11/02/2007 Sabbath Meeting Transcript

Earlier this week, millions of children observed a tradition known as "Halloween"

Little more than a a celebration of demons, the streets were lined with skeletons, bloody images, goblins, witches and the like. Even in remote areas where few cars ever travel, people still celebrated morbidity and suicide with their decorations.

About two years ago, a person literally committed suicide by hanging themselves from a tree alongside a highway.

It was seen publicly for many hours by the cars driving by, but everyone thought it was just another Halloween decoration.

Yet those of us who seek to observe Yahweh's commandments are mocked because we observe days that are found and commanded in the scriptures.

They think we are following "Jewish" things.

Some will even say that if we choose to observe "the Jewish commandments", we are somehow rejecting or denying Yahushua

Somehow, the observance of the 5th commandment (Honor your parents) is considered OK, but when you keep the 4th commandment (Remember the Sabbath), you are denying Yahushua and falling from grace!

In reading the various anti-Sabbath studies put out by Christians.. a huge focus seems to be that the Sabbath day along with other select commandments are intended only for the "Jews."

Some will even say that we have "rejected Christian holidays in favor of Jewish ones."

Yet, it can be demonstrated from Scripture and from history that mainstream Christianity actually rejected Yahweh's holy days in favor of Satanic ones.

Many years ago, I was intrigued by a poem that helped to put things in perspective. The poem is called "It's Jewish".

It goes something like this:

"When we present Almighty Yahweh's law, And arguments from the Scriptures draw, Objectors say, to pick a flaw, "IT'S JEWISH."

Though at first Almighty Yahweh blessed, And sanctified His day of rest, The same belief is still expressed, "IT'S JEWISH."

Though with the world this rest began, and then through all the Scriptures ran, And Yahushua said, 'Twas made for man" -- "IT'S JEWISH."

If from the scriptures we present, The Sabbath's meaning and intent, This answers every argument-- "IT'S JEWISH."

Though the disciples, Luke and Saul, Continue still this rest to call, the 'Sabbath Day', This answers all, "IT'S JEWISH."

The evangels taught a plain expression, That "Sin is of the law transgression", Seems not to make the least impression-- "IT'S JEWISH."

They love the rest of man's invention, But if Almighty Yahweh's Day we mention, This puts an end to all contention, "IT'S JEWISH."

Well, those who Yahweh's Day abuse, Simply because 'Twas made for Jews', The Savior, too, you must refuse...

...for "HE'S JEWISH!"

As we read in the poem, many claim that we need not follow the Sabbath or certain other select commandments in the Torah/law because it is (in their mind) "Jewish."

But if we reject things simply because they are Jewish, we must also reject Yahushua also.. for He was born a Jew

The term "Jewish" primarily refers to Judah, one of the 12 tribes of Israel, though it can also refer to other tribes who mixed in with Judah.

But is this true? Is the law and the Sabbath really "Jewish" to begin with?

The answer to that question depends on what is meant by it.

If someone is asking me if the law is 'Jewish', in one sense I would say yes.

To be "Jew-ish" in one sense is to be Jew-like. If one were to say that the law is Jewish in that perspective, I would agree for Jews have at least believed in keeping the law/Torah for thousands of years although tradition and the Talmud has placed unnecessary things on top of the law, and also resulted in the breaking of Yahweh's commandments in some cases.

It is also true that the Jews were given the oracles of Yahweh

Romans 3:1 - What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

Romans 3:2 - Much every way: chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of YAHWEH.

However, it is not Jewish in the sense that Yahweh only wants the Jews to follow it.

For proof of this, let's look into the scriptures...

Let's first examine what is meant by "righteousness"

Noah and his family were saved because of righteousness.

Genesis 7:1 - And YAHWEH said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

This doesn't mean they were perfected, but that they were seeking to walk uprightly

Abraham too:

Genesis 15:5 - And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be.

Genesis 15:6 - And he believed in YAHWEH; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

Now contrary to popular opinion, Abraham's belief wasn't an empty belief. It was backed up by action and works:

Genesis 18:19 - For I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of YAHWEH, to do justice and judgment; that YAHWEH may bring upon Abraham that which he hath spoken of him.

and again...

Genesis 26:4 - And I will make thy seed to multiply as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these countries; and in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed;

Genesis 26:5 - Because that Abraham obeyed my voice, and kept my charge, my commandments, my statutes, and my laws.

Yes, there were commandments, statutes and laws even in those days--long before there was ever a Jewish man.

Noah kept recognized the clean/unclean and even offered sacrifices. Abraham paid tithes and Sodom & Gomorrah was destroyed for disobeying Yahweh.

Now it is very evident that Yahweh is righteous!

Psalms 40:10 - I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation: I have not concealed thy lovingkindness and thy truth from the great congregation.

Even Pharoah acknowledged that Yahweh is righteous:

Exodus 9:27 - And Pharaoh sent, and called for Moses and Aaron, and said unto them, I have sinned this time: YAHWEH is righteous, and I and my people are wicked.

As did Yahushua:

John 17:25 - O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.

We are created in the image of Elohim. Since Yahweh is righteous, He wants us also to be righteous

He wants us to walk in His image. His image is a righteous image.

Yahushua walked in His image perfectly, and we are called to do the same.

If indeed, Yahushua lives in us.

It was already well known in Abraham's day the difference between right and wrong

Adam's son Seth lived almost until the days of Noah

Noah's son Shem lived well into Abraham's day

This can be proven by examining the length of their lives in those days

But when the children of Abraham were in Egypt, men's lives were much shorter than before the flood

And there was a need to write downthe righteous ways to the next generation, so that they would not be lost

Yahweh committed this duty to the "Jews"

Yahweh gave "instruction" as to what righteousness is.

The Hebrew word translated "Law" through the scriptures is "TORAH".

It is sad that the word "Torah" was translated "Law" because that isn't really the full meaning of "Torah".

The true, full meaning of "Torah" is "instruction, teaching."

The "Law" or "Torah" is simply Yahweh's instruction for right living.

And while it primarily refers to the first five books of the scriptures, all of Yahweh's word (Genesis to Revelation) is Yahweh's instruction and teaching.

Paul quoted Isaiah 28:11 and called it the "Law"

1Corinthians 14:21 - In the law it is written, With men of other tongues and other lips will I speak unto this people; and yet for all that will they not hear me, saith YAHWEH.

But for now, let's continue to examine whether the first 5 books, or the "Old testament" was only for the "Jews."

The "Law" or "Torah" is simply Yahweh's instruction for right living. So if we keep the Torah we will be living righteously:

Deuteronomy 9:25 - Thus I fell down before YAHWEH forty days and forty nights, as I fell down at the first; because YAHWEH had said he would destroy you.

wrong verse..

Deuteronomy 6:25 - And it shall be our righteousness, if we observe to do all these commandments before YAHWEH our Elohim, as he hath commanded us.

His word is His Torah/Law... and His word is righteous.

Psalms 119:123 - Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

Psalms 119:172 - My tongue shall speak of thy word: for all thy commandments are righteousness.

Psalms 119:160 - Thy word is true from the beginning: and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.

Every one? forever?

YES

Yahushua agreed. When praying, He said to the Father...

John 17:17 - Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.

His commandments are part of His word, His word sanctifies us

But some think that only certain parts are truth for us.

For example, when you point to something that is in the "Old Testament" as being a scripture which backs up your belief, you will often hear "Well, that's just the Old Testament."

Yahushua says it is all truth.

Luke 1:5 - There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judaea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the course of Abia: and his wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elisabeth.

Luke 1:6 - And they were both righteous before YAHWEH, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of YAHWEH blameless.

Even in Yahushua's day the parents of John the baptist were considered righteous..because they were walking in the commandments and ordinances of Yahweh blameless. Those who keep Yahweh's law are those who are righteous.

Zecharias and Elizabeth were walking in the truth!

We also ought to walk in the truth.

Walking in truth, keeping Yahweh's Torah and living righteously are all synonymous.

So what is sin?

It can be certain that the scriptures teach that the opposite of "righteousness" is "unrighteousness" or "sin"

Romans 6:15 - What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? By no means!

Romans 6:16 - Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness?

Here we see that Sin and righteousness are opposites.

Sin leads to death and obedience leads to righteousness.

Here is another verse showing that sin is simply "unrighteousness:"

1John 5:17 - All unrighteousness is sin, and there is sin not leading to death.

So what exactly is sin?

Well, if obedience to the Torah/law is righteousness...then would not transgression of the law (breaking the commandments in the law) be sin/unrighteousness?

YES. Scripture says so.

1John 3:4 - Whoever commits sin trangresses also the law, for sin is the transgression of the law.

1John 3:5 - And you know that He was manifested to take away our sins, and in Him there is no sin.

1John 3:6 - Whoever abides in Him does not sin. Whoever sins has neither seen Him nor known Him.

1John 3:7 - Little children, let no one deceive you. He who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.

1John 3:8 - He who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of YAHWEH was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

1John 3:9 - Whoever has been born of YAHWEH does not sin, for His seed remains in him; and he cannot sin, because he has been born of YAHWEH.

1John 3:10 - In this the children of YAHWEH and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of YAHWEH, nor is he who does not love his brother.

See how they are all tied in together?

See the warnings given?! He who sins (transgresses the law) is "of the devil."

Now that we have answered the question "What is sin?", what about all those that seem to say certain parts of His torah/law need not be kept by His people?

Should we only observe the commandments that modern preachers say are only for Gentiles?

Everything was simple up until now.

When we start listening to modern day preachers on this issue, that's when confusion begins

Please tell me, who is the one who gets to decide which commandments are "Jewish" and which ones aren't?

What makes the command to keep the Sabbath or other select parts of Yahweh's law "Jewish"... while the command to refrain from adultery is not "Jewish?"

I have yet to get an answer from someon on that question.

So are the Sabbath, the Feast days and the clean and unclean commandments given to Jews or Israelites only?

Let's examine...

Genesis 7:1 - And YAHWEH said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before me in this generation.

Genesis 7:2 - Of every clean beast thou shalt take to thee by sevens, the male and his female: and of beasts that are not clean by two, the male and his female.

Because Noah was a righteous man, he knew the difference between the clean and the unclean. Nobody needed to explain it. He was "Righteous before" Yahweh

So the concept of clean/unclean couldn't possibly be "Jewish" because Noah, a man who existed centuries before there was ever a Jew or an Israelite, being "RIGHTEOUS" knew about the clean and unclean animals.

The answer then must be that this is not a "Jewish" law or doctrine in the sense that it was only instruction for the Jews. This is YAHWEH'S law and doctrine.

The distinction was made at creation. Yahweh clearly marked the animals so that man could distinguish between the clean and the unclean animals. For animals, they must have a cloven hoof and chew the cud to be clean. For fish, they must have fins and scales to be clean. This we discussed at length last week.

The remarkable thing about this is that ALL of the clean animals are vegetarians, most of the unclean fish are bottom feeders and the unclean birds are typically scavengers that prefer carrion.

The unclean are logically unclean because they are the garbage cleaners of the earth.

Now do we suppose that when Yahweh created the clean animals and unclean animals He was saying to Himself, "I need to do this for the Jews?" "It won't be good for them, but it will be good for everyone else?"

The main reason this world believes these commandments are Jewish is because the Jews are the mostly the only ones who are willing to make an effort to keep them!

The same is true of the Sabbath and other commandments labeled "Jewish"

For instance... the Sabbath, is it intended for Jews or Israelites only?

When Yahweh rested on the seventh day from His marvelous acts of creation, was He only thinking of how the Jews will follow His example 2500 years later?

Genesis 2:2 - And on the seventh day Elohim ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made.

Genesis 2:3 - And Elohim blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which Elohim created and made.

The day was sanctified at creation, do we really think that Yahweh's will is for everyone to defile it for 2500 years, then expect only the Jews to keep it sanctified??

And then, only have them keep it holy for 1500 years and quickly abolish the whole thing?

Does this make any sense to you?

It doesn't to me.

Yahweh rested as an example for us! And there is no biological difference between a Jewish man's body and a Gentile's body. Both need to eat healthy and both need proper rest!

Yahushua said the Sabbath was made for man!

Not just for Jews!

In the Ten Commandments, which are written in stone by His own finger..Yahweh writes:

Exodus 20:8 - Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Exodus 20:9 - Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work:

Exodus 20:10 - But the seventh day is the sabbath of YAHWEH thy Elohim: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates:

Exodus 20:11 - For in six days YAHWEH made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore YAHWEH blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.

Some say that there is no scripture telling us that the patriarchs kept the Sabbath day.. or any commandment telling them to keep the Sabbath day.. so we don't have to.

But there was no commandment written down that condemned homosexuality either. Was Yahweh wrong for destroying Sodom and Gomorrrah for committing those acts?

It is written:

Nehemiah 9:13 - Thou camest down also upon mount Sinai, and spakest with them from heaven, and gavest them right judgments, and true laws, good statutes and commandments:

Nehemiah 9:14 - And madest known unto them thy holy sabbath, and commandedst them precepts, statutes, and laws, by the hand of Moses thy servant:

Here Nehemiah says in truth that Yahweh "made known to them" His holy Sabbath.

His Sabbath day had already existed since creation; Yahweh had to make it known to them that they were to be keeping it holy/separate.

It had been holy to Yahweh centuries beforehand..and He wants His own people to "Remember" the Sabbath and keep it Holy.

Now some might point to this scripture to indicate that the Sabbath was for Jews or Israelites only:

Exodus 31:16 - Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, for a perpetual covenant.

Exodus 31:17 - It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days YAHWEH made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

Some might say that this scripture indicates that the Sabbath was something intended to be kept by physical children of Israel and Yahweh only.

It is true that the Sabbath is a sign between Yahweh and Israel forever.

It is true that the Old Covenant was made between Israel and Yahweh.

Does this mean we are free to ignore all of Yahweh's precepts?

Some say we are free to disobey Yahweh's commandments because the "Old Covenant" was for Jews.

But those who say these things fail to see something that so very obvious!

The New Covenant is also only with Israel and Judah!

Jeremiah 31:31 - Behold, the days come, saith YAHWEH, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:

Jeremiah 31:32 - Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith YAHWEH:

"Their Fathers". Whose fathers?

Who is are the named parties in this covenant?

Yahweh is making a new covenant with: "the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah"

And it is on the hearts of Israel and Judah that He said He would write His laws:

Jeremiah 31:33 - But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith YAHWEH, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their Elohim, and they shall be my people.

When Jeremiah spoke these words, tell me...

What was Yahweh's "law" that He was speaking of putting in the hearts of Israel and Judah?

There was no other law than that law He gave through Moshe

So if you don't keep the Sabbath because that was a part of the "old covenant made with the Jews", then by the same logic you have just removed yourself from being a partaker in the New Covenant as well!

The New Covenant is NOT with Gentiles. They are not even named as one of the parties involved!

Now before you misunderstand something, please listen to me on this :)

Through Yahushua, WE ARE ISRAEL

Galatians 3:29 - And if you are the Messiah's, then you are Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

No matter who your father might be in the flesh

We were created in Yahweh's righteous image, but our father in the flesh (Adam) sinned.

At that moment man was no longer in the image of Yahweh. For Yahweh does not sin.

Therefore, the Adam man must die as Yahweh said would happen.

When we receive Yahushua the Messiah, we are a new creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 - Therefore, if anyone is in Messiah, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.

And it is no longer we (the Adam man) who lives.. but it is Yahushua who lives in us!

Galatians 2:20 - "I have been impaled with the Messiah; it is no longer I who live, but the Messiah lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of YAHWEH, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

Yahushua was...

"Jewish!"

Let's make sure you know that:

Romans 1:1 - Paul, a servant of Yahushua the Messiah, called to be an apostle, separated unto the glad tidings of YAHWEH,

Romans 1:2 - (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,)

Romans 1:3 - Concerning his Son Yahushua the Messiah our Saviour, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;

He was of the seed of David (a Jew) according to the flesh...

So if it is no longer we who live, but He that lives in us...

Then what are we?

We are ISRAEL through Him...

We are Abraham's seed!

We have disavowed our heritage in the flesh and became adopted sons and daughters of Yahweh.

We are now Israel through Yahushua the Messiah. We are involved and are now one of the parties named in the New Covenant!

Therefore:

Exodus 31:17 - It is a sign between me and the children of Israel for ever: for in six days YAHWEH made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed.

Therefore the Sabbath is a sign between Yahweh and every one of us!

Forever!

So was/is the Sabbath for physical Jews or Israelites only?

Not really, it was kept by Yahweh's true people since the beginning of creation. As we mentioned earlier, Yahushua plainly said that His Sabbath was for everyone when He said:

Mark 2:27 - And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:

Some only like the second part of the statement "not man for the sabbath".. but what about the first part "The Sabbath was made for man?"

When Yahushua said that the Sabbath was made 'for man', I believe that He was telling the truth.

But by some interpretations, they would have to correct Yahushua and tell Him He should have said "The Sabbath was made for Jews, not Jews for the Sabbath".

But this is not what Yahushua said!

His statement is backed up by scripture. Let's read the 56th chapter of Isaiah:

Isaiah 56:2 - Blessed is the man that doeth this, and the son of man that layeth hold on it; that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and keepeth his hand from doing any evil.

Not "Blessed is the Jew that doeth this" but Blessed is the man that doeth this

Isaiah 56:3 - Neither let the son of the stranger, that hath joined himself to YAHWEH, speak, saying, YAHWEH hath utterly separated me from his people: neither let the eunuch say, Behold, I am a dry tree.

Isaiah 56:4 - For thus saith YAHWEH unto the eunuchs that keep my sabbaths, and choose the things that please me, and take hold of my covenant;

Isaiah 56:5 - Even unto them will I give in mine house and within my walls a place and a name better than of sons and of daughters: I will give them an everlasting name, that shall not be cut off.

Isaiah 56:6 - Also the sons of the stranger, that join themselves to YAHWEH, to serve him, and to love the name of YAHWEH, to be his servants, every one that keepeth the sabbath from polluting it, and taketh hold of my covenant;

The "stranger" is the Gentile

Isaiah 56:7 - Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people.

"EVERY ONE" that keepeth the Sabbath... All along, Yahweh wanted receive them and bless them

This proves that the Sabbath (and the temple too!) was intended for anyone who has "Joined himself to Yahweh"

Yahushua quoted the last part of verse Isaiah 56:7 in this verse:

Matthew 21:13 - And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Continuing...

To be certain, it is written that everyone will be observing His Sabbath day regularly after the resurrection:

Isaiah 66:22 - For as the new heavens and the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith YAHWEH, so shall your seed and your name remain.

Isaiah 66:23 - And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith YAHWEH.

"ALL FLESH," not just Israelites or Jews

Even in the so called "New Testament" we see that the Gentiles and the Jews were keeping the Sabbath together in the Synagogue. And Paul was also there:

Acts 18:4 - And he reasoned in the synagogue every sabbath, and persuaded the Jews and the Greeks.

Truly, the Sabbath was not for Jews only. James knew what day the Jews and the Gentiles would be gathered:

Acts 15:19 - Wherefore my sentence is, that we trouble not them, which from among the Gentiles are turned to YAHWEH:

Acts 15:20 - But that we write unto them, that they abstain from pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from things strangled, and from blood.

Acts 15:21 - For Moses of old time hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath day.

It was well known by James and others there that the Gentiles would be keeping the Sabbath and therefore would be in the synagogue on the Sabbath day and there they would learn more about Yahweh's law.

James also stated the same thing in his writings:

James 2:2 - For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes,

James 2:3 - and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool,"

The word that is translated "assembly" in this scripture (verse 2) is the greek word 4864 "Sunagoge", translated synagogue 55 out of 57 times in the new testament.

Only in this verse (and one other in Acts 13:43) is it not translated "synagogue".

Acts 13:42 - And when the Jews were gone out of the synagogue, the Gentiles besought that these words might be preached to them the next sabbath.

Acts 13:43 - Now when the congregation was broken up, many of the Jews and religious proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas: who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the favor of YAHWEH.

It is translated "congregation" in verse 43. Obviously, "synagogue" would even be an appropriate translation there.

So why was it not translated "Synagogue" in James 2:2?

It hides the fact that Yahweh's people were gathering on the Shabbat!!

I do wonder how many people honestly believe this scripture:

Galatians 3:28 - There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in the Messiah Yahushua.

Many like to quote this scripture to say that they don't keep "Jewish" laws.. but if anything this scripture would declare that they must be one and the same with all Jews in Yahushua.

Yahushua didn't come to destroy the law, He came to fulfill it.. showing us how to keep it!

If we are to believe what Galatians 3:28 says, we cannot say that Yahweh holds one standard for one race of people and another standard for another race of people. This is not truth!

Yet many want to cleave to the promises of Israel... while ignoring the obligations!

One obligation is to keep His Sabbath day holy.

In scripture, Yahweh chose a people for Himself. The children of Abraham were chosen because of Abraham's faithfulness.

They were chosen to be the light to all nations. Through Abraham's seed, all nations (Gentiles) were to be blessed.

Israel is geographically situated as a gateway between 3 continents: Europe, Africa and Asia.

Those traveling between the continents would often go through Israel. People traveling through the land would hear of Yahweh,

Israel was intended to be that light to all nations

Through whom all nations would be blessed

Genesis 22:17 - That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies;

Genesis 22:18 - And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.

Sadly, we know that Israel failed to be the light that Yahweh desired.

The most righteous king of all (David) committed adultery and murder.

But then...

There arose a man...

A man who would be the light Yahweh desired!

He would be... YISRAEL

Isaiah 49:1 - Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; YAHWEH hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name.

Isaiah 49:2 - And he hath made my mouth like a sharp sword; in the shadow of his hand hath he hid me, and made me a polished shaft; in his quiver hath he hid me;

This is Messiah speaking here...

Isaiah 49:3 - And said unto me, Thou art my servant, O Israel, in whom I will be glorified.

In this verse, He is called "Israel!"

Isaiah 49:4 - Then I said, I have laboured in vain, I have spent my strength for nought, and in vain: yet surely my judgment is with YAHWEH, and my work with my Elohim.

Isaiah 49:5 - And now, saith YAHWEH that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of YAHWEH, and my Elohim shall be my strength.

Yahushua replies that He was formed in the womb to be Yahweh's servant.. to bring back Jacob to Him.

So, Israel brought back Jacob/Israel?

Yes.

This is because the Messiah is being called "Israel" in this verse. He would bring back Jacob, restoring them and giving Jacob the land.

And though He was stopped from gathering them the first time, He is glorious in Yahweh's eyes.. and He will restore as the prophets have declared!

He would be the mediator through whom Jacob's children would come to the Father.

But there is more:

Isaiah 49:6 - And he said, It is a light thing that thou shouldest be my servant to raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved of Israel: I will also give thee for a light to the Gentiles, that thou mayest be my salvation unto the end of the earth.

He (Yahushua) became the light to the Gentiles that Yahweh had been trying to reach for so long.

So not only will Yahushua restore the "preserved" (elect) of Israel, but also will be a light to all nations.. that Yahushua might be Yahweh's salvation to the end of the earth!

For Yahweh's goal wasn't just to bring salvation to one race of people, but that all might be saved through Israel

It is through Yahushua that this is accomplished!

And He lives in us, Israel (Yahushua) is in us.

We are scattered all over the world.. seeking to have Yahushua (the true Israelite) dwelling in us.

When He dwells in us, this will draw all men to Yahweh. Yahushua is the LIGHT in us and we are the light of the world.

This, I believe, is the purpose of the scattering. Yahweh is using our scattering to reach all nations with the good news of Yahushua.

So if Israel dwells in us, let's live our lives knowing that all the covenants and promises of Israel are for us too!

Ephesians 2:11 - Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh--who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands--

Ephesians 2:12 - that at that time you were without the Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without Elohim in the world.

Ephesians 2:13 - But now in the Master Yahushua you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah.

All of Yahweh's commandments intended for Jews are also intended for anyone who wants to be grafted in and join themselves unto Yahweh.

Those who were "once Gentiles in the flesh" are no longer aliens or strangers from the commonwealth of Israel.

So those who are dwelling on this belief that they are not "Jewish" and so they need not keep "Jewish" commandments are the ones who are focusing on the flesh, not us!

If only certain things are Jewish must we seek out our lineage now to see if we have any Jewish or Israelite blood?

And then proceed to include or exclude ourselves from needing to keep certain commandments? What if there was an Israelite in our genealogy we didn't know about?

Can we see how ridiculous this doctrine can get?

How about we just simplify everything and walk as Yahushua walked. Isn't He supposed to be living in us??

1John 2:1 - My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Yahushua the Messiah the righteous.

1John 2:2 - And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.

1John 2:3 - Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.

1John 2:4 - He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

1John 2:5 - But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of YAHWEH is perfected in him. By this we know that we are in Him.

Let's do this, shall we?

1John 2:6 - He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.

We cannot say out of one side of their mouth that we need not keep the Sabbath and Torah commandments and then out of the other side of their mouth say that we need to walk as Yahushua walked. For Yahushua did these things!

We cannot say out of one side of our mouth that we keep the Ten Commandments and then out the other side of our mouth say that the Sabbath is done away with, changed or altered in any way!

We cannot say out of one side of our mouth that we can ignore the Sabbath because that was only for Israel, and then claim to be a party to the new covenant! For it was with Israel as well!

All of this is clearly double talk, contradictory statements and double mindedness

What we really need to do...

is look at Yahushua's life...

and emulate it...

for then, we will be ISRAEL like He is, and then we will receive the great and wonderful promises given to Israel

But in so doing we must realize that it is not we who do it...

but it is He doing it in us...

just as He did on earth.

May His Spirit of truth and love and righteousness abide in us forever..

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