In my Writings, I have worked to discover and share some legacy of contribution, something of Wisdom that I can give to the Kehielah that The LORD has given to me. Inspired by the story of Yosef, last week I wrote the words, "The only true value in knowing The Truth is knowing what to do with it."
It wasn't enough that Yosef knew the Truth of Pharaoh's dream, the LORD revealed to Yosef what he should do about it - Wisdom with Understanding.
Is it enough to know that Yeshua is The Way, The Truth and The Life, or do we need to know how to apply this knowledge? Yeshua's Talmudim asked Him, "When will this happen, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the end of the age?” Matthew 24:3
Today there is much talk about "The End of the World." Even the Secular World is talking about such things. It would be difficult not to. All you have to do is look around, or turn on the Television. It's on the minds of many. When we watch the News and see the devastation of "Natural" disasters, one after another, as well as, all the strife in The World is it any wonder? The Writing is on the Wall, and Dark Times will soon be upon us, but we must not forget that even in the midst of the Darkness, "The Besorah," has been given to us.
HaBesorah is the Hebrew word for "The Message." In English we refer to this as "The Gospel," or "The Good News." Well, I ask; "With all these Prophesies of Destruction, what is so 'Good' about it?"
There is one thing about what the Prophets had shared, that many who retell their visions tend to leave out, and that is that each Prophesy of Destruction comes with the Good News of Restoration.
The Good News is that the LORD has already provided a way, even before the bad times begin. As Yosef revealed to his brothers, as he revealed himself:
'I am Joseph; doth my father yet live?' And his brethren could not answer him; for they were affrighted at his presence. 4 And Joseph said unto his brethren: 'Come near to me, I pray you.' And they came near. And he said: 'I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. 5 And now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life. 6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land; and there are yet five years, in which there shall be neither plowing nor harvest. 7 And God sent me before you to give you a remnant on the earth, and to save you alive for a great deliverance. Genesis 45:3-7
Before the Hamas - "Violence and Chaos" - begins upon the Earth, as it was in the Days of Noach, The LORD has already begun His plan of Salvation. By Faith, knowing that this is what our God is about, we KNOW that He is already preparing for a time such as this. Of course it will not be easy, but we can Trust in Him. His Word tells us,
"And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD (YHVH) shall be delivered; for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those that escape, as the LORD hath said, and among the remnant those whom the LORD shall call." Joel 3:5 (Depending on your version)
The Good News - HaBesorah - is that "We have Hope in Him - Our Messiah - Yeshua HaMashiach!" Amain?
The last time I delivered a Message, I shared with you the insight that our Torah Club had discovered when Midrashing over the misconception of Grace. I had read from Matthew 25 regarding the 3 servants of the Master who were given bags of Gold to invest. The story revealed that 3 Servants were given different amounts to invest, based upon their abilities. The Master did not give them more than they were able to handle. Each, He gave according to their own ability. The LORD does not give us more than we are able. The Good News is that The LORD will provide. Those who go through the harshest persecution are those are able, and the LORD has prepared those who can. Their persecution is for the purpose of the wicked, so that they may see the power and glory of the LORD, and be pricked in their hearts to turn to Him. Sometimes we must face our own wickedness before we can truly see how wicked we are. Then the Spirit of the LORD can work on our heart to make T'shuva (Repent) and return to Him.
It is the enemy that tries to put fear into us. If we fear, then he strikes against our Faith. Is it wrong to be afraid? No, as long as our fear does not lead us to Sin against The LORD. The question is "Will I be able to over-come? Will I be able to endure till the end?" The answer is NO, but that's not the Good News. The Besorah is that the LORD is able to over-come and He promises that HE WILL! -- He already has.
THIS is the Good News. Only those who are able, will go through what they are able, and for the rest, He will provide a way, even when there is no way. He harvests even where He has not planted. Therefore, for all those who Shua ("Cry out for Help," where we get His name: "Y'shua." Meaning more specifically "Cry to the LORD for Help" also known as "Salvation.") that Remnant shall escape.
We will escape, if we "Shema" - hear what the LORD is telling us, and do as He is telling us. Remember, the only value in knowing The Truth, is knowing what to do with it. Listen carefully - He is telling us before hand.
The Story of Joseph has been the inspiration for my entire life. Of all the stories of the Bible, the story of Joseph has impacted my Halacha (My Walk) the most. In fact, every time I see a replication of this story, I enjoy it. The formula for this story is that of one blessed with honour and prestige, of which is taken from them, and they are reduced to desolation, innocently, all the while without the loss of Faith, knowing that although it is difficult to go through it is all for purpose and reason, of which the LORD will one day reveal. In God's restoration, the protagonist receives vindication, and greater blessing than even before.
I have attributed such stories from my childhood such as The Mouse who pulled the thorn form The Lion's paw, The Prince and the Pauper, to the Charlton Heston Classic, "Ben Hur," up to resent similar replication such as "The Gladiator." Even the story of Forest Gump demonstrates that even the greatest humility can be raised to unexpected heights of honour.
Why is the story of Joseph so appealing? It is the Gospel. It is the Besorah, right there in the Torah! The story of the Messiah, "Mashiach ben Yosef," the suffering servant, who was born of a Royal line with opportunity to use Earthly means to obtain power, when all along by submitting as a servant to the LORD, the LORD raises Him to heights of honour and glory. Then Messiah becomes "Mashiach ben David," the Ruling King.
There is so much depth to this story. The twists and turns demonstrate a complex dimensionality that only after years of reading and study, do you begin to see that the complexities are actually simple. It is the Besorah!
I consistently refer to Genesis chapter 38 as the anomaly chapter. In the midst of the story of Joseph, the Scriptures revert back to Canaan and to the life of Judah for just a moment. There are no inserted Chapters for Reuben, or Dan or Naphtali, or any of the others. Why only Judah? Well the simple answer is that Judah would become the Father of the Royal line of Israel. This simple single inserted Chapter, in the midst of the story of Joseph, explains the mystery of the two Messiahs.
The Question that Judaism faces is how can the Messiah be a King and a Priest? How can the Messiah be a Leader and a Servant. Perhaps there are two Messiahs? As you know, we of the Messianic Understanding know that we are talking about two events. The first advent is the coming of Messiah as the Suffering Servant, known in Judaism as "Mashiach ben Yosef," and the second coming, where He will be "Mashiach ben David," the King who will rule, after being the firstfruits of the Resurrection.
This is also a part of the complex, yet simple plan that the LORD has worked out. By allowing Israel to sell Yosef into the hands of the Gentiles, God is able to use Yosef to save the World. 400 years later, when Israel leaves Egypt, many Gentiles go with Israel into the wilderness to find The Promised Land. In fact as we know Kalev "The Dog," whose father was a Gentile, helps complete the journey into the promised land, representing the house of Judah, where as Joshua, who becomes the Leader after Moses, is of the tribe of Ephraim. Ironically the one they call "Dog," Heads the Royal Family of Israel, and the one they call "Salvation" Heads the house of Ephraim, which is the House of Yosef. This is another example of "Mashiach ben Yosef," and "Mashiach ben David" coming together. The House of Judah and the House of Ephraim. The only two of whom lived through the Wilderness to see The Promised Land. The only two who had the Faith to believe that God was going to do all that He says that He was going to do.
As you know after Israel enters the Promised Land and establish the Nation, they soon develop a Kingdom under King Saul, who is soon replaced by the legacy of King David. It was during the time of David's son Solomon that Israel experiences the Height of its Power and Glory. It is during this time the first Temple was completed. After Solomon's death, we begin to see the fracturing of Israel's unity. Soon the Kingdoms split into the Northern Tribes Headed by the Tribe of Ephraim and the Southern Kingdom, Headed by the Tribe of Judah.
History and Prophesy teaches us that the Northern Kingdom is dispersed first, because they fall into idolatry. Ephraim disappears into the Ether of History, and not long after is followed by Judah being removed from the land and sent into the Babylonian Exile.
However, the Royal Line of Judah is preserved, and Judah returns to the Land. 400 years later, Messiah ben Yosef is born. His name is Yeshua "Salvation." As we know Israel rejects Him, because He has no good words to speak of His brethren (Rabbinical Judaism - Religion). They despise Him. They cannot speak any good of Him. He is sold into the hands of the Gentiles, who dress Him up like a Gentile. Now, for these passed 2000 years our People have not been able to recognize Him, because Yeshua's name has been changed to "Jesus," among other variations, and the pictures that display his identity have removed all his "Jewishness." He is depicted wearing a Roman or Greek style Toga with a sash, but there is no Tzit Tzit or Tassells of any kind. There is nothing Jewish about this man. He has long hair and a beard, but no head covering, no Talid. Even the teachings of "The Church," are that "He ended the Torah and did away with it." He came for the House of Israel, but they rejected Him, and now He has come for the Gentiles. The Jews are finished. That was The Old Testament, we now live in The New Testament." This is Theology. This is not what Yeshua taught.
The LORD allowed this to happen for a reason. He has a plan, and that plan is revealing itself as I speak. The LORD has prepared a place for us. He is calling His People, Israel, Home. The Famine has already begun, and soon we will be forced to go to Him to find nourishment. He will reveal Himself to His brethren very soon. Then He will speak the comforting words, as He spoke through Yosef so long ago:
"I am Y'shua! Now be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither; for God did send me before you to preserve life. "
Paul writes of this very thing in the Letter to the Romans, Chapter 11.
1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don’t you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 “Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me”[a]? 4 And what was God’s answer to him? “I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”[b] 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
7 What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, 8 as it is written:
“God gave them a spirit of stupor,
eyes that could not see
and ears that could not hear,
to this very day.”[c]
9 And David says:
“May their table become a snare and a trap,
a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see,
and their backs be bent forever.”[d]
11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in.” 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way[e] all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
“The deliverer will come from Zion;
he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is[f] my covenant with them
when I take away their sins.”[g]
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God’s gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[h] receive mercy as a result of God’s mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[i] knowledge of God!
How unsearchable his judgments,
and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 “Who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has been his counselor?”[j]
35 “Who has ever given to God,
that God should repay them?”[k]
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things.
To him be the glory forever! Amen.
While preparing for our Torah Club Study this past week, I discovered something profound. I have stated my frustration, in the past, with my Brethren of the Flesh, as in "How can you not SEE this?" Understanding what Paul just explained to the Romans, the answer is self-evident, but it does not ease my frustration. It is frustrating, because I see what they see, but they just can't see the fullness of it. The time is coming.
As I was reading the Rabbinical Commentary regarding the passage of the Parasha where Joseph reveals himself to his brothers (Genesis 45:3) and you may read this for yourself, as it is outlined at the bottom of the page in the Stones Tanakh, and the Rabbis write and I quote:
"When Joseph said, "I am Joseph," God's master plan became clear to the brothers; everything that had happened for the last twenty-two years fell into perspective. So, too, will it be in the time to come when God will reveal Himself and announce, "I am HASHEM!" The veil will be lifted from our eyes and we will comprehend everything that transpired throughout history (Chafetz Chaim).
Chaftetz Chaim means "The Desirer of Life." It is a book on the Jewish laws of speech written by Rabbi Yisrael Meir Kagan. The book is about the mitzvot (commandments) relating to correct speech and the prohibitions of slander.
"How ironic?" I thought to myself. "HaShem" literally means "The Name," of which is used as reference to "The LORD" (YHVH) in respect to avoid using the LORD's Holy Name in vane. We can refer to Yeshua Nazarati ("Jesus of Nazareth") as "Yeshu," an acronym meaning "May his name be blotted out," because of what was done in His Name, all the while we speak of The Laws of Slander. Slander is the act of accusing someone of an act, defaming their character, all the while not having the evidence to support the false accusation.
Another Irony is when I added the Gematria on the name "Yeshu," the derogatory name assigned to Yeshua by our people, I found that it equals the number 316. This is the number of Commandments that we are unable to fulfil because of the destruction of the Temple. Who foretold of this destruction and when did it happen? What's more interesting is that 3-1-6 spells the Hebrew word "Gov" which is Gimal Aleph Vav - This means "Lifted up to be made Prominent." Now, although the intent was to end His memory, the numbers would not allow this to be.
9 Therefore God exalted him to the highest place
and gave him the name that is above every name,
10 that at the name of "Yeshua" every knee should bow,
in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
11 and every tongue acknowledge that "Yeshua HaMashiach" is Lord,
to the glory of God the Father. Philippians 2:9-11
The Torah gave us the story of Joseph to teach us of the story of Messiah. This is no coincidence, and it is definitely not Ironic. This is all part of the precise plan that the LORD has laid out so that all would come as He has planned it. The fact that my people cannot connect the simple dots, is proof to me that the Scriptures are True!
However, I must admit that reading this statement by Rabbi Kagan provoked another thought within me. Now, I've heard that there have been Jews who have "organically" come to Faith in Yeshua. When I say organic, I am referring to simple revelation through Scripture or Visitation from the LORD, such as Paul the Apostle, (otherwise known as Rabbi Shaul), apposed to being "Converted." Converted holds the connotation that they made a conscious decision to become "Christian," and to live their life according to "Christian Doctrine," from hearing the Gospel. There have been Jews that didn't hear "The Gospel" according to Christianity, but still came to Faith in Messiah Yeshua. There are Jews who simply read the Scriptures, and by looking at the Word, and directed by the Holy Spirit came to the conclusion that Yeshua is the Messiah.
The Point is that we accuse the Jews of rejecting Christ because He didn't do what they expected Him to do, and that being to establish a Messianic Kingdom here on Earth, at that time. In essence, it didn't happen the way that they thought it was going to happen. All the while, perhaps we are missing the point as well. Perhaps that Blindness that Paul was referring to in Romans 11 has fallen on our eyes too, and we haven't figured it out yet. Maybe God doesn't need Christianity to Convert the Jews, but rather God will do it His Way.
Paul speaks of a Remnant. I find it interesting that he also refers to himself as belonging to the Tribe of Benjamin. Now, remember the story that we just read in the Torah this week. Benjamin was not part of the Sin that forced Joseph into Egypt. He was innocent to the fact. Did you realize that there were Jews in the days of Yeshua that excepted Him as the Messiah? Did you know that there were Jews that believed that Yeshua was LORD? Did you know that this is where Christians received the Bible and the Gospel from - The Torah and the Besorah? Jews, that believed in Yeshua, right from the beginning? God preserved a remnant of Israel for Himself.
What's interesting about this, is that at the end of the book of Judges, we see a focus on the Tribe of Benjamin. However, this is not for a good reason, nevertheless this is a story of a Remnant.
As the story goes, a Levite of the foothills of Mount Ephraim, who had a concubine, originally from Bethlehem, returns to Bethlehem to reconcile with his estranged wife. In the process her father is pleased that he has journeyed from the North to collect her. The father convinces the Levite to stay, longer and longer, until he decides that he must go. Frustrated, he leaves in the middle of the day, but this did not give them much daylight to begin their journey north. His servant suggests that they stay in Yebus which was at the time a Gentile City, which would become Jerusalem, later in History. The Levite says, "No." He didn't want to stay in a Gentile city, and proceeds on towards Benjaminite territory, where they stopped in Gibeah. They set up camp for the night, in the town square, because they could not find a place to stay. A man finds them, and offers them to stay at his house. They accept his invitation and proceed to the house.
In the evening, a group of rowdy Benjaminites show up, and we almost witness a reenactment of the story of Lot in Sodom. The men want the owner of the house to send out his guest so that they may "know" him. The owner refuses and offers his virgin daughter instead, along with the Levite's Concubine. In the midst of the quarreling, the Levite thrusts his concubine out to the Benjaminites, and they have their way with her all night. They beat her, and finally leave her be. The woman is able to drag herself to the man's doorway, where she dies. When the Levite attempts to wake her, when he finds her in the morning, he realizes that they have killed her. The Levite continues on his journey home, where he cuts her body into twelve pieces and sends them to the 12 Heads of the Tribes of Israel.
The story enrages the Princes of Israel, and they band their armies together to confront the Benjaminites. The Chief of Benjamin refuses to turn his brethren over to the mob of Israelites, and so war is declared on Benjamin. Now this is the only time in recorded history where all of the Tribes of Israel gang up on one tribe. Israel did have its disputes, but they would from alliances, but not with all focus on one tribe. As the story goes, Benjaminites are incredible warriors, and defeat the oncoming Israelite army, who moved with God's Blessing. On the third attempt, and with much fasting and praying the Israelites were able to defeat the Benjaminites.
In the onslaught, all but 600 Benjaminites were completely wiped out. The Tribe of Benjamin was almost completely destroyed. The 600 fled to a place called The Rock of Rimmon. Rimmon means Pomegranate. At this time the Tribes of Israel swore that they would never intermarry with the Benjaminites. While the 600 hid in the Rock of Rimmon for four months, the rest of Israel became remorseful for almost destroying one of their brothers. They repented and sent an emissary to the 600 Benjimanites in Rimmon. They made Peace, and attempted to figure out how they were going to help Benjamin restore its province. The Israelites attacked a Gentile City and captured 400 virgins for the Benjaminites. However this left a deficit of 200 virgins. Therefore the Israelites devise a plan where they had the 200 remaining Benjimanites lay in wait, and while the daughters of Shiloh were out Dancing in a Festival, the Virgins are "Raptured." This is a term derived from the Roman word for "Capturing a Bride in Battle," as in "Taking the Spoils." As I've stated before, perhaps not the best word to describe Messiah's Marriage to His Bride. This is from the last 3 Chapters of the Book of Judges 19-21.
Now, what does this story have to do with this Week's Parasha or The Gospel? The point is the Remnant. As much as Joseph is a type of Messiah, Benjamin is a type of Remnant of Israel. As I stated earlier, Benjamin was not a part of the Sin that Joseph's bothers committed against him. Just as there is a Remnant of Messianic Believers today. The Point is that there always has been, and just as Messiah has been hidden from the eyes of our people, the Messianic Jews have been hidden from the eyes of the Church. It is not until most recently that we are seeing the Church begin to awaken to its Jewish Roots, and just as much we are seeing more and more Jews come to Faith in Messiah. Is this a coincidence? The veil is being lifted from OUR eyes, Jew and Gentile alike.
Last week in Shabbat School we discussed Yeshua's appearance. As we looked around the Sunday School classroom, there were children's pictures depicting Jesus. He wore a Roman/Greek style toga with a sash. I asked Rivka, does this person look like a Jew? She answered, "No, but he is wearing white with a blue sash, and that's like the Israeli flag." "Nice try," I responded, "but that's also the colours of the Greek Flag." I asked, "Where are his Tzit Tzit? Where is his Kippah? Where is his Talid?" Jews would not recognize this man as a Jew. Just in the same way that Israel did not recognize their brother as an Egyptian.
This is the story of Messiah.
4 Jesus answered: “Watch out that no one deceives you. 5 For many will come in my name, claiming, ‘I am the Messiah,’ and will deceive many. 6 You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come. 7 Nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines and earthquakes in various places. 8 All these are the beginning of birth pains.
9 “Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me. 10 At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, 11 and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people. 12 Because of the increase of wickedness, the love of most will grow cold, 13 but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
15 “So when you see standing in the holy place ‘the abomination that causes desolation,’[a] spoken of through the prophet Daniel—let the reader understand— 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains. 17 Let no one on the housetop go down to take anything out of the house. 18 Let no one in the field go back to get their cloak. 19 How dreadful it will be in those days for pregnant women and nursing mothers! 20 Pray that your flight will not take place in winter or on the Sabbath. 21 For then there will be great distress, unequaled from the beginning of the world until now—and never to be equaled again.
22 “If those days had not been cut short, no one would survive, but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 At that time if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Messiah!’ or, ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. 25 See, I have told you ahead of time.
I have told you ahead of time. Why? So that we would know what to do when the time is at hand.
However, before I conclude, I want you to ponder a very important point that our Master makes. "If possible, even the elect." would be deceived. This means that even the Believers could be deceived by This False Messiah. Pondering this idea one day, I meditated on His words. As I contemplated what this could mean, suddenly I came to a very frightening conclusion. The False Messiah would have to be exactly like Yeshua. Who is the impostor? I guess we will all have to choose who to follow. The One who the Scriptures endorse, or the one who man endorses.
The only true value in knowing The Truth, is knowing what to do with it.
May the LORD bless you with His Truth.
Comments - Thoughts - Drash - Messages on Torah - Tanakh - Brit Hadasha
