“…Thus shalt thou say unto
the children of Israel, The Lord God of your fathers, the God of Abraham,
the God of Isaac, and the God
of Jacob, hath sent me unto you: this
is my name for ever,
and this is my memorial unto all generations.”
Exodus 3:15
<><><><> MARCH 2006 <><><><>
<><><><><>
OUR
GOD BLESS US
AND
REMEMBER HIS COVENANT WITH ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB!
“Can a woman forget her sucking child,
that she should not have compassion on the son
of her womb?
yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget
thee.
Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms
of my hands;
thy walls are
continually before me. Thy children shall make haste;
thy destroyers and they that made thee waste
shall go forth of thee.”
Isaiah 45:15 - 17
“Thus saith the Lord GOD, Behold, I will lift up mine hand to
the Gentiles,
and set up my standard to the people: and they
shall bring thy sons in their arms,
and thy daughters shall be carried upon their
shoulders.”
Isaiah 45:22
<><><><><>
<>ALL MONTHLY EDITIONS ARE A
TRIBUTE<>
TO
<>THE GOD OF ISRAEL TAKING
BACK HIS UNIVERSE!<>
AND
<>MANIFESTING THE SECOND GREAT
EXODUS<>
<>OF THE SEED OF THE CHILDREN
OF ISRAEL<>
(Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that they shall no more say, The LORD liveth, which brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, which brought up and which led the seed of the house of Israel out of the north country, and from all countries whither I had driven them; and they shall dwell in their own land. - Jeremiah 23:7,8)
FOR
<><><><>HIS HOLY NAME’S SAKE<><><><>
And God said moreover unto
Moses, Thus shalt thou say
unto the children of Israel,
the LORD God of your fathers,
<>the God of Abraham, the God of
Isaac, and the God of Jacob,<>
hath sent me unto you:
<>this is my name for ever,<>
<>and this is my memorial unto all generations. <>
Exodus 3:15
Therefore say unto the house of Israel, Thus saith the Lord GOD;
I do not this for your sakes, O house of Israel, but for mine holy
name's sake, which ye have profaned among the heathen, whither ye went.
And I will sanctify my great name, which was profaned among the
heathen,
which ye have profaned in the midst of them; and the heathen shall know
that I am the LORD, saith the Lord GOD,
when I
shall be sanctified in you before their eyes.
Ezekiel 36:22,23
<><><>
“And it shall come to pass in that day, that the Lord shall set his
hand again
the second time to recover the remnant of his people, which shall be
left,
from Assyria, and from Egypt, and from Pathros, and from Cush,
and from Elam, and from Shinar, and from Hamath, and from
the islands of the sea. And he
shall set up an ensign for the nations,
and shall assemble the outcasts of Israel, and gather together
the dispersed of Judah from the four corners of the earth.”
Isaiah 11:11,12
“Therefore, behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that it shall no more be said, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel out of the land of Egypt; But, The LORD liveth, that brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north, and from all the lands whither he had driven them: and I will bring them again into their land that I gave unto their fathers.”
Jeremiah 16:14,15
<><><><><>
ESTABLISHED FOR
THE RECOGNITION, EXALTATION,
AND PRAISE OF
THE MOST HIGH GOD OF
ABRAHAM, ISAAC, AND JACOB
AND HIS EVERLASTING BOOK OF
THE LAW
<><><><><>
“Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness,
and thy law is the truth. Thou art near, O LORD;
and all thy commandments are truth
Concerning thy testimonies,
I have known of old that thou hast founded them for ever.
Thy word is true from the beginning:
and every one of thy righteous judgments endureth for ever.”
Psalm 119:142,151,152,160
“For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them,
as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for?
And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments
so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day?”
Deuteronomy 4:7,8
“Thus saith the LORD; Cursed be the man that trusteth in man,
and maketh flesh his arm, and whose heart departeth from the LORD.”
Jeremiah 17:5
<><><>
“The LORD is well
pleased for his righteousness’ sake;
he will magnify the law, and make it honourable.”
Isaiah 42:21
“Now these are the commandments, the statutes, and the judgments,
which the Lord your God commanded to teach you, that ye might
do them in the land whither ye go to possess it:
That thou mightest fear the Lord thy God,
to keep all his statutes and his commandments,
which I command thee, thou, and thy sons and thy son’s son,
all the days of thy life; and that thy days may be prolonged.
Hear therefore, Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with
thee,
and that ye may increase mightily,
as the Lord God of thy fathers hath promised thee,
in the land that floweth with milk and honey.”
Deuteronomy 6:1 - 3
<><><>
“O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the Lord.”
Jeremiah 22:29
COME<>OFTEN<>TO<>LEARN<>ABOUT
THE<>TRUE<>AND<>LIVING<>GOD!
<><><>
EXALTATION OF THE MOST HIGH GOD OF ISRAEL:
“Unto thee, O God, do we give thanks, unto thee do we give
thanks:
for that thy name is near thy wondrous works declare.”
Psalm 75:1
“Thou, even thou, art to be feared:
and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?
“Vow, and pay unto the LORD your God:
let all that be round about him bring presents unto him that ought to be feared.”
Psalm 76:7,11
“I will remember the works of the LORD:
surely I will remember thy wonders of old.
“I will meditate also of all thy work, and talk of thy
doings.
“Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary: who is so great a God as our God?”
Psalm 77:11 - 13
*****
A
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT OF THE LAWKEEPERS, CO.:
THE TWELFTH
MONTH OF THE HEBREW CALENDAR
A continuation
of the calendar dates from the prior month indicates that our New Month begins on
the “Fourth Day” (Wednesday, March 1st on the Gregorian
calendar). If this is correct, the
Hebrew calendar for the Twelfth month, assuming that the Twelfth month carried
thirty days, would appear as follows:
|
Twelfth Month |
2005 –
2006 |
|||||
|
First
Day |
Second
Day |
Third
Day |
Fourth
Day |
Fifth
Day |
Sixth
Day |
Sabbath |
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
|
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
9 |
10 |
11 |
|
12 |
13 |
14 |
15 |
16 |
17 |
18 |
|
19 |
20 |
21 |
22 |
23 |
24 |
25 |
|
26 |
27 |
28 |
29 |
30 |
|
|
If all the New
Moon occurrences coincide with the calendar presentations of the last two
months then our next month of “Aviv” would begin on or about the Sixth Day at
sundown (Friday night, March 31st).
Once again let’s see if these dates are accurate.
“Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the
time appointed,
on our solemn feast day.”
Psalm 81:3
“Also in the day of your
gladness, and in your solemn days,
and
in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over
your burnt offerings, and over the sacrifices of your peace offerings; that
they may be to you for a memorial before your God:
I
am the LORD your God.”
Numbers 10:10
Shalom and Shalom,
Yehudah ben Yacob,
President
*******
Tribute to the New Moon Revised:
The service of this solar/lunar calendar of TORAH READINGS is by definition using the “LIGHTS” of the sun and moon, according to Genesis 1:14, to number the “days” of each month. And the dark phases of the moon cooperatively provide a break between the months. If there were no dark phases of the moon, we would have a tough time determining when one month ended and when another would begin. The Hebrew New Year is, thus, determined by the “LIGHTS” in the Heavens and not by the “sighting of barley.” Please see the “TORAH READINGS CALENDAR” for more information.
***
“For as the new heavens and
the new earth, which I will make, shall remain before me, saith the LORD, so shall
your seed and your name remain.
“And it shall come to pass,
that from one new moon to another, and from one sabbath to another, shall all
flesh come to worship before me,
saith the LORD.”
Isaiah 66:22,23
<<<PLEASE TAKE PART IN THE NEW
MOON WATCH>>>
<<<For The First Day of the “HEBREW” Month>>>
IF “SIGHTED,”
And if it’s not the evening of GOD’s Holy Seventh Day Sabbath of
COMPLETE REST or other Holy Day,
please report your evidence (day, date, and time) to:
thelawkeepers@yahoogroups.com
START THE NEXT NEW MOON WATCH ON THE EVENINGS OF
<<<FEBRUARY 27,28, MARCH 1, 2006>>>
BY LOOKING IN THE “WEST” JUST ABOVE THE HORIZON.
“He appointed the moon for seasons…”
Psalm 104:19
The first “Sign” in the Heavens to provide the start of days, years and “seasons” can only begin with the “Sighting” of the New Moon Crescent - that which we can “see” in order for it to serve as a “Sign” and enable us to begin counting our days and months. Just imagine not being able to “see” the moon at all. How then could it be appointed for a “Sign” or for “seasons”?
“The natural thought might be that the moon is like a living being. It is born, grows, reaches maximum size, then fades and dies, going through all these stages in one month. Even today, we still talk of the thin crescent in the western sky as a new moon and the thin crescent in the eastern sky a month later as the old moon. Half way between is the full moon. As I explained earlier, this cycle of phases of the moon established the month as a unit of time, and the first calendars were based on this.” ISAAC ASIMOV’S GUIDE TO EARTH AND SPACE, pages 79 and 80
In that the King of Israel is
supposed to be a “Righteous Judge”
(II Chronicles 1:11), it stands to reason that he is also supposed to be a “Righteous Role Model.” Thus, if the King that GOD appoints over
Israel observes a “feast” on the day of
the New Moon, then wisdom tells the Nation of Israel to do likewise. King
Saul and the anointed David observed this service (I Samuel 20th Chapter).
To their and our hurt our forefathers worshipped all manner of symbols: the sun, moon, stars, and images of gold and silver. To observe the “Sign” in the heavens as being the New Moon “Sighting” is NOT worshipping the moon, but rather it is doing as we are COMMANDED in Genesis 1:14:
“And God said, Let there be lights in the firmament of the heaven to divide the day from the
night; and let them be for signs, and
for seasons, and for days, and years:”
Some people feel that the moon has no “light,” but according to GOD’s WORD to HIS Prophets, it most certainly does: Isaiah 13:10; Isaiah 30:26; Jeremiah 31:35; Ezekiel 32:7.
***
“Sing aloud unto God our strength:
make a joyful noise unto the God of Jacob.
“Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel, the pleasant harp with the
psaltery.
“Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed,
on our solemn feast day.
“For this was a statute for Israel, and a law of the God of Jacob.”
Psalm 81:1 - 4
(A Psalm of Asaph, the Seer –
one who should be well informed about GOD’s Ways)
“Also in the day of your gladness, and in your solemn days, and in the beginnings of your months, ye shall blow with the trumpets over your burnt offerings,
and over the
sacrifices of your peace offerings; that they may be to you for a memorial before your God: I am the LORD your God.”
Numbers 10:10
Contrary to the belief of some Israelites, the moon does indeed shine! Whether the Moon shines on its own or with the aid of the sun, IT STILL SHINES! And the fact that Scripture attests to this fact, is what’s important: Isaiah 60:19; Jeremiah 31:35; and Ezekiel 32:7. Therefore, Genesis 1:14 is proof enough that we must use the shining New Moon Crescents as “…SIGNS, AND FOR SEASONS, AND FOR DAYS, AND FOR YEARS:”
Some Israelites, along with White Jews, use the dark phase of the moon to determine the start of a new month. If the dark phase of the moon lasts for “2-3 days,” then which of these days is supposed to be the distinguishing “Sign” that determines the First Day of the month? Or do we just arbitrarily select either/or depending on the imaginations of our hearts?
On the contrary, with the use of the sighted “Sign” of the New Moon Crescent in the Heavens we eliminate any confusion as to which day IS the First Day of the month.
“So David hid himself in the field: and WHEN THE NEW MOON WAS COME, the king sat him down to eat meat.” I Samuel 20:24
At the time of the dark phases of
the moon (generally 2-3 days), as previously written, there is no “moon” in
SIGHT. Therefore, I Samuel 20:24 sheds
more light on Genesis 1:14. “WHEN THE NEW MOON WAS COME,” is
clearly telling readers that this is a reference to a visible “Moon Crescent
Sighting” - the light in the
firmament…i.e., the “Sign” for (lunar) days. Thus, if we are to count all the lunar days (29.5) in a month, it
only makes sense to start counting from the New Moon Crescent “when the New
Moon was come” and NOT from the dark phases at the end of the month, which do
not emit any “sign” or “light” in the heavens.
The only problem that presents itself when using the “New Moon Sighting” to call the First Day of the month is cloud coverage, as this prevents the ability to see the New Moon Crescent. Nonetheless, when “Sighted,” one can easily distinguish the New Moon Crescent from all the other phases due to its thin sliver and its low position in the heavens. And the reason is that no two days or rather phases of the visible moon are alike. Hence, to use the New Moon Crescent as the “Sign” in the heavens, as we are COMMANDED to do for our seasons, days, and years, negates the belief that the “commandment was given to the luminaries.” The “luminaries” fulfill GOD’s Commandments: the sun shines and the moon orbits the Earth. They have no need to determine seasons, days, and years. Hence, our New Moons are obviously of more spiritual significance to the Nation of Israel than we are aware. And for sure, the TRUTH concerning them are in GOD’s WORD to HIS Prophets/Seers - not the White Jews or other Gentiles. All we need do is use wisdom, discern what’s written in Scripture, accept it, and act accordingly!
“Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,
“Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.” II Chronicles 8:12,13
Unless there is an emergency, please try not to buy or sell on this day. Conduct all financial and business transactions prior to the day of the New Moon. Interesting enough, II Kings 4:23,24 constitutes the New Moon as being a day to seek “the man of God.” Although the New Moon is NOT a Day of Rest, Our GOD did set it aside for recognition:
“Blow up the trumpet in the new moon, in the time appointed, on our solemn feast day.” Psalm 81:3
“And it shall come to pass, that from one new moon to another, and from one Sabbath to another, shall all flesh come to worship before me, saith the LORD.” Isaiah 66:23
“…When will the new moon be gone, that we may sell corn?…” Amos 8:5
Probably, the Scripture that most determines and clarifies the fact that our New Moons are Feast Days is Ezekiel 45:17:
“And it shall be the prince’s part to give burnt offerings, and meat offerings, and drink offerings, in the feasts, and in the NEW MOONS, and in the Sabbaths, in ALL SOLEMNITIES of the house of Israel: he shall prepare the sin offering, and the meat offering, and the burnt offering, and the peace offerings, to make reconciliation for the HOUSE OF ISRAEL.” (Caps. are mine.)
Unequivocally, our New Moons are included in these “SOLEMNITIES” mentioned in Ezekiel 45:17.
“Likewise the people of the land shall worship at the door of this gate before the LORD in the Sabbaths [Feasts – NOT 7th Day Sabbaths*] and in the NEW MOONS.” Ezekiel 46:3 (Brackets are mine.)
Thereby, this verse justifies the First Day of each month being our
“Feast” Day. It should be realized
that the Feast Days that Our GOD selected (Leviticus 23rd Chapter) are “Holy
Convocations,” i.e., on these days we cannot do any work. However, because King Saul observed the New
Moon as a Feast Day, we have every reason to do so, as well. We
also have learned that our forefathers traveled to the Temple to worship the
Holy ONE on the New Moon (II Kings 4:23; Ezekiel 45:17; and Ezekiel 46:1), and
when HE has HIS Temple rebuilt, then we will again be able to resume this
service and worship.
When we return to our heritage and worship YIHOVAH according to HIS Ways, then we can establish our own “Calendar of the Universe,” whereby, the days of the New Moon and all GOD’s Holy Days will be recognized by the whole entire World. And I am sure that it will be the desire of the Righteous Remnant and ALL the world to make a Feast to the Most High GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel every First Day of the Month.
ALSO, I believe that if Lot (Genesis 19:3) and Abraham (Genesis 21:8) can proclaim “Feasts,” then there is no stipulation for NOT establishing Feast Days, as we so desire. Therefore, to proclaim a feast to EXALT the Holy ONE of Israel on the First Day of each month is quite acceptable - given the Scripture (above) regarding worshipping Our LORD GOD of ISRAEL, Our SAVIOR, on the New Moons. We should know that throughout the Tanakh Hebrew Israelites called for “feasts” for various occasions. Therefore, we are within our rights to observe a Feast every New Moon to Our GOD, the GOD of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob/Israel. And those of us who love this WONDERFUL GOD and who choose HIM to EXALT HIM for being the ONLY LORD and SAVIOR can be at liberty to use the day of the New Moon to show forth HIS PRAISE in a “feast” and worship HIM in Jerusalem FOREVER.
“And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the ark of the covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and [he] made a feast to all his servants.”
I Kings 3:15
*Leviticus 23:24,39 (Sabbaths of Feasts)
*******
A Tribute to GOD’s “HOLY” Seventh Day Sabbath of Complete REST - HIS WEEKLY ANNIVERSARY OBSERVANCE and SIGN between HIM and Israelites for HIS CREATION of the Heavens and the Earth:
“REMEMBER THE SABBATH DAY, TO KEEP IT HOLY”
Exodus 20:8
“See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.” Exodus 16:29
“And Moses gathered all the congregation of the children of Israel together, and said unto them, These are the words which the LORD hath commanded, that ye should do them.
“Six days shall work be done, but on the
seventh day there shall be to you an holy day, a sabbath of rest to the LORD:
whosoever doeth work therein shall be put to death.” Exodus
35:1,2
“Six days shall work be done: but the seventh day
is the sabbath of rest, an holy convocation [“HOLY DAY”]; ye shall do no work
therein: it is the sabbath of the LORD in all your dwellings.” Leviticus
23:3
“Six days may work be done; but in the seventh
is the sabbath of rest, holy to the LORD: whosoever doeth any work in the
sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel
shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations,
for a perpetual covenant. It is a sign between me and the children of Israel
for ever: for in six days the LORD made heaven and earth, and on the seventh
day he rested, and was refreshed.”
Exodus 31:15 - 17
“And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Genesis 2:2,3
Significantly, in the beginning when the Holy ONE of Israel established
this Sabbath Day of COMPLETE REST and when HE clearly COMMANDED the Children of
Israel in the Wilderness to observe this Holy Day, HE MADE NO EXCEPTIONS!
If “ALL” GOD’s COMMANDMENTS are sure, then for sure, we must give
credence to Exodus 16:29 and abide in our places on GOD’s HOLY Seventh Day of
Complete REST as we are COMMANDED TO DO!
“He hath shewed his people the power of his works, that he may give them the heritage of the heathen. The works of his hands are verity and judgment; all his commandments are sure.” Psalm 111:7
GOD’s Holy Seventh Day Sabbath of REST is not only one of HIS Greatest
WORKS of all time, but this Holy Day is an extraordinary “SIGN” between this
Most High GOD, the CREATOR and HIS Chosen People, the Children of Israel! This Seventh Day also marks the Anniversary
of GOD ending the Creations of the Heavens, Earth, man, and all that is
therein.
“Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, and all the host of them. And on the seventh day God ended his work which he had made; and he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. And God blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it: because that in it he had rested from all his work which God created and made.” Genesis 2:1 - 3
“And he said unto them, This is that which the LORD hath said, Tomorrow is the rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD: bake that which ye will bake today, and seethe that ye will seethe; and that which remaineth over lay up for you to be kept until the morning.
“See, for that the LORD hath given you the sabbath, therefore he giveth you on the sixth day the bread of two days; abide ye every man in his place, let no man go out of his place on the seventh day.” Exodus 16:23,29
CONCERNING “HOLY CONVOCATION”
The issue stemming from the meaning of “Holy Convocation” written in Leviticus 23rd Chapter is real, and the interpretation is grossly misunderstood. “Holy Convocation” does not mean “To Gather.” And the sin committed by traveling and gathering on the CREATOR’s Holy Sabbath of Complete REST has grave consequences (Exodus 31:12 - 18).
Conclusive evidence that “holy convocation”
DOES NOT mean to assemble is provided in the passage on Passover. In Exodus 12:16 we are told that Passover
is a “holy convocation” but yet, we are Commanded to observe this High Holy Day
with our immediate families and only to join with another family if one’s
members are too few for the lamb (Exodus 12:4). This proves without a doubt that “holy convocation” cannot mean to
assemble, but rather to keep the holy days “HOLY.” Some call attention to the fact that because Israelites were
Commanded to ”…turn in the morning and go into their tents” (Deuteronomy 16:5-7) that this is proof of
an assembly. Those Israelite families
that joined with others are the ones GOD Commanded to return to their tents.
The Holy ONE of Israel DOES NOT contradict HIMSELF! HE would not COMMAND us to “Rest” on the Sabbath Day of Rest and also Command us to “abide ye every man in your place on the seventh day,” and then confuse us by telling us to “assemble” on the “rest of the holy sabbath unto the LORD.” This would make absolutely no sense whatsoever. Therefore, if the Holy ONE of Israel said don’t bear a burden on the Sabbath Day of Rest (Jeremiah 17:21,22) and that our asses (used for travel) had to also rest, then for sure we have to “abide in our places…on the seventh day.” Thus, using our cars and paying tolls and public transportation on GOD’s Holy Seventh Day of Rest is absolutely forbidden! And walking to the Temple or to any meeting place was and still is out of the question all because GOD’s Seventh Day is specifically to be kept as a DAY of “COMPLETE REST” - Shabatone (as is written in Hebrew).
The wise, obedient ones understand the great importance of observing this Seventh Day of Rest exactly as GOD Commanded and will not add to or diminish from this Law of the “Blessed,” “Sanctified,” and “Holy” Seventh Day Sabbath.
*******