Portion Ki Tavo, Deuteronomy 26:1-29:9

 Who wouldn’t want that?

 

“And it will be, if you shall listen carefully to the voice of Yehovah your El, to guard and to do all His commandments which I command you today, Yehovah your El will set you on high above all nations of the earth.” (Deu 28:1)

 

It’s a simple instruction; listen to what Elohim instructs us to do, guard His instructions, and actually do what He tells us to do, and an entire list of blessings will follow.

 

“You shall be blessed in the city, and be blessed in the field. The fruit of your body shall be blessed, and the fruit of your ground, and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your cows, and the flocks of your sheep. Your basket and your store shall be blessed. You shall be blessed when you come in, and blessed when you go out. Yehovah shall cause your enemies that rise up against you to be stricken before your face. They shall come out against you one way, and flee before you seven ways. Yehovah shall command the blessing on you in your storehouses, and all that you set your hand to. And He shall bless you in the land which Yehovah your El gives you. Yehovah shall establish you a holy people to Himself, as He has sworn to you, if you shall keep the commandments of Yehovah your El and walk in His ways. And all the peoples of the earth shall see that you are called by the name of Yehovah, and they shall be afraid of you. And Yehovah shall prosper you in goods, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your cattle, and in the fruit of your ground, in the land which Yehovah swore to your fathers to give you. Yehovah shall open to you His good treasure, the heaven to give the rain to your land in its season, and to bless all the work of your hand. And you shall loan to many nations, and you shall not borrow.” (Deu 28:3-12)

 

Who wouldn’t want those blessings?

 

The first criteria is listen carefully, shema, to what Elohim says. This isn’t the, in one ear and out the other, kind of listening. It’s the kind where dad sits you down and says “LISTEN to me!” It’s the kind where if you “listen” and then don’t do what he tells you to do, you didn’t really listen in the first place, you might have heard, but you didn’t listen.

 

The second criteria is to guard, shomer, the instructions. Notice the root of both shema and shomer are a shin and a mem. In Hebrew, when words have common roots, they have common meanings. To guard the instructions means to keep them from being changed by adding to them or subtracting from them, and from changing their original intent. One example is changing “You shall not incline after the majority to do evil,” to “You shall incline after the majority,” which the rabbis did change.

 

The third criteria is to do, asah, His instructions. This means to actually do what we are told to do. If Elohim says “Keep the Sabbath Day holy,” that’s what he wants us to do. He doesn’t expect us to make up loopholes so we can do what we want on the day He has set apart. We learn in the Torah and the Prophets some of what not to do, buy and sell, work, engage in commerce.

 

Unfortunately, looking at history, too many people who claim to follow the God of the Bible ignore many of His instructions so they can live their lives the way they want to live them. As committed followers of the LORD of Hosts, the God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Yeshua, our calling is to love Him with all our heart, all our soul, and all our strength, and that includes doing what He says, the way He says to do it, and finding joy in doing so. 

Torah portion Korach for June 27, 2020

May this find you rejoicing in the day Yehovah has made. This week’s portion is Korach, but I am going to go to our haftarah for this week’s insight because it contains one of the greatest messages of hope in the TaNaKh.

The Children of Israel have rebelled time and again by the time of Samuel. They have gone astray after false gods and have turned away from their Elohim, the El of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. They have committed spiritual adultery, they have served Baalim and Ashtaroth, they have done just what Yehovah instructed them not to do, committed all the abominations of the former inhabitants of Canaan.

As a final insult,

Then all the elders of Israel gathered together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah,  And said to him, Behold, you are old, and your sons don’t walk in your ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto Yehovah. And Yehovah said to Samuel, Listen to the voice of the people in all that they say unto you: for they have not rejected you, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. (1Sa 8:4-7)

Samuel anoints Saul king

If you have ever felt that Elohim has rejected you, or that you have done something, or many things, that disqualify you from being His, and from coming back to Him, you are not alone. The Children of Israel in the days of Samuel are right there with you

Even after all their sin, the most grievous sins humans can commit, the people repent (somewhat, at least about their most recent affront to Yehovah) and go to Samuel.

And all the people said unto Samuel, Pray for your servants to Yehovah your Elohim, that we die not: for we have added unto all our sins this evil, to ask us a king. And Samuel said unto the people, Fear not: you have done all this wickedness: yet turn not aside from following Yehovah, but serve Yehovah with all your heart; And turn not aside: for then should you go after vain things, which cannot profit nor deliver; for they are vain. For Yehovah will not forsake His people for His great name's sake: because it has pleased Yehovah to make you His people. (1Sa 12:19-22)

Yeshua said, “Verily I say unto you, All sins shall be forgiven unto the sons of men, and blasphemies wherewith they shall blaspheme: But he that shall blaspheme against the Ruach haKodesh hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:” (Mar 3:28-29)

Lest you think you have committed that blasphemy against the Ruach haKodesh, keep in mind that even Peter denied Yeshua three times and gained forgiveness. Wherever you have come from, heed Samuel’s advice, “Serve Yehovah with all your heart; and turn not aside.”

Shalom and blessing in Messiah Yeshua’s name

Yochan ben Yaakov

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 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.

Torah Portion Vayishlach - Beresheit 32:4-36:43

This week expands on a topic we discussed briefly in our last Torah portion, taking action. If you are hungry for Torah and ready to dig into a discussion, join me as we talk about portion Vayishlach, "And sent.".

Yakov took his wives, children, flocks and herds and left Lavan’s land. He has a covenant of peace with his in-laws, and now he is returning to Canaan, the Promised Land. When he left Canaan, some twenty years ago, he took with him only his clothing, his staff, and his brother Esav’s firstborn birthright.

The Return announcement

Now it’s time to face the music. Esav is still around. The primary reason Yakov left in the first place was that Esav was waiting for Yitzhak their father to die before exacting revenge on Yakov for stealing his inheritance.

Will the murderous intention still be on Esav’s mind?

The first thing Yakov does is send messengers to Esav to tell him that Yakov is returning. But he is not returning empty handed as he left. The messenger explains to Esav that during Yakov’s absence he has amassed flocks, herds, and family. The messengers also express Yakov’s subservience to Esav, in the terms, “to Esav my lord” from “Yakov your servant.”

A Disturbing Response

The messengers return to Yakov with disturbing news. Esav is indeed coming to meet Yakov, but he’s bringing four hundred men with him.

Perhaps the troops Esav brings has something to do with the news he received from Yakov’s messengers. They said that Yakov had prospered and was returning with his increase. In Yakov’s mind, this was an innocuous way of telling Esav that he was self-sufficient and was not coming to mooch off Esav. After all, Yakov is a man of the tents, and through his experience with Lavan, he is now also a business person.

But Esav is a man of violence, a hunter, a man of the field. As we discussed last week, a hunter has a different mentality than someone who hunts. When Esav hears of Yakov’s prosperity, more than likely he thought in terms of what he considered prosperous, manpower. A body of men able to wield sword and shield and wage war. Because that is who Esav is.

On the way to meet Yakov and his horde, Esav gathers his troops. The upstart Yakov may have tricked him out of his inheritance, but he would defend his property. I suspect he thought “if Yakov thinks he can waltz in and take over with his army, I’ll show him.” So Esav assembles a troop of men to meet Yakov’s advance.

Softening the News

On the way, Yakov’s messengers bring offerings of goats, donkeys and cattle, lots of them, along with words of grace, “From your servant Yakov, a tribute sent to my lord Esav.” This is not the typical invasion technique of the day. I think three things possibly happened to Esav on the way to meet Yakov.

The first thing that happened is that Esav’s pride is assailed. His thinking might have gone along these lines. Here is my thieving brother, who stole my birthright in broad daylight, and now I thought he was coming back into the land to claim the inheritance he stole, but he is sending me gifts and calling me his lord. Perhaps he has changed from the conniving young man who ripped me off and left before I could get my hands on him. Maybe twenty years has taught him some propriety and respect for his elders.

The second thing that happened is that Esav saw the gifts and heard the greetings and some brotherly love seethed to the surface. There were probably some fond memories of their childhood, and the tribute gifts rekindled some of those memories. Esav might have begun thinking about pleasant times, and the familial relationship the two of them shared during younger happier days. He could have recalled that Yakov was a momma’s boy, but they had a good relationship for much of their lives.

Saving Face

The third thing that happened was perhaps the most life changing. Here were four hundred men ready for battle. They are warriors. How would it look to them if Esav ignored the obvious overtures of peace and started a war with his own brother when all indications are that Yakov is admitting his inferior position to Esav? Where would the honor be in massacring a family who made all the right moves to establish a peaceful relationship? Esav’s honor and dignity in the presence of his army was at stake.

I can imagine the joking that went on among the troops as they watched these droves of animals approach on the road. They were probably vigilant for a trap or ambush when the first drove arrived. Maybe the second even. But after that, they probably burst out laughing as the successive droves came into view. They might have jostled Esav, joking with him about what a fearsome foe this Yakov must be to send such a mighty force of goats and donkeys to scope out the opposition.

The Meeting

By the time Esav actually reached Yakov, the four hundred soldiers were probably only slightly wary of a trap, and mostly anticipating meeting the brother who had such an unusual way of entering a new land.

In verse 33:4, we see that Esav kissed Yakov when they met. In the Hebrew scroll, there is a dot over every letter of the word for kissed. The rabbis have a few explanations for the dots, but I would like to offer an additional one. I think Esav was confused. He dearly wanted a war with Yakov, he had promised to kill him. But here Yakov was humble, and he had softened the hearts of Esav’s army to the point that they had no animosity toward Yakov. The pleasant memories of their youth that the tribute offerings had kindled were as strong as his anger for what Yakov had done in stealing his birthright. 

All of the emotions seethed in Esav. He wasn’t sure what to do. But overall, the manner in which Yakov prepared the situation compelled Esav to act with honor toward his brother. The dots over the letters are not so much that Esav wanted to tear out Yakov’s throat, but more that there was mental conflict within Esav as to what he should do. Kiss, kill, forgive, revenge. Haven’t you been in a situation where you know what you want to do, or should do, but there are other factors that make it confusing and difficult to do what you think you should do? I think Esav was in just such a conundrum here in portion Vayishlach.

The Plan

Sending the tribute offerings was only part of Yakov’s plan. Have you ever heard someone say that you shouldn’t do anything, just rely on God and He will do it for you? Yakov’s plan in this Torah portion is the antithesis of the sit back and have faith paradigm.

Not only did Yakov send the droves of animals as tribute to Esav, he also sent messengers with calming words. He also set up a survival plan for his family, he divided the group so if one half was attacked, the other half might escape. He laid out an escape and evade plan. Since he had an inferior military force, including women and children, he made an informed decision and set a strategy in motion. But that’s not all.

After the plans were laid out, and he had placed everyone where they were supposed to be, he went to Elohim for help. He prayed, and what a response he received.

I want to emphasize that Yakov didn’t sit back and make no preparations and pray. He did everything he could to insure a survivable outcome and then he prayed. I suspect that even though it is not recorded, he probably did some serious praying before and during the time he was putting all his plans into operation as well. But the point here is that he actively worked at making preparations to the best of his ability.

Perhaps a line of action we view in Yakov’s situation could be described, Plan for survival – Prepare for battle – Try for a peaceful resolution – Pray for success or peace – Take advantage of your strengths – Strengthen your weaknesses.

The Terror of Elohim

Later in the portion, we see another side to protection. When Levi and Simeon exact revenge on Shechem for defiling their sister Dinah, Yakov is afraid that the other tribes in the area will band together and wipe out the family. But we are told that “a terror of Elohim” came upon the cities and they did not pursue.

Giving Names with their Meaning

Because of the incident at Shechem, Yakov returns to Luz, Beth-El, and receives another visitation and promises from Elohim and He reiterates that Yakov shall be named, Israel.

It is convenient that in the Torah a name is often followed by the definition of the name. In Yakov’s case, he is given the name Israel, and we are told what it means, “For you have struggled with Elohim and with men and have overcome.” (Beresheit 32:29)

As a brief aside, we are also given the same key at Messiah’s birth. “You shall call his name Yeshua, for he will save his people from their sins.” Notice that the messenger didn’t say “Yah will save his people,” but “he.” Had the messenger foretold that “Yah will save...” then the name given would have been Yahoshua, “Yah will save.” But since the messenger said he will save, I think the name given was, Yeshua, “salvation,” or, “he will save.”

So much more in Torah Portion Vayishlach, but we’re out of space. As you read and study the portion, please share your thoughts through the comment section below. Join me next week as we discuss portion Vayeshev, Beresheit 37:1-40:23. Until then, Shalom, stay hungry for Torah, and pray Elohim will open your eyes to see wonderful things from His word.