Your Daily Bread for March 3-9, 2024

Welcome to Your Daily Bread for March 3-9, 2024 by Dr Apelu Poe!

Key Torah Code for this Third Week of the Lent or Preparation Season: “Tazria” (If a woman conceives): Leviticus 12:1-13:59

Basic Principle of Our Judaic-Christian Faith:

Our God deals with each one of us measures for measures; he blesses those who keep his commands, but he punishes those who transgress his commands.

“The first Bible code prediction had already been fulfilled. The fall of the very symbol of our economic power, the World Trade Center, and the attack on the very symbol of our military power, the Pentagon, made the predicted dangers look all too real. On September 11, 2001, after I had seen the attack on the World Trade Center after I found it perfectly encoded in the Bible, I retrieved my copy of that sealed letter. When I read it, it shook me.” 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! Congratulations 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 from March 3-9, we are now entering the third week of the Lent or Preparation season.

What is the Lent or Preparation season? The Lent or Preparation season is the sixth season of the 2023-2024 Christian year calendar. It does not have a festival because everything looks forward to the Easter festival. Just as the name itself suggests, Lent or Preparation season is the time that we are called to prepare ourselves spiritually for the holy suffering of Jesus on the cross.

Therefore, it is a time of prayer and fasting, a time to draw closer to God, knowing that it is our sin that sent Jesus to the cross. The Biblical basis for this is found in Mark 2:20 where it says, “The days will come when the bridegroom is taken away from them, and then they will fast on that day.”

Before we take a look at this week’s Torah portion, let me also say “thank you” to all of you, my regular readers. You’re a fantastic community of believers made up of Jews, Christians, and Islamists, as well as people of other faiths. You are amazing because you take the time to access my teaching on Facebook and LinkedIn.

It is, indeed, a great inspiration for me to see that so many of you around the world have been following my teaching on social media from week to week. I call my Torah gift for you this week “Your Daily Bread for March 3-9, 2024.”

Why am I saying this? Well, for those of you who have been following 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 to best 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 third week of the Lent or Preparation season? Well, the first and foremost is self-realization. Why self-realization? Because life transformation begins with precisely that: self-realization.

I’m sure you will agree with me that to address any concern or any challenges that we face in our life today, we must, first of all, identify what is at the heart, the root of those challenges.

Without that, we will never be able to come up with an adequate or appropriate strategy that will resolve our challenges.

A classic case that illustrates the truth of this statement, one can see, in the reported death of Alexei Navalny, Russia’s most prominent opposition leader who collapsed and died in prison, on Friday, February 16.

Here’s what we know and what we don’t know about the life of Alexei Navalny. Navalny was the fiercest domestic opponent of President Vladimir Putin.

His supporters said they could not confirm he was dead, but that if he was then they believed he had been killed by the state.

UK security minister Tom Tugendhat echoed this, saying Putin’s regime “murdered” Navalny “to silence him”. Foreign Secretary Lord David Cameron added, “no one should be in any doubt about the dreadful nature of Putin’s regime in Russia after what has just happened”.

Russia’s prison service said Navalny collapsed and died on Friday after a walk at the "Polar Wolf" prison, above the Arctic Circle, where he was serving sentences totalling more than 30 years.

The Federal Penitentiary Service of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District said Navalny felt unwell after the walk and lost consciousness almost immediately.

"All necessary resuscitation measures were carried out, which did not yield positive results," the service said in a statement, adding causes of death were being established.

His family and spokesperson have said they have been told they must wait for 14 days before Navalny's body will be released.

Why am I sharing this story about Alexei Navalny’s mysterious death with you on this third week of the Lent season?

Because it helps reiterate the fact that life transformation begins when we realize what is at the root of the challenges that we face in the world today.

Without that, we will never be able to understand that our salvation is God’s gift to us, his children.

But it is certainly not a cheap one because it cost Jesus’ life on the cross.

How do we know that? Well, listen, again, to the prophet Isaiah’s testimony, “Who has believed what we have heard…He was despised and rejected by men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief; and as one from whom men hide their faces, he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we esteemed him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted for our transgressions” (Isaiah 53:1-5).

Remember, the cross is the severe punishment the Roman government designed for its criminals. But our Lord, who has no sins, and does not deserve to be publicly humiliated, was hung on that cross because of your sins and mine.

So, what precisely is the point of the cross? The point of the cross is precisely that vicarious suffering of Jesus, the Son of God, that giving of oneself for others that through the depth of his death, opens for us the way to eternal life. Whoever comes! And whoever believes!

And let me add, in the prayer that Jesus prayed on the cross while suffering excruciating pain, Jesus said, “Father God, please forgive them for they know not what they have done. For their sake, I sacrificed myself.”

The second benefit that my Torah gift will give you this week is a greater sense of moral clarity. It’ll help you develop a greater sense of moral clarity that will enable you to know what to do and what not to do.

Why is that important to us at such as morally and spiritually challenging time as this? Because the biggest problem that we face in our lives today is a lack of moral clarity.

Moral clarity is needed not only to avoid confusion in decision-making, but also in cherishing beautiful moments, or in avoiding crisis. Moral clarity is the reshaping of thoughts based on your awareness of what is right and what is wrong for the betterment of life. It improves the essence and quality of life.

Perhaps it is for this reason that on Sunday, February 18, Mexicans turn out in droves to ‘protect democracy ahead of their election.

Huge crowds filled Mexico City's main square on Sunday in support of the nation's electoral authority, accusing President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador of trying to weaken the body ahead of a presidential election in June.

The protests, one of several in recent years meant to "protect" the National Electoral Institute (INE), come after Lopez Obrador sent a sweeping package of constitutional reforms to Congress, which would include an overhaul of the INE.

Organizers said 700,000 people turned out, which could mark one of the largest protests against Lopez Obrador as his administration comes to a close.

The Mexico City government, which is controlled by Lopez Obrador's MORENA party, said just 90,000 people attended. The disparity in counting turnout has also occurred at previous pro-INE demonstrations.

Lopez Obrador has made it no secret the package is meant to influence debate before the June 2 voting in which his political successor Claudia Sheinbaum is likely to win, though the president has said it is unlikely most reforms will pass.

Protesters on Sunday accused Lopez Obrador of meddling in an attempt to concentrate power in the hands of his party's government, though Lopez Obrador has said he will respect the results of the election.

Demonstrators also used the protests to speak out against other hallmarks of Lopez Obrador's administration, including what they allege is a failure to curb widespread violence and social spending programs.

Listen again to Maria de Lopez’s words,

"The current government is leading us to catastrophe. To be afraid of going out on the streets, to be afraid our money will no longer be enough; that is why I came out to protest."

It is no wonder why God wants us to be quite clear on what we should and should not do. Listen, again, to Paul’s reminder to us, “For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” (2 Timothy 1:7). “Say to those with fearful hearts,” the prophet Isaiah said, “Be strong, do not fear; your God will come, he will come with vengeance, with Divine retribution, he will come to save you” (Isaiah 35:4).

The third benefit that my Torah gift will give you this week is self-confidence. It’ll help you develop your self-confidence or your cognitive competence so that you can overcome any challenges or difficulties that you face in your position of leadership.

Why the need to develop your self-confidence or cognitive competence at a time when we witness the world in crisis?

These are the skills associated with the acquisition of knowledge and the processing of information through thought, such as reasoning, intuition, perception, imagination, inventiveness, creativity, problem-solving, and oral and written expression.

Perhaps it is for this reason that on Monday, February 19, Ukraine’s Prime Minister, Denys Shmyhal spoke with Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida during the Japan-Ukraine Conference for the promotion of economic growth and Ukraine reconstruction when it is still at war with Russia.

Japan was hosting a conference for Japanese and Ukrainian officials to discuss the reconstruction of Ukraine just ahead of the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion, while the U.S. and other Western countries are still focusing on military aid for the battlefield.

The conference was co-organized by the Japanese and Ukrainian governments, Japan’s powerful business organization Keidanren, and the Japan External Trade Organization, or JETRO.

Japan hopes the conference helps build support for Ukraine as the war drags on after two years, at a time when attention has been diverted to the situation in Gaza. Officials in Tokyo say the global community should unite in supporting Ukraine to show that using force against other countries will not be tolerated.

Japan expressed its continued support of all phases of Ukraine's reconstruction, from its initial emergency recovery to economic reconstruction and industrial development.

It is no wonder why the author of the Book of Hebrews urged us, saying, “Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised,” (Hebrews 10: 35-36).

The fourth benefit that my Torah gift will give you this week is inner strength. It’ll help you develop your inner strength. How? By putting your complete trust in the hand of God.

You must read the sign or the trends of the time, you must focus on the must do, not the want or the like, but the must do. And you must manage the risk involved as best you can.

To do that, you must persevere and not give up easily. You must exert the utmost power of your mind. If one way does not lead to the desired outcome, take another; if obstacles arise, then still another; until your inner strength holds out.

A classic example here is Alexei Navalny’s widow, Yulia who is facing daunting challenges in Russia but refuses to give up.

For years, Yulia Navalnava was a near-constant presence by her husband's side. At political protests and court hearings, she would be there, often holding his hand.

In 2020 when Alexei Navalny was poisoned with a nerve agent, it was Yulia who pushed for clearance to fly him abroad for life-saving treatment. And now he has died alone and far from her in an Arctic prison.

She blames Russian President Vladimir Putin for that and is calling on Russians to stand beside her now in fighting him.

The video statement Yulia Navalnaya posted online on Monday was a deliberate, and dramatic, step into the political spotlight.

Her love for her husband is so strong, and her grief still so raw, that the recording is painful to watch in parts. But it is very compelling.

Navalny's widow describes herself as being torn in two, her heart broken. But it's her fury that's driving her to continue her husband's cause.

She says she wants to realize his "beautiful Russia of the future", so that his "unthinkable" death won't have been in vain.

It is no wonder why David leaves us with these words of encouragement, "My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever" (Psalm 73:26).

The fifth benefit that my Torah gift will give you this week is a heightened sense of gratitude and heartfelt appreciation. It’ll help you enhance your sense of “thank you” and heartfelt appreciation, knowing that although things are not perfect in our world today, we should not lose hope.

Why? Because our God is enough and has enough to provide for our needs.

Perhaps this is why voters here in the United States are feeling better about the economy.

Listen, again, to this one American voter by the name of Nancy Pontius who on Monday, February 19, said that she was not worried about the “big picture economy.”

Nancy Pontius is ready to share an unpopular view: she doesn't think inflation is a major issue and says concerns about the economy won't influence her vote in November's election.

But that's not because the 36-year-old Democrat hasn't felt the same financial strain as tens of millions of Americans over the past couple of years.

"I felt the gas price increase," the mum-of-two from Pennsylvania says, "but I also recognized that it was likely to be temporary."

Ms Pontius voted for Joe Biden four years ago and plans to do so again, motivated by issues like abortion. "I'm not worried about the big picture economy," she says.

Such confidence is welcome news for Mr Biden, whose first term has been troubled by a once-in-a-generation 18% leap in prices, which propelled economic dissatisfaction and eroded political support.

Democrats like Nancy are now as positive about the economy as they were in 2021, when prices had just started their climb - and more positive than at any point during the Trump presidency, according to the University of Michigan, which has surveyed consumers for decades. Even the views of Republican voters have brightened a bit, their research indicates.

It is no wonder why David exclaimed, saying, “O let’s give thanks to the Lord for he is good for his steadfast love endures forever; let all those redeemed by the Lord say so, whom he had redeemed from troubles” (Psalm 107:1-2).

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

Does it surprise you, then, 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 the Torah portion for March 3-9, (3rd week of the Lent season): Leviticus 12:1-13:59. In the Hebrew language (God’s sacred tongue) from which our English Bible translation was taken, this 3rd week’s Torah portion is called, “Tazria” translated as “If a woman conceives,” see Leviticus 12:1-2.

To understand this, one has to, first of all, identify the double references in the text. On a simple linguistic level intended primarily for the Jewish audience, the reading focuses on the code “Tazria” translated as “If a woman conceives.” Thus, in the opening part of the reading, we are told that if a woman conceives and gives birth to a child, then that woman, according to the Jewish tradition, should undergo a process of purification.

In the central part of the reading, we learn that if the child turns out to be a male, then the woman shall be unclean for 7 days. On top of that, the woman shall remain unclean for 33 more days which is symbolic of the 40 days of Lent in which we are made aware of our sins and, therefore, our need for purification.

Please note that this so-called law of ritual impurity and purity requires immersing in a naturally gathered pool of water and bringing offerings to the Holy Temple. All male infants are to be circumcised on the eighth day of life. Also included in this week’s Torah portion is a supra-natural plague, often referred to as leprosy, which also can afflict garments.

Indeed, on a profound theological level, this 3rd week’s Torah portion, “Tazria” translated, as “If a woman conceives,” has an important message to us, the Church, and the Body of Christ. This message is evident when the Torah portion is interpreted in the context of this third week of the Lent or Preparation season. And that is, our God deals with each one of us measure for measure. Our God blesses those who keep his commandments, and he punishes those who transgress his commands.

Consider, for example, how faithful and truthful God is, in carrying out his promise made to the serpent in the Garden of Eden. “I will put enmity between you and the woman and between your seed and her seed; he shall bruise your head, and you shall bruise his heel,” (Genesis 3:15). This means that Jesus, the Messiah, will come to us through the seed of a woman, not a man.

How do we know that? Listen, again, to this week’s text, “If a woman conceives and bears a male child, then she shall be unclean 7 days…” (Leviticus12:1-2). This is a clear reference to the 7 days of the Holy Week.

It is no wonder why the prophet Isaiah assured us, saying, “Therefore, the Lord himself will give you a sign. Behold, a woman shall conceive and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel,” (Isaiah 7:14). That is what Isaiah had in mind when he said, “To us, a child is born, to us, a son is given,” (Isaiah 9:6).

Question: When was this promise that God made to the serpent in the Garden of Eden fulfilled? Answer: On Good Friday and Easter morning. On Good Friday, the devil nailed Jesus’ heels on the cross.

Listen, again, to Jesus’ cry on the cross in excruciating pain, “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me…” (Psalm 22:1).

No doubt, the devil thought that he had conquered Jesus once and for all. But on Easter morning, when God resurrected Jesus from the grave, the devil had never slept well since that day.

Perhaps, it is for this reason that Jesus put it this way, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the earth and dies, it remains alone, but when it dies, it bears much fruit,” (John 12:24).

Should you be interested in learning more in-depth study of the weekly Torah codes on which our lives turn, Book I, Volume 1 of my III Books Series: 11 Volumes was released on February 28 and shot to the #1 International Bestseller in three countries within 24 hours, reaching the #1 in the US in Christianity, Religion and Spirituality, with 4 #1 Hot New Releases and 3 #1 New Release Banners in Bible Study Guides, and Hermeneutics.

The book also peaked at #1 in Australia in Judaism, Jewish Sacred Writings and Old Testament Studies and made the #1 International Bestseller list in Great Britain in Religion, Exegesis, and Bible References. Here’s the link to get your copy of my #1 International Bestseller, “The Hidden Secrets of the Master’s Mind: How You Can Live with God’s Time”: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BWVMBSJP. You can reach me at [email protected]