Faithful Writers

Yeshua said to the religious leaders of his day, “If you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for Moses wrote about me. ” I cannot think of any other part of the Bible that so foreshadows Yeshua’s crucifixion on the cross than Genesis Chapter 22. The prophetic elements are so compelling. If you are witnessing to a Jew, I recommend sharing the material presented here in a friendly fashion. Don’t beat him or her over the head with it. Maybe say to him or her, “ Here’s an interesting perspective that I would like to share with you. ” If it gets him or her thinking, then you’ve done your job. So let’s get started. We are told in verse one that God tested Abraham. Although we understand from the beginning that Isaac is going to survive this ordeal, this information was NOT given to Abraham. However, it is given to us to reassure us that, as a common practice, God in no way accepts or approves of human sacrifice. In the land of Canaan where they dwelled, human sacrifice was quite common, and Isaac, though shocked, wouldn’t have been surprised at his father’s request. It should also be mentioned that at this time, Isaac was a fully-matured adult. According to the best estimates, he was most likely anywhere in his late twenties to late thirties. So the common cutesy Sunday school portrayal of an innocent toddler cooing and being coddled is just a Gentile Christian fable. Let’s get into some of the amazing prophetic symbolism presented here. We are told that Abraham had two servants with him, and they brought chopped wood for the sacrifice. Next, in verse six, we are told that Abraham placed the sacrificial wood on the back of Isaac, and he had to haul it up the altar where he would be killed. Now, 1800 years later, who else had to carry a huge hunk of wood that would also serve as the means of his death? Next, when they arrived at their destination, Abraham informed the two servants that they were to stay where they were and not go up to the sacrificial altar with them. However, Abraham reassures his servants that he and Isaac will return to them shortly. Now, who also told His followers that He was leaving and where He was going, they couldn’t come, and that He would return to them? Aren’t the parallels just amazing?! Here are some more: -Abraham was to sacrifice his only son. -God sacrificed His only begotten Son. -When told by his father that he was to be sacrificed, Isaac willingly submitted. -Yeshua, too, when told by His heavenly father that he was to be sacrificed, acted in total obedience. - Three days after Isaac was “sentenced” to death, he returned from the altar, alive. -Yeshua resurrected from the dead 3 days after he was killed. -When Isaac asked where the sacrificial lamb was, his father said that God would provide it. -Likewise, God provided His very own son to be the sacrificial lamb for the whole world. CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT By trusting, Abraham, when he was put to the test, offered up Isaac as a sacrifice. Yes, he offered up his only son , he who had received the promises, to whom it had been said, “What is called your ‘seed’ will be in Isaac.” For he had concluded that God could even raise people from the dead! And, figuratively speaking, he did so receive him. -Hebrews 11:17–19 © Richoka

The Hebrew word for ark is “ TEVAH ”= תבה . This word ONLY appears in two places in the entire Old Testament. The first place is in Chapter Six of Genesis, where we are currently at in our study. “ So God said to Noah, “I am going to put an end to all people, for the earth is filled with violence because of them. I am surely going to destroy both them and the earth. So make yourself an ark (tevah) of cypress wood ; make rooms in it and coat it with pitch inside and out.”-Genesis 6:13–14 The second place is in Exodus Chapter Two where the baby Moses is placed in an “ark." I am aware some translations use the word “basket” instead of “ark." Nevertheless, the original Hebrew word is “tevah” , which means “ark” and given the spiritual significance involved, I think the same word should be used. “ And the woman conceived, and bare a son: and when she saw him that he was a goodly child, she hid him three months. And when she could not longer hide him, she took for him an ark (tevah) of bulrushes , and daubed it with slime and with pitch, and put the child therein; and she laid it in the flags by the river’s brink. And his sister stood afar off, to wit what would be done to him. And the daughter of Pharaoh came down to wash herself at the river; and her maidens walked along by the river’s side; and when she saw the ark (tevah) among the flags , she sent her maid to fetch it. And when she had opened it, she saw the child: and, behold, the babe wept. And she called his name Moses: and she said, Because I drew him out of the water.”-Exodus 2:2–6 and 10 Notice that in both cases, the ark is the divine means of escape God has prepared for His chosen people. In Genesis, mankind was to be destroyed by a flood of water. But God saw to it that Noah and his family would be saved by placing them safely in a “Tevah” to protect them from the flood waters. In Exodus, all Israelite male babies were to be killed by being drowned in the Nile. But God saw to it that Moses would be the savior of Israel by placing him in a “Tevah” , to ride atop the water. Using water and an ark, God is showing us two parallel patterns of salvation. The first pattern in Genesis is used for saving mankind in general. The second pattern in Exodus is used for saving the Hebrews. So in these last days, who or what is our TEVAH? What can we rely on 100% to rescue us from our worries and problems as well as the great destruction that is to come upon the earth, most likely soon? Of course, the answer is Yeshua, our Lord and Savior. CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith .-Hebrews 11:7 © Richoka

In a previous post, I mentioned that it is not so easy to conform every manifestation of God in the Scriptures to the limited teaching of the Trinity. Second, I also mentioned that the teaching of the Trinity tends to impart the idea that God can be separated into three different pieces. Like when Yeshua was walking around here on planet earth, two-thirds of God the Father was left remaining up in the heavens. The point I made is that instead of thinking of these three manifestations as three different “pieces” of God, it is probably better to think of them as different “attributes” of God that work in complete harmony with each other, not independently of each other. The Son only does what the Father does. The Son cannot do anything separate from the Father. The reason? The Son is a manifested attribute of God Himself. So in this sense, the Son is God Himself. I know this is a very difficult concept to understand, and to be quite honest with you, I’m having difficulty explaining it in words right now. Yeshua said it best in the following statements. “He who has seen Me has seen the Father.” “I and my Father are one and the same.” “As my Father works, so also I work.” Let’s see how this concept applies to this story of Isaac being sacrificed. Notice that Abraham and Isaac went up together to the sacrificial alter. The Father couldn’t perform the sacrifice without the Son and the Son’s perfect obedience. And of course, the Son could not be sacrificed without the decision of the Father to do so. BOTH are necessary. They work in complete harmony. However, the Father is NOT the Son. Isaac was NOT the same person as his father Abraham. Likewise, Yeshua did not say that He and the Father are identical in physical human form. Yeshua was still accountable to God the Father — the Source! Rather, Yeshua and the Father have essential unity together. Yeshua enjoys the exact unity of nature and actions with His Father. The religious leaders clearly understood this and tried to stone Him for blasphemy. © Richoka

A holy shift of the thoughts we don’t want to speak out loud. To all the mommas, whether seasoned or brand new: This one’s for you. 🤍 Photo by Markus Winkler on Unsplash The Morning Shift Another day begins earlier than you wanted it to. It’s a rainy Tuesday… or is it Wednesday? You don’t give it another thought, as you are already on the move to greet a tiny human excitedly waiting for you to scoop them up and start the day. Your heart swells as you snuggle them close and kiss tiny, soft cheeks. I better memorize them before they fade into toddlerhood, you think. The morning shift has begun. Your phone dings. You’ll get to it later, maybe. Last week, it took you two days to answer your friend because your baby was sick. Wondering if your friendship can endure this season, you think to yourself, I’m a horrible friend. While you’re getting the bottle ready, you make a mental note to order some bigger jammies. You wonder how a small human can grow so fast… When was the last time I bought myself a shirt? The baby on your hip reminds you that your bottle-making is too slow, so you hurriedly cap it and shake it on the way to the rocking chair, where you’ll attempt to feed the cutest little alligator who will drink an ounce and beg to get down and play. Where did all the burp cloths go? You grab a burp cloth from the mountain in the laundry room. After sitting back down, sweet Gator chugs half the bottle and spits up all over both of you. Back to the pile for more clothes. I have got to fold this today. I’m so lazy. The clock reminds you that it’s ten minutes until you need to leave, so you kick into high gear — re-dress yourself, change the baby, throw the bottle in the sink, pick baby back up because they start to cry, run to your closet for shoes, hurry the dogs into the backyard, load the baby in the car seat… and then you smell it. Sweet Gator is now a stinky ‘gator… Freshly diapered baby in hand, you strap them back in the car seat, turn off the lights, grab your keys, and head out the door. You’re 10 minutes behind when you remember your lunch in the fridge, but the car is already loaded, so you decide to leave it for tomorrow. You wonder to yourself why you can’t ever seem to get out the door on time. I’m so disorganized. After dropping off ‘gator at daycare, you head to work. Late. Again. You’re exhausted from the morning and hope your boss understands that you’re trying. It’s hard to focus on your emails because you’re wondering if Gator’s teacher knows the special bounce that calms them down. Are they crying for you, asking where “Ma-ma-ma-ma” is? Feeling like a horrible mom, you remember the work project you were supposed to send over to your boss yesterday. You had to leave early because daycare called, so you didn’t get to finish. I’m such a bad employee. Work day finished, you head home where your husband and Gator are waiting for you. Their giggling voices reach your ears as you open the door. No scrambling, just playing after a long day at work and daycare. He’s such a better parent than I am. After quick hellos, you get dinner ready and on the table. An hour later, it’s bath and bedtime for Gator. Cleaning up bath toys while your husband tackles the kitchen, you think about all the time you missed with your baby during the day. Suddenly, it’s too much. Sobs wrack your body as you think, I can’t do this. Why is all of it so hard ? Then you hear it — the still, small voice you’ve been ignoring all day. Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Leaning into the quiet, you hear it again. Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you… do not let your hearts be troubled… You think about all the things you’ve said to yourself today. All the lies the enemy has tempted you to believe. In the stillness, the Holy Spirit reminds you what’s true. You pray and ask the Lord to change your perspective, to renew your mind in Christ Jesus. The Holy Shift Another morning begins. You think, Lord, thank you for another opportunity to share your love today. The same routine — get baby ready, handle the spills and accidents, get everyone out the door. Yet this time, something is different. The blowouts and tantrums and work emails are still there, but your inner monologue is different. A twice-forgotten lunch means you’ll have to eat out again. Thank you, Lord, for providing the means for me to buy food. Baby Gator is teething, so you’re tired from being up all night. Lord, I’m resting in you today, for your yoke is easy and your burden is light. For the rest of the day, you hold every thought captive and remind yourself of the truth of Scripture as opposed to feasting on the enemy’s lies. Instead of all the negative thoughts, you repeat to yourself, I am fearfully and wonderfully made. It doesn’t change your situation, but it does change the way you view it. All the chaos and striving suddenly become joy and blessing. Your identity is no longer a tired momma. You are a thankful, redeemed, beloved child of the King. Finally brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things… and the God of peace will be with you. Thanks for reading! If any of this resonated with you, or you’d like to see more content like this, please consider subscribing so you’ll never miss out on a post. Press on! 🫶🏻 © Stephanie M. Scripture references: Matthew 11:28–29 John 14:27 Psalm 139:14 Philippians 4:8–9

"And you shall enter the ark, you and your sons and your wife and wives of your sons with you. And from all that lives, from all flesh, two of each thing you shall bring to the ark to keep alive with you, male and female they shall be. ” The total number of humans who entered the ark were 8 people, 4 men and their wives. Out of the entire world population, only eight humans were elected to be saved. In Biblical numerology, the number 8 stands for redemption and will remain so throughout the entirety of Scripture. Another point is that both humans and animals are represented by one male and one female . This is the pattern that God has set down and all other forms of intimate bonding whether homosexual or polygamous are outside of God’s ideal will for mankind. God’s ideal is that marriage is to be between one man and one woman. © Richoka

“When Avram heard that his nephew had been taken captive, he led out his trained men, who had been born in his house, 318 of them , and went in pursuit as far as Dan. “-Genesis 14:14 It is interesting to note that the strategy that Abram employed in the rescue mission to reacquire Lot was a surprise attack at night. This is the same strategy Israel used against the Egyptians in the 6-day war that resulted in the taking back of Jerusalem. Next, for those of you who can read Hebrew, take a look at the following word: אליעזר It is the name of Abraham’s servant Eliezer. For those of you who have studied basic Hebrew, you know that each Hebrew letter has a corresponding numerical value. Let’s calculate the numerical value of Eliezer’s name as follows: Eliezer’s letters add up to exactly 318! One Jewish commentary has said that Abraham’s victory over the kings was NOT due to the assistance of 318 men but of one single helper. Furthermore, a literal translation of the name Eliezer means “ God is my help ." So a more spiritual or mystical reading of this text ( and the Scriptures do contain multiple levels of interpretation ) would reveal that ultimately Abraham’s helper was God. He defeated the kings with faith rather than force! Man, this is INSPIRING!!! © Richoka

But the angel of Adonai called to him out of heaven: “ Avraham? Avraham! ” He answered, “ Here I am. ” He said, “ Don’t lay your hand on the boy! Don’t do anything to him! For now I know that you are a man who fears God, because you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me. ”-Genesis 22:11–12 Just before Abraham is about to plunge the dagger into Isaac’s heart to end his life, we are told that the “Lord’s messenger,” or some translations will say the “Angel of the Lord,” called out to Abraham to stop him. Now I don’t have the authority to force any certain interpretation or conclusion on you, but I will present the following facts concerning this “being” who called out to Abraham to stop him. First Fact:The original Hebrew is “MALACH Yahweh” and NOT “MALACH Adonai”. So the literal translation is the “Angel of Yehoveh." Second Fact:This angel of Yahweh speaks with the same authority (in the first person) as Yahweh God Almighty. In other words, this Being is saying “ I say ”. He is not saying “ God says ." My point is simple, and this is the challenge I set before all Christians everywhere, regardless of whether you're just an average churchgoer or a seminary professor with 5000 PhDs under your belt, try to harmonize the two aforementioned facts with your “Trinity” doctrine. Who is this MALACH YAHWEH? I assert that it is a full-blown manifestation of God who is NOT Yeshua or the Holy Spirit. The truth be told, starting with the Council of Nicea in the early 4th century AD, doctrines were established (and continue to be created) that are NOWHERE present in Scripture. I reiterate. For the first 200 years, the early church knew nothing of the Trinity teaching. Ya feel me? © Richoka

Today, we begin Genesis Chapter 7. For the Complete Jewish Bible, click here . For the King James version, click here “Of every clean animal you are to take seven couples, and of the animals that are not clean , one couple.”-Genesis 7–2 Notice that even at this early stage in the Scriptures… Way before the existence of the people of Israel… And way before God ever gave the Torah to Moses… A distinction is being made between clean and unclean animals. In Hebrew, clean is “ TABOR ” and unclean is “ TAMEI ." I can tell you quite honestly from my experience that most Christians do NOT have a proper understanding of the difference between “clean” and “unclean” animals. However, there seems to be no end to the interesting ( and frankly quite entertaining ) theories that gentile scholars will come up with. For example, one Christian scholar has said that “clean animals” are those animals suitable for domestication and fellowship with man. What is ironic about this situation is that any Jewish child ( assuming he or she had undergone a proper Jewish education ) right off the bat would be able to point out the difference between “clean” and “unclean." The difference is as follows: “Clean animals” are those that are ritually pure… …and… … ”unclean animals” are NOT ritually pure. And that’s it homies. In simple terms, only clean animals can be used in the sacrifices to God and ONLY clean food can be eaten. However, at this stage in human history, God had not yet permitted man to eat meat. Per God’s command, food at this stage was only green plants. Notice also that only the unclean animals are to be brought in single pairs. However, 7 pairs of clean animals are to be brought in (14 animals for each one of the clean species) . Why were 7 pairs of clean animals needed? Well, think about it. Clean animals are needed for the sacrificial offerings. So if you only have one pair of a certain clean species and sacrifice one of the animals from that pair, that would be the extinction of that particular species. God would never have been able to establish His sacrificial system if that happened. © Richoka

For Isaac’s sacrifice, God commanded Abraham to go to the “ Land of Moriah ” to a certain mountaintop that would be pointed out to him. Over a thousand years later, King Solomon built YHVH’s temple on this very site. It stood for about 400 years until King Nebuchadnezzar’s armies destroyed it sometime in 587 B.C. It was rebuilt 70 years later by the Jews returning from their captivity in Babylon. But destroyed again by the Romans in 70 A.D. All that remains is the remnant now known as “ The Wailing Wall ." The Bible prophesies that YHVH’s temple will be rebuilt again. An event, that I believe is right around the corner. Mount Moriah is now one of the hottest pieces of real estate on the planet, an area sacred to millions of Christians, Jews, and Muslims around the planet. There are two conflicting views concerning the location of Mount Moriah. GENTILE INTERPRETATION: Mount Moriah is where Yeshua was crucified. JEWISH INTERPRETATION: Mt. Moriah is where the Temple used to be and will again be built someday. This is the location where the Islamic shrine called the Dome of the Rock currently is. So which one is correct? My opinion ( and again I stress that this is just my opinion ), is that the Jewish interpretation is 100% correct and the Gentile interpretation could be correct. First , there is strong Scriptural evidence that Solomon’s temple, as well as the second temple, were built in the precise area where Abraham sacrificed his son Isaac. “Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah , where the LORD appeared unto David his father; for which provision had been made in the Place of David, in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.”-2 Chronicles 3:1 Second , who would know better and be able to maintain a firm grasp of the correct location of Mount Moriah over the centuries than the Hebrews? I do not doubt that the Jews are correct in asserting that Mount Moriah is YHVH’s temple mount location. Now the biggest argument against Mount Moriah NOT being the place where Yeshua was sacrificed is based on the assertion that Mount Moriah was located INSIDE the walls of Jerusalem . However, the Scriptures make it clear that Yeshua was crucified OUTSIDE the walls of Jerusalem. So they conclude that Yeshua could NOT have been crucified on Mount Moriah. The problem with this assertion is that the border walls of Jerusalem do not cover ALL of Mount Moriah. So, based on this technicality, the Gentile interpretation could in this sense be correct. However, one thing for sure is that Yeshua’s crucifixion occurred OUTSIDE the walls of the city of Jerusalem. Understand that this fact alone rules out the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and Jeremiah’s Grotto as the location of Yeshua’s crucifixion. CONNECTING THIS TEACHING TO THE NEW TESTAMENT For the high priest brings the blood of animals into the Holiest Place as a sin offering, but their bodies are burned outside the camp . So too Yeshua suffered death outside the gate, in order to make the people holy through his own blood. Therefore, let us go out to him who is outside the camp and share his disgrace. -Hebrews 13:11–13 © Richoka

“And the Lord said to Noah ‘Come into the ark, you and all your household for it is you I have seen righteous before Me in this generation’”.-Genesis 7:1 Based on the above verse we just read, what was so special about Noah that he was allowed to receive this exclusive invitation from God? The Scriptures say Noah was “righteous." However, the Scriptures also say that God regretted having made humankind of which Noah was a member. So why did God pronounce Noah righteous and then sentenced the rest of mankind to destruction? Let’s take a look at what the ancient rabbis had to say on this topic. The following is a quote from an ancient Hebrew commentary called Mishna Rabbah. “But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord . He delivereth him that is innocent (i naki), yea, thou shalt be delivered through the cleanness of thy hands. R. Hanina1 said: Noah possessed less than an ounce (unkia) 2 [of merit]. If so, why was he delivered? Only ‘Through the cleanness of Thy hands’. This agrees with what R. Abba b. Kahana said: For it repenteth Me that I have made them and Noah. But Noah was left only because he found grace; hence, but Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord .” What an amazing opinion being expressed here! According to the ancient Rabbis, God did not just regret that he had made all mankind with the exception of Noah. God regretted having made all men INCLUDING Noah . Look at the above quote carefully. It clearly states that “ Noah had less than an ounce of merit ” and “It repenteth Me that I have made them and Noah.” “Noah was blameless only in his age, but in other ages he would not have been considered righteous.” -Rabbi Jochanan So why did God single out Noah as righteous? What did the ancient rabbis conclude? Noah received unmerited grace, pure and simple. This rabbinic excerpt flies completely in the face of all those Christian scholars who incorrectly claim that the biggest difference between the Old Testament and the New Testament is that man had to work to gain righteousness with the Lord in the Old Testament and that in the New Testament salvation was a free gift. This is horribly bad scholarship that has led to the false teaching that one must choose either Law or Grace. You would be amazed at how many Christian churches promote this false teaching. It is usually summed up like this: “You’ve got two choices. You can attempt to follow the Law and earn your way into heaven OR you can choose to accept Yeshua as your Savior and through His shed blood be guaranteed a place in heaven.” I’ve got news for you folks and listen carefully so there is no misunderstanding. NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, NEVER, EVER does God set that choice before us anywhere in the entire Bible. Got it? This is man-made theology stemming from anti-Semitic attitudes. The simple truth of the matter is that the ancient Hebrews did NOT believe they could work their way into heaven. They completely understood that righteousness and salvation had to be a free gift from God. Sure, a good portion of ancient Hebrew commentaries seem to focus on a strict adherence to God’s teaching but it is not because they were trying to earn or even maintain their salvation. It was out of gratefulness for being chosen. Salvation in the Bible is by faith through grace from beginning to end! I’m done. © Richoka