Release
Behar, meaning “On Mount Sinai,” is the next Torah Portion we will glean from. Leviticus 25:1-26:2 is where we read about the Shemitah, the year of release, and the Jubilee, also known as the Yovel. The word Sh’mitah means “suspension” and has the root letters shin mem tov (tet) which can translate into “to drop” […]
Unforgiveness
Our last one-way chat was about what I believe to be the primary focus of the Bible, which is cleansing the human heart from deceit and crookedness. It is no happenstance, then, that the next Torah Portion in review is about Yom-Day Kippur-Covering, also known as the Day of Atonement, which is the Holiest day […]
Devils, Demons, and Darkness, Oh My! Part Two
Richard Horsley is a leading Bible scholar on the book of Mark, and in his book, Hearing The Whole Story: The Politics of Plot in Mark’s Gospel, he describes the main story in the synoptic gospels of a “demoniac” as an ironic play on the effects of Roman oppression. When wicked rulers oppress their subjects, they […]
Kings and Kingdoms
Revelation 12:7-9: And war broke out in heaven, Michael and his angels making war against the dragon. The dragon and his angels fought, but they were not strong enough, and there was no longer any place for them in heaven. And the great dragon was thrown down—the ancient serpent called the devil and satan, who […]
Adam to Edom
I love, love Jacob’s story. It is most likely reminiscent of most of our stories. Esau could represent the earthly part of humanity, and Jacob the spiritual nature. In Genesis 1:26, God said, “Let us make man in Our image.” Many Christian commentators try to make this verse about the Trinity, while some Rabbis say […]
Principalities
A recent community study through the Gospels using the Bema Discipleship Podcast has brought some clarification for me. In one of the podcasts (Season 3, Episode 75) Mr. Solomon credits Alexander the Great with establishing this sort of New World Order, in which he uses education, healthcare, a strong army, and entertainment to create a […]
Man and Beast
Last week’s Torah Portion was about Noah. In chapter eleven, there is a story of humans building a house where they could place their name. This story would be the opposite of God’s design, where humans create a House for His Name to dwell, the Temple. 11 Chronicles 7:16: For now I have chosen and […]
Serpents and Birds
So many people have put together ideas and theories about what in the world the serpent in the Garden of Eden represents. I am going to add one more thought process to the mix. The Ruach HaKodesh (the Holy Spirit) ascended upon Yeshua in the Jordan as a bird. A bird is an animal living the […]
Devils and Demons and Darkness, Oh My!
Let’s try to wrestle with the topic of demons, even if it is a touchy subject. One of the main BLB (Blue Letter Bible) definitions of daimonian, usually translated as demon or devil, is an idol or god of the nations. Let’s take this and other verses from the Scriptures and attempt to form an […]
The Day of Covering
Today is the Day of Atonement, called Yom Kippur in Hebrew, or the Day of Coverings. To forgive us for every offense is to cover our sins, and can only come from a place of pure love. Yeshua is the manifestation of God’s love for us. Romans 4:7: Blessed are those whose lawless deeds are […]