News Letter 5850-032
7th day of the 8th month 5850 years after the creation of Adam
The 8th Month in the Fifth year of the Third Sabbatical Cycle
The Third Sabbatical Cycle of the 119th Jubilee Cycle
The Sabbatical Cycle of Earthquakes, Famines and Pestilence

November 1, 2014

Shabbat Shalom to the Royal Family of Yehovah,

The New Moon of the 8th month was sighted last Saturday evening making Sunday, October 26 the 1st day of the 8th month.
I want to share a letter I received this week.

Dear Mr. Dumond,

I found your site a few years (2011/2012) ago and loved what I had read, ordered your book Prophecies of Abraham.
When it came I didn’t seem to be able to catch on and would go back to your site but it seemed unchanged from time to time when I looked for new postings.
-thinking it was an abandoned site I just wandered away & got caught up in “Life”.
Yet every Feast that came around I had a tugging to search for truth. I wanted to try and keep them but didn’t know where to go, where to start, where we were in the 3 year of 7 years time frame. How do you start if everyone is off the time tables?
I asked a Jewish/Moroccan/book store owner who gave me their timing… Which was off and I just became even more lost about time.
For a while my husband was raised Mormon (who has now confessed & converted) & I researched The voice of Elijah.org and after a while I couldn’t stand waiting for him to teach about the Feasts. Seemed he tiptoed around it calling it LEGALISMS. So -off again. Not too sure if it is a cultish following there or not??? Humm.
I am sick of playing church. And I am getting too old to play around with the lies out there.
I was so happy when I came back to your site. (about the end of August 2014) to find great things going on. I am here to stay. I did order your books off of Amazon (just so I could get them ASAP) Tried to listen to as many videos as I can and start obeying ALL of the Sabbaths.
I want to THANK YOU. Thank you.
Thank you for all of the time you have put into ALL of the things you have learned and made available. I will say I am scared & happy at the same time. Thank you.
I just want to have the oil I need when the time comes. Thank you.
I pray I can be all that I was created to be & Stand when I need to Stand. Better yet run when I need to as well. Thank you.
Personally I think of you more like a Moses type.
He didn’t think he was called to speak-Learned about so many things and came to 120 years-which you are teaching about- sort of
There go those numbers again. Thank you
Thank You, Thank you, Thank you
Mr. Dumond.
Thank you, I thank you.
No matter how ugly it gets, Thank you, thank you for giving me eyes to see And ears to hear…
Well not you personally, but I am sure you know what I mean.
Thank you
SH.

A few scriptures to think about after reading this letter.

1Th 5:18  In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Eph 5:15  See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise, 16 redeeming the time, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is excess, but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 always giving thanks for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting yourselves to one another in the fear of God.

Psa 107:1  O give thanks to Jehovah, for He is good; for His mercy endures forever.

It is Yehovah who has opened your eyes to see His truths. I am just another brother trying to learn how to obey and sharing what I learn along the way. So give thanks to Yehovah for revealing these truths to us in these last days. If it was not for Him calling us we would be just like the rest of the world.

Here is another note I received this week from someone reading The 2300 Days of Hell book.

Yahweh is good, Joseph Dumond, just last night I was reading The 2300 Days of Hell and I fell asleep. (incidentally, not because your book is boring) no pun intended, but my Husband picked up your book, while I was sleeping and this morning He asked me where did you get that book ?? He said Wow. He then said He went to His bible and read Lev 23 and Daniel 8 and 9. Wow Joseph, what a breakthrough!!!  Forgot to mention, He now wants to get an extra large calendar, so I could write for Him when the Feasts and Sabbaths will fall for next year because he says He now sees the importance to honoring the Feasts and Sabbaths. Wow Joseph this is truly a breakthrough in my household. I told Him I could give Him an idea of the dates, but that concretely we would have to wait for the moon to announce the Feast.

I would like to share with you an update from Boaz and Rinah at the vineyard.

Dear Joe,
The summer has drawn to a close and the Fall is upon us. We still have intermittent hot days so the vines cannot make up their minds whether to go into hibernation or not! This has been a hot, dry and trying summer with temperatures reaching mid-forties Celsius (about 115 F). The vines prospered in the heat but the water consumption because of the high evaporation factor was higher than budgeted.

We are not global warming people but this year was HOT!
As a result of late rains in March this year we found ourselves with weeds in between the young vines as they were starting to shoot new leaves. This meant one thing – no spraying! This left us with having to weed by hand through the summer as well as prune and dress the vines. Vine dressing is an ongoing process throughout the growing season and in particular this year we had to choose our carrier branch that will carry the vine for the rest of its life.

To add fun to the scenario we decided to embark upon a trellising experiment on 7 of our 28 rows of vines. We tried an unknown in Israel (which is unusual) type of system which doubles up on the wires and can add a lot more to the yield. We are not making any predictions but suffice it to say that all the other vine growers in the area are watching us to see our results. On the strength of the enthusiasm of the usually conservative experts we have decided to add additional wires to the entire vineyard and be the first vineyard in Israel to use this system.

This means that we will need extra hands to come and work in the vineyard. Work starts mid January and will go on until May. We would prefer people that have worked in vineyards before but a positive attitude goes a long way and for those that have no experience we will provide on the job training. We welcome couples or friends as our accommodation is shared (2 to a room) and if the Father is placing this sort of calling upon your heart, please contact us for the relative information.

We are looking forward to a wonderful 2015 growing season. We are in our Sabbatical year but as we do not pick or sell our fruit yet it will be pretty much a normal year for us.

There was but one down side to the summer. Two months ago Rinah was on her way to Be’er Sheva and her car developed a water leak on one of the radiator pipes. She stopped on the side of the road and got a ride into Be’er Sheva with a friend. Boaz was working in Be’er Sheva that day and brought a replacement pipe to replace on his way home. When Boaz arrived at the place that the car was supposed to have been, it was not there. After a few minutes of looking around the car was located in a dry river bed. Bedouins had attempted to steal the car but could not get it started. Instead, they pushed it into the dry river bed with two other vehicles doing extensive damage to our car. They stole the stereo, the spare wheel and whatever else that was of value in the car.

The long and the short of the story is that our faithful Hyundai (’97 model with nearly 500,000 km on the clock) is beyond economical repair. We stand to get about $500 USD for the scrap as a good estimate and it is going to cost at least $5,000 USD to buy a reliable replacement. All our income at the moment is going into the vineyard which will only start giving us a return from Sukkot 2017. Until then we are working to support ourselves as well as finance the vineyard and other basic necessities. Our need for a replacement vehicle is urgent as our Jeep is reliable but very heavy on gas. Travelling to Be’er Sheva for basic necessities costs us $70 USD just for the gas for the round trip!

If you feel led to give toward a cause that will enable us to continue the work we are doing here in Israel, we would welcome your generosity. As we are people that prefer giving to receiving it is not an easy matter for us to appeal to you at this time. Donations can be made through our website at www.shefaisrael.com or via Joseph Dumond at www.sightedmoon.com
Many Blessings
Boaz and Rinah

It has now been just over one year since we recorded our teachings at Sukkot in 2013. This video series has now been viewed 245,514 times since we released them to the public less than one year ago. That is over a quarter of a million views to our teachings in less than one year. Our web site was launched in 2006 and our News letter began at Passover 2007. We have now passed over 4 million hits to the web site and our News Letter goes out to about 11,000 each week.

What does all this mean? It means we definitely have something to share that many are looking for.

Last week we asked you for your support in our effort to take this message to the NRB conference in Nashville, Tennessee this coming February. It is going to cost somewhere around $20,000 to $25,000 to present our message in front of the leading religious Radio, TV and Film makers of the nation. These are the people who make the Bible Belt the Bible Belt. We need both your financial help and your prayers for this to succeed and we must book the floor space now before it is all gone. We urgently need your help now to make this happen. The last 20 X 20 booth space has now gone. We have three 20 X 30 booths still available. Each booth cost just under $26 per square foot. With each day that passes these booths will be taken by others. Our urgency is to acquire one now before they are all gone. This is why we need your help.

December 1 we begin our ad campaign with this same group for 13 weeks in their newsletter that goes to the 5,800 executives of this prestigious group of people. Again we ask for your prayers for this success. This has cost us $3,000 to do. If we can raise the money to enter the conference then these ads will be our leading edge creating curiosity. If we do not raise the money then we will place 13 different ads with this campaign to get our message out this way and we then may run the ad for a longer period of time.

As we stated on our request for aid, we have the message that war is coming and we must warn as many as we can with all the means possible with regards to the Ezekiel warning to each of us. Please do consider helping us today to get this job done.

You can send a cheque to

Joseph Dumond

P.O. Box # 21007 RPO
150 First St.
Orangeville Ontario
Canada L9W 3S0

In the last email I sent you I also told you it was my distinct pleasure to present The 2300 Days of Hell book and message to Yehuda Glick at Sukkot this year. This past Wednesday evening after he presented a speech at the Begin Centre, Yehuda Glick suffered an assassination attempt on his life. He was rushed to the hospital where he is in serious but stable condition.

Brethren please pray for Yehuda and his family. Never ever forget that the world hates all those who seek to keep the Sabbath, the Holy Days and Sabbatical years. Always be on your guard for you and your family. Always pray without ceasing.

Keith Johnson has done an excellent video tribute to the role Yehudah is playing in now. Please watch it at this link.
This attack has led to the attempted arrest of the shooter who worked at the Begin Centre who shot at the police and was then shot dead himself. The Temple Mount was closed to all people which then led to riots around east Jerusalem. The day we attempted to go over to the Mount of Offence with a group of people, that unrest was evident then and continues to this day.
We have a job to do and we need to get it done quickly, warning people of what is about to come. Please stand with me in this.

Chanukah and The Feast of Dedication

I had suggested that for those of you who did not get to go up and keep the Feast in Jerusalem this year to study the following article. I want to again share this with those who did not have time to digest it in their travels. You can read the original article I posted last year which caused many to take a double look at just how they had been fooled once again to follow another lying tradition.

Once again this week I am going to offend and make some of you mad. Ask me if I care; what I do care about is that you obey our Creator Yehovah and keep His commandments.
Each year I try not to get involved in the Chanukah lies that are taught and used to justify each persons own desires to keep this false festival of lights. Others, using the exact same excuses, do so to justify the keeping of Christmas and if they are from an East Indian background the keeping of Daliwa.
Let’s be clear here. The story of the birth of Yehshua in a manger is never the issue for not keeping Christmas. It is all the pagan trappings and the fact that Yehshua was born on the Feast of Trumpets and not Dec. 25^th that are the main reasons most of us no longer keep it.
Concerning the Chanukah season, it is Not the story of the heroic deeds of the Maccabees that is in question here. The lie about the oil being lit for 8 days and the twisting of scriptures to justify keeping this event is what we are against. Let’s talk about the Maccabees in July or at Passover then. It is also the adding to the Torah of another holiday not found in Lev 23. People who keep Chanukah miss the scriptures in the books of the Maccabees that show us when the Sabbatical years were.

This false festival of lights season is an attempt to impersonate the true light of Yehovah even using the same Scriptures He uses speaking of Himself – the True Light.

2Co 11:13 For such ones are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 Did not even Satan marvelously transform himself into an angel of light? 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.

It is time we admit it; so are some of you working on Satan’s behalf! Yes, some of you are working for Satan leading the saints astray with your false teachings. You would rather follow the traditions of men than the words of Yehovah. You “yeah but…” yourselves into justifying everything and fight against those who expose the truth.

Those of you who used to be of the Christian faith and are now keeping Torah, sort of, justify the keeping of Chanukah based on John 10. So now lets take a look at it. Let us shine a light on this verse and really look at it.

Joh 10:22 And the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s Porch.

Did Yehshua keep the Feast of Chanukah on the 25^th day of the 9^th month? It is time you learned the truth. But once you do will you “yeah but…” yourselves to deny the facts just so you can feel good and keep the company of others who are also deceived? Have you become so steeped in your vain traditions that you can no longer serve your first love – the keeping of Torah and obeying Yehovah by not adding ANYTHING to His Word?
You may be mad at me now but you will know the answer to my question by the end of this article.
The word winter here is;

G5494    ??????     cheim?n     khi-mone’
From a derivation of ??? che? (to pour; akin to the base of G5490 through the idea of a channel), meaning a storm (as pouring rain); by implication the rainy season, that is, winter: – tempest, foul weather, winter.

It was the rainy season when Yehshua walked in the Temple of Solomon’s court.
In Israel, the yearly cycle with its four seasons are not as clearly marked as the lands to the north of it. But to the Jew every season was a special time and a reminder of the promises of God, as He said to Noah “seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter” (Genesis 8: 22).

Gen 8:21 And Jehovah smelled a sweet odor. And Jehovah said in His heart, I will never again curse the ground for man’s sake, because the imagination of man’s heart is evil from his youth. And I will not again smite every living thing as I have done. 22 While the earth remains, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.

Though the Bible specifically mentions summer, winter, spring and autumn, it may come as a surprise to know that the Bible never mentions four seasons, but only two. The Hebrew word “stav”, translated today as “autumn,” is mentioned only once in the Bible in the Song of Solomon “for lo, the winter is passed, the rain is over and gone…” (Song 2:11), “stav” really speaks of the time of the winter rains. The Hebrew word “aviv”, translated today as spring is mentioned twice in the Bible, both referring to a stage in the ripening of barley rather than a season. The month of Aviv (hodesh ha’aviv) is the time when this ripening of barley takes place. This is, of course, the Hebrew month of Nissan. There is no mention of a season called spring anywhere in the Bible. Therefore we must conclude that the Bible only recognizes two seasons, summer and winter, or as the writers of the Talmud put it, “the days of sun” and “the days of rain.”

With just 2 seasons we can then understand that the season of summer begins when the Barley is Aviv and the first month has begun. In this first month are the Spring Holy Days of Passover and Unleavened Bread.

Six months later begins the 7^th month. And because the year has 12 months, 6 for the summer and 6 for the winter, the 7^th month begins in winter. That 7^th month contains the Fall Feasts; The Feast of Trumpets, the Day of Atonement and the Feast of Tabernacles as well as the Eighth Day Feast also called “Simchat Torah.” These all take place in the season of “winter”.
We are commanded to keep the Feasts of Yehovah three times a year.

Exo 23:14 You shall keep a feast to Me three times in the year. 15 You shall keep the Feast of Unleavened Bread. You shall eat unleavened bread seven days, as I commanded you, in the time appointed of the month Abib, for in it you came out of Egypt. And no one shall appear before Me empty. 16 Also the Feast of Harvest, the first-fruits of your labors, which you have sown in the field. Also the Feast of Ingathering, in the end of the year, when you have gathered in your labors out of the field. 17 Three times in the year all your males shall appear before the Lord God.

Yehshua was Jewish and would have kept this commandment. If He did not keep it then He would have sinned and disqualified Himself as being the Messiah.

Now, let us get the proper perspective of what is going on leading up to the statement in John 10 that so many use to justify giving up Christmas in order for them to begin the keeping of another false holiday today called Chanukah.

Joh 7:1 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee, for He did not desire to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. 2 And the Jewish Feast of Tabernacles was near.

We have just read that the Feast of Tabernacles was approaching which is the winter season. As we continue to read John we see that Yehshua was then teaching in the Temple.

Joh 7:14 Now about the middle of the feast, Jesus went up into the temple and taught.
Joh 7:28 Then Jesus cried in the temple as He taught, saying, You both know Me, and you know from where I come. And I have not come of Myself, but He who sent Me is true, whom you do not know.
Joh 7:37 And in the last day of the great feast, Jesus stood and cried out, saying, If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. 38 He who believes on Me, as the Scripture has said, “Out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” 39  (But He spoke this about the Spirit, which they who believed on Him should receive; for the Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.) 40 Then when they heard the Word, many of the people said, Truly this is the Prophet.

The last Great day of the Feast is the Seventh Day. There is yet one more Holy Day called The Eighth Day.  This is what we are reading about as John 7 ends and John chapter 8 begins. Those of you who have kept the celebrations of Simcha Torah are about to learn from when that dancing originated as the seventh Great Day of the Feast ends and the beginning of the Eighth and final Holy Day starts.

At night the city was aglow with the light of the four huge menorahs (75 feet high) which were set up in the temple courtyard and which lit the whole city of Jerusalem with their blazing light. As the mighty torches blazed in the night, The Mishna says that pious worshippers, members of the Sanhedrin, and heads of different religious schools would dance well into the night, holding bright torches and singing psalms of praise to God.

The celebration of the Water-drawing was a highlight of the Feast. It was a happy, even ecstatic occasion, with a torchlight parade, including musicians, priests juggling lighted torches, and dancers, marching to the Temple, at night, as the whole city of Jerusalem was lit up by giant torches and the light of the giant menorahs. As the lyres, drums, cymbals, trumpets, drums and horns played, the Rabbis entertained and clowned, adding to the joy. Not one day of Sukkot passed without joyous festivities that celebrated the happiness of the harvest, and the joy of community. Mishnah (Succah 5)

Every Jewish festival is celebrated with joy. Often there are additional emotions added to the mix: awe on Rosh Hashanah, regret on Yom Kippur, freedom from oppression on Passover. But the holiday of Sukkot is pure joy. In our prayers, we call it simply “the season of our rejoicing.”
One of Sukkot’s most joyous observances was known as Simchat Beit Hashoeivah, the Celebration of the Water-Drawing. When the Holy Temple stood, every sacrifice included wine libations poured over the altar.

On Sukkot, water was also poured over the altar in a special ceremony. This ritual engendered such joy that it was celebrated with music, dancing and singing all night long.

Every morning of Sukkot at daybreak, a group of Levites and priests went down to the Shiloach stream, which ran south of the Temple Mount, and drew three log (a Talmudic liquid measurement) of fresh water to be poured on the altar after the daily morning sacrifice. Their arrival at the Temple with the water was accompanied by trumpet blasts.¹ (For Shabbat, the water was collected before the onset of Shabbat and stored in a golden vessel in the Temple.)

There were two holes in the altar into which liquid was poured. One hole was for the wine that accompanied every sacrifice, and a second, smaller one was reserved for the Sukkot water. The holes were different sizes to allow the wine and water, which have different consistencies, to drain at the same speed.

The nights of Sukkot were spent celebrating this once-a-year offering. The Talmud describes the celebrations of Simchat Beit Hashoevah in detail: Priests kindled fires on great candelabra, lighting up Jerusalem as if it were the middle of the day.² Throughout the night pious men danced holding torches, scholars juggled and Levites played music while the lay people watched with excitement. The Temple courtyard was specially furnished to accommodate this event, and a balcony was erected for women so they could observe the revelry.

Now this was what was going on around Yehshua when he spoke out about the living waters coming from Him. The seventh day is now ended and the dancing is ongoing into the night.

Joh 7:53 And they each went to his own house.
Joh 8:1 But Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. 2 And early in the morning He came again into the temple, and all the people came to Him. And He sat down and taught them.

It is at this time on the Eighth Day Feast that we read about Yehshua being the “Light of the world” and it is these words that many will try to steal and apply to the Feast of Chanukah on the 25^th of the 9^th month which is totally out of context. This is not the 9th month but it is still the 7th month.

Joh 8:12 Then Jesus spoke again to them, saying, I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.

So far everything we have been reading in John 7 and 8 has taken place during Sukkot and the eighth day. Now as we finish chapter 8 it is still the 8^th Day, The last Holy Day. Chapter 9 continues from chapter 8 when Yehshua passed by those who wanted to stone Him. And as He passed by them He sees the blind man. It is still the 8^th Day, it is still a Holy Day and He is still in Jerusalem because the blind man went to the Pool of Siloam to wash his eyes.

Joh 8:58 Jesus said to them, Truly, truly, I say to you, Before Abraham came into being, I AM! 59 Then they took up stones to throw at Him. But Jesus hid Himself and went forth out of the temple, going through the midst of them, and passed on by.
Joh 9:1 And passing by, He saw a man who was blind from birth. 2 And His disciples asked Him, saying, Master, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?

We read something very important in verse 14.

Joh 9:14 And it was a sabbath when Jesus made the clay and opened his eyes.

The word translated Sabbath here is Sabbaton.

G4521    ????????    sabbaton     sab’-bat-on
Of Hebrew origin [H7676]; the Sabbath (that is, Shabbath), or day of weekly repose from secular avocations (also the observance or institution itself); by extension a se’nnight, that is, the interval between two Sabbaths; likewise the plural in all the above applications: – sabbath (day), week.

Strong’s has it wrong here. Sabbaton is number  H7677. Yes, it originates from 7676. But there is a huge difference. 7677 is the word Sabbaton! And Sabbaton is a high Holy Day.

H7677     ???????     shabbâthôn     shab-baw-thone’
From H7676; a sabbatism or special holiday: – rest, sabbath.

Yehshua healed the blind man on the High Holy Day of the Eighth Day. This is extremely symbolic of the time when It is going to be the 8th Millennium and the blind will finally understand the workings of Yehovah and all that He has done.
We read of the events with this blind man for the rest of Chapter 9 and ongoing into chapter 10. And this conversation goes on between Yehshua and the Pharisees right up until verse 18.

Then John tells us the results of these conversations because of the healing of the blind man right up until the verse when John then states Yehshua was walking in the porch of Solomons Temple. This is a continuation of the things that had just happened during the Feast of Tabernacles also called the Feast of Dedication.

Joh 10:22 And the Feast of Dedication took place at Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple in Solomon’s Porch. 24 Then the Jews encircled Him and said to Him, How long do you make us doubt? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly. 25 Jesus answered them, I told you and you did not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me.

The Feast of Tabernacles, the Feast of Dedication as it was also called, was now over and it was the day after when people begin to go back to their homes. It was at this time after the Feast of Dedication was over that the Jews surrounded Yehshua and they continued with the same conversation they had been having during the Feast.

This false notion that this is referring to Chanukah on the 25^th of the 9^th month is so untrue it is sickening – to know so many have taken John 10:22 and twisted it and misapplied it as they now do – all in order to justify themselves to keep something that was invented by the Pharisees in the Talmud. Something that resembled Christmas but something they could say was not Christmas. Those things in the Talmud were not written down until after 200 C.E., long after the Temple had been destroyed in 70 C.E.

The keeping of what is known today as Chanukah (Chanukah in Hebrew is “Dedication”) and justifying it because of John 10:22 is false, as you have just read. Yehshua was not keeping Chanukah on the 25^th of the 9^th month! He had just finished keeping the Feast of Dedication, The Feast of Tabernacles which is one of the Hags we are commanded to go up to Jerusalem and observe.
Let me give you something else to consider.

Exo 16:4  Then Jehovah said to Moses, Behold, I will rain bread from the heavens for you. And the people shall go out and gather a certain amount every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in My Law or not. 5  And on the sixth day it shall happen, they shall prepare what they bring in. And it shall be twice as much as they gather day by day.

The giving of the manna was a way for Yehovah to test the people of Israel and see if they would OBEY Him.

Exo 16:22  And it happened, on the sixth day they gathered twice as much bread, two omers for one. And all the rulers of the congregation came and told Moses. 23  And he said to them, This is that which Jehovah has said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath to Jehovah. Bake what you will bake today, and boil what you will boil. And that which remains over, lay up for you to be kept until the morning. 24  And they laid it up until the morning, as Moses said. And it did not stink, neither was there any worm in it. 25  And Moses said, Eat that today. For today is a sabbath to Jehovah. Today you shall not find it in the field. 26  Six days you shall gather it, but on the seventh day, the sabbath, in it there shall be none. 27  And it happened some of the people went out on the seventh day in order to gather. And they did not find any. 28  And Jehovah said to Moses, How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My Laws? 29  See, because Jehovah has given you the sabbath, therefore He gives you the bread of two days on the sixth day. Each one stay in his place. Let not any one go out of his place on the seventh day. 30  So the people rested on the seventh day.

Through providing manna on six days of the week but not the seventh, Yehovah was testing His people. But how was He testing them? As noted in verse 4, Yehovah was learning “whether they will walk in My law or not.” Would they choose Yehovah’s way, or their own way? Some immediately failed the test (verses 27-29).

The people were not working on the Sabbath, because there was no manna to be picked up. What they did was not obey Yehovah and believe Him. Yehovah asked them:

How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My Laws?
Week after week for 40 years Yehovah tested the people to see if they would obey Him or not.

Deu 8:2  And you shall remember all the way which Jehovah your God led you these forty years in the wilderness in order to humble you, to prove you, to know what is in your heart, whether you would keep His commandments or not.
Deu 8:15  He led you through the great and terrible wilderness, with fiery serpents and scorpions and thirsty ground, where there was no water, who brought you forth water out of the rock of flint, 16  who fed you in the wilderness with manna which your fathers did not know, so that He might humble you and so that He might prove you, to do you good in your latter end, 17  and so that you might not say in your heart, My power and the might of my hand has gotten me this wealth. 18  But you shall remember Jehovah your God, for it is He who gives you power to get wealth, so that He may confirm His covenant which He has sworn to your fathers, as it is today.

Here we are now in the Last Days and Yehovah has poured out His Holy Spirit on each one of you. He again sets His Sabbaths before you as a sign between you and Him, to see if you will obey Him or not. If we are to keep His Torah we will LIVE in it.

Eze 20:10  And I caused them to go out from the land of Egypt, and brought them into the wilderness. 11  And I gave them My statutes and showed them My judgments, which if a man do, he shall even live in them. 12  And also I gave them My sabbaths to be a sign between Me and them, that they might know that I am Jehovah who sets them apart. 13  But the house of Israel rebelled against Me in the wilderness; they did not walk in My statutes, and they despised My judgments, which if a man does, he shall even live in them. And they greatly profaned My Sabbaths. And I said, I will pour out My fury on them in the wilderness to destroy them.

But many of you presume to be smarter than Yehovah. You have developed whole theologies about Chanukah and Yehshua. Yehovah has given you His Sabbaths and all of them are found in Leviticus 23: the weekly Sabbath and the Holy Days. Yes, you say “we keep these,” but then some of you refuse to keep the Sabbatical Year and you justify it, and then you also justify adding other holidays to the ones in Lev 23.
We are in the very last days and Yehovah is TESTING you now to see if you will obey Him or not.

Deu 4:2  You shall not add to the Word which I command you, neither shall you take away from it, so that you may keep the commands of Jehovah your God which I command you.
Deu 12:32  All the things I command you, be careful to do it. You shall not add to it, nor take away from it.
Rev 22:18  For I testify together to everyone who hears the Words of the prophecy of this Book: If anyone adds to these things, God will add on him the plagues that have been written in this Book.

When you add other holidays to those in Lev 23 you are endangering yourself and your family to the curses of Lev 26. Look again at what Ezekiel says:  And they greatly profaned My Sabbaths. And I said, I will pour out My fury on them in the wilderness to destroy them.
It is my strong opinion that Yehovah allowed John to state that it was the “Dedication” and “winter” in order that Yehovah could test you in these last days as to whether or not you would profane His Sabbath by adding to it other holidays. He is proving those who are to be Kings and Priests in the Kingdom. King David will rule over them during the Millennium and King David has never heard of the “Chanukah” festival, nor Purim for that matter.

Psa 26:2  Examine me, O Jehovah, and prove me; purify my heart and my mind.

Prove your love to Yehovah and keep only what He has said to keep in Lev 23 and Lev 25. Do not add to it.
Now read of the real Dedication which Solomon did and the one Yehshua was keeping a memorial to. This is when the REAL LIGHT came and filled the Temple, not some impostor light on a candle.

1Ki 8:1 And Solomon gathered the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the sons of Israel, to King Solomon in Jerusalem, so that they might bring up the ark of the covenant of Jehovah out of the city of David, which is Zion. 2 And all the men of Israel were gathered to King Solomon at the feast in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month. 3 And all the elders of Israel came in, and the priests took up the ark. 4 And they brought up the ark of Jehovah, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels which were in the tabernacle; even those the priests and the Levites brought up. 5 And King Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel who had assembled to him, were with him before the ark sacrificing sheep and oxen which could not be counted nor numbered for multitude. 6 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of Jehovah into its place, into the holy place of the house, into the Holy of Holies, under the wings of the cherubs. 7 For the cherubs spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark. And the cherubs covered the ark and the staves of it above. 8 And they drew out the staves, so that the ends of the staves were seen out in the holy place, in front of the Holy of Holies. And they were not seen outside. And there they are until today. 9 There was nothing in the ark except the two tablets of stone which Moses put there at Horeb, when Jehovah made a covenant with the sons of Israel when they came out of the land of Egypt. 10 And it happened when the priests had come out of the Holy of Holies, the cloud filled the house of Jehovah. 11 And the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of Jehovah had filled the house of Jehovah. 12 And Solomon said, Jehovah said that He would dwell in the thick darkness. 13 I have surely built a house of loftiness for You, a settled place for You to abide in forever. 14 And the king turned his face around and blessed all the congregation of Israel. And all the congregation of Israel stood. 15 And he said, Blessed be Jehovah, the God of Israel, who spoke with His mouth to David my father, and has fulfilled it by His hand, saying, 16 From the day that I brought forth My people Israel out of Egypt, I did not choose any city out of all the tribes of Israel to build a house, so that My name might be in it. But I chose David to be over My people Israel. 17 And it was in the heart of my father David to build a house for the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel. 18 And Jehovah said to my father David, Because it was in your heart to build a house to My name, you did well that it was in your heart. 19 Only, you shall not build the house, but your son who shall come out of your loins, he shall build the house to My name. 20 And Jehovah has performed His Word which He spoke, and I have risen up instead of my father David. And I sit on the throne of Israel, as Jehovah promised. And I have built a house for the name of Jehovah, the God of Israel. 21 And I have set there a place for the ark, in which is the covenant of Jehovah which He made with our fathers when He brought them out of the land of Egypt. 22 And Solomon stood before the altar of Jehovah in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward the heavens. 23 And he said, Jehovah, the God of Israel, there is no God like You, in Heaven above or on earth beneath, who keeps covenant and mercy with Your servants who walk before You with all their heart, 24 who have kept with Your servant David my father what You promised him. You also spoke with Your mouth, and have fulfilled with Your hand, as it is today. 25 And now, Jehovah, the God of Israel, keep with Your servant David, my father, what You promised him, saying, There shall not be cut off from you a man in My sight to sit on the throne of Israel– if your sons take heed to their way so that they walk before Me as you have walked before Me. 26 And now, O God of Israel, I pray You, let Your Word be proved to be true, the Word which You spoke to Your servant David my father. 27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heavens and the heaven of heavens cannot contain You. How much less this house which I have built? 28 Yet, O, Jehovah my God, You have turned toward the prayer of Your servant and to his request, to listen to the cry and to the prayer which Your servant prays before You today; 29 for Your eyes to be open toward this house night and day, toward the place of which You have said, My name shall be there; to listen to the prayer which Your servant shall pray toward this place. 30 And You shall listen to the cry of Your servant, and of Your people Israel, when they shall pray toward this place, and hear in Heaven Your dwelling-place, and when You hear, forgive! 31 If any man sins against his neighbor, and if an oath is laid on him to cause him to swear, and if the oath comes before Your altar in this house, 32 then hear in Heaven, and do, and judge Your servants, to declare the wicked to be wicked, to bring his way on his head, and to declare the righteous to be righteous, to give him according to his righteousness. 33 When Your people Israel are crushed before the enemy because they have sinned against You, and shall turn again to You and confess Your name, and pray, and cry to You in this house, 34 then hear in Heaven and forgive the sin of Your people Israel, and bring them again into the land which You gave to their fathers. 35 When the heavens are restrained, and there is no rain because they have sinned against You, if they pray toward this place and confess Your name, and turn from their sin when You afflict them, 36 then hear in Heaven and forgive the sin of Your servants, and of Your people Israel, for You shall teach them the good way in which they should walk, and give rain on Your land which You have given to Your people for an inheritance. 37 If there is famine in the land, if there is plague, blasting, mildew, locusts; if there are stripping locusts; if their enemy encircles them in the land of their cities, whatever plague, whatever sickness, 38 any prayer, any supplication from any man of all Your people Israel, who shall each know the plague of his own heart, and shall spread forth his hands toward this house, 39 then hear in Heaven Your dwelling-place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to all his ways, whose heart You know. For You, You only, know the hearts of all the sons of Adam. 40 Do this so that they may fear You all the days that they live in the land which You have given to our fathers. 41 And concerning a stranger who is not of Your people Israel, but who comes out of a far country for Your name’s sake; 42 for they shall hear of Your great name and of Your strong hand and of Your stretched-out arm; and if he shall come and pray toward this house, 43 hear in Heaven Your dwelling-place, and do according to all that the stranger calls to You for, so that all the peoples of the earth may know Your name, to fear You, as Your people Israel do, and that they may know that this house which I have built is called by Your name. 44 If Your people go out to battle against their enemy, wherever You shall send them, and shall pray to Jehovah toward the city which You have chosen, and the house that I have built for Your name, 45 then hear in Heaven their prayer and their cry, and maintain their cause. 46 If they sin against You (for there is no man who does not sin), and if You are angry with them, and have delivered them up before the enemy, and they have been led away captive to the land of the enemy, far or near, 47 yet if they shall think within themselves in the land where they are carried captives, and repent, and pray to You in the land of their captors saying, We have sinned and have done perversely, we have done wickedly, 48 and so return to You with all their heart, and with all their soul, in the land of their enemies who led them away captive, and if they pray to You toward their land which You gave to their fathers, to the city which You have chosen, and the house which I have built for Your name, 49 then hear their prayer and their cry in Heaven Your dwelling-place, and maintain their cause, 50 and forgive Your people who have sinned against You, even all their sins which they have done against You, and give them pity before their captors, so that they may have pity on them. 51 For they are Your people, and Your inheritance, which You brought out of Egypt, from the middle of the furnace of iron, 52 for Your eyes shall be open to the prayer of Your servant, and to the prayer of Your people Israel, to listen to them in all that they call for to You. 53 For You have separated them from among all the people of the earth to be Your inheritance, as You spoke by the hand of Moses Your servant, when You brought our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord Jehovah. 54 And it happened as Solomon finished praying all this prayer and petition to Jehovah, he rose from before the altar of Jehovah, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven. 55 And he stood and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, 56 Blessed be Jehovah, who has given rest to His people Israel, according to all that He promised. There has not failed one word of all His good promise which He promised by the hand of Moses His servant. 57 May Jehovah our God be with us as He was with our fathers. Let Him not leave us nor forsake us, 58 to incline our hearts to Himself, to walk in all His ways and to keep His commandments and His statutes and His judgments which He commanded our fathers. 59 And let these my words, with which I have prayed before Jehovah, be near Jehovah our God day and night, so that He may maintain the cause of His servant, and the cause of His people Israel of each day in its day, 60 for all the people of the earth know that Jehovah is God; there is no other. 61 And let your heart be perfect with Jehovah our God, to walk in His statutes, and to keep His commandments, as at this day. 62 And the king, and all Israel with him, offered sacrifice before Jehovah. 63 And Solomon offered a sacrifice of peace offerings, which he offered to Jehovah, twenty-two thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. So the king and all the sons of Israel dedicated the house of Jehovah. 64 On that day the king sanctified the middle of the court before the house of Jehovah. For there he had offered the burnt offering, and the food offering, and the fat of the peace offerings; because the bronze altar before Jehovah was too small to contain the burnt offering, and the food offering, and the fat of the peace offerings. 65 And at that time Solomon held a feast, and all Israel with him, a great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath to the river of Egypt, before Jehovah our God, seven days and seven days, fourteen days. 66 On the eighth day he sent the people away. And they blessed the king and went to their tents joyful and glad of heart for all the good that Jehovah had done for David His servant, and for Israel His people.

Let us now find a second witness and there is another one that states that this was in fact the Dedication.

2Ch 7:1  And when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from Heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices. And the glory of Jehovah filled the house. 2  And the priests could not enter into the house of Jehovah because the glory of Jehovah had filled Jehovah’s house. 3  And when all the sons of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of Jehovah on the house, they bowed their faces to the ground on the pavement, and worshiped and praised Jehovah, saying, For He is good, for His mercy endures forever. 4  And the king and all the people offered sacrifices before Jehovah. 5  And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty-two thousand oxen, and a hundred and twenty thousand sheep. And the king and all the people dedicated the house of God. 6  And the priests waited on their offices, and the Levites with instruments of music of Jehovah, which David the king had made to praise Jehovah, because His mercy endures forever, when David praised by their ministry. And the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood. 7  And Solomon made the middle of the court before the house of Jehovah holy. For there he offered burnt offerings and the fat of the peace offerings, because the bronze altar which Solomon had made was not able to receive the burnt offerings, and the food offerings, and the fat. 8  And at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath to the river of Egypt. 9  And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly. For they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. 10  And on the twenty-third day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that Jehovah had shown to David, and to Solomon, and to Israel His people. 11  So Solomon finished the house of Jehovah, and the king’s house. And all that came into Solomon’s heart to make in the house of Jehovah, and in his own house, he did with success. 12  And Jehovah appeared to Solomon by night, and said to him, I have heard your prayer, and have chosen this place to Myself for a house of sacrifice. 13  If I shut up the heavens, and there is no rain, or if I command the locusts to devour the land, or if I send a plague among My people; 14  if My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 15  Now My eyes shall be open, and My ears shall be open to the prayer of this place. 16  For now I have chosen and sanctified this house, so that My name may be there forever. And My eyes and My heart shall be there forever.

Brethren, when is the 23rd day of the 7th month? The 15th day is the Feast of Tabernacles and you are to keep it for 7 days. That then brings you to the 21st day of the 7th month. The 22nd day of the 7th month is the Eighth Day Feast otherwise known as the Feast of Dedication which you all have just read twice. It was the day after that Solomon sent the people home on the 23rd day of the 7th month.
Now let us read where this false teaching of keeping the Feast of Dedication on the ninth month begins and how it got twisted. It is this false teaching that has become dominant, taking away the glory of the Eighth Day to the point where now noone knows what an awesome day this was in Solomon’s day and just how great this is in revealing the plan of Salvation through the holy days.

The Talmud (/?t??lm?d, -m?d, ?tæl-/; Hebrew: ?????????? talm?d “instruction, learning”, from a root lmd “teach, study”) is a central text of Rabbinic Judaism. It is also traditionally referred to as Shas (????), a Hebrew abbreviation of shisha sedarim, the “six orders”. The Talmud has two components. The first part is the Mishnah (Hebrew: ????, c. 200 CE), the written compendium of Judaism’s Oral Torah (Torah meaning “Instruction”, “Teaching” in Hebrew). The second part is the Gemara (c. 500 CE), an elucidation of the Mishnah and related Tannaitic writings that often ventures onto other subjects and expounds broadly on the Jewish Bible. The terms Talmud and Gemara are often used interchangeably, though strictly speaking that is not accurate.
The whole Talmud consists of 63 tractates, and in standard print is over 6,200 pages long. It is written in Tannaitic Hebrew and Aramaic. The Talmud contains the teachings and opinions of thousands of rabbis on a variety of subjects, including Halakha (law), Jewish ethics, philosophy, customs, history, lore and many other topics. The Talmud is the basis for all codes of Jewish law and is much quoted in rabbinic literature.
Originally, Jewish scholarship was oral. Rabbis expounded and debated the Torah (the written Torah expressed in the Jewish Bible) and discussed the Tanakh without the benefit of written works (other than the Biblical books themselves), though some may have made private notes (megillot setarim), for example of court decisions. However, this situation changed drastically, mainly as the result of the destruction of the Jewish commonwealth and the Second Temple in the year 70 CE and the consequent upheaval of Jewish social and legal norms. As the Rabbis were required to face a new reality—mainly Judaism without a Temple (to serve as the center of teaching and study) and Judea without at least partial autonomy—there was a flurry of legal discourse and the old system of oral scholarship could not be maintained. It is during this period that Rabbinic discourse began to be recorded in writing.[1][2] The earliest recorded oral Torah may have been of the midrashic form, in which halakhic discussion is structured as exegetical commentary on the Pentateuch. But an alternative form, organized by subject matter instead of by biblical verse, became dominant about the year 200 CE, when Rabbi Judah haNasi redacted the Mishnah.
The Oral Torah was far from monolithic; rather, it varied among various schools. The most famous two were the School of Shammai and the School of Hillel. In general, all valid opinions, even the non-normative ones, were recorded in the Talmud.
As you can see the Talmud was not written down until after 200 C.E. That is over 170 years after Yehshua was killed. Now lets read what the Talmud does say about the keeping of Chanukah.
Babylonian Talmud, Tractate Shabbat, page 21b  
Our Rabbis taught: The commandment of Chanukah requires one light per household; the zealous kindle a light for each member of the household; and the extremely zealous — Beit Shammai maintain: On the first day eight lights are lit and thereafter they are gradually reduced [by one each day]; but Beit Hillel say: On the first day one is lit and thereafter they are progressively increased. Ulla said: In the West [Eretz Yisrael] two amoraim, R. Jose b. Abin and R. Jose b. Zebida, differ concerning this: one maintains, the reasoning of Beit Shammai is that it should correspond to the days still to come, and that of Beit Hillel is that it shall correspond to the days that are gone. But another maintains: Beit Shammai’s reason is that it shall correspond to the bullocks of the Festival [of Tabernacles; i.e. Sukkot], while Beit Hillel’s reason is that we increase in matters of sanctity but do not reduce.
Rabbah b. Bar Hana said: There are two old men in Sidon: one did as Beth Shammai and the other as Beth Hillel: the former gave the reason of his action that it should correspond to the bullocks of the Festival, while the latter stated his reason because we promote in [matters of] sanctity but do not reduce.
Our Rabbis taught: It is incumbent to place the Chanukah lamp by the door of one’s house on the outside; if one dwells in an upper chamber, place it at the window nearest the street. But in times of danger it is sufficient to place it on the table. Raba said: Another lamp is required for its light to be used, yet if there is a blazing fire it is unnecessary. But in the case of an important person, even if there is a blazing fire another lamp is required.
What is the reason for Chanukah? For our Rabbis taught: On the 25th of Kislev begin the days of Chanukah, which are eight, during which lamentation for the dead and fasting are forbidden. For when the Greeks entered the Temple, they defiled all the oils in it, and when the Hasmonean dynasty prevailed against and defeated them, they [the Hasmoneans] searched and found only one cruse of oil which possessed the seal of the High Priest, but which contained sufficient oil for only one day’s lighting; yet a miracle occurred there and they lit [the lamp] for eight days. The following year these days were appointed a Festival with the recitation of Hallel and thanksgiving.

Right there in plain site is the lie that this light stayed lit for 8 days. Now compare this to what it actually says in Maccabees. The miracle of Chanukah never took place. It is made up, starting in the Talmud.

[The Second Book of Maccabees 1:1-9 and 10:1-8]

The Jewish brethren in Jerusalem and those in the land of Judea, to their Jewish brethren in Egypt: Greeting and good peace.
May God do good to you, and may God remember his covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, his faithful servants. May he give you all a heart to worship him and to do his will with a strong heart and a willing spirit. May he open your heart to his law and his commandments, and may he bring peace. May he hear your prayers and be reconciled to you, and may he not forsake you in time of evil. We are now praying for you here.
In the reign of Demetrius, in the 169th year, we Jews wrote to you in the critical distress which came upon us in those years after Jason and his company revolted from the holy land and the kingdom and burned the gate and shed innocent blood. We besought the Lord and we were heard, we offered sacrifice and cereal offering and we lit the lamps and we set out the loaves. Now see that you keep the Feast of Booths in the month of Kislev, in the 188th year…
Now Maccabeus and his followers, the Lord leading them on, recovered the Temple and the city and they tore down the altars which had been built in the public square by the foreigners, and also destroyed the sacred precincts. They purified the sanctuary and made another altar of sacrifice. Then striking fire out of flint, they offered sacrifices, after a lapse of two years, and they burned incense and lit lamps and set out the bread of the Presence. When they had done this, they fell prostrate and besought the Lord that they might never again fall into such misfortunes, but that if they should ever sin, they might be disciplined by him with forbearance and not be handed over to blasphemous and barbarous nations. It happened that on the same day on which the sanctuary had been profaned by the foreigners, the purification of the sanctuary took place, that is, on the 25th day of Kislev. They celebrated it for eight days with rejoicing, in the manner of the Feast of Booths, remembering how not long before, during the Feast of Booths, they had been wandering in the mountains and caves like wild animals. Therefore bearing ivy-wreathed wands and beautiful branches and also fronds of palm, they offered hymns of thanksgiving to him who had given success to the purifying of his own holy place. They decreed by public ordinance and vote that the whole nation of the Jews should observe these days every year.

At Passover we read about the Israelites leaving Egypt on the 15th day after the Death angel passover over their home that same night. We also then see how the lamb on the 14th of this first month represented Yehshua who would be also killed on the 14th day.
The 7th day of Unleavened Bread when we are to be putting sin out of our lives is then depicted in the destruction of Pharaoh’s army in the Red Sea.

The Feast of Shavuot or Pentecost is shown to us when the Law, the Ten Commandments is given at Mount Sinai. It is also shown to us in the giving of the Holy Spirit to the Apostles.

The Feast of Yom Teruah is the birth day of Yehshua. It is also representative of the day He comes in Fury to destroy and judge those nations who have destroyed and held captive the remnant of Israel.

The Day of Atonement represents the day when Sin is finally put away. It is the day Satan is locked up for a thousand years.
The Feast of Sukkot represents the thousand years of peace on this earth when King David rules over us. It also represents the wedding party leading up to the wedding of the Bride, Israel to the Groom Yehovah.

The Eighth Day is the culmination of all the other Holy Days. It comes at the end of the 7 days of Sukkot representing the 7 millennium of men and our day of rest. The Eighth day is the actual wedding night. This is why we are to be rejoicing and we are commanded to be joyful. It is right after the Great White Throne judgement is completed in the 8th Millennium.
What the Feast of Dedication is showing us in Solomon’s day is that Yehovah seeks to dwell with men here on this earth. That is why the Temple was filled with His glory at that time on THAT DAY. It represents the time in the future in the Eighth Millennium when Yehovah will finally dwell with us here on this earth.

When you keep the false teaching of Chanukah in the 9th month you miss all of this. You lead people astray even by keeping it because others are watching you to learn. You are in fact doing Satan’s work of deception taking the glory of the Feast of Dedication on the Eighth Day away from the end of Sukkot and placing it at a time that everyone knows represents the time when Nimrod who represents Satan, was born at the Winter Solstice of December 25. Kislev 25 many times arrives just before December 25 the birth day of Nimrod.

We have told you many times now how Satan represents himself as an angel of light. A false light pretending to be god. He did the exact same thing to Eve in the garden.

2Co 11:13  For such ones are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14  Did not even Satan marvelously transform himself into an angel of light? 15  Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves as ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.

Gen 3:1  Now the serpent was more cunning than any beast of the field which Jehovah God had made. And he said to the woman, Is it so that God has said, You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?

The word serpent is Nachahs and it means shining one or bronze one as well as serpent. Satan is the false light and is deceiving many to worship him at Chanukah and Christmas.

The lighting of the 8 stick Menorah or the 9 stick one is also an abomination. Yehovah commanded Israel to make a 7 stick menorah; 7, not 8 or 9.

So what does this extra light have to do with anything? Again it is Satan’s deception at being god.
You have read about the lighting of the large Menorahs during Sukkot. They represent the time when Yehovah is going to dwell with men on earth. They were so bright that the whole of Jerusalem was as if daytime. Now read in Revelation when Yehovah does come to dwell with us on this earth.

Rev 21:3  And I heard a great voice out of Heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they will be His people, and God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4  And God will wipe away all tears from their eyes. And there will be no more death, nor mourning, nor crying out, nor will there be any more pain; for the first things passed away. 5  And He sitting on the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said to me, Write, for these words are true and faithful. 6  And He said to me, It is done. I am the Alpha and Omega, the Beginning and the End. To him who thirsts I will give of the fountain of the Water of Life freely. 7  He who overcomes will inherit all things, and I will be his God, and he will be My son.

Rev 21:21  And the twelve gates were twelve pearls. Respectively, each one of the gates was one pearl. And the street of the city was pure gold, as transparent glass. 22 And I saw no temple in it, for the Lord God Almighty is its temple, even the Lamb. 23 And the city had no need of the sun, nor of the moon, that they might shine in it, for the glory of God illuminated it, and its lamp is the Lamb. 24 And the nations of those who are saved will walk in the light of it; and the kings of the earth bring their glory and honor into it. 25 And its gates may not be shut at all by day, for there shall be no night there.

Rev 22:1  And he showed me a pure river of Water of Life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. 2  In the midst of its street, and of the river, from here and from there, was the Tree of Life, which bore twelve fruits, each yielding its fruit according to one month. And the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. 3  And every curse will no longer be; but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and His servants will serve Him. 4  And they will see His face, and His name will be in their foreheads. 5  And there will be no night there. And they need no lamp, or light of the sun; for the Lord God gives them light. And they will reign forever and ever. 6  And he said to me, These sayings are faithful and true. And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show to His servants the things which must shortly be done. 7  Behold, I come quickly. Blessed is he who keeps the Words of the prophecy of this Book.

All the symbolism which Yehshua spoke of at this time is found in Revelation. The rivers of living waters, which flow from beneath the throne of Yehovah. The lights from the glory of Yehovah will shine forth so brilliantly that there will, now pay close attention, that there will be no Temple. Read again Rev 21:22.

This lighting of extra candles for Chanukah, this lighting of candles on Shabbat and for the dead comes from where then? Read our article on this false practice at this link.

Do you want to keep a false teaching that leads you away from Yehovah and His awesome truths, or do you want to keep the real deal and learn of the glorious and awesome teachings Yehovah has in store for you? Once again read Revelation.

Rev 22:12  And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to each according as his work is. 13  I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the Ending, the First and the Last. 14  Blessed are they who do His commandments, that their authority will be over the Tree of Life, and they may enter in by the gates into the city. 15  But outside are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and everyone who loves and makes a lie.

Only those WHO KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS will have AUTHORITY over the Tree of Life. Think about this statement. Only those who keep the commandments will be able to enter through the Pearly Gates. Only those who keep the commandments.

Outside are those who love and make a lie. The Feast of Chanukah is a lie. The Feast of Christmas is a lie. Hallowe’en is another lie. What are you going to do from now on? There are Holy Days told to you from Yehovah in Lev 23 that you are to keep. It is time you learned them all and began to keep them. Do not add anything else to them. Only those who keep them will be in the Kingdom with Yehovah. Only those who do and keep and guard the commandments. Will we find your name in that book of life?

For those who want to read more about this I have the following articles for you.

The Festival of Lights; Do we have to deal with this again?
Hochen a Hanukah Hair Ball
Chanukah Is Mithraism and Why You Need to be Rebaptised
Chanukah and Its Pagan Traditions
The Truth that Chanukah Hides

3 1/2 Year Torah Portions Reading

We continue this weekend with our regular Triennial Torah reading 

01/11/2014      Ex 13   1 Kings 21-22       Ps 119:132-176         John 2-3

In chapter 13, the details of the Days of Unleavened Bread are again recorded. The Bible reveals that not only was unleavened bread eaten for seven days, as a reminder of coming out of Egypt in haste, but leavening represents those things that are contrary to the way of God. Paul told the Corinthians to “keep the feast [of Unleavened Bread], not…with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth” (1 Corinthians 5:6-8). During these days, which Paul’s instructions show that God’s people are still to observe, all leavened bread and leavening agents that can be used to leaven bread—which now includes yeast, baking powder and baking soda (sodium bicarbonate)—are to be removed from the home. (“Bread” is here used to refer to anything made primarily from one or more grains and cooked, including loaf bread, crackers, pancakes, cake, pie crust, cookies, muffins, pasta, etc.) This is a reminder for us to purge our lives of spiritual leavening, the sin that so easily spreads and “puffs up” (1 Corinthians 4:6, 18-19; 5:2, 6; 8:1; 13:4).

The Firstborn Are Sanctified (Exodus 12:1—13:16)

God instructed the Israelites to sanctify (“set apart”—for a specific religious or spiritual purpose) the male firstborn of both man and animals. Why? Exodus 13:15 explains that it was because the firstborn of both man and beast were slain in Egypt—and the ones God spared, those of Israel, then belonged to Him. The firstborn males of clean animals were to be sacrificed to God while the firstborn males of men and unclean animals were to be redeemed (i.e., “bought back” from God). An unclean animal was to be redeemed with the sacrifice of a lamb. For man, an offering was to be given in place of a literal sacrifice. Numbers 18:16 reveals the redemption value. Through this offering the Israelites would always be reminded of the miraculous way God delivered Israel from Egypt.

Miracle at the Red Sea

God brought Israel out of Egypt through great signs and wonders. He had communicated to them through His servant Moses and was now miraculously leading them through the wilderness. Israel was now witnessing another miracle—God leading them by a pillar of cloud during the day, which brought welcome shade during the afternoon heat (Psalm 105:39; compare Isaiah 4:5-6; 25:4-5), and by a pillar of fire during the night, which gave them a warm, glowing light. But He was leading them in a way that did not seem to make sense, since it was not in the direction of Canaan and was, instead, heading toward a dead-end entrapment. Pharaoh had once again changed his mind, and now the Israelites found themselves trapped between his army and the sea.

One might think that, after witnessing the tremendous miracles that had already taken place, the Israelites would begin to show evidence of trust and faith in the One who had delivered them thus far. Instead, we find a continually complaining, murmuring and backsliding group of people who just aren’t getting the point! However, God reminds us that these ancient examples have been recorded for our benefit today (1 Corinthians 10:13). The people, places and events may be different, but the attitudes prevail throughout the ages.

Are we that different today? Do we ever find ourselves questioning the existence or whereabouts of our Creator? Do we ever doubt God’s miraculous intervention in our lives? Do we ever complain, gripe or murmur when things don’t seem to be going our way? When our backs are to the “Red Sea” with no relief in sight, do we trust in the words, “Stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord”? An end-time event is yet to occur that will test the faith of God’s elect (Revelation 12:13-16). Will God’s people remember His miracles, or will they be like the Israelites of old? If one can read about and believe in the One who was so patient, loving and merciful to a stubborn and stiff-necked people, why would one doubt His patience, love and mercy for today? God does not show partiality (Acts 10:34).

Naboth’s Vineyard (1 Kings 21)

Technically, all land in ancient Israel belonged to God, who granted it to be permanently held by each Israelite tribe and family (Leviticus 25:23-28). Thus the property was clearly Naboth’s (compare Numbers 36:2-9). Even the king, a constitutional monarch, was required to obey the law (1 Samuel 10:25).

“In reminding Ahab that he was king and could do as he pleased, Jezebel reflected her Canaanite background where kings ruled absolutely (see Deut. 17:14-20; 1 Sam. 8:11-18)” (Nelson Study Bible, note on 21:7). Regarding 1 Kings 21:7, The Bible Reader’s Companion explains: “The Heb[rew] reads literally, ‘You now; you are going to perform majesty over Israel.’ The saying seems to indicate that she will show Ahab how to magnify himself by having his way in Israel. Her use of the king’s seal indicates that she had his authority for her plot against Naboth. Ahab lent her his full support” (Lawrence Richards, 1991, note on 21:7-14).

Jezebel’s murderous plot then unfolds. “Some suggest that the charge made by the two ‘scoundrels’ was that Naboth went back on a pledge made in God’s name to sell his land to the king. Failure to keep an oath made in God’s name would be blasphemy. In that case, after Naboth’s execution, the king could legally have taken possession of the property in dispute. Second Kings 9:26 adds that Naboth’s sons were killed at the same time. With no heir left alive, there seemingly was no one left to dispute Ahab’s claim to the land” (same note).

Ahab and Jezebel’s behavior regarding Naboth prompts the return of Elijah—this time to pronounce the termination of Ahab’s rule and the extermination of his dynasty similar to the warning given earlier to Jeroboam and Baasha. This will be carried out by Jehu son of Nimshi, a military leader, as God had previously told Elijah (1 Kings 19:16-17). Yet Ahab’s expression of remorse results in God postponing some of the punishment, illustrating His tremendous mercy.

Micaiah’s Warning 1 Kings 22:1-28

Assyrian history records another war involving Ahab, which appears to have taken place during the three-year truce with Syria (1 Kings 22:1). The Assyrians began to rise in power, and made an advance toward the coastal area far north of Israel. Apparently Ahab joined an alliance of nations in repelling their advance, and, according to the inscriptions of Shalmaneser III, he supplied about one half (2,000) of the chariots and perhaps a sixth (10,000) of the infantry.

Jehoshaphat also forms an alliance with Ahab. As part of the alliance, their children, Jehoram and Athaliah, are married (2 Chronicles 18:1; 21:6). Jehoshaphat pays a visit to his ally, and Ahab proposes that Jehoshaphat join him in an attempt to recover Ramoth-Gilead from the Syrians in yet a third war with them. This was a town on the east side of the Jordan that belonged to Gad and had originally been designated as a city of refuge (Deuteronomy 4:41-43).

Jehoshaphat agrees but insists on finding out God’s will in the matter first. For some reason, when asked about a prophet of God, Ahab does not mention Elijah or his assistant Elisha. Perhaps they were known to be away and not available. In any case, though many true prophets had been killed earlier in Ahab’s reign, there were still a few around. Here we are introduced to the prophet Micaiah, who is mentioned nowhere else in Scripture unless, as some have speculated, he is the same Micaiah sent out by Jehoshaphat to teach in Judah (2 Chronicles 17:7). One of the saddest aspects of this encounter is that Jehoshaphat, too, is persuaded to ignore the message from the prophet of God whom he had specifically asked to hear from.

Remarkably, we get a glimpse in our current reading of how God actually sometimes uses even demons to fulfill His purposes. Notice that God did not command any spirit here to lie. He simply asked who would do it and told the volunteer to go do what he was inclined to do anyway. The fact that Micaiah’s true prophecies were always at odds with those of Ahab’s prophets (compare 1 Kings 22:8) would seem to imply that a “lying spirit” was commonly behind the words of Ahab’s prophets.

Notice this from The Bible Reader’s Companion: “Did God Himself lie to Ahab? Not at all. He did permit Ahab’s prophets to lie…. [But] God in fact clearly revealed to Ahab the source of his prophets’ predictions, and the truth about what would happen to him in the coming battle. Ahab’s death resulted from refusing to believe the truth, not from a failure to know it. Let’s be careful not to blame God for the consequences of our own fully conscious choices” (note on 1 Kings 22).

Elijah’s Ascension to “Heaven”; Elisha Succeeds Him

The incident in which Elijah was “taken up into heaven by a whirlwind” (verse 1) has many people convinced that we will go to heaven when we die. But John 3:13 clearly says that “no one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven,” referring to Yeshua. Therefore, Elijah could not have gone to heaven. How do we reconcile this apparent contradiction?

The answer lies in the fact that the Bible speaks of more than one heaven—indeed, of three. Scripture refers to the atmosphere of this earth, the sky, as “heaven” (Genesis 27:28). It speaks of the physical universe beyond as “heaven” (Psalm 8:3). And it speaks of God’s dwelling place in the spirit realm as “heaven” (Revelation 4:1-3). It is from this “third heaven” (2 Corinthians 12:2), the heaven of God’s throne, that Christ came—and to which no other human being has ascended (John 3:13).

Thus, Elijah did not go to the third heaven. So what happened to him? Where did he go? To help us understand, we need to know of other events that happened in Israel and Judah in the years following. Right at the time of Elijah’s ascension, Jehoram became the new king of Israel—in the 18th year of Jehoshaphat of Judah and the second year of Jehoshaphat’s son, whose name was also Jehoram (2 Kings 1:17; 3:1)—meaning there was an overlapping father-son reign over Judah at this time. In the fifth year of the reign of Israel’s Jehoram, Jehoshaphat’s son Jehoram became king over Judah (8:16)—that is, sole king following the death of Jehoshaphat. It was following the death of Jehoshaphat and becoming sole ruler that Jehoram of Judah, a wicked ruler, killed all his brothers (2 Chronicles 21:1-4). Afterward, Jehoram of Judah received a letter from Elijah (verse 12). The letter makes reference to the king’s murder of his brothers (verse 13), showing that it was written after that event. And, putting the chronology together, this was more than four years after Elijah’s ascension. Thus, Elijah was still alive more than four years after he was taken up by the fiery chariot in the whirlwind, living somewhere here on earth. His ascension, then, must have only been into the first heaven—the sky. And it should be clear that he did not die when he ascended. Rather, God transported him to another place on the earth where he lived out the rest of his days. The Bible doesn’t say why God decided to make such a change at this point.

Elisha became Elijah’s successor, symbolized by the passing of the mantle (2 Kings 2:13-14) and confirmed by the “double portion” of the power that God gave him through His Spirit, enabling him to perform mighty miracles, such as healing poisonous waters (verses 19-22.) It should be noted that the concept of a “double portion” in Scripture normally denoted a birthright inheritance of the firstborn son in a family. In that usage, it did not mean twice as much as the father had but, rather, twice as much as the other sons received from the father. It appears that Elisha’s request was similar. If this is the case, then Elisha, understanding that the portion of spiritual power that Elijah had from God would be divided out to the sons of the prophets, was asking for twice as much as what they would receive rather than twice as much as what Elijah had. In any case, this was not a selfish request. Elisha had already been anointed to succeed Elijah—and he knew that he would need more of God’s help than anyone if he were to remotely fill Elijah’s shoes.

The account ends with Elisha departing and being mocked by a sizable group of young people. The Hebrew here can mean children, teenagers or young adults in their early 20s. Judging by Elisha’s response they were certainly old enough to know better and to be held accountable for their actions, implying they likely were teens or young adults. Their taunt, in modern parlance, would essentially be, “Go up in the air, baldy!” Thus, they mocked his report of Elijah’s ascension, and they made fun of him for his baldness. Elisha cursed them for their disbelief and flagrant disrespect for God’s prophet—actually disrespect for God—and God backed up Elisha by sending the bears. Note that it does not say the youths who suffered attack were killed—just that they were “mauled” by the bears (verse 24), the Hebrew here allowing for a wide range of injury.

Ahab Dies; Jehoshaphat Rebuked 1 Kings 22:29-40, 51-53

Jehoshaphat is nearly killed when it turns out the Syrian strategy is to specifically target the man who has defeated them twice already, and Jehoshaphat is the only one looking the part. Chronicles reveals that it is God who intervenes to save him, while at the same time causing a random arrow to find its target between the joints of Ahab’s armor, in the middle of his back.

When Jehoshaphat returns to Jerusalem, he is met by Jehu (son of Hanani), the same prophet God had sent to Israel’s king Baasha more than 30 years earlier (1 Kings 16:1-7). It was Jehu’s father, Hanani, who had been imprisoned by Jehoshaphat’s father Asa for correcting him about not relying on God in his dealings with Syria (2 Chronicles 16:7-10). Now Jehu reprimands Jehoshaphat for forming an alliance with, and helping, Ahab. Unlike his father, Jehoshaphat apparently maintains a good attitude and continues to seek God, although he renews his alliance in treaties with Ahab’s sons (2 Chronicles 20:35; 2 Kings 3:7).

Rule of Jehoram of Judah 1 Kings 22:50

As mentioned before, after Jehoshaphat’s death, his firstborn son Jehoram, who reigned with him for the last few years of Jehoshaphat’s life, became sole king over Judah. Although Jehoshaphat had been, generally speaking, a righteous king, his son Jehoram was extremely wicked—even slaughtering his brother and other princes. This helps to show that the righteousness of parents is not automatically passed on to their children. Of course, Jehoshaphat did not help matters through the terrible mistake of having Jehoram marry Athaliah, the daughter of wicked King Ahab. In fact, this directly contributed to the corruption of Jehoram’s character. Indeed, we are specifically told that she influenced him to walk in the way of the kings of Israel, who lived in idolatrous rebellion against God (2 Chronicles 21:6). Still, Jehoram bore responsibility for his own actions. The letter from Elijah rebuked him for the terrible things he had done (verse 13).

Since Jehoram and the nation of Judah had forsaken God, God forsook them, enabling nations like Edom and Libnah to revolt against Judah (verses 8-10; 2 Kings 8:20-22). (Edom designates the descendants of Jacob’s twin brother Esau, who sold his birthright for a stew of lentils, Genesis 25:31-43.)

As the apostasy of Jehoram and the people worsened (2 Chronicles 21:11), God Himself stirred up enemy nations to attack Judah (verses 16-17). When Jehoram still refused to repent, God struck him with an incurable disease. As we will soon see in a later reading, he dies from this disease in severe pain (verses 18-19), exactly as Elijah had warned him (verse 15). Listen to this unflattering summary of the life and death of this evil king, which we will read again in sequence when we soon come to this later reading: “He reigned in Jerusalem eight years and, to no one’s sorrow, departed” (verse 20).

Since God was faithful regarding the covenant He had made with David, He would not cut off the kingship from the house of David. Rather, He would see to it that there would always be a descendant of David sitting on David’s throne (verse 7; 2 Kings 8:19; see 2 Samuel 7:14-16; Jeremiah 33:20-22, 25-26). So Jehoram remains on the throne until his death. And after Jehoram’s death, his one remaining son, Ahaziah, will become the next king of Judah, sitting on the throne of David (2 Chronicles 21:17; 2 Kings 8:24). It is this seat of power, the present form of which is the throne of Great Britain, to which Yeshua will return and on which He, as a descendant of David, will sit and from which He will rule the nations (see Luke 1:31-33; “The Throne of Britain: Its Biblical Origin and Future,” www.ucg.org/brp/materials).

The author next makes an appeal to God’s mercy on the basis of this being God’s “custom” toward those who love Him (Psalm 119:132). In fact, the word translated “custom” here is mishpat, the term for God’s legal judgments throughout the psalm. This is in fact God’s law for Himself-part of His personal inviolable code of conduct. Indeed, this is codified in the Ten Commandments, where God promises to show mercy to those who love Him (see Exodus 20:6).

It is interesting to note in the next verses (Psalm 119:133-134) that the psalmist prays to be kept free from sin before then asking to be freed (redeemed, bought back-compare verse 154) from human oppression-and even in the latter case, the request is so that he may continue to live a life of obedience to God. God redeems us today from sin and affliction for this same purpose-that we may live in accordance with His will.
The phrase “Make Your face shine upon Your servant” (verse 135a) is adapted from the priestly blessing that God said was to be used to bless His people (see Numbers 6:25). The symbolism of shining light would seem to tie back to the light of understanding in Psalm 119:130-and indeed we see the plea for this blessing followed by a renewed request to be taught God’s statutes (verse 135b).

The stanza ends with the poet lamenting that he has shed many tears because of people not obeying God’s law (verse 136). It is not clear whether he is referring to his own suffering from those committing lawless deeds in abusing him (compare verses 121-123, 126, 134) or whether he is referring to people in general dishonoring God and hurting themselves through their sins-a great tragedy over which to mourn (compare Jeremiah 9:1; Ezekiel 9:4; Luke 19:41-42; Philippians 3:18).

In the Tsadde strophe (verses 137-144) the psalmist uses the words “righteous” and “righteousness” five times in connection with God and His Word-these terms in the original Hebrew connoting a straight line, perfect alignment. God’s testimonies are also “very faithful” (verse 138)-“fully trustworthy” (NIV). His Word, in its commands and promises, is “very pure” (verse 140)-in the sense of “thoroughly tested” (NIV; compare 12:6). The author speaks from personally experiencing the benefits of God’s Word (see verses 97-104).

Verse 139, “My zeal has consumed me, because my enemies have forgotten Your words,” could mean either that their disobedience has further incited him to take a stand against them (compare verse 53) or that his suffering at their hands has ultimately served to strengthen him in his resolve to follow God. (Compare also Psalm 69:9; John 2:17).

Although the poet feels “small and despised” and “trouble and anguish have overtaken” him (verses 141, 143), he remembers God’s precepts. In contrast to the trouble brought on him through false accusations (verses 118, 86, 69), God’s “law is truth” (verse 142)-genuine, dependable and right (compare verses 151, 160)-and His commandments bring true happiness and joy (verse 143). Like the psalmist’s, all our present troubles are temporary, but God’s righteousness is everlasting-and through God’s Word we will live a life of everlasting righteousness (see verses 142, 144).
In the Qoph stanza (verses 145-152) the psalmist cries out desperately to God for help (verse 145-147), similar to his intense prayer in the earlier Kaph stanza (see verses 81-88). This intensity continues through the next three stanzas that close the psalm. Commentator Wiersbe remarks: “Have you noticed that the writer became more urgent as he drew near the end of the psalm? The Hebrew alphabet was about to end, but his trials would continue, and he needed the help of the Lord” (note on verses 153-160). The author still expresses his determination to continue in God’s ways, but he knows that he cannot succeed-indeed, he cannot even live to try-without God’s intervention and help.
He gets up early and lies awake late at night-through the night watches (sunset to 10, 10 to 2, and 2 to dawn)-crying to God for help and meditating on God’s Word, in which he finds hope (verses 147-148; compare 5:3; 63:1, 6).

He asks again that God revive him (verse 149; compare verses 25, 37, 40, 88, 107, as well as 154, 156, 159)-to breathe life into him, to restore his spirits, to reawaken his hope. And this prayer in verse 149 is made according to God’s hesed (covenant lovingkindness) and mishpat (judgment, rule for life)-reiterating his appeals in verses 124 and 132.

He then again presents the issue of his enemies. They draw near to him-that is, they are coming for him, to do him harm-and are thus far from God’s law (verse 150). Yet God is near, able to intervene (verse 151; compare Acts 17:27-28). And since God’s words are truth-true and faithful forever, as the poet closes this stanza (Psalm 119:152)-then God must intervene as He has promised in his law. Of course, God is not bound as to the manner of His intervention. Ultimately, He will work all things out to the eternal benefit of His servants (see Romans 8:28).
In the Resh strophe (verses 153-160) the psalmist three times asks God to “revive” him-to lift his spirits and see to his needs-here, as in other places, according to God’s word, His judgments and His loyal lovingkindness (verses 154, 156, 159). In essence, the author is pleading with God to act because God has promised to, because this is what God’s own laws demand and because God, in His care for His people, cannot fail to be moved by their plight with love and compassion to help them.

He asks God to plead or defend his cause in the manner of an advocate and mediator in a court of law (verse 154; compare 1 Samuel 24:15; Psalms 35:1; 43:1). And in his adversaries’ case against him, they are the ones without a leg to stand on-having no legitimate cause against him, being lawbreakers themselves and having no one to stand for them, help them and save them. Moreover, God could override all of this by taking a further step.

The writer again asks God to redeem him (119:154; compare verse 134). To “redeem” means to “buy back,” to “deliver by paying a price.” God stated that a kinsman could buy back the property a poor relative had sold (Leviticus 25:25-28), as Boaz did on behalf of Naomi and Ruth. The language here is interesting in light of the psalmist’s earlier request that God stand as surety for him (verse 122). Yet this goes even further. While the terminology of redemption often takes on in the Old Testament a general sense of deliverance from some overpowering circumstance, there is behind all this the legal foundation. There was a price for God to pay to redeem His people from the consequences of sin-a price paid through the sacrifice of Yeshua. The psalmist was ultimately reliant on this same redemption, which in his day was yet to come. Whether this was in his mind at the time or not, it was no doubt in the mind of the One who inspired the psalm.

Despite the many who oppose him, the psalmist is intent on staying the course of following God (verse 157). He is utterly disgusted by their treachery against God in the way they have rejected God’s Word (verse 158). The Israelite nation was founded on Scripture, and yet the people and their leaders spurned its teachings. How true that is even today! The Israelite nations of today have, to varying degrees, been founded on scriptural principles. U.S. President Andrew Jackson said the Bible is “the rock on which our republic rests.” And our countries have been immeasurably blessed by God. Yet today we see terrible treachery, as even in America displays of His commandments are unceremoniously marched out of courthouses by judicial decree. Even worse, many of God’s laws are rejected by those who still profess to follow Him.
The poet ends the stanza with another declaration that God’s Word is truth (verse 160). The Hebrew word rendered “entirety” here is rosh, which typically means “head.” The King James Version translates this as “beginning.” The focus here would be that God’s Word has always been true and, as the rest of the verse maintains, it always will be. But others see rosh here as designating the “sum,” in the sense of summit or summation, thus explaining NKJV translation. This is the third declaration of the truth of God’s Word in close proximity-the other two occurring in each of the two previous stanzas (verses 142, 151). Yeshua affirmed this when He prayed to God the Father, “Your word is truth” (John 17:17). And in the certainty of His Word, its righteous judgments apply forever (Psalm 119:160). This should be a cause of concern to those who choose to reject God and His laws-and a cause of great hope to those who strive to follow God in keeping His Word.

In the Shin stanza (verses 161-168) the psalmist pauses from his crying out for help to again place his affliction in the context of God’s Word: “Princes persecute me without a cause, but my heart stands in awe of Your word” (verse 161). He again rejoices in God’s Word as a great treasure (verse 162; compare verses 14, 72, 127; see also Matthew 13:45-46). And he yet again proclaims, “I love Your law” (Psalm 119:163).
Praising “seven times a day” in verse 164 could be literal, but it more likely is meant in a figurative sense for “throughout the day”-the number seven representing completeness. It exceeded the typical three times per day mentioned elsewhere in Scripture (compare 55:17; Daniel 6:10-11). Most importantly note that these prayer times are times of hallel or “praise” for God’s righteous judgments. This is not talking about constantly crying out to God for help in the midst of affliction-which the writer has also been doing. Rather, it describes his constant praise of God even in these hard times. This is a wonderful example for all of God’s people.

The poet points out that all those who love God’s law find a great sense of peace (Psalm 119:165)-of security and well-being-in studying God’s teachings, meditating on them, practicing them. We find evidence of this sense of peace even in the midst of trial throughout the entirety of Psalm 119. In contrast to those have only a superficial awareness of the law, or those who reject it (verse 126), the psalmist understands that the law will benefit him throughout life. For those who love God’s law, “nothing causes them to stumble” (verse 165). This is a better rendering in modern English than the King James Version’s “nothing shall offend them”-for this older translation might today appear to say that God’s people will never feel insulted or slighted-which is not at all what is intended by the original wording. The word mikshol here means a stumbling-block, an obstacle that causes one to fall. As long as God’s people maintain their love and devotion to living as He commands, they will not be tripped up by circumstances because the law, either directly or in principle, addresses whatever they encounter (compare Proverbs 4:12; 1 John 2:10).
The basis for the peace the writer experiences-just as it is for all God’s people-is trust in God’s promises about the future, knowing where life is headed beyond any present difficulties. As the next verse in Psalm 119 declares, “LORD, I hope for Your salvation” (verse 166). And the hope here is a confident one. Others translate the verse to say, “I wait for your salvation” (NIV). As he waits expectantly, the psalmist continues to remain devoted to all of God’s laws and follows them, recognizing that God is well aware of all he thinks and does (verses 166-168).
Finally in the Tau strophe (verses 169-176), the last stanza, the psalmist urgently summarizes his need and his steadfast devotion. With the alphabet exhausted, the poet fills his concluding strophe with repeated cries for help. In a barrage of petitions, he five times uses the word “let” along with the words “give,” “deliver” and “seek.” “Let my cry…[and] my supplication come before You,” he pleads (verses 169, 170). “Let Your hand…[and] Your judgments help me” (verses 173, 175). “Let my soul live” (verse 175). “Give me understanding” (verse 169). “Deliver me” (verse 170). “Seek your servant” (verse 176).

Verse 172 gives us an important definition of righteousness, stating that all of God’s commandments are righteousness-that is, the way of perfect alignment with Him. This is important for believers today to understand in striving for righteousness. It means not only receiving forgiveness for past sin, but striving thereafter to live as God commands-to keep His commandments in their full spiritual intent as illustrated by Yeshua in the Sermon on the Mount. Of course, this is only possible with the help of God Himself-as the author well understood (see verse 35). Today we have the further revelation in the New Testament that this is accomplished through Yeshua living within us through the power of the Holy Spirit.
In verse 174 the psalmist again expresses his longing for God’s salvation-which could apply to immediate rescue or ultimate deliverance in the future resurrection to eternal life in the Kingdom of God. Perhaps both are intended.

In closing, the writer of this psalm sees himself like a lost sheep having strayed and now in need of rescue (verse 176). This may be an acknowledgment of sin (as his earlier one in verse 67), though he has not strayed in that way during his affliction (verse 110). It could simply be that he is saying that he’s in a predicament he can’t get out of-just as a lost sheep. This is certainly true when it comes to the human condition in terms of sin-and this simile is used elsewhere in that sense (compare Isaiah 53:6; 1 Peter 2:25; Luke 15:4-7). Whatever his exact meaning, the author desperately needs the intervention of the Good Shepherd to come and rescue His sheep-His follower, His servant.

This request is made on the basis of being a faithful servant-one who remembers God’s commandments. While he was clearly not sinless, the psalmist counted himself among the righteous. He loved God’s law and made it his chief delight (verse 174). His desire was to live and praise God (verses 171, 175). He integrated God’s Word into his life. He walked in conformity to God’s will in contrast with the unrighteous who had no desire to live obediently. God does not obligate Himself to aid the wicked. But He offers abundant help to His servants (Psalms 23; 121).
The belief that he was among the righteous whom God rewards gave the writer of Psalm 119 confidence to make his requests. And so it is with us today. For as the New Testament tells us in 1 John 3:22, “Whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.”

John 2 – 3

John chapter 2 opens with the event of Yeshua and His taught ones at a wedding celebration. This is considered Yeshua’s first miracle that He performed by changing water into wine. It is interesting to ponder how this first miracle of our Master mirrors the very firsts of the miracles performed through Moses by changing the Nile and ALL the waters of Egypt into blood. Also great prophetic words are spoken by the master of the feast in verse 10 when he says to the bridegroom, “You have kept the good wine unto now.” This phrase reminds one of the cup that Yeshua will drink with us at the wedding feast of the Lamb in His Kingdom – which He did not and will not drink at the supper until we are with Him again in His Kingdom.

After a few days, it was the time of the Passover and Yeshua and it taught ones went to Jerusalem. Our Master entered into the Set apart place and saw all the merchants selling offerings to the people there. He became wroth when He saw it and overturned all their tables of money and coins and He set the animals free. Why? Because our Father’s House is not to be a House of merchandise, but of prayer! Note it!
The Yehudim asked Him by what sign (meaning authority, what gave Him permission to do such a thing)… and He answered them in a way they did not understand: “Destroy this Dwelling Place, and in three days I shall raise it.” During these days, Yeshua did many miracles and many believed upon His Name.

One of these was a man named Nicodemus. He was of the leadership of the Yehudim, a Pharisee, and so when He went to speak with Yeshua he went by night. Nicodemus acknowledged that Yeshua must have Elohim within him to do the marvelous things He was doing. Yeshua tries to teach him about being born from above, being born of the Spirit and not of flesh in order to see the Reign of Elohim. Nicodemus could not understand and Yeshua was amazed, for Nicodemus was a ruler and teacher in Israel. He should have been secure in these matters.
Yeshua spends some time teaching him of spiritual matters versus earthly matters. He speaks of the second Adam – the Son of Adam, having come from heaven and will also go up to heaven. And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness… so also the Son of Adam must be lifted up. So that whoever believes in Him will not perish, but have everlasting life. For if Yeshua is raised, so can we be. He is the first of the first fruits and we can now follow.

Elohim sends His only brought-forth Son for the salvation and deliverance of children so that whoever believes might be saved. He did not send Him to judge, but to deliver. But people who do not receive the Light that was sent into the world are already judged – they have judged themselves by their unbelief.