It would do us well to remember that the Most High has always made a way for men to come into His blessing and safety. As we see here, the key is quite simple – obedience. Foreigners, strangers, aliens and goyim (people of the nations) have always had the opportunity to forsake their own ways and join themselves with Father’s covenantal Family.
Obedience is absolutely the place to begin. We know that many escaped Egypt alongside the Hebrews (Exodus 12.) It is without question that these would have most assuredly been some of these who “feared the word of Yahweh” and responded with action before the hailstorm arrived. Despite what most of us have been told, we’re no different today. Will we hear the word of Yahweh and respond with obedience? If so, and we continue doing so, our deliverance awaits. Selah.
Many times, people want to swing to extremes and choose a side. Some may say, "we need to go out into isolation and flee the world entirely." Others may say, "we need to go to where the people are and shout the Gospel from the rooftops!"
This is not about "which one is right" but, using todays texts, perhaps we can learn from our Messiah. There are many times that He drew away into solitude. Yes. There were many times that He sat and patiently welcomed and taught the crowds. There were times that He reprimanded the groups of religious leaders that Had abandoned His Father's Torah in order to enact their own law. And there were times when He slipped away from their presence.
The key? Knowing what to do in the moment. Let the covenant ones be a People that listen and respond to what Father is desiring, just like the Son. Now would be a great time to practice discerning what the Spirit is saying in this hour. Is it time to stay? Is it time to move? Let's let the Most High decide, listen to the Set Apart Spirit and then move accordingly. Selah.
When I think back to my old understanding of the “writings of Moses/the Torah” I clearly see that I had inherited a great disdain for Them. They were a “curse.” It was the “Law” that the old Pharisees who denied Messiah followed. It was “the old way” that “Jesus got rid of” when He came. It was a burden and just plain "bad" unless you were a Jew.
Over the years however, I’ve allowed the Bible to properly define these Books that fill the pages in the front of my Bible. I now see that the assembly of Messiah’s day, and the days to follow, rightly looked to the Torah to learn how to live. They passed on the wonderful Feasts. They learned of the strengths and weaknesses of Father's covenant People. In those pages, they saw themselves. Through the study of It they continued to be trained how to love the Most High and love their neighbors. Just like so many generations that went before them.
To be clear, the Scriptures that Paul admonished Timothy of – the ones that were capable of teaching, rebuke, correction, training in righteousness and able to equip a man to accomplish good work – these "Scriptures" were found in the Torah. Not the Gospels. Not the writings of Paul. Not all of the NT writings that had yet to be penned. The Torah. The Books that the Creator has told us are “perfect, reviving the soul.”
And it always bears mentioning, this same Torah will go forth from Zion, in the future age. And those who are characterized as followers of the Way will be defined as ones that profess the testimony of Yeshua and cling to Father’s commandments, that are found where? The Torah.
So, what about us? Will we continue to buy into the lie that “there’s a better way now” and these old writings have somehow become a curse for a “New Testament Church?” If your approach doesn’t line up with today’s texts, I’d encourage you to please be open to reconsidering your thoughts towards these matters. These words of the Torah are inspired by Elohim. And to me, that is good. Selah.
An honest person who studies the Bible should readily admit that much of what we read, we filter through our own limited (and often ignorant) understanding. In today’s text, Messiah is giving his talmidim a warning to be careful how they regard the teachings of the leaders, from their Talmudic traditions. As was sometimes the case, they completely missed the entire point of what Messiah was saying.
We see a similar confusion with Peter, in the Book of Acts. He is told to “kill and eat” unclean animals and was “perplexed in mind” until he patiently waited to receive proper understanding that the vision was not about animals and food at all, but rather men. (Acts 10:28)
We are no different. We will not always have instant clarity and correct understanding towards a matter - even one that The Most High or the Son may speak. Even the proper role of Holy Spirit, confirming what both the Father and the Son have spoken, may be errantly heard and misapplied. It’s OK. As long as we keep listening. As long as we stay close to the Messiah and listen to His correction, as His students did here.
In verse 12 we see what was spoken make sense. “Then they understood that He did not say to beware of the leaven of bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” Sometimes it takes repeating. Sometimes we must read and reread. Sometimes we’re just ignorant and wrong.
I want to be like this. Seated by Messiah and listening for understanding. Even if I think it’s all merely about a meager loaf of bread. Selah.
In 1 Peter chapter 4 we read of yet another reminder to come out and be separate. Again, we see distinction amongst the people of the world and the people of Elohim. There’s a reflection upon what one used to be a part of and a warning of sorts that once you come out, those who are still in will just not understand.
Verse 3: “For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries.”
Be careful that you’re not still engaging with the goings on of the world whilst attempting to justify it all as “being a light.” “What fellowship has light with darkness? For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness?” (2 Cor. 6)
For some, there seems to be a clean and dramatic break. For others, perhaps it’s more progressional as they’re given eyes to see along the way. Either way, there must be an ongoing process where one is truly moved from darkness to light, distinctly. A true follower of Messiah simply won’t have the desire to engage in the holidays, entertainments and behaviors of this world. It doesn't need justified because it's rightly seen for what it is - darkness. Lawlessness.
Is the end really near or are we moving along as if judgment is never really coming? Be of sound judgment today, friend. Be of sober spirit. Pray. Selah.
