Romans 1:28-32 - The Human Nature and Its Sinful Doings
From Chapter 1:28-32 of the study of the Book of Romans (אֶל־הָרוֹמִיִּים), brother Gideon Levytam shares Paul’s words to the Roman believers concerning the nature of the heart of mankind. The human nature is so sinful, that no-one likes to retain God in their knowledge, and therefore, their lives cannot be pleasing to God, their creator. Lives which are filled with unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, and unmerciful. Although, intellectually, people realize that God will one day judge sin, they continue practicing sin, and have pleasure with those who do the same.
Hebrews 10:19-25
How was the sacrifice of the Messiah superior to all other sacrifices?
Malachi 1:1 - Introduction to the Book of Malachi (מַלְאָכִֽי)
From the study on the Book of Malachi (מַלְאָכִֽי), chapter 1:1, brother Gideon Levytam introduces us to the last prophet of Israel. Malachi, whose name means “my messenger", is a post-captivity prophet of the LORD, and he delivers God’s message to the people of Israel who have returned from the Babylonian captivity. This final post-captivity prophet of Israel is charging his brethren, sometime between 430 - 400 B.C., as they have once again turned away from their God, and implores them to turn back to Him. God uses the prophet Malachi to point Israel to the coming messenger, (John the Baptizer - יוחנן המטביל), who will introduce the Messiah at His first coming. The Messiah Himself is also called "The messenger of the Covenant”. מַלְאַ֨ךְ הַבְּרִ֜ית Malachi 3:1. The gospels quote Malachi's prophecy in Matthew 11:10, Mark 1:2, and in Luke 7:27, pointing to John the Baptizer, as the one who will introduce Yeshua, Jesus the Messiah, to Israel. From the time of Malachi’s prophecy and the arrival of Yeshua - Jesus, Israel’s promised Messiah, there are some 400 to 450 years of silence.
Hebrews 7:11-16 - Jesus the Messiah, a Priest After the Power of Endless Life
The priests of the tribe of Levy were limited, in that they as mortal men, die and need to be replaced. Therefore God provided for us the Lord Yeshua, Jesus the Messiah to become our high priest after the order of Melchisedec. This Melchisedec is a type of the Lord Jesus the Messiah, who is now in heaven, after His death and resurrection, never to die again, becoming an ever living Priest. The resurrected and ascended Messiah Jesus, is not a priest who came after the levitical law, which was temporary after God's commandment to men, but He became an eternal priest, after the power of an endless life.
Romans 1:21-27 - The Consequence of Rejecting God and His Ways
From Chapter 1:21-27 of the study of the Book of Romans (אֶל־הָרוֹמִיִּים), brother Gideon Levytam points out the sad spiritual condition of the human race because of it's willful rejection of God. In Romans 1:21-27, Paul writes that although man knows that there is a God, they do not glorify Him as God, nor are they thankful, but they have become vain in their imaginations and their foolish hearts are darkened. Sadly, people who reject the true and living God, make for themselves their own gods, such as man, birds, four footed animals and even creeping things. This is why "God gave them up" to their own uncleanness, to practicing the lusts of their own hearts, dishonouring their own bodies between themselves. "God gave them up” to live their lives having their own vile affections and practices, changing that which is natural for mankind into that which is against nature, and for this reason, they will bring upon themselves themselves the judgment of a Holy God.
Sukkot - The Feast of Tabernacles (2024) (חָג הָסֻּכּוֺת) Leviticus 23:33-43
From Chapter 23:33-43 of the book of Leviticus (וַיִּקְרָא), brother Gideon Levytam points to the significance of The Feast of Tabernacles, the seventh and final Feast of the LORD. In Hebrew, this feast is called “Hag Sukkot” (חָג הָסֻּכּוֺת), a seven day feast, plus one day, in total eight days, during which time Israel is called to rejoice in God, sit in booths and remember God’s faithful provision for them. God wanted Israel’s future generations to know that He made the children of Israel to dwell in booths when He brought them out of the land of Egypt. Leviticus 23:43. The Feast of Tabernacles also points to the promised Messianic Kingdom, when Jesus the Messiah will return to earth and reign as King of Kings for one thousand years of peace on earth. Believers in Jesus the Messiah are taught to pray saying, Thy kingdom come, thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Matthew 6:10.
Shabbat Meeting - Feast of Tabernacles (חָג הָסֻּכּוֺת) - Leviticus 23:33-43
Live stream of the Holy Scriptures and Israel Shabbat Meeting with Gideon Levytam on October 19, 2024.
Yom Kippur - The Day of Atonement (2024) (יֹום הַכִּפֻּרִים)
From Chapter 23:26-32 of the book of Leviticus (וַיִּקְרָא), brother Gideon Levytam shows the significance of The Day of Atonement, the sixth of the Seven Feasts of the LORD. In Hebrew, this feast is called “Yom Ha-kippurim” (יֹום הַכִּפֻּרִים), on this specific day, God provided a national atonement for Israel on the basis of the blood sacrifice. Once a year, on the 10th day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, Israel's high priest could enter into the Holy of Holies, with the blood of the sacrifice which was offered to the LORD. On that day the high priest made an atonement for the people of Israel, because of their sins, the blood placed within the veil points to the blood sacrifice of Jesus the Messiah for the sin of the world. The Day of Atonement also points to Israel's future national regeneration, we read in Romans 11:25b-26, Blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, there shall come out of Zion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.
Shabbat Meeting - Ezra 1:1 (עֶזְרָא)
Live stream of the Holy Scriptures and Israel Shabbat Meeting with Gideon Levytam on October 12, 2024.
Esther 9:20 - 10:3 - Mordecai's Greatness and the Proclamation of the Feast of Purim
From Chapter 9:20 to 10:3 of the study of the Book of Esther (אֶסְתֵּר), brother Gideon Levytam directs us to the final events recorded in the book of Esther. God’s super-natural protection of His people Israel was evident when Haman’s plan to destroy all the Jews was miraculously forfeited. Queen Esther and Mordecai sent letters to their people throughout Persia, proclaiming the celebration of the joyous feast of Purim, with words of peace and truth. King Ahasuerus imposed tribute on all his people, and he declared the greatness of Mordecai the Jew, advancing him to be second in the kingdom of Persia. Mordecai was accepted by all the people of the land and by his Jewish brethren, he continued to seek the welfare of his people, speaking peaceably to all his seed.