Chag Shavuot proves that the Lunar Sabbath is false

I have been debating many of the people who follow the Lunar Sabbath theory and have not gotten one piece of evidence from them to even consider the Lunar Sabbath to be true. The best argument I have seen from them so far is that of the counting of the “Omer” to the Feast of Weeks or “Chag Shavuot”. Let me explain to you how they see it, and then I will show you why their theory is totally incorrect.

The Lunar Sabbatarians count to Shavuot

They claim that in order to work out when Shavuot is, you need to observe 7 complete Sabbaths, and then the day after the 7^th Sabbath, then you start counting 50 days. (and yes, they really do believe this). The only reason these people come to such a conclusion is because their false doctrine of the moon phase determining the Sabbath, does not work out according to the Scriptural requirements, so they have to create their own requirements in order to believe the lie. (which is not found in the Torah at all)


To justify this false doctrine, they even go as far as to say that Shavuot was when Mosheh came down from the mountain with the tablets where the Ten Commandments were written on by Elohim Himself. They also say this is when Aaron declared a festival on that day. All this falls in the 4^th moon (or month). Keep this in mind as I will be explaining the truth about this further down in this article.

Please also note that this is one of the many views within the lunar sabbath community. There is certainly no cosistancy in this false doctrine as none of them can agree on many points, they are all trying to defend their belief without any facts. That is why they all have very different oppinions. 

As soon as you accept the true Scriptural calendar, then there are no inconsistancies or disagreements among its followers as it is very plain and easy to understand.

Now let us see what the real count to Shavuot is

To get a good idea of what and when Shavuot is, we need to look at the Hebrew meaning of the word, and also learn what Shavuot is all about. When we put these ‘clues’ together, you will see that the Lunar Sabbath is so silly and the people who follow it do not follow what the Torah of YHWH teaches, but are disobedient to the Word of YHWH.

Let us have a look at what Shavuot represents. We need to go to the Scriptures to learn about this as the Scriptures are the ultimate authority as it is the Word of the Almighty.

“And from the morrow after the Sabbath (That falls within the feast of unleavened bread Matzot), from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering, you shall count for yourselves: seven completed Sabbaths. Until the morrow after the seventh Sabbath you count fifty days, then you shall bring a new grain offering to יהוה (YHWH)” (Lev 23:15-16)

Here we can see exactly when Shavuot is. As it clearly states that the count of fifty days will be completed at the day after the seventh Sabbath, we have to read this with a Hebrew mindset and not an English mindset, a native Hebrew will always read it this way as it is a Hebrew idiomatic phrase. We can even see this from the actual word Shavuot (Z«R§A¡[). This word is a plural word for shavua, which means “week”. It also comes from the root word “sheva” which means “seven” and “oath”. So here we can see that Shavuot comes from the word “seven” and “week” meaning that the count to Shavuot is a count of 7 weeks of 7 days each which is an oath given to us from YHWH Himself, just like the Scriptures teach us. Then the Torah goes on to teach us that Shavuot is on the day after the seventh Sabbath which MUST be the total of a 50 day count. (This is common Hebrew thought and understanding).

But let us do the maths quickly

7 days x 7 weeks = 49 days + the day after the 7^th Sabbath = 50 days.

Hey, this works out 100% according to how the Torah teaches us to work out when Shavuot is, EVERY SINGLE TIME.  Now the maths for the lunar Sabbath will never work out this way.

Let us do the maths for the lunar Sabbath.

7 days x 7 weeks = 49 days + day after 7^th sabbath + new moon day + conjunction day = 52 days + another 50 days = 102 days. (Even if you do not add the extra 50 days, it still does not add up to 50 days)

This just does not work out according to the requirement of the Torah. (This alone should be proof that the lunar Sabbath is totally false)

Let us look at another point of view, “In the third month after the children of Yisraĕl had come out of the land of Mitsrayim, on this day they came to the Wilderness of Sinai” (Exodus 19:1). Here we can see, if we read further, that the Ten Words (Commandments) were given during this month. Notice here that it was in the third month, that the ‘Torah’ was given to the Israelites. Here the Ten Commandments were spoken the men of Yisra’el directly from YHWH Himself. All the men of Yisra’el heard the voice of YHWH as he spoke these words to them.

Now I have had one of the lunar Sabbath followers ask me where it is written that the giving of the Torah is connected to Shavuot? Really? No wonder these people follow such silly false teachings, because they do not have any knowledge of the Torah whatsoever.

If Shavuot is not about the giving of the Torah (Ten Words) to the Israelites, then what is it about? What Jewish sect, or Torah followers do not read Exodus 19-20 on Shavuot? Even the other lunar Sabbath guys proclaim this (There is no unity within this false teaching as it is one big confusing mess).

Well, it is just a few ignorant people within the lunar Sabbath sect that believe this. The rest believe that Shavuot is calculated as 7 complete Sabbaths plus an extra 50 days. They say that Shavuot must fall in the 4^th moon (or month) as that is when Mosheh came down from the mountain with the Tablets where the Ten Commandments were written on. They also say this is when Aaron declared a festival for the people of Yisra’el. But let us examine this in a little more detail.

What really happened on that day when Mosheh came down from the mountain with the Tablets of stone in his hands? And what feast did Aaron declare at that time? Once we learn these things, we can see exactly who the lunar Sabbath people are following and what feasts they keep.

We can find al these things in Sh’mot (Exodus) 32, let us read together, “And when the people saw that Mosheh was so long in coming down from the mountain, the people gathered together to Aaron, and said to him, “Arise, make us mighty ones who go before us. For this Mosheh, the man who brought us up out of the land of Mitsrayim, we do not know what has become of him.” And Aaron said to them, “Take off the golden earrings which are in the ears of your wives, your sons, and your daughters, and bring them to me.”

 “And all the people took off the golden earrings which were in their ears, and brought them to Aaron. And he took this from their hand, and he formed it with an engraving tool, and made a moulded calf. And they said, “This is your mighty one, O Yisra’ĕl, that brought you out of the land of Mitsrayim!” (Exodus 32:1-4)

Here we can see that Aaron made a golden calf for the nation of Yisra’el to worship. Let us read further, “And Aaron saw and built an altar before it. And Aaron called out and said, “Tomorrow is a festival to יהוה (YHWH).” And they rose early on the next day, and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings. And the people sat down to eat and drink, and rose up to play” (Exodus 32:5-6)

Aaron went as far as to call the golden calf by the Name of YHWH, and declared a festival in honor of the golden calf. What do you think YHWH thought of this what the people had done? Let us see, “And יהוה (YHWH) said to Mosheh, “Go, get down! For your people whom you brought out of the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt) have corrupted themselves. “They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them. They have made themselves a moulded calf, and have bowed themselves to it and slaughtered to it, and said, ‘This is your mighty one, O Yisra’ĕl, who brought you out of the land of Mitsrayim (Egypt)!” (Exodus 32:7-8)

So the people who were feasting were those that corrupted themselves and followed after things that the Almighty specifically told them not to do. YHWH even wanted to destroy them completely, but Mosheh convinced Him not to do so (Exodus 32:10-14).

Now when Mosheh came down from the mountain with the two Tablets of stone, where the Ten Commandments were written, did he give them to Yisra’el, did Yisra’el receive the Torah on this day, as the lunar Sabbath people claim? Let us see what the Torah teaches us about that, “And Mosheh turned and went down from the mountain, and in his hand were the two tablets of the Witness, tablets written on both their sides, written on the one and on the other. And the tablets were the work of Elohim, and the writing was the writing of Elohim engraved on the tablets” (Exodus 32:15-16). So Mosheh did have the Tablets of the Commandments with him. Let us read further.

“And it came to be, as soon as he came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. And Mosheh’s displeasure burned, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain” (Exodus 32:19). So as you can see, Mosheh was furious with the people and threw down the Tablets and broke them. So did Yisra’el receive the Torah or the Ten Commandments on this 4^th month festival? Definitely not, and did this festival honor YHWH, the true Elohim? Definitely not, it was in honor of a pagan golden calf.

If you read on, you will see that Mosheh destroyed the golden calf, ground it up, threw it into the water and made the people drink the water. He also commanded the death of about three thousand men that day.

Now we know that Shavuot is in the 3^rd month (moon), and NOT in the 4^th month, so let us do the maths again. Let us say that the start of the count is from the middle of chag Matzot (the Feast of unleaven bread) the 18 Aviv (first month).

(click here to see when the start of the count to Shavuot begins)

18^th of the first month + 30 days = 18^th of second month + 20 days = 7^th or 8^th of the THIRD MONTH. (30 +20 = 50)

Hey look…. Once again, we have a perfect calculation according to the requirements of the Torah for when Shavuot is. Can we get to this Torah requirement by using the lunar Sabbath calculation? Well let us do the maths and see where we land up.

18^th of the first month + 30 days = 18^th of second month + 22 days = 9^th or 10^th of the third month + 50 more days = 28^th or 29^th of the Fourth month or the 1^st of the Fifth month (and could even be later if the conditions allow)

Oops, once again, this does not meet the Torah’s requirement at all. How can anyone who claims to follow the Torah, continue to follow the false lunar Sabbath that does not meet any of the Torah’s requirements? Only those who do not have a love for the truth will follow the lunar Sabbath.

So how is the Sabbath worked out?

The week is a continual cycle of 7 days without any interruptions like “new moon days” we can know this just by the Hebrew word for week, which is “shavua”, and its root word is “sheva” which just happens to be seven. The root word for Shabbat is also “sheva” proclaiming the 7^th day of the week to be the Sabbath. “Sheva” also has the meaning of “oath” proclaiming the Sabbath to be an oath between YHWH and those who keep His 7^th day Sabbath.

Now for another nail in the coffin for the lunar Sabbath

We read in Exodus 23:10-12 that the Sabbath of the land is a continual cycle of 7 years where there are 6 years of sowing and gathering the produce of the land and the 7^th year is the Sabbatical (Sabbath year) where the land rests. This is the exact same model given to us for the weekly Sabbath. Now it is clear that the Sabbatical year is not governed by any moon cycle, but is governed by 1 day representing 1 year.

So if there is no new moon “year” or conjunction “year” then how is it possible that there is one for the weekly Sabbath? YHWH is constant and keeps to the same models and instruction as a remembrance of His work of Creation.

Now the Jubilee year is calculated with the same model as used for Shavuot. The day after the 7^th Sabbatical year is the Jubilee which occurs every 50 years 7 x 7 years = 49 years +1 year = 50 years. Wow… The Almighty gave us such absolute evidence and cycles using the same models as the other created cycles to show us what the absolute truth is.

Let us look at some Historical Data 

Historical information can be helpful if we are trying to discern the truth of something that doesn't seem very clear to us from scripture. Although I believe the scriptures speak clearly about the seventh day Sabbath always occurring every seventh day, referencing historical works may be helpful for some who are not yet convinced. 

Lunar Sabbath keepers love to quote from a few Encyclopedic references which say that the week was originally tied to the lunar cycle. If we rely on such Encyclopedias to tell us about historical data, we might indeed wonder if the moon had something to do with setting the weeks. 

When researching this topic historically, we don't need to go any further in history than the time period that Yehoshua the Messiah was born into. We do know that He kept the Sabbath day and we know that He kept it on the same day as the rest of the Jews in His day. For example: 

“So He came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read” (Luke 4:16)

The first century disciples also did the same:

“Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures” (Acts 17:2)

So, for me the question is whether or not there are any first century eyewitnesses that may enlighten us as to whether the Jews of that time kept the Sabbath by the moon, or by a recurring seven day week. 

Can we find a clear answer to this question? Absolutely. 

To find a clear answer to this question, we will examine the Talmud, the Dead Sea Scrolls and Josephus

1. The Talmud

First of all, please understand that I do not believe in following the Talmud or looking at it as being authoritative for doctrine 

I'm not going to be using it for the purposes of telling anyone how or when to keep the Sabbath, except that we can know that the Messiah was in agreement with the weekly Sabbath of 1st century Judaism. Therefore, we will only use the Talmud to help us understand what views of 1st and 2nd century Judaism actually were. 

The Talmud is a pretty good source because although it was compiled about 130 years after the destruction of the temple and Jerusalem, parts of it act as a historical reference for things that were going on when the temple was still standing. 

The Talmud is composed of three parts. There is the Mishnah, which is the central focal point of the whole Talmud. There is the Gemara, which is a commentary on the Mishnah. Then there is Rashi's commentary on both. 

The Mishnah simply records the beliefs of 1st century Judaism. It speaks often about the views of two Jewish scholars called Shammai and Hillel. They were leaders of two (often opposing) schools of thought, called "houses." Hillel and Shammai lived from c. 50 BCE to 50 CE so they were alive during Yehoshua's ministry on the earth.

The Talmud records some 300+ differences of opinion between both houses. In Judaism, the views of the house of Hillel (Beth Hillel) usually prevailed over the views of the house of Shammai (Beth Shammai). 

As you will see, the Talmud is pretty clear that the Lunar Sabbath was not observed by Beth Hillel, Beth Shammai, or any Jewish man living in the first century. 

(please keep in mind that the lunar sabbatarians very often, try use the writings of Hillel to support the false theory of the lunar Sabbath. They have to twist his writings and use them out of context in order to do so)

In our first example, we will examine a difference of opinion between Hillel and Shammai on what blessing needed to be recited if the "new moon falls on a Sabbath." 

"R. Zera replied: The New Moon is different from a festival - Since its mention is included in the benediction on the sanctity of the day in the morning and evening prayers it is also included in that of the additional prayer. But do Beth Shammai uphold the view that the mention of the New Moon is to be included? Was it not in fact taught: If a New Moon falls on a Sabbath, Beth Shammai ruled: One recites in his additional prayer eight benedictions and Beth Hillel ruled: Seven? This is indeed a difficulty." Talmud - Mas. Eiruvin 40b

Of course, if they were keeping the Lunar Sabbath, the New Moon can never fall on a Sabbath because the Lunar Sabbath is never on the first day of the month. This difference of opinion wouldn't have been recorded if they kept the Lunar Sabbath. 

Next, we will see that the Mishnah records what the first century temple priests did with the non-meat portions of the Passover Lamb:

"Mishnah. The bones, and the sinews, and the nothar of the paschal lamb are to be burnt on the sixteenth. If the sixteenth falls on the Sabbath, they are to be burnt on the seventeenth, because they do not override either the Sabbath or the festival." Talmud - Pesachim 83a

With the Lunar Sabbath, there is no such thing as the sixteenth day of the month falling on the Sabbath. These are not men who are trying to figure out how to fit a weekly Sabbath into Babylonian life, it is a reference to the acts of first century priests who certainly did not keep the Lunar Sabbath. These are the practices observed during the temple era when Yehoshua and His disciples lived. 

The Mishnah also recorded the following rule regarding the meal offerings:

"Mishnah. A man may offer a meal-offering consisting of sixty tenths and bring them in one vessel if a man said, I take upon myself to offer sixty tenths, he may bring them in one vessel. But if he said, I take upon myself to offer sixty-one tenths, he must bring sixty in one vessel and the one in another vessel; for since the congregation bring on the first day of the feast of tabernacles when it falls on a Sabbath sixty-one tenths as a meal-offering, it is enough for an individual that his meal-offering be less by one tenth than that of the congregation." Talmud - Menachoth 103b

Obviously, this is a record of what went on while the temple was still standing because after that time, there would be no place to take it. With a Lunar Sabbath, there is never a time when the first day of the feast of Tabernacles falls on any day other than the Sabbath (15th day of the seventh month). 

Obviously, the recorded practices of first century Judaism while the temple still stood indicate that they did not keep a Lunar Sabbath. They kept the Sabbath on a recurring, seven day week just as it is given in Genesis chapter 1, independent of the moon cycle. Therefore, since Yehoshua kept the Sabbath along with the rest of the Jews of that period, He did not participate in a Lunar Sabbath, a doctrine that doesn't appear to exist in Judaism at that time.

I should also mention that if you ever read the Talmud in depth, you will come away with one clear impression: They debated about almost everything. Something as major as a change in when the Sabbath is observed ought to have been at least debated somewhere. After all, they debated every little fine point of the law! The lack of such a debate speaks volumes.

2. The Dead Sea Scrolls and Josephus

The Dead Sea Scrolls are considered by scholars to be authored by the Essenes, a sect in first century Judaism. In the Dead Sea Scrolls, there are a number of extra-biblical scrolls which appear to shed light on what this sect believed and practiced. Understanding what they believed can be helpful in determining whether or not the Lunar Sabbath was being observed by mainstream Judaism of that time.

It is generally undisputed (even by Lunar Sabbatarians) that the authors of these scrolls did not keep a Lunar Sabbath. Rather, the Calendrical scroll shows that they observed a recurring seven day weekly cycle, independent of the moon phases. I know of no one who disputes this. The Calendrical Scroll and the Songs of the Sabbath Sacrifice confirms this.

Of course, Lunar Sabbatarians generally will teach that this Jewish sect was wrong about the Sabbath.

But in the book of Josephus, he speaks much about the Essenes. Josephus was a first century Jewish historian who wrote much about life in Judea during the first century. He goes into great detail as to how practices of the Essenes were different than others. He mentions everything from how the Essenes don't carry anything with them when they travel, to how they regard oil to be defilement. In Wars of the Jews 2:119-161, Josephus speaks of them in no less than 2000 words, describing over 100 characteristics of their way of life. 

So did Josephus mention that they kept the Sabbath on a day that was different than the rest of Judaism?

“… Moreover, they are stricter than any other of the Jews in resting from their labors on the seventh day; for they not only get their food ready the day before, that they may not be obliged to kindle a fire on that day, but they will not move any vessel out of its place, nor go to stool thereon” (Wars of the Jews 2:147)

In this, Josephus even goes so far as to say that the Essenes are "stricter than any other of the Jews in resting from their labors on the seventh day." Does it sound like there was any disagreement as to when the Sabbath was? Wouldn't it seem strange that Josephus would mention that the Essenes were stricter in their resting from labors on the Sabbath but not bother to mention that the Essenes held the Sabbath on a totally different day than the other Jews of that period? 

The fact is, if the Essenes were keeping a different day than the rest of Judaism, Josephus wouldn't have been able to say that they were even resting on the seventh day to begin with. He would have to say they were typically resting on some other day. 

There is no record in the Dead Sea Scrolls of the Essenes disagreeing with other groups as to when the Sabbath was. In fact, there is no historical record of any Jewish sects disagreeing with each other on when the Sabbath was.  

In another interesting note, Josephus speaks of one of the large towers that were built in Jerusalem:

“and the last was erected above the top of the Pastophoria, where one of the priests stood of course, and gave a signal beforehand with a trumpet, at the beginning of every seventh day, in the evening twilight, as also at the evening when that day was finished, as giving notice to the people when they were to stop work, and when they were to go to work again” (Wars of the Jews 4:582)

So his report is that a trumpet was blown at the beginning of every seventh day, to mark when the people should stop working, and begin working. As an interesting side note, archaeological finds concur with Josephus' comments about the place of trumpeting:

"When we excavated the beautifully paved Herodian street adjacent to the southern wall and near the southwestern corner of the Enclosure Wall, we found a particularly large ashlar block. On the inside was a niche where a man might stand, especially if the ashlar were joined to another which would enlarge the niche.
On the outside was a carefully and elegantly incised Hebrew inscription: LBYT HTKY ’H LHH [RYZ]; “To the place of Trumpeting to (declare).” If the restoration of the world “declare” is correct, the rest of the missing part of the inscription probably went on to tell us more about the declaring of the beginning and the end of the Sabbath.
The stone had been toppled during the Roman destruction of the Temple onto the street below where it had lain for nearly two thousand years until we uncovered it.
It must have originally come from the pinnacle of the southwestern corner of the Temple Mount. From a spot on top of the Temple chambers a priest would blow a trumpet on Sabbath Eve, to announce the arrival of the Sabbath and the cessation of all labour, and to announce, on the following evening, the departure of the Sabbath and the resumption of all labor.
The entire city was visible from this spot on the southwest corner of the Temple Mount; the clarion call of the trumpet would reach the farthest markets of the city. Such a scene is recounted by Josephus in his work, The Jewish War. (IV, 582)." Editor, H. S. 2004; 2004. BAR 06:04 (July/Aug 1980)” Biblical Archaeology Society

Josephus also records that Agatharchides, a 2nd century BCE Greek Historian, wrote something quite interesting about Ptolemy's defeat of Jerusalem:

"When Agatharchides had premised this story, and had jested upon Stratonice for her superstition, he gives a like example of what was reported concerning us, and writes thus:--
209 ``There are a people called Jews, and dwell in a city the strongest of all other cities, which the inhabitants call Jerusalem, and are accustomed to rest on every seventh day; on which times they make no use of their arms, nor meddle with husbandry, nor take care of any affairs of life, but spread out their hands in their holy places, and pray till the evening.
210 Now it came to pass, that when Ptolemy, the son of Lagus, came into this city with his army, that these men, in observing this mad custom of theirs, instead of guarding the city, suffered their country to submit itself to a bitter lord; and their law was openly proven to have commanded a foolish practice" (Against Apion 1:208)

Ptolemy was the General of Alexander the Great, who took over Jerusalem in 332 BCE. We see that the Jews would not defend themselves or take up arms on the Sabbath, which was "every seventh day." 

If I were to describe the Sabbath keeping practices of Lunar Sabbatarians, I certainly wouldn't describe their Sabbath keeping as something they did "every seventh day." Rather, I would mention that they only keep a Sabbath on certain days of the month. Therefore, it's quite evident that Josephus was describing the practice laid out for us "in the beginning" when Elohim created the first week and that is to rest every seventh day, without moon interruptions.

Conclusion

There is no indication whatsoever in the entire Scriptures that the week is not a continual cycle of seven days, and every appointed time works out 100% according to the Torah using the continual cycle of seven days.

If you follow the lunar Sabbath, then you are not keeping YHWH’s Sabbath and therefore you are not one of His people. The Sabbath is a sign between the Almighty and His people.

In fact, if you follow the lunar Sabbath, you are worshiping the golden calf, and just as Mosheh broke the Tablets of the Ten Commandments because of idolatry, so too are the lunar Sabbath people breaking the Torah of YHWH by their idolatrous festivals. You see, the festival that the lunar Sabbath people celebrate is the festival that Aaron declared for the golden calf in the 4^th month (moon), and not the festival of Shavuot.

Whoever teaches that the festival in the 4^th month is Shavuot is totally ignorant of the Torah or is just a straight out liar seeking a following. These people are not to be trusted as you can see for yourself that the Torah proves them to be liars.

I will continue to say that the lunar Sabbath teachers are idiots and liars and do not know the Torah of YHWH and should have their mouths shut. And all those who follow these people are those who do not study the Torah for themselves.

To truly have a relationship with the Almighty, you cannot follow the lunar Sabbath as it is breaking His Torah and following after other mighty ones.

You can read more about the lunar Sabbath on the following two links:

false-doctrine-no2-when-is-sabbath

lunar-sabbath-doctrine-is-stupid

Did Abraham know the Name of YHWH?

This last Shabbat’s Torah reading started with Sh’mot (Exodus) 6, and almost immediately when we started to read, we noticed something that seemed to be a contradiction in the Torah. This got us to look deeper into the matter and once we did that, we realized that it is not a contradiction at all.

To understand the Word of YHWH, we need to understand the Hebrew and also the meanings of the Hebrew names and also the Hebrew idioms, prophecy, etc.

The so called contradiction appears in Sh’mot (Exodus) 6:3 where it says, “And I appeared to Avraham, to Yitschaq, and to Ya’aqov, as Ěl Shaddai. And by My Name, יהוה (YHWH), I did not make myself known to them”. You see, it seems like this verse is saying that Abraham, Yitschaq (Isaac) and Ya’aqov (Jacob) did not know the Name of the Almighty. I have spoken to many people (especially Christians) that use this verse to say that the Name of YHWH was only revealed for the first time to Mosheh (Moses). This is not at all true and can very easily be proven so by just reading the Scriptures. Let us look at a few verses that prove that the Name of YHWH was known since the days of Adam. The following Scriptures are a translation of the Hebrew and the Name 'YHWH' is actually recoreded there

“And יהוה (YHWH) appeared to Abram and said, “To your seed I give this land.” And he built there an altar to יהוה (YHWH) who had appeared to him. And from there he moved to the mountain east of Bĕyth Ěl, and he pitched his tent, with Bĕyth Ěl on the west and Ai on the east. And he built there an altar to יהוה (YHWH), and called on the Name of יהוה (YHWH)” (Gen 12:7-8). Here you can clearly see that Abraham, at this time still called Abram, knew the Name of YHWH and used His Name too.

“to the place of the altar which he had made there at first. And there Abram called on the Name of יהוה (YHWH)” (Gen 13:4). Here you can see once again, Abram calling on the Name of YHWH.

“And he planted a tamarisk tree in Be’ĕrsheva, and there called on the Name of יהוה (YHWH), the Everlasting Ěl. And Abraham sojourned in the land of the Philistines many days” (Gen 21:33-34). Here Abraham called once again on the Name of YHWH.

“And יהוה (YHWH) appeared to him the same night and said, “I am the Elohim of your father Abraham. Do not fear, for I am with you, and shall bless you and increase your seed for My servant Abraham’s sake.” And he built an altar there, and called on the Name of יהוה (YHWH), and he pitched his tent there, and the servants of Yitschaq dug a well there” (Gen 26:24-25). Here we can see that Yitschaq (Isaac) also knew the Name of YHWH and he too called on the Name of YHWH.

But we can even go further back than Abraham, to find people who knew and used the Name of the Almighty which is YHWH.

“And to Shĕth, to him also a son was born. And he called his name Enosh. Then it became profaned to call in the Name of יהוה (YHWH)” (Gen 4:26). Here is an example of a verse that is incorrectly translated in every single English translation of the Scriptures. The above is a direct translation of the Hebrew text, whereas the English versions of the bible have it as, “Then it was begun to call on the Name of יהוה (YHWH).” As you can see, this is a very different meaning. All the translations state that the Name of YHWH only became known in the days of Enosh. Even this disproves that it was revealed for the first time to Mosheh. But the original Hebrew tells a different story.

The Hebrew states that in the days of Enosh, it became profaned to call on the Name of YHWH. The Hebrew word used here is L¢GhD (Huchal) which means ‘to begin to profane’. This is because paganism became very rampant in those days and that they were using the Name above all names as if it were a common word and were using it in vain and even mocking it. This proves to us that the Name of YHWH was known long before Enosh came. This also proves that the Name of YHWH was not revealed for the first time to Mosheh and the Israelites, but was known by many people throughout history, even from the beginning of time, leading up to the time of Mosheh.

Okay, now we have seen proof that the Name of YHWH was known and used by Abraham and his sons, but why is it then written that He only revealed Himself as El Shaddai and not as YHWH? Well, firstly we need to understand the meanings of the words El Shaddai and also the meaning of the Name of YHWH and its prophetic and idiomatic meanings too. To really understand this concept, we need to also look at it with a Hebrew mindset. So lets analyze these two “names”.

El Shaddai

El Shaddai comes from 3 different words. Namely El, which is a shortened form of Elohim, which basically means ‘Mighty Ones’, it is however a plural form, which could indicate ‘Mighty One’s’ but in Hebrew thought, plural could also indicate the magnitude of a being, as in this case, a very very Mighty One.

The second word is ‘shad’ which literally means ‘breast’. This is where milk or nourishment comes from.

The third word ‘dai’ literally means ‘sufficient’ as in the word ‘dai’eynu’ which mean ‘that would have been enough (or sufficient) for us’

So when the Almighty revealed Himself to Abraham, Yitschak and Ya’akov as El Shaddai, he revealed Himself as the Mighty One that supplied them with all there needs.

But why not as YHWH? Well, we firstly need to look at what YHWH stands for.

YHWH

YHWH reveals the prophetic meaning or requirement of the revelation of His Name in Sh’mot (Exodus) 6:6-7. There are four specific requirements to be fulfilled in order that the Name of YHWH can be ‘made known’ to them. Let us read these two verses and see if we can find them in there.

“And I have also heard the groaning of the children of Yisra’ĕl whom the Mitsrites (Egyptians) are enslaving, and I have remembered My covenant. Say, therefore, to the children of Yisra’ĕl, ‘I am יהוה (YHWH), and I shall bring you out from under the burdens of the Mitsrites (Egyptians), and shall deliver you from their enslaving, and shall redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments, and shall take you as My people, and I shall be your Elohim. And you shall know that I am יהוה (YHWH) your Elohim who is bringing you out from under the burdens of the Mitsrites (Egyptians)” (Exodus 6:5-7).

I have highlighted the four statements above. Let us have a closer look at them individually.

1)      I shall bring you out from under the burdens of the Mitsrites (Egyptians)

2)      I shall deliver you from their enslaving

3)      I shall redeem you with an outstretched arm, and with great judgments

4)      I shall take you as My people, and I shall be your Elohim

(Also note that this prophecy is going to be repeated on the great Day of YHWH, at the return of the Messiah Yehoshua ben Dawid.)

The Name of YHWH being revealed to the Israelites in the time of Mosheh was the fulfillment of prophecy. Notice that YHWH said that “He remembered His covenant that He made” and so Mosheh was to reveal His Name as YHWH. It was the time in which He would carry out His promise that he had made to Abraham and to Yitschaq and to Ya’aqov. For up until that time, the time had not yet come for the Promised Land to be given to them.

Now we can see why it is written that the Name of YHWH was not revealed to Abraham, Yitschaq and Ya’aqov, even though they knew His Name and even used it. It is speaking of the fulfillment of prophecy or covenant, which was not fulfilled during the time of Abraham, but was going to be fulfilled during the time of Mosheh.

Now we can understand the character of the Name of YHWH and why He teaches us that, “This is My Name forever, and this is My remembrance to all generations” (Sh’mot 3:15)

Should homosexuality be acceptable?

This seems to be a very straight forward topic, however, it is not always that easy. Those who live in sin, always try and justify their sins. The Scripture is very clear on this topic of homosexuality that no homosexual person can justify what they are doing.

Please note that I am only relaying what the Scriptures teach about homosexuality and that I should not be held accountable for anything written here.

Many people also false claim that they were born gay. This is a perverse idea, and we will cover this in the article below. There is, funny enough, also gay churches that claim that homosexuals can be saved too. I wonder what bible they read out of. Even the most perverted translations of the bible still teaches that homosexuality is an abomination and the Almighty hates it and those who practice it, will not inherit the kingdom of YHWH.

Now let us have a look at what the instruction of the Almighty teaches us. “And do not lie with a male as with a woman, it is an abomination” (Leviticus 18:22). Here the Scriptures teach us not to practice homosexuality as it is an abomination. But what will happen to those who do these abominable practices? “And a man who lies with a male as he lies with a woman: both of them have done an abomination, they shall certainly be put to death, their blood is upon them” (Leviticus 20:13). Oh dear, they are to be put to death, and not even sacrificial blood can cover this terrible sin. This certainly is a strong warning from the Almighty.

Now homosexuality is so disgusting in the eyes of the Almighty that He has destroyed entire cities with flames coming from the sky, because of this terrible sin. Sedom and Ammorah are good examples of this. We read about their wickedness in the Torah where the entire city was practicing homosexuality. Let us read, “Before they lay down, the men of the city, the men of Seḏom, both old and young, all the people from every part, surrounded the house. And they called to Lot and said to him, “Where are the men who came to you tonight? Bring them out to us, and let us ‘know them.” (Genesis 19:4-5). This is a shocking piece of Scripture. These people from every part of Sedom wanted to have homosexual relations with the Messengers of the Almighty. The phrase “let us know them” is speaking of a sexual union with them.

Lot even offered his two virgin daughters to these people that they may do whatever they wanted to them. But the inhabitants of Sedom did not have any sexual interest in women, but rather wanted the men. What happened to Sedom after this? That’s right, they were annihilated. YHWH reigned fire and brimstone from the heavens and utterly destroyed Sedom. Only Lot and his two daughters survived as they fled just before all this happened.

Okay, so what about the “New Testament” then? Are we all not forgiven etc? Well let us see what is written in the “New Testament”. Shaul wrote, “Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the reign of Elohim? Do not be deceived. Neither those who whore, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor greedy of gain, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers shall inherit the reign of Elohim” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10). It is very clearly written that homosexuals will not inherit the reign of the Almighty. Let us read further.

“who changed the truth of Elohim into the falsehood, and worshipped and served what was created rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amĕn. Because of this Elohim gave them over to degrading passions. For even their women exchanged natural relations for what is against nature, and likewise, the men also, having left natural relations with woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing indecency, and receiving back the reward which was due for their straying” (Romans 1:25-27). Shaul is making it very clear that homosexuality, whether it be gay or lesbian, is an indecency and is controlled by lust and NOT love. They are given over to their lusts because of their hatred for truth and righteousness.

Sex is a physical and spiritual binding between a man and his wife. It is an example of the relationship between the Groom (the Messiah), to come, and his bride (Yisrael – the followers of YHWH). Notice that he is coming for His bride and not His bridegroom.

Another very important role of sex is to bring forth children. This is the natural and men and women were created differently in order that they can come together and produce offspring. This is what the Almighty intended. When a person goes against what is natural, he is turning and going against the Almighty, which is evil in His eyes.

Now, can someone be born gay? Absolutely not, this statement is 100% against what the almighty teaches us. It is not in His character to create a being that is automatically an abomination. “For this is good and acceptable before Elohim our Saviour, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). How can the Almighty create a person, which He desires to be saved, already gay and an abomination that needs to be put to death. Who ever says that he or she is born gay, is calling the Almighty a liar. Whose word are you going to believe? Homosexuality is always a choice.

Homosexuality is growing at a very rapid rate and has long ago been accepted by modern society and these abominable people have more rights in our modern governments than almost anyone else. What do you think the Almighty thinks about this?

Homosexuality always stems from some kind of abuse, whether it be physical or emotional. Our current world is full of evil and is destroying the people at a very rapid rate. If the Torah was kept by everyone (which will happen at the return of the Messiah), then there would not be such a thing as hatred or abuse or stealing or sexual sin or homosexuality or poor people or any evil at all. Only because of perversion, there is such evil in this world. Homosexuality is driven purely by lust. The true followers of the Almighty YHWH can only pray for these people, but can in no way fellowship with them. “And have no fellowship with the fruitless works of darkness, but rather reprove them” (Ephesians 5:11)

We are not to condone or fellowship with homosexuals at all, as this is an abomination in the eyes of the Creator

May we all strive to follow what is good and righteous in the eyes of YHWH so that we may inherit eternal life.

Shalom

Are we sinners, or can we be righteous?

Now I have seen how people have argued and continue to argue on a certain topic in the Scriptures. It even seems that there is a contradiction in the Scriptures where one group of people quote the Scriptures concerning the one idea and the other group of people also quote the Scriptures to say what seems to be a contradiction of that idea. Both these groups do not understand the true nature of the Scriptures, and therefore misinterpret it, as there is certainly no contradiction, but both ideas are 100% in agreement with each other.

Let us have a look at this argument in question.

The first group claims that there cannot be any person who is righteous and that we all continue to be sinners as long as we live. They then quote the following, “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His Word is not in us” (1 John 1:10). This seems to be a valid argument don’t you think?

The other group says that there are righteous people and that we can live righteously. They then quote a couple of Scriptures like the following, “There was in the days of Herodes, the sovereign of Yehudah, a certain priest named Zecharyah, of the division of Aviyah. And his wife was of the daughters of Aharon, and her name was Elisheva. And they were both righteous before Elohim, blamelessly walking in all the commands and righteousnesses of יהוה (YHWH)” (Luke 1:5-6). They also quote all those who were righteous, like Abraham, Iyov (Job), Noah etc. This too is written and is a valid argument.

The fact of the matter is that both of these arguments, or concepts, are correct. Now how can both be correct at the same time? It is very easy to understand once you understand the character of the Almighty and the character of man.

Let me explain it in a simple way using the Scriptures. The Messiah Yehoshua and Shaul understood this very well and explains to us in many places, for example, “For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh. And these are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you desire to do” (Galatians 5:17). Here he is explaining the difference between the flesh and the Spirit. These two fight against one another. You are either living in the flesh, where you are a sinner, or you are living according to the Ruach (Spirit), where you are righteous as you are living according to the Torah of YHWH and not according to your own desires.

Let us read some more, “That which has been born of the flesh is flesh, and that which has been born of the Spirit is spirit” (John 3:6). Here is what the concept of born again is. It is putting away the sinful flesh, and living according to the Ruach (Spirit) of YHWH. This is to live according to His Instruction, and not our own.

“It is the Spirit that gives life, the flesh does not profit at all. The words that I speak to you are Spirit and are life” (John 6:63). Here we are taught that only those who are righteous, living by the Spirit, gain life. Those living by the flesh, profit nothing unto destruction. Notice also that he says that the words are not his own, but the Words of the Spirit which brings life.

“For we know that the Torah is Spiritual, but I am fleshly, sold under sin” (Romans 7:14). Shaul gave us great understanding here by explaining that the Torah of YHWH is Spiritual, and not just Words written on paper. Those Words on the paper are living Words. The flesh does not live by them, but only the righteous do.

“There is, then, now no condemnation to those who are in Messiah יהושע (Yehoshua), who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1). What is Shaul saying here? Those who are in the Messiah Yehoshua, are those who are living according to the Torah of YHWH! This totally contradicts what the Church teaches. If we are truly in the Messiah, then we will walk as He did, by obeying the Instructions of His Father, and not walking according to our own flesh, or the teachings of men (Pastors) which is also flesh (carnal) and leads to destruction.

“so that the righteousness of the Torah should be completed in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:4). Once again, Shaul is teaching that righteousness comes from the Torah, and that those walking in the Torah, are walking in the Spirit and not in the flesh.

“For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the matters of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the matters of the Spirit” (Romans 8:5). You cannot live according to the flesh and the Spirit at the same time. If you live according to the flesh, your thoughts and ideas will be according to the flesh. But if you live in the Instruction of the Almighty, your thoughts will be on His Torah.

“For the mind of the flesh is death, but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace” (Romans 8:6). How silly are those who claim that Shaul taught us that we do not have to obey the Torah anymore. This is preposterous. Here he is teaching that if you do not obey the Torah of YHWH, then you will land up in destruction, but in order to obtain life, we need to walk in all the Torah, which is the instruction unto righteousness and life.

“But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of Elohim dwells in you. And if anyone does not have the Spirit of Messiah, this one is not His” (Romans 8:9). It is clear that if one has the Spirit of Elohim, then that person will be obedient to the Torah. Those who are not obedient to the Torah, but claim to be led by the Spirit, are total liars. The Spirit of Elohim, will NEVER, teach anything contrary to His Torah. Those who do not have the Spirit, that person(s) is not one of His children.

“For if you live according to the flesh, you are going to die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you shall live” (Romans 8:13). Once again, Shaul is making it very clear that by living according to the flesh and not according to the Torah, the outcome will be death. But if you live according to the Spirit, then you will put away the fleshly desires, and then you will live righteously and will be given the gift of life eternal.

“Are you so senseless? Having begun in the Spirit, do you now end in the flesh?” (Galatians 3:3). Shaul is speaking to the congregation in Galatia. Rebuking them and calling them senseless as they turned from truth and obedience to the Torah, and continued in their fleshly desires. This will only end up in destruction.

“And I say: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not accomplish the lust of the flesh” (Galatians 5:16). The flesh has to be put away in order to obey the Torah. You cannot do both at the same time. Righteous people are not sinners.

“Because he who sows to his own flesh shall reap corruption from the flesh, but he who sows to the Spirit shall reap everlasting life from the Spirit” (Galatians 6:8). How many more times must Shaul teach this, and yet, the Church teaches the opposite. If you do not obey the Torah and do not live your life according to the Torah of YHWH, then you are living according to the flesh. I have heard many many Christians say that they will never work for a Christian boss. This is because Christianity is based on the flesh and reaps corruption. If that boss obeyed the Torah, he would treat his employees with respect and fairness, and also pay them what they were due and on time. Only those who obey the Torah of YHWH, will reap everlasting life.

“Let it not be! But let Elohim be true, and every man a liar, as it has been written, “That You should be declared right in Your words, and prevail in Your judging.” (Romans 3:4). Only Elohim is true and righteous, and every man is a liar. That is why we need to put away our old flesh, and live according to Elohim. If we walk in His instruction, and speak His words, then we speak truth and live righteously.

“But go and learn what this means, ‘I desire compassion and not offering. For I did not come to call the righteous to repentance, but sinners.” (Matthew 9:13). So as you can see, there is a clear distinction between the sinners and the righteous. The righteous are those who are living according to the Torah and not according to their own desires. But there is hope for those who are sinners, it is called repentance. Repentance is a turning away from your old fleshly self, and then continuing in the righteous living of obeying the Torah of YHWH.

Go have a look for yourself, who are those who are called the righteous in Scripture. Also see why they were called righteous. You will find that they were all righteous for the same reason. All of them obeyed the Torah of YHWH.

Let us some it up with the words of the Messiah, “And see, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good shall I do to have everlasting life?” And He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good except One – Elohim. But if you wish to enter into life, guard the Commands” (Matthew 19:16-17). Wow… what a statement. Yehoshua the Messiah Himself said that not even He was good! And yet He never sinned. He is saying that there is only one being that is good and that being is YHWH the Creator of all. Yehoshua says that His flesh is not good, but He did not sin because he did all that YHWH His Father commanded Him to do. Yehoshua walk according to the Spirit, just as we are to walk according to the Spirit, and not according to the flesh.

So it is very clear that all of us have sinned, but it is also right that we can become righteous and be called righteous too, in fact, we are required to become righteous in order to obtain everlasting life. And in order to be called righteous, we need to guard to keep the whole Torah of YHWH.

Psalms 1:1-6 The difference between the righteous and the sinner

We have all heard the phrase that “we are all sinners” this is true to a certain degree. Once we repent of our sinful ways and live our lives in the Instruction of the Almighty, then we become righteous. This is a theme found throughout the Scriptures. It is very fitting that Dawid’s very first psalm is making the distinction between the righteous and the sinner (unrighteous). He also explains to us what righteousness is. Let us read what he wrote:

1. “Blessed is the man who shall not walk in the counsel of the wrong, And shall not stand in the path of sinners, And shall not sit in the seat of scoffers,

2. But his delight is in the Torah of יהוה (YHWH), And he meditates in His Torah day and night.

Here is a very clear distinction between who the sinners are and who are righteous and blessed. It also makes a very clear distinction between what is right and what is wrong. Sin is the opposite of obedience to Torah. The one who delights in the Torah of YHWH and meditates on it day and night (Not just once a week) is blessed. It is impossible to walk with those who are wrong and stand by the scoffers if you constantly have the Torah in mind all the time.

Also notice how it says ‘blessed are those who delight in the Torah of YHWH’. Have we not been taught by the church that the Torah is a curse? How is it possible that the man who is known to be after the Almighty’s own heart, will delight in a curse? It is simply not so. There are both blessings and curses found in the Torah, those who obey the Torah will be blessed, and those who do not obey the Torah will be cursed. It is up to you to decide if you want to be blessed or cursed.

3. For he shall be as a tree Planted by the rivers of water, That yields its fruit in its season, And whose leaf does not wither, And whatever he does prospers.

Dawid who knew the will of YHWH better than any of us can dream of today, teaches that those who delight in obeying the Torah of YHWH, is steadfast and does not lack. The reason you prosper in everything you do if you obey the Torah, is because the Torah is YHWH’s instruction for us on how to prosper, and when we obey His Word, then He Himself gives us our needs.

4. The wrong are not so, But are like the chaff which the wind blows away.

Those who do not obey the Torah, will wither away. They try and prosper by their own strength, which causes stress and worry, and ultimately ends in destruction. Their marriages fall apart, some are lead to drinking and smoking to try handle stress. In the end, even those who supposedly made a success will be destroyed.

5. Therefore the wrong shall not rise in the judgment, Nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.

There are two judgments in the end times, one when the Messiah returns, when all the righteous will rise up and be judged, and one after the thousand year reign with the Messiah, when all the wicked will be judged and thrown into destruction.

Nor will sinners be allowed in the congregation of the righteous. The righteous people will not stand for sinful natures. If anyone willfuly sins, then that person will not be tolerated by the righteous people.

6. For יהוה (YHWH) knows the way of the righteous, But the way of the wrong comes to naught”

YHWH knows the WAY (actions, works) of the RIGHTEOUS because the righteous live by His Torah. YHWH only gives favor to those who are righteous, those who are doing and living by His Torah. The Torah is wrongly translated as “Law”, but is correctly translated as “Instruction”. If we live by our Father’s instruction, then we will prosper and find favor in His eyes. Those who do not obey His Instruction, are not His children and their ways end up in naught.

We are all going to be judged, whether you are Hindu, Muslim, Christian, Jew, Atheist, or of the faith of the Messiah. Only those who do the Torah of YHWH will be part of the first judgment and will inherit eternal life. Everyone else will be part of the second judgment.

It is up to you, which judgment you will be part of. Do you want to be part of the first, or the second judgment?

Can you accept discipline or does your pride get the better of you?

How are you going to react when you are shown that what you believe to be true, is actually false? All of us who have come out of the Christian faith have had to face this scenario. But after coming out of the Christian faith, the great majority of people fall into a Messianic or Hebrew Roots group, thinking that they are now following the true faith.

Now the true test comes in here when you are confronted with truths and facts that contradict what you thought to be true. How are you going to react when you realize that what you believe to be true is, once again, wrong? 

The unfortunate thing is that the majority of people still subscribe to false teachings, as it suites them, and rejects the factual evidence of the truth. Many people do so as they cannot believe that they can be fooled again and many times are too embarrassed to acklowledge this, and that they would rather run away from the facts, than accept them. Is this not pride getting in the way of truth?

Many of the Messianic and Hebrew Roots people come to realize the Hebrew-ness of the Scriptures and get a very basic knowledge of the Hebrew language and culture. Then they act as though they are experts in the Hebrew language and at the same time come up with so many errors by breaking every Hebrew grammatical rule possible. And when they are approached with the facts, they fight with the person trying to help them. The same goes for the cultural aspect, e.g. the "feasts" and shabbat.  They are taught about them but also that it is not actually necessary to DO them.  For example, they are taught that it is only necessary to have a shabbat meal on the Friday evening and then can do whatever they like!

Let us look at one of the biggest errors that I am speaking of:

The majority of the Messianic and Hebrew Roots people proclaim the name of the Messiah as “Yahushua” or “Yahuwshuwa” or something similar. These are not correct. Yes, the Name of the Father (Yahu) is in His Son’s Name and is joined to the word ‘shua’ which means save. So the Name of the Messiah means “YHWH is our salvation” but joining these two words together to give us the Name of the Messiah is where the people go wrong. You see, we need to understand Hebrew grammar before we can just join these two words together. Let me explain:

When joining two words together, the suffix (in this case “shua”) always retains its form, whereas the prefix (in this case “Yahu”) always shortens its syllables. For example, NATHAN + YAHU = NeTHANYAHU, and YAHU + NATHAN = YeHoNATHAN. This is always the case, and I challenge anyone to go and look it up in any Hebrew dictionary or lexicon or grammar book and show me that this is not true.

So the true Name of the Messiah is YAHU + SHUA = Yehoshua, which still holds the meaning of “YHWH is our salvation”

This is just one example of many!

Now when I have tried to help people with this factual evidence, I have been met with hostility and hatred without them being able to prove these facts wrong. These people who claim to be believers in the Torah of YHWH refuse to accept truth and rebuke the righteous people who lovingly try to help them… where have you seen this before? It looks a bit Christiany to me. These people look at the facts and claim that it is only opinion… what foolishness!!! How can you say that it is an opinion when it is factually documented and cannot be disproven? It would be good to be like the Bereans and go and search the Scriptures (Tanakh) to search for the truth.

After such hatred, I posted on my Facebook wall that “all those who are not interested in the truth, should rather unfriend me as I will be proclaiming only the truth” I could not believe how many Messianic and Hebrew Roots people unfriended me almost immediately. This proves to me that the Messianic and Hebrew Roots is not the true faith of the Messiah Yehoshua. I have also stated the fact that I have not met one Messianic or Hebrew Roots follower that keeps the Torah of YHWH. They say they do, but their actions say otherwise.

Let me tell you about the instance when I walked into a Messianic book store to ask them if I could leave some pamphlets there for guitar lessons. I was immediately asked, by one of the store owners, if I was Torah observant. I could not believe my ears. I had a beard and wore tzitzit that was clearly visible, and that person could not identify me as a Torah observant person. This is because the Messianic people are not taught the true meaning of the Torah and therefore, cannot recognize the Torah or its followers, even if they were hit in the face with it. I realized that I was speaking to a Christian who had a little bit of a Hebrew flavor. The book store had more Christian books than anything else. No wonder they are so ignorant of the true faith. 

People want to mix their Christianity with SOME Hebrew flavour, but do not see that the two cannot mix.

This is unfortunately the truth about Messianic and Hebrew roots groups, they are Christian groups with a Hebrew flavor. They get together in small groups where a “leader” will teach them what the Scriptures say. Every group has a different set of beliefs (denominations) like, those who follow the lunar Sabbath, or those who subscribe to the false teaching that a Scriptural day starts at sunrise and some even sacrifice lambs still and many other false teachings like these. Not one of them keeps the Torah in its entirety.

Neither the Messiah nor His disciples were Messianic or Hebrew Roots, but rather obeyed the Torah of YHWH fully. They did not have a title, nor did they follow anyone else, but learnt from the Torah of YHWH, which the Messiah magnified.

Now… only those who are righteous will humble themselves and accept the truth, no matter how silly it makes them look.

Let us look at a few verses that were written by the wisest man to have lived (Other than the Messiah of course).

“The fear of יהוה (YHWH) is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and discipline” (Proverbs 1:7)

“Blessed is the man who has found wisdom, And the man who gets understanding;

For the gain from it is better Than gain from silver, And its increase than fine gold” (Proverbs 3:13-14)

“He dies for lack of discipline, And in the greatness of his folly He goes astray” (Proverbs 5:23)

“Listen to discipline and become wise, And do not refuse it” (Proverbs 8:33)

“He who heeds discipline is in the way of life, But he who refuses reproof goes astray” (Proverbs 10:17)

“Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge, But he who hates reproof is stupid” (Proverbs 12:1)

“Poverty and shame are for him Who ignores discipline, But he who heeds reproof is esteemed” (Proverbs 13:18)

“He who ignores discipline hates himself, But he who listens to reproof gets understanding” (Proverbs 15:32)

“The fear of יהוה is the discipline of wisdom, And before esteem is humility” (Proverbs 15:33)

“Listen to counsel and accept discipline, So that you are wise in your latter end” (Proverbs 19:20)

“Bring your heart to discipline, And your ears to words of knowledge” (Proverbs 23:12)

“The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who listens to advice is wise” (Proverbs 12:15)

I think that you get the point. I love discipline as it leads me to righteousness and keeps me on the narrow road. I accept it with joy and thanksgiving.

Now are you going to follow the way of righteousness and accept discipline and knowledge with joy and thanksgiving? Or are you going to remain proud and reject knowledge and truth? This is the difference between being wise or being a fool.