"And I will dwell among the Children of Israel, and will be their GOD."
(Gen.29:45 KJV - NB. unless otherwise stated I shall use only the 1611 KJV)
The word translated as "among" in the above Scripture can just as easily be translated as "within" (H8432 tâvek = from an unused root meaning to sever, ...(by implication) the centre, among (-st), with (-in).
The word translated as GOD in the Scripture above also mean an "authority" (H430 ělôhîym = plural of H433; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the Supreme GOD; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; sometimes as a superlative - angels, judges, X mighty).
A very simple but massively profound question thus arises:
Is YHWH, the Elohim of Avraham, Yitzhak & Ya'akov, our One and only Authority?
This is where Adam and Eve (Chava) stumbled in the Garden which caused all of us all and creation to be cursed unto death!
Anything having authority or influence over us becomes a god (TV, pornography, sexual perversity, governments, religions and so forth).
Hopefully all of those reading this blog know that YHWH Abba sent the Creator HIMSELF to redeem mankind back to Himself so that HE once again can live in the midst of us as well as in us - the Creator Yeshua, The Word and perfect Representation of the Father Whom no man has ever seen or heard, except of course for The Son, Yeshua Himself (John 5:37; 6:46; 14:9; 15:24).
Yeshua, being Holy (qâdash) and Clean (tâhȇr) came to show and preach the Gospel fully and completely to us without adding or subtracting anything from it (Mat. 5:17).
He did this by living out the fullness of the Torah as given to Moshe (please remember, it is of absolute & paramount importance that we realise - IT IS NOT MOSES' LAW - IT IS THE FULLNESS OF THE ETERNAL INSTRUCTIONS SHOWING US THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK OF THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN AS GIVEN TO MOSHE BY YHWH THE CREATOR HIMSELF DEFINING HOW THE PEOPLE OF YISRAEL (THOSE WHO WILL RULE WITH ELOHIM (remember The Authority above all Authorities in Heaven and on Earth (Mat. 28:18) ARE TO LIVE AS A NATION OF PRIESTS!
NB: Yeshua's statement made in Mat. 28:18 is ambiguous and confusing when read with verse 19 - 20 if the teachings of the denominations, who declare the Law has been done away with is correct - because you see dear reader, the Gospels only show Yeshua living a Torah lifestyle and worshipping according to Torah Festivals in absolute compliance with Torah instructions on Torah mandated days! So I contend that if the statement that the Torah with all its mandated eternal feasts, diets and The Sabbath sign of the Covenant have been abolished or abridged, and no longer exist - YESHUA WAS SETTING HIS APOSTLES UP TO AT BEST BECOME THE LEAST IN THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN; AND AT WORST HAVE THE PLAGUES OF EGYPT POURED OUT ON THEM ACCORDING TO WHAT YESHUA HIMSELF STATED AND TESTIFIED IN Mat. 5:17-20 & Rev. 22:18-20.
Before we move on a little History may help here:
You will often hear me speaking of the Torah as The Katubah, The Marriage Covenant (at this stage still a Betrothal Document). I believe that we see the formal laying out of a Covenant recorded for posterity and eternity from Ex. 19:5-6:
"Now therefore, if you will obey My voice (WORD SPOKEN) indeed, and keep my Covenant, then you shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people for all the earth is mine: and ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests , and as holy nation..."
"And he took The Book of The Covenant", and read in the audience of the people: and they said, All that YHWH hath said we will do, and be obedient. And Moshe took the blood and sprinkled it on the people and said, Behold the blood of the Covenant, which YHWH hath made with you concerning all these Words." (Ex.24:7-8 - emphasis added by me).
There we have a proposal of intent, a written document of such proposal and the acceptance of the offered proposal (...concerning all these Words) and ratification by blood.
Yeshua did not in any way take the proposal recorded in Ex. 19:5 lightly, and we loose the seriousness of HIS proposal when translated to English because what the Scriptures actually record as being said by YHWH where we have the word "obey" is a repetition of the word "Shama" H8085 = and can be translated quite correctly as:
Now therefore, if you will "hear intelligently, attentively and discerningly and you will obediently bare witness, and proclaim my proclamation" indeed, and keep my Covenant, then you shall be to me a "special and shut up (protected) priceless jewel."
That dear reader, is how a Mighty & Valiant Warrior (H1368 - gibbor) Husband (H376 - eesh) speaks to His Betrothed loved one.
Now next matter I need to discuss, because it is not recorded in the Covenant, is the introduction of the Levitical Priesthood which is accompanied by two schools of thought:
The first school of thought is that the Levitical Priesthood was introduced because of the SIN of the Golden calf, and thus Israel showed herself not yet ready to accept the responsibility of her calling of Priesthood.
The Second school of thought is that because Israel said to YHWH through the mediator Moshe and as recorded in Ex. 20:18-21 as read with (arw) Deut. 5:27-33 that they were too scarred of YHWH and Moshe should speak for them - YHWH said their answer was "well said all they have spoken" - Deut. 5:28 -Again the word "well" is derived from the word used to declare all that was "good" in the Creation (H3190 - yâtab = a primitive root to be (causatively) make well, literally (sound, beautiful); accepted, benefit..) and YHWH gave them a Priesthood to prepare them to approach HIM with less timidity and fear - as one teacher of Torah describes it -
"Israel was a shy and immature bride and YHWH respected that and gave them a Priesthood to order their steps and teach them the correct way to approach HIM" The Rabbi's son.
I personally ascribe at this time to a combination of both schools and believe that Abba saw their absolute crippling fear of HIM and needed to rectify that: However HE also foreknew that Israel, no matter how naive or shy, would settle down and revert back to their pagan norms and would break HIS Covenant which they had promised to keep when they rolled out the Egyptian calf of their traditions.
In order to lead the Bride back to HIM, YHWH the Creator needed to show her what the Heavenly Tabernacle with all it's functions and protocol's entailed. We often forget that The Earthly Tabernacle was as close a replica of the Heavenly One as it was possible for man, under Divine leading, to make here on Earth (Ex. 25:8-9; 31:1-11).
Something to ponder for a moment here if you would: It would seem by the placement of the massively important description of the significance of the Shabbat directly after the instructions given for the building of the Tabernacle so that YHWH could "tabernacle" amongst HIS people - YHWH still cautioned HIS people that even for the building of the Tabernacle the SHABBAT COULD NOT BE BROKEN - AS IT IS THE SIGN OF THE MARRIAGE/BETROTHAL COVENANT! Ex. 31:12ff (forward). Keeping the Shabbat, no matter what, is a sign of fidelity and commitment to the Groom and His Covenant.
In Ex. 23:14-19 (in the content of the Marriage Covenant) all men (obviously wives and children as well would come along on these "annual holidays) are instructed to gather before YHWH 3 times a year in a place where YHWH will place HIS Name and they shall feast before HIM (Ex. 34:23; Deut. 16:16; Deut. 12:5-8; Deut. 12:11; Deut. 16:16; 2 Chron. 6:6; 1Kg. 8:29).
I hear people saying - we are not living in Israel and so we cannot do the feasts - well let's try and reason that out:
By the very fact that we see that YHWH instructed HIS people to hold The Feasts whilst still in The Wilderness, and in addition there is compelling evidence that the Feasts of YHWH were held before YHWH had them written down in a codex for the Nation at large (Gen. 18:19; 19:1) would, in my opinion nullify this argument : Scripture also records that YHWH did say before the Children of Israel entered the Promised land that "When you come into the Land" Deut: 26:1ff - now remember they still held the Festivals and kept Shabbat in the Wilderness as best they could even though they had not yet entered the Land. The same applies to us right now as well, we are unable to come back to the land for various reason beyond our control - but we shall later at the return of Messiah go to the Land, where it would seem that in the Millennium Rule of Messiah there will be feasts held, if only the Shabbat (although this may also mean all Festivals - but that is for another day) and the feast of Booths (Tabernacles - Sukkot) Num. 9:5; 15;32; Is. 66:23; Zech. 14:16-19.
Let me ask you this question if I may: If you were to find yourself in another country apart from your own, and it is your wedding anniversary - will you ignore the day, or still do the best you can to remember it? What about your birthday? - For the Christians out there reading this - would you still celebrate, the best you could, Christmas if you were away from home over that period? I have been invited by US Citizens whom we know here in Africa, to their 4th of July celebrations - that is where I learnt quite a bit about the US culture and their "different" foods to what we eat. But I think you get my point...so if you believe you should obey the Festivals of YHWH as opposed to the man made festivals of the denominations, then don't try and sidestep YHWH's festivals on non-arguments - that is just plain rebellious. Be consistent in your behaviour, it is to your benefit.
Please remember these Leviticus 23 feasts we are instructed to keep were never ever the "Jews" feasts - these always were and always will be YHWH's Feasts for all our generations (Lev. 23:4; 14; 21; 31; 41; 44).
The word translated as feasts is (H4150 - môêd = from H3259 - properly to fix upon by agreement or appointment, an appointment that is a fixed time or season, an assembly convened for a definite purpose, the place of meeting, a signal, appointed sign, time, solemn assembly) - No wiggle room here - pretty definite YHWH set a time that HE would come and assemble with us - HE does not fall into line with man's Sundays and self designed festivals I am afraid!
Dear reader, if you would like to accept it or not - these feasts, festivals, moedim (plural) have been ordained by YHWH to commemorate for eternity the High Days of Our Messiah Yeshua's life - The first of these Feast is the commonly referred to as the Passover, but it encompasses 3 feats in one time frame:
- Passover - the Death of Messiah Yeshua to release us from SIN.
- Unleavened bread - our coming out of Egypt by the Strong and Mighty Arm of Yeshua then and still to this day (Ex.12:26-27).
- First Fruits - The rising of Yeshua from the Grave - His conquering death for us all.
The second is the feast of Shavuot (which we are approaching now):
- Shavuot - 50 days after the Sabbath following the Feast of First Fruits - also called the Counting of the Omar. This day is traditionally believed to be when the Marriage Covenant of Yeshua was given at Mt. Sinai, and about 1500 years later the out pouring of the Ruach HaKodesh (The Spirit of Yeshua) at Jerusalem - it is interesting to note that we are shown by the timing of the two advents commemorated on this day the necessity for the Law (Covenant) to work with The Ruach and visa versa:- No Ruach - Law is a letter that brings death: No Law - a spirit of lawlessness!
The third, and final feasts, are known as the Feasts of Huts, or Tabernacle, or as our Jewish brothers call it, the Marriage Feast. This feast has not as yet been consecrated in time, space and execution as the first two have, but they shall mark the return of Yeshua for His Bride and to judge the earth as recorded in Revelation. The three feasts incorporated here are:
- Yom Teruah - Feast of Trumpets (The Last Trump) which is marked by the sighting of the new Moon to begin the 7th month of The Biblical year, Tishri, a moon that no man knows the date or time of, but well the season - Here Master Yeshua will take His people up to meet Him in the clouds. This may be the day of Yeshua's birth.
- Yom Kippur - (Day of Atonement) 10 days later, when the High Priest would go into the Holy of Holies once per year and plead for the lives of himself and Israel and if the offers were acceptable, Israel went on for another year - We celebrate it looking back at the finished work of Yeshua, but on this day in the future Master Yeshua will judge the world. This is the most holy and solemn feast of the year where fasting was called for and heaven is quiet for half an hour.
- Sukkot - celebrated as a remembrance of our forefathers coming out of Egypt and having to sleep in Sukkahs (little temporary shelters open to the elements). Sukkot was the first stop of the people of Israel when coming out from under Pharaoh's tyranny. This is also the day that Yeshua will hold His Marriage Feast.
All the feasts also have many other implications and instructions woven into them including giving us a guide line regarding our spiritual growth linking the growth of the crops of Israel to our spirits.
As I have noted above, the first two Festivals have been perfectly fulfilled in Time, Place and Execution in History through Messiah Yeshua, but that does not mean we no longer must commemorate and celebrate them, these are significant High Days in the Life of Messiah Yeshua, our Ancestors and our own futures - and seeing as YHWH Yeshua (The Creator Who spoke to Moshe - Pre-incarnate Yeshua - Christophanies or Theophanies) Himself said that they were to be "for all our generations" and HE CANNOT GO BACK ON HIS WORD (Ps. 89:34; 105:8; 119:89). That being said we might do well to understand that the word used for "fulfilled" in the Greek is (G4137 - plēroō = from G4143 and G4130 to fill (literally or figuratively [imbue, influence, supply); specifically to fulfil (time):- accomplish (come), furnish, to execute and office, finish, verify (or coincide with a prediction, fully preach, perfect, supply) - If we see the word plēroō in this context used more as to accomplish what the prophets had spoken of than to abolish the Eternal Word of YHWH by accomplishing what the prophets spoke of we may be nearer to the truth of what Messiah Yeshua came to do and teach on Earth.
I believe I should briefly explain my theory of the Christophanies or Theophanies of Yeshua here because of the importance this makes in seeing HIM in the "Old Testament" as the very representation of YHWH ELOHIM Himself. Christophanies &/or Theophanies mean the appearing of Yeshua The Messiah to man prior to HIS Birth in Human form.
Yeshua HIMSELF said that no person had ever heard or seen the Father but HIM, HIMSELF (John 1:18):
"No man has seen GOD at any time; the Only Begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him."Question: Who walked with Adam in the Garden? Who visited Avraham at The Oaks of Mamre? Who spoke with Moshe in the Burning Bush? Who spoke to the entire House of Israel from Mt Sinai when spelling out the Marriage Covenant? Who's was the Pillar of Cloud and Fire?
Rav Sha'u' (Paul) says that it was Messiah Who was the Rock giving Spiritual Water in the Wilderness (1 Cor. 10:4) to our forefathers, so HE WAS THERE!
Now bearing this in mind, let us look at the NIV translation of (John 1:18) which is believed to be a more accurate translation of the original Greek:
"No one has ever seen GOD, but GOD the One and Only, who is at the Fathers side, has made Him known."
If then I am correct in my assumption that it was Pre-Incarnate Yeshua (or the Memra = as the very Revealed essence and personality of YHWH ELOHIM is referred to by the Jews): Who spoke The Words of the Father to all the Prophets of the Old Testament (Tanakh) and the Torah to Moshe. Whose Testimony is the very Spirit of all True Prophecy! - THEN HOW COULD HE CANCEL HIMSELF OUT - HIS WORD IS ETERNAL AND NEVER CHANGING? (Rev. 19:10).
Taking the above into consideration, and suggesting that Yeshua did as HE is accused of by the Church denominations, HE would have negated HIMSELF and HIS Word and thus it can no longer exist!
Brethren, The Word is the Truth, The Word is The Rock, The Word is a Light unto my path and a Lamp unto my feet - If the Word should be changed it is no longer eternal and is unstable like the waves of the sea because we can no longer trust it (James 1:6-8); If the Word can become the opposite, in other words, a lie becomes the truth, then we have a changing Word that declares two truths; this word cannot be a rock, it is shifting sand; this word can no longer be a light unto our feet and a lamp unto out paths - it, by default becomes "darkness" because the opposite of light is dark.
Please think about this, it is very serious and has eternal consequences for each and every one of us
I had intended to spend some time on the approaching Feast of Shavuot (Weeks/Pentecost) but that didn't happen, so Abba willing I shall write something after the Shabbat as it will be dark here in Namibia in an hour from now.
Please check out what I have written, don't just take it for granted or ignore it - question me, make me accountable. Question yourselves, we all still have a long way to go, but YHWH has started a good work in us and HE will see it through if we decide we want HIM to and love the Truth. But for now please just know that we need time leading up to Shavuot to decide and declare Whom the A/authority is to which we shall bow! That is why YHWH has given us 50 days to weigh everything up.
Shabbat Sholom
Bo'az
No comments:
Post a Comment