Berean - Our Father, ALLMighty YAHWEH
Berean - Thank You for the blessings that You have given us.
Berean - Thank You for the fellowship of brethren and the nurishment of Your Word.
Berean - Thank You for gving us Your Feast days, that we may learn Your will, and grow closer to You.
Berean - Father, we ask that You continue to bring us closer to You, and closer to each other.
Berean - We ask You for cleansing and guidance.
Berean - Protection and strength.
Berean - Father, we ask that You open our eyes continually to the necessity of learning Your will, and Your ways.
Berean - Father, please help us to walk therein.
Berean - We ask that in all things in our lives, that Your will be done, above all else.
Berean - Please give us the healing we desperately need, and a strong thirst for Your Word.
Berean - We ask everything in Your Son's name, Yahshua
Berean - Ahmein
In recent weeks, we have been examining what the scriptures have to say in regards to holiness
Last week, we left off with a scripture in the book of Hebrews that gives clear indication of Yahweh's requirement of Holiness/separateness.
In context, the scripture indicates that we are chastened by Yahweh so that we may be partakers of His holiness:
Hebrews 12:7 - If you endure chastening, YAHWEH deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten?
Hebrews 12:8 - But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons.
Hebrews 12:9 - Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live?
Hebrews 12:10 - For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness.
Hebrews 12:11 - Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.
Hebrews 12:12 - Therefore strengthen the hands which hang down, and the feeble knees,
Hebrews 12:13 - and make straight paths for your feet, so that what is lame may not be [dislocated], but rather be healed.
Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see YAHWEH:Notice that we will not see Yahweh without following holiness. Holiness is apparently very important to understand!
We are among the things that are to be holy unto Yahweh. We are to be holy as He is holy. Therefore, our actions must also be holy.
We must be careful not to maintain the standard of holiness He has set for us.
We must be careful to maintain the standard of holiness He has set for us.
For instance, we are to perfect holiness by not being unequally yoked with unclean things:
2Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?
2Corinthians 6:15 - Or what harmony has the Messiah with Belial, or what has a believer in common with an unbeliever?
2Corinthians 6:16 - Or what agreement has the temple of YAHWEH with idols? For we are the temple of the living Elohim; just as YAHWEH said, "I will dwell in them and walk among them; and I will be their Elohim, and they shall be My people.
2Corinthians 6:17 - "Therefore, come out from their midst and be separate," says YAHWEH. "And do not touch what is unclean; and I will welcome you.
2Corinthians 6:18 - "And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me," says YAHWEH Almighty.
2Corinthians 7:1 - Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of YAHWEH.We are a new creation, a new man that is created in true holiness.
Ephesians 4:20 - But you have not so learned the Messiah,
Ephesians 4:21 - if indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the truth is in Yahushua:
Ephesians 4:22 - that you put off, concerning your former conduct, the old man which grows corrupt according to the deceitful lusts,
Ephesians 4:23 - and be renewed in the spirit of your mind,
Ephesians 4:24 - and that you put on the new man which was created according to Elohim, in true righteousness and holiness.We must presented ourselves to Yahweh as a holy, living and acceptable sacrifice:
Romans 12:1 - I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of YAHWEH, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto YAHWEH, which is your reasonable service.
Romans 12:2 - And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of YAHWEH.Let's put on this new man therefore, and be diligent to be pure by walking in righteousness and obedience, for walking in righteousness and obedience brings a person to holiness:
Romans 6:17 - But YAHWEH be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
Romans 6:18 - Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.
Romans 6:19 - I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness.
Romans 6:20 - For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness.
Romans 6:21 - What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death.
Romans 6:22 - But now being made free from sin, and become servants to YAHWEH, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.
Romans 6:23 - For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of YAHWEH is eternal life through Yahushua the Messiah our Saviour.We should not be servants of sin, but rather, servants to righteousness unto holiness.
The Torah/law defines what is righteous and what is not. It defines what is holy and what is not. Sin is transgression of the Torah/law:
1John 3:4 - Whoever commits sin trangresses also the law, for sin is the transgression of the law.In fact, the Torah is in itself holy:
Romans 7:12 - Wherefore the law is holy, and the commandment holy, and just, and good.The Torah teaches us what is holy and what is unholy, so that those who do not know might avoid that which is unholy, profane and wrong:.
1Timothy 1:5 - Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
1Timothy 1:6 - From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling;
1Timothy 1:7 - Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
1Timothy 1:9 - Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the wicked and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers,
1Timothy 1:10 - For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine;
1Timothy 1:11 - According to the glorious gospel of the blessed Elohim, which was committed to my trust.We must not deny the power of holiness and righteousness:
2Timothy 3:1 - This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.
2Timothy 3:2 - For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
2Timothy 3:3 - Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
2Timothy 3:4 - Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of YAHWEH;
2Timothy 3:5 - Having a form of reverence, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.There are things within us that can defile us too. We are defiled by bitterness within us:
Hebrews 12:14 - Pursue peace with all people, and holiness, without which no one will see YAHWEH:
Hebrews 12:15 - looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the favor of YAHWEH; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;
Hebrews 12:16 - lest there be any fornicator or profane person like Esau, who for one morsel of food sold his birthright.We husbands should do well to heed this, for we are commanded to not be bitter toward our wives:
Colossians 3:19 - Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.This brings us to another important point.
While it is true that we must each be holy as Yahweh is holy, not all have the same roles to fulfill before Yahweh.
As previously mentioned, priests had a different standard of holiness than the common man.
The High Priest among the sons of Aaron had an even higher standard.
Also, as we discussed last summer in our study on family, women sometimes have a different role to fulfill than men. For instance:
1Timothy 2:11 - Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
1Timothy 2:12 - But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.
1Timothy 2:13 - For Adam was first formed, then Eve.
1Timothy 2:14 - And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
1Timothy 2:15 - Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.Notice that a woman must continue in faith, charity and holiness with sobriety (self control).
What are some attributes of holy women?
Titus 2:3 - The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;
Titus 2:4 - That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,
Titus 2:5 - To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of YAHWEH be not blasphemed.A holy woman will not falsely accuse, nor linger long at the wine. But she will love her husband and her children.
She will be discreet (discerning good and evil), chaste (pure), good, and obedient to her husband, lest the word of Yahweh be blasphemed.
But what if she is led by a husband that is not obedient to the word of Yahweh?
1Peter 3:1 - Wives, likewise, [be] submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives,
1Peter 3:2 - when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear.
1Peter 3:3 - Do not let your adornment be merely outward--arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel--
1Peter 3:4 - rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of YAHWEH.
1Peter 3:5 - For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in YAHWEH also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands,
1Peter 3:6 - as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him master, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.Holy women will put on holy apparel. The hidden, incorruptible heart, even the adorning of a meek and quiet spirit as the holy women of old adorned themselves because they trusted in Yahweh.
Such a woman, possessing belief and trust in Yahweh, will be sanctified in her behavior, that her husband might be sanctified and her children holy:
1Corinthians 7:14 - For the unbelieving husband is set apart by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is set apart by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.We must all be holy as Yahweh is holy.
Mothers, Fathers and children of Yahweh
We must have a holy seed, not like the exiles of Judah who purposely took in wives who were foreign to the belief in Yahweh:
Ezra 9:1 - Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites.
Ezra 9:2 - For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass.Was the problem that their physical seed was defiled?
Notice that it says the children of Israel took for themselves wives of the Egyptians. But the nations forbidden in the Torah are:
Deuteronomy 7:1 - When YAHWEH thy Elohim shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and hath cast out many nations before thee, the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites, seven nations greater and mightier than thou;
Deuteronomy 7:2 - And when YAHWEH thy Elohim shall deliver them before thee; thou shalt smite them, and utterly destroy them; thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor shew mercy unto them:
Deuteronomy 7:3 - Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.We read here that the seven forbidden nation are the Hittites, and the Girgashites, and the Amorites, and the Canaanites, and the Perizzites, and the Hivites, and the Jebusites.
Why then would Yahweh be displeased that the people of Israel took wives of the Ammonites, Moabites and Egyptians?
Let's remember the purpose of the commandment:
Deuteronomy 7:4 - For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other elohim: so will the anger of YAHWEH be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.Yahweh knew the tendency here, that their children would turn away from Yahweh. Yahweh seeks righteous, holy offspring, children of Elohim:
Malachi 2:13 - And this have ye done again, covering the altar of YAHWEH with tears, with weeping, and with crying out, insomuch that he regardeth not the offering any more, or receiveth it with good will at your hand.
Malachi 2:14 - Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because YAHWEH hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant.
Malachi 2:15 - And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a seed of Elohim. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth.
Malachi 2:16 - For YAHWEH, the Elohim of Israel, saith that he hateth putting away: for one covereth violence with his garment, saith YAHWEH of hosts: therefore take heed to your spirit, that ye deal not treacherously.Therefore, it is not so much the genealogy of a person that Yahweh is concerned about, but a believer marrying an unbelieving and idolatrous spouse. Otherwise, Joseph was wrong for marrying an Egyptian (Gen 41:45) and Boaz was wrong for marrying Ruth, the Moabitess (Ruth 4:13).
This is not in contradiction to the earlier scripture, which is discussing a situation where someone became a believer while already being married to an unbeliever:
1Corinthians 7:10 - And unto the married I command, yet not I, but YAHWEH, Let not the wife depart from her husband:
1Corinthians 7:11 - But and if she depart, let her remain unmarried, or be reconciled to her husband: and let not the husband put away his wife.
1Corinthians 7:12 - But to the rest speak I, not YAHWEH: If any brother hath a wife that believeth not, and she be pleased to dwell with him, let him not put her away.
1Corinthians 7:13 - And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him.
1Corinthians 7:14 - For the unbelieving husband is set apart by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is set apart by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy.
1Corinthians 7:15 - But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but YAHWEH hath called us to peace.
1Corinthians 7:16 - For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
1Corinthians 7:18 - Is any man called being circumcised? let him not become uncircumcised. Is any called in uncircumcision? let him not be circumcised.So we see an encouragement by Paul to try and remain in the situation we were in while called, for Yahweh has sanctified the spouse and made the children holy... and it may be that the spouse will be saved.
But if a person married an unbeliever while being a believer (who is to be holy as Yahweh is holy), this would be wrong and it is likened unto giving that which is holy to the dogs!
Matthew 7:6 - Give not that which is holy unto the dogs, neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet, and turn again and rend you.We are to be holy unto Yahweh; we should not give ourselves in marriage to the dogs!
According to scripture, the whole earth is defiled when there is a disregard for Yahweh's covenant:
Isaiah 24:4 - The earth mourneth and fadeth away, the world languisheth and fadeth away, the haughty people of the earth do languish.
Isaiah 24:5 - The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant.
Isaiah 24:6 - Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.Indeed, we see today that the earth is truly defiled. Men have transgressed the laws of Yahweh (they say what matters is the heart), changed the ordinances of Yahweh (like keeping Easter rather than Passover) and broken the everlasting covenant (they say it is abolished).
But we must rightly discern what is holy and what is not, what is clean and what is not.
We must keep ourselves unspotted from the world
But we must rightly discern what is holy and what is not, what is clean and what is not.
James 1:27 - Pure and undefiled religion before YAHWEH the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.Yahushua, when disputing with the Pharisees over whether it was lawful to eat with unwashed hands, commented:
Matthew 15:17 - Do not ye yet understand, that whatsoever entereth in at the mouth goeth into the belly, and is cast out into the draught?
Matthew 15:18 - But those things which proceed out of the mouth come forth from the heart; and they defile the man.
Matthew 15:19 - For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies:
Matthew 15:20 - These are the things which defile a man: but to eat with unwashen hands defileth not a man.So we see that evil thoughts defile a man. Murders, adulteries and fornications, thefts, false witnesses and blasphemies also defile a man.
This should be a lesson also for us, that we not go beyond the word of Yahweh in discerning the clean and unclean.
The Pharisees had gone to the extreme in their understanding of what is unclean. They were quite particular not only in when to wash their hands, but even how. There were ordinances that said you had to wash up to the third joint of the finger with a certain measure of water, etc etc etc.
They focused so much on what might cause them to be impure, they forgot that Yahweh would rather have them focus on what IS pure.
1Timothy 1:15 - This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that the Messiah Yahushua came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief.wrong book :)
Titus 1:15 - Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.We should not treat clean/uncleanness like people treat germs. For instance, some believe that a woman who is in her monthly impurity (Niddah) should not cook a meal, lest she make the meal unclean
But scripture does not say that any food she touches is unclean. Neither does scripture say that eating with unwashed hands makes you unclean. We should not add to His word, neither should we take away:
Proverbs 30:5 - Every word of Eloah is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him.
Proverbs 30:6 - Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.Therefore, we need to make our words like His words, for the tongue can also defile a man:
James 3:3 - Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body.
James 3:4 - Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
James 3:5 - Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles!
James 3:6 - And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell."Even so, the tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body!"
James 3:7 - For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.
James 3:8 - But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
James 3:9 - With it we bless YAHWEH our Father and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of YAHWEH.
James 3:10 - Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.
James 3:11 - Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening?
James 3:12 - Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh.
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.Our conversation is to be holy:
1Peter 1:15 - but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct,
1Peter 1:16 - because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy."
2Peter 3:10 - But the day of YAHWEH will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the works that are in it will be burned up.
2Peter 3:11 - Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and reverence,Let us heed Yahushua's warning:
Matthew 12:35 - A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things: and an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.
Matthew 12:36 - But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
Matthew 12:37 - For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.Truly this is a powerful saying!
Can we stand before the Son of Man?
He will be seeking that bride that He purified. Not only should we beware not to defile our whole body with our tongue, we should shun such profane and idle babblings.
2Timothy 2:15 - Study to shew thyself approved unto YAHWEH, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2Timothy 2:16 - But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more wickedness.
2Timothy 2:17 - And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus;
2Timothy 2:18 - Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and overthrow the faith of some.Therefore, let's bring our thoughts and words into the subjection of Messiah and if any man speak, let it be as the oracles of Yahweh:
1Peter 4:11 - If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of YAHWEH. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which YAHWEH supplies, that in all things YAHWEH may be glorified through Yahushua the Messiah, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever.
Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart favor to the hearers.Yahweh's oracles are holy, may our speech be also
But how do we let no corrupt word proceed out of our mouth?
Battle away the corrupt thoughts that lead to corrupt speech:
2Corinthians 10:4 - for the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but divinely powerful for the destruction of fortresses.
2Corinthians 10:5 - Destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of YAHWEH, taking every thought captive to the obedience of the Messiah,Take captive every thought to the obedience of Messiah.
2Corinthians 10:6 - and we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete.If our thoughts are unclean and are not in accordance with obedience to Yahweh, ask Yahweh to cast it out! He who is holy and has His Holy Spirit in us desires to do so!
One day, all these unholy and temporary things will not be tolerated. In the future kingdom, holiness will be the rule:
Isaiah 35:3 - Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees.
Isaiah 35:4 - Say to them that are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your Elohim will come with vengeance, even Elohim with a recompence; he will come and save you.
Isaiah 35:5 - Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped.
Isaiah 35:6 - Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert.
Isaiah 35:7 - And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water: in the habitation of dragons, where each lay, shall be grass with reeds and rushes.
Isaiah 35:8 - And an highway shall be there, and a way, and it shall be called The way of holiness; the unclean shall not pass over it; but it shall be for those: the wayfaring men, though fools, shall not err therein.
Isaiah 35:9 - No lion shall be there, nor any ravenous beast shall go up thereon, it shall not be found there; but the redeemed shall walk there:
Isaiah 35:10 - And the ransomed of YAHWEH shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads: they shall obtain joy and gladness, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away.Therefore, let's give thanks at the remembrance of His holiness:
Psalms 30:4 - Sing unto YAHWEH, O ye saints of his, and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.
Psalms 97:12 - Rejoice in YAHWEH, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness.We will continue next week, may Yahweh bless you and may Yahweh be praised for His holiness!
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