It is almost the end of April on the Gregorian calendar, so that means we are in the Hebrew month of Iyar. Iyar is its Babylonian name, the Bible refers to it as ‘the second month’ or ‘chodesh haziv’ (the month of shining or blossoming), or simply as the month of Ziv. There are always two days of Rosh Chodesh Iyar (celebration of the new moon), the first of which is the 30th day of Nisan. Iyar always has 29 days. Iyar is known as the month of (natural) healing.
Two memorials commemorating events in history of modern Israel are celebrated in this month. Israel Independence Day is on the 5th of Iyar, and Jerusalem Day, the day Israel reconquered Jerusalem during the Six Day War, is on the 28th day of the month. The 4th of Iyar is Israel's Yom HaZikaron, or Israeli national memorial day for fallen soldiers. There are several dates in Israel's ancient history to note this month, too, as recorded in the pages of scripture. 1) On the first day of Iyar following the exodus of the Israelites from Egypt, the thirsty people reached a well of bitter water. Moses was told to cast a tree into the water. He did and it miraculously became sweet. YHWH then promised that if Israel followed His ways he would not place upon them the diseases he placed upon Egypt. “The diseases I have placed upon Egypt I will not place upon you, for I AM YHWH your Healer.” Exodus 15:26 YHWH Rophe - YHWH our Healer Hebrew letters often have deeper meaning than the simple words they spell. Again, the Hebrew letters that form the word Iyar form an acronym of the Exodus verse above: "I am the Lord your Healer", thus Iyar is seen as a propitious time for healing. 2) On the first day of Iyar, King Solomon began the construction of the First Temple. (Kings I:6:1) 3) On the exact same day, hundreds of years later, Ezra began the construction of the Second Temple. (Ezra 3:8) 4) During the month of Iyar following the exodus from Egypt, mannah began to fall in the desert for the wandering people to eat, and it continued to fall for 40 years. According to Jewish tradition, mannah is supposed to have healing qualities, so there is another association between Iyar and healing. When I ran across this I sat up and took notice. At this very moment.... actually since about the time of the new moon for Iyar ..... I have been in need of physical healing. I'm not sure why or what is going on, but it has definitely gotten my attention. The list of symptoms in interesting: (roving) joint pain, swollen lymph nodes on my neck, extreme fatigue, low grade fever, swollen and/or weak hands and arms, headaches, back and neck pain, not being able to sleep, and a host of other little things that hit pretty much all at once, but I didn't realize were connected or related. Yikes! I was delighted to do some reading about what the Jewish sages say this month means, or what it's essence is all about... I found the essence to be healing, drawing closer to YHWH and building understanding. Although I do not subscribe to Talmudic teachings as being equal with Torah, I do find the associations between this month, it's constellation (the ox plowing the field, sowing new seed and nourishing growth and healing of the land), letter meanings (as in the acronym explained above) and the historical dates of import (also listed above), etc., to be amazing and somehow comforting, if not a little enlightening. Above all, I am just pleased as punch that YHWH brought all this to my attention. I had already determined and understood (through prayer) that the next few weeks were going to have to be a time of healing and recovery and discovery for me because of the number of things in life that recently changed or stopped and how worn out I feel inside and out! It has become (literally) painfully obvious that some of my priorities are out of balance. This has been a confirmation of that decision to rest and seek His healing and comfort. Hallelujah and praise be to the One who opens my eyes... daily... Reposted from Bibles for Israel, http://free.messianicbible.com/parasha/passover-day-dedicated-coming-messiah/ The Eighth Day of Passover, 5775 Torah Readings: Deuteronomy 15:19–16:17; Isaiah 10:32–12:6; 1 Corinthians 15:35–16:24; Revelation 2:1–7 Maftir: Numbers 28:19–25 “On the first day hold a sacred assembly, and another one on the seventh day. Do no work at all on these days, except to prepare food for everyone to eat; that is all you may do.” (Exodus 12:16) It has been a full week—seven days—of eating matzah (unleavened bread) and abstaining from all forms of leaven during Pesach (Feast of Passover). Last night, on the seventh night of Passover, some Jewish people stayed awake all night. They do this because the Israelites are believed to have crossed the Red Sea on this night of Passover. It was an all-night event that demonstrated the miraculous and awesome power of God. The Torah reading for the seventh day of Passover (Exodus 13:17–15:26) includes the recounting of the crossing of the Red Sea. Jewish people then sing the Song of Moses—the same one sung by the ancient Israelites thousands of years ago when they rejoiced over their victory in safely reaching the other side: “Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: ‘I will sing to the LORD, for He is highly exalted. The horse and driver He has hurled into the sea.’” (Exodus 15:1) While Passover is now drawing to a close in Israel, the last day of Passover is just beginning in the Diaspora (Jews living outside Israel). This extra day of Passover for Jews living outside Israel was instituted by rabbinic decree from early on. One purpose may have been to raise awareness among members of the Jewish communities living outside of Israel that they could come home out of exile. Another reason, perhaps the original reason, however, for the extra day has to do with the timing of the holiday. Originally, the beginning of the month was established at the sighting of the New Moon in Jerusalem, which set the exact day of the celebration of holidays. Special messengers were dispatched from Jerusalem so that throughout Israel, as well as the Diaspora, holidays would be celebrated on the proper day. Of course, the messengers did not always arrive before the holiday, so an extra day was added to some holidays, including Passover. But in regards to time, there is another difference between the eighth day and the rest of Passover; the eighth day looks forward to a future redemption rather than back to a past redemption. From Redemption in Egypt to Final Redemption in the Messianic Era The Exodus from Egypt marked a new beginning for the Israelites—the birthing of their nation. But theirs was no ordinary nation, for when they stepped out of Egypt, they stepped into a Divine call and destiny. God Himself would guide them so that their Divine call and destiny would be fulfilled: to be a holy nation and kingdom of priests holding out to the other nations the Torah and Light of the World. Israel's nationhood was conceived with God’s personal call to Abraham. It continued to grow through Isaac and Jacob and the twelve sons that became the 12 tribes, which multiplied to great numbers in just 400 years. And finally upon the Exodus from Egypt, birthing the nation that would bring about the blessing of God to the world. Each year at Passover, we are to consider that we ourselves left Egypt those many years ago. But this looking back also points to our present. Each of us has our own personal Egypt from which we need deliverance. Still, this extra day of Passover changes the focus from the redemption of our first exile to a future, final Messianic redemption of the Jewish People. According to Rabbi Yitzchak Schochet, “The two are intimately connected, the beginning and end of one process, with God in the future redemption showing wonders‘as in the days of your exodus from Egypt.’” (Micah 7:15) The Torah reading for the eighth day of Passover (Deuteronomy 15:19–16:17) reminds us that the firstborn of one’s herd belongs to God. Of course, this is connected to the sparing of the firstborn Israelites whose houses were marked with the blood of the lamb. This Parasha reading also describes the offerings that were to be brought to the Temple for seven days during Pesach. And it provides a variety of laws, including those related to tithes, the year of release (Shemitah year), the release of slaves, and a comprehensive description of the Shalosh Regalim (three pilgrimage festivals): Pesach (Passover), Shavuot (Pentecost), and Sukkot (Feast of Tabernacles)—festivals during which God requires the men of Israel to make a pilgrimage to the Temple in Jerusalem. Although the Temple does not exist today, plans have been drawn up for the creation of the Third Temple. The Temple vessels and priestly garments have also been created, and the priests are already in training. This is the Temple in which the anti-Messiah will set up the abomination of the desolation in the Last Days. It is also the Temple that Yeshua (Jesus) will return to and demonstrate once again how zealous He is for His Father's house. The Prophesied Final Redemption This Haftarah passage was specially chosen to be chanted on the last day of Passover because it contains several allusions to the redemption from Egypt. The Haftarah, from the Book of Isaiah (Isaiah 10:32–12:6), begins with a prediction that Assyria will be defeated. This defeat apparently occurred on Passover, according to Jewish tradition. In this Haftarah reading, Assyria is described as the rod of God’s anger in punishing Israel’s unfaithfulness. But Assyria itself will be punished because it went beyond God’s bidding by being excessively cruel to Jerusalem. (Isaiah 10:11) Furthermore, it attributed its success against Jerusalem to its own might. (Isaiah 10:12–15) Isaiah 37 describes the Assyrian army’s unsuccessful campaign against Jerusalem. In one night, the angel of the Lord struck down 185,000 in the camp. Assyria failed to crush Jerusalem. The power of David's throne in Jerusalem continues through the Messiah; this Haftarah portion promises that a shoot will grow from the stump of Jesse (King David’s father). That shoot is the Messiah, and the Spirit of the Lord, Isaiah says, will rest on Him. (Isaiah 11:1–2) This reading further states that He will reign in Israel, and the nations will seek out His counsel. The Haftarah continues with Isaiah’s message of hope that the Israelites will again be gathered together from lands of exile and return to Israel. The reading also contains the famous great vision of the Messianic Era in which both society and nature will undergo a complete transformation—a new exodus, as it were. Peace and harmony will reign supreme among all people as the Messiah governs by God’s Spirit and not through force. Isaiah offers a prophetic vision of the final redemption. He includes some of the most known and perhaps appealing images of the harmony of the soon-coming MessianicEra, as well as the return of the Jewish People to the land of Israel, which will be ruled by the Messiah. “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them.” (Isaiah 11:6) “He will raise a banner for the nations and gather the exiles of Israel; He will assemble the scattered people of Judah from the four quarters of the earth.” (Isaiah 11:12) The Jewish People Long for Their Messiah While all of Passover points to future redemption, the eighth day of Passover is distinguished by focusing on the Messianic redemption, so much so that the final meal at the end of the Eighth day is called the Feast of the Messiah. The redemption that Messiah brings will be a complete redemption in which Israel will no longer be in exile. Past redemptions are considered incomplete in Judaism because the possibility for exile remained; however, in the final redemption, all possibilities for exile will be obliterated. (Chabad) Many Christians today are unaware that the belief in the coming of the Messiah is a cardinal tenet of the Jewish faith. The Jewish People have looked for centuries for a Messianic deliverer who would bring world peace. Nationally speaking they do not yet recognize that Yeshua (Jesus) is the promised Messiah for whom they have been longing, or that He will soon be returning to Jerusalem as the King of Israel. However, the Prophet Zechariah does promise that Israel will one day recognize Yeshua as the Messiah: "And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on Me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for Him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for Him as one grieves for a firstborn son." (Zechariah 12:10) This is REPOSTED from over on Judah Gabriel's blog, Kineti L'Tziyon at http://tinyurl.com/oesz3q5
Shalom fine Kineti reader, and chag sameach. Here are some notes I jotted tonight for the significance of the 4 cups of Passover for Messianic believers. I hope you enjoy! -Judah Gabriel Why do we drink the 4 cups of Passover? The Jewish people have several traditions around the 4 cups. One prominent tradition is that the 4 cups correspond to the 4 “I will…” statements of Exodus 6: I am the Lord, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will save you from slavery to them, and I will redeem you with an outstretched arm and with great acts of judgment. I will take you to be my people.… We take these 4 cups remembering the works of God, aspects of his saving Israel, facets of his salvation:
We also take these 4 cups in remembrance of Messiah. At Passover, Messiah commands us to “do this in remembrance of Me” – but what are we remembering about Messiah?
Cup 1: Sanctification “I will take you out” With this first cup we remember God pulling Israel out of the nations and setting them apart from the world. We remember how God took a bunch of nobody slaves and called them to be distinct from the nation they were living in. He took people that were suffering and dissolving and disappearing, he listened to their cries for help, and responded to their cries, “I will take you out!” This separate-ness,called sanctification, is why God blessed Israel but judged Egypt. This separate-ness is why God sent plagues on idolaters, but peace and safety to His people. This separateness is why God killed the firstborn of Egypt, but gave life and deliverance to his people Israel. When we drink this cup of sanctification, we remember the Messiah, who called us to the difficult and life-long path of a disciple: separate from the world, distinct from sinful people, a higher calling of discipline and obedience and service to God. We remember that Messiah has taken us out of the world, as it’s written, “Do not love the world, or the things of the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lusts of the flesh and the lusts of the eyes are not of the Father, but of the world. And the world and all of these lusts are passing away. But the one that does the will of God abides forever and ever.” God has called each person in this room to live a holy life. Not one that is so like the world, that we’re indistinguishable from unbelievers. But a life marked by holiness, characterized by shalom, distinguished by obedience to God’s commandments, filled up with the fruit of the Spirit and producing good works for God and the Messiah who sanctifies us. Cup 2: Deliverance “I will save you” Have you ever experienced a difficult time in your life? Maybe you’re struggling with depression, battling addictions, barely surviving a fight-filled marriage? In such times, we call out to God for help. We’re at the end of what we can humanely do. We don’t know how else to fix the situation. “God, help me, I don’t know what else to do!” This is what the people of Israel did in Egypt. Being worked to death in a burning desert for hundreds of years, people were losing hope. At that point, all of God’s promises must have seemed ridiculous. That old promise that God would make them into a great nation must have seemed entirely laughable, a fairy tales you tell to children, but not a tangible reality. Then, God intervened. Then, God performed a divine reversal. Instead of a forgotten people dying in a desert, God puts on a show of divine power, his right arm bared for everyone to see, miracles worked one after another, judgment brought on the captors, release and favor on the captives. This was the salvation of Israel that was to be remembered for generations to come, this was the deliverance of God’s people that became etched throughout the Scriptures, ingrained even in the 10 commandments which begin, “I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, and delivered you from the land of slavery.” Had God not delivered them at that time, there would have been no Exodus from Egypt, no commandments given to Israel, no land of Israel, no prophets of Israel, no books of the Bible, no kings of Israel, no King David, and if not David, then no son of David, the Messiah, and if no Messiah, no disciples, no disciples, and we wouldn’t be here today. As we drink this cup of deliverance, let’s remember that God came through, he didn’t disappoint, and made good on his promise to deliver Israel. Let’s remember that God sent the Messiah, his own Son, who delivers us from sin; we no longer need to be slaves to sin, because we have repentance leading to forgiveness of sin in Yeshua’s name. We will overcome even the difficult circumstances because God will deliver us, as Messiah encouraged us saying, “Have no fear, have no fear, I have overcome the world!” Let’s remember and trust and believe that every man who puts his trust in the Lord will not be disappointed, but will see in his own life God’s complete and total deliverance. Cup 3: Redemption “I will redeem you” The idea of redemption is foreign to us in the 21st century. We might redeem a coupon code, or talk about a person’s sole redeeming quality, but we otherwise don’t deal in redemption. To redeem something is to regain it in exchange for payment. To buy back something. To repurchase or win back something. God is in the redemption business. God is called the Redeemer of Israel repeatedly in the Torah and in the psalms and in the in the prophets. In this 3rd Passover cup, the cup of redemption, we remember that God redeemed Israel from slavery, reclaiming his people for himself through what the Scriptures call an outstretched arm – God’s power on display through repeated miracles for Israel and plagues against Egypt.” This 3rd cup is the cup that our Master Yeshua also said, “This is the cup of the b’rit hachadasha (new covenant, new agreement, new deal), ratified by my blood, which is poured out for you.” This new covenant, this new deal was an agreement in which God agreed that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved, spared from sin and death and judgment. Yeshua said this 3rd cup, the cup of redemption, is the cup of the new covenant, the cup of his blood poured out for humanity. His blood being poured out was what made this new deal possible. Isaiah spoke in advance of Messiah’s coming, foretelling that God’s righteous servant – the Messiah – will justify many people before God. This new deal was made possible by God laying on Messiah the guilt of humanity, that by his being beaten, bruised, and whipped, and speared, and nailed to a tree, Messiah’s shed blood will redeem mankind. This is the blood of the new covenant, the cup of redemption that we are about to drink. The book of Hebrews puts it this way: the priests in the Temple offering sacrifices and appearing before God’s presence is an earthly shadow of a heavenly reality: Messiah shedding his perfect blood, cleaning us of our sin and appearing before God on our behalf. Through Messiah’s shed blood, he took on himself the sins of many, becoming God’s Salvation and God’s Redemption. And because of this Messiah, we are all here today. Because of the merit of Messiah’s life and the pouring out of his blood, God has purchased from all nations a people for himself, a people who once were not a people. We, the billions of believers who call on the name of the God of Israel, have been redeemed by God, purchased through the precious blood of his own son, the spotless Passover lamb, to him be the glory forever! Cup 4: Restoration “I will take you as My own people” The hope we have as disciples of Yeshua is the hope promised in the Scriptures: God is restoring all things to their pristine state, turning evil on its head, rewarding the righteous, setting things straight. Are you distraught at how wicked and sinful people are today? Don’t worry, God will bring every evil act of men into judgment. Do you see confusion among secular people, in the media, and even in the church? God promises he will seal up the deceiver, cast him in the lake of fire, and Satan will no longer be able to deceive the nations. Are you ill? God has promised that when the Kingdom of Heaven arrives, disease will be taken away. Are you suffering? God will wipe every tear from your eye, remove pain and suffering. Are you old and frail? God will raise you up in the last day, give you a new immortal body, and you will reign with him from Jerusalem. In this final cup of Passover, the cup of Restoration, we remember that God kept his promise to restore Israel. It was seemingly impossible – the sons of Abraham to whom God has promised a nation and a great people had been reduced to a lowly group of slaves subject to a harsh master, a disorganized and bickering people dying through forced labor in the desert. God came through and restored the people to the glory he promised them. Abraham’s seed, the Jewish people, saw God at work, restoring his people to their honored state as kings and priests of God, making a reality his promise of a great nation through whom all the families of the earth would be blessed. That nation and that people are still alive today as a testament to God’s faithfulness. It’s important we remember this restoration! In the 1800s, even many of the Jewish people forgot that God is serious about restoration. After nearly 2000 years of being a disorganized, disunited people outside of the land God promised, one of the major branches of Judaism decided God wouldn’t restore the land after all; the Jewish people would never return to the land of Israel, never again to be a nation. That branch of Judaism decided to remove from the siddur all prayers mentioning Israel, Zion, Jerusalem. The Christian world, too, discarded God’s promise of restoration, with one Vatican official writing in the early 1920s that God has “forever cursed the Jewish people to be nomads without a homeland.” But, to the surprise of even the religious, God didn’t forget his promise of restoration. On May 14th of 1948, the nation of Israel was reborn, the Jewish exile ended, the land of Israel brought forth fruit again, and the Hebrew language was restored. God is in the business of restoration, even in the modern age, yes, even in this generation. In the last 20 years, we have seen a renaissance of disciples of eshua who love the Torah, look at God’s commandments as holy and good and righteous. That you are here today, celebrating Passover on the other side of the planet from where Messiah lived, 2000 years after his day – this too is a testament to God at work, God restoring what once was and what will soon be in the Messianic Era. This final cup of Passover Yeshua our master did not drink. He said, “I will not drink of this cup until it finds its fullness in the Kingdom of Heaven”, that day when God wipes every tear from our eyes, when he takes away suffering and pain, causes death itself to die, resurrects his loved ones, all of his holy, faithful children reigning with him, bringing to earth a new earth, a new heaven and a new Jerusalem. Then Messiah’s name Immanuel – God with us will have its full meaning when God dwells with mankind and restores creation itself, making all things new. Chag sameach! |
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