Devarim 30:1-10 “And it shall be, when all these words come upon you, the blessing and the curse which I have set before you, and you shall bring them back to your heart…..
This really means, you read from the beginning of Bereshit/Genesis until the end of Devarim/Deuteronomy. And by every Word that Abba Yahweh speaks you ask Him for forgiveness where you went wrong and promise Abba Yahweh the do it good.…….
among all the gentiles where יהוה your Elohim drives you,
2 and shall turn back to יהוה your Elohim and obey His voice, according to all that I command you today……
You, Ephraim and Yehudah say that already together: Devarim 5:27 ‘You go near and hear all that יהוה our Elohim says, and speak to us all that יהוה our Elohim says to you, and we shall hear and do it.’…… You should say it again Ephraim and Manasseh when Messiah Ben Yoseph ‘knock’s on the ‘door’ of your heart.’
with all your heart and with all your being, you and your children,
3 then יהוה your Elohim shall turn back your captivity, and shall have compassion on you, and He shall turn back and gather you from all the peoples where יהוה your Elohim has scattered you.
4 “If any of you are driven out to the farthest parts under the heavens, from there יהוה your Elohim does gather you, and from there He does take you.
5 “And יהוה your Elohim shall bring you to the land which your fathers possessed, and you shall possess it. And He shall do good to you, and increase you more than your fathers.
6 “And יהוה your Elohim shall circumcise your heart and the heart of your seed, to love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart and with all your being, so that you might live,
7 and יהוה your Elohim shall put all these curses on your enemies and on those who hate you, who persecuted you.
8 “And you shall turn back and obey the voice of יהוה and do all His commands which I command you today.
9 “And יהוה your Elohim shall make you have excess in all the work of your hand, in the fruit of your body, and in the fruit of your livestock, and in the fruit of your ground for good. For יהוה turns back to rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers,
10 if you obey the voice of יהוה your Elohim, to guard His commands and His laws which are written in this Book of the Torah, if you turn back to יהוה your Elohim with all your heart and with all your being.
That is the Promise from Abba Yahweh the only Way, no other Way is accepted….
Torah for The WatchMen. Collected Torah comments from different resources. This blog is a part from the website: ‘The WatchMen from Israel’.
Jerusalem, 10.30.2015 | 17 Heshvan, 5776
Yaʽaqoḇ 1:1 Yaʽaqoḇ, a servant of Elohim and of the Master יהושע Messiah, to the twelve tribes who are in the dispersion: Greetings.
Isa 48:20 “Come out of Baḇel! Flee from the Chaldeans (Muslims)! Declare this with a voice of singing, proclaim it, send it out to the end of the earth! Say, ‘יהוה has redeemed His servant Yaʽaqoḇ!’
Isa 59:20-21 “And the Redeemer shall come to Tsiyon, and to those turning from transgression in Yaʽaqoḇ,” declares יהוה.
21 “As for Me, this is My covenant with them,” said יהוה: “My Spirit that is upon you, and My Words that I have put in your mouth, shall not be withdrawn from your mouth, nor from the mouth of your descendants, nor from the mouth of your descendants’ descendants,” said יהוה, “from this time and forever.”
Eph 6:17 Take also the helmet of deliverance, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of Elohim….
*****
Tree of Life Messianic Ministries: Shabbat Shalom! Torah Portion for October 30, 2015 VaYera
Your weekly Torah portion from Etz Chayim!
Shabbat Shalom!
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BATTLEGROUND
BY ETZ CHAYIM-TREE OF LIFE MESSIANIC CONGREGATION ELDER PAUL GASSER.
Paul is also a graduate student in the Master’s program with JSI University.
When Abram heard that his kinsman had been taken captive, he led forth his trained men, born in his house, 318 of them, and went in pursuit as far as Dan. (Gen. 14:14 ESV)
In this verse, kinsman can also be ‘brother’. Lot is called a brother. Trained men can also be disciples. We understand disciples to be followers of Yeshua, or men in the service of God.
Disciples are individuals who study under a teacher and become like the teacher. The Sages teach that all 318 disciples were trained in Torah and were indeed Torah Scholars. They were then armed with tools for war. Blessed be the Lord, my rock, who trains my hands for war, and my fingers for battle; (Ps. 144:1)
As believers in Yeshua, we must not only be taught Torah, but we also must be trained as warriors. Why do we think the battle will not come to us? Did the disciples of Yeshua have it easy? How about the Apostle Paul? Right now our battle is against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. (Eph. 6:12) These battles can be just as fierce as a physical war, and cost us just as much. We need to be taught how to stand in such battles and not give up ground.
The day will come when we will indeed need to fight as trained armed ‘men’. Some are already doing just that. Satan will rage war against the saints (Rev. 13:7), and Yeshua will come back to fight with His saints (Rev. 19:14 & Zech. 14:5). Either way, we will fight. Are you ready or do you need to be trained up? We can all get trained up more.
So let us begin to train as warriors, not just Torah Scholars. We will need both, otherwise we will have a lot of us lost in the battle. Some losses need not occur if we all get trained. And just like the 318 men conquered several kings and their armies at the same time, so too can we win against the “cosmic powers over this present darkness.”
Shavua Tov!
Paul
SHABBAT SHALOM or GUT SHABBOS from
Rabbi Mordecai Silver, Ph.D.
Rabbi/Dr. Mordecai Silver, Ph.D., is the Rabbi of Etz Chayim-Tree of Life Messianic Congregation for the past 20 years. Mordecai is also the CEO of Judaic Studies Institute and Rosh or Head of the JSI Beit Din and has oversight of the rabbinic students. Rabbi/Dr. Silver is also Vice-Chancellor with JSI University.
Message 10-31-15
VaYera-And He Appeared
Genesis 18:1-22:24
2 Kings 4:1-37
Romans 9:6-8
Introduction
Sarah insists that Abraham expel Hagar and Ishmael, a demand that God tells Abraham to meet and promises to bless Ishmael as well because he is also Abraham’s seed, though not the son of promise that Isaac is. Hagar and Ishmael move to the wilderness of Paran.
Genesis 21:6-13
6 And Sarah said, “God has made laughter for me; everyone who hears will laugh over me.” 7 And she said, “Who would have said to Abraham that Sarah would nurse children? Yet I have borne him a son in his old age.” 8 And the child grew and was weaned. And Abraham made a great feast on the day that Isaac was weaned. 9 But Sarah saw the son of Hagar the Egyptian, whom she had borne to Abraham, laughing. 10 So she said to Abraham, “Cast out this slave woman with her son, for the son of this slave woman shall not be heir with my son Isaac.” 11And the thing was very displeasing to Abraham on account of his son. 12 But God said to Abraham, “Be not displeased because of the boy and because of your slave woman. Whatever Sarah says to you, do as she tells you, for through Isaac shall your offspring be named. 13 And I will make a nation of the son of the slave woman also, because he is your offspring.” (ESV)
In this week’s portion, we see where Abraham’s wife Sarah wanted Abraham to cast out Hagar and Ishmael because she had seen improper behavior on the part of Ishmael towards Isaac. Of course, Sarah’s desire was to protect her son from Ishmael because in the tradition of the time, when a woman was unable to conceive on her own, she could have her husband sleep with her servant woman. If the servant had a child, that child would be by right the child of the wife, but in this case it did not happen that way, and Hagar, despite being a servant to Sarah, kept charge of Ishmael. The probability exists that the Lord, who knows everything, knew that Ishmael was never meant to be the son of promise, so therefore He made sure Ishmael could never take up that position. Of course, Abraham loved Ishmael as he was his son, and when Sarah urged him to send Hagar and Ishmael away, he was upset, but the Lord spoke to Abraham telling him to do as Sarah had requested because it was through his son Isaac that Abraham’s offspring would come. In other words, the promises God had given to Abraham would be fulfilled in Isaac not Ishmael. Though as a consolation, the Lord told Abraham that He would make a nation from Ishmael, not because of Ishmael but because of Abraham. It was because of Abraham listening to his wife Sarah in the first place by sleeping with Hagar, and it was through both Sarah and Abraham that we have the Moslems who would claim Ishmael as the son of promise and not Isaac.
So, while Sarah’s intention may have seemed the prudent solution to her problem of being unable to provide Abraham with an heir, it could be seen as a lack of faith on her part and even on the part of Abraham to wait on the Lord’s timing. It is not always easy to wait for the Lord to do something because we want what we want, and we want it now not later. Abraham was 100 years old when he became the father of Isaac, something that would be unheard of in our time. Sarah was well past child-bearing years and even questioned, when she overheard the Lord speaking to Abraham, how could it be that she would have a child at her age?
Genesis 18:14 Is anything too hard for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, about this time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” (ESV)
Genesis 18:14 Is anything too wondrous for the LORD? I will return to you at the time next year, and Sarah shall have a son.” (TNK)
06381 פָּלָא pala’ {paw-law’}
Meaning: to be marvelous, be wonderful, be surpassing, be extraordinary, separate by distinguishing action
As you can see in these two different translations, one says hard and the other says wondrous. In this case when translating the Hebrew word, it does not carry the meaning hard, and in this instance the meaning wondrous is more in line with what the Lord had actually done. He enabled Sarah to be able to conceive, and that act was indeed marvelous, wonderful, and extraordinary. Is anything really too hard or impossible for the Lord to do? That’s the question we need to be asking ourselves when we find ourselves in tough situations or when things are not going our way. In many instances, maybe there is a reason why we go through trials and tribulations in our lives because the Lord has a reason for what happens to us. As you get older, you begin to look back and reflect on the things that have happened in your life. If you take the time to reflect on the things that have happened, you will probably begin to see the hand of God on your life trying to steer you in the right direction by trying to get your attention. God will not force you to do something, but He will certainly encourage you to make the right decision.
2 Kings 4:1-7
1 Now the wife of one of the sons of the prophets cried to Elisha, “Your servant my husband is dead, and you know that your servant feared the LORD, but the creditor has come to take my two children to be his slaves.” 2 And Elisha said to her, “What shall I do for you? Tell me; what have you in the house?” And she said, “Your servant has nothing in the house except a jar of oil.” 3 Then he said, “Go outside, borrow vessels from all your neighbors, empty vessels and not too few. 4Then go in and shut the door behind yourself and your sons and pour into all these vessels. And when one is full, set it aside.” 5 So she went from him and shut the door behind herself and her sons. And as she poured they brought the vessels to her. 6 When the vessels were full, she said to her son, “Bring me another vessel.” And he said to her, “There is not another.” Then the oil stopped flowing. 7 She came and told the man of God, and he said, “Go, sell the oil and pay your debts, and you and your sons can live on the rest.” (ESV)
With this week’s Haftarah portion, we read about the wife of one of the prophets who served the Prophet Elisha come to him to tell him of her situation since her husband’s death, and that a creditor has threatened to take her two sons as payment for the debt. She tells Elisha that he knows her husband feared the Lord.
03373 יָרֵא yare’ {yaw-ray’}
Meaning: fearing, reverent, afraid
The Hebrew word for feared is yaw-ray and means fearing, reverent or afraid. When we are told in the Bible that one fears the Lord, it should be a combination of truly being afraid of an all-powerful Creator who can do anything and reverence or respect for which He is. So, when the widow came to Elisha and told him that he knew her husband and his reverence for God, she was basically laying out his credentials and why she was asking him for help. We know his answer through his response, which turned out to bless the woman and her sons, kept the boys from being slaves, and that she and her sons would be able to live off of the profits from the sale of the oil that had been miraculously multiplied in much the same way as Yeshua had multiplied the loaves and fishes to feed the multitude who had come to hear Him teach. Indeed, is anything too hard for the Lord to do if we give ourselves over completely to the Lord and listen to Him? What would have happened if Abraham had not listened to Sarah and not gone in to sleep with Hagar? What would have happened if Sarah had waited on the Lord’s timing instead of taking things into her own hands? How many times have we done the same thing in our lives instead of giving time for God to take action, or perhaps by His inaction He is actually telling to wait, or that the answer is no. Is the answer no from the Lord enough for us, or do we want to try to change His mind, or better yet how many times have we done as Sarah did and tried to take matters into our own hands? What would have happened if Rebecca had waited on the Lord to act in the case of Jacob surpassing Esau? Instead of having to trick Isaac into giving Jacob the blessing over Esau, what would have happened if she had just waited for the Lord to act?
So many if’s, but’s, maybe’s, and uncertainty in life, but isn’t that a test in itself for us to have to deal with? Is it how the Lord gets our attention? Moses had the burning bush, and Abraham and Noah heard the voice of the Lord telling them what to do. Adam and Chavah heard the voice of the Lord and possibly even saw Him when He walked in the garden with them, yet they still choose a different path away from Him. Look at the Apostle Shaul. He was out to murder or cast into prison any Jew he could find who believed in the Messiah Yeshua, and on the road to Damascus, he has an encounter with the Living Son of God that changes his entire life from the path he had been on to a path the Lord wanted him to be. Have we had experiences like Shaul but we missed them thinking there was no way that was meant for me? The widow had faith, and Elisha honored her faith because she followed his instructions to the letter. Elisha spoke and acted for God, and in turn God was able to bless her through him because they both feared the Lord God. Where are you in your walk today, right at this very moment?
Romans 9:6-8
6 But it is not as though the word of God has failed. For they are not all Israel who are descended from Israel; 7 nor are they all children because they are Abraham’s descendants, but: “THROUGH ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS WILL BE NAMED.” [Gen. 21:12 8 That is, it is not the children of the flesh who are children of God, but the children of the promise are regarded as descendants. (NAU)
Hebrews 11:17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son; 18it was heto whom it was said, “IN ISAAC YOUR DESCENDANTS SHALL BE CALLED.” (NAU)
Shaul is making a point here about faith and who is really part of Israel. Is membership in the Israel of God limited to those born into one of the tribes of Israel as many Jews believe today? In fact, the Jewish people would go one step further and say everything has to become Jewish in order to become part of Israel. Two thousand years ago in the Book of Acts, the Jerusalem Council dealt with this very problem by saying one does not have to convert to Judaism in order to follow Yeshua, which is what some Pharisaical believers were teaching. They wanted the non-Jews or Gentiles to become Jews first, but the Council set down this decision.
Acts 15:13 After they had stopped speaking, James answered, saying, “Brethren, listen to me. 14 “Simeon has related how God first concerned Himself about taking from among the Gentiles a people for His name. 15 “With this the words of the Prophets agree, just as it is written, 16 ‘AFTER THESE THINGS I will return, AND I WILL REBUILD THE TABERNACLE OF DAVID WHICH HAS FALLEN, AND I WILL REBUILD ITS RUINS, AND I WILL RESTORE IT, 17 SO THAT THE REST OF MANKIND MAY SEEK THE LORD, AND ALL THE GENTILES WHO ARE CALLED BY MY NAME,’ 18 SAYS THE LORD, WHO MAKES THESE THINGS KNOWN FROM LONG AGO. [Amos 9:11, Jeremiah 12:15]19 “Therefore it is my judgment that we do not trouble those who are turning to God from among the Gentiles, 20but that we write to them that they abstain from things contaminated by idols and from fornication and from what is strangled and from blood. 21 “For Moses from ancient generations has in every city those who preach him, since he is read in the synagogues every Sabbath.” (NAU)
Into Israel comes people from many different nations, but the defining actions of their entering into Israel is they accept the God of Israel and follow Torah. Acts 15:21 makes this very clear. James/Yaakov makes it very clear that those from the nations did not have to convert to become Jews, something the church needs to keep in mind when they tell someone they have to convert to become Christians. Ruth is the prime example of this because she was a Moabite, who married the son of Naomi, who was from the tribe of Judah. We are not told that because of that marriage she became a Jew. It was when she married Boaz that she became part of the tribe of Judah. Before that she professed her faith to her mother-in-law that she accepted the God of Israel and its people as her own. Her act of faith and action was blessed by God as she became the ancestor of King David and in turn an ancestor of the Messiah Yeshua.
Jeremiah 12:14 Thus says the LORD concerning all my evil neighbors who touch the heritage that I have given my people Israel to inherit: “Behold, I will pluck them up from their land, and I will pluck up the house of Judah from among them. 15 And after I have plucked them up, I will again have compassion on them, and I will bring them again each to his heritage and each to his land. 16And it shall come to pass, if they will diligently learn the ways of my people, to swear by my name, ‘As the LORD lives,’ even as they taught my people to swear by Baal, then they shall be built up in the midst of my people. 17 But if any nation will not listen, then I will utterly pluck it up and destroy it, declares the LORD.” (ESV)
In this passage from Jeremiah, the Lord is stating that even if the nations who taught Israel to worship idols turn back to the God of Israel, He will bring them into Israel placing them where He chooses. They had to learn the ways of His people, which means they learned Torah and the traditions which made Israel different from other nations, and they would follow the one true God who would one day come as the Messiah Yeshua. So in the end, is anything too hard for the Lord, or is anything too marvelous or wonderful? Becoming part of Israel for one not born into it is indeed truly marvelous.
Torah Man says: “He who is born of God is certain to resemble his father.”
PRAYER POINTS WITH RABBI MORDECAI SILVER
ADAPTED FROM: FROM PRAYING WITH FIRE 2The Alarm
The lack of emunah (faith) that existed during World War I was child’s play compared to the lack of emunah that existed during World War II. Yet, the darkness in the world which, because of the lack of emunah, will exist in the third and last conflict will make the previous wars look like child’s play. We are now engaged in that last war of emunah, and though there will be armed conflicts, they are not the main aspects of this war.
Yishmael implements his mission unrestrained by rules of war or civility, chipping away at the illusion that there is any military or political strategy that can provide protection. He forcefully reminds us that praying to YHWH is our only hope. Catalyzed by this faith, each word of sincere prayer that rises from the hearts of Biblical Israel erodes Yishmael’s power. The strength of our faith in YHWH and walk with Yeshua and Torah, and the prayer that expresses it, is the force that propels us forward, edging us ever closer to the Geulah and the return of Messiah ben David – Yeshua HaMashiach!
Points to Ponder
Yishmel’s name indicates that he is the embodiment of his mother’s answered prayer.
Since Yishmael is linked to prayer and faith in YHWH, he possesses valid spiritual power.
Yishmael constant references to YHWH serve to arouse Klal Yisrael’s faith and prayer.
Psalm 6:10 ADONAI has heard my pleading, ADONAI will accept my prayer. 11All my enemies will be confounded, completely terrified; they will turn back and be suddenly put to shame. (CJB)
RECONCILIATION
Rabbi Philip Hammond, Ph.D., lives in Austalia and is the Rosh or Head of the JSI-Judaic Studies Institute Reconciliation Outreach between Judah, the Ten-Tribes’, and the Nations. Rabbi/Dr. Hammond is an Associate Professor with JSI University and Dean of Students.
RECONCILIATION OUTREACH
Written by Rabbi Philip Hammond, Ph.D.
Posted in Reconciliation Teachings
Rabbi Hammond is the Rosh and Vice-President
of JSI’s Reconciliation Outreach
RECONCILIATION TEACHINGS FROM THE APOSTOLIC WRITINGS.
FAMILY BREAKDOWN – THE REMEDY – WEEK THREE
We enter this week with the intention of viewing an example of a family breakdown that Yeshua described in one of His parables. This example covers many areas that reflect the situation that the Children of Israel have experienced in the past, but continue to experience in the present. We would pray and hope that this situation would change in the not too distant future. So let us now view the example I am alluding too.
11 And He said, “A man had two sons. 12 The younger of them said to his father, ‘Father, give me the share of the estate that falls to me.’ So he divided his wealth between them. 13 And not many days later, the younger son gathered everything together and went on a journey into a distant country, and there he squandered his estate with loose living. 14 Now when he had spent everything, a severe famine occurred in that country, and he began to be impoverished. 15 So he went and hired himself out to one of the citizens of that country, and he sent him into his fields to feed swine. 16 And he would have gladly filled his stomach with the pods that the swine were eating, and no one was giving anything to him. 17 But when he came to his senses, he said, ‘How many of my father’s hired men have more than enough bread, but I am dying here with hunger! 18 I will get up and go to my father, and will say to him, “Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in your sight; 19 I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me as one of your hired men.”‘20 So he got up and came to his father. But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and felt compassion for him, and ran and embraced him and kissed him. 21 And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight; I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ 22 But the father said to his slaves, ‘Quickly bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet; 23 and bring the fattened calf, kill it, and let us eat and celebrate; 24 for this son of mine was dead and has come to life again; he was lost and has been found.’ And they began to celebrate.
25 “Now his older son was in the field, and when he came and approached the house, he heard music and dancing. 26 And he summoned one of the servants and began inquiring what these things could be. 27 And he said to him, ‘Your brother has come, and your father has killed the fattened calf because he has received him back safe and sound.’ 28 But he became angry and was not willing to go in; and his father came out and began pleading with him. 29 But he answered and said to his father, ‘Look! For so many years I have been serving you and I have never neglected a command of yours; and yet you have never given me a young goat, so that I might celebrate with my friends; 30 but when this son of yours came, who has devoured your wealth with prostitutes, you killed the fattened calf for him.’ 31 And he said to him, ‘Son, you have always been with me, and all that is mine is yours.32 But we had to celebrate and rejoice, for this brother of yours was dead and has begun to live, and was lost and has been found.'” Luke 15:11-32 [NASB]
This story has it all. Most counselling sessions could use this story to provide the necessary foundation for the help being sought. With this in mind let us inspect the value we can receive from this account to help with the reconciliation process of the Whole House of Israel. As with every story it has a beginning, and in this case it is vital we take a little time to look at this beginning. This is vital because it relates to the division within the family and the cause thereof.
Yeshua opens this particular parable describing the family situation whereby telling us that there were three main players in the parable. These central characters are the father, the older son and the younger son. So if an artist was to paint a picture of this initial beginning you would see a father with his two sons, perhaps around the family table, or standing outside side by side in discussions of some sort.
It is very likely that the younger son had been exposed to the many attractions of the “world”, perhaps engaging in the many activities his local peers engaged in. These activities and exposure to other thoughts and processes caused the young man to want more than he was given at home. He was opened up to new and numerous paths to walk and enter. He could visualise great opportunity and excitement, that staying at home under the direction of his father could not offer. So when he was old enough and the situation presented itself, he demanded that his father give him his share of the family wealth. This share of the wealth would allow him to begin his adventures and remove him from the family home and in his mind the “restrictions” that come with it.
It didn’t take long before the younger son organised himself and gathered his belongings and headed off into what is described as a distant country. What was the underlying factor in the actions so described of the younger son? I would suggest it was the “love” of self. His whole focus was on himself and what rewards he could receive if he left the father’s house. He wanted to escape what he saw as the unfair restrictive laws of the father’s house. He wanted to do his own thing. He was desperate to build his own “kingdom” and break away from the family values and traditions.
Without the guidance of the father and the long held family values, it came about that all the pleasures and schemes that he had such confidence in actually robbed him of everything. His share of the family wealth had gone and he quickly found himself in dire straits. What was he to do? He no longer had the protection of the family and its resources. He no longer had the counsel of the father, and he was in a foreign country that operated with rules different to his upbringing. None the less he decided he would do what most do in such a situation. He would continue his rebellion and join forces with those who could offer him nothing of value, but in his mind it allowed him to “save face.” Those he had joined obviously had no real interest in his welfare once his money and wealth had run out and he was sent out to feed pigs. Here was a child from the House of Israel not only feeding pigs, but so hungry he was contemplating eating the same food as he was giving the pigs. It was this coming to the end of his own resources that caused a re-think in his mind. I am persuaded it was not just coincidence that pigs were used to paint the picture of the situation he found himself in. It was and is still well understood that pigs are an unclean animal, and no child of Biblical Israel should be found in pig pens, especially if such circumstances are due to the rebellious decisions of a stiff necked child. Can you imagine the temptation this younger son had before him, an empty stomach and a supply of bacon walking around? Yet perhaps his response to his predicament may actually have been influenced because he was surrounded by pigs. There may have been a vastly different outcome if he was sent out to feed some sheep or goats. Perhaps the sight of the pigs kicked off his thought process back to his upbringing and what values he was taught at home. If [and I can only say if] the animals had been sheep or goats, he may have killed one to eat, and as said, the outcome would have been very different. The situation in the pig pen brought him to his senses. He began to reconsider his opinions of the family value system and the provisions and protection it provided. He knew the stability that was found in the family “business”, stability that even allowed the hired hands to be far better off, than he was. The younger son was about to undergo the process of Teshuvah.
Please notice the recorded order of this process. Firstly it comes off the back of finding himself completely “bankrupt” in a foreign distant country, with no friends. He is in the middle of a field of pigs, feeding them but he himself is starving and going without food. He is trapped and has nowhere to go. His only hope of survival is to return to the father’s house. Praise God, he returns with a broken and contrite heart, and not a scheming and deceitful heart, still wanting his own way. He acknowledges that he must go to the father and say that he has sinned. However notice he says he has sinned against heaven, in the father’s sight. Think upon this for a moment. The younger son admits he has gone against the holy Torah of HaShem. The very Torah his father taught both he and his older brother. He is so contrite, that he states he is no longer worthy of being a son, a trusted family member. He believes his place in the family structure should be no better than a hired hand. So with this in mind he made the decision to follow through on his thoughts and go to his father admitting his rebellion and sin.
From the account outlined we can assume the father was constantly praying for the return of this “lost” son. We are told the father saw him coming home from afar and ran to the son and kissed him with a loving kiss. In this moment the son confessed to the father of his rebellion against heaven [read HaShem] and stated that he was no longer worthy to be a family member. The younger son’s teshuvah was genuine. The younger son was now focusing on the “things” from above, instead of himself. He was focusing on the values taught in the family home. He was at the point that he could begin the process of devoting himself completely to another over and above himself. He had come home. This was not only a physical homecoming but a spiritual one. He had returned home to embrace the family values, and appreciate that these values were for his benefit. It was these same values that allowed the father to continue to love and pray for this “lost” son. This same son, who no doubt caused countless nights of lost sleep, brought shame upon the family name, split the family in two and squandered a considerable amount of the family’s wealth. This father could love this wayward son because his devotion was to another and not himself. The father had learnt and embraced the values of the Holy One of Israel, the same values Yeshua was teaching when sharing this parable. However the story continues. The father was to show another example of these “heavenly values.” Because the Teshuvah of the son was genuine, forgiveness was instant. The father showed this by installing the son to a place of authority within the family structure. The younger son was given the best robe [perhaps a priestly gown], a ring was put on his finger [this was similar to a modern day credit card], and he was given sandals for his feet, no longer a bare footed slave, but a restored son. Celebration was had with the killing of the fatted calf, followed by eating and merriment. The father was celebrating the return of this “lost” son, a son that was described as dead, but now had returned with a contrite heart, fully embracing the family values and thus could be described as one who had come back to life.
However there was one member of the family that was far from ecstatic with these proceedings. The older son was not impressed with the love shown by the father and was not willing to join the party. He showed jealousy and as such he also rejected the family values regarding this issue. The older son was quick to remind the father about the torahless life that the younger son had led. How he had spent the family money on serving and engaging in worshipping the gods and idols of foreign lands. The father told the older son, rather than focus on these past issues, he should be happy that his brother had returned to take up the responsibilities and values of the family. The older son had no justification for being jealous as he always had the best the father had to offer. The father had good reason to be angry with the younger son, yet he chose the response of love over the response of anger. In truth both sons failed to follow in the footsteps of the father by failing to uphold the family values in regards to biblical love. At different stages and circumstances both sons fell into the destructive trap of loving and focusing on self. No doubt the younger brother had become more wayward, but once he saw his foolishness he returned to the father with a broken and contrite heart. The younger son showed no jealousy towards the older son after he had performed teshuvah [thus circumcised his heart] and returned home. The younger son had gone through a “born from above” experience and faithfully went forward focusing on the values taught by the father.
It is worth noting that it was only the father who had the love and mercy required to restore the family back together. It was the father who was on a constant look out for the younger son to return. It would have been the father who was in continual prayer for the overall situation to be rectified. It would fair to say the schism that had occurred would have broken the father’s heart. The father was overwhelmed with joy when the younger son returned home, and was disappointed by the reaction of the older son. The father knew the importance of the occasion. A lost son had returned to the light and life of the family, and the family was afforded the opportunity of once again becoming echad on all levels. The only stumbling block now was the reaction of the older brother. The older brother was challenged on many levels with the return of the younger son and needed to perform Teshuvah as well. The older son had to have the same heart as the father and truly welcome his brother home with open arms. The older brother should have had confidence in the judgements and reactions of the father, putting aside his own thoughts and judgements warped by self absorption.
Some may be asking what has this got to do with the reconciliation between the Two Houses of Israel, others may see it very clearly. Most Christian commentators see the younger son as the Jewish people and see the returning younger son as those Jews who convert to Christianity. I do not believe this to be the case and challenge this conclusion. Next week we will be looking at the reasons why I challenge this teaching and how this parable truly relates to the reconciliation between the Two Houses.
Until then remember!
Truly there is no God like our God, the God of Israel and no nation like the Nation whom He elected.
Blessings to all citizens of biblical Israel,
Rabbi, [Prof] Philip Hammond. PhD.
CURRENT STAFF:
Rosh: Rabbi/Dr. Philip Hammond, Ph.D.
Advisory support: Rabbi/Dr. Mordecai Silver, Ph.D.
GOALS AND OBJECTIVES:
Build a bridge of trust, respect and harmony between the two houses
Help with the process of healing and forgiveness between the two houses
Educate both houses on the positions held by the other
Work towards the return of the whole house of Israel to The Promised Land
Develop a core body of people who are passionate about the biblical prophecies of the eventual reconciliation of all Israel, who can carry this project forward in a mature and responsible manner
Provide material that will help with the education of both houses
Hold meetings with various, people, bodies and institutions that have an interest in this work
Above all, to glorify the Holy One of Israel
So we begin this work, with courage, wisdom, patience, humility, and love; praying that Hashem will provide all these along with our other needs as He sees fit. If you have an interest in becoming involved in some way, please contact Rabbi Philip Hammond at: philliphammond04@gmail.com
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Tree of Life Messianic Ministries: Shabbat Shalom! Torah Portion for October 30, 2015 VaYera
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There is nobody or something before (also NOT Metatron!), near or ‘in-stead’ of HaShem were we have to turn back too…..!
There is only One Messiah:
Yeshayahu 43: 11 “I, I am Yahweh, and besides Me there is
no savior (Hebrew- מושׁיע Moshia).
I don’t believe ‘Metraton’ is Meleg Moshia as ‘Kol Hator’ is telling us.
I believe,
The Righteousness One:
‘The Righteous One’ –singular-) has/is an everlasting foundation…….
In the Talmud (Yoma 38b) it is written:
Hiyya b. Abba said also in the name of R. Johanan: Even for the sake of a single righteous man does the world endure, as it is said: But the righteous is the foundation of the world. 26 Hiyya himself infers this from here: He will keep the feet of His holy ones’ 27 ‘Holy ones’ means many? — R. Nahman b. Isaac said: It is written: His holy’ one. 27
26 Pro 10:25 As the whirlwind passes by, The wrong one is no more, But the righteous (in Hebrew וצדיק יסוד עולם׃ ‘and the Righteous’ –singular-) has/is an everlasting foundation.
27 1Sa 2:9 “He guards the feet of His kind ones (in Hebrew חסידו ‘His Righteous One’ –singular-) but the wrong are silent in darkness, for man does not become mighty by power.
In the HaBerith HaChadasha Scriptures it is written:
Joh 1:1-5 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with Elohim, and the Word was Elohim.
2 He was in the beginning with Elohim.
3 All came to be through Him,1 and without Him not even one came to be that came to be. Footnote: 1Eph. 3:9, Col. 1:16, Heb. 1:2, Heb. 11:3, 2 Peter 3:5, Ps. 33:6.
4 In Him was life, and the life was the light of men.
5 And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
Joh 1:9-14 He was the true Light, which enlightens every man, coming into the world.
10 He was in the world, and the world came to be through Him, and the world did not know Him.
11 He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him.
12 But as many as received Him, to them He gave the authority to become children of Elohim, to those believing in His Name,
13 who were born, not of blood nor of the desire of flesh nor of the desire of man, but of Elohim.
14 And the Word (of Yahweh Elohim) became flesh and pitched His tent among us, and we saw His esteem, esteem as of an only brought-fourth of a father, complete in favor and truth.
Joh 1:15 Yoḥanan bore witness of Him and cried out, saying, “This was He of whom I said, ‘He who comes after me has become before me, because He was before me.’ ”
Yohanan bore witness of The Righteous One – The Foundation of the world, Messiah Ben Yoseph who received the soul of,
The Messenger of His Presence – מלאך פניו. (‘Kol HaTor is telling ‘Metatron is The Messenger of His Presence, what I don’t believe.)
Isa 63:7-9 Let me recount the kindnesses of יהוה and the praises of יהוה, according to all that יהוה has done for us, and the great goodness toward the house of Yisra’ĕl, which He has done for them according to His compassion, and according to His many kindnesses.
8 And He said, “They are My people, children who do not act falsely.” And He (HaShem) became their Savior – In Hebrew it is written: He became their מושׁיע – Mosiah.
Isa_63:9 In all their distress He was distressed, and the Messenger of His Presence – ומלאך פניו הושׁיעם באהבתו – saved them. In His love and in His compassion He redeemed them, and He lifted them up and carried them al