The Crimson Thread

Talent Investment

Sun, 02 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In the Olivet Discourse, the master entrusts three of his servants with his resources and then goes on a long journey. Two of the servants double his money, the third simply holds and returns it to him upon his return. It would be an error to assume that God's standard is 'double my money' or you're going to be rejected.

The Tabernacle and the New Jerusalem

Mon, 03 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In the New Heaven and the New Earth, it appears that the New Jerusalem will be analogous to the Tabernacle in the wilderness.

Revelation 17-18 The Fall of Babylon

Tue, 04 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

After the seven bowls of wrath, we get the fate of Babylon, the spiritual capitol of the first beast. This is the imperial city of the great world government that is arrayed against God and His people.

Torah is Given Only After Salvation

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Bible makes it very clear that the Torah is not a vehicle for salvation. It is a gift from God for people He has already saved.

Y'shua on Prayer 2

Thu, 06 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Second half of Y'shua's discourse on prayer containing the Unjust Judge and the Publican and the Pharisee.

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The Fear of Freedom

Fri, 07 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

One of the things Y'shua came to do was to set the captives free. Two thousand years later, there are still captives who need to be freed. The problem is that, although He has opened the prison doors, they either don't see it or they are afraid to leave their cells.

Burning the Bridge Behind You

Sun, 09 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

When God took Israel out of Egypt, He did not take the short route to Canaan lest the people change their minds and return to Egypt. Instead, He took them into the wilderness beyond the point where they could return without dying of thirst or starvation. In this sense, He burned the bridge back to Egypt so they had no choice but to continue on to freedom. So too, many of us have bridges that need to be burned so we can move forward to be what God desires.

Torah Makes the Music of Life

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

A piano in the hands of someone who doesn't know the laws of music will only make noise. It is the rules that allow a player to make music. So too with life.

Revelation 19-20 Justice

Tue, 11 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

At the destruction of Babylon, all of heaven rejoices that justice has been served and God has taken vengeance on the great whore who has deceived the nations. The arrival of the King and His reign over the earth for a thousand year. The Great White throne.

Live Your Life With Joy

Wed, 12 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Solomon says that sometimes the righteous suffer while the wicked prosper. In this, he encapsulates the book of Job which gives a glimpse into the workings of Heaven.

Signs of the Kingdom

Thu, 13 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Starting in Luke 11, Y'shua speaks about the Kingdom of God. At first, He speaks of the state of the Kingdom as He finds it. He then speaks of the Kingdom as it will be in the future.

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Tribes in America

Fri, 14 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

People naturally divide into tribes, either by birth or by culture. In America, we have both, but the most divisive is over culture. In trying to reach people for God, it is important that we speak to them in terms their culture regards as important. The speaker is Matt Behrens

Covetousness is Idolatry

Sun, 16 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In the Decalogue both the first and the tenth commandments forbid alien gods. The first commandment is obvious - thou shall have no other gods before me. The tenth - thou shall not covet - not quite so much. Why, then does Paul equate covetousness with idol worship?

One God

Mon, 17 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

God is one being who reveals Himself to us in three persons. All three persons appear throughout the Bible, but one seems to dominate in each of the three sections of the Book.

Revelation 21-22 All Things New

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The new heaven and the new earth where God finally dwells among men. The New Jerusalem and homage of the nations. The tree of life restored to man.

The Arc of Reality Bends Toward Justice

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In this passage from Ecclesiastes, God's universe favors morality.

Conflict with the Pharisees - Six Woes

Thu, 20 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Conflict between Y'shua and the Pharisees and lawyers. Discussion of the six woes he pronounces against them in Luke 11.

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The Anatomy of Evil

Fri, 21 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In a sense, the earth is one battleground in a much larger war that rages in heaven. As such, evil is very much a part of our world. We, as believers, have an advantage in that the sources and methods of evil can be understood, they can be defended against and they can be defeated. The readings mentioned are Genesis 3, Ezekiel 28 and Luke 2.

Law and Vision

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

After the ten commandments, God gives several chapters of detailed statutes. These laws are intended to implement God's view of how a good society should behave. Following those laws is for our own good and does not generate blessings. Rather blessings come from a relationship with God. We know from history that that relationship can be damaged to the point the He will withdraw those blessings. Similarly, there are two competing visions for the United States. Proponents of each vision are attempting to enact laws to shape society toward their vision.

Joseph Builds a Resume

Mon, 24 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

When Joseph is called from prison to interpret Pharaoh's dreams he goes beyond his brief and offers advice. The fact that Joseph has been building a resume for years may be what inclined Pharaoh to listen to the young Hebrew's advice.

Malachi 1-2 Background and Indifference

Tue, 25 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Written after the Babylonian exile, Malachi tells of returning Jews and their priests who have the form of temple worship without either reverence or enthusiasm.

When Hospitality Leads to Slavery

Wed, 26 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

By the end of Genesis, Israel is no longer free to leave Egypt. They aren't yet slaves, but neither are they free. This echoes the experience of Jacob with his uncle Laben.

Conflict with the Pharisees - Attitude Toward Wealth

Thu, 27 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In the context of his pronouncing woes over the Pharisees, in Luke 12 Y'shua discusses the proper attitude toward the wealth of this world.

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The Gospel in Genesis

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Gospel is not a New Testament concept. Rather is it fundamental to God's plan for humanity. As an example, Genesis 5 contains a clear statement of the Gospel. It is laid out in the names of the descendants of Adam.

The Gift of Giving

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Exodus 25, God tells Moses to request contributions of materials to build the Tabernacle from everyone "whose heart moves him". In this, God gave Israel the gift of being able to contribute something instead of merely receiving. The act of giving allows one to participate in what God is doing in the world. As such, it is a great gift.

Hardening Pharaoh's Heart

Mon, 03 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Metaphorically Pharaoh's contest with God is like a man wrestling with a bear. The man has a choice whether to engage in the match but the bear decides when it is over.

Malachi 3-4 What is the Profit in Obeying God?

Tue, 04 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The retuning exiles, having completed the Temple and the rebuilding of Jerusalem, have fallen into cynicism because the Messianic age has not started. They see the wicked prosper and wonder what the benefit of walking with God really is. God answers.

Bathsheba - Biblical Power Player

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Despite what you may have learned in Sunday school, Bathsheba was not naive and innocent. In fact, she was a power player in the Israelite royal court.

Conflict with the Pharisees - God and Mammon

Thu, 06 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Luke 16 discourse on God and mammon is a continuation of the running conflict Y'shua had with the Pharisees over money. The Pharisees, being lovers of money, had a warped attitude toward the things of this world.

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Care of the Soul - Patience

Fri, 07 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Bible urges us to become more like Christ in our character. Like His Father, Christ was patient. Like all disciplines, developing patience is unpleasant, but the fruits are sweet.

Clothing

Sun, 09 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Hebrew word 'beged' means both clothing and betrayal. This duality is important because we use clothing to communicate - status, sexuality, position, power, etc. Realizing that clothing can lie and betray is an important part of navigating in society. The High Priest's vestments are thus a statement that can either be true of the man or false. So too with others who wear the robes of authority.

Power Over the Gods: Egyptian Magic as Technology

Mon, 10 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Pharaoh's time, magic was advanced technology. The idea that court magicians could manipulate the gods gave them a sense of power and contempt for the common folk. That attitude is prevalent today.

Hebrews 1-2, Son of God, Son of Adam

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The writer first establishes from the Psalms that the Christ is not an angel and is, in fact, the Son of God. He also establishes that He is fully human and has experienced what all men experience - including death. As one of us, He is able to understand what we go through and treat us sympathetically.

The Golden Calf - Spiritual Adultery

Wed, 12 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Moses' reaction to the sin of the Golden Calf strongly resembles the procedure for dealing with a woman suspected of adultery in Numbers 5.

Kingdom Stewardship

Thu, 13 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Luke 12 and Luke 16 Y'shua gives a discourse on what He expects of the managers over His kingdom during the time of His absence. In Luke 12 the master is away at a wedding and will return at a time the servants do not expect. In Luke 16 the parable of the dishonest manager turns on the manager's estimation of the character of the master.

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God's Fabric of Freedom

Fri, 14 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Looking in Exodus at the sequence of events by which God took Israel away from Egypt and brought them to Mt Sinai, it becomes clear that, having once freed them, He did not want them again to descend into slavery. Thus we can regard Shabbat and the Torah as His prescription for their continued liberty and prosperity.

The Tent of Meeting

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Between smashing the first set of tablets because of the Golden Calf and ascending the mountain again to get the second set, Moses spent 40 days in the tent of meeting outside the camp. What was the purpose of that time and what did Moses accomplish? (The song referred to is "The Family of God.")

His Name Shall Be One-

Mon, 17 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Zechariah writes, 'On that day the Lord will be one and his name one.' What might that mean?

Hebrews 3-5 Entering His Rest

Tue, 18 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Just as God rested from His work in creation, there is a rest available to the people of God. This rest is from fear and striving to be good enough to merit salvation. Once we trust in Him, we may enter His rest. This is in contrast to the wilderness generation who were not able to muster that trust and so perished without entering the land.

Christ: An Old Testament Prophet

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Old Testament prophets had two modes: a call to repentance and speaking obscurely and in parables. This exactly follows the pattern of Y'shua's ministry.

Call of the Kingdom to Israel

Thu, 20 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Luke 13 and 14 the parables of the fig tree and the great banquet. Y'shua, acting as a prophet, tells Israel that she is unfruitful and that she has spurned the invitation of God to His great banquet.

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Care of the Soul, Gratitude

Fri, 21 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Gratitude is the antidote to envy, self pity, malice and covetousness. When cultivated, this soul trait can become a stream of living water that makes the field of life blossom

Human Creativity

Sun, 23 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Being made in the image of God, people have the ability to be creative. In building the Tabernacle in the wilderness, many things were specified by God because deviation would have compromised His message. Other things, however, were open for interpretation by the artisans who worked on the project. In allowing this, Israel became more than passive recipients of God's provision. They could now be active contributors to God's purposes.

Israel is God's Firstborn

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Symbolically, the firstborn represents a link between one generation and the next. In Exodus, that intergenerational link is broken by the tenth plague. Thus the Egyptian system is cut of and God's firstborn carries His Word and ways to the rest of the world.

Hebrews 5-7 A Priest Forever

Tue, 25 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Having established that Christ is not an angel, but is the human son of God, and that He is able to understand our frailties, the writer then goes on to establish His priesthood. In this, since He is not a descendant of Aaron, the writer must use a different priestly order; that of Melchizedek.

Calming the Storm

Wed, 26 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

It is impossible to use the power of God if you don't realize that you have it.

The Nature of the Kingdom

Thu, 27 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In this set of Luke parables, Y'shua contrasts the Kingdom of God as it existed in first century Israel with what it should be. Healing on the Sabbath, the parables of the Mustard Seed and the Leaven.

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Love

Fri, 28 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

When we read the Bible, we tend to interpret words according to our own language and culture. This often leads to a misunderstanding of what Scripture is trying to convey. In English the meaning of 'love' is very much context dependent. To love ice cream means something different that loving your spouse. So what is being said when Moses or Y'shua says to love God and your neighbor?/p>

Public Integrity

Sun, 30 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

When the Tabernacle in the wilderness was completed Moses had the Levites present an accounting of all the gold, silver and bronze used in its construction - down to the shekel. Moses was perhaps the most powerful and trusted human in the world because he spoke with God face to face. The fact that such a man as Moses felt it necessary to give a public accounting sends a strong message that it is vital for all those in positions of public trust to be honest and transparent in their handling of public funds. This speaks to the corruption being uncovered in our government today.

Injustice By Statute

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Psalm 94 perfectly describes the current relationship between the government and the people. It should be on every believer's lips.

Hebrews 8-9 A New Covenant

Tue, 01 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Covenant made as Sinai was defective in that one of the parties - Israel - was unable to live according to its terms. That made a New Covenant necessary. Although God's terms are the same for both covenants, the new one is to be written on the heart instead of on tablets of stone. The New Covenant like the one at Sinai must be ratified with the blood of a sacrifice. In this case, the blood was that of the Messiah.

Your Authority from the Messiah

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Your effectiveness in the Kingdom of God depends both on your obedience and your understanding of what you are authorized to do.

The Prodigal Son

Thu, 03 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

This parable, where a father has broken relationships with both of his sons, may be a metaphor for Ephraim and Judah. The younger son has been gone for millennia. What will be the attitude of the older brother when he returns?

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Winds of Change

Fri, 04 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Over time, all human institutions tend to become corrupt and self serving. We see this in Scripture where even structures ordained by God, such as the Temple, lose their way and have to be overthrown. In the United States the past four years have seen the rot in our institutions exposed and public trust eroded. People are angry and fearful as they try and find something solid to trust. This presents believers with a great opportunity to speak of God's love and provision to the lost and afraid.

The Resurrection

Sun, 06 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Gospel accounts after the Resurrection are different. Each one gives added instructions for the believer while we await His return. Taken together they form a complete mission statement for the believer - what to do, where to do it, what resources are available, etc.

The Declaration of a Godly People

Mon, 07 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Declaration of Independence is designed on Biblical principles and makes reference to God three times. As such it contains the outline of Constitution which defines the structure of our government.

Hebrews 10, The Sacrifice for Sin

Tue, 08 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The sin offerings made in the tabernacle were only for unintentional sin and had to be repeated annually, because the people's hearts were not changed. Under the New Covenant God's law will be written on hearts of flesh instead of on tablets of stone. Thus, the offering Messiah made with His own blood needs only to have been done one time, since those cleansed by that offering will have had their hearts circumcised.

The The Red Heifer

Wed, 09 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The law of the red heifer is difficult to understand. It does bear on the events of Messiah's first miracle.

Colossians 1 Something is Not Right

Thu, 10 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Paul's letter appears to be a theological corrective for something going on within the church in Colossae. The exact nature of the problem is not made clear, but it has to do with the person of Christ and with competing philosophies. In this first chapter he makes it very clear who the Messiah is and what He has done and is doing.

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Care of the Soul - Chesed

Fri, 11 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Hebrew word Chesed has no true English equivalent. It is translated using compound words like 'lovingkindness' or 'steadfast love'. It is one of the primary words used of God in Scripture. For us, it is love that sustains another physically, mentally, emotionally or spiritually.

Birth Pains

Sun, 13 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Nations, like people have a life cycle - birth, growth, productivity and death. For Israel, Passover was its birth. Since then it has gone through several life cycles, always being reborn because God has had His hand on them. The United States, like Israel, was also explicitly formed on Biblical principles. We are now undergoing a civilizational crisis. Pray that the current turmoil represents birth pains.

Israel: Role Model for Bugs Bunny

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In the Book of Numbers, Moab was terrified that Israel will defeat him - he needn't have been. Like Bugs Bunny, Israel is never the aggressor outside of their land.

Hebrews 11-12 Faith

Tue, 15 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Faith is the spiritual quality that allows us to act in the present. Since the future is unknown, we must have faith that the thing we are about to do will have the results we want. This especially applies to our relationship with God. He has promised certain things and we are to live our lives in the trust that those promises are reliable.

Zealotry

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

There are only two cases of zealotry in the Tanakh: Elijah and Pinchas. In both cases God makes it very clear that their zealotry is a one time event, not a lifestyle.

Colossians 2 Nailed to the Cross?

Thu, 17 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Paul warns the church not to be taken captive by vain philosophy and man made religion. He also says that because of Christ, the record of our offenses against God have been nailed to the cross. Many take that to mean that the Torah has been nailed to the cross and voided. This is not correct.

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Food For Thought

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The rally against certification of the presidential election has caused a national uproar. In navigating these tumultuous times it is important to pay attention to what your thoughts dwell on. Thoughts trigger endocrine reactions that can have a long term effect on your well being. As always, Scripture has sound advice.

The Omer - Once We Were Slaves

Sun, 20 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The 50 days between Firstfruits and Shavuot is a replay and a rehearsal of the process by which God takes us from slavery to liberty in Him. For the Israelites, it was literal slavery in Egypt. For us it is the slavery to sin and the flesh. Liberty is not learned over night, it is a process that takes time.

The End of Moses' Mission

Mon, 21 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

No one is quite sure why God denied Moses and Aaron entry into the Land. Perhaps he struck the rock while grieving the death of his sister. Perhaps a change in leadership was needed because the people had changed. Perhaps a different theological model was needed.

Hebrews 12-13, An Unshakable Kingdom

Tue, 22 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

After having described the often unpleasant process of character development, the author returns to the theme that this world is not our permanent home. Rather, there is a better and permanent home for those who are disciples of Y'shua.

Parables and Prophecy

Wed, 23 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

During his ministry, Y'shua spoke both plainly and in parables. What caused Him to change His delivery?

Colossians 3-4 Torah 101

Thu, 24 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Having dealt with the doctrinal errors that had been reported to him, Paul switches to reinforcing the basic principles of life in the Kingdom of God. These include authority and order within the family and the community as well as general principles of human relationships. The letter concludes with personal greetings.

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Three Voices

Fri, 25 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

There are three voices in Scripture: the priest, the prophet and the King. The priest speaks of Torah, the King speaks of human wisdom and the prophet speaks for God into a specific situation. Since Y'shua functions in all three offices, he speaks with each of the three voices at different times. Recognizing which 'voice' He is using makes the Gospels much clearer.

Messiah's Ministry Outline

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Mark chapter 1 contains an outline of Y'shua's entire ministry as well as that given to His apostles after His resurrection. The outline boils down to: preach the Gospel, heal the sick, cast out demons. Demons are barely mentioned in the TANAK but have almost 100 references in the New Testament. What changed? What does that mean to us today?

Deuteronomy - The Covenant

Mon, 28 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Devarim follows the form of an ancient suzerainty treaty. It is unique in that God is the suzerain and the people of Israel are the vassals.

Luke Parables - Introduction and Eschatology

Tue, 29 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

During His final journey to Jerusalem, Y'shua told a series of parables. These parables are arranged as a chiasm. The first and last element of that chiasm concerns a noble who goes away to obtain a kingdom. His subjects try to stop him from becoming their ruler. He also leaves resources with his servants and expects an accounting upon his return. His servants are rewarded or punished according to what they did with the master's resources while he was away.

The Bread of Life - How Do We Get There?

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In John 6 Y'shua describes Himself as the bread of life. In this, He loses most of the disciples who had been following Him. Why should they have understood Him relying solely on the Torah?

1 Corinthians 1, Division in the Church

Thu, 01 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The first four chapters of the letter deal with divisions in the church caused by intellectual pride. Since Paul had planted the church, they had heard the teaching of others and factions had formed. Each of the teachers mentioned were perfectly sound but perhaps each had said things differently. in their inexperience and pride, members of the church had seized on stylistic differences and elevated them to the level of doctrine.

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Confidence

Fri, 02 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

There is a great deal of rampant evil in the world today; in truth there always has been. In the face of ascendant evil it is tempting to despair, walking about with a defeated expression. To give in to that spirit is to forget the promises of God and to become ineffective in advancing His kingdom. God's people have lived under oppressive regimes in the past and have prevailed. So too can we.

Out of the Heart, the Mouth Speaks

Sun, 04 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Speech is important.. It can either build up or destroy. In the Torah, leprosy is twice associated with negative speech. This indicates that Biblical leprosy is a physical manifestation of a heart condition. Although Biblical leprosy no longer manifests, a person's speech still can expose his heart condition.

Liberty in the Kingdom of God

Mon, 05 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Torah prescribes hundreds of laws, yet it is the premier source of human liberty. Why is this so, and what does that have to do with climate change?

Luke Parables- Cost of Disipleship

Tue, 06 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

This set of parables emphasizes the cost of entering the Kingdom of God. Several people desire to follow Him but have things to do before they can begin. Others are encumbered by the things of the world. The Good Samaritan, the Rich Young Ruler, Zacchaeus.

Rivers of Living Water

Wed, 07 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In John, Y'shua says that those who believe in Him will have rivers of living water flow from their bellies. This image completes the promise implied at Jacob's well both in Genesis and earlier in John.

1 Corinthians 2-4, Paul the Master Builder

Thu, 08 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

As Paul writes to correct the hubris of the Corinthian church, he compares himself and the other Apostles to builders working on the living Tabernacle. In this, he directs merit away from himself and toward God where it rightly belongs.

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Dishonest Weights and Measures

Fri, 09 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In the Torah and the Prophets, God warns Israel that He will not tolerate those who enrich themselves by fraud. The events of this past year have exposed the prevalence of double standards in the US. Law enforcement, financial markets, government agencies, elected bodies: all are seen to have been using dishonest weights and measures to gain power and wealth.

Authority and Separation

Sun, 11 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Leviticus, God tells Israel to be holy because He is Holy. In the subsequent verses, He gives them laws on the basis of His own authority. The explicit purpose of these laws it to differentiate Israel from the nations that they are to destroy. The reason for those nations' destruction is that they practiced all of the abominations that God forbids. So too, our society has degraded to the point that we have made all of the forbidden abominations commonplace.

Character 101

Mon, 12 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

One of the purposes of creation is to develop character in human beings.

Luke Parables- Prayer

Tue, 13 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Y'shua's disciples ask Him to teach them how to pray. That means that prayer is a skill that can be taught. The Lord's Prayer, the Friend at Midnight, the Unjust Judge and the Pharisee and the Tax Collector.

From the Bloody Door to the Promised Land

Wed, 14 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The beginning of Joshua marks the end of the Wilderness. Israel entered the Wilderness through a bloody door and through water. It left the Wilderness crossing water on dry ground and Rahab reenacted the Passover with a crimson thread.

1 Corinthians 5-6, Sexual Immorality

Thu, 15 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

It appears that some in the Corinthian church mistook the liberty that we have in Messiah for license. In this they had descended into debauchery. Paul writes against this in the strongest of terms, telling the church to expel those who engaged in flagrant sin.

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Self Righteousness

Fri, 16 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Luke 6 and Luke 18 are complementary. One is narrative, the other parable, but both involve the contrast between a Pharisee and an ordinary person. In both cases the ordinary person behaves humbly in the presence of God while the Pharisee acts as if he is doing God a favor by showing up. Also in both cases Messiah justifies the humble.

Sacrifice

Sun, 18 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Leviticus, the central book of the Torah, is where God tells Israel how He wishes to be approached and worshipped. Many believe that those instructions were only for Israel and have been superseded by the Resurrection of Christ. That is not true. Sacrifice is an act of love and is always acceptable in that spirit. God promises that when He regathers Israel and the Temple is rebuilt, He will once again accept sacrifice. That will be both from Israel and from the gentiles.

The Rape of Dinah

Mon, 19 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

When Jacob's daughter, Dinah was abducted and raped by the son of the local king, his sons, Simeon and Levi slaughtered the men of the city. It is important that both Dinah and her brothers were children of Leah, the unloved wife. Thus, this story sets up the next story - the sale of Joseph into Egypt.

Luke Parables - Conflict with the Pharisees

Tue, 20 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

After having being accused of casting out demons by the power of Beelzebul, Y'shua's speech becomes more cryptic - except when dealing with the self righteousness of the Pharisees and the Lawyers. Their constant demands for supernatural signs beyond the ones He has shown openly bespeaks a heart that doesn't want to learn the truth.

Traveling in a Tent

Wed, 21 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

A tent is a temporary dwelling. The Tabernacle in the Wilderness allowed God to travel with His people until a permanent dwelling could be made. We also are to regard our bodies as temporary dwellings as we travel through this world on our way to the next.

1 Corinthians 7:1-16, Paul on Marriage and Divorce

Thu, 22 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In the 7th chapter, Paul is responding to a question that we can only infer from his answer. In this he sounds lukewarm on marriage. Later in the letter we learn that he expects Y'shua to return very shortly. Hence, the inference is that he believed that spiritual pursuits were more important than romantic ones given the times.

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Sowing the Word

Fri, 23 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In explaining the Parable of the Sower, Messiah concludes that the good soil is fruitful where the road, the rocks and the weeds are not. If we compare his to Genesis 1 where God tells us to be fruitful and multiply, it becomes clear that fruitfulness in God's eyes involves more than just children. We are also expected to reproduce spiritually.

The Proper Perspective on Wealth

Sun, 25 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

At the end of Leviticus, Moses talks about the seventh and the fiftieth years of release. There debts are forgiven, Israelite slaves are freed, the land is allowed to rest and, on the Jubilee, people return to the land that Joshua allotted to their clans. This is not a test of faith, because God promises a bumper crop on the sixth year so there is no fear of hunger. Rather it is a test of people's attitude toward wealth. Will they be satisfied with the blessings that God has promised and provided or will they be greedy and work their land and keep their slaves in the seventh year?

Three Voices

Mon, 26 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Scripture there are three distinct voices: the priest, the prophet and the king. Throughout history each voice has many individuals and sometimes a single individual uses two of them. Knowing which voice is speaking is a great aid in understanding Scripture.

Luke Parables - Money

Tue, 27 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Y'shua was frequently in conflict with the Pharisees who were lovers of money and prestige. The parable of the rich fool who decided to build bigger barns. The parable of the dishonest manager.

Parable of the Wicked Tenants

Wed, 28 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Matthew 21 Y'shua gives a parable about wicked tenants who conspire to steal a vineyard. When correlated with other parts of Scripture, it apparent that Satan leads the tenants and that the vineyard is the whole of Earth.

1 Corinthians 7:17ff, Live as You Were Called

Thu, 29 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Paul continues his advice to live in the expectation that Messiah's return is imminent. In this he speaks of both employment circumstances and marital arrangements. As mentioned in last time, he advises to avoid concentrating on romance unless such might lead to sin.

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Finding Your Purpose - Some Assembly Required

Fri, 30 May 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

The Parable of the Sower

Sun, 01 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The parable of the sower marks the point in His ministry where Y'shua gives up on trying to convert Israel's religious establishment because they do not want to believe that He is the Messiah. From that point his public messages are in cryptic parables. In the parable of the sower, there are four regions where seed falls. They represent Satanic interference with the Word, societal hostility, individual distraction and the faithful heart respectively.

Vessels of Wrath?

Mon, 02 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Romans Paul discusses the potter's authority over the clay. Some take this to mean that some people are created solely to be objects of God's wrath. That is not so. Everyone has base instincts. Those are built in; what we do about those instincts is a matter of choice.

Luke Parables - Coming of the Master

Tue, 03 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In the parable of Lazarus and the rich man, the rich man's deficiency is not his wealth per se. Rather, he is not handling that wealth as indicated by Moses and the Prophets. Lazarus' condition is evidence that the rich man did not love his neighbor. In the Luke 12 parable of the servants awaiting their master's return, the message is that His return will be at an unexpected time and He wants His servants to be found faithful to their charges.

Biblical Generosity

Wed, 04 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In God's economy, generosity is the only policy that makes sense.

1 Corinthians 8, Meat Sacrificed to Idols

Thu, 05 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The question of meat sacrificed to idols was important in a predominantly pagan world. Paul's answer to the problem was a variation of "don't ask, don't tell." If, by whatever means, one discovers that meat has been part of a sacrifice, it is forbidden. Otherwise it is permitted and one need not conduct an investigation.

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Missing God's Love

Fri, 06 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

The Strong Man

Sun, 08 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Mark 3 and 4 Y'shua switches from speaking plainly to speaking in parables. This is after He was accused of having demonic powers. This set of kingdom parables is slightly different from those in Mat 13. After saying that a strong man's goods cannot be stolen unless he is first bound, He begins with the parable of the sower and then gives four more parables. The question is, what is He concealing from His listeners that He then speaks plainly to His disciples?

Apostolic Miracles

Mon, 09 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

What was the purpose of the miracles performed by the Apostles after the Crucifixion?

Luke Parables - Restoring What is Lost

Tue, 10 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

God is not willing that anyone should be lost. The parable of the fig tree warns Israel to bear fruit. The parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin and the prodigal son indicate the joy in heaven when that which has been lost is restored.

God Made a Moral Universe

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The structure of reality favors moral behavior.

1 Corinthians 9-10, Examples for Us

Thu, 12 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

After a defense of his apostleship, Paul turns to the generation that died in the wilderness. That generations failures should serve as an example and warning for us today. The temptations that caused them to fall are no different than those we face.

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The Church as Beachhead

Fri, 13 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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?

God Loves People

Sun, 15 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Numbers 11 when the people complain that they are fed up with manna and want Egypt food, Moses has a melt down before God, complaining that he didn't want the job and would rather die than continue. God treats him gently as would a friend or parent and gets him some help. Similarly, Y'shua, who is the physical son of God, tells us to pray to our Father in Heaven. That is we are to have a family relationship with God. This idea of God as a friend or parent is unique to Judaism and Christianity.

Why We Keep the Feasts

Mon, 16 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

As Messianics, we often get asked why we're doing all this 'Jewish stuff.' This video discusses why the feasts of God are applicable to us today.

Luke Parables - The Nature of the Kingdom

Tue, 17 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In the parable of the great banquet, the invited guests all make transparently false and insulting excuses why they cannot attend. This leads the master to cast a wide net and bring others in. In the parable of the wedding feast, the Pharisees assume they will have places of honor in the kingdom. In the parable of the narrow door the Pharisees are assuming that because they are Abraham's descendants, they will be admitted.

Another Night with the Frogs

Wed, 18 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

What is going through Pharaoh's mind when he delays relief from the plague of frogs for an extra day? (Expansion on a comment by Rabbi David Fohrman)

1 Corinthians 11, Gender Roles

Thu, 19 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Among the difficulties in the Corinthian church, there seemed to have been confusion or contention about gender roles. In addressing this, Paul starts with the order of creation and proceeds to then current customs. The upshot is that Scripture forbids dress or behavior that would confuse the two genders.

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I Have Enough

Fri, 20 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

When Jacob and Esau meet after a twenty year separation, Jacob has sent his brother lavish gifts of livestock hoping to appease his anger. Esau tries to refuse the gifts saying that he has enough wealth already. Jacob responds that he also has enough wealth and presses his brother to take the gifts. That's how it reads in English translation. In Hebrew it is very different.

Spies in the Wilderness

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The journey from slavery to freedom ended for the wilderness generation when the spies brought a bad report about the land. Upon hearing that report, they gave up and asked to return to Egypt (and slavery). This represents one step in God's millennia-long project to develop a good relationship with the people that He created. The project began in the Garden and will culminate in the New Jerusalem.

New Testament or Brit Chadasha?

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Lots of Messianics refer to the Apostolic Scriptures - the New Testament - as the New Covenant or the Renewed Covenant. Is this correct?

Jeremiah 1-2 Truth or Opinion?

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Truth is so precious and rare that people go to great lengths to counterfeit it. In this introduction we discuss the difficult problem of separating truth from opinion.

The Word Divides

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

When Hebrews 4:12 says the Word of God divides soul, spirit, joints and marrow, what does that mean?

1 Corinthians 12, Integrity of the Body

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In response to a question on spiritual gifts, Paul admonishes the Corinthians that all of the gifts are necessary for the well being of the body. Apparently there was some status seeking on the basis of having one gift over another.

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Demons

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Korah - Pursuing the Dream

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The generation that left Egypt under Moses' leadership fell into bitter disappointment when they believed the bad report of the twelve spies. Korah took advantage of that depression to mount a challenge against Moses and ultimately against God Himself. His dream of assuming leadership was wrecked upon the rock of reality. God had decided and no amount of rabble rousing was going to change anything.

How do We Behave in Exile?

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Jeremiah 2-3 Hebrew or Greek - Two Ways of Finding Truth

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

To the extent that our society and its education system derive from classical Greece they ill equip us to understand Scripture. The Bible's way of presenting truth is very different. We read Scripture and think we understand it because the words are familiar. Jeremiah will correct our understanding if we will allow it. Judah did not.

The Laying on of Hands

Wed, 2 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Spirit is passed from one to another through touch.

1 Corinthians 13-14 Love, Speaking in Tongues

Thu, 03 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

IIt appears that spiritual gifts, particularly the gift of tongues, were being used pridefully. Paul admonishes the church that spiritual gifts are given to benefit the body, not the person through whom they operate. When the church gathers, it is more important to be understood than it is to be envied by others.

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History is Prophecy

Fri, 04 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Liberty - Responsibility and Truth

Sun, 06 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Although a people may be enslaved quickly by means of conquest, more often it is that they abandon their liberty. This abandonment generally begins with an abdication or avoidance of responsibility. They decide they want government to do something that they should be doing by themselves. Having shed responsibility, they then begin to tell themselves comforting lies to justify their situation.

Prophets as God's Enforcers

Mon, 7 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Prophets serve an unique function in God's administration of Israel. They provide a check on human government's abuse of power.

Jeremiah 3-5 God's Truth or Social Opinion?

Tue, 08 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Following the truth, God's way, will over time lead to happiness and prosperity. Both Israel and the United States followed His way for an extended period of time and flourished. They then entered a time of error during which they consumed all of the good that previous generations had built up.

Freedom in the Torah

Wed, 09 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Contrary to much Christian belief, the Law of Moses is the only source of liberty.

1 Corinthians 14-16, Bodily Resurrection

Thu, 10 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Some in the Corinthian church questioned if there was to be resurrection from the dead. Starting with the example of Y'shua, Paul explains that resurrection is central to Messianic belief. He also discusses the nature of the resurrection body.

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Fifty Days to Liberty

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

What's With the Talking Donkey?

Sun, 13 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Reading the story of Balaam, one wonders why it is included in the Torah. Why didn't God simply forbid Balaam from going to Moab the second time he asked? It turns out that Balaam gets mentioned as a bad example all the way from Deuteronomy to Revelation. In this, he serves to emphasize that sex is very often the hook that is used to draw people away from God and in to idol worship.

Bitterness

Mon, 14 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Bitterness destroys the one who carries it.

Jeremiah 5-6 Decoding Biblical Wisdom

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Jeremiah is speaking truth to Israel in Biblical fashion which is difficult to understand today because our thought process is essentially Greek. One of the Biblical techniques is the maschil; typically a poetic couplet. The couplet is open ended and is designed to evoke reflection and discussion. In this chapter, the prophet is saying that Israel has fallen into wishful thinking which has lead them away from God.

2 Corinthians 1-2, Comfort in Affliction

Fri, 18 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

It appears that reports of Paul's trials and suffering during his missionary journeys were being used to call his apostleship into question. He puts his trials into perspective. In this he also gives the Corinthians a gentle rebuke.

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Zealots

Sun, 20 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Both Pinchas and Elijah acted zealously when they were confronted by flagrant sinfulness and idolatry in Israel. The zealot is akin to a hammer in God's hand, sometimes necessary but not to be used routinely. In Elijah's encounter with God in the mountain cave, it appears that God was checking whether Elijah could tone things down in the future.

God and Pharaoh

Mon, 21 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

During the plagues, Pharaoh seems to have been remarkably thick in realizing what was going on. Perhaps he had good reasons.

Jeremiah 7-8 The Temple of the Lord?

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In God's eyes the Temple has become like a hide-out where robbers flee for safety. They go there to hide until pursuit dies down, not to repent of their sins. For this reason, the building is no longer truly the Temple and it cannot give sanctuary to the nation.

Is Moses Obsolete?

Wed, 23 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Torah is not done away with, just obsolete. Just what does that mean to us?

2 Corinthians 3, The New Covenant

Thu, 24 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Paul writes that the covenant written on hearts of flesh is more glorious than that written on tablets of stone. Why was the first covenant written on stone tablets? What, if anything, is different about the covenant to be written on the human heart?

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Knowing God

Fri, 25 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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 that humans could not understand God and our only access was through Jesus. These are all distortions. In the Bible, God presents Himself to man in very understandable and relatable terms.

The End of the Wilderness

Sun, 27 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The end of the book of Numbers marks the end of Israel's time in the wilderness. What did God accomplish during those forty years? What was the Exodus' generation's role in the plan of God? What can that generation teach us today?

Why Speak in Parables

Mon, 28 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Jeremiah 9-11 When Reality Strikes

Tue, 29 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Society in Israel was coming apart. The nation knew the Word of God and had access to the remedy for their plight; yet they refused to apply that knowledge and heal their society. The elites believed that they were secure and exempt from the consequences of their wickedness, and so were surprised when death entered their city like a thief. This should sound eerily familiar to us.

What God Does Not Say

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

2 Corinthians 4, Jars of Clay

Thu, 31 Jul 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The time and afflictions of this Earth are a prelude to the glory of the world to come. So, while this life is important to the realization of God's purposes, it is not permanent. Trials and afflictions should be viewed in that context.

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The Lord's Prayer

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

A Den of Robbers

Sun, 03 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

On Tisha B'Av we remember the calamities that have befallen the Hebrew people over the past three millennia. Most prominent of these was the destruction of the first Temple by the Babylonians and the second by the Romans. In both cases the reason was the same. Judah was treating the Temple as a sanctuary to shelter them from their evil deeds. They had no intention of repenting, they just wanted God's protection. Y'shua uses the same words - a den of robbers - when He drives the merchants out of the Temple. Israel did not repent then either and God had that Temple destroyed as well.

The Inferior Covenant

Mon, 04 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Why is the Covenant at Mt Sinai inferior to the New Covenant?

Jeremiah 12-13 Why Does God Allow Sin?

Tue, 05 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Jeremiah asks the classic question, "Why do the wicked prosper?"

Tithing

Wed, 06 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Without a Temple or Tabernacle, is tithing still required by God?

2 Corinthians 4-6 Ministry of Reconciliation

Thu, 07 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Continuing to defend his apostleship, Paul writes of the ministry of reconciliation that was entrusted to him by God. In this his goal is to reconcile the world, Jew and gentile, to God and His kingdom.

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Idolatry Today

Fri, 08 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The human impulse to seek a 'better deal' than one believes 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.

V'ahavta

Sun, 10 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Deuteronomy 6, the Shema is followed by v'ahavta saying that God is one and we should love Him. This is a radical departure from the prevailing polytheism in the rest of the world. Other 'gods' are transactional. If you need rain make a sacrifice to the rain god; otherwise you don't care about it and it does not care about you. Our God, on the other hand, desires to have an ongoing relationship. That relationship is based on mutual love and affection.

Last Will and Testament?

Mon, 11 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Jeremiah 14-15 We Have Everything We Need

Tue, 12 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

If God expects us to understand what is true and to follow that truth, it must be possible for us to figure that out using the minds He has given to us. This short study has explored Jeremiah's answer to that problem.

Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Philip was engaged in a very productive ministry when God diverted him to something else.

2 Corinthians 7-9, Paul Raises an Offering

Thu, 14 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

During the Council of Jerusalem, the other apostles told Paul that he should remember the poor in Israel - a thing that he wanted to do. In this section of the letter, Paul urges the Corinthian church to dig deep and follow the example of the Macedonian church.

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One to Rule Them All

Fri, 15 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Hard Hearted Fishermen

Sun, 17 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Mark, Y'shua is preparing His disciples to operate in a new spiritual regime. After His resurrection, they will have the Holy Spirit and His power available to them. Boats are a significant part of this preparation. In Mark 6 and 8, the disciples do not understand what's going on as they crossed the sea because they had hard hearts. What was it that they were unable to understand? How does that correlate with what Moses was doing in Deuteronomy?

Fear of Man

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

We tend to give more weight and attention to people than we do to God. Not so with Moshe

Micah 1,2 The Corruption of Power

Tue, 19 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The prophet speaks of the corrupt power structure in the Northern Kingdom of Israel. There the wicked people in the government have no real fear of being stopped and so spend their time devising schemes to use their positions for personal enrichment.

The Ambiguity of Scripture

Wed, 20 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Why is the Bible not written more clearly? What can you trust?

2 Corinthians 10-11, Boasting in the Lord

Thu, 21 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In defending his ministry, Paul's wish is that the Corinthian church's faith would become secure so that they might become a base from which he could project the Gospel to other lands. In other parts of the letter, he uses the Macedonian church in this way.

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Joseph's Tears

Fri, 22 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Context

Sun, 24 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Between Deuteronomy 11 and 30 Moses gives a great many detailed laws. They might seem disjointed except that he also gives their context. Each commandment or law is an aspect of what God knows is necessary for human society to thrive. When a nation neglects those laws, it gradually falls into corruption, decay and death.

The Wedding at Sinai

Mon, 25 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The events of Exodus 19 and 20 constitute a betrothal and marriage between God and Israel. Unfortunately something went wrong in the consummation.

Micah 3, Corrupt Elites

Tue, 26 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The elites of Israel - rulers, prophets, seers, etc. - had become corrupt. They used their offices to enrich themselves at the expense of the people they were supposed to lead and minister to. Because the corruption at the top had trickled down to the people, the whole nation was going to be plowed under and sent into exile.

The Sovereignty of God

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Believers are fond of saying, 'God's sovereign, He can do whatever He wants.' Unfortunately that doesn't mean what they think it means.

2 Corinthians 12-13, A Thorn in the Flesh

Thu, 28 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In concluding the letter, Paul speaks of a messenger of Satan, a thorn in the flesh. Preachers have used this passage to teach that God is sometimes not willing to heal His servants. That is not at all what the passage implies.

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God's Feasts Show the Plan

Fri, 29 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

The King is Coming

Sun, 31 Aug 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Biblical Feasts lay out God's plan for the creation. They are also integral to the earthly life and ministry of Messiah. When viewed in the context of the Transfiguration in Mark, we can see His plan for the work of the church and for His second coming.

Under Attack?

Mon, 01 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Life's trials are not always from God or from Satan.

Micah 4, Swords into Plowshares

Tue, 02 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In the latter days, the nations will flock to the Mountain of the Lord to learn Torah. During that time peace and plenty will reign. Also during that time the Lord will regather and heal the dispersed of Israel and reform them into a mighty nation.

Sacrifice

Wed, 03 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Offerings made to God are not for His benefit.

Job 1-3 Contest in Heaven

Thu, 04 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In this introduction, God challenges Satan with Job's righteousness. Satan's response, that Job is fundamentally physical and not spiritual, sets up the rest of the book. Satan takes everything away from Job in the belief that he will eventually lose his faith and curse God.

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The Book of Remembrance

Fri, 05 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Forgiveness

Sun, 07 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The month of Elul leading up to the fall feasts is a time for spiritual preparation as we get ready to meet the King. Forgiveness is an integral part of that preparation. Y'shua says that your ability to forgive sets the tone for how you will be judged. Forgiveness is hard. How does one get started?

Happy is the Nation...

Mon, 08 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

A king who brings a sin offering is greatly to be desired.

Micah 5,6 Bethlehem Ephrathah

Tue, 09 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The prophecy that the Messiah would be born in Bethlehem and that He would deliver His people from that nations that had oppressed them. Also in this session, God tells His people what He requires of them.

Fear Not - You Have a Purpose

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The fact that you're not perfect has everything to do with why you were created.

Job 4-7 Eliphaz' First Accusation and Job's Reply

Thu, 11 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Eliphaz, the first of Job's friends to speak, rebukes Job for claiming that he is righteous and does not deserve the woe that has befallen him. Job answers that his friend's comfort is no comfort at all and the he is indeed righteous.

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Humility

Fri, 12 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Prelude to Blessing

Sun, 14 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Parsha KiTavo begins with a recitation of Israel's history preparatory to giving the first fruits and ends with a series of terrible curses. As it turns out, joyful fulfilment of the giving of firstfruits and the triennial tithe to support the Levite, the orphan, the widow and the stranger is the key to activating the blessings promised in Dt 28 and preventing the activation of the curses.

God Judges Nations

Mon, 15 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

When a nation falls because of spiritual wickedness, the righteous go down too.

Micah 6-7, When I Fall, I Shall Rise

Tue, 16 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The prophet's message fits the times we are in. 'Their hands are on evil... the prince and the judge look for a bribe.' One cannot trust even family and neighbors. This is the judgment of God on His own people. Yet there will be a remnant whom He will lift up when His indignation has passed. That remnant will be those who trust in Him through these times.

Sweeping the House of Demons

Wed, 17 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Getting rid of demons is not the issue, it's keeping them from coming back.

Job 8-10 Bildad's First Accusation

Thu, 18 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Bildad's first accusation: God does not do any injustice, therefore Job's problems are of his own making. Job's reply is that he is innocent, but there is no court to which he can go for justice when God is the accuser.

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Fear

Fri, 19 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Choose Life

Sun, 21 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Deuteronomy 30 forms the end of a chiasm that began in Genesis 2. In the Garden God presented humanity with a choice between life and death. When we ate of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, we chose death for ourselves and our children. In Dt 30, we get a second chance at that choice. In this case Moses explicitly lays out the choice between blessing and curses and between life and death. He then gives us God's preferred solution - choose life - for yourself and for your children.

Nurturing a Prayer

Mon, 22 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

What do you do in the time between when you pray about something and you get an answer?

Joshua - Introduction and Chapter 1

Tue, 23 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The end of the Wilderness wandering and preparation for the conquest of the land. Discussion of geography. Why the location of Israel is important and why the invasion started from the east through Jericho instead of from the south as had previously been attempted under Moses.

Job 11-14 Zophar's First Accusation

Thu, 25 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Zophar, the third of Job's friends to speak, opines that Job is getting far less punishment than he deserves. In this Zophar is presuming to understand both the mind of God and the heart of Job. The first is logically impossible and the second is presumptuous.

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What Does This Mean?

Fri, 26 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Days of Awe

Sun, 28 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The ten days between Yom Teruah and Yom Kipur are known as the days of awe. It is a time to take stock of what one has accomplished in the past year and plan for the future. In doing this, one can draw inspiration from Moses. His accomplishments during the last month of his life were truly great. One can also draw inspiration from the martyrdom of Charlie Kirk. That event has catalyzed believers all over America and may turn out to be one Satan's great mistakes.

Secure Freedom

Mon, 29 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The laws of God are the only guarantee of liberty.

Joshua 2-3 Morale Check

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The spies Joshua sent to Jericho had a very different focus than those Moses had sent 38 years before. Joshua's spies were to assess the morale and fighting spirit of the fortress Jericho that sat astride the route from the Jordan valley up to the saddle of Benjamin. Similarly, God stopped the flow of the Jordan so that Israel could cross dry shod. This served to assure the Israelites that God was indeed on their side and would help them to prevail.

Humility

Wed, 01 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Proper humility consists of taking up the proper amount of space in the world.

Job 15-17 - Eliphaz' Second Accusation

Thu, 02 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Eliphaz rebukes Job for insisting on his own wisdom. He says that Job's stiff neck is what is hindering God from showing him mercy.

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The Test of Abundance

Sun, 05 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Dt 32 Moses lays out what will happen to Israel should they abandon God and entertain foreign gods. The descent in that passage begins with their extreme prosperity under God's blessing. That prosperity tempts them to look for a 'better deal' with the gods of the surrounding nations. In Mk 10, the rich young man asks what he lacks to inherit eternal life. Y'shua's answer, "Sell all you have and follow Me." is more than the young man can manage. The Bible does not teach poverty, so what's going on here?

What Shall I Do to Inherit Eternal Life?

Mon, 06 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Y'shua packs a lot of information into a very compact form.

Joshua 4-5 Crossing the Jordan

Tue, 07 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The crossing of the Jordan on dry ground and the meeting of the Commander of the Army of the LORD closes a chiasm that began with Moses at the burning bush and the crossing of the Red Sea. This was a definite morale booster for Israel and a source of great dismay to he inhabitants of Jericho who would have been able to watch the whole things from the city walls.

What To Do With Abundance

Wed, 08 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

When God gives you a bumper crop, it probably isn't to finance a new barn.

Job 18-19 - Bildad's Second Accusation

Thu, 09 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In his second speech, Bildad describes what the wise believe is in store for the wicked. Since those very things are happening to Job, his accusation is that, despite what everyone had believed about him, Job is a wicked man.

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Torah and Awokening

Fri, 10 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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 here.

What Does Succot Mean to Us?

Sun, 12 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Succot means different things depending on who you believe yourself to be. For Jews, it is a remembrance of the time after the Exodus when God took them into the wilderness and they dwelt in tents. For most Christians it has very little significance. For Messianics, it has both historical meaning and prophetic significance. Historically, it is almost certainly when Christ was born. Prophetically, it may presage the Messianic Reign.

Strength - Gevurah

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Strength of character is the only thing that keeps the flesh in check.

Joshua 6 The Reduction of Jericho

Tue, 14 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Jericho sat at the entrance to the route from the Jordan valley to the Saddle of Benjamin. As such it needed to be destroyed so that Joshua could leave the Israelite women and children behind in safety while the warriors moved west and fought the Canaanites. The events of the reduction of Jericho prefigure the seven trumpets of Revelation.

The Kingdom of God is Obvious

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Only someone who is being willfully ignorant can deny that there is a God.

Job 20-21 - Zophar's Second Accusation

Thu, 16 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Zophar dogmatically asserts that God punishes the wicked and that Job's condition proves that he is unrighteous. Job counters with examples of the wicked prospering.

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Revolution and Law

Fri, 17 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Beginnings

Sun, 19 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The first five and a half chapters of Genesis contain the entire Bible in a nutshell. There we learn the purpose of creation, the nature of God, the nature of humanity, the techniques of Satan and the entirety of the Gospel.

The Prodigal Son and Today's Messianics

Mon, 20 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The wary relationship between Jews and Messianics can best be explained by the Parable of the Prodigal Son.

Joshua 7 - 8 The Battle of Ai

Tue, 21 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

After the reduction of Jericho, Israel turned to capturing the Saddle of Benjamin, with Ai being the first target. Reconnaissance reported that Ai was a soft target and only a small force would be needed. Because a man in Israel had disobeyed God and taken spoil from Jericho, that force was routed. Once the sinner had been dealt with, Joshua took his entire force up and captured both Ai and BethEl. From there he turned north and went to Shechem and renewed to Covenant as commanded by Moses.

Trials and Temptations

Wed, 22 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Temptation is a necessary part of life, but woe to the one by whom it comes.

Job 22-24 - Eliphaz' Final Accusation

Thu, 23 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Eliphaz accuses Job of acting like he believes he is doing God a favor by following His laws. He also believes that the calamity that his befallen Job is less than what his secret behavior deserves. Job's reply is that God is just but His timing is not in man's hands.

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Guarding the Tongue

Fri, 24 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Why the Flood?

Sun, 26 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

After observing humanity for over 1600 years, God was disappointed with His creation and decided to destroy it all and start over. The proximate reason for that decision was the state of the human heart - evil continually. After the flood, His assessment did not change. So what did change that prompted Him to decide not to re-flood the place?

When Prophesy Fails

Mon, 27 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

God sends prophets in the hope that their message will be heeded.

Joshua 9-10 Gibeon

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Gibeon lies in the Saddle of Benjamin astride the north- south ridge route as well as the east-west route from the Jordan Valley to the coastal plain. It was a major city in a very strategic location. After the destruction of Ai, the Gibeonites knew that they were next and so planned a deception to get Israel to make a covenant and spare them from destruction. Once that covenant was made, the southern Canaanite kings attacked Gibeon forcing Israel to defend it.

The Parable of the Fig Tree

Wed, 29 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

A cautionary tale for the leadership of Israel. Indeed, for anyone in leadership.

Job 25-28 - Bildad's Final Accusation

Thu, 30 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Bildad expresses a common Christian belief, that it is inherently impossible for any man to be pure in God's eyes. Job answers that he understands the vast gap between man and God. He says, however that man is God's creation and is not inherently evil.

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Why Nations Fall

Fri, 31 Oct 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Why the Flood?

Sun, 02 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Mark 12 begins with the Parable of the Wicked Tenants. This parable raises several questions. Who is it addressed to? There are at least three groups. In each context, what are the pathologies being addressed? What fruit does the owner expect in each context? How does this apply today?

Packing Up the Tabernacle

Mon, 03 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Tabernacle in the wilderness is a projection of the image of God from infinity into three dimensions. This becomes very clear in the instructions for its packing and transport.

Joshua 10-11 The Waters of Merom

Tue, 04 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

After the series of battles attendant to the 'long day', Joshua continued with the conquest of the south. With that complete, the King of Hazor gathered an army of all the peoples in the north. They gathered at the waters of Merom; very many horses and chariots. Joshua came up from the south and destroyed that army as well as all of the towns from which they had come.

The Land is Desolate

Wed, 05 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

When God's people are not in His land, that land becomes desolate.

Job 29-31 Job's Final Defense

Thu, 06 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Having heard the accusations of his three friends, Job offers a summary defense of his life. He goes through a list of things that men do to be considered wicked and declares that he as never done any of them.

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The Romance of Tithing

Fri, 07 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Trust

Sun, 09 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Faith and trust are related but distinct concepts. In relation to God, faith is the belief that He exists and that His word is true and reliable. Trust, on the other hand, involves acting on His word especially when one cannot see how that will turn out. When Abraham was told to sacrifice his son, he had no doubts about God's existence or that he had heard His word. So he obeyed, trusting that somehow God would honor His promise to establish a covenant with Isaac.

The Next Messianic Event

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The pattern of Israel's exile and return suggests that another messianic event is eminent.

Joshua 12-19 Division of the Land

Tue, 11 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Although there was still much land to conquer, Joshua proceeded to define tribal allotments on the west side of the Jordan River. For political reasons, he began with Judah and Joseph, putting them astride the central ridge and separated by the Saddle of Benjamin. The remaining seven tribes sent out survey parties and divided the rest of the land into parcels. Those parcels were assigned by lot, one to each tribe.

God's Barometer for a Society

Wed, 12 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In addition to worship, God demands that we look after the defenseless.

Job 32-35 Elihu

Thu, 13 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Elihu has not spoken because of his youth, yet he does not find Job righteous. He believes that God does not punish for vengeance sake. Rather, punishment is meant to turn man from the path of destruction and set his feet on the path of righteousness.

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A Kingdom by Violence

Fri, 14 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Purpose

Sun, 16 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

At his death God's promises to Abraham had not been fulfilled. Although he did have six sons, the only land he possessed was a burial plot for his wife. Yet Scripture says he was blessed in all things and and was full - contented. That is because he had a purpose and realized that God's plan would take generations. So too with us, having a purpose is what gives meaning to our lives.

Zechariah's New Covenant

Mon, 17 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Most believe the New Covenant is found only in Hebrews. Actually, it is all over the Tanak. This is Zechariah's version.

Joshua 20-24 Choose Whom You Will Serve

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Having conquered the land, Joshua released the eastern tribes to return to their land and their families. These tribes built an altar by the Jordan to serve as a witness that they would always be a part of the people of God. As his final official act, Joshua and the tribal elders renewed the covenant with God.

Sinning With a High Hand

Wed, 19 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

God does not treat us harshly, but He does deal with rebellion.

Job 35-37 Elihu II

Thu, 20 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In this second half of Elihu's statement, he gives a beautiful poem to the greatness of God. In this, he urges Job to consider his own insignificance in relation to God's majesty. Everything he says is true, but does not actually apply to Job's situation.

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Worse than Useless

Fri, 21 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Wells of Salvation

Sun, 23 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Genesis 26 Isaac was run out of Gerar because he had become too powerful. As he moved, he reopened the wells his father had dug and which the Philistines had plugged up. As he did so, the Philistines drove him off and claimed the wells for themselves. In the story of Abraham and Isaac's wells and the Philistine's reaction, we have the entire plan of salvation and the basis of all the antisemitism in the world today. Consider the hatred that would cause herdsmen to stop up wells in the desert.

God Doesn't Do Unnecessary Miracles

Mon, 24 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Every miracle in the Bible has a purpose and it's not to satisfy our desire for signs and wonders

1 Corinthians 1-3 Division in the Church

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Introduction and background to the letter. Paul first addresses factionalism within the church. Paul had planted the church earlier (Acts 18) and guided it for 18 months before moving on. Apollos had then come along and continued to teach there. Apparently, some new Christians had come to believe that there was some conflict between the two. Paul denies that, comparing himself to a foundation builder and Apollos to the one who erects an edifice on the prepared foundation.

Balaam and the Feasts of God

Wed, 26 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

When Balaam is called to curse Israel, he instead gives three blessings. Those blessings mirror the the three Feasts of Ascent given by God.

Job 38-42 - God Answers

Thu, 27 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

God enters the conversation, rebukes Job's friends and gives Job an opportunity to present his case. Wisely, Job simply falls down in worship. At the end, Job forgives his friends and God restores to him double what he had lost. God's soliloquy is some of the greatest poetry ever written.

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Prophetic Mysteries

Fri, 28 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Chanukah and Thanksgiving

Sun, 30 Nov 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Both Chanukah and Thanksgiving are celebrations to thank God for a successful rebellion against government that has exceeded its authority from God and become oppressive. God has never been impressed with human government, Historically when it has become oppressive and hostile to Him, He has supported rebellion.

Biblical Geography

Mon, 01 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Part 1. This discusses the military and economic implications of Israel's location within the ancient world.

1 Corinthians 4-6 Immorality Within the Church

Tue, 02 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Paul uses the metaphor of leaven to condemn immoral behavior within the church. The idea being that if sin is tolerated and excused, it will spread and infect others. He instructs them to expel flagrant sinners from the body. He also chastens them about taking disputes between brothers to the secular authorities. In cases where secular law does not comport with God's law injustice will be the result.

Biblical Geography 2

Wed, 03 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The role terrain plays on Biblical history. This is the second segment of the first hour.

1 Samuel 1,2 The Birth of Samuel

Thu, 04 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The birth of Samuel. Samuel's mother, Hannah, was barren and bitter about it. Her prayer and promise to God flows from that anguish of soul. After the birth of her son, she makes a song of praise. Mary's prayer, although shorter, is essentially the same. The background on the Priest Eli and his corrupt sons sets the scene for the entire book - the importance of fathers and the consequences of their failure.

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A Hard Heart

Fri, 05 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

The Yoke

Sun, 07 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In Scripture a yoke can be either a punishing burden impossible to bear or a tool to get useful work accomplished. Scripture presents the Pharisaic understanding of the Torah as the former while Christ described His yoke as easy and light. One of the dividing lines between the two is that Christ's words are true and the Pharisaic interpretation is not.

Biblical Geography 3

Mon, 08 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The role terrain plays in shaping the events in the Bible. This is the third segment of the first hour.

1 Corinthians 7 Marriage

Tue, 09 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

In chapter 7 Paul is answering specific questions which are unknown to us. His points about marriage are made in the expectation that the end times were upon them. Hence, some of his advice would seem to go contrary to Torah - remaining single for example. (This episode ends abruptly. We actually went on to chapters 8 and 9, but they form a unit with chapter 10 and will be presented next time.)

Biblical Geography: The Battle of Ai

Wed, 10 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Joshua's conduct of the Battle of AI laid out on a topographic map.

1 Samuel 3-7 The Ark in Philistia

Thu, 11 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The ArK of the Covenant is captured by the Philistines at the battle of Aphek and the priests Hophni and Phinehas are killed. The Ark proves to be quite capable of taking care of itself and the Philistines hasten to send it back to Israel.

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Minas and Talents

Fri, 12 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Parable of the Minas in Lu 19 and the Parable of the Talents in Mt 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.

Angels Unaware

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

There is a curious incident in the story of the sale of Joseph. When his father sends him to check on his brothers, he meets a stranger who tells him that his brothers have moved on to Dothan. Without that encounter the rest of the Torah would be entirely different. Joseph would not have been sold, he would not have interpreted Pharaoh's dreams and the Exodus would have been something else entirely. So too with most of history. Seemingly unimportant encounters wind up having important effects. God prefers to act subtly most of the time, so one can have a large effect on others and on history without being aware of God's hand.

Angels and Marriage

Mon, 15 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Sadducees, trying to trap Y'shua, ask Him an impossible question.

1 Corinthians 8-11 Food Sacrificed to Idols

Tue, 16 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Chapters 8-10 concern food sacrificed to idols. Here he says that although there is only one God and idols are not gods, not everyone understands that. Thus believers should not eat such food in order to avoid confusing those who either believe in idols or are unsure. He closes by saying that idols represent demons and that a believer should have nothing to do with them.

God's Deception Plan

Wed, 17 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

1 Samuel 8-9 Give Us a King

Thu, 18 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

When Samuel became old and it was obvious that his sons were not suitable to follow him, Israel asked that he get them a king so that they could be like all the other nations. God was displeased but told Samuel to do what they wanted. The system of judges, while subject to corruption just like every other human institution, structurally provided the greatest potential human liberty. A monarchy was a step away from that liberty and a distancing from God.

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A Dying Beast

Fri, 19 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

The Way

Sun, 21 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

During Joseph's life, God took him through a crash course in character development. A key feature of this course was that it was neither easy nor pleasant. Similarly, Christ says the Way is hard and few will find it. That doesn't mean it is hidden. The Way is clearly laid out in Scripture. It means that while salvation is a gift from God, carrying that gift to fruition is hard and many will not succeed.

Parables Matthew 21-22 Part 1

Mon, 22 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The parables in Matthew 21 and 22 form a running dialog between Y'shua and the Pharisees. Part 1 starts with the cursing of the fig tree and includes the landowner sending his two sons into the vineyard.

1 Corinthians 12-14 Gifts of the Spirit

Tue, 23 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

As with everything else in this letter, there was apparently division over Spiritual manifestations. It seems that those who had the 'flashier' gifts were exalting themselves over those who had the quieter ones. This seems especially to have been the case with tongues. Paul makes it clear that spiritual gifts are not for the benefit of the one who receives them, but rather are for the building up of the body.

Parables Matthew 21-22 Part 2

Wed, 24 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

1 Samuel 10-12 Saul Anointed King

Thu, 25 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Although neither God nor Samuel was pleased with Israel's request for a king, in choosing Saul God gave the project its best chance of success. Saul was from the buffer tribe of Benjamin; he was tall, handsome and brave; he was modest in that he didn't want the job.

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Relationship With God

Fri, 26 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Joseph Forgives

Sun, 28 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

When Joseph finally has all eleven of his brothers kneeling before him, he has a choice to make. He can move them to Goshen without acknowledging his identity or he can forgive them. His choice to forgive is made possible because he was able to reframe being sold into slavery as being part of God's larger plan. In so doing, he freed himself from bitterness and resentment.

Parables Matthew 21-22 Part 3

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

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.

1 Corinthians 15-16 Resurrection

Tue, 30 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

Paul addresses the importance and nature of the resurrection. Although he had preached about the resurrection when he planted the church in Corinth, someone had subsequently cast doubt on the entire concept. In chapter 15, Paul affirms the fact that there were hundreds of witnesses to Christ's resurrection. He then explained why that was important. Finally, he discussed the nature of the resurrection body that believers were to receive.

Does God Care What We Eat?

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 02:00:00 GMT

The Biblical dietary laws are in some disrepute because people think they're archaic or have been done away with. That is perhaps not true. and diet is very important to God.

1 Samuel 3-14 Saul's Rash Command

Thu, 01 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

This section begins with Jonathan destroying a Philistine garrison in the Saddle of Benjamin. That action caused the Philistines to send a large punitive expedition into central Israel. All Israel was clearly intimidated. In a second move Jonathan again destroyed a Philistine garrison which sowed confusion among the Philistines. Saul took advantage of that confusion to attack. In his zeal, he ordered that none of his army should eat until the battle was over. This was both rash and foolish because his men became exhausted and were unable to fully exploit their victory.

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The Mayfly

Fri, 02 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Joseph and the Limits of Power

Sun, 04 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Joseph weeps seven times. In every case his tears are in response to his relationship with his family. Even though he has available all of the power and resources of Egypt, he cannot make his brothers accept him. Similarly, God has all of the power and resources in the universe, yet He does not coerce us into having a relationship with Him. This Biblical concept is the origin of the American belief that government requires the consent of the governed. Inspired by Rabbi Sacks.

The True Duties of a Priest

Mon, 05 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

The actual responsibilities God gives to levitical priests go far beyond butchering sacrificial animals. They were to be Israel's teachers and moral arbiters.

2 Corinthians 1-2 Introduction and Comfort in Affliction

Tue, 06 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

It appears that someone had come to Corinth after Paul had left and called his apostleship into question. This first part of the letter addresses Paul's afflictions during the course of his ministry and the fact that he was comforted by God and sustained by the prayers of believers within the churches he had planted.

Vows and Oaths

Wed, 07 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In English we've lost the distinction between a vow and an oath. In the Bible they are two very different things.

1 Samuel 15-16 Saul Rejected

Thu, 08 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

When Saul was sent by God to exterminate the Amalekites. While he defeated them in battle, he took their king as prisoner and the best of their livestock and goods as plunder. He further raised a monument to himself at Carmel. When confronted by Samuel, he deflected the blame to his troops. This disobedience and lack of character caused God to reject Saul as king and choose David as his replacement.

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Knowing the Truth

Fri, 09 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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?

Who Am I? Who Are You?

Sun, 11 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

When God encountered Moses at the burning bush, He told him that he was to return to Egypt and free the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery. Moses, not wanting to go, responded with two questions: "Who am I?" and then "Who are you?" Each of those questions has multiple possible meanings and both are still relevant for the believer today.

The Second (Greater) Exodus

Mon, 12 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

God promises that the regathering of His people will be so great that the Exodus in the Torah will be forgotten by comparison.

2 Corinthians 3-4 Ministry of Condemnation

Tue, 13 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In describing the stone tablets delivered by Moses as a ministry of condemnation, Paul is not speaking of their content but rather of the medium. God's word was and is intended to be written on hearts of flesh. Having those words engraved in stone is a metaphor for hearts of stone.

Revelation in 15 Minutes or Less

Wed, 14 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Revelation is really an easy book to understand. This series lays out the structure and describes how to interpret the symbols.

1 Samuel 17-18 Goliath

Thu, 15 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

The story of David's victory over the giant Goliath is well known to every Sunday school student. What is not so widely known is that, in addition to his spiritual advantage, David also had the tactical advantage.

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Despair is a Sin

Fri, 16 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

God of the Gaps?

Sun, 18 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

The Egyptian magicians are able to duplicate the first two of God's plagues, water into blood and frogs. When they are unable to produce gnats, they proclaimed that "This is the finger of God". This prefigures a nineteenth century intellectual hubris that only the things that science could not explain need be attributed to God. God responded to the Egyptians with satire - so also with the nineteenth century. (Idea from Rabbi Sacks.)

Revelation in 15 Minutes or Less (Part 2 of 3)

Mon, 19 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

2 Corinthians 5-7 Swallowed up by Life

Tue, 20 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Paul speaks of the day to come when we will shed our earthly tent and enter a heavenly building. It is there that all of God's promises to those who trust in His Son will be fulfilled. In the mean while, we live through the trials inherent in the earthly tent, working to spread the news of His Kingdom and confident that eternal life awaits.

Revelation in 15 Minutes or Less (Part 3 of 3)

Wed, 21 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

1 Samuel 19-21 Saul's Paranoia

Thu, 22 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

As David continued to succeed in all that he did, Saul became increasingly paranoid and unstable. What began as throwing a spear at David on impulse changed into an official condemnation and edict that David be murdered. In this, Saul's own children sided with David and helped him escape. Thus began David's time in exile and the wilderness.

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Teach Us to Pray

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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 ourselves as well.

It Is Well With My Soul

Sun, 25 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In 1873 Horatio Spafford sent his wife and four daughters ahead of himself to England. Their ship was struck by another and his daughters were all killed. As he crossed the Atlantic himself, he wrote the words to the hymn. This a masterpiece of beauty and sound, sturdy theology. The lessons are very apt for today's climate in the west.

The Second Coming - The Wicked Servant

Mon, 26 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

As we await the Messiah's return, the important point is not when that will be, but what you'll be doing.

2 Corinthians 8-9 Generosity

Tue, 27 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Paul encourages the Corinthians' generosity in setting aside an offering of grain to be sent to relieve a famine in Jerusalem. In that process he takes great pains to let them know that there will be impartial witnesses accompanying the shipment.

The Second Coming - No One Knows the Day or the Hour

Wed, 28 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

The idea that no one knows the day or the hour of Messiah's return may not mean what most people think it means.

1 Samuel 22-24 Hiding in a Cave

Thu, 29 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Saul's paranoia was so severe that his own people could see it. He accused the priests of conspiring with David against him and ordered them killed. The Israelites would not do it, so it fell to an Edomite. David had to constantly stay on the move in southern Judah to avoid being trapped and killed by Saul. Yet for all that, when presented with the opportunity to kill Saul as he was relieving himself in a cave, David did not raise his hand against the Lord's anointed. If he could stay alive, that decision would pay dividends when David united the nation after Saul's death.

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Brazen Sin

Fri, 30 Jan 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Water

Sun, 01 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Water figures prominently in Exodus and, indeed in the whole Bible. Beginning with crossing the Red Sea where the nation Israel is born and Egypt dies, the story goes to bitter water, then twelve springs then water from the rock and finally to Moses striking the rock and being denied entry into the Land. God uses water both to bring forth life and to destroy. In Exodus water is used to outline the entire plan of salvation for the whole world.

The Second Coming - The Ten Virgins

Mon, 02 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

2 Corinthians 10-11 Paul the Fool

Tue, 03 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

There seem to have been two question raised about Paul's qualifications and ministry. The first concerned the difference between Paul's letters and his demeanor in person. This might be cause to wonder if it was really Paul who had written the letters. The second concerned his qualifications. This may mean that the problem in Corinth was similar to that in Galatia where Messianic Pharisees were attempting to impose Talmudic rules on the gentiles.

The Second Coming - The Parable of the Talents (Part 1)

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

1 Samuel 25-27 Abigail

Thu, 05 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

While evading Saul, David and his men lived by raiding. In this he spared Israelites and even offered them protection from rival tribes. This forms the background for his marriage to Abigail. When her husband, the fool, refused to let David and his men share in a feast, David vowed to kill him and his men to avenge the insult. Abigail's quick action forestalled that event and when Nabal died, David married her. After David again spared Saul, he had had enough dodging and moved his operations out of Judah and into Philistia.

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The Last Parable

Fri, 06 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Legislating Morality - Moses and the Church

Sun, 08 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

There is a liberal mantra that you cannot legislate morality. That is precisely what God did do at Sinai. What He did not do was force a heart change in the Israelite people. The Torah codified God's vision of a moral society. That vision has not wavered, Christ did not change it. Just like the Pharisees, the church today has drifted away from God's design as presented in the Torah. We can expect pretty much the same results.

The Second Coming - The Parable of the Talents (Part 2)

Mon, 09 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

2 Corinthians 12-13 A Thorn in the Flesh

Tue, 10 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In defending his ministry, Paul mentions a thorn in his flesh that God has not seen fit to remove. This was almost surely the 'super apostles' who have been leading astray the gentiles that Paul has brought into the Kingdom. He also says he intends to visit Corinth again and hopes that he will not have to use the authority given to him by Christ to chasten the Corinthians.

The Second Coming - Sheep and Goats

Wed, 11 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Those who will be goats in the final judgment will probably be surprised when they are sorted into that flock.

1 Samuel 28-31 Saul's Death

Thu, 12 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Before his final battle with the Philistines, Saul had lost all contact with God. In desperation, he consulted a necromancer who channeled the ghost of Samuel who predicted Saul's defeat and death. David meanwhile was rejected when he tried to join the Philistine army fighting against Israel. This was quite providential because he would have had a very difficult time uniting Israel under his reign had he sided with their enemies.

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God's Antidote for Greed

Fri, 13 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Biblical Slavery

Sun, 15 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Unbelievers often mock Scripture because of the instructions about how to manage slavery. Slavery has always existed and continues to exist world wide today. For example prisoners in the county jail are forced to mop the floors, wash the dishes, collect trash along the roads, etc. They are, in fact, slaves for the duration of their sentence. What God gives in Torah are rules to prevent unnecessarily harsh conditions for those who are enslaved.

Time and Hope

Mon, 16 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Jonah

Tue, 17 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Although mostly famous for the prophet being swallowed by a fish, Jonah is about the tension between justice and mercy. Jonah wants strict justice for Nineveh and fears that God will change His mind and extend them mercy. That, indeed, is what happens and so Jonah asks God to take his life. God explains things to him through the vehicle of a tree and a worm.

Planting for the Resurrection

Wed, 18 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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?

2 Samuel 1-3 David in Hebron

Thu, 19 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

With Saul's death, David was free to begin the process of becoming king. He made a number of deft political moves that first got him installed as king over Judah ruling from Hebron. In the north, Abner had installed Ish-botheth as king to replace his father Saul. Ish-bosheth, however, was not nearly so astute as was David. He alienated Abner, and so began David's moves to consolidate the nation under his reign.

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Chanukah, Passover and Thanksgiving

Fri, 20 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

You Brood of Vipers!

Sun, 22 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In Luke 3, when baptizing in the wilderness, John addressed those coming to him as a brood of vipers; especially those who had no intention of repenting of their sins. Religious ritual without the intention of a behavior change is futile. True repentance is measured by the fruit that it produces.

Hope in Time of Trial

Mon, 23 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Life in this world is difficult. That is not a flaw, it is a feature.

1 Peter 1 - Introduction and Inheritance

Tue, 24 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Peter is writing to Hebrew exiles north of Israel in the Black Sea region. He assures them that they have an inheritance that for now is in Heaven but will be possessed at the coming of Christ. He also says that the trials that they are currently experiencing are to prove their faith.

Ceased from Sin

Wed, 25 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

There are two instances of heart circumcision in the Torah. While their intended effect is the same, the agent is different in each case.

2 Samuel 4-6 King David and the Ark

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

After the assassination of Ishbosheth David was able to unite all Israel under his reign and move his throne to Jerusalem. When he tried to bring the Ark into Jerusalem, he did not follow God's instructions as given in the Torah. This error cost Uzzah his life.

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Repentance and Forgiveness

Fri, 27 Feb 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Crushed for the Light

Sun, 01 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In Exodus, Israel is told to crush olives to make oil for the light. In life adversity, being crushed, is never to be desired even though it happens to everyone in varying degrees. When the heroes of the Bible, Job, Daniel, Esther, Mordecai, Y'shua, Paul are crushed, they respond by bringing light into the world. The question they ask when faced with adversity is not, "Why me?" Rather it is "What do I do now?"

An Eternal Inheritance

Mon, 02 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In the resurrection and the New Heaven and New Earth we will have an eternal inheritance.

1 Peter 2 - A Living Stone

Tue, 03 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Peter assures his readers that they have not been cast off by Christ and that they will be living stones in the edifice of which Christ is the cornerstone. In this he urges them to be good citizens of the places where they are exiles; both for their own good and as a witness for the Gospel.

Who Created Everything?

Wed, 04 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

1 Peter says that Messiah was known before the creation. That's because He was there at the creation.

2 Samuel 7-10 Expansion of the Kingdom

Thu, 05 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Having gotten Israel united, David proceeded to subdue the surrounding nations. At his height David's realm extended from the Brook of Egypt to the Euphrates River. With the exceptions of the Philistine enclave on the southern coast and Phoenicians in Tyre and Sidon Israel held sway over the entire extent of God's promise to Abraham.

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Why He is the Messiah

Fri, 06 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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?

Idolatry

Sun, 08 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In making the Golden Calf, Israel violated one of God's clearest boundaries. Only Moses' intervention prevented their immediate destruction. The human impulses that led Israel to worship idols have not gone away; they are still very much active. The vehicle has changed but the underlying urge to get a "better deal" than God says is proper has not changed. Going to an illicit spiritual relationship may provide short term satisfaction, but the end is misery and death.

Three Sorts of Fool

Mon, 09 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

There are three varieties of fool described in Biblical wisdom literature. Their destinations are very different.

Who's a Judaizer?

Tue, 10 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

How We Know He is the Messiah

Wed, 11 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Being raised from the dead is not the sign that Y'shua is the Messiah.

2 Samuel 11-12 Bathsheba

Thu, 12 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

There is more to the story of David and Bathsheba than you were probably taught in Sunday school. This is a complex story of court politics which will have ramifications for the remainder of David's reign.

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Water

Fri, 13 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Was Shabbat Nailed to the Cross?

Sun, 15 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Christians today do not typically observe Shabbat, believing that everything changed after the Resurrection. Some, citing Colossians 2, assert that it was nailed to the cross along with the rest of the law. Is this correct? If not, does it really matter?

Natural Law vs Moral Law in the Bible

Mon, 16 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

1 Peter 3-4 Personal Conduct

Tue, 17 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Peter exhorts his readers to good conduct, first in the family, then in the exile community and finally in society at large. This is to serve several purposes. First, because it is pleasing to God. Then that it will strengthen the family and the exiles. A bad example will also hinder the spread of the Gospel. Finally, it is the best defense against persecution. Although persecution may come, it is best not to deserve it.

Why Did God Choose Circumcision?

Wed, 18 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Religions and other groups have used many ways of marking their own throughout history, Why did God choose circumcision for His people?

2 Samuel 13-14 The Rape of Tamar

Thu, 19 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

David's firstborn son, Amnon, raped his half sister Tamar. Tamar's brother Absalom secretly planned vengeance. As prophesied by Nathan, this began a string of tragedies within David's family.

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No Joy in Plagueville

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Sacrifice

Sun, 22 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Leviticus is the central book of the Torah and as such is arguably the most important. This is where God tells humanity how He wants to be approached and how we safely can interact with Him. The book begins with sacrifice. Contrary to the perception of many, most of the sacrifices in the Tabernacle had nothing to do with sin. Those that did concern sin only covered unintentional sins. As such they do not conflict with the work of Christ in any way.

Lot: A Biblical Case Study

Mon, 23 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

1 Peter 4:12 - 2 Peter 1:15 Worldly Trials and Godly Character

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

1 Peter closes with an exhortation to good behavior especially in the face of worldly persecution. 2 Peter opens with the description of a process or algorithm for increasing ones fruitfulness in the Kingdom of God.

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The Gospel in Genesis

Wed, 25 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Hebrew names have meaning. Looking at the names of the first generations in Genesis reveals the Gospel.

2 Samuel 15-16 Absalom's Rebellion

Thu, 26 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

After his adultery with Bathsheba, God cursed David saying that evil would come upon him from his own family. David's son Absalom would be the vehicle for the outworking of that curse.

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Wedding at Cana

Fri, 27 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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?

Job and the Chatbots

Sun, 29 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

When Job is suffering, his three friends keep accusing him of hidden sin for which he is being punished. His response is that they have the platitudes correct but that is not his situation and those platitudes don't apply. With the rise of AI people are turning to chatbots for answers to all sorts of questions. It is inevitable that some of those questions will be spiritual. The very grave danger is that such people will see the bot as an intermediary between themselves and God. That is precisely the sin that Israel committed in the wilderness with the Golden Calf.

Loving Kindness

Mon, 30 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

God shows loving kindness to us despite the miserable things we often do.

2 Peter 2 Waterless Springs

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 02:00:00 GMT

After having instructed his readers on the way to godliness, Peter switches to warning them about false prophets and teachers. These, he says, will preach sensuality which will be attractive to those who are unaware or are so inclined. Those who follow such teachers will wind up worse off than if they had never know Christ.

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A Stolen Blessing

Wed, 1 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Isaac had always intended to bless his sons differently. The blessing of Abraham was never on offer to Esau.

2 Samuel 17-19 Victory and Loss

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Bathsheba's grandfather, Ahithophel, advised Absalom to pursue David immediately. When that advice was not followed, the rebellion was essentially lost. Although David prevailed, the death of his son was devastating. Especially since he knew that the whole thing was his own fault.

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Ten Commandments, Human Government

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Passover and Reality

Sun, 05 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

At Passover we remember and celebrate the birth of God's firstborn; when the Hebrews went out through the bloody door, Israel was born. Today there are powerful forces seeking to eradicate Judaism and Christianity from the world and replace it with Islam or some secular form of collectivism. Instead of uniting to resist, Christians are fragmented and arguing. One of the wedge issues splitting us is the question of who are the Jews and what is Israel.

Joel 2: Structure and Meaning

Mon, 6 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

2 Peter 3 Scoffers

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Peter closes out his letter with an exhortation not to be led astray by scoffers who mock the belief that Christ will return and establish His reign of righteousness. He assures his readers that, just as God destroyed the previous creation with a flood, He will destroy the present one by fire and create a new heaven and earth.

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Jacob at the Well

Wed, 8 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Jacob's life is harsh and marked by bad decisions, yet he is one of the patriarchs. What does that mean for us?

2 Samuel 19-21 Restoring the Kingdom

Thu, 09 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

After putting down the rebellion of his son, David had the task of restoring and reuniting the kingdom. In this process he acted with his usual political skill. He refrained from acting in anger and taking vengeance upon those who sided with Absalom.

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The Light of Men

Fri, 10 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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?'

Strange Fire

Sun, 12 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

During the dedication of the Tabernacle, Nadab and Abihu died when they brought unauthorized fire before the Lord. Despite an abundance of speculation as to their motivation, that is not what is important here. Rather, the problem is that they tried to introduce something common into holy space. That was not permitted.

Signs of the Presence of the Holy Spirit

Mon, 13 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

The entire Bible, Tanak and Apostolic Scriptres, is consistent that when the Holy Spirit lands on someone, those around him know it.

James 1 - Introduction and Proverbs

Tue, 14 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Attributed to the brother of Y'shua, James focuses on practical application of the Word of God to a believer's life. In chapter 1, he starts with a paraphrase of Proverbs 2 - how to seek God's wisdom - and finishes with an admonition that the believer should put God's Word into practice or risk becoming futile in his religion.

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Jacob Becomes Esau

Wed, 15 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In the story of Jacob and Esau, Jacob by trickery and guile takes Esau's identity. By the time they meet after Jacob's exile, Jacob has, in many respects, become his brother.

2 Samuel 22-24 Sinful Census

Thu, 16 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Toward the end of his life David decided to number the men in his kingdom. Joab thought that was a bad idea but was overruled. God was displeased with David's hubris and sent a plague upon Israel. This incident lead to the purchase of a threshing floor that would become the site of the Temple.

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Was the Sabbath Changed?

Fri, 17 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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?

Sermon on the Plain

Sun, 19 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In the sermon on the plain, Y'shua is speaking to His disciples and explaining what He expects of them. He describes His own character as the Lamb and tells them to emulate that. He also tells them that whatever standard they use with others will be applied to them and that, if they are successful, they will have a great reward.

Judah as Esau

Mon, 20 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Comparing the lives of Judah and Esau, it becomes obvious that they are the same character. 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.

James 2 - Tests of Faith

Tue, 21 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

James writes of unrighteous partiality based on perceived wealth. In God's eyes, a faithful poor person is preferred over an unrighteous wealthy one. He then goes on to speak of the proper attitude toward works., basically saying that a profession of faith that does not translate into good works is in vain.

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Esau's Kiss, Was it Sincere?

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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?

1 Kings 1-2 Succession

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

David's reign comes to an end. Bathsheba short circuits Adonijah's attempt to succeed his father and David anoints Solomon. David also alerts his son to a list of people to either watch or execute because they will be a threat to his reign.

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You are not the Problem

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Holiness

Sun, 26 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Leviticus is the center of the Torah and, since it describes how God is to be approached and worshiped, it is the most important of the books in the TANAK. In Leviticus 19 and 20 God defines how Israel is to behave as a holy people in the presence of a holy God. This behavior is to the benefit of the nation. They will be blessed if they follow God's instructions. More important, however, is that Israel's holiness is important to God's purposes. When they follow His laws, they become ambassadors of His goodness.

Judah the Humble King

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Of the two royal lines in Israel, Judah and Joseph, both exhibit an humble character.

James 3 - Controlling the Tongue

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

The tongue is both hidden and visible. It serves as the gateway for the things of the heart to be revealed. When governed by wisdom, it promotes societal well being. When the heart is wicked or foolish, it can cause great harm.

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Please Identify - Deceiving Jacob

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In a remarkable display of deja vu, Joseph's brothers deceive their father using a goat.

Elijah the Tishbite

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Elijah, distressed by the behavior of Israel, turns off the rain. The resulting drought sets up the remainder of his ministry.

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Idolatry - Hard Men, Soft Hearts

Fri, 01 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

The impulse to worship idols is still with us today. The form has changed 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.

Don't Squat With Your Spurs On

Sun, 03 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In Scripture there are three distinct voices: the king, the priest and the prophet. The king speaks of the wisdom people have learned over the centuries of human existence. The priest speaks of the things that have been revealed to man by God. The prophet speaks for God when a society has drifted away from God's plan. Y'shua embodies all three roles and speaks with each of the three voices at different times. It is important to determine which voice He is using in each situation. Without that understanding one may misinterpret what He is saying.

Successful Prayer

Mon, 04 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Tending a prayer is much like tending a garden. You only plant the seed once, but then you must defend the crop.

James - 4 Pride

Tue, 05 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

James talks about pride in the context of wealth, slander and boasting. Those who live for their wealth will find no peace and that wealth finally desserts them. Those who slander others will find themselves shunned. Those who boast of their plans may find that God has other plans for them.

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Blessing the Younger Son

Wed, 06 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Elijah and the Prophets of Baal

Thu, 07 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

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Whom Shall You Fear

Fri, 08 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Embezzling From God

Sun, 10 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Every six years God promises a bumper crop so Israel will let the land have a sabbath in the seventh year. Obeying this command requires no faith - the farmer can see the sixth year bounty. If he plants on the seventh year, he is taking more than God is offering. Such ill-gotten wealth creates all sorts of societal problems.

God in the Patriarch

Mon, 11 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Abraham, Isaac and Jacob each represents one aspect of God.

Y'shua and the Law

Tue, 12 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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?

Holy Spirit and the Torah

Wed, 13 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Jezebel Steals a Vineyard

Thu, 14 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Idol worship eventually leads to murder and Jezebel is not above murder to obtain what she wants. Elijah passes on his mantle to Elisha.

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Sacrifice

Fri, 15 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Love in the Wilderness

Sun, 17 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In the world as we know it, there are great spiritual forces contending for human worship and dominance. In this, the world is a battleground. On side is YHVH, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. On the other side is everything else. While the forces on the other side may offer many temptations, their goal is ultimately our destruction. God, on the other hand, loves us and wants us to live and flourish. Further, the census in the wilderness, is taken by name. He cares for each of us as individuals known to Him by name.

Tribal Temperament in Exile

Mon, 18 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

James 5 - The Danger of Wealth

Tue, 19 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Writing to Hebrews, James does not present a balanced approach to wealth. Rather he simply condemns its unjust accumulation and use. Since God uses wealth to motivate us, Proverbs presents both sides of wealth. James' advice on healing mirrors that of the Great Commission.

Joseph: The Fourth Patriarch

Wed, 20 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Elisha Son of Shaphat

Thu, 21 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Elisha succeeds Elijah asking for a double portion of Elijah's anointing. He raises the Shunamite's son from death.

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Who is the Son

Fri, 22 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Shavuot - A Watershed in History

Sun, 24 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

When God met with Israel at Mt Sinai. He established a relationship of a type that had never existed before. He asked for their consent to the relationship - other 'gods' and rulers had simply taken power. He spoke to everyone, not just the elite - before only the adept were initiated into the mysteries of their gods. He told them all what He expected, not just a small occult group. This relationship became the model for the American Declaration of Independence and the Constitution.

The Parable of the Sower - Fertilizer

Mon, 25 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Jeremiah 1-2 What Do You See?

Tue, 26 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

The Ten Statements of God

Wed, 27 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Elisha, by Faith or by Sight?

Thu, 28 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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..

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Presumptuous Sin

Fri, 29 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

A Demon Friendly Culture

Sun, 31 May 2026 02:00:00 GMT

In Luke 8 Y'shua casts a legion of demons into a heard of pigs. Why did He not cast them into the abyss? What does that mean for us as we navigate a world where there are still demon about? What is it about our current culture that is so demon friendly? Clearly, dealing with demons was a big part of Y'shua's ministry and when He sent his disciples out, he gave them authority over demons.

Prophets, Parables and Exile

Mon, 01 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Jeremiah 3-4 Faithless Wife

Tue, 02 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Abraham and the Stranger

Wed, 03 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Abraham's treatment of Hagar sets up the events of the Exodus.

Two Seahs of Barley for a Shekel

Thu, 04 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

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Bread

Fri, 05 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Bread and Quail

Sun, 07 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

Numbers 11 is a watershed for Israel. When they complained about the manna and said it was better for them in Egypt, they began the slide that would result in a whole generation perishing in the Wilderness. Bread, first mentioned in Genesis 3 is a metaphor for the thing that people eat who are going to die eventually. Bread from heaven then is a metaphor that something better is coming. Y'shua explains this in John 6.

Ten Commandments: A Marriage Contract

Mon, 08 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.

Jeremiah 4-6 Words of Fire

Tue, 09 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

God sends Jeremiah to Jerusalem looking for even one who does justice and seeks truth. None is to be found either among the poor or the great. As Y'shua says, the only way to the Father is through Himself who is the Way the Truth and the Life. Since Jerusalem has abandoned the truth and gone after worthless idols, God's words will be to them a consuming fire.

Consent of the Governed

Wed, 10 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

The events leading up to the giving of the Ten Commandments establish the principle of consent of the governed.

Full Circle

Thu, 11 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

During his time in the cave at Mount Sinai, God gave Elijah a task to perform. It is only toward the end of his ministry that Elisha actually completes it.

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Intermediate Objective

Fri, 12 Jun 2026 02:00:00 GMT

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.