Category Archives: Weekly Scripture Readings

To Circumcise or Not to Circumcise — That Is the Question

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Romans 4:11, Sign of circumcision. Circumcision is a seal of righteousness not the cause of righteousness. Humans are perpetually endeavoring to mold religion into their own image in order to highlight their goodness and remove the focus off of YHVH’s terms and conditions for receiving his grace, love, imputed righteousness resulting ultimately in the glorification of man. This is humanism, the fundamental premise of which is the goodness of man resulting in the promotion or elevation of man (in his own eyes, at least) and the demotion of Elohim.

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The religion of humanism originated in the Garden of Eden where the serpent (Satan), in the first lie, told man that he could attain immortal life not by having faith in and assiduously adhering to the word of Elohim, but by twisting or conforming the word of Elohim to suit man’s carnal passions. After Adam and Eve had succumbed to the alluring lies of the serpent, they attempted to make amends for their disobedience to YHVH’s word by covering themselves in their own works of self-righteousness. This they did when they fashioned an apron of fig leaves to cover the shame (the result of their disobeying YHVH’s word) of their (spiritual and physical) nakedness. These garments—a symbol of man’s self-righteousness based on his own “good works”—were made to conform to man’s body. In Hebraic thought, fig leaves are a metaphor for Torah (YHVH’s instructions in righteousness). Man’s first sin was to twist YHVH’s word and to rebel against that word or the instructions of YHVH (i.e., the Torah). His first religious and legalistic act was to attempt to atone for his own sins (by covering himself with fig leaves) through his own efforts. They attempted to conform the Word of Elohim to fit their own carnal passions. This scheme of man to save himself through his own works-based or humanistic attempts didn’t relieve man of his sin guilt nor redeem him from the wages or result of sin, which is death, then, and it doesn’t work now. Atonement of sins occurs only through the shedding of blood, which likely occurred when YHVH made animal skins (most likely from a lamb) for Adam and Eve to wear to replace the fig leaves they had made for themselves (Gen 3:21).

A Biblical Overview of the Subject of Circumcision 

The first question many will ask is whether redeemed believers should practice circumcision today or not. Continue reading →

 

Blog Scripture Readings for 5/19 through 5/25/13

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Parashat B’ha’alatcha — Numbers 8:1 – 12:16
Haftarah — Zechariah 2:14 (10)* – 4:7
Prophets — Jeremiah 39:1 – 45:5
Writings — Song of Songs 3:1 – 8:14; Ruth 1:1 – 4:22
Testimony — Romans 5:1 – 11:36

* Verse numbers in parenthesis refer to the verse number in Christian Bibles.

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 5/19 through 5/25/13.

Chag Shavuot Sameach (Happy Feast of Weeks/Pentecost)!

 

Nuggets From Song of Solomon Chapters 1 and 2

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Song of Solomon chapter 1

Song 1:2, Kisses of his mouth. This is referring to the tokens of Yeshua’s love for his bride: his grace and pardon, the joy and peace that comes from knowing him, the hope he has given us for the present and the future, and the fruits and gifts of his Spirit.

Your love is better than wine. Though wine joys the heart and calms the nerves, it is but a temporary and superficial fix to life’s problems. Like a band-aid on a wound, it doesn’t get to the cause of the problem. The love of Yeshua, on the other hand, is a river of life that is a never-ending source of joy, which strengthens and heals us at the deepest levels.

Ephesians 5:18 says, “Be not drunk with wine … but be filled with the Spirit,” which is Yeshua’s love gift or mohar to his betrothed bride. The Set-Apart Spirit — its fruits and gifts — is Yeshua’s engagement ring, down payment, guarantee, pledge or earnest money (2 Cor 1:22; 5:5) of our future inheritance (i.e., marriage to him) until the full redemption (or glorification of our bodies at the resurrection) of the purchased possession (the redeemed believer, Eph 1:14).

Song 1:3, Your name is better than ointment poured forth. (Heb. sheman: oil.) Is the name of Yeshua better than any ointment? Ointment or olive oil soothes and heals wounded, chaffed, burned, and aching flesh. When you are wounded emotionally and spiritually, there is always a place of healing and comfort for you at the foot of Yeshua’s cross, the foot of Yeshua’s throne, and in the arms of the one whose arms were open wide in loving acceptance of you at the cross. There is healing, forgiveness, power, victory and healing in the name of Yeshua. Faith in him overcomes all fear and anything that the world, the flesh and the devil would throw at us.

The virgins love you. Those undefiled by the world have their eyes only on Yeshua and are not drawn away by the passions of this world. They follow Yeshua the lamb, their Bridegroom, wherever he leads them (Rev 14:4). Why? Because they have not grown cold in their love for Yeshua. He is still their first love  (Rev 2:4).

Song 1:4, Draw me away. Are our (virgin) hearts drawn away from Yeshua by the world, the flesh or the devil, or are we totally dedicated to him? Do we long to be with and to know Yeshua and his love?

We will run. (Daughters of Jerusalem speaking). Are those around us drawn to Yeshua because they see our unreserved and undefiled love for him? Are we a light to our children, to our unbelieving family members, to our neighbors and work associates? Yeshua speaks of two classes of virgins: those who are wise and are prepared for Yeshua, the Bridegroom, and those who are not (Matt 25:1–13); those who are on the inside with Yeshua at his wedding feast because they love and prepared, and those on the outside who are looking in because they did not prepare themselves for him. They love Yeshua too, but not as much as the Shulamite. That’s why they were not brought into his chambers. The daughters of Jerusalem are immature, carnal believers who are not yet established in their faith and wholly serving and walking with Yeshua.

Song of Solomon chapter 2

Song 2:1, Rose of Sharon. Sharon means “plain” and is the region lying between the mountains of central Israel and the Mediterranean Sea north of Joppa and on the east side of the Jordan near Gilead and Bashan. The flower itself is not the Rose of Sharon we know, which is native to China, but is believed to be the saffron, tulip, anemone, or crocus. The redeemed bride of Yeshua is to view herself in this manner. Coming into spiritual relationship with Yeshua should cause one to have a higher view of oneself than they did while they were an unrepentant and unredeemed sinner. Coming to Yeshua greatly improves one’s self worth and self esteem.

Lily of the valley. Heb. shushan, lit. “big flower, water lily;” from suws meaning “exult, rejoice, display joy.” According to The TWOT, these were the lilies carved as a motif in the stone pillars in Solomon’s temple. It is used several times in the Song with reference to the bride. The woman’s name Shoshana (or Susanna) derives from this. This is a tall flower with a weak stem. As the tall, weak-stemmed lily that has a beautiful but heavy flower may need a stake to support it, the believer needs Yeshua to support him.

Song 2:2, Thorns. Heb. chowach meaning “to pierce, brier, thorn bush, thicket, hook, ring, fetter.” Believers are lilies among the thorny wicked of this world. Yeshua said that his followers though in the world, they were not to be of the world (John 17:10, 15). The wicked can be like thorns in flesh of the righteous. Thorns are worthless, dangerous and noxious and are good only for burning. Likewise, the wicked unrepentant will burn in the lake of fire.

Song 2:3, Apple tree in the trees of the woods. This is another analogy like the lily among the thorn simile. Yeshua’s people are to bear fruit for him. They are to be his personal garden bearing the fruit of the Spirit, and to be like the trees planted next to Yeshua who is the river of life (Ps 1:1–3). The trees of the world are barren and fruitless. This is not the case with the trees of Yeshua who bear fruit through him.

Song 2:4, Banqueting. Heb. lit. wine/yayin meaning “effervesce, wine.” Torah commands that Israelites drink wine and strong drink during the three pilgrmage festivals (Deut 14:26). This speaks of the joy of the biblical Hebrew wedding that culminates in a great wedding feast, prophetically pictured by the Feast of Tabernacles, which is a picture of the wedding supper of the Lamb.

Banqueting house …his banner over me was love. Is the groom giving her a glimpse of his house, and what she can expect once they are fully married? Does not Yeshua do this with us by giving us glimpses into the future spiritual glory he has in store for his bride in the world to come?

 

Are You Under the Law? I Hope Not!

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Romans 3:19,  Under [the] Torah-law … all the world guilty before Elohim. Paul uses the term “under [the] law” (also found in 6:14) twelve times in his writings. In this case he is referring to those who are under the penalty for violating the Torah (the penalty of which is death, Rom 6:23; 1 John 3:4). This we know, for he speaks of guilt in the latter half of this verse: “and all the world may become guilty [subject to the judgment of Elohim] before Elohim.” 

The bottom line of what Paul is saying here is that all humans (both Jews and Gentiles) are guilty before Elohim. This is the point he is driving at, as we stated above.

Paul is breaking up the fallow ground of men’s hearts, showing them their sinfulness (unrighteousness), that they have violated the holy and righteous standards of Elohim’s law (the Torah) and in this condition need a Redeemer (a message Paul preaches more strongly later in the book of Romans).

It is Paul’s mission to bring the two opposing sides (Jew and Gentile) together, to show them their common state of sinfulness and their common need for Yeshua, the Redeemer, and their common need to dwell together in Torah-community as the body of believers in Yeshua. This is indeed the tall order to which Paul dedicated his life’s efforts and that he terms “the ministry of reconciliation” to which he has been called (2 Cor. 5:18).

 

Blog Scripture Readings for 5/12 through 5/18/13

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Parashat Nasso — Numbers 4:21 – 7:89
Haftarah — Judges 13:2-25
Prophets — Jeremiah 32:1 – 38:28
Writings — Job 37:1 – 42:17; Song of Songs 1:1 – 2:17
Testimony — 1 John 5:1-21; 2 John; 3 John; Jude; Romans 1:1 – 4:25

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 5/12 through 5/18/13.

We are instructed in Vayikra/Leviticus 23:15-16: “You shall count for yourselves – 
from the morrow after the Shabbat, 
from the day when you bring the Omer of the waving – seven Shabbatot [weeks], they shall be complete. 
Until the morrow after the seventh Shabbat 
you shall count fifty days; 
and you shall offer a new meal offering to YHVH.”

This is the 7th week of the counting of 7 complete weeks.

 

Overcoming Sin? Just Do It!

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1 John 3:4, Sin is the transgression of the Torah.

Why must we overcome sin? The Scriptures teach us to be overcomers (Rom 12:21; 1 John 2:13–14; 5:4). We must overcome the world, the flesh and the devil (Jas 3:15). Yeshua admonished each of the seven Messianic assemblies to be overcomers (Rev 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21; see also Matt 24:13). For those who overcome, there will be great rewards—a spiritual inheritance; they will be sons of Elohim (Rev 21:7).

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The Greek word for overcome is nikao (Strong’s G3528) meaning “to conquer, to get the victory, prevail.” Nikao is where the word nike comes from.

What is Sin? 

  • Sin is anything that violates the Torah-instructions or laws of Elohim (1 John 3:4).
  • Sin is unrighteousness (1 John 5:17; YHVH’s Torah commands define what righteousness is, Ps 119:172).
  • Sin is not believing in Yeshua, who is the Torah-Word of Elohim incarnate (John 3:18; 16:9).
  • Sin is failing to do (or not to do) that we which we should do (or not do)—i.e., a sin of omission (Jas 4:17).
  • Sin is putting me-first (my desires, impulses), not YHVH first (his will) in our lives. It is humanism. It is following the lie of the devil: man can have it his way regardless of what YHVH’s Word says, and not suffer any consequences for it. This is the big lie from the serpent in the Garden.
  • Sin is a direct challenge to YHVH’s authority in our lives. It is arrogance and self exaltation against YHVH’s will. It involves lack of belief in his Word. It is putting his will above his Word.

How to do we overcome sin? 

  • Know the biblical definition of sin.
  • Know what Scripture defines as sin and what is not sin.
  • Become born again or spiritually regenerated by the Holy Spirit of Elohim.
  • Call upon the power of the Holy Spirit for help and then learn to walk in the Spirit.
  • Get the Word of YHVH in you. Renew or wash your mind with the Word. This gives the Spirit of Elohim a pad from which to launch its missiles against sin in your life.
  • Utilize the power of prayer and spiritual warfare.
  • Redirect your attention off the sin and onto prayer to YHVH.
  • There is great benefit in being with other overcoming believers on a regular basis who will reinforce good habits, and hold each other accountable, who will challenge you to keep overcoming and reaching for higher standards.
  • Make no provision for the flesh. Get away from corrupting influences including people (Rom 13:14).
  • Be accountable to trusted and mature spiritual authority.
  • Understand that we are a tripartite being: we have a mind, will and emotions, called the soul (1 Thess 5:23). Like a board meeting, we receive input from all three. The will must make the choice which way to follow. The will must be directed by our spirit man, which must be submitted to the will or Spirit of YHVH.
  • Don’t replay old tapes of you or others sinning for your vicarious gratification (Prov 23:7).
  • To be victorious over sin the saint must actively pursue two courses of action at the same time. He must “feed” his spirit man and starve his sin nature. This is done through prayer, Bible study, abiding in the Word of Elohim, and fellowshipping with other like-minded believers.

How to do we starve the sin nature in us?

  • Exercise self control; learn to control the impulses to sin.
  • Take every thought captive to the mind, spirit, Word of YHVH-Yeshua (2 Cor 10:5).
  • Flee temptation (2 Tim 2:22; Prov 4:14–15).
  • Make no provision for the flesh to fulfill the lusts thereof (Rom 13:14).
  • Do not love the things of this world (1 John 2:15).
  • Learn what sin is and then hate sin or evil.
  • Remember what the consequences for sinning is and use this as an impetus or de-incentive not to sin.

How to do we “feed” the spirit in us?

  • Study the Scripture. Feed the spirit man inside of you. Renew or wash your mind with the Word of YHVH. Hide the Word in your heart. (Ps 119:11; Jas 1:21; Prov 6:20–22).
  • Stay in constant communication with YHVH through prayer.
  • Meditate or ruminate on YHVH’s Word.
  • Fellowship with like-minded believers.
  • Learn to love righteousness—the things of YHVH. (Phil 4:8)
  • Learn the fear of YHVH, which is to hate evil (Prov 8:13).
  • Replace bad habits or sinful patterns with good habits or righteous patterns. Replace what not to do with what to do (Gal 5:16; Eph 4:22–24).
  • Recount your testimony to yourself and to others of past victories over sin (Rev 12:11).
 

An Unpopular Message: Fear God and Live!

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Numbers 3:38, The the outsider who comes near. This verse teaches the principle of the fear and reverence of YHVH when approaching his divine Presence. Other scriptures that teach our need to be careful when approaching him include Psalms 15:1–5; 24:3–5 and Ecclesiastes 5:1–2 (see also Gen 28:16–17; Exod 3:5; Lev 10:3; Josh 5:15; Ps 89:7; Heb 12:28–29).

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As YHVH didn’t permit the Israelites to come near to him except through the intermediary of the Aaronic priests, we can only come to our Father in heaven through the intermediary of Yeshua the Son of Elohim, and our Great High Priest (Heb 4:14), who is the spiritual door and way to the Father (John 14:6).

Although, YHVH permits his set-apart ones (the saints) to come boldly before him through the agency of Yeshua’s high priesthood and his blood (Rev 5:6–8) to obtain mercy and grace in time of need (Heb 4:16), let’s not forget two things. First, we come to YHVH Elohim in human weakness needing help and grace from him who is greater than us; therefore, we need to maintain a humble disposition.

Second, our Elohim is a consuming fire (Heb 12:29); therefore, we need to serve him with reverence and godly fear (Heb 12:28), since in his hands he holds the power of life and death (Matt 10:28). Fire is a biblical metaphor for judgment, and YHVH will judge all people including his own people (Heb 10:30–31) for all that they have done while in the flesh whether good or bad to determine levels of rewards and punishment (Matt 5:19; 16:27; 2 Cor 5:10; Rev 20:12; 22:12). In fact, Peter admonishes us to conduct our lives in the fear of Elohim and to be holy as he is holy who will judge each man according to his works (1 Pet 1:17).

I am convinced that the fear and reverence of Elohim is a message that is all but lacking in most of the modern-era church, which is why the church in much of the world (especially in the West) is so impotent and is in such rapid decline.