|
HOLY TO YAHVEH WORKBOOK LESSON THREE - A HOLY TEMPLE-JEWS AND GENTILES TOGETHER
3
A Holy Temple-Jews and Gentiles Together
(Study Guide for Chapters 6-9 of Holy to YAHveh)
1. As we learned last week, the plumb line and the flint knife of circumcision are divine symbols. They are helpful to us in that they clearly illustrate the methods by which YAHveh intends to bring forth His holy temple and a holy priesthood in these last days. This week we will examine the master blueprints for YAHveh’s temple; it is exciting to note that these blueprints were drawn up even before the earth was made!
You may be saying, “I’ve been in church all my life, and I know the plans and purposes of God.” Do you? In this week’s study, you will delve deeply into YAHveh’s eternal plan for the ages. Since many of the scriptural precepts covered in this lesson have been neglected in the majority of today’s churches, some of these concepts may be new to you. Let the Scriptures act as a plumb line to show you where any of the doctrines and religious beliefs you have learned deviate from the holy purposes of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Then allow the flint knife of circumcision to cut away every belief you have held that is not biblically sound.
To begin, read chapter 6 of Holy to YAHveh. Find at least three main points in this chapter and record them below.
1.
2.
3.
2. Let’s begin our study in Ephesians 2 and 3, chapters to which the text refers as “foundational support beams for YAHveh’s holy temple.” Read Ephesians 2:1-5 slowly, giving attention to all the details. Bear in mind that this letter of Paul was written to a primarily Gentile audience. As you read, make a list in the space below of every fact you learn about these Gentiles before and after their salvation. Since these facts are also true of you, you may want to personalize your list (i.e., “I was dead in my trespasses and sins”).
3a. As Paul continues, he admonishes his Gentile audience to remember several things. Read Ephesians 2:11-12 and write out everything that Gentile believers are to remember.
b. Why do you think Paul insists that Gentiles remember these things?
4. Before continuing your study, take a moment to recall the spiritual state of Gentiles before the message of salvation through YAHshua the Messiah was given to them. As the text stated in chapter 6, during the time of Jewish temple worship, there was a barrier-a dividing wall-permanently fixed between the outer and inner courts of the temple. Gentiles were welcome to visit the outside court (the “Court of the Gentiles”), but they could not enter the exclusive inner courts where the people of Israel worshipped the living God. In fact, stones on this dividing wall were inscribed with stern messages forbidding “unclean” Gentiles from entering on pain of death. Thus any Gentile who chose to give up his devotion to pagan gods and serve YAHveh was required to worship Him from afar.
a. Now read Ephesians 2:13-18. In the space below, make a list of everything that happened to or was given to the Gentiles (“you who formerly were far off”) as a result of YAHshua’s sacrifice.
b. Look closely at verses 15 and 16. These verses clearly state the purpose and plan of YAHveh in these last days. In fact, they are the heart of this study. In the space below, write out His eternal purpose as expressed in these verses.
c. Ephesians 3:4-6 restates this purpose by describing YAHveh’s plan as a mystery. How do these verses parallel what you have already seen in Ephesians 2:15-16?
5a. Have you ever considered the fact that the Almighty’s plan and purpose was for His body-His holy temple-to be composed of both Jews and Gentiles? Now take a moment to honestly evaluate what you have believed and been taught.
b. How does what you see in corporate Christianity today compare with YAHveh’s original plan for Jews and Gentiles to become “one new man” through the sacrifice of Messiah?
6. Have you ever heard the saying or teaching, “The Jews rejected Christ, therefore God is finished with Israel as a nation”? From whom have you heard this teaching and in what settings? Is this teaching biblically sound?
7. Read chapter 7 of Holy to YAHveh. As you read, continue to ask yourself, “Is the Almighty through with Israel?” Be sure to make notes on the salient points of the chapter in the space below.
8. Does YAHveh have an eternal plan for Israel, or has He turned His face from the Jewish people because they turned away from the Messiah? Study the following Scriptures and record what you learn about the unique covenant relationship between Israel and YAHveh. (Read the context surrounding each of these passages if you want to be sure that they are all speaking of Israel.)
a. Genesis 17:7-8
b. Jeremiah 31:3
c. Jeremiah 31:35-37
d. Isaiah 49:14-16
e. Romans 11:25-27
f. Romans 11:28-29
9. In Romans 11, the apostle Paul addresses the question of whether the Almighty is finished with Israel because they rejected the Messiah-in fact, he hits the issue head-on! Read the following passages, and for each passage, record both the question and Paul’s answer.
a. Romans 11:1-2a
b. Romans 11:11
10. Read the following verses and write down three key phrases that indicate Paul’s passionate love and commitment to the salvation of his Jewish brethren.
a. Romans 9:2-3
b. Romans 10:1
c. Romans 11:13-14
Note Paul’s words to all believers in 1 Corinthians 11:1. Be honest before the Almighty, who searches men’s hearts. Are you willing to prayerfully ask YAHveh to give you a similar heartbeat to Paul’s, as magnified through the above Scriptures?
11. As the text teaches in chapter 7, misunderstanding and neglect of Romans 11 (and other vital portions of Scripture) have led to a deceptive theology that has fostered distorted doctrines and unbiblical attitudes toward Israel. Many Christians today believe that the church has replaced Israel in the heart of God, saying that the church is now “spiritual Israel.” In other words, the everlasting promises that YAHveh once made to true Israel are now null and void where Israel is concerned. Instead, the church is now thought to be the recipient of the covenants and promises originally made to Israel. Satan has been successful in deceiving many Christians to believe this lie, giving rise to “replacement theology” which is unbiblical and must be purged out of the spiritual bloodstream of those who profess to be true believers.
Is this a doctrine your church teaches? If so, open your heart to the Spirit of Truth and pay close attention to the following exercises. Read Romans 11:11-29 slowly and carefully. Answer the following questions:
a. Do you see any distinction made between “physical Israel” and “spiritual Israel” in this passage? What two groups of people do you see mentioned in this passage?
b. Which group of people is represented by the “broken off” branches? Which group of people is represented by the “wild olive shoot”?
c. What happened to the wild olive shoot? What now nourishes and supports the wild olive shoot? (See verse 17.)
d. Why were the natural branches broken off? Why were the wild olive shoots grafted in? (See verse 20.)
e. “The fear of YAHveh is the beginning of wisdom.” Paul has a very adamant warning to bring godly fear into the hearts of the Gentiles, that they might not lose YAHveh’s blessings. What are the Gentiles (the wild olive shoots) warned against in this passage? (See verses 18-25.) Write out the brief but powerful warning. This warning must become a motivating factor in our loving obedience to YAHveh’s mandate to bless the Jews.
f. Once again, is there any indication in this passage–the New Testament’s most clear teaching on the current condition of Israel–that the Bible is speaking of a “spiritual Israel”? Or is this passage speaking of literal Israel (i.e., the Jewish people)?
g. Paul warned the Gentiles not to be ignorant of a mystery so that they may not be conceited and be cut off more quickly than the Jewish branches. What is this mystery? Summarize Romans 11:25-32. Please note the concept of YAHshua’s mercy and stress that in your answer.
12. Please read chapter 8 of Holy to YAHveh. In this chapter, the text’s analysis of Romans 11 continues; it deals with a contrast between the nourishing sap that originates from the Hebrew root of the olive tree and what the text refers to as “syntho-sap.” As you read, please take detailed notes on what you learn regarding the nourishing “original sap” and “syntho-sap.”
Original Sap Syntho-Sap
13. At this point in your study, are you able to identify any examples of “syntho-sap” in current church culture-perhaps even in your own church? If so, list them below.
14. Now read chapter 9 of Holy to YAHveh. As you read this chapter, find at least five instructions to Gentile believers (also referred to as “engrafted branches” and “redeemed ‘wild olive branches’”). List these below.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
15. Now analyze yourself in light of that list. If you are a Gentile believer, are you carefully obeying all of the biblical mandates you’ve seen thus far concerning the Jews? Please prayerfully consider your attitudes and actions toward the “branches that were broken off so that you might be grafted in.” Consider your attitudes and actions toward the “holy Hebrew root” and its holy sap, which is to be your spiritual nourishment and fortification. Then write a paragraph below in response to what the Spirit reveals.
Questions for Group Discussion
For some in the group these biblical concepts may be already fully understood, embraced and seem fairly preliminary. However, for those who have never been taught these vital concepts they are worthy of everyone’s full attention. Many who have already embraced these truths will find through this week’s study that they will be better equipped to articulate and teach these truths to others which is part of our great commission. In each lesson, those who understand the teachings and concepts will be a blessing to group members who are new comers to the holy Hebrew root. YAHveh has brought together a diversified group of people so each can function in His purposes for the edification and building up of a holy temple of living stones.
1. We learned last week that YAHveh is in the process of building a holy, living temple. According to Ephesians 2:19-22 and 1 Peter 2:4-5, what is this building and of what is it to be composed?
2. YAHveh’s plan was for Jews and Gentiles to be fellow members of one body and fellow partakers of the promise in Messiah YAHshua (Ephesians 3:6). Is this sovereign plan of the Almighty evident in the make-up of the body of Messiah today? Explain.
3. Many today teach, “Since the Jews rejected Messiah, God is finished with the nation of Israel.” How did this week’s study either confirm or refute this teaching?
4. Discuss the following Bible passages and how they address the issue of the place Israel holds in YAHveh’s heart and eternal plan.
a. Genesis 17:7-8
b. Jeremiah 31:3
c. Jeremiah 31:35-37
d. Isaiah 49:14-16
e. Romans 11:25-27
f. Romans 11:28-29
5. Open your Bibles to Romans 11. In verses 1-2a, how does the apostle Paul handle the question of whether or not YAHveh is finished with Israel?
6. What analogy does Paul give to describe what has happened to Israel?
7. In this analogy, what group of people is represented by the “broken off” branches? Why were these branches broken off?
8. What group of people is represented by the “wild olive shoot”? What happens to this group of people? Why?
9. According to the text in chapter 9, the process of grafting a wild branch into a cultivated tree is “contrary to nature.” Why is this? What do you think YAHveh is saying through this truth? What emotions do you think Gentile believers should feel, knowing that they have been “grafted in” in this manner?
10. What attitudes are Gentile believers warned against in Romans 11? Why?
11. According to Paul’s analogy in Romans 11, from what should Gentile believers be receiving their nourishment? What is to be their “holy root”? Contrast this nourishment with “syntho-sap,” referring to chapter 8 if necessary.
12. Name and discuss any examples of “syntho-sap” you see in the church today.
13. In chapter 9 the text states, “It’s time for a redeemed, humble remnant to tap into the holy Hebrew root in order to become spiritually healthy olive branches.” How might believers follow this vital instruction today?
14. As you learned in this lesson, YAHveh has a plan for Israel. Loving the Jewish people with an “everlasting love,” He longs for them to return to Him and to be grafted back in again. He longs for them to be part of His holy temple–“one new man”–Jews and Gentiles together in one body as He intended. At this point, do you understand YAHveh’s love for the Jewish people better than you did before?
15. The word reconciliation is vital to our understanding of what YAHshua accomplished in His sacrificial death. Discuss the concept of reconciliation-creating “one new man” for YAHveh’s glory.
16. In your closing prayers, each person should ask YAHveh to reveal to his or her heart any attitudes that are a result of “replacement theology.” With a broken, contrite, and repentant heart over having believed Satan’s lies, ask YAHshua to forgive you and to remove every vestige of “replacement theology” and its anti-Semitic roots. Then ask Him to fill you with His everlasting love and soundness of mind toward His chosen people.
|
