Shabbat Word
28/09/2020
Shabbat Shalom!
Psalm 91:1-16
91:1) He who dwells in the secret place of Ha`Elyon,
Will rest in the shadow of Shaddai.
91:2) I will say of Yahuah,
“He is my refuge and my fortress; My `Elohiym, in whom I trust.”
91:3) For He will deliver you from the snare of the fowler,
And from the deadly pestilence.
91:4) He will cover you with His feathers.
Under His wings you will take refuge.
His faithfulness is your shield and rampart.
91:5) You shall not be afraid of the terror by night,
Nor of the arrow that flies by day;
91:6) Nor of the pestilence that walks in darkness,
Nor of the destruction that wastes at noonday.
91:7) A thousand may fall at your side,
And ten thousand at your right hand;
But it will not come near you.
91:8) You will only look with your eyes,
And see the recompense of the wicked.
91:9) Because you have made Yahuah your refuge,
And Ha`Elyon your dwelling place,
91:10) No evil shall happen to you,
Neither shall any plague come near your dwelling.
91:11) For He will give His angels charge over you,
To guard you in all your ways.
91:12) They will bear you up in their hands,
So that you will not dash your foot against a stone.
91:13) You will tread on the lion and cobra.
You will trample the young lion and the serpent underfoot.
91:14) “Because he has set his love on me, therefore I will deliver him.
I will set him on high, because he has known my name.
91:15) He will call on me, and I will answer him.
I will be with him in trouble.
I will deliver him, and honour him.
91:16) I will satisfy him with long life,
And show him my salvation (yeshu`a).
A Word
The Ester Generation
Yom haKippurim/Day of the Atonements
Although this is usually referred to as Yom Kippur, the actual Hebrew states Yom haKippurim.
“Yahuah spoke to Moshe, saying, ‘However, on the tenth day of this seventh month is Yom haKippurim: it shall be a set apart convocation to you, and you shall afflict yourselves and you shall offer an offering made by fire to Yahuah. You shall do no manner of work in that same day for it is Yom haKippurim, the day of atonements to make atonement for you before Yahuah your `Elohiym. For whoever it is who shall not deny himself in that same day, shall be cut off from his people. Whoever it is who does any manner of work in that same day, that person I will destroy from amongst his people. You shall do no manner of work; it is a statute forever throughout all your generations in all your dwellings. It shall be a Shabbat, your Shabbat rest and you shall deny yourselves. In the ninth day of the month at evening, from evening to evening, you shall keep your Shabbat.’” (Lev.23:26-32).
An interesting item is the wording of the timing of the Shabbat. It is from evening to evening. This is contrary to all those who believe the day starts at midnight or dawn. It is to be Shabbat when no work is to be done and this may require a day’s holiday to be taken.
A further item of interest is that the statute is still in force as it was laid down for all generations and in all places.
I have written this out fully so that your attention is drawn to two repetitions: to afflict or deny ourselves and Shabbat, no manner of work to be done. To afflict oneself is not to cause self-inflicted wounds, but is meant to humble ourselves before an almighty and awesome `Elohiym. “But as for me, when they were sick, my clothing was sackcloth. I afflicted my soul with fasting. My prayer returned into my bosom.” (Psa. 35:13). Judaism has this as a twenty five hour fast so that a full day is completed without food or drink, and this is what I do to comply with this statute.
However, although it is a very solemn occasion, it is also one of great joy. “Then Yahuah is gracious to him, and says, ‘Deliver him from going down to the pit, I have found a ransom.’ He prays to Yahuah, and He is favourable to him, So that he sees His face with joy: He restores to man His righteousness (Job 33:24, 26).
Nevertheless, it must be stressed that a fast of this kind must not endanger health or life, as this would be contrary to `Elohiym’s desire for us all. If it is not possible to fast food and drink, then fast some other activity such as watching television. Praying at the times when meals (or other activity) help to comply with the requirement to offer up a burnt offering (Rev. 8:3, 4). Beloved, these prayers are meant to be a reminder to us of the mercy of Yahuah and an opportunityto take stock of our current relationship with Him and other people.
Yom haKippurim is Judaism’s most solemn day. It is a day when all non-Messianic Jews cry out to Yahuah `Elohiym for forgiveness. It is the belief of FGA that at Yom Teruah, the alarm is sounded to the nation of Yisra`el. The following ten days, traditionally called the Days of Awe should then be taken as a time of spiritual reflection and, upon realising their NATIONAL collective sin, cry out AS A NATION for forgiveness. “If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” (2 Chron. 7:14).
“For you, Yahuah, are good and ready to forgive, abundant in lovingkindness to all those who call on you.” (Psa. 86:5). “Then hear in heaven, your dwelling-place and forgive and do and render to every man according to all his ways, whose heart you know (for you, even you only know the hearts of all the children of men.” (1 Kgs. 8:39).
Judaism rejoices that their sins are covered over by their righteous acts for another year; their names will be written in the Book of Life for the following year. How much more shall Believers rejoice knowing that our sins have not been covered over but forgiven; not by our own acts which are but filthy rags but by the righteous act of the Messiah Yeshua; that our names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life, not for the following year, but for all eternity.
For all Messianic Jews and grafted-in Gentile Believers, this should still be a time of reflection and Yom haKippurim, a time of self-denial. It is also the belief of FGA that all Believers should use this day of prayer and fasting. There can be no better time spent than in intercession for the people and land of Yisra`el.
It has been said that there are traditional comparisons between Yom haKippurim and the feast of Purim (https://www.etzion.org.il/en/purim-and-yom-kippur).
FGA believes that the Book of Ester is, of itself, a type where Haman represents haSatan, Mordekhai and the Yehudim have their anti-type in the people of Yisra`el and Ester represents Believers immediately prior to the Snatching Away. The critical text is “…who knows whether you have not come to the kingdom for such a time as this?” Ester was put into a position by Yahuah so that, at the perfect time, she could intercede on behalf of the Yehudim to the king.
FGA considers the present time the fulfilment of the Master’s prophecy regarding the fig tree (Matt. 24:32-36), the generation (of seventy/eighty years) that has seen the restoration of Land and Nation of Yisra`el in 1948.
The prophets foretold of this time and longed to see the physical fulfilment, but had to see it only by faith. Today, all Believers are blessed at seeing the manifestation in their lives. However, with the great blessing comes a great responsibility. Like Ester, Believers need to humble themselves, especially during Yom haKippurim and intercede on behalf of the Nation of Yisra`el. Like Ester, Believers need to put on their royal garments and boldly enter into the presence of the King of Kings.
FGA believes that all true Believers are The Generation of Ester.
Never before has the powers of darkness come against Yisra`el, both externally by demonic inspired nations or internally by demonic inspired legislation. Just as when Haman determined to destroy the Jewish people, so likewise is haSatan.
Never before has the Jewish people needed the support of Believers, a people of boldness to approach the King of Kings on behalf of the Jewish people, individually and as a nation. It is this generation of Believers that has been raised up for such a time as this.
Another good example of intercessory prayer is recorded in Dan. 9:3-19. The prophet Daniyel fasted and prayed and humbled himself on behalf of his people, the land and the set apart city, Yerushalayim.
FGA suggest that some time during Yom haKippurim that Believers to pray out aloud Daniyel’s pray.
What if you do not know the joy of your sins forgiven, the making an enemy of the One who is the Saviour? What if you do not know that your name is written eternally in the Lamb’s Book of Life? Then an eternity of damnation, of eternal suffering and punishment awaits.
If this is you, then today is your Yom Kippur, your Day of Atonement. “for He says, ‘At an acceptable time I listened to you, In a day of salvation I helped you.’ Behold, now is the acceptable time. Behold, now is the day of salvation’” (2 Cor. 6:2). Do not allow another moment pass by without crying out to Yahuah to forgive all your sins through the Messiah Yeshua.
Halleluyah
Ameyn.
Father, we thank you for the power of your Word and that Word was made flesh in the Messiah Yeshua so that in believing in His life, death and resurrection we may have eternal life with you.
If you want to accept Father’s offer of salvation through the Messiah Yeshua, you need to ask Him in prayer along these lines. You may use these or your own words but they must be genuine as Father knows our very hearts and nothing is hidden from Him.
“Father, I am a sinner who needs forgiveness of my sins through your Son, the Messiah Yeshua. Please forgive me of all my past sins as I accept that, Messiah Yeshua my Saviour, has taken upon Himself my punishment. By your Spirit, help me to live a life worthy of His sacrifice. Thank you, Father, for making the perfect way back to you.”
Remember, the Judge looks into your heart, mind and future.
If you have honestly said such a prayer as this, and truly renounced the sin in your life and accepted Father’s salvation through the Messiah Yeshua, then please drop us an e-mail or call us at FGA to let us know. This helps build up our faith and offers an opportunity to prayerfully support you. Even if you have Believing friends or family, we at FGA would be privileged to pray for you. Please contact us at ezra710@firstgenerationassembly.com. Having believed and prayed, now please find a local faith-based church to attend. Drop FGA an e-mail or call us so that we can rejoice with you and pray and support you over the coming weeks.
All blessings to you.
If you have sincerely called out to Father for forgiveness, then eternal life is assured. Salvation does not take away the day-to-day questions of life, nor is it a short-cut away from trials or tribulations. Nevertheless, knowing your eternal life is secure, any temporary trial can be overcome by looking at the completed work of Messiah Yeshua.
All blessings to you.
“Fools mock at making atonement for sins,
But among the upright there is good will.” (Prov. 14:9).
Breaking Matzah
Our Saviour welcomes all His Family to join in this memorial. If you have accepted Messiah Yeshua as your Master and Saviour please take the next few moments to seek Father and to ensure that all is right between Him and you and between you and your Brothers and Sisters. If not, please put this right before continuing.
If you have not yet accepted Him into your life, then we encourage you to seek Him while it is still possible, as time is running out. When He returns or if you pass away then it will be too late. Please do not partake of the matzah and wine as in doing so, it gives thanks for the broken body (matzah) and shed blood (wine) for and a witness of salvation.
On the night of the Master’s betrayal, He took the matzah, blessed it and broke it saying ‘This is my Body broken for you; take and eat it as a memorial to Me.’
Bless the matzah saying: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the Universe, who brings forth matzah from the earth.
Break and eat the matzah (sharing it if within a group setting):
After the meal He took the Cup, blessed it saying ‘This is my Blood poured out for you for the remission of sins; take and drink it as a memorial to me.’
Bless the wine saying: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the Universe, who creates the fruit of the vine.
Drink the wine (sharing it if within a group setting):
Thanksgiving prayer: Blessed are you, O Yahuah our `Elohiym, King of the universe, who gives us, in Yeshua, all that we will ever need. In your lovingkindness and mercy, you rebuild broken lives. You bless us, in Yeshua, with a perfect blessing. Ameyn.
Please note the up-and-coming special days.
03/10/2020 – Sukkot (Start of Tabernacles)
10/10/2020 – Sukkot (End of Tabernacles)
11/10/2020 – Shemini Atzeret (Eighth Day)
Father willing, we will meet again next Shabbat.
“Y’varekh’kha Yahuah v’yishmerekha,
Ya’er Yahuah panav eleikha vichunekka,
Yissa Yahuah panav eleikha v’yasem l’kha shalom.”
(May Yahuah bless you and keep you)
(May Yahuah make His face to shine upon you and show you His favour)
(May Yahuah lift up His face toward you and give you peace.).
First Generation Assembly 