The Shofar Newsletter
THE SHOFAR Newsletter of Bet Yeshurun Messianic Assembly
Good News for the Assembly of Bet Yeshurun
No. 1509 / November 17, 2023
2023 Schedule of Gatherings:
(doors open at time shown; services start at 3:00 pm)
11/18 Praise & Worship Services 1:30 pm
11/23 Praise & Worship Services 1:00 pm
11/25 Praise & Worship Services 1:30 pm
11/30 Praise & Worship Services 1:00 pm
12/2 Praise & Worship Services 1:30 pm
12/7 Praise & Worship Services 1:00 pm
12/9 Praise & Worship Services 1:30 pm
12/14 Praise & Worship Services 1:00 pm
12/16 Praise & Worship Services 1:30 pm
12/17 Praise & Worship Services 2:30 pm
12/18 Chodesh (Celebrating the 10th month of the Divine Year) * 1:00 pm
12/21 Praise & Worship Services 1:00 pm
* High Holy Day (Like Sabbaths, a day of no work)
2023 Schedule for Reading the Bible in One-Year
Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); Sirach (Ecclesiasticus; NAB)
11/18 - Chapters 13 – 16 11/19 - Chapters 17 – 20 11/20 - Chapters 21 – 24
11/21 - Chapter 25 – 28 11/22 - Chapters 29 – 32 11/23 - Chapter 33 – 36
11/24 - Chapters 37 – 40 11/25 - Chapter 41 – 44 11/26 - Chapters 45 – 48
11/27 - Chapters 49 – 51
Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); Baruch; NAB Letter of Jeremiah
11/28 - Chapter 1 – 5 11/29 - Extension to the Book of Baruch (6:1-72; NAB)
Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); Prayer of Azariah
11/30 - Extension to the Book of Daniel (3:24-90; NAB)
Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); Susanna
12/1 – Book of Daniel (Chapter 13;NAB)
Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); Bel and the Dragon
12/1 - Book of Daniel (Chapter 14; NAB)
Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); Prayer of Mannaseh
12/1 – Extension to the 2nd Book of Chronicles 33:11-13
Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); 1 Maccabees; NAB
12/2 - Chapter 1 – 2 12/3 - Chapters 3 – 4 12/4 - Chapter 5 – 6
12/5 - Chapters 7 – 8 12/6 - Chapters 9 – 10 12/7 - Chapters 11 – 12
12/8 - Chapters 13 – 14 12/9 - Chapters 15 – 16
Apocrypha (Hidden Writings); 2 Maccabees; NAB
12/10 - Chapter 1 – 3 12/11 - Chapters 4 – 5 12/12 - Chapter 6 – 8
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.
Build On The Rock!
(Matthew 7:24-27) "Whoever hears these sayings of Mine and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: and the rain descended, the floods came and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand: and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”
While pondering on that Gospel message written about 2000 years ago, I wondered if those that lost homes due to strong wind, rain and high water ever heard that advice on building houses. Recent headlines indicate many didn't get the message. “Lake Michigan erosion crumbling homes into the water! California homes in danger of falling into the Pacific Ocean!” That opening warning is even more critical considering how Americans continue to receive frequent alerts about global warming with its interestingly named El Niño system. Also consider that Yahushuah long ago warns Believers of more trouble to come: (Matthew 24:7-8) “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom. There will be famines, pestilences and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows.”
The physical aspect of Messiah's warning is one thing, but do Elohim's people hear and understand His spiritual message on returning to YAH's Way of Life? The tragic weather and repentance are connected, thus my reason for sharing this Bible study with Bet Yeshurun (BYA) on building our spiritual houses upon The Rock. (Romans 12:2) “Do not be conformed to this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect Will of Elohim.”
The warning about “earthquakes in various places” brought thoughts of San Francisco's 1906 earthquake. Modern seismologists believe that tragic event was due to the city's location along California's coast near the San Andreas Fault. Interestingly Strong's Concordance says “earthquakes” in the KJV is translated from the Greek “seismos” (G4578), but that word can also describe “commotions of the air and of the ground.” Wow! I'm looking down for quakes, while the Word teaches me to look up as well for gales, tempests, hurricanes, typhoons and tornadoes. This verse confirms that our spiritual houses (bodies) can be endangered from the blustery winds of false spiritual doctrines: (Proverb 10:25) “When the whirlwind passes by, the wicked is no more, but the righteous has an everlasting foundation.”
The best protection for Yah's people to withstand spiritual winds is to build their house (fragile life) upon a solid foundation. So, let's examine the Word about The “Rock.” That word in Greek is “petra” (G4073) and describes "a mass of rock, literally or figuratively.” (Strong's). Wow! So, that's why my fossil collections were called “petrified” rocks. But I'm on a search for figurative “petra.” About that word Thayer's Greek Lexicon adds, “Metaphorically, speaks of a man like a rock by reason of his firmness and strength of soul.” The Word affirms! (Matthew 16:15-18; KJV) “Whom say ye that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “Thou art Messiah, the Son of the living Elohim!” Yahushuah answered and said unto him, “Blessed art thou Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. I say also unto thee That thou art Peter (Petros) and upon this rock (petra) I will build My Church and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”
By renaming Simon (Simeon in Hebrew means “one that hears Yah”) as Peter (Petros is the masculine form of petra) the Messiah describes his character. He also identifies Peter as a role model for others to have strong faith and a resolute trust in Elohim. Scriptural names often reveal someone's character, authority and reputation. Thus, Simon becoming Peter is most appropriate as that apostle not only “heard” (listened and understood) his Teacher's words, he became rock-like in firmly obeying Elohim: (Luke 6:47-49) "Whoever comes to Me, and hears My sayings, and does them, I will show you whom he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug deep and laid the foundation on the rock. And when the flood arose, the stream beat vehemently against that house, and could not shake it, for it was founded on the rock. But he who heard and did nothing is like a man who built a house on the earth without a foundation, against which the stream beat vehemently; and immediately it fell. And the ruin of that house was great."
I often questioned whether the dialogue between Yahushuah and Peter should include a capitalized “Rock” to show who the Church is to be built on. Hand-gestures can communicate information, yet Matthew's testimony didn't reveal what Messiah did with His hands. For example, did He point toward Himself while speaking? Today, some claim that passage established Peter as their infallible leader and subsequently follow doctrines based upon the teachings and traditions of men. Paul, however, writes the spiritual Rock is Christ (Messiah) and not a church building, a religious organization, Peter or any man for that matter: (1 Cor. 10:1-4) Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea, all ate the same spiritual food, and all drank the same spiritual drink. For they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ.”
Paul in the above passage also notes ancient Israel had a spiritual drink from a physical Rock, which also quenched the thirst of 1st century AD Believers with spiritual water via the Holy Spirit (Ruach ha'Qodesh). Modern-day Believers have that promise, too: (John 7:37-39) "If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as Scripture said, 'out of his heart will flow rivers of living water.'” But this He spoke concerning the Ruach whom those believing in Him would receive; for Ruach ha'Qodesh was not yet given, because Yahushuah was not yet glorified. (John 14:25-26) “These things I spoke to you while being present with you. But the Helper, Ruach ha'Qodesh, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you.”
Indeed, the Ruach helps BYA build our houses upon the Rock. Ancient leaders of Israel pointed the Way to the Father and Son as both have a character and reputation for being Rock-like: (Deuteronomy 32:1-4) "Give ear O' heavens, and I will speak. Hear O' earth, the words of my mouth. Let my teaching drop as the rain, my speech distill as the dew, as raindrops on the tender herb and as showers on the grass. For I proclaim the Name of YAHUAH! Ascribe greatness to our Elohim. He is the Rock!” (1 Samuel 2:2) “No one is holy like YAHUAH for there is none besides You, nor is there any rock like our Elohim.” (2 Samuel 22:1-4) Then David spoke to YAHUAH the words of this song on the day when YAHUAH had delivered him from the hand of all his enemies and the hand of Saul. He said " YAHUAH is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; the Elohim of my strength in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold and refuge; My Savior, You save me from violence. I will call on YAHUAH, worthy to be praised.”
While those passages testify of The Rock as a defense to Yah's people, that same Rock is found to be an offense to the disobedient. Selah! (1 Peter 2:7-10) “Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient, 'The stone which the builders rejected Has become the chief cornerstone, and a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense.' They stumble, being disobedient to the Word, to which they also were appointed. But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but are now the people of Elohim, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.”
Let's get and stay on the right side of The Rock!(Psalm 95:1) “Oh come, let us sing to YAHUAH! Let us shout joyfully to the Rock of our Salvation.” (Psalm 92:12-15) “The righteous shall flourish like a palm tree. He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. Those who are planted in the House of YAHUAH shall flourish in the courts of our Elohim. They shall still bear fruit in old age; They shall be fresh and flourishing, To declare that YAHUAH is upright; [He is] my Rock, and [there is] no unrighteousness in Him.”
I'll close with a song of king David about his and our Rock: (Psalm 62:5-7) “My soul, wait silently for Elohim alone. For my expectation is from Him. He only is my Rock; my Salvation; my defense! I shall not be moved.”
May YAHUAH and Yahushuah be The Rock on which our houses are built. And may Elohim's mercy and grace be with us always as we build. -Shalom, Elder Curt
Announcements
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Thoughts for Meditation
“You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” Abraham Lincoln