Thursday, August 8, 2024

Devarim - Reading #5

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words

Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22


Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 2:2–30


My Thoughts:


Today we read about “specifics”. Where to go and what to do. Do not attack but be willing to pay for food and water. And the reasons why. And then there is this huge promise in verse 25, “Today I will begin to put the dread of you and the fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole sky, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.” It’s like Hashem is taking care of EVERYTHING. He is giving very detailed instructions for travel and then He says the people will be fearful of them because Hashem will make it known and so. I don’t think He has ever stopped doing this. He prepares the way for all of us and shields us from the enemy. But there is a contingency in all of this. We must follow and obey Him and His Torah. We must serve Him and Him only. We must love Him with all our hearts, soul and strength. Then and only then are His promises fulfilled.


Challenge:


If we follow and obey then verse 7 will come to fruition, “For Hashem your Elohim has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has known your walking through this great wilderness. These forty years, Hashem your Elohim has been with you. You have lacked nothing.” He will bless all you do. He will walk with you. And you will lack nothing. My challenge to you is to make sure this happens. Change your life to follow only Him. And serve only Him. Then you will no longer be walking alone. You will have the comfort and protection of Hashem your Father.


Reading #5 - Deuteronomy 2:2–30


2:2 Hashem spoke to me, saying, 3 “You have encircled this mountain long enough. Turn northward. 4 Command the people, saying, ‘You are to pass through the border of your brothers, the children of Esau, who dwell in Seir; and they will be afraid of you. Therefore be careful. 5 Don’t contend with them; for I will not give you any of their land, no, not so much as for the sole of the foot to tread on, because I have given Mount Seir to Esau for a possession. 6 You shall purchase food from them for money, that you may eat. You shall also buy water from them for money, that you may drink.’”


7 For Hashem your Elohim has blessed you in all the work of your hands. He has known your walking through this great wilderness. These forty years, Hashem your Elohim has been with you. You have lacked nothing.


8 So we passed by from our brothers, the children of Esau, who dwell in Seir, from the way of the Arabah from Elath and from Ezion Geber. We turned and passed by the way of the wilderness of Moab.


9 Hashem said to me, “Don’t bother Moab, neither contend with them in battle; for I will not give you any of his land for a possession, because I have given Ar to the children of Lot for a possession.”


10 (The Emim lived there before, a great and numerous people, and tall as the Anakim. 11 These also are considered to be Rephaim, as the Anakim; but the Moabites call them Emim. 12 The Horites also lived in Seir in the past, but the children of Esau succeeded them. They destroyed them from before them, and lived in their place, as Israel did to the land of his possession, which Hashem gave to them.)


13 “Now rise up, and cross over the brook Zered.” We went over the brook Zered.


14 The days in which we came from Kadesh Barnea until we had come over the brook Zered were thirty-eight years: until all the generation of the men of war were consumed from the middle of the camp, as Hashem swore to them. 15 Moreover Hashem’s hand was against them, to destroy them from the middle of the camp, until they were consumed. 16 So, when all the men of war were consumed and dead from among the people, 17 Hashem spoke to me, saying, 18 “You are to pass over Ar, the border of Moab, today. 19 When you come near the border of the children of Ammon, don’t bother them, nor contend with them; for I will not give you any of the land of the children of Ammon for a possession, because I have given it to the children of Lot for a possession.”


20 (That also is considered a land of Rephaim. Rephaim lived there in the past, but the Ammonites call them Zamzummim, 21 a great people, many, and tall, as the Anakim; but Hashem destroyed them from before Israel, and they succeeded them, and lived in their place; 22 as he did for the children of Esau who dwell in Seir, when he destroyed the Horites from before them; and they succeeded them, and lived in their place even to this day. 23 Then the Avvim, who lived in villages as far as Gaza: the Caphtorim, who came out of Caphtor, destroyed them and lived in their place.)


24 “Rise up, take your journey, and pass over the valley of the Arnon. Behold, I have given into your hand Sihon the Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land; begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle. 25 Today I will begin to put the dread of you and the fear of you on the peoples who are under the whole sky, who shall hear the report of you, and shall tremble and be in anguish because of you.”


26 I sent messengers out of the wilderness of Kedemoth to Sihon king of Heshbon with words of peace, saying, 27 “Let me pass through your land. I will go along by the highway. I will turn neither to the right hand nor to the left. 28 You shall sell me food for money, that I may eat; and give me water for money, that I may drink. Just let me pass through on my feet, 29 as the children of Esau who dwell in Seir, and the Moabites who dwell in Ar, did to me; until I pass over the Jordan into the land which Hashem our Elohim gives us.” 30 But Sihon king of Heshbon would not let us pass by him; for Hashem our Elohim hardened his spirit and made his heart obstinate, that he might deliver him into your hand, as it is today.


Wednesday, August 7, 2024

Devarim - Reading #4

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words

Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 1:39–2:1


My Thoughts:


Lessons to be learned. In verse 42 we read, “Don’t go up and don’t fight; for I am not among you, lest you be struck before your enemies.” How many times in your life have you clearly heard from Hashem (in whatever way He speaks to you) -- don’t do what you are thinking of doing! You kind of get that feeling in your belly like you are doing something wrong, but you do it anyway! With this group of Israelites that were learning about Hashem and how to follow Him, they clearly made this mistake. They try to make the first mistake right (that is being fearful and doubtful to enter the Land), by taking things into their own hands. It doesn’t work. Hashem doesn’t go with them into battle, and they are defeated. We must learn from this. Do not go into task, ministry, job, marriage, etc., unless Hashem has called you to do so. If He has called you then He will go with you. If He hasn’t -- well, you are on your own and will suffer consequences. 


Challenge:


Do how do we know when Hashem is “calling” or not “calling” us to do something? You learn by knowing His voice. Sometimes He can speak to you through other people. Sometimes through Scripture, Torah, or a thought in your mind. When He speaks there is peace and comfort. If you are hearing another “voice” it will usually bring you anxiousness or worry. My challenge to you today is to practice hearing the voice of Hashem. When you think you hear Him, test it out. Through experience and trial and error, you will eventually learn to hear Him pretty well. Start today. It will change your life. Remember He is the giver of eternal life and the good life here on earth. Amen!


Reading #4 - Deuteronomy 1:39–2:1


1:39 Moreover your little ones, whom you said would be captured or killed, your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, shall go in there. I will give it to them, and they shall possess it. 40 But as for you, turn, and take your journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea.”


41 Then you answered and said to me, “We have sinned against Hashem. We will go up and fight, according to all that Hashem our Elohim commanded us.” Every man of you put on his weapons of war, and presumed to go up into the hill country.


42 Hashem said to me, “Tell them, ‘Don’t go up and don’t fight; for I am not among you, lest you be struck before your enemies.’”


43 So I spoke to you, and you didn’t listen; but you rebelled against the commandment of Hashem, and were presumptuous, and went up into the hill country. 44 The Amorites, who lived in that hill country, came out against you and chased you as bees do, and beat you down in Seir, even to Hormah. 45 You returned and wept before Hashem; but Hashem didn’t listen to your voice, nor turn His ear to you. 46 So you stayed in Kadesh many days, according to the days that you remained.


2 Then we turned, and took our journey into the wilderness by the way to the Red Sea, as Hashem spoke to me; and we encircled Mount Seir many days.


Tuesday, August 6, 2024

Devarim - Reading #3

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words

Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 1:22–38


My Thoughts:


In verse 29 Hashem tells us not to be afraid when He sets us to a task. That “He goes before you”. What about this, don't we believe? He is true and trustworthy and all we need to do is trust in Him. I wonder why this is so hard. Even in my life today I feel like He has asked me to be involved in this huge pro-life project. We have to raise $250,000 to get a mobile medical unit on the road! It seems like so much money but for Him it is so small. We just have to be obedient and trust He will lead us to the right to people, and that He will move on people’s hearts. Amen! I just have to believe He is going before us!


Challenge:


Again the Israelites are scared and doubting why they left Egypt. Moses is retelling the story, and it is a story that has been told over the centuries! What we learn is that they left because Hashem called them and led them. He provided and saved them! He wants to get this message deep into our souls. He is the DELIVERER!


My challenge today to you is that you spend time thinking about this. If you are in a tough spot in life remember to pray, see His face and ask Him for deliverance. He is listening and He will work it out for you. Start praising Him for the results! Amen!


Reading #3 - Deuteronomy 1:22–38


1:22 You came near to me, everyone of you, and said, “Let’s send men before us, that they may search the land for us, and bring back to us word of the way by which we must go up, and the cities to which we shall come.”


23 The thing pleased me well. I took twelve of your men, one man for every tribe. 24 They turned and went up into the hill country, and came to the valley of Eshcol, and spied it out. 25 They took some of the fruit of the land in their hands and brought it down to us, and brought us word again, and said, “It is a good land which Hashem our Elohim gives to us.”


26 Yet you wouldn’t go up, but rebelled against the commandment of Hashem your Elohim. 27 You murmured in your tents, and said, “Because Hashem hated us, He has brought us out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites to destroy us. 28 Where are we going up? Our brothers have made our heart melt, saying, ‘The people are greater and taller than we. The cities are great and fortified up to the sky. Moreover we have seen the sons of the Anakim there!’”


29 Then I said to you, “Don’t be terrified. Don’t be afraid of them. 30 Hashem your Elohim, who goes before you, He will fight for you, according to all that He did for you in Egypt before your eyes, 31 and in the wilderness where you have seen how that Hashem your Elohim carried you, as a man carries his son, in all the way that you went, until you came to this place.”


32 Yet in this thing you didn’t believe Hashem your Elohim, 33 who went before you on the way, to seek out a place for you to pitch your tents in: in fire by night, to show you by what way you should go, and in the cloud by day. 34 Hashem heard the voice of your words and was angry, and swore, saying, 35 “Surely not one of these men of this evil generation shall see the good land which I swore to give to your fathers, 36 except Caleb the son of Jephunneh. He shall see it. I will give the land that he has trodden on to him and to his children, because he has wholly followed Hashem.”


37 Also Hashem was angry with me for your sakes, saying, “You also shall not go in there. 38 Joshua the son of Nun, who stands before you, shall go in there. Encourage him, for he shall cause Israel to inherit it.


Monday, August 5, 2024

Devarim - Reading #2

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words

Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 1:11–21


My Thoughts:


Moses delegated. He didn’t try to be some sort of dictator, instead I believe, He worked with a team. He picked leaders, who in turn picked leaders under them. They each worked with a portion of people so that it would never be overwhelming. The workload was shared. This was good for Moses, the leaders and the people. And it is how we should do things now. If you are in leadership I recommend that you start delegating. To not do so, could burn you out. And not only that but working as a team with others will expand your ministry/business and grow it. Other people can bring new ideas and fresh insight. This is how Moses did it, and it would be good for you to do it this way too! Amen.


Challenge:


In verse 21 we read, “Behold, Hashem our Elohim has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as Hashem our Elohim of your fathers has spoken to you. Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed.” When Hashem calls you to do something or go somewhere, you must believe He will equip you properly and will “accompany” you. If you place your trust in Him you do not have to fear or worry.  So, if you feel like Hashem is directing your path in a certain direction, have faith and go. Don’t be afraid or dismayed -- He is right there with you. If you allow this to happen, you will be so amazed and happy. It is so much better to include and follow Hashem in all you do. Renew this commitment to do so -- today! Amen.


Reading #2 - Deuteronomy 1:11–21


11 Hashem, the Elohim of your fathers, make you a thousand times as many as you are and bless you, as He has promised you! 12 How can I myself alone bear your problems, your burdens, and your strife? 13 Take wise men of understanding who are respected among your tribes, and I will make them heads over you.”


14 You answered me, and said, “The thing which you have spoken is good to do.” 15 So I took the heads of your tribes, wise and respected men, and made them heads over you, captains of thousands, captains of hundreds, captains of fifties, captains of tens, and officers, according to your tribes. 16 I commanded your judges at that time, saying, “Hear cases between your brothers and judge righteously between a man and his brother, and the foreigner who is living with him. 17 You shall not show partiality in judgment; you shall hear the small and the great alike. You shall not be afraid of the face of man, for the judgment is Adonai’s. The case that is too hard for you, you shall bring to me, and I will hear it.” 18 I commanded you at that time all the things which you should do. 19 We traveled from Horeb and went through all that great and terrible wilderness which you saw, by the way to the hill country of the Amorites, as Hashem our Elohim commanded us; and we came to Kadesh Barnea. 20 I said to you, “You have come to the hill country of the Amorites, which Hashem our Elohim gives to us. 21 Behold, Hashem our Elohim has set the land before you. Go up, take possession, as Hashem our Elohim of your fathers has spoken to you. Don’t be afraid, neither be dismayed.”


Sunday, August 4, 2024

Devarim - Reading #1

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words

Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22

Reading #1: Deuteronomy 1:1–10


My Thoughts:


Here is Moses at the end of a 40 year incredible, miraculous journey to the promised Land. He is talking to a new generation of people. They are the second generation that were delivered from Egypt. He reiterates the Law and it’s commandments and looks forward to this generation making “covenant” with Hashem. He made a promise to Abraham to give his descendants a promised Land - Israel. Now, hundreds of years later they are about to see that promise fulfilled. What faith the people of Elohim must have had waiting so long for this incredible promise to happen. Do we even have a tiny bit of that kind of faith?


Challenge:


Can you think of something going on in your life either now or in the past that required a lot of faith? How did you do during the waiting time? Was it difficult or did you rest in peace knowing Hashem would fulfill His promise to you? Or did you get impatient and try to make things happen yourself? This past year I have had to “wait” on Hashem to move in many different ways. I knew in my heart He would carry things out to completion, but I had to learn patience. Yes, I got impatient and even at times wondered if I really heard His voice. But, I can testify He has “showed” His hand to me several times this year -- even in miraculous ways. He has been faithful, even when I was not. If you are waiting for something -- try to be patient. Try to just thank Hashem for all He is doing and ask Him to help you to wait. He will and it will be so worth it. Amen.


Reading #1:  Deuteronomy 1:1-10


1:1 These are the words which Moses spoke to all Israel beyond the Jordan in the wilderness, in the Arabah opposite Suf, between Paran, Tophel, Laban, Hazeroth, and Dizahab. 2 It is eleven days’ journey from Horeb by the way of Mount Seir to Kadesh Barnea. 3 In the fortieth year, in the eleventh month, on the first day of the month, Moses spoke to the children of Israel according to all that Hashem had given him in commandment to them, 4 after he had struck Sihon the king of the Amorites who lived in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan who lived in Ashtaroth, at Edrei. 5 Beyond the Jordan, in the land of Moab, Moses began to declare this law, saying, 6 “Hashem our Elohim spoke to us in Horeb, saying, ‘You have lived long enough at this mountain. 7 Turn, and take your journey, and go to the hill country of the Amorites and to all the places near there: in the Arabah, in the hill country, in the lowland, in the South, by the seashore, in the land of the Canaanites, and in Lebanon as far as the great river, the river Euphrates. 8 Behold, I have set the land before you. Go in and possess the land which Hashem swore to your fathers—to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob—to give to them and to their offspring after them.’”


9 I spoke to you at that time, saying, “I am not able to bear you myself alone. 10 Hashem your Elohim has multiplied you, and behold, you are today as the stars of the sky for multitude.


Devarim - Week #1

Devarim דְּבָרִים - Words
Deuteronomy 1:1-3:22
Isaiah 1:1-27
Matthew 24:1-22

1.1 First reading — Deuteronomy 1:1–10
1.2 Second reading — Deuteronomy 1:11–21
1.3 Third reading — Deuteronomy 1:22–38
1.4 Fourth reading — Deuteronomy 1:39–2:1
1.5 Fifth reading — Deuteronomy 2:2–30
1.6 Sixth reading — Deuteronomy 2:31–3:14
1.7 Seventh reading — Deuteronomy 3:15–22

Saturday, August 3, 2024

MattotMassei - Reading #7

MATTOT/MASSEI


Numbers 30:2-36:13

Isaiah 66:1-24

Luke 13:1-9; Mark 11:12-23


Reading #7 - Numbers 35:9-36:13


My Thoughts:


We are finishing up the book of Numbers and Hashem is talking about murder and blood in the Land. In verse 35:33 we read, “‘So you shall not pollute the land where you live; for blood pollutes the land. No atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed in it, but by the blood of him who shed it.’” I equate this today to the sin of abortion. You may not agree with me but I feel strongly about this. Abortion is the taking of a life. Yes, there is forgiveness for anyone involved with this, as there is for other sins. Hashem does not like the innocent shedding of blood. He creates all life and abortion destroys life. In this verse He is saying there is no “atonement” for the land. This is frightening for our country. Over 65 million abortions (recorded) have been performed in the United States since abortion was made legal in 1973. That is more than the loss of lives in ALL WARS combined throughout history. It is time to take the Word of Hashem seriously. Do what you are able to help stop abortion in your community and state. At the least, please pray that abortion will end in our country, in the world and that Hashem would forgive us. 


Challenge:


Pray and search how you can become involved in the battle against abortion and the preservation of innocent lives. Most every city has a pro-life pregnancy center. Do an internet search and look up the pregnancy center in your community. Call them and ask them how you can help. Or if your time is limited -- give financially. There are national pro-life organizations you can support also. Take some time to research and then take action. Help to be a part of saving baby’s lives from being aborted. There are also organizations that help women (and men) who have suffered emotionally/spiritual from the affects of abortion. Go to: Rachel's Vineyard It is time to repair our world from this devastation.


Reading #7 - Numbers 35:9-36:13


35:9 Hashem spoke to Moses, saying, 10 “Speak to the children of Israel, and tell them, ‘When you pass over the Jordan into the land of Canaan, 11 then you shall appoint for yourselves cities to be cities of refuge for you, that the man slayer who kills any person unwittingly may flee there. 12 The cities shall be for your refuge from the avenger, that the man slayer not die until he stands before the congregation for judgment. 13 The cities which you shall give shall be for you six cities of refuge. 14 You shall give three cities beyond the Jordan, and you shall give three cities in the land of Canaan. They shall be cities of refuge. 15 These six cities shall be refuge for the children of Israel, for the stranger, and for the foreigner living among them, that everyone who kills any person unwittingly may flee there.


16 “‘But if he struck him with an instrument of iron, so that he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death. 17 If he struck him with a stone in the hand, by which a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death. 18 Or if he struck him with a weapon of wood in the hand, by which a man may die, and he died, he is a murderer. The murderer shall surely be put to death. 19 The avenger of blood shall himself put the murderer to death. When he meets him, he shall put him to death. 20 If he shoved him out of hatred, or hurled something at him while lying in wait, so that he died, 21 or in hostility struck him with his hand, so that he died, he who struck him shall surely be put to death. He is a murderer. The avenger of blood shall put the murderer to death when he meets him.


22 “‘But if he shoved him suddenly without hostility, or hurled on him anything without lying in wait, 23 or with any stone, by which a man may die, not seeing him, and cast it on him so that he died, and he was not his enemy and not seeking his harm, 24 then the congregation shall judge between the striker and the avenger of blood according to these ordinances. 25 The congregation shall deliver the man slayer out of the hand of the avenger of blood, and the congregation shall restore him to his city of refuge, where he had fled. He shall dwell therein until the death of the high priest, who was anointed with the holy oil.


26 “‘But if the man slayer shall at any time go beyond the border of his city of refuge where he flees, 27 and the avenger of blood finds him outside of the border of his city of refuge, and the avenger of blood kills the man slayer, he shall not be guilty of blood, 28 because he should have remained in his city of refuge until the death of the high priest. But after the death of the high priest, the man slayer shall return into the land of his possession.


29 “‘These things shall be for a statute and ordinance to you throughout your generations in all your dwellings.


30 “‘Whoever kills any person, the murderer shall be slain based on the testimony of witnesses; but one witness shall not testify alone against any person so that he dies.


31 “‘Moreover you shall take no ransom for the life of a murderer who is guilty of death. He shall surely be put to death.


32 “‘You shall take no ransom for him who has fled to his city of refuge, that he may come again to dwell in the land before the death of the priest.


33 “‘So you shall not pollute the land where you live; for blood pollutes the land. No atonement can be made for the land, for the blood that is shed in it, but by the blood of him who shed it. 34 You shall not defile the land which you inhabit, where I dwell; for I, Hashem, dwell among the children of Israel.’”


36:1 The heads of the fathers’ households of the family of the children of Gilead, the son of Machir, the son of Manasseh, of the families of the sons of Joseph, came near, and spoke before Moses and before the princes, the heads of the fathers’ households of the children of Israel. 2 They said, “Hashem commanded my lord to give the land for inheritance by lot to the children of Israel. My lord was commanded by Hashem to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother to his daughters. 3 If they are married to any of the sons of the other tribes of the children of Israel, then their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of our fathers, and will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they shall belong. So it will be taken away from the lot of our inheritance. 4 When the jubilee of the children of Israel comes, then their inheritance will be added to the inheritance of the tribe to which they shall belong. So their inheritance will be taken away from the inheritance of the tribe of our fathers.”


5 Moses commanded the children of Israel according to Hashem’s word, saying, “The tribe of the sons of Joseph speak what is right. 6 This is the thing which Hashem commands concerning the daughters of Zelophehad, saying, ‘Let them be married to whom they think best, only they shall marry into the family of the tribe of their father. 7 So shall no inheritance of the children of Israel move from tribe to tribe; for the children of Israel shall all keep the inheritance of the tribe of his fathers. 8 Every daughter who possesses an inheritance in any tribe of the children of Israel shall be wife to one of the family of the tribe of her father, that the children of Israel may each possess the inheritance of his fathers. 9 So shall no inheritance move from one tribe to another tribe; for the tribes of the children of Israel shall each keep his own inheritance.’”


10 The daughters of Zelophehad did as Hashem commanded Moses: 11 for Mahlah, Tirzah, Hoglah, Milcah, and Noah, the daughters of Zelophehad, were married to their father’s brothers’ sons. 12 They were married into the families of the sons of Manasseh the son of Joseph. Their inheritance remained in the tribe of the family of their father.


13 These are the commandments and the ordinances which Hashem commanded by Moses to the children of Israel in the plains of Moab by the Jordan at Jericho.


Haftarah


My Thoughts:


Hashem is not happy when we turn against Him. Verse 66:4  “Also will choose their delusions, and will bring their fears on them; because when I called, no one answered; when I spoke, they didn’t listen; but they did that which was evil in my eyes, and chose that in which I didn’t delight.” Imagine -- no one answered, no one listened. We can not be too condemning about this because I know there are times when we don’t listen to Hashem. Right? That has got to stop! We must listen and obey. As we do daily Torah readings we need to pay attention to what He is teaching us through His word and follow through with obedience. We do not want to be making choices in life in which He doesn’t “delight”. We want to delight Him with our prayers, worship and obedience. Amen.


Challenge:


In the end every knee will bow towards Hashem. In verse 23 we read, “It shall happen that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before Me,” says Hashem.” There won’t be any “choice” when this happens. We will ALL be worshiping the Creator. And interestingly enough, we will do it on the Rosh Chodesh and the Shabbat. Just like Torah commands. Torah is eternal. My challenge to you is to study it daily, learn and live it. It is life to you. It seeds in you His eternal life. 


Haftarah: Isaiah 66:1-24


66:1 Hashem says,


“Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool.

    What kind of house will you build to Me?

    Where will I rest?

2 For my hand has made all these things,

    and so all these things came to be,” says Hashem:

“but I will look to this man,

    even to he who is poor and of a contrite spirit,

    and who trembles at My word.

3 He who kills an ox is as he who kills a man;

    he who sacrifices a lamb, as he who breaks a dog’s neck;

    he who offers an offering, as he who offers pig’s blood;

    he who burns frankincense, as he who blesses an idol.

Yes, they have chosen their own ways,

    and their soul delights in their abominations:

4 I also will choose their delusions,

    and will bring their fears on them;

because when I called, no one answered;

    when I spoke, they didn’t listen;

but they did that which was evil in my eyes,

    and chose that in which I didn’t delight.”


5 Hear Hashem’s word,

    you who tremble at His word:

“Your brothers who hate you,

    who cast you out for my name’s sake, have said,

‘Let Hashem be glorified,

    that we may see your joy;’

    but it is those who shall be disappointed.

6 A voice of tumult from the city,

    a voice from the temple,

    a voice of Hashem that repays his enemies what they deserve.


7 “Before she travailed, she gave birth.

    Before her pain came, she delivered a son.

8 Who has heard of such a thing?

    Who has seen such things?

Shall a land be born in one day?

    Shall a nation be born at once?

For as soon as Zion travailed,

    she gave birth to her children.

9 Shall I bring to the birth, and not cause to be delivered?” says Hashem.

    “Shall I who cause to give birth shut the womb?” says your G-d.


10 “Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad for her, all you who love her.

    Rejoice for joy with her, all you who mourn over her;

11 that you may nurse and be satisfied at the comforting breasts;

    that you may drink deeply,

    and be delighted with the abundance of her glory.”


12 For Hashem says, “Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river,

    and the glory of the nations like an overflowing stream;

    and you will nurse.

You will be carried on her side,

    and will be dandled on her knees.

13 As one whom his mother comforts,

    so I will comfort you.

    You will be comforted in Jerusalem.”


14 You will see it, and your heart shall rejoice,

    and your bones will flourish like the tender grass.

Hashem’s hand will be known among his servants;

    and he will have indignation against his enemies.


15 For, behold, Hashem will come with fire,

    and His chariots will be like the whirlwind;

to render His anger with fierceness,

    and His rebuke with flames of fire.

16 For Hashem will execute judgment by fire and by his sword on all flesh;

    and those slain by Hashem will be many.


17 “Those who sanctify themselves and purify themselves to go to the gardens, behind one in the middle, eating pig’s meat, abominable things, and the mouse, they shall come to an end together,” says Hashem.


18 “For I know their works and their thoughts. The time comes that I will gather all nations and languages, and they will come, and will see My glory.


19 “I will set a sign among them, and I will send those who escape of them to the nations, to Tarshish, Pul, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to far-away islands, who have not heard My fame, nor have seen My glory; and they shall declare My glory among the nations. 20 They shall bring all your brothers out of all the nations for an offering to Hashem, on horses, in chariots, in litters, on mules, and on camels, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, says Hashem, as the children of Israel bring their offering in a clean vessel into Hashem’s house. 21 Of them I will also select priests and Levites,” says Hashem.


22 “For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before Me,” says Hashem, “so your offspring and your name shall remain. 23 It shall happen that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, all flesh will come to worship before Me,” says Hashem. 24 “They will go out, and look at the dead bodies of the men who have transgressed against Me; for their worm will not die, nor will their fire be quenched, and they will be loathsome to all mankind.”


Apostolic Scripture Reading


My Thoughts:


If we don’t repent we don’t live. In Luke 13:5 we read, “... unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.” In other words, there is no one special when it comes to sin. If we sin, we repent and make things right. If we don’t, we will perish. What a blessing that our Elohim is so forgiving. He gives us second chances. He loves us and we love Him. Amen.


Challenge:


In Mark 11:22-23 Yeshua says the most remarkable thing, “Have faith in Elohim. For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says.” Faith requires two things. Asking  (action) and believing. It’s sometimes not easy to have this, particularly if the situation is very serious. That’s when it’s good to have someone you trust with you when you ask (pray) to Hashem for help. And no matter how difficult the situation is, if you have faith He will answer you and help. Try it.


Luke 13:1-9


13:1 Now there were some present at the same time who told him about the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mixed with their sacrifices. 2 Yeshua answered them, “Do you think that these Galileans were worse sinners than all the other Galileans, because they suffered such things? 3 I tell you, no, but unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way. 4 Or those eighteen, on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them; do you think that they were worse offenders than all the men who dwell in Jerusalem? 5 I tell you, no, but, unless you repent, you will all perish in the same way.”


6 He spoke this parable. “A certain man had a fig tree planted in his vineyard, and he came seeking fruit on it, and found none. 7 He said to the vine dresser, ‘Behold, these three years I have come looking for fruit on this fig tree, and found none. Cut it down. Why does it waste the soil?’ 8 He answered, ‘Lord, leave it alone this year also, until I dig around it and fertilize it. 9 If it bears fruit, fine; but if not, after that, you can cut it down.’”


Mark 11:12-23


11:12 The next day, when they had come out from Bethany, He was hungry. 13 Seeing a fig tree afar off having leaves, He came to see if perhaps He might find anything on it. When He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 Yeshua told it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again!” and His disciples heard it.


15 They came to Jerusalem, and Yeshua entered into the temple, and began to throw out those who sold and those who bought in the Temple, and overthrew the money changers’ tables, and the seats of those who sold the doves. 16 He would not allow anyone to carry a container through the Temple. 17 He taught, saying to them, “Isn’t it written, ‘My house will be called a house of prayer for all the nations?  But you have made it a den of robbers!”


18 The chief priests and the scribes heard it, and sought how they might destroy Him. For they feared Him, because all the multitude was astonished at His teaching.


19 When evening came, He went out of the city. 20 As they passed by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered away from the roots. 21 Peter, remembering, said to him, “Rabbi, look! The fig tree which you cursed has withered away.”


22 Yeshua answered them, “Have faith in Elohim. 23 For most certainly I tell you, whoever may tell this mountain, ‘Be taken up and cast into the sea,’ and doesn’t doubt in his heart, but believes that what he says is happening; he shall have whatever he says.