Holy Scriptures and Israel

From Zechariah 5:1-11, in his continuing study of the Book of Zechariah (זְכַרְיָה), Brother Gideon Levytam examines the prophet’s sixth and seventh night visions. He explains that the flying scroll (megillah) represents the curse and the swift judgment of God’s Word upon sin, showing that no one can escape the holy standard of the Lord. Its dimensions, matching the Holy Place in the Tabernacle, remind us that God is holy and that judgment proceeds from His presence.

Gideon then considers the vision of the ephah and the woman within it as a picture of wickedness (rish’ah), falsehood, corrupt measure, and departure from the Lord. As this wickedness is carried away to the land of Shinar (Babylon), the place of early rebellion against God, it shows how evil is removed and set aside for judgment. Through these visions, Gideon shows that God must judge sin and that He disciplines His own people. All have come under the curse of the broken law. He then points to Yeshua the Messiah, who became a curse for us, and through whom God will restore His people and remove wickedness from their midst.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God's Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

In the midst of a violent tempest, the terrified mariners interrogate their mysterious passenger to discover the cause of the storm. Brother Gideon Levytam explores Jonah’s bold confession, “I am a Hebrew” (Ani Ivri), and his admission that he is fleeing from the Creator of the sea and the dry land. Knowing the storm is God’s righteous discipline, Jonah tells the sailors that he must be cast into the raging waters so that they might live. When they do so, the sea is immediately calmed, and these pagan men are brought to fear the God of Israel, offer sacrifices, and make vows to Jehovah.

Yet the story does not end in the depths of the sea. The Lord prepares a great fish (dag gadol) to swallow the prophet, and Jonah remains in its belly for three days and three nights. Brother Gideon connects this remarkable event to its ultimate prophetic fulfillment in Yeshua the Messiah. As Jonah was cast into the deep and became the means of deliverance for others, so the Messiah spoke of this as the sign of His own death, burial, and resurrection—bringing salvation to a perishing world.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God’s Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

In his continuing study of the Book of Romans (אֶל־הָרוֹמִיִּים), Brother Gideon Levytam brings us to the closing verses of chapter 8, where the apostle Paul presents the glorious assurance of the believer’s eternal security in Yeshua the Messiah. If God is for us, who can be against us? Through a series of powerful questions, Paul shows that no accusation, no condemnation, and no adversary can ever overturn what God has accomplished for His people through Messiah.

Drawing from the Hebrew Scriptures, Brother Gideon points to God’s provision on Mount Moriah and reminds us that He who spared not His own Son has secured eternal redemption for all who believe. Though believers may face tribulation, distress, persecution, or spiritual conflict, nothing in heaven or earth shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God’s Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

In this message, Brother Gideon Levytam explores the remarkable events of Chag Purim (the Feast of Purim) recorded in the Book of Esther. Although the name of God does not appear even once in the text, the story powerfully reveals His Hashgacha Elyona—divine providence—working behind the scenes. Through the wicked plot of Haman, the enemy sought to annihilate the Jewish people scattered throughout the Persian Empire. Yet this attack was more than political; it was part of Satan’s ongoing attempt to destroy the seed of Abraham and prevent the coming of the promised Messiah, Yeshua.

By God’s providence, Esther was placed in the palace “for such a time as this,” and the very scheme designed to destroy Israel was turned against Haman himself. What began as a decree of destruction was transformed into a day of deliverance, feasting, and joy. Just as God used Esther and Mordecai to preserve His people in ancient Persia, the story of Purim reminds us that the God of Israel continues to watch over the Jewish people and the body of Messiah today, directing history to accomplish His sovereign plan of redemption.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God's Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

In this continuation of his study in the Book of Zechariah (זְכַרְיָה), Brother Gideon Levytam explores the conclusion of the prophet's fifth vision concerning the golden Menorah and the two olive trees. Reading from Zechariah 4:8-14, Gideon highlights the Lord’s encouragement to Zerubbabel that the same hands which laid the foundation of the Temple will also finish it. We are exhorted not to despise "the day of small things," for the Lord delights in what seems small, and His work is accomplished "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit" - pictured in the continual supply of oil with no human intervention.

Concluding the passage, Brother Gideon explains the identity of the "two anointed ones" who stand before the Lord of the whole earth. While historically represented by Zerubbabel and the High Priest Yehoshua, the two olive trees also point prophetically to the two witnesses of Revelation 11. During the future time of Jacob's Trouble (Sarat Ya'akov), God will raise up these empowered witnesses in Jerusalem to testify of Yeshua the Messiah. Their death, resurrection, and ascension will serve as a powerful testimony, awakening the remnant and moving Israel toward her promised restoration - when she will once again shine as a light to the nations.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God's Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

From Jonah 1:4-7, Brother Gideon Levytam continues his study of the Book of Jonah (יוֹנָה), showing how the God of Israel intervenes when His servant flees from His call. The Lord casts a great wind upon the sea, sending a mighty tempest that reveals His sovereign hand over creation. While the Gentile mariners cry out to their gods and cast their wares into the sea, Jonah goes down into the lowest part of the ship and falls fast asleep, illustrating the downward course of disobedience and spiritual decline.

Through the rebuke of the shipmaster and the casting of lots, the Lord exposes His runaway prophet and demonstrates that none can escape His presence. Brother Gideon exhorts believers in Messiah Yeshua to awake from spiritual sleep, recognizing that the storms the Lord allows may be His loving discipline, calling us back to obedience and trust.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God’s Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

In this study from Romans 8:24-30, Brother Gideon Levytam teaches on the believer's sure hope (tikvah) and the present ministry of the Holy Spirit. While we wait with patience for the redemption of our bodies, we are not left alone. The Spirit helps our infirmities and makes intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered. Even when we do not know how to pray as we ought, the Spirit intercedes according to the will of God.

Brother Gideon then unfolds the comfort of verse 28, that all things work together for good for those who love God and are called according to His purpose. He traces God's eternal work from foreknowledge and predestination to calling, justification, and glorification, showing that believers are being conformed to the image of His Son, Yeshua the Messiah, according to God's gracious and sovereign plan.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God’s Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

In this study of Zechariah 4:1-7, Brother Gideon Levytam explores the fifth vision given to the prophet: a golden lampstand (Menorah) fed continuously by two olive trees. This vision served as a divine encouragement to Zerubbabel, the governor of Judah, who was facing mountains of opposition and discouragement while attempting to rebuild the Temple. Gideon explains the rich symbolism of the Menorah representing the light of Israel and the Messiah, while the oil signifies the supernatural supply of the Holy Spirit (Ruach HaKodesh).

The central message of this passage is the Lord's assurance that His work is accomplished "not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit." Gideon highlights that just as the mountain of difficulty before Zerubbabel would be leveled into a plain, believers today are empowered by the Holy Spirit to overcome obstacles in their service to God. Ultimately, this points to the Messiah, the Headstone, who builds the house of the Lord through grace, reminding us that spiritual victory relies entirely on God's supernatural provision rather than human strength.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God's Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

In Jonah 1:1-3, Brother Gideon Levytam introduces the book of Jonah (Yonah), explaining the meaning of his name (“dove”) and the prophet’s background as Jonah son of Amittai from Gath-hepher in the tribe of Zebulun. Gideon sets Jonah in Israel’s history during the reign of Jeroboam II and contrasts Israel’s calling to be a light to the nations with Jonah’s reluctance to go beyond the borders of the land.

Gideon then walks verse by verse through God’s command to arise and go east to Nineveh, the great Assyrian city, and Jonah’s decision to do the opposite: to go down to Joppa (Yafo), find a ship, pay the fare, and flee toward Tarshish. He highlights Jonah’s downward steps of disobedience and reminds us from Psalm 139 that no one can truly flee from the Lord’s presence. The lesson is clear: disobedience has a cost, yet the God of Israel is faithful—ready to discipline, restore, and show mercy, both to His people and to the nations.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God’s Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.

From Romans 8:18-23, in his study of the Book of Romans (אֶל־הָרוֹמִיִּים), Brother Gideon Levytam examines the "groaning" that permeates our present world. He explains that since the fall of Adam, creation has been subjected to vanity (Hebrew: leheanach; Greek: stenazo). Drawing from the Prophets, Gideon illustrates how the land itself mourns due to human sin, yet waits with earnest expectation for the manifestation of the sons of God and the restoration of the Messianic Kingdom.

Gideon explains that this groaning extends to the believer. Though we possess the firstfruits of the Spirit and freedom from condemnation, we still face the frustrations of a fallen world. We wait in hope for our final adoption—the "redemption of the body"—when we will be physically changed and fashioned like Messiah's glorious body.

Holy Scriptures and Israel exists to share God’s Word with the Jewish people from a Hebrew-Messianic perspective. If this teaching has been a blessing to you, we invite you to partner with us in this vital work. To learn how you can support this ministry and help us continue reaching others, please visit https://www.holyscripturesandisrael.com.