TK Torah Keepers

I cannot help but to ponder life in the days of our father Abraham.  While we may romanticize such biblical times, the truth of the matter is that life was very difficult.  In many ways life was simply about survival.  Abraham lived in a world where food and water were often scarce, famines common, long seasonal migrations were necessary and threats of capture and enslavement real.  The world of Abraham was filled with numerous gods, religions and superstition.  We know from the scriptures that Abraham’s own father and family worshipped false gods and idols.

And Joshua said unto all the people, Thus saith YHWH God of Israel, Your fathers dwelt on the other side of the flood in old time, even Terah, the father of Abraham, and the father of Nachor: and they served other gods. (Joshua 24:2 KJV)

As keepers of the Torah and followers of Yeshua, who are surrounded by numerous religions and superstitions, and rejected by the practitioners of Talmudic Judaism and Christianity, we may be able to relate in some small way to Abraham’s lonely effort to maintain his faith and worship of the One True God. The heathen had numerous temples, shrines, pillars, priesthoods, and altars at which to worship their numerous gods.  But Abraham had no such temple, shrine, church, synagogue or priesthood to worship YHWH.  We may also recall that in the days of Abraham there were no Torah scrolls, scriptures, bibles or prayer books. Abraham’s faith was simply a LIVING FAITH.  Worship for Abraham was not reduced to or limited to singing songs of praise, reading an appointed reading, praying prescribed prayers, or to a specific period of time on a set day of the week.  For Abraham, worship was walking in faith and obedience to the living voice of YHWH.  Abraham simply lived his life, caring for his family, tending to his flock, conducting his business, and showing hospitality to others.  Daily life was lived in the presence of the Eternal God.  Abraham lived in the knowledge and understanding that YHWH alone was the Sovereign of the universe.  Abraham was aware that from time to time YHWH would speak to him and direct him in a specific action or change of life.  Abraham walked out his daily life in obedience to these revelations and directives. This obedience to the revelation of YHWH in his daily life was, and is, true worship.      

Learning to live in the presence of the Eternal One is not always easy for us.  We know that from creation man was created with a carnal or sensual nature as well as a spiritual nature.  Our spiritual nature makes it possible for us to commune with the Spirit Creator.  Our carnal or sensual nature is what makes it possible for us to manifest the revelation received in our spirit from the Creator to the rest of the world.  From the days of Adam this has been our calling;.  But at the fall of Adam and Havah their eyes were opened—and mankind chose to become predominantly a sensually oriented being.  In other words, we are more accustomed to, and evev prefer to, learn from our physical senses than from our spirit in communion with the Spirit Creator.  This fondness for the sensual is what led humanity to begin carving and casting idols of their gods.  It is also this preference for the sensual that has caused men to follow visible men rather than the invisible God.  We may recall the children of Israel, after departing Egypt with all of its many temples, priesthoods, and idols, demanded that Aaron build them an idol to follow when Moses delayed coming down from Mount Sinai.

And when the people saw that Moses delayed to come down out of the mount, the people gathered themselves together unto Aaron, and said unto him, Up, make us gods, which shall go before us; for as for this Moses, the man that brought us up out of the land of Egypt, we wot not what is become of him. (Exodus 32:1 KJV)

The children of Israel wanted something they could see, hear, smell, touch, and taste, to cast their eyes upon and follow—whether it be a man or an idol.  This sensual addiction is what seduces man into bondage to religion and tradition.  Much as Adam tried to replace the glory of the image of YHWH, that he once wore without shame, with a fig leaf of his own choosing, we too have often sought to replace a life of faithful obedience to the living and eternal Creator with a few hours of singing, reading, and praying.  Religion, in many regards is just a convenient replacement for genuine faith and obedience.  After running through the prescribed religious rituals we feel as if we have fulfilled our religious obligations and duties and can get on with our lives.  It is this same sensual preference that causes believers to seek the miraculous and manifest presence of YHWH to strengthen an other wise weak and  fragile faith. At the same time, many believers ignore or forget about the eternal veiled presence of YHWH.  We often deceive ourselves into thinking that if we cannot see YHWH or hear YHWH, that YHWH is not present.  YHWH is eternal.  There is nowhere in time or space that he is not. Therefore YHWH is forever present.  We must learn to distinguish between his manifest presence, such as the pillar of cloud and fire that rested over the Tabernacle, and his veiled presence which is eternally present.  As eternal, there is never a time (or place) where YHWH is not.  Abraham seemed to understand this reality and was able to live faithfully within it.  Without the aid of the visual or sensual accoutrements of religion Abraham learned how to live even his mundane life in the knowledge of the veiled presence of YHWH. 

Not only do we all tend toward the sensual but to some degree we all suffer from what I call “the Naaman Syndrome.”  Naaman, as you may recall, was a captain in the army of the King of Syria that conquered Israel, who happened to be a leper (2 Kings 5:1ff).  He was directed by an Israelite servant girl to visit the Prophet Elisha for healing.  Naaman was known to be a great and well honored military man who had accomplished great exploits in his lifetime.  Naaman sent a message to the prophet Elisha enquiring what he must do to be cured of his leprosy.  The prophet responded by telling Naaman to go jump in a river.  Actually, he told him simply to bathe seven times in the Jordon river.  Expecting something more challenging, grand, and appropriate to his level of honor and exploit, Naaman was offended by such a common suggesting as bathing in the Jordan.  But Naaman’s aides persuade him to obediently take the dip and be cured.

And his servants came near, and spake unto him, and said, My father, if the prophet had bid thee do some great thing, wouldest thou not have done it? how much rather then, when he saith to thee, Wash, and be clean? (2 Kings 5:13 KJV)

Many of us, also desire to serve YHWH in some grand and glorious fashion that will bring as much honor to ourselves as it does to YHWH.  We want to be famous Torah teachers, worship leaders, elders of congregations and noted leaders of a movement.  But what YHWH is truly asking from us is simply to live in the awareness of his presence even in our mundane daily life.

And now, Israel, what doth YHWH thy God require of thee, but to fear YHWH thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve YHWH thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, (Deuteronomy 10:12 KJV)

 He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth YHWH require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? (Micah 6:8 KJV)  

Our lives and service do not need to be spectacular or grand to be useful, pleasing or beneficial to YHWH.  We do, however,  need to be obedient to what the Spirit Creator is teaching us to walk in.  Abraham, free from all demands and expectations of religion, humbly and obediently lived his life in the presence of the Eternal One, whether veiled or not.  We too must learn to cling to the reality that YHWH is eternally present with us even when we cannot see him with our eyes, or hear him with our ears.  Faith—is the recognition that though unseen, YHWH is!    This is the faith of Abraham.  We must recognize that everything we have has come from the Creator.  Everywhere we go, the Creator is there.  Thus we are always in the presence of YHWH. Learning to live every minute of every day in the presence of YHWH is what YHWH desires of us.  To humbly and gratefully enjoy every minute of every day, to live the life in constant awareness and communion with the Creator is what the Eternal One is inviting us to do.  It is not magnanimous, spectacular, flamboyant religion that the Eternal One is seeking from us, but a simple and humble life of genuine faith lived in his presence.

Ye have heard that it hath been said, Thou shalt love thy neighbour, and hate thine enemy. ⁴⁴ But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:43-44 KJV)

 It is not always easy being a follower of Yeshua.  The command to love those that hate us and seek to do us harm is not an easy charge.  As if it wasn’t challenging enough to love our brethren now our Master commands us to love those that hate us.  But, if we are serious about being his disciples then we must learn to fulfill even this commandment to love those who do not love us. 

There are two key passages that we must come to terms with if we are to fulfill our Master’s calling.  First, we must see the connection between this commandment to love our enemies and the first and second “great” commandments.

Yeshua said unto him, Thou shalt love YHWH thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. ³⁸ This is the first and great commandment. ³⁹ And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. ⁴⁰ On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. (Matthew 22:37-40 KJV)

 We must understand the relationship between these two “great” commandments.  Yeshua our Master taught us,

 If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15 KJV)

 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. (John 14:21 KJV)

 In the economy of the Creator, obedience has always been the greatest demonstration of love.  We may recall the words that the Prophet Samuel declared to King Saul;

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

 So, our obedience to the commandments of YHWH is the greatest sign of our love for YHWH.  The Apostle John clearly understood this principle.

 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. (1 John 5:2 KJV)

 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (1 John 5:3 KJV)

 And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. (2 John 1:6 KJV)

 We must be careful not to deceive ourselves in this matter.  There are many would-be followers and believers who meticulously keep every jot and tittle of the Torah, but not out of love for the Father, but for themselves.  In other words, if one is keeping the commandments of YHWH because they fear going to hell if they don’t keep the commandments, or if they believe they will gain the blessings of heaven if they do keep the commandments, this obedience is a sign of love of self not love of the Father.  Genuine love for the Father will inspire obedience to the commandments of YHWH without though for the personal cost or benefits of obedience.  Genuine love only seeks to please the Father and accomplish his will.  Yeshua is the perfect example of this reality.

 And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. (John 8:29 KJV)

 I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:30 KJV)

 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. (John 6:38 KJV)

 Yeshua saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work. (John 4:34 KJV)

 If we love the father we will do what he has commanded.  And what has YHWH commanded?  The Father has commanded that we love our neighbor.  It does not really matter whether our neighbor is a family member, a friend, a brother, a sister, or a sworn enemy.  It does not matter whether our neighbor is beautiful or ugly, lovable or loathsome, endearing or endangering.  If we love the Father we fulfill his commandment.  Our eyes and our heart never leave the Father or our Master.  We are accustomed in our flesh to “love” people (and even the Creator) because of what they do for us or how they make us feel.  But what our Master Yeshua is calling for us to do is to keep our eyes on the Father.  We are not even to look at (that is to evaluate whether our neighbor is nice to us, or benevolent to us or not) our neighbor.  We are to be completely focused upon the Father.  Our attitude and action toward our neighbor is only out of love for, and in response to our Father. It really does not matter who, or even what, our neighbor is, or how they treat us.  Our love for our neighbor, regardless of whether they are friend or foe, is simply the obedient response to the Father’s commandment.  If we genuinely love YHWH then we will genuinely love our neighbor because YHWH has asked us to.

 What most often hinders us from fulfilling this calling is our flesh.  The harsh, hurtful, hateful words and actions of those who consider us their enemies, stings our flesh the scourging cords that laid their stripes upon the flesh of our Master.  Our egos and emotions often get the best of us.  We are, after all, human beings, the sons and daughters of Adam, and therefore wrestle with our two natures.  When attacked, whether physically or emotionally, our instinct is to return the attack in kind. Intuitively we want to balance the scales of justice by repaying evil with evil.   But our Master, Yeshua, has asked us to take a different course.

 But I say unto you, That ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other also. ⁴⁰ And if any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloke also. (Matthew 5:39-40 KJV)

 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; (Matthew 5:44 KJV)

 Yeshua himself demonstrated this for us quite dramatically. And some began to spit on him, and to cover his face, and to buffet him, and to say unto him, Prophesy: and the servants did strike him with the palms of their hands. (Mark 14:65 KJV)

 And when they were come to the place, which is called Calvary, there they crucified him, and the malefactors, one on the right hand, and the other on the left. ³⁴ Then said Yeshua, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots. (Luke 23:33-34 KJV)    

 Like Yeshua our Master, if we are to fulfill the calling and commandments of YHWH then we must also take our flesh to the cross.

 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23 KJV)

 If we are still worried about our personal sense of justice or revenge, we have not yet taken up our cross.  If we are still anxious about the cost of such love inspired obedience we have not yet taken up our cross.  If we are still analyzing the personal benefits of love inspired obedience we have not yet taken up our cross.  The only way for us to genuinely fulfill this calling and commandment is to follow after our Master Yeshua and deny ourselves and take our flesh to the cross.  Our hearts, our minds, our ears, our eyes must be focused upon the Father.  Our calling as the children of Israel is to manifest his presence in the world—to restore the image of God in our world.  Let us recall the words of our Master,

 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you; ⁴⁵ That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust. (Matthew 5:44-45 KJV)

 The Master is not asking us to love those we hate.  He is asking us to love our neighbors, including our enemies, out of love for the Father. Our Father desires us to love those who hate us. Out of love for the Father we love our neighbor in spite of who or what they are.  By this we demonstrate the Creator’s love for ALL of his creation—and not just the lovable.  This is after all, the same love that captured our hearts.

 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Messiah died for us. (Romans 5:8 KJV)

 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. (Romans 5:10 KJV)

 We love him, because he first loved us. (1 John 4:19 KJV)

Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. ¹¹² I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end. (Psalm 119:111-112 KJV)

Many of us have begun our spiritual journey in a distant land. From the very beginning the Creator has desired to be known and loved among his creation.  While all creation reveals some aspect of the character, nature, and will of the Creator, it was Adam that was specifically created to bear the image of YHWH in the world.  But Adam succumbed to his fleshly nature and corrupted the image of YHWH.  Since that time endless false images of the Creator have spawned numerous false religions.  Also from that time the Creator has desired to restore his image and his name.  YHWH chose Abraham and his descendants to be the vehicle whereby he would restore his image.  Through numerous blessings, promises and a great deliverance YHWH sought to win the hearts of Abraham’s descendants.  At Mount Sinai the descendants of Abraham, through Isaac, and Jacob, were invited into a very specific covenant relationship with the God who had created, redeemed, delivered, and saved them.  At Mount Sinai YHWH gave the children of Israel his self-portrait, his self-revelation—the TORAH!  Before this wedding covenant was even consummated, however, the children of Israel had already broken their vows by worshipping a golden calf.  But the Creator was gracious and persistent.  For the sake of his own name, YHWH fulfilled the promises he made to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and brought the children of Israel out of Egypt and into the Promised Land.  Unfortunately, the children of Israel did not have the heart to keep the covenant and repeatedly violated its terms.  Ultimately these repeated violations led to greater and greater chastisements until YHWH finally fulfilled his threat to purge the Promise Land of all those who would not keep the Torah.  So the children of Israel were exiled to the four corners of the earth. 

Man’s shortcomings and failures do not change the nature or character of the Creator.  YHWH does not change.  The Creator stills desires to be known and loved among his creation.  So now the Spirit of the Holy One goes to and fro throughout the earth looking for those who have a heart to fulfill this sacred calling.  Now the Spirit is stirring in the hearts of the descendants of those he has scattered to the ends of the earth.  The Spirit is stirring in the hearts of those that desire to know, love, and manifest YHWH in the world.  Many are now feeling this unquenchable love for YHWH and his word.   Many of us began our journey of faith in the quagmire and pollution of a pagan influenced Christianity.  Some began their journey in a corrupted and polluted Judaism.  Some began this journey in the darkness and confusion of paganism, mysticism, or occultism. Some began in the dark ambiguous pit of atheism or humanism.  Regardless of where the Spirit of the Holy One found us, the truth is that he is calling to us and inviting us to embrace his Torah and to manifest his image.  YHWH is searching for those who have a heart to keep the covenant.  YHWH has opened the door to anyone who is willing to submit to his headship in joy and love, to become a part of his chosen people. Regardless of whether one is a biological descendant of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob or not, the invitation is open to all of those who have the heart and faith of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob—this is Israel!  Ishmael, Zimran, Jokshan, Sheba, Dedan, Asshurim, Letushim, Leummim, Midian, Ephah, Epher, Hanoch, Abidah, Eldaah, Nebojoth, Kedar, Abdeel, Mibsam, Dumah, Massa, Hadar, Tema, Jetur, Naphish, Kedemah, Esau, Eliphaz, Reuel, Jeush, Jaalam, Korah, Temon, Omar, Zepho, Gatam, Kenaz, Amelek, Nathath, Zerah, Shammah, Mizzah….etc.  All of these people are biological descendents of Abraham, yet none of them are a part of Israel.  Being Israel is much more than biological descendancy.  The Apostle Shaul has made this point abundantly clear.

Neither, because they are the seed of Abraham, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. ⁸ That is, They which are the children of the flesh, these are not the children of God: but the children of the promise are counted for the seed. (Romans 9:7-8 KJV)

Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. ⁷ Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham. ⁸ And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the heathen through faith, preached before the gospel unto Abraham, saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed. (Galatians 3:6-8 KJV)

Not as though the word of God hath taken none effect. For they are not all Israel, which are of Israel: (Romans 9:6 KJV)

We were born to a pagan and polluted world and for many of us, into a pagan and polluted religion.   Now, however, the Spirit calls us to be “born again.”  Like the Moabitess Ruth, we must forsake our old inheritance of death and corruption, and embrace the new heritage.

And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God: (Ruth 1:16 KJV)

In Messiah, the old polluted pagan past is put to death and buried.  In Messiah we are raised to a new life—citizens of the commonwealth of Israel.

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light: ¹⁰ Which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy. (1 Peter 2:9-10 KJV)

That at that time ye were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: ¹³ But now in Messiah Yeshua ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Messiah. (Ephesians 2:12-13 KJV)

Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; (Ephesians 2:19 KJV)

Let there be no more confusion as to who you are.  If the Spirit of the Holy has stirred you to heed his voice and keep his covenant, if your own heart delights in the living word of YHWH, if your own spirit hungers and thirsts for the pure water of the Torah as Moses received it and Yeshua taught it, then you are Israel—and this is your heritage. 

 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart. ¹¹² I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes always, even unto the end. (Psalm 119:111-112 KJV)