05/18/2007 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

For many of us, one week from today will begin what is often called a "double Sabbath".

Next week, we will observe the Feast of Shavuot (Weeks) on the day following the Sabbath (5/27/07). Also called Pentecost, this day is one of the festivals mentioned in the Torah.

To properly understand what the feast of Shavuot is about and when it is commanded to observed, we need to first understand the Passover and Feast of Unleavened Bread. For this reason, we will begin here:

Deuteronomy 16:6 - But at the place which YAHWEH thy Elohim shall choose to place his name in, there thou shalt sacrifice the passover at even, at the going down of the sun, at the season that thou camest forth out of Egypt.

Deuteronomy 16:7 - And thou shalt roast and eat it in the place which YAHWEH thy Elohim shall choose: and thou shalt turn in the morning, and go unto thy tents.

Deuteronomy 16:8 - Six days thou shalt eat unleavened bread: and on the seventh day shall be a solemn assembly to YAHWEH thy Elohim: thou shalt do no work therein.

Deuteronomy 16:9 - Seven weeks shalt thou number unto thee: begin to number the seven weeks from such time as thou beginnest to put the sickle to the corn.

Deuteronomy 16:10 - And thou shalt keep the feast of weeks unto YAHWEH thy Elohim with a tribute of a freewill offering of thine hand, which thou shalt give unto YAHWEH thy Elohim, according as YAHWEH thy Elohim hath blessed thee:

Deuteronomy 16:11 - And thou shalt rejoice before YAHWEH thy Elohim, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy manservant, and thy maidservant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the stranger, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are among you, in the place which YAHWEH thy Elohim hath chosen to place his name there.

Seven weeks are to be counted from the time that the sickle is put to the corn. The "corn" is the barley grain that is first harvested during the Feast of Unleavened Bread. This is also mentioned in Leviticus 23:

Leviticus 23:6 - And on the fifteenth day of the same month is the feast of unleavened bread unto YAHWEH: seven days ye must eat unleavened bread.

Leviticus 23:7 - In the first day ye shall have an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

Leviticus 23:8 - But ye shall offer an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH seven days: in the seventh day is an holy convocation: ye shall do no servile work therein.

Leviticus 23:9 - And YAHWEH spake unto Moses, saying,

Leviticus 23:10 - Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the priest:

Leviticus 23:11 - And he shall wave the sheaf before YAHWEH, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the sabbath the priest shall wave it.

"On the morrow after the Sabbath" the sheaf of barley grain was to be waved before Yahweh as an offering. So during the Feast of Unleaved Bread, after the weekly Sabbath during the feast, the priest would wave the sheaf.

We are to count 7 weeks from that time period:

Leviticus 23:12 - And ye shall offer that day when ye wave the sheaf an he lamb without blemish of the first year for a burnt offering unto YAHWEH.

Leviticus 23:13 - And the meat offering thereof shall be two tenth deals of fine flour mingled with oil, an offering made by fire unto YAHWEH for a sweet savour: and the drink offering thereof shall be of wine, the fourth part of an hin.

Leviticus 23:14 - And ye shall eat neither bread, nor parched corn, nor green ears, until the selfsame day that ye have brought an offering unto your Elohim: it shall be a statute for ever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.

Leviticus 23:15 - And ye shall count unto you from the morrow after the sabbath, from the day that ye brought the sheaf of the wave offering; seven sabbaths shall be complete:

Leviticus 23:16 - Even unto the morrow after the seventh sabbath shall ye number fifty days; and ye shall offer a new meat offering unto YAHWEH.

And so we count fifty days after the Sabbath that occurs during the Feast of Unleavened Bread to arrive at the proper date for the Feast of Weeks.

This is why the day is also called "Pentecost," a Greek word for "Fiftieth."

This year it will arrive on 5/27, which is the first day of the week. This marks the timing of the wheat harvest.

Leviticus 23:17 - Ye shall bring out of your habitations two wave loaves of two tenth deals: they shall be of fine flour; they shall be baken with leaven; they are the firstfruits unto YAHWEH.

Leviticus 23:18 - And ye shall offer with the bread seven lambs without blemish of the first year, and one young bullock, and two rams: they shall be for a burnt offering unto YAHWEH, with their meat offering, and their drink offerings, even an offering made by fire, of sweet savour unto YAHWEH.

Leviticus 23:19 - Then ye shall sacrifice one kid of the goats for a sin offering, and two lambs of the first year for a sacrifice of peace offerings.

Leviticus 23:20 - And the priest shall wave them with the bread of the firstfruits for a wave offering before YAHWEH, with the two lambs: they shall be holy to YAHWEH for the priest.

Leviticus 23:21 - And ye shall proclaim on the selfsame day, that it may be an holy convocation unto you: ye shall do no servile work therein: it shall be a statute for ever in all your dwellings throughout your generations.

It is true that we do not have a priest to bring the sheaf of barley, the two loaves of bread or any other offerings, but we are able to rest on this day as Yahweh commanded, thank Him for the wheat harvest, and remember Yahweh's mighty works which were done during this feast.

The events of these days are significant in that Shavuot (Feast of Weeks) traditionally marks the time when the Ten Commandments were given in Exodus 20. Scripturally, it appears that it would have occurred somewhere around that time.

Shavuot/Pentecost also marks the time when the Holy Spirit was given in Acts 2. Both were times when Yahweh gave something to man.

Acts 2:1 - And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place.

The disciples of Yahushua were gathered together to keep the feast on this day, 120 of them, and Yahweh gave an outpouring of His Spirit which ultimately resulted in 3000 people being baptized in the name of Yahushua.

Acts 2:38 - Then Kepha said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahushua the Messiah for the forgiveness of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.

Acts 2:39 - For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as YAHWEH our Elohim shall call.

Acts 2:40 - And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

Acts 2:41 - Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls.

Acts 2:42 - And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

This was in contrast to the 3000 who died when they disobeyed Yahweh by worshiping a golden calf soon after the giving of the Ten Commandments (Exo. 32:28).

The letter kills because we have not been obedient to it, but the Spirit gives life. Praise Yahweh for His mercy toward us through Yahushua our Master.

The Torah shows us the righteous and true path of life. But it cannot give us life.

The Spirit of Yahweh within us gives us life and righteousness

So shavuot is a day of resting from servile work (we may cook and feast on this day), for remembering with thanksgiving the wheat harvest that Yahweh has provided, and remembering the giving of the Torah (Exodus 20) and Spirit (Acts 2).

In light of these things, I would like for us to examine what Yahweh desires of us in regards to restoration and how we respond to His word and His Spirit being placed in us.

King Saul was such a man at first. He was anointed and had the Spirit of Yahweh upon him.

1Samuel 15:1 - Samuel also said unto Saul, YAHWEH sent me to anoint thee to be king over his people, over Israel: now therefore hearken thou unto the voice of the words of YAHWEH.

1Samuel 15:2 - Thus saith YAHWEH of hosts, I remember that which Amalek did to Israel, how he laid wait for him in the way, when he came up from Egypt.

1Samuel 15:3 - Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

Yahweh remembered what Amalek had done when the children of Israel had come out of Egypt:

Exodus 17:8 - Then came Amalek, and fought with Israel in Rephidim.

Exodus 17:9 - And Moses said unto Joshua, Choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek: to morrow I will stand on the top of the hill with the rod of Elohim in mine hand.

Exodus 17:10 - So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill.

Exodus 17:11 - And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed.

Exodus 17:12 - But Moses' hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun.

Exodus 17:13 - And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword.

Exodus 17:14 - And YAHWEH said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.

So in the Torah we find that Yahweh declared this prophecy to obliterate Amalek..

Over 400 years later, Yahweh chose Saul to perform this act

1Samuel 15:3 - Now go and smite Amalek, and utterly destroy all that they have, and spare them not; but slay both man and woman, infant and suckling, ox and sheep, camel and ass.

1Samuel 15:4 - And Saul gathered the people together, and numbered them in Telaim, two hundred thousand footmen, and ten thousand men of Judah.

1Samuel 15:5 - And Saul came to a city of Amalek, and laid wait in the valley.

1Samuel 15:6 - And Saul said unto the Kenites, Go, depart, get you down from among the Amalekites, lest I destroy you with them: for ye shewed kindness to all the children of Israel, when they came up out of Egypt. So the Kenites departed from among the Amalekites.

1Samuel 15:7 - And Saul smote the Amalekites from Havilah until thou comest to Shur, that is over against Egypt.

1Samuel 15:8 - And he took Agag the king of the Amalekites alive, and utterly destroyed all the people with the edge of the sword.

1Samuel 15:9 - But Saul and the people spared Agag, and the best of the sheep, and of the oxen, and of the fatlings, and the lambs, and all that was good, and would not utterly destroy them: but every thing that was vile and refuse, that they destroyed utterly.

1Samuel 15:10 - Then came the word of YAHWEH unto Samuel, saying,

1Samuel 15:11 - It repenteth me that I have set up Saul to be king: for he is turned back from following me, and hath not performed my commandments. And it grieved Samuel; and he cried unto YAHWEH all night.

1Samuel 15:12 - And when Samuel rose early to meet Saul in the morning, it was told Samuel, saying, Saul came to Carmel, and, behold, he set him up a place, and is gone about, and passed on, and gone down to Gilgal.

Note that in verse 11 it says that Saul "is turned back from following me"

Our response to Yahweh giving HIs Spirit ought to be one where our repentance remains genuine, and we never choose to "turn back" to the vomit.

In verse 12, note that it says Saul "set him up a place"

The New KJV reads this way:

1 Samuel 15:12 So when Samuel rose early in the morning to meet Saul, it was told Samuel, saying, "Saul went to Carmel, and indeed, he set up a monument for himself; and he has gone on around, passed by, and gone down to Gilgal."

Saul seemed focused on himself, and the praise of men.

1Samuel 15:13 - And Samuel came to Saul: and Saul said unto him, Blessed be thou of YAHWEH: I have performed the commandment of YAHWEH.

And he was either blind to his own disobedience, or thought that partial obedience was still obedience.

But partial obedience is not obedience at all. Partial obedience is disobedience

1Samuel 15:14 - And Samuel said, What meaneth then this bleating of the sheep in mine ears, and the lowing of the oxen which I hear?

In Saul's words we find an error that exists to this day

People say they obey Yahweh..

...yet they do not, for they choose to obey in their OWN way. :(

And while so many will labor for the glory of men in what they do, few will labor to give glory to Yahweh

We need to beware of these traps

So Saul responded to Samuel's statement:

1Samuel 15:15 - And Saul said, They have brought them from the Amalekites: for the people spared the best of the sheep and of the oxen, to sacrifice unto YAHWEH thy Elohim; and the rest we have utterly destroyed.

So Saul blamed the people by saying "THEY brought them" and "the PEOPLE spared the best of the sheep"

But then when he spoke of the part he did fulfill..he says "WE" have utterly destroyed them.

This is not unlike Adam trying to blame Eve ("This woman that you gave me..."), or Aaron blaming the people when they worshiped the golden calf ("You know them people...")

The people saw that the spoil from the Amalekites was good.

So they chose their own way rather than Yahweh's way. It seems that Saul was afraid that he would lose his honor amongst the people if he told them that they needed to utterly destroy all those great looking (and soon to be great tasting?) animals

So it appears that Saul sought the credit for destroying the Amalekites, but when the people desired something different than Yahweh's commandments... Saul compromised obedience

This is an important lesson for us today.

Saul was trying to justify his disobedience by setting forth his own standard of righteousness, rather than one commanded or given by Yahweh

Brethren, this is a grave error... one that is common among men today

For instance, Yahweh gave the Sabbath day. He said that He sanctified the 7th day of the week. He commanded no work to be done on that day

But then men choose another day of the week to keep holy, one that isn't even holy to begin with, and say "I have kept the commandment of Yahweh!"

The Sabbath isn't on the first day of the week... and it never was

But Sunday is what the people want. So even though many pastors know the real Sabbath is on the seventh day, many will continue to have "church" on the first day of the week to please the people.

But obviously Yahweh does not want leaders to compromise obedience to please the people. And in Saul's case, he rejected such a leader:

1Samuel 15:16 - Then Samuel said unto Saul, Stay, and I will tell thee what YAHWEH hath said to me this night. And he said unto him, Say on.

1Samuel 15:17 - And Samuel said, When thou wast little in thine own sight, wast thou not made the head of the tribes of Israel, and YAHWEH anointed thee king over Israel?

Notice that Yahweh told Saul that he used to be "little in (his) own sight." Remember the humble Saul, hiding amidst the equipment when it was time to proclaim him as the king?

Brethren, we need to remain humble, no matter where Yahweh takes us!

Yahweh gets the glory, no matter what our accomplishments.. for it is He who gave us life and any abilities we have.

Psalms 115:1 - Not unto us, O YAHWEH, not unto us, but unto thy name give glory, for thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake.

HalleluYah!

Continuing in 1 Samuel..

1Samuel 15:18 - And YAHWEH sent thee on a journey, and said, Go and utterly destroy the sinners the Amalekites, and fight against them until they be consumed.

1Samuel 15:19 - Wherefore then didst thou not obey the voice of YAHWEH, but didst fly upon the spoil, and didst evil in the sight of YAHWEH?

1Samuel 15:20 - And Saul said unto Samuel, Yea, I have obeyed the voice of YAHWEH, and have gone the way which YAHWEH sent me, and have brought Agag the king of Amalek, and have utterly destroyed the Amalekites.

When a sacrifice is made to Yahweh, the meat is eaten by the priests and also by the people. Thus, the people sought the best of the 'food' as a reward for their victory. An army going forth to battle without taking the spoil was not very common.

Today people seek rewards in the temporal form, things that will perish with them. "Prosperity doctrines" are becoming more prevalent.

So many people are studying the "prayer of Jabez" and seeking to heap up riches in this age.

But it is the prayers of Ninevah, a people who totally repented.. that need to be studied-- so that all would seek to heap up the true riches in the age to come!

1Samuel 15:21 - But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto YAHWEH thy Elohim in Gilgal.

Ahh.. but the "people"!

The people did it

Ahh.. but Yahweh set up Saul to lead the people

And to Saul the commandment was given

Perhaps it "seemed right" in Saul's eyes to let the people keep the spoil.. maybe as long as he didn't keep any.

But the proverb says..

Proverbs 14:12 - There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.

Saul had to have known of the prophecy Yahweh gave in the Torah about destroying Amalek...Yahweh even reminded him of it when giving him the command.\

but.. blaming the people..

1Samuel 15:21 - But the people took of the spoil, sheep and oxen, the chief of the things which should have been utterly destroyed, to sacrifice unto YAHWEH thy Elohim in Gilgal.

1Samuel 15:22 - And Samuel said, Hath YAHWEH as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of YAHWEH? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

This I wonder..

Will this be the excuse of all the merchant preachers on judgment day who "peddle the word of Yahweh" (2Cor 2:17) while teaching the people that they need not obey fully? Will they say "The people did it" ?

In the modern houses of worship, there are many sacrifices of praise. But to obey is better than to sacrifice!

Much lifting up of hands and claims of "worship"

Psalms 141:2 - Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice.

But in truth...a person can sacrifice all day long, but Yahweh cannot endure it if disobedience is taught

Brethren, an attitude of obedience to Yahweh is very important.

Saul and David both sinned against Yahweh greatly

But there was a marked difference between the two of them.

David truly did repent

David understood repentance and it was sincere when he sinned with Bathsheba and Uriah

In David's psalm of repentance, he wrote:

Psalms 51:16 - For thou desirest not sacrifice; else would I give it: thou delightest not in burnt offering.

Psalms 51:17 - The sacrifices of Elohim are a broken spirit: a broken and a contrite heart, O Elohim, thou wilt not despise.

Psalms 51:18 - Do good in thy good pleasure unto Zion: build thou the walls of Jerusalem.

Psalms 51:19 - Then shalt thou be pleased with the sacrifices of righteousness, with burnt offering and whole burnt offering: then shall they offer bullocks upon thine altar.

Psalms 51:4 - Against thee, thee only, have I sinned, and done this evil in thy sight: that thou mightest be justified when thou speakest, and be clear when thou judgest.

Psalms 51:5 - Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me.

Psalms 51:6 - Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom.

Psalms 51:7 - Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.

Even then, works did not make up for sin. A man had his only hope...in the mercy of Yahweh.

It is false to teach that in the "Old Testament" everything was about "works" and only in the "New Testament" do we have grace now

Who can say that David, a man who stole a man's wife, commited adultery with her and murdered her husband, didn't have grace?

But you see, David's repentance was different than Saul's..

When David was confronted with his sin, he repented. When Saul was confronted, he blamed others and even refused to acknowledge any wrongdoing at first

And so Samuel said to Saul

1Samuel 15:22 - And Samuel said, Hath YAHWEH as great delight in burnt offerings and sacrifices, as in obeying the voice of YAHWEH? Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams.

1Samuel 15:23 - For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. Because thou hast rejected the word of YAHWEH, he hath also rejected thee from being king.

This is a remarkable statement by Samuel. Not only did he classify Saul's actions as Rebellion, but he made Saul's Rebellion equal with witchcraft and his stubbornness as idolatry!!

Our attitude toward the Word of Yahweh is so important! When the word convicts us, what is our attitude about it?

According to Yahweh, Saul's actions were rebellious and Saul was stubborn. His stubborness made him choose his own way that 'seemed right' rather than giving Yahweh the honor and obeying His voice.

1Samuel 15:24 - And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of YAHWEH, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice.

Finally, Saul acknowledges his sin. He admits that he "feared the people" and obeyed them rather than Yahweh.

This is a very common thing today. People refuse the word of Yahweh because they are concerned about what others might say.

But does Saul really repent?

Saul sought honor for himself and sought the praise of men more than the praise of Yahweh. We can see that was his motive as we continue to read:

1Samuel 15:25 - Now therefore, I pray thee, pardon my sin, and turn again with me, that I may worship YAHWEH.

Notice that Saul asked for pardon, and immediately asked Saul to turn back with him to worship Yahweh.

Correction...

Notice that Saul asked for pardon, and immediately asked Samuel to turn back with him to worship Yahweh.

1Samuel 15:26 - And Samuel said unto Saul, I will not return with thee: for thou hast rejected the word of YAHWEH, and YAHWEH hath rejected thee from being king over Israel.

1Samuel 15:27 - And as Samuel turned about to go away, he laid hold upon the skirt of his mantle, and it rent.

1Samuel 15:28 - And Samuel said unto him, YAHWEH hath rent the kingdom of Israel from thee this day, and hath given it to a neighbour of thine, that is better than thou.

1Samuel 15:29 - And also the Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for he is not a man, that he should repent.

1Samuel 15:30 - Then he said, I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people, and before Israel, and turn again with me, that I may worship YAHWEH thy Elohim.

In Saul's words we see the likely intent of his repentance from the beginning ("turn again with me!"). Now he says "I have sinned: yet honour me now, I pray thee, before the elders of my people."

It certainly doesn't look like true repentance from the heart. Rather, it appears that even his repentance is rooted in a desire for to be honored by the people.

If Samuel refused to go with him, he would have had some explaining to do and a lot of humbling of himself to do.

This is characteristic of leaders that Yahweh historically has rejected.

For instance, this was also a characteristic of the Scribes and Pharisees:

John 12:42 - Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him; but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue:

John 12:43 - For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of YAHWEH.

Matthew 23:5 - But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments,

Seeking to be a man-pleaser is a common thing that prevents someone from believing and accepting new light given to them.

For instance, those in mainstream leadership...even if they know the truth are too afraid to teach it because they 'fear the people.' If they actually taught the truth, they would end up preaching themselves right out of a job!

I have in my email box a reply some years ago from a leader of a mainstream church in response to my study on the necessity of keeping the Sabbath. It says:

"You had better be careful about talk of shutting down ALL businesses on the Sabbath. Don't you realize how many of our supporters are businessmen???? Do you think they will continue to come the church and to contribute the way they do now if we even SUGGEST that they must give up ONE/SEVENTH of THEIR INCOME?" Rev. R D.

Emphasis and CAPS are his.

Nevermind the truth... sadly many of them are too concerned with feeding themselves. They care not for the sheep because they are hirelings.

But at least this man was honest. Many others hide it their heart under a cloud of excuses.

Therefore they 'obey their voice (the people') rather than the voice of Yahweh, perhaps (like Saul) thinking that the people are responsible rather than him.

Woe to all who walk in this way, for such witchcraft and idolatry lead the people astray in this age in the same way the false prophets led Israel and Judah astray

We need to beware of such things, and know that those who are practicing these things are to be avoided

Ezekiel 34:2 - Son of man, prophesy against the shepherds of Israel, prophesy, and say unto them, Thus saith the Master YAHWEH unto the shepherds; Woe be to the shepherds of Israel that do feed themselves! should not the shepherds feed the flocks?

Ezekiel 34:3 - Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe you with the wool, ye kill them that are fed: but ye feed not the flock.

Ezekiel 34:4 - The diseased have ye not strengthened, neither have ye healed that which was sick, neither have ye bound up that which was broken, neither have ye brought again that which was driven away, neither have ye sought that which was lost; but with force and with cruelty have ye ruled them.

Therefore Yahushua warned us:

Matthew 7:15 - Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.

Just as it is today, Saul had allowed the people to do a different way of worship than what Yahweh commanded.

Because he loved the praise of men more than the praise of Yahweh

Like Saul, they thought they could sacrifice (worship) by doing it differently than the way Yahweh told them to.

Today many have chosen their own way of worship such as choosing their own day to keep holy (1st day instead of the real 7th day holy day), Pagan rooted holi-days in favor of Yahweh's Holy days, Counterfeit names rather than the true names, etc etc

Now I say these things because it needs to be said, not because I believe I'm better than anyone else for having come into the knowledge of these truths!

It is by the grace of Yahweh that we all know the things we do know, and I believe there is much more for us to know and live and walk in!

But we need to recognize the characteristics of wolves, and we all must learn from these examples and beware of the snares.

So in sharing those words I share them in fear knowing the trap that is there for me, just as anyone else.

We need to continually beware of the fear of man. It should not even be a consideration when seeking the truth in Yahweh's word. We should not be thinking in our minds "What would so and so think?" when pondering obedience to something Yahweh has said to do.

We should never never attempt (like Saul did) to conceal selfishness and self love under the cloak of religious zeal and gratitude!

This was the mistake of so many, and the mistake of this age also. For as he secretly sought the praise of men, all while claiming to honor Yahweh with something Yahweh expressly had forbidden... so it is with many today. They think they honor Yahweh by doing their own ways, but it does not.

So in sadness, I grieve over the system of churchianity which breeds complacency and confidence in man.

Every week, people go to their church "services" where people basically pay and trust false shepherds to read and interpret the scriptures for them

Oh, but the sheep!

The shepherds know to tell them what they want to hear.. that they are going to heaven and that in spite of their failure to repent... "Ye will not surely die"

In so doing, multitudes follow after them.. and pay them well

For some reason, they believe that the success of their ministry is based on the number of people in attendance, rather than living a life of true repentance!

But they have been led astray and because of this, they lead others astray with them. As Yahushua said:

Luke 6:39 - And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

Brethren, my heart is burdened.. and has been for many years.

The ones of this age must be warned!

We must go and warn the people of this serious mistake; It has caused lawlessness/Torahlessness to abound (Mat 24:12)!

So what do we do? Go out and grab people by the neck, shaking them and screaming sense into them?

Our desire to share the truth should be rooted in love for our fellow man

I perceive that too often, for some it is more so out of a desire to win an argument :(

Brethren, knowledge puffs up.. but love edifies!

We don't share the truth to win arguments. We share what we have learned because we love the other person and don't want to see them walking in the falsehoods which lead to destruction

In reference to the Thessolonians, Paul said:

1Thessalonians 2:5 - For neither at any time used we flattering words, as ye know, nor a cloke of covetousness; YAHWEH is witness:

1Thessalonians 2:6 - Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of the Messiah.

1Thessalonians 2:7 - But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherisheth her children:

To them was given gentleness and selflessness, even though the people of Thessolonica had no reputation for being lovers of His word

Remember what was said of them in Acts 17?

Acts 17:10 - And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.

Acts 17:11 - These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.

Now it is true that the Thessalonian believers were noble

For they did receive Yahushua. But we must remember that we share the things that we have learned... in love!

Matthew 11:28 - Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 11:29 - Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

Matthew 11:30 - For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

Let's learn from His meekness and lowliness when we share the word with others.

Yet let's also remember his boldness and fearlessness to the "men pleasing" false teachers of his day. We need to speak the truth about them, just as He did.

It may fall on deaf ears, as did the messages of Jeremiah, Isaiah, Ezekiel and even Yahushua the Messiah, but we are commanded to deliver those who are drawn toward the way of death:

Proverbs 24:11 - If thou forbear to deliver them that are drawn unto death, and those that are ready to be slain;

Proverbs 24:12 - If thou sayest, Behold, we knew it not; doth not he that pondereth the heart consider it? and he that keepeth thy soul, doth not he know it? and shall not he render to every man according to his works?

Among those who are zealous for sharing the truth, there are some who I believe are sharing it unscripturally.

For anyone can threaten, anyone can intimidate. Anyone can boast and anyone can condemn.

Anyone can judge and anyone can discourage. But I ask, who will deliver them who are walking in the way of destruction?

Who will reach out and be Yahweh's hand extended...to hold someone's hand in love and gently, (1Thes 2:7 and 1Tim 3:3, 2Tim 2:24) patiently (1Thes 5:14, 2Thes 3:5) guide them into the way of life?

Who will gently, meekly share the words of wisdom so that they will hear and recognize the Shepherd's voice of meekness and lowliness in them?

James 3:13 - Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct [that] his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

James 3:14 - But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth.

James 3:15 - This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

James 3:16 - For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

James 3:17 - But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

James 3:18 - Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.

In peace sow His seed... then the fruit of righteousness can grow

This is also true in our own homes

Some want to shove the seed into the heart of their spouse or children

But we ought not do so. Sow it in shalom so that righteousness can grow

Theatening, intimidating, boasting, condemning, pre-judging, discouraging are the lazy and impatient way of witnessing.

It does take patience

Even the seed on good ground!

Luke 8:15 - But that on the good ground are they, which in an honest and good heart, having heard the word, keep it, and bring forth fruit with patience.

We are told to preach the word with longsuffering:

2Timothy 4:2 - Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

This takes laboring and patience and praying and weeping and hoping and knowing and seeking diligently the mind of Yahweh through it all.

Yes, we must labor

Lest we be found like the wicked and lazy servant:

Matthew 25:25 - And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo, there thou hast that is thine.

Matthew 25:26 - His master answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

Matthew 25:27 - Thou oughtest therefore to have put my money to the exchangers, and then at my coming I should have received mine own with usury.

If you have been given a talent of gold, hide it not!!

Either make use of it or give it to someone who will!

Matthew 25:28 - Take therefore the talent from him, and give it unto him which hath ten talents.

Matthew 25:29 - For unto every one that hath shall be given, and he shall have abundance: but from him that hath not shall be taken away even that which he hath.

Matthew 25:30 - And cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.

Out of a heart of love, with patience and longsuffering...

It is time to cry out, "RESTORE!!"

For Yahushua didn't come to take away the torah, He came to magnify it!

Isaiah 42:21 - YAHWEH is well pleased for his righteousness' sake; he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.

Isaiah 42:22 - But this is a people robbed and spoiled; they are all of them snared in holes, and they are hid in prison houses: they are for a prey, and none delivereth; for a spoil, and none saith, Restore.

It is time to deliver those drawn toward the ways of death, who are hidden in the prison houses (churches, houses and synagogues) that are plundered by the shepherds who feed themselves!

Matthew 24:45 - Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his master hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?

Matthew 24:46 - Blessed is that servant, whom his master when he cometh shall find so doing.

Matthew 24:47 - Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

Does this mean we are all called to be preachers and teachers of thousands?

Not necessarily

To those with families, you have a great work to do in your children. Don't waste the time you have, for the time is shorter than you think!

To mothers who may think you have no work of Yahweh.. look to the children you have borne and know that you have a work ahead of you! Guide those children in the ways of righteousness and you have a blessing that can reach unto generation after generation!

One thing I've noticed brethren.. all attempts to organize us as a people have failed. Communes have failed. Organizations have failed. Attempts to all gather everyone to live in one place have failed.

Why?

Possibly it is not Yahweh's time yet. We need to be scattered so that we can reach others and not become focused on ourselves only

Remember..

Acts 8:3 - As for Saul, he made havock of the assembly, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.

Acts 8:4 - Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

Thus we are everywhere preaching the word. Our scattering has a purpose and plan behind it!

We are quite possibly more effective this way at this time, than organizing and becoming just another religion/denomination

One thing we do know, brethren: It is time to do the work of Yahweh. It is time to be about our Father's business!

Lest our scattered nature be in vain

Luke 10:2 - Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Master of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.

In the Shavuot/Pentecost of Acts 2, the Spirit was given, a great work was done, and a foundation was laid by the apostles. That day started the spread of the Good News to all the nations

This Shavuot/Pentecost, let's consider the responsibility we also have to share our faith.

Let's praise Him for the harvest, let's seek to be His harvest, and let's seek to gather others together to be a part of His harvest:

Matthew 13:41 - The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

Matthew 13:42 - And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

Matthew 13:43 - Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Yahweh wants to pour out His Spirit of truth on so many more

We are the body of Messiah. His hands, His feet, His voice as we hear from on high

We must be willing vessels that will pour out ... as He pours into us.

So let's allow the overflowing oil flow onto others, filling their cups so that they might also pour onto others

Let's be living examples of that body of Yahushua the Messiah.. every day. Not just to those in the world, but also to our children and our families

Therefore, let's be laborers!

O Yahweh send forth the labourers!

O Yahweh make me a laborer!

O Yahweh do a work in us!

We are nothing Abba..without You

But

Psalms 119:126 - It is time for thee, YAHWEH, to work: for they have made void thy law.

May Yahweh continue to do His work in us.

It is time to find and walk in the way of truth.

It is time to restore what man has made void

It is high time that Yahweh's Torah be proclaimed as the standard for all men to live by !

Without pretense, without fear of man, without excuse

May Yahweh help us as we do His will, in which we delight!

And may Yahweh bless you and may He have mercy on us all!