Zechariah 7:1-14 - Authentic Obedience over Empty Ritual
Jonah 2:1-10 - Jonah as the Sign of Messiah's Resurrection to Israel
In this second part of his study on Jonah 2:1-10 (יוֹנָה), Brother Gideon Levytam presents five lessons from Jonah’s experience in the belly of the great fish, showing how the prophet became a sign to the people of Israel concerning the death, burial, and resurrection of Yeshua the Messiah. Gideon explains the view that Jonah literally died, his body remaining in the fish while his soul went to Sheol, before God raised him again after three days and three nights. Jonah’s experience became a prophetic picture of the Messiah, who died for our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day for our justification.
Romans 9:4-5 - Israel's Divine Heritage and the Deity of Messiah
Continuing his study in the Book of Romans (אֶל־הָרוֹמִיִּים), Brother Gideon Levytam examines the Apostle Paul’s list of the unique privileges God gave to the nation of Israel in Romans 9:4-5. Gideon walks through Israel’s national adoption as God’s son, the Shekinah glory, the covenants (including the New Covenant, Brit Chadashah), the giving of the Law (Matan Torah), the service of God (Avodat HaElohim), the promises, and the fathers (Avot). Gideon then points to the climax of these privileges: from whom, according to the flesh, came Yeshua, Jesus the Messiah. Yet Paul also declares that Messiah is “over all, God blessed forever,” showing both His true humanity and His deity.
Zechariah 6:1-15 - The Branch Who Will Reign as King and Priest
From Zechariah 6:1-15, Brother Gideon Levytam concludes his study of the prophet’s eight night visions with a striking picture of the Lord’s coming judgment. Zechariah beholds four chariots emerging from between two mountains of brass, identified with Mount Moriah and the Mount of Olives, surrounding the Valley of Yehoshaphat, where the Lord will judge the nations. These chariots represent the heavenly spirits sent forth from before the Lord to carry out His judgment upon the nations and in connection with His dealings with Israel. Following this final vision, the Lord commands Zechariah to perform a prophetic act by placing crowns of silver and gold upon the head of Joshua (Yehoshua) the high priest. Brother Gideon explains that this unusual act points to Yeshua the Messiah, “the Branch” (HaTzemach), who will come and unite in Himself both the kingly and priestly offices. Though the priest came from Levi and the king from Judah, the Messiah will be both King and Priest after the order of Melchizedek. He will build the temple of the Lord, bear the glory, and rule upon His throne in the coming Messianic Kingdom.
Jonah 2:1-10 - Jonah's Four Experiences with the Lord
From Jonah 2:1-10, in his continuing study of the Book of Jonah (Yonah / יוֹנָה), Brother Gideon Levytam begins to examine Jonah’s prayer from the belly of the great fish and highlights four key experiences in the prophet’s dealings with the Lord: disobedience, divine discipline, renewed dedication, and deliverance. In this first message on Jonah chapter 2, Gideon shows how the Lord lovingly disciplines His own people in order to restore them into fellowship with Himself. As Jonah remembers the Lord, turns again toward God’s holy temple, and rededicates himself to the Lord, we are reminded that God is gracious, forgiving, and ready to restore those who repent and return to Him. Brother Gideon also introduces the prophetic significance of Jonah’s experience as a foreshadowing of Yeshua the Messiah, who spoke of “the sign of Jonah.” While Jonah suffered because of his own disobedience, Yeshua willingly died, was buried, and rose again for our salvation. This message encourages us to consider the Lord’s dealings in our own lives and to remember that “Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9).
Romans 9:1-3 - Paul's Continual Sorrow for His Jewish Brethren
Brother Gideon Levytam begins Romans chapter 9 by drawing our attention to the Apostle Paul's words in verses 1-3, where he expresses great heaviness and continual sorrow in his heart for his Jewish brethren. Speaking the truth in the Messiah, Paul reveals the depth of his love and concern for his people. In introducing these verses, Gideon provides important context for Romans chapters 9 through 11, reminding us of God’s ongoing plan for Israel and affirming that His covenant promises will be fulfilled. This opening portion sets the stage for understanding Israel's place in the purposes of God as Paul begins to address these important questions.
Messiah in the Passover: The Lamb of God Revealed in the Seder
Discover how the Lamb of God is revealed in the Passover. Brother Gideon Levytam explores the prophetic elements of the Passover table, showing how ancient Jewish traditions point directly to Yeshua (Jesus) the Messiah. Journeying through the תַּנַ”ךְ (Tanakh) and the בְּרִית חֲדָשָׁה (Brit Chadashah), he traces God's plan of redemption—from the binding of Isaac in Genesis 22 and the blood on the doorposts in Exodus 12, to the Upper Room in Luke 22. See the profound Messianic significance behind the removal of leaven (חָמֵץ - Chametz), the bitter herbs (מָרוֹר - Maror), the four cups of the Seder, and the breaking of the middle matzah known as the Afikoman (אֲפִיקוֹמָן). This hidden piece of unleavened bread foreshadows the death, burial, and resurrection of the Messiah, who drank the Cup of Redemption to establish the New Covenant in His blood. Truly, "Messiah our Passover is sacrificed for us" (1 Corinthians 5:7).
Zechariah 5:1-11 - The Flying Scroll and the Removal of Wickedness
From Zechariah 5:1-11, in his continuing study of the Book of Zechariah (זְכַרְיָה), Brother Gideon Levytam examines the prophet’s sixth and seventh night visions. He explains that the flying scroll (megillah) represents the curse and the swift judgment of God’s Word upon sin, showing that no one can escape the holy standard of the Lord. Its dimensions, matching the Holy Place in the Tabernacle, remind us that God is holy and that judgment proceeds from His presence. Gideon then considers the vision of the ephah and the woman within it as a picture of wickedness (rish’ah), falsehood, corrupt measure, and departure from the Lord. As this wickedness is carried away to the land of Shinar (Babylon), the place of early rebellion against God, it shows how evil is removed and set aside for judgment. Through these visions, Gideon shows that God must judge sin and that He disciplines His own people. All have come under the curse of the broken law. He then points to Yeshua the Messiah, who became a curse for us, and through whom God will restore His people and remove wickedness from their midst.
Jonah 1:8-17 - Cast Into the Sea and the Sign of the Messiah
In the midst of a violent tempest, the terrified mariners interrogate their mysterious passenger to discover the cause of the storm. Brother Gideon Levytam explores Jonah’s bold confession, “I am a Hebrew” (Ani Ivri), and his admission that he is fleeing from the Creator of the sea and the dry land. Knowing the storm is God’s righteous discipline, Jonah tells the sailors that he must be cast into the raging waters so that they might live. When they do so, the sea is immediately calmed, and these pagan men are brought to fear the God of Israel, offer sacrifices, and make vows to Jehovah. Yet the story does not end in the depths of the sea. The Lord prepares a great fish (dag gadol) to swallow the prophet, and Jonah remains in its belly for three days and three nights. Brother Gideon connects this remarkable event to its ultimate prophetic fulfillment in Yeshua the Messiah. As Jonah was cast into the deep and became the means of deliverance for others, so the Messiah spoke of this as the sign of His own death, burial, and resurrection—bringing salvation to a perishing world.
Romans 8:31-39 - Inseparable from the Love of Messiah Yeshua
In his continuing study of the Book of Romans (אֶל־הָרוֹמִיִּים), Brother Gideon Levytam brings us to the closing verses of chapter 8, where the apostle Paul presents the glorious assurance of the believer’s eternal security in Yeshua the Messiah. If God is for us, who can be against us? Through a series of powerful questions, Paul shows that no accusation, no condemnation, and no adversary can ever overturn what God has accomplished for His people through Messiah. Drawing from the Hebrew Scriptures, Brother Gideon points to God’s provision on Mount Moriah and reminds us that He who spared not His own Son has secured eternal redemption for all who believe. Though believers may face tribulation, distress, persecution, or spiritual conflict, nothing in heaven or earth shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Messiah Yeshua our Lord.
Zechariah 4:8-14 - Do Not Despise the Day of Small Things
In this continuation of his study in the Book of Zechariah (זְכַרְיָה), Brother Gideon Levytam explores the conclusion of the prophet's fifth vision concerning the golden Menorah and the two olive trees. Reading from Zechariah 4:8-14, Gideon highlights the Lord’s encouragement to Zerubbabel that the same hands which laid the foundation of the Temple will also finish it. We are exhorted not to despise "the day of small things," for the Lord delights in what seems small, and His work is accomplished "not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit" - pictured in the continual supply of oil with no human intervention. Concluding the passage, Brother Gideon explains the identity of the "two anointed ones" who stand before the Lord of the whole earth. While historically represented by Zerubbabel and the High Priest Yehoshua, the two olive trees also point prophetically to the two witnesses of Revelation 11. During the future time of Jacob's Trouble (Sarat Ya'akov), God will raise up these empowered witnesses in Jerusalem to testify of Yeshua the Messiah. Their death, resurrection, and ascension will serve as a powerful testimony, awakening the remnant and moving Israel toward her promised restoration - when she will once again shine as a light to the nations.