Rabbi Ken Alpren
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
The story of Yosef displays many principles of G-d’s sovereignty and provision including forgiveness and reconciliation. After twenty-two years of history, the eyes of Yosef’s brothers were opened not only to who Yosef was but how G-d provided for their people through him.
Genesis 50:15-21, “Realizing that their father was dead, Yosef's brothers said, "Yosef may hate us now and pay us back in full for all the suffering we caused him." 16 So they sent a message to Yosef which said, "Your father gave this order before he died: 17 'Say to Yosef, "I beg you now, please forgive your brothers' crime and wickedness in doing you harm."' So now, we beg of you, forgive the crime of the servants of the God of your father."Yosef wept when they spoke to him; 18 and his brothers too came, prostrated themselves before him and said, "Here, we are your slaves." 19 But Yosef said to them, "Don't be afraid! Am I in the place of God? 20 You meant to do me harm, but God meant it for good -so that it would come about as it is today, with many people's lives being saved. 21 So don't be afraid -I will provide for you and your little ones." In this way he comforted them, speaking kindly to them.”
Yosef lived through so much and completely understood what it meant to be delivered from evil and experience how G-d used circumstances for good. He lived it after his brothers sold him into slavery and G-d elevated him. His elevation to second in Egypt was not just for Yosef’s own good but for the good of Israel through the provision of their lives through the famine.
Genesis 45:5, “But don't be sad that you sold me into slavery here or angry at yourselves, because it was God who sent me ahead of you to preserve life.”
When Ya’akov died, Yosef’s brothers feared retribution and resorted to scheming and lying out of fear. But Yosef saw through their pitiful lack of trusting the L-rd.
Who do I fear more, G-d or man?
Isaiah 51:12-13, “"I, yes I, am the one who comforts you! Why are you afraid of a man, who must die; of a human being, who will wither like grass? 13 You have forgotten ADONAI, your maker, who stretched out the heavens and laid the foundations of the earth. Instead, you are in constant fear all day because of the oppressor's rage, as he prepares to destroy! But where is the oppressor's rage?”
Why would we be afraid of men? Might we have forgotten G-d? We are wasting emotional energy imagining and fearing events that either don’t come to pass or aren’t even close to reality.
Yosef knew that when his brothers intended to harm him, G-d intended to use him!
This principle will change our lives if we really believe that G-d intends to use us rather than harm us.
G-d is Sovereign!
Many Scriptures illustrate His unaltered character in this regard. Here are just a few: Psalm 115:3, Proverbs 16:9, 2Kings 19:28, Proverbs 21:1, Ephesians 1:11,12 and Revelation 17:17.
Most notably, G-d presided over every aspect of the precarious life of Yeshua. Think of how He intervened in the details of bringing the Messiah safely to birth. How Miriam was called and how she was spared not only by the grace of her parents but provided for through her cousin Elizabeth. She could have been easily quietly divorced by Yosef, her betrothed, but again spared because of G-d’s intervention. At every turn and at every trial, G-d presided over Yeshua; and most especially in His death and in His resurrection.
G-d is always bigger than people!
Yosef said, “It is clear as this day (Gen. 50:17)!” He saw the bigger picture of God’s providential plan.
G-d’s love and grace goes beyond forgiveness to reconciliation. No matter how much I sense my need to be forgiven, He so much more wants to forgive me!
2Cor 5:18, “And it is all from God, who through the Messiah has reconciled us to himself and has given us the work of that reconciliation.” and Col 3:12-15, “Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with feelings of compassion and with kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. 13 Bear with one another; if anyone has a complaint against someone else, forgive him. Indeed, just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must forgive. 14 Above all these, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together perfectly; 15 and let the shalom which comes from the Messiah be your heart's decision-maker, for this is why you were called to be part of a single Body. And be thankful.”
G-d is Messiah reconciling the world to Himself. Yosef as a type of Messiah illustrated this principle perfectly to his brothers. May we also do so through Messiah’s Grace.
Monday, December 20, 2010
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Dysfunctional Families
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
November 6, 2010
Genesis 25:21, “Yitz'chak prayed to ADONAI on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. ADONAI heeded his prayer, and Rivkah became pregnant.”
G-d has a purpose in all that happens to us; our difficulties are for a reason. G-d intervened through Yitz’chak’s prayer. What Rivkah and Yitz’chak could not do naturally, through prayer, G-d did supernaturally.
When Yitz’chak and Rivkah were married, Yitz’chak was 40 years old. He was 60 years old when the twins were born. He prayed for 20 years!
The Hebrew word for prayer in this passage is ‘athar’ which means to pray, entreat, supplicate, urge, plead. We are to pray without giving up knowing that G-d’s promises allow for difficulties so we will turn to Him in prayer.
We are all dysfunctional. Right? Things don’t always go according to our plans and our timing!
David was even tempted to believe that others who didn’t even have the L-rd have it all too easy. In Psalm 73, he recounts thinking that the wicked are free of misfortune and keep increasing their wealth. David realized his thinking was wrong when he came into G-d’s presence and was given a heavenly perspective regarding their end and realized it was his poor attitude that predisposed him to envy.
Psalm 73:21-23, “When I had a sour attitude and felt stung by pained emotions, 22 I was too stupid to understand; I was like a brute beast with you. 23 Nevertheless, I am always with you; you hold my right hand.”
David was temporarily short sighted. He needed to see from G-d’s vantage point. Although there was dysfunction with the twins, even from the beginning, G-d’s purpose was being worked out.
Genesis 25:22-26, “The children fought with each other inside her so much that she said, "If it's going to be like this, why go on living?" So she went to inquire of ADONAI, 23 who answered her, "There are two nations in your womb. From birth they will be two rival peoples. One of these peoples will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." 24 When the time for her delivery came, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first to come out was reddish and covered all over with hair, like a coat; so they named him 'Esav [completely formed, that is, having hair already]. 26 Then his brother emerged, with his hand holding 'Esav's heel, so he was called Ya'akov [he catches by the heel, he supplants].”
Notice even from birth the twins were so different. They were different in appearance and vocation. ‘Esav was a hunter and Ya’akov lived peacefully in tents.
Each of us are uniquely different; we are fearfully and wonderfully made as described in Psalm 139. Do we wish we were different from how we are? Maybe we want to be taller, smarter, thinner, stronger or have different features? If we were to be thankful for how G-d made us, perhaps we wouldn’t envy each other and allow for a root of bitterness to grow as with ‘Esav and Ya’akov.
Perhaps if we were thankful for who G-d made us to be we could allow Him to use us the way He intended; in ways we could only imagine.
We are beautiful as He made us; Jew and Gentile grafted into the Olive Tree as described in Romans 11. There is no need to try to be like others; we need to be who G-d made us to be!
‘Esav and Ya’akov were both oriented on the flesh instead of the spiritual; but with different modes of behavior and focus. ‘Esav was careless with his birthright, he lacked control and was easily persuaded to sell his birthright for a bowl of stew because he was hungry and exhausted, and he didn’t seem to care about G-d. Ya’akov was calculating and planned the method by which he would barter for the birthright and steal the blessing. He was controlling as well and used G-d and godly matters to manipulate for his own desires and purposes.
Watch G-d’s grace in retrospect toward these twins!
Hebrews 11:20, “By trusting, Yitz'chak in his blessings over Ya'akov and Esav made reference to events yet to come.”
In spite of their behavior, Yitz’chak still blessed both of them!
Even so, we must be careful to fulfill G-d’s calling on our lives and our unique purposes He has for us. He has made us each who He wants us to be; uniquely designed and chosen. We should decide to follow Him wholeheartedly to be more like Him rather than measuring ourselves to each other.
Further Reading:
1Kings 18:17-21, Isaiah 45:9-10, Romans 8:4-6, Ephesians 1:4-6, 1Corinthians 5:6, Hebrews 12:15-16, Revelation 1:6, 1Peter 2:9, Galatians 5:6, Hebrews 12:15, 1Samuel 20:18, Deuteronomy 30:4, Song of Songs 4:7, 2Corinthians 10:10-12
Sermon Notes by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
November 6, 2010
Genesis 25:21, “Yitz'chak prayed to ADONAI on behalf of his wife, because she was childless. ADONAI heeded his prayer, and Rivkah became pregnant.”
G-d has a purpose in all that happens to us; our difficulties are for a reason. G-d intervened through Yitz’chak’s prayer. What Rivkah and Yitz’chak could not do naturally, through prayer, G-d did supernaturally.
When Yitz’chak and Rivkah were married, Yitz’chak was 40 years old. He was 60 years old when the twins were born. He prayed for 20 years!
The Hebrew word for prayer in this passage is ‘athar’ which means to pray, entreat, supplicate, urge, plead. We are to pray without giving up knowing that G-d’s promises allow for difficulties so we will turn to Him in prayer.
We are all dysfunctional. Right? Things don’t always go according to our plans and our timing!
David was even tempted to believe that others who didn’t even have the L-rd have it all too easy. In Psalm 73, he recounts thinking that the wicked are free of misfortune and keep increasing their wealth. David realized his thinking was wrong when he came into G-d’s presence and was given a heavenly perspective regarding their end and realized it was his poor attitude that predisposed him to envy.
Psalm 73:21-23, “When I had a sour attitude and felt stung by pained emotions, 22 I was too stupid to understand; I was like a brute beast with you. 23 Nevertheless, I am always with you; you hold my right hand.”
David was temporarily short sighted. He needed to see from G-d’s vantage point. Although there was dysfunction with the twins, even from the beginning, G-d’s purpose was being worked out.
Genesis 25:22-26, “The children fought with each other inside her so much that she said, "If it's going to be like this, why go on living?" So she went to inquire of ADONAI, 23 who answered her, "There are two nations in your womb. From birth they will be two rival peoples. One of these peoples will be stronger than the other, and the older will serve the younger." 24 When the time for her delivery came, there were twins in her womb. 25 The first to come out was reddish and covered all over with hair, like a coat; so they named him 'Esav [completely formed, that is, having hair already]. 26 Then his brother emerged, with his hand holding 'Esav's heel, so he was called Ya'akov [he catches by the heel, he supplants].”
Notice even from birth the twins were so different. They were different in appearance and vocation. ‘Esav was a hunter and Ya’akov lived peacefully in tents.
Each of us are uniquely different; we are fearfully and wonderfully made as described in Psalm 139. Do we wish we were different from how we are? Maybe we want to be taller, smarter, thinner, stronger or have different features? If we were to be thankful for how G-d made us, perhaps we wouldn’t envy each other and allow for a root of bitterness to grow as with ‘Esav and Ya’akov.
Perhaps if we were thankful for who G-d made us to be we could allow Him to use us the way He intended; in ways we could only imagine.
We are beautiful as He made us; Jew and Gentile grafted into the Olive Tree as described in Romans 11. There is no need to try to be like others; we need to be who G-d made us to be!
‘Esav and Ya’akov were both oriented on the flesh instead of the spiritual; but with different modes of behavior and focus. ‘Esav was careless with his birthright, he lacked control and was easily persuaded to sell his birthright for a bowl of stew because he was hungry and exhausted, and he didn’t seem to care about G-d. Ya’akov was calculating and planned the method by which he would barter for the birthright and steal the blessing. He was controlling as well and used G-d and godly matters to manipulate for his own desires and purposes.
Watch G-d’s grace in retrospect toward these twins!
Hebrews 11:20, “By trusting, Yitz'chak in his blessings over Ya'akov and Esav made reference to events yet to come.”
In spite of their behavior, Yitz’chak still blessed both of them!
Even so, we must be careful to fulfill G-d’s calling on our lives and our unique purposes He has for us. He has made us each who He wants us to be; uniquely designed and chosen. We should decide to follow Him wholeheartedly to be more like Him rather than measuring ourselves to each other.
Further Reading:
1Kings 18:17-21, Isaiah 45:9-10, Romans 8:4-6, Ephesians 1:4-6, 1Corinthians 5:6, Hebrews 12:15-16, Revelation 1:6, 1Peter 2:9, Galatians 5:6, Hebrews 12:15, 1Samuel 20:18, Deuteronomy 30:4, Song of Songs 4:7, 2Corinthians 10:10-12
Sunday, October 31, 2010
Two Remarkable Characters of Character
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Summary by: Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
October 30, 2010
Genesis 24:1-4, By now Avraham was old, advanced in years; and ADONAI had blessed Avraham in everything. 2 Avraham said to the servant who had served him the longest, who was in charge of all he owned, "Put your hand under my thigh; 3 because I want you to swear by ADONAI, God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not choose a wife for my son from among the women of the Kena'ani, among whom I am living; 4 but that you will go to my homeland, to my kinsmen, to choose a wife for my son Yitz'chak."
We are introduced to Avraham’s servant; a nameless man who Avraham sent on a mission to find a wife for Yitz’chak from among Avraham’s kinsmen after the death of Sarah. Throughout this portion of Scripture, the Servant proves himself a man of G-d; faithful, humble and reliant of the L-rd’s direction.
When Avraham sent him on the mission, he encouraged the Servant to rely on the L-rd and to believe that direction would be given.
Genesis 24:7, “ADONAI, the God of heaven - who took me away from my father's house and away from the land I was born in, who spoke to me and swore to me, 'I will give this land to your descendants'- he will send his angel ahead of you; and you are to bring a wife for my son from there.”
With a positive attitude and expectation the Servant proceeded into homeland of Avraham’s kinsmen. He was determined to stick to the plan laid out for him to find a wife for Yitz’chak. And as he was seeking the L-rd for direction, something amazing happened. The L-rd answered his prayer even before he was finished praying!
Genesis 24:12-15, He said, "ADONAI, God of my master Avraham, please let me succeed today; and show your grace to my master Avraham. 13 Here I am, standing by the spring, as the daughters of the townsfolk come out to draw water. 14 I will say to one of the girls, 'Please lower your jug, so that I can drink.' If she answers, 'Yes, drink; and I will water your camels as well,' then let her be the one you intend for your servant Yitz'chak. This is how I will know that you have shown grace to my master." 15 Before he had finished speaking, Rivkah the daughter of B'tu'el son of Milkah the wife of Nachor Avraham's brother, came out with her jug on her shoulder.
Amazing! Has the L-rd ever answered your prayer even before you were finished praying? Have we noticed that He may be working toward the answer even before we can ask?
Isaiah 65:24, Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Avraham’s servant watched Rivkah’s response to his request for water. Would she follow her provision of water for him with an offer to water the camels as well?
Genesis 24:19-21, When she was through letting him drink, she said, "I will also draw water for your camels until they have drunk their fill." 20 She quickly emptied her jug into the trough, then ran again to the well to draw water, and kept on drawing water for all his camels. 21 The man gazed at her in silence, waiting to find out whether ADONAI had made his trip successful or not.
Yes! She offered to provide water for the camels as well! Not only did she offer she ran to the well and quickly provided the water for all ten camels! Notice her character. She was not sluggish in her response, but quickly provided water even running to and from the well. What was it about his beautiful young woman that would give her the incentive to respond to generously and considerately? Had the L-rd been preparing her to be the wife of His Yitz’chak for her whole life?
Notice the Servant’s response to answered prayer.
Genesis 24:26-27, The man bowed his head and prostrated himself before ADONAI. 27 Then he said, "Blessed be ADONAI, God of my master Avraham, who has not abandoned his faithful love for my master; because ADONAI has guided me to the house of my master's kinsmen."
He worshipped and blessed the L-rd!
Rivkah was included in the decision to become Yitz’chak’s wife. When her family attempted to delay the process, she was given the opportunity to choose for herself and she chose to follow the L-rd and go with the Servant. Perhaps she had confirmation from the L-rd in her heart and had taken note of the Servant’s character so as to feel confident in her choice.
Genesis 24:62-67, Meanwhile, Yitz'chak, one evening after coming along the road from Be'er-Lachai-Ro'i - he was living in the Negev - 63 went out walking in the field; and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. 64 Rivkah too looked up; and when she saw Yitz'chak, she quickly dismounted the camel. 65 She said to the servant,"Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?"When the servant replied, "It's my master," she took her veil and covered herself. 66 The servant told Yitz'chak everything he had done. 67 Then Yitz'chak brought her into his mother Sarah's tent and took Rivkah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. Thus was Yitz'chak comforted for the loss of his mother.
A successful journey and answered prayer provided a wife for Yitz’chak. Rivkah and Yitz’chak were married and Yitz’chak was comforted after his mother’s death. Rivkah and Yitz’chak didn’t know one another at first but grew in their love. Their marriage was successful because of the L-rd’s provision and their dedication to Him and to each other.
Summary by: Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
October 30, 2010
Genesis 24:1-4, By now Avraham was old, advanced in years; and ADONAI had blessed Avraham in everything. 2 Avraham said to the servant who had served him the longest, who was in charge of all he owned, "Put your hand under my thigh; 3 because I want you to swear by ADONAI, God of heaven and God of the earth, that you will not choose a wife for my son from among the women of the Kena'ani, among whom I am living; 4 but that you will go to my homeland, to my kinsmen, to choose a wife for my son Yitz'chak."
We are introduced to Avraham’s servant; a nameless man who Avraham sent on a mission to find a wife for Yitz’chak from among Avraham’s kinsmen after the death of Sarah. Throughout this portion of Scripture, the Servant proves himself a man of G-d; faithful, humble and reliant of the L-rd’s direction.
When Avraham sent him on the mission, he encouraged the Servant to rely on the L-rd and to believe that direction would be given.
Genesis 24:7, “ADONAI, the God of heaven - who took me away from my father's house and away from the land I was born in, who spoke to me and swore to me, 'I will give this land to your descendants'- he will send his angel ahead of you; and you are to bring a wife for my son from there.”
With a positive attitude and expectation the Servant proceeded into homeland of Avraham’s kinsmen. He was determined to stick to the plan laid out for him to find a wife for Yitz’chak. And as he was seeking the L-rd for direction, something amazing happened. The L-rd answered his prayer even before he was finished praying!
Genesis 24:12-15, He said, "ADONAI, God of my master Avraham, please let me succeed today; and show your grace to my master Avraham. 13 Here I am, standing by the spring, as the daughters of the townsfolk come out to draw water. 14 I will say to one of the girls, 'Please lower your jug, so that I can drink.' If she answers, 'Yes, drink; and I will water your camels as well,' then let her be the one you intend for your servant Yitz'chak. This is how I will know that you have shown grace to my master." 15 Before he had finished speaking, Rivkah the daughter of B'tu'el son of Milkah the wife of Nachor Avraham's brother, came out with her jug on her shoulder.
Amazing! Has the L-rd ever answered your prayer even before you were finished praying? Have we noticed that He may be working toward the answer even before we can ask?
Isaiah 65:24, Before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Avraham’s servant watched Rivkah’s response to his request for water. Would she follow her provision of water for him with an offer to water the camels as well?
Genesis 24:19-21, When she was through letting him drink, she said, "I will also draw water for your camels until they have drunk their fill." 20 She quickly emptied her jug into the trough, then ran again to the well to draw water, and kept on drawing water for all his camels. 21 The man gazed at her in silence, waiting to find out whether ADONAI had made his trip successful or not.
Yes! She offered to provide water for the camels as well! Not only did she offer she ran to the well and quickly provided the water for all ten camels! Notice her character. She was not sluggish in her response, but quickly provided water even running to and from the well. What was it about his beautiful young woman that would give her the incentive to respond to generously and considerately? Had the L-rd been preparing her to be the wife of His Yitz’chak for her whole life?
Notice the Servant’s response to answered prayer.
Genesis 24:26-27, The man bowed his head and prostrated himself before ADONAI. 27 Then he said, "Blessed be ADONAI, God of my master Avraham, who has not abandoned his faithful love for my master; because ADONAI has guided me to the house of my master's kinsmen."
He worshipped and blessed the L-rd!
Rivkah was included in the decision to become Yitz’chak’s wife. When her family attempted to delay the process, she was given the opportunity to choose for herself and she chose to follow the L-rd and go with the Servant. Perhaps she had confirmation from the L-rd in her heart and had taken note of the Servant’s character so as to feel confident in her choice.
Genesis 24:62-67, Meanwhile, Yitz'chak, one evening after coming along the road from Be'er-Lachai-Ro'i - he was living in the Negev - 63 went out walking in the field; and as he looked up, he saw camels approaching. 64 Rivkah too looked up; and when she saw Yitz'chak, she quickly dismounted the camel. 65 She said to the servant,"Who is this man walking in the field to meet us?"When the servant replied, "It's my master," she took her veil and covered herself. 66 The servant told Yitz'chak everything he had done. 67 Then Yitz'chak brought her into his mother Sarah's tent and took Rivkah, and she became his wife, and he loved her. Thus was Yitz'chak comforted for the loss of his mother.
A successful journey and answered prayer provided a wife for Yitz’chak. Rivkah and Yitz’chak were married and Yitz’chak was comforted after his mother’s death. Rivkah and Yitz’chak didn’t know one another at first but grew in their love. Their marriage was successful because of the L-rd’s provision and their dedication to Him and to each other.
Sunday, October 17, 2010
The Separation and Reconciliation of Lot
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Summary by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
October 16, 2010
Genesis 13:7-8, Moreover, quarreling arose between Avram's and Lot's herdsmen. The Kena'ani and the P'rizi were then living in the land. 8 Avram said to Lot, "Please, let's not have quarreling between me and you, or between my herdsmen and yours, since we're kinsmen.”
The Hebrew word for kinsmen is achim which means brothers or brethren. God’s greatest testimony is the love we have for each other as well as our harmony, oneness and unity in the Body of Messiah. How we fall short! Our Lord Yeshua Himself prayed in John 17:21-23, “that they may all be one. Just as you, Father, are united with me and I with you, I pray that they may be united with us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. 22 The glory which you have given to me, I have given to them; so that they may be one, just as we are one -- 23 I united with them and you with me, so that they may be completely one, and the world thus realize that you sent me, and that you have loved them just as you have loved me.” This oneness will outdo anything the secular world has to offer.
Our adversary knows that when we live in this kind of unity; the unity that only the Holy Spirit can bring, that the world will know the Love of our Lord! So he counters us with discord because it discredits us and our testimony.
Notice in the passage above that the Kena’ani and the P’rizi were living in the land; peacefully and without conflict. It was Lot and Avram who were quarreling!
Genesis 13:9-12, “Isn't the whole land there in front of you? Please separate yourself from me - if you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left." 10 Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Yarden was well watered everywhere, before ADONAI destroyed S'dom and 'Amora, like the garden of ADONAI, like the land of Egypt in the direction of Tzo'ar. 11 So Lot chose all the plain of the Yarden for himself, and Lot traveled eastward; thus they separated themselves from each other. 12 Avram lived in the land of Kena'an; and Lot lived in the cities of the plain, setting up his tent near S'dom.”
Avram was “not I-but Messiah” oriented and Lot was “I-not Messiah” oriented. Lot chose the territory by what he thought he’d get for himself and Avram trusted the Lord for what Lot didn’t take. When Lot was taken captive, Avram could have easily said he got what he deserved, but Avram armed his people and went to get Lot out of the mess he had gotten into.
What opportunity do I have to behave like Avram; to show the same grace to rescue someone who has failed? Or have I been rescued like Lot by my kinsmen in Messiah who showed me grace when I had fallen short?
Do we cover and build each other up? Are we quick to judge or do we easily recognize that “it could have been me”?
2Peter 2:7-8, “but he rescued Lot, a righteous man who was distressed by the debauchery of those unprincipled people; 8 for the wicked deeds which that righteous man saw and heard, as he lived among them, tormented his righteous heart day after day.”
Notice the description of Lot in the passage! Three times Lot is referred to as righteous!
Our Lord restores what we have messed up. Can He not mend our bad choices? The answer is YES as we seek Him and go after Him.
An evidence that we belong to Him is that when we do fail (and we will and do), that we are convicted and return to Him.
Proverbs 24:16, “For though he falls seven times, he will get up again; it's the wicked who fail under stress.” and 1John 2:1-2, “My children, I am writing you these things so that you won't sin. But if anyone does sin, we have Yeshua the Messiah, the Tzaddik, who pleads our cause with the Father. 2 Also, he is the kapparah for our sins - and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.”
Our righteousness comes from Him. He is over covering, our kapparah, and we are made holy through His grace.
Conversely, the unrighteous sin without remorse, but the righteous can’t get away with sin (at least not for very long) because like David, the Holy Spirit is in our hearts. See Psalm 73.
So how do we live in the oneness of Messiah? How can we be more like Avram? By putting our flesh on the altar! Avram sacrificed his desires and put his faith in the Lord to provide. His humility and testimony outweighed his preference and prosperity.
Proverbs 22:4, “The reward for humility is fear of ADONAI, along with wealth, honor and life.” Avram operated in God’s economy that as we decrease, He will increase. It should also be noted that if we increase in our own strength, He shall cause us to decrease!
Genesis 15:1-6, “Some time later the word of ADONAI came to Avram in a vision: "Don't be afraid, Avram. I am your protector; your reward will be very great." 2 Avram replied, "ADONAI, God, what good will your gifts be to me if I continue childless; and Eli'ezer from Dammesek inherits my possessions? 3 You haven't given me a child," Avram continued, "so someone born in my house will be my heir." 4 But the word of ADONAI came to him: "This man will not be your heir. No, your heir will be a child from your own body." 5 Then he brought him outside and said, "Look up at the sky, and count the stars - if you can count them! Your descendants will be that many!" 6 He believed in ADONAI, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
The Hebrew word for ‘look’ is ‘nabat’ which means to gaze, look, pay attention, show regard to, but it also means ‘look down upon’. Avram was dwelling on childlessness, his circumstance and that maybe it was too late for him. The Lord interrupted him and said ‘not so’ Avram! The Lord invited him to see from His perspective, to look at the stars from His viewpoint with eyes that are eternal rather than temporal. When Avram took to heart the Lord’s viewpoint after gazing at the stars and hearing the promise that his descendants would be that many, Avram believed G-d! He put his trust in Him and it was at that point when he rested in G-d’s Faithfulness that it was counted or ‘chashab’ to him as righteousness.
This week, may we have an eternal view like Avram, trusting the Lord and dreaming with Him. His dream for Avram was overwhelming and His dreams for us can be as well. Lord help us be overwhelmed by what we can believe You for!
Further reading: 1Samuel 18:1-4, 20:17, Proverbs 17:17, 18:24, and 16:19, John 12:24, Matthew 16:25, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Philippians 2:3-4, Romans 8:16, Psalm 37:24, Matthew 5:9, Hebrews 12:14, 13:1, Colossians 1:20-21, James 4:10, Isaiah 56:11, 1Corinthians 10:24.
Summary by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
October 16, 2010
Genesis 13:7-8, Moreover, quarreling arose between Avram's and Lot's herdsmen. The Kena'ani and the P'rizi were then living in the land. 8 Avram said to Lot, "Please, let's not have quarreling between me and you, or between my herdsmen and yours, since we're kinsmen.”
The Hebrew word for kinsmen is achim which means brothers or brethren. God’s greatest testimony is the love we have for each other as well as our harmony, oneness and unity in the Body of Messiah. How we fall short! Our Lord Yeshua Himself prayed in John 17:21-23, “that they may all be one. Just as you, Father, are united with me and I with you, I pray that they may be united with us, so that the world may believe that you sent me. 22 The glory which you have given to me, I have given to them; so that they may be one, just as we are one -- 23 I united with them and you with me, so that they may be completely one, and the world thus realize that you sent me, and that you have loved them just as you have loved me.” This oneness will outdo anything the secular world has to offer.
Our adversary knows that when we live in this kind of unity; the unity that only the Holy Spirit can bring, that the world will know the Love of our Lord! So he counters us with discord because it discredits us and our testimony.
Notice in the passage above that the Kena’ani and the P’rizi were living in the land; peacefully and without conflict. It was Lot and Avram who were quarreling!
Genesis 13:9-12, “Isn't the whole land there in front of you? Please separate yourself from me - if you go to the left, I will go to the right; if you go to the right, I will go to the left." 10 Lot looked up and saw that the whole plain of the Yarden was well watered everywhere, before ADONAI destroyed S'dom and 'Amora, like the garden of ADONAI, like the land of Egypt in the direction of Tzo'ar. 11 So Lot chose all the plain of the Yarden for himself, and Lot traveled eastward; thus they separated themselves from each other. 12 Avram lived in the land of Kena'an; and Lot lived in the cities of the plain, setting up his tent near S'dom.”
Avram was “not I-but Messiah” oriented and Lot was “I-not Messiah” oriented. Lot chose the territory by what he thought he’d get for himself and Avram trusted the Lord for what Lot didn’t take. When Lot was taken captive, Avram could have easily said he got what he deserved, but Avram armed his people and went to get Lot out of the mess he had gotten into.
What opportunity do I have to behave like Avram; to show the same grace to rescue someone who has failed? Or have I been rescued like Lot by my kinsmen in Messiah who showed me grace when I had fallen short?
Do we cover and build each other up? Are we quick to judge or do we easily recognize that “it could have been me”?
2Peter 2:7-8, “but he rescued Lot, a righteous man who was distressed by the debauchery of those unprincipled people; 8 for the wicked deeds which that righteous man saw and heard, as he lived among them, tormented his righteous heart day after day.”
Notice the description of Lot in the passage! Three times Lot is referred to as righteous!
Our Lord restores what we have messed up. Can He not mend our bad choices? The answer is YES as we seek Him and go after Him.
An evidence that we belong to Him is that when we do fail (and we will and do), that we are convicted and return to Him.
Proverbs 24:16, “For though he falls seven times, he will get up again; it's the wicked who fail under stress.” and 1John 2:1-2, “My children, I am writing you these things so that you won't sin. But if anyone does sin, we have Yeshua the Messiah, the Tzaddik, who pleads our cause with the Father. 2 Also, he is the kapparah for our sins - and not only for ours, but also for those of the whole world.”
Our righteousness comes from Him. He is over covering, our kapparah, and we are made holy through His grace.
Conversely, the unrighteous sin without remorse, but the righteous can’t get away with sin (at least not for very long) because like David, the Holy Spirit is in our hearts. See Psalm 73.
So how do we live in the oneness of Messiah? How can we be more like Avram? By putting our flesh on the altar! Avram sacrificed his desires and put his faith in the Lord to provide. His humility and testimony outweighed his preference and prosperity.
Proverbs 22:4, “The reward for humility is fear of ADONAI, along with wealth, honor and life.” Avram operated in God’s economy that as we decrease, He will increase. It should also be noted that if we increase in our own strength, He shall cause us to decrease!
Genesis 15:1-6, “Some time later the word of ADONAI came to Avram in a vision: "Don't be afraid, Avram. I am your protector; your reward will be very great." 2 Avram replied, "ADONAI, God, what good will your gifts be to me if I continue childless; and Eli'ezer from Dammesek inherits my possessions? 3 You haven't given me a child," Avram continued, "so someone born in my house will be my heir." 4 But the word of ADONAI came to him: "This man will not be your heir. No, your heir will be a child from your own body." 5 Then he brought him outside and said, "Look up at the sky, and count the stars - if you can count them! Your descendants will be that many!" 6 He believed in ADONAI, and he credited it to him as righteousness.”
The Hebrew word for ‘look’ is ‘nabat’ which means to gaze, look, pay attention, show regard to, but it also means ‘look down upon’. Avram was dwelling on childlessness, his circumstance and that maybe it was too late for him. The Lord interrupted him and said ‘not so’ Avram! The Lord invited him to see from His perspective, to look at the stars from His viewpoint with eyes that are eternal rather than temporal. When Avram took to heart the Lord’s viewpoint after gazing at the stars and hearing the promise that his descendants would be that many, Avram believed G-d! He put his trust in Him and it was at that point when he rested in G-d’s Faithfulness that it was counted or ‘chashab’ to him as righteousness.
This week, may we have an eternal view like Avram, trusting the Lord and dreaming with Him. His dream for Avram was overwhelming and His dreams for us can be as well. Lord help us be overwhelmed by what we can believe You for!
Further reading: 1Samuel 18:1-4, 20:17, Proverbs 17:17, 18:24, and 16:19, John 12:24, Matthew 16:25, 2 Corinthians 8:9, Philippians 2:3-4, Romans 8:16, Psalm 37:24, Matthew 5:9, Hebrews 12:14, 13:1, Colossians 1:20-21, James 4:10, Isaiah 56:11, 1Corinthians 10:24.
Monday, September 13, 2010
Consider the Latter End
9/11/10 Ha Azinu! (give ear!) Parashot: Dvarim (Deuteronomy) 32:1-52 (emphasis on verses 5-6,10-15, 18, 20, 29, 31, 36. Haf Torah: Hos 14: 1-9, Joel 2:15-17, 21, 23,27. Brit Hadasha: 1 Jn 1:6-19, Rev. 22:1-5, 12,13.
Message: Rabbi Ken Alpren, summarized by Val Waters, Sofer
Rabbi Ken began by reminding us that 2,996 people were killed, representing 70 different nations 9 years ago today, when Al-Queda attacked the World Trade Center in New York City using 2 hijacked public airplanes ( (3rd plane hit the Pentagon, and a 4th landed in PA field, unsuccessfully attempting to hit Washington D.C.). He asked us if we remembered where we were when we first heard about the attack, and shared that at that time he was ministering in FL, and later learned that the facility where he had taken one flight lesson was also had been where the Al Queda pilots had been trained.
Yom Teruah, last Thursday, the Jewish month of Tishri began, and this current Shabbat is Shabbat Shuvah the Sabbath of return to the LORD. Currently Jewish people are preparing their hearts in repentance for the 10 days of awe (Yamim Noraim) that lead up to the annual ‘national’ repentance and forgiveness that occurs next Shabbat, on Yom Kippur,
We are to ‘give ear’ to the farewell song of Moses, because it was not just a ‘feel good’ song, but a TRUTH song, including the children of Israel’s need to be wise and prudent so they could heed the LORD’s warning of their latter end in the song. verses 5,6
“They have acted corruptly toward Him, They are not His children, because of their defect; But are a perverse and crooked
generation. “Do you thus repay the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is not He your Father who has bought you? He
has made you and established you.’
Moses adds in verse 29: “Would that they were wise, that they understood this, That they would discern their future!”
Hosea adds in 14:9: “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For
the ways of the LORD are right, And the righteous will walk in them, But transgressors will stumble in them.”
D’varim 8:16: “In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He
might test you, to do good for you in the end..”
James 5:11 “We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome
of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.”
Proverbs 5:4, (bitter as wormwood),
2 Peter 2:20 (the last state is worse)
We cannot forget that sin has a pay day…the wages of sin are death: on Yom Hadin, the Day of Judgment. We must consider the end of all things.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 “For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”
With all of this in mind, we were told to remember that the Hebrew word SHUV, which means to turn, can mean both turning TO the LORD and also AWAY from Him.
There is always purpose in the LORD’s plans for us…He brings and allows circumstances to remind us to turn TO Him; Joel 2:25 promises that the years the locusts ate will be restored to us, and lists several kinds of locust destruction!
King David had a heart after God, yet he sinned. But David always wept over his sin and repented and KEPT after the LORD, and came back into close relationship with Him. In D’varim 23:5, we remember that the LORD God was not willing to listen to Balaam “but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the LORD your God loves you.”
Yet it still comes down to whether or not we chooses the LORD. Either way, judgment is coming, Everyone will be judged. Do we want to live our lives in such a way of relationship with and obedience to Him that we are not ashamed when He returns? We are all hypocrites at times, but do we want to live a life of hypocrisy?
1 John 1:6,7 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of
Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 2:28 “Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in
shame at His coming.”
Or do we want the full reward, when Yeshua says: “well done, good and faithful servant”? Praise the LORD, for we have been a faithful advocate in Messiah Yeshua who helps us! We are to lean on Him, for He NEVER quits on us!
Proverbs 24:16: “For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.”
Jude 24: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory
blameless with great joy,”
1 John 2:1 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an
Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”
Hebrews 11:25 “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives
to make intercession for them.”
Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”
1 John 4:17 “By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is,
so also are we in this world.”
Even thought, we know through Ecclesiastes 12:13 “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.”, we are free to speak of His love and our salvation, because, just like Him, Yeshua, we are accepted by the LORD, in His righteousness!
Joel 2: 26,27 “You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt
wondrously with you; Then My people will never be put to shame. Thus you will know that I am in the midst of
Israel, And that I am the LORD your God, And there is no other; And My people will never be put to shame.”
This was also predicted through Moses in his farewell song!
D’varim 32:39 “‘See now that I, I am He, And there is no god besides Me; It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is
I who heal, And there is no one who can deliver from My hand.”
And what do we receive, through Messiah Yeshua, like Him? Resurrection from death…to eternal life! We were delivered unto death so that we could LIVE for Him!
2 Timothy 2: 11,12 “It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will
also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;”
Philippians 3:10,11 “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being
conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Hosea 6:1 “Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.”
The LORD is concerned with our growing. He uses what others mean for evil and He means it for good. The growing, however, is often only found through PAIN! and Later we have the GLORY! (Romans 8:18) Remember Joel 2:25 lists all 3 kinds of locusts…and concludes with “My great army which I sent among you.” the LORD SENT the army! He wants NATURAL love and patience killed in us so that we can have and walk in and share SUPERNATURAL love and patience!
Galatians 2:20, John 3:30, 2 Corinthians 2:10-12. All of this so we can be LIGHT!!! To the world!
Daniel 12:3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Phillipians 2:10-12 ” Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among
whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will
have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”
We are not here for ourselves, but for the LORD and for others. May we have such a moment to SHINE for them!
----------------------------------------
our guest worship leaders for this Shabbat were Zemer Levav, please enjoy their music as we did www.zemerlevav.org
also show at the service, Matisyahu’s video of One Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRmBChQjZPs
Message: Rabbi Ken Alpren, summarized by Val Waters, Sofer
Rabbi Ken began by reminding us that 2,996 people were killed, representing 70 different nations 9 years ago today, when Al-Queda attacked the World Trade Center in New York City using 2 hijacked public airplanes ( (3rd plane hit the Pentagon, and a 4th landed in PA field, unsuccessfully attempting to hit Washington D.C.). He asked us if we remembered where we were when we first heard about the attack, and shared that at that time he was ministering in FL, and later learned that the facility where he had taken one flight lesson was also had been where the Al Queda pilots had been trained.
Yom Teruah, last Thursday, the Jewish month of Tishri began, and this current Shabbat is Shabbat Shuvah the Sabbath of return to the LORD. Currently Jewish people are preparing their hearts in repentance for the 10 days of awe (Yamim Noraim) that lead up to the annual ‘national’ repentance and forgiveness that occurs next Shabbat, on Yom Kippur,
We are to ‘give ear’ to the farewell song of Moses, because it was not just a ‘feel good’ song, but a TRUTH song, including the children of Israel’s need to be wise and prudent so they could heed the LORD’s warning of their latter end in the song. verses 5,6
“They have acted corruptly toward Him, They are not His children, because of their defect; But are a perverse and crooked
generation. “Do you thus repay the LORD, O foolish and unwise people? Is not He your Father who has bought you? He
has made you and established you.’
Moses adds in verse 29: “Would that they were wise, that they understood this, That they would discern their future!”
Hosea adds in 14:9: “Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; Whoever is discerning, let him know them. For
the ways of the LORD are right, And the righteous will walk in them, But transgressors will stumble in them.”
D’varim 8:16: “In the wilderness He fed you manna which your fathers did not know, that He might humble you and that He
might test you, to do good for you in the end..”
James 5:11 “We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome
of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.”
Proverbs 5:4, (bitter as wormwood),
2 Peter 2:20 (the last state is worse)
We cannot forget that sin has a pay day…the wages of sin are death: on Yom Hadin, the Day of Judgment. We must consider the end of all things.
Ecclesiastes 12:14 “For God will bring every act to judgment, everything which is hidden, whether it is good or evil.”
With all of this in mind, we were told to remember that the Hebrew word SHUV, which means to turn, can mean both turning TO the LORD and also AWAY from Him.
There is always purpose in the LORD’s plans for us…He brings and allows circumstances to remind us to turn TO Him; Joel 2:25 promises that the years the locusts ate will be restored to us, and lists several kinds of locust destruction!
King David had a heart after God, yet he sinned. But David always wept over his sin and repented and KEPT after the LORD, and came back into close relationship with Him. In D’varim 23:5, we remember that the LORD God was not willing to listen to Balaam “but the LORD your God turned the curse into a blessing for you because the LORD your God loves you.”
Yet it still comes down to whether or not we chooses the LORD. Either way, judgment is coming, Everyone will be judged. Do we want to live our lives in such a way of relationship with and obedience to Him that we are not ashamed when He returns? We are all hypocrites at times, but do we want to live a life of hypocrisy?
1 John 1:6,7 “If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth;
but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of
Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin.”
1 John 2:28 “Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in
shame at His coming.”
Or do we want the full reward, when Yeshua says: “well done, good and faithful servant”? Praise the LORD, for we have been a faithful advocate in Messiah Yeshua who helps us! We are to lean on Him, for He NEVER quits on us!
Proverbs 24:16: “For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises again, But the wicked stumble in time of calamity.”
Jude 24: “Now to Him who is able to keep you from stumbling, and to make you stand in the presence of His glory
blameless with great joy,”
1 John 2:1 “My little children, I am writing these things to you so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an
Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous”
Hebrews 11:25 “Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives
to make intercession for them.”
Romans 8:31 “What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who is against us?”
1 John 4:17 “By this, love is perfected with us, so that we may have confidence in the day of judgment; because as He is,
so also are we in this world.”
Even thought, we know through Ecclesiastes 12:13 “The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person.”, we are free to speak of His love and our salvation, because, just like Him, Yeshua, we are accepted by the LORD, in His righteousness!
Joel 2: 26,27 “You will have plenty to eat and be satisfied And praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt
wondrously with you; Then My people will never be put to shame. Thus you will know that I am in the midst of
Israel, And that I am the LORD your God, And there is no other; And My people will never be put to shame.”
This was also predicted through Moses in his farewell song!
D’varim 32:39 “‘See now that I, I am He, And there is no god besides Me; It is I who put to death and give life. I have wounded and it is
I who heal, And there is no one who can deliver from My hand.”
And what do we receive, through Messiah Yeshua, like Him? Resurrection from death…to eternal life! We were delivered unto death so that we could LIVE for Him!
2 Timothy 2: 11,12 “It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; If we endure, we will
also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us;”
Philippians 3:10,11 “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection and the fellowship of His sufferings, being
conformed to His death; in order that I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”
Hosea 6:1 “Come, let us return to the LORD. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.”
The LORD is concerned with our growing. He uses what others mean for evil and He means it for good. The growing, however, is often only found through PAIN! and Later we have the GLORY! (Romans 8:18) Remember Joel 2:25 lists all 3 kinds of locusts…and concludes with “My great army which I sent among you.” the LORD SENT the army! He wants NATURAL love and patience killed in us so that we can have and walk in and share SUPERNATURAL love and patience!
Galatians 2:20, John 3:30, 2 Corinthians 2:10-12. All of this so we can be LIGHT!!! To the world!
Daniel 12:3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Phillipians 2:10-12 ” Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among
whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will
have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain.”
We are not here for ourselves, but for the LORD and for others. May we have such a moment to SHINE for them!
----------------------------------------
our guest worship leaders for this Shabbat were Zemer Levav, please enjoy their music as we did www.zemerlevav.org
also show at the service, Matisyahu’s video of One Day http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WRmBChQjZPs
Sunday, September 5, 2010
The Difference between Tradition and Truth
Rabbi Ken Alpren
Summary by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
September 4, 2010
"Today you are standing, all of you, before ADONAI your God - your heads, your tribes, your leaders and your officers - all the men of Isra'el” Deuteronomy 29:10
We are standing in His grace, standing in warfare and standing in our deeds. We stand in His grace positionally, not on our merit or what we have done, but in His righteousness based upon His finished work and atoning sacrifice. Romans 5:2, “Also through him and on the ground of our trust, we have gained access to this grace in which we stand; so let us boast about the hope of experiencing God's glory.” See also 1Corinthians 1:30, 1Peter 5:12, Jeremiah 23:5-6.
When we stand in warfare, His power is made available to us through prayer or ‘na’ in Hebrew derived from the Hebrew word for war. We will also stand before Him in our deeds at the Bema. 2Corinthians 5:9-10, “Therefore, whether at home or away from home, we try our utmost to please him; 10 for we must all appear before the Messiah's court of judgment, where everyone will receive the good or bad consequences of what he did while he was in the body.” See also Romans 14:10-12
Traditions can be good or bad. They are good if they enhance the Word of G-d, provide structure, good memories, give anchor or security to truth, or connect us to family and history. Traditions are bad when they are placed on par with Scripture or even replace the Word of G-d and lead us away from truth or keep us in the dark.
Colossians 2:8, “Watch out, so that no one will take you captive by means of philosophy and empty deceit, following human tradition which accords with the elemental spirits of the world but does not accord with the Messiah.”
What does tradition teach regarding the Yomim Norai’im or the Days of Awe?
It is believed there are three books opened before G-d the Judge during the this time; the Book of Righteous, Wicked and In Between. During the Days of Awe, it is believed as tradition that the books are opened and names are written in the Book of Life based upon three methods of atonement whereby forgiveness can be secured and atonement made. The goal is to have one’s name inscribed and sealed for the next year through acts of repentance (teshuva), prayer (tefillah) and charity (tzedakah) tipping the scales in one’s favor. Psalm 118:19-20, “Open the gates of righteousness for me; I will enter them and thank Yah. 20 This is the gate of ADONAI; the righteous can enter it.”
These are the traditions for attaining atonement and securing salvation based upon tradition. But what does the Word of G-d say?
Psalm 119:89, “Your word continues forever, ADONAI, firmly fixed in heaven.” Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
What are the books from G-d on earth?
The Tanakh consists of the Torah (Law or first five books), Navi’im (the prophets) and Ketubim (the writings) and the Brit Chadasha (New Covenant) consists of the Gospel, Acts, Letters and Apocalypse. And unlike traditional Judaism, there is also the Lamb’s Book of Life (Sefer HaChayim) and a Book of Remembrance (Sefer HaZikaron). See Revelation 20:15, Luke 10:20 and Malachi 3:16.
What does the Word of G-d really teach us about our names being written and sealed in The Book of Life?
Our names are written based upon His atonement for us rather than our atonement for ourselves! Ephesians 1:13-14, “Furthermore, you who heard the message of the truth, the Good News offering you deliverance, and put your trust in the Messiah were sealed by him with the promised Ruach HaKodesh, 14 who guarantees our inheritance until we come into possession of it and thus bring him praise commensurate with his glory.”
Titus 3:5, “he delivered us. It was not on the ground of any righteous deeds we had done, but on the ground of his own mercy. He did it by means of the mikveh of rebirth and the renewal brought about by the Ruach HaKodesh”. See also James 1:18, 1Peter 1:23, John 5:24.
This is the hope we can live in and share with others! There is a way, His Way, for our names to be written in The Book of Life, not just for a year, but forever!
Looking closely at Deuteronomy 30:1-6, we can see that this is G-d plan for His people and for us. Israel was dispersed due to disobedience, she will remember and return to the Land (which is already occurring), she will obey the L-rd because she has returned and He has shown her mercy, her heart will be circumcised, Israel’s enemies will be judged and she will receive the full blessing of the L-rd. The circumcision of her heart and ours is by our Heavenly Moil creating an inward renewal and a desire to please Him than to sin At this point, Israel corporately and us individually will love the L-rd with all our hearts and all our beings and we will live.
Further Reading: Deuteronomy 31:10-13, 24-26, Micah 4:1-2, Psalm 119-9-16, 1Timothy 4:13,16, 2Timothy 3:16-17, Colossians 2:11, Romans 2:29, Philippians 2:13, Jeremiah 4:4, Jeremiah 17:5-8, Isaiah 8:20
Summary by Teresa Bennett, Pharm.D.
September 4, 2010
"Today you are standing, all of you, before ADONAI your God - your heads, your tribes, your leaders and your officers - all the men of Isra'el” Deuteronomy 29:10
We are standing in His grace, standing in warfare and standing in our deeds. We stand in His grace positionally, not on our merit or what we have done, but in His righteousness based upon His finished work and atoning sacrifice. Romans 5:2, “Also through him and on the ground of our trust, we have gained access to this grace in which we stand; so let us boast about the hope of experiencing God's glory.” See also 1Corinthians 1:30, 1Peter 5:12, Jeremiah 23:5-6.
When we stand in warfare, His power is made available to us through prayer or ‘na’ in Hebrew derived from the Hebrew word for war. We will also stand before Him in our deeds at the Bema. 2Corinthians 5:9-10, “Therefore, whether at home or away from home, we try our utmost to please him; 10 for we must all appear before the Messiah's court of judgment, where everyone will receive the good or bad consequences of what he did while he was in the body.” See also Romans 14:10-12
Traditions can be good or bad. They are good if they enhance the Word of G-d, provide structure, good memories, give anchor or security to truth, or connect us to family and history. Traditions are bad when they are placed on par with Scripture or even replace the Word of G-d and lead us away from truth or keep us in the dark.
Colossians 2:8, “Watch out, so that no one will take you captive by means of philosophy and empty deceit, following human tradition which accords with the elemental spirits of the world but does not accord with the Messiah.”
What does tradition teach regarding the Yomim Norai’im or the Days of Awe?
It is believed there are three books opened before G-d the Judge during the this time; the Book of Righteous, Wicked and In Between. During the Days of Awe, it is believed as tradition that the books are opened and names are written in the Book of Life based upon three methods of atonement whereby forgiveness can be secured and atonement made. The goal is to have one’s name inscribed and sealed for the next year through acts of repentance (teshuva), prayer (tefillah) and charity (tzedakah) tipping the scales in one’s favor. Psalm 118:19-20, “Open the gates of righteousness for me; I will enter them and thank Yah. 20 This is the gate of ADONAI; the righteous can enter it.”
These are the traditions for attaining atonement and securing salvation based upon tradition. But what does the Word of G-d say?
Psalm 119:89, “Your word continues forever, ADONAI, firmly fixed in heaven.” Matthew 24:35, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will never pass away.”
What are the books from G-d on earth?
The Tanakh consists of the Torah (Law or first five books), Navi’im (the prophets) and Ketubim (the writings) and the Brit Chadasha (New Covenant) consists of the Gospel, Acts, Letters and Apocalypse. And unlike traditional Judaism, there is also the Lamb’s Book of Life (Sefer HaChayim) and a Book of Remembrance (Sefer HaZikaron). See Revelation 20:15, Luke 10:20 and Malachi 3:16.
What does the Word of G-d really teach us about our names being written and sealed in The Book of Life?
Our names are written based upon His atonement for us rather than our atonement for ourselves! Ephesians 1:13-14, “Furthermore, you who heard the message of the truth, the Good News offering you deliverance, and put your trust in the Messiah were sealed by him with the promised Ruach HaKodesh, 14 who guarantees our inheritance until we come into possession of it and thus bring him praise commensurate with his glory.”
Titus 3:5, “he delivered us. It was not on the ground of any righteous deeds we had done, but on the ground of his own mercy. He did it by means of the mikveh of rebirth and the renewal brought about by the Ruach HaKodesh”. See also James 1:18, 1Peter 1:23, John 5:24.
This is the hope we can live in and share with others! There is a way, His Way, for our names to be written in The Book of Life, not just for a year, but forever!
Looking closely at Deuteronomy 30:1-6, we can see that this is G-d plan for His people and for us. Israel was dispersed due to disobedience, she will remember and return to the Land (which is already occurring), she will obey the L-rd because she has returned and He has shown her mercy, her heart will be circumcised, Israel’s enemies will be judged and she will receive the full blessing of the L-rd. The circumcision of her heart and ours is by our Heavenly Moil creating an inward renewal and a desire to please Him than to sin At this point, Israel corporately and us individually will love the L-rd with all our hearts and all our beings and we will live.
Further Reading: Deuteronomy 31:10-13, 24-26, Micah 4:1-2, Psalm 119-9-16, 1Timothy 4:13,16, 2Timothy 3:16-17, Colossians 2:11, Romans 2:29, Philippians 2:13, Jeremiah 4:4, Jeremiah 17:5-8, Isaiah 8:20
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
First Fruits / Blessing or Curse
8/28/10 Ki Tavo (When you enter in) D’varim (Deuteronomy) 26:1-29:9 (emphasis 26:1-10; 28:1-2, 13,15,62,64; 29:9;
Isaiah 50:1-28; Hebrews 11:32-40
compiled by Val Waters, sopher (scribe)
Midrash: Seth Budai
Psalm 119:137-144 Shabbat is our resting time to hide in Him, while He strengthens us (D’varim 8:3)
Psalm 121:3,4 We have a BIG God who doesn’t slumber or sleep, so we have no excuses (to give Him our all) because He gives us strength!
Teaching: Rabbi Ken Alpren
D’varim 26 is about the ceremony of First Fruits, or Bikkurim, which is covered in Mishnah Bikkurim 1:3.
Jewish farmers would tie a reed around the earliest ripening fruits from each of seven species (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates). and at harvest time those specific plants were brought in baskets and put on oxen and led in a procession of dancing and singing to Jerusalem to be presented to the Cohanim (priests) at the Temple. The ceremony included the reading aloud of D’varim 26:1-10.
D’varim 28 is about Israel being given the choice to obey God in the promised land and thus receive His blessing, (v2 “…and all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you…” v13 “and the LORD shall make you the head and not the tail and you only shall be above and you shall not be underneath, if you will listen…”) but if they would choose to disobey God, the curse was also spelled out clearly v62 “then you shall be left few in number whereas you were as the stars of heaven for multitude” v64 “…the LORD will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth…”).
Rabbi Ken reminded the congregation that if we honor God with our first and our best as in Proverbs 3:9 our harvest will overflow our barns; and if we give Him the whole (complete) tithe, in Malachi 4: 10, He will open for us the doors of heaven and pour out blessings that overflow!
Often we hear that the Old Covenant just says we have to love God, while the New Covenant says we love God because we want to; this implies that grace wasn’t active until after Yeshua redeemed us. Rabbi Ken pointed out that the Decalogue (Sh’mot 20) begins with “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt” the LORD is saying, I redeemed you…with the implication being that the Hebrews belonged to God, that He already proved his love to His people, and asked for their obedience in return. Grace started with God in the Old Covenant also!
We are considered His holy ones, saints, kiddushim because of of what God has already done through the blood of Yeshua! He has set us apart, wants us as pure fruit, purges out the old leaven (1 Cor 5); we are already ‘matza’ or cleansed of sin!
Positional Truth Experiential Truth
our standing our state
our union our communion
our position our experience
Eph. 1;3, Heb 7:9,10 Col 3:1,2 1 Jn 2:28 Jn 15:5,7,9, Gal 1:6, 2:4, 3:1-5
John 3:31, 8:23 Gal 5;1 Heb 2:1, 2 Pet 1:19
Watchman Nee’s book, Sit, Walk Stand summarizes the book of Ephesians and who we are: with Messiah we are dead, buried, risen and ascended and now sit with Him; we walk in His calling, in health; and we stand firm, not yielding to the adversary.
a brief summary of the three tithes required when living in the land of Israel:
crops 10% to Levites, who in turn tithe to Cohanim (priests)
main tithe, 2% to priests
1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th years, a second tithe, of which 9& eaten by owner (in Jerusalem)
3rd and 6th year, poor man’s tithe, they eat it at home
1 Tim 5:17, 1 Cor 6:17 : also tithing before Torah, Abraham to Melchizedek (Gen. 14).
Abel brought 1st fruits, Cain gave left-overs: we can miss God’s blessing by stingy giving, not freely given
We can bring ourselves as first fruits also…by prioritizing our time spent in His Word! search in it, meditate upon it, read speak it aloud; speak it out loudly! We are told to not neglect hi sword, As a new believer, Rabbi Ken was challenged to spend more time in the word and told that he would get better grades without more time spent in homework, just in the Word….and it worked! We are told to meditate day and night on His Word! 1 Pet 2:2, Psalm 119:11, Ps 1. 5 loaves and 2 fish fed 5,000! God’s power is a mystery to natural man, Don’t skip worship services and expect the blessings: have company? bring them along as a testimony to your faith! Most people try giving on in crises, the LORD asks for your first fruits, not your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th best.
1 Thes 5:17, Luke 18:1 There is no formula that man can copy, the LORD’s blessings and growth and healing are supernatural!
In D’varim 28,29 Three prophecies of Israel’s dispossession are already fulfilled. Two prophecies of Israel’s restoration are already fulfilled, while the 3rd is in the process of being fulfilled. The LORD is drawing, wooing His chosen people back to Israel. Jer 16:14-16 speaks of the LORD sending fishers and hunters to help gather them, and they have also experienced the persecution.
Archaelogists have uncovered a rock engraved with the sh’ma in Hebrew, and a drawing of a mezuzah!
Blessing…D’varim 28:13 “The LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully,”
listen = sh’ma; keep =shamar; do = asah
l’malah = above (ascend, progress; below = l’mattah below, pervert, distort
It’s the LORD’s faith that empowers us. Dan 10 “I am strengthened as You speak” Heb 3:7, Jn 10:3, 10:27; Eph 4:21,
Mk 7:16, Jer 3:22, Ps 24:2, James 1:19, Ecc 5:2
Martyrs had enough FAITH to die! Let their lives be a lesson to us to NOT judge by other peoples circumstances; even Yeshua had no place to lay his head. 1 Cor 4 speaks of his having no dwelling place. The LORD will provide, He will never leave us or forsake us, Ps 19:34 says ‘we will “never see the righteous forsaken”.
D’varim 23:5
the LORD can turn curses int blessings! When we finally wake up spiritually and begin to put the LORD first, then everything will turn around! Neh 13:2, Phil 3:12-14
LORD, we believe Your blessing will overtake us if we “go” after You! Because YOU love us!
Isaiah 50:1-28; Hebrews 11:32-40
compiled by Val Waters, sopher (scribe)
Midrash: Seth Budai
Psalm 119:137-144 Shabbat is our resting time to hide in Him, while He strengthens us (D’varim 8:3)
Psalm 121:3,4 We have a BIG God who doesn’t slumber or sleep, so we have no excuses (to give Him our all) because He gives us strength!
Teaching: Rabbi Ken Alpren
D’varim 26 is about the ceremony of First Fruits, or Bikkurim, which is covered in Mishnah Bikkurim 1:3.
Jewish farmers would tie a reed around the earliest ripening fruits from each of seven species (wheat, barley, grapes, figs, pomegranates, olives, and dates). and at harvest time those specific plants were brought in baskets and put on oxen and led in a procession of dancing and singing to Jerusalem to be presented to the Cohanim (priests) at the Temple. The ceremony included the reading aloud of D’varim 26:1-10.
D’varim 28 is about Israel being given the choice to obey God in the promised land and thus receive His blessing, (v2 “…and all these blessings shall come upon you and overtake you…” v13 “and the LORD shall make you the head and not the tail and you only shall be above and you shall not be underneath, if you will listen…”) but if they would choose to disobey God, the curse was also spelled out clearly v62 “then you shall be left few in number whereas you were as the stars of heaven for multitude” v64 “…the LORD will scatter you among all peoples, from one end of the earth to the other end of the earth…”).
Rabbi Ken reminded the congregation that if we honor God with our first and our best as in Proverbs 3:9 our harvest will overflow our barns; and if we give Him the whole (complete) tithe, in Malachi 4: 10, He will open for us the doors of heaven and pour out blessings that overflow!
Often we hear that the Old Covenant just says we have to love God, while the New Covenant says we love God because we want to; this implies that grace wasn’t active until after Yeshua redeemed us. Rabbi Ken pointed out that the Decalogue (Sh’mot 20) begins with “I am the LORD your God, who brought you out of the land of Egypt” the LORD is saying, I redeemed you…with the implication being that the Hebrews belonged to God, that He already proved his love to His people, and asked for their obedience in return. Grace started with God in the Old Covenant also!
We are considered His holy ones, saints, kiddushim because of of what God has already done through the blood of Yeshua! He has set us apart, wants us as pure fruit, purges out the old leaven (1 Cor 5); we are already ‘matza’ or cleansed of sin!
Positional Truth Experiential Truth
our standing our state
our union our communion
our position our experience
Eph. 1;3, Heb 7:9,10 Col 3:1,2 1 Jn 2:28 Jn 15:5,7,9, Gal 1:6, 2:4, 3:1-5
John 3:31, 8:23 Gal 5;1 Heb 2:1, 2 Pet 1:19
Watchman Nee’s book, Sit, Walk Stand summarizes the book of Ephesians and who we are: with Messiah we are dead, buried, risen and ascended and now sit with Him; we walk in His calling, in health; and we stand firm, not yielding to the adversary.
a brief summary of the three tithes required when living in the land of Israel:
crops 10% to Levites, who in turn tithe to Cohanim (priests)
main tithe, 2% to priests
1st, 2nd, 4th, 5th years, a second tithe, of which 9& eaten by owner (in Jerusalem)
3rd and 6th year, poor man’s tithe, they eat it at home
1 Tim 5:17, 1 Cor 6:17 : also tithing before Torah, Abraham to Melchizedek (Gen. 14).
Abel brought 1st fruits, Cain gave left-overs: we can miss God’s blessing by stingy giving, not freely given
We can bring ourselves as first fruits also…by prioritizing our time spent in His Word! search in it, meditate upon it, read speak it aloud; speak it out loudly! We are told to not neglect hi sword, As a new believer, Rabbi Ken was challenged to spend more time in the word and told that he would get better grades without more time spent in homework, just in the Word….and it worked! We are told to meditate day and night on His Word! 1 Pet 2:2, Psalm 119:11, Ps 1. 5 loaves and 2 fish fed 5,000! God’s power is a mystery to natural man, Don’t skip worship services and expect the blessings: have company? bring them along as a testimony to your faith! Most people try giving on in crises, the LORD asks for your first fruits, not your 2nd, 3rd, or 4th best.
1 Thes 5:17, Luke 18:1 There is no formula that man can copy, the LORD’s blessings and growth and healing are supernatural!
In D’varim 28,29 Three prophecies of Israel’s dispossession are already fulfilled. Two prophecies of Israel’s restoration are already fulfilled, while the 3rd is in the process of being fulfilled. The LORD is drawing, wooing His chosen people back to Israel. Jer 16:14-16 speaks of the LORD sending fishers and hunters to help gather them, and they have also experienced the persecution.
Archaelogists have uncovered a rock engraved with the sh’ma in Hebrew, and a drawing of a mezuzah!
Blessing…D’varim 28:13 “The LORD will make you the head and not the tail, and you only will be above, and you will not be underneath, if you listen to the commandments of the LORD your God, which I charge you today, to observe them carefully,”
listen = sh’ma; keep =shamar; do = asah
l’malah = above (ascend, progress; below = l’mattah below, pervert, distort
It’s the LORD’s faith that empowers us. Dan 10 “I am strengthened as You speak” Heb 3:7, Jn 10:3, 10:27; Eph 4:21,
Mk 7:16, Jer 3:22, Ps 24:2, James 1:19, Ecc 5:2
Martyrs had enough FAITH to die! Let their lives be a lesson to us to NOT judge by other peoples circumstances; even Yeshua had no place to lay his head. 1 Cor 4 speaks of his having no dwelling place. The LORD will provide, He will never leave us or forsake us, Ps 19:34 says ‘we will “never see the righteous forsaken”.
D’varim 23:5
the LORD can turn curses int blessings! When we finally wake up spiritually and begin to put the LORD first, then everything will turn around! Neh 13:2, Phil 3:12-14
LORD, we believe Your blessing will overtake us if we “go” after You! Because YOU love us!
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