A few years ago, the quintessential "odd couple" produced a series of programs called Torah Pearls. The two men are Keith Johnson and Nehemia Gordon. Keith, a black Methodist minister and former chaplain for the Minnesota Vikings, has had more than a decade of being led by the Holy Spirit into the Hebraic mindset of first century believers. His journey has been facilitated by a young Karaite priest named Nehemia Gordon.
Jew and Gentile together.
Since first recording the Torah Pearls programs, much has happened and the plan to continue the haftorah portions of the prophets was put on hold. Timing is everything and Prophet Pearls is now being produced. I share this because I was blessed to be able to sponsor one of the programs and was invited to share insight on the portion of my choice. I picked Toldot and haftorah Malachi 1:1-2:7. See below:
Prophecy is interesting in that it can relate consequences that will take place due to obedience or disobedience. Although, it is usually specific to a given circumstance, the words are timeless and so cross time barriers and can have many fulfillments because it is Truth spoken. These short few verses are loaded with a ton of application for today.
I listened to Torah Pearls on the Torah portion. I was intrigued by the current ‘Jewish’ understanding of Edomite that Nehemia shared. He said that when this term is used, it is a euphemism for ‘christians’. Taken with what else is known, it seems this is not so much a specific nationality as it is a mindset toward YHVH - one that despises Him or disregards Him.
I was particularly struck by verse 4:
4Though Edom says, “We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins” . . .”
This is also quoted in Isaiah 9:9-11. Immediately after and during the years following 9/11, American politicians arrogantly spoke these words, not realizing these words were the cause of judgement because they were rising up against what God was doing to curb the rebellion and disobedience of the people.
The last half of the verse echos other passages that let us know it is YHVH who is in charge and He will do what He will do: thus says the LORD of hosts, “They may build, but I will tear down; and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the LORD is indignant forever.”
Ecclestiastes 3 says there is a time to every purpose (Hebrew: desire, pleasure) under heaven. Ecclesiastes goes on to define these “desirable” things: dying, uprooting, killing, tearing down, weeping, mourning, giving up, throwing away, tearing apart, hating, war.
Mercy always precedes judgement. HE will do these things when necessary to bring us back, to humble us, to restore right relationship with Him. How many opportunities did Pharaoh have to repent? Esau/Edom took no thought of the spiritual blessing and “did it my way” choosing instead to satisfy the physical/flesh. He had the same opportunities Jacob had to serve The God of Abraham and Isaac, but made selfish and arrogant decisions. Later he sought repentance with tears, but it wasn’t there.
The physical hardening of the heart is a slow process that many don’t even know is happening until it stops you in your tracks. Spiritual hardening of the heart is like that. To disregard the merciful intervention of YHVH by stating in pride and arrogance that I will rebuild the tower of Babel bigger and better and with even stronger material is to spit in the face of the Almighty and we had better watch out because there may come a time when repentance may not be found!
National repentance begins with individual repentance. How can the people be led correctly when the priests are in error?
For many months, I have heard the Father say: all that can be shaken will be shaken so that what cannot be shaken will remain. What needs shaken out of my life that is not in line with Torah? What is Abba tearing down that has no business being rebuilt? Can I ‘see’ His hand and trust He knows best?
Hear Prophet Pearls and Torah Pearls at the following links:
http://bfainternational.com/
http://www.nehemiaswall.com/prophet-pearls-noach-isaiah-541-555
Jew and Gentile together.
Since first recording the Torah Pearls programs, much has happened and the plan to continue the haftorah portions of the prophets was put on hold. Timing is everything and Prophet Pearls is now being produced. I share this because I was blessed to be able to sponsor one of the programs and was invited to share insight on the portion of my choice. I picked Toldot and haftorah Malachi 1:1-2:7. See below:
Prophecy is interesting in that it can relate consequences that will take place due to obedience or disobedience. Although, it is usually specific to a given circumstance, the words are timeless and so cross time barriers and can have many fulfillments because it is Truth spoken. These short few verses are loaded with a ton of application for today.
I listened to Torah Pearls on the Torah portion. I was intrigued by the current ‘Jewish’ understanding of Edomite that Nehemia shared. He said that when this term is used, it is a euphemism for ‘christians’. Taken with what else is known, it seems this is not so much a specific nationality as it is a mindset toward YHVH - one that despises Him or disregards Him.
I was particularly struck by verse 4:
4Though Edom says, “We have been beaten down, but we will return and build up the ruins” . . .”
This is also quoted in Isaiah 9:9-11. Immediately after and during the years following 9/11, American politicians arrogantly spoke these words, not realizing these words were the cause of judgement because they were rising up against what God was doing to curb the rebellion and disobedience of the people.
The last half of the verse echos other passages that let us know it is YHVH who is in charge and He will do what He will do: thus says the LORD of hosts, “They may build, but I will tear down; and men will call them the wicked territory, and the people toward whom the LORD is indignant forever.”
Ecclestiastes 3 says there is a time to every purpose (Hebrew: desire, pleasure) under heaven. Ecclesiastes goes on to define these “desirable” things: dying, uprooting, killing, tearing down, weeping, mourning, giving up, throwing away, tearing apart, hating, war.
Mercy always precedes judgement. HE will do these things when necessary to bring us back, to humble us, to restore right relationship with Him. How many opportunities did Pharaoh have to repent? Esau/Edom took no thought of the spiritual blessing and “did it my way” choosing instead to satisfy the physical/flesh. He had the same opportunities Jacob had to serve The God of Abraham and Isaac, but made selfish and arrogant decisions. Later he sought repentance with tears, but it wasn’t there.
The physical hardening of the heart is a slow process that many don’t even know is happening until it stops you in your tracks. Spiritual hardening of the heart is like that. To disregard the merciful intervention of YHVH by stating in pride and arrogance that I will rebuild the tower of Babel bigger and better and with even stronger material is to spit in the face of the Almighty and we had better watch out because there may come a time when repentance may not be found!
National repentance begins with individual repentance. How can the people be led correctly when the priests are in error?
For many months, I have heard the Father say: all that can be shaken will be shaken so that what cannot be shaken will remain. What needs shaken out of my life that is not in line with Torah? What is Abba tearing down that has no business being rebuilt? Can I ‘see’ His hand and trust He knows best?
Hear Prophet Pearls and Torah Pearls at the following links:
http://bfainternational.com/
http://www.nehemiaswall.com/prophet-pearls-noach-isaiah-541-555
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