Author Archives: Natan Lawrence

Sabbath Glue

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The Glue That Holds a Family and Spiritual Community Intact

As a Jewish saying goes, even though the Jewish people have been keeping the Sabbath for thousands of years, it’s not that the Jews have been keeping the Sabbath, but rather that the Sabbath has been keeping the Jews. As a weekly rallying point, the Sabbath acts a spiritual glue that helps to hold the family and religious community together.

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The joy, peace, timelessness and eternal nature of the Sabbath is felt no more than on Erev Shabbat (the eve of the Sabbath).

Preparations in the home have been made all week for this family and community event. Expectations are high. It is as if a curtain suddenly drops between acts in a theater and the curtain lifts to reveal a completely new set and scene. “Suddenly, the frenzied pace of life is slowed; the concerns of the outside world recede; and all doubts and worries are set aside” ( Abraham B.Witty, Exploring Jewish Tradition, p. 153). It’s a whole new world, a whole new feeling. Time stops. It is time to focus on those things which are of the greatest meaning in life and which are of enduring and eternal value: one’s Creator, one’s family, and spiritual orientation and instruction.

At this point, if the reader happens to own the movie Fiddler On the Roof, I suggest that you play the part at the beginning of the movie where the Jewish society prepares for the Sabbath and then ushers in the Sabbath over the Friday evening meal. After viewing this, one will have a better idea of the idea of the sanctity of the Sabbath and the central role it plays in the Hebrews’ life. As one author notes, “A[n] … important principle concerning the stability of the Jewish family is seen in the description of the Sabbath observance that is given in Fiddler [on the Roof]. In the small village of Anatevka in pre-Communist Russia, there is a sense of joyous anticipation as the Sabbath draws near (see Isa 58:13). The seventh day of the week is a dramatic symbol of community. It may be summed up in the word holiness. For Tevye and his family, holiness means an act of separation from many of the routine and mundane affairs of life. From the moment Golde, his wife, lights the Sabbath Eve candles until the first star appears in the sky some twenty-four hours later, there is a sense of wellbeing and spiritual satisfaction in the midst of their seething society. The Jewish community of Anatevka is in constant threat of another Russian pogrom. Yet we catch a snatch of this spiritual serenity as, around the Sabbath table, Tevye and Golde sing “A Sabbath Prayer” to all five daughters. The song concludes, ‘May YHVH protect and defend, may YHVH preserve you from pain. Favor them, O Lord, with happiness and peace. O hear our Sabbath prayer. Amein’” (Our Father Abraham: Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith, by Marvin Wilson, pp. 223–224).

The Sabbath has helped the observant Jew to refocus, sustain serenity and regain divine perspective in the midst of the weekly pressures of life, so ought “the Lord’s Day [Sunday] for the Christian ought … provide renewal in similar ways” (Wilson, pp. 223–224). Although a nice thought, the comparison between Sabbath and Sunday is without scriptural precedence or mandate. Such thinking ignores the divinely revealed truth and reality of the Sabbath and its uniqueness and sanctity as compared to any other day of the week, including Sunday for the Christians—a day which never has been, nor ever will be sanctified by the Creator of the Universe as a day of rest from our work and a time for special communion with him.

 

Shabbat Shalom Preparedness

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YHVH Commands Man to Work for Six Days

One can’t fully appreciate the Sabbath unless one has worked during the previous six days, and, in turn, has a need for and, hence, a reason to rest. In fact, YHVH commands man to work for six days and bring in or to gather all his food. No gathering of food is to occur on the Sabbath.

Six days ye shall gather it [manna]; but on the seventh day, which is the Sabbath, in it there shall be none. (Exod 16:26)

After one has labored intensely all week, one is ready to rest, and happily so! It’s time to “kick back” and to enjoy the fruits of one’s labors, and then to lift one’s spiritual sights above the mundane plain in order to discover (or reconnect with) the greater and higher meaning life, which should involve loftier aspirations than merely slaving away for transitory material necessities and wants.

The Preparation Day: Preparing for the Sabbath

Prepare food for Shabbat on the six day (Friday).

Prepare food for Shabbat on the sixth day (Friday).

The Creator not only commands man to work for six days as a precursor to resting on the seventh day, but to fully enjoy the peace, rest and sanctity of the Sabbath, the Scriptures instruct man also to prepare ahead of time for this day.

And it shall come to pass, that on the sixth day they shall prepare that which they bring in; and it shall be twice as much as they gather daily … And he said unto them, This is that which YHVH hath said, To morrow is the rest of the set-apart Sabbath unto YHVH: bake that which ye will bake to day, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning. (Exod 16:5, 23; see also Mark 15:42; Luke 23:54; John 19:31)

Not only should food preparation be on our “to do” list for the sixth day, but consider doing the following as well to insure one’s full enjoyment of the Sabbath:

  • Have clothes washed and clean for the Sabbath.
  • Fill the car with gas if you have to travel to be with a congregation.
  • Do all your shopping, so that no buying or selling has to occur on the Sabbath.
  • Prepare your own personal “Garden of Eden” by cleaning the house, mowing your grass.
  • Think and plan ahead what activities you might want to do on the Sabbath that will edify you and your family spiritually and bring you closer to Elohim.

Once all your work is done, and you’ve prepared for the Sabbath, now sit back and enjoy!

Shabbat shalom from my family to yours!

 

 

The Prophetic Implications of the The Song of Moses

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Exodus 15:1, This song. This Song of Moses may be more aptly titled, “The Song of the Redemption,” for it is a song about our Heavenly Redeemer, as we shall now discover.

Pharaoh and his army drowning in the Red Sea.

Pharaoh and his army drowning in the Red Sea.

I will sing. Will this Song of Moses be sung again in the future? In Revelation 15:3, we see that the glorified bride of Yeshua will be singing the Song of Moses. Why is she singing this joyous song? Because YHVH has delivered her from his judgments of wrath that he is pouring out upon a wicked end times world. These same redeemed Israelites are those whom YHVH has brought out of Babylon the Great as part of the second exodus of redeemed Israelites from the nations where they have been long scattered and spiritually enslaved. The Song of Moses here (in Rev 15:3) also relates to the Song of the Lamb. As we shall see next, the Song of Moses in Exodus 15 does relate to Yeshua the Lamb. Exodus 15:2, The LORD [Heb. Yah]. Yah is the shortened form of YHVH. The verse goes on to say about this same Yah “that he has become my salvation [Heb. Yeshua].” It literally says that YHVH has become Yeshua! This is yet another Tanakh (OT) prophecy confirming the deity of Yeshua. I will praise him. The KJV translates this phrase as “I will prepare him a habitation.” The ArtScroll Stone Edition Tanach has, “I will build him a sanctuary.” Couple this with verse 17, which speaks of “the sanctuary [Heb. miqdash],” which YHVH has made for his dwelling, and we have a solid reference to the Tabernacle of Moses, which YHVH instructed the Israelites to build, so that he could dwell among them (Exod 25:8), and commune with them (verse 22). What’s more, everything in the tabernacle pointed to Yeshua, the salvation of YHVH, and to his death on the cross to redeem man from sin and bring him into close communion with the Father in heaven! Exodus 15:6,12, Your right hand. Three times this phrase is found in the Song of Moses. Who is the outstretched arm or YHVH? It is Yeshua (Isa 53:1 cp. Isa 52:10; 40:10; Ezek 20:34–35) who is presently at the right hand of Elohim (e.g., Rom 8:34; Col 3:1; etc.). Exodus 15:12, The earth swallowed them. Even as the earth (or seas) swallowed up Pharaoh (a picture of Satan) who was attempting to destroy YHVH redeemed people, the earth will come to the rescue of the end times saints who have fled into the wilderness after leaving the Babylon the Great world system (Rev 12:16).

 

Shabbat Shalom—The Creator’s Gift to Weary Man

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New Video Release

The Sabbath is one of the Creator’s greatest gifts to mankind, and this free gift is still available to all who will receive it.

Learn how the Sabbath intimately connects you to your spiritual heritage and to the Creator, as well as how it prophesies about your spiritual destiny.

In this video, Natan Lawrence warmly and passionately discusses the joy and blessings that are yours when you celebrate the Sabbath—a day that YHVH Elohim consecrated for man’s spiritual enrichment.

 

Blog Scripture Readings for 1/20 through 1/26/13

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Parashat Beshalach — Exodus 13:17 – 17:16
Haftarah — Judges 4:4 – 5:31
Prophets — 1 Kings 21:1 – 22:53; 2 Kings 1:1 – 6:33
Writings — Psalms 106:1 – 112:10
Testimony — Luke 16:1 – 19:48

Most of this week’s blog discussion points will be on these passages. If you have general comments or questions on the weekly Scripture readings not addressed in a blog post, here’s a place for you to post those. Just use the “leave a reply” link below.

The full “Read Through The Scriptures In A Year” schedule, broken down by each day, can be found on the right sidebar under “Helpful Links.” There are 4 sections of scripture to read each day. One each from the Torah, the Prophets, the Writings, and from the Testimony of Yeshua. Each week, the Torah and haftarah readings will follow the traditional one-year reading cycle.

Weekly Blog Scripture Readings for 1/20 through 1/26/13.

 

Yeshua Was the Life of the Party—But in a Different Way

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Nuggets from Luke 14: Yeshua Was a Salty Character

Luke 14:1, House of one of the rulers. Yeshua was invited to a Sabbath meal at the home of a Pharisee who was a ruler (likely a wealthy member of the Sanhedrin). Had Yeshua been a typical man, he would have engaged in the customary small talk of a polite and gracious dinner guest not wanting to offend his host. Yet Yeshua was not there to schmooze—to curry anyone’s favor in an effort to gain personal influence. As he required his own disciples to maintain a salty or spicy demeanor at all times (Matt 5:13; Luke 14:34–35), he was definitely up to the task to lead his disciples by example.

"May I have your attention please? Yeshua has something to say."

“May I have your attention please? Yeshua has something to say.”

 

The following discussion that Yeshua initiates is what some may consider to be a prime example of how to insult one’s host and the other guests. Continue reading →

 

When Does the Biblical New Year Start?

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Exodus 12:2, Month. It is the Hebrew word chodesh (Strong’s H2320/TWOT 613b) meaning “the new moon, month, monthly, the first day of the month, the lunar month.” It is found in the Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures or Old Testament) 276 times and is translated in the King James Version as “month” 254 times, “new moon” (20 times), and “monthly” (1 time). We see that from these definitions that the terms “month” and “new moon” are synonymous. It has been understood for millennia that ancient Israelites began their month with the new moon.

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Why was it important for the Israelites to know when the new moon occurred and when the month began? The dates of the annual biblical festivals that YHVH gave to Israel and instructed them to observe were determined based on when the new moon occurred (Lev 23:5, 6, 24, 27, 34).

The next question to answer is this: when does the biblical month begin?

For modern astronomers the term “new moon” means something different than it did to the ancients, including those who YHVH inspired to write the Bible. Ancient calendars were determined by the moon, while modern ones are not. Some biblical expositors teach that the new moon begins when the moon is in conjunction or in line with the earth and the sun and is in its dark phase. Others believe that the month begins just after the moon has moved out of its dark phase and begins to show a sliver of light, which is called the visible or crescent new moon. Who is right?

Some Bible teachers claim that there is no place in the Scriptures that specifically states that the new moon begins at the first visible sliver after being dark for several days. Therefore, they reason, it is an assumption to say that it does, and therefore, the new moon should be determined from its conjunction with the earth and sun while it is in its dark phase. While on the surface, this may seem like a valid argument, one important verse in the Scriptures, however, and some simple logic quickly disproves this notion. It is Genesis 1:14.

And Elohim said, “Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the night; and let them be for signs, and for seasons [moedim/biblical festivals], and for days, and years.”

In this verse we see that the sun and the moon are “signs” for seasons, days and years. The word “sign” is the ­Hebrew word owt/ אות (Strong’s H226; TWOT 41a) meaning “sign, signal, mark, token, emblem, signboard, standard.” In the Tanakh, owt describes such visible (not invisible) signs as Noah’s rainbow (Gen 9:12–13, 17), Cain’s mark (Gen 4:15), circumcision (Gen 17:11), and the Sabbath (Exod 31:13, 17; Ezek 20:12). In addition, owt is used some 80 times in the Tanakh to refer to miraculous signs. These include the plagues of Egypt (Exod 7:3; Deut 4:34, etc.), the sign of the virgin birth of the Messiah (Isa 7:11, 14); YHVH miraculous signs to Gideon (Judg 6:17) and King Hezekiah (2 Kgs 20:9; Isa 38:7). In addition, Aaron’s rod that budded was a sign or token (Num 17:25). Many more examples could be given.

What do all these examples of how the Bible uses the Hebrew word owt have in common? They were all a visible sign that one could see. This is the definition of the word owt and how it is used in the Hebrew Scriptures. Simply stated, the visible sliver of the new moon fits the definition of owt as used in Genesis 1:14, while the astronomical conjunction (when the moon is in its dark phase and is invisible to the eye because the earth is between the moon and the sun) does not. Psalm 104:19 is definitive biblical proof that the moon’s purpose is to determine the biblical feasts when it says YHVH “appointed the moon for seasons [Heb. moedim, which means ‘appointed times’ or ‘biblical holidays’].” The moon cannot be a visible sign to determine seasons or biblical festivals if it is hidden or dark.

The fact that ancient Israelites determined the new moon based on the sighting with the naked eye of the moon’s sliver has been substantiated repeatedly by historians and religious scholars over the past 2000 years.