Torah Living Daily Reflections 4–Yehovah Your God will Fight for You-Don’t be Afraid

by | Sep 15, 2014 | Podcasts

My daily Torah study foray took me to D’varim (aka: Deuteronomy) 3:1-22. Here Moshe continues to summarize Yisrael’s conquest of the promised land in detail. By now, Moshe is 120-years old. The generation of Israelis that left Egypt in the great Exodus had all but died out–dead in the great wilderness that would and should have served as their refinery to prepare them to take over the land of Canaan and serve the world as priests to Yehovah. Instead, it became a solemn graveyard for 10’s of thousands throughout the 40-years of wandering. At this juncture of the story, the generation belonging to the original Exodus generation, were being shaped and prepared to enter the promised land. Unfortunately, the nation forfeited their chance to become the holy priests that Yehovah had planned for them to become–Exodus 19:6, having broken the covenant at the base of Mount Sinai–Exodus 32. All that was left at this juncture was for Israel to be a kingdom of people who would live according to Torah, having Yehovah as their one and only God, and produce into the world the Lamb of Yehovah “…which taketh away the sin of the world.” (Joh 1:29 KJV)
God and Israel
This early section of Deuteronomy provides us with a retrospective of Yehovah’s dealings with Israel throughout the Exodus (Chapters 1 and in to 2) and through the Sinai desert. In this particular passage she has reconnected with the Creator via the second generation of Israelites after the Exodus and now she has moved forward to claim her promise and inheritance. The primary and overriding theme here of course is Yehovah’s undeniable and irresistible provision and protection of His chosen if they are obedient to His directions and laws. Here the writer details Israel’s exploits in conquering East Jordan. When Israel was obedient to Yah’s commandments, Yah would remind them that He was with them; they did not need to fear; He would fight for them (reference: Exodus 14:14; Deut. 1:30, 3:22; 20:4). Interestingly enough, conquering the land of promise and overcoming their enemies required Israel to simply do as Yehovah directed. The battles were not won by Israel, despite what many secular and liberal Biblical scholars may teach regarding Israel’s conquest of Canaan. Indeed, Yehovah was quite clear in Deuteronomy 3:22 that He would “lacham,” fight for Israel. Not in part. Not in some convenient way as to afford Israel some easy circumstantial wins, but Yah actually fought the battles on behalf of Israel (cf. Josh. 10:14, 42; Neh. 4:14; 2 Chron. 20:29). This is not to say that Israel simply marched in to the land and collected the spoils of war left over by the destructive work of Yehovah. No sir. Israel had her role to play. She had to fight alongside Yehovah, although it was Yehovah who typically softened up the enemy to such a state that Israel more or less simply had to take advantage of the enemy’s dire confusion and mop and clean up. Bauemfeind comments: “Nevertheless, neither their equipment (Jud 7:2ff; 1Sam 14:6; 1Sam 17:45, 47) nor their numbers (Jud 7; 2Sam 24:lff; Exo 30:12) turned the scale. It was Yahweh who went before them (Jud 4:14; Deut 20:4; 2Sam 5:24), gave them courage (1Sam 30:6) and took it from their foes (Exo 15:15-16; Exo 23:27ff) by miracles (Josh 10:11; Josh 24:7; Jud 5:20; by terror, 1Sam 14:15). To him and him alone belonged the praise (Exo 14:4, 18; Zech 4:6)” (TDNT, VI, p. 508).
Why did Yehovah provide such a ready means by which Israel could overtake the land? So that no one Israelite (or for that matter no one in the world) could ever say that it was by the cunning hand and might of Israel that Israel conquered Canaan. No indeed. Every witness of these conquests on Israel’s side and on the side of the enemy knew without a doubt that it was Yehovah that won battles for Israel and that it was no one or set of men to be praised, but it was Yehovah Yireh whom all praise and glory and honor must be given. Even in recent history, Yehovah has fought for Israel. History records that Israel in its early years as a modern nation, stood out-numbered and out-gunned by the nations surrounding her and those who have sought to do her great harm. Time after time, Yehovah has shown that He stands for Israel, despite Israel’s reprobate and almost Godless existence. When will she ever learn that her ultimate destiny is found only in the hands of the Almighty God of the Universe? The Bible does seem to suggest that there is coming a day when Israel’s blindness and stiff-neck nature will be lifted and she will finally come to know Yehovah and His chosen son Yeshua HaMashiach as her one and only True God and Messiah respectively.

When I reflect on this journey as I had been so blessed to follow in my continuing studies of this Torah, I am somewhat heartbroken over the epic failures of the first generation of these people of promise. The unbelievable things of Yehovah that they witnessed as they trekked across the desert would never be seen by human eyes ever again. Despite these awesome wonders and the perpetual providence of Yehovah for His beloved, this original generation constantly turned their backs to the Father. Oh how that must have hurt the Father to His very core. How unimaginable it is to think that for a people to have witnessed such things over the course of time in the wilderness, they still did not willingly and humbly and lovingly bow the kne to the will of the Most High.
Yet, are we no different? I can only attest to my failures as a spiritual Israeli, trekking through this wilderness of modern day, 21st century America. Although I have not experienced the wonders that nascent Israel had under the leadership of Moshe, I’ve experienced a number of wonders throughout my walk with Messiah. If not for anything else, my miraculous receiving and acceptance of the True Faith once delivered should be sufficient evidence enough of the mighty hand of Yehovah in my life. I was hell bent on proving my spouse and brother-in-law wrong about their new understanding of the Faith. Neither of them could sway me over to their understanding of Scripture and the Faith, despite the clarity of these truths that screamed at me from the pages of my Bible. Yet it was the grace of Yehovah that patiently, over time, opened my eyes and mind and heart to the truth. That stoniness that accompanies every orthodox Christian believer who is indoctrinated into the Christian Faith, after so many cracks were inflicted against that wall that had developed in my life, finally broke into pieces. I was finally freed from the bondage of religion that had for so many years held me prisoner. Yet despite this and other wonders, I continue (in many cases even today), to doubt the Father’s leading over my life; or I simply get too caught up in the cares of this life to fully give my all to Him as we are all called to do. I guess the good news in all of this is that I am working on it and the Ruach Kodesh is helping clear the cobwebs in my mind and glazed over my spiritual eyes so that I may see clearly my role in conquering the land–that is making it in to the Kingdom of Yehovah. Yes, there is some trepidation and doubt that remains and often usurps authority over my mind. But I have the assurance of the Father that He will be with me to conquer the inhabitants of my carnal nature–that is those impediments that keep me from fulfilling my purpose in Messiah. Fortunately, we have the great shadow picture of Israel here in our Bibles. Even though the original generation failed in their Yah-given purpose, they succeeded in revealing to each of us lessons and shadow-pictures of the life that we must lead. They succeeded in showing us–showing me–that we–I–need not be afraid or hesitant to go forth and do the will of Yehovah. Why, because Yah, as He revealed to Moshe and through him, the second generation of wilderness travelers, that Yehovah our God–our Elohim–will fight for us! Hallelujah. With that, may you be most blessed fellow Saints in training.

Torah Living Daily Reflections 3–Following Messiah is not for Everyone

by | Sep 12, 2014 | Podcasts

Continuing my foray into the life and 70-day ministry of Yeshua HaMashiach through Rood’s Chronological Gospels, today’s corresponding passage or event was found in Matthew 8:18-27 (also mark 4:35-41 and Luke 8:22-25). The passage reads as follows:

“When Yeshua saw great multitudes about Him, He gave the command to depart to the other side of the Kinneret. There a certain scribe came to Him and said, ‘Master, I will follow you wherever you go. ‘Yeshua said to him, ‘The foxes have holes and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.’ Another disciple said to Him, ‘Master, let me first to go and bury my father.’ But Yeshua said to him, ‘Follow me, and let the dead bury their dead.’ When He entered into a boat, His disciples followed Him. A great tempest arose in the sea, so that the ship was covered with the waves, but Yeshua was asleep. His disciples came to awaken Him, saying, ‘Master, save us, or we will die!’ He said to them, ‘Why are you so fearful, O you of little faith?’ Then He arose, and He rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm. The men marveled, saying, ‘Who can this be? Even the winds and the sea obey Him?’
It would seem from following Rood’s Chronology these past few days, that Yeshua’s ministry at this point in the overall time-line was in high swing. Commensurate to that, however, was the press of people that were constantly hounding the Master for His attention and the likely continuous demands of would be followers and disciples. The Master in these passages was still in the region of Kfar Nahum (which Rood considers to be the temporary headquarters and abode of the Master during this time period). Mashiach over the previous days had been besieged by seeming legions of would be “interested and disinterested” parties as He taught them using parables from His temporary home. I noted interested and disinterested for good reason of course. Certainly, the vast majority of adherents here were drawn to the Master’s teaching prowess and His amazing miracles, but were never interested in the foundational message that the Master brought. I imagine the life of most Jews during this period in history was mundane and difficult and Yeshua’s appearance and charisma and His associated miracles brought to the region tremendous fervor and release from that mundane and difficult life. Despite the many healing miracles wrought by the Master during this time, the greatest miracle was and should have been His message regarding the Kingdom of Yehovah. Consequently, the vast majority of would be followers were  disinterested in His seemingly strange and hard if not impossible messages to understand. Many of these folks were looking for entertainment and maybe even a free meal. Some, believing Him to be the long-prophecied Messiah, sought to hear a message that would spark a rebellion against the Roman occupation of their nation. When such messages failed to emerge, many of these individuals departed in utter disappointment. The Master of course, filled with the Ruach Kodesh, had the fullest gift of discernment and had absolutely full understanding of the hearts and intentions of these hangers-on.

Yet there were those precious few who latched on to every word that came from the Master’s mouth. These few realized the unparalleled treasure that flowed from Yeshua’s mouth. These few would likely later compose the 70-disciples that were sent out on the very first missions trip as recorded in Luke 10:1. Many of these same disciples would later find themselves in Yerusalayim on Sunday, June 20, 28 C.E., all in one place on the Temple Mount on that great day of Shavuot (aka Pentecost) and would receive the Ruach Kodesh and seed the renewed covenant Church. I believe this sends a tremendous message to those of us in the Hebraic Roots and Messianic community. As disappointed as I often become over the relatively small numbers of adherents to our Faith–which I truly believe to be the closest of any to that True Faith that was once delivered to the first century saints by Yeshua and His appointed Apostles–reading passages such as this serve to solidify in my mind and heart that this Faith is not for everyone. Jesus Christ seems to get top billing these days and is a rock star, especially in our Westernized Christian society where stadium sized Churches, pop-music praise and worship and kick-back-don’t worry be happy messages have become the religion of choice. Conversely, Yeshua haMashiach and His message of the true Gospel which is Torah-based is imperceivable to most everyone in the world and the demands associated with being a part of His movement does not appeal to the vast majority of the world’s population.
This particular passage details the well-known story of a scribe who was so taken by the Master’s message and His works that He made an emotional response to follow Messiah as He spread the Gospel throughout the region. Yeshua obviously discerned this seemingly well meaning adherent’s enthusiasm as superficial and basically called him out on his desire and commitment to become part of His movement. That scribe’s impediment seemed to be more related to life-stability which is not always compatible to the work of the true Gospel. The same thing applied to another would be follower who was more concerned about inconveniences that would affect his life and that was associated with the call to follow the Master.
What this says to us is quite clear. The true Hebraic Roots and Messianic Faith, if it is to remain viable and relevant to the work of the True Gospel, must never water down its requirements and adherence to the principles and teachings of Yeshua and its inextricable and insistence that her members observe and obey Torah and the commandments of the Master. This life, couple with any obedience on our part to fulfill the great commission, is not going to have any significant following or attention. However, the race is not given to the swift or the strong but to those who endure to the end (reference 2 Tim. 4:7 & 8).

Torah Living Daily Reflections 2–Parables and Prophecy

by | Sep 10, 2014 | Podcasts

Continuing on my in my reading of the date-sensitive, corresponding passages of the Rood Chronological Gospels, I came across an excellent example of the Master use of parable to describe the Kingdom of Heaven. I picked up right after the parable of the tares in Matthew 13, beginning in verse 44 on down through 53 with the corresponding passage in Mark 4:34. The passage reads as follows:

“…’The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field which a man found and then hid it again. Being overjoyed, he went and sold everything that he had and bought the field. The kingdom of heaven is also like a merchant searching for precious pearls. When he found one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it. The kingdom of heaven is also like a net that he cast into the sea. It gathered everything. When it was full they drew the net to shore and sat down, and gathered the good into vessels, but cast the bad away. So shall it be at the end of the age–the angels will come forth and sever the wicked from among the just and cast the wicked into the furnace of fire. There will be wailing and gnashing of teeth.’ Yeshua said to them, ‘Have you understood all these things?’ They replied, ‘Yes master.” Then He said to them, ‘Every scribe who is instructed in the kingdom of heaven is like unto a man that is a householder, who brings forth things out of his treasure chest, both new and old.’ When Yeshua finished these parables, He departed.” And Mark 4:34 reads, “Yeshua did not speak to them without speaking in a parable, and when they were alone He expounded all things to His disciples.”

For the first time in quite a while I became intrigued about Yeshua’s use of parables. Quite honestly, I never wanted anything to do with parables. Growing up and well in to my young adult and even later adult years, I shied away from reading and studying parables. I saw parables as traps and potential points of contention within the Christian community whereby anyone with an opinion and perspective on the Christian Faith could debate endlessly over what each person believes the true interpretation of any given parable to be. I didn’t understand why Messiah would resort to such a convoluted and uncertain method of teaching that served only to confuse and divide. Throughout my Christian life I’ve seen parables used to teach a wide arrange of Christian concepts, some of which were evidently more geared towards the furtherance of this and that minister’s or evangelist’s ministry and pocketbook. Most Biblically illiterate Christians care less about a true meaning to Yeshua’s parables. They are quite content with any feel good meaning that a savvy evangelist or preacher can pull from the seemingly simple story plots. Little do these individuals realize that the true meaning of these “earthly stories with heavenly meanings” was no where to be found or heard except to those who were privileged to have received the revelation. To someone like me who always sought after the true meaning of a Biblical passage and who abhorred simple verse-sound-bites, my fear of never understanding these stories was troubling to me.

In the Southern Baptist Church of my youth, it was ingrained in me that “parables were earthly stories with heavenly meanings.” I internalized that definition and carried it with me well into my 40’s and early 50’s. Interestingly, the understanding of why the Master taught (or even prophecied) using parables never went beyond that elementary school definition of the parable. Today, I’m taken by the enormity of Yeshua’s use of the heavily agrarian landscape of His people from which He to crafted His parables. And so it is that the use of the agrarian landscape in Palestine of His day provided a most rich analogical well from which to draw from. I know that it irked the Master’s disciples to no end that He taught using this method, but like many other things pertaining to the Master’s life, He had a reason for resorting to parables. Mark comments that Yeshua did not speak to them (the general swell of followers) without teaching in a prarble, and when Yeshua and His disciples were alone He expounded to them the true meaning of these parables.
Despite commentary by some that suggests the Master used parables to insight deeper and richer meaning to His explanation of the Kingdom, there seems to be a truer explanation for His persistent use of parables and I believe a clue as to why can be found in the parable of the tares. But before expounding upon the parable of the tares as a reason why parables, we can not ignore the fact that the Master’s use of parables was actually prophecied by the writer of Psalms. Found in chapter 78 verse 2 which reads: “I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things which have been kept secret from the foundation of the world.” And what better biblical platform to deliver this prophecy than the book of Psalms, the greatest storehouse of parables (or as Gill in his commentary describes–“…contains many things in it, expressed in a parabolical and enigmatical way…”) The Master carried on this tradition throughout His earthly ministry.
Now as to why the Master used parables to teach and prophecy about the Kingdom, I believe that it had to do with the people who were following Him. Knowledge of the Kingdom of Yehovah is precious and even in the above cited parable, verse 44, the kingdom of heaven is described as “like unto treasure hid in a field which a man found and then hid it again. Being overjoyed, he went and sold everything that he had and bought the field…a merchant searching for precious pearls. When he found one pearl of great value, he went and sold all that he had, and bought it.” So precious is the revelation and content pertaining to the Kingdom of the overall message that the Master was delivering, that it was reserved for those who sought the Truth. Indeed, mainly the Master’s disciples were offered and provided the opportunity to receive the interpretation of the Master’s parables. The disciples were noted to frequently ask the Master to explain his parabolic and enigmatic teachings–“Yeshua did not speak to them without speaking in a parable, and when they were alone He expounded all things to His disciples” (Mark 4:34). The vast majority of followers, I believe, cared very little about the deep things of Yehovah and were likely hangers-on. These individuals wanted to witness something great or even to receive a meal (as mentioned in the story of the feeding of the 5,000). Only those sold out believers and disciples who were searching and ardent enough to seek after the Master and trouble Him for an explanation of His teachings were rewarded with an understanding of the delivered parable(s). The Master, it would clearly seem, never withheld anything in terms of an interpretation from those who earnestly sought the true meanings of His teachings.
And so it is with us. How many of us go on to be exposed to advanced teachings and truths, only to shy away from a true understanding or confirmation of that revealed truth? Instead of confronting the truth and dragging out of the giver a full explanation of that revealed truth, many of us simply walk away and never learn the fullness of that truth. There are a few precious followers who will not let the teacher go without a full explanation of the teaching. It is those individuals who are most blessed and who’s spiritual lives are taken to the next level, leaving the others behind to suck on milk and never progressing to the meat of the full and true Gospel message. It goes without saying too that these same parables canvas the pages of 4-Gospel records. Many of us will instead of tearing these stories apart to gain a full understanding and revelation of the parable simply get up from our reading with a nice little agrarian story to remind us of heaven and making sure we are good little Christians. No. It just isn’t good enough. The true disciples of Yeshua will not let these stories go by without an honest and truthful explanation and revelation of its meaning. Understanding parables can not be something that we shy away from as I have for so meaning years. It must be instead honey to draw us all in to a deeper understanding of the Kingdom of Yehovah and His righteousness.
The Master instructed that we must seek first the Kingdom and the righteousness of the Father. That Kingdom and righteousness comes apparently through steadfast searching and probing. I want to be a disciple who begs the Master at every turn, to explain why and how and then carry that message to the world. How about you?

Torah Living Daily Reflections 1–The Sabbath–True Torah Observance versus Our Own Preconceived Notions

by | Sep 7, 2014 | Podcasts

A practice that I’ve begun following of late is incorporating the Michael Rood Chronological Gospels into my regimen of Torah Study. I do this following the Rood Astronomically & Agriculturally Corrected Biblical Hebrew Calendar and looking at the corresponding events based upon Rood’s presumed calendar dates. Those of you who haven’t and are so led, I would highly encourage you to get your hands on a copy of the Chronological Gospels and the Creator’s Calendar. These two tools work together to provide perspective in terms of the time frames that each Gospel event occurred. The time frames, of course, are highly connected and embedded in the Feasts of Yehovah, the Sabbath and Torah. Michael’s commentary on key events also illuminates the issues being addressed through the sighted events in the light of Torah, Judaism, history and the Hebrew language. This perspective has taken my study to a whole new level; beyond anything that I’ve ever experienced, just in the past year. I can’t recommend this invaluable tool enough.
Being transparent, I can’t say emphatically whether or not the events exactly correspond to every assigned date as Michael assigns in his Bible, but I truly believe at the very least, the dates and events as assigned are reasonable. I had the great privilege to speak to Michael last year, at an event launching the Chronological Gospels, regarding this very question about assigning dates and time frames. I expected Michael to provide me with some type of nebulous answer. However, I was highly impressed and surprised to learn from him that a great deal of research and study was placed in the assignment of dates/time frames to every event. In some cases, the events could be assigned to specific dates simply by correlating obviously-associated feasts and known documented history. Other, less than obvious events, required Michael to actually extrapolate distances and cultural practices in association with various historical markers–the biggest marker being the miraculous feeding of the 5,000, which Michael used as a primary reference point for much of the Chronological Gospels construction.
The most recent event correlation was 68–“Yeshua and His disciples ‘harvest, winnow, and grind’ grain on the second Sabbath after the first of the month, incurring the wrath of the Pharisees.” This event, as recorded in Matthews 12:1-8; Mark 2:23-28; and Luke 6:1-5, is believed to have occurred on the Shabbat, 10th day, of the 5th Biblical month which certain computers have been used to extrapolate back in time to specific dates, assigns this day to August, 2, 27 of the common era. This is a well-known story. Yeshua and His disciples happen to have been traversing a wheat field on the second Sabbath of the 5th Biblical month when certain religious leaders witness them plucking wheat and eating grains of wheat to cull their hunger. The religious leaders attributed the act of plucking wheat and extracting the kernels as violating Sabbath laws; specifically the Pharisees accused the group of conducting work on the Sabbath. Yeshua’s response to the accusation was one of outrage in that the violation of the Sabbath laws as seen by the Pharisees was in no way Torah-based. The fact of the matter was that the oral tradition in this and virtually every other commandment, law and precept of the Torah was refashioned by the religious leaders to create a form of righteousness that was not of Yehovah but of man. To get His point across, Yeshua referred the Prushim to the story of David while hiding from King Saul who sought to kill him, took Shewbread for him and his men from the tabernacle to eat (1 Samuel 21:14-16). The showbread, by Torah, was restricted to the consumption by the Tabernacles priests (Exodus 25:30 and Leviticus 24:5-9). The showbread was considered to be holy (Leviticus 24:9) and only to be eaten by Aaron and his sons. In general. The letter of Torah would indicate that consumption of the shewbread by anyone other than the Levitical priest was out of the question. Yet Yehovah never instructed that this was emphatically the case. Consequently, David, hiding from King Saul, hungry, and in need, found a source of provision through the grace and providence of Yehovah. If this David and the shewbread situation were to have been played out by the Prushim who rebuked Yeshua, likely David would have been sent away without sustenance and we can only surmise what would have become of him afterwards. Interestingly, the attending priest who provided the showbread to David, although having a degree of angst over the entire situation, capitulated and provided the bread to David with the understanding that David and his men were in a state of purity. Also interestingly, Yehovah, who enjoyed a close relationship with David, seemed to have not had any issue with David taking the shewbread for emergency sustenance.
Letter of the Law, without any consideration for the spirit of the Law, can be problematic, especially as it relates to our Hebraic Roots/Messianic Faith. I recall coming in to this Truth going on 10-years ago and having to work through the many challenges and questions regarding the Sabbath. The Torah is clear on there being no work conducted on the Sabbath. But the questions that floated around us constantly was, what constitutes work? Thus, we went through a million and one permutations and adjustments regarding the observance of Sabbath. In our home, we went from one extreme to the next because we didn’t fully grasp what the expectation was regarding the Sabbath and the whole concept of what we can and can’t do on the Sabbath. I’m certain that many of you have faced the same situation. I can tell you, this very situation had a tendency to create a lot of turmoil in our home during the early days of our transitioning to Sabbath observance. Very early on, we swung heavily over towards total, systematic, shutdown on the Sabbath. I mean, absolutely NO television watching allowed; no preparation of meals; prayer beginning at sundown and again at the end of Sabbath; no running of appliances; and there were other things implemented that escapes me at the moment. Well, the pendulum swung from extreme conservative to more liberal, especially after we affiliated with United Church of God and then Rock Valley Christian Church. Being in these fellowships, we experienced working hard to facilitate the conduction of weekly Sabbath services as well as eating out in restaurants and other peoples homes during the Sabbath. So, it was indeed interesting how things can change in terms of how we as humans apply Torah to our lives, especially as it relates to something as foundational as the Sabbath.
As it related to this particular event, the Torah by this point in history had become nothing more than a broken egg shell (my wording and description) whereby the whole egg (i.e., the Torah as given by Yehovah to the children of Israel) had been cracked open by men and the contents spilled out into a skillet. The purity of the egg was then comprised by the heat of the stove and the extra “stuff” (i.e., seasoning, butter, etc.) that is added to suit the taste of the one who is cooking it. The Law as known to the Jew in first century Palestine was not Torah. The original 613 laws, commandments and precepts that were stipulated in the five books of Torah had morphed into 1000’s of additional laws and rules, all designed according to the Prushim, to keep the Jew from violating the original 613 laws. This erecting of a fence around Torah by these man made laws (as it has come to be known in Judaism) was never intended nor sanctioned by Yehovah and it was this system of laws (i.e., the Talmud; takanots; ma’hasim) that enraged the Master and ultimately resulted in His crucifixion. The instance of Yeshua’s disciples plucking wheat and rubbing the kernels in their hands to strip away the chaff as they traversed that wheat field that August day in 27 C.E. was deemed a violation of the Law, when in fact it was only a violation of Jewish law. The Prushim’s interpretation of Torah through the lenses of Judaism regarding the Sabbath was in many cases absolutely ludicrous. Instead of a people (specifically Jews) experiencing freedom from sin through the keeping of Torah, the people instead experienced an intense form of bondage to religion. I recall reading something a few years ago that certain sects of Judaism weren’t allowed even to tear toilet paper to take care of their personal toilet needs on the Sabbath. Thus, the toilet paper had to be torn into prepared strips on Friday so as to not incur the work of tearing a piece of toilet paper on the Sabbath. I mean, how silly is this. One can only surmise that hasatan and his imps have over the centuries fallen over themselves laughing at the absurdity of some of these rules.
As it relates to us: the redeemed and elect of Yeshua HaMaschiach, our observance and keeping of Sabbath must be done within a healthy and proper perspective. Indeed, Torah is clear that we must not do any work. Most will agree that work would refer to servile activity–especially activity that we do on a daily basis to provide financial support for our families. This work would be considered income. But then, what about the work of cleaning up the house, mowing a lawn, washing clothes, preparing meals, baby sitting, and the like? I guess the best way to look at this is, there is absolutely no reason to do any of these tasks on the Sabbath when there are six other days in the week in which to complete this tasks. These tasks may not be activities for which we earn a living, but they could be classified as servile work. Then what about those who work in socially critical positions such as paramedics, firemen, policemen, doctors, nurses and soldiers–these professionals keep our society safe from the dangers of everyday life? Surely Yehovah would be okay if a believer who happens to be one of these critical professionals was required to fulfill the tenets of their profession (i.e., work) on the Sabbath.  I think most would concede that the believer in Messiah is compelled to honor the Sabbath by not fulfilling the tenets of His profession on the Sabbath. I believe that it comes down to one who finds themselves in such a situation to petition Yehovah to provide the right organization that would grant him or her the Sabbath off. I found myself in a similar situation and it was the grace of Yehovah that worked a wonder and I was promoted to a position that did not require me to work on Sabbaths. Yehovah can do wonders if we seek Him and never doubt Him. It’s a trust issue. And if we aren’t able to make headway in the company or organization in which we are employed, then maybe Yehovah has another, even better, opportunity out there for us that does not require us to work on the Sabbath. Nevertheless, this is an individual issue that one must face alone and make the decision of what to do about the Sabbath. True believers must make a stand. However, true believers must keep Torah real and not fall pray to personal perceptions and ideals as to what constitutes proper Sabbath observance. The Torah is clear as to what justifies generally the proper observance of the Sabbath–that is there will be no work. The minute details, however, rests with the leading of the Holy Spirit and common sense. If you’re hungry on the Sabbath and your options are limited, by all means find something to eat. Next time, maybe you might want to be more prepared so as to not find yourself in the same situation. Just saying.

Torah Living 33–The Age Old Problem of New Wine in Old Wineskins

by | Sep 7, 2014 | Podcasts

Continuing on with the inclusion of Michael Rood’s Chronological Gospels and its date-sensitive corresponding passages in addition to my daily Torah studies, I came to the passage in the chronology where the Master responded to a question as to why His disciples did not fast on as frequent a basis as the disciples of John the Immerser (or Yochanan) and the Pharisees (or Prushim) as recorded in Matthew 9:14-17. In this Torah Living episode, I would like to look at this passage from the perspective of what exactly Yeshua mean by this analogy of new wine being contained in old wineskins in His addressing the fasting question as well as glean from this story, life-applications that will aid us in our walk with Messiah. This is Torah Living, Episode 33–The Age-Old Problem of New Wine in Old Wineskins
Wineskin

I’ve always been intrigued by this most profound passage which obviously contains a significant message with far reaching spiritual applications. As a former Christian, I looked at this story and its associated spiritual meaning from the perspective that Christianity (aka new wine) would become an entirely new religion that would supersede Judaism–especially the Law (at that point in my life I saw the Law of Moses as being synonymous with Judaism) which translated in my mind as being an old wineskin.  Thus the new wine of Christianity would essentially break/burst anything having to do with the old wineskins of the Old Testament and the Law into a useless shell of a religion. My perceptions have of course changed and I believe I better understand the thrust of the Master’s parable or analogy in this story.

The passage reads as follows: Then the disciples of Yochanan (aka John the Immerser) came to Him saying, “Why do we and the Prushim (aka: the Pharisees) fast often, but your disciples do not fast?” Yeshua said to them, “Can the children of the bridechamber mourn while the bridegroom is with them? But the days will come when the bridegroom shall be taken from them, and then they will fast. No man puts a piece of new cloth on an old garment because that which is put in to repair it pulls away from the garment and the tear is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old wineskins because the wineskins will break, the wine will run out, and the wineskins will perish. They put new wine into new wineskins and both are preserved.” (Matt. 9:14-17–Rood’s Chronological Gospels rendering). It should be noted that askos, ou, o=wineskins; a bag made of skin or leather in which water or wine was kept–Mar. 2:22 and Luk. 5:37. A number of translators have attempted to substitute “bottles” for wineskins. The fermenting of new wine would not break glass bottles however. Fermenting of wine would, however, break old wineskins.
 
As the story goes, disciples of Yochanan (aka: John the Immerser) confronted Yeshua regarding Yeshua’s disciples’ apparent practice of NOT fasting on a regular basis as was the practice of the disciples of Yochanan and the Prushim . By now, word had likely reached the ears of Yochanan’s disciples and the Prushim that Yeshua and His disciples had occasion to socialize with publicans (aka a collector of taxes or tolls–a profession formerly held by the Matthew the disciple of Yeshua) and sinners–specifically at an dining affair hosted, at that time, by Mattiyahu haLevi (aka: Matthew)–reference Matt. 9:9-14, Mar. 2:14-22 and Luk. 5:27-39). Needless to say, Mattiyahu haLevi was ostracized by His people and viewed as a traitor, for he essentially worked for the Roman and Herodian governments. Regardless, it was during this affair, which apparently was well attended by what the CKJV describes as “many publicans and sinners who came and reclined with Yeshua and His disciples.” The passage goes on: “When the Prushim saw it, they said to His disciples, “Why does your rabbi eat with publicans and sinners?” Of course, Yeshua always used confrontations and conflict as a means to teach the Gospel of the Kingdom which He often did ever so skillfully through parables and analogies. In this brilliant and well known discourse, Yeshua’s response was: “Those who are whole do not need a physician, only those who are sick…I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” What a tremendous truth we find here that many of us fail to fully grasp and comprehend. Indeed, the Master saw a great potential harvest among the common folk of His day and of the region where His message was being preached. Contrary to what one would naturally think the focus of the Gospel would be, the harvest would not be made up of the religious and of the wealthy and affluent. These individuals were heavily entrenched in their traditions and their religion and their wealth and positions in society. They had no need for a Faith that would be based upon the Laws and Commandments of Yehovah and that would demand a parting of the ways from the traditions of their culture and national religion. Interesting, one could imagine that the Prushim challenging Yeshua at this affair had absolutely no idea what Yeshua was saying. Yeshua must have been thinking to Himself: Do you understand the words that are coming out of my mouth?! Needless to say, they had absolutely no idea what Yeshua (and for that matter Yochanan) was all about. If it was not of the tradition of the elders, it was heresy and it had to be dealt with with extreme prejudice.
Why were these disciples of Yochanan so bold as to suggest that Yeshua and His disciples needed to conduct themselves in a more disciplined way; in a way that was consistent with the pattern established by the elders and sages and their religion? I see two problems driving this situation here in this passage:
Problem #1–Yeshua’s disciples were not fasting as were Yochanan’s disciples and the Prushim
On the surface, most would not consider the fact that Yeshua’s disciples were not fasting as Yochanan’s disciples and the Prushim were as problematic. Essentially, different strokes for different strokes, huh? Yet there indeed existed a problem here. The problem was not that of Yeshua’s disciples not doing something they were supposed to do as if fasting was a salvation issue. Indeed, fasting as was being debated here by Yochanan’s disciples was entirely based upon Jewish tradition. No sir, no ma’am, the problem here seems to be an insinuation that Yeshua and His band of followers were–as described by Bible Commentator Matthew Henry–“loose in their profession.” In other words, this group (that is Yeshua and His disciples), were supposed to be on the same page of the Faith as Yochanan and his disciples were, but for whatever reason, they seemed to Yochanan’s camp to be very liberal in the exercising or practice of their Faith. Again, the whole socializing with publicans and sinners must have remained fresh in their minds. That incident in addition to their failure to fast as often as tradition dictated must have sent Yochanan’s group over the edge in terms of their patience with the Messiah. The accusers’ challenge simply put out there that Yeshua and His disciples were liberals and that they needed to be conservatives. In other words, their behavior was not becoming of a pious student of the True Faith.
Problem #2–Yochanan’s Disciples Become a Most Unlikely Tool of the Enemy
As mentioned in problem #1, the issue of fasting was more a case of traditional religious practice than Torah Law. So this whole exchange between the Yochanan disciples and Yeshua should not have even come up. Instead of the two parties coming together to further the Kingdom under the leadership of Yeshua, a benign issue such as fasting had the potential of ripping the True Faith apart at the seams. In other words, someone or someones saw in this issue the opportunity to undermine the Faith from the inside out. (Actually an ingenious ploy when you stop to think about it.) The someone or someones were likely the Prushim who had by now become quite disturbed over Yeshua’s influence over the people and notoriety in the region. Given the popularity of Yeshua, the Prushim held absolutely no opportunity to destroy Yeshua without bringing upon themselves certain destruction. So an outward assault upon the camp of the Master was out of the question at this juncture of the game. However, if somehow some form of subversion could be incited within the camps of Yochanan and Yeshua, then the problem of Yeshua and Yochanan would all but take care of itself. To the Sanhedrin, that would be the best scenario and solution to their perceived problem.
The Sanhedrin saw the camps of Yochanan and Yeshua as public enemies number one and two–although not necessarily in that order. The plan was to somehow use the traditional Jewish practice of fasting to bond with the group that was closer to them in their observances of the traditions of their religion than the other and that of course was Yochanan’s group. The common bond: fasting. Jewish tradition provided for a number of fasts for various occasions–to address drought, pestilence, famine, war, sieges, inundations, etc. according to Gill’s Commentary– (reference Misn. Taanith, c.1. sect. 4.5, 6. and c.e. sect. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8. Maimon. and Bartenora in ib.), the most common practice appears to have been twice a week, specifically on Mondays and Thursdays (reference Luk. 18:12). Upon bonding with the group through the commonality of fasting, the Prushim could handily encourage Yochanan’s disciples to challenge Yeshua and His disciples on their seeming failure to exercise this highly valued, frequently displayed, physical, outward show of righteousness. I’m thinking that the instigators were betting that Yochanan’s disciples were dealing with just another holy man with a burgeoning popular following and an ego the size of Palestine. And the Prushim were no doubt betting that it would be that ego that would potentially inflame the passions of both groups and cause the rift from within that would ultimately lead to the self-destruction of this competing and troubling Faith. Of course, the instigators of this incident had no true idea as to whom they were dealing. Yeshua had no ego as man would understand an ego to be. Yeshua’s only purpose was to do the will of His Father who is in heaven. (Reference Matt. 7:21 and 12:50)
Now this is not in any way meant to suggest that Yochanan was a tried and true, card carrying Pharisee. This could not be so because Yochanan made it a point to routinely speak out against the Jewish establishment–But when Yochanan saw many of the P’rushim and Tz’dukim coming to be immersed by him, he said to them, “You snakes! Who warned you to escape the coming punishment? (Mat 3:7 CJB) So it is clear that there was no love lost between either sides of this equation. However, many denominational and self-professing Biblical experts believe that Yochanan was an Essene, or at the very least, that Yochanan lived at some point an Essenic-life. Now you many be aware that the settlement of Qumran (the origin of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls) is believed to have been inhabited by an ultra-conservative Jewish sect known as the Essenes. One author that I’ve come across in recent years has even gone so far as to suggest that Yochanan actually lived in Qumran as an Essene (reference “James the Brother of Jesus,” by Robert Eisenman). There are some problems with Mr. Eisenman’s theory in that many scholars place the extinction of Qumran and the Essenes years before the birth of Yeshua. Well, I have to say that I believe Mr. Eisenman has certainly done his homework and some of his theories may not be out of the question. There are certain similarities between the Essenic lifestyle as we know it today and what would be expected of a man like Yochanan who lived in the desert and ate locust and wild honey and lived an extremely austere life. It is likely that several, if not the bulk, of Yochanan’s disciples may have been Essenes or practiced an Essenic life before the start of their calling by Yochanan. Furthermore, these same disciples likely imitated Yochanan in every aspect of his existence–and that would include frequent/regular fastings. Certainly, Yeshua and His disciples’ seemingly relaxed life-style would have appeared odd if not irritating to the members of Yochanan’s camp. Indeed, the austere living conditions and religious practices of the Essenes (as we’ve come to understand through the reading and study of the Dead Sea Scrolls), was a life style that was highly disciplined and was not for the average person living in the first century C.E. It would not be too much of a stretch to say that those who chose to live such an austere life, such as Yochanan, out of the total number of practicing Jews in the region, were minuscule. Consequently, these individuals were seen as extremists and mystics to either be drawn to or to be avoided. In Yochanan’s case, people flocked to the desert to see him and listen to His very strange but energizing message of repentance and then be mikvehed by the man.
 
Yeshua’s Response
As I’ve just discussed, Yeshua had a potentially damaging problem cast before Him. His response to this critical challenge by the Yochanan disciples was crucial in terms of how both camps would reconcile their differences and continue on. As in times past, Yeshua, who was unique in every facet of His being when compared to any other man, living or dead, approached or responded to this situation not as a challenge to Him, His authority or to the Gospel that He was going about the region proclaiming and teaching. Knowing my disposition as a somewhat sensitive kind of guy, I would have probably been somewhat insulted by such a challenge, but determined to make amends and resolve any perceived notions that our two camps were at odds with the other. Yeshua as in times past, used this opportunity to teach and He did so using His common method of teaching–parables or maybe better stated, the use of two analogies to get His perspective and position across. And what a response that was. Yeshua’s response was thought provoking and disarming. It was not so much a response to defend His and His disciples actions (or lack thereof) as it was a response to explain to the challengers the deeper perspectives of the Faith and how the true believer must approach this and other similar matters that may affect the Faith and the members of that Faith. Now I have absolutely no doubt that Yeshua knew the insidious nature behind this challenge. Yet, instead of getting all worked up over the audacity of the Yochanan party’s efforts to challenge His and His disciple’s religious practices, as the true Messiah He was, He set about to continue to spread His Gospel message. The Master used two very precise analogous real-world (in the first century world of Palestine) examples to express the differences between religious practice and dogma and the True Faith that came from the mouth of Yehovah and that He was delivering.
 
Example #1– No one patches an old coat with a piece of unshrunk cloth, because the patch (eventually) tears away from the coat and leaves a worse hole. (Mat 9:16 CJB) Indeed, this concept or example should have been pretty clear and descriptive–one does not mend his or her old garment using a new piece of fabric to patch the holes. The old fabric no doubt has been worn and washed dozens of times if not hundreds. By the time it has become tattered, it has fully reached the limits of its shrinking. However, the patch of new cloth has not been worn and washed and it will respond to the cycle of wearing and washing as the old cloth has. Thus, when that new cloth is applied to the old, tattered garment, and that seemingly repaired garment is then worn and undergoes washings, that new patch of cloth will shrink. The old garment has no more room to shrink and the shrinking of the new cloth will cause further damage to the original garment as it shrinks and pulls from the old garment. Indeed, an interesting example.
 
Example #2–Nor do people put new wine in old wineskins; if they do, the skins burst, the wine spills and the wineskins are ruined. No, they pour new wine into freshly prepared wineskins, and in this way both are preserved.” (Mat 9:17 CJB) For us in the 21st century, this concept or example would likely be foreign, but to the first century inhabitant of Palestine, it would be common sense and in some cases, information that if not heeded, could be the difference between life and death (i.e., the extreme climate conditions of the region). New wine when received continues through a process called fermentation for a period of time. According to wikipedia–Fermentation is a metabolic process that converts sugar to acids, gases and/or alcohol. Bottles as referenced in the KJV, but in other translations as wineskins, were constructed from the flesh of animals. The closest thing we have to compare it today with is called a “bota bag,” which is a Spanish liquid receptacle. According to wikipedia–they are made of leather (when made of goatskin it is of course referred to as a goatskin), and is typically used to carry wine, although any liquid can be poured into it. Traditionally, bota bags were lined with goat bladders, in other cases tree sap or other resins were used to prevent liquids from seeping through. The fermentation process would cause the wine contained in whatever receptacle it was placed, to expand. The container holding this expanding wine must be able to expand along with the fermenting wine or it will break or tear open the receptacle, causing the wine to spill out. Indeed, another interesting example provided by Messiah.
 
These two examples, being excellent analogies to a spiritual concept, seem to have provided the Yochanan disciples (as well as Yeshua’s disciples) and even us today with a few interesting perspectives. I am not dogmatic to say that there is one and only one interpretation here. I realize there are many teachers out there that will doggedly contend that their interpretation is the absolute correct interpretation. Personally, I can’t see how anyone honestly believes that their interpretation of this parable is proper over another’s, with the exception of those who are simply interpreting from the perspective of their denomination’s teachings or from some mystical method of interpretation. All we can rely upon is revelation by the Ruach Kodesh and the use of sound Biblical exegesis methods. Otherwise, one believer’s interpretation is as good as another which is why we have some 30,000 denominations. Furthermore, even the inner circle disciples had to from time-to-time seek the Master’s plain language explanation of some of His teachings. What makes us feel that we have the corner on Biblical interpretation? Oh sure, many of us have received the blessing of Ruach HaKodesh sometime during our conversion to the true Faith, but from my perspective that doesn’t guarantee that we will always receive the correct interpretation of certain Biblical passages. I’m a firm believer that there are areas and times of our lives where certain things are not meant to be revealed to us according to the workings of the Spirit. Try and try as we might; seek and seek as we may; ponder and ponder as we do, the interpretation will not come until Yehovah’s good and appointed time. In this particular passage, I’ve come upon at least three (3) interpretations or applications as it relates to patches and old wineskins.
 
Application #1–sticking to the context of the passage (which is always a safe way in which to gain proper interpretations of most Biblical passages), we see that we have a very conservative band of disciples (Yochanan’s) challenging a seemingly liberal band of disciples (Yeshua’s) over the liberals’ apparent lack of discipline when it came to the traditional practice of fasting. Yeshua’s response to this challenge was one of turning the tables on the accusers, highlighting not the act of fasting or the lack of fasting (no-pun intended of course), but accentuating the wisdom of requiring a novice to display advance character traits and behavior. In other words, we have come to some conclusion in this study, that Yochanan’s disciples were likely made up of the most disciplined Jews of the day and of the region. These Jews were well practiced in many of the traditions of the Jewish faith, no doubt including fasting. On the flip-side, Yeshua’s disciples were made up of the average Jew on the street if you will–i.e., fishermen, tax collectors, builders and the like. These men were not so well versed in many of the traditions of the elders, especially the more disciplined traditions such as fasting. Yeshua would of course have been very cognizant of the spiritual novice state of His disciples and thus His expectations of them as it relates to the Faith was likely much much lower than the expectations likely held by Yochanan of his disciples. Could it have been that Yeshua, being cognizant of the relative greenness of His disciples, was very careful not to over-tax them by heaping upon them the same austere-life practices as practiced by the much more experienced Yochanan disciples–who we surmised could have been Essenes or even Nazarites? Thus, could the old fabric and old wineskins in this scenario be the untried and untested lives of Yeshua’s disciples and the new fabric and new wine be the austere existence that the most ardent disciple of the true Gospel was expected and often observed to live? In other words, if such an austere existence was placed upon the Master’s disciples right off the bat, what would be the likelihood that these disciples would remain faithful to the very end? Would these same nascent disciples reach a point in following the Master, after being subjected day-after-day to such a disciplined existence, that their dedication and loyalty would burst and they would thus leave the Faith? The very fact that a handful of individuals came to Yeshua upon hearing His message and seeing the miracles He wrought, wanting to follow Him throughout the region, but were discouraged to find that they would have to give up everything and every person in their lives for the work of the Gospel, was enough to dissuade the casual Yeshua “roadie,” if you will, from taking to the road with Yeshua. Simply leaving behind all that you were used to in your day-to-day life to follow Yeshua was virtually impossible for some to conceive. Indeed, the desire and hope that these individuals expressed to the Master in terms of following Him, ruptured as if old wineskins containing new fermented wine and the pulling away of new fabric from old fabric once the garment is washed a few times. The great Biblical commentator Gill writes to “the unreasonableness of putting young disciples upon severe exercises of religion as fasting and that young converts are to be tenderly dealt with.” These austerities–i.e., fasting–could be seen as new, yet burdensome and troublesome to the novice. Yeshua’s disciples, on the other hand were “weak, easily staggered, arguable to austerities–especially given the “Bridegroom was in their very midst” so says Gill. This analogy or interpretation is certainly different than any that I’ve ever come across. But the intricacies and application, especially related to the context of the entire passage, make sense to me and I hope the same applies to you. I tend to agree with this interpretation over those that I will bring to your attention next simply because contextually this application or interpretation makes the most sense.
 
Application #2–still looking at this thing from the perspective of strict adherence to the context of the passage, one could see things reversed from that of application 1 above. This has to do with the religiosity of outward acts such as fasting and contrasting these acts’ applicability within the Kingdom and the Gospel message. Indeed, fasting when it is done extensively and when it is done for others to witness and take note of, is plastic and self-edifying to say the least. Typically the hearts of such individuals is not in the right place. As it relates to fasting, Yeshua taught that fasting was to be a very private affair such that no one but the fasting individual and Yehovah would know that that individual was actually fasting. In fact, Yeshua instructed His followers to wash their faces and display a pleasant disposition when fasting so as to not bring attention to one’s self–16 Moreover when ye fast, be not, as the hypocrites, of a sad countenance: for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily I say unto you, They have their reward.  17 But thou, when thou fastest, anoint thine head, and wash thy face; 18 That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. 19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: 20 But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: 21 For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. (Mat 6:16-21 KJV) Knowing what we know about the person of Yochanan, we can safely assume that whatever fasting he undertook was from an inward place that was pure in heart and fully dedicated to service of Yehovah.
 
 It is indeed interesting that the Prushim elected to pair with their enemy’s disciples to address an issue with the disciples of Yeshua that the Pharisees were renown for abusing and exploiting to their own glory and benefit. Sometimes truth is stranger than fiction. But going back to this particular application, one can see that the righteousness of the accusing disciples of Yochanan as well as the instigating Pharisees could be viewed as “old school stuff” in light of the Gospel message in contrast to the way of life that was being portrayed by Yeshua. Thus, the traditions of Judaism that were no doubt being steadfastly followed by the Pharisaic establishment and probably even Yochanan’s disciples–translated as ceremonial and moral traditions that made up the self-righteous core of Judaism which Isaiah equated as “filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6)–could easily be likened unto an old, worn garment or an old and much used wineskin. Thus, by attempting to mend or treat the traditions (the old, the orthodox, the man made) with the True Faith being brought to the attention of the Jews through the teachings of Yeshua and Yochanan, the old traditions could not stand and would effectively rupture into complete disrepair. The disciples of Yochanan sought to incorporate the traditions of Judaism into the true Faith as delivered by Yeshua and Yochanan and that true Faith is Torah-based. How true to life is this application? Segments of the Hebraic Roots community are fully entrenched in Judaism while other sects of the Messianic community are holding on to many Christian traditions. Indeed, the true Faith has no ability to incorporate extraneous religious traditions. We are not to mix the true Faith with anything. When we seek to incorporate traditions into the true Faith, the true Faith quickly unravels and crumbles into thousands of denominations and sects; or in the case of Catholicism, the Faith becomes snatched from Yehovah and given over to the carnal and evil devices of men to oversee and run. All of this is a recipe for destruction. According to the Commentator Gill, “self-righteousness based upon man made traditions must be thrown away as the tattered garment it analogizes. For it can not be mended…” Thus, any attempt to amend or augment the true Faith once delivered through traditional acts of righteousness will result in any existing rent or tears in the fabric of the Faith becoming worse. Bottom line: our attempts at being righteous–of living righteous lives–outside the strict adherence to Torah and the commandments and example of Yeshua will only lead to a tattered and completely error-ridden life of faith. Gill goes on to suggest that those who come in to the true Faith directly from society, having not been influenced by denominations and traditions of religions, stand the best chance of fully accessing the Kingdom over the myriad of religious gatekeepers who try to bring religion in to the true Faith. How it breaks my heart to see some of our brothers and sisters holding on for dear life to man made religious traditions (i.e., Judaism and to a lesser degree Christian traditions) as they profess allegiance to the true Faith once delivered to the first century Saints–that is a Torah based life. Traditions such as praying towards the east, reciting prayers, fasting on Mondays and Thursdays, wearing yarmulkes or kippahs, and the list goes on; are being practiced with dogged loyalty and ignorance by countless Messianics who for whatever reason are unable to rationalize that Yehovah and His Word is all that we need and not the inclusion or augmentation to our faith of such silly-baseless traditions. Does the incorporation of traditions in to the true Faith disqualify us from the Kingdom? Probably not the actual traditional practices, but certainly being distracted by the shiny objects that represent man made tradition will only serve to pull us away from the true mission of the Gospel as instructed by Yeshua HaMashiach. And certainly the enemy uses every opportunity and every object in his arsenal to create distractions in our walk with Messiah as we saw in this story. Why give hasatan a foothold in to our lives and our walk for no good reason I ask? The true Gospel can not be contained in the ideals of man made constructs such as Judaism, Christianity and Catholicism.
 
Application #3–lastly, this application was what I grew up hearing in the Baptist Church and other similar denominations of my youth–that is the Gospel of Jesus Christ (the new wine and the fresh patch of fabric) could not be fixed to the old tattered fabric of Judaism and the old wineskins of the Law of Moses; for the Gospel will only rip those old attempts at the true Faith to shreds. I can see to some degree why this application would garner so much acceptance by Christians, simply because Western Christianity and even Catholicism can never accept for its members a Torah based Faith. Torah requires obedience and complete trust in Yehovah and Yeshua was the walking and talking Torah who showed us how to live Torah properly. Yet Christianity teaches an inputted righteousness that is devoid of any need for obedience to Torah. Traditions have replaced Torah obedience–the sinner’s prayer; the right-hand of fellowship; Sunday worship; praise and worship service; Sunday school, Christmas and Easter observance; and a litany of other minor traditions.
 
The Take Away and Call to Action
The take away that I would like to propose to you here today is that we avoid the intrusion of any man made, religious traditions in to the one true Faith. That we remain loyal and steadfast in our profession to the true Faith that is based upon obedience to Torah. That we seek first the kingdom of Yehovah and His righteousness and not be distracted by the traditions of denominationalism. Furthermore, that we avoid conflict with our brothers and sisters in the Faith over differences of opinion and in some cases differences in belief such as the use of the true name of the Father and Messiah. That our lives as disciples of Yeshua and servants of Yehovah be the example by which others will be drawn to Messianic Torah Observance and the true Faith once delivered. That we adhere to intense study of the Word of Yehovah and seek the revelation of that Word through the Ruach Kodesh and Yehovah’s anointed teachers. That we present our bodies as living sacrifices that is holy, acceptable to Yehovah, which is our spiritual service (reference Rom. 12:1). 
 
And as it relates to this particular passage of the Holy Writ, those who are new to the true Faith, may we resist the urge to indoctrinate and instill idealistic traditions and personal spins about the Faith. These individuals, being young and very delicate in relation to the Faith, may break and fall away from the Faith if subjected to an overwhelming amount of truth and teachings. I recall Michael Rood once warning his listeners to be aware of the level of content they relay to proselytes so as to not overwhelm them. When the expectations for learning and adherence are high, especially when we seek to hold these newbies to the level of our individual understanding and adherence to the faith, then those new to the Faith may suddenly shut down and step away from the Faith. Indeed, the example we as older brothers and sisters to these new proselytes should be that as demonstrated by Yeshua as He watched over and nurtured His disciples. As time goes on and as Yeshua’s proselytes grow in the Faith, then they become more apt to take on more responsibility and instruction in the Faith.
 
I trust that this Torah Living episode has blessed you as much as it has blessed me in preparing it for you. If you were blessed by this and other episodes, please support us by registering–please go over to the right-hand column of our website at themessianictorahobserver.org; fill in your name and e-mail address; then follow us on social media utilizing the icons on the top right-hand column; or for any questions or comments or feedback you may have, simply drop us an e-mail at perceptionwp@gmail.com, call us at 714-353-4043, leave a written comment utilizing the comments feature at the bottom of this post at themessianictorahobserver.org, or an audible message utilizing the speakpipe feature hovering off to the right of the page at themessianictorahobserver.org. Otherwise, join us for the next episode of Torah Living. Until then, may Yehovah bless you and keep you; may Yehovah make His face to shine upon you and be gracious unto you and your family; may Yehovah liftup His countenance upon you and give you peace. In the name of Yeshua HaMashiach, our soon and coming King, Amein, Amein, and Amein. Shalom Saints!