Growing Closer

What we need right now is a revelation of Torah. As the family of G-d, we must have our eyes opened to the truth. The "revival" that G-d wants to bring, will only be accomplished through commitment to His Word.

From Bondage to Celebration

Understanding the gift that is Torah is the first step in heeding the call to "return". Though G-d delivered His people from slavery during Pesach (Passover), the celebration of freedom truly began with Shavout. Out of the land of bondage, the children of Elohim journeyed towards a new life and a greater intimacy with G-d.

Often compared to a Jewish wedding ceremony, the events of Shavout speak to the believer of the undying love and faithfulness of their Creator. While at Pesach HaShem separated His betrothed, it is at Shavout that the marriage commences. As a man and woman to be wed stand under the chupah, the marriage contract is presented. This “ketubah” is an agreement that states the promises and responsibilities of the groom and bride. In this same manner the Torah revealed the promises and obligations of G-d to His bride and His bride to Him. Look at these verses from Exodus.

In these verses we see Israel choosing to receive G-d's ketubah or wedding contract. The “will” is the greatest expression of our true self. What we choose is a firm statement of our heart. While the Torah shows us the Father’s heart, it is our decision to embrace what we are shown therein, that declares our heart to the Father. Pronouncing their agreement, Israel voiced their intention to be the Bride.

In the Hebrew, what had been rendered thunders and ligtnings, was actually “voices and torches”. This is very important to know. Within the multitude that came out of Egypt, there were many people of varying languages. Here we see that while HaShem spoke, all of the people present heard Him in their tongue. Also, in the Hebrew the word “nether” means under the mount. Somehow, the people stood “under the mountain”, just like a chupah.

Shavout and The Talmidim of Yeshua

With this understanding, let’s take a better look at what is called the day of Pentecost. I do not believe that Acts chapter 2 is a telling of the birth of the “church”. Please bear with me for a moment. Our G-d is the SAME yesterday, today and forever. He has but ONE bride. Jeremiah spoke of the time when G-d’s chosen people would respond to His wedding vows not from a perspective of “it is set in stone”, but from a willing heart of flesh. The covenant would at that time be “refreshed”. The word "church" properly understood, simply means a calledout assembly. HaShem has always had a "called out assembly".

Following Pesach, when Yeshua offered Himself as the sacrificial Lamb, He instructed His talmidim or disciples to wait in Jerusalem. It was the feast of Shavout or Pentecost. I submit to you that they were not in the upper room of a house. The temple was called the house of G-d and it was here that they were assembling. How else could such a large crowd gather to hear the good news. Furthermore, the temple in the second century had many "mikvah" or immersion pools. This would explain how somany where "baptized". What was the the good news that they heard that day? It was this .... salvation had come and the time of refreshing was at hand.

The day Jeremiah spoke of, had arrived. Almost as if Sinai were being revisited, we see astonished at the similarities between Sinai and Zion.

It was fifty days from Pesach when Moses prepared the people for HaShem's Torah. Again it was fifty days after Pesach that Peter prepared the people for the Spirit who leads us inot all Torah.

Mt Sinai rose above the people, while Mt Zion will be “above” every mountain . “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the G-d of Jacob. He will teach us his ways, so that we may walk in his paths. The Law will go out from Zion, the word of the L-RD from Jerusalem “. So as the Torah went forth from mount Sinai, it will go forth from mount Zion.

We see in Acts 2, a mixture of people hearing a mixture of languages. They too witness fiery flames even as their ancestors witnessed fire from the mountain. At Sinai 3000 perished when they rejected the Torah, while at Zion 3000 received life upon accepting Torah. In the wilderness the Torah was given on stone. At Zion it was received on the heart. First, it was written by the finger of G-d. Later it was written by the Spirit of G-d.

Are these features of similarity by coincidence? No, not at all. HaShem in His wisdom was marking these two events separated by thousands of years. He was marking them for us so that we would see the “wholeness” of His covenant. At Sinai He gave the Torah to teach us who He was and who we were to be. Then at Zion He gave us His Spirit to enable us to live what He had revealed.

Knowing Who You Are

The word Jew derives from the Hebrew word “Yehudi”. Now listen carefully. I believe that Hebrew is God’s language. Of course the L-rd understands all languages and I am not trying to insinuate that He doesn’t listen to you unless your speaking Hebrew. What I am saying is that the Hebrew language is full of deep rich spiritual meaning. In many ways it is unlike any other language. Often through translation, essential truth is obscured because of the departure from Hebrew. We can grow in our understanding of scripture by learning this wonderful language.

The word Yehudi is a prime example. This word comes from the same root as the verb “le’hodot” hich has two meanings. First , it means to give thanks. Second, it means to admit. Think about this. When a person gives thanks , they are admitting that they have received something and are in debt to the giver. Thus this word Yehudi, perfectly describes who we are to be. Thankfulness should mark every believer as we joyfully admit that we have received redemption.

Those of us who have been taught the traditional doctrines of the "church", have been misinformed about G-d's marriage vows. We have been told that the "old testament" is not for us, it's passed away, it was replaced by the "new covenant". Nothing could be further from the truth. Torah is for the household of faith. It is for the bride. It is for the thankful. It is for those who admit they are in debt to Him. It is for the natural branches as well as those grafted in, partaking of the same root. Our purpose is to know G-d. This is eternal life.

Through the Blood of Yeshua , we have received our redemption. He, the Torah made flesh, demonstrated the “shalom” that comes from walking in harmony with HaShem. Through Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit) this “shalom” is extended to us as the peculiar treasure of our Creator. As we commit ourselves to learn and walk in Torah G-d will develop in our hearts, His shalom.

Dear friend, I hope that you will set your heart to receive G-d's Torah. David said in Psalm 19, that the Torah was able to transform the soul. What was delivered at Sinai and written on the heart at Zion is the very instruction of the L-rd. Turn not from it, not to the right or to the left.