Chapter 3 - The Sacrificial Lamb: Year After Year

“The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming - not the realities themselves.  For this reason it can never, by the same sacrifices repeated endlessly year after year, make perfect those who draw near to worship.  If it could, would they not have stopped being offered?  For the worshipers would have been cleansed once for all, and would no longer have felt guilty for their sins.”  Hebrews 10:1-2a

God began weaving the crimson cord of redemption for man through the shedding of blood in the Garden of Eden.  This shadow of truth is a progressive revelation leading up to the “once-for-all” complete climax of the One perfect Lamb.  

One of God’s gifts to man was the freedom of choice.  Eve exercised that freedom when the crafty serpent asked her,  “Did God really say ‘You must not eat from any tree in the garden?’”   The doubt entertained in her mind became a thought, which she considered, consented to, and then acted upon.  Eve took the fruit and ate it.  Eve also gave some fruit to her husband and he ate it.

After eating the fruit they heard the sound of the Lord God as He was walking in the garden in the cool of the day.  They hid from Him among the trees.  God called to them, “Where are you.”  Adam answered, “I heard you in the garden but I was afraid, because I was naked; so I hid.”  God asked, “Who told you that you were naked?   Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?”  

After the blame-game, the serpent is destined to crawl on his belly and eat dust all the days of his life. Eve is destined for greatly increased pains in childbearing.  Her desire is for her husband and he will rule over her. For Adam, the ground is cursed because of him.  Through painful toil, thorns and thistles, and by sweat, he will eat his own food, and yes, he will surely die – just as the Lord said.  

The sentencing was finished; the Lord God made garments of SKIN for Adam and Eve and clothed them.  THE FIRST BLOOD WAS SHED…TO COVER THEIR SIN!

The curse of sin has fallen on all of mankind!  Wrong choices!  This sin now breaks man’s communication with God, for He cannot look upon sin for He is Holy.

God banished Adam and Eve from the garden, into a fallen world. Their two sons were born; Cain who worked the soil and Abel kept flocks. Through the course of time, Cain brought fruits of the soil as an offering to the Lord.  Abel brought fat portions from some of the firstborn of his flock.  The Lord looked with favor on Abel and his offering, but on Cain and his offering, He did not look with favor.

(Genesis 4)  Man began with lamb offerings to The Lord God.  This lamb offering is the shadow of good things that are coming- not the realities themselves.

Have you ever wondered why Cain’s offering did not find favor with God? Could it be that without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin?  What can wash away my sin? - Nothing but the blood of God’s perfect, sacrificial Lamb.  In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.  (Ephesians 1:7) 

God instructed the people concerning the building of altars, the animals to use in the Festivals, Passover, Tabernacle and Ceremonials.  The lamb is mentioned first in Genesis and the Lamb is mentioned last in Revelation where He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood and His name is the Word of God.  The continuing theme from Genesis to Revelation is the Lamb.  

The lamb represents innocence; doing no evil, free from sin or wrong, doing no harm, freedom from guilt, and not transgressing the law.  Just as a young child who is not yet consciously acquainted with evil has done no wrong.  The lamb must be without spot; no discoloration, as white as snow; the lamb without blemish; no bruises, cuts, or deformities.

After man was banned from the garden, the earth grew so corrupt and violent, that God was grieved He had made man. God had a righteous man that honored and walked with Him, whose name was Noah. God told Noah to build an ark for his family and the animals, birds and creatures living on the earth.  Noah obeyed God, the flood came and after a time the water receded.  Noah’s family and all the creatures came out of the ark.

Then Noah built an altar and sacrificed burnt offerings to the Lord.  The Lord smelled the pleasing aroma and said in His heart:

 “Never again will I curse the ground because of man, even though every inclination of his heart is evil from childhood.  And never again will I destroy all living creatures, as I have done. As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night, will NEVER cease.”  B’RESHEET (Genesis) 8:20-22

God spoke to another man, Abram, whose name God later changed to Abraham.  God said, “I will establish My covenant as an everlasting covenant between Me and you and your descendents after you for the generations to come, to be your God and the God of your descendents after you.  The whole land of Canaan, where you are now an alien, I will give as an everlasting possession to you and your descendents after you; and I will be their God."

Some time later God tested Abraham.  God told Abraham to take his only son, Isaac to a region of Mt. Moriah and sacrifice him as a burnt offering.  Abraham took the wood and placed it on his son and he carried the fire and the knife.  Isaac asked his father, “The fire and wood are here, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?”  Abraham answered, “God Himself will provide the lamb for the burnt offering, my son.”

As we know, Abraham prepared the wood, bound his son and raised his knife, then the angel of the Lord called to Abraham from heaven saying,  “Do not lay a hand on the boy, and do not do anything to him.  Now I know that you fear God because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”  Abraham looked up and in the thicket he saw a ram and sacrificed it as the burnt offering.

The angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time and said, “I swear by myself, declares the Lord, that because you have done this and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will surely bless you and make your descendents as numerous as the stars in the sky and as the sand on the seashore.  Your descendents will take possession of the cities of their enemies, and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me.”  B’RESHEET (Genesis) 22:15-18

The progressive revelation continues as God founds another righteous man to carry out yet another step in bringing together His chosen people to the land of Canaan, God’s promise to Abraham.  God raised up this man, schooled in the Egyptian ways, who killed an Egyptian because he was beating a Hebrew slave, fled Egypt and lived on the backside of the desert for forty years.  This man, Moses, was called upon by God, the great “I AM”, to deliver His people from their slavery in Egypt.  The Isra’elites groaned in their slavery and cried out for help.  God heard their cry and remembered His covenant with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  God sent Moses to bring the Isra’elites out of Egypt. 

Pharaoh refused to let the people go.  Then the plagues began with the plague of Blood, followed by Frogs, Gnats, Flies, Livestock, Boils, Hail, Locusts and Darkness.  The Lord said to Moses, “I will bring one more plague on Pharaoh and on Egypt and he will let you go.”  So Moses said, “This is what the Lord says:”  “About midnight I will go throughout Egypt.  Every firstborn son in Egypt will die and all the firstborn of the cattle as well.” SH’MOT (Exodus) 11:4-5 

THE PASSOVER LAMB 

In SH’MOT (Exodus) 12, the Lord told Moses and Aaron while they were in Egypt to tell the whole community of Isra’el that on the tenth day of this month, it will be the first month of the year, and each man is to take a lamb for his family, one for each household.  The animals chosen must be one-year-old males without defect.  On the fourteenth day of the month, all the people of the community of Isra’el must slaughter them at twilight.  Then they are to take some of the blood and put it on the sides and tops of the doorframes of the houses where they eat the lambs.  This is how you are to eat it:  with your cloak tucked into your belt, your sandals on your feet and your staff in your hand. Eat it in haste; it is the Lord’s Passover.  On that same night, I will bring judgment on all the gods of Egypt; I AM the LORD.  The blood will be a sign for you on the houses where you are; and when I see the BLOOD, I WILL PASS OVER YOU.    

For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered, because the worshipers, having once been cleansed, would no longer have had consciousness of sins? But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year.  For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Hebrews 10:1-4


As we look back throughout history, God has raised up righteous men to lead His chosen and set apart people.  God saved humanity through one person, Noah.  God raised up a special people and Nation through one man, Abraham. God gave His elect people the Promised Land, Isra’el through His prophet Moses.

God has laid the foundation word upon word; line upon line; building truths, precept upon precept. He is in charge of the past, present and future.  How honored, humbled and grateful should be those whom He called, to be the center of His plan for the ages!

Let us read some passages from Psalms 119, which could apply to a person, a people or a nation.  Open my eyes Lord, that I may see you and your complete truth.  Open my ears that I may hear and heed and understand your precepts for my life.

25 My soul cleaves to the dust ; Revive me according to Your word. 26 I have told of my ways, and You have answered me; Teach me Your statutes. 27 Make me understand the way of Your precepts, So I will meditate on Your wonders. 28 My soul weeps because of grief ; Strengthen me according to Your word. 29 Remove the false way from me, And graciously grant me Your law. 30 I have chosen the faithful way ; I have placed Your ordinances before me. 31 I cling to Your testimonies ; O LORD, do not put me to shame ! 32 I shall run the way of Your commandments, For You will enlarge my heart. He.

37 Turn away my eyes from looking at vanity, And revive me in Your ways. 38 Establish Your word to Your servant, As that which produces reverence for You.

40 Behold, I long for Your precepts ; Revive me through Your righteousness. 41 May Your lovingkindnesses also come to me, O LORD, Your salvation according to Your word ; 42 So I will have an answer for him who reproaches me, For I trust in Your word. 43 And do not take the word of truth utterly out of my mouth, For I wait for Your ordinances. 44 So I will keep Your law continually, Forever and ever. 45 And I will walk at liberty, For I seek Your precepts. 46 I will also speak of Your testimonies before kings And shall not be ashamed. 47 I shall delight in Your commandments, Which I love. 48 And I shall lift up my hands to Your commandments, Which I love ; And I will meditate on Your statutes. 49 Remember the word to Your servant, In which You have made me hope. 50 This is my comfort in my affliction, That Your word has revived me.

65 You have dealt well with Your servant, O LORD, according to Your word. 66 Teach me good discernment and knowledge, For I believe in Your commandments. 67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, But now I keep Your word. 68 You are good and do good ; Teach me Your statutes. 69 The arrogant have forged a lie against me; With all my heart I will observe Your precepts. 70 Their heart is covered with fat, But I delight in Your law. 71 It is good for me that I was afflicted, That I may learn Your statutes. 72 The law of Your mouth is better to me Than thousands of gold and silver pieces.  73 Your hands made me and fashioned me; Give me understanding, that I may learn Your commandments. 74 May those who fear You see me and be glad, Because I wait for Your word. 75 I know, O LORD, that Your judgments are righteous, And that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. 76 O may Your loving-kindness comfort me, According to Your word to Your servant. 77 May Your compassion come to me that I may live, For Your law is my delight. 78 May the arrogant be ashamed, for they subvert me with a lie ; But I shall meditate on Your precepts. 79 May those who fear You turn to me, Even those who know Your testimonies. 80 May my heart be blameless in Your statutes, So that I will not be ashamed. 81 My soul languishes for Your salvation ; I wait for Your word. 82 My eyes fail with longing for Your word, While I say, "When will You comfort me?"

89 Forever, O LORD, Your word is settled in heaven. 90 Your faithfulness continues throughout all generations ; You established the earth, and it stands. 91 They stand this day according to Your ordinances, For all things are Your servants. 92 If Your law had not been my delight, Then I would have perished in my affliction. 93 I will never forget Your precepts, For by them You have revived me. 94 I am Yours, save me; For I have sought Your precepts.

103 How sweet are Your words to my taste ! Yes, sweeter than honey to my mouth ! 104 From Your precepts I get understanding ; Therefore I hate every false way. 105 Your word is a lamp to my feet And a light to my path. 106 I have sworn and I will confirm it, That I will keep Your righteous ordinances. 107 I am exceedingly afflicted ; Revive me, O LORD, according to Your word.

114 You are my hiding place and my shield ; I wait for Your word.

129 Your testimonies are wonderful; Therefore my soul observes them. 130 The unfolding of Your words gives light; It gives understanding to the simple. 131 I opened my mouth wide and panted, For I longed for Your commandments. 132 Turn to me and be gracious to me, After Your manner with those who love Your name. 133 Establish my footsteps in Your word, And do not let any iniquity have dominion over me. 134 Redeem me from the oppression of man, That I may keep Your precepts. 135 Make Your face shine upon Your servant, And teach me Your statutes. 136 My eyes shed streams of water, Because they do not keep Your law.

145 I cried with all my heart; answer me, O LORD ! I will observe Your statutes. 146 I cried to You; save me And I shall keep Your testimonies. 147 I rise before dawn and cry for help; I wait for Your words.

169 Let my cry come before You, O LORD ; Give me understanding according to Your word. 170 Let my supplication come before You; Deliver me according to Your word. 171 Let my lips utter praise, For You teach me Your statutes. 172 Let my tongue sing of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness. 173 Let Your hand be ready to help me, For I have chosen Your precepts. 174 I long for Your salvation, O LORD, And Your law is my delight. 175 Let my soul live that it may praise You, And let Your ordinances help me. 176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep ; seek Your servant, For I do not forget Your commandments.

How many times have we turned away from God’s Word and wandered hopelessly because of unbelief?  Now more than ever, we must trust God to give each one the wisdom to know His complete truth.

“This is what the LORD says, he who made the earth, the LORD who formed it and established it – the LORD is His name:  ‘Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know.’” Jeremiah (33:2-3)  

This is only one of over 7,000 promises quoted in God’s Word. Dare to believe it!

Let us continue forward as we see the foretelling of God’s Lamb through the prophets.  The shadows of the past will soon become reality.

Chapter 2 - Truth: Hear and Heed

Truth!  Where are you?  Where can truth be found?  Iran’s leader says the Holocaust did not happen!  Palestine wants a peace agreement with you.  True or false?  “It is better to take refuge in ADONAI than to trust in human beings; better to take refuge in ADONAI than to put one’s trust in princes.” TEHILLIM (Psalms) 118:8   This powerful verse is the very center of the Holy Bible.

“Thus justice is repelled, righteousness stands apart, at a distance; for truth stumbles in the public court, and uprightness cannot enter.  Honesty is lacking, he who leaves evil becomes a target.  ADONAI saw it, and it displeased Him that there was no justice.” TEHILLIM (Psalms) 59: 14-15


The very foundations of our nations are crumbling, for man is looking for truth according to his ways, which lead to destruction.  Nations have turned their back on the only real, complete, truth given by God in His Word, the Holy Bible.
          
Do you ever wonder how one book, written almost six thousand years ago and having been passed from one generation to the next, is still the #1 best seller of all books?  Another amazing fact is this same book is as applicable today as it was when it was written.  Truth can be examined and denied, but truth stands alone when all else fails.  Truth does not compromise, for if it does, it is no longer truth. 


GOD, the author of truth and the great “I AM”, gave us His instruction book to live by and to die by.  The great assurance is to know that God is the One true God and cannot lie.  O LORD, God of Abraham, Isaac and Israel, let it be known TODAY that you are God of Isra’el.                        

There was an international book fair held in Red Square, Moscow in the 1980’s.  Some Bibles were being given away.  A man waited anxiously in line to receive his first copy.  A woman bent over the box and then came the words “I’m sorry sir, the Bibles are all gone.”  The man sadly replied, “Then may I please have the box they came in?” He disappeared into the crowd clutching the box.

The Word of God is living and active, sharper than any double-edged sword. It penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.  Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight.  Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to whom we give account.  The person who follows the teachings of this Book receives freedom from the bondage of sin and death.  Along with freedom comes peace, a joy within, a true love and a stamped decree upon our hearts which reads “PARDONED-PAID IN FULL.”


Why does this Book have all of the answers to life and death?  Who wrote this Book which has a library of 66 books, covers a span of over 1500 years with 35 different authors and all in harmony? Amazing! How has this one Book survived with so many countries wanting to destroy it?  The answers are all in one: above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation, for prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit. King David said, “The Spirit of the Lord spoke by me and His Word was on my tongue.”   God and only God could have made this possible.


Another important question ask is “Why does the world not accept this Book and the ways of God?  Simply put, a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned.  This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the Holy Spirit, expressing spiritual truths in spiritual words.               


Within the framework of this one true and holy Book lies man’s past, present and future.  The past is to know of man’s beginning in perfect surroundings until the sin of disobedience was introduced, causing separation from the very God who created him.  From that time until this very day, every person is born with the sin nature of Adam.


To live only in the past leaves the present empty and our future with no hope.  We should see the past and learn from those who have gone before us.  In the past, God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets many times and in many ways, but in these last days, He has spoken to us through His Son, Yeshua, whom He appointed heir to all things, and through whom He made the universe.
                                                       
The Son, Yeshua, “The Word became a human being and lived with us, and we saw His Sh ‘khinah, the Sh ‘khinah of the Father’s only Son, full grace and truth.” YOCHANAN (John) 1:14  This is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of His being, sustaining all things by His powerful Word.  After Yeshua had provided purification for sins, by His death, burial and resurrection, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in Heaven.
                                                     
Yeshua said, “Think not that I am come to destroy the law but to fulfill it.”  The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent and believe the Gospel. This is the Gospel message; redemption from sin by the One who knew no sin is available to whosoever repents and believes in Him.


Those who choose salvation through Messiah will receive God’s Holy Spirit within their heart as a teacher to direct them in God’s wisdom and ways through His Word.  “Thy Word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against God.” The words of the Lord are pure words; as silver tried in the furnace of earth, purified seven times.  “Your word is a lamp for my feet and light on my path.”  TEHILLIM (Psalms) 119:105


Living only for today and making no plans for our tomorrows leave us without a future. The ant works and prepares while the grasshopper plays and ignores the signs of the times.  The Bible is our instruction book for life and our only hope for the future.
                                                       
The Bible is the most quoted, most published and most translated book in all of history.  Only in its totality is it complete truth. We cannot pick and choose what to believe and what to ignore.  God would not have written what we did not want us to know! As we need food for the body, we also need spiritual food for the soul.


The search for complete truth is found in the Bible: God’s love letter to man. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in Him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but rather so that through Him, the world might be saved.  Those who trust in Him are not judged; those who do not trust have been judged already, in that they have not trusted in the One who is God’s only and unique Son.” 

YOCHANAN (John) 3:16-18 

To those who hear and heed, HE offers a personal relationship with Himself, the Almighty God, through His Son, Yeshua the Messiah, through faith by believing and trusting in Him for eternal life. 


         
The HOLY BIBLE


By: D.E. Howard


The Bible is well worn
With pages bent and torn.
Many verses are underlined
To recall in a moment of time.
Precious instructions for the day
Are laid out to obey.
It is a joy, not a burden
To heed to the Masters plan,

"Come, follow Me
And you can have it all."
"All?"  I ask.  "What is all?"
Could it be the peace within
When I receive forgiveness of sin?
Or could it be the love I found
When I said yes to the Master’s call?
Or maybe the joy in helping others
To make it through another day?
I know now why the Book is so worn
With the pages bent and torn.
Now I know when I answered the call
"Come, follow Me," I truly have it all.

07 January 2007    
              

“Give ear to my words, ADONAI, consider my inmost thoughts. Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to you.” TEHILLIM (Psalms) 5:1-2

If they have ears that do not hear and eyes that do not see, then how can they understand?  Helen Keller was born blind and deaf, but with continuous repetition, beginning with simple routine understandings, she began to communicate with others.  The road was hard and the days were long.  There were disappointments and setbacks but through perseverance, the results were miraculous.
  
There is a world of people on planet earth that are in the same situation as Helen Keller.  No, they are not physically blind and deaf, but spiritually blind and deaf by their own choosing.  The spiritually blind and deaf are as a ship without a rudder, lost and floundering in seas of darkness. In the darkness we cannot see nor can one reach his destination without directions.

The lost man is blinded by the deception of Satan believing that he has control over his own destiny.  He is given sight only when he chooses God’s way over his own.  God is for you – Satan is against you – you cast the deciding vote.

There is one way to have real life, love, and purpose. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only and unique Son, so that everyone who trusts in Him may have eternal life, instead of being utterly destroyed.”  YOCHANAN (John) 3:16 

All you need has been written in one Jewish Holy Bible containing your past, present and future.  Be willing to accept complete truth from B’RESHEET (Genesis) to REVELATION.  Truth is truth and cannot be denied.  Just because you don’t believe something does not change the fact that it is true.