In the New Heaven and the New Earth, it appears that the New Jerusalem will be analogous to the Tabernacle in the wilderness.
When Moses sent the spies into the Land they came back with a bad report that panicked the nation. What might have been their motivation? Perhaps it was fear that the invasion would succeed and they would have to give up the intimate presence of God and exchange it to become just an ordinary nation.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
In the Sermon on the Plain in Luke 6, Y'shua comforts the poor and excoriates the rich. Wealth is a training and testing vehicle for the poor and the rich alike. God's heart is open and flowing with love and sustenance for us. Since we are creatures in the image of God, it should be our goal to train our hearts to be open and generous. How does one do that?
This final session in the Elijah-Elisha series comes full circle when Elisha completes a task originally given to Elijah at Mt. Sinai. This indicates that God, in a sense, does not regard the person of the prophet important so much as the word spoken through him.
This recording is a part of the series: "Elijah and Elisha"You may also listen on iTunes
Biblically, a hard heart makes it impossible for a person to see God's miracles for what they are.
Here God talks of the spiritual adultery of Israel and declares that her sister Judah is worse. At the time of the prophecy Israel had been in exile for over a century and Judah had not yet been exiled to Babylon. Even though God declares all of the reasons for His sorrow, He also promises a return and a reunification of the two houses.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Secularists have no good explanation of why we have a sense of the eternal. In Ecclesiastes the phrase, 'under the Sun' refers to the created order. Why did God put a sense of eternity into us?
In Numbers 12 Moses is described as the most humble man on earth. Since Moses had no problem killing an Egyptian slave master, confronting Pharaoh and arguing with God, humility must involve something other that shy self effacement. In what sense does humility apply to this greatest of all the prophets?
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Speech is our most powerful faculty, either for good or evil, thus it is important that one study the laws of proper speech. This talk discusses evil speech, hurtful speech and courageous speech. Evil speech - lashon hara - is speech that damages a third party. Hurtful Speech - ona'as devarim - is speech that damages the one spoken to. Courageous speech expresses joy and hope in the face of a society that encourages cynicism and negativity.
Being a prophet of God was tough duty. Very often powerful people did not appreciate what you had to say and would have you to be slapped around or worse. The Syrian siege of Samaria.
This recording is a part of the series: "Elijah and Elisha"You may also listen on iTunes
Most people, when they do something rotten, can come up with reasons why their circumstances justify their behavior. God seldom agrees.
The calling of Jeremiah. The first of his visions depicts God being faithful to His own word and the second, a northward facing boiling pot, prefigures the Babylonian invasion that would sweep Judah and Jerusalem away into exile.
This recording is a part of the series: "Jeremiah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
In Ezekiel, God speaks against witchcraft and witches.
In a world full of death, despair and ugliness it is easy to lose heart and forget the God delights in people. The beauty that God creates and inspires overwhelms the ugly that Satan makes and inspires. He further assures us in His word that He loves us and enjoys all of the good things that we do. In this He teaches us what Joy is and how to achieve it.
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Christian churches in the United States and Europe have lost their effectiveness in shaping the culture. Why is this so, and what should believers do about it?
As a prophet, Elisha wields the power of God with a confidence and accuracy that seems more like sight than faith. He cures Naaman the Syrian of leprosy in so casual a manner that Naaman does not initially have any faith that the cure will work.
This recording is a part of the series: "Elijah and Elisha"You may also listen on iTunes
The Torah instructs us to stay out of the occult. There's a difference of opinion as to why.
Paul warns Timothy that bad times will come and that false teachers will arise. He further warns that people, when faced with a choice of teachers will gravitate toward those who tell them what they want to hear. This is instead of teachers who will lead them to repentance, righteousness and holiness.
This recording is a part of the series: "Timothy 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Ezekiel had two slightly different visions of the throne of God. The difference gives a clue why Israel made a golden calf in the wilderness.
In John 9 Y'shua, the Light of the World, opens the eyes of a blind man. What follows is one of the more humorous incidents in Scripture. The Pharisees refuse to believe such a thing is possible. First they inquire diligently whether the man was actually born blind then they berate him for sticking to his testimony. Finally, rather than face reality they 'cancel' him, throwing him out of the synagogue. In a reprise of Isaiah 6, Y'shua finally explains what is going on.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Siticher
God chose to tell us about Himself using the vehicle of a book. If people understood what the book is trying to do and how it should be read, there would be a lot less junk theology. Torah means teaching, not law, so the Bible should be read as a guide book. As an example, this talk covers the two creation stories in Genesis - why there are two and what we are to learn from that.
The beginning of Elisha's office as successor to Elijah. This session contains the Moabite rebellion and the raising of the Shunamite woman's son.
This recording is a part of the series: "Elijah and Elisha"You may also listen on iTunes
The New Covenant has a number of features that are not yet in place. The Holy Spirit is the believer's guarantee that he is included.
This last letter from Paul to his protege is full of encouragement. The main theme of the first half is that Timothy should focus on sound teaching and order within the church. He should not get distracted by frivolous arguments. Rather he should seek out sound men who are able to teach and insure that they have been taught properly so that they can reproduce themselves.
This recording is a part of the series: "Timothy 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
There will be animal sacrifice in the Millennial Temple. This prospect will disturb some.
In John 8, Y'shua says that His disciples will know the truth and they will be free. Instead of asking for the truth the Jews protest that they are not slaves. What is this truth that He promises and how does it make us free? The answer is important in a world awash in lies.
This recording is a part of the series: "Sermons"You may also listen on Stitcher
Forgiveness is a genuinely difficult subject. Dr Stephen Marmer has broken forgiveness into three more manageable chunks - exoneration, forbearance and release. Each concept applies to different situations and calls for different actions on your part. This can bring Y'shua's (Jesus') command to forgive much closer to where we live.
Jezebel conspires to steal a vineyard by murdering its owner. Idol worship eventually leads to murder and Jezebel is not above murder to obtain what she wants. Elijah passes on his mantle to Elisha.
This recording is a part of the series: "Elijah and Elisha"You may also listen on iTunes
God has always wanted to live among His people. The problem is that we cannot long survive such proximity. The Bible can be read as the story of the process whereby God changes us so that He can achieve His goal.
Paul's practical instruction about human relations; how to treat older people, widows and would-be teachers. In all cases it is Timothy's responsibility as the pastor to keep things orderly and protect from malign situations and influences. He is not to allow his relative youth deter him from insisting on sound doctrine and good order.
This recording is a part of the series: "Timothy 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
A hard heart is unable to understand the miracles of God. This happens both to believers and unbelievers.
So called 'social justice' in today's world is nothing but warmed over collectivism - which always leads to misery and death. In Lev 25 God provides a system of insuring that the clever and ruthless among us do not wind up at the top of the pyramid in perpetuity. The Torah of the sabbatical year and the jubilee serve to do a soft reset and allow for social and economic mobility.
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The Parable of the Sower, Paul's letter to the Ephesians and Yeshua's (Jesus') letter to the same church in Revelation 2 all deal with the same subject - handling the Word of God. As time progressed, the church at Ephesus was faithful in preserving and using the Word. However by the end of the first century they had lost their first love. How do we avoid the same situation and still handle God's Word properly?
Jezebel, having co-opted her husband, the king, imported prophets of her own god, Baal. Elijah set up a confrontation with those prophets at Mount Carmel.
This recording is a part of the series: "Elijah and Elisha"You may also listen on iTunes
In addition to being forbidden, idol worship has some rather practical consequences.
After listing the qualifications for church leadership Paul warns that some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and their teaching. Given the list of symptoms Paul is probably referring to Gnosticism which appeals to intelligent people who are not able to fully understand the grace of God.
This recording is a part of the series: "Timothy 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
In the wilderness, Moses brought water from the rock on two occasions. The second time, he did not exactly do as he was told which resulted in his being denied entry into the promised land.
The Biblical standard, 'an eye for an eye' has been ridiculed by those who should know better. In Judaism and early Christianity it was understood that the metaphor was not to be used literally. Rather that retribution was to be proportional to the damage done. For justice to be satisfactory to the injured party the perpetrator should incur an equivalent punishment or cost. If this does not happen people quickly lose faith in the justice system and begin taking care of things on their own.
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After His resurrection, Y'shua commanded His disciples to carry the Gospel to all the creation. What exactly is this Gospel?
Elijah, distressed by the behavior of Israel, turns off the rain. The resulting drought sets up the remainder of his ministry.
This recording is a part of the series: "Elijah and Elisha"You may also listen on iTunes
Conceptually, there are several ways to divide up the Ten Commandments. Three, three, three and one mirrors the days of creation and the ten plagues of Egypt. Looking at the Commandments in that way gives a different insight.
Paul instructs Timothy to root out false teachers in the church at Ephesus. One of the subjects he mentions is 'endless genealogies.' To understand what he means it is useful to compare this letter with the letter to Titus and with the letter to the Ephesians.
This recording is a part of the series: "Timothy 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Biblically, Israel periodically fell away from God and lapsed into evil. God uses exile to correct those flaws that lead to such bad behavior.
Contrary to popular belief the Leviticus 19 commandment to 'love your neighbor as yourself' does not place unrealistic demands upon us. Rather the passage in context gives a procedure for minimizing the number of enemies one acquires and for keeping the community peaceful. In Matthew 18 Y'shua expands on the Leviticus procedure and gives instructions for those cases where it does not work.
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The outbreak of literal insanity we are seeing today has its intellectual roots in the Reformation. The Reformation broke free from the authority of the Church and enshrined reason instead. We are seeing the end of the pendulum swing away from external authority toward self authority.
When this creation has served its purpose, there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth. There peace will flow to Jerusalem like a river.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
God has always cared about what we eat. He gave us the dietary laws out of love.
Echoing Matthew 13 and Revelation 2, Paul explains that adding works as a vehicle for justification is like adding a small amount of leaven to dough - it eventually corrupts everything.. Doing good works as a response to the grace of God is admirable. Doing them as a way of obligating God is an error.
This recording is a part of the series: "Galatians 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
There are two heart circumcision passages in Deuteronomy. Their differences go to the heart of our problems living in this world.
Torah portion Acharei Mot (Lev 16-18) emphasizes that there is only one standard for the native born and for gentiles who join themselves to Israel. So when the Council of Jerusalem in Acts 15 tells gentiles to avoid idols, abstain from sexual immorality, things strangled and blood, they are simply quoting the Torah's requirements that apply to both Jew and gentile. When they say that gentiles need not be circumcised, they are quoting the law of the Passover from Exodus. In their ruling, the council was simply applying Torah correctly to the gentiles. They were not changing the standards.
This recording is a part of the series: "Galatians 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Isaiah 29 describes the process of exile. God shuts down prophets, seers and closes the book. Isaiah also describes how that process is reversed. It's looking like we're living during such a time. If that is true, we have responsibilities during this time.
Writing over a century prior to the Babylonian exile, Isaiah writes of Israel's plea from exile. There they will acknowledge that God is the potter and they are clay in His hands. This expression of sincere contrition will be the catalyst that begins the process of restoration.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
John, in Revelation, says that all believers are priests. How do we reconcile this with God's promises to Aaron that his sons would inherit the priesthood?
Paul uses two metaphors to describe the effect of the Torah: that of an heir under a guardian and that of the son of Hagar, Sarah's slave. These examples are often cited as evidence that the Torah is done away with. This is a misunderstanding. Just as the two sets of tablets given to Moses were identical, the conditions of the New Covenant are the same as the Old. The difference is where God's law is written: on tablets of stone or on the human heart. Once the Torah is written on the heart one does its precepts because he wants to, not because he is told to.
This recording is a part of the series: "Galatians 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Because of the Fall, we no longer have the spiritual discernment we should. God graciously gives us boundaries to keep us out of trouble.
Most regard the Torah as (a possibly obsolete) set of "dos" and "dont's". While that can be true, it is more profitable to regard it as a mirror. Looking at yourself reflected in the Torah provides a roadmap for spiritual growth. To use a simple example, the Torah says not to steal. If you are prone to theft, it becomes a restriction that chafes and you are uncomfortable with what you see in yourself. If you are not so tempted, you see the reflection of someone is not a thief.
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During the season from Passover to Shavuot we count the Omer as prescribed in Leviticus 23:15-21. This strange commandment is the key to hidden depth of meaning and ultimately to joy. There are two sequences of 7x7+1 in the Bible, the Omer and Yovel. This talk correlates those two sequences to learn something about the nature of God.
Upon His return, the Messiah will lead His army and will extract vengeance upon His enemies. Throughout Scripture, a winepress is associated with God's judgment upon the wicked. At the end of the chapter, there is a prayer for mercy and the return of the exiles.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
The Shema in Deuteronomy 6 commands us to love God. It also tells us how He loves us.
In making the case that salvation is by faith and not by works of the law, Paul refers to the call of Abraham. When he believed God it was accounted to him as righteousness. Since the covenant between God and Abraham was prior to the giving of the Torah, it is not possible that the law would change the terms or the conditions for salvation.
This recording is a part of the series: "Galatians 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Ezekiel saw a vision of God's throne and described the four living creatures surrounding it. Those four echo throughout the rest of Scripture.
We are commanded to tell our children the story of the first Passover. The elements of the Passover are each symbolic as well as historical. For the Hebrews in Egypt they pointed to events in Genesis. For gentiles today they are symbolic rather than historical. Considering the firstborn, the lamb, the blood and the bread leads to a fifth implied symbol.
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Writing of the future restoration of Israel, Isaiah invokes images of the priests and Levites in the Wilderness camp. They were supported by the rest of the nation so that they could devote their time and energy to maintaining and serving in the Tabernacle. When Israel assumes its proper role as a nation of priests, they will be supported by the nations.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
In the wilderness, Moses appoints 72 elders over Israel. That number echoes through the Gospels and Revelation.
The letter to the Galatians correlates with the Kingdom Parable of the woman and the leaven and with the Revelation letter to the church at Thyatira. All are concerned with sin coming into the church through strange doctrine. Paul begins the letter by establishing his credentials.
This recording is a part of the series: "Galatians 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Revelation 13 describes a world where only those who have a special mark can buy and sell. Recently banks in Europe and the US have been moving to get rid of cash entirely making bank accounts the only medium of exchange. This is very ominous.
What did He mean when Y'shua said in John 19:30, "It is finished," as He died? If we look at God's ultimate purpose for the world, "to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth," it becomes clear that the Crucifixion was an intermediate step in a longer campaign; vital to the campaign but not the last objective to be taken. In that sense, "finished" is perhaps a misleading translation.
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With the current court rulings on homosexual 'marriage' and health care, the government has forfeited the pretense of moral authority. Now words mean whatever the strongest say they mean. Curiously, this presents a great opportunity for believers in the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Being surrounded by hostiles simplifies our problem greatly.
God rebukes Israel for not using the legal system to promote justice. Rather they are using the courts as simply another venue for social competition. In doing this they have woven a web of laws and regulations designed to ensnare the innocent. The same charge could be leveled against us today.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
Revelation 13 describes the second beast. It has always been great sport speculating who that will be, and popes are a perennial favorite. The current pope, however, is exhibiting some behaviors that elevate him into front runner status.
Chapter 13 predicts the Crucifixion and the scattering of Israel. Chapter 14 predicts the Second Coming and the Millennial Reign.
This recording is a part of the series: "Zechariah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Each of us has an unique voice. So when we sing the music God has written into His Scriptures, each will sound different. Each will approach situations differently.
John 6 is a discourse on bread. It begins with feeding the 5000 with five barley loaves and two fish. This is the key to the whole chapter, the high point of which is Y'shua's statement that He is the bread of life. Bread was introduced in Genesis 3 when our diet was switched from the fruit of the trees of the Garden to bread. The metaphor is used consistently up to and through John 6. The goal has always been to move humanity from earthly bread to heavenly bread; from slavery and death to liberty and life.
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In this world, God gives us wealth to motivate us, to sustain us and to test us. Perhaps the most difficult test in one's life (and the most common) is how he handles the wealth that God gives. There are simple Biblical principles on how to gain wealth and then use it in a way that is pleasing to God.
The prophet rhetorically asks who or what was so intimidating that Israel turned to idols rather than fearing God. Part of the answer is that God seemed remote and uncaring whereas idols offered immediate gratification.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
Historically the United States has gotten things done via ad hoc groups which come together when there is a need and then disband. This only works for a church going people.
God had set three classes of shepherd over Israel, priests, prophets and kings. These had all failed the sheep in one way or another leading to idolatry and corruption which caused God to send the nation into exile. God pronounces woe to the worthless shepherds.
This recording is a part of the series: "Zechariah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
In Scripture, prophets do certain specific things. In this, they prefigure and authenticate Y'shua. The things He did were prefigured in Scripture.
Aaron's sons, Nadav and Abihu died when they tried to enter God's presence uninvited. Similarly, Uzzah died when David tried to transport the Ark in the wrong way. In both cases men acted with pure hearts, seeking to approach and honor God. They had the big picture right, but got the details wrong and died. Today's church has the big picture correct. God loves us, He sent His Son to die for our sins. They are, however, wrong on many of the details and so are devoid of the power that God wants us to have on this earth.
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In Zechariah 9, God refers to Ephraim as His arrow and Judah as His bow. Given that Ephraim had been scattered for some 200 years at the time the prophecy was written, what could this mean? Read More
Here God assures even gentiles and those who have no hope that He has a place for them in His kingdom. For Israelites, foreigners and eunuchs alike, a key is keeping the Sabbath.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
Both Elisha and Y'shua raise a child from the dead. In both cases the grieving parent does not speak of the child's death.
Amidst prophecies about Alexander the Great, the return of Ephraim and the Maccabean Revolt we find the entry of a humble king riding a donkey into Jerusalem.
This recording is a part of the series: "Zechariah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
Elijah had just defeated the prophets of Baal when God took him back to Sinai. There God performed the same signs that He had for all Israel but said that He was not in those signs. So where is He?
In John chapter 5 Y'shua makes quite a long statement which is logically in two parts. The first describes who He is and what powers and authority He has. The second explains why the leaders of Israel should accept His credentials. This passage leaves Israel without any excuse for their later behavior.
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Joy is a major theme in Scripture and in certain cases we are commanded to rejoice. What is joy and how does one summon it on command?
God's promise for the restoration of Israel and Jerusalem. Just as He made a covenant never again to flood the earth, here He promises never again to be angry with His people.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
For us to exist, God had to make a place. We, who are in His image, then make a place for Him.
Returning exiles inquired whether they should continue to fast and weep for the destruction done by Babylon. In answering, God assured them that He would once again favor Israel with peace and security.
This recording is a part of the series: "Zechariah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
There is some confusion in Christian/Messianic circles about the status of the Aaronic priesthood and our status as priests.
There is a great deal of misunderstanding about sacrifice. It is clearly a major subject in the Bible, but has not been practiced since the Temple was destroyed in 70AD. As such we have no real understanding of what it means either emotionally or spiritually.
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It is not uncommon for Messianics to lose sight of the truths they learned in the Sunday Church when they discover the richness of the Torah. Using only the Exodus story, this talk demonstrates that Y'shua is the Lamb of God and that His death and resurrection atones for the sins of the world.
This part of Isaiah speaks of the ministry of the Messiah. The shedding of His blood will serve to heal the sins of Israel and the nations.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
When God sends Moses to deliver Israel from Egypt, he asks what shall I say your name is? The answer says a lot about what God is about to do.
In vision, Zechariah sees four chariots with differently colored horses. Chariots and horses are instruments of war. The ones going toward the north will bring God's spirit to rest, indicating that they will recompense Assyria and Babylon for the excessive damage done to Israel while acting as God's instrument of chastisement.
This recording is a part of the series: "Zechariah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
The sin sacrifices in Leviticus are only designed to handle unintentional sin. Only the sacrifice of Messiah handles intentional sins.
During the time before His crucifixion, Y'shua spent considerable effort contending with the Pharisees about their interpretation of God's law as given by Moses. In these encounters, there are several key phrases: "You have heard it said..." and "It is written..." What to these phrases signify and what does that mean to us today?
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Some in the Messianic movement come out of the Sunday church and slide right into Judaism losing the Savior in the process. A Savior is central to God's purposes for His Creation and this talk explores some of the reasons for that.
Because of Zion's sins, God will make / has made them drink from the cup of staggering. Once that cup has been drained, His wrath will be complete and Zion will be restored in glory. The exile of Judah was yet future to Isaiah's time. Their complete restoration is yet future to us.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
People learn by trial and error - that's not a flaw, it's part of the design. Understanding this, God has provided ways for us to recover from error.
The visions of the lampstand, the flying scroll and the woman in the basket. Zechariah, seeing future things with which he had no experience used contemporary images to describe them. The word translated 'woman' also could be translated 'fire'. In our understanding, evil fire in a 5 gallon container with a lead cover might be a nuclear weapon.
This recording is a part of the series: "Zechariah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
For the first time, the nation Israel became more than passive participants in the events orchestrated by God and Moses. They would provide the materials and the labor to make a way for God to dwell in their midst.
In constructing the Tabernacle, God asked for the finest materials and the best craftsmen to produce a work of beauty. The world around us is being turned into ugly. Our cities have become homeless camps, our architecture has devolved into concrete boxes, our young are mutilating themselves. All of this ugliness is designed to dispirit the people of God and make them easier to manipulate. The message is that your selfishness is all that stands in the way of utopia. This is nothing more than enemy propaganda. Beauty is important and spiritually uplifting. God wants your talent and initiative to follow His example in improving the world.
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Why do we persist in following God in the face of all of the difficulties this world makes for believers? Y'ashua says that He is the Way. A way or path should be leading toward a goal. In His case, the Way leads to life.
The Messiah will bring the scattered exiles of Jacob back to the Land. Their numbers will be so great that the current boundaries of Israel will not suffice. In this, Isaiah prefigures the greater Exodus written of in Jeremiah 16.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
Jacob and Rebecca conspired to steal the blessing meant for Esau. In doing this, they delayed for a generation the division of the blessing. That division occurs when Jacob blesses his own sons.
In this first series of visions the Lord tells Zechariah that He is displeased with the nations who have chastened Israel. Although their actions were initiated by God, they went beyond their brief. God assures the prophet that He will once again bless Israel because of her repentance. He will remember His covenant and will deal with the nations appropriately.
This recording is a part of the series: "Zechariah 2022"You may also listen on Stitcher
The Mishkan (Tabernacle) is relational. It was built so that God could safely dwell in the camp of Israel.
The impulse to worship idols is still with us today. The form has changed from from biblical times. We no longer fashion calves of gold as in Exodus or offer sacrifices to Baal as in 1 Kings but we still turn away from God to other means of meeting our desires. In both the Exodus and Kings examples the people's hearts were hardened toward God. It took Moses and Elijah, two hard men whose hearts were soft toward God to set matters right again. Today too many soft men with hard hearts are leading religious institutions and many have gone astray.
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The generation that left Egypt and died in the wilderness is often regarded as a failure. I do not entirely accept that because they lived 40 more years and died in the hope and promise that their journey would be completed by their children. Just so with we who live our lives waiting for Messiah's return. We may not see that event, but we faithfully live our lives in the hope that our children will. Herein lies the difference between cyclical time and the hope embodied in linear time.
Isaiah's prophecy is over a century before the Babylonian exile; yet here he predicts exile, return and the ultimate destruction of the ancient system of rebellion and false worship represented by Babylon. In this he reaches all the way to the end times.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
As unique individuals, each of us hears the voice of God differently. That is a good thing because in a community the different parts can get closer to the whole.
The group of Psalms from Ps 60 to Ps 108 heavily refer to Joseph and the Northern Kingdom of Israel. In these three Psalms we see evidence of two Messiahs, one from Joseph and the other from Judah.
This recording is a part of the series: "Messianic Psalms"You may also listen on Stitcher
In parsha Mishpatim, God tells Israel in the strongest terms that they may not mistreat the stranger, the fatherless, the widow or the poor
The Bible over and over tells believers to 'fear not.' That is true in context but not in general. The choice in life is between fear of the world or fear of God. The choice is binary, there is no other option. If one chooses the fear of God, the fear of the world becomes a non issue.
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The Bible exhorts us to 'love your neighbor as yourself,' but what does that mean and how does one actually do it? As might be expected, the Torah gives us practical instruction.
Isaiah, writing almost a century and a half before the event, predicted the rise and career of Cyrus the Persian. He asserted that all of Cyrus' military success was attributable to the hand of God and that Cyrus would send Judah back to their land after the Babylonian exile. This prophecy so impressed the king that he not only released the Jews but financed the rebuilding of the Temple.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
The events leading up to the giving of the Ten Commandments establish the principle of consent of the governed.
Psalm 110 introduces the idea of a priestly king. Heretofore priests have come from Levi and kings from either Judah or Ephraim. This change and the reasons therefore are explained in the Book of Hebrews.
This recording is a part of the series: "Messianic Psalms"You may also listen on Stitcher
The Ten Commandments is often regarded as a list of *don'ts* A more healthy way to look at is as a description of the bride and groom in the marriage covenant between God and Israel.
I read a comment by a pastor I respect saying that the Sabbath had been 'nailed to the cross' and that he celebrates the 'resurrected Sabbath.' Is this sound doctrine? Is there any scriptural support for such a belief? Does it matter?
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Commentary on Matthew 15:1-9 All human institutions become corrupt if they hang around long enough - even those established by God. Once an institution has ceased to serve the purpose for which it was created, it should be abolished, or you should come out of it.
Men are continually tempted to make and worship idols. The prophet mocks that as foolishness and holds Israel up as a witness to the power of God in contradistinction to the futility of idolatry.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
Abraham's treatment of Hagar sets up the events of the Exodus.
When I was young in the faith, I had real trouble finding someone who could give me a coherent explanation of the Gospel.
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God does not always speak plainly. Typically, He sends a prophet to warn His people. If they do not listen, He has the prophet switch to parables which are designed not to be easliy understood.
The writings of John use the metaphor of light extensively. Most of the uses are clear and obvious but one is not. What does it mean that 'the life is the light of men?'
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Laws do not exist in a vacuum. They represent a vision of what an ideal society should look like. That vision, in turn, comes from the stories and history of the people who make those laws. This is true for Israel and for the United States.
Beginning with 'Sing to the Lord a new song,' this section goes on to explain that the servant of the Lord (Israel in this case) has been scattered because of spiritual blindness. It goes on to promise that God will redeem Israel and cure that blindness.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
The ten plagues on Egypt were, in a sense, a backing out of the ten statements of creation in Genesis. They are then followed by ten statements of recreation at Sinai.
Psalms 22, 23 and 24 form a Messianic tryptic. The first describes the crucifixion and the last describes the return of the conquering king. In between is the Valley of the Shadow of death where He descended into the grave and then arose three days later.
This recording is a part of the series: "Messianic Psalms"You may also listen on Stitcher
Y'shua's first parable, the Parable of the Sower, is a wonderful metaphor for lots of things in a person's life. As an example, it can help explain the purpose of troubles.
In Parsha Yitro Moses establishes a system of subordinate judges and God gives the Ten Commandments. This forms a basis for human governance within the Kingdom of God. The problem with human governance is that it is composed of humans and so eventually goes astray. God periodically sends his prophets to get things back on track. The last of those prophets was His own son. When a prophet is unable to correct the nation, the next step is exile and foreign dominion.
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When Isaiah speaks of the servant of the Lord, sometimes he means Israel, sometimes the Messiah. Discerning which can sometimes be difficult. In this passage, it seems to be the Messiah.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
In many respects Joseph is better placed with Abraham, Isaac and Jacob than he is with his brothers as one of the twelve tribes of Israel.
The history of Israel has long periods of exile during which there were leaders from different tribes. How each of those leaders performed was predicted by the words spoken by Jacob over his twelve sons before his death.
Going back to the blessing of the Sons of Jacob and then the tribes by Moses, it becomes clear that both Joseph and Judah have leadership roles within the nation. Joseph gets the blessing of Abraham and most of the attention in Gen 39 and Dt 33. After this introduction, Psalm 2 describes a three way conversation between the Father, His Son and a narrator.
This recording is a part of the series: "Messianic Psalms"You may also listen on Stitcher
Given on the same day centuries apart, the Torah and Holy Spirit provide guidance on how to live this life. The two work together in harmony and are not at all at odds.
John's description of Y'shua's first miracle raises lots of questions. Why did his mother take charge of the wine problem? What did she expect Him to do? What is the significance of the stone jars? Why was this the first of His miracles?
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Change of subject from the Assyrian invasion to a long prophetic section of the book. Here the prophet looks forward to the exile of Judah, the coming of the Messiah and the eventual return of the nation. The futility of idols and God's love for His people will be a recurring theme in the following chapters.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
Abraham, Isaac and Jacob each represents one aspect of God.
The book closes with a description of the Millennium where Christ reigns on earth. Water flows from the Sanctuary and heals the Dead Sea. Trees grow along the bank whose leaves are for healing. This is subtly different from the end of Revelation where the living water supports the Tree of Life.
This recording is a part of the series: "Ezekiel 2021"You may also listen on Stitcher
Many of the stories in the Bible revolve around competition between brothers for a blessing. In all of the major stories, the younger son is favored.
If you have noticed that people are angry, depressed and isolated, it is because they are. The protocols imposed to combat the pandemic, in addition to being ineffective, are destroying our communities and driving people to anger and despair. In short, they are designed to steal your joy. Don't let that happen.
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The ten plagues on Egypt were, in a sense, a backing out of the ten statements of creation in Genesis. They are then followed by ten statements of recreation at Sinai.
Hezekiah, faced with an illness unto death during the Assyrian invasion, prayed for deliverance. God answered his prayer, granting the king an extra 15 years of life. As a sign of His favor, God backed up the shadow on the sundial by ten steps. The effects of this event are recorded as well in secular history.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
Tending a prayer is much like tending a garden. You need only plant the seed once, but then you must defend the crop.
In describing Israel in the Millennium, God makes special provision for the Prince, which is to say civil government. In this He remembers the behavior of Israel's nobility before they were sent into exile. He sets things up to lessen the temptation to use civil office for personal profit.
This recording is a part of the series: "Ezekiel 2021"You may also listen on Stitcher
In a remarkable display of deja vu, Joseph's brothers deceive their father using a goat.
In Torah portion Va'eira, we see the first of the plagues, the Nile River turned into blood. Here water symbolizes death because the Egyptians had used the river to hide the evidence of their murder of the Hebrew children. Water can also symbolize chaos, life, the Spirit, etc. The symbolic use of water requires an understanding of context and of the consistent patterns in Scripture.
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Of the two royal lines in Israel, Judah and Joseph, both exhibit an humble character.
In this historical interlude, the Assyrian Rabshakeh taunts the inhabitants of Jerusalem hoping they will surrender without a fight. In this he makes the mistake of asserting that Israel's God cannot save them.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
At the end of his sojourn in Haran, Jacob returns to the land and meets Esau. The Torah says that Esau kissed him when they met. Was that kiss sincere?
The prophet is taken in vision to Israel and shown the Millennial Temple. This vision is the bookend to the vision in chapter 8 where he sees in a vision, the departure of the Glory before the destruction of that Temple by the Babylonians. Just as Exodus describes the Wilderness Tabernacle in great detail, so also the vision of the new Temple.
This recording is a part of the series: "Ezekiel 2021"You may also listen on Stitcher
Comparing the lives of Judah and Esau, it becomes obvious that they have similar characters. This casts a different light on Jacob's theft of Esau's blessing in the face of Isaac's desire to split the blessing of Abraham.
A popular web site had an article accusing Messianics of being 'Judaizers' and heretics. The article asserted that one did not have to become a Jew to enter the Kingdom of God - which is absolutely true. It also said that the Torah had been abrogated by the Messiah - which is absolutely false. That assertion is based on a misreading of Colossians 2.
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The sword of the Lord, having drunk its fill in heaven turns to the earth. This passage describes the march of Y'shua from Bozrah, up through Edom to Zion. That process is His recompense for what Edom and the nations have done to His people.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
God Himself engineers the invasion of Israel by Gog and his allies. The invasion will result in the destruction of the invading coalition. The reason for this is to disabuse the nations of the idea that they would have been able to conquer Israel if God had not withdrawn His hand of protection. He withdrew protection because Israel was faithless.
This recording is a part of the series: "Ezekiel 2021"You may also listen on Stitcher
On the Road to Emmaus, Y'shua explained from Moses and the prophets why He is the Messiah and why the Crucifixion had to happen. How might that conversation have gone?
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Before the coming of the Righteous King, there will be a time of desolation when the crops will fail and the land will turn to thorns. In that time, upper class women who have been secure in their positions will go into mourning for the loss of their luxury.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
The entire Bible, Tanak and Apostolic Scriptres, is consistent that when the Holy Spirit lands on someone, those around him know it.
As in Chapter 11, God promises Israel a new covenant in which their hearts of stone will be replaced by hearts of flesh. He then gives the prophet a vision of a valley full of dried bones representing the current state of Israel. In reversing the death and desiccation God dramatizes how He will restore the nation to live under the new covenant.
This recording is a part of the series: "Ezekiel 2021"You may also listen on Stitcher
Jacob's life is harsh and marked by bad decisions, yet he is one of the patriarchs. What does that mean for us?
Joseph's meeting with his brothers in Genesis 44 is the first instance of forgiveness in Scripture and perhaps in all human history. To set the scene up, Judah completely repents of his behavior in selling Joseph into slavery. In doing this he sets up a watershed in human history and provides a wonderful example for us today.
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In response to the Assyrian invasion, Judah desperately tries to form a military alliance with Egypt. The prophet informs them that their safety does not lie with men. Rather resting in the LORD will bring them salvation.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
The Bible is typically fairly terse, not using any more words than needed. To augment the words, the Bible uses structure. Recognizing that structure opens up quite a bit more meaning.
As God tells Ezekiel the reasons for Israel's exile, He places the blame squarely at the feet of the Shepherds, Israel's religious establishment. The nation's corruption had begun in the Temple when those who were to care for and teach Israel saw their positions as a source of wealth and privilege. That attitude has also taken root in the modern church. It is unlikely that God's perspective has changed.
This recording is a part of the series: "Ezekiel 2021"You may also listen on Stitcher
Isaac had always intended to bless his sons differently. The blessing of Abraham was never going to be given to Esau.
At the end of His ministry, Y'shua taught mostly in parables. His final parable on the way to the cross was about the green and dry trees (Lu 23:31). As with most parables, this has both local and eternal implications.
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Once God has decided that Israel is to go into exile, he initiates a process that will allow the prophet to continue speaking but in a way that will not cause societal healing. To do this, he has the prophet speak in parables, removes sages and turns Scripture into a closed book.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
God shows loving kindness to us despite the miserable things we often do.
As God's watchman, Ezekiel is obligated to warn Israel of what their behavior will bring upon them. He is also obligated to speak of God's character and warn them against fatalism. Even though the temporal consequences of sin might not be avoidable, the eternal consequences may be voided by repentance.
This recording is a part of the series: "Ezekiel 2021"You may also listen on Stitcher
Hebrew names have meaning. Looking at the names of the first generations in Genesis reveals the Gospel.
The church has inverted Scripture, denouncing things that God calls blessings and elevating things that God calls sinful. This is the case with all of the hyphenated 'justice' movements which are simply covetousness dressed up to appear respectable. Since there is no limit to what one lacks, once covetousness gets loose it consumes everything. God has an antidote.
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Both Ephraim and Judah have fallen into apostasy and have made 'covenants' with the pagan gods of the underworld. God has laid a cornerstone in Zion which will be the origin of the plumb line of truth. This cornerstone, the Messiah will, sweep away the refuge of lies (pagan gods) that Israel foolishly trusts in.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
The Bible often teaches through case studies; telling stories of two men each faced with the same choices. In the case of Lot and Abraham, Lot's choices lead inexorably to his destruction.
Shalom
I've been out of town for two weeks so we've not had regular Bible study. We resumed this evening with Ezekiel 33 which will be posted next Tuesday.
Religions and other groups have used many ways of marking their own throughout history, Why did God choose circumcision for His people?
Over time, human government grows beyond what is beneficial and begins to see God as a rival for power and influence over its own people. Passover celebrates God bringing His people out from such a government and bringing them into His kingdom. Chanukah and Thanksgiving celebrate much the same thing.
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The fear of death is a veil spread over the nations. It is also a great help to Satan who uses fear to persuade and control people. Messiah's sacrifice has removed the sting of death for believers and at the LORD of hosts' feast He will swallow it up forever.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
Moral law was introduced by God after the Flood. It differs from natural law in that it is proscriptive rather than descriptive. The moral law is given in two ways, statute and case studies.
Being raised from the dead is not the definitive sign that Y'shua is the Messiah.
The earth is defiled by its inhabitants who have transgressed the everlasting covenant. That covenant, the one made with Noah, imposes duties and restrictions on gentiles as well as Hebrews. In the end, the consequences of that transgression are world wide.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
There are three varieties of fool described in Biblical wisdom literature. Their destinations are very different.
Continuing to enumerate His reasons for destroying Egypt, God first compares Egypt unfavorably with Assyria which had been destroyed earlier. He also likens Pharaoh to a dragon in the sea whose thrashing about serves to foul the waters. Once the dragon is removed, the waters will clear.
This recording is a part of the series: "Ezekiel 2021"You may also listen on Stitcher
In Scripture there are three responses to sin, guilt, shame and brazen defiance. Esau, Adam and Cain respectively are examples. The guilt that Esau feels for despising his birthright and marrying two Caananite women leads him to return to the family, marrying a daughter of Ishmael and forbearing to kill his brother. Sadly, our society is in the brazen defiance stage of sinfulness. Unless we repent, this will not end well.
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Tyre, situated on an island in the Eastern Mediterranean, was the premier Phoenician city of its day. Much of its wealth was derived from an alliance with Israel under David and Solomon. Several land based empires attempted to conquer it. Tyre withstood Nebuchadnezzar but finally fell to Alexander. This oracle foretells those events.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
1 Peter says that Messiah was known before the creation. That's because He was there at the creation.
Israel had formed a military alliance with Egypt against Babylon. That alliance would fail; hence Egypt was an unreliable staff. The prophecy describes Pharaoh's arrogance in holding himself out to be a god. Because of this and their faithlessness, God was going to destroy Egypt.
This recording is a part of the series: "Ezekiel 2021"You may also listen on Stitcher
In the resurrection and the New Heaven and New Earth we will have an eternal inheritance.
Prayer is an important skill which can be taught and learned. In creating humanity God made beings that were separate from himself and with whom He could have a relationship. Prayer is a vital part of that relationship. In a sense, human prayer provides the earth with a voice. As much as God wants to hear about our lives, as God's 'gardeners' we have responsibilities beyond.
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In this oracle, the fall of Babylon is not a good thing. Historically Babylon rebelled against the Assyrians, drawing them away from Israel and the west. Israel hoped for the success of that rebellion but was to be disappointed. In light of those events, Jerusalem would be besieged by the Assyrians.
This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
There are two instances of heart circumcision in the Torah. While their intended effect is the same, the agent is different in each case.
Life in this world is difficult. That is not a flaw, it is a feature.
For a believer, the states of the world and the nation are pretty grim right now. It would be natural to succumb to fear and despair. Scripture makes it very clear that such an attitude is sinful and displeasing to God. The victory is His, but the struggle is ours. We are to meet todays challenges with confidence and courage.
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Seeds are information - the seed has all that's needed to build the plant. At the resurrection when the graves are opened, the body that has died is the seed for the new life to come. What information does it have?
Cush and Egypt were allies of Israel during the time of the Assyrian conquest. Since the Assyrians were God's chosen instrument, they proved insufficient. Also during these chapters we get a look forward to Apostolic times when peace would reign from Egypt to Syria.
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This recording is a part of the series: "Isaiah 2019"You may also listen on iTunes
We deal with two concepts of time, cyclical and linear. Cyclical time encompasses the cycles of the day, week, month, year, lifetime. In this view, everything that is will repeat. Linear time embodies progress, the idea that the cycles are moving toward a goal.
Being sorted into the flock of goats at the final judgment will probably come as a surprise to most. As we see in the prophets, when Israel gets sent into exile, it is generally a surprise to those who go.
When humanity gets too comfortable and far from God, He pulls them out of civilization and into tents. In this wilderness sojourning, God tries to develop a relationship. That relationship, if it is successful begins in following Him for the promise of blessing. As the relationship matures, He tests it. That is what happened to Abraham. It happens with all who follow God.
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In the second half of this discussion, we talk about the nature of risk in business and life as it relates to what Messiah wants to find with you when He returns.
There's quite a bit going on in the Parable of the Talents. This is a character study not only of the three servants, but of the master as well.
In Luke 20 the Sadducees ask Y'shua a 'gotcha' question about resurrection and marriage. He replies that in the resurrection there is no marriage. Why? Perhaps because humans are a two stage life form like butterflies or mayflies. They live part of their lives in one form and environment and then transition to a different shape and environment. Just as the larval stage in a river is fundamental to a mayfly, so birth and life on this earth is fundamental to humans.
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The parable of the 10 Virgins in Matthew 25 is often made to seem more difficult than it has to be. When considered in the context of Matthew 24, it represents the second possible attitude toward Messiah's seeming delay in coming.
The idea that no one knows the day or the hour of Messiah's return may not mean what most people think it means.
Knowing what is true is both important and very difficult. Everyone claims to be telling the truth yet each tells a different story. How does one determine truth from lies? If the Bible is to be trusted, it claims to be of help in this, but Scripture itself is under attack. How do we know that the Bible is true and a reliable guide to sorting out conflicting information?
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As we await the Messiah's return, the important point is not when that will be, but what you'll be doing.
Revelation is not difficult to understand or mysterious. It is straight forward and intended to be understood. In this final segment, we explore the meaning of the three sequences of seven in the book.
The Book of Revelation is intended to be understood by the average believer. The book is clearly organized and all of its symbols are explained elsewhere in Scripture. This series presents a quick overview of how Revelation is organized and how to read it.
Just like Passover Succot predates Moses. When human civilizations get too big and challenge God, He breaks them up and sends people to live in tents for a while. The concept is that we are sojourners in this world and it is not our permanent home. It appears right now as if God is shaking the world and preparing to send us into tents for a time. The nations sense this and are scrambling to prevent it.
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Revelation is really an easy book to understand. This series lays out the structure and describes how to interpret the symbols.
The Parable of the Minas in Luke 19 and the Parable of the Talents in Matthew 25 have the same surface level point. Christ is going to be gone for a long time and He expects His servants to invest His resources rather than hoarding them out of fear. At a deeper level the parables are very different and serve two different purposes. As an example the Luke parable is for the general public where the Matthew parable is for His disciples.
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God promises that the regathering of His people will be so great that the Exodus from Egypt will be forgotten by comparison.
In Scripture there are two sorts of hard heart. In Pharaoh's case his hard heart led him to defy God. This was also the case with the wilderness generation who refused to enter the Land because of the spy's bad report. The disciple's hard hearts were if a different character. When faced with a storm on the sea, their life experiences and fear prevented them from realizing the power that Y'shua had given them. They tried to solve their problem by worldly means and failed.
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In English we've lost the distinction between a vow and an oath. In the Bible they are two very different things.
The actual responsibilities God gives to levitical priests go far beyond butchering sacrificial animals. They were to be Israel's teachers and moral arbiters.
The Biblical dietary laws are in disrepute today because people think they're archaic or have been done away with. That is actually not true. and diet is very important to God.
Over the decades we have been assured that the US was pursuing noble goals abroad and that our societal 'experts' had things well in hand both locally and globally. The mess in Afghanistan has exposed our prideful incompetence to the entire world. Our civic and government elites are far from being expert at anything. Our only option is personal and national repentance. We must dump our pride and call upon God's mercy if we are to have any hope.
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The final section discussing the parables in Matthew 21-22. These parables taken as a single conversation present a comprehensive view of eschatology starting with the Crucifixion and ending at the Great White Throne.
The parables in Matthew 21 and 22 form a running dialog between Y'shua and the Pharisees. Part 2 discusses the wicked tenants who try and steal a vineyard by killing the heir.
The parables in Matthew 21 and 22 form a running dialog between Y'shua and the Pharisees. This video starts with the cursing of the fig tree and includes the landowner sending his two sons into the vineyard.
The prophetic books of the Bible serve several purposes; one of which is to provide 'clues' to God's mysteries. Some of those mysteries having to do with Christ's first appearance have been revealed. Some are still unfolding and have not yet been explained. In the meantime, prophecy provides us with context and encouragement.
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People wonder why some things are not spelled out clearly in the Torah. It might be because God is dealing with a rebellion and doesn't want the enemy to know His plans.
The Sadducees, trying to trap Y'shua, ask Him what they believe is an impossible question.
The battle of Ai under Joshua explained on a topographc map.
In Luke 16 there is a bridge passage between the parable of the dishonest manager and Lazarus and the rich man. This bridge explains the source of the violent conflict between Y'shua and the Pharisees over the nature of the Kingdom of God. The problem was that the religious authorities, through oral Torah, had turned Moses into an idol which had allowed them to enrich themselves unjustly.
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The shape of the land has a large effect on the events of the Bible
The role terrain plays on Biblical history. This is the second segment of the first hour.
God asks that we love Him with our whole heart, soul and might. A love that doesn't touch your wealth is no love at all. It is a 'love' with some things reserved out of the union. You would not accept that in a marriage, nor should you approach your relationship with God with reservations.
Part 1. This discusses the military and economic implications of Israel's location within the ancient world.
When Balaam is called to curse Israel, he instead gives three blessings. Those blessings mirror the the three Feasts of Ascent given by God.
Balaam's story mirrors the stories of Abraham and Moses in many superficial ways. In the same way, the Anti-Christ will mirror Y'shua.
On Tisha B'Av we remember the destruction of the first and second Temples and the exiles from the Land of Israel. In both cases the calamity was brought on by internal strife which weakened the nation. We are seeing much the same situation in the United States today.
Every miracle in the Bible has a purpose and it's not to satisfy our desire for signs and wonders.
The ninth of Av when the spies in the wilderness brought back a bad report has marked Hebrew calamities throughout history.
The tongue is unique in that it is half hidden and half public. It is the organ by which the heart expresses itself. It has the ability either to cause great harm or to build healthy solid relationships. Learning to guard the tongue is of greatest importance, both for the individual and for the community.
Biblically, Israel can exist in any one of three distinct spiritual regimes: wilderness, in the land, exile. Each regime has different rules and conditions. It is God who decides which regime is appropriate at any point in history.
God is not harsh, but He does deal with rebellious sin.
Many believe the New Covenant is found only in Hebrews. Actually, it is all over the Tanak. This is Zechariah's version.
Law is the only lasting basis for liberty. The American Revolution was a reaction to the British Parliament changing laws without the consent of the American colonies. Without the stable rule of law, tyranny quickly follows.
In addition to worship, God demands that we look after the defenseless.
The pattern of Israel's exile and return suggests that another messianic event is eminent.
The US is undergoing a 'Great Awokening' where secular culture is attacking Christian culture with religious fervor. The central fixture of this movement is a set of shifting standards of what is a 'sin'. This creates fear because one never knows what past or present behavior will be labeled a heresy and get one excommunicated. One point of the Torah being written in stone is that it does not change and is not subject to the whims of popular culture. What was sinful 3000 years ago is sinful today. On the flip side what was not sinful then is not so today either. Opposing 'cancel culture' requires a Christian revival - simple logic will not do it. The idea for this talk came from: https://bonifaceoption.substack.com/p/the-great-awokening.
We have just finished and posted a teaching series on Luke 9-19 the Travel Narrative Parables. These are parables Y'shua told in rural villages as he was traveling to Jerusalem for the final time. These ten chapters in Luke form a chiasm. The study proceeds according to the chiastic structure rather that sequentially through the text.
When God's people are not in His land, that land becomes desolate.
As much as we try to order the events in our lives, often things happen that are beyond our control. That happened to Joseph. He was jumped by his brothers, sold as a slave and then framed for attempted rape by his master's wife and thrown into prison. He had every opportunity to become bitter and lapse into helpless victimhood. He did neither of those things because he was able discern a meaning for his circumstances and develop a sense of purpose. We have the same opportunity in our lives.
Everything in the Bible is significant. In the instructions for packing up the Tabernacle we can see a portrait if God - Father, Son and Spirit.
A cautionary tale for the leadership of Israel. Indeed, for anyone in leadership.
Fear has been used by every aspiring slave master from Satan on down to the present. Looking at the past year's events in the news from Covid to cancel culture it is evident that the goal is to keep people fearful, divided and uncertain. That is why God in Scripture tells us over and over not to be afraid - fear clouds your judgment and makes you easy to enslave.
God sends prophets hoping that their predictions will not come to pass.
Temptation is a necessary part of life, but woe to the one by whom it comes.
In the Bible humility is regarded as one of the central virtues. In the Jewish mussar tradition it is the foundation upon which character rests. Both Moses and Y'shua are described as humble, so humility is clearly a trait to be cultivated.
The wary relationship between Jews and Messianics can best be explained by the Parable of the Prodigal Son.
Only the willfully ignorant can deny that there is a God.
In the book of Malachi, God decried Israel's religious establishment for its cynicism and corruption. Their problem was that they did not see themselves and their behavior in the same way. There was, however, a remnant that feared God and spoke correctly about Him. These people are written in a book of remembrance that God will consult when He makes up His treasured possessions. Our nation today is every bit as corrupt as was Israel at the time of Malachi. The criteria for being entered into the book of remembrance is still the same.
When God gives you a bumper crop, it's probably not to finance new barns.
Strength of character is the only thing that keeps the flesh in check.
There are probably as many beliefs about the end times as there are denominations. That confusion serves as a method to keep us divided and arguing, making us much less effective than we should be. If we consider the seven appointed times on God's calendar, it is possible to clear away much of the clutter and attain clarity.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Y'shua packs a lot of information into a very few words.
Humility is the ability to take up just the proper amount of space in the world.
The laws of God are the only source of worldly freedom.
In Genesis Joseph weeps exactly seven times. His tears are never the result of the affliction that he suffers. Rather they are all in the context of his relationship with his family. In this we see a very powerful man who is ultimately alone. His power is unable to gain him the thing that is most important to him - acceptance. The idea for this talk came from an article by Rabbi Sacks.
What do you do in the time between when you pray about something and you get an answer?
Getting rid of demons is not the issue, it's keeping them from coming back.
When a nation falls because of wickedness, the righteous go down too.
Idol worship, the desire to get what appears to be a 'better deal' than God offers, is a constant temptation. Whether the idol be some pagan god or a politician or a man in a white lab coat, the details may differ, but the impulse is the same. In all cases the master idol is covetousness.
The fact that you're not perfect has everything to do with why you were created.
Offerings made to God are not for His benefit.
Life's trials are not always from God or from Satan.
The human impulse to seek a 'better deal' than they believe is available from God has not gone away. Idol worship today looks a bit different than in Biblical times, but all of its pathologies are still with us. This new look helps keep idolaters from realizing what they are doing - allowing them even to attend church with a clear conscience.
Believers are fond of saying, 'God's sovereign, He can do whatever He wants.' Unfortunately that doesn't mean what they think it means.
The events of Exodus 19 and 20 constitute a betrothal and marriage between God and Israel. Unfortunately something went wrong in the consummation.
Why is the Bible not written more clearly? What can you trust?
This is an extremely Jewish prayer reflecting a difference in focus between the synagogue and the church. The focus of both the synagogue and the early church was bringing Heaven down to earth or repairing the creation. About 300 years ago the church shifted focus to getting people into heaven and began neglecting earthly governance.
We tend to give more weight and attention to people than we do to God. Not so with Moshe
Philip was engaged in a very productive ministry when God diverted him to something else.
Hebrews 9 discusses the death of someone who has made a will as being necessary to obtain the inheritance. This is a poor translation as it does not fit with Hebrew culture.
As different cultures encountered God as described in the Hebrew Bible, they tended to try and understand and relate to Him in terms they were familiar with. Calvin, for example, was a lawyer and tried to fit God into a legal structure. The Catholic Church within the last decade wrote the humans could not understand God and out only access was through Jesus. These are all distortions. In the Bible, God presents Himself to man in very understandable and relatable terms.
Without a Temple or Tabernacle, is tithing still required by God?
Why is the Covenant at Mt Sinai inferior to the New Covenant?
The fifty days from First Fruits to Shavuot (Pentecost) are symbolic of the transition from slavery to liberty in God's Kingdom. Those 50 days are echoed in the 50 years between Jubilees where liberty is proclaimed "throughout the land." This had special significance for Israel and for the founding fathers of the United States.
In the Garden, God does not say to Adam, 'If you eat of the Tree of Knowledge of Good and Evil, I will kill you.' Rather, He says something very different.
Both the prophets and Y'shua speak to Israel in parables which are designed to tell the truth in such a way that most people will not understand.
The Torah is not done away with, just obsolete. Just what does that mean to us?
The events that happen in the Patriarch's lives echo through succeeding generations. This is also true for the Nation Israel. If one studies the events of the Passover, one may find the same events happening in the burial of Jacob hundreds of years earlier. One may also find them foretold in the prophets. This talk is based on ideas originally presented by Rabbi Fohrman.
During the plagues, Pharaoh seems to have been remarkably thick in realizing what was going on. Perhaps he had good reasons.
Bitterness destroys the one who bears it.
Contrary to much Christian belief, the Law of Moses is the only source of liberty.
Prophets serve an unique function in God's administration of Israel. They provide a check on human government's abuse of power.
The Spirit is passed from one to another through touch.
Dealing with demons was a significant part of Y'shua's ministry. It also featured prominently in the instructions He gave His disciples when He sent them out on their own. Demons are still very much a factor in the world we must deal with, and His instructions are still pertinent.
The four great men of exile in the Bible, Joseph, Moses, Daniel and Mordecai all handled themselves differently. Those temperamental differences trace back to the sons of Jacob.
When Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God divides soul, spirit, joints and marrow, what does that mean?
Many Messianic believers refer to the Apostolic Scriptures - the New Testament - as the New or Renewed Covenant. Is this correct?
As Messianic believers, we get asked by our Sunday church brethern why we are doing all this 'Jewish' stuff. The feasts of God are for all members of His Kingdom, not just the Jews.
The structure of reality tends toward morality.
What was the purpose of the miracles performed by the apostles after the Resurrection?
In the Gospels, Y'shua twice sent His disciples out ahead of himself to, "Heal the sick, cast our demons and announce that His Kingdom was at hand." In other words, they were to establish a beachhead in enemy territory. That was also the mission of the church after His resurrection. The church today has largely lost sight of that mission. It has been expelled from politics and has ceased to be an authority on cultural issues. As the church has faded, Satan has advanced. How should we act to regain the ground we have lost?
In God's economy generosity is the only policy that makes any sense
The Bible often teaches through case studies; telling stories of two men each faced with the same choices. In the case of Lot and Abraham, Lot's choices lead inexorably to his destruction.
Scripture is very clear that when the Holy Spirit comes upon a person, those around him immediately notice that something has changed.
Much Christian teaching is in terms of salvation, grace and law. While each of those subjects is important, they cause us to miss or neglect understanding that God, first of all, loves people. Grace, law and salvation all deal with punishment - or more accurately the avoidance of punishment. Such a focus misses the warmth of the relationship that is possible when we focus on love.
Despite the miserable things we often do, God shows us His loving kindness
Our society believes that the pursuit of happiness is the highest of goals. That is a dead end; leading to the spiritual cul-de-sac of appetite and consumption. Rather than happiness, we should be searching for meaning in our lives. This leads to purpose and the satisfaction of knowing that we are useful in God's hand.
Jacob's life was difficult, mostly because of the things he did as a younger man before his encounter with God. Despite his early character flaws, he was used by God to found the twelve tribes of Israel. His use by God is a source of great hope to those who are struggling to find our way.
Jacob stole Esau's blessing by tricking his father. He also 'purchased' Esau's birthright by taking advantage of his brother's impulsive nature. After over twenty years under his hard uncle Laban, Jacob has in many respects become the 'man of the field'. He has, in a sense become Esau.