Roots of Faith

Journey Through Gospel - Worship and Salvation

In this week’s class, Ross teaches from the 4th chapter of John. He talks on two subjects; (1) worship and (2) Salvation. These two themes are important to understand in order to grasp what the Bible is teaching.

The Bible is clear that our worship is to be directed to YHWH only. See Matthew 4:8-10, Deuteronomy 6:10-15, 10:12-22, Joshua 23:1-13.

See the following in Revelation:

Revelation 14:6-7 - Note what it says of “eternal Gospel”.
Revelation 15:1-4
Revelation 19:9-10
Revelation 22:8-9

The second part of the class covers the subject of “Salvation”. Ross defines salvation. What does the word mean? Saved from what?

Psalm 118 is a very important text in our understanding of the idea of salvation.

We learn in this week that that YHWH is our Savior. Ross covers several verses on this subject.

All who call upon the name of YHWH will be saved - Joel 2:32

You will not want to miss this class.

Worship and Salavation [67:30m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Journey Thru the Gospel - Part 4 - Eternal Life

In this week’s class, Ross picks up with the second part of the conversation between Yeshua and Nicodemus. Here we find them conversing about Eternal life. The basis for this teaching is found in John 3:12-21.

The Hebrew Bible has only a few passages that speak specifically about “eternal life”; see Genesis 3:22 and Daniel 12:12 for examples.

Ross asks the question, “What shall we do to inherit eternal life?”

Yeshua compared his death to a bizarre story in the book of Numbers. He teaches from the 21st chapter and the story of the “Serpent” that Moses crafted and put upon a pole. This became an idol to the people.

You will not want to miss this class as Ross makes some interesting parallels between the death of Yeshua and the serpent in the wilderness.

Eternal Life [86:33m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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Comments on Torah Reading Shelach (Numbers 13:1-15:41)

These are some of my notes for the Torah portion this week.

This week’s Torah lesson begins with a story about Moses sending out leaders from every tribe (except Levi) to explore the land of Canaan. They are often referred to as “spies”, but the Hebrew word “tur” literally means to seek out or explore. Their purpose is to bring back information - specific information requested by Moses and so in a way, they are to “spy out” the land.

Chapter 13:4-15 gives the names of these leaders.

Two of these leaders (interestingly enough…one from Judah and one from Ephraim) bring back a good report while the others give an “unfavorable report” (see 14:32). They are to search out and report on the following:

1. What is the land like?
2. Are the people weak or strong?
3. Are they few or many?
4. Is the land good or bad?
5. Are the towns walled or not?
6. Are there trees or not?

And finally they are told to “be bold” and bring back some of the fruit of the land (13:17-20).

The reconnaissance mission takes them 40 days. Caleb, the leader representing the tribe of Judah and Hoshea, the leader representing the tribe of Ephraim (whose name is changed by Moses to Yehoshua - 14:16) bring back the good report.

There is a lot of clamor in the camp as the “spies” relate what they saw. Caleb quiets the people before Moses and tries to encourage the people to take possession, but again this week we find the people complaining and even desiring death or a return to Egypt rather than the prospect of pushing onward into the land of promise.

I find that the allure of what one knows can be very distracting to people in the quest. The unknown is not the popular choice for most, and slavery can be difficult to shake off. People can grow comfortable in the most uncomfortable situations.

The valiant two give the people their best arguments to move ahead. They tell the Israelites that the LORD is with them and warn the people not to “rebel against the LORD”, but this only brought them threats of stoning (14:5-10)!

God is angered by the poor choice of the people and wants to destroy them, disinherit them and start over with Moses (14:11-12). Moses intercedes for the people reminding God of His very nature. Notice what he says -

“Let the power of the LORD be great in the way that you promised when you spoke, saying: The LORD is slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love (hesed), forgiving iniquity and transgressing, but by no means clearing the guilty, visiting the iniquity of the parents upon the children to the third and the fourth generation.” This becomes a repeated description of God throughout the Bible (see Nehemiah 9:17, Psalm 86:15, 103:8, 145:8, Joel 2:13, and Jonah 4:2). One should study these words closely.

God listens to the voice of Moses and agrees to forgive (14:20) but then says something quite remarkable. He swears that “the earth shall be filled with the glory of the LORD”. We read elsewhere of this global mission. I understand this to mean that the taking of the land was to be the beginning of something incredible. Israel’s mission would be manifested from this promised land. From there they would become a Light unto the nations! Here we read that the “glory of the LORD” would fill the earth. Notice the following passages from the prophets:

KJV Isaiah 11:9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain: for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

KJV Habakkuk 2:14 For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea.

This is the goal and meaning of history - it is the manifestation of God’s Kingdom on earth.

God is persuaded by the intercession of Moses, but the penalty of unfaithfulness will be paid in full. These leaders had “spied out the land for forty days” and brought back a bad report and so they would now bear their iniquity - a year for every day! They would learn God’s displeasure and would die in the wilderness. Ironically, this is what they had requested (14:2).

Chapter 15 describes various offerings that were to be offered when they did finally cross into the land. In 15:14-16, we read that the alien who resides with Israel shall do as the Israelites do. They are to have and keep the same ordinances as every natural Israelite. See also verse 29 for the same idea dealing with “atonement”.

The torah reading ends with a passage requiring the wearing of “fringes - tzittzit” on the corners of their garments(15:37-41). See also Deuteronomy 22:12.

This Torah reading offers some insights into what is expected of those who find themselves in a leadership role among the people of God. Our faith in God must be strong. Even when things look ominous, we must keep our eyes on God and not allow circumstances or situations to influence our walk with God, or keep us from fulfilling His commands.

We should seek to intercede for the people of God. Moses learned to reason with God based upon “knowing” his character. This week’s lesson contains an excellent description of God’s character. We should learn it by heart!

We also learn that God gives us challenges that He will help us through. These may seem impossible, but they often put us in a place to be a light to those around us. Have faith and be bold. Stand on God’s word and you cannot fail.

A valuable lesson is communicated in this Torah portion that is often overlooked. Forgiveness does not free us from the consequences of our sins. We must often bear our iniquity - and this sometimes takes years to play its course.

I hope that you will take the time to read and study this Torah portion. There is much to be gleaned and I have only scratched the surface. Shalom and good reading!

Ross K. Nichols
www.RootsofFaith.org

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Gospel Studies, Part 3 - The New Birth

In this week’s class, Ross continues his journey through the gospel and begins to incorporate the Gospel of John.

He shows that some of the ideas from the Gospels have been taken out of their Hebraic context and misunderstood. He focuses on the conversation between Yeshua and Nicodemus, who may be a well known figure (the Talmudic Nicodemus ben Gorion).

What is the new birth? Was this concept in the Hebrew Bible? Ross shows that it is and brings us back to the idea that the Torah is and always has been a matter of the heart.

You will not want to miss this class.

Gospel Sudies - New Birth [84:03m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

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A synagogue without walls

Archive for June, 2008

Journey Through Gospel - Worship and Salvation

Journey Thru the Gospel - Part 4 - Eternal Life

Comments on Torah Reading Shelach (Numbers 13:1-15:41)

Gospel Studies, Part 3 - The New Birth

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