Reflections

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

27-April-2019

Torah Reflections Pesach

Torah Reflections “Pesach 2”

Torah portion Exodus 13 : 17 - 15 : 26

Haftarah portion Numbers 28 : 16 – 25

The Torah of YHWH given to Moses

We come to the last day of the celebration and remembrance of “Pesach”.

The parashah narrative begins with the statement of fact that the Pharoah had finally agreed to “let the people go”. It continues with the story of the journey of escape from Egypt, and the drowning of the pursuing Egyptian army, and it ends with the provision of “sweet water” to drink out of the bitter waters of Marah. A fascinating story.

These events are well known. Even non-Christian sceptics are familiar with the story, so we do not need to re-visit the detail. But we need to find the lessons for ourselves as the story unfolds.

Last week we focussed on the prophetic significance of the whole season of the three Pesach festivals. This week we learn of the detail of the way the event unfolded for them in practical terms. In fact, as we arrive at the very end of the “Feast of Unleavened Bread” in our study this week, we see the hand of Almighty God, and a picture of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach in this parashah.

We could look at the provision of food, which rained down from Heaven each night, sufficient to satisfy each family for the whole day ahead. And that which was not eaten that day rotted before the next day! It was to be gathered and eaten FRESH each day (Miraculously, the same food lasted TWO days when the weekly Shabbat came around).

The Apostle John, in Chapter 6 from verse 32, records the words of Yeshua when He described Himself as “the Bread of Life”. He goes further by relating the “bread from Heaven” in Moses time with Himself.

“Then Jesus said to them, "Most assuredly, I say to you, Moses did not give you the bread from heaven, but My Father gives you the true bread from heaven. For the bread of God is He who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world."

It is not going too far to equate the Israelites need for a daily gathering of that bread, with our need today for a ‘daily gathering’ of the bread which Yeshua is. He taught us to pray ‘give us this day our daily bread’. I believe that this phrase has both a literal and a spiritual meaning. We need to gather our ‘bread’ DAILY, just as those Israelites did in our parashah.

We could look at the provision of water. Moses was told to strike the rock, out of which poured an abundance of clean fresh, life-giving water. Our beloved Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Corinth used a most interesting description of this water.

“Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them, and that Rock was Christ”

1 Corinthians 10 : 1- 4.

Paul is suggesting here that the miracle of the provision of water from the Rock extended to that Rock actually following them around!! The plain sense of this is that it was Yeshua Himself, there with the Israelites on their journeying’s in the wilderness who sustained them with life giving water. On another occasion, when Yeshau was attending the Feast of Tabernacles in Jerusalem, at the time of the water libationCeremony in the Temple He said:-

“On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water."”

John 7 : 37,38

So then, as the “mo’ed” of Pesach concludes for another year, we remind ourselves that the Passover Seder which starts the celebration of this season always ends with the participants saying “Next Year in Jerusalem”. An anticipatory statement about the coming of Messiah. So we who are believers in Yeshau, can see the way in which this “appointed time” of Pesach not only speaks of Yeshau perfectly fulfilling His role as the ‘Lamb that was slain’, but also throughout the whole parashah we have reminders of His role in our lives as the sustainer of our life

For the believer, without Him there is no hope of life. With Him we have abundant life …. IF we choose to access it. Praise be to Him.

Shabbat Shalom

26-April-2019

Brit Hadashah Reflections

Brit Hadashah Reflections 30

Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters

Philippians 1 : 1 to 2 : 30

Paul’s first recorded visit to Philippi was as a result of a vision he had in Troas. The Holy Spirit having prevented him from following his original plan to visit “Asia”. That was about the year 50 C.E. It is possible, but not recorded, that he visited them again on his third missionary trip in about 55 C.E.,on his way through Macedonia to Greece. Three months later, on his way back, he spent Pesach with this “ekklesia”, a mostly Gentile congregation. It seems that there were not enough Jewish men there to form a minion for a synagogue! So he would have had a good knowledge of the people in this “ekklesia”. He opens his letter encouragingly with “I thank my God for every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you with all joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Yeshua Ha’Mashiach.” That would surely put them in a good frame of mind to read the rest of the letter!

We see a little later in this letter that he was prompted to write by the arrival of Epaphroditus, one of the Philippi congregants, bearing some gifts for him in his imprisonment. This thoughtfulness had a profound impact on Paul and His prayer expressed the hope that they would (continue to) have wisdom, knowledge and discernment to see those thing which are excellent, so that they would all exhibit the ‘fruits of righteousness’, which, said Paul, came through an intimate knowledge of Christ our Saviour. In their gift to him he could see their behavioural outworking of love and concern. It is a prayer that we could very easily appropriate for ourselves isn’t it? We note that one of the principal aims of Torah living, alongside “loving God with all your heart”, is to care for those who are in need. Yeshua described it (quoting Leviticus 19:18) as “loving your neighbour as yourself.” These Philippians evidently practised what they believed.

Paul then assured these Philippian benefactors that in spite of his personal discomfort of imprisonment, God was using that to embolden others to speak up, bringing salvation, even to his captors. Some others however, were intent on attempting to enrich themselves at Paul’s expense by pretending to be bearers of the “good news”. But even that brought joy to Paul, because some were hearing the word from these frauds and were still coming to faith! And friends, that situation still exists today. Praise God. Paul confessed that he had a problem. “For me to live is Christ” he said, “but to die is gain.” He clarified that by saying that for him, dying and being with the Lord was desirable because it would free him of further trouble in this life, but to continue in this life would afford him more opportunity to be of service to the Lord here, and that thought brought him great joy.

As he sought to encourage them, he exhorted them to unity of spirit, in love, caring for each other. His words should be embedded in the heart of every believer. “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.” What would our “ekklesia” be like if everyone had such an attitude? What would our nation be like if everyone adopted Paul’s exhortation? What would our world be like? Well the good news is that it’s coming. It will be just like that one day when everyone lives under the New Covenant. When God’s Torah is written on our hearts and put in our minds. When King Yeshua reigns in Jerusalem. And it may well be sooner than we think.

Paul used the unusual metaphor of “being poured out as a drink offering” in describing his life’s work. There was always a water libation associated with the Jewish sacrificial system, which came at the conclusion of the ceremony. We are apt to forget that at the time of Paul’s writing the Temple had not been destroyed and the sacrificial offerings were still being made in Jerusalem daily! Maybe Paul thought that he was nearing the end of his life (he actually lived another 6 or 7 years) and his service was concluding. So he promised to send his highly esteemed fellow worker, Timothy, as his emissary, to share in ministry with them. But he is also dispatching Epaphroditus, the one who had brought gifts from Philippi, not because he had failed in his task, but because the poor man had been terribly sick and was concerned that the “ekklesia” would be concerned about him. This is quite typical of the personal nature of this Epistle. It is warmly and compassionately written, showing his high esteem for this “ekklesia”. And there is more to come.

Shabbat Shalom.

20-April-2019

Torah Reflections Pesach

Torah Reflections “Pesach 1”

Torah portion Exodus 12 : 21 - 51 Numbers 28 : 16-25

Haftarah portion Joshua 5 : 2 to 6 : 1

Listen to the Prophets

The regular sequence of Torah readings is interrupted this week because of the “mo’ed” of Pesach.

Leviticus 23 and Deuteronomy 16 have the commandments about annual observances of the “mo’edim”. (The Hebrew word for “appointed times”, which in turn is usually translated into English as “feasts”). These are times when God specified He would meet with His chosen ones.

Today, they are most often referred to as “Jewish Feasts”. That correctly describes the fact that they are observances remembered by Jews. But it is an incorrect understanding of the Scriptures.

When God gave these instructions to Moses, He carefully worded these ‘appointed times’ (mo’edim) as MY ‘mo’edim’. They may be characterized as times when God says, in effect, “I will be there to meet with you on these specific occasions”. Those who choose not to attend miss an opportunity of blessing through meeting with Him at His invitation.

This festival, known as “Pesach” (Passover), embraces THREE festivals in a period of eight days. The first of these remembers the actual day in history (the 14th day of the first month, Nisan) when the Israelites experienced the ‘salvation’ of the firstborn in their families by placing the blood of the Pesach Lamb on the doorposts and lintels of their houses in Egypt. The Lord ‘passed over’ their houses when He saw the blood.

It also is the exact Hebrew calendar date of the crucifixion of Yeshua. The Christian celebration of Easter (replacing Passover) was formalized at the Council of Nicea in the days of the Emperor Constantine of Rome. It signalled the official separation of the “church” from its Hebrew roots. (In my view one of Satan’s major victories over mankind).

The second remembrance is known as the “Feast of Unleavened Bread” which occurs on the very next day, Nisan 15. (It is a High Sabbath), and it lasts seven days, and begins and ends with a special Sabbath, Note that there are always three Sabbaths during this Pesach festival. The “High Sabbath” which marks the beginning of the Feast of Unleavened Bread, (and the Sabbath which marks the end of the festival, PLUS the normal weekly Sabbath). It is this “High Sabbath” which is the Sabbath mentioned in John 19:31 before which the Jews were anxious to confine Yeshua’s body to the grave. Then the ‘normal’ weekly Sabbath occurred immediately prior to the resurrection of Yeshua. This confirms the statement of Yeshua in Luke 11:29 (as well as in Matthew and Mark) when asked for a sign. Read it. The complete lack of understanding of this fact has caused conventional church teaching to major on an incorrect “Good Friday” crucifixion story !

Unleavened Bread is eaten during the whole eight day period of the Pesach remembrance. To Jews it is a remembrance of the fact that they ate unleavened bread,(as commanded in Exodus 12:18) as they fled from Egypt on the night of Passover. Leaven is a symbol of SIN, so to believers, the Unleavened Bread also represents the sinless body of the Messiah which was buried in the grave for three days and three nights.

The third festival in this Pesach season is the “Feast of Firstfruits”. It occurs on the day AFTER the weekly Sabbath in Pesach week. (Always a SUNDAY). It signified the beginning of the Barley Harvest and was celebrated by a priest waving an ‘omer’ (a measure) of Barley in the temple in Yeshua’s day. But it was also the day on which Yeshua was resurrected from the grave. Believers refer to it as Resurrection Sunday. (but in association with Easter rather than Passover!) It signifies that Yeshua became the “Firstfruits from the dead”. (see 1 Corinthians15:23).

We should be grateful that churches worldwide (all varieties) remember the death and resurrection of Yeshua. And that they do so sincerely. But more and more, many people are realizing that our roots are inextricably founded in Judaism and the Lord’s “mo’edim” (appointed times). Those that do then focus more on Passover than Easter.

In addition to your own church fellowship, this year, take the trouble to find a fellowship of believers who celebrate Passover, and join them in that celebration. You will be enlightened, blessed and immeasurably enriched as you do.

Chag Sameach (Happy Holiday)

Shabbat Shalom

20-April-2019

Brit Hadashah Reflections

Brit Hadashah Reflections 29

Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters

Ephesians 5 : 1 to 6 : 24

Ephesus is probably the most visited Biblical site outside of Israel. It was an important sea port and commercial centre on the Eastern coast of Turkey which was thought to be home to about ¼ million people at one time. Also an important cultural centre containing Greek and Roman antiquities. Paul wrote this letter from Rome about 5 years before his death. He left Timothy there to shepherd the young “ekklesia” whilst he continued his missionary travels. Ephesus has the distinction of being addressed by the Lord Himself in the letter He dictated to John (Rev 2: 11-17). It is largely a letter of encouragement and intended for all nearby local “ekklesia”.

Paul continued his exhortation to the Ephesus “ekklesia” to act out their own part in their faith walk. “Be imitators of God .. walk in love .. get rid of all the filth in your life.” Do not be deceived by empty words because the wrath of God comes on the sons of disobedience! You have embarked upon serious business with God. “Walk as children of light.” All this advice and counsel is as relevant to us today as it was when Paul first wrote to the “ekklesia” in Ephesus almost 2000 years ago. Learn that there is a big difference between ‘free salvation’ and ‘no obligation salvation’. The Lord God Almighty has always expected those who are His to live in obedient accord with His standards. It’s called ‘righteous living’. And in our text today Paul is at some pains to spell that out loud and clear. He goes further, “and have NO fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them”, he says. That’s direct isn’t it?

You see, Paul is writing a pastoral letter. He is concerned for these people. It’s the type of life-giving message God gave him to preach. What sort of message do you get in your “ekklesia”? Is it a message of concern for your spiritual welfare? Or is it a ‘feel-good’ warm and fuzzy tickle? Paul gets quite personal as he continues. “Wives submit to your own husband, as to the Lord.” Now he couldn’t be more direct could he? He also had a word for husbands. “Husbands love your wives, just as Christ loved the “ekklesia” and gave Himself for her.” What kind of love was that husbands? Even with ALL our blemishes Christ gave Himself up to be crucified on a Roman cross! Did He ask that we love Him and be obedient to Him first? NO. His loving sacrificial death was unconditional. IT is my view that such unconditional love is so special that it is worthy of our obedience. And I think that is at the heart of Paul’s exhortation to the married couple. A little later Paul described the marriage relationship as a great mystery, as is Christ’s relationship to His “ekklesia”. But Paul never did get married because for him it would have been a distraction from his service to the Lord.

Children and bond-servants are also in Paul’s sight, as are those who are masters of servants, as he continued to exhort this “ekklesia” to pursue perfection and unity in their relationships. But he finally provided an all embracing solution to them to ward off the attacks of the enemy. “Put on the whole armour of God.” It would be surprising if many of those reading this ‘reflection’ hadn’t listened to at least ONE sermon on this topic. Paul is so aware, that notwithstanding the difficulties which can arise from within the “ekklesia’, the real enemy of our faith is Satan. He is ever active where people seek to serve the Lord. Our real enemy is not the person with whom we might disagree on some point of doctrine. “For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness...”. So God has provided us all with a suit of armour. Regrettably though, we do not all wear it!! Or at least not all of it, and not all the time.

I need to point out again that what I write here is just a ‘reflection’, not a commentary. For that reason I commend you to get together with some Christian friend and have a close look at the armour which God provides. It will enhance your fellowship as you study God’s word together.

“Gird your waist with truth”. Do not just take what others say about the Scriptures. Study the word so as to be SURE what you believe, and why you believe it. “Put on the breastplate of righteousness”. Decide if and how you should modify your previous lifestyle to live as God has directed you. “Have your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace”. See to it that you are prepared to give account of the hope of your salvation. “Take the shield of faith with you”. Be prepared, as was Yeshua when He was tempted by Satan, to recognize those faulty quotations of Scripture (a favourite of Satan) to try to bring you down. Memorize the Scriptures. Then “Take the helmet of salvation”. Wear it as a sign of your allegiance to your faith. “Have the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God”. In fact it is sharper than any two-edged sword of steel. And the Psalmist tells us that “God has magnified His Word above all His name.” How powerful is that? Trust me when I say that the Word of God is so important to our own spiritual growth and well-being, plus it also provides a weapon of offence against Satan’s wiles. And that is exactly what Paul has written to encourage this “ekklesia” in Ephesus, and by extension to us as well. Be blessed as you study the Scriptures and remain in His love.

Shabbat Shalom

12-April-2019

Brit Hadashah Reflections

Brit Hadashah Reflections 28

Hebraic understanding of the Apostolic letters

Ephesians 3 : 1 to 4 : 32

Having established that ‘breaking down the middle wall of separation’ had given new-found freedom for Gentiles to join “ekklesia” fellowship on equal terms with Jewish believers (see ‘reflection’ 27), Paul informed them that his appointment as the Apostle to the Gentiles when he encountered the risen Yeshua on the Damascus road (Acts 9) is part of the reason why he is imprisoned in Rome. Jew and Gentile were previously culturally and religiously separated. This new situation, something considered a mystery to earlier generations, and for which his personal role caused him much physical deprivation, is the result of the death and resurrection of Yeshua. Now, there is a very different division. Two groupings. Simply put, there are those who believe and there are those who do not. In God’s sight that is the new order. It persists today. The word “gentile’ being an all embracing word for “non-Jew”. There is a new “ekklesia” being built, with Yeshua as the Head, made up of ‘the one new man’, Jew and Gentile together in worshipful fellowship. It is an ongoing work of God.

Part of the problem many of us have in understanding Paul lies in the fact that in large measure he is a pioneer, establishing a new order of worship in a mixed congregation and in a Jewish setting at that. Whereas we have a natural tendency to visualize the situation in today’s terms, in which we see ‘the church’ as a building on the corner of the local high street. In Paul’s time ALL the Biblical background is found ONLY in the Hebrew Scriptures. Even the gospel accounts of the life of Yeshua on this earth, which we take for granted, were unpublished, except by word of mouth. It is so important for us to read Paul in the setting into which he wrote.

So he continued, asking them not to lose heart because of his tribulations as he faithfully brought the message to them. “I bow my knees to the Father” he says, “that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend and know the love of Christ which passes knowledge.” And he ends with the now well-known doxology. Please take time to ponder the depth of meaning in these beautifully prayerful words of Paul. “Now unto Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think (that is a staggering concept) according to the power that works in us (astounding).”

As Paul continued with his encouraging message into chapter 4 of our text he used words which are worthy of everyone’s deep reflection. He certainly got my attention!! “Walk worthy of the calling with which you were called”. Then he qualifies “worthiness” for them, and us. “With all lowliness, and gentleness, with longsuffering, bearing with one another in love” Wow! (Maybe you already belong to such an “ekklesia”. You are blessed indeed if you are.) “Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace.” Then to press the point of unity Paul lists a number of “Ones”. It is an impressive list. “One hope of your calling. One Lord. One faith. One baptism. One God and Father of all, who is above all, through all, and in you all.”

As he continued, he had a somewhat uncomfortable word for Gentiles, albeit with some encouragement to follow! Perhaps it might be too much to suggest that we could take Paul’s words as though they were written to us today, because they could well have been. To those who had already come to faith in Yeshua he said that they “should no longer walk as the rest of the Gentiles, in the futility of their mind, having their understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God … because of the blindness of their heart;” The discomfort continued until he said in paraphrase “you didn’t learn those things from Christ, if you heard Him at all!” Then faith in action. Something we have to do for ourselves. “Put off your former conduct, (it does not disappear of its own accord) be renewed in the spirit of your mind, put on the new man. Be responsible for your own actions!” Further still, “do not let the sun go down on your wrath, nor give place to the devil.”

Friends, this is very practical counsel from Paul. Note that he does NOT say, “now that you have come to Jesus all your problems will go away,” as some teach today. He says you have to work at righteousness in your own life. Why? Because the reward is immense. Your name written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. It is the freely available gift of a Holy and righteous God, but it can be very costly, as indeed Paul knew full well. Didn’t he?

Shabbat Shalom