LIGHT OF MENORAH

Exodus 57 - Exod. 23:1-5 - THE DONKEY AND YOUR ENEMY AND JESUS

In this podcast I mentioned the hatred between the Jews of Jesus’ day and the Samaritans.  So, to add to your study here are two links to two articles at the wonderful scholarly site (GotQuestions.org).  Each article is different, even though they both deal with the Jews and the Samaritans.  This is all related to the verse …

“You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.'”(Mat 5:43)

No where in the Bible is there a statement that we are to hate our enemies.  Not even hinting at such an idea.  It was something taught among certain rabbis, some of the Pharisees, and the congregation at Qumran, those who wrote the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Here are the links …

Article 1 – https://www.gotquestions.org/what-is-a-Samaritan.html

Article 2 - https://www.gotquestions.org/Samaritans.html

Related to this is the article written by David Bivin.  He is the founder of the amazing scholarly site called Jerusalem Perspective.  The article is entitled, “Us and Them: Loving Both.”  His article sheds more light on the unbiblical teaching in Jesus’ day to hate one’s enemy.  To access this article use the link below.  But, this site is members only.  If you would like to join to access the 100’s and 100’s of articles and resources to enhance your Bible reading and study you’ll have to register and pay an annual fee of $60.  If you are serious about your study of God’s word then you MUST join Jerusalem Perspective.

Link to Bivin’s article - https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/1873/?srsltid=AfmBOooN_sRB572G1-eJOOFgw9i3W-ZfxojtR5gsjri9fp8M4JCnQIiF

I also brought up two Bible teaching videos by the Messianic Jewish rabbi, Rabbi Jonathan Cahn.  He has done two videos that relate to the pope’s order that all priests in the Catholic church must bless LGBTQ unions; in other words to give their unions some semblance of respect from the Catholic church.  God has declared unequivocally that these unions are seriously sinful and totally forbidden.  Pope Francis is saying he has the authority to disregard the very words of God. 

Below find the two links to the videos.  I highly recommend you watch both.  The second video is about a documented unbelievable event that seemingly is a sign from the Lord of His total rejection of what Pope Francis did.  You won’t believe it.  But, make sure you watch video 1 and the video 2.

Video 1 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ES6SD6RVcuo

Video 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G1iCW5Lsd80

This Bible study podcast is about the Biblical concept of love.  Biblical love is not about emotions or feelings or physical desire or passion.  God want us to love regardless of how we feel or our emotions related to a certain person or group.  It has a lot to do with DOING and ACTING and not about feelings.  In this podcast I referenced two awesome articles that show that Jews in Israel do what the Torah says in that they do the right thing to another human even though they are Israel’s evil enemy like Hamas in Gaza or the Palestinians.  Here are the two articles that you can read yourself that document that when Jesus orders us to love our enemy He is teaching right from the Torah and Jesus is adding to and enhancing His teaching that He gave us in the Hebrew Scriptures or God’s Instruction or תּוֹרָה TORAH. 

Article from the American Journal of Public Health - https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5719710/

Article from Israel Forever Foundation - https://israelforever.org/interact/blog/caring_for_enemy_soldiers/

Related to the article above is the oath taken by the Israeli armed forces.  They truly live by God’s Instruction or תּוֹרָה TORAH or the very words of Jesus – “love your enemy (do the right thing, act humanely, act with mercy and compassion even for your enemy) and pray for those that persecute you.”  Below is that oath referenced in the article above from the Israel Forever Foundation.

 

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/scl/fi/8qth6w4e56oub9js1w1gu/BackgrndTeacher-mar-25-2020.pdf?rlkey=f14fr2wmde5fezjmnrny8cycl&st=8kag3nil&dl=0

 

 

 

Genesis 28 - Gen. 12:10 - 20 - "Tell them you're my sister." Liar Liar.

In this podcast I urged all to listen to lessons 26 & 27.  They deal with scripture that testifies of Yeshua, they testify of the Messiah, just like Jesus teaches us in John 5:39.  If you haven't listened to 26 & 27 please don't miss them.  The links are below ...

Link to lesson 26 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/genesis-26-gen-124-6-avram-and-sarai-travel-to-canaan-scripture-testifies-of-jesus/?token=7b18a182c5ac60c64ffb923a5c8b09c3

Link to lesson 27 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/genesis-27-gen-121-9-dating-the-bible-abram-enters-canaan-2091-bc/?token=5027c2566f44fa01e45abf9300d201a0

In the Ten Commandments we say God commanded us not to lie.  Sorry.  He never said that in the Ten Commandments. He said ...

 לא תענה ברעך עד שׁקר

Lo Ta'ahneh VayReckaka Ed Shaker

Not Testify to Your Neighbor Falsely

This is legal stuff meaning in court or in any legal proceeding you are not to testify with false statements against your neighbor.  This a commandment as related to legal proceedings.  (See the "Jerusalem Publication Society Torah Commentary Exodus," by Nahum Sarna, 1991).  The actual commandment of God not to lie is found in Lev. 19:11 - "You shall not steal, nor deal falsely, nor lie to one another."  So, we need to revise things gang!  We need 11 commandments to cover all the bases!  

So, do not lie.  Some teach that no matter what you must not lie.  In a TV program there were three religious men, an orthodox rabbi, a protestant pastor and the priest.  The moderator, Dennis Prager, set up a situation to have the rabbi and pastor and priest comment on.  The situation was that a woman was being chased by a sadistic rapist in a lonely park.  She runs past you and asks you to help her.  She hides and thus you have a choice when the evil rapist finally reaches you.  You can lie and not tell him where she is hiding or you can not lie and thus put her in danger and perhaps serious injury and death.  The pastor and priest said you can not lie and must tell the truth.  They said you can tell the truth in such a way that perhaps will not give up her hiding place.  The rabbi, however, said he'd lie through his teeth to save her and protect this innocent women.  ("Torah Commentary Exodus," MP3 file, Dennis Prager, Part 14 of 57.  This is part of Dennis Prager's teaching series on the Torah available at the website store at https://pragerstore.com/product-category/the-torah/complete-torah).  

So, we see a dilemma.  What would you do?  We are not to lie.  But, in this lesson we find that Abraham lies.  Sarah lies.  And yet God does not discipline them.  Moreover Abraham and Sarah do it twice!  What's going on?  Who is right?  The rabbi says he'd lie to save her.  The Christians say no, we can't lie.   On top of that the Catholic priest and the Protestant pastor are only teaching their opinion and not fact from the Bible.  One has to be very careful that one does not teach their own opinion as Bible truth.   

The TORAH is the inspired word of God and it deals with real people in real life.  Abraham and Sarah find themselves in a situation where they are caught between a rock and a hard place.  This is just another example that God's TORAH is as applicable today as it was in 2091 B.C.  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

 

Exodus - 4 - Part 2 - Exod. 2:11-25 Tradition vs. God's Word - Assimilation

In part 2 of lesson 4 we deal with the questions who is Reuel?  And, who is Jethro?  On top of that who is Hobab?  The Bible implies Reuel and Jethro and Hobab are the father-in-law of Moses (See Exod. 2:18, 3:1, Num. 10:29 and Jud. 4:11).  They must be all the same guy, right?  I mean that is what we are taught - same guy but had different names since they all had multiple names in those days but no one backs it up. But, Bible is clear; Hobab is the son of Reuel (Num. 10:29)  and Hobab is the father-in-law of Moses (Jud. 4:11) but Reuel is the father of Zipporah Exod. 2:18), Moses' wife.  This is crazy.  Must mean the Bible can't be trusted right?  Wrong.  It is wrong since you are dealing with this in English and not Hebrew.  

We end off this lesson reading that Hebrews cried out in Exod. 2:23.  But, it is more than cried out.  The Hebrew word is za'aka זעק H2199 which is shriek or scream in deep anguish or terror.  On top of that the Hebrews cried out to no one!  In Exod. 2:23 they cried out - to who?  God heard them but they did not cry out, shriek in deep pain, to the Lord.  Later, at the sea before they crossed over, one they were reintroduced to the God of Abraham, we read in Exod. 14:10 that Israel cried out TO THE LORD.  We miss that.  We think they cried out to the Lord in Exod. 2:23.  That is putting words in the Bible that aren't there.  They didn't know the God of their fathers anymore. 

What happened?  What's going on?  The answer - they had assimilated into the Egyptian culture.  The Bible proves it yet we missed it.  All they knew were the gods of Egypt.  It is easy to get Israel out of Egypt but it is nigh impossible to get Egypt out of Israel.  

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

Genesis 27 - Gen. 12:1-9 DATING THE BIBLE - Abram Enters Canaan 2091 BC

AN IMPORTANT LESSON SHOWING

THE VERACITY OF GOD'S WORD  

Abram arrives at Shechem (lesson 26) in 2091 B.C.  Really?  Who says?  Time goes on and then we read in Exod. 12:40 that the sons of Israel (Jacob) lived in Egypt 430 years till they left with Moses.   Where does that number come from?  Why doesn't anyone explain it?  Also it is taught to us that the early date of the Exodus was 1446 B.C. and no one ever justifies this date.  It is just stated.  Why won't anyone help us understand that this date of 1446 B.C. is supported by REAL archaeology and not someone's opinion or speculation.  Well, I will.  This lesson is to show that the early date of the Exodus, 1446 B.C. is very likely considering the archaeology supporting it and the study of the events in their historical context.  

I mentioned I will provide a number of links to resources to help you study further.  These links and resources are shown below.

Link 1 - slides that may help you put all this together - https://www.dropbox.com/s/jdvuqdvqg6q88fh/Egypt%20W%

Link 2 - an article on Edwin Thiele that shows how he connects the Assyrian King List (calendar) to 1 Kings 6:1 - https://www.dropbox.com/s/m9au2fpr9suktj8/Dating%20Old%20Testament%20History%20Thiele.pdf?dl=0

Link 3 - video from the Associates for Biblical Research on dating of Exodus Part 1 - 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

Link 4 - part 2 of the previous video - 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

Link 5 - Dr. Bryant Wood's article on setting the date for the Exodus - https://biblearchaeology.org/research/chronological-categories/exodus-era/3288-recent-research-on-the-date-and-setting-of-the-exodus

Link 6 - Dr. Bryant Wood's video on the Hebrews in Egypt part 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DT6giGYerx4

Link 7 - part of of previous video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJn09u8cYRA

Link 8 - part three of previous video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EMecjtl-MA

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

 

Exodus - 4 - Part 1 Exod. 2:11-25 Tradition vs. God's Word

In this lesson (two parts) we ask where does Stephen come up with that idea that Moses is 40 years old when he killed the Egyptian and fled to Midian? The Torah is silent.  It does not give Moses' age and yet about 1400 years later Stephen says he is.  Where did he get it from?  

On top of that did Moses commit first degree murder?  It sure seems like he did when we read it in English!  Uh oh.  If we go into the Hebrew do things become clearer; do they make more sense?  Hmmm.  I wonder.

Who is Reuel?  Who is Jethro?  Who is Hobab?  The Bible implies Reuel and Jethro and Hobab are the father-in-law of Moses.  Huh?  Oh sure.  They are all the same guy right?  I mean that is what we are taught. This can't be since the Bible is clear; Hobab is the son of Reuel and Hobab is the father-in-law of Moses but Reuel is the father of Zipporah, Moses' wife.  This is crazy.  Must mean the Bible can't be trusted right?  Wrong.

Finally, we learn that the Hebrews cry out in Exod. 2:23 and it is a blessing that God heard their cry.  Why?  The Hebrews cried out to no one!  We miss that.  We think they cried out to the Lord.  That is putting words in the Bible that aren't there.  They didn't know the God of their fathers anymore.  They had assimilated into the Egyptian culture.  The Bible proves it yet we missed it.  All they knew were the gods of Egypt.  It is easy to get Israel out of Egypt but it is nigh impossible to get Egypt out of Israel.  

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

Exodus 56 - Exod. 22:21-31 - SAVED BY GRACE FOR GOOD WORKS

In this Bible study podcast we will complete Exodus 22.  Once again we will see that because Jesus' Bible, the Bible He had available when He was here among us, the Hebrew Scriptures or the Old Testament, that Jesus is a great Torah teacher!  What we may think as NEW concepts and NEW ideas or teachings that we might assume are 100% Christian, are not.  Jesus is teaching Torah and Torah, sometimes the name for the first five books of the Bible, does not mean LAW but TEACHING (Hebrew word H8451 in Hebrew as תּרה Torah - pronounced TOE - RA and it means teaching or instruction coming from the Hebrew word meaning to teach).  Jesus in His own words said of the Torah ...

"Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill (the Greek word that translates into fulfill is G4137 or πληρόω play-ro'-o and means to complete, to finish). For truly I say to you, until heaven and earth pass away, not the smallest letter or stroke shall pass from the Law until all is accomplished. Whoever then annuls one of the least of these commandments, and teaches others to do the same, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven; but whoever keeps and teaches them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven. For I say to you that unless your righteousness surpasses that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." (Mat 5:17-20)

In these words of Jesus the Greek word that is translated as LAW is G3551 or νόμος pronounced NO - MOS is the same Greek word used in the Septuagint (the Greek  translation of the Old Testament) to translate the Hebrew word תּרה Torah.  Jesus is not speaking about the laws in the first five books of the Bible but the actual words of God, the scriptures themselves, the very word of God, the Bible, God's teaching or instruction.  He came not to fulfill the teaching but to COMPLETE IT. 

We'll see that in this lesson.  We will consider the law in Lev. 19:18 to love our neighbor as ourselves.  Who is our neighbor?  The Lord in the Torah says it is Egyptians besides one's fellow Hebrew.  Check it out in verses Exodus 3:22, 11:2-3, and 12:35.  The Lord is clearly implying the Egyptians are to be considered the "neighbors" of the Hebrews.  Then the Lord uses the parable of the "Good Samaritan" to take this idea deeper and finally these words of the Lord ...

"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)

Jesus is not only saying that the hated Samaritans (Jews and Samaritans hated each other) were their neighbors but even our enemies!  So, from the Torah written in the 15 century B.C. to the days of Yeshua, we see how the Lord took the basic teaching and expanded upon it and completed it. 

To understand Jesus, to understand the Lord we need to understand the Torah, the Hebrew Scriptures.  This is our foundation and the foundation of the New Testament.  This is so clear in this lesson as we complete Exodus 22.  

Here's a great article that I urge you to access.  Again it shows that the New Testament, the teachings of Jesus, the Torah of Adonai, has its foundation in the Torah.

Link - https://mymorningmeditations.com/2013/06/20/the-purpose-of-torah-in-new-testament-judaism-part-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/scl/fi/8qth6w4e56oub9js1w1gu/BackgrndTeacher-mar-25-2020.pdf?rlkey=f14fr2wmde5fezjmnrny8cycl&st=8kag3nil&dl=0

 

Genesis 26 - Gen. 12:4-6 Avram and Sarai Travel to Canaan - Scripture Testifies of Jesus

If there is a Torah foundation related to Jesus’ statement in John 5:39 that scripture testifies of Himself, this lesson and the previous are it.  If you haven’t listened to lesson 25 yet, I urge you to do so since 25 and this lesson go together. 

(Link for lesson 25 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/genesis-25-gen-121-3-all-the-failies-of-the-earth-will-be-blessed-grafed-in/?token=d9d77c41f718882414251c4bc602ad22) 

If you ever wanted to study scripture that testifies of Jesus’ coming and His mission, these are two Torah lessons that are foundational to our understanding of the coming of the Messiah and the REASON FOR THE SEASON and a direct connection to John 5:39.

In this lesson we will focus on one location.  We must turn to geography to see how God picks one place to help us SEE His redemption plan.

Shown below are maps.  This shows the likely route Avram took from Haran to Canaan and his first stop, Shechem.

Map 1

Map 2

Map 3

In this lesson I mentioned Joel Kramer.  He is an OUTSTANDING evangelical Christian archaeologist.  He did a Bible study tour recently to Israel when he was studying for his advanced degree in archaeology.  One spot they studied was Shechem – the location I mentioned above that God picked.  Below is a link to Joel’s video on site in Israel at the ancient ruins of Shechem.  You won’t want to miss this.  Also, I provided a link to Joel Kramer’s website as well.  You MUST go to his website and see the free videos from Israel that will blow you away.

Link to video lesson by Kramer at Shechem - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T5Cp4dQvxJo

Link to Joel Kramer's website - https://sourceflix.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/scl/fi/8qth6w4e56oub9js1w1gu/BackgrndTeacher-mar-25-2020.pdf?rlkey=f14fr2wmde5fezjmnrny8cycl&st=8kag3nil&dl=0

Chanukah: Return of the King (The Middle Candle) - the Servant & the King

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 MAKEVEE, the Hammer.  

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

Chanukah: Return of the King Candle Eight - THE LION

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?  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: Return of the King Candle Seven

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?  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