Hebrew Nation Online | Ancient Roads: Real Israel Talk Radio – Avi Ben Mordechai

Welcome to Real Israel Talk Radio Episode 96.

I reckon everyone has a life story to tell. But not everyone has a life story to tell about being an 88-year-old veteran post-WWII and Vietnam veteran soldier of the U.S. American Army. A soldier of war and, later, a warrior and combatant for the Prince of Peace.

Today’s show is a graceful and candid conversation with Retired U.S. Army Commander and Colonel Carl Smith of Oak Harbor on Whidbey Island, Washington State.

In 1948, buck private Carl Smith advanced through U.S. Army ranks, ending his full colonel’s military career. On our program today, he gives us some of the highlights of his nearly nine decades of life, which includes 33 ½ years of Army military service in post-war Japan, one tour on helicopter gunships in the Vietnam War, as well as military duties in Italy and in the halls of the United States Pentagon.

About halfway through Colonel Smith’s military career, he found himself in lockstep with a trusting faith in Yeshua the Messiah. Beginning his journey as a Soldier for Truth, he later put on a soldier’s uniform for the Torah of Truth in Yeshua the Messiah. After this, life as a U.S. Army commander changed. We’ll learn about his life and stories on today’s program.

Paul closes his thoughts on Love in 1 Corinthians 13. In speaking about Love, Paul tells us that there are two preceding components: Faith and Hope. And then he boldly declares that the greatest of these is Love.  How are we supposed to understand this idea with its Hebraic foundation? What does it mean?

With this final episode – Part 30 – in my 1 Corinthians 13 series, I will unpack the biblical concept of Love as it relates back to the opening statement that Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 13:1.

Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels But there is no Love towards me, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 

FAITH in Hebrew is Emunah. The core meaning is:

HOPE in Hebrew is Koveh. The core meaning is:

What is it that we are to hope for with the idea of Hope? Paul explains it with simplicity in Romans 8:23 “…We also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.” Hope is about the Hebrew Techiat HaMatim — the literal Last Day resurrection from the dead.

LOVE in Hebrew is Ahavah. The core meaning is:

These points define why Love is the greatest of all spiritual matters. Without biblical Love, faith and Hope are meaningless terms. With Love, the principal teaching of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) 4:12 fulfills the statement: Moreover, the Rope (or Cord) of the Three is not speedily (suddenly or hastily) torn apart. What is The Rope or Cord of The Three?

Join me for this final program in my 30-part series on Defining Biblical Love.

This program is Real Israel Talk Radio, Part 29, Episode 94, Defining Biblical Love from 1 Corinthians 13:13. Welcome to today’s show.

We are learning about the final statement that Paul makes in 1 Corinthians 13, speaking about Faith, Hope, and Love. He then says, “The greatest of these is Love.”  How are we to understand this list of biblical attributes? Beginning with this episode – Part 29, and concluding with our final episode – Part 30,  I will unpack 1 Corinthians 13:13.

The show is a wrap-up summary of how to interpret and essentially understand the biblical definitions of FAITH, HOPE, and LOVE.

FAITH in Hebrew is Emunah. The core meaning is:

As a result, the objective in faith is to make a faithful and accurate copy of someone or something. Through Yeshua, the Son of God is making us into the image of The Father even as the Son is made in the Image of the Father.

HOPE in Hebrew is Koveh. The core meaning is:

What are we hoping for? Paul explains with simplicity Romans 8:23 “…We also who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, eagerly waiting for the adoption, the redemption of our body.”

Therefore, hope is about Techiat HaMatim — the literal Last Day resurrection from the dead.

LOVE in Hebrew is Ahavah. The core meaning is:

Consequently, this explains why Love is the greatest of all spiritual gifts.

Without biblical Love, faith and hope are meaningless terms. With Love, there is the lesson of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes) 4:12, “The Rope (or Cord) of the Three is not speedily (suddenly or hastily) torn apart.”

What is The Rope or Cord of The Three? Consider the following associations:

This program is Real Israel Talk Radio, Episode 93 on Biblical Restitution to Reconcile Relational Conflicts.

Welcome to today’s show which is a special program to deal with biblical restitution. Today’s program presentation is by my wife, Suzanne. Next week, I will finish my teaching series on defining biblical love from 1 Corinthians 13.

In addressing broken and strained relational conflicts, we often hear a lot about the idea of forgiving each other for all kinds of wrongs committed in different situations. The one thing that I rarely hear about is the final step that is supposed to happen after forgiveness. The last step is that of the payment of restitution. In the biblical narratives, many examples are relevant to our study. In the New Covenant, consider the dialogue between Yeshua and Zacchaeus in Luke 19:8-10:

Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Master, “Look, Sir, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold.” And Yeshua said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house because he also is a son of Abraham; for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.”

And there is this from Bamidbar (Numbers) 5:5-7:

Then Yehovah spoke to Moses, saying, “Speak to the children of Israel: ‘When a man or woman commits any sin that men commit in unfaithfulness against the Lord, and that person is guilty, then he shall confess the sin which he has committed. He shall make restitution for his trespass in full, plus one-fifth of it, and give it to the one he has wronged.”

Biblically, it is one’s final act towards healing a broken and strained relational conflict.

Person 1: Admit a wrong with confession (Step 1)

The first three steps are generally understood and applied by people who are seeking to heal relational conflicts. Step four remains elusive and seems to get lost in the healing process. It is this subject that Suzanne is going to address because it is something that has practical applications for all of us in everyday life.  

Join us today for Real Israel Talk Radio Episode 93 and our study in Exodus chapter 22 and other biblical lessons about restitution as payment for healing relational conflicts, not as a purchase price to gain forgiveness.

This is Real Israel Talk Radio program – Episode 92 Program Part 28 – A Love for La La Land.

Here is an interesting statement of Paul from 1 Corinthians 13:11 on the Hebraic concept of Biblical Love and what it means:

“When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”

One might think to define a “child” in a way that we all would typically frame the definition. However, I am suggesting that Paul has a profound meaning to share based on Psalm 8:3:

“Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants, you have ordained (laid a foundation for a shelter of protection), because of your enemies, that you may silence the enemy and the avenger (within). “

Recall that it was this Psalm that Yeshua quoted in Matthew 21:15-16:

But when the chief priests and scribes saw the wonderful that He did, and the children crying out in the temple and saying, “Hosanna to the Son of David!” they were indignant and said to Him, “Do You hear what these are saying?” And Yeshua said to them, “Yes. Have you never read, ‘Out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants you have perfected praise’?’ ”

Within the context of Yeshua’s quote from Psalm 8:3, the Greek word nepios ( English: “child”) reflects the Hebrew term ahlal (Ayin Vav Lamed Lamed). In Israeli Hebrew, it can mean an infant nonetheless, this does not fit the overall context. Instead, the idea drives home the picture of a “scripture scholar toddler.” He is a little one that does not know not how to communicate as an adult. The best that this “ahlal” toddler can voice is “la la la la la.” The notion is that this little one only knows to speak with sounds and not intelligible spiritual speech.

Today, we’ll connect the learned lessons to Yeshua’s dialogue with some religious leaders in John 7:14-15. Then, we’ll tie everything together with a quote from Isaiah 5:1-4 drawing on the Hebrew word “be’ushim.” The word means stunted, retarded, odious, stinky, and smelly grapes that never develop to their full maturity.  It was the mind of Paul that developed the idea in Romans 12:2.

Join us today for our study in 1 Corinthians 13:11 and “A Love For La La Land.”  A podcast on Defining Biblical Love from 1 Corinthians 13:8.

This is Real Israel Talk Radio – Episode 91 Program Part 27 – YHVH’s Unfailing Love. Today, we will continue with the teaching of Paul that Biblical Love never fails. 

Perhaps you have gone through (or you are presently going through) a downturn, and life is not so rosy and happy. These days, it is not uncommon. It happens. However, when this happens, what is your response to YHVH? Might I suggest the following thought? Faith is not based on how we begin the journey. Instead, it is how we end the journey. Ancient Jews of Jerusalem battled with core issues like this in their day. While going through many complicated troubles, their response to Yehovah records the Jewish response in Jeremiah 44.

Jeremiah 44:16-18. For we had plenty of food, were well-off, and saw no trouble. But since we stopped burning incense to the queen of heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been consumed by the sword and by famine.

This is a classic biblical case in believing that Yehovah’s love failed for them. And for us, the feeling is sometimes expressed in the same way. But does Yehovah abandon us? Can his love fail us? No, I don’t think so. Instead, we choose to abandon him, and this becomes the more significant challenge for us.

We know that these days are challenging for many. Evil surrounds us, and human nature’s wickedness appears to be prevailing.  And there is soon likely to come a day when it is not “safe” to be a Messianic believer in Yeshua or a professing Christian.  Consequently, many will likely walk away from the faith to save their life, putting Yeshua to open shame. What did Yeshua say to this matter? He said:

Mark 8:35.36. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul? 

Today on Real Israel Talk Radio, I will speak about this issue and so much more. I will address our struggles with being ashamed of the Gospel. I will also talk about Jewish Oral Law and Tradition and Judaism’s 13 Principles of the Faith as the Rambam wrote them.

Join us for today’s podcast on Defining Biblical Love and YHVH’s Unfailing Love from 1 Corinthians 13:8.

Welcome to Real Israel Talk Radio – Episode 90 Program Part 26 – Stuck in the Mud Endurance. Today, we will continue with the teaching of Paul that Biblical Love is about “all endurance.” 

The English word “endurance” can be deceiving because some things in life are not necessarily worth suffering, as if we were running against failure to beat the odds. The idea of endurance in 1 Corinthians 13:7 is more about getting “stuck in the mud” with Yehovah. It is Yehovah’s strength that remains with us no matter what – “come hell or high water,” as the saying goes. In biblical Hebrew, the idea can be expressed from the word “Yachel” (Yud-Chet-Lamed ), effectively giving us the concept of waiting on Yehovah due to being stuck in the mud because we don’t have any other options to get unstuck.

With scripture teaching us about Yehovah’s love, it shows his commitment to helping us see everything through to the end; to not give up and run away. Yehovah desires to stick it out with us unless we kick him out and go to fight the battle alone. And make no mistake about it; he will back off if we want to do it alone. But is this good for us? No. Does he want to be “stuck in the mud” with us? Yes.  Scripture addresses this matter in Ezekiel 11:16:

The Hebrew phrase for “a little sanctuary” is “miqdash ma’at,“ referring to a little temple or holy place. Thus, in our “exile,” Yehovah is always with us,” giving Paul a biblical thought to express from 1 Corinthians 6:16 – “For you are the Temple of the living God.”

Life throws us fast and furious curveballs, and it can give us sour lemons. It can visit us with one of Murphy’s Laws that says, “anything that can go wrong will go wrong.” But should any of this matter? No, because we must understand that we will never face Yehovah’s abandonment. In life, when we get stuck in the mud, Yehovah has our good in mind always. He will be with us if we want him to be with us.

Join us for today’s podcast on Defining Biblical Love and Stuck in the Mud Endurance, Episode 90 and PART 26 from 1 Corinthians 13:7.

Welcome to Real Israel Talk Radio – Episode 89 Program Part 25 – Defining Biblical Love. Today, we will continue with the teaching of Paul that Biblical Love is about “all hope.” 

Indeed, with Paul’s brief statement that Yehovah’s Love is the idea of “all hope,” his readers were learning to understand that Yehovah is Love through his promise of a final resurrection day, in Hebrew: techiyat hamatim. In today’s program, I will briefly bring up the matter of what is called “the rapture,” speaking about it from within the context of our resurrection hope. 

The term “hope” descends in meaning from the Hebrew word “Tikvah” (consider the Israeli national anthem HaTikvah) coming from the Hebrew letters Quf Vav Heh. It means to wait expectantly on Yehovah for him to act on His promise. Presently, we are still waiting on Yehovah to finish the two-part Messianic redemption story that he began.

As a result, part 1 of His redemption story gives us a new soul through Yeshua’s Third Day resurrection. Part 2 of his redemption story gives us a new body through our Seventh Day resurrection through Yeshua. Nonetheless, the question remains: who qualifies to participate in that special Seventh-Day resurrection event? As I understand things, the biblical answer is not complicated. Those who continue to wait for the coming of Messiah and those who continue to expect that the final resurrection will happen are the ones who will participate in the final Last Day resurrection. 

We will learn some lessons from the following narratives to help us better understand the ideas.

   1) Joshua 2:18-21 with Isaiah 1:18-20. Accordingly, this is about Rachav (Rahab) and the Hebrew spies when they came to Rahav in the city of Jericho. Given salvation was conditional to her and her entire family just before the violent crash of the walls of Jericho. 

   2) Jeremiah 17:13 with John 8:2-11. Accordingly, this is teaching that Yehovah is the Mikveh of Israel (purification waters of Messianic hope). Yeshua expressed The Truth with the story of a woman brought for judgment due to some alleged adultery. 

Join us for today’s podcast on Defining Biblical Love, Episode 89 and PART 25 on 1 Corinthians 13:7.

Today with Real Israel Talk Radio – Episode 88 Program Part 24 – Defining Biblical Love from 1 Corinthians 13, we’ll address the statement that Paul makes saying that Biblical Love is all about “hope.” 

I am going to talk about what biblical hope means. In our everyday world, we find ourselves often hoping for a better life, for a better job, for good weather, for a loved one’s well-being; for lots of things in our everyday material world. In the spiritual world that surrounds us, there too is the element of hope. To find out what this is all about, we must look into the biblical narratives and teachings. In doing so, we’ll find out that to have “hope,” it hinges on our entering into the biblical Door of Hope — in Hebrew: “Petach Tikvah.”  And so, what is this exactly? It’s all about a promised Last Day Resurrection from the dead, which of course, was something very close to the heart of Yeshua in declarations such as Daniel 12:2, John 5:27-29, John 11:23-24, 1 Corinthians 15:50-55, and 1 Thessalonians 4:16, among many other places.

When Paul made his very brief statement that Yehovah’s Love is about “all hope,”  he was clearly calling his readers to understand that Yehovah’s love is expressed through his promise that there will be for all of us believers in Yeshua, a Great Last Day resurrection that is going to come suddenly. Will we be looking for it? Awaiting it? Prepared for it?

In this episode of Defining Biblical Love, we’ll address the beautiful connection between Proverbs 13:12 and Romans 8:22-23. It really is a wonderful story and deserves to be told because without hope, the human heart will grow very sick. We’ll also learn about the Holy Spirit or the Spirit of THE WORD as a feminine attribute of Yehovah expressed through personifications of a Comforter and a Helper based on Genesis 2:20 – the Ezer K’negdo.

All of this gives us the packaging for Paul’s lesson on biblical love that Love is all about “hope” — the hope of the Great Resurrection that also brought up Yeshua from Sin and Death on the Third Day.

Join us for this episode of Defining Biblical Love PART 24 in 1 Corinthians 13 as we look into the biblical Door of Hope.

With today’s podcast of Real Israel Talk Radio – Episode 87 Program Part 23 – Defining Biblical Love from 1 Corinthians 13, let us continue with the series of statements that Paul makes  saying that Biblical Love is “all believable.” 

Here, I want to address an age-old theological question, “Can we lose our salvation?” As I read scripture, the sad truth of the matter is Yes, I believe we can.

When Paul makes his very brief statement that Yehovah’s Love is “all believing” or put another way, it is “all trusting,”  he is clearly calling his readers to understand that Yehovah’s love requires an action of response and only when this happens then a connection can be made between the Savior and the Saved. However, what happens IF down the track, the one who was once saved decides that he or she no longer cares to walk in trusting faith towards Yehovah nor desires to walk in his covenant of love anymore? What then? Actually, scripture gives an answer to this debacle. Compare the following three declarations as they originate in Hebrew:

Exodus 23:20-21. Behold, I send an Angel (a Messenger) before you to guard you in The Way and to bring you into The Place which I have prepared. Beware of him and obey his voice; do not provoke him, for he will not pardon your transgressions; for my name is in him.

Habbakuk 2:3-4. For the vision is yet for an appointed time; but at the end he will speak, and he will not lie. Though he tarries, wait for him; because he will surely come, he will not tarry. Behold the proud, his soul is not straight in him; but the just (righteous) shall live in his Faith.

Hebrews 10:38-39. Now the just (righteous) shall live in Faith; but if anyone draws back (shrinks back), my soul has no pleasure in him. But we are not of those who draw back (shrink back) to perdition (the second death), but of those who believe (trust) to the saving of the soul.

The link that connects these three declarations is when Yehovah said to Moses, “Do not provoke him, for he will not pardon your transgressions; for my name is in him. ” We will learn about this on today’s podcast as it also relates to Mark 2: 5-11 and John 18:3-6.

All of this will give us the packaging for Paul’s lesson on biblical love that Yehovah’s Love is “all believable”  or “all trusting.” Join us for this episode of Defining Biblical Love PART 23 in 1 Corinthians 13 as we seek to answer the question, “Can we lose our salvation?”