Wednesday, May 27, 2015

10 Generations - I Will Show Compassion

The Hebrew Meanings of the 10 Generations Mentioned in Genesis 5

(Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded GreekHebrew Dictionary. Copyright (c) 1994, Biblesoft and International Bible Translators, Inc.)

Adam, Seth, Enos, Cainan, Mahalaleel, Jared, Enoch, 
Methuselah, Lamech, and Noah

ADAM = MANKIND
OT;120 'adam (aw-dawm'); from OT:119; ruddy i.e. a human being (an individual or the species, mankind, etc.):

SETH = I S APPOINTED TO
OT:7896 shiyth (sheeth); a primitive root; to place KJV appoint

ENOS = FEEBLE, FRAIL, MORTALITY (#582 FROM #605)
OT:582 'enowsh (en-oshe'); from OT:605; properly, a mortal OT:605 'anash (aw-nash'); a primitive root; to be frail, feeble

CAINAN = A FIXED DWELLING PLACE
OT:7064 qen (kane); contracted from OT:7077; a nest (as fixed)

MAHALALEEL = GOD WHO IS PRAISED
OT:4111 Mahalal' el (mah-hal-al-ale' ); from OT:4110 and OT:410; praise of God

JARED = COMES DOWN, DESCEND
OT:3382 Yered (yeh'-red); from OT:3381; a descent;

ENOCH = TO INSTRUCT, TRAIN UP
OT:2596 chanak (khaw-nak'); to initiate or discipline: KJV - dedicate, train up.

METHUSELAH = A MAN SENT FORTH(#4968 FROM #4962, #7973)
OT:4968 Methuwshelach (meth-oo-sheh'-lakh); from OT:4962 and OT:7973; man of a dart;
OT:4962 math (math); an adult (as of full length); by implication, a man OT:7973 shelach (sheh'-lakh); from OT:7971; a missile of attack,

LAMECH = TO BE BEATEN, SMITTEN, AND TORTURED
OT:3929 Lemek (leh'-mek); from #4347
OT:4347 makkah, a blow, by implication, a wound; carnage, also beaten, slaughter, smote, X sore, stripe, stroke, wound((-ed)).
NOAH = BRINGING REST, A QUIET PEACE
OT:5146 Noach (no' -akh); the same as OT:5118; rest
OT:5118 nuwach (noo'-akh); or nowach (no'-akh); from OT:5117; quiet: 
MANKIND / IS APPOINTED TO / FEEBLE, FRAIL, MORTALITY / A FIXED DWELLING PLACE. / GOD WHO IS PRAISED / COMES DOWN / TO INSTRUCT / AS A MAN SENT FORTH / TO BE BEATEN, SMITTEN AND TORTURED / BRINGING REST, A QUIET PEACE,  

Monday, May 25, 2015

Messiah is the Priestly Blessing

Numbers 6:22,23 And the Lord spoke to Moses, saying, Speak to Aaron and to his sons saying, In this way you shall bless the sons of Israel, saying to them

Numbers 6:24 The Lord bless thee, and keep thee:

Romans 15:29 And I am sure that, when I come unto you, I shall come in the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ.

Galatians 3:14 That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Yeshua HaMashiach; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

1Peter 1:3-5 Blesses be the God and Father of our Adonai Yeshua HaMashiach, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Yeshua HaMashiach from the dead, To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

Numbers 6:25 The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee:

2Corinthians 4:6 For God, who commanded the light to shine out of the darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Yeshua HaMashiach.

Ephesians 1:6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Numbers 6:26 The LORD lift up his countenance* upon you, and give you peace.
Jude 1:24,25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. 

2Thessalonians 3:16 Now the Lord of peace himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all     
     

 *To “lift up your countenance” means to smile at with joy 

Thursday, May 21, 2015

Water Baptism

1 Cor. 15:3,4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:

Rom. 10:9-11 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

Matt. 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

Acts 8:36,37 And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what hinders me from being baptized? And Philip said, If you believe with all your heart, you may. And he answered and said, I believe that Jesus Christ is the Son of God.

Do you believe with all your heart that Yeshua HaMashiach is the Son of God, that He died for your sins and that He rose from the dead?

Eph. 2:8,9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Titus 3:5,6 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that you affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

Col. 2:12,13 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also you are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

Water baptism is an act of obedience that follows conversion to portray symbolically the washing away of our sins, the death and burial of our old nature and of us being born again as a new creation living a new life in Christ. Baptism itself does not bring salvation. One mush repent and be saved to be baptized.

Rom. 6:2-7 God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together int he likeness of his death, we shall also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin.

Water baptism is a statement of faith: my old life is behind me -- I am a new person, with a new life.

Water baptism is a sign of repentance -- repentance means change -- a change so drastic that the old person is "buried". Burned all your bridges to your past.

Water baptism is a way of giving outward testimony to what has happened inwardly. It is a clear commitment to turn from the old life.

Water baptism helps you to grasp the reality of the spiritual truth that the old "you" has died.

Unless you really believe you have died, there is no need for a burial.

2 Cor. 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Col. 3:1-3 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.



Thursday, May 14, 2015

Four Types of Commandments


Mitzvah – Those obligations from God that forge a bond between us and Him and express love to all beings. A yoking to God to learn His ways. 

Mishpatim - are the commandments with a clear explanation evident in the world (i.e., prohibiting theft, honoring parents). Dealing primarily with civil and criminal law.

Chukkim -  are the commandments with explanations that are less clear. This word has ritual connotations, and is traditionally associated with commandments "without reason," such as the rules on the red heifer.

Torah Teaching or instruction; the concepts revealed to us about the Lord and the world and how it should relate to Him.


It’s all about relationship! It is only through mitzvah observance that man can build a deep, enduring, and meaningful relationship with God. The Jew knows that the key to every good relationship is the obligations that it confers. It is a given that the stronger and more intimate the relationship, the more intense the level of responsibility. A husband's commitment to his wife is naturally in a different league than his commitment to a casual acquaintance. Every mitzvah is a demonstration of the fulfillment of obligations because of the close relationship between man and God. That a mitzvah is the very process of forging the bond is contained within the very word mitzvah "commandment," closely related to the word tzavta, meaning "a connection" or "a binding." Mitzvah performance creates a connection between God, the Commander, and man, the one being commanded. Every relationship has two components. There is an element of reaching out, of doing positive actions that build and foster the bond between the parties. Then there is an element of restraint, of holding back from any action that might sully or destroy the relationship. These elements are both found in the Torah commandments. 

Monday, May 4, 2015

How to Celebrate the Biblical Feasts

Rosh Hashanah (Lev. 23:24-25)


Rosh Hashanah is scripturally known as Yom Teruah which means “Day of Blowing” and is commonly known as the Jewish New Year. This is the only feast day when the shofar is blown during the service one hundred times. The shofars are blown in a set pattern of three different sounds, blown three times each for a total of nine blasts. This series of patterns is repeated eleven times for a total of ninety-nine blasts. The one hundredth blast is set apart and is known as the “Last Trump”. Rosh Hashanah occurs on the first and second days of the month of Tishrei. Rosh Hashanah lasts for two days, but it is referred to as one long day. It is customary to eat apples dipped in honey to symbolize a wish for a good and sweet year. It is also common to eat round challah to symbolize a crown that reflects our coronating God as the King of the world. It is customary to greet other by saying L'shanah tovah meaning "for a good year". This is a shorter version of "L'shanah tovah tikatev v'taihatem" (or when addressing women, "L'shanah tovah tikatevi v'taihatemi"), which means "May you be inscribed and sealed for a good year." Rosh Hashanah is a Holy Convocation in which no work is permitted.

Yom Kippur (Lev. 23:26-27)

Yom Kippur literally means “Day of Atonement” and is essentially your last chance to change the judgment that will come when the books are closed and to demonstrate your repentance and make amends with God. Yom Kippur is the day of atonement for the nation of Israel and was the only day the High Priest could enter the Holy of Holies. Yom Kippur is a Holy Convocation in which no work is permitted. Yom Kippur is also a fast day. It is a complete 25-hour fast that begins sunset on the evening before Yom Kippur and ends after sunset on the day of Yom Kippur. It is customary to wear white on Yom Kippur to symbolize purity and cleanness from sin.

Sukkot (Lev. 23:39-42a)

Sukkot is also known as the Feast of Tabernacles. Sukkot begins on the fifteenth of Tishrei and last for seven days. The first and eighth days are Holy Convocations in which no work is permitted. During Sukkot we are to “dwell in booths” or a sukkah for seven days. We dwell in booths to remind us of the temporary dwelling places in the wilderness. There are no laws in scripture pertaining to the specifics of how a sukkah must be built, just that it is temporary. Tradition however says it must have at least two and a half walls that will not blow away in the wind. The walls could be canvas, wood, bamboo, cornstalks, etc. And traditionally speaking you should be able to see stars through the ceiling. Many people also decorate their sukkah. During Sukkot we are to also worship the Lord with what is known as The Four Species (Lev. 23:40). The Four Species are also known as the Lulav and Etrog. The Four Species are made up of an Etrog (a citrus fruit native to Israel, similar to a lemon), a palm branch, two willow branches and three myrtle branches. The six branches are bound together and are referred to as the Lulav. While holding the four species a blessing is said and the species is waved in six directions, East, South, West, North, Up and Down to symbolize God being everywhere.  

Chanukkah

Chanukah begins on the twenty-fifth of Kislev and lasts for eight days. Chanukah is also known as the Feast of Dedication and the Festival of Lights. Chanukah is also spelled many different ways including: Chanukah, Chanukkah, Hanukah, Hanukkah, and many more. Chanukah is about the rededication of the Temple after it was defiled by Antiochus IV. According to tradition, at the time of the rededication, there was very little oil left that had not been defiled by the Greeks. The oil was needed to light the menorah in the Temple. Tradition says there was only enough oil for one day, but it miraculously lasted for eight days which is the amount of time it took to make more of the oil. There is no proof this actually happened, it is purely tradition. During Chanukah we light candles in a nine branched menorah often called a chanukiah. There are eight branches for the eight days of Chanukah as well as a ninth branch called the Shammus (servant) branch which is used to light the other candles. Each night one more candle is added. For example, the first night you will have one candle in the far right branch plus the shammus candle which is often in the center branch and is taller than all the other candles. The candles are placed in the chanukiah from right to left but the candles are light from left to right, always lighting the newest candle first. The shammus is always light first and then used to light all the other candles. There are traditionally three blessings recited after lighting the shammus candle on the first night and then only two of those blessings are recited for the remaining seven days. It is also a tradition to eat fried foods during Chanukah such as Latkes and Sufganyot. Latkes are essentially potato pancakes and sufganyot are doughnuts that are often filled with jelly. Latkes are pronounced like “lot-kuhs” or “lot-keys” depending on dialect. Sufganyot are pronounced like “soof-gone-E-oat”. Some people like to give gifts during Chanukah but it is not one of the most common traditions. Another fun tradition is playing dreidel. Dreidel is a game played with a spinning top called a dreidel. The dreidel is marked with four Hebrew letters, the Nun, Gimel, Hey and Shin. Each letter stands for the Hebrew phrase “Nes Gadol Hayah Sham”, meaning “a great miracle happened there”. Often dreidel is played for “gelt” (small amounts of money made of chocolate).  

Purim (Esther)

Purim means “lots” referring to the lottery that Haman used to choose the date for the massacre of the Jews. Purim is celebrated on the fourteenth day of Adar. The fourteenth was chosen because it is the day that the Jews battled for their lives and won. The fifteenth is celebrated as Purim also because the book of Esther says that in Shushan (a walled city), deliverance from the scheduled massacre was not completed until the next day. So the fifteenth is referred to as Shushan Purim. It is customary to read the book of Esther on Purim. While reading it is tradition to boo, hiss, stamp feet and rattle gragers (noise makers) whenever Haman’s name is mentioned for the purpose of “blotting out the name of Haman”. It is customary to have a party during Purim. It is tradition to dress up and to “eat, drink and be merry”. Gifts are often given during Purim to friends, family and charity. Hamentaschen is a triangular fruit-filled cookie that is common to make for Purim as well. Hamentaschen is pronounce like “Ha-men-tah-sh-en” and literally means “Haman’s pocket” and is meant to represent Haman’s three-cornered hat.

Passover (Lev. 23:5)

Passover is the fourteenth day of the month Nissan. Passover is celebrated in Jewish homes with a Seder. The story of Passover is often recounted during the Seder and read from a Haggadah. Traditionally symbolic foods like Charoset and Horseradish are eaten. The symbolic foods are placed on a specific plate called a Seder plate/tray. No leavened foods are eaten during Passover. The Passover Seder is a reminder to the families celebrating of their ancestors suffering in Egypt and of the miraculous deliverance from their bondage.

Unleavened Bread (Lev. 23:6-8)

The Feast of Unleavened Bread begins on the fifteenth day of Nissan and lasts for seven days. The first and seventh days are Holy Convocations in which no work is permitted. During the Feast of Unleavened Bread no food with leaven is eaten. In the days leading up to Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread Jewish families clean their homes of any leaven so as not to cause defilement during the feast. The unleavened bread eaten during the feast is called Matzo. Matzo is pronounced like “Ma-tzah”.



First Fruits (Lev. 23:10-14)

The Feast of Firstfruits is a celebration of the barley harvest which began in the month of Nissan. It was required of the Israelites to bring the first sheaf of their harvest to the Temple as a wave offering. Feast of Firstfruits also begins the counting of the Omer leading up to Shavuot.




Shavuot (Lev. 23:15-21)

Shavuot is to take place exactly seven Sabbaths and one day or fifty days total from Firstfruits. In Hebrew Shavuot means “weeks”. Shavuot is often called Pentecost which means “fifty” in Greek. Shavuot, like Firstfruits, is a harvest festival in which the Israelites were to present an offering of new grain (in this case wheat) to the Lord in the Temple. Today Shavuot is celebrated in Israel by reading the account of the giving of the Law in Exodus chapters 19 and 20. The book of Ruth is also read because it is a book of harvest and redemption. It is customary to eat dairy foods like cheese during Shavuot.