WEEKLY "LIVING TORAH"
by Mike Clayton



SCRIPTURES FOR
July 4, 2009
Numbers 19:1–25:9
Judges 11:1–33
Micah 5:6-6:8
2 Thessalonians 1-3
1 Timothy 1-6

2008/2009 TORAH READING SCHEDULE

Chukat “Statute”/Balak

Persistence

The story is told of a lady who never in her life was heard saying a harsh word about anyone. Some folks became a bit tired of her continued positive attitude and decided to trick her into saying something negative. Their plan was to ask her what her thought were on satan, as they knew she could not have a kind word for him. When asked though, she responded again in the positive and stated, "he sure is persistent!"

While it is true that the enemy is very persistent, he is also very predictable. For centuries he has never changed his tactics, maybe because he has never had to. He has used one method against Elohim's people time and time again and it has proved him successful. The reason he has been so successful is because he has done such a good job of blinding people to his very basic tactic. That day is changing though and his tactic is being revealed. The exciting thing is that when we understand his tactic, he can be defeated with ease.

Allow me to pose a question to you. The right answer will give us the key to the enemy’s defeat every time. The question is, “What does Balak in Numbers and the description of the anti-messiah in Thessalonians have in common?” Think about it for a moment. The answer is really very easy. Of course the answer is they both desire to destroy the Family of Elohim and bring them into the bondage of the enemy. The more important question to ask though is, “What tactic do we see in common between the two?” The answer to this important question is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:5-8. The answer here, separation from Torah!

Why does the enemy fight so hard against Torah? The answer truly spans the covers of Scripture for those who have eyes to see it. The enemy knows that if he can keep us from Torah, he can keep us in a place of bondage. He understands that without Torah, we will never be able to live a life of victory in Messiah.

We do see in this week's Torah an example of a man who understood the importance of obedience. This man's name is Pinchas. He is a man who may have never been in the limelight before, but when he saw the opportunity to take a stand, he did. His actions to many then as well as now would be called a bit radical. Radical as they may have been though, it is Pinchas who would receive a very special gift as well as a promotion in The Kingdom, as we will see next week.

There is no doubt that as times continue to deteriorate, the enemy will try his best to test our will to stand with the truth of Torah. In the end, we will have to see who each of us will model our lives after. Will we go the route of compromise and short term reward that Balaam did? Or will we take the radical stand of Pinchas? It really will come down to a test of persistence and whose persistence will go the long haul, ours or the enemies?

 
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WHY FOLLOW A WEEKLY READING SCHEDULE?
On a weekly basis we hear the term unity in our churches and congregations. It is a subject spoken of, but is it truly lived out?
Going back to the time before Yeshua walked this earth, the Hebrews established a weekly Torah portion reading. Today this schedule goes from Genesis to Deuteronomy in one year. No matter where you travel in the world the same scriptures are being read and taught from. We understand the spiritual power of unity, which is why we join our faith with synagogues congregations and churches that are choosing to follow this schedule. Our weekly readings include a reading from the prophets as well as the Renewed Covenant, (New Testament). Each week as you read, imagine that the same scriptures are being declared in most every country and time zone around the world.

WHY THE TITLE "LIVING TORAH"?
I titled the commentary and video feeds "Living Torah" for one reason. As we read through scripture, we should do so through the eyes of The Living Torah, Yeshua. It is my conviction that when we do this, the Living Toarh will lead us into living Torah.

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