Vayeshev - Reading #7

Vayeshev וַיֵּשֶׁב - And He Settled

Genesis 37:1 - 40:23

Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8

Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

Shabbat Reading #7 - Genesis Chapter 40

My Thoughts: 

Today’s reading is all about dreams. Dreams that are so important that they predict life and death for two people. We all dream, some of us remember them, some do not. The most important thing is that if you have a distinct dream that you pray about it. Ask Hashem to interpret it for you. If it is about someone you know, it may be He wants you to pray about it. It could be a warning, or a prophetic message. What I am trying to say is -- pay attention! Your dreams could really be important and affect your future and those around you!

Challenge: 

In order for Joseph to interpret the two dreams, he had to stand up and say that he could do it (with Hashem’s help), And he began simply by asking them why they were so sad. How many times do you see someone or know someone that looks sad and you don’t ask. Maybe it’s someone you know is going to complain. So, it’s easier to disregard them. I have done that. 

I remember my next door neighbor always wanting to talk to me. It was always when I was getting in or out of my car in some hurry. Sometimes I would listen but often I would just say a quick “hi” and go. One time she was out in her driveway and I felt like Hashem was telling me to go over and listen to her. So, I did. I listened to her and showed her I cared. I am so glad I did. Because right after that she dropped dead from a brain aneurysm. It was my last time to be nice to her. 

Today, if someone crossed your path that looks sad, ask them why? And listen. Take time to minister Hashem’s love to those around you. It’s very very important.

Shabbat Reading #7 - Genesis chapter 40

40 After these things, the butler of the king of Egypt and his baker offended their lord, the king of Egypt. 2 Pharaoh was angry with his two officers, the chief cup bearer and the chief baker. 3 He put them in custody in the house of the captain of the guard, into the prison, the place where Joseph was bound. 4 The captain of the guard assigned them to Joseph, and he took care of them. They stayed in prison many days. 5 They both dreamed a dream, each man his dream, in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the cup bearer and the baker of the king of Egypt, who were bound in the prison. 6 Joseph came in to them in the morning, and saw them, and saw that they were sad. 7 He asked Pharaoh’s officers who were with him in custody in his master’s house, saying, “Why do you look so sad today?”

8 They said to him, “We have dreamed a dream, and there is no one who can interpret it.”

Joseph said to them, “Don’t interpretations belong to Elohim? Please tell it to me.”

9 The chief cup bearer told his dream to Joseph, and said to him, “In my dream, behold, a vine was in front of me, 10 and in the vine were three branches. It was as though it budded, it blossomed, and its clusters produced ripe grapes. 11 Pharaoh’s cup was in my hand; and I took the grapes, and pressed them into Pharaoh’s cup, and I gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand.”

12 Joseph said to him, “This is its interpretation: the three branches are three days. 13 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head, and restore you to your office. You will give Pharaoh’s cup into his hand, the way you did when you were his cup bearer. 14 But remember me when it is well with you. Please show kindness to me, and make mention of me to Pharaoh, and bring me out of this house. 15 For indeed, I was stolen away out of the land of the Hebrews, and here also I have done nothing that they should put me into the dungeon.”

16 When the chief baker saw that the interpretation was good, he said to Joseph, “I also was in my dream, and behold, three baskets of white bread were on my head. 17 In the uppermost basket there were all kinds of baked food for Pharaoh, and the birds ate them out of the basket on my head.”

18 Joseph answered, “This is its interpretation. The three baskets are three days. 19 Within three more days, Pharaoh will lift up your head from off you, and will hang you on a tree; and the birds will eat your flesh from off you.” 20 On the third day, which was Pharaoh’s birthday, he made a feast for all his servants, and he lifted up the head of the chief cup bearer and the head of the chief baker among his servants. 21 He restored the chief cup bearer to his position again, and he gave the cup into Pharaoh’s hand; 22 but he hanged the chief baker, as Joseph had interpreted to them. 23 Yet the chief cup bearer didn’t remember Joseph, but forgot him.

THIS WEEK’S HAFTARAH:

My Thoughts: 

Today’s reading is about Hashem’s prophets. Some of you may believe that prophecy has ended long ago, that the only prophets are those written about in Scripture. Others may believe that Hashem speaks to man today. There are many “prophets'' that speak through the internet, through conferences and churches. How do we know that they have really heard from Hashem? Maybe look at their “fruit”. Research and see if their previous prophecies have come true -- or are coming true. Pray and ask Hashem if they are for real. I do think it is something we should pay attention to.

Challenge: 

Do you ever feel like Hashem has spoken something special to you? That He has a “word” for someone you know, or that He is asking you to do something special? My challenge to you today is to take a risk. Go forward and do what you think He says, see what happens. Or if it is something you are supposed to tell someone, do it. Just pray and see what happens. It could be very important and relevant. It could be a super blessing. I can tell you this, if you don’t go forward and it is from Hashem, you will regret it for the rest of your life.

Haftarah: Amos 2:6-3:8

2:6 Hashem says:

“For three transgressions of Israel, yes, for four, I will not turn away its punishment; because they have sold the righteous for silver, and the needy for a pair of sandals; 7 They trample on the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and deny justice to the oppressed; and a man and his father use the same maiden, to profane my holy name; 8 and they lay themselves down beside every altar on clothes taken in pledge; and in the house of their Elohim they drink the wine of those who have been fined.

9 Yet I destroyed the Amorite before them, whose height was like the height of the cedars, and he was strong as the oaks; yet I destroyed his fruit from above; and his roots from beneath. 10 Also I brought you up out of the land of Egypt, and led you forty years in the wilderness, to possess the land of the Amorite. 11 I raised up some of your sons for prophets, and some of your young men for Nazirites. Isn’t this true, you children of Israel?” says Hashem.

12 “But you gave the Nazirites wine to drink, and commanded the prophets, saying, ‘Don’t prophesy!’ 13 Behold, I will crush you in your place, as a cart crushes that is full of grain. 14 Flight will perish from the swift;

and the strong won’t strengthen his force; neither shall the mighty deliver himself; 15 neither shall he stand who handles the bow; and he who is swift of foot won’t escape; neither shall he who rides the horse deliver himself;

16 and he who is courageous among the mighty will flee away naked on that day,” says Hashem.

3 Hear this word that Hashem has spoken against you, children of Israel, against the whole family which I brought up out of the land of Egypt, saying: 2 “I have only chosen you of all the families of the earth. Therefore I will punish you for all of your sins.” 3 Do two walk together, unless they have agreed? 4 Will a lion roar in the thicket, when he has no prey?

Does a young lion cry out of his den, if he has caught nothing? 5 Can a bird fall in a trap on the earth, where no snare is set for him? Does a snare spring up from the ground, when there is nothing to catch? 6 Does the trumpet alarm sound in a city, without the people being afraid? Does evil happen to a city, and Hashem hasn’t done it?

7 Surely Hashem Adonai will do nothing, unless he reveals his secret to his servants the prophets, 8 The lion has roared. Who will not fear? Hashem Adonai has spoken. Who can but prophesy?

THIS WEEK’S APOSTOLIC SCRIPTURE:

My Thoughts: 

Today's readings are about dreams. Joseph has a life changing dream from Hashem. He is to accept Mary as his wife and not disregard her. And not only that but in his dream he is told that she will give birth to the Mashiach - the long prayed for Messiah. What an incredible blessing that must have been to him. I wonder if he had a hard time believing this was true? But, maybe his faith in Hashem was so strong he was willing to believe and to accept.

Challenge: 

How strong is your faith in Hashem? If He came to you in a dream or sent an angel to you and told you the Mashiach was returning would you believe Him? I think Joseph must have had incredible faith. Take some time today to think about your own faith. How can you make it stronger? Are you spending enough personal time with Hashem and getting to know Him and trust Him? Ask Him today to build your faith in Him -- confess your sins and admit you need help with this. Then when He shows Himself to you in some unique way -- you can believe it truly is Him!

Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 1:18-25

18 Now the birth of Yeshua HaMashiach was like this: After his mother, Mary, was engaged to Joseph, before they came together, she was found pregnant by the Holy Spirit. 19 Joseph, her husband, being a righteous man, and not willing to make her a public example, intended to put her away secretly. 20 But when he thought about these things, behold, an angel of Hashem appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, don’t be afraid to take to yourself Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21 She shall give birth to a son. You shall name Him Yeshua, for it is He who shall save his people from their sins.”

22 Now all this has happened that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Hashem through the prophet, saying,

23 “Behold, the virgin shall be with child,

    and shall give birth to a son.

They shall call His name Immanuel,”

    which is, being interpreted, “Elohim with us.”Isaiah 7:14

24 Joseph arose from his sleep, and did as the angel of Hashem commanded him, and took his wife to himself; 25 and didn’t know her sexually until she had given birth to her firstborn son. He named Him Yeshua.

Vayishlach - Reading #7

Vayishlach, וַיִּשְׁל - And He Sent

Genesis 32:4-36:43

Haftarah: Hosea 11:7-12:12, Obadiah 1:1-21

Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

Shabbat Reading #7 - Genesis 36:20–43

My Thoughts:

Here we have a history of Esau’s descendants, Kings and Chiefs. For some reason this history and particular names are important. In today's world we don’t pay much attention to ancestry or the recording of names and family trees (some people do). I tried to go back just to my grandparents and their parents -- and it took me years to find names and cities of birth. And quite honestly, because my great grandparents were in Poland, I have very little information about them. It has been impossible to get details. But, then we read the Torah and we see great detail given to names in ancestral lines. Maybe we should try to do this also. You can start today and record all the relatives -- by name -- that you know about. 

Challenge:

Today you can start making a family tree. Start with those you know. And start researching. Go to ancestry.com and sign up. It is worth every penny. And usually you can get a lot done in a month’s time. It is so important to do this for your children and your grandchildren. Our ancestors have interesting and some life-changing stories. It’s time you recorded them!

Reading #7 - Genesis 36:20–43

36:20 These are the sons of Seir the Horite, the inhabitants of the land: Lotan, Shobal, Zibeon, Anah, 21 Dishon, Ezer, and Dishan. These are the chiefs who came of the Horites, the children of Seir in the land of Edom. 22 The children of Lotan were Hori and Heman. Lotan’s sister was Timna. 23 These are the children of Shobal: Alvan, Manahath, Ebal, Shepho, and Onam. 24 These are the children of Zibeon: Aiah and Anah. This is Anah who found the hot springs in the wilderness, as he fed the donkeys of Zibeon his father. 25 These are the children of Anah: Dishon and Oholibamah, the daughter of Anah. 26 These are the children of Dishon: Hemdan, Eshban, Ithran, and Cheran. 27 These are the children of Ezer: Bilhan, Zaavan, and Akan. 28 These are the children of Dishan: Uz and Aran. 29 These are the chiefs who came of the Horites: chief Lotan, chief Shobal, chief Zibeon, chief Anah, 30 chief Dishon, chief Ezer, and chief Dishan. These are the chiefs who came of the Horites, according to their chiefs in the land of Seir.

31 These are the kings who reigned in the land of Edom, before any king reigned over the children of Israel. 32 Bela, the son of Beor, reigned in Edom. The name of his city was Dinhabah. 33 Bela died, and Jobab, the son of Zerah of Bozrah, reigned in his place. 34 Jobab died, and Husham of the land of the Temanites reigned in his place. 35 Husham died, and Hadad, the son of Bedad, who struck Midian in the field of Moab, reigned in his place. The name of his city was Avith. 36 Hadad died, and Samlah of Masrekah reigned in his place. 37 Samlah died, and Shaul of Rehoboth by the river, reigned in his place. 38 Shaul died, and Baal Hanan the son of Achbor reigned in his place. 39 Baal Hanan the son of Achbor died, and Hadar reigned in his place. The name of his city was Pau. His wife’s name was Mehetabel, the daughter of Matred, the daughter of Mezahab.

40 These are the names of the chiefs who came from Esau, according to their families, after their places, and by their names: chief Timna, chief Alvah, chief Jetheth, 41 chief Oholibamah, chief Elah, chief Pinon, 42 chief Kenaz, chief Teman, chief Mibzar, 43 chief Magdiel, and chief Iram. These are the chiefs of Edom, according to their habitations in the land of their possession. This is Esau, the father of the Edomites.

THIS WEEK’S HAFTARAH:

My Thoughts: 

In Obadiah 1:15 we read a fearful admonition, “For the day of Hashem is near all the nations! As you have done, it will be done to you. Your deeds will return upon your own head.” Nations and the people within them believe that they can cheat, kill and steal -- without repercussion. Simply not true. A nation may get away with sin for a while, but not for long. Every deceitful nation has been brought down throughout the centuries. Now the country I live in -- the United States of America -- is also in trouble. For almost 50 years we have legalized abortion and over 60 million babies have had their lives terminated in the womb. The womb is supposed to be the safest place in the world, now it is truly unsafe. There will be (and has been) a severe consequence from Hashem for what we have done. We have blood in our land and that is one of seven things that Hashem detests (Proverbs 6:16-19). Only sincere, heartfelt prayer and repentance will save us. Let’s begin this process today.

Challenge: 

Take a minute to reflect on what you have done to others that you most certainly would NOT like to be done to you. Write them down. Repent and make amends. If you are unable to make amends directly to the people you have hurt, then go to Hashem and do it through Him. Otherwise, be fearful for your “deeds will return upon your own head.” And that would be just awful. Let’s avoid that if we can.

Haftarah: Hosea 11:7-12:12, Obadiah 1:1-21

11:7 My people are determined to turn from Me.

    Though they call to the Most High,

    He certainly won’t exalt them.

8 “How can I give you up, Ephraim?

    How can I hand you over, Israel?

    How can I make you like Admah?

    How can I make you like Zeboiim?

My heart is turned within Me,

    My compassion is aroused.

9 I will not execute the fierceness of My anger.

    I will not return to destroy Ephraim:

    for I am Elohim, and not man; the Holy One among you;

    and I will not come in wrath.

10 They will walk after Hashem,

    who will roar like a lion;

    for he will roar, and the children will come trembling from the west.

11 They will come trembling like a bird out of Egypt,

    and like a dove out of the land of Assyria;

and I will settle them in their houses,” says Hashem.

12 Ephraim surrounds me with falsehood,

    and the house of Israel with deceit.

    Judah still strays from Elohim,

    and is unfaithful to the Holy One.

12:1 Ephraim feeds on wind,

    and chases the east wind.

    He continually multiplies lies and desolation.

    They make a covenant with Assyria,

    and oil is carried into Egypt.

2 Hashem also has a controversy with Judah,

    and will punish Jacob according to his ways;

    according to his deeds he will repay him.

3 In the womb he took his brother by the heel;

    and in his manhood he contended with Elohim.

4 Indeed, he struggled with the angel, and prevailed;

    he wept, and made supplication to him.

    He found him at Bethel, and there he spoke with us,

5     even Hashem, the Elohim of Armies;

    Hashem is His name of renown!

6 Therefore turn to your Elohim.

    Keep kindness and justice,

    and wait continually for your Elohim.

7 A merchant has dishonest scales in his hand.

    He loves to defraud.

8 Ephraim said, “Surely I have become rich,

    I have found myself wealth.

    In all my wealth they won’t find in me any iniquity that is sin.”

9 “But I am Hashem your Elohim from the land of Egypt.

    I will yet again make you dwell in tents,

    as in the days of the solemn feast.

10 I have also spoken to the prophets,

    and I have multiplied visions;

    and by the ministry of the prophets I have used parables.

11 If Gilead is wicked,

    surely they are worthless.

In Gilgal they sacrifice bulls.

    Indeed, their altars are like heaps in the furrows of the field.

12 Jacob fled into the country of Aram,

    and Israel served to get a wife,

    and for a wife he tended flocks and herds.

Obadiah 1:1-21

1:1 The vision of Obadiah. This is what Hashem Elohim says about Edom. We have heard news from Hashem, and an ambassador is sent among the nations, saying, “Arise, and let’s rise up against her in battle. 2 Behold, I have made you small among the nations. You are greatly despised. 3 The pride of your heart has deceived you, you who dwell in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high, who says in his heart, ‘Who will bring me down to the ground?’ 4 Though you mount on high as the eagle, and though your nest is set among the stars, I will bring you down from there,” says Yahweh. 5 “If thieves came to you, if robbers by night—oh, what disaster awaits you—wouldn’t they only steal until they had enough? If grape pickers came to you, wouldn’t they leave some gleaning grapes? 6 How Esau will be ransacked! How his hidden treasures are sought out! 7 All the men of your alliance have brought you on your way, even to the border. The men who were at peace with you have deceived you, and prevailed against you. Friends who eat your bread lay a snare under you. There is no understanding in him.”

8 “Won’t I in that day”, says Hashem, “destroy the wise men out of Edom, and understanding out of the mountain of Esau? 9 Your mighty men, Teman, will be dismayed, to the end that everyone may be cut off from the mountain of Esau by slaughter. 10 For the violence done to your brother Jacob, shame will cover you, and you will be cut off forever. 11 In the day that you stood on the other side, in the day that strangers carried away his substance, and foreigners entered into his gates, and cast lots for Jerusalem, even you were like one of them. 12 But don’t look down on your brother in the day of his disaster, and don’t rejoice over the children of Judah in the day of their destruction. Don’t speak proudly in the day of distress. 13 Don’t enter into the gate of my people in the day of their calamity. Don’t look down on their affliction in the day of their calamity, neither seize their wealth on the day of their calamity. 14 Don’t stand in the crossroads to cut off those of his who escape. Don’t deliver up those of his who remain in the day of distress. 15 For the day of Hashem is near all the nations! As you have done, it will be done to you. Your deeds will return upon your own head. 16 For as you have drunk on my holy mountain, so will all the nations drink continually. Yes, they will drink, swallow down, and will be as though they had not been. 17 But in Mount Zion, there will be those who escape, and it will be holy. The house of Jacob will possess their possessions. 18 The house of Jacob will be a fire, the house of Joseph a flame, and the house of Esau for stubble. They will burn among them, and devour them. There will not be any remaining to the house of Esau.” Indeed, Hashem has spoken.

19 Those of the South will possess the mountain of Esau, and those of the lowland, the Philistines. They will possess the field of Ephraim, and the field of Samaria. Benjamin will possess Gilead. 20 The captives of this army of the children of Israel, who are among the Canaanites, will possess even to Zarephath; and the captives of Jerusalem, who are in Sepharad, will possess the cities of the Negev. 21 Saviors will go up on Mount Zion to judge the mountains of Esau, and the kingdom will be Hashem’s.

THIS WEEK’S APOSTOLIC SCRIPTURE:

My Thoughts:

Dreams in this reading are very important. An angel warns Joseph to take his family into Egypt to avoid being killed. And another angel comes to him other times to direct their paths. I don’t know if we take our dreams as seriously as people in Scripture. Maybe we should. They say it is important to write your dream down as soon as you wake up. To have a pad of paper and pen, right by your bedside. You can forget a dream within minutes of waking up. It is important we write down our dreams that we know mean something. Pray and ask Hashem what they meant and ask for Scripture that might reveal and confirm them. It just may be Hashem is trying to tell you something very valuable, maybe even life saving!

Challenge:

Have you ever had an angel speak to you in a dream? Or has another person ever given you a “message” in a dream? I believe we are in a time of a special release of angels -- especially if the Mashiach is returning soon. Pay attention to those dreams, and ask Hashem to interpret them for you. It may change your life!

Apostolic Scripture: Matthew 2:13-23

13 Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of Hashem appeared to Joseph in a dream, saying, “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and stay there until I tell you, for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.”

14 He arose and took the young child and his mother by night and departed into Egypt, 15 and was there until the death of Herod, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Hashem through the prophet, saying, “Out of Egypt I called my son.” (Hosea 11:1)

16 Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked by the wise men, was exceedingly angry, and sent out and killed all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all the surrounding countryside, from two years old and under, according to the exact time which he had learned from the wise men. 17 Then that which was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet was fulfilled, saying,

18 “A voice was heard in Ramah,

    lamentation, weeping and great mourning,

Rachel weeping for her children;

    she wouldn’t be comforted,

    because they are no more.” (Jeremiah 31:15)

19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of Hashem appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, 20 “Arise and take the young child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel, for those who sought the young child’s life are dead.”

21 He arose and took the young child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. 22 But when he heard that Archelaus was reigning over Judea in the place of his father, Herod, he was afraid to go there. Being warned in a dream, he withdrew into the region of Galilee, 23 and came and lived in a city called Nazareth; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophets that he will be called a Nazarene.

Vayetze - Reading #7

Vayetze וַיֵּצֵא - And He Went Out

Genesis 28:10-32:3

Haftarah: Hosea 12:13-14:10

Apostolic Scripture: John 1:41-51

SHABBAT READING #7 - Genesis 31:43–32:3

My Thoughts: 

In Chapter 32 verses 1 and 2 we read, “Jacob went on his way, and the angels of Elohim met him. When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is Elohim’s army.” How amazing is this? Angels from the throne room of Elohim come to the earth to present themselves to Jacob. They are Hashem’s army! You hear stories from various wars in Israel, past and present, where angels presented themselves and protected Hashem’s people. 

Have you ever seen an angel? I believe I have seen a few, but can’t verify it. We seemed to have met an angel when we were picking up my sons at the airport in Chicago (they were flying in from South Korea to be adopted by our family). We had gotten lost in the airport and a woman came up to us and helped us find our way. When we got in the right direction we turned around and she had disappeared. I could name a few other times too! Have you ever seen or felt like you had seen an angel?

Challenge: 

Do you have a “Laban” relative in your life? One that kind of stressed you out? Do you respect him/her or do you disrespect them? Do you take time to listen and be patient with this relative or are you impatient and contentious with them? Take time to think how you can be like Jacob and work through your issue. Be determined to have peace in your relationship and not turmoil. Remember to respect your elders whether you think they are right or wrong. It is a commandment to love one another. Obey it. 

Reading #7 - Genesis 31:43–32:3

31:43 Laban answered Jacob, “The daughters are my daughters, the children are my children, the flocks are my flocks, and all that you see is mine! What can I do today to these my daughters, or to their children whom they have borne? 44 Now come, let’s make a covenant, you and I. Let it be for a witness between me and you.”

45 Jacob took a stone, and set it up for a pillar. 46 Jacob said to his relatives, “Gather stones.” They took stones, and made a heap. They ate there by the heap. 47 Laban called it Jegar Sahadutha, but Jacob called it Galeed. 48 Laban said, “This heap is witness between me and you today.” Therefore it was named Galeed 49 and Mizpah, for he said, “Hashem watch between me and you, when we are absent one from another. 50 If you afflict my daughters, or if you take wives in addition to my daughters, no man is with us; behold, Elohim is witness between me and you.” 51 Laban said to Jacob, “See this heap, and see the pillar, which I have set between me and you. 52 May this heap be a witness, and the pillar be a witness, that I will not pass over this heap to you, and that you will not pass over this heap and this pillar to me, for harm. 53 The Elohim of Abraham, and the Elohim of Nahor, the Elohim of their father, judge between us.” Then Jacob swore by the fear of his father, Isaac. 54 Jacob offered a sacrifice in the mountain, and called his relatives to eat bread. They ate bread, and stayed all night in the mountain. 55 Early in the morning, Laban rose up, and kissed his sons and his daughters, and blessed them. Laban departed and returned to his place.

32 Jacob went on his way, and the angels of Elohim met him. 2 When he saw them, Jacob said, “This is Elohim’s army.” He called the name of that place Mahanaim.

3 Jacob sent messengers in front of him to Esau, his brother, to the land of Seir, the field of Edom.

THIS WEEK’S HAFTARAH:

Hosea 12:13-14:9

My Thoughts: 

We read in verse 14:1 “Israel, return to Hashem your Elohim; for you have fallen because of your sin.” This message is a common thread throughout Scripture. Many times we read that Hashem is asking us to return to Him. So why don’t we? We try sometimes. But, if He is asking us to love Him with our whole heart, soul and strength - we must devote our entire selves to Him. We are in a time where there is no room for being “lukewarm”. He wants ALL of us. Return today, to Him. And never go back.

Challenge: 

Continuing in verse 14:2 we read, “Take words with you, and return to Hashem. Tell him, “Forgive all our sins,

and accept that which is good, so we offer our lips like bulls.” In order to return to Hashem, we must repent of our sins. That means we say we are sorry with all that we have and offer up the sacrifice of prayer and praise. I challenge you to do this today. Take a moment to get quiet, repent and return. Then praise Him. It will change your life - forever.

Hosea 12:13-14:9

13 By a prophet Hashem brought Israel up out of Egypt,

    and by a prophet he was preserved.

14 Ephraim has bitterly provoked anger.

    Therefore his blood will be left on him,

    and his Lord will repay his contempt.

13 When Ephraim spoke, there was trembling.

He exalted himself in Israel,

    but when he became guilty in Baal, he died.

2 Now they sin more and more,

    and have made themselves molten images of their silver,

    even idols according to their own understanding,

    all of them the work of the craftsmen.

    They say of them, ‘They offer human sacrifice and kiss the calves.’

3 Therefore they will be like the morning mist,

    and like the dew that passes away early,

    like the chaff that is driven with the whirlwind out of the threshing floor,

    and like the smoke out of the chimney.

4 “Yet I am Hashem your Elohim from the land of Egypt;

    and you shall acknowledge no god but Me,

    and besides Me there is no savior.

5 I knew you in the wilderness,

    in the land of great drought.

6 According to their pasture, so were they filled;

    they were filled, and their heart was exalted.

    Therefore they have forgotten Me.

7 Therefore I am like a lion to them.

    Like a leopard, I will lurk by the path.

8 I will meet them like a bear that is bereaved of her cubs,

    and will tear the covering of their heart.

    There I will devour them like a lioness.

    The wild animal will tear them.

9 You are destroyed, Israel, because you are against Me,

    against your help.

10 Where is your king now, that he may save you in all your cities?

    And your judges, of whom you said, ‘Give me a king and princes’?

11 I have given you a king in my anger,

    and have taken him away in my wrath.

12 The guilt of Ephraim is stored up.

    His sin is stored up.

13 The sorrows of a travailing woman will come on him.

    He is an unwise son;

    for when it is time, he doesn’t come to the opening of the womb.

14 I will ransom them from the power of Sheol.

    I will redeem them from death!

    Death, where are your plagues?

    Sheol, where is your destruction?

“Compassion will be hidden from my eyes.

15     Though he is fruitful among his brothers, an east wind will come,

    the breath of Hashem coming up from the wilderness;

    and his spring will become dry,

    and his fountain will be dried up.

    He will plunder the storehouse of treasure.

16 Samaria will bear her guilt;

    for she has rebelled against her Elohim.

    They will fall by the sword.

    Their infants will be dashed in pieces,

    and their pregnant women will be ripped open.”

14 Israel, return to Hashem your Elohim;

    for you have fallen because of your sin.

2 Take words with you, and return to Hashem.

    Tell him, “Forgive all our sins,

    and accept that which is good:

    so we offer our lips like bulls.

3 Assyria can’t save us.

    We won’t ride on horses;

    neither will we say any more to the work of our hands, ‘Our gods!’

    for in you the fatherless finds mercy.”

4 “I will heal their waywardness.

    I will love them freely;

    for my anger is turned away from him.

5 I will be like the dew to Israel.

    He will blossom like the lily,

    and send down his roots like Lebanon.

6 His branches will spread,

    and his beauty will be like the olive tree,

    and his fragrance like Lebanon.

7 Men will dwell in his shade.

    They will revive like the grain,

    and blossom like the vine.

    Their fragrance will be like the wine of Lebanon.

8 Ephraim, what have I to do any more with idols?

    I answer, and will take care of him.

    I am like a green cypress tree;

    from me your fruit is found.”

9 Who is wise, that he may understand these things?

    Who is prudent, that he may know them?

    For the ways of Hashem are right,

    and the righteous walk in them;

    But the rebellious stumble in them.

THIS WEEK’S APOSTOLIC SCRIPTURE:

John 1:41-51

My Thoughts:

Yeshua said to Nathanael “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.” How powerful is this? Yeshua “saw” him. And He sees us too! Sometimes we feel like we are invisible to Hashem, but I believe we are not. We serve an infinite, omnipresent Elohim - He can be anywhere at any time. So - He does see us! Now this should be pretty amazing. It means we are never alone and we can depend on Him. Even if we are in a bad or distressing situation - Hashem is working on it for us. He can turn the worst thing into the best. Only if we let Him.

Challenge:

How can there be no “deceit” in Yeshua? Maybe because He is the exact representation of Hashem. He is perfect. I am convinced that Hashem sent His emanation Yeshua, so that we could better understand Hashem! If Yeshua totally represents Hashem - then it helps us to become more familiar and acquainted with the Holy One. Maybe now we have a better understanding of how Hashem loves and cares for us? Think about this today. Yeshua always points to Hashem. He wants us to know our Elohim better. So, let’s try to do that.

John 1:41-51

1:41 He first found his own brother, Simon, and said to him, “We have found the Messiah!” (which is, being interpreted, Christ). 42 He brought him to Yeshua. Yeshua looked at him, and said, “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is by interpretation, Peter). 43 On the next day, he was determined to go out into Galilee, and he found Philip. Jesus said to him, “Follow me.” 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, of the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael, and said to him, “We have found him, of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets, wrote: Yeshua of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.”

46 Nathanael said to him, “Can any good thing come out of Nazareth?”

Philip said to him, “Come and see.”

47 Yeshua saw Nathanael coming to him, and said about him, “Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!”

48 Nathanael said to him, “How do you know me?”

Yeshua answered him, “Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”

49 Nathanael answered him, “Rabbi, you are the Son of Elohim! You are King of Israel!”

50.  Yeshua answered him, “Because I told you, ‘I saw you underneath the fig tree,’ do you believe? You will see greater things than these!” 51 He said to him, “Most certainly, I tell you all, hereafter you will see heaven opened, and the angels of Elohim ascending and descending on the Son of Man.”