Vayigash (Then He Drew Near) Genesis 44:18–47:27; Ezekiel 37:15–28; Ephesians 2:1–22 “Then Judah came near [Vayigash וַיִּגַּשׁ] unto him and said, ‘Pardon your servant, my lord, let me speak a word to my lord.  Do not be angry with your servant, though you are equal to Pharaoh himself.’” (Genesis 44:18) In last week’s Torah portion, Miketz, Pharaoh appointed Joseph administrator over all of Egypt in order to save the people of the nation from the coming famine. That famine affected much of the region; and because of Joseph’s wise stewardship, the nations looked to Egypt as a source of fo ..read more

“I will place over them one shepherd, My servant David, and He will tend them; He will tend them and be their shepherd.”  (Ezekiel 34:23) The shepherd is a prominent, meaningful metaphor in the Bible. In fact, Adonai is referred to as a shepherd in Genesis 49:24 and Isaiah 40:11.  In the latter, God is described as a tender shepherd who cares for His people, the flock. “He tends His flock like a shepherd: He gathers the lambs in His arms and carries them close to His heart; He gently leads those that have young.”  (Isaiah 40:11) In Psalm 23, the Psalmist tells us that the Lord ..read more

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to give Him the name Yeshua [salvation], because He will save His people from their sins.”  (Matthew 1:21) The lights of Hanukkah are still shining, and now most of the 2.1 billion Christians around the world will be celebrating the birth of the Light of the World — Yeshua (Jesus) — later this week. None of the early Believers (Jewish or Gentile Christians) celebrated His birth in the first century; it simply was not a part of the early Christian tradition. However, it is our responsibility to educate both Jews and non-Jews about the timing ..read more

Orthodox Jewish man lights the hanukkiah in a Jerusalem pub. (YouTube capture) Miketz (At the End) Genesis 41:1–44:17; Zechariah 2:10 (verse 14 in Hebrew Bibles)–4:7; Numbers 28:9-15; Maftir: Numbers 7:42-47; John 1:1–18 “And it came to pass at the end of [miketz] two full years, that Pharaoh dreamed a dream: and, behold, he stood by the river.”  (Genesis 41:1) In last week’s study, Joseph’s brothers became jealous of him, plotting against Joseph because his father favored him above his other sons and because his prophetic dreams revealed his own grand destiny.  So they threw ..read more

Traditional Hanukkah Menorahs (Hanukkiahs) with oil lamps in the Jewish Quarter of Safed, Israel “I will say to the prisoners, ‘Come out in freedom,’ and to those in darkness, ‘Come into the light.'”  (Isaiah 49:9) Last night was the first night, of the eight-day “Festival of Dedication” known as Hanukkah.   Hanukkah means dedication. This wonderful holiday commemorates the rededication of the Jewish Temple by the Hasmoneans, also known as the Maccabee family, and according to Jewish tradition, the miraculous single-day supply of oil lasting a full eight days in the process of that ..read more

​ In Israel, you see it everywhere.  The Magen David (literally, Shield of David, also called the Star of David in English) is seen everywhere in Israel and Jewish communities throughout the world. Just as many Christians wear a pendant with a cross, Jewish people wear a Star of David to make a statement of their identity as Jews as well as connection to Israel. The star adorns the flag of Israel, the nation’s government buildings and synagogues. In Jewish homes, you’ll find it on prayer shawls, (tallit), kippas (men’s head covering), and items used on Shabbat, such as the chalah (bread ..read more

VAYESHEV (And He Lived) Genesis 37:1–40:23; Amos 2:6–3:8; Romans 8:18–39 “Jacob lived [yeshev] in the land where his father had stayed, the land of Canaan.”  (Genesis 37:1) In last week’s Torah study, Vayishlach, Jacob returned from Haran with his entire household to settle in the Land of Canaan.  After all the twists and turns of Jacob’s life, he longed to settle down in the land God had promised. The opening Hebrew Scripture of this Parasha uses the word yeshev, which means to settle.  In Israel, a settlement is called a yishuv, and those who settle in Israel, especially withi ..read more

In 2012, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu presented Johan van Hulst with a Hebrew Bible and appreciation on behalf of Israel for saving Jewish lives. (CIDITV YouTube Capture) In memory of Johan Van Hulst, who went home to be with the Lord on March 22, 2018 at the age of 107. It’s May of 1943, Amsterdam.  The Nazis have occupied the Netherlands for three years and have been rounding up the Jews since summer of 1942. Men and women are taken to the local theatre.  Their babies and children under 13 are being placed in the nursery across the street. Thirty-two-year-old Johan Van Hulst ..read more

Vayishlach (And He Sent) Genesis 32:4 (verse 3 in Hebrew Bibles)–36:43; Obadiah 1:1–21; Ephesians 4:1–32 “And Jacob sent [vayishlach וַיִּשְׁלַח] messengers ahead of him to his brother Esau in the land of Seir, the country of Edom.” (Genesis 32:4[3]) At the end of last week’s Torah portion reading, Vayetzei, Jacob left his unjust father-in-law, Laban, while he was off shearing his sheep. Fearing that Laban would keep his daughters, Leah and Rachel, Jacob stole away with all he had: his sons, his two wives, and all of his livestock, heading for the mountains of Gilead. After 22 years in Haran ..read more

The Adoration of the Shepherds, by James Tissot “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on His shoulders.  And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.”  (Isaiah 9:6) As December moves forward, many Christians will be thinking about the miracle of the coming of the Messiah. On the other hand, Messianic Believers understand that Yeshua (Jesus) was not born in December.  And the holiday that falls on December 25th is not one of the appointed days of the Lord (moadim). Nevertheless, this is t ..read more