Weekly Parasha: Parasha Vayikra, sermon "False advertising" & teaching "Work & Fire"

March 19, 2021

Shalom and Blessings

During a time when what we are most hearing in Israel concerns the vaccination program and the election campaign, it is refreshing to hear that archeologists uncovered fragments containing Greek verses from the book of Zechariah and Nahum in the Judean Desert. It is amazing that during these times, when more and more countries are becoming godless and secular that the God of Israel mocks them and speaks out from a desert cave. Is it significant that the Scripture fragments the archeologist found were from the books of Zechariah and Nahum? The theme of the Book of Nahum is; "To whom much is given, from him much will be required" and the theme from the Book of Zechariah is; encouraging the returned remnant to rebuild the Temple. Could it be that in these turbulent times when the U.S. policies towards Israel are uncertain, God is saying "I have given you much it is time to rebuild". Yes, even though the third Temple will not be the Messianic Temple, it is necessary because it will be where Satan will set up his "Abomination of Desolation" spoken of by Daniel. Is this yet another sign of the approaching end of the age? Is God saying by the name Nahum "Comfort, Console", and Zechariah "God Remembers" that He wants us to be consoled because He remembers the covenant He made with our fathers and that it is about to reach its climax?

Isaiah 40:1 Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. 2 Speak tenderly to Jerusalem, and proclaim to her that her hard service has been completed, that her sin has been paid for, that she has received from the LORD's hand double for all her sins. 3 A voice of one calling: "In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God. 4 Every valley shall be raised up, every mountain and hill made low; the rough ground shall become level, the rugged places a plain. 5 And the glory of the LORD will be revealed, and all people will see it together. For the mouth of the LORD has spoken."

Hi Ellen here…Well I have been in preparation for the coming moed (feast), and Jack and I are excited. Even though we will be on our own for seder, we know the Lord has sent guardian angels to join us. I have taken my lamb shank bone out of hiding for the seder plate and Jack has sent our dear Kenyan mishpocha (family) a video we made with a walk through of the elements and directives for the seder. I am so blessed to know that from Toronto to the Bahamas to different locations in Kenya our friends and spiritual family will be celebrating with us. There is one element that we miss from North America and that is prepared horseradish…you know the kind I mean, no beets, no sugar just the absolute waking of all our senses…the clearing of nasal passages and the cleansing tears from our eyes horseradish, without the hard work of preparing it. This all brings to mind how Yeshua delivered us from the Egypt of our sin, all the elements should paint a picture in your mind of the beautiful words…" with a strong hand and an outstretched arm, for His steadfast love endures forever". I pray for all of you to experience His love as you cross over into this new year. BTW, pray for me as I have procured horseradish roots and will make it from scratch!