Zion's Voice

Brit Hadashah Reflections     12

Torah portion             Genesis 47 : 28  – 50 : 26 

Haftarah portion         1 Kings 2 : 1 – 12

Brit Hadashah             Matthew 26:1  - 28 : 20

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

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Such a lot of ground to cover. Yeshua had just concluded a long teaching on living a pure Torah lifestyle. He gave His disciples a glimpse into the future when He would rule and reign as King in Jerusalem. He described a time of judgement when nations would be judged according to their actions and lifestyle. He described that as separating the ‘sheep’ from the ‘goats’. In today’s language quite politically incorrect .. but factual. And sadly, many Christian believers today STILL don’t get the message!

And in this week’s parashah, He brought them back to the reality of His mission. “You know that after two days is the Passover, and the Son of Man will be delivered up to be crucified.” What a contrast. From the “King” in chapter 25, to the “criminal” in chapter 26.

We are usually good at anniversaries aren’t we? Ask your friend at your church when is Passover next year. Then ask why don’t we celebrate the death and resurrection of Yeshua at that time. Of course, you know the answer. The pagan Easter has taken its place. We appear to have forgotten the Jewishness of our Messiah. This is just another important reason to gain a Hebraic understanding of the Scriptures.

Chapter 26 has the account of what we refer to as ‘the last supper’. It was intended, just like Passover, to be an annual remembrance. But it has become a more frequent ritual in its christianized celebration of ‘communion’ or ‘breaking of bread’. Verse 28 quotes the words of Yeshua “For this is My blood of the covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins” (some Bibles include the word ‘new’ before covenant, but that is not in the Nestle-Aland or the United Bible Societies Greek New Testament translations). Never-the less, the blood of the covenant (which they broke) which Moses sprinkled on the people as a sign (Exodus 24:8) is replicated here by Yeshua in His own blood, as a sign and guarantee of the covenant which is, one day, to be made with the House of Judah and the House of Israel. The only difference between those covenants (both of which require the God ordained Torah centred lifestyle) is that the next covenant, the one guaranteed by the blood of Yeshua, is unbreakable because it will be written on hearts and put in minds by God Himself.(read its full text in Jeremiah 31 and Hebrews 8).

Yeshua, was arrested, and eventually interrogated, in front of the Jewish Sanhedrin by the Sadducee Caiaphas, the serving High Priest at that time. There are two important Hebraic matters to observe here. Firstly, Yeshua remained silent (Matthew 26:62,63) during this interrogation until put under oath by Caiaphas. As an indication of His perfect Torah observance, Yeshua confirmed His identity as Son of God. The requirement of Leviticus 5:1 would have rendered Him complicit in deceit had He remained silent at that point. And secondly, Caiaphas tore his priestly garments, in direct violation of (Leviticus 21:10) a Torah command. By this action he effectively disqualified himself from his duties, one of which, the next day, was to sacrifice the Passover lamb. The significance being that Yeshua became the Passover Lamb, but was not sacrificed by the appointed High Priest. But rather, in His own appointment as our Great High Priest, offered Himself as that sacrifice.

The final ‘reflection’ on this parashah is in relation to the Scripture we all know as “The Great Commission”(Matthew 28:18-20). “Go and make disciples of all nations”.

Now, making disciples was not an uncommon practise in Judaism. All the well-known, and unknown, Rabbi’s made disciples of themselves. A disciple is an imitator of his Master. The disciple would try to act, speak, think, dress, eat, and behave in exactly the way he observed in his Master. Then, in turn that disciple would eventually develop his own disciples. Here, Yeshua, is commanding, not to make disciples for themselves, but to make disciples of Himself. The result being that there is ONLY ONE Master, Yeshua Himself. And ONLY one teaching. Torah.

It is quite common, today, for people to declare themselves “disciples of Yeshua”. To what extent then should we, as His disciples, imitate Him? Well, the Apostle Paul says (Romans 11) that gentile believers become ‘grafted in’ to the natural Olive Tree, which is Israel. Furthermore that we become “partakers of the root and fatness of the Olive Tree”. We have seen how careful Yeshua was to live His life in accord with every aspect of God’s instructions for righteous living (Torah). What about us?

May God grant us wisdom to understand the Scriptures, not as others may have misguidedly taught us, but as the very Word itself declares?

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections   11

Torah portion                  Genesis 44 : 18  – 47 : 27

Haftarah portion           Ezekiel  37: 15 – 28

Brit Hadashah                 Matthew 24:1  - 25 : 46

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

​“The disciples of Yeshua came to show Him the buildings of the Temple”. Why? Because He had just told them “Your house is left to you desolate”.

It would be another 40 years before that event, under the destructive hand of Titus of Rome, but Yeshua then began to unfold for them the things that would lead up to that catastrophic event. And, as is the case with many prophetic messages, there would be multiple fulfilments of the prophecy, perhaps the most significant still future to us today.

The “abomination of desolation” (Daniel 9:27) certainly speaks of a future event, but we must not overlook the relative immediacy of the prophecy for the people in Yeshua’s day. The destruction of Herod’s Temple was brutal and bloody. In verse 34 Yeshua told them that “this generation (a generation was about 40 years) will by no means pass away till all these things take place”. And they did take place. Read the account yourself and you will identify the events which actually took place strictly as prophesied when the Temple was destroyed. No doubt, many Jews ran away to safety at that time because of His warning.

That surely adds credence and validity to the other elements of His prophecy which are still future to us.

Bible students would need to read the descriptions given in Revelation, in harmony with today’s parashah, to fill out the picture of the events which are to take place. And we need to take great care to acknowledge that these words of Yeshua were spoken to a Jewish audience. They were actively looking for their Messiah. One who would rid them of the Roman oppression and cruelty.

What they could not comprehend was that this Man of Peace, this Torah observant Rabbi, this Person who had chastised them for their commercial activities in the Temple, the One who criticized and berated the Scribes and Pharisees for their hypocrisy, the One who had drawn to Himself a bunch of nondescript fishermen from Galillee as His disciples, could actually be Whom He claimed to be. The very Son of the Father. Their Messiah. But He still had work to do before that revelation would be obvious to them. Unlikely as it seems, He had to die on a Roman cross of shame, bearing their guilt, and ours, in His body, to reconcile humanity to a Holy God, our Father in Heaven.

Can you understand, as I can, that their very humanity got in the way of their understanding? And even more unlikely, it is exactly how God planned things, so that salvation would come to us, gentiles in the flesh.

His prophecy continues with the announcement about His return (verses 29-31). Understanding the Hebraic nature of these writings is pivotal to understanding the signs. Sure, no-one except the Father knows the day nor the hour, but we certainly know the season don’t we? The Apostle Paul knew (1 Cor 15:52 and 1 Thess 4:6). And Moses knew! Because God told him about His appointed times. Where are we told about Yom Teruah? Leviticus 23 spells out each of God’s mo’edim (appointed times). It is.as yet, the first of three unfulfilled prophetic gatherings. Yom Teruah, the Feast of Trumpets heralding Christ’s return, Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, heralding the great White Throne Judgement, and The Feast of Ingathering, (also known as Booths and Tabernacles) heralding the Marriage supper of the Lamb.

Who, reading this ‘reflection’, would not want to be part of that? No-one.

So the rest of this Scripture portion is taken up with the recipe for ensuring that a person qualifies for inclusion. Ah! I hear someone say, it’s not about anything we do, it’s all about faith. Quite right too. It is all about faith, BUT it is a faith which results in a change in lifestyle and attitude. Matthew 24;12 talks about “the love of many growing cold”. How? Because “lawlessness” abounds. What is “lawlessness”? The Greek word used is “anomia”. It is the negative translation of “Torah” (Torahlessness). We worship God by what we DO, not by what we say or think.

I remind you again, these words were addressed to JEWS. They understood precisely what He was saying. It is unfortunate that the gentile propensity to ‘christianize’ the text, causes us to miss some of the most elementary teachings of Yeshua. So as you read this Scripture passage again, take note of the urgent call to readiness in preparation for the return of Messiah Yeshua. His first entry into Jerusalem was on a donkey. His next visit will be on a White horse as leader of a battle, as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.           

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections      10    

Torah portion                    Genesis 41 : 1 – 44 : 17 

Haftarah portion             Zechariah 2 : 14 – 4 : 7

Brit Hadashah                   Matthew 21:1  - 23 : 39

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

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Because we are working sequentially through the Gospels and Acts, there is no direct relationship between the weekly Torah and Haftarah readings and our gospel study each week. But there are frequent reminders of the Hebraic context of the gospel message. About 500 years earlier, God had caused Zechariah to make the most unlikely prophecy regarding the coming Messiah of Israel. “Behold your King is coming to you, He is just and having salvation (Hebrew ..Yeshua), lowly and riding on a donkey. A colt, the foal of a donkey”. In fact it was such a difficult concept for them that many Yeshiva Rabbi’s taught their students that there was some error in that wording, (Messiah was expected to be a mighty man of valour) but they did not know what.

Now bring that right up to the time of our reading. The nation under the oppressive rule of Roman masters. Every one expecting (or hoping) for the promised Messiah to arrive and relieve their misery by throwing out the oppressors and restoring the land back to their own management. He would surely be a strong authoritative person, instilling fear into the Roman armies.

“Go into the village opposite you, and immediately you will find a donkey tied, and a colt with her. Loose them and bring them to Me”.

Those who have visited Israel will know the route well. Down the hill from the Mount of Olives, into the valley, then up the hill to the Lion’s Gate into the old City of Jerusalem. The Temple Mount on the left and the Antonio Fortress (where the Roman garrison was lodged) directly ahead. Can you hear the people shouting? “Hosanna to the Son of David! Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!”  This is it. He is going to throw the Romans out.

But Yeshua turned left!! Into the Temple courtyard He went and threw out the sales vendors and moneychangers.

“My house shall be called a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of thieves.”  The Scribes, Pharisees, Sadducees and religious persons there would immediately know those references from the Hebrew Scriptures. Isaiah 56:7 (today most often quoted by Christians without reference to the conditional (Isaiah 56: 1-6) nature of that statement), and then Jeremiah 7:11, which, in its context, is a most damning expression of the hypocrisy of the people. (read Jeremiah 7 : 3-11 to see how well it fits with us today).

Yeshua is teaching pure Torah here. Just like most of us today, they expected Yeshua to remove obstacles, fight their battles, make things right etc. etc.. What He is saying, by His actions and His words is “Get yourselves right, with God and with each other.”  I am continually reminded as I study the Scriptures, that Yeshua is affirming, yet again, we worship God by what we DO not by what we say. In another place (Matthew 6:33) He says “Seek first the kingdom of God, and all these things will be added to you.”  Nothing has changed. The blind, the lame and the sick knew Him and trusted Him. Those in real need, those of simple faith, those who cried out “Hosanna to the Son of David”. The religious amongst them remained indignant .. and lost.

In the remainder of Matthew 21 and into 22, Yeshua continues to teach the people by use of a number of parables using familiar ‘everyday’ examples. But then, His religious detractors, the Sadducees and the Pharisees lined up in their attempts to entrap Yeshua, using various ‘trick’ questions based on Scriptures. Here is a great example for those of us who are willing to learn. By His complete knowledge of the Scriptures, Yeshua was able to firmly, but gently quote correct application of those Scriptures to answer all the ‘trick’ questions which were thrown at Him. He did not employ opinion, or commentary, or third party views. Just the truth of the Scriptures. Chapter 22 ends with the triumphant statement:- “..nor from that day on did anyone dare question Him anymore.”

Matthew 23 should be obligatory reading for every Christian, especially for those who are, today, called into Christian leadership roles. It is a solemn warning about understanding the responsibilities assigned to those called into leadership within ‘religious’ communities, be they synagogues, churches or small home group fellowships. It is not easy reading. It specifically deals with the ‘religious order’ in Jerusalem in the first century. The system which caused Yeshua to describe many as ‘the lost sheep of the House of Israel’. But there is here, as in all Scripture, a timely message for us today as we prepare and look forward to, His return to rule and reign in Jerusalem.      

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections     09

Torah portion                      Genesis 37 : 1  – 40 : 23 

Haftarah portion              Amos 2 : 6 – 3 : 8

Brit Hadashah                   Matthew 19:1  - 20 : 34

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

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“Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for just any reason? The question sounds ‘loaded to the hilt’, but it was not. On this occasion, the Pharisees wanted to know precisely where Yeshua stood on this issue. Understanding the Hebraic background gives enlightenment. Two of the most influential Rabbis of their day disputed the interpretation of “.. and it happens that she finds no favour in his eyes because ….” Deut. 24:1. (Bible students might ‘google’ Hillel and Shammai).  Shammai was one for very strict interpretation, declaring that ‘finding no favour’ meant adultery or other sexual immorality, whereas Hillel was infinitely more liberal, to the extent that ‘finding no favour’ even extended to a wife being a less than competent cook!

It would appear that in Western society today, the overwhelming majority of Christians probably fall solidly in the “Hillel” camp (without even knowing it!). Yeshua however, goes back to Genesis 2:24 to remind them of God’s expectation about this issue. Some years ago I heard David Pawson say (somewhat tongue in cheek) “To dwell above with saints I love, that would be GLORY. But to dwell below with those I know, that’s a different story”!  All Scripture, as the Apostle Paul wrote to Timothy, is “God inspired and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness …” Those who find themselves in a difficult marital situation could not be better advised than to seek the Lord’s counsel. The opinions of men vary so greatly, just look at the greatly respected Shammai and Hillel.

In spite of a clear instruction (Genesis 1:28) for people to be ‘fruitful and multiply’, the disciples of Yeshua opined that, because of unpleasant consequences which inevitably flow from divorce, it might be better not to marry at all. The response of Yeshua indicates that for some people this may well be a God given ministry to those who are able to accept it. But not everyone can.         (Our reading also contains the story of the wealthy young man who wants to find salvation. This encounter is repeated in Mark 10 and will be ‘reflected upon’ when we get to that passage of Scripture.)

We next come to the parable of the ‘landowner’. The likeness to the kingdom of heaven is fascinating, and the Jewish audience would initially have been somewhat perplexed by this reference. Their mindset would be very much influenced by the doctrines of the Pharisees and Sadducees, which was mainly encouraging of strict adherence to the Torah to warrant the ‘smile’ of God upon them. The longer they persisted in their obeisance, the better would be their reward.

The parable which Yeshua related was firstly to set the reward for the day’s work to be undertaken. One Denarius. Contract agreed, and off to work they went. As the day progressed, more workers were hired, with the promise that they would be paid “whatever is right”. At the end of the day’s work, the paymaster was called to pay the men, those hired last were paid first and so on. Everyone received One Denarius, the agreed amount for the first workers. No-one was cheated of anything, but there was discontent on the part of the first hired workers.

There may be several ways to interpret this parable, but the one that impresses me is that which the parable makes clear. The landowner had the absolute right to pay what he agreed to any and all the workers. Remember the beginning of the parable? That is what the kingdom of heaven is like. The landowner rewards as He will, without injustice to anyone. There is joy in heaven over every one who repents. Those who repent early in life and those who repent later in life. The reward of the Father is the same for all. And He is righteous in all His ways.

Matthew 20:17 records the beginning of Yeshua’s journey to Jerusalem for Pesach. It was to be His last Pesach on this earth. So He warns them of what is to come. Zebedee’s wife, Salome, asks Yeshua a favour for her sons. “Let my boys sit, one on your right and one on your left, in Your kingdom”. Yeshua gently and tenderly, I believe, told her that it was not His decision to make, but Father God had Himself prepared the order of things in heaven. Then He compared our human understanding of authority, a hierarchical line of superiority, (as we see in our churches today) with that of kingdom authority. I can almost hear the Master saying ‘I’ll give you the tip’. “Whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave – just as the son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.”

That my friends, is the Hebraic message of Yeshua. We worship God by what we DO, not by what we say.     

Shabbat Shalom

RS

Brit Hadashah Reflections      08  

Torah portion                     Genesis 32 : 4  – 36 : 43 

Haftarah portion             Obadiah 1: 1 – 21

Brit Hadashah                   Matthew 16:1  - 18 : 35

 Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

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Just two weeks ago we found the Pharisees and Sadducees seeking a sign of Yeshua’s Messianic credentials. Here again our reading opens with the same request. “A sign, a sign .. give us a sign” they said. Yeshua gave the same answer He did the last time they asked, but not before charging them with hypocrisy.  The sign was that of the Prophet Jonah. A sign which they would not recognize for some little while, until after He was miraculously resurrected from the grave. But the sign was, and is, there for any who would discern it.

Yeshua then warned His disciples about the ‘leaven’ of the Pharisees. They did not immediately understand His analogy. But because He explained it’s meaning to them, we can also understand that He was talking about the ‘leaven’ of the sin of false doctrine.  The pervasiveness of which affected the whole group. (They were quite familiar with that, of course, because at their annual celebration of “Pesach”, they were careful to clean their homes of every trace of leaven). We see a parallel today. False doctrine is like ‘leaven’. It affects the whole. The false doctrine which the Pharisees and Sadducees were preaching was the heavy yoke of impenetrable fences around the Torah, one of which was dealt with in our reading last week. The ‘traditions of men’ Yeshua called them. In our fractured hierarchical church structures today there are many and various false doctrines on parade.  One might conclude that the presence of the multiplicity of denominational labels is one sign of potential falsity, because they cannot all be correct can they?

Then Yeshua moved into the area of personal perception of Himself. “Who do men say that I, the Son of man, am?” It was natural for Jews of that day to compare Yeshua with ‘heroes’ from their past history. Elijah, Jeremiah, another of the prophets, even John the baptizer (presumably from those who had not met him) all had a mention. I am personally curious as to why Moses name was not mentioned, maybe that would have been too Messianic!! In any event, Yeshua then put them right ‘on the spot’. “But who do you say that I am?” Good question eh? It is the question that requires an answer from every one of us. One’s answer to that question is so important that it has eternal consequences. The blunt, passionate and faithful Simon Peter, immediately answered Him. “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”  Yeshua’s response to that confession speaks volumes. It was a revelation that could ONLY be made by God Himself. But Yeshua’s response has been misunderstood too. It has been used as authority for establishment of the hierarchical earthly church, out of which much false doctrine has emanated.

The “rock” on which Yeshua’s ‘church’ was to be established is the “rock” of Peter’s confession. “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” There can be no other foundation. The CHURCH is comprised only of those who have, or will, make such a confession. Just attending a local congregation of believers does not make one a member of His ‘church’.

Chapter 17 contains the account of the transfiguration of Yeshua, wherin He appeared with both Moses and Elijah. Interestingly, Yeshua charged them not to talk about that to anyone until after His prophesised resurrection. His intent seemed to be that the confession referred to above must be made by people individually through revelation rather than by persuasion of men. 

Chapter 18 of our reading contains Yeshua’s instructions for dealing with disputation between brethren. It is Hebraic in form and substance, and was perfectly well understood when Yeshua spoke the words. It is direct, simple in form, and effective. But it is rarely, if ever, implemented today, because we have no Hebraic understanding of the process. Up to this very day, major synagogues establish a congregational “Beit Din” (House of Judgment). It comprises two or three men of good character, good standing, and good report from within the group. This comprises the court of last resort referred to in this passage. This is the “two or three gathered in My name”, where God promises to reside and ‘bind or loose’ their decisions.

In our day, this process is misunderstood to involve any gathering of believers. We may be sure that God does meet with all who come to Him in faithfulness and truth. But that is NOT what this passage is about.

A most interesting and informative portion of Scripture. Be blessed as you study it for yourself.

Shabbat Shalom

RS