In this teaching, Ross begins with the matter-of-fact statement that Moses is dead. According to Scripture, Moses, the great prophet of Israel dies outside of the promised land, which is one of two things called the heritage of the people of Israel. Ross shows that there is yet another thing referred to as the heritage of Israel and then goes on to describe how the two are connected to one another, to a picture of the future, and to the ancient festival of Sukkot.
In this teaching, the third in his Deuteronomy series, Ross explores a phrase found five times in the Hebrew Bible and only in the Book of Deuteronomy. The phrase is AM KADOSH. It means Holy People. The phrase refers to the people of Israel. What are the requirements for a Holy People? Are the people of Israel truly chosen, and if so, for what are they chosen? And what about the love of God? Does God love everyone equally regardless of their manner of living? Who does God love and how can we demonstrate our love for God?
In this week’s teaching Ross focuses on the ancient festival of Unleavened Bread by covering the biblical texts related to what the Hebrew Bible calls chag hamatzoth. He works through the relevant passages carefully, discussing the details about the seven days associated with the festival. He points out that this ancient festival is related to the great salvation of the children of Israel from Egypt, and shows how the festival became associated with joy, but then turns his attention to another aspect of these holy days. The unleavened bread is described in Deuteronomy as the bread of affliction. Why would a season of joy, a time set apart to remember salvation, redemption, and deliverance be associated with bread of affliction? This class seeks to answer that question. The answer might surprise you. You will not want to miss this teaching on the Bread of Affliction and the coming redemption.
In this week’s teaching, Ross returns to his series on the making of the Mikdash to cover an important point. After Moses completed all of the work in the making of the Tabernacle, having done everything as commanded, the Glory of YHVH filled the tabernacle. Ross shows that this remarkable event provides us with a glimpse of something greater, spoken of by the prophets, when the Glory of YHVH will fill the entire earth. Does Scripture describe this coming manifestation, and if so, what does it tell us?
In this teaching, Ross covers what the Torah calls the Big Sin – the sin of the golden calf. He points out that in the midst of describing the making of a Holy Place, the people of Israel committed a grievous sin. Less than 6 weeks after receiving the covenant, and being charged with the task of making a dwelling place for YHVH, the people quickly turn from the commanded way. What caused this turning from the way? The Torah attributes it to a condition described as “Stiff necked.” Ross demonstrates that according to Scripture, God cannot dwell in the presence of sin. And yet despite this rule, Moses successfully intercedes on behalf the children of Israel, making a point that BECA– USE of this condition, the people need YHVH to dwell in their midst! You will not want to miss this insightful lesson on sin and separation.
This week Ross begins his teaching series on the tabernacle. There is more information on the tabernacle and its furnishings than any other subject. There are an estimated 300 passages! Could the subject really be THAT important? In this class from Torah reading Terumah, Ross highlights what is required to make a holy place for our God. Whether speaking of the tent or the Temple, the same is required. Those who contribute to the work must do so from a willing heart.
In this week’s teaching Ross covers the final act of Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. He begins by establishing the connection between Israel’s salvation and the lovingkindness or chesed of YHVH as it relates to the greatest story of redemption ever told. He demonstrates through Scripture that the ultimate purpose of the Exodus was to make YHVH known in all the earth. Ross shows that the salvation of Israel involves the destruction of the enemy AND the saving of God’s people and makes the point that this theme is often repeated in the Bible. Carefully working through passages, Ross shows that the fear of YHVH and trust in YHVH and Moses were prerequisites for salvation and proposes that the same is required today.
In this teaching on Torah reading VaEra, Ross shares the reason for Israel’s deliverance from Egypt. Beginning with God’s word to Abram about the enslavement of his descendants, Ross covers sets the stage for a clear understanding of the salvation of God’s firstborn son – Israel. He shows that the promised salvation is brought about through a series of signs and wonders, meant to strike the oppressing nation for the purpose of making YHVH known in all the earth. He further shows that these signs and wonders testified to the Oneness of God and was intended to be remembered as the greatest act of salvation ever accomplished. That is, until some future deliverance will overshadow the exodus from Egypt. Ross compares these two events, demonstrating that most likely the 2nd Exodus will follow a similar pattern but on a greater scale.
In this week’s teaching, Ross begins his series on the Joseph Saga. The story of Joseph is told in the final four Torah portions of the book of Genesis. Joseph is portrayed as the favored son of Jacob, born to his favorite wife Rachel. Through a series of events, Joseph is sold into slavery by his brothers who devise a plot that convinces his father that he is dead. Joseph is taken to Egypt where he once again ends up through circumstances beyond his control in a prison house. Ross shows through the course of this teaching that these stories, while presenting sacred history, could very well provide insights into the future fulfillment of prophecies related to Joseph’s latter day descendants. What can we learn from the life of the dream master?
In this week’s class, Ross shares some insights from the first two Torah portions of Genesis. He begins with the creation of man and follows the story through the flood of Noah pointing out the great potential of man for both good and bad. Why was man created in the first place? How did man’s story go so quickly from good to bad? What was it that caused God to regret that he made man in the beginning? What led to man’s banishment from Eden? As the story introduces Noah, we read that he was a righteous man, whole in his generation. What was it about Noah, and is righteousness something that can be attained by others? These questions and more are answered in this teaching.
