Shalom Saints,
Elder David Rogers’ opening prayer was an affirmation of our agreement with the will of Elohim and the covenant that the Father made with us, His people. David thanked the Father for providing an Atonement so that we could come into His Presence and that we might call “Holy” what the Almighty calls “Holy”.
Yom HaKippurim was then introduced as the Day of Atonements. The various atonements made by the High Priest were explained as well as the requirements of the people. The ways of man are definitely not the ways of the Most High when we are required to AFFLICT our souls and REJOICE! David then explained that YeHoVaH wants us to rejoice in afflictions in order to develop character so that we don’t let the circumstances of life dictate how we respond to them.
An “approved workman” is acceptable in the sight of YeHoVaH. In order to fully understand this concept, David examined seven aspects of the following verse.
Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
As believers, we are all on the workman’s journey. This is an essential teaching to help us understand how to walk out our faith and be approved by Elohim.
Here are the highlights of the teaching:
1. Study?
- To study means to be eager and to be zealous to present yourself to Elohim.
- The Greek word “study” did not have the current definition of much diligent reading.
- However, an approved workman has to know the word.
2. Presenting Yourself to Elohim
- We meet with Elohim at His appointed times.
- The sons of Israel came 3 times a year and presented themselves to Elohim; they never came empty handed.
- We will stand before Yeshua as He judges our character.
- We should present ourselves to Elohim often during the day by praying in an honorable and respectful manner.
- We should approach Elohim with an attitude of bowing down before Him.
Present your body as a living sacrifice.
We are also presenting ourselves to Elohim when we are Delighting in the Sabbath (Book by Elder David Rogers)
3. What Does it Mean to Be Approved?
- Our lives need to be holy and pleasing to the Father.
- We have gone through trial and examination.
- The approved workman has withstood the trial.
- The genuineness of our character is tested.
4. What Needs to Be Tested and Approved?
- The Father tests us by bringing difficult circumstances into our lives to perfect us.
- The enemy tempts us to get us to sin.
- A great example is Job who was tested with great affliction, but did not lose his holy integrity.
- We must persevere through the difficult trials.
5. Who Will Be Ashamed?
- “Don’t consider your salvation guaranteed just because you made a promise to Him. We have to be careful how we walk, because for some, when the testing comes, they fall away.”
6. How Do We Rightly Divide?
- This concept means to cut straight or cut correctly.
- Rightly dividing His word ultimately means to OBEY HIS COMMANDS.
- It means to be in agreement with the will and spoken word of Elohim.
- It means that we rightly distinguish between the holy and the unholy or common.
7. What Does an Approved Workman Look Like?
- The approved workman displays holy character at all times in all circumstances.
- He walks not in the counsel of the ungodly. (Psalms 1 lists other characteristics.)
- An approved workman is blameless. Father would not ask us to be blameless if it were not possible.
- David gave many examples of individuals in scripture that were described as blameless: Noah, Abraham, Job, Zacharias and Elizabeth.
As David said, trials come for us to see the reality of who we are. No trials should redirect us off the path of righteousness. HalleluYAH!!
Sharon’s Reflections on the Teaching
When I was a part of the worldly denominations, the standard changed for pleasing the Heavenly Father each time I changed denominations and even when I changed churches within the same denomination! I was listening to what the church leaders told me to do. When I bothered to do any Bible reading, I only saw a loose connection between what God wanted and what men demanded of their flock. I was confused. I thought I had to belong somewhere or I would be hell-bound for sure!
The Torah saved me from a religious life of not knowing what was expected of me to please YeHoVaH. Before service, the Praise Team sung, “Your Torah is Truth”. David even mentioned it when he was discussing rightly dividing the word of truth. Listen to a short snippet of that song and be thankful that at last, we have the answer!
Learn more about standing for righteousness and Let No Man Judge You
Buzz on the Teaching
There was a larger than usual group of Saints still fellowshipping as sundown approached. They were waiting to go to “break the fast” together. It is wonderful to have a community who show their love of YeHoVaH by their obedience to His commands. HalleluYAH!
Earlier, I had the beautiful opportunity to sit with three Sister Saints. We discussed our faith paths and how we had dealt with the loss of loved ones. As we shared our stories and bared our grief to one another. This can only be done with persons who have experienced a life changing event where there is no fixing it or going back to the way it used to be. We recounted our struggles to reach normalcy, all the while knowing that our lives had changed forever. It was cathartic on a spiritual and emotional level.
Thank you my Sister Saints!!
Until next time… Blessings to You and Yours,
Sharon