News Letter 5851-005
28th day of the 1st month 5851 years after the creation of Adam
The 1st Month in the Sixth year of the Third Sabbatical Cycle
The Third Sabbatical Cycle of the 119th Jubilee Cycle
The Sabbatical Cycle of Earthquakes, Famines and Pestilence
The Year of the Tithe for the Widows, Orphans & Levites
The 14th day of Counting the Omer

April 18, 2015

And That’s The Way It Is!

Introduction

I had left work early on Wednesday to catch the flight to Geneva via Paris on Air France. I think it is time many of you are made aware of some things. I go to speak wherever those who want me to come, ask. I used to pay for this myself. Since I sold the business just over a year ago, I have not been able to afford this luxury. We had people in the Philippines who wanted me to come there for Sukkot 2015, but neither they nor I could afford the cost of flying, hotels and the shipping of books. We have others in Idaho who have offered to pay my airfare and we plan to go there this summer. There are others in Sri Lanka and Africa who want us to come and teach them. We simply just cannot afford it. And now others in Switzerland would like to have us teach them.

Let me also say that the website is soon to be moved to Israel, where it will remain until the end. The cost of this is going to be about $4,000 per year and we also need to have James looking after it so his wages will need to be taken care of up front. So we are, in this alone, looking at about $60,000 per year for the next 15 years or just under 1 Million. This does not include other expenses for traveling in the future. We cannot expect to do this when no man can buy or sell in the near future. We do need to build up a war chest as it were, for what is soon to come and we need to do it now.

We need you to step up. I am going to share in this News Letter why, as I have learned so much on this trip. I pray you will join us. I pray you will put your divisions aside and your accusing fingers and self-righteousness’s and go before Yehovah and ask Him what you should do. Do nothing for me, but what ever you do, do it all for Yehovah and His great name.

The people in Switzerland offered to cover the airfare which made this trip affordable, but I still had to miss work on Wednesday and Thursday while I traveled there and again on Tuesday as I flew back home. It was Good Friday and Easter Monday so those two days we did not work. I also was not able to be with my family this long weekend. There is also the changing of planes and rushing around in airports and dealing with delays and alternative flights, and on some occasions, sleeping at the airport. Our return flight to Toronto is delayed for unknown reasons as I write this in Paris on my return home leg. Please consider what your messianic teachers go through in order for you to listen to them for a few hours, when they are in your area.

I am not paid to speak. Sometimes a collection is made to cover expenses, but they never do cover the total cost involved. The rental of the hall or the food provided or the books that are given away for free or the rental of the booth – all of this cost money that the organizer has to pay in order to host an event like this. I share this with you because of what you’re about to read, so you can see the work in front of us and what must be done. I am going to ask you to faithfully get behind this work and support it in unending help until we are done. It is going to take both prayers and money. Do not be like the self righteous ones who say God will provide and then they do nothing to help those doing the work. Those who do that are deceived. David would not take the land for the Temple, saying He would not take it if it cost him nothing.

2Sa 24:10 And David’s heart struck him after he had numbered the people. And David said to Jehovah, I have sinned greatly in what I have done. And now, I beseech You, O Jehovah, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly. 11 And David rose up in the morning. And the Word of Jehovah came to the prophet Gad, David’s seer, saying, 12 Go and say to David, So says Jehovah, I offer you three things. Choose one of them, so that I may do it to you. 13 And Gad came to David, and told him, and said to him, Shall seven years of famine come upon you and on your land? Or will you flee three months before your enemies while they pursue you? Or shall there be three days’ plague in your land? And advise, and see what answer I shall return to Him who sent me. 14 And David said to Gad, I am in great distress. Let us fall now into the hand of Jehovah, for His mercies are great. And do not let me fall into the hand of man. 15 And Jehovah sent a plague upon Israel from the morning even till the time appointed. And there died from the people, from Dan to Beer-sheba, seventy thousand men. 16 And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, Jehovah turned from the evil, and said to the angel who destroyed the people, Enough! And stay your hand. And the angel of Jehovah was by the threshing-place of Araunah the Jebusite. 17 And David spoke to Jehovah when he saw the angel who struck the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly. But these sheep, what have they done? I pray You, let Your hand be against me and against my father’s house. 18 And Gad came that day to David, and said to him, Go up! Rear an altar to Jehovah in the threshing-floor of Araunah the Jebusite. 19 And David went up, according to the saying of Gad, as Jehovah commanded. 20 And Araunah looked and saw the king and his servants coming on toward him. And Araunah went out and bowed before the king, his face to the ground. 21 And Araunah said, Why has my lord the king come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshing-floor from you, to build an altar to Jehovah, so that the plague may be stayed from the people. 22 And Araunah said to David, Let my lord the king take and offer up what seems good to him. Behold, oxen for burnt sacrifice, and threshing instruments, and instruments of the oxen for wood. 23 All these Araunah, like a king, gave to the king. And Araunah said to the king, May Jehovah your God accept you. 24 And the king said to Araunah, No, but I will surely buy from you at a price. And I will not offer burnt offerings to Jehovah my God of that which costs me nothing. And David bought the threshing-floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 25 And David built there an altar to Jehovah, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. And Jehovah was entreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.

What have these news letters cost you? What have you given to help make this work possible? What do you do weekly to help spread this end time message? It is now time to put all bickering aside; to stop being a tare and begin to produce some fruit so that we will be found worthy to be amongst those first fruits Yehovah is now calling.
Again I ask you, will you stand with me? Do not write to me your excuses. Tell them to Yehovah.

Will you stop supporting those who lead you astray? Talk to Yehovah to show you and make it plain to you. It is now time to decide whom you will follow, Yehovah or some man.
It is time.

This was written at the Geneva and Paris airports and in Saint Cierges Switzerland as well as 35,000 feet above the Atlantic as I fly home. So it may have some sections that are repeated here and there.

Thursday April 2, 2015 Paris, Geneva, Lausanne, Saint Cierges, Switzerland

We arrived Thursday in Geneva about lunchtime. We changed planes in Paris and it was crazy busy. In Paris I had to take a train from one terminal to the connecting flight to Geneva. I have not seen such a huge airport before. It is like a maze and your are the mouse looking to find your way out and you are rushing to make sure you do not miss your flight or get lost.
Geneva is beautiful. The grass is green and the flowers are out.

René picked me up and took me to Lausanne for a late lunch with Nicole (Natalia), who had a very hard time understanding my French and I, hers. There are no airs here. No fancy rich people, just ordinary people, doing extraordinary things, who seek to learn more about Yehovah and to obey Him. Humble, earthy, real people whom I have fallen in love with.
We stayed and talked a while before heading up to René’s home. I had not slept on the plane from Toronto to Paris and just started to nod off before landing in Geneva. The grass is green here and the legumes in the fields are already 6 inches high. This is such a great sight for me, having not been out of my igloo for the past 6 months and dealing with -40 temperatures for what seemed like forever. It is drizzling and cool but much warmer than what I left in Canada.
I think I was up the whole flight as I was thinking about what I would say. René had told me he wanted to have a question and answer period, where everyone could take part and ask and contribute. I loved the idea but it did not help me to know what to present. That evening I again asked him what he wanted me to say. He wanted them to experience and to know why they need to keep the Holy Days. Now I knew what to do and had to get my notes in order, as we have no internet up in the mountains where we are going at Le Lieu.
We then had to go and get the lorry with all the equipment for the weekend which René had already loaded by himself, and then take it to Le Lieu where we were holding the meeting. René and I talked the whole time and I fought hard to keep my eyes open and pay attention as we felt each other out to get to know each other. I also did not want to miss any of the awesome views going by us as we drove up through these mountains with Swiss chalets and homes and villages on them. It is enchanting. I am sure there are no straight roads in Switzerland; they are all rolling hills and curves.
We got to the hall and we checked it out with the owner and were about to begin to unload everything when some people began to come into the hall. They had it that Thursday night. We were going to stay here in the mobile home and prepare the hall in the morning, so we left the lorry there and returned to René’s home to spend the night back at his place. It is about an hour each way. I think I went to bed and slept like a log from 12:30 until 7 AM when it was time to get up and get going again.

Friday April 3, 2015 Le Lieu, Switzerland

We thad breakfast and talked and then headed up to Le Lieu again to begin setting up. We arrived and unpacked the lorry and set up tables and chairs in the hall. Shortly after we had moved all the equipment in, then others began to arrive and the excitement of the Passover began to build as the people started showing up.
I was to learn that for most of them this was their first or second or maybe even third Passover. They had no idea how to do it though, as they had only done it in their homes by themselves and were excited to know I was there to show them and that we were doing this as a group. I could feel the weight on me getting heavier the more they talked about what they were looking for. Some had been to Israel and some had just learned a wee bit about Hebrew roots. Most were Sunday keeping Christians who also kept the Sabbath.
As I was watched them go about setting up the hall I could see their hearts. They decorated the walls with colourful curtains and lifted up a huge white sheet over the whole area we were sitting in. Just like a giant Chuppah but they did not know what that was. They placed white paper on the tables with coloured laces around the edges. What was a 200-year-old gym was now a beautiful hall in which we were about to begin. Everyone helped, having never done this before and it all came together very quickly, and it also had homemade table decorations for each table. Some people had met before and others from a few years before and a few were meeting now for the first time.

They had no clue what was about to come and they were so happy to be there so they could learn more about Jesus, as they call Him. I could really see their hearts, and as I watched them I new I had to change my teachings. I had to make that this weekend would be something they could understand and never forget. I had to leave them convinced they had to continue to keep the Holy Days from now on. So the notes I had were now out and I wrote out my thoughts on the table paper with scriptures I wanted; totally off the cuff.

As evening began to arrive and the time for the Memorial Supper neared, we began with introductions and then supper this Friday evening. I had to explain to them that this is not Good Friday, but how the Passover this year happened to fall on Saturday evening and in other years it was on other days. This was the Memorial Supper Yehshua had with His disciples.

Everything I said was translated into French by Andre and his wife Irene who could understand my French English tongue and make sense of it. To them I am most humbled and thankful. In between teachings I showed Andre other things and when it came time to explain things, he could do it with little help from me. I was impressed and pleased.

We began by eating and then during the meal we acted out Judas coming to talk to Yehshua and how they all asked is it me that is about to betray Him. We then sent Judas out with the last of the Challah bread. But these people, in their love, had brought loaves and loaves of challah bread. They do not understand what unleavened Bread is. But Passover was not to begin until the next night so we had time to eat as much of it as possible.

As the supper ended we took the bread and broke it. I had one box of unleavened Bread with me. I asked them when was the lamb ever beaten. They had not considered it. This would come back again on Sunday morning as we explained the Wave sheaf to them. I kept asking them questions and they kept trying to answer them. I was not looking for an answer, as I wanted them to think.
Each person took the unleavened Bread for the first time and ate it reverently.

As the evening progressed we explained the 4 cups of wine and how it was directly related to the Exodus 6:6

Exo 6:6 Therefore say to the sons of Israel, I am Jehovah, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, (1st Cup) and I will rescue you out of their bondage.(2nd Cup) And I will redeem you with a stretched-out arm, and with great judgments. (3rd Cup)

We also explained how the 4^th cup was for Elijah and left it on the table. We also showed them how Yehshua said He would not drink any more wine until he had returned. We also had them all drink the wine. Drinking wine for a French person is not something new, but this night was special and they all were getting it. As the evening ended I took that 4^th cup and I drank it. Josephine noticed it and commented on it. I then told her of the things written in the back of the book Remembering the Sabbatical year of 2016, appendage “B”. She was amazed.
We had almost finished our meal. They had already finished, but while I was talking I had hardly touched mine. It was now time to wash their feet. So I stood up and they all watched me as I got things set up. They had not done this before and we had to scramble to find a couple of pots big enough to wash feet in. The men did the men and the women did the women.

After this we went through the gospel of John starting in Chapter 13 and going all the way to the end of chapter 17. People kept asking questions and the same old Christian questions come up about this being no longer necessary.

It was now late Friday evening. I was tired, the time change and the lack of sleep was catching up to me and the Brethren kept asking questions and we stayed up until 2 AM when the last of the questions was then answered. Everyone was so pleased and still excited. They had heard in their churches some things but not all and read bits and pieces, but they had never experienced it. Now they have completed the Memorial evening and were very happy.

Saturday April 4, 2015 Le Lieu Switzerland

Passover Preparation Day beginning in the morning.

It is still rainy and drizzly outside. It has become cooler and is now snowing. Large wet flakes that do not last land on the ground. I walked from one end of the village to the other and back in ten minutes. Each and every house recycles the kitchen scraps in their own gardens in their yards. There are two farmers with the barns on the main street and a dozen or so milking cows in the yard. The manure is piled in the yard and has a mild smell. Totally different from North America where people do not even see a farm let alone know where their food comes from.

I had to go and get away so I could have a talk with Yehovah. I had asked Him to show me my secret sins as we approached the Days of Unleavened Bread. I do not like doing this because He does show them to me and I hate myself when I see it. So what I saw yesterday sat on my heart and weighed on me all night.

What do I do? They have brought loaves of Challah bread for the Days of Unleavened Bread. They have no Unleavened bread except my one box. They have brought and eaten lobster and shrimp, pork and Horse meat. (They call this European Meat). They do not see anything wrong with it. Again they are brand new and no one has told them. Later this day I asked a lady from Zurich, Margaret, who came down, a friend of my friend Marie-Louise from Thailand who had told her to come and listen to me. She has been in this walk a few years and said they eat meat like this in all the groups. Again no one has taught them.
As I was walking and praying, again asking Yehovah to put the words in my mouth that He wanted said, I confessed to Him my guilt.

I was not sure about coming to Switzerland to teach what I was told were a group of Christians who wanted to keep Passover. Red flags were going off each time I thought about it. I almost cancelled. I expected the same Christian fights and no one would want to keep this Sabbath Holy or the next day or first day of Unleavened Bread. I suspected they would all go back and forget this as just a fun weekend or something like that.
Some were from the Pentecost faith and others from other faiths and they brought those teaching with them. They do not know, because no one has explained it to them.
But I saw them setting up. I saw them talking and being excited about learning these truths. I saw them with tears in their eyes as they realized each point that was made.

I SAW THEM.

I was not told by others, I saw them myself. So who are these people? And why was I here?
As I reached the far end of town and turned to come back, it hit me. And it brought me to tears as I realized my sin. And again as I write this, the tears come as I relive this moment. Read the whole account to the end. I pray Father Yehovah to forgive me. (After getting home, each of the religious programs I listened to this past week have also been talking about this very same verse. They of course think it is about the eating of unclean food. It is not. And all of this confirms to me this message from Yehovah.)

Act 10:1 And a certain man named Cornelius was in Caesarea, a centurion of the Italian cohort, 2 one devout and fearing God, with all his household, both doing many merciful deeds to the people, and praying continually to God. 3 About the ninth hour of the day he saw plainly in a vision an angel of God coming to him and saying to him, Cornelius! 4 And he was gazing at him, and becoming terrified, he said, What is it, lord? And he said to him, Your prayers and your merciful deeds have come up for a memorial before God. 5 And now send men to Joppa and call for Simon, whose last name is Peter. 6 He is staying with one Simon a tanner, whose house is by the seaside. He will tell you what you must do. 7 And when the angel who spoke to Cornelius departed, he called two of his servants and a devout soldier from those who waited on him continually. 8 And explaining all things to them, he sent them to Joppa. 9 On the next day, as these went on the road, and drawing near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. 10 And he became very hungry and desired to eat. But while they made ready, an ecstasy fell on him. 11 And he saw the heaven opened and a certain vessel like a sheet coming down to him, being bound at the four corners and let down to the earth; 12 in which were all the four-footed animals of the earth, and the wild beasts, and the reptiles, and the birds of the heaven. 13 And a voice came to him, saying, Rise, Peter! Kill and eat! 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord, for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spoke to him again the second time, What God has made clean, you do not call common. 16 This happened three times, and the vessel was received up again into the heaven. 17 And while Peter doubted within himself what the vision which he had seen might be, even behold, the men who were sent from Cornelius had asked for Simon’s house and stood on the porch. 18 And they called and asked if Simon whose last name is Peter was staying there. 19 And while Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said to him, Behold, three men are looking for you. 20 Therefore arise and go down and go with them without doubting, for I have sent them. 21 And going down to the men, those sent to him from Cornelius, Peter said, Behold, I am the one you are seeking. For what reason have you come? 22 And they said, Cornelius the centurion, a just man and one who fears God, and one of good report among all the nation of the Jews, was warned from God by a holy angel to send for you to come to his house and to hear words from you. 23 Then he called them in and lodged them. And on the next day Peter went away with them, and certain brothers from Joppa went with him. 24 And the next day they entered into Caesarea. And Cornelius was waiting for them, and had called together his kinsmen and near friends. 25 And as Peter was coming in, Cornelius met him and fell down at his feet and worshiped. 26 But Peter took him up, saying, Stand up! I also am a man myself. 27 And as he talked with him, he went in and found many who had come together. 28 And he said to them, You know that it is an unlawful thing for a man, a Jew to keep company with or to come near to one of another nation. But God has shown me not to call any man common or unclean. 29 Therefore I came without complaint, being sent for. I ask, then, for what reason have you sent for me. 30 And Cornelius said, Four days ago I was fasting until this hour. And at the ninth hour I prayed in my house, and behold, a man stood before me in bright clothing. 31 And he said, Cornelius, your prayer is heard, and your merciful deeds have been remembered before God. 32 Therefore send to Joppa and call here Simon whose last name is Peter, he is staying in the house of Simon, a tanner by the seaside; who, when he comes, shall speak to you. 33 Therefore I immediately sent to you, and you have done well to come. Now therefore we are all here present before God to hear all things that are commanded you by God. 34 Then Peter opened his mouth and said, Truly I see that God is no respecter of persons; 35 but in every nation he who fears Him and works righteousness is accepted with Him. 36 You know the Word which God sent to the sons of Israel, preaching the gospel of peace by Jesus Christ (He is Lord of all!); 37 that word which was published throughout all Judea, and began from Galilee, after the baptism which John proclaimed; 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, and He went about doing good, and healing all those who were oppressed by the Devil, for God was with Him. 39 And we are witnesses of all things which He did, both in the land of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed Him and hanged Him on a tree; 40 but God raised Him up the third day and showed Him openly, 41 not to all the people, but to witnesses hand-picked before by God, even to us who ate and drank with Him after He rose from the dead. 42 And He commanded us to preach to the people, and to testify that it is He who was ordained of God to be the Judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the Prophets give witness to Him, that through His name whoever believes in Him shall receive remission of sins. 44 While Peter was still speaking these words, the Holy Spirit fell on all those hearing the Word. 45 And those of the circumcision, who believed (as many as came with Peter), were astonished because the gift of the Holy Spirit was poured out on the nations also. 46 For they heard them speak with tongues and magnify God. Then Peter answered, 47 Can anyone forbid water that these, who have received the Holy Ghost as well as we, should not be baptized? 48 And he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then they begged him to stay certain days.

The sheet with all the unclean animals that Peter saw, was on the table in front of me right now. The ham mixed in with the salads, lobster and shrimp and horse all right there. Leavened Bread and no one understood. Two ladies kept telling me what was okay and what was not. And I thank them for that. The sheet that had come before Peter was not giving Peter permission to eat unclean foods or else Yehovah would have become a hypocrite. No, the sheet was in reference to Cornelius and his family, to those who were not kosher and who were not keeping the Torah previously. But upon whom the Holy Spirit was now being poured out on.
It was not that long ago that I too ate just like this and had no idea. I had no clue because no one had told me. I was no different than they are. Now I know, but should that make me self-righteous and cause me to gloat it over them? Should I flee from them in order to remain spiritually clean? No, Heaven forbid and He has.

Yehovah has called the 12 tribes of Israel to come and join Him at His wedding Feast, but they have refused. They refused the Holy Spirit, the oil that leads to His truths. They want nothing to do with this Sabbath thing and the Holy Days or the Sabbatical years. Leave us alone, they say.

The Swiss are part of Israel. They are either Gad or they are Issachar. And here I am with them and they want to know, THEY WANT TO LEARN. Now read the scriptures that went racing through my mind as I realized this scroll thing of Peter. I have met many so called brethren who refuse to obey. Who consider themselves righteous while everyone else is wrong. They condemn others because they keep this day or that one. But these Swiss people want to learn and want to understand unlike some of those I have come across.
Speaking of those who refuse to listen, Yehovah says the following.

Zec 7:11 But they refused to listen, and gave a stubborn shoulder, and made heavy their ears from hearing. 12 And they made their hearts adamant from hearing the Law and the Words which Jehovah of Hosts has sent through His Spirit, by the former prophets. And great wrath came from Jehovah of Hosts. 13 And it will be, as He called, and they did not listen, so they called, and I did not listen, says Jehovah of Hosts. 14 But I stormed them away on all the nations whom they did not know. And the land has been wasted behind them, from passing and from returning; for they made the land of desire a waste.

Pro 1:20  Wisdom cries outside; she utters her voice in the streets; 21  she cries in the chief place of gathering, in the openings of the gates; in the city she utters her words, saying, 22  How long will you love simplicity, simple ones? And will scorners delight in their scorning? And will fools hate knowledge? 23  Turn at my warning; behold, I will pour out my Spirit to you; I will make my words known to you. 24  Because I called, and you refused; I stretched out my hand, and no one paid attention; 25  but you have despised all my advice, and would have none of my warning. 26  I also will laugh at your trouble; I will mock when your fear comes; 27  when your fear comes as a wasting away, and your ruin comes like a tempest when trouble and pain come upon you. 28  Then they shall call upon me, and I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me; 29  instead they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of Jehovah. 30  They would have none of my counsel; they despised all my correction, 31  and they shall eat the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own desires. 32  For the turning away of the simple kills them, and the ease of fools destroys them. 33  But whoever listens to me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.

Almost every single Hebrew roots group or Messianic group has refused to keep the Sabbatical years. Most all Seventh Day Adventists will keep neither the Holy Days nor the Sabbatical years and they too have now mixed other holidays not found in Lev 23 into their worship. What about you?

Read what Yehovah is going to do to those of Israel who refuse to keep the Sabbaths. Notice that He is talking about all of His Sabbaths.

Eze 20:2 And came the Word of Jehovah to me, saying, 3 Son of man, speak to the elders of Israel and say to them, So says the Lord Jehovah: Have you come to ask of Me? As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you. 4 Will you judge them, son of man, will you judge them? Cause them to know the abominations of their fathers. 5 And say to them, So says the Lord Jehovah: In the day that I chose Israel, and lifted up My hand to the seed of the house of Jacob, and made Myself known to them in the land of Egypt; when I lifted up My hand to them, saying, I am Jehovah your God; 6 in the day that I lifted up My hand to them, to bring them out from the land of Egypt into a land that I had searched out for them, flowing with milk and honey, which is the glory of all lands; 7 then I said to them, Let each man throw away the abominations of his eyes, and do not defile yourselves with the idols of Egypt. I am Jehovah your God. 8 But they rebelled against Me and would not listen to Me. They did not each man throw away the abominations of their eyes, nor did they forsake the idols of Egypt. And I said, I will pour out My fury against them to fulfill My anger against them in the midst of the land of Egypt. 9 But I worked for My name’s sake, that it should not be profaned before the nations among whom they were, for I made Myself known to them in their eyes, by bringing them out of the land of Egypt. 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. 14 But I worked for My name’s sake, so that it should not be profaned before the nations in whose sight I brought them out. 15 And also I lifted up My hand to them in the wilderness, that I would not bring them into the land which I had given them, flowing with milk and honey; it is the glory of all lands; 16 because they despised My judgments and walked not in My sabbaths; and they profaned My sabbaths; for their heart went after their idols. 17 But My eye spared them from destroying them, nor did I make an end of them in the wilderness. 18 But I said to their sons in the wilderness, Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, nor observe their judgments, nor defile yourselves with their idols. 19 I am Jehovah your God. Walk in My statutes, and keep My judgments, and do them, 20 and keep My sabbaths holy; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am Jehovah your God. 21 But the sons rebelled against Me. They did not walk in My statutes, nor kept My judgments to do them; the judgments which, if a man do, he shall even live in them; they profaned My sabbaths and I said I would pour out My fury on them, to fulfill My anger against them in the wilderness. 22 But I withdrew My hand and worked for My name’s sake, that it should not be profaned in the eyes of the nations, from whom I brought them out in their eyes. 23 I also lifted up My hand to them in the wilderness, that I would scatter them among the nations and scatter them through the lands, 24 because they had not done My judgments, but had despised My sabbaths and had profaned My sabbaths, and their eyes were after their fathers’ idols. 25 Also I gave them statutes not good, and judgments by which they should not live. 26 And I defiled them in their own gifts, in that they caused all that open the womb to pass through the fire, that I might waste them, to the end that they might know that I am Jehovah. 27 Therefore, son of man, speak to the house of Israel and say to them, So says the Lord Jehovah: Yet in this your fathers have blasphemed Me, in that they have committed a sin against Me. 28 When I had brought them into the land for which I lifted up My hand to give it to them, then they saw every high hill, and all the thick trees, and they offered their sacrifices there. And there they offered their provoking gifts. There also they made their sweet aroma, and poured out their drink offerings there. 29 And I said to them, What is the high place to which you go? And the name of it is called High Place to this day. 30 Therefore say to the house of Israel, So says the Lord Jehovah: Are you defiled in the same way as your fathers? And do you go whoring after their abominations? 31 For when you offer your gifts, when you make your sons to pass through the fire, you defile yourselves with all your idols, even to this day. And shall I be inquired of by you, O house of Israel? As I Live, says the Lord Jehovah, I will not be inquired of by you. 32 And what comes up on your spirit shall not happen at all, that you say, We will be like the nations, like the families of the countries, to serve wood and stone.

33 As I live, says the Lord Jehovah, surely with a mighty hand, and with a stretched out arm, and with fury poured out, I will reign over you. 34 And I will bring you out from the people, and I will gather you out of the lands in which you are scattered among them, with a mighty hand and with a stretched out arm and with fury poured out. 35 And I will bring you into the wilderness of the people, and there I will enter into judgment with you face to face. 36 Just as I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you, says the Lord Jehovah. 37 And I will cause you to pass under the rod, and I will bring you into the bond of the covenant. 38 And I will purge out from among you the rebels and those who sin against Me. I will bring them out from the land where they reside, and they shall not enter into the land of Israel. And you shall know that I am Jehovah.

Brethren we are very close to the time when this next section will take place. Which one of the virgins are you? How is your oil doing? Do you have any at all or are you just another tare that has no fruit and only argues and takes up space? Are you actively sharing Yehovah’s truths with others?

Mat 25:1 Then shall the kingdom of Heaven be likened to ten virgins, who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom. 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish. 3 The foolish ones took their lamps, but took no oil with them. 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps. 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept. 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom comes! Go out to meet him. 7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps. 8 And the foolish said to the wise, Give us some of your oil, for our lamps have gone out. 9 But the wise answered, saying, No, lest there be not enough for us and you. But rather go to those who sell, and buy for yourselves. 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came. And they who were ready went in with him to the marriage, and the door was shut. 11 Afterwards the other virgins came also, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Truly I say to you, I do not know you. 13 Therefore watch, for you do not know either the day or the hour in which the Son of Man comes.

Yehovah is pouring out His spirit on all flesh. Those invited do not want to come. Those being called do not have anyone to teach them. Notice the last part of this parable. Even those not dressed in the proper clothes.

Mat 22:1 And Jesus answered and spoke to them again by parables, and said, 2 The kingdom of Heaven is like a certain king who made a marriage for his son. 3 And he sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they would not come. 4 Again he sent out other servants, saying, Tell those who are invited, Behold, I have prepared my dinner; my oxen and fatlings are killed, and all things are ready. Come to the marriage. 5 But not caring, they went their ways, one to his field, another to his trading. 6 And the rest took his servants and treated them spitefully, and killed them. 7 But when the king heard, he was angry. And he sent out his armies and destroyed those murderers, and burned up their city. 8 Then he said to his servants, The wedding is ready, but they who were invited were not worthy. 9 Therefore go into the exits of the highways, and as many as you shall find, invite them to the marriage. 10 So the servants went out into the highways and gathered together as many as they found, both bad and good. And the wedding was filled with reclining guests. 11 And the king coming in to look over the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. 12 And he said to him, Friend, how did you come in here without having a wedding garment? And he was speechless. 13 Then the king said to the servants, Bind him hand and foot and take him away, and cast him into outer darkness. There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth. 14 For many are called, but few chosen.

At 9 AM I presented them with Yehshua being stoned to death and I did it as if they were the Jury and I arguing my case before them. We went step by step, scripture by scripture. At first there were some rejections of this. But as we presented our evidence the tears began to flow. Then the sobs and when I had finished I left the evidence in the hands of the jury. As the prayer for closing this morning’s session ended there were a number of people sobbing uncontrollably in the foyer. I had my verdict.

In the afternoon we ended up teaching about the Blood Moon that had come but we could not see due to the clouds. And that evening we did the Passover Seder reading from Exodus 1. By 11 O’clock we had only gotten as far as chapter 12 and we had to stop as everyone was getting too tired, including myself. We answered every question that came up. Sharon asked why we had to do this and why it took so long. I explained in Israel they stay up all night and that we had to repeat everything here twice. Once in French and once in English and then the answer back in English and then in French. She is very smart and just wanted to get to the end, but the bible gives you many answers by doing and by being patient. You cannot just go to the book of Revelation and read it expecting to have the conclusions all there. The lessons come in the doing and this is why we do this each year. And each year we learn more.

Today Michelle and Pierre had come, as well as Margaret. Some in the group were unsure about keeping this “Jewish” thing of Passover. They only wanted to celebrate Jesus and that is all. Bernard questioned me about the tutor in Galatians. So I got up and asked him to close his eyes. Bernard is 71. I then commanded him to walk and as he did I tripped him repeatedly until he was afraid to walk at all.
I then grabbed his shoulders and told him to walk and I guided him and pushed the other people out of his way. I then told him to take 4 steps forward and I let him go and then I said to stop and then I said to turn and take 4 steps back and then stop.

I was his tutor. I protected him when he needed it and I guided him to the place he had to get to. I was also the one tripping him up when he did not listen to me. When I let him go and he obeyed my voice he was safe as I guided him.

I was the Torah and I was there to protect him. Without the Torah he is tripped up and unsure of what to do. It was a great lesson and most got it.

Sunday April 5, 2015 Le Lieu Switzerland
First day of Unleavened Bread
Wave Sheaf Day

It was time now to tie the death of Yehshua in with all the Holy Days. To make them understand the teachings they know all come from the Holy Days and by not keeping them they in fact cut themselves off from not understanding the Plan of Salvation.
We did our teaching on the Wave Sheaf and expanded that to explain briefly each Holy Day and what it represented. One by one I saw them get it and clue in to the importance of these special days. How the Death of Yehshua and the resurrection showed the plan of salvation just as the wave sheaf did. Josephine got very excited about this as she realized what I was showing everyone.
Most of those loaves of Challah Bread remained on the tables untouched on this first day of unleavened Bread. They were trying to obey now that they had learned, even though they did not completely understand.
By lunchtime I was done. Those who had opposed the keeping of the Holy Days, having counted them along with the temple sacrifices, had now come to understand that they were needed in order to understand Yehovah’s plan of Salvation and prophecy and many things to which they had only a partial understanding.
As each person said goodbye, they had tears in their eyes. They asked when I would be back. Some had already told others about what they had learned here this weekend and they were now calling Rene asking if I could come to Zurich or if I would stay and teach in Lausanne.
I was exhausted after all of this and thrilled and very happy. We then had to pack up and drive back to Saint Cierges where Rene and I took everything back out of the lorry and put it in storage. We then dropped off the lorry and headed to Lausanne for supper with Nicole (Natalia). It would be close to midnight before I would get back to bed in Saint Cierges.
At supper I began to explain the Daniel 9 Prophecy. I was stunned to know they had little to no news about ISIS and what was going on in the Middle East. Nicole (Natalia) had found some unleavened bread for us to eat for supper and was very pleased when I checked the label and approved of it. We also had to explain to Rene why we eat unleavened bread.

Monday April 6, 2015 Saint Cierges Switzerland
Today is the second day of the first week of seven weeks. Today is the second day of the counting of fifty days from the day of the waving of the Omer on the morrow after the Sabbath.

In this little village they collect the milk from seven other villages, with each individual farmer drives over to the cheese factory (just a little house) themselves to deliver the milk. All the farmers have shares in the cheese factory, like a co-op. Rene brought me here at 7 am so I could see how this was done. It caused me to think of the Tyropoeon Valley (i.e., “Valley of the Cheesemakers”) is the name given by Josephus the historian (Wars 5.140) to the valley or rugged ravine, in the Old City of Jerusalem, which in ancient times separated Mount Moriah from Mount Zion and emptied into the valley of Hinnom.
The milk is brought twice a day, morning and evening, and they make the cheese once each day. The milk is weighed and then pumped into three large tanks. Chemicals are added and the curdling process begins. Forty minutes later the milk is curdled and the master cheese maker watches until the precise moment when the curdling has reached its peak. Once he decides it is ready, it is then pumped into the large cheese filters where the serum is drained out the bottom and just the curds are left in the form which is then compressed at 800 pounds for ten hours, I believe.
This serum is then bottled and sold in local stores. We drink it with our meals. It almost taste like ginger ale, but it has no sugars added like soda pop does. It was very good and is supposed to be good for you. I liked it a lot.
The block of cheese is then soaked in salt water for a day before being stored on shelves in the basement where it is rubbed with salt each day for a month. It is turned and rubbed and turned and rubbed, so both sides and all the outside edge is salted. This is done each and every day in the local cheese factory and then it continues when it is shipped to the larger cheese distributor.
The specialty cheese of this village, Sainte Cierges, uses a combination of apple and pear ground to paste and then boiled down into a think rich sweet syrup. This syrup is very sweet to the taste. It is then rubbed all over the cheese giving it, its dark rosy colour and flavour. This type of cheese is only made in this one town alone and it is world famous. The cheese is called Le Brigand Du Jorat from Saint Cierges et Boulens.
The cheeses are then stored another three months in the basement before they are shipped to the large cheese seller. The cheese seller then continues to salt both sides for another five months and only after a total eight months since the cows gave the milk is this special Swiss Cheese shipped around the world.
The master cheese maker takes samples of the cheese each step of the way watching for bacterial infection. If a farmer is not careful and the cheese develops bacteria, it will bloat and after three months will swell to such a size. It is infected and all the cheese from that date to present are then thrown out. Months of work are gone, so they are very careful in cleaning and being clean right from the time they collect the milk and during each step of the way.
The Tyropoeon Valley would require lots of water for the cleaning of the vats during the cheese making. This would only be possible with the Gihon Spring being so close. It was located under the South East Corner of the Temple.
This tour was finished before 9 AM and I bought two large blocks of cheese to bring home. It is so good. The name of the second one Gruyere.
This afternoon Rene took me to Lausanne to meet Nicole (Natalie) again. We went down to Lake Lausanne and to the Palace where John Kerry and the Iranians were meeting. As you can see I just had to go in and straighten them up about Prophecy and explain to them all what Zechariah 5 really means and why this deal they were working out was so dangerous to the whole world.

Having now warned them about this we sat down to eat cooked banana over perch as we looked over Lac Lausanne. What an awesome meal. And the company was also awesome. We began to discuss in broken French and broken English the end time prophecies of Daniel which can only be understood by understanding the Sabbatical and Jubilee cycles. Lunch would prove to be too short a time for this conversation which would last until the end of the night this evening.

We were about to leave to go to this Montagne when I realized that CERN had started up and all the conspiracy teachings and fears about it creating the black hole right here in Geneva were all wrong and lies, just as are all conspiracy and Illuminati type teachings. Whether or not CERN is a good thing or not by looking for the GOD GENE is no reason to use any conspiracy teachings to prove your points. We condemned this in last weeks News Letter and on my plane ride home I sat behind the wing and watched the air that was heated by the jet engine turn to what would be a cloud behind us. Some of you call this chem trails. Again I tell you to leave any group that is teaching you these lies from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Truth mixed in with lies. They all lead you from the Torah.

Just like those who teach lies about chemtrails are deceived, so are all those who teach about the Illuminati and the secret orders of the Jesuits and Freemasons. It is all, IT IS ALL, a complete waste of time that will lead you further and further away from Yehovah and His Torah as you go around and around like CERN chasing your tail and never catching it. And yet after going around in circles for days or months or years you end up light years away from Yehovah. It does not matter how many times you mention God in your teachings. When you begin with a lie, you end up not knowing the truths of Yehovah. This too goes for all of those spreading the Twin Towers 9-11 conspiracy teaching as well. Get over your secret handshakes that only you and those with a 33 degree order of understanding can understand.

It is time to get back to Torah and to it ALONE. Do not add, DO NOT ADD to Yehovah’s word. Not false Holy Days nor false teachings. Those who mix the truth with the untruth are in sin. You have missed the mark. Stop and come back to the truth. If this makes you mad then that tells you that you are already in trouble. With so little time left to do the work, you have wasted so much of your time chasing your tail. Repent now. You have wasted and continue to waste the time you could have been reading His truths, and traded Yehovah’s words for the teachings of Satan and his tree of good and evil, of truth and lies mixed together and you have swallowed it hook line and sinker, and do not know just how far away you are from Him. Again I warn you repent now. STOP READING ALL CONSPIRACY TEACHINGS AND STOP LISTENING TO THOSE WHO TEACH THEM. PERIOD.

CERN is a huge machine buried very deep under the mountains here in Geneva. It is kilometers and kilometers long with many huge connecting tunnels. The piping in these tunnels has been cooled to 1.9 degrees K, which is just above absolute zero. They have created this tunnel system in order to smash two atoms together to replicate the “big bang theory” of creation. They have already done this once and have many results from this collision. This also gave them more questions and they continue to test. You can watch a short video explaining this here.
My question is who created these first two atoms?

Now that we had helped the cows by taking their milk and turning it into Swiss Cheese and buying two huge blocks of it, and having now straightened out the Americans and Iranians, and having put to rest the conspiracy teachers, my host thought I was lonely for snow. So we drove to Montagne and to Les Diablerets. They thought I liked snow because of the -40 degree temperatures we have had this winter, which was very long.

Hairpin turns back and forth up this Mountain. Along the way just outside Lausanne, I saw the vineyards and the orchards. All of them trained on wires, the trees too. What I saw was amazing. They had terraced the mountainside and built up walls to hold the earth in place. It is exactly as Israel did on the mountains in the Promised Land. Those in Israel today are broken down and the soil eroded, but what I was seeing is how it would look when it is restored. How beautiful it is with all the trellised grape vines on it.

While we drove, Rene had to sleep. The weekend was catching up on him. Each day we would be up with the Brethren until midnight or 2 AM answering questions and explaining the Feasts and Passover and prophecy. Each day we began at 7 AM. So while Rene slept I tried to share with Nicole (Natalie) how close we were to the end of this age. Her English was poor and my French was poor, but we conversed for the entire time expounding on these things.
When we arrived at Les Diablerets, the humor of the name was not lost on me. I had come to teach the Torah and the Feasts to these people. And here we are at this 3209-meter mountain named Les Diablerets due to the dangers of the avalanches. I again explained the prophecy of Daniel 9 to Rene with Nicole (Natalie) listening intently and asking for clarification on those things I was not able to explain to her in French. I showed them how we keep coming to the year 2020 in all of our teachings. And I explained the importance of the brethren keeping this upcoming Sabbatical year.

Rene then told me of the miracle that took place with him. He had attended the ICEJ conference last year for Sukkot in Jerusalem. He was upset that they charged you each day to come and listen to them teach. You had to pay to come and sit. He did not like this at all. They were selling the word of God.
So he was not going to come back to the convention site. Nicole (Natalia) convinced him to go one more time. It was on this trip that he came across my display showing the Sabbatical and Jubilee years. He looked at it for a while and then talked to me for a bit. He left after buying Remembering the Sabbatical year of 2016. I think it was my very last copy, hard cover. It was my last day at ICEJ.
I can remember our conversation and I also remember how Nicole (Natalie, Natalia) could not understand and went a few steps away and just waited and watched. I can remember this myself. Now 6 months later they both organized a Passover event and asked me to come and teach. They both have now learned about not just the Feasts and how important they are to understanding the New Testament, but they also now know about these end time prophecies and how much work is in front of us.

You can tell we are both speaking French because our hands are going.
Rene told me on our way back from the Montagne, that Switzerland hates Europe and wants nothing to do with the Euro or European Union. I had brought Euros and could not spend them. They only want to use Swiss Francs. They do not want European laws. Switzerland is central to Europe. They speak French and German and English and Italian. Rene speaks French, German and English. Geneva to Tel Aviv is between $400 to $600.
Switzerland is in the heart of the coming Beast Power of Europa. We can not hide from what is coming. In fact right here in Geneva is where the first Geneva convention was drawn up in 1863. And 3 1/2 Jubilee cycles later again brings us to 2020 when all civility on how to kill people will be dropped in favour of all out war and killing any way they want.
In 1897, at considerable personal expense, he founded Die Welt of Vienna, Austria-Hungary, and planned the First Zionist Congress in Basel, Switzerland. He was elected president (a position he held until his death in 1904), and in 1898 he began a series of diplomatic initiatives to build support for a Jewish country. He was received by Wilhelm II on several occasions, one of them in Jerusalem, and attended the Hague Peace Conference, enjoying a warm reception from many statesmen there.
We can also read of th emany Jews who fled to Switzeland before and during WW II. I recommend everyone read this article, as it will shed some ideas on what is coming and how various governments work together. In this case Switzerland and Germany and France.
We can prepare to face this evil empire head on and warn and rescue as many people as we can while we speak out, telling them about the Sabbath, Holy Day, and Sabbatical years. Last week we wrote you about those already hiding, trying to save their own skin. I am asking you to join me in the greatest event in history and be an active part in helping our brethren survive it.
Some join us for a short while and then move on. I am asking you to stand with us, shoulder to shoulder every week and  every month until this is done, until we have exhausted the saying “Come out of Her my People” and brought them home. I need your help and I need you support. Will you stand with me?

“Which Day do we Count to Pentecost from?”

This year, 2015, has proven to be a year of testing upon many people as far as the calendar issues are concerned.
With The Memorial Supper or Last Supper being Friday night and the Passover meal falling on Saturday Evening, the first day of Unleavened Bread, many of you do not know how keep the calendar dates.
As a result some people will be keeping Pentecost on May 24th and others on May 31st. This is extremely important to understand. If you show up a week early or a week late you could very well miss the time when we are to be changed into spirit beings in a twinkling of an eye. It is on this day in the future when the dead will rise up first and those of us who are alive will be changed. Do you really want to take the chance and miss this event? Then you had better know how to keep it at the proper time or you will not be a part of this wave offering.
How do we prove which one is right?
First of all each of you is called to be a Priest or a King in the coming Kingdom of Yehovah.

Isa 61:6  But you will be named the priests of Jehovah; it will be said of you, Ministers of our God; you will eat the riches of the nations, and you will revel in their glory.

1Pe 2:9  But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for possession, so that you might speak of the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

Rev 1:5  even from Jesus Christ the faithful Witness, the First-born from the dead and the Ruler of the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, 6and made us kings and priests to God and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Rev 5:10  And You made us kings and priests to our God, and we will reign over the earth.

As a King we would be called upon to enforce the laws and as a Priest we would be called upon to teach those Laws.

So why is there so much confusion over this issue this year? As either a King or a Priest how are you to figure this out and teach it or enforce it? Each of you should be able to go to your bible and your Torah to prove it. But instead many of you are choosing the leadership your following and letting them decide for you. That is not the sign of a King.
First thing we do is go to the scripture in question and read it.

Lev 23:10  Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, When you have come into the land which I give to you, and shall reap the harvest of it, then you shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest to the priest.

Lev 23:11  And he shall wave the sheaf before Jehovah to be received for you. On the next day after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.

Lev 23:14  And you shall eat neither bread, nor parched grain, nor green ears, until the same day, until you have brought an offering to your God. It shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Lev 23:15  And you shall count to you from the next day after the sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete.

Lev 23:16  To the next day after the seventh sabbath you shall number fifty days. And you shall offer a new food offering to Jehovah.

From these verses we learn that the wave sheaf must be done on a Sunday the day after the weekly Sabbath. We know it is the weekly Sabbath because of verse 16. You can only end up with the 50th day being a day after the weekly Sabbath if you start your count on Sunday, the day after the weekly Sabbath.

Next verse 14 is crucial in your understanding. No one, NO ONE was to eat anything from the land until this wave offering was made that Sunday morning.
Now let us look to Joshua who was taught by Moses on how to keep this wave sheaf day and when.

Jos 5:10  And the sons of Israel camped in Gilgal and kept the Passover on the fourteenth day of the month at evening in the plains of Jericho.

Jos 5:11  And they ate of the old grain of the land on the next day after the Passover, unleavened cakes and roasted grain in the same day.

The phrase old grains is not a proper translation. That was the MKJV. Now lets see what the JPS says or you can go back to the original Hebrew which does not say old grains.

Jos 5:11  And they did eat of the produce of the land on the morrow after the Passover, unleavened cakes and parched corn, in the selfsame day.

This word old has been added to the text. So what we are being told here in this verse 11 is that Israel ate the produce of the land on the morrow of the Passover in the self same day.

Remember Israel was not allowed to eat anything until they made this wave sheaf offering on the morrow of the weekly Sabbath. In fact this event in Joshua is the exact same timing of the Passover with us this year in 2015.

The Memorial Supper was Friday evening when Yehshua ate the last supper with his disciples. Saturday evening was the Passover. The lambs were killed at 3 PM on the 14th as the 15th was approaching. Saturday evening was the Passover meal and it was also the start of the 15th of Nisan and it was also the first day of Unleavened Bread. You are commanded to eat Unleavened Bread for only 7 days. And you are told to eat the Passover with Unleavened Bread. So Passover must be during those 7 days of Unleavened Bread.

Exo 12:15  You shall eat unleavened bread seven days; even the first day you shall put away leaven out of your houses. For whoever eats leavened bread from the first day until the seventh day, that soul shall be cut off from Israel.

Exo 13:6  You shall eat unleavened bread seven days, and in the seventh day shall be a feast to Jehovah. 7  Unleavened bread shall be eaten seven days. And there shall be no leavened bread seen with you, nor shall there be leaven seen with you in all your borders.

Deu 16:1  Observe the month Abib, and keep the Passover to Jehovah your God. For in the month of Abib, Jehovah your God brought you forth out of Egypt by night. 2  And you shall therefore sacrifice the Passover to Jehovah your God, of the flock and the herd, in the place which Jehovah shall choose to place His name there. 3  You shall eat no leavened bread with it. Seven days you shall eat unleavened bread with it, the bread of affliction, for you came forth out of the land of Egypt in haste, so that you may remember the day that you came forth out of the land of Egypt all the days of your life. 4  And there shall be no leavened bread seen with you in all your borders for seven days. Nor shall any of the flesh which you sacrificed in the first day at evening remain all night until the morning.

So the Passover Lamb is to be eaten with Unleavened Bread and you are to eat Unleavened Bread for only 7 days. That first day of Unleavened Bread is a High Holy Day and it is also the Passover day.

Num 33:3  And they pulled up stakes from Rameses in the first month, on the fifteenth day of the first month. On the next day after the Passover the sons of Israel went out with a high hand in the sight of all the Egyptians.

Numbers is telling us that Passover took place at the beginning of the 15th after sunset around midnight. And the self same day, the 15th day right after the Passover. Passover was eaten the night before, which is also on the 15th day, the exact same 24 hour day when Israel left Egypt.

Now back to Joshua 5.

Jos 5:11  And they did eat of the produce of the land on the morrow after the Passover, unleavened cakes and parched corn, in the selfsame day.

The Passover is eaten that Saturday night. The 15th. The next day is Sunday and is also the 15th day and also still the 1st day of Unleavened Bread. It is also the day of wave offering. If not then Israel could not eat of the produce of the land as we are told in the same verse.

It is the exact same thing this year. Passover was Saturday Night, the 15th and the next days is Sunday is also the 15th and the morrow after the weekly Sabbath. This is the day the wave sheaf is to be offered. It is during the days of Unleavened Bread not after as some are now saying.

As further confirmation of this, we have the Jews today who start their count to Shavuot/Pentecost based on Joshua 5:11 and they end up with Pentecost each year on Sivan 6 and not on the Sunday as Lev 23 says after the 7th Sabbath.

Had the Jews been following Michael Rood’s method today, back then, they would now be keeping Shavuot/Pentecost on Sivan 13 each year.

I hope this helps to clear this up. When you understand this, then Pentecost will be on the 24th day of May 2015.

“The Second New Moon”

This Sunday night April 19, 2015, there is a very slight chance the new crescent moon may be seen. If it is seen then Monday April 20 would be New Moon Day and day one of the second month. If it is not seen then Tuesday April 21 would be the New Moon Day.

No man can know the day or the hour. The reason is because the 7th month begins with a crescent moon which no one can predict will be seen or on which day. Not the day or the hour……
So take your family out and practice the sighting of the moon. See who can see it first. Se who can guess at what time it will be seen.
We all should by now understand why the barley is needed for the wave offering at Wave Sheaf day to begin the counting of the Omer. The Barley must be located within a reasonable distance from the Temple in Jerusalem for people to bring it. In the same manner those who witness the moon must be able to come and testify to the High Priest. That is two witnesses must both declare they saw the new moon. There for it must be sighted from Jerusalem in order to begin the month. But no matter where you are you should practice doing this for the time when you are back in the land of Israel.

“The Omer Count and the Jubilee Cycle”

A very Special Day

The 20th Day of Counting the Omer in 2015

Friday April 24,2015

Each year when we count the Omer it is an annual reminder of exactly where we are in the Jubilee Cycle. Just as we are commanded to count the Omer,

Lev 23:15  And you shall count to you from the next day after the sabbath, from the day that you brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete. 16To the next day after the seventh sabbath you shall number fifty days. And you shall offer a new food offering to Jehovah.

we are also commanded to count the Jubilee year.

Lev 25:8  And you shall number seven sabbaths of years to you, seven times seven years. And the time of the seven sabbaths of years shall be forty-nine years to you. 9Then you shall cause the trumpet of the jubilee to sound on the tenth of the seventh month; in the day of atonement, the trumpet shall sound throughout all your land. 10And you shall make the fiftieth year holy, one year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants. It shall be a jubilee to you, and you shall return each man to his possession, and you shall return each man to his family. 11That fiftieth year shall be a jubilee to you. You shall not sow, neither reap that which grows of itself in it, nor gather in it of your undressed vine.

Each week we show you which year we are in as we count the years in a Jubilee Cycle. 2015-2016 from Aviv to Aviv will be the 5851st year since the Creation of Adam.

We are commanded to have our years start in the month of Passover otherwise known as the month of Aviv which some call the month of Nisan.

Exo 12:2  This month shall be to you the beginning of months. It shall be the first month of the year to you.

The Sabbatical Years as well as the Jubilee Years all begin with this month of Aviv. They never start in the fall. There is no scripture to start them in the fall. Starting the year in the fall is a Jewish making which is not supported by Yehovah and His torah.

As you count the Omer it reflects the Jubilee cycle. 2015-2016 otherwise known as 5851 is the 6th year of this third Sabbatical cycle. It is the 20th year as we count towards the 50th year. As such the Psalm reading for this year which is read on Friday is

“ERIKTOLOGY – ALEPH/BEYT”

This week we are looking at the letter Yod –y -the 10th letter of the Aleph Tav.

This weeks teaching can be found in part one and here in part two.

I would like to point out the following to all those sacred namers. YHVH is the name of Yehovah. I say His name this way for a reason.

Jeremiah means Yehovah has uplifted. Notice the YE at the beginning of the name.
Jehoiakim-Yehovah has established.
Joseph- Yehovah will add to

When the yod- y- is at the beginning of the name it is pronounced YE. When the yod is at the end of a name as in Hallelujah, it is pronounce YA.

“ANCIENT HEBREW RESEARCH – Jeff Benner”

We do not have any teachings from Jef on the Yod. But you can learn some of his other teachings at our media page.

“Triennial Torah Reading”

We continue this weekend with our regular Triennial Torah Reading 

Ex 38       Jeremiah 10-12       Prov 11        Acts 8

The Tabernacle Accoutrements (Exodus 37-38)

The building of the tabernacle and the items God commanded to be in it was a monumental task. In chapters 37 and 38, Bezalel makes the implements of the temple according to the commands God had earlier given Moses. No doubt the details are repeated to show that all was done exactly as God had instructed. And it should be pointed out that Bezalel did not work alone. He was the overseer and had many artisans working under him (see 36:8). Aholiab and those under him did all of the weaving and engraving (38:23).

Chapter 37, concerning the furnishings of the sanctuary, begins with the manner in which Bezalel constructed the Ark of the Covenant, including the mercy seat and the cherubim. The text exactly follows the instructions God had given Moses on how the construction was to be done (see 25:10-22). The only thing left out here is God’s instruction that the tablets of the Testimony be put into the ark and that the mercy seat be put on top of it—which we will later find Moses doing once the tabernacle is complete (40:20). In the same way, all of the instructions God gave regarding the table of showbread (25:23-30) are followed by Bezalel in chapter 37. The only detail not repeated is God’s instruction that the showbread be placed on the table—which, again, is something that happens once the tabernacle is finished (40:4, 22-23). Then we see here the construction of the lampstand or menorah—also according to God’s instructions in chapter 25 (verses 31-40). The only thing left out is the lighting of its lamps, which, still again, is done when the tabernacle is completed (40:4, 25). Then we are presented with the making of the altar of incense, following the instructions God gave in chapter 30.

Chapter 38 concerns the court of the tabernacle. It begins with the construction of the altar of burnt offering, according to God’s instructions in 27:1-8. Then follows the bronze laver or washbasin, according to God’s instructions from 30:17-21. Finally, we see the construction of the court itself, following what God told Moses in 27:9-19. Notice that the various furnishings, including those inside the sanctuary, were made with rings to slide poles through for carrying. This was to keep people from touching the holy implements. God’s perfection and glory were symbolized by these items, and thus they were not to be profaned.

The chapter ends with a summary of the precious metals that went into the building of the construction of the tabernacle and its furnishings. As a talent weighed about 70 pounds, equaling 3,000 shekels, the weight of all the gold used may have been around a ton. The weight of the bronze was around 2 1/2 tons. And the silver added up to the enormous weight of 3 1/2 tons! Indeed, silver was used in even the most basic elements of the tabernacle and its accoutrements. As The Nelson Study Bible notes: “Although the tabernacle was a tent, it was not a makeshift dwelling. It was a glorious shrine that symbolized the presence of the living God in the midst of His people.” Lest we think these are unimportant or insignificant details, Hebrews 8:5 and 9:23 remind us that the tabernacle and its furnishings were “the copy and shadow of the heavenly things” and “copies of the things in the heavens.”

“Learn Not the Way of the Heathen” (Jeremiah 10)

In this chapter, God makes it very clear: “Learn not the way of the heathen…for the customs of the peoples are vain” (verses 2-3, KJV), stressing His total rejection of practices adopted from other religions even if they are intended to honor Him. For God is never honored by disobedience. We can read Deuteronomy 12:29-32 and 2 Corinthians 6:14 along with these verses.
God first points out here that pagans were “dismayed at the signs of heaven” (Jeremiah 10:2). As believers in astrology, they considered their lives to be controlled by celestial events. Today, it is no different among the huge number of people who make daily decisions based on their horoscopes. This practice is utterly condemned by God. Even if astrological forces existed—which they do not—the Almighty Creator and Ruler of the universe would have power over them.

Worse still, the sun, moon, planets and stars were actually worshiped by ancient nations—and their movements were used to determine times for worship. Again, this was all based on fear and superstition. For instance, the winter solstice was observed because the sun reached its lowest zenith on that day, the shortest day of the year. It was believed that worship, fires and sacrifices were needed to encourage and boost the sun god back to his higher station. Afterward, the people celebrated the rebirth of the sun.
Indeed, the sun god was understood to have been born of his mother goddess around the time of the winter solstice—in fact, by the reckoning of various ancient cultures, on December 25. Evergreen plants and trees were used in this particular worship because they seemed to retain life through the winter months. These customs have continued down to our day in the form of the Messiahmas tree and decorations of holly and mistletoe.

Continuing then in Jeremiah 10, at least in the King James, New King James or Jewish Publication Society translations, the Messiahmas tree must surely come to mind. However, many mainstream Believer scholars, and other Bible versions, identify the objects addressed in this section as wooden poles or idols. That is certainly possible. In fact, it may even be likely if the word translated “workman” in verse 3 can only mean a skilled craftsman and if the word translated “ax” here can mean a carving tool, as some have rendered it. The exact meaning of the verse remains unclear.
Interestingly, it should be noted that the Hebrew word translated “wooden idol” in verse 8, ets, is normally translated “tree” in the Bible. Notice God’s instruction back in Deuteronomy 16:21: “You shall not plant for yourself any tree [ets], as a wooden image [asherah], near the altar which you build for yourself to the LORD your God.”

There are a number of references in Scripture to Asherah—understood to be an idol representation of the goddess Ashtoreth or Astarte, the mother goddess referred to in Scripture as the “queen of heaven” (mentioned in the highlights on Jeremiah 7:1-27). “From the Biblical references, it appears that Asherah is referred to in three manifestations: (1) as an image, probably a statue or figurine representing the goddess herself; (2) as a tree; and (3) as a tree trunk. The latter two are, in effect, symbols of the goddess” (Ruth Hestrin, “Understanding Asherah: Exploring Semitic Iconography,” Biblical Archaeology Review, Sept.-Oct. 1991, p. 50). Indeed, the phrase “under every green tree” (Deuteronomy 12:2), is used a number of times in Scripture to denote a pagan sacred place—that is, not just trees but evergreen trees.

Jeremiah 10 is indeed talking about the setting up of idols. But what many fail to realize in reading through the chapter is that sometimes trees themselves were set up by ancient pagans as idols. Depending on the exact meaning of the words translated workman and ax in the chapter, a carved idol or an actual tree could be meant. Both were cut from the forest, with stands fashioned to keep them fixed and upright but still able to be moved and set up anywhere (compare verses 3-5). Both, in the ancient world, were decorated with silver and gold and draped with costly fabrics (compare verses 4, 9). With tree idols, idolatrous metal ornaments were sometimes fashioned and hung from the branches—which verse 9 could be describing. Yet the verse could alternatively be a reference to metal adornments for a carved idol.

In direct disobedience to God, the Jews under Manasseh actually set up an asherah in honor of Baal, the son and husband of Ashtoreth (see 2 Kings 21:3). Indeed, such was used in surrounding cultures to honor the sun-god Baal and his mother on the birthday of the sun, December 25—which is when this abomination of Manasseh may have taken place, in imitation of neighboring societies. Even if that’s not exactly what Manasseh did, it is rather likely that such decorated trees in winter would have been part of the Jews’ worship of Baal, as in other cultures.

More amazing to consider is the fact that in the syncretistic blending of religions, Baal (“Lord”) was identified with the true Lord. Thus, the apostate Jews, in copying pagan worship customs, may well have set up decorated evergreen trees to worship the birthday of the true Lord—the One who later came to earth as Yeshua Messiah! And the Lord called their adoption of such customs to honor Him an abomination. Indeed, He still does.

While people today do not worship trees when they set up Messiahmas trees or other evergreen decorations such as holly and mistletoe, they are nevertheless using accoutrements of past idolatry to supposedly honor God. Yet the true God will have none of it. He sees it as disobedience and rebellion—and idolatrously clinging to tradition over His direct commandments. For anything that comes before the true God is an idol, whether we literally bow down to it or not. Indeed, it is even possible that modern Messiahmas trees are intended by Jeremiah’s words—particularly when we consider that this may be, as it seems to be on some level, an end-time prophecy to the “house of Israel” that speaks of God’s coming wrath on the nations and the destruction of all idolatry (compare verses 1, 10-11, 15). For in the end time, the Israelite nations are not setting up wooden Asherah poles. But every winter, there are millions and millions of Messiahmas trees. And even if Messiahmas trees are not directly intended by the prophecy, the principle is the same.

Eventually, all false gods will be utterly destroyed—not only through the obliteration of physical idols but through removing falsehood from the minds of all people. Verses 12-13 tell of God who created all the things that people worship. The latter part of verse 13 is also found in Psalm 135:7—it is not clear which was written down first. Jeremiah 10:14-15 goes on to reveal the folly of idolatrous worship (compare Isaiah 44:14-18; Romans 1:22-31). And verse 16 of Jeremiah 10 focuses again on the true and living God—the Maker of all things. He is here referred to as the “Portion” or “share” of His people—as He supplies our every need and will one day share His very power and glory with all who will submit to Him and His righteous ways. (Verses 12-16 are repeated in Jeremiah 51:15-19.)

But the time of the exaltation of Israel is yet future. For the time being, God pronounces His judgment on the people of the land (verses 17-18, 21-22). Jeremiah is again distraught, personally identifying with the hurt of the people (verses 19-20). He pleads with God, stating that it is not possible for mankind to find the right way—rather, the people need God to direct their steps (verse 23). Standing in the place of Judah, Jeremiah does not ask God to avert punishment—as God had told him not to (see Jeremiah 7:16). Rather, He asks that God’s correction be according to His sense of righteous judgment and fair justice (10:24)—and that it rightly be poured out as well on the nations who have been enemies of God and His people (verse 25).

Supplementary Reading: “Messiahmas: The Untold Story,” Holidays or Holidays: Does It Matter Which Days We Keep?, pp. 4-9.

Plot to Kill Jeremiah; Message for Neighboring Lands (Jeremiah 11:18-12:17)

Jeremiah 11 concludes with a plot against the prophet’s life. Those behind it wanted to destroy “the tree with its fruit” (verse 19)—that is, the prophet with his prophecies. But God gave Jeremiah supernatural awareness of it. Indeed, God had warned when Jeremiah was first called that such threats would come—and He had encouraged him with the promise of divine protection and help (Jeremiah 1:17-19). Yet that was long ago, and it is possible that Jeremiah had not faced such threats so far—as he surely had state protection during the reign of godly Josiah. Now Josiah was dead though, and the nation was conspiring against God and His prophets. Moreover, the circumstances no doubt made this situation particularly difficult for Jeremiah: “Throughout his four decades of service to God the prophet would know the wrath of kings and courtiers, prophets and priests, and the entire population of Judah. He would be accused of betraying his country. He would be imprisoned and almost killed. But perhaps nothing would hurt as much as this first crisis, when God revealed that the people of his hometown, Anathoth, were plotting to murder him! The conspiracy was even more dreadful because Anathoth was a city settled by priestly families. Anyone who has taken a stand for his or her moral convictions, or witnessed outspokenly about faith in Messiah, will understand the pain of ridicule or rejection. But few have any notion of the hurt Jeremiah experienced when those he had known from childhood wanted to take his life” (Bible Reader’s Companion, note on 11:18-20).

This parallels the reception Yeshua Messiah later experienced in His hometown of Nazareth (see Luke 4:16-29). Indeed, there are other parallels with Messiah here as well. “His own familiar friends had plotted against the prophet. The language [about being a lamb led to the slaughter] is exactly the same as that applied to Messiah (Isa. 53:7). Each prophet and patriarch exemplified in his own person some one feature or more in the manifold attributes and sufferings of the Messiah to come; just as the saints have done since His coming (Gal. 2:20; Phil. 3:10; Col. 1:24)” (Jamieson, Fausset & Brown’s Commentary, note on Jeremiah 11:19).

Jeremiah lays the case before God as the righteous Judge and Vindicator. And God pronounces a punishment of death by sword and famine, both of which would come with the later Babylonian invasion and siege. God says that “no remnant” would be left to “the men of Anathoth” (verse 23)—that is, to the men involved in the conspiracy. That there were some in the town who weren’t involved is evident from the fact that Ezra later reported that some men of Anathoth returned to the town following the Babylonian captivity (see Ezra 2:1, 23).

In Jeremiah 12, we see the prophet terribly disturbed at the whole affair. He asks questions that had been asked before. “Why does the way of the wicked prosper?” (verse 1; see Job 12:6; Psalm 73:12). He remarks on how such treacherous people spoke of God often—indeed, Anathoth was a town of priests!—but their hearts were far from Him (Matthew 15:8; Isaiah 29:13). This is a problem so many have today. They give lip service to following Messiah, but they don’t obey Him (Matthew 7:21-23). In contrast, Jeremiah served God from the heart as God well knew (Jeremiah 12:3). How strange then that the wicked seemed to have it so good and he seemed to have it so hard.

Jeremiah seems to wonder why God is talking about doing something but not yet doing it. He pleads for God to act. As he had been like a lamb led to the slaughter, he asks that they experience the same (verse 3). In verse 4, Jeremiah appears to be remarking on droughts that were already occurring as warnings of greater punishment to come (see 14:1-6). These hurt the plants and animals but were not reforming the wicked! They still said, “He [Jeremiah] will not see our final end” (12:4). In other words, they were basically saying that he would die before them—that he would be killed and they would go on living, in no worry over this dreadful “final end” he spoke of.

In verse 5, instead of giving an answer of comfort, God says things are going to get much worse. He first uses the metaphor of a race. If Jeremiah is worn out in his contest with the “footmen” (the men of Anathoth), how can he make it against “horses” (the much greater and more powerful antagonists he still has to face)? If he can’t take it in peacetime (as he yet suffered no actual harm), how would he make it through the “floodplain [or thicket] of the Jordan”? That is, as this expression connoted “the wild, luxuriant and beast-infested growths of the hot marshy land beside the Jordan” (New Bible Commentary, note on verse 5), how would he endure real physical suffering later? Even now, it was already worse than Jeremiah knew. Some of his own family members were part of the conspiracy against him (verse 6).

The fact is, God had already told Jeremiah He would handle it—and would protect him. So He now expects the prophet to grit his teeth and develop strength. That is a call to character. Indeed, what he was now going through was to prepare him for tougher times ahead. It is very much like the Believer experience today. God does not remove all our trials. We constantly witness the seeming prosperity of those who don’t follow His ways while things don’t always go so well for us. Moreover, our families and others close to us sometimes turn against us as Yeshua warned (Matthew 10:36). But in spite of it all we must remain strong and devoted to following God—just as Jeremiah was required to. And in doing so, there will be great reward (see Mark 10:29-30).

In Jeremiah 12:7, God appears to simply pick right back up where He left off in 11:17—as if to say, “All right then, let’s get back to it.” But in his words there is a message for Jeremiah and his situation. God basically states that He has had to forsake His house and those He loves because others have ruined them. God, we see, does not ask His people to endure things that He Himself has not endured. This was made most evident in the coming of Yeshua Messiah in the flesh to suffer and die for the sins of the world.

After speaking of the destruction that would come on His people for their sins, He then turns to the surrounding lands—”evil neighbors” who worshiped other gods and taught God’s people to do the same (verses 14-17). They would now invade. These neighbors “included the powerful nations of Babylon and Assyria, as well as opportunistic kingdoms like Edom, Moab, and Ammon. These latter kingdoms seized land, crops, and hostages when Judah was weakened by invasion” (Nelson Study Bible, note on verse 14). Ultimately, God would bring punishment on them all. But He also “gave them an amazing promise: He would show compassion on them by allowing them to learn about him, the God of Israel, even as they had taught the Israelites about their gods (12.16). Rather than just wiping them from the face of the earth, the Lord would give them an opportunity to turn from their worthless idols and serve him. This was truly amazing kindness. This gesture shows God’s heart of compassion for all the people of the world. It demonstrates the truth that Peter would later express, that the Lord is ‘patient, because he wants everyone to turn from sin and no one to be lost’ (2 P[eter] 3.9 [Contemporary English Version]” (“An Amazing Promise,” Word in Life Bible, 1998, sidebar on Jeremiah 12:14-17).

The beginning of Jeremiah 13 (verses 1-5) may have followed chapter 12 in time order, but since the remainder of chapter 13, explaining the significance of the first five verses, appears to refer to events during the reign of Jehoiakim’s son Jehoiachin or Jeconiah (compare verses 6, 18), we will read all of chapter 13 at a later time.

The Broken Covenant (Jeremiah 11:1-17)

Jeremiah 11 is a clear break from preceding chapters in the book. The section hearkens to God’s covenant with His people—which included blessings for obedience to God’s law and curses for disobedience. During Josiah’s reign, the nation had renewed its covenant relationship with God after the Book of the Law was found. But the recommitment of the people was merely outward as their return to evil ways following Josiah’s death made clear. “To a forgetful people the prophet says that the ancient stipulations still hold force, including the curses on the unfaithful. A date in the reign of Jehoiakim is appropriate for this discourse. Apparently Jeremiah was residing in, or frequenting, his native Anathoth, for he is made aware of a plot against him [there] (11:18-21)” (The New Bible Commentary: Revised, 1976, note on 11:1-12:17).

Because of Judah’s violation of the covenant, God pronounces the curse on disobedience called for in the covenant (verse 3). Verse 5 ends with Jeremiah responding, “So be it”—or, in Hebrew, Amen, which was the response the people were to give to the proclamation of the curses according to Deuteronomy 27:15-26, showing concurrence with God’s justice.

All the towns of Judah as well as the city of Jerusalem were to hear God’s case against Judah (Jeremiah 11:6). In verses 9-10, God describes the return of the people to their evil and idolatrous ways following Josiah’s death as an intentional plot—a planned rebellion to throw off the yoke Josiah had put on them. Just as the house of Israel had broken God’s covenant, so had Judah (verse 10).
Thus, God decreed that certain calamity was coming (verse 11). The many gods of the people wouldn’t save them (verse 12). God interjects with scorn over the fact that Judah had as many gods as they had towns (verse 13)—perhaps meaning that each town had its own god. Sadly, this statement is a repeat of the one made in Jeremiah 2:28, showing that the people had not changed at all since the time prior to Josiah’s reformation. Furthermore, God adds the fact that they had as many shrines to Baal as they had streets! So He repeats his earlier directive that Jeremiah not pray for them (11:14; see 7:16).

In verse 15 of chapter 11, “My beloved” refers to “Judah, who remains the object of Yahweh’s love although she must leave His house for her hypocrisy” (New Bible Commentary, note on verses 15-16). The mention of “holy flesh” in verse 15 is unclear in the New King James Version. Most other translations render this as meaning sacred offerings. For example, the New International Version has, “Can consecrated meat avert your punishment?” “The reference is to sacrifices offered at the temple. It is hypocritical as well as futile to hurry to Assembly after sinning and then return eagerly to your sins” (Bible Reader’s Companion, note on verse 15).

God looked on His beloved Bride—His people Israel, of whom Judah was now the remnant—as a beautiful and fruitful green olive tree (as King David was inspired to describe himself in Psalm 52:8). Olive oil represented richness and blessing (Psalm 23:5; 104:15). But here the tree is pictured with broken and burning branches. These branches, representing individual sinning Israelites, were to be broken off. Paul later uses this imagery in Romans 11.

Jeremiah 11:18-12:6, the first part of our next reading, appears to be an interjection, as 12:7 seems to pick up from 11:17.

First Part of Major Solomonic Collection Cont’d (Proverbs 11:1-27)

6. What the Lord Abhors (11:1-21)

“In 11:1-21 a group of proverb collections are held together by the inclusio formed by ‘the Lord abhors’ and ‘he delights’ in vv. 1,20 [NIV].

• “MORAL INTEGRITY AND GOD’S JUDGEMENT. Type: Chiastic (11:1-4)….Verse 1 describes God’s abhorrence of fraud, and v. 4 answers it with the promise that the wrongfully gained wealth of the wicked will do them no good in the day of judgment. Between these verses vv. 2-3 assert that humility and integrity, rather than their opposites, are the best guides in life” (NAC). In its note on verse 1, The Bible Reader’s Companion says: “Leviticus 19:35-36 forbids the use of ‘dishonest standards,’ weighted to favor the merchant rather than the seller [he buys from] or buyer [to whom he sells]. The Jewish Talmud calls for meticulous efforts to keep this command, decreeing that ‘the shopkeeper must wipe his measures twice a week, his weights once a week, and his scales after every weighing,’ to keep any substance from throwing them off. We can’t be too careful trying to be fair with others.”

As previously noted, the language of Proverbs 11:4 is similar to that of 10:2.

• “SALVATION FOR THE RIGHTEOUS. Type: Thematic, Parallel Proverb Pair (11:5-6)….These two proverbs parallel each other and describe the respective fates of the righteous and the wicked…
• “DEATH OF A SINNER. Type: Inclusio, Proverb Pair (11:7-8)….As the text stands, these two proverbs are bound by the inclusio of the word ‘wicked’ in v. 7a and v. 8b…. In addition, these verses assert that God brings utter destruction to the wicked and imply a promise of eternal life to the righteous” (NAC).

As earlier noted, v. 7 contains language similar to that of 10:28.

• “DESTRUCTIVE LIPS. Type: Chiastic, with an Afterward (11:9-13)….Verses 10-11 are an obvious pair in parallel, whereas vv. 9,12 are bound by the theme of the slanderous gossip of the wicked against restrained silence of the righteous….Verse [13] is an afterword on the subject of the tongue” (NAC).

Verse 10 may seem odd in light of the unpopularity of God’s servants among the nations of the world. However, despite persecution, it does make sense that others rejoice when the righteous are doing well: “Why should the community rejoice in the prosperity of the righteous? Because both the way a righteous man gains his wealth and the way he uses it benefits society. The righteous businessman employs others, supports schools and government with his taxes and in the O[ld] T[estament] tradition, shares generously” (Bible Reader’s Companion, note on verses 10-11). And often people enjoy seeing justice where the good guy wins.

• “NATIONAL AND PERSONAL PRUDENCE. Type: Parallel (11:14-15)….Both proverbs here follow the pattern ‘imprudent action brings disaster / prudent action gives security,’ but the first involves national matters where the second concerns personal business” (NAC).

Verse 14 explains that it’s vital to get counsel from a number of sources than can be weighed together in making important decisions (see also 15:22; 20:18; 24:6).
Proverbs 11:15 should also be read in light of the next listed proverb in verse 16. “These two proverbs balance each other. The first warns against rashly giving surety or a pledge for a stranger. The second praises generosity [as being ‘gracious’ or ‘kindhearted’ (NIV) surely includes]; generosity begets honor” (Nelson Study Bible, note on verses 15-16). Verse 16, discussed next, should also be read in the context of the next verse, with which it is parallel.

• “KINDNESS AND CRUELTY. Type: Parallel (11:16-17)….The pattern of these two proverbs is ‘kind woman / cruel man // kind man / ruthless man.’ By itself v. 16 could be read cynically (‘A kind woman gets respect, but a cruel man gets rich’…to justify unscrupulous behavior. In conjunction with v. 17, however, the self-destructive nature of the ‘hard-nosed’ approach to life is apparent….
• “THE WAGES OF SIN AND RIGHTEOUSNESS. Type: Chiasmus (11:18-19)….This pair has the chiastic pattern [in this case a-b-b-a] ‘wicked man / he who sows righteousness / righteousness / he who pursues evil’….Note that this pair has links to vv. 16-17. The wealth of the cruel man corresponds to deceptive wages as the honor given a kind woman is genuine. Also the health/self-inflicted pain of v. 17 corresponds to the life and death of v. 19.
• “DIVINE JUDGMENT. Type: Parallel (11:20-21)….God’s attitude toward individuals (disgust / pleasure) in v. 20 corresponds to the outcome of their lives (inescapable trouble / deliverance) in v. 21″—which also impacts their children (NAC).

7. Beauty Without Discretion (11:22)

“TYPE: INDIVIDUAL PROVERB”(NAC).

8. Generosity and Selfishness (11:23-27)

“TYPE: INCLUSIO….Verses 23,27 closely parallel each other and form an inclusio around vv. 24-26, all of which center on the theme of generosity and selfishness. The inclusio states the general truth that one receives back according to one’s own behavior while vv. 24-26 deal with the concrete issue of hoarding [and refusing to sell currently at a fair price]” (NAC).
The picture of the one who scatters abroad increasing more—the generous person being made rich—is similar to Ecclesiastes 11:1: “Cast your bread upon the waters, for you will find it after many days.” The good we do will be returned to us in different ways. Just on a human level, a selfish, stingy person will likely make enemies, a factor that will probably hurt him later—even financially perhaps. The generous person will make friends who will be there to contribute to his prosperity and well-being later. But there is more to the universe than that—as there is a real God who blesses generosity and curses greed and selfishness.

Yeshua likewise taught: “Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you” (Luke 6:38).

Of course, the passages here are not a promise of material wealth in this lifetime in return for being generous. The greatest riches are spiritual ones—though this does include the promised hope of possessing the entire universe as co-heirs with Messiah.
See also Proverbs 13:7.

Acts Chapter 8

Chapter Contents

Saul persecutes the Assembly. (1-4) Philip’s success at Samaria. Simon the sorcerer baptized. (5-13) The hypocrisy of Simon detected. (14-25) Philip and the Ethiopian. (26-40)
Though persecution must not drive us from our work, yet it may send us to work elsewhere. Wherever the established believer is driven, he carries the knowledge of the gospel, and makes known the preciousness of Messiah in every place. Where a simple desire of doing good influences the heart, it will be found impossible to shut a man out from all opportunities of usefulness.

As far as the gospel prevails, evil spirits are dislodged, particularly unclean spirits. All inclinations to the lusts of the flesh which war against the soul are such. Distempers are here named, the most difficult to be cured by the course of nature, and most expressive of the disease of sin. Pride, ambition, and desire after grandeur have always caused abundance of mischief, both to the world and to the Assembly. The people said of Simon, This man is the great power of God. See how ignorant and thoughtless people mistake. But how strong is the power of Divine grace, by which they were brought to Messiah, who is Truth itself! The people not only gave heed to what Philip said, but were fully convinced that it was of God, and not of men, and gave up themselves to be directed thereby. Even bad men, and those whose hearts still go after covetousness, may come before God as his people come, and for a time continue with them. And many wonder at the proofs of Divine truths, who never experience their power. The gospel preached may have a common operation upon a soul, where it never produced inward holiness. All are not savingly converted who profess to believe the gospel.

The Set Apart Spirit was as yet fallen upon none of these coverts, in the extraordinary powers conveyed by the descent of the Spirit upon the day of Pentecost. We may take encouragement from this example, in praying to God to give the renewing graces of the Set Apart Spirit to all for whose spiritual welfare we are concerned; for that includes all blessings. No man can give the Holy Spirit by the laying on of his hands; but we should use our best endeavours to instruct those for whom we pray. Simon Magus was ambitious to have the honour of an apostle, but cared not at all to have the spirit and disposition of a Believer. He was more desirous to gain honour to himself, than to do good to others. Peter shows him his crime. He esteemed the wealth of this world, as if it would answer for things relating to the other life, and would purchase the pardon of sin, the gift of the Set Apart Spirit, and eternal life. This was such a condemning error as could by no means consist with a state of grace. Our hearts are what they are in the sight of God, who cannot be deceived. And if they are not right in his sight, our religion is vain, and will stand us in no stead. A proud and covetous heart cannot be right with God. It is possible for a man to continue under the power of sin, yet to put on a form of godliness. When tempted with money to do evil, see what a perishing thing money is, and scorn it. Think not that Religion is a trade to live by in this world. There is much wickedness in the thought of the heart, its false notions, and corrupt affections, and wicked projects, which must be repented of, or we are undone. But it shall be forgiven, upon our repentance. The doubt here is of the sincerity of Simon’s repentance, not of his pardon, if his repentance was sincere. Grant us, Lord, another sort of faith than that which made Simon wonder only, and did not sanctify his heart. May we abhor all thoughts of making religion serve the purposes of pride or ambition. And keep us from that subtle poison of spiritual pride, which seeks glory to itself even from humility. May we seek only the honour which cometh from God.

Philip was directed to go to a desert. Sometimes God opens a door of opportunity to his ministers in very unlikely places. We should study to do good to those we come into company with by travelling. We should not be so shy of all strangers as some affect to be. As to those of whom we know nothing else, we know this, that they have souls. It is wisdom for men of business to redeem time for holy duties; to fill up every minute with something which will turn to a good account. In reading the word of God, we should often pause, to inquire of whom and of what the sacred writers spake; but especially our thoughts should be employed about the Redeemer. The Ethiopian was convinced by the teaching of the Spirit, of the exact fulfilment of the Scripture, was made to understand the nature of the Messiah’s kingdom and salvation, and desired to be numbered among the disciples of Messiah. Those who seek the truth, and employ their time in searching the Scriptures, will be sure to reap advantages. The avowal of the Ethiopian must be understood as expressing simple reliance on Messiah for salvation, and unreserved devotion to Him. Let us not be satisfied till we get faith, as the Ethiopian did, by diligent study of the Holy Scriptures, and the teaching of the Spirit of God; let us not be satisfied till we get it fixed as a principle in our hearts. As soon as he was baptized, the Spirit of God took Philip from him, so that he saw him no more; but this tended to confirm his faith. When the inquirer after salvation becomes acquainted with Yeshua and his gospel, he will go on his way rejoicing, and will fill up his station in society, and discharge his duties, from other motives, and in another manner than heretofore. Though baptized in the name of the Father, Son, and Set Apart Spirit, with water, it is not enough without the baptism of the Set Apart Spirit. Lord, grant this to every one of us; then shall we go on our way rejoicing.