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Restoring the Two Houses of IsraelG-D'S POWER TWINS: TORAH AND GRACE In order for full restoration to come to both the house of Judah (Judaism) and the house of Israel (Christianity), both houses of Israel need to understand that the G-d of Israel is a G-d of Torah AND a G-d of grace/mercy. Corporately speaking, the house of Judah (Judaism) mainly identifies with the G-d of Israel as being the giver of the Torah (matan Torah). The house of Israel (Christianity) mainly identifies with the G-d of Israel as being a G-d of grace/mercy through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. The house of Judah (Judaism) needs to Biblically understand that the G-d of Israel has expressed His grace/mercy to His people through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. The house of Israel (Christianity) needs to Biblically understand that the Torah is the Word of G-d and the Word of G-d is the Torah and that the Torah goes from Genesis (Bereishit) to Revelation. Furthermore, the house of Israel (Christianity) needs to understand that the Torah is ETERNAL and that the G-d of Israel did not do away with His Torah through the death and resurrection of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. If the G-d of Israel did away with His Torah/Word, He would have to do away with Himself because the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus is the Torah/Word of G-d manifested in the flesh. Heaven and earth will pass away but the Torah/Word of G-d will live and abide FOREVER (Isaiah [Yeshayahu] 40:8, I Peter [Kefa] 1:23-25). Because the house of Israel (Christianity) does not understand that Biblically the Torah and the Word of G-d are synonymous terms and that G-d’s Torah/Word goes from Genesis (Bereishit) to Revelation, they have unbiblically embraced a dispensational theology that teaches that before the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus was the age of law and following the death and resurrection of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus is the age of grace. In this chapter, we will learn that the G-d of Israel has always been a G-d of Torah AND a G-d of grace/mercy and that the G-d of Israel’s grace/mercy is mentioned MORE in the TeNaKh (Old Testament) than in the Brit Hadashah (New Testament). Furthermore, we will examine what the Biblical term Torah means and the purpose of the G-d of Israel’s Torah. In our conclusion, we will find that the G-d of Israel is a G-d of Torah and a G-d of grace/mercy and that the Torah of the G-d of Israel and the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel are His Power Twins. HEBREW AND GREEK WORDS FOR GRACE/MERCY The Greek word found in the Brit Hadashah (New Testament) translated as grace in the King James Bible is charis. It is the Strong’s number 5485 in the Greek dictionary. In the Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament coded to the Strong’s Concordance, it will tell you that the Greek word charis (5485) corresponds to the Hebrew word chayn. The Hebrew word chayn is the Strong’s word 2580 in the Strong’s dictionary. It is most often translated as grace/favor in the King James Bible. The Greek word found in the Brit Hadashah (New Testament) translated as mercy in the King James Bible is eleos. It is the Strong’s number 1656 in the Greek dictionary. In the Thayer’s Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament coded to the Strong’s Concordance, it will tell you that the Greek word eleos (1656) is related/associated/corresponds to the Hebrew word chesed. The Hebrew word chesed is the Strong’s word 2617 in the Strong’s dictionary. It is most often translated as mercy/lovingkindness in the King James Bible. Therefore, the two primary Greek words for grace/mercy found in the Bible are charis (5485) and eleos (1656). The two primary Hebrew words for grace/mercy found in the Bible are chayn (2580) and chesed (2617). THE G-D OF ISRAEL IS A G-D OF GRACE/MERCY The G-d of Israel is a G-d of grace/mercy. It is an attribute/characteristic of the G-d of Israel Himself. In Jeremiah (Yermiyahu) 9:23-24 it is written: " In Psalm (Tehillim) 117 it is written: " THE G-D OF ISRAEL’S GRACE/MERCY The grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel is ETERNAL and EVERLASTING. In Psalm (Tehillim) 103:17-18 it is written: " In Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 54:8 it is written: "… THE G-D OF ISRAEL CREATED The G-d of Israel created the heavens and the earth by His grace/mercy. In Psalm (Tehillim) 136:1, 6-9 it is written: " NOAH FOUND GRACE IN THE EYES OF G-D Noah found grace in the eyes of the G-d of Israel. In Genesis (Bereishit) 6:8 it is written: " G-D SHOWED GRACE/MERCY TO JOSEPH The G-d of Israel found grace/mercy with Joseph (Yosef). In Genesis (Bereishit) 39:21 it is written: " G-D SAVES THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL The G-d of Israel saved/delivered His people out of Egypt (Mitzrayim) by His grace/mercy. In Exodus (Shemot) 3:15-16, 20-21 it is written: " In Psalm (Tehillim) 136:10-15 it is written: " THE CHILDREN OF
ISRAEL ARE LED THROUGH The G-d of Israel led the children of Israel through the wilderness by His grace/mercy. In Psalm (Tehillim) 136:16 it is written: " The "rock" which led the children of Israel through the wilderness was the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. In I Corinthians 10:1-4 it is written: " In Jeremiah (Yermiyahu) 31:2-3, it is written: " MOSES FINDS GRACE/MERCY IN G-D’S SIGHT Moses (Moshe) found grace/mercy in the sight of the G-d of Israel. In Exodus (Shemot) 33:11-13, 17 it is written: " THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL DEFEAT
THEIR ENEMIES AND CONQUER THE PROMISED LAND The children of Israel defeated their enemies and conquered the Promised Land by the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel. In Psalm (Tehillim) 136:1, 17-22, 24 it is written: " G-D PROMISES DAVID’S SEED GRACE/MERCY The G-d of Israel promised David that He would have grace/mercy upon His seed forever. In II Samuel (Shmu’el) 7:4,8, 12-16 it is written: " In Psalm (Tehillim) 89:1-4, 24, 28-36 it is written: " DAVID’S SINS ARE FORGIVEN David’s sins were forgiven by the G-d of Israel by His grace/mercy upon David when he repented of his sins. In Psalm (Tehillim) 25:6-7, 51:1-2 it is written: " In Psalm (Tehillim) 86:5 it is written: " THE HOUSE OF JUDAH WAS PRESERVED The house of Judah (Judaism/Southern Kingdom) was preserved in Babylonian captivity and a remnant from the house of Judah (Judaism/Southern Kingdom) returned to the land of Israel to rebuild the Temple (Beit HaMikdash) in the days of Ezra and Nehemiah because of the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel upon His people. In Ezra 9:7-9 it is written: " THE G-D OF ISRAEL IS MARRIED
When the G-d of Israel entered into a marriage covenant with His people, He became betrothed unto them in grace/mercy. In Hosea (Hoshea) 2:19-20 it is written: " G-D WILL SAVE/REDEEM THE HOUSE OF DAVID THROUGH THE MESSIAH BY HIS GRACE/MERCY The G-d of Israel will save/redeem the house of David through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus by His grace/mercy. In Zechariah (Zecharyah) 12:9-10 it is written: " THE G-D OF ISRAEL HAS ALWAYS
BEEN A G-D The G-d of Israel has ALWAYS been a G-d of grace/mercy. The death and resurrection of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus did not usher in the age of grace. The grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel has always been from everlasting to everlasting. Grace/mercy is an attribute/characteristic of the G-d of Israel Himself. The G-d of Israel showed grace/mercy to Noah, Joseph (Yosef), Moses (Moshe) and David. The G-d of Israel forgave the sins of the children of Israel because of His grace/mercy toward them. The G-d of Israel forgave the sins of David because of His grace/mercy toward David. The G-d of Israel made an eternal covenant with David that His grace/mercy would be upon David’s seed forever. The G-d of Israel created the heavens and the earth because His grace/mercy endures forever. He redeemed the children of Israel from Egypt (Mitzrayim) because of His grace/mercy toward His people in remembrance of His covenant with Abraham (Avraham). The G-d of Israel led the children of Israel in the wilderness and gave them victory over their enemies in the wilderness and in the Promised Land because of His grace/mercy toward His people. THE G-D OF ISRAEL REDEEMED HIS
PEOPLE After studying in this chapter the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel and realizing that the G-d of Israel is a G-d of grace/mercy throughout the entire TeNaKh (Old Testament), it should be easy for us to understand the Biblical truth that the G-d of Israel saved/redeemed the children of Israel from Egypt (Mitzrayim) by His grace/mercy and brought them to mount Sinai to show them how He wanted them to live their daily lives in obedience to the G-d of Israel AFTER they were saved/redeemed by His grace/mercy. The children of Israel were NEVER saved/redeemed/delivered from their enemies because they kept the Torah and deserved to be saved/redeemed/delivered. However, they were ALWAYS redeemed/delivered/saved because of the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel toward His people. THE TORAH IS ETERNAL AND EVERLASTING Just as we have seen that the grace/mercy of the G-d of Israel is eternal and everlasting, in the last part of this chapter, we will see that the Torah of the G-d of Israel is also eternal and everlasting. We will discover that in traditional Hebraic/Jewish thought, "Torah" and the "Word of G-d" are synonymous terms. Therefore, the G-d of Israel’s Torah is from Genesis (Bereishit) to Revelation. The age of law did not end with the death and resurrection of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus because the Torah/Word of G-d lives and abides forever. Next, let us examine the meaning and purpose of the Torah of the G-d of Israel and why the Torah of the G-d of Israel should be important to every believer in Yeshua/Jesus as the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach). By embracing the Biblical truth that the Torah of the G-d of Israel is eternal and everlasting, the G-d of Israel can bring restoration and reconciliation to both houses of Israel. WHAT IS THE MEANING OF TORAH? Probably one of the most misunderstood words in the entire Bible to the house of Israel (Christianity) is the word LAW. In reality, the word LAW is a very poorly translated and misrepresented word to describe the Hebrew word, TORAH. When most believers in the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus from the house of Israel (Christianity) hear the word, TORAH, they take two steps backward and put up a religious wall against any member from the house of Israel (Christianity) who would mention the word TORAH or who would suggest that we need to live our lives according to the Torah of the G-d of Israel. In fact, most members from the house of Israel (Christianity) view the Torah with the attitude, "We are not under the Law, we are New Testament believers in the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus and under grace." WE ARE SAVED BY GRACE THROUGH FAITH It is a Biblical truth that we are NOT saved/redeemed/delivered from our sins by keeping the Torah of the G-d of Israel. We are saved/redeemed/delivered by grace (2580/chayn)/mercy (2617/chesed) through faith (emunah) and salvation/redemption is a FREE gift from the G-d of Israel. In Ephesians 2:8-9, it is written: " However, the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha’ul) tells us in Romans 3:28, 31 that AFTER we are saved/redeemed/delivered, we are to uphold/keep the Torah of the G-d of Israel as it is written: " TORAH MEANS INSTRUCTION While it is true that we are not saved/redeemed/delivered on our own merit by our own ability through keeping the Torah of the G-d of Israel, the house of Israel (Christianity) must know and understand WHAT the word, TORAH, means. The word Law is the Hebrew word, TORAH. It is the Strong’s word 8451 in the Hebrew Concordance. The best meaning of the word, TORAH, is "teaching or instruction." The word TORAH does not mean salvation/redemption/deliverance but rather "teaching or instruction." There is a word in the Bible that means "salvation." The English word, Jesus, is the Hebrew word, Yeshua. The Hebrew word Yeshua means "salvation." This was the role of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus when He came to the earth at His first coming as the suffering Messiah (Mashiach) known as Messiah ben Joseph (Yosef). In Matthew (Mattityahu) 1:21 it is written: " WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF G-D’S TORAH? From this, we can understand that YESHUA/JESUS means SALVATION and TORAH means INSTRUCTION. Therefore, the Torah was NEVER meant by the G-d of Israel to be a means of salvation for His people. The G-d of Israel’s only salvation for His people is by His grace/mercy (chesed) through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus! TORAH DOES NOT MEAN LAW Because there is no proper corresponding word in Greek or English for the Hebrew word, TORAH, it is commonly translated as "law." Law implies a set of do’s and don’ts intended to imprison people when they are broken. However, the G-d of Israel gave the Hebrew language to communicate His spiritual truths. In fact, the G-d of Israel calls Hebrew a pure language (Zephaniah 3:9). This truth is beautifully understood when we do a Biblical word study of the Hebrew word, TORAH. THE TORAH IS G-D’S INSTRUCTION MANUAL The word Torah, which is the Strong’s word 8451 in the Hebrew dictionary, comes from the Hebrew word, "Yarah." The Hebrew word, "Yarah" is the Strong’s word 3384. The meaning of the word, "Yarah" is "to teach, to point out as aiming the finger, to lay a foundation." By examining the Hebrew meaning of the word, TORAH, we can understand that the word Torah means, "to instruct, to teach, to point out as aiming the finger, to lay a foundation." So, the Torah should be correctly seen as the G-d of Israel’s INSTRUCTION tool to TEACH His people HOW to live their lives AFTER they are saved/redeemed/delivered. The TORAH should be seen as a foundation for our lives and a foundation for understanding the entire Bible. Therefore, the most basic understanding of the meaning of Torah is "instruction for the purpose of teaching done by pointing out or aiming the finger." The G-d of Israel’s purpose in giving the Torah to His people is to "lay a foundation" and to communicate His spiritual truths to His people regarding the principles of the Kingdom of Heaven (Malkut Shamayim) and His redemptive plan for all of mankind. While members from the house of Judah (Judaism) and from the house of Israel (Christianity) who are saved by the grace/mercy (chesed) of the G-d of Israel through faith (emunah) in the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus without the deeds of the law will go to heaven (olam haba), salvation/redemption/deliverance by the G-d of Israel by his grace/mercy (chesed) does not give His people the freedom to neglect the TORAH of the G-d of Israel because the TORAH is the G-d of Israel’s INSTRUCTION MANUAL for members of His body to conduct and live their lives in obedience (shema) to the G-d of Israel AFTER they are saved/redeemed/delivered. G-D’S TORAH IS FROM GENESIS TO REVELATION EVERYTHING in the Bible was divinely ordained by the G-d of Israel to teach or instruct His people about the spiritual truths of His Kingdom. In Romans 15:4 it is written: " ALL Scripture is divinely inspired by the G-d of Israel. In II Timothy 3:16 it is written: " It should be understood that when the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha’ul) wrote this letter and made the statement that "ALL Scripture is given by inspiration of God," he was talking about the TeNaKh (Old Testament) INCLUDING the TORAH. The Brit Hadashah (New Testament) was not yet canonized when the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha’ul) wrote this letter. G-D’S TORAH IS THE WORD OF G-D The G-d of Israel’s Torah is His Word. The "Torah" and the "Word of G-d" are synonymous terms in the Bible. Most members from the house of Israel (Christianity) view the "TORAH" as the first five books of the Bible but "The Word of God" as the entire Bible from Genesis (Bereishit) to Revelation. However, in Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 2:3, we see an example where the Torah and the Word of God are used interchangeably as it is written: " In this verse, we can see an example of Hebrew parallelism. "Out of Zion shall go forth the Torah" is the same as "The Word of the Lord from Jerusalem." Therefore, from this example, we can see that the Torah and the Word of the L-rd are used synonymously in the Bible. Another example where we can see the word TORAH used interchangeably with the WORD OF THE LORD is in Psalm 119. In Psalm (Tehillim) 119:97 it is written: " In Psalm (Tehillim) 119:105 it is written: " Once again, we can see from the example in Psalm (Tehillim) 119 that in one verse, David refers to the TORAH and in verses following he refers to the WORD OF GOD. Therefore, in a strict interpretation of the meaning of the word, TORAH, the Torah is the first five books of the Bible. However, in a broad sense, everything in the Bible from Genesis (Bereishit) to Revelation should be seen as the G-d of Israel’s TORAH or instruction to His people. WHAT WAS THE TREE OF LIFE When the G-d of Israel created Adam and Eve (Chavah), He placed them in the Garden of Eden (Gan Eden). In the middle of the Garden of Eden (Gan Eden) was the "Tree of Life." (Genesis [Bereishit] 2:9). What was the tree of life (etz chayim) that the G-d of Israel planted in the middle of the Garden of Eden (Gan Eden)? The Tree of Life (etz chayim) is the Torah! In Proverbs (Mishlei) 3:1, 18 it is written: " THE TORAH IS MORE DESIRED THAN FINE GOLD The G-d of Israel said that His Torah is to be more desired than fine gold. In Psalm (Tehillim) 19:7-8, 10 it is written: " THE TORAH IS THE TREE OF LIFE Those members of the family (mishpochah) of the G-d of Israel who delight in the TORAH of the G-d of Israel and meditate in His TORAH day and night are like a tree planted by the rivers of water. In Psalm (Tehillim) 1:1-3 it is written: " In these verses we can see that a member of the family of the G-d of Israel who delights himself in the TORAH of the L-rd and meditates day and night in the TORAH is like a tree planted by the rivers of water. In Revelation 22:1-2, the tree planted by the rivers of water is the tree of life as it is written: " Furthermore, the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus told the members of His body that those who DO His commandments (Torah) will have right to the tree of life. In Revelation 22:14 it is written: " THE PAGES OF THE TORAH SCROLL In Revelation 22:2, we are told that the LEAVES of the tree of life (Torah) are for the healing of the nations. The pages of the Torah scroll are called leaves. An example of pages of a scroll being called leaves can be found in Jeremiah (Yermiyahu) 36:21, 23 it is written: " Therefore, from these scripture verses we can understand the following:
ABRAHAM: THE FATHER OF OUR FAITH In Romans 4:16, Abraham (Avraham) is called the father of our faith (emunah). Why did the G-d of Israel choose Abraham (Avraham) and why is Abraham (Avraham) called the father of our faith (emunah)? The G-d of Israel chose Abraham (Avraham) because G-d knew that Abraham (Avraham) would teach his children the Torah of the G-d of Israel. In Genesis (Bereishit) 18:18-19 it is written: " Abraham (Avraham) kept the Torah of the G-d of Israel. In Genesis (Bereishit) 26:5 it is written: " WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE TORAH? Listed below are seven purposes of the Torah of the G-d of Israel. They are as follows:
TORAH MEANS A FOUNDATION As mentioned earlier in this chapter, Torah comes from the Hebrew word, "Yarah" which means "to lay a foundation." The prophets (Nevi’im) and writings (Ketuvim) build upon that foundation. Spiritually, the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus is the LIVING TORAH and the G-d of Israel’s FIRM FOUNDATION to all that believe upon Him. In Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 28:16 it is written: " The firm foundation and chief cornerstone of the G-d of Israel’s Kingdom is the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. He is the living Torah. This foundation is built upon by the prophets (Nevi’im) and apostles. In Ephesians 2:19-20 it is written: " WHAT METHOD DID G-D USE The G-d of Israel gave us the understanding of the ways of His Kingdom in the form of spiritual pictures, blueprints or shadows. In other words, the literal or natural world (peshat) was given to communicate the spiritual world (sod). Therefore, the G-d of Israel spoke His Torah to His people through different mechanisms including:
The Torah of the G-d of Israel was given in the form of parables, deep sayings and spiritual blueprints, so that His Word would be fulfilled concerning the righteous (tzaddikim) and the wicked. Those who would obey (shema) the greatest commandment (Deuteronomy [Devarim] 6:4-9, Mark 12:28-31) in Spirit and in truth (John [Yochanan] 4:24) would know and understand the ways of the G-d of Israel. However, the wicked would consider the things of the G-d of Israel as foolishness (I Corinthians 2:14). THE FOUR LEVELS OF UNDERSTANDING
HOW DO WE GROW The G-d of Israel supernaturally begins to reveal Himself and the principles of His Kingdom whenever we obey (shema) the greatest commandment to love the G-d of Israel with all our heart, mind, soul and strength. (Deuteronomy [Devarim] 6:4-5, Mark 12:28-31) By obeying the greatest commandment, the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) will lead us so that we can grow into spiritual maturity (tamim). This spiritual growth is designed by the G-d of Israel to be in a step by step fashion, building upon the foundation of the Torah. In Isaiah (Yeshayahu) 28:9-10, it is written: " It is the desire of the G-d of Israel that after we are saved/redeemed/delivered by His grace/mercy (chesed) through faith (emunah) that we grow in the knowledge (da’at) and understanding (binah) of the ways of His Kingdom "line upon line" and "precept upon precept." In doing so, the G-d of Israel desires that we grow from spiritual babies to spiritual maturity (tamim). In Hebrews 5:12-14 it is written: " WHAT IS THE NEW COVENANT? Most members from the house of Israel (Christianity) associate the Old Testament (the Biblical name is TeNaKh - Torah, Prophets [Nevi’im], and Writings [Ketuvim — Luke 24:44]) with the Torah, but they do not associate the New Testament (Brit Hadashah) with the Torah. At the same time, most members from the house of Israel (Christianity) fail to realize that the BIBLE tells us that the New Testament (Brit Hadashah) is TORAH based !!
THE NEW COVENANT IS TORAH BASED The New Covenant (Brit Hadashah) is Torah based. In Jeremiah (Yermiyahu) 31:31, 33, it is written: " The book of Hebrews confirms that the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) is a witness that the New Covenant (Brit Hadashah) is the TORAH written upon our hearts. In Hebrews 10:15-16 it is written: " G-D DID NOT DO AWAY WITH THE LAW Why was the New Covenant (Brit Hadashah) necessary? Did the G-d of Israel find fault with His Torah? NO !! The G-d of Israel could not find fault with His Torah because He is the giver of the Torah. Therefore, if the G-d of Israel found fault with His Torah, He would have to find fault with Himself. So, what did the G-d of Israel need to change when He ushered in the New Covenant (Brit Hadashah)? The G-d of Israel didn’t want to change His Torah because His Torah is a Tree of Life (etz chayim) and the Torah is eternal. However, the G-d of Israel desired to change the HEARTS of His people. We can understand this truth in Hebrews 8:7-8 as it is written: " Therefore, the G-d of Israel did not find fault with the Torah that HE gave at mount Sinai. However, He did find fault with the HEARTS of the people who received His Torah! WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN Because most members from the house of Israel (Christianity) believe that the G-d of Israel did away with His Torah after the death and resurrection of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus, they do not understand the difference between the older and newer covenant (Brit Hadashah). Most members from the house of Israel (Christianity) believe that the G-d of Israel found fault with the TORAH given at mount Sinai and for this reason the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus needed to come at His first coming as the suffering Messiah (Mashiach) known as Messiah ben Joseph (Yosef). However, as stated earlier, since the G-d of Israel was the giver of the Torah at mount Sinai, if the G-d of Israel found fault with the Torah then He would have to find fault with Himself. By understanding that BOTH the older covenant and the newer covenant (Brit Hadashah) is Torah based, we can understand that the G-d of Israel found fault with the RECEIVERS of the Torah and the HEARTS of the children of Israel. So, if both the older covenant and the newer covenant (Brit Hadashah) is Torah based, what is the difference between the two covenants?
The problem with the First Covenant was the HEARTS of the PEOPLE who RECEIVED the Torah, NOT THE TORAH! THE OLDER COVENANT WAS THE TORAH When the G-d of Israel gives His Torah/Word, the target/destination of His Torah/Word is the human heart. The older covenant was written on a heart (tablets) of stone. Therefore, the G-d of Israel desired to bring forth a newer (renewed) covenant (Brit Hadashah) so that His Torah could be written upon a heart of flesh. We can understand this truth in Ezekiel (Yechezekel) 36:26-27 as it is written: " WHAT IS A STONY HEART? The Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus explained to us the characteristics of a stony heart in the parable known as the parable of the sower. In Mark 4:3-6 it is written: " In Mark 4:14-17, the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus explains the parable and the meaning of the stony ground (heart) as it is written: " Therefore, what are the characteristics of a stony heart according to the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus?
THE CHILDREN OF ISRAEL RECEIVED When the G-d of Israel gave His Torah to the children of Israel through Moses (Moshe) at mount Sinai, they heard the Torah/Word and received it with gladness (Mark 4:16). In Exodus (Shemot) 24:3 it is written: " The joy and gladness of the hearts of the children of Israel to receive and obey the Word/Torah of the G-d of Israel is seen in a greater dimension by understanding the Hebrew meaning of the phrase, "All the words which the Lord has said will we do." In Hebrew the phrase reads, "Na’aseh v’Nishmah," which means, "We agree to do even before we have heard/listened !!" The heart of the children of Israel was so eager to please the G-d of Israel that when the G-d of Israel said "Will you ..." the people said, YES! even before they heard/knew what the G-d of Israel was going to request of them. This should be the ATTITUDE of every member from the house of Israel (Christianity) and the house of Judah (Judaism)!! What the children of Israel lacked was the POWER of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) to fulfill their initial conviction to love and serve the G-d of Israel with all their heart, mind, soul and strength. In Mark 4:17, the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus taught that a stony heart becomes offended by affliction and persecution. This is exactly what happened to the children of Israel in the wilderness. Time after time they were tempted in the wilderness and became offended by their trials and tribulations and desired to return to Egypt (Mitzrayim). When the twelve spies were sent to explore the land of Canaan, ten spies came back with an evil report that the children of Israel were not able to take the land of Canaan even though the G-d of Israel promised Abraham (Avraham) that He would give the descendents of Abraham (Avraham) the land of Canaan as their eternal inheritance. Therefore, the ten spies and those who believed their evil report became offended at the promise of the G-d of Israel to Abraham (Avraham) and desired to return to Egypt (Mitzrayim). In Numbers (Bamidbar) 14:1-4 it is written: " This is the characteristic of a stony heart. The children of Israel received the Torah of the G-d of Israel with gladness (Exodus [Shemot] 24:3), however, when they encountered the trials and tribulations of the wilderness and they viewed with their natural eyes the giants in the land of Canaan, they became offended by the promise of the G-d of Israel to Abraham (Avraham) and desired to return to Egypt (Mitzrayim). A stony heart rejects the Torah/Word of the G-d of Israel. In Zechariah (Zecharyah) 7:11-12 it is written: " The Ten Commandments were written on tablets (hearts) of stone (Exodus [Shemot] 24:12, 31:18, Deuteronomy [Devarim] 4:13-14, 5:22, 9:10-11). A HEART OF STONE CANNOT OVERCOME
THE FLESH A stony heart exemplifies the characteristics of our sin nature (evil inclination) inherited from Adam and rejects the TORAH/Word of the G-d of Israel. The newer (renewed) covenant (Brit Hadashah) was needed because in the older covenant the heart of stone could not overcome the sin nature of the flesh (evil inclination). The problem in the older covenant was not the Torah because the Torah is the tree of life! (etz chayim) Therefore, what the G-d of Israel wanted to do away with was a HEART OF STONE and NOT THE TORAH. The G-d of Israel desired to replace the Torah written upon a heart of stone with the Torah written upon a heart of flesh. The G-d of Israel wanted to do this by putting His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) within us so that we would have HIS POWER to live our lives and follow our good inclinations rather than our evil inclinations. In doing this, the G-d of Israel desired to change the HEARTS of His people not His Torah because His Torah is eternal! WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN The Torah given at mount Sinai was written upon a heart (tablets) of stone. A heart of stone does not have the power to overcome the flesh (evil inclination). The newer (renewed) covenant (Brit Hadashah) is the Torah written upon a heart of flesh. A heart of flesh has the power to overcome the desires of the flesh and our sin nature (evil inclination). The difference between a heart of stone (which cannot overcome our sin nature [evil inclination]) and a heart of flesh (which can overcome the desires of our sin nature (evil inclination) by the power of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) dwelling in our hearts) is the message that the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha’ul) is trying to communicate to us in Romans 8:2-10 as it is written: " The difference between the older covenant (which is the Torah written upon a heart of stone) and the newer (renewed) covenant (which is the Torah written upon a heart of flesh) is the difference between two natures within us (our good inclination and our evil inclination). The Torah written upon a heart of stone is the nature of the flesh (evil inclination). The Torah written upon a heart of flesh follows after the nature of the Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) of the G-d of Israel (good inclination). This is the message being communicated by the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha’ul) in Galatians 4:22-26, 29 as it is written: " In Romans 7, the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha’ul) tells us that the Torah is holy and the commandments are holy, just, good, and spiritual. He also tells us that the Torah bears fruit after the INWARD man. In Romans 7:12,14, 22 it is written: " WHAT IS THE PURPOSE OF THE NEWER COVENANT? The newer (renewed) covenant is the TORAH written upon a heart of flesh (Jeremiah [Yermiyahu] 31:33). This would be accomplished by the G-d of Israel putting His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) within us so that His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) can teach G-d’s people how to walk in the ways of the G-d of Israel, keep His Torah and be obedient (shema) to His commandments. In Ezekiel (Yechezekel) 11:19-20 it is written: " A stony heart brings death but a heart of flesh brings life. This is what the Apostle Paul (Rav Sha’ul) was talking about in 2 Corinthians 3:3, 6 as it is written: " WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT
G-D’S POWER TWINS ARE HIS TORAH In this chapter, we studied the G-d of Israel’s power twins. The G-d of Israel’s power twins is His Torah and His grace/mercy (chesed). Corporately speaking, the house of Judah (Judaism) mainly identifies with the G-d of Israel as being the G-d who gave the Torah (matan Torah) to His people. Meanwhile, the house of Israel (Christianity) mainly identifies with the G-d of Israel as being a G-d of grace/mercy through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. In order for restoration to come to the house of Judah (Judaism), they need to Biblically understand that the G-d of Israel has expressed His grace/mercy to His people through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus. In receiving the grace/mercy (chesed) expressed by the G-d of Israel through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus, the house of Judah (Judaism) needs to maintain their identity with the Torah and keep the commandments of the G-d of Israel. In order for restoration to come to the house of Israel (Christianity), they need to realize that dispensational theology which teaches that before the death and resurrection of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus was the age of law and after the death and resurrection of the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus is the age of grace is unbiblical. In this chapter, we learned that the G-d of Israel has always been a G-d of grace/mercy (chesed) from Genesis (Bereishit) to Revelation. We also learned that the New (renewed) Covenant (Brit Hadashah) is the Torah written upon a heart of flesh by the power of the indwelling Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh). Furthermore, we learned that the Torah and the Word of G-d are synonymous terms and that the G-d of Israel’s Torah/Word is a tree of life and is ETERNAL. The house of Israel (Christianity) needs to embrace the Torah of the G-d of Israel while being led by the indwelling Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodah) following the Torah in Spirit, in truth and in love. When the house of Judah (Judaism) and the house of Israel (Christianity) embraces the Torah AND the grace/mercy (chesed) of the G-d of Israel expressed through the Jewish Messiah (Mashiach) Yeshua/Jesus, the G-d of Israel can bring redemption, restoration, reconciliation and unity to both houses of Israel through the outpouring of His Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh) upon His people. May the G-d of Israel bring this redemption, restoration, reconciliation and unity to both houses of Israel speedily in our days. Amen!
Continue to Chapter 4
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What the Rabbis Teach about the Ten Lost Tribes Vol 1
The Northern Kingdom (Ephraim) and the Southern Kingdom (Judah) differed both politically and religiously. They have never been united since the split between them following the days of Solomon. The Northern Kingdom was taken captive by the Assyrians. Upon their captivity, the Ten Tribes have been assimilated and intermingled into the nations of the world. The intermarriage of the Assyrians and the descendents of the Northern Kingdom who lived in the land of Israel were known as Samaritans. The Jews and the Samaritans never got along with each other. Joseph being sold by his brothers foreshadows the dividing of the nation of Israel into Northern Kingdom and Southern Kingdom. Joseph's unification with His brothers foreshadows the unification of Ephraim and Judah in the end of days. Ezekiel lying on his side foreshadows the sin and punishment of the Northern Kingdom. The suffering of a righteous individual can atone for the sins of the nation of Israel. The suffering of Ezekiel foreshadows the suffering of the Messiah for His people. The Ten Tribes did not unite with Judah at the end of the Babylonian captivity during the days of Ezra and Nehemiah. Orthodox Jews pray three times a day for the ingathering of the exiles of Israel. The Ten Tribes will return to the land of Israel and be united with Judah at the dawn of the Messianic Era. It is the Messiah who will gather the exiles of Israel. |
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