Your Daily Bread for April 16-22, 2023

Welcome to Your Daily Bread for April 16-22, 2023, by Dr. Apelu Poe!

Key Torah Code for this Week: “Beha’alotecha” (When you light [the lamp]): Numbers 8:1-12:16.

Basic Principle of Our Judaic-Christian Faith: You are the light of the world. As it is written, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do men light a lamp and put it under s bushel, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house.”

“What if the most ancient commentary was right? They were not what a human being had made, but the work of Heaven? It would be the first proof that we are not alone. I could not help but envision the moment we unearthed the monolith, obviously not of this world but here on Earth. The big question man had been asking since the dawn of time would be answered: there was other life in the universe, and it had once been here.” I’ll get to the point in a minute.

But, first, let me say Talofa, Welcome, and Shabbat shalom to you, my friends in the name of “Yeshua HaMashiach” Jesus the Messiah! And through the power of God’s Ruach HaKodesh (Holy Spirit). As they say in Samoan, Malo le soifua manuia! Faafetai fo’i le fai tatalo! Congratulation on your good health! Thanks also for the prayers. May our God always grant us his lovingkindness!

Getting back to the point. If you have followed God’s calendar, which dictates and foretells the events of our lives to which the above quote refers, you will know that we are now entering the first week of the Fellowship season. What is the Fellowship season? The Fellowship season is the eighth season of the 2022-2023 Christian year calendar, with Pentecost Sunday (May 28) as its festival. As the name suggests, Fellowship season is when we are called to enjoy a warm fellowship with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ’s name. The biblical basis that supports this can be found in Psalms 133:1, “Behold, how good and pleasant it is when brothers dwell in unity,”

Now before we take a look at this week’s Torah portion, let me also say “thank you” to all of you, my prayer warriors, and my dedicated supporters who supported the launching of my first book, The Hidden Secrets of the Master’s Mind: How You Can Live with God’s Time on February 28. Since its release, the book has reached the #1 International Bestseller ranking in several categories, including Christianity, Religion and Spirituality, Judaism, Jewish Sacred Writings, Hebrew Bible, Christian Old Testament Study, Bible References, and Bible Study Guides. This is not just here in the United States of America but also in Australia and the United Kingdom. Here’s the truth of the matter: I am just the instrument, the agent, the medium, the vehicle that God can use to perform miraculous acts, but the credit goes to you because it was you who put your complete trust in God that together we can make a big impact. So, unto God be the glory. It is, truly, a great inspiration for me to see that so many of you around the world have been following my teaching on social media, Facebook and Linkedin from week to week. I call my Torah gift for you this week “Your Daily Bread for April 16-22, 2023.”

Why am I saying this? Well, for those of you who have followed my teaching, I’m saying this because, as you might have noticed, I have been using this same gift that God has given me for the past 40 years to help guide the destiny of those whose spiritual welfare God has entrusted to me. And now that I have retired from the ordained ministry in July 2021, I want you to have free access to it. My pastoral desire is simply this: For you to be the person God has created you to be. My prayer, then, is that you would be able to live according to God’s time so that you may discern God’s Divine path for your life and how it is that God wants you to live to best receive his blessing and shine his holy light.

Your Benefits from My Torah Gift I Can Give You This Week

So what exactly can you expect from the Torah gift I’m giving you this first week of the Fellowship season? Well, the first and foremost is self-awareness. Why self-awareness? Because life transformation begins with precisely that: self-awareness. Until we are made aware of what we need to do to help make this world a better place for all of us, we will never be able to get out of this geo-political, socio-economic turmoil that we now find ourselves in, no matter where we are in the world today. Remember what we said, to address any concern or challenges we face in our life today, we must first identify what is at the heart, the root of those challenges. Without that, we will never be able to develop an adequate or appropriate strategy to resolve our challenges.

So the Torah gift I’m giving you this week will help you become aware of the fact that it is not enough just to say we are Jews or Christians. Or that we belong to such and such a Temple or church. Unless we invigorate our psyche, our character, and every fibre of our beings with the vision of what God has called us to do, namely, the building of his Tabernacle for which Jesus had dedicated his whole earthly ministry, to the point that that vision will become the focus of our lives, the object of our wills, the vista of our minds, the yearning of our hearts, we will never be able to build the House of God, or His Kingdom which we Christians refer to as the Body of Christ. How do we know that? Well, listen again to God’s word, “You shall take the offering for me, from every man whose heart makes him willing, you shall take the offering from me” (Exodus 25:1)

Question: What are we to do with this offering? Answer: “Make for me a sanctuary (a house or a home) so that I may dwell in your midst” (Exodus 25:8).

Please note that the Hebrew word “Bet” translated here as “house or home” may refer to a Jewish temple or a Christian church (a house of prayer or worship). Or a government (a house of politics). Or a business (a house of economics). Or a school (a house of learning). Or it may even refer to your family home (a house of residence). Now, take that “bet” or “house-home” concept to a larger sociological context, and you will come to understand what God had in mind when He said, “Make for me a sanctuary (a house or a home) so that I may dwell in your midst” was a global vision of His kingdom on earth made up of all these different houses. Here’s an important point to keep in mind. If any one key characteristic makes God’s house, home or kingdom stand out, it is a Divine sense of holiness (a sanctuary).

Unfortunately, that is not what we witness today. Look at what is going on in governments around the world. A total political dysfunction and turmoil. But that’s not all. Look at our business world. It has become a business world dictated by greed for power and money at the expense of the poor. Look at our schools or our house of learning; it has turned into places of immoral acts. What about our family homes? The same thing. Our family homes have lost their role as a place where values and respect are nurtured for our children. And the saddest thing is that even the Temple or the church has lost a sense of holiness. In most cases, they have become houses of social gathering characterised by moral corruption and spiritual decay.

It’s no wonder God called Moses and spoke to him from the tent of meeting, saying, “Speak to the people of Israel and say to them, When any man of you bring an offering to the Lord, you shall bring your offering” (Leviticus 1:1). But under one condition. “Without any blemish.” Why is that important? Because the house or the home that our God wants us to build for Him must be built following strict Divine specifications: sanctity or holiness.

What does that mean for you and me as Jews and Christians? It means that our house, whether it be our family residence, our house of government, our house of business, our house of learning, or our house of worship, does not really matter. What matters is that it must be characterized by a Divine sense of holiness.

The second benefit my Torah gift will give you this week is a greater sense of mental clarity. It’ll help you develop a greater sense of mental clarity to overcome any challenges and difficulties you may face in your life today. At the same time, eliminate all the negative or limiting beliefs that have prevented you from manifesting who God created you to be: a God-man or a God-woman.

How can we be sure of that? Read Genesis 4:1, ‘And Adam knew Eve, and Eve conceived, and bore Cain: a man with the help of God.’ Again, Eve conceived and bore Abel, Cain’s brother, following the same Hebraic formulation: “with the help of” God. However, it must be pointed out that the expression “with the help of” is not in the original Hebrew. All it has is a man-God or a God-man. What does that mean for us: Jews and Christians? It means that God wants us to know that the fact that God created us in His holy image means that we are God-man or God-woman endowed with God’s sense of Divine calling to do God’s will.

Listen, again, to God’s word recorded in Exodus 31:3, “I have called by name, Betzalel, the son of Uri, son of Hur from the tribe of Judah, and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, with ability and intelligence, with knowledge and all craftsmanship.” Here’s the moral. We will never live up to the full potential of God's inherent power within us until we learn who and whose we are: God-man and God-woman, endowed with Godly gifts of 10 sefirot or 10 radiances. How do we know that? Look, again, at what is going on in the world today. It does not take a rocket scientist to diagnose what is at the heart of all this war and bloodshed, this violence and social unrest, this political dysfunction, these economic disruptions…etc. etc. It is no wonder Jesus wept, saying, “If only you knew this day the things that made for shalom, wholeness, unity, prosperity, Divine harmony, unfortunately, they are hidden from your eyes.”

The third benefit that my Torah gift will give you this week is high motivation. It’ll help you to develop a high level of motivation. Why the need for a high level of motivation? Because in almost every aspect of human behaviour, you need a way to motivate yourself. When you make a decision, your choice is certainly influenced by your motivational state. Perhaps, it is for this reason that the apostle Paul put it this way, ‘But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me” (2 Corinthians 12:9).

The fourth benefit that my Torah gift will give to you this week is self-confidence. It’ll help you to nurture your self-confidence. Please try to understand me. When I say self-confidence, I’m not talking about being boastful or arrogant pride but an assured knowledge of who we are in Him! Our self-worth should be seen through the eyes of God, our creator. When you need a boost of self-esteem, there is no better place to turn to than the Torah or the law of God!

Why the Torah or the law of God when the world is in crisis? Because as David testified, “The Torah or the law of the Lord is perfect reviving the soul; the degree of the Lord is sure making wise the simple; the precepts of the Lord are right rejoicing the heart; the commandment of the Lord is clear enlightening the eyes; the fear of the Lord is pure enduring forever; the ordinances of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, even much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them, your servant is warned, and by keeping them there is great reward” (Psalm 19: 6-11).

The fifth benefit my Torah gift will give you this week is inner strength. It’ll help you to enhance your inner strength knowing that life is a mysterious enterprise, always fluctuating. The truth is, it is not easy to navigate ourselves through this rugged ground that we refer to as the Judaic-Christian way of life. But we find comfort in knowing that the Scripture provides valuable guidance on finding strength when you feel tired and overwhelmed. God intends His Word to comfort us in hard times and encourage our faith when we feel despair. Please note that Satan's goal is to make us feel weak and useless and ultimately destroy us. Perhaps, it is for this reason that Moses offers us his timeless words of wisdom, “Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you” (Deuteronomy 31:6).

The sixth benefit my Torah gift will give you this week is time management. It’ll help you to know why in the end, it’ll all come down to one word: TIME. Erich C. Dierdorff understands the truth of this statement when he wrote an article entitled, “Time Management is About More Than Life Hacks.” He points out certain things, like project creep, slipping deadlines, and a to-do list that seems to get longer each day. According to him, these experiences are too common in life and work. He leaves us with this suggestion, be more productive and focus only on what matters. Listen, again, to King Solomon, “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart, yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end” (Ecclesiastes 3:11).

The Historical Proof that Supports our Need for Your Daily Bread that Sustains Us Spiritually

Does it surprise you that our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, did not forget to remind us about these things? That is why last week you heard Jesus speaking to us, saying, “These are my words that I spoke to you while I was still with you that everything that is written about me in the Law of Moses [Torah] and the prophets and the psalms must be fulfilled…” (Luke 24:44). ). Jesus, then, did something which I thought was quite remarkable and quite extraordinary. He opened their minds to understand the Scriptures. Jesus said to them, “Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead and that repentance and forgiveness of sins should be preached in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And see, I am sending upon you what my Father promised; so stay here in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high” (Luke 24:45-49).

Overview Summary of this Week’s Torah Portion

With this in mind, let us look at this week’s Torah portion, Numbers 8:1-12: 16, to see the answer to our million-dollar question: What’s in it for me (WIIFM)? Remember our Lord’s Prayer where you hear Jesus asking Father God, “Our Father who art in heaven…Give us this day our daily bread.” That means every week; God gives us our daily bread, our weekly Torah portion that sustains us spiritually. So, in the Hebrew language (God’s sacred tongue) from which our English Bible translation was taken, this week’s Torah portion is called “Beha’alotecha” translated as “When you light the lamp,” see Numbers 8:1-2.

To understand this, one has to, first of all, identify the double references in the text. On a superficial linguistic level which is intended primarily for the Jewish audience, this week’s reading focuses on the code “Beha’alotecha,” “When you light [the lamp]. Thus, in the opening part of the reading, we hear God commanding Aaron to raise light in the menorah's lamps. In the central part of the reading, we learn that the tribe of Levi is initiated into the service in the Sanctuary. And that a “Second Passover is instituted in response to the petition “Why should we be deprived?”

Of particular importance to mention here is the fact that this petition was made by a group of Jews who were unable to bring the Passover offering at its appointed time because they were ritually impure. God then instructs Moses on the procedures for Israel’s journeys, encampments in the desert, and the people’s journey in formation. The people are dissatisfied with their “bread from heaven” (the manna), and demand that Moses supply them with meat. Moses appoints 70 elders, to whom he imparts his spirit, to assist him in governing the people. Miriam speaks negatively of Moses and is punished with leprosy. The reading ends with Moses praying for Miriam’s healing, and the entire community waits seven days for her recovery.

Indeed, on a profound theological level, this week’s Torah portion, “When you light [the lamp],” has an important message for us, the Church, and the Body of Christ. This message is evident when the portion is interpreted in the context of this first week of the Fellowship season. And that is, there is no time in the history of the church or the history of God’s people worldwide has there been a greater demand or a desperate need for enlightened leadership than today. Question: Do we have the evidence that supports the truth of my statement? Of course. We do. Look at the uncertain geopolitical situation that we are witnessing around the world. I’m talking about the war between Russia and Ukraine that has resulted in the loss of so many innocent lives. But that is not all. Look at the social unrest and the political turmoil in our countries, the deterioration of corporate fundamentals in our judicial systems and in our business world…etc. etc. Not one of us can still doubt that we now live in a world torn apart by war and bloodshed, a world characterised by divisions and racial discrimination, a world full of moral and spiritual corruption.

Where can we find the road that will lead us to a peaceful and harmonious world or one in which God’s children will learn to live together in the spirit of unity? The answer lies in the direction of our wrestling with God in creating a just and loving reality, a reality in our human soul and in the day-to-day world. How on earth will we be able to do that in a time dictated by greed for power and money? By welcoming Jesus to live in us, we may reflect his light in our lives. How do we know that? Listen, again, to our text for this week in which God commanded Moses. “Say to Aaron, when you light the lamps, the seven lamps shall give light in front of the lampstand” (Numbers 8:1-2).

Please note that:

(1) the word “lampstand” is a code or a metaphor for Jesus. Read Isaiah 11:1-2, and John 1:1-14,

(2) the word “Aaron” is also a code or a metaphor for anyone of us in a position of leadership or management

(3) Remember this basic principle of God’s word that underlies our privilege to serve: God did not give us the freedom to do what we want or what we like. God gave us only the right to be held responsible for the welfare of his creation.

It is no wonder the Lord God asked the prophet Isaiah a rhetorical question that did not require any answer. “Is it a small thing that you should be my servant? I have given you as a light to the nations so that my salvation may reach to the end of the earth” (Isaiah 49:6). Perhaps, it is for this reason that David exclaimed, saying, “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear,” (Psalm 27:1). Jesus, then, summarised it this way, saying, “You are the light of the world. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven,” (Matthew 5:14, 16).

Should you be interested in an in-depth study of the weekly Torah codes on which our lives turn, Book I, Volume 1 of my III Books Series: 11 Volumes, entitled, “The Hidden Secrets of the Master’s Mind: How You Can Live with God’s Time” was released on February 28. The book was published by Create & Write Publishing: A Division of the Master’s Mind International. Please use the following link to get your copy of the book on Amazon:

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BW2G3WZW?ref_=pe_3052080_397514860

You can reach me at [email protected]. Also, get your FREE copy of God’s calendar for this 2022-2023 ministry year that will help guide your faith journey.?