What is Messianic Midrash?

Shalom,


This Blog, Messianic Midrash, is a collection of my thoughts on the weekly Torah Parasha, as well as other doctrinal issues that I come across as I research, meditate upon, and compose Drash and various Messages.

I must also give credit to my amazing fellow Researchers and "Midrashim," whom I study with.  Together, we have experienced incredible discoveries over the years while investigating various topics as a Research Team.  

"Messianic" is a term used to describe the Jewish Hope in Messiah. Believe it or not, some Jews have come to believe that Yeshua (Who some refer to as "Jesus") is the Messiah of Israel. In fact, this is where this whole thing that is called "Christianity" today began.

In spite of the common misconception, this does not make one a "Christian," per se. Although the fundamentals of our Salvation are based upon the same foundational principle, we are Jews that base the authority of our Faith upon Scripture, through the Revelation of Yeshua HaMashiach.  

As well, although the "Opinion" of Rabbinical Judaism is that we are "Christian," the Truth is that we have every Scriptural Right to remain within our God-Given (Not Man-Given) identity as Jews.

You must also understand that there are "Christians," and "Messianic Believing Non-Jews" who feel lead to search the Scriptures together with us.  All are welcome.

To make this as simple as possible, and to help illustrate that this is a case where semantics do matter, "Messianic" is the Hebraic foundation of where the term "Christianity" is derived from.  Where the semantics come into play is that "Christianity" has come to illustrate a particular vein of theology that does not necessarily reflect its Hebraic Origin.  To further understand the differences and similarities, will require your participation in the Midrash (Investigation).  You are welcome to come and join us.

Therefore, let us work out our Salvation with Reverence and Grace, as we grow into maturity in Faith together.

Midrash is a term used to describe the "Investigation" of Scripture, and the composition of thoughts derived from that Study.

A Drash is a short summery of the Investigation, which is then presented to a group for the purpose of provoking discussion and further research on the topic.

A Message is much like a Drash, but goes into more detail on how these conclusions were drawn, and it is delivered in a more polished fashion, converging upon a suggested Conclusion, and a Spiritual Challenge.

Messianic Midrash is a Blog displaying the Short Drash, and Messages that I have delivered in the past, as well as those that I have prepare for the future.  

My objective is not to establish doctrine, as learning is an ongoing endeavour.  The objective is to question our present understandings in order to help solidify our Faith on Truth, rather than upon theological  assumptions.  

Accepting Theology upon the premise of "Faith," is not Faith.  Faith in Hebrew Thought is "Emunah" (Faith in Action).  This would depict an active pursuit of understanding, rather than an acceptance upon ignorance.  There is a Big Difference.  "Emunah" - Faith means that since you "Believe," you actively pursue to be intimate with God's Word.  It is not enough to "Believe" without understanding.  The World is filled with People who have "Faith" in false gods, and erroneous doctrine.  We are called to be like the Bereans of Acts 17:11:

"Now the Bereans were of more noble character than the Thessalonians, for they received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."

However, there is another level to understanding that must be exercised, and that is "Application."  Meaning that, filling our heads with knowledge without applying that knowledge is not "Understanding."  Understanding, in Hebrew thought, is rooted in the word "Banah." (To Build).  It refers to putting your knowledge to work and do (build).  As Rav Jacov (James) taught:

"But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?"  - James 2:20

Therefore, we work together as a Team to Research, and to challenge the conventions, continually checking our bearings so that our focus is still upon the goal...  The Truth within His Word.

With this being stated, I must add one more point about the Midrash.  The Beth Midrash is a group effort.

"Beth Midrash" means House of Investigative Study. Here Students of the Scripture come together to discuss their thoughts and findings. 

Keep in mind, doctrine is not taught, but rather discovered.  Meaning that this is not a class, but a place of discussion.  The only thing taught is HOW to look at the Scriptures, so that discovery is encouraged, and that this discovery and experience remains within the structure, and is supported by The Word of God.  

In these Midrash sessions, we work out our Salvation with 'reverence,' but combined with a lot of comedic relief as well. We are human after all.  We are not a group of overly educated Theologians, but rather a group of "somewhat" educated Believers, who simply have a love for the deeper understanding of God's Word, and we dedicate our time to "Digging Deeper."  We encourage you to join us, just remember to bring your "Shovel."

It is my belief that this is where many Congregations (Communities) have gone astray. Today, many Churches are filled with people practicing a passive form a Faith, listening to the words of the Pastors, and proclaiming "Amens," without question, or in depth challenge to the content.  We must take the initiative to hold our Leaders accountable to what they teach, but in order to do this, we must be intimate with His Word.

This is where the Beth Midrash comes into play.  The Beth Midrash is needed to allow the Ruach HaKodesh (The Holy Spirit) that brings us into Unity, to be a witness to this experience of common revelation.  As we study individually, asking for The LORD's guidance, and then come together sharing our discoveries, we experience this unity.  When we ask questions, and share together as a Kehielah (Community), we help each other as Iron sharpens Iron, to forge our doctrine. 

The greatest experience of Midrash is to leave "Religion" behind, allowing The LORD to be our Teacher, that by His Ruach, through openness and honestly, and with an attitude "To Learn," then we will grow together in Unity of Understanding.

The prime directive of the Midrash is: "As long as you agree that our conclusions are based upon Scripture, then Come; let us reason together."

Personally, my greatest experience in Midrash, and what brought me back to the table was walking into the Beth Midrash with my doctrine drawn and ready for action, only to walk out having a completely different understanding. This only works, when the individual has come "To Learn," regardless of preconceived theology.  Midrash is not meant to shake your foundations, although it will. In the end, it is meant to strengthen your foundation, by making sure that it is tied into "HaYesod," (The Foundation) which is the Word of God - His Torah (Instruction).

Feel free to contact me, if you have questions or are interested in joining.  You may email me at danielhd37@yahoo.ca or call 204 330 6242.



Thank You for Reading and Blessings in Messiah Yeshua Adoneinu. 

The Akedah

It is Tradition, that the Story of Yitzchak (Isaac) is read during the 2 Days of Yom Teruah, which we are Celebrating Today and tomorrow. There are varying reasons why it is now observed over two days, rather than one day, as described within the Torah. The one common theme that I found was that, regardless of the reason, the two day observance began during or around the Babylonian Exile.

Therefore, like other 2 Day Observances within Judaism, this is due to alignment with Israel. Therefore, at the time that the New Moon is declared within Israel, this could be the middle of the afternoon, in other parts of the World. This is to allow all Jews around the World to remain in some type of unity, regardless of the Time Zone.

On the first day we read from Genesis 21, of Yitzchak's Birth, and on the second day, we read "The Akedah." The Akedah, or "The Binding of Yitzchak," which is found in Genesis 22, tells the story of God's call to Abraham to Sacrifice Yitzchak.

Although Traditionally, the Akedah is for tomorrow's reading, because we have gathered for Yom Teruah today, I will be sharing my thoughts on the Akedah during this Service.

Let's begin by reading of Genesis 22:

1 And it came to pass after these things, that God did prove Abraham, and said unto him: 'Abraham'; and he said: 'Here am I.'
2 And He said: 'Take now thy son, thine only son, whom thou lovest, even Isaac, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt-offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of.'
3 And Abraham rose early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son; and he cleaved the wood for the burnt-offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him.
4 On the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off.
5 And Abraham said unto his young men: 'Abide ye here with the ass, and I and the lad will go yonder; and we will worship, and come back to you.'
6 And Abraham took the wood of the burnt-offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took in his hand the fire and the knife; and they went both of them together.
7 And Isaac spoke unto Abraham his father, and said: 'My father.' And he said: 'Here am I, my son.' And he said: 'Behold the fire and the wood; but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?'
8 And Abraham said: 'God will provide Himself the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son.' So they went both of them together. (Mark this verse - I'll refer back to it later)
9 And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built the altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.
10 And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son.
11 And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said: 'Abraham, Abraham.' And he said: 'Here am I.'
12 And he said: 'Lay not thy hand upon the lad, neither do thou any thing unto him; for now I know that thou art a God-fearing man, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, from Me.'
13 And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns. And Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt-offering in the stead of his son.
14 And Abraham called the name of that place Adonai-jireh; as it is said to this day: 'In the mount where the LORD is seen.' (Could this be Jireh-Salem - Jerusalem? God Sees or Provides Peace?)
15 And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham a second time out of heaven,
16 and said: 'By Myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, (Notice the language used here - ONLY SON)
17 that in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the seashore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;
18 and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast hearkened to My voice.'
19 So Abraham returned unto his young men, and they rose up and went together to Beer-sheba; and Abraham dwelt at Beer-sheba. {P}

What is the significance of this story?

The Secular and the Religious World alike, refer to this Story as the foundation for the 3 Great Religions of the World Today. Religion? What does Religion have to do with this? I refer to this moment, in the Biblical time-line, as the antithesis of Religion.

Here is a man, who had no religion. He had no foundation, on which to determine whether or not, what he was hearing from the LORD was, in fact, of the LORD. By Faith, and Faith alone, he listened to the Voice of God, and he did obey. Again I ask, What does Religion have to do with this?

Religion is nothing more than a systematic approach to acknowledging God's Existence. It is simply man's attempt to provide a "Guide Book," if you will, on what God wants and how to please Him.

This story is not about Religion at all. The Akedah is simply laying down another layer to our Foundation of Faith.

Religion does not please God, only Faith does. Once again, let's read in Hebrews 11, What Faith is:

1 Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
2 This is what the ancients were commended for.
3 By faith we understand that the universe was formed at God’s command, so that what is seen was not made out of what was visible.
4 By faith Abel brought God a better offering than Cain did. By faith he was commended as righteous, when God spoke well of his offerings. And by faith Abel still speaks, even though he is dead.
5 By faith Enoch was taken from this life, so that he did not experience death: "He could not be found, because God had taken him away."[a] For before he was taken, he was commended as one who pleased God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.
7 By faith Noah, when warned about things not yet seen, in holy fear built an ark to save his family. By his faith he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness that is in keeping with faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.
9 By faith he made his home in the promised land like a stranger in a foreign country; he lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise.
10 For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 And by faith even Sarah, who was past childbearing age, was enabled to bear children because she[b] considered him faithful who had made the promise.
12 And so from this one man, and he as good as dead, came descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky and as countless as the sand on the seashore.
13 All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth.
14 People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own.
15 If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when God tested him, offered Isaac as a sacrifice. He who had embraced the promises was about to sacrifice his one and only son,
18 even though God had said to him, "It is through Isaac that your offspring will be reckoned."[c]
19 Abraham reasoned that God could even raise the dead, and so in a manner of speaking he did receive Isaac back from death.
20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau in regard to their future.
21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of Joseph’s sons, and worshiped as he leaned on the top of his staff.
22 By faith Joseph, when his end was near, spoke about the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt and gave instructions concerning the burial of his bones.
23 By faith Moses’ parents hid him for three months after he was born, because they saw he was no ordinary child, and they were not afraid of the king’s edict.
24 By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
25 He chose to be mistreated along with the people of God rather than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin.
26 He regarded disgrace for the sake of Messiah as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.
27 By faith he left Egypt, not fearing the king’s anger; he persevered because he saw him who is invisible.
28 By faith he kept the Passover and the application of blood, so that the destroyer of the firstborn would not touch the firstborn of Israel.
29 By faith the people passed through the Red Sea as on dry land; but when the Egyptians tried to do so, they were drowned.
30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell, after the army had marched around them for seven days.
31 By faith the prostitute Rahab, because she welcomed the spies, was not killed with those who were disobedient.[d]
32 And what more shall I say? I do not have time to tell about Gideon, Barak, Samson and Jephthah, about David and Samuel and the prophets,
33 who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions,
34 quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength; and who became powerful in battle and routed foreign armies.
35 Women received back their dead, raised to life again. There were others who were tortured, refusing to be released so that they might gain an even better resurrection.
36 Some faced jeers and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment.
37 They were put to death by stoning;[e] they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, destitute, persecuted and mistreated—
38 the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, living in caves and in holes in the ground.
39 These were all commended for their faith, yet none of them received what had been promised,
40 since God had planned something better for us so that only together with us would they be made perfect.

Religion attempts to mimic a form of Righteousness. It depicts itself as, that by doing the right thing, we behave Righteously, and therefore this is attributed to us as Righteousness.

Religions equate our Acts or Attempts at Righteousness, as Righteousness, when all along, our Righteousness is simply based on the fact that God will provide Himself the Righteousness for us. It is by accepting His Righteousness, by Faith, do we receive His Righteousness. This is not simply a "Christian," or "New Testament" notion. It was right there from the Beginning.

8 And Abraham said: 'God will provide Himself the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son.' So they went both of them together. (Genesis 22:8)

It is not Acts of Righteousness that Pleases God, as we learn in Isaiah 64, which compares our acts of Righteousness to Filthy Rags. In fact, Righteousness was the Gift of God due to Faith. Faith is simply Trusting that God was going to do, all that He says that He will do. All else is Patriotism, Self-Righteousness, Vanity, and Vexation of Spirit.

This is not to say that we have licence to Sin, and that we have no need of doing that which is Right. This is simply placing the equation into proper order, so that we understand better the actual value of our Works of Righteousness, and WHERE actual Righteousness comes from.

Placing the futility of Religion aside, let's look back to the Akedah, The Binding of Yitzchak, and see the story for what it truly is, "The Stumbling Block."

As you have heard me speak before about the Scriptures, and the Midrash, I use the word "Anomaly," a lot. I say, "When reading the Scriptures, look for the anomalies." What I am referring to is those statements or concepts of paradox, things that just don't seem to sit right, or fit right, on first reading.
I want you to understand that it is not Sin to question the Word of God. In fact, He has placed these "Anomalies" or "Stumbling Blocks," along the way to keep us attentive. In other words, He has placed them there for a reason.

Our job, in this Relationship with HaShem, is to search them out, and discover that which He has prepared for us, but not for them, as referred to in Matthew 13. Them, in this case, are those who want to adhere to Religion, but lack in developing a personal relationship with the Living God, YHVH.

Now, why do I refer to The Akedah as "A stumbling block?"

There are 2 reasons.

1) The Story runs contrary to our understanding of God and His Ways. Why would God ask Abraham to sacrifice his own son? Had He ever asked anyone, within the context of Torah, to do this before this event, or ever again? In fact, the Torah teaches us against such things. Why would God tell us that this is wrong, in general, and yet ask Abraham to do this?

2) 1 Corinthians 1:20-25

20 Where is the wise person? Where is the teacher of the law? Where is the philosopher of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world?
21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.
22 Jews demand signs and Greeks look for wisdom,
23 but we preach Messiah's Sacrifice: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles,
24 but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Messiah the power of God and the wisdom of God.
25 For the foolishness of God is wiser than human wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than human strength.

The very idea of a Messiah is Foolishness to "The Greek," (The Philosopher), because the Philosopher has not particularly embraced the Torah as Truth, and in as much, has not come to terms with the cause and effects of Sin, and therefore, the need for redemption seems futile and foolish from that understanding. If there is no Sin, and no Punishment, because the Truth is Subjective, and Relative, then why would I need to be redeemed? -- Foolishness!

To the Jew, it is a Stumbling Block, because although we trust in the promise of Messiah, if we do not understand the true purpose of Messiah, then all we trust in, is the promise itself, and not the purpose.
In Modern Judaism, it is taught that Messiah will be a Great Political Leader who will bring Peace on Earth. It is also taught that in the Messianic Age, everyone will know Who the LORD is. The very idea that Messiah will come covertly, as a suffering servant, and die for the sins of the World, is not even contemplated within "Jewish Thought." This is not the purpose of Messiah. It is taught that the Scriptures do not teach this Prophetic Theology.

However, for some reason, "Christians," and Messianic Jews alike, can find endless references within the Scriptures that proclaims this very thing. The response from Judaism is that you can read whatever you want into the Scripture, but this doesn't change the fact that this was not what the Scriptures meant.
This principle of, error in perception, is solidified in the theme that the Scriptures were given to the Jews, and therefore our Rabbis have the ultimate authority on what they really mean. Somehow, our collective intellect has surpassed that of the very authority of Scripture itself. Other than simply lacking in humility to the Divine inspiration of God's Word, I find this premise erroneous within the context of the very Scriptures.

Isaiah 55:8-9

8 For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the LORD.
9 For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.

One of the Great Rabbis of Renown stated:

"If there are 1000 prophets, all of them of the stature of Elijah and Elisha, giving a certain interpretation, and 1001 Rabbis giving the opposite interpretation, you shall ‘incline after the majority’ and the law is according to the 1001 Rabbis, not according to the 1000 venerable prophets... God did not permit us to learn from the prophets, only from the Rabbis who are men of logic and reason." - Moses ben-Maimon (Rambam)

This is the opinion of Religion.

Members of our Community tend to be "Opinionated." We even joke about this by making the statement, "Where there are 2 Jews there are 3 opinions." I heard this statement made at The Messiah Conference, and someone in the crowd shouted out, "There are 5 opinions!" YOU SEE!

I become frustrated with the arrogance of Religion and Man's thoughts. Here's my point. If "a few Jews" (The Majority) cannot wrap their minds around Yeshua being "Messiah Ben Yosef," - "The Suffering Servant," then how does it make the opinion by Jews, that HE IS, "Not within Jewish Thought?" Isn't this at the very least, "Just another opinion" as a Jew?

Simple Logic is on my side within this form of "Reason," therefore the debate falls back into tossing things into the Category of Religion. "The Jewish Religion does not accept this premise." Meaning, if I embrace this vein of thought, I somehow lose my "Jewishness" and therefore must be deemed a "Christian." What are we 6? Is this a playground? When I was a Child, I thought as a Child. I reasoned as a Child. (1 Corinthians 13:11) - Childlike Foolishness. THIS is Rabbinical Wisdom? Bevakasha! (Please)

All the while, if one who is a Jew by Birth, proclaims to be an atheist, and has no regard for Torah, this one is still within the mindset of Jewish Thought. At one time, I became angry at this ridiculous process of so-called logic, but now, what's the point?

This is not Wisdom, nor logic. I call it grasping, at best. I equate this Wisdom to the argument of the Jewish People's interest in the Land of Israel. There is unquestionable evidence of endless Historical Documentation, yet for some reason, the Arab World, and the World in general, find a way to argue against Israel's claims. I roll my eyes, and say, "Well everyone has an opinion, amongst other things."

Here are the Principles that I live by, which I believe are Abrahamic in nature:

1) Have Faith in the God of Abraham and Trust in His Promises
2) Develop a Relationship with HaShem, just as Abraham did.
3) Rely on the Scripture for your Foundation
4) God's Word is our Authority and He has the Final say in our Halacha
5) Regardless of our Logic, God's provision of Righteousness, is the only Righteousness. (Righteousness of Messiah)

Although Abraham did not have the Scriptures, as we do today, we must use it appropriately. The Torah is one of the Blessings that God Promised to Abraham, and therefore we should embrace it with open arms, and give to it, its due honour.

In fact, the two topics for today, Yom Teruah and The Akedah, are celebrations given to us through Torah, and in both cases, they are ambiguous in nature -- Stumbling Blocks.

First of all, although we generally refer to this Holiday as Rosh Hashana, the New Year, this is a Babylonian Concept. This day is actually Yom Teruah, as originally prescribed in The Torah. However, the Rabbis say that it is ambiguous, because they are not sure of its Spiritual purpose. The Torah is not specific on this issue, not like the other Days of the Moedim. We know it to be called The Feast of Trumpets, or "Blasts," or "Screams," ("Shouts"), but there are no depictions within Torah of its actual or practical purpose. Perhaps, for this reason, the Rabbis had little trouble in associating this "Appointed Day" with another name, and connecting it with a pagan practise.

Perhaps, for this same reason, the Akedah is an ambiguous idea to Jewish Thought. Why would God ask Abraham to go to a place, that He would show him, and ask him to Sacrifice Isaac, his only son. Never before in Scripture was something like this asked, and never was it asked again, and in fact, the very idea is against the Foundational Principles of The Torah. If ever there was a Stumbling Block, this is it!
So why the ambiguity? Why a Stumbling Block? The Talmudim asked Him, "Why not speak plainly?" (Matthew 13) Messiah taught us that we are to Hunger and Thirst after His Righteousness. We are to seek, and if we do, we will find it. This is His Promise, and we can put our Faith in it.

A few weeks ago in our Torah Club, we were perplexed by a verse in D'varim 28:

63 And it shall come to pass, that as the LORD rejoiced over you to do you good, and to multiply you; so the LORD will rejoice over you to cause you to perish, and to destroy you; and ye shall be plucked from off the land whither thou goest in to possess it. (Deuteronomy 28:63)

It was the second part of the verse that we stumbled over. "so the LORD will rejoice over you to cause you to perish, and to destroy you;" We stumbled, because these words were out of character of how we understood the LORD. Why would the LORD "Rejoice," over our destruction?

This was a Stumbling Block. We were forced to acknowledge it. We needed to Midrash. After our investigation, we concluded that it was our understanding of the word "Rejoice," that perhaps did not capture the original intent. Another translation used the word "Pleased." Now, within this context, it came down to a matter of "The LORD's Will be done." Meaning that if God proclaims a warning of Judgement, and we continue in the way that we are going, then we WILL be judged, and therefore, God's Truth will be carried out. This was His Warning. This was His Will. The LORD's Will be done.

Therefore it "Pleased" Him. This did not bring Him "Pleasure," as it implies within the context of its meaning within our language, but ultimately it "Pleased" Him, Where ("Pleased" - Meaning: "If you Will"). His Will was done.

The point being, is that this demonstrated how a Stumbling Block was meant to work. It provoked us, because as it stood, this did not fit within our understanding of God's Character. The fact that we noticed this, and took it to the LORD, demonstrated the importance of the Stumbling Blocks. It goes to show the importance of knowing the Heart of the LORD. If we did not know the Heart of the LORD, we would have simply interpreted that God drew pleasure from destroying His People, and lived within this premise, without investigation. We knew better, and therefore, it forced us to examine it closer, forcing us to draw closer to God's Word, and deeper within His Heart.

There are so many questions that arise as we look to the character of the LORD.

Does God ever say things that He doesn't really mean?

Well, He asked Abraham to Sacrifice his son, and then stopped him before he did it. Why ask in the first place? What was the LORD trying to reveal to us about Himself, within this Story?

We could simply go down the same road as every other Theologian studying this story, by looking at the story, in and of itself, without considering the thoughts and intents of the Author, or we could ask the Author, what He wanted us to understand from it.

The simple answer is that God was testing Abraham's Faith, but ultimately would not allow him to break a foundational premise of Torah. I speak of the foundational premise of Torah, because to Abraham, the Covenant of Torah was not yet given, and therefore could not be considered a breach of Covenant.

However, I'm referring to the everlasting foundational aspect of the Torah. If it would be wrong to do this today, then would it not have been wrong to do it before the Giving of the Torah, by the same Universal Principle? Of course.

Was this just a test of Abraham's Faith? Therefore, because of Abraham's behaviour, the Earth would be blessed? What about God's intent? Perhaps God was using Abraham to teach us a lesson, all of us, about Faith in general.

Could there be more to the story, if we dig deeper? Perhaps more questions?

Is it simply a part of God's nature to ask us to do things, with the intent to simply test us, and we never really have to go through with it?

Does God utter Warnings that He has no intention of carrying out, if we continue doing what He has warned us to stop?

We can only process what are minds are able to understand (At The Time).

Can we understand that which we do not understand? Of course not, but then what due diligence (investigation) is required on our part, to receive understanding?

Can we just claim ignorance to God's Will? Should we not seek for it? Should we not Hunger and Thirst for it, or should we just assume that we have it right without question? Can we just fall back on the premise of Grace? Unfortunately, a lot of us do, including myself.

But - We must keep something in mind:

"Grace was designed for our limitations, not our apathy."

As we mature, we see things differently. This is a part of Study. When we first heard this Story as a Child, or at least as Children in the LORD, we perceived it differently than we did the next time, and each time thereafter. We see it differently again, and again.

As we study, we look at the subject from various angles, trying to see something that we didn't see before. This is the very concept of "Study."

We may establish theories or doctrines about the subject, and allow these foundational premises to dictate what we understand next. Foundations built upon foundations.

The question is, what if we have misunderstood a foundational premise, right from the beginning, and all that we have learned is based upon one error? Then therefore, all that we build upon this foundation, is in error as well. Terrifying isn't it? Rav Sha'ul (Paul) refers to this in Philippians 3, where he equates his "foundations" as dung.

Oh, but we have Faith, and Faith overcomes our errors. Does it?

Can we go on living our lives in ignorance, with the justification that we cannot possibly know all the Truth that the Universe has to offer? Therefore, what's the point? Do we stop, and hold onto the pillars of our Faith, and declare, "The LORD has mercy?" Then, when our foundations are challenged, do we close our eyes, and cover our ears, declaring, "You are trying to shake my Faith!" Like so many Monkey figurines. "See no Evil, Hear no Evil, Speak no Evil."

Is this the example of a Teachable Heart? God has given us a mind, to consider. Yeshua taught us, "It is not what goes into a man that defiles him, but what comes out of Him." (Matthew 15:11) This is to say, "It is not what we consider that defiles us, but what we do with that knowledge."

Do we simply receive it, and call it doctrine, or do we complete our due diligence and use the Word of God (The Heart of God) to judge the value of what we are receiving.

How do we know? We are just Children in the LORD? I asked this question too, as a younger man, brunting the tempest that some would call "The Winds of Doctrine." What did I stand on? How did I survive the storm, and not fall into false doctrine?

Faith! Faith is not Patriotism to a Doctrine. Faith is not Holding to your beliefs without sway. Faith is believing that God, is in control. Faith is submitting our destiny into His hands and Trusting that He will guide us, no matter what. He will teach us His Ways, and we will grow in Him. This means that being Patriotic to a Doctrine is very dangerous, as this limits our growth, and does not give room for the LORD to Teach us. It is not the Doctrine, but the Truth, that we should have Faith in. His Truth.

The Scriptures teach us that, "Your Rod and Your Staff, they Comfort me." (Psalm 23) It's kind of an ironic statement, don't you think? "Your Rod, and Your Staff." The very things used to strike us with, is that which comforts us? It is a comfort to us, because it is used to steer us away from false doctrine.

Sheep do not have wheels. They do not ride on tracks like a train, nor do they travel on the road like a car, living by the rules of the Highway. Sheep wonder about the Sheppard to and fro, looking for nice, sweet and tasty grass to eat. They thirst for fresh, cool water, and they wonder about hunting for such things, while the Sheppard keeps watch over them.

The Sheppard walks ahead leading his flock. As the Sheep learn to trust him, and know that when they do, they will always find the good grass and the good water, and as a result, they will always follow him. As the Sheep mature, they tend not to wonder off too far and too fro.

If the Sheppard is going to lead you to the green pastures and the still waters, then why would you spend so much time wondering around on your own getting lost? You would learn to stick close to the Sheppard. Trust Him. If your heart is truly seeking the LORD, and not the things of this world, then He will not fail you. He will guide you away from foolish doctrine, and teach you His Ways. This is the Promise to Abraham, and his descendants, both physical and spiritual.

As we learn to Trust in the LORD, we rest upon that Trust. We know that He will lead us on a good path, and so we choose to follow Him. This comes with maturity. Before we reach this maturity, we are affected by the Winds of Doctrine, as we wonder to and fro. However, as we mature, we become less fearful, less anxious, and become more trusting that He has it all under control.

Read Mark 4:35-41

35 That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side."
36 Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him.
37 A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped.
38 Yeshua was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don’t you care if we drown?"
39 He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.
40 He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"
41 They were terrified and asked each other, "Who is this? Even the wind and the waves obey him!"

We must keep in mind that the Lessons of Faith increase, as it is with any Study that we pursue.
Therefore, as the Talmudim learned from the lesson of the calming of the storm, they moved onto greater tests that they would face, with each, becoming stronger in Faith, and having greater Trust in Adonai - Growing in Maturity.

As our Faith is tested, we learn greater levels of Sacrifice, up to and including that of our own lives. To allow yourself to be killed, for your beliefs is Heroic, but is it Faith? There have been many men and women of History, who have given their lives for what they believed in, but was this Faith? Giving up your life, though an incredible challenge, by God's Standard, it is not the Greatest Act of Faith, as we learn from The Akedah.

Although He teaches us that there is no greater LOVE than to lie down your life for your brother, He also teaches us that if we give ourselves to be burned, but have not LOVE, then it is worthless. (I Corinthians 13)

The Sacrifice of LOVE, is greater than the Sacrifice of Life. If we give of our lives, we move onto what is next. It is those who are left behind, that live on with whatever results come of that event.
Therefore, giving your life for your brother, in LOVE, is the Greatest Act of LOVE, but Giving up that which you LOVE, is the Greatest Sacrifice of all. This is where True Faith comes into play.

This is the Mystery behind the Akedah. Why would God ask Abraham to Sacrifice His Son, the only Son of Promise? The Son that he thought that he would never see, let alone hold, let alone witness to grow into a man, the son that was to carry on and fulfil God's Promise to him, to be his heir to the Promise?
This Story has perplexed our minds since it was first told.

I say, for us to understand this story, we must know and understand the Heart of God. If it is just a story - "A Hero of Faith," we have lost the whole point, and it is just a story like any other story of Antiquity and Myth. There is so much more here to build that Foundation of Faith, and to understanding the Heart of God.

I never knew fear until my first child was born. When I was first asked, "So how does it feel to be a Dad?" - My first response was, "Fear." Fear, like I had never felt it before. I had never loved like this before, nor was I responsible for a Life, other than my own.

I was raised as a Believer, with a Father, who spoke of Death as Victory, because we finally get to be with the LORD. I understood my life as a time, an opportunity, given to us to do whatever He has planned for us to do, and when we have completed our duties here on Earth, it was time to return to the LORD. It's one thing to accept this for yourself, but to accept this concept as a Father, this would become the Greatest test of my own Faith. I believe by Biblical Principle, this is the Greatest Test of Faith.

I believe that, because of this, this is why Paul advised for believers not to marry during the days of persecution. It would be one thing to give up your life for the LORD, but it is a completely different dynamic when it is your Wife, and especially your Child at stake.

The question that has perplexed the minds of readers of the Bible for thousands of years, is did God ask Abraham to do something that He never meant for Abraham to fulfil, and was the call to stop it, a reaction to his commitment to it, or was it planned all along, and Abraham knew this, by Faith, within his heart?

This Paradox, creates a circular conundrum that is not easily concluded without context. If we look at the context within the story itself, there is no rhyme nor reason. Why? We can gather the fact that what the story says, in and of itself, that this was a test of Faith, and since Abraham was willing to go through with it, it was counted to him as Righteousness. Simple!

The Paradox is that this places "Obedience to God," even when the command is outside what we would conceive to be God's Will. Confused? Good. This is supposed to be confusing. This is the Stumbling Block!

I'm talking about the contradiction within God's Command. In any other context of Torah, this would be viewed as Wrong, but within the context of the Akedah, this is permissible. Why? Is God above His own Word? This would be a contradiction. Then there must be more to the story than what we are seeing, while only looking at the Story itself.

The reality is that Abraham, knowing that God would not ask him to do something outside of His own Will, proceeded to the test, trusting that, even if God allowed him to follow through, that The LORD would raise Yitzchak back from the dead. This is considered Faith.

Therefore, instead of keeping within the context of this story alone, we must look at the Word of God, as a whole, and look into the heart of God. How often does God ask us to do something outside the jurisdiction of "The Norm," of His Will, something like the Akedah, which contradicts our very understanding of who God is, and what his Torah teaches us?

There are so many ways to look at this story, and reconcile this anomaly. Here's another approach. How often does God challenge us on things, that He has placed in front of us, to consider. Is He testing us to see if we will apply our knowledge of Him. Will we do, as He commands, because He has commanded it, or is He allowing us to take the matter back to Him, and question the premise?

Isn't this the very thing that Abraham did regarding the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah? Abraham questioned God's intent, by bargaining with the LORD over sparing the Righteous.

Again, when Moses was advised by God that He was going to wipe out Israel, and raise up a Nation unto Moses' seed, did God really want this, or was He testing Moses to do his job, and step up and be the Leader, which he was called to be? Moses was supposed to step up, and stand in the Gap, as a Leader of Israel was supposed to do. Moses did, and passed the test. The paradox question is, what if Moses did not? Would God have fulfilled His promise to Moses, and do just what He declared? Perhaps, but the Truth was that God wanted Moses to pass, and he did.

Perhaps this is why the LORD taught us to pray, as in the Avinu, "Do not test us, beyond what we are able."

This Leads me into my final point, that I want to leave with you today.

What is the point of Prayer?

As a "Thinker," there are somethings that I do without question, because I was taught to do this. However, in all things, there is a time where my mind reaches that point, and I ask, "Why am I doing this," or at least, "Why am I doing it this way?"

One of my Life-long meditations, stumbling blocks, has been on the Point of Prayer. If God, being God, knows all things, and that "His Will Be Done," then why would my conscious request or acknowledgement have any baring on the happenings of the Universe?

I guess the question comes down to, "Who is in control?" "Who is the Potter, and who is the Clay?" If He is the Master Builder, and we are the Material, how quickly we forget our place in this Relationship.
God is building our Faith. Our lives are the material that He is working with. Therefore, when He asks us to Pray, and to act and make important decisions, based upon our knowledge of Him, perhaps He is testing us to see, if we like a pot, are able to hold the water. Therefore, as we pray, and He is able to demonstrate to us, the Power of this relationship, it increases the strength of our Faith, as in the strength of the pot, which is able to fulfil its ultimate purpose.

Therefore, as we grow closer to the Heart of God and become more intimate with Him, I encourage you to look deeper into God's intent within His Word. Let us have the Faith of Abraham, which was based upon relationship with the LORD, rather than the cracked and decaying foundations of Religion.

Chavrim, the mystery of the Akedah and the entire foundation of our Faith is based upon God doing it for us. We just need to trust Him, because He first loved us.

16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.
18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.
19 This is the verdict: Light has come into the world, but people loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil.
20 Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that their deeds will be exposed.
21 But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light, so that it may be seen plainly that what they have done has been done in the sight of God. (John 3:16-21)

Abraham did not have to Give His Only Son, because God was going to do exactly that. The Akedah was the Sign that we were looking for. Yeshua is the answer to our Mystery.

May the LORD bless you. L'Shanah Tovah Tikatevu.

May Your Name be Scribed into the Lamb's Book of Life.

Blessings in Messiah.

Learning from the Prophet Jonah

Tonight, we read from the Book of Jonah. It is Tradition to read the Book of Jonah during Yom Kippur. The story of Jonah exemplifies the dichotomy of the two types of Judgement in Jewish thought. The Judgement of "Dan" which is Instruction that leads to Redemption, and the Judgement of "Shofet," which is the Final Judgement, which leads to Destruction. The Story of Jonah, challenges our understanding of these two types of Judgement, and how they are to be administered.

It also teaches us about God's Character, and the Real understanding of His relationship with Israel. It is common thought, especially within the Church, that "The Jews," (God's Chosen People), are Chosen out of "Favouritism."

Let me set the record straight, right here and now. God has Chosen Israel for a purpose, and with that purpose comes blessings, but also Great Responsibility. Most of the time, Jews are born into this responsibility without a choice of their own. Nevertheless, the LORD allows us to choose. This is the acceptance of the Covenant, much like that which was given or "re-given" to the Israelites in D'varim (Deuteronomy). A Covenant made with every generation, thereafter. Ultimately, the Blessings and the Responsibility are worth it, but it is not an easy road to choose.

We are Chosen "Servants" of the LORD, whether we acknowledge this or not. God has used our people throughout History, whether we knew it or not, or wanted to or not. To be "Chosen" is not about "The Blessings," but "The Purpose" that we are Chosen for. For this reason, when Gentiles desire to "Convert" to Judaism, there is discouragement from the Rabbis. This is a Tradition, to demonstrate the severity of taking on this Responsibility. The "Blessing," is no light matter.

For this reason, and in this Tradition, Paul warns early Non-Jewish Believers about what it means to submit to The Law through Religious Conversion to Judaism, which was enacted through circumcision.

"Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law." Galatians 5:3

There are many times it has been declared, by our People, "Why me. Why us?" This is even voiced within the Play "Fiddler on the Roof," - Tevya declares, "I know, I know. We are Your chosen people. But, once in a while, can't You choose someone else?"

This statement so clearly depicts the emotions of Jonah, when he is asked to go to Nineveh, to call them to T'shuva (Repentance). As if to say, "Why me? Destroy them, if you are going to destroy them!" This would be like asking a Jew to go to Berlin, and to the SS Head Quarters in the midst of WWII, to call the Nazis to repentance. Could you imagine?

Then again, Could you imagine?

It is Times like this, and events like THIS, that Israel is called to fulfil that Responsibility. It's not always about "Blessings." This is WHAT we were chosen for.

Any volunteers?

I think our "Other Prime Minister," Benjamin Natanyahu did just this, in the Halls of the UN a couple weeks ago.

It is events like this, that marks the days of the Prophets, Days when the Boldness of the LORD is upon our People, so that we proclaim the Judgement of "Dan," to mankind, in spite of the ramifications. We are to take our Responsibility to proclaim the Word of the LORD, even if it means death. It is Days like this that require us to speak the Truth, even when man believes that The Truth and Being Righteous, is irrelevant.

Why do you think that they killed the Prophets?

We don't want to hear instruction. We do not want to Shema. We want everyone else to Shema (Hear) what we have to proclaim, but are WE willing to Listen to what the LORD has to say, through His prophets?

I ask myself the same question. Am I willing to listen... To do?

It's not easy to muster up the courage to go tell someone something that they do not want to hear. It is easier, if you are proclaiming the Judgement of Shofet, because you can draw upon your anger to give you strength. Is IT not easy to tell your enemies that they are going to Hell? What about those that you Love?

In fact, there are some that only see this side of the LORD - The God of Judgement. They view the Character of the LORD as one who finds "Pleasure," in Punishing the Wicked. Is this the God of Israel?
Whenever you read the Prophets, you will notice a simple formula, an elementary pattern. Point out the Wrongs (Demonstrate the Problem), Proclaim Righteousness (Instruction in Proper Conduct), Warning (Proclaim the coming calamity without Repentance), Reason and Plead with man (Demonstrate desire for Restoration.)

What comes next is natural progression. We can call this "Punishment," but if I were to tell you, "Do not play in traffic," and then by not listening, you get hit by a car... Is this punishment or natural consequence in the sequence of events? We are called, Chosen, to proclaim "Dan." The Righteous Judgement of Instruction. We leave the Judgement of Shofet to the LORD.

Instead of taking pleasure, in the Shofet of our Enemies (Those who do not agree with us, or persecute us), We should demonstrate Dan, and be motivated by Love. We should be learning from the story of Jonah, to proclaim T'shuva, with the hope and desire, that they do Listen, and not in the hopes that they will not. We should not rejoice in the Destruction of our Enemies, but weep. This is what we have to learn from the Prophet Jonah. We must draw upon our Love, even the Love of our enemies, to proclaim the Righteousness of the LORD. THIS, Loving our Enemies, in spite of our emotion, is what Messiah Yeshua taught us, that makes us stand apart (Holy) - Chosen for a purpose.

This should be a lesson to us, within the Messianic Movement. We, who have knocked down our houses built upon Theology, and are rebuilding our tabernacle upon the foundation of Scripture. In Love, we must continue to share our understanding with those who are yet to turn, to return to God's Torah. We should learn to extend the same Grace that has brought us to where we are today.

As well, as we hold resentment against the Rabbis, who mislead our people Israel. We are angry, like Johan, at their Sin. Sometimes, we'd rather see the Wrath of God fall upon them, than to see them repent, and this is our Sin. They must be edified by His Word. This is what we have been Chosen to do. We have not been chosen to proclaim Christianity, but The Word of God, and the fullness thereof, which leads to Messiah. This, and not Christianity, will provoke them to jealousy!

Chaverim, Christianity is a Religion, like Judaism, or Islam for that matter. Within it are good teachings, but it is the Word of God that we have been called to Prophesy, not a Religion.

Today, we must learn from the Story of Jonah, and offer Grace and forgiveness, just as we ask the LORD to forgiveness us. From here forward, we must accept His Instruction to exercise the Judgement of Dan, the Judgement of Good Instruction. Our goal, should be, in Love, to provoke them, The Rabbis, and the Church Pastors, to return to God's Word. We learn, like Jonah, to remove the Judgement of Shofet from our hearts, knowing that the LORD loved them enough to choose us, and to use us, to provoke them to repentance.

Tonight, Today, This Yom Kippur, as we Fast with Israel, we Fast in Unity with our Nation, during this time of repentance. However, what is saying "I'm sorry," without T'shuva Emet (True Repentance). We must turn away from our unrighteousness. We must pray that we all return to the foundation of Torah.

As we Fast and Pray, we must ask the Ruach HaKodesh to instruct us in the proper observance of Torah, rather than relying on our own wisdom and understanding. We must understand that Traditions are important Road Signs, but we Must reach our Destination, and Worship Adonai in Spirit and in Truth.

Let us rise to the Purpose of our Choosing, and proclaim the latter part of the Prophet's formula, the call of Restoration. It is Time for Israel to declare, "Baruch Haba B'Shem Adonai." "Blessed is HE who comes in the name of The LORD."

Is Israel ready? Is this the Time? This is for the LORD to decide. In the mean time, it is our calling, our duty, as His Chosen, His Elect, to proclaim to all those who are seeking, The Messiah of Israel, Yeshua HaMashiach.

We do not proclaim this in arrogance, as though we have something to boast, but in humility and simple Bold Truth. Come, reason with us, there is just as much evidence, and more, reason that He is Messiah, than some claim that He is not.

In Matthew 12, Yeshua quotes from The Prophet Isaiah (Chapter 42):

18 "Here is my servant whom I have chosen,
the one I love, in whom I delight;
I will put my Spirit on him,
and he will proclaim justice to the nations.
19 He will not quarrel or cry out;
no one will hear his voice in the streets.
20 A bruised reed he will not break,
and a smoldering wick he will not snuff out,
till he has brought justice through to victory.
21 In his name the nations will put their hope." (Matthew 12:18-21)

Still, we asked for A Sign. To this Yeshua stated:

38 Then some of the Pharisees and teachers of the law said to him, "Teacher, we want to see a sign from you."

39 He answered, "A wicked and adulterous generation asks for a sign! But none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah.
40 For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of a huge fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
41 The men of Nineveh will stand up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now something greater than Jonah is here.
42 The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, and now something greater than Solomon is here.
43 "When an impure spirit comes out of a person, it goes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it.
44 Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ When it arrives, it finds the house unoccupied, swept clean and put in order.
45 Then it goes and takes with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and live there. And the final condition of that person is worse than the first. That is how it will be with this wicked generation." (Matthew 12:38-45)

This parable speaks of what we do prior to Pesach and Yom Kippur. We clean our house, ridding ourselves of sin. Now, let us take heed to the Warning of Messiah, regarding what we do on this Yom Kippur.

As we clean our house, and rid ourselves of the Sin that plagues us, what happens if we are not sealed by the Ruach HaKodesh, The Holy Spirit, and that our name is not only written, but sealed, in the Book of Life?

Then Next year, this time, we will be dealing with multiples of 7. This is why Yeshua teaches us to forgive 70 times 7, as in Matthew 18:22. The number 70 refers to the Nations of the World, the Goyim. The 7 represents the increments of our Sin. Therefore, if we do not learn to walk upright, as the LORD has Commanded us, then we become like the Goyim, like the nations - Not Holy - Not Set Apart.

If so, then who is worthy to be our Priest? Who is able to perform the duty of the acts of atonement?

Therefore, as God forgives the Nations, through Israel's Work of fulfilling His Command, regarding Yom Kippur, therefore forgiving us, His Chosen, we too should be willing to forgive the 70 times 7. This is what brings complete atonement, not just for Israel, but in turn, the Whole World. Therefore, let us forgive one another, as we ask the LORD to forgive us. Yeshua is our Tikkun Olam.

In closing, let me read Isaiah 53 once again, and know the sign of our Messiah. The Sign that some have attempted to hide from us. The Prophet Isaiah declares:

1 'Who would have believed our report? And to whom hath the arm of the LORD been revealed?
2 For he shot up right forth as a sapling, and as a root out of a dry ground; he had no form nor comeliness, that we should look upon him, nor beauty that we should delight in him.
3 He was despised, and forsaken of men, a man of pains, and acquainted with disease, and as one from whom men hide their face: he was despised, and we esteemed him not.
4 Surely our diseases he did bear, and our pains he carried; whereas we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.
5 But he was wounded because of our transgressions, he was crushed because of our iniquities: the chastisement of our welfare was upon him, and with his stripes we were healed.
6 All we like sheep did go astray, we turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath made to light on him the iniquity of us all.
7 He was oppressed, though he humbled himself and opened not his mouth; as lamb that is led to the slaughter, and as a sheep that before her shearers is dumb; yea, he opened not his mouth.
8 By oppression and judgment he was taken away, and with his generation who did reason? for he was cut off out of the land of the living, for the transgression of my people to whom the stroke was due.
9 And they made his grave with the wicked, and with the rich his tomb; although he had done no violence, neither was any deceit in his mouth.'
10 Yet it pleased the LORD to crush him by disease; to see if his soul would offer itself in restitution, that he might see his seed, prolong his days, and that the purpose of the LORD might prosper by his hand:
11 Of the travail of his soul he shall see to the full, even My servant, who by his knowledge did justify the Righteous One to the many, and their iniquities he did bear.
12 Therefore will I divide him a portion among the great, and he shall divide the spoil with the mighty; because he bared his soul unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors; yet he bore the sin of many, and made intercession for the transgressors.

Let us take heed to the Words of the Prophets and Know our Messiah. His name is Yeshua, and He Has Come, and He has taken away the Sin of the World, for those who lay it upon Him.

May the LORD Bless You, and May your Fast be Easy.

Is Yom Kippur Kosher?

To the Jew, other than every weekly Sabbath, Yom Kippur represents the Highest of Holidays. In Jewish Tradition, on Rosh Hashanah, or The New Year, Adonai writes our names into The Book of Life. During the 10 proceeding days, the days of awe, we consider our lives. We take account of our behaviour, and seek forgiveness for our Sins. It is on Yom Kippur that our names are sealed in The Book of Life. It is at this point that this solemn observance turns into a celebration, and we declare Baruch HaShem and Hallelujah!

To the Average Christian, Yom Kippur represents a thing of the past, a ritual, no longer required due to the change of the era. It is said that "Christ has done away with this." It is understood, and commonly accepted that this observance is futile, since Christ died for our Sins, and there is no longer a need for it. It is viewed as an Old Testament practise that, and in some cases, it is (if observed) an insult to God's Work, and the Atonement of Messiah.

If this is true, then why would Messianic Believers even consider this idea? Are we insulting God? This is a good question.

I believe that many of us are here, because we have questions. Many of us have had difficulty, simply swallowing theology handed down to us, especially when that theology contradicts simplistic understandings within the Word of God.

Let us consider the issue. Is it Kosher for "Christians" to Observe Yom Kippur?

In order to begin this thought, we must first ask, "Is it found within the Word of God?" - Yes, but in the Old Testament. Therefore it has lost its validity. - The Word of God, as you call it, "The Old Testament," has lost its validity? That's interesting.

Turn with me to the second portion of Today's Reading (Leviticus 18)

1 And the LORD spoke unto Moses, saying:
2 Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them: I am the LORD your God.
3 After the doings of the land of Egypt, wherein ye dwelt, shall ye not do; and after the doings of the land of Canaan, whither I bring you, shall ye not do; neither shall ye walk in their statutes.
4 Mine ordinances shall ye do, and My statutes shall ye keep, to walk therein: I am the LORD your God.
5 Ye shall therefore keep My statutes, and Mine ordinances, which if a man do, he shall live by them: I am the LORD. {S}
6 None of you shall approach to any that is near of kin to him, to uncover their nakedness. I am the LORD. {S}
7 The nakedness of thy father, and the nakedness of thy mother, shalt thou not uncover: she is thy mother; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. {S} (Invalid?)
8 The nakedness of thy father's wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father's nakedness. {S} (Obsolete?)
9 The nakedness of thy sister, the daughter of thy father, or the daughter of thy mother, whether born at home, or born abroad, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover. {S}
10 The nakedness of thy son's daughter, or of thy daughter's daughter, even their nakedness thou shalt not uncover; for theirs is thine own nakedness. {S}
11 The nakedness of thy father's wife's daughter, begotten of thy father, she is thy sister, thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. {S}
12 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's sister: she is thy father's near kinswoman. {S}
13 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy mother's sister; for she is thy mother's near kinswoman. {S}
14 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy father's brother, thou shalt not approach to his wife: she is thine aunt. {S}
15 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy daughter-in-law: she is thy son' wife; thou shalt not uncover her nakedness. {S}
16 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of thy brother's wife: it is thy brother's nakedness. {S}
17 Thou shalt not uncover the nakedness of a woman and her daughter; thou shalt not take her son's daughter, or her daughter's daughter, to uncover her nakedness: they are near kinswomen; it is lewdness.
18 And thou shalt not take a woman to her sister, to be a rival to her, to uncover her nakedness, beside the other in her lifetime.
19 And thou shalt not approach unto a woman to uncover her nakedness, as long as she is impure by her uncleanness.
20 And thou shalt not lie carnally with thy neighbour's wife, to defile thyself with her.
21 And thou shalt not give any of thy seed to set them apart to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I am the LORD.
22 Thou shalt not lie with mankind, as with womankind; it is abomination.
23 And thou shalt not lie with any beast to defile thyself therewith; neither shall any woman stand before a beast, to lie down thereto; it is perversion.
24 Defile not ye yourselves in any of these things; for in all these the nations are defiled, which I cast out from before you.
25 And the land was defiled, therefore I did visit the iniquity thereof upon it, and the land vomited out her inhabitants.
26 Ye therefore shall keep My statutes and Mine ordinances, and shall not do any of these abominations; neither the home-born, nor the stranger that sojourneth among you--
27 for all these abominations have the men of the land done, that were before you, and the land is defiled--
28 that the land vomit not you out also, when ye defile it, as it vomited out the nation that was before you.
29 For whosoever shall do any of these abominations, even the souls that do them shall be cut off from among their people.
30 Therefore shall ye keep My charge, that ye do not any of these abominable customs, which were done before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God. {P}

No longer Valid? Interesting. I find it interesting that we refer to this as "The Old Testament," with the perception that it is "Old," and done away with. All the while, "Christianity," holds onto these Old Traditions of God's Word - God's Law, as though they were still valid. Where do we draw the line on what is still valid, and what is not?

Is this something that we use our Logic and Reason to justify and legitimize, or are we simply not understanding all the angles to this equation?

As Messianic Believers, we embrace the Torah, as God's Everlasting Covenant. We do not view it as "Out-Dated." As God is Eternal, the same Yesterday, Today, and Forever, so is His Word. He and the Word are echad (One). Therefore, if it is in the Word of God, then it is Kosher. Where our Wisdom and Reason come into play, is HOW we understand and Observe God's Word. This is called Halacha - or Working out our Salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12) Does this mean that we get to pick and chose? No, but we must use Wisdom, on How we Observe this Holiday, and anything else found within God's Word. The Holy Spirit will guide us into Righteousness, not into Rebellion.

I could spend more time relaying the foundation of our understanding, explaining that the LORD, Yeshua Our Messiah, gave us instruction on How to Understand Torah, as in application apposed to dismissal, but I want to focus on the specific topic at hand, Yom Kippur.

Today, we are living in a Period of History that some are referring to as "The Restoration Period." As we are transitioning from the Reformation Movement, into the Restoration Movement, we are also experiencing what the Scriptures refer to as "The Falling Away." (2 Thessalonians 2:3)

This is the turning point, where the Emerging Church Movement parts ways with the Restoration Movement. The Sifting is happening, as we speak.

The Emerging Church Movement, is taking the "Old Testament," idea to the next level, which is redefining its very value and meaning. It views the Traditions of the past, not only as passe and obsolete, but "Alienating," and "Lacking the Love that Jesus taught us." Wow.

The Restoration Movement, on the other hand, is seeking out the the Truth of God's Word. By leaving behind the Traditions of Men, believers are returning to the Torah, the Word of God, and finding that this whole idea of "The Old Testament," and "The New Testament," have been completely misconstrued. In doing so, we see the reemergence of a Jewish Church. A Kehielah that has become the head, and not the tail. Therefore, members of the body are coming out of the apostasy that has given God's Word a back seat to Christian Psychology, and saying to The Jew "We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."

As it is Written in Zechariah 8

19 'Thus saith the LORD of hosts: The fast of the fourth month, and the fast of the fifth, and the fast of the seventh, and the fast of the tenth, shall be to the house of Judah joy and gladness, and cheerful seasons; therefore love ye truth and peace. {P}
20 Thus saith the LORD of hosts: It shall yet come to pass, that there shall come peoples, and the inhabitants of many cities;
21 and the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying: Let us go speedily to entreat the favour of the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts; I will go also.
22 Yea, many peoples and mighty nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to entreat the favour of the LORD. {S}
23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts: In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold, out of all the languages of the nations, shall even take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying: We will go with you, for we have heard that God is with you.' {S}

And this Corresponds with what Isaiah wrote in Chapter 2

1 The word that Isaiah the son of Amoz saw concerning Judah and Jerusalem.
2 And it shall come to pass in the end of days, that the mountain of the LORD'S house shall be established as the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it.
3 And many peoples shall go and say: 'Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; and He will teach us of His ways, and we will walk in His paths.' For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem.
4 And He shall judge between the nations, and shall decide for many peoples; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. {P}

If God's Prophets were Righteous and Spoke Words of Truth, and these things are yet to be fulfilled, then on what foundation does any teaching, that proclaims that God's Law - God's Word is past, have any value? It does not.

This is not about Yom Kippur verse Easter, because there is no Easter in the Word of God. This is about applying our Messianic Understanding to How we Observe Yom Kippur.

I've taught before that the very Hebrew Word for Truth - Emet - Exemplifies the nature of God and His Word. His Truth is Everlasting. Emet is the Aleph - Mem - and Tav. The Beginning, the Middle and the End. He is the Alpha and Omega. The Eternal. This is to say that Yom Kippur wasn't what we did, until Yeshua. It was always about Yeshua, and it still IS about Yeshua HaMashiach today!

Therefore, when we Observe Yom Kippur today, we do it in Remembrance of Him. This is the way that HE prescribed it to be observed. Perhaps this is why He never mentioned "Easter," in His Eternal Truth. Perhaps Easter is the celebration of another god, and not the God of Israel.

Let's once again look back to today's reading. (Leviticus 18:30)

30 Therefore shall ye keep My charge, that ye do not any of these abominable customs, which were done before you, and that ye defile not yourselves therein: I am the LORD your God.

Why Yom Kippur? Why The Day of Forgiveness? Why ANYTHING that God Instructs us about? Have we surrendered to His Will? Have we Chosen to follow Him, as our God, or are we still making it up, as we go along?

Yom Kippur is about Intimacy. It is about Kosher Intimacy. It is about Purity, and returning to our First Love. If we look at the first reading of Leviticus 16, we see God, explaining to Moshe, How and What Aaron is to do on Yom Kippur. As Aaron enters into the Holy of Holies, and approaches The Mercy Seat, as the Cohen Gadol, he is drawing closer to God, than any other man could, but it had to be done exactly God's Way. In fact, Chapter 16 starts off reiterating Aaron's Loss, because his sons did not follow the instructions properly, and they paid the ultimate price.

At first, I didn't understand why Leviticus 18 was chosen as the second reading. 16 was obvious, as this was what was to be done on Yom Kippur, but why 18? Leviticus 18 deals with Sexual Relations, but of the Unkosher nature. God compares these acts as what the Goyim did, and explains that THIS was the reason that they were kicked out of the Land, and that Israel was now going to possess it.

As I compared the two Chapters, I began to see the connection in Kosher and Unkosher intimacy. If we want to Know God, then we must follow His protocol to approach Him. We cannot make up our own Rules, Commandments and Holidays, and say "Here, accept this." This was what Cain did. This is why his offering was unacceptable before The LORD (Unkosher). Able made a sacrifice acceptable to God (Kosher), because He followed the instruction that was given to Adam, and passed down to him, regarding blood sacrifice.

Should we be like Cain, angry at our Brother, angry at God for not accepting our Sacrifice? Perhaps we should learn from this lesson, and turn. T'shuva, return, to God's Way of doing things.

Chaverim, Yom Kippur is Kosher for all Believers, because it's God's Way. His Eternal Word did not prescribe any other way. God Chose these days, His Days, His Mo'edim, to instruct us about His Coming. We should feel at home with them, not alien to them. In them, and through them, He has and is revealing Himself to us.

It was because we superimposed our own ideas upon God's Word, that Our People could not see Messiah when He came. Should we do the same, and be guilty of the same sin? I think not, because as Paul teaches us, and implies in Romans 11, the same blindness that fell upon them, will fall upon us. Which is to say, "We may not recognize Him either, when He is right in front of us."

Therefore Chaverim, I encourage you to not feel alienated with Yom Kippur or any of "God's Appointed Times." These are just as much your Time with the LORD, as they are ours. These are NOT "Jewish Holidays," these are God's Holidays. These are Days that HE has prescribed for all his Children. He did not command us to go about making up Holidays to meet with Him. He makes the rules. This is why He is The LORD, and we are His servants. He loved us so much that He has set a day apart for us to spend with Him. Let us enjoy this day with the LORD together.

May the Ruach HaKodesh seal you today, and let us rejoice in His Salvation! Shabbat Shalom.

The LORD is Dwelling With Us

As I began to prepare for the Message for Sukkot, I asked the LORD, what He wanted me to share. Sukkot is so full of material for a message, that we could almost go in any direction, and it would be impossible to cover everything in this short time. Therefore, I asked, "What does Sukkot mean?"

I wasn't asking about the Word, which we know refers to "Tabernacles, Booths, or Temporary Dwellings." I was referring to the idea surrounding Sukkot. Why would the LORD Command us to Observe this Holiday every year?

My initial thought was, "To remind us of where we came from." Therefore, it was to teach us humility, and to remember what the LORD has done for us. This is the "Thanks Giving," application of Sukkot. This is the Christian perspective of it, and because of this, we now have a Celebration in North America called, "Thanks Giving" around this time of year.

I then looked deeper into the theme of "Temporary Dwelling." Sukkot is to teach us that "This World is not our home. We are just passing through." Although this theme is shared both by the Jewish and Christian perspectives, it does not begin to incorporate, the universal aspects of Sukkot.

Sukkot was not only an "Old Testament," practise that The Ancient Israelites were to observe, but a practise that is mentioned in prophesy that will be a requisite of all nations in the Millennial reign of the Messiah. (Zechariah 14:16-19)

16 Then the survivors from all the nations that have attacked Jerusalem will go up year after year to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, and to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.
17 If any of the peoples of the earth do not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD Almighty, they will have no rain.
18 If the Egyptian people do not go up and take part, they will have no rain. The LORD will bring on them the plague he inflicts on the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.
19 This will be the punishment of Egypt and the punishment of all the nations that do not go up to celebrate the Festival of Tabernacles.

If you are of the belief that The "Old Testament," is a thing of the past? What Bible are you reading? Perhaps this means, that when the LORD establishes an "Everlasting Covenant," He actually means it.

When the LORD wants us to do this every year, it is for a reason. As we know, these "High Holidays," hold a central theme within this season.

From Yom Teruach, the Day of Shouts, and the blowing of the Shofar, we get "The Wake Up Call." Then we have 10 Days of reflection, "The Days of Awe." This is completed by Yom Kippurim, "The Day of Atonement." These are all steps towards Sukkot, where we experience a "Temporary Dwelling" with the LORD. Ultimately, this leads us to Shmini Atzeret, "The Eighth Day," a day symbolic of the Eternal. This is in "expectation" as declared in Psalm 23, "... and I will dwell in the House of the LORD forever!"

Finally, if this is not the time of His Coming to take us to His House, then we celebrate Simchat Torah, which commences another year of instruction, "The Days to Prepare," once again for His Coming, and our translation to the Eternal. There is a central theme to the High Holidays, and it is all to do with His Return. This is not a Thing of the Past.

Perhaps this is why we should start to become more intimate with God's Appointed Times. They still have purpose for this day, less we be ignorant of this mystery.

Therefore, as we begin to embrace the present importance of this Holiday, we must once again look at the deeper meaning behind it.

In the process of trying to understand this theme, I turned back to the beginning of God's relationship with man. As I turned back to the Bereshiet, I found a verse that began to link the Universal aspect of Sukkot to the past, present and future.

"And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden toward the cool of the day; and the man and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden." Genesis 3:8

Now, you may be thinking, "What does this have to do with Sukkot?" To answer this, we must find the weave through Scripture. Let's now look at Leviticus 26:11-12:

11 And I will set My tabernacle among you, and My soul shall not abhor you.
12 And I will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people.

Are you beginning to see the common link here?

Verse 11: "My soul shall not abhor you." Why, because we are no longer an abhorrence, because we are "Covered" (Yom Kippurim).

Verse 12: "And I will walk among you..." (Sukkot)

Now, once again, let's look to Zechariah 14:

4 And His feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleft in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, so that there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

Now, as we begin to apply this to Our understanding of Messiah, we see the contextual connection to a Physical presence of God, which is tied into John 1:14

"The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth."

Therefore, the common theme is; He wants to be with us, and walk among us. We once existed in a state of "Physical" relationship with God, where Physical is referring to a directly interactive state of relationship, apposed to a proxy based relationship. Due to our "Fall" in the Garden, we were separated by a descended state of awareness of His presence. Meaning that, before "The Fall of Man," He walked among us. Then, due to our Sin, we were separated by a rift of direct conscious awareness. Therefore, God implemented a proxy relationship, which would remain in affect, until He Himself, descended to our lowered status, to dwell with us.

Therefore, upon enacting this event, we would call His name "Immanuel." ("God is with us.")
In my study of the word "Immanuel," I discovered that it is actually two words. Emanu (With us) and El (God) - Hence the meaning "God with us." The root word of Emanu is Aman (Firm) and Emun (Craftsman). This depicts the idea that when He is with us, He is with us, and He is Crafting (or Preparing) us. He isn't going anywhere, and He knows what He is doing. He is secured to us. This is also where we get the word Emunah - Faith. He is Faithful. He will not leave us, nor forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) Therefore let us "Ascribe Greatness to our God, the Rock." (Deuteronomy 32:3-4)

As we know, the advent of His visitation was short lived (from the perspective of the realm of "The Flesh," but His first coming did fulfil its purpose, and He has brought Salvation to those who believe.

Now, we are also aware of His return, and in the mean time, He declared,

15 "If you love me, keep my commands.
16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and "BE WITH YOU FOREVER" —
17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives "WITH YOU" and will be IN you.
18 I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you.
19 Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.
20 On that day you will realize that I am in my Father, and you are in me, and I am in you.
21 Whoever has my commands and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love them and show myself to them."
(John 14:15-21)

Now, you have heard me teach before, of the various times pointed out in Scripture, that we have had Physical visitations from the LORD.

I usually refer to the enigma of King Melchizedek, because of His Eternal Status, as referred to in Hebrews Chapter 7:1-3

1 This Melchizedek was king of Salem and priest of God Most High. He met Abraham returning from the defeat of the kings and blessed him,
2 and Abraham gave him a tenth of everything. First, the name Melchizedek means "king of righteousness"; then also, "king of Salem" means "king of peace."
3 Without father or mother, without genealogy, without beginning of days or end of life, resembling the Son of God, he remains a priest forever.

Although somewhat ambiguous in nature, King Melchizedek is referred to as "One having no beginning and no end," and His presence during the age of Abraham, connects Yeshua's statement, "before Abraham was born, I am!" (John 8:58)

If you recall, I also refer to Abraham's visitation in Genesis 18, where the LORD eats with Abraham, as one of these Moments in Time.

A couple side notes:

1) In this portion (Genesis 18), Abraham refers to Him as "My Lord." In the Hebrew, it is literally "Adonai," as in the term we use, when referring to "YHVH." What is most interesting is that when "The LORD," speaks to Abraham, the Hebrew is very specific that it is "YHVH," and not just someone that he is referring to as "My Lord."

2) What is also important to note is the consumption of food. This is a proof test of Physical attributes, very much like when Yeshua appeared to His Talmudim, after His Resurrection. He eats with them to prove that He is not simply "A Ghost," as in Luke 24:37-43:

37 They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost.
38 He said to them, "Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds?
39 Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have."
40 When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet.
41 And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, "Do you have anything here to eat?"
42 They gave him a piece of broiled fish,
43 and he took it and ate it in their presence.

One other reference that I usually point out is from Daniel 3:25 regarding Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego in the fiery furnace:

25 "He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God."

Again, a side note: I was raised on King James, and therefore I only knew it Translated this way. However, I have just become aware that this portion was actually written in Aramaic, and that this Translation may not be as "Specific" as I initially thought. None the less, I will be conducting further Midrash on this topic, and at some point, get back to you with my findings.

In any case, I want to conclude with an examination of Isaiah 7:14.

14 Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: behold, the young woman shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. ("God is with us")

This is from the JPS (Jewish Publication Society) translation. If you notice, most of our translations use the word "Virgin," in place of "young woman." However, the JPS avoids the use of this translation for obvious "Theological" reasons.

It is commonly argued by our Rabbis that the concept of "God Dwelling with us," is purely metaphoric, and that the aspect of using the Isaiah 7:14 verse to help support the Messiah's Virgin birth, is a stretch in applied hermeneutics.

In context, I would have to agree with the latter part of the Rabbis position. This verse, in and of itself, within the context of Isaiah 7, does not support a direct connection to the Messiah's virgin birth. (Note: "Direct Connection") Especially due to the fact that the word used in Hebrew, to describe "Virgin," is not specific enough to incorporate a young women, "who has not known a man." The Word "almah" is used within this context. It can be translated as "virgin," as in "young women," but is not specific enough to refer to as "One who has not known a man." The word more associated with this specific term is "Betulah," as in Genesis 24 referring to the Bride of Yitzchak, Rivka. In verse 16, it is used specifically to refer to "One who has not known a man." Upon further survey of Scripture, and looking for commonality of use, I found that Betulah was used more specifically to "Virgin," as it is to mean in English, apposed to simply a "Young Woman."

That being said, I do not agree with the Rabbis regarding "God is With us," to only refer to a metaphoric use. The name Immanuel fulfils the very concept of Sukkot, and God's plan to "Physically" dwell with us, as in the specific use of Zechariah 14, where His feet are placed in a very specific and physical position, for a very specific and physical purpose.

Now, I do not claim to be an expert in Hebrew, and so I am working with what I have. Therefore, regardless of the use of "Almah," and "Betulah," what is important to note about Isaiah 7:14 is the use of "The Virgin." Although "Almah," is more commonly used to describe "A Young Woman," opposed to the specifics of "One who has not known a man," the use of the preposition "Ha" in Hebrew or "The" in English, depicts something VERY specific.

Once again, in context:

14 "Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign: behold, THE young woman shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel."

Regardless of the translation of "Virgin," this verse is implying something profound, and should not simply be dismissed as "It doesn't mean that!"

The point is, Rabbis, "What DOES it mean?"

Well, I'll tell you how the Gospel of Matthew demonstrates its meaning within Prophetic and Historical application:

This verse is tied to Matthew Chapter 1:23:

"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel"
As I read this, for the first time as a child, I asked the question, "Then why did the Angel just say to Joseph to call Him Yeshua, two verses back?"

"She will give birth to a son, and you are to give him the name Yeshua, because he will save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21

As a child, I asked questions, and I thank the LORD that I still do. I'd rather have His Truth, than my assumptions. Amen?

OK - So - What do we do with these verse discrepancies? Do we say - "Too much," or do we apply some common sense?

Here's what I got: It doesn't say, "He shall be named Immanuel," it says, "His NAME shall be called Immanuel." This is to say that His Name, Yeshua ("Salvation") shall be called "God is with us," because when He comes to "Save us from our Sins," He will come down (Physically) to us, to do so.

The fact of the matter is that regardless of what Theological twist you want to put on it, or take away from it, the fulfilment of Isaiah 7:14 is clearly explained in Matthew 1:23. I mean, you could argue the semantics and hermeneutics until you are no more, but The Truth is, is that Yeshua has fulfilled this Prophesy. Who else in History has, or ever can?

The point is that "The Lord Himself shall give you a sign." The sign is that He has come to us, so that He can take us to be with Him. This is the meaning of Sukkot. He wants to Tabernacle with us. He wants to dwell with us, and walk physically among us again.

Therefore, as you sit in your Sukkot this year, thinking about all the troubles in this World, all around you, remember that you are just passing through. Take a moment to experience the elements, and as you look through the leaves of your Sukkah's Roof, remember what the LORD told us, "And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh."
(Luke 21:28)

Perhaps this is why He wanted us to see through the roof.

May the LORD bless you on this Sukkot, and may He return soon to Tabernacle with us.