Watch

SHAQAD (שָׁקַד). To watch, to be alert, to be on the lookout, hasten, remain awake. Watch (SHAQAD), is an active, alert, purposeful watching. In its usages, the verb moves from human guardianship to GOD’S sovereign oversight, weaving a theme of vigilance that runs through obedience, faith, worship, wisdom, judgment, and hope for our salvation. See Proverbs 4:23, (Koren Tanakh).

from the desk of

The Bread of Haste Ministry (BHM)

February 25, 2026

Journey Members,

The Bread of Haste Ministry (BHM)

Dear Journey Members,

Original Word: שָׁקַד (SHAQAD)
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: SHAQAD
Pronunciation: SHAH-KAHD
Phonetic Spelling: (SHAW-KAD)

We chose the Hebrew version of the word “watch” (SHAQAD), as it better describes our spiritual walk with our Rabbi, Yeshua.

For years we attended New Years Eve “watch-nights,” last seven utterances services, participated in lent during the “Easter” season, attended revivals, bible studies, prayer sessions, conferences (men and women) and Sunday church services all with the common theme of “being watchful and vigilant for the return of the Messiah.

We had in-depth (Spiritual) understanding of what GOD accomplished through the perfect sacrifice of HIS Son and with no understanding of the renewal of the marriage covenant with Israel (The whole House of Israel), or that we “are no longer gentiles,” but grafted into the natural olive tree Israel. We had little context of/or “biblical” understanding of how to be watchful nor an understanding of what it means to be vigilant. It was as if it was being hidden from us on purpose through denominational “misdirection.”

We quoted Scriptures like 1 Peter 5:8, which warns believers to stay sober, stay alert! Your enemy, the adversary stalks about like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (CJB). That indeed is what our Rabbi Yeshua teaches and warns us of; however, He also instructs us on how to be prepared and even gives us a recurring (repetitive), anointed and appointed road-map for our preparation to be able to “STAND” against the whiles of the adversary until He returns.

We love reading the “warning” found in the Testimony of Matthew 25:1-13, regarding the parable of the 10 virgins. Five were wise (brought extra oil) for their lamps, and five were foolish (took lamps but no extra oil). In other words, five (a remnant), were prepared and five were not.

The consequences; while the unprepared went to buy oil, the Bridegroom (YESHUA), arrived to receive His Bride, the “prepared,” joined the Bridegroom in the wedding feast of the Lamb. The door was shut, and the unprepared (disobedient) were “refused” entry into the wedding feast.

Our Journey - How we Watch

Today, we observe GOD’S commanded anointed/appointed times (HIS moedim). Before each moedim, we study the Holy Scriptures to understand both what the modem means) and, what GOD Commands us to do or not to do. On Shabbat (the seventh day), we read Exodus (SH’MOT), Chapter 20 (CJB) or Deuteronomy (D’VARIM), Chapter 5 (CJB), the Commandments of GOD and, we recite the Sh’ma (in Hebrew and English), GOD’S Commandment to Israel (The mixed multitude), to “Hear and Obey.” We also read Psalm 92 (A Psalm for Shabbat) and Nehemiah’s prayer, a prayer of repentance and a cry for Devine help.

During our “religious” journey we were “taught” that the appointed days starting with the weekly Sabbath (not Sunday), which is the first of the appointed days (Genesis Chapter 2: 1-3, and Exodus 20: 8, TORAH) “Commanded” by GOD, were not for the nations/gentiles or for us today. We learned that they were only for the Jews, “Jewish” observances; however, they were commanded to the Israelites (The mixed multitude), the same mixed multitude that was saved by the blood of the lamb (Passover), left Egypt in haste, were baptized in the water, stood in the presence of GOD at His Holy mountain and received His instructions (TORAH). We asked ourselves…why would “we” not want to do as our ancestors did. We learned that if we are “grafted” into the natural olive tree (and we are), as GOD promised, and heirs to the “KINGDOM OF GOD,” that we should do as we were and are Commanded to do…and nothing less! Our Rabbi Yeshua and the apostles (all of them), obeyed the WORD of GOD (TORAH)!

GOD’S moedim (to include Shabbat), are a roadmap (past, present and future), that highlight HIS love for us and reveals His plan for His return and our future Salvation. He has commanded this repetitive/recurring roadmap and expects us to study, remember, be diligent and WATCH for His return. Although there are things we won’t fully understand until He returns, GOD doesn’t hide anything from those who are called according to “HIS” purpose (Romand 8:28, KJV).

We do not observe the non-biblical traditional Jewish observances days such as Hanukkah and Purim; however, we do study the history of these events as they do have historical value and reveal GOD’S Devine presence in the past, present and future Israel. Although the book of Esther (Hadassah), doesn’t specifically mention GOD’s name, His presence is at work throughout the recorded events of Judahs (Southern Kingdom of Israel’s), presence in Persia. The history of the Maccabees also provides critical, historical and biblical insight into ancient and future Israel.

For us, the oil in the lamps represents preparation, readiness and diligence in study and obedience to the Commandments of GOD (all of them) as we wait anxiously for the Masters return, not making excuses, disobeying/rebelling against what GOD has commanded.

What “GOD” has appointed, He has anointed…it stands forever…not a jot nor a tittle until “ALL” is fulfilled (Mathew 5: 18). We wait, we WATCH and listen tentatively, anxiously for the sound of the final trumpet (Shofar), the sound of GOD’S voice just as the mixed multitude (Israel) stood in the fiery presence of GOD! WE SAY COME!!!

As briefly mentioned above, GOD’S moedim are His “roadmap” His plan for our future salvation. The moedim represent, GOD’S recurring, commanded anointed and appointed biblical “Holy” days that remind us of His presence, His promises and His impending judgement on an evil and perverse generation. That’s what makes the parable of the 10 virgins so powerful to us…it is both a love story and a message of WARNING!! BE READY…WATCH!!

STUDY...WATCH!