Movie Review: Patterns of Evidence - Exodus

I hope you made the effort to go and watch the one night release of this amazing documentary. If you did you undoubtedly have many thoughts going on inside your mind. If you did not I highly recommend you go to and pre-order a copy of the documentary. The webs site below has the trailer for the documentary by the Director, Timothy P. Mahoney. My Review: Have you ever had your faith challenged in this world which constantly bombards us with "so-called" experts and scientists that claim no evidence exists that the Scriptures are true? Were you taught the Scriptures were true by a sweet little old lady Sunday School teacher only to enter the public educational system and academia of universities and had those Scripture stories scoffed at and heard discussions that would make out those who believed them to be "crack pots" who have a blind faith. Be honest! Remember that honesty with yourself on this matter doesn't make YHVH (Heavenly Father)agree, He already knows your heart and desires that you approach Him honestly, trusting that He understands. This is my testimony as well. I have am an environmental scientist by education and experience (27 years in my field). I was raised in a Methodist Church in MD, but left my faith behind (or rather faith of my mother) when I became "educated". The truth was that I believed God existed but because I never had anyone refute the "educated experts" my faith in the Scriptures validity was challenged to say the least. I even tried to see the Scriptures as "a story" or fable with a meaning behind it, rather than true as written, by the only One that was there through all of history. Like many, I dare say, I tried to fit the Scriptures into the truth of academia rather than first believing YHVH's written word as truth and looking at "scientific evidence" through the truths already provide us by YHVH's word. So this movie "Patterns of Evidence - Exodus" starts off looking for actual evidence of the Exodus account from Scripture, to see if there is actual evidence of not. This is the Director's story of what he found, and because it is his testimony of this quest it is really amazing. The journey takes him from scholar to scholar in his quest, providing what he found, whether from those who proclaimed no evidence existed, to others who saw evidence, but not in the timeline of history that was "traditionally" believed to have been accepted. The movie does go into much detail in this thought, but if I may simply share; it is traditionally believed that Egypt had three major periods in its history, and that the last period of Ramses was the period that believed scholars tried to match with "the Exodus story". Therefore, when evidence was not found during that period, they merely dismiss the narrative of Scripture as a fable rather that examining data from other time frames to "check" on their own believed and established timelines. The documentary then provides astounding evidence of a Semitic people that were in Goshen during the second great Egyptian period, which included cities, evidence that these ay have once had a "favored status' in Egypt, a period of slavery, and evidence of quick departure and much much more. There was even a statue of a non-Egyptian that was in 12 burial areas, where one seems to represent a figure like the Joseph of Israel. If that doesn't whet your appetite to see this I don't know what will. Anyway, as the documentary continues, we see patterns (ie the title) of evidence that support the various time periods of the arrival, living in freedom, a change to slavery, plagues, and a final exodus out of Egypt. The major problem? The time period of this evidence appears to much earlier (that is before) in history than it had been looked for. This raises the questions as to whether the established time line is correct or not. The evidence of cultures with so called "gaps" in their own timelines is then shown in a graphic with an in depth discussion of how others timelines have been "pinned" in time against this Egyptian Timeline, which in fact resulted in these other countries having "gaps" in the first place. Don't worry if you aren't following my attempt to explain this because the movie's graphics make this easy to visualize and understand. So I believe this documentary is a must see for all believers and any that seek for truth. My prayer is that as the discussion expands and more scientist see this, that it may lead to more break through evidence in support of the validity of the Scriptures. Lastly, the documentary is followed by a panel discussion which lacked only a "Hebrew Roots" believer. Dennis Prager represented Judaism; Ann Graham Lott as well as two others represented the Christian perspective, but it would have been interesting to have had a representative who both believed that Jesus (Yeshua) was the Messiah and who also had a love and desire to obey the Torah (first five books of Scripture) as was represented by Mr. Prager. Just as YHVH is revealing Himself in Scripture, we all know and believe He changes not! So we who believe in Yeshua as Messiah an who desire to obey Him, also desire to obey all His words, believing His words start in Genesis 1:1 and go through all of Scripture, not once contradicting Himself. We believe that the Torah was given to Moses by Him, therefore believe they were meant for all men, in all time periods, and will be the basis of righteous living standards forever more. We believe they never went away, as evidence that He will bring them back, just read Ezekiel chapters 40 - 48 and read it for yourself. Could it be that scientists aren't the only ones holding too tight to traditions and doctrine of men to first accept the whole of Scripture as true? Could we find that the gentiles are not the only ones to find in the last days that they have inherited the lies of their fathers, vanity, and this that do not profit? (see Jeremiah 16:18). Maybe His definition of good doctrine should be "good enough" for those that say they have faith! (see Proverbs 4:2) Did you see the movie? What are your thoughts?

Reflections of His Love - James 1:19-25

Reflections of His Love – James 1:19-25

Jack Jackson – Bondservant of Yeshua

Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear (shema), slow to speak, slow to wrath: For the wrath of man worketh not righteousness of God.  Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and abundance of nautiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.  And be ye doers (shamar asah) of the word, and not hearers (shema) only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word (shema), and not a doer (shamer asah), he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass (mirror): For he beholdeth himself, and goes his way (not God’s way), and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.  But whosoever looketh into the perfect Law of Liberty (Torah’s freedom from bondage to sin), and continueth therein (conforms his lifestyle to Torah in love), he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work (keeping the commandments and instructions), this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Have you considered that our Heavenly Father does not want us guessing if we are walking properly with Him?  These verses from James and others we will look at in this article should help us to know that we are a reflection of His love.  Not just His love towards us; but our reflection of the love we are to have towards Him.  James is saying “look into the mirror” to honestly see who you are.  I believe these verses were speaking loud and clear to the ones that were trying to keep the instructions (Torah) of God in James day, and should also still speak to us today.  James is saying it is not enough to say “I heard what Father said”, that is to “shema” (Hebrew word for hear); but that we are to be doers of the word.  Remember that believers entering into faith do not “make void” the Torah, but rather establish it.  In entering into true faith (like a marriage commitment) we vow to obey Him, thus establishing the Torah (His truth) as “the way” that we are to walk out that faith.  We are to be conformed to, the “life” of our bride groom Yeshua; as we walk that faith out (shamar asah – which in Hebrew is to hear to do). 

Do we then make void the law (instructions - torah) through faith?  God forbid: yea, we establish it. Romans 3:31

Faith must come first!  But afterwards one’s evidence of faith can be measured by one’s love towards God.  We become a reflection of the presence or absence of that love. 

If you love me (Yeshua), keep my commandments.  John 14:15

 He also defines in John 15:14 who His friends really are:

 Ye be my friends, if you do all that I command you. John 15:14

He also tests them in this in Luke when He asks:

Why call ye me Lord, Lord and do not the things I say? Luke 6:46

It is clear that Yeshua measures us by our reflective love.  The degree that we really love Him can be measured by Him, and us, in the zeal of love we have in keeping His instruction found in His Torah.  Just as a reminder, the first 5 books of the Bible are collectively known as the Torah of God, His instructions in righteousness.

Now before you continue reading please consider praying about “why you obey the instruction that you know about and are keeping”, as well consider praying about “why you are not obeying instructions you are aware of but for some reason have yet to apply in your walk”.

Your answers should help you understand the verses in James above.  We are to continue to judge ourselves, so He will not have too.  Paul teaches with a question when he asks:

Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves.  Know ye not your own selves, how that Yeshua Hamishiach is in you, except you be reprobate? 2 Cor. 13:5

Faith is being defined in these passages and is to manifest itself in a loving response from us towards Him reflected in our pouring out of loving obedience towards His ways and instructions for His bride (Torah).

Have you prayed about why you are obeying the instructions you do?  Did you find that it was about reflecting love or did you just “not have problems with the ones you keep”?  Likewise could it be that you are not obeying other instructions because you feel you don’t yet “feel convicted”; or are not sure if you “have too keep them”; or maybe you actually just don’t like the instruction(s).  May I suggest “true obedience” needs no explanations, that a heart truly yielded to “doing all that He commands us” is at the ready to obey, and doesn’t need to consider whether to obey or not?  Agreeing to obey a commandment may not be obedience; it may just be finding “common ground”.  In contrast, true love responds in obedience even before it necessarily agrees with the instruction.  Therefore a more accurate reflection of your love (agape – that is unconditional love) towards Him should not be measured in the instructions that you are following, but rather in the ones you are not yet following.

For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the spirit the things of the spirit.  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.  Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law (instructions in torah), neither can it be.  So then they that are of the flesh cannot please God.  But ye are not in the flesh, but in the spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you.  Now if any man have not the Spirit of Yeshua, he is none of his.  Romans 8:5-9

If you’re minding the spirit, according to the word, your life will begin to change and become more and more conformed to Yeshua’s image.  As you begin in discipleship in His word, your heart will not be at enmity with His instructions you read in His Torah.  Your desire to be “obedient” should be there right from the start of a true conversion; that is entering into proper faith.  Unwillingness to obey all His commandments we find in His word should cause us to be concerned about our heart to God.  We may need to pray further and ask Him to place the love of His Torah on our hearts so we have the proper desire to keep it.  Just as in the “parable of the soils” you choose which soil you shall be.  If you are the good soil, the word takes root and grows and brings forth much fruit.  In other cases, we might be hindered in that growth by the cares of this world; by fading away during heat of trials because of roots that did not go deep; or maybe we have even allowed others to be like thorns hindering our growth.  Maybe we find we were being taught the lies of our fathers as truth (Jer. 16:19), and therefore rejected the old paths (Jer 6:16-19) in our ignorance.  Yeshua knew some would be hindered by family that didn’t understand or that would not submit themselves total to God.  You might be in a family that is asking you to decide whether to “honor God” or honor them (“honor our mothers and fathers”). 

Remember Yeshua’s words when his own mother and brother wanted Him to “come out” to them “Who are my mother and who is my brother but he that does the will of my Father in heaven”.   Likewise Yeshua told another “He who chooses to love father and mother more than me is not worthy of Me.”  He never said coming to the knowledge of the truth would be easy or bring unity, but the opposite.  Yeshua tells what his teaching will result in: Suppose ye that

Would Yeshua even today be called divisive because He preached repentance from sin?  Was He a “legalist” because He told us to be Holy as He was Holy?

Yeshua fulfill the prophesy in Isaiah 42:21 (but consider reading all of Isaiah 42 as a warning) 

Yehovah is well pleased for his righteousness’ sake; he will magnify the Torah and make it honorable. Isaiah 42:21  

We know Yeshua taught that looking with lust was already adultery in the heart, and that hating a brother without cause was murder; thus magnifying Torah to include our thoughts as well as actions as evil.  But how and why did he make it honorable?  They had dishonored the Torah by adding to it, blurring lines between that “which is written” and “that which was said” making it a heavy yolk, harder to obey by adding many “oral laws” that were not in Scripture.  The lawyers had twisted the law so much that like a key it could no longer do what a key was to do, unlock the captives and set them free.  But the most obvious way he made it honorable was to clarify the proper motive we should have in keeping it, love.  Just as Yeshua said He kept them because He loved the Father, we are to do likewise.  Imagine that, it is the 1^st of the 10 Commandments. 

Remember from Romans 8 verses above that Paul tells us how to judge ourselves rightly, so God will not have to.  Paul teaches us truth in love when he tells us that if we have a problem with God’s instructions, it should warn us that it reflects, or is a symptom of, an actual problem we have with God.  He tells us that is a “life threatening problem”.  I do not believe he is referring to the life of our flesh, but the eternal destination of our soul.  Paul makes it clear that this response “cannot please God”.  Note that outward appearance of obedience by the “will of the flesh” or just being in agreement in “common ground” would likewise not likely please God. 

If you find yourself currently in a situation where you are struggling in your loving obedience towards one or more of His instructions that you have been shown in His word, seek after Him in prayer and ask Him to place His torah on your heart, so you can  be freed from the bondage to sin. 

But God be thanked, that ye were a servant of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered.  Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteous.  Romans 6:17-18  

When we get delivered from sin (the enmity towards His instructions and Him) we are able to see His instructions in a different light.  Remember that God’s “good doctrine” is to not forsake the Torah (Proverbs 4:2)

Object Lesson:

Imagine if a few of us traveled to work every day by crossing a deep gorge over a rope bridge:  It does the job, but it has no railings on it.  One morning we arrive to walk over and we find someone added rope railings.  Now consider what you might think if I said “How dare someone add these restrictive pieces of rope on our bridge!”  Maybe you would say “Well Jack, you could see these pieces of rope as harsh and rigid restrictions, constricting your space; or perhaps you could consider that someone lovingly added these as railings to help guard us from falling to our death”.  Both of us saw the same pieces of rope, though one chose to see themselves “under the restrictions of the rope”, and one saw them as “loving barriers they were happy to have restricting them from falling to their death”. 

We all have “free will” and how we view the instructions of God (all His Torah) reflects whether we feel we are “under the law” that is under the weight of Torah, feeling we “have too” keep them, or “under the shadow of His wings” looking now at the Torah as protection and loving instructions of a Father to His children, so He could pour out blessings upon us for obedience.

Before our conversion, the law judges us as transgressors (sinners) of the law, and is designed to cause us to identify what sin is (sin is the transgression of Torah 1 John 3:4).  The Torah can be viewed as “restrictions” to those at enmity to them (and to Him).  However, once we are truly converted, we become able to see them as the loving covering and protection from our Father.  If we don’t see His Torah that way, it should cause us to realize we have enmity still with God (Romans 8) and seek Him for deliverance and to save us.  Once converted, we should begin to see that our willingness to lovingly obey all the instructions in Torah is an actual reflection of the completion of the converting of our soul.

The Torah of Yehovah is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of Yehovah is sure, making wise the simple.  The statutes of Yehovah is right, rejoicing the heart, the commandments of Yehovah are pure, enlightening the eyes.  The fear of Yehovah is clean, enduring forever, the judgments of Yehovah are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, yea, than much fine gold: sweeter also than honey and the honeycomb.  Moreover by them are my servants warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.  Who can understand his errors?  Cleanse thou me from secret faults.  Keep back thy servant also from presumptuous sins; let them not have dominion over me: then shall I be upright, and I shall be innocent from the great transgression.  Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight. Yehovah, my strength and my redeemer.  Psalm 19:7-14

Amazing!  Haleluyah!  Did you notice the issue in that passage is “presumptuous sin”?  How many have heard the presumption that Jesus did away with the law, nailing it to the cross?  That is presumption, based on doctrines of men; when scripture does not ever suggest that anything other than “man’s way” (dogmas in Greek) was ever nailed to the cross.  The doctrine’s of men which twisted His ways, and made them appear too much of a burden to carry is what He took out of the way. 

David, in contrast, a man after God’s own heart loved the Torah.  He prayed that Yehovah would “Open mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of thy torah (law).  Psalm 119:18.  Is Yeshua not the word made flesh?  Isn’t He the Torah made flesh?  Is he not worthy to be praised?  Is He not to be loved with all our heart, soul, and strength? Are we to look for loophole and find excuses to exclude obedience to all His word?  Are we to have Him be configured to our ways?  Is it OK with Him for us to loosen even the least of these commandments?  Are there no consequences to giving the devil even a foothold by loosening even the least of these commandments?  Who among you seek to be teachers?  Do you not know who will have the greater condemnation?

We all find ourselves teaching someone.  Mothers teach children.  Fathers teach wives and children.  We may also be teachers to some level within a holy convocation; so does Yeshua have anything to say to us regarding the teachers that we should follow?

This people drawth nigh unto me with their mouths, and honoreth me with their lips; but their hearts is far from me.  And in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrine the commandments of men.  Matthew 15:8-9

Here yea children the instructions of a father, and attend to know understanding.  For I give you good doctrine, forsake ye not my law (Torah).  Proverbs 4:1-2 

Give me understanding, and I shall keep the torah (law); yea I shall observe it with my whole heart.  Psalm 119:14 

Behold I have taught you statutes and judgments, even as Yehovah my God commanded me, that ye should do so in the land wither ye go to possess it.   Keep (shamar) therefore and do (asah) them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.  For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as Yehovah our God is in all these things that we call upon for?  And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law (torah), which I set before you this day?  Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons and thy sons’ sons Deut. 4:4-9

Wow! The Torah is our wisdom and understanding!  Shouldn’t we desire to have that dwelling richly in us so others could literally see such a difference they could see the wisdom and the understanding which comes with obeying all His Torah?  That is who we should look like from the outside (nations) looking in, and what we see in the mirror.  So we find ourselves right back in James 1:22-25, looking at what James was speaking of in the passages of scripture we began with.  It seems James had Deut. 4 in mind when he wrote that passage. 

Does it matter how we define words?

Whosever continues to commit sin transgresses also the law (torah): for sin is the transgression of the torah.  1 John 3:4

Is this your definition of sin: transgression of the Torah?  Is that the definition of sin of those you assemble with?  Have you asked them?  Does it matter?

If we are to seek out and save that which is lost, as Yeshua commands us, and then disciple them, it matters greatly! 

From that time Yeshua began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” Matthew 4:17

What did He mean by “repent”?  Did He not come for the lost sheep of Israel?  Was He therefore not calling them to repent from transgression of His Torah?  You do know that Yeshua, the word of God, was the One that gave the Torah to Moses.  I certainly believe that is what He meant.

So if He was calling them to stop “transgressing the Torah”; what do you think He wanted them to “turn to”?  Is it too much of a stretch to believe He was calling them back to Torah observance in love?  Did He not assure them (us) that He did not come to destroy either the Torah or the prophets?

Think not that I am come to destroy the law (torah), or the prophets: I am come not to destroy, but to “preach fully” (lift up, fill full).  For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or tittle shall in no wise pass from the torah, till all be fulfilled.  Matthew 5:17-18

He went on to warn us about what we are to teach and not teach: if, we are concerned with being declared “least in the kingdom” verses “great in the kingdom”.  These verses should help us know which teacher Yeshua wants us to be taught by and which type we should not be taught by (which types we should join ourselves with or withdraw ourselves from).

Least in the Kingdom

Whosoever therefore shall break (loosen) one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven. Matt 5:19a

Teachers of God are not to teach anyone that breaking (or even loosening) even the least (smallest) of the commandments in Torah is fine with God.  They should not make anyone feel “safe” in their sin.  They should recognize and teach sin as breaking any of His commandments.  These teachers should be striving to keep all His commands he is able to keep.

Great in the Kingdom

But whosoever shall do and teach them (even the least), the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.  Matt 5:19b

These teachers both keep all His commandments they can, and teach others to do likewise.  This reminds me of Paul who said “Follow me as I follow Messiah”.  Paul only wanted us to follow Him, if he was walking like Yeshua.

Did Yeshua break any commandments?  No, because if He had we would be looking for another Messiah.  If He broke any of Torah, He could not be the prophet like unto Moses (Deut 18:15).  When I was in various “Christian” churches from 2001 – 2006 I was always told that Jesus did away with the law.  A proper understanding of Deut. 18:15 proves that this wrong thinking, for if it was true that He took away the law it would invalidates Jesus (Yeshua) as the prophet like unto Moses, or the Messiah.  

Were the scribes and Pharisee’s keeping torah in righteousness?  Or following doctrines of men?

For I say unto you, that except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.  Matt 5:20

Were these really “keeping torah in love” or going through the motions, dead on the inside?  Yeshua calls them white washed tombs with dead men’s bone inside.  On the surface they appear to be doers of the word, but not so in Yeshua’s eyes because He saw through their lack of love towards Him.  If they had love for Him, they would have known him, and followed Him.

Conclusion: Danger on the left and right!  Beware to stay on the narrow path!

Satan does not care if you stop short of keeping YHVH’s instructions in the Torah, or whether you keep them for the wrong reason.  The torah is lawful, if it is used lawfully.

For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteous……Romans 1:18 professing themselves wise, they became fools…1:22 without understanding, covenant breakers….1:31

When Torah is not your wisdom and understanding before the Nations, you find yourself breaking the covenant in which you agreed to love and obey your Bride groom Yeshua.  You may even fall prey to teachings that will seem right regarding even loosening of the least of the commandments.  God forbid we find ourselves teaching that the Torah is void since we have grace and are now people of faith.  If we find that is our thought or discover ourselves in teaching ministries that have that thought, know it is devoid of His wisdom and understanding.

Are you still teaching, or being taught, that the problems lies in the instructions of Yehovah (His Torah)?  Are excuses offered up that try and excuse us from obedience or loopholes; rather than trying to find ways to keep the Torah?  Hopefully we realize that the real problem is always in the evil heart of man? 

Remember his word does not lie:

If you love me, keep my commandments.  John 14:15 

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we continue in keeping his commandments.  He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.  And whosoever keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected; hereby know we that we are in him.  He that saith he abideth in him ought also so to walk (walk out in faith as a doer) even as he walked.  1 John 2:3-6 

Be honest with yourself and use “His word the Torah” as a mirror.  We are all at different stages of coming to the understanding that His Torah was not made void; is for all men; and that a truly converted faith begins with that journey into being conformed by all His instructions found in Scripture.  Beware your journey does not get hindered and you stop growing, or even die a spiritual death. 

Do you have to first be keeping all His law before you get converted and can come into fellowship?  No!  That was the false premise of Acts 15.  Peter and John knew the Holy Spirit would enter a person who recognized themselves a sinner and who called out to be saved from the sin.  The four prerequisites listed in Acts 15 therefore, are the minimum 4 categories one must be willing to immediately turn from to show forth a conversion was in progress.  That new faith was measured in the love one had to establish Torah as a way of life to learn and conform to (discipleship).  Discipleship void of the instructions in Torah is not true Biblical discipleship as Paul teaches in addition to warning about those who leave it out:

But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived.  But continue thou in the things that thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them; And that from a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make the wise unto salvation through faith which is in Yeshua Hamashiach.  All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instructions in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.  2 Tim 3:13-17

At the time of Timothy’s youth, there was only the “Old Testament” (Torah and Prophets and some writings).  Even at the time of the Apostles their epistle (letters) were not yet considered “Scripture” on par with the Torah or Prophets.  Do you see in this writing how I am emphasizing as underlined all the references to words like wise, wisdom, heart, and understanding; and how they all are related to having a heart towards Yehovah’s instructions in His Torah?  Don’t be deceived!  Test all things!  Please verify all that I have written in this paper by Scripture and help me see if I have made errors in this article.  David was not a legalist; he was a man after Yehovah’s own heart.  The opening scriptures in this article from James 1 ends with, this man shall be blessed in his deed. 

I will therefore close this paper as I began, in Scripture.  May Yehovah bless you and keep you as you love Him and obey His instructions in Torah.

Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.  But his delight is in the Torah of Yehovah; and in his Torah doth he meditate day and night.  And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.  The ungodly are not so: but are like chaff which the wind driveth away.  Therefore the ungodly shall not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the congregation of the righteous.  For Yehovah knoweth the way of the righteous; but the way of the ungodly shall perish.  Psalm 1

Is the Passover Lamb an Offering? Or a Gift from God?

Is the Passover Lamb an Offering?  Or a Gift from God?

By:  Jack Jackson

How we end up answering the questions posed in this title has ramifications on whether we can subsequently, and properly, apply or not apply the commandment to bring our offerings to the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, given in Leviticus 17.  This matter has come up for debate and discussion due to a difference of understanding of whether or not a lamb should still be killed at Passover.  In addition, the question following is whether it’s blood should, or should not, be applied to the lintels and doorpost as it was in the first Passover. 

To address this matter, and attempt to support my understanding of this most critical question, I would like us to go into His word and discuss primarily the passages of Exodus 12:1 – 28 and Leviticus 17:1-16.  Before you go any further, please pray and then  grab your Scriptures and follow along so you are seeing the Scriptures with your very eyes.

Turn now to Exodus 12 and read along as I highlight some points to consider.  In verse 3 we find that YHVH (Elohiem’s name, written in some Bibles as LORD, Yehovah, Yahweh - for this paper I will use YHVH) is giving instructions to Moses which are to be passed along to Israel.  They concern selecting a lamb or kid of the first year (less than a year old) without blemish.  It is to be selected out of the flock on the 10^th of Nissan.  The size of the family determines the size of the animal because this lamb is for their Pasach meal only, not to be “shared” with a Levite as is done for a Peace (Shelem) Offering.  Please make a note here that this selection is to be done by the family, for the family, and was not to be shared with anyone else outside the house.  The allowable exception would be the inviting of another family where the family is too small to consume it.

At even of the 14^th of Nissan they (the whole congregation) were commanded to kill (Strong’s 7819 shachat - or slaughter) the lambs at the same time.  Note that they were not commanded to bring them to a priest to have the priest slaughter the animal.  In fact, check you Scriptures from Leviticus chapters 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 and please read for yourselves that even though the “offerings” were brought to the priests, the man bringing his offering was required to kill his animal he was offering. The priests would then do the rest of the processing as instructed.  The priest’s only actual killing was their own offerings or the corporate offerings.  How many of us, removed from not only the land of Israel but also agricultural practices, have had to kill our animals for food?  Not many!  As one who has, I can testify that it never gets easy.  It is hard to kill an animal which did nothing wrong.  Yet, how many just avoid that by going to the grocery store and letting someone else “deal with their killing”?  That reminds me that even the Pharisees and Sadducees had the Romans do their killing for them.  But let us not get on a new subject.

In verse 7, they are commanded to take some of the blood of the lamb and place it on the lintels and two door posts, “wherein they would eat it”.  Please note the command was not only specific to “what to do”, but also, “where it was to be placed.”  Specifically, it was to go on the lintels and door posts of the place where they planned on eating the lamb.  Verse 8 describes the cooking process and that the second course was to include bitter herbs.  Verses 9 and 10 describe eating all of the lamb, and that that which remains unto the morning was to be burned by fire.  Again, note,  the lamb was for the family, like a gift for them.  It was not shared with the priest or Levites like the offerings we shall describe later in Leviticus 17.

Verse 11 says the lamb is to be eaten in haste.  It is called “YHVH’s Pesach (Passover)”.  I believe by now we should be seeing that this Pesach is very different indeed from an offering brought to and offered to YHVH.  It is, rather, clearly a gift (His gift) to us. 

Why is this distinction critically important?  Because a gift to us is a pursuing of our hearts from the One giving it; while, when we make an offering, we are the ones approaching Him.  Remember we love Him because He first loved us, and gave Himself for us.  Abraham was all prepared to go through with his “offering” of his son Isaac.  When the melak of YHVH calls out to stop him, He tells him that He now knows that Abraham is willing to love and obey him. He, instead of taking Abraham’s offering, reverses the situation and provides Himself a sacrifice (Genesis 22:9-19).  Wow!  Because Abraham did not withhold his son, YHVH did not withhold His only begotten Son.  In John 1:29 be are blessed to hear John say the following as he saw Yeshua (Jesus) approach “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world”.  It was Emmanuel, God with us.  What is more critical to our faith than understanding that Yeshua is the Lamb of God, creator of everything that was made, that can take away our sin?  How much the devil must hate it when we understand that, and attempt to spread that “good news”? 

Our precious lamb, slaughtered before the foundations of the world, was nailed to a wooden post, and His precious blood flowed out and stained that wood.  I can imagine how similar that wood must have looked to lintels and a door post that have had the blood of the lamb applied to them.  How much the devil must hate anyone remembering the precious blood of the Lamb of God on the wood; and how much that devil must hate anyone placing the blood on the lintels or doorposts for fear a child might spontaneously ask why?  Why Daddy, do we have to kill this precious innocent lamb?  It didn’t do anyone any harm Daddy?  Daddy why does its blood have to be lifted up….and placed on the wooden beams around our door?  Daddy can’t the blood just be placed somewhere where I don’t have to look upon it?  How much the devil must hate when that Daddy describes the comparison of the slaughtering of Yeshua and teaches his children how YHVH’s plan from the beginning was that His Son Yeshua was going to be slain for us all.  How that devil hates the talk about Yeshua’s precious blood willingly being shed “as a gift” for us.  Remember He said He was laying down His own life, which was His gift offer for us.

I hope some dots in Scripture are coming together and we can at least consider that the Pasach is not “our offering to YHVH”; but “YHVH’s gift for us”.  That is why I believe we will shortly see that those who believe that Leviticus 17 somehow changes the Passover service today and eliminates the killing of the Pesach and the applying of the blood to the lintels and door posts, may actually find themselves trying to stop the very thing that Satan has also successfully worked to stop.  But let us return to Exodus 12 and read more of God’s instructions before looking at Leviticus 17.  Then we can make a decision of whether it changes the instructions in Exodus 12 or not. 

Remember, at this time that many of us have discovered that the 10 Commandments.  Although many of us were taught were really only 9, there are, in fact, still 10.  The Sabbath was never done away with or cancelled out by some new command.  And remember, many of us have come to realize that Yeshua did not change “one jot or tittle” of the Law (Torah).  This would include Exodus 12, wouldn’t it?  Maybe the removal of the service of the slain lamb and its blood applied to the lintels and doorpost is just another lie we have inherited.

We left off describing Exodus 12 at verse 11, so let us now look at the powerful reasons for the application of the blood: to have death pass over the first born and to bring judgment on the false gods of Egypt.  In verse 13, He says He was going to look for the blood as a “token” (Strong’s 226 – owth) defined as an appearing, a signal, flag, or mark.  It is the same word used to describe Sabbath as a “sign” between Him and us.  So this blood on the lintel and door posts was a token or sign between Him and the one who applied it.  It lets Him know who had been faithful and obedient to do just as He commanded.  It also identifies those who had not obeyed.  The blood itself did not save them from death, but obedience to what YHVH had commanded was attributed as faith, and therefore complied and allowed death to Passover.  Similarly, looking at a serpent on a pole never healed anyone from the bite of a viper.  Instead, it was YHVH that healed those who were obedient to His command. 

In verse 14, just after describing the process and reason for the blood, He then declares  this day shall be a memorial, and that Israel (His people) are to keep it as a feast to YHVH throughout their generations, by an ordinance forever.  That seems clearly an annual thing that was to be done forevermore.  The word memorial (Strong’s 2146 - zikrown) has the root zakar (Strong’s 2142) which is the word we find as “remember” used in “Remember the Sabbath say to keep it holy”.  That certainly means that it should be scheduled in our appointment books every year.

Verses 15 through 20 all refer to the days of unleavened bread, and lead us to the verses where Moses will now tell the elders of Israel what YHVH’s instructions are.  Please make sure you read these passages for what Moses says, and doesn’t say.  Look for what Moses emphasizes and doesn’t mention at all.  Look for what Moses describes as the “service” and what he doesn’t mention at all to them regarding the “service”. 

In verses 21 and 22 Moses only mentions three things to the elders of Israel regarding the things YHVH commanded him to tell them.  In these verses Moses tells them “Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the Pasach”  “And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop, and dip in blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with blood that is in the basin, and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until morning.”  Clearly Moses gives to them the three most critical commands they must do.  Kill the lamb; apply the blood to door frame, and stay inside until morning.  Although we know Moses eventually told them about the bitter herbs, eating in haste with sandals on, how to cook it, and to burn what ever is left until morning, but clearly, the most critically important instructions which Moses gives them are the slaughtering of the lamb by each family, application of the blood to the lintels and door posts, and staying inside.  Note that neither Moses nor YHVH make any mention of any involvement by a priest or Levite at all. 

In verse 23 Moses relates the “why” in regard to the importance that the blood plays in Pasach.  The blood is critical in the Pesach and our faith.  In verse 24, Moses, after only mentioning killing a lamb, applying blood and staying inside says “And ye shall observe this thing.  These are the words “shamar zeh dabar”, which could better be translated as observe this word of YHVH.  What could “observe this thing” have meant to elders that only heard about three things; killing a lamb, applying blood, and staying inside, except to mean that “observe this thing” was in fact “at minimum” the killing of a lamb and the application of its blood on the lintels and door posts.  But Moses describes how long “observing this thing” was to be kept by them: it was to be an ordinance to them and their sons…..forever.  How long is forever, that “this thing” was supposed to be observed?  Forever!  Ok, let’s continue as long as we can see that “this thing” including a lamb slain and its blood applied to the lintels and the door posts as “a forever thing” in the lives of Israel.

Now Moses describes “the why”. They were to “observe this thing” in verses 24 and 25, and these are also critical to this matter because he describes why “this thing” will be important when they “enter the land YHVH promised them”.  As we know now, the coming into the land and his driving others out doesn’t actually happen for 40 years.  But, they were supposed to have entered and move right into the dwelling those driven off had left behind (their new homes).  So it appears that YHVH realizes He needs “this thing” to bring this first Pasach to memory and stimulate questions.

Verse 25 describes the doing of the ordinance of “this thing” as a service.  Moses says “that ye shall keep this service”.   The word service (Strong’s 5656 - abadah) is defined as an enactment.  The term we might better understand today is “re-enactment”.  Who in the USA has not been to, or seen, a Civil War re-enactment.  If you didn’t know better it looks as though they are really having a battle.  The more accurately they re-enact it, the more it looks exactly as it did then.  The more real it appears, the more we feel we are living it again, just as they did.  This I believe is exactly what YHVH had in mind when He says they needed to keep the “service”. 

And why do I believe this so strongly?  Read verse 26!  “And it shall come to pass, when your children shall say unto you, “What mean ye by this service?”  Please note that the service is meant to prompt the children to ask questions concerning the service, so it would appear that the more accurately we re-enact the first Passover, the more they should feel like they are right in the midst of the first one; don’t you agree?.  But now remember, the three main components, or “this thing” that Moses brought first and foremost to the elders, namely the slaughtering of the lamb, application of blood of that lamb on the lintels and door posts, and the entering in until morning.  Does anyone not think these were foremost in Moses eyes?  Could the elders not understand their significant place in Pasach?  No!

Then look at verse 27 find out the answer to the expected question from the children.  Note, the purpose of the service is to prompt a question, which can be answered as verse 27 confirms; “That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of YHVH’s Pasach”……  What is the sacrifice of YHVH’s Pasach?  Obviously the lamb and its blood!  So why then do we, in a “traditional” Passover Haggadah, write the questions out so the children will ask them?  Maybe because they never actually see the “service” that YHVH has intended them to see.  If a child today would spend four days loving on an innocent lamb, then have to watch it being slaughtered and having its blood placed on their doorposts, the child will undoubtedly spontaneous ask the “right” question without having anyone write down the questions in advance.  I imagine they would no longer be concerned with “Why on other nights do we sit in chairs, but on this night we recline on couches?”  That’s a nice question, but pales in importance to the questions in the mind of a child that has just watched their “precious lamby” bleed out its life blood which is now still present on their doorpost.  They probably wouldn’t care much, either, why we dip parsley in salt water….eat horseradish……..and any other fabricated questions we have had to supply them.  Why do we have to manufacture questions?  Simple!  We have majored in the minors and minored in the majors.  We have done everything except re-enact the first Pesach. We have not graphically performed the re-enactment: the slaughter of the innocent lamb and then placing its blood on the lintels and door posts and staining a piece of wood in the process.

I repented because I hadn’t seen this all so clearly before.  I repented for my fathers and brothers that forgot the most critical parts of the service: the slaying of the lamb and the blood of innocence lifted upon the wood.   Why?  Because when doing the service correctly, it puts our eye clearly upon Yeshua and undoubtedly makes the devil tremble to think of this thing being done each year in the homes of all who call themselves “children of God”.  The ruckus created by such a return to the actual commands for Pesach would send ripples throughout the world.  It would so place the focus back where it should be, on Yeshua as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world; not on the merchandising of a holiday.  Did you know Yeshua turned over the money changers table at Passover, because they had turned Passover into a money making event?  Maybe some tables need turning over again.  It would be amazing to even consider how the media would be “a buzz” about it.  I could imagine laws and ordinances quickly be passed world wide to try and stop “this thing” from being a most memorable feast that so obviously points to our Messiah Yeshua being the gift of God.

But, enough preaching for a moment, now allow the word of God to clearly define itself and show that Leviticus 17 is not speaking at all about the Pesach.  Because, if I am able to show you that Pasach, as a gift from God, is not the same as an offering towards God, then Leviticus 17 no more impedes the proper keeping of the Pesach service in the way it was intended.  I believe most readers, by this time, are likely already realizing this is true.  However, there are a few more points regarding Leviticus 17 we must consider.

Please read through Leviticus 17, and while you do so, consider what we have already learned in His word in the verses which have come before Leviticus: namely those in Exodus 12.  Now it is true that the word used in Leviticus 17:3 for kill is the same used word for kill in Exodus 12 describing the death of the Pesach.  So does that mean that automatically theses two chapters are linked?  No!  If the only provision for Leviticus 17 was a killing of an animal, it would, but that is not the emphasis of the chapter at all.

What really starts to define the parameters of this chapter is found in verse 4.  It also distinguishes itself from Exodus 12 as these descriptions are “never” used in Exodus 12 related to the Pasach.  What are these critical words?  In Leviticus 17:4 we find what was prohibited was not to “offer your offering” except at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.  Offer (Strong’s 7126 - qarab) is to approach or cause to bring near.  As an example, if a person is looking for favor from someone, they may offer them a gift in an attempt to get closer.  We see this in business when a salesman brings “free” giveaways to hope to get inside the door and speak to someone who can make a decision.  The Pasach is never brought anywhere to give to anyone.  It is never called, nor should ever be confused as something which is offered.  It fits into none of the categories of Levitical “offerings in Leviticus Chapters 1-5.

The second word is offering (Strong’s 7133 - qorbon) which is defined further as something brought near the “altar”.  The commands to slay the Pesach never discuss slaying it on an “altar”.  In conclusion, a Pesach is not brought near, nor killed on an alter; therefore is not that type of a qorbon (offering).  Therefore, Pesach is not what is being discussed in Leviticus 17.  Deuteronomy 16:5-6 is also used to suggest we are no longer to sacrifice a Pesach because some say it means a prohibition on sacrificing within our gates; when a closer read suggest that we should sacrifice, but not do it just anywhere without thought within our gates.  Does YHVH place His name (authority) at your land?  Is His name upon you?  Paul says we are the temple of YHVH in 2 Corinthians 6:16, doesn’t he?

To a believer, unfamiliar with the meaning of the service of Pesach described in Exodus 12, and watching from afar off, when seeing people gathered around a lamb which has had its throat slashed, it may look to them as a group of people doing some sort of occult sacrifice to some devil.  And,  if they then saw those people take its blood and apply it the door posts, they may be ready to call the Police.  But if they heard these same people praying and comparing the innocent lamb to their sinless Messiah Jesus (Yeshua), and giving thanks for His gift of His life to cover our sins, and comparing the blood stained doorpost to the blood stain cross, I would imagine their whole thought process about what was actually going on would change.  They might realize there was no devil worship going on at all, only the lifting up of Yeshua as the Lamb of God that takes away the sin of the world.

Many in Christianity, Messianic/Hebrew Roots, and even many Jews today have only limited (non-hands on) knowledge of the Levitical Sacrificial System described in Chapters 1 – 5 of Leviticus, and for good reason.  Today, sadly, and in disobedience, neither the Temple nor the Tabernacle of the Congregation are performing the services of worship that God commanded to be everlasting.  That might soon change if He returns quickly.  Ezekiel Chapters 40 – 48 outline all of the things which had been done and will be reinstated when Yeshua comes back.  Many aspects of Torah though can, and are, still being conformed to in lives of many who believe.  The reasons given for not observing all of Torah, by those who believe we should, often involves the explanation “there is not a Temple, nor Levites, so we just can’t do it without it becoming sin”.

 

That answer may be valid occasionally, but sometimes is merely an excuse for laziness.  It didn’t stop Daniel when Israel was in captivity; he merely offered the prayers of his lips at the appointed times.  But what, then, can be said about the excuse that we cannot kill our lambs for Pasach and apply their blood to our lintels and door posts because there are no Levites or Temple to bring them to?  Yes, all the men are supposed to come three times per year to “appear before YHVH” in the place where He places His name (Deuteronomy 16:16); but, where is that today?  Also note that this request is for: feast of unleavened bread, feast of weeks, and feast of tabernacle (Passover itself is not actually stated).  I would love it if Israel would become a nation using the Torah as its law, build a Temple, and reinstate the Levites….. Then we could all do exactly as all the Torah commands.  But, in various times including now, YHVH has had His name in various places.

 

In Moses day YHVH was in the Tabernacle as it traveled all over the desert of the Middle East.  By the time Benjamin sinned and almost got wiped out (Judges 20:27), the Ark of the Covenant was in Bethel, not Jerusalem.  YHVH accepted a burnt offering from Sampson’s parents in Judges 13.  He took up the sacrifices and whole altar Elijah set up at Mount Carmel.  Both of these were times when the sacrificial system was not in operation, just as it is not today.  It didn’t stop these from offering and certainly didn’t stop YHVH from receiving them.   But, let us not open another matter.  The point being made is simply that not all killing of animals was subject to being brought to the Levitites, only offerings.  Leviticus 17: 13 gives a very practical example: hunting.  The “clean” animal is killed, but not offered (a qarab), nor brought as an offering (qorbon).  It was just meat for the family.  The only provision for its blood was that it was covered by dust/dirt.  The hunter didn’t have to take some blood and have the priest sprinkle it on the altar.  Why?  Because it was not and offering.   

And so, the ordinance about the “blood” was only to be imputed upon a man that was making an offering.  That is, making a gift to YHVH.  That was to be an offering at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation. 

Verse 7 has more to do with the history and prior practices of Baal worship among the Israelites.  The statement that they “shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils” is there because there were still those who were still knowingly offering up offerings to Baal and other gods of Egypt.  I do not believe this verse was to be used to call believers calling on YHVH “devil” worshippers.  If that were so, an on-looker to Manoa and his wife, in Judges 13, could have accused them of worshipping devils because they were offering a burnt offering which was not at the door of the tabernacle.  But the judgmental critic would have soon been embarrassed when YHVH received the offering as the melak of YHVH went up in the flame.  Or can you imagine someone standing at Mount Carmel and “calling out” Elijah as a devil worshipper and idolater, just because he wasn’t offering those burnt offerings at the door of the tabernacle of congregation? 

So, why then in our day, would anyone twist Leviticus 17:7 and call a brother or sister a worshipper of devils and an idolater just because they killed the Pasach lamb and applied the blood to their doorpost as Moses and YHVH command it to be done?  I know this has happened first hand because I and others stand so accused by someone who calls themselves a teacher.  That person was not even at our Pesach, never heard our prayers of praise to YHVH and glorifying of His gift of His only begotten Son Yeshua our Messiah.  They were not there to hear our children ask why we had to slay the lamb and apply the blood either.  They were not there to see that our service lifted up our Savior Yeshua, not Baal; yet were still willing to condemn us as devil worshippers and idolaters.  It matters little what that type of person thinks when YHVH knows we loved Him enough to obey His commands.

Note that some argue that everything changed at the cross; but since Yeshua was the “lamb slain before the foundation of the worlds” Revelation 13:8; all Passover’s are always looking backwards.  Remember YHVH is “not bound by time”.

I believe I will conclude my paper with a closing word from Paul.  I give thanks to a heads-up from a dear brother for these verses below because they came from Paul’s heart, and therefore I conclude with them from my own heart.  My hope and prayer is that my efforts may be blessed by YHVH as they lift up Yeshua His Son as the Lamb of YHVH that takes away the sin of the world.  I will continue to lift Him up, as long as I can, and hope you consider doing the same, to anyone that will receive Him.

 “True, some are proclaiming the Messiah out of jealousy and rivalry, but others are doing it in good will.  The latter act from love, aware that I am put where I am for defending the Good News: while the former announce the Messiah out of selfish ambition, with impure motives, supposing they can stir up trouble for me in prison.  But so what?  All that matters is that in every way, whether honestly or in pretense, the Messiah is being proclaimed; and in that I rejoice.

Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, for I know that this will work out for my deliverance, because your prayers and the support I get from the Spirit of Yeshua the Messiah. It all accords with my earnest expectation and hope that I will have my body, whether it is alive or dead.  For to me, life is the Messiah, and death is gain.”  Philippians 1:15-21 (Complete Jewish Bible)