ISSUE: #6

MEM

Message

Torah

The first five books of scripture (Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy) are called the Torah (Toh-rah). The word Torah means instruction or teaching. The typical Christian church ignores or belittles these instructions as Jewish and done away with. They call these instructions, "The Law".

So we have some Jews clinging to the Torah while denying Yeshua (Jesus) as the Messiah. We also have a Christian community clinging to a loving Messiah (Christ) while denying the Torah (the law).

Could the truth be both? Yeshua said "… salvation is of the Jews…" John 4:23. The Apostle John says, "… sin is the transgression of the law" 1 John 3:4. Paul writes, "for the law is spiritual…" Romans 7:14. "So then, the Law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good." Romans 7:12

Then Paul says in Romans 6:23 "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." So breaking the law (Torah) brings death; but faith in God and His grace, enable us to keep the law so we will not sin and will do that which is pleasing in His sight. Remember that salvation is a gift. Once we have been washed in the blood of the Lamb we are to live a life of righteousness. (Strong’s number 1342 AV-righteous 1) righteous, observing divine laws 1a) in a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God). To read more about keeping God's instructions, [click here].

Proverb

Proverbs 10:16 The wages of the righteous is life, the income of the wicked, punishment.

Bible Quiz

1. Who Said, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?" Acts 9:4
2. Name the woman from whom seven demons had come out. Luke 8:2
3. What promise did God make Moses at the burning bush? Exodus 3:2, 8-10
4. What city did Yeshua say would be surrounded by armies? Luke 21:20
5. What did Peter say they did with Yeshua after he rose for the dead?

Hebraic Lesson

Acts 10:34, 41

The Torah (first five books of Scripture) is the foundation of all Scripture. Because of this the Jewish sages devised a system for studying the Torah. This system began about the time of the Priest Ezra, after many Jews returned from their Babylonian captivity. During the time of Yeshua there were two systems of study, one was to complete the reading of Torah in one year and the other in three years.

Most today are on the one-year cycle. This cycle begins on the first Sabbath after the Festival of Succoth (Feast of Tabernacles) beginning with Genesis 1:1. If one is interested there are Torah reading schedules and commentaries available to help inform through the study of Torah. [Click here for Torah reading cycle]

We are admonished in 2 Timothy 2:15 "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." The word of truth referred to here is the Tanakh (Tah-nahk = Old Testament, scriptures written before Paul’s time). Again Paul tells us in 2 Timothy 3:16-17 "All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work."

Saying

Only God creates – man only arranges.

Did You Know

We are all familiar with Murphy’s Law: "If anything can go wrong, it will, at the worst possible moment." Well, IEEE Transactions reports that Murphy is alive and well … and misquoted. In 1949, Air Force Captain Edward A. Murphy Jr. said, upon learning of the incorrect assembly of one of his designs, "If there are two or more ways to do something, and one of those ways can result in a catastrophe, then someone will do it." Murphy, according to the IEEE, doesn’t like the current versions of his law. He intended his remark as a warning to designers to make sure that their products are easy to operate, so that accidents don’t have to happen.

Humor

The incidence of doing anything worthwhile is either 10-20 percent or 80-90 percent… depending on your point of view.

The only way to discover the limits of the possible is to go beyond them into the impossible.

(Of the editors of the MEM, only one laughed… and he wrote them)

When packing for a vacation, take half as much clothing and twice as much money.

Boss to employee, "You are doing such a terrific job we decided to let you go before we can’t do without you."

Children's Story

Number 4

Jeremiah, finished the cart, (a wooden box mounted on two wheels drawn by a single animal, usually a donkey) and inspected the wagon (a larger four wheeled vehicle pulled by oxen). He nourished himself with manna cakes, took a drink of water and set out to check on the hundred leaders under his care, of whom he was captain. He made the rounds to be sure everyone was on schedule, prepared to move out when the cloud moved. Sometimes he had to motivate or encourage others because not all had properly prepared as they should. When there was a short stay in one spot some did not expect to move so soon. When it was a long stay some grew accustomed to daily routine and were not quick enough to pack up.

Jeremiah would hold regular meetings with his group leaders. He would pass on information from those over him as to what they had learned from Moses. He would also check on the condition of their families, flocks, equipment and listen to their concerns. He would encourage the slow ones to be on time and he would remind them of what happens to stragglers. (Deuteronomy 25:17-18 "Remember what Amalek did to you along the way when you came out from Egypt, how he met you along the way and attacked among you all the stragglers at your rear when you were faint and weary; and he did not fear God".)

(Exodus 18:21,22 "Furthermore, you shall select out of all the people able men who fear God, men of truth, those who hate dishonest gain; and you shall place these over them as leaders of thousands, of hundreds, of fifties and of tens. Let them judge the people at all times; and let it be that every major dispute they will bring to you, but every minor dispute they themselves will judge.")

Jeremiah was well equipped to lead, instruct, and help with those entrusted to him. He had spent twenty years in the military and served as an aid to Joshua. Many battles were fought and won by being prepared at all times. Of course they knew YHVH (the LORD) was the one who brought them victory. All of this moving and camping at the leading of the cloud was preparation. It was learning to follow YHVH, to trust in His provision, preparing this new generation to enter and take the Promised Land.

As Jeremiah finished checking with his one hundred leaders he headed back to his family. Under his breath a prayer was uttered, "O Eternal One, blessed be Your name. Please be with Your people as we prepare to step out. Give me the wisdom to help these leaders of fifties to see our blessed future and to always to look to you for their direction."

Quiz Answers

1. Yeshua (Jesus)
2. Mary Magdalene
3. That God would rescue the Israelites from Egypt
4. Jerusalem
5. They ate and drank with Him