Parashot Acharei Mot–Kedoshim & Sermon "The Great Anti-Virus"
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Shalom and Blessings
As of this writing, there is still no resolution to our election dilemma. You have heard it said, "Two Jews, three opinions," well that is holding true with Netanyahu's attempt to form a government. However, without counting the Arab parties, the saying should be more like, "One hundred and five Jews, one hundred and seventy opinions." Everyone is jockeying for their own advantage and few if any are considering the country and the people. What can I say except, welcome to the world of politics!
In these difficult times God's people are experiencing; increasing persecution, eroding of the pure Gospel message of Messiah, deception, false prophets, false teachers and the effects of liberal government's anti-God laws, to name just a few things. For this reason, we must never take our eyes off the Blessed Hope of the return of our Messiah Yeshua.
Titus 2:11-13 11) For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12) teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13) looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Messiah Yeshua,
From this passage I want us to notice that the apostle Paul calls Yeshua God and Savior; He is not just the Messiah, not just our Savior but He is God and Savior! If we as Believers want to survive in this spiraling downward world, we must never stop anticipating the return of our Savior and our God Yeshua. If we lose our expectation of the Lord's return it will be impossible to maintain His standard of holiness and thus survive in a wicked world. The world hates us because they first hated Him and as His disciples, we are not greater than our Master. The more difficult the times, the greater our resolve should be to live holy lives if we ever expect to see Him.
Hi Ellen here…What a wonderful week this has been! We remembered the holocaust last week (Yom HaShoah) and this week we are remembering all those that have fallen to war and terrorism (Yom Hazikaron). Thursday was Independence Day here (Yom Ha'atzmaut), and for that we have reason to rejoice. It is an incredible thing to live in Israel, a place where ALL acknowledge these events and are on the same page. We pray it would be the same with our government as Jack mentioned above. There is nothing to be concerned about because Isaiah states in his book that the government is on HIS shoulders, not Isaiah's but on our Lord.
I would like to shift from the above and share a wonderful answer to prayer. Jack and I have an extensive prayer list as we are sure you all do…we have been praying for a little boy, I'll call him "Y" to be healed of cancer. We do not know him personally but we have been praying throughout the lockdowns for a year and this week he has been pronounced CLEAR of this disease, hallelujah! Telling you about the remembrance days, the government and our precious "Y" this scripture danced in my spirit… Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Messiah Yeshua...Phil. 4.6-7. Thank You Lord!
Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries:
https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/
Yours in Messiah Yeshua; our Lord, our God, our soon coming King;
Rabbi Jack & Ellen
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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!
Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries:
https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/
Yours in Messiah Yeshua; our Lord, our God, our soon coming King;
Rabbi Jack & Ellen
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Shalom and Blessings
I read a report that Israel has the most draconian Covid-19 restrictions of all countries. This may be true, because Israelis in general are very strong willed and non-compliant, so strict rules are necessary. For example, an ultra-orthodox family of thirteen from New York were turned around and sent back because their Covid documents were found to be forged. Similar infractions have been happening among returning Israelis as well. Sadly, desperate times require desperate measures. Whatever the government's reasoning, however, it is working; infections are down, the morbidity rate has decreased and hospitalizations have declined, among those vaccinated. I do not expect that these tough measures will totally solve the Covid-19 crises here, but if one person is spared suffering and dying it is worth the inconvenience.
There has been an outbreak of Falciparum P, a type of malaria that can be deadly if left untreated, especially for those under the age of five, in the Migori orphanage. Seventeen children have been affected. Clinics in Kenya do not treat you if you cannot pay, but by the grace of God the director of the home found favor with the clinic and they extended him credit. Please pray that no more children will be infected. The cost of vaccination and follow-up medication for each child is approximately $50.00 U.S. If God puts in on your heart, gifts can be sent using PayPal to this address: mataraevans2019@gmail.com
Hi Ellen here…Bamidbar, the wilderness; as a child or even as an adult we think of a wilderness as a wasteland with tumbleweeds, large boulders and dust continually blowing in a relentless wind…but today, as Believers, our wilderness can be anywhere, because "wilderness" is a state of mind. Throughout this time of lockdowns and openings and lockdowns our state of mind needs to be continually renewed. Each morning we thank God for recreating us, giving us yet another opportunity to know Him, to bless Him and to serve Him…God awakens us each new day for a purpose and a plan not for wandering aimlessly in a wilderness. Ask yourself as you read this is, have I placed myself in a wilderness or am I there for some great spiritual awakening? Through prayer and supplication to our Lord and Savior ask Him to remove the "state of wilderness" from your focus to the great spiritual awakening that is there for you today and each new day
Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries:
https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/
Yours in Messiah Yeshua; our Lord, our God, our soon coming King;
Rabbi Jack & Ellen
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Shalom and Blessings;
I know that we are hearing a lot of negativity coming out about the Covid-19 vaccination, so I would like to give you some encouraging news from Israel. It's been reported by the second largest HMO (Health Maintenance Organization) here that since the first vaccination of people aged over 60, deaths and serious illness from Covid-19 has decreased an average of 60%. This means that with the second vaccination we can expect to see even better, more encouraging numbers. This however, has not stopped the skyrocketing infection rate among the Haredi (ultra-orthodox) community, who by enlarge are rebellious against government restrictions. Ellen and I have received our second vaccination with no side effects, Glory to God!
The Knesset has closed down Ben Gurion Airport until January 31. All passenger flights in and out have been suspended. All border crossings have also been closed. I cannot say for certain, but I suspect that this has been done to give health services a window to vaccinate as many people as possible, while limiting the threat of importing any new virus strains. Of the 9 million people in Israel close to four million have already been vaccinated. It is still not clear if the airport will be reopened on January 31, seeing as the Health Ministry is asking for a month-long closure. In the meantime, Israelis continue to suffer economically, emotionally and mentally. Your prayers are definitely needed and appreciated.
A brief teaching:
Luke (1:13) But the angel said to him: "Do not be afraid, Zechariah; your prayer has been heard. Your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you are to call him John. 14) He will be a joy and delight to you, and many will rejoice because of his birth, 15) for he will be great in the sight of the Lord. He is never to take wine or other fermented drink, and he will be filled with the Holy Spirit even before he is born. 16) He will bring back many of the people of Israel to the Lord their God. 17) And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord." 18) Zechariah asked the angel, "How can I be sure of this? I am an old man and my wife is well along in years." 19) The angel said to him, "I am Gabriel. I stand in the presence of God, and I have been sent to speak to you and to tell you this good news. 20) And now you will be silent and not able to speak until the day this happens, because you did not believe my words, which will come true at their appointed time."
Have you ever wondered why, after Zechariah asked the angle for a sign as proof of what he was saying was true, that Gabriel made him mute? That question is answered for us in:
Proverbs (18:21) The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.
Zachariah doubted what the angel Gabriel was telling him; therefore, were he to be allowed to speak prior to the birth of John, the negative words of doubt that may have proceeded from his mouth could have affected the outcome of what the Lord had spoken, because there is power in the tongue:
Our words are powerful and can affect eternity and most certainly the direction of our lives, and the lives of those around us, like our families and children. There is power in the tongue, therefore, Believers must learn to bridle their tongue and always speak positive, uplifting words of affirmation.
Visit our blog for more teaching and to view previous Torah commentaries:
https://weeklyparasha02.blogspot.com/
Rabbi Jack & Ellen
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