The Passover Problem Solved...

For the decade or so that I was a mainstream Christian, there was absolutely no debate nor even a lingering doubt about the traditional timeline of Messiah's last week (pre-resurrection). Good Friday was obviously a Friday, right? Nobody had ever brought up the (now) obvious problem of Yeshua's words about Jonah being in the belly of the fish for 3 days and 3 nights, and that being the sign of the true Messiah. A Friday crucifixion and a Sunday morning resurrection simply did not meet those criteria.

Then, once becoming familiar with our Hebrew roots, the 3 days and 3 nights issue was solved with a better understanding of how Passover is honored from a scriptural perspective. However, now we had a new issue. There seemed to be a rush to force all of the aspects and elements of a traditional Jewish seder into the gospel accounts of Yeshua's final meal. Was "The Last Supper" really a "Passover seder"? How could Yeshua be the host of a seder, AND the "main course" at the same time?

Here is a GREAT yet simple article by Tom Bradford that answers both questions in an honest and encouraging way.

Here is the link:

The Passover Problem Solved

-Ben

Taking the Messiah's side

Not long before The Father enlightened us to the beauty and wisdom of Torah, a new believer I was mentoring began reading his Bible from the beginning. He came to me confused and desperate, with numerous questions about the commandments given to Moses. I told him that he had started in the wrong place, and that Matthew was a much better place to begin, as Jesus had “fulfilled all that” and that the Laws of Moses had been “done away with”. Most in mainstream Christianity see Torah-keeping believers as misled, and echo my earlier sentiment about “Jesus nailing the Law to the Cross”. I now see an irony that is very revealing about the modern Church. The established JEWISH religious leaders in the New Testament were making the very same false accusations about Messiah and His ministry as most established Christian denominations are making about Him today. Without even realizing it, the Church has allied themselves with the very group that they claim to oppose.

In Revelation 12:10, Satan is called “The Accuser of The Brethren”. In John 8:44, Yeshua (Jesus) says of Satan, “He was a murderer from the beginning, and has nothing to do with the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Satan has a pattern of making false accusations, and it’s our job as “believers” to recognize these lies, and purge them from our lives and hearts. Steven, Paul, and even Yeshua were all falsely accused in the New Testament. As Christians, our job is to join YHVH and Yeshua in Satan’s defeat, but instead the Church often inadvertently remains part of that same satanic chorus-- echoing similar false accusations towards Torah-keeping brothers and even our toward our Savior.

In Acts 6:12-14, the stage is set for the stoning of Steven, the first martyr in the recorded ‘New Testament’. The Scriptures say about his accusers: “they stirred up the people and the elders and the scribes, and they came upon him and seized him and brought him before the council, and they set up false witnesses who said, “This man never ceases to speak words against this holy place and the law, for we have heard him say that this Jesus of Nazareth will destroy this place and will change the customs that Moses delivered to us.”

What was Steven accused of? Speaking against the law, and teaching that Jesus would change the customs of Moses. Note the scriptures specifically and clearly say he was FALSELY accused. Steven did not actually say or teach these things, but like any other early follower of Messiah, he kept the Law of Moses. He was stoned by folks who themselves had been taught incorrectly--those who misunderstood the teachings of Messiah as being a completely new faith, rather than a reinforcement of the Holy principles given to Moses. Ironically, today many Christians would take the side of Steven’s accusers, simply because that’s the way they were brought up, or because of errant church tradition.

The Apostle Paul himself was also guilty of that mistake, and was one of the council members that took part in the stoning of Steven. He admits to this in Acts 26, “I myself was convinced that I ought to do many things in opposing the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And I did so in Jerusalem. I not only locked up many of the saints in prison after receiving authority from the chief priests, but when they were put to death I cast my vote against them. And I punished them often in all the synagogues and tried to make them blaspheme, and in raging fury against them I persecuted them even to foreign cities.” When Paul says he was “trying to make them blaspheme”, he means he was trying to get the Jews who preached the Gospel of Messiah to openly admit that the Law was to be "done away with"—a blasphemous notion to Jews then and now. After meeting the Messiah face-to-face, however, Paul was corrected and repented of his error.

Shortly after becoming a believer, the Jewish leadership falsely accuse Paul of exactly the same blasphemy. Paul’s self-defense is similar to Steven’s. Acts 24:14, “But this I confess to you, that according to the Way, which they call a sect, I worship the God of our fathers, believing everything laid down by the Law and written in the Prophets." Later, he continued his defense, Acts 25:8 “When he had arrived, the Jews who had come down from Jerusalem stood around him, bringing many and serious charges against him that they could not prove. Paul argued in his defense, “Neither against the law of the Jews, nor against the temple, nor against Caesar have I committed any offense.” Again, 2000 years later, most Christians have passively joined Paul’s opposition, continuing to preach and teach that Paul taught doctrine contrary to the Mosiac Law, rather than reinforcing and restoring it.

The Apostle Peter admits, even in those early years, that many people have misunderstood Paul’s intentions. “…our beloved brother Paul also wrote to you according to the wisdom given him, as he does in all his letters when he speaks in them of these matters. There are some things in them that are hard to understand, which the ignorant and unstable twist to their own destruction, as they do the other Scriptures. You therefore, beloved, knowing this beforehand, take care that you are not carried away with the error of lawless people and lose your own stability.” Without remaining keenly wary of Satan’s methods, it’s easy for Christians to let others shape their worldview with false traditions and misunderstandings. The hard part is admitting that just as in the case of Paul, we may also be on the side of the false accuser.

The Messiah Himself expected these false accusations before they even came, and therefore made Himself perfectly clear during His Sermon on the Mount. “Do not think that I have come to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I have not come to abolish them but to fulfill them. For truly, I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not an iota, not a dot, will pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Therefore whoever relaxes one of the least of these commandments and teaches others to do the same will be called least in the kingdom of heaven, but whoever does them and teaches them will be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I tell you, unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matt 5:17-20

As all of these false accusers show, it’s easy to have a certain idea of who Yeshua was in our minds. It’s normal to have pre-conceived notions of who He was and what He taught. Even when reading the words directly from the Bible, we often hear the voices of our pastors, our parents, our peers, or even TV and movies. It’s our human nature to filter Scripture through our existing expectations and beliefs, but the correct way to follow Messiah is to filter out our false expectations through the Scripture. This is how we dilute or negate the power of Satan’s deceptions in our walk.

Judas was perhaps the best example of the common mistake of believing in a Messiah HE wanted to follow, instead of accepting the true Messiah that was right before his eyes. He allowed his own view of what the Messiah had to be (a warrior King, to throw off the shackles of Rome), to blind him to the true nature of what He really came to do. Even after following Him for years and years, listening to every sermon, and eating with Him at every meal (including the Last Supper), He STILL had this preconception distracting Him from an honest and fruitful walk. Eventually, “The Accuser of The Brethren” took advantage of this blind spot, and actually entered into him in order to betray Yeshua (Luke 22:3). Even at his final meeting with The Master, Judas still openly displayed affection with Yeshua, kissing Him as he was arrested. Shortly after this meeting, Judas is convicted of his error, repents, but it’s too late. Messiah dies a horrible and violent death, and out of sorrow and despair Judas commits suicide.

The New Testament gives us these three clear examples as a stern and stark warning to Christians. Don’t make the mistake of Paul, and think that Jesus taught others to disobey the Torah. Don’t make the mistake of Judas, and allow the traditions of your parents or your church to blind you to the Torah-centered teachings of Messiah. Don’t allow yourself to be fooled by “the Accuser” into accusing Yeshua Himself of blaspheming the Torah that He himself preached, lived, and embodied. Instead, follow the example of Yeshua, when He met Satan face-to-face. With each subtle temptation, Messiah answered Satan not just with Scripture, but specifically with the words of Moses (Deut 8:3, Deut 6:16, Deut 6:13). Rooting ourselves in the truth as YHVH gave it to Moses in the Torah, and as it was taught and lived by Yeshua will ensure that we remain as enemies to Satan, and not his accidental allies.

--Ben

Are Christians Hebrews?

We hope you enjoy this 6 page study on the word "Hebrew" as it relates to the true family of YHVH both in the past and today. A large part of this study is a breakdown of the name Abraham, which gives us many powerful clues to who Hebrews really are. Due to the frequent usage of the Hebrew language, we converted the file to a PDF, which should allow most people to better read it through their browser or through Acrobat. We enjoyed doing it, we hope you enjoy it too. - Ben

WORD STUDY : SHMA

"To Listen & Obey"
or

“Listening With the Ears, Eyes, and Heart”

This word is also translated as: listen, hear, obey, comprehend, discern, give heed, proclaim,
understand. In the ancient script, this concept comes from the word:

Therefore, the concept behind “Shma”-- to “Listen and Obey” is: “breathe in the revealed essence of a matter, and make it part of yourself.” Or, in the case of YHVH’s commandments:

“Through our Character, we reveal His name.”

When asked what the greatest commandment was, Yeshua quoted YHVH’s words to Moses: "Hear, O Israel ! YHVH is our Elohim, YHVH is one; and you shall love YHVH your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.”
(Mark 12:29 referring to Deut 6:3-4)


Variations of "Shma" translated into Greek: Akouo (Akouo)

Examples of "Shma" from scripture:

Genesis 22:18 "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

Genesis 26:4-5 “…and by your descendants all the nations of the earth shall be blessed ; because Abraham obeyed Me and kept My charge, My commandments, My statutes and My laws."

Exodus 19:5 “Now then, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be My own possession among all the peoples, for all the earth is Mine.”

Exodus 24:7 “Then he took the book of the covenant and read it in the hearing of the people ; and they said, "All that YHVH has spoken we will do, and we will be obedient!"

Deuteronomy 4:30 "When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days you will return to YHVH your Elohim and listen to His voice.

Matthew 17:5 "This is My beloved Son, with whom I am well-pleased; listen to Him!"

Luke 16:31 "But he said to him, 'If they do not listen to Moses and the Prophets, they will not be persuaded even if someone rises from the dead.' "

Mark 4:23 “If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear. And He was saying to them, ‘Take care what you listen to.’”

By request: A quick Midrash on Romans 14

Before any honest discussion of Paul’s writings can begin we need to remind ourselves of who he was and what his letters were meant to be. Firstly, Paul was accused of overriding the “Jewish” Torah, but he consistently and adamantly denied ever doing so (please read Acts 25). This is crucial. If Paul is lying in court to save his butt from stoning, he can't be trusted as a teacher. If Paul did teach that the Torah was no longer relevant, then he is NOT teaching what the Messiah taught (read Matt 5:17-19), and therefore can't be trusted as a teacher. Since it is unanimous that Paul can be trusted, any modern church doctrine that claims to be based on his writings, yet overturns the Father’s written Torah commands is simply an incorrect doctrine.

Secondly, we must always remember that Paul’s writings were not considered (by him, the author) to be as weighty as scripture itself. The only writings the Paul considered to be Scripture, were the same writings that Yeshua considered to be Scripture…the “Old Testament”. As I believe that Paul’s writings are inspired, accurate, and consistent with the Torah, I do in fact consider them to be Scripture. The early church, however, did not have written gospel accounts, nor any of Paul’s epistles for decades after Yeshua ascended. Paul himself didn't really come on the scene for 14 years after the road to Damascus event that changed his life (read Galatians for his testimony). All the earliest Church had was the Torah and the rest of the O.T., plus the eyewitnesses of what Yeshua preached in relation to these already existing foundational documents.

The key to context is remembering that Paul’s letters were mostly responses to other letters that we do not have. Imagine listening to a talk show called “Ask the Torah Expert” but we can’t hear what the callers are asking, just the brilliantly worded and inspired answers from the host. Imagine further that we ourselves know little-to-nothing about the Torah. Now imagine this popular and life-changing show being translated from Greek into English, or perhaps from Hebrew to Greek and then into English. Oh yes, did I mention it was recorded 2000 years ago? If we took his out-of-context advice, and tried to live it out, we would end up very confused, and acting very peculiar indeed. This is what Peter warned about when he said: “Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction. Therefore, dear friends, since you already know this, be on your guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position. (2 Peter 3: 15-17)

With all that as a foundation to several of our misunderstandings of Paul’s teachings…here is how I understand Romans 14. The entire chapter deals with food customs that were dividing the Roman congregation. From the beginning of Romans 14 to the end, food and drink are mentioned 16 times. What is acceptable to eat, and when it is acceptable to eat it, are the two issues Paul tackles in this chapter.

“Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputable matters. One man's faith allows him to eat everything, but another man, whose faith is weak, eats only vegetables. The man who eats everything must not look down on him who does not, and the man who does not eat everything must not condemn the man who does, for God has accepted him. Who are you to judge someone else's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. And he will stand, for the Lord is able to make him stand." (Romans 14:1)

Paul begins this chapter by telling the Romans not to pass judgment on one another in regards to differences of opinion--specifically in this case: eating meat vs. eating only vegetables. Why the dietary battle? It's not about calories, nor is it about genetic modification or organic standards.


“I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean [koinon] of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean [koinon], to him it is unclean [koinon]." This word, "koinon" would be better translated as "defiled." Therefore, verse 14, when translated properly, should read: "I know and am convinced by the Master Yeshua that there is nothing defiled of itself; but to him who considers anything to be defiled, to him it is defiled." (Romans 14:14)

There were those in the congregation that considered the meat sold in the meat markets to be ceremonially "defiled" (koinon). The Roman congregation assumed most of the meat sold in the local market was defiled because it had been offered in sacrifice to idols. This is certainly a disputable matter, but has NOTHING to do with the type of meat (i.e. choosing beef over ham for example), as beef is Biblically permissible food, and Ham is not. That matter is not in dispute here. This issue is purely about whether otherwise Biblically acceptable food would still be acceptable if had been offered to an idol first.

The Roman's issue was not unique. (Read 1Cor. 10:18-28). His answer to the Corinthians' concerns over this issue was that they should eat whatever is sold in the meat market without raising questions of conscience about whether the meat had been sacrificed to an idol (1Cor. 10:25). But if they knew for certain that meat had been sacrificed to an idol, they were to avoid eating it (1 Cor. 10:28). Paul's advice to the Romans was identical. He said he was convinced that nothing was defiled of itself. In other words, he told the Roman believers not to live in fear by automatically assuming that meat sold in the marketplace had been sacrificed to idols. However, he went on, if someone in the congregation could not in good conscience eat such meat (because they could not be certain it had not been sacrificed to an idol), then to him it was defiled and he shouldn't eat it. It is natural for those who are "weaker in their faith" to err on the side of caution, and we should never accidentally discourage them by our different choices due our deeper understanding of Torah.

This principle came in to play just today. A Jewish nieghbor of mine asked me if I thought a conch was OK to use instead of a ram’s horn for sounding the "shofar" in worship. I pointed out that a conch was really the exoskeleton of an “unclean” animal, so it might not be acceptable for worshipping the Father. Then I pointed out that it seems like the outer skin of the wilderness tabernacle was made from some sort of “unclean” animal, so there seemed to be precedence in Scripture for that sort of thing. She wasn’t eating the conch, just blowing on its painted shell. Her heart was certainly in the right place, even asking the question showed that. This was totally her call to make…a bonefide disputable matter. She chose to blow it…only afterwards mentioned that she got it from a Buddhist Monk in Tibet--which if it was my conch, would have been the deal breaker. However, it is NOT up to me to judge another man’s servant…as Paul wisely points out.

Then, Paul tackles WHEN it is OK to eat:

“One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks.” (Romans 14:5)

Fasting (not eating) is an interesting subject in the Old Testament. It is obviously an endorsed practice, but the guidelines and timeframes are NOT spelled out clearly. In the Talmud (a collection of Jewish commentary and traditions) however, Pharisees fasted regularly on Monday’s and Thursday’s. The Gospel of Luke points out: "The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, 'God, I thank You that I am not like other men – extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this tax collector. I fast twice a week; I give tithes of all that I possess.' (Luke 11:11-12). The early church was in conflict about whether to simply follow Jewish tradition in this and many other matters. Paul's point in Romans 14:5-6 is that since no particular days of the week had been sanctioned in the Torah for fasting, those who chose to fast on a regular schedule would be accepted if they honestly did it to honor YHVH. Likewise, those who didn't view any particular day as mandatory for fasting would be accepted if they did it in the proper spirit and gave thanks to YHVH.

Paul goes on in the rest of chapter 14 to urge the believers in Rome not to judge one another and not to cause their brethren to stumble, and to be sure that regardless of what they each individually decide-- that they are not simply following the crowd but are doing it with trusting faithfulness in the Father. “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.” This principle again carries into all disputable matters. As 1 John points out, "Sin is transgression of the Law". Paul now takes that one step further...not only is breaking the Torah a sin, but even within the freedoms provided by the Torah, you are still sinning if you are not being faithful to what YHVH has placed on your heart by His Spirit. Did you give that sandwich to that homeless man you walked passed this morning...you know The Father prompted you to? Did you pray for your coworker who asked for prayer? You know you should...did you? Both situations are not specific Torah commands, yet both situations would be sin if you broke faith with The Father due to disobedience.

There are very reasonable and far more self-explanatory answers to the few other places in the New Testament that seem to give us fresh license to repeal God’s eternal commandments. The Romans 14 verses do take a little more study to put them into context. The real question is “why in the world would God care what we eat?” What does what we eat have to do with our spirits, and with love? The simplest explanation is that the Father wants us to be SET APART for Him. This is brought up again and again and again in both the Torah, and the New Testament. What we shove in our face is a decision that we must make several times per day. This gives us that many more times per day to actively remember who we are, and make a difficult (at first) choice to abstain from foods that our Father calls “abominations”.

The desire to ignore clear commandments is embedded in our fleshly nature. Just a subtle twisting of YHVH’s words to Eve were enough to fool her into eating “unclean” fruit. Satan is a one-trick pony. He uses our own fleshly inertia against us, and uses the opposite of “legalism” -- ”loophole-ism” to offer us a way to miss the blessings contained in childlike obedience to the Father. Paul's writing style, along with some translation issues, seem to offer loopholes when there are other clear explainations not far below the surface. We must not fall prey to Satan's lame, tired, and obvious trick.

When “good Christian folks” choose to temporarily fast for a predetermined time (a vegetarian “Daniel Fast” for example), they inevitably will give a proud testimony about how much closer they felt to The Father, or how they finally heard from The Father after a long drought. This is a wonderful and blessed thing. However, when “Torah Keeping” folks chose a PERMANENT LIFESTLYE of fasting, and choose the Bible’s own guidelines about what is acceptable for food, suddenly it is “legalism” that demands a defense! I have heard testimony after testimony of those who have changed to a 24/7 Biblical diet and have been blessed due to their obedience. Yeshua, who never disobeyed a single Torah command, invites us to follow Him on His walk.

Our body is supposed to be the Temple of the Holy Sprit. Can we really be putting dead pigs on His Holy Altar (i.e. eating bacon) and honestly say we are a loyal disciple at the same time? The gay rights movement proudly waives a rainbow flag almost as a dare to The Father. The rainbow is His sign to human beings that He will not flood the earth again for our disobedience to His commandments. In some ways isn’t the traditional “Easter Ham” a similar insult to the God we claim to honor and obey?

Are you an Israelite? You may be surprised...

If you follow the traditional annual Torah readings, this Shabbat marks the end of the Book of Genesis. The focus this week is the blessings from Jacob on his 12 (or 14) sons, on his death bed.

If you are new or newish to this Torah focused or "Hebrew roots" walk, this is an especially important, and potentially life altering week of study.

Rather than give this crucial teaching only a brief blog post, I wanted to offer a link to the most profound and in-depth teaching on current status of the 12 Tribes of Israel, specifically the place of Eprhaim. If you are wondering why this could possibly be relevant, then you REALLY have to give this entire teaching a close listen.

http://www.torahclass.com/old-testament-studies/34-old-testament-studies-genesis/115-lesson-40-chapter48-pt-1

this link is part 1 of 3, with the other 2 parts easily accessible from the first 1.

If this sort of thing floats your boat, there is another 3 part teaching on each of the blessings on of the other tribes and what they imply, and how they came (or are coming) to pass.

It is worth your time to read it or listen to it (there are even power points too for all 6 talks).

Enjoy,

Ben

Torah: Blessing or A Curse - You Choose

And so Moshe was at the end of His days and wanted to recap all that YHVH had shown Him before His departing in the book of Deuteronomy and these were His final words in regards to all of YHVH law which does so well to sum up the heart (in other words spiritual significance) of the Torah - which Moshe understood. (ESV with The name restored.)

Deut 30
"And when all these things come upon you, the blessing and the curse, which I have set before you, and you call them to mind among all the nations where YHVH your God has driven you, and return to YHVH your God, you and your children, and obey his voice in all that I command you today, with all your heart and with all your soul, then YHVH your God will restore your fortunes and have compassion on you, and he will gather you again from all the peoples where YHVH your God has scattered you. If your outcasts are in the uttermost parts of heaven, from there YHVH your God will gather you, and from there he will take you. And YHVH your God will bring you into the land that your fathers possessed, that you may possess it. And he will make you more prosperous and numerous than your fathers. And YHVH your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your offspring, so that you will love YHVH your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live. And YHVH your God will put all these curses on your foes and enemies who persecuted you. And you shall again obey the voice of YHVH and keep all his commandments that I command you today. YHVH your God will make you abundantly prosperous in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your womb and in the fruit of your cattle and in the fruit of your ground. For the LORD will again take delight in prospering you, as he took delight in your fathers, when you obey the voice of YHVH your God, to keep his commandments and his statutes that are written in this Book of the Law, when you turn to YHVH your God with all your heart and with all your soul. "For this commandment that I command you today is not too hard for you, neither is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, 'Who will ascend to heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' Neither is it beyond the sea, that you should say, 'Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?' But the word is very near you. It is in your mouth and in your heart, so that you can do it. "See, I have set before you today life and good, death and evil. If you obey the commandments of YHVH your God that I command you today, by loving YHVH your God, by walking in his ways, and by keeping his commandments and his statutes and his rules, then you shall live and multiply, and YHVH your God will bless you in the land that you are entering to take possession of it. But if your heart turns away, and you will not hear, but are drawn away to worship other gods and serve them, I declare to you today, that you shall surely perish. You shall not live long in the land that you are going over the Jordan to enter and possess. I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, loving YHVH your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that YHVH swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them."


Do you understand how Torah (The Law) it can be a blessing and curse and we have the choice? If we choose His ways (Torah) with a contrite heart and LOVE for The Father, and a teachable spirit...as Yahshua demonstrated - It is a blessing to us. It is filled with object lessons to help us become stronger in HIM and closer to Him and each other. To protect us and to help us. It helps us develop His heart and process our own selfish hearts in a really tangible way. Even though we are all different and have different backgrounds all across the world, He knows exactly what we need and uses the Torah and things in it, to refine us for HIS glory. Even Yahshua spoke in parables...Even His disciples had to ask Him to clarify things....He really calls us to chase after Him. He want those who want Him! He wants us to pursue Him. The gift is free...but then we are left begging the question, "what do we do with it?". He hides treasures in His Word for those who REALLY want to posses the Kingdom of Heaven.

On the other hand, we must realize if we think we can "work" our way to salvation or if we approach the Torah with a heart of rebellion or disdain or doubt, a prideful heart or one of SELF-righteousness than it is a recipe for disaster. It becomes a burden, a heavy yoke, like a rebellious child we resent our Father for His counsel and His ways. It becomes a curse from which we try escape instead of the beautiful marriage chuppah (Hebrew marriage canopy) under which we stand and rejoice in it - as it was given! This is a precious gift from YHVH to His bride. If we choose to view His Word any other way, we MUST examine our hearts and repent, because there is Life in the Word of YHVH.

May ALL His people choose life and walk in the richness of ALL He has for us! May we all rejoice under His Chuppah of The Torah (and Yahshua - The Living Word) as His precious bride!

In Him,

Getting Hotter?

Recently, we have had the opportunity to have some long and deep discussions with several Christians who do not see The Bible in the same way we do. None of us, refreshingly, even hinted that the other was ‘lost’ or ‘unredeemed’, based on our differing points of view. I began to wonder what the ‘New Testament’ benchmark really was for separating the “sheep and the goats”, when it seems more and more obvious that YHVH (that’s the actual Name of God—pronounce it the way you feel led to) allows for wide diversity of belief and lifestyle within His people. As a former “main stream” Christian, I would have certainly looked upon the people who are on my current path as either ‘lost’ or at least severely mislead and on a slippery slope. Most Catholics would declare Protestants as ‘lost’ -- and vise versa. The Jews have a 3000 year head-start on their relationship with The Father, yet most Christians would consider them ‘lost’-- and vise versa. There is a popular saying, “Christianity isn’t a religion, it’s a relationship”, but what does that even mean? Messiah Himself said, “There is no way to The Father but through me,” (John 14:6) but if someone says they trust in Jesus (“Yahshua” in Hebrew) but then don’t obey Him, can you still go to The Father through Him? Does the Messiah give us any benchmarks to discern our “status” in His Kingdom?

It seems like in the New Testament, The Father separates people into three groups. Have you ever played the game where something is hidden and the searcher is given clues (cold, colder, warmer, hot, hotter!) to find it? YHVH seems to like this game. “It is the glory of God to hide a matter, and the glory of kings to search it out.” (Proverbs 25:2) Apparently, because of his abundant mercy and grace, He allows for two sets of winners, in this Holy version of ‘Hide and Seek’. Read this carefully worded warning of Yahshua: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will vomit you out of My mouth.” (Revelation 3:15-17) Who are these ‘cold’, ‘lukewarm’, and ‘hot’ believers? Let me be clear, while this hypothesis is based on scripture, this discussion is not an attempt to fully explain the heart of YHVH or boil down his Judgment to a simple analogy or nutshell formula. No one truly knows the heart of a person other than their Heavenly Father, nor is it our job to be the judge. Trying to see ourselves and our brothers and sisters through YHVH’s eyes, however, is useful and will help us reach and teach them more effectively.

That being said, it seems like those who are ‘lukewarm’, and therefore disqualified and spewed are those that pretend that they are playing but aren’t really--they are always ‘lukewarm’, since they’re not even searching or even getting up out of their seat. Yahshua said, “I know your deeds…” which reinforces James’ statement that “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:26). They claim to have faith but their works are empty. Many of these disqualified people follow “Christian traditions”, but have never been born again by the Spirit. People in this group could also be wolves in sheep’s clothing, or simply just apathetic, hypocritical, or backslidden sheep. From a faith perspective, there is essentially no difference between these people and non-believers. Simply just knowing that God exists is certainly not enough since “…even the demons believe that and tremble.” (James 2:19). The Old and New Testaments both teach that ‘trusting faithfulness’ in the Messiah and the blood of the lamb is the key to salvation, NOT works alone—but Yahshua himself in Revelation 3 is looking at behavior (deeds) as the outward proof of faith. Another group of ‘lukewarm’ people will say to Yahshua, “'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?” He will declare to them, “I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.” (Matt 7:23) Just because someone declares themselves to be a Christian, even those who talk about Jesus a lot, and even produce what seems like good fruit, does NOT mean that they are known by The Father or The Son. The essence of YHVH’s heart as revealed to Moses, and therefore the essence of Yahshua’s teachings, revolves around ‘loving YHVH’ and showing that love by ‘loving your neighbor as yourself’(Lev 19:18). Throwing His name around or making a big show of miraculous power is not the benchmark. For those that think that His amazing grace makes our behavior irrelevant, or are trusting in the false doctrine of “once saved always saved” remember that Paul writes about a brother who is cut off from earthly fellowship due to improper behavior (1 Corinthians 5:1-5). Also, the couple struck down by YHVH in Acts for lying shows that even in the earliest post-resurrection Messianic community, there were frauds masquerading as believers and the penalty was death (Acts 5:1-10). Unfortunately, these ‘warm’ and disqualified players may make up the majority of those who claim to be followers of Messiah. As He said, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.” (Matt 7:12-14)

Honestly, in my own head, I have always confused the cold group and the lukewarm group. The verse however clearly says that it’s the lukewarm people that get vomited; the cold folks are as safe as the ‘hot’ folks! Unlike the masses, the cold folks, have some level of a true relationship with YHVH through His Son, and are searching to deepen their relationship with Him. They have been “born again” and perhaps even baptized; they have recognized and have repented from a certain amount of their sinfulness, and do not yearn to return to the ways of their former lives. Sadly though, many have been mislead by false traditions, and therefore even their new “Christian” lifestyles may poorly represent many aspects of The Father. They understand that “Love thy neighbor as yourself, and love YHVH will all of your might…” “…sums up the law and the prophets” (Matt 7:12) yet, ignorantly believe that most of the law has been done away with. As Yahshua said, in Matt 24:12 "Because lawlessness [i.e. being ignorant of the Torah] is increased, most people's love will grow cold.” YHVH knows that their hearts desire is to be ‘hot’ for Messiah, although they are facing the wrong direction in so many different ways, and looking for His love in all the wrong places-- mostly due to their lack of understanding of the Holy Scriptures and the Law. Many of these ‘cold’ folks truly believe they are RED HOT, because they have yet to experience anything ‘hotter’ than ‘cold’, and because they are comparing themselves to the world, to their own past, or to the ‘lukewarm’ crowd. Some are so in love with certain magnified aspects of ‘Jesus’ that they ignore many of His teachings, and are completely ignorant regarding the Torah observant Hebrew culture that was the root of everything He, His Disciples, and the Apostle Paul said and did. Most “born again” believers live their daily lives with little conviction of hypocrisy, and are genuinely insulted by the notion that they are worshiping a ‘false Messiah’ or following ‘pagan practices’. These people have made it through the ‘small gate’; some may even be stuck in the gate (like a rope through the eye of a needle (Matt 19:24 in the Aramaic NT text)) but are having trouble walking upon the “narrow way”. Individually, each of these believers still has a chance to listen to the Spirit, overcome the false traditions they have inherited, reread the Scriptures, and progress further down that narrow path to becoming truly ‘hot’. Note that “warm” is an OK place to be because it’s part of the transition from cold to hot. “Lukewarm”, however, is stagnant and dead. There is no doubt that The Father is calling the cold to a hotter relationship, but being the creator of our ‘free choice’, He will not force people to open their eyes.

The ‘hot’ folks are those who are following the Torah in the manner that the Messiah did, because they understand that, “A student is not above his teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like his teacher.”(Luke 6:40) They recognize what Yahshua taught…that every single commandment is eternally useful and valid. “Until heaven and earth pass away, not one jot or one tittle of the Law will pass away…” (Matt 5:17) The ‘hot’ folks understand that Yahshua is the “Word made flesh” (John 1:14), and therefore there is no difference between obeying the Torah (the Word) and obeying the Messiah (who obeyed The Father perfectly by obeying the Torah perfectly (1 John 3:4)). Rather then looking for scriptural fine-print to legally escape the hundreds of useful commandments in the Torah, the ‘hot’ folks look for opportunities to grow ‘hotter’ through trusting and worshipful obedience . Because they value the Torah and love the Messiah so much, many ‘hot’ folks choose to live so that as many commandments apply to their lives as possible. Yahshua said, “If you love me, keep my commandments”, so isn’t that the highest form of Worship…to be as obedient as possible? (John 14:23-25) Also, instead of simply assuming that they are ‘hot’ and risking sin through pride and ignorance, truly ‘hot’ folks are humble and are consistently trying to fine tune their faith through study of the written word. The more they learn, the more they realize how much they still don’t know. It is quickly discovered that the pleasant heat felt on this walk gets stronger and stronger, and that there actually is no such thing as “hottest”. However, even the ‘hot’ folks risk becoming ‘cold’ by following the letter of the law rather than the spirit (2 Corinthians 3:6), forgetting that Love of YHVH is ultimately the source and power of the Torah, or by being fooled into following the traditions of men that masquerade as YHVH’s commandments (Matt 16:12). Some ‘hot’ folks become victims of ‘cults of personality’ and follow teachers who promise even “deeper truths” than those printed in the Scriptures (Matt 24:24). Perhaps the greatest satanic temptation is treating believing brothers who do not understand The Torah as ‘second-class’ believers by breaking fellowship with them or by treating them with contempt rather than with understanding and compassion. “Who are you to judge another's servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” (Romans 14:1-4).

The heavenly and earthly rewards are not equal between the ‘cold’ and ‘hot’ groups, but being ignorantly cold sure beats being spewed out of the mouth of the Living God. The words of Yahshua in Revelation 3 are by no means the only place where these distinctions between His people are made. YHVH uses similar analogies in other places in Scripture, too… each referring to His people--not to non-believers. Obviously, FALSE prophets and teachers who are purposely telling lies are excluded from the Kingdom along with non-believers and those who are ‘hearers only, and not doers” (James 1:22). But, there are those who trust in Yahshua, yet ignorantly teach that the Mosaic Commandments are no longer important--they will be called “the least in His Kingdom” (Matt 5:19a). Those who understand the value of the Torah, Yahshua calls “The greatest in His Kingdom” (Matt 5:19b).

In other verses, such as 2 Timothy 2:20, Paul mentions that in the Kingdom there are “vessels of dishonor, and vessels of honor”—again noteworthy that even the dishonored vessel is ‘in the Kingdom” and not smashed outside the gates.

The author of Hebrews, a book specifically written to those who should understand The Torah, chastises his audience for forgetting to study The Torah, and therefore not understanding the teachings of Messiah. These could be called the “milk” group and the “meat” group. “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you have need again for someone to teach you the elementary principles of the oracles of God, and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil.” (Hebrews 5:11-14).

During Yahshua’s earthly ministry, we also see two groups split between His ‘Disciples’ and ‘the multitudes’. The Disciples were the ones that walked and talked with Him in person daily. They followed the Torah in the precisely the same way that the Master did; the very nature of a disciple is one who desires to emulate his master. The multitudes seemed to believe that Yahshua was The Messiah and witnessed many miracles, etc… but there was no evidence that they adhered closely to His teachings.

The “wise builders” and the “foolish builders” describe another split among believers, noted in a Messianic parable in Matthew 7:23-25. Both builders listened to the master and built a house for themselves. Despite what you may have been taught, this parable is not about NON-believers contrasted with believers. The rock that is spoken of is The Father and His holy instructions given to Moses that Yahshua walked and talked. The Torah proclaims, “The Rock! His work is perfect, For all His ways are just;” (Duet 32:4). These Holy Commandments are the ‘building code’ for His Kingdom! Both the group that dismissed the Torah and those that embraced the Torah both had nice houses--they aren’t described as shacks or faulty looking, or crooked. The point is that when life’s storms come, one will stand and one will be destroyed. The one who built and who dwelled in the house is not destroyed; they still have a chance to rebuild—this time hopefully according to code!

Peter also writes about two groups of believers; there are those who are wise in the Torah and then there are those who are untaught and unstable in their understanding of the ‘Old Testament’. “…our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all of his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction” (2 Peter 3:16). Again, it seems silly to think that unbelievers and atheists would be the ‘untaught’ here, since those people couldn’t care less about Paul’s letters. It is those who care deeply about the Messiah, who are passionate about Him, and recognize His spilt blood as precious and Holy who are passionate about Paul’s writings. However, it is the very nature of the ‘cold’ group to not even realize that they are unstable in regards to the ancient Scriptures, and therefore they consider Paul’s letters to be an entirely new set of doctrine, rather than a deep and complex teaching on the truest way to keep all of the commandments given to Moses in the Torah. It is this misunderstanding that Peter was warning about, that is keeping the ‘cold’ believers from the path to becoming ‘hot’.

In Romans 14, Paul also writes about those “weak in the faith” and those “strong in the faith”. This is commonly interpreted as the “weak” ones trusting in rules and behavior, and the “strong” ones having greater faith and therefore being able to ignore commandments…trusting that Jesus had done away with them on the cross. After close inspection of this situation, Paul is actually saying that the “weak” are the ones who are still learning Torah, and are therefore more likely to follow the “when in doubt…leave it out” approach to the faith. Paul uses the example of “weak” brothers taking the extreme position of avoiding meat altogether simply to avoid the possibility of spiritual “contamination” of pagan idols. The “strong” brothers, fully aware of the Torah commandments related to food, and more experienced with the subject, know that avoiding all meat for this reason is taking an unnecessary precaution. Nevertheless, Paul’s wise admonition is for the “strong” brother to be humble enough to adjust their behavior for the sake of the “weak”, so as not to cause the brother to stumble. In this example, Paul suggests that the “strong” one skip the meat, even though he knows that idols are simply powerless statuettes.

The overarching point of Romans 14 is unity in Messiah of all believers whether cold or hot, weak or strong, milk drinking or meat eating, foolish or wise in the ways of Torah, stable or unstable, the least or the greatest. This unity is an overarching characteristic of the heart of YHVH. He says in Torah, “Hear oh Isreal, YHVH your Elohim is UNITED…He is ONE (echad).” (Deut 6:4). This is the often skipped but crucial part of The Greatest Commandment, as Yahshua taught the Torah (Matt 12:28-29). Apparently, this is an even greater commandment than the top 10 set that were set in stone...dispelling the myth that only the 10 commandments are eternal. The Father knows that our walk is a spiritual one far more than it is an earthly one; therefore it is our hearts that He desires to effect through His Torah. If we follow the letter of the commands perfectly, but have lost the truth in regards to his Unity, we are missing something huge. Likewise, if our first instinct is judgment of our own brothers rather than love, we are also missing the heart of YHVH. “If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”(1 Cor 13:2) If Torah observers miss these points, they are heading in a cold direction if they aren’t already freezing cold. Christianity is about relationship, not simply the prerequisite relationship vertically with YHVH through Yahshua, but also a horizontal one with our brothers in the faith through Yahshua.

Of course the idea of unity can be taken too far and diluted into heresy, as Paul confirms in 2 Cor 6 “Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? Or what harmony has Messiah with Satan, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever? Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as YHVH said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM, AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. “Therefore, COME OUT FROM THEIR MIDST AND BE SEPARATE,” says YHVH. “AND DO NOT TOUCH WHAT IS UNCLEAN; And I will welcome you. And I will be a father to you, And you shall be sons and daughters to Me,” Says the YHVH Almighty. This New Testament quote is mostly Paul re-quoting the Torah (as he was a very HOT observer of the Torah and follower of the Messiah).

This is the tricky part of unity--if any believer in Yahshua is “lawless” and “touching what is unclean” but they are ignorant of these things, YHVH’s grace abounds. But if they are fully aware of the commandments and their eternal Holiness, but still choose to disobey, that creates a reason for a valid split between brothers. It’s the rebelliousness and the conscious choice to turn from the known truth of Torah that is the real heart issue. This is what living in Sin means, according to 1 John 3:4 “Sin is the transgression of the Law”. This has been the case from Adam, from Moses, and even continuing passed Yahshua’s resurrection, and into our very lives today. The bar of YHVH’s expectation of our behavior toward Him and one another is raised with each revelation. The author of Hebrews speaks adamantly of this idea…” For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and THE FURY OF A FIRE WHICH WILL CONSUME THE ADVERSARIES. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which He was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, VENGEANCE IS MINE, I WILL REPAY. And again, YHVH WILL JUDGE HIS PEOPLE. It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.” (Hebrews 10:26-31) The capital letters in that verse denote the Old Testament verses the New Testament author was quoting, thus once again affirming the eternal aspects of YHVH’s nature.

All of His true family shares two attributes: We all Love YHVH our God with all our hearts and with all our soul and with all our strength (Deut 6:5); and secondly, all of us have fallen short of the glory of YHVH (Romans 3:23), and therefore our own righteousness (simply through good and proper behavior alone) appears to Him, as Isaiah 64:6 says in the original Hebrew, “as filthy menstrual cloths” (a garment that would forbid the wearer from approaching YHVH at all according to the Torah).


If you feel convicted after this discussion, that you might be a ‘cold’ Christian, be encouraged. The path you are on has been, in His wisdom and sovereignty, controlled by The Father. Before now, the timing was likely wrong for any number of reasons. Many good-hearted believers have gone decades as unknowingly cold before discovering the Torah. You are getting hotter already. Start by re-reading your Bible from Genesis 1:1, remembering that each and every covenant, every promise, and each and every commandment that applies to Israel, applies to you (Eph 2:11). Ask the Holy Sprit for guidance, and continue to explore the resources on this website to help you when you are challenged.

If you already consider yourself ‘hot’ I remind you to remain humble and teachable. Remember how much you thought you knew last week, and how much you have learned since then. Remember how many course corrections it took to get you to your current level of relationship with The Father, and realize that there are likely just as many adjustments and epiphanies ahead of you still in your walk. Be ready at all times to guide and feed others on this path, as the times are now near for a flood of ‘cold’ folks looking for the Truth and perhaps angry about the distorted path they had been following and the lies that they have inherited. (Jer 16:19)

If you think you may be ‘luke-warm’, or perhaps you have been so turned off by hypocritical religion that the idea of “accepting Christ” or needing a savior seemed like foolishness, the fact that you made it to this last paragraph may be the very proof of a divine hand that you have been asking for. There are no magic words to start your walk The Messiah to The Father, there is no formula or standard. Just reach out from the very heart of your being and cry “help” in your own words to your Creator. Thank him for offering a chance to be re-born. Thank him for allowing someone else, His very own Son, to die as punishment—in your place-- for all of the things you have ever done wrong. This can be a week long tear-filled event, or a sober, simple, and almost audible “click” in your sprit. No matter what you have ever done to deserve death, or judgment, or condemnation…no matter what lies you may have been taught about God’s nature or His ways…He deeply desires to offer you a fresh start. No more sin, no more condemnation, no more lies…a fresh start. Grab whatever Bible that you have handy…YHVH knows what you’ll grab, so don’t panic…and start at the beginning. Seriously, start at the preface and the introduction; don’t just skip straight to the good stuff. Read the notes that explain who translated the very book in your hand, and from what languages, and what all the little notes and bold face print and italics mean. Read the notes about the very Name of God, and how it may be purposely disguised in your text. Then, take the lead of the very first group of Torah keeping believers in the Resurrected Messiah in Acts 15. When directing new believers onto The Way of the Messiah, they reasoned: “For Moses has been preached in every city from the earliest times and is read in the synagogues on every Sabbath." Read the words of Moses in the first 5 books (The Torah), and then take the Sabbath (7th day) off every week to reflect on what you are learning. Take complete ownership your Bible, and let the Sprit of the Heavenly Father guide you to the all truth.

-Ben

Preparing Our Hearts Before YHVH

As we approach the Fall Moed, there is an increased heaviness on my heart. My own short comings have become magnified. This week I was woken out of my sleep 3 times to pray. I find YHVH revealing things as I ask Him too and He cleanses me in a firm and loving way as he prepares me to be a better Ambassador for Him. He gives me the heart of a child who only wants to magnify her Father.

Those of you who have spent a lot of time studying about YHVH's Feasts know that Scriptures tell us we do not know the day or the hour in which Yahshua will return, but that YHVH has created these Appointed Times so that He will be glorified. It is clear that will all be a witness to His sovereignty and His plan. So as this time draws near it is natural that His people are stirred in the Spirit. Those whom he is showing Himself too, are called to be Watchman on the Walls. You are not only called to gaurd His word in your hearts, but to teach to your children and then let your light shine forth, as you walk in holiness. This is a TALL ORDER! (Halleluyah for Shabbat so that we may be regualrly "recharged" for our daily walk with Him!) This season is very important for us to humbly come before Him even deeper than we do in our daily walks, even deeper than we do on our weekly time of rest and reflection...one of these years...We are going to be called to serve in a more intence and mighty way than ever has been required in the History of man...We need to brace our selves for what they might be. Are we willing to give our all? Our homes? Our lives? Our comfort? Our safety? Our plans? Our pride? Our ideas? Give all fully without reservation in an instant?? He has built in a "walk" in the Scriptures, that refines us and trains us to be ready for that day...if it doesn't happen in our life time..than He has used us to prepare our children to carry that torch stronger and ever better than we could and HIS legancy goes on...because we are a chosen generation, set apart for His purposes as He brings His plan to the hieght of its glory. We are His children, we are His name sake. May you never forget who you are! You are who you are only because He has chosen you, it is only by His grace that we have been redeemed and set apart. We are all over the globe. He has placed us where we are for a purpose which you can only know if you incline your ears to His Spirit and are willing to do what He says.

I am compelled to study what Scripture says about repentance and humbling myself before Him. Below are little nuggets that stood out to me form His Word in this season, as I (continue) allow Him to prepare my heart and mind in this season and meditate on who it is I am called to be and what it is I am called to do.

Duet 10:16 Circumcise therefore the foreskin of your heart, and be no more stiff necked.

1 Chron 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Neh 1:9 But if ye turn unto me, and keep my commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place that I have chosen to set my name there

Job 36:9-12 Then he sheweth them their work, and their transgressions that they have exceeded. He openeth also their ear to discipline, and commandeth that they return from iniquity. If they obey and serve him, they shall spend their days in prosperity, and their years in pleasures. But if they obey not, they shall perish by the sword, and they shall die without knowledge.

Psalm 34:1I will bless YHVH at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth.2 My soul shall make her boast in YHVH: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad.3 O magnify YHVH with me, and let us exalt his name together.4 I sought YHVH, and he heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.5 They looked unto him, and were lightened: and their faces were not ashamed.6 This poor man cried, and YHVH heard him, and saved him out of all his troubles.7 The angel of YHVH encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.8 O taste and see that YHVH is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.9 O fear YHVH, ye his saints: for there is no want to them that fear him.10 The young lions do lack, and suffer hunger: but they that seek YHVH shall not want any good thing.11 Come, ye children, hearken unto me: I will teach you the fear of YHVH.12 What man is he that desireth life, and loveth many days, that he may see good?13 Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile.14 Depart from evil, and do good; seek peace, and pursue it.15 The eyes of YHVH are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.16 The face of YHVH is against them that do evil, to cut off the remembrance of them from the earth.17 The righteous cry, and YHVH heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles.18 YHVH is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous: but YHVH delivereth him out of them all.20 He keepeth all his bones: not one of them is broken.21 Evil shall slay the wicked: and they that hate the righteous shall be desolate.22 YHVH redeemeth the soul of his servants: and none of them that trust in him shall be desolate.

Psalm 51:17 The sacrifices of ELOHIYM are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O ELOHIYM, thou wilt not despise.

Isaiah 57:15 For thus saith the high and lofty One that inhabiteth eternity, whose name is Holy; I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones.

Ezekial 36:21 But I had pity for mine holy name, which the house of Israel had profaned among the heathen, whither they went. 22 Therefore say unto the house of Israel, thus saith the ADONAY YHVH; I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.23 And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the heathen, which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know that I am YHVH, saith the ADONAY YHVH, when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes. 24 For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land.25 Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your ELOHIYM.

Hos 10:12 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek YHVH, till he come and rain righteousness upon you.

(Leviticus 26 reminds us of the blessings of obedience and the curses or disregarding obedience. )

1 John 1: 1That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we have looked upon, and our hands have handled, of the Word of life; 2 (For the life was manifested, and we have seen it, and bear witness, and shew unto you that eternal life, which was with the Father, and was manifested unto us;)3 That which we have seen and heard declare we unto you, that ye also may have fellowship with us: and truly our fellowship is with the Father, and with his Son YAHSHUA MASHIYACH. 4 And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full. 5 This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that ELOHIYM is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: 7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of YAHSHUA MASHIYACH his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

Ecc 5: 1 Keep thy foot when thou goest to the house of ELOHIYM, and be more ready to hear, than to give the sacrifice of fools: for they consider not that they do evil.
2 Be not rash with thy mouth, and let not thine heart be hasty to utter any thing before ELOHIYM: for ELOHIYM is in heaven, and thou upon earth: therefore let thy words be few. 3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words.

1 Sam 2 And Hannah prayed and said, "My heart exults in YHVH;my strength is exalted in YHVH. My mouth derides my enemies, because I rejoice in your salvation.2] “There is none holy like YHVH;there is none besides you;there is no rock like our God. 3 Talk no more so very proudly,let not arrogance come from your mouth; for YHVH is a God of knowledge,and by him actions are weighed. 4 The bows of the mighty are broken,but the feeble bind on strength.5 Those who were full have hired themselves out for bread,but those who were hungry have ceased to hunger.The barren has borne seven,but she who has many children is forlorn.6 YHVH kills and brings to life; he brings down to Sheol and raises up.7 YHVH makes poor and makes rich;he brings low and he exalts.8 He raises up the poor from the dust;he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes and inherit a seat of honor. For the pillars of the earth are YHVH's,and on them he has set the world. 9 “He will guard the feet of his faithful ones,but the wicked shall be cut off in darkness,for not by might shall a man prevail.10 The adversaries of YHVH shall be broken to pieces;against them he will thunder in heaven.YHVH will judge the ends of the earth;he will give strength to his king and exalt the power of his anointed.” 11 Then Elkanah went home to Ramah. And the boy ministered to YHVH in the presence of Eli the priest.

Matt 23:10 Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even MASHIYACH.11 But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant.12 And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted. 13 But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.14 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye devour widows' houses, and for a pretence make long prayer: therefore ye shall receive the greater damnation.15 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

James 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy? 6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, YHVH resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.7 Submit yourselves therefore to YHVH. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Draw nigh to ELOHIYM, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of YHVH, and he shall lift you up.11 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another? 13 Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: 14 Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.15 For that ye ought to say, If YHVH will, we shall live, and do this, or that.16 But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.17 Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

Ephesians 4:1 I therefore, the prisoner of the ADONAY, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called,2 With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love;3 Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.4 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;5 One ADONAY, one faith, one baptism, 6 One ELOHIYM and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. 7 But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of MASHIYACH.8 Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.9 (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?10 He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) 11 And he gave some, aposeles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of MASHIYACH:13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of ELOHIYM, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of MASHIYACH:14 That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;
15 But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even MASHIYACH:16 From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love.17 This I say therefore, and testify in the ADONAY, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of ELOHIYM through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.20 But ye have not so learned MASHIYACH;21 If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in YAHSHUA:22 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;23 And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;24 And that ye put on the new man, which after ELOHIYM is created in righteousness and true holiness.25 Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another.26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath:27 Neither give place to the devil.28 Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.29 Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.30 And grieve not the holy Spirit of EL, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
31 Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice:32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as ELOHIYM for MASHIYACH's sake hath forgiven you.

(Duet chapter 30 tells us how important it is to keep His commands and how he circumsicses our hearts so that we are able to follow His ways instead of our own. It also warns us of the judgement will happen if we do not. )


1 Kings 8:56 Blessed be YHVH, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant.57 YHVH our ELOHIYM be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us:58 That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers.59 And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before YHVH, be nigh unto YHVH our ELOHIYM day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require:60 That all the people of the earth may know that YHVH is ELOHIYM, and that there is none else.61 Let your heart therefore be perfect with YHVH our ELOHIYM, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.


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Where does one stop??? It is so hard for me to stop in the Word. (My family will testify!!) I left so much out and there is so much more I have yet to study! I pray the Spirit has harkened your ears to hear His Holy Words!


May you be richly blessed in this season of YHVH's Set Apart times. May you draw neared to Him in ways you never knew possible. May you be strengthened and encouraged; May you be convicted and stripped clean again; May you know who you are in Him and a little more about who He is and what His plan is in this season so that you may tell your children and they may tell their children. May you be a living sacrifice for His ways and a bold testimony of His love!


L' Chiem! (To Life!)

Watchman on the Walls - Yom Teruah

Ezekial

33:1 The word of YHVH came to me: 2 “Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, If I bring the sword upon a land, and the people of the land take a man from among them, and make him their watchman, 3 and if he sees the sword coming upon the land and blows the trumpet and warns the people, 4 then if anyone who hears the sound of the trumpet does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. 5 He heard the sound of the trumpet and did not take warning; his blood shall be upon himself. But if he had taken warning, he would have saved his life. 6 But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, so that the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, that person is taken away in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at the watchman's hand.

7 “So you, son of man, I have made a watchman for the house of Israel. Whenever you hear a word from my mouth, you shall give them warning from me. 8 If I say to the wicked, O wicked one, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked to turn from his way, that wicked person shall die in his iniquity, but his blood I will require at your hand. 9 But if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, that person shall die in his iniquity, but you will have delivered your soul.


Lev 23: 23 And YHVH spake unto Moses, saying,24 Speak unto the children of Israel, saying, In the seventh month, in the first day of the month, shall ye have a sabbath, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, an holy convocation.25 Ye shall do no servile work therein: but ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YHVH.


1 Chor 15:52 In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

Halleluyah!

Covering Concerning the Angels and Culture

What does 'because of the angels' mean in 1 Corinthians 11:10?

In 1 Corinthians 11:10 Paul writes, διὰ τοῦτο ὀφείλει ἡ γυνὴ ἐξουσίαν ἔχειν ἐπὶ τῆς κεφαλῆς διὰ τοὺς ἀγγέλους. "For this reason the woman should have [a sign of the man's] authority on her head, because of the angels."

This is not any easy verse (or chapter for that matter) to understand at face value…and I am afraid I will still leave this article without having full confidence that my own understanding is complete. However, I will share with you what I have discovered thus far, as I am further along then when I started. So for that I am thankful! If you know me…I seek to understand the context of Scripture when I study it. Who is writing, to whom, when and in what setting. What is the purpose of the text and the scheme of Scripture. I have learned that this makes a huge difference in understanding Scriptures as they were written. For instance, Paul is writing a letter here to believer in Corinth, in the period of the after Yahshua had come and gone (was resurrected). Paul was a leader, raised and trained as a pharisee and zealous for Torah (self described) and for testifying to Yahshua as Messiah. He had a born again experience on the road to Damascus before this and is revered and looked up to by those who also chose to follow Yahshua and believed He is/was YHVH's Messiah. Paul was mentoring several churches in several locations traveling to and fro to minister to them, as they try to follow pure Torah (leaving the man made trappings of Judaism behind) and living out Yahshua’s example and share it with others. They are learning how to manage community and “outsiders” who are not trained in Torah and who bring with them their pagan ways and conflicting cultures and ideas. These people were joining their groups in what seemed like “alarming rates”. They are learning how to walk in the Spirit which has been released to man like no other time in history. They have expressed concerns to Paul about things happening in Corinth…We do not have the correspondence TO Paul…so we don’t know exactly what their situation was…which is the case with all the letters to the churches from Paul in the NT…however, we try to understand the best we can with what we’ve got. It is clear that there was some sort of conflict with how the women were conducting themselves in the assembly which was causing conflict…that is safe to say.So now that we have a little background, I encourage you to read 1 Cor 11 in context before proceeding.

Several explanations have been offered by scholars, but the most widely agreed upon is this: In Jewish tradition, and also in the early Church, angels are said to be present at sacred gatherings and sacred times, to watch over and to join with the saints in their spiritual exercises. Any serious offense against propriety during these sacred moments will stir up the disapproval of these angelic helpers of the saints, perhaps causing them to depart; and any good deed they witness will bring all the more aid from them. There are quite a few examples of angels as mediators between YHVH and man in Scripture.

In view of all this, it is not surprising to find a reference to the angels in the context of 1 Corinthians 11, where Paul addresses the subject of "praying and prophesying" among the saints.

The angels serve as mediators in both of these spiritual activities (praying and prophesying). Just for an example, here are some Scriptures that list activities of the angels with the YHVH's people: Ezekiel 40:3, Daniel 8:16, 9:21-22, 10:5-6, Zechariah 1:8-9, 2:1-3, etc. And also revelation is given to men through angels in Matthew 1:20, Luke 1:11, Luke 2:9-10, Acts 7:53, Acts 10:3-4, Galatians 3:19, Hebrews 2:2, Revelation 1:1, Revelation 8:2-4 , etc.

Michael Marlow from Bible-Researcher.com writes on his study of this topic: “….these passages suggest that among Jews of the first century, Paul's expression "because of the Angels" may have been a conventional way of referring to the requirements of a sacred gathering. It would be quite natural to extend the concept, in a less stringent way, to all gatherings in which prayer is offered. And so we might speculate that, by using this phrase, Paul means to say that if some unruly Corinthian women scorn the Church's "dress code" in the prayer meetings, this tends to violate the sacred spirit of the gathering—especially if they are overly bold to take a leading part in the meetings, offering prayers on behalf of the men, and so forth. Surely the angels will frown on it! Under this interpretation we would have to assume that among the Corinthians the expression "because of the angels" would have been understood in this way, through Paul's prior use of the phrase in his ministry among them.

As I indicated above, this is the interpretation accepted by most New Testament scholars. Although it is uncertain, there does not seem to be a better explanation of Paul's phrase.”

Now another resource (of many) we often like to consult is the Aramaic New Testament it has a very cultural perspective on the NT which is so often clouded by the Greek and Church Doctrinal influences. It uses the Aramaic Pashitta as its original source of the text and it explains things from a very Hebraic understanding fo the culture. Since the NT still takes place in that culture primarily it sheds light into the context of things which have not been so easy to clarify and I think the Christian Pastors and all who study Yah's word would be wise to add it to their reference materials in studying Scriptures. Below I am sharing an excerpt as to some things explained in the appendix of the Aramaic New Testament on the topic of 'head covering' and maybe you will see what I mean. Now the below writing focuses on head covering for men because that is the context in which Scripture discusses it! I encourage you to read it so that you may more fully understand the context of what Paul is writing to whom. And how it all fits in the big picture. We believe it to be very relevant and very revealing. :

Head Coverings

1 Corinthians 11:4 "Any man who prays or prophesies with his head covered dishonors his head,"
Much of the contention among believers who wear and those who do not wear head coverings is based on this verse. Be as we investigated this matter it becomes very obvious that Rav Shaul (Paul) made this statement in the context of what was happening at the local level and he also states that no one has any right, whatsoever, to be contentious about it.

YHVH commanded His priesthood to wear head coverings. : " And these are the garments which they shall make; a breast plate, and an ephod, and a robe and embroidered coat, a mitre and a girdle: and they shall make a holy garment for Aaron" (Exodus 28:4)

The High Priest wore a nezer (crown) on top of their mitre or turban; " And you shall put the mitre upon his head, and put the holy nezir (crown) upon the mitre" (Exodus 29:6; 39:30;31; Leviticus 8:9) The Hebrew 'nezer' comes from the word 'nezar' which means to separate and, of course, this head covering and crown distinguishes the High Priest as seperated unto YHWH. All the sons of Aaron wore head coverings or turbans; "And for Aarons sons you shall make coats, and you shall make for them girdles, and turbans shall you make for them, for glory and for beauty. And you shall put them upon Aaron your brother and his sons with him." (Exodus 28:40-41) (See also Leviticus 8:13 and Ezekial 44:18.)

The High Priest was not permitted to remove his head covering even in time of mourning for a loved one: " And he that is the High Priest among his brethren, upon whose head the anointed oil was poured, and that is consecrated to put on the garments, shall not uncover his head, nor rend his clothes". (Leviticus 21:10) According to Scripture Aaron and his sons wore their head coverings before YHWH while they served in the tabernacle, and while Aaron was in the Holy of Holies, see Exodus 29: 38,43. From these verses a vivid picture emerges of these men wearing head coverings while they served YHWH and prayed and conducted their official duties. It is also interesting to note, then, that by the rules of Leviticus 21:10, High Priest Khayapa was in direct violation of a command not to tear his clothes when Y'shua gave an answer he did not like! (Matthew 26:65/Mark 14:63)

Head coverings and garments symbolized a priests receipt of YHWH's authority and were spiritual "crowns" He gave each of them. Notice also two distinctions in the head coverings: "And you shall make a plate of pure gold and grave upon it, like the engravings of a signet, "Qodesh l'YHWH" (Exodus 28:36). The words "Set Apart Unto YHWH" signifies a very distinct designation of ownership and belonging to YHWH. As Aaron filled his role as a high priest he was emulating YHWH's Attributes to the people of Israel and YHWH's Name was foremost upon His mind.

Aaron's garments symbolized the robes of the great multitude: "And after these things, I looked, and lo, a great multitude which no one could number, from all kindreds and nations and tribes and tongues; who stood before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, and palms in their hands" (Revelation 22:4) The white robes distinguish YHWH's people and are symbolic of the spiritual man. Furthermore we read in the Renewed Covenant writing about the crown of rejoicing, the crown of righteousness, the crown of life, the crown of glory and also of the "...twenty and four Elders, who were clothed in white robes, and on whose heads were crowns of gold" (Revelation 4:4) Therefore not only the garments but the head coverings are mentioned at a time in the future for those who live according to Mashiayach. (Messiah) And those two are born in the kingdom of Elohim, "...will see his face, and his name (will be) on their foreheads" (Revelation 22:4)

Here is another distinction for priests head coverings: " And you shall put it on a blue lace, that it may be upon the mitre; upon the forfront of the mitre it shall be" (Exodus 28:36) Those who are familiar with Tzit Tzit - the fringes which contain a blue thread as a reminder of all of YHWH's commandments (Matthew 9:20)- will immediately identify the importance of the blue lace one the forefront of the mitre. In others words, the head covering was a very special item given by YHWH to the priests to remind them of who they were in Him.

Scriptures indicate that covering the head while praying is showing brokenness and humility while petitioning Elohim: " And David went up by the ascent of Mt. Olive, and wept as he went up, and had his head capheh (covered), and he went barefoot: and all the people that were with him covered every man his head, and they went up, weeping as they went up" (2 Samuel 15:30) At times of deep anguish and mourning elders of Israel put dust upon their heads while petitioning YHWH: " And Joshua rent his clothes, and fell to the earth upon his face before the ark of YHWH until the eventide, he and the elders of Israel, and put dust upon their heads" (Joshua 7:6) (See also Job 2:12; Lam 2:10; Amos 2:7) Putting dust upon the head symbolizes mankind's human nature as dust before YHWH who is powerless without YHWH's help.

In Psalm 140:7 we read that YHWH covered or defended David's head when he went into battle: "O YHWH, my master the strength of my salvation, you have covered my head in the day of battle." The imagery here is manifold as David unashamedly declared that YHWH wins his battles and that he as the anointed King of Israel wore a crown that symbolized the authority YHWH gave him (See Psalm 110:1).

In Daniel 3:21 We see how the king of Babylon ordered three Jews to be thrown into the fiery furnace, turbans and all: "Then these men were bound in their coats, their tunics, and their turbans, and their other garments, and were cast into the midst of the burning fiery furnace." This is further proof like other cultures with their own respective head covering customs, righteous Jews also wore head coverings.

Zechariah had a vision of Joshua the High Priest wearing a head covering: "And I said, let them set a fair Mitre upon his head. So they set a fair mitre upon his head, and clothed him with garments. and the Angel of YHWH stood by." (Zachariah 3:5)

In the light of what Scripture teaches about head coverings we must consider Raz Shaul's letter to the spiritually "deteriorated" Corinthians who "were pagans....led away by idols" and were practicing high-handed rebellion against Mashiyach. Here we discover that other cultures boasted their own head coverings and had very different values than what YHWH had instructed. Rav Shaul wrote: "In short, it is reported, there is sexual sin among you; and such sexual sin is not even named among the pagans, that a son should even take the wife of his father. And you are puffed up, and have not rather sat down in grief, that he who has done this deed might be separated from you." (1 Corinthians 5: 1, 2) If the recipients of this letter were even worse than unregenerate pagans, then their particular use of "head coverings" must not apply to all households of the righteous. Rav Shaul would never honor unregenerate souls by using them as model examples for all other assemblies. In reality some pagans (and Jews) abused Jewish customs as a way of renouncing the "G-d of the Jews" and thus showing their displeasure towards YHWH's Word.

Greek scholars point out that the use of katakalupto for the male "covering" and peribolaion fpr the female "covering" may have indicated something beneath the text. Apparently men would wear veils when worshipping pagan female deities to look femanine; and Rav Shaul, of course, taught against this practice. Pagans were known to wear clothing of the opposite sex while performing perverse sexual rituals. In this passage Rav Shaul does not distinguish the type of head coverings the men wear wearing or the reason they were wearing long hair, but given the culture they came out of it is easy to see that what they were doing had nothing to do with the Jewish practices. Also, he would have been a hypocrite if on one hand he renounced all long hair on men while also participating in Nazerite offerings. (Acts 21:24) Rav Shaul clearly reprimands certain individuals for their "Impurity, the sexual sin, and lustful acts" (2 Corinthians 12:21).

The bottom line is, in light of what the Scriptures tell us, it would be very reckless to conclude that Rav Shaul sent out a blanket halakha for all men everywhere to stop wearing all manner of "head coverings" while praying. YHWH sanctified head coverings as a apart of man's service unto Him. If Rav Shaul's directive (the temple was in operation when he wrote this letter) was levied to "every man", than he would have also had two or three witnesses establish the matter as halakha (Matthew 18:20). In reality Rav Shaul would have appealed to Ya'akov Ha Tsaddiq and other Shlichim in Jerusalem to establish such a directive. But in fact just a few verses later Rav Shaul issues this statement, "But if any one is contentious about these things, we on our part have no such custom, nor has the assembly of Elohim" (1 Corinthians 11:16) In other words, whatever these people were doing it had not been a custom of the Jews, or any assembly of Elohim prior to this.

Furthermore, the wearing of head coverings by observant Jews and Christians hierarchies neither validates nor invalidates YHWH's authority. In reality, there are two main purposes for religious men to wear head coverings. First it is to symbolize their authority in their organisations where only the hierarchy is allowed to wear head coverings. Secondly, some men wear the head coverings as a reminder that the Master is above them. Like tzit tzit, the head covering reminds them to heed what comes out of their mouths and to judge their actions and cause them to maintain thoughts that are pleasing unto YHWH.

Rav Shaul taught: "But if any one is contentious about these things, we on our part have no such custom, nor has the assembly of Elohim" (1 Corinthians 11:16) Clearly if anyone wants to be contentious about these matters they can not presume to use Rav Shual as their authority.


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References:



An article by Michael Marlowe at http://www.bible-researcher.com/angels.html
I found his article helpful, but very academic (i.e. DRY) and included lots of historical references from other sources which are helpful and seeing how things were viewed to try to understand the context of what Paul is his letter to Corinth.

For further reading on the place of the angels in Judaism and early Christianity you might consider reading a resource receommended by Marlowe - http://www.abu.nb.ca/Courses/NewTestament/Hebrews/Angels.htm , it is another very academic (DRY) and very thorough study – so it isn’t a quick read, but it is interesting to say the least.


Do you still love me?? :-)