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Weekly Parashah |
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| Torah: Num. 4:21–7:89 | Haftara: Jdg. 13:2–25 | Brit Chadashah: Jn. 11:1–54 acts 21:17-26 |
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| Tzav (Command) נָשֹׂא |
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Scripture: |
Numbers 4:21–7:89
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Torah |
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21 Again Adonai spoke to Moses saying, 22 “Take a census also of the sons of Gershon, by their ancestral households and by their families. 23 Count all the males from 30 to 50 years of age, everyone coming to work in the service of the Tent of Meeting. 24 This is the task of the Gershonite families in working and carrying burdens. 25 They are to carry the curtains of the Tabernacle, the Tent of Meeting, its covering, the outer covering of porpoise hide, the curtains for the entrance for the Tent of Meeting, 26 the curtains surrounding the courtyard and the altar, the curtain for the entrance, the ropes and all the equipment used in its operations. They are to do all that needs to be done with these things. 27 The sons of the Gershonites are to do all their tasks, whether carrying or doing other work, according to the word of Aaron and his sons. You are to assign to them all that is their responsibility to carry. 28 This is the duty of the families of the sons of the Gershonites regarding the Tent of Meeting. Their duty will be under the direction of Ithamar son of Aaron the kohen. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Num.+4%3A21%E2%80%937%3A89&version=TLV |
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Scripture: |
Judges 13:2–25
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Haftarah |
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2 Now there was a certain man from Zorah, from a Danite clan, whose name was Manoah. His wife was barren and bore no children. 3 Then the angel of Adonaiappeared to the woman and said to her, “Behold now, you are barren and have not borne children, but you will conceive and bear a son. [a] 4 Now therefore be careful not to drink wine or strong drink, or eat any unclean thing. 5 For behold, you will conceive and bear a son. Let no razor come upon his head, for the boy will be a Nazirite to God from the womb.[b] He will begin to deliver Israel from the hand of the Philistines.” 6 Then the woman came and told her husband saying, “A man of God came to me and his appearance was like the appearance of the angel of God, very awesome! But I did not ask him where he was from, nor did he tell me his name. 7 He said to me, ‘Behold, you will conceive and bear a son. So, drink no wine or strong drink, and eat nothing unclean, for the child will be a Nazirite to God from the womb to the day of his death.” 8 Then Manoah entreated Adonai and said, “My Lord, please let the man of God whom You have sent come to us again and teach us what we will do for the boy to be born.” 9 God listened to the voice of Manoah, and the angel of God came again to the woman as she was sitting in the field, but her husband Manoah was not with her. 10 So the woman ran quickly and told her husband, and said to him, “Look, the man that came to me the other day has appeared to me!” 11 So Manoah got up and followed his wife. When he came to the man, he asked him, “Are you the one who spoke to the woman?” “I am,” he said. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jdg.+13%3A2%E2%80%9325&version=TLV |
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Scripture: |
John 11:1–54
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Brit Chadashah |
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Lazarus Is Dead11 Now a man named Lazarus was sick. He was from Bethany, the village of Miriam and her sister Martha. 2 This was the same Miriam who anointed the Master with perfume and wiped His feet with her hair. It was her brother Lazarus who was sick. 3 So the sisters sent a word to Yeshua, saying, “Master, the one you love is sick!” 4 When Yeshua heard this, He said, “This sickness will not end in death. It is for God’s glory, so that Ben-Elohim may be glorified through it.” 5 Now Yeshua loved Martha and her sister and Lazarus. 6 However, when He heard that Lazarus was sick, He stayed where He was for two more days. 7 Then after this, He said to His disciples, “Let’s go up to Judea again.” 8 “Rabbi,” the disciples say to Him, “just now the Judean leaders were trying to stone You! And You’re going back there again?” 9 Yeshua answered, “Aren’t there twelve hours in the day? If a man walks in the day, he doesn’t stumble, because he sees the light of the world. 10 But if a man should walk around at night, he stumbles, because the light is not in him.” https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Jn.+11%3A1%E2%80%9354&version=TLV Acts 21 : 17 - 26Advice from Jacob and the Elders17 When we arrived in Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters welcomed us gladly. 18 On the next day, Paul went in with us to Jacob; all the elders were present. 19 After greeting them, he reported to them in detail what God had done among the Gentiles through his service. 20 And when they heard, they began glorifying God. They said, “You see, brother, how many myriads there are among the Jewish people who have believed—and they are all zealous for the Torah. 21 They have been told about you—that you teach all the Jewish people among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or to walk according to the customs. 22 What’s to be done then? No doubt they will hear that you have come. 23 “So do what we tell you. We have four men who have a vow on themselves. [a]24 Take them, and purify yourself[b] along with them and pay their expenses, so that they may shave their heads. That way, all will realize there is nothing to the things they have been told about you, but that you yourself walk in an orderly manner, keeping the Torah. 25 “As for Gentiles who have believed, however, we have written by letter what we decided—for them to abstain from what is offered to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from immorality.” 26 The next day Paul took the men, purifying himself along with them. He went into the Temple, announcing when the days of purification would be completed and the sacrifice would be offered for each one of them. https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=acts+21%3A17-26&version=TLV |
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Parashah in 60 seconds |
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00 The reason to write my Theology
The Importance of Theological Underpinning in Pastoral Teachings: A Comprehensive Perspective
Introduction
Within Article Zero of the series on theology, I would like to introduce the reason for this writing.
Theology, the study of the divine and religious beliefs, practices, and experiences, is the backbone of any religious teaching. For a pastor, the theological ground from which he or she teaches is not just a matter of personal belief but a guiding principle that shapes the congregation's spiritual life. This article explores why it is essential for a pastor to provide this theological underpinning for the congregation and the importance of prayer, preparation, and making it publicly available.
Part I: The Significance of Theological Underpinning
1. Consistency and Clarity in Teaching
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Ensures teachings are consistent with core beliefs.
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Provides a clear framework for interpretation and application.
2. Personal Integrity and Authenticity
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Fosters integrity and authenticity.
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Builds trust in spiritual guidance.
3. Cultural and Contextual Relevance
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Ensures guidance is relevant and meaningful.
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Recognizes unique needs and challenges.
4. Fostering Spiritual Growth
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Provides a roadmap for spiritual development.
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Encourages deeper exploration and engagement.
5. Unity and Community Building
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Promotes unity within the congregation.
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Avoids divisions and conflicts.
Part II: The Imperative of Prayer, Preparation, and Public Availability
Prayer: Seeking Divine Guidance
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Aligns theological beliefs with God's will.
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Opens the heart and mind to divine revelation.
Preparation: Crafting a Thoughtful Framework
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Ensures a well-thought-out and comprehensive understanding.
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Demonstrates responsibility and accountability.
Public Availability: Transparency and Accessibility
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Fosters transparency and builds trust.
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Makes information accessible to all.
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Serves as an educational resource.
Conclusion
The theological ground from which a pastor teaches is a vital aspect of spiritual leadership. It provides consistency, fosters integrity, ensures relevance, promotes spiritual growth, and builds community. Defining and sharing this theological underpinning is a sacred task that requires prayer, preparation, and a commitment to public availability.
In a world where individual perspectives and interpretations can vary widely, and spiritual guidance is often sought and scrutinized, these principles serve as a compass, guiding both the pastor and the congregation toward a shared understanding of their faith. It is a reflection of the pastor's commitment to the spiritual well-being of the community he or she serves, and a testament to the profound responsibility that comes with the calling.
By understanding and articulating this theological foundation, a pastor can lead with clarity, authenticity, and relevance, nurturing a faith community that is united, engaged, and growing in their spiritual journey. It underscores the multifaceted role that theological underpinning plays in pastoral teachings, reflecting the complexity and significance of the pastor's role in guiding and nurturing the faith community.
