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Shavuot: The Wedding Ceremony

5/29/2020

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​We are in another of the LORD's appointed feasts. It is Shavuot, also called the Feast of Weeks or Pentecost. At this time we celebrate the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai as well as the outpouring of the Holy Spirit that occurred 1500 years later in Jerusalem.

Shavuot is also the end of the counting of the Omer and the beginning of the wheat harvest. Israel's three harvests are connected to the three pilgrimage feasts; Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot, and each holds prophetic significance for God's chosen people and the nations of the world.

There are great insights to be gleaned from Shavuot. In this week's blog I want to highlight ADONAI's marriage ceremony with Israel at Mount Sinai and the terms of the Marriage Contract or Ketubah as we say in Hebrew.

Let's begin with the LORD's proposal to Israel:

"Now then, if you will obey Me faithfully and keep My covenant, you shall be My treasured possession among all the peoples” (Exodus 19:5).

All of Israel  accepted by saying:  “All that ADONAI has spoken we will do!’” (Exodus 19:8).

After the proposal, the people were instructed to prepare themselves. HaShem spoke to Moses:

“Go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow. Have them wash their clothes and be ready by the third day, because on that day the Lord will come down on Mount Sinai in the sight of all the people." (Exodus 19:10-11)

Just as a bride would immerse herself in the mikvah (ceremonial washing) before her wedding and anoint herself with perfume oil, so too Israel had to wash their clothing and consecrate themselves to meet their Groom.

We read in chapter 20 of Exodus that ADONAI descended upon Mount Sinai with great thunderings, smoke and the sound of the shofar, and all of Israel heard the Ten Commandments being spoken to them.

​Interestingly, the erev rav (mixed multitude) who had come up out of Egypt with the Israelites also heard the Torah in their own language! Does this sound familiar? Indeed! At the pouring out of the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, all who were present heard the mysteries of God being spoken in his own language! This was also symbolic as it meant that Gentiles could also become a part of God's covenant.

​The Torah was given to the people as the terms of the marriage contract or the Ketubah. Sadly however, not long after the beautiful wedding ceremony, Israel broke their covenant with the golden calf incident. What did ADONAI do? As Moses had to ascend the mountain for a second set of stone tablets, so too did God promise a new covenant. This time however, they would not be able to break it as it would be written upon their hearts instead of stone. We find the promise of a new covenant in the book of Jeremiah:

"Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will make pa new covenant with the house of Israel and the house of Judah, not like the covenant that I made with their fathers on the day when qI took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt, my covenant that they broke, rthough I was their husband, declares the Lord. For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: sI will put my law within them, and I will write it ton their hearts. uAnd I will be their God, and they shall be my people" (Jer. 31:31-33)

Fifteen hundred years later in Jerusalem, 120 disciples were gathered in a room in the Temple. They heard the sound of a mighty rushing wind and fire descended from heaven and sat upon each person's head. Very rarely do we make the connection between Jeremiah 31 and Acts 2 but prophecy was being fulfilled. It is the Holy Spirit who writes the Torah upon the hearts of God's people. This is the New Covenant that was ratified by the Blood of Yeshua!

As believers in Yeshua, we celebrate Shavuot/Pentecost giving thanks for the Torah and the Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit), as we anticipate the return of the Bridegroom!

Shabbat Shalom and Chag Shavuot Sameach!

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Lessons From The Shabbat Bread

5/22/2020

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One of the things that I look forward to on Preparation Day (Friday) is baking the traditional Jewish bread, Challah. My excitement began when ADONAI laid it on my heart that this was something that I needed to do for Shabbat. The first thing that I did was to go back to the Torah to see the significance of bread then, and also to connect it to Yeshua, who said "I am the Bread of Life."

In Jewish tradition, Challah is loaded with symbolism. It is a staple not only for Shabbat but during Jewish feasts/holidays. It recounts the Biblical story of how ADONAI provided manna for the Israelites. It is customary to have two loaves of bread on the Shabbat table, which is symbolic of the double portion of manna that the LORD provided for them on a Friday. In the days of the Temple, the people were biblically commanded to separate a portion from their dough and bring it to the priests every Shabbat. In addition it also represents the 12 ceremonial loaves that were kept in the Temple representing the 12 Tribes of Israel.

Challah is not merely about baking bread, it is a spiritual experience. It reminds me of the following:

1)HaShem is the Great Provider and He is our Source. As He provided for Israel in the wilderness, He continues to provide for His people today. It is He who causes the earth to produce for us and grants us the strength to create

2) God is a Deliverer. As He brought Israel out of the bondage of slavery, He has made a way of escape for us out of the bondage of sin and death.

3) In Scripture bread is symbolic of the Torah. The Word of God is food for the soul. Callah reminds me that If we feast upon HaShem's word it nourishes and strengthens our soul for the journey of life. In Deuteronomy 8:3 Moses, in speaking to the Israelites said:

"So He humbled you, allowed you to hunger, and fed you with manna which you did not know nor did your fathers know, that He might make you know that man shall not live by bread alone; but man lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of the Lord".

4) It reminds me that eternal life awaits the believer. As God gave Israel manna to physically sustain them in the wilderness, He has given us Yeshua, the Bread of Life. However unlike the manna in wilderness, those who eat from the Bread of Life will have eternal life. In John 6:32, 35 we read of a discourse between Yeshua and the people:


"Our ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness; as it is written: ‘He gave them bread from heaven to eat. Jesus said to them, “Very truly I tell you, it is not Moses who has given you the bread from heaven, but it is my Father who gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is the bread that comes down from heaven and gives life to the world....Then Jesus declared, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never go hungry, and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty."

Finally, while the challah can have varying numbers of braids, the standard braid is three. In Ecclesiastes 4:12 we read:

"Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."

This is a reminder of our need for relationship/fellowship, first with God and then with others. It is a reminder that we have been called to walk out our faith in community.

Shabbat Shalom!









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What You May Have Missed About The Priesthood

5/8/2020

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This week's Torah portion Emor (say/speak) is from Leviticus 21:1-24:23. It contains additional instructions/purity laws for the priesthood. The Haftorah (the weekly selective reading from the Prophets) is from Ezekiel 44:15-31 which speaks of the restoration of the Levitical priesthood during Yeshua's Millennial Kingdom reign. Sadly, there are many persons who have missed this very important truth in Scripture: When Yeshua returns, there will be a restoration of all things including the Levitical priesthood.

We usually do not make the connection between this and the question that the disciples asked Yeshua in Acts 1:6 "Are you going to restore the Kingdom to Israel at this time?". The disciples knew what the Hebrew Prophets had written. Israel would become divided, they would eventually lose their sovereignty because of their disobedience, some would be exiled from the land and those who remained/returned, would be ruled by foreign powers. However Messiah would come, gather the exiles, reunite Ephraim/Israel and Judah and He (Messiah) would take His seat on David's throne.

This raises all sorts of questions, especially for those who do not see the Biblical prophecies as literal occurances. However, if we see ADONAI as the covenant keeping God, then we understand that EVERY covenant that He has made with His people are literal and are still in effect. So here are a few things that you may have missed about the priesthood

The Priestly Covenant and the Kingdom to Come

Numbers 25:1-13 tells us about the account of Phineas (Pinchas in Hebrew). He was the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the High Priest, and he defended ADONAI's holiness at a time when Israel was unfaithful to Him. The LORD promised Phineas, and his descendants after him, an everlasting priesthood; a covenant of peace. During the time of Israel's united Kingdom, we learn that Zadok, a descendant of Phineas, was the Priest (1Chr 6:1-15). The Zadokites continued to serve in the Temple.

Although Israel as a nation was punished by the LORD, He never forgot or broke His covenant with them. In Jeremiah 33, we read of God's promise to restore them. This includes the kingship and the priesthood. We read:

"For this is what the LORD says: ‘David will never fail to have a man to sit on the throne of Israel, nor will the Levitical priests ever fail to have a man to stand before me continually to offer burnt offerings, to burn grain offerings and to present sacrifices.’” (Jeremiah 33:17-18)

During the Millennial reign when Israel is reunited and Yeshua sits on David's throne, the Levitical priesthood will also take their place in a rebuilt Temple. Ezekiel 44:15-31 gives us a detailed discription this. At that time, the question that the disciples asked in Acts 1:6 will become a reality - the physical Kingdom will be restored and Yeshua will be their King! But isn't Yeshua also a Priest? Absolutely - but not from the Levitical order.

The Current Priesthood

In Psalm 110:4 as well as in Hebrews 7:17, 21 we read that Yeshua is a Priest in the order of Melchizedek. The Melchizedek priesthood is a superior order that existed long before the Levitical priesthood. It is not based on one's tribe or man's appointment but is passed on from a Father to a Son. It is also eternal. As an aside, the first priest from this superior order of priesthood would be Adam - but that is for another discussion.

A closer look at Hebrews 7 shows us how Yeshua entered into the Most Holy Place once and for all and sprinkled His own blood upon the mercy seat and made atonement for our sins. Today, Yeshua is seated at the right hand of the Father, carrying out His High Priestly duties in the heavenly Tabernacle making intercession for us. He is an Eternal Priest!

As believers in Yeshua, we are a part of a royal priesthood and a holy nation in the earth (1 Peter 2:9). Our bodies are the Temple and as priests we minister before ADONAI daily. However, this does not take away from the fact that in the Millennial Kingdom, the sons of Zadok will daily offer up sacrifices before God. Why? Because God never breaks His covenant!

Shabbat Shalom!

Do you have questions on the Levitical or the Melchizedek Priesthood? Feel free to comment below or drop us a line at greaterworksapostoliccenter@gmail.com

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Prevailing in the face of struggle

12/18/2019

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In this week's Torah portion Vayishlach (He sent) Jacob wrestles with the angel of the LORD. The end result? His name was changed from Yaakov (a holder of the heel/a follower) to Israel (struggle with God). It also speaks to "prevailing".
In Genesis 32 we read:

Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

In Scripture, when an individual received a name change, it not only spoke to a change in that person's nature but it also had meaning for his mission/destiny. Jacob had indeed lived a life of struggle beginning from the womb but he always prevailed. How much more so after that encounter where God had promised to always be with him.

I remember the first time I saw the meaning of Jacob's name in relation to the nation of Israel. The name provides the perfect picture of the unique relationship of "struggle contention and dialogue" between the people of Israel and their God.

In addition to this, the Jewish people have had many struggles throughout history with peoples/nations who have tried to annihilate them but they have always prevailed. Why? "because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome.”

The Jewish people and the Land are divinely protected. How fitting a reminder this is, especially as we move towards Hanukkah; a celebration of victory and miracles.


​For those of us who have been joined to Israel through Messiah Yeshua, there is a lesson for us as well. Jacob wrestled for his blessing. Actually, he received his blessing because he prevailed. May we stand up in the power of the Holy Spirit to anything that seeks to rob us of our inheritance. The blessing comes to the one who prevails.
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The Ark of Salvation

11/1/2019

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In this week's Torah portion we read about Noah, a man who was found righteous in his generation. The account tells us that during that time, wickedness was so great upon the earth that God regretted having made man. In Genesis 6:5-7 we read:

"The Lord saw how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time. The Lord regretted that he had made human beings on the earth, and his heart was deeply troubled. So the Lord said, “I will wipe from the face of the earth the human race I have created—and with them the animals, the birds and the creatures that move along the ground—for I regret that I have made them.”

Even in the midst of chaos and darkness there was a righteous man. This serves as a reminder that God never leaves himself without a witness. Mankind had to be judged for the wickedness upon the earth but God made a way of escape for Noah and his family; He instructed him to build an ark.

Contrary to popular belief, grace is not a New Testament concept. The first time we come upon the word grace in Scripture is in verse 8 of Genesis 6. We read that "Noah found favor(grace) in the eyes of the Lord." Admittedly, the story of Noah has caused me to re-think the popular teaching of grace being God's "unmerited" favor, meaning we cannot earn God's grace. While this is true, I believe that God's grace is also extended towards those who keep His commandments (Exodus 20:6)

Interestingly, Noah's name is from the root word "nacham" which means "rest" and "comfort", however we see something beautiful in the Hebrew spelling of the name Noah. It is spelled identically with the Hebrew word for grace backward:

Noah: נח (letters: nun, chet)
Grace: חן (letters: chet, nun)

This is not by coincidence.

Concerning the flood, the Bible tells us that not only did it rain but water was jetting out of the earth/ocean floor (see Gen. 7:11). The Jewish sages teach that the purpose of the Flood was not just to destroy wicked mankind, but also to transform and cleanse the earth. The earth experienced a type of ceremonial washing/cleansing or "mikvah" as we say in Hebrew, a term that speaks to immersion or baptism.

There are many powerful insights for us to learn about the ark and how it paints a very powerful picture of salvation. First, the Hebrew word translated “ark” is used in only two places in the Hebrew Scriptures. In both places it basically means “box” or “container.” This is significant when we consider that the other place this particular Hebrew word occurs is in Exodus 2 where it refers to the basket in which Moses was placed as a baby. So, an ark is a box or container that serves to protect those who enter in from the flood waters of destruction! This is exactly who Yeshua is for us! He is God's Ark of Salvation and when we enter in by faith we are saved.

Here is another insight:

In verse 14 God instructed Noah to seal the ark inside and out with “pitch.” The Hebrew word for this substance comes from the same root word as kapparah which means “atonement” or “covering.” The kapporet was the covering on the Ark of the Covenant upon which the High Priest would put the blood for the sins of the people on Yom Kippur. Just as the pitch sealed and covered the spaces in the ark and kept it afloat, Yeshua's finished work on the execution stake keeps us.

The ark was a picture of God's grace in the face of judgment but it also serves a prophetic picture of a future time to come. In Matthew 24:37-39 Yeshua said that as it was in the days of Noah so shall it be in the end. At that time, the earth was filled with wickedness and God judged the world. The same thing will be repeated in the end of days. In His mercy, God has provided a way of escape through Yeshua. In Noah's time, God provided only one ark. Today, He has provided only one Way to salvation and that is Yeshua. As He drew Noah, his family and the animals into the ark, so too is God drawing men by means of His Ruach (Spirit). May people everywhere respond to the call and enter in before it is too late.

Shabbat Shalom!

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