The Narrow Path

I guess it would be to a good idea to explain the parameters that our Father in heaven gave his people on how they are to interact with him.  What I mean is, Yahweh has told us how we are to live our lives, but more importantly he gives us commandments which we cannot pick and choose from.  Yes, most everyone is familiar with the Ten commandments : 

King James Version
And God spake all these words, saying, I am the Lord thy God, which have brought thee out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.

1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me; And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me, and keep my commandments.
3. Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain.
4. Remember the sabbath day, to keep it holy. Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work: But the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: in it thou shalt not do any work, thou, nor thy son, nor thy daughter, thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy cattle, nor thy stranger that is within thy gates: For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day: wherefore the Lord blessed the sabbath day, and hallowed it.
5. Honour thy father and thy mother: that thy days may be long upon the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour.
10. Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

These are the basics.  There are in fact 613 commandments listed in the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament).  Now all of people have been falsely taught that keeping these commands is the bondage that Yeshua spoke of in Galatians 5.  Nothing could be further from the truth!  You can't apply the Bible without understanding the context in which it was written.  People foreget the New testament was not around in the days of Yeshua.  The people of the day knew the Old Testaments and did their best to follow the laws set forth.  The bondage came from the Pharisees that added to the laws numerous requirements to "assist" the people from breaking Yahweh's commandments.

These rabbinic laws are still referred to by many Jews as mitzvot (commandments), even though they are not part of the original 613 commandments. Many Jews consider the rabbinic laws to be as binding as Torah laws, and the are commonly divided into three categories: gezeirah, takkanah and minhag. A gezeirah is a law instituted by the rabbi's to prevent people from accidentally violating a Torah commandment and is commonly referred to as a fence around the Torah Law.  For example, the Torah commands us not to work on Sabbath,  but a gezeirah commands jews  not to even handle an implement that you would be used to perform prohibited work (such as a pencil, money, a hammer), because someone holding the implement might forget that it was Sabbath and perform prohibited work..  In fact in Yeshua's day it was prohibited to carry anything larger than a fig. A takkanah is a rule unrelated to biblical laws that was created by the rabbis for the public welfare. For example,  The "mitzvah" to light candles on Chanukkah, a post-biblical holiday, is also a takkanah. The word takkanah is derived from the Hebrew root Tav-Qof-Nun, meaning to fix, to remedy or to repair. It is the same root as in "tikkun olam," repairing the world, or making the world a better place, an important concept in all branches of Judaism. Lastly Minhag is treated as a category of  rabbinical commandments, mostly because it is clearly not from the Torah. A minhag is a custom that developed for  religious reasons and has continued long enough to become a binding religious practice. For example,"second, extra day of holidays" (rabbinical law institutes an extra day added to many holidays because in ancient times, there was doubt as to which day was the correct day).  This was originally instituted as a gezeirah, so that people outside of  Israel, not certain of the day of a holiday, would not accidentally violate the holiday's commandment. After the mathematical calendar was instituted and they felt there was no doubt about the days, the added second day was not necessary. The rabbis considered ending the practice at that time, but decided to continue it as a minhag. 

Why did I explain all that?  Well, that is the bondage Yeshua was talking about.  Deut 4:2 states Do not add to what I command you and do not subtract from it, but keep the commands of the Lord your God that I give you. The rabbi's added to the Commandments thinking that they were entitled to!. In fact Yeshua even chastized them for this :

Many scholars, teachers, pastors and believers will quickly point out: Romans 6:14-15  For sin shall no longer be your master, because you are not under the law, but under grace.¹⁵  What then? Shall we sin because we are not under the law but under grace? By no means!  Paul was writing about the Law of Sin and Death which is the punishment for breaking the law of Torah. 1John 3:4 states⁴ Everyone who sins breaks the law; in fact, sin is lawlessness.  These two passages are more profound when translated in the Jewish Bible:  

¹⁴ For sin will not have authority over you; because you are not under legalism but under grace.
¹⁵ Therefore, what conclusion should we reach? “Let’s go on sinning, because we’re not under legalism but under grace”? Heaven forbid!  Legalism is the bondage of rabbinical law !   1 John 3:4 ⁴ Everyone who keeps sinning is violating Torah — indeed, sin is violation of Torah.  If the law was too hard to keep, why did Yahweh say in Deut 30:11  11 Now what I am commanding you today is not too difficult for you or beyond your reach.  

I was recently introduced to the Blue Letter Bible bible study web page. It is incredible for study. It provides so much information right at your finger tips, Thank you Zac Bauer @ New2Torah.com for this introduction  You can see that todays translations leave something to be desired and are likely a major reason that people don't follow the commandments as they should.  I encourage you to dig deeper into the scriptures. Yahweh tells us in Jeremiah 29:13-14 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. 14 I will be found by you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back from captivity.[b] I will gather you from all the nations and places where I have banished you,” declares the Lord, “and will bring you back to the place from which I carried you into exile.”

This is happening NOW ! ! !

Shalom !

Step One

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. This quote of an Chinese philosopher is obvious, but telling.  Looking at what I have learned over the past few months is nothing compared to what I have yet to understand.  I have been blown away by not only the complexity of the Bible itself, but even the original language. The untold information waiting to be unlocked is astronomical in scope, but once you've taken that first step, the thirst for more is unquenchable.

I have been a believer in Yeshua hamashiach (His proper Hebrew name and title) since 1992.  I had been involved in my church in many ways including a Sunday school teacher, Youth Leader and serving on various committees.  I never seemed to find the time to get involved in a Bible study.  Last year,while riding to work on the bus, I noticed one woman reading a bible on her kindle tablet.  I had been watching movies and listening to music on my phone when I could have been doing something useful! Almost immediately I began bringing my Bible with me and read it on my way to and from work.  I still do this and cherish this time. After discussing it with my wife, we approached our Pastor and asked to be put into a Bible study group.  Little did I know how this would turn our lives upside down.

Sometime after beginning the Bible study is when my wife's uncle introduced me to 119 Ministries.  This put a fire in my heart and a thirst for knowledge.  I started to question my Bible.  I knew from previous experiences that it was full of supposed contradictions and tackled that head on. I also realized that the term "lost in translation" was also applicable.  I think it is very important that we look at the scriptures as they were written.  The Old Testament in Hebrew, and the New Testament in Aramaic.  Remember, the oldest translations of the NT (New Testament) that Bible publishers routinely use are in greek, however, Yeshua did not speak greek. He likely spoke aramaic which is a slang of Hebrew.Translation loses something when you go from Hebrew to Greek and Greek to English or what have you.  It boggles my mind that people think that The Heavenly Father has "protected" the scriptures so that nothing is lost.  You need only to look at the 121 different translations in English alone ! Never mind that, how about 40,000 different denominations.  How can everyone be correct?  They can't. We have to go back and start over.  Just as an example look at this found on bible.com same verse, some information was left out.

I brought my concerns about translation to my Bible study group and openly questioned the validity of the current translations.  That pretty much derailed the bible study for that week.  It wasn't totally a train wreck though.  It did start some great debate and got my pastor and the other couple at the bible study thinking.  I had never really thought much about the original texts until this time, but it has me enthralled and perplexed.  My wife and I have been blown away by the Passion for Truth Ministries series on the Aleph Bet.  For those who are unaware, we get the word Alphabet from the Hebrew term Aleph Bet (pronounced Alef Bait).  It is an incredible language that simply amazes with its complexity.  Each letter has an individual meaning and when used to make words, the meanings of the letters tell you the meaning of the word. Not end there, each letter has a numerical value, and there is new evidence they also represent musical notes.  Even the Hebrew Alphabet tells the story when you understand each letter and follow them in order:  The strength of the leader of the house who is the generous rich man who gives to the poor man . That opens the door to revelation of the nail. It brings forth the sword of the spirit which is a plow that opens up the earth separating it and brings forth a fence that surrounds and separates holy from unholy. This gives you a choice, the snake in the basket if you make the wrong choice. If you choose to do the right thing The right hand of power anoints you. You receive the staff of authority which allows you to wash which brings forth new life. If you are leaning on the truth you will have spiritual insight. You will then see and proclaim and you will become righteous. Once you are righteous, you can see in both kingdoms, spiritual and physical. This is far as I've gotten in their teachings, but it is amazing, the depth of the language.

It's kind of funny, I was so starved for the word, I watched teaching after teaching, I got to the point where I was almost physically ill.  I over ate as it were.  This also happened to my wife and my wife of the uncle that opened our eyes to the realization that we have been disregarding our Father's direction of worship.  Some people say there is a "god" shaped hole in us.  I think it is more an issue of not properly reading the owner's manual we've been provided. Many of us read it, but are unaware the instructions are translated from one language to another by someone who did not have a grasp of the first language and context.  Kinda like getting instructions in english that were translated from chinese by a french man. You're going to miss stuff, but this wasn't just by accident, the enemy was involved. We can't forget him and his ability to infiltrate and deceive.

A little bit of Background...

Hi,  I feel I've been lead by the spirit, aka the Holy Spirit, aka The Ruach HaKodesh.  Yeah I had never heard that term before either.  But this is the direction my life has taken. I made the decision to seek the Father, I sought to know him more, to better understand his will.  He answered, and I'm now overwhelmed in a flood of knowledge and a constant thirst to learn.  I feel like I am in a free fall, yet I am surrounded by the everlasting arms of my God or "Elohim".  

Let me start from the beginning.  In my very beginning, I was born about a month premature and grossly underweight.  I was a measly 2 pounds 7 ounces.  Otherwise, I was healthy.  The doctors searched and found an answer.  My Mother had kidney disease and her body was taking nutrients from me to sustain her.  My birth weight caused a concern which resulted in a diagnosis and in turn my mother was able to get the treatment she required.  Thus in my opinion, began my Heavenly Fathers intervention in my life.  

At a very young age the church which my parents attended moved to a new location.  My Dad working shift work needed the family car which meant I did not attend that church anymore.  Now believers might look at this as  a detriment. i however look at it this way.  I was able to make the decision to follow him on my own which I needed to do.  I had a very different upbringing early on in my life.  Because my mother was tied to a dialysis machine every other day for 8 hours, I learned at a very young age to be independent, but also responsible.  My mother needed my assistance, and my gift of serving was brought to the forefront.  I would move a chair to the fridge and climb atop it to get ice for here.  I walked to the store to buy snacks (who lets a 7 year old do that now?).  I was my mothers hands and feet and I quickly learned the consequences of my actions affected others, and it made me a different person.  

All through school from kindergarten to university, I was set apart from the crowd.  I didn't drink, didn't smoke, or do drugs, I didn't follow the crowd, and I was more cognizant of what my actions meant.  I was not perfect, I had my own demons that had control of me, even now they watch for an opportunity.  The difference being is that I want to be different, set apart and obedient. Before, I thought I did, but I did not make the effort.

I remember my first year of education after high school, I was riding the bus to university.A couple of friends were trying to educate me on religion.  They both tried to explain their beliefs to me, but never asked me to attend church with them.  One was with Campus Crusade for Christ and the other was drawn to the Book of Revelations and the end of the world conspiracy theories.  All I wanted was an invite and I didn't get it, so I went along on my merry way, ultimately putting the urge aside.  My heavenly Father had other plans. 

About a year and a half later, I was at a nightclub with some friends and I decided to leave early. I've never been a drinker, but I loved music and friends, what can I say. I drove through a drive thru at the local burger joint.  As my order was being read back to me, I recognized the voice and my ears perked up. At the window, my suspicions were confirmed, it was a girl I had gone to grade school with and it just so happened that I had a crush on her way back when before she moved away.  Now, I had always been the shy guy, but in high school, I kicked that habit, I developed some courage and came out of my shell.  Let me say that I asked A LOT of girls on dates, and was quite frequently rewarded with a phone number.  I was never one to give my heart away, but I searched for that right person, and for all the charm the Father gave me, I never slept with any of the girls  during my dating career. I am ONE with my wife and no one else before or since.  Another reason I feel set apart. I just could never commit to it, just as  I have never been drunk.  

Now before you think this was the woman I was to marry, let me tell you she was not, however she was the one to introduce me to my Savior.  One Saturday night I picked her up and she said she wanted to go somewhere first. She said" if you feel uncomfortable, we don't have to stay".  It was a Praise and Worship event with a local band.  My heart and pride were stripped away and my guilt and sin were revealed to me in a way I cannot explain.  I felt humbled, ashamed but incredibly loved and cherished.I gave my life to my Messiah a couple of days later. Although I am thankful to her for introducing me to my Savior, we did not stay together and not to be rude, but I am very thankful we didn't.  At the same church, I met the woman of my dreams, we were baptized the same day, were married and have had several beautiful children.  We are now taking this journey together discovering our Hebrew Roots.

I guess it truly started with my wife's uncle. He's a great guy and has been blessed with wisdom, whether or not he wishes to admit it.  I can't remember exactly how it began, but through discussions at family gatherings, we began to discuss the Bible.  He ended up directing me to the 119 Ministries website.  It took me a little bit to actually go there.  I believe everyone is like this, because we are afraid of what changes we will have to make.  No body seems to want to sacrifice anything, certainly not like our Savior sacrificed for us.  I'm included in this mindset as I am Human, but let me tell you, after watching "Sunburned*" it all became very clear to me that we as a nation of believers in Yeshua (Jesus) are at the very least sinning as bad as the Israelite's did all the while saying "how could they be so blind?".  This was only a couple months ago

This is where I started my Journey, I invite you to watch the video, follow along as I tell of my adventure in coming closer to YHVH(God's Hebrew Name)

* Please note I no longer support Sunburned as accurate. After further study I have found their video relies heavily on the book "The Two Babylons"  which was proved to be mainly fabrication and debunked by archaeological finds after publishing.  Unfortunately it still runs rampant in Hebrew Roots Circles.