Remarks at Graduation Ceremony of Hebraic Roots Yeshiva and Torah Theological Seminary 11-17, 2011 John M.

Conrad What a privilege to address you today in the context of this graduation. Paul tells us in Philippians 2:12 to "work out your salvation with fear and trembling." There are many fruitful endeavors we can pursue as people, those made in God's image. One of the most important things we can do is learn God's ways and his thoughts. The best way to learn His thoughts is to study his Word. So many blessings accrue to us when we study and learn his Word. Proverbs 4: 5 Acquire wisdom! Acquire understanding! Do not forget nor turn away from the words of my mouth. 6 "Do not forsake her, and she will guard you; Love her, and she will watch over you. 7 "The beginning of wisdom is: Acquire wisdom; And with all your acquiring, get understanding. Psalm 119: 11 Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. 2 Timothy 3: 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. It reminds me of an old bumper sticker: "If you think education is expensive, try ignorance." For those of us who are born again and who are being conformed into the image of the Messiah, the Word becomes our food, our sustenance. Training in the Word and in the ways of our Father is essential to our walk with Him. For too long, the church has tried to grow on a diet that was missing many of its nutrients. For too many, their Bible began with Matthew. For too many, when they read the most important book on earth they start at the last few chapters. Now, God is restoring his people and turning them back to their Hebraic roots. As Zechariah states in chapter 8:23 "Thus says the LORD of hosts, 'In those days ten men from all the nations will grasp the garment of a Jew, saying, "Let us go with you, for we have heard that God is with you."'" While this "Jew" can be seen as Yeshua it also is a picture of all of us returning to the faith of our fathers, to the faith of Abraham. In Jeremiah 6: 16 Thus says the LORD, "Stand by the ways and see and ask for the ancient paths, Where the good way is, and walk in it; And you will find rest for your souls. But they said, 'We will not walk in it.' Here at the Hebraic Roots Yeshiva and the Torah Theological Seminary the decision has been made--We will walk in it. We all have had a unique walk returning to our Biblical foundations. At the House of Aaron in Utah we began by observing the 7th day Sabbath and the clean and unclean foods. Then as we explored the many "forever" covenants of Yahweh with his people we began to celebrate the Feasts, the Moedim. Each step brings increased significance to our relationship with Yahweh and we are just beginning to understand what Yeshua meant when he said "I have not come to destroy the Torah but to fulfill it." As these graduates strike out to "make their calling and election sure" we send them with our blessing, secure that the training and mentoring they have received will greatly enhance their efforts for the kingdom. We are grateful for the efforts of Brother Steven and Sister Sylvia Jun in

planting His Word into these students and confident "that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of our Messiah Yeshua. (Philippians 1:6) May His grace continue to grow and abound in your lives.