conclude the reading portion, chapter 34:10-12.

“But since then there has not arisen in Israel a prophet like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face, in all the signs and wonders which the LORD sent him to do in the land of Egypt, before Pharaoh, before all his servants, and in all his land, and by all that mighty power and all the great terror which Moses performed in the sight of all Israel”.

God had entrusted Moses with the task of documenting and teaching Torah. Torah is “the teaching, the instruction” as to how to live in harmony with each other and with a Holy God. How did Moses know that “teaching”?  God told him, and that “face to face”. In all the Hebrew Scriptures, we do not find another writing prophet like Moses. Without exception, they were all tasked with the job of drawing the attention of the people to “the Torah of Moses”. Warning the people of the error of being forgetful and downright disobedient. They were messengers of admonition and encouragement. They were ‘watchmen’. None of them witnessed the promised “prophet like Moses”. It is universally accepted that Yeshua was the One who fulfilled the promise of God made in Deuteronomy 18.

In my ‘reflection’ on parashah Shofitim some weeks ago I invited you to conduct for yourselves the exercise of comparing the attributes common to both Moses and Yeshua. I also suggested a less obvious comparison for your consideration.

Yeshua proclaimed a prophetic ministry during His sojourn on this earth. Clearly, from His discourse in both Matthew 10 and Matthew 15 we see that His mission was to the ‘lost sheep of the House of Israel’. Just like all the other writing prophets before Him. His burden was to draw the people back to observance of the “Torah of Moses” instead of the “traditions of men” (legalistic Pharasaic Judaism).

It is a strange, sad, fact, that today in our churches we seem to interpret Yeshua’s mission, and we teach, that Yeshua came to supersede the Torah of Moses. (and that in spite of His forthright declaration in Matthew 5:19 to the contrary). Our excuse for so doing is found in the translation of the Greek word “pleroo” (as ‘fulfil’) at the very end of that verse. That same Greek word “pleroo” is found in Philippians 2:2, Colossians 1:15, Colossians 4:17 and 1 Thessalonians 1:11. I invite you to look at the context of these texts and see how translating “pleroo” as ‘bring to a close’ or ‘ending’ is completely to misunderstand the word.

IF Yeshua is truly ‘the prophet like Moses’, as I believe He is, then the overwhelming sadness of this mistaken interpretation is that we have dressed up Messiah Yeshua in such a way as to make Him completely unrecognizable to Jews. How can they possibly worship ‘this prophet like Moses’, whose sole task, we tell them, is to take them away from “the Torah of Moses”?

The Apostle Paul expected that Gentile believers would “provoke (the Jews) to jealousy” (Romans 11:11). I respectfully suggest that in order to do that, Gentile believers would need to embrace the Torah of Moses, not teach against it.  That is how I believe we could truly ‘provoke them to jealousy’ and share the blessing which we have received by faith.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

“Feast of Booths”

Torah portions              Leviticus 22:26 to 23:44        Numbers 29 :12 - 16

Haftarah portion          Zechariah 14 : 1-21

The great ingathering

Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16 have the commandments about annual observances of the “mo’edim”. (The Hebrew word for “appointed times”, which in turn is usually translated into English as “feasts”). These are times when God specified He would meet with His chosen ones.

Today, they are most often referred to as “Jewish Feasts”. That correctly describes the fact that they are observances remembered by Jews. But it is an incorrect understanding of the Scriptures.

When God gave these instructions to Moses, He carefully worded these ‘appointed times’ (mo’edim) as MY ‘mo’edim’. They may be characterized as times when God says, in effect, “I will be there to meet with you on these specific occasions”. Those who choose not to attend miss an opportunity of blessing through meeting with Him at His invitation.

This festival is a happy occasion. It lasts for seven days and begins and ends with a Sabbath rest. Following just 4 days after the most solemn remembrance of Yom Kippur it is celebrated in a very special way in Israel particularly.

The festival is actually known by THREE different English names. Tabernacles, Booths and Ingathering. In Hebrew ”Sukkot”.

Each family builds a kind of makeshift shelter, which they call “booths”, outside their home. It is deliberately constructed so that the roof is lightly covered with palm fronds which easily allows those inside the shelter to see the sky above. Observant Jewish families then carry on all normal family activities in and around this shelter. That includes having meals and sleeping.  The purpose of these constructions is to cause the family to remember the time when their ancestors lived in this manner in their wilderness journeying’s from Egypt to the Promised Land. Naturally, there is also much storytelling and appropriate scripture reading to encourage and enlighten the experience for the children of the family.

As mentioned above, it is an especially joyful festival.

In terms of our understanding of the prophetic significance of this festival, we need to recall the teaching which accompanied the first two festivals of this season. TRUMPETS heralds the return to this Earth of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach in power and great glory. Then follow 10 days of putting things right, before we remember the very solemn festival of YOM KIPPUR which is prophetic of the Great White Throne Judgement.

As the old hymn puts it “When the roll is called up yonder I’ll be there”. Well this festival is effectively the time for ‘roll calling’. Those who have been judged worthy at the Great White Throne Judgement are invited to attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb. That is consistent with the joyfulness of the occasion isn’t it?  In fact, “the Bride” of the Lamb is the New Jerusalem (Revelation 21 : 9 – 27) and there is no place for impurity within its walls. Only those cleansed by the blood of the Lamb participate in the Marriage Supper.

There is ONE more activity associated with this festival in Judaism. On the last day of the celebration is the most joyous parading of the Torah Scrolls through the Streets in Jerusalem, and I suspect, but have not personally witnessed, in other Jewish communities. This is called “Simchat Torah” (Rejoicing in the Torah). It marks the fact that the whole cycle of reading the Torah starts again for another year.

Take time to study and learn the significance of all the “mo’edim” of the Lord. They are full of rich meaning and this festival has been singled out for special mention in the millennial Kingdom. Read it for yourself in Zechariah 14 : 16 -19. It forms part of the Haftarah portion for this week.

Why is this ‘mo’ed’ singled out?  For your thoughtful consideration, the first clue comes in Jeremiah 16:14,15. Probably the most memorable day in the Hebrew calendar superseded by a bigger event! Jews restored to the Land in preparation for the return of Messiah. Pesach (which includes Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits) no longer celebrated. Shavuot, traditionally the time of giving of Torah superseded by a New Covenant. Yom Teruah completed by the appearance of Yeshua as King of kings.(No third appearance expected)  Yom Kippur, already completed at the White Throne Judgement. And what remains is the joyful time when Yeshua Tabernacles with us for the rest of time. It is the ONLY festival which remains when Yeshua returns to reign.  Hallelujah, what a Saviour. Be part of “The great ingathering”.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Torah Portion for 20th September - 26th September

Torah portion           Deuteronomy 32: 1 - 52

Haftarah portion    2 Samuel 22 : 1 - 51

“you are standing”

Sing to the Lord

This is an unusual one chapter Torah portion. It does not contain any instructions for the people, as most of Deuteronomy does. It does not contain any legal stuff, it does not contain any historical information, it does not deal with their journeys. So what is it?

Moses is aware that his time with these people is now very short. He has been told by the Lord that the people will ‘wander’ away from their covenant promises. In my imagination, I could see Moses pleading with the Lord … “What more can I do?”.

In is infinite mercy, love and grace, towards these Israelites, the Lord says “Teach them this song”.

If you are like me, you know how much easier it is to remember the words of a song than it is to remember a speech. Right? So Moses embarks on writing down the song. It is forever known as “The Song of Moses”.

For me the most memorable phrase comes early in the song, perhaps because like many of you, I learned to sing it when “Scripture in Song” was fashionable in our churches.

“For I proclaim the name of the LORD: Ascribe greatness to our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of  truth and without injustice; righteous and upright is He.” 

However there is much more to this song than is immediately obvious. It is a song of remembrances and a song of warnings. It is a song that was to be taught to children and children’s children. It is a song of the past, and it is a song of the future. It caused them to remember another song that was sung by the people when they had left Egypt and  escaped the bondage of slavery.

“Then Moses and the children of Israel sang this song to the LORD, and spoke, saying: "I will sing to the LORD, For He has triumphed gloriously! The horse and its rider He has thrown into the sea! The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will praise Him; My father's God, and I will exalt Him. Exodus 15:1,2

It evokes expectation of a future day of triumph, when the hosts of heaven sing to the Lord this “Song of Moses” to the Lord

“And I saw something like a sea of glass mingled with fire, and those who have the victory over the beast, over his image and over his mark and over the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, having harps of God. They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: "Great and marvellous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, For Your judgements have been manifested." Revelation 15 : 2-4

I come from a heritage where singing is ‘in the blood’ so to speak. Almost finding any excuse to sing. Where singing can bring tears to the eyes ! Where singing can evoke any emotion. I deeply regret the time when “Scripture in Song” became outdated and was replaced in our mega churches by what passes for worship today, (extremely loud drums and guitars. I shrink from using the word ‘music’ because ‘music is melodic and sweet) and with such an emphasis on I, US, WE and ME in the songs. Look again at the songs which I have highlighted above. Notice how the emphasis is principally and overwhelmingly on the Only One who is worthy of our praise.

“O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your Name in all the earth”. 

The Jews were scattered to the four corners of the earth almost two thousand years ago. Today they are being regathered to their own Land. In all the time they were ‘exiled’, they somehow, almost miraculously retained their identity. I believe that a major reason for this retention of identity is because they learned the “song of Moses”. In their faithful observance of the “mo’edim’ they have faithfully taught their children ‘the song of Moses’. And they will faithfully continue to remember the ‘song of Moses’ until the Lord returns to this Earth and reveals Himself to them as a Nation  … and then they will Sing to the Lord a new song. Hallelujah.

Shabbat Shalom 

RS

“Day of Atonement”

Torah portions           Leviticus 16 : 1- 34      Numbers 29 : 7 - 11

Haftarah portion       Isaiah 57 : 14  to 58 : 14

A day of fasting and reflection

Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16 have the commandments about annual observances of the “mo’edim”. (The Hebrew word for “appointed times”, which in turn is usually translated into English as “feasts”). These are times when God specified He would meet with His chosen ones.

Today, they are most often referred to as “Jewish Feasts”. That correctly describes the fact that they are observances remembered by Jews. But it is an incorrect understanding of the Scriptures.

When God gave these instructions to Moses, He carefully worded these ‘appointed times’ (mo’edim) as MY ‘mo’edim’. They may be characterized as times when God says, in effect, “I will be there to meet with you on these specific occasions”. Those who choose not to attend miss an opportunity of blessing through meeting with Him at His invitation.

The 10 days between the Feast of Trumpets and Yom Kippur are referred to as “the days of awe”. In Judaism, they are days of intraflection and reconciliation … putting things right.. putting things right with God and putting things right with those we live with and associate with on a daily basis. In fact the Scriptures clearly tell us that we cannot be right with God, and be at odds with each other (Matthew 5 : 24).

Those who have visited Israel at this time of year will know that everything stops on Yom Kippur. It is a day of fasting and reflection.( It is the reason why, in 1973, the Arab nations around Israel attacked them on that specific day. There is No Radio, No Television, No answering phones.. NOTHING goes on). The Scriptures declared that all the people have a day of solemn rest and strict Sabbath keeping. A day to “afflict your souls”.

It was the one day in every year, appointed by God, for the Chief Priest to enter the Holy of Holies of the Tabernacle and the Temple when they were functioning. The whole purpose of that visit by the Chief Priest was to ensure that he himself, and the Nation of people he represented, were made right with God in preparation for the year that lay ahead.

The awesome significance of this very special day is, regrettably, totally lost to the church. In addition to its special anointing by God, being set apart from all other days as it is, there is a unique event recorded in Revelation which we should all be acutely aware of. It is the day of the WHITE THRONE JUDGEMENT. It is represented for us today by the day of Atonement. It is a special day ‘to put things right’.

Revelation 20 : 11 – 15 describes that day of Judgment. It needs no comment from me. The judgement is to determine who is right with God, and who is not. It is there for everyone to read, but before you read it I caution you to read Revelation 22 : 18,19 first. Many ‘Christians’ today have never taken time to even read Revelation, let alone try to understand its message. It is a letter written by Yeshua Himself, or at least dictated by Him to John.

The climax of the whole letter, in fact the climax of the whole message of the Scriptures comes in the next festival of the Lord, the Feast of Tabernacles, which is why these “mo’edim” of the Lord are so important to celebrate, be part of, and to remember.

I am saddened that the modern Christian church, which is largely ignorant of the “mo’edim” of the Lord, has missed a blessing which God intended us to enjoy.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Torah Portion for 13th September - 19th September

Torah portion                  Deuteronomy 31: 1 - 31

Haftarah portion           Hosea 14:2-10 Micah 7:18-20 Joel 2:15-27

“and (Moses) went”

Timely reminder

This is probably one of the saddest chapters of Deuteronomy. Moses is 120 years old, and he declares “I can no longer go out and come in”. It is a description about his capability which is not easy to understand, because we know from Deuteronomy 34, at the time of his death, that “his eye was not dim nor his natural vigour diminished”.

The conclusion must be that God had told him that his tenure was at an end. It was time to hand over the reins of responsibility. To his eternal credit, Moses accepted the decision that God had conveyed to him, and he wholeheartedly encouraged Joshua and the people to press on with his “Be strong and of good courage” speech to them in verses 6 to 8.

What human disasters might be avoided today if those in ‘temporary’ leadership positions, filled with their own importance, were able to accept when the right time to “hand over” had arrived?  Of course it requires a very close relationship with God to discern such matters.

In verse 10 we have the commandment of God that the whole book, yes, all of it, is to be publically read every seven years. A timely reminder. It is especially significant because THIS YEAR, 2015, IN 10 DAYS time, is the very time that God’s “instructions for righteous living” were to be read to the whole congregation of the people. 2015 is a “shemitah” year (year of release). The “mo’ed” of Tabernacles begins on September 28 and lasts for 8 days.

Every seven years there would be a new group of children introduced for the very first time to the public declaration of God’s instructions, then every seven years after that. Try to imagine the effect of living in a society where God’s word was publicly honoured and proclaimed formally and with authority every seven years … and taught in every home every Shabbat in between.  WOW !!!!  A regular and timely reminder.

What if the church today, your church, were alert to this commandment and put it into practice? Just read verses 12 and 13 again and ponder the implications of this. “carefully observe all the words of this ‘torah’.”

It is difficult to imagine the anticipation which both Moses and Joshua experienced when they were both summoned into the presence of the Lord in the Tabernacle (v 14). Then the disappointment which followed when the Lord told them how badly the people would behave when they entered the Land of Promise (v 16). But in His amazing love, mercy, and grace towards these people, (His special treasure), the Lord then gave Moses a song to teach the people, which He said would become a timely reminder to them of the covenant which He had entered into with them. In incredible prophetic foresight (v 21) the Lord declares His knowledge of the waywardness of this people even until today.

The words of this song will be the subject of our next parashah ‘reflection’.

Daniel Lancaster of FFOZ, in his excellent study on this week’s parashah draws comparisons between Moses and Yeshua (First Fruits of Zion Torah Club Volume Two)

He compares this parashah with the Matthew 24 and 25 discourse wherein Yeshua warns the people of the ‘trouble’ ahead. I commend this as additional reading for those who have an interest in the prophetic future.

We are now in the season of the final THREE festivals (mo’edim) of the Lord, which are outlined in Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16. Yom Teruah (Sept 13), Yom Kippur (Sept 23) and Tabernacles (Sept 28) are prophetic of the return of Messiah Yeshua, the Great White Throne Judgement, and the Marriage Supper of the Lamb which heralds the establishment of the Millenial Reign of the King of kings.

In all the Scriptures we learn that the Lord is intent on making His people ready. Ready to obediently worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. I can see this week’s parashah as another timely reminder of what the Lord expects of His chosen ones.

Be encouraged as you read it for yourself.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Head of the Year

Torah portions              Genesis 21:1-34 Numbers 29:1-6

Haftarah portion           1 Samuel 1:1 to 2:10

Feast of Trumpets

Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16 have the commandments about annual observances of the “mo’edim”. (The Hebrew word for “appointed times”, which in turn is usually translated into English as “feasts”). These are times when God specified He would meet with His chosen ones.

Today, they are most often referred to as “Jewish Feasts”. That correctly describes the fact that they are observances remembered by Jews. But it is an incorrect understanding of the Scriptures.

When God gave these instructions to Moses, He carefully worded these ‘appointed times’ (mo’edim) as MY ‘mo’edim’. They may be characterized as times when God says, in effect, “I will be there to meet with you on these specific occasions”. Those who choose not to attend miss an opportunity of blessing through meeting with Him at His invitation.

This festival is known as “The Feast of Trumpets”, because God ordained that it was to be heralded by the blowing of trumpets, it is known as “Rosh Hashanah” because it brings in the civic New Year in the Hebrew calendar. It is a Sabbath, a Holy convocation, a day of rest. It is the first of a series of THREE festivals which closely follow each other at this season of the year.

Many, like me, believe that it is prophetic of the time of the Lord’s return, and there are good Biblical reasons for this. Others will say ‘no man knows the day nor the hour”, but an elementary knowledge of Judaic biblical history easily explains this. In Israel, even today, the beginning and end of festivals (Numbers 10:10) relies on the observance of TWO stars in the sky by TWO witnesses (and that is normally announced by the blowing of shofars).  The appearance of the New Moon heralds the beginning of a new month, again reliant on TWO witnesses. There are a number of good reasons why these observances could be one day or the next. “No man knows the day”. The presence of cloud will affect the precise timing of the first appearance of stars, “no man knows the hour”.

The most compelling reason is however because it is consistent with the evidential significance of the first FOUR ‘mo’edim’. Pesach, Unleavened Bread and Firstfruits are perfectly fulfilled in the death, burial and resurrection of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach. Shavu’ot, the traditional time of the giving of Torah to Moses on the mountain, is also the time of the giving of the Holy Spirit in Jerusalem a mere 10 days after the ascension of Yeshua into Glory.

The Scriptures reveal that Yeshua will return with the sound of trumpets. (Matthew 24:30,31  1Corinthians 15:52  1Thessalonians 4:16)

It is certainly a time to watch and pray isn’t it? To add to all this prophetic possibility, during this festival season of 2015, we also have the final appearance of the Tetrad of Blood Moons, of which much has been made.

The Feast of Trumpets marks the beginning of a period of 10 days of preparation for the next solemn appointed time, the Day of Atonement. It is enlightening to read Revelation 18, 19 and 20 in conjunction with the reflection on these last three festivals. That passage of Scripture appears to fill in some detail of things to take place upon the return of Yeshua when He comes, not as the Lamb to be slain, but as King of kings and Lord of Lords in order to put into place the millennial Kingdom of God.

In concluding this reflection, please consider this thought. When God instituted the ‘mo’ed’ of the Feast of Trumpets, He could have had in mind not only the annual introduction of a New Year in the Hebrew calendar, but also the New Year which marks the commencement of Yeshua’s everlasting Kingdom.

I am saddened that the modern Christian church, which is largely ignorant of the “mo’edim” of the Lord, has missed a blessing which God intended us to enjoy.

Shabbat Shalom 

RS

Torah Portion for 6th September - 12th September

Torah portion                  Deuteronomy 29: 9 to 30:20

Haftarah portion           Isaiah 61 : 10 – 63 : 9

“take a stand”

Read the Maker’s instructions

In last week’s portion, we read the promises of God contained in the blessings (for obedience), and curses (for disobedience), relating to the commandments and statutes which had been clearly communicated to the people.

Three times previously (Exodus 19:8, 24:3, and 24:7) the whole assembly of the people had affirmed their willingness to accept the instructions of God, spoken by Moses. The Land of Promise is before them. Entry into the Land is a gift of God, guaranteed by His covenant with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  Occupation of the Land is conditional. It seems to me that at this point in time Moses is now asking them to affirm yet again that they have understood the Maker’s instructions.

The Apostle Paul, a devout and fervent adherent to Torah lifestyle, understood this well. Read Romans 11 in a quiet moment and see for yourself how well he understood the importance of believers living a life of faith in order to remain attached as partakers of the ‘natural Olive Tree’ which is Israel (God’s special treasure). The analogy is that of entry into the Promised Land (free by covenant) and remaining there (conditional on obedience). The question is worth asking our church communities today … Have you read the Maker’s instructions?.

Deuteronomy 29:29 is one of my favourite scripture verses :-

"The secret things belong to the LORD our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.”

Please take time to meditate on this verse. It amazes me that we argue and debate things which He has very clearly written for us in His word. God used Moses to communicate His instructions for righteous living. God does not change. Why is there such difficulty understanding that? Or am I the only one with that difficulty?

I do not wish to be misunderstood. I believe that our salvation is free to all who believe by faith. I also believe that “faith without works is dead”. What I believe about ‘works’ is contained in Matthew 5 : 16,17. And if you think that Yeshua had gentile believers in mind when He spoke those words, read it again.  His audience was 100% ‘lost sheep of the House of Israel’. He was calling them back to a lifestyle of correct Torah observance, which had been distorted by the ‘traditions of men’.

I believe that Yeshua was reminding the people of scriptures like Deuteronomy 29:29 , encouraging them to “do all the words of this law” as was His own lifestyle and that of His disciples. In effect He was saying to them read the Maker’s instructions again.

In Deuteronomy chapter 30 we have a good indication that Moses knew that these folk were going to have difficulty in keeping their promises of obedience. It is an accurately prophetic chapter with a really happy ending.

Verse 4 sees the time when, through disobedience, they will be expelled from the land which they had not yet entered. Moses also foresees the time when they will be again restored to the land (an event we see happening today before our eyes as millions of Jews have made Aliya in the past 60 years). Beyond that even, Moses sees a future time when God will enter into a new covenant with the House of Israel and the House of Judah. (see “Reflection” of August 22 “Shoftim”)

Then in verses 14 to 16 of chapter 30, Moses makes a final plea. None of these terrible things need happen to you :-

“But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it. "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil, in that I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk in His ways, and to keep His commandments, His statutes, and His judgments, that you may live and multiply; and the LORD your God will bless you in the land which you go to possess”.

For your very life’s sake, when you ‘take a stand for the Lord’ take also time to  “read the Maker’s instructions” .

“I call heaven and earth as witnesses today against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life, that both you and your  descendants may live;  that you may love the LORD your God, that you may obey  His voice, and that you may cling to Him, …..”   Deuteronomy 30 :19,20

Choose life.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Torah Portion for 23rd August - 5th September

Torah portion              Deuteronomy 26: 1 to 29:8

Haftarah portion        Isaiah 60 :1 - 22

“When you have come”

Promises of God .. Blessings and Curses

Moses continues his preparation of the people for entry into the Land of Promise.

For 40 years the people had been guided by the ‘shekinah’ of God through the desert places. They had been provided with fresh ‘manna’ each day. Water was available for all of them and their livestock. The sandals on their feet were 40 years old, and still going strong! It was an amazing experience for those who remained. All those who had lacked trust in God at Kadesh Barnea had died on the journey. Moses was determined to do all he could to ensure that their life together would continue to be fruitful and harmonious. The new fledgling Nation was about to experience life in their own land.

The priorities expressed in this passage are enlightening.

Firstly, the ‘firstfruits’ of their harvest were to be a thanksgiving to the Lord. Before anything else, they were to honour God by worshipping Him with the fruit of their labours, presenting the BEST of the crop, the freshest produce with joy and thanks for all His benefits. Worship is what we DO not what we SAY.

Then, Moses reminded them of their obligation to tithe the increase of their harvest (we covered this a few weeks ago as we saw that the whole concept of the purpose of tithing has been distorted in modern times). The Levites, who ministered to and with them were to be recipients of the tithe certainly, but also the poor, the widow, the fatherless, the stranger within their gates were all to be invited to eat the tithe of their increase with them in their homes. It’s called hospitality. In Deuteronomy 26:13 it is clear that to do otherwise, was a ‘trespass’ of the commandment. Worship is what we DO not what we SAY

Moses was instructing them to reach out in support and care for each other, ensuring that the needy in the community were not forgotten. This was the expression of God’s great love for this people He described as His special treasure.( You may care to read the Haftarah portion in Isaiah at this point. It is a prophetic description of the blessing still awaiting this people of God. He has not finished with this people, far from it, but there is still some ‘water to flow under the bridge’ before they come to their place of glory in the world).

Deuteronomy 28 and 29 are the well- known chapters of “blessings and curses”. I have drawn attention previously to the TWO words in Hebrew which are both translated “curse” in English. (see Genesis 12:3 where both words are used in the same sentence). The ‘curses’ in Deuteronomy 29: 16-19 are the “a’rar” the ‘bitter curse’ which is the same as God promised to those who “qalal” ‘treat with contempt’ Israel. So what God is promising these people is a bitter curse if they choose to disobey His commandments and statutes.    We know what happened, don’t we?

Now look at Deuteronomy 28: 23, 24

.

“And your heavens which are over your head shall be bronze, and the earth which is

under you shall be iron.

 The LORD will change the rain of your land to powder and dust; from the heaven it shall come down on you until you are destroyed”

This is a metaphor for drought, severe, debilitating, drought. It could be called a “bitter curse”.  Mark Twain, in his book “Innocents Abroad” written about 1876, described the land of “Palestine” as a dry, barren, uninhabitable place, even though there were some people living there at the time.  The land known as Palestine had suffered about 1,800 years of debilitating drought. Meaningful rain began to fall again about the mid 1890’s, about the time that Theodore Hertzl founded the First Zionist Congress in Basle Switzerland in 1897. Peaks of more recent rainfall are recorded in 1947 and 1967. Isn’t that interesting?     God is still on the Throne. Hallelujah.

Ezekiel 33 to 36 prophesies (read promises) the return of ‘the lost sheep of the House of Israel’ to the land. “Not for their sake, but for God’s Holy Name’s sake, that the world may know that I am the Lord”.

Be blessed yet again as you read this Torah portion. What your Bible, and mine, call “blessings and curses” are solemn promises of God. He is faithful, righteous and perfect in all His ways. As my old Sunday School teacher used to tell me … “every promise in the Book is true” .. the ones we like, and the ones we wish were not there.

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Torah Portion for 23rd August - 29th August

Torah portion           Deuteronomy 21:10 to 25:19

Haftarah portion     Isaiah 54:1 - 10

“When you go out”

Mixed materials

As I reflect on the Torah portion this week I find it difficult to relate to the content from a ‘today’ perspective because the obvious cultural change which has taken place between the time of that writing and now.

However, there are principles involved which have not changed. We do not ‘invade’ territory of other nations in order to take people hostage as wives for ourselves for instance. But it is noteworthy, that even in those circumstances, the Torah prescribed rights and conduct which had the dignity and welfare of the unfortunate captive in mind.

As we look for an up to date message in our reading, this may provide one. Our newspapers today record many instances of ‘violence’ against women. These are often women who we may conclude were once loved by the perpetrator. Even within nominally ‘secure’ Christian marriages, we are aware that there are abuses (both overt and covert) against women which would never exist in Torah observant lives.

In chapter 22, we find the sin of ‘turning a blind eye’ and not doing that which we know to be right. We remind ourselves that the Hebrew word for ‘sin’ is “chata” which means to miss the mark. The Apostle James put it well in James 4: 17. “to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin”.

There is even the caution in this passage of ensuring a safe building code for houses. How up to date is that?

Perhaps the most well-known, and controversial, ordinance contained in this week’s reading is also found in chapter 22. It is the commandment regarding” Mixtures’. The example cited include :-

• Garments of mixed fibre e.g. linen and wool.
• Ploughing with mixed animals
• Sowing different crops together in the same field.

This week I searched the exposition of 12 different commentators on this subject. There is no commonality of view. I am encouraged by that, because the obvious conclusion is that God is God, He made the rules, and this is another of those occasions where we may conclude that God says  what He means and means what He says !!

I am reminded that when I took my first steps at obedience regarding what I should eat and what not to eat, a number of well-meaning friends informed me that the reason for the Biblical dietary laws was that there was no refrigeration in those days !!!!  Such insight !!  Is it so difficult to just take God at His word?

In relation to the “mixed fibres” in a garment, we know that linen is a product of the flax plant and it has superb qualities of comfort in garments. These days, ‘pure linen’ is quite rare and costly to produce. It was the material ordained to be worn by the High Priest when entering the Holy Place to appear before the Lord. No mixed materials here.

In Revelation 19, we read that ‘fine linen’ is the material of the garment of the wedding gown of the Bride of the Lamb. Furthermore, the scriptures explain that this ‘fine linen’ is “the righteous acts of the Saints”.  No mixed materials here.

I conclude my ‘reflection’ by quoting the exposition on this passage of scripture by Matthew Henry  :-

“God's providence extends itself to the smallest affairs, and his precepts do so, that even in them we may be in the fear of the Lord, as we are under his eye and care. Yet the tendency of these laws, which seem little, is such, that being found among the things of God's law, they are to be accounted great things. If we would prove ourselves to be God's people, we must have respect to his will and to his glory, and not to the vain fashions of the world. Even in putting on our garments, as in eating or in drinking, all must be done with a serious regard to preserve our own and others' purity in heart and actions. Our eye should be single, our heart simple, and our behaviour all of a piece”.

Shabbat Shalom

RS