THE SHOFAR Newsletter of Bet Yeshurun Messianic Assembly

Good News for the Assembly of Bet Yeshurun

No. 1612 / March 18, 2025

2025 Gatherings (doors open at time shown; services start at 3:00 pm)

3/20        Rosh ha’Shanah (Start New Year on the Divine Calendar) *     2:30 pm
3/22        Praise & Worship Services                                                            2:30 pm
3/23        Praise & Worship Services                                                            2:30 pm
3/29        Praise & Worship Services                                                            2:30 pm
3/30        Praise & Worship Services                                                           2:30 pm
4/1          Messiah’s Brit (The Messiah's Covenant Memorial)                 5:30 pm
4/2          Pesach (Memorial for YAHUAH's Passover)                             5:30 pm
4/3          Chag Matstsoth (Day 1, Festival of Unleavened Bread) *       2:30 pm
4/4          Chag Matstsoth (Day 2, Festival of Unleavened Bread)           2:30 pm
4/5          Chag Matstsoth (Day 3, Festival of Unleavened Bread)           2:30 pm
4/6          Chag Matstsoth (Day 4, Festival of Unleavened Bread) *       2:30 pm
4/7          Chag Matstsoth (Day 5, Festival of Unleavened Bread)           2:30 pm
4/8          Chag Matstsoth (Day 6, Festival of Unleavened Bread)           2:30 pm
4/9          Chag Matstsoth (Day 7, Festival of Unleavened Bread) *       2:30 pm
4/13        Praise & Worship Sabbath Services                                         2:30 pm
4/14        Yom Bikkurim (First Fruits Offering of Barley) *                2:30 pm

*   A Holy Day like Sabbaths (a day for no work)

2025 Schedule for Reading the Bible in One-Year

Torah; Bereshith (In the Beginning); Book of Genesis                                                
3/19 - Chapters 1 – 4               3/20 - Chapters 5– 8               3/21 - Chapters 9 – 12
3/22 - Chapters 13 – 16           3/23 - Chapters 17 – 20          3/24 - Chapters 21 – 24
3/25 - Chapters 25 – 28           3/26 - Chapters 29 – 32          3/27 - Chapters 33 – 36
3/28 - Chapters 37 – 40           3/29 - Chapters 41 – 44          3/30 - Chapters 45 – 48
3/31 - Chapters 49 – 50                          
Torah; Shemoth (Names); Book of Exodus                                                                 
4/1 - Chapters 1 – 4                 4/2 - Chapters 5 – 8                4/3 - Chapters 9 – 12
4/4 - Chapters 13 – 16            4/5 - Chapters 17 – 20            4/6 - Chapters 21 – 2
4/7 - Chapters 25– 28             4/8 - Chapters 29 – 32            4/9 - Chapters 33 – 36
4/10 - Chapters 37 – 40                                                          
Torah; WayyiQra (And He Called); Book of Leviticus                                                
4/11 - Chapters 1 – 4               4/12 - Chapters 5 – 8             4/13 - Chapters 9 – 12
4/14 - Chapters 13 – 16           4/15 - Chapters 17 – 20          4/16 - Chapters 21 – 24
4/17 - Chapters 25 – 27

Tabernacle Invitation

Interested in joining Bet Yeshurun Assembly? Please contact Pastor ObadiYah by email, telephone, mail, or in person at a gathering of Yahushuah’s Body.

Speak Truth!

(Exodus 20:16) "Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor."

This article for Bet Yeshurun (BYA) opens with a Commandment about lying (witnessing falsely). Most at BYA know that command well, so we will examine some other verses about speaking truthfully. Let’s first read what Moses spoke to Israel after its wilderness journey to the Promised Land; then compare his words to what Messiah says to those seeking Elohim’s Kingdom: (Deuteronomy 5:20) Neither shalt thou bear false witness against thy neighbor. (Mark 10:17-19) When He was gone forth into the way, there came one running and kneeling to Him, asking, “Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” Yahushuah said to him,” Why callest thou me good? There is none good but one, that is, Elohim. Thou knowest the commandments, do not commit adultery, do not kill, do not steal, do not bear false witness, Defraud not. Honour thy father and mother.”

Anyone that claims the Ten Commandments no longer apply, i.e. were “nailed to the cross,” aren’t speaking the Truth. YAH’s Torah (Law) is in effect today, as it was when Apostle Paul wrote this:(Romans 13:8-9) Owe no man anything, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, thou shalt not commit adultery, thou shalt not kill, thou shalt not steal, thou shalt not bear false witness, thou shalt not covet; and if [there be] any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

The King James Version (KJV) translates “bear false witness” from the Greek “pseudomartyreō” (G5576; psyoo-dom-ar-too-reh'-o), which means “be an untrue testifier; i.e. offer falsehood in evidence; be a false witness.” (Strong’s Concordance) As if those “pseudo” (fake) witnesses were not in sin enough, their lies were spoken about the Messiah. (Mark 14:55-56) The chief priests and all the council sought for witness against Yahushuah to put Him to death; and found none. For many bare false witness (pseudomartyreō) against Him, but their witness agreed not together.

The speech of Yah’s Disciples (Students of the Word) differs greatly from those that give false testimonies. Indeed, we speak through the Spirit of Truth: (John 15:26-27) When the Comforter comes, whom I will send from the Father, the Spirit of Truth, which proceeds from the Father, he shall testify of me. Ye also shall bear witness, because ye have been with me from the beginning.

First the physical, then spiritual – so, let’s look in the Old Testament at the Hebrew noun for “false.” It’s “šeqer” (H8267; sheh'-ker), whichStrong’s explainsis“an untruth; implies a sham; deceit; falsehood; lie.” The Gesenius’ Lexicon elaborates: šeqer is a “deception (what deceives, disappoints, or betrays one); deceit, a fraud, wrong; a lie, a falsehood.” Of course, our best source for information on that word comes from the Word itself. (Proverbs 6:16-19)These six does YAHUAH hate: yea, seven are an abomination to Him: a proud look, a lying (šeqer) tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false (šeqer) witness that speaks lies, and he that sows discord among brethren.

That passage ought to catch the eye of anyone even thinking of telling a so-called “white” lie. Webster’s Dictionary defines that as “a lie about a small or unimportant matter someone tells to avoid hurting another person.” Lying, even to protect someone’s feelings, is among several abominable sins. On the other hand, Scripture encourages BYA to speak Truth always: (Proverbs 12:17) He that speaks Truth shows forth righteousness: but a false witness deceit. (Proverbs 14:5) A faithful witness will not lie: but a false witness will utter lies. (Proverbs 14:25) A true witness delivers souls: but a deceitful witness speaks lies. (Psalms 119:29-30)Remove from me the way of lying (šeqer) and grant me thy Law (Torah) graciously. I have chosen the Way of Truth.

The Bible includes many examples of Believers that spoke Truth. For example, souls in a wilderness were delivered by the ministry of John the Immerser (Baptist) who truthfully witnessed about the coming of Messiah. Selah! (John 1:15-17) John bare witness of Him and cried, “This was He of whom I spake, He that comes after me is preferred before me for He was before me. Of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law (Torah) was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Messiah Yahushuah.” (John 5:33) Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the Truth.

As Followers of Yahushuah, we can also expect to receive a Spirit of Truth to guide our words regarding Elohim. (John 16:13) Howbeit when he, the Spirit of Truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. 

Understand, however, that not everyone will be ready to hear the Truth. Consider this situation involving a Roman leader that did not comprehend what Yahushuah said to him: (John 18:37-38) Pilate said, “Are you a king then?” Yahushuah answered, “You say that I am a king. To this end was I born and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the Truth. Every one that is of the Truth hears my voice.” Pilate said to Him, “What is Truth?”

Also consider another situation with a Roman leader (Festus) as he interrogated apostle Paul decades later. A king familiar with Hebraic customs and culture (Agrippa) was also in attendance. Compare their dialogue to that which took place between Yahushuah and Pilate: (Acts 26:2-29) “I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before you touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Yahudim: Especially because I know you to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Yahudim: wherefore I beseech you to hear me patiently.”….(more of Paul’s testimony)….Festus with a loud voice said “Paul, you are beside yourself; much learning does make you mad.” But he said, “I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness. For the king knows of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner. King Agrippa, believe you the prophets? I know you believe.” Then Agrippa said to Paul, “You almost persuade me to be a Christian (Follower of the Messiah).” Paul said, “I would to Elohim, that not only you, but also all that hear me this day.”

Festus, like Pilate, wasn’t ready for Truth! On the other hand, Agrippa was educated about matters of Truth, but refused to accept it. Whenever we’re called upon to testify of our faith in Yahushuah, will we deliver the Truth as boldly as Paul? Will we speak the Truth by sharing Yah’s Word? (John 17:17-19) Sanctify them through thy truth: thy Word is Truth. As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world. And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the Truth.

Yes, as Yah’s witnesses we’re to speak Truth, especially the messages contained within the Word. (Psalm 119:172) My tongue shall speak of thy Word: for all thy commandments are righteousness. (Jeremiah 23:22)If they had stood in my counsel and caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way and from the evil of their doings.

“Fake” news reports are misleading many in America. May the daily source of information for BYA come from YAHUAH’s Good News, so that we can speak its Truth and Life and share the Way with others! (John 14:6) Yahushuah saith, I am the Way, the Truth and the Life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Shalom, Elder Curt 

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Thoughts for Meditation

Isaac Newton, mathematician and physicist in the 17th century - “I have a fundamental belief in the Bible as the Word of God written by men who were inspired. I study the Bible daily.”

Galileo Galilei (1564 -1642 astronomer) - “When I reflect on so many profoundly marvelous things that persons have grasped, sought, and done, I recognize even more clearly that human intelligence is a work of God, and one of the most excellent.”

Martin Luther - “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.”