Returning to the Garden - Casting Seeds

New Moon? Full Moon? Is this verse a proof-text for the luni-solar calendar system? We examine the Scripture in depth in this psalm of Asaph to see what he is really speaking of - and to honestly see if the phase of the moon has a significant presence in this psalm for us to consider. Links: https://www.biblestudytools.com/bible-study/topical-studies/what-are-the-psalms-of-asaph.html https://enduringword.com/bible-commentary/psalm-81/ https://www.returningtothegarden.com https://www.returningtothegarden.com/store/p9/Biblical-Calendar-Then-and-Now.html https://www.returningtothegarden.com/sabbath-calendars.html

What is Chanukkah all about? Does this Jewish holiday have any importance to us as Bible-believing, Torah-keeping disciples of Y'shua the Messiah? And if we want to celebrate Chanukkah, should we keep it according to the Zadokite Sabbath Calendar? We answer these questions and more in this presentation by taking a thorough look at Scripture and history. There is much to appreciate about this holiday that speaks loudly to our faith and to "battling our adversaries"! https://www.returningtothegarden.com/zadokite-calendar.html

In this 2-part series, we cover the material that we presented at the First Harvest Ministries Sukkot 2023 gathering in Lake Guntersville, AL. Here we touch on more detail about this amazing ancient calendar system found in the Dead Sea Scrolls, including a snapshot of the history that caused its removal from rabbinical Judaism. We also address some common issues of confusion such as: When does the year begin? What is "intercalation", why and how do we do it? Why do our Bibles indicate that a month begins with the "new moon"? This second video of "An Overview of the Zadokite Sabbath Calendar" is rather lengthy, but we didn't want to disrupt the overall content by splitting it into shorter versions. This is a very comprehensive overview, and we anticipate producing more videos of shorter duration which will address very specific topics regarding the calendar in much more detail. In the meantime, be blessed and be a blessing! https://www.returningtothegarden.com/store/p9/Biblical-Calendar-Then-and-Now.html https://www.returningtothegarden.com/sabbath-calendars.html Email: billandkaren@returningtothegarden.com

In this 2-part series, we cover the material that we presented at the First Harvest Ministries Sukkot 2023 gathering in Lake Guntersville, AL. The audience there included some who were very familiar with the Zadokite Sabbath Calendar, and there were others who were not familiar with it at all. We did our best to give a good, solid overview of the calendar, including its simplicity, its history, and the beauty of its schematic structure in tandem with Yah's amazing creation! https://www.returningtothegarden.com/store/p9/Biblical-Calendar-Then-and-Now.html https://www.returningtothegarden.com/sabbath-calendars.html

What is the significance of this Holy Day? What are we really celebrating? We present our viewpoint with some storytelling from two top authors and their books. https://www.returningtothegarden.com https://www.returningtothegarden.com/sabbath-calendars.html https://www.skywatchtvstore.com/products/the-glimpses-of-glory-giveaway?_pos=2&_sid=f3795b3bf&_ss=r

In last week's reading, Jacob deceived Isaac into receiving the blessing of the firstborn. This week, his brother Esau shows up with savory meat for their father, expecting to be blessed as planned. So Jacob's trickery is discovered. He is sent away to his mother's brother to find a wife, and Isaac blesses him once again - this time with the Promise given to Abraham. Through all the deception and confusion in this story, we see how Yah's Will for His Promise of "The Seed (Y'shua)" is fulfilled in Isaac and Jacob due to Rebekah's steady and watchful presence. The readings in Micah and Romans really give us a true realization of the One who was prophesied and the One who came because of the story that started with Abraham and Sarah, then kept on track by Rebekah. https://www.returningtothegarden.com

We have two historical events that are noted in this week on the Zadokite Sabbath Calendar. They both encompass the rebuilding of the Temple and the walls around Jerusalem, covering a period of roughly 77 years all together (521BC - 444BC). These events clearly show us how amazing our Yah truly is! https://www.returningtothegarden.com/sabbath-calendars.html https://www.returningtothegarden.com/store/p9/Biblical-Calendar-Then-and-Now.html

This week's words come from the mouth of the Messiah himself, offering us a tremendous reassurance for the hope we have! https://www.returningtothegarden.com https://calmingharp.com https://www.youtube.com/@peregrinnatti

Part 6 completes this second subheading of chapter 1 in our book as we continue going through it page-by-page. We finish talking about the sod ("sode") level of interpretation by looking at Paul's use of the Greek word "mysterion". https://www.returningtothegarden.com https://www.returningtothegarden.com/store/p8/two-trees-complete-set.html

We see a "third witness" for Yah's Promise of the Seed in the Promised Land in this week's reading. The subtlety that is happening through Abraham and Sarah, Isaac and Rebekah is incredible in these stories when we see how YHWH is establishing a path of reconciliation and restoration - eventually Returning to the Garden! https://www.returningtothegarden.com

We look at how the apostle Paul compared and contrasted Scripture for his "Sod" level of teaching, keeping in mind that the secretive, heavenly nature of "Sod" must be discerned through the other levels of PaRDeS using the "rule of advancement." Through his round-about way of explaining things, Paul was teaching a highly spiritual understanding of God's Word, which is totally based in the Torah. https://www.returningtothegarden.com https://www.returningtothegarden.com/store/p8/two-trees-complete-set.html

We continue discussing the "Sod" level of understanding in Paul's writings, and how it is communicated through the Holy Spirit to anyone who follows God's Way of Righteousness and Truth. However, the contra spirit can be an incredible imitator, posing as a counterfeit voice. So discernment through understanding the other levels of PaRDeS meaning in Scripture is critical to avoid forming false doctrines. https://www.returningtothegarden.com https://www.returningtothegarden.com/store/p8/two-trees-complete-set.html

Abraham takes another wife, Keturah. Who is she, and when did he actually marry her? Was she a wife or a concubine? He has 6 more sons by her, and dies at the age of 175. In the meantime, Rebekah conceives after Isaac "entreats" the LORD regarding her 20 years of barrenness. She has twins in her womb, and there is way more to tell as this story unfolds! https://www.returningtothegarden.com

Y'shua has gone to prepare a place for us - He will be coming back for us - BELIEVE IT AND BE READY! https://www.returningtothegarden.com https://calmingharp.com https://www.youtube.com/@peregrinnatti

The prophet Nahum gives us our encouragement this week when Yah tells him that He will have vengeance on the wicked, AND He is a strong hold for those who trust in Him! The apostle Paul adds even more encouragement in his letter to the Colossians. https://www.returningtothegarden.com https://calmingharp.com https://www.youtube.com/@peregrinnatti

This week's study revolves around the story of Jacob wearing goat skins and deceiving his father into blessing him instead of his brother, Esau. There are some very fascinating nuances in this story to help us make sense of this incredible hoax - the success of which is absolutely necessary for propagating the eventual promise of the seed, Y'shua! https://www.returningtothegarden.com

Zephaniah gives us an exceedingly grim picture for "the day of the LORD" in his prophecy. We look to Psalm 50 and Psalm 20 to find our reassurance that we can count on the strength and grace of the LORD in that day! https://www.returningtothegarden.com https://calmingharp.com https://www.youtube.com/@peregrinnatti

Ezekiel has a vision for the elders of Judah showing several abominations that occurred in the Temple at Jerusalem, thus further explaining their judgment and their captivity in Babylon. Then about 70 years later, Haggai hears a word from Yah telling the people who returned to Jerusalem to consider their ways. They were having great difficulties in making any progress with re-establishing their lives because they were ignoring the rebuilding of His house. https://www.returningtothegarden.com/sabbath-calendars.html https://www.returningtothegarden.com/store/p9/Biblical-Calendar-Then-and-Now.html

We explain further about how the entire Bible has an overall structure reflecting the PaRDeS levels of interpretation. Drash is introduced this week in the parables of Y'shua/Jesus. We also illustrate how some Believers are happy with a simplified understanding of Scripture, while others race ahead to the more advanced levels without taking care to fully understand or maintain the essence of the underlying, fundamental truth contained in the most basic level - pashat. https://www.returningtothegarden.com https://www.returningtothegarden.com/store/p8/two-trees-complete-set.html

Continuing on in Chapter 1 of the book, we discuss how PaRDeS applies to the entirety of the Bible on a macro level from Genesis to The Revelation. https://www.returningtothegarden.com https://www.returningtothegarden.com/store/p8/two-trees-complete-set.html

God's Word says it best! Psalm 1:1-3 https://www.returningtothegarden.com https://calmingharp.com https://www.youtube.com/@peregrinnatti

There is no history specified in the Bible for this week. So we highlight an article written by Kelly McDonald from the Bible Sabbath Association instead about "The Rise of Heresy in the Second Century". False teachers have been around for a long time - since the beginning! https://biblesabbath.org https://sabbathsentinel.org https://www.returningtothegarden.com/sabbath-calendars.html https://www.returningtothegarden.com/store/p9/Biblical-Calendar-Then-and-Now.html

This week we finish Genesis 24 with a look at the monumental picture that Scripture is providing for us in the culmination of these stories with Abraham, Sarah, Isaac and his marriage to Rebekah! https://www.returningtothegarden.com

Hananiah takes the wooden yoke off Jeremiah's neck and breaks it in an act of defiance to demonstrate his own prophecy that the yoke of Babylon would be broken in 2 years. Doing so cost him dearly. https://www.returningtothegarden.com/sabbath-calendars.html https://www.returningtothegarden.com/store/p9/Biblical-Calendar-Then-and-Now.html

Abraham's servant travels to the city of Nahor, Abraham's brother, to find a suitable bride for Isaac. In Judges, a Levite and his concubine resort to spending the night in a dangerous city. Then Paul gives us a clear doctrine in Ephesians for husbands and wives as loving members of the same body in Messiah/Christ. https://www.returningtothegarden.com