December 2025

06-December-2025

Vayishlach

Brit Hadashah Reflections 08

Torah portion Genesis 32 : 4 – 36 : 43

Brit Hadashah Matthew 16:1 - 18 : 35

Hebraic understanding of the Gospel of Yeshua

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