This Bible teaching from Founded in Truth Fellowship, taught by Matthew Vander Els, explores the surprising ways God is depicted using feminine imagery in the Bible. The teaching emphasizes that God, while often portrayed in masculine terms, also possesses qualities and characteristics typically associated with femininity.

Here are a few ways this teaching can be applied to everyday life:

• Expanded understanding of God: Recognizing the feminine aspects of God can lead to a deeper and more nuanced understanding of God's nature.
• Comfort and nurture: The feminine imagery of God as a comforting and nurturing mother can bring solace and peace in times of need.
• Strength and protection: The example of the mother bear fiercely protecting her cubs highlights the strength and protective nature of God.

• Hosea 11: God as a nurturing mother teaching and caring for her child.
• Deuteronomy 32: God depicted as a mother giving birth to Israel.
• Hosea 13: God compared to a ferocious mother bear protecting her cubs.

Founded in Truth Fellowship is a Messianic Fellowship in Rock Hill, SC that provides Biblical teachings, fellowship, and resources for Biblical studies. Founded in Truth Fellowship is able to spread the gospel and the word of Yeshua because of supporters like you. If Founded in Truth has been a blessing to you or your family, we ask that you would give so that the same messages can bless others. To give to Founded in Truth Fellowship, click this link https://foundedintruth.com/give.

Founded in Truth Fellowship 1689 Springsteen Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29730 (803) 627-8623 https://foundedintruth.com

Shavuot is one of the three pilgrimage feasts in the Old Testament, along with Passover and Sukkot.

It is celebrated 50 days after the first day of the barley harvest, known as First Fruits.

During this festival, the Israelites would bring offerings to the Lord, including two loaves of leavened bread made from the new harvest. This offering symbolized gratitude for God's blessings and represented a new gift in its final form.

Beyond its religious significance, Shavuot was also a time of great joy and festivity in ancient Israel.

Historical writings and Jewish commentary suggest a lively atmosphere, with music, dancing, and possibly even acrobatic performances. The festival attracted both Jews and Gentiles, making Jerusalem a popular travel destination during that time.

In the New Testament, Shavuot takes on a new meaning with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the followers of Jesus.

This event, known as Pentecost, occurred 50 days after Jesus' resurrection, while his followers were gathered in Jerusalem for Shavuot.

The sound of rushing wind, tongues of fire, and the ability to speak in other languages marked the arrival of the Holy Spirit.

This event is interpreted as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies, particularly those in Jeremiah 31, Ezekiel 36, and Joel 2, which foretold the coming of the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit's arrival is described as a transformative event, bringing a "new wind" and a "new spirit" to the hearts of believers.

This new spirit enables believers to overcome sin and live out the ethic of God's kingdom.

It is the same spirit that resided in Jesus and empowers believers to be a reflection of him to the world.

Luke, the author of the Book of Acts, intentionally draws parallels between Jesus' ministry and the ministry of his followers after Pentecost.

He highlights similarities in their actions, experiences, and even the opposition they faced, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit equips believers to continue the work of Jesus and spread the gospel.

Shavuot, particularly in light of Pentecost, calls believers to be ambassadors of God's justice and righteousness in the world.

It emphasizes the importance of caring for the poor and marginalized, as exemplified by the command to leave the edges of the fields unharvested for the poor and foreigners.

The outpouring of the Holy Spirit empowers believers to act justly, speak against oppression, and show God's love to the world.

The speaker challenges believers to examine their lives and consider whether they are living out the transformative power of the Holy Spirit as described in the Book of Acts.

Shavuot also carries a message of new creation and the renovation of the world.

The speaker draws connections between the Holy Spirit hovering over the waters in Genesis 1 and the Holy Spirit empowering believers at Pentecost.

The arrival of the Holy Spirit marks the beginning of a new creation, where God's kingdom is made manifest in the lives of believers.

This new creation is characterized by justice, righteousness, and the absence of violence, ultimately leading to a new heaven and a new earth.

Believers are called to participate in this new creation by embodying God's kingdom and bringing heaven to earth.

The speaker uses examples like the establishment of public hospitals and the care for abandoned children by early Christians to illustrate the transformative impact of the Holy Spirit on society.

The ultimate question posed is whether the Book of Acts describes the lives of those who claim to follow Jesus, urging them to embrace the power of the Holy Spirit and live as agents of God's kingdom in the world.

Founded in Truth Fellowship is a Messianic Fellowship in Rock Hill, SC that provides Biblical teachings, fellowship, and resources for Biblical studies. Founded in Truth Fellowship is able to spread the gospel and the word of Yeshua because of supporters like you. If Founded in Truth has been a blessing to you or your family, we ask that you would give so that the same messages can bless others. To give to Founded in Truth Fellowship, click this link https://foundedintruth.com/give.

Founded in Truth Fellowship 1689 Springsteen Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29730 (803) 627-8623 https://foundedintruth.com

This teaching by Matthew Vander Els at Founded in Truth Fellowship examines the dynamics between husbands and wives. Contrary to the modern assumption that women in ancient Near Eastern cultures, including those depicted in the Bible, were oppressed and lacked rights, the speaker suggests that women held a different but equally important role. Vander Els stresses that, biblically, a husband should see his wife as his most prized possession, similar to how a father views his daughter in ancient cultures.

Just as Isaac prayed for Rebecca's fertility, husbands should intercede for their wives, recognizing their needs and petitioning God on their behalf. Vander Els underscores this responsibility by mentioning a verse he considers "convicting": "And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife because she was barren, and the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived".

When a woman marries, her husband assumes a responsibility akin to a father's. This transition, often symbolized by the giving away of the bride in wedding ceremonies, is a contract of care and provision.

Drawing on scriptural examples like Psalms 128, Vander Els emphasizes that a wife's well-being and joy are directly linked to her husband's reverence for God. This isn't to say women can't be spiritually strong on their own, but it highlights a husband's primary duty to lead his family with righteousness, setting a worthy example for his wife and children.

Vander Els argues that modern interpretations of wifely submission, particularly in Colossians 3:18, often miss the nuance of the original Greek word. Instead of a military-style subservience, he suggests it implies a voluntary and collaborative approach where the wife actively shares the burdens and responsibilities of the household as her husband's helpmate.

Vander Els seeks to dismantle the notion of women as mere possessions in a marriage. He points to the Hebrew word for "helpmate," arguing that it denotes an equal and powerful counterpart who supports and defends her husband, particularly in times of vulnerability. He uses the analogy of a soldier needing backup to illustrate the strength and protectiveness this term implies.

• Regularly pray for your wives, seeking God's blessings upon their lives and recognizing your responsibility to support them spiritually.
• Treat your wives with honor and respect, understanding that you are entrusted with their well-being. Remember the value placed upon a daughter in ancient cultures and extend that same esteem to your wife.
• Strive to lead your families in righteousness, setting a godly example that your wife and children can willingly follow.
• Embrace the true meaning of "helpmate" by recognizing and appreciating your wife's strength, support, and partnership in marriage.

• Support your husbands and assist them in fulfilling their responsibilities as spiritual leaders in the home.
• Pray for your husbands and your families, seeking God's guidance and blessing on your household.

• Genesis 25:21: "And Isaac prayed to the Lord for his wife because she was barren, and the Lord granted his prayer, and Rebekah his wife conceived".
• Psalms 128
• Colossians 3:18
• 2 Corinthians 5:21
• Proverbs 31
• Hebrews 11:7

Note: This summary reflects the perspective presented by the speaker in the provided source. Other interpretations of scripture and historical contexts regarding the role of women in ancient Near Eastern cultures may exist.

Founded in Truth Fellowship is a Messianic Fellowship in Rock Hill, SC that provides Biblical teachings, fellowship, and resources for Biblical studies. Founded in Truth Fellowship is able to spread the gospel and the word of Yeshua because of supporters like you. If Founded in Truth has been a blessing to you or your family, we ask that you would give so that the same messages can bless others. To give to Founded in Truth Fellowship, click this link here.

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