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A Taste of Torah is a short, introduction to the weekly Torah readings from a Christian perspective. It is for any person who has interest in studying the Word of...
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A Taste of Torah is a short, introduction to the weekly Torah readings from a Christian perspective. It is for any person who has interest in studying the Word of God by reading through the first five books of the Bible. For those who would like to participate in the the full study each week, we encourage listeners to visit the ministry website at www.wordofencouragement.org and subscribe to our online class Sweetness of the Scroll.
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29 MAR 2024 · In this portion, Aarons and his sons, the priests receive instructions from Yahweh on how to bring the sacrifices before him for the people. It was important for them to follow the instructions so that the Tabernacle remained sacred space and the Presence of Yahweh could remain in the midst of Israel. Leviticus is the instructions given to Yahweh’s people on how to worship a holy God. We too can learn so much from this often neglected book, when we examine our own lives and worship. Do we live in a way that invites and celebrates the Presence of Yahweh in our lives? Or do we live as if His Presence is not important or valued or even worse do we participate in activities or behavior that cause His Presence to leave? There is much to consider in this portion as we enter a season of celebrating the most important event to our faith: the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, Yeshua. How do we celebrate and commemorate this? Do we celebrate in a way that is confirmed by scripture? or have we created our own traditions? Yahweh has done everything in His power to close the chasm that separated us from Him in the free gift of salvation through His son, Jesus Christ. Yeshua’s death and resurrection are the fulfillment of His promise back in the Garden. Yahweh thank you for keeping your covenant and for this great salvation in Yeshua. Blessed be your Name Forever and ever.
Resources: Here are links to Torah Portion commentaries written by Julie Parker. I read an excerpt from the commentary for the portion of Tzav that discussed the origins of Easter. She has many commentary articles on the syncretism of Christianity. Her research has shed lots of light on how early church fathers held anti-semtic views that ultimately affected doctrines adopted in early church history.
Sheepfold Gleanings
https://www.sheepfoldgleanings.com/leviticus
I did not have time to record some thoughts I had around Yeshua’s words to the churches in Asian Minor in the book of Revelation. Those churches were cult centers of the time were different deitites were worshipped and if you read through Yeshua’s words, He calls them to repentance because of the way in which they allowed false teachings and doctrines into the church. Just saying… something to ponder…SELAH.
20 MAR 2024 · This first portion of Leviticus is all about the instructions given to Moses to give to the people for bringing their offerings to Aaron and his sons, the priests. The Tabernacle is now complete, the glory cloud of Yahweh is in the Tent of Meeting, so now Yahweh explains how the people are to worship Him. In this podcast we share some Hebrew in hopes of helping the listener to gain insight to why the sacrificial system was necessary and how it was a gift from Yahweh to the people. The book of Leviticus gives instructions to Israel how to worship, Yahweh has chosen Aaron and his sons to act as priests and now the people need to know what offerings are acceptable because worship of Yahweh was not going to be like the worship of the pagan gods of the other nations. It would be sacrificial but Yahweh had instructions around it which will be covered in later portions.
**** Correction: I mentioned the worship song Holy Forever and said Matt Redman as the artist/worshipper but the song is by artist/worshipper Chris Tomlin. ****
Here is a link if you want to listen.
https://youtu.be/IkHgxKemCRk?feature=shared
Resources
One New Man Bible by William Morford
https://www.onenewmanbible.com/about-the-bible/
Glossary word Korban
Hebrew for Christians Website: Article Link
https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Scripture/Parashah/Summaries/Vayikra/Korban/korban.html
The Torah Story by Gary Edward Schnittjer
https://www.amazon.com/Torah-Story-Apprenticeship-Pentateuch/dp/0310248612
18 MAR 2024 · Moses makes an accounting of all the offerings that were given for the building of the mishkan. He was shown the pattern when he went up on Mount Sinai the first time. Remember the LORD chose Bezalel to build the furnishings and the tabernacle used for worship. Bezalel was anointed and especially equipped by God to fulfill his destiny. The tabernacle was constructed according to the exact specification of Yahweh. Moses built ti the first time, anointed all the furnishings and then anointed Aaron and his sons for holy priesthood service. Everything in the tabernacle had to be anointed, set apart and made holy for the LORD’s purpose. The grand finale and final approval from Yahweh was the Shekinah glory that had lead them through the wilderness filling the tabernacle. (Exodus 40:3).
12 MAR 2024 · This portion is about the construction of the tabernacle. Moses gathers the people to give the instructions on what Yahweh has commanded. The people are invited to bring their offerings, willingly, to Moses for the building of the tabernacle furnishings and the tapestries. All those who were willing to give and willing to work to complete the tabernacle were able because of Yahweh’s provision. We are reminded that when Yahweh gathers us then we can rest in His provision. We will have what we need in the natural and in the spiritual. Moses gathered together the people, the gathered were also the gifted and together they worked to fulfill the vision of Yahweh given to Moses.
NOTE: Mikdash (Hebrew for sanctuary) Mishkan (Hebrew for dwelling/tabernacle). Really messed up that mikdash…mikdash not mikdon. My apologies.
29 FEB 2024 · This portion begins with Moses receiving instructions on how to number the people, there must be an offering giving to Yahweh to make atonement for the people. The need for atonement becomes very evident in the other events of the portion, specifically the Golden Calf incident. Moses has to become the intercessor for the people after they break covenant with Yahweh. We see how this role is performed correctly because Moses changes Yahweh mind. His repentance, intercession and worship, move Yahweh heart to re-covenant with him and the people. The highlight of this portion is Moses asking to see the glory of Yahweh, which he does. In this podcast we try to share some of the insights we gleaned from this portion. We pray you are encouraged in your faith and seek to have the Presence of the LORD in your life through the power of Holy Spirit. The glory of Yahweh is revealed to us through the life and ministry of Yeshua and our relationship with him removes the veil that formerly separated us from the Father. Thank you Abba for this great salvation!!
Resources:
https://www.academia.edu/7598575/Drinking_Golden_Bull_the_erased_ordeal_in_Exodus_32
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-taste-of-torah--5690880/support.
27 FEB 2024 · THE SOUND ON THE PODCAST IS VERY LOW. APOLOGIES FOR THE TECHNICAL ISSUES.
In this portion, Yahweh gives Moses instructions for ordaining Aaron and his sons for the priesthood. There is a detailed description of the priestly garments and how they are to be made and why it is important for Aaron and his sons to be dressed for their new vocation: the garments are for dignity and honor. There are also instructions for some of the ways in which the priesthood will minister to Yahweh and keep the sacred space set apart and holy. There are duties that must be done daily which speak to our role as a priesthood of believers. Be encouraged in learning that you are also a chosen, royal and a priest in the kingdom of God. Go get your garments!
Resources
The Whole Armor of God
Priestly Garments
*Author Unknown.
I usually don’t share resources that I can verify or vet. I am sharing this because I think it shares some provoking insight. Something to ponder. It is not meant to shift anyone’s theology but it is definitely meant to get you to pray, ponder and ask Holy Spirit.
https://resources.razorplanet.com/513453-7888/1275194_WholeArmorofGodHisPriests.pdf
14 FEB 2024 · This week’s Torah portion Terumah is the beginning of discourse between Yahweh and Moses concerning instructions for the building of the Tabernacle. Yahweh asks the people to give an offering for the construction of the mishkan or tabernacle. The offering that was collected was a heave offering the was separated and elevated for God’s divine purpose. The tabernacle of the OT is a foreshadowing of God’s intent to provide a place for Himself to dwell among men. What was lost in the Garden of Eden has to be restored, this is one of the first steps of restoration of the Presence of God, Emmanuel, God with us…which met its highest manifestation in Yeshua Himself.
According to Dake’s Annotated Reference Bible, the Hebrew word for pattern is tabnith, which means structure. The study note states that Moses did not have a plan but a literal model to go by!!!! What!?! (Dake’s, pg. 143)
Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/a-taste-of-torah--5690880/support.
7 FEB 2024 · In the last Torah portion the people of Yahweh received the Ten Words on Mt. Sinai. In this portion, the LORD gives Moses the judgments for the people. There many different situations and circumstances that are addressed in those few chapters. This is the part of the Bible that most people don’t read, but in actuality it is an important part. It reveals how Yahweh intended man to treat his fellow man: with justice and righteousness. These mishpatim are the guidelines for rules of conduct that help man to know how he should worship Yahweh, treat his neighbor and his neighbor’s property. Yahweh is concerned with the issues that create community. There are tow other important themes in this portion that we didn’t get to cover: The Angel with the Name in him from Ex. 23:20-23 and the covenant meal on the mountain in Ex. 24. We have an earlier podcast that discusses the Angel with the Name, we encourage you to check it out. Both of these would require separate podcasts to cover in detail. Definitly great study topics! Shalom.
30 JAN 2024 · This is a very important portion because it is the biblical account of Yahweh descent on Mt Sinai to speak to Moses and Israel to give them the covenant or Ten Words, which we call the Ten Commandments. It is the an encounter full of fire and glory of Yahweh all symbolizing the covenantal relationship Yahweh is extending to his people: His marrying Israel as a bride. In this podcast I barely touch on the deep symbolism found in this portion. I would encourage you to listen to last year’s podcast for that and also check out the resource links below. Instead we found another well and decided to discuss the relevance of this event at Sinai in our walk of faith today. Why does this event matter for us? We explored the New Testament reading for this portion, Matthew 5 and Yeshua’s Sermon on the Mount, not a coincidence, and how he expounds on the teaching of Torah and calls those of the Kingdom to a higher standard, not a lesser one. Something worth pondering. This is a bit longer than usual but we read a considerable amount of the portion as well as shared from a few resources that brought forth important insights to help our understanding of the Torah and how Yeshua related to it so we can explore how we relate to it now.
*******THE SCRIPTURE I COULDN’T FIND AT THE END OF THE PODCAST***** Matthew 7:28
MY APOLOGIES for stumbling over the words lashon hara…it is a real important mitzvot so I apologize for not being able to even get it out. It is worth understanding (won’t explain here) and practicing because our words matter and how we speak about others is important to Yahweh. The Scriptures teach us how to live righteously, in right relationship to Yahweh and to others.
Beariing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matter by Carmen Joy Imes
https://www.amazon.com/Bearing-Gods-Name-Sinai-Matters/dp/0830852697
The Torah Story by Gary Edward Schnittjer
https://www.amazon.com/Torah-Story-Second-Apprenticeship-Pentateuch/dp/031011277X
Sinai to Zion: The Untold Story of the Triumphant Return of Jesus
https://www.amazon.com/Torah-Story-Second-Apprenticeship-Pentateuch/dp/031011277X
The Bible Project
What is the Sermon on the Mount
https://bibleproject.com/articles/what-is-the-sermon-on-the-mount/
The Hebrew Bible’s Connection to the Sermon on the Mount
https://bibleproject.com/podcast/series/sermon-on-the-mount/
24 JAN 2024 · In this portion Yahweh continues His demonstration of power and authority over Pharaoh and Egypt by leading His people through the Red Sea by a mighty miraculous deliverance. Moses, the sent deliverer helps Yahweh by obeying His commands and uses his staff to part the Red Sea. Later in another battle with the Amalekites, Moses uses the staff of God to help Joshua and Israel defeat their enemies. All through this portion we are reminded that Yahweh is a mighty Warrior for his people. He has promised to deal with all of his enemies then and now. There is no battle that we as his children face alone, He is our Banner and He fights for us! Yahweh Nissi is his Name.
What a mighty God, Yahweh we serve!
Here are some resources to check out if you are interested in digging deeper into Exodus.
Sinai to Zion: The Untold Story of the Triumphant Return of Jesus by Joel Richardson
https://www.amazon.com/Sinai-Zion-Untold-Triumphant-Return/dp/B0B4SZYT53/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
Bearing God’s Name: Why Sinai Still Matters by Carmen Joy Imes
https://www.amazon.com/Bearing-Gods-Name-Sinai-Matters/dp/0830852697/ref=sr_1_1?crid=GC7RU2H7TY1V&keywords=why+sinai+still+matters&qid=1706120792&s=books&sprefix=Why+Sinai%2Cstripbooks%2C105&sr=1-1
Exodus Old and New by L. Michael Morales
https://www.amazon.com/Exodus-Old-New-Redemption-Essential/dp/0830855394/ref=sr_1_1?crid=17HELJD00R6K6&keywords=exodus+old+and+new&qid=1706120880&s=books&sprefix=exodus+old+a%2Cstripbooks%2C91&sr=1-1
Here is a link to the resource mentioned in the podcast.
The Angel of the LORD by Matt Foreman and Doug Van Dorn
https://www.amazon.com/Angel-LORD-Biblical-Historical-Theological/dp/1735003808/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3SYB0ISPJQE7W&keywords=the+angel+of+the+lord&qid=1706120958&s=books&sprefix=The+Angel+of+the+LORD%2Cstripbooks%2C110&sr=1-1
Remember Yahweh, your God is a mighty Divine Warrior!
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A Taste of Torah is a short, introduction to the weekly Torah readings from a Christian perspective. It is for any person who has interest in studying the Word of...
show more
A Taste of Torah is a short, introduction to the weekly Torah readings from a Christian perspective. It is for any person who has interest in studying the Word of God by reading through the first five books of the Bible. For those who would like to participate in the the full study each week, we encourage listeners to visit the ministry website at www.wordofencouragement.org and subscribe to our online class Sweetness of the Scroll.
show less
Information
| Author | Ronda Harvey-Wagner |
| Organization | Ronda Harvey- Wagner |
| Categories | Christianity |
| Website | www.spreaker.com |
| tasteoftorah@wordofencouragement.org |
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