Tefillin:

What does the Bible say?

NEHR HAOLAM MESSIANIC BIBLICAL SOCIETY

For the most part, tefillin are two small leather cases containing texts from the Hebrew Scriptures as traditionally worn (on both the forehead and the left arm) by Jewish men during the early morning prayer (http:// www.thefreedictionary.com/tefillin). Though some may question the validity of donning tefillin, we do know that Torah teaches pertaining to its importance which is what this study entails. According to Torah, the act of donning tefillin demonstrates that the bearers testimony and his beliefs that alone is Elohim (reference Deuteronomy 6:8 & 11:8). To add, the act of donning tefillin is the biblical means by which the worshipper may literally bind himself to the Heavenly Fathers commandments and His testimonies (i.e., The Ten Commandments). So, does the Bible encourage people to wear tefillin? It does. The Scriptures say, Bind them upon thy fingers, write them upon the table of thine heart (Proverbs 7:3). By donning tefillin, the worshipper demonstrates that he is a disciple- a person who follows the Heavenly Fathers disciplines and instructions that are prescribed in Torah (reference Isaiah 8:16). Hence, the act of donning tefillin demonstrates that the wearers earnest allegiance is to the Heavenly Fathers testimony, service, and covenant of Adonai: Thou shalt fear thy Elohim; Him shalt thou serve, and to Him shalt thou cleave (e.g, bind to), and swear by His Name (Deuteronomy 10:20 cr. John 3:33). From numerous verses such as the ones mentioned above, the Bible reveals that the act of donning tefillin is ever present within the commandments embodied in Torah. Though Torah does not provide us with the exact details on how to go about wearing tefillin, it is a biblical practice that the Heavenly Father has given to those who desire to worship Him in spirit and in truth: Set Me (e.g., )as a seal upon thine heart, as a seal upon thine arm [...] (Song of songs 8:6, KJV). Therefore, the practice of donning tefillin fulfills Yeshuas instruction when he cited, You shalt love your Elohim with all your heart, might, and soul (Deuteronomy 6:5).

Donning tefillin is not limited to Old Testament practices. Part of the disciple making process included the donning of tefillin (reference Isaiah 8:16). In like manner, Yeshua desired for his Jewish followers to teach the nations of the earth this beautiful enhancement that tefillin manifests within the worshipful lifestyle we call prayer. Israels king once said to his loyal subjects, Therefore, go and make disciples of all the [gentile] nations [] (Matthew 28:19). The New Testament describes this precious act as Hashem pointing out those who are truly His own special possession (reference 2 Timothy 2:19). It is in this act of fulfilling Yeshuas instructio that those who don tefillin indicate to avenging angels whom not to harm: They were told not to hurt the grass or plants or trees but to attack all the people who did not have the seal of God (i.e., tefillin) on their foreheads (Revelations 9:4). Those who opt not to wear tefillin neither distinguish themselves from those who belong to the Heavenly Fathers possession and even demonstrate to be in complete disobedience to Elohim: The garlands have fallen from our heads. Weep for us because we have sinned (i.e., violated Torahs decrees) (Lamentation 5:16). The crown of glory is another phrase that appears throughout the Bible. This phrase directly points to the act of donning tefillin. Just as much as the righteous are rewarded with tefillin, so too the Bible promises that Messiah himself will one day give Hashems disciples tefillin to wear. As far as wearing tefillin is concerned, Peter once wrote, [...] when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away (1 Peter 5:5, NIV). To those who doubt whether or not donning tefillin is a Messianic principal that Messiah desire of his loyal subjects, members of the international bod of Messiah reason that Yeshua himself instructed us to do so and teach others how to don tefillin. Hence, the act of donning tefillin is not be a matter of debate; rather, its a matter of personal, sincere worship to the Heavenly Father who created the expanse of the Universe. Those who contend with the issue is simply perceived as an anathema, a person who opposes the biblical guidelines that are set-forth for us to discover and follow. Otherwise, this study provided a reference resource by which followers of Messiah Yeshua can refer to about Tefillin, and what the Bible says about it.

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