Beth Ariel Messianic Congregation

In this Radio Feature, Rabbi Gary discusses Tisha B’Av. This 1 minute episode will air on KKLA 99.5 in Los Angeles, beginning August 1, 2025, on Fridays during rush hour.

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We continue our study of the Spirit of God. Last week, we focused attention on the ministry of the Spirit of God among the Jewish people, the nation of Israel. As it is among believers today, the Spirit of God dwelt in the midst of his people Israel.

The question then comes to mind, "How or in what manner did the Spirit of God dwell in Israel's midst?" 

In Nehemiah's prayer, after the wall around Jerusalem was completed, and the people were celebrating the Sukkot, the Feast of Tabernacles, in praise to the Lord, he says, "You gave your good Spirit to instruct them..." (Nehemiah 9:20).  It would seem that it was by the Spirit that rested upon Moses, that the "good Spirit" instructed the people of Israel.

In addition to instructing the people, the Spirit of God at times filled some with strength, courage and might. Sometimes the Spirit moved upon individuals to equip them with skills of design and craftmanship.

More could be said on this, but all of the working of the Spirit of God presented in the Hebrew Scriptures was for the purpose of pointing us toward Israel's Messiah upon whom the Spirit would reside without measure. 

Isaiah writes of Messiah that He is the one upon whom the seven-fold fullness of the Spirit would rest. He states: "And the Spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and the fear of the Lord" (Isaiah 11:2).

And lastly, in Isaiah 61:1 it is the Spirit of the Lord who empowers Messiah to fulfill His redemption ministry. He states: "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me to bring good news to the poor, he has sent me to bind up the broken hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to those who are bound."

Whether in the Hebrew Scriptures or in the New Covenant Scriptures, the work of the Spirit of God is to draw attention away from Himself, and unto Messiah. However He manifested himself among Israel in the Hebrew Scriptures, it was for the purpose of providing the Chosen People with a picture of the One they were to look for who would bring to fruition all promises made to them. 

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In the coming weeks at our services, we are going to focus attention on the Spirit of God, as he is revealed in the Hebrew Scriptures. It is interesting to note that while he is spoken of in both the Hebrew Scriptures and New Testament writings, reference to the Spirit of God is not as pervasive in the Hebrew Scriptures ashhe is in the texts of the New Testament.

For example, the Spirit of God is mentioned in every New Testament book with the exception of the three short personal letters of Philemon,  II John,  and III John. On the other hand, He is only referred to in less than half of the thirty-nine books that make up the Hebrew Scriptures. 

We are first introduced to the Spirit of God in the opening verses of the Bible which records the creation of the universe. There He is called רוּחַ אֱלֹהִים (pronounced ruach elohim) meaning "the Spirit of God."

Depending upon the context, the Hebrew word ruach can be translated as "spirit," "wind" or "breath." Here in Genesis chapter 1, reference is to the third person of the Tri-unity who is described like that of a bird "brooding" on its nest.

The Hebrew term translated as "hovering," or "moving" is מְרַחֶפֶת (pronounced m'rachephet) meaning "to flutter," or "brood." As such, the Spirit of God is pictured as a brooding bird conveying life and providing protection to its young.

In a word, this is "regeneration" - the bringing about of life. In the context of creation, that which was initially formless, void and in darkness comes to life over the course of the six days of creation.

Regeneration is a gift of the Spirit of God in two senses. It is a gift from God as well as a gift of God. This is to say regeneration is a work of God in us by him. Paul explains: 

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" (Ephesians 2:8).

We do not save ourselves. He saves us. This grand work of salvation does not come from us. It comes to us from God.

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In this Radio Feature, Rabbi Gary discusses Messianic Judaism. This 1 minute episode will air on KKLA 99.5 in Los Angeles, beginning July 25, 2025, on Fridays during rush hour.

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Rabbi Gary teaches the Old Testament scriptures that mention the Holy Spirit, from the Beginning (Genesis 1).

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In this Radio Feature, Rabbi Gary continues to discuss prophecy. This 1 minute episode will air on KKLA 99.5 in Los Angeles, beginning July 18, 2025, on Fridays during rush hour.

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Rabbi Gary teaches about God’s Promises to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, regarding his descendants and the future land of Israel. Also, Rabbi Gary discusses the prophecies of Ezekiel, chapter 38, regarding future Islamic persecution, and the regathering of Israel.

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In honor of the celebration of America’s Independence Day, Rabbi Gary speaks about Yeshua’s teaching from John 8:31:

“If you abide in My Word, then you are truly my disciples. You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free!”

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In this Radio Feature, Rabbi Gary discusses prophecy. This 1 minute episode will air on KKLA 99.5 in Los Angeles, beginning July 11, 2025, on Fridays during rush hour.

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Psalm 83 is an intriguing psalm. On the surface it is characterized as an imprecatory psalm in which Asaph calls upon God for vengeance by utterly destroying Israel's enemies. But upon deeper reflection, one notices that the psalm is arranged around the three major promises of the covenant God made with Abraham: an eternal nation, an eternal land, and eternal blessings upon both Israel and the nations.

The psalmist, then, is not merely driven by a desire for vengeance and judgment. Rather, the psalmist's desire is for the promises of the Abrahamic covenant to come to fruition. But because of the nations' hatred for the Lord, and consequently, his people Israel, for those promises to be realized God must first deliver his people from all their enemies and do this in such a way that it leads the nations to repent of their sin and to seek the Lord.

Asaph then closes his prayer on a hopeful note (vs.16-18). Out of a desire for the Lord to fulfill his promise to Israel to provide blessings to them and the nations, he prays Israel's enemies would be humbled before the Lord.

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