Simchat Torah and Shemini Atzeret*

      Both Simchat Torah, meaning "Rejoice in the Torah," and Shemini Atzeret, meaning "the eighth day," follow the seven-day Feast of Tabernacles. The eighth day has a meaning to the Jewish people of new beginnings. At this time, readings from the first five books of the Bible (the Torah) ending with Deuteronomy have been studied for the year, and the readings return to the first Book of the Torah, with Genesis chapters 1 and 2. It is also a sad fact that often during God's appointed holy days, attacks have come against Israel in the past. These holy days were ordained by God to "awaken" His people and to bring His people into His presence and relationship with Him.

     The LORD spoke to His people through Isaiah the prophet contrasting His own righteousness and omniscience with the unrighteousness of His people: "...Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. Hearken unto me, ye stouthearted, that are far from righteousness: I bring near my righteousness; it shall not be far off, and my salvation shall not tarry: and I will place salvation in Zion for Israel my glory." (Isa. 46:8-13).

     God declares the end from the beginning, like starting the Torah anew. He will even use the heathen to accomplish His will and purpose, including kings like Pharaoh, Cyrus, and Herod. His stated unchangeable purpose above is to bring His salvation to His transgressing people who are far from righteousness. Salvation is not just a New Testament concept but has been promised from the beginning chapters of scripture. "Salvation", or Yeshua, is also the Hebrew name of Jesus who is our salvation.

     The LORD makes powerful promises to Israel, who will experience the attack of the nations: "Therefore wait ye on me...until the day that I rise up to the prey: for my determination is to gather the nations that I may assemble the kingdoms, to pour upon them mine indignation, even all my fierce anger (see also Zech. 12:1-3): for all the earth shall be devoured with the fire of my jealousy. For then will I turn to the people a pure language, that they may all call upon the name of the LORD, to serve him with one consent." (Zeph. 3:8-9). The LORD will deal with the enemies of His people. He also promised to restore the pure language. With the restoration of the nation of Israel after two thousand years, the Hebrew language was revived from the dead languages of the earth. It is the only formerly "dead" language to have been so restored. The LORD's promises call His people to rejoice: "The remnant of Israel shall not do iniquity, nor speak lies...none shall make them afraid. Sing, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel; be glad and rejoice with all the heart...The LORD has taken away thy judgments, he hath cast out thine enemy: the king of Israel, even the LORD, is in the midst of thee: thou shalt not see evil any more...The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty; he will save, he will rejoice over thee with joy; he will rest in his love, he will joy over thee with singing....Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee...and I will get them (Israel) praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time, I will bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD." (v. 13-20, excerpt).

     The King, the LORD will be in their midst, and they shall see no more evil. This is the Millennial Reign of Messiah/Christ.

     Not only does the LORD promise to bring safety to Israel, but He also spoke: "In that day will I raise up the tabernacle of David that is fallen, and close up the breaches thereof; and I will raise up his ruins, and I will build it as in the days of old. That they may possess the remnant of Edom, and of all the heathen, which are called by my name, saith the LORD that doeth this." (Amos 9:11-12). The LORD promises to prosper the rebuilding of cities, the planting of vineyards, gardens and fruits. (13-14). The LORD says: "And I will plant them upon their land, and they shall no more be pulled up out of their land which I have given them, saith the LORD thy God." (v. 15). Rejoice in the promises of God!

   

     Israel is indeed one of the most fruitful nations in the region, and produces more fruits and flowers than many nations larger than they are.

      The tabernacle of David (which is also by covenant the eternal royal house of the Messiah, Jesus: see Ezek. 37:24-26) will be raised up again and restored. Israel was indeed brought back to their land that God, and not man, gave them, and they will remain upon it. This is not accomplished by a solution of man, such as a two-state solution, but it is the will and work of God. The LORD said that He will establish an everlasting Covenant of Peace with Israel.

     These promises are made to Israel, not because of their righteousness. The Word of God tells us that none are righteous, not one of us. The LORD would restore Israel in this remarkable way for His own name's sake, which they had profaned among the nations: "...and the heathen shall know that I am the LORD...when I shall be sanctified in you before their eyes." (Ezek. 36:22-23). Again, the plan for Israel also includes a plan for all of the nations as a result of God's restoration of His own people. Not only did God promise to restore them to their land from among the nations, but He also promised to restore them spiritually: "Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart...and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God." (v. 25-28).

     Again, we see that the heathens who witness this restoration will be affected: "Then the heathen that are left round about you shall know that I the LORD build the ruined places, and plant that that was desolate: I the LORD have spoken it, and I will do it." (v. 36, see also Ezek. 37:28).

     The LORD wants a personal relationship with His creation. He works a spiritual renewal in Israel and all of us. The fruitful blessing that the LORD brings upon the land of Israel is to create a spirit of repentance and cause them to "...lothe yourselves in your own sight for your iniquities and for your abominations." (v. 31). They shall become a holy flock as the flock of Jerusalem...filled with flocks of men: and they shall know that I am the LORD." (v. 37-38).

     

      Apostle Paul, who was a Jewish Pharisee as well as an apostle to the Church of believers, also wrote of the futility of the self-righteousness of Israel or anyone else, as the LORD mentioned above to Isaiah. Self-righteousness, by its very nature, is not submitted to God's righteousness. God's righteousness as revealed in His Word, and received by faith, is a gift to us through Jesus Christ: "But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." (Rom. 10:1-13, excerpt). Salvation is received in the same way by all, through the belief in the Lord Jesus, and the knowledge that God will do what His Word promises to do for all who call upon Him in heart-felt faith.

     Paul wrote that God is not finished with Israel, but intends to save all of Israel: "Even so, at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works...the election hath obtained it, and the rest were blinded." (Rom. 11:1-7, excerpt). The Lord always has an elect remnant in Israel who worship only Him. Salvation must be by this grace of God, and not earned by religious works, because religious works are man's efforts towards self-righteousness as discussed earlier. 

     The blindness of Israel that Paul mentions in the above verses will not last forever: "For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in. And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob: For this is my covenant unto them, when I shall take away their sins.'...as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers' sakes. For the gifts and calling of God are without repentance." (Rom. 11:25-29). 

     Gentile believers in Christ's salvation should not walk in ignorance thinking that they are better than or chosen over the Jewish people. There is also a false doctrine being taught today that the Church replaces Israel. Never! God will not walk away from His covenant with Israel - not ever, nor under any circumstances. We are seeing those days where the Gospel has been presented to the Gentiles and the fulness of the Gentiles has come in. Paul has already written that at this time, all Israel will be saved by the election and grace of God.

     Whether Jewish or Gentile, Paul wrote that this is to be our service to God: "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service (meaning "spiritual worship"). And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith." (Rom. 12:1-3)

     

     The promises of God are established in His Word regarding Israel. Although the times are difficult, the promises are sure and a cause for great rejoicing. How are believers praying for Israel? Pray with the correct understanding of what the Word of God is saying.

*Based upon Dr. Kenneth E. Stevenson, Jr.'s 10/12/25 message to the church. If you would like to hear the complete message, you can find it on the Facebook page of Kenneth E. Stevenson Jr. Dr. Stevenson's video messages are also found on You Tube at the Kenneth Stevenson channel. To contact or support this ministry, or to request prayer, you can write to PO Box 154221, Waco, TX, 76705. To find out more about the Shroud of Turin, and to receive a free e-book now available in several languages, go to http://www.theshroudofturin.org/freebook. Also the book NAZAH: White Linen and the Blood of Sprinkling is available on Amazon.