Yeshua HaMashiach – The House of The Nazarene

Finding Yeshua (Jesus) in the Names of God

Variations of the Hebrew name Yeshua (Jesus). The top two are pronounced Yehoshua, and the bottom one is a contraction that is pronounced Yeshua. This spelling and pronunciation were typical in Jerusalem during the Second Temple period.

In Jewish culture, names are not chosen randomly or on a whim like my name William ויליאם.

A person’s name is believed to affect their entire spiritual identity and even their destiny.

Scripture seems to enforce this idea; for instance, the Messiah was named Yeshua (Jesus). That name means salvation, and Matthew 1:21 confirms that it reflects His destiny.

“She will give birth to a son, and you are to name Him Yeshua, because He will save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)

Since Yeshua is one with the Father (John 10:30, 14:7; Matthew 11:27), we can expect to find His character revealed in the names of the Father.

“My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets.” (Malachi 1:11)

Variations of the Hebrew name Yeshua (Jesus). The top two are pronounced Yehoshua, and the bottom one is a contraction that is pronounced Yeshua. This spelling and pronunciation were typical in Jerusalem during the Second Temple period. Now some have said the bottom one is just Joshua however here is Joshua in Hebrew: יהושע

So you can see יהושע and ישוע is not the same in Hebrew!

Discovering the Character of Messiah in the Names of the Father

“So I will make My holy name known in the midst of My people Israel…” (Ezekiel 39:7)

Father God has, in His mercy, chosen to reveal His Divine character and nature to His people through His Holy name.

All of the names we will look at here are compound and begin with the Four Letters of God’s personal, holy name: YHWH.

“I appeared to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob as El Shaddai (God Almighty), but by My name YHWH יְהֹוָה, I did not make myself known to them.” (Exodus 6:3)

This four-letter name of God is derived from the Hebrew verb hayah meaning to be. God seems to explain this to Moses when He said, “I Am who I Am [ehyeh aser ehyeh]’”

Most Christian Bibles write LORD in place of YHWH. And in the Jewish tradition, the Hebrew word Adonai is said when reading Scripture aloud.

Let’s now take a look at Father God and Messiah Yeshua in the names: YHWH El Elyon (Most High), YHWH Nissi (Banner), and YHWH Roi (My Shepherd).

The holy name of God, YHWH, was spoken by the High Priest on Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement). When the Jewish People read Scripture aloud, however, they substitute Adonai (Lord).

1) The LORD Most High God: YHWH El Elyon (יְהֹוָה אֵ֣ל עֶלְי֔וֹן)

“For You, O Lord [YHWH], are Most High [Elyon] over all the earth; you are exalted far above all gods.” (Psalm 97:9, see Genesis 14:22)

The name Adonai El Elyon (The Lord Most High God) reveals the superiority and supremacy of God.

The Hebrew word Elyon, meaning Most High, Uppermost, Lofty, or the Supreme, is derived from the Hebrew root A-L-H, meaning to go up or ascend.

The implication is that God is high and above any and all created things. This includes the false gods that arise from the imaginations of humankind and all demonic powers.

In fact, when God poured out His fury upon Egypt in the form of the ten plagues, He proved Himself to be Elyon — higher than any false Egyptian deity (Exodus 12:12).

The Plague of Flies depicts the fourth plague and the supremacy of YHWH over the Egyptian god Khepri, who had the head of a fly, can you imagine having the head of a fly, tiny brain, and drinking poop and they made that a god?

The name El Elyon reveals that God is the absolute Highest Supremacy. He is the Extremely-Exalted, High God who is far superior to anyone or anything.

For this reason, we should both fear Him revere Him and trust Him.

“I cry out to God Most High [Elohim Elyon], to God [El], who fulfills [His purpose] for me.” (Psalm 57:2; see also Psalm 7:17)

“How awesome is the LORD Most High [YHWH Elyon], the great King over all the earth!” (Psalm 47:2)

The Brit Chadashah (New Covenant) connects this idea of supremacy with Yeshua (Jesus). God has made Him above all (Elyon) by placing all things under His feet.

“And God placed all things under His feet and appointed Him to be head over everything for the community of Believers.” (Ephesians 1:22)

2) The Lord My Banner: YHWH Nissi (יְהוָה נִסִּי)

“Moses built an altar and called it The LORD [YHWH] is my Banner [Nissi].” (Exodus 17:15)

The Lord My Banner or Adonai Nissi (YHWH Nissi) is the name Moses called the altar that he built when he rejoiced over Israel’s victory over the Amalekites.

To understand this name, consider that today, military units and even marching bands often rally behind the one carrying the flag that identifies the group. That person is known as the standard-bearer.

So, too, Moses rallied behind the Lord, his Standard-Bearer, and He led the way to victory.

Yet, the banner is not an adequate term to describe our Lord.

The word Nissi could be derived from nes (miracle, banner, sign); nasa (lifted up), or nus (flee for refuge).

So, in addition to being our Leader, YHWH Nissi could also mean that God is our Miracle, our Exalted One, our Refuge.

The Prophet Isaiah refers to the Messiah as a banner (nes) in two of his End-Time Messianic Prophecies.

“In that day the Root of Jesse [Messiah] will stand as a banner [nes] for the peoples; the nations [Goyim] will rally to him, and His place of rest will be glorious.” (Isaiah 11:10)

Also in Isaiah 49, he uses the word nissi in connection with the end-time restoration of Israel.

“See, I will beckon to the Gentiles [Goyim], I will lift up my banner [nissi] to the peoples; they will bring your sons in their arms and carry your daughters on their shoulders.” (Isaiah 49:22)

Messiah Yeshua has been sent to the nations, and because of their great love for Him, Gentiles are helping to restore the Jewish People to the land of Israel, just as Isaiah prophesied.

God’s “banner over us” symbolizes His presence, provision, redemptive power, and love.

We no longer need to be out there on our own, gaining victory through our own might and devices. He is our rallying point and our Banner, and we can confidently look to Him and to Messiah Yeshua for direction and help.

“He has taken me to the banquet hall, and His banner [dagal] over me is love [ahava].” (Song of Solomon 2:4)

He demonstrates to us His love as a Shepherd does for His sheep.

“‘I will feed My flock and I will lead them to rest,’ declares the Lord GOD.”
(Ezekiel 34:15)

3) The Lord My Shepherd: YHWH Ro’i (יְהוָה רֹעִי)

One of the best known and beloved of the psalms of David begins with these comforting words you might even have it memorized:

“The Lord is my Shepherd [YHWH Roi], I shall not be in want.” (Psalm 23:1)

This psalm is traditionally read at many Jewish and gentile funeral services because it refers to God walking with us as a good shepherd, through the valley of the shadow of death.

The realization that we have a faithful Shepherd to guide and protect us, and that we are not wandering lost and alone in this world, alleviates fear and loneliness, and establishes the safety, purpose, and direction that we can find in Him.

Yeshua (Jesus) also called Himself the Good Shepherd, saying that He would even give His life for His sheep.

“I am the Good Shepherd; the good shepherd lays down His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11)

David, the shepherd who became a shepherd king to the people of Israel remained a humble lamb in the face of YHWH Roi, Adonai my Shepherd.

While YHWH Roi is our Shepherd, He has appointed a Shepherd of His own to rule and reign over His creation on His behalf.

The Hebrew Prophet Ezekiel confirmed that the Messiah, a descendant of King David, would come and, like David, rule Israel as a Shepherd King.

“My servant David will be king over them, and they will all have one shepherd.” (Ezekiel 37:24; see also Isaiah 40:11, Micah 5:4)

The Hebrew prophets also foretold, however, that the Shepherd would be struck down, and would give His life as an offering for sin as the Lamb of God (Isaiah 53:4–5).

“Awake, O sword, against my shepherd, against the man who is close to me! declares the LORD Almighty. Strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered….” (Zechariah 13:7; see Matthew 26:31, Mark 14:27, John 16:32)

The Book of Revelation ties these three aspects of the Messiah—the Lamb, the King, and the Shepherd—to Yeshua and His soon return as the Shepherd King of Israel.

“For the Lamb at the center of the throne will be their shepherd; He will lead them to springs of living water. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.” (Revelation 7:17)

So now you also know the people that use the word Jehovah are not interpreting that word from the Hebrew Bible or the Tanakh it is always LORD or Adonai.

Although the Jewish People know God as El Elyon (The Most High God), many do not know that all things are under Yeshua’s feet.

And although they know that God is their Banner, they do not know that Yeshua is the prophesied Root of Jesse who will stand as a Banner to the peoples.

Israel also knows that the Lord is their Shepherd, but many do not yet realize that Yeshua is their Shepherd King who laid down His life for them and will soon return to completely fulfill every Messianic prophecy.

As for the world, so few know that the God of Israel is the one true God and that He loves them and is reaching out to meet their needs and save them.

We need your help in bringing the Good News of Yeshua to Israel and the nations through articles like this!

“Let them know that You, whose name is the LORD [YHWH]—that You alone are the Most High [Elyon] over all the earth.” (Psalm 83:18)

“Everyone who was willing and whose heart moved them came and brought an offering to the LORD for the work on the tent of meeting, for all its service, and for the sacred garments.” (Exodus 35:21)

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We Cover The Tribes, Journeys Or Matot, Masei Where Israelites Receive Their Inheritance This Week

The Lord goes on to command Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites in retaliation for their seducing the Israelites at Baal-peor. Yes, against his own wife’s people! Both Balak, the King of Moab, and Balaam, who had advised that Israel would be cursed if they were drawn into sin, are killed in this battle.

Welcome to this week’s Torah portion, Parasha Matot-Masei, or Tribes-Journeys, which will be read in synagogues around the world during the morning service this Shabbat (Saturday).

Two parshiot are combined this week to accommodate the schedule of Torah readings for the Jewish year 5780. Please study this double portion along with us. We know you will be blessed!

MATOT-MASEI (Tribes-Journeys)

Numbers 30:2–36:13; Jeremiah 2:4–28, 3:4, 4:1–2; Matthew 23:1–25:46

“Moses said to the heads of the tribes [matot] of Israel: ‘This is what the Lord commands: When a man makes a vow to the Lord or takes an oath to obligate himself by a pledge, he must not break his word but must do everything he said.'” (Numbers 30:1–2)

Last week, in Parasha Pinchas, God rewarded Aaron’s grandson, Pinchas (Phinehas), a pact of peace and everlasting priesthood in response to his zeal for the Lord.

In this week’s double Torah portion (parasha) of Matot-Masei, the Israelites are coming to an end of their 40 years of wandering in the wilderness.

Both Miriam and Aaron, the sister and brother of Moses, have died in the desert; and Moses, in preparing for the end of his life in the desert as well, has passed on the mantle of leadership to his successor — Yehoshua (Joshua).

This week’s reading begins with the laws regarding vows and oaths, emphasizing our responsibility to be a people who keep our word and do what we have promised.

The Lord goes on to command Moses to take vengeance on the Midianites in retaliation for their seducing the Israelites at Baal-Peor. Yes, against his own wife’s people! Both Balak, the King of Moab, and Balaam, who had advised that Israel would be cursed if they were drawn into sin, are killed in this battle.

What is the meaning of Baal-Peor?

A reference to a divinity who was worshipped at that mountain peak, and, biblically, was the subject of the heresy of Peor. The divinity, worshipped by the Moabites, is biblically referred to as Baal-Peor (Num. 25:3,5, 18, Deuteronomy 3:29), literally meaning the Baal of Peor (The Lord of the House of Horus)

After the battle, a massive quantity of booty is distributed to the soldiers, and a share, you know a tithe something you don’t do, is designated for the sanctuary.

Settlement on East Bank of the Jordan

As the tribes of Israel prepare to cross over the Jordan River into the Promised Land, the tribes of Reuben, Gad, and half of Manasseh approach Moses requesting permission to settle on the east side of the Jordan in the territories captured from Sichon and Og (Numbers 32:1–5).

Moses is at first disturbed by this request, accusing them of wanting to shirk their responsibility in following through on taking the Promised Land in obedience to the Lord’s command.

He asks these tribes, “Shall your brethren go to war while you sit here?” (Numbers 32:6)

He compares them to the ten spies who came back with a bad report, bringing calamity on Israel. His concern is that their actions will discourage the Israelites from taking the Land.

However, these tribes have no intention of avoiding battle; they just prefer the land on the east side of the Jordan, since it is suitable for their large herds and flocks of livestock.

As a side note: Although the Israelites first settled on the east side of the Jordan, in the 20th century, that land was allocated to the creation of an entirely new country called Transjordan (Jordan) by the League of Nations. To prove my point do you remember reading about King David fighting the Jordanians, or while I’m on the subject, the Palestinians? No, me either!

They are not only willing to go into battle, but they also pledge to go ahead of the Israelites as shock troops to take the Land.

“We will arm ourselves for battle and go ahead of the Israelites until we have brought them to their place… We will not return to our homes until each of the Israelites has received their inheritance.” (Numbers 32:17–18)

When Moses understands their motivation and the full plan, he agrees to their request and the Lord awards them their inheritance on the east side of the Jordan.

We can understand from this that Israel’s inheritance extends beyond the Jordan River.

This event also reminds each of us to patiently listen to a person’s reasoning when their request seems to be in conflict with a perceived goal. We should not prejudge motivation and outcomes.

Administering the Inheritance

As if to affirm the coming victory in the Promised Land, the Lord assigns a leader for each of the nine and a half tribes who will be in charge of administering the inheritance of the land of Canaan (west of the Jordan River) among the people.

In addition to this, God also instructs the people to drive out all the inhabitants of the Land once they receive it.

He warns them:

“If you do not drive out the inhabitants of the land from before you, then it shall be that those whom you let remain shall be irritants in your eyes and thorns in your sides, and they shall harass you in the land where you dwell.” (Numbers 33:55)

However, when the Israelites crossed the Jordan, many times they made treaties or allowed the Canaanites to dwell among them, where they continued practicing their pagan rituals. In time, these groups either led the Israelites back into pagan practices or tried to attack them from within.

Today, some believe the Jewish People have no right to the land, but in this Parasha, we see the Creator of the Universe fulfill the promise He made to Jacob all those years earlier:

“The land I gave to Abraham and Isaac I also give to you, and I will give this land to your descendants after you.” (Genesis 35:12)

An 1889 map illustrating the division of Israel by tribes — An 1889 map illustrating the division of the Land of Israel between the Twelve Tribes.

The Boundaries of Israel

“Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, “Command the children of Israel, and say to them: ‘When you come into the land of Canaan, this is the land that shall fall to you as an inheritance — the land of Canaan to its boundaries.” (Numbers 34:1–2)

As the Creator of the Universe, God has the right to set the boundaries for the nations that He created. In this week’s Parasha, God sets the borders of the territory of Israel, which are far larger than what Israel has settled today.

Fully inhabiting our inheritance of Judea and Samaria and even East Jerusalem may seem impossible with the creation of a Palestinian state, but when the Messiah returns, there will be a redistribution of land to the Twelve Tribes, and the world will plainly see the extent of Israel’s borders (Ezekiel 47:15–21).

At that time, says the Lord, “when I have brought them back from the nations and have gathered them from the countries of their enemies, I will be proved holy through them in the sight of many nations.” (Ezekiel 39:27)

Unlike many of the foreigners who reside in the Holy Land today, after the war of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38–39) those who remain will have reverence for the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and no other; therefore, as fellow Believers, the Lord makes them inheritors as well.

You didn’t hear me! I said we as believers inherit that land as well, we are to rule and reign with Christ! Paul talked about wild branches and natural branches of a cultivated olive tree whereas Paul’s take on the practice seems unusual, however. It was unlikely that a farmer would graft a wild olive branch onto a cultivated olive tree. However, that is what God literally does for us that call on the name Jesus Christ of Nazareth to become our Lord and Saviour!

The Ingrafting of the Gentiles

“If the first part of the dough is holy, so is the whole batch; if the root is holy, so are the branches. Now if some branches have been broken off, and you, a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others to share in the nourishment of the olive root, do not boast over those branches. If you do, remember this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you.” (Romans 11:16-18)

“You are to allot [the land] as an inheritance for yourselves and for the foreigners residing among you and who have children. You are to consider them as native-born Israelites; along with you they are to be allotted an inheritance among the tribes of Israel.” (Ezekiel 47:22)

Jeremiah Warns Israel of the Coming Exile

The prophetic reading (Haftarah) for this week is the second of the three “Haftarot of Admonition,” which are read during the Three Weeks.

During this three-week period between the 17th of Tammuz and the 9th of Av on the Jewish calendar (July 8 and July 30 on this year’s civil calendar), we remember that the walls of Jerusalem were breached and the Temple was destroyed.

The Prophet Jeremiah had been warning about the impending destruction of the Holy Temple and of Jerusalem for at least a few decades leading up to the Babylonian invasion.

In this reading, he details the terrible sins of the kings and the people that led to that destruction.

“As the thief is ashamed when he is found out, So is the house of Israel ashamed; They and their kings and their princes, and their priests and their prophets, Saying to a tree, ‘You are my father,’ And to a stone, ‘You gave birth to me.’ For they have turned their back to Me, and not their face.

“But in the time of their trouble they will say, ‘Arise and save us.’ But where are your gods that you have made for yourselves? Let them arise, if they can save you in the time of your trouble.” (Jeremiah 2:26–28)

To understand the extent of their wickedness, we need only look at King Manasseh (c. 687–642) who “sacrificed his own son in the fire, practiced divination, sought omens, and consulted mediums and spiritists. He did much evil in the eyes of the LORD, arousing His anger.” (2 Kings 21:6)

The Book of the Law had been hidden away in the Temple so that even the kings had little to no knowledge of what was written in it. Instead of worshiping the God of Israel as written in Scripture, images of Baal were erected in the Temple where God said His name would be placed forever. (2 Chronicles 33:2–9)

The Lord warned Manasseh and the nation about their evil deeds, but they ignored Him. So the Lord took action against them:

“He rose up the army commanders of the king of Assyria, who took Manasseh prisoner, put a hook in his nose, bound him with bronze shackles and took him to Babylon.” (2 Chronicles 33:10–11)

While in Babylonian captivity, Manasseh repented and with great humility called out to God, who restored him to his reign.

Manasseh and later his grandson King Josiah tried to return the nation to the worship of the God of Israel alone, but it seems their efforts came a little too late. They were not able to provoke a national revival in the hearts of the people.

When these kings died, other kings took their place and continued to defile the Temple and disobey God’s law.

Today, our cities and nations are full of the same sins that brought about the destruction of Jerusalem on Tisha B’Av (9th of Av) and of the world in the days of Noah — a time when men were given over to other men in marriage.

Yeshua (Jesus) told us that His coming would be in a time such as this:

“Just as it was in the days of Noah, so also will it be in the days of the Son of Man. They were eating, they were drinking, they were marrying, they were being given in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and the flood came and destroyed them all.” (Luke 17:26–27)

God Restores His People

Just as in the ancient days of Israel, God’s desire is to bring correction in order that people will repent and turn back to Him and live in righteousness; for it is not God’s will that even one person should perish.

We see this with Manasseh. God allowed him to be taken captive, but even he received God’s mercy and restoration after sincerely repenting:

“In his distress he sought the favor of the LORD his God and humbled himself greatly before the God of his ancestors. And when he prayed to Him, the LORD was moved by His entreaty and listened to his plea. So He brought him back to Jerusalem and to his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD is God.” (2 Chronicles 33:12–13)

Although a nation as a whole may still suffer the consequences of the collective sins of the people, God does show mercy and restores each individual person who sincerely humbles himself, calls on His name, and repents (2 Corinthians 7:10).

Therefore, let us make ourselves ready by genuinely turning from our sins and re-establishing His ways in our lives.

Further, God will grant everlasting life to those who believe that Yeshua cleansed them from their sins with His blood once and for all.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

Those who believe are now free to live not as slaves to the sins of the ruler of the world, but as citizens of His Kingdom.

So ready yourself and keep an upward gaze — looking for the soon coming of the Son of Man — Yeshua, our Messiah, and Redeemer.

“Look, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to each person according to what they have done.” (Revelation 22:12)

In these Last Days, God is moving among His people to physically and spiritually restore them. You can be part of this end-time move of God by contributing to our work among the People.

“Hear the word of the LORD, you nations; proclaim it in distant coastlands: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather them and will watch over His flock like a shepherd.” (Jeremiah 31:10)

Please Remember To Include House of the Nazarene In Your Holiday Gifting Giving As We Continue To Share The Gospel Around The World!

House of the Nazarene Projects: Support, Education, Food, Bibles, Prayer, Healing, and Church Building. So, Please, contribute to this fundraising effort!

HOW TO DONATE: Click here to view our GoFundMe page

“I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good.” (Psalm 54:6)

You may make a donation securely through PayPal here: paypal.me/houseofthenazarene

So now we at House of the Nazarene are looking into land and church building donation requests for a physical church! What great news, right?

HOW TO DONATE: Click here to view our GoFundMe page

Messianic Prophecies Not Read In Any Synagogues

It is a tragedy that the majority of God-fearing Jewish people, even those who attend synagogue services regularly, do not have knowledge of these crucial Scriptures that point to Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).

Every week during Shabbat (Sabbath) synagogue services around the world the Torah and Haftarah (prophetic) portions are read.

The entire five books of the Torah are publicly read every year through a set reading cycle on Shabbat, Mondays, and Thursdays. But the Haftarah constitutes only selected portions of the Prophets and it is only read on Shabbat and certain holy days.

The readings from the prophetic portions are, therefore, isolated and incomplete.

Most importantly, many of the prophecies concerning the coming of the promised Messiah are simply not read at all.

Only some Jewish communities include Isaiah 9:5–6 in the Haftarah readings for Yitro.

Although these prophecies are continually referred to throughout the Brit Chadashah (New Covenant), indicating that the people of Yeshua’s (Jesus’) day were familiar with them, today the Jewish People have almost no knowledge of them.

It is unknown when these prophecies were excluded from the readings, but some suspect that they were left out because they strongly support the conclusion that Yeshua is the Messiah and because they are mentioned in the New Covenant (New Testament).

Let’s take a closer look at what these readings consist of, which prophecies Yeshua Himself spoke of, and which ones point to Him as Messiah.

What’s in the Tanakh?

The arrangement of books in the Tanakh, or the Hebrew Bible, is somewhat different than the arrangement in the “Christian Bible,” though the same books are included.

There are three sections in the Tanakh: the Torah, the Nevi’im, and the K’tuvim.

The first five books of the Tanakh is the section called the Torah (Teaching, Instructions).

The next section is the Nevi’im (Prophets). This section comprises essentially 19 prophetic books. However, a subsection of the Latter Prophets (Nevi’im Acharonim), is sometimes classed as one book called The Twelve (Shneim Asar or Trei Asar).

The remaining 11 books make up a section called the K’tuvim (Writings). These books include Psalms, Proverbs, Daniel, Ezra–Nehemiah and Chronicles.

What Is the Haftarah?

The word Haftarah may suggest to the English ear that it is half of the Torah, but it actually means parting or some say concluding and is not related to the word Torah.

The Haftarah are selected readings from the Nevi’im.

Each Haftarah reading usually relates in some way to the Torah portion (Parasha) for that Shabbat.

For instance, the Torah and Haftarah portions for Parasha Eikev point to God as the source of our blessings. In both readings, Adonai reveals Himself to the Jewish People as their Redeemer and Provider.

Still, it must be re-emphasized that not every prophecy in the Nevi’im is read in the synagogues.

Yeshua Publicly Reads the Haftarah

The reading of the Prophets on Shabbat is a very old tradition, but it is not known how old.

Actually, the earliest mention of this practice is found in the Brit Chadashah.

In Luke 4:16–19, we see that reading the Prophets after the Torah portion was already an accepted practice.

In that passage of Luke, Yeshua read in a Nazareth synagogue from the scroll of the ancient Hebrew Prophet Yeshayahu (Isaiah):

“The Spirit of the Lord is on Me, because He has anointed Me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent Me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Isaiah 61:1–2, Luke 4:18–19)

It was then, after the Haftarah portion, that Yeshua, to the amazement of all, proclaimed Himself the fulfillment of this Messianic Prophecy.

After handing the scroll of Isaiah back to the attendant, Yeshua said to the congregation: “Today this scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.” (Luke 4:21)

Yeshua essentially began His ministry by highlighting the connection between the Messianic prophecies and His arrival as Yeshua of Nazareth.

Because He revealed His identity to them by using the Messianic prophecies in Scripture, we can know for certain that this is an effective method for sharing Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah) with the Jewish People.

That is why House of the Nazarene wants to place a copy of the Bible into the hands of every person. This Bible will highlight the Messianic prophecies using Jewish sources and evidence.

The Missing Prophecies in the Haftarah

Although it is obvious from the New Covenant that the Messianic prophecies in the Nevi’im were at one time read and known, for many, many centuries, they have not been read publicly.

Sadly, Isaiah 61:1–2, which Yeshua read in the Nazareth synagogue, is one that has been omitted from the Haftarah readings.

So have the following prophecies concerning the Messiah:

The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 52:13–53:12)

“Just as there were many who were appalled at Him—His appearance was so disfigured beyond that of any human being and His form marred beyond human likeness.” (Isaiah 52:14)

The Virgin Birth (Isaiah 7:14)

“The Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel [God with us].”

The Messiah Is to Be Born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)

“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for Me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times.”

Messiah Rides into Jerusalem on a Donkey (Zechariah 9:9)

“Rejoice greatly, Daughter Zion! Shout, Daughter Jerusalem! See, your king comes to you, righteous and victorious, lowly and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

Betrayed for 30 Pieces of Silver (Zechariah 11:13)

“The LORD said to me, ‘Throw it to the potter’—the handsome price at which they valued Me! So I took the thirty pieces of silver and threw them to the potter at the house of the LORD.”

The New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

“The days are coming,” declares the Lord, “when I will make a new covenant with the people of Israel and with the people of Judah. … I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be My people. … I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.”

The Arrival of Messiah (Malachi 3:1)

“I will send My messenger, who will prepare the way before Me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to His temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come,” says the LORD Almighty.

Several more Messianic prophecies that clearly point to Yeshua have been intentionally omitted from the weekly synagogue Haftarah readings without public knowledge or the consent of most Jewish people.

Some scholars say that the omission was never intentional, explaining that these prophecies just don’t serve the purpose of the Haftarah.

Yet Yeshua found great purpose in them. As He walked alongside two disciples on the road to Emmaus, “starting with Moses and all the prophets, He explained to them the things that can be found throughout the Tanakh concerning Himself.” (Luke 24:27)

The Original Purpose of the Haftarah Readings

While the public reading of the Torah began during the Babylonian captivity in the 5th century BC, some rabbinic sources believe that the Haftarah readings may have begun during the reign of the foreign King Antiochus Epiphanes around the 2nd century BC.

Because this king forbade the Jews from studying the Torah, the priests searched for portions of Scripture in the Prophets that could be tied to the theme of the Parasha (Torah reading) for that week.

As an example, instead of reading the account of Noah and the ark, the portion from Isaiah which makes reference to the “waters of Noah” would be read.

“This is like the days of Noah to Me: as I swore that the waters of Noah should no more go over the earth, so I have sworn that I will not be angry with you, and will not rebuke you.” (Isaiah 54:9)

Other Jewish rabbinic sources propose another theory—the Pharisees were trying to uphold their belief that the Prophets carried equal authority as the Torah—a claim that the rival Sadducees rejected.

The Haftarah readings, therefore, served to establish the Prophets as important and worthy of study in addition to the Torah.

The Haftarot (plural for Haftarah) include valuable lessons in Biblical history, such as the stories of David, Saul, Daniel, Rahab, and other Biblical heroes and heroines.

Also, on major Biblical festivals, Haftarot that correspond to the theme of the special holiday are read.

So, the holidays and history of the Jewish people are well taught through the readings; however, the Messiah is not well understood because so many of the Messianic prophecies are not publicly read.

If only the Jewish people knew how important these prophetic writings really are.

A page from the Book of Jeremiah from the Aleppo Codex, the oldest and most complete Hebrew manuscript available

The Purpose of Prophets

Most of the prophets were called by God to deliver a particular message to the nation of Israel. They were His voice to His people.

Before the destruction of the First Temple in 586 BC, most often, the messages God delivered through the ancient Hebrew prophets were warnings of impending Divine punishment if the people did not repent and turn from their wicked ways.

Their pleas for repentance fell largely on deaf ears, and so the people received the judgment the prophets warned them about.

“And when the people ask, ‘Why has the LORD our God done all this to us?’ you will tell them, ‘As you have forsaken Me and served foreign gods in your own land, so now you will serve foreigners in a land not your own.’” (Jeremiah 5:19)

Prophets were not only sent by God to deliver bad news, however; they also comforted the people by bringing them hope of restoration.

“Comfort, comfort My people,” says Adonai. (Isaiah 40:1)

Today, we still need both of these messages—warnings to stay on the narrow path that leads to life, as well as comfort in our losses, encouragement in the trials of life, and the hope of things to come.

The ultimate comfort and restoration that would come through the Messiah was not to be fulfilled in the time that these prophets wrote, but at a future date.

Therefore, many prophecies throughout the Tanakh reveal additional information regarding who this Redeemer/Messiah would be.

Sometimes they appear in the most unlikely of books. Here is one from the Book of Proverbs:

“Who has gone up to heaven and come down? Whose hands have gathered up the wind? Who has wrapped up the waters in a cloak? Who has established all the ends of the earth? What is His name, and what is the name of His son? Surely you know!” (Proverbs 30:4)

Did you know this scripture was talking about Jesus?

The prophets were not alone in their responsibility to discern the times.

The priests who performed the rites of the Temple services during the time of Yeshua, also had the responsibility to search all the Scriptures and discern the time that the Son—the Messiah—had come.

Many of these priests, however, missed it, although even that was the fulfillment of Messianic Prophecy:

“The people of Jerusalem and their rulers did not recognize Yeshua, yet in condemning Him they fulfilled the words of the prophets that are read every Sabbath.” (Acts 13:27)

And that was done by God so that we could obtain mercy and enter the gates of Heaven through grace and not of works so that we cannot boast.

The Pursuit of Prophetic Restoration

It is a tragedy that the majority of God-fearing Jewish people, even those who attend synagogue services regularly, do not have knowledge of these crucial Scriptures that point to Yeshua HaMashiach (Jesus the Messiah).

This is why it is so essential that we give the Jewish people back the whole Bible, and not just selected portions which have been pre-approved by rabbinic consensus and stripped of all “Messianic” understanding.

These Messianic Prophecies carry a powerful message.

For instance, I heard a story of a ministry worker visited her elderly aunt who was in the hospital in Canada.

Upon reading to her several of the Messianic prophecies which have been omitted from the designated schedule of Haftarah readings, including Isaiah 53, her aunt gladly received Yeshua as her Messiah and found salvation just a short while before her passing.

“But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5)

When she heard that these Messianic prophecies have been omitted from the synagogue readings, she was incensed (very angry; enraged)!

“Why have the Rabbis taken these verses out of the readings?” she asked.

Sadly, the reason seems clear. They were likely omitted because they point to Yeshua being the true Messiah of Israel and the Savior of all humankind.

Some Israeli scholars and academics are beginning to admit that the Rabbis perhaps omitted them intentionally. They may have been fearful that a public reading of these Messianic prophecies would cause people to believe that Yeshua is the Messiah.

We should be grieved by the exclusion of these important Messianic prophecies from the Jewish synagogue readings. In 2005 at the 14th World Congress of Jewish Studies in Jerusalem a call went out for critical discussion of this very issue.

Then in 2013 at the 16th World Congress of Jewish Studies, Messianic Jews made their first official appearance at this international gathering of distinguished academics, teachers, and experts.

Of course it may have been somewhat interesting to some of the Jewish academics in attendance, but they can’t change the rabbinical synagogue system! Nor, are they interested in doing so.

After 2000 years of Judaism, nothing is going to be changed.

“Believe in the LORD your God, so shall you be established; believe His prophets, so shall you prosper.” (2 Chronicles 20:20)

Please pray that these crucial Messianic prophecies will be publicly restored to all the people.

“Israel will be saved by the LORD with an everlasting salvation; you will never be put to shame or disgraced, to ages everlasting.” (Isaiah 45:17)

We are certain that they will believe and be saved after the time of the gentiles or if I may, the time of the church and grace is over and we’re called home, then God will turn His attention back to the Jews.

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“I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good.” (Psalm 54:6)

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There Are 2 Messiahs In Judaism But Only 1 In Christianity

Why do ancient and modern Rabbis alike think that Messiah will be raised from the grave?
Resurrection of Messiah in the Hebrew Scriptures
Rabbis have not made up the idea that Messiah will be raised from the dead.

Peter the Jew, only knew one Messiah who was and is Yeshua. He died and resurrected 2000 years ago, and He will return soon. In Luke 24:12 it says: “Peter, however, got up and ran to the tomb. Bending over, he saw the strips of linen lying by themselves, and he went away, wondering to himself what had happened.”

Did you know that a resurrected Messiah is not only a Christian belief? It is also very Jewish!

When Rabbis studied Zechariah 12:10–12 and realized that the Messiah must die, many of them were left baffled. They wondered: How could a triumphant Messiah Son of David die?

Some Rabbis solved the dilemma by creating two Messiahs.

Messiah ben Joseph, according to Rabbis, is the suffering redeemer that the Hebrew prophets often spoke of: someone who would battle the enemies of Israel and prepare the way for Messiah ben David.

Messiah ben David is expected to establish a blissful utopia on earth, known as the Messianic Kingdom (Isaiah 2:4, 9:1–7, 11:6–9).

What makes this dilemma even more confusing is that the Rabbis of the late second Temple period believed that Messiah ben David would be a warrior as well.

A 20th-century Jewish scholar put it this way:

“Under the charismatic leadership of the second Messiah, Messiah ben David, the great wars will continue. God fights the battles of His Messiah and the ultimate victory comes to pass.”

How do these ideas apply to Believers in Yeshua as the Messiah?

By looking more closely at this second Messiah ben Joseph in Rabbinic thought, we can better understand what the Jewish People expect of Messiah and whether or not there really are two Messiahs as many Rabbis claim or just one Messiah who fulfills both roles, as Christians claim.

To understand who this Messiah ben Joseph is supposed to be and do, we’ll start with the life of his forefather, Joseph.

Dreams of Grandeur, Plots of Murder

A riches to rags to riches story in Genesis 39–50 has provided Rabbis with the imagery needed to draw the idea of the suffering servant they have named Messiah son of Joseph.

Joseph had dreams of grandeur given to him by God Himself. He would be exalted above his brothers, and they would be humbled before him. His brothers despise him for this.

They plot to kill him but, instead, sell him into slavery in Egypt where he rises to the glory of the second in command of all Egypt. Only Pharaoh, who is called the sun and the moon, their god, was greater.

Not recognizing Joseph in the palace of Pharaoh, his brothers all bow to him, begging to buy food to save their family from a severe famine.

Joseph not only saves the lives of his family but also neighboring nations affected by the famine. In doing this, the nations around Egypt bow down to Joseph as well.

This sounds a lot like what a Messiah would do—save the nations.

But Messiah ben Joseph is known for his suffering, and Joseph did suffer greatly.

For the Joy Set Before Him, He Endured . . .

When Joseph reveals his dreams of grandeur to his brothers, they throw him into a pit while they plot to kill him, and in a sense, they succeeded. After selling him as a slave, they bloody his coat and show it to their father Jacob, implying that Joseph had been ravaged by beasts and died.

Joseph also suffers imprisonment for a crime he didn’t commit, and he endures the emotional pain of not seeing his father or youngest brother, whom he loved greatly.

For the next two decades, Joseph endures an intense spiritual battle.

He needs to get a God’s eye view of the rejection he has suffered and forgive his brothers.

He also has to battle within himself to remain faithful to God through the injustices and temptations he faced, while at the same time growing in favor with God and man.

After 22 years of separation, Joseph encounters his brothers and must now decide how he will react—in revenge or in chesed, which is God’s kind of loving-kindness—a covenantal commitment for another’s well-being that endures sin and betrayal and shows compassion and mercy.

We are reminded of what this kind of love is. In all 26 verses of Psalm 136 we see it: “Give thanks to Yehovah, for He is good; His lovingkindness [chesd’oh] endures forever.”

While Joseph suffered emotionally and spiritually, in Judaism it is understood that Messiah ben Joseph, who is the descendant of Joseph, will suffer death.

This understanding fits into the Rabbinic teaching called Ma’aseh Avot Siman l’Banim, which means What our fathers did, our sons also.

Rabbis teach that some of what our Avot (Fathers) experienced (such as Joseph), one of their descendants (such as Messiah ben Joseph) may also experience in some way, physically and/or in moral character.

Let’s consider more ways that Joseph’s experiences foreshadow the Messiah’s experiences as well as his identity and purpose.

Like Joseph, Messiah Would Suffer

While Joseph suffered spiritually, Rabbis point to the prophets who write about the physical death of God’s suffering servant. A rare few refer to the Prophet Isaiah:

“Surely our diseases he did bear, and our pains he carried; Whereas we did esteem him stricken, Smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded because of our transgressions, He was crushed because of our iniquities: The chastisement of our welfare was upon him, And with his stripes we were healed.” (Isaiah 53:4–5, JPS)

However, when talking about the suffering servant, most Rabbis refer to the Prophet Zechariah. He writes that in the last days after God wages war against the nations who come against Jerusalem: the people of Israel will mourn for one they have pierced:

“They will look on me, because they have pierced him, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.” (Zechariah 12:10)

There is much discussion about who this pierced one is and who the people of Israel are mourning for.

As we look at Rabbinic writings, we are told that he is Messiah ben Joseph, who dies in the battle of Gog and Magog (Ezekiel 38–39; Talmud (Sukkah 52a).

Though he is killed, it is not the end of this Messiah. He will be resurrected!

Lubavitcher Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson is on thousands of posters and billboards throughout Israel. The text reads “Long Live King Messiah.” His followers believe that he is the Messiah, and even though he died in 1994, they believe that he will resurrect in the end-times, as The Messiah.

The resurrection of Messiah According to Rabbis

Christians often think that Jewish people reject the idea that the Messiah would be resurrected. But it is an ancient belief that persists to this very day.

In the Canadian Jewish News on January 17, 2002, we read:

“Our long-awaited messiah and redeemer arrived! Most Jews failed to recognize that he was the messiah, but we, his disciples, did. Tragically, he died before completing the redemptive process. But he will soon be resurrected and will continue and complete his messianic tasks.”

This newspaper article records the ideas and thoughts held by a Hassidic sect of Jewish people called Lubavitch, who believe that their Rebbe Menachem Mendel Schneerson was and is the Messiah.

Upon his death in 1994, his disciples immediately proclaimed that he would rise again. At first, this resurrection was to take place in three days.

Soon after his death, they launched a worldwide multimillion-dollar campaign with full-page newspaper ads declaring their faith in his Messiahship. That campaign continues today on buses and billboards throughout Israel and Jewish communities worldwide.

Halachic Ruling second coming Lubavitcher Rebbe as the Messiah — Chabad-“Halachic Ruling” declaring “every single Jew” had to believe in the imminent second coming of the deceased 7th Lubavitcher Rebbe as the Messiah, signed by nearly 250 Lubavitch Rabbis.

This idea of a resurrected Messiah is not new.

As far back as AD 590–630, a Jewish apocalyptic book was written in the style of Ezekiel and Daniel called Zerubbabel. In it, Messiah ben Joseph (called Nehemiah ben Hushiel in this book) dies in battle with the King of Edom (Armilus). However, Messiah Ben David arrives soon after and raises him from the dead.

Rabbis believe that Messiah ben Joseph will fight in the great battle against Gog and Magog described in Ezekiel 38–39, and that he will die defending Israel against her enemies, only to be raised by Messiah ben David.

Why do ancient and modern Rabbis alike think that Messiah will be raised from the grave?

The resurrection of Messiah in the Hebrew Scriptures

Rabbis have not made up the idea that Messiah will be raised from the dead.

They refer to Scriptures such as Psalm 16:10: “For You will not abandon my soul to Sheol; Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.”

As well, the Talmud says that when Messiah ben David sees Messiah ben Joseph slain, he will ask the Lord of the Universe for ben Joseph to receive “the gift of life.”

The Lord then answers that “your father David has already prophesied this concerning you” when David wrote, “He asked you for life, and you gave it to him—length of days, forever and ever.” (Babylonian Talmud Sukkah 52a; Psalm 21:4, v. 5 in the Hebrew Bible)

Yeshua Fulfilled the Role of Messiah ben Joseph

While the Jewish community is expecting Messiah ben Joseph to be raised from the dead at some future time by Messiah ben David, Christians believe both of these Messiahs are one and the same.

If we follow the Rabbinic teaching of Ma’aseh Avot Siman l’Banim that says, What our fathers did, our sons also, we find striking parallels between Joseph and Yeshua that no other Messianic figure can claim for himself:

Despised and Sold

Joseph was despised by his Hebrew brothers (sons of Jacob, named Israel) and sold to Egypt for silver.

Yeshua was despised by the Jewish leaders: Pharisees, Sadducees, and the Sanhedrin and sold for silver.

Considered Dead

Joseph was cut off by his brothers and considered dead by the family.

Yeshua was rejected and cut off by the Jewish leaders and was dead, lying in a tomb for three days.

Brought Salvation to the Nations

Joseph was raised to the height of power and authority, second in command only to Pharaoh. As a result of Joseph’s wise management of the resources under his control, many nations attached themselves to Egypt to be saved.

As Joseph states to his brothers after they buried his father Jacob (Israel),

“You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” (Genesis 50:20)

Yeshua was given all authority to rule God’s Kingdom in heaven and on earth.

As a result, today 2.3 billion people claim to be Christians. Many have attached themselves to Yeshua (Jesus) to be saved and personally know Him and His Father in Heaven.

“For this reason Christ died and returned to life, so that He might be the Lord of both the dead and the living.” (Romans 14:9; see also Matthew 28:18; John 1:12, 3:35)

Resurrected

Joseph was freed from his prison sentence to life in the palace by Pharaoh.

Yeshua was freed from death and the tomb by God.

Why Don’t Rabbis Accept Yeshua As Messiah?

Even though the lives of Joseph and Yeshua parallel in so many Messianic ways, Rabbis don’t believe Yeshua can be this Messiah who is the son of Joseph because they say He didn’t complete the required To-Do list of the Messiah

That messianic task list, which has been compiled from various Talmudic references, says that Messiah will do the following:

Prepare the world for the coming of Messiah, Son of David. (Numbers 24:17–19)
Gather Israel from all corners of the world to build the Temple or at least make provisions for Messiah Son of David to enter the Temple. (Zechariah 6:13; Ezekiel 41–48; Mishneh Torah Hilchot Melachim)
Battle with the wicked nations of the world, the enemies of Israel, especially Esau, Edom, Gog, and Magog. (Obadiah 1:18–21; Talmud Mas. Sotah 42a)
Die in the battle but be resurrected (see earlier discussion)

Since the rebirth of Israel in 1948, over 3.3 million olim (immigrants) have made Aliyah (immigrated) to Promised Land. Nearly half (more than 6 million) of the world’s Jewish population now lives in Israel. (Jewish Virtual Library)

After Messiah ben Joseph resurrects, Messiah ben David will come to finish off the tasks appointed to the Messiah. According to Rabbis over the centuries, those tasks include the following:

Rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem
Restore the Jews to the Law
Defeat the Enemies of Israel
Defeat evil and bring about world peace

Since Yeshua (Jesus) did not complete these tasks, most Rabbis reject Him as a candidate for Messiahship.

You, like the Rabbis, may question why Yeshua didn’t fulfill all the Rabbinic requirements of Messiah ben Joseph. The answer is quite simple.

First, the Rabbis who were deciding what messiah would and would not do were against Yeshua being Messiah.

Rabbis began recording their opinions and debates about the Messiah and other topics from AD 10–200 in what would become the Talmud which is the body of Jewish civil and ceremonial law and legend comprising the Mishnah and the Gemara. There are two versions of the Talmud: the Babylonian Talmud (which dates from the 5th century AD but includes earlier material) and the earlier Palestinian or Jerusalem Talmud.

But the idea of the suffering Messiah ben Joseph likely started later.

In a famous second century debate titled Dialogue with Trypho, we read a conversation about Yeshua as the Messiah.

In the dialogue, the Jewish Trypho (who is thought to be a Rabbi from the central Israeli town of Yavneh) simply cannot reconcile that a Messiah who is supposed to be glorified would become cursed on a tree, as is written in Deuteronomy 21:22–23:

“When someone is convicted of a crime punishable by death and is executed, and you hang him on a tree, his corpse must not remain all night upon the tree; you shall bury him that same day, for anyone hung on a tree is under God’s curse. You must not defile the land that the Lord your God is giving you for possession.”

Neither Trypho nor the Christian Justin Martyr mentions Messiah ben Joseph in their dialogue; instead, Trypho looks forward to the coming of Messiah.

This leads some scholars to believe that the idea of this second Messiah (ben Joseph) began to be fleshed out as commentators added their ideas of Messiah over the next 200–400 years.

Second, notice that the Rabbis don’t mention the defeat of sin in their task list, which is the primary purpose of Yeshua, even going back to the first Messianic prophecy of a redeemer who would crush the head of the serpent (Genesis 3:15).

From a translation at the time of Yeshua called Targum Yonatan we read:

“And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between the seed of thy son, and the seed of her sons; and it shall be when the sons of the woman keep the commandments of the law, they will be prepared to smite thee upon thy head; but when they forsake the commandments of the law, thou wilt be ready to wound them in their heel.

“Nevertheless for them there shall be a medicine, but for thee there will be no medicine; and they shall make a remedy for the heel in the days of the King Meshiha.” (Genesis 3:15, PJE)

The Rabbis who wrote their task lists either didn’t believe Messiah came to deal with sin, or they refused to voice this idea for fear that Yeshua could be Messiah.

Moreover, the tasks that should be included in these lists are still disputed even within Rabbinic literature.

What if the Rabbis have misinterpreted the Scriptures?

What if there is only one Messiah, who has already come once to fulfill some of the tasks and will come again to finish the job?

Yeshua: One Messiah, One Task List

When we let Scripture interpret Scripture, one Messiah with one task list appears. Some of those tasks have already been fulfilled by Yeshua (whose name means Salvation):

He was the suffering servant (Isaiah 52:13–53:12; 1 Peter 2:22–25; Romans 5:6–8; Philippians 2:6–11)
He defeated sin by His death and resurrection (Isaiah 53; 1 John 3:8; Hebrews 2:14–15)

And Yeshua will come again to complete His final Messianic duties:

He will defeat Israel’s enemies (Zechariah 9–12; Revelation 20)
He will set up the Messianic age (Isaiah 2:4, 9:1–7, 11:6–9; Revelation 20:4–6)

Throughout this Messianic prophecy series, we are looking at the many duties Messiah is to perform and prophecies He is to fulfill, but those listed above are His primary purposes.

Did We Miss It?

Over 100,000 Jews and two billion non-Jews today have accepted that Messiah has come and is coming again.

Some Jews from ancient days believe the time for Messiah has come and gone. Rabbi HIllel who lived at the time of Yeshua said, “There shall be no Messiah for Israel because they have already enjoyed him in the days of Hezekiah.”

Hillel thought that King Hezekiah was the Messiah.

“May God forgive him [Hillel for saying so],” said a Rabbi named Joseph.

This Rabbi Joseph, a contemporary of Rav Hillel, who lived during the time of Yeshua (Jesus) stated that the Messiah is still to come and will arrive as Zechariah prophesies, riding on a donkey!

“Now, when did Hezekiah flourish? During the first Temple. Yet Zechariah prophesied that in the days of the second [Temple], proclaimed, ‘Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion, shout, O daughter of Jerusalem, behold, thy king cometh unto thee! he is just, and having salvation, lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.’” (Sanhedrin 99a)

Did Christ Ride an Ass, Its Colt, or Both?

The Messiah sits on an animal. It is an ass. More than that, it is a colt, the foal of an ass, meaning very young. That this expression, “upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass,” was descriptive of the one animal on which the Messiah would sit is clear from the fact that both Mark (11:2) and Luke (19:30) replace that phrase with “whereon never man sat” and “whereon yet never man sat.” It is highly unlikely that no man had ever sat upon the ass, but that statement was only true of her colt.

Mark and Luke are concentrating upon the animal upon which Christ sat. Neither of them quotes from Zechariah, where both the colt and its mother are mentioned, so there is no need to mention the mare. Matthew, who quotes Zechariah, then accounts for the mare as well. Matthew explains that the ass and its colt were tied together and were both loosed. It seems clear that the mare accompanied its colt because it was so young, apparently walking alongside because garments were placed upon both. One can imagine Christ letting an armrest upon the donkey as He rode its colt.

But millions of more Jewish People are still looking, praying three times a day the following prayer:

“Speedily cause the offspring of your servant David to flourish, and let him be exalted by your saving power, for we wait all day long for your salvation. Blessed are you, O Lord, who causes salvation to flourish.” (Excerpt of the Amidah, or Standing Prayer)

Why do so many Jews reject Yeshua as this Servant of David?

Part of the answer could be in the confusion that arises with two Messiahs and two task lists compiled through rigorous debate by Rabbis over many centuries.

We at House of the Nazarene believe that when we let Scripture interpret Scripture (from Genesis through Revelation), we see a picture of one task list for one Messiah that is quite different from the two task lists of the Rabbis.

Perhaps when we have finished our current series searching these Messianic prophecies, more Jewish People will be “explaining and proving that the Messiah had to suffer and rise from the dead” as Rabbi Paul in the New Testament did, and say,

“This Yeshua I am proclaiming to you is the Messiah.” (Acts 17:3)

That the multitude would hail Him as Messiah, as the prophets had said, in spite of such a humble entry, is all the more remarkable. Of course, the same enthusiastic crowd that hailed Him on this occasion turned against Him and demanded His crucifixion a mere four days later. That fact was a no-less-remarkable fulfillment of prophecy.

Please Remember To Include House of the Nazarene In Your Holiday Gifting Giving As We Continue To Share The Gospel Around The World!

House of the Nazarene Projects: Support, Education, Food, Bibles, Prayer, Healing, and Church Building. So, Please, contribute to this fundraising effort!

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“I will sacrifice a freewill offering to you; I will praise your name, LORD, for it is good.” (Psalm 54:6)

You may make a donation securely through PayPal here: paypal.me/houseofthenazarene

So now we at House of the Nazarene are looking into land and church building donation requests for a physical church! What great news, right?

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Yeshua And The Azazel Is Acharei Mot Or After The Death And Kedoshim Or Holy Ones Is Today’s Sermon

Why did Elohim have to WRITE His laws on our hearts? The Jews had the law written down on stone, papyrus, and on other articles of writing for 4000 years and did not follow them, oh yes once in a while one of the Old Testament fathers did but the majority of the time they did not. Moreover, we have the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) living inside us and seals us and who convicts us when we behave without God’s love.

This week, two Torah readings, Parasha Acharei Mot (After the Death) and Kedoshim (Holy Ones) are combined to accommodate the number of Sabbaths in this calendar year.

Please read along with us, and discover Torah truths in this double portion of Scripture that is being read in synagogues around the world this Shabbat.

Acharei Mot–Kedoshim

Leviticus 16:1–20:27; Ezekiel 22:1–19; Amos 9:7–15; John 7:1–10:21

“The LORD spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron who died when they approached the LORD.” (Leviticus 16:1)

Last week’s combined Torah portion, Tazria-Metzora, discussed the laws of tumah (impurity) and taharah (purity).

This week’s double portion of Scripture begins with God’s warnings about entering the Kedosh HaKedoshim (Holy of Holies) after the death (acharei mot) of Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron who perished when they brought “strange fire” before Adonai.

In this Parasha, it seems that the Lord is trying to prevent any more “accidental deaths” due to well-meaning Israelites coming too close to the holiness of God.

During this time, the Holy of Holies was placed behind a thick, heavy curtain or veil in front of the atonement cover on the Ark. There the Lord appeared in a cloud:

“The LORD said to Moses: ‘Tell your brother Aaron that he is not to come whenever he chooses into the Most Holy Place behind the curtain in front of the atonement cover on the ark, or else he will die.’” (Leviticus 16:2)

Not just anyone could enter this most innermost sanctuary, but only the High Priest (Cohen HaGadol) and even then only one day out of the entire year—on the Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur).

This is a striking contrast to the unlimited access that Believers in Yeshua now have to the very throne of the Almighty God under the New Covenant.

“Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven, Yeshua the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin.” (Hebrews 4:14–15)

Sometimes you wonder why do I present the sermon from the Hebrew perspective? It’s because the Old Testament IS written in the Jewish context so you may understand why things are done in a particular way. Now, when Yeshua died without sin as an offering for sin, Heaven itself rent its garment in grief, as is the Jewish mourning custom of a father who loses a son.

“And Yeshua cried out again with a loud voice, and yielded up His spirit. And behold, the veil of the Temple was torn in two from top to bottom; and the earth shook and the rocks were split.” (Matthew 27:50–51)

Now that final atonement has been made through Yeshua and the veil is torn, every man, woman or child can have continual access to God.

“Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.” (Hebrews 4:16)

The Connection Between the Azazel and Yeshua

The first section of the Torah portion (Acharei Mot) describes the Yom Kippur offering of two goats: one for the offering and the other as the scapegoat (called the Azazel [עֲזָאזֵל] in Hebrew).

“But the goat chosen by lot as the scapegoat shall be presented alive before the LORD to be used for making atonement by sending it into the wilderness as a scapegoat.” (Leviticus 16:10)

Lots would be cast over two goats—one of which would be offered to God as a sin offering.

The High Priest would lay his hands upon the other goat, symbolically laying all the sins of Israel upon the Azazel. The goat would then be banished into the wilderness, carrying away the sins of Israel along with it.

“He is to lay both hands on the head of the live goat and confess over it all the wickedness and rebellion of the Israelites—all their sins—and put them on the goat’s head. He shall send the goat away into the wilderness in the care of someone appointed for the task. The goat will carry on itself all their sins to a remote place; and the man shall release it in the wilderness.” (Leviticus 16:21–22)

The scapegoat’s carrying away of sin is a beautiful picture of what is described in Isaiah 53:

“We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.” (Isaiah 53:6)

Just as this scapegoat took the sins of the Jewish People and carried them away into the wilderness, so did Yeshua carry away our sins.

When Yochanan the Immerser (John the Baptist) saw Yeshua coming to the Jordan River, he said, “Hinei seh ha’Elohim, hanoseh chatat ha’olam (Here is the Lamb of God who carries away the sins of the world.” (John 1:29)

Once we begin to see these Scriptures in their Hebraic context, not only do they make more sense but they also bring a richness to our faith that we cannot have without this understanding of its Jewish roots.

The Hebrew term l’azazel in this Parasha means either for absolute removal or to Azazel (a name). Azazel has been translated scapegoat in the King James Bible, but the Septuagint translates it the sent away or the sent away one.

Later rabbis believed l’azazel referred to azaz (rugged) and el (strong), interpreting it to be the rugged cliff from which the goat was thrown.

Today, some Israelis use this term as a swear word (in the same way that metumtemet [stupid], mechueret [ugly], and magila [disgusting] are considered curses). (Jewfolk)

The book of Enoch (one of the books of the Apocrypha) mentions Azazel as one of the chief of a group of fallen angels who married women. These angels were responsible for the increase of violence and wickedness.

There is a similar account in Genesis that refers to women marrying “sons of the elohim,” which some rabbinic and Christian commentaries interpret to be angels. The Bible account does not mention Azazel.

“That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. … There were giants in the earth in those days; and also afterward, when the sons of God came in unto the daughters of men, and they bore children to them, the same became mighty men which were of old, men of renown.” (Genesis 6:2–4)

According to the Book of Enoch, this fallen angel, Azazel, is to be cast into the lake of fire on the Day of Judgment because of his corrupt influence upon the people of the earth:

“On the day of the great judgment he shall be cast into the fire. … The whole earth has been corrupted through the works that were taught by Azazel: to him ascribe all sin.” (1 Enoch 10:7–8)

Yeshua not only carried away all of our sins as the scapegoat, he bore the wrath of God for all of the sins of the world.

We can be so thankful that Yeshua the Messiah took upon Himself all the sin and corruption of the world. Whether the source of sin is called Azazel or Satan, Yeshua bore that curse for us so that we can come to God’s holy throne clothed in righteousness.

“The Messiah redeemed us from the curse pronounced in the Torah by becoming cursed in our place; for the Tanakh says, ‘Everyone who hangs from a stake comes under a curse.’” (Galatians 3:13)

Yeshua Fulfilled Yom Kippur

“This is to be a lasting ordinance for you: Atonement is to be made once a year for all the sins of the Israelites.” (Leviticus 16:34)

God instituted Yom Kippur (the Day of Atonement) as a lasting ordinance to be observed throughout all generations.

Since the destruction of the Temple, however, the required Yom Kippur offering can no longer be presented to the Lord.

Although most Jewish followers of Yeshua understand that the Temple will be rebuilt and the offerings reinstituted before Yeshua’s return, they understand that Yeshua is our final korban (offering) for our kapparah (atonement).

In response to the current situation in which the offerings cannot be made at the Temple, the rabbis have said that the offerings now have three substitutes: prayer (tefillah), repentance (teshuva) and charity (tzedakah).

The Call to Be Holy

Contained within this Parasha are warnings against the consumption of blood and unlawful sexual relations such as incest, homosexuality, bestiality and sexual intercourse with a woman during her monthly menstrual cycle.

All of these sexual deviations and perversions are detestable to the Lord and cause the Land to become defiled. In fact, this Torah portions explains that these sins were among the reasons why God “vomited” the people out of the Land.

“Do not defile yourselves in any of these ways, because this is how the nations that I am going to drive out before you became defiled… And if you defile the land, it will vomit you out as it vomited out the nations that were before you.” (Leviticus 18:24, 28)

We understand from this that God required morality or holiness from the Canaanites, as well as the Hebrews. He requires the same for all nations today.

The Laws of Holiness

The Kedoshim portion of the reading continues with commandments (mitzvot) that are related to holiness or sanctification.

God asks that we be holy just as He is: “You shall be holy, for I, the YHVH your God, am holy.” (Leviticus 19:2)

The word kedoshim comes from the root k-d-sh (קדש), which means holy, set apart, or sanctified.

But we are not left to our own imagination about what holiness looks or acts like. God connects it to specific attitudes and actions.

Part of being holy is honoring our parents. In fact, one of the first of these mitzvot is the command to respect one’s mother and father. And it seems there is no time limit on this. In other words, we don’t stop honoring our parents when we turn 16, 18, 21 or 40.

This law is followed by the command to keep the Sabbath holy. Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days you shall labor, and do all your work, but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God, amongst many other Sabbaths. these commandments are for the Jews alone not for Christians.

Other mitzvot include the giving of charity, being honest in business dealings, and keeping life sacred, these should be a no-brainer but nowadays greed, abortions, filthiness, and lucre run abound.

We can see that disrespect toward parents, rebellion against authority, homosexuality and other sexual perversions, abortion, corruption in business, and the profaning of the Jewish Sabbath for the Jews, Bibles removed from schools are becoming more and more commonplace in our day. Is it any wonder that God’s judgment is falling upon the nations?

The Entire Law Is Love

Although there are many commandments in the Torah that are for our good and designed to protect holiness, the central law they all boil down to is the following command written in this weeks’ Parasha: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” (Leviticus 19:18)

The great sage Hillel said of this commandment, “This is the entire Torah; the rest is commentary.”

First-century rabbi Akiva also taught that the great general principle of the Torah is to love your neighbor.

Yeshua HaMashiach (the Messiah), as a Torah observant Jew well aware of Jewish teachings, echoed the Jewish sages who came before Him when He said,

“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34–35)

While many Believers think that keeping the Torah is no longer required and too hard to do anyway, the reality that Adonai’s laws are so important that they have been written on our hearts. (Jeremiah 31:30–34 [31–33])

Why did Elohim have to WRITE His laws on our hearts? The Jews had the law written down on stone, papyrus, and on other articles of writing for 4000 years and did not follow them, oh yes once in a while one of the Old Testament fathers did but the majority of the time they did not. Moreover, we have the Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit) living inside us and seals us and who convicts us when we behave without God’s love.

His Ruach empowers us to conduct ourselves in a way that fulfills His commandments, just as Yeshua did.

“God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Ruach HaKodesh, who has been given to us.” (Romans 5:5)

“In order that we, who were the first to hope in Christ, would be for the praise of His glory. And in Him, having heard and believed the word of truth— the gospel of your salvation— you were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the pledge of our inheritance until the redemption of those who are God’s possession, to the praise of His glory” Ephesians 1:12-14

May each of us live and act in a way that exemplifies His work in us!

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Please Remember To Include House of the Nazarene In Your Holiday Gifting Giving As We Continue To Share The Gospel Around The World!

Please Share This, Thank You And God Bless!

Please Remember To Include House of the Nazarene In Your Holiday Gifting Giving As We Continue To Share The Gospel Around The World!

Please Share This, Thank You And God Bless!

Please Remember To Include House of the Nazarene In Your Holiday Gifting Giving As We Continue To Share The Gospel Around The World!

Please Share This, Thank You And God Bless!

Please Remember To Include House of the Nazarene In Your Holiday Gifting Giving As We Continue To Share The Gospel Around The World!

Please Share This, Thank You And God Bless!

Please Remember To Include House of the Nazarene In Your Holiday Gifting Giving As We Continue To Share The Gospel Around The World!

Please Share This, Thank You And God Bless!