Should Christians Study Torah?

It is quite a common belief among some Christian groups to think that the Old Testament is completely irrelevant today, since they believe that the doctrines of the various church denominations are made clear in the New Testament writings.

However it is important to understand that this is a serious mis-conception as the following facts will show.

We have heard it quoted that, the mysteries of the Old Testament or Old Covenant are revealed in the new, but if we have never read them, we are missing out on the very foundation of what we say we believe. A “mystery” in the New Testament is something that had at one time been hidden but is now revealed to God’s people. One example: Col.1:26 Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages, and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints

For many the fact that Jesus was Jewish from a Jewish family is not one they are immediately aware of. The word Jewish here, means that He was a descendant of the tribe of Judah one of the 12 tribes of Israel/formally Jacob, son of Isaac, son of Abraham.

Jesus lived approx. 2024 years ago in the middle eastern land that we now call Israel; formally called Palestine, the Holy Land, the Promised Land and Canaan. Jesus name in Hebrew is Yeshua, there are several spellings of this Hebrew name. He would have spoken a local Galilean dialect of Aramaic Hebrew. His lifestyle was as far removed from todays western world as one can get.

Yeshua/Jesus and all His disciples were Torah observant Jews. The scriptures that they studied, loved and quoted were, the Torah, the Prophets, and the Writings. i.e. the Jewish TaNaKh.

As well as Torah, Jews also call their Hebrew Scriptures the TANAK/TANAKH, an acronym for: –

TORAH (Law or Instruction); –

NEVI’IM (The Prophets); and. –

KETHUVIM (The Writings)

TANAK – The Three-Part Hebrew Bible

Yeshua/ Jesus quoted from the book of Deuteronomy from the Torah more than any other book in The Scriptures. The Torah comprises the first 5 books: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.

 

As a child Yeshua/Jesus would have studied the Torah and memorized it with other Jewish children. He would also have been familiar with the teaching of the earlier Jewish sages and rabbis of Israel.

When He was asked what the greatest commandment of the Lord was, Yeshua/Jesus quoted the ve’ahavta portion of the Shema. Which is found in Deut. 6:5.

Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad

Hear O Israel the Lord is God the Lord is One.

And then He added the commandment from Leviticus 19:18.

You shall love your neighbor as yourself.

Both of these commandments come directly from the Torah!

These were not something He made up or changed from the original which was given by His Heavenly Father YHVH, to the children of Israel through Moses when the covenant was made at Sinai.

Indeed Yeshua/Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the Torah, or the prophets, but to fulfill/complete them. Showing us how to interpret and live them correctly. This was because over the generations since Moses, the Pharisees and religious Leaders had added laws and commandments of their own for various reasons that were not part of the original directives given by the Lord.

Matthew 5:17 – 19.

in Matthew 19:17 He later told a man who wanted to be a disciple of His

If you would enter life, keep the commandments.

When He was asked which ones, Yeshua/ Jesus replied by referring to the 10 commandments and appealed to the man to follow Him. Matthew 19:18 – 21

Yeshua/Jesus said that the Jewish scriptures testified of Him.

John 5:39

In Matthew 5:18 Yeshua/Jesus says that not one jot or tittle will pass away from the law until all is accomplished.

He does not abolish the law, but fulfills it through His obedience and blood.

As His followers and disciples, we should understand what this means, and how they indeed bear witness of Him as the King of the Jews. Matthew 2:2;27:11.

In addition by studying Torah as well as the Writings and Prophets, we can more fully appreciate the Glory and Grace as revealed in the person of our redeeming Savior. One example is that we can more fully understand the role of the sacrificial system and why it was necessary until Messiah came. It is also important for us to understand that His commandments are to show us how sinful man is to approach a Holy God. Furthermore, how Yeshua/Jesus fulfilled all of Gods Holy requirements on our behalf, not only as the perfect sacrificial lamb whose blood has paid the price for our sin; but also as the High Priest/Kohen haGadol of the re-new-ed covenant.

When two disciples were on the way to the town of Emmaus discussing the events and the meaning of the crucifixion three days before, Messiah Himself appeared beside them and taught them about Himself from the Jewish scriptures. Luke 24:13 – 36.

The new testament, the gospels and all the letters, were not written yet, all they had was the Torah the Prophets and the Writings.

Again as His followers, we should likewise be able to teach and show how Yeshua/Jesus is revealed in the Hebrew scriptures.

The church/the ecclesia, had its genesis on the Jewish Holy day/Appointed Time/Moedim of Pentecost/Shavuot among the thousands of Jewish people who were in Jerusalem in obedience to the Shalosh Regalim.

In Hebrew: שלוש רגלים,

romanized : šāloš rəgālīm, or

חַגִּים, ḥaggīm

Passover, Shavuot and Sukkot;

referred to as the Shalosh Regalim.

The Torah (Exodus 34:23) tells us that on these Appointed days, all able-bodied people should appear in Jerusalem for a national celebration of service to God.

All the proceedings during the Appointed Time of the Lord, the Moed, which was recorded in Acts 2:1–41, was entirely Jewish; quoting from the Prophets and from the Psalms of David which would have meant little to any gentiles within hearing distance, if indeed there were any.

 

It is likely that the 3000 people who were saved that day would have all been Jewish, descended from the 12 tribes of Israel. The earliest members of the new church/ecclesia, called apart ones, met regularly in the temple, where gentiles were excluded, with no exception. Acts 2:46. We read that the apostles Peter and John were recorded to have gone to the temple for prayer during the time of the minchah/ afternoon sacrifices Acts 3:1. They did not suddenly stop doing what they had always done before Messiah had come; and their ministry continued explicitly among the Jewish people,  among whom were thousands who believed and were zealous for the Torah. Acts 21:20

Even after they were imprisoned and by a miracle of the Lord escaped, an angel told him to go, stand, and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life. Acts 5:20.

Later when the Jerusalem Council wrote their letter to the Gentiles regarding their relationship to the Torah, they advised them to at first abstain from those things that make them abhorrent to the Jews. This directive was with the assumption that they would later go on to study the Torah of Moses and the other Jewish scriptures. Acts 15:19 – 21

The apostle Paul was raised a Torah observant Jew who studied under the famous Rabbi Gamaliel in Jerusalem. Acts 22:3 Rabbi Shaul, as he would have been called, was well established in the Jewish leadership of his day, and even had a relationship with the Sanhedrin and the High Priest of Israel. Acts 9:1 -2. But even after his conversion on the road to Damascus, Acts 9:1–21. He still identified himself as a Jew. It Acts 23:6 he confessed I am, not was, a Pharisee. He even declared that concerning the observance of the Torah he was blameless, which indicates that he observed a Jewish lifestyle to his dying day. Philippians 3:6; Acts 25:7–8; 28:17.

Paul even took the Nazarite vow. Acts 18:18. He lived in observance of the Torah.

Acts 21:23-24. And he actually offered sacrifices in the Jewish temple. Acts 21:26. It is clear that Paul not only paid for his own sacrifices in order to be released from his Nazarite vow, but that he also paid for the sacrifices for four other Jewish believers. Notice also that this was performed at the specific request of James, the Head of the Jerusalem church and half-brother of Yeshua/Jesus

Paul regularly attended synagogue. Acts 17:1-2. When Paul and his companions had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where there was a Jewish synagogue. 2 As was his custom, Paul went into the synagogue, and on three Sabbath days he reasoned with them from the Scriptures,

And when Paul later wrote to the gentile churches, in

2 Timothy 3:16, 17

ALL SCRIPTURE is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God[ a] may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.….

He was of course referring to the Jewish scriptures the Torah Prophets and Writings. Since as already noted, the gospels and letters had not yet been written for the new believers/ecclesia.

Indeed, in order to understand Pauls writings, we need to remember his training as a Rabbi when he quotes the scriptures in his writings. For example, when he wrote 1Corinthians 10:4, all drank from the same spiritual drink for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them and the rock was Christ.

He was quoting from story later written in the Talmud. Exodus 20:1 (i.e. that from the time that Moses struck the rock at Horeb and brought forth water until the death of Miriam, this water giving rock followed the children of Israel through the desert and provided water for them each day. )

Many Christian denominations profess to believe in the authority of both the old and new testament scriptures, while at the same time relegating the study of the Torah, Prophets and Writings to the dustheap of history. If the Hebrew Jewish scriptures are taken seriously at all, these denominational traditions try to explain away their clear reading; for example: they take the covenantal promises made to ethnic Israel and say that the intent of the text as being applicable solely to the ‘christian church’.

This is both shortsighted and inconsistent; since it is impossible to understand the new testament writings, including the very church/ecclesia itself, while ignoring the cultural and spiritual context of which it is a part. We must remember that the Greek text of the New Testament derived its authority and truth from the Jewish Hebrew scriptures, and not the other way around. Too many Christian theologians work at this backwards, reading from the new testament gospels and letters, and particularly certain ideas ascribed to the apostle Paul; as the interpretative filter and guide for the study and interpretation of the Hebrew text. Theologians of the western traditions must consciously remember the statement: a text without a context is a pretext.

Such heresies as that of replacement theology, which believes that ‘the church’ i.e., westernized Christianity, has completely replaced the children of Israel and they believe God is finished with them. These beliefs need to be seriously repented of.

Yes, it is for these and many other reasons, it is important, even vital for believers in and disciples of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus to study the Torah, the Prophets and the Writings as part of the whole counsel of God.

2Tim 2:15.

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Peace to friends and family.

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.

Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord, Deliverer and soon returning King; and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are very precious in His sight.

Not sure ..you can be…

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,

SAY IT RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past. I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name.

Moses Mountain Top Experiences

Moses received the call from God

to return to Egypt in

Exodus 3:1–6, 12.

Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian, and he led the flock to the far side of the wilderness and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. 

And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. So Moses thought, “I must go over and see this marvelous sight. Why is the bush not burning up?”…4 When the LORD saw that he had gone over to look, God called out to him from within the bush, “Moses, Moses!” “Here I am,” he answered.… 5“Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”…

In the other books of the Pentateuch/Torah, Sinai is the usual name, though Horeb also occurs: see Exodus 3:1; Exodus 17:6; Exodus 33:6, applying both to the “Mount of God” and to the desert of Rephidim some 20 miles to the Northwest.

Another name for Mount Sinai/Mount Horeb in the Bible

is ‘the waste’.

Mount Horeb in Hebrew: הַר חֹרֵב Har Ḥōrēḇ; Greek in the Septuagint: Χωρήβ, Chōrēb;

So, how many times did Moses climb up the mountain?

The 1st Climb is recorded in Exodus 19:1–8:

After the Israelites left Egypt, in the third month, they arrived at Mount Sinai Exodus 3:12. Moses ascended the mountain and God offered a covenant between Himself and the Israelites. Moses was to tell the people these words from the LORD: “You yourselves have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey my voice and keep my covenant, you shall be my treasured possession among all peoples, for all the earth is mine; and you shall be to me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” Exodus 19:4–6. Moses did as instructed, implying he descended the mountain. The Israelites agreed to this covenant Exodus 19:7–8. 

The 2nd Climb Exodus 19:8–9:

Moses reported the Israelites’ response back to God, implying he ascended Mount Sinai again. God replied, “Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you, and may also believe you forever” Exodus 19:9. This conveyed the message that Moses was God’s anointed leader for the people of Israel. Moses reported this to the people, implying he descended the mountain. 

The 3rd Climb Exodus 19:10–19:

Some scholars believe that God speaking to Moses in Exodus 19:10 is part of the earlier conversation. Exodus 19:14 says that Moses descended the mountain, which could be the descent implied in Exodus 19:9 or a separate descent. Whatever the case, God tells Moses to consecrate the Israelites and set boundaries around the mountain because He is going to make an appearance. Moses does as instructed. On the third day, “Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder” Exodus 19:17–19. 

The 4th Climb Exodus 19:20—20:20:

From the thunder, God asks Moses to ascend the mountain again and advises that Moses go back down and warn the people not to break the barriers. Moses replies that the people cannot come up because they have set limits and have been warned. God tells Moses to go back down and bring his brother Aaron back up with him. Moses goes down and tells the people, Exodus 19:25. It seems that Moses is at the bottom of the mountain with the people when God delivers the Ten Commandments/Sayings in Exodus 20:1—17. “When all the people saw the thunder and the flashes of lightning and the sound of the trumpet and the mountain smoking, the people were afraid and trembled, and they stood far off and said to Moses, ‘You speak to us, and we will listen; but do not let God speak to us, lest we die'”

“the glory of Yahweh was like devouring fire on the top of the mount in the eyes of the children of Israel” Exodus 24:17.

Exodus 20:18–19. Moses tells them not to be afraid “for God has come to test you, that the fear of him may be before you, that you may not sin” Exodus 20:20. The people keep their distance and Moses draws near to the manifest presence of God in Exodus 20:21. 

The 5th Climb Exodus 20:21—23:33:

This time, Moses “approached the thick darkness where God was” Exodus 20:21, and God gives him a collection of laws to share with the people of Israel, as well as a promise to send an angel with them and give them the land of Canaan Exodus 23:20–33.  

The 6th in Exodus 24—31:

Moses is again summoned to ascend Mount Sinai. This time, in addition to Aaron, he is also instructed to bring Aaron’s sons, Nadab and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel with him.  

The next day, Moses builds an altar and erects twelve stone pillars to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. He offers burnt offerings to God and reads the Book of the Covenant, the Torah he had been given on Mount Sinai, to the Israelites, who agree that they will obey what God had commanded. Exodus 24:4–8.  

Then Moses, Aaron, Nadab, Abihu, and seventy of the elders ascend the mountain. God reveals Himself to Moses and all the men he brought with him. Theysaw the God of Israel. There was under his feet as it were a pavement of sapphire stone, like the very heaven for clearness. And he did not lay his hand on the chief men of the people of Israel; they beheld God, and ate and drank” Exodus 24:10–11. 

God commands Moses to come further up Mount Sinai and leave the other men behind. Joshua, Moses’ assistant and the future leader of the Israelites into Canaan, was allowed to come up part of the way, Exodus 24:12–13. God summons Moses into the cloud at the top of the mountain where Moses stayed for forty days and forty nights, Exodus 24:15–18. 

During this time, Moses is given the Ten Commandments written on tablets of stone by God Himself, Exodus 24:12; 31:18; 34:1, 28. He also gives Moses instructions on how to build the tabernacle, the ark of the covenant, and the altar, as well as specific instructions for the priestly garments and their consecration, Exodus 24–31. He tells Moses to emphasize the Sabbath as a sign between the people of Israel and the Lord, Exodus 31:12–17. 

When Moses and Joshua come back down the mountain, they are greeted by the idolatry of the Israelites worshiping the golden calf, Exodus 32. God had told Moses this was happening, and Moses interceded with God for the people. When Moses goes down the mountain and sees for himself, hisanger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain”.

Exodus 32:19. He also destroyed the golden calf and disciplined the Israelites.

Exodus 32:20–29.  

The 7th time is in Exodus 32:30–35:

Moses returns to the Lord at Mount Sinai to intercede on behalf of the Israelites and “make atonement for [their] sin” Exodus 32:30, that God might grant them mercy. In a foreshadowing of the sacrifice of Messiah Jesus/Yeshua, Moses offers his own life in exchange for those of the Israelites, Exodus 32:32. God does not accept his offer, and sends a plague on the Israelites. God then commands they depart and that He will give them the land of the Canaanites but will not go with them. “When the people heard this disastrous word, they mourned, and no one put on his ornaments” Exodus 33:4. Moses, again, intercedes and pleads for God’s presence to go with them, Exodus 33:12–23. God agrees, even to Moses’ request to show him His glory. 

The 8th climb is in Exodus 34:

During this final ascent, God has Moses remake stone tables and then rewrites the Ten Commandments on them, replacing the ones Moses had broken in his anger, Exodus 34:1–2, 28. God describes Himself to Moses as

“The LORD, the LORD, a God merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, keeping steadfast love for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, but who will by no means clear the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children and the children’s children, to the third and the fourth generation” Exodus 34:6–7.

Moses stays on the mountain with God for another forty days and forty nights, miraculously “he neither ate bread nor drank water”. Exodus 34:28.  

“When Moses came down from Mount Sinai, with the two tablets of the testimony in his hand as he came down from the mountain, Moses did not know that the skin of his face shone because he had been talking with God. Aaron and all the people of Israel saw Moses, and behold, the skin of his face shone, and they were afraid to come near him”. Exodus 34:29–30. 

The times Moses climbed up to Mount Sinai were important in that they reveal the the Fathers process of making a covenant with Israel, creating that covenant and directions for life, in the form of laws for social order; and speaking both with and through Moses to the people. The giving of the Torah shows the holiness of God and what the nature of sin is, Romans 7:7. The Torah/Law served as the schoolmaster for the Israelites for the generations that lived before Messiah Yeshua/Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, Galatians 3:24–25.

Moses speaking to God on behalf of the people was prophetic of how Messiah now intercedes before God on our behalf, Deuteronomy 18:18; Romans 8:34.

The climbs up to Mount Sinai show us some attributes of Who He is. It reveals that He is Holy, righteous and loving and One Who longs for a covenant relationship with His chosen people. 

Moses was on Sinai 3 times for 40 days:

After the Giving of the Torah, Moses went up Mount Sinai for 40 days.

After the Golden Calf, he went up another 40 days, and then he went up before the Lord God the final time for yet another 40 days to secure complete forgiveness.

We do not have to climb Mt.Sinai or any other mountain top to spend time in the presence of a loving Heavenly Father. He has made the Way for us through Messiah. We should not take lightly the privilege we have in communing with the Lord whenever we want to. We are not summoned to spend 40 days in fast whenever His Spirit wants to speak to us.

1Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore the world knoweth us not, because it knew him not. 2 Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 3 And every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 1John 3;1..

Let our hearts always be tender and open to hear His voice, and let us be obedient to obey; and turn aside quickly to receive His instructions…

Yes Lord…Here I am – Hineni!

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Peace to friends and family.

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.

Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord, Deliverer and soon returning King; and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are very precious in His sight.

Not sure ..you can be…

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,

SAY IT RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past. I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name.

Why 40?

A look at the number 40,

its’ meaning, and association to covenants,

and where it was evident in the lives of biblical characters.

There are many references to the number 40 in both the old and new testaments. Mentioned 146-149 times. The English word “forty” appears 158 times in King James Bible verses. This breaks down to 134 occurrences in the Old Testament and 24 times in the New.

Hebrew Strongs #705  

arbaim: forty

Original Word: אַרְבָּעִים
Part of Speech: noun plural indeclinable
Transliteration: arbaim
Phonetic Spelling: ar-baw-eem’
Definition: forty

The number 40 is associated with seasons of probation and preparation where spiritual awareness is deepened. It also represents a time of leadership, fasting and victory as well as testings of faith, trials and chastisement. This chastisement is not the same as judgment, like the association represented by the number 9 which operates in connection with punishment of enemies; but rather is in connection to the chastisement of sons, family and of a covenant people who are loved.

As we are in the days of counting from the Omer, which comprise 7×7 weeks, equaling 49 days and on the 50th day is Pentecost/Shavuot. We are aware of the 40 days that Messiah remained with His disciples/talmidim after His resurrection and appeared to many.

As Shavuot/Penetcost is also the Moed/Appointed Time of remembering the giving of Torah to Moses/Moshe. We remember that Moses was called up onto Mount Sinai. Exodus 19:1-3 Moses went up the mountain and in v14 he came down; then in verse 20 he goes up the mountain again -25.

He goes up the mountain in Ex. 24:1-3 with others plus the 70 elders. In verse 9, they ate and drank. Moses went up in verse 12 -18 and stayed 40 days and forty nights; then in chapter 32:15 he came down again.

In chapter 34:1-4 it is recorded that Moses went up the mountain again.  In verse 18 he was instructed to keep the feast of matzah. In 34:10 God says: I am making covenant. From verse 22 to verse 27 it records Moses was another 40 days and 40 nights on Mt Sinai and verse 29 tells us when Moses came down his face was shining.

Moses was up and down Mt Sinai several times and twice for 40 days and nights.

Exodus 24:18, 34:1 – 28. He was there in order to receive God’s Torah/teaching/instructions and directives for the children of Israel.

The first 40 years of Moses’ life entails him from growing up in Pharaoh’s royal household and living in Egypt until he slays a man and has to flee to Midian.

The second part of his life is spent as a shepherd in Midian tending Jethroes sheep in the wilderness, until God calls him at age 80 (2×40), to deliver the Israelites from Egyptian bondage.

During the last third of his life he leads the Israelites out of Egypt and through the wilderness until he dies at age 120. 3×40 years.

Deut. 34:7

40 years is also applied as encompassing a generation according to Numbers 14:26-38 as with the children of Israel 40 years wandering while the generation died out.

Moses had sent spies, for 40 days, to investigate the land God promised the Israelites as an inheritance. Numbers 13:25, 14:34.

Believing the report of the ten doubters, the people lost heart and rebelled. They “raised their voices and wept aloud,” grumbling against Moses and Aaron, saying, “If only we had died in Egypt…Num. 14:1-10

Num 14:34

According to the number of days in which you spied out the land [of Canaan], 40 days, for each day, you shall bear and suffer a year for your sins and guilt, for 40 years, and you shall know…

They then had to experience the consequences and cost of disobedience and unbelief. The 40 year Wilderness wandering for what was only an 11 day journey!

God told Moses that Because of their sins and initial unwillingness to enter Canaan, God swore that the generation of Israelites who were 20 years old or older, (except for Joshua and Caleb), who left Egyptian bondage would not enter the Promised Land; they would wander in the wilderness until this generation died and a new one could inherit what the Lord promised. 

16 Who were they who heard and rebelled? Were they not all those Moses led out of Egypt? 17 And with whom was he angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies 

Hebrews 3:16 -4:11

Your dead bodies shall fall in this wilderness, and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, who have murmured against Me . . .

And your children shall feed in the wilderness forty years and bear your whoredoms until your dead carcasses have been consumed in the wilderness (Numbers 14:29, 33, HBFV).

Some more instances of 40:

The book of Exodus, KJV, is the only book that has 40 chapters.

The chapters Exodus 25, Numbers 29, Judges 6 and 11, 1Chronicles 7, 8 and 12, Job 31, Psalm 37, Jeremiah 23 and 31, John 18, Acts 8, 16 and 21, 1Corinthians 7 and 14, along with Hebrews 11, all have 40 verses in the KJV.

From the time they entered the Promised Land, to the time of King Saul, Israel was sporadically governed by a number of individuals known as Judges. Though they did not rule like a king, they nevertheless had a tremendous influence on the people, as they represented God and were inspired to execute His will. Judges who served 40 years include Othniel, Deborah and Barak, Eli and Gideon.

The first three human kings over the children of Israel, Saul, David and Solomon, each ruled for forty years (1050 to 930 B.C.). After the united kingdom split into two separate pieces, King Joash served 40 official years (39 actual years) as one of Judah’s better kings.

Absalom’s rebellion was near David’s death. The time cannot exceed the stated 40 years. Saul reigned forty years as first king Acts 13:21. And it came to pass after forty years, that Absalom …

Abraham began his bargaining with God to save Sodom and Gomorrah if 50 righteous were found, then he asked if they could be spared if 45 existed Genesis 18:23 – 28. He then pleaded to save the cities if only 40 righteous people were found. 

And he (Abraham) spoke to Him (the Lord) yet again, and said, “Perhaps there shall be forty found there.” And He said, “I will not do it for forty’s sake.” Genesis 18:29.

Both Isaac and Esau were 40 years old when they were first married Genesis 25:20, 26:34.

 

Elijah went 40 days without food or water at Mount Horeb. Yeshua/Jesus was tempted by the devil many times during the 40 days He fasted days in the wilderness, after His immersion in the Holy Spirit and before at the start of his public ministry.

40 days of repentance/teshuvah, is observed every year before Rosh Hashanah.

40 days from conception to the initial formation of a human baby, and 40 weeks of gestation until birth.

God flooded the earth by having it rain for 40 days and nights. Genesis 7:12.

After the patriarch Jacob (Israel) died in Egypt, the Egyptians spent 40 days embalming his body. Genesis 50:3.

God allowed the ancient Israelites, from time to time, to be harassed and dominated by certain enemies in order to chastise and humble them for their sins. The Philistines, in the southern and western parts of Israel’s land, harassed them from 1105 to 1065 B.C. God’s resolution to the harassment was Samson who would become one of Israel’s Judges Judges 13:1, 1Samuel 7:13, 15 – 17.

The prophet Jonah powerfully warned ancient Nineveh, for 40 days, that its destruction would come because of its many sins. 

And Jonah arose and went to Nineveh, according to the Word of the Lord. And Nineveh was a very great city of three days’ journey across. And Jonah began to enter into the city a day’s journey, and he cried and said, “Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown!” Jonah 3:4, 

The prophet Ezekiel was commanded by God to first lay on his left side for 390 days for the Kingdom of Israel. He was then told to lay on his right side for 40 days for the Kingdom of Judah. This act represented, in years, the length each kingdom would suffer correction for their disobedience to God.

For I have laid on you the years of their (Israel’s) iniquity, according to the number of the days, three hundred and ninety days. So you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Israel. And when you have fulfilled them, lie again on your right side, and you shall bear the iniquity of the house of Judah forty days; a day for a year; a day for a year, I have set it upon you. Ezekiel 4:5 – 6.

Yeshua/Jesus, just days before His crucifixion in 30 A.D., prophesied the total destruction of Jerusalem. Matthew 24:1-2, Mark 13:1-2. 40 years after his crucifixion the mighty Roman Empire destroyed the city and burned its beloved temple to the ground, A.D.70.

There are 21 words and phrases in the Bible’s original languages that are recorded exactly 40 times.

Number 40 is equal to 2 x 2 x 2 (or 2 cubed) x 5. Both 2 and 5 are prime numbers.

In the Hebrew AlefBet, the 13th Hebrew letter called Mem, has the numerical value of 40 and is thereby associated with the following: 40 days and nights of flood waters; 40 years in the wilderness; 2×40 days Moses was on Mt Sinai.

Traditionally the letter Mem has several related meanings: waters, people, nations, languages and tongues.

The name of the letter in its most ancient form resembles waves of water. With this in mind such sayings as: sea of torah, the ocean of knowledge and wisdom are often used.

Mem is regarded as the letter of water/mayim; symbolizing the spring of the Torah – Rivers of Living water, i.e. Gods Word. Just as the waters of an underground spring rise upward from an unknown source to reveal themselves, so does the spring of wisdom rise up from the mysterious Source that is our Heavenly Father. This flowing stream of the inner wisdom can be expressed through the gift of human speech. Proverbs 18:4 the words a man speaks are deep waters, a flowing stream, a fountain of wisdom.

In the Hebrew alef -bet, the letter Mem has 2 forms when it is written: an open form and a closed form.

The open form, peucha,  is said to represent the revealed truth of God as demonstrated by Moshe/Moses. The use of the closed letter Mem, stumah, is said to represent the concealed truth of our Heavenly Father as was demonstrated by Yeshua/Jesus, the revealer of mysteries.

Matthew 13:10–11 10. The disciples came to him and asked, “Why do you speak to the people in parables?” 11 He replied, “Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.”

and 

Matthew 13:35 That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying: I will open my mouth in parables, I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.

Yeshua/Jesus is the only One Who truly satisfies the inner thirst we have for real life, He is the only One Who can satisfy and quench our thirst. Faith/emunah in Him brings refreshment and healing for those He has called His own. John 7:38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.

The letter M is represented in the Greek alphabet by the letter Mu.

The Old Testament writings use the word “forty” for the number 40. The ones containing the most, are the book of Numbers (19 times) followed by Genesis and Deuteronomy (15 times each). The New Testament books that use the word the most forty, are the book of Acts (10 times) followed by Revelation (6). It is first used in Genesis with its last appearance in Revelation.

And Cainan lived after he begat Mahalaleel eight hundred and forty years, and begat sons and daughters. Genesis 5:13, KJV. 

The Hebrew word ephah, Strong’s Concordance #H374, is written 40 times in 29 Hebrew Old Testament verses. Its spelling stays the same in the KJV. It is found the most in Ezekiel (17 times) followed by the book of Zechariah (5).

An ephah is used in Scripture as a measure of dry goods such as flour, barley meal, parched corn, wheat and so on. It is roughly equivalent to 22 liters or 20 dry quarts. One of its first uses is in the book of Leviticus.

But if he be not able to bring two turtledoves, or two young pigeons, then he that sinned shall bring for his offering the tenth part of an ephah of fine flour for a sin offering . . . Leviticus 5:11, KJV.

Caleb, who was 40 years old, and Joshua, were two of the twelve spies Moses sent to the Promised Land, as previously noted, He and Joshua were the only two to have the faith to encourage the people to take the land God had promised them.

Forty-five years later he requested from Joshua the land he was promised for obeying the Lord. He received part of the hill country of Judea which included the cities of Hebron and Debir.

Joshua 14:7 – 15.

King Ahaz, who ruled over the Kingdom of Judah from 735 to 715 B.C., died when he was forty years old.

God’s law allowed a wrongdoer, in certain cases, to be beaten with 40 stripes (scourging) as part of their punishment. Deuteronomy 25:1-3. The Jews would later change this to 39 stripes in order not to exceed this amount per Deuteronomy 25:3. Both Messiah and the Apostle Paul were scourged five times by the Jews for preaching the gospel. 2Corinthians 11:23 – 24.

The Bible was written by 40 different people. There were 32 writers of the Old Testament and only 8; Matthew, Mark, Luke, John, James, Peter, Jude, and Paul of the New.


A brief note on the covenants.

The Mosaic covenant, Ex 19:3-6, on the basis of the Abrahamic covenant and promise made to Abraham in Gen.15; God delivered the children of Israel from Egypt and established another covenant with them at Sinai. God used Moses as the deliverer and mediator of this covenant between Israel and Himself. It’s not a covenant of salvation but instead a covenant of blessing and cursing based on trusting and faithfulness on Israels part. The Mosaic covenant is similar to a marriage covenant/contract. This is called a Ketubah or a vassal treaty between God as husband and king, and Israel as His wife and people. It spells out the boundaries and guidelines of the relationship between them, and is summarized in Ex. 19 and 20. The Mosaic covenant includes blessings and security in the land for faithful obedience, Deut. 28; and curses and exile for faithless disobedience. Deut. 27.

The Mosaic Covenant further includes a promise that even though Israel will not keep this covenant fully, and will ultimately be removed from the land; God will not completely forsake them, but He will punish them and scatter them among the nations. From their exile God will circumcise their hearts and they will return to Him in repentance/teshuvah. The Lord will gather Israel back and atone for His people and the land. Deut. 30-33. This promise is to confirm and keep His promise to Abraham. This generation that made the covenant with God at Sinai was not able to enter into the land. The next generation reaffirmed the covenant and entered the land under Joshua, who was a type of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus. Each generation of Israel in the land and diaspora must confirm the Abrahamic Covenant by the circumcision of their males; and confirm the Mosaic Covenant by binding the words of God on their foreheads, called teffilim. Though they waver in their faithfulness to the covenant, God remains faithful.

The promises of this covenant must be fulfilled. Messiah Yeshua/Jesus says in Matt. 5:17-19 that until heaven and earth pass away based on the covenant with Noah, the smallest letter or stroke of letter will not pass from the Torah /Mosaic covenant until it is all fulfilled.

Our Heavenly Father said through His prophets that, as long as the heavens and the earth remains, consistent with the Noahide Covenant, Israel would remain a people before Him. The Mosaic covenant is not a replacement of the covenants with Noah and Abraham. It is dependent upon them and along with them is presently in effect. The Davidic covenant also affirms and expresses the earlier covenants. Therefore the new covenant fulfills, adds to and completes, rather than merely replacing the previous covenants. Some denominations are mistaken when they claim that the new has replaced the covenant made between Moses and the children of Israel and God at Sinai. It is simply renewed and added onto the existing covenants, line upon line and precept upon precept. Messiah Yeshua/Jesus came to show us how to live them and complete them according to Gods teachings, ways and decrees, not mans rules regulations and laws.

The Highlight of Revelation, Sinai and the Messiah – Exodus 19:6

When the children of Israel arrived at Mount Sinai, Adonai made Himself known to all those people and gave them the Torah by the hand of Moses. Jewish tradition says that this encounter occurred on Pentecost/Shavuot – the Festival of Harvest or Weeks, based on the chronology and Exodus 19:1, 10–16.

Since the event is the highlight of God’s revelation to Israel, it is also known as the Festival of Revelation. At a earlier occasion when Moses encountered the burning bush, God declared that Mt. Sinai was the goal of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. When you have let the people out of Egypt you will worship me on this mountain. Exodus 3:12.

Throughout the Exodus story leading up to this climax, the Lord repeatedly declares that He will make Himself known both to the children of Israel; Exodus 6:7, 10, 29:46; 31:13 and to the Egyptians, Exodus 7:5, 17, 9:29, by His Mighty acts of deliverance. At Mount Sinai this process of self revelation reaches its climax, as all Israel witnesses God’s presence on the mountain. Exodus 19 Deuteronomy 5:2. They accept God’s instruction contained within the Torah. Exodus 24:3 –8

According to Jewish commentators the fact that the nation of Israel witnessed the Lord speaking to Moses from Mt. Sinai, established the Torah as Gods Word; a Word that includes Gods call to Israel to be a kingdom of priests /cohanim.

For me a nation set apart. Exodus 19:6.

Ex. 19:5 -7 the children of Israel and their 12 tribes were supposed to be a whole nation of priests, a kingdom of priests/cohanim, but it ended up with only the Levites being the priestly tribe out of 12 sons and their families.

Messiah Yeshua/Jesus Himself, is an even higher pinnacle of revelation. He doesn’t supersede Torah but rather embodies and perfectly fulfills/completes it. He has made His Word above His Name. Psalm 138:2 For thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. |

Like Israel, called to be a nation of priests at Mount Sinai, and although they do not replace the nation of Israel, Messiahs followers are also a chosen people, the Kings Cohanim/priests, a holy nation, a people for God to process.

But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. 1Peter 2:9

Are our lives a true reflection of what we are called to be?

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Peace to friends and family.

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.

Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord, Deliverer and soon returning King; and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are very precious in His sight.

Not sure ..you can be…

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,

SAY IT RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past. I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name.

Moses and 3 Days of Darkness

MOSES  – MOSHAH משׁה   

Exodus 2:10:  “And the child grew, and she brought him unto Pharaoh’s daughter, and he became her son. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.”

We may not have realized that Moses was not named by God but by Pharaoh’s daughter. This child became such an important man in the plan of God, not only bringing the children of Israel out of bondage and leading them to freedom from their slavery in Egypt; but also being the one to receive the Torah instructions from the Most High. So it does seem a little strange that he had a name that means:

to draw out of water.

Meaning of משה Moses: Child, Rescued From Drowning In Water. Delivered, Extracted, Loan. Hidden, Covered.

From the Egyptian noun mes, child, or from (1) mo, water, and (2) uses, saved from drowning.From the Hebrew verb משה (masha), to extract from water, or the noun משה (mashe), a loan.From the Greek verb μυσω (muso), to hide or cover.

( Greek: Μωϋσῆς ), [NB 1] Moishe ( Yiddish: משה ), [NB 2] Moshe ( Hebrew: מֹשֶׁה ), [NB 3] Musa ( Arabic :موسی), [NB 4] or Movses ( Armenian: Մովսես)

The ancient Hebrew rabbis, teachers and sages saw much more to the name Moses than just the first and most obvious one, that the definition of Moses meant, draw out of water.

According to the scriptures, it was Pharaoh’s daughter who drew Moses out of water, while his sister Miriam watched, those waters were the waters of the Nile river. 

Ex.2:4 The baby’s sister then stood at a distance, watching to see what would happen to him.

Egyptians did not worship the One True God of the Hebrews, they had many gods; most who were connected to the land and natural elements. Others included animals and other creatures, as well as fallen angels and demonic entities..

This daughter of Pharoah drew him out of the one of the most significant Egyptian gods. This god they worshipped was called Hepi, Hepi was a fertility god who was the god of the annual flooding of the Nile. When the Nile flooded, fertile solii was deposited onto the banks of the river. This gave them the ability to farm the land, raise good crops and provide food for the people.

A good question is, why was Pharaoh’s daughter’s at the Nile? 

In Exodus 2:5 we are told that she came to wash herself or to bathe. This gives us an image of her coming to take a bath in the sacred waters, which was holy to the Egyptians. On second thoughts this is probably unlikely, because especially a daughter of Pharaoh who took luxurious baths in tubs filled with all sorts of fragrances, like myrrh and frankincense, would not on purpose choose the option of the Nile rivers’ questionable cleanliness.

The word used in Hebrew here for

washing or bathing

is rachats 

which also means: to pour water upon yourself.  

Strongs 7364 rachats: to wash, wash off or away, bathe

Original Word: רָחַץ
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: rachats
Phonetic Spelling: (raw-khats’)
Definition: to wash, wash off or away, bathe self

A primitive root; to lave (the whole or a part of a thing) — bathe (self), wash (self), to pour water upon yourself..  

When the Nile overflowed, it was the signal that Hepi had arrived; and one of their beliefs was that as a fertility god it was said to cause women to become pregnant. It is likely that Pharaoh’s daughter’s went to Nile at the point of the flooding overflow when Hepi was said to have arrived.  Women would anoint themselves with water from the Nile by washing, bathing and pouring water over themselves, hoping Hepi would cause them to become pregnant.  We have to remember that their mindset was totally different from our modern western way of life and culture. In India today many people bathe in the Ganges river because it is a sacred holy river to them.

So for the daughter of Pharaoh to find a baby floating down the Nile in a basket it was like a gift from the god Hepi, especially for her.  

Once she realized it was a baby Hebrew boy she knew she would face criticism and this is why she named him Moses meaning: drew out of the waters (of the Nile) indicating this child was a gift from the god Hepi.  

Interestingly the name Moses also means to separate and as we know from the rest of the story in scripture during his life, he was actually drawn away from the gods of Egypt and separated from them.

Another connection is revealed in that the name Moses comes from the same root word as Messiah and we know that Moses was a picture, a type and shadow of the Messiah and in the same way that Moses would free his people from slavery in Egypt, the Messiah would come and free us from our sins.

If we take the name of

Moses in Hebrew is MOSHAH

 משׁה   

above are the Hebrew letters for M SH and H

and if we turn that first letter M/Mem, in the name Moses, into a preposition, which means the word: “from”, it would read: 

from shach.  

Shach means:

a little lamb.

This shows Moses’ compassion and the concerned feelings he had for others. It could also be a type and shadow of the future Messiah who would come as a lamb and deliver HIs people at the first Passover at the Exodus.

Remembering that in the Hebrew alefbet each letter has a numerical value and the rabbis/teachers have noted that words of equal value in the Hebrew language have connections to similar themes. The numerical value of His name Moses indicated that he would live a long life. Moses in Hebrew without the vowels is: Mem = 40, Shin = 300 and Hei = 5 for a total of 345.  He lived for 120 years.  The Hebrew word for the number 120 is  beshagam which is spelled Beth = 2, Shin = 300, Gimmel = 3 and Mem = 40 and gives a total of 345. 

The children of Israel called Moses,

Moses our teacher

which in Hebrew is Mosheh Rabeynu.    

As previously noted the numerical value of Moses is 345, the numerical value of teacher is Resh = 200, Beth = 2, Yod = 10,  Nun = 50, Vav = 6, a total of 268.   

By adding 345+268 = 613.  613 is the number of commandments in the Torah and it was Moses who brought these commandments from the Lord God to His people.  

One 19th century Hebrew teacher, Rabbi Hirsch, noted that the word Moshah has a similar sound to the word mosah which in Hebrew means: to melt away, to vanish.  

We could take a cautionary message from this for ourselves.

Although Moses was probably one of the greatest people who ever lived, before the presence of God he became as nothing and just melted away and vanished. So too we, in our self elevated positions as teachers, pastors and church leaders need to mosah like Moshah; meaning we need to vanish by melting away in the presence of our Heavenly Father Who is the one true God, then, people will not see us, they will only see Him.

A little later in the book of Exodus in chapter 10 and verse 23 we read :

They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.

We are all familiar with the call on Moses life to bring the children of Israel out of Egyptian bondage. There are memorable parts of the biblical account where God did many miracles and the plagues that came upon Egypt. One of the plagues was darkness. This was so disturbing to Pharaoh that he agreed to let the people of Israel go.  

Why was Pharaoh so disturbed about total darkness, weren’t there candles, torches and oil lamps in all of Egypt?   It only lasted three days, but when light returned the record tells that Pharaoh was very ready to let the people go.

The scripture says:

King James Bible
And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt.

Amplified Bible
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward the sky, so that darkness may come over the land of Egypt, a darkness which [is so awful that it] may be felt.”

 Berean Standard Bible
Then the LORD said to Moses, “Stretch out your hand toward heaven, so that darkness may spread over the land of Egypt—a palpable darkness.”

Contemporary English Version
The LORD said to Moses, “Stretch your arm toward the sky, and everything will be covered with darkness thick enough to touch.”

International Standard Version
Then the LORD told Moses, “Stretch your hand toward the sky and there will be darkness over the land of Egypt, a darkness that one can feel.”

a palpable
וְיָמֵ֖שׁ (wə·yā·mêš)
Conjunctive waw | Verb – Hifil –

Conjunctive imperfect – third person masculine singular
Strong’s 4959: To feel of, to grope

darkness.”
חֹֽשֶׁךְ׃ (ḥō·šeḵ)
Noun – masculine singular
Strong’s 2822: The dark, darkness, misery, destruction, death, ignorance, sorrow, wickedness

(Hebrew Word References Above Are From Bible Hub.com)

These words describe the darkness as being thick and tangible, that it was not only be so dark that it was impossible to see anything at all but palpable and tangible in the way that it could be felt, like thick oil. If that is accurate no wonder Pharaoh was ready to let the Israelites leave!

 “They saw not one another,” we are told, “for three days”

Exodus 10:23.

The darkness was one which “might be felt” Exodus 10:21.

Such a supernatural manifestation of absolutely impenetrable “blackness of darkness” would cause to anyone a feeling of intense fear and horror.

To the Egyptians it would be peculiarly painful and terrible. Ra, the sun-god, was among the principal objects of their worship, especially in the Delta, where Heliopolis and Pithoni were cities dedicated to him. Darkness was a creation of Set–the Evil Principle, the destroyer of Osiris–and of Apophis, the Great Serpent, the impeder of souls in the lower world. It would have seemed to the Egyptians that Ra was dead, that Set had triumphed over his brother, that Apophis had encircled the world with his dark folds, and plunged it in eternal night. This explains Pharaoh’s early call for Moses, and permission that the people should depart, with their families (Exodus 10:24): a promise of release which had the restriction, Only let your flocks and herds be stayed. 

 

In order to have total darkness means that the creator of the universe had to put out the lights of the sun, moon, and stars for three days. Those who experienced the total eclipse on 8th of this month had a brief taste of that total darkness. Remember that the Egyptians worshipped the sun, moon, and stars. Their chief god was the sun god Ra. They worshipped the stars, they looked to the constellations to tell them when to plant their crops when to harvest them and when the Nile would overflow its banks and irrigate the land.  

It was no coincidence that all their gods were being shown as no contest to the Creator God of the Hebrew children of Israel.

If the people of Egypt saw light coming from Goshen where the Hebrews were, it surely would have been even more disturbing.

It is very interesting that some of the Hebrew Rabbis teach that this light literally came from the people themselves. However it was not shining through them, rather it was reflected off of them. Giving the picture that the light where the Israelites were living was Gods’ Light reflected off them. This could have been the case, if His people literally had a light shining from their very being, and it is not impossible as Moses face shone after he had been in the presence of the Most High. 

And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses’ face shone: and Moses put the vail upon his face again, until he went in to speak with him. Ex 34:35 KJV

The Hebrew says in this verse that there was ‘or bemoshevotham. This literally means:

a light from within the dwellers

The use of the word “dweller” might also suggest angelic beings. Angels of light.

There is no doubt however that, this light, in Hebrew (‘or) was

a divine light. 

Shekhinah       שְׁכִינָה    

Shekinah Glory is a Hebrew term that refers to the divine presence of God on earth. The word “shekinah” means “dwelling” or “one who dwells”. Shekinah Glory is often symbolized as a cloud or pillar of fire. The Hebrew Bible mentions several places where the presence of God was felt as a Shekinah, including the burning bush, the cloud on Mount Sinai and the wilderness Mishkan. The word shekinah does not appear in the Bible, but the concept clearly does. The Jewish rabbis coined this extra-biblical expression, a form of a Hebrew word that literally means “he caused to dwell,” signifying that it was a divine visitation of the presence or dwelling place of God.

The etymology of “Shekinah” is from the Hebrew word shākan, which meansto reside or permanently stay.”The rabbis used the term Shekinah to describe the presence of God amongst His people ( Exodus 19:16-18; Exodus 40:34-38; I Kings 6:13)- The glory of God dwelling in the Temple (2 Chronicles 7:1)– How God dwells in the mountain (Psalm 68.16-18; Joel 3:17)

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.” 2 Corinthians 4:6

This is the light of Genesis 1:3 when God said:Let there be light.”   

He had not yet created the sun, moon or stars this light was Divine light. God is light. 1John1:5 God is light and in Him there is no darkness at all.

What the Hebrew teachers/sages do, is that they take the preposition and pronoun away from the word

bemoshevotham 

be moshev otham

and the word moshev remains.

4186 moshab/moshev:

a seat, assembly, dwelling place, dwelling, dwellers

Original Word: מוֹשָׁב
Part of Speech: Noun Masculine
Transliteration: moshab
Phonetic Spelling: (mo-shawb’)
Definition: a seat, assembly, dwelling place, dwelling, dwellers

This is a literal play on the word  Moshiach or Messiah and if the light coming from the people was reflected off them, then it was the Shechinah glory which was present in each household.

As the use of the word dweller here is a play on the word Moshiach/Messiah, could it also suggest that it was the Light of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus which was reflecting off the people?  

The word Moshovotam spells out moshav tam which means: a complete resting place. And we know that wherever we find the light of our Heavenly Father we will find a complete peace, a resting place, His true shalom. 

mo-shawb’: assembly, dwell in, dwelling-place, wherein that dwelt in, inhabited place, seat

Or moshab {mo-shawb’}; from yashab; a seat; figuratively, a site; abstractly, a session; by extension an abode (the place or the time); by implication, population — assembly, dwell in, dwelling(-place), wherein (that) dwelt (in), inhabited place, seat, sitting, situation, sojourning. 

Scripture tells us in John 8:12 Messiah Yeshua/Jesus said of Himself : 

 I Am the Light of the World. 

And

John 10:30-36 I and my Father are one.

This means: He is the light of God

and so in Him, we can find moshav tam.  

If we can imagine just what it must have been like in those Hebrew households for three days living in the light of the Messiah, the true shekinah glory light of God? The same shekinah glory that would accompany them for the next 40 years and came to rest on the mishkan, dwelling with them?

Not only that, but if this concept is in any way accurate, to look around and see that shekinah glory light, reflected off the people around you, right before that first passover; must have been an amazing 3 days – not of darkness, but of the presence of God. What a miracle that must have given the Hebrew children a reason to praise and worship their Deliverer.

LIGHT FROM THE DWELLER –

 OR BEMOSHEVOTHAM –

~אור במושׁבתמ

As Holy Spirit filled believers, the light of our Heavenly Father and Messiah dwells in us, in Him we live and move and have our being,(Acts 17:28); and because we are now representing Messiah, the light of the world, people around us should see

Messiah/Christ in us the hope of glory, the

or bemoshevotham

~אור במושׁבתמ

Light from the dweller!

Shalom aleikhem

chaverim and mishpachah!

Peace to friends and family.

Shavua Tov, Have a blessed week.

Make certain Messiah Jesus/Yeshua is your Redeemer, Savior, Lord and soon returning King and that you have a personal relationship with Him.

It’s all about Life and Relationship, NOT Religion.

You are very precious in His sight.

Not sure ..you can be…

SIMPLY SAY THE FOLLOWING MEANING IT FROM YOUR HEART..don’t delay one more minute,

SAY IT RIGHT NOW…

Heavenly Father I come to you in the Name of Jesus/Yeshua asking for forgiveness of my sins for which I am truly sorry. I repent of them all and turn away from my past.

I believe with my heart and confess with my mouth that Jesus/Yeshua is your Son and that He died on the cross at calvary to pay the price for my sin, so that I might be forgiven and have eternal life in the kingdom of Heaven. Father I believe that Jesus/Yeshua rose from the dead and I ask you to come into my life right now and be my personal Savior and Lord and I will worship you all the days of my life. Because your word is truth I say that I am now forgiven and born again and by faith I am washed clean with the blood of Jesus/Yeshua. Thank you that you have accepted me into your family in Jesus’/Yeshua’s name.