11/22/2011

Parashat 6 – “Toldot"-Generations"

Parashat 6 – Toldot"-Generations"
Bereshiet/Genesis 25:19-28:9
For they are not all Yisra’ĕl who are of Yisra’ĕl,

Rom 9:7  neither are they all children because they are the seed of Aḇraham, but, “In Yitsḥaq your seed shall be called.”
Rom 9:8  That is, those who are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of Elohim, but the children of the promise are reckoned as the seed.

The life and family of YHVH comes from Yitzchak, however we see that in the seed of Yitzchak are two kinds of life, two kinds of people – Yakov and Esav - One is Yisrael and one the other is the nations besides Yisrael.
These two peoples are like two different kinds of living; two different ways we walk (halachah) in this life. The above scripture clearly teaches that not all who say or believe they are Yisrael are Yisrael. The evidence is found in the footprint.
We see these two different kinds of footprints wrestling with each other in the womb, these two kinds of footprints still wrestle today.
Esav was trying to establish his footprint over Yakov in the womb; Yakov was trying to prevent this footprint from trying to establish itself over his life in the womb and outside the womb.
The womb is like the set apart place of the covenant YHVH has with Yisrael. Esav seeks to occupy the entire space. His name means “fully grown” this footprint always tries to impress with size and influence, this type of footprint always tries to “kick” out that which is true Yisrael and replace Yisrael with itself.

There is an important message for all those have been called “Yakov” which means “heel” or the “FOOTPRINT” that is left by such a people. It is only a remnant (sarid) but right now the true Yisrael are in the womb of becoming a great nation that will rule all other nations. This womb is like the set apart covenant YHVH has with true Yisrael. This set apart space must be closely guarded against the spirit of Esav that wants to control and dominate all kinds of life. Esav is the “hunter” seeking to ensnare.
The spirit of Esav seeks to dominate people and relationships, it even claims to love and deeply care, that is why Yahshua taught:
 Mat 10:33  “But whoever shall deny Me before men, him I shall also deny before My Father who is in the heavens.
Mat 10:34  “Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword,1 Footnote: 1In Lk. 12:51 the word “division” is used, while “sword” has the same meaning here.
Mat 10:35  for I have come to bring division, a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law –
Mat 10:36  and a man’s enemies are those of his own household.1 Footnote: 1Lk. 12:53, Mic. 7:6.
Mat 10:37  “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.1 Footnote: 1See 19:29, Lk. 14:26.
Mat 10:38  “And he who does not take up his stake and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
Mat 10:39  “He who has found his life shall lose it, and he that has lost his life for My sake shall find it.
Mat 10:40  “He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me.

The evidence of walking in the footprint of Yakov is that this world, spirit of Esav, will hate you.

Yoch/Joh 15:19  “If you were of the world, the world would love its own. But because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, for that reason the world hates you.
We are then told that Yitchak loved Esav because "because he had a taste for game." (25:28). Literally, however, the verse explains that Yitchak loved Esav/ Esau because "hunting was in his mouth." (25:28). The ancient Jewish commentary Midrash Rabbah suggests that the "hunting in his mouth" should be understood as Esav's deceit of Isaac.
Even the elect will be deceived by this spirit. The prophet warns us that this spirit will occupy dwelling places (beings) that do not belong to them.
Hab 1:3  Why do You show me wickedness, and cause me to see perversity? For ruin and violence are before me. And there is strife, and contention arises.
Hab 1:4  Therefore the Torah ceases, and right-ruling never goes forth. For the wrong hem in the righteous, so that right-ruling comes out twisted.
Hab 1:5  “Look among the nations and see, and be amazed, be amazed! For a work is being wrought in your days which you would not believe if it were told.
Hab 1:6  “See, I am raising up the Chaldeans, a bitter and hasty nation, who is going through the breadth of the earth, to possess dwelling places that are not theirs.
Hab 1:7  “They are frightening and fearsome, their right-ruling and their exaltation proceed from themselves.
Another prophet tells us what will happen in the last days to Esav (Edom)
Oba 1:6  “How Ěsaw shall be searched out! His hidden treasures shall be sought out!
The commentaries state that there was a great treasure hidden in the desert fortress of Petra, the capital of Edom. This treasure was ceased by invading armies. Is this not possibly a reference to the end times when the true treasure of YHVH – Yakov will be waiting to be captured by our Bridegroom?
Oba 1:10  “Because of your violence against your brother Yaʽaqoḇ, let shame cover you. And you shall be cut off forever.
Oba 1:18  “And the house of Yaʽaqoḇ shall be a fire, and the house of Yosĕph a flame, but the house of Ěsaw for stubble. And they shall burn among them and they shall consume them, so that no survivor is left of the house of Ěsaw.” For יהוה has spoken.

Blessing for the Torah:
Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,
v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe, you have selected us from among all the peoples, and have given us your Torah. Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)

Torah Readings:
 
  1. 25:19 – 26:5
  2. 26:6-12
  3. 26:13-22
  4. 26:23-29
  5. 26:30 – 27:27
  6. 27:28 – 28:4
  7. 28:5-6
  8. Maftir: 28:7-9
 
Haftarah: Malachi 1:1 – 2:7

Aliyah Rishon 25:19-26:5
Gen 25:19  And this is the genealogy of Yitsḥaq, Aḇraham’s son. Aḇraham brought forth Yitsḥaq.
Gen 25:20  And Yitsḥaq was forty years old when he took Riḇqah as wife, the daughter of Bethu’ĕl the Aramean of Paddan Aram, the sister of Laḇan the Aramean.
Gen 25:21  And Yitsḥaq prayed to יהוה for his wife, because she was barren. And יהוה answered his prayer, and Riḇqah his wife conceived. (Rivkah means clogged)
Gen 25:22  And within her the children struggled together, and she said, “If all is right, why am I this way?” So she went to ask יהוה.
Gen 25:23  And יהוה said to her, “Two nations are in your womb, and two peoples shall be separated from your body. And one people shall be stronger than the other, and the older serve the younger.”
Gen 25:24  And when the days were filled for her to give birth, and see, twins were in her womb!
Gen 25:25  And the first came out red all over, like a hairy garment, so they called his name Ěsaw. –(completely developed)
Gen 25:26  And afterward his brother came out, with his hand holding on to Ěsaw’s heel, so his name was called Yaʽaqoḇ. And Yitsḥaq was sixty years old when she bore them.
Gen 25:27  And the boys grew up. And Ěsaw became a man knowing how to hunt, a man of the field, while Yaʽaqoḇ was a complete man, dwelling in tents.

Extract from the book of Jasher: 26: 17 And the boys grew up to their fifteenth year, and they came amongst the society of men. Esau was a designing and deceitful man, and an expert hunter in the field, and Jacob was a man perfect and wise, dwelling in tents, feeding flocks and learning the instructions of YHVH and the commands of his father and mother.

       Gen 25:28  And Yitsḥaq loved Ěsaw because he ate of his wild game, but Riḇqah loved Yaʽaqoḇ.
We are then told that Yitchak loved Esav "because he had a taste for game." (25:28). Literally, however, the verse explains that Yitchak loved Esau because "hunting was in his mouth." (25:28). The ancient Jewish commentary Midrash Rabbah suggests that the "hunting in his mouth" should be understood as Esav's deceit of Yitschak/ Isaac.
Gen 25:29  And Yaʽaqoḇ cooked a stew, and Ěsaw came in from the field, and he was weary.
Gen 25:30  And Ěsaw said to Yaʽaqoḇ, “Please feed me with that same red stew, for I am weary.” That is why his name was called Eḏom.
Gen 25:31  But Yaʽaqoḇ said, “Sell me your birthright today.”
Gen 25:32  And Ěsaw said, “Look, I am going to die, so why should I have birthright?”
Gen 25:33  Then Yaʽaqoḇ said, “Swear to me today.” And he swore to him, and sold his birthright to Yaʽaqoḇ.
Gen 25:34  Yaʽaqoḇ then gave Ěsaw bread and stew of lentils. And he ate and drank, and rose up and left. Thus Ěsaw despised his birthright.

Yahshua is the first born of the Father (1 Yoch/Jn4:9) and the first fruits of the resurrection, we are being conformed into his image (Rom 8:29) and as such will be part of the first resurrection that will rule and reign with Messiah for 1000 years from Yerushalyim.

At the time of these events, the priesthood still belonged to the firstborn. This was despised by Esav. Why? I believe Esav knew that if he wanted anything he could take it or steal it. So today the church – Esav -  has tried to steal the priesthood and inheritance of Yisrael.
Yakov did not need to deceive his brother, because his brother would always have traded with his inheritance to get what he wanted.

Gen 26:1  And there was a scarcity of food in the land, besides the first scarcity of food which was in the days of Aḇraham. And Yitsḥaq went to Aḇimeleḵ, sovereign of the Philistines, in Gerar.
Gen 26:2  And יהוה appeared to him and said, “Do not go down to Mitsrayim, live in the land which I command you.
Gen 26:3  “Sojourn in this land. And I shall be with you and bless you, for I give all these lands to you and your seed. And I shall establish the oath which I swore to Aḇraham your father.
Gen 26:4  “And I shall increase your seed like the stars of the heavens, and I shall give all these lands to your seed. And in your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed,
Gen 26:5  because Aḇraham obeyed My voice and guarded My Charge: My commands, My laws, and My Torot1.” Footnote: 1Torot - plural of Torah, teaching

11/17/2011

Parashat 5 - Ber/Gen 23:1 – 25:18

Parashat 5 - Ber/Gen 23:1 – 25:18  
Chayei Sarah” - Sarah’s life or years of life.
This Torah portion is about LIFE – “CHAI”. The life of Sarah is the life of the “kehelat”- congregation of YHVH.
This Torah portion gives us instructions on how to understand, approach, maintain and walk in the life of the Ruach/Spirit of YHVH.
Our Messiah said – Yochanan/Joh 10:10  “The thief does not come except to steal, and to slaughter, and to destroy. I have come that they might possess life, and that they might possess it beyond measure.
Joh 10:11  “I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.
Joh 10:12  “But the hireling, and not being a shepherd, one who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming and leaves the sheep and flees. And the wolf snatches the sheep and scatters them.
Joh 10:13  “Now the hireling flees because he is a hireling and is not concerned about the sheep.
Joh 10:14  “I am the good shepherd.1 And I know Mine, and Mine know Me, Footnote: 1Ezek. 34:11-12, Heb. 13:20, 1 Peter 2:25, 1 Peter 5:4.
Joh 10:15  even as the Father knows Me, and I know the Father. And I lay down My life for the sheep.
Joh 10:16  “And other sheep I have which are not of this fold – I have to bring them as well, and they shall hear My voice, and there shall be one flock, one shepherd.1 Footnote: 1Ezek. 34:23, Ezek. 37:24.
Joh 10:17  “Because of this the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life, in order to receive it again.
Joh 10:18  “No one takes it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have authority to lay it down, and I have authority to receive it again. This command I have received from My Father.”

This life is the “zoe” kind of life. (“Zoe” is the Greek word for the higher form of life and is comparable to three Hebrew words – chai (life), nephesh (being) and Ruach (spirit/wind)) This life is also at times complex and painful.  Yahshua came that we may have this life and have it in abundance. One of the keys to living this life is found in Phil 4:
Php 4:4  Rejoice in יהוה always, again I say, rejoice!
Php 4:5  Let your gentleness be known to all men. The Master is near.
Php 4:6  Do not worry at all, but in every matter, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to Elohim.
Php 4:7  And the peace of Elohim, which surpasses all understanding, shall guard your hearts and minds through Messiah יהושע.
Php 4:8  For the rest, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is righteous, whatever is clean, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good report, if there is any uprightness and if there is any praise – think on these.
Php 4:9  And what you have learned and received and heard and saw in me, practice these, and the Elohim of peace shall be with you.
Php 4:10  And I rejoiced in יהוה greatly that now at last your concern for me has revived again – though you were concerned, but had no chance.
Php 4:11  Not that I speak concerning need, for I have learned to be content in whatever state I am.
Php 4:12  I know what it is to be humbled, and I know what it is to have in excess. In any and every situation I have learned both to be filled, and to be hungry, both to have in excess, and to be in need.
Php 4:13  I have strength to do all, through Messiah1 who empowers me. Footnote: 1John 15:5, 2 Cor. 3:5-6, 2 Cor. 12:9, Eph. 3:20, Philip. 2:13, Heb. 13:20-21, 1 John 4:4.

Blessing for the Torah:
Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,
v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe, you have selected us from among all the peoples, and have given us your Torah. Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)

Torah Readings:  
  1. 23:1-16
  2. 23:17 – 24:9
  3. 24:10-26
  4. 24:27-52
  5. 24:53-67
  6. 25:1-11
  7. 25:12-15
  8. Maftir: 26:16-18

Haftarah: 1 Kings 1:1-31

Aliyah Rishon 23:1-16.

Gen 23:1  And Sarah lived one hundred and twenty-seven years, the years of the life of Sarah.

The Torah expresses this verse as follows: She was one hundred years old and 20 years old and seven years old.
We are meant to pause and consider the significance of this. This emphasis possibly refers to the blessedness of the life that was granted her - One hundred years speaks of a long life where much maturity and wisdom was gained; twenty years speaks of the youthfulness and vigour of this life and seven years old speaks of the innocence of this life.

Gen 23:2  And Sarah died in Qiryath Arba, that is Hevron, in the land of Kena'an, and Avraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep for her.

The book of Yasher suggests that Sarah died as the result of hearing the news that her son Yitschak/ Isaac had come so close to death when his father was willing to offer him as a offering.

Gen 23:3  Then Avraham rose up from beside his dead, and spoke to the sons of Hĕth, saying,
Gen 23:4  “I am a foreigner and a sojourner among you. Give me property for a burial site among you, so that I bury my dead from my presence.”
Gen 23:5  And the sons of Hĕth answered Avraham, saying to him,
Gen 23:6  “Hear us, my master: You are a prince of Elohim among us. Bury your dead in the choicest of our burial places. None of us withholds from you his burial site, from burying your dead.”
Gen 23:7  So Avraham rose and bowed himself to the people of the land, the sons of Hĕth.
Gen 23:8  And he spoke with them, saying, “If it is your desire that I bury my dead from my presence, hear me, and approach Ephron son of Tsohar for me,
Gen 23:9  and let me have the cave of Makpĕlah which he has, which is at the end of his field. Let him give it to me for the complete amount of silver, as property for a burial site among you.”
Gen 23:10  And Ephron dwelt among the sons of Hĕth. And Ephron the Hittite answered Araham in the hearing of the sons of Hĕth, all who entered at the gate of his city, saying,
Gen 23:11  “No, my master, listen to me! I shall give you the field and the cave that is in it. I shall give it to you in the presence of the sons of my people. I shall give it to you. Bury your dead!”
Gen 23:12  And Avraham bowed himself down before the people of the land,
Gen 23:13  and he spoke to Ephron in the hearing of the people of the land, saying, “If only you would hear me. I shall give the amount of silver for the field, take it from me, and let me bury my dead there.”
Gen 23:14  And Ephron answered Avraham, saying to him,
Gen 23:15  “My master, listen to me! The land is worth four hundred sheqels of silver. What is that between you and me? So bury your dead.”
Gen 23:16  And Avraham listened to Ephron, and Avraham weighed out the silver for Ephron which he had named in the hearing of the sons of Hĕth, four hundred sheqels of silver, currency of the merchants.

In this Torah portion we see the first mention of burial. It is noteworthy that Avraham did not cremate his deceased wife. Cremation was a heathen pagan practice.
The commentators also inform us that Avraham paid an excessive amount of money for the burial plot. Why would this be so?
Is it not possible that these Hittites did not actually want Avraham to have any kind of claim to the land. Avraham now had a title deed which in the age to come will give the Hebrews legitimate ownership of this land.
The sons of Chet or the sons of “terror” the descendants of these citizens of Canaan would always be a terror to the seed of Avraham.
“Ephron” means “fawn like” and he may have had a gentle and kind approach, however we see later on in this Torah portion that his name is deliberately misspelled when the “vav” is omitted.(25:9) This could refer to a diminished state of the person and a prophetic warning to never trust any kind of future covenant with his seed. (Palestinians)

The number 400 is possibly significant as it appears three times in Torah portions in Beresheet/Genesis.
The first time in Ber/Gen 15:13 where Yisrael/Israel would be enslaved in Mitsrayim/ Egypt 400 years.
Then here in Ber 23:16 the price Avraham paid for the burial ground would be 400 shekels.  
The third time here  in Ber 32:6 where Esau comes to meet Yakov with 400 men.
The gematria of “tav” is also 400 and this letter in the ancient Paleo Hebrew was a symbol of the covenant and
looked like a cross. This could refer to the opposition and price that YHVH’s covenant people would face in their life -times.

Appearance of a Tittle: * “ve livkotah” or “and to weep for her”, vs 2, the letter “kaph” is diminished. There are many

11/11/2011

Parashat 4 - VaYerah “and He appeared”

Parashat 4 - VaYerah “and He appeared”
אֲדוֹן עוֹלָם אֲשֶׁר מָלַךְ
Ber/Genesis 18:1 – 22:24  


YHVH will always remain the Supreme Ruler of the Universe. He has no equal, He alone is YHVH.
Our Messiah was once asked “what is the most important commandment”.

Mar 12:28  And one of the scribes coming near, hearing them reasoning together, knowing that He had answered them well, asked Him, “Which is the first command of all?”
Mar 12:29  And יהושע answered him, “The first of all the commands is, ‘Hear, O Yisra’ĕl, יהוה our Elohim, יהוה is one.
Mar 12:30  ‘And you shall love יהוה your Elohim with all your heart, and with all your being, and with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first command.
Mar 12:31  “And the second, like it, is this, ‘You shall love your neighbour as yourself.’ There is no other command greater than these.”
Mar 12:32  And the scribe said to Him, “Well said, Teacher. You have spoken the truth, for there is one Elohim, and there is no other besides Him.
Mar 12:33  “And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the being, and with all the strength, and to love one’s neighbour as oneself, is more than all the burnt offerings and offerings.”
Mar 12:34  And when יהושע saw that he answered wisely, He said to him, “You are not far from the reign of Elohim.” And after that no one was bold enough to question Him.
Why would this information be included in the apostolic writings? This statement made by Yahshua deeply resonates with the Torah. This is truly the watch word of our faith, the statement of a true witness of YHVH.

Let us pay careful attention to the significance of this statement. It says “shema” or “hear”
We humans have a history, starting in the Garden of Eden of NOT LISTENING.
YHVH seeks those who will truly hear what He has to say, first about Himself. In order for us to listen and obey, we need to first “hear” that HE ALONE IS YHVH.
If we don’t get this right, we are not going to get the rest of what He has to say right.
We as believers in Yahshua cannot “hear” this truth of HIS ONENESS while we are still listening to the voices of men and their religion which have been deeply influenced by paganism regarding this critical issue.

Baruch ha Shem there is a growing remnant out there that is “HEARING”.
See website:  http://frank4yahweh.webs.com/

Mat 7:14  “Because the gate is narrow and the way is hard pressed1 which leads to life, and there are few who find it. Footnote: 1Or the way is afflicted.
Affliction was the way of our fathers; we see this once again in the opening words of our parasha.
This afflicted remnant has a calling to intercession.

Yesh/Isa 1:9  Unless יהוה of hosts had left to us a small remnant, we would have become like Seḏom, we would have been made like Amorah.
Note the significance of the Hebrew words “small remnant”
This word “small” in Hebrew “me -at” means tiny or hardly recognizable.
The Hebrew word for “remnant” is the word “sarid” and means “to puncture” This is comparable to the image of someone “puncturing” a bag of wheat. The small amount of wheat that comes out of the hole or “puncture” is called the “sarid” or survivors. See Rom 9.
The same expression used when Yahshua was describing those who would inherit his kingdom.
Luk 12:32  “Do not fear, little flock, because your Father did delight to give you the reign.

Blessing of the Torah:Baruch atah YHVH, Eloheynu, Melech ha-O’lam, asher bachar banu m’kol ha-amim,
v’natan lanu eht Torah-to. Baruch atah YHVH, noteyn ha-Torah. Ameyn.”

(Blessed are you, YHVH, our Elohim , King of the Universe,
you have selected us from among all the peoples, and have given us your Torah.
Blessed are you, YHVH, giver of the Torah. Ameyn.)
The Number 4. – This is the fourth parasha.

The letter “daleth” is the fourth letter of the alphabet and has a numerical value of four.  Yahsua/Yeshua came to show us that he is the door, the only way to the Father.

Yochanan/Joh 10:7  Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
Yochanan/Joh 14:6  יהושע said to him, “I am the Way, and the Truth, and the Life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.

Torah Readings : (aliyiot)

1. 18:1-14
2. 18:15-33
3. 19:1-20
4. 19:21 – 21:4
5. 21:5-21
6. 21:22-34
7. 22:1-19

8. Maftir 22: 20 -24

Haftarah: 2 Kings 4:1-37(Ashken.) 4:1-23(Sefard.)
Aliyah Rishon – 18:1-14.
Gen 18:1  And יהוה appeared to him by the terebinth trees of Mamrĕ, while he was sitting in the tent door in the heat of the day.
Gen 18:2  So he lifted his eyes and looked, and saw three men standing opposite him. And when he saw them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, and bowed himself to the ground,
Gen 18:3  and said, “יהוה, if I have now found favour in Your eyes, please do not pass Your servant by.