STUDIES IN JULY 06!
Shabbat Shul, July 29nth, Location Jackson, 1:00-5:00PM Torah Parsha 44 Devarim 1:1-3:22, haf-Torah Yahoshua 1, Brit Chadasha Mattiyahu 1. This Parsha begins a new system of study and discussion that the group has a consensus on. That is that the haf-Torah will be read as a chapter by chapter basis from Yahoshua on, and the same with the Brit Chadasha. This will give us all a much more complete reading over the year, as we make our way through the Prophets and the Brit Chadasha. Shul began with a great group meal and fellowship, and various discussions before the Torah Parsha. Some discussion of Israel, and the concept in the TaNaKh, whether it refer to only a concept, or to the literal land. The Parsha dealt with Moshe giving his directions regarding how Bnai Yisrael was to eventually move into their possession. It also dealt with the numbers of people who would latter be called Israel, through the 1000 multiple prophecy in Deuteronomy/Devarim 1:11. Some places are forbidden for Bnai Yisrael to dwell, that includes Mt. Seir the possession of Edom/Esau, and the land of the Ammonites, children of Lot. Some discussion on the Messiah "anointed One," types found in the scriptures. The downfall of Sichon of the Ammonites, and Og of Bashan. Some discussion of the lineage of Yahshua found in Mattiyahu. Virgin = Almah (Hebrew) Parthenos (Greek) Betulah (Aramaic) , questions on the renderings in these languages, the other possible translations, the need for the virgin birth in the divinity of Yahshua. Excellent Shul in all, great discussion and fellowship.
Shabbat Shul, July 22nd, Location outside Jackson, 1:00-5:30PM Torah Parsha 42 B'Midbar/ Exodus Mattot 30:1-32:42 Haftarah Yirmeyahu 1:1-2:3 Brit Chadasha Mattityahu 5:33-37 Parsha 43 Masaei 33:1-36:13 Haftarah Yirmeyahu 2:4-28 Brit Chadasha Yaakov 4:1-12 Excellent Shul. Great dinner served, fellowship and discussion on various topics, including the ways that Yah speaks to us. Discussion of the upcoming Tip Off Ad that was due to come out. Some discussions on the event in Eretz Yisrael, as the House of Judah, through the IDF are battling the Islamic Terrorist group Hezbollah, which has attacked unprovoked. The portion ended the book, with the boisterous Chazak Chazak, VeNitChazak! (Be Strong, Be Strong, and May we Be Strengthened!).
Shabbat Shul, July 15nth, Location Hillsdale, 1:00-4:30PM Torah Parsha 41 Pinchus 25:10-29:40 Haftarah Melechim Alef 18:46-19:21 Brit Chadasha Maaseh Shlichim 2:1-21 The portion had a few different things in it that we commented on. Briefly, the outline included Phineas, the Midianite war, the Census with its divisions of land according to the numbers of each tribe, and other elements. Some discussions on the Daughters of Zelophahad, its implication in the genealogy of Yahshua with the seemingly missing fourteenth generation, and which text provide a couple of plausible theories based on the Dutillet, or Shem Tov Hebrew Matthew manuscripts. The RSTNE favors the Shem Tov rendering, making the lineage go through Mary. Joshua was ordained, and set Apart in front of the people in the portion as well. It was good to see children reading the Torah, as per instructions in D'Varim 6, to teach and discuss the commandments. Some final discussions on the offerings and things stipulated at the end of the Parsha. Haf-torah and Brit Chadasha read, and discussed. Excellent meal, special thanks to the Barkeys for hosting a great Shul.
Sabbath Shul, July 8th, Location Waldron, 1:00-5:00PM Torah Portions 39 & 40. Torah Parsha 39Chukkat 19:1-22:1 Haftarah Shophtim 11:1-33 Brit Chadasha Yochanan 3:9-21 Torah Parsha 40 Balak 22:2-25:9 Haftarah Mikah 5:6-6:8 Brit Chadasha Kefa Bet 2:1-22 Some discussions of Sacrifices and purification. The saga of Balaam and Balak in this portion was discussed at length. Something discussed in the Haf-Torah portion regarding the House of Judah, being typed as a Lion, and the accusation that many in the islamic countries hurl at the USA and BRITAIN, of being controlled and driven by the Zionists, was also discussed in tandem with the portion in Mikah 5 and 6. Excellent dinner and fellowship at this Shul. Some additional notes and insights are below, courtesy of brother Troy.
For those who were present at Shul, you'll remember I said something about a "familiarity" in the story of Balak in some kind of relationship to the Messiah...
1. Balak was dispatched by an evil King to put curses on Yisrael. > Yahshua was dispatched by The Melek Tzadik ha Olam to bring blessings on the whole house of Yisrael. 2. Balak was forbidden to go on his mission by YHWH. > Yahshua was compelled to go by YHWH. 3. Balak rode out on a donkey. > Yahshua rode in on a donkey. 4. A malach stood in "The WAY" of Balak to coerse him away from his evil mission. > ha s.a.tan stood in Yahshua's way to coerse Him away from His mission. 5. Balak's donkey spoke chastisement to Balak for beating him into obedience to his evil master.> Yahshua's donkey "spoke" via the Nevi who said the Suffering Servant Moshiach would come in "riding on a donkey."(Zech 9:9) 6. Balak tried to pronounce curses on Yisrael, but only blessings came out. > Yahashua came to pronouce blessings on Yisrael, but cursed the evil halacha of their traditions. 7. Balak then revealed to Balum that the WAY to defeat Yisrael would be to "mix" his defiled sons and daughters with the sons and daughter of Yisrael, which ultimately resulted in the purging of eretz Yisrael of those who did so. > Yahshua came to call out the lost sheep of the House of Yisrael from among the nations (Yirmeyahu 16:16), bringing with them the "yield of the harvest" which would then be set apart to the High Priest in the order of Malket Tzedik. (Deut 22:9 HRV corrected, see Strong's #6942 for the word "defiled" in that passage--koof-dalet-shin--qadash, kaw-dash'; a primitive root; to be (causatively,make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally): —appoint, bid, consecrate, dedicate, defile, hallow, (be, keep) holy(-er, place), keep, prepare, proclaim, purify, sanctify(-ied one, self),X wholly.-----There is only one instance in all of Scripture where Kadosh in translated defiled. Here, incorrectly!)The moral of the story? Well, I guess you could say that YHWH does in fact use evil-doers to serve the greater good of Yisrael, and fulfill the Master plan of redemption of Yisrael, and subsequently the world by the grafting process.(Yochannan 3:16).