Ben Avraham
Member
1 KINGS 5:12-6:13
The tabernacle was used for many, many years. It followed “B'nei Israel” when they crossed over the Jordan, but 480 years later, it was replaced by the first temple which Melech Shlomo (King Solomon) built. It must have been magnificent. The Ark of the Covenant and the furniture that were inside the Mishkan were transferred to the new temple. Yet many years later, after the death of Shlomo, the priesthood corrupted themselves, the kings as well. The temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, and the furniture taken away. It is believed that the priests hid the Ark of the Covenant before the Babylonians came, taking it and hiding it under, where Mt. Calvary is today.
It is also interesting to note that the building project for the temple involved "forced labor" and "imposed taxes" whereas the Mishkan was built by "volunteers" and "freewill giving" of the materials that were brought from Egypt. Our "temple" our "Mishkan" or "Mikdash" is our own body, where the LORD can "come close" (Sh'ken) and "dwell" with us all. Not by "force" but by "invitation"
A believer can walk away from God, we can go astray, and the Ruach HaKodesh will call for us, to invite us back into fellowship, yet for how long? Will the Spirit of God call us back indefinitely? Or...like the Spirit of God that finally, “Left” the presence of the Temple, leaving it “Ichabod” just an empty building, can we become like an “empty vessel? Just walking around empty and lifeless? The rabbis once said: "There is a time when God is near, yet He is so far away, and when He is so far away, yet He is near" When is that? When we walk away from His fellowship and do our "own thing in this corrupt world" He seems to be far away, yet He is near, waiting for US to return, "Shoov"
But just as a believer is capable of going astray and walk away from the presence of God, the believer can also return, and be received with open arms by the Father. One day, the third temple will be built, and the presence of YHVH will be there, and Yeshua will be back to rule the earth. We will be there too, to share in this rule for one thousand years, and then...into eternity.
MARK 3:1-4:41
Here we see Yeshua on the sabbath, and he heals a man with a withered hand, yet receives criticism from the Prushim (Pharisees). Yet Yeshua explains, “doing a good deed on the sabbath is permitted” so, YES, if one works, doing a “mitzvah” on the sabbath is permitted, if it is to bless another, help another, be it to bring medicine for someone who is sick, help repair a hole in a roof (if you see the rain clouds a comin!) . Jusy imagine what kind of testimony we would give if we see a pastor on the roof of his church, and he needs help, and he calls for you to come up to help, and we respond, "Not today pastor, today is the Sabbath" then it rains and because he didn't get your help, the roof didn't get finished and the rain came through and soaked the pews, hymnals, etc.. Would Yeshua be happy? or would he "play back the scene to you once in Heaven" and say: "That is one reward you lost my son, you should have stopped to help my servant."
Yeshua went down to the Lake and more people came to hear him. On this occasion he talked about the "Sower and the seed". Yet he taught in "parables" which is a very rabbinic way of teaching, through story-telling. Then Yeshua said:
"To you it has been given given to know the secret of the Kingdom of God, but to those who are "outside" all are done in parables so the "seeing they perceive but do not see and hearing they hear but do not understand lest they turn from their sins and be forgiven."
Now we ask; "but why wouldn't Yeshua want the people to understand and turn from their sins?" Well, we could say "He does, but it requires diligence and investigation. He wants those who are serious and investigate his teaching not "curiosity seekers" We could say the same today. There are people who go to church just for social meetings and it is "the thing to do" they sit through the sermons without understanding and they leave just the same as they come in, "empty". Yeshua wants "serious commitment" and He wants us to "hear and understand and do" which describes the Hebrew word "Shema" perhaps, some in the crowd stayed behind and went to Yeshua to ask him about the meaning of the parable. Perhaps, even, they sat down with the disciples and listened. I mean, if I had been there, and was really interested, I would have stayed behind and sought after the Master; "Rabbi, what did you mean by all that?" Don't you wish that time machines existed, and you could go back to hear Yeshua in person? Well they exist in theory, but not practical and too much power would be needed to make them work.
The Sea of Galilee is a peaceful place to swim in. Just stand in the water and feel the fish nibble at your feet, quite an experience. I swam down about 10 feet in the lake at Tiberias and brought up a ceramic dish. Still have it, a free souvenir. But just looking at the Lake brings back thoughts of Yeshua there 2000 years ago, healing those with illnesses. He still does, and he heals our souls as well. (if we let him).
Shavua Tov Have a good week . Ben Avraham
The tabernacle was used for many, many years. It followed “B'nei Israel” when they crossed over the Jordan, but 480 years later, it was replaced by the first temple which Melech Shlomo (King Solomon) built. It must have been magnificent. The Ark of the Covenant and the furniture that were inside the Mishkan were transferred to the new temple. Yet many years later, after the death of Shlomo, the priesthood corrupted themselves, the kings as well. The temple was destroyed by the Babylonians, and the furniture taken away. It is believed that the priests hid the Ark of the Covenant before the Babylonians came, taking it and hiding it under, where Mt. Calvary is today.
It is also interesting to note that the building project for the temple involved "forced labor" and "imposed taxes" whereas the Mishkan was built by "volunteers" and "freewill giving" of the materials that were brought from Egypt. Our "temple" our "Mishkan" or "Mikdash" is our own body, where the LORD can "come close" (Sh'ken) and "dwell" with us all. Not by "force" but by "invitation"
A believer can walk away from God, we can go astray, and the Ruach HaKodesh will call for us, to invite us back into fellowship, yet for how long? Will the Spirit of God call us back indefinitely? Or...like the Spirit of God that finally, “Left” the presence of the Temple, leaving it “Ichabod” just an empty building, can we become like an “empty vessel? Just walking around empty and lifeless? The rabbis once said: "There is a time when God is near, yet He is so far away, and when He is so far away, yet He is near" When is that? When we walk away from His fellowship and do our "own thing in this corrupt world" He seems to be far away, yet He is near, waiting for US to return, "Shoov"
But just as a believer is capable of going astray and walk away from the presence of God, the believer can also return, and be received with open arms by the Father. One day, the third temple will be built, and the presence of YHVH will be there, and Yeshua will be back to rule the earth. We will be there too, to share in this rule for one thousand years, and then...into eternity.
MARK 3:1-4:41
Here we see Yeshua on the sabbath, and he heals a man with a withered hand, yet receives criticism from the Prushim (Pharisees). Yet Yeshua explains, “doing a good deed on the sabbath is permitted” so, YES, if one works, doing a “mitzvah” on the sabbath is permitted, if it is to bless another, help another, be it to bring medicine for someone who is sick, help repair a hole in a roof (if you see the rain clouds a comin!) . Jusy imagine what kind of testimony we would give if we see a pastor on the roof of his church, and he needs help, and he calls for you to come up to help, and we respond, "Not today pastor, today is the Sabbath" then it rains and because he didn't get your help, the roof didn't get finished and the rain came through and soaked the pews, hymnals, etc.. Would Yeshua be happy? or would he "play back the scene to you once in Heaven" and say: "That is one reward you lost my son, you should have stopped to help my servant."
Yeshua went down to the Lake and more people came to hear him. On this occasion he talked about the "Sower and the seed". Yet he taught in "parables" which is a very rabbinic way of teaching, through story-telling. Then Yeshua said:
"To you it has been given given to know the secret of the Kingdom of God, but to those who are "outside" all are done in parables so the "seeing they perceive but do not see and hearing they hear but do not understand lest they turn from their sins and be forgiven."
Now we ask; "but why wouldn't Yeshua want the people to understand and turn from their sins?" Well, we could say "He does, but it requires diligence and investigation. He wants those who are serious and investigate his teaching not "curiosity seekers" We could say the same today. There are people who go to church just for social meetings and it is "the thing to do" they sit through the sermons without understanding and they leave just the same as they come in, "empty". Yeshua wants "serious commitment" and He wants us to "hear and understand and do" which describes the Hebrew word "Shema" perhaps, some in the crowd stayed behind and went to Yeshua to ask him about the meaning of the parable. Perhaps, even, they sat down with the disciples and listened. I mean, if I had been there, and was really interested, I would have stayed behind and sought after the Master; "Rabbi, what did you mean by all that?" Don't you wish that time machines existed, and you could go back to hear Yeshua in person? Well they exist in theory, but not practical and too much power would be needed to make them work.
The Sea of Galilee is a peaceful place to swim in. Just stand in the water and feel the fish nibble at your feet, quite an experience. I swam down about 10 feet in the lake at Tiberias and brought up a ceramic dish. Still have it, a free souvenir. But just looking at the Lake brings back thoughts of Yeshua there 2000 years ago, healing those with illnesses. He still does, and he heals our souls as well. (if we let him).
Shavua Tov Have a good week . Ben Avraham