Rosh Chodesh 3--What Is In Your Heart?

(This evening the new moon is expected to be visible in Israel, which will begin the 3rd month of the Scriptural calendar. I originally wrote and posted this to my previous blog on 05/23/2007.)

Readings:

TORAH: Bemidbar (Numbers) 28:1-15
HAFTARAH: YeshaYahu (Isaiah) 66
KETUVIM NETZARIM: Kefa Alef (1 Peter) 2:4-10

These are the traditional readings for Rosh Chodesh.

Isa 66:3 "But whoever slaughters the bull slays a man; whoever slaughters the lamb breaks a dog's neck; whoever brings a grain offering – pig's blood; whoever burns incense blesses an idol. Indeed, they have chosen their own ways, and their being delights in their abominations.

Bulls, lambs, grain and incense are acceptable offerings to YHWH, but murdering a man, offering unclean animals to YHWH and worshipping idols are forbidden by YHWH, so why is YHWH equating them?

The difference is that bringing Him an acceptable offering while otherwise going our own way and delighting in abominations is no different to him than if we bring Him abominable offerings. If our heart is not perfect towards Him, then even an otherwise acceptable offering becomes an abomination!

Deu 8:2 "And you shall remember that יהוה your Elohim led you all the way these forty years in the wilderness, to humble you, prove you, to know what is in your heart, whether you guard His commands or not.

2Ch 16:9a "For the eyes of יהוה diligently search throughout all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is perfect to Him.

Psa 44:21 Would Elohim not search this out? For He knows the secrets of the heart.

Pro 11:20 The perverse of heart are an abomination to יהוה, But the perfect in the Way are His delight.

Mat 12:35 "The good man brings forth what is good from the good treasures of his heart, and the wicked man brings forth what is wicked from the wicked treasure.

Mat 15:8 'This people draw near to Me with their mouth, and respect Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me.

Mar 12:33 "And to love Him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the being, and with all the strength, and to love one's neighbour as oneself, is more than all the burnt offerings and offerings."

1Ti 1:5 Now the goal of this command is love from a clean heart, from a good conscience and a sincere belief,

Heb 4:12 For the Word of Elohim is living, and working, and sharper than any two-edged sword, cutting through even to the dividing of being and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Heb 10:22 let us draw near with a true heart in completeness of belief, having our hearts sprinkled from a wicked conscience and our bodies washed with clean water.

YHWH does not want us to be double-minded or lukewarm.

Jam 4:8 Draw near to Elohim and He shall draw near to you. Cleanse hands, sinners. And cleanse the hearts, you double-minded!

Rev 3:16 "So, because you are lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I am going to vomit you out of My mouth.

He wants our whole heart, and isn't He entitled to that?

Rom 2:5 But according to your hardness and your unrepentant heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of Elohim,
Rom 2:6 who "shall render to each one according to his works":

Rev 2:23 "And I shall slay her children with death. And all the assemblies shall know that I am the One searching the kidneys and hearts. And I shall give to each one of you according to your works.

It is only works that come from a pure heart that YHWH will reward with eternal life. An unrepentant heart only stores up wrath for the day of wrath.

Isa 66:4 "I shall also choose their punishments, and bring their fears on them. Because I called, but no one answered. I spoke and they did not hear, and they did evil before My eyes, and chose what was displeasing to Me."

Let us all cleanse our hearts and answer His call, listen to His words and choose what is pleasing to Him.