In Leviticus 23:26-32 the LORD speaks of another feast day - the Day of Atonement.
10 days following the Feast of Trumpets falls the Day of Atonement, which speaks of the atoning sacrifice for sins. Under the First Covenant and the Levitical priesthood we saw that only once a year the high priest would enter into the Holy of Holies (the very back portion of the Tabernacle where the ark of the covenant was kept and the glory of the LORD would dwell) to make atonement for his sins and the sins of the people. Speaking to Moses and the Israelite people, the LORD said it was to be a day of solemn rest and one in which the people were to afflict their souls.
Again, is this feast only for Jewish people, or is it for whoever calls on the name of the LORD to be saved...Jew and Gentile alike?
Over the centuries, those who have kept this feast day have done so by fasting and "afflicting" their souls, though how one actually accomplishes the affliction of their own soul is not clearly understood.
The word for "afflict" in Leviticus 23 is the Hebrew word, 'ana' which literally means, "to depress; abase self; chasten self; deal hardly with; through the idea of brow-beating". What exactly does that look like, practically speaking? Well we'll take a look at a few passages of Scripture in just a second, that will hopefully shed some light on that.
The word for "souls" is 'nepes' which can have the meaning of a living thing or appetite. Because appetite is there in the meaning of the word 'nepes' it is often ascribed as the reason that many abstain from food and drink on this day.
Something interesting is that which concerns the idea of fasting. Nowhere in the commandment concerning this feast day is fasting mentioned. So why do so many abstain from food on the Day of Atonement? Is it because of the meaning of that word 'nepes'? It has been a tradition of the Jewish people for millennia yet it isn't commanded in Scripture. Fasting from food can certainly be afflicting, but does that afflict the soul or simply the flesh? I do believe that denying the flesh does have some effect on the spirit since our spiritual nature and carnal nature are intertwined while still in this existence. However, the concept that fasting from physical food can truly afflict the soul is not entirely proportionate as one might think.
I believe there are many who fast from food and drink because of tradition. It's something that's always been done so let's keep doing it, right? Also there are those who fast because of the fact that 'appetite' is in the meaning of the word 'nepes', but remember that word primarily means "a living being" or a "soul".
Also, we know that fasting from physical things doesn't completely afflict one's own soul. And does "appetite" simply lend itself to eating? No. We have many appetites in this world that need to be abstained from such as those things that the flesh relishes in...like selfishness, anger, lying, murder, etc...
Now what about the command to afflict one's soul? Well, one of the truest examples the LORD gives us is found in what He spoke through the prophet Isaiah. In chapter 58 of Isaiah the LORD gives HIS interpretation of true fasting. For sake of space I'm not going to type the whole chapter out so I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU READ IT. But a few verses say this:
"Is this not the fast that I have chosen:
To loose the bonds of wickedness,
To undo the heavy burdens,
To let the oppressed go free,
And that you break every yoke?
Is it not to share your bread with the hungry,
and that you bring to your house the poor who are cast out;
When you see the naked, that you cover him,
And not hide yourself from your own flesh?"
- Isaiah 58:6-7
Wow. Do I do those things? That's pretty afflicting to the soul.
If you read the entire chapter you'll get the full picture of why God is saying this to His people. Their hypocrisy was in that they were fasting from food but not from their appetites for injustice and strife! Basically we're talking about lawlessness here. The very thing our Savior came to abolish by living and fulfilling His law.
The result of doing the things God commands is found in verses 8-9. Read them in conjunction with Matthew 5:13-20.
Then the Lord says this in verse 10 of Isaiah:
"If you extend your soul to the hungry
And satisfy the afflicted soul,
Then your light shall dawn in the darkness,
And your darkness shall be as the noonday."
- Isaiah 58:10
Again, wow. That cuts right to it, doesn't it? We have been given the ministry of reconciliation according to what Paul wrote in 2 Corinthians 5:17-21, which means the same thing that Isaiah was pointing out - that we are to be about reaching others with the love of God by walking in His commandments. God has reconciled us to Himself through the ATONING sacrifice of Jesus Christ (Yeshua Messiah), so we ought to be about reconciling others to Him as His ambassadors and His body!
"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven."
- Matthew 5:16
What good works? The ones HE prepared beforehand for us to walk in (Ephesians 2:10): His commandments, statutes, judgments, laws. HIS WAYS. Not our own. Not the world's. Not the devil's. HIS ways. HIS works. That's the only way our ministry can be truly affective for HIS glory.
So afflicting your soul is a commandment for the Day of Atonement and it's a pretty serious one. How you do that, though, is simply walking in God's truth and loving instructions and allowing Him to bring about real change in your heart. Presenting an offering made by fire. As we've looked at before, that looks like what Paul wrote in Romans 12:1. To offer YOURSELF as a living sacrifice, acceptable to God. If your offering is acceptable to God then He will consume it! Our God is a consuming fire, thus you become the burnt offering!
Yeshua already made atonement for your sins...are you willing to walk in that knowledge and truth? Are you willing to afflict your soul His way rather than trying to do it in your own?
9/26/12
9/22/12
The Feast of Trumpets
Well, on our calendars it's known more familiarly as Rosh Hashanah. However, in reality we're talking about two completely different feasts.
Rosh Hashanah actually means "Head of the Year"; in other words, it's the Jewish New Year. The Jews believe that it is the beginning of their civil year, but it has very little to do with Yahweh's Feast of Trumpets as read in Leviticus 23.
In fact, the new year celebration of the Jewish people comes directly from the Babylonian calendar system which many of them began to adopt after their captivity there, some 2,500 years ago.
The Feast of Trumpets.
"Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying,
Speak to the children of Israel, saying: 'In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall have a sabbath-rest, a memorial of blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation.
You shall do no customary work on it; and you shall offer an offering made by fire to the LORD.'" - Leviticus 23:23-25
First of all let's define a few things:
The Seventh Month: While we're looking at the end of September, which is the ninth month, how can we say that the feast is in the seventh month?
Well, the LORD told Moses and Aaron before He led them out of Egypt that the beginning of their months, or the true new year, was actually in the spring around the time of our months March/April. So starting from there we end up with the seventh month falling around this time of year. God's calendar is the true time keeper, not the Gregorian calendar we use today.
A Holy Convocation: What does the word convocation mean? The Hebrew word for convocation is "miqra" (mik-raw) which means a public meeting; also a rehearsal.
The idea is that the feasts of the LORD are holy meetings between Him and us, as well as rehearsals. "Rehearsals for what?", you may ask. Rehearsals for the time coming when we are with Him for all eternity.
The word for feast is "moed" which means appointment, or a fixed time. The Feasts of Yahweh are appointed times that He has specifically set aside to meet with us throughout the year. They are important for that reason alone, but He also works in many ways during the feasts, in the lives of His people.
In verse 24, the LORD says that the feast of trumpets should be a memorial of blowing of trumpets.
Memorial = zikron - a memorable thing; a record
Blowing of Trumpets = teruah - clamor, that is, acclamation of joy or a battle cry.
It is a memorial of an acclamation of joy!
In Nehemiah 8:1-12, Ezra read from the Law to all the people assembled on the Feast of Trumpets. As he read, the people were convicted upon hearing the Commandments and began to weep, however, the Levites who taught the people said,
"This day is holy to the LORD your God: do not mourn nor weep...do not sorrow, for the joy of the LORD is your strength."
So how can we say that the Feast of Trumpets, which Yahweh gave to the Israelites, is for us as believers in Christ? And what about the 'offering made by fire to the LORD'? How does that work today under the New Covenant?
Quite simply, the feast itself speaks of not only hearing the voice of the Lord, but responding to Him with our lives as we await His return.
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service."
Romans 12:1
If we offer up not only our praises, but our very lives as a sacrifice to God, then He will accept that offering if we are living in obedience to His Word.
And because our God is a consuming fire (Hebrews 12:29), our lives then become a "burnt offering" in a sense.
This is not spiritualizing the matter, since the idea of literal, animal sacrifices were simply a shadow, or picture, of the sacrifices which we are to now offer up.
In fact, in Hosea 14:2 it reads,
"for we will offer the sacrifices of our lips."
The word for sacrifices in the Hebrew is "par" which means literally - bull calves.
The Feast of Trumpets speaks clearly of Jesus' (Yeshua's) return for His saints. Whether or not we respond to His calling by repenting of our sins is the decision we must make.
Because of this, it is beautiful to see that The Feast of Trumpets is literally Yom Teruah, or the Day of the Awakening Blast!
The Trumpet (Hebrew - shofar) was often used as an alarm, a call to battle, or an awakening blast for the people to respond to. This is why the shofar (trumpet) can be best identified with the voice of God. It represents His voice because the Lord often uses the trumpet as a picture of calling His people to Him.
Exodus 19:16 tells us of the shofar which sounded from Mount Sinai. It grew louder and louder and the mountain shook (as did the people!).
Moses spoke and God answered Him by voice. Moses responded to the blast of the shofar and God then answered him.
This should be our response as well. The shofar sounded louder and louder, just as the Lord does with us to get our attention.
Our prayer should be that we would hear His voice and respond to Him before He has to cry out to wake us up!
Like Elijah, we too should listen to the 'still, small voice' of the LORD. The one that is gentle and peaceful.
Otherwise we will not fully understand what He is saying to us when it comes to the point that He's shouting to get our attention.
The Day of the LORD (the Day when our Savior returns) is a Day which Joel describes as terrible, and a Day of darkness and gloominess (Joel 2:1-2), and all accompanied by the sound of the trumpet (shofar). This is 'terrible' to those who do not know the voice of the LORD - those who do not have a saving relationship with Him and reject His commandments (Matthew 7:21-23). Keeping His commandments, by the way, is what He uses to give us better understanding and wisdom concerning Himself (Psalm 111:10) and proves our faith in Him and love for Him is real (John 14:15; James 2:14-26).
But to those who love and obey Him, the Day of the LORD is a great day of salvation to all His people who wait for Him!
"And He will send His angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they willl gather together His elcet from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other."
Matthew 24:31
Notice the 'great sound of a trumpet' that accompanies our Lord's return.
Also,
"For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first."
1 Thessalonians 4:16
Notice the words like 'shout' and 'voice' which are alongside the phrase 'trumpet of God'. There is a definite link between the shofar and the voice of the Lord.
"I was in the Spirit on the Lord's Day, and I heard behind me a loud voice, as of a trumpet, saying,
'I am the Alpha and Omega, the first and the Last'
Revelation 1:10-11a
We see from the context of this chapter that the 'voice' that John heard was the Lord Yeshua's, and it sounded like a trumpet.
Clearly, the shofar that sounded from Mount Sinai, as God spoke to the children of Israel, was also a prelude to the coming of our Messiah when the heavenly shofar will sound again and He will gather His saints to Himself!
Yeshua said, "'My sheep hear My voice,'" - John 10:27a
Do you hear His voice?
Can you tell where the Lord is directing you?
If not, then you must search His Word to determine whether you truly know the Shepherd or not. If you don't, then when the shofar sounds from heaven and our Messiah returns for those who love Him, He will say to you,
"I never knew you, depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness" (Matthew7:21-23).
9/17/12
The Value of Companionship
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor.
For if they fall, one will lift up his companion.
But woe to him who is alone when he falls,
for he has no one to help him up.
Again, if two lie down together, they will keep warm;
but how can one be warm alone?
Though one may be overpowered by another, two can
withstand him.
And a threefold cord is not quickly broken."
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-12
9/5/12
Stress
How often have you had a sore neck because of stress? Maybe it was even a little stiff?
The Bible says that a stiff-necked person is one who is rebelling against God. Does that apply to you?
In Exodus 32 we read about a bunch of "stiff-necked people" who made a golden calf and worshiped it rather than the Living God who brought them out of Egypt. Certainly we aren't like them! Or are we?
I can think of several times right off hand that my neck has been stiff and NOT because I slept on it wrong or wrenched it somehow. It was literally stiff for a duration, and each time I was in rebellion against my Creator.
"Yes, but I'm simply stressed out! You can't tell me it's because I'm rebellious!" Well, I think I can. The bible says that the heart of man (and woman) is deceitful and desperately wicked and only God truly knows it (Jeremiah 17:9-10). We are a rebellious lot to begin with, but let's consider what "stress" really is.
When we are under stress, or even feeling a little depressed, we are under the barrage of the things of this world. Whether it be our job, our relationships, our bad habits, or what-have-you, a stressed out body is simply the effect of an underlying cause.
If we are stressing over something could it be that we are simply not trusting God?
I think in most applications this applies. Our bodies were created to give off warning signs whenever we get away from the design of our Creator.
Consider Psalm 38:7-8 or Psalm 32:3-4! Real physical results of a person out of sync with YAH.
God is so faithful to give us warning when we get off track, and yet so many times we refuse to listen. We can become sick if we don't take care of ourselves, which is a form of rebellion. Even eating in opposition to what God says we are to eat is a rebellious attitude (when we are aware of it) and can bring judgment. I believe that when we are stressed out and burdened we are simply in a place of doubting or not trusting God, or rebelling against His commands.
He has given us everything we need in order to have faith in Him...do we hold on to that?
Consider the event with Peter and Yeshua (Jesus) during the storm at sea. In Matthew 14:22-33.
In that story the disciples were caught in the midst of a tumultuous storm while Yeshua had gone up to a mountain to pray. It says that the boat was being tossed about because the waves were "contrary".
Then we're told that Messiah came walking on the water about the "fourth watch of the night" - the time just before dawn. The disciples thought it was a ghost but Yeshua called out and told them not to fear. Then Peter (you gotta love this) answered and said, "Lord, if it is You, command me to come to You on the water." So Yeshua did and Peter came out of the boat and...walked on water! All because of his faith in his Shepherd! But we all know what happened next. Peter began taking his eyes off of the Lord and focused on the storm around him. When he did, he was afraid and began to sink and cried for Yeshua to save him. Messiah did save him. He stretched out His hand and caught him. What He said to Peter, though, is so interesting. He said, "O you of little faith, why did you doubt?" Why did you doubt? Whuh?! The guy just walked on water! I can not imagine having the faith to walk on water like Peter did. However, I think I'm finally seeing what Yeshua was saying there. No matter how big the "storm" is, when we take our eyes off of Him, we begin to place our faith or trust in something (or someone) else. When we take our eyes off of Yeshua we LET the cares and/or fears of this world overpower our faith in Him. I've understood that concept for a good number of years, but it actually sinks in more and more the further I walk in this life. And the more storms I face.
The Creator of all things is able to save us from anything, yet we doubt. We become afraid. We grow weary. Why? Because we don't trust Him. We don't cry out to Him. We rely on our own strength.
Don't beat yourself up if you are under stress, tribulation is a part of life. However, seek the Lord during that time.
Remember, God is the God of peace and He promises His peace toward us! He also promises to work all things to the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose! What awesome promises.
Sure, stress is a part of this world and something that we will probably always have to deal with on this side of eternity, but it is NOT something that should rule over us. Stress is simply another challenge to overcome by trusting in our Savior and walking with Him. The effects of stress (which could be a stiff neck, sore shoulders, inflammation, etc...) are warning signs that we need to stop and seek the Lord for answers and direction.
9/1/12
Life Insurance
Seeing this advertisement made me stop and think for a bit. Having life insurance for your family is not a bad idea, but money only goes so far. If anything happened to you, they would be taken care of financially, but is that all you're giving to your children?
For some people that's more than enough. If they can give their children a good "cushion" should anything happened to them then they're doing alright. However, I think that there's a whole lot more that we can be doing for our children besides life insurance. Let me explain.
The first question we have to ask ourselves as parents is, "Am I teaching my children the ways of the Lord according to His Word?" "Do they see Him in me and His work through my life?"
Raising children is a privilege and huge responsibility, that's for sure (especially in this world today), but I'm reminded of what the Lord commanded for His people to do,
1. "Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the LORD your God has commanded to teach you that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess,
2. that you may fear the LORD your God, to keep all His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grandson, all the days of your life, and that your days may be prolonged.
3. Therefore, hear O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the LORD God of your fathers has promised you - 'a land flowing with milk and honey'.
4. "Hear O Israel: The LORD our God, the LORD is one!
5. You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your strength.
6. And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart.
- Deuteronomy 6:1-6
Notice how many times the Lord mentions His commandments, statutes, and judgments in these few verses. Also, see that the purpose of these are that we would fear the Lord and keep His commandments. The LORD is one and they were to love Him with all their heart, soul, and strength. Sound familiar? Jesus said this to the Pharisees in Matthew 22:37. We know that we are to do the same, yet notice what the Lord continues to say,
"You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up."
- Deuteronomy 6:7
What are we to teach our children? His commandments. And we are to teach them diligently, the Lord says. The word for teach them diligently is the Hebrew shanan which means 'intensively to pierce'; prick, sharpen.' Think of it, we are to pierce, or prick our children's ears and hearts with the commandments of Yahweh! To sharpen them with His Law. Notice that it's not just a quick prayer when they head out the door, or a quaint bible story before they go to bed. No, it should be throughout the entire day...when we sit, walk, lie down and wake up together.
This doesn't mean that we should constantly be shoving the Law of God down their throats, pointing out every thing they do in which they break the commandment, thereby causing them to disdain His Word. Certainly not, for if we are looking unto our Savior and living for Him according to His Torah/Law, then His grace in our lives (divine influence upon the heart with a reflection through the life) will almost effortlessly come out in our relationship with our children. We must make a constant effort to teach them the Ways of Yahweh, in His entire word. If we are walking in Torah, obeying the voice of the Lord, and teaching our children how to hear His voice, then they will very early on begin to hear Him. In their lives they will know Him intimately and walk on their own with the Spirit in His Torah.
I confess that I have rarely done a great job at teaching my children. In fact, I feel like I hardly ever get it right! And the enemy of our souls is right there agreeing with me. We have to remember, though, that we are NOT perfect and we will mess up from time to time. Don't allow the enemy or your sinful nature to bring about condemnation. If you're really trying to follow the ways of the living God and His Word and teaching them to your children then just trust Him to accomplish the work in their lives. YOU just need to be obedient to Him with your own life! He will speak to your children through that!
A Torah life is one that exalts the Lord of heaven and earth and seeks to know Him more and to be obedient to Him in all that we do. It is not bondage, as some say, but true liberty. The truth shall make you free indeed! Messiah said this to those who did not fully understand the purity of God's whole word. Yeshua (Jesus) also said,
"Sanctify them by Your truth, Your Word is truth."
- John 17:17
When we look at Psalm 119 we read,
"Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and Your Law is truth."
- Psalm 119:142
Here specifically we see that God's Law is truth. We know that it is His instruction, His standard, and His direction for us. The word Torah actually has the meaning of "a prescribed grazing". His Law is food for us, much like Jesus said in Matthew 4 quoting....well Himself from Deuteronomy 8:3, saying,
"It is written, 'Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.'"
- Matthew 4:4
What 'word' was He speaking of? The entire Word of God including the foundation - the Torah!
If we teach our children about who the Lord is and train them up in obeying His Commandments, then we are giving them everything they need for life and godliness. His Torah is His standard by which He judges all men. Our children were sinners from birth and they need to be born again in Messiah Yeshua, believing that He is the only way, truth, and life and that there is no other way to the Father except through Him! The Law of God teaches them this and will lead them to a point where they must either except Him as Savior or reject Him. They are not saved just because they are born into a family that follows Messiah. They must make the decision to follow Him on their own.
We CANNOT make the decision for them, no matter how badly we want to. We cannot force our will upon them anymore than our Father WILL NOT force His will upon us. But like He does with us, so we must do with our children....love them by being patient with them, disciplining them when they disobey, and teaching them along the way to be obedient to Yahweh, because His love for them is far greater than ours.
So life insurance, as best we can provide in our limited abilities, can be money related (though only temporary), but at best is simply living in obedience to God, training our children up in Torah, in the way they should go, and as they grow they will not depart from it. This will hold true if WE hold true to His Word and our children will see that in our lives. They will see that no matter how much we love and care for them, their heavenly Father cares much more.
We must give them more....much more than money. We have to offer up our lives as living sacrifices to God, praying that our testimony and our parenting will result in our children's obedience to Him. Though they may not choose Him, that will be between them and Him in the end. But we must be faithful and they must be warned that only HE can provide a true assurance of life eternal....a real life insurance.
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