What Is The Breastplate of Trust and Love?

Possibly the thing we most often forget is that our fight of faith is not a physical one.

Paul reminds us in Ephesians 6 that we are in a spiritual battle.

It is not something new, it’s a war older than time itself, but because it is in the realm of the spirit and we do not see it with our natural eyes, we do not immediately recognize where the constant attacks of the enemy come from. Just as we don’t see the wind itself, but we see the effects of its’ destructive power on the physical realm; spiritual forces are arrayed against us and desire to inflict the same kind of damage in our lives.

We need to be reminded daily to identify the root causes of the majority of our struggles and to encourage ourselves and each other. We need to know, according to scripture, how we are to stand in our faith in Messiah by making that stand a victorious one. We have no doubt heard many sermons and teachings on these verses from Ephesians, however there are some aspects that we may not have seen before.

Most of us have been educated and schooled under a very Greek mind set and worldview and without realizing it, we have opened our minds and souls to globalization, new age and humanism; ultimately leading to the worship of man and things, instead of the One Who is the Creator of everything. Furthermore, as we are being schooled, the same mindsets and mentality prevail and follow us into our ‘churches’. Greek philosophy is geared towards the tree of the knowledge of good and evil; satisfying the minds and intellect; whereas the Hebraic thought gears towards the Tree of Life, satisfying the hearts and issues of life. Daniel prophesied of the increase of knowledge in the end days. Daniel 12:4 But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

The unseen adversary in Ephesians 1:20–23, and the tempter in Matthew 4:1. The word adversary in Hebrew is Hasatan, this is the one who accused us before God. Revelation 12:10 references HaSatan as the accuser of our brethren…

In light of our spiritual battle, Paul emphasizes our need for correct, powerful and effective spiritual equipment. Ephesians 6:10-20.

One of the most common misunderstandings regarding the whole armor of God is caused by Greek and Roman cultural views. Many commentaries compared the whole armor of God with the armor of the Roman soldiers.

However in reality it is highly probable that the Apostle Paul was not referring to the Roman armor at all! He was really making reference to an ancient Hebraic armor, (shown below: King David and Joshua), as well as to a heavenly, spiritual armor loosely based on the High  Priests garments.

Let’s read it again with fresh eyes and see the description as mirrored in the attire the High Priest/KohenHaGadol;. (the High Priest of Israel (Hebrew: כהן גדול, romanized : Kohen Gadol, lit. ‘great priest’; Aramaic : Kahana Rabba) was the head of the Israelite priesthood):

10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, 15 and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; 18 praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— 19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

Paul did not invent the idea of ‘the full armor of God’ on his own. He drew his wisdom and understanding from waht we call the Old Testament/Covenant; in Hebrew the TaNaKh, (the Torah, the Prophets and The Writings).

Isaiah 59:16-17
He saw that there was no man,
And wondered that there was no intercessor;
Therefore His own arm brought salvation for Him;
And His own righteousness, it sustained Him.
For He put on righteousness as a breastplate,
And a helmet of salvation on His head;
He put on the garments of vengeance for clothing,
And was clad with zeal as a cloak.
 
Isaiah 11:4-5
But with righteousness He shall judge the poor,
And decide with equity for the meek of the earth;
He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth,
And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked.
Righteousness shall be the belt of His loins,
And faithfulness the belt of His waist.
 
Exodus 28:1-4
1 Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him, from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to Me as priest, Aaron and Aaron’s sons: Nadab, Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. 2 And you shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother, for glory and for beauty. 3 So you shall speak to all who are gifted artisans, whom I have filled with the spirit of wisdom, that they may make Aaron’s garments, to consecrate him, that he may minister to Me as priest. 4 And these are the garments which they shall make: a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. So they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to Me as priest.

It seems very clear that Paul was making reference to the Holy garments of the Priesthood who had been called by the Lord God with which he would have been very familiar; and not the armor of unholy, violent, aggressive and merciless Roman soldiers, thirsting to torture others and kill people.

In I Peter 2:9-10 he clarifies that the chosen generation are a Holy nation of Royal Priests unto Him.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood,
a holy nation, His own special people,
that you may proclaim the praises of Him
who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
who once were not a people but are now the people of God,
who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.

We are in a spiritual battle not a physical one against people. The spiritual battle is just as real and one which does not stop day or night. However, we are to DO verse 12, resist the rulers, authorities, cosmic powers governing this darkness and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realm; and verse 13 instructs us how to fight with weapons, as provided: So take up every piece of war equipment God provides.

We need to see how the Priesthood are dressed  

and how is the High Priest dressed?

Verse 14 he begins with the belt of truth buckled around our waist.

In Isaiah 11:5 we see that: Justice will be the belt around his waist. Faithfulness the sash around His hips. This was Isaiah describing Messiah from verse 1-5.

In Leviticus 8:6-7: Then Moses brought Aaron and his sons and washed them with water. And he put the tunic on him, girded him with the sash, clothed him with the robe, and put the ephod on him; and he girded him with the intricately woven band of the ephod, and with it tied the ephod on him.


 
John 17:17
Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

The belt holds the priestly garments together. Without it, all the other portions will fall apart. The Lord desires to wash His priests with water, and sanctify them by His Truth! So that they will not be led astray, embrace false gods and worship idols! 

The Belt of Truth – loins girt with Biblical Truth. The Romans had a leather belt, the Priests and  High Priest had a linen girdle.  Linen = Righteousness and Girdle = Servitude. Both kept other garments in place = support and foundational importance. Truth must be our foundation and the belt is also essential to a flowing garment to assure warmth and maneuverability. It was tied around the waist of the High Priest (blue, purple and scarlet linen intertwined with gold threads). In the language of scripture for a priest to be girded with his sash was for him to be fully arrayed in his garments and prepared and ready to serve. The front and back of the ephod were made as one garment, with this sash or girdle, which was tied around his waist. Luke 12:37;17:8. It’s an emblem of service.  Messiah was not only the unwearied servant while on earth, but. like the Hebrew servant of Ex.21., He is the priest forever.

Another reference to the Girdle is in Psalms 18:32 God girds me with strength and makes my way perfect. The word AZAR is translated as girdle. The girdle David writes of, and as Paul would have known the verse, is and important part of the Eastern dress. It is like a belt used to draw the garment tightly to the body; particularly while on a journey or doing battle, either physically or in spiritual warfare. The enemy is always trying to draw us away from the Father, he’s using our feelings of inadequacy and lack of skills to discourage us; causing is to lean on the arm of the flesh which draws us away from Gods presence.

In the Hebrew language, this word azar, is in a piel intensive form and the definite article EL, is before the word of God to show that both God and strength are the direct objects. It is not simply Gods strength that is tightly wrapped around us, it’s God Himself. The Psalmist uses EL instead of Yehoveh/Jehoveh and the Rabbis teach that the word ELohim represents the masculine nature of God as the protector and provider. The arm of the flesh is not our source, our Heavenly Father is, and as this word in the Hebrew language is in a Piel or intense form, according to the sages, it indicates that He has not only wrapped Himself around us, but is hugging us with His strength. The word AZAR is used comparatively for strength, meaning He has a very strong grip of protection and provision around us.  In Hebrew, Strength is CHYIL, which is a strange word as it has the concept of twirling, spinning around and dancing in a circle. Our Father is the lead partner and maintains a tight grip on us, leading us as we dance with Him through the problems we face, and indeed all through our lives.  In the Hebrew language it would explain the use of the word for God in a singular form. Recall ‘im’ is the plural ending on Hebrew words. As in El – Elohim, plural and singular are a little different in the English language because in Hebrew plural does not always mean multiples, it can also mean a position of power and dominion.  

We are to remember that the Gospel of Truth is just that and we are fighting in the spiritual realm, not against people in the natural physical realm. As we look at the weapons of this warfare we need to remember that only the sword is an offensive weapon, and is clearly stated as a sword of the spirit; which is the Word of Truth in the form of scripture that is coming out of our mouth. We know that our Heavenly Father watches over His Word to perform it. This armor is for protection, apart from the sword. We are not to be aggressive towards people, we are to bring truth and show forth the mercy and forgiveness of sin by His Grace and the power of Messiah Yeshua/Jesus shed blood, Who through His Holy Spirit draws people to Himself with cords of love.

The Priesthood and the High Priest were not warriors nor violent, they served and ministered to the Lord with, and for the people, living a Holy set-apart life. 

The Breastplate Of Righteousness

Verse 14 put on righteousness for a breast plate.

Also 1Thess. 5:8 But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

Exodus 28:4
And these are the garments which they shall make:
a breastplate, an ephod, a robe, a skillfully woven tunic, a turban, and a sash. So they shall make holy garments for Aaron your brother and his sons, that he may minister to Me as priest.
 
Exodus 28:15
You shall make the breastplate of judgment. Artistically woven according to the workmanship of the ephod you shall make it: of gold, blue, purple, and scarlet thread, and fine woven linen, you shall make it.

Exodus 28:22-30
22 “You shall make chains for the breastplate at the end, like braided cords of pure gold.  23 And you shall make two rings of gold for the breastplate, and put the two rings on the two ends of the breastplate.  24 Then you shall put the two braided chains of gold in the two rings which are on the ends of the breastplate;
25 and the other two ends of the two braided chains  you shall fasten to the two settings, and put them on the shoulder straps of the ephod in the front.
26 “You shall make two rings of gold, and put them on the two ends of the breastplate, on the edge of it, which is on the inner side of the ephod. 
27 And two other rings of gold you shall make, and put them on the two shoulder straps, underneath the ephod toward its front, right at the seam above the intricately woven band of the ephod.  28 They shall bind the breastplate by means of its rings to the rings of the ephod, using a blue cord, so that it is above the intricately woven band of the ephod, and so that the breastplate does not come loose from the ephod. 29 “So Aaron shall bear the names of the sons of Israel on the breastplate of judgment over his heart, when he goes into the holy place,  as a memorial before the Lord continually.  30 And you shall put in the breastplate of judgment the Urim and the Thummim, and they shall be over Aaron’s heart when he goes in before the Lord. So Aaron shall bear the judgment of the children of Israel over his heart before the Lord continually.

Leviticus 19:15
You shall do no injustice in judgment. You shall not be partial to the poor, nor honor the person of the mighty. In righteousness you shall judge your neighbor.

The priests are to be righteous before God. They cannot play favoritism towards the rich and despise the poor! They have to pray for every tribe in the community regardless of their financial status. Not one less. A high priest does not have a holier-than-thou attitude towards others. He ministers to everyone, and bear their names and burdens over his heart. There is no discrimination or bias against anyone. Let’s look at Yeshua/Jesus, our High Priest:

Matthew 4:23-24
And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them.

What is righteousness in the sight of God?

Deuteronomy 6:25
Then it will be righteousness for us, if we are careful to observe all these commandments before the Lord our God, as He has commanded us.

Luke 1:5-6 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth.  And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.

But a Roman soldier does not have any righteousness on his breastplate. Neither does he desire to keep the commandments of God!

Isaiah 59:17 He put on righteousness as his breastplate, salvation as a helmet on his head. He clothed himself with garments of vengeance and wrapped himself in a mantle of zeal.

Eph. 6 and 1Thess. 5:8. But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.

The breastplate of faith and love:

The breastplate of the High Priest was worn on his chest it had on it the 12 precious stones that represented all the tribes of the children of Israel displayed over his heart.

Yeshua/Jesus is now our High Priest and those who are ‘grafted in believers’ in the Jewish Messiah, are held over the heart of our Lord and Savior.

So the breast plate is as faith, putting on trust over our hearts; to guard our hearts, for out of it flow the issues of life.

Keep your heart with all diligence, For out of it spring the issues of life. Prov.4:23.

Righteousness involves more than just following a set of rules; it encompasses a lifestyle characterized by integrity, justice, and love.

When we live according to these principles, we’re not only bringing peace to our own lives but we also help to create a harmonious and just society.

Embracing righteousness means seeking justice and equality, showing kindness and compassion, and treating others with respect and dignity.

It means standing up against injustice and oppression, speaking out for those who cannot speak fro themselves, for those who have no voice, and to work towards a world where everyone can experience shalom/peace and well-being.

“The work of righteousness will be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness and assurance forever.”
– Isaiah 32:17

By striving to lead a righteous life, we become catalysts for peace. Our actions not only bring tranquility to our own hearts but also inspire others to seek righteousness and pursue peace.

Together, we can create an environment not of this world, yet within it, where peace prevails; and everyone can experience the true and lasting peace/shalom, that comes from a life grounded in righteousness and faith in a Holy Righteous God.

In the next verse 15 we are told:

wear on your feet the readiness that comes from the gospel the good news of shalom/peace.

Isaiah 52:7
How beautiful upon the mountains Are the feet of him who brings good news, Who proclaims peace, Who brings glad tidings of good things, Who proclaims salvation, Who says to Zion,“Your God reigns!”

The Good News is the gospel of Messiah, He has become the promise and it is fulfilled in Him through Jesus/Yeshua.

Peace/shalom is restored …

The word shalom comes from the Hebrew shalem, meaning whole and complete, nothing is missing and nothing is broken. 

Shalom encompasses more than just an absence of conflict. It carries within it a profound sense of wholeness, completeness, and overall well-being, it represents a state of harmony and tranquility that goes beyond external circumstances.

Shalom is a concept that covers every aspect of our lives – our physical, emotional, and spiritual well-being, one that brings us a deep sense of inner peace and fulfillment. Shalom is not a passive state, but an active pursuit of wholeness and completeness in all areas of life.

Some more definitions of Shalom:

Shalom’ comes from ‘shalem’, meaning ‘to be complete’, so when there is ‘shalom’, there is tranquility just as there is sufficient food clothing and housing. There is divine health, with no sickness.

Shalom, the word normally translated peace, means, nothing left out, health, welfare, security, justice, and tranquility, also freedom from all disaster.

Having a settled quietness and composure of mind, the fullness of the word for peace which is ‘Shalom’ , could also read ‘full, total and complete wholeness for the human spirit, soul (mind will emotions), and body.’)

Shalom means an absence of: disorder, injustice, bribery, corruption, conflict, hatred, abuse, violence, pain, suffering, immorality, disorder, strife, poverty, sickness, abuse, accidents, homelessness, pain, anger, and all the other negative forces.

When shalom reigns there will be no more immorality, no more injustice and the principles advocated in the scriptures will be followed by all; and then the command to love your neighbor will be made complete. This is the essence of His Coming Kingdom.

Shalom – no good thing is withheld.

Exodus 3:5
Then He said, “Do not draw near this place.
Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground.

Priests minister to the Lord God without wearing any shoes or sandals! They walk barefoot on the floors of the temple courts and in the Holy places/ground where the presence of the Lord is. However they are always ready to serve the Lord and the people, to bring good news, proclaim peace, bring glad tidings of good things, and proclaim salvation.

A Roman soldier wears shoes but they bring bad news of slavery, cruelty, domination and proclaiming conflict and war!

The subtleties of the adversary are just that, subtle and sneaky, and are often quite inoffensive and we entertain them, these are tactics that will cause us to stray from the Narrow Way. They take our time and attention from the Lord and His Kingdom and move our focus onto things that distract us from the plans and purposes of our Heavenly Father for us.

Ephesians 6:10-13
10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. 11 Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. 13 Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.

Let’s remove the mindset of the unholy Roman armor and put on the Holy Priestly garments!

1Cor. 16:13-14 reminds us how the Royal Priesthood does spiritual warfare.

Be on guard; stand firm in your faith [in God, respecting His precepts and keeping your doctrine sound]. Act like [mature] men and be courageous; be strong. Let everything you do be done in love [motivated and inspired by God’s love for us].

Yes we are to fight, but fight on our knees, humbly before the Lord in prayer, we are warriors of light, inspired by His love, mercy and grace; and we belong to the day, let us stay sober and vigilant.

The armor of light refers to the spiritual weapons and armor God gives us to fight spiritual battles. Life is a constant warfare for us  so we must be ready to fight. To put on the armor of light also means to add to your faith, virtue, knowledge, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, and charity, 2 Peter 1:5-7.

We are clothed in this armor of light and once in place it should never be taken off; simply affirm each day that it is in place, checking our spiritual position, posture and attitude in the presence of His Holiness.

Part 2 will conclude the remaining parts of our spiritual armor.

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.

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. They “saw 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, his “anger 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.