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.

 

New Video: The Omer Count & Our Destiny as YHVH’s Bride-Priest

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The Israelites’ Passover exodus from Egypt as ex-slaves and their journey to Mt. Sinai where they received the Torah 50 days later and became the Priest-Wife of YHVH prophetically parallels our spiritual journey out of the world to become the bride of YHVH-Yeshua.

This video is like a road map that explains the count of the omer, so you’ll understand where you’ve come from (i.e., bondage in spiritual Egypt), where you’re at (your present life), and what your ultimate spiritual destiny will be (as the bride of YHVH-Yeshua, the soon coming King of kings).

The children of Israel made mistakes that prevented them from entering the Promised Land. You will learn what mistakes not to make, which will keep you from entering the Promised Land of YHVH’s spiritual and eternal kingdom.

 

Overview of the Book of Numbers

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The English name Numbers derives from the fact that in this book the Israelites are counted or numbered on several occasions (see chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, 26). Leviticus ends with YHVH instructing his people to count their flocks for tithe purposes, while Numbers begins with YHVH, as the ultimate Good Shepherd (or in Hebrews, YHVH Rohee), counting the Israelites themselves, who are the sheep of his pasture (Pss 74:1; 79:13; 95:7; 100:3). The fact that this counting took place in the wilderness proves that it was not for political or national economic reasons, but was in fulfillment of YHVH’s Torah instructions. Each Israelite was to give a half-shekel of silver toward the maintenance of the tabernacle. The shekels then counted would give the exact number of Israelites (Exod 30:12–16).

The Book of B'midbar—In the wilderness.

The Book of B’midbar—In the wilderness.

The Hebrew name B’midbar meaning “in the wilderness” originates from the fact that this book chronicles Israel’s wandering in the wilderness. The Book of Exodus, on the other hand, records the deliverance of Israel from Egypt, its establishment as a nation, its covenantal relationship with YHVH and the construction of the tabernacle (mishkan), which was the symbol of YHVH dwelling or tabernacling in the midst of his chosen people. The Book of Leviticus deals with the inner workings of that tabernacle and the mechanics of how sinful man could maintain a right spiritual relationship with a righteous Elohim. This was accomplished through the agency of the Levitical priesthood that would function within the tabernacle as a human intermediary between man and his Creator. Continue reading →

 

Blog Scripture Readings for 5/5 through 5/11/13

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Parashat B’midbar — Numbers 1:1 – 4:20
Haftarah — Hosea 2:1 (1:10) – 2:22 (2:20)*
Prophets — Jeremiah 26:1 – 31:40
Writings — Job 30:1 – 36:33
Testimony — 2 Peter 1:1 – 3:18; 1 John 1:1 – 4:21

* 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 5/5 through 5/11/13.

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 6th week of the counting of 7 complete weeks.

 

Study, Study, and Study the Word of Elohim! It’s Your Lifeline.

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I just wanted to share how Carol White from Los Cruces, New Mexico organizes her week around the Hoshana Rabbah Biblical Discipleship Resource’s Bible study materials. Perhaps this will give you some ideas of some possibilities in how to study the Word of Elohim in a disciplined manner.

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Just wanted to let you know how much I appreciate your Blog Scripture Readings. It has worked out so well in my daily prayers and readings.

On Sunday I read the Parashat. Monday the Haftarah. Tuesday the Prophets. Wednesday the Writings. And then on Thursday the Testimony.

This leaves Friday and Saturday where I can focus on the Sabbath and studying the other materials you provide on the website.

What a great way to spend the week in Abba’s Word and stay on track with the weekly Parashat and other Scriptures!

Thank you so much for developing this helpful and useful blog.

I can’t emphasize enough the importance of a daily routine of studying the Word of Elohim. It’s literally a spiritual lifesaver for every child of Elohim. It is the answer to all the ills that face you individually, your family, your city, your state, our nation and the world!

The Bible is full of examples that point us to the need to be washed in the water of YHVH’s Word daily. Whether it was the twice daily sacrifices that occurred in the tabernacle and temple that are a picture of our prayers and devotions going up to heaven, or the menorah being cleaned and relit each evening, or the Jerusalem apostles visiting the temple for the regular set time of prayer, or David worshipping Elohim seven times daily, or Daniel thrice daily, our daily Bible study is a spiritual lifeline that enables us to survive and thrive in a world that is bent on snuffing out every ember of YHVH’s spiritual light, love and truth.

The reason I started this blog was to encourage and to facilitate the study of the Word of Elohim in your life. This is what our whole ministry is dedicated to doing.

 

Counting the Omer—The Story of Your Life

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 From the Depths of Slavery to a Kingdom of  Priests

Every detail in Scripture is for our learning and edification. All the examples of the past are for our learning upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Cor 10:11; Rom 15:4). Everyday, YHVH is uncovering the prophetic mysteries hidden in the Scriptures that are being revealed to those who diligently seek him by diligently studying to show themselves approved as a workman rightly dividing YHVH’s Word (2 Tim 2:15).

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YHVH’s command for us to count the omer as a countdown to the Feast of Weeks (Heb. Shavuot; Gr. Pentecoste, Lev 23:15–16) memorializes the Israelites’ journey from spiritual babyhood to adulthood. During this 49-day count, Israel ascended from out of the depths of slavery and suffering in Egypt, was baptized in the Red Sea, and then arrived at Mount Sinai—a place of a spiritual standing before YHVH as a kingdom of priests (Exod 19:6). It was there that YHVH gave them his instructions in righteousness—the Torah on Shavuot. This period represents Israel’s passage from slavery to freedom. They came out of slavery permeated with the leaven—the sins, values, and pagan concepts—of Egypt leaving it all behind as pictured by the Feast of Unleavened Bread. YHVH gave Israel 49 days to overcome and to get rid of the impurities of Egypt, and to  become the nation Israel—a holy priesthood and the bride of YHVH. There, at the foot of Mount Sinai, YHVH wanted them to become his ambassadors to this world of his heavenly kingdom and truths.

The counting of the omer is the story of our lives also. It pictures our going from bondage to Continue reading →

 

Does the Torah Advocate Socialism or Capitalism or Both?

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Leviticus 25, Chapter 25 lays out Israel’s social welfare and economic system. Basically, it was a capitalistic economic system where private individuals owned property and small businesses controlled the means and productions of goods and services.

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This is not the case in a purely socialistic (or Marxist or communistic) economic system where the government owns most of the property and controls the means and distribution of goods and services.

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However, the capitalistic system that YHVH gave to Israel contained some quasi-socialistic checks and balances in that individuals couldn’t became greedy rich at the expense of the poor. Socialistic economic philosophy demands that the wealth of the nation be equally distributed among everyone including the poor. This may sound good in theory, but it doesn’t work.

In reality, socialism stifles individual initiative by punishing (often through taxation and other means of wealth confiscation and redistribution by the government) those who, through hard work, sacrifice, initiative, and inventiveness have become wealthy. So, it stands to reason, why should the wealthy work hard if the fruits of their labors will only be confiscated and be given to the poor or the “have nots?”

At the same time, capitalism is also a flawed system, since in time, the wealthy often end up owning much of the land and controling most of the wealth. Human nature being what it is, the greedy wealthy will turn a capitalistic system into oligarchic capitalism where only a few rich capitalists control nearly everything including the economic and political systems. This is the end-times system that is described in Revelation 13 and 18 and is called Babylon the Great. Such a system ends up enslaving people through economic and political means, and creating a veritable serfdom of those who are under its rule (see Rev 18:13, 23).

With these things in mind, as you are reading through chapter 25, note how YHVH instructed the poor to be cared for. There was no government welfare system based on taxing the producers and giving to the non-producers. Everyone worked. Notice how debt was handled, and how people worked to pay off their debts. Notice how the jubilee year prevented the wealthy from acquiring all the land, and how every 50 years there was a redistribution of land, so that those who through sloth or mismanagement of their resources lost their land could have it restored to their family. Such individuals were mercifully given a second chance to start over again and learn from their past mistakes. Lending to the poor was encouraged, and the charging of interest was prohibited.

As you read through this chapter, consider how YHVH deals with the perennial social and economic ills that have plague the world from time immemorial compared to how men currently deal with these same problems and usually end up making the problems worse.

Though it would be difficult to implement such a system in our highly collectivized and industrialized society of today, it is likely that in the future, during the Millennium, when the Torah will be the rule of the earth and agrarianism will likely be the dominant paradigm, that such a Torah-based system will once again be put in place.