Footsteps to the Coffin:
The Kiss of Death
In last week’s installment of Footsteps to the Coffin, Yeshua gave the “kiss” of a right answer to Simon. Simon had invited Yeshua to his home for a meal, yet did not provide water to wash his feet or anointing oil for his head. The woman who brought the alabaster vial of nard, however, poured out everything she had on Yeshua’s feet. She trusted him. She used hair, "like a flock of goats" to seek his forgiveness.
Simon did not trust that Yeshua was even a prophet, much less the Messiah. In keeping with Proverbs 24:26 simile of a kiss on the lips as a “right answer,” let’s review the “kiss” alongside our working text from Song of Songs Chapter Four:
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How beautiful you are, my darling, how beautiful you are! Your eyes are like doves behind your veil; your hair is like a flock of goats that have descended from Mount Gilead. Your teeth are like a flock of newly shorn sheep which have come up from their watering place, all of which bear twins, and not one among them has lost her young.
In this section of the Footsteps to the Coffin, we want to keep looking for that coffin. Let’s read Yeshua’s kisses of a “right answer” in the context of Luke 7. Notice how he kisses both Simon the Pharisee and the alabaster woman with his answer:
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And Jesus responded and said to him, “Simon, I have something to say to you.” And he replied, “Say it, Teacher.” “A moneylender had two debtors: the one owed five hundred denarii, and the other, fifty. When they were unable to repay, he canceled the debts of both. So which of them will love him more?” Simon answered and said, “I assume the one for whom he canceled the greater debt.” And He said to him, “You have judged correctly.” And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave Me no water for My feet, but she has wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You gave Me no kiss; but she has not stopped kissing My feet since the time I came in. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she anointed My feet with perfume. For this reason I say to you, her sins, which are many, have been forgiven, for she loved much; but the one who is forgiven little, loves little.” And He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” And then those who were reclining at the table with Him began saying to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?” And He said to the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.” (Lk 7:40-50)
Why did Yeshua kiss Simon with a parable about money and debt? The Torah has much to say about lending and borrowing. Yeshua took these commandments and breathed the Ruach HaKodesh over them. When we take the word of the Torah and mix it with the Ruach and our own faith, then the result is a kiss on the lips.
The Torah portion Mishpatim is rich with commandments concerning the poor, orphan, widow, and stranger, who are likely poor as well:
§63 NOT TO VERBALLY OPPRESS A CONVERT (GER)
§64 NOT TO WRONG A CONVERT IN MATTERS OF PROPERTY
§65 NOT TO AFFLICT ANY ORPHAN OR WIDOW
§66 THE MITZVAH OF LENDING TO THE POOR
§67 NOT TO DUN A POOR MAN UNABLE TO PAY HIS DEBT
§68 NOT TO HELP A BORROWER OR LENDER TRANSACT A LOAN AT INTEREST
The rationale for the prohibition against taking a person’s garment so that he is deprived of it at night is found in the ancient belief. It was thought that every night when one is asleep, his soul ascends to Heaven to give an account of itself. Each night, it is found to be in debt for the day before; nevertheless, in His grace and mercy, the Father returns the soul to its body. This happens over and over each day of his or her life. If the Holy One returns to us our indebted soul each morning, then how much more we should return a person’s garment each sunset until the debt is finally paid...even if he must do it every day until the debt is fully paid.
Although we have lots of Scripture quotes this week, please take the time to read the following exchange between Simon Peter and Yeshua carefully. It gives us more hints as to why Yeshua’s answer to Simon the Pharisee was such a great kiss:
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Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.” (Mt 18:21-35)
Simon Peter needed to forgive his brother from his heart. Simon the Pharisee and the townspeople who would not help the woman repent needed to forgive the alabaster woman from the heart. How we deal with lending money to the poor has a direct correlation to our willingness to forgive. So the money commandments are to teach us about our how we deal with our relationships, especially among brothers, or "the one who is with you" (Le 25:45), the stranger who is moving toward becoming part of the covenant community. It's about leading people to repentance and then accepting it without holding past sins over their heads. Wow!
How did Yeshua get this idea?
Well, he read and spoke Hebrew. You know, other than the fact he IS the living Word.
Neshek = creditor, kiss
nâshak; a primitive root; to strike with a sting (as a serpent); figuratively, to oppress with interest on a loan:—bite, lend upon usury. [H5391]
The townspeople in a sense were “dunning” the woman, and refused to lend help in the beginning so that the interest did not pile too high for her to find her way out.
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“If you lend money to My people, to the poor among you, you are not to act as a creditor to him; you shall not charge him interest [neshek H5392].” (Ex 22:24) נֶֽשֶׁך
Thus, it is the play-on word of “interest,” neshek, in which it is also a weapon:
נָשַׁק; nâshaq-identical with H5400, through the idea of fastening up; to kiss, literally or figuratively (touch); also (as a mode of attachment), to equip with weapons:—armed (men), rule, kiss, that touched.
An Israelite is not commanded to jeopardize his own family’s well-being to give an interest-free loan to a fellow Israelite. However, if he can do so without undue hardship, then he is one who saves his brother from weapons of ruin. A debt can be a weapon against the debtor when it starts piling up interest, which means that time goes on and on, and yet forgiveness never occurs.
Unforgiveness is like interest. Over time, it is a weight heavier than the debtor can ever pay, like those 21% interest credit card rates that truly poor people can never pay. The interest is like a knife that plunges into the debtor over and over. What will that debtor do when he despairs of ever being restored? Only a coffin will offer release.
It may be that there is a clue in the text of Luke Seven. Luke writes that the alabaster woman was a sinner. Simon thought to himself, "...she is a sinner." Had she already repented of her sins, yet the townspeople would not accept her?
How many times have we repented, yet we didn't FEEL like we were forgiven? Or have we acquired a reputation for a certain sin, yet our community would never let us forget it even after we repented of it?
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And He said to her, “Your sins have been forgiven.” And then those who were reclining at the table with Him began saying to themselves, “Who is this man who even forgives sins?”
Whether the woman was repenting in that moment with tears, or whether she had already repented and was seeking to feel accepted in her community, Yeshua forgave her. Maybe the real question is whether Simon the Pharisee and the townspeople had forgiven her sins. Yeshua can forgive our debts owed to the Father. Who can forgive the debts someone owes you?
You.
We'll continue next week with Part 4. Scroll to the bottom of the newsletter for a bonus article from Ulpan-Or on the Torah portion Yitro.
Click here to join the livestream at 4:00 pm Eastern TIME.
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Shabbat Shalom!
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THE CREATION GOSPEL
TRAINER RETREAT
MARCH 5-8, 2023
Smoky Mountains
This is almost full!
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We listened to your suggestions and have extended the CG Trainer Retreat to include an extra day. During the retreat this year, we will have more time for fellowship and an evening devoted to celebrating the Feast of Purim. We will read the whole Megillah, blot out the name of Haman, and much more!
If you are a Creation Gospel Trainer or desire to test to become one, this retreat is especially designed for you. However, Creation Gospel students are also welcome! We will be staying at a large chalet in the majestic Smoky Mountains. Potential trainers will test with Dr. Alewine for certification, current trainers will be able to connect, network, exchange ideas, and learn from one another, and all will benefit from Dr. Alewine's three presentations that will include teaching basics for trainers and a special Purim message. Registrants will receive a full itinerary two weeks before the retreat.
We will be staying at the Big Forest Lodge in Sevierville, TN. Check out photos of the venue and its floorpan below, which boasts 9,000 sq. ft., a swimming pool and hot tub, beautiful views of the mountains from its many balconies, and plenty of couches on every level where you can sit and chat with other Creation Gospel trainers and students.
Your registration is all inclusive!
You will get a three night stay, eight meals, testing, teaching, and participation in the Purim celebration with your registration. Biblically clean meals will be prepared by Kisha's local fellowship with most dietary needs being accommodated.*
* Meals will be Biblically clean, not Rabbinically Kosher. We will have gluten-free, low sugar, and vegetarian options available.
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LIVE STREAM ON SHABBAT AT APPROXIMATELY 4:00 pm EASTERN.
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Join us at Save the Nations Ft. Lauderdale for a Shavuot celebration in the Word with Pastors Ken and Lisa Albin. Click the link to read more and register.
Thu, May 25, 2023, 7:00 PM – Sat, May 27, 2023, 4:00 PM EDT
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Book Suggestion of the Week:
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Instead of a book, I thought I'd pass on a great idea: Shabbat placemats. Last Erev Shabbat I had more guests than could fit at the "grownup table." I used these paper placemats at the kitchen island to dress up the additional place settings. Since they are paper, kids can draw on them, and they can be thrown away. These are on Etsy, and the vendor has other styles available, including matching coasters. I'm going to keep a package of these on hand from now on. |
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Your continual prayers for the children of LaMalah and our brothers and sisters in Kenya are so much appreciated, so if you would like to help toward the First Quarter 2023 support, (including the upcoming high school tuition), it is truly needed to finish out some of the work on the grounds and for necessities. If you've never heard the story of how LaMalah was conceived and built, please take a moment to look over the brief description by clicking on the phot above or clicking here.
Here is an update from Brother Ndungu this week:
Shalom, once again.
As you rightly put it some time back, we may need to invest in a good camera and a good cameraman in future. These pics are taken with my phone and not the best, but hopefully, they will do for now.
We appreciate all efforts to help us grow spiritually. We are thankful in advance for those reading materials. I simply love books myself. There are books I have tried to fetch all over but does not get them. I once had them, and those I lent never returned them. They are a series named ' Walk in the Light" by Todd Bennet.They cover subjects like Sabbath ,Kosher ,Law and Grace,Appointed times,Scriptures etc. The books you have written too are deep and very useful to us. And there was a booklet I used to read over the internet named "Too Long in the Sun". I hoped to one day get a hard copy.
Shabbat Shalom
Peter
If you feel led to help with the operating expenses of LaMalah, you can always use the donate button below or send a check by snail mail to:
The Creation Gospel
PO Box 846
East Bernstadt, KY 40729
Creation Gospel Workbook sales go to the ministry, so take a moment and shop our webpage or Amazon.
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September 26-October 8, 2023
Price: $2,895 (airfare not included)
Tours Include:
- Hotels
- Breakfast
- Dinner (except Oct. 7)
- National Park Passes
- Bus transfer to and from Ben Gurion Airport
- All tips (except housekeeping)
Not Included:
- Lunches
- Flight/Trip insurance
- Airline Ticket
To view the itinerary or register, click here.
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Spoken Word and Desert:
What Is The Commonality?
(Shared from this week's Ulpan-Or newsletter on Torah portion Yitro)
This Shabbat we will read the Torah portion יתרו - "Yitro" in the book of Exodus.
In this portion the Torah tells us about Moses’ father-in-law, Jethro, who hears of the great miracles which G‑d performed for the people of Israel, and comes from Midian to the Israelite camp, bringing with him Moses' wife Ziporah and their two sons.
Jethro notices how overloaded Moses is with judging alone the people of Israel according to the Torah laws. Jethro advises him to appoint a hierarchy of magistrates and judges to assist him in the task of governing and administering justice to the people.
On the sixth day of the third month (Sivan), seven weeks after the Exodus, the entire nation of Israel assembles in the Sinai Desert at the foot of Mount Sinai to receive the ten commandments as part of the Torah.
On this day, "they came to the Sinai Desert."
Question:
Why was the Torah given in a desert - a desolate and inhospitable locale?
And indeed the Hebrew word Sinai is related (sound-wise) to the Hebrew word for "hatred" (Sin’ah). It alludes to heightened disdain of the people of Israel for the subterfuges of materialism. The Sinai desert was not only ownerless but also barren; there was no water and no vegetation to provide food or clothing.
According to the Midrash, God gave the Torah in the desert because He wanted to teach us a fundamental truth about it.
If G-d had given the Torah in a settled area, that would have implied that it was tied somehow specifically to the people of that place. He therefore gave the Torah in the ownerless desert, making it clear that it does not belong to anybody in particular; anybody that so chooses, can make the Torah their own.
According to the Talmud, God gave the Torah in the desert because He wanted to teach us a fundamental truth about the nature of the study of the Torah:
"If a person humbles himself like the wilderness, which everybody treads upon, then the Torah is given to him as a gift."
It is interesting to note the in Hebrew the root דבר
"DAVAR" is the same one for the following words:
- Desert - miDBAR - מדבר
- Speak - meDABER - מדבר
- Word / Thing - DAVAR - דבר
- Commandment - DIBER - דבר
- Ten commandments - ASERET HADIBROT -
עשרת הדברות
It implies that when a person is in a desert (miDBAR) - remote from obstruction of "noises" of the daily life, he can then be exposed to the real WORD (DAVAR), absorb and internalize it.
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You can listen to the live streams of our podcasts on Podbean by clicking on the link below. Soon we'll be adding Torah portions.
We are transferring most of our YouTube videos to Odysee, which will eliminate those pesty ads. All this takes time and money, so it won't happen tomorrow, but it is something to look forward to soon. You can see what has been posted so far on The Creation Gospel at Odysee. The videos will remain on YouTube as well.
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Thursdays: 9-10 am & 10-11 p.m.
Mondays: 4-5 am & 2-3 p.m.
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