May 2019

31-May-2019

Brit Hadashah Reflections

Brit Hadashah Reflections 35

Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters

One of Paul’s earliest letters, full of encouragement, is thought to have been written about 52 C.E., probably from Corinth, following a glowing report from Timothy after his recent visit there. This “ekklesia” in Thessalonica was born (Acts 17) when Paul and Silas (Acts 16) had a vision to visit Macedonia. Today, it is a city called Salonika, of over 1 million people, it was then an important port city on the Aegean Sea.

An interesting start to this week’s reading. “… we urge and exhort in the Lord Jesus that you should abound more and more, just as you received from us how you ought to walk and to please God;” We all know that there is nothing that we can do to gain favour with God in relation to our salvation is there? For that reason, we have been taught, or at least I was, that “works” are somehow a bit suspect! But that is not the case in Judaism. Quite the opposite. Many wealthy people in the Jewish community rank among the world’s most generous philanthropists. Why? Because it is a solemn command of God that if it is within ones power to help any in distress it is that persons duty to do it. The Apostle James put it this way, “Therefore to him that knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin”. Sometimes it is difficult to imagine that we could actually please God by our actions. But I have long advocated in these ‘reflections’ that not only can we please God, we should set our hearts on making it our objective! And my view is that that may be best achieved by taking heed to God’s instruction for righteous living. I think that puts a smile on the face of our gracious Heavenly Father. Paul was way ahead of me in that!

So Paul exhorts the “ekklesia” to treat their personal relationships with honour and respect. He emphasized the commandments which God gave to Moses here. “For God did not call us to uncleanness, but to holiness”. They, and we, are to be set apart from the practices which may be acceptable in the world (and certainly in our world today) but which are completely unacceptable for the believer. There should be a behavioural distinction between those who know God as their Heavenly Father and those who do not. As Paul said to the Ephesians, “we are to walk worthy of the calling to which we are called.” Our faith should be obvious. We are not to just meld into the crowd. Un-noticed. Hidden almost. The Apostle James said “Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” And that is precisely the message Paul was conveying to these saints in Thessalonica. But they were not without commendation. They had a love for one another which was enviable. But it appears that they were expecting the imminent return of Yeshua, to the point where some of them had stopped working! So he had to address this issue directly, exhorting them to work diligently, leading quiet lives, so that they could continue caring for themselves and others.

Then Paul wrote about the return of the Lord. This passage of Scripture has been discussed and debated ‘ad nauseum’. It is generally considered to be a statement about what is called “the rapture”. A word which does not appear in the Bible, but most believers have a view about it. Its timing is not specified. Is it before ‘the great tribulation’? In the middle of it? Or is it at the end of it? Well friends, I do not think it helps to speculate. What we may be sure of is that Paul was certain that Yeshua will one day return to this earth, and His coming will be heralded by the sound of the Shofar. And that day will come “as a thief in the night”, which suggests it will take some by complete surprise! But Paul also says that those of us who know Him should not be in darkness, there are plenty of pointers in Scripture to allow us to be prepared. For example, there is good reason to think, in my view, that it will be at a time of celebration of the Feast of Trumpets but no-one knows which year. The critical issue of concern for us, is to ensure that our name is written in the “Lamb’s Book of Life”, so that we will be among those who are there when He does return.

This letter ends with some extremely practical advice for every “ekklesia”. Give proper consideration and esteem to those who labour with you and over you in ministry tasks. Do not tolerate unruly behaviour in your assembly. Comfort those who are fearful and uncertain. Uphold those among you who are weak and need encouragement. Exercise patience in your dealings with people. Pursue that which is good, because if it is good for you it is good for others. Pray. Let your requests be made known to God. Give careful attention to prophecies, study the Scriptures which contain those prophetic promises. Test everything you do, and everything you believe, and every wind of doctrine against the yardstick of Scripture, the rock on which our faith is founded. Abstain from everything that is evil.

This is an “ekklesia” which has started well. It has challenges of course, but considering that it had only been established a few short years, Paul was delighted with their progress in the faith. Timothy had brought a good report, and Paul was anxious to make another visit to them as soon as he could. But next week, we will see that a few years later he found it expedient to write to them again on other issues!

Shabbat Shalom

24-May-2019

Brit Hadashah Reflections

Brit Hadashah Reflections 34

Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters

1 Thessalonians 1 : 1 to 3 : 13

Paul, Silas (a leader of the “ekklesia” in Jerusalem, Silvanus being his Roman name) and Timothy were ministering in Greece. It is not difficult to imagine the prayerful consideration these men would have given to the various “ekklesia” which had been established on their missionary journeys. Paul and Silas had a particularly difficult time in Philippi, about 100 miles to the north, and were blessed by the welcome they had received in Thessalonica as they preached the gospel message. For three Sabbaths, in the local synagogue, they proclaimed the good news of the Messiah Yeshua. As usual they had a mixed reception from the Jews, but were joined by a large number of people from the local Gentile community. It may be assumed from verse 5 that there was an outpouring of miraculous signs and wonders evident as Paul preached the word there. The result was that many people followed Paul and Silas, before being directed, by them, to Yeshua, the source of their powerful gospel message. Such was the response that the message was being spread to the whole neighbourhood, and beyond, and it excited Paul to marvel at the way God was working through them. Such deprivations as they had encountered in preaching the word along the way were considered of no consequence.

Chapter 1 ends with the triumphant declaration of the change which had taken place in the people who became this “ekklesia”, many of them came from the idolatrous worship of inanimate idols of wood and stone (which the prophet Jeremiah said could do neither harm nor good because they were lifeless!) to the worship of the God who lives. And further to wait, in their service to Him, as do we, for the return to this earth of Yeshua, the Saviour of this wicked world. But Paul knew full well that ‘the wolves’ would appear in all manner of guises to prey on these vulnerable new born lambs. So in chapter 2, verses 3 – 10, he contrasts the manner of his own teaching and conduct among them with the less honourable conduct of various ‘peddlers’ of the gospel message. We might even recognized some as still alive and well in our own society up to the present day! The main theme here is the practise of Paul to not use the gospel for personal gain, other than that which may accrue, and be assigned by God Himself, on the day of judgement, which every person who ever lived will face (Revelation 20:13). However, it was accepted practise for a visiting teacher to be afforded hospitality in the form of food and lodging, but in many cases Paul chose to work as a ‘tentmaker’ to support himself.

There was hardship endured within this “ekklesia”, and persecution too, both from local unbelievers and from those we identify as Judaizers. So Paul commended and encouraged them with a comparison between their own experience and that of their brothers in Christ in Judea. The home of the earliest believers in Yeshua. He described the Thessalonians as “imitators” of the Judean “ekklesia”. Paul’s intent being to show the sameness between the two “ekklesia”. Their experiences followed very similar paths. The text in Greek is unambiguous about this identity as “Judeans”, a description applied here to those who were believers and to those in their community who were not. But many Bible translators have regrettably substituted the word “Jew” in its place. Some translations even exaggerate the use of the word “Jew” to emphasize the opposition to the “ekklesia”. And together with the translator’s arbitrary use of a comma between verses 14 and 15 (there were no comma’s in the original Greek), has resulted in Paul being identified as anti-Semitic, and by extension anti-Torah, because the use of the word “Jew” has an all-inclusive application, especially in today’s anti-Semitic world. And it is misleading. The “ekklesia” in Thessalonica was a joy and delight to Paul. Their progress in matters of faith and practise were exemplary, as Timothy reported following his recent visit there. But Paul was aware that there would be the inevitable attacks of the enemy. He had been around long enough to see the pattern of opposition, both from Judaizers who might attempt to convert them to Judaism, in substitution for their faith in Yeshua, and from others, unconscionable teachers, who might prey on their infancy in the foundational knowledge of the history of God’s chosen. It is not unlike the situation today. Those who are ‘babes’ in the Word (either through infancy of faith or laziness in study of the Word) are vulnerable to every wind of change in doctrinal matters. Be assured that Satan knows ‘every trick in the book’ (and some more!) when it comes to distracting believers from the absolute truth of God’s Word. Paul’s prayer for this “ekklesia”, distilled in words with which chapter 3 ends “So that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father..” are words which every teacher of scripture should pray for his audience. I pray this blessing on your life.

Shabbat Shalom

17-May-2019

Brit Hadashah Reflections

Brit Hadashah Reflections 33

Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters

Colossians 3 : 1 to 4 : 18

The township of Colossae no longer exists, not even the ruins! It stood (until it was destroyed in the 12th century) about 15 miles from Laodicea (of luke-warm fame), and about 100 miles inland, east of Ephesus. It is unlikely that Paul ever visited the place but he wrote because he had ‘heard of their faith’, and in order to counter influences from those of Gnostic and Ascetic persuasion.

Last week we noted that Paul dealt with certain doctrinal issues, in which he emphasized the supremacy of faith in Messiah Yeshua alone as the basis of their faith for salvation. This was set alongside the teaching of the Gnostic and Ascetic philosophies which were being introduced as behavioural options into the “ekklesia” in Colossae. “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth” was his message as he sought to provide them with a practical guide to righteous living. The dictionary defines “asceticism” as ‘severe self-discipline and avoiding of all forms of indulgence, typically for religious reasons. "acts of physical asceticism."’ Paul had told them to “let no man judge you in food and drink etc”, which has erroneously been equated with the prohibition of the Torah dietary laws by many. The opposite is true. This is just one example which Paul used to encourage their “orderly walk” in matters of God honouring righteous living (Torah observance) rather than following the futile influences of the particular self-disciplinary philosophies of this world as a supposed stepping stone to ‘higher spirituality’.

Then Paul provides the real answer to ‘higher spirituality’! It is a long and extremely practical list of things to avoid and things to do. There are things we recognize in all of us (but usually in someone else!) which are covered by Paul’s list. “Put to death fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.” he said. Those things should all be part of your past. But there might still be some things still lurking there, so “put off (that is do it yourself) anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth. Don’t lie to each other.” Paul is not philosophising here. This is straight from the shoulder stuff. He is not describing some magically appearing behavioural trait. You do it. You put off these things. This is the “new man” you claim to be. It is not specific to any type of person. Greek, Jew, circumcised, uncircumcised, slave, free-man, every background. It applies universally to those who confess Christ as Lord of their life. It applies to me. It applies to you, if you are counted as one of God’s elect! Having cast off those unseemly habits, with what should they be replaced? I am greatly challenged as I write this ‘reflection’ because I see clearly that what follows is another list that is not naturally inherited, it is another list of behavioural choices that I can decide to make myself.

“Put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do.” Good start eh? But that is not the end. “Put on love, which is the bond of affection.” And when you get that all right you will know the peace of God which will rule in your hearts. Immediately following this impressive list of things to do, Paul turns to possibly the most important of relationships, because much of it takes place behind closed doors! They are relationships within families. Wives are expected, even commanded, to be submissive to husbands. In real life (Paul was never married) it is more likely to happen in a truly loving environment, which is a command that husbands are charged to engender. In another Epistle, Paul goes further. A husband is commanded to love his wife as Christ loved the “ekklesia” and gave His life for her! It is also true that men are given a priestly role in their home. Another responsibility is to be a teacher, a guide, an example. What is NOT intended here, men, is the role of dictator. And regrettably, too often men, to their shame, are apt to see this exhortation of Paul in that light, the more is the pity.

The statement which follows this list of relationship issues is an oft quoted and highly commendable encouragement of attitude for all believers. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance; for you serve the Lord Christ.” And there we usually stop! But Paul isn’t finished. “But he who does wrong will be repaid for what he has done, and there is no partiality.” Now, my dear friends that is a conversation stopper. It is not a mere throw-away line of Paul’s. Read it carefully. It is a solemn promise to be taken seriously. As indeed should all of Paul’s writings when properly understood in their context of Hebraic thought. Finally, we have another pearl from our beloved Apostle Paul. Another exhortation for all of us to heed. “Walk in wisdom towards those who are outside (“the ekklesia”), redeeming (not wasting) the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt (as a sacrifice to the Lord), that you may know how you ought to answer each one (about your faith).” What good words to end our ‘reflection’ on this letter to the “ekklesia” in Colossae. Be blessed as you read it through Hebraic eyes.

Shabbat Shalom

10-May-2019

Brit Hadashah Reflections

Brit Hadashah Reflections 32

Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters

Colossians 1 : 1 to 2 : 23

The main focus of this Epistle is ‘Christ is the head’ of the “ekklesia”. Paul had become aware of their existence and their faith (possibly through meeting Philemon, but more likely from Epaphras, a Colossian who worked with Paul in Ephesus). In any event this “ekklesia” was on Paul’s prayer list! His prayer for this community of believers is classic in content and expression. He says “We do not cease to pray for you and to ask that you be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God …” A prayer that we would do well to copy in our intercession for others we know, and even for ourselves!

Paul then continued with the statements emphasizing the pre-eminence of Yeshua, our Lord and saviour. He is the One worthy of our adoration and worship. He is the One presented as the very image of God Himself. He is above all, through all, in all. Everything created was through Him and for Him. He was with God before creation. And it is by Him that sinful man has access to the Throne Room of Almighty God. It was important to Paul that he lay the foundation of Yeshua’s deity and pre-eminence before them because of the issues he knew they were encountering. Paul was not the ‘founding Apostle’ of this “ekklesia”. He had not had the opportunity to teach them, as he had in some other “ekklesia” in that region. And so it was that they had been influenced, according to reports received by Paul, by the heretical beliefs of Gnostics and Ascetics. They held views about multiple and competing deities, all of whom, they said, had equal claim on man’s time and worship. (That, at least is the simple explanation!).

That, of course, was not Paul’s view, and neither is it ours. So Paul then established his own authoritative credentials as the then present day representative of the gospel of Messiah Yeshua. It had been a mystery for centuries that the God of the Jew is also the God of the Gentile (pagan) who turned to Him in faith, as these “Colossians” had done. But there was to be no compromise with ‘other gods’ (as the philosophical heretics taught). Now put on your “Hebraic” hat, because what follows in Colossians 2 is taught today as a justification, (from this Jewish Rabbi Sha’ul no less) for the obsolescence of Torah commands for the church! This presents a grave misunderstanding of Paul’s actual words to this “ekklesia”. And the words are important to our understanding. Paul says “I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the steadfastness of your faith in Christ.” Do you recall the Jerusalem Council telling Paul to demonstrate his orderly walk and keeping the ‘law’ in Acts 21:24? It’s the same order! And there is more. He continues “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ”. Friends, Paul has Gnosticism and Asceticism in his sights here, not the Torah of God.

And he gets right to the point in saying “Let no-one judge you in food and drink or regarding festival or a new moon or Sabbaths, which are a shadow of things to come, but the substance is of Christ.” Space does not allow a fuller explanation here, but the “mo’edim” of God, His appointed times, the festivals, were presented as a shadow, a practice, a forerunner, an example, of things to come! (some of which have already been completely accomplished in the life, death, burial and resurrection of Yeshua, as has the giving of the Holy Spirit of God. The, as yet unfulfilled, “mo’edim” of Yom Teruah, Yom Kippur and Feast of Tabernacles will be fulfilled when Yeshua returns to rule and reign from Jerusalem).

When Paul declares “Therefore if you died with Christ, from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations -.” Now the anti-Judaic early years of Christendom (specifically since the Council of Nicea in 324 C.E.) has tied these words of Paul into the spurious argument of ‘grace v law’. But it is classic Asceticism to which he is referring. See how he continues. “These things have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, ….” This has nothing to do with Judaism, as is supposed by some, but there is enough similarity there to throw many off the track.

If we get it straight about Paul’s testimony of ‘conversion’, from Pharisaic Judaism to Messianic Judaism, it becomes clear that Paul was never an anti-Torah teacher. Why? Because he is a faithful follower of his Master, Yeshua, who is, after all, the living Torah and example to us all.

Shabbat Shalom

03-May-2019

Brit Hadashah Reflections

Brit Hadashah Reflections 31

Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters

Philippians 3 : 1 to 4 : 23

Philippi was a major city of Macedonia. Read Acts 16 for interesting detail about Paul’s first visit there. There is no mention of a synagogue in Philippi so Sabbath prayer was made at a riverside location and it was attended by some prominent local ladies. The letter was most likely written about 62 C.E., early in Paul’s Rome imprisonment to thank the “ekklesia” for their help and generous support. The central theme of the letter is the preservation of unity in the “ekklesia” through Christ alone.

Why does Paul say “for me to write the same things to you”? I venture into speculation when I conclude that he refers to things he had already written to other “ekklesia”. Specifically to the Galatians when he took issue with Judaizers, who were insistent that salvation for Gentiles could only be obtained by circumcision and works of the law. “Beware of the mutilation” he said. A clear reference to those who had submitted to circumcision, most likely Gentile proselytes in this case. but they may have been Jews (unlikely). Paul emphasized his own credentials as a Torah observant Jew who was perhaps the most ardent of Judaizers before his conversion experience, when he had revelation that salvation was by faith alone, and that being only in the risen Christ. “I have suffered the loss of all things” (that man might consider important) he said, “but count that as ‘dung’ in order to gain the excellence of the knowledge of Christ.” (my slight paraphrase) In this way, Paul contrasts his teaching of Messianic Judaism with that of the orthodox Judaizers.

The great attribute, for which he had commended this “ekklesia”, was their life of righteousness, thoughtfulness, love and caring for the poor and needy (which included himself). He was anxious that this Spirit led action would not be lost to them by their trying to substitute the ‘traditions of men’ to gain that which they already had. As he continued, he opened up a subject with which some may take issue. Many believe that salvation, once accepted by a believer, cannot be lost. But here Paul said “I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Yeshua Ha’Mashiach”. In his lead up to that (read his words carefully) he writes about “attaining to the resurrection of the dead” and similar expressions which indicate to me that for Paul, salvation was a continuing goal, not a ‘done deal’. We might remind ourselves here that Yeshua, on two separate occasions made reference to those “who endure to the end will be saved”. And Paul, in Romans 11 also referred to “branches being ‘cut-off’ due to their unbelief”. They are branches once attached to the natural Olive Tree, which is Israel. His warning was also to those ‘grafted in’ (Gentiles) who might also be broken off for the same reason!

If we open our “Hebraic” eyes here, we know that all Israel were saved out of Egypt after the first Passover. But not all those saved entered the Land of Promise. Further, and much later, all Israel was expelled from that Land because of laxity and disobedience to their Covenant promises. This is a matter for serious contemplation. It seems that in God’s eyes, salvation in Him is expected to result in a lifestyle of living righteously. Obedience to His commands and precepts. And we know from Revelation 20:12 that the final judgement is according to our works!

There seemed to be discord (unspecified) between two prominent women in the “ekklesia”. Last week we read how Paul implored the members to esteem others better than themselves. In that spirit, he invited them to “let your gentleness be known to all men”, assuring them that “The Lord is at hand” (to see what goes on). Then Paul quoted words which are a blessing to all who read them. “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God which passes understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Some mistakenly take this as a promise of God to provide anything we care to ask of Him. But note here that Paul says the promise is to give us His peace (“shalom”). It is imperative that in bringing our requests before God that we take care seek His perfect will for ourselves, for our family, for our “ekklesia”. And as if to emphasize the issue, Paul come to a “finally’. These words to this Philippian “ekklesia” should be in our mind everyday of our life. Surely a recipe for joyous and righteous living.

“Whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy – meditate on these things.”

There is so much to be learned from this short epistle. Paul has written a most encouraging letter to these good folk in Philippi, and we can appropriate the blessings therein by taking heed to the counsel Paul has provided. He ends, but not boastfully, that “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” and a promise to them that “my God shall supply all your need (that is not all you might want) according to His riches in glory, by Christ Jesus.”

Be strengthened in your faith as you study this letter.

Shabbat Shalom