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Latest Podcasts in Biblical Basics
Torah Teachers’ Round Table – Tanakh Edition – Ezekiel ch 45 into 46
The Torah teachers continue the detailed study of the Book of Ezekiel the prophet, and complete chapter 45, and head into 46. And as several previous prophecies have, this one invites a question: If the 'temple' that seems to be described in this section is a...
Now Is The Time with Rabbi Steve Berkson | Are You Covenanted? Part 9
Continuing in Deuteronomy, Rabbi Steve Berkson shows us how to recognize certain words and phrases continuously linked to help you understand what they’re about. What do you suppose is the phrase that links to the Covenant? As we look at a “covenant within the...
Dr Hollisa Alewine – Footsteps of Messiah Part 78 (The Greater Exodus Pt 8: Wars of Kings Pt 4)
Wars of Kings is a foundation for using the template of the first Exodus to understand the Greater Exodus and the accompanying plagues in the Book of Revelation. Click on Wars of Kings to go to the first segment of the Wars YouTube video. Last week’s teaching explained up to plague five, and part of this week’s teaching will continue with the rest of the plagues, providing examples from our time to connect with the texts.
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Mark Call – Parsha “Ki Tetzi” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa
Parsha "Ki Tetzi" (Deuteronomy 21:10 thru chapter 25) is unique in a number of ways. Not only is it "maximally politically IN-correct" - which itself speaks volumes - but it contains more 'statutes, judgments, and commandments' than just about any other parsha in the...
Torah Teachers’ Round Table – Tanakh Edition – Ezekiel ch 44 into 45
The teachers complete the study of Ezekiel chapter 44 and continue into chapter 45. Some of the strictures on the cohenim, or priests, in this section we saw in the Torah. But the emphasis on "teach My people" the difference, between the holy and unholy, clean and...
“Come out of her, My people” Show ~ Mark Call weekly
A special note up front from host Mark Call: This was a tough show to do, folks. It's a topic that has been on my heart, and my mind, for a while now, and finally "came to a head" this week. And I knew it would strike a nerve. But until I actually went through my...
Now Is The Time with Rabbi Steve Berkson | Are You Covenanted? Part 8
As he said he would, Rabbi Steve Berkson spends a bit more time teaching on Deuteronomy 4:9. He points out the emphasis placed on the exhortation to “guard yourself” lest you forget the words your eyes have seen. How does one “see the words”? The second part of Deu...
Dr Hollisa Alewine – Footsteps of Messiah Part 77 (The Greater Exodus Pt 7: Wars of Kings Pt 3)
The Greater Exodus will have its own challenges, but is Perfect Attendance possible? If we see it as the presence of every chosen one, then Scripture indicates yes, it is more than possible, but promised. Our working text is Song of Songs Chapter Four:
Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn sheep which have come up from their washing, all of which bear twins, and not one among them has lost her young.
Translations will vary. Some will say “all of them perfect” or “not one of them is missing.”
This “twins and pairs” passage of the Song of Songs is also seen by the sages as hinting to the missing daughters of Jacob, of whom there is only the brief mention in Genesis 37:35. Where did these daughters come from? Scripture is often so subtle when it reveals information about women in Scripture that the hint is often read over without notice.
Although Scripture only names one daughter, Dinah, who is believed to have been a single birth, the sages believe that each son was born with a twin sister. Like Rachel, whose name means “ewe lamb,” she was thought to be a twin to Leah as Jacob was a twin to Esau. Where did these daughters go? Why aren’t they mentioned in the descent to Egypt? Were they too attached to the Land of Israel to descend, preferring instead to remain?
We have no answers, but we have a deliberately-placed hint, and in addition to its plain meaning, that not one sheep of the flock of Israel will be missing when they cross over the Jordan, we also have some insight as to Joel’s prophecy, quoted by Peter in Acts Two, that the latter days of prophecy will be characterized by a pouring-out of the Ruach HaKodesh on both sons AND daughters, male AND female servants. Not one will be missing when they come up from their washing. In fact, maybe they never were missing, just unseen.
The twinning aspect is seen in the 24 courses of the Temple service. This may explain much about Acts Two and Peter’s explanation of Yoel’s prophecy of “sons and daughters,” “male and female servants.” In the “House,” or Temple, the male AND female disciples were praying on Shavuot, commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai, the “mountain of testimony” also from Chapter Four of the Song of Songs: “…your hair is like a flock of goats that have descended from Mount Gilead.”
The 24 courses were a twinning, or “perfection” of the twelve. The 24 mishmarot priestly watches would each consume the sacrifices with their teeth: “Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn sheep which have come up from their washing.”
Three times of year the 24 courses are equal, or ”perfect,” all in attendance. These times are Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot. While only those kohanim on duty would eat the sacrifices at other times, at the foot festivals they all were present to serve, so they shared equally. Every priest was part of the Perfect Attendance of the feasts. There were also the 24 watches of the Levites who served for a week on a rotating basis, functioning as gatekeepers and singers, along with other duties. The kohanim and Leviim were mishmarot who “watched over” the Israelites by seeing to the sacrifices and doing the work for Adonai’s atonement.
In addition to the kohanim and Leviim were the royal priesthood on duty. They served for a full month rather than a week, providing continuity during the changing of the Levitical and priestly courses, just as each tribe represents a month on the calendar. The royal priesthood provides year-round service. This royal priesthood ministered to the needs of Israel and the nations on behalf of the king, just as we do today. As the kohanim were to the tribes of Israel, so the tribes of Israel were to the nations.
The 24,000 men were sent from each tribe, one tribe per month, to serve as maamadot who were at the king’s disposal. They assisted in the execution of royal duties and ensured the security of the Israelites while they worshiped. They also fasted, recited Scripture, and prayed, like Channah (Annah), who remained in the Temple day and night. Their duties of security, administration duties as assigned by the king, fasting, and prayer/Scripture reading is consistent with the identity of the tribes as a royal priesthood.
This is unique from the kohanim and leviim, for the 24,000 both served in the Temple and mingled with the people, conducting Kingdom business. At the feasts, the royal priesthood from the twelve tribes would also have Perfect Attendance, for all were required to present themselves in Jerusalem for Pesach, Shavuot, and Sukkot.
Although only the able-bodied males were required by Torah, the prophetic perfection of the commandment in Acts Two included the women as well, just as Channah was sought as a witness to the infant Yeshua’s birth, for she served as a member of the Tribe of Asher. Likewise, the royal priesthood of Yeshua’s disciples assembled at The House (Temple) with Perfect Attendance on Shavuot, and the Ruach HaKodesh fell on them, equipping them to execute the King’s commandments and see to His business on earth, declaring His mighty deeds through their testimony of Yeshua’s resurrection.
Another line from the Shir:
“Your lips are like a scarlet thread, and your mouth is beautiful.”
Another translation:
“Your speech [midbarekha] is beautiful.”
Your sons and your daughters. Your male and female servants. Not one is missing, and their testimony of Yeshua and the commandments of Elohim is beautiful.
“It will come about after this that I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; and your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on the male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days. (Joel 2:28-29)
Will you be serving the King of Kings at the upcoming feasts? If we all show up, then no matter the exact date of the Greater Exodus, we have
PERFECT ATTENDANCE!
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Mark Call – Parsha “Shoftim” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa
Parsha "Shoftim" (Deuteronomy 16:18-21:9) begins with the word which means "judges," and proceeds to describe a set of instruction having to do with the "rule of law," and 'justice,' and concepts of what an honest, trustworthy judiciary looks like that is so foreign...
Torah Teachers’ Round Table – Tanakh Edition – Ezekiel ch 43 into 44
The teachers examine Ezekiel chapter 43 and into 44.
Dr Hollisa Alewine – Footsteps of Messiah Part 76 (The Greater Exodus Pt 6: Wars of Kings and the Revelation Siege)
Wars of Kings is a foundation for using the template of the first Exodus known as the “Wars of Kings” to understand the Greater Exodus and the accompanying plagues in the Book of Revelation. Go to the first segment of the Wars from last week. Last week’s teaching explained the template and the plague on the waters, and this week’s teaching will complete the rest of the plagues, providing examples from our time to connect with the texts.
Mark Call – Parsha “Re-eh” teaching from Shabbat Shalom Mesa
Parsha "Re'eh" (Deuteronomy 11:26-16:17) begins with the single word "Behold!" Or, more simply, in the modern English, just "See." Which is what most of xtianity has refused to do for at least 1700 years now. And it's pretty easy to actually read this one, and see...