The cry is going out to the saints of Yeshua: Wake up! Don’t be discouraged by the crazy things going on around you in the world. Yeshua is coming, the bride must prepare herself. He’s at the door of a lukewarm church and is knocking to be let in. The Bible is true, and the end times prophecies are being fulfilled. The fall biblical feasts are a prophetic picture of this, so get your spiritual house ready!
In this video, Congregation Elim sights the new moon that determines the first day of the seventh month of the biblical calendar and the beginning of the biblical holiday of Yom Teruah (the Day of Trumpets/Shofar Blowing) 2013.
Besides the Bible commanding the saints to do so, why do we “afflict our souls” (i.e., fast) on Yom Kippur? What are the spiritual benefits? How does it bring you closer to and in unity with your Creator and your fellow man? Why should fasting be part of your spiritual growth regimen? Learn how fasting makes your spirit man stronger and your flesh nature weaker — all in this video.
Parashat V’zot HaBerachah — Deuteronomy 33:1 – 34:12
Haftarah — Joshua 1:1 – 1:18
Prophets — Zechariah 10:1 – 14:21; Malachi 1:1 – 4:6
Writings — 2 Chronicles 32:1 – 36:23
Testimony — Revelation 16:1 – 22:21
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.
May you have a joyous Feast of Tabernacles (Chag Sukkot) celebration!
Weekly Blog Scripture Readings for 9/15 through 9/21/13.
*** This Parashah is usually read on Shimchat Torah, the day after Shemini Atzeret (The Eighth Day, following the Feast of Tabernacles). We’ve taken liberty to insert it here.
What Is Fasting?
It [the Day of Atonement or Yom Kippur] is a day to afflict your souls (Lev 16:29 and 23:27) or literally “to humble ourselves.” The word afflict is the Hebrew word anah (Strong’s H6031) meaning “to oppress with the idea of humility or meekness in mind coupled with the idea of a suffering life rather than with one of worldly happiness and abundance” (The Theological Wordbook of the Old Testament, vol. 2, p. 682). The JPS Jewish Study Bible translates the phrase afflict yourselves as “you shall practice self denial.” Although this verse does not specifically mention fasting as a component of Yom Kippur, Jewish understanding on the term afflict your souls is firm that this refers to fasting (the ArtScroll Tanach Series Vayikra/Leviticus Commentary, p. 404). With this view in mind, the pre-eminent nineteenth-century Orthodox Jewish sage, Samson Raphael Hirch in his commentary translates afflict your souls as “starve your vital spirits” (The Penteteuch-Leviticus, p. 678). However, there is a scriptural link to be found between afflicting one’s soul and fasting (i.e., abstaining from food). That link is to be found in Isaiah 58, which some Bible commentators believe is a reference to Yom Kippur. In verses three and eight, the terms afflict [one’s] soul and fast are used synonymously. The word for fast is the Hebrew word tsuwm (Strong’s H6684) meaning “to abstain from food.” We also see the connection between fasting and afflicting the soul in Psalm 35:13 where David states, “I humbled/afflicted my soul with fasting.”
Additionally, rabbinical thought teaches that Leviticus 23:27 suggests five afflictions that one must endure on Yom Kippur: no eating and drinking, no washing oneself, no anointing oneself, no wearing leather shoes, and no cohabitation. It is suggested that these five afflictions correspond to the five times the term soul/nephesh are found in this passage (i.e., verses once each in 27 and 29, twice in 30, and once in 32; see Baal HaTurim’s commentary on Lev 23:27).
Christian commentators, Keil and Delitzsch begin to connect the dots for us as to why fasting is tied to atonement. We read, Continue reading
Question: In Acts 19:13–19 we read about a public book burning of occult books. The Scriptures commend this act and reveal that as a result, “the word of God prevailed.”
13 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. 14 And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. 15 And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? 16 And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. 17 And this was known to all the Jews and Greeks also dwelling at Ephesus; and fear fell on them all, and the name of the Lord Jesus was magnified. 18 And many that believed came, and confessed, and shewed their deeds.
19 Many of them also which used curious arts brought their books together, and burned them before all men: and they counted the price of them, and found it fifty thousand pieces of silver. 20 So mightily grew the word of God and prevailed.
In todays news we read the following:
I don’t know this pastor, but based on what I read in the Scriptures, and based on the fact the Koran is a demonic book (I have read it cover to cover), I for one will be praying for this pastor. Will you join me?
In the mean time, take a look at one of my earlier posts entitled, “What the Koran Really Says,” at http://hoshanarabbah.org/blog/2013/06/01/what-the-koran-really-says/.
I am in no way advocating violence against Muslims. We are to love them along with everyone else for whom Yeshua died. As YHVH gives us the opportunity, we should share the gospel with them (along with all people) in a loving and powerful way as directed by the Holy Spirit. Many of them are enslaved in a demonic system and don’t know better. Pray for them.
At this point, the big question is this: If this were a Muslim cleric, or an atheist burning Bibles instead of Korans, would they be arrested? Would it make national headlines? Would anyone care besides Bible believers? I think you know the answer — sadly!
Guys, in our society, we all know that it’s open season on anyone or anything having to do with the Bible. The real enemy isn’t that human who is standing against Elohim and his Word, but the devil who is motivating them. Let’s never forget who that is!
The Bride of Yeshua in the Wilderness
Who is the woman that is mentioned in Revelation 12 that is taken into the wilderness for three-and-one-half years (Rev 12:14), which occurs just before the second coming of Yeshua? I believe that is a reference to the end times saints who are the bride of Yeshua. (Not all saints are the bride of Yeshua. Some are foolish virgins [Matt 25:1–13], or lukewarm believers who will have to go through fiery trials to become approved of YHVH [Rev 3:14–21]. Some are still rebels in respect to his Torah [Ezek 20:37]. The end times bride will be Torah submissive [see Rev 12:17; 14:12].) Let’s explore some answers to this question.
When the Scriptures speaks of the wilderness (Heb. midbar), it is referring to anywhere outside of the land of Israel.
Ezekiel 20:33–41 says that YHVH will bring the house of Israel out of their captive nations with an outstretched arm and with fury poured out (in a time of YHVH’s judgments) (vv. 33–34, as when he brought them out of Egypt). YHVH will bring his people into “a wilderness of the people.” This could be a literal wilderness as with the children of Israel, or a spiritual wilderness in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation in which Israel is called to live and be a light. There he will plead with Israel face-to-face like he did in the wilderness of Sinai (vv. 35–36). This seems to be another reference to the second exodus (v. 36). In that wilderness, YHVH will purge out those who are rebels and those who transgress (or sin; i.e., violate his Torah, see 1 John 3:4) against YHVH (v. 38). This YHVH did with ancient Israel for 40 years. During this time of testing and purging, the house of Israel will not be returning to the land of Israel (v. 38) until they have put away their idols (v. 40), then all the house of Israel will be acceptable to YHVH and will serve him on his holy mountain (v. 40–41). Israel not to return until they loath their spiritual pollution (v. 42-44). Continue reading