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Deuteronomy chapter 13 speaks words of warning towards a false prophet. One who gives signs and wonders – even ones that come to pass – is defined as the enemy of the Most High. This false one is defined as one that will cause others to abandon Father’s commandments.
The text tells us that this false one is sent to us in order to test us. Have you been tested in this manner? If so, have you used this scriptural criteria to discern and identify false prophets and forsake them entirely? A true prophet of the Most High will point others towards His commandments and not draw them away unto a new gospel that is void of them. Messiah – a true prophet – fully endorsed, promoted and lived out keeping the commandments. He then told His followers that they too must walk as He walked.
In Matthew chapter 5, Yeshua declared by His words that He was a reliable spokesman for His Father when He said, “Therefore, whoever nullifies one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” These words, and many others confirmed that Yeshua was the fulfillment of the prophet that rightly speaks on behalf of the Creator.
How does your vantagepoint of the Messiah that you have inherited look when filtered through this scriptural screen? Does His fulfillment point you *towards* the commandments or “set you free from them and invalidate the need for them” thereby categorizing Him as a false prophet?
Think on this today, won’t you? We must cling to the Word alone and not place our hope in any man-made doctrines that have led the masses astray. Praise the Most High for the wonderful work of the obedient, subservient Saviour Son that perfectly fulfilled the requirements of a true Prophet! Selah.
What a joy it is to be joined with so many people that went before us, who discovered Father’s wonderful ways as they heard the reading of the Scriptures! This principle is *exactly* how the Spirit led me and my family into the ancient way. Our version was through the records of Hezekiah’s day and the “Second Passover.” We read the Scriptures, saw something that we had never had eyes to see before, embraced it in repentance and our lives were changed forever.
Just as these in today’s text, they suddenly saw their identity properly. The Scriptures being read in their presence gave them knowledge and understanding that led to a wonderful revelation – they were Yahweh’s set apart People who had (yet again) forgotten the wonderful invitation to live as such.
This revelation specifically (in Nehemiah) led the people to erect booths/tents all throughout the land, as word spread. They rejoiced! They feasted! They proclaimed the mighty acts of their Elohim – Yahweh! They remembered what had been forgotten. In our own way, we have experienced this exact same thing.
This week, in our lives today, it is Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles.) We set up tents. We primarily live outside as we unplug for normal life. We share this with others. We have meals. We sing. We sit around a campfire and invite those who might be peering in to join us.
We too have discovered our identity. And what do we do? We rejoice! I was formerly not part of a People, but now? I’ve been set free from my old ways and invited into the Most High’s covenant Family. And His set apart Family celebrates His set apart festivals.
Friend, do you know of this wonderful gift? If not, and you want to know more, just ask!
If my intention was to tell you of a great restaurant that is found within a certain city, what would be the best way to start giving you directions in order to find it? This is not some riddle. I would simply start by telling you the name of the city the restaurant is located in. By doing so, I would properly establish the location of the direction that you need to go.
Likewise, I see the value within the Name of the Most High. All around me I see endless references to “God” yet I’m not quite sure who we’re talking about. Many times, the fruit of what I’m told “god” is saying looks different than what I see Scripture reveal. Equally, the Jesus that is rising in this age looks little like the Rabbi Messiah Yeshua, Who is now seated as our Great High Priest.
Specifics matter. In an age of great gray, I again urge us all to return to the necessities of the Gospel. “Who are we even talking about?” is the perfect place to start. “The Name of Yahweh is a strong tower; the righteous one runs into it and is safe.” We must know, and declare “the Name” in this age of lackadaisical living.
If we really believe today’s text, that His Name is a strong tower – a literal location of safety – it would be good to know 1) Where to go and 2) Where to direct others.
There’s a change in the air, friends. It’s time to know the Most High intimately. Do you exalt His Great Name? Selah.
There is both a goal and a reality about our lives. Our aim should be to walk as Messiah walked – hitting the mark of obedience via the daily denial of our own will. And then there is reality – we all choose sin. Listen closely, please. We choose sin.
As we recently covered in the “What is Sin, Biblically?” video series, sin is merely the abandoning of, forsaking and then ultimately the transgression of Father’s commands. We either rebel against His Ways willfully or in ignorance and we’re in a state of separation from Him.
Yet, as we see today, we’re told of this Intercessor – the Advocate. This role and principle is astounding. Biblically defined, this speaks of one who runs to another’s aid. One who pleads another’s case before a righteous judge. This term is, of course, also used by Messiah Himself to describe Holy Spirit. Yeshua told His followers that Holy Spirit would be “sent by the Father, in His Name” to continue this wonderful work on our behalf.
What a wonderful reality and principle. The goal remains the same – learn how Messiah walked and strive to hit the mark as He did. Equally, a responsible and humble man openly recognizes and admits that he will choose to miss and be in need of One to stand in His stead and help Him. To plead his case.
Do you know of this today? I hope that you do. If not, send me a message and let’s talk. “Now” is always the time to pursue hitting the mark. And, equally, “now” is always the time to quickly admit that we all sin and need a Helper.
In Jeremiah chapter 9, the Most High is speaking towards the waywardness of His People. They had abandoned His ways, followed after other gods and judgment was coming. They had become “uncircumcised of heart.” (vs. 26)
So, as a good, fair and just Father does, He allows the unfaithfulness of His People to bring about correction, in hopes that they will return to Him. In this portion of text, He states “but let the one who boasts boast of this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am Yahweh who exercises mercy, justice, and righteousness on the earth; for I delight in these things,” declares Yahweh.”
I’m a firm believer that nothing has changed. The Most High changes not and His Ways are still the way for a set apart People to live. People who profess “belief” still line up to abandon His Torah, just like we read of today. Like me, most are taught that It is not what the Word tells us, but rather a burdensome and legalistic way to live.
Today, straying from His commandments and following other messiah’s, gods and kings still incites His righteous judgments – and rightly so. As is generally the case, it’s come to us in the same way as it came to these people, and even to those in Messiah’s day – the handing down of traditions. (Hence, the statement “as their fathers taught them.”)
So let us learn from the past and not cast off Father’s mercy, justice and righteousness, that is revealed in His wonderful Law – perfectly walked out in the Son. Yeshua became our one true Example and gave us the wonderful template of a well-pleasing One.
If what we have inherited leads us away from Father’s commandments, may we heed today’s ancient warning, May we not be stubborn of heart – uncircumcised in our inward parts – but instead yield our wills, listening for the voice of our Father above all others. Selah.
