Hebrew Nation Online

Overview of the Tanakh - Session 33

Overview of the Tanakh - Session 32

Overview of the Tanakh - Session 31

What two concepts has mainstream Christianity combined to make one incorrect concept?

What “active” roles has the Father shown us in keeping covenant with Him–things that He won’t do?

Everyone has a “worldview”–what should your worldview be?

What did Peter say about Paul’s teachings? (2 Peter 3:14-16)

What does “untaught and unstable” mean?

Continuing in the relationship between being in covenant and wisdom, knowledge and understanding, and also still in the book of Proverbs, Rabbi Steve Berkson clarifies word definitions, our role in relation to others and in the Body of Messiah, and how important it is for all of us to find an anointed and appointed teacher.

Take advantage of new teachings every week.

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Have you ever encountered something...in Bible study or any area of life...and within a day or two, bam! You run into it again!

Often it is noticeable because it is now in our conscious thought where it wasn't before. In that sense, it's not really a coincidence. Sometimes, though, you know the odds are pretty remote that you'd encounter the same thing twice in such a short period of time. That happened today, so I think this would be a good prophecy insight to share.

The prophecy is Zechariah’s vision of the High Priest Yehoshua and the governor Zerubabbel after the return from exile in Babylon:

“Then the angel who was speaking with me returned and roused me, as a man who is awakened from his sleep. He said to me, “What do you see?” And I said, “I see, and behold, a lampstand all of gold with its bowl on the top of it, and its seven lamps on it with seven spouts belonging to each of the lamps which are on the top of it; also two olive trees by it, one on the right side of the bowl and the other on its left side.” (Zech 4:1-3)

This particular prophecy is the subject of many interpretations, each offering a different possible fulfillment of the prophecy. In this case, we’re looking at its significance through ancient eyes. It is important to have the historical timeline in mind when reading the Prophets. Aside from the proto-prophecy of the Torah which guides all prophecy, the prophets either prophesied before the destruction of the first Temple and the Babylonian exile or afterward. For instance, Ezekiel prophesied before Judah was conquered by Babylon. His vision extends even until the Messianic era, but regardless, the actual lifetime of the prophet is important. Typically, the prophecies will address both: the prophet’s immediate lifetime or very near, and then a future time, often as far as the Messianic kingdom.

In Ezekiel’s lifetime, Judah had fallen into severe apostasy like the Northern Kingdom. The Temple services were conducted by a corrupt priesthood failing in its appointed service. That generation is referred to as “copper, tin, and dross.” Zechariah’s prophecy after the exile in Babylon, however, describes Israel (the lampstand) as pure gold. The Midrash Rabbah (Shir HaShirim to Chapter 4) explains the prophecy of the menorah and two olive trees:

“The verse’s plain meaning refers to the Second Temple; however, the Midrash take it to be metaphorically describing Israel in the Messianic era...Ezekiel 22:18 refers to Israel as ‘copper, tin, and dross’, yet Zechariah describes them as pure gold in the Messianic era.”

Zechariah sees a troubled community as pure gold after its return from Babylon. In spite of the filthy garments worn by the high priest, symbolizing the uncleanness of exile in Babylon, he is re-clothed in clean linen garments, symbolizing the purification of Israel and its priesthood.

Like Balaam saw Israel without blemish even though clearly Israel had some sin blemishes in the wilderness, so Judah’s return is seen as a step toward its ultimate purification in the Messianic kingdom. They were seen not as they were, but as they would be, like Father Abraham, justified by faith as they returned until the ultimate circumcision of the heart.

In their present return from the exile (Zechariah's time), Judah was messy and even God-forbid...political? Look at the pattern. Ezra and Nehemiah were up to their eyeballs in messy when the Jews returned from the Babylonian exile. This should sound familiar:

Marriage to idolatrous spouses and painful divorces

Political intrigue and accusations instigated and stirred by Arabs

Terror attacks by Arabs while Jews restored Jerusalem’s walls

The reading of the Book of Bereshiet or Genesis comes to an end with parsha "Vayechi" (Gen. 47:28 through the end) as do the lives of first Yakov, and then Yosef.

"And lived Yakov," the parsha begins, 17 years in the land of Egypt after he brought his family to be there with Joseph. But most of the story is about blessings, and prophecy.

The Erev Shabbat reading tells that story:

https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/SSM-12-29-23-Vayechi-And-Lived-Yakov-then-Yosef-teaching-podcast-xxx.mp3

The blessing, and essentially adoption, of Yosef's two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim, and the details, and ordering of them, is key to understanding the thousands of years of history that follows.

But the blessing of that other twelve sons, and tribes, that follows is also prophetic, and yet also, at least in places, more enigmatic.

So the Sabbath day midrash this week is a bit more 'speculative' this week than usual, both because of the prophetic nature of much of the subject matter, and the "times and the seasons" today.

"Vayechi: Cycles Prophecy Smoke Deception - and Dot-Connection"/strong>

https://hebrewnationonline.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/WT-CooH-12-30-23-Vayechi-Cycles-Prophecy-Smoke-Deception-and-Dot-Connection-edited-w-QQQs-podcast-xxx.mp3

There is much "food for thought" on the table at this point. As always, Mark welcomes comments, questions, and feedback: [email protected]

The combined two-part teaching is here:

What does the "Fear" of our Heavenly Father mean? There are actually 4 different Hebrew words that are used in the scriptures. In Psalm 111, David is using the word that closely translates to the moral compass of our lives. If we have this fear of our Heavenly Father, we will take the teachings that He has given us seriously and walk them out in our lives. It is similar to having a good earthly father. If we trust him, we know that what he tells us is going to be to our benefit. If we step out of line, we know there are going to be consequences. Our Heavenly Father is not sitting up there waiting to throw lightning bolts at us if we step out of line. He is trying to keep us from hurting ourselves. He promises to protect us and deal with people who are trying to hurt us. He just asks us to trust Him and walk in the safe path He has laid out for us to follow.

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News and commentary for Friday, 29 December, 2023.

It's time to wrap up the week that marks the last of calendar year 2023.

And there are more 'records' being set, too - from the Bidenvasion, to the levels of perfidy.

This week the Torah teachers explore chapter 14 of the Book of the prophet Ezekiel, where much of his warning might be called 'judgment upon Moab'.

Perhaps by now it shouldn't surprise us by now that prophecy, like history, seems to 'rhyme,' and much of it is at least as applicable to our understanding today as it ever was.