December 27, 2014 Shabbat Bible Study
©2014 Mark Pitrone and Fulfilling Torah Ministries
Year 2 Shabbat 39
Leviticus 18:1-30 – Jeremiah 10:2-21 – Psalm 83 – 1 Corinthians 5:1-6:10
Links:
Vayikra 18.1-10 – Y’hovah opens with the enabling clause, anochi Y’hovah Elohechem, giving them the reason that they are bound to obedience. Right from the get go, Yah tells Yisrael to stay aloof from the practices of the pagan cultures around them, both those from which they had just come out, and those into which they would eventually go. There was to be no mixing, or syncretism, of what the non-Hebrew nations did and what Y’hovah commanded Yisrael to do. They were to separate themselves from the practices of their neighbors in v.3 and separate themselves unto the practices that Y’hovah Elohechem commanded them in vv.4&5. By Y’hovah telling Israel that they would live in the judgments, statutes and ordinances he commanded, I infer that doing anything else AS unto him would bring about their death. I think we therefore need to see Rav Sha’ul’s instruction in 2Cor.13 in this light
Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Yeshua haMoshiach is in you, except ye be reprobates? (II Corinthians 13:5)
To be ‘in the faith’ meant to be living according to the precepts of the faith, and one of the chief precepts of the faith is seen in Lev.18.3-5 – Set apart from the world and unto Y’hovah. Y’hovah then spells out some of the practices of the pagan cultures that will ALWAYS surround Yisrael that we MUST separate ourselves from.
V.6 is the thesis statement for the rest of ch.18, which spells out forbidden interpersonal sexual relationships, usually familial (‘to uncover nakedness’ was an Elisabethan circumlocution to that end), which until v.14 are all very close genetic, bloodline relationships. They are ALL things done as a part of the worship of false gods. Offspring of these relationships may be less than ‘perfect’, genetically. I am going out on a limb in this 21st c. CE ‘faith’ culture by saying that if a person who claims to be Y’hovah’s and after his heart practices any of these sexual relationships; he or she is NOT ‘in the faith’. These relationships are becoming rampant in American and western culture today, and they have spilled into ‘the church’, but they are still forbidden for us to engage in. Having said that, we must EXPECT that the hedonism we see in the world system just IS, but if it is seen in the household of faith, it MUST be confronted and either repented of or removed in order that Y’hovah can ‘walk among us in the camp’. WE are supposed to so live OUR lives that the heathen around us see the difference between them and us and DESIRE to have what we have. We are to be CONSPICUOUS in our lifestyles among them, without browbeating them with Torah. That ‘browbeating’ seldom does anything but build animosity anyway. A humble little man named Frank once said,
“Always preach the gospel. If necessary, use words.” (Frank; #3 Elm St.; Assisi, Italy) 😉
In v.6, Y’hovah also invokes the ‘enabling clause’, “I am Y’hovah”, FOUR TIMES in reference to these commands. ALL lawful ‘laws’ will tell you what gives the lawgiver the right to require obedience. There have been so many instances of Y’hovah using the enabling clause by this time that he really doesn’t have to say the implied words, “Who brought you up from the land of Egypt.” He is basically saying [Mp], “If you want to live among MY people, you will do as I command. If not, you are free to go back TO the land of Egypt. Don’t let the screen door smack you on your backside on your way out.”
Vv.7-8 begin the specifics. No parent/child sexual relations are allowed in Yisrael. No sexual relations are allowed between a son and his father’s wife, which wording implies no blood relationship between them. Not just a blood relation sexual relationship is forbidden. The father’s wife’s nakedness is ALSO the father’s nakedness, even if there is no blood tie between the son and his father’s wife. While it wasn’t specifically stated as a sin, this is what caused Reuven to lose his birthright. He was of the chosen people of Y’hovah and should have walked in the same manner as Avraham had. Don’t let anyone tell you that Avraham didn’t know Torah. He was the friend of Elohim, and spoke with him face to face. He KNEW Torah and obeyed it, and passed it on to his sons and their sons.
Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws (Toroth). (Genesis 26:5)
4 Shema Yisrael, Y’hovah Elohenu, Y’hovah echad: 5 And thou shalt love Y’hovah Elohecha with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. 6 And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart: 7 And thou shalt teach them diligently unto thy children, and shalt talk of them when thou sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up. (Deuteronomy 6.4-7)
Absalom did the same thing with David’s concubines as Reuven had with Bilhah;
21 And Ahithophel said unto Absalom, Go in unto thy father’ concubines, which he hath left to keep the house; and all Israel shall hear that thou art abhorred of thy father: then shall the hands of all that are with thee be strong. 22 So they spread Absalom a tent upon the top of the house; and Absalom went in unto his father’ concubines in the sight of all Israel. (II Samuel 16:21-22)
In Gen.9, Ham ‘uncovered his father’s nakedness’, which means he had sexual relations with Noach’s wife, who was NOT necessarily Ham’s mother. The offspring of that union, Canaan, was cursed. I think that the Nephilim DNA came through the flood through Noach’s wife with whom Ham fornicated. Noach’s own DNA and his sons’ mother’s were human only, with no admixture of Nephilim DNA. The sins of the fathers are visited on the sons and daughters to the 3rd and 4th generation of them that hate Y’hovah. Therefore, I think the sin of incest came down through Ham’s offspring to this very day. This was a BIG reason that Israel was NOT to do as the Canaanites did. This is why anyone who did these things in Israel HAD to reap the consequences of their willful disobedience to Y’hovah’s Toroth.
V.9 forbids sibling/sibling sexual relations. In those days, when multiple spice (mouse/mice, spouse/spice) were common, it might happen that a ½ brother and ½ sister would marry, as had Avram and Sarai before their call to leave Ur of the Chaldees and, I presume, before Avram learned Y’hovah’s Torah. I am sure Amnon, David’s son, knew the Torah, but despised it in the case of Absalom’s sister, Tamar (2Sam.13). Amnon lusted for her and raped her, and it was David’s weak, or, rather, LACK of, response to Tamar’s defiling that caused the trouble with Absalom that followed. In light of Tamar’s entreaty with Amnon, there is light shed on the ½ sibling marriage, as in Avram/Sarai;
12 And she answered him, ‘Nay, my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly. 13 And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the king; for he will not withhold me from thee.’ 14 Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. (2Sam.13.12-14)
She would have happily been married to Amnon, and as much as told him that. It seems that, if the ½ brother asked his father to marry his ½ sister, his approval given and they were then married, the ½ brother/½ sister relationship was superceded by the marriage relationship and, as Paul says,
Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled (Hebrews 13:4a)
Seems that perhaps Avram may have been within Torah’s parameters in his marriage to Sarai, after all. This whole chapter of David’s life shows the absolute folly of having multiple spice. It may not be forbidden in Torah, but it is NOT wise. Multiple spice always comes to trouble, especially if a person marries siblings (like Leah/Rachel, who were maternal twins, IM[not so]HO). Q&C
V.11-14 – As the command to NOT lie with your father’s wife, so you are not to lie with her daughter begotten of your father, as she is your sister. As I said earlier, this may have been superceded if you received your father’s permission and married your ½ sister, for the marriage bed is undefiled. There doesn’t seem to be a prohibition against marrying your grandfather’s wife who was not your father’s mother. All of these relationships seem to be about close genetic similarities. Vv.12-13 deal with uncovering either of your parent’s sister’s nakedness, which is forbidden, as well. The genetic similarity between the 2 is too close, I think. But the relationship in v.14, while similar, is not the same. The genetic match may be quite slim or non-existent, but the sexual relationship is forbidden here as well because it is adultery – she is your aunt, married to your uncle.
Vv.15-20 – You want to really sour your son against you, transgress v.15. You want to make an enemy of your brother, transgress v.16. These should be no-brainers, but it must have been done in the religious practices of Egypt and/or Canaan, or it probably wouldn’t be listed here.
Now, v.17 is one that should also be a no-brainer, but once again, it must have been common enough in Canaan and/or Egypt for Y’hovah to mention it here. Sexual relations with a woman and her daughter or her granddaughter is just crazy, if you ask me. I assume that the correllary is true, as well – don’t uncover the nakedness of a woman and her mother. OOO – THAT would be bad. 3 guys in a bar: #1 has his head cradled in both hands and his elbows leaning on the bar. #2 says to #3, “You think YOU have mother-in-law troubles? He got his PREGNANT!” THAT is bad in every sense of the word. As Y’hovah says, a man having sexual relations with multiple women of several generations of the same bloodline is WICKEDNESS (Heb.2154 zimah), and it will haunt you for the rest of your days. Schottenstein’s Chumash translates the word zimah as “a depraved plot”. And if you want nothing but vexation, have sexual relations with your wife’s sister while your wife is alive. Again, these all must have been practiced in the religions of Egypt and/or Canaan, or verses 3&4 are just space-wasters. V.19 forbids sexual relations during menses, which was dealt with in detail in Lev.15. V.20 forbids sexual relations with any married woman (other than your own wife).
Vv.21- – Here begins commandments against other than ‘normal’ hetero-sexual practices. V.21 forbids Molech worship, which partially consists of placing your child into the arms of a red-hot brass representation of the owl-god, Molech. We just passed by the pagan celebration of Molech [Xmas], that continues on in western culture through medical abortions. They don’t necessarily make the aborted child go through the fire, but they murder it just the same. One of the initiations all who aspire to the Presidency must go through to get the Party’s backing is a trip to Bohemian Grove. I must assume Ron Paul has not made that trip, because he has little or no backing from his Party, and they are, in fact, doing all they can to demonize and marginalize him. I think that Alan Keyes must also have refused to spend time in northern California’s political aspirant’s campground. The only President in the last 40-50 years that I know of who DIDN’T go to Bohemian Grove, where a part of the festivities include bowing to a large brass owl-god, is Uncle Ronnie. That’s right. All the Party Presidential nominees of the past 50 years have been Molech worshippers; regardless their public stand against abortion – except Reagan. That’s one reason I don’t give RP much chance to win the nomination. Bohemian Grove is as important as Skull & Bones. This verse could be speaking of your child, or your actual seed, sperm or egg. See pg.126-7 of the Chumash for extensive comments on Molech worship and sodomy/beastiality.
V.22 forbids sodomy as an abomination. I seriously can’t think of any description of any sin that is WORSE than ‘abomination’. There are 117 uses of the word (H8441 – תועבה towevah), all of which are translated abomination, abominable or abominable thing. It is a predicate nominative as used here and 112 other times. My online dictionary traces the etymology to the Old French word, abominari, which is thought to be a compound of ab – not + homine – human. An abominable thing or person is INHUMAN, or in Y’hovah’s eyes, acting in an inhumane manner. The root word, (H8581 – תעב ta’av), means detest. Both very strong negative words about a person or thing. Sodomy is as bad a thing as exists in the eyes of Y’hovah. Wickedness is a mild term by comparison. V.23 addresses another abomination, bestiality, which KJV calls ‘confusion’ and Schottenstein’s Tanakh calls ‘perversion’. The Hebrew word (H8397) is tebel – תבל and literally means pollution or profanation. This sin makes one willingly on a par with the animals, and they are all regular practices of the heathen Yisrael was going into the land to rout out and either destroy or drive out of Eretz Yisrael – Y’hovah’s land. The union of human/beast is on a par with human/shad (devil), which produced the worst enemies of Elohim and his people – the Anakim/Amalekites, whether it was done by actual human/shadim fornication or demonically revealed scientific manipulation of the genetic structure of humans. I think GMOs are our latest attempt to create a new ‘Nephilim’. They will destroy us, if Y’hovah doesn’t intervene.
22 And except those days are shortened, there should no flesh survive: but for the elect and for the sake of those chosen,7 those days shall be shortened. 23 Then if any man says to you, See, here is the Moshiach, or There He is; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Moshiachs, and false neviim, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it became possible, they shall deceive the very elect and chosen.8 [Matt.24.22-24 Restoration][1]
V.25 shows us why Y’hovah was bringing Yisrael into his land – the bowl of the Amorite’s iniquity was finally full.
But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full. (Genesis 15:16)
The land was defiled and the land was about to vomit the Amorites out, with the help of Yisrael. If Yisrael also defiled the land, they would also be vomited out. It only took about 850 years for Israel to make Y’hovah sick enough that he hurled the northern nation, and about 130 more years before Yehudah’s iniquity was full and she was puked out. Y’hovah is not mocked. We will reap what we sow. Israel’s and America’s time is short. America is committing all the abominations spoken of in vv.21-24, as is Israel today. There was a story in a major Israeli newspaper last week [Dec.7-13, 2014] extolling Israel’s pride over her ‘tolerance’ of the LGBT lifestyle. Israel has failed to learn the lessons of history and has turned its back to its Redeemer. And so has America. Without a real vival in each nation, Y’hovah will be regurgitating us out of these lands. Notice that the SOULS of the abominable and perverted are cut off. No man does this, as he has no power over the life or death of the soul. Therefore, it is Y’hovah who destroys the practitioners of Molech (abortion) or Asherah worship, sodomy and bestiality. Q&C
YirmeYahu 10.2-21 – YirmeYahu’s ministry was from the 13th year of YoshiYahu, the last good king of Yehudah, until sometime after the final exile of Yehudah in 587/586 BCE. I think the reason Y’hovah had him bring this prophecy is that the Priests of Israel had apostatized to the point that Israel had few, if any, that would teach Torah and expect them to apply it to their lives.
3 And it came to pass in the eighteenth year of king JoshiYahu, … 8 And Hilkiah the high priest said unto Shaphan the scribe, I have found the book of the law in the house of Y’hovah. And Hilkiah gave the book to Shaphan, and he read it. 9 And Shaphan the scribe came to the king, and brought the king word again, … 10 And Shaphan the scribe shewed the king, saying, Hilkiah the priest hath delivered me a book. And Shaphan read it before the king. 11 And it came to pass, when the king had heard the words of the book of the law, that he rent his clothes. 12 And the king commanded Hilkiah the priest, and Ahikam the son of Shaphan, and Achbor the son of Michaiah, and Shaphan the scribe, and Asahiah a servant of the king’, saying, 13 Go ye, enquire of Y’hovah for me, and for the people, and for all Judah, concerning the words of this book that is found: for great the wrath of Y’hovah that is kindled against us, because our fathers have not hearkened unto the words of this book, to do according unto all that which is written concerning us.
YirmeYahu’s ministry of calling Yehudah to repentance was already 5 years old, but he was largely dismissed as too young to be listened to by the priests, much less the king. The priests didn’t like him from the get-go. He was in training for the High Priesthood when Y’hovah called him to prophesy of Yehudah’s destruction if they would not repent.
10.2 is an important verse for US today. Remember early in 2011, the hype about the ‘dark star’ Nibiru and how our doom was coming? (Sounded a lot like Harold Camping) Apply v.2.
Thus saith Y’hovah, Learn not the way of the heathen, and be not dismayed at the signs of heaven; for the heathen are dismayed at them. (Jeremiah 10:2)
Our focus should be on US, on OUR hearts and how we are following our Saviour and walking in HIS ways, not on the judgment that is coming on the world system as a result of its refusal to consider him – especially such things as a close approach of some heavenly body to the earth, because we can do exactly NOTHING to change the circumstance. I realize that all the information was being disseminated as warning to the world by Messies and Xians on such forums as Facebook and Twitter, but most of what went out got to the choir, not the world. How many worldlings are our Facebook ‘friends’ or follow us on Twitter? And of those, how many bother to read our stuff, anyway. We would be better to target people who actually KNOW us via e-mail of the Word of Y’hovah. We are to warn people of HIS wrath that they are drawing, not any method by which he may deliver it. If they won’t hear the Word of Y’hovah from us, what makes us think they’ll hear our warnings about stuff no human can control? The priests in YirmeYahu’s days were astrologizing to try to determine the future, not astronomizing to locate their place in Y’hovah’s timing and plan.
In YiremYahu’s day, the priests were not preaching the Word of Y’hovah, which is why Y’hovah called YirmeYahu in the first place.
10 To whom shall I speak, and give warning, that they may hear? behold, their ear uncircumcised, and they cannot hearken: behold, the word of Y’hovah is unto them a reproach; they have no delight in it. 11 Therefore I am full of the fury of Y’hovah; I am weary with holding in: I will pour it out upon the children abroad, and upon the assembly of young men together: for even the husband with the wife shall be taken, the aged with full of days. 12 And their houses shall be turned unto others, fields and wives together: for I will stretch out my hand upon the inhabitants of the land, saith Y’hovah. 13 For from the least of them even unto the greatest of them every one given to covetousness; and from the prophet even unto the priest every one dealeth falsely. 14 They have healed also the hurt of my people slightly, saying, Peace, peace; when no peace. 15 Were they ashamed when they had committed abomination? [Remember the Torah portion?] nay, they were not at all ashamed, neither could they blush: [remember the news article in the Israeli source about Israel’s PRIDE in tolerating LGBT?] therefore they shall fall among them that fall: at the time I visit them they shall be cast down, saith Y’hovah. 16 Thus saith Y’hovah, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk. 17 Also I set watchmen over you, Hearken to the sound of the trumpet. But they said, We will not hearken. 18 Therefore hear, ye nations, and know, O congregation, what among them. 19 Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto my words, nor to my law, but rejected it. 20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me. 21 Therefore thus saith Y’hovah, Behold, I will lay stumblingblocks before this people, and the fathers and the sons together shall fall upon them; the neighbour and his friend shall perish. (Jer.6.10-21)
Sounds a lot like so-called believers of today, doesn’t it? And the so-called churches that not only accept those abominations into their midst, but appoint them to positions of authority within their ranks? Be sure you are not among this group. Make t’shuvah and walk in the Way of Y’hovah. He will carry you through any trouble that comes your way, if you stay faithful to him and live according to his Word. If not, he will give you over to your OWN ways, and you will trip over the stumbling block, which IS his Word. Q&C
Vv.3-6 should have been our Haftarah for last week, shouldn’t it? Talk about timely! The verses don’t specifically deal with the Xmas tree, but it sure sounds that way, doesn’t it? I have not had a Xmas tree in my own home for over 20 years, mainly because this verse sounds so much like it and I knew instinctively, long before I was consciously Torah observant, that the thing is an abomination. I didn’t truly understand why, but I knew it. What YirmeYahu is describing is actually an Asherah pole, a tree carved into a phallic symbol and worshipped through the Canaanite religious practices outlined in Vayikra 18.22-23 today. There’s been enough said over the last month or so about the Xmas tree, we don’t even need to go there.
V.7 says that these abominations are not to be feared, for fear pertains only to Y’hovah, the only true Elohim. But the nations, in v.8 are brutish – animals, not human in their drive to fulfill their lusts. ‘The stock’ is an Asherah pole, as well. It is Old English/Germanic in etymology, and literally means ‘trunk, block of wood or post’. This stock is then silver or gold plated (v.9) and then covered with blue and purple (colors of royalty), ‘the work of cunning’. The KJV uses the word ‘cunning’ to give the idea of evil use of wisdom. The word translated here is chakhamiym, which has the same root as chokhmah, which is usually translated wisdom. The metalwork and weaving was of the same craftsmanship as all similar work on the Mishkan. What b’nei Israel doesn’t understand is that their devotion to the gods of the land is going to bring destruction TO their land. Where KJV has ‘earth’, the Hebrew word is haAretz – the land, and could specifically mean the land of Israel. To be fair, Stone’s Tanakh ALSO says earthquake. That the goyim will not be able to stand his indignation shows me that this is awaiting an end of days fulfillment, perhaps in Eretz Israel, but also possibly world-wide.
V.11 turns the wrath also upon the ‘gods’ of these men, they shall perish from the earth and from under heaven. This must be speaking of during the Millennial reign of Moshiach or the New heavens and earth, for these ‘gods’ will be with us until then. Y’hovah has made the heavens and the earth and the heavens are literally still stretching out by his discretion. In v.13 he describes the water cycle for us. Even the physical laws are by his hand. The gods of man-made origin have nothing to do with them. After all, they can’t go anywhere, see, say or influence anything except in the evil imaginations of wicked men.
V.14 shows not only that they are the carved and plated gods of man’s imagination powerless, so are those that are cast of molten metals in the foundry. They are equally vain images (v.15). V.16 says that it is not so with the portion of Yacov, Y’hovah Tzavaoth Sh’mo.
V.17- tells us how sudden the exile in the end of days will be – he will put Israel in a sling and send it like a projectile out of the land in v.18 – a sudden projectile-vomiting out, a la Rev.3.16
So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. (Revelation of John 3:16)
In v.19, Y’hovah expresses the hurt it will cause him to spue Yehudah out of the land, but also the necessity of bearing it, so they will repent and start going his way. He gives the root cause of the problem – the shepherds, the pastors, priests or national political leaders of Israel, have become as brutes. If the pastors have become as animals, spiritually dull or stupid, they are not teaching truth, they are not righteous, but are trying to look like they ARE. As this becomes apparent, their flocks will be scattered by and to the winds. They’ll have no anchor to truth.
My online dictionary defines bruit (v.22) as an unusual noise or a rumor. The noise coming out of the north refers, I think, to the nations of the earth coming against Israel in the not too distant future; Gog uMagog. I also think that, the way things are moving at this time, this force from the north could very well include armies from the USofA. Watch carefully as Syria is attacked by the UN, NATO or some Arab force with possible help from the 6th Fleet. This is what is happening right now, with ISIS, which is being armed by the USofA under the guise of arming the Syrian rebels. It is beginning to look like that’s where events are headed. And that may trigger an intermediate fulfillment of Gog u’Magog, as outlined in Yechezkel 38 and 39. It looks as if this partial fulfillment will be successful in routing out Israel from J’lem, as the cities of Yehudah will become the dens of dragons. Perhaps this passage ties our Torah and Psalm together? The ultimate Gog u’Magog invasion will occur at the end of the Millennial Kingdom. Q&C
Tehellim 83.1-18 – V.1 seems to address Y’hovah in all of his main 3 aspects/manifestations, Father, Spirit and Son. He calls the chochmah (wisdom), binah (understanding) and da’ath (knowledge), which is the combination of wisdom and understanding, of the Almighty to hear his supplication, because all his enemies are lining up against his people in his land (vv.2-3). The ‘tumult’ in v.2 may be (and I think IS) the ‘bruit’ of YirmeYahu 10.22. His ‘hidden ones’ in v.3 may be (and I think IS) Ephraim – US. “They” are Edom in all of its manifestations. The controversy of Zion definitely includes the conflict between the brothers, Yacov and Esau – Yisrael and Edom. All the nations that are named in this psalm are Edomite nations and they have and are ALWAYS trying to destroy Yisrael. Even after Messiah sets up his physical reign on earth, Edom will be trying to destroy Yisrael – he’ll just be less conspicuous about it, subjugating his desire to annihilate Yisrael for a more opportune time – like the release of haSatan from his long bondage in the Abyss. In v.5 we see that conspiracy is NOT a theory, but a FACT, as the spirit of Edom has been conspiring against Y’hovah and his anointed since Adam and Eve’s sons’ time, at least.
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? 2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against Y’hovah, and against his anointed, 3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. (Ps.2.1-3)
The list of enemies of Y’hovah in vv.6-8 is like a who’s who of Gog u’Magog, the erev rav (great darkness) of the world. The tabernacles of Edom I see as the overarching conspiracy against Y’hovah and his spiritual children, and all the nations listed are seen as ‘one tent’. I think the ‘Hagarenes’ are descendants of Hagar by someone other than Avraham, as they are separate from the Ismaelites – ½ nephews to Ishmael. Gebal is a tract of land south of the Dead Sea in Edom. Ammon is present day Jordan with its capital in ‘Amman’. Asshur is Syria and Kurdistan, and the people there are allied with Moav and Ammon, sons of Lot by his daughters (remember the forbidden marriages in today’s Torah). The Philistines are what we call Palestinians today, and they were allied with Lebanon then as they are today.
Asaph tells Y’hovah to make them like Midian, Sisera and Jabin. Sisera was the king who was killed by Jael with a tent peg driven through the temple and into the earth as he ran for his worthless hide from Devorah and Barak. Jabin was the king defeated in battle by Devorah and Barak. After that battle with Jabin’s Canaanites, Israel never had to fight the Canaanites again. Oreb and Zeeb were the princes of Midian that Gideon went after in Judges 7 and 8;
And they took two princes of the Midianites, Oreb and Zeeb; and they slew Oreb upon the rock Oreb, and Zeeb they slew at the winepress of Zeeb, and pursued Midian, and brought the heads of Oreb and Zeeb to Gideon on the other side Jordan. (Judges 7:25)
Zebah and Zalmunah were Midianite princes who had escaped across Yarden, but were caught and brought back to Gideon, who put them to death for having killed his brothers. All of these were decisive victories for Israel against all odds. Asaph is prophetically seeing the final Gog uMagog battle, I think, and interceding for US against Y’hovah’s enemies. But in v.16, he implores Y’hovah to put his fear in the enemy so that they will repent and turn to him. I think this corresponds to Isaiah 27.4&5, where Y’hovah Tzavaoth comes to earth to set up his physical Kingdom AFTER his wrath has been poured out on the earth (Rev.16);
4 Fury not in me: who would set the briers thorns against me in battle? I would go through them, I would burn them together. 5 Or let him take hold of my strength, he may make peace with me; he shall make peace with me. (YeshaYahu 27.4-5)
Asaph is not only interceding for US, but also for those among the Edomites who Y’hovah would turn to himself before he wipes out their entire army. Once his wrath is poured out, his judgment is carried out in righteousness and mercy, not fury. Y’hovah is merciful to the end. Q&C
1Cor.5.1-13 – Rav Sha’ul dealt with a sin issue in Corinth. This was a Torah mandate, as we saw today in our Torah portion;
The nakedness of thy father’s wife shalt thou not uncover: it is thy father’ nakedness. (Leviticus 18:8)
The synagogue in Corinth was as proud of itself, that it was so ‘compassionate’ toward the sinner, as Israel is over its tolerance of LGBT. Look at the progression from wickedness to abomination that Sha’ul outlines for us in Romans 1;
18 For the wrath of Elohim is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who [P1] hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of Elohim is manifest in them; for Elohim hath shewed unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, his eternal power and Godhead [this refers to the unfathomable Creator, Eyn Sof]; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, [P2] when they knew Elohim, they glorified not as Elohim, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And [P3] changed the glory of the uncorruptible Elohim into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and four-footed beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore Elohim also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who [P4] changed the truth of Elohim into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
26 For this cause Elohim gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
28 And even as they did not like to retain Elohim in knowledge, Elohim gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of Elohim, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of Elohim, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Rav Sha’ul lambasted the Corinthians for thinking they were all that and a bag of chips, as he will Israel and America, if they do not repent. He gave explicit instructions in the Name of Y’hovah Yeshua haMoshiach regarding this fornication in the camp – excommunicate him to the end that he repents and gets his life in line with Y’hovah’s commandments. Y’hovah could not walk in their camp as long as that sin was extant in it. The Feast of Passover must have been fast approaching, because Sha’ul wanted the leaven removed from their house before it came and he expected them to keep it. He highlights a big difference between fornicators who call themselves brothers in Moshiach and those who do not. We are to absolutely separate ourselves from egregious sinners who name the name of Yeshua, but NOT those who do not name his Name. Do you see that? The pagan who acts like a pagan is at least intellectually and spiritually honest. To not have anything to do with them would require being a recluse. But we are to cut off from ALL fellowship those who say they are brethren but who live in a sinful manner. They are hypocrites who are expected to know better. We are not to socialize or even do business with them so that they turn away from their sin and towards Y’hovah’s Torah.
6.1-10 – It’s interesting that Paul jumps right to a discussion of how believers deal with each other when they have a dispute. He decries their quick move to the world’s legal system when they have a competent group of believers who can form a Beit Din. When we have a dispute within our body, we ought to take care of it ourselves. I mean, seriously! If we’re going to judge the WORLD, why can’t we judge among ourselves? Who will bring a more righteous judgment between believers than other believers who are personally disinterested in the outcome. Think of the Torah of Matt.18.
15 Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16 But if he will not hear, take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. 17 And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. 18 Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 19 Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. 20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Mat.18.15-20)
This is a personal dispute between individuals, but it is serious enough that if there is no resolution it can end in excommunication. We are to try to handle disputes at the lowest level, so if there can be an amicable agreement between just the 2 individuals, all is well. Noone else ever need know about the dispute. If the brother disses us, we are to get someone or two who have no personal stake in the issue and ask him to come and be a witness. I think it would be best if we not discuss the issue before confronting the one we have the issue with, so that our witness[es] has no preconceived notion going in – the better to make a righteous judgment. If he STILL won’t reconcile, it is time to go to the Beit Din. If he STILL won’t reconcile, the Beit Din will pronounce their judgment. Meanwhile, we are NOT to go before the civil courts over a personal dispute. The binding and loosing has to do with the agreement or disagreement. A father or husband can either bind or loose an agreement that his wife or daughter enters into without his knowledge. He can loose his wife or daughter from an agreement he believes is not in her best interests.
3 If a woman also vow a vow unto Y’hovah, and bind herself by a bond, in her father’s house in her youth; 4 And her father hear her vow, and her bond wherewith she hath bound her soul, and her father shall hold his peace at her: then all her vows shall stand, and every bond wherewith she hath bound her soul shall stand. 5 But if her father disallow her in the day that he heareth; not any of her vows, or of her bonds wherewith she hath bound her soul, shall stand: and Y’hovah shall forgive her, because her father disallowed her. 6 And if she had at all an husband, when she vowed, or uttered ought out of her lips, wherewith she bound her soul; 7 And her husband heard, and held his peace at her in the day that he heard: then her vows shall stand, and her bonds wherewith she bound her soul shall stand. 8 But if her husband disallowed her on the day that he heard; then he shall make her vow which she vowed, and that which she uttered with her lips, wherewith she bound her soul, of none effect: and Y’hovah shall forgive her. (Numbers 30.3-8)
All this to point out that these judgments are done IN HOUSE! NOT in the world’s civil courts. Notice the similarity between 5.11 and 6.9-10. If our ‘brother’ is any of those things, it is evidence that he is NOT our brother, for he will NOT inherit the kingdom of Elohim. The chapter division is unfortunate, because chapters 5&6 are closely related and I think meant to be taken together. The second rehearsal of the sins brings us back around to the need for a trustworthy Beit Din. A lot of in-house controversies could be handled quietly and not aired in the civil court system, where only haSatan profits. Q&C
End of Shabbat Bible Study
[1] Notes 7&8 from Restoration say “7 The chosen and elect are one and the same people.
8 Within the deceived “tribulation elect,” there is a “very elect” that cannot be deceived.”
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