[youtube url=”https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=JrywN0EtF-8&feature=youtu.be”]<\/p>\n
Most people who believe in the Lord God of Israel and in Yeshua His Messiah want to grow spiritually.\u00a0 Coupled with spiritual growth is also to mature in faith.\u00a0 The apostle Paul describes this as \u201cto be like Christ.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Many however do not seem to understand what this means or how this is accomplished in living a daily repentant life style.\u00a0 In Tehillim \/ Psalms 108,<\/span><\/em> the Psalmist opens saying, \u05d0\u00a0\u00a0 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8 \u05de\u05b4\u05d6\u05b0\u05de\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d3\u05b8\u05d5\u05b4\u05d3: \u05d1\u00a0\u00a0 \u05e0\u05b8\u05db\u05d5\u05b9\u05df \u05dc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05d4\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05d9\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d0\u05b2\u05d6\u05b7\u05de\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b7\u05e3-\u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9:\u00a0 A song. A psalm of David. 108:1 My heart is steadfast, O God; I will sing, I will sing praises, even with my soul. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 What does David mean that he will sing praises to the Lord even with his soul?\u00a0 What is it about the soul that makes this so significant?\u00a0 Note how this draws out an important point in relation to how some people understand repentance.\u00a0 Is repentance lived in a So\u2019odic context (Zohar mysticism) in the sense that repentance is a desire that is not associated with the physical realm?\u00a0 The soul (nefesh) does not have a mouth in the sense that we can audibly hear our own spiritual voice.\u00a0 The nefesh is connected to our physical body, and as a result of the longing for our soul to praise the Lord, the praise of our souls become words which are expressed audibly for all to hear.\u00a0 David\u2019s words \u201ceven my soul\u201d<\/span><\/em> (\u05d0\u05b7\u05e3-\u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9) is written in a peculiar way which translates literally as \u201ceven my glory\u201d<\/span><\/em> as he uses the root word \u05db\u05d1\u05d3 in reference to his soul.\u00a0 The significance of his words \u05d0\u05b7\u05e3-\u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u05d5\u05b9\u05d3\u05b4\u05d9 is in the reference to \u201cmy glory.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Note how the glory of a man is in his heart.\u00a0 Man glorifies himself over and above others in his heart.\u00a0 This is a very easy thing to do and is something the Lord wants us to avoid.\u00a0 David states \u201cby his glory,\u201d<\/span><\/em> which is translated as \u201chis soul,\u201d<\/span><\/em> to say even his glory gives praises unto the Lord.\u00a0 This is important because it is only the one who humbles his soul (humbling his own glory) who is able to give praises unto the Lord by that which would rather set itself up to receive glory.\u00a0 Humbleness and repentance are key!\u00a0 In this week\u2019s Torah portion, Joseph was testing whether his brothers had changed, whether they had humbled their souls?\u00a0 Joseph did not take a So\u2019odic approach to the testing of his brothers.\u00a0 He treated them in a particular way to see whether they had truly repented of their wicked ways, and to see how they would react, whether they would try to save themselves, or lay down their lives for one another?\u00a0 In today\u2019s world, there are a lot of self-help shortcuts that people try in an attempt to improve themselves.\u00a0 Some even look for an emotional experience, such as are some in the Pentecostal movement who seek a healing or a tongues experience over and above drawing near unto the Lord, and seeking first His Kingdom.\u00a0 It is thought by achieving these things, all problems may be solved and one may finally have become a \u201cmature Christian.\u201d\u00a0 In reality, this only emphasizes one\u2019s immaturity in faith.\u00a0 In the Mishnah Pirkei Avot 5:22<\/span><\/em> we read \u201cBen Bag Bag says: Turn it and turn it, since everything is in it. And in it should you look, and grow old and be worn; and from it do not move, since there is no characteristic greater than it.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 What is the \u201cit\u201d<\/span><\/em> that the Mishnah is likely referring to?\u00a0 Is this not a reference to the Scriptures, that which is a lifelong endeavor whereby laboring in the Scriptures changes us and our perceptions of the world.\u00a0 This process of studying the Scriptures also involves more than just reading the words of a text, it also involves reflection coupled with a practical interaction with the text in our lives.\u00a0 The on-going encounter with the biblical text gives each of us an opportunity to renew ourselves, to grow as individuals, and to strengthen our communal connections with one another which directly impacts our relationship with the Lord God of Israel.\u00a0 This is what it means to grow spiritually and learn to be mature in our faith.\u00a0 Let\u2019s discuss this further in this week\u2019s study!<\/p>\n In this week\u2019s Torah portion, we are looking at Bereshit \/ Genesis 42:1-16<\/span><\/em>.<\/p>\n Bereshit \/ Genesis 42:1-16<\/span><\/em><\/strong> \u05d0\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b7\u05a3\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u0594\u05d1 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b6\u05e9\u05c1\u05be\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u0596\u05d1\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05de\u05b4\u05e6\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u0591\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05a4\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d9\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e7\u05b9\u05d1\u0599 \u05dc\u05b0\u05d1\u05b8\u05e0\u05b8\u0594\u05d9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05b8\u0596\u05de\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05ea\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05d0\u05bd\u05d5\u05bc\u05c3\u00a0 \u05d1\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u0595\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05a3\u05d4 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u0594\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9 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\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u0594\u05dd \u05dc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u059b\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05e2\u05b6\u05e8\u05b0\u05d5\u05b7\u05a5\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u0596\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0\u05ea\u05b6\u05bd\u05dd\u05c3\u00a0 \u05d9\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05a5\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b5\u05dc\u05b8\u0596\u05d9\u05d5 \u05dc\u05b9\u05a3\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b2\u05d3\u05b9\u05e0\u05b4\u0591\u05d9 \u05d5\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05b8\u05d3\u05b6\u05a5\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u0596\u05d0\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05e8\u05be\u05d0\u05b9\u05bd\u05db\u05b6\u05dc\u05c3\u00a0 \u05d9\u05d0\u00a0 \u05db\u05bc\u05bb\u05dc\u05bc\u05b8\u0595\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1\u05be\u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u0596\u05d3 \u05e0\u05b8\u0591\u05d7\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05db\u05bc\u05b5\u05e0\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b7\u0594\u05d7\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05dc\u05b9\u05d0\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05d9\u05a5\u05d5\u05bc \u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05b8\u05d3\u05b6\u0596\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05dd\u05c3\u00a0 \u05d9\u05d1\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u0596\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d4\u05b6\u0591\u05dd \u05dc\u05b9\u0595\u05d0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05be\u05e2\u05b6\u05e8\u05b0\u05d5\u05b7\u05a5\u05ea \u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u0596\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d0\u05ea\u05b6\u05a5\u05dd \u05dc\u05b4\u05e8\u05b0\u05d0\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea\u05c3\u00a0 \u05d9\u05d2\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u0597\u05d5\u05bc \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05a3\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05c2\u05b8\u05e8\u05a9 \u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05b8\u05d3\u05b6\u05a8\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b4\u05a7\u05d9\u05dd \u05c0 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b7\u059b\u05d7\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1\u05be\u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u0596\u05d3 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05a3\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u0591\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05a8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e7\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b9\u05a4\u05df \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u0599\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc\u0599 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u0594\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u0596\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b6\u05bd\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05c3\u00a0 \u05d9\u05d3\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05a5\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d4\u05b6\u0596\u05dd \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b5\u0591\u05e3 \u05d4\u0597\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05a8\u05e8 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05a7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05db\u05b6\u059b\u05dd \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u0596\u05e8 \u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05bd\u05dd\u05c3\u00a0 \u05d8\u05d5\u00a0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d6\u05b9\u0596\u05d0\u05ea \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u0591\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d7\u05b5\u05a4\u05d9 \u05e4\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05d4\u0599 \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd\u05be\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05e6\u05b0\u05d0\u05a3\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b4\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u0594\u05d4 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05a7\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd\u05be\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u059b\u05d5\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b2\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05a5\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05e7\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b9\u0596\u05df \u05d4\u05b5\u05bd\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4\u05c3\u00a0 \u05d8\u05d6\u00a0 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b4\u05dc\u05b0\u05d7\u05a8\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b4\u05db\u05bc\u05b6\u05a3\u05dd \u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u05d3\u05ae \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b7\u05a3\u05d7 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d0\u05b2\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05dd\u0592 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd\u0599 \u05d4\u05b5\u05d0\u05b8\u05a3\u05e1\u05b0\u05e8\u0594\u05d5\u05bc \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05bd\u05d7\u05b2\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc\u0599 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05b0\u05e8\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u0594\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05bd\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b6\u0596\u05ea \u05d0\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u0591\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b4\u05dd\u05be\u05dc\u05b9\u0595\u05d0 \u05d7\u05b5\u05a3\u05d9 \u05e4\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u0594\u05d4 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9 \u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u0596\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05bd\u05dd\u05c3<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n In the MT, we read the manner in which Joseph tested his brothers according to Bereshit \/ Genesis 42:13-15<\/span><\/em>, \u05d9\u05d2\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05d0\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u0597\u05d5\u05bc \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05a3\u05d9\u05dd \u05e2\u05b8\u05e9\u05c2\u05b8\u05e8\u05a9 \u05e2\u05b2\u05d1\u05b8\u05d3\u05b6\u05a8\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d0\u05b7\u05d7\u05b4\u05a7\u05d9\u05dd \u05c0 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e0\u05b7\u059b\u05d7\u05b0\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u05a5\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b4\u05d9\u05e9\u05c1\u05be\u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u0596\u05d3 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d0\u05b6\u05a3\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05e0\u05b8\u0591\u05e2\u05b7\u05df \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b4\u05e0\u05bc\u05b5\u05a8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05e7\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b9\u05a4\u05df \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d0\u05b8\u05d1\u05b4\u0599\u05d9\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc\u0599 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u0594\u05d5\u05b9\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b6\u05d7\u05b8\u0596\u05d3 \u05d0\u05b5\u05d9\u05e0\u05b6\u05bd\u05e0\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05c3\u00a0 \u05d9\u05d3\u00a0 \u05d5\u05b7\u05d9\u05bc\u05b9\u05a5\u05d0\u05de\u05b6\u05e8 \u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05d4\u05b6\u0596\u05dd \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05e1\u05b5\u0591\u05e3 \u05d4\u0597\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05a8\u05e8 \u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05a7\u05e8\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b2\u05dc\u05b5\u05db\u05b6\u059b\u05dd \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u0596\u05e8 \u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u05b7\u05d2\u05bc\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05bd\u05dd\u05c3\u00a0 \u05d8\u05d5\u00a0 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d6\u05b9\u0596\u05d0\u05ea \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d1\u05bc\u05b8\u05d7\u05b5\u0591\u05e0\u05d5\u05bc \u05d7\u05b5\u05a4\u05d9 \u05e4\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e2\u05b9\u05d4\u0599 \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd\u05be\u05ea\u05bc\u05b5\u05e6\u05b0\u05d0\u05a3\u05d5\u05bc \u05de\u05b4\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u0594\u05d4 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05a7\u05d9 \u05d0\u05b4\u05dd\u05be\u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05d1\u059b\u05d5\u05b9\u05d0 \u05d0\u05b2\u05d7\u05b4\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u05a5\u05dd \u05d4\u05b7\u05e7\u05bc\u05b8\u05d8\u05b9\u0596\u05df \u05d4\u05b5\u05bd\u05e0\u05bc\u05b8\u05d4\u05c3 42:13 But they said, \u2018Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive.\u2019 42:14 Joseph said to them, \u2018It is as I said to you, you are spies; 42:15 by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here! (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Based upon the narrative, his brothers considered Joseph to be dead.\u00a0 Joseph tested them by having them prove his youngest brother was alive.\u00a0 Joseph called them to action, to have one of them go and retrieve their brother for him.\u00a0 This is one of the major presuppositions of the Torah, and of Judaism, more emphasis is placed upon actions than on intentions, on the acts we perform rather than on the emotions we feel.\u00a0 In a similar way, the Lord is calling us to a life of action.\u00a0 This is also a foundational component of Teshuvah (repentance) to seek forgiveness from the Lord God our Father in heaven and to turn (actions) from our sins.\u00a0 This is why the Tanach writes according to Joshua 1:8 1:8 This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth, but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein; for then thou shalt make thy ways prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success. (KJV,<\/span><\/em> (\u05d7) \u05dc\u05b9\u05bd\u05d0\u05be\u05d9\u05b8\u05de\u05a1\u05d5\u05bc\u05e9\u05c1 \u05e1\u05b5\u05e4\u05b6\u05e8\u05a9 \u05d4\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u05e8\u05b8\u05a8\u05d4 \u05d4\u05b7\u05d6\u05bc\u05b6\u059c\u05d4 \u05de\u05b4\u05e4\u05bc\u05b4\u0597\u05d9\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d4\u05b8\u05d2\u05b4\u05a4\u05d9\u05ea\u05b8 \u05d1\u05bc\u05d5\u05b9\u0599 \u05d9\u05d5\u05b9\u05de\u05b8\u05a3\u05dd \u05d5\u05b8\u05dc\u05b7\u0594\u05d9\u05b0\u05dc\u05b8\u05d4 \u05dc\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u0599\u05e2\u05b7\u05df\u0599 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b9\u05a3\u05e8 \u05dc\u05b7\u05e2\u05b2\u05e9\u05c2\u0594\u05d5\u05b9\u05ea \u05db\u05bc\u05b0\u05db\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05d4\u05b7\u05db\u05bc\u05b8\u05ea\u0596\u05d5\u05bc\u05d1 \u05d1\u05bc\u0591\u05d5\u05b9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9\u05be\u05d0\u05b8\u059b\u05d6 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e6\u05b0\u05dc\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u0596\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b8\u05a5\u05d6 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05e9\u05c2\u05b0\u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05bd\u05d9\u05dc\u05c3)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Spiritual maturity takes discipline, and is the point of what is written according to Midrash Tehillim 119, Part 1.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n Midrash Tehillim 119 Part 1<\/span><\/em><\/strong> The Rabbis in the Midrash on Tehillim \/ Psalms 119<\/span><\/em> state that those who walk upright are those who walk in the Torah (instruction) of the Lord. (see Romans 3:31, Romans 7:12)\u00a0 Solomon said those who walk in integrity, their children will be blessed.\u00a0 The rabbis point out the significance of Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 18:13<\/span><\/em> which speaks of walking \u201cwith\u201d<\/span><\/em> the Lord your God, as opposed to walking \u201cbefore\u201d<\/span><\/em> the Lord your God.\u00a0 The significance of \u201cwalking with\u201d is that the Lord is upright, righteous, and holy.\u00a0 In parallel fashion, we too are to do the same.\u00a0 The Lord provided us with a plumb line for our lives, the Torah, which explains to us how to be righteous, holy, and upright, walking in the footsteps of our Father in heaven, and of Yeshua the Messiah, we are walking \u201cwith\u201d<\/span><\/em> them as a people who represent and bear the testimonies of God.\u00a0 Those who have done this are those who have entered into a covenant with God in blood through the sacrifice.\u00a0 Today this is accomplished through His Messiah Yeshua.\u00a0 Note how the rabbis speak of the receiving of the Torah, that the people walked ten miles forward for each of the ten commandments, and twelve miles back.\u00a0 The point is that living our lives for the Lord is not an easy task but is paralleled to one who takes steps forward, and then takes steps backward to evaluate where he has traveled, whether what he has done is pleasing to the Lord or not, and learning from his experiences.\u00a0 Did Joseph\u2019s brothers learn from their experience and treatment of Joseph?\u00a0 They had to witness their sorrow of their father Jacob and perpetuate a lie for 30 years.\u00a0 Walking upright before the Lord is to do so according to His will and word, and not according to our own word, which may be the reason the people took twelve steps backward after having taken ten forward in their obedience to God\u2019s Word.\u00a0 Midrash Tehillim 119 Part 1<\/span><\/em> concludes saying, \u201cAnd even after they took obedience to these commands upon themselves, they did not ask, what is to be the reward for our doing them?\u00a0 Hence, it is said, Blessed are they that are upright in the way, who walk in the Law of the Lord.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 The significance of this is that we live our lives because of our love for the Lord God in heaven and not to receive a reward.\u00a0 True love takes this kind of approach to what we do in our relationship with others.\u00a0 Above all things, the Lord God of Israel wants us to demonstrate our faith (Hebrews 11:6<\/span><\/em>).\u00a0 Faith is trusting in the character of God before we see how He is going to work things out.\u00a0 He has given us His Word, and His promises still stand.\u00a0 As we apply His ways to our lives He brings His promises to fulfillment by our trust in His faithfulness.\u00a0 Just as our trust in other people grows with daily interaction, our trust in the Lord grows the same way.<\/p>\n In Tehillim \/ Psalm 108:4<\/span><\/em>, the Psalmist says, \u05d4\u00a0\u00a0 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9-\u05d2\u05b8\u05d3\u05d5\u05b9\u05dc \u05de\u05b5\u05e2\u05b7\u05dc-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u05de\u05b7\u05d9\u05b4\u05dd \u05d7\u05b7\u05e1\u05b0\u05d3\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8 \u05d5\u05b0\u05e2\u05b7\u05d3-\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05d7\u05b8\u05e7\u05b4\u05d9\u05dd \u05d0\u05b2\u05de\u05b4\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05da\u05b8:\u00a0\u00a0 108:4 For Your lovingkindness is great above the heavens, And Your truth reaches to the skies. (NASB)\u00a0<\/span><\/em> We give thanks unto the Lord and offer praises because of His loving kindness.\u00a0 What does the psalmist mean that the truth of God reaches to the heavens?\u00a0 What is the truth the psalmist is speaking of?\u00a0 The modern theological approach to the \u201ctruth\u201d of God is to direct us to believe in the Tanach (OT) man earned his salvation, and in the NT all we have to do is believe in the Messiah (the So\u2019odic approach, i.e. hypergrace movement<\/em>).\u00a0 What was this truth the psalmist speaks of?\u00a0 The term emunah, rendered in English as \u201cfaith\u201d or \u201cbelief,\u201d<\/span><\/em> occurs for the first time in the Bible in connection with Abraham in the Torah.\u00a0 After obeying God\u2019s command to leave his family and home, Abraham is led to the land of Canaan which the Lord God promises to give to his descendants.\u00a0 The narrative tells us that a famine forces him to sojourn in Egypt, where Sarah\u2019s beauty causes Pharaoh to take her as his wife, when Abraham claims she is his sister.\u00a0 Pharaoh blesses Abraham and sends him and his wife away.\u00a0 Back in the land promised by God, Abraham and his nephew Lot find that they cannot live together in peace, and each goes his own way.\u00a0 Lot is captured by enemies and then freed by Abraham.\u00a0 After these things, the Torah tells us, Bereshit \/ Genesis 15:1-6<\/span><\/em> saying, 15:1 After these things the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, \u2018Do not fear, Abram, I am a shield to you; Your reward shall be very great.\u2019 15:2 Abram said, \u2018O Lord God, what will You give me, since I am childless, and the heir of my house is Eliezer of Damascus?\u2019 15:3 And Abram said, \u2018Since You have given no offspring to me, one born in my house is my heir.\u2019 15:4 Then behold, the word of the Lord came to him, saying, \u2018This man will not be your heir; but one who will come forth from your own body, he shall be your heir.\u2019 15:5 And He took him outside and said, \u2018Now look toward the heavens, and count the stars, if you are able to count them.\u2019 And He said to him, \u2018So shall your descendants be.\u2019 15:6 Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Through the life of Abraham, the Lord promised him that he would have a child, and that the land would be given to his descendants.\u00a0 The Lord uses the stars as a way to describe to Abraham so numerous will be your descendants that you will not be able to count them.\u00a0 What was Abraham\u2019s response to the Lord\u2019s promise?\u00a0 The Torah says 15:6 Then he believed in the Lord; and He reckoned it to him as righteousness. (NASB)\u00a0<\/span><\/em> What was the nature of Abraham\u2019s belief which the Lord God counted as righteousness?\u00a0 Was it simply a list of propositions?\u00a0 Was it simply a matter of Abraham accepting the Lord\u2019s statements as true, a sort of intellectual understanding (a So\u2019odic faith) and belief to the truth of a series of propositions such as the following?<\/p>\n No, the context makes it very clear!\u00a0 Abraham\u2019s act of righteousness was found in the demonstration of his emunah (faith) and trust in God.\u00a0 If you think about this for a moment, there can be no doubt had Abraham been asked, he would most assuredly have affirmed the truth of these four propositions listed just above.\u00a0 The Torah, however, gives us no reason for thinking that Abraham ever asked himself the sort of questions that would bring into question these four propositions.\u00a0 The emunah spoken of in Scripture is more than the belief that certain statements about God are true; it is the belief in the Lord God of Israel that is coupled to trust and reliance upon Him, all of which call forth a behavior that is consistent with our faith, trust, and reliance upon the Lord.\u00a0 The point is to understand the meaning of emunah; where emunah is not something new in the NT as the modern theologies of Dispensationalism would teach, man \u201cearned\u201d<\/span><\/em> his salvation in the OT, and now he lives by faith in the NT.\u00a0 I heard this nonsense for 10 years while attending a church in Ohio. The fact is, Emunah can be seen from the text of the Torah.\u00a0 What we need to understand about \u201cthe truth\u201d that is taught in God\u2019s Word, this truth that reaches to the heavens, is not about an intellectual exercise.\u00a0 This truth is about who the Lord God our Father in heaven is, and the meaning of emunah, to trust and rely upon Him, that is coupled with the belief and practice of His word in our lives.\u00a0 Was this what had happened to Joseph\u2019s brothers, they learned from their past actions and their faith had increased over the years due to the expectation the Lord would one day pay them back for Joseph\u2019s life?<\/p>\n The Lord God is described as a God of emunah in Parashat Ha\u2019azinu when Moshe writes \u201cThe Rock, His work is perfect; for all His ways are justice, a God of faithfulness [emunah] and without iniquity; just and right is He\u201d<\/span><\/em> (Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 32: 4<\/span><\/em>, \u05d4\u05b7\u05e6\u05bc\u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u0599 \u05ea\u05bc\u05b8\u05de\u05b4\u05a3\u05d9\u05dd \u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u05e2\u05b3\u05dc\u0594\u05d5\u05b9 \u05db\u05bc\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9 \u05db\u05b8\u05dc\u05be\u05d3\u05bc\u05b0\u05e8\u05b8\u05db\u05b8\u0596\u05d9\u05d5 \u05de\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05e4\u05bc\u05b8\u0591\u05d8 \u05d0\u05b5\u05a4\u05dc \u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05d5\u05bc\u05e0\u05b8\u05d4\u0599 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d0\u05b5\u05a3\u05d9\u05df \u05e2\u05b8\u0594\u05d5\u05b6\u05dc \u05e6\u05b7\u05d3\u05bc\u05b4\u05a5\u05d9\u05e7 \u05d5\u05b0\u05d9\u05b8\u05e9\u05c1\u05b8\u0596\u05e8 \u05d4\u05bd\u05d5\u05bc\u05d0\u05c3).\u00a0 The Lord God is not being described here as agreeing to the truth of certain statements.\u00a0 The verse itself teaches us of God\u2019s character which makes it possible to appeal to a \u201cGod of faithfulness,\u201d where He is faithful, He is upright and just, and He is righteous and holy.\u00a0 Notice the difference here, the Hebrew text speaks of a \u201cbelief that He is able\u201d<\/span><\/em> as opposed to a \u201cbelief in His ability.\u201d<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Studying the context almost always reaffirms the point being made here about the interpretation of emunah according to the Torah.\u00a0 In Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 9:23<\/span><\/em> Moses berates the children of Israel saying, \u05d5\u05bc\u05d1\u05b4\u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05a8\u05d7\u05b7 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u059c\u05d4 \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05b0\u05db\u05b6\u0597\u05dd \u05de\u05b4\u05e7\u05bc\u05b8\u05d3\u05b5\u05a4\u05e9\u05c1 \u05d1\u05bc\u05b7\u05e8\u05b0\u05e0\u05b5\u0599\u05e2\u05b7\u0599 \u05dc\u05b5\u05d0\u05de\u05b9\u0594\u05e8 \u05e2\u05b2\u05dc\u05d5\u05bc\u0599 \u05d5\u05bc\u05e8\u05b0\u05e9\u05c1\u05a3\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05d4\u05b8\u05d0\u05b8\u0594\u05e8\u05b6\u05e5 \u05d0\u05b2\u05e9\u05c1\u05b6\u05a5\u05e8 \u05e0\u05b8\u05ea\u05b7\u0596\u05ea\u05bc\u05b4\u05d9 \u05dc\u05b8\u05db\u05b6\u0591\u05dd \u05d5\u05b7\u05ea\u05bc\u05b7\u05de\u05b0\u05e8\u0597\u05d5\u05bc \u05d0\u05b6\u05ea\u05be\u05e4\u05bc\u05b4\u05a4\u05d9 \u05d9\u05b0\u05d4\u05d5\u05b8\u05d4\u0599 \u05d0\u05b1\u05dc\u05b9\u05a3\u05d4\u05b5\u05d9\u05db\u05b6\u0594\u05dd \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05a4\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b6\u05bd\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd\u0599 \u05dc\u0594\u05d5\u05b9 \u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05a5\u05d0 \u05e9\u05c1\u05b0\u05de\u05b7\u05e2\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u0596\u05dd \u05d1\u05bc\u05b0\u05e7\u05b9\u05dc\u05bd\u05d5\u05b9\u05c3 9:23 And when the LORD sent you on from Kadesh-barnea, saying, \u201cGo up and take possession of the land that I am giving you,\u201d you flouted the command of the LORD your God; you did not put your trust in Him and did not obey Him. (NASB)<\/span><\/em>\u00a0 Note how the Hebrew text is written, it says \u201cyou believed him not\u201d using the word ve\u2019lo he\u2019emanatem (\u05d5\u05b0\u05dc\u05b9\u05a4\u05d0 \u05d4\u05b6\u05bd\u05d0\u05b1\u05de\u05b7\u05e0\u05b0\u05ea\u05bc\u05b6\u05dd\u0599) saying that they did not listen to His voice, where emunah is faith that leads to what we do, how we live, and how we demonstrate our trust in the Lord God of Israel.\u00a0 The point is that the Torah teaches a believe in God as opposed to having a belief about God.\u00a0 The Scriptures automatically assume the existence of God.\u00a0 Nowhere do the Scriptures say that He exists, or that there is a command to believe that He exists.\u00a0 The Torah teaches clearly that the Lord God is one in the Shema (Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 6:4<\/span><\/em>), and that He is the creator of the heavens and the earth.\u00a0 There is no question in the Scriptures about doubting the existence of God, as we see being posed in our modern times.\u00a0 The Torah does not teach or demand that emunah is a belief system, or that only certain statements are true.\u00a0 The fact of the matter is the Torah teaches us to trust in the Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, which finds its expression in our behavior (living out our faith).\u00a0 Judaism emerged from a the people\u2019s struggle with idolatry and the biblical command that demands loyalty to the one true God, creator of the universe.\u00a0 This loyalty is found in obedience to God\u2019s will as it is expressed according to His Word.\u00a0 Note that throughout the history of Israel, little attempt was made to inquire closely into the doctrines that one believed about God.\u00a0 Additionally, no attempt was even made to establish exactly what doctrines one ought to affirm.\u00a0 Furthermore, Judaism developed as a religion that was intimately connected with a distinct community of faithful people.\u00a0 The truth the psalmist speaks of in his psalm is of the Lord seeking a people to live by faith, to trust in Him, and to live righteous, holy, and just lives towards one another.\u00a0 This process of spiritual growth and maturity in faith involves more than just reading the words of a text, or going to church.\u00a0 These things require a deep reflection of who we are as the children of God which is coupled with a practical interaction with the Scriptures in our lives.\u00a0 The on-going encounter with the biblical text gives each of us an opportunity to take ten steps forward, and twelve backwards as we learn to grow as individuals in God\u2019s Word, and to strengthen our connections with one another which directly impacts our relationship with the Lord God of Israel.\u00a0 This is very likely what had happened in the lives of Joseph\u2019s brothers who fearfully expected the Lord God to bring judgment down on their heads because of Joseph\u2019s life.\u00a0 This is what it means to learn to be mature in our faith and to seek His Kingdom!\u00a0 To draw near to the Lord in faith, by studying His word, in prayer, humbling our lives, and the practical application of God\u2019s word in our lives.<\/p>\n\n
\n 42:1 Now Jacob saw that there was grain in Egypt, and Jacob said to his sons, \u2018Why are you staring at one another?\u2019 42:2 He said, \u2018Behold, I have heard that there is grain in Egypt; go down there and buy some for us from that place, so that we may live and not die.\u2019 42:3 Then ten brothers of Joseph went down to buy grain from Egypt. 42:4 But Jacob did not send Joseph\u2019s brother Benjamin with his brothers, for he said, \u2018I am afraid that harm may befall him.\u2019 42:5 So the sons of Israel came to buy grain among those who were coming, for the famine was in the land of Canaan also. 42:6 Now Joseph was the ruler over the land; he was the one who sold to all the people of the land. And Joseph\u2019s brothers came and bowed down to him with their faces to the ground. 42:7 When Joseph saw his brothers he recognized them, but he disguised himself to them and spoke to them harshly. And he said to them, \u2018Where have you come from?\u2019 And they said, \u2018From the land of Canaan, to buy food.\u2019 42:8 But Joseph had recognized his brothers, although they did not recognize him. 42:9 Joseph remembered the dreams which he had about them, and said to them, \u2018You are spies; you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land.\u2019 42:10 Then they said to him, \u2018No, my lord, but your servants have come to buy food. 42:11 \u2018We are all sons of one man; we are honest men, your servants are not spies.\u2019 42:12 Yet he said to them, \u2018No, but you have come to look at the undefended parts of our land!\u2019 42:13 But they said, \u2018Your servants are twelve brothers in all, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and behold, the youngest is with our father today, and one is no longer alive.\u2019 42:14 Joseph said to them, \u2018It is as I said to you, you are spies; 42:15 by this you will be tested: by the life of Pharaoh, you shall not go from this place unless your youngest brother comes here! 42:16 \u2018Send one of you that he may get your brother, while you remain confined, that your words may be tested, whether there is truth in you. But if not, by the life of Pharaoh, surely you are spies.\u2019 (NASB)<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n
\n 1.\u00a0 Blessed are the upright in the way, who walk in the Torah of the Lord.\u00a0 King Solomon, may he rest in peace, said, The just man walks in his integrity, his children are blessed after him (Mishley \/ Proverbs 20:7).\u00a0 Now, if the children of a just man are blessed because of him, all the more so is the just man himself blessed.\u00a0 The Holy One blessed be He, asked of Abraham only that he be upright, as is said, Walk before Me, and be you upright (Bereshit \/ Genesis 17:1).\u00a0 So, too, Moshe said to Israel, You will be upright with the Lord your God (Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 18:13).\u00a0 The verse does not say, Before the Lord your God, but with the Lord your God.\u00a0 That is, If you are upright, you will be with the Lord your God.\u00a0 Wherefore?\u00a0 Because God Himself is upright, as is said, The Rock, His work is perfect, Just, and Upright is He (Devarim \/ Deuteronomy 32:4).\u00a0 The children of Israel are also upright, and the Torah is upright, as is said, The Torah of the Lord is upright (Tehillim \/ Psalms 19:8).\u00a0 Hence, it is said, Blessed are they that are upright in the way.\u00a0 The people of the generation of the wilderness were upright and saintly.\u00a0 According to Rabbi Eliezer, they are the saints referred to in the verse, Gather My saints together unto Me; those that have made a covenant with Me by sacrifice (Tehillim \/ Psalms 50:5).\u00a0 To receive the Torah, the children of Israel had to walk twelve miles forward for each of the Ten Commandments and twelve miles back.\u00a0 Hence, it is said, Blessed are they that are upright in the way, who walk in the Law of the Lord.\u00a0 And so, purified, the children of Israel received the Torah.\u00a0 God said to them, You will eat no fat, of ox, or sheep, or goat (Vayikra \/ Leviticus 7:23), and though He did not tell them why not, they took obedience to the command upon themselves.\u00a0 God said to them, And when you will come into the land, and will have planted all manner of trees for food, then you will count the trees thereof as forbidden; there years will it be as forbidden unto you (Vayikra \/ Leviticus 19:23), and though He did not tell them why it was forbidden, they took obedience to the command upon themselves.\u00a0 And even after they took obedience to these commands upon themselves, they did not ask, what is to be the reward for our doing them?\u00a0 Hence, it is said, Blessed are they that are upright in the way, who walk in the Law of the Lord.<\/span><\/em><\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n
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