דברים  

{Deuteronomy 6:6-7}

These words, which I am ordering you today, are to be on your heart; and you are to teach them carefully to your children. You are to talk about them when you sit at home, when you are traveling on the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

 

                     
                     

Statement of Faith

Isa 55:8  "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, and your ways are not my ways," says Adonai.

Isa 55:9  "As high as the sky is above the earth are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.

Adonai’s ways are PERFECT. All of His Word is Perfect. From B’resheet/Genesis thru Revelation. It is our blessing to know what He thinks is perfect. It is our joy to strive although never perfect to follow all His Mitzvoh/Commandments.

 

Mat 5:17  "Don't think that I have come to abolish the Torah or the Prophets. I have come not to abolish but to complete.

Mat 5:18  Yes indeed! I tell you that until heaven and earth pass away, not so much as a yud ( י ) or a stroke will pass from the Torah — not until everything that must happen has happened.

Mat 5:19  So whoever disobeys the least of these mitzvot and teaches others to do so will be called the least in the Kingdom of Heaven. But whoever obeys them and so teaches will be called great in the Kingdom of Heaven.

What is the TORAH? To us at BGMC it is Adonai’s “God” marriage contract to all of us His people. Both Hebrew “Jew” and Gentile “The Nations”. They are not Mitzvoh’s Commandments but Commitments. He was gracious enough to write down these simple commitments for us to follow. We at BGMC think of these commitments like a marriage contract. When a man and woman get married they make a commitment to Adonai and to one another. They do this in front of His eyes and the family. We are blessed and honored to be able to have the opportunity to have this perfection.

To be Torah observant means we do not follow the Jewish rabbi’s, but Adonai. For how can we say to our Gentile brethren that you need to stop following pagan ways if we ourselves keep following them. We follow the "Route 66" Kings High Way. That means from B'resheet/Genesis to Revelation.  We do not follow Talmud, The Pope's writings, Luther or any other man made writings. These have errors in them and were not written by Adonai. Our Motto is “Just Do It”. When you see Yeshua/Jesus doing something in the Scriptures as an example, then you, as His child, should do it too. If He did not do it, or speak about it, it is a tradition of man and we do not follow those traditions. Those traditions of men have led, and still lead people away from Messiah Yeshua and to the adversary satan.     


That we might have unity among us, and that we all speak the same thing as regards the foundation of our faith, and that with integrity we present our witness of Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah as those who walk in His light, (I Corinthians 1:10 & Acts 2:42) let it be hereby established that we believe....

1. All Scripture (Tanach - Torah, Prophets, Writings) which is completed in the Ketuvei HaShalichim (the Apostolic Writings, commonly known as the New Testament) is given by the Breath/Spirit of Elohim [G-d], and is to be used for doctrine, for reproof, for correction and for instruction in righteousness. (II Timothy 3:15-17, I Thessalonians 2:13, II Peter 1:21)

2. Hear, O Israel: YHVH [the LORD, the Most High] is our Elohim. He is One. He alone is ADONAI (Deuteronomy 6:4 & Isaiah 43:10-11). He is the Creator of heaven and earth, of all living beings, and of everything both visible and invisible (Genesis 1:1, Colossians 1:15-17). Although He is limitless in power, authority, time, matter, and space, He has chosen, in His infinite wisdom, to reveal His nature to humanity in perceivable and comprehendible manners. Scripture records G-d revealing Himself in the following manners: as fire (covenant with Avraham between the two halves of the cow; Genesis 15:17), as the form of a man not born of a woman, (when He approached Avraham with the two angels; Genesis 18), as a burning bush (spoke to Moshe; Exodus 3:2), as the fourth Man in the furnace, (Daniel 3:25), as the promised Messiah being a Man made of flesh and born of a woman (Isaiah 7:14, Galatians 4:4). Although there are numerous examples of G-d revealing Himself to humanity in various ways and forms, of those ways and forms, He has chosen to refer to Himself in the following primary contexts: as the Father (HaAv), as the Son (HaBen) Yeshua, and as the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit/Breath). What makes these primary contexts important is not only the fact that God used these forms to reveal Himself to humanity, but in doing so, He refers to Himself in these primary contexts as the one and only true and living G-d.

3. Adonai and His Word are eternal. That is: He, His Word and His Will has always been, and will always be, the same. (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8 & Matthew 5:18; 24:35)

4. The Shabbat [Sabbath], the seventh day of the week, is the created holy day of Adonai, which He gave to mankind and covenanted with His people as a sign forever. (Exodus 31:16, Genesis 2:2-3, Isaiah 58:13-14 & Matthew 12:8)

5. Yeshua of Natzeret (Jesus) is the Messiah of Israel, the Savior of the world, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He is Adonai who appeared among mankind in the flesh, and now is glorified with all power in Heaven and in Earth, at the right hand of Abba. (John 1:12-14, Acts 7:55-56 & Hebrews 10:12)

6. Messiah Yeshua is the ultimate and final sacrifice required for the removal of sins. He was born of a virgin, was sinless and performed miracles. He died by execution stake (stagion) on a tree (xulon) an atoning death and rose from the dead three days afterward. Everyone who believes the above, repents of their sins and trusts that Yeshua is the Messiah, are forgiven their sins and come into a renewed covenant with Adonai through Him. Therefore they become inheritors of all the promises Adonai made with Abraham and Israel. (John 1:29, Isaiah 7:14;9:6-7, Matthew 1, Hebrews 4:15; 2:4, Leviticus 17:11, Isaiah 53, Psalms 22, Romans 5:6-11, Ephesians 2:8, Matthew 27:50-28:20, Romans 10:9-12 & I Corinthians 5-7)

7. The Ketuvei HaShalichim [the Apostolic Writings, commonly known as the New Testament] in Messiah Yeshua brings with it a new creation of the human spirit. The Torah [Law/Teachings/Instructions] of Adonai is planted inside so the Ruach HaKodesh may indwell. An external immersion in water (mikveh) is performed to declare that this has taken place. (Jeremiah 31:31-34, Ezekiel 36:26-27; 39:29, Matthew 3:16; 28:18-20 & Acts 2:38)

8. The various enablements or gifts of the Ruach HaKodesh are given with authority to all those who ask Adonai and obey His commandments. The Promise of Abba, an extra enduement of power and boldness for witnessing, is an immersion (spiritual mikveh) by the Ruach HaKodesh. Each follower should seek to be filled with the various enablements of the Ruach, who gives them as He wishes. (Joel 2:27-29, Isaiah 28:11-12, Luke 11:13, Acts 1:4-5; 2:4; 5:32; 10:44-48, I Corinthians 12:1-13 & Ephesians 1:13)

9. The people of Adonai are a holy Miqra Qahal [Called Out/Ekklesia] congregation, which is not of this world, in order to gather and celebrate Him at His appointed holy Feasts, to shine as lights of truth in the darkness and to be a royal priesthood which praises His Name. (Leviticus 23, Matthew 16:18)

10. The goals of the people of Adonai are:

* a.) To be followers of Yeshua the Messiah, until we mature into the example He left us and to know Him. (Ephesians 4:13 & Matthew 7:20-27)
* b.) To be holy and separate from the world as our Abba is holy. Therefore, we are to learn and act on those things which makes us holy in His sight. (Leviticus 11:44-45 & Ephesians 5:27)
* c.) To be righteous (right decision making) and Godly (forgiving in this world). (Titus 2:12)
* d.) To be clean, first in our conscious inner man, and also in our outward walk accordingly as we grow in the Ruach [Spirit] and understanding of the Word. (Psalm 51:10 & 1 Thessalonians 4:7)
* e.) To be full of love for one another, thus proving we are Yeshua's disciples; and caring for a lost world, to take the message of the Good News of Yeshua to the Jew first and also to the Gentile. (John 13:34-35, Romans 1:16 & 1 John 4:7-8)

11. The promise of a continually faithful trust in Yeshua, while walking according to the will of Adonai, is resurrection from the dead, eternal life and ruling with Yeshua forever in the place where His Kingdom will rule. He will yet rule in Jerusalem/Zion, and finally in the New Jerusalem in the New Creation forever. (Job 19:25-27, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 & Revelation 19-22)

12. Yeshua will judge all mankind of every act and word ever committed. He will decide the sentence for punishment, and all those not meeting His standards will be sent away from His presence, into outer darkness and eternal punishment for the sin. (Daniel 12:2, Matthew 25:31-46 & Revelation 20)

13. The final plan for the Israel of Adonai is to bring the remnant of the faithful Jewish people, and the remnant of those believers who were formerly Gentiles, but recovered from the world by faith, back together and united into one holy people under one Shepherd, namely Yeshua, the Messiah, This will complete the tearing down of the wall of partition, which is a necessary part of the restoration of all things spoken by the prophets. (Isaiah 56:8, Hosea 1-2, John 10:16, Romans 9:26 & Acts 3:21)

14. Jews according to the flesh (descendants of Abraham through Isaac, whether through the bloodline of the mother or the father) who place their faith in Israel's Messiah Yeshua have not disowned or separated themselves from their race and Judaic heritage, but remain sons and daughters of Israel. Thus should celebrate their heritage and traditions. Gentiles who place their faith in Israel's Messiah Yeshua are also spiritually sons and daughters of Israel and thus also share in this rich and meaningful heritage. (Romans 2:28-29, Acts 21:17-26, Galatians 3:28-29 & Deuteronomy 28)

15. The m'chitza (wall of partition) which in times past separated Jews and Gentiles has been broken down; the enmity between them eradicated by the Messiah Yeshua (Ephesians 2:12-14)

16. The Renewed Covenant body of Adonai is composed of both Jews and Gentiles who have accepted Israel's Messiah Yeshua as the promised Redeemer and that now they are to worship together in the House of Elohim. (John 10:16, I Corinthians 12:13, & Hebrews 10:25)

17. It is our prayer that Adonai will bring back the church to an understanding of its Jewish heritage and roots so that both Jew and Gentile may know the spiritual reality of being one in the Messiah Yeshua.

Points of Order

1. THE HOLY NAME: The reading or aloud mention of "YHVH" (Yod-Hey-Vav-Hey) may be spoken as "the I AM" in English or as "Hashem" (the Name) in Hebrew. "Adonai", "the Most High", or "Avinu (Our Father)" may also be substituted as referring to the Holy Name. Messiah said to say "Avinu (Our Father)." As an organization, we allow the option of the use of YHVH in the Aaronic Benediction (B'midbar/Numbers 6: 24-26) because we read in B'midbar/Numbers 6:27: "In this way they are to put My Name on the people of Isra'el, so that I will bless them", but strongly discourage any use of the Name that would make it common or profane.

2. MESSIAH'S NAME: The name of our Messiah was and is Yeshua or Y'shua meaning both "salvation" and "Yah who is salvation" in Hebrew. The term "Yahshuah" is not correct Hebrew pronunciation. As a proper honor, He is to be referred to as "Messiah Yeshua," "Yeshua the Messiah" or "Adonai Yeshua" rather than "Yeshua" alone.

3. NAME AS AUTHORITY: The idea of '"name" in Hebrew is that of "authority" without referring to the sound of the syllables. Use of a name means use of the authority behind the name. Therefore, it is more important to know by what authority something is done, rather than the spoken syllables. When Messiah said He came in His Father's Name, He was referring to the Father's Authority, not the syllables of the Holy Name.

4. THE TORAH: The Torah may refer to either the Five Books of Moses, the entire Tanakh (Hebrew Scriptures) or the whole Bible, depending on usage. The Torah in our usage never refers to the Talmud but, while we do not consider the Talmud or any other commentary on the Scriptures as the Word of Adonai. We do not practice in the Diaspora those parts of Torah which require residence in the land, a theocratic civil government and/or a consecrated Temple on Mount Moriah.

5. LEADERSHIP & GENDER: Recognizing that the Scriptures state that under the Renewed Covenant there is an equality of men and women, recognizing the need for unity in the body, and recognizing that there are differing perspectives on the Scriptural regulations on women in ministry. As Adonai does not allow a woman to show authority over men, we abide in His perfect ways and agree to His ways 1Tim 2:11-12. There are roles for each - men and women - to follow. Only men are to teach the Scriptures to men and this should be taken as a great honor and not to be taken lightly for this is Adonai's order. Conversely only women can have babies and the incredibly joy of bringing life into this world and this should be taken as a great honor and not to be taken lightly for this is Adonai's order. Women can teach other women and children up to the age of 20 for a male. ALL are called to be witnesses for Yeshua, but not all are called by Adonai to be rabbis or pastors only men. Adonai called Aharon and his sons not daughters. Exo 27:21 Aharon and his sons are to put it in the tent of meeting...

                                    

6. THE TALLIT: according to Torah, B'midbar 15:37-41 and D'varim 22:12 we are commanded to wear the "tzitzit" with "techelet" (blue thread). This is to be done with proper respect and care. We are to wear them to remind us of HIS Torah. They should be worn at all times preferably attached to a tallit katan but tzitzit attached to belt loops is also acceptable since it shows a desire to follow this Torah command. At Shabbat services and on the moedim, the traditional Talit should be worn by men. Women may wear a type pastel colored Talit that is not mistaken for a man's Talit.

7 Shabbat/Sabbath

Throughout Torah, the command to celebrate the Shabbat – the first moed – the original appointed time – is repeated. However, we must also acknowledge that each time the mitzvoth is repeated, there are more details that are added. We will explore each of these commandments now. As we proceed we must adhere to a powerful truth. if Adonai is “ the same yesterday, today and forever”, then we must keep in mind that these first Scriptures cannot be erased or altered. They stand as a foundation on which the others build. We cannot remove the foundation of a building and still expect the roof to remain elevated above us

 

BGMC believes the 66 books found in our Bible. We consider them to be inspired by Adonai and therefore are Scripture.

 

 

Part I – The Work of Adonai

 

Followers of Adonai Elohim have abundant Scriptures for learning and understanding that He is at work all around us. Those who read and understand the Scriptures have, before them, an eye witness account of how this world was created as well as how the events and progress of life on this earth are controlled and ordered by HIS wisdom and power.

 

Ecclesiates 11:5  Just as you don't know the way of the wind or how bones grow in a pregnant woman's womb, so you don't know the work of God, the maker of everything.

 

 

Below is a brief review of just a few of the Scriptures that specifically describe the kind of work Adonai is doing in the world all around us every day…..

 

 

Jeremiah 51:14  Adonai-Tzva'ot has sworn by himself, "I will fill you with men as numerous as grasshoppers; they will raise over you a shout of triumph." 15  He made the earth by his power, established the world by his wisdom spread out the sky by his understanding. 16  When he thunders, the waters in heaven roar, he raises clouds from the ends of the earth, he makes the lightning flash in the rain and brings the wind out from his storehouses. 17  At this, everyone is proved stupid, ignorant, every goldsmith put to shame by his idol! The figures he casts are a fraud, there is no breath in them,18  they are nothings, ridiculous objects; when the day for their punishment comes, they will perish.

 

Job 9:2  "Indeed, I know that this is so; but how can a human win a case against God? 3  Whoever might want to argue with him could not answer him one [question] in a thousand. 4  His heart is so wise, his strength so great — who can resist him and succeed? 5  "He moves the mountains, although they don't know it, when he overturns them in his anger. 6  He shakes the earth from its place; its supporting pillars tremble. 7  He commands the sun, and it fails to rise; he shuts up the stars under his seal. 8  He alone spreads out the sky and walks on the waves in the sea. 9  He made the Great Bear, Orion, the Pleiades and the hidden constellations of the south. :10  He does great, unsearchable things, wonders beyond counting.

 

Psalm 75:2  "At the time of my own choice, I will dispense justice fairly. 3  When the earth quakes, with all living on it, it is I who hold its support-pillars firm." (Selah)

 

Proverbs 8:26  he had not yet made the earth, the fields, or even the earth's first grains of dust. 27  When he established the heavens, I was there. When he drew the horizon's circle on the deep, 28  when he set the skies above in place, when the fountains of the deep poured forth, 29  when he prescribed boundaries for the sea, so that its water would not transgress his command, when he marked out the foundations of the earth, 30  I was with him as someone he could trust. For me, every day was pure delight, as I played in his presence all the time, 31  playing everywhere on his earth, and delighting to be with humankind.

 

Luke 1:77  by spreading the knowledge among his people that deliverance comes by having sins forgiven 78  through our God's most tender mercy, which causes the Sunrise to visit us from Heaven, 79  to shine on those in darkness, living in the shadow of death, and to guide our feet into the paths of peace."

 

Deuteronomy 11:12  It is a land Adonai your God cares for. The eyes of Adonai your God are always on it, from the beginning of the year to the end of the year. 13  "So if you listen carefully to my mitzvot which I am giving you today, to love Adonai your God and serve him with all your heart and all your being; 14  then, [says Adonai,] 'I will give your land its rain at the right seasons, including the early fall rains and the late spring rains; so that you can gather in your wheat, new wine and olive oil;

 

Psalm 104:10  You make springs gush forth in the vadis; they flow between the hills, 11  supplying water to all the wild animals; the wild donkeys quench their thirst. 12  On their banks the birds of the air build their nests; among the branches they sing. 13  You water the mountains from your palace; the earth is satisfied with how you provide - :14  you grow grass for the cattle; and for people you grow the plants they need to bring forth bread from the earth, 15  wine that gladdens the human heart, oil to make faces glow, and food to sustain their strength. 16  Adonai's trees are satisfied - the cedars of the L'vanon, which he has planted. 17  In them sparrows build their nests, while storks live in the fir trees. 18  For the wild goats there are the high mountains, while the coneys find refuge in the rocks. 19  You made the moon to mark the seasons, and the sun knows when to set. 20  You bring darkness, and it is night, the time when all forest animals prowl. 21  The young lions roar after their prey and seek their food from God.22  The sun rises, they slink away and lie down to rest in their dens; 23  while people go out to their work, laboring on till evening. 24  What variety there is in your works, Adonai! How many [of them there are]! In wisdom you have made them all; the earth is full of your creations. 25  Look at the sea, so great, so wide! It teems with countless creatures, living beings, both large and small.:26  The ships are there, sailing to and fro; Livyatan, which you formed to play there. 27  All of them look to you to give them their food when they need it. :28  When you give it to them, they gather it; when you open your hand, they are well satisfied.

 

Isaiah 42:5  Thus says God, Adonai, who created the heavens and spread them out, who stretched out the earth and all that grows from it, who gives breath to the people on it and spirit to those who walk on it:

 

From this review we can easily understand how fragile we are. We depend on Adonai to literally sustain all life on this earth. Without HIM none of us could continue even one day. 

 

What would happen if HE decided to take the day off? Even one day….

 

Ecclesiastes 7:13  Consider the work of God: who can make straight what he has made crooked?

 

Before any nations were walking upon the earth..before any of the above Scriptures were even written down..Adonai declared the very first holy thing in the entire universe. It was not an object. It was not a person or an animal. It was not even a place. Adonai declared the seventh day HOLY. We know that day as Shabbat.

 

Genesis 2:2  By the seventhH7637 dayH3117 GodH430 completedH3615 His workH4399 whichH834 He had doneH6213a, and He restedH7673a on the seventhH7637 dayH3117 from allH3605 His workH4399 whichH834 He had doneH6213a. 3  Then GodH430 blessedH1288 the seventhH7637 dayH3117 and sanctifiedH6942 it, becauseH3588 in it He restedH7673a from allH3605 His workH4399 whichH834 GodH430 had createdH1254a and madeH6213a.

 

The word Shabbat comes from the Hebrew word for seventh - shebı̂y ı̂y. That is the HOLY DAY during which Adonai rested after the days of creation. Adonai then proclaimed that as a day that would be set aside for rest. He was the first one to enjoy that rest. We know from Scripture that mankind was invited – a long time ago- to enjoy that day of rest with the King.

 

We know from practical human history and experience, that the world does not stop turning or come to an end every seventh day. We have all noticed that the seasons change right on time whether it is Shabbat or Saturday or not. Furthermore, the birds can be seen eating seeds on the ground on any Shabbat morning. Bumble bees and butterflies gathering nectar and pollen on the flower tops even continue to feed and work during the summer Shabbat afternoons.  We know that the rains pour down on us – even on Shabbat we have all had to bring an umbrella to Shabbat services. The new moon appears correctly in order to herald the new Hebrew month whether is falls on Monday, Wednesday, or Saturday. Every hospital nurse in every city and nation can bring you to a nursery and direct you to those babies that were born on Saturday. I have been attending Shabbat services for years –and I have never had to turn on the headlights of my car because the sun failed to rise that morning.

 

Is it possible that Adonai has been working on the day that HE proclaimed as a day of REST?

 

 

Ecclesiastes  8:17  then, on looking over all of God's work I realized that it is impossible to grasp all the activity taking place under the sun; because even if a person works hard at searching it out, he won't grasp it; and even if a wise person thinks he knows it, he still won't be able to grasp it.

 

 

In the Genesis scripture above the word for work that is used in the Hebrew is melakah

 

H4399

מלאכה  melâ'kâh

From the same as H4397; properly deputyship, that is, ministry; generally employment (never servile) or work (abstractly or concretely); also property (as the result of labor): - business, + cattle, + industrious, occupation, (+ -pied), + officer, thing (made), use, (manner of) work ([-man], -manship).

 

From this Hebrew term, we can understand that Adonai does not take the issue of our labor or His own labor in a trivial way. This term is not demeaning or debasing. Adonai is recognizing the importance of all forms of work that is done with our hands. It is a form of ministry…all work is for Him, to Him, and provides advancement for His plans and His Kingdom.

Interestingly Adonai repeats an important concept twice in as many verses. Both Genesis Chapter 2 verses 2 and 3 heavily convey the same meaning…

(verse 2) His workH4399 whichH834 He had doneH6213a

(verse 3) His workH4399 whichH834 GodH430 had createdH1254a and madeH6213a

 

Prior to resting, Adonai Eloheynu had taken the time, the energy and the care to prepare something. He had completed something in advance to that day of first Shabbat.  As we continue to read the Scriptures from Genesis to Revelation….we can learn that He had done much more work (ministry) than we ourselves could ever plan or do in our lifetime. We discover that the work He had done was the beginning from the end…..the plan of salvation.

 

Genesis 3:15  I will put animosity between you and the woman, and between your descendant and her descendant; he will bruise your head, and you will bruise his heel."

Genesis 12:2  I will make of you a great nation, I will bless you, and I will make your name great; and you are to be a blessing. 3  I will bless those who bless you, but I will curse anyone who curses you; and by you all the families of the earth will be blessed."

 

Genesis 49:8  "Y'hudah, your brothers will acknowledge you, your hand will be on the neck of your enemies, your father's sons will bow down before you. 9  Y'hudah is a lion's cub; my son, you stand over the prey. He crouches down and stretches like a lion; like a lioness, who dares to provoke him? 10  The scepter will not pass from Y'hudah, nor the ruler's staff from between his legs, until he comes to whom [obedience] belongs; [or: until Shiloh comes] and it is he whom the peoples will obey.

 

Isaiah 46:8  Remember this, and stand firm. Keep it in mind, you rebels. :9  "Remember things that happened at the beginning, long ago — that I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. 10  At the beginning I announce the end, proclaim in advance things not yet done; and I say that my plan will hold, I will do everything I please to do. 11  I call a bird of prey from the east, the man I intended, from a distant country. I have spoken and will bring it about; I have made a plan, and I will fulfill it. 12  Listen to me, you stubborn people, so far from righteousness:13  I am bringing my justice nearer, it is not far away; my salvation will not be delayed, I will place my salvation in Tziyon for Isra'el my glory.

 

John 1:1  In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2  He was with God in the beginning. 3  All things came to be through him, and without him nothing made had being.4  In him was life, and the life was the light of mankind. 5  The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not suppressed it.

 

Act 4:26  The kings of the earth took their stand; and the rulers assembled together against Adonai and against his Messiah.' 27  "This has come true in this city, since Herod and Pontius Pilate, with Goyim and the peoples of Isra'el, all assembled against your holy servant Yeshua, whom you made Messiah, 28  to do what your power and plan had already determined beforehand should happen. 29  "So now, Lord, take note of their threats; and enable your slaves to speak your message with boldness!

 

Romans 16:25  Now to God, who can strengthen you, according to my Good News, in harmony with the revelation of the secret truth which is the proclamation of Yeshua the Messiah, kept hidden in silence for ages and ages, 26  but manifested now through prophetic writings, in keeping with the command of God the Eternal, and communicated to all the Gentiles to promote in them trust-grounded obedience 27  to the only wise God, through Yeshua the Messiah, be the glory forever and ever! Amen.

 

Ephesians 1:2  Grace to you and shalom from God our Father and the Lord Yeshua the Messiah. 3  Praised be Adonai, Father of our Lord Yeshua the Messiah, who in the Messiah has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in heaven. 4  In the Messiah he chose us in love before the creation of the universe to be holy and without defect in his presence. 5  He determined in advance that through Yeshua the Messiah we would be his sons — in keeping with his pleasure and purpose —6  so that we would bring him praise commensurate with the glory of the grace he gave us through the Beloved One.

 

 

Ephesians 3:2  I assume that you have heard of the work God in his grace has given me to do for your benefit, 3  and that it was by a revelation that this secret plan was made known to me. I have already written about it briefly, 4  and if you read what I have written, you will grasp how I understand this secret plan concerning the Messiah. 5  In past generations it was not made known to mankind, as the Spirit is now revealing it to his emissaries and prophets, 6  that in union with the Messiah and through the Good News the Gentiles were to be joint heirs, a joint body and joint sharers with the Jews in what God has promised.

 

 

Revelation 10:4  When the seven thunders spoke, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven say, "Seal up the things the seven thunders said, do not write them down!" 5  Then the angel I saw standing on the sea and on the land lifted his right hand toward heaven 6  and swore by the One who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and what is in it, earth and what is in it, and the sea and what is in it: "There will be no more delay; 7  on the contrary, in the days of the sound from the seventh angel when he sounds his shofar, the hidden plan of God will be brought to completion, the Good News as he proclaimed it to his servants the prophets."

We cannot explore all that important work in this brief essay..but it is, nonetheless, important reading.

 

Part II: Adonai’s Rest

There is an excellent explanation and summary of this work of Adonai and the invitation that we all have to partake of the rest that was initiated after the creation….

 

Hebrews 4:1  Therefore, let us be terrified of the possibility that, even though the promise of entering his rest remains, any one of you might be judged to have fallen short of it; 2  for Good News has also been proclaimed to us, just as it was to them. But the message they heard didn't do them any good, because those who heard it did not combine it with trust. 3  For it is we who have trusted who enter the rest. It is just as he said, "And in my anger, I swore that they would not enter my rest." He swore this even though his works have been in existence since the founding of the universe. 4  For there is a place where it is said, concerning the seventh day, "And God rested on the seventh day from all his works." 5  And once more, our present text says, "They will not enter my rest." 6 Therefore, since it still remains for some to enter it, and those who received the Good News earlier did not enter, 7  he again fixes a certain day, "Today," saying through David, so long afterwards, in the text already given, "Today, if you hear God's voice, don't harden your hearts." 8  For if Y'hoshua had given them rest, God would not have spoken later of another "day." 9  So there remains a Shabbat-keeping for God's people. 10  For the one who has entered God's rest has also rested from his own works, as God did from his. 11  Therefore, let us do our best to enter that rest; so that no one will fall short because of the same kind of disobedience. 12  See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword — it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart. 13  Before God, nothing created is hidden, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.

 

Verse 9 states the main idea of the passage. Resting from work has a specific correlation to the work that Adonai had been doing during the creation week. If we have trust (faith) in His plan of salvation and accept Yeshua’s work on the tree that was done for us, then we will be free to obey the command to REST. The word rest is clarified here. Rest is accomplished once we are certain that we have prepared our hearts to be with Adonai, but free from the enemy (His enemy). Although Adonai did not need our help to defeat Satan – the opposite is not true. We, on the other hand, do need all of HIS help to defeat satan. But we know that Yeshua has accomplished all that and more.

 

The message is simple and clear. All the heavy labor that we can do with our hands will never achieve the salvation we need from our hateful enemy. All that we create with our hands will never achieve for us entrance into the Kingdom. Adonai had shalom once His plan for salvation was completed and the work was initiated (it took 6 days to put everything in place to defeat his enemy – hasatan).  This is truly something to celebrate. That is the inspiration of all our joyful worship dancing and singing every Shabbat together.

 

Verses 11 and 12 bring us to the central part of the message……the heart of the matter

 

11  Therefore, let us do our best to enter that rest; so that no one will fall short because of the same kind of disobedience. 12  See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword — it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart.

 

This is the most consistent message that appears throughout all of the Scriptures! Adonai is looking at our hearts. He does not measure us by any outward appearances…He measures us where no one else can see – in the heart. All disobedience is measured in the heart..it is an attitude that is reflected outwardly by words and deeds- however its origin – its root – is in the heart.

 Are you able to enter into the day of rest with the King?

 

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Nehemiah 10:29 are joining with their kinsmen, their nobles, and are taking on themselves a curse and an oath to walk in God's law, which was given through Moses, God's servant, and to keep and to observe all the commandments of GOD our Lord, and His ordinances and His statutes; 30 and that we will not give our daughters to the peoples of the land or take their daughters for our sons. 31 As for the peoples of the land who bring wares or any grain on the sabbath day to sell, we will not buy from them on the sabbath or a holy day; and we will forego the crops the seventh year and the exaction of every d

 

Matthew 12:1 One Shabbat during that time, Yeshua was walking through some wheat fields. His talmidim were hungry, so they began picking heads of grain and eating them. 2 On seeing this, the P'rushim said to him, "Look! Your talmidim are violating Shabbat!" 3 But he said to them, "Haven't you ever read what David did when he and those with him were hungry? 4 He entered the House of God and ate the Bread of the Presence!" — which was prohibited, both to him and to his companions; — it is permitted only to the cohanim. 5Or haven't you read in the Torah that on Shabbat the cohanim profane Shabbat and yet are blameless? 6 I tell you, there is in this place something greater than the Temple! 7 If you knew what 'I want compassion rather than animal-sacrifice' meant, you would not condemn the innocent. 8 For the Son of Man is Lord of Shabbat!" 9 Going on from that place, he went into their synagogue.

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Part III: Man’s Work

 

Leviticus 23:3  'For sixH8337a daysH3117 workH4399 may be doneH6213a, but on the seventhH7637 dayH3117 there is a sabbathH7676 of completeH7677 restH7677, a holyH6944 convocationH4744. You shall not doH6213a anyH3605 workH4399; it is a sabbathH7676 to the LORDH3068 in allH3605 your dwellingsH4186.

 

At first, this may seem to be an easy or obvious commandment -  Even a delightful instruction! What a pleasure to be commanded to STOP working so hard! But man has always struggled to follow even the simplest commandment – because our flesh fights and rebels against the pure and simple goodness of Adonai. As a result we complicate things – to the point of frustration!

Some basic thoughts can clear the way for proper understanding. First, that the Shabbat was intended to be an invitation to a blessing – not a problem, a burden, or a trap for us to get caught. Second, these instructions were intended to be timeless or perpetual. In other words, the teachings and concepts could be applied by ancient shepherds and farmers as well as followers of Adonai today.

 

 

The commandment in Leviticus 23 contains ideas or concepts that we must clearly identify in order to simply obey.

The first is the word WORK. The Hebrew word used in this particular scripture is melakah:

 

H4399  מלאכה melâ'kâh

BDB Definition:

1) occupation, work, business

1a) occupation, business 1b) property 1c) work (something done or made) 1d) workmanship

1e) service, use 1f) public business 1f1) political 1f2) religious

 

This word is used for the specific term of work that is FORBIDDEN.

The idea of WORK is not as simple as it may seem…people have been debating about the meaning of this word for generations. People have had questions regarding exactly what kind of activities are included in the WORK that is forbidden on Shabbat. As is most often the case, the Scriptures clarify themselves for those who are diligent and patient enough to dig for answers.   The same word, melakah, is used in reference to the Shabbat in the prophesies given to Jeremiah. It is beautiful and clear – an explanation of the word melakah directly from Adonai:

 

Jeremiah 17:21  'ThusH3541 saysH559 the LORDH3068, "TakeH8104 heedH8104 for yourselvesH5315, and do not carryH5375 any loadH4853a on the sabbathH7676 dayH3117 or bringH935 anything in through the gatesH8179 of JerusalemH3389. 22  "You shall not bringH3318 a loadH4853a out of your housesH1004 on the sabbathH7676 dayH3117 norH3808 doH6213a anyH3605 workH4399, but keepH6942 the sabbathH7676 dayH3117 holyH6942, as I commandedH6680 your forefathersH1.23  "Yet they did not listenH8085 or inclineH5186 their earsH241, but stiffenedH7185 their necksH6203 in order not to listenH8085 or takeH3947 correctionH4148. 24  "But it will comeH1961 about, ifH518 you listenH8085 attentivelyH8085 to Me," declaresH5002 the LORDH3068, "to bringH935 noH1115 loadH4853a in through the gatesH8179 of thisH384 cityH5892b on the sabbathH7676 dayH3117, but to keepH6942 the sabbathH7676 dayH3117 holyH6942 by doingH6213a noH1115 H3605 workH4399 on it.

 

So, from Adonai’s own Word, the issue should be settled. The burdens of heavy labor and the work of our hands for even survival and meeting our needs of ordinary living need to be stopped on Shabbat –for a rest. Building, pulling, lifting, making creating, cleaning, cooking, planting, plowing, harvesting. The same important understanding of labor or work as it applies to the Shabbat is again confirmed in the book of Nehemiah

 

Nehehiah 13:15  In thoseH1992a daysH3117 I sawH7200 in JudahH3063 some who were treadingH1869 wineH1660 pressesH1660 on the sabbathH7676, and bringingH935 in sacksH6194 of grainH6194 and loadingH6006 them on donkeysH2543, as wellH637 as wineH3196, grapesH6025, figsH8384 and allH3605 kinds of loadsH4853a, and they broughtH935 them into JerusalemH3389 on the sabbathH7676 dayH31

 

 With regards to the Shabbat another clarification is written in the Torah:

 

For our next set of scriptures this word in Hebrew is used;

H5647  עבד   âbad

A primitive root; to work (in any sense); by implication to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc.: -  X be, keep in bondage, be bondmen, bond-service, compel, do, dress, ear, execute, + husbandman, keep, labour (-ing man), bring to pass, (cause to, make to) serve (-ing, self), (be, become) servant (-s), do (use) service, till (-er), transgress [from margin], (set a) work, be wrought, worshipper.

 

Exodus 20:8  "RememberH2142 the sabbathH7676 dayH3117, to keepH6942 it holyH6942. 9  "SixH8337a daysH3117 you shall laborH5647 and doH6213a allH3605 your workH4399

 

Exodus 34:21  "You shall workH5647 sixH8337a daysH3117, but on the seventhH7637 dayH3117 you shall restH7673a; even during plowingH2758 timeH2758 and harvestH7105a you shall restH7673a.

 

In Sh’mot/Exodus H7673   שׁבת shâbath

A primitive root; to repose, that is, desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causatively, figuratively or specifically): - (cause to, let, make to) cease, celebrate, cause (make) to fail, keep (sabbath), suffer to be lacking, leave, put away (down), (make to) rest, rid, still, take away.

 

This Hebrew word –abad – is used for distinct occasions.  

 

One is bondage or slavery. It is specifically a type of hard work or service for another’s gain

 

Genesis 15:13  God saidH559 to AbramH87, "KnowH3045 for certainH3045 that your descendantsH2233 will be strangersH1616 in a landH776 that is not theirsH1992a, where they will be  enslavedH5647 and oppressedH6031a fourH702 hundredH3967 yearsH8141. 14  "But I will alsoH1571 judgeH1777 the nationH1471 whomH834 they will serveH5647, and afterwardH310 H3651 they will comeH3318 out with manyH1419 possessionsH7399.

 

Another meaning is implied. Because of the concept of servitude, this word  - abad - is also used in the Hebrew text concerning our service unto Adonai. Modern translations render the word worship instead.

However, to Adonai , we are all HIS servants!

 

Psalm 2:11  WorshipH5647 the LORDH3068 with reverenceH3374 And rejoiceH1523 with tremblingH7461b.

 

Lastly, the Hebrew Scriptures use this word – abad - consistently for a term of agriculture – such as plowing, tilling, cultivating  or working the land:

 

Genesis 2:15  Then the LORDH3068 GodH430 tookH3947 the manH120 and putH5117 him into the gardenH1588 of EdenH5731 to cultivateH5647 it and keepH8104 it.

 

Genesis 4:11  "NowH6258 you are cursedH779 from the groundH127, whichH834 has openedH6475 its mouthH6310 to receiveH3947 your brother'sH251 bloodH1818 from your handH3027. 12  "WhenH3588 you  cultivateH5647 the groundH127, it will noH3808 longerH3254 yieldH5414 its strengthH3581b to you; you will be a vagrantH5128 and a wandererH5110 on the earthH776."

 

This is consistent with our understanding of our relationship to our King…We are the laborers in His vineyard..are we not? We are planting and weeding and watching over the fields in His earth and He will soon come to gather in the harvest.

 

The modern translations of Scripture use the single term “work” interchangeably with several different Hebrew words. We must be careful to pause at this point. These other terms are not associated with the Shabbat in the Hebrew text of the Torah. The Hebrew terms also have significant variations in meaning:

 

 

For our next group of Scriptures this Hebrew word is used:

H4639  מעשׂה     ma‛ăśeh

From H6213; an action (good or bad); generally a transaction; abstractly activity; by implication a product (specifically a poem) or (generally) property: - act, art, + bake meat, business, deed, do (-ing), labour, thing made, ware of making, occupation, thing offered, operation, possession, X well, ([handy-, needle-, net-]) work, (-ing, -manship), wrought.

 

Genesis 5:29  Now he calledH7121 his nameH8034 NoahH5146, sayingH559, "ThisH2088 oneH2088 will giveH5162 us restH5162 from our workH4639 and from the toilH6093 of our handsH3027 arising from the groundH127 whichH834 the LORDH3068 has cursedH779."

 

Ecclesiastes 2:11  Thus I consideredH6437 allH3605 my activitiesH4639 whichH7945 my handsH3027 had doneH6213a and the laborH5999 whichH7945 I had exertedH6213a, and beholdH2009 allH3605 was vanityH1892 and strivingH7469 after windH7307 and thereH369 was noH369 profitH3504 underH8478 the sunH8121.

 

 Isaiah 59:6  Their websH6980 will not becomeH1961 clothingH899b, NorH3808 will they coverH3680 themselves with their worksH4639; Their worksH4639 are worksH4639 of iniquityH205, And an actH6467 of violenceH2555 is in their handsH3709. 7  Their feetH7272 runH7323 to evilH7451b, And they hastenH4116 to shedH8210 innocentH5355a bloodH1818; Their thoughtsH4284 are thoughtsH4284 of iniquityH205, DevastationH7701 and destructionH7667 are in their highwaysH4546.6  and do not goH1980 afterH310 otherH312 godsH430 to serveH5647 them and to worshipH7812 them, and do not provokeH3707 Me to angerH3707 with the workH4639 of your handsH3027, and I will doH7489a you noH3808 harmH7489a.' 7  "Yet you have not listenedH8085 to Me," declaresH5002 the LORDH3068, "in orderH4616 that you might provokeH3707 Me to angerH3707 with the workH4639 of your handsH3027 to your own harmH7451b.

 

Ezekiel 16:29  "You also multipliedH7235a your harlotryH8457 with the landH776 of merchantsH3667b, ChaldeaH3778, yet evenH1571 with thisH384 you were not satisfiedH7646."'" 30  "HowH4100 languishingH535 is your heartH3826," declaresH5002 the LordH136 GODH3068, "while you doH6213a allH3605 theseH428 thingsH4639, the actionsH4639 of a bold-facedH7989 harlotH2181.

 

 

Therefore, the list of forbidden activities on Shabbat should be fairly short because of the simple intent or purpose given in the original Hebrew Scriptures in the Book of Leviticus. Activities such as changing a  baby’s diaper does not fall into this list because it is essential in caring for a child whom Adonai has given as a gift. It is also an activity that cannot be avoided no matter how conscientiously we may plan ahead or organize our belongings.

The last “work” detail we can address here is the concept of cooking. Praise Yah for His compassion on the women among His people! He immediately communicates His understanding of how much work is truly required to prepare a proper meal! Adonai specifically calls on His people to cook the manna on preparation day…There is clearly no cooking that is allowed on Shabbat! Adonai carefully avoids any confusion or miscommunication when he continues to deliver His mitzvots in Exodus 35:

 

Exo 35:3  "You shall not kindleH1197a a fireH784 in anyH3605 of your dwellingsH4186 on the sabbathH7676 dayH3117."

 

Although we should have understood that cooking involves skilled work of the hands as well as carrying heavy loads of pots of water and baskets of produce, Adonai knows how confused our flesh becomes when we are faced with something new. Carrying bundles of heavy firewood and using manual tools to ignite a fire would simply be out of the question. That labor can be done with proper preparation on the day before the Shabbat. Therefore, He not only provides the food – manna – but our Abba also provides us with lots of instruction and guidance and knowledge. As we proceed in this study, we will also see that the pride of man will eventually try to provide his own understanding his own interpretations and explanations throughout the generations that followed this first Shabbat.

 

 

Ecclesiastes  2:11  Then I looked at all that my hands had accomplished and at the work I had toiled at; and I saw that it was all meaningless and feeding on wind, and that there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

 

Yeshua Himself addressed the pitfalls of misunderstanding the text of the Scriptures regarding the definition of “man’s work” and “carrying a heavy load”. The designated spiritual leaders of Israel had fallen into confusion of the flesh .

 

John 5:5  One man was there who had been ill for thirty-eight years. 6  Yeshua, seeing this man and knowing that he had been there a long time, said to him, "Do you want to be healed?" 7  The sick man answered, "I have no one to put me in the pool when the water is disturbed; and while I'm trying to get there, someone goes in ahead of me." 8  Yeshua said to him, "Get up, pick up your mat and walk!" 9  Immediately the man was healed, and he picked up his mat and walked. Now that day was Shabbat, 10 so the Judeans said to the man who had been healed, "It's Shabbat! It's against Torah for you to carry your mat!" 11  But he answered them, "The man who healed me — he's the one who told me, 'Pick up your mat and walk.' "

 

We may easily become spiritually prideful and judge the Judeans, or even laugh at them. We may say, “How ridiculous for them to chastise the healed man!”. In this modern day, we must face the reality that these types of judgments are still happening, but it is even more widespread. The unsaved Jews have multiple sects that demand this type of strict adherence to multiple details of regulations that have been added to Torah via the multiple versions of the Talmud. There are also sects of Christianity that have very strict rules of dress, and ban women from gathering in the assembly if all of their skin is not covered, or even if they shave the hair from their legs. These are the exact reasons for the need for such a document as this one that forces us to review the pure Scriptures searching for the truth. Many people’s minds have been contaminated and  barred from the truth – the essence of the Torah- the Spirit of the Torah.

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Part IV:  Man’s “PLACE”

 

Adonai calls us-invites us-to take a break from all the hard work of surviving in the natural – in this fallen world. This is so that we can take a moment to remember Adonai and spend time with Him in the wealth and splendor of His Kingdom in the Spirit – where everything is still perfect. It is a place where we can join Him if we obey and BELIEVE.

Adonai foreknew that people would get tangled in the webs of their minds, so He also provided some specific directives to help us. To fully get a foundation for the idea of obedience and HIS provision we must go to the first observance of Shabbat that Adonai organized with HIS people.

 

Exodus 16:15  When the sonsH1121 of IsraelH3478 sawH7200 it, they saidH559 to oneH376 anotherH251, "WhatH4478b is it?" For they did not knowH3045 whatH4100 it was. And MosesH4872 saidH559 to them, "It is the breadH3899 whichH834 the LORDH3068 has givenH5414 you to eatH402. 16  "ThisH2088 is whatH1697 H834 the LORDH3068 has commandedH6680, 'GatherH3950 of it everyH376 manH376 as muchH6310 as he should eatH398; you shall takeH3947 an omerH6016b apieceH1538 according to the numberH4557 of personsH5315 eachH376 of you hasH3947 in his tentH168.'"17  The sonsH1121 of IsraelH3478 didH6213a soH3651, and some gatheredH3950 muchH7235a and some littleH4591. 18  When they measuredH4058 it with an omerH6016b, he who hadH7235a gathered muchH7235a had noH3808 excessH5736, and he who hadH4591 gathered littleH4591 had noH3808 lackH2637; everyH376 manH376 gatheredH3950 as muchH6310 as he should eatH398.19  MosesH4872 saidH559 to them, "Let noH408 manH376 leaveH3498 anyH4480 of it untilH5704 morningH1242." 20  But they did not listenH8085 to MosesH4872, and someH376 leftH3498 part of it untilH5704 morningH1242, and it bredH7426b wormsH8438 and becameH887 foulH887; and MosesH4872 was angryH7107 with them.21  They gatheredH3950 it morningH1242 by morningH1242, everyH376 manH376 as muchH6310 as he should eatH398; but when the sunH8121 grewH2552 hotH2552, it would meltH4549. 22  Now on the sixthH8345 dayH3117 they gatheredH3950 twiceH4932 as muchH4932 breadH3899, twoH8147 omersH6016b for eachH259 oneH259. When allH3605 the leadersH5387a of the congregationH5712 cameH935 and toldH5046 MosesH4872, 23  then he saidH559 to them, "ThisH1931 is whatH834 the LORDH3068 meantH1696: TomorrowH4279 is a sabbathH7677 observanceH7677, a holyH6944 sabbathH7676 to the LORDH3068. BakeH644 whatH834 you will bakeH644 and boilH1310 whatH834 you will boilH1310, and allH3605 that is leftH5736 overH5736 putH5117 asideH5117 to be keptH4931 untilH5704 morningH1242." 24  So they putH5117 it asideH5117 untilH5704 morningH1242, as MosesH4872 had orderedH6680, and it did not becomeH887 foulH887 norH3808 was there any wormH7415 in it. 25  MosesH4872 saidH559, "EatH398 it todayH3117, for todayH3117 is a sabbathH7676 to the LORDH3068; todayH3117 you will not findH4672 it in the fieldH7704. 26  "SixH8337a daysH3117 you shall gatherH3950 it, but on the seventhH7637 dayH3117, the sabbathH7676, there will be noneH3808." 27  It cameH1961 about on the seventhH7637 dayH3117 that someH4480 of the peopleH5971a wentH3318 out to gatherH3950, but they foundH4672 noneH3808. 28  Then the LORDH3068 saidH559 to MosesH4872, "HowH575 longH5704 do you refuseH3985 to keepH8104 My commandmentsH4687 and My instructionsH8451? 29  "SeeH7200, the LORDH3068 has givenH5414 you the sabbathH7676; thereforeH5921 H3651 He givesH5414 you breadH3899 for two daysH3117 on the sixthH8345 dayH3117. RemainH3427 everyH376 manH376 in his placeH8478; let noH408 manH376 goH3318 out of his placeH4725 on the seventhH7637 dayH3117." 30 So the peopleH5971a restedH7673a on the seventhH7637 dayH3117

 

Please focus on the simplicity of the directions, the swift consequences of disobedience, and the provision from Adonai so that His people could succeed if they would only apply themselves- or purpose themselves -to follow. The commandment to rest on the Shabbat was given to a group of people who were living in the desert among shepherds. There were no pagan rulers near them, surrounding them or lording over them. There were no businesses, nor was there any national or municipal currency used to measure income or wealth. There were no vineyards or wheat fields or olive groves. There was no Mishkan  - or Tabernacle  -yet. There were no city gates or even borders. .

 

When Shabbat regulations are stripped down to foundational concepts in this way, we can gain valuable understanding. Adonai expected the people to organize their efforts and their time in preparing for Shabbat. Those who failed to prepare could not enter into the beauty of HIS rest. Those who did not have any faith in Adonai’s provision also could not enter into that pure rest. The labor of going out to gather the manna echoes the Scriptures already quoted above. The physical act of lifting, gathering, hauling, creating or building with our hands, and cooking were forbidden on the Shabbat. These things could easily have been done the day before- by a person with a faithful willing heart.

 

 

The verse in Ex 16:29 speaks of every man remaining “ in his place”. Interestingly, there are two different Hebrew words used in that verse which are translated as “place”. Most of our modern translations assume the words to mean the man’s home or tent. However both of the Hebrew words convey the idea of subordinate status as in “humble state”or “status”. The modern expression might more accurately say,

 

“Each man must know his place (or status) before the King”.

 

Many times Adonai presents a play on words with deep meaning, but the meaning is only understood in the Hebrew context – it is utterly and frequently lost in the English translations.

 

29  "SeeH7200, the LORDH3068 has givenH5414 you the sabbathH7676; thereforeH5921 H3651 He givesH5414 you breadH3899 for two daysH3117 on the sixthH8345 dayH3117. RemainH3427 everyH376 manH376 in his placeH8478; let noH408 manH376 goH3318 out of his placeH4725 on the seventhH7637 dayH3117."

 

H8478

תּחת tachath

BDB Definition:

1) the under part, beneath, instead of, as, for, for the sake of, flat, unto, where, whereas 1a) the under part (noun masculine)1b) beneath (adverbial accusative)1c) under, beneath (preposition)1c1) at the foot of (idiom)

H4725

מקום  /  מקמה  /  מקומה  /  מקם mâqôm  /  meqômâh

BDB Definition:

1) standing place, place 1a) standing place, station, post, office 1b) place, place of human abode

 

Here we can see that Adonai was teaching his chosen people to obey with respect and humility.  He is the King and you are not. You are dependent on Him – never the other way around. A simple understanding is a military unit. There is a sergeant incharge of the unit. The men under his command do not question their leader. They follow his orders and know their place.

 

Ecclesiastes 12:10  Kohelet worked to develop an attractive writing style, in which he expressed the truth straightforwardly. 11  The sayings of the wise are as sharp as goads, and those given by leaders of assemblies are like well-fixed nails; [in this case,] they are presented by a single shepherd. 12  In addition, my son, take heed: one can write many books — there's no end to it; and one can study so much that it wearies the flesh. 13  Here is the final conclusion, now that you have heard everything: fear God, and keep his mitzvot; this is what being human is all about. 14  For God will bring to judgment everything we do, including every secret, whether good or bad.

 

 

 

 

Part V: Shabbat  -not just a day – It is also an Action

 

v  Part V section A:

The next concept to understand is the word Shabbat. Shabbat is the title specially given by Adonai to the seventh day of the week. Therefore, the first understanding of Shabbat is in the form of a noun. It is basic and very simple. It is listed below.

H7676

שׁבּת shabbâth

BDB Definition:

1) Sabbath  1a) Sabbath 1b) day of atonement 1c) sabbath year 1d) week 1e) produce (in sabbath year)

Part of Speech: noun feminine or masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: intensive from H7673

Same Word by TWOT Number: 2323b

 

The seventh day was declared the Shabbat ever since the days of the creation. Very importantly, we see that Adonai Himself rested from His work on this day.

 

Genesis 2:2  By the seventhH7637 dayH3117 GodH430 completedH3615 His workH4399 whichH834 He had doneH6213a, and He restedH7673a on the seventhH7637 dayH3117 from allH3605 His workH4399 whichH834 He had doneH6213a.

 

Although HIS work was much grander in scope and scale than ours-the concept of stopping the creative process is the same. Adonai purposely paused and soaked in the grandeur and beauty of His creation – He spent some time among all of His living creatures. His Word consistently tells us that He still longs to do the same with us

H7637

שׁבעי  /  שׁביעי shebı̂y‛ı̂y  /  shebi‛ı̂y

BDB Definition:

1) seventh  1a) ordinal number

Part of Speech: adjective masculine or feminine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: ordinal from H7657

Same Word by TWOT Number: 2318b

 

In the modern translations it is easy to differentiate the words in the Leviticus 23 command that we are studying. However, in the Hebrew, there is something a little difficult for us Westerners to understand. In the Hebrew text, the word Shabbat seems to be repeated in this sentence. That is because the first “Shabbat” is a title of the day. The second Shabbat word is a verb. That is important. Shabbat is something we must “do”

 

Leviticus 23:3  'For sixH8337a daysH3117 workH4399 may be doneH6213a, but on the seventhH7637 dayH3117 there is a sabbathH7676 of completeH7677 restH7677, a holyH6944 convocationH4744

 

H7676  שׁבּת shabbâth

Intensive from H7673; intermission, that is, (specifically) the Sabbath: -  (+ every) sabbath.

 

H7673   שׁבת shâbath

A primitive root; to repose, that is, desist from exertion; used in many implied relations (causatively, figuratively or specifically): - (cause to, let, make to) cease, celebrate, cause (make) to fail, keep (sabbath), suffer to be lacking, leave, put away (down), (make to) rest, rid, still, take away.

H7677  שׁבּתון    shabbâthôn

From H7676; a sabbatism or special holiday: - rest, sabbath.

 

 

Exodus 31:16  'So the sonsH1121 of IsraelH3478 shall observeH8104 the sabbathH7676, to celebrateH6213a the sabbathH7676 throughout their generationsH1755 as a perpetualH5769 covenantH1285.'

 

H6213    עשׂה‛    âśâh

BDB Definition:

1) to do, fashion, accomplish, make

1a) (Qal)

1a1) to do, work, make, produce 1a1c) to deal (with) 1a1d) to act, act with effect, effect

1a2) to make 1a2c) to prepare  1a2d) to make (an offering) 1a2e) to attend to, put in order

             1a2f) to observe, celebrate 1a2g) to acquire (property) 1a2h) to appoint, ordain, institute

1a2i) to bring about 1a2j) to use 1a2k) to spend, pass

2) (Piel) to press, squeeze

Part of Speech: verb

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: a primitive root

Same Word by TWOT Number: 1708, 1709

 

 

We can quickly learn many details about what Adonai wants us to know about Shabbat by simply referring to the Hebrew. The Scriptures teach us that Adonai was very concerned about the heavy burdens with which humans must cope because of the fall of man in the Garden. He repeatedly reminds the Israelites that they were forced to carry heavy burdens for 400 years in Egypt- He further explains that is one of the specific reasons He gave them the Shabbat. The Sabbath was intended to be an intermission- a break from labor in the earth - from the very beginning.

 

v  Part IV section B:

The modern translations render the word “rest” in many scriptures of the Biblical text. However, the single term rest is differentiated in the Hebrew text with several different words with variations in their meaning. A word search in the Scriptures for the modern word “rest” reveals that the word appears 281 times. The first of which is found in the account of Noah. The significance is accentuated by the translation of Noah’s name..which means REST

Gen 5:29  Now he calledH7121 his nameH8034 NoahH5146, sayingH559, "ThisH2088 oneH2088 will giveH5162 us  rest H5162 from our workH4639 and from the toilH6093 of our handsH3027 arising from the groundH127 whichH834 the LORDH3068 has cursedH779."

H5146  נח     nôach  The same as H5118; rest; Noach, the patriarch of the flood: - Noah.

H5118 נוּח       nûach  From H5117; quiet: - rest (-ed, -ing place).

 

 

 

 

Genesis 8:4  In the seventhH7637 monthH2320, on the seventeenthH7651 H6240 dayH3117 of the monthH2320, the arkH8392 restedH5117 upon the mountainsH2022 of AraratH780.

 

As we can clearly see there is a different word in Hebrew used here. This changes the understanding and the depth of our knowledge.

H5117  נוּח       nûach  A primitive root; to rest, that is, settle down; used in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively, intransitively, transitively and causatively (to dwell, stay, let fall, place, let alone, withdraw, give comfort, etc.): - cease, be confederate, lay, let down, (be) quiet, remain, (cause to, be at, give, have, make to) rest, set down.

 

 

The next example of the word “rest” in the scriptures also appears in Genesis. In the account of Abraham’s visit by Adonai in the form of three men, he invites the three to rest beneath a tree.

 

Genesis 18:4  "PleaseH4994 let a littleH4592 waterH4325 be broughtH3947 and washH7364 your feetH7272, and restH8172 yourselvesH8172 underH8478 the treeH6086;

H8172   שׁען     shâ‛an  A primitive root; to support one’s self: - lean, lie, rely, rest (on, self), stay.

 

WE must be careful to apply the words chosen by Adonai IN THE CONTEXT in which they were written. Our study has shown that the Hebrew language text provides specific detailed variations of meaning for both the words work and rest. In our modern thinking and speaking we may use the same word “rest” for sleeping through the night, or sitting under a shade tree, or an apple resting on the kitchen table. Hebrew provides distinctly different words for each of these instances. Most importantly, for the sake of this study, none of these other words apply to the Shabbat according to Adonai’s first day of rest which He proclaimed holy. Moreover, these variations for the word rest do not appear in any of the subsequent commands for the Shabbat.

To specifically apply the instruction to Shabbat – to have an intermission - we again seek the Scriptures. For certainty and for clarity, Yeshua Himself reiterates the concern for the heavy burdens of life, and He emphasizes His intention to provide an intermission from that work as it applies to our SOULS.

 

Matthew 11:28  "ComeG1205 to Me, allG3956 who are wearyG2872 and heavy-ladenG5412, and I will giveG373 you restG373. 29 "TakeG142 My yokeG2218 upon you and learnG3129 from Me, for I amG1510 gentleG4239b and humbleG5011 in heartG2588, and YOU WILL FINDG2147 RESTG372 FOR YOUR SOULSG5590. 30For My yokeG2218 is easyG5543 and My burdenG5413 is lightG1645."

 

G5412  Φορτίζω phortizō

From G5414; to load up (properly as a vessel or animal), that is, (figuratively) to overburden with ceremony (or spiritual anxiety): - lade, be heavy laden.

G372  ἀνάπαυσις anapausis

From G373; intermission; by implication recreation: - rest.

“I want to draw your attention to G372 in the Greek how the word is the same meaning as the Hebrew for intermission. THIS IS AN EXTREMELY IMPORTANT UNDERSTANDING” THIS IS ALSO BRINGING YOU TO THE UNDERSTAND OF G373

G373  ἀναπαύω  anapauō

 (reflexively) to repose (literally or figuratively (be exempt), remain); by implication to refresh: - take ease, refresh, (give, take) rest.

 

Luke 11:38  When the PhariseeG5330 sawG3708 it, he was surprisedG2296 that He had not firstG4413 ceremoniallyG907 washedG907 beforeG4253 the mealG712. 39  But the LordG2962 saidG3004 to him, "NowG3568 you PhariseesG5330 cleanG2511 the outsideG1855 of the cupG4221 and of the platterG4094; but insideG2081 of you, you are fullG1073 of robberyG724 and wickednessG4189. 40  "You foolishG878 onesG878, did not He who madeG4160 the outsideG1855 makeG4160 the insideG2081 alsoG2532? 41  "But giveG1325 that which is withinG1751 as charityG1654, and thenG2400 allG3956 thingsG3956 are cleanG2513 for you. 42  "But woeG3759 to you PhariseesG5330! For you payG586b titheG586b of mintG2238 and rueG4076 and everyG3956 kind of gardenG3001 herbG3001, and yet disregardG3928 justiceG2920 and the loveG26 of GodG2316; but theseG3778 are the thingsG3778 you shouldG1163 have doneG4160 withoutG3361 neglectingG3935 the othersG2548. 43  "WoeG3759 to you PhariseesG5330! For you loveG25 the chiefG4410 seatsG4410 in the synagoguesG4864 and the respectful greetingsG783 in the marketG58 placesG58. 44  "WoeG3759 to you! For you are likeG5613 concealedG82 tombsG3419, and the peopleG444 who walkG4043 overG1883 them are unawareG3756 G3609a of it." 45  OneG5100 of the lawyersG3544 *saidG3004 to Him in replyG611, "TeacherG1320, when You sayG3004 thisG3778, You insultG5195 us tooG2532." 46  But He saidG3004, "WoeG3759 to you lawyersG3544 as wellG2532! For you weighG5412 menG444 downG5412 with burdensG5413 hardG1419 to bearG1419, whileG2532 you yourselvesG846 will not even touchG4379 the burdensG5413 with oneG1520 of your fingersG1147. 47  "WoeG3759 to you! For you buildG3618 the tombsG3419 of the prophetsG4396, and it was your fathersG3962 who killedG615 them. 48  "SoG686 you are witnessesG3144 and approveG4909 the deedsG2041 of your fathersG3962; becauseG3754 it was they who killedG615 them, and you buildG3618 their tombs.

 

Matthew23:23  "WoeG3759 to you, scribesG1122 and PhariseesG5330, hypocritesG5273! For you titheG586b mintG2238 and dillG432 and cumminG2951, and have neglectedG863 the weightierG926 provisionsG926 of the lawG3551: justiceG2920 and mercyG1656 and faithfulnessG4102; but theseG3778 are the things you shouldG1163 have doneG4160 withoutG3361 neglectingG863 the othersG2548. 24  "You blindG5185 guidesG3595, who strainG1368 out a gnatG2971 and swallowG2666 a camelG2574!

 

…..have neglectedG863 the weightierG926 provisionsG926 of the lawG3551:

 

Yeshua is giving a powerful teaching here. He is teaching right discernment of Torah. He clearly states that there are teachings and provisions of the Torah that are fundamental or foundational. These areas of the Law cannot be forsaken or excluded in an attempt to force strict adherence to the details of the Torah. We are, however, careful to note that he is not advocating casual or flippant disregard of these details of Torah. He is giving a warning that stands the test of time. Man has a habit of trying to follow Torah in the flesh. Yeshua shows us the way back to the Spirit of the Law…..those saved by Yeshua and following the Way can obtain a Torah observant life by the help of the Ruach..not by “nit picking” and criticism or even peer pressure.

Scripture, this far, has taught us that Shabbat is a type of “rest”, but not the typical type of rest that we have understood in modern Western thinking or culture. The concept of Shabbat involves some surprising actions – to desist from exertion, leaving something, putting something down while also celebrating! We are not to leave something as if to be empty-handed or void. We are not to walk away from our work so that we have “nothing to do”. We are leaving our work and our burdens so that we can be free to be filled with His presence. So that we can freely serve Him without distractions. So that we can be refreshed and renewed. So that our congregations may be filled with fully restored and functionally strong workers for the Kingdom. Now we can better understand Adonai’s purpose and intent. He wants us to put down our tools and our loads and walk away from them so that we are free to celebrate in His presence!

Yeshua’s own words confirm this expectation of “doing” Shabbat:

 

Matthew 12:12  "HowG4214 muchG4214 moreG1308 valuableG1308 thenG3767 is a manG444 than a sheepG4263b! SoG5620 thenG5620, it is lawfulG1832 to doG4160 goodG2573 on the SabbathG4521."

 

Mark 3:4  And He *saidG3004 to them, "Is it lawfulG1832 to doG4160 goodG18 orG2228 to doG2554 harmG2554 on the SabbathG4521, to saveG4982 a lifeG5590 orG2228 to killG615?" But they keptG4623 silentG4623.

_ G4160 ποιέω  poy-eh'-o

Apparently a prolonged form of an obsolete primary; to make or do (in a very wide application, more or less direct): - abide, + agree, appoint, X avenge, + band together, be, bear, + bewray, bring (forth), cast out, cause, commit, + content, continue, deal, + without any delay, (would) do (-ing), execute, exercise, fulfill, gain, give, have, hold, X journeying, keep, + lay wait, + lighten the ship, make, X mean, + none of these things move me, observe, ordain, perform, provide, + have purged, purpose, put, + raising up, X secure, shew, X shoot out, spend, take, tarry, + transgress the law, work, yield. Compare G4238.

G4238 πράσσω  pras'-so

A primary verb; to “practice”, that is, perform repeatedly or habitually (thus differing from G4160, which properly refers to a single act); by implication to execute, accomplish, etc.; specifically to collect (dues), fare (personally): - commit, deeds, do, exact, keep, require, use arts.

 

Notice in these passages that Yeshua did not use the Greek word- - praso. This specific term refers to repeated or habitual labor that is specifically meant for personal gain or profit. In other words – doing our regular work at our jobs or place of employment.  It is clear that Yeshua is NOT teaching that these types of activities are allowable on Shabbat. Although Yeshua does not enter into a complete teaching on the subject of jobs here, or in any of His teachings, we need this information so that we can be discerning about the words He is actually teaching here. It is beneficial to briefly look at what was NOT said to strengthen our understanding of what was REALLY said.

Yeshua was careful in His choice of words. The Greek word poyeho refers to single powerful acts that are carried out by groups of people united under Yeshua to fulfill his commandments. In so doing these people are actively participating in the battle between Ha satan and Yeshua. These warrior’s actions are securing Yeshua’s followers within the advancing borders of Yeshua’s Kingdom on earth, battling (as in a spiritual “shoot out”) with enemy forces, and casting them out.

 

It is essential that we learn from the MASTER that He becomes offended when men confuse and burden people with the words of His Torah. We must adhere to His perfect instruction here. There are some activities that are allowable on Shabbat, within the context of Torah that will not prevent or distract a person from fulfilling their active participation on this Holy day.

 

 

Part VI: The Holy Convocation

Another new concept to mankind is introduced in the Leviticus scripture. The HOLY CONVOCATION:

 

Leviticus 23:3  'For sixH8337a daysH3117 workH4399 may be doneH6213a, but on the seventhH7637 dayH3117 there is a sabbathH7676 of completeH7677 restH7677, a holyH6944 convocationH4744. You shall not doH6213a anyH3605 workH4399; it is a sabbathH7676 to the LORDH3068 in allH3605 your dwellingsH4186.

 

What exactly is a holy convocation?

 

H6944

קדשׁ qôdesh

BDB Definition:

1) apartness, holiness, sacredness, separateness 1a) apartness, sacredness, holiness 1a1) of God 1a2) of places1a3) of things1b) set-apartness, separateness

Part of Speech: noun masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H6942

Same Word by TWOT Number: 1990a

Therefore, the Hebrew understanding of HOLY means separate or set apart. It applies to Adonai Himself. It can also apply to places and things. In this Scripture it applies to a specific day of the week and it applies to convocation. This full meaning will be very important to the study later on.

H4744

מקרא miqrâ'

From H7121; something called out, that is, a public meeting (the act, the persons, or the place); also a rehearsal: - assembly, calling, convocation, reading.

 

From the Hebrew text we can learn that our King is expecting our attendance at a public gathering in a place that is set apart for this purpose and for HIM. WE also see that this weekly gathering is viewed as a rehearsal..interesting….A rehearsal for what? Could it be that every Shabbat is our wedding rehearsal? For those who are betrothed to Yeshua , this rest – this Shabbat-has been preparing our hearts for the day when we will enter into the Final Shabbat. We will be gathered to Him for eternity..HalleluYah!

 

 

Here is a comparison in the different dictionary.

BDB

H4186

משׁב  /  מושׁב  môshâb  / 

BDB Definition:

1) seat, assembly, dwelling-place, dwelling, dwellers

1a) seat, sitting, those sitting, sitting company or assembly 1b) dwelling place, dwelling 1c) situation, location 1d) time of dwelling 1e) those dwelling, dweller

Part of Speech: noun masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H3427; a seat

Same Word by TWOT Number: 922c

 

Strongs

H4186

משׁב    מושׁב

môshâb  môshâb

mo-shawb', mo-shawb'

From H3427; a seat; figuratively a site; abstractly a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication population: - assembly, dwell in, dwelling (-place), wherein (that) dwelt (in), inhabited place, seat, sitting, situation, sojourning.

 

How can we Shabbat at a public assembly if the same command says we are to keep the Shabbat in our homes? Does the command given in Leviticus 23:3 contradict itself? The Hebrew word for dwelling – moshab- indicates that a seat in an assembly is required for Adonai’s people on Shabbat –He is providing for you…a place in the crowd! Again, we see that the Hebrew text provides clarity and exactness where we need it most. Most modern translations of this word indicate that the Scripture and the mitvot refer to one’s home or one’s specific town. However, we can see from both the Strong’s and the BDB that the first and primary meaning of the word is not that narrow or defined -this particular Hebrew term indicates a much broader meaning of a population or a community. Adonai could have easily chosen a much more specific or well-defined term –such as house or tent -  but HE did not. Instead He wanted for His people to understand His clear intent.

 

 

Please read these definitions and their highlights before reading the next Scripture:

H226     אות  'ôth

Probably from H225 (in the sense of appearing); a signal (literally or figuratively), as a flag, beacon, monument, omen, prodigy, evidence, etc.: - mark, miracle, (en-) sign, token.

H1121    בּן      bên

From H1129; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like H1, H251, etc.): -  + afflicted, age, [Ahoh-] [Ammon-] [Hachmon-] [Lev-]ite, [anoint-]ed one, appointed to, (+) arrow, [Assyr-] [Babylon-] [Egypt-] [Grec-]ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, + (young) bullock, + (young) calf, X came up in, child, colt, X common, X corn, daughter, X of first, + firstborn, foal, + very fruitful, + postage, X in, + kid, + lamb, (+) man, meet, + mighty, + nephew, old, (+) people, + rebel, + robber, X servant born, X soldier, son, + spark, + steward, + stranger, X surely, them of, + tumultuous one, + valiant[-est], whelp, worthy, young (one), youth.

 

Exodus 31:16  'So the sonsH1121 of IsraelH3478 shall observeH8104 the sabbathH7676, to celebrateH6213a the sabbathH7676 throughout their generationsH1755 as a perpetualH5769 covenantH1285.' 17  "It is a signH226 betweenH996 Me and the sonsH1121 of IsraelH3478 foreverH5769; for in sixH8337a daysH3117 the LORDH3068 madeH6213a heavenH8064 and earthH776, but on the seventhH7637 dayH3117 He ceasedH7673a from labor, and was refreshedH5314."

 

Any of us would look upon a picture of a flag with orange, green and white stripes, a kilt along side a set of bag pipes, a free standing harp, and a very green meadow with horses and sheep and immediately associate those items with the land, the people, and the culture of Ireland. Even when the Irish people relocated to foreign lands, these items and these skills have traveled with them. In Exodus 31, Adonai was declaring that the Shabbat would be the signal associated with Israel – not simply as any other group of people among the nations of the earth. The Shabbat would signal Israel’s relationship with the King Himself. They were to carry this signal with them where ever they lived.

Shabbat was to be observed no matter where or when his people were gathered together. Their numbers or their situation or even their political or social standing within a foreign land were all irrelevant details toward Shabbat. Shabbat was to be maintained regardless.

 

___________________________________________________________________________________________

Part VII:The Details – According to Torah

The City Gates – The first time that the term “gates” is mentioned in Scripture in reference to the Shabbat is in Deuteronomy 5. The word “gates” is completely omitted in the NASB translation, but the context of the sentence is maintained with the word for travelers or sojourners. The original Hebrew text clearly includes the term sha’ar – which translates as “gates”.

HOT

Deu 5:14  ויוםH3117  השׁביעיH7637  שׁבתH7676  ליהוהH3068  אלהיךH430  לאH3808  תעשׂהH6213  כלH3605  מלאכהH4399  אתהH859  ובנךH1121  ובתךH1323  ועבדךH5650  ואמתךH519  ושׁורךH7794  וחמרךH2543  וכלH3605  בהמתךH929  וגרךH1616  אשׁרH834  בשׁעריךH8179  למעןH4616  ינוחH5117  עבדךH5650  ואמתךH519  כמוך׃H3644  

NASB

Deuteronomy 5:12  'ObserveH8104 the sabbathH7676 dayH3117 to keepH6942 it holyH6942, as the LORDH3068 your GodH430 commandedH6680 you. 13  'SixH8337a daysH3117 you shall laborH5647 and doH6213a allH3605 your workH4399, 14  but the seventhH7637 dayH3117 is a sabbathH7676 of the LORDH3068 your GodH430; in it you shall not doH6213a anyH3605 workH4399, you or your sonH1121 or your daughterH1323 or your maleH5650 servantH5650 or your femaleH519 servantH519 or your oxH7794 or your donkeyH2543 or anyH3605 of your cattleH929 or your sojournerH1616 whoH834 stays with you, soH4616 that your maleH5650 servantH5650 and your femaleH519 servantH519 may restH5117 as well as you.

CJB

Deuteronomy 5:13  You have six days to labor and do all your work, 14  but the seventh day is a Shabbat for Adonai your God. On it you are not to do any kind of work - not you, your son or your daughter, not your male or female slave, not your ox, your donkey or any of your other livestock, and not the foreigner staying with you inside the gates to your property — so that your male and female servants can rest just as you do.

 

Taken within the original context, the issue in verse 14 emphasizes those who are to be included in the observance of Shabbat.  . There is no other instruction. There is no particular activity or function of the gates as related to the Shabbat in this scripture.

 

The city gates of Jerusalem, however, are given special detailed attention in Jeremiah 17…

NASB

Jeremiah 17:21  'ThusH3541 saysH559 the LORDH3068, "TakeH8104 heedH8104 for yourselvesH5315, and do not carryH5375 any loadH4853a on the sabbathH7676 dayH3117 or bringH935 anything in through the gatesH8179 of JerusalemH3389. 22  "You shall not bringH3318 a loadH4853a out of your housesH1004 on the sabbathH7676 dayH3117 norH3808 doH6213a anyH3605 workH4399, but keepH6942 the sabbathH7676 dayH3117 holyH6942, as I commandedH6680 your forefathersH1. 23  "Yet they did not listenH8085 or inclineH5186 their earsH241, but stiffenedH7185 their necksH6203 in order not to listenH8085 or takeH3947 correctionH4148.24  "But it will comeH1961 about, ifH518 you listenH8085 attentivelyH8085 to Me," declaresH5002 the LORDH3068, "to bringH935 noH1115 loadH4853a in through the gatesH8179 of thisH384 cityH5892b on the sabbathH7676 dayH3117, but to keepH6942 the sabbathH7676 dayH3117 holyH6942 by doingH6213a noH1115 H3605 workH4399 on it,

 

This passage contains no new information regarding Shabbat within the Torah observant community. We see that the emphasis remains unchanged from the beginning of this study – the carrying of loads or burdens on Shabbat was the transgression of Torah to which Adonai reacted very strongly. We acknowledge with deep respect, the passion and zeal of Adonai toward HIS beloved city –Jerusalem. however, we can see from this study that anyone who had worked to glean, gather, thresh, or prepare bundles or loads of goods onto a cart or into baskets had clearly already transgressed the Torah whether they appeared at the city gates or not. The offense was made deeply personal to Adonai when the people actually had the audacity to perform such a rebellious act and then flaunt the sin publically in HIS HOLY CITY. Such outrageous humiliation going on in the city upon which Adonai had written His own name was deeply disrespectful and could not be tolerated by Him. This would be the same as any Father who gives careful instructions to his children. But then discovers his own children disobeying those instructions openly without any sign of guilt or remorse. In the face of That type of disrespect, one would  rightly expect that the head of the house would react with discipline and with zeal in his own house.

H8179  שׁער   sha‛ar

BDB Definition:

1) gate 1a) gate (of entrance) 1b) gate (of space inside gate, i.e. marketplace, public meeting place)

1b1) city, town 1c) gate (of palace, royal castle, temple, court of tabernacle) 1d) heaven

Part of Speech: noun masculine

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: from H8176 in its original sense

Same Word by TWOT Number: 2437a

 

The gates at the temple are given particular attention in the Book of Ezekiel

 

Ezekiel 46:1  'ThusH3541 saysH559 the LordH136 GODH3068, "The gateH8179 of the innerH6442 courtH2691a facingH6437 eastH6921 shall be shutH5462 the sixH8337a workingH4639 daysH3117; but it shall be openedH6605a on the sabbathH7676 dayH3117 and openedH6605a on the dayH3117 of the newH2320 moonH2320. :2  "The princeH5387a shall enterH935 by wayH1870 of the porchH197 of the gateH8179 from outsideH2351 and standH5975 by the postH4201 of the gateH8179. Then the priestsH3548 shall provideH6213a his burntH5930a offeringH5930a and his peaceH8002 offeringsH8002, and he shall worshipH7812 at the thresholdH4670 of the gateH8179 and then goH3318 out; but the gateH8179 shall not be shutH5462 untilH5704 the eveningH6153. 3  "The peopleH5971a of the landH776 shall also worshipH7812 at the doorwayH6607 of that gateH8179 beforeH6440 the LORDH3068 on the sabbathsH7676 and on the newH2320 moonsH2320. 9  "But when the peopleH5971a of the landH776 comeH935 beforeH6440 the LORDH3068 at the appointedH4150 feastsH4150, he who entersH935 by wayH1870 of the northH6828 gateH8179 to worshipH7812 shall goH3318 out by wayH1870 of the southH5045 gateH8179. And he who entersH935 by wayH1870 of the southH5045 gateH8179 shall goH3318 out by wayH1870 of the northH6828 gateH8179. NoH3808 one shall returnH7725 by wayH1870 of the gateH8179 by whichH834 he enteredH935 but shall goH3318 straightH3318 out.10  "When they goH935 in, the princeH5387a shall goH935 in amongH8432 them; and when they goH3318 out, he shall goH3318 out.

 

It should be noted here that this scripture confirms our findings regarding the need to assemble at a holy or dedicated place on the day of Shabbat. This offers further concerns for those who seek to “keep Shabbat” in homes without acknowledging the need to PUBLICLY ASSEMBLE in the place Adonai approves according to Torah.

 

It is significant to note that the same word sha’ar also refers to the mind or center of reason. Believers are taught that the mind is a battle ground for the enemy. In military terms, the “gate is where the leaders of a city or community would  face their  enemies. This idea is presented very thoroughly in the scriptures. The concept is applied as follows: Once Satan penetrates the gateway of your mind; he can gain access to your heart

 

Proverbs 23:6  Do not eatH3898b the breadH3899 of a selfishH7451a H5869 manH7451a, Or desireH183 his delicaciesH4303; 7  For as he thinksH8176 within himselfH5315, soH3651 he is. He saysH559 to you, "EatH398 and drinkH8354!" But his heartH3820 is not with you.

 

HERE WE SEE SOMETHING VERY INTERESTING. IN ENGLISH WE SEE “THINKS” FOR THE WORD “GATE” THAT WAS USED IN THE PREVIOUS SCRIPTURE

 H8179  שׁער   sha‛ar

BDB Definition:

1) to split open, reason out, calculate, reckon, estimate  1a) (Qal) to calculate Pro_23:7

Part of Speech: verb

A Related Word by BDB/Strong’s Number: primitive root

Same Word by TWOT Number: 2438

 

Isaiah 66:18  "For I know their worksH4639 and their thoughtsH4284

 

It is clear from the Word of Adonai that only He can truly discern the heart of each person. He knows the reasons or the motivations of all our actions better than we know ourselves. Our Abba offers these comforts, promises and encouragements….to those who purpose themselves to serve Him and to follow His commandments….

Isaiah 56:2  Happy is the person who does this, anyone who grasps it firmly, who keeps Shabbat and does not profane it, and keeps himself from doing any evil. 3  A foreigner joining Adonai should not say, "Adonai will separate me from his people"; likewise the eunuch should not say, "I am only a dried-up tree." :4  For here is what Adonai says: "As for the eunuchs who keep my Shabbats, who choose what pleases me and hold fast to my covenant: 5  in my house, within my walls, I will give them power and a name greater than sons and daughters; I will give him an everlasting name that will not be cut off. 6  "And the foreigners who join themselves to Adonai to serve him, to love the name of Adonai, and to be his workers, all who keep Shabbat and do not profane it, and hold fast to my covenant, 7  I will bring them to my holy mountain and make them joyful in my house of prayer; their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all peoples."

 

 

The Sacrifices & Offerings

Leviticus 24:5  "You are to take fine flour and use it to bake twelve loaves, one gallon per loaf. 6  Arrange them in two rows, six in a row, on the pure table before Adonai. 7  Put frankincense with each row to be an offering made by fire to Adonai in place of the bread and as a reminder of it. 8  Regularly, every Shabbat, he is to arrange them before Adonai ; they are from the people of Isra'el, as a covenant forever. 9  They will belong to Aharon and his sons; and they are to eat them in a holy place; because for him they are, of the offerings for Adonai made by fire, especially holy. This is a permanent law."

 

Numbers 28:9  " 'On Shabbat offer two male lambs in their first year and without defect, with one gallon of fine flour as a grain offering, mixed with olive oil, and its drink offering. 10  This is the burnt offering for every Shabbat, in addition to the regular burnt offering and its drink offering.

 

The Torah indicates specific sacrifices and offerings that are required before Adonai on every Shabbat. The bread and grain offerings, the wine or drink offerings, the oil and incense – specifically frankincense - and the blood sacrifice - the animal blood that was spilled - and then the meat that was placed on the fire. The bread and grain offerings are prescribed as a permanent regulation twice within the directions given in Leviticus 24 between verses 5 to 9. 

 

A complete study on the priesthood will not be given here.  There is considerable scriptural debate that challenges the Body even to this day regarding the priesthood with or without the physical temple. There is insufficient space within the context of this discussion to add that topic. It is also not appropriate to this lengthy study. The Scriptures in the Brit HaDasha teach us that the earthly Temple has been temporarily placed in the heart of every follower of Yeshua (as “living stones”)and that those responsible for the workings of that Temple  are also the followers of the Way – by some astonishing power of faith in Adonai’s Word. Prophecy teaches us that a physical earthly Temple will be rebuilt before Messiah’s return. Scripture does not give specific details of the workings of that Temple as to whether the miracles that accompanied the glory of Adonai’s presence will be manifest. We will only deal with the specific teachings from Scripture that address the Shabbat and the details prescribed regarding the offerings that Adonai desired for the people of Israel to bring before Him.

 

Spiritual sacrifices – The Word is filled with clues for us regarding how we should approach the concept of sacrifices in this day. Even dating back to the days of the prophets, Adonai taught that sacrifices to HIM were first a matter of faith and of the heart and mind. The physical importance of the exact object being sacrificed and the exact procedures for each item were always addressed after those more important matters..

 

Isaiah 1:11  "WhatH4100 are your multipliedH7230 sacrificesH2077 to Me?" SaysH559 the LORDH3068. "I have hadH7646 enoughH7646 of burntH5930a offeringsH5930a of ramsH352a And the fatH2459 of fedH4806 cattleH4806; And I takeH2654a noH3808 pleasureH2654a in the bloodH1818 of bullsH6499, lambsH3532 or goatsH6260. 12  "WhenH3588 you comeH935 to appearH7200 beforeH6440 Me, WhoH4310 requiresH1245 of you thisH384 tramplingH7429 of My courtsH2691a? 13  "BringH935 your worthlessH7723 offeringsH4503 noH3808 longerH3254, IncenseH7004 is an abominationH8441 to Me. NewH2320 moonH2320 and sabbathH7676, the callingH7121 of assembliesH4744—I cannotH3201 H3808 endureH3201 iniquityH205 and the solemnH6116 assemblyH6116. 14  "I hateH8130 your newH2320 moonH2320 festivals and your appointedH4150 feastsH4150, They have becomeH1961 a burdenH2960 to Me; I am wearyH3811 of bearingH5375 them. 15  "So when you spreadH6566 out your handsH3709 in prayer, I will hideH5956 My eyesH5869 from you; YesH1571, evenH1571 thoughH3588 you multiplyH7235a prayersH8605, I will not listenH8085. Your handsH3027 are coveredH4390 with bloodH1818. 16  "WashH7364 yourselves, makeH2135 yourselves cleanH2135; RemoveH5493 the evilH7455 of your deedsH4611 from My sightH5048 H5869. CeaseH2308 to do evilH7489a,

 

We learn from these words from our King that we can outwardly appear to be obedient to His commands while profaning any part of the Torah  - including the Shabbat. When any of us walks down a crooked path – even unintentionally – we risk offending our beloved Yeshua. He tells us plainly that He distances His heart from us and views us as strangers…instead of His children – when we become like callous outsiders who are “trampling his courts”.

 

We rely on that truth in order to better understand the following Scripture verses.

 

v  Bread & Grain  offering

We see from Scripture that the offerings prescribed in Torah have a literal, physical meaning in paying our tribute and paying our debts to the King. However, they are also a powerful symbolic system that allows us to understand His heart and His Ways.

 

Isaiah 66:19  "I will setH7760 a signH226 among them and will sendH7971 survivorsH6412b from them to the nationsH1471: TarshishH8659, PutH6316, LudH3865, MeshechH4902, TubalH8422 and JavanH3120, to the distantH7350 coastlandsH339 that have neitherH3808 heardH8085 My fameH8088 norH3808 seenH7200 My gloryH3519b. And they will declareH5046 My gloryH3519b among the nationsH1471. 20  "Then they shall bringH935 allH3605 your brethrenH251 from allH3605 the nationsH1471 as a grain offeringH4503 to the LORDH3068, on horsesH5483b, in chariotsH7393, in littersH6632a, on mulesH6505 and on camelsH3753, to My holyH6944 mountainH2022 JerusalemH3389," saysH559 the LORDH3068, "justH3512c as the sonsH1121 of IsraelH3478 bringH935 their grain offeringH4503 in a cleanH2889 vesselH3627 to the houseH1004 of the LORDH3068.

 

Followers today especially understand these prophetic words as referring to the harvest of souls in the End of Days. For us, these powerful words offer us guidance regarding the Way we should participate in this offering.  The redeemed of Adonai are the clean vessels professing the Gospel all over the earth. The sanctuaries in all of the places where they assemble each Shabbat are filled with new followers of Yeshua because of the seeds they are sowing and because of the harvest they are bringing to the King on his Shabbat.

 

 Yeshua confirms this dual meaning in the scriptures. He plainly stated that HE is the bread of life. Obviously He stood before His talmidim as a man – anyone could understand that he did not speak appearing as a talking loaf of bread…LOL.  By faith, we understand that he was teaching us about the importance of the life sustaining nutrtrition that is required for our souls – the bread of life. We also understand from the account of Yeshua’s sacrifice, that He became the bread offering when he gave his life on the tree at Golgatha

 

John 6:47  Yes, indeed! I tell you, whoever trusts has eternal life: 48  I am the bread which is life. 49  Your fathers ate the man in the desert; they died. 50  But the bread that comes down from heaven is such that a person may eat it and not die. 51  I am the living bread that has come down from heaven; if anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. Furthermore, the bread that I will give is my own flesh; and I will give it for the life of the world."

 

v  Blood atonement – the sin offering

The scriptures teach us that Yeshua’s blood sacrifice was total and complete. The atonement for sin has been completed in HIM. Furthermore, the required outcome of sin – death – has been made obsolete – it has been eliminated. To summarize –sin and death have been wiped clean from the account books of the children of Adonai through Yeshua’s total payment. The blood sacrifices were the one aspect of Torah fulfilled by Yeshua. Yeshua explains in the Book of Matthew that there would still be more aspects of Torah that needed to be continued “until heaven and earth pass away” Mat 5.

 

Romans 3:23  since all have sinned and come short of earning God's praise. 24  By God's grace, without earning it, all are granted the status of being considered righteous before him, through the act redeeming us from our enslavement to sin that was accomplished by the Messiah Yeshua. 25  God put Yeshua forward as the kapparah for sin through his faithfulness in respect to his bloody sacrificial death This vindicated God's righteousness; because, in his forbearance, he had passed over [with neither punishment nor remission] the sins people had committed in the past; 26  and it vindicates his righteousness in the present age by showing that he is righteous himself and is also the one who makes people righteous on the ground of Yeshua's faithfulness.

 

1Peter 2:3  For you have tasted that Adonai is good. 4  As you come to him, the living stone, rejected by people but chosen by God and precious to him, 5  you yourselves, as living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be cohanim set apart for God to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to him through Yeshua the Messiah. 6  This is why the Tanakh says, "Look! I am laying in Tziyon a stone, a chosen and precious cornerstone; and whoever rests his trust on it will certainly not be humiliated." 7  Now to you who keep trusting, he is precious. But to those who are not trusting, "The very stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone"; 8  also he is a stone that will make people stumble, a rock over which they will trip. They are stumbling at the Word, disobeying it — as had been planned. 9  But you are a chosen people, the King's cohanim, a holy nation, a people for God to possess! Why? In order for you to declare the praises of the One who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

 

 In summary - death has been eliminated as a consequence of sin for the followers of Yeshua. Therefore neither people nor animals need to lose their lives by stoning or sacrifice for any purpose under Torah. The debt has been cancelled. However, Adonai had anticipated our confusion as in 1Peter2:8. Verse 9 in the same chapter confirms that the priest hood of today still has work to do according to Torah.

 

Who Should Keep the Shabbat

 

The work restriction applied to anyone within the Torah observant community  during the prescribed full 24 hour period of Shabbat– including visitors or strangers, and even the beasts of burden – there were to be no exceptions:

 

Exodus 20:8  "RememberH2142 the sabbathH7676 dayH3117, to keepH6942 it holyH6942. 9  "SixH8337a daysH3117 you shall laborH5647 and doH6213a allH3605 your workH4399, 10  but the seventhH7637 dayH3117 is a Sabbath H7676 of the LORDH3068 your GodH430; in it you shall not doH6213a anyH3605 workH4399, you or your sonH1121 or your daughterH1323, your maleH5650 or your femaleH519 servantH5650 H519 or your cattleH929 or your sojournerH1616 whoH834 stays with you. 11  "For in sixH8337a daysH3117 the LORDH3068 madeH6213a the heavensH8064 and the earthH776, the seaH3220 and allH3605 that is in them, and restedH5117 on the seventhH7637 dayH3117; thereforeH5921 H3651 the LORDH3068 blessedH1288 the sabbathH7676 dayH3117 and madeH6942 it holyH6942.

 

Deuteronomy 5:12  ד " 'Observe the day of Shabbat, to set it apart as holy, as Adonai your God ordered you to do. 13  You have six days to labor and do all your work, 14  but the seventh day is a Shabbat for Adonai your God. On it you are not to do any kind of work - not you, your son or your daughter, not your male or female slave, not your ox, your donkey or any of your other livestock, and not the foreigner staying with you inside the gates to your property — so that your male and female servants can rest just as you do. 15  You are to remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt, and Adonai your God brought you out from there with a strong hand and an outstretched arm. Therefore Adonai your God has ordered you to keep the day of Shabbat.

 

Punishment for Disobedience

Exodus 31:12  Adonai said to Moshe, 13  "Tell the people of Isra'el, 'You are to observe my Shabbats; for this is a sign between me and you through all your generations; so that you will know that I am Adonai, who sets you apart for me. 14  Therefore you are to keep my Shabbat, because it is set apart for you. Everyone who treats it as ordinary must be put to death; for whoever does any work on it is to be cut off from his people. 15  On six days work will get done; but the seventh day is Shabbat, for complete rest, set apart for Adonai. Whoever does any work on the day of Shabbat must be put to death. 16  The people of Isra'el are to keep the Shabbat, to observe Shabbat through all their generations as a perpetual covenant. 17  It is a sign between me and the people of Isra'el forever; for in six days Adonai made heaven and earth, but on the seventh day he stopped working and rested.' "

 

 

Exodus 35:2  On six days work is to be done, but the seventh day is to be a holy day for you, a Shabbat of complete rest in honor of Adonai. Whoever does any work on it is to be put to death.

 

Read this next scripture passage about the Shabbat very carefully in the context in which it was written.

 

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. 31  Because he has had contempt for the word of Adonai and has disobeyed his command, that person will be cut off completely; his offense will remain with him.' " 32  While the people of Isra'el were in the desert, they found a man gathering wood on Shabbat. 33  Those who found him gathering wood brought him to Moshe, Aharon and the whole congregation. 34  They kept him in custody, because it had not yet been decided what to do to him. 35  Then Adonai said to Moshe, "This man must be put to death; the entire community is to stone him to death outside the camp.

 

From our review of the Shabbat commandments we can see that the man who was stoned had clearly violated the basic concept of the Shabbat. He disregarded the instructions regarding the preparation day, and regarding the carrying of heavy bundles. One might even surmise a further violation..the obvious purpose of gathering firewood is to light a fire! The commands are clear that lighting a fire for any purpose is forbidden. The day of preparation – when followed correctly – allows ample time to gather the needed firewood ahead of the Shabbat. If the fire had already been lit and the wood already gathered because of winter cold weather, the firewood could be added to keep that fire going throughout the day of Shabbat. If the intent was to use the fire to cook – obviously the food should have already been prepared PRIOR to the day of Shabbat.  Therefore it is very significant to note that this man’s transgression of the law immediately follows a stern warning from Adonai. Adonai states that intentional  disobedience is considered blasphemy.

 

Buying and Selling on the Shabbat?

 

We have already carefully read all of the Shabbat commands in the Torah. AS you have probably already realized, there simply is no direct command that forbids exchange of money. There is no direct mention of buying or selling in any of the original Torah scriptures.

With regards to other references to Shabbat in the writings of the prophets we have already seen that Adonai remained strongly focused on the issue of carrying heavy burdens or loads. This has been a consistent theme from the first Shabbat instructions that were given to Israel after they left Egypt.

We can apply all of the foundational Shabbat scriptures to this passage from Nehemiah as well…

 

Nehemiah 13:16  Also menH6876 of TyreH6876 were livingH3427 there who importedH935 fishH1710 and allH3605 kinds of merchandiseH4377, and soldH4376 them to the sonsH1121 of JudahH3063 on the sabbathH7676, even in JerusalemH3389. 17  Then I reprimandedH7378 the noblesH2715 of JudahH3063 and saidH559 to them, "WhatH4100 is thisH2088 evilH7451a thingH1697 you are doingH6213a, by profaningH2490c the sabbathH7676 dayH3117?

 

Purchasing food on Shabbat violates the commandment to PREPARE for the Shabbat. There simply is no excuse for buying fish or any other food on Shabbat. In addition, the commandments clearly direct the people to attend a holy convocation for Shabbat. Anyone who goes on a shopping spree in the market all morning or all afternoon is clearly missing the congregational gathering. Third, all of these businessmen from Tyre would have had to carry all their wares through the city gates of Jerusalem on Shabbat. That would necessarily mean hitching horses, mules, or oxen to the heavy carts as well… another flagrant violation of Shabbat commands. We are also reminded in the writings of the prophet, Jeremiah, that transgressions like this in Adonai’s city – Jerusalem- - represent a personal affront to our King. (..”adding insult to injury”)..

The pain of Adonai’s insulted heart is repeated in Amos…

 

Amos 8:4  HearH8085 thisH2088, you who trampleH7602b the needyH34, to doH7673a awayH7673a with the humbleH6041 of the landH776, 5  sayingH559, "WhenH4970 will the newH2320 moonH2320 be overH5674a, So that we may sellH7666 grainH7668, And the sabbathH7676, that we may openH6605a the wheatH1250 market, To makeH6994 the bushelH374 smallerH6994 and the shekelH8255 biggerH1431, And to cheatH5791 with dishonestH4820 scalesH3976, 6  So as to buyH7069 the helplessH1800b for moneyH3701 And the needyH34 for a pair of sandalsH5275, And that we may sellH7666 the refuseH4651 of the wheatH1250?" 7  The LORDH3068 has swornH7650 by the prideH1347b of JacobH3290, "IndeedH518, I will neverH518 H5331 forgetH7911 anyH3605 of their deedsH4639.

 

Although this scripture passage is occasionally used to represent a prohibition of exchanging money on Shabbat, it is essential to see the true intention of these words in context.  The Father’s focus is clearly spelled out in verse 4. Adonai is offended by the heart and the minds of the impatient people who are so focused on “getting back to business as usual” that they find Shabbat to be a problem or a burden. Furthermore, Adonai teaches us that the attitude problem is compounded by the horrendous cheating and stealing involved in their “usual business practices”. Torah teaches that Adonai finds dishonest weights and scales to be an abomination!

In conclusion, we can also apply the principles of the Shabbat teachings to this passage as well. The people could not open the market for business for the same reasons as before…carrying heavy burdens, forsaking the holy convocation, forcing the animals to work, etc…

____________________________________________________________________________________

 

 

Part VIII: The Conclusion of the Matter

 

Now we must put all these individual gems back together into the original mosaic picture.

 

Shabbat is an anticipated time of joy for which Adonai’s people prepare wholeheartedly. Shabbat is both a day and an activity in which the people of Adonai are commanded to leave their cares, burdens, and projects behind in order to gather in a designated special place to celebrate with the King every week. In faith or trust, Adonai’s people can abandon their daily work of survival without a care or worry, because they know that He will provide the Way. It would be outrageously rude and inappropriate to miss the wedding of your best friend’s child because “you had a home gardening project you wanted to finish”. No one would set aside time and resources to plan and prepare for a wedding –and then wander off absent mindedly or forget the day entirely by going to work instead—with a building filled with guests and a full banquet. It would be terribly rude to arrive at a wedding feast dressed in your work clothing and carrying a brown bag sandwich thinking that you may not be fed enough of the good food that you prefer. Shabbat is a foreshadow of what will be fulfilled in the near future- the Wedding of the Lamb. Each Shabbat is a rehearsal during which we are reminded of the hope of being reunited with the Bridegroom  - Yeshua. If we approach this weekly observance with the same dignity and respect afforded to the King on His wedding day – then we will never be in danger of facing the day inappropriately or unprepared.

 

 

 

 

Mar 3:1  He enteredG1525 againG3825 into a synagogueG4864; and a manG444 was thereG1563 whose handG5495 was witheredG3583.

Mar 3:2  They were watchingG3906 Him to see ifG1487 He would healG2323 him on the SabbathG4521, soG2443 that they might accuseG2723 Him.

Mar 3:3  He *saidG3004 to the manG444 with the witheredG3584 handG5495, "GetG1453 up and come forwardG1519 G3319!"

Mar 3:4  And He *saidG3004 to them, "Is it lawfulG1832 to doG4160 goodG18 orG2228 to doG2554 harmG2554 on the SabbathG4521, to saveG4982 a lifeG5590 orG2228 to killG615?" But they keptG4623 silentG4623.

Mar 3:5  After lookingG4017 aroundG4017 at them with angerG3709, grievedG4818 at their hardnessG4457 of heartG2588, He *saidG3004 to the manG444, "StretchG1614 out your handG5495." And he stretchedG1614 it out, and his handG5495 was restoredG600.

 

Mar 6:2  When the SabbathG4521 cameG1096, He beganG757 to teachG1321 in the synagogueG4864; and the manyG4183 listenersG191 were astonishedG1605, sayingG3004, "WhereG4159 did thisG3778 manG3778 get theseG3778 thingsG3778, and whatG5101 is this wisdomG4678 givenG1325 to Him, and suchG5108 miraclesG1411 as theseG5108 performedG1096 by His handsG5495?

 

Mar 15:42  When eveningG3798 had alreadyG2235 comeG1096, becauseG1893 it was the preparationG3904 dayG3904, that is, the dayG4315 beforeG4315 the SabbathG4315,

 

Luk 4:14  And JesusG2424 returnedG5290 to GalileeG1056 in the powerG1411 of the SpiritG4151, and newsG5345 aboutG4012 Him spreadG1831 throughG2596 allG3650 the surroundingG4066 districtG4066.

Luk 4:15  And He began teachingG1321 in their synagoguesG4864 and was praisedG1392 by allG3956.

Luk 4:16  And He cameG2064 to NazarethG3478, whereG3757 He had beenG1510 broughtG5142 up; and as was His customG1486, He enteredG1525 the synagogueG4864 on the SabbathG4521, and stoodG450 up to readG314.

 

Luk 13:10  And He was teachingG1321 in oneG1520 of the synagoguesG4864 on the SabbathG4521.

Luk 13:11  And there was a womanG1135 who for eighteenG1178a yearsG2094 had hadG2192 a sicknessG769 caused by a spiritG4151; and she was bentG4794 doubleG4794, and couldG1410 not straightenG352b up at allG3838.

Luk 13:12  When JesusG2424 sawG3708 her, He calledG4377 her overG4377 and saidG3004 to her, "WomanG1135, you are freedG630 from your sicknessG769."

Luk 13:13  And He laidG2007 His handsG5495 on her; and immediatelyG3916 she was madeG461 erectG461 againG461 and began glorifyingG1392 GodG2316.

Luk 13:14  But the synagogueG752 officialG752, indignantG23 becauseG3754 JesusG2424 had healedG2323 on the SabbathG4521, began sayingG3004 to the crowdG3793 in responseG611, "There are sixG1803 daysG2250 in whichG3739 workG2038b shouldG1163 be doneG2038b; soG3767 comeG2064 duringG1722 them and getG2323 healedG2323, and not on the SabbathG4521 dayG2250."

Luk 13:15  But the LordG2962 answeredG611 him and saidG3004, "You hypocritesG5273, does not eachG1538 of you on the SabbathG4521 untieG3089 his oxG1016 orG2228 his donkeyG3688 from the stallG5336 and leadG520 him awayG520 to waterG4222 him?

Luk 13:16  "And thisG3778 womanG3778, a daughterG2364 of AbrahamG11 as she is, whomG3739 SatanG4567 has boundG1210 for eighteenG1176 G3638 longG2400 yearsG2094, shouldG1163 she not have been releasedG3089 from thisG3778 bondG1199 on the SabbathG4521 dayG2250?"

Luk 13:17  As He saidG3004 thisG3778, allG3956 His opponentsG480 were being humiliatedG2617b; and the entireG3956 crowdG3793 was rejoicingG5463 overG1909 allG3956 the gloriousG1741 thingsG1741 beingG1096 doneG1096 by Him.

Addendum: Home fellowships vs House Churches

 

 

 

 

Acts 20:27 For I did not shrink from proclaiming to you the whole plan of God. 28 “Watch out for yourselves, and for all the flock in which the Ruach HaKodesh has placed you as leaders, to shepherd God's Messianic community, which he won for himself at the cost of his own Son's blood. 29 I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you; and they won't spare the flock. 30 Even from among your own number, men will arise and teach perversions of the truth, in order to drag away the talmidim after themselves. 31 So stay alert! Remember that for three years, night and day, with tears in my eyes, I never stopped warning you!

 

2Peter 2:1 But among the people there were also false prophets, just as there will be false teachers among you. Under false pretenses they will introduce destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, and thus bring on themselves swift destruction. 2 Many will follow their debaucheries; and because of them, the true Way will be maligned. 3 In their greed they will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their punishment, decreed long ago, is not idle; their destruction is not asleep!

 

Galatians 1:1  Paul, an apostle (not sent from men nor through the agency of man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised Him from the dead), 2  and all the brethren who are with me, To the churches of Galatia: 3  Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4  who gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5  to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen. 6  I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; 7  which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be accursed! 9 As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be accursed! 10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bond-servant of Christ.

 

Galatians 3:1 You stupid Galatians! Who has put you under a spell? Before your very eyes Yeshua the Messiah was clearly portrayed as having been put to death as a criminal! 2  I want to know from you just this one thing: did you receive the Spirit by legalistic observance of Torah commands or by trusting in what you heard and being faithful to it? 3 Are you that stupid? Having begun with the Spirit's power, do you think you can reach the goal under your own power?

 

Galatians 6:9  Let us not loseG1457b heartG1457b in doingG4160 goodG2570, for in dueG2398 timeG2540 we will reapG2325 if we do not growG1590 wearyG1590. 10  SoG686 thenG686, whileG5613 we haveG2192 opportunityG2540, let us doG2038b goodG18 to allG3956 peopleG3956, and especiallyG3122 to thoseG3588 whoG3609b are of the householdG3609b of the faithG4102. 11  SeeG3708 with whatG4080 largeG4080 lettersG1121 I am writingG1125 to you with my ownG1699 handG5495. 12  ThoseG3745 whoG3745 desireG2309 to makeG2146a a goodG2146a showingG2146a in the fleshG4561 try to compelG315 you to be circumcisedG4059, simplyG3440 soG2443 that they will not be persecutedG1377 for the crossG4716 of ChristG5547. 13  For thoseG3588 who are circumcisedG4059 do not evenG3761 keepG5442 the LawG3551 themselvesG846, but they desireG2309 to have you circumcisedG4059 soG2443 that they may boastG2744 in your fleshG4561.

 

 

1Corinthians 5:1 It is actually being reported that there is sexual sin among you, and it is sexual sin of a kind that is condemned even by pagans — a man is living with his stepmother! 2 And you stay proud? Shouldn't you rather have felt some sadness that would have led you to remove from your company the man who has done this thing? 3 For I myself, even though I am absent physically, am with you spiritually; and I have already judged the man who has done this as if I were present. 4  In the name of the Lord Yeshua, when you are assembled, with me present spiritually and the power of our Lord Yeshua among us, 5  hand over such a person to the Adversary for his old nature to be destroyed, so that his spirit may be saved in the Day of the Lord. 6 Your boasting is not good. Don't you know the saying, "It takes only a little hametz to leaven a whole batch of dough?" 7 Get rid of the old hametz, so that you can be a new batch of dough, because in reality you are unleavened. For our Pesach lamb, the Messiah, has been sacrificed. 8 So let us celebrate the Seder not with leftover hametz, the hametz of wickedness and evil, but with the matzah of purity and truth. 9 In my earlier letter I wrote you not to associate with people who engage in sexual immorality. 10  I didn't mean the sexually immoral people outside your community, or the greedy, or the thieves or the idol-worshippers — for then you would have to leave the world altogether!

 

2Corinthians 10:1 Now it is I myself, Sha'ul, making an appeal to you with the meekness and forbearance that come from the Messiah, I who am considered timid when face-to-face with you but intimidating from a distance. 2 But I beg you not to force me to be intimidating when I am with you, as I expect to be toward some who regard us as living in a worldly way. 3 For although we do live in the world, we do not wage war in a worldly way; 4 because the weapons we use to wage war are not worldly. On the contrary, they have God's power for demolishing strongholds. We demolish arguments 5 and every arrogance that raises itself up against the knowledge of God; we take every thought captive and make it obey the Messiah. 6 And when you have become completely obedient, then we will be ready to punish every act of disobedience. 7 You are looking at the surface of things. If anyone is convinced that he belongs to the Messiah, he should remind himself that we belong to the Messiah as much as he does. 8  For even if I boast a little too much about the authority the Lord has given us — authority to build you up, not tear you down — I am not ashamed. 9 My object is not to seem as if I were trying to frighten you with these letters.

 

2Corinthians 13:10  For thisG3778 reasonG1223 I am writingG1125 theseG3778 thingsG3778 while absentG548, soG2443 that when presentG3918b I need not useG5530 severityG664, in accordanceG2596 with the authorityG1849 whichG3739 the LordG2962 gaveG1325 me for buildingG3619 up and not for tearingG2506 downG2506. 11  FinallyG3062, brethrenG80, rejoiceG5463, be madeG2675 completeG2675, be comfortedG3870, be like-mindedG846, liveG1514 in peaceG1514; and the GodG2316 of loveG26 and peaceG1515 will be with you.

 

Ephesians5:1  So imitate God, as his dear children; 2  and live a life of love, just as also the Messiah loved us, indeed, on our behalf gave himself up as an offering, as a slaughtered sacrifice to God with a pleasing fragrance. 3 Among you there should not even be mentioned sexual immorality, or any kind of impurity, or greed; these are utterly inappropriate for God's holy people. 4 Also out of place are obscenity and stupid talk or coarse language; instead, you should be giving thanks. 5 For of this you can be sure: every sexually immoral, impure or greedy person — that is, every idol-worshipper — has no share in the Kingdom of the Messiah and of God. 6 Let no one deceive you with empty talk; for it is because of these things that God's judgment is coming on those who disobey him. 7 So don't become partners with them!

 

2Thessalonians 3:6  Now, in the name of the Lord Yeshua the Messiah we command you, brothers, to stay away from any brother who is leading a life of idleness, a life not in keeping with the tradition you received from us. 7 For you yourselves know how you must imitate us, that we were not idle when we were among you. 8 We did not accept anyone's food without paying; on the contrary, we labored and toiled, day and night, working so as not to be a burden to any of you. 9 It was not that we hadn't the right to be supported, but so that we could make ourselves an example to imitate. 10 For even when we were with you, we gave you this command: if someone won't work, he shouldn't eat! 11 We hear that some of you are leading a life of idleness — not busy working, just busybodies! 12  We command such people — and in union with the Lord Yeshua the Messiah we urge them — to settle down, get to work, and earn their own living. 13 And you brothers who are doing what is good, don't slack off! 14 Furthermore, if anyone does not obey what we are saying in this letter, take note of him and have nothing to do with him, so that he will be ashamed. 15 But don't consider him an enemy; on the contrary, confront him as a brother and try to help him change. 16 Now may the Lord of shalom himself give you shalom always in all ways. The Lord be with all of you.

 

Romans 12:1 I exhort you, therefore, brothers, in view of God's mercies, to offer yourselves as a sacrifice, living and set apart for God. This will please him; it is the logical "Temple worship" for you. 2 In other words, do not let yourselves be conformed to the standards of the `olam hazeh. Instead, keep letting yourselves be transformed by the renewing of your minds; so that you will know what God wants and will agree that what he wants is good, satisfying and able to succeed. 3 For I am telling every single one of you, through the grace that has been given to me, not to have exaggerated ideas about your own importance. Instead, develop a sober estimate of yourself based on the standard which God has given to each of you, namely, trust.

 

2Peter 3:1  ThisG3778 is nowG2235, belovedG27, the secondG1208 letterG1992 I am writingG1125 to you in whichG3739 I am stirringG1326 up your sincereG1506 mindG1271 by wayG1722 of reminderG5280, 2  that you should rememberG3403 the wordsG4487 spokenG4275b beforehandG4275b by the holyG40 prophetsG4396 and the commandmentG1785 of the LordG2962 and SaviorG4990 spoken by your apostlesG652. 3  KnowG1097 thisG3778 firstG4413 of all, that in the lastG2078 daysG2250 mockersG1703 will comeG2064 with their mockingG1701a, followingG4198 afterG2596 their ownG2398 lustsG1939, 4  and sayingG3004, "WhereG4226 is the promiseG1860 of His comingG3952? For ever sinceG575 G3739 the fathersG3962 fellG2837 asleepG2837, allG3956 continuesG1265 justG3779 as it was from the beginningG746 of creationG2937."

 

8 Yeshua or Yahshua

And you shall call His name Yeshua; for He shall save His people from their sins. Mattityahu / Matthew 1:21.

The Name of the Jewish Messiah is Yeshua, and its meaning comes from the Hebrew root, yasha, meaning “to save.” That is why He was named Yeshua, because He will “save” His people from their sins (Mattityahu / Matthew 1:21). Thus, Yeshua means “salvation.” The correct Name for our Rabbi, Yeshua in  Hebrew is Yeshua. It is a name that is well-attested to in literary sources (see for example the Jewish Encyclopedia).

The importance of the individual’s name in Jewish tradition is also repeatedly illustrated in the bible: The implications seen in the change of names from Avram to Avraham, from Ya’acov (Jacob) to Israel, etc. A name sums up an individual’s life work. A name is so important in the Hebrew Bible that on each day of creation, God said “Let there be…”, and by uttering the name of the object, it came into being: light, grass, the sun and the stars, animals and human beings. And what did Adam do on the first day of his creation? He was busy assigning names to the animals.

Yeshua HaMashiach is the Name that all the sh’lichim (emissaries / apostles) would have known him by and what his mother would have called him when he was late for supper. He never heard Jesus.

This understanding, that Yeshua is a contraction of Yehoshua which means, God is Saviour. When the Messiah came to this earth ‘the Father sent his angel to declare the Messiah’s Name, ‘Yeshua’ (Mattityahu 1:21). Since Yeshua means ‘Salvation of God, we can now understand what the Messiah meant when he said, ‘I am come in My Father’s Name’; and what the Father meant when he said, My Name is in him.

Mishle / Proberbs 30:4 ‘MaShemo’ What is his Name, and what is his son’s Name, if thou knowest? This refers to the Name of the Holy Messiah! Yeshua HaMashiach!

A name in Judaism

In Judaism names are inextricably linked to the individual’s spiritual identity, not only through life, but also after death and were considered an alter ego of the individual (they have a prophetic value), one’s name has always been considered to be extremely important. In Biblical time’s individual names were given with an express purpose to describe an individual’s hoped destiny or characteristics. King David named his son Shlomo (from shalom, peace) because he hoped he would transmit to him a kingdom in peace.

As odd as it may seem, the name ‘Jesus’, is a relatively new invention, only a few hundred years old, that was created by multiple translations and stylistic changes to the original name. (All vain speculations!)

The Name of the one born in the Jewish city of Beth-Lechem to Miriam (not Mary) and to Yosef (Joseph) about 2000 years ago was written as Yeshua in Aramaic. The transliteration of the Aramaic Yeshua into English has been written as Jeshua or Joshua (see Ezra 5:2). In Hebrew, the same name is written as Yehoshua which means the same as Yeshua, God is salvation, or God saves. By the way, there is no name ‘Yahshua’ in Hebrew or Aramaic (that name is made up from nothing). In the Aramaic and Hebrew portions of the Good News of Mashiach the name is Yeshua.

 

The really odd changes to His Name all began with translation into non-Semitic languages. When the name Yeshua was translated into Greek, the translators were first faced with the task of deciding whether they should translate the Name phonetically to try to keep the sound the same, or whether they should translate the name according to its meaning. They chose to use the phonetic approach so that the sound of the name would be preserved, even though the meaning of the name would be lost in the phonetic translation. Unfortunately, the Greek language lacks some of the sounds used in Aramaic or Hebrew. And to further complicate the issue, all Greek masculine names must end with the letter “s”. Later on with the Translation of the Bible, the Name Yeshua was gradually changed to the Name Jesus…. quite a totally different sounding Name (plus Jesus does not mean anything in any language, losing the godly intention given by the angel by the command of HaShem to Miriam His mother.)

There are many Yeshua’s that we read about in the Biblical text and many are confused with the Yeshua who is the long promised Messiah. The name Yeshua appears 29 times in the Hebrew Scriptures. Yehoshua (Joshua) of Nun is called Yeshua in Nechemyah (Nehemiah) 8:17. Yeshua is the name of the Cohen HaGadol (the high priest) in the time of Zerubavel in Ezra 3:2. It is the name of a Levite under King Hizkiyah (Hezekiah) in Divrei HaYamim bet / 2 Chronicles 31:15. There is even a city called Yeshua in the Negev of Yehudah in Nechemyah 11:26. There are 7 other Yeshua’s in the Brit Chadashah (NT). There is Elymas bar Yeshua in Acts 13:6. There is an ancestor of Yeshua HaMashiach: the son of Eliezar, the father of Er in Luke 3:29. In Rav Shaul’s letter to the Colossians in chapter 4, verse 11, there is a Justus called Yeshua a fellow worker of Shaul. Josephus, the famous Jewish historian mentions 20 different Yeshua’s, 10 of which are contemporary with Yeshua HaMashiach. All together, at least 50 Yeshua’s from his time plus about 9 in the hebrew scriptures have been revealed from Biblical text and other literary sources.

 

For us, as a Messianic Jewish believers, this name issue is significant because history has taken our holy Rabbi, Yeshua’s Jewish identity so far away from truth that most Jewish people see him as the ‘Gentile god’ and therefore miss the fact that he is their promised Messiah.

It is time to come back the Jewish Roots of King Messiah Yeshua! He is NOT coming back Catholic, Protestant, Assembly of God, evangelical, Pentecostal or any of the 1200 different forms of Christianity you know’.

 

Morning devotionals via the internet using webex

Mon - Thurs 9:00 to 10AM Eastern time

 

DEVOTIONALS
MISSION STATEMENT
MHSA STATEMENT OF FAITH
   
WHY SHOULD I HOMESCHOOL MY CHILD?

Here is "short list" of some Prominent, well respected homeschooled people, Leaders we all know.

U.S. Presidents

John Adams

John Quincy Adams

JamesGarfield

Andrew Jackson

ThomasJefferson

Abraham Lincoln

Franklin Delano Roosevelt "FDR"

Theodore Roosevelt

George Washington

 

Military Leaders

Stonewall Jackson - Civil War General

John Paul Jones - Father of the American Navy

Robert E. Lee - Civil War General

Douglas MacArthur - U.S. General

George Patton - U.S. General

Matthew Perry - naval officer who opened up trade with Japan

 

U.S. Supreme Court Judges

John Jay

John Marshall

John Rutledge

Sandra Day O'Connor

 

Scientists

George Washington Carver

Pierre Curie

Albert Einstein

Inventors

Alexander Graham Bell - invented the telephone

John Moses Browning - firearms inventor and designer

Peter Cooper - invented skyscraper, built first U.S. commercial locomotive

Thomas Edison - invented the stock ticker, mimeograph, phonograph, and perfected the electric light bulb

Benjamin Franklin - invented the lightning rod

Elias Howe - invented sewing machine

William Lear - airplane creator

Cyrus McCormick - invented grain reaper

Guglielmo Marconi - developed radio

Eli Whitney - invented the cotton gin

Sir Frank Whittle - invented turbo jet engine

Orville and Wilbur Wright - built the first successful airplane

 

http://www.hslda.org

 

   

CONTACT US

(973) 338-7800

Mail to:
Messianic Home School Association

c/o Beth Goyim Messianic Congregation

PO Box 1091, Bloomfield, NJ 07003

 

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