Rabbi Eric Walker - Etz Chaim: Tree of Life: Lessons Learned from the Tree of Life

Copyright 2012 Rabbi Eric E . Walker

All rights reserved. This book is protected by the copyright laws of the United States of America. This book may not be copied or reprinted for commercial gain or profit. The use of short quotations or occasional page copying for personal or group study is permitted and encouraged. Permission will be granted upon request. Unless otherwise identified, Old Testament Scripture quotations are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved. New Testament Scripture quotations are taken from the Tree of Life Version (TLV), Copyright 2010 by Destiny Image Publishers. New Testament Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan. Emphasis within Scripture quotations is the authors own. Please note that Destiny Images publishing style capitalizes certain pronouns in Scripture that refer to the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and may differ from some publishers styles. Take note that the name satan and related names are not capitalized. We choose not to acknowledge him, even to the point of violating grammatica l rules.

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T O MY INCREDIBLE WIFE, Lora, whom I adore and who has labored side by side with me on this project. G-D has blessed me with a Proverbs 3 1 woman.

To our precious children: Amanda, Skylar, and Kenzie, and our precious granddaughter, Chloe! May they follow Yeshua with all their hearts, souls, and minds and love Him with all thei r hearts.

And in loving memory of Robert and Lillian Amper, who instilled in me a love of Israel and my rich Jewis h heritage.

T HERE IS NO GREATER contributor to this book than the G-D of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, who redeemed me from a life serving the world and gave me a gift so great that my life would be forever changed: Yeshua ha MashiachHe deserves all the praise, honor, an d glory.

This book is a testimony to the love and prayerful support of many who have sown into my life. I have been privileged to sit under great teaching and want to thank those who have made an outstanding contribution to me in my walk with th e Lord.

My wife, Lora, and our children, Skylar and Amanda, who have shared this journey with me and have been the greatest encouragers. Their love and support are treasures and gifts from G-D.

My mother, Iris Walker, and my late father, Herbert Walker, who equipped me to accomplish anything I believed in. Without that foundation, there would be nothing to buil d on.

My beloved late grandparents, Robert and Lillian Amper, who instilled in me a love of Israel and my Jewish heritage. Their vision, love, and support of Israel are as alive today as they were at those Shabbat, Holiday, and Israel Bond dinners in McKeesport in the 1960s and 70s.

Rabbi Robert Solomon and Dorothy Solomon, who took me from being on fire for the world and groomed, trained, counseled, and corrected meand ignited in me a fire for the Lord that cannot be quenched. Than k you!

Don Smith, whose commitment to the truth of the Bible has taught me and inspired me since the day w e met.

Karie Mitchell Photography for catching the vision and making extraordinary photographs through the eye of G-D!

Mark and Daniah Greenberg and the entire TLV team for their vision and support to bring the truth t o life.

Destiny Image Publishers, that possesses a unique heart for this work to go forth and a heart for the restoration of Israel, both physically an d spiritually.

The love, support, and encouragement from Congregation Beth Hallel in Birmingham, Alabama, have motivated me to boldly step out in faith and write this book. Thanks to them for their prayer support and encouragement. Thanks to my mishpacha, who allows me to teach and to lead; and a special thanks for their support as I strive for more of Him in m y life.

And thank you, dear reader, for allowing this books influence in your life. May your walk be strengthened and deepened even a little as you walk through this text and as we take this journe y together.

Rabbi Eric Walkers Etz Chaim: Tree of Life is a masterful design for Messianic discipleship and Spirit-controlled living. Rabbi Walkers step-by-step approach to living the sanctified life includes his ingenious use of botany interwoven with childhood experiences and highly practical applications of solid biblical truth. His simple and effective self-checklists at the end of each carefully laid out and expounded precept allows the serious disciple to calculate exactly an individualized appropriate course of action. Rabbi Walkers extensive use of Scripture is ideal for all, but most especially for those disciples newer to the Word of God. Whether for use in a discipleship course for one or a group, a home Bible study, or a preaching series, I wholeheartedly commend Etz Chaim: Tree of Life to anyone engaged in Kingdom living.

Raymond L. Gannon, PhD

The Kings University Dean of Messianic Jewish Studies

Academic Dean of the Jewish Voice Messianic Career Institute

Only a Messianic Rabbi who is flooded with G-Ds Spirit can teach the end-time understanding of the Torah. Feast on the heart of G-D as Rabbi Eric Walker unfolds this end-time revelation.

Sid Roth

Host, Its Supernatural! Television

www.SidRoth.org

In Etz Chaim, Rabbi Eric Walker takes readers back to the dawn of human history and then to our own modern story. Those who are game to reconsider the ancient Tree of Life and the Garden of Eden, along with the more liturgical employment of the Tree of Life in the synagogues liturgy, will get something for their own lives through Rabbi Walkers unpacking of the ancient and modern parable of the tree. I am happy to recommend his insightful and inspirational book.

Dr. Jeffrey L. Seif

Etz Chaim: Tree of Life is a book that I will put on our must read list at our Shoresh David Messianic Synagogues. First, I loved the parable that G-D gave to Rabbi Walker; it is a great foundation for the book. I thought the Scriptures used were extremely insightful as we journeyed into the intricacies of the Tree and its spiritual components. But what makes it extra special for me is that this book takes the spiritual understanding in each chapter and develops key life applications. You cant read this book without learning how to walk more closely with G-D.

Rabbi Steven J. Weiler

Senior Rabbi, Shoresh David Messianic Synagogue,

Executive officer of the Messianic Jewish Bible Project

With the voice of everyman, Rabbi Walker provides an insightful and thoughtful look into the deeper roots of our faith in Messiah Yeshua (Jesus). From the roots nourished in rich soil to the top branches that reach in praise to its Maker, Etz Chaim: Tree of Life will not only provide those insights, but also draw us closer to the Creator.