Where are you?

La decisin correcta

Genesis 3:9–13, Where are you? Elohim asks Adam and Eve direct and specific questions, but instead of taking personal responsibility and answering the questions, they defend themselves, make excuses, justify themselves, blame shift, and accuse others including blaming Elohim. When confronted with their sin, humans have been doing this ever since—defending self and ego at all expenses. This is the result of the taint of sin and this behavior has been passed on from one generation to the next. The Spirit-led person must counter this proclivity of the soul to justify, excuse and obfuscate one’s sin.

Furthermore, when YHVH asked the first humans where they were after they had sinned, he wasn’t asking them where they were physically. Being omniscient, he knew this already. Instead, he was asking them them, “Where are you spiritually in your relationship with me in regards to obedience to the instructions in righteousness I gave you to obey?” This is the same questions the Creator is still asking men to this day.

 

Good Understanding Versus Bad Understanding

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Genesis 3:6, Wise. Heb. sakal (Strong’s 7919; TWOT 2263) meaning “to be prudent, be circumspect, wisely understand, prosper.” There is good understanding and bad understanding. For example, too much understanding about something can lead to pride. Similarly, too much understanding about sin and evil can tempt or lure a person into sin. Sometimes it is best not to know certain things to protect one’s innocence and to reduce sin’s allurement. Too much bad understanding can taint our conscience or our spirit man therefore affecting our walk with Elohim. Let the wise man ponder this. The eargate, eyegate and mindgate must be guarded at all times. May we be those who feed from the tree of life rather than the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.

 

Torah Central—A New Paradigm From Which to View the Bible

Boy reading a scroll

The Living and the Written Torah Is the Central Theme of the Bible

The Living and Written Torah is the dominant theme of the Bible. They are one in the same thing—totally unified and absolutely indivisible, which is why I used the singular verb is and not the plural are in the previous sentence. Another way to say this is that whole Bible is about Yeshua the Torah-Word of Elohim who was made flesh (John 1:1, 14).

To illustrate this point, as we shall discuss later, we find this dominant theme prominently highlighted at the beginning, middle and end of the Scriptures.

In this study, we will focus more heavily on the Written Torah, as opposed to Yeshua the Living Torah, although in our minds, without Yeshua, it’s impossible to fully understand, much less obey the Written Torah. Furthermore, it is only Yeshua, the Living Torah and not the Written Torah who is capable of saving us from our sins and giving us eternal life.

The Written Torah Defined

Let’s first define our terms. What does the word Torah mean as defined in the Bible? The primary meaning of the Hebrew word Torah is “teaching, precept, instruction” and not law, although it is translated as such some 219 times in the Tanakh (Old Testament). What is the fuller meaning of the word Torah?

According to Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, Torah, as already noted, signifies primarily direction, teaching, instruction (Prov 13:14). It is derived from the verb yarah meaning “to project, point out” and hence to point out or teach. The law of Elohim is that which points out or indicates Continue reading

 

Yeshua the Messiah in the Every Book of the Bible

In Genesis, Yeshua is the eternal Torah-light of the world, the breath of life and the seed of the woman.

In Exodus, he is the Passover lamb, the Torah-Word of Elohim, and the way to the Father in the tabernacle.

In Leviticus, he is our atoning sacrifice and our high priest.

In Numbers, he is the pillar of cloud by day and pillar of fire by night.

In Deuteronomy, he is the prophet like unto Moses.

In Joshua, he is the captain of our salvation who leads us into the kingdom of Elohim.

In Judges, he is our judge and lawgiver.

In Ruth, he is our kinsman redeemer.

In 1 and 2 Samuel, he is our trusted prophet.

In Kings and Chronicles, he is our reigning king.

In Ezra, he is the builder of our temple, which houses the Spirit of Elohim.

In Nehemiah, he is the rebuilder of the broken down walls of human life.

In Esther, he is our Mordechai who saves us from those who would kill, steal and destroy us.

In Job, he is our ever-living Redeemer.

In Psalms, he is our shepherd to lead us in the ways of Torah-life.

In Proverbs and Ecclesiastes, he is our wisdom.

In Song of Solomon, he is our Loving Bridegroom.

In Isaiah, he is the Suffering Servant who bears our sins, the Repairer of the Breach between the two houses of Israel, and the Prince of Peace.

In Jeremiah, he is our Righteous Branch.

In Lamentations, he is the weeping prophet.

In Ezekiel, he is the one who rejoins the two sticks of Israel bringing them to worship Elohim together his temple.

In Daniel, he is the fourth man in life’s fiery furnace and our Ancient of Day.

In Hosea, he is the faithful husband forever married to the backslider.

In Joel, he is the baptize of the Holy Spirit.

In Amos, he is our burden bearer.

In Obadiah, he is mighty to save.

In Jonah, he is our great foreign missionary.

In Micah, he is the messenger of beautiful feet.

In Nahum, he is our strength and shield, and the avenger of Elohim’s elect.

In Habakkuk, he is Elohim’s evangelist crying, “Revive thy works in the midsts of the years.”

In Zephaniah, he is our Savior.

In Haggai, he is the restorer of Elohim’s lost heritage.

In Zechariah, he is a fountain opened up in the house of David for sin and uncleanliness.

In Malachi, he is the Sun of Righteousness arising with healing in his wings.

In Matthew, Yeshua the Messiah is the King of the Jews.

In Mark, he is the servant.

In Luke, he is the Son of Man, feeling what you feel.

In John, he is the Son of Elohim.

In Acts, he is the Savior of the world.

In Romans, he is the righteousness of Elohim.

In 1 Corinthians, he is the Rock, the Father of Israel.

In 2 Corinthians, he is the triumphant one giving victory.

In Galatians, he is your liberty. He set you free.

In Ephesians, he is the head of his spiritual body.

In Philippians, he is your joy.

In Colossians, he is your completeness.

In 1 and 2 Thessalonians, he is your hope.

In 1 Timothy, he is your faith.

In 2 Timothy, he is your stability.

In Titus, he is truth.

In Philemon, he is your benefactor.

In Hebrews, he is your perfection.

In James, he is the power behind your faith.

In 1 Peter, he is your example.

In 2 Peter, he is your purity.

In 1 John, he is your life.

In 2 John, he is your pattern.

In 3 John, he is your motivation.

In Jude, he is the foundation of your faith.

In Revelation, he is the Righteous Judge of the world, the Avenger of the saints, your coming King, your First and Last, the Beginning and the End, the Keeper of creation, the Creator of all, the Architect of the universe and the Manager of all times. He always was, he always is and always will be. He’s unmoved, unchanged, undefeated, and never undone. He was bruised and brought healing. He was pierced to heal our pain. He was persecuted and brought freedom. He was dead and brought life. He is risen and brings power. He reigns and brings peace. The world can’t understand him, the armies can’t defeat him, the public schools can’t kick him out and the leaders can’t ignore him. Herod couldn’t kill him, the Pharisees couldn’t confuse him, the people couldn’t hold him, Nero couldn’t crush him, Hitler couldn’t silence him, the communists can’t destroy him, the atheists can’t explain him away, and the New Age can’t replace him. He is life, love, longevity and Lord. He is goodness, kindness, gentleness and Elohim. He is holy, righteous, mighty, powerful and pure. His ways are right, his word is eternal, his will is unchanging, and his eyes are on me. He is my Redeemer, he is my Savior, he is my Guide, he is my peace, he is my joy, he is my comfort, he is my Lord, and HE RULES MY LIFE!

 

Blog Scripture Readings for 10-23 Through 10-29-16

Aside

THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE READINGS FOR STUDY AND DISCUSSION:

Parashat B’reisheet — Genesis 1:1 – 6:8
Haftarah — Isaiah 42:5 – 43:10
Prophets — Joshua 1:1 – 7:26
Writings — Psalms 1:1 – 10:18
Testimony — Matthew 1:1 – 6:34

This begins our new Scripture Reading Schedule for 2016-2017.

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 10/23 through 10/29/16.