Category Archives: Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Traditions / Holidays

Embrace Passover: Rediscover Our Roots and Remember Christ’s Sacrifice

In a world where traditions often overshadow biblical instructions, it’s crucial to remember the significance of Passover, a festival that not only commemorates God’s deliverance of His people from bondage in Egypt but also foreshadows the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ, our Passover Lamb. While modern Christianity has drifted towards celebrating Easter, with its blend of pagan traditions, it’s essential to revisit the roots of our faith and the holy days God explicitly commands us to observe.

God’s Persistent Instruction

Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are highlighted repeatedly in Scripture (Exodus 12:42-51, Exodus 13:1-16, Exodus 23; Leviticus 23) as essential commemorations of God’s mighty hand freeing His people. This repetition isn’t merely for emphasis but a call to remember and celebrate God’s acts of salvation throughout generations. The directive to share these stories with our children (Exodus 13:8, 14-16) ensures that the knowledge of God’s power and love is passed down, keeping the faith alive through every generation.

The Christian Connection

For Christians, Passover holds additional meaning. Jesus, our Messiah, fulfilled the role of the Passover lamb, sacrificing Himself to free us from the bondage of sin. The elements of the Passover meal—especially the unleavened bread—take on profound significance in light of Christ’s death and resurrection. By celebrating Passover, we acknowledge the continuity of God’s salvation plan from the Exodus to the Cross and beyond.

The Challenge of Tradition

Choosing to celebrate Passover in a Christian context may seem daunting, especially when faced with longstanding traditions and the potential for misunderstanding or conflict. Yet, Jesus Himself warned that following Him might set us at odds with familiar customs and even our own families (Matthew 10:32-39). The decision to embrace Passover is a choice to prioritize God’s instructions over man-made traditions, seeking closer alignment with His desires for our lives.

A New Way to Celebrate

Celebrating Passover as believers in Christ doesn’t require adherence to all the ancient rituals but an open heart to remember and rejoice in God’s deliverance and Christ’s sacrifice. It offers a unique opportunity to deepen our understanding of the biblical narrative and experience a richer, more meaningful connection to the story of our faith.

An Invitation to Rediscovery

If the idea of celebrating Passover feels new or unfamiliar, you’re not alone. Many Christians are rediscovering the richness of God’s holy days and finding joy in aligning their celebrations with Scripture. It’s a journey of faith, exploration, and deepening love for our Creator and Redeemer.

Prayer for Guidance and Joy in Celebration

Father, lead us back to the roots of our faith, to the holy days You have set apart for us. Help us to see the beauty and depth of celebrating Passover, recognizing Jesus as our Passover Lamb. Give us the courage to step away from traditions that do not honor You and embrace those that do. May our celebrations bring us closer to You, filled with joy, understanding, and gratitude for all You have done. In Jesus’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Immutable (unchanging), Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Obeying God, Study the Word

Unveiling the New Covenant: Understanding Hebrews 8

Have you ever puzzled over the contrasts in teachings about the law and the New Covenant in Hebrews 8? Let’s dive deep into the text to uncover the true meaning of these teachings and how they apply to our faith today.

Key Verse:

Hebrews 8:10 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, declares the Lord: I will put my laws into their minds, and write them on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.”

Background Context:

The discussion of the New Covenant in Hebrews 8 is often misinterpreted to suggest a complete replacement of God’s law. However, a closer look, particularly through the lens of Hebrews 7, reveals that the change pertains specifically to the priesthood and sacrifices for atonement, not the entirety of the law. This covenant does not abolish the law but transforms how it is fulfilled and internalized by believers through Christ.

(Continued and expanded after scripture.)

Hebrews 7:18-28

18For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19(for the Law made nothing perfect), and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. 20And inasmuch as it was not without an oath

21(for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him,
“THE LORD HAS SWORN
AND WILL NOT CHANGE HIS MIND,
‘YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER’”);

22so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant.

      23The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, 24but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. 25Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

      26For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens; 27who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever.

Hebrews 8

A Better Ministry

      1Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, 2a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. 3For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. 4Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law; 5who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “SEE,” He says, “THAT YOU MAKE all things ACCORDING TO THE PATTERN WHICH WAS SHOWN YOU ON THE MOUNTAIN.” 6But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises.

A New Covenant

      7For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second.

8For finding fault with them, He says,
“BEHOLD, DAYS ARE COMING, SAYS THE LORD,
WHEN I WILL EFFECT A NEW COVENANT
WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL AND WITH THE HOUSE OF JUDAH;

      9NOT LIKE THE COVENANT WHICH I MADE WITH THEIR FATHERS
ON THE DAY WHEN I TOOK THEM BY THE HAND
TO LEAD THEM OUT OF THE LAND OF EGYPT;
FOR THEY DID NOT CONTINUE IN MY COVENANT,
AND I DID NOT CARE FOR THEM, SAYS THE LORD.

      10“FOR THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL
AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS THE LORD:
I WILL PUT MY LAWS INTO THEIR MINDS,
AND I WILL WRITE THEM ON THEIR HEARTS.
AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD,
AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE.

      11“AND THEY SHALL NOT TEACH EVERYONE HIS FELLOW CITIZEN,
AND EVERYONE HIS BROTHER, SAYING, ‘KNOW THE LORD,’
FOR ALL WILL KNOW ME,
FROM THE LEAST TO THE GREATEST OF THEM.

      12“FOR I WILL BE MERCIFUL TO THEIR INIQUITIES,
AND I WILL REMEMBER THEIR SINS NO MORE.”

13When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear.

Reflection on Hebrews 8:

  • Emphasizing the True Change: The shift from the Levitical priesthood to Christ’s eternal priesthood highlights a specific aspect of the law—sacrificial atonement—not the entire law itself.
  • Law Written on Hearts: The promise of the New Covenant was not to erase the law but to engrain it deeper within us, making it an intrinsic part of our being rather than a set of external rules.
  • Covenant with Israel and Judah: The text emphasizes a renewed relationship with God, where His laws become a natural expression of our relationship with Him, showing continuity with His eternal standards.

Summary Key Points:

  • Selective Change: The New Covenant modifies the priesthood and the method of atonement, affirming Jesus as our permanent high priest who intercedes for us.
  • Internalization of the Law: God’s laws are not discarded but are instead written on our hearts, showing that they are meant to be understood and followed more intimately.
  • Continuity of God’s Standards: The laws remain vital, guiding our conduct and spirituality, with Christ’s sacrifice enabling us to meet their righteous standards through His grace.

Application:

Reflect on the areas of your spiritual life influenced by cultural interpretations that might stray from biblical truths. Consider how the internalization of God’s laws can transform your daily walk with Christ. Commit to a deeper study of the scriptures to discern between traditional interpretations and the actual biblical text.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the clarity of Your Word and the profound gift of the New Covenant through Christ. Help us to fully grasp the true meaning of Your laws being written on our hearts and to live out these truths in our daily lives. May we cherish the permanence of Jesus’ priesthood and the complete and perfect access we now have to You through Him. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Traditions / Holidays

Preparing Our Hearts for Yom Kippur: Reflective Scripture Readings

The period from Yom Teruah to Yom Kippur, often referred to as the Days of Awe, is a sacred time intended for deep reflection and repentance. As we approach Yom Kippur, it’s essential to come before God with a humble and contrite heart, acknowledging our sins and recognizing the profound gift of forgiveness offered through Yeshua.

“In these Days of Awe, let’s turn our hearts to Scripture, allowing God’s word to mold us and draw us nearer to Him.”

The Importance of Reflection:
Yom Kippur is not just about seeking forgiveness; it’s about recognizing the immense sacrifice Yeshua made on our behalf. It’s a day to celebrate the grace we’ve received—grace we could never earn. This holy day calls us to humility and gratitude, reminding us of the cost of our redemption.

Scripture Readings for Yom Kippur Preparation:
To enrich your observance of Yom Kippur, consider the following Scripture readings leading up to the day. These passages help set our minds on the themes of atonement, repentance, and God’s unfailing mercy:

Using Resources Wisely:
As you explore these scriptures, remember to discern between biblical instruction and traditional practices. While tradition can enrich our understanding, Scripture should always guide our observance:

 

  • JacobsTent.org is a fellowship that meets in Tennessee and live streams events for Moedim and regular Sabbath services weekly. It is more than just a study, but brings you in to be part of a fellowship worshipping and learning together.

Conclusion:
As we engage with these scriptures, let us approach Yom Kippur not with a spirit of fear but with a heart filled with gratitude for the grace and forgiveness that Yeshua has extended to us. Let this time be one of genuine reflection, leading to real change in our lives as we align more closely with God’s will.

Call to Action:
Begin your preparation for Yom Kippur today by choosing one or more scriptures from the list to study each day. Share insights with your family or study group, and come together to discuss how these truths impact your walk with Christ.

Closing Prayer:
Father, as we enter the solemn Days of Awe and approach Yom Kippur, we thank You for the forgiveness and new life found in Yeshua. Help us to study Your Word with open hearts and minds, ready to be transformed. Let us hold fast to what is scriptural, using tradition wisely to enhance our understanding but not to overshadow Your truth. Guide us in true repentance and lead us into a more profound relationship with You. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Traditions / Holidays

Rediscovering Our Spiritual Seasons: Embracing YHWH’s Appointed Times

Have you ever paused to think about the holidays we celebrate and where they come from? As the leaves begin to turn and we enter the season of fall moedim, it’s a perfect time to explore the rich tapestry of God’s appointed festivals and what they truly signify.

Raised in a Christian household, we attended church regularly but didn’t delve deeply into the Bible’s teachings or question the cultural norms that shaped our celebrations. Like many, I grew up celebrating holidays that, unbeknownst to me, had more to do with pagan traditions than the commands of YHWH. It was only later that I discovered the moedim, the times appointed by God for special remembrance and celebration, which opened a new chapter in my spiritual journey.

Awakening to the Moedim: YHWH’s appointed times, detailed in Leviticus 23 and throughout Scripture, offer a profound connection to the past deeds and future promises of God. These are not just historical commemorations but are vibrant celebrations of what Christ has fulfilled and what He promises to complete upon His return. These appointed times are not exclusively Jewish; they are divine markers meant for all who follow YHWH, offering us a rhythm of worship distinct from the secular calendar.

The Significance of Each Season: Each moed, from Passover to Sukkot, holds deep Messianic significance, pointing both to the first coming of Yeshua and His glorious return. These times are designed to draw us closer to God, enriching our understanding and appreciation of His sovereign plan.

  • Passover (Pesach): Celebrates Yeshua’s atoning death
  • Feast of Weeks (Shavuot): Commemorates the giving of the Torah and the Holy Spirit
  • Feast of Trumpets (Yom Teruah): Marks a time of reflection and renewal
  • Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur): A solemn day of atonement and reconciliation
  • Feast of Tabernacles (Sukkot): Rejoices in God’s provision and foreshadows the coming Kingdom

Practical Steps to Celebrate: While the absence of the temple and priesthood changes how we can observe these feasts, their spiritual essence remains intact. Start by learning the historical and prophetic nuances of these days. Engage with them through prayer, scripture reading, and community fellowship.

Resources to Explore:

Call to Action: As we approach Yom Teruah, I encourage you to join me and countless others in rediscovering these divine appointments. Whether through online resources, community worship, or personal study, let’s embrace these celebrations as opportunities to grow closer to YHWH and each other.

Closing Prayer: Father, thank You for the beauty and depth of Your appointed times. As we learn and grow in understanding of these holy days, draw us nearer to Your heart and deeper into the rhythms of Your grace. Help us to celebrate Your moedim with joy and reverence, using these times to teach our families and strengthen our communities. In the name of Yeshua, we pray, Amen.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Traditions / Holidays

Rediscovering Our Roots: Embracing the Hebrew Foundations of Our Faith

Have you ever wondered if the Old Testament is merely a collection of ancient stories with little relevance today? Think again. The roots of our Christian faith stretch deeply into these Hebrew scriptures, offering not just historical insights but a vibrant blueprint for our spiritual journey.

In many modern Christian teachings, there’s a prevailing notion that the Old Testament serves merely as a backdrop to the New Testament, with its commands and lessons largely obsolete in the light of Christ’s teachings. However, this perspective not only neglects the depth of our faith’s foundations but also overlooks the enduring relevance of the Old Testament. Understanding the Hebrew roots of Christianity is crucial for a comprehensive grasp of the Bible and God’s eternal plan.

The Relevance of All Scripture: The Apostle Paul underscores the importance of all Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, reminding us that every word of the Bible, including the Old Testament, is inspired by God and useful for teaching, correction, and training in righteousness. This directive sets a clear mandate for Christians to delve into the Old Testament with the aim of applying its timeless truths to our lives.

2 Timothy 3:16-17

16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.

Yeshua’s Adherence to the Law: Yeshua (Jesus) himself lived in accordance with the laws and traditions outlined in the Old Testament. His life and actions were in perfect harmony with the Scriptures, which he came not to abolish but to fulfill (Matthew 5:17). By studying how Yeshua observed these laws, we gain invaluable insights into how they apply to us today.

Misconceptions About ‘Jewish Traditions’: It’s vital to distinguish between cultural traditions and the commandments given by God to the Israelites. While some may dismiss the Old Testament practices as merely ‘Jewish ways,’ we must recognize that these were, in fact, God’s ways to guide and instruct His people. The moral and ethical teachings of the Old Testament are not obsolete; they carry profound implications for believers today.

Fulfillment, Not Replacement: Understanding which aspects of the Old Testament law were fulfilled through Christ’s sacrifice is key. This discernment allows us to appreciate the sacrificial system’s fulfillment in Yeshua’s ultimate sacrifice while still adhering to the moral and ethical codes that govern Christian conduct.

Call to Action:

  1. Study Diligently: Commit to a structured study of the Old Testament to uncover the richness of the Hebrew roots of Christianity.
  2. Reflect on Christ’s Example: Regularly reflect on how Christ fulfilled the Old Testament prophecies and laws, and seek to emulate His obedience.
  3. Challenge Misconceptions: Engage in discussions within your community to correct common misconceptions about the Old Testament’s relevance.
  4. Integrate Teachings: Actively integrate the ethical and moral teachings of the Old Testament into your daily life as a follower of Christ.

Closing Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the entirety of Your Word, from Genesis to Revelation. Help us to understand and appreciate the foundations of our faith laid in the Old Testament. Guide us in applying these eternal truths to our lives, just as Yeshua demonstrated during His time on earth. Give us the wisdom to discern what is cultural and what is eternally mandated by You. May our journey through Scripture deepen our faith and broaden our understanding of Your kingdom. Amen.

I am including some links to resources to help you Study Hebrew Roots of Christianity.

  • 119ministries.com (also TestEverything.net) challenges and helps us test common teaching or practices today against God’s word. We are to test everything and hold onto only what is good
  • Shoreshim Ministries, at BillCloud.com, re-introduces Christians to the Jewish Y’shua in order to educate believers in the Hebraic roots of their faith. This in turn helps disciples to understand and follow Messiah more fully in their lives.
  • Beth Immanuel Sabbath Fellowship, at BethImmanuel.org, is a family-based Messianic Jewish community for people of all nations. Teaching and Bible study is at the center of what they do. They emphasize teaching and study from a Messianic Jewish perspective, revealing the Jewish Roots of Christianity, and encountering the Jewish Jesus.
  • First Fruits of Zion, at ffoz.org, specializes in the study and teaching of Scripture from its historical, linguistic, and cultural context. They present a Messianic Jewish reading of the Bible and early Jewish-Christianity.
  • Foundations in Torah, at FoundationsInTorah.com, focuses on connecting the gospels and epistles of the New Testament with their foundations in the Old Testament for a better understanding of context.
  • Hebraic Roots Network, at HebraicRootsNetwork.com, is a consortium of like-minded ministries dedicated to bringing solid Biblical teaching to the world. They present the Scriptures from a Hebrew perspective allowing the viewer to gain a deeper understanding through applied context.
  • Hebrew For Christians, at Hebrew4Christians.com, helps us study and deepen our faith by connecting with the Hebrew roots of God’s relationship with His people.
  • MTOI.org Messianic Torah Observant Israel. We are dedicated to serving YHWH as He brings the Body of Messiah together worldwide. We pray that this website becomes a valuable resource for you to learn, grow, and fellowship with other like-minded believers from around the world who desire to connect with you and help you feel connected.
  • RenewedMoon.com Latest reports and tools for sighting crescent (renewed) moons throughout the world and within Israel for the purposes of observing a Biblical calendar.
  • RestoringTheWay.org It is the focus of this ministry to restore what we believe has been something lost over the past 2,000 years or so and that is the Hebrew or Hebraic roots of the Christian faith.

May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.

John Golda

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Forgive Others / Seek Forgiveness, Grace / Forgiveness, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Justice / Judgment, Repenting from Sin, Seeking God, Traditions / Holidays

Yom Kippur – The Day of Atonement

Over the course of my life, I have spent a significant amount of time in Catholic, Baptist, and evangelical churches. None of the ones I attended ever even came close to teaching about YHWH’s appointed times, or Mo’edim. They seem determined to stick to popular man-made holidays commonly celebrated by Christians and non-Christians alike. As I journeyed into a deeper relationship with the Lord over many years, the Bible has come alive to me. It is amazing how much rich heritage is being missed by the Christian church today. They typically do not teach the whole Bible as still relevant and true today. They may say it is, but their teaching leaves much untouched and untaught.

My family and I find observing the Mo’edim, God’s appointed times, genuinely enriching our relationship with Him. I encourage you to join us. You will have to do some study on your own, however, as churches will not teach it.

The Day of Atonement, or Yom Kippur, is a holy day set aside by YHWH annually for us to focus on atonement for our sins. We are to rest and be humble. It is a permanent statute. These holy days are not just for Jewish people and they are not obsolete. They both look back at what the Lord has already done and look forward to what He will do in the future. As a matter of fact, the day of atonement is now even more significant for those of us who follow Christ as we can focus on the forgiveness we receive through Christ and his sacrifice for us.

Leviticus 23:26-32

The Day of Atonement

     26The LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 27“On exactly the tenth day of this seventh month is the day of atonement; it shall be a holy convocation for you, and you shall humble your souls and present an offering by fire to the LORD. 28“You shall not do any work on this same day, for it is a day of atonement, to make atonement on your behalf before the LORD your God. 29“If there is any person who will not humble himself on this same day, he shall be cut off from his people. 30“As for any person who does any work on this same day, that person I will destroy from among his people. 31“You shall do no work at all. It is to be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places. 32“It is to be a sabbath of complete rest to you, and you shall humble your souls; on the ninth of the month at evening, from evening until evening you shall keep your sabbath.”

We need not make animal sacrifices for atonement any longer, as Yeshua has paid the price for our sins once and for all. However, we will still face judgment when we die or Yeshua returns. Let us atone for our sins, repenting and accepting forgiveness from the Lord.

2 Corinthians 5:10

10For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Of course, we can say, that we should acknowledge and repent from sin and accept God’s forgiveness through Christ all year long. That is correct. However, God knew setting this day aside would help to draw our attention to this important matter in a clear and focused way at least once a year.

I still have more to learn about the  Creator’s calendar (often called the Hebrew calendar), but I am learning more each year. You can research a variety of websites that provide information on the Hebrew calendar, several even focus on it from a Messianic or Christian perspective. Keep in mind, the Hebrew calendar starts at sundown and ends at sundown and not “midnight to midnight” as our western calendar does.

It can be overwhelming when you first get started, but just take it in bite-sized chunks and keep seeking to get closer to Him with every step. Because we have changed away from YHWH’s calendar to the Gregorian calendar, there is some debate as to when the appointed times are observed. They reference the Creator’s calendar and not what we are used to. It is clear which days in His calendar are to be recognized, but the challenge comes in converting that into the Gregorian calendar most of us use daily. Which exact date you choose is not the most important aspect to get started, in my opinion.  I suggest researching at the sites below or on your own search and picking one of the dates proposed and getting started. Do not get overwhelmed by trying to learn all the history at once. Just get started, seek the Lord, study His word, and start to experience a deeper relationship with Him.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please open my eyes to the wonderful ways of Your appointed times. Lead me in preparation for Yom Kippur. Show me my sin and help me to turn from it and submit more fully to You. Thank You for the opportunity to reconcile with You through Christ. Thank You that my sins are forgiven and I am washed clean. You are worthy of praise! Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

Do you know for sure if you will go to heaven or hell when you die? Are you experiencing in your life the peace and joy of a personal relationship with our Creator and Father? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Guide, Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Seeking God, Study the Word, Teachable, Traditions / Holidays

Observing Yom Teruah (Feast of Trumpets) Draws Us Nearer to God

Growing up a Christian in the United States, I was never taught about the biblical holy days that Yahweh calls His people to observe and celebrate.  Many Christians skip over much of the instruction that our Father has provided in the Old Testament as if it were now irrelevant. It is not! I found it felt a bit odd and even a little uncomfortable at first as my family and I started to study and learn Yahweh’s traditions. My kids actually adapted quite easily and love to celebrate Sukkot (Tabernacles) as we sleep in tents for a week. It is great fun.

These traditions were new to us, but have proven to be a joyful step in moving closer to Him. There is great symbolism and purpose to each of our Father’s holy days. God’s holy days help us remain focused on Him and His word and bring honor and glory to Him and our relationship with Him.

Yom Teruah, literally “day shouting/blasting”, is the first of our Father’s holy days (specified by Leviticus 23:23–32) which usually occur in the early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere. It is coming up soon. It has also come to be called more recently Rosh Hashanah and is celebrated as the start of the new year in Yahweh’s calendar (often referred to as the “Jewish calendar”).

Leviticus 23 actually does not document a lot of information about Yom Teruah, and it is worthwhile studying elsewhere in scripture. Today you can find a lot of information about it by simply searching online for Yom Teruah. My suggestion is, however, to always test what people say about the celebration and traditions against what the scripture actually says. Often people add to Yahweh’s instruction or change the emphasis and create their own traditions which they treat as if they were commands from our Father.

Yom Teruah is characterized by a holy day, a Sabbath, which constitutes a day of rest. The trumpets remind us to prepare for the day of Atonement which will follow. As followers of Christ, we are reminded that the trumpets will blast again when Christ returns. We should now prepare ourselves by asking God to open our eyes to our sin and help us to repent. Let us turn away from the ways of the world and toward the ways of God. You can have quite an interesting study as well generally about the use and significance of the shofar (ram’s horn) throughout scripture which is what the term “trumpet” means in this context.

I encourage you to do some personal study on this celebration. I include a few links below. However, be sure to validate everything you read against the truth of scripture. Remember, these are the Father’s holy days, not “Jewish” holidays.

One last word of encouragement, do not get tripped up by the details and logistics of how and when to celebrate exactly as you get started. Do not get frustrated by different opinions on exactly which day to celebrate.  Just pick one. You can study and debate which is the exact right day as you mature in your understanding. Allow yourself to start even with an incomplete understanding and make it a point to learn by observing Yom Teruah each year.  Allow yourself to learn and grow and change year after year. Don’t wait for the perfect time to start! (Ecclesiastes 11:4 One who watches the wind will not sow and one who looks at the clouds will not harvest.)

I also encourage you to study some additional ministries online that help us to reconnect with and better understand the Hebrew roots of our faith.

—-

Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Obeying God, Study the Word, Teachable

Did Jesus Declare All Food Clean?

There are some topics that are clearly a challenge to cover in a daily post or article which is intended to be read quickly. There are clearly topics that one can only touch on and stage some ideas in a brief setting like this one and then those who are reading must pray and choose to study and consider more thoughtfully after they have finished reading. Today’s subject is one of those topics from scripture.

There is a phrase included in some, but not all, English translations of the Bible in Mark 7:19 that goes something like this… “(Thus He declared all foods clean.)”

Many wish to immediately jump on this, if it is in the translation of the Bible they are reading, and declare that all foods are clean. They jump to the seeming conclusion that they already want to be true, despite the inconsistency it creates with regards to scripture in broader context and comparison. We should take caution and tread carefully before jumping to conclusions. Test everything against the full context of the entire Bible.

Mark 7:1-23

Followers of Tradition

      1The Pharisees and some of the scribes gathered around Him when they had come from Jerusalem, 2and had seen that some of His disciples were eating their bread with impure hands, that is, unwashed. 3(For the Pharisees and all the Jews do not eat unless they carefully wash their hands, thus observing the traditions of the elders; 4and when they come from the market place, they do not eat unless they cleanse themselves; and there are many other things which they have received in order to observe, such as the washing of cups and pitchers and copper pots.) 5The Pharisees and the scribes asked Him, “Why do Your disciples not walk according to the tradition of the elders, but eat their bread with impure hands?”

6And He said to them, “Rightly did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written:
‘THIS PEOPLE HONORS ME WITH THEIR LIPS,
BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR AWAY FROM ME.

      7‘BUT IN VAIN DO THEY WORSHIP ME,
TEACHING AS DOCTRINES THE PRECEPTS OF MEN.’

8“Neglecting the commandment of God, you hold to the tradition of men.”

      9He was also saying to them, “You are experts at setting aside the commandment of God in order to keep your tradition. 10“For Moses said, ‘HONOR YOUR FATHER AND YOUR MOTHER’; and, ‘HE WHO SPEAKS EVIL OF FATHER OR MOTHER, IS TO BE PUT TO DEATH’; 11but you say, ‘If a man says to his father or his mother, whatever I have that would help you is Corban (that is to say, given to God),’ 12you no longer permit him to do anything for his father or his mother; 13thus invalidating the word of God by your tradition which you have handed down; and you do many things such as that.”

The Heart of Man

      14After He called the crowd to Him again, He began saying to them, “Listen to Me, all of you, and understand: 15there is nothing outside the man which can defile him if it goes into him; but the things which proceed out of the man are what defile the man. 16[“If anyone has ears to hear, let him hear.”]

      17When he had left the crowd and entered the house, His disciples questioned Him about the parable. 18And He said to them, “Are you so lacking in understanding also? Do you not understand that whatever goes into the man from outside cannot defile him, 19because it does not go into his heart, but into his stomach, and is eliminated?” (Thus He declared all foods clean.) 20And He was saying, “That which proceeds out of the man, that is what defiles the man. 21“For from within, out of the heart of men, proceed the evil thoughts, fornications, thefts, murders, adulteries, 22deeds of coveting and wickedness, as well as deceit, sensuality, envy, slander, pride and foolishness. 23“All these evil things proceed from within and defile the man.”

Several things draw my attention in regards to the phrase “(Thus He declared all foods clean.)”

1- The declaration that suddenly all food is clean is completely out of context in the scripture. The scripture is about the flawed basis of traditions of men that people cling to and specifically about being made unclean by not washing hands before eating. It has nothing to do with what things are considered appropriate to eat or not.

2- Cross check with other English translations shows that this phrase only shows up in some versions. I suspect, but have not completed, a further study of the history of this verse and tracing it back might prove interesting to determine if it is original or was added in some translations at a later time. For example… it is not in the King James Version. Is it in the original Greek?

3- Similarly, a cross check with the other gospels, such as Matthew 15, reveal that this phrase is not included.

The Heart of Man

      15Peter said to Him, “Explain the parable to us.” 16Jesus said, “Are you still lacking in understanding also? 17“Do you not understand that everything that goes into the mouth passes into the stomach, and is eliminated? 18“But the things that proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and those defile the man. 19“For out of the heart come evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, slanders. 20“These are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.”

4- Other detailed cross checks and study across scripture identifies many other conflicts with the claim that all things we could eat are considered good and appropriate to eat. We could cite many Old Testament scripture but also just observing the behavior of Jesus and the disciples shows a complete continuity of their lives lining up with God’s instruction from the Old Testament.

5- We could further explore this phrase… “all foods clean”. When I say to someone I like cupcakes, it does not mean that I like every possible cupcake that could be imagined… such as ant and cricket stuffed straw cupcakes. It means that for the wide variety of things that I consider to be described as cupcakes, I generally like them. Similarly, one could ask … “If I say all food is clean, then what exactly do I mean by “food”.” Would it make sense that I mean “anything that I put in my mouth”? Of course not. I can put rocks in my mouth but that is not food. Exploring a bit deeper in the culture of the ones speaking and documenting the scripture… they are Jewish. They define food in that culture and context consistent with God’s definition of food from the Old Testament. That is very different than what we, today, may consider to be food.

The clear message of the scripture is simply that in regards to man’s traditions, such as washing hands before eating, we will not be defiled by failing to follow these traditions. We are much more defiled by our attitudes in which we dishonor or disrespect God and His instructions that come from our heart and reveal our lack of obedience and faithfulness to God.

For those of you who are “germ conscious”… have no fear… it is ok to wash your hands before you eat to address your germ concerns. That is not really the point of the scripture either.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please help me to challenge and test everything against Your word. Let me not simply accept what is commonly taught. Help me to have a desire to study and seek You diligently. Open my eyes to the truth of Your word. Help me to see through Your eyes. Help me also remember that those who may disagree with me on certain doctrine  are not my enemies. We should test and challenge scripture with one another. Amen.

Shalom

Devotion by John in service to Christ

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Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Jesus Christ / Yeshua, Joy / Happiness / Rejoicing, Study the Word, Teachable, Traditions / Holidays

In Yeshua, We Have More Reason to Celebrate Passover

It is important to remember what YHWH has done for us. He is our Creator and Lord. He is all powerful, all knowing, and present at all times in all places. Still, He takes time to know each one of us and He loves each one of us as a father.

Sometimes He dwells on a certain instruction to emphasize it so that we pay attention and do not miss it. Celebrating Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread is one of those. As we read through Exodus 12, we experience God’s instruction about celebrating these as remembrance of God setting His people free from bondage in Egypt. Given how much the Christian church today distances itself from these appointed times of God, we may be tempted to think… “Ok, glad I am done with Exodus 12 and can get on with the story.” God however, is not done commanding and emphasizing to us that we should celebrate Passover and Feast of Unleavened bread in remembrance of His actions on behalf of His people. He comes back to it in Exodus 13 and again in Exodus 23. Spoiler alert… he comes back to it again and again… especially in Leviticus 23.

Exodus 13:1-16

Consecration of the Firstborn

1Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 2“Sanctify to Me every firstborn, the first offspring of every womb among the sons of Israel, both of man and beast; it belongs to Me.”

3Moses said to the people, “Remember this day in which you went out from Egypt, from the house of slavery; for by a powerful hand the LORD brought you out from this place. And nothing leavened shall be eaten. 4“On this day in the month of Abib, you are about to go forth. 5“It shall be when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite, the Hivite and the Jebusite, which He swore to your fathers to give you, a land flowing with milk and honey, that you shall observe this rite in this month. 6“For seven days you shall eat unleavened bread, and on the seventh day there shall be a feast to the LORD. 7“Unleavened bread shall be eaten throughout the seven days; and nothing leavened shall be seen among you, nor shall any leaven be seen among you in all your borders. 8“You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9“And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. 10“Therefore, you shall keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year.

11“Now when the LORD brings you to the land of the Canaanite, as He swore to you and to your fathers, and gives it to you, 12you shall devote to the LORD the first offspring of every womb, and the first offspring of every beast that you own; the males belong to the LORD. 13“But every first offspring of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb, but if you do not redeem it, then you shall break its neck; and every firstborn of man among your sons you shall redeem. 14“And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ then you shall say to him, ‘With a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. 15‘It came about, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore, I sacrifice to the LORD the males, the first offspring of every womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ 16“So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and as phylacteries on your forehead, for with a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”

You may find yourself asking, “Why is this so important to God? The church has not taught me to celebrate it.” God tells us why it is important to Him.

8“You shall tell your son on that day, saying, ‘It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.’ 9“And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt. 10“Therefore, you shall keep this ordinance at its appointed time from year to year.

and again…

14“And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, ‘What is this?’ then you shall say to him, ‘With a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery. 15‘It came about, when Pharaoh was stubborn about letting us go, that the LORD killed every firstborn in the land of Egypt, both the firstborn of man and the firstborn of beast. Therefore, I sacrifice to the LORD the males, the first offspring of every womb, but every firstborn of my sons I redeem.’ 16“So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and as phylacteries on your forehead, for with a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt.”

When our Father repeats something over and over again, we should recognize it is important. Our heavenly Father wants us to remember His love and power in setting His people free from bondage in Egypt. As followers of Messiah we can also recognize that in Messiah we now have yet another reason to celebrate Passover. Yeshua served as our Passover lamb, killed for our sin. The unleavened bread can remind us of getting sin out of our lives… making vivid a reminder that a little sin affects us a lot, like a little yeast affects the whole loaf of bread. We need to get all the sin out of our lives.

Passover is not just for Jewish people who don’t believe in Christ as Messiah. Passover has rich meaning and can help us draw nearer to the Lord. We could have a longer discussion on how to celebrate today, but for today I am really focused on encouraging you to read and study more, to embrace God’s holy days and learn more about them. God said we should, and he has great ideas. Once we make the decision to do it, then we take the next step and begin to study how… that is the journey my family and I are on today. We find great joy in seeking to better understand our relationship with YHWH through studying and celebrating his appointed times.

Do take care that we don’t have to celebrate Passover because it is “required” but rather so we can grow in our relationship with our Creator and delight in him. As the temple and the priests are not available, we can not celebrate in a fully Biblical manner, and that should not be our goal as Yeshua has already served as our Passover lamb, once and for all. Let us use this as an opportunity simply to glorify YHWH and what he has done for his people in setting them free from slavery in Egypt and more importantly in setting us free from slavery from sin through Yeshua.

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please open my eyes to Your celebrations and help me to embrace joyfully the opportunity to celebrate Your holy days in Your way! Help me to focus on celebrating Yeshua in the Moedim. Amen. 

To study more on Passover or Feast of Unleavened Bread, visit our teaching on Celebrating God’s Holy Days (Moedim) and review our category of posts relating to Holidays/Traditions (scroll down to move from one post to another).

Here are a few additional resources where you can learn more about the Moedim, the Creator’s calendar (often called the “Jewish” calendar).

I encourage you to invest time studying this topic and do not dismiss it. I have found it to be powerful in transforming the focus of our celebrations off of ourselves and rightly focused toward our Creator and Savior!

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.

Hebrew Roots / Commands / Law, His Ways Are Not Our Ways, Holy / Set Apart, Is the Old Testament Relevant Today?, Traditions / Holidays

Celebrate Yahweh’s Holy Days

YHWH set forth some instructions for celebrating holy days. These are not largely taught or truly practiced in our culture today. We seem to have unlimited appetite for declaring a celebration or recognition day for almost anything under the sun, but we often fail to focus on celebrating what God instructs us to do. Many may point to Easter or Christmas, but in truth neither was instructed as celebration by our Father and both are steeped in deep pagan roots in much of how they are celebrated. Other’s include Halloween, St. Patrick’s Day, Presidents Day, Veterans Day, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Columbus Day, Mothers Day, Fathers Day, Ground Hog Day, Read Across America Day… and we could go on. Some of these may be fine and worthwhile, but we should start first with the celebrations our Father has instructed us to recognize.

The first in Leviticus 23 is familiar… the Sabbath day of rest. Many of us are familiar with it, but most do not actually recognize it anymore. It has become just another busy day for most. They may have a day off their normal job (though many do not), but the day then becomes a busy day for chores and responsibilities at home.  I can tell you though, as one who was there and has now embraced Sabbath with my family, God has some really good ideas! A day of rest to focus on God and family rather than just another day to work is fabulous and has opened up time for me with God and with my family and just to pause and reflect from a busy week.

Celebrating Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread are great ways of ensuring we take time to reflect on and give thanks for our Passover lamb, Jesus, and to better understand how the Old Testament (Passover in Egypt) foreshadows the sacrifice of Jesus we are familiar with in the New Testament. Once again we see God’s focus for additional Sabbath rest days. It is an important concept for Him. We are called to rest at times, rather than run busily here and there during holidays as many do…often getting distracted in busyness from the intent of the holiday.

Counting 50 days… Pentecost.  We can again see the foreshadowing of the New Testament in the Old. We can give thanks to God for His provision as with harvest and again for providing us the Helper in the Holy Spirit, who came on Pentecost to the gathered believers in a powerful way as documented in Acts, after Christ returned to heaven. Our Father also reminds us that His provision is bountiful enough to share with others… hence the reminder not to harvest everything in verse 22.

We are called again to a Sabbath day of rest for Feast of Trumpets, and as we continue further in Leviticus we will come next to the Feast of Atonement as the subject of an article another day.

Leviticus 23:1-25

     1The LORD spoke again to Moses, saying, 2“Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘The LORD’S appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations—My appointed times are these:

      3‘For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a sabbath to the LORD in all your dwellings.

      4‘These are the appointed times of the LORD, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at the times appointed for them. 5‘In the first month, on the fourteenth day of the month at twilight is the LORD’S Passover. 6‘Then on the fifteenth day of the same month there is the Feast of Unleavened Bread to the LORD; for seven days you shall eat unleavened bread. 7‘On the first day you shall have a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work. 8‘But for seven days you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD. On the seventh day is a holy convocation; you shall not do any laborious work.’”

      9Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 10“Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you enter the land which I am going to give to you and reap its harvest, then you shall bring in the sheaf of the first fruits of your harvest to the priest. 11‘He shall wave the sheaf before the LORD for you to be accepted; on the day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it. 12‘Now on the day when you wave the sheaf, you shall offer a male lamb one year old without defect for a burnt offering to the LORD. 13‘Its grain offering shall then be two-tenths of an ephah of fine flour mixed with oil, an offering by fire to the LORD for a soothing aroma, with its drink offering, a fourth of a hin of wine. 14‘Until this same day, until you have brought in the offering of your God, you shall eat neither bread nor roasted grain nor new growth. It is to be a perpetual statute throughout your generations in all your dwelling places.

      15‘You shall also count for yourselves from the day after the sabbath, from the day when you brought in the sheaf of the wave offering; there shall be seven complete sabbaths. 16‘You shall count fifty days to the day after the seventh sabbath; then you shall present a new grain offering to the LORD. 17‘You shall bring in from your dwelling places two loaves of bread for a wave offering, made of two-tenths of an ephah; they shall be of a fine flour, baked with leaven as first fruits to the LORD. 18‘Along with the bread you shall present seven one year old male lambs without defect, and a bull of the herd and two rams; they are to be a burnt offering to the LORD, with their grain offering and their drink offerings, an offering by fire of a soothing aroma to the LORD. 19‘You shall also offer one male goat for a sin offering and two male lambs one year old for a sacrifice of peace offerings. 20‘The priest shall then wave them with the bread of the first fruits for a wave offering with two lambs before the LORD; they are to be holy to the LORD for the priest. 21‘On this same day you shall make a proclamation as well; you are to have a holy convocation. You shall do no laborious work. It is to be a perpetual statute in all your dwelling places throughout your generations.

      22‘When you reap the harvest of your land, moreover, you shall not reap to the very corners of your field nor gather the gleaning of your harvest; you are to leave them for the needy and the alien. I am the LORD your God.’”

      23Again the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, 24“Speak to the sons of Israel, saying, ‘In the seventh month on the first of the month you shall have a rest, a reminder by blowing of trumpets, a holy convocation. 25‘You shall not do any laborious work, but you shall present an offering by fire to the LORD.’”

There is so much to study and celebrate laid out in this scripture, but to truly understand it and appreciate it, we each need to take time in prayer and study to seek to learn more about these festivals our Lord has instructed us to participate in. I encourage each of you to begin on this journey, as I have over the past few years. Do not try to get it all in one step. Pray, seek, study, and try to implement in steps. I have found this to greatly enrich my relationship with the Lord as I submit to and seek His instruction rather than just “going along with what everyone else expects you to do with the broad spectrum of holidays defined by man.

To study more on this topic, please review our category of posts relating to Holidays/Traditions (scroll down to move from one post to another) and consider the following.

Here are a few resources where you can learn more about the Moedim, the Creator’s calendar (often called the “Jewish” calendar).

I encourage you to invest time studying this topic and do not dismiss it. I have found it to be powerful in transforming the focus of our celebrations off of ourselves and rightly focused toward our Creator and Savior!

I invite you to pray with me:

Father, please open my eyes to Your wonderful ways. Give me discernment and courage to transform my life to follow Your instructions over the traditions of men or even more specifically my family. Lead Your people in the restoration of Your ways. Help us find joy and peace as we live more and more according to Your instruction. Amen. 

Shalom

Devotion by John, in service to Christ

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Have you submitted your life to Jesus Christ? Are you living today filled with the peace and joy of truly knowing and following Jesus Christ? Learn more about salvation through The Message of the Cross.