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PRAYER

If God Told You A Secret, Could You Keep it?

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COURSE: Introduction to Torah This teaching is normally included in the Introduction to Torah Course as dreams are a natural progression as a result of an increase in prayer and torah study. Expect your dreams to increase. Get into the habit of recording your dreams in writing or by voice. Whenever the revelation is not clear, ask for clarity and understanding, When GOD speaks something into your heart, ask if you should be releasing it or revealing it. Maybe the time is not yet? Consider the question. Can He share His Secrets with His Servant?

As we cover the material in this course, please keep the above question in the back of your mind, stay prayerful and stand the watch.

“The ruach hakodesh* rested upon Joeseph from his youth. He was a tzaddik, constantly thinking of Hashem.” —Rabbi Moshe Weissman

If God showed you the plans He has for you in a vision or a dream, could he trust you with the vision?

Could you allow the vision to take root in your life?, Can God share His Dreams for you in Secret….until the time He says, “this is the way, walk ye in it?”

Joseph was anointed too with prophetic dreams. We all know the error Joseph made when he received revelation from God about his destiny. He rushed to tell the vision to everyone. It wasn’t until he was trapped in a pit, that he might have had a chance to re-think his approach to handling the revelations God gave him.

On one level, it’s perfectly understandable how he responded, right? To obtain such a revelation from God is mind-blowing! Without the advantage of discipline and restraint, it’s extremely difficult to contain, isn’t it?

Keeping the Secrets of God is a principle ingredient of the anointing, as well as an essential quality of spiritual development and discernment. 

Our flesh wants to tell everything… reveal everything… to everyone, as soon as the vision or the message comes to us. Did we write it down, send it out in a text? Did we call someone and wake them up to share the dream? It is definitely tempting, but our spirit needs to hold it close, to nurture the vision… and water the seeds of destiny with prayer and fasting for the breakthrough!

If GOD has a secret that He wants to share with you, can you keep it?

cheerful young woman screaming into megaphone
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Most people respond with a ‘Run and go tell it on the mountain approach.’ Joseph couldn’t hold the counsel of GOD. By moving ahead of the spirit, he set the wheels in motion that delayed his destiny and endangered the vision GOD gave. In order to regain the territory that he lost through impatience, excitement and an undisciplined spirit, Joseph had to pay a price.

Spiritual immaturity is a destiny destroyer. Plain and simple. It won’t be the enemy that blindsided and blocked the believers’ destiny, or ruined their opportunities,–not at all. This is a case of spiritual self-sabotage.

The third time the word, ‘secret’ appears in the scriptures, it is in Deut 29:29, “the secret things belong to God, but those things that are [uncovered] belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this torah” (incorrectly rendered in the text as ‘law’, Strong’s 2063.Ref: The Journey begins, Part 1-3).

The scripture says it more clearly from Hebrew… “that we may do all the words of this torah”, not that, “we may do all the words of this law.” Note: The secret things belong to GOD that we may do all the words of the torah. This is about following ‘the words of instructions and teachings.’ The secrets things are given to us in order to enable us to fulfill our assignments.

In a conversation between Eliphaz and Job (Job 15:8), Eliphaz speaks of the Secrets of God. He asks,“Do you listen in on the secrets (H5475) of God?, Are God’s secrets not enough for you, words spoken gently to you? (i.e, do you limit or restrain wisdom to yourself?” Eliphaz challenges Job about his access to the secrets of God? Is he implying GOD is limiting wisdom to Job? Is he jealous that Job has the confidence of GOD to carry His secrets?

close up photo of owl with one eye open
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Psalms 25:14 The Secret of the Lord is with them that fear (yi’ra) him; and he will shew them his covenant. 25:15 Mine eyes are ever toward the Lord; for he shall pluck my feet out of the net. —Fear does not mean ‘fear’ the way we speak/understand it in English. This word ‘fear’ is yi’ra which means to see and reverence, simultaneously. A double-edged sword, if you will. Unlike English, they go hand in hand. Reverence of GOD provides insight, and GOD will open up His covenant to us.

As we have seen above, the word, ‘secret’ is being used in connection with righteousness, reverence for GOD and His covenant. Let’s take a look at Daniel ch. 2

The prophet Daniel is working with a greater spiritual level of maturity, than Joseph was as a young man. When the dreams of Nebudchadnezzar were revealed to Daniel, he asked for time to pray. He did not advance any theories of his own as to what the dreams meant. If he had, scripture would have told us. Whenever, scripture leaves out or includes information, it is done with purpose.

Contrast the way in which Joseph handled his dreams vs. the way Daniel handled dreams. With Joseph in his early years, there was no ‘fear’, no reverence, or insight applied. In fact, Joseph’s excitement sounds like pride and kindles the resentment of his brothers.

Joseph has earned a reputation with his brothers of being a talebearer. On many occasions in his youth, he gives his father an evil report of his brother’s activities, due to his lack of understanding about what is actually happening. He reports wickedness, where there is a merely a difference of opinion, or interpretation of process. Joseph jumps to conclusions.

Whether unintentionally, or irresponsibly, his false accusations on his brothers activities, are returned with false accusations against him in Potifar’s house.

Falsely accusing someone, from the Hebrew perspective, is equivalent loshon hara*, which is like stealing their name and reputation. For these sins, Joseph will be sold into slavery, in effect being stolen away himself.

These above situations began a domino effect, simply because Joseph ran ahead of the vision of God. Daniel teaches us to pray over the vision for revelation and strategy. This is a lesson that it takes Joseph a while to learn, but he learns it. Going forward, Joseph seeks revelation on every dream. He spends 22 years in Egypt, growing up spiritually, in wisdom and understanding. Speaking the vision when the spirit releases him to, no longer moving ahead of GOD.

We do not have 22 years to get this right! Maybe there are some that have spent 20 years fighting banned battles, or locked up in Pharoah’s spiritual prison or Potifar’s house. But if you are called to be a bread provider (like Joseph), you just don’t have time for that!

Key Points:

  • Stay in sync with the Spirit of God –do not move ahead of the vision.
  • Moving ahead of GOD, is equivalent to Spiritual Self-Sabotage.
  • Pray over your Dreams and Visions. Seek insight and revelation, strategy. Remember, once Joseph matured spiritually, he covered the dreams of Pharoah with prayer and sought God for understanding. God responded with a better blessing. God gave Joseph revelation + strategy, which saved Egypt and the entire known world at that time.
  • Rushing to judgment – sets patterns in motion that can hinder your spiritual progress and delay destiny.
  • Moving ahead of GOD, will cause us to walk one way, while the anointing walks another.
  • You will only know what actions to take if you pray first, and be patient.
  • The secrets things are given that we might fulfill our assignments.
  • Don’t be a partner in frustrating the plans of GOD. Be Still. Be Patient. Some dreams take time for the revelations to come. You may wrestle with the vision, but do not let it go. Stay in Prayer.
  • Reverence, allows GOD to open up His covenant to us.

By releasing the vision into the atmosphere ahead of God, Joseph not only has to fight to recover the vision, he has to battle the words that his brothers have spoken against his destiny.

When we are careless with our words, we give our opposition the opportunity to use our words against us. When we wait and pray, we gain the advantage of releasing our words under the protection of the anointing.

Do you release your words under the anointing, or do you release them to war with the flesh of others? Which would you prefer to do?

If you have ever felt the sting of another person using your words against you, you can easily prove to yourself, which one of the above measures is the better course of action.

antique box chest close up
Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Guard the vision, wait and pray vs. “Run and go tell it on the mountain.” Protect the anointing on the visions and dreams that GOD gives you, and on whatever He places in your heart to do. Guard them like the treasures of Heaven, and when it’s time to spend them on His Kingdom, you will know it.

Let us choose the more excellent way!

God Bless You,

Vocabulary:

  • ruach ha’kodesh ~ Holy Spirit
  • loshon ha’ra ~ wicked speech, evil tongue, gossip, evil report

Quote: Rabbi Moshe Weissman, The Midrash Says -The Book of Beraishis, 1980 New printing 2012, Brooklyn New York 11223

Ref: An Overview of Torah Lishma and the Secrets you can uncover from this realm of Torah Study. Click Here to go to Torah Lisha Post.

The Journey Back, TORAH

MAKE A WINDOW IN THE ARK…

Genesis 6:13 “And God said unto Noah, The end of all flesh is come before me; for the earth is filled with violence through them; and, behold, I will destroy them with the earth”.

6:14  “Make thee an ark of gopher wood; rooms shalt thou make in the ark, and shalt pitch it within and without with pitch”.

6:15  “And this is the fashion which thou shalt make it of: The length of the ark shall be three hundred cubits, the breadth of it fifty cubits, and the height of it thirty cubits”.

6:16  “A window shalt thou make to the ark, and in a cubit shalt thou finish it above; and the door of the ark shalt thou set in the side thereof; with lower, second, and third stories shalt thou make it”.

Before Noach (Noah) was finished, he had to make sure that he had placed a window in the ark. Makes perfect sense. God commanded a flood. It would be raining for quite some time.

As you can see from the chart below, the Hebrew word for ark is teivah. As with all the words in Hebrew, there is depth and height. The Word of God contains such rich luxurious texture, streaming with meaning, purpose, treasure and insight. In English, ark means ark. In the Hebrew, the LORD’s language, is a 2 edged sword.

Psalms 119:30 says, “The entrance of thy Word brings light, and gives understanding to the simple!”  King David, (Prophet, Priest & King) connected with the revelation of this message. David recognized that God was not just talking commanding Noach to make a window for the ark in some mundane, mechanical sense.  Noach is commanded to make ‘one’ window, singular. Whatever he needs to see, when he needs to see it, will be facing him head on.

Yes, Noach makes a literal window. But scripture is not just teaching us literal concepts. There are revelations to be found in the Word. Noach builds an ark, based solely on the Word of God. Noah will look out of that window when he in instructed to, at the Word of God. When the storm is over, it will be through that window that the light will come.

 King David, (Prophet, Priest & King) connected with the revelation of this message. David knew that every instruction of God has purpose. So, when he tells Noach to make a window in the ark, a detail we easily read over like we are reading a fariytale story, David is paying attention to detail.

David’s experience with GOD, tells him to ask a few questions. For instance, it makes common sense to make a window. Why is GOD giving such detailed instructions for something that I know. Of course, I’ll make a window.

However, on the heels of that same instance, instance that he ask himself the question, the next instant he has to just smile and say, OK GOD, I get it.

David, understood something we will never see without the Hebrew. He understood that ‘teivah’ also means, ‘Word’. Yes, Noah, make a literal window for the ark, but in doing so he understood the message behind the message. He knew that he had another job to do. He also was charged with bringing forth light with the Word, that is in the ark!  

Our entire spiritual survival will depend on how we utilize our power to speak the Word and bring light into the darkness. The ‘light’ from the sun will not be available for a little while. You need to tap into another level of light!

When Noah made that window, he was doing it on faith that the light would come. Making that window was equivalent to Moses saying, “I believe you Lord, and I trust You”. If GOD was not going to keep His word to Noah, and destroy him and his family in the flood, there is absolutely no need for a window. So Noah makes a window in the ark, knowing that on a completely higher level, he is making a window for the Word.

Just as Noah had to make a window for the purpose of bringing light into the ark, we have to learn how to bring forth light with the Word.  Again, our entire spiritual survival will depend on how well we can follow the instructions and make a window for the Word, despite the trials and tributions, the problem or the situation, the circumstances, or the complications… despite the 40 dark days, make a window for the Word!

Can we bring forth light with the Word of GOD? What will we create, with the Word?

As you increase your knowledge of the Hebrew, and begin to pray with the Hebrew tongue (even a few words); every utterance will take on the creative force imbued within the Word, at the dawn of creation.  When I say, you begin to pray with a Hebrew tongue, for now, I’m speaking of praying with a torah mindset, meaning you are now praying with a more intimate knowledge of the Word.

Genesis 7:1, “You and all of your household shall enter into the ark”. 

What if we dared to understand this at a higher level?  What can happen when you are no longer satisfied with a superficial knowledge and understanding of the Word?

When we study torah, we are pursuing, d’resh (investigation), remez (comparing scripture with scripture) for the purpose of a sod level of knowledge (revelation).

Let’s read this again, but this time let’s insert the revelation,  “You and all your household shall enter into the Word” – 

The Baal Shem Tov taught that this means that we must put our entire self, into the words of our prayers. The brightest light we will ever create, will be the light we create with our words. With this one, tiny bit of torah knowledge we find, that the ‘teaching’ about the making of the ark, is more than a bible story. God didn’t give us stories, He gave us teachings, instructions and directions. I hope our biblical vocabularies will eliminate the words, bible story, from our vocabulary for a while. I encourage everyone to try. We need to elevate the kedusha (Holiness) on our words, and the way in which we speak about the Word of GOD. We are the experts on spiritual matters, not the world. The world, will take their lead from us.

Our words have work to do. The Hebrew Letters are known as the Letters of Fire. When we pray, we have access to the Fire of God through his Word. When passion, compassion and love are the very foundation of our prayers; When we speak with kindness, honoring every soul, When the words we speak have only one agenda; to build up, edify and encourage, then our words are doing the work we were called to do.  We are creating, (creating is the Hebrew word, ‘asah’), a window in the Ark. 

As we go about our daily lives, and look out of our windows through the vision of all of our circumstances, speak light and look for the light to come. Call it into existence. When our words and prayers infuse the light of God into the world and into another’s soul…We are creating light, from every Word of God!

Make a Window for the Word!

© 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog

Image provided by Unsplash.com

TORAH, Where There is No Man

WHERE THERE IS NO MAN, BE A MAN –Part 3

“In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man” –Rabbi Hillel

Continued from Part 2……

The question we are considering is:

There are 12 different words in the Hebrew Language that GOD can use to say, ‘man’. Which one does He use, to call forth a man among men?  In which one do you see the attributes of, a mighty man of valor?

Time in Teaching: We are 27 minutes into this teaching

Our 1st 2 Hebrew words for Man are: adam & zakar)

In our last conversation, I asked you to open your concordance to the word ‘‘man’. I created a spreadsheet below containing the information that I want you to focus on.

The first appearance in the concordance for the word, ”man’ that you will find, is adam. The concordinal reference number is 120. You can scan down the far right edge of the column and you will see the various list of numbers all referenced under the word, man. Your count should be the same as mine, for a total of 12.

The 11 verses that appear contain the Hebrew word, ‘adam‘ which is translated here as, ‘man’. In order to establish some consistency, we will look at the 1st three verses of all 12 Hebrew words that are translated ‘man’ and see if we detect any patterns. At times, we many need to peel back more layers, before patterns of use can be detected. For now, 3 appearances will suffice. The chart below provides an example of the information that you will collect from the concordance:

The word, ‘‘adam’ appears in Genesis 1;26, 27 and 2:5.

Hebrew WordConcordanceRef#123# of times/ Scripture
adam 120Gen 1:26Gen 1:27Gen 2:5338

In all 3 instances, scripture is speaking of man in his ‘maleness’, but more importantly, scripture of speaking in context of mankind, being a ‘human being’. For the sake of clarity, read each verse and exchange ‘mankind/human being’ for man.

1:26 “And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” 

1:27 “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them.”

2:5. “And every plant of the field before it was in the earth, and every herb of the field before it grew: for the LORD God had not caused it to rain upon the earth, and there was not a man to till the ground.”

1:26 “And God said, Let us make mankind in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” 

In each of the following verses, Gen 2:7, 8, 15, 16, 17, 18, God is speaking of a human being first, not soley as an individual adam. In fact, it isnt until 2:19 that we can exchange ‘mankind’, for the proper name “Adam” in a clean and concise, indistinquishable way.

However, we are reading this from the KJV English translation. Let’s take a look at verse 19 and 20 in Genesis ch.2. We are still looking at the word, ‘adam’ being translated ‘man’.

2:19 And out of the ground the LORD God formed every beastof the field,and every fowl of the air; and brought [them] unto Adam to see what he would call them: and whatsoever Adam called every living creature, that [was] the name thereof.

2:20 And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air,and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him.

In verse 2:20 Our KJV translation tells us that scripture is now calling man, Adam. The man that was created and called Adam (adam means ‘man’ in Hebrew). In truth, that is not what is happening in the Hebrew. The word use is ha’adam, which is more accurate translated as, the human being, not Adam.

Verse 2:19 actually reads in Hebrew, “and brought them to the human being to see what he would call them”. In order to translate it to read, “and he brought them unto Adam…” you have to ignore the definite article, (the Hebrew letter hei) ‘ha’, which precedes the word adam.

We have the same situation with verse 20. The Hebrew letter hei, precedes the word adam, which means the word, ‘the’ precedes the word, adam. No one is addressed as ‘The Adam’ i.e., the adam gave names to all the cattle. Adam, is not a proper name here. adam, means human being in verse 19 and again in verse 20.

Again, the details matter. God is saying to us that he created a human being. We know, we are going to call him adam. But the primary work of creation in this instance, is to bring into existence the crowning acheivement of all of creation, mankind.

We understand because of the pronouns used in context with the verse, that the first human being created was male. That’s a given. But, the detail that we should not neglect here, is that the crowning acheivement of God is the creation of Human beings, “and He called their name adam”.

verse 1:27, “God created the human being, in His own image…” in part B of the verse, it reads, “male and female created He them”.

Watch closely, “male and female created He them”, the Hebrew word we are translating here as ‘male’, is the Hebrew word ‘zakar’. 58 of the 82 times that the Hebrew word zakar appears in scripture, it is translated as “man or male’. Approx, 47 times as ‘male’ and 11 times as man.

Hebrew WordConcordance Ref#123# of times in/ scripture
zakar2145Gen 17:10Gen 17:12Gen 17:14 58/82

The 1st five appearance of ‘zakar’ in scripture, is in Gen 5:2, “…male and female created He them, and He blessed them and called their name adam”. This is a scripture that most have been curious about, because of the language stating, “He called them (their name) adam.” The common question to ask is, “Why would God call, both of them (male and female) Adam? It doesn’t sound correct, because it’s breaking the pattern the word established when we first were introduced to the word, ‘adam’ in Gen 1:26.

The scripture says, “He called them adam”. In this context, adam means human beings, mankind. When we first see the term adam in scripture, man is being called a human being. When God creates zakar’s helpmeet, the female that is appointed to him, (appointed = naqav) together, they are both being called, ‘human beings’.

The 1st three times we see the word zakar used in scripture, it is used in reference to the circumcision. Among the 58 times that ‘zakar’ is translated as ‘man’ instead of ‘male’, it is in reference to the circumcision, Aarons sons, the offerings of the priesthood, or the 5 schekel offering for the redemption of the first born sons of Israel. What common denominator are you seeing in relationship to how scripture applies the meaning of the word, zakar?

Answer: When God uses the term zakar, he applies it to man in relationship to the covenant, i.e. the circumcision, redemption, to man’s service and sacrificial offerings.

Zakar is rooted in the Hebrew word, zakar (Ref# 2142) which means, to remember. Zakar is only connected to remembering the covenant (Ex 2:4, 6:5, Gen 9:16, Lev 26:45), remembering the Name of God (Ex 20:24), the shabbath (Ex 13:3, 20:8), the Patriarchs and the people (Gen 8:1, 19:29, Ex 32:13, Lev 26:42) the blessing & the dreams (Num 10:9, Gen 42:9), remembering the land (Ex 26:42), remembering the supernatural seasons of God (the Moed). Zakar is about GOD remembering mankind, about remembering His people, kindness, etc. Note: Gen 30:22 scripture says GOD remembered Rachel. Gen 8:1, GOD remembered Noah and all his house…,

Let’s go back and look at this again, “…male and female created He them, and He blessed them and called their name adam.” God has 11 other ways He could address the human being as male. God is not limited by words. In English, man is man, is man, is man. We are limited with our words.

But here, in the language of GOD, He calls him zakar…which is connected to the covenant, the blessing, the shabbat, the supernatural seasons, the moedim… When God calls man, zakar, He is remembering you (man) for good. He is adorning man with love, an appelation of kindness, love affection. You are connected to His Covenant!

In Genesis 5:2, when GOD speaks of man in relation to the creation…man as the crowning achievement of creation, along with the female, He calls the male, zakar. Zakar is a term of endearment to the man of God.

Review this material. Make note of the information that I want you to key in on for now when searching the concordance. This is the initial stages of research and for now, I just want to introduce a few newbies to the 1st steps we can take to look into the scripture. We will take a look at 2 additional words for man in our next discussion in Part 5, ish and nephesh. Until then, Shalom….

Be Blessed!

+++Vocabulary: Our elevated understanding of Gods terminology.

Adam ~ human being, the crowning achievement of God; mankind, man.

Zakar ~ male, man, belonging to and in covenant with the GOD of Heaven.

All terms explained in detail above.

All terms will be explained in detail as we continue this study. Stay tuned.

COPYRIGHT 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog

[[ NOTE: Should any changes or corrections need to be made after publication of this post, I will place them in brackets so that the reader will know that an amendment has been made.]]

TORAH, What is Torah?, Where There is No Man

WHERE THERE IS NO MAN, BE A MAN… Part 2

Continued from Part 1…

“In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man”. —Rabbi Hillel

We are 11 minutes into this teaching.

The question we are considering is:

There are 12 different words in the Hebrew Language that GOD can use to say, ‘man’. Which one does He use, to call forth a man among men?  In which one do you see the attributes of, a mighty man of valor?

Before we begin, lets have a quick recap of a few key points:

  1. “…strive to be a man“, those few words provoke our spirit to subdue our flesh.
  2. Today, There’s a growing trend of people who are referring to torah, as the entire Bible– Genesis to Revelation. However, since you are torah scholars in the making, just know the difference as outlined earlier for you, in Part 1. The most important thing is, to recognize that Jesus was teaching torah the entire time. Torah was being taught during the timeframe presented within the entire New Testament era.
  3. GOOD TO KNOW: Bible statistics reveal that there are a total of 260 chapters in the New Testament, containing approx. 300 quotes from the Hebrew Scriptures (a.k.a, Old Testament). What we may find as a shock to our system is to know that, when Jesus and the disciples are not quoting the Hebrew Scriptures, they are teaching, re-teaching, clarifying and expounding on both torah, oral torah and halacha which are simply about “walking out the torah teachings”. [A study of the Synoptic Gospels, demonstrates that Jesus was teaching the torah of Moses and that He was intricately familiar with the teachings of the rabbis that preceded Him and with those that lived during His time]. Jesus, ONLY taught torah. He did not go off in another direction, and do His own thing.
  4. Torah means teaching/instruction/direction. If we can unravel some faulty teaching, we can untangle some faulty mindsets that have been adopted over time, and we can release the anointing over our own lives. Christians are meant to walk in more power. Christ said, “…and greater works than these shall you do in My Name”. Can you imagine? He thought some pretty great thoughts about us! We cannot get to the “greater works” until we cast down some vain imaginations that exalt themselves above the knowledge of GOD. I know you feel it. We know we should be operating at a higher level, we can feel it. There is untapped potential in all of us.
  5. NO MORE BANNED BATTLES: Some are still trying to tell us that these are miscellaneous details. However, the devils is in the details, and it’s time to kick him out. Christians need to be like ferocious little torah pacman’s—Eating the scroll of torah. Consuming every bite. The history of the separation between Jews and Gentiles was born out of anti-Semitism and anti-Christianism, both sides are quilty. Both are accountable. 2000+ years of “They started it!”, is utter nonsense. Especially since the torah is trying to communicate the spiritual value and significance of forgiveness. We have the ability to chose not to be each other’s enemy. Teaching anything contrary to forgiveness is counter productive and dangerous. Can you imagine, “the power that is yet to be revealed“, if we focused on the real enemy? We have to master these so called, miscellaneous details. Our anointing is in the details.
  6. Become Masters of the Misc.
  7. Law is choqmah- decrees, statutes, doctrines. We are not bound by the law, that’s true. Were bound by something more lovely than that, we are bound by His teachings!
  8. I realize, that I asked you earlier to write in your bibles. To scratch out some words and write in a few corrections, so that you can begin to re-train yourself to speak a new language. Where I come from, writing in the bible was taboo. Now my son tells me, I have so many notes and worn out pages, that my bible looks like a worn out manifesto. I had to just laugh about that one. So Beloved, I am not telling you anything that I do not do. Obtain a bible that you are willing to write in and mark up and start writing your manifesto! Notebooks come and go, but your bible will contain the information that you need, when you need it. If you make a note somewhere on the page, you will have if there for the life off the bible.
  9. Remember Ex 12:49? “One teaching shall be to him that is home born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth with you?” Even then, GOD was making note that the Jew and the Gentile can be (should be), walking together in this. The GOD of Abraham never rejected the stranger. The strangers, reject GOD, choosing to remain a stranger. GOD’s instructions were to teach us, as we walk alongside. It is my personal mission to do as Paul, the Pharisee turned Apostle to Christ, said to do… “to provoke the Jew to jealousy!” –Do you realize that we would not even have a bible to fight over, if it was not for the Jews? The Jews kept the torah intact–for THOUSANDS OF YEARS. The torah remained intact in their meticulous care! How many fragments do we have of the New Testament? Exactly. Our Christian ancestors (who I refer to as, We), had to recover the messages left to us by the disciples. Bluntly stated, we just did not handle the WORD with the same level of care. Any nation, (a whole nation) that can carry a book for over 3000 years, is special indeed— Give GOD the praise. They did their job and delivered the book to the future. God chose the right people. As a Christian community, “We should give honor to whom honor is due!” There is no amount of replacement theology that can touch that. I want the Jewish people to look over at me in amazement and say, “is she really over there trying to love the torah more than me, really?” “YES, Yes I am”.
  10. You Are the Answer God Sent Into the World. Answer the Calling on your life.
  11. After GOD took the Children of Israel out of the wilderness, He desired to teach them. His decrees and teachings would cover and protect them. A good portion of, the Children of Israel had forgotten who they were created to be. Life in Egypt had caused them to forget GOD. These children of Israel had adopted the ways of the Egyptians, the ways of the world. Egypt in Hebrew is mitzraim, a compound word that is formed from the noun masor, meaning siege or entrenchment. Masor is derived form the verb sur, which means to bind or to besiege. Mitzraim was a stronghold over the children of Israel, and can prophetically represent a stronghold over our lives, even today. Mitzraim, is a spiritual force that binds up the people of GOD, entangling them within the destructive powers of siege warfare. In order for the children of Israel to come out from under the influence of mitzraim and regain their destiny, GOD had to teach them how to accomplish that, and they needed His Word to fight with! If the children of Israel had not (a) remembered who they were called to be, and united with one another, (b) accepted GOD’s Word in unity and, (c) renewed their commitment to God, in one accord; they would have been sunk. –and so then, would we.
  12. Torah is not a Jewish-only concept, or Jewish only property. It is a GOD concept, God’s property, and God’s Gift to man. The mixed-multitude was right there alongside the children of Israel, in position to receive the teachings with them. Not everyone did. 

Finally, Torah is not a racist ideology. Man created racism. God created torah. Man embraced the idea of white and black and red and brown. God embraced the idea of Jew and Gentile.

When our ears hear, “Jew and Gentile”, we have learned to hear it in a way that tells us that, “Jews are one race of people, and Gentile’s are all the other races of people”. Torah is not a racist ideology. To be a ‘Jew’ in scripture, means to come out of the world system and to chose the ways of GOD; to cross over to the other side, GOD’s side. To be gentile, means to stay put… entrenched in world systems, i.e. worldly minded, to remain outside the covenant of GOD. Being, “Jew or Gentile” has to do with covenantal status. We should think of this concept more in terms of relationship with GOD, than in the way the world has trained us to think. We are being taught by somebody. We are going to be taught by the world, or we can choose to allow ourselves to be taught by GOD. Either way, we will be taught.

Allow me a minute with this: It’s important to the concept of…being a man.

The word ‘Jew’ in Hebrew is from the Hebrew word k‘ivri’ meaning, “from the other side”. Originally, Abraham was once ivri, from among those people that believed in or worshipped idols. The Chaldeans were people who had no knowledge of the One True God. They only had knowledge of the gods they created for themselves, with their own hands.

The word Gentile, is from the Latin, gentilis. It refers to someone belonging to a certain tribe or clan. Over time, the word ‘Gentile’ came to express the idea of anyone who was a non-Jew. Goyim (nations), is the plural of ‘goy‘ meaning ‘nation’. The goyim are strangers to God. Gentiles are known as the goyim, strangers to God. They represent the un-circumcised, who are outside of the covenant of God. This is important to us because, in God’s terms, we are either ‘in the covenant or outside the covenant.’ Its not about race. It’s about relationship. We are either for Him or Against Him.

We are either on the LORD’s side or we are not. The Jews were in covenant with God, all the other nations were not. Unless someone from the nations chose to come over to the other side, to become, ivri, they remained a stranger to GOD.

Abraham was called to the nations.  Abraham taught the torah to the nations. 

Abraham was from a different side, until he crossed over to the other side.  It was torah (truth) that made Abram, Abraham.  Abram had a revelation, which drew him over to the other side.

Moses was drawn out from the other side, raised on a different side, until he crossed back over to the other side- reclaiming his Hebrew Heritage.

Jesse was from a different side, until he crossed over to the other side.

Schechem and his kingdom, were from a different side, until they crossed over to the other side.

Ruth was from a completely banned side, until she crossed over to the other side.

Urriah the Hittite was from a different side, until he crossed over to the other side.

Job was from a different side, until he crossed over to the other side.

Even the mixed multitude were from a different side until they crossed over to the other side, (until they crossed back over to the different side, again…(they were a little mixed up!)

My point is, that God has always been in the midst of the nations giving the torah.  Just as the mixed multitudes were present at Mt. Sinai, at the giving of the torah, we can be present today — crossing over to the other side with God and staying put.

God was already giving and sending His Word to the Nations, WAY BEFORE Christ arrived.  Christ was only doing, what His Father in Heaven had already been doing. He came to the House of Israel, but He never denied anyone who believed on GOD’s Name. Their faith made them whole.

Obedience put in action, is better than saying you understand–DO.

Some of you at this early stage, may not fully understand what I am talking about.  I realize it sounds like a tirade.  I assure you, it is not.  There are others who are reading this right now, alongside you and they do understand.  They heard every word, and they have to go back and think about some things, that they have been taught.  The bottom-line is, every person has to decide if they are for GOD or against GOD? This has been the only real question, since the beginning of time. Each person decides for himself, what he or she is prepared to do.

FIRST DO, THEN HEAR

All of the people I named above, were once strangers to the covenant of God, until they became, ivri. Until they crossed over to the other side, they were gentiles – goyim, strangers. Being Hebrew (ivri) is the spiritual designation for crossing over–“come out from among them and be ye separate”. It wasn’t until they crossed over, that they truly began to understand. Understanding comes from being in covenant with GOD. Here is something I do whenever I am in a debate of sorts with Christians that feel that they just don’t understand what GOD is talking about in scripture. I ask them a rhetorical question, being sure to ask that they not answer out loud. It’s a question that they do not owe me an answer to and one that I do not need to know for the purposes of the discussion. This is the question, “If you were to sit back, take some time, and reflect on all the things that you do understand about the covenant GOD set in place between Himself and mankind. Consider, all the do’s and don’ts that you have basic knowledge of right now, by your own analysis, would you say that you are in covenant with GOD? If your answer (to yourself) is, “No, I am not”, then consider that this (those things you are aware that you fall short in) may be impeding your ability to understand spiritual matters. Sometimes, we just get in our own way and we have to move over.

If your answer is, “Yes, I am completely in covenant with GOD”, then let’s pray and fast for greater understanding, because something is off. It could be something that cannot be detected without prayer. (Someone has to come in agreement with them for understanding, so we set a consecration to pray).

I believe that understanding comes from accepting the covenant first. In our carnality, we want to understand first, and then do… if we agree and approve. With God, the evening and the morning were the first day. First obey (do), and then understanding will come.

“We will do and we will hear”,  (nah-ah-say  vuh-neesh-mah), Ex 24:7.  Literally, this is Hebrew for, “I will do it, whether I understand it now or not.  Understanding will come.”  This attitude contains greater access to the anointing than saying you understand something that you do not, and remaining stubborn and stiff-necked, because you really just don’t understand.  First, accept and be obedient to the covenant. First things, first.

You can’t teach torah and not circle back to this concept over and over again. This is a recurring theme in the torah. We will come back this way again, I assure you. Torah study requires it. Do first – then hear, i.e. (Do first, then get understanding). 

It was GOD’s heart to send His Word out into the Nations.  This was, is, and will be, ALL GOD’s idea.  The Jewish nation is not fighting with us over torah.  (OK, some are, but that is not the point). The point is, we should not be fighting with them.

Torah is not taboo for Christians. 

God is not just the author and finisher of our faith, He is the author of history. The Covenant is available to anyone who is willing to come boldly before the Throne of God to claim it.

We are operating within the design of His Plan.  Some efficiently and some inefficiently. Everybody does not cooperate with their part of the plan.  We know this.  But the torah, is behind ALL of creation.  We need God’s Word. Some choose not to submit to God’s Word. We want it both ways. Pull out GOD if and when it is convenient and put Him and His Word away, when it does not suit our purposes. Understanding will never come in this way either. –This is the epitome of Double Mindedness–

Perhaps some of us, (“us” being Christians) want to hear that we don’t need to delve into the depths of torah to understand our faith. In Proverbs 9:10, GODs Word would disagree. He says, “Knowledge of the Holy One is understanding.” Without torah, there is no “Knowledge of the Holy One.” If knowledge of GOD could be acquired without torah, everybody in the world would know GOD by now. If torah were not required to know GOD, we could at least be exonerate from responsibility to learn it. Torah is a little more homework. But, the students in the Master’s Class, don’t mind.

Christ embraced His Jewishness, he did not pretend to be gentile to [make it easier for us to accept Him.] We misrepresent His life [and limit our ability to increase in understanding], if we strip Him of His Jewishness, which is our heritage and our birthright.

We are in love with the Son of the living God. Christ, is the Son of the Living God, of the Jews.  No matter which side we examine this from, The Word, the torah, the teachings and God, are ONE. 

Ref: Deut 6:4

Torah is a GOD-Concept

John 10:30   “I and my father are one.”

John 10:34  Jesus answered them, “Is it not written in your teachings, I said, Ye are gods?”

John 10:35  “If he called them gods, unto whom the word of God came, and the scripture cannot be broken.”

We have to untangle our message.  EVERYTHING about the Word of GOD matters.  If it was important enough for GOD to put in the message, it must be important enough for us to learn, and get it right. The details matter. 

Hebrew is a very meticulous language.  Hebrew is God’s Love Language to His People.  Every jot and tittle still matters to Him. (Matt 5:18). 

“In a place where there is no man, strive to be a man” –Rabbi Hillel

In Hebrew, there are 12 different words for ‘man’—

If we pick up an English dictionary and look up the word, “man”. We are going to find one entry. The definition will read something like this; (a) an adult human male, (b) a human being of either sex, i.e. person, individual, mortal, soul. 

Because we understand the definition, when we hear the word “man”, we then place it’s use into the proper context based upon our conversation, whether in written or oral form.

In English we have one word, in this case “man” and how we use that word in a sentence/conversation will determine the context of our message.  In Hebrew, what GOD is saying about the “man”, will determine which of the 12 words we select in context to our message.

Hebrew is a very meticulous language.  English is not.

Nearly every word in Hebrew has many levels of understanding.

You cannot take it for granted that an apple, is an apple, is an apple.  Especially, not in the same sense that we define a word, or use a particular word in English.

Examining the scriptures from the Hebrew Perspective is like peeling an onion. You have to peel back a layer at a time, to increase your understanding. 

A literal-only reading of the Word, can lead you to make erroneous assumptions.

Again, Hebrew is a very meticulous language.  English is not. In addition, Hebrew is a foreign language for us. For this reason alone, we need to be very meticulous in learning more about it.

You will see the application of these principles over and over again, as we continue to study from the Hebrew perspective.

LESSON NO. 2

Open your concordance to the word man.  There are 3,323 occurrences of the word, man. When I turn to page #916 in my 1995, The New Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, I find approx. 11 pages (2 columns per pages) of what appears to be 12pt font, listing every single appearance of the word “man” that is found in the scriptures. 

(Note: The Strong’s I am using is based on the KJV).

Vocabulary:

oral torah~ The oral tradition of the torah, transmitted from father to son and Rabbi to student. It is called the oral torah because it is transferred ‘by mouth’.

halachah ~ literally means, ‘the way’. Halachah are religious laws that everyone must follow.

See Part 3, that will be posted by 9AM PST May 3, 2019.

+++Vocabulary:

halachah ~ a collection of Jewish religious laws that are comprised of both the written and the oral torah.  Halachah are based on mitzvoth (commandments), customs and traditions.  You will find that halachah is often translated to mean law, (just as torah is translated typically as ‘law’), but the word ‘halach, literally means, “the way to walk, or behave”.  Halach, means to go, or to walk. How do you carry yourself, in obedience to the torah, the customs, and traditions of GOD?

Oral torah ~ the oral torah is based on the teachings that were handed down verbally, by memory from father to son, or Rabbi to student.  In Hebrew it is called, ‘torah she-bay-al-peh’. torah that is on the mouth. The oral torah is comprised of laws, statutes and legal interpretations, not recorded in the written torah of Moses, (torah she-bi-kh’tav).

All terms will be explained in detail as we continue this study. Stay tuned.

  • Quick Links to Review Previous Teachings: Where There Is No Man...
  • Part 1 – 11 minutes Intro: Researching the 12 ways in Hebrew to say Man.

[When I find typo’s that I did not see before I published and/or I re-read and know that I could have stated something better for clarity, I will make corrections and place brackets around the changes, like so.  I want your final product to be as pristine as possible.  Also, you have noticed that I do not include the scripture reference when I am quoting or paraphrasing something from the New Testament.  I do that intentionally.  We know this material and I believe it is already a part of our regular dialogue.  We may have the impulse to look them up and that’s good.  I want to provoke us to do that.  It’s good for the soul 🙂  Your a good student!  God Bless You].

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog

TORAH, Where There is No Man

WHERE THERE IS NO MAN, BE A MAN…Part 1

Shalom!

In our first Blog-Style Bible Study, I present Part 1 of a subject that will undergird virtually every other torah topic we will discuss and investigate in our studies.

When I first heard this unforgettable expression in the study of torah, it truly resonated with me, and I’ve been intrigued with it ever since.

Being that this is our inaugural lesson, I am compelled to share a message dearest to my heart.

“In a place where there are no men, strive to be a man.”

-Rabbi Hillel, (110 B.C.E. – 10 C.E)

This is really what we want, isn’t it? When little girls hear that, I’m sure they think of their fathers. When married women hear this, they reflect on the character of their fathers, husbands or brothers. When unmarried women hear this, I expect that they too, reflect on their fathers, brothers, friends and consider the characteristics and qualities they desire in the man of their future. When a nation hears this, do they hear a longing for the resurgence of the soul of a most excellent man?

When I hear this, I feel like a critical moment of decision is at hand. Hillel cries out with a sense of urgency. This is a call to action. Something wicked has reared its head and the circumstances thrust a man forward who will challenge evil. In a place where there are no men, is there a mighty man of valor? A man of courage? Someone who will arise, and do more than it is his duty to do?

The word picture evokes the image of a hero, someone with character, integrity, courage, bravery, fearlessness. Hillel makes the observation that, though we may be in the presence of 20, 50 or even 100 men, none of them measure up to the stature and majesty of one man.

Hillel says, “strive to be a man.” Who is this man who will press his way through? This man, must be able to summon all his strength, all of his potential. He has to arise, into the image and likeness of his better self.

Clearly, all of the above are suitable, when we think of a man who stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Why did Hillel call out so eloquently for men, to be a man? What are the qualities of a good man?

We could slap some verses together, hold ’em, pin ’em down, and grab some sticky stuff and squeeze them all together…and call it a day.

Not so fast! This is torah study. We have to throw in some due diligence. There’s some lesson plans and homework required.

We will apply a meticulous 5 step approach as follows:

You are all at different levels of torah study. For the benefit of the newbies, I will walk you through the terminology in detail, so that you will own this knowledge once were done.

#1. What is Torah?

# 2. We will do and we will hear. Summary: Torah is Obedience in Action.

#3. Hebrew is a very meticulous language.

#4. Concordance Research on the Hebrew Definition of –Man.

#5. Conclusion

The question we are considering is:

There are 12 different words in the Hebrew Language that GOD can use to say, ‘man’. Which one does He use, to call forth a man among men? In which one do you see the attributes of, a mighty man of valor?

Lets set aside the question of “man” for moment, and first be sure we understand what torah means…

LESSON NO. 1
Studying torah is a completely different matter than studying scripture. Torah and scripture are two different subject matters from the perspective of our Christian roots. (If you feel differently, I understand why. However, allow me to work this out for a few other students who are new to these concepts).

Basic Definition of torah:

Traditionally speaking, when we say torah- we are speaking of the 5 Books of Moses, Genesis through Deuteronomy.

Today, what we understand as torah has gravitated to include ALL the Books of the Hebrew Scriptures, Genesis through Malachi. (Notice: I deliberately did not say Old Testament).

Torah means teaching/instruction. Teaching, is the most accurate interpretation of the word. Our ancient Christian ancestors, trained up the body of Christ in a tradition that taught us to translate the word, torah, as the word, law (and we have diligently done so, for at least the last 400 years, minimum). Our ancestral translators, and the majority of some of our translators of this present age, still persist in translating torah as law. Despite the fact that, we have more accurate information than we had in past decades.

When your going in the wrong direction, do you just keep going?, Forever?

Or Do You Course Correct?

A rough guess would put us at approx. 95% of the times that we see the word law in scripture, it is due to translating the Hebrew word, torah into the English word, law. In reality, the word torah means teaching.

This is an essential, foundational part of understanding torah. Hillel was a Rabbi, a Hebrew Scholar. In order to establish a connection with a Hebraic mindset, we need a fundamental understanding of terms.

Let’s continue working to untangle this:

If you go back into your bibles and locate the word– law, scratch it out and write in the word –teaching. Already you will have gained for yourself, valuable insight into the original conversations in scripture.

See the example below:

In Christian Bible studies, we have learned to study scripture in a completely different manner. We will begin to make a few adjustments to that process in this class.

For now, go to biblegateway.com and enter the word “law” into the search box. Hit enter. 529 hits will be returned on your query. The first 9 are not applicable. (they include either, daughter-in-law or father in-law – completely different topic). Next you will see the following:

Gen 47:26 and Joseph made it a law (choqmah) over the land of Egypt unto this day.
H2706 choqmah in Hebrew means statute or law. [the best approximation of the pronunciation of, “choqmah” that I can give you is ‘hoke-mah’].

Gen 49:10 the scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver (chaqaq) from between his feet,
H2710 – chaqaq to decree or inscribe, to cut in. chaqaq is more of a law than torah. Notice that choqmah and chaqaq are based in the same root word—they are related. The lawgiver decrees the word of God – The lawgiver will be from the seed of Judah.

Ex 12:49 One law shall be to him that is home born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth with you.
H8451 torah – teaching, direction, instruction. (cross out the word, law)
One teaching shall be to him that is home born, and unto the stranger that sojourneth with you. [—note that God said, that those who take this journey with you are entitled to the same teachings].

Ex 13:9. …that the LORD’s law may be in thy mouth
H8451. torah – teaching, direction, instruction. (cross out the word, law)
…that the LORD’s teaching may be in thy mouth

Ex 16:4 …that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my law, or no.
H8451. torah – teaching, direction, instruction. (cross out the word, law)
…that I may prove them, whether they will walk in my teaching, or no.

Ex 16:28 …And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my laws?
H8451. torah – teaching, direction, instruction. (cross out the word, law)
…And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my teachings?

…And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my directions?

…And the LORD said unto Moses, How long refuse ye to keep my commandments and my instructions?

Ex 24:12. …and I will give the tables of stone, and a law, and commandments which I have written, that thou mayest teach them.
H8451. torah – teaching, direction, instruction. (cross out the word, law)
…and I will give the tables of stone, and a teaching, and commandments which I have written, that thou mayest teach them.

Of the remaining of 513 verses, the majority are interpreting torah as law, incorrectly.

Go back and review the verses thoroughly before continuing. Email me any questions you may have. Thank you.

Some have said, these are insignificant tiny little word-smith-ing issues, what’s the big deal?

Look Carefully:

We took the 1st 7 occurrences of the word– law in the Hebrew Scriptures and peeled back the onion, just a bit. We saw for ourselves that 5 of the 7 don’t mean law at all.

What proof do we have other than my word, that torah should not be translated as law?, other than my word for it?

Hebrew is the native language of the Jewish nation. We have to respect them as the authority on record with their native language. If the Rabbi’s tell us that Torah means teaching, that settles the dispute! It’s their language, they ought to know.

Here, in our native language, GOD has been accused of being brutal, heavy handed, legalistic, ritualistic… and everything else in the book, [because we lack even a modicum of torah centered knowledge and perspectives].

We put the word ‘law’ in His mouth when He is actually referring to His teachings, His instructions, His directions. We are the ones creating the confusion. It’s our western mindset. We have a fondness of expressing things in terms of laws, commandments, decrees, statutes, doctrines, etc., etc. It’s possible the early translators of the bible felt, “teachings”, was too soft of a word to use. Perhaps they underestimated the masses, and assumed we could not accept God’s Word without a little more Fire of God authority? …perhaps they did.

We have the opportunity to repair the portrait that we painted. We created this picture of an overbearing GOD that people don’t know how to relate to, and we as laity, continue to inadequately explain His teachings. Did you notice what I did right there? I did not blame the pastors, priest or any leadership from any denomination?

This is because I see those three little fingers pointing back at us (the people) when we put the blame on any one else. As the people of God, we can’t just sit in the pew forever and act like we bear no responsibility for the outcomes. If we love God like we say we do, then we have to take accountability for our own behavior, i.e. our own lack of knowledge, and our inability or trepidation to answer questions about our own faith. I’m not speaking of course of every single Christian being this way. My generalizations are specific to the Christians that know they lack understanding about the GOD they love, and they know they need to be snatched out of their sleep. [More on this subject in part 2 of this blog].

God wants to teach you something and I have the heart for teaching that He can use to communicate through. You are the YOU that knows… that He is talking to YOU. –Not everybody, YOU. Why You? It’s like I said in the very first blog. You Are An Answer God Sent Into The World —and He is coming for YOU!

“In a place where there is no man, strive to be a man.” Before we can [ever] get to the heart of that matter, we have to get a lot of other stuff out of the way. Stuff, that is blocking you from progress. Not progress in the world system… this is more important than that. There is all this stuff, that is blocking you from making progress in the anointing! God wants you taught! And for some reason, He believes this blog is going to have a part in doing that.

The First Thing God wanted to do, when He brought His People out of Egypt…

In Ex 12:49, 13:9, 16:4, 16:28, God wanted to teach His people. Ex 24:12, states the sum of the matter beautifully. God provided us with His teachings on tablets of stone, His decrees also, that we should be taught. He could have legislated mankind to the hilt, we certainly have, but He did not. He desired that we be taught.

We have impressively rehearsed the 10 commandments and neglected the 10 teachings.

God did not come with a sword. He came to the House of Israel and stretched out His hand in love, and for peace. Doesn’t that remind you of Jesus?

Do we have the patience to be teachable?

Can we be taught? Can we endure His teachings? Can we bear His instruction? Will we receive His instructions?

Additionally, contrary to some opinions, studying torah is not about converting to Judaism. [[There is no attempt being made here to convert anyone to Judaism]. The Jewish culture has so much beauty within it, and I must say, we could definitely benefit from several of their “best practices“. However, our primary goal before us today, is to perfect those things pertaining to the body of Christ. Every culture has something magnificent to contribute to the world, and knowing each other enriches our spirit. The development of our spirit is our greatest weapon, an essential prerequisite, which enables us to address our character flaws. Together, we are better people as a whole].

The Bible is a book of teachings and instructions. Embracing the Jewishness of Jesus, His Hebrew Heritage, Culture and teachings, only makes us stronger, never weaker. We have to accept ALL of Him, not pick the part we want and disavow the rest. If we would do that with the King of Kings, of course we will do it to others. In fact, we do it to others. When we disrespect others, we disrespect GOD. If our behavior in anyway disrespects the Son of the Living GOD, (accepting only what we deem appropriate, then we disrespect the anointing).

I hope I am making this clear. Anyone who marries a man or a woman and tells them to sever all ties with their heritage, culture and teachings, really doesn’t love the person. Would you agree with that? Am I wrong? Am I missing something? Either we take the complete package with Christ or we don’t. There is no lukewarm offering on this. Hot or cold, hot or cold.

It’s time to fully cross over to the other side. No more refusing the good instructions, because we think we are betraying our Christian heritage by learning torah. We oppose our own selves if we don’t.

[“And the Lord’s servant must not strive, but be gentle towards all, apt to teach, forbearing, in meekness correcting them that oppose themselves; if peradventure God may give them repentance unto the knowledge of the truth, and they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him unto his will”]

[Betray the enemy who is trying to prevent us from obtaining the fire that the torah, will ignite in us. Betray that].

… Part 2 of this post will settle the dispute regarding torah, as we continue to put all the pieces in place, for greater insight into Rabbi Hillel’s teachings in Pirkei Avot 1:15 [The sayings of our Fathers] Stay Ready!

SPECIAL NOTE: I put together a handout for Part 2 of this Bible Study. I believe it will help you follow the scripture details that I will present in Part 2 of this message. If you would like to a copy sent to you, send me your email address by subscribing to the blog. I’m a teacher, I can’t help creating handouts!

[When I find typo’s that I did not see before I published and/or I re-read and know that I could have stated something better for clarity, I will make corrections and place brackets around the changes, like so. I want your final product to be as pristine as possible. Also, you have noticed that I do not include the scripture reference when I am quoting or paraphrasing something from the New Testament. I do that intentionally. We know this material and I believe it is already a part of our regular dialogue. We may have the impulse to look them up and that’s good. I want to provoke us to do that. It’s good for the soul 🙂 Your a good student! God Bless You].

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog

TORAH

YOU ONLY NEED 4 STEPS TO GET STARTED….

“Torah is not education, it’s transformation.”—Rebbitzen Dena Weinberg

For our Blog Style Bible Study, these are the initial supplies you will need, plus suggestions on how to prepare your atmosphere for torah!

Let me begin with a disclosure: The Bible Study Lessons that I will present are atypical. Together, we will examine little known passages, trace down common threads and patterns that are hidden in plain sight, and connect the dots. In short, we will examine the torah from many different angles and our reward will be extracting honey from the rock. Lets get started!

Step 1:

1. King James Study Bible. Online or Book format. I typically pull my quotes on scripture from King James only.

2. A Bible Concordance. I recommend the Strong’s Concordance, to begin with. As huge as it is, you can always find one at a reasonable price.

Option B to the Strong’s is to learn how to use search engines online that provide an easily accessible alternative with the same information. i.e., BibleHub.com, Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance Online, etc. With practice you will quickly learn how to use them. Experiment with similar apps to see which one you prefer.

As you plan to follow along with the blog, I want you to be able to check everything that I teach you, which is why I cite sources.

As we progress on our journey, I will recommend other books, materials and resources that will be of advantage to you to acquire or access. I continuously recommend books, so please don’t let that overwhelm you. More than likely, I will create a Book List Tab to track all the books and materials I recommend as they become relevant to where we are in our studies.

KEEPING YOUR CONSECRATION:
STEP 2:
Determine the best place for you to concentrate when you study.
Find the best time of day, to consecrate to your study time. Be consistent. However, if your selected time of day is not working for you, tweak it.

You may find that once you make a consecration time for study, every imaginable issue will rise up to interfere with it. Don’t worry and don’t get frustrated. Anticipate hindrances and plan ahead! Shift around your time until you find one that works best for you.

Even if it turns out that you need to get up and study at 3AM in the morning, to have some peace and quiet in order to gain the advantage, do it! The only thing you need to ask yourself is, “How bad do I want this knowledge for myself?” What are you prepared to do to make this work?

If it is not that serious, then it is not that serious, and this is your decision to make. Circle back another time, or let it go.

HOW TO CONSTRAIN THE ANOINTING OVER YOUR STUDY TIME:
Step 3:
In your selected study area, place flowers or scented candles. Boil cinnamon or incense in a pot of water– warm up the atmosphere with fragrance. It helps you concentrate when you study. Scents can also help you recall information. Pleasant odours just make you feel good, and they get you in the mood for study!

No cell phones or emails, or self-inflicted distractions of any kind. This exercise is about consecrating time to the LORD, as a sacrifice and love offering. For example, your attendance in the study time you set is a statement to GOD saying, “I plan to be here at 3AM in the morning, every M-T-W-Th, whether you show up or not. In fact, I am going to be here UNTIL you show up in my study time, and reveal your wisdom to me”.

This is an example of what I meant earlier when I spoke of placing a demand on Heaven. You will find yourself smack dab on the pages of scripture. On several pages of scripture in fact, including my personal favourite, “I will not let you go… until you bless me!” (Gen 32:26).

BE ON TIME FOR YOUR BLESSING!
Step 4:
If you are getting up at 3AM, or some other equally daunting or stressful time in your schedule, freshen up and wake up. This improves your ability to concentrate.

Whether you have designated 30 minutes, or 60 minutes– be on time for your own blessing! Use the entire time you allotted. Keep the promises that you made to yourself.

Please use the comments tab below to submit your questions or send a reply. Thank You.

I will post the 1st Study Session this Week!
[When I find typo’s that I did not see before I published and/or I re-read and know that I could have stated something better for clarity, I will make corrections and place brackets around the changes, like so. I want your final product to be as pristine as possible. Also, you have noticed that I do not include the scripture reference when I am quoting or paraphrasing something from the New Testament. I do that intentionally. We know this material and I believe it is already a part of our regular dialogue. We may have the impulse to look them up and that’s good. I want to provoke us to do that. It’s good for the soul 🙂 Your a good student! God Bless You].

The Journey Back, TORAH, What is Torah

THE JOURNEY BACK TO A TORAH MINDSET BEGINS…. Part 1.2

Q&A Continued…
Below are a few questions that were submitted to me via email that did not come through the posts. I am going to answer a few of them here for the benefit of all participants.

Q#3: Will your articles typically take 10-15 minutes in length to read?

Yes indeed! I am really very impressed with myself that they are that short! It is my teaching style to be at length. Generally speaking, I struggle in class to contain my lectures to 50 or 110 minutes. I try to squeeze every drop, out of every minute with my students and I am not ashamed to hold them captive. Learning is a scientific process. You have to be meticulous in every detail. I demand a lot out of my students, and I have no sympathy for the amount of time it takes to study to show yourself approved.

The Hebrew letters are called the raw materials of creation. I agree. I think every student is like the raw materials of creation. In my class, every student carries a Hebrew Letter over their head, like a crown of torah. They are going to create something powerful with it. Every time they absorb new information, they have the power to create, edify, encourage. They have the power to build. Some in 7 minutes, some in 6 minutes, some in one hour, some in a year. In reading, studying, learning….they are the masters of time.

Imagine my surprise and delight to have written something in a blog that only takes a few minutes to read. I might mess around and find this enjoyable!

So, why am I writing this, if it is such a foreign concept to me?
Earlier I told you that I am going for my graduate level degree in humility. Humility 101 is a marathon. It is all day, every day, and last a lifetime. This is my primary reason.

Secondary to that… I am doing this because my students are making me do it! They have suggested, implored, cajoled, questioned, fussed and looked at me strangely. They have asked me to do this for years, and I have just smiled and said, “one day, maybe”.

This is me, surrendering and being obedient to their request. They obviously have something else to teach me. So I am taking the course.

The most excellent truth of the matter is, teachers can only excel in their particular skill set, as long as they are willing to be students at the same time that they are teaching. My students have probably taught me more than I have ever taught them. I don’t know how many teachers actually share that thought out loud, or even if we share it with each other. However, ask a teacher and find out if they agree.

Students are not learning in a vacuum. Your teacher has just as much to learn from you, as you do from them. It is a symbiotic relationship. I have come to know it as, iron sharpening iron!

Technically speaking, we are just about 20-25 minutes into our first class!

I think this is a good place to introduce you to a few of your classmates. There is Ruth. Her code name is Ruth. I call her that because she is tah-meem. That is Hebrew for blameless. She has such a pure, innocent spirit and is so genuine in prayer.

You will hear me speak of David. That is his code name. I call him David because he is so sold out to God. David is one of the tzaddikim (righteous ones). His children are aware of his spiritual identity, and they see God in him. He is a rare one. He is a man, who has honour in his own country, and his own house.

You will hear me speak of one person, as the Beloved of John. She is a master torah scholar in Christ Jesus. She is the librarian, historian, record keeper par excellance. Although she would never agree with me commending her with praise. In the area of humility, kindness and joy, she is a savant. They are truly her areas of expertise. She operates in a highly specialised skill set in the body of Christ.

Then there is Shamar. shamar in Hebrew means to guard, to protect. She is hungry for the Word. She is a soldier, fearless in spiritual battle. She detests stagnation, apathy, and confusion, and she knows how to stand her watch in the service.

David, Shamar, Ruth and the Beloved of John are like the sons of Thunder in prayer. They each have an-already-been-done kind-of-spirit in prayer, and nothing is impossible with God. They know their names and each of them will recognise their description when they have read it. One day, when their identities are revealed, their families will see that I have made no exaggeration about their spiritual character.

They will attend every class and every lecture with you. They will read what you read, and hear what you hear. They are ministers of the gospel, students, teachers and intercessors. It’s what they do.

Now we’re learning torah!

Quick Links to Previous Post:  

The Journey Back To A Torah Mindset, Part 1

The Journey Back To A Torah Mindset, Part 1.1

[When I find typo’s that I did not see before I published and/or I re-read and know that I could have stated something better for clarity, I will make corrections and place brackets around the changes, like so.  I want your final product to be as pristine as possible.  Also, you have noticed that I do not include the scripture reference when I am quoting or paraphrasing something from the New Testament.  I do that intentionally.  We know this material and I believe it is already a part of our regular dialogue.  We may have the impulse to look them up and that’s good.  I want to provoke us to do that.  It’s good for the soul 🙂  Your a good student!  God Bless You].

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog

The Journey Back, TORAH, What is Torah

THE JOURNEY BACK TO A TORAH MINDSET BEGINS…. Part 1.1

Q&A:

Below are a few questions that were submitted to me via email, that did not arrive through the posts. I am going to answer a few of them here for the benefit of all participants.

Q#1: Why did your original two posts not include any scripture or torah teachings? I think you only quoted scripture once.

The first two posts referred to are: The Journey Back to a Torah Mindset Begins… April 11, 2019, and How to Reset Your Torah Mindset to Acquire Torah Concepts… April 13, 2019.

Good question. “Because I am a teacher at heart.” There are several reasons I can offer to explain why I handled the introduction in this way. The fact is, both articles were loaded with torah principles, insights and teachings. I purposefully did not identify them in the articles, for the specific benefit of allowing everyone to hear the information and gain some insight into our foundational objectives. Teachers never start teaching, until everyone in the class knows specifically, what we are there to accomplish. Students hail from vastly divergent backgrounds, knowledge in and experience with scripture. It is imperative that we are given the same road map for our journey.

That being said, The Journey Back… began with a rabbinic quote. Did you recognise the quote, or have you heard it before? Chances are if you have had no prior experience with torah, you did not. That’s OK. How did you answer the question when you read it?
Were you so curious about the right answer, that you googled the question to see if you could find it and discover the meaning?
In your opinion, What is the good path to which a human being should cling? You have been out among the world. What have you discerned? What is the proper path?

If you still remember the question in your heart and are still pondering your response, you are a Christian torah scholar in the making. If not, you may have some struggles with the upcoming material. Regardless, dependant upon how much effort you are willing to place in your study, you will be an excellent student in your own right! How much are you willing to put into it? Do you have a thirst and a hunger to understand scripture at a higher level? Are you willing to be taught? Are you teachable? What are the characteristics of a teachable spirit? Even the questions are torah centric questions. Together we shall explore the answers, as long as you feel that this blog is right for you!

As we continue on this journey together, we will identify every torah principle that was addressed in the body of these two articles mentioned above. We will proceed line by line, precept by precept.

—Torah Lesson Number 1: The Five Students of Torah

How did the five students of the Rabbi answer the above question? “Rabban Yochanan ben Zakkai said to them [the five disciples]: Go out and discern which is the proper path to which man should cling. Rabbi Eliezer says: A good eye. Rabbi Yehoshua says: A good friend. Rabbi Yose says: A good neighbor. Rabbi Shimon says: One who considers the outcome [of a deed]. Rabbi Elazar says: A good heart. He said to them: I prefer the words of Elazar ben Arach to your words, for your words are included in his words.” Pirkei Avos 2:13 (i.e., Sayings of the Fathers 2:13)

Do you agree with Rabban Zakkai? Did you have a completely different answer than the five students? Explain.

Q#2: It seems like you rarely ever capitalise the word, torah, even when you should. Why is that?

That’s deliberate. In Hebrew, there is no capitalisation of letters. Capitalisation is a western concept in our writing system. Not so, in Hebrew. Even though English is my first language, I work very hard at not capitalising Hebrew words. It’s adorable when I think about it. Every letter is conceptually written in lower case… this is an aspect of humility embedded into the presentation of the Hebrew Language itself.

The torah was given in humility, given with love. The torah was received with humility, and received in reverence (awe). Reverence, is how we say, “I Love You” back to God. This is the disciples short hand for, “I will do and I will hear” (Ex. 24:7). torah should be written with a lower case t, to remind us of the necessity to handle the word of God with humility and love.

Case in point, my computer is operating on the world system, with a western mindset. I have to be mindful to do the opposite of what it is programmed to do. The computer is on autopilot. I, on the other hand, am forcing myself to be mindful of a new thing, another way, a more excellent way. I am retraining my mind to think a new way. Little things like this, I find helpful. I place this simple requirement on myself. My students are not required to do them. Contrary to some beliefs, the study of torah is not about being legalistic, or ritualistic. It’s more about building a fence around the torah. (A concept that we will delve into at much length, later in this journey!)

Torah is about the little things, considerate things, that we can do to let God know that we are continually walking consciously, aware of His Presence. I am daily training my own spirit, in the art and science of graduate level humility. Every little bit helps!

Excellent question!

Quick Links to Previous Post:  The Journey Back to A Torah Mindset, Part 1

Quick Links to Next Post: The Journey Back to A Torah Mindset, Part 1.2

[When I find typo’s that I did not see before I published and/or I re-read and know that I could have stated something better for clarity, I will make corrections and place brackets around the changes, like so.  I want your final product to be as pristine as possible.  Also, you have noticed that I do not include the scripture reference when I am quoting or paraphrasing something from the New Testament.  I do that intentionally.  We know this material and I believe it is already a part of our regular dialogue.  We may have the impulse to look them up and that’s good.  I want to provoke us to do that.  It’s good for the soul 🙂  Your a good student!  God Bless You].

Copyright 2019, Rev. S. Madison, torahisteaching.blog