Voice for Israel

In this Torah study, Parashat Pinchas (Numbers 25:10-29:40), Pinchas stops the plague that has broken out in Israel because of their sin against the God of Israel.  Pinchas' zeal (the Hebrew word kinah -jealousy) is rewarded with a covenant of peace (brit shalom).  Zeal or passion for the Lord can be awesome and necessary for our faith; but used wrongly can also be destructive!   Listen to this Torah study and please share!!  For more Torah studies and resources to connect with the Jewish roots of the Christian faith see our website:   www.voiceforisrael.net

So many things in the Old Testament don't make sense until you see them fulfilled in Yeshua the Messiah.  This holds true for the mystery of the Red Heifer as well as the Nechustan - the Bronze Serpent that Moses lifted up on a pole in the desert.  The children of Israel complained and argued at every turn; but God provided the remedy.  Listen to this podcast for a Messianic Jewish perspective on Parashat Chukkat (Numbers 19:1-22:1)  For more information and resources:  www.voiceforisrael.net

In this Torah study, Korach leads a rebellion against Moses.  Rebellion is like the sin of witchcraft.  We need to be very careful and separate ourselves from those who are in rebellion against God lest we come under God's judgment along with them; but at the same time praying and interceding for God's mercy upon them.  For more info: www.voiceforisrael.net

This Torah portion (Parashat Shlach Lecha  Numbers 13:1 - 15:41) is such an awesome lesson on faith and the dangers of giving in to fear, doubt and unbelief.  It was because of unbelief that they failed to enter the land and claim their inheritance. And without faith it is impossible to please God.  Listen to this podcast and be encouraged that with God we are well able.  We can face our giants and overcome them victoriously.  Be strong and of good courage for the Lord God is with us wherever we go! PLEASE SHARE!! For more information and resources on the Jewish roots of the Christian faith see our website: www.voiceforisrael.net  

This week's Torah study, Parashat Beha'alotcha (Numbers 8:1 - 12:16), is also called the 'kvetching sedra'.  It warns us about the dangers of complaining which provoked God's wrath.  Aaron goes up to light the lamps in the tabernacle. It is the light that banishes the darkness; and we are to let our light shine in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation.  Yeshua called Himself, and He called us the light of the world.  How do we shine brightly  in the darkness?  Find out in this podcast where we discuss the danger of 'kvetching' (complaining) and arguing. For more Messianic Jewish resources and information check out our website: www.voiceforisrael.net

Discover an amazing secret hidden in the Hebrew.  The same word is used in Hebrew for desert (wilderness) מדבר and speak  מדבר!  God wants to speak to us in the wilderness seasons of our life!  Do you find yourself in a wilderness? Aimless wandering around and around the same mountain ?  Does life seem dry, dull, and monotonous?  Have you lost your sense of direction and purpose?  Don't lose heart!  You are simply in a wilderness season and God has a good purpose for it.   Listen to this podcast to find out:   How you know if you're in the wilderness,  what to do about it,  why God has you there   how to make sure you don't stay there till you die!   Please share with a friend who needs some encouragement. For more info & resources see our website:  www.voiceforisrael.net

In this week's Torah portion (Numbers 4:21-7:89), we discuss the Law of Jealousy, the vow of the Nazarite, and the meaning behind the Aaronic Benediction (Priestly Blessing).  For more resources on the Jewish Roots of the Christian Faith or to sign up for our weekly Torah studies check out our website:  www.voiceforisrael.net.  Thanks for listening.  Please share with a friend.

Leviticus 25:1–27:34 On the mountain, God commands a sabbatical year for the Land of Israel (called a Shemitah year) every 7 years. seven cycles of shemitah are followed by a 50th year of Jubille (Yovel) - of freedom, liberty restoration and reconciliation. God promises that if Israel will keep His commandments they will enjoy prosperity and safety; but if they disobey and break His covenant, they will be exiled from their homeland. And yet God promises restoration in the end when the people humble themselves and repent. For more info: www.voiceforisrael.net

The subject of holiness is so important.  The Word says that without holiness no one will see the Lord.   We all have ideas about what it means to be holy - but what is holiness?  and what is it not??  Find out in this episode.   Check out our website for more resources and information: www.voiceforisrael.net Sign up for our Messianic Jewish Torah studies HERE For a You Tube video on K'doshim click on link Be Holy as I am Holy and subscribe to our you tube channel

Today's Scripture readings are from Leviticus 16: 1 - 18:30.  After the death of Aaron's 2 sons, he carries on serving the Lord as the Cohen Hagadol (High Priest) performing the rites of Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement).  What changed at the cross?  What is the 'new and living way' by which we have access to God?  What is the meaning of the two goats and how did Yeshua fulfill the role of the Azazel (Scapegoat).   Isaiah 53:  "The Lord has laid on him the sins of us all."  Behold the Lamb of God who carries away the sins of the world (John 1:29).   For more information and resources on the Jewish roots of the Christian faith see our website: www.voiceforisrael.net 

King Balak (Destroyer) tries to hire a sorcerer, Balaam, to curse Israel but he is unable to directly curse them, saying, "Who can curse those whom God has blessed?"  (Numbers 23:8) We are blessed and highly favored by the Most High God.    Listen to this podcast for insights into the weekly parashah (Torah portion).  Numbers 22:2 - 25:9; Micah 5:6 - 6:8, Romans 11:25 - 32.

Please share this message and follow our podcast. Sign up for free Messianic Bible Studies at www.voiceforisrael.net "Hear, O My people, and I will admonish you! O Israel, if you will listen to Me!" (Psalm 81:8) God wants us to listen to Him and keep His ways so we will be safe and secure; without fear of evil.  A wise person will listen to correction; but a fool hates to be corrected because of stubbornness, ignorance & pride. Before the 1st day of Passover, we are commanded to cleanse our homes of all leaven (yeast) called chametz in Hebrew, which represents sin and especially pride. During the festival of Passover let us remember to walk in humility like the unleavened bread (matzah) we are called to be.  (1 Corinthians 5:6-8) May we be humble and wise enough to listen to the voice of wisdom - that we may walk in ways of pleasantness and peace - and stay safe in these times.  Amen v'Amen.

After the Israelites passed through the Red Sea and God gave them a tremendous victory they were singing and dancing and praising the Lord. But after three days in the wilderness, they found no water. When they finally came to the waters of Mara they could not drink it because the waters were bitter.  The trials, tragedies &  disappointments of life can cause us to become bitter, sour and negative. Many people are thirsty for a drink of living waters but our waters may be too bitter to drink.  God wants to heal us and set us free from bitterness.  It was at the Waters of Mara that God revealed Himself as YHVH ROPHE (God our Healer).  The primary healing we need is from bitterness. Let us forgive and allow God to heal us. 

Jacob (Israel) on his deathbed blessed the sons of Joseph:  Ephraim & Menashe, giving the greater blessing to the younger son, Ephraim. Who is Ephraim today?  THe book of Hosea gives us clues.  The Father's blessing is so important.  EAch Friday night, we bless our sons with the blessing, "May God make you like Ephraim & Menashe". Why do we bless our sons to be like them? Because even though they lived in an ungodly society and culture like Egypt, they kept their Biblical faith and heritage. WE also bless our daughters to be great women of God: May God make you like Sarah, Rachel & Rivkah."  Jacob blesses each of his sons, but he curses the anger of Simeon & Levi, who slaughtered Shechem in their cruel wrath. We need to beware of a hot temper and keep our anger under control. Forsake wrath; it only causes harm."  (Psalm 37:8) Joseph does not hold a grudge against his brothers after his father's death but forgives them, comforts them, speaks kindly to them and even provides for them. May we also be forgiving, loving, kind people who refuse to hold grudges especially against members of our own family.   Both Jacob and Joseph ask that they not be buried in Egypt.  Israel was never meant to remain permanently in exile; but to return to the Land. May the Jewish people today also consider leaving the comforts and prosperity of exile and come home to the Land.  

Why do we have to wrestle or struggle in life?  There is a greater purpose at work.  When Jacob wrestled with an 'angel' all night, his name was changed from Jacob (Yaacov) to Israel (Yisrael).  But this changed more than his name; it transformed his entire character. We are also being transformed through our struggles - from glory to glory.  Discover spiritual secrets from the Hebrew in this  podcast.  If you are blessed, share the message with others and sign up for our free on-line Torah studies by e-mail on our website:  www.voiceforisrael.net

What does it mean, from a Hebraic perspective to have a steadfast heart? that we will not be moved?    God calls us to be steadfast, immovable, .... Listen to this podcast to  discover the real Hebrew meanings of these words and be encouraged to stand firm, steadfast and immovable, trusting in Adonai.     Sign up for our free on-line Messianic Torah studies:  www.voiceforisrael.net  

Beware an Evil Heart of Unbelief “Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God;” (Hebrews 3:12) Unbelief is a dangerous thing. It can keep us out of our promised land. So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.” (Heb 3:19) Let us have faith and not limit the Holy One of Israel. Be strong and of good courage.

“ See, I set before you today life and prosperity, death and destruction.”  (Deuteronomy 30:15) God sets before us life and death, blessing and cursing; but He wants us to choose life!   "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge."  Some people simply do not have the knowledge of what causes a curse to come upon us. But with the right knowledge we can turn it all around. Listen to this podcast to find out:  - How do curses come upon us?  - What are the symptoms of being under a curse? - What are the root causes of curses and how can we avoid them? - What is the answer to breaking free of curses and living under God's blessing? Sign up to our free on-line Torah studies HERE  

In the beginning God created the Heavens and the Earth. All was darkness and 'tohu v'vohu' (chaos); but God said, "Let there be Light and there was light."  We can also bring light into the darkness and chaos of our lives with our words by decreeing, "Let there be light!"   Yeshua is the light of the world.  We can invite him to come and bring light into the darkness.  Yeshua is the great light that the prophet Isaiah spoke about - the child who was born; the son given to us who would be destined to rule on the throne of His father David. This is the King Messiah Yeshua.  Whoever follows Him need not walk in darkness but in the light of Life.  (John 8:12).  Let us be people who walk in the light . It all starts in our mind. We can be completely transformed by the renewing of our minds.  (Romans 12:12).  Let us not be people who continually focus on the darkness - everything that is not right, bad, unjust, horrible, terrible & ugly.  Let us obey the Word to "fix our thoughts on whatever is true, honorable, right, pure, lovely and beautiful."  (Phil. 4:8) Sign up for our free on-line weekly Parashah Torah studies: https://mailchi.mp/dee03b163abe/voiceforisraelsignup Voice for Israel facebook page:  https://www.facebook.com/voiceforisrael.net Voice for Israel You Tube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR4VXYfHAow9lhTfooDIyUw Upcoming tours to Israel:  https://www.voiceforisrael.net/tourtoisrael2020

We are entering into a new season following the Fall Feasts and starting the Torah studies all over again from the beginning (Breisheet). God has a new thing for us this season; but for many of us, we have to first forget the past and move on.... From the story of Joseph and the names of his two sons, we are encouraged and inspired to 'forgive & forget'. Sign up for our weekly on-line free Messianic Torah studies  https://mailchi.mp/dee03b163abe/voiceforisraelsignup subscribe to Voice for Israel You Tube channel  https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCR4VXYfHAow9lhTfooDIyUw Come on tour with us and hear these teachings in person in the Land of Israel!  https://www.voiceforisrael.net/tourtoisrael2020 Donate Here https://www.voiceforisrael.net/copy-of-donate

On the last great day of the Feast of Sukkot (Tabernacles), Yeshua stood up and said, "All who are thirsty, come to Me and drink."   (John 7:37) We all have a thirst for God, but we often try to satisfy our thirst in unhealthy ways that do not satisfy. "Come to the waters - a free gift.  Why do you spend your money and hard earned wages on that which does not satisfy?"  (Isaiah 55:2) Jeremiah rebuked the people of Israel for forsaking God, the Fountain (source) of living waters (Makor Mayim Chayim)  מקור מיים חיים and instead turning to broken cisterns that cannot hold water. (Jeremiah 2:13)  Yeshua spoke to a Samaritan woman who had already had five husbands and was trying to quench her thirst for love in human relationships, only to find disappointment and failure.  Yeshua promised her living waters that would completely satisfy her thirst eternally.,  He said, "I will give of the fountain of the water of life freely to him who thirst."  (Revelation 21:6) Let us forsake our 'broken cisterns' and come to Adonai - the source of living waters for our soul.   "The Spirit and the Bride say Come. And let him who hears say, "COME!" AND LET HIM WHO THIRST COME. WHOEVER DESIRES, LET HIM TAKE THE WATER OF LIFE FREELY."   (Revelation 22:17)                                                                                                                             Subscribe to our free on-line Messianic Torah studies   CLICK HERE 

The first and the last days of the Festival of Sukkot (Booths) (Feast of Tabernacles) are  holy - set apart - days (Leviticus 23:35 & 36).  But the middle days are called 'chol ha'moed'. They are still festival days but are also 'ordinary' work days as well.  Between the beginning and the end of any journey there is the middle; and the middle can be a tough place to be.  We have left where we didn't want to be; but haven't yet arrived at our desired destination.  Israel had to pass through the middle (the wilderness) after leaving Egypt on their way to the Promised Land.  Because they lost heart in the middle, most of them never made it to their destination.  Sukkot is a season of rejoicing. We are to rejoice before the Lord for all seven days.   How do we keep our joy 'in the middle'?  Listen to this podcast and be encouraged. "This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." 

"I will give you the treasures of darkness And hidden riches of secret places,"  (Isaiah 45:3) God has treasures and hidden riches for us if we would only see them.  Sometimes the treasure is hidden or buried and we need to search for it.  "Seek and you shall find."  Sometimes it is sitting right out in the open but we may not recognize it because it's in a 'new place' or done a 'new way'.  God says, "Behold I do a new thing; do you not perceive (see) it?"  But where are we seeking for our treasure?  Do we seek for treasures of the world that ultimately cannot satisfy us and may even leave us sick or broken?  Or do we seek for the true treasures of the Kingdom:  Righteousness, peace and joy? The Kingdom is within us.  We have this treasure hidden in earthen vessels.  Enjoy this message about hidden treasures. 

"Nor shall you bring an abomination into your house, lest you be doomed to destruction like it. You shall utterly detest it and utterly abhor it, for it is an accursed thing (Cherem חרם)."  (Deuteronomy 7:26) Israel could not stand before their enemies and had not victory because of one man (Achan - whose name means 'trouble') who 'troubled Israel' by bringing an 'accursed thing' (cherem) into his possession. They could have no victory until they destroyed this article that God had marked for destruction. (Joshua 7).  We too need to be very careful that we don't bring an accursed thing (cherem) into our homes, lest we be doomed to destruction along with it.  We need to examine what we have brought into our homes to see if there is anything that God would consider 'cherem' and get rid of it so that we can walk in victory and triumph instead of defeat and trouble.  www.voiceforisrael.net

"Also you shall destroy all the peoples whom the Lord your God delivers over to you; your eye shall have no pity on them; nor shall you serve their gods, for that will be a snare to you." (Deuteronomy 7:16) In order to 'possess our land' we may need to 'dispossess' some 'inhabitants of the land'.  We have to root out those 'former inhabitants' from the Kingdom of Darkness and with God's help, destroy them in order to walk more and more in the Light.  But it wont' happen overnight - God says, 'little by little' we will drive them out.  There may also be relationships that need to go - people who drag us down or lead us astray.  We might have a Jonah in the boat that we need to throw overboard.  There is a time for compassion, patience and mercy; but there is also something called 'unsanctified mercy' where we are standing in the way of God's dealings with someone in our lives.  We need to stop enabling disobedience and stop allowing the enemy to use our hearts of compassion against us.

"And you shall remember that the Lord your God led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you and test you, to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not"  (Deuteronomy 8:2) The wilderness is not a comfortable place for any of us - but it is a necessary part of our spiritual journey of faith.  It is where God humbles us, tests us and sees what is in our heart.  All the great people of God in the Bible went through their own wilderness.  The wilderness (or desert - in Hebrew 'midbar') is related to the word midaber which means to speak.  In the wilderness times of our lives, God can speak to our hearts.  How we respond to our wilderness experience may determine how long we stay there - or even whether or not we get out alive! 

 "Because you listen to these judgments, and keep and do them, that the Lord your God will keep with you the covenant (brit) and the mercy (chessed) which He swore to your fathers."  (Deut/Dvarim 7:12)   God's covenant and His mercy and two of the most powerful forces in the Universe.  We are to not only listen (hear o Israel - Sh'ma Yisrael); but also to be 'doers' of the Word.  This is love for God that we keep His commandments.     Be encouraged that God has blessings in store 'because of' (ekev) your obedience to His Word.

This is how to sing the prayer from Deuteronomy 6:4.  

God created the entire universe with His words & we are created in His image. Learn a hidden secret in the Hebrew that connects our words with our reality.