A mini-study of Romans 1:11-32

Romans 1:11. For I yearn greatly to see you; and to give to you the gift of the Spirit, through which you may be established; 12. And that we may have comfort together in the faith of both yourselves and me. 13. And I wish you to know, my brothers, that I have many times wanted to come to you, but was prevented up until now, that I might bear some fruit among you also; even as among other Gentiles, 14. Greeks and barbarians, the wise and the unwise: for to every man I am required to preach. 15. And so, I am eager to preach to you also who are at Rome.

16. For I am not ashamed of the Good News; for it is the power of Elohim to life, to all who believe in it; whether first they are of the Jews, or whether they are of the Gentiles. 17. For in it is revealed the righteousness of Elohim, from faith to faith; as it is written, The righteous by faith, will live. 18. for the wrath of Elohim from heaven is revealed against all the iniquity and wickedness of men who hold the truth in iniquity 19. because a knowledge of Elohim is manifest in them; for Elohim has manifested it in them.

20. For, from the foundations of the world, the hidden things of Elohim are seen by the mind in the things he created even his eternal power and divinity, so that they might be without excuse 21. because they knew Elohim and did not glorify him and give thanks to him as Elohim, but became vain in their imaginings and their unwise heart was darkened.

22. And, while they thought within themselves that they were wise, they became fools. 23. And they changed the glory of the incorruptible Elohim into a likeness to the image of a corruptible man,[1] and into the likeness of birds and four-legged animals and reptiles on the earth.

24. For this cause, Elohim gave them up to the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies with them. 25. And they changed the truth of Elohim into a lie; and worshipped and served the created things, much more than the Creator of them, to whom belong glory and blessing, forever and ever: Amen.

26. For this cause, Elohim gave them up to vile passions: for their females changed the use of their natures[2] and employed that which is unnatural. 27. And so also their males set aside the use of females, which is natural, and burned with lust toward one another; and, male with male, they did what is shameful, and received in their core substance [3] the just recompense of their error.

28. And as they did not determine with themselves to know Elohim, Elohim gave them over to a vain mind; that they might do what they should not. 29. Being full of all iniquity and lewdness, and bitterness and malice, and covetousness and envy, and slaughter and strife, and deceit and evil machinations 30. and backbiting and slander; and being haters of Elohim, scoffers, proud, vain-glorious, devisers of evil things, destitute of reason, disregardful of parents.

31. And to whom a covenant is nothing, neither affection, nor peace, and in whom is no compassion. 32. These, while they know the judgment of Elohim, that he condemns those to death who perpetrate such things, are not only doers of them, but the companions of such as do them. (AENT)

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[1]  Rav Shaul rejects the idea of making a deity out of a human being, something he himself is often being wrongly accused of. The key is the phrase “corruptible man” which is put in contradistinction of Y’shua who fulfilled prophecy by virtue of having the Ruach haKodesh, the Spirit of YHWH, inside him.

If Rav Shaul did not approve of others turning images of men into false deities, he would certainly not approve of what Christendom has done today. The Son did the Father YHWH’s will; his human side submitted to the divine. This is what opened the door for repentance for all of us; therefore, all who follow Y’shua must also yield unto YHWH rather than follow a deity who lessens the Name of YHWH and abolishes Torah.

[2] The Image of Elohim is both male and female (B’resheet/Gen. 1:27). To deny the distinctions of male/female gender is to spurn the One who created male and female according to His own Image. .

[3]  The word translated as “themselves” is much better rendered as “core substance” ‑ one of several important meanings for qnoma, which also refers to an occurrence (not a separated “person”) of a nature. This verse states that punishment for sexual sin is not in the external body, but in a foundational place where the very essence of humanity resides.

A mini-study concerning the context of Romans 1:1-10

Romans 1:1. PAUL, a servant of Y’shua the Mashiyach, called and sent and separated[1] to the Good News of Elohim.[2] 2. (that) He (Elohim) had before promised, by His prophets, in the Set Apart Scriptures,[3] 3. concerning his Son who was born in the flesh, of seed of the house of Dawid,[4] 4. and was made known as the Son of Elohim by power, and by the Ruach haKodesh, who arose from the dead, Y’shua the Mashiyach, our Master, 5. by whom we have received grace and a mission among all the Gentiles[5] to the end that they may obey the faith in His Name;[6] 6. among whom, you also are called by Y’shua the Mashiyach.

7. To all those who are at Rome, beloved of Elohim, called and sanctified: Peace and grace be with you, from Elohim our Father, and from our Master Y’shua the Mashiyach.[7] 8. In the first place, I give thanks to Elohim by Y’shua the Mashiyach on account of you all; because your faith is heard of in all the world. 9. And Elohim, whom in spirit I serve in the Good News of His Son, is my witness that I continually make mention of you at all times in my prayers. 10. And I likewise supplicate that afterwards a door may be opened to me, by the good pleasure[8] of Elohim, to come to you. (AENT)

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Perysh, the word used here for “separated” is also the root from which we get ‘Pharisee,” an obvious wordplay, raising the cutting remark that Rav Shaul’s opponents separated themselves to the wrong place.

[2] Noting also that this is YHWH’s Good News about His Son.

[3] Paul quotes the Hebrew Tanakh over 80 times in this Letter to the Romans. Without understanding the original context of Torah (first 5 books of the Bible), Neviim (Prophets) and Ketuvim (writings) which he quotes from, it will be impossible to thoroughly comprehend his teachings.

Paul never heard the words “Old Testament” in his lifetime, nor would he ever permit such a dishonoring title be given to the Word of YHWH which is Mashiyach preincarnate.

[4] At times, almost being read like a corporate memo, except instead of the familiar: “TO: FROM: REGARDING: pattern, the order here is FROM (Paul) REGARDING (Y’shua the Mashiyach) and TO (the assembly in Rome). Paul is either dictating the words to Tertius, see 16:22, or Tertius is translating the letter from the original.

[5] Aimmeh= Gentiles or Nations is an appropriate translation here. Elsewhere in this document, the word Armaya is translated as “Gentiles” which refers specifically to the Arameans (or Syrians), who were kinsman to the tribes of Israel. Ya’akov the Patriarch was related to Arameans by marriage and is called “a wandering Aramean” himself (Deuteronomy 26:5). The Hebrews and the Arameans are closely connected peoples separated by a river. In fact, he word Hebrew, is derived from Eber, meaning “those from across (the other side of the river)”.

[6] YHWH is being referenced: “YHWH is salvation” which is also the name of His Son. This context is established in the next verse: “among whom you are also called by Y’shua,” meaning that Y’shua is not intended as the subject of this passage as it relates to Name.

[7] Up until now, this has been one long opening sentence! Common in both Greek and Aramaic languages, this creates a balancing act between English syntax and clarity while also remaining faithful to the order of thought.

[8] Or “will”.

A word about a comment made by Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York, concerning Jesus being an immigrant

WARNING, RANT AHEAD  about Cardinal Timothy M. Dolan of St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York who made a comment on yesterdays CBS Sunday Morning program discussing a new mural depicting immigrants.

While I understand what he was attempting to get across, his comment left me upset for hours, because it reveals to me that he just another “man of the cloth,” who does NOT know our Messiah (or the Bible), yet dares to “put words in his mouth!”

Here is what the Cardinal said - and you can check it out for yourself at the link to the program and make up your own mind, at approximately the 11:1 minute mark:

“When all is said and done when I stand before Jesus, he’s not going to say, ‘Hey Dolan, good work with the mural… But I need to ask you something: When I was an immigrant, did you welcome me?’ And if I say, I’m afraid I didn’t Lord, then he’s gonna say ‘Get the hell outta here!’ Right?”

What incensed me about that statement is that (1) Messiah Yeshua would NEVER talk like that, in the first place; and (2) he certainly isn’t going to be discussing his “immigrant” status of two thousand years ago – because that is NOT what the story of his birth, life, death and resurrection is all about!

The fact is, when we stand before Yeshua, his conversation will strictly center around each of US, and whether or not we were “wholehearted” toward him and His Father YHWH, by following His Divine Instructions in Righteousness (Torah)!

Matthew 7:21 "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord!' will enter the Kingdom of Heaven, only those who do what my Father in heaven wants. 22 On that Day, many will say to me, 'Lord, Lord! Didn't we prophesy in your name? Didn't we expel demons in your name? Didn't we perform many miracles in your name?' 23 Then I will tell them to their faces, 'I never knew you! Get away from me, you workers of lawlessness!' (CJB)

Revelation 3:14 “To the angel of the Messianic Community in Laodicea, write: ‘Here is the message from the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the Ruler of God’s creation 15 “I know what you are doing: you are neither cold nor hot. How I wish you were either one or the other! 16 So, because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth! (CJB)

Revelation 3:19 As for me, I rebuke and discipline everyone I love; so exert yourselves, and turn from your sins! ²⁰ Here, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If someone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me. ²¹ I will let him who wins the victory sit with me on my throne, just as I myself also won the victory and sat down with my Father on his throne. ²² Those who have ears, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the Messianic communities.”’” (CJB)

Ezekiel 22:26 Her pastors/priests have done violence to my law and have profaned my holy things. They have made no distinction between the holy and the common, neither have they taught the difference between the unclean and the clean, and they have disregarded my Sabbaths, so that I am profaned among them."

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of ADONAI is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. (CJB)

Proverbs 28:4 Those who abandon Torah praise the wicked, but those who keep Torah fight them. (CJB)

And finally, I leave you with these passages to ponder:

Matthew 7:¹³ “Go in through the narrow gate; for the gate that leads to destruction is wide and the road broad, and many travel it; ¹⁴ but it is a narrow gate and a hard road that leads to life, and only a few find it. (CJB)

Matthew 7:¹⁵ “Beware of the false prophets! They come to you wearing sheep’s clothing, but underneath they are hungry wolves! ¹⁶ You will recognize them by their fruit. Can people pick grapes from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? ¹⁷ Likewise, every healthy tree produces good fruit, but a poor tree produces bad fruit. ¹⁸ A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, or a poor tree good fruit. ¹⁹ Any tree that does not produce good fruit is cut down and thrown in the fire! ²⁰ So you will recognize them by their fruit. (CJB)

Yom Teruah/Rosh HaShana is on the horizon once again…

This year (2025)  the High Holy Day of Yom Teruah/Rosh Hashana begins at sunset, September 22, and ends at sunset on September 23. (The readings for Yom Teruah/Roash HaShana are: Leviticus  23:23-25, Numbers 29:1-  6, Matthew 24:30-31, 1  Thessalonians 4:16-17.)

The biblical name for this holiday is actually “Yom Teruah” ("day of shouting/blasting"). It is the first of the Jewish High Holy Days known as "Days of Awe" as specified by Leviticus 23:23–25, kicking off a ten-day period of penitence culminating in the holiest of High Holy Days, known as Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).

Why is it so important and what, exactly, makes this day so special?  Let’s begin with this passage, where God Himself commanded it to be observed:

Leviticus 23:23-25 says: And יהוה spoke to Mosheh, saying, 24 “Speak to the children of Yisra’ĕl, saying, ‘In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you have a rest, a remembrance of blowing of trumpets, a set-apart gathering. 25 ‘You do no servile work, and you shall bring an offering made by fire to יהוה.’” (ISR)

Rosh Hashana denotes the Jewish Civil New Year … the creation of the world, according to tradition; the anniversary of the creation of Adam and Eve and their first actions toward the realization of man's role in the world; of the first sin that was committed and resulting repentance; a day when YHWH takes stock of all of His Creation, which includes all of humanity.

It is also a rehearsal for the day when the bridegroom will come to claim us, his bride, who are betrothed to Him … when Yeshua will return to earth as the “Lion of Judah!”

1 Thessalonians 4: 16. Because our Master (Y'shua) will himself descend from heaven with the mandate and with the voice of the chief Messenger and with the Qarna (trumpet/shofar) of Elohim; and the dead who are in the Mashiyach will first arise; 17. and then we who survive and are alive will be caught up together with them to the clouds to meet our Master (Y'shua) in the air; and so will we be ever with our Master. (AENT)

Matthew 24: 27. For as the sunshine comes out from the East and is seen even in the West, thus will be the coming of the Son of man. 28. Wherever the carcass is, there will the eagles gather. 29. And immediately after the suffering of those days, the sun will be darkened and the moon will not shine its light. And the stars will fall from heaven, and the powers of heaven will be shaken.

30. And then will be seen the sign of the Son of man in heaven, and then all the tribes of the land mourn, when they will see the Son of man who comes upon the clouds of heaven with great power and glory. 31. And he will send his Messengers with a large trumpet, and they will gather his chosen ones from the four winds from one end of heaven to the other. (AENT)

According to tradition, during this time YHWH's people are to concentrate all their efforts into making amends with their brethren and apologizing for past offenses – in preparation for the next Feast, which is Yom Kippur/Day of Atonement.

It is important to note that, judging by the fact that Yeshua has so far fulfilled the first four Appointed Times in sequence, Yom Teruah/Trumpets will be the next one to be fulfilled, because when the trumpets sound, those who have accepted YHWH as their God (along with His Divine Messiah, Yeshua) will be gathered/resurrected (I Thessalonians 4:13-18, I Cor. 15:50-54).

Halleluyah!

A MINI-LESSON ON ROMANS 9:30-33

Romans 9: 30. What will we say then? That the Gentiles who ran not after righteousness, have found righteousness, even the righteousness which is by faith: 31. But Israel who ran after the Torah of righteousness, has not found the Torah of righteousness. 32. And why? Because they went after it, not by faith, but by the works of Torah. For they stumbled at that stumbling-stone: 33. As it is written, Behold, I lay in Tsiyon a stumbling-stone and a stone of offense: and he who believes in him, will not be ashamed. (AENT)

IN OTHER WORDS, Paul is NOT saying that "all one has to do is to believe in Jesus!" He is saying that once one has accepted the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob and begins to OBEY Him, everything changes!

Many were guilty of simply doing by rote the Seventh Day Sabbath and the Feasts, etc. But their HEARTS weren't it! They were doing because that's what everyone else was doing...without actually KNOWING YHWH and doing these things out of love or the desire to have a real relationship with Him.

(This can be likened to a teenager cleaning up his/her room because they were TOLD to. They do it to prevent punishment, not because they love their parents so much that they want to please them.)

Having a relationship with God is a two-way street...

Yes, by grace and faith we are saved; but once we enter into that relationship, we are expected to heed and obey, and live our life according to HIS Divine Instructions, and not pretend we are "holy," simply because we "believe."

Ephesians 2:4. But Elohim who is rich in His mercies because of the great love with which He loved us 5. when we were dead in our sins, gave us life with the Mashiyach and rescued[1] us by His grace; 6. and revived us with him and seated us with him in heaven, in Y’shua the Mashiyach: 7. that He might show to the coming ages[2] the magnitude of the riches of His grace and His goodness towards us in Y’shua the Mashiyach.

8. For it is by His grace we are rescued, through faith; and this is not of yourselves, but it is the gift of Elohim; [3] 9. not of works, or else anyone glory (in themselves). 10. for we are His creation who are created in Y’shua the Mashiyach for good works which Elohim has before prepared for us to walk in. (AENT)

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Literally, “saved.” A variant of this word is what we call “Savior” in English. In Aramaic the concept of a savior is literally: “giver of life.”

[2] Or, “worlds.”

[3] The synonym for “gift of YHWH” is the name Mattityahu (Matthew). Rav Shaul (Paul) perhaps intended to reference Matthew here, the writer of the first account of the Good News! Matthew’s account of the Good News might well have been the only publication in circulation in Rav Shaul’s lifetime.

What ELOHIM personally said about Torah Observance…

This mini-lesson reveals some of God’s exact words about obedience to His Divine Instructions in Righteousness:

Deuteronomy 27: 1 Then Moshe and all the leaders of Isra'el gave orders to the people. They said, "Observe all the mitzvot I am giving you today. 2 When you cross the Yarden to the land ADONAI your God is giving you, you are to set up large stones, put plaster on them, 3 and, after crossing over, write this Torah on them, every word -so that you can enter the land ADONAI your God is giving you, a land flowing with milk and honey, as ADONAI, the God of your ancestors, promised you. 4 When you have crossed the Yarden, you are to set up these stones, as I am ordering you today, on Mount 'Eival; and put plaster on them.

5 There you are to erect an altar to ADONAI your God, an altar made of stones. You are not to use any iron tool on them, 6 but are to build the altar of ADONAI your God of uncut stones; and you are to offer burnt offerings on it to ADONAI your God. 7 Also you are to sacrifice peace offerings, eat there and be joyful in the presence of ADONAI your God. 8 You are to write on the stones all the words of this Torah very clearly." 9 Next Moshe and the cohanim, who are L'vi'im, spoke to all Isra'el. They said, "Be quiet; and listen, Isra'el! Today you have become the people of ADONAI your God. 10 Therefore you are to listen to what ADONAI your God says and obey his mitzvot and laws, which I am giving you today." (CJB)

Obviously obedience to Torah is NOT a suggestion! And Yeshua confirmed this time and time again! (See Matthew 5:17-20 and then ask yourself if ALL has already happened and heaven and earth have passed away!)

Please note verse 2, "when you cross the Yarden." Remember, the word "Hebrew" means "to cross over." YHWH's people this time are crossing over both physically and spiritually, as they are in the process of being taught the history about how YHWH came to be their God and how they are to be a light to the nations THROUGH OBEDIENCE to His Torah! Nowhere are we ever told to STOP obeying the Mitzvot YHWH gave His people! (Granted, many of the Torah laws cannot be kept today because most of them were for the priests of the day, some were only for men and others only for women. But there are several "forever" commands we can and should keep.)

Please note verse 8 which says "THIS Torah"; not "a" Torah or "the" Torah, but THIS Torah (haTorah)! Same thing in Deuteronomy 27:26 which says: "'A curse on anyone who does not confirm the words of this Torah by putting them into practice. 'All the people are to say, 'Amen!'

WOW! Could it be ANY clearer? Torah is not "a curse" as most Christians insist; one is cursed if one does NOT obey Torah!

If you'll look ahead to Deut. 28:69/29:1, you'll see YHWH saying: 1 These are the words of the covenant which ADONAI ordered Moshe to make with the people of Isra'el in the land of Mo'av, in addition to the covenant which he made with them in Horev."

The Covenant at Horeb was giving of the Torah at Mt. Sinai. THIS ONE - the one spoken of in  Parsha 50 - was given at Moab in addition to the former one that was given to the original people who came out of Egypt. Remember, at this point in time, YHWH was addressing their offspring and those who lived to see this moment, to remind them of their history.

How can a person be sure they are basing their observance on faith and not on their own efforts?

QUESTION:  How can a person be sure they are basing their observance on faith and not on their own efforts? Sometimes life events get in the way and confuse the issues.

That's a great question – and the answer is: If something doesn't line up with Torah and everything Yeshua taught, then we might be guilty of using our "own efforts."

It's not easy - especially since ONLY the Land is Israel makes Torah observance easy, because everyone there is aware of the Divine Instructions! For instance, businesses in Israel shut down on Shabbat. No work allowed.

Same with the seven commanded and glorious Mo'edim/Feast Times. each of which has its own special meaning. The whole Jewish community throughout the Land, observes them. For instance, in Sukkot (Tabernacles) everybody builds their own sukkahs (temporary dwellings) in which they reside for a week, in remembrance of the hardships of Israel's 40 years in the wilderness.

The rest of the world doesn't have that luxury; therefore, those of us whose eyes have been opened to God's Truth, live outside of Israel are forced to deal with life and the every day workings of "the world," while doing our best to BE Torah observant, to KEEP the commanded Seventh Day Sabbath Rest holy, and to live our lives as closely as possible to what the Bible tells us.

Unfortunately, the most of us are forced to live in this "fallen world" which pays no attention to God. (Be assured that the Holy One KNOWS how hard it is for us who are trying to be as obedient as possible - and He never said we had to be perfect at it; He just expects us to stay our minds on Him while we continue to strive to be the best servants possible, given our limited knowledge in a world FULL of "voices" trying to tell us what to do and how to do it, etc.)

So, my response to your question is:

While Some things are clear cut, such as refusing to, for instance, commit adultery. As we see in Torah, in ancient times, anyone proven guilty of adultery (or any other sex crimes, for that matter) were to be put to death.  Any type of sex crimes are considered heinous because they involve our own bodies – our TEMPLES – which we are commanded to keep holy. There should be NO confusion about that!

On the other hand, the keeping of the Shabbats in our fallen world is only easy for those whose jobs don't require them to work on Saturdays.  But, not everyone has a job like that, and so, while they HAVE to make a living, and perhaps cannot find work that allows them to keep the Sabbath REST, common sense would dictate that, at least, they can still OBSERVE it by at leaset REMEMBERING the Shabbat and taking time out to talk to ADONAI during their break times, and reading the Torah portions either BEFORE going to work, or during their lunch hour - or whatever else it takes to show Him that they KNOW it's Shabbat and they ARE trying to honor it.

Sometimes, the things directly affecting our life are less clear cut. For instance, we know that God HATES divorce - yet, He also doesn't expect His people to live in agony in a broken relationship that absolutely cannot be fixed for whatever reason. He doesn't expect nor condone spouses being either mentally or physically abusive towards one another.

In those cases where a relationship is broken beyond repair, it's best to separate - remembering to keep in mind that HE wants to keep His relationship with BOTH of you!  The only GOOD way to move on in a situation where you suddenly find yourself “single” again, is by remaining a Torah observant believer in YHWH, His Torah, and His Divine Messiah who died on your behalf to redeem your soul.

Whatever the situation, it is imperative to repent, turn from any sins you might be committing, and – setting your own desires aside, while taking care of yourself to the best of your ability - ask God to put you back on HIS Path. Be patient and wait for Him to work in your life.  You’ll notice it when He does.

Whenever "confusion" gets in the way, we MUST to turn to HIM – to prayer, to His Word where we can always get the answers we need to continue on HIS Path. Please see our short article on how to hear His Voice.

A word for those who believe they can have their “best conversations with God” while perched on the toilet…

IT TRULY DISGUSTS ME when supposed "believers" (especially those who consider themselves Torah teachers) unashamedly posting on their wall that they have some of their best conversations with God while sitting on the toilet...

Sorry, but I consider people like that, disgusting, disrespectful and immature in the faith. I suggest reading Leviticus 15 to anyone who thinks God is happy to chat with you while you're doing your private business on the john!

Below are just a couple of small passages that reveal just exactly how HE fells about cleanliness and holiness. (Even though they don't specifically mention pooping, He makes it amply clear that no one should come into His Presence with anything "unclean" on them - whether physically or spiritually.)...

Leviticus 15: 1 Adonai said to Moshe and Aharon, 2 “Tell the people of Isra’el, ‘When any man has a discharge from his body, the discharge is unclean. 3 The discharge is unclean no matter whether it continues flowing or has stopped; it is still his uncleanness. (CJB)

Leviticus 16: Adonai spoke with Moshe after the death of Aharon’s two sons, when they tried to sacrifice before Adonai and died; 2 Adonai said to Moshe, “Tell your brother Aharon not to come at just any time into the Holy Place beyond the curtain, in front of the ark-cover which is on the ark, so that he will not die; because I appear in the cloud over the ark-cover. (CJB)

ADONAI IS HOLY! Trying to force your filth on Him can be very dangerous to your health! If He is that strict about bodily discharges and physical and spiritual cleanliness, then He’s surely NOT happy with anyone trying to engage Him in a friendly chat while they're busy discharging feces from their rear end!

If you believe Paul was anti-Torah, then how do you explain these verses?

Contrary to popular belief, the Apostle Paul was NOT against Torah (the laws/divine instructions from God). Why would he be, since without Torah, the world would have no blueprint of moral, holy living!  As proof of this, we present the following passages, straight from the “New Testament”:

Acts 28: 23 From morning till evening the Apostle Paul explained and declared the Kingdom of God and tried to convince people about Yeshua from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. (CJB)

Acts 24: 14. But this indeed I (Paul) acknowledge, that in that same doctrine of which they speak, I do serve the Elohim of my fathers, believing all the things written in Torah and in the prophets. (AENT)

Acts 21: 15. And after those days, we prepared ourselves and went up to Urishlim (Jerusalem). 16. And some disciples of Caesarea went along with us, taking with them a brother from among the earlier disciples, whose name was Mnason, and who was from Cyprus; that he might entertain us at his house. 17. And when we arrived at Urishlim, the Brothers received us with great happiness. 18. And the next day, with Paul, we went to Ya’akov (James), when all the Elders were with him. 19. And we gave them (wishes) of peace: and Paul narrated to them in great detail what Elohim had created among the Gentiles by his ministry.

20. And when they heard (it) they glorified Elohim. And they said to him: “Our brother, You see how many myriads[1] there are in Judaea who have believed: and these are all zealous for Torah![2] 21. And it has been told them, of you, that you teach all the Jews that are among the Gentiles to depart from Moshe, by telling them not to circumcise their children, and not to observe the rites of Torah.[3]

22. Now, because they have heard that you have arrived here, 23. do what we tell you. We have four men, who have vowed to purify themselves. 24. Take them, and go and purify yourself with them, and pay the expenses along with them, as they will shave their heads; that every one may know, that what is said against you is false, and that you fulfill and observe Torah.

25. As to those of the Gentiles who have believed, we have written, that they should keep themselves from (an idol’s) sacrifice, and from sexual sin, and from what is strangled, and from blood.”[4] (AENT)

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Greek murias (myriads) refers to a minimum of 10,000 souls.

[2] Most translations read “zealous for the law”; it is a self-evident truth that myriads of Netzarim followers of Y’shua were also zealous for Torah! The work of the Ruach haKodesh (Set-Apart Spirit) is to write Torah (instructions in righteousness) upon the hearts of YHWH’s people, both Jew and Elohim Fearers.

[3] Attacks against Rav Shaul (Paul) by factions of rabbinical zealots were manifold. Shaul taught that faith and intent of the heart determines whether a person is ready to be circumcised and walk in Torah. At no time did Shaul teach against either circumcision or Torah; however, he opposed the “traditions of the Pharisees” who demanded blind observance to their religious traditions.

Shaul required that Gentile converts be taught about covenant and have clear understanding of what they were doing, in relationship to YHWH and His Mashiyach (Messiah) ; to be expected to know and observe complex halakha (way of walking) at early stages of belief is unacceptable. Both the Pharisees and Netzarim taught that a person must study to develop their understanding and establish the intent in their heart before circumcision, rather than blindly follow the wishes of others.

Only a small group of zealots demanded immediate circumcision, which is something Rav Shaul clearly opposes. It is very evident that Avraham received instruction before his circumcision, and he is the father of Faith for both Jews and Gentiles alike.

[4] Acts 15 does NOT suggest that Gentiles are exempt from obeying God’s Divine Instructions in Righteousness (Torah); rather, the point in the letter was to ease the mind of the new gentile believer that all the demands of Judaism would not be levied on them all at once. Rather, in the beginning, the gentile should leave behind the pagan ways of accepting as food, animals sacrificed to idols, from blood, from things strangled, and from fornication. (Acts 15:29).

Are you among those who believe the “Old Testament” is irrelevant?

THERE ARE SO MANY THINGS TO PONDER ABOUT THE BIBLE; THE FOLLOWING IS JUST ONE EXAMPLE:

If you are among the many who believe the “Old Testament” is no longer relevant today, or that it doesn’t pertain to the modern-day world, then you – unfortunately -  are DENYING that passages such as Isaiah 52 and 53 both foretell and perfectly outline the coming of God’s Messiah!

No, really – don’t sit there, rolling your eyes!  The bottom line is, you either believe ALL of the Bible is true and relevant; or not.  There is no “gray area.” 

TIME may have changed, but GOD has not! (Malachi 3; Hebrews 13:8; Hebrews 6:17–20; James 1:17; Psalm 102:25–27; Psalm 90:1–2; Isaiah 40:27–28; Numbers 23:19; 1 Samuel 15:29 and 2 Timothy 2:13.)

NORMS, CUSTOMS AND STANDARDS may have changed, but the nature of humanity has not! Human beings are still the same carnal beings they always were – and we can see that more than ever in today’s corrupt, immoral society, where everything God ever considered “good” is now considered “evil”, and “evil” is now considered “good” by society at large…

So, let’s check out the passages to which I’m referring:

Isaiah 52: 13 "See how my servant will succeed! He will be raised up, exalted, highly honored! 14 Just as many were appalled at him, because he was so disfigured that he didn't even seem human and simply no longer looked like a man, 15 so now he will startle many nations; because of him, kings will be speechless. For they will see what they had not been told, they will ponder things they had never heard." (CJB)

Isaiah 53: 1 Who believes our report? To whom is the arm of ADONAI revealed? 2 For before him he grew up like a young plant, like a root out of dry ground. He was not well-formed or especially handsome; we saw him, but his appearance did not attract us. 3 People despised and avoided him, a man of pains, well acquainted with illness. Like someone from whom people turn their faces, he was despised; we did not value him.

4 In fact, it was our diseases he bore, our pains from which he suffered; yet we regarded him as punished, stricken and afflicted by God. 5 But he was wounded because of our crimes, crushed because of our sins; the disciplining that makes us whole fell on him, and by his bruises we are healed. 6 We all, like sheep, went astray; we turned, each one, to his own way; yet ADONAI laid on him the guilt of all of us. Or: and in fellowship with him 7 Though mistreated, he was submissive - he did not open his mouth. Like a lamb led to be slaughtered, like a sheep silent before its shearers, he did not open his mouth.

8 After forcible arrest and sentencing, he was taken away; and none of his generation protested his being cut off from the land of the living for the crimes of my people, who deserved the punishment themselves. 9 He was given a grave among the wicked; in his death he was with a rich man. Although he had done no violence and had said nothing deceptive, 10 yet it pleased ADONAI to crush him with illness, to see if he would present himself as a guilt offering. If he does, he will see his offspring; and he will prolong his days; and at his hand ADONAI's desire will be accomplished.

11 After this ordeal, he will see satisfaction. "By his knowing [pain and sacrifice], my righteous servant makes many righteous; it is for their sins that he suffers. 12 Therefore I will assign him a share with the great, he will divide the spoil with the mighty, for having exposed himself to death and being counted among the sinners, while actually bearing the sin of many and interceding for the offenders." (CJB)

Do you see what I’m getting at?  To ignore ANY of the “Old Testament” is NOT a wise idea – because, without it, you cannot KNOW the God you serve – the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, and His Divine Messiah! Unfortunately, many “New-Testament-only” Christians view the “Old Testament” as being interesting, but totally irrelevant “old stories”…

On the other hand, many  (if not most) Jews view the above passages as referring to Israel.  They never ask themselves how Israel can possibly "die" for Israel; or how Israel can’t be "well-formed or especially handsome" or have an "appearance that did not attract us."  They don’t ask how Israel can be "a man of pains, well acquainted with illness" or bear "our diseases" or be "forcibly arrested and taken away," or "given a grave among the wicked"…

But, yet –  just like their Christian counterparts – they will  “cherry-pick” Scripture, to find other passages to help them “tweak the truth” to match their own beliefs or understanding. (We’ve ALL been guilty of it, at some point!)

Regardless, as you can plainly see, the Bible should NEVER be viewed as “two separate “testaments.”  The “old” and the “new” are ONE ENTITY that reveal God’s Plan from beginning to end! Why is that so hard to understand?

Attempting to cherry-pick” the whole of ELOHIM’s Word is dangerous business, because it keeps one from actually KNOWING the God we worship: the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob – the One who never changes; the One who gave us His Only Begotten “Son” – Messiah Yeshua who willingly shed his own Divine Blood to become our Redeemer; the One who has ALWAYS expected mankind to get to know and obey His Divine Instructions, without which we would have NO blueprint for moral, holy living…

Please don’t take my word for it; simply remove those bigoted glasses through which you’ve been reading the Bible, and ask the Holy Spirit to help you understand GOD’s Truth as you begin reading your way from cover to cover, starting in Genesis, and heading straight through to Revelation.

Some comments about the “Burning Man Festival”

I BELIEVE IT WOULD BE AN UNDERSTATEMENT TO SUGGEST THAT ADONAI HATES THE PAGAN “BURNING MAN FESTIVAL!” - which is why this festival (which includes idolatry, debauchery of all kinds, that includes a tent designed specifically for the purpose of conducting orgies) is fraught with endless strings of disaster.

Every year, attendees are forced to experience unexpected hardships, such as dust, downpours, medical problem - and sometimes even death.

This year (2025), a terrible dust storm tore apart tents and put a swift end to all the festivities: https://www.cnn.com/2025/08/26/world/video/burning-man-dust-storm-ldn-digvid

In 2024 alone, there were a total of 1,524 people injured at Burning Man, according to data provided by the nonprofit that runs the festival. The organization said there was a single death in 2024, as well as one in 2023. Thousands of people were seen by medical staff in 2023 and 2022, according to the event’s annual reports. Some injuries and even deaths are hardly surprising given the sheer scale of the event, which attracted over 70,000 people last year.

But Burning Man’s setup also presents many dangers. 

Dehydration and exposure are a constant risk in the desert environment, as attendees are required to be entirely self-sufficient with their own water, shelter and food. Drinking and drug use are common. The event grounds, called the playa, are covered in bizarre and beautiful pieces of art, and mutant vehicles that have been transformed into outlandish shapes, like yachts with dance floors or tentacled monsters spewing fire, roam around the desert at all hours of the night.

I personally believe the reason for these endless problems for this yearly event is that the it represents everything God hates – as amply outlined in this snippet from an article I borrowed from Patricipedia:

“Burning Man is commonly described as a festival about artistic expression, but the event is actually much broader in its scope and focus. Individuals who attend the festival – “Burners”, as they are colloquially called – have multiple reasons for participating in Burning Man, from creative expression to community engagement to revelry.

“Therefore, rather than featuring a single mission, the festival revolves around ten fundamental principles which have been adopted by the central organizing entity and disseminated online. These guidelines include radical inclusion, gifting, decommodification , radical self-reliance, radical self-expression, communal effort, civic responsibility, leave no trace, participation, and immediacy. “

AND THERE YOU HAVE IT!  I don’t know about you, but I personally see ADONAI’s Wrath being unleashed to let these people know who’s Boss! Hopefully, some of them will “wake up and smell the coffee” while there’s still time, because the Bible is literally unfolding to usher in the end times scenario!

Things ADONAI hates…

THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE WE SEE THINGS THAT ADONAI HATES. The list of actions mentioned therein consists of everything that doesn't line up with His Divine Instructions to mankind (Torah). One of the most well-known passages can be in the Book of Proverbs, which leaves no doubt about the seriousness of willful transgression of holy behavior:

Proverbs 6:16 There are six things ADONAI hates, seven which he detests: 17 a haughty look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, 18 a heart that plots wicked schemes, feet swift in running to do evil, 19 a false witness who lies with every breath, and him who sows strife among brothers. (CJB)

Proverbs 21:6 goes on to say that a lying tongue is a characteristic of them that seek death. Revelation 21:8 says that all liars shall have their part in the second death (in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone). 2 Thessalonians 2:12 teaches that believing a lie can cost men their souls.

There are so many actions that He considers abhorrent, because they are directly opposed to His nature and standards of love, truth, and justice. However, He also knows that all humans, at some point, tend to stray, as that is our fallen nature – and that is why He gave us a way back to Him; and all we have to do is to repent and turn away from our sins (whatever they may be).

It is the ONLY thing that can get us back onto God’s Path, as there is NO salvation for continued, deliberate sinning:

Numbers 15: 30 "'But an individual who does something wrong intentionally, whether a citizen or a foreigner, is blaspheming ADONAI. That person will be cut off from his people. (CJB)

Hebrews 6: 4. But they who have once descended to immersion and have tasted the gift from heaven and have received the Ruach haKodesh 5. and have tasted the good Word of Elohim and the power of the world to come, 6. cannot again sin and a second time be renewed to repentance; or a second time execute him on a stake and insult the Son of Elohim. 7. For the earth that drinks the rain which comes often upon it and produces the herb that is of use to those for whom it is cultivated, receives a blessing from Elohim. 8. But if it should put forth thorns and briers, it would be discarded and be approaching closely to a curse, and its end would be a conflagration. (AENT)

Hebrews 10: 26 For if we deliberately continue to sin after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27 but only the terrifying prospect of Judgment, or raging fire that will consume the enemies. (CJB)

The above Scripture is not referring to those unclean bondages that dwell in our flesh but to the conscious choices believers make. It refers not to our unintentional sins but to those we pursue knowingly and willingly.

2 Peter 2: 19 They promise them freedom, but they themselves are slaves of corruption; for a person is slave to whatever has defeated him. 20 Indeed, if they have once escaped the pollutions of the world through knowing our Lord and Deliverer, Yeshua the Messiah, and then have again become entangled and defeated by them, their latter condition has become worse than their former. 21 It would have been better for them not to have known the Way of righteousness than, fully knowing, to turn from the holy command delivered to them. (CJB)

How many of today's believers behave in a way they know is sinful and yet they go ahead and do what they feel like doing, anyway? That's because they mistakenly think Divine grace covers intentional sin. That is a huge misconception! Divine grace has made wonderful provision for unintentional sin. But there is no provision for intentional sin. The Bible tells us so.

Deliberate, premeditated sin is willful disobedience and rebellion against ELOHIM. It results in severe punishment or even loss of our salvation.

Leviticus 26: 23 If, in spite of all this, you refuse my correction and still go against me; then I too will go against you; and I, yes I, will strike you seven times over for your sins. (CJB)

1 Corinthians 6: 9. Or don't you know, that the unrighteous will not inherit the Kingdom of Elohim?* Make no mistake! Neither sexual sinners, nor idol-worshippers, nor adulterers, nor the corrupt, nor men who lay down with other men, 10. Nor the oppressors, nor thieves, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, will inherit the Kingdom of Elohim. (AENT)

FOOTNOTE: Compare this to Matthew 5:17-20, where we are told that breaking the least commandment of Torah and teaching others to do the same makes a person "least in the kingdom" but they still get in. Y'shua implies that those with more serious sins won't make it in: "Depart from me, workers of iniquity, I never knew you"; but in the passage above, Rav Shaul (Paul) gives a more specific list of what will keep them out.

Are the Words of the Holy One “Commandments” – or Prophetic Empowerments?

Sharing some wise insights from Bill Bullock (a Texas attorney who produces some awesome Torah studies each week from his ministry, The Rabbi’s Son. Referencing Parashah 48: Shof'tim (Judges) (Deuteronomy 16:18 through 21:9), Mr. Bullock reveals something very interesting concerning ADONAI's Divine Instructions to His people:

The words which Moshe will speak in this second speech are usually described in English as “commandments” and “ordinances” and “laws”. But those terms do not describe them accurately at all. Alas, the translation of the Holy One’s declaration at Sinai into English and other Western language as ‘commandments’, ‘ordinances’ and ‘laws’ lies at the root of the most critical errors into which both Christianity and Judaism have wandered.

By and large organized Christianity has erred in rejecting Torah’s “commandments, ordinances, and laws” as “unspiritual” – indeed considered to border on being demonic. Most of Christianity has thus over the centuries devolved into a King-less, Constitution-less, Kingdom-less, Love-less, Law-less blob of prudish, angry religious people who try to process glorious spiritual mysteries through the filter of fleshly, carnal minds, who spread hate-filled opinions instead of truth, who expose people to dull, repetitive sermons instead of flowing in vibrant words of life, who pass off cute marquee one-liners as revelation, and who promote models of church growth and bean-counting instead of any real, substantive message that could lead to freedom, destiny, and purpose. Organized Christianity today thus has virtually nothing of value to offer either the world or its own adherents, and both groups are rejecting it in droves.

Many modern forms of organized Judaism on the other hand have committed the exact opposite error, focusing almost all their attention on the letter of Torah’s instructions, drawing all the wrong lessons from the Holocaust and therefore instilling in upcoming generations the paranoia that everyone who is not Jewish is anti-Semitic, dangerous, and inferior. Indeed since the Holocaust the mantra of organized Judaism seems to have unofficially changed from Sh’ma Yisrael! to ‘Never Again’!

As a result mind-numbing sets of extra-Biblical rules designed to keep people away have been promoted in the guise of ‘building a fence around the Torah’. There is indeed now a fence around the Torah in many forms of Judaism – and that fence is so high, is laced with so much razor wire, and is strewn with so many IEDs that the beauty of Torah – if not of the Holy One Himself -- has become hidden behind the carnage. Father Avraham would weep. Moshe would be appalled. David would hang his harp in the willows. Sh’lomo would scratch his head in bewilderment. Eliyahu would rend his mantle in twain and start thrashing.

Fragments of the Messianic Judaism are alas falling into the same traps as organized Christianity and Judaism. Labels such as ‘Sacred Namers’, ‘Two-Housers’, ‘Lunar Sabbatarians’, and ‘Sabbatical Year Followers’ have become modern ‘Shibboleths’. Swords are drawn and waving, ready to strike off the ear, cut out the tongue, or lop of the head, of anyone and everyone who fails to adopt the specific phraseology the ears of those bearing one’s chosen label itch to hear.

Brethren, these things should not be so. What in Heaven’s Name are we doing? How can we continue to misrepresent the Holy One’s character so horribly?

The Sinaitic covenant is not “law” - at least in any sense that term is used today. Nor are the mitzvot, mishpatim, and chukim “commandments” or “ordinances”.

They are Divine Energy.

They are a sweet fountain of life, health and peace.

They are substantive words of Divine empowerment and activation.

They are loving instructions, given in the context of an abiding covenant relationship, prophetically and creatively reshaping the soul and spirit of the recipient, transforming her from a redeemed slave into the Betrothed Bride-to-be of the Holy One.

Some random musings…

JUST SOME RANDOM MUSINGS: Contrary to popular belief in some circles, Torah keeping was never about salvation, and deliverance was never by Torah observation!

Never have we seen Torah observation give someone the ability to earn their salvation or to deliver them from the calamity they were already experiencing! In Both cases YHWH is there offering us Salvation or Deliverance!

Even Noah did not save himself. The Holy One blessed him with life after the flood for his OBEDIENCE!! Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3) didn’t save themselves from the fiery furnace; yet, thanks to the fourth “person” in there with them, they emerged unscathed.

In Acts 10, Cornelius was desiring to learn more and go deeper in Torah - otherwise why invite Peter? If he just wanted to celebrate ELOHIM like all the other converted pagans, why invite a JEWISH man?

Because it is NOT about Jew and Gentile; it is about how to live in the Kingdom, as a citizen … someone who belongs there, who fits into the Macro- culture of how YHWH does things.

I could list dozens of examples, but the bottom line is simply this: Observing Torah is the real evidence that you actually received the salvation you say you did not earn!

Torah observation is not a burden, but an honor! I am honored to rest on Sabbath, I am honored to celebrate the Feasts; I’m honored beyond belief to know that YHWH opened my spiritual eyes to Shema (see and hear) … all of it! Torah is my/our culture and renewed Kingdom ways.

Living out Torah, properly is about God, life and celebration of community. I learn something, and share; and you learn something and share. When someone new comes in and joins us, we both help teach them from our different experiences coming to the Truth of YHWH/Yeshua/Torah.

Oh, how my heart longs to see more people being able to grasp that!

The Torah studies of year 2025 are nearing the end of the yearly Torah cycle … and the words of Moshe (Moses) continue to reverberate down through the millennia…

WOW! I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT WE RE NEARING THE END OF ANOTHER YEARLY TORAH CYCLE ALREADY! Only 8 more Torah studies to go (little less than two months) before we reach the last portion, Parasha 54, and Sukkot, the final festival of the Hebrew calendar year...

Regarding this week's Torah portion (Parasha 46), we note something VERY important as we continue to witness Moshe (Moses) reviewing for the "new generation" all that ADONAI had done for His people over the last 40 years - and what He expected of them, going forward.

What I've kept seeing reiterated over the last few readings about Moshe's review, is that YHWH expects His people to avoid paganism of all kinds - whatever it takes - because, if they don't, they will be sucked into the same rut they've been trying to escape in their quest to obey YHWH!
For instance, referring back to Genesis 12:1 we see Moshe relating the story of Avram (later renamed Avraham) being told to leave his father's house and go to the land that YHWH intended to show him.

(By the way, for anyone new to Torah, the term "Hebrew" means "to cross over" which is what Avram the Chaldean did in Genesis 12 when he both spiritually and physically "crossed over" to the land YHWH commanded him to go to. Once Avram "crossed over" he became our first Patriarch, Avraham, which means "father of many" or "father of a multitude." Avraham's life - just like yours on your new Torah journey! - was literally turned upside-down once he began obeying YHWH's Holy Will...)

Moving on with this week's Torah portion, referring back to Exodus 33:1, we are reminded of YHWH telling Moshe to "leave this place" and head for the Promised Land."

(Just like Avraham, Moshe/Moses endured many changes on his journey to do what YHWH had planned for him to do, all along... He surely never, in his wildest dreams, ever thought that God was going to use him to liberate His People from the pagan Egyptians, to lead them on a long journey to their own "Promised Land" - Israel ... a place that remains in turmoil to this very day BECAUSE of the struggle between YHWH and the Adversary! ...But we all know how The Book ends, don't we?)

Anyway, shortly - as Deuteronomy ends and the Book of Joshua begins - we will see YHWH's people actually "crossing over" into Israel where they fulfill His Genesis 12:2 promise to have their own land and to make them into a great nation! How very exciting!

Naturally, making them into a "great nation" came with some responsibilities, as YHWH expected His people to be HOLY AND SET APART, adhering only to HIS commands - which included displacing all the pagans they encountered to keep themselves from becoming polluted by paganistic ways. Take a look:

Deuteronomy 7: 12 "Because you are listening to these rulings, keeping and obeying them, ADONAI your God will keep with you the covenant and mercy that he swore to your ancestors.
Deuteronomy 7: 16 You are to devour all the peoples that ADONAI your God hands over to you - show them no pity, and do not serve their gods, because that will become a trap for you.

17 If you think to yourselves, 'These nations outnumber us; how can we dispossess them?' 18 nevertheless, you are not to be afraid of them; you are to remember well what ADONAI your God did to Pharaoh and all of Egypt - 19 the great ordeals which you yourself saw, and the signs, wonders, strong hand and outstretched arm by which ADONAI your God brought you out. ADONAI will do the same to all the peoples of whom you are afraid.

20 Moreover, ADONAI your God will send the hornet among them until those who are left and those who hide themselves perish ahead of you. 21 You are not to be frightened of them, because ADONAI your God is there with you, a God great and fearsome.

22 ADONAI your God will expel those nations ahead of you little by little; you can't put an end to them all at once, or the wild animals will become too numerous for you. 23 Nevertheless, ADONAI your God will give them over to you, sending one disaster after another upon them until they have been destroyed. 24 He will hand their kings over to you, and you will wipe out their name from under heaven; none of them will be able to stand against you until you have destroyed them.

25 You are to burn up completely the carved statues of their gods. Don't be greedy for the silver or gold on them; don't take it with you, or you will be trapped by it; for it is abhorrent to ADONAI your God. (CJB)

Many people use scriptures like the above to suggest "the God of the Old Testament was mean"...But nothing could be further from the Truth! YHWH doesn't waste words; there is a reason for everything He says. In cases like the above, he ordered the extermination of the godless pagans who did not belong to Him and who were/are/would be CONTAMINATING others with their godlessness.

In the above case, those particular pagans lived in the land that YHWH wanted HIS people to inhabit, and in order to keep HIS people from becoming "infected" with pagan ways, He wanted every last one of the pagans and their idols destroyed. (If Israel had only heeded these warnings throughout the millennia, the Land wouldn't be full of paganism now!)

We learn later on exactly why YHWH destroyed these pagans:

Deuteronomy 9: 4 ...it is because these nations have been so wicked that ADONAI is driving them out ahead of you.

IS IT STARTING TO MAKE SENSE TO YOU YET? The Holy One of Israel will NOT put up with any kind of paganism! This means we MUST rid ourselves of any and all idols - mentally, spiritually and physically - in order to truly belong to Him. He has always expected His people to be "wholehearted."

Yeshua reiterated this when he said:

Revelation 3:16 So, because you are lukewarm, neither cold nor hot, I will vomit you out of my mouth! 17 For you keep saying, ‘I am rich, I have gotten rich,[b] I don’t need a thing!’ You don’t know that you are the one who is wretched, pitiable, poor, blind and naked! 18 My advice to you is to buy from me gold refined by fire, so that you may be rich; and white clothing, so that you may be dressed and not have to be ashamed of your nakedness; and eyesalve to rub on your eyes, so that you may see.

19 As for me, I rebuke and discipline everyone I love; so exert yourselves, and turn from your sins! 20 Here, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If someone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he will eat with me. 21 I will let him who wins the victory sit with me on my throne, just as I myself also won the victory and sat down with my Father on his throne. 22 Those who have ears, let them hear what the Spirit is saying to the Messianic communities.”’” (CJB)

Just another Christian pastor bashing God's Divine Instructions in Righteousness...

 THERE'S NO EASY WAY TO SAY THIS, SO I'LL JUST COME RIGHT OUT AND SAY THAT THIS MAN'S MEMES ARE STRAIGHT FROM THE PITS OF HELL! (I've posted another meme of his at the end of this article.)

I will also say that, if obedience to God's Divine Instructions in Righteousness makes me a "cultist" then so be it! 

I personally will feel much safer humbly kneeling before ADONAI-ELOHIM on Judgment Day, knowing I did my best to Shema (Hebrew: "Hear AND do!") His Will as outlined in the Torah (first five Books of the Bible that contain ALL of Yahweh's original Instructions, Genesis through Deuteronomy), than to tremble before Him while trying to defend the reasons why I dared to loudly and arrogantly preach and teach that Jesus came to abolish everything His Father ever commanded and that ADONAI's Torah became irrelevant simply "because Jesus died!"

Pastor Solberg, in case you've forgotten, the Messiah you presume to serve was a Torah observant, tallit-wearing, seventh day Sabbath and Feast-keeping, kosher JEW whose followers, for a century AFTER Yeshua's death, ALL kept Torah ... a concept which became distorted, and even forbidden, once the Catholic Church came onto the scene. 

This means, YESHUA was to blame for starting this Torah-obedient thing you call a "cult" ... and yet, the Catholic Church, most Christian denominations, and people like yourself believe they should be lauded for trying to squash it...

Well, if that's the case, then I would highly urge you to ponder the following fact:

By trashing God's Torah, you are also TRASHING HIS MESSIAH - the LIVING Torah and Word of YHWH (John 1:1-2 and John 1:14); the manna, the bread of life sent from heaven (John 6:28-40)!

Yeshua - the One you are trashing - was the "I am that was before Abraham" (John 8:58). "Yeshua said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father except by me." (John 14:6) The Living Torah, came to, in part, show people how to live a holy, set apart life ... the holy instructions that came straight FROM the Torah! 

Let's just for a moment, discuss God's Messiah, from the Hebrew viewpoint:

Yeshua (the "arm of YHWH" - Isaiah 53:1, and The Word - John 1:1 and 14), whose given Hebrew Name means "Yahweh is Salvation") came NOT to abolish anything His Father commanded, but to proclaim the Kingdom of Elohim and do everything His Father commanded (he even PRAYED to the Father, NOT himself!)... and then to martyr himself to become our Redeemer.

He didn't come to bring a religion called "Christianity" or any other "religion" (God is NOT about "religion!); he came to proclaim the Word that was from the beginning ... the Word that STANDS FOREVER!

Luke 4: 43 "But he (Yeshua) said, "I must preach the good news of the Kingdom of G-d to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent."

I've read the Bible many times over, and nowhere have I ever seen that Yeshua preached against the Kingdom or His Father's Divine Instructions. Matter of fact, he CONSTANTLY preached them.

And, oh my - what a surprise! - So did Paul!

Acts 28: 23 "From morning till evening the Apostle Paul explained and declared the Kingdom of G-d and tried to convince people about Yeshua from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets."

Acts 24: 14. But this indeed I (Paul) acknowledge, that in that same doctrine of which they speak, I do serve the Elohim of my fathers, believing all the things written in Torah and in the prophets.

Paul even said this (and I pray you will humble yourself enough to let it sink in) ...

Romans 3:31 Do we then nullify Torah through faith? May it never be! On the contrary, we establish Torah...

Note the word "establish" above. If, as you suggest, Torah was abolished at the cross, then how could it be written on our hearts?

Yeshua warned us about people like yourself:

Matthew 7: 13. Enter by the straight door, for wide is the door and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many are they, those that go in it. 14. How narrow the door and straight the road that leads to life, and few are they, those that find it. 15. Beware of false prophets that come among you in the clothing of lambs, but from within are ravenous wolves. 16. But you will know them by their fruits.

So, there you have it, straight from Yeshua and his Apostles!  

Pastor Solberg, here's one final verse to contemplate as you take a gander, below, at another of the nasty memes I copied from your Facebook wall, that illustrates the silly moniker you have attached to THE WORD OF GOD. SHAME ON YOU! I pray that ADONAI-ELOHIM will open your spiritual eyes to see the blasphemy you've been perpetrating against Him, because your mortal soul is in danger!

 Proverbs 28:9 If a person will not listen to Torah, even his prayer is an abomination.

I challenge you and all your followers to click here to read this article on my website for a complete picture of who our Messiah truly is ... from the HEBREW instead of the Greek viewpoint.

 
 
 

God wants His people to stop straying

THROUGHOUT THE BIBLE, WE SEE STERN WARNINGS THAT ADONAI-ELOHIM’S PEOPLE MUST STAY ON TRACK and stop straying, because the enemy is out there constantly, ready to strike at a moment's notice. Throughout the ages, we have over and over again seen YHWH warning His people to humble themselves before Him, and to remain clean in thought and deed Here is just one example:

James 4:1. From where is it, that there are among you arguments and conflicts? Is it not from the lusts which war in your members? 2. You covet but do not possess; and you kill and envy, and effect nothing: and you fight and make attacks; and you do not have, because you do not ask. 3. You ask, and do not receive because you ask wickedly, that you may feed your lusts.

4. You adulterers, don't you know that the love of the world is hatred towards Elohim? He therefore who chooses to be a lover of this world is the enemy of Elohim. 5. Or do you think that the Scripture has vainly said: The spirit dwelling in us lusts with envy?

6. But our Master (Y'shua) has given us more grace. Therefore he said: Master YHWH brings low the arrogant, and gives grace to the humble. 7. Subject yourselves therefore to Elohim; and stand firm against the Accuser and he will flee from you. 8. Draw near to Elohim and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners: sanctify your hearts, you who are divided in mind.[1] 9. Humble yourselves and mourn: let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into grief. 10. Humble yourselves before Master YHWH and He will exalt you.

11. Speak not against each other, my Brothers; for he that speaks against his brother, or judges his brother speaks against Torah and judges Torah. And if you judge Torah, you are not a doer of Torah, but its judge. 12. There is one Torah-giver[2] and Judge who can make alive and (can) destroy: but who are you that you judge your neighbor?  (AENT)

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Torah is our judge! If you add your own judgments to those already established in the Torah of YHWH, then you have judged Torah as insufficient, and are not allowing it to be your judge.

[2] One Torah Giver who gives One Torah. The halacha (way to observe Torah) is revealed by the Ruach haKodesh, and demonstrated in Mashiyach. The concept of "two torahs" one oral and one written is the basis of authority on which the Rabbinate operates.

"The Rabbis" wrote their own "oral Torah" and give themselves the authority to interpret it; unfortunately, their oral Torah often speaks against both the Written Torah and haMashiyach.

On the other hand, Christian theologians have made up their own "New Testament" based on their own non-Torah cultural value systems which makes void Torah and diminishes the true goal of Mashiyach.

For those who are “pro-choice,” please examine some Bible Passages that might change your mind

Diving right in, let’s see what the BIBLE says about humans:

Genesis 1:26 Then God said, "Let us make humankind in our image, in the likeness of ourselves; and let them rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the animals, and over all the earth, and over every crawling creature that crawls on the earth." 27 So God created humankind in his own image; in the image of God he created him: male and female he created them. 28 God blessed them: God said to them, "Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it." (CJB)

NOTE that YHWH "created humankind in his own image" (not necessarily in appearance; but rather, to reflect His Essence, "who" He is; His Divine Holiness....)

Eggs and sperm reside inside LIVING beings. They are living organisms that DO something: when activated via the sex act, they come together to create a living, breathing human being that does what? - it reflects YHWH's IMAGE!

Now, let’s check out some verses which prove that pre-born babies ARE considered human beings by the Almighty Himself:

Exodus 21:22 “If people are fighting with each other and happen to hurt a pregnant woman so badly that her unborn child dies, then, even if no other harm follows, he must be fined. He must pay the amount set by the woman’s husband and confirmed by judges. 23 But if any harm follows, then you are to give life for life, 24 eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, 25 burn for burn, wound for wound and bruise for bruise. (CJB)

The passage above reveals that if the child lives and is unharmed, the one who made the mother go into labor must still be punished for the couple's pain and suffering.

Isaiah 49:5 So now Adonai says — he formed me in the womb to be his servant, to bring Ya‘akov back to him, (CJB)

Genesis 25:22 The children fought with each other inside her so much that she said, “If it’s going to be like this, why go on living?” So she went to inquire of Adonai, 23 who answered her, “There are two nations in your womb. From birth they will be two rival peoples. One of these peoples will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger.” (CJB)

Psalm 139:13 For you fashioned my inmost being, you knit me together in my mother’s womb. 14 I thank you because I am awesomely made, wonderfully; your works are wonders — I know this very well. 15 My bones were not hidden from you when I was being made in secret, intricately woven in the depths of the earth. 16 Your eyes could see me as an embryo, but in your book all my days were already written; my days had been shaped before any of them existed. (CJB)

Could it be any clearer?

Luke 1:39 Without delay, Miryam set out and hurried to the town in the hill country of Y’hudah 40 where Z’kharyah lived, entered his house and greeted Elisheva.  41 When Elisheva heard Miryam’s greeting, the baby in her womb stirred. Elisheva was filled with the Ruach HaKodesh 42 and spoke up in a loud voice, “How blessed are you among women! And how blessed is the child in your womb! (CJB)

The above passage upholds the personhood and value of the unborn in several ways:

• Elisheva (Elizabeth) calls Miryam (Mary) a mother, despite Miryam being in the very early stages of her pregnancy.
• Upon hearing Miryam’s voice, the unborn Yochanan (John) the Baptizer leaps for joy in Elisheva’s womb, meaning he is a person capable of emotion.
• Yochanan’s reaction also means he was capable of recognizing Miryam’s voice and acknowledging the unborn Messiah even in the womb! And lastly, this encounter represents a partial fulfilment of Yochanan’s life purpose: to announce the arrival of Mashyiach Yeshua. Even before he was born, Yochanan had begun to fulfill his life’s calling!

Please read on:

Jeremiah 1:4 Here is the word of Adonai that came to me: 5 “Before I formed you in the womb, I knew you; before you were born, I separated you for myself. I have appointed you to be a prophet to the nations.” (CJB)

The Holy One consecrated Jeremiah and appointed him to be a prophet while he was still in his mother’s womb. Before he was even born, ADONAI already had a plan for his life - and God even SAID He personally formed Jeremiah and knew him in the womb!

Psalm 51:5-6: True, I was born guilty, was a sinner from the moment my mother conceived me. Still, you want truth in the inner person; so make me know wisdom in my inmost heart. (CJB)

In the above passage, David’s words reveal he was not simply an “impersonal entity”; rather a person with the ability to be a sinner from conception on — and one desired by God.

Judges 13:3 The angel of Adonai appeared to the woman and said to her, “Listen! You are barren, you haven’t had a child, but you will conceive and bear a son. 4 Now, therefore, be careful not to drink any wine or other intoxicating liquor, and don’t eat anything unclean. 5 For indeed you will conceive and bear a son. No razor is to touch his head, because the child will be a nazir for God from the womb. Moreover, he will begin to rescue Isra’el from the power of the P’lishtim.” (CJB)

In the above passage, an angel tells Manoach’s wife that she will conceive and give birth to Shimshon (Samson), who will be a Nazarite “from the womb,” meaning ADONAI had a plan for him prior to and from the moment of his conception! (Nazarites were Israelites whose lives were consecrated to the service of God - See Numbers 6.)

Please notice, Shimshon’s mother is even instructed to follow the same restrictions a Nazarite must follow while she is pregnant! Notice the angel’s use of the personal pronouns “his” and “he” when talking about the boy’s Nazarite status, providing both personhood and agency to a preborn child.

For those still insisting a fetus is just a “blog of tissue” that isn’t human – I urge you to read the Bible, from cover to cover, so you can get a grasp of just how very important God’s entire Creation is to Him … especially the humans who, we are told, are MADE IN HIS IMAGE.

Please take a moment to read Genesis 9:5-6, and notice that, when coupled with Genesis 1:26-27, we can see that abortion (a contemporary issue about which there are endless pro and con debates and arguments) IS MURDER! The "abortion rights" advocates keep insisting that "it's not a baby until it's born."

Here is what the CREATOR says to those who destroy HIS Image:

Genesis 9:5 I will certainly demand an accounting for the blood of your lives: I will demand it from every animal and from every human being. I will demand from every human being an accounting for the life of his fellow human being. 6 Whoever sheds human blood, by a human being will his own blood be shed; for God made human beings in his image. (CJB)

An embryo is nourished by human blood. It GROWS inside its mother, which means it is ALIVE! (Dead organisms don't grow.) So, no matter what the "Pro-Choice" types insist: snuffing out an embryo's life is MURDER in YHWH's eyes!

Thank You, YHWH, for these awesome revelations!

Prevailing with God — The True Meaning Behind the Name Israel

WISDOM FROM MY FACEBOOK FRIEND, RICH OKA:

The man said, “Let me go, because it’s daybreak.” But Jacob replied, “I won’t let you go unless you bless me.” The man asked, “What is your name?” and he answered, “Jacob.” Then the man said, “From now on, you will no longer be called Jacob, but Israel; because you have shown your strength to both God and men and have prevailed.-Genesis 32:27–29

Up until now, Jacob had always prevailed over men through his own craftiness and strength.

However, during his wrestling match with God, Jacob realized he was dealing with something more than mere flesh and blood.

His normal ways of doing things weren’t gonna work this time.

He knew he had no choice but to give up.

Not only did he have to surrender all of his fleshly pride, he had to release all of his fears and anxieties to God.

However, this wasn’t going to be easy.

We are told that Jacob fought God all night until daybreak.

However, just before finally throwing in the towel, he asked to be blessed.

As a result of yielding to God, Jacob was given a new name.

From being called “Jacob”, which means “cunning deceiver”…

He would now be called “Israel”, meaning “one who prevails with God”.

No more would he depend on himself.

He would now rest fully in the power of God.

This is the true meaning of ISRAEL.

This story is also symbolic for all believers.

I don’t care who you are, all of us, without exception, must go through a time when we will fight God tooth and nail over the right to control our lives.

But once we surrender, the blessings that result will have made the struggle more than worth it.

Keep in mind, though, that we will have to pay a price to leave behind our rebellious past and move forward to the new life that God has called us to.

Until his last days, Jacob would walk with a limp as he crossed over into the promised land.

Victory with God is achieved only by the defeat of ourselves.

That is exactly what Jacob went through.

CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT

Therefore, if anyone is united with the Messiah,
he is a new creation — the old has passed;
look, what has come is fresh and new!
-2 Corinthians 5:17

Then Yeshua called the crowd and his disciples to him and said,
“If anyone wants to come after me,
let him say ‘No’ to himself,
take up his execution-stake, and keep following me.
For whoever wants to save his own life will destroy it,
but whoever destroys his life for my sake
and for the sake of the Good News will save it.
-Mark 8:34–35

You can find this articles and many more on Rich Oka’s blog: https://medium.com/@richoka7/32-4-prevailing-with-god-the-true-meaning-behind-the-name-israel-c8b136a343ad

Behold our amazing Messiah!

John 12: 27. Behold my soul is now disturbed, and what will I say? "My Father deliver me from this hour?" Rather because of this I have come for this hour! 28. Father glorify your Name. And a voice was heard from Heaven, I have glorified and I will glorify again. 29. And the crowd, which was standing there, heard it and said, "It was thunder." But others said a Messenger spoke with him. 30. Y'shua answered and said to them, This voice did not occur for me, but it is for you. 31. Now is the judgment of this world. Now the ruler of this world is cast outside. 32. And when I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all men to me. 33. And this he said to show by what death he would die.

34. The crowd said to him, "We have heard from Torah that the Mashiyach remains forever. How do you say that about the Son of man to be lifted up? Who is this Son of man?" 35. Y'shua said to them, A little time longer the light is among you. Walk while you have light or else the darkness overcomes you and he who walks in the darkness does not know to where he goes. 36. Believe in the light while you have the light, that you may become the sons of light. Y'shua spoke these things and departed and hid from them. 37. And though he did all these miracles before them, they did not believe in him! 38. That would be fulfilled the word of Yesha'yahu (Isaiah) the prophet who said, "My Master who will believe our report and to whom has been revealed the arm of the Master?"

39. Because of this they were not able to believe, because again Yesha'yahu said, 40. That "They have blinded their eyes and have darkened their heart that they might not see with their eyes and understand with their heart and repent and I heal them." 41. These things Yesha'yahu said when he saw his glory and spoke concerning him. 42. And also many from the leaders believed in him but they would not confess because of the Pharisees, or else they would be thrown out of the assembly. 43. For they loved the praise of men more than the glory of Elohim. 44. But Y'shua cried out and said, He who believes in me, it is not in me he does believe, but in Him who sent me.[1] 45. And he who sees me sees Him who sent me! 46. I have come as the light into this world that all who believe in me might not remain in the darkness!

47. And he who hears my words, yet does not keep them, I do not judge him, for I have not come to judge the world but to give life to the world.[2] 48. He who rejects me and does not receive my words, there is something that judges him. The word that I have spoken, it will judge him on the last day. 49. For I have not spoken from my soul, but the Father who sent me. He gave a Commandment to me what I should say and what I should speak. 50. And I know that His commands are eternal life[3]. Therefore, these things that I speak just as my Father told me, thus I speak.[4]  (AENT)

FOOTNOTES:

[1] Y'shua does not bring a new Faith, but reveals the original Faith of YHWH the Father.

[2]Y'shua proclaims that he came to give life, then he declares that His father's Commands are eternal life! The Father's "Commands" are instruction in righteousness; this is Torah which contains Commandments, Judgments, Testimony and Witness regarding the Kingdom of Elohim. Those who enter into Covenant with Mashiyach are entering into Covenant with his Father YHWH; therefore, it is evil - an outright lie - to teach that Torah is done away with and replaced by a new theology!

[3]The Commands of YHWH bring eternal life. YHWH's "Commands" refers to all of His Commandments; these are one and the same as every Word that proceeds out of the Mouth of Elohim. These are not Commands only between Y'shua and His Father but they are universal for all souls who will enter into the Malchut Elohim (Kingdom of God).

[4]Y'shua speaks the Word of YHWH, not his own words; therefore, he conveys the revelation of YHWH according to the Ruach haKodesh without the baggage of man's religious tradition. Religion has a propensity to reinvent or interpret the Word of YHWH to make it "acceptable" to man's standards; whereas Mashiyach came not to please men, but to honor and bring Glory to his Father.

A quick outline of the Ten Times ADONAI-ELOHIM was provoked to the point of anger by His people

Have you ever wondered what those “ten times” were, in which the Israelites “tested” ADONAI-ELOHIM to the point of anger? He mentioned them in Numbers 14.

Numbers 14: ²⁰ Adonai answered, “I have forgiven, as you have asked. ²¹ But as sure as I live, and that the whole earth is filled with the glory of Adonai, ²² none of the people who saw my glory and the signs I did in Egypt and in the desert, yet tested me these ten times and did not listen to my voice, ²³ will see the land I swore to their ancestors!  None of those who treated me with contempt will see it. ²⁴ But my servant Kalev, because he had a different Spirit with him and has fully followed me — him I will bring into the land he entered, and it will belong to his descendants. (CJB)

So what, exactly, were those "ten times" that provoked the Holy One to anger? Let’s take a look:

(All references below are from Stern’s Complete Jewish Bible.)

1. Lacking trust when at the Red Sea.

Exodus 14: 10 As Pharaoh approached, the people of Isra'el looked up and saw the Egyptians right there, coming after them. In great fear the people of Isra'el cried out to ADONAI 11 and said to Moshe, "Was it because there weren't enough graves in Egypt that you brought us out to die in the desert? Why have you done this to us, bringing us out of Egypt? 12 Didn't we tell you in Egypt to let us alone, we'll just go on being slaves for the Egyptians? It would be better for us to be the Egyptians' slaves than to die in the desert!" 13 Moshe answered the people, "Stop being so fearful! Remain steady, and you will see how ADONAI is going to save you. He will do it today - today you have seen the Egyptians, but you will never see them again!

2. Complaining about the bitter water at Marah.

Exodus 15: 23 They arrived at Marah but couldn't drink the water there, because it was bitter. This is why they called it Marah [bitterness]. 24 The people grumbled against Moshe and asked, "What are we to drink?"

3. Complaining of the lack of food in the Desert of Seen.

Exodus 16: 1 They traveled on from Eilim, and the whole community of the people of Isra'el arrived at the Seen Desert, between Eilim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after leaving the land of Egypt. 2 There in the desert the whole community of the people of Isra'el grumbled against Moshe and Aharon. 3 The people of Isra'el said to them, "We wish ADONAI had used his own hand to kill us off in Egypt! There we used to sit around the pots with the meat boiling, and we had as much food as we wanted. But you have taken us out into this desert to let this whole assembly starve to death!"

4. Failing to trust that the next-day's manna would be there and keeping leftovers overnight.

Exodus 16: 19 Moshe told them, "No one is to leave any of it till morning." 20 But they didn't pay attention to Moshe, and some kept the leftovers until morning. It bred worms and rotted, which made Moshe angry at them. 21 So they gathered it morning after morning, each person according to his appetite; but as the sun grew hot, it melted.

5. Collecting Manna on the Sabbath.

Exodus 16: 26 Gather it six days, but the seventh day is the Shabbat - on that day there won't be any." 27 However, on the seventh day, some of the people went out to gather and found none. 28 ADONAI said to Moshe, "How long will you refuse to observe my mitzvot and teachings?

6. Complaining over lack of water at Rephidim.

Exodus 17: 1 The whole community of the people of Isra'el left the Seen Desert, traveling in stages, as ADONAI had ordered, and camped at Refidim; but there was no water for the people to drink. 2 The people quarreled with Moshe, demanding, "Give us water to drink!" But Moshe replied, "Why pick a fight with me? Why are you testing ADONAI?" 3 However, the people were thirsty for water there and grumbled against Moshe, "For what did you bring us up from Egypt? To kill us, our children and our livestock with thirst?"

7. Building the Golden Calf to worship.

Exodus 32: 7 ADONAI said to Moshe, "Go down! Hurry! Your people, whom you brought up from the land of Egypt, have become corrupt! 8 So quickly they have turned aside from the way I ordered them to follow! They have cast a metal statue of a calf, worshipped it, sacrificed to it and said, 'Isra'el! Here is your god, who brought you up from the land of Egypt!'" 9 ADONAI continued speaking to Moshe: "I have been watching these people; and you can see how stiffnecked they are. 10 Now leave me alone, so that my anger can blaze against them, and I can put an end to them! I will make a great nation out of you instead."

8. Complaining at Tav'erah.

Numbers 11: 1 But the people began complaining about their hardships to ADONAI. When ADONAI heard it, his anger flared up, so that fire from ADONAI broke out against them and consumed the outskirts of the camp. 2 Then the people cried to Moshe, Moshe prayed to ADONAI, and the fire abated. 3 That place was called Tav'erah [burning] because ADONAI's fire broke out against them.

9. Complaining of no meat.

Numbers 11: 4 Next, the mixed crowd that was with them grew greedy for an easier life; while the people of Isra'el, for their part, also renewed their weeping and said, "If only we had meat to eat! 5 We remember the fish we used to eat in Egypt - it cost us nothing! -and the cucumbers, the melons, the leeks, the onions, the garlic! 6 But now we're withering away, we have nothing to look at but this man."

10. Failing to trust YHWH's promise to enter the promised land after the bad report from the spies.

Numbers 14: 1 At this all the people of Isra'el cried out in dismay and wept all night long. 2 Moreover, all the people of Isra'el began grumbling against Moshe and Aharon; the whole community told them, "We wish we had died in the land of Egypt! or that we had died here in the desert! 3 Why is ADONAI bringing us to this land, where we will die by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will be taken as booty! Wouldn't it be better for us to return to Egypt?" 4 And they said to each other, "Let's appoint a leader and return to Egypt!"

The above makes one wonder how many times YHWH has looked at us, asking Himself: "How much longer will they refuse to observe My mitzvot and teachings?

A word about the Prophetess Deborah, Judge over all Israel...

  

I LIKE THIS MEME, IN PART, BECAUSE IT REVEALS THAT ADONAI ALSO USES WOMEN FOR MAJOR ROLES. I can't tell you how often I've been verbally accosted by men (and also some women) who basically told me I was going to Hell for "teaching men" via my website! My response has always been: "I got one word for ya: DEBORAH!"

Judges 4: 4 Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lappidoth, was leading [a] Israel at that time. 5 She held court under the Palm of Deborah between Ramah and Bethel in the hill country of Ephraim, and the Israelites came to her to have their disputes decided. (CJB)

Whenever they attempted to engage in further argument, I would challenge them to explain and/or rebut EACH of the following, using Scripture instead of personal opinions:

Miriam who was Prophetess and sister to Moshe (Genesis 24:15, 19), the Daughters of Zelophehad (Numbers 27:1-11); Ruth (Ruth 1:1-4:22); Huldah (2 Kings 22:3-20); Esther (saved the Jewish nation, Esther 4:1); Anna (Luke 2:36-38); the woman at the well; Phoebe (Romans 16:1); and Philip's daughters (Acts 21:9). YHWH uses whoever is on His path to get HIS TRUTH out to the world! He even included Moshe's and Aharon's sister, Miryam in his list of "leaders":

Micah 6: 1 So listen now to what ADONAI says: "Stand up and state your case to the mountains, let the hills hear what you have to say." 2 Listen, mountains, to ADONAI's case; also you enduring rocks that support the earth! ADONAI has a case against his people; he wants to argue it out with Isra'el: 3 "My people, what have I done to you? How have I wearied you? Answer me! 4 I brought you up from the land of Egypt. I redeemed you from a life of slavery. I sent Moshe, Aharon and Miryam to lead you. (CJB)

AND HERE'S SOMETHING INTERESTING: Moshe gave the daughters of a dead tribe leader the land that was to be inherited in Israel:

Numbers 27:7 "The daughters of Tselophhad speak what is right. You should certainly give them a possession of inheritance among their father’s brothers, and cause the inheritance of their father to pass to them. 8 "And speak to the children of Yisra’el, saying, 'When a man dies and has no son, then you shall cause his inheritance to pass to his daughter. 9 'And if he has no daughter, then you shall give his inheritance to his brothers.' (CJB)

I could go on, but will leave you with this "grand finale"...

Acts 2:17 Elohim said, In later days it will be (that) I will pour out my Ruach upon all flesh, and your sons will prophesy and your daughters and your young men will see visions, and your elders will dream dreams. And upon my servants and upon handmaids I will pour out my Ruach in those days. And they will prophesy. (AENT)

(For a more, indepth teaching on this issue, I invite you to read this article on ourwebsite.)