Portion Mishpatim, Judgments

Justice from Judgment

If men strive and strike a pregnant woman, so that her child comes out, and there is no injury, he shall surely be punished, according as the woman's husband will lay upon him. And he shall pay as the judges say And if any injury occurs, then you shall give life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe. (Exo 21:22-25)

What about the eye for and eye thing in this week's portion ?

Equality under the Torah

Take two people. Bob is an employee, Jack is a billionaire.

Bob has a good steady job, works forty hours a week plus some overtime, and is able to pay bills on time and provide food for the family. He has two strong hands, a strong back, and two good eyes. All helpful in his work.

Jack owns an investment company and works eighty hours a week, his health is good because he works out at his gym regularly. He too has two strong hands, a strong back, and two good eyes.

The Torah says Bob's eye and Jack's eye have the same value. They are of equal worth.

Traditional Rabbinic understanding

An eye for and eye, tooth for a tooth, etc was never meant to be understood literally, but rather that a monetary value should be placed on say, an eye. If someone lost an eye, they could essentially sue for the value placed on an eye, but no more. If Jack lost his eye due to Bob's assault, he could sue Bob for the value of an eye, say one million dollars. Vice versa, if Bob lost an eye due to Jack's assault, Bob could sue Jack for the million.

This Torah judgment set a value on loss. It also limited the value of loss. So, Jack couldn't say that because he makes substantially more money than Bob, he should be entitled to substantially more of a settlement for the loss of his eye than Bob would be. An eye is worth a million, regardless of whose eye.

On the other hand, Bob could not claim that because Jack has substantially more money than he does, Jack should be required to pay substantially more should Bob lose his eye.

Considering the argument

On one side of the equation, the payment of an equal monetary equivalent is sound. Any injured party can expect to receive just compensation for the loss of an eye, and the injured party is not allowed to seek exorbitant compensation above the set value of loss. That makes the wealthy and the worker equal.

But, let's look at the other side of the equation.

If Jack loses an eye at Bob's hand, in order for Bob to pay out the million dollars to Jack, he has to sell his house, borrow all the money he can, go into debt for the next thirty years, and eat beans and rice for every meal. He will be ruined financially and left homeless. He would be extremely careful never to cause another person to lose an eye. (I know, that's why we have insurance, but insurance wasn't around when Moses led the Children of Israel out of Egypt)

On the other hand, if Bob loses an eye at Jack's hand, Jack pays out the million from his checking account, chalks it up to the cost of doing business, and goes merrily about his lifestyle with nothing but a slight tic on his balance sheet. When the next Bob comes along, Jack has no more concern over whether he puts the new Bob in the same situation that caused our Bob to lose his eye. Why should Jack care? He could pay out a million per eye for years before he felt any real impact or had cause for changing his eye damaging practices. 

Real equality

Now imagine if the Torah judgment was literal.

Knowing that should he cause an employees to lose an eye, Jack, regardless of his wealth, would face the penalty of losing one of his own eyes, he would be extremely careful about working conditions that might cause the loss of eyes.

On the other hand, Bob would not be ruined financially, but would lose an eye.

Punishment works, if we work it

In Fiddler on the Roof, Tevye says, "very good, that way the whole world would be blind and toothless." I disagree. If each person knew that if they caused the loss of and eye, they would actually lose one of their own eyes, I think we would all be more careful about how we treated each other. Punishment is a deterrent, but only if it is meted out quickly and consistently.

The reason "punishment" is not a very good deterrent today is that we don't apply it consistently or quickly, and what we sentence criminals to isn't really any kind of punishment. Our society has learned that crime does pay, and criminals don't have to pay for committing it.

We need to return to a system where any person who commits a crime, whether causing the loss of an eye as in this judgment, or any of the other Torah instructions, will face quick, balanced, and consistent punishment.

What's up with portion Yitro

Shouldn't this portion be called Esharot ha'devarim?

Going through the portion it's obvious that the highlight is Elohim descending on Mount Sinai and delivering the Ten Words known as the Ten Commandments.

So, what's up with naming the portion after Moses' father-in-law Yitro, Jethro?

Portion naming convention

The standard convention for naming the Torah portion is that the name is found in the first few lines of the portion.

But if the Torah is Elohim's word, why wouldn't He name it something better? The words are from Elohim, the chapters, verses, name of the portion are all done by people. The hope is that those people were inspired who made these insertions into the Scripture, but they are still insertions.

Yitro's Clues

We learn three important aspects about Yitro from the text.

1. And Yitro the priest of Midian, the father-in-law of Moshe, heard all that which Elohim had done for Moshe and for His people Israel, that Yehovah had caused Israel to go out from Egypt. (Exo 18:1)
2. And Jethro rejoiced regarding all the good which Yehovah had done to Israel whom He had delivered from the hand of Egypt. And Yitro said, Blessed be Yehovah who has delivered you from the hand of Egypt, and from the hand of Pharaoh; He who delivered the people from under the hand of Egypt. (Exo 18:9-10)
3. Now I know that Yehovah is greater than all the gods; truly, in the way in which He acted proudly against them. (Exo 18:11)

 1) Yitro was a priest of and in Midian and we know that when El first appeared to Moshe He said,

"When you bring out the people from Egypt: You shall serve God on this mountain." (Exo 3:12)

That mountain was in Midian where Yitro's sheep were kept. Israel was camping in Yitro's backyard. Unlike many other tribal leaders, Yitro allowed them to do so. He showed hospitality to the millions of Israelites.

2) In contrast to other leaders, "Yitro rejoiced regarding all the good Yehovah had done..." Other leaders saw the hordes of Israelites as a threat, and were afraid they would eat up all the food and drink all the water.

Yitro heard what happened, and rejoiced. He greeted his son-in-law, the leader of the Israelites and brought Moshe's wife and children to the camp. Yitro even offers sage advice to Moshe on how to deal with the massive numbers of people seeking rulings to help out.

3) Yitro acknowledges, "Now I know that Yehovah is greater than all the gods." This statement reveals that Yitro knew enough about other gods that recognizing what Yehovah had performed in Egypt and beyond Yitro was convinced Yehovah was greater.

Who is greater?

There has been an ongoing contest for millenia over who is greater. We see it in the plagues in Egypt. Yehovah showed that He was mightier than all of the gods of Egypt one by one. That contest continues today.

There is no question in the minds of followers of Messiah that Yehovah who created all things, and by whom all things continue to exist is Supreme. (see Col 1:16) Not everyone believes that though.

The Creator can make the Rules

If Elohim created all things, and all things are His, then He has every right and the responsibility to set down rules. Just as an earthly father sets house rules, so does our Heavenly Father.

Did you ever hear your father or mother say something like, "As long as you live in my house, you will obey my rules!"? I heard it. A parent has the authority to set rules and expect them to be obeyed.  Our Father sets rules and says the same thing. As long as we are in His household, we need to obey His rules.

What's the alternative?

"If you are unwilling to obey my rules, you need to get out of my house." That's not a bad thing when you turn eighteen or twenty, and it's time to leave the nest, but when it is Father Elohim, and He tells you to get out, you're in trouble.

Not everyone who says to Me, Lord! Lord! shall enter the kingdom of Heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in Heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, Lord! Lord! Did we not prophesy in Your name, and through Your name throw out demons, and through Your name do many wonderful works? And then I will say to them I never knew you! Depart from Me, you workers of lawlessness! (Mat 7:21-23)

When Paul wrote, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." (Php 4:13) those all things includes keeping the commandments, instructions, and feast days of Elohim.

Portion Beshalach (sent away) January 19, 2019

Moses leads the children of Israel out of Egypt, bondage, and servitude. They leave rejoicing. They are escaping from under the lash of their Egyptian taskmasters.

Let My People Go

Sometimes we forget there was more to God's instructions to Pharaoh. It wasn't just "Let my people go," but "Let my people go that they may serve me."

In the Apostolic Writings Paul tells the Corinthians,

"You are bought with a price; don't be the servants of men." (1Co 7:23)

Israel was not freed from slavery, they were bought with a price, and that price was the death of all the firstborn of Egypt, Pharaoh, and all his army and chariots. It was a high price.

The price paid by Egypt had to be high, because it foreshadowed the price that would be paid by Yeshua, a price nobody else could pay.

Sweetened Water

The bitter waters of Marah. It's a redundancy. Marah is Hebrew for bitter. The waters were bitter. What made the waters bitter? It could have been a high salt content, a high mineral content, or the water could have contained a concentration of poison such as the metalloid arsenic.

"And he cried to Yehovah, and Yehovah showed him a tree. And he threw it into the water, and the water became sweet. He made a statute and an ordinance for them there, and He tested them there. And He said, 'If you carefully listen to the voice of Yehovah your God, and do what is right in His eyes, and you give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will not put on you all the diseases which I have put on Egypt; for I am Yehovah your Healer.'" (Exo 15:25-26)

Drinking bitter water leads to death. That's why sailors can't drink salt water, the salt accumulates in the body and without fresh water to flush it, it becomes toxic. The tree Moses is shown is symbolic of the tree Yeshua was crucified on. That tree took the bitterness of death away from us.

"But now having been set free from sin, and having been enslaved to God, you have your fruit unto sanctification, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is everlasting life in Messiah Yeshua our Lord." (Rom 6:22-23)

Hear and Do

Did you notice what Moses told the people?

"If you carefully listen to the voice of Yehovah your God, and do what is right in His eyes, and you give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes..."

They weren't told, "Hey Pharaoh's dead, now you can do whatever you want and live however you want." But that is the message that I hear a lot today. "I don't have to keep those commandments, I'm under grace, not under the law."

That's a deception!

I find it fascinating that the same people who tell me "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me," turn around and say "Nobody can keep the law." So, you can do all things, except do what Father tells you to do, through Christ who strengthens you? That doesn't seem right, does it?

It seems to me that if Christ was going to strengthen you to do anything, it would be to do what God our Father tells us to do. After all it was Yeshua who said, "If you love me, keep my commandments," and John,

"By this we know that we love the children of God: when we love God and keep His commandments. For this is the love of God, that we keep His commandments; and His commandments are not heavy." (1Jn 5:2-3)

I encourage you to learn what Father's house rules are as found in the Torah, and keep them. They are not difficult to keep, and He promises blessings for obedience. Just like our earthly dad's often say, "If you live in my house, you obey my rules."

Torah portion Shemini and Renewing the Fear of God

Torah Portion Shemini; Leviticus 9:1 - 11:47, its accompanying Haftarah 2 Samuel 6:1 - 7:17 and New Testament reading Mark 9:2 - 9:13. As I pondered the connection between the three readings, one feature stood out.

At first I saw that all three contained reference to Yehovah's dwelling among men. With Moses, he dwelt in the tabernacle, although from the text, it is clear that though he dwelt in the temporary structure of the tabernacle His desire is to dwell inside of us.

"These words shall be in your heart." Devarim 6:6.

If the words of Torah are in your heart, and Yeshua is the living Torah, by extension, once the words in your heart take on life by your obedience, Yeshua is in your heart.

The tabernacle was a temporary dwelling. The permanent dwelling is in our hearts.

David's experience in the 2 Samuel Haftarah reveals a problem that we still find. David was troubled that he lived in a house of cedar while Elohim lived in a tent. First problem. Elohim lived in a tent because that is where He told Moses and the Children of Israel the ark was supposed to be housed. Elohim never said He wanted a more permanent structure.

I think David missed the point that the permanent dwelling was to be in the heart.

David looked at the housing situation and came up with a logical, but worldly solution. Build a house as good or better than his own. I think David knew where Elohim wanted to dwell. The Psalms are replete with references to the indwelling of the Word, and the Spirit.

The second message of Shemini, and perhaps even more important is installing the fear of God.

Many modern believers have replaced the fear of God with the love of God. God is love, but He is also a Judge, a Man of War, and a jealous God. All three readings emphasize that the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is a fearful God. Nadab and Abihu were consumed for not following Yehovah's instructions. Uzzah was killed because he touched the ark. While Nadab and Abihu's motives are unclear, Uzzah's intent was to keep the ark from falling. Intent didn't matter. Action did. And Uzzah died.

Pater was afraid when he saw Yeshua, Moses and Elijah together.

Fear of God keeps us on the straight path when other motivations fail us. In times of trial and temptation, a healthy fear of what God will do to us for disobedience can keep up from giving in even more than our love for Him.

It is the same type of fear we have for a good earthly father.

It is not that we are constantly fearful of abuse, but that we understand there are rules, and if we break the rules, we will suffer punishment. I think the idea that Christ took our punishment so we are now free to sin as much as we want without any consequences is misplaced. "Shall we continue to sin that grace may abound? God forbid."

"Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:13-23)

The word translated as iniquity is anomia, without law. Yeshua is addressing people who prophesied in his name, cast out devils, and did wonderful works, but they were without law, the Torah. Sounds like a lot of our brothers and sisters who come into covenant with Elohim, and then turn their backs on His instructions in the Torah.

It is time to renew the fear of God among those who have made a covenant with Him. It is for their own good. Fear is a motivator to obedience. Eternal life is a gift, obedience is a way of life, and it takes work. That is why we are cautioned to "Work out your salvation with fear and trembling."

Let’s End the Word of God Famine

I was talking with some fellow searchers after the way of God the other day. We discussed the prophecy that Amos shared that there will come a time when there will be a famine of the word of God. Let’s end it.

“’Behold, the days come,’ says Adonai Yehovah, ‘that I will send a famine in the land. Not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of Yehovah. They shall wander from sea to sea, and from the north even to the east. They shall run to and fro to seek the word of Yehovah, and shall not find it. In that day shall the fair virgins and young men faint for thirst. They that swear by the sin of Samaria, and say, ‘your god, O Dan, lives;’ and, ‘the manner of Beersheba lives;’ even they shall fall, and never rise up again.’” (Amos 8:11-14)

(I’m going to discuss the sin of Samaria and the manner of Beersheba next week. For now, let’s talk about the famine of hearing the words of Yehovah.)

The searchers I talked with visited a number of churches all across the nation. (They were following God’s leading, not searching for the word of God) What they saw and heard was that Christian churches from the east coast to the west all have one thing in common; they don’t teach the word of God.

Church pastors teach psychology, motivation, pop culture, and encouragement; but they aren’t teaching the word of God. They sometimes refer to a verse or two from the Tanakh (Hebrew name for the Torah, Prophets and Writings – the Old Testament – what New Testament writers refer to as Scripture) with an isolated quote, but they don’t teach the word. When they do use Scripture, they take it out of context, turn it on its head, and often say it means the opposite of what it originally meant.

It is not a new problem, but it has gained strength and popularity

If the word is light, and the lack of it is darkness, perhaps we are experiencing what Yeshua was talking about when he said,

“I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night comes, when no man can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” (John 9:4-5)

“As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” What about when He isn’t in the world? Like now? David said, “Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” (Psalms 119:105) The word of God – the actual Scriptures – the Torah – is the light we have today. Yeshua is no longer here to instruct us personally, but the Torah is. Since churches no longer teach the Torah, where will you receive the light? Personal study. If you rely on a church, you will have no light and will sit for years, your whole life, in a pew in darkness.

That’s why I write this blog

So you, who are searching can find at least one place to hear the word of God and receive some light. Please don’t misunderstand me; I don’t think I am the only one teaching the word, there just aren’t many of us.

Christian churches recognize something is wrong

Pastors wonder what is wrong. Some say it is because we don’t have the anointing, others that we don’t have the love, others say we are under attack from the enemy.

The real answer is; we can’t see. “Where there is no vision (sight, revelation, oracle, Torah) the people perish: but he that keeps (guards protects, lives) the Torah, happy (blessed) is he.” (Proverbs 29:18)

Churches have abandoned the word, and the people are perishing

Our nation is filled with churches.

If pastors start teaching the Torah, the word of God, we would see a turn around. Instead of just using a verse from Scripture here and there to support what they’re teaching, they need to start teaching the whole word of God from the Torah, in context.

Pastors need to start instructing people to live God’s Torah. Governments or church programs will not solve the problems we face today. We need to teach the Torah, and allow the Holy Spirit through the washing of the water of the word of God forgive our sins and heal our land.

“If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways (repent of sins – sin is transgression of the Torah (1 John 3:4), how can we know what sins we are committing unless we know what the Torah calls sin?); then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)

“And (Moses) said to them, ‘Set your hearts unto all the words which I testify among you this day, which you shall command your children to observe to do, all the words of this Torah. For it (the Torah) is not a vain thing for you; because it is your life: and through this thing (teaching and obeying the Torah) you shall prolong your days in the land, whither ye go over Jordan to possess it.’” (Deuteronomy 32:46-47)

 Pastors, priests and preachers need to recognize that their childish church doctrines are a manmade gospel. They need to leave them behind and return to God’s instructions, the Torah.

Here you will find meat, not milk. The meat of God’s word, not the milk of manmade philosophies, motivational talk and psychology. Please come back and visit again soon.

Torah Portion Pekudei (Exodus 38:41-40:38)

For all my friends who say that God really doesn’t care what we do once we are saved, I refer you to this portion Pekudei (Exodus 38:51-40:38).

Throughout the portion, the instructions on building and assembling the tabernacle, the mishkan, are intricate and explicit. It is only after all of the instructions are followed, and the mishkan is erected exactly as Yehovah described to Moses that the Spirit of the Holy One descends upon it.

Mishkan come from the Hebrew word shakan, to dwell, or dwelling place. It is related to shekinah, the dwelling of Yah, or Yehovah. When the Holy One descended to dwell in the mishkan, it began to fulfill its purpose. But only after Moses and the workers completed the meticulous instructions for its structure and assembly.

Read the portion. See how many times the portion repeats, “As Yehovah commanded Moses.”

God oversees each point and each process. Moses and the workers faithfully follow every instruction. Details. Details.

The end result?

“Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of Yehovah filled the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of Yehovah filled the tabernacle.” (Exodus 40:34-35)

What an awesome blessing for following God’s instructions to the letter.

When I hear people say that they don’t have to do anything except say the sinner’s prayer, and then go live their life however they choose, I think of how specific these instructions are. The New Testament compares the church to the temple. The mishkan is the precursor of the temple, and the intricate building instructions are reflected in the Torah instructions for each person.

God cares how you live, especially if you claim to be in covenant with Him. And He laid out His instructions for living in the Torah.

Your part of the covenant is to keep the Torah. Keep the appointed times that Leviticus chapter 23 says, “Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, concerning the feasts of Yehovah, which you shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are my feasts.” (Leviticus 23:2)

Too many good people have been deceived into thinking the Passover, Sabbath, Day of Atonement and God’s other feasts are Jewish. They aren’t. They are “the feasts of Yehovah.” Anyone who chooses to be in covenant with God should be keeping them, honoring them, and observing them.

Details.

Some I have spoken with tell me all the ‘Old Testament’ laws were done away with. Others say all of them except the Ten Commandments are done away with. Jesus, Yeshua, would disagree.

“For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled. (even all those prophecies concerning His second coming) Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” (Matthew 5:18-19)

When asked what the greatest commandment was, Yeshua said, “You shall love Yehovah your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.” (Matthew 22:37-40)

Both of these two commandments are from the Old Testament, neither of them are from the Ten Commandments. Most people I speak with say these commandments are still in effect. That’s a problem if the laws in the Old Testament were done away with. All of what Yeshua taught came from the Old Testament.

Who is telling you what?

Consider for a moment; between God, and the adversary, which one do you think will tell you to keep God’s instructions? Which one will tell you that you don’t have to? Reminds me of the Garden of Eden.

“And Yehovah Elohim commanded the man, saying, ‘Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat: But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, you shalt not eat of it: for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die.’” (Genesis 2:16-17)

“Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which Yehovah Elohim had made. And he said unto the woman, ‘Has God said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’ And the woman said unto the serpent, ‘We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God said, You shall not eat of it, neither shall you touch it, lest you die.’ And the serpent said unto the woman, ‘You shall not surely die: For God knows that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.’” (Genesis 3:1-5)

The adversary lies 

The serpent lied, and he mixed the lie with some truth. The end result, Adam and Chava sinned, and brought death into the world.

“For the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23) What is sin?

“Whosoever committs sin transgresses also the law (Torah): for sin is the transgression of the law (Torah).” (1 John 3:4)

So, someone who tells you it is okay to transgress the Torah is convincing you to commit sin, and the wages of sin is death. It’s clear who is going to tell you it’s okay to sin, the adversary, even if he comes disguised as an angel of light.

Know the Truth

It is vital to know what the Scriptures teach, and not trust someone else to tell you what they mean. Read the Scriptures in context, and you will not be deceived easily.

Insight into The Garden of Eden

“Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the Yehovah Elohim had made. And he said unto the woman, “Has Elohim said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?” And the woman said unto the serpent, “We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, Elohim has said, ‘You shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.’” And the serpent said unto the woman, “You shall not surely die: For Elohim knows that in the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.” (Genesis 3:1-5)

Well, the serpent lied, and it didn’t.

The adversary still operates that way! It mixes one or more lies with enough truth so the lie sounds plausible.

The lie, “You shall not surely die.”

Thanks for that

Eating the fruit brought death into the world, not just for them, but for all of us.

The truth, “In the day you eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.”

Elohim confirms the true part, “And Yehovah God said, ‘Behold, the man has become as one of Us, to know good and evil.’”

The other aspect here is that the adversary realized there was a difference between the imposition of the death sentence and the gaining of knowledge. “In the day you eat thereof,” their eyes were opened.

“And the eyes of both of them were opened. And they knew that they were naked. And they sewed fig leaves together and made girdles for themselves.” (Genesis 3:7)

Their eyes were open immediately. It was later that Elohim imposed the death sentence. Although it is not specifically stated in the text, I suspect there was an immediate change in them that accompanied the realization they were naked. They may have felt the seed of death and it probably came with the opening of their eyes. If not, why was it important to keep them from eating from the Tree of Life?

Now Chava (Eve) aided in her own deception when she added, “Neither shall ye touch it,” to what Elohim told her and Adam. But that is the subject of another day.

Once Elohim discovered Adam and Chava had eaten of the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, He did eight things;

To the woman

·         I will greatly increase your sorrow and your conception.

·         In pain you shall bear sons

·         Your desire shall be toward your husband

·         Your husband shall rule over you

And to Adam

·         The ground is cursed for your sake

For both of them

·         Made coats of skin

·         Clothed them

·         Sent them out of the Garden of Eden to till the ground

And then “Lest (Adam) put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever,” Elohim “placed cherubim at the east of the garden of Eden, and a flaming sword which turned every way, to guard the way to the tree of life.” (Genesis 3:16-24)

Now comes the fun part.

Well, except for the whole we are all going to die, more or less.

When I talk with people, they agree the cherubim are there to keep Adam, and his descendants away from the Tree of Life. But let’s look at it another way.

“Lest (Adam) put forth his hand…”

Adam and Chava sinned. If you sin, can you reach out and take hold of Eternal Life? Nope. There is a process laid out of repentance, accepting the sacrifice that makes atonement for the sin, and then following the instructions Elohim has established for right living.

I think the cherubim were placed at the east of the Garden for exactly the purpose the text says, “To guard (Shomer in Hebrew) the way to the Tree of Life.”

Elohim did not want the adversary to block or obliterate the way that Adam and his descendants would be able to gain access to the Tree. Adam could not simply reach out and take the fruit, he had to follow the Way back. Not to keep Adam out, but to ensure that when he was ready, the way would still be there.

We need to follow the way as well.

Paul  pointed out we are all sinners (Rom. 3:23). We can’t simply reach out and take the fruit. But the Way cherubim have been guarding it for millenia so those who truly desire to find the Way to Eternal Life can find it.

Repentance is turning away from sin (violation of the instructions of God) and toward Elohim (living the way He wants us to live). The sacrifice is Yeshua (Jesus). The instructions that lay out how to live the way Elohim want His people to live is the Torah.

That was fun. I invite you to come back and visit me again. If you have comments, please share. Thank you for reading.

Torah Portion Bo (Go), Genesis 10:1-13:16

This week’s portion from the Torah, Bo, is a telling narrative laden with hidden gems waiting for us to unearth.

“And Yehovah said unto Moshe, Go in to Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might show these my signs before him: And that you may tell in the ears of your son, and of your grandson, what things I have done in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that you may know that I am Yehovah.” (Exodus 10:1-2)

Our portion name comes from the word ‘go’ in the first line of Exodus 10:1. Pharaoh has already experienced seven devastating plagues on Egypt. As I think about this Pharaoh, a couple of things come to mind.

A Hardened Heart

His heart is hardened. Our first verse says, “For I (Yehovah) have hardened his heart.” We discussed briefly last week in portion va’eira that Elohim in essence strengthened the Pharaoh’s heart because he was wicked and wanted to be wicked. If we really want to be wicked, there are times when Elohim will strengthen us to remain wicked so that we can become filled with wickedness, as in this case. That is perhaps one reason that Pharaoh didn’t cave in and let Israel go.

To Pharaoh’s credit, it is possible that he thought Moshe was just another magician, albeit, one with superior skills to the court magicians. It would be an unwise king who submitted to blackmail by a magician. But when the hail came, it probably would have become obvious that something more was going on than sorcery.

Another explanation is that he didn’t care what happened to his people or the land. There is some speculation that this Pharaoh who arose, “Who did not know Joseph,” was a foreign king, not an Egyptian. If that were the case, it is possible he didn’t care what happened to the land or the people, they weren’t his people. Perhaps he was only there for the power that being the ruler of the greatest nation on earth gave him. And with a combined Egyptian and foreign army, he could reign over his world. We have no mention of the Pharaoh showing any concern for the people or the land, only for his house and his court, and little for his court.

I see an echo in the current predicament of the United States. The administration doesn’t appear to care that the nation is experiencing death throes, financially and in the protection and defense of the nation’s constitution. The sworn duty of those in office who are actively seeking to change and currently ignore that foundational document.

Suffering from Judgment

The nation of Egypt is a little over halfway through the signs that Elohim has in store for them, and the worst is yet to come. As we talked about last week, some of the Egyptians figured out the El that Moshe represented was in fact the El of all the earth. They brought their servants and livestock in from the hail. Even though there were believers in the nation, the nation still suffered the plagues.

Even Israel was not exempt from some of the plagues. The text specifically mentions that the frogs were in all the land as were the locusts, the boils were on man and beast in all the land of Egypt, as opposed to those plagues that were on only the Egyptians. Even though Israel had light in their dwellings, the land of Goshen was also covered with darkness. The death of the firstborn also reached into Goshen, only those with the blood of the Pesach (Passover) lamb on their mezuzot (doorposts) were spared from loss.

The first reason we are given that Elohim strengthens Pharaoh’s heart is, “That I might show these my signs before him.” The second reason concerns each of us who seek to follow the Creator, “And that you may tell in the ears of your son, and of your grandson, what things I have done in Egypt, and my signs which I have done among them; that you may know how that I am Yehovah.”

This is why I commemorate Pesach with a Seder each year. To sit down and fulfill this instruction. Are we commanded to conduct a Seder? No, but I can explain the things Elohim did in Egypt with those who sit at the table so they will know Yehovah is Elohim, and He is real. The Seder is a choreographed method to share the Exodus story in a multi-sensory experience that every participant can appreciate at the level of his age and understanding. At my Seders, I use a Haggadah that I wrote because there are some things in traditional Haggadahs that are not Scriptural and are of questionable origins. I have found that using a written program that includes telling the story, songs, food, and activities valuable to relate to everyone at the table.

The next plague on Elohim’s time schedule is locusts.

” And they will cover the eye of the land, and no one will be able to see the land. And they will eat the rest of that which escaped, that which is left to you from the hail. And they will eat every tree that sprouts to you from the field.” (Exodus 10:5)

Still no Concern

 Egypt faced total loss. Pharaoh’s court recognized it. “And Pharaoh's servants said to him, How long shall this man be a snare unto us? Let the men go, that they may serve Yehovah their Elohim: Don’t you know yet that Egypt is destroyed?” (Exodus 10:7) Yet Pharaoh still does not relent. This reflects back on what I mentioned earlier, his lack of concern for what happens to the land or the people.

I suspect the palace in Egypt was similar to the situation in much of America. Many of us are far removed from the source of our food. The market shelves are always stocked with ample variety and quantity. But for the common Egyptians, who were close to the land and knew that if there were no crops ripening in the fields, there would be no food on the table in few months, these were extremely frightening events

.

Today we hear about a frost in Florida or California, and may or may not think about the loss of crops. The only effect it may have on our consumption is an increase in the price of orange juice, fruit and vegetables, or more fresh produce from places like Chile or Mexico. But there is a greater effect that we don’t see, and may not even be aware of. The Egyptians of Moshe’s time literally saw their food disappear before their eyes. They knew hard times were ahead.

Three days

Darkness covered the land for three days, including the land of Goshen. Although the Children of Israel had light in their dwellings, outside it was dark, palpably dark. There are three parallels I would like to mention. The request Moshe made to Pharaoh for Israel to go into the wilderness for three days to offer sacrifices.

“And they said, The El of the Hebrews has met with us: let us go, we pray you, three days' journey into the desert, and sacrifice unto Yehovah our Elohim; lest he fall upon us with pestilence, or with the sword.” (Exodus 5:3) 

In light of what happens later, the last part of this initial request is interesting, “Lest He fall on us with pestilence...” because that is exactly what happens to all of Egypt.

The second three day shadow occurs with Jonah. He was told to go and preach repentance to Nineveh, but tried to shirk his duties and ended up three days and three nights in the belly of a great fish. It is important to remember that the text is explicit about the time period he spent inside the fish. Then he went to Nineveh, a large city, the distance of three days. During Jonah’s three day walk across the city, the people repented and were spared the destruction scheduled for forty days later.

Then we have Yeshua, who told the Scribes and Pharisees;

“An evil and adulterous generation seeks after a sign; and there shall no sign be given to it, but the sign of the prophet Jonah: For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the fish's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.” (Matthew 12:39-40)

Again, note the specific time periods. Three days and three nights after Yeshua was executed and buried, Elohim resurrected him. He remained with the disciples on and off for the next forty days, then departed.

Torah is the Foundation

One of the basic understandings I have gained is that the Torah is the foundation of all of Elohim’s teachings. The teachings in all the other books of the Bible have to line up with the Torah. If we find anything in the other books that contradicts what the Torah teaches, then one of three things has occurred.

·         We don’t understand either what the Torah says, or what the writer outside the Torah meant.

·         The information has been translated incorrectly.

·         The information in the other books is incorrect.

I have been asked how I could say that information in the Bible could be incorrect. A good deal of our New Testament is, by the admission of the writers, letters from a church leader to a congregation. There are times within those letters that the author admits that what he is writing is his own opinion, but he thinks he is correct. It is possible that even with the best of intent, the writer may have been mistaken, or was addressing a specific problem for a specific group, neither of which we are privy to, and the counsel is not meant to be taken as “gospel” for everyone everywhere.

Obedience Brings Blessing

The last plague, the most horrific, the death of the firstborn should give us all pause to consider. What would have happened to an Israelite firstborn if the dwelling in which he spent the night of Pesach did not have the blood of the lamb on the muzuzot? By all indications, he or she would have died. If Elohim’s instructions were not followed to the letter, position, genealogy, location, or belief would not have mattered. The vital element was obedience to the instructions; to circumcise the males, eat the Pesach (Passover lamb), matzoth (unleavened bread), and bitter herbs, apply the blood to the doorposts and lintel of the door, and stay inside during the night. Obedience brings blessings, but the wages of sin is death.

Next week Yehovah willing, we will get back together to discuss our next Torah portion, parasha Beshelach. May the Messiah come quickly and in our day, and may we be found living the Torah when he arrives. Shalom

Va’eira Beresheit (Genesis) 6:2-9:35

“Elohim spoke to Moshe and said to him, ‘I am Yehovah. And I appeared (va’eira) to Avraham, to Isaac, and to Ya’akov as El Shaddai, but with my name Yehovah I did not make myself known to them.’”

Our portion begins with a mystery.

Elohim reveals to Moshe, and in so doing, to us, two separate manifestations. To Avraham, Isaac, and Ya’akov he appeared as El Shaddai, but He made Himself known to Moshe as Yehovah. The record we have tells us the patriarch’s relationship with Elohim is both limited and hints that they did not know Him very well.

But when we get to Moshe, we see a personal relationship, as we would expect to see between two friends. They communicate regularly, and even disagree about how events should be handled. They even argue. Through it all, Moshe acknowledges his inferior position, and El’s supreme authority.

Because of modern theologies, people seem to forget that El is supreme. The idea that humans are somehow equal with Elohim because once saved they become a child of God is a dangerous proposition. If anyone had the ability to claim such equality with El, it would have been Moshe. At least as far as I am aware, there is nobody else who experienced the closeness and regular ongoing contact like Moshe. He was unique, and yet he accepted his position as only a servant. Elohim set Moshe above even other prophets;

“And he said, Hear now my words: If there is a prophet among you, I Yehovah will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of Yehovah shall he behold:” (Numbers 12:6-8)

In the opening passage of portion va’eira, we learn that Moshe comes to know El by His name, Yehovah, and not just as El Shaddai, the provider. We will continue to experience the difference between the two manifestations as we go through the remainder of the Torah.

"And I have also established my covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land of their pilgrimage, wherein they were strangers." (Exodus 6:4)

Many question whether the Children of Israel have any claim to the land of Israel as established by UN declaration. Although they currently occupy the land based on a government decree, the Torah records the eternal deed by covenant to the land in our portion. The land of Canaan which is here given to Avraham, Isaac, Ya’akov and his descendants contains the current land of the State of Israel.

The only contentions that could be raised about the Children of Israel’s right to the land is whether there is an Elohim, and whether the Torah is an accurate record of His dealings with His creation. My position is that the answer to both contentions is yes. There is an Elohim, and the Torah is an accurate record of His dealing with His creation. 

It is my belief that Elohim, the Creator of the earth, the heavens and all that is within both has the right to give a deed by covenant to anyone He wishes for anything in His creation. By giving such a deed to the Children of Israel for the land of Canaan, a lower court of men, or angels for that matter, cannot set aside the deed issued by the higher court of the Creator.

"And I have also heard the groaning of the Children of Israel, whom the Egyptians keep in bondage; and I have remembered my covenant. Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am Yehovah, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments: And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am Yehovah your Elohim, which brings you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am Yehovah." (Exodus 6:5-8)

It is comforting to understand that Elohim hears when His children call, and responds. A popular homily is that “God hears and answers prayers, but sometimes the answer is no.” It is wise for us to remember,

He that turns away his ear from hearing the Torah, even his prayer is an abomination. (Proverbs 28:9)

Each year as we celebrate the Pesach (Passover) we emphasize the four promises made at the exodus from Mitzrayim (Egypt). They were originally given in this portion.

-          I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians.

-          I will rid you of their bondage.

-          I will redeem you with a stretched out arm and with great judgments. And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you Elohim.

-          I will bring you in unto the land (of Canaan) and give it to you for a heritage.

At the time Moshe and Aharon appeared before Pharaoh, Moshe was eighty years old. According to the numerical value of Hebrew letters, the letter Pey has a value of eighty. It is interesting that when Elohim called Moshe, one of the first objections Moshe made was that he was slow of speech, or some translations say that he had obstructed speech. Yet when he appears before Pharaoh, he does not seem to have a problem speaking. I like what Tevye says in Fiddler on the Roof, “For a man who is slow of speech, he certainly said a lot.”

Thinking of Moshe’s objection and the ease with which he spoke to the king of Egypt reminds me of when Yeshua told his disciples:

“But beware of men: for they will deliver you up to the councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues; And you shall be brought before governors and kings for my sake, for a testimony against them and the Gentiles. But when they deliver you up, take no thought how or what you shall speak: for it shall be given you in that same hour what you shall speak. For it is not you that speak, but the Spirit of your Father which speaks in you.” (Matthew 10:17-20)

I wonder if the two types of encounters are related. Perhaps when Moshe said he was slow of speech, Father said, “Good, then you won’t try to interpret, or add to, or take away from what I say, you will simply tell Pharaoh what I tell you. And you will tell the Children of Israel just what I say.” The Torah is unique among the other books in the Bible. Moshe hears plainly from Elohim, and tells us what He said. The prophets see visions and dream dreams, and tell us what they saw, but most of the time, even the prophet doesn’t know what they mean. Even Yeshua admitted that he taught in parables. The Torah is straight forward and clear. With a caveat.

The Torah was plain and simple to the Children of Israel at Moshe’s time, with the common knowledge of the language, experiences, and culture. It’s not so easy for us today. We don’t have the common understanding they had. So we have to work at understanding what to them was easy to comprehend. Over the generations since Moshe, for various reasons, some legitimate, and some self aggrandizing, religious leaders have given explanations about what the Scriptures mean. In order to come to the understanding Elohim intends us to gain, we have to wade through all of these teachings to find the truth.

The word of Elohim is truth and essential, but much of what today passes for the word of God is not the same as what was given to Moshe, the prophets, and the writers of the Tanakh. For us to be good students, we need to go back to the written word and compare any teachings we hear with what the Tanakh says. It helps if we can look at it in Hebrew and Aramaic. 

I am regularly surprised by the small yet important differences between the Hebrew and the English translation of Scripture. I think much of the difference stems from the theological bias of the translators. What they translate agrees with their particular denomination’s views. It only makes sense. If there is an option of translating so that it agrees, or doesn’t, with the theology, since the translator has a bias, the one that agrees with his view would be the preferred one. But that doesn’t make it correct. Doesn’t make it incorrect. It is up to each of us to examine the text and determine through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit the truth.

One interesting place this takes place in our portion.

“And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.” (Exodus 7:10)

Normally the word serpent is translated from the Hebrew word nachash. But in this instance, the Hebrew word behind the word serpent is taniym. Now the only place in the Tanakh the word taniym is translated as serpent is here in this portion. Everywhere else, it is translated as either dragons (twenty-one times), monsters (once) or whales (twice). What did Aharon’s and the sorcerer’s staffs actually turn into?

Although Pharaoh didn’t heed the warning of Elohim, some of his servants did. The leaders of a nation may be wicked, and hard hearted, but their obstinateness does not need to be reflected in the people.

“He that feared the word of Yehovah among the servants of Pharaoh made his servants and his cattle flee into the houses:” (Exodus 9:20)

Their animals and servants were protected from the hail. As we look at our nation today we see wickedness in high government places, but we don’t need to follow their example. We can still live the Torah to the best of our ability.

Elohim hardened Pharaoh’s heart. If a person really wants to be evil, there are examples of how Elohim will strengthen that person to fulfill his wickedness. The most dramatic examples are when judgment on entire people groups is delayed until they are filled up in wickedness, as in the days of Noah, and Sodom and Gomorrah.

As a side note, the evening of January 12th the new moon was spotted in the southwest United States at 6:35 p.m. Chag Sameach Rosh Chodesh.

Let us not fall into the trap of thinking that because laws are changed to allow immorality and wickedness that somehow it’s no longer sin to engage in activities that Elohim clearly labels as abominations. Shalom. Let’s get back together next week for Torah portion Bo.