Musing - Should Christians Observe Yom Kippur?

Hebraic Musing - Should Christians Observe Yom Kippur?

(Because Yom Kippur begins Tuesday evening, Sept. 25^th this year, I am reprinting this ‘insight’ from “Hebraic Insights” book, page 170. Timely?)

On the tenth day of Tishri at sunset starts the highest holy day the Jews celebrate. Even the casual Jew will acknowledge Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) just like a nominal Christian will celebrate Christmas or go to church on Easter. Why is Yom Kippur so important?

This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: On the tenth day of the seventh month you must  deny yourselves [fast] and  not do any work [observe a Sabbath rest]—whether native-born or an alien living among you (That’s us!)—because on this day atonement will be made for you, to cleanse you. Then, before the LORD, you will be clean from all your sins. It is a sabbath of rest, and you must  deny yourselves; it is a  lasting ordinance . . . This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites (Lev 16: 29-34 NIV).

While my stomach churns from the mandated twenty-four hour fast and other deprivations while praying and searching my soul, this is why and what I ponder:

1. Why? Because Adonai said so. Or because Daddy said to do it.

2. Symbolically, there will be no eating or drinking or sex or finery in death, and Yom Kippur is about sampling a form of death, the wages of sin, so that when we are allowed to live life again, it will taste even sweeter. Fasting does produce a mental clarity, despite the headache and rumblings in the stomach.

3. Erev Yom Kippur, sunset the evening before, starts with a prayer of confession. Although Yeshua has atoned for my sins, there are some things for me to consider. This is akin to the confessions I did in my younger days on Saturday before receiving Jesus during Communion at Sunday Mass. I am sensing a need for more confession time and a renewal of something I once had in my younger days.

What kind of sins do the Jews confess in their Yom Kippur liturgy? They go through the same ones covered by the sacrificial offerings made for sin and guilt and trespass as prescribed in Leviticus 4-6:

1. Sins against God—intentional and unintentional; guilt of the people; done private or communally. These were atoned by the slaughter of innocent, unblemished animals by the high priest.

2. Thoughtless sins against fellow man or community—atoned by sacrifice of a lamb and so forth.

3. Unintentional violations or sins against God’s holy things—atoned by giving an animal of like value to the priest, plus making restitution, plus paying twenty percent.

4. Unintentional violations or sins against God’s commands—even if I don’t know I am responsible. What transgressions are we responsible for?

5. Intentional sins against others or the Lord’s holy tithe—This atonement has four steps: (1) confession; (2) restitution; (3) add one-fifth (a double tithe!); (4) give an animal or silver offering to the priest. Notice that there is no blood sacrifice required. Read Leviticus 5.  Does Yeshua’s sacrificial death and blood atone for intentional sins for which restitution has not been made?

Jews and Christians are often thought to be on opposing sides of the question of grace and good works. At the end of Yom Kippur, having prayed for mercy and forgiveness, Jews finally throw themselves totally on the mercy of the Judge. Martin Luther ignited the Reformation movement with his sola gratia, by grace alone. In the end, Jews are trusting on that same hope.

Point to Ponder

Do Christians tend to ignore the importance of good works,
while Jews are not giving adequate recognition to their dependence on grace?

L'Shanah Tovah y’all                                                                                      September 18, 2012   

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd

Musing - What was Your Dream?

Hebraic Musing - What was Your Dream?

The prophet Haggai lived in a time when Jews that had been in exile had returned to Jerusalem and had built nice homes for themselves. Remember that they had left their jobs, wealth and friends in Babylon because of their deep desire to honor Almighty God by restoring Jerusalem and the temple.

Is that like us?  When we were youngsters, in life or in the Lord, we had worthy dreams and aspirations to solve world hunger, feed the poor, evangelize the world and serve the Lord with all our might. Then we married, started raising children, bought a large house, pushed our careers in order to make the big bucks and bought more 'toys' to enjoy.

But what happened to the worthy dreams we had years ago? Now the children are grown, the house is bigger than we need and we feel guilty about the time and money we waste on things like TV, sports and other expensive entertainments. Is this similar to the Jews who started enjoying their rebuilt live in Israel or Jerusalem? Is this the situation Haggai was pointing out when he said “Is it a time for you yourselves to be living in your paneled houses, while this house remains a ruin?” — Haggai 1:4

We have all had the lofty goals to serve the Lord, but in various way we lose focus. I have to ask myself, what is keeping me from re-focusing on the things that are really important, like re-building the temple, or whatever that means in my life?

In summary - Here’s the message of the prophet Haggai –

Don’t forget the dreams that you once had
when the time come that you finally get the chance to pursue them!

Points to ponder

What was my original dream to serve the Lord?

How am I being distracted from focusing on fulfilling that dream?

Shalom                                                                                            September 11, 2012

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd

Musing – When the trumpet sounds, why don’t they hear it?

Hebraic Musing – When the trumpet sounds, why don’t they hear it?

When a trumpet sounds in a city, do not the people tremble? When disaster comes to a city, has not the Lord caused it? — Amos 3:6   Be serious! Who cannot hear a trumpet blowing! They are loud!

Or, if a tree falls in the forest and nobody hears it, does it still make a sound?  Do people hear the trumpet?

With Rosh Hashanah, or Feast of Trumpets, coming Sept. 16 to 18, 2012, this is a timely musing. The first of the Fall feasts is traditionally celebrated with 100 trumpet calls alerting Saints to be ready for the end of times and so this feast is designed to awaken us from our spiritual slumber and cause us to repent. What if the people are unmoved by the sound, or the message?

This story explains the problem:

A blacksmith’s assistant from a village once visited a large city. There he visited the local smithy. He noticed that the workers used bellows to fan the flames in the forge. Back in the village, they fanned their fire manually. The bellows were much more efficient and far less exhausting than manual fanning. The assistant excitedly purchased a bellows and returned with enthusiasm to his master’s shop.
Immediately, he set out to demonstrate the magic that he had uncovered. He set up the bellows and began to pump vigorously. But, alas, no matter how quickly he pumped, no flame appeared. “I can’t understand it,” he said. “In the city, I saw with my own eyes how a huge flame was produced by the bellows.”
“Did you first light a small fire?” the master asked.
“No,” the assistant replied. “I just pumped the bellows.”
“You fool!” the blacksmith said. “The bellows can only increase the size of the flame when you begin it with a spark. When you have no spark of fire, all the pumping of the bellows is of no use at all.”[1]

If the people or the nation do not have a spark, then..….?

The musing of a year ago, Sept. 19, 2011, entitled Are “acts of god” really acts of GOD? (available on request) spelled out 18 ‘natural disasters’ God used in the OT to get the attention of His People And then I listed 11 recent acts of god which some think may have been acts of GOD which coincided amazingly with Anti-Israel actions by the USA. Some readers were stirred by the parallels while most others waived it off.  Is there a spark?

Points to Ponder

Why might God be telling us to wake up?  And repent?

Does America have a spark?

Does the Church have a spark?

Do you and I have a spark?

Shalom y’all                                                                                        September 4, 2012     

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd

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[1] Copied from Rabbi Eckstein’s Holy Land Moments Daily Devotional <Devotional@HolyLandMoments.org>

Musing -- Should Christians celebrate God’s feasts?

Hebraic Musing -- Should Christians celebrate God’s feasts?

Or we might ask ourselves: How did Jesus fulfill the meanings of the so-called ‘Jewish feasts’?

I find the Old Testament to be a combination of advice, instruction and/or commands to us, His children, from our loving Father God. I deem it important to follow Abba’s advice, however, I too find myself caught in a world, a culture and a calendar that does not always line up with Father God’s Word. The Jews have incorporated instructions from the OT into their culture; as for me, that has revealed some fascinating perspectives in the way they celebrate God’s feasts –in the calendar timing, rituals and symbolism. 

Jesus, Yeshua, reveals himself in each of the Levitical feasts. Condensed and basic examples:

1) Passover (Lev. 23:5) –Yeshua is our Passover lamb. He was crucified on the day of preparation for the Passover at the same hour that lambs were being slaughtered for the evening Passover meal.

2) Unleavened Bread (Lev. 23:6) – Points to Yeshua’s sinless life (leaven represents sin).

3) First Fruits (Lev.  23:10) – Symbolic of Yeshua’s resurrection as the first fruit. Since Jesus was resurrected on that day Paul refers to Him in I Corinthians 15:20 as "first fruits from the dead."

4) Shavuot or Pentecost (Leviticus 23:16) – Represents the harvest, also the great harvest of souls and the gift of the Holy Spirit for both Jew and Gentile, which started the ‘church age’. 

5) Rosh Hashanah or Trumpets (Lev. 23:24) Sept.16 to 18 – The first of the Fall feasts is celebrated with trumpet calls alerting Saints to the end of times. ‘Pre-Trib’ folks consider this the rapture of the Church.

6) Yom Kippur or Day of Atonement (Lev.  23:27) Sept. 26 – While there are a number of ways to view this most Holy Day, I find myself honoring it as a day of deep self-reflection supported by total fast. 

7) Tabernacles or Booths (Lev. 23:34) Oct. 1-8 – Is celebrated by eight days living outdoors in flimsy shelters remembering God’s miraculous salvation of His people. The final day is Called Simchat Torah, a full day devoted to “The Joy of the Torah”. Sounds a lot like heaven to me!  Is this what Micah and Isaiah taught us when we say the Lord will once again “tabernacle” with His people? 

Here is the way the question of honoring Levitical Feasts was answered in a recent e-mail I read:

Whether or not a Christian celebrates the Jewish feast days would be a matter of conscience for the individual Christian. Colossians 2:16-17 tells us “Therefore do not let anyone judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a religious festival, a New Moon celebration or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of the things that were to come; the reality, however, is found in Christ.” Christians are not bound to observe the Jewish feasts the way an Old Testament Jew was, but we should not criticize another believer who does or does not observe these special days and feasts (Romans 14:5).      While it is not required for Christians to celebrate the Jewish feast days, it is beneficial to study them. Certainly it could be beneficial to celebrate these days if it leads one to a greater understanding and appreciation for Christ’s death and resurrection and the future promise of His coming. As Christians, if we choose to celebrate these special days, we should put Christ in the center of the celebration, as the One who came to fulfill the prophetic significance of each of them.

Points to ponder

Are these Jewish Feast days?    Or God’s Feast Days for all His children?

Why not study and then celebrate God’s ordained feast days, in addition
to our customary celebrations until we fully understand God’s message in His Word?

Shalom                                                                 August 28, 2012

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd

Musing - How do you know if you really believe?

Hebraic Musing - How do you know if you really believe?

The Psalmist was referring to a people who did not really believe or trust God and yet had seen many miracles, when he said: They spoke against God, saying, “Can God spread a table in the desert? When he struck the rock, water gushed out, and streams flowed abundantly. But can he also give us food? Can he supply meat for his people?”  Ps 78:19-20

I wonder how many miracles we have seen, yet do not believe in Him for the next one?  Anyone can claim belief but are they ready for the real test? Where is our faith when faced with life or death decisions?

There is a great story that illustrates this.

Around the mid-1800s a man known as the Great Blondin attempted to cross Niagara Falls on a tightrope. Five thousand people gathered to watch. In the middle of the walk Blondin suddenly stopped, backflipped into the air, landed on the rope, and then continued safely to the other side. Blondin would cross the Falls many more times — once blindfolded, once carrying a stove, once in chains, and once on a bicycle.
One time, he showed up with a wheelbarrow. Blondin turned to the crowd and shouted “Who believes that I can cross pushing this wheelbarrow?” Every hand in the crowd went up. Blondin pointed at one man.
“Do you believe that I can do it?” he asked. 
“Yes, I believe you can,” said the man. 
“Are you sure?” said Blondin. 
“Yes,” said the man. 
“Absolutely certain?” 
“Yes, absolutely certain.”
“Thank you,” said Blondin. “Then, sir, get into the wheelbarrow.”[1]

Point to ponder

How is your faith in Jesus Christ?

Shalom                                                                                                August 21, 2012

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd

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[1] Inspired by Rabbi Eckstein’s Holy Land Moments Daily Devotional <Devotional@HolyLandMoments.org>

Musing – What is meant by ‘Wait’ and ‘Pray’?

Hebraic Musing – What is meant by ‘Wait’ and ‘Pray’?

Rabbinic midrash saying – “The former Chasidim (devout Jews) used to sit still one hour, and then pray for one hour, and then again sit still for one hour.”  I found myself meditating and trying to figure out the significance of this advice.

The definition of ‘pray’ must be at the core of the statement, and I have suspected the definition has evolved over recent times.

Webster’s 1828 Dictionary (a beloved reference book) seems to focus on the words ‘to ask’:
1. to ask with earnestness or zeal, as for a favor, or for something desirable…
2. to petition; to ask, as for a favor; …
3. In worship, to address the Supreme Being with solemnity and reverence, with adoration, confession of sins, supplication for mercy, and thanksgiving for blessings received.

Today’s Dictionary.com from the e-generation infers that ‘pray’ or ‘praying’ is more of a conversation:
1. to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to (God or an object of worship).
2. to offer (a prayer).
3. to bring, put, etc., by praying: to pray a soul into heaven.
4. to make earnest petition to (a person).
5. to make petition or entreaty for; crave: She prayed his forgiveness.
6. to offer devout petition, praise, thanks, etc., to God or to an object of worship.
7. to enter into spiritual communion with God or an object of worship through prayer.
verb 8. to make entreaty or supplication, as to a person or for a thing.

Simply stated, the word ‘pray’ is evolving from ‘ask’ to ‘conversation’ with God. 

And what does ‘to wait’ mean?  Or ‘to sit still’?

Points to ponder

Is the Lord expected to wait on us,
or are we to wait on the Lord?

What is the purpose of three hourly cycles – wait… pray… wait?

Shalom                                                                                    August 14, 2012

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd

Musing – What does it mean to ‘accept’ Jesus?

Hebraic Musing – What does it mean to ‘accept’ Jesus?

Remember as children we sang “Father Abraham had many sons…”  The Hebraic or Biblical thinking behind this little ditty comes from Jesus’ red letter teachings to His disciple ‘wannabe’s in John 8:31-47.

In vs.31-32 Jesus defines what it means to be one of His disciples – To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” NIV   By definition, to be a disciple one needs to hold to the Master’s teachings.

Then Jesus goes on to define those who are still slaves to sin in vs.34-38 – Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave to sin. Now a slave has no permanent place in the family, but a son belongs to it forever.”  And how many obvious ‘slaves to sin’ do we find gleefully attending Christian fellowships?

After further argument over their heritage and relationship with Abraham, Jesus explains why those who do not listen to what God says do not belong to God.  Again vs. 42-47 in red letters He says “If God were your Father, you would love me, …  Why is my language not clear to you? Because you are unable to hear what I say.  You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father's desire. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. …  He who belongs to God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that you do not belong to God.”

Yeshua’s clear answer differentiates a disciple as one who wants to and does hear from God. Is it safe to assume that a true disciple would have a hunger and thirst for God’s Word?

Points to ponder

Then what does it mean to ‘accept’ Jesus?

Can one claim to have ‘accepted Christ’ and not be interested in
studying their Bible

or attending Sunday school

or seeking out Bible study groups?

BTW – I think Jesus’ half-brother James understood this when he penned his epistle.  James 1:22-25 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.  Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like.  But the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he does.

Shalom,

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd                                                             August 8, 2012