Wednesday, May 17, 2023

Parasha Bamidbar (In the Wilderness)



from Rabbi Jack… Bible link

Matthew {5:33} "Again, you have heard that our fathers were told, `Do not break your oath,' and `Keep your vows to God’ {5:34} But I tell you not to swear at all -- not `by heaven,' because it is God's throne; {5:35} not `by the earth,' because it is his footstool; and not `by Jerusalem,' because it is the city of the Great King. {5:36} And don't swear by your head, because you can't make a single hair white or black. {5:37} Just let your `Yes' be a simple `Yes,' and your `No' a simple `No'; anything more than this has its origin in evil." What Yeshua is saying here is linked to honesty. This is why Yeshua said that we are not to vow at all. If we do not vow, we cannot be dishonest and vow falsely. “Keep it simple” He says; the less said the better. We live during a time where we have more legal documents and contracts which mean less than at any other time in history. It used to be that agreements were sealed with a handshake, and they were far more binding than the reams of paper generated by legal experts today. We used to say, “A person’s word is his bond.” But now we have prenuptial agreements, sales agreements, employee contracts and all kinds of other legal documents which are only as good as the character of the people who sign them, which in most cases makes them worthless. Do you really think that a prenuptial agreement will help a couple keep their vow to, ‘love honour and cherish each other untill death do them part?’ Of course not! Marriage is the highest commitment that we make outside of our commitment to God. It is the place where honesty is more important than at any other time in our lives. Honesty is a characteristic of God; therefore, it should be one of our characteristics as well. It would be sad if at the end of our life we end up like the man in Michelangelo’s painting of the “Last Judgment.” He painted a man being dragged down to hell by demons, one hand over one eye and in the other a look of horrible anguish. At that moment it was too late for him. I pray that before it’s too late for you, you will recognize honesty, believe in honesty and live honestly by living with simplicity, transparency and integrity. Proverbs {5:2} Don't speak impulsively – do not be in a hurry to give voice to your words before God. For God is in heaven, and you are on earth; so let your words be few. {5:3} For nightmares come from worrying too much; and a fool, when he speaks, chatters too much.


from Ellen… Bible link

As I said last week concerning our daily reading plan is even more explosive this week! God is so good…the closer we get to him the clearer He shows us what we need to know. In addition, His timing is everything. We may hear from the Lord or even know the things the Holy Spirit is showing us, revealing it at His perfect timing! As of late we have known about a disruptive spirit working its way through some of our dear mishpacha. I am much more impatient when the Holy Spirit shows me something and I want to confront and rebuke this disruptive spirit but I am under Jack’s authority and I wait on him because he is under God’s authority. OK, with all that said, when we opened Monday’s Brit Chadasha reading both Jack and I were affirmed and assured that God is truly in control, knowing that we have the peace that surpasses all understanding. 2 Corinthians chapter 7 says it all. We teach and preach God’s truth not to show us more worthy than others but to desire that we all are on a path to be better for His service. My prayer is that we all will reread this portion of Scripture and along with Jack and me we will see true changes in all our lives through godly sorrow leading to repentance. We truly love and miss you all and look forward to God’s perfect timing in our lives. May not one of God’s children miss all that He has for them. Blessings to all in Yeshua.


Yours in Messiah Yeshua, "…while we wait for the blessed hope—the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Messiah Yeshua." (Titus 2:13)


Rabbi Jack & Ellen

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Sermon of the week: We Are Lethal Weapons

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