Above Torah: What the New Testament Truly Reveals about "the Law"

By Hannah P. Yacob

Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned reader and believer of Scripture, this book will inform, and greatly surprise you. Are you a believer in the Messiah but do not keep the Torah (Law) of Moshe (Moses)? Are you a believer in the Messiah but still keep the Torah of Moshe? Perhaps you simply do not understand the New Covenant (Testament) Scriptures and just don't know what to think. Regardless of your stance, this book gets to the root of the age old debated question, "Are we under the Law or not?" Our Beloved Creator has hidden His Truth in plain sight within the pages of His Scriptures. What you think you know about the Besorah (Good News aka Gospel) will be greatly challenged and what you don't know will be pleasantly enriched. We are living in an age of the earth with prophecy unfolding like never before. It is critical that all true believers come to fully understand what it means to worship our Creator in Spirit and in Truth. That can only be done when we know what our Creator demands of us and what His will (not ours) is.

This book is an amazing tool that highlights Scripture like you've never before read nor comprehended. It's past time we toss away the lies of religion based on the traditions of men and come to really know our Creator and His one and only Advocate He has so lovingly gifted us. If you are a sincere seeker of the Creator's Truth, this book, via Scripture Truths brought forth and the Power of the Creator's Spirit, will remove the scales from your eyes and send you on a spiritual journey unlike anything you can imagine. Our Creator's Truth is the only truth and He is waiting to reveal it to you. Also included is a must read power packed, inspiring bonus chapter that highlights why people should freely choose to serve the one true Creator.

• Language: English
• Publisher: AhavaYH Unlimited
• Release date: Nov 12, 2023
• ISBN: 9798985187632

Book preview

Above Torah: What the New Testament Truly Reveals about the Law

Hannah P. Yacob                            

editor Yishai Yacob Yashar'al

AhavaYH Unlimited

Copyright © 2023 AhavaYH Unlimited

All rights reserved.  No part of this book may be reproduced, or stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without express written permission of the publisher.

ISBN-13: 9798985187632

DEDICATION

This book is dedicated to the Creator of all things.  Trust in YHVH, with all thine heart; lean not unto thine own understanding.  In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.  Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear YHVH, and depart from evil.  It shall be health to thy navel, and marrow to thy bones

Proverbs 3:5-8, the Cepher.

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

Heartfelt acknowledgment goes out to all my ahkim (brothers), the true pastors, teachers, preachers and writers.  I reference here those who are set apart unto our Creator and not those puffed up with vain titles and false teachings that lead so many away from, not to the Father’s Truth.  It is on your strong shoulders that so many of us stand.  Continue being faithful, humble laborers in YAH’s harvest.

"Then said he unto his Talmidiym (disciples), The harvest truly is plenteous, but the laborers are few;

38 Pray ye therefore the Adonai (Master) of the harvest, that He will send forth laborers into His harvest"

Matt 9:37-38.

CONTENTS

EXPLANATIONS

PREFACE

CHAPTER 1       THE COVENANT OF ABRAHAM, YISHAQ & YACOB

CHAPTER 2        THE COVENANT MADE WITH YASHAR’AL (YISRAEL)

CHAPTER 3      IS YASHAR’AL STILL BOUND TO THE COVENANT?

CHAPTER 4       TO TORAH OR NOT TO TORAH?

CHAPTER 5       THE APOSTLES AND THE TORAH

CHAPTER 6       BUT PAUL SAID…

CHAPTER 7  REDEEMED UNTO YAH BY FAITH IN FERVENT      AGAPℇ

CHAPTER 8      DID THE APOSTLES KEEP THE MOED (FEASTS)

AFTER YAHSHUA WAS ATONED?

CHAPTER 9       DON’T DIS TORAH, SOAR ABOVE IT

CHAPTER 10    WHY SERVE THE ALOHIM OF ABRAHAM, YISHAQ & YACOB?

EXPLANATIONS

This book aims, as much as possible without causing confusion, to utilize the proper rendering of Hebrew words and connotation.  Unlike most languages, every letter of the Hebrew (Erhverh/Irhverh) language has a meaning.  As such sometimes translation of Hebrew words into another language results in a grave loss of their meaning and deep understanding.  In addition, many of the Hebrew words of Scripture have been Hellenized (Greek influence), and pay reverence to pagan deities and or render the meaningful Hebrew words robbed of their true significance and it is a disservice to our Creator’s Word. 

Alohim:  Hebrew title or common noun meaning, Mighty One. When in lower case means, mighty ones.  Often rendered as Elohim and elohim, and via the English erroneously as God or gods (elohim, aka little mighty ones).

AL:  The Creator.  The Singular form of Alohim/ALOHIM, symbolizing the Mighty Leader (Aleph), with His staff (Lamed) that’s used to guide, inspect & correct.  This is the reason AL is used, not EL.

YHVH/YHWH:  The name of the Creator as rendered in English without the use of the nonexistent letter J in the ancient & modern Hebrew alphabet.  Today the word Lord/LORD has been substituted although no man has that right.  The reason why "Lord/LORD should not be substituted for our Creator’s name is addressed in Chapter 10. 

YAH/YAHU/YAHO/YEH:  Shortened version of the Creator’s name as referenced in Ps 68:4, and is often erroneously rendered elsewhere in Scripture as ‘iah."

Yahshua/Yahushua/Yahoshua:  The more proper English rendering of King Ha’Mashiach’s name (who bears the same name known today as Joshua).  In modern Hebrew means, YAH saves or YAH is salvation, but in ancient Irhverh (Hebrew) it means, The Executive Hand of YaVe (YAH).  Inaccurately known today as, Jesus.

Yahudim/Yahudiy:  Descendants of Yahudah, known as Judah today.

Ha’Mashiach:  The Anointed one; aka The Messiah.

Ha’Satan:  The Adversary, known also as Satan, the devil, the serpent and Baal/Bel.  

(H#) or (G#):  Reference to a Hebrew or a Greek word/meaning.

Yashar’al:  Yashar = Upright, just; rendering the meaning he who is upright before AL. Known today as Yisra’el/Israel.  We see this poetically as a term for Yacob in Deut 32:15 & Isa 44:2 as Yeshurun (H3484 Upright One, a symbolic name for Yashar’al).  As the ancient Hebrew is spelled via the English as Yshr’al/Ysr’al (a is a consonant & vowel).  Per the Scriptures the name means, to strive with AL, to strive with men, to overcome with AL (Gen 32:28).  The very name is a refining process in which one strives with men and AL but in the end overcomes with the help of AL, rendering the final vessel (YAH’s nation) upright, just before her Maker.

Adonai/Adon:  Hebrew word for Master H113.  Greek G2962 kurious, meaning Master, often rendered in English as lord.

Torah:  Instructions, known today as the Law

Assembly:  Calling out, a gathering, a congregation; Hellenized as church, from the Greek goddess Circe. Also known as Cirice.  (www.etymonline.com/word/Church).  Cirice is the daughter of the sun deity Helios (www.worldhistory.org/Circe/).

Qadosh/qadosh:  Set apart, pure.  Erroneously referred to by the English used pagan term holy/holi which is the sun.  See G. Jobes’ Dictionary of Mythology Folklore and Symbols, Part 1, p. 781.  babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=mdp.49015002859677&view=1up&seq=791&q1=HOLY).

Talmidiym:  Disciples

Malak/Malakim:  messenger(s), known as angel/angels

Scriptures:  Originally known as Cepher/Scroll. Known today by the pagan word Bible which comes from the Hellenized word biblos/biblio, used for biblion aka book, paper, scroll, which originated from Egyptian papyrus called Byblos.  It is thought that is was called thus as Byblos was the name of the Phoenician port the Egyptians used to export the Byblos to Greece.  However, Byblos is actually the worship of Mother Earth in the city of Byblos.  The Phoenicians addressed this deity as Baalat Gebal, meaning, Our Lady Byblos.  Byblos was given a consort Adonis (Master) called Baal.  Reference: www.etymonline.com/word/Bible, as well as

phoenician.org/phoenician_religion/.

Agapℇ:  Used via the New Covenant (Testament) Scripture references in place of love where applicable.  Love via the English translation as used is greatly lacking.  The love of Alohim is not a passive feeling or constant affection for someone or something.  For example, the Greek translation of a more proper rendering of love is agape (G26) and agapao (G25).  Agape is a noun that means good will/charity, benevolence, affection.  Agapao is a verb and means to welcome, to entertain, to be fond of, or to be well pleased.  A good example of the distinction of the two words is in Eph 5:2, And walk in love (agape), as Mashiach also has loved (agapao) us, and has given himself for us a gift  and offering to Alohim for a sweetsmelling savour.  For additional clarity, the ancient (not modern) Hebrew has the word agapℇ but its meaning is more profound.  Agapℇ means boulder.  Why?  Like YAH’s love a boulder is solid, strong, immovable, unbreakable, unshakable and overwhelming.  Of the Rock (H6697 Rock/Boulder) that begat you, you are unmindful, and have forgotten AL that formed you Deut 32:18.

Rendering of the prophets and apostles names (those that may not be apparent) according to the Hebrew with name meaning:

Yeshayahu:  Isaiah, YAH has saved

Yirmeyahu:  Jeremiah, YAH will rise

Mattiyahu:  Matthew, Gift of YAH

Marcas/Markos:  Mark, Defense (but his Hebrew ​name was Yahuchanon, Acts 15:37)

Lucas:  Luke, Light Giving (Greek origin)

Yahuchanon:  John, YAH is a favorable giver

Shaul/Sha’al:  Paul, Asked (of YAH)

Kepha:  Peter, A rock or stone

Yacob:  James, Modern Hebrew meaning is, Supplanter; ancient Hebrew meaning is YaVe (YHVH)will protect/hide you.

As there is no perfectly translated version of Scripture from the Hebrew to English, nor the Old Syriac to English, this book includes Scripture quotations from the Cepher, Tanakh, and The Scriptures unless otherwise referenced. 

PREFACE

Torah, instructions, known to most as the Law, is a hot topic most people cannot agree on one way or the other.  Most people want someone to explain clearly, once and for all, whether or not we are still under the Torah.  That’s not too much to ask.  However, many discuss and even fight over whether or not those seeking the Kingdom of YAH must keep His given Torah (Instruction).  Some teach that we must keep the Torah given to YAH’s chosen people during the time of Moshe (Moses).  On the other side of the spectrum we have those who say that only YAH’s chosen people must keep the Torah.  Others disagree wholly and believe that everyone, both Hebrew and those of other nations must keep the Torah exactly as it was given via the so called Old Covenant Scriptures.  Still others believe that Torah is completely done away with and we are all simply saved via YAH’s favor (known by most by the pagan term, grace) by the blood of His Son, Yahshua.  With so many held notions, what is one to truly believe?

Instead of constant debating, what we all should be doing is asking our Almighty Creator for His wisdom, knowledge and understanding, then earnestly search the Scriptures, so we can discover what YAH’s Word really instructs us all to do.  As such, we are going to start at the very beginning, with a breakdown of the Covenant YAH made with Abraham, Yishaq (Isaac), and Yacob (Jacob).  Next we will dive into the Covenant YAH made with His chosen people via Moshe (Moses).  Lastly, we will navigate our way through the Good Book in order to learn what the Scriptures really state concerning Yahshua and the Torah, as well as its relevance or irrelevance in reference to how we should be presently living our lives in order to please our Great Creator. 

I implore you, no matter what level of understanding you may or may not have concerning Scripture (to include the Tanakh and New Covenant Text), to read with objectivity and refrain from rendering final judgement until the very end of this book.  All of Scripture lines up and unfolds itself beautifully as a work of YAH’s RUACH and is beyond the scope and imagination of mankind.  We cannot assume we have acquired enough knowledge to dismiss Scripture as historical fact or the teachings thereof as baseless due to our scholarly learning, as framed by the world.  We as intellects must never forget the fact that the life of mankind did not just happen. Mankind cannot create life, but can only manipulate that which already embodies life.  Therefore mankind, although seeks to be his/her own god/goddess, must (whether out loud or subconscious), admit that the Creator of all things does indeed exist, and I assure you, the Creator will not be mocked.

CHAPTER 1

THE COVENANT OF ABRAHAM, YISHAQ & YACOB

What is a covenant and what does it have to do with the Torah?  I’m glad you have inquired.  In Hebrew the meaning of a covenant (H1285 Beriyth/B’riyt) is far more significant than in the English sense of the word.  The Hebrew covenant is a binding agreement made between two or more parties in which the parties agree to perform some action.  The root of beriyth is ber/bar (H3772 Karat), meaning to cut or penetrate with a sharp instrument.  Therefore we have the ancient Hebrew cultural aspect of cutting (karat) a covenant (beriyth).  It is symbolic of the cutting or dividing of animals into two parts and then the contracting parties of the covenant must pass through the divided/cut animals.  If a party reneges on the agreed upon covenant, what happened to the animals would happen to the reneged party.¹  We see this perfectly clear when YAH sealed the Covenant He made with Abraham.

Gen 15:7-14, "Then Alohim said to him, ‘I am YHVH who brought you out from Ur of the Chaldeans to assign this land to you as a possession.’ 8 And he said, ‘O Adonai YHVH, how shall I know that I am to possess it?’ 9 Came the reply, ‘Bring Me a three-year-old heifer, a three-year-old she-goat, a three-year-old ram, a turtledove, and a young bird.’ 10 He brought all these and cut them in two, placing each half opposite the other; but he did not cut up the bird. 11 Birds of prey came down upon the carcasses, and Abram drove them away. 12 As the sun was about to set, a deep sleep fell upon Abram, and a great dark dread descended upon him.

13 And Alohim said to Abram, ‘Know well that your offspring shall be strangers in a land not theirs, and they shall be enslaved and oppressed four hundred years; 14 but I will execute judgment on the nation they shall serve, and in the end they shall go free with great wealth."  Verse 17, "When the sun set and it was very dark, there appeared a smoking oven, and a flaming torch which passed between those pieces. 

18 On that day YHVH made a covenant with Abram: ‘To your offspring I assign this land, from the river of Mitzraim (Egypt) to the great river, the river Perath (Euphrates), the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Yebusites."

One might ask, "Why are we starting so far back in Scripture to determine whether or not we are to keep Torah? 

Why can’t we just start with the 12 Statements (known as the 10 Commandments) given via Moshe?  Firstly, the Torah is comprised of more than the 12 Statements given in Exodus 20:3-17.  It comprises the first five books of the Tanakh (aka the Old Covenant" Scriptures).  The Torah (Instructions) is always a part of YAH’s Covenants and as we will see later, the commandments and statues that Abraham kept were also a part of the Covenant.  Secondly, in order to fully understand the context of what we should be doing as believers, we must go back to the initial source in which the original Covenant of YAH was given (in terms of His people as many Covenants were made beginning with Adam).  One must have a solid foundation of the basics of YAH’s Covenant made with His nation to understand its relevance in reference to the Torah and YAH’s relationship with His chosen people.  This understanding is critical for those of all nations who choose to please the MOST HIGH YAH.  So bear with me and I promise you, it will all be well worth the read.  Let’s continue.

Abraham had eight sons in total.  Yes, he had eight sons.  One can hardly be called the Father of Many Nations if he had fathered only Ishmaal and Yishaq (Gen25).  YHVH made His Covenant with Abraham, who at that time was still Abram.  However, at that time Abraham was only given the initial aspects of the Covenant as follows:

Gen 12:1-4,Now YHVH said unto Abram: 'Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto the land that I will show thee. 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will beruk (bless) thee, and make thy name great; and be thou a berakah (blessing). 3 And I will beruk them that beruk thee, and him that curses thee will I curse; and in thee shall all the families of the earth be beruk.' 4 So Abram went, as YHVH had spoken unto him; and Lot went with him; and Abram was seventy and five years old when he departed out of Haran.

Abraham is obedient to the voice of YAH and travels to the land of Canaan which was promised to him and his descendants.  It is in the Promised Land of Canaan that Abraham is told more concerning the Covenant.  It is also at this time that YAH went on to physically confirm His Covenant with Abraham.

Gen 13:12-18, "Abram dwelt in the land of Canaan, and Lot dwelt in the cities of the Plain, and moved his tent as far as Sodom. 13 Now the men of Sodom were wicked and sinners against YHVH exceedingly. 14 And YHVH said unto Abram, after that Lot was separated from him: 'Lift up now thine eyes, and look from the place where thou art, northward and southward and eastward and westward; 15 for all the land which thou see, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed for ever.

16 And I will make thy seed as the dust of the earth; so that if a man can number the dust of the earth, then shall thy seed also be numbered. 17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for unto thee will I give it.' 18 And Abram moved his tent, and came and dwelt by the terebinths of Mamre, which are in Hebron, and built there an altar unto YHVH."

YAH went even further and sealed His Covenant with Abraham and his chosen seed,

Gen 17:1-14, "And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, YHVH appeared to Abram, and said unto him: 'I am Alohim Almighty; walk before Me, and be thou wholehearted. 2 And I will make My Covenant between Me and thee, and will multiply thee exceedingly.' 3 And Abram fell on his face; and Alohim talked with him, saying: 4 'As for Me, behold, My Covenant is with thee, and thou shalt be the father of a multitude of nations. 5 Neither shall thy name any more be called Abram, but thy name shall be Abraham; for the father of a multitude of nations have I made thee. 6 And I will make thee exceeding fruitful, and I will make nations of thee, and kings shall come out of thee. 7 And I will establish My covenant between Me and thee and thy seed after thee throughout their generations for an everlasting covenant, to be Alohim unto thee and to thy seed after thee.

8 And I will give unto thee, and to thy seed after thee, the land of thy sojournings, all the land of Canaan, for an everlasting possession; and I will be their Alohim.'

9 And Alohim said unto Abraham: 'And as for thee, thou shalt keep My covenant, thou, and thy seed after thee throughout their generations. 10 This is My Covenant, which ye shall keep, between Me and you and thy seed after thee: every male among you shall be circumcised. 11 And ye shall be circumcised in the flesh of your foreskin; and it shall be a token of a covenant betwixt Me and you.

12 And he that is eight days old shall be circumcised among you, every male throughout your generations, he that is born in the house, or bought with money of any foreigner, that is not of thy seed. 13 He that is born in thy house, and he that is bought with thy money, must needs be circumcised; and My Covenant shall be in your flesh for an everlasting Covenant.

14 And the uncircumcised male who is not circumcised in the flesh of his foreskin, that soul shall be cut off from his people; he hath broken My covenant.'"

Let us recall that Abraham had 8 sons.  So which seed of Abraham inherited the Covenant of the Promised Land, bound in the flesh by circumcision with whom YAH became their Alohim via birthright?

Gen 17:18-22, "And Abraham said unto Alohim: 'Oh that Ishmaal might live before Thee!' 

19 And Alohim said: ''Nay, but Sarah thy wife shall bear thee a son; and thou shalt call his name Yishaq; and I will establish My Covenant with him for an everlasting covenant for his seed after him.  20 And as for Ishmaal, I have heard thee; behold, I have beruk him, and will make him fruitful, and will multiply him exceedingly; twelve princes shall he beget, and I will make him a great nation.

21 But My Covenant will I establish with Yishaq, whom Sarah shall bear unto thee at this set time in the next year.' 22 And He left off talking with him, and Alohim went up from Abraham.

YAH established His Covenant with Abraham granted he kept a set of Instructions (Torah).  What were the Instructions?  Abraham was to circumcise (cut away) the flesh of his foreskin, all men born of his household, those bought with money, as well as on the 8th day, every male born of his household (Gen 17:26-27).  The Covenant of circumcision extended to all the male servants born in the house of Abraham or male servants purchased.  Circumcision was merely the sign of the Covenant made between YAH and Abraham (and his descendants).  The Instructions of the Covenant was also contingent upon Abraham walking wholehearted (blameless, complete, perfect, entire) before YAH (Gen 17:1-2, Gen 18:19). 

That established Covenant between YAH and Abraham would continue through the seed of Yishaq.  I will also note here that the egg and portal of Sarah, not Hagar was chosen to bring forth he who would inherit the Covenant YAH made with Abraham.  This is not to belittle Hagar in any way.  However, everything YAH does is finite.  Therefore, if Sarah’s role was not important, it would not have been mentioned via the Text.  For the sake of writing a book and not an encyclopedia, I will leave the significance of foremother Sarah for you to research on your own. 

Okay, YAH has established His Covenant with Abraham, given him His Torah (Instructions) on how to obtain and maintain that Covenant via obedience, and the sign of circumcision.  This everlasting Covenant would go on via the seed of Yishaq.  Once Yishaq comes along, he grows up, gets married and has twin sons; Esau and Yacob.  Now we have a situation.  Yacob’s wife Rebekah bore him twins.  What does YAH tell us via His Word concerning the seed of Yishaq in reference to which of his sons would inherit the Covenant passed on via Abraham?  First, let’s validate the establishment of YAH’s Covenant with Yishaq.

Gen 26:1-5, "And there was a famine in the land, beside the first famine that was in the days of Abraham. And Yishaq went unto Abimelech king of the Philistines unto Gerar.

2 And YHVH appeared unto him, and said: 'Go not down unto Mitzraim (Egypt); dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of. 3 Sojourn in this land, and I will be with thee, and will beruk thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these lands, and I will establish the oath which I swore unto Abraham thy father;

4 and I will multiply thy seed as the stars of heaven, and will give unto thy seed all these lands; and by thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be beruk;

5 because that Abraham hearkened to My voice, and kept My charge, My Commandments (terms, Mitzvah H4687)², My Statutes (authoritative enactment, ordinances/Huqqah H2708),²and My Laws (Torah/Instructions H8451).² '"

YAH makes good on His promise and validates with Yishaq the Covenant He made with his father Abraham.  Notice how YAH lays out before Yishaq the fact that the Covenant He made with Abraham and now passed on to him was upheld because of the obedience of his father Abraham.  YAH is telling Yishaq that if he does the same, He will also make good on the Covenant with his descendants as well.  Yishaq had to believe and have faith that YAH would make good on that promise to his descendants.  As such, he had to live by the rules set forth that would bind him to the Covenant and YAH would be His Alohim as He also was to Abraham.

So who does YAH choose from the seed of Yishaq to carry on His Covenant, Esau or Yacob?  Let’s find out.

Gen 28:10, And Yacob went out from Beer-sheba, and went toward Haran.  Verses 12-16, "And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven; and behold the malakim (angels) of Alohim ascending and descending on it. 13 And, behold, YHVH stood beside him, and said: 'I am YHVH, the Alohim of Abraham thy father, and the Alohim of Yishaq. The land whereon thou lies, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed. 14 And thy seed shall be as the dust of the earth, and thou shalt spread abroad to the west, and to the east, and to the north, and to the south. And in thee and in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be beruk. 15 And, behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee whithersoever thou goes, and will bring thee back into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.' 16 And Yacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said: 'Surely YHVH is in this place; and I knew it not.'"

Verses 20-22, "And Yacob vowed a vow, saying, ‘If Alohim will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on,

21 so that I come back to my father's house in peace, then shall YHVH be my Alohim, 22 and this stone, which I have set up for a pillar, shall be Alohim's house; and of all that Thou shall give me I will surely give the tenth unto Thee.'"

We see here that YAH establishes His Covenant through Yacob, not his brother Esau.  I want to point out that Yacob had some conditions of his own and made a vow before our Creator to establish it.  Yacob would accept YAH as his Alohim on the conditions that YAH stayed with him, gave him instruction, provided food and raiment for him, and kept him in shalom (peace).  He stated that if YAH did those things for him, he would not only accept Him as his Alohim, he would give Him the tenth of all that YAH gave unto him.  Yacob’s conditions and vow were righteous as it is YAH’s pleasure to care for all those who are obedient and place their trust in Him (Prov 3).  YAH had already told Yacob (verse 15) that He would not leave him and that He would keep (preserve) him wherever he went and would bring him back to the land of Canaan.  Yacob was simply vowing that if YAH kept His Word, he would indeed accept Him as his Alohim and go above and beyond what was asked of him by giving back a tenth of all that YAH would bestow.  However, it is not until after Yacob commands all those with him to put away their strange elohim, purify themselves, and change their clothing, that YAH appeared before Yacob, changed his name, and revealed to him the totality of the covenant He would bind with his offspring.

Gen 35:2-4, ‘So Yacob said to his household and to all who were with him, Rid yourselves of the alien elohim in your midst, purify yourselves, and change your clothes. Come, let us go up to Beth-al, and I will build an altar there to Alohim who answered me when I was in distress and who has been with me wherever I have gone.’ They gave to Yacob all the alien elohim that they had, and the rings that were in their ears, and Yacob buried them under the terebinth that was near Shechem.

Gen 35:9-13, "…And Alohim appeared unto Yacob again, when he came from Paddan-aram, and beruk him.  10 And Alohim said unto him: 'Thy name is Yacob: thy name shall not be called any more Yacob, but Yashar’al (Yisrael) shall be thy name'; and He called his name Yashar’al. 

11 And Alohim said unto him: 'I am Alohim Almighty. Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations

shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins;

12 and the land which I gave unto Abraham and Yishaq, to thee I will give it, and to thy seed after thee will I give the land.'" 

Yacob, now called Yashar’al, was given a new command,

Gen 35:11, "Be fruitful and multiply; a nation and a company of nations shall be of thee, and kings shall come out of thy loins."

A nation and Kings were prophesied to come out of Yashar’al’s loins.  However, shortly thereafter Rachel gave birth to Benyamin, and died.  After which none of his remaining wives bore him any more children.  The command to be fruitful and multiply was obviously directed at Yashar’al’s descendants; his 12 sons with whom YAH would bestow His Covenant.

CHAPTER 2

THE COVENANT MADE WITH YASHAR’AL (YISRAEL)

Yacob, now Yashar’al, went on to live with his offspring in the land of Canaan as YAH had directed him.  It was not until there was famine in the land that they all ended up in Mitzraim (Egypt); Yoseph already there by way of being sold by his brothers due to their hateful jealousy (Gen 37:1-11).  After many years having dwelt in Mitzraim, first as free men and women and then as slaves (Exod 1), remembering the Covenant He made with Abraham, Yishaq and Yacob, YAH heard the cry of His people (Exod 2).  When His shepherd, Moshe (Moses) was up for the task (although he didn’t feel worthy, Exod 3-4, Exod 6:30- Exod 7) YAH smote the land and people of Mitzraim with great plagues.  He then distinguished His people from all others (Exod 8:18-23), birthed His nation, and brought them forth from Mitzraim to the Promised Land of Canaan.  However, just as their forefathers before them (Abraham, Yishaq and Yashar’al) they would first have to agree to be bound to and obey the Covenant YAH presented them.

Exod 19:1-8, "In the third month, when the children of Yashar’al were gone forth out of the land of Mitzraim, the same day came they into the wilderness of Sinai.

2 For they were departed from Rephidim, and were come to the desert of Sinai, and had pitched in the wilderness; and there Yashar’al camped before the mount. 3 And Moshe went up unto Alohim, and YHVH called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Yacob, and tell the sons of Yashar’al; 4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Mitzraim (Egyptians), and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto Myself. 5 Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My Covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine:

6 And ye shall be unto Me a kingdom of priests, and a qadosh (set apart, pure) nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Yashar’al. 7 And Moshe came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before their faces all these words which YHVH commanded him. 8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that YHVH hath spoken we will do. And Moshe returned the words of the people unto YHVH."

It was the vow made and then the action of all the people of the nation of Yashar’al that ratified the Covenant made between YAH and His chosen people.

Exod 19:14-17, "And Moshe went down from the Mount unto the people, and purified the people; and they washed their clothes.

15 And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your women.

16 And it came to pass on the third day at the break of day, that there were thunders and lightnings, and a thick cloud upon the Mount, and the voice of the shofar (ram’s horn) exceeding loud; so that all the people that was in the camp trembled.

17 And Moshe brought forth the people out of the camp to meet with Alohim; and they stood at the nether part of the Mount."

In Exodus 20 through 23 all of the terms (laws, statutes and commandments) of the Covenant were laid out before Moshe.  He then relayed those terms to the people.

Exod 24:3-5, "And Moshe came and told the people all the words of YHVH, and all the judgments: and all the people answered with one voice, and said: All the words which YHVH has said will we do.

4 And Moshe wrote all the words of YHVH, and rose up early at the break of day, and built an altar under the hill, and twelve pillars, according to the twelve tribes of Yashar’al.

5 And he sent young men of the children of Yashar’al, which offered ascending smoke offerings, and slayed peace offerings of oxen unto YHVH."

This was followed by a sealing/cutting of the Covenant by blood,

Exod 24:6-9, "And Moshe took half of the blood, and put it in basins; and half of the blood he sprinkled on the altar.

7 And he took the Cepher of the covenant, and read in the audience of the people: and they said: All that YHVH has said will we do, and be obedient.

8 And Moshe took the blood, and sprinkled it on the people, and said, Behold the blood of the covenant, which YHVH has cut (karat) with you concerning all these words.

9 Then went up Moshe, and Aaron, Nadav, and Aviyhu, and seventy of the elders of Yashar’al:"

So now we have followed the Covenant YAH cut with Abraham and his descendants through Yishaq, then Yacob (Yashar’al), and finally to all the descendants of the seed of the 12 sons of Yashar’al.  That covenant included the terms (laws, statutes and commandments) that are found in the Torah (first 5 books of Scripture). 

Make no mistake the covenant made was a spiritual marriage covenant the nation of Yashar’al made and entered into with our Creator.  Sadly as we know, they broke their marriage vows they made to Alohim.  How can we prove that YAH made a marriage covenant with His people?  When people marry, they exchange vows and agree to do certain things.  Once the terms of the marriage covenant are exchanged, the marriage must be consummated.  Is that not what unfolds as one reads the Scriptures with spiritual eyes?  The people heard the terms of the covenant, stated that they would obey them, and then allowed themselves to be sprinkled with blood and became the purified bride (Exod19:14).  I bet we will never look at Exodus 19 the same ever again.  All that lightning, thunder and flashing were fireworks!  The loud shofar was the wedding band, and the smoke exemplified YAH’s awesomeness.  No one can throw a wedding like our Creator!  Of course this terrified the poor bride (Yashar’al) as she had never seen nor heard such amazement in all her life.  Queen of Sheba passed out at the sight of King Solomon and all his substance (1 Kings 10:4-5).  She may have dropped dead at the smoky presence and wondrous Swag (with all due respect) of our Alohim.  As I have stated previously, everything YAH does is finite.  Let’s prove this (marriage covenant) further with the very Word of YAH.

Ezek 16:7-21, "I have caused you to multiply as the bud of the field, and you have increased and waxen great, and you are come to excellent ornaments: your breasts are fashioned, and your hair is grown, whereas you were naked and bare.

8 Now when I passed by you, and looked upon you, behold, your time was the time of love; and I spread my skirt over you, and covered your nakedness: yea, I swore seven oaths unto you, and entered into a covenant with you, says Adonai YHVH, and you became mine.

9 Then washed I you with water; yea, I thoroughly washed away your blood from you, and I anointed you with oil.

10 I clothed you also with broidered work, and shod you with antelope skin, and I girded you about with fine linen, and I covered you with silk. 11 I decked you also with ornaments, and I put bracelets upon your hands, and a chain