YHWH told Israel that He would send “The Hornet” against their enemies. (Duet. 7:20) He made this promise to assure Israel that there would be nothing to fear when taking “The Land.” Hornets, of course, pack a pretty big sting. So, is Yah actually referring to a hornet that may inflect actual pain against Israel’s…
Author: MVF Silverton
Grace to You
Torah portion: Va’Etchanan, And I Pleaded, D’varim (Deut) 3:23 – 7:11; Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 40:1-26; Matthew 23:31-39, Mark 12:28-34 Does greeting you with ‘grace to you’ sound religious, pious, or even holier-than-thou? Many Hebrews like to greet each other with “shalom”. Why isn’t a greeting of “grace to you” more common among God’s people? Grace in Va’etchanan You may not see…
What’s Your View Like?
What happens when things don’t go according to your plans? Will Yahweh still allow you to see? This week’s Torah selection begins with, “I pleaded with the Lord at the time, . . . Let me, I pray, cross over and see the fair land that is beyond the Jordan”. These are the words of…
Yah Has a Plan
D’varim (Words, paleo-Hebrew: accesses the inside of the Exalted Head, the Messiah): D’varim (Deuteronomy) 1:1 – 3:22 Yeshayahu (Isaiah) 1:1–27 Acts 9:1–21; I Timothy 3:1-7 “I don’t know, but Yah has a plan!” When I don’t have answers for people who ask me what our plan is for making it through what’s coming, I find…
Does YHVH Not Answer Prayer?
You might have heard a saying that goes like, “God does answer prayers. it’s either yes, no, or wait.” But is this always the case? This week’s Torah study is called Devarim, or Words, Matters. So, do the Sages believe words matter, or do they believe in words and matters? In either case, our prayers…
Twelve Tribes – Restored!
Mattot – Masei Torah Mattot, ‘Tribes’, Waters contained in green branches. Massei, ‘Journeys’ To pull stakes, lift up the camp and embark on a journey. B’midbar (Numbers) 30:1 – 32:42; 33:1 – 36:13 Yermiyahu (Jeremiah) 1:1 – 2:3; 2:4-28; 3:4; 4:1-2 Mattityahu (Matthew) 5:33-37; Ya’aqov (James) 4:1-12; Philippians 3:7-21 In ancient times, a man was…
Trading for Dominion
Trading for Dominion Trading for Dominion The first strategy of the Adversary was to offer man forbidden fruit in order to gain knowledge and to become wise like God. The pursuit of information to gain power and dominion over others is nothing new in this modern world. Trading for Dominion in the…
A Little Zealous?
A Little Zealous? When coaching for sporting events, I have witnessed the zealousness of parents. Their passion for their child to win would many times overlook the rules of the game or a call made by a referee. To be “right” in their physical world, these parents would step on others. It was embarrassing. To…
The Two Trees of Ma Tovu
Torah Balaq “Balak (Devastator, annihilator).” B’midbar (Numbers) 22:2 – 25:9 Mikah (Micah) 5:6 – 6:8 Romans 11:25-32 and I Corinthians 1:20-31 Life from death is pictured by a dead branch grafted into an olive tree. The olive tree is the only tree that can revive a branch that had been cut off, lying dead for…
Looking for Wisdom?
Looking for Wisdom? The story of King Balak highlights the concept of seeking the services of a “prophet for hire.” But if we look closer, there is an example of how YHWH warns an unbeliever to turn from foolish ways and become wise. In Numbers, chapters 23-24, Yah uses four attempts to turn Balak away…