201 It is time to return to the covenant

It is time to return to the covenant relationship with our heavenly Father.

Our heavenly Father wants each and every one of us from the lost sheep of the house of Israel (including a number of real Gentiles) whom He is busy calling out of the false religions of the world, to get to know Him better and to become aware of how He expects His followers to behave. Fifty days after YHVH called ancient Israel consisting of all twelve tribes out of Egypt, He gave them His Instruction Manual as His marriage contract/covenant with them, specifying how He wants them to serve Him and how they should treat fellow Israelites and other people with whom they come into contact, in exchange for providing for and protecting them as a husband. Additional benefits to be had for doing their part of the agreement with YHVH, was that He would lead them into the Promised Land and would come and dwell amongst them. However, like in the Garden of Eden, the people did not care too much about (YHVH)’s instructions.

It is the same today; most people who claim to know and follow G-d could not care less about what He requires of them. This is why Yahshua said in Matthew 7: 22 & 23: “Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Master, Master, did we not prophesy in Your name and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ (23) And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.’” The point is: if you enter into a contract to serve the company where you are employed; you are required to perform the functions specified in your job description, else, you could get fired, or not get paid. It is exactly the same when we answer (YHVH)’s call to follow Him. If we are truly His servants, we will do what He requires of us in our Job Description or the Instruction Manual He gave us, or we might be found wanting at Yahshua’s return, with Him exclaiming that He does not know us; resulting in us losing out on salvation (a free gift) and our reward of ruling with Him for a thousand years, similar to what Yahshua told the wicked slave who buried the only talent he received and could not give his Master more than what he was given at the start, in Matthew 25: 24 – 30, saying: “And the one also who had received the one talent came up and said, ‘Master, I knew you to be a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed. (25) And I was afraid, and went away and hid your talent in the ground; see, you have what is yours.’ (26) But his master answered and said to him, ‘You wicked, lazy slave, you knew that I reap where I did not sow, and gather where I scattered no seed. (27) Then you ought to have put my money in the bank, and on my arrival I would have received my money back with interest. (28) Therefore take away the talent from him, and give it to the one who has the ten talents.’ (29) For to everyone who has shall more be given, and he shall have an abundance; but from the one who does not have, even what he does have shall be taken away. (30) And cast out the worthless slave into the outer darkness; in that place there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” We need to understand that when YHVH calls us out of the world, He wants us to study Torah, so that we may discover what we have been doing wrong and return to Him by obeying what He taught us in His Instruction Manual. The problem is: even if some answer the call to follow Elohim’s way of life, they do not know what to do next, because they and their forefathers have been deceived for so long that they do not know where and how to start following the way of Elohim. In addition Satan the master counterfeiter is always ready with yet another counterfeit to deceive the naïve amongst us, and thereby keeping people from following YHVH in Spirit and in truth. Take for example those of us who started following a group who preached the true gospel; taught the kosher rules specified in Leviticus 11 and the observance of Elohim’s Feast Days as per Leviticus 23. Even though they did not obey all of Torah, some of their followers arrogantly assumed that they are totally on the right tract, believing theirs to be the only true congregation. The point is; even if those whom YHVH calls are real Gentiles, we need to be mindful of Elohim’s words in Numbers 15: 15; that the entire Torah is applicable to all who joins the Assembly of called-out believers, and they do not have a choice regarding to the Torah commands they desire to obey and which not.

Instead, new believers should realize that they are only at the beginning of following Elohim’s way of life and consequently far from being the only true congregation. Even if they only ate meat from kosher animals, they did not at the time understand that such meat had to be slaughtered correctly, else it remained unfit for human consumption. We read fittingly from Ezekiel 33: 25 & 26: “Therefore, say to them, ‘Thus says YHVH Elohim, “You eat meat with the blood in it, lift up your eyes to your idols as you shed blood. Should you then possess the land? (YHVH is asking whether we think we will inherit the Promised Land in His coming Kingdom, if we continue to disregard His Torah.) (26) You rely on your sword, you commit abominations, and each of you defiles his neighbor’s wife. Should you then possess the land?” Some modern day Israelites know so little about Elohim’s promises to Israel, because they believe that they are Gentiles, and will say arrogantly to this warning from Ezekiel: ‘So what, why should we care about possessing the Promised Land?’ Such people say such things because they have no idea of what YHVH promised our fathers in the faith and what He requires of us. They do not ever study the Scriptures to truly know what YHVH requires of His followers. Instead they listen to what the deceived teachers of Churchianity teach and are confused to believe falsehood. One such example is the idea that Xmas is a time for families, a time to get together and celebrate the birth of their savior. But, whose idea was it that families should get together during pagan celebrations and revelry? Think about it – Satan is not happy with the fact that all human beings have the potential to become children of Elohim, something which he lost when he rebelled against Elohim and wanted to take over His throne (as described in Isaiah 14: 12 – 15[1]). It is during these pagan celebrations of the so-called birth of C*h*r*i*s*t*, that more people die in accidents and violence caused by the overindulgence of alcoholic beverages during their revelry. This is truly the season during which Satan is succeeding to kill more human beings during these pagan celebrations than any other time of the year. Yes, YHVH also has set-apart convocations during which time He wants us to get together and celebrate His Feast Days to learn to fear Him and to get to know His plan of salvation for all mankind.

But, because we do not ever check the Word of Elohim for ourselves to determine what He truly requires of those who claim to follow Him; what He wants us to do and not to do? For example, where in the Scriptures do we find information about the prohibition not to consume meat with blood in it? Let’s turn to the specific command in Leviticus 19: 26 (KJV), where we read: ‘Ye shall not eat anything with the blood: neither shall ye use enchantment, nor observe times.’ This is very specific language, telling returning Israelites that we should not eat anything with the blood in it, not to use enchantment, nor to observe times. It was unpardonable for the ancient Israelites who were committed to the oracles of Elohim given at Mount Sinai, to ask counsel of the devil and even worse for believers, to whom YHVH came manifested in the flesh, to have their nativities cast, or their fortunes told, or to use charms to be cured of diseases, as it is an intolerable affront to our Father in heaven. The prohibition not to observe times; has to do with observing times such as Easter and Xmas introduced to Churchianity by pagans. This is not talking about keeping Elohim’s Sabbaths, commanded by Him to set us apart as His people. We are all aware of Elohim’s command in Leviticus 18: 3, not to worship Him according to pagan customs, as follows: ‘You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes.’ In fact this is repeated to the house of Israel by Jeremiah in Chapter 10: 1 – 5, in this way: ‘Hear the word which YHVH speaks to you, O house of Israel. (2) Thus says YHVH, “Do not learn the way of the nations, and do not be terrified by the signs of the heavens although the nations are terrified by them; (3) for the customs of the peoples are delusion; because it is wood cut from the forest, the work of the hands of a craftsman with a cutting tool. (4) They decorate it with silver and with gold; they fasten it with nails and with hammers so that it will not totter. (5) Like a scarecrow in a cucumber field are they, and they cannot speak; they must be carried, because they cannot walk! Do not fear them, for they can do no harm, nor can they do any good.”’

The precepts listed in Leviticus 19 are also binding on all believers in Messiah, since He specified in Matthew 5: 20, that unless we obey Torah better than the scribes and the Pharisees do, we will not enter the kingdom of Elohim. It is required that Israel be a holy people, because the Elohim of Israel is a holy Elohim (as per verse 2 of Leviticus 19), teaching real separation from the world (or flesh) and total devotedness to Him. Because Yahshua is Elohim in the flesh (as per John 1: 1 – 14), this is also His laws. We see from verse 3, that children should be obedient to their parents. The fear required here, includes inward reverence and esteem, outward respect and obedience and care to please parents. Verse 4 specifies that Elohim only is to be worshipped and that we should not turn aside from Him to worship false gods. Continuing in verse 9 we see that we should not turn our eyes to these false gods, much less our hearts; and as Israelites we should leave the gleanings of our harvest and vintage for the poor. Good works should be accompanied by charity, according to our ability. We must not be covetous, and greedy of everything we can lay claim to, nor insist upon our right in all things. We are to be honest and true in all our dealings (verse 11). Whatever we have in the world, we must see that we get it honestly. We should also honor and show respect for the name of Elohim (verse 12). We must not keep things that belong to our neighbor, particularly the wages of a hireling until morning (verse 13). We must be merciful and care for those who cannot help themselves (verse 14). Do not hurt your neighbor, especially those who are unwilling or unable to defend themselves. We ought to take heed of doing anything which may cause our weaker brothers and sisters to fall. The fear of Elohim should keep us from doing wrong things, though such fear will not always protect us from men's anger. Judges and all in authority are commanded to give judgment without partiality (verse 15). To be a tale-bearer and to sow discord among neighbors is forbidden. We are to rebuke our neighbor in love (verse 17). Rather rebuke him than hate him. We incur guilt by not reproving; it is tantamount to hating our brother. We should say: ‘I will do him the kindness to tell him of his faults.’ We should put off all malice and to put on brotherly love (verse 18). We often wrong ourselves, but soon forgive ourselves those wrongs, since they do not lessen our love to ourselves; in like manner we should love our neighbor. We must in many cases deny ourselves for the good of our neighbor (verse 31). Believers should not have their fortunes told, or use spells and charms as it is totally forbidden and is an insult to Elohim. In verse 32 we read the charge to young people to show respect to the aged. A charge was given to the Israelites to be very caring of strangers (verse 33), since they were once strangers in Egypt - strangers, widows and the fatherless are Elohim’s particular care and it is at our peril, if we do them any wrong. Justice in weights and measures is commanded in verse 35. We must be aware of Elohim’s precepts and obey them conscientiously. We are not to pick and choose our duty, but must aim at standing complete in all the will of Elohim. The nearer our lives and tempers are to the precepts of Elohim's law, the happier shall we be and the happier shall we make others all around us, and build Elohim’s character in us, required for the Kingdom of Elohim.

It is true Leviticus 19 is also talking to us the modern day Israelites called out of the world by YHVH at this time. The problem is that many in Churches today believe that the so-called ‘Old Testament’ was written for Jews and the so-called ‘New Testament’ was written for believers in Messiah. Such people usually quote Acts 15, to ‘prove’ their belief that not all Scriptures apply to the modern day believers in Messiah. Such believers reject what YHVH spoke through Moses and therefore interpret the Scriptures as two separate books. In order to have the correct understanding of Acts 15, we need to read it with a Hebraic view of the Scriptures and understand how the Torah and the Prophets relate to what is written in the Renewed Covenant. We read Yahshua’s own words in this regard in John 5: 43 – 47, as follows: “I have come in My Father’s name, and you do not receive Me; if another shall come in his own name, you will receive him[2]. (44) How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another, and you do not seek the esteem that is from the one and only Elohim? (Here Yahshua who is also referred to in the Scriptures as Immanuel -meaning Elohim with us - confirms that there is only one Elohim) (45) Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. (46) For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me; for he wrote of Me. (47) But if you do not believe his writings, how will you believe My words?” When reading this, most believe that it is aimed at our Jewish brothers; nevertheless verse 47 makes it clear that we cannot believe Yahshua’s words, if we do not believe the writings of Moses, meaning Torah. Even though the dispute in Acts 15 is about circumcision, it entails more, as it involves the initial requirements new believers in Messiah have to fulfill, after being immersed in His saving name and had the hands of a preaching elder lain upon them to receive the Set-apart Spirit.

The decision by the elders and the apostles in Jerusalem regarding the dispute about circumcision in Acts 15, was because repentance is a process; new believers need to be taught to abstain from the pollutions of idols, from fornication, from what is strangled and from blood, before they are taught about the other requirements of Torah, such as the Sabbath, the Feast Days of Elohim, clean and unclean foods, the wearing of Tzitzit and eventually circumcision. We see from Acts 15: 21 that they will learn these additional requirements as they attend synagogues near them (or through ministries such as ours.) This is very similar to our father Abraham. It was only after he came to believe in YHVH (as is recorded in Genesis 15: 6) that he was circumcised, as we read in Genesis 17: 24, as follows: ‘Now Abraham was ninety-nine years old when he was circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin.’ A new believer in Messiah becomes an heir of the promise that was made with Abraham (as per Galatians 3: 29). Whilst new believers are not circumcised, they are not joined to the covenant made with Abraham, and are therefore not members of the family of Abraham, or of the Commonwealth of Israel. In other words once a Gentile or Israelite who used to think he is a Gentile is returning to faith in YHVH, by having his heart circumcised (being immersed in Yahshua’s saving name), he should forsake all idols, abstain from fornication, blood and things strangled (meaning he is beginning to obey Torah) and then learn to follow the rest of the Torah commandments, as he attends services on the Sabbath. The ruling of Rav Yaa’cov in Acts 15 is in agreement with the rulings of the Pharisaic Rabbis followed by Orthodox Jews of today. New believers should eventually follow all the requirements of the Torah, but is only required to follow the essential four listed in Acts 15: 20 at the beginning of their walk with Elohim. If we understand the ruling of Acts 15 from a Hebraic viewpoint, we will know that it does not contradict what Yahshua taught in Matthew 5: 19, saying: ‘Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and so teaches others, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.’ Even though circumcision is not a requirement for salvation, if we as heirs of Abraham through Yahshua our Messiah want to inherit the land of Israel promised Abraham, Isaac and Jacob, we will have to comply by doing our part in the covenant which YHVH made with Abraham, our father in the faith and be suitably circumcised in the flesh.

But, let’s consider each one of the four initial requirements to be taught to new believers, as given by Rav Yaa’cov in turn. The question is why the requirement ‘that they abstain from things contaminated by idols.’? The ten tribe nation of Israel were taken captive because of idolatry, as we read from 2 Kings 17: 22 & 23: ‘And the sons of Israel walked in all the sins of Jeroboam which he did; they did not depart from them, (23) until YHVH removed Israel from His sight, as He spoke through all His servants the prophets. So Israel was carried away into exile from their own land to Assyria until this day.’ We see further from 1 Kings 12: 28 – 32 how Jeroboam lead Israel into worshipping idols, as follows: ‘So the king consulted, and made two golden calves, and he said to them, “It is too much for you to go up to Jerusalem; behold your gods, O Israel, that brought you up from the land of Egypt.” (29) And he set one in Bethel, and the other he put in Dan. (30) Now this thing became a sin, for the people went to worship before the one as far as Dan. (31) And he made houses on high places, and made priests from among all the people who were not of the sons of Levi. (32) And Jeroboam instituted a feast in the eighth month on the fifteenth day of the month, like the feast which is in Judah, and he went up to the altar; thus he did in Bethel, sacrificing to the calves which he had made. And he stationed in Bethel the priests of the high places which he had made.’ We read accordingly from Hosea 8: 3 & 4, ‘Israel has rejected the good; the enemy will pursue him. (4) They have set up kings, but not by Me; they have appointed princes, but I did not know it. With their silver and gold they have made idols for themselves, that they might be cut off.’ Note that things offered to idols are not only restricted to meat, but may also include Xmas cake, Easter Eggs and hot cross buns. However, the overriding point to remember is that the idolatry which was the cause of Israel’s captivity, resulting in them becoming like Gentiles, had to do with keeping Feast Days at different times to what the Scriptures ordain, especially those that are a month later than the Feast Days kept in Judah, but also the feast days of pagan religions, such as Xmas and Easter.

We see further that at the end of the book of Hosea (in Hosea 14: 8 & 9), which is a prophesy about the dispersion of the house of Israel into the nations of the world, that some in Ephraim will eventually cease to follow idols, as follows: ‘O Ephraim, what more have I to do with idols? It is I who answer and look after you. I am like a luxuriant cypress; from Me comes your fruit. (9) Whoever is wise, let him understand these things; whoever is discerning, let him know them. For the ways of YHVH are right, and the righteous will walk in them, but transgressors will stumble in them.’ This prophecy tells us that those who understand that Ephraim have worshipped idols and will repent from doing so are considered to be wise. The question is what does it mean to be wise? We read the answer from Deuteronomy 4: 5 & 6, as follows: “See, I have taught you statutes and judgments just as YHVH my Elohim commanded me, that you should do thus in the land where you are entering to possess it. (6) So keep and do them, for that is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ So we see that those who know and practice Torah are considered to be wise and only by practicing Torah, will they fully understand the meaning of Acts 15! Continuing therefore in Acts 15: 29, we read: ‘that you abstain from things sacrificed to idols and from blood and from things strangled and from fornication; if you keep yourselves free from such things, you will do well. Farewell.’ The words abstain ‘from blood’; refer to all those things in Torah that deal with various blood issues. But, since we are only dealing with the ruling not to eat meat with any residue blood in it, in this case, we should make sure that in addition to only eat meat specified in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, we also ensure that we do not consume any blood. Blood must be removed as much as possible as per Leviticus 3: 17 and Leviticus 17: 10 during the koshering process, by soaking and salting the meat. The specification ‘from things strangled’ also has to do with the way the animal is slaughtered. Therefore, in addition to the fact that believers may only eat meat from animals listed in Leviticus 11 and Deuteronomy 14, mammals and fowls must be slaughtered in a specific way. Slaughtering is done by a trained individual, using a special method of slaughtering. We read accordingly from Deuteronomy 12: 23 - 25, “Only be sure not to eat the blood, for the blood is the life, and you shall not eat the life with the flesh. (24) You shall not eat it; you shall pour it out on the ground like water. (25) You shall not eat it, in order that it may be well with you and your sons after you, for you will be doing what is right in the sight of YHVH.” We see that the prohibition ‘not to eat it ‘three times is repeated three times, to emphasize the absolute importance of this command. Animals which die naturally or are torn by beasts are also not fit for human consumption (as per Leviticus 17: 15). In addition we are commanded not to eat a limb removed from a living beast as per Deuteronomy 12: 23. How many believers are sure that the meat that they buy conforms to these requirements?

Hosea is very concise, direct and specific in detailing the house of Israel’s national attitude at this very time. Today the people of the house of Israel identify themselves as Gentiles. They have come to believe that only the Jews are Israel. But very soon now they will know their true identity. Yes, millions will get to know their identity when Yahshua the true Messiah returns. In Hosea 2: 8 & 9 Elohim informs us that despite of our apostasy, the house of Israel possessed the unprecedented wealth of the birthright promised to Abraham, saying: ‘For she does not know that it was I who gave her the grain, the new wine, and the oil, and lavished on her silver and gold, which they used for Baal. (9) Therefore, I will take back My grain at harvest time and My new wine in its season. I will also take away My wool and My flax given to cover her nakedness (her sin).’ At this time most are too stiff-necked and rebellious to realize that YHVH is actually punishing us for our sins, but finally, when the correction becomes intense enough, some of our peoples will acknowledge their sins and seek Elohim. We read accordingly from verse 16, “And it will come about in that day,” declares YHVH, “That you will call Me Ishi (meaning my Husband) and will no longer call Me Baali (meaning my Lord). The second chapter of Hosea ends in verse 23, in this way: “And I will sow her for Myself in the land (the Promised Land). I will also have compassion on her who had not obtained compassion, and I will say to those who were not My people, ‘You are My people!’ And they will say, ‘Thou art my Elohim!’” Yes, at that time we will not refer to YHVH as our Lord and G-d any longer, but will refer to Him as YHVH our Husband and Elohim.

Hosea 4 begins Elohim’s message to all the Israelite people today. We start reading from verse 1 – 3, as follows: “Listen to the word of YHVH, O sons of Israel (you people of the British Commonwealth and the United States), for YHVH has a case against the inhabitants of the land, because there is no faithfulness or kindness or knowledge of Elohim in the land. (2) There is swearing, deception, murder, stealing, and adultery. They employ violence, so that bloodshed follows bloodshed. (3) Therefore the land mourns, and everyone who lives in it languishes (suffers and wastes away) along with the beasts of the field and the birds of the sky; and also the fish of the sea disappear.’ YHVH addresses the so-called religious leaders in Israel in verses 6 & 7, saying: “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge. Because you have rejected knowledge, I also will reject you from being My priest. Since you have forgotten the law of your Elohim, I will also forget your children. (7) The more they multiplied, the more they sinned against Me; I will change their glory into shame.” Talking about the coming manifold intensity of corrective punishment soon to be unleashed on our nations, Elohim says in Hosea 5: 15, “I will go away and return to My place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; in their affliction they will earnestly seek Me.” Elohim said through the prophet Amos in Amos 3: 7, ‘Surely YHVH Elohim does nothing unless He reveals His secret counsel to His servants the prophets.’ In the verse just before this, we read: “If a trumpet is blown in a city will not the people tremble? If a calamity occurs in a city has not YHVH done it?” Elohim promises in the Scriptures that He would get the warning to His people Ephraim. He foretold in Hosea 5: 9, saying: “Ephraim will become a desolation in the day of rebuke; among the tribes of Israel I declare what is sure.” The problem is: even if Elohim causes tornadoes in the USA, adverse weather conditions in England and troubles with the laborers in South Africa, the people do not understand that He is punishing us through other people and the weather, because He wants us to return to Him.

But instead, we continue with our non-Scriptural celebrations in honor of a false messiah; and do not even understand what the Scriptures have to say about it all. We read a further warning by Hosea in Chapter 7: 8 – 13, as follows: “Ephraim mixes himself with the nations; Ephraim has become a cake not turned. (9) Strangers devour his strength, yet he does not know it; gray hairs also are sprinkled on him, yet he does not know it. (10) Though the pride of Israel testifies against him, yet they have neither returned to YHVH their Elohim, nor have they sought Him, for all this. (11) So Ephraim has become like a silly dove, without sense; they call to Egypt, they go to Assyria. (12) When they go, I will spread My net over them; I will bring them down like the birds of the sky. I will chastise them in accordance with the proclamation to their assembly. (13) Woe to them, for they have strayed from Me! Destruction is theirs, for they have rebelled against Me! I would redeem them, but they speak lies against Me.” Elohim says of Ephraimite Churchianity in Hosea 4: 17 – 19, “Ephraim is joined to idols; let him alone. (18) Their liquor gone, they play the harlot continually; their rulers dearly love shame. (19) The wind wraps them in its wings, and they will be ashamed because of their sacrifices.” In fact the entire book of Hosea carries a blistering message and warning to the latter day house of Israel that the day of reckoning is here!

Even though a remnant of the lost sheep of the house of Israel have also become Elohim’s chosen people with their Torah observant brothers from the house of Judah at this time (as witnessed in Romans 11: 5[3]), YHVH wants us to be mindful of what it means to be chosen. We are not chosen for favors while we defy Elohim, but to return to the covenant relationship we made with Him at Mount Sinai, together with the house of Judah, through Abraham’s one seed, Yahshua. We should shout for joy at the discovery of our true identity, but we should also repent and return to full Torah observance, the way YHVH requires that we serve Him. The nations of Israel are in for tremendous punishment over the next few years. Elohim has been warning us for many years before He will unleash this horrendous chastening upon His people. If those of us, whom He called to come out of the false religious systems of the world, repent and return to keeping His commandments, none of the plagues shall come near us and we will be counted worthy to escape these frightful things standing before Messiah, at His return, saying: ‘BLESSED IS HE WHO COMES IN THE NAME OF YHVH.’ Think carefully about it!

[1] Isaiah 14: 12 – 15: “How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, you who have weakened the nations! But you said in your heart, I will ascend to heaven; I will raise my throne above the stars (angels) of Elohim, and I will sit on the mount of the assembly in the recesses of the north. I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; ‘I will make myself like the Most High.’ Nevertheless you will be thrust down to Sheol, to the recesses of the pit.”

[2] Some accept traditions and teachings of men far more easily than believing what Yahshua the word of Elohim, has to say about things; an example being the authority that Judah has regarding the Feast Days of Elohim.

[3] Romans 11: 5, ‘In the same way then, there has also come to be at the present time, a remnant according to Elohim’s gracious choice.’