EXODUS – Did It Happen? When?

The next two lessons are critically important for everyday Christians to finally separate hype from truth and fantastic outlandish claims regarding the Exodus to see and learn of the real evidence that again shows the truth of the Bible and that it is God’s inspired word. 

Lesson 5 is in two parts.  In part 1 we will focus on real archaeology, real evidence, not patterns of evidence, or hints at evidence, about the Exodus.  There is no need for me to re-teach or re-present that which has already been researched and completed.  In this lesson you will learn about the Associates for Biblical Research (I will use ABR for the name of this ministry), a Christian ministry made up of Christian evangelical Bible historians and archaeologists.  Their website is https://biblearchaeology.org/

This is a must “go to” internet resource for everyday Christians to learn about the veracity of the Bible – the Bible is true, credible, and can be depended upon from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22.  These proven Christian professional archaeologists have a mission to show via real archaeology the evidence of the truth of the inspired word of God, the Bible.  In addition these archaeologists using the truth that comes out of archaeology want to spread the gospel of the Kingdom to all.  There are stories of people who were agnostic or total unbelievers who came to be followers of Jesus Christ because of ABR and their awesome scholarly work in Biblical archeology.

In this podcast, part 1 of lesson 5, I mentioned an amazing video TV series that is free to all on the website for the Associates for Biblical Research (ABR) called, “Digging for Truth.”  There are over 100 episodes from proving Daniel is a real prophet of the Lord and that he gave his accurate prophecies in the early 5th century B.C. to showing that the resurrection of Jesus is true.  Again and again as you watch these TV programs (most about 30 minutes in length) you will see all the crazy ideas and theories available on the internet are completely proven false. 

Here’s the link to the complete list of episodes for “Digging for Truth” – https://biblearchaeology.org/mediainfo/digging-for-truth/digging-for-truth-episodes

The links below are to access the three-part series by Dr. Bryant Wood of ABR on the real archaeology that shows Israel was in Egypt; it shows the real probability they were there also just before the time of the Exodus in 1446 B.C.

Video 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT6giGYerx4

Video 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJn09u8cYRA

Video 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EMecjtl-MA

The links below here are for the two-part series by Dr. Scott Stripling of ABR on the archaeology, the real evidence of the date of the Exodus in the 15th century B.C. or 1446 B.C. 

1st episode – https://biblearchaeology.org/mediainfo/digging-for-truth/digging-for-truth-episodes/4538-digging-for-truth-episode-43-archaeological-evidence-for-the-early-date-of-the-exodus-part-one

2nd episode - https://biblearchaeology.org/mediainfo/digging-for-truth/digging-for-truth-episodes/4544-digging-for-truth-episode-44-archaeological-evidence-for-the-early-date-of-the-exodus-part-2

Here’s the link to the article at ABR that shows that Dr. David Rohl’s theory of his new Egypt chronology that is used as the ONLY proof of the date of the Exodus in the DVD video “Patterns of Evidence” is only a theory; it is highly criticized by Egyptologists, and creates more problems than it solves.  Dr. Rohl an agnostic tries to make up a theory to prove the date of the Exodus.  A theory that is unproven with any degree of completeness.  But, we are not interested in theories but real evidence of the Exodus.  Link – https://biblearchaeology.org/research/chronological-categories/conquest-of-canaan/3196-david-rohls-revised-egyptian-chronology-a-view-from-palestine?highlight=WyJkYXZpZCIsImRhdmlkJ3MiLCJkYXZpZCciLCInZGF2aWQncyIsImRhdmlkJy4iLCJyb2hsIiwicm9obCdzIiwiZGF2aWQgcm9obCJd

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

I mentioned a number of resources that I would provide links for or include for your further study.  First, if you want to expand your study into the ideas of Unintentional sin and Intentional sin, please check out …

Exodus 69 part 2 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-69-part-2-exod-2920-37-ram-of-the-lord-sanctifies-head-and-heart-and-hands-and-ferret/

Yom Kippureem

• Episode 1 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/fall-feasts-of-the-lord-yom-kippureem-episode-1-it-is-finished/
• Episode 4 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/yom-kippureem-episode-4-the-goat-and-the-lamb-john-539/

Genesis Lesson 70 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/genesis-70-gen-2813-15-we-all-will-be-blessed/

See the chart below showing a little more detail as to the OLAT HATAMEED or the “Continual Burnt Offerings.”  The final blood sacrifice that completed the Covenant was the sacrifice of the Lamb of God “who takes away the sins of the world” and was offered between the sacrifices.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - on Tel el Safi or ancientGath Israel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

Before you listen to this podcast, part 2 of lesson 69 of Exodus, it is highly recommended that you listen to part 1.  It establishes the foundation for part 2 and part 3.  Here’s the link to Exodus 69 part 1 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-69-part-1-exod-291-20-ordain-fill-the-hands/?token=7ff856387a2146fbe29d60bdcecc5531

The concept of head and heart and hands and feet is a metaphor the rabbis of Jesus’ day and before recognized.  It is found throughout the Bible.  In Jewish thought, the head, heart, hands, and feet symbolize the integration of a person's life, encompassing the faculties of intellect (head), mental capabilities & will (heart), and action (hands and feet), all directed toward serving God and living a moral, purposeful life.

Symbolic Meanings

• Head (Intellect/Wisdom): is an input out device. We speak and see as output. We see and hear and taste as input.  From the input it goes directly to our heart.
• Heart (Mind & mental abilities & Will): the heart (lev) is the seat of our mind, our intellect, our mental capabilities. It is not related to our feelings or emotions. In the Hebrew scriptures the seat of emotions are the kidneys (see https://www.torahapologetics.com/language--word-studies/hebrew-anatomy-part-2-the-kidneys for this idea).
• Hands (Action/Deeds): the tools of action and the means by which a person translates intellectual understanding into tangible deeds – things that we do resulting from the intentions coming from our mind (hearts).
• Feet (The way we live/Our walk): how we live, the observable direction of our lives.

This lesson might spur you on to do you own study of the concept of head and heart and hands and feet.  I watch for this constantly as I read and meditate and study and do research and even pray the text.  One example is when I say my morning prayers including the Shema that Jesus would’ve said three times a day.  I have been blown away as to how the concept of head and heart and hands and feet is everywhere in these Bible verse prayed by Jews three times a day in Jesus’ day, before His time, and even till today.  Check it out …

 THE SHEMA שׁמע

Head and Heart and Hands and Feet

Deuteronomy 6:4–9

"Hear (HEAD), O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone! "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart (HEART) and with all your soul and with all your might. "These words, which I am commanding you today, shall be on your heart (HEART). "You shall teach (HEAD) them diligently to your sons (children) and shall talk (HEAD) of them when you sit in your house and when you walk (FEET) by the way and when you lie down and when you rise up. "You shall bind them as a sign on your hand (HAND) and they shall be as frontals on your forehead (HEAD). "You shall write them (HAND) on the doorposts of your house and on your gates (FEET).

Deuteronomy 11:13–21

 "It shall come about, if you listen (HEAD) obediently to my commandments which I am commanding you today, to love the LORD your God and to serve Him with all your heart (HEART) and all your soul, that He will give the rain for your land in its season, the early and late rain, that you may gather (HAND) in your grain and your new wine and your oil. "He will give grass in your fields for your cattle, and you will eat and be satisfied. "Beware that your hearts (HEART) are not deceived, and that you do not turn away (FEET) and serve other gods and worship them. "Or the anger of the LORD will be kindled against you, and He will shut up the heavens so that there will be no rain and the ground will not yield its fruit; and you will perish quickly from the good land which the LORD is giving you. "You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart (HEART) and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand (HAND)  and they shall be as frontals on your forehead (HEAD). "You shall teach (HEAD) them to your sons (children), talking (HEAD) of them when you sit in your house and when you walk (FEET) along the road and when you lie down and when you rise up. "You shall write them (HAND) on the doorposts of your house and on your gates (FEET), so that your days and the days of your sons may be multiplied on the land which the LORD swore to your fathers to give them, as long as the heavens remain above the earth.

Numbers 15:37–41

The LORD also spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel, and tell them that they shall make (HAND) for themselves tassels on the corners of their garments throughout their generations, and that they shall put (HAND) on the tassel of each corner a cord of blue. "It shall be a tassel for you to look (HEAD) at and remember (HEART) all the commandments of the LORD, so as to do (HAND) them and not follow (FEET) after your own heart (HEART) and your own eyes (HEAD), after which you played the harlot (FEET), so that you may remember (HEART) to do (HAND) all My commandments and be holy to your God. "I am the LORD your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt to be your God; I am the LORD your God.

In this lesson I commented on Psalm 119:2 and the phrase “seek Him with all their heart.”  It has nothing to do with someone “looking” for God or Jesus since they do not feel His closeness or since He is invisible, we ask where is He.  Two podcasts that demonstrate that God is always with us and there is no reason to look for Him are Truth Nuggets 3 part 1 & 2.  These lessons will enhance our understanding that if we are His people, if we are truly His disciples, the followers of Jesus, and He is always with us.  There is absolutely no reason to go looking for the Lord as per the very words of God.  Moreover, it is more than the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.  Check them out …

Truth Nuggets 3 part1 –

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-lesson-3-part-1/

Truth Nuggets 3 part 2 –

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-lesson-3-part-2/?token=ddbd4a5471c8c67b359d9cb31ea26d7b

Light of Menorah did a podcast of this concept.  It is Truth Nuggets 13 entitled, “Head and Heart and Hands and Feet.” The link is below. 

Over and over again we read the about being righteous and it is pictured in the way we talk or hear or listen (our head) or in our work or results of what we do (hands)  and in the ways we walk (feet) – walk in the commands of the Lord and walk in our own ways.  It is also pictured in the way we think or our emotions of feelings (heart).  Just consider the text in the prophet Isaiah.

"Where will you be stricken again, As you continue in your rebellion? The whole head is sick And the whole heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing sound in it, Only bruises, welts and raw wounds, Not pressed out or bandaged, ... So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood." (Isa 1:5-15)

In one chapter we see this concept played out quite clearly.  The rebelliousness against God is pictured using the concept “head and heart and hands and feet.” 

Another place this is seen is in the consecration of the high priest Aaron and his sons.  This is exactly what we are focusing in on in this podcast and in part 1.  Consider …

"Then you shall take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram. "You shall slaughter the ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron's right ear and on the lobes of his sons' right ears and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet, and sprinkle the rest of the blood around on the altar. (Exo 29:19-20)

In the Torah Commentary by the Messianic Jewish scholar, Tim Hegg (make sure you check out his website as another resource for Bible study - https://torahresource.com/) says that these body parts in the ancient Middle East and among the ancient Hebrews came to mean hearing and obeying the Torah of the Lord using the ear (Head).  The right hand symbolizes one’s work.  Aaron had his hand dedicated to the daily work of the sacrifices of the Lord (Hand).  His feet symbolize that he walk according the God’s ways and maintain his right standing before God in his daily movements in life (Feet). 

There are two verses that you may remember that deal with the heart.  In these verses we see that the heart is the source of our wickedness and our evil ways and thoughts.  Consider …

"The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways (feet), According to the results of his deeds(hands). (Jer 17:9-10)

"But the things that proceed out of the mouth(head) come from the heart, and those defile the man. "For out of the heart come evil thoughts (heart), murders(hands), adulteries(hands), fornications(hands), thefts (hands), false witness(head)., slanders(head). (Mat 15:18-19)

Let's delve into this and see the dramatic place it takes us.  Let's study this idea God seems to use to teach from Genesis to Revelation.  Come let's learn about Head and Hearts and Hands and Feet.

Link - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-psalms-13-psm-151-3-head-heart-hands-feet/

In this lesson there is only one way to cleanse and sanctify and purify us head and heart and hands and feet.  It is found in the picture below.  It is the direction that God was taking the concept of head and heart and hands and feet.

This is another one of those chapters in the Bible that is not necessarily inspirational or having meaning for us as disciples of Messiah Jesus as we read it.  It is interesting for sure, but it seems only God's details to Moses for how to conduct the induction of (I'm using the Hebrew pronunciation of the names) Ah-aron as high priest and his sons, Naydav, Aveeoo, Elahzar and Ithamar as priests.  But, then we put this text in its historical context and everything changes.  It is clear this is about God's intention to continue to separate His chosen people, the Hebrews, from Egypt.  The had assimilated into the Egyptian culture and now the Lord was doing all things necessary to get Egypt out of Israel.  And it is not as easy for Him as taking Israel out of Egypt.  I did a podcast on showing that indeed the Bible implies that Israel had indeed integrated into the culture of Israel and perhaps assimlated.  Check it out ...

Exodus 4 part 2 - Exod. 2:11-25 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/the-gospel-according-to-moses-lesson-4-part-2-exod-211-25/

Now we ask the question how did those Hebrews who just came out of Egypt (it had only been no more than 3 months since they left Egypt) possibly understand this ceremony and the sacrifices.  When we put this text back to the year 1446 B.C. we understand that to know the symbolism of this induction of Ah-aron as high priest and his sons, Naydav, Aveeoo, Elahzar and Ithamar as priests we need to understand Egypt, the Egyptian gods, the Egyptian pagan religion, and the Egyptian culture.  

One scholar that the Lord provided me was Dr. John Currid.  He is a reputable and proven archaeologist, Egyptologist, and proven theologian.  I highly recommend two of his books.  Check out the pictures below.  Both are available for reduced price at www.Thriftbooks.com.  Get them.  You won't be sorry.  To know the Torah you need to know Egypt.  Amazing stuff.

In this lesson we talked about a number of awesome topics.  Here's more on those topics.

* OUR BODY LIKE A TENT

Rabbis plus Greek scholars of Paul's day teach that the human body is like the Mishkan (Tabernacle) or a tent, symbolizing a portable dwelling for God's presence. This concept primarily found in 2 Corinthians 5:1 and the Wisdom of Solomon 9:15. This concept emphasizes the mortality of the physical body and the anticipation of an eternal, heavenly, and "not made with hands" body to replace it. along with Greek philosophers plus later in mystical Jewish tradition (Kabbalah) and midrash, sees the body as a sacred space housing divine sparks. 

[1] https://www.berotbatayin.org/why-do-we-need-to-know-all-these-details-of-the-mishkan-tabernacle/

[2] https://medium.com/@coulter.daniel/bible-study-exodus-26-269ea6d7b466

[3] https://biblehub.com/study/psalms/15-1.htm

* APIS BULL - sacred diety of ancient Egypt - https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/bullcult/

* AMUN RE  https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/amun/

* LEAVENED BREAD DISCOVERED IN EGYPT - https://youtu.be/LlipgR0sWqY?si=9sJuGuX9WTytqc0C

* LIVERS AND DIVINATION

https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-practice-of-divination-in-the-ancient-near-east

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - on Tel el Safi or ancientGath Israel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

Rabbi Jonathan Cahan, a Messianic Jewish rabbi, famous throughout the world, did a video released today.  It came one day after mine.  I did not know this.  Jonthan, my dear brother in Yeshua, confirms what I taught in my video but adds to it; he adds things I missed. 

The Bible is true brothers and sisters.  God is real.  He made promises and predictions 1000's of years ago.  Promises that are true and prove we can rely on Him. We are seeing this happen before our eyes now.  Check it out ...

Link - https://youtu.be/UUKstmztpoE?si=yElRPzFbsI4rsubT

In this vidcast (video) we focus on a small detail the Lord inserted in the book of Esther.  For all my years I have never heard anyone teach on it - it was mentioned but no one took it deeper.  This small detail we all have read it.  But, it seems it doesn’t jog our minds to perhaps pursue what the small detail means and why it is there.  But, when we do.  WOW!!

So, some say God is not in the book of Esther. That’s right!  There is no mention of God or of faith or religious Jewish practices.  But, this is God’s inspired book.  Thus, call it His TORAH תּוֹרָה which does not mean law but instruction or the Lord's teaching.  What is the Lord trying to get at in the book of Esther?  Some things are very very obvious.  But, we miss things.  Why? We are so disconnected for studying the Bible in its historical context.  When we do this small detail in the book of Esther will lead us to places that will blow us away.

So, in this inspired book of the Lord, He is teaching us.  He is giving us His TORAH תּוֹרָה.  Could it be He is connecting us to the Gospel and the Messiah and His redemption plan?  Could it be that the book of Esther is part of His design and plan but we have failed to see it since that small detail is something we’ve ignored?  The answer is YES.  Watch the video.  All this is not my theory, opinion, or view.  It is The Very Word of God and wait till you see where this takes us.  Amazing.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

The Jewish feast of Purim פּוּרִים‎ (pronounced in Hebrew Poo Reem) commemorates the deliverance by Esther of all the Jews from annihilation.  It has been glamorized recently in the movie called, “One Night With the King.”  It is also celebrated among the Jewish people annually.  But, the book of Esther has always been problematic for the rabbis.  It is totally secular in that God is never mentioned nor any aspects of the Jewish faith or ritual.  This is one reason why the book of Esther nearly didn’t make it into the Jewish canon, the accepted books of the Hebrew Scriptures.  It is also possibly why no portions of the book of Esther were found among the Dead Sea Scrolls. 

The other issues in the book of Esther, her being in the pagan harem of king Ahasuerus, better known as Xerxes, or spending one night with the king sexually, were also very problematic with the rabbis and they tried to make up new made up interpretations to make Esther the Bible’s Cinderella; to make Esther a pure, devout, Godly, young lady.  These rabbinic views have affected the way both Jews and Christians understand the story to such an extent that the real meaning of these events has been lost amidst Jewish tradition and legend.

In this podcast we will put the book of Esther into its historical context.  We will not ignore the difficult aspects that are presented in The Very Words Of God.  And as we do we will come to see and understand the bigger picture of the book and what it means.  For me after studying these events in their historical context, I have been overwhelmed by the glory of the Lord in this book.  For me I will not be surprised to one day see Esther (she’ll probably being using her Hebrew name then, Hadassah) in the wedding party on the day of the wedding feast of the Lamb. 

In this podcast I mentioned a paper detailed the harems of ancient Persia.  The link is shown below. 

Link –  https://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/harem-i

Also, some of you may like to see the archaeological site of ancient Susa.  Check out this short video on ancient Susa and the remains of the palace of Darius the king before Ahasuerus or Xerxes, the king in the book of Esther.

Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bwkTCPELkvI

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

This is session 3 part 2.  We continue with the verse 1 Cor 3:16 and 1 Cor 6:19.

In part 1 (see link below if you've not listened to part 1) we saw that in Greek when we read in 1 Cor. 3:1 "YOU are a Temple of God" it does not mean just you as one person.  In Greek there are more forms of the word "you."  In 1 Cor. 3:1 it is plural meaning "all of you" or "you all" to mean we as one, all of us together, are ONE Temple of God.  Each person is NOT a temple but all of us together as the "church" are ONE Temple.  If you haven't checked out part 1 to enter that study, here's the link to part 1 that you should listen to before this one.  Link - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-lesson-3-part-1/  

Everyone when asked who dwells in us answers immediately that the Holy Spirit dwells in us.  The Bible says it.  For sure.  But, there's more, much more.  When we go deeper into the Biblical Greek we find an awesome concept from the Hebrew scriptures that is so important for us to grasp is times we are living through today.  

In this session I mentioned two links I would provide.  The first link is to an awesome website that will give you an amazing first hand tour of the Tabernacle Model in Timnah Park in Israel.  Some of you may have visited a tabernacle model here in the states.  But, to visit this one in Israel is to likely be in the area where the Hebrews actually camped overnight - right where this tabernacle model is located.  It is roughly 7 miles from Yovatah on the north and roughly 7 miles or so from Avronah on the south (see Num. 33:34).  The head of the park and I discussed this at length when Robin and I took a group there several years back.  He was a Jewish Bible historian (named Moses!!) and we both knew that the Hebrews traveled about 7 miles per day (that is why M. Sinai could never be in Saudi Arabia!!).  This means when you visit the tabernacle model in Timnah Park you are probably close to their camp sight between Yovatah and Avronah.  Here's the link - https://www.holylandsite.com/timna-tabernacle

The second link is to an archaeological website.  This site will provide you will a first hand look at the discoveries by Eilat Mazar of Solomon's palace complex just below where the Temple he built for the Lord.  This is an awesome resource for your further study - http://templemountlocation.com/eilatMazar-SolomonicWall-RoyalComplex-SolomonPalace.html

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret on the Sea of Galilee)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

LESSON 74 GENESIS - AUDIO ONLY

Time to take a break.  Time to assess where we’ve been, where we are, and where this is going.  We have over 250 podcasts/vidcasts.  The main focus has been detailed study of the TORAH for Christians with an emphasis upon studying the word in is historical context.  So, after all these lessons where are we and where is this all headed?  Amazingly, it is headed for the truth in THE VERY WORDS OF GOD that Yeshua is the ONLY way to the Father.  If you do not study the TORAH ad reconnect to our Jewish roots, you could say Jesus is a way back to the Father.  But, after this review, after this look back and after this look forward, after seeing the direction of the TORAH we see that the Bible, the VERY WORD OF GOD, unequivocally shows that Jesus is the ONLY way to the Father.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - at the ancient site of Pergamum)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Truth Nuggets episode 3 is in two parts.  The first part focuses on the meaning of how we are the Temple of God as in 1 Cor 3:16-17.  Is every Christian a temple?  Is my body a temple?  If there are 2.5 billion Christians in the world does that mean there are 2.5 billion Temples of God in the world?  Or have we missed something since we are not dealing with Biblical Greek.  Are we being too self-centered to say we alone are a Temple of God?  Yup, we missed something.  And we will find what we think is a brand new Christian idea is actually a concept found all the way back to Genesis.  

In this session I mentioned two links I would provide.  The first link is to an awesome website that will give you an amazing first hand tour of the Tabernacle Model in Timnah Park in Israel.  Some of you may have visited a tabernacle model here in the states.  But, to visit this one in Israel is to likely be in the area where the Hebrews actually camped overnight - right where this tabernacle model is located.  It is roughly 7 miles from Yovatah on the north and roughly 7 miles or so from Avronah on the south (see Num. 33:34).  The head of the park and I discussed this at length when Robin and I took a group there several years back.  He was a Jewish Bible historian (named Moses!!) and we both knew that the Hebrews traveled about 7 miles per day (that is why M. Sinai could never be in Saudi Arabia!!).  This means when you visit the tabernacle model in Timnah Park you are probably close to their camp sight between Yovatah and Avronah.  Here's the link - https://www.holylandsite.com/timna-tabernacle

The second link is to an archaeological website.  This site will provide you will a first hand look at the discoveries by Eilat Mazar of Solomon's palace complex just below where the Temple he built for the Lord.  This is an awesome resource for your further study - http://templemountlocation.com/eilatMazar-SolomonicWall-RoyalComplex-SolomonPalace.html

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In our day one might say our times are chaotic and evil.  Today Christians and the church are even called evil and we are accused of being the source of all that is wrong.  It’s too difficult to deal with.  It seems that evil so controls our country, our society, and that we have no power over this at all.  Nothing works.  We try and solve it via politics and legislation and the vote.  In my view the USA is on such a downward slide, it’ll never recover.   This is not very hopeful.  Without the Lord there is no hope.  

Israel coming out of Egypt faced death and disorder as God led them into the wilderness of Sinai.  The Hebrews had assimilated into the Egyptian culture slowly after Joseph died.  For the Hebrews they understood and held to the Egyptian understanding that the wilderness of Sinai was a land of death, disorder, and evil.  It was a place not conducive to good life.  They called it the land of CHAOS.  Their gods had no power over chaos.  Their king, we call Pharaoh, must be the one to maintain order, life, prosperity, truth, and goodness, called Ma’at in Egyptian.  Pharaoh had to battle against Chaos.  The gods of Egypt had no power for Chaos, no power over the wilderness of Sinai.   In Egypt they relied on a man to provide truth, justice, goodness, and order.  It's like today.  Reminds me of CLIMATE CHANGE.  Many say WE humans must solve the problem.  We must spend money and make laws to save the planet.  I don't believe there is a climate crisis.  It is simply not scientific.  This reminds me of ancient Egypt and a worldview that lifts up mankind and has turned away from the one God, the true God, the one who made it all and the one who controls and rules over nature.  

However, Yahvay, God, God alone, created the wilderness.  He fed His chosen in the wilderness of Sinai.  He gave them water from rocks in the Sinai.  And He helped the Hebrews defeat the Amalekites in the Sinai at Rephidim.  Moses was so in awe of Yahvay, the Lord, that he sets up an altar to remember the victory and he names the altar יהוה נסי - Yahvay Neesee, The Lord is My Banner. 

Today many say this phrase says JEHOVAH NEESEE.  The word Jehovah is shown to be a translation error of a Franciscan monk in the 16th century.  Here’s a article by a renowned and proven scholar, David Biven, on this translation error.  Link –

https://shamar.org/articles/jehovah-misunderstanding.html

We ask, how did those Hebrews perhaps understand this?  Did it somehow connect to something in Egypt?  What did it say to them then? 

It is interesting to note that the Egyptian hieroglyphic symbol meaning GOD is a banner, a flag.  Check out the article about the word NETJER in ancient Egyptian and the use of the flag to write this word for GOD –

https://www.encyclopedia.com/history/news-wires-white-papers-and-books/terminology-netjer#:~:text=The%20Egyptian%20word%20that%20is,flagpole%2C%20often%20shown%20in%20green.

Finally, we recall Jesus’ word in John 5:39 that all scripture testifies of Him. 

“And the Father who sent Me, He has testified of Me. You have neither heard His voice at any time nor seen His form. "You do not have His word abiding in you, for you do not believe Him whom He sent. "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; and you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.”(Joh 5:37-40)

Is it possible this verse, Exod. 17:15, also connects to Jesus?  Of course it does.  Jesus teaches us this truth.  Come and let’s go see.

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? 

(Ferret - teaching at Tel Gezer in the Shefelah of Israel)

What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

We come to the end of chapter 28 in Exodus but there's a few more things that need to be covered in this chapter.  One is we need to study the Ureem and Thummeem in more detail.  The reason being is there is teaching from the orthodox rabbis that turns the Ureem and Thummeem into objects that are more related to science fiction that reality.  So what did those rabbis teach?  What was it based upon?  Once we see that there teaching is their view, their opinion, not based upon fact, we see their views are more fantasy than something that we'd say is real. 

A popular rabbinc view is that the Ureem and Thummeem were related to the stones on the breast piece of the High priest.  It seems possible that this comes from the rabbinic view that the Ureem for instance are lights since they said Ureem is nothing more than the plural for the Hebrew word for light.  See the pictures below.

These are summaries of the two Hebrew words.  The top picture is for the word Ureem and the one below is for the Hebrew word Or.  The word Ureeem is masculine and the Hebrew word Or, meaning light, is feminine!  This is just one problem with saying that Ureem is the Hebrew word for lights or the plural of Or.  The second issue is the spelling.  The top picture sows that Ureem's first two letters are אוּ and notice the location of the "dot" or what is known as a dagesh - וּ.  The picture below shows the first two letters of the Hebrew word Or and notice the position of the dagesh אוֹ.  The dagesh is in a different location as one can see - וֹ.  The difference is the first gives the sound UR and the second gives the sound OR.  The spelling is different and the pronunciation is different.  Ureem is NOT the plural of the Hebrew word OR meaning light.  The letters are the same in both words but the dagesh, the "dot" used for specific vowel sounds is different.  It seems that the rabbis dismissed these galring differences, concluded that Ureeem was the plural of Or, and then seemed to say the stones were used as "lights" on the breastpiece.  Understanding the Hebrew shows that is likely fantasy and can not be the truth.

The Ureem and Thummeem were real.  They were put in the pocket of the linen breast piece of the High Priest.  The wording implies they were physical objects.  The Torah and the words given to Moses to write down about the Ureem and Thummeem seem to contradict what the orthodox rabbis came up with.  It is part of their midrasheem (what they got from study); it is views and ideas made up by these rabbis to try and explain something that is enigmatic, something hidden, something difficult to understand and know.  I urge you to listen to the podcast I did on Rabbinic Midrasheem or the man made views and ideas the rabbis came up with that in many cases are unbiblical and not based upon reason or fact.  It was their attempt to try and make sense of those things in Torah and seemingly have no answers or are totally beyond our understanding.  Here's the link to that podcast -  https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/the-gospel-according-to-moses-genesis-lesson-47-special-what-is-rabbinc-midrash/

Another issue is to discuss another rabbinic fantasy that the rabbis made up.  "There is a mystical Jewish tradition (in other words a MIDRASH or something a mna made up to explain something) that the high priest of Israel would enter the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle or temple with a rope tied to his foot. The purpose of the rope, according to the tradition, was to retrieve the high priest’s body in case he died in the course of his duties within the Holy of Holies."  (See the article, "Did the high priest have a rope tied to him when he entered the Holy of Holies?" found at the Bible study website www.GotQuestions.org or https://www.gotquestions.org/high-priest-rope.html)

This is totally false and it is something that the rabbis made up and has stuck with us ever since.  We need to see that this "tradition" is antibiblical and refutes THE VERY WORDS OF GOD as to how the High Priest is to dress when he enters the Holy of Holies once per year on Yom Kippur. 

I found it amazing as to how many Christians believe this to be true.  It is clear that most Christians are poorly trained in the Bible.  It is even taught in the Creation and Earth History Museum just outside of San Diego.  The false tradition is portrayed as true and in their description they even go against the Bible and God's word and instruction.  

Here's an awesome scholary article on this issue that I believe will only add to your study - "That Rope around the High Priest’s Ankle," by Todd Bolen at this link https://www.bibleplaces.com/blog/2009/01/that-rope-around-high-priests-ankle/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - on the Pergamum acropolis in Turkey)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

AUDIO SESSION

Jacob wants out and wants to go home.  It has been 14 years serving his crooked uncle Laban just for Rachel.  Well, Jacob has Rachel and Leah and 11 strong boys and 1 beautiful daughter, Dinah.  Time to go home.

To settle up Jacob seems to use a weird way of making sheep have spotted lambs.  If they are spotted Jacob gets those and Laban the rest.  The story shows that the sheep had more spotted lambs and Jacob's flocks grew immense.  The International Varsity Press Bible Commentary of the Old Testament suggests that the method Jacob uses is just folklore.  It was something that those in the ancient near east believed worked but modern genetics shows it does not.  Here's the commentary from the International Varsity Press Bible Commentary of the Old Testament.

Gen_30:32-33. sheep breeding. The coloring chosen by Jacob (dark lambs and variegated goats) generally made up a very small proportion of the herd. Jacob seems to be settling for a share that was far smaller than usual, in that contracts of the day designated sometimes as much as 20 percent of new births for the shepherd (Bedouin studies today suggest that 10 percent is common). Byproducts (wool, milk products) are not mentioned here, but a percentage of those were also often part of the shepherd's compensation. Gen_30:37-43. use of rods. Jacob's solution to Laban's treachery contains elements of scientific breeding and folklore tradition. Clearly, shepherds would have been aware of the estrus cycle of their sheep (which runs from June to September), and observation would have demonstrated that breeding healthy animals would produce vigorous lambs. What is not scientific, however, is the principle that certain characteristics (coloration in this case) can be bred for through visual aids. The stripped rods which Jacob places before the troughs of the sheep cannot genetically affect the sheep. This type of sympathetic magic is found in many folk traditions (including modern tales of colors worn by a mother determining the sex of her child). It plays a part in the trickster theme of this narrative and is reflective of a culture which depended on a mixture of magical and commonsense methods to produce results.  (The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament Copyright © 2000 by John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews and Mark W. Chavalas)

But, Jacob says something in Gen. 30:33 that most of us would miss.  It is an awesome statement and it implies Jacob says from now on he will be honest and righteous so that this will come back to him in the future.  In essence Jacob is saying "what goes around comes around."  This concept among the people of the Middle East is called, "Measure for Measure" or in Hebrew

מדה קנגד מדה

Meedah K'negged Meedah

This one verse is an awesome teaching that the Lord is giving us.  It takes us to Jesus and even to Paul.  It is a characteristic of a true disciple of our rabbi Jesus.  

Lois Tverberg, an awesome Bible scholar and author of key books on being a disciple of Jesus our "rabbi" has an excellent article on the concept of measure for measure.  Here's the link -

https://ourrabbijesus.com/articles/jesus-jewish-logic-measure-for-measure/#:~:text=Jesus%E2%80%99%20Jewish%20Logic%3A%20Measure%20for%20Measure%20July%2028%2C,mee-dah%29%2C%20which%20means%2C%20literally%2C%20%E2%80%9Cmeasure%20corresponding%20to%20measure.%E2%80%9D

So come and study with us.  Come and consider מדה קנגד מדה MeedahK'neggedMeedah or measure for measure and again see how all scripture testifies of Jesus as He taught in John 5:39.

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?

Ferret - teaching at the temple of Augustus ar Omrit in the Galilee)

What's his background? Why should we take time to listen to him? Here's a link to check out his background ... - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

The Hebrews go deeper and deeper into the wilderness of Sinai.  To the Egyptians, and the Hebrews who had assimilated into the Egyptian worldview and culture, this was considered the area of death, disorder, danger, confusion, evil or in ancient Egyptian IZFIT.  Sometimes translated into English as CHAOS.  Only the narrow area of fertile around on either side of the Nile was considered the place of truth, goodness, righteousness, life, harmony, prosperity, peace.  The Egyptian word for this beautiful order is MA’AT.  In Egypt the king, Pharaoh, was dedicated to preserving MA’AT – order and peace – and preventing IZFIT – chaos and death – for all Egyptians.  The Egyptians looked to a man who must provide this order, harmony, prosperity, and truth.  What’s interesting is that God, the God of the Bible, the LORD, Adonai who is known by His name, the tetragrammaton, יהוה, pronounced mistakenly as YAHWAY but probably should pronounced YAH VAY (no W sound in Hebrew), He brings His people into the Sinai wilderness.  He purposely brings them into CHAOS, into what the Egyptians believe is the land of evil, death, disorder, and danger.  Why?  Why is the Lord doing this?  In lesson 43 in Exodus 17 we face this issue and its lesson is for them THEN and for us NOW.  

In this podcast I mentioned key lessons that are related to this podcast.  If you are serious about Bible study.  If you are serious about your interest in the end of days, the return of Jesus, and the day of the Lord.  If you want to expand your knowledge of God’s word and to understand what Jesus meant when He said that all scripture testifies of Himself, these lessons are a must.  These lessons provide an expansion of the ideas of how this chapter in Exodus is possibly connected to the end of days.  In chapter 17 we study the attack of the Amalekites on Israel and Rephidim.  We find this has amazing connections to the feast of Purim (pronounced “poo reem”) and again in Jesus’ day all they way to Rome, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union and finally to the end of days and the defeat of the ultimate evil one, the enemy of Israel, the church, the one who has been always anti-Christ and anti-God.  The first link (see below) is to Truth Nugget #15 on the feast of Purim as related to the end of days and the return of Messiah Yeshua.  The 2nd is the link to lesson 65 in the Torah series on Genesis where we study the origins of the conflict between Jacob and Esau, between those who are anti-Christ and those who are the chosen of God.  The 3rd link is to the chapter in my book on the feast of Purim.  This chapter provides more depth as its related to the Truth Nugget 15. 

Link 1 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-15-vidcast-purim-not-by-chance-but-by-design/?token=bde2fde2d0c848fcba88d12d1f3354df

Link 2 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/genesis-65-gen-271-289-and-361-512-anti-israel-anti-torah-and-anti-christ/?token=bed70612df49352d1c8555ff1f4a1821

Link 3 - https://www.dropbox.com/s/lm0442r2glx4djh/Esther.Haman.Purim.Jesus.pdf?dl=0

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? 

(Ferret - in the Elah Valley of the Shephelah of Israel)

What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background -

 https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

EXODUS 68 PART 2

If you have not listened to lesson 68 part 1 here’s the link.  It is strongly suggested that you treat part 1 and part 2 as one unit.  In part 1 we study Exodus 28 but with a focus on John 5:39 where Jesus teaches us that scripture testifies of Himself.  All they had was the Hebrew Scriptures in Jesus’ day.  No New Testament.  The first book of the New Testament, 1 Thessalonians, will not be written for another 20 years.  The first gospel perhaps written 30 years later.  So for them THEN Jesus is referring to the Old Testament or the Hebrew Scriptures with the TORAH, the first five books of the Bible, as the most important books at that time.  So, is it possible that Exodus 28 testifies of Yeshua HaMaschiach, Yeshua the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  Chapter 28 is all about the High Priest and the details the Lord gives Moses about the special clothes of the High Priest and the priests.  But, Jesus is termed the High Priest in the book of Hebrews So, it seem possible that the scriptures of Exodus chapter 28 will testify of the Lord, Jesus, the Messiah and the High Priest.  The link for lesson 68 part 1 is shown below.

Link - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-68-part-1-exod-281-5-41-43-we-are-priests-of-our-father/

The study of the special clothes of the High Priest and the priests is complicated and detailed.  There is so much more that I can teach in a 40-45 minute podcast or vidcast (vidcast = video podcast). 

Shown below is the picture I used in the vidcast to review the high priestly garments.  It might prove helpful as you continue your study as you access the other resources I have included below.

As I indicated in the video I am giving you links to other resources to use to study this topic that will add to your knowledge and enhance and expand your understanding.

The first resource is the scholarly articles from the Temple Institute in Jerusalem.  This is an amazing orthodox Jewish educational website.  It deals with the Temple, the Feasts, the Red Heifer, and so much more.  The links below are to four separate articles that address the clothes of the High Priest.  I know you will find them awesome.

Article 1 – https://templeinstitute.org/priestly-garments/

Article 2 – https://templeinstitute.org/priestly-garments-2/

Article 3 – https://templeinstitute.org/priestly-garments-3/

Article 4 – https://templeinstitute.org/priestly-garments-4/

Another great scholarly website is the IVP Bible Commentary – Old Testament.  They also have a New Testament commentary as well.  This resource is a must if you are serious in your study of the Bible.  Below is the link to the complete IVP Old Testament Commentary as a PDF version.  Simply access the link and go to page 108 in the PDF to find the commentary on Exodus 28.  Here’s the link –

https://wnlnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-IVP-Bible-Background-Commentary_-Old-Testament-PDFDrive.com-.pdf

To complete your collection here’s the link to the IVP New Testament Commentary in PDF format.  Link –

https://wnlnetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/The-IVP-Bible-Background-Commentary_-New-Testament-2nd-edition-PDFDrive.com-.pdf

Another great resource that is a must for the serious disciple of Yeshua to learn His Word and enhance and expand your understanding is the International Bible Study Encyclopedia.  Here’s the link to the article on the Urim and Thummim.  Link –

https://www.internationalstandardbible.com/U/urim-and-thummim.html

Here’s the link to the home page for the International Bible Study Encyclopedia - https://www.internationalstandardbible.com/

Finally, there is a Christian website called “GotQuestions.org” and it provides another view of the priestly garments and the Urim and Thummim.  I access many times to get an orthodox Christian view of concepts in the Bible.  The links below to GotQuestions.org and self-explanatory. 

https://www.gotquestions.org/priestly-garments.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/urim-thummim.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/ephod.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/priestly-garments.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/anointed-priest.html

https://www.gotquestions.org/scarlet-thread.html

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - on the Pergamum acropolis in Turkey)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

We continue to study Rachel and Leah.  The two wives of Jacob.  Both women part of God’s continuing plan of redemption for Jew and Gentile in Messiah Yeshua.  But how?

We see glaring differences in these two women.  It is clear that Rachel is Jacob’s choice over Leah.  Leah is not in a primary position in Jacob' eyes as her sister.  The Hebrew is clear.  The Hebrew word שָׂנֵא SAHNAY H8130 has the conceptual meaning of not being in first place and can even mean to hate or being hated.  In Leah's case she is not hated but certainly not loved at the same level as Rachel. 

In this God shows us again how He choses between one or another.  One of these women is a picture of man’s choice and the other is a picture of God’s choice.  It’s like Saul and David.  Saul was handsome and strong and tall and macho.  But, David.  Not so.  He was a young man and perhaps a pre-teen when David was anointed king.  But there are glaring differences in Saul and David.  One seems to be the way men would choose and the other is the way God chooses.  This seems to relate to Rachel and Leah. 

One goal of this series is to see how the Hebrews coming out of Egypt may have understood these events in Genesis 29 with Rachel and Leah.  They are the first ones to hear God’s word written by Moses, the Torah.  It is clear that they are the first audience.  So, how does the story of Leah and Rachel relate to them.   It has everything to do with the plant below …

This is ancient Mandrake plant that some call “love apples.”  It supposedly is an ancient aphrodisiac or fruit when eaten that excites sexual desire.  This was only a folk legend then and it is proven not to be an aphrodisiac.  But, when the Hebrews hear about this in the story of Rachel and Leah, everything takes on a new aspect.  God once again is teaching His elect, His “bride,”  His chosen people He redeemed and delivered from the house of slaves, Egypt. 

So, come let us return to Haran.  Let us return to the tents of Jacob.  Let’s return and go deeper in our understanding of the main books of the Bible in Jesus’ day.  The books that testify of Yeshua HaMashiach, the Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret in Timna Park just north of Eilat Israel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

LESSON 68 PART 1

In part 1 we consider verses 1-5 of chapter 28 and it seems that these testify of Adoneinu Yeshua HaMaschiach, our Lord Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  For one thing Aaron, whose Heavenly Father is the God of Abraham, was the High priest and his sons, also sons of their Father, the God of Abraham, the first priests to serve with their dad.  But, what about us?  Jesus, the Son of the Father, is the High Priest of a heavenly priesthood, and us, adopted "sons of the Father" and priests, a royal priesthood as we see in 1 Pete. 2:9.  Aaron and his sons are priests of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and the one and only Almighty God.  And us.  We with our Lord Jesus are sons of the Father and are priests of the King of Kings and Lord of Lords and the one and only Almighty God.  So amazing.  And there's more.  So much more.

We will study the fact that special clothes are required to be a priest.  Aaron has special clothes that are holy and made for glory and are to be beautiful. 

They must be worn when the minister in the Holy of Holies.  But, we are priests.  Is God telling us that we too should be cognizant of how we dress we we come to worship Him and praise Him and as a congregation lift up our reverence and honor to the Lord?  Perhaps.  It seems possible that God is concerned with not only the status of our hearts (our internal status of righteousness) but also the way we manifest ourselves in worship services (our external appearance) in church.  We'll see how many in the church today misinterpret verses to support dressing down and even sloppy to church. 

This entire lesson has to do with being disciples of Yeshua.  You just read one connection above.  Aaron is High Priest and his sons are priest and they have a Father, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.  And we are disciples of Rabbi Yeshua.  Thus we are to be like HIM.  He is the Son of the Father as well as us and Jesus is the High Priest and we are priests of the High priest all sons of the Father.  This is one connection in verses 1-5 of Exodus 28.  There's more and one needs to really understand what it means to be a true disciple of Jesus.  If we do then so much of what is presented will be more understandable and it will expand and enhance your understanding.

I highly recommend you also access the lessons of Ray Vander Laan – a proven and credible Bible scholar and teacher - at his website http://www.ThattheWorldMayKnow.com.  I will link you to his article on the Rabbis and Talmideem (Rabbis and Disciples).  I thank Ray so much for being my teacher and being the one who has inspired me to study this concept in a deeper and more expansive way.  Also, at his website, click LEARN and look up his AUDIO lessons and rabbis and disciples.  You will not be disappointed.  Here’s links to key places on Ray’s website and the article on Rabbi and Talmidim (a must read) https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/rabbi-and-talmidim Audio lessons (listen to all audio with the word disciple or rabbi or talmid) https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/category/Audio

Recently Ray Vander Laan did an extensive video Bible study series on Rabbi and Disciples.  It is available for purchase with leader guides and many notes.  Again, Ray will teach the Bible in its historical context and teach us what a disciple is the way Jesus meant it.  Check out the link below.  This is a Bible study you need to do at your church.  You’ll also find at least one free session you can preview when you access the link.  Here it is …

https://store.focusonthefamily.com/rvl-discipleship?srsltid=AfmBOoqYpL_2JKlZdp6V8owxJOpMlAd9AyKz7o1047KP0sU--Rc1P-f8

Another key aspect to the Holy Place was the Menorah.  In the Jewish culture of Yeshua’s day and before, the Menorah was looked upon in several ways.  Dr. John D. Garr, Ph.D., Th.D Founder, Restoration Foundation, wrote an article that gets at the Jewish roots of our faith so we can understand the Menorah the way they did then.  And again, the Menorah seems to also represent Jesus and us since He said He is the Light of the World and so are we.  This is an article you don’t want to miss.  Here’s the link - https://archive.bridgesforpeace.com/letter/gods-lamp-mans-light-mysteries-of-the-menorah/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

( Ferret - teaching in a wadi somewhere in the Negev)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link -click here for the teacher's background

AUDIO SESSION

We now come to Haran with יַעֲקֹב Ya'akov, or, as we know him, Jacob.  He is now about to meet two great women of the Bible, Rachel and Leah.  In this lesson we start considering each of these women and to study their traits and characteristics.  One thing for sure is the creation of the state of Israel (which is Jacob's other name) all began because Jacob was so taken in by Rachel's physical attractiveness and beauty.  God knew this.  He knew the effect Rachel had on men.  Clearly, God engineered the meeting at the well so that the rest of the story would unfold as per יְהֹוָה Yahvay's, the Lord's, plan.  

So, Rachel was ravishing, a beauty of Haran, but Leah, what about her?  Some say she had "weak" eyes.  Some say Leah was hated.  Some say Leah as less preferable than Rachel.  Really?  Once again if you only focus on the English and not the Hebrew we get the wrong ideas of Leah and the amazing lady she was.  Moses, who wrote all this under God's inspiration, actually writes to show us that it is God, it is יְהֹוָה Yahvay, the Lord, that Leah recognizes right from the get go as she begins to have children by Jacob.  But, how did Leah know the personal name of God?  God said to Moses at the burning bush that not even Abraham or Isaac or Jacob, or anyone else for that matter, knew His personal name which was first revealed at Sinai.  What's going on?  We need to study this further.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - outside a Bedouin tent in Timnah Park just north of Eilat Israel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

I highly recommend you watch lesson 66.  It is a Bible study video helping us clearly understand what the Tabernacle of the Lord looked like in the Exodus.  I was amazed at how the video of the text of Exodus 26 & 27 helped me understand the awesomeness of God's Mishkan HaKodesh, His Holy Dwelling tent (tabernace is tent in Latin).  I hope it will have the same result for you.

LINK - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-66-exod-261-2721-buidler-guide-to-building-gods-mishkan-hakodesh/

In this lesson we will focus on commentary on Exodus 26 & 27 now that we understand what the Tabernacle looked like.  The Tabernacle of the Lord might have cost over $150,000,000 by today’s measures.  That means the Egyptians probably gave over that to the Hebrew slaves.  The reason being later in Exodus we read …

"Now Bezalel and Oholiab, and every skillful person in whom the LORD has put skill and understanding to know how to perform all the work in the construction of the sanctuary, shall perform in accordance with all that the LORD has commanded." Then Moses called Bezalel and Oholiab and every skillful person in whom the LORD had put skill, everyone whose heart stirred him, to come to the work to perform it. They received from Moses all the contributions which the sons of Israel had brought to perform the work in the construction of the sanctuary. And they still continued bringing to him freewill offerings every morning. And all the skillful men who were performing all the work of the sanctuary came, each from the work which he was performing, and they said to Moses, "The people are bringing much more than enough for the construction work which the LORD commanded us to perform." So Moses issued a command, and a proclamation was circulated throughout the camp, saying, "Let no man or woman any longer perform work for the contributions of the sanctuary." Thus the people were restrained from bringing any more. For the material they had was sufficient and more than enough for all the work, to perform it. (Exo 36:1-7)

Below is an overview of the potential cost of the Tabernacle as specified in Exodus.  This was accessed using a Google A.I. search on 9/10/25.

The Biblical Tabernacle's cost by today's value is estimated to be well over $150 million, with one estimate reaching $200 million, factoring in the vast quantities of precious metals like gold and silver, expensive materials, skilled labor, and the value of the land. The exact figure is impossible to determine precisely due to the archaic nature of some materials and the challenges of accurately valuing the labor and craftsmanship of the time. [1, 2, 3, 5]

Key Factors in the Tabernacle's Estimated Cost

• Precious Metals: The Tabernacle contained enormous amounts of gold and silver. For example, 29 talents of gold is roughly 2,193 pounds. At current gold prices (around $2,000 per ounce or $32,000 per pound), this amount alone would be worth tens of millions of dollars. [3]
• Other Materials: The structure also required other expensive materials such as fine linens, acacia wood, and precious stones for the priest's robes. [2, 6]
• Skilled Labor: The construction demanded a large number of highly skilled craftsmen, and their labor would be a significant part of the cost. Valuing this workforce in modern terms adds substantially to the total. [1]
• Craftsmanship and Design: The intricate designs and the spiritual significance of the Tabernacle would add immeasurable value, even if it were possible to fully replicate its construction. [7, 8]
• Why an Exact Figure is Impossible
• Valuing Ancient Labor: It is difficult to accurately estimate the value of ancient skilled labor in today's economy. [1]
• Rarity of Materials: The specific qualities and sources of some materials, like the acacia wood, are challenging to account for in modern terms. [2]
• Historical Context: The sheer scale of the project and the unique spiritual and cultural context of the time make any direct cost comparison difficult. [9, 10]
• [1] https://www.reddit.com/r/Christianity/comments/1f4ls4a/got_curious_and_did_the_math_on_how_much_the/
• [2] https://ifiwalkedwithjesus.com/exodus-3821-31-cost-of-construction/
• [3] https://www.onenewmanbible.com/quantities-of-gold-silver-and-bronze-in-the-tabernacle/
• [5] https://theisraelbible.com/tabernacle-accounting-a-precedent-for-honest-business-dealings/
• [6] https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-tabernacle-a-concession-to-human-religious-needs
• [7] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_tabernacle
• [8] https://www.ebsco.com/research-starters/religion-and-philosophy/tabernacle
• [9] https://armstronginstitute.org/194-jerusalems-temples-the-archaeological-evidence
• [10] https://jerseycatholic.org/tabernacles-change-through-time-but-have-always-been-where-god-dwells-photos-2

Another amazing historical fact is the status of GOLD in ancient Egypt.  At the time of the Exodus, likely 1446 B.C., the main god of Egypt was Amun Ra, a double god of Amun and Ra.  Ra was the god who was considered the sun and the sun was associated with gold.  Here’s an article accessed on 9/10/25 via Google A.I.

Yes, ancient Egyptians believed gold was the "skin of the gods" and the "flesh of the gods," symbolizing the eternal and indestructible essence of the divine. This belief, particularly linking gold to the sun god Ra and the immortal qualities of the afterlife, led to its extensive use in decorating tombs, sarcophagi, statues, and royal regalia to ensure the pharaohs' divine transition and continued existence in the afterlife. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6]

Significance of Gold in Ancient Egypt

• Divine Material: Gold was considered a divine and everlasting material with magical properties, a symbol of permanence and immortality. [2, 7]
• The Sun God Ra: Gold was closely associated with the sun god Ra, whose flesh was believed to be golden and brilliant like the sun itself. [2, 5]
• Royal Divinity: Pharaohs, considered divine beings, used gold to reflect their status and ensure a divine transition into the afterlife. [4, 5]
• Afterlife and Immortality: Gold was used in funerary objects, tombs, and mummy masks to provide a divine, indestructible body for the pharaoh in the afterlife, impervious to decay and demons. [3, 8]
• Symbolic and Ritualistic Use: Gold was not just a symbol of wealth but a sacred object used in rituals and to adorn sacred items, connecting the mortal world to the divine. [1, 3]

Examples of its Use

• Tombs and Sarcophagi: Royal tombs and sarcophagi were lavishly decorated with gold to ensure the pharaoh's eternal reign. [2, 4]
• Funerary Masks: Mummies were sometimes given gold tongues to help them communicate with the gods in the afterlife, as seen in findings at the Quweisna necropolis. [7]
• Statues and Ornaments: Gold was used to adorn statues of gods and goddesses, as well as royal jewelry, to reflect their divine power and connection. [3, 6]
• Royal Titles: The title "The Golden Horus" was part of the pharaoh's royal titulary, reinforcing their divine connection. [2, 6]
• [1] https://www.goldchef.shop/en/magazine-the-history-of-edible-gold/
• [2] http://www.egyptianmyths.net/gold.htm
• [3] https://robinsonsjewelers.com/blogs/news/in-ancient-egypt-gold-was-considered-to-be-the-flesh-of-the-gods
• [4] https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-history-gold-art-ancient-egyptian-burial-masks-jeff-koons
• [5] https://www.americanstandardgold.com/blog/gold-and-the-gods-myths-power-sacred-metals.cfm
• [6] https://www.egypttoursportal.com/blog/ancient-egyptian-civilization/ancient-egypt-gold/
• [7] https://www.newsweek.com/ancient-egyptian-mummies-given-gold-tongues-talk-god-underworld-1762679
• [8] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luP8aP4NuvY
• [9] https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/colouryellow/

Once again we see in this video podcast that the Torah testifies of Jesus.  This is just as He taught us in …

“You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me.” (Joh 5:39)

In this video one way Exodus 26 & 27 connected with the Messiah, our Lord and God, is through light.  I recommend you check out an awesome vidcast (video podcast) from Light of Menorah entitled, “The Chiasm of Light.” 

It is a Bible study video showing that the Bible from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21 is all about Yeshua HaMashiach Adoneinu – Jesus the Messiah (the Christ) our Lord.

Link to “The Chiasm of Light” - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-18-the-chiasm-of-the-light/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret on  the Sea of Galilee)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

This vidcast (video podcast) is an awesome way of understanding the building of God's Tabernacle (Latin for tent).  This video study will bring to life Exodus chapters 26 and 26 which are difficult to read due to the detail.

In the Bible the word tabernacle is used to translate the word מִשְׁכָּן MISHKAN H4908 meaning a dwelling or a hut or a tent.  It also is used to translate the word אֹהֶל O'HELL H168 meaning tent or covering.  I promise you that after this video study you'll get an awesome real understanding of the מִשְׁכָּן הקודש Mishkan HaKodesh, the Holy Dwelling (tabernacle) of the Lord.  

Check out these awesome links of videos of the tabernacle.  These will be so helpful for your study.

Link 1 - Bible-Scenes - all the videos have a special use license - they can be used by anyone on any platform (not for commercial use) for teaching and ministry - www.Bible-Scenes.com

Link 2 - free videos that can be downloaded - a great site for your future study -

1) https://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/bs-tabernacle-walkthrough/

2) https://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/bs-ark-covenant/

3) https://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/bs-tabernacle-covering/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - somewhere in Timnah Park - site of the Tabernacle)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Jacob and Bet El (pronounced BATE EL) is given the same promises (check it out in Gen. 28:13-15 and 12:1-3) that were given to his grand pa Abraham but not that Jacob’s name will be famous.  The covenant with Abraham and his seed (Hebrew meaning descendants) is amazing.  For through Abraham and his seed all the families of all the nations will be blessed.  However, in this lesson we’ll see that the Hebrew has an alternative meaning.  It is bigger than we thought.  Blessed is perhaps NOT the right way of using the conceptual meaning in this context.

We need to understand that there is a missing piece in how Adonai put together the Torah.  Once we get this the event of Jacob’s dream and his encounter with the Lord takes us to the cross.  Even the great rabbis of Judaism saw it.  They saw that there is something missing in the Torah.

Consider Rabbi Akiva’s words in the Talmud. 

"Rabbi Akiva says that if those subject to the punishment of karet repent, the Heavenly beit-din [court] grants them remission." (Makkot 13b)

Karet is a Hebrew word that means an offense, a sin, that is done on purpose or intentionally.  It is so serious that an offense of Karet cuts one off from being a part of Israel and as per Torah, as per the very words of God, karet is never ever forgiven or cleansed.  Rabbi Akiva, however, thinks the Torah is wrong.  He says Karet can be forgiven is by repentance.  What?  The Bible never says that.  The Lord never ever said that serious sins can be cleansed or forgiven by simply repenting.  What we are seeing is Akiva’s opinion and not the very words of God in His Torah.  We are also seeing that Akiva is implying that Yom Kippur does not take care of intentional sin.  He is implying that the sin sacrifice or the sacrifice of goats or sheep or bulls is insufficient to cleanse one’s Karet done intentionally.

Maimonides’ says it another way. 

The more one confesses and elaborates on this matter, the more praiseworthy he is. And, also, those under an obligation to bring sin‑offerings and trespass‑offerings, who bring their sacrifices for sins committed either in error or willfully, are not acquitted [of their sins] by means of these offerings until they repent and confess in words… (https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-dimensions-of-repentance/)

In other words, sacrifice alone cannot bring acquittal; confession is a requirement and without it, repentance cannot take place.  But, once again Maimonides is clearly implying that the sacrifices and rituals of Yom Kippur do not take away sins done intentionally, on purpose, with the full realization on the sinner.

The writer of the book of Hebrews also agrees.  Recall …

and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption. (Heb 9:12)

Akiva and Maimonides and the author of Hebrews all agree.  The Torah is missing something.  There is no ritual, no sacrifice, no prayer that will assure us of totally forgiveness. Maimonides and Akiva’s opinion is that one must truly repent and confess.  But, the the book of Hebrews and John and Paul, agreeing with these great rabbis, teaches us what the missing piece is. It is clearly explained by the disciple John as we read …

"... but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." (1Jn 1:7-9)

And then we read Paul’s word that Jesus, God Himself, cleanses us by the blood.

"Be on guard for yourselves and for all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” (Act 20:28)

So, we see we must repent.  We see that we must confess.  But God is saying that someone must pay the price for our since.  Akiva and Maimonides never addressed this.  Someone must purchase us, in Hebrew redeem us, to be set free of the punishment of our Karet, our sin against the Lord done intentionally and willfully. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?

(Ferret - top of the ancient city of Gath)

What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link -

 https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

It's over.  God's wrath is fully played out against Egypt and the gods of Egypt.  We now begin the journey to the PROMISED LAND.  But before we head out the whole group of Hebrews and Moses sing a song, the Song by the Sea. 

Is this the Song of Moses as referenced in Rev. 15:1-3 ...'

Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished. And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God. And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying,  "Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! (Rev 15:1-3)

This is the only place in the entire Bible where one finds the phrase "the song of Moses." So, what is this song?  Some say it is the Song by the Sea we are studying in Exod. 15.  But, the Bible doesn't say that.  It doesn't even call it the Song by the Sea. 

So, we find that many have OPINIONS and VIEWS as to what is the Song of Moses and say it is the Song by the Sea.  However, there are places where the phrase "the Song of Moses" is used.  It is found in Jewish literature and Torah commentary.  All of a sudden we see that John, who is a Jew, when he, under the Lord's inspiration, wrote the Revelation, uses the phrase "the song of Moses" that seemingly was well understood in Second Temple Judaism.  Then it was simply called THE SONG.  It so happens it refers to Deut. 32:1-43.  

So we have two songs.  The Song by the Sea and the the song God commands Moses to write down and teach all Israel.  So, which one is the Song of Moses?  This is very interesting.

In this lesson I tell of an awesome day for me and my wife Robin in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem.  I was taking Bible geography class for my masters program and we stopped outside the Jewish gift shop, Shosharim.  Shosharim means "the roots."  See the picture below.

It is owned by Rabbi Moses Kempinski and his brother.  The rabbi is a great guy and loves to talk the Word of the Lord with Jews and Gentiles.  He wants all to learn their ROOTS, their SHOSHARIM, the Jewish Roots of their faith both for those practicing Judaism and Christians.  Our class was outside the shop and we got into an awesome dialogue with Moses - in Hebrew Moses is pronounced MOSHAY.  See the picture of Rabbi Kempinski below.

Rabbi Kempinski then asked us a question.  The question was where did the phrase "saved by grace" come from?  The answer was so so awesome.  It literally blew me away.  It is related to the Song by the Sea.  Once again we see the truth of God's word and that God doesn't change and is the same then, now and forever.  God's word is firmly settled in the universe.  What was true today, was true in Paul's day, David's day, and in 1446 B.C. by Yam Suf, the Sea of Reeds.  

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Once again we see that scripture testifies of the Messiah, Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus the Christ.  Just as He taught in John 5:39 said between 24-30 A.D. when all they had was the Hebrew Scriptures or the Old Testament.  Starting in lesson 62 (see links to Lesson 62, 63, and 64 below) we saw that Yahvay, the LORD, came to dwell WITH His people.  But, when He was here, the LORD, Jesus, came to dwell IN His people.  In Exodus God had a temporary dwelling place, a tent.  In Jesus’ day it was said our human body was a TENT and Jesus came to dwell in His human body, His tent.  There are more like the Menorah is looked upon as symbolizing the LIGHT OF THE WORLD shines in the darkness of the Holy Place.  And Jesus.  He is the LIGHT OF THE WORLD and He came to shine for men caught in the darkness of sin. 

The lessons 62-65 must be treated as one unit.  It is highly recommended that you listen and study with me in lesson 62 and 63 and 64 before you listen to this lesson 65.  Here are the links for 62-64.

Link 62 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-62-exod-251-8-the-waypoint-on-the-hike-through-torah/

Link 63 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-63-exod-2510-16-the-ark-of-the-covenant/

Link 64 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-64-exod-2510-22-the-mercy-seat-and-the-blodd-of-the-lamb/

An important earlier lesson in this study of Exodus is the podcast Bible study that shows that the Hebrews likely assimilated into the Egyptian culture.  Thus, it makes sense that Yahvay, the LORD, would use the things of Egypt, things the Hebrews, His beloved chosen people, were familiar with.  He was trying to reach them in the Torah, His instruction, and NOT us.  It was written to them THEN.  So, here’s the link to that key podcast study - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/the-gospel-according-to-moses-lesson-4-part-2-exod-211-25/

Here’s a layout of the Mishkan HaKodesh Eloheem or the Holy Dwelling Tent of God commonly known from Latin as the Tabernacle (tent).  It is public domain found at Wikimedia.

You can great a great tour (video) of the entire Holy Tent of Yahvay, the LORD, at the link below.  The video link is in the upper right.

Link - https://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/bs-tabernacle-walkthrough/

In this Bible study podcast I mentioned two articles I found related to the rituals of the Egyptian priest each morning.  They would prepare a large breakfast for the god of the Temple.  The meal was fruit, veggies, beer, meats, bread, and wine.  For the Hebrews coming out of Egypt when they see the Table of the Bread of the Presence it is likely that they thought of this connection to Egypt. 

See the articles below.

In my research I did a search of the phrase “Egyptian priests work in secret.” The search resulted in this “AI” article below.

It's generally accepted that ancient Egyptian priests did work in secret, particularly in certain aspects of their duties and knowledge.

Here's why:

• Guardians of Sacred Knowledge: Priests were seen as guardians of secrets given by the gods, particularly in the realm of magic (Heka).
• Restricted Temple Access: Only priests were allowed into the innermost sanctuaries of the temples, where the cult statues of the deities resided. These inner rooms were considered sacred spaces, and the general public was barred from them.
• Initiation Rites: Initiation into the priesthood often involved sacred and secretive rituals, including trials and tests of knowledge. These rites aimed to transform the initiate, moving them from one state of being to another.
• Preservation of Knowledge: Temple libraries, known as "House of Life," were repositories of ancient religious, medical, and astronomical texts. These texts were preserved and transmitted through generations of priests, suggesting a guarded transmission of knowledge.
• Funerary Practices: Specific funerary texts, such as the Pyramid Texts and the Book of the Dead, contained spells and incantations meant to guide the deceased in the afterlife. These texts were used by priests, indicating a certain level of specialized knowledge required for navigating the afterlife.

However, it's important to note:

• Public Festivals: While daily temple rituals were restricted, priests did participate in public religious festivals where the image of the god was carried outside the temple, allowing the public to interact with the deity.
• Role of Pharaoh: The Pharaoh was considered the ultimate intermediary between the gods and the people, and priests acted under the Pharaoh's overarching control, though they had their own specialized roles.

In conclusion, ancient Egyptian priests maintained a degree of secrecy, especially in their access to sacred knowledge and the performance of certain rituals within the temples. This secrecy stemmed from their role as mediators between the divine and human realms, and their responsibility in preserving and transmitting the sacred traditions and beliefs of ancient Egypt.  Please check out the links below to further your study on the Egyptian priests.

https://www.egypttoursportal.com/en-us/blog/ancient-egyptian-civilization/ancient-egyptian-priests/

https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-egyptian-magicians

https://www.bbc.co.uk/history/ancient/egyptians/magic_01.shtml

https://www.albanyinstitute.org/ancient-egyptian-art-and-culture?file=tl_files/pages/education/lesson_plans/Ancient%20Egypt/PriestsinAncientEgypt.pdf&cid=3221

It is proven archaeologically and from the ancient literature that no one knows what the original Menorah looked like.  Today orthodox rabbis debate as to the details of the Menorah.  One verse that we emphasized was Exod. 25:40, “"See that you make them after the pattern for them, which was shown to you on the mountain.” (Exo 25:40)  So many today say Moses was in Heaven when the LORD Yahvay showed Moses the various aspects of the Mishkan HaKodesh.  But, that is not what the Bible says.  Moses is on the mountain and was not taken from earth.  Perhaps the LORD showed Moses a plant that is common throughout the Middle East and in the Sinai.  It is called today “SALVIA PALAESTINA” and it is amazing that it looks like the Menorah.  Could it be that God shows Moses this plant on the mountain in the Sinai (could be that one was growing close to the area where Moses and Yahvay, the LORD, met.  See the picture below of THE MENORAH PLANT.

A scholarly article that shows this is possible can be found at the link below.  It was written by Dr. Martin Gruber, professor emeritus at Ben Gurion University of the Negev.

LINK - https://janes.scholasticahq.com/article/55699-the-salvia-plant-and-the-menorah-revisited/attachment/120208.pdf

Finally, it was suggested in the Jerusalem Publication Society Exodus commentary by Dr. Nahum Sarna, that the art work of the Menorah in Exodus 25 is clearly associated with the artwork of the ancient Egyptians dated to the Late Bronze Age.  See the picture below for a chart showing the Bronze Age and its divisions and dates for the early, middle and late bronze age.  This picture is from Wikimedia and is public domain.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret in Wadi Elah - location of the fight between David and Goliath)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In lesson 4 part 2 in the Exodus series of podcasts it is seen that the Hebrews, probably starting after Joseph died in the last chapter of Genesis, assimilated into the culture and customs of ancient Egypt.  They bought into the wrong “story.”  I said I’d link you to the lesson in the Exodus series.  It is critical that you listen to that podcast and understand the truth of the fact that the Hebrews assimilated into the Egyptian culture.  It is so critical since it helps us understand the Torah, the first five books of the Bible, even from Genesis chapter 1 verse 1.  Here’s the link - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-wdzur-f82194

And one aspect of the mythology of ancient Egypt has everything to do with ladders! In the ancient Pyramid texts dated to 2500 B.C. and still used in the days of Moses in 1446 B.C. there was the idea of the pharaoh needing a ladder to get to heaven.  The ladder was provided by the gods so that the pharaoh could have a way to be with the gods in Egyptian paradise.  Shown below is a picture found in one of the temples in ancient Egypt showing the ladder concept.

So, you are a Hebrew.  You are free and not a slave any more.  You hear that Moses is writing the books of God’s instruction; God’s instruction means תורה Torah.  Torah means instruction and not law.  You’ll be one of the first to hear what he wrote.  It was perhaps understood then that Yahvay, the LORD, was somehow inspiring Moses to write these documents.  So, what would you think when you came to the story of Jacob’s dream and the ladder to the heavens?  You’d remember it from Egyptian mythology.  But this time, the one, the true God, the only God, is helping you understand it is HE who gives us the way to Himself and not the Egyptian gods or pharaoh.  It is the Lord who provides the WAY back to Himself since you probably heard the 1st book Moses wrote.  Genesis.  In that book you heard that the way to paradise, the way back to the Father was closed.  But now, as you hear about Jacob’s dream it is as if God is trying to say there is good news, the “gospel.”  It is as if God seems to say that one day the way back will be provided by the Lord. 

The dream of Jacob is an awesome and powerful lesson.  As we put it back into its historical context it even gets more profound. Come.  Join us.  Let us return to that ancient place that Jacob named בֵּית אֵל Bayt El, Bethel, the dwelling of God. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Lesson 39 Part 3 – ALL SCRIPTURE TESTIFIES OF ME – Jesus says this sometime between 24-30 A.D. and we read it in John 5:39. All they had then was the Hebrew Scriptures.  So those who first heard Jesus, who did not have the New Testament, it was clear Jesus was saying that the Torah and even Exodus 14, the chapter we are studying in lesson 39, testify of Jesus.  How?  Get ready.  Get your seat belts on.  The rescue at ים סוף Yam Suf – the sea of Reeds – connects us to Jesus and the final victory of His over death.

Also, we again encounter the ANGEL OF GOD or the ANGEL OF THE LORD.  In lesson 32 in Genesis we dealt with this in detail and showed how the Angel of the Lord is GOD, a manifestation of God to us in the flesh so that we will not die yet "see the Lord."  Here’s the link to lesson 32 in Genesis dealing with the Angel of the Lord. Link - https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-zfndi-fd62d0

In part 2 of lesson 39 we will study how this relates to the dogma of the Trinity.  We say there are three PERSONS in one God.  Once again we are reading it in English when it was actually written in Greek almost 2000 years ago.  The Greek word that we translate as PERSON today is not what the Greek word means then and in the New Testament.  It means FACE or mask.  Just like when Jesus said to Philip in John 14 that if we SEE Jesus, one might say see His face, then we have SEEN the Father.  We have seen the face of the Father.  And, we did not die.  God told Moses that we can’t see Him or we will die.  God actually said in the Hebrew that we can not see His FACES!  We can see a face of God, like Jesus.  We can see another face of God like the Angel of the Lord.  But, we can’t see His FACES – like all of them together.  The Greek word we translated as person, if we keep it in its original meaning as FACE, the dogma of the Trinity becomes a concept we can perhaps begin to grasp.  Jesus is God.  He is one with God.  He is one of the faces of God.  When we see Jesus we see God, a manifestation of God Himself. 

Who is the Egyptian god of the wind?  This god is named Shu.  Shu is the awesome god in Egyptian mythology, the wind, who held up the sky. 

Did Pharaoh think that it was Shu, the god of the wind, that blew all night to create a path through the chaos of the sea so he could then capture the Hebrews and Moses and return them to slavery.  Did Pharaoh think his gods were fighting for him?  It seems likely and it fits so well in this narrative.  To read more about this Egyptian god here are a few good links …

Link 1 - https://ancientegyptonline.co.uk/shu/

Link 2 - http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/shu.htm

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

* NO BLOOD SACRIFICE FOR INTENTIONAL SINS

As we saw in this lesson the sin sacrifice is only for UNINTENTIONAL SINS (Lev. 4:1); those sins committed mistakenly or in error or with no understanding by the one doing the act.  The Hebrew word used is Shag-ah-ga שְׁגָגָה (H7684) which means a mistake or inadvertent transgression, and error, a act of sin done in ignorance, an act done with the "sinner" unawares, or a sinful act done unwittingly. 

This is not our understanding of sin as Christians.  To us as Christians we have been taught that all sin, every sin is an act disobeying the Lord on purpose or INTENTIONALLY.  No one teaches in the church today that in the Hebrew scriptures there are two types of sin UNINTENTIONAL and INTENTIONAL.  And it is so clear, so precise, so exact that יהוה Yahvay, the LORD, our God teaches in His TORAH in Leviticus that the sin sacrifice is ONLY for UNINTENTIONAL sin. 

I have done a number of lessons on this and have gone more in depth.  I will again come back to this again and again especially when we reach Exodus 34 and Leviticus 16.  So, you may not want to wait till I get there in this podcast series.  So, below are links to resources to help you dig deeper into this Torah concept of sin; that is, sin that is unintentional and intentional.  You'll be able to see that Jewish theologians as far back as 100 years or so after Jesus said there was NO ritual, no sacrifice, no atonement for intentional sin.  One might say the תורה Torah which brings us the NEW COVENANT at Sinai was incomplete.  How is it made complete?  How will it be FINISHED?  Ready?  Here's the links.

Link 1 - a podcast on unintentional and intentional sin as it relates to the Lord's special appointed time of YOM KIPPUREEM - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/fall-feasts-of-the-lord-yom-kippureem-episode-1-it-is-finished/

Link 2 - a short 5 minute video that gets into this topic and shows the connection of the Sinai Covenant and that Yeshua completes the covenant at the cross - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-episode-9-rom-104-it-is-finished/

Link 3 - this is a chapter from one of my class books that focuses on the Lord's special day of Yom Kippureem and the issue of unintentional and intentional sin -  https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/za1ss9s0gcmp7evzp5ops/Lsn2-Fall-Feasts-2019-31-...74.pdf?rlkey=0tt9vhgfl50joiaskt2tzjqea&st=86mkwjfd&dl=0

* ATONEMENT, FORGIVENESS, PROPITIATION, EXPIATION - Jesus and Yom Kippureem

This is an appropriate place to go into the definitions of these words. I have heard sermons on these words but never did I understand what they meant.  I was never taught the subtle nuances of these critical words as they relate to our salvation the very words of the Lord. 

In this lesson about the "mercy seat" and how it connects to Leviticus 16 and the Lord's special appointed time of Yom Kippureem, it seems appropriate to explain these words in some detail.  

* ATONEMENT - it is an act(s) done by the guilty party, the sinner, to appease or satisfy the one you sinned against.  If I have hurt someone - whether it is unintentional or intentional - and I want to regain my relationship with that person I hurt I will atone for my "sin."  I will do things that hopefully will be enough for the one I hurt to accept my actions that I do to prove I am atoning and thus make things right again.  But, between us and God things are different. 

In the rituals of Yom Kippureem the atonement to make ourselves "right" before the LORD, the actions, are not done by the people but by Aaron the KOHEN HAGADOL כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל - High Priest.  This was only for unintentional sins since God commanded the use of a bull and a goat for the sacrifices as one can read in Leviticus 16.  When we consider Jesus we find He did the atonement for us.  He did the act - His sacrificial death on the cross - to do what was necessary as an act of atonement for us.  As Christians we do not atone for our sins, our INTENTIONAL sins.  As the Hebrew Scriptures shows there is no ritual, no sacrifice, that can be used as the act to bring us back in righteousness before the Lord.  It is only the act of Jesus, His death, that is the act of atonement.  Yes, we should confess our sin.  Yes, we should realize our guilt and bring this to the LORD in a prayer of admittance or contrition - contrition is not just a recitation of words; it's a personal act that involves both the heart and will. It expresses a sincere desire to be forgiven and to change one's behavior.  And. yes, we should know that by GRACE the LORD has given us the blood sacrifice, the crucifixion of the LAMB, as the act for our atonement.  

* FORGIVENESS - this is an acceptance of the atonement of the sinner by the one sinned against and an act by the one sinned against to show that the sinner is once again in good standing.  Atonement is done by the sinner.  Forgiveness is done by the person who was sinned against.  

Yom Kippureem the atonement is done by Aaron the KOHEN HAGADOL כֹּהֵן גָּדוֹל - High Priest.  Again this is only for unintentional sins since God commanded the use of a bull and a goat for the sacrifices as one can read in Leviticus 16.   And in Leviticus 4 and 16 we read the actual words of the Lord that the UNINTENTIONAL sins of Israel are cleansed, done away with, or, in other words, forgiven.   

But, there is NO act or acts that one can do as our personal atonement to be forgiven for our INTENTIONAL sins against the Lord in the Torah and in the New Covenant, the Sinai Covenant, we are studying.  The Sinai Covenant was "incomplete" and it is FINISHED only in Jesus and this is proven in the very words of God ...

• 1 John 1:9: "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." [2, 3, 5, 6]
• Acts 2:38: "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." [7]
• Ephesians 1:7: "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." [8]
• Colossians 1:14: "in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins." [4]
• Luke 7:48: "Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.”" [1]

* PROPITIATION - this is the act of appeasing the one who was sinned against.  In other words it is an act that the one sinned against agrees is sufficient to erase the debt of the sin and the guilt of the sinner and restore the sinner and the one who was sinned against.  So, atonement is an act done by the sinner to again be restored to the one who they sinned against.  But the one who atones may not do the right thing to appease the one sinned against.  The one sinned against says what the price is to be paid - the propitiation is determined by the one sinned against not the one who atones.  We want to be forgiven by the LORD and so we atone.  But, the propitiation is beyond our doing.  The only act to appease the Lord is the death of His Son, the sacrificial death of Yeshua for us.  Yeshua then takes our sin upon Himself and He does the act of atonement.  His atonement results in His obedience to go to the cross and die as the act, the only act, the only blood sacrifice, or the propitiation for our sin.  

* EXPIATION - this definition is quite simple.  It is the process which erases the guilt and the debt.  One of the best explanations I have read on the difference between EXPIATION and PROPITIATION is from Ligonier Ministries.  Here it is.  

Let‘s think about what these words mean, then, beginning with the word expiation. The prefix ex means “out of” or “from,” so expiation has to do with removing something or taking something away. In biblical terms, it has to do with taking away guilt through the payment of a penalty or the offering of an atonement. By contrast, propitiation has to do with the object of the expiation. The prefix pro means ”for,” so propitiation brings about a change in God‘s attitude, so that He moves from being at enmity with us to being for us. Through the process of propitiation, we are restored into fellowship and favor with Him.

(https://learn.ligonier.org/articles/two-important-words-good-friday-expiation-and-propitiation)

In this podcast lesson I mentioned that the KH ROO VEEM (in English Cherubim) are a familiar concept in the 15 century B.C.  Here are some pictures of various winged creatures used to guard and prevent access to that which they are protecting ... 

All these images are used by permission.  They are easily accessed at Wikimedia.

I had mentioned that one of my resources was Dr. Craig Keener.  He is a proven trustworthy source as we study the Bible in it historical context.  

• Genesis and the Garden of Eden: Keener highlights the cherubim stationed at the entrance to the Garden of Eden, tasked with guarding the Tree of Life after Adam and Eve's expulsion. He connects this to the broader theme of humanity's stewardship and the consequences of disobedience. [2]
• Ezekiel's Vision: Keener also explores the cherubim in Ezekiel's visions, where they are described as composite beings with four faces (man, lion, ox, and eagle) and multiple wings. He notes that these faces can be seen as representing different aspects of God's rule and creation. [4, 5]
• Ancient Near Eastern Context: Keener emphasizes that understanding cherubim requires considering their context within the ancient Near East. While some aspects of the cherubim are similar to imagery found in other temples, the cherubim in the Bible also have unique characteristics. [1, 2]
• Gradation of Holiness: Keener suggests that the cherubim's placement and the materials used near the ark in the tabernacle reflect a gradation of holiness, emphasizing the reverence for the divine presence. [1]

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

Ferret somewhere near the ancient site of Bethel in Israel.

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

This is the 2nd lesson on this amazing event - Jacob's dream of the ladder, the way to the Father.  In lesson 68 we focus on Jacob making a deal with God.  Check it out.  Jacob says as if speaking to the Lord that if you Lord do X, and if you Lord do Y, THEN, then and only then will you be my God.  So, is that what God wants us to see?  Is that what God is teaching in His Torah which does not mean LAW but INSTRUCTION?  Can it be?  Can it be that we can cone to God have today in these days of evil and chaos and make a deal?  Can we tell God, "Hey Lord, if you give us what we want politically or socially then we will your people?"  Can we buy Him off?  Is this the way to become "saved" by telling God to do our bidding.  If He does then we will be His son or daughter.    

In this lesson we face the fact that Israel coming out of Egypt were the targeted audience of God for the Torah.  God wanted them to learn something that they'd get since they assimilated into the pagan culture of Egypt.  It has to do with the ladder in Jacob's dream.  I mentioned this in this lesson.  Here's the link to the lesson in the Egyptian study series that shows the Hebrews assimilated - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-wdzur-f82194

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? 

(Ferret in Timna Park just north of Eilat Israel)

What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In part 2 of lesson 39 we return to Exod. 14 and study Pharaoh’s heart, God’s glory, and how to “know” the Lord.  We read the Bible in English and we read the words heart, glory, and the phrase “to know.”  If we stay in the English we miss so much as to the actual Hebrew.  God wants all Egyptians "to know" Him and it connects us to Jesus when He said ...

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'  (Mat 7:21-23)

Jesus, God, is saying the same thing to us.  He wants not just for us to believe in Him but to know Him.  But, what does it mean?  What did it mean in Exod. 14?  What did Jesus mean?  He is God and He doesn't change as in Mal. 3:6.  So, we need to grasp what God wants when He say He wants all Egypt, all Israel, and all nations to KNOW Him.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

As we enter our "journey" studying the details of the Mishkan KaKodesh Yahvay, the Holy Dwelling of the LORD,  known as the Tabernacle, we find just reading the details is not inspiring or exciting reading.  All this detail, however, must have its purpose.  We again recall Jesus' words ...

"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me" (Joh 5:39)

So for us, as aspiring disciples of Adonai Yeshua, would conclude these chapters related to the Holy Dwelling Place of the Lord will testify of Jesus.  Just like He said.   Thus, we need to pay attention to the words carefully and get help.  We need access to excellent and credible Christian Bible scholars or Messianic Jewish Bible scholars to help us "see" Jesus in these texts.  We need to make sure that what they present is solid and Biblically based and simply not their imagination or opinions of crazy flights of fancy. 

For me, I will put the Bible back into its historical context and seek the help of archaeology, geography, history, the customs and the cultures of the ancient Middle East (in the case Egypt), and even the languages of the ancient Middle East to help us see the connections between the specific aspects of the Tabernacle.  I will access key scholars like Dr. John Currid or Dr. Craig Keener and his, "Cultural Backgrounds Study Bible," or such resources as the "Archaeological Study Bible" from either Zondervan or Crossway publishers.  I too want to "see" Jesus but I want to do it in such as way that it makes sense and connects us with the earthly dwelling tent of the Lord and all its rituals to give us a picture so we can be better able to understand the hidden spiritual concepts of the Lord and His redemption plan.

I mentioned several links I would provide.  The first is a very special video podcast I did entitled, "The Chiasm of the Light."  It is a Bible study of a concept called CHIASMS.  It is a literary structure used again and again in the Bible.  It is amazing that this literary structure seems to be used by God to show us absolutely that from Genesis 1:1 (the 1st verse in the Bible) to Revelation 22:21 (the last verse in the Bible), that it is all about Yeshua HaMaschiack, Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  Tis implies as we read on into Exodus and the details the Lord provides on His Holy Dwelling Tent, then we are trusting these verses will testify of Jesus as He said, as God said, in John 5:39.  Check it out.

Link -

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-18-the-chiasm-of-the-light/

Another fun resource is from the website "Free Bible Images."  This link will provide you with amazing pictures of the Ark of the Covenant of the Dwelling Tent of Adonai (the Tabernacle).  I will be using this link again and again as we focus our study on a specific item in God's Beit HaMikdash, the Holy Dwelling of the Lord.   

Link (pictures - look for with box on the upper right that says VIDEO LINK to also access an awesome video)) -

https://www.freebibleimages.org/illustrations/bs-tabernacle-ark-covenant/

I study and rely on professional archaeological journals.  One is "Bible and Spade," a publication from the Christian archaeological group called,"Associates for Bible Research."  The second is the journal called, "Biblical Archaeology Review," from "The Biblical Archaeology Society."  If you are serious about Bible study, if you are serious about getting the best resources available to help you go deeper, these two journals are a must.  A few pastors who have attended my classes now subscribe and have told me it has changed their sermon prep immensely. 

In this podcast I access an awesome article from "Biblical Archaeology Review" addressing the Ark of the Covenant.  It is clear tha archaeology shows us that the Lord told Moses of specific things Moses was familiar with in Egypt to use as a model or a pattern for what the Lord wanted in the Beit HaMikdash, His Holy Dwelling.  In this way the people, the Hebrews would be able to easily make the connection as to God's purposes since they are seeing things that resemble things they saw in their 400 some years in Egypt.  Here's the link to the article.

Link - https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-artifacts/artifacts-and-the-bible/ark-of-the-covenant-in-egyptian-context/

In this podcast we dealt with CANOPIC JARS.  The jars contained specific body organs of a pharaoh that are removed from the pharaoh's body before mummification.  These organs are put in the canopic jars and are buried with the pharaoh in his tomb. 

Below is a picture of canopic jars I bought in Egypt on one of my several study and research trips.   

Many of us are familiar with King Tut.  His actual name is Too-tank-ham-moon.  Canopic jars were found in his tomb in the Valley of the Kings across from Luxor Egypt.  His jars were put in a special box, a special "ark" if you will, called the chest of Annubis.  This was found in King Tut's tomb along with the canopic jars.  

Annubis is the Egyptian god of the underworld.  Annubis is to guard the four body organs of the deceased, the liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines as they are removed from the body of the deceased so the body can be mummified or preserved to meet with the gods after death.  Supposedly then the four organs, the liver, lungs, stomach, and intestines will be replaced into the body when the body is resurrected to live forever with the gods.   The Hebrews in the days of Exodus would have known this.  They would have understood the special nature of this box, the chest of Annubis.

Here is a link to an awesome video about Canopic Jars.  It is made for kids but, for me, it is done so well I think you'll enjoy this wonderful scholarly video about these jars and the ancient Egyptian culture.

Link to video - https://www.historyforkids.net/canopic-jars.html

 So archaeology and history gives us added insight into what those Hebrews coming out of Egypt probably understood.  Yahvay, the Lord, God, wanted to give them something concrete, something they knew and understood, something physical that they could then be able to begin to grasp the Spiritual concepts of what God is teaching or things in the heavens.  God does not need a box like the Ark of the Covenant.  He does not need a tent or a Holy Dwelling Place where He is beyond the heavens and the earth.  But, His people need them.  Moses needs them.  We need them.  We'll see in this lesson the Spiritual aspects of God wanting to "camp out" with His people.  He needed a "TENT," that we call a tabernacle, to give His people a concrete object to grasp that the Lord was with them.  And, Yahvay used it again in John 1:14 in that He came to "camp out" with us again in His human tent.  

God creates physical things for us to picture those difficult Spiritual concepts or things that are in heaven, or the places above.  He did this right from the get go in His Torah in the first verse of Genesis.  If you haven't studied these podcast Bible study lessons now is the time before you go on in these chapters on the "Beit HaMikdash" (בית המקדש), the Holy Dwelling Place.  Here's the links to these awesome lessons ...

LINKS TO GENESIS 5 – CHOAS TO ORDER –

PART 1 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/genesis-5-part-1-gen-11-2-god-creates-the-heavens-and-the-earth/

PART 2 – video - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/genesis-5-special-gen-11-2-polemic-theology-from-chaos-to-order/

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? 

Ferret someplace near the Jordan River

What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Jacob camps out and has an awesome dream.  The dream is of a ladder from the earth to the dwelling of the Lord God - in Hebrew we'd say Bet El or the House of God or the Dwelling Place of God or His Abode.  There are spiritual beings going up and down the ladder.  Hmm.  Angels right?  But, the Hebrew word for angels means messengers or even those deputed by the Lord.  Deputed means to be sent out to complete a task.  Could it be that these angels are God's deputies.  Those going down the ladder are headed out to do their assigned task.  Those coming up are His deputies who have done their work and are returned to Bet El, the dwelling place of God.  Perhaps.  We'll study the Hebrew and see how this fits the conceptual meaning of the Hebrew word meaning messenger that we say are angels.

But the ladder.  What's this about?  I offer one view.  Perhaps there are others.  What does it mean?  The way to the "tree of life, the way back to Paradise, the way back to ABBA our Father is closed.  We can't go back.  Is the Lord teaching us that there is a way home for us?  Is this a prediction for the future? Jesus' own words seem to verify that He is showing Jacob the future - the coming of one who will be the way back to the Father as in John 14:6. Jesus said He is the ladder in John 1:51.  He said He will be lifted up like standard, like a sign, like a ladder in John 3:14.  As the ladder, as Jesus is lifted up as the way home He will draw all men to Him to have the chance to return to the Father through Jesus.  It again seems we have another proof that all scripture in Jesus' day, the Hebrew Scriptures or the Old Testament, testify of the coming Messiah, the coming Savior, the one who will be set up as the only WAY back home.

In the podcast I mentioned three links I'd provide.  Link 1 - a Christian scholarly article on the concept of angels.  I recommend when you read it substitute the word angel and say MESSENGER.  Here's link #1 - 

https://www.gotquestions.org/angels-Bible.html

The 2nd link is to a Jewish scholarly article on God's MESSENGERS.  In this article you'll see how the rabbis years after Jesus' ascension started making up more fantasy about angels.  Much of their notions and the mistaken ideas of the so-called church scholars has led to our notions today of angels which is totally different than what the Bible MESSENGERS are really like.  Here's link #2 -

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/angels/

The final link is to episode 9 in the Bible study video series, "Five Small Stones."  These are five minute Bible study videos and in episode 9 we ask what does Paul mean in the two verses below.

For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes.  (Rom 10:4)

"Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses. (Act 13:38-39)

Is it possible the ladder is the way God will establish so we can all return to Him?  Is the ladder perhaps another picture for the cross?  Maybe.  Here's the link to all 11 videos.  Just scroll down to find #9 -

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/?s=five+small

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - in a wadi somewhere in the Judean Wilderness)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

There is simply so much to learn and study in Exodus 14.  The main event is the unbelievable crossing of the sea and how God rescues Israel.  I will split lesson 39 into three parts.  Shown below is a brief idea of the concepts taught in each part.

Part 1 – where is Mt. Sinai? Does the Bible assist us in our pursuit of Biblical archaeology?  Does it provide facts and real evidence to help in archaeological discovery?  Eilat Mazar used the Bible to begin her dig to discover David's palace.  In her own words ...

"There can be little doubt that King David had a palace. The Bible tells us that Hiram of Tyre (who would later help King Solomon build the Temple) constructed the palace for David: 'King Hiram of Tyre sent envoys to David, with cedar logs, carpenters and stonemasons; and they built a palace for David' (2 Samuel 5:11). Nine years ago I wrote an article in BAR suggesting where, in my opinion, the remains of King David’s palace might lie. I proposed looking in the northern part of the most ancient area of Jerusalem, known as the City of David." ( “Did I Find King David’s Palace?” by Eilat Mazar originally appeared in BAR, January/February 2006. The article was first republished in Bible History Daily on September 7, 2012.  )  This is so amazing that the Bible led Eilat Mazar to the place to dig to find David's palace.  In part 1 we will see how once again God in His word gives us enough details that helps us as we try to find Mt. Sinai.  

Part 2 – Pharaoh’s heart, God’s glory, and how to “know” the Lord.  We read the Bible in English and we read the words heart, glory, and the phrase “to know.”  If we stay in the English we miss so much as to the actual Hebrew.  God wants all Egyptians "to know" Him and it connects us to Jesus when He said ...

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. "Many will say to Me on that day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?' "And then I will declare to them, 'I never knew you; DEPART FROM ME, YOU WHO PRACTICE LAWLESSNESS.'  (Mat 7:21-23)

Jesus, God, is saying the same thing to us.  He wants not just for us to believe in Him but to know Him.  But, what does it mean?  What did it mean in Exod. 14?  What did Jesus mean?  He is God and He doesn't change as in Mal. 3:6.  So, we need to grasp what God wants when He say He wants all Egypt, all Israel, and all nations to KNOW Him.

Part 3 – ALL SCRIPTURE TESTIFIES OF ME – Jesus says this sometime between 24-30 A.D. and we read it in John 5:39. All they had then was the Hebrew Scriptures.  So those who first heard Jesus, who did not have the New Testament, it was clear Jesus was saying that the Torah and even Exodus 14, the chapter we are studying in lesson 39, testify of Jesus.  How?  Get ready.  Get your seat belts on.  The rescue at ים סוף

Yam Suf – the sea of Reeds – connects us to Jesus and the final victory of His over death.

Also, we again encounter the ANGEL OF GOD or the ANGEL OF THE LORD.  In lesson 32 in Genesis we dealt with this in detail and showed how the Angel of the Lord is GOD, a manifestation of God to us in the flesh so that we will not die yet "see the Lord."  Here’s the link to lesson 32 in Genesis dealing with the Angel of the Lord. Link - https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-zfndi-fd62d0

In part 2 of lesson 39 we will study how this relates to the dogma of the Trinity.  We say there are three PERSONS in one God.  Once again we are reading it in English when it was actually written in Greek almost 2000 years ago.  The Greek word that we translate as PERSON now is not what the Greek word means then and in the New Testament.  In the New Testament and for the early church fathers it means FACE.  Just like when Jesus said to Philip in John 14 that if we SEE Jesus, one might say see His face, then we have SEEN the Father.  It's the Greek word we translated as person.  But if we keep it in its original meaning as FACE, the dogma of the Trinity becomes a concept we can perhaps begin to grasp.  Check it out.

In part 1 I mentioned a map that might help you in the complex discussion we will encounter.  The map is shown below.  I highly recommend you use the map for this podcast.  It’ll be very helpful to grasp the details and the specifics presented.  Here’s the map.

Also, in this lesson, I mention the journey of Ezra as he and about 6000-7000 Jews return from Susa in ancient Babylon to Jerusalem.  The map of that journey is shown below.  Again, this will be a good resource to give you a better understanding of the lesson.  Here’s the “Ezra Journey” map.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret ...somewhere in the Negev in Israel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

THE WAYPOINT OF OUR JOURNEY

If you are a hiker like me there are times you are hiking on a trail and come across something special.  It might be a great look out on a high hill or a beautiful pond or a rock structure that has a unique shape.  It might be so cool you want to remember it, you want to make it a WAYPOINT.  If you do a search on the internet you might come up with the following description generated by AI of a WAYPOINT ...

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?

(John & Robin somewhere in the Middle East)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

TRUTH NUGGETS #8

Mary gave birth to her son, Jesus, and wrapped Him in swaddling clothes and He was laid in a manger.  This is so familiar to any and all Christians from and early age and throughout our lives.  It is part of the “Christmas” story so much a part of our lives every year. 

But, is there more that we can’t see?  Is the manger and Jesus in the manger, does this relate to something more; something so common to our Christian experience? 

This vidcast from Light of Menorah takes us back to ancient Israel to understand what a manger is and what it is used for.  It takes us to Bethlehem to locate where mangers are found.  This video takes us back 3400 years to ancient Egypt and the words of Adonai given to Moses in the Torah, the first five books of the Bible just before they left Egypt.  And as we study the archaeology in Jesus’ day and the Torah, as we remember that Jesus said all scripture testifies of Him - He said this 2000 years ago when all they had was the Hebrew scriptures (a.k.a. the Old Testament) – this along with the picture of Jesus just born and lying in a manger explodes with meaning.  We missed it since the “church” has been disconnected from its Jewish roots for hundreds and hundreds of years.  

Are you ready for this?  Let’s go.

I mentioned in the video that I would provide scholarly links to study the events and the archaeology of Jesus’ birth from the Associates for Biblical Research.  These are a must if you want to come to grips with the reality of His birth and to expand your understanding of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Link 1 to an article by Dr. Ken Bailey entitled, “The Manger and the Inn.”  -  https://biblearchaeology.org/new-testament-era-list/2803-the-manger-and-the-inn?highlight=WyJtYW5nZXIiLCJtYW5nZXInIl0=

Link 2 to a video by Gary Byers entitled, “Away in a Manger but Not a Barn.” -

Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YveeRv50lmg

Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzRG6jIVGoY

Part 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I-YhXcx0qU

Link 3 to an article by Gordon Melish, “There Wasn’t an Inn.” - https://biblearchaeology.org/research/devotionals/3643-there-wasnt-any-inn?highlight=WyJtYW5nZXIiLCJtYW5nZXInIl0=

Link 4 - Joel Kramer's video on the archaeology of Bethlehem - https://sourceflix.com/our-video/born-in-bethlehem/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

There is so much of Christmas that can hide the real significance of this season. It is not a HOLIDAY but it is a HOLY DAY. I wonder if הַשָּׂטָן Ha Satan - the adversary or the devil - is the one who did this and thus leading so many away from the chance of knowing the Savior. We almost need to take Christ and take Him OUT of Christmas and restore that which we lost. This video suggests the awesomeness of this event, the birth of Jesus, the Messiah. This video gives a picture of the Light of Messiah that came as John writes of it in John 1:9. It presents a picture that the birth of Jesus takes us from Genesis 1:1 to Revelation 22:21. This picture shows us this time of remembrance is a HOLY day and not a holiday. Let's study the Chiasm of the Light.

I mentioned in the video that I would provide scholarly links to study the events and the archaeology of Jesus’ birth from the Associates for Biblical Research. These are a must if you want to come to grips with the reality of His birth and to expand your understanding of the Gospel of the Kingdom.

Link 1 to an article by Dr. Ken Bailey entitled, “The Manger and the Inn.” - https://biblearchaeology.org/new-testament-era-list/2803-the-manger-and-the-inn?highlight=WyJtYW5nZXIiLCJtYW5nZXInIl0=

Link 2 to a video by Gary Byers entitled, “Away in a Manger but Not a Barn.” - Part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YveeRv50lmg

Part 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XzRG6jIVGoY Part 3 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3I-YhXcx0qU

Link 3 to an article by Gordon Melish, “There Wasn’t an Inn.” - https://biblearchaeology.org/research/devotionals/3643-there-wasnt-any-inn?highlight=WyJtYW5nZXIiLCJtYW5nZXInIl0=

Link 4 - Joel Kramer's video on the archaeology of Bethlehem - https://sourceflix.com/our-video/born-in-bethlehem/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?

(Ferret - just outside a Bedouin tent in Timnah Park just north of Eilat Israel)

What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

So we come to the last video.  Yes.  Chanukah is a festival in Judaism and has nothing to do with Christmas.  Christmas is a Christian festival and has nothing to do with Chanukah.   But, we have seen that Jesus is teaching His disciples 2000 years ago about His return.  He uses Chanukah in surprising ways in Matthew 24 to teach them THEN that the days before His return will be like the days before the first Chanukah.  In those days in the early second century B.C. there was persecution, torture, chaos, and terror.  It was a time of tribulation.  In the same way the days before Jesus returns will be the time of the Great Tribulation and the saints of the Lord will be persecuted.  It will be a time of extreme terror and evil.  

In this video we will focus on the middle candle of the Chanukah menorah.  It is called the SHAMASH candle or the servant candle.  Jesus came serving His Father.  He will return as the king.  Perhaps God sees a connection between Chanukah and Christmas for those who are disciples of the Jesus.  Perhaps God has given us a picture of one hero, Judah the Maccabee, Judah the Hammer, of those days before the first Chanukah, who foreshadows the true מכבי MAKA-VEE, the Hammer.  

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret ... teaching in northern Israel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

This is getting too amazing.  In this video lesson we not only continue to see that the Lord uses Chanukah to help His disciples 2000 years ago understand His return but also who He is.  Who is this King?  How is this connected to the time of the Maccabees and Yehoodah HaMakehvee, Judah the Maccabee, the Hammer?  On top of that we will see that the Lord uses Chanukah 400 some years before the first Chanukah happened.  Yes the Lord inspires one of His "prophets" to write predictions of Chanukah and, more than that, this prophet uses Chanukah inspired by the Lord to predict things of the end of days.  So Jesus after Chanukah uses it to teach His disciples but the Lord also does it before Chanukah in and around 600 B.C.  

So, if you are interested in the end times, if you are curious about how the Lord inspires a prophet to predict aspects of the end of days, this lesson is a must to view and study.  And more than that you will see how this starts in the book of Genesis with Jacob and his 12 sons!  This video will blow you away and its all history, Bible history.  The Lord is coming again - the Return of the King - and Chanukah is right in the middle of all of it.  So cool!

Critical links for you to study what is presented in this vidcast.  

Link 1 - Antiochus IV is the villain of Chanukah and a picture of the villain we call the Beast in Revelation 13 - https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/ancient-cultures/ancient-israel/antiochus-epiphanes-the-bibles-most-notoriously-forgotten-villain/

Link 2 - Chanukah, the Maccabees, and the Apocrypha - https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/hanukah-maccabees-and-apocrypha/

Link 3 - Dr. Clyde Billington's video on Chanukah in its historical context - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn2u0ufT1Rc

Link 4 - article on Daniel 11 and its historical accuracy - https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/understanding-the-book-of-daniel/daniel-11/

Link 5 - article showing the early date of the Book of Daniel - archaeology does it again - http://www.jesuswalk.com/daniel/app3_early-date-of-daniel.htm

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret ... teaching in the desert on the Baja of Mexico)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Chanukah stands on its own as an important Jewish feast.  It was an amazing time where God again came to the aid of His chosen people.  Time and time again we see how God was with His people - outnumbered or with little power or resources - and the Lord gave them victory in His power and not theirs.  We remember the Exodus or Joshua at Jericho or Deborah and Barak or Gideon.  Even into 1948 and the War of Independence where Israel, a restored nation after 2000 years, was surrounded by millions of Arabs who wanted to annihilate them from the face of the earth.  But, Israel was victorious because of the Lord and it was repeated in the Six Day War in 1967 and the Yom Kippur War of 1973.

The connection between Chanukah and the Return of the King goes on.  The Lord is showing us that the days before His return will be somewhat like the days before the first Chanukah but a 1000 times worse - Chanukah is a real set of events that God uses to teach of the ultimate Return of the King.  It'll be the days of the Great Tribulation.  In the days of Judah the Maccabee the Lord used Judah and his army of devoted religious Jews to defeat the evil forces of Antiochus IV and restore HaBayt Mikdash, the Holy Dwelling Place, or, as we know it, the Temple in Jerusalem.  We have seen how God connects these events to Himself and His return.  Is there a connection to the actual 1st Chanukah, the cleansing of the Temple and the reinitiation of the sacrifices?  Let's go see.

Links to mentioned in this video ...

Video on the miracles God did in recent battles Israel was in -  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsN5bqVzX34

Article on 17 major battles and their miraculous nature - https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/17-miraculous-israeli-military-victories

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret ... in a restaurant somewhere on the Baja of Mexico)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

The Hebrew name of Judas the Maccabee is Yehoodah Hasmonaim but his nickname was Yehooda HaMaKehvee or Judas (or equivalently Judah) the Hammer.  He was the military hero of Chanukah.  He was the one who captured Jerusalem in 164 B.C.  He and all the religious people of Jerusalem restored the House of Adonai, HaBate Mikdash, the Holy Dwelling Place, or the Temple.  They dedicated it (Chanukah means dedication) and it was decided that the Jewish people would do a feast every year remembering what great things God had done. 

It was an amazing crazy victory over odds that were more than overwhelming.  Judah "hammered" the forces of the cruel pagan Seleucid Greek king Antiochus IV Epiphanes.  But, does God make any connections with this victory with Yeshua His Son?  Are their similarities between Yehoodah and his leadership of the armies of the Jews and Yeshua, King of Kings and Lord of Lords?  Let's explore this in this video.

Links mentioned in this video ...

Dr. Clyde Billington's video on Chanukah in its historical context - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dn2u0ufT1Rc

Article on Daniel 11 and its historical accuracy - https://lifehopeandtruth.com/prophecy/understanding-the-book-of-daniel/daniel-11/

Article showing the early date of the Book of Daniel - archaeology does it again - http://www.jesuswalk.com/daniel/app3_early-date-of-daniel.htm

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret ... somewhere in the Negev of Israel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

OK.  It is crystal clear by now that Jesus is teaching about His return using the sequence of events in 1 Maccabees 2.  It is too amazing.  The exact order in 1 Maccabees 2 is the exact order in Matthew 24:9-21.  We don't get it since we are 1) not Jewish and 2) we are not taught the Bible in its historical context.  But, the Lord is doing something new.  He is doing something to bring us who are behind the curtain, behind the veil, to see more clearly.  This so to take His "bride" into a more complete and enhanced understanding of His word and get "her" (that is us) ready for the coming of the Bridegroom. 

In this video we will meet more amazing Jewish people from those dark and terrible days under the cruelty of Antiochus Epiphanes IV.  We will meet my hero, Eleazar, and Bible teacher.  We will also learn about Jewish families and how they would not buckle under the pressure to turn away from the Lord and turn to the practices of the pagan Greeks and their worldview of Hellenism, a worldview straight from hell.  And from this we will again see how they faced persecution and torture and death.  It was a time of a great tribulation on all Israel. 

But, it is interesting that Jesus is teaching that before His return that the terrible days of the Maccabees is nothing compared to the terror of the tribulation.  After all the things He said that relate to those days Jesus ends those five statement with ...

"For then there will be a great tribulation, such as has not occurred since the beginning of the world until now, nor ever will.  Unless those days had been cut short, no life would have been saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be cut short."  Matt. 24:21-22

I had an awesome lady Bible teacher who taught on the book of the Revelation.  When it got to the rapture she taught we should hope for the best but prepare for the worst.  She asked us to ask some questions that no one asks?  What if those who are post-trib - in other words that the rapture will happen after the tribulation - are right?  What if we as Christians must go through what the Jews went through but 1000 times worse?  Those who hold to post-trib are simply speculating as to their view of the end times.  Those who are mid-trib and pre-trib are simply stating a man made view of the endtimes.  There are endless arguments and no conclusion except one's own prejudice.  So, all those Christians - pre and mid and post and who are not rapture people - will be saved and we will finally all see who was right and who was wrong.  So, I remember that great lesson I learned from that women Bible teacher who I held in high high esteem when she said, "Hope for the best but plan for the worst."  

One famous Christian pastor says Christians in the USA are not ready.  Here's his article.  We are not ready.  We are too soft and too integrated into the culture of "me first" that is all around us.  We don't hold a candle to the heroes of the faith in this lesson and in the previous lesson.  It is time to wake up and get ready.  

Link to Pastor Brunson's article - https://www.christianheadlines.com/contributors/milton-quintanilla/were-not-ready-pastor-urges-us-christians-to-prepare-for-persecution.html

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret ... hiking the ruins of Gath - the hometown of Goiath)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Candle 4 is lit.  What does it represent as far as Jesus connecting Chanukah with His return - the Return of the King?  So far Jesus has said He is God on Chanukah.  The evil king Antiochus said he was god and he's the villain of this Jewish feast.  He's not god - no way.  Only Yeshua is Lord of lords and King of kings and the only God.  But, Jesus said this on Chanukah and that ain't no coincidence!  See John 10:22 and following.  

Then we remember Jesus teaching in a special sequence.  In those days before He returns He talked about the abomination of desolation.  He talked about fleeing to the mountains and not taking anything with us.  All these are in the books of the Maccabees in the same order!  Those books were written in the mid to early 1st century B.C.  The disciples of Jesus would have had access to those books.  Thus, it seems highly probable that they saw  what Jesus was doing; He was creating an awesome connection between Chanukah and His return.  So, as we put the Bible back into its historical context we too hear as they did THEN, and see the way those disciples did THEN, and understand the way they did THEN, so the Ruach HaKodesh רוח הקודש - our comforter and teacher - can help us enhance and expand our understanding NOW.  

In this vidcast you will meet some amazing women.  We will also meet 7 brothers - men and boys who are also so amazing.  Actually most of the women are teenagers.  Girls married at 12 or 13 or 14 in and around 170 B.C.  These young Jewish teenage moms and those 7 Jewish brothers exhibited courage and bravery that no Christian girl or young man in the USA would ever face or has ever faced.  We will meet true heroines and heroes of the faith in a time of horror and death and fear and chaos.  And Jesus tells us that perhaps the terror they faced is what may face moms with kids again and all of us before He returns.

Here's the links to where you can purchase that amazing historical novel entitled, "Maccabee," by Dave Carson.  It's based upon the event of 1 and 2 Maccabees and it is an adventure story supreme.  Get you'll love it.

Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Maccabee-David-C-Carson/dp/1432701657

Thrift Books - https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/maccabee_david-c-carson/2526430/item/26613131/?mkwid=%7Cdc&pcrid=448918240737&pkw=&pmt=&slid=&plc=&pgrid=104755242616&ptaid=pla-927269736418&gclid=CjwKCAiAlNf-BRB_EiwA2osbxcbO4dbLAvmazeh-dhnQvFaeHdq_YYAJ8N8HQ2vrZ9nthcipwxPY-hoCpLYQAvD_BwE#idiq=26613131&edition=7609396

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret ...not far from ancient Bethel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

And so the connection between Jesus' return and Chanukah continues.  We must again return to ancient Israel in and about 170 B.C.  What was happening to the devout and faithful Jews under the cruel, vicious, and pagan Greek king Antiochus IV?  And how does Jesus relate this to the days before His  return - the days of tribulation where many have the mark of the evil one, the anti-Christ the one who is anti-Bible and anti-God?  Come.  Return to those days with us.  Let us seek His truth as Yeshua teaches them THEN so we can more fully understand NOW.

Here's a link that reviews the revolt of the Maccabees and the 1st celebration of the feast of Dedication or Chanukah חֲנֻכָּה - https://www.ancient.eu/article/827/the-maccabean-revolt/

Here are links to very readable versions of the 1st and 2nd book of the Maccabees.

1 Maccabees - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1maccabees/0

2 Maccabees - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2maccabees/1

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret ... hiking the ruins of the ancient city of Gath)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Christians and Jews believe in ONE God, the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob (Israel).  Just like Paul said in 1 Cor. 8:6, Eph. 4:6, and 1 Tim 2:5.  And as we learn about the revolt of the Maccabees we see what God did for His chosen ones, Israel.  One old Levite priest and his five sons, Judas, Simon, John, Eleazer, and Jonathan and a bunch of Jews from the village of Modi'in (pronounced Moe Deen) flee to the hills and begin a revolution against the powerful Greek Seleucid kingdom of Antiochus IV Epiphanes.  It is as if Puerto Rico invaded the USA landing their forces at Miami Beach and conquering us in four years.  Impossible.  But, God has already told us time and time again, 

"Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh; is anything too difficult for Me?" (Jer 32:27)

Lord said to Sarah in Abraham's tent, "Is anything too difficult for the LORD? At the appointed time I will return to you, at this time next year, and Sarah will have a son." (Gen 18:14)

The Egyptians had enslaved all the Hebrews and were murdering the baby boys of the Hebrews; God delivered these powerless slaves from the most powerful nation on earth at the time.  And God does it again in the time of the Maccabees. 

We as Christians should not be surprised.  Chanukah is not about a rabbinic story of some so called miracle of the oil jar.  No way!  It is a celebration of God, the only God, who is the all powerful one and is King of kings and God of gods and the Lord of lords.  

But now.  This awesome celebration remembering what God did for Israel, is used by God Himself to teach His disciples 2000 years ago of His return.  Once again we will see another connection Jesus makes between the events of the Maccabean revolt, the remembrance of Chanukah, and His return.  

Here's a link that reviews the revolt of the Maccabees and the 1st celebration of the feast of Dedication or Chanukah חֲנֻכָּה - https://www.ancient.eu/article/827/the-maccabean-revolt/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret ... hiking in the Negev of Israel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In this video we return again to the Mt. of Olives.  Jesus is answering His disciples.  They asked Him what would be the sign of His return and the end of the age.  Jesus answers and seems to use events of the revolt of the Maccabees as a "picture" to teach them about the times of His return.  We as Christians have no connection to Chanukah except it is in December like Christmas.  But it has nothing to do with Christmas and we now learn the "miracle of the oil" that supposedly explains the meaning of Chanukah, never happened.  It was only a story a rabbi made up in the 3rd century A.D. to try and come up with why Chanukah lasts for 8 days.  If you haven't listened to the 1st video, I strongly urge you to watch the video, "Chanukah: Return of the King - Introduction."  

So, let us jump in again.  Let us return to the Mt. of Olives.  Let's study the events of the revolt or the Maccabees and see how Jesus continues to use those days and times to teach His disciples and, therefore, teach us as we reconnect to those days 2000 years ago and hear Jesus they way they did THEN so we can enhance our understanding of the return of the King NOW.

Here are some links that may enhance your study ...

1 Maccabees - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/1maccabees/0

2 Maccabees - https://bible.usccb.org/bible/2maccabees/1

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - at the rins of ancient Gath - Goliath's hometown)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

It is the "season of light."  For religious Jewish people it is the feast of Chanukah (Hanukkah is the modern way of spelling the feast) and is a celebration of light - the lights of the Chanukah Menorah.  For Christians who celebrate Christmas it is the time to remember the coming of the "light of world" in Jesus.  It is interesting that Chanukah and Christmas are connected in that they represent a celebration of the light.  But, that is about the only connection they have.  Simply put, Chanukah and Christmas have absolutely NOTHING to do with each other.  There as different as ice cream and apple pie.  I am always amazed at those Christians who say we need to celebrate Chanukah just like the Jewish people.  That's like asking Muslims in India to celebrate July 4th Independence Day of the USA. Why would they?  It makes no sense.  

Jesus however, does something to Chanukah that is very surprising.  He uses it and the history of the start of Chanukah as a way to teach His disciples 2000 years ago.  He uses it to teach of His return as King and Lord.  He uses the events of the revolt of the Maccabees, the July 4th of the Jewish people around 164 B.C., to help His disciples learn about what it might be like before He returns.  This is the focus on this vidcast series.  I do hope the video series is a blessing and it adds to your celebration of this season of the LIGHT.  For myself, I actually add the celebration of Chanukah to this time.  Why?  Not for the awesome things God did for His people then but for how Jesus teaches me today about the Return of the King.

In the video I talked about some links I would provide.  See them below.  These are scholarly Jewish resources that teach us that there never was the miracle of the oil at Chanukah.  It isn't me teaching this but non-Christian Jewish scholars.   So, if there is no miracle of the oil then what is Chanukah all about?  You will learn it as part of this vidcast series.

Link 1 to "My Jewish Learning" - https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/transforming-hanukkah/

Link 2 to Torah.com - https://www.thetorah.com/article/uncovering-the-truth-about-chanukah

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret ... somewhere in a wadi in Israel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

2025 calendar for Chanukah - see below

We continue our study about Esau (E SAV in Hebrew) and Edom, means red, which becomes Esav’s nickname.  He is father of the Edomites, the red people, and a clan of the Edomites called the Amalekites.  We will continue our study to see how Esav and his hatred for his brother Jacob carries throughout the history of Israel; it carries even into Jesus’ day in surprising ways.  It even carries to the book of Revelation and you can add to your study by accessing this vidcast - Torah Nugget #15 on the feast of Purim (H6332 Pooreem פּוּרִים  lots (as by means of a broken piece) – casting lots).  This amazing study connects Esau and Edom to the Great RED Dragon in Revelation 11.  Here's the link - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-15-vidcast-purim-not-by-chance-but-by-design/?token=bde2fde2d0c848fcba88d12d1f3354df

I mentioned in this podcast to watch video #9 in the video Bible study series, “Five Small Stones.”  I actually urge you to watch all 11 videos – they are only 5 minutes in length barring the opening and end.  Here’s the link to all 11 episodes and the one you want to watch is #9 – here’s the link -  https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/?s=five+small

Here's a link to an article on the Edomites.  I think this will only add to your understanding and knowledge.  Here’s the link - https://www.gotquestions.org/Edom-in-the-Bible.html

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? 

(Ferret ... on the Baja of Mexico teaching at the Bible Institute)

What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

This is lesson 38 part 2.  In Exod. 13:1-21 we find certain Jewish traditions that come out of these verses.  One is related to the verses below.

"And it shall serve as a sign to you on your hand, and as a reminder on your forehead, that the law of the LORD may be in your mouth; for with a powerful hand the LORD brought you out of Egypt.” (Exo 13:9)

"So it shall serve as a sign on your hand and as phylacteries on your forehead, for with a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt." (Exo 13:16)

"You shall bind them as a sign on your hand and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.” (Deu 6:8)

"You shall therefore impress these words of mine on your heart and on your soul; and you shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontals on your forehead.” (Deu 11:18)

From these verses comes the use of תְּפִילִּין TEFILLIN or the boxes with straps that are used in Jewish prayer.  Ancient tefillin were found in the Qumran area on the northeast shores of the Dead Sea.  They are dated to Jesus’ day.  So, the use of tefillin certainly go back to Jesus’ day; we have archaeological proof.  Thus, it is likely that Jesus wore them as a Jewish sage (rabbi).  He is never accused in the Gospels of NOT using them.  It is clear Jesus wore the four tassels (ציציות tzeetzeeot) on the corners of His garment since this is what the woman who had a bleeding disease for 12 years actually touched as was healed.  Jesus was doing what religious Jewish men did then; they wore the tassels and used the tefillin. 

The second tradition comes from the verses below. 

"You shall tell your son on that day, saying, 'It is because of what the LORD did for me when I came out of Egypt.' “ (Exo 13:8)

"And it shall be when your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What is this?' then you shall say to him, 'With a powerful hand the LORD brought us out of Egypt, from the house of slavery.” (Exo 13:14)

"And when your children say to you, 'What does this rite mean to you?' you shall say, 'It is a Passover sacrifice to the LORD who passed over the houses of the sons of Israel in Egypt when He smote the Egyptians, but spared our homes.'" (Exo 12:26-27)

"When your son asks you in time to come, saying, 'What do the testimonies and the statutes and the judgments mean which the LORD our God commanded you?' then you shall say to your son, 'We were slaves to Pharaoh in Egypt, and the LORD brought us from Egypt with a mighty hand.” (Deu 6:20-21)

The old tradition is the part in a modern Jewish Seder where a child of the family asks the four questions as related to the verses above.  The four questions are shown below.

• Question 1: Why on all other nights do we eat either leavened bread or matza, but on this night only matza?
• Question 2: Why on all other nights do we eat different types of vegetables, but on this night only bitter herbs?
• Question 3: Why on all other nights do we not dip our food once, but on this night we dip it twice?
• Question 4: Why on all nights do we eat either sitting upright or reclining, but on this night we recline?

It is said that each question was asked by a certain type of child. 

• The Wise Son: “What are the testimonies, the statutes, and the laws that G‑d, our G‑d, has commanded to you?”
• The Wicked Son: "What is this service of yours?!"
• The Simple Son: “What is this celebration about?”
• The One Who Doesn't Know How to Ask: "As for The One Who Knows Not How To Ask — you must open up [the conversation] for him."

The main point in all this is the Exodus is the key Biblical event establishing the Jewish people, Israel as a nation, and Judaism.  It only happened once and will never happen again.  It even changed their calendar - the month of Nissan, the month f Passover, is the first month of the year and Nissan 1 is God's New Year.

God had engineered history and orchestrated all these events and He wants His people never to forget.  So the use of tefillin is a tool to help remember.  And the tradition of the use of the four questions in the Seder is to teach the next generation so that they too will never forget.

What does all this have to do with Jesus?  How does this relate to our experience as Christians in the 21st century?  In this lesson we will see the amazing and awesome connections to Jesus.  He said that salvation is from the Jews.  The Exodus was a God orchestrated event not to rescue slaves, or to give freedom to Israel.  No.  It was an event marking a new era with a new people who are given a new task.  In Isa. 42:6 and 49:6 they, Israel, are the LIGHT OF THE WORLD to bring the salvation (Jesus’ name – Yeshua H3444 יְשׁוּעָה ) of God to the “ends of the earth.”  On top of that He took bread (unleavened?) at His Passover Meal of the Messiah (the Last Supper) and said it was Him, His body.  This takes us right to Exodus 13 and this chapter takes us to the CROSS - a one time event that will never happen again and it too changed our calendar.  You won’t believe how these lessons are proof of Jesus’ words in John 5:39 that all scripture testifies of Him.  He said it between 24-30 A.D. and all they had was the Hebrew Bible.  Again His words are true to them then and to us now.

If you missed lesson 38 part 1 check it out.  Here's the link - https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-fuv7b-11e242c

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - teaching at the ancient city of Gezer in the Shefelah (sha-fay-lah) in Israel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In lesson 65 we again turn our attention to Jacob’s brother Esau.  His name (עֵשָׂו H6215 pronounced EE SAV) in Hebrew means rough or hairy from the Gesenius Hebrew Lexicon.  When Esav is born it says …

When her days to be delivered were fulfilled, behold, there were twins in her womb. Now the first came forth red, all over like a hairy garment; and they named him Esau.

(Gen 25:24-25)

So Jacob’s brother was born "esav" and "edom" or hairy and red.  It’s like Edom, red, becomes Esav’s nickname.  Esav is said to be the father of the Edomites, the red people, coming from the fact that Esav was probably was a hairy baby covered with red hair.

In this lesson we will begin to see how Esav and his hatred for his brother Jacob carries throughout the history of Israel; it carries even into Jesus’ day in surprising ways.  Of course we missed it since we are so disconnected from our Jewish roots and we read the Bible in English and don’t understand the Hebrew or Greek.  Also, few teach the Bible in its historical context.  Once we reconnect the word to its historical context the Lord enriches and expands our understanding that is deeply meaningful.

In this podcast I mentioned that I’d provide a link to an article on the Edomites.  I think this will only add to your understanding and knowledge.  Here’s the link - https://www.gotquestions.org/Edom-in-the-Bible.html

A second link is to the vidcast on the feast of Purim (H6332 Pooreem פּוּרִים  lots (as by means of a broken piece) – casting lots).  In this video Bible study we will discover awesome connections to Jacob and Esau and the Edomites and the Amalekites but also to Jesus and perhaps even the end times and the Day of the Lord.  Here's the link - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-15-vidcast-purim-not-by-chance-but-by-design/?token=bde2fde2d0c848fcba88d12d1f3354df

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? 

(Ferret on a boat on the Sea of Galilee)

What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In lesson 38 we focus on Exod. 13:1-21.  There are amazing connections to this chapter and to Yeshua, His death, and the new life He provides through the cross.  In this session we focus on the first born of Israel, animals and men.  All belong to the Lord.  All first born male animals must be sacrificed but all the first born human males, except for Levities, are redeemed; a price is paid of 5 shekels.  The key word is redeemed.  How might this relate to Jesus.  On one hand He is human, and the first born son of Mary.  On the other hand He is God, He is Divine and He is the only first born begotten son of the Father and is the Lamb of God.  But all male first born lambs must be sacrificed.  Hmmm, yes, the Lamb of God is sacrificed.  Seems to be connected to all this.

We will also study UNLEAVENDED BREAD again.  But this time the Torah gives us a picture.  The UNLEAVENED BREAD is a picture of the Torah of the Lord, the Written Word.  The Written Word is the Bread of Life.  But I thought Jesus is the Living Word.  He said He is is the Bread of Life.  Huh?  How can this be?  Is Jesus the Written Word and the Living Word?  Are they the same?  Are they different?  Did Jesus erase the Written Word?  How is this all related to the Cross?  You won’t believe this once you get into this. Come and study with us and go deeper in your understanding of the Passover and the Great Redemption of the Lord, יהוה, Yahvay (not Yahway - there is no W sound in Hebrew!!). 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret on the top of the acropolis at Pergamum in Bergama Turkey)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Some of the great Bible characters lied through their teeth!  Abraham, Sarah, Isaac, Jacob, David, Rahab all lied.  And yet the Bible is silent about their SIN.  God said to lie is a sin and He said it twice - once in the Ten Commandments as it relates to judicial matters to "not be a false witness" and a second time where the Lord says it precisely ... 

Lev 19:11  "You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another."

God does not condemn them for their obvious breaking God's command.  You have to ask what is going on?  Is there something we are not seeing?

Consider the real stories of Christians during WWII who lied to the Nazis to protect Jews they were hiding.  Corrie Ten Bloom is one of them.  She and her family lied, they saved 100's of innocent Jewish people, and she became a celebrated "righteous Gentile" among the Jewish people.  She is honored among many other Gentiles, like Oscar Schindler, who did brave and heroic things to save 1000's of Jewish people from the gas chambers and death.  

Corrie, in her book, "The Hiding Place," relates the events of her and her family rescuing Jews.  She also shares how troubled she was that in order to save the Jews she had to LIE.  She had to commit a sin.  This was something that bothered her deeply. 

But, in the Bible many Bible characters lie.  We read in the Bible that God never calls them on the carpet.  He never brings up that they broke His Torah command not to lie.  Why?  What is going on?  Perhaps there is something more that God is showing us.  Is God saying that deceptive words are not a lie if the words that mislead are done for good and not evil?  Is God saying that if one deceives with words for evil intent then that is a lie?  Is God saying a lie is not words that are simply deceptive but it relates to the intent, the purpose?  Is God saying that one can DO THE UNLAWFUL TO PREVENT THE UNSPEAKABLE?  Needless to say this is a challenging question.    

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - at Tel Gath - the home city of Goliath)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

This is a special video to answer the question, "Why should I listen to the podcasts and videos created by Light of Menorah Ministries?"  This video reviews who and what Light of Menorah is.  And, God willing, you'll join our Bible study community trying to be real disciples of Adonai Yeshua by being Bible literate which means not just reading the Bible but continually being in Bible study.  

In the video for those that have never listened to a Light of Menorah podcast or watched one of the videos, Rev. Ferret mentioned to 1st timers to listen to ...

Genesis Lesson 5 (Special) - 

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/genesis-5-special-gen-11-2-polemic-theology-from-chaos-to-order/

Five Small Stones Lesson 10 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-episode-10-genesis-to-revelation-rev-2213/

Email us if you want to be on our email list.  Email - LOM.ministries@gmail.com

Rev. John Ferret - our teacher and guide. 

Here's a link to his qualifications to give you an understanding of his background and training and experience - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Abraham had two sons, Ishmael and Isaac. One was chosen by the Lord to be the child of promise.  This happened again.  Isaac had two sons, Esau and Jacob.  The Lord has already chosen Jacob and not Esau.  It seems that Esau and his natural born character did not qualify him to be the one through whom the promises made to Abraham for the entire world would be given.  It was Jacob.  In the events of their lives we begin to see this – the Lord seems to want us to see the boys and their character.  Jacob, the 2nd born and not the 1st born, was the one. 

One event so many of us recall is when Jacob was cooking the red delicious stew and Esau comes back from some adventure in the wild.  But, there is something we don’t see – God inspires Moses to use a chiasm in the telling of the tale.  If we don’t know what a chiasm is we miss the expanded ideas that the Lord is trying to teach us.  The chiastic structure is used by the Lord to make a very clear and specific point.  It is the crux of the entire matter of Esau and Jacob and why the Lord picked Jacob. 

Links to articles and videos to learn about CHIASTIC LITERARY STRUCTURES:

Great website to learn the basics of chiastic structures -

https://www.bible-discernments.com/joshua/whatisachiasm.html

A website that contains many examples of chiasms -

https://www.chiasmusxchange.com/explanatory-notes/

A short video discussing chiams - well done and good "picture" description -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn2pIkmOKpY

Link to the Light of Menorah video entitled “The Mirror of Passover.”  The video addresses CHIASMS at 28 minutes 5 seconds.

https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-2zqcj-11e731b

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - on the Pergamum acropolis in Turkey)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

TRUTH NUGGETS 19 Part 2

Against the Gods - Genesis 1:21 Great Sea Dragons

In this video lesson 2 we focus on Gen. 1:21.  What did God create; great sea creatures or were they whales or big fish or, as found in one Jewish translation of the Hebrew Scriptures (a.k.a. the Old Testament) were they were crocodiles?  Our translators had difficulty with this verse since in Hebrew the actual meaning is great sea monsters!  This sounds like a children's story rather than God's word.  So, our translators may have decided it had to make sense for us today in the 21st century.  I mean guys, I haven't see any sea monsters lately.  

But, for the Hebrews, they had lived in Egypt and lived with man-made visions of the gods.  One god is a ram another is a jackal and another a falcon.  And God is taking them to Canaan, the "Promised Land," where the Canaanites also had gods that were clearly figments of man's imagination.  So, the phrase in Gen. 1:21 of great sea monsters might mean something to the Hebrews.  Perhaps God is teaching them something that relates only to what the Hebrews faced 3400 years ago.  Perhaps He is using a pagan god or a pagan mythological beast to teach His people.  God knows there are no sea monsters.  But the pagans did!  Perhaps even the Hebrews fell victim to such beliefs.  He needs to prepare His people for entering Canaan and be ready to bring the "Gospel of the Kingdom" to the Canaanites and later the world and to help the Canaanites to understand "there ain't no sea monsters" and to grasp truth and who is God. For Israel this was their mission as we see in ...

He says, "It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant (in Jesus' day it was understood that Israel was the servant) To raise up the tribes of Jacob and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation (Jesus' name in Hebrew means salvation) may reach to the end of the earth."  (Isa 49:6)

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

TRUTH NUGGETS 19 part 1

In this vidcast (video), "Against the Gods,"  we will again study God's word in its historical context.  However, this time we add a new perspective to our study.  We will continue to ask what those early believers heard and saw and understood when they first heard God's word.  But, we will also see how God comes against the pagan gods and man made religions in the ancient Middle East in very unique ways in His word.  This time we will see how God taught His people, the Hebrews, in ways that would make sense only to them in their day. 

We would not recognize it as we read the Bible.  God is writing to a people thousands of years ago using concepts only they understood and not us.  Dr. John Currid, a highly credible Egyptologist, archaeologist, and theologian, wrote a book entitled, "Against the Gods."  His thesis in the book is to show us how we in the 21st century miss how God taught His people in their time using things they were familiar with.  Here's an example Dr. Currid uses his paper, "The Nature of Polemical Thought and Writing."  He writes ...

A STRONG HAND - Some common expressions found in ancient Egyptian texts to describe the power of Pharaoh over his foes are that the monarch had “a strong hand,” or “he possessed a strong arm,” or he was “the one who destroyed his enemies with his arm.” It is ironic that the author of the book of Exodus assigns the same features to the Lord as he humiliates and destroys Pharaoh and Egypt (Ex. 3:19–20; 6:1; 7:4; 15:6, etc.). 

James Hoffmeier, a famous Egyptologist, comments on this parallel, asking, “what better way for the Exodus traditions to describe God’s victory over Pharaoh, and as a result his superiority, than to use Hebrew derivations or counterparts to Egyptian expressions that symbolized Egyptian royal power?” 

For most of us this would have escaped us completely.  We are not familiar with ancient Egyptian writings nor are we into the ancient culture and customs on Egypt in the days of Moses.  But, God is clearly inspiring Moses to use an Egyptian idiom that the Hebrews would have been familiar with.  God uses this to come against Pharaoh and show His power over Pharaoh and all Egypt.  In this way God uses something Egyptian to teach His people about Himself and His character.  However, we will also see that these amazing lessons that made sense to those first believers also make sense to us today in the 21st century.   Ready?  Let's begin our first lesson.  Let's see how God uses Genesis 1:1 to teach His people coming out of Egypt that He is God and not Amun Ra.  Let's also see how this relates to us today, us being His people, and knowing that God never changes (Mal. 3:6).  He was the same 3400 years ago and today.  

Link to John Currid's article referenced above - https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/polemic.html

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Esau is not the man for the job.  Yes, he is the first born.  But, just because he is the first born, theבְּכוֹר Bekor H1060, he has tasks and responsibilities even before his dad passes away.  He becomes a teammate with his dad.  They together work to help the family with all its needs, they stand together to protect the family, they make sure all are safe and healthy, and the first born and the dad do all they can to make sure the family stays together.  Esau, however, is seemingly focused only on hunting, the outdoors, adventure, fun, and not the day to day family business.  It must’ve been a big job to stay home and take care of the massive holdings that Isaac was blessed with as we read.

Now Isaac sowed in that land and reaped in the same year a hundredfold. And the LORD blessed him, and the man became rich, and continued to grow richer until he became very wealthy; for he had possessions of flocks and herds and a great household, so that the Philistines envied him. (Gen 26:12-14)

In this lesson we will delve into this more.  I bring up Ken Baily’s book, “Jacob and the Prodigal.”  Ken is an awesome Biblical scholar with many books and articles he has written.  One I highly recommend is, “Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels.”  Bailey examines the life and ministry of Jesus with attention to the Lord's Prayer, the Beatitudes, Jesus' relationship to women, and especially Jesus' parables. Through it all, Bailey employs his trademark expertise as a master of Middle Eastern culture to lead us into a deeper understanding of the person and significance of Jesus within his own cultural context.

But, in his book, “Jacob and the Prodigal,” he shows us amazing connections between the parable of Jesus and the story involving Jacob and Esau.  For example, here are 15 connections between these two.

• In both stories there are three major players: a father and two sons
• The blessing/inheritance is a critical part of both stories.
• In both stories the younger son seeks advantages from the father using dishonorable methods and succeeds
• In both stories the younger son is estranged from both the father and the older brother.
• In both stories the younger son goes to a far country.
• The older son remains at home in both stories.
• The younger son becomes a herder in the far country in both stories.
• In both stories the younger son decides to return home, but is afraid of how he will be received.
• Both younger sons show no remorse.
• In both stories there is a divine visitation – the man who wrestles with Jacob and the father who symbolizes God.
• In both stories the younger son receives the three-fold welcome of running, falling on the neck and kissing (In all of scripture this trilogy only appears in Gen 33:4 and Luke 15:20!)
• In both stories the older brother is angry about the return of the younger.
• In both stories the younger son is reconciled to the family.
• In both stories there is a concern that the younger son return in peace (Gen 28:21; Lk 15:27)
• Each story is critical for the community that remembers and tells the story.

For us we will consider this parable and other sources to study two major concepts.  The first is the first born, or the Bekor, and the Bet Av, the house of the father.  One great resource is Ray Vander Laan's  lessons from Israel and the Middle East.  Here is a "free" video where Ray focuses on the concept of the Bet Av - the father's house (pronounced bate av).  Here's the link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dm7S101cyJM

As we study these we will gain a deeper and more expansive understanding of the Jacob and Esau story.  We will perhaps even gain a deeper appreciation of why Rebecca did what she did to have Jacob deceive Isaac to get the blessing of the first born. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - in Timnah Park just north of Eilat Israel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

This lesson and the next will be awesome.  Our focus will be on Exod. 6:1-8.  It will unbelievable where this takes us.  We will be dealing with the reason why there are four cups of wine in the Passover meal called the Seder (Hebrew for order).  We will also deal with the 5th cup.  Yes!  There is a debate among the rabbis in the Talmud about whether there should be four or five cups.  Shown below are links to articles from Jewish websites to show that this debate comes from the rabbis and it led to some amazing results.  Check them out …

Sefaria (Jewish site to access ancient Jewish literature like the Mishnah, the Midrasheem, the Babylonian Talmud, the Jerusalem Talmud, and the rest) - https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/31880?lang=bi

Aish (Jewish website – aish means “fire”) - https://www.aish.com/tp/i/moha/81091867.html

Gemara (Jewish site focusing on the study of the Hebrew scriptures in their historical and contextual context) - https://thegemara.com/five-cups-of-wine-at-the-seder/index.html

The 5th cup is connected to the text in Exod. 6:8 when we read, “I will bring you to the land which I swore to give to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and I will give it to you for a possession; I am the LORD." (Exo 6:8) But, when will Israel possess the land with the borders God promised?  They don’t now.  Today Israel does not come close to holding the territory God promised and about half of all Jews do not live in Israel.  We will see that after the battle against Gog of Magog in Ezekiel 38 and 39 that the first thing that must happen is that ALL Israel must be INGATHERED; they are to be gathered again in Israel never again to leave and there will be NO Jewish people remaining anywhere in the world except in the borders of Israel that God gave them.  You can read this yourself in Ezekiel 39.  All this happens after Elijah comes before the great day of the Lord when Messiah comes (Yeshua returns!).  Interestingly the 5th cup is called the “Elijah Cup” by the rabbis. 

The last concept we will discuss is what is popularly known as the “rapture.”  As a Bible historian I was often concerned that most, if not all Christian teachers of the end times and the rapture, are so disconnected from our Jewish roots, the Bible in its historical context, and an understanding that there was NO New Testament in 50 A.D., the date estimated when Paul was in Thessalonica.  I actually dismissed the “rapture” and thought it was only a view, an opinion, a unique man made interpretation.  I was one who hoped it'd be true.  It just didn't stand the test of scholarly examination.  There were too many holes and not enough substance.  However, I am beginning to look at the “rapture” perhaps the way Paul might have known it.  We will take 1 Thess. 4:16-17 and study these verses in their historical context and in the context of that ancient Jewish culture.  Perhaps there is a “rapture.”  Perhaps the modern Christian end times gurus have it partially right.  Perhaps Paul is teaching those Gentile believers in Thessalonica about something very Jewish based upon the Hebrew scriptures.  Those Gentiles had no Bible, had no scripture, until they became “God Fearers” and attended the synagogue in Thessalonica.  Perhaps there is a connection between the “rapture” and the ingathering of Israel; the ingathering of elect of the Lord that might be called, “The Jewish Rapture.” 

Shown below are links to some interesting articles that will show that this is NOT made up by me, not my opinion.  It is a concept that might prove to be something to consider.  Perhaps we will be part of the INGATHERING of Israel since it says we’ve been grafted into the olive tree, Israel, and are joint heirs in the promises.  Perhaps.

The Torah and the Rapture - https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0da55621/files/uploaded/4ZW5Bbv3Tz2gNtsgeqkL_The%2520Torah%2520and%2520the%2520Rapture.pdf

1 Thess. 4:16-17 from a Rabbinic Perspective - https://hcommons.org/deposits/objects/hc:34782/datastreams/CONTENT/content

The Jewish Understanding of the Rapture - https://torahlifeministry.com/teachings/articles/29-the-rapture/109-the-jewish-understanding-of-the-rapture.html

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Is Jacob a “mama’s boy?”  It says in Gen. 25:27 he was a peaceful man living in tents and his mama, Rebecca, preferred Jacob over Esau.  What we will find is Jacob is no mama’s boy.  He is תָּם TAM H8535.  In the Gesenius Hebrew Lexicon we get the picture of a complete man, a mature grown man, one who lacks nothing.  This is no mama’s boy.  He is a man you seemingly can count on do face his responsibilities, ready to go the extra mile. 

And we read about Jacob being a man of the tents.  That means he is attending to family business.  He’s not out hunting and having fun like Esau.  Jacob is one dedicated to the Bet Av (pronounced “Bate Av”) of the house of the father, the tents of Isaac.  Once we put the Bible back into those days around 2000 B.C., into the culture of those days, we will then see that perhaps why Rebecca preferred Jacob over Esau is that Jacob was the one who would preserve the family and keep it together after Isaac died.  Rebecca was an awesome woman and she seems to have a clear motive to deceive Isaac using Jacob – give Jacob the blessing of the first born to preserve the Bet Av, the family and keep it from Esau who was out all the time having fun hunting and not doing what he should be doing, being and acting like the first born.

I mentioned two other topics in this lesson.  One is that Arabs are not descendants of Ishmael.  Arabs are Polyethnic and come from a number of ancient peoples.  One of those ancient peoples were around from 3000 B.C. to about 300 B.C.  They existed at least 1000 years before Abraham was even born.  Here’s a link to lesson 27 in this series.  In this lesson you can learn about real Bible dating based upon real history and archaeology.  In this lesson you’ll see that 2000 B.C. is an approximate time of Abraham’s birth.  Here’s the link – https://www.podbean.com/media/share/pb-8qb22-f6e039

I also mentioned a website that discusses this issue. Here’s a link to a website.  Not the best but at least a beginning for those of you who want to study this further.  Link - https://www.bible.ca/islam/islam-myths-arabs-descendants-of-ishmael.htm

Related to this is my paper that proves that Allah is NOT the God of the Bible.  This is a false claim made even by some Evangelicals.  Even the pop himself "hinted" at this in a speech he did.  Here’s the link to the paper. Link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/qve66ohtl87gygb/The%20Bible%2C%20Adonai%2C%20Allah%20and%20the%20Quran%20-%20Who%20is%20Who.pdf?dl=0

Finally, we address the location of Mt. Sinai.  Some say it is in southern Saudi Arabia on the west coast.  If that is the case these so called scholars must move the Wilderness of Shur, which we read about in these verses in Genesis, from its precise Biblical location to the western shores of Saudi Arabia on the Gulf of Aqaba.  These pseudo-scholars have changed the wording of the Bible so that it agrees to their belief that is held only as a remote theory by real Christian and religious Jewish scholars and archaeologists. 

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

RAPTURE RESTORED 5

Some say there is a rapture and are "Pre-Trib."  Others say the same thing and are "Mid-Trib" and others "Post-Trib."  Others say there is NO RAPTURE.  But, regardless of your position the verses below clearly show something is up; something is coming.  

Mat 24:29-31  "But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.  (30)  "And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory.  (31)  "And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.

1Th 4:16-17  For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.  (17)  Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.

Are we missing something?  Is there a viable realistic alternative understanding to all this?  Not one of the so-called "end-times" expert today, not one of the "RAPTURISTS" you hear on the radio or YouTube, ever teach these verses in their HISTORICAL CONTEXT.  Not one!  But, if you do, this results in a restoring the understanding of the Rapture to its Biblical foundation - THE INGATHERING OF ISRAEL, as predicted by Adonai Himself in Torah.  This is so amazing.  It takes the mess created by the "end-times" experts of today and brings order and understanding.  

We strongly urge you to listen to the previous videos in this series.  They build one upon the other.  If you listen to this one without listening to Episode 1 parts 1 & 2 and Episode 2 parts 1 & 2, the study will not be complete or understood in its entirety.  For the previous videos do the following ...

1) Go to the website - www.LightofMenorah.org

2) Click on OTHER RESOURCES in the upper right at the home page.

3) Then click on TRUTH NUGGETS 27 - THE RAPTURE RESTORED

4) "Slide down" with your mouse and you'll find all five videos and associated links.  This will provide a detailed study foundation to go deeper into this topic.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

God commands that the feast of Unleavened Bread will be 7 days, and 7 days ONLY.  Not 8 as the orthodox rabbis changed it to.  By changing it the orthodox rabbis again show they can change God's word to their own personal views.  This is crazy.  It also takes away from the unbelievable importance of the number 7 from Genesis to Revelation.

In this lesson we will just focus on the number 7.  When we do we will find patterns of the use of the number 7 that can only be the handiwork of the Lord.  It is as if the number 7 and the patterns God creates in his word is like God's watermark.  Watermarks, very faint printing on a picture or a document such that it is used to protect the document/picture from being used if illegally copied and other confidential information and to indicate the validity of a legal document. You'll also see watermarks on any paper banknote, where they're used to help prevent counterfeiting.  See below for a picture showing a picture with and without a "watermark."

It is as if the 7 is like God's watermark.  It shows that the word of God written by men under the direct inspiration of the Spirit of the Most High is not created by men but by the Lord.  You won't believe what you are about to study.  It'll take us from Gen. 1:1 to Rev. 22:21, the first and the last verses of the Bible.  It will seem to indicate that the Living Word of the Lord, Yeshua, is connected to the number 7 in ways we have never seen before.  And, this is NOT Numerology which is more related to the occult.  It is not a Bible Code which are very problematic.  What we are about to study is FACT and proven again and again by highly credible scholars, Jew and Gentile.  

In the podcast I said I'd provide many links for your further study.  Here they are.

Link 1 - a video, one of many at this site, that shows the work of Professor Ivan Panin and his discovery of the mathematical patterns in God's word.  It so amazed Prof. Panin that he became a Christian based upon the amazing things he discovered that showed him that the Bible is true, it is God's word, and the Jesus is the Lord, the Savior, and the long awaited Messiah.

https://www.thelivingword.org.au/grand-design/session16.php

Link 2 - a fantastic video done by Chuck Missler of Koinonia House.  It is another presentation of Panin's work done in a style that is true Chuck Missler.  Awesome material you will find most intriguing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1f9WYGBfpaw

Links 3, 4, and 5.  Awesome articles that are related to Panin's work and the number 7 and the patterns that seem to suggest the number 7 is God's watermark.

Link 3 - https://www.thetorah.com/article/seven-the-biblical-number

Link 4 - https://www.differentspirit.org/evidence/numerics.php

Link 5 - https://www.biblestudytools.com/topical-verses/the-number-7-in-the-bible/

Link 6 - an article from a great scholarly site, GotQuestions.org addressing Bible codes and that the Bible, God's word, suggests that they are very problematic and not what the Bible says about the COMPLETENESS of God's word as it stands.

https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-codes.html

Link 7 - an article on the famous Jewish rabbi, Nachmanides and his teachings on the number 7.

http://www.betemunah.org/seven.html

Link 6 - an article from a great scholarly site, GotQuestions.org addressing Bible codes and that the Bible, God's word, suggests that they are very problematic and not what the Bible says about the COMPLETENESS of God's word as it stands.

https://www.gotquestions.org/Bible-codes.html

Link 7 - an article on the famous Jewish rabbi, Nachmanides and his teachings on the number 7.

http://www.betemunah.org/seven.html

Link 8 - an article with background information on Prof. Ivan Panin - http://www.wordworx.co.nz/panin.html

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

RAPTURE RESTORED 4

It is highly recommended that if you have not watched the previous videos that you do so before watching this 4th lesson.  Each builds on what was taught in previous lessons.  To easily access the entire series go to the website and once there click on the words OTHER RESOURCES on top of the page on the right side.  A small menu will open and then click on TRUTH NUGGETS: THE RAPTURE RESTORED.  This will open up the series page - just slide down with your "mouse."  There you'll find links to all the lessons and many other links for your continued study.  Below is the link to the website ...

www.LightofMenorah.org

Many know the famous verse ...

For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord.  (1Th 4:16-17)

This seems to be the primary verse end times experts use to justify the "rapture."  It is in the letter that Paul wrote in Corinth in and around 50 A.D. to the Messianic congregation in Thessalonica.  When Paul wrote this letter there were NO other books of the New Testament available; none of them had been written yet.  There are other very critical facts about this book that few Christians even consider.  In this vidcast (video podcast) we will now study this letter in its historical and its ancient cultural context.  Once we do the facts suggest that the so called rapture, as we understand it today, may not be what we think.  Matter of fact it suggests that the rapture should be renamed to the INGATHERING of Yahvay's elect, His chosen, at the last blast of the Great Shofar.  The rabbis teach that the righteous will then be gathered and then (in Hebrew  יקחך YEET-KA-CHE-KA H3947 ) brought or captured or seized by the Lord back to the Promised Land in the clouds.  They get this from ...

“Who are these that fly like a cloud, and like doves to their windows? For the coastlands shall hope for me, the ships of Tarshish first, to bring your children from afar, their silver and gold with them, for the name of the Lord your God and for the Holy One of Israel.” Isaiah 60:8-9

This is from Deut. 30:1-4 where God predicts this amazing event that seems similar to the event as written by Paul in 1 Thess. 4:16-17.  Interesting.  Paul is a Torah expert.  It seems he is only trying to teaching the Gentile Romans and Greeks who worshiped Yahvay in the Jewish synagogue about what Jews knew as part of their culture; they knew of the good news that the Lord will gather them again, all Israel, and they will live in peace and safety forever.  

Therefore thus says the Lord GOD, "Now I will restore the fortunes of Jacob and have mercy on the whole house of Israel; and I will be jealous for My holy name. They will forget their disgrace and all their treachery which they perpetrated against Me, when they live securely on their own land with no one to make them afraid. When I bring them back from the peoples and gather them from the lands of their enemies, then I shall be sanctified through them in the sight of the many nations. Then they will know that I am the LORD their God because I made them go into exile among the nations, and then gathered them again to their own land; and I will leave none of them there any longer. I will not hide My face from them any longer, for I will have poured out My Spirit on the house of Israel," declares the Lord GOD.  (Eze 39:25-29)

So come and join us in this interesting study.  Come and join us to consider a realistic and viable alternative as we restore the Rapture to its Jewish foundation, its Torah foundation, to the Ingathering of the Elect (Chosen) of the Lord.  

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link -

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

RAPTURE RESTORED 3

In this video Bible study we go back 1000’s of years to investigate a prediction made by the Lord through Moses near the place called Shittim (pronounced SHH TEEM). 

It was the camping place of the Hebrews just before Moses' death and then the crossing of the Jordan.  This prediction seems to connect to Jesus’ prediction that He, Jesus, the Messiah (known as the “son of man” when He was here the first time) would gather His elect or His “chosen” in Matt. 24:29-31.  Could it be that the “rapture,” that is discussed and debated today, has been named incorrectly?  Is it possible that the rapture is really the ingathering of Israel as predicted in Deut. 30:1-5, Isa. 11:12, 27:13, 56:8 (Gentiles gathered?), 66:20 and Ezek. 20:34, 20:41, 37:12, 37:21 ?  When we study the Bible in its historical context, when we focus on the words in the ancient Greek and Hebrew, when we consider the ancient Jewish culture of Jesus’ day and Paul’s day, it seems probable that the ingathering of Israel as predicted by the Lord, יהוה Yahvay, is what is mistakenly called the “rapture” in the 21st century. 

This begins to make sense in that God over and over again says He will gather His chosen people, Israel, in the end times into the land He promised Abraham.  It is the land Israel has never ever controlled.  Solomon was close in his rule and reign.  Once Israel is “gathered in” they will live securely in peace forever as the chosen of יהוה Yahvay, Adonai, the Lord.  Paul teaches that in the end times all Israel will be saved.  ALL.  Paul does not separate non Christian religious Jews from Jewish or Gentile Christians.  Paul even teaches we Gentile believers are “grafted in” to Israel and become joint inheritors of the promises of God.  Paul does not separate the non Christian Jews from Christians.  He says under the Lord’s inspiration, we are one family.  So does the Lord.  Jesus says in John 10 that He is the Good Shepherd and His Jewish disciples know this means Jesus is claiming to be the Shepherd of Israel as found in Ezekiel 34.  The Hebrew Scriptures was all they had.  But Jesus said there is another flock He will bring as well implying us Gentiles.  And Jesus will make them one flock with one Shepherd.  But, “rapturists” especially pre-tribbers, condemn all Israel to the horrors of the Tribulation but Christian Jews and Gentiles will be spared.  These views  go against the very words of God.  This is man’s view and not God’s. 

So, come join us.  Come and consider the real viable alternative view of the “rapture” as we restore it to its Jewish roots.  We restore the “rapture” to the INGATHERING OF THE LORD’S ELECT. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

RAPTURE RESTORED 2

Have you read Matt. 24:29-31.  No?  Here it is …

“But immediately after the tribulation of those days THE SUN WILL BE DARKENED, AND THE MOON WILL NOT GIVE ITS LIGHT, AND THE STARS WILL FALL from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the SON OF MAN COMING ON THE CLOUDS OF THE SKY with power and great glory. And He will send forth His angels with A GREAT TRUMPET and THEY WILL GATHER TOGETHER His elect from the four winds, from one end of the sky to the other.” (Mat 24:29-31)

There are so-called end-times experts, probably devout Christians, who say this verse is all about the Pre-Trib Rapture.  Here, supposedly according to the opinions of the end-times expert, Jesus will come and rescue the Church from the terrible times, the horrible times, of God’s wrath falling upon all the pagan nations before Jesus returns.  But, you can also find end-times experts who argue that Matt. 24:29-31 is Jesus teaching on the Mid-Trib Rapture.  The Church will need to go through at least half the terrible times before being “caught up” or “raptured” and taken to Jesus to be with Him forever.  But, on top of that you can also find end-times experts, again probably devout sincere Christians, who say Jesus is teaching that the Rapture will not come till after the Tribulation period.  So, we see there are three groups of end-times experts and three separate views and interpretations on this one verse.  So, who do you believe? 

In these video lessons we will again study the Bible in its historical context.  It is clear not one, no one, none of the end-times experts even addresses the Bible in its historical context nor do with focus on the Hebrew culture and language of Jesus' day.  We will go back 2000 years ago to try and grasp what Jesus’ disciples, devout Jewish believers, understood when Jesus spoke the words in Matt. 24:29-31.  But this time we will focus on the fact that in Jesus’ day there was NO New Testament.  All they had was “Jesus’ Bible” or the Hebrew Scriptures that is called today the Old Testament. 

Also, in Jesus’ day Jewish eschatology, Jewish end-times theology, was discussed and understood from the very words of God in Torah and the Prophets.  So, in these lessons we need to get to what Jewish eschatology was and the fact that Jesus NEVER came against it. 

We will also focus on the Hebrew.  Why?  There is solid strong evidence that Jesus’ everyday language was Hebrew.  I mentioned some links I’d provide so you can study this further.  Here they are …

LINK 1 – the book “Understanding the Difficult Words of Jesus”

https://www.amazon.com/Understanding-Difficult-Words-Jesus-Perspective/dp/B098XVRHDN/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3J4OZ9IUQZ8BF&keywords=Understanding+the+Difficult+Words+of+Jesus%3A+New+Insights+From+a+Hebrew+Perspective&qid=1684698362&sprefix=understanding+the+difficult+words+of+jesus+new+insights+from+a+hebrew+perspective%2Caps%2C735&sr=8-1

LINK 2 -  Skip Moen’s article on the Hebraic foundation of the Gospels

https://skipmoen.com/subscribe/hebrew/the-hebrew-gospels/

LINK 3 – scholarly article found at “Hebrew 4 Christians”

https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Articles/Jesus_Hebrew/jesus_hebrew.html

As one studies this Rapture Controversy it is wise to consider becoming familiar with Jewish end-times views or Jewish Eschatology.  One will find great connections between what the Church believes and it source in Second Temple Judaism, the days of Jesus.  Here’s a link to an article that will give you the listener an introduction …

LINK – Jewish Eschatology

https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/eschatology

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link -https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

RAPTURE RESTORED 1

Links and session notes are found under the picture for Part 2.

In lesson 60 we will continue our study of Isaac.  Again and again we will see that even though Isaac is seemingly of less importance than his dad, Abraham, or his son, Jacob, nevertheless, Isaac is a “big deal.”  Isaac is thus one of the Jewish Patriarchs and his position in this elite group of Bible characters is just as critical as the others.

One thing we will see again is the truth of this phrase first coined by Rabbi Moses ben Maimon or better known in Judaism as Rambam.  In his commentary on Genesis that he wrote in the Middle Ages, Rambam noticed something and thus wrote …

מה שאירע לאבות סימן לבנים

Mah Shayra L’Avot Seeman L’Banim

“What happened to the fathers is a sign for the sons.”

Rambam Berescheit 12:6

In this lesson Isaac has problems with a Philistine named Abimelech and his herdsmen regarding wells.  But, this happened to his father as well.  There’s more.  Isaac is the promised one to Abraham and Sarah.  Isaac’s birth is miraculous!  Sarah was beyond child bearing years but God took care of that.  This repeats in Isaac’s life.  Rebecca could not have children and Isaac prayed for his beautiful Rebecca for 20 years!  God answered that prayer and Rebecca conceived.  One might say another birth controlled by the hand of the Lord.  This then reminds us of Yeshua, Jesus.  He is the promised one just like Isaac.  Jesus’ birth was an unbelievable miracle as the birth of Isaac and then later the birth of Jacob and Esau.  Now we see what Rambam saw and why he wrote …

מה שאירע לאבות סימן לבנים

Mah Shayra L’Avot Seeman L’Banim

“What happened to the fathers is a sign for the sons.”

Rambam Berescheit 12:6

It is almost as if God is showing us that when we see events in the lives of Bible characters that repeat in a pattern later, it is a if God is saying, “I engineered all this.  This is all by my hand.  You can tell by how one event or one character is reflected in the lives and events of those that came below."  

There is a Messianic congregation I know and respect.  Their lead teacher wrote an article that relates to the saying of Rambam.  Here’s the link to the article.  This will add to your understanding.  Link - https://rabbiyeshua.com/articles-by-kehilat/item/58-faith-of-our-fathers

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? 

(Ferret outside a Bedouin tent in the Negev Israel)

What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

We’ve all heard the expression, “like father like son.”  In this lesson we will see how this relates to Abraham and his son Isaac. 

Perhaps, for many of us, we look upon Isaac as a minor Biblical character.  His story is not very long in the Torah in Genesis.  Matter of fact in the Hebrew Scriptures there are about 200 some verses connected to Abraham and about 100 for Isaac; Isaac seems to be not as important as his dad.  But, this is a wrong view. 

In this lesson we will see some amazing aspects of his life, Isaac’s life, and this will result in one conclusion; Isaac and his life is a big big deal.  We will see that things in Abraham’s life seemingly are repeated in the life of Isaac.  I wonder if this is where the rabbis got their insight into a Biblical concept they saw.  It is captured in the phrase...

מַעֲשֵׂה אֲבוֹת סִימָן לַבָּנִים

Ma'asay Avot Seeman L’Baneem

... or “The deeds of the fathers are signs for the children.”  So if one looks at Abraham’s life some of the events are signs or predictions for Isaac.  In lessons 54 and 55 in this series we began to see that this was connected to Jesus as well.  Indeed the rabbinic concept that “the deeds of the fathers are signs for the children,” is demonstrated in the unbelievable links between יִצְחָק Yeetzack and יֵשׁוּעַ‎ Yeshua, Isaac and Jesus.  We will see this continue in this lesson and in lesson 60. 

Here are the links to lesson 54 and 55.  Perhaps you have already listened to them.  It might be good to go back and review.  If you haven’t listened to those lessons, I highly recommend you go back, listen to them, and gain a more complete picture and understanding of the awesome standing of Isaac. So, here’s the links …

Lesson 54 – https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-8zhit-1139596

Lesson 55 - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-w7b5j-11507a8

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - on top of the Pergamum Acropolis)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

As we put the Bible into its historical context, we find our understanding of the first Passover is extremely limited from what is taught in traditional Sunday churches and Messianic groups.  But, as we delve into the fact that the Exodus and the Passover are so affected by Egypt, its ancient culture, and pantheon of gods, the Passover takes on a deeper and more awesome meaning. 

In this lesson (part 2 in this mini series on Exod. 12:1-14) we ask the question why did God wait till the 15th of the month, the night of the full moon, to come and kill all the first born in all Egypt?  The dads of each household picked a lamb or goat less than 1 year old on the 10th of the month and kept it until the 14th.  It was to be sacrificed on the evening of the 14th and after sundown, which means it is now the 15th of the month, at midnight, the Lord let His final hammer fall; the Lord executed the first born on all Egypt. 

Was there something special about this night, the 15th of Nissan?  Was it somehow different from other nights astronomically?  Did it relate to Egypt, its gods?  Once we study this we will be blown away and our understanding of the Passover we be expanded and enriched.  On top of that we will see how it relates to Jesus, the Last Supper (the Passover Meal of the Messiah), His death, and resurrection.  We will more see the awesome connection in that on the 15th on Nissan probably in 30 A.D. the first born and only begotten son of the Father, The Lord God, was executed.  What we will learn is that it was the same in Egypt for Amun Ra, the “father” god of all the gods of Egypt.  His only son was Khonsu, the moon god.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(FERRET - SEA OF GALILEE)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link -https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

TRUTH NUGGET #16

For Hebrews they have a Middle East mindset unlike us who have a Greek mindset (Western). For Hebrews they represent major theological concepts many times in pictures. Like Jesus as a Jewish Rabbi telling teaching us that we are branches of the true vine and He is the true vine. In the psalms the writers like David use this Hebrew mindset and create pictures that those who lived in 1200 or 1000 or 900 B.C. would completely understand from the culture of those days. This video will consider two dramatic "pictures" of major attributes of the Lord in Psalm 52:8 and Psalm 18:33 and Hab. 3:18-19.

Does His word give us specifics as to how He does support us and help us in trials, troubles, suffering, and perhaps even in death?  The Bible seems to give us a picture of times of trouble and suffering.  The Bible seems to picture them as "high places" - like dangerous steep high cliffs that we must walk, saint and sinner, as we live and persevere in a fallen world. These pictures present amazing truths of our Lord and His love for us His people that can only be understood if you are Hebrew and lived in David's day of the days of Messiah Jesus.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Jesus teaches a harsh fact, a standard of measure He gives us.  It is a tough thing to grasp and to apply in our lives especially in days like today in the USA of 2021.  Jesus said …

"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Mat 5:43-45)

So, good things happen to the righteous and the unrighteous.  They both experience bad things as well.  There is no difference between Godly Christians and the ungodly, the ones who are anti-God or anti-Christ.  On top of that we are to love our enemies.  No where in the entire Bible do we read such a statement except here.  Jesus does not negate the Torah, God’s instruction in the books of Moses. He does not negate the law in Lev. 19:18 that says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” but He adds to it.  Jesus is saying our neighbor is our enemy, one who persecutes us and may even be out to do us harm and even kill us.  It is Jesus’ requirement of us if we are to be true Christians, real disciples. 

This is harsh.  It is tough reality.  We live in a fallen world and Jesus’ does not mince words.  To be a disciple and take on His “standard of measure” is not easy; it is a matter of life and death.

But THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.  There is an amazing reality that separates the Godly person from the ungodly, the righteous person following the Good Shepherd from the unrighteous person who follows the false shepherd.  What is that difference?  We see it in one verse in Hebrew in Psalm 4:3 and in the historical context of Jesus’ day.  How might a disciple of Jesus understand Psalm 4:3? I suggest to you we need to grasp what they may have understood.  It truly makes all the difference.

I mentioned in this lesson to consider listening to a podcast I did entitled, “For Such a Time as This.”  It is a study on Phil. 4:6-7 …

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Php 4:6-7)

Listening to this podcast (in four parts) will add so much more to this lesson.  If you click on the link below it will take you to the series, “For Such a Time as This.”  They are in reverse order – session 4 is first and you need to “slide down” to access session 1 and begin the study. 

LINK - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/?s=for+such+a+time

To complete your study even more, I also suggest you listen to the podcast series on the Lord’s Prayer.  It is so related to Psalm 4:3 and the concepts in this verse and the concept of being a true disciple of Rabbi Yeshua, our Lord, our Savior, our God, Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  See the link below to access the sessions on the Lord’s prayer.  Once again they are in reverse order.

LINK - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/?s=the+lord%27s+prayer 

Other Truth Nuggets on the Psalms ...

Nuggets 10 - Psalm 1 - I Am and Acacia Tree - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-10-psalm-1-a-beatitude-of-the-acacia-tree/

Nuggets 2 - Psalm 23 and 91 - God's Hidden Tents - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-2/

Nuggets 1 - Psalm 118:24 - This is the Day - But It Isn't Today - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-1/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In Jesus' day the only Bible they had then was the Hebrew Scriptures (a.k.a. the Old Testament).  In Matt 16:18 we read that Jesus will build His ECCLESIA G1577 upon a rock.  But, Jesus did not mean church as we know it in the 21st century.  He did not mean a building or an organization or a religion.  He meant "a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place; an assembly" from Thayer's Greek Lexicon.  So He meant people.  How do you relate a group of people to a ROCK?  

One thing that is possible is it may be connected to the location of where Jesus said this.  He said it at a pagan Roman city called Caesarea Philippi 25 miles north of the sea of Galilee.  This city was the location of a rock formation where pagans came to worship the god Pan in bizarre and immoral rituals.  This was a "holy" pagan religious site where of pagan gods even from Old Testament days.  Ray Vander Laan has an excellent (short) article related to this archaeological site and how it might connect to Jesus' words.  Here's the link -  https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/gates-of-hell-article

Here's a link to an awesome scholarly resource where you can study this archaeological site in detail with awesome pictures.  Link - https://www.biblewalks.com/banias

Jesus at this place talks about building His assembly of followers on a ROCK.  But, this is a place where an assembly of pagans gathered at a ROCK to worship pagan gods and goddesses.  Is there something the Lord wants us to understand?  But, in the book of Isaiah we read ...

"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, Who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn And to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father And to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain; When he was but one I called him, Then I blessed him and multiplied him." (Isa 51:1-2)

Bible commentators both Jewish and Christian say this verse suggests that Abraham is the ROCK.  And all the disciples of Jesus had then was the Hebrew Scriptures.  They very likely knew this verse.  So, did they somehow relate Jesus' words to Abraham?  Needless to say we have some interesting connections to explore.  This is what we will do in lesson 58.  We will again study the life of Abraham and use it as a EULOGY to this man who is our "father" by faith as Paul teaches us in ...

Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. (Gal 3:6-7)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise. (Gal 3:28-29)

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

( Ferret - teaching in a wadi somewhere in the Negev)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link -click here for the teacher's background

Jesus is said to have taught the Beatitudes in Matthew 5.  It is as if we think Jesus invented the beatitudes and a grammatical form to teach us about what a real disciple is like.  Well, he did not.  David used the format and so did other writers of the psalms.  Solomon uses it also in Proverbs.  Psalm 1 is a beatitude.  It is a picture of what a righteous man or woman is like who is one of God's people, one saved and part of the everlasting Kingdom of the Most High.  Such a one is like a tree planted by streams of water.  Once again, David gets it.  Adonai inspired David to probably associate a righteous disciple of Yeshua with a particular tree found in the wadis of the Judean wilderness.  So, you are like this tree.  So come and join us in this podcast to understand what God says we are like even in days of difficulty and distress.  We are not taken out of these difficult days but we live in them and through them to show the world what it is like to be HIS disciple, HIS righteous people.

Click here for my paper on the acacia tree - https://www.dropbox.com/s/z8p8guvg9r2lqol/The%20Acacia%20Tree%20.pdf?dl=0

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

So you think you know Passover? You think you see all the connections between Jesus the Messiah and the Passover and Egypt? You think as I did that Jesus did a Passover Seder? Wow - you won't believe what we missed.  Share my excitement as you join me on a journey to learn about the Passover like never before. You will be amazed at what is not taught to us and see, that what is taught to us, is so limited and basic.

In this lesson I mentioned that I will link you to lessons 30 and 31 in this Torah series on Exodus.  Here's the links.  I recommend HIGHLY that you study these lessons if you haven't yet before you move on.  

Link to lesson 30 - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-d94p6-117e40f

Link to lesson 31 - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-pbvk7-117ff15

And here's a link to the special lesson entitled, "The Archaeology of the Passover: the Ram of God and the Last Supper."  This lesson goes deeper into some aspects of the Last Supper that are so awesome.  Here's the link to this podcast - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-tzda7-da7d9c

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - on the lower level of a pagan temple in the ancient city of Gath)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link -click here for the teacher's background

Lesson 5 – HaMo’ed Sukkot Shel Adonai

The Lord’s Appointed Time of Sukkot

Lev. 23:36 “on the eighth day”

ביום השמיני BayYom HaShmee-nee

We finally come to the end of this podcast series, “The Fall Feasts of Adonai.”  In lesson 3 of Sukkot we started seeing the amazing “shadows” of the Messiah over Sukkot.  Indeed there really seems to be NO excuse for the “church” to ignore not doing the “feasts” as they testify of Jesus anymore.  The early church fathers contributed to the separation of us from our Jewish roots.  But, with archaeology and sound historical scholarship, we can reconnect to the days of Yeshua and hear as they heard and see as they saw and understand in ways that only enhance and expand our understanding of God's truth, of God's Gospel. The Lord told us in John 5:39.  He taught us when all they had was the Hebrew Scriptures that all scripture testifies of Him!  Yes, Sukkot testifies of Yeshua.

In this session we need to understand how this “appointed time” of the Lord is a time of great joy for all seasons.  The Jewish rabbis of Jesus day understood it.  But now, with Jesus who has come and will return, we now see an amazing correlation to the events that happened in the Temple in Jerusalem in Jesus’ day to His coming and that this is the Gospel, the Good News, which is for all the people of all the nations.  We will also see that there is a case to be made that Jesus was perhaps born in the season of Sukkot.  In other words it could be that we Christians are doing our shopping for gifts at the wrong time!  It could be the ancient culture gives us sound reasons to celebrate the birth of Christ at Sukkot and not on December 25th which was a pagan holiday in ancient Rome. 

Ready?  Come and join the study.  Come and see the amazing ways the Hebrew Scriptures testify of Yeshua, witness the ONE who will come and be suspended on “the tree” to become the source of LIVING WATER for all who proclaim Yeshua is Adonai, Yeshua is Lord, Yeshua is God. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

We come to the awesome climax of our study on the feast, the appointed time of the Lord, Sukkot.  Our objective now is to heed the teaching of Paul when he taught …

Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. (Col 2:16-17)

How is Jesus the Shadow over us of Sukkot?  How does this feast testify of Messiah?  What is amazing as we put this feast in its historical context, as we study it in the times of Yeshua, when He walked among, that we see this feast testify of His birth and His death.  It is just too awesome.  It is truly the season of our joy, (זְמַן שִׂמְחָתֵנוּ) "Z'man Simchateinu."  What a time to sing the Jewish folk song so appropriate for this appointed time, “Have Nagilah.”  See the lyrics below in Hebrew and English.

Hava nagila, hava nagila

Hava nagila ve-nis'mecha

Repeat

Hava neranena, hava neranena

Hava neranena venis'mecha

Uru, uru achim

Uru achim belev same'ach

Let us rejoice, let us rejoice

Let us rejoice and be glad

Repeat

Let us sing, let us sing

Let us sing and be glad

Awaken, awaken brethren

Awaken brethren with a cheerful heart.

Here's a link to a YouTube video of this song with the lyrics in Hebrew.  Here's the link - https://youtu.be/UbjmkrUDb8c

Indeed, it is as if this “last” feast of the agricultural year is no only about the “end” but it is about the “beginning.”  It is the end of the agricultural year, the harvest time that started as Passover is over.  But, it is the time where all the Jews in the days of Yeshua looked forward to the beginning of the new agricultural year and the start of the early rains.  So too for us disciples of our Lord Yeshua Adonai, Sukkot testifies of the day when He came to “camp out” with us, His birth, the beginning.  And it testifies of His death, and His cross, which is the way for the lord to pour upon us Living Water.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Many Messianic groups today will build their sukkahs in their yards and enter the sukkah on after sunset on the eve of Mo'ed Sukkot - the appointed time of Sukkot or Tabernacles.  There are very many Jewish rituals and prayers that many Gentile Messianic Christians practice each evening in their sukkahs since the Jewish people do it.   You can see our sukkah that we put up to practice observance of this God ordered, commanded appointed time.  (See below) We put up a "tent" and not a wooden rabbinic "lean to" as ordered and commanded by the rabbis.   The Hebrews dwelt in "tents" not a wooden structure with a roof of branches and leaves (see two examples of "kosher" booths or sukkahs - royalty free from Wikipedia - at the end of this introduction).  For Robin and I we focus on His word, the actual Hebrew, and not made up rabbinic rules and regulations.  

Robin and I needed to recapture how the feast of Tabernacles testifies of Jesus.  How do we see Jesus in this feast?  This was not apparent when Robin and I followed our Messianic Gentile teachers who only emphasized what the orthodox rabbis taught.  Everything they taught and told us to do was not helping us relate to Yeshua, the Messiah, the Lord, our God.

In lesson 2 we try and "see" what those early believers saw when they did this feast of the Lord.  And I'm not talking about the disciples in Jesus' day but the Hebrews coming out of Egypt!  They were to remember living in tents when the Lord delivered them from the bondage of slavery from Egypt.  Those Hebrews would remember the tents they lived in, but they would also remember, Emmanoo El עִמָּנוּ אֵל - "God with us" - and that Adonai, the Lord, Yahvay יהוה‎ also dwelt in a tent (tabernacle is Latin for "tent").  He was with them 24/7.  They saw His glorious presence coming down upon the "Tabernacle" in Exodus 40, His SHH-KEE-NAH glory.  He came once to dwell in a Sukkah, a tent.  Later, He came again. This time to dwell in His permanent "house" built by Solomon. 

God came twice.  Interesting! Sounds like something Christians know - Jesus came once and will come again.  Is this somehow connected to Yeshua?  Is there Biblical truth that I did not learn from so called "expert" Messianic Gentile teachers who only were stuck on Orthodox Judaism?  It was wonderful to learn from them and to take part in applying Jewish rituals but looking back Jesus was not a priority.  So, the answer is yes. 

Once again by reconnecting to the Bible in its historical, and not rabbinic context, by reconnecting to the ancient culture and practices of Israel, we begin to "see" like they did, we begin to "hear" God's word like they did, and we begin to "understand" like they did and our walk with the Lord is enhanced and our views expanded.  God goes beyond Christian theological "midrash" and theological "midrash" of Orthodox Judaism.  Sukkot testifies of Adonai Yeshua.  Come.  Come and join us to learn how. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Pictures below accessible at Wikipedia and a public domain.

This is the time of our joy.  In Hebrew (זְמַן שִׂמְחָתֵנוּ) "Z'man Simchateinu" (pronounced - sim ka tay noo).  This means the "season of our JOY."  If there was an argument to convince the "church" to begin to do services on God's feasts, His mo'edem, His appointed times, these three lessons might convince you - at least for Sukkot.  And, even if your pastor doesn't agree since he/she is stuck in tradition or he might hold that the Old Testament and the feasts and Torah are null and void; or he/she is uncomfortable doing this and be considered "weird" among his fellow pastors - then do it yourself.  Find some others who want to do the feasts.  Find other fellow Christians to study together, learn how the feasts testify of Jesus as Jesus implied in John 5:39, and do your own services at your house since these are about Jesus.  Perhaps the pastor would be OK if you did them at your church building.  These are God's.   

Again, this is from THE VERY WORDS OF GOD and not my opinion.  It is time for us as real disciples of Adonai Yeshua, to do (תְשׁוּבָה) teshoovah, repentance, which actually in Hebrew means the process of "turning back."  What a joy it'd be to see 1000's of tents put up during the feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot, by Christians, across the land, to praise the Lord and rejoice in the season of our JOY.  You will see this in these three lessons on Sukkot.  As a note, the angels who appeared to the shepherds when Jesus was born said, "I bring you news of great JOY for all people" in Like 2:10.  Hmmm ... that's Christmas.  That's when Jesus came to dwell amongest us.  Hmmm, this sounds like Sukkot.  Could it be?

Robin and I set up our tent every year.  We do Sukkot as an appointed time to remember Jesus.  Here's some pictures of our tent below.

God commanded the Hebrews that each year forever they are to set up a    ( סוקה) sukkah, Hebrew for a tent, booth, shanty, a make shift shelter out of wood and branches.  In this way they will remember the time they lived in tents with the Lord.  He also dwelt in a tent (Latin for tent is "tabernacle").  God was with us!  In other words, עִמָּנוּ אֵל Emmanoo El which means "God with us."  This is also associated with Jesus at His birth.  We will see this in lesson 1.  Moreover, we will see that as God came twice to first, campout with Israel in His tent.  He came a 2nd time to dwell in the House (Solomon built God's HOUSE not His Temple - see 1 Kings 5-8).  Hmmm, interesting.  Does this mean that Jesus came twice to first campout?  Does this mean that Jesus came twice to dwell in His House?  What House?  The Temple, the Beit Mikdash (Holy Dwelling House) in Jerusalem is gone, it was destroyed.  But, he did come to dwell in a New House, a New Temple.  Wait till you see!  You will then realize that this is the season of our JOY, the season of our rejoicing.  Together we will sing "Hava Nagilah" together.  See the lyrics below in Hebrew and English.

Hava nagila, hava nagila Hava nagila ve-nis'mecha Repeat Hava neranena, hava neranena Hava neranena venis'mecha Uru, uru achim Uru achim belev same'ach

Let us rejoice, let us rejoice Let us rejoice and be glad Repeat Let us sing, let us sing Let us sing and be glad Awaken, awaken brethren Awaken brethren with a cheerful heart.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Jesus teaches His disciples that they are the BRANCHES and He is the TRUE VINE.  On top of that these branches are "clean" because of what they learned from their rabbi, Rabbi Jesus.  Clean?  You mean somehow Jesus' words gave them a bath?  Huh?

He was teaching Jews in Israel about 2000 years ago.  We are so disconnected from those days that much of what Jesus taught simply escapes us.  So, if you thought you understood everything in John 15:1-11 wait till you watch this vidcast!  The church has abandoned understanding the Bible in its ancient historical and cultural context.  There are so many misconceptions that we are taught mistakenly and without the knowledge of the teacher.  It is time once again to reconnect to those days and study His word in context and grasp the original intended meaning by the Lord.  Ready?  Let's go.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Some people think that the word "fornication" means sex outside of marriage. Some say that this is what it means in the Bible.  NOPE.  Sorry folks.  God never states specifically that pre-marital sex or sex outside of marriage is a sin.  But it is.  How does God teach us this in His Torah, His "instruction?"  How did He get this across to His chosen people the Hebrews coming out of Egypt?  How did God do this to His people in the 1st century A.D. when He, Yeshua HaMaschiach, Jesus the Messiah, God Himself, how did He teach this THEN?  We missed it.  He did teach it.  But, once again we need to put the Bible into its historical perspective.  One needs to understand how God taught them THEN 3400, 3000, 2500,  or 2000 years ago, so we can understand NOW.  Sex outside of marriage is a sin and, on top of that, it looks as if it is something God hates.  Wait till you see.

Here's a number of links I promised in the podcast you many find very enlightening.  

Link 1 - the practice of sex outside of marriage, abortion, and infanticide in ancient Greece and Rome - https://soc.history.ancient.narkive.com/DIO506S4/world-before-christ-infanticide-and-abortion-in-ancient-pagan-world

Link 2 - the 613 laws of Maimonides - https://www.chabad.org/library/article_cdo/aid/756399/jewish/The-613-Commandments-Mitzvot.htm

Link 3 - Jewish scholarly site showing that pre-marital sex is NOT brought up in the Hebrew scriptures (the Old Testament) - https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/jewish-views-on-premarital-sex/

Link 4 - Ray Vander Laan's article on ancient pagan religion and practices - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/fertility-cults-of-canaan

Link 5 - Josephus' statement that abortion is considered murder - https://lexundria.com/j_ap/2.202/wst

Link 6 - my research article for my master's degree in Biblical history.  The focus is on adoption in ancient Turkey (Asia Minor) but relates to infanticide in ancient Rome.  The bibliography is invaluable - https://www.dropbox.com/s/i0fg3wwbm9xohzq/Ephesus%20Adopt.pdf?dl=0

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Once again we come to text of the Bible that is taken out of its historical context.  Once again we are surrounded by childish ideas of the Scapegoat and what the term עֲזָאזֵל Azazel means.  It is not a name.  And Jewish scholars agree that the scapegoat is NOT a sacrifice.  It does nothing for the person -  does not forgive sin - at all.  So what is it?

On top of that Jesus says in John 5:39 the following ...

"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; ..." (Joh 5:39) 

OK - God says sometime between 24-30 A.D. that Scripture testifies of Jesus.  All they had was the Hebrew Scriptures the Old Testament and the Torah, the first five books of the Bible were the foundation of the Bible.  Does the Scapegoat, עֲזָאזֵל Azazel, testify of Messiah Yeshua, Jesus the Christ?  Does the  Scapegoat, עֲזָאזֵל Azazel, shows us the Lord?  Wait till you see!!

Awhile back a pastor I knew did a lesson on Yom Kipppureem.  In his sermon he connected Yom Kippureem to Passover for us who were Christians.  I never heard this before and it was interesting.  Over the years this has stayed with me and I think there is something here to be considered.  Let's take a look.

1) Yom Kippureem totally involved the high priest.  He alone was involved in all the sacrifices and rituals of the appointed time, no on else, so that all the unintentional sins of Israel would be forgiven and atoned for. But, Yeshua is our high priest, and He was the only one on Passover to provide a way so that our intentional sins would be forgiven and atoned for.  

2) On Yom Kippureem there was one from the flocks that was the sin offering, a goat chosen by lot.  On Passover, there is only one Lamb of God, Yeshua, the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world and He was chosen since the beginning of time. (Luke 9:35)

3) Today the Jewish people reserve the month before Rosh HaShana as a month to prepare for Yom Kippureem.  It is the month of Elul.  For us Christians we today have a time before Passover when we prepare for the remembrance of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God and the cross.  We call it Lent.  

4) In the year of Jubilee the shofar is to be sounded on Yom Kippureem.  This is to announce that all slaves were free and all are released from their debts.  Today, the shofar is blown at the end of the services for Yom Kippureem.  But, on Passover, the shofar was blown in Jesus' day at the time of the sacrifice of the Passover lambs.  It was at this time that Jesus died and we, as slaves to sin, chose Jesus, and proclaim Him as Lord and Savor, as God, we can confess our intentional sins are are forgiven, released, and free.  He paid the price of our debt.  For Jew and Gentile the shofar blast on Passover the day and hour Jesus died announces the year of Jubilee tat started then and never ends.

5) On Yom Kippureem the high priest showed up a week early.  He was then in the Temple getting ready of his big day on Yom Kippureem.  Jesus as well.  He showed up in Bethany six days before Passover, the day of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.  He was in the Temple and it was as if Jesus was teaching and witnessing His word before His terrible day when WE crucified Him due to our sin.

There probably is more.  And there is.  But now.  Come.  Study this last lesson on Yom Kippureem.  Study and see and hear how Jesus is the shadow of this appointed time over us. 

Therefore let no one sit in judgment on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a New Moon or a Sabbath. Such [things] are only the shadow of things that are to come, and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality (the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it) belongs to Christ. (Col 2:16-17)

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

In this second lesson on the most holiest day for the religious Jewish people, Yom Kippureem יום הכיפורים‎ - the day of Atonements יום הכיפורים‎ -  we wonder if the Hebrews did this "feast" during the 40 years in the Sinai?  Did they do it in David's day, Solomon's, or Hezekiah's?  

In Jesus' day Yom Kippureem יום הכיפורים‎ was devoutly practiced and it was called "The Great Day" or "The Day" or simply the "The Fast."  This can be seen in the books of Acts when Paul was on that sea voyage and experienced the ship wreck.  Consider ... 

When we had sailed slowly for a good many days, and with difficulty had arrived off Cnidus, since the wind did not permit us to go farther, we sailed under the shelter of Crete, off Salmone; and with difficulty sailing past it we came to a place called Fair Havens, near which was the city of Lasea. When considerable time had passed and the voyage was now dangerous, since even the fast was already over, Paul began to admonish them, and said to them, "Men, I perceive that the voyage will certainly be with damage and great loss, not only of the cargo and the ship, but also of our lives." (Act 27:7-10)

Dr. Craig Keener - an superb and highly credible Bible historian and scholar - comments on this.  He says ...

The “fast” here refers to Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement, which occurs in September or October. Sea travel became more dangerous as winter approached (2Ti_4:21; Tit_3:12). Shipping was completely closed down from around November 10 to as late as March 10, but September 15-November 10 and March 11-May 26 were risky periods as well. (The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament. © 1993 by Craig S. Keener).

During Jesus' day the appointed time focused on the High Priest and the rituals and events taught by יהוה‎ Yahvay, the Lord our God, in Leviticus 16.  It is possible there were services in the local synagogues across Israel.  However, the TORAH, God's "instruction" and not law emphasized the High Priest and the things that must be done on the Temple in Jerusalem.

After 70 A.D. Judaism changes dramatically.  All things had to be rethought and looked at from a different perspective.  Why?  There was no Temple anymore.  Now what?  So, Yom Kippureem יום הכיפורים‎ takes on a whole different way of observing this awesome day as the rabbis "made up" new rituals and new practices that are not in the Bible at all.  Some are.  But overall the Jewish way today of doing Yom Kippureem is not like it was in Jesus' day.

We know that there are days coming we call the Great Tribulation.  We know it has to do with the predictions of the "70 Weeks" on Daniel.  It was weeks of years or each year represents one day of "week." In Judaism you might hear that the "last week" of Daniel's 70 weeks is called the "Time of Jacob's Trouble."  Some verses related to this in Judaism are ...

"Seventy weeks have been decreed for your people and your holy city, to finish the transgression, to make an end of sin, to make atonement for iniquity, to bring in everlasting righteousness, to seal up vision and prophecy and to anoint the most holy place. "So you are to know and discern that from the issuing of a decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until Messiah the Prince there will be seven weeks and sixty-two weeks; it will be built again, with plaza and moat, even in times of distress. "Then after the sixty-two weeks the Messiah will be cut off and have nothing, and the people of the prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary. And its end will come with a flood; even to the end there will be war; desolations are determined. "And he will make a firm covenant with the many for one week, but in the middle of the week he will put a stop to sacrifice and grain offering; and on the wing of abominations will come one who makes desolate, even until a complete destruction, one that is decreed, is poured out on the one who makes desolate."  (Dan 9:24-27)

Now these are the words which the LORD spoke concerning Israel and concerning Judah: "For thus says the LORD, 'I have heard a sound of terror, Of dread, and there is no peace. 'Ask now, and see If a male can give birth. Why do I see every man With his hands on his loins, as a woman in childbirth? And why have all faces turned pale? 'Alas! for that day is great, There is none like it; And it is the time of Jacob's distress, But he will be saved from it. 'It shall come about on that day,' declares the LORD of hosts, 'that I will break his yoke from off their neck and will tear off their bonds; and strangers will no longer make them their slaves. (Jer 30:4-8)

Is there some connection between Jesus, "The Time of Jacob's Distress (Trouble)," Yom Kippureem יום הכיפורים‎, Yom Teruah יוֹם תְּרוּעָה‎ (rabbinic name is Rosh HaShana), and Jesus' words as we read ...

"The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel." (Mar 1:15)

Come.  Join us.  Let's study Yom Kippureem יום הכיפורים‎.  Let's "see" how this appointed time is a picture of the coming of the End of Days, the awesome Day of the Lord.

Ten days after Yom Teruah יוֹם תְּרוּעָה‎ (rabbinic name is Rosh HaShana) we come to the most holiest day for the religious Jewish people, Yom Kippureem יום הכיפורים‎ - the day of Atonements.  Already we see that when we call it Yom Kippur we are incorrect.  God calls it Yom Kippureem, atonements is plural. 

In this first of the three lessons on this feast (not a feast but an "appointed time" or mo'edeem מועדים - like a date - one knows the day, the time, and the place of the meeting) we will learn why it is called the day of atonements.  We will see that those who teach that atonement means "AT ONE MENT" are showing their total lack of Bible knowledge and understanding.  We will deal with the question that few in the pulpit can deal with and that is if on Yom Kippureem God atones and forgives ALL the sins of all the people Israel (look it up in Lev. 16:34) then what did Jesus do on the cross? Does this mean Israel is cleansed of all sins once per year, but non-Jews, like us, need Jesus?  Does that mean Israel does not need Jesus?  Is Israel some sort of super race in God's eyes?  We will see that Yom Kippureem does not cleanse Israel of sin.  We will see that indeed all men, all women, young and old, Jew and Gentile, have no hope to be forgiven of their sin unless there is the solution God provided, His death and blood sacrifice on the cross.  All this is right in front of us.  The confusion is cleared up easily and precisely IF you know the Hebrew and IF you know what the Torah says about UNINTENTIONAL SIN and INTENTIONAL SIN and the SIN OFFERING.  All the answers are right there in front of us, but few in the church are educated in Biblical Hebrew and the ancient culture of Israel, our Jewish roots.  Our seminaries are graduating highly educated pastors with no Biblical understanding, no knowledge of Biblical Hebrew or Greek, and no training in understanding the Bible in its historical context or the Jewish roots of Christianity.

Here's two awesome links to two articles at www.TorahClass.com - a Jewish/Christian teaching site explain this - 1) https://torahclass.com/old-testament-leviticus-lesson-23-ch16/?format=video&lang=en 2) https://torahclass.com/old-testament-leviticus-lesson-24-ch16-ch17/?format=audio&lang=en

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link -click here for the teacher's background

From Abraham Cohen’s excellent scholarly work, “Everymans’ Talmud,” we read that in Judaism today and in the days of Jesus, one’s death was more important than one’s birth.  Jews will rejoice at a person’s death if they were righteous and live a life living according to the ways of the Lord.  Don’t rejoice at a person’ birth.  One being born is just beginning their life.  Will they live righteously?  Will do amazing things by the power of the hand of the Lord?  Or, will they live sinful lives, unrighteous before God and man?  We don’t know.  So, thus, we celebrate the death of a righteous person. 

This idea of the importance of the death of a person over the birth of a person is shown in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  There are only 41 verses or so relating to the birth of Christ in Matthew and Luke.  But there are over 400 verses in the four gospels reporting on the death of Jesus.  Of course!  The gospels are books written by Jews in their Jewish Middle Eastern mindset 2000 years ago.  The death of Jesus and the sacrifice of the cross is critically important to those Jewish gospel writers. Far different than Christians today ​in how we emphasize His birth that we ​c​all Christmas. In lesson 57 we will continue to study Abraham and his life from the Jewish perspective.  He first appears in Genesis 12 and the Torah is silent as to why Abraham was chosen by Adonai.  But, at his passing, we are now able to go back and study Abraham’s life.  We are able to consider ways God may have looked upon this man and chose Abraham to be our father in the faith as Paul teaches us in Rom. 4:13-16.  

Abraham was given the gospel!  So, in the Torah, the books of Moses, we first read of the gospel, the gospel according to Moses, as Paul shows us in Gal. 3:8.  Now as we study the life of Abraham at his death, we will see Jesus.  Just like Jesus said in John 5:39.  

How is Abraham our father?  How does all this relate to us today in the 21st century?  We will find that Abraham put all things in his life below his love of God and his commitment to obey Him.  One might say Abraham "hated" everything in his life as compared to his love of God.  But, it isn't hate.  The Hebrew word is שׂנא SANAY H8130 - can mean hate but equally can mean loved less, held in lower esteem, second place.  Yes.  Abraham put all in a lower position as compared to his love and faithfulness to the Lord.  He is the epitome of Jesus was talking about in Luke 14:26 when Jesus taught ...

"If anyone comes to Me, and does not hate (not hate but SANAY - put all things in a lower position that our love and faith in Jesus) his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be My disciple.  (Luk 14:26)

How can we come to have our understanding expanded and enriched as we understand that through Abraham’s seed (his descendants) that all will be blessed?  How do we grasp that we are Abraham’s seed along with Jesus​?​  Jesus is the blessing to all nations and we are to bring Him to all nations.  Abraham was sent and he went.  Jesus was sent and He went.  Jesus sends us.  Are we ready to go and be like ​our ​daddy, Abraham?  

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret at the ancient city of Pergamum)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Our focus in lesson 31 is on two verses.  The first is Exod. 11:2 and the second is Exod. 11:5. 

"Speak now in the hearing of the people that each man ask from his neighbor and each woman from her neighbor for articles of silver and articles of gold." (Exo 11:2)

“… and all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of the Pharaoh who sits on his throne, even to the firstborn of the slave girl who is behind the millstones; all the firstborn of the cattle as well.” (Exo 11:5)

These two verses show us that the Torah, the books of Moses, are as relevant today as they were then.  It is God’s instruction (that is what תּוֹרָה Torah means in the Hebrew) and God was instructing the Hebrews back then in 1446 B.C. and His original message was meant for them and us.  But, we need to study the word and try and grasp what those Hebrews saw and heard and understood, God's original intent and message then, so our understanding of how it relates to us today is enriched and enhanced. 

In Exod. 11:2 we find along with two other verses in Exodus that the Egyptians are called by God the “neighbors” of the Hebrews.  Later God commands in Lev. 19:18 and 19:34 that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves and we are to love the stranger as ourselves.  Thus, combining 19:18 and 19:34 together, the stranger is our neighbor!  God is teaching them then and us today that someone we don’t know, who is perhaps of a different faith, who holds to a different sexual orientation, who is foreign born, a total stranger, we are to treat them as if they were our neighbor - someone we know personally and lives with us of close to us.  In this podcast we will unpack this and relate it to the Platinum Rule and the Golden Rule. 

Platinum Rule – treat others how they would like to be treated.  Or another way of saying it is do unto others they way they want to be treated.

Golden Rule - do unto others as you would have them do unto you.  This is from Matt 7:12

Today some say the Platinum Rule now replaces the Golden Rule.  Some say the Golden Rule is archaic and no longer valid for today.  It is seemingly an attack on the Bible by some, on the very words of God.  These views show that many have a limited and very incomplete understanding of the Bible.  If one does not study the Jewish roots of the New Testament, the Jewish background, one can easily be mislead by those who say the Golden Rule of the Bible is dead.

In this lesson we will show that the Golden Rule and the Platinum Rule are both in the Bible and are applications of the Torah - both come out of the rabbis applying Lev. 19:18 and 19:34.  They are not separate rules but, for the rabbis, they are applications of these verses. We will see that years before Jesus that it was being taught that we are to love the stranger as our neighbor and we are to treat, as best as we can, the stranger the way the stranger would like to be treated.  On top of that we will see that the Platinum Rule itself is actually taught by Paul.  In lesson 31 we will see that God’s word, His תּוֹרָה Torah, is so applicable today.  We shouldn’t be surprised.  Jesus said sometime between 24-30 A.D. that ALL scripture testifies of Him.  All they had then was the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament.  The main books of the Bible in Jesus’ day was the תּוֹרָה Torah.  How dare us not study the very words of God that God Himself says testifies of Him. 

There is a great article on the Golden Rule vs. the Platinum Rule at a website entitled, www.TBLfaithnews.com.  Just go to the website and in their search window simply enter, “Platinum Rule.”  I am indebted to these Christian teachers for some awesome insights to on this topic. 

As we study the Golden Rule vs. the Platinum Rule I mentioned I’d link you to a chapter from one of my class books.  This chapter is on the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Jesus’ parable has everything to do with this issue.  In this parable it is clear that Jesus is saying our enemy is our neighbor.  Once again, the Lord is so consistent.  This is what He initially taught His people coming out of Egypt.  Here’s the link to this chapter for your further study -   https://www.dropbox.com/s/ju6zum2rzcu6srs/Parables2..GoodNeighbor..pages15..31may21.pdf?dl=0

The second issue we will deal with in this lesson is what is the name of the Pharaoh of the Exodus.  This results from the verse Exod. 11:5.  In this verse all first born will die.  But, Pharaoh did not die.  But, studying the ancient culture of Egypt we learn that the 1st born son of a Pharaoh was considered the “crown prince” and this would be the next Pharaoh.  So, the Pharaoh in the Exodus didn’t die.  Thus, if the Bible is true and 100% accurate, the Pharaoh of the Exodus must not have been the first born.  What is amazing is if we put the Bible in its historical context we will be able to determine the name of this Pharaoh from the clue the Bible gives that Pharaoh of the Exodus had an older brother as well as the next Pharaoh in line.

I recommend you also study lesson 5 parts 1 & 2 in this series.  These podcasts deal with the dating of the Exodus.  So podcasts 5 parts 1 & 2 and this lesson are extremely important for you if you are a serious student of the Bible.  Here’s the links to these podcasts.

Part 1 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/the-gospel-according-to-moses-exodus-lesson-5-part-1-the-archaeology-of-the-exodus/

Part 2 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/the-gospel-according-to-moses-exodus-lesson-5-part-2-1446-bc/

I also am linking you to Dr. Doug Petrovich’s new videos.  The topic is the Pharaoh of the Exodus.  In this podcast I deal with one aspect of the discussion that the Pharaoh of the Exodus was Amenhotep II.  Dr. Petrovich in his videos gives even more amazing archaeological and historical fact to support his.  You may even want to get his latest books and DVD’s.  This is one Christian proven credible scholar you will want to “study under” to do deeper into your Bible understanding.  Here’s the links to the videos.

Video 1 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1oslIgQPekQ&t=1s

Video 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rqUC3jAwAMc&t=2s

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret on  the Sea of Galilee)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

ROSH HASHANA EPISODE 4

(ROYALTY FREE IMAGE AT WWW.KINGPNG.COM)

In lesson 4 we seem to get at the primary connection between this feast of the Lord, this "appointed time" commanded by Him, His מוֹעֲדִ mo'ed and Yeshua HaMaschiach, Jesus the Messiah, the Christ.  Jesus said (John 5:39) that SCRIPTURE testifies of Him.  So, this feast in Torah likely testifies of Him.

We will focus on those coming out of Egypt and the one shofar blast that was beyond loud, strong.  It was awesome, amazing, and unbelievable.  As we study the events of this shofar blast it seems to create a definite connection to an event in the future - an event that mirrors the event experienced by the Hebrews at Sinai.  It takes us to a certain mountain, a specific location that we are all looking forward to.

I mentioned in this lesson about Rabbi Saadia Gaon living in the early 10th century A.D.  He suggested there were ten events related to the Shofar we should relate to Rosh HaShana.  (NOTE: the actual name used by God is Yom Teruah, the Day of the Blast.  Rabbis made up the name Rosh HaShana.  Their views of the Lord's feast and its meaning is unbiblical and not close to the Lord's purpose).  If you wanted to read the actual words of Rabbi Gaon check the link below.  Also, check the link below that shows that Rosh HaShana is not what God wanted or intended.  God named this this "appointed time," this מוֹעֲדִ mo'ed, one of His feasts as in Leviticus 23,  יום תרועה, Yom Teruah - the day of the blast (shofar blast is assumed).  The rabbis changed it and took out of the Bible, took out of the context of God's word.

LINK 1 - ten shofars of Rabbi Gaon

https://www.sefaria.org/sheets/128856?lang=bi

LINK 2 - Rosh HaShana is not biblical and of God but Yom Teruah is

https://booksnthoughts.com/rosh-hashanah-is-not-a-biblical-holiday/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

I have heard the excuse of many in the "church" of why we do not do the Biblical feasts.  One will say they are the Jewish feasts.  And we are not Jewish.  Right, you are not Jewish, but you are also wrong.  Lev. 23:1-2 tells us that these feasts - actually in Hebrew they are the מועדים mow-ed-deem (H4140) or the appointed times) - belong to the Lord, belong to  יהוה Yahvay.  They are not only for Jews but for all God's people. On top of that Jesus also seems to imply that the feasts, the appointed times, are His.  Consider ...

And He said, "Go into the city to a certain man, and say to him, 'The Teacher says, "My time is near; I am to keep the Passover at your house with My disciples."'" (Mat 26:18)  

The Passover is one of the feasts, one of the מועדים mow-ed-deem and Jesus seems to say this is His.  Thus, Jesus is saying He is the Lord!  He is saying that the feasts are His.  

Besides that Jesus says in John 5:39 ...

"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me"  (Joh 5:39)

He said this to the Scribes, the Chief Priests, the Temple Elders, and probably some Pharisees in 24-30 A.D.  All they had was the Hebrew Scriptures (a.k.a. the Old Testament) and the first five books of the Bible, the Books of Moses, a.k.a. the Torah, were the key foundational books of the Bible.  Jesus is saying the Torah testifies of Him, the Messiah.  So, the feasts, the מועדים mow-ed-deem, testify of Jesus.  Thus, some say in the church that the Biblical feasts are Jewish and only about Jewish stuff.  There's nothing in the feasts about Jesus.  Wrong.  What did our Lord just teach us?  Why won't we listen to Yeshua?  We don't listen to Him and and wonder why over 80% of so called people who call themselves Christians in the USA do NOT have a Biblical worldview.  We Bible teachers have a lot to answer for and it will be a fearsome thing to be face to face with Jesus when we are judged.

In part three we will look at four possible ways יוֹם תְּרוּעָה Yom Teruah or the Day of the Blast (rabbis changed it to Rosh HaShana, the head of the year) connect to Jesus.  We will not make up stuff.  We will not invent non-biblical connections.  We will stick like glue to the very words of God and the real facts of Biblical history. We will only consider four.  I think there are more and you may find others.  But, the four I chose convinced me to say that once you know this then the "church" has NO excuse for not doing the מועדים mow-ed-deem of the Lord.  Once Jesus is manifested in the feasts it is incumbent upon the "church" - all of us as disciples of Adonai Yeshua - to do then as an expression of our love and thankfulness.  We do Christmas - nice holiday but not commanded by God.  Easter - nice holiday but not commanded by God.  Lent - awesome time before Easter but not commanded by God.  Advent - preparing for the birth of Christ but again, man made, and not commanded by the Lord.  The only one we do is Pentecost and in many churches today you attend Pentecost Sunday and it is not even brought up.  But now there is no excuse.  Come.  Blow the shofar on the evening of יוֹם תְּרוּעָה Yom Teruah (a.k.a. Rosh HaShana) and rejoice and celebrate our new life in Jesus.

גמר חתימה בספר החיים טלה

G'mar Chatima Beh Sefer HaChaim Tahlah

May you be inscribed in the Lamb's Book of Life

The Fall Feasts of the Lord

Once again we return to Jesus' words in John 5:39 ...

"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me." (Joh 5:39)

How do we "see" Jesus in Rosh HaShana?  This feast of the Lord is in the Torah, the main books of the Bible in Jesus' day when He said the words found John 5:39.  It is not how the Jewish people celebrate this feast.  NO!! It is how the word testifies of the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  How does the Shofar sound of this feast show us Yeshua?

The word of God is clear, crystal.  These are not the Jewish feasts.  God says they are not but He says ...

The LORD spoke again to Moses, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD'S appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations--My appointed times are these:  (Lev 23:1-2)

Today the church does not celebrate one of God's "feasts." One can see why.  Our pastors and leaders are not trained in Hebrew, Greek, or the Bible in its historical context.  The "church" has always looked upon the feasts as Jewish and that Jesus did away with the law.  So, we do not see a reason to do Jewish feasts.  But they are not Jewish feasts.  They are the Lord's.  Perhaps, if we "see" how they relate to Jesus, a church may consider a service on the evening or day of Rosh HaShana.  The service might entail songs of praise and thanksgiving and perhaps a community meal or pizza party.  Once you see the Christian meaning of all this then a church could once again say to our Father, "Abba, we come today to join with you on YOUR 'appointed time' and seek Your face and Your love on Your Feast that we have turned from in our lack of understanding.

In parts one and two and three of this series we will focus on Rosh HaShana.  We will find that the rabbis made up the name, Rosh HaShana, and said the feasts was a celebration of the New Year.  No way - not in its historical context.  Once we get the rabbinic midrash out of the way the meaning of this feast, called the Day of the Blast in Torah, becomes clear and powerful and then we can see Jesus, we can see the Messiah.  It then is a challenge for the "church" to understand Yom Teruah, Rosh HaShana, and to consider a praise service to honor the Lord and meet with Him on His "appointed time," and time and day He wants us to get together.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

SPECIAL PODCAST SERIES

The Fall Feasts of the Lord

Once again we return to Jesus' words in John 5:39 ...

"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me." (Joh 5:39)

He said this sometime between 24-30 A.D. and scripture then was the Hebrew Scriptures (a.k.a. the Old Testament).  The primary books of the Hebrew scriptures is the Torah, the first five books of the Bible.  Thus, then, how do these scriptures testify of Jesus?  How do we see Jesus in the Torah?  This relates to the Rosh HaShana since this "feast" is mentioned several times in the Torah.  So, how do we "see" Jesus in Rosh HaShana?

The word of God is clear, crystal.  These are not the Jewish feasts.  God says they are not but He says ...

The LORD spoke again to Moses, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD'S appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations--My appointed times are these:  (Lev 23:1-2)

Today the church does not celebrate one of God's "feasts."  Not one except Pentecost, or in Hebrew, Shavuot, the feast of weeks.  And, even then, they do not even understand the deeper and more expanded meaning of Pentecost.  Why not?  Simple, the church is so cutoff from its Jewish roots.  It has been emphasized that the old is done away with and the new has come so we are not under the rules and commands of the Old Testament.  The "church" has taught for centuries that what is Jewish is wrong, obsolete, and Jesus came against it.  This is totally wrong and misguided.  Jesus never did away with the Torah and the commands in Torah.  He came to complete the Torah, to do what the Torah could never do.  Just like we read when Paul taught in the synagogue in Antioch of Pisidia in southern Turkey ...

"Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through Him forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you, and through Him everyone who believes is freed from all things, from which you could not be freed through the Law of Moses (another way of naming the fist five books of the Bible, the Torah). (Act 13:38-39)

Jesus is God, Jesus is Lord, and Paul reiterates that there is only ONE God. Thus, these "feasts" are His, they are the feasts of Jesus.  I suggest that once you see Jesus in these commanded times the church can then consider to do these feasts in a Christian way as we see Jesus.  

In parts one and two and three of this series we will focus on Rosh HaShana.  We will find that the rabbis made up the name, Rosh HaShana, and said the feasts was a celebration of the New Year.  No way - not in its historical context.  Once we get the rabbinic midrash out of the way the meaning of this feast, called the Day of the Blast in Torah, becomes clear and powerful and then we can see Jesus, we can see the Messiah.  It then is a challenge then to the "church" to understand Yom Teruah, Rosh HaShana, and to consider a praise service to honor the Lord and meet with Him on His "appointed time," and time and day He wants us to get together.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

From Abraham Cohen’s excellent scholarly work, “Everymans’ Talmud,” we read that in the days of Jesus one’s death was more important than one’s birth.  Rabbi Cohen presents a parable that shows the views of Second Temple Judaism then and Rabbinic Judaism today on this concept.  There were two ships and one was leaving the harbor and the other was coming in after a long voyage.  Many on the docks cheered and celebrated as the one ship began its journey.  It was kind of a way to bolster the courage and hearts of the sailors going into the unknown.  There was an old sailor standing on the dick with the crowd.  He loudly stated, “why are you rejoicing over the ship beginning its journey.  NO.  Rather rejoice for the ship returning.  The ship returning is coming home safe and has made it through its perilous voyage.  For the ship leaving, do not rejoice.  We have no idea whether their journey will be a success or failure; we don’t know whether the crew will be of stout heart and courage.  But the ship returning tells us the story of its success and its triumph over struggles and the perils of their journey.”  Rabbi Cohen then says to us that it is the same in life and death.  Let us rejoice at a person’s death if they were righteous and live a life living according to the ways of the Lord.  Don’t rejoice at a person’ birth.  One being born is just beginning their life.  Will they live righteously?  Will do amazing things by the power of the hand of the Lord?  Or, will they live sinful lives, unrighteous before God and man?  We don’t know.  So, thus, we celebrate the death of a righteous person. 

This idea of the importance of the death of a person over the birth of a person is shown in Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John.  There are only 41 verses or so relating to the birth of Christ in Matthew and Luke.  But there are over 400 verses in the four gospels reporting on the death of Jesus.  Of course!  The gospels are books written by Jews in their Jewish Middle Eastern mindset 2000 years ago.  The death of Jesus and the sacrifice of the cross is critically important to those Jewish gospel writers. Far different than Christians today ​in how we emphasize His birth that we ​c​all Christmas. In lesson 56 we will deal with the death of Abraham.  We will study Abraham and his life from the Jewish perspective.  He first appears in Genesis 12 and the Torah is silent as to why Abraham was chosen by Adonai.  But, at his passing, we are now able to go back and study Abraham’s life.  We are able to consider ways God may have looked upon this man and chose Abraham to be our father in the faith as Paul teaches us in Rom. 4:13-16.  Abraham was given the gospel!  So, in the Torah, the books of Moses, we first read of the gospel, the gospel according to Moses, as Paul shows us in Gal. 3:8.  Now as we study the life of Abraham at his death, we will see Jesus.  Just like Jesus said in John 5:39.   How is Abraham our father?  How does all this relate to us today in the 21st century?  How can we come to have our understanding expanded and enriched as we understand that through Abraham’s seed (his descendants) that all will be blessed?  How do we grasp that we are Abraham’s seed along with Jesus​?​  Jesus is the blessing to all nations and we are to bring Him to all nations.  Abraham was sent and he went.  Jesus was sent and He went.  Jesus sends us.  Are we ready to go and be like ​our ​daddy, Abraham?  

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In Exodus 34:6-7 Adonai, the Lord our God, teaches Moses on Sinai what He is like.  Among the rabbis these verses are called the 13 Attributes of Adonai.  

Then the LORD passed by in front of him and proclaimed, "The LORD, the LORD God, compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding in lovingkindness and truth; who keeps lovingkindness for thousands, who forgives iniquity, transgression and sin; yet He will by no means leave the guilty unpunished, visiting the iniquity of fathers on the children and on the grandchildren to the third and fourth generations." (Exo 34:6-7)

Two attributes really stand out when it comes to the Pharaoh of the Exodus.  God is slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness.  These attributes along with John 3:16, say that God loves the whole world (even Pharaoh).  And this along with the Hebrew (NOT ENGLISH) give us an alternative view of the phrase "God hardened Pharaoh's heart."  We have learned from credible Jewish and Christian scholars that it seems IN THE HEBREW that God was trying to help Pharaoh make the right decision, to chose the path of righteousness of the God of Israel, and to turn from his immovable and strong commitment to his gods.  This is clear when we actually learn that the phrase "God hardened Pharaoh's heart" needs to be corrected!  There are three unique Hebrew words that our translators said meant hardened!  How did this happen?  Their translation seems to be based upon their bias and has clouded the deeper and more enhanced meaning. 

There is a verse in the King James version that is an example.  It shows the traditional view that has come down to us through the ages.  It is ... "And Moses and Aaron did all these wonders before Pharaoh: and the LORD hardened Pharaoh's heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go out of his land." (Exo 11:10)  Thus we learn in this translation that God caused Pharaoh to bring upon all Egypt the 10th awesome and terrible plague.  However, the Hebrew shows us something quite different.  The English of the verse from the Hebrew is ...  "And Moses and Aaron did all these signs before Pharaoh and gave courage (NOT STIFFENED OR HARDENED- mistaken translation) the Lord the heart of Pharaoh and he did not let out the sons of Israel of his land." Exod. 11:10 (translation from "Hebrew Study Bible" from the Westminster Lenigrad Codex).  The Hebrew shows us that it is very possible that time and again as we have seen in lessons 12 till 30 in this series that God was trying to help Pharaoh make the right decision and turn from his gods without forcing Pharaoh's hand and taking away Pharaoh's free will.  The Hebrew, and NOT our traditional views based upon the translators' beliefs, gives us an alternative view that seems to be more correct.  This alternative view then supports what God is like by His own words as we read above in Exod. 34:6-7 and John 3:16.   

I urge you to study the videos entitled "His Highnesses' Heavy Heart."  In these videos it is shown that there is an alternative equivalent meaning to the phrase in our English Bibles, "God hardened Pharaoh's heart."  The material presented is backed up with solid Jewish and Christian scholarship.  If you are serious about your Bible study these videos are a must so that the Ten Plagues and Pharaoh are understood in a deeper and more enhanced way.  Links -

Part 1 = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNw1742eiWc&list=PLvcIXun2BQDIw6myuMPTvlWHUu9AJqXip&index=21

Part 2 = https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dZSsExt9Hbw&list=PLvcIXun2BQDIw6myuMPTvlWHUu9AJqXip&index=20 

But, one thing we know of the Lord, He knows all.  He knew right from the "get go" that Pharaoh would not do the right thing.  The Lord told Moses this at the burning bush.  Remember? "But I know that the king of Egypt will not permit you to go, except under compulsion. So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My miracles which I shall do in the midst of it; and after that he will let you go." (Exo 3:19-20)  The actual Hebrew for "under compulsion" is " a strong hand."  The Hebrew does not say God will force Pharaoh to free Israel but that God will war against Pharaoh and the gods of Egypt with a "strong hand" which will finally convince Pharaoh to relent and let the people go.  It is almost as if God is teaching us that He knew the end, He knew what Pharaoh would bring upon himself and all Egypt.  God shows us that He'd try and help Pharaoh do the right thing.  God seems to be teaching us about the power of evil and wickedness and that the final result is the evil and wicked will bring themselves to the brink of destruction and not the Lord.  Pharaoh's story is our story.  Pharaoh's strong stubborn evil worldview is just like us.  Thank God that we have this promise ... "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. (Joh 3:16-17)  In 1446 B.C. the Hebrew shows us that the Lord was being a SAVIOR to Pharaoh and to try and encourage his mind to do the right thing.  And it is true now, we too need a SAVIOR.  He has come in the flesh and we all can now proclaim Jesus is our Lord, Jesus is our God, Jesus is the ONLY God.  And through the Cross we are redeemed and saved from our sins and delivered from His wrath coming upon all nations.  So we cry out, "Maranatha Lord Jesus" which comes from the Hebrew מָרָנָא אֲתָה - marana attah - the Lord will come!  

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Recently an associate of mine asked me about the Parable of the Talents in Matthew's Gospel in chapter 25.  There are some who say that God is teaching us concepts regarding investing our money.  This is highly doubtful once we consider the textual context (the words before and even after the parable) and the historical context.  A highly credible archaeologist, Dr. Ben Witherington III (an American New Testament scholar. Witherington is Professor of New Testament Interpretation at Asbury Theological Seminary in Wilmore, Kentucky, and an ordained pastor in the United Methodist Church), said that TEXT with no CONTEXT is a PRETEXT for what we want the words to mean.  Thus, no context means you can make up your own meaning.  This is dangerous and is  frequently done in the church today and in many seminaries who have abandoned the study of the Bible in its historical setting.

The parable of the TALENTS is in context.  It is similar to what has come before and after.  It starts in Matt. 24:36 and the context ends in Matt. 25:46.  Jesus is teaching about His return.  As you study these verses you'll notice there are always two groups or two types of individuals.  There will be two men or women in a field and one will be left behind and the other taken.  There will be a faithful servant and an evil servant or there will be 5 sensible virgins and 5 foolish or sheep and goats.  There will be good and faithful servants who act on faith and an unfaithful servant who did not do anything but lived in fear.  The parable of the TALENTS falls right in the middle of all this.  That's the context.  It has nothing to do with your abilities, your "talents," your God given blessings or the proper way to invest.  It has everything to do with the Kingdom of the Lord and who were are in His Kingdom now and before He returns.

Jesus taught this parable 2000 years ago to His disciples.  That Jesus ONLY taught His disciples is clear as this parable, and the parable of the Wise and Foolish virgins, is in a section that begins in Chapter 24 of Matthew's Gospel when Jesus was on the Mt. of Olives.  His disciples came to Him and started asking Him about the end times.  The Parable of the Talents is taught to His disciples; it was Jesus and His 12 only.  For those disciples raised in Judaism of Jesus' day they heard this parable in ways that differ with how we look at it as Christians in the 21st century.  Let's return to HEAR what they heard THEN so that we can have the Spirit of the Lord expand our understanding NOW.  Once we do we can then understand that from this parable we should ask daily, in every circumstance, in all situations, מה ישוע היה עושה‎, Mah Yeshua Hayah Osay - what would Jesus do.  Thus, we are like our "rabbi" and thus we are true disciples doing the works He gave us after being saved by grace. (Eph. 2:8-10)

One of the great teacher/scholars I had the chance to study under in my masters program was Dr. Brad Young.  His website link is https://www.bradyoung.org/  He wrote a book entitled, "The Parables," which gives us the Jewish 1st century context of many key parables of Jesus.  I highly recommend this book and you can easily obtain it at Dr. Young's website or at Amazon and other book outlets.  Below is a link to an article that Dr. Young wrote that will enhance your study ...

Link - https://www.bridgesforpeace.com/letter/what-did-that-parable-really-mean/

Another awesome view of this parable in its 1st century Jewish context is found at a Messianic scholarly site called TorahClass.com. They show that the parable is related to another famous parable about the characteristics of disciples in the Kingdom, the Parable of the Four Soils.  Here's the link - 

https://www.torahclass.com/lessons/new-testament/matthew/lesson-86-ch25/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Did you know that there is no prohibition in the Old Testament or New Testament against abortion or premarital sex?  In the Old Testament there is NO law against abortion.  There is no statement that sex before marriage is a sin.  Yet, as followers of Jesus, as Christians, and His disciples, we all agree that abortion is murder, a terrible sin, and premarital sex is immoral and a sin.  Even Josephus in his work Apion says that abortion is murder.  Huh?  Where does that come from?  Where does God in His written word directly come against abortion and premarital sex?  

When we put the word of Adonai into its historical context, back into the days of Moses, David, Solomon, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and then into the days of Jesus and the early church, there seems to be an answer that we miss.  God does seem to state quite clearly to the Hebrews just out of Egypt and later to the Hebrews in the Promised Land, Canaan, and then to the Jewish people in the 2nd Temple period (500 B.C. to 70 A.D.) that abortion and premarital sex is an abomination to the Lord.  This podcast suggests an alternative view based upon the historical context and the Jewish culture.  

However, once we see that this is a real likelihood we also see that God seems to be teaching about something broader and more extensive then just a focus on abortion and sex outside of marriage.  What He teaches relates to the days we live in now.  God seems to emphasize we are to be a special observable peculiar people - distinctly different.  

Video link 1 - Tel Meggido - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvVUKKU6Xi8&t=193s

Video Link 2 - Bible study at the archaeological site of ancient Corinth - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UK4C44yuIBU

Video link 3 - "drone" fly over the Corinth reconstructed - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dEHPfMIyLfc

Link to key articles for further study - https://www.dropbox.com/sh/q2tltmkswqbtxg5/AAB1eOA3NDhrNhyM-TURn80Da?dl=0

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Truth Nugget 4 Part 2

The name of God is so special and so holy (kadosh קדוש) - meaning set apart, special, distinct.  The rabbis in Jesus' day and even before even made up a new law - don't say God's name so you won't break the commandment that says do not take HIS name in vain.  Therefore, in Jesus' day the tetragrammaton, yud hay vav hay יהוה, was not said.  Other words were substituted like Adonai meaning ""Lord" or HaShem meaning "the Name."  So one might say God's name, יהוה, I pronounce it "Yah Vay," is a name so above other names, so beyond other names, separate and set apart or kadosh קדוש - God even says this about His name.  

This is the historical context we need to understand when we read the New Testament.  Religious Jews who followed Jesus as Lord, as Savior, as God, knew this.  It was part of their everyday culture.  Thus, the verses Phil 2:5-11 take on a whole new meaning.  We then ask Jesus, "What is your name?  What is your REAL name?"  

Here are links to the articles I referenced in these podcasts.  

Judaism 101 - Jewish law or halakah (one's walk) - http://www.jewfaq.org/halakhah.htm

David Biven's article - "Jesus and the Oral Law: the Unutterable Name of God." - 

https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2087/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret on the Sea of Galilee)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

As we continue in Genesis 24 we ask ourselves the question, is Rebecca also one who the Lord uses to teach us about our walk with the Lord now in the future?  In other words is she too part of the Biblical concept we saw in lesson 54 - מַעֲשֵׂה אֲבוֹת סִימָן לַבָּנִים or transliterated, "Ma-ahsay Ahvot Ceenam Leh'Bahneem."  It means the events in the life of the fathers are signs or omens for the sons.  In lesson 54 we studied the events where Abraham, the father of Isaac, his beloved son, sent his servant to find a bride for Isaac, the child of promise.  This reminds us of Jesus who was sent by the Father to find a bride for Himself; He who is the beloved the son of the Father and the promised Messiah.  This seems like a application of מַעֲשֵׂה אֲבוֹת סִימָן לַבָּנִים or transliterated, "Ma-ahsay Ahvot Ceenam Leh'Bahneem." 

In this lesson I mentioned the concept of “grafted in” and how that phrase is a true equivalent alternative way of translating Gen. 12:3 or …

“And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be blessed.”

This can also be translated as follows.

“And I will bless those who bless you, And the one who curses you I will curse. And in you all the families of the earth will be grafted in.”

Here’s the link to lesson 25 to study this in detail.  Link - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-kiv4b-f364ec

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - somewhere in the Negev Israel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

This podcast is broken into two separate parts.  Part 1 sets up the historical context and part 2 applies it to a special verse about Jesus.

The name of God is so special and so holy (kadosh קדוש) - meaning set apart, special, distinct.  The rabbis in Jesus' day and even before even made up a new law - don't say God's name so you won't break the commandment that says do not take HIS name in vain.  Therefore, in Jesus' day the tetragrammaton, yud hay vav hay יהוה, was not said.  Other words were substituted like Adonai meaning ""Lord" or HaShem meaning "the Name."  So one might say God's name, יהוה, I pronounce it "Yah Vay," is a name so above other names, so beyond other names, separate and set apart or kadosh קדוש - God even says this about His name.  

This is the historical context we need to understand when we read the New Testament.  Religious Jews who followed Jesus as Lord, as Savior, as God, knew this.  It was part of their everyday culture.  Thus, the verses Phil 2:5-11 take on a whole new meaning.  We then ask Jesus, "What is your name?  What is your REAL name?"  

Here are links to the articles I referenced in these podcasts.  

Judaism 101 - Jewish law or halakah (one's walk) - http://www.jewfaq.org/halakhah.htm

David Biven's article - "Jesus and the Oral Law: the Unutterable Name of God." - 

https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2087/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret on the Sea of Galilee)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In the 9th plague God brings darkness upon all Egypt for three days.  It is a darkness that the Torah says can be "felt" and it was a "thick" darkness.  It was so awesome that people did not even move or seemingly travel around for the three days.  What is going on?

Some say it was a dust storm from Arabia.  They try and make it a natural occurrence.  Many try and make the plagues something that can be explained.  But, in this case.  This darkness is unnatural.  One could feel it.  It was so thick it prevented moving around.  And, it probably was a blackness, unnatural, since it related to the religion of the pagan Egyptians and the Hebrews who had bought into the wrong story and assimilated into the pagan Egyptian culture.

For the Hebrews they may have seen it in light of what was familiar to them then.  It may have been that the Hebrews, and even many Egyptians, as a picture of the Lord bringing back the darkness prior to the creation as understood by the Egyptians.  One must study the cosmologies of the Egyptians, their creation myths, to understand how this might relate.  In Exod. 12:12 the Lord says He will come against ALL the gods of Egypt.  This darkness, this total lack of light, is as if God took all Egypt back to the days before Amun-Ra, the sun god, the god of light, creates himself.  This is taking the earth back to primordial state that the Egyptians said was total chaos.  Pharaoh's job was to prevent chaos and preserve Ma'at.  Ma'at the supreme goddess of truth, order, peace, and harmony and well being.  But, Pharaoh could not.  But the Lord brought upon all Egypt the chaos that all Egypt lived to stop and preserve Ma'at.  

There is a cute video on YouTube that does a good job on the Egyptian creation myths.  Here's the link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTy49JlgJZE

In Exod. 12:12 the Lord says He will come against all the gods of Egypt.  I mentioned the scholar David Padfield who did a brilliant job on relating the gods of Egypt to the plagues.  Here's a link to this free resource by David Padfield - https://www.padfield.com/acrobat/history/gods_of_egypt.pdf

Here are key lessons in our podcast series that you may want to review or perhaps listen to for the 1st time.  They are ...

Podcast - Exodus - 4 part 2 - dealing with the Biblical support that the Hebrews after Jacob dies and then Joseph assimilated into the pagan Egyptian culture.  Thus, God needed to use Egyptian concepts to return His chosen people back to Himself.  He needed to teach them by giving them the Torah, His teachings, to get Egypt out of the Hebrews - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-wdzur-f82194

Articles - For further study use this link to study the idea that the Hebrews had assimilated into the pagan culture of Egypt.  Here's the link - https://www.dropbox.com/home/2019...2020%20Twelfth%20Season/Egypt%20Exodus%20Passover%20Pharaoh%20Moses?preview=Hebrews+Assimilated+into+Egypt.pdf

Podcast - Genesis 5 - the podcast showing how God comes against the creator gods of Egypt - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-67ye7-da9f7a

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In this lesson we study Genesis chapter 24, the longest chapter in Genesis.  It seems like something big is about to happen.  It is.  Abraham sends his servant, his servant who is un-named in chapter 24 (could Eliezer but it can’t be proven), and this servant goes in the name of his master, to find a bride for the father's most beloved son, Isaac, the child of promise. 

Hmmm.  This sounds like something we know.  Is there some connection to Jesus?  Do these verses in chapter 24 testify of Jesus who is the Bridegroom, the Promised one, the only begotten, beloved son of the Father.  And, we are called His bride.  Oh yes!  Wait till you see.  There is a old Jewish saying, מַעֲשֵׂה אֲבוֹת סִימָן לַבָּנִים or transliterated, "Ma-ahsay Ahvot Ceenam Leh'Bahneem."  It means the events in the life of the fathers are signs or omens for the sons.  We will see that this is so true for chapter 24 as it also testifies of Jesus and us. 

I mentioned in the podcast about Abraham, Jacob, Joshua, and Jesus all show up at one location.  It is the area of the ancient city of Shechem.  We see the promises of God to Abraham right in  front of our eyes at this location.  Abraham and Sarah – one couple.  From them comes Jacob, and his wives, Rachel and Leah, and his eleven sons.  So from one couple to one family.  Later Joshua shows up with all Israel at the same place.  One nation from the one family who are from the one couple.  Finally, the Promised One from the Father, from YHVH, Yahvay, His only begotten beloved son, shows up at the same place.  He is the promised “blessing” for all the nations, for Jew and Gentile, coming from the one couple, Abraham and Sarah.  This is an amazing study. 

There are four video Bible studies, five minutes each, on this amazing study on the ancient city of Shechem.  Don't miss this.

Episode 1 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-11-gen-121-geography-and-the-bible-shechem/

Episode 2 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-episode-12-abraham-and-jacob-in-shechem-gen-126-3318/

Episode 3 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-episode-13-josh-241-geography-and-the-bible-joshua-israel/

Episode 4 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-episode-14-john-41-6-the-blessing-to-the-nations/

Here’s another the link to lesson 26 from “The Gospel According to Moses – Genesis.” 

Link - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-6wqrb-f5b29a

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret at the ancient city of Pergamum in Turkey)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link -

chttps://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

This is part 2 of lesson 28.  As we conclude we ask the question does God want us to understand Egypt and Pharaoh as a picture of God's plan for the future?  Is it possible as God brought destruction and chaos on this one nation who followed the one man who said he was god, will He also do the same when many will follow the one man, the Beast, as the ruler of all the earth and who likened himself to God?  Perhaps.  It agrees with a concept in the Bible that the rabbis recognized.  The lives of the fathers are signs of the future for the sons.  In Hebrew "Ma'asay Avot seeman labaneem."  One obvious example is the Passover lamb and the Lamb of God.  The Passover lamb is associated with the redemption of God's people Israel as they put the blood of the lamb on the wood, the doorposts.  But, it is like  sing from the past that one is coming, the Lamb of God, who will bring redemption to God's people, Jew and Gentile who choose Yeshua as Lord and God and Savior, and will be spared the wrath of God because of the blood of the Lamb of God on the wood, the cross.  This is one clear example of "Ma'asay Avot seeman labaneem."  AS we put the Bible into its historical context we will see how the Lord does this again and again.  So, does He connect the the Exodus to the book of Revelation?  There are some who say yes.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

"Truth Nuggets" - these are short Bible studies in their historical context.  Our goal is to "walk those ancient streets and paths" with those ancient believers to reconnect to their day and their circumstances.  In this way we can hear what they heard and see what they say and come to grasp with what God originally meant in His word written to them 2000 and 3000 years ago.

In this episode, "Truth Nugget 2," we wrestle with the concept of what does it mean to be in God's house, what does it mean to be a sheep in God's flock, or what does it mean to be a disciple of a rabbi, specially Rabbi Jesus?  Are they all related?  Is there perhaps something that binds all these concepts together?  How does this relate to us as humans made in His image with a physical body and a spiritual soul?  

Once again we put the Bible into its historical context and consider how thee verses may apply in Jesus' day and times.  When we do it is amazing to see a more complete "picture" for us today as disciples of Rabbi Jesus, our Lord and Savior and our God.  In the first podcast in this series I reference Dr. Craig Keener a noted and amazing Bible historian and scholar.  I recommend you read his important article on the reason we study the Bible from its historical context.  

Here is the link to the article - https://craigkeener.com/why-it-is-important-to-study-the-bible-in-context/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  

(Ferret - Timnah Park just north of Eilat Israel)

The new series from Light of Menorah continues.  It is entitled, What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Welcome to the new podcast series from Light of Menorah.  These podcasts entitled, "Truth Nuggets," are short Bible studies focusing on the archaeology, history, geography, customs, culture, and the ancient languages of the ancient Near East.  Our attempt is to put the Bible into its historical context and "walk on those ancient streets and roadways" with those ancient believers. We want to try and understand what they heard and saw and understood in God's word.  We want to try and reconnect to the original meaning that God intended.

In this first "Truth Nugget" we look at one particular verse that is a clear example of us,  21st century Christians, taking a verse out of context and misapplying it to our circumstances.  We have been so cutoff from the Bible in context that we have no other choice it seems, but to try and grasp the meaning of God's word from our own circumstances.  But, once we do reconnect to Psalm 118:24 in context and consider the verses that come before and after, and consider the historical context, the verse explodes with meaning as it relates to the entire redemption plan of El Elyon, the Most High God.

A proven credible Bible scholar and historian is Dr. Craig Keener.  I reference him in this porcast.  He has written a short article I highly recommend you read as you continue to live to stand and hold fast to God's Word.  Here is the link to the article - https://www.craigkeener.com/why-it-is-important-to-study-the-bible-in-context/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret at Timnah Park 15 miles or so north of Eilat Israel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

I often wondered sometimes, how events in the Hebrew Scriptures related to me today in the 21st century.  I often wondered what Jesus meant in John 5:39 when He taught us that all scripture testified of Him.  All they had the when He taught that was the Hebrew Scriptures.  They did not have the New Testament.  But, over and over again I see the Lord is spot on!  His TORAH speaks to us today.  Just wait to see how the death of Sarah and Abraham's actions teach us what it means to be a true disciple of Adonai Yeshua.

Sarah dies and Abraham ACTS.  He just doesn't sit there and wait to see if the Lord wants him to buy the cave at Machpelah to bury his beloved wife.  On top of that Abraham acts again in chapter 24.  He doesn't just sit there and wait for God to bring Isaac a wife.  Abraham acts. 

We are his sons and daughters as Paul teaches in Gal. 3:7 and if Consider those who hold to the belief in the rapture.  Some Christians are waiting for the Rapture.  Waiting?  NO!!  Don't sit there, the Lord told you to GO.  Don’t believe me then listen to His very words in Matt 28:19, Mark 16:16, and John 15:16.

(Mat 28:19)  "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit …”

(Mar 16:15-16)  And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.  He who has believed and has been baptized shall be saved; but he who has disbelieved shall be condemned.”

(Joh 15:16)  "You did not choose Me but I chose you, and appointed you that you would GO and bear fruit, and that your fruit would remain, so that whatever you ask of the Father in My name He may give to you.”

In all three verses there is the word “GO.”  In our own day don’t sit and study the end times and try and figure out the signs of the times and think you are doing well as a disciple of Adonai Yeshua.  He said “GO” and bear fruit and that our fruit is ever ripe and ever fresh for the purposes God has in His Kingdom.  We are to “GO” and then …

(Joh 15:8)  "My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”

So it is a lot more than studying the Bible.  Are you bearing fruit?  Are you like our father Abraham as Paul teaches in Gal. 3:7?  Are you just sitting there waiting?  Act!  Get up and DO!  Live to hear Him say the first time you and Yeshua are face to face, "Well done!"

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - on the Sea of Galilee)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Lesson 28 is in two parts.  This first part will take us to Exod. 10:10 and part two to 10:20.

Time and time again Pharaoh experiences God’s power and wrath.  In lesson 27 it was the hail.  It destroyed a great part of the economy of Egypt.  But, once Adonai relents and stops the hail and the storm, Pharaoh “hardens” his heart.  On top of that this is also true for his servants as we read in Exod. 9:34 …

But when Pharaoh saw that the rain and the hail and the thunder had ceased, he sinned again and hardened his heart, he and his servants. (Exo 9:34)

We will again learn that as we put the Bible into its historical context and actually study the Hebrew, our understanding is clarified and enhanced.  The Hebrew word in v.34 for harden is the Hebrew word כּבד H3513 or kahvod.  It mean “heavy.”  If you lived in Egypt in 1446 B.C. when these events likely occurred, Egyptians and the Hebrews would understand what is meant by a “heavy” heart.  It is interesting to note that God does the same thing when we read Exod. 10:1.

Then the LORD said to Moses, “Go to Pharaoh, for I have hardened his heart and the heart of his servants, that I may perform these signs of Mine among them,” (Exo 10:1)

The English word is not a good word to give meaning to the Hebrew.  Once again the Hebrew word is kahvod, meaning “heavy.”  As I mentioned, if one is an Egyptian living when all this occurred or a Hebrew slave, they get it.  We don’t.  But, once we study the ancient culture of Egypt, once we study the Bible in its historical context, what Pharaoh did to his “heart” and what God did to his “heart” are too opposite applications.  But what does it mean? 

On top of that as we delve into this and study the word closely and carefully, verse 9:34 and 10:1 show us that God NEVER took away Pharaoh’s free will.  When you study the historical context and the Hebrew it is almost silly to think God took away this man’s ability to chose freely.  And yet, many still hold to the traditional view since they have not been taught about ancient Egypt and the Bible in it historical context. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - click here for the teacher's background

TRUTH NUGGET #23

PART 3 OF 3

VIDEO 15 MINUTES

An amazing archaeological discovery was made in the deserts of Sudan. It has everything to do with proving the Exodus showing that the Exodus probably really happened and when. But, two statements Jesus made in His Last Supper are also connected. One statement in John 14 to Phillip and the other He made in a prayer to the Father. Come and join us and let's go to the temple of Soleb, built by pharaoh Amenhotep III, the grandson of Amenhotep II who is the likely pharaoh of the Exodus, and see the oldest inscription of the name of the Lord.

I also suggest you connect with Joel Kramer, an evangelical Bible archaeologist. He has done amazing work with teaching the Bible via video based upon the archaeology that proves the veracity of the Bible. His website is www.SourceFlix.com. Look for his new video, "The Oldest Yahweh Inscription," to learn more about the Soleb Temple.

Here's the link to his website and the link directly to the video.

SourceFlix - https://sourceflix.com/

Joel Kramer's video, "The Oldest Yahweh Inscription" - https://sourceflix.com/oldest-yahweh-inscription/

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

TRUTH NUGGETS #22

PART 2 OF 3

VIDEO 15 MINUTES

An amazing archaeological discovery was made in the deserts of Sudan. It has everything to do with proving the Exodus showing that the Exodus probably really happened and when. But, two statements Jesus made in His Last Supper are also connected. One statement in John 14 to Phillip and the other He made in a prayer to the Father. Come and join us and let's go to the temple of Soleb, built by pharaoh Amenhotep III, the grandson of Amenhotep II who is the likely pharaoh of the Exodus, and see the oldest inscription of the name of the Lord.

I also suggest you connect with Joel Kramer, an evangelical Bible archaeologist. He has done amazing work with teaching the Bible via video based upon the archaeology that proves the veracity of the Bible. His website is www.SourceFlix.com. Look for his new video, "The Oldest Yahweh Inscription," to learn more about the Soleb Temple.

Here's the link to his website and the link directly to the video.

SourceFlix - https://sourceflix.com/

Joel Kramer's video, "The Oldest Yahweh Inscription" - https://sourceflix.com/oldest-yahweh-inscription/

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

TRUTH NUGGETS #21

PART 1 OF 3

VIDEO 15 MINUTES

NOTE: video works better on YouTube - link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olDFBQ5pcSs&t=1071s

An amazing archaeological discovery was made in the deserts of Sudan. It has everything to do with proving the Exodus showing that the Exodus probably really happened and when. But, two statements Jesus made in His Last Supper are also connected. One statement in John 14 to Phillip and the other He made in a prayer to the Father. Come and join us and let's go to the temple of Soleb, built by pharaoh Amenhotep III, the grandson of Amenhotep II who is the likely pharaoh of the Exodus, and see the oldest inscription of the name of the Lord.

I also suggest you connect with Joel Kramer, an evangelical Bible archaeologist. He has done amazing work with teaching the Bible via video based upon the archaeology that proves the veracity of the Bible. His website is www.SourceFlix.com. Look for his new video, "The Oldest Yahweh Inscription," to learn more about the Soleb Temple.

Here's the link to his website and the link directly to the video.

SourceFlix - https://sourceflix.com/

Joel Kramer's video, "The Oldest Yahway Inscription" - https://sourceflix.com/oldest-yahweh-inscription/

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

What is a non-sequitur?  From Merriam-Webster we see that …

Definition of non sequitur

1: an inference (see INFERENCE sense 1) that does not follow from the premises (see PREMISE entry 1 sense 1)

specifically : a fallacy resulting from a simple conversion of a universal affirmative (see AFFIRMATIVE entry 1 sense 3) proposition or from the transposition of a condition and its consequent (see CONSEQUENT entry 1 sense 1)

2: a statement (such as a response) that does not follow logically from or is not clearly related to anything previously said

Here’s an example.  If someone asks what it's like outside and you reply, "It's 2:00," you've just used a non sequitur; you made a statement that does not follow what was being discussed.  Shown below are five more simple examples.

• My refrigerator is acting up. I’d better finish that book by Friday.
• I read about a pitbull attack. Our neighbor owns a pitbull. My life is in danger.
• It's time to take my car in for service. I wonder if my stylist is available this Saturday.
• I had a crazy music teacher in elementary school. All music teachers are crazy.
• When it's sunny, I see my neighbor walking his dog. He must only walk the dog when the sun is out.

It is clear that one statement does not follow logically into the second.  It also seems that in Genesis 22:20-24 we have a non-sequitur.  Why after studying the awesome events of God asking Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, the child of promise, do we get this?

Now it came about after these things, that it was told Abraham, saying, "Behold, Milcah also has borne children to your brother Nahor: Uz his firstborn and Buz his brother and Kemuel the father of Aram and Chesed and Hazo and Pildash and Jidlaph and Bethuel." Bethuel became the father of Rebekah; these eight Milcah bore to Nahor, Abraham's brother. His concubine, whose name was Reumah, also bore Tebah and Gaham and Tahash and Maacah.  (Gen 22:20-24)

This seems so out of place.  It seems like it doesn’t belong, it doesn’t follow.  Why does the Lord inspire Moses to put this in in this place?  It’s like a non-sequitur.  Or is it?  Remember, this is God’s word.  Something is up.  In this lesson will attempt to understand why these verses are put in here.  The suggestions are powerful.

We will then turn our attention to Genesis 23.  One thing we will focus on is the geography of Israel.  Look at the map below. (Map is royalty free at Wikimedia)

Abraham was about 30 miles away from Sarah when Sarah died.  Huh?  This means they were not living together as married couple.  This escapes most of us since we are so cutoff from understanding the geography of the Middle East as it relates to the Bible events.  The geography tells us something.  We missed it.  There’s more to the events that preceded Sarah’s death.  There’s more we missed that adds to a deeper understanding of the word of the Lord. 

Lastly, we will focus on Abraham and his reliance, his dependency, his trust, or, one might say, his faith in God and that what God promised and what God said is true.  Abraham's worldview is a total trust and reliance on the Lord.  What's interesting is Abraham doesn't just sit there and not do anything.  Abraham knows the promises of God and HE DOESN'T JUST SIT THERE, HE ACTS!!  He acts in such a way that his actions show that he relies on the promises of the Lord and they are true even though not seen.  This is the type of "father" we have as Paul teaches about us in Gal. 3:7.  We are part of the family.  He's our daddy.  We should live and be believers who have the same faith, the same worldview of Abraham.  So, Christian, don't just sit there, do something!!

Our focus in lesson 27 is Exod. 9:13 – 10:1. The event is the plague of hail that was so awesome that there was nothing like it ever in the history of Egypt.  For the Hebrews coming out of Egypt, the first ones to “hear” the words of Moses, the first five books of the Bible, sometimes called the תּוֹרָה Torah, meaning God’s instruction,  they’d recall that Pharaohs always boasted of their mighty works and accomplishments.  It’s like Thutmosis III who bragged he did amazing things that haven’t been done in Egypt, ever.  Interesting.  God, the LORD, יהוה Yahvay, the God of the Hebrews, seemingly is using things familiar in Egypt against the Egyptians.  The LORD is saying He is the Lord, He is God, the only God, the one and only God.  This is found in Deut. 6:4 when we read …

"Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!” (Deu 6:4)

The Hebrew word translated as ONE is the word אֶחָֽד Ekhad.  It does mean one but the concept is a oneness that is indivisible, a oneness that can not be separated into parts or persons.  A better way then to think of the verse is substituting ONE for the phrase, “THE ONE AND ONLY,” or to take out ONE and say, “UNIQUE.” 

So the Lord is the ONLY ONE who will bring upon Egypt something truly the Egyptians have ever experienced in the past or in the future.  The hail storm was beyond imagination for any of us.  But, to understand what is going on we need again to put the Bible back into its historical context.  When we do the impact is our understanding is deepened and expanded. 

We will also explore the motif in the Bible from the Garden to the End of Days about man’s deserve to turn from God and become a god himself – to determine his own right and wrong and his own will to meet his lower needs and desires and instincts.  There is a word spoken against the king of Babylon in Isa. 14:3-23 who himself says he is god. 

He said ‘I will ascend above the heights of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.’ (Isa 14:14)

I bring this up as one of many examples of when men declare themselves as god.  There is an important verse to consider.  In the NASB it is …

“How you have fallen from heaven, O star of the morning, son of the dawn! You have been cut down to the earth, You who have weakened the nations!” (Isa 14:12)

But in the King James we read …

“How art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!” (Isa 14:12)

This is an example of a major translation error where the translators of the King James inserted a “borrowed” Latin word from the translation of Jerome, an early church father.  The borrowed word is LUCIFER.  How can you substitute a Latin word (actually tow Latin words) that means only “light bearer.” Jerome did not use these Latin words to mean the name of the devil.  However, his error and the misunderstanding of later translators hung onto Jerome’s error and it comes down to us today as the devil’s name.  This is a huge mistake.  In actuality, the devil has NO name.  It isn’t Lucifer and it isn’t Satan.  Satan is what the devil is and not his name.  For further study check out these links to go into this in a more detailed manner.

Link 1 - https://www.franknelte.net/article.php?article_id=218

Link 2 - https://www.baslibrary.org/bible-review/14/6/15

Pharaoh seems to repent.  This plague was so awesome that Pharaoh says that he has sinned and all of Egypt.  However, it seems his repentance is only a way for Pharaoh to think he has once again manipulated the LORD, יהוה Yahvay.  For once the hail stops Pharaoh gives courage to his heart.  His way of manipulating the God of the Hebrews is working.  It works every time.  Pharaoh thinks he is winning.  He is building up his courage more and more as a mighty god of Egypt.  But, there is only one God.  There is only one Lord.  There is only one King of the Universe.  In Exod. 10:1 God makes Pharaoh’s heart “heavy” and this should be studied in light of the Hebrew language and the culture of ancient Egypt.  Thus, it is highly recommended that if you are serious about your continued study of the Bible in its historical context, then you must watch the two videos entitled, “His Highness’ Heavy Heart.”  Here’s the link to the videos.

Part 1 - https://youtu.be/dNw1742eiWc

Part 2 - https://youtu.be/dZSsExt9Hbw

So come and join us now.  As we once again return to 1446 B.C. and ancient Egypt in March or April.  Come and let us see that indeed there is one and only one God and Lord of all.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

We finally come to the amazing conclusion of our study on Genesis 22:1-9, the עֲקֵידַת יִצְחַק‎ Ahkaydah Yeetzack, the Binding of Isaac.  Starting in lesson 49 we talked about that these verses are a CHIASM.  You serious about learning the Bible?  Really?  Then you’d better review all three of these lessons, 49, 50 and this one, lesson 51.  If you are serious about Bible study and knowing God’s word you need to understand that God inspires His writers of His books to use chiastic structures to focus on the main point of something the Lord wants to teach us.  Here are the links for lesson 49 and 50 and a link to the video entitled, “The Mirror of Passover,” which together will help you understand what a chiasm is. 

Link – lesson 49 – https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5v9ti-10f429a

Link – lesson 50 – https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-fw95z-1104daf

Link – video, “The Mirror of Passover” - https://youtu.be/ipaeu7AQZ8Y

For עֲקֵידַת יִצְחַק‎ Ahkaydah Yeetzack, the Binding of Isaac, it is critical since understanding the chiasm of Gen. 22:1-19 takes us to the Cross of Christ.  This is too amazing. 

There are some amazing connections that come out of this chiasm.  We will see three first born sons.  We will see three lambs/rams.  We will see three covenants and three mountains.  We will see three names of the first born sons and all of the names begin with the same Hebrew letter … look …

יִצְחַק – Yeetzack (Isaac)  – begins with יִ

יִשְׂרָאֵל – Yisrael (Israel) - begins with יִ

יְשׁוּעָה. – Yeshua (Jesus) – begins with יִ

Are you ready for this?  Are you ready to learn what you ain’t gonna learn in Sunday school? 

טוֹב, תִּהְיוּ מוּכָנִים, בּוֹאוּ נַתְחִיל - tov, tiheyu mukhaneem, bou natekhil – OK!! Get ready!!  Let’s go!!

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - on a boat on the Sea of Galilee)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

God is pounding Egypt with His awesome hammer - boom, boom, boom.  Plague after plague.  One thing about the Lord is He shows us that He cares for His chosen ones, Israel.  We see this in the next plague.  But, God tells us that He protects His people, His chosen ones, always.  It is a trait of the Lord God Most High.  He said He was the same then, now, and forever.  He told us in Mal. 3:6 that He doesn’t change.  Consider this ...

Isaiah 41:10  fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Psalm 121:7-8   The LORD will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life. 8 The LORD will keep your going out and your coming in from this time forth and forevermore. This is our hope.  This is our desire.  God come and take care of us, your chosen ones. 

But, what is interesting.  This seems to be related to the coming Tribulation.  We study the very words of God and His elect will be going through the Tribulation.  Uh oh.  It seems clear that connecting Revelation and the very words of God, the words of Jesus, shows we are His elect and we will be in the Tribulation (no rapture!!) and as the Hebrews were sheltered by the Lord in Egypt, our hope is that He will shelter us when His HAMMER falls again and again during the Tribulation.  Our hope is in Him since He said He is the same then, now and forever.  The good news is we are grafted in to the olive tree Israel and are joint heirs of the promises of the Lord.  God said He will gather in His elect, His chosen ones, in the end of days.  Not a rapture but and in gathering.  We Gentiles as Jesus’ other flock will join with Israel His first flock, the Jewish Messianic Christians, and become on flock with one Shepherd.

Here are the links I mentioned in this lesson.   The first two and links to articles on the end of days and the “Jewish Rapture” or the ingathering of God’s elect, His chosen. 

Link 1 –

https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0da55621/files/uploaded/Rapture.pdf

Link 2 –

https://irp-cdn.multiscreensite.com/0da55621/files/uploaded/4ZW5Bbv3Tz2gNtsgeqkL_The%2520Torah%2520and%2520the%2520Rapture.pdf

Also, I mentioned David Padfield’s excellent work on the Exodus.  It is a free booklet from his classroom Bible study.  Here’s the link - https://www.padfield.com/acrobat/history/gods_of_egypt.pdf

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret on top of Tel Gath - home of Goliath)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

As we learned in lesson 49 chapter 22 of Genesis, the story of the binding of Isaac, is a chiastic structure.  Here's the link to the vidcast (video podcast) entitled "The Mirror of Passover."  This will give you an introduction to chiastic structures found in the Bible.  Here's the link - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-21-mirror-of-passover/

Here’s an example that is from the amazing website on chiasms in the Bible, chiasmus.dns-systems.net.  It is a chiasm of Noah and the chiasm is showing us the critical verse in this chiasm.  See below. 

As one starts reading from Gen. 6:10 to 9:19 the verses are “reflections” of each other.  Verse 6:10a mentions Noah as does 9:19.  The next verse 6:10b mentions Shem, Ham, and Japheth as does 9:18b.  The we come across verses 6:14-16 and the focus is the Ark and this is “mirrored” in 9:18a.  This can be seen the in triangular structure as the chiasm finally ends at Gen. 8:1 that God remembered Noah.  This is the inspired focus of this whole event, Noah.  God is going to destroy all mankind, all animals, everything.  This is a big big deal.  It is easy to lose track of Noah and his relationship to the Lord and the Lord’s relationship to Noah in the amazing catastrophe the Lord is bringing down upon the earth.  But, God seemingly wants us not to get off track.  In all this God is not forgetting Noah.  This is the focus – the focus is on God, what He is like, and in the midst of this awesome event, the flood, the focus is on a personal God who has a deep intimate relationship with Noah.  And we therefore can learn about the Lord in a deeper way.  It’s as if God is telling us today that no matter what great things or awesome events are happening around us, if we are His people, His focus is on us.  He will not forget us in the midst of events that seem to spiral out or control.

I mentioned Rabbi David Foreman in the podcast and his Torah teaching website, www.AlephBeta.org.  I am linking you to the video I mentioned in this podcast that describes the chiasm of Gen. 22.  Here’s the link - https://www.alephbeta.org/playlist/story-of-abraham-binding-isaac

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

As we enter Exodus chapter 8, as we continue with the “battle of the Gods,” we will see, clearly, that so many of us do not have a full understanding of the plagues of Egypt.  Without knowing the ancient culture of Egypt, the ancient religion of Egypt, their gods, the true job of Pharaoh, the king, our understanding of what Yahvay is trying to get across to us is limited.  An example, the 1st plague of the 1st triad of plagues (plagues 1-9 are in three triads and follow an amazing pattern) when God changed the Nile to blood, Pharaoh is by the Nile in the morning.  If one knows the ancient culture of Egypt one will know a more reasonable answer as to why he is there.  On top of that, there is a truth the Lord is trying to teach us but we miss it.  Moses didn’t.  Aaron didn’t nor the Hebrews.  They all knew Egypt intimately and understood why Pharaoh was down by the river in the morning.  Once again, as we study the plagues, we will see things we never saw because the seminaries have not trained church leaders and teachers of the Bible in its historical perspective.  Quite simply the church has abandoned the Bible in its historical context and we lost 90 or 95 percent of what the Lord is trying to get across.

There are 10 verses from Exodus 7 through 14 that are so amazing.  Just consider them.

Exo_7:5  "The Egyptians shall know that I am the LORD, when I stretch out My hand on Egypt and bring out the sons of Israel from their midst."

Exo_7:17  'Thus says the LORD, "By this you shall know that I am the LORD: behold, I will strike the water that is in the Nile with the staff that is in my hand, and it will be turned to blood.

Exo_8:10  Then he said, "Tomorrow." So he said, "May it be according to your word, that you may know that there is no one like the LORD our God.

Exo_8:22  "But on that day I will set apart the land of Goshen, where My people are living, so that no swarms of flies will be there, in order that you may know that I, the LORD, am in the midst of the land.

Exo_9:14  "For this time I will send all My plagues on you and your servants and your people, so that you may know that there is no one like Me in all the earth.

Exo_9:29  Moses said to him, "As soon as I go out of the city, I will spread out my hands to the LORD; the thunder will cease and there will be hail no longer, that you may know that the earth is the LORD'S.

Exo_9:30  "But as for you and your servants, I know that you do not yet fear the LORD God."

Exo_10:2  and that you may tell in the hearing of your son, and of your grandson, how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and how I performed My signs among them, that you may know that I am the LORD."

Exo_14:4  "Thus I will harden Pharaoh's heart, and he will chase after them; and I will be honored through Pharaoh and all his army, and the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." And they did so.

Exo_14:18  "Then the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD, when I am honored through Pharaoh, through his chariots and his horsemen."

In each case God shows that He loves the Egyptians and Pharaoh.  He wants them to KNOW Him.  In this lesson we will delve into this truth; we will see that God does not want anyone to perish but all to turn to Him, to repent, and turn away from their evil ways and LIVE!  But, there’s even more.  We will see this is what Jesus teaches.  We will see the connection between John 3:16 and these ten verses in Exodus.  We will see the dramatic use of the phrase, “the finger of God,” that demonstrates that Jesus is Lord, Jesus is God, Jesus is the one and only God of the Universe.

Here are a few links to study some of the concepts brought up in this lesson.  The first is an article on the awesome god of Egypt, Heka - MAGIC!!

Link - https://www.worldhistory.org/Heka/

The next link it dealing with Ma'at.  She was a goddess in Moses day and represented truth, justice, order, harmony, goodness, and peace.  Here picture is below. (Free picture from Wikimedia).

She was the primary goddess that Pharaoh served and understanding Ma'at and Pharaoh's connection to Ma'at helps us grasp a deeper understanding of what God is doing in the plagues.  Here's the link - 

https://www.ancient-origins.net/history-ancient-traditions/maat-ancient-egyptian-goddess-truth-justice-and-morality-003131

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret in Timnah Park just north of Eilat, Israel)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In this lesson I mentioned the vidcast (video podcast) entitled, "The Mirror of Passover."  In this video I go into detail on the literary structures called CHIAMS (pronounced ky-ah-zms).  It'd be good to watch this video before you listen to this podcast on the chiasm of Gen. 22.  Here's the link - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-21-mirror-of-passover/  

I have so many awesome credible and scholarly resources for my study and research in the Torah, the first five books of the Bible.  Again, these books are critical for Christians to study since Jesus said in John 5:39 that ALL scripture testifies of Him.  He said it sometime between 24-30 A.D. and all they had then was the Hebrew Scriptures; you know it as the Old Testament.  Then the five books that were the primary books of the Bible was the Torah, the Books of Moses, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy.  As we study these books we see Jesus.  Without the Hebrew Scriptures, the New Testament is incomplete.  The Bible is one book from Genesis 1 to Revelation 22 and it all testifies of Jesus and the writers of the books of the New Testament relied heavily on Torah.

One resource I count on is the Torah commentary by Dr. John Currid.  Yes, he is a Christian theologian but, and this is why I use it, John Currid is a proven archaeologist, Egyptologist, and historian.  His commentary actually puts the words of Moses in their historical context.  Thus, we can learn the who and the what and the how and the when to understand the why as one of my first teachers, Ray Vander Laan, taught me.

Doctor Currid shows something in his commentary on Genesis 22.  He shows that Gen. 22:1-19 is a chiasm.  Once you understand what a chiasm is then one can return to Gen. 22 and see the main point God is making.  The chiasm is shown below.  The verses are color coded to show how the verse colored in black are a reflection of the other verses in black.  And the verses in red reflect the other verses in red in that the content is connected.  The verse in blue are the center of the chiasm, like the point of a pyramid with the first half sloping up to the point and the 2nd half sloping down from the point.  

(Gen 22:1) Now it came about after these things, that God tested Abraham, and said to him, "Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."

(Gen 22:2) He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."

(Gen 22:3) So Abraham rose early in the morning and saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him and Isaac his son; and he split wood for the burnt offering, and arose and went to the place of which God had told him.

(Gen 22:4) On the third day Abraham raised his eyes and saw the place from a distance.

(Gen 22:5) Abraham said to his young men, "Stay here with the donkey, and I and the lad will go over there; and we will worship and return to you."

(Gen 22:6) Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering and laid it on Isaac his son, and he took in his hand the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together.

(Gen 22:7) Isaac spoke to Abraham his father and said, "My father!" And he said, "Here I am, my son." And he said, "Behold, the fire and the wood, but where is the lamb for the burnt offering?"

(Gen 22:8) Abraham said, "God will provide for Himself the lamb for the burnt offering, my son." So the two of them walked on together.

(Gen 22:9) Then they came to the place of which God had told him; and Abraham built the altar there and arranged the wood, and bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood.

(Gen 22:10) Abraham stretched out his hand and took the knife to slay his son.

(Gen 22:11) But the angel of the LORD called to him from heaven and said, "Abraham, Abraham!" And he said, "Here I am."

(Gen 22:12) He said, "Do not stretch out your hand against the lad, and do nothing to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from Me."

(Gen 22:13) Then Abraham raised his eyes and looked, and behold, behind him a ram caught in the thicket by his horns; and Abraham went and took the ram and offered him up for a burnt offering in the place of his son.

(Gen 22:14) Abraham called the name of that place The LORD Will Provide, as it is said to this day, "In the mount of the LORD it will be provided."

(Gen 22:15) Then the angel of the LORD called to Abraham a second time from heaven,

(Gen 22:16) and said, "By Myself I have sworn, declares the LORD, because you have done this thing and have not withheld your son, your only son,

(Gen 22:17) indeed I will greatly bless you, and I will greatly multiply your seed as the stars of the heavens and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your seed shall possess the gate of their enemies.

(Gen 22:18) "In your seed all the nations of the earth shall be blessed, because you have obeyed My voice."

(Gen 22:19) So Abraham returned to his young men, and they arose and went together to Beersheba; and Abraham lived at Beersheba.

The entire structure is like a two lines.  The beginning line slopes down from left to right and ends at a specific point.  Once you reach the center, in this case the verses in blue, the rest of the verses are another line sloping down from right to left from the original starting point.  Thus, the verses in black are connected by being reflections of each other.  See below.  This is a chiastic structure of the entire Bible.  Pretty cool!!  From Patheos.com 2017.

The central focus of the chiasm of Gen. 22 is the “silence” that is inherent in the verse colored in blue.  Abraham can’t “see” God’s purpose and Isaac can’t see the sacrifice.  God is silent.  The father and the son go on together.  In the Hebrew the wording suggests they go one with one mindset, one purpose.  Abraham to obey God.  Isaac to obey is father.  They go on seemingly in silence to the amazing things God will show them on the mountain. 

What I just wrote is not a sufficient explanation of this chiasm.  I leave the listener to study with me in the podcast.  Once you have the idea come back and add to what you think the central point God is making. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

Ferret - Elah Valley - where David defeated Goliath)

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

The battle between the Lord (the word "Lord" in your Bible is the English word used for the Hebrew name of God, יהוה or YahVay) and all the gods of Egypt begins.  We study the first plague, the Nile is turned into blood, into death.  One wonders if this is payback.  Pharaoh ordered all Egyptians to toss the Hebrew new born baby boys into the Nile and drown them.  Pharaoh turned the Nile into a river of death.  Dennis Prager in his Torah commentary, “Exodus: the Rationale Bible,” suggests that God then also turned the Nile into a river of blood, a river of death.  Measure for measure or as Jesus says, “you will sow what you reap.”  So Pharaoh sowed death and Yahvay returned it back unto Pharaoh and all Egypt.  It’s possible and it makes sense. 

But, there is so much more.  Once again what you are about to learn you will never learn in Sunday school or in your Messianic congregation on Shabbat.  You will never learn, for example, the connection between Genesis and Exodus and the book of Revelation.  Once again, few ever study the Bible in its historical context.  When you do your understanding is expanded and enriched; you will see things God intended as we reconnect to the way the first hearers of God’s Torah heard.  We have missed do much.

In this podcast I said I would provide valuable links so you can expand your study.  The links are below and I do hope they are worthwhile for many of you who are serious students of the Bible.

The first link is to Ray Vander Laan's video series on Egypt.  By accessing these links you can see short previews of the videos.  If you do purchase them, and I highly recommend you purchase the video study guide as well.  As a Bible historian I think the books that go along with the videos are more valuable than the videos.  Here's link to all three of the dvd's on Egypt.

   Video 1 - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/god-heard-their-cry

   Video 2 - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/fire-on-the-mountain

   Video 3 - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/with-all-your-heart

One scholar who has done amazing work on the feasts is David Padfield.  I am providing a link to his class notebook entitled, "The Gods of Egypt."  It is free to download.  Once there you can explore the many other study resources that are available from this ministry.

   Link - https://www.padfield.com/acrobat/history/gods_of_egypt.pdf

The main job of Pharaoh was to preserve Ma'at or order.  Pharaoh's role was to prevent chaos.  See the picture of the goddess Ma'at below.

If he did, then when he died then they'd weigh his heart on the scale of judgment in the Hall of Ma'at (the goddess of truth, order, harmony, prosperity, life) against the feather of Ma'at.  If Pharaoh maintained order, Ma'at, and stopped chaos, his heart would be lighter than the feather and Pharaoh would enter eternal life with the gods.  If he didn't, if his heart was HEAVY, heavier than Ma'at's feather, Pharaoh would be judged and condemned to eternal damnation.  Here's one link to learn about this.

   Link - https://www.thetorah.com/article/pharaohs-divine-role-in-maintaining-maat-order

All ancient Egyptian cosmologies, the way things began, have things in common.  One is that all the main gods of Egypt, the creator gods, arose out of the primordial sea and darkness.  Here's a neat video that delves into these common features of the ancient Egyptian creation accounts.

   Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTy49JlgJZE

In this podcast I talked about the seasons of the year in ancient Egypt.  Here's a link to a picture detailing these three seasons.

   Link - https://www.pinterest.com/pin/630926229039184930/

Finally, here is a link to the festivals in ancient Egypt.  In this podcast we talked about the festival of Min.  This festival occurred in the month of the Exodus and it explains why Pharaoh was probably at the river when God commanded Moses and Aaron to go a meet Pharaoh.  But, it explains even more once you understand the god Min.

   Link - http://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/festival.htm

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? 

(Ferret in the Elah Valley - the Shephelah of Israel)

What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Abraham and Isaac go up the mountain and Abraham will be tested by Adonai, the Lord, Yahvay.  Abraham doesn’t even know he is being tested.  The Lord wants to know what this Abraham is all about.  Is his faith real?  Or, is his faith just a bunch of words?  Is Abraham truly committed to living for the Lord as his top focus, priority?  God will test this and see if Abraham is willing to “slaughter” his own son, his Isaac, the first born of he and Sarah, the son who God is the is “promised one” to establish the covenant.  Will Abraham give it all up to show his unwavering allegiance to the Lord? 

This is a lesson for us as well.  Paul teaches that if we are true believers we are sons and daughters of Abraham.  Consider …

Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU." (Gal 3:7-8)

It seems God is telling us we are part of the family.  It might be assumed therefore that we have the family characteristics – we are to be like our “father” Abraham.  We have the same commitment, allegiance, and faith as he did.  Do we?  Would we pass the test that Abraham passed?  Would we show our allegiance as he did to the Lord by being willing to kill our son or daughter or other special loved one cause God said it? 

Jesus the Last Supper lifts up a cup of wine.  It is the cup of the New Covenant.  For the 11 disciples still at the Passover Meal that night, they may have seen this as a “picture.”  Jesus was “proposing marriage” to the 11 and to us.  Of course, Godly marriage is a covenant.  Jesus is saying to drink the cup.  It’s like a sign that we are entering more than a relationship but a relationship to Jesus that we are totally committed to Him and He to us.  Look upon the New Covenant like a beautiful Godly marriage between a Godly man and a Godly woman - Jesus the Bridegroom and u the Bride.  The New Covenant shows our mutual unwavering allegiance to Yeshua and He to us like a husband and wife.  Check out the article on that goes into this in detail at the link below.  Link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/q5ybtnm9r8iuymc/Last%20Supper%20_%20The%20Amazing%20Proposal%20better.pdf?dl=0

Once again in this lesson we again see how the scriptures in Torah testify of Jesus.  These is an amazing connections between Isaac and Jesus.  Below I am repeating a wonderful survey done by a pastor on these connections. 

Consider …

PARALLELS BETWEEN ISAAC AND JESUS

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 19, 2014

www.SermonCentral.com

- Both fulfilled PROMISES: Isaac was the long-promised son to Abraham (Genesis 12:3) and Jesus was the long-promised Messiah and Son of God (Genesis 3:15; 13:3, John 1:1-12)

- Both were the ONLY SON of their father: God said that Isaac was “Your son, your only son, whom you live…” to Abraham(Genesis 22: 2) and God also said “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!” (Matthew 3:16, 17).

- Both had a MIRACULOUS BIRTH: Isaac was born to parents who were very old - Genesis 18:13 and Jesus was born of a virgin, Mary, and conceived by the Holy Spirit - Luke 1:34-35.

- Both had a conception and birth that was PRE-ANNOUNCED - Genesis 18:10 & Luke 1:30–31.

- Both were NAMED before their birth - Genesis 17:19 & Matthew 1:21.

- Both were MOCKED and persecuted by their own kindred - Genesis 21:9 & Mark 15:29–32.

- Both were UNDESERVING of their sacrificial death - Genesis 22:2, Luke 23:41.

- Both were sacrificed on a mountain chosen by God - Genesis 22:3 & Matthew 27:33.

- Both were LOVED by their fathers (Genesis 22:2; Matthew 3:16, 17).

- Both had a THREE-DAY experience: Isaac had a 3-day hike to Moriah and Jesus had 3 days from the cross to the grave to the resurrection.

- Both WERE accompanied by TWO MEN: Isaac by two servants (Genesis 22:3) and Jesus by two thieves (Matthew 27:38)

- Both carried their own WOOD: Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice (Genesis 22:6) and Jesus carried the crossbeam of his cross (John 19:17).

- Both SUBMITTED to their father: Isaac willingly laid down his life, submitting to his father (Genesis 22:9) and Jesus submitted to his Father’s will and laid down his life for our sin (Luke 22:42, Romans 5:8).

- Both asked a QUESTION of their father: Isaac asked Abraham “Here is the fire and the wood, Father, but where is the lamb? (Gen. 22:7) and Jesus cried “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” from the cross (Matthew 27:46).

- Both were BROUGHT BACK from the dead: Isaac was “brought back” figuratively (Genesis 22:12) by the faith of Abraham and Jesus rose from the dead 3 days after he was crucified (Matthew 28:6-7).

Finally ... get ready for lesson 49.  We will study Genesis 22 as a CHIASM.  Huh?  What's that?  Watch this video before you listen to lesson 49; watch the video podcast entitled, "The Mirror of Passover."  Here's the link - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-21-mirror-of-passover/

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? 

What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

This session sets the stage for the Battle of the Gods.  The Lord tells Moses that all this is to come against the Egyptian gods in Ex. 12:12.  This is what we will see.  All the gods of Egypt are nature gods.  They are depicted as animals and as men and women.  In the ten plaques God attacks these nature gods.  It shows the bigger picture that right from the "get go" that the Bible is against deifying nature.  This battle is not over since today we see such a deification of nature; the earth among many is called Mother and thus is perhaps deemed in authority over mankind.  This is totally against what God told Adam and Eve.  Mankind is to rule over nature and not let it overcome us.  Nature was made for man.  

This lesson will take us back to Genesis.  This lesson will take us to Revelation.  We will see that the lead gods of Egypt, Amun, Re, Atum, Ptah, and Khnum are connected to animals, to beasts.  We will see that these beasts, these lead gods, those considered as creator gods, all came out of the sea, the primordial ocean.  Other gods, also portrayed as beasts, come out of the land, the earth.  But, in Genesis 1:1-2, God created the heavens and the earth.  The God of the Bible created nature and the gods of Egypt come out of nature.  So, who is God?  For the Hebrews coming out of Egypt, they get it.  The message in the Torah, God's instruction and not law, is the Lord, יהוה Yahvay, is the one who is over all gods, all the gods of Egypt.  This was a huge lesson He needed to teach His chosen people coming out of Egypt.  

And, this lesson will take us to the book of Revelation.  We will again confront beasts.  One comes out of the sea and another the earth.  It seems this is the final battle.  These beasts also are humans; one of the beasts is the anti-Christ.  Interesting.  The anti-Christ calls himself as god, is to be worshiped, and is also termed as a beast, an animal, a wild animal.  This is just like the gods of Egypt and Pharaoh.  Thus, it seems to me that the Exodus and the events of Exodus is bigger, much bigger than we thought.  Amazing.  What else is new?  This is God, the Lord, יהוה Yahvay.

TRUTH NUGGET 28

Lesson 3  Part 1

The Ends of the Earth

This is lesson 3 Part 1 in this 4 part video series.  If you have not watched lesson 1 parts 1 & 2 or Lesson 2 parts 1 & 2 we urge you to do so.  This lesson depends upon the content of lesson 1 & 2.  Shown below are the links for the previous lessons for your convenience.

Lesson 1 Part 1 –

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-1-the-gospel-whats-that/

Lesson 1 Part 2 –

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-2-the-living-word-and-the-written-word/

Lesson 2 Part 1 -

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-2-part-1-disciples-and-apostles/

 Lesson 2 Part 2 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-2-part-2-disciples-and-apostles/

In part 3 we focus on the phrase “the end(s) of the earth.”  If you are Jewish and lived then, in the beginning of the 1st century A.D., how might they have understood this phrase?  It is critical since Jesus says He wants His disciples to go there, go to the “ends of the earth.”  We will then consider Paul.  He is one amazing example of a disciple who also was called to go, and that is what Paul did.  In other words Paul was a disciple who was sent out and so Paul was an apostle.  There is one event in Paul’s many travels, however, that so relates to Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8 that we have been focusing on.  It looks as if Paul followed Jesus’ example to a T. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

TRUTH NUGGET 28

Lesson 3  Part 2

The Ends of the Earth

This is lesson 3 Part 1 in this 4 part video series.  If you have not watched lesson 1 parts 1 & 2 or Lesson 2 parts 1 & 2 we urge you to do so.  This lesson depends upon the content of lesson 1 & 2.  Shown below are the links for the previous lessons for your convenience.

Lesson 1 Part 1 –

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-1-the-gospel-whats-that/

Lesson 1 Part 2 –

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-2-the-living-word-and-the-written-word/

Lesson 2 Part 1 -

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-2-part-1-disciples-and-apostles/

 Lesson 2 Part 2 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-2-part-2-disciples-and-apostles/

Lesson 3 Part 1 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-3-part-1-the-ends-of-the-earth/

In part 3 we focus on the phrase “the end(s) of the earth.”  If you are Jewish and lived then, in the beginning of the 1st century A.D., how might they have understood this phrase?  It is critical since Jesus says He wants His disciples to go there, go to the “ends of the earth.”  We will then consider Paul.  He is one amazing example of a disciple who also was called to go, and that is what Paul did.  In other words Paul was a disciple who was sent out and so Paul was an apostle.  There is one event in Paul’s many travels, however, that so relates to Jesus’ words in Acts 1:8 that we have been focusing on.  It looks as if Paul followed Jesus’ example to a T. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Lesson 4

Walk in the Spirit

 (40 & 50 & God Dwells in Us and With Us)

This is lesson 4 in this 4 part video series.  If you have not watched lesson 1 parts 1 & 2 or Lesson 2 parts 1 & 2 or Lesson 3 parts 1 & 2 we urge you to do so.  This lesson depends upon the content of the previous lessons.  Shown below are the links for the previous lessons for your convenience.

Lesson 1 Part 1 –

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-1-the-gospel-whats-that/

Lesson 1 Part 2 –

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-2-the-living-word-and-the-written-word/

Lesson 2 Part 1 -

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-2-part-1-disciples-and-apostles/

 Lesson 2 Part 2 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-2-part-2-disciples-and-apostles/

Lesson 3 Part 1 -

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-3-part-1-the-ends-of-the-earth/

Lesson 3 Part 2 -

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-3-part-2-the-ends-of-the-earth/

In part 4 we focus on the phrase “but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you.”  We are all to be disciples of Rabbi Jesus which means we want to be like Him; to live as the image of Messiah in every aspect of our lives.  And, some of us might be called to go out to the "ends of the earth" and thus become disciples who are now also apostles (in Hebrew we'd be known as the "sent out ones").  It seems that Jesus is teaching us that in order to be His disciples we can not do it on our own.  It takes POWER and this POWER comes through His Spirit dwelling in us.  

Another part of this lesson is the amazing numbers 40 and 50.  We will see how this is all connected to that memorable Pentecost Sunday probably in 30 or 33 A.D.  On top of that we will see that this connects to the coming of the Lord to dwell WITH His people at Sinai, the mountain of God.  All of this will enhance and enrich and expand our Biblical understanding of the Gospel, what are Disciples, Apostles, and our walk as Jesus in the Spirit.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

TRUTH NUGGET 28

LESSON 1 PART 1

What is the Gospel?  Oh sure anyone of us can write up the definition.  But, what did it mean to the disciples - the first ones with Jesus?  Did it mean the same thing?  Again, let's study His word in its historical and cultural context.  As we do we will try and hear as the first hearers heard and saw and understood.  Then, our understanding of the word of the Lord and the gospel will be enriched.  Our minds will see the amazing foundation this gospel has once placed back into its Jewish roots.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

TRUTH NUGGET 28

LESSON 1 PART 2

If you have not watched part 1 here’s the link.  You must watch part 1 – it is the background study that gets us to the redemption of Adonai and what He needs to complete.  So please watch part 1 to understand part 2. 

Link to part 1 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-1-the-gospel-whats-that/

In part 2 we get to the gospel that would make sense to those first disciples.  For them something was not working.  It is probable that in Jesus’ day there was a debate as to how one’s INTENTIONAL sin was cleansed and forgiven.  The answer was not in the Torah, the main five books of the Bible in Jesus’ day.  That the Torah was missing something is understood by the great scholars of Judaism and the writer of the book of Hebrews, more than likely a deeply religious Jewish disciple of Jesus. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

TRUTH NUGGET 28

Lesson 2  Part 1

Disciples and Apostles?

This is lesson 2 in this 4 part video series.  If you have not watched lesson 1 parts 1 & 2 we urge you to do so.  This lesson depends upon the content of lesson 1.  Shown below are the links for Lesson Part 1 and Part 2 for your convenience.

Lesson 1 Part 1 –

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-1-the-gospel-whats-that/

Lesson 1 Part 2 –

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-2-the-living-word-and-the-written-word/

In this lesson we again put the Bible into its historical context; we reconnect to the Jewish roots of our faith.  We ask ourselves is the church made up of converts and disciples and apostles.  If so what is the difference?  Aren’t disciples ones who believe that Jesus is Lord and are saved by grace?  Are pastors then apostles?  In Jesus’ day the concept of what was a disciple and what was an apostle was clear.  We need to study what those first disciples understood.  We need to grasp what they saw and what they heard and what they experienced.  Once we do our understanding will become so enriched and expanded.  We will see what Jesus wants of them THEN and this means what He wants of us NOW. 

I highly recommend you also access the lessons of Ray Vander Laan at his website www.ThattheWorldMayKnow.com.  I will link you to his article on the Rabbis and Talmideem (Rabbis and Disciples).  I thank Ray so much for being my teacher and being the one who has inspired me to study this concept in a deeper and more expansive way.  Also, at his website, click LEARN and look up his AUDIO lessons and rabbis and disciples.  You will not be disappointed.  Here’s links to key places on Ray’s website.

Article on Rabbi & Talmid (a must read)

https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/rabbi-and-talmidim

Audio lessons (listen to all audio with the word disciple or rabbi or talmid)

https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/category/Audio

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

TRUTH NUGGET 28

Lesson 2  Part 2

Disciples and Apostles?

This is lesson 2 Part 2 in this 4 part video series.  If you have not watched lesson 1 parts 1 & 2 or Lesson 2 part 1 we urge you to do so.  This lesson depends upon the content of lesson 1.  Shown below are the links for the previous lessons for your convenience.

Lesson 1 Part 1 –

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-1-the-gospel-whats-that/

Lesson 1 Part 2 –

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-1-part-2-the-living-word-and-the-written-word/

Lesson 2 Part 1 -

https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-28-lesson-2-part-1-disciples-and-apostles/

In part 2 we study His word in a deeper way.  We need to see other examples of what it was like to be a disciple of a rabbi in Jesus’ day.  Moreover, what is it like to be a disciple of Jesus!  He’s God.  How can we be like HIM? 

But, then there’s disciples who are called apostles – one’s sent out.  Jesus says to us since the Father has sent Him so too Jesus sends us.  YES!!  That is being a disciple of a rabbi.  Jesus was sent so we are sent.  But, not all are sent.  Most disciples need to stay and be ready.  Whether you are a disciple who stays or one sent out, we need to be ready to do the impossible when Jesus asks.

I highly recommend you also access the lessons of Ray Vander Laan at his website www.ThattheWorldMayKnow.com.  I will link you to his article on the Rabbis and Talmideem (Rabbis and Disciples).  I thank Ray so much for being my teacher and being the one who has inspired me to study this concept in a deeper and more expansive way.  Also, at his website, click LEARN and look up his AUDIO lessons and rabbis and disciples.  You will not be disappointed.  Here’s links to key places on Ray’s website.

Article on Rabbi & Talmid (a must read)

https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/rabbi-and-talmidim

Audio lessons (listen to all audio with the word disciple or rabbi or talmid)

https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/category/Audio

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In lesson 47 we studied Orthodox Jewish Midrash or Orthodox Jewish Bible commentary.  In lesson 47 it was shown that this is a common tool of the orthodox rabbis in orthodox Judaism.  Many times their views and comments are found to be unbiblical, contradicting real archaeology and history, and sometimes even contradicting the actual Hebrew words or grammar.  These orthodox rabbis even word their views and opinions in such a way that "it is their way or the highway." 

Many Christians today in the 21st century have bought into their views and ideas unbeknownst to themselves.  Some of these midrashim, these rabbinic statements as to the meaning of the Bible or statements as to questions or issues the Bible does not answer,  have entered into Christian beliefs and Bible understanding and most Christians have no idea they are only opinions or views of men, rabbis yes, buy mere men.  These views and ideas have become so entrenched in the beliefs of both Jews and non-Jews that the tradition has become solid granite - like the midrash that Chanukah is all about the miracle of the oil!  

One of these views is that there is a mountain called Moriah as found in Gen. 22:1-2 and it this mountain that is the Temple Mount in Jerusalem.  In lesson 47 it is shown that this is orthodox rabbinic midrash.  Jewish sources are clear that it was the rabbis who determined this with no basis in fact.  Their conclusions even contradict the actual Hebrew.  The Bible in Hebrew is precise - Moriah is not a proper name and it not the name of a mountain; it is an ancient Hebrew noun that has dropped out of use by the time of the days of Jesus. 

In this podcast we will continue our study and this time we will accept what the Bible says exactly in Hebrew and not orthodox rabbinic opinions and views.  We will restudy Genesis 22 but this time we will use the word MORIAH as a place where something is seen.  This is a possible meaning as as presented in the "Jewish Publication Society Torah Commentary - Genesis."  See below as to the high praise for the JPS series. It is one the best Jewish commentaries available today.

     "Written by four outstanding Torah scholars, the JPS Torah Commentary represents a fusion of the best of the old and new. Utilizing the latest research to enhance our understanding of the biblical text, it takes its place as one of the most authoritative yet accessible Bible commentaries of our day.      The JPS Torah Commentary series guides readers through the words and ideas of the Torah. Each volume is the work of a scholar who stands at the pinnacle of his field.  Every page contains the complete traditional Hebrew text, with cantillation notes, the JPS translation of the Holy Scriptures, aliyot breaks, Masoretic notes, and commentary by a distinguished Hebrew Bible scholar, integrating classical and modern sources. Each volume also contains supplementary essays that elaborate upon key words and themes, a glossary of commentators and sources, extensive bibliographic notes, and maps.      The award-winning JPS Torah Commentaries and JPS Bible Commentaries are read and studied by tens of thousands of people, Jewish and Christian alike. They are, quite simply, the gold standard. Each is written by a top scholar in the field, in clear language that’s accessible to everyone. We are exceptionally proud of these well respected commentaries."

So, to continue on about the noun "moriah."  It is not a proper name but a noun describing a location where something appears.  If we do and we consider three mountain, three separate mountains where something amazing was seen and experienced, we find that the rabbinic midrash is not as profound or penetrating.  

So come. Join us.  If we remove tradition, if we remove views and opinions, and if we study what the Bible actually says we come to a deeper and more intense understanding of THE VERY WORDS OF GOD.  

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

This is the last lesson in the podcast series on the Lord's Prayer (in Hebrew -  HaTehfeelah Adonai) which He gave to us, His disciples, and we can now call it, HaTehfeelah Talmidim, the Prayer of the Disciples.  We will focus on Matt.6:13 and once again return to the 1st century A.D., the days of Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus the Messiah (the Christ), and try and hear what His disciples heard.  We will try and understand what they understood.  We will study to see like they did.

The main focus of the lesson will be on the beginning phrase in Matt. 6:13, "and lead us not into temptation ..." (NASB).  For us the English word the translators use "temptation" seems to relate only to that which might entice us to sin or evil.  Temptation to us seems to focus on the evil desire to commit sin and go against Adonai, the Lord.  However, the translators use this word in many places in the Bible to mean testing or trials or difficulties.  So, what's going on in Matt. 6:13?  Does it mean that God may come to us to lead us into situations where He knows we will be tempted to commit sin, to do evil?  Or, are the translators using it as it relates with a different concept?  

Here are the links I mentioned in the audio plus more.

Link to the complete Didache (pronounced Dida  Key) - http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-roberts.html

Link to a number of great articles on the Hebrew concept of prayer from En Gedi Resource Center - https://engediresourcecenter.com/hebraic/prayer/

Link to Shmuel Safrai's article on the spoken languages in Jesus' day at the Jerusalem School of the Synoptic Gospels (you may have to sign up to be a subscriber) - https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2551/

Link to a translation of the Lord's Prayer the way it may have been read in Hebrew - https://www.dropbox.com/s/v4boue5uy4oinwk/THE%20LORD%27S%20PRAYER%20FROM%20THE%20HEBREW.pdf?dl=0

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In this lesson we meet up with Uraeus - the terrible goddess of Egypt and the protector of the king, Pharaoh.  Pharaoh had Uraeus on his crown - a cobra.  The sacred beast of Uraeus is the serpent pictured as the cobra.  And so begins the awesome confrontation between God, the only God, and a man who said he was god, the Pharaoh.  It begins with the defeat of his protectress, the Cobra goddess, Uraeus.  How is she defeated?  Moreover, what else is God coming against when Moses and Aaron return to Pharaoh and Aaron throws down his staff and it becomes a serpent - not a snake - but a terrible lizard.  It seems as if God is inspiring Moses to picture the goddess Uraeus not just a snake but a terrible monster.

Another topic we will discuss is the issue of does God judge nations or will God pour His wrath on a people group, a nation, for the collective evil the nation or the group as done.  If so what about the innocent that probably are part of the group? Will they suffer along with the evil ones in that culture?  The answers are critically important for us today.  Will God judge the USA for 62,000,000 babies aborted?  If we are innocent will we suffer also if He comes and pours His wrath upon us.  This is a difficult concept and must be studied.  What better place than ancient Egypt.

I highly recommend you watch the videos, lesson 20 & 21 of this series.  They are entitled, "His Highness' Heavy Heart," and deals with the important question did God harden Pharaoh's heart.  Did God create this man for damnation and destruction?  What about us?  Are we predetermined for salvation and others for destruction?  To access these videos click on the link below and you will be at our You Tube Channel.  Search for the videos that are connected to the pictures below.  

Link - https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLvcIXun2BQDIw6myuMPTvlWHUu9AJqXip

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

I remember a time when I had hurt someone in one of my classes.  I reacted to their opinion on a specific issue very harshly.  Later I did learn from others in the class that 1) they did not appreciate my intense reaction to this person and 2) they knew this person was hurt and angry with me and 3) they understood why I got so angry but it was not the proper way of handling the situation.  Needless to say, I hurt someone with my words.  It reminded me me of ...

"The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Mat 12:35-37)

Ouch!  His Spirit was working in me telling me that I sinned.  Something needed to happen.

On one hand, this person I hurt may have forgiven me "in his heart."  He may have done this based upon what Jesus teaches that ...

"My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." (Mat 18:35)

Many of us do this as Christians today.  Someone hurt us, abused us, sinned against us and we forgive that person "from our heart," but the one who hurt us doesn't know it.  For us it is a way we think we are listening to Rabbi Yeshua and living as true disciples.

On the other hand, even though this person I hurt may have "forgiven me in his heart," and I didn't know it, I was dealing with the Father and through His Spirit I was being plagued with guilt that I have not gone to this person, confessed my sin, repented, and asked for this person's forgiveness.  I had already done this with the Lord.  I knew I was forgiven.  But, the Lord would not let me off the hook!  Why?  Because He taught us this ...

"Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering." (Mat 5:23-24)

He didn't mean to seek forgiveness from Him and let it all go.  NO!!  He is teaching clearly that I need to go to the person, confess, repent, and seek their forgiveness.  I did go to that person.  I did confess, repent, and I asked for this person to forgive me.  I was forgiven by that person.  I must say this was one of the most difficult things I have ever done.  It was easy to go to the Father and confess and repent and seek forgiveness.  But, doing that with the person who I sinned against, that is entirely a different matter.

So, we now return to the Lord's Prayer -

תפילת האדוי - HaTehfeelah Adonai  

We will focus on the verse Matt. 6:12 where we pray that the Lord will forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.  Why use the word debt or debtors?  Why didn't Jesus use the word sin and sinners?  Besides that it seems as if Jesus is showing us that if we want to be forgiven by the Lord we first need to forgive.  Is that what this all means?  Once again, we are reading in English translated from the Greek which is translated from the Hebrew and it comes out of a totally Jewish culture of 2000 years ago.  Is it possible then as we put this verse into its historical context that things will begin to make real sense?  Answer!  You better believe it.  Moreover, we will see how it relates to the situation I described from my own life.

Links promised in this session ...

1) Brad Young's article at Jerusalem Perspective (Note - this is a pay site.  Cost is $60 per year.  It is a highly credible scholarly site that if you are serious about your Bible study this is one site that is a must) - https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2300/

2) Link to lesson 1 of this series - listen to this to understand how this prayer is related to being a true disciple of Rabbi Jesus - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-6-the-lords-prayer-part-1-pray-like-the-rabbi/

Link 3 - Ray Vander Laan's article on "Rabbi and Talmidim" - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/rabbi-and-talmidim

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

Ferret and his wife Robin having dinner in Vicente Guerrero

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In lesson 7 we focus on the phrase of Matt 6:11, "Give us this day our daily bread."  Was Jesus teaching His disciples, His talmideem תלמידים in Hebrew, something new?  As Dr. Brad Young states in his amazing article, "The Lord's Prayer," (see the link below to Jerusalem Perspective, a scholarly website of Christian and Jewish Bible scholars presenting the Jewish background of the Synoptic Gospels - Matthew, Mark, and Luke) ...

"Too often, the importance of the Jewish background of the prayer and of the language that Jesus used has been overlooked or minimized. Jesus was a Jew, speaking Hebrew to his Jewish followers during the difficult days of the Roman occupation of Israel in the Second Temple Period. A modern Christian has a quite different understanding of prayer, Scripture, and faith than a Jewish teacher like Jesus, not to mention the great differences of language, culture, and history. One easily can miss the great depth of Jesus’ message, even while believing in him. Here we will try to rediscover something of the original Jewish atmosphere in which Jesus taught his followers how to approach God in prayer."

So we will reconnect again to the historical context of this prayer that Jesus taught to His disciples, His talmideem תלמידים and we will see that awesome meaning behind the simple phrase of Matt. 6:11.  It will help us again pray this prayer with a new expanded understanding of this central prayer for any disciple of our Lord Jesus.  Our walk as disciples of Yeshua HaMasheeiachk, Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Christ will be enriched and strengthened.  

The Lord’s Prayer 1: Introduction.  Brad Young.  (Note: this is part 1 of 10)

https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2229/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

What's his background? 

Ferret and his wife Robin at the airport on their way to Israel

Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In part 1 we learned that the Kingdom of God was a concept in Second Temple Judaism, the religion of Jesus' day, that was understood by the Jewish people.  We saw that Moses states that God will reign forever and ever (Exod. 15:18).  Thus, if God reigns, He is king.  If God is King then He has a Kingdom.  But, His Kingdom does not have a territory or borders or a palace or castle.  In Jesus' day the Kingdom of God meant only that God rules and reigns over His creation, the heavens and the earth, the universe.  It is like what the Jewish people say in their daily blessings that Adonai is King of the Universe.  Here's the blessing over bread ...

בָּרוּךְ אַתָּה ה׳ אֱלֹהֵינוּ מֶלֶךְ הָעוֹלָם הַמּוֹצִיא לֶחֶם מִן הָאָרֶץ

Baruch ata Adonai Eloheinu melech ha’olam hamotzi lechem min ha’aretz.

Blessed are you, Lord our God, KING of the universe who brings forth bread from the earth.

So, in the first century A.D. in Israel, God's Kingdom was and is and will always be.  So, as we continue to study the phrase in Matt. 6:10, "Your Kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven," we ask then if His Kingdom was and is and will always be why are we praying that His Kingdom should come? Are we missing something?  Again, we are.  We are disconnected from how the disciples of Jesus understood the Kingdom of God 2000 years ago when Jesus taught this prayer.  We need again to reconnect to those days to expand our understanding of the Lord's Prayer and what it all means to them and to us today.

I mentioned I would link several articles that are examples of my resources that I have accessed to develop these podcasts on the Lord's Prayer and on the Kingdom of the Lord.  These links are shown below.  The links that have a "*" before them will take you to the website www.JerusalemPerspective.com

which has an annual fee to access the entire article and the remaining 100's of articles available from highly credible Christian and Jewish scholars.  I highly recommend this website for any of you who are serious students of the Bible.  This is one resource that is worth paying the annual fee for real scholarship and study.

* The Kingdom of God: God’s Power Among Believers. Robert L. Lindsey

https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2445/

* Literary Languages in the Time of Jesus.  Shmuel Safrai

https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2563/

* Jesus and the Oral Torah: The Unutterable Name of God.  David Biven.  

https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2087/

* The Lord's Prayer.  David Biven.

https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/769/

* The Lord’s Prayer 1: Introduction.  Brad Young.  (Note: this is part 1 of 10)

https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2229/

The following articles are accessed for free at the amazing website www.EnGediResourceCenter.org

including articles by Lois Tverberg on the Lord's Prayer and the Kingdom of God.  

Articles on the Lord's Prayer - https://engediresourcecenter.com/tag/lords-prayer/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In lesson 6 part 1 of this podcast series we now focus on the phrase ...

Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. (Mat 6:9-10 NASB)

Once again we will reconnect to the Jewish culture of Jesus' day so as to learn how His disciples (talmideem in Hebrew) understood the words of the prayer Jesus taught them; the prayer He also taught us since we too have been "grafted in" to the olive tree of Israel and we too must strive daily to live and serve as true disciples of the Lord.  

So what did they hear when when they prayed, "Your Kingdom come?"  Certainly in those days all Jews were longing for the Messiah to come.  They were longing for Him to restore Israel as a Jewish nation free from Rome.  So, did the disciples "hear" these words and think of the Messiah's coming kingdom under the reign of Adonai?  Or when they prayed these words did it mean something else, something more, something more profound? 

We may be like other Christians who pray these words in English and think it has to do with the return of Jesus, the return of the Messiah, to bring His Kingdom to earth.  But, if we are supposedly to dwell with the Lord in heaven forever and ever why bring His Kingdom to earth, right?  We are all going to heaven right?  So, Jesus would have a Kingdom with no subjects since we are all gone, we're all in heaven!  

So, today for many in the church we have so many diverse ideas of the Kingdom of God.  We may even think there are three Kingdoms - the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven and Jesus' Kingdom when He precisely teaches about His Kingdom.  This concept in English with no connection to the Jewish culture of Jesus' day causes confusion and disagreement and does not satisfy us with a precise understanding.  But, if we return to Jesus' day and hear as His disciples did, and see as His disciples did, and understand like them, then we too will grasp the meaning of the Kingdom of the Most High, the Kingdom will make sense and it will eliminate all the diverse opinions, the Kingdom of God will be something part of our lives so we are be able to walk with Jesus in a deeper and more passionate way.

In this session I mentioned an article about Peter.  Remember he asked Jesus if he could leave the boat and join Jesus walking on the water.  This is so critical to understand the meaning of a disciple in Jesus' day.  Here's the link to the article - https://www.dropbox.com/s/wtgmaph65t3inl8/Walk%20LIke%20the%20Rabbi%20%26%20Pray%20Like%20the%20Rabbi.pdf?dl=0

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

Ferret teaching at Tel Gezer in the shephelah of Israel

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Many times in this series or in the series on Exodus I bring up rabbinic commentary commonly called in Judaism midrashim (מִדְרָשִׁים).  In many cases these comments by the rabbis are unbiblical and are non-historical and sometimes change the meaning of the text of God’s word.  A case in point is in lesson 46 of this series it was shown that there is no mountain called Moriah and the Temple Mount was not the place of the binding of Isaac.  It is impossible historically, geographically, and etymologically (ie. Moriah in the actual Hebrew of the Bible is not even proper name if one understands the grammar rules of Hebrew).  And yet, so many Jews and Gentiles still hold to the notion that there is a mountain called Moriah and it is the Temple Mount.  This is how the rabbis change the meaning of the text of God’s word by their opinions and conjectures.  This is why adding "fictional aspects" to the text of His word misleads and distorts the truth God is trying to convey.

Another example is the miracle of the oil on Chanukah.  It never happened.  Once again we are dealing with rabbinic midrash that appears hundreds of years after the events stated by a rabbi with no proof or backup.  This “fiction” is then carried down to us and so many hold to the fictional addition to the God’s word. 

This is why I am opposed to the new popular video series, “The Chosen.”  It is taking the true Bible text and adding fictional stories that change the meaning of the His word.  A scholarly writer of historical fiction will never warp the historical event and the historical facts of the event as they add to a fictional account related to the event.  This is not the case for the creators of "The Chosen."  

So, what is a Midrash?  What is their purpose?  How do we deal with Midrash?  How do we begin to stop believing that everything some Jewish rabbi says is not “the gospel?”  This lesson will explore these topics.  It is important for you, if you continue in this series or the series on Exodus to understand.

I promised I give you some links to articles and other sources to expand your understanding on certain things brought up in this lesson.  Here they are.

Link about the midrash of the tzeetzee-ot or tassels – https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/the-tallit-spiritual-significance/

Link to an article on the mysterious land of Moriah - https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-mysterious-land-of-moriah

Link about the midrash, the “fake news” about the miracle of the oil at Chanukah – https://www.thetorah.com/article/uncovering-the-truth-about-chanukah

Link to my article on Jesus’ marriage proposal during His “last supper” at the mountain of God or Jerusalem – https://www.dropbox.com/s/uecgilxp6qz908e/Last%20Supper%20_%20The%20Amazing%20Proposal.pdf?dl=0

Link to the article on the Jewish ritual of “washing the dead” or as in 1 Cor 15:29, “baptizing the dead - https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/tahara/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

This is part 2 of the Lord's Prayer series as we focus on the phrase, "hallowed be Your name."  In this episode we turn to the Ten Commandments and to commandment #3 (commandment 2 if you are a Catholic) or "You shall not take the name of the Lord your God in vain, for the Lord will not leave him unpunished who takes His name in vain."   How is this related to us today?  If we reconnect to the Hebrew and the Jewish culture of the 2nd Temple Period, the days of Jesus, it is connected to being a true disciple of Yeshua, but how?  How is this related to the Lord's Prayer and "hallowing?" 

There are many links I mention in this podcast.  They are all listed below.  At this time I want to recognize these scholars and for their amazing credible Bible resources to help us reconnect to the Jewish culture of Jesus' day so we can have our understanding expanded and enhanced.  These amazing scholars are Lois Tverberg, Dennis Prager, Joseph Shulam, Dr. Brad Young, and David Biven.  This is just a few of the many scholars and teachers I have learned from.  I just needed to make sure I gave them the credit and recognition for most of what I present.  I don't teach my own opinion and try to teach with the backup of such great scholars as these.

Link - Lois Tverberg' article, "What Does It Mean to Hallow God's Name? - https://engediresourcecenter.com/2019/06/06/what-does-it-mean-to-hallow-gods-name/

Link - Lois Tverberg's website - https://ourrabbijesus.com/

Link - Dennis Prager's video "Misusing God's Name" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=youtu.be&v=nI8OtOfzUDE&app=desktop

Link to Dennis' website and in the "store" you will find his 25 years of Torah lessons on a flash drive - https://www.dennisprager.com/

Link to Joseph Shulam's ministry website - this is a great learning resource - https://netivyah.org/

Check out the free "journals" you can access at Netivyah - https://netivyah.org/library/

Link to David Biven's awesome article on the Lord's prayer found at Jerusalem Perspective - https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/769/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

When was the last time you hallowed?  Is it allowed in your church?  Where you work?  Did you learn how to hallow in Sunday school?  Why aren't more 21st century Christians hallowing?  But, perhaps they are!  

In the 2nd Temple Period, the first century A.D. or Jesus' day, Jesus' talmideem, Hebrew for disciples, knew exactly how to hallow!  Jesus' fellow rabbis helped all know how to hallow the name of Adonai.  So when Jesus teaches His talmideem HaTehfeelah Adonai, the Lord's Prayer, and gives it to them so it becomes, HaTehfeelah Talmideem, the Prayer of the Disciples, the disciples understand clearly what all this means.  It was part of their culture and probably taught in their בֵּית סֵפֶר - pronounced  Bait Sefer, elementary school, so the Jewish kids right from the get go would know how to "hallow the name of Adonai." 

Now it's our turn - let's learn what they did.  Let's try and understand how they understood so that HaTehfeelah Talmideem, the Prayer of the Disicples, becomes that much more meaningful for us today.

Once again there are links I bring up in the podcast.  See below for the links for this lesson.

Link - Lois Tverberg' article, "What Does It Mean to Hallow God's Name? - https://engediresourcecenter.com/2019/06/06/what-does-it-mean-to-hallow-gods-name/

Link - Lois Tverberg's website - https://ourrabbijesus.com/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

We continue with the words of the Lord's Prayer, HaTehfeelah Adonai.  Our focus is now on the words, "...who is in heaven."  This begs the question where does God live?  Where is His abode, where does He dwell 24/7?  Isn't heaven the sky above and space with the moon and sun and planets and galaxies?  If so does God live out there behind a nebula or a galaxy hidden from our eyes?  Or, does the English language cause some issues?  We have put the Lord's Prayer into its historical context and we see that it was first taught in Hebrew to a specific group of people, the religious Jewish disciples, and in a specific culture and time; He taught it sometime between 24-30 A.D. to those who practiced Second Temple Judaism and who only had the Old Testament, the Hebrew scriptures, as their only Bible.  So, let's jump in.  Let's see what they knew and understood in Hebrew.  Let's find out where God lives and dwells 24/7.  

Once again here's links I mentioned in the lesson.  Check them out as they hopefully will add and enrich your study of HaTehfeelah Adonai, the Lord's Prayer which He gave to us, His disciples, and we can now call it, HaTehfeelah Talmidim, the Prayer of the Disciples.

Link Gethsemane 1 - https://www.facebook.com/lightofmenorah/videos/229720674906046/

Link 2a - Dr. Brad Young's videos on the Hebrew background of the Lord's prayer - https://www.bradyoung.org/index.php/videos/40-dr-young-s-youtube-links-on-god-s-learning-channel

Link 2b - Dr. Brad Young's scholarly work on the Jewish background of the Lord's prayer - click here to access all his books in the bookstore  

Link 2c - Dr. Brad Young's article on the Lord's prayer at "Jerusalem Perspective" - https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2229/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Where is Mt. Moriah?  In this lesson we find that the actual Hebrew in the Bible implies that Moriah is not a proper name; it's a noun but not a name.  It is like the word lake.  One can say there are lakes close to where I live in Minnesota.  However, there is one lake called WHITE BEAR LAKE that is the main lake in our town.  So lake means a body of water surrounded by land.  Minnesota is the land of 10,000 of them.  But, there is on lake, LAKE SUPERIOR, that describes a very specific lake.  The word MORIAH in Hebrew is like the word lake.   The word itself is ancient and disappeared from use as we get closer to the Second Temple period, 600 B.C. till 70 A.D. In the “JPS Torah Commentary – Genesis” the etymology of the word is unknown but the trusted scholar like Nahum Sarna suggest that Moriah (מֹרִיָּה) might come from the Hebrew word “to see” or râ'âh (רָאָה).  So, this could then result in the two places in the Hebrew Scriptures where Moriah occurs to have an equivalent meaning.  See below.

Gen. 22:2 (original) - He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."

Gen. 22:2 (alternative) - He said, "Take now your son, your only son, whom you love, Isaac, and go to the land where it‘ll be seen, and offer him there as a burnt offering on one of the mountains of which I will tell you."

Then we go to 2 Chron. 3:1 where our translations say based upon rabbinic tradition that Solomon built the 1st Temple on the mountain called Moriah.  That's how we read it in English.  Let’s look at both the original and the alternative.

2 Chron. 3:1 (original) - Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem on Mount Moriah (the Hebrew actually says “on the mountain in the Moriah”), where the LORD had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

2 Chron. 3:1 (alterntative) - Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD in Jerusalem in the place where it’ll be seen on the mountain where the LORD had appeared to his father David, at the place that David had prepared on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite.

The Hebrew is precise.  Moriah is not a proper name.  Thus, there is no mountain that is named Moriah.  On top of that it says it took Abraham 3 days to walk from the area of Beer Sheva to Jerusalem.  That is over 50 miles on good trails and roads.  It has been shown this is a 5 day trip at least.  In other words, the mountain where we study the Binding of Isaac is likely not the Temple Mount. 

In his JPS Genesis excursus 16, Nahum Sarna surveys several suggestions for the etymology of the word “moriah”:

• The Lofty Country – Septuagint
• The Land of Worship – Aramic Targum / Ramban
• The Land of Vision – Vulgate /Samaritan Targum
• The Land of the Amorites – Peshitta / Rashbam
• The Land that I will show you – Genesis Rabba 55:9
• The Place from which fear of the Lord emanates – R. Jannai in Tanchuma
• The Place from which teaching issued to the world – b. Taanit 16a / Rab. 55.9

These multiple creative suggestions highlight the difficulty of assuming that the land of Moriah was meant to reference a particular place. The simple fact of the matter is, we cannot be sure of the actual place meant when the Torah describes Abraham taking his son into the Land of Moriah.  For a detailed study on this refer to the “JPS Torah Commentary – Genesis,” by Nahum Sarna. 

I was thinking about this and I offer this idea – God seems to pick special unique places where His covenant and His agenda is seen.  This relates to the possible meaning of Moriah (מֹרִיָּה) – a place of vision, a place where it’ll be seen, a place where God’s covenant is seen. 

So, Abraham passes the test on a mountain Yahvay (the Lord) took him to.  In Gen. 22:16+ God tells Abraham that all the promises he made to Abraham in Gen. 12:1-3 He will honor and they will happen since Abraham passed the test; Abraham showed is allegiance to God by being willing to sacrifice his own son that he loved.  Matter at this place we read that Abraham says …

Abraham called the name of that place “The LORD Will Provide,” as it is said to this day, "In the mount of the LORD it will be provided."  (Gen 22:14)  Problem!  It does not say that.  The word used is “to see” or râ'âh (רָאָה).  God took Abraham to a land where it’ll be seen, perhaps the root of Moriah.  And, indeed, it was seen.  God provided the ram as a substitute for Isaac and this is clearly a special mountain, a special place, for a special event, and a special man, Abraham. 

There is another mountain someplace in the Sinai where one might say the Lord led His people to a mountain in the moriah, in the place where it’ll be seen, in the place of vision.  There God established His NEW covenant with all Israel, at His mountain, with His handpicked leader and prophet, Moses.  It was hear that the people SAW the evidence of God’s presence on the mountain.  So, we have a different mountain for a special event involving a special man, Moses.

But, the mountain of God moved.  The Temple Mount became the “Mountain of God.”  This is easily seen in the book of Isaiah chapter 2 and many other places.  And at this place of vision, at this place where it’ll be seen, we see the establishment of a New Covenant with Jew and Gentile, this happens at this special mountain, and involves a special man, the manifestation of God Himself in Messiah Jesus.

Amazing.  Could this be what’s going on?  Is this what God wants us to understand and know?  I am not sure but it sure makes more sense than the unbiblical, non-historical, and non-geographic views of the rabbis. 

Here’s a great Jewish scholarly website that has a fantastic article on this issue.  The site is called "The Torah" and here’s the link to the article - https://www.thetorah.com/article/the-mysterious-land-of-moriah

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

Ferret somewhere near the ancient site of Bethel in Israel.

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In this lesson we start our study of the exact words of the Lord's prayer.  This lesson will focus on the first two words, "Our Father." 

Is Jesus teaching something new?  Is Jesus bringing in a new idea?  Were the disciples of Jesus amazed at the start of the prayer when they heard the words, "Our Father?"

Again, we return to 24-30 A.D. - the time when Jesus was here as a rabbi, as a Torah teacher.  Torah does not mean law but instruction.  Jesus was teaching the Father's instruction and not laws.  That makes sense when you understand what Torah means and that all the had in Jesus' day was the Hebrew Scriptures that we call the Old Testament.  There is nothing OLD about it.  And, as we reconnect to those days we find that these two words, "Our Father," show that the Lord's Prayer that He gave to His disciple, and therefore to us, is a prayer coming out of a Jewish culture; we can therefore more fully appreciate the prayer when we understand its Jewish background and foundation.

I said I'd supply some links.  The links in this lesson are referenced below.

Dead Sea Scrolls Link 1 - https://www.deadseascrolls.org.il/

The Tobit fragment - Link 2 - https://www.deadseascrolls.org.il/explore-the-archive/search#q='4q200'

Gethsemane - Link 3 - https://www.facebook.com/lightofmenorah/videos/229720674906046/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

Ferret near the ancient site of Bethel

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

In this 2nd lesson on the Lord's prayer we will focus on Jesus' specific guidelines He taught when we pray.  1st, go into your inner room.  Next, do not use meaningless repetition like the pagan Gentiles.  Are these instructions unique?  Is Jesus teaching us something that is different than praying as a religious Jewish person in His day?  Are these guidelines uniquely Christian?  NOPE.  Jesus is teaching and emphasizing what His disciples have been taught as they grew up in their hometown synagogue schools.  As we study this in its historical context we find we are dealing with things so common in the Hebrew culture of the 1st century, Jesus' day.  But, Jesus is emphasizing that prayer is not just going through the motions.  Jesus is teaching us this act of prayer is a big deal in that praying to the Father is talking to Him in a deeply personal, intimate, and private manner.  He is teaching us that concentrated and intentional prayer is a mark of a true disciple.

Again, in this session I mention a few resources.  I am providing the links to two of them.  The first is a link to the early Jewish Christian instruction booklet called the Didache (Greek for "teaching") written in the late 1st century.  It provides guidelines and instruction for living as a true disciple.  See "chapter 8" where we see that the Lord's Prayer is to be said three times per day to keep up the Jewish practice to prayer three times a day.  The second link is Ray Vander Laan's article on Rabbi and Talmid or Rabbi and Disciple.  The Lord's prayer has been given to His disciples since one of His disciples asked Jesus to teach them how to pray.  Knowing what a disciple is is important background for us to know the Lord's prayer and how it relates to us.

Link to the Didache - https://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/didache-lightfoot.html

Link to Ray's article on Rabbi and Talmid - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/rabbi-and-talmidim

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Chapter 22 of Genesis is called HaAhkeedat Yeetzack עֲקֵידַת יִצְחַק or the Binding of Isaac.  This chapter is so important to Jews and Christians.  For those practicing Judaism they even have daily prayers to remember this event.  Here’s a link to the fantastic website for Christians called "Hebrew4Christians" that shows the actual daily prayer Jewish people pray dealing with Isaac.  Here’s the link - https://www.hebrew4christians.com/Prayers/Daily_Prayers/Akedah/akedah.html

For us Christians we definitely see that Jesus’ words in John 5:39 come true in this chapter.  Isaac is a picture of Jesus.  Chapter 22 testifies of Jesus in amazing ways.  Consider …

PARALLELS BETWEEN ISAAC AND JESUS

Contributed by Dr. Larry Petton on Jan 19, 2014

www.SermonCentral.com

- Both fulfilled PROMISES: Isaac was the long-promised son to Abraham (Genesis 12:3) and Jesus was the long-promised Messiah and Son of God (Genesis 3:15; 13:3, John 1:1-12)

- Both were the ONLY SON of their father: God said that Isaac was “Your son, your only son, whom you live…” to Abraham(Genesis 22: 2) and God also said “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased!” (Matthew 3:16, 17).

- Both had a MIRACULOUS BIRTH: Isaac was born to parents who were very old - Genesis 18:13 and Jesus was born of a virgin, Mary, and conceived by the Holy Spirit - Luke 1:34-35.

- Both had a conception and birth that was PRE-ANNOUNCED - Genesis 18:10 & Luke 1:30–31.

- Both were NAMED before their birth - Genesis 17:19 & Matthew 1:21.

- Both were MOCKED and persecuted by their own kindred - Genesis 21:9 & Mark 15:29–32.

- Both were UNDESERVING of their sacrificial death - Genesis 22:2, Luke 23:41.

- Both were sacrificed on a mountain chosen by God - Genesis 22:3 & Matthew 27:33.

- Both were LOVED by their fathers (Genesis 22:2; Matthew 3:16, 17).

- Both had a THREE-DAY experience: Isaac had a 3-day hike to Moriah and Jesus had 3 days from the cross to the grave to the resurrection.

- Both WERE accompanied by TWO MEN: Isaac by two servants (Genesis 22:3) and Jesus by two thieves (Matthew 27:38)

- Both carried their own WOOD: Isaac carried the wood for his own sacrifice (Genesis 22:6) and Jesus carried the crossbeam of his cross (John 19:17).

- Both SUBMITTED to their father: Isaac willingly laid down his life, submitting to his father (Genesis 22:9) and Jesus submitted to his Father’s will and laid down his life for our sin (Luke 22:42, Romans 5:8).

- Both asked a QUESTION of their father: Isaac asked Abraham “Here is the fire and the wood, Father, but where is the lamb? (Gen. 22:7) and Jesus cried “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?” from the cross (Matthew 27:46).

- Both were BROUGHT BACK from the dead: Isaac was “brought back” figuratively (Genesis 22:12) by the faith of Abraham and Jesus rose from the dead 3 days after he was crucified (Matthew 28:6-7).

For the Jewish people they see these events and hope and pray they can be faithful to the Lord every day.  No matter what the circumstances or the troubles they are in.  But, so do we as Christians pray the same thing.  In the Lord’s pray we say, “Father, do not lead us into temptation.” Huh?  That’s nuts. How can God lead us into situations where we will sin and lose our salvation?  That makes no sense.  In lesson 9 in the series on “The Lord’s Prayer” I go into this phrase in depth.  There we see that in the Greek and in the Greek to the Hebrew, it really says, “Father, do not lead us into trials, tests, or difficulties that are too much for us to bear.”   I highly recommend you check out lesson 9 in that series.  Here’s the link – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-15-lesson-9-the-lords-prayer-passed-failed-matt-613/

So, we too as the Jewish people, pray we will not be faced with terrible trials and troubles that we can face.  But, our hope together, is that we can keep the faith and “stay the course” as children of Abraham as Paul tells us we are in Gal.3:6-9 …

Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. The Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU." So then those who are of faith are blessed with Abraham, the believer.

So come and join us as we study this amazing chapter in the first book of the Torah, the books of Moses. 

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? 

Ferret teaching in the Shephelah of Israel

What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

This is a NEW podcast series.  We will focus on the Lord's Prayer or what we sometimes call, "The Our Father."  There are 100's of excellent books from excellent scholars on this prayer.  What we will do is simply look at this prayer in its historical context.  And, God willing, this perspective will only add to the understanding we have of this prayer and prayer in general.  In this first session we ask why did Jesus give the disciples this prayer?  The Jewish people in Jesus' day were known as a praying people.  They had a set of prayers they prayed three times a day!  This was normative as relates to the Jewish culture of Jesus' day, 2nd Temple Judaism.  So why does Jesus add to their list of prayers?  As we reconnect to the culture the reason is explosive and only challenges us to also understand how this prayer relates to us in the 21st century.  

In this session I bring up various links to other resources.  Here's the links below.

Link 1 - Dr. Brad Young's videos on the Hebrew background of the Lord's prayer - https://www.bradyoung.org/index.php/videos/40-dr-young-s-youtube-links-on-god-s-learning-channel

Link 2 - Dr. Brad Young's scholarly work on the Jewish background of the Lord's prayer - click here to access all his books in the bookstore  

Link 3 - Dr. Brad Young's article on the Lord's prayer at "Jerusalem Perspective" - https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2229/

Link 4 - Ray Vander Laan's article on "Rabbi and Talmidim" - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/rabbi-and-talmidim

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

FIVE SMALL STONES

EPISODE 18 PART 2

"WHO'S YOUR NEIGHBOR?" 

THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN

Bible reading and study are necessary for a true Christian, a real disciple (talmeed) of Adonai Yeshua - not just reading.  Are you in a church that provides Bible classes and training?  You'd better be or that church is NOT attempting to obey Jesus' command to make disciples.  To make a disciple directly implies Bible study besides reading. 

There was a saying in Jesus' day among the rabbis of which He was the greatest.  It shows that study leads to learning and learning's purpose is to know how to Do.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan was this just a made up story?  Was there a road between Jericho and Jerusalem?  If so is there facts about this road we missed?  And why did the Jewish nearly get murdered?  Does this have something to do with the road and its surroundings?  Was there an "inn" on this road?  Or was just Jesus making all this up?  Or was it based on real places and the real plausibility of these events in the Bible?

In these two 5-minute videos (part 1 and 2) we will study the Bible.  We will study it with the geography of ancient Israel in mind.  We will see how knowing the geographical background of the parable of the Good Samaritan adds to and enriches our understanding of this story Jesus told. 

Did you miss episode 1?  Not problem.  Below is the link to the first episode.  Watch this one first to understand episode 2.

Link - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-18-part-1-the-geography-of-the-good-samaritan/

Also, there is a video you can't miss.  it is only 11 minutes and shows the REAL Jericho Road and not the mistaken one most people teach about. 

Link - https://youtu.be/zVmagXx-n34?si=ZuJTc92t0OJ_yogX

Here's references that prove that the inn in the parable was a very real place.  It was even excavated by Israeli archaeologists.  I even met one of them when I was on a research trip to Israel and visited the exact location.

Here's the 1st link.  It is an article from Biblical Archaeology Review.  I assume you have to be a member to access the complete article.  I highly recommend you join this scholarly site since it will be a critical resource for your Bible study and reading. Below you'll find the link but below are two highlights from the article.  

See below for the highlight from the article - note the "inn" referenced in this segment refers to the museum called "The Inn of the Good Samaritan."  It even gives the names of the archaeologists who excavated the palace built by Herod. (Click on the image to enlarge)

Here's the link to the article from Biblical Archaeology Review mentioned above.  

Link - https://www.baslibrary.org/biblical-archaeology-review/38/1/8

This link is to a awesome academic article proving beyond a shadow of doubt that there was an inn on the Jericho road at the location of the Good Samaritan Museum.  The inn likely was formerly Herod's palace at this site.  Here's the link ...

https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1x76gr7.5?seq=7

Shown below are two more excellent scholarly sites (free access) and their corresponding articles on the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Once again, these are awesome sites to save for future reference.  

HolyLandSite.com - https://www.holylandsite.com/inn-of-the-good-samaritan

BibleWalks.com -https://www.biblewalks.com/goodsamaritaninn/

In one of my many classes I taught on the Jewish parables of our Jewish Rabbi, Yeshua.  One parable I focused on was the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Here's a link to the complete chapter from the class book.  

Link - https://www.dropbox.com/home/2020...2021%20POD%20AND%20VID%20CASTS?preview=Parables2..GoodNeighbor.pdf

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

What's his background?  Why should I listen to him?  Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

A main purpose for this Bible study podcast series on Genesis (and the one on Exodus also) is to see how the five key books of the Hebrew scriptures in Jesus’ day testify of Him, Jesus, the Messiah.  This is all related to the gospel of John chapter five.  Jesus says that “all scripture testifies of Him.” (John 5:39)  All they had then was the Old Testament, the Hebrew scriptures, and the key books of the Bible then was the Torah, Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy.  In this lesson we focus on Gen. 21:14-34.  In these verses is an amazing way the Torah testifies of the gospel, the New Covenant, Jesus, and our being “grafted in to the olive tree, the olive tree that is a picture of Israel.”  We will again see that God inspired Moses to teach us the gospel, aspects of the Kingdom of Adonai, the amazing redemption plan of the Lord, and to "see" King Jesus, the Messiah, the one who comes to complete what the Torah could not do (Acts 13:38-39).  We will then see that the Torah written by Moses is nothing more than THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO MOSES.  But, in order to “see” Jesus in Gen. 21:14-34 we need to understand geography and the plants of the Bible.  We need to study the Tamarisk tree.  Once we do we can finally get at the intended meaning of what Adonai is trying to get us to know, to understand.

In this lesson I mentioned I’d provide some pictures of two plants.  The first is the Tamarisk tree.  You can see that below.

The second plant is the “broom tree” called the rotem in Hebrew.  It is likely this is the bush that Hagar and Ishmael were under in the shade.  It is a large bush that provides just enough shade for one person.  It is likely the bush that Elijah was laying under when he escaped from Ahab and Jezebel.  See the rotem below.

I also am linking you to lesson 34 in this series.  Hagar is the first person in the Torah to encounter the ANGEL OF THE LORD.  It happens in chapter 21 and back in 16.  In lesson 34 I show that the Torah, the very words of God, PROVE unequivocally that the ANGEL OF THE LORD is God, a manifestation of the Lord Himself.  It is one of the “faces” of the Lord so that He can make Himself visible to us and we will not die.  Here’s the link to lesson 34 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/the-gospel-according-to-moses-genesis-lesson-34-gen-161-16/

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret? 

Ferret someplace near the Jordan River

What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - click here

FIVE SMALL STONES

EPISODE 18 PART 1

"WHO'S YOUR NEIGHBOR?" 

THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN

(Here's the link for part 2 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-18-par-2-geography-of-the-good-samaritan/)

Bible reading and study are necessary for a true Christian, a real disciple (talmeed) of Adonai Yeshua - not just reading.  Are you in a church that provides Bible classes and training?  You'd better be or that church is NOT attempting to obey Jesus' command to make disciples.  To make a disciple directly implies Bible study besides reading. 

Or perhaps your church is one with a lot social programs and fellowship and cookouts and fun activities.  All these are important.  They are critical for developing a community.  But, in Jesus' day the study of the Bible was considered the highest form of worship!  STUDY!  Not a Sunday service.  Not music and singing.  Not a men's group or women's group.  Not prayer.  But, STUDY.  

There was a saying in Jesus' day among the rabbis of which He was the greatest.  It shows that study leads to learning and learning's purpose is to know how to Do.

In these two 5-minute videos (part 1 and 2) we will study the Bible.  We will study it with the geography of ancient Israel in mind.  We will see how knowing the geographical background of the parable of the Good Samaritan adds to and enriches our understanding of this story Jesus told.  

In these videos I mentioned resources and references that prove that the inn in the parable was a very real place.  It was even excavated by Israeli archaeologists.  I even met one of them when I was on a research trip to Israel and visited the exact location.

Here's the 1st link.  it is an article from Biblical Archaeology Review.  I assume you have to be a member to access the complete article.  I highly recommend you join this scholarly site since it will be a critical resource for your Bible study and reading. Below you'll find the link but below are two highlights from the article.  

See below for the highlight from the article - note the "inn" referenced in this segment refers to the museum called "The Inn of the Good Samaritan."  It even gives the names of the archaeologists who excavated the palace built by Herod. (Click on the image to enlarge)

Here's the link to the article from Biblical Archaeology Review mentioned above.  

Link - https://www.baslibrary.org/biblical-archaeology-review/38/1/8

This link is to a awesome academic article proving beyond a shadow of doubt that there was an inn on the Jericho road at the location of the Good Samaritan Museum.  The inn likely was formerly Herod's palace at this site.  Here's the link ...

https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1x76gr7.5?seq=7

Shown below are two more excellent scholarly sites (free access) and their corresponding articles on the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Once again, these are awesome sites to save for future reference.  

HolyLandSite.com - https://www.holylandsite.com/inn-of-the-good-samaritan

BibleWalks.com -https://www.biblewalks.com/goodsamaritaninn/

In one of my many classes I taught on the Jewish parables of our Jewish Rabbi, Yeshua.  One parable I focused on was the parable of the Good Samaritan.  Here's a link to the complete chapter from the class book.