This coming week, October 16-22 (21-27 Tishrei 5783), the Bible reading plan covers the portions Sukkot II and B’Reisheet (In The Beginning).
16 Oct Numbers 29:26-34 Malachi 1:1-4:6 Rev 19:11-20:15 Song of Songs 5:1-16 17 Oct Numbers 29:35-40 1 Kings 8:54-66 Rev 21:1-27 Song of Songs 6:1-13 Deuteronomy 14:22-16:17 18 Oct Deuteronomy 33:1-34:12 Joshua 1:1-2:24 Rev 22:1-21 Song of Songs 7:1-13 19 Oct Genesis 1:1-2:19 Joshua 3:1-4:24 Matthew 1:1-25 Song of Songs 8:1-14 20 Oct Genesis 2:20-3:21 Joshua 5:1-6:27 Matthew 2:1-23 Psalm 1:1-6 21 Oct Genesis 3:22-5:24 Joshua 7:1-8:22 Matthew 3:1-17 Psalm 2:1-12 22 Oct Genesis 5:25-6:8 Isaiah 42:5-43:10 Matthew 4:1-25 Psalm 3:1-8
Does “interfaith” mean what we think it means? Maybe not. That’s the question addressed in this concluding part of our interview with Adam Eliyahu Berkowitz of Israel365 News. He begins with an explanation of why genuine Jewish-Christian dialogue isn’t exactly a priority of those who call for interfaith understanding, and why they may actually oppose such a dialogue. This is another element presented in Eliyahu’s novel, The Master of Return and the Eleventh Light.
It may be that the real issue is one of identity. Does genuine Jewish-Christian dialogue proceed from an understanding of a shared identity of belief and trust in the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob? If so, then we share a heritage that goes back to Abraham, and that Abraham’s God calls us to remember. That’s the topic Barry Phillips and David Jones address in their midrash, “This Day Stones,” and that Melody Joy Cloud and Jimmie Black explore in music.
The Master of Return and Eliyahu’s other books are available at Root Source at the following links:
The Bible says the population of Messiah’s Kingdom comes from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. What is it that connects all those diverse people? It doesn’t seem possible that people from so many different nationalities, cultures, languages, and time periods could comprise a single nation unless they have a shared history of some kind that connects them across time and space. But then, the Bible also says there is such a connection. Maybe those who want to be citizens of Messiah’s Kingdom should learn what that connection is and see if there is a way to plug into it right now.
Deuteronomy 32:1-52; 2 Samuel 22:1-51; Exodus 15:1-21; Hosea 1:1-11; Matthew 13:33; Romans 11:11-15; 1 Peter 2:9-10, 4:12-19; Revelation 15:1-4
The Pharisees and the Saduccees Come to Tempt Jesus. James Tissot, 1886-1894, Brooklyn Museum.
The gospels record incidents when the authorities of the day tested Yeshua with hard questions taken from scripture. His answers demonstrated his intimate knowledge and understanding of the Word of God that enabled him to pass each test – sometimes to the embarrassment of the questioners. That’s what happened when the Sadducees asked a convoluted question about the resurrection. Yeshua responded not only with scripture about the resurrection, but also with a statement that his questioners probably considered offensive. The King James translation renders his words like this:
Jesus answered and said unto them, “Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”
Yeshua’s intent probably wasn’t to embarrass, but to challenge and exhort his questioners to go back and search the scriptures some more to discern what they might have missed. That’s the same challenge issued by many others, including Moses (Deuteronomy 6:4-9), David (Psalm 119:9-16), and Paul (2 Timothy 3:14-17). It’s a challenge they continue to give to us as we walk out the same promises they did.
Let’s take up that challenge of our spiritual ancestors together. The B’ney Yosef North America Bible Reading Plan is a tool created for that purpose. Starting with the Torah and Haftarah one-year cycle, this plan for the Hebrew year 5783 (2022-2023) incorporates readings from the rest of the Tanakh (Old Testament) and Apostolic Writings (New Testament) into a daily plan that covers the entire Bible over the course of the year. The start date is the same as the Torah cycle: the day after Simchat Torah (Celebration of the Torah) at the end of Sukkot, which this year falls on October 18.
If you are in search of an organized approach to the Word of God, maybe this can help. Whatever you do, please do get into the Word so that it can get into you!
THE BARKING FOX 