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Deuteronomy – Devarim – Moses, Joshua and Chips the War Dog

Huh ? There’s nothing in the Scriptures about a war dog or a Disney movie.  OK, well, just hang on a minute and we’ll explain.

The title ‘Devarim’ is both the Hebrew name for this 5^th book of the Bible, as well as the first Torah portion of that book. The title ‘Devarim’ comes from the Hebrew of the opening phrase ‘These the words’. ‘Deutoronomy’ is the English rendering of the Greek ‘deutoro nomos’/ ‘deutoronomion’ or ‘second law’. This is not literally a ‘second law’ but rather a ‘reminder or reciting or repeating of the law’. It is also referred to in Judaic circles as the Mishneh Torah or ‘repeating of the Torah’- not to be confused with Maimonides’ Mishnah Torah.

So what’s that got to do with an old Disney movie?

Well, for those that know the movie, the plot is about a young army recruit, an old trainer and a german shepherd that just can’t seem to ‘cut the muster’. But at the last minute, this ‘washed-out’ pooch is the only option and must pass the final test the next day. So all night long, the old trainer (he’s not allowed to go to the testing site with the other two) sits with the recruit and the dog, reminding them of all that they need to remember, going over and over their training one last time. Over and over the old trainer keeps saying, ‘ oh yeah, and this is the most important thing . . .’

Well, every time the book of Deutoronomy rolls around in the study cycle, that movie comes to mind. If you’ll allow us to make these analogies – The good ol’ pooch is Israel, the green recruit is Joshua and the old trainer ? Well, that would be Moses. And throughout the Book of Devarim,  Moses is reminding the people over and over of their training, and all that they need to remember as they head into the Promised Land the the battles ahead.  And just like the old trainer in the film, Moses is not allowed go to with them, so he is reminding them one last time.

There is much in the opening chapters (as well as through the rest of the book) that we need to remember. Things like “To you it was shown that you might know that YHVH, He is God; there is no other besides Him”; or “”Know therefore today, and take it to your heart, that YHVH, He is God in heaven above and on the earth below; there is no other.” And don’t forget “When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days, you will return to YHVH your God and listen to His voice.”

But the one that stands out most for us begins in Deuteronomy 5:1, for this is the description of what we should understand and recognize as ‘The New Covenant’. What ? That’s right, The New Covenant. In verse two Moses states- ‘God made a covenant with us at Horeb . . . this is not the covenant He made with our fathers’. Why ? For this is the New Covenant. For the first and only time in history, The God of Creation enters into a covenant relationship with a nation He called out and formed. Up to this point, every covenant made by God has been with an individual or a couple; Adam & Eve, Noah, Abraham and Sarah, even Hagar and Ishmael. But now, God has formed a family and set up His new household with all the guidelines that are needed for and by this New family . . . the family promised to Abraham.

The English word ‘new’, in reference to ‘new commandment, new covenant or new testament, appears over a dozen times in the Apostolic Writings/New Testament, and only once is it the greek word for ‘new’ as in brand new, never existed before. It is the word ‘neos’, from which we get words like neo-natal. Every other instance uses the greek word ‘kainos’ which means to ‘renew, refurbish or make like new again’. That one instance for ‘brand new’ – neos – is in Hebrews 12:24 where it states ‘ Yeshua/Jesus is the mediator ( intercessor) of the NEW Covenant.

So what does that mean ? We are not going to presume to be able to give a comprehensive answer here, but to this one point we will speak. Yeshua is the intercessor of this New covenant given at Horeb, which is a type and shadow of Messiah and not the other way around. The blood of bulls and goats does not forgive sin, but rather an annual reminder of the sin (Hebrews 10:3) that would be dealt with at a point in the future by the Promised Messiah. But until that prophesied time and event would come,  the sincere obedience from a grateful heart – the circumcision of the heart – coupled with Yeshua’s/Jesus’ intercession (Job 16:19) looked forward to the ultimate reconciliation and atonement being made by the Promised Messiah, and all in the Father’s perfect timing. Abraham’s faith was reckoned unto him as righteousness. Abraham was saved the same way we all are – faith in the Word of God and the Blood of The Lamb of God – Messiah Yeshua. ‘For he (Abraham) looked forward to seeing My day’, said Yeshua.
The New Covenant ? Torah. The intercessor for this Covenant ? Yeshua, the Living Word.”

Meanwhile, back in the movie, Chips the wayward german shepherd finally ‘gets it’, and performs just as the old trainer had hoped. Under the tutelage of the ‘old trainer’ and the leadership and relationship with the ‘recruit-turned-soldier’, Chips is transformed into all he was meant to be.

The same can be true for all who are made part of the citizenship of Israel through the work of Messiah Yeshua on the cross. Being led by the Holy Spirit through the teachings of Moses, the Apostles and Prophets, and Yeshua Himself – the commander of the Hosts of Heaven – we can be transformed into all we were meant to be – for we were meant to be like Him and with Him.

For with the heart man believes, and with the mouth confesses that Yeshua/Jesus is Lord and that YHVH raised Him from the dead, and then you shall be saved. Time is short, and the ‘test’ could come sooner than you think. Are you ready?

Shalom – J & R

Let’s all Gather at the River Saturday May 29^th at 1:30pm for a Baptism/Mikvah Gathering. We will meet at the Creekside RV Park area of Renfro Valley in Mt Vernon. (we will have signs)

Although the primary reason for this meeting is the water baptism of a brother confirming his profession of faith in Yeshua/Jesus as his Master and Savior, this gathering is open to ALL who would desire to renew, refresh, rededicate or confirm their individual relationship and walk with our Heavenly Father through Messiah Yeshua/Jesus the Christ.

There will be a time of fellowship and food after wards (picnic style potluck J J) .

Please RSVP IF YOU ARE PLANNING TO ATTEND AND /OR PARTICIPATE.

Reply here or text to 859-582-5525.

“And I looked, and behold, a white horse. He who sat on it had a bow; and a crown was given to him, and he went out conquering and to conquer.” (Rev 6:2)

While listening to a recent audio posting ( https://youtu.be/9_Ti19DsDUU ) we heard the speaker mention this verse in general and the word ‘bow’ in particular, what was said caught our attention. After doing some additional homework, we thought it interesting enough to pass along.

Many believe the verse mentioned above is in reference to the ‘antichrist’ figure in the last days. Whatever your thoughts or beliefs concerning this figure, you should find this information intriguing.

First, let’s dissect the verse a little. The appearance of a ‘white horse’ normally evokes the image in the mind’s eye of that which is good. The ‘good guy’ is normally the one who rides the white horse, right? But then, things are not always as they appear, especially in prophetic matters. The greek word for ‘white’ (leukos) can denote dazzling brilliance, innocence and purity, as well as describe that which is dead – dead white. (Strong’s greek 3022) We also see reference in Revelation 19:11 to another white horse and Rider. This passage, we understand, is a direct reference to Messiah. The white horse and rider in Revelation 6:2 is someone that comes upon the scene before the triumphal return of Messiah.

We also should take note that this first white horse rider does have some degree of authority or power. He not only has a crown, which denotes a person of rank or authority, but the verse plainly states that he ‘went out conquering and to conquer.’ The crown may also have additional meanings, such as what we find discussed in this link https://www.businessinsider.com/where-coronavirus-name…

But the word that we really want to hone in on is the English word ‘bow’. This word is normally in reference to an archery bow. But there again, things are not always as they appear. And as a well-recognized side note, this rider has a bow, but no mention of any arrows. A bow is not very effective without arrows, unless it’s not a ‘bow’ in the normal sense. And if it is not a bow in the normal sense, then perhaps ‘the conquering’ is not in the traditional sense as well. ‘War’ can be waged in ways that are not only non-traditional, but in ways that don’t seem like ‘war’ at all, and yet still very much be ‘war’.

The word in Revelation 6:2 that is translated into the English as ‘bow’ is the Greek word ‘toxon’, which sounds eerily similar to the English word ‘toxin’. But going merely on similar sounds can be extremely deceiving. So let’s examine a quick etymology search for the word ‘toxin’ and see where it takes us.

‘Toxin’ comes from the Latin ‘toxicum’ – poison. ‘Toxicum’ is from the Greek ‘toxikon’ (in connection with ‘pharmakon’) which is ‘poison for use on arrows’ and comes from ‘toxikos’ which ‘pertains to arrows or archery’ and takes us to the word ‘toxon’ or ‘BOW’. So the reverse of that etymology takes us from the Greek word ‘bow’ (Rev. 6:2) to the English word ‘toxin’. Couple that fact not only with what we see swirling around us daily in local, national and global medical news reports, but with this statement in Revelation 18:23, hopefully we realize the obvious. “”The light of a lamp shall not shine in you anymore, and the voice of bridegroom and bride shall not be heard in you anymore. For your merchants were the great men of the earth, for by your sorcery all the nations were deceived. (Rev 18:23)

The word that is translated as ‘sorcery’ in the passage above is the Greek word ‘pharmakeia’, Strong’s #5331 φαρμακεία {far-mak-i’-ah}, the meaning of which is ‘1) the use or the administering of drugs 2) poisoning 3) sorcery, magical arts, often found in connection with idolatry and fostered by it 4) metaph. the deceptions and seductions of idolatry.’

Is it a coincidence that ‘bow’ is firmly connected with the concept of poison and arrows and ‘toxin’? Is it coincidental that this ‘bow’ is going forth under the guise of white – good and pure and innocent – when in fact it could very well be ‘dead white’? Is it coincidental that, on one hand, virtually the entire global community is pushing the mass administering of an experimental drug, while on the other hand the Scripture says ‘the nations will be – by definition – deceived by the administration of drugs? I guess it would be a stretch to wonder if needles and syringes could be considered ‘little arrows’? Just something to consider.

The medical industry has become a ‘high place’ in our society today. As people of faith in the Almighty Creator and His Messiah, we must operate as ‘Bereans’ in every aspect of our daily lives and not just in ‘religious matters’. We must be ‘wise as serpents and harmless as doves’ in all things in which we are involved and in all things by which we are confronted.

https://www.facebook.com/jerry.tomlinson.526/videos/2583792658556013/

https://www.facebook.com/jerry.tomlinson.526/videos/2583784945223451/

This is an impromptu video describing what our Father revealed in the Spirit during our worship time monday morning April 6th 2020.