Two big words characterize this navi. Mishpat (judgment) and teshuvah (repentance/return). And Yoel gives us a powerful vision of what teshuvah can do for individuals and, ultimately, the world – even when judgment seems close.
So many people today think God has given up on them and they can’t return to Him. That’s not the message of Hosea and the rest of the Trei Asar. If we have breath, it’s not too late to return to our Heavenly Father!
When it comes to Hosea, the Talmud goes so far as to call him the greatest prophet of his generation. That’s a remarkable statement when you consider who his contemporaries were. Hosea lived at the same time as Amos, Isaiah, Micah, and Joel. Yet the rabbis singled him out. Why? Well, there are some good reasons…
The lack of emphasis and familiarity with the Trei Asar is unfortunate, because their message is every bit as relevant today as it was when these prophets first announced their words to the Jewish people.
The Bible was written in a world very different from our own. Its authors lived in cultures that thought, spoke, and viewed the world differently from how we do today. Yet many of us instinctively approach Scripture as though it were written directly to twenty-first-century readers. As a result, we sometimes miss important details and occasionally misunderstand the author’s intended message. The good news is that there is a way to read Scripture that can greatly enhance our understanding.
The Evolution of Judaism: From Jesus’ Time to Today
Let us continue to explore the world of Judaism and its evolution throughout history. For the uninitiated Gentile Christian, it’s not uncommon to assume an equivalence between Yeshua Jesus’ faith and practice and that of contemporary Jewish people, but is that accurate? How does Yeshua’s Jewish experience we read about in the Gospels compare with modern Judaism? Has Judaism changed much throughout its history, or has it remained fundamentally the same? What might the future of Judaism hold?
Many ask each year: What are the Jewish Fall Holidays or Biblical Holidays? Here is an overview from a messianic perspective:
In Leviticus 23, we read about three holidays, commonly referred to as the “fall feasts.” The underlying fact that we should always keep in mind is that Scripture clarifies that these special seasons are not merely “Jewish” holidays—they are the Lord’s! In the opening of that chapter, Adonai clearly states: “Speak to Bnei-Yisrael, and tell them: These are the appointed moadim of Adonai, which you are to proclaim to be holy convocations—My moadim” (Lev 23:3/TLV).
Starting from the second night of Passover, the Bible encourages us to all become “Pentecostals” by initiating a forty-nine-day minor festival culminating on the Day of Pentecost—“Pentecost,” meaning “fifty.” The first fruits festival, known as “The Counting of the Omer” or simply “The Omer,” marks a culmination of three unique historical events and has enormous significance in the life of a disciple of Yeshua – Jesus.
God renews creation. Tishrei’s festivals all focus on the person praying, waiting, and relying upon the Lord. Consequently, this month’s other name (Ethanim meaning “strong”) makes perfect sense, as “they who wait for Adonai will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31).
What is the saddest day in Jewish History?
The most solemn day on the Jewish calendar is Tisha B’Av—the ninth day of Av. It is a time for mourning as a community. On (or around) this day throughout history, many calamities have befallen the Jewish people. Consider some of these dark episodes…
