The Shofar Newsletter
THE SHOFAR Newsletter of Bet Yeshurun Messianic Assembly
Good News for the Assembly of Bet Yeshurun
No. 1606 / September 14, 2024
2024 Schedule of Gatherings
9/17 Yom Peguim (Leap day services for the autumn season) 1:00 pm
9/18 Yom Teruah (Day of Shouting/Trumpets) * 2:30 pm
9/21 Praise & Worship Sabbath Services 1:30 pm
9/27 Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) ** 1:00 pm
9/28 Praise & Worship Sabbath Services 1:30 pm
10/2 Chag Sukkoth * (Day 1 of the Festival of Tabernacles) ** 1:30 pm
10/3 Chag Sukkoth (Day 2 of the Festival of Tabernacles) ** 1:30 pm
10/4 Chag Sukkoth (Day 3 of the Festival of Tabernacles) ** 1:30 pm
10/5 Chag Sukkoth (Day 4 of the Festival of Tabernacles) ** 1:30 pm
10/6 Chag Sukkoth (Day 5 of the Festival of Tabernacles) ** 1:30 pm
10/7 Chag Sukkoth (Day 6 of the Festival of Tabernacles) ** 1:30 pm
10/8 Chag Sukkoth (Day 7 of the Festival of Tabernacles) ** 1:30 pm
10/9 Shemeni Atzaret * (The Last Great Day Feast) ** 1:30 pm
10/12 Praise & Worship Sabbath Services 1:30 pm
* A Holy Day like Sabbaths (a day for no work)
** A Holy Feast (see the Announcements for details about this gathering)
2024 Schedule for Reading the Bible in One-Year
Ketuvim; Iyov (Hated) Teachings of Job
9/17 - Chapters 33 – 36 9/18 - Chapters 37 – 39 9/19 - Chapters 40 – 42
Ketuvim; Shir ha’Shirim (Song of Songs) Ketuvim; Ruth (Friend) Teachings of Ruth
9/20 - Chapters 1 – 8 9/21 - Chapters 1 – 4
Ketuvim; Eykah (How) Lamentations
9/22 - Chapters 1 – 2 9/23 - Chapters 3 – 5
Ketuvim; Qoheleth (Convener) Ecclesiastes
9/24 - Chapters 1 – 4 9/25 - Chapters 5 – 8 9/26 - Chapters 9 – 12
Ketuvim; Hadassah (Myrtle Tree) Teachings of Esther
9/27 - Chapters 1 – 5 9/28 - Chapters 6 – 10
Ketuvim; Ezra (Help) Writings of Ezra
9/29 - Chapters 1 – 3 9/30 - Chapters 4 – 7 10/1 - Chapters 8 – 10
Ketuvim; Nechemiah (Consolation of Yah) Writings of Nehemiah
10/2 - Chapters 1 – 4 10/3 - Chapters 5 – 8 10/4 – Chapters 9 – 11
10/5 – Chapters 12 – 13
Ketuvim; Divrey ha’Yamim 1 (The Annals of Time) First Book of Chronicles
10/6 - Chapters 1 – 3 10/7 - Chapters 4 – 6 10/8 - Chapters 7 – 10
10/9 - Chapters 11 – 14 10/10 - Chapters 15 – 18 10/11 - Chapters 19 – 22
10/12 - Chapters 23 – 26 10/13 - Chapters 27 – 29
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.
Honor Our Parents
(Exodus 20:12) "Honour thy father and thy mother that thy days may be long upon the land which YAHUAH Elohim giveth thee.”
This Shofar continues a series on YAH's Ten Commandments. In the following verse, Moses reminds the Israelites (and us) about that command of the Heavenly Father: (Deut. 5:16) "Honour thy father and thy mother as YAHUAH Elohim hath commanded thee that thy days may be prolonged, and it may go well with thee in the land YAHUAH Elohim giveth thee."
Let's compare those two verses about honouring our parents. Both say obedience to that command leads to a long life. Paul similarly wrote about that blessing to 1st century AD Believers in "Ephesus," a Greek city name which means "permitted" per Smith's Bible Dictionary. (Ephesians 6:2-3) "Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise; that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth."
Today's elder-care facilities in America (a.k.a. "permissive" society) are homes to many older parents placed there by children that couldn't support them. Some become so busy with their personal lives, they can't even visit. Here's a sad reality: "Millions of America’s vulnerable elders are at risk as many understaffed nursing homes leave seniors to sit in soiled clothing, get bed sores, fall – even die – due to unsafe levels of care. Congress is now debating a law designed to improve the profitability of nursing facilities by allowing further staff reductions." (AARP Advocacy Network; 9/9/24) Might this be the situation that the Scriptures speak of? (Proverb 30:11) [There is] a generation [that] curses its father and does not bless its mother.
Yet Yahushuah has a word for those that dishonor the elderly for profit: (Matt. 15:3-6) He said to them (religious autorities), "Why do ye also transgress Elohim's commandment by your tradition? For Elohim commanded, 'Honour thy father and mother.' and 'He that curseth father or mother, let him die the death.' But ye say, 'Whosoever shall say to father or mother, It is a gift, by whatsoever thou mightest be profited by me. And honour not father or mother, [he shall be free].' Thus ye made the commandment of Elohim of none effect by your tradition."
Could more profits over proper elder care become legal in America? Its being discussed! I wonder how many legislators will also consider Moses' instructions about obeying all of Elohim's Commandments? (Deut. 11:8-9) "Therefore, shall ye keep all the commandments, which I command you this day that ye may be strong and go in and possess the land whither ye go to possess it; and that ye may prolong your days in the land, which YAHUAH sware unto your fathers to give them and their seed."
In reemphasizing Yah's promise of a long life with blessings, Moses goes on to instruct parents about educating their children to obey all the commandments of YAHUAH: (Deuteronomy 11:19-21) "Ye shall teach them your children, speaking of them when thou sittest in thine house and when thou walkest by the Way, when thou liest down and when thou risest up.Thou shalt write them on the door posts of thine house and on thy gates that your days may be multiplied and the days of your children in the land which YAHUAH sware unto your fathers to give them as days of heaven on earth."
Hence, this article was written about a well-known command! Also consider, even after Israel's 40-year wilderness journey ends (spiritually pictures a lifetime of trials), it was still being taught. Although many of their parents died along the Way, that command was carved in stone. It remains, just like the Father and the Son: (Malachi 3:6) For I YAHUAH, change not! (Heb. 13:8-9) Yahushuah, the same yesterday, today, and forever. Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines.
Although ignorance (being in the dark about Yah's commands) may explain some of society's government ordinances and decrees (god), what does honoring parents mean for the children that lost parents, or who are estranged from them? For families in that latter group, the Way of Yah remains reconciliation! (Read Matthew Chapter 18)
Then, why are many elderly parents in communities abandoned? Did they neglect to teach their children of the Way to honour them? (Proverb 23:22) Hearken unto thy father that begat thee and despise not thy mother when she is old. (Proverb 20:20-21) Whoso curseth his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in obscure darkness. An inheritance may be gotten hastily at the beginning; but the end thereof shall not be blessed.(Proverb 22:6) Train up a child in the Way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Scholars recognize Solomon as the author of many of Scripture's Proverbs. Here, another writer of "apocryphal" (a.k.a. "hidden") wisdom sought to educate his children (and us): (Sirach 3:1-16; KJV) "Hear me, your father, O' children, and do thereafter that ye may be safe. For the Adonai hath given the father honour over the children and confirmed the authority of the mother over the sons. Whoso honoureth his father maketh an atonement for his sins and he that honoureth his mother is as one that layeth up treasure. Whoso honoureth his father shall have joy of his own children and when he maketh his prayer, he shall be heard. He that honoureth his father shall have a long life and he that is obedient unto YAHUAH shall be a comfort to his mother. He that feareth YAHUAH will honour his father and will do service unto his parents, as to his masters. Honour thy father and mother both in word and deed, that a blessing may come upon thee from them. For the blessing of the father establisheth the houses of children; but the curse of the mother rooteth out foundations. Glory not in the dishonour of thy father; for thy father's dishonour is no glory unto thee. For the glory of a man is from the honour of his father; and a mother in dishonour is a reproach to the children. My son, help thy father in his age and grieve him not as long as he liveth. If his understanding fail, have patience with him; and despise him not when thou art in thy full strength. For the relieving of thy father shall not be forgotten and instead of sins it shall be added to build thee up. In the day of thine affliction it shall be remembered. Thy sins also shall melt away as ice in fair warm weather. He that forsaketh father is as a blasphemer; and he that angereth his mother is cursed of Elohim."
Excellent adages for children blessed to have parents, but what of the those with deceased parents? Here are some clues within the answers of Yahushuah about honoring His Mother and Father. (Matthew 12:48-50) He answered the one who told Him, "Who is My mother and who are My brothers?" He stretched out His hand to Disciples and said, "Here are My Mother and Brothers! For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My Brother and Sister and Mother." (Matt. 19:19) "Honor your father and mother," and, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Paul also offers some specific guidance for young Believers. (1 Tim. 5:1-4) Rebuke not an elder, but intreat [him] as a father; [and] the younger men as brethren; the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honour widows that are widows indeed, but if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before Elohim.
Also don't forget our Heavenly Father is always with us and deserves honour. BYA does that best by honouring His Son!(John 5:22-23) "The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: That all should honour the Son, even as they honour the Father. He that honoureth not the Son, honoureth not the Father which hath sent him." Shalom, Elder Curt
Announcements
2024 Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) Please join with BYA as we refrain from water and food beginning 9/26/24 (at sunset) and ending 9/27 (after services). If you cannot fast, spiritually celebrate in humble obedience to Elohim by watching our services on You-Tube Live. (Jer. 36:6-7) "Go and read in the roll, which you have written from my mouth, the Word of YAHUAH in the ears of the people in YAHUAH’s House on the fasting day. You shall read them in the ears of all Judah who come out of their cities. It may be they will present their supplication before YAHUAH and will return every one from his evil way."
2024 Chag Sukkoth (Festival of Tabernacles) Please join with BYA by dwelling in tents as a community from 10/1/24 through 10/10/24. Hear the sound of shofars, pray, listen to the Word and celebrate P&W fellowship amid Elohim's presence and a warm campfire. For directions, please call 248.850.3480, or watch our services on You-Tube Live. (Lev. 23:34-35) "The fifteenth day of this seventh month shall be the Feast of Tabernacles for seven days unto YAHUAH. The first day shall be a holy convocation. You shall do no servile work therein."
Shalom, Elder Curt
Thoughts for Meditation
“It is easier to denature plutonium than to denature the evil spirit of man.”
(Albert Einstein regarding the threat of modern warfare)