Musing - What’s the Significance of HIS (Fall) Feast Days?

 Hebraic Musing - What’s the Significance of HIS (Fall) Feast Days?  

Understanding the message or significance of the FALL FEASTS is exciting for the Jew and should also be for today’s Christian.  Note the foretelling of our walk and future events leading up to Yeshua’s 1^st and 2^nd coming:

1.   Rosh HaShanah hnvh  var  or Yom Teruah is the start of the High Holy Days and G-d’s Wake-up Call with Trumpets/Shofars recognizing that Judgment day is near!  We can see this as the day the church will be re-gathered.   So, the custom is to do good deeds to get our name written in the Book of Life.  (The best deed obviously is to recognize Yeshuah as the Messiah!)  The day starts with the Shofar blown 100 times to start an exciting New Year celebration.  A Sabbath according to Lev.23:23-25 & Numbers 29:1-6.  (This year it was last Monday, Sept.22nd at sunset to 24^th at sunset)

2.   Yom Kippur  rPK  <wy  or Day of Atonement is the Holiest Day of the Year.  This is the day the High Priest entered the Holiest of Holies to make atonement for all the people and the scapegoat is released to carry our sins away.  Yeshua entered the Holy of Holies (heaven itself) once for all, by His own blood sacrifices, the veil tore.  Represents the Final day of Judgment when God judges his people.  (Many Jews attend Rosh HaShanah & Yom Kippur services even if they have not attended services the rest of the year.)  It is typically a day of total fast and reflection/confession of our sins to repent and be cleansed.  Since Jews can no longer offer blood sacrifices (temple torn down in 70 AD) they substitute prayer and good works. (Next Wednesday, October 1, at sunset to October 3^rd at sunset)

3.   Sukkot   twKs   or Feast of Booths or Tabernacles is celebrated for 7 days by living in booths for 8 days (God requested they stay an extra day for fellowship with Him).  It reminds the Israelites of their 40 years living in the desert.  We Christians could use this time to reflect on the time we spent in our desert before we entered the promised land.  Many believe Jesus was born at this time and He ‘tabernacled’ with us, and that He may return during this feast.  This represents the final harvest when all believers will celebrate this feast.   It has been reported that the Pilgrims celebrated “Tabernacles” and history has altered the concept/name to ‘Thanksgiving’.  (Monday, October 6^th at sunset to the 14^th at sunset⁾

4.   Simchat Torah    hrwT tjmc, the added 8^th day of Sukkot, celebrates “The Joy of the Torah”.  This day was appointed by G-d as a sacred assembly in Deut.31:10-13   "At the end of every seven years, in the year for canceling debts, during the Feast of Tabernacles,  when all Israel comes to appear before the Lord your God at the place he will choose, you shall read this law before them in their hearing. Assemble the people — men, women and children, and the aliens living in your towns — so they can listen and learn to fear the Lord your God and follow carefully all the words of this law.  Their children, who do not know this law, must hear it and learn to fear the Lord your God as long as you live in the land you are crossing the Jordan to possess."  NIV    I think the Lord wants us to read the Torah, to listen, learn to fear Him, and follow carefully all the words.  And it is for all His children, of whom I am one and so are you.  We believers are to be rejoicing with the Living Torah – Yeshua HaMashiach.   Let’s sing ♫Simchat Torah♫ (Literally “Rejoicing of the Torah”) the day after Sukkot. (Tuesday, Oct. 14 at sunset to Oct. 15 at sunset)

G-d’s feast days present a complete salvation message.  SUMMARY of the significances of the Feasts – Remember our deliverance from slavery (salvation): we learn to live without sin; we know that the “bread of life” arose so we can have everlasting life; we have His commandments written on our minds and hearts for our own good; we recognize and acknowledge preparation for a judgment day when there will be a final harvest.

Points to Ponder

♫  Are you ready?  Are you ready?  Ready for that judgement day? ♫

Shouldn’t we mark our calendars with these “Feast Days” so we don’t forget?

“Shalom Aleichem” (Peace unto you.)     Response – “Aleichem Shalom” (Unto you peace)

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                            September 30, 2025            
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Originally published as Hebraic Insight #24, June 17, 2009  

Musing – How best to address God more effectively in our prayers?

 

Hebraic Musing – How best to address God more effectively in our prayers?

God took great pains to reveal His name to us throughout Scripture.  What might we learn from the fact that He has many names?  For example, you and I are each called by a number of different names or titles, depending on the need, reason or purpose for which we are being called.  You might be known as Dad, Mom, Brother, Sister, Son, Cousin, Captain, Boss, Buddy, etc.  

We already call upon God using many names depending on needs, reason, purpose and circumstance.  For example – Jesus, Christ, Father, Savor, Redeemer, King (of Kings), Lord, Deliverer, etc.   Our all-powerful God is also called by many more names, depending on the purpose, need or relationship.  Here’s some more classic examples of God’s names by which He is identified and addressed in the Bible:    

Abba                            “Daddy” God                       Mark 14:36     “Abba, Father, ”He (Jesus) said, “. . .

Jehovah Jireh               The Lord Will Provide          Gen22:13-18   Daddy brings home the bacon.

Jehovah                       God who was, always be       Gen 2:4a          “He’s always there for me” (ideally)

El Elyon                      Most High, Strongest One     Gen 14:18-22  “My daddy’s better than your daddy!”

Elohim                         Plurality of God                    Gen.1:1           “In the beginning, God…” Who names God?      

El Roi                          God who Sees                        Gen 16:13       Dad sees everything!

El Shaddai                  Almighty God                       Gen 17:1-2      “My daddy’s stronger than your daddy!”

Jehovah Nissi              The Lord is my Banner         Ex 17:15          We take on our father’s name.

Jehovah Rohi              God is my Shepherd              Psalm 23:1      “The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.”

Jehovah Shalom          The Lord is my Peace            Judges 6:24     “I feel so secure sitting on his lap”

Jehovah Tsa’vot          Lord of Hosts fights for you  Ex 14:14;Ps.24 He defends/protects us.

Yahweh-Nissi             Lord is our Banner                Ex 17:15          Moses called it “The LORD is my Banner”

Shaphat                       God is my Judge                   Gen 18:25       We value his judgment

Yahweh-Shalom         God is my Peace                    Judges 6:24     “The Lord is Peace”

Jehovah Rapha            The Lord who Heals thee      Gen 20:17       “Daddy, please kiss my ouchie?”

 

Does each of God’s names reveal His all-encompassing nature?  Might it be worthwhile to recognize and learn all of His names and their attributes?  

Would it make sense to address the Lord in our prayers with one of His names that recognizes the particular attribute we want to recognize or pray about or talk to Him about?

Do you feel honored when you are called “Hey You”?  No!?!?   Thus, we should address Almighty God with an honoring name.  If we address God by a purposeful name as we pray, we might both be on topic with faith that He hears us?

Points to Ponder

Might addressing God in prayer by His more specific name be honoring of His attribute?

How do you feel when called by your full name?

What a mighty God we serve!

♫ Bless the Lord, O my soul, O my soul. Worship His holy name.
      Sing like never before, O my soul. I'll worship Your holy name. ♫

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                           September 23, 2025            
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Musing – What America needs now is Biblical Marriages!

 Hebraic Musing – What America needs now is Biblical Marriages!

Today’s headlines feature soaring crime rates.  Why are crimes, shootings, misbehaviors, sin, hate, lawlessness and lack of respect growing out of control in America, a land that was founded by God? 
Here are three of the underlying reasons to consider: 

1.   The Ten Commandments were removed from schoolroom walls by 1980, 45 years ago!  As an 87 year old, I knew the Ten Commandments posted on the front wall of every classroom and I remember telling jokes with the commandment number as the punch line.  We knew and understood God’s Commandments!  And the Bible says the greatest of these is “Love”.

2.   When WWII was over and the boys/men came home they faced the infamous “Dear John” letters that told them their wife/sweetheart had found another husband.  Divorce became common and it no longer required moving to California to avoid shame.  Marriages began falling apart, and cultural society began to accept divorce as commonplace.  Thus, we now have broken homes unable to raise children due to a lack of instruction in morality and confusion over the role of sex.  How are all the people raised in  broken homes to understand Colossians 3:20 “Children, obey your parents in everything, for this pleases the Lord.” if their parents are divorced and not speaking to one another?  What happens to children, and adults, after multiple generations of being raised in broken families and missing fathers?

3.   I wonder what Almighty God is thinking as He sees the cultural concept of marriage changing from “Covenantal” to “Contractual”.  Covenantal marriage had been the culture, which was God’s original plan in Genesis Chapter 2:24 “Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.”  But today’s society has moved to Contractual marriages, rather than the Covenantal marriage that God planned for us. What’s the difference?  Contracts are temporary, have a time limit and are based on terms to be met by each of the parties; and can be broken if either party defaults.  In contrast, a Covenant is permanent, “until death do us part”, with no conditions! 

God’s plan was for children to be raised by two loving parents (“go forth and multiply”) with one parent to nurture and the other providing support & leadership?  “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Eph.6:4 NKJV  Is that happening? 

I have experienced these key historical cultural changes, and it grieves me to see God’s beautiful concept of marriage being distorted and lost today.  AND I see clearly how the breakdown of marriages relates to the ballooning crime and lawlessness in America today. 

What’s the source of the problem?  How many people today are being raised by BOTH a nurturing mother and a disciplinarian father to influence their daily lives?  I’ve heard from schoolteachers that less than 10% of their students go home to BOTH of their ORIGINAL parents!  Check it out!!!

America has gotten away from “Biblical Marriages”; but what is a “Biblical Marriage”?  God considers marriage to be an agreement between a husband and a wife as well as a covenant between the couple and Him.  Wedding vows in my days were also vows to the Lord, or should have been!

P.S. If you’ve had a divorce in the past; remember, God is more concerned about your future than your past.

Point(s) to Ponder

Why are today’s crimes committed by dysfunctional people from “broken homes”?

Which of the 3 reasons above is having the greatest impact on our society?

Do children’s TV, media, Hollywood, etc. support Biblical Marriage?

Where can children get to see and learn from living examples of Biblical Marriages?

Why do we renew Marriage vows?   They don’t expire!  (>:

1.You shall have no other Gods before me…5.Honor your father and your mother…10.You shall not covet.

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                           September 16, 2025            
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Many excerpts from January 2025 musing “Why are Marriages and Our Society Both Crumbling?”

Note – My book “Biblical Marriage” - available on Amazon, $8.95. Search “Biblical Marriage by Yosef”

 

Hebraic Musing –Why are Marriages and Our Society Both Crumbling?

I have recently heard young people say, more than once – “Why get married?”  While I was shocked to hear it, why would we be surprised considering the influence of today’s media?  Our world’s anti-Judeo/Christian viewpoints prevail.

  “Therefore” refers to what Adam said in verse 23 “This is now bone of my bones And flesh of my flesh; She shall be called Woman, Because she was taken out of Man.”  BTW, in the NT, Jesus’s first miracle was at a wedding!

 

What are the problems and/or results of today’s crumbling marriages?

·      God’s plan was for children to be raised by two loving parents (“go forth and multiply”) with one parent to nurture and the other providing support & leadership?  “And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” Eph.6:4 NKJV  Is that happening?  What happens to children after multiple generations of broken families, and missing fathers?

·      God scolded them/us in Malachi, last OT book - “You weep and wail because he no longer pays attention to your offerings or accepts them with pleasure from your hands.  You ask, ‘Why?’  It is because the LORD is acting as the witness between you and the wife of your youth, because you have broken faith with her, though she is your partner, the wife of your marriage covenant.” Malachi 2:13-14 NIV 

·      God considers marriage to be an agreement between a husband and a wife as well as a covenant between the couple and Him.  The wedding vows were also vows to the Lord, or should have been!

I have authored books but my favorite that I consider to be most important, is “Biblical Marriage – His plan for Courtship, Engagement, Wedding and Marriage” – Available at Amazon (search “Biblical Marriage Yosef”). 

BTW – Why do we renew Marriage vows?   They don’t expire.  (>:

In closing, “Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her” Eph.5:25 “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives” 1 Peter 3:1    BTW, that is how I came to Christ!

 

Musing – What is the “Anointing” we seek and need?

 Hebraic Musing – What is the “Anointing” we seek and need?

Receiving an Anointing, or being Anointed, is much more than the ritual act of pouring aromatic oil on a person’s head or body.   What is a good working definition of “Anointing”?  A - “Having the Grace and Power to do the will of God”.  Remember that Christ is the Anointed One.  In His own words - “The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, Because He has anointed Me (Why?) To preach the gospel to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives And recovery of sight to the blind, To set at liberty those who are oppressed.” Luke 4:18 NKJV   So, what is a Christian?  A – One who belongs to the “Anointed One” and has been given the grace and power to do the will of God.

The anointing oil flows through the brothers operating in blessed unity.   “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity!  It is like the precious oil upon the head, Running down on the beard, The beard of Aaron, Running down on the edge of his garments.” Psalm 133:1-2

And who decides our function in the body?  A -  “For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.  For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body—whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free—and have all been made to drink into one Spirit.  For in fact the body is not one member but many.  If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?  And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not of the body,” is it therefore not of the body?  If the whole body were an eye, where would be the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where would be the smelling?  But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.” 1 Corinthians 12:14-18

How important is our role in the Body of Christ?  A – “But now indeed there are many members, yet one body.  And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; nor again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.”  No, much rather, those members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary.  And those members of the body which we think to be less honorable, on these we bestow greater honor; and our unpresentable parts have greater modesty, but our presentable parts have no need. But God composed the body, having given greater honor to that part which lacks it,” 1 Corinthians 12:20-24   We are all connected to the body as an integral part.  Can the body even function effectively without any one of those parts?

Who has the power of anointing?  What’s the practical application?  We have the power of the anointing according to James 5:14-15.  “Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord.  And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” 

In summary - The LORD has given all of us the power of His Anointing for us to Honor and bless all people.  Apostle John gave us an encouraging instruction we are to recognize “… you have an anointing from the Holy One, and you know all things.” 1 John 2:20    And who are we?   “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.” Romans 12:1

Points to Ponder

Do you realize that as a believer you possess the grace and power to do the will of God?

Is His anointing on us available to be used at any time?   Are you ready?

Can we be guided to know all things that the Holy Spirit needs for us to know?

♫   Anointing fall on me, Let the power Of the Holy Ghost Fall on me. Anointing fall on me.  ♫

Yosef   a.k.a  Joe Brusherd                          September 9, 2025            
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Inspired by James Longmate’s August 13, 2025 message.

Musing – Is the popular Communist Manifesto really Christian?

     Hebraic Musing – Is the popular Communist Manifesto really Christian?

The “Manifesto” popularized by Karl Marx in1875 sounds good!  "From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs".  BUT, those who think that statement is good, true and workable are overlooking some serious problems!  The “Manifesto” is based on a classless society and common ownership which leads to an authoritarianism which suppresses individual freedoms.  And that sounds neither American nor Christian!!!

One criticism of Marxist socialism is that it wants to abolish private property. But the ownership of private property is closely tied to freedom and liberty, which are essential to God’s design for our human culture, and our American ideals.  When the government takes public ownership of all property, it reduces our ability to interact freely with each other in every cultural arena.

Why hasn’t this popular “Manifesto” worked despite countless attempts by many nations over the years?  Is history being taught?  Or, are today’s GEN-Z students being indoctrinated?

Even Christians recognize that man is to work.  “The LORD God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it.” Gen 2:15 NIV   And we are told to care for those less fortunate who have needs.  “Selling their possessions and goods, they gave to anyone as he had need.” Acts 2:45 NIV   And these are just two of many verses from the Bible regarding work-ethics and dealing with needs of people!

Who decides what is needed?  Is each person’s needs list similar?  I’ve been around the world, literally, and I have observed needs at various levels.  Food, shelter, clothes, transportation, better tools, better homes, technology, etc.  Many things called “needs” are more than basic food and shelter.  Speaking for myself, I think I need a better car, house and a fancy meal, at least occasionally.  Who defines “needs”?   Haggai 1:6 describes our human nature.  “You have planted much, but have harvested little. You eat, but never have enough. You drink, but never have your fill. You put on clothes, but are not warm. You earn wages, only to put them in a purse with holes in it.”  Who defines one’s “needs”?  Ones self?'!?!   Are we ever satisfied?

Who decides how much of my production is to go to others?  Do you decide or does the government decide?  The Bible mentions “give” and “Giving” over 1,000 times.  We are called to be generous.  “Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.” 1 Timothy 6:18 NIV   It sounds like God wants us to be the giver, not for the government to be the giver/provider!

Is there a reward for the hard worker?   What’s their incentive?  The Bible supports a reward system. “Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.” Revelation 22:12   What happens to motivation by the workers if their compensation is taken and goes to others?  (I’ve been in and worked in Communist countries experiencing workers not doing their job and not caring!  The Government guarantees their job!!!)

The “Manifesto” will only work as long as there is enough of everything for everybody.  BUT this is not the case and probably never will be.  Why?  Because man's needs, wants and desires always seem to outstrip his ability to supply them.  AND most rich people have earned their fortunes fairly and deserve to keep them.

Points to Ponder

Do the GEN-Z voters recognize the unworkableness of the “Manifesto”?

Often said – “The worst thing you can do to person is to give them unearned wealth.”

God loves a cheerful giver.

A baby’s (and adult’s) favorite words are “More, More, More!”

Is the “Manifesto” from God or from Satan?

“From the fruit of his lips a man is filled with good things as surely as the work of his hands rewards him.” Proverbs 12:14

Yosef   a.k.a  Joe Brusherd                          September 2, 2025            
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”