Keep The Faith

Comparing Jewish and Messianic Understandings of “Melech HaMoshiach” As I was reading the Transfiguration story in Luke 9:28–36 ( Lukas 9:28–36 OJB ), I became curious about how the Orthodox Jewish Bible renders this passage. Seeing it through a Jewish‑inflected translation opened a fresh window into how different communities understand the identity and mission of the Messiah. The title “Melech HaMoshiach” — the King Messiah — carries deep longing, ancient promise, and profound theological weight. Both Judaism and Messianic faith look to the Scriptures of Israel for the identity of this coming King, yet they arrive at different conclusions about who He is and how He fulfills God’s covenant purposes. 🕎 The Jewish Hope: A Davidic King Who Restores Israel In traditional Judaism, Melech HaMoshiach is understood as: a human descendant of King David , anointed to restore Israel , gather the exiles, rebuild the Temple, establish global peace, ...

  For centuries, Israel waited for a Messiah who would rise from the line of David. The prophets guarded this promise, Mary carried it in her blood, and Joseph sealed it through the ancient power of Jewish adoption. In Yeshua, every strand of the covenant converges—prophetic, biological, and legal—revealing the true Son of David. The Promise: A King from David’s Line Israel’s hope began with a covenant. God pledged to David that a ruler from his own house would sit on an everlasting throne. The prophets echoed this promise across generations: Isaiah : a shoot from the stump of Jesse Jeremiah : a Righteous Branch from David Psalms : David’s throne will endure By the days of Yeshua, the expectation was clear and universal: The Messiah must come from David’s line. Mary’s Line: David’s Blood Preserved Luke’s genealogy traces a path back to David through Nathan , a line widely understood to represent Mary’s ancestry . Through her: Yeshua carries Davidic blood The promise of a Messiah fr...

  How Should Israel Treat Those in the Land Today? A Biblical Look at Return, Neighbors, and Covenant Ethics When Scripture speaks about Israel returning to the Promised Land, it never frames the issue in political terms. It frames it in covenant terms — G-d’s character, G-d’s promises, and G-d’s expectations for how His people treat others. To understand how Israel is to treat those who live in the land now, we must look at the three biblical eras of return , because each one gives a different kind of instruction. 1. The First Entry Under Joshua — A Unique Moment in History The conquest under Joshua was a one‑time, unrepeatable event . G-d used Israel as an instrument of judgment on nations whose practices included child sacrifice, ritual prostitution, and violence. This was not: a model for future generations a permanent policy or a pattern for how Israel should treat neighbors After Joshua, G-d never again commanded Israel to conquer the land by force. This means modern returns...

  Can Israel Lose the Promised Land? Understanding G-d’s Covenant The Promised Land is one of the most important themes in Scripture. It’s more than geography — it’s a revelation of God’s faithfulness, His covenant love, and His unfolding plan of redemption. But a question often arises: Can Israel lose the land God promised them? The Bible gives a clear and beautiful answer, and it’s found in understanding the difference between ownership and enjoyment of the land. The Promised Land: A Covenant Gift From the very beginning, G-d promised Abraham a land for his descendants: “To your offspring I will give this land.” — Genesis 12:7 ( Bereshis 12:7Orthodox Jewish Bible ) “I will give… the whole land of Canaan as an everlasting possession.” — Genesis 17:8 ( Bereshis 17:8 Orthodox Jewish Bible ) This promise is rooted in G-d’s character , not Israel’s performance. It is: a gift , an inheritance , and an everlasting covenant . The land is part of G-d’s redemptive plan — a stage on w...

Becoming Like Little Children to Enter the Kingdom Matthew 18:3 (NIV) ( Mattityahu 18:3 OJB ): “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4 (NKJV) ( Mattityahu 18:4 OJB ): “Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Mark 10:15 (NASB) ( Markos 10:15 OJB ): “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.” Luke 18:17 (NIV) ( Lukas 18:17 OJB ): “Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” I also like looking at what the book of John says. I explain why in my post, “ Why the Gospel of John Is Essential to Study .” John’s Perspective on Entering the Kingdom John mentions the “kingdom of God” explicitly only twice, both in Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus: John 3:3 ( Yochanan 3:3 OJB ) — You cannot see ...

  God Is Constantly Drawing Us to Himself There is a beautiful truth woven throughout the entire Bible: God is not distant, passive, or waiting for us to make the first move. From Genesis to Revelation, Scripture reveals a God who is continually reaching, calling, inviting, and drawing people to Himself. His heart has always been turned toward humanity. Even when we wander, He pursues. Even when we resist, He calls. Even when we fail, He draws us back with love that refuses to let go. Let’s look at the powerful ways Scripture shows this ongoing, relentless pursuit. 🌿 Drawn by Everlasting Love “I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have drawn you with lovingkindness.” — Jeremiah 31:3 God’s drawing begins with love — not judgment, not pressure, not fear. His love is everlasting , which means His drawing is continual. He doesn’t stop reaching for us because His love doesn’t stop. ✝️ Drawn to Christ Through the Cross Jesus made this promise: “No one can come to Me u...

Can We Trust God to Protect Us? Can we trust that God will protect us no matter what we're going through? I believe we absolutely can. Many of us are facing moments that feel uncertain and frightening. We worry about our future, our children, our neighbors, our nation, and even the world around us. But when we belong to God, we don't face these fears alone. We stand under the care of a Father who sees, knows, and guards His own. Think about what it truly means to be God's children. He is our Father — steadfast, present, and unchanging. No matter how old we become or how complicated life feels, His role as our Father never shifts. And because He is our Father, His protection is not fragile or occasional. It is rooted in His character, His promises, and His love. God’s Protection in Acts: A Foundation of Certainty These passages don’t just show isolated miracles — they reveal a pattern of God safeg...