From Eliyahu

Dear friends,

As we enjoy this last Sabbath of the 7th Hebrew month of 2014, I'm hoping you have thoroughly enjoyed all the appointments of YHWH through the month, as we have here at Tsiyon. This has literally been a groundbreaking month for us, as I will explain for you in a minute.

Before I get into that, what's up with this crazy picture of my son Judah?

Well, this is a picture that was snapped of Judah as we and visiting Tsiyon volunteers were working on the Tsiyon property, to make it more useful to the Kingdom and a greater blessing to all of you. Judah often brings his special brand of humor into the workday, which is a lot of fun for all of us. As we look at his "scary" photo consider this question: We have had an awesome review of Life in Leviticus on Tsiyon Road this month, but, now are you ready to move on into the scary Book of Numbers?

I know .. I know. The Book of Numbers is SO SCARY!

How scary is it, you ask?

It is SO SCARY many Bible readers (gasp!) skip the whole book!

What are they so scared of, you ask?

Weren't you listening?

It is called the Book of "Numbers." That's N-U-M-B-E-R-S!

People seem to be scared to death of the dull deadly digits - we call those lists of numbers [brace yourself for impact] "accounting!" True, there is a small minority of mathematically superior human beings called "accountants" who love this stuff, at the expense of the rest of us, who absolutely loathe anything vaguely resembling mind-numbing lists of numbers. So, yes, the Book of Numbers clearly does have a name that is (shall we say?) scarily off-putting - and, even worse - this name of "Numbers" is well earned due to long census lists in various places in the book from which this name arises. [Further, some consider the Hebrew name of the book, Bamidbar i.e. "in the wilderness" even more scary! ..but that's a story for another time.]

My point is this: While this is all true, let me remind you that YOU are not merely an ordinary dolt ..err ..person ..who cannot deal with the more difficult realities of life. YOU are an OVERCOMER (..right???) and overcomers press past the difficulties to seize the rewards that come only to the intrepid few. Be not afraid, dear overcomer! There ARE rewards here, in the Book of Numbers, that WILL more than compensate you for your stalwart bravery ..so press on and seize the day!

Still feeling a bit less than undaunted to press forward into the foreboding Book? Again, fear not! Tsiyon is here to help! Next Sabbath EBD Bet Midrash will be entering upon the daring adventure of exploring the wonders of the amazing book of Numbers! We promise not to let you get sucked into the depths of a miry swamp of mathematical malaise. Stick with us, as we navigate this journey together, led by the Ruach, to grasp lessons about our past that will prove absolutely essential to your future! Imagine how glad you will be as you see others who started forward just as you did, but who fall away to oblivion to the right and to the left - while you march all the way through to victory - all because you learned the vital lessons of the Book of Numbers and put them to work in your life! 

Join us each week for this empowering study. Go here to download the updated Torah Reading Schedule and new Tsiyon Messianic Scriptures - Bamidbar/Numbers to undertake (whoops, wrong word) ..er ..embark upon ..this exciting adventure. To be sure you don't miss even one lesson in this series be sure to sign up as a Tsiyon member here. Remember, the REAL overcomers are the ones who do not give up but who endure all the way to the End! No joke, here is what you need to help you do just that!

"This has literally been a groundbreaking month for us" - remember I said that? Well, it has. A number of our Tsiyon members and friends traveled in from out of state to join our local Tsiyon members to celebrate this seventh month with us. We had some great times worshipping together, fellowshipping together, eating together, and we were all uplifted and refreshed in the faith by one another. Besides all that we also got some work done!

Wanna be Immersed at Tsiyon?

Brother Gary heard that we had a plan underway to build a Mikvah for immersions here at Tsiyon HQ. In fact, we already have a 40'x24' pavilion ready to house it! Our next step required excavations to make ready for installation of the Mikvah pool itself. Apparently Gary wants that Mikvah built, because he promptly rented the needed equipment to begin the excavation for it himself!

Other members have donated towards the Mikvah and helped with it in other ways. Thanks to this excellent help this project is now moving toward completion. We hope to complete it before the end of this Hebrew year.

Coming to visit Tsiyon?

Don't forget your bathing suit and towel ..and maybe your RV.

We've had some changes at Tsiyon recently that have freed up some Tsiyon land, causing us to update our plans for the property. The new updated location of the Mikvah is one result of that.  YHWH has also impressed upon us the need to provide space for visitors rather than inviting more permanent Tsiyon volunteers to live on the property. That way we can help Tsiyon members who wish to move into the area to transition here, while we also provide space for those who wish to visit with us to receive ministry, come for events, or volunteer for a specific project or period of time. With this approach more people can be blessed. With that directive in mind, Brother Gary did the initial excavations for some RV and camping spaces here on the property. This still requires power and water to the spaces to complete this aspect of the project. How long it will take us to complete these spaces will depend upon more funding and volunteer help.

There is more I want to tell you about all of this, but this newsletter is already getting a bit long. I'll tell you more in the next one.

Why are we doing all of this?

In a nutshell, the time is getting short and we need to be ready as the gathering of the Remnant speeds up in the days ahead. We expect this place to be a hub of organization as YHWH builds His Remnant nation. YHWH told us to do it. We believe it. We are serious about it. We are determined to get this done. Tsiyon needs to be a mountain you can run to as the death throws of the world system close in around you. We intend to be here when you need us. We are the "voice of Tsiyon in exile" to the scattered Remnant of Israel and we are pointing the way home, just as YHWH said we must do.

Here is the final word for today: It is rapidly getting more turbulent out there. Even the world can see that. Don't panic. Be an overcomer. Be solid as He is solid. Don't get distracted by the failures and excuses of others. Don't be blown from pillar to post by every wind of teaching. Don't give up. Trust in His love. Stay in His Word. Stay the course with Tsiyon. In the end you will be glad you did.

Blessings and Shalom,

Eliyahu Ben David

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