LIGHT OF MENORAH

TRUTH NUGGETS 29 - END TIMES - HAVE THE HORSES ARRIVED?

We are living through days of horror and unspeakable evil as innocents are slaughtered, murdered, burnt alive, and kidnapped. In Israel entire families were killed, savagely. One might ask is this a sign of the End Times? In the End Times there there will be seven seals opened. The 1st four seals are related to the FOUR HORSES OF THE APOCALYPSE. One wonders, have they arrived? Don't miss this video and the possible meaning behind the color of the horses - white and red and black and green.

This picture is royalty free accessible at Wikimedia

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret ... 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

 

Genesis - 75 - Gen. 31:1-5 - KNOW God

 

The תּוֹרָה TORAH is The Very Word of God.  It means INSTRUCTION AND not LAW.  God is teaching His chosen treasured possession, Israel.  He is instructing them and trying to get Egypt out of Israel.  What that means is that those Hebrews who had become enslaved in Egypt had assimilated into the Egyptian pagan culture.  This began to happen after Joseph died.  So, the Hebrews, all they knew when God came to rescue them, was the pagan religion of Egypt and her gods. Torah then is God's inspired word He commands Moses to write and it is meant for those "first hearers," the Hebrews coming out of Egypt.

As we learn those ancient lessons God was teaching over 3400 years ago, our understanding becomes enhanced and expanded.  Once we know what they knew then the word and God's lessons will make sense to us as well.  This is true for the story of Jacob.  It is true for the entire Torah.  In this lesson we find that God wants more out of Jacob and us than simply "head knowledge."  The Lord wants us to KNOW Him.  But, we will see in the Hebrew that it is KNOWING by living, KNOWING by experience, and KNOWING by interaction with Adonai.  The events here in Genesis 31 demonstrate exactly.  So, come.  Let's go study.  Let's learn how Jacob began to KNOW the Lord so that we too will see this is what our Father wants from us right from the get go.

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

Exodus - 45 part 1 - Exod. 18:1-12 - Moses and Jethro - father-in-law? Brother-in-law? Is he Reuel?

This lesson is split into two parts.  Here in part 1 we meet a relative of Moses, Jethro.  His name in Hebrew is pronounced יִתְרוֹ - YEE TRO. 

In this study of Exodus 18 we will concentrate on a couple of items in part 1.   First, we will study the FACT that Jethro is NOT Moses’ father-in-law.  Our Bible in English says he is and it brings up contradictions that some scholars try to explain like Moses’ father-in-law had several names – culturally and historically untrue.  They stay in the English and state that Reuel (Exodus. 2:18) and Jethro (Exodus 3:1 and 18:1) and Hobab (Jud. 4:11) are all the same guy.  Yes, Reuel is a priest of Midian and so is Jethro.  Pagan cultures had many priests not just one.  It is rational to think that Moses married into a pagan priestly family and thus one of Reuel’s daughters married another priest whose name is Jethro.  This would imply Jethro is Moses’ brother-in-law.  And, this makes sense.  But, we will study this in the Hebrew and NOT English and find the Hebrew word translated as father-in-law also is translated in the Bible as mother-in-law and also translated as marriages.  We will see that in the Hebrew the contradiction is not a contradiction at all.

Secondly,  we will see that the Hebrew Bible shows that amazing love God has for non-Hebrews.  The example in Exodus 18 is of course Jethro.  But there are others.  Remember Pharaoh’s daughter, a pagan princess who saved Moses and became is step mom.  Remember Hagar, the pagan Egyptian servant girl of Sarah’s.  The Angel of the Lord first appears to her.  Not Abraham.  Not Sarah.  But to a pagan servant.  And remember Ruth coming out of the pagan Midianite culture who turned to the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, the God of Israel and became an ancestor of the Messiah, of Yeshua Adonaynoo, Jesus our Lord.  This chapter is a clear indication that God wants all men to be rescued from their sin and to be His people.  Check it out …

“Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?” (Eze 33:11)

“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live.”(Eze 18:32)

“Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isa 45:22)

The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2Pe 3:9)

“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.” (Joh 3:16)

There is no separation in the eyes of the Lord as He looks down upon mankind.  All lives matter to Him. 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - somewhere in Negev 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

 

 

 

 

Passover Lesson 6 - DID WE MISS SOMETHING? - the End and the Beginning - His Death His Birth

IMPORTANT ADDITIONS TO THIS LESSON

It is recommended you watch the video first.  After viewing the video Bible lesson, come back here to access these additions.

Here's another awesome parallel that I did not include in the video.  It is clear that Bethlehem is called the CITY OF DAVID.  In the Bible it is referred to as the "city of David" because it was the birthplace and hometown of King David. This designation primarily appears in the New Testament regarding Jesus' birth, connecting his lineage to David. The key verses are Luke 2:4-11, 1 Samuel 16:1-4, and John 7:42.

Jerusalem is also called the CITY OF DAVID.  Key Bible verses regarding the Jerusalem as the City of David are ...

• 2 Samuel 5:7 (NIV): "Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David."
• 2 Samuel 5:9 (ESV): "And David lived in the stronghold and called it the city of David. And he built the city all around from the Millo in complete circuit..."
• 1 Chronicles 11:5 (NIV): "The people of Jebus said to David, 'You will never get in here.' Nevertheless, David captured the fortress of Zion—which is the City of David."
• 1 Kings 8:1 (NIV): "Then King Solomon summoned into his presence at Jerusalem the elders of Israel... to bring up the ark of the Lord’s covenant from Zion, the City of David."
• 1 Kings 11:43 (NIV): "Then he [Solomon] rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David his father."
• Nehemiah 3:15 (NIV): "...He [Shallun] repaired the Fountain Gate... up to the stairs going down from the City of David."

On Passover Jesus, the Messiah, was crucified and died and was buried in the City of David, Jerusalem.  But, Jesus, the Messiah, was born in the City of David, Bethlehem.  The crucifixion of Jesus and His birth happen in the same area.  Bethlehem is 5 miles from the Temple Mount.   The map below shows the line between the Church of the Holy Sepulchre (the Old City of Jerusalem) and the Church of the Nativity (Bethlehem).

Could it then be that Messiah was born on Passover in the City of David and Messiah would die on Passover in the City of David?  Perhaps.  It makes sense.

Here's an detailed scholarly article from the Associates for Biblical Research that suggests Jesus was born on Passover.  

Link - https://www.biblearchaeology.org/abr-projects/the-daniel-9-24-27-project-2/4368-pinpointing-the-date-of-christ-s-birth

Rabbi Jonathan Cahn (renowned Messianic Jewish rabbi and Bible scholar) did a video also saying Yeshua was born at Passover.  His presentation is very interesting but he says Jesus was born during the time when lambs are born in Israel - spring from March to April.  This is a major error and it not correct.  (See this source - https://gospeltangents.com/2019/01/myth-lambing-season/) Lambs in Israel, particularly the predominant Awassi breed, are typically born in early winter, with the principal lambing season occurring in December and January. While some sheep may lamb through early spring, the heaviest activity aligns with the rainy season (November-March) to ensure fresh pasture for lactating ewes.  The fact that lambs are born in March/April at Passover and that the lambs in Bethlehem were raised for the Temple sacrifice that Jonathan Cahn uses is incorrect. 

Consider modern myths about Christmas (see the article in total at https://www.1517.org/articles/debunking-popular-christmastime-myths-temple-shepherds-migdal-eder-and-swaddling-lambs

1) The Bethlehem shepherds were raising lambs for the temple

This opinion, popularized long ago by Alfred Edersheim in The Life and Times of Jesus the Messiah, is based on scanty evidence drawn from the Mishnah, the basic compendium of Jewish law.

2) Jesus was born in a shepherd's tower called Migdal Eder

This claim is based on the earlier, questionable legend that these were temple flocks. It was also suggested by Edersheim incorrectly.  Unlike the earlier opinion, however, this one is not even built on scanty evidence; it is built on thin air.

3) Shepherds swaddled lambs to keep them unblemished then placed them in a manger to keep them safe

What is the evidence for this claim? There is none. It has spread like wildfire on recent FB posts. What we have is the fictional creation of someone’s mind.

However, here is the the presentation by Jonathan Cahn and is well worth the listen. He brings in other things we should consider as we ponder the birth of Messiah at Passover.

Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ptlsXtTf6n0

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

 

 

Archaeology of Passover - Lesson 5 - Resurrection Sunday: the End of the Beginning

In lesson 5 we will focus on Resurrection Sunday.  In previous sessions we reconnected to our Jewish roots and found an amazing "picture" that relates the 1st Palm Sunday to the events of the 1st Exodus.  The 1st Palm Sunday - if it was a Sunday happened in 30 A.D. - would have been Nissan 10.  The day in Exod. 12:1-3 when the fathers of each household would pick the Passover lamb.  We learned that the Father, our God, chose His son Jesus on the 1st Palm Sunday, on Nissan 10, as His LAMB OF GOD.  What an amazing picture.  And, when we go to the next Sunday, the day Jesus rose from the dead, we will see another "picture" from the foundation of Christianity, our Jewish roots, that will add to and enhance our understanding of this explosive event in the doctrine of all Christian believers, the Resurrection of Jesus the Bread of Life and the First Fruits of those who will also rise from the dead. 

Links for this lesson ...

Rev. Ferret's video - where is Gethsemane? - filmed on location in Israel -  

https://www.dropbox.com/s/mh36zp9i5ta7g74/Gat%20Sheminim%20Real%20Story%20v6.mp4?dl=0

Joel Kramer's video - the location of Jesus' trial - filmed on location in Israel -  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fx3qtmik_Fg&list=PL0xmKFdTYCJUBPesnN4vK9_uFyf540NsB&index=10&t=0s

Ray Vander Laan's article on the New Tomb - https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/a-new-tomb

Pictures of tombs in Jesus' day - https://www.dropbox.com/sh/h79kcqbbeb7vf65/AADxSidFpnf0jn3aHSXfZaJpa?dl=0

Dr. Barkey - video of Dr. Barkey proving that the Garden Tomb is not the tomb of Jesus - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dndRgZGvNNM

Rev. Ferret's video - THE MIRROR OF PASSOVER - 

https://youtu.be/ipaeu7AQZ8Y

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 - 13 - Psm. 15:1-3 Head & Heart & Hands & Feet

There is a concept so prevalent in the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament - nothing "old" about it) and in the Messianic Texts (the New Testament) and my 1st teacher in Israel, Ray Vander Laan, termed it as, “Head and Heart and Hands and Feet.”  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.  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, he 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)

In Psalm 15:1-3 we again come across this "picture" of head and heart and hands and feet.  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.

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

 

 

Archaeology of Passover - Lesson 4 - The Last Supper - a Jewish Seder? Huh?

 

Why unleavened bread for Passover?  Christians say that leaven represents sin.  Well, yes and no.  We are not ancient Hebrews.  We never lived in ancient Egypt 3500 year ago.  If we did we'd see something totally different.  Why?  Because the Bible was written to those Hebrews who were slaves in Egypt and prior to their slavery had adopted the ways and the gods of Egypt.  We need to hear what they heard and see what they saw and try and understand a they did so we can rightly understand what God is teaching us and telling.  This has a direct impact on the bread Jesus took and said that it was HIS body.  This is too amazing.

And we will get into the issue of what day did Jesus have His Last Supper, the Passover Meal of the Messiah?  If you read Matt 26:17 and say that it is correct then Jesus died on a Saturday if you think Jesus died in 33 A.D. - it results in us contradicting the Bible!  And what about the Last Supper - did Jesus do a Seder?  He never did!!  He couldn't have.  Why?  He is God and He gave us the Torah and He never changes and will never go against His own commands.  Just because some in Jesus' day did the Passover meal on days they decided were right, we don't listen to their ideas that are not connected to God's word.  So hang to your seats.  This session will blow you away.  

Here's the links for articles and a video that will enhance your studies in this 4th session.

LINK - article on the Egyptian god Amun -  https://www.ancient.eu/amun/

LINK - article on the Egyptian god Ra - https://www.arce.org/resource/ra-creator-god-ancient-egypt

LINK - article on the location of the upper room - https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/jesus-last-supper-tomb-of-david/

LINK - article on the origins of the Seder - https://schechter.edu/the-origins-of-the-seder/

LINK - video lesson entitled "The Mirror of Passover."  This takes this series and expands upon it even further.  The Passover of Adonai is an amazing event that seems to provide a mirror the Lamb of God and the Passover Lamb and the new creation in Genesis and the new creation in the book of Revelation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ipaeu7AQZ8Y&t=836s

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

 

 

Archaeology of Passover - Lesson 3 - The Ram of God and the Last Supper

We will focus on the Last Supper and we will see how knowing ancient Egypt enhances our understanding of not only the Passover meal of Israel but how it helps us see the Last Supper, the Passover meal of the Messiah, in a deeper and more intense way.  

Another concept we will study is the Jewish Seder.  What is a Seder and when did it develop?  You will be amazed to see that Jesus NEVER did a Seder and, even the Jewish people prior to 70 A.D., never did a Seder.  Again, we are dealing with real history and we will see that the Jewish Seder that we know today had its beginnings in Jesus' day and before.  But, Jewish sources show clearly that the Seder was established after 70 A.D. as a response of the rabbis to figure out what to do now that the Temple was destroyed and they could not do the Passover meal as commanded by God in the place He commanded, in Jerusalem.  After 70 A.D. Passover and the Appointed time of Unleavened Bread was not a pilgrimage event any more.  Now the rabbis sad you could do it in your house anywhere to keep the feast alive.   On top of that we will also see that Jesus did not do a Passover meal as commanded in Exodus 12.  His meal was something unique and distinct but it was only understood in light of the Passover meal. 

Here's the links for articles and a video that will enhance your studies in this 4th session.

LINK - article on the Egyptian god Amun -  https://www.worldhistory.org/amun/

LINK - article on the Egyptian god Ra - https://www.arce.org/resource/ra-creator-god-ancient-egypt

LINK - article on the location of the upper room - https://www.biblicalarchaeology.org/daily/biblical-sites-places/biblical-archaeology-sites/jesus-last-supper-tomb-of-david/

LINK - article on the origins of the Seder - https://schechter.edu/the-origins-of-the-seder/

LINK - video lesson entitled "The Mirror of Passover."  This takes this series and expands upon it even further.  The Passover of Adonai is an amazing event that seems to provide a mirror the Lamb of God and the Passover Lamb and the new creation in Genesis and the new creation in the book of Revelation - https://youtu.be/ipaeu7AQZ8Y

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 - 34 part 3 - Exod. 12:1-14 THE NIGHT OF PROTECTION

Once again we will come face to face with totally amazing things in the historical context of Passover; we will gain deeper and enhanced perspectives on the Jewish Passover and the Passover of the Lamb of God. 

In lesson 34 we will ask ourselves the question of why unleavened bread.  What’s with that?  It has everything to do with Egypt, everyday life in Egypt, and the Hebrews who had assimilated into this pagan culture.  We recall Deut. 32:15-17 …

“But Jeshurun (a Hebrew word "upright" used to represent Israel) grew fat and kicked-- you are grown fat, thick, and sleek-- Then he forsook God who made him, and scorned the Rock of his salvation. They made Him jealous with strange gods; with abominations they provoked Him to anger. They sacrificed to demons who were not God, to gods whom they have not known, new gods who came lately, whom your fathers did not dread.” (Deu 32:15-17)

Moses is teaching us what the Lord, YHVH, gave him.  The Hebrews turned on the Lord became part of the Egyptian culture, values, and worldview.  They ate the “leavened bread” of Egypt and Egypt’s gods.  In this lesson you will come to understand that it makes sense to associate LEAVENED bread with Egypt and UNLEAVENED bread with the Lord.  You will understand new things to give a deeper insight into Jesus’ Last Supper as well; His last Passover meal that I call the Passover Meal of the Messiah.

In this podcast I again mentioned an earlier powerful and important lesson.  It has to do with the Biblical “proof” if you will that the Hebrews assimilated into the Egyptian culture.  It is so important that we grasp this historical fact since it is so related to the rest of the book of Exodus and, the entire Torah.  Here’s the link to that podcast - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-wdzur-f82194

Also, we will study the Hebrew word פֶּסַח PEH SACK H6453 and another Hebrew word that is very close, פָּסַח PAH SACK H6452.  Once we understand these two Hebrew words we will understand in a more powerful way the phrases in Exod. 12:11 where it says “the Lord’s Passover” and in 1 Cor. 5:7 “Christ our Passover.” And we thought we had it.  We thought we understood.  Far from it.  

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - up on Tel Gath - the home of Goliath)

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 30 - WHERE IS THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE?

 

A Place Called Gethsemane

The Passion Week account of Jesus happens during the annual feast of Passover for the Jews.  This is one of three times that every Jew was required to travel to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast.  Jesus being a devout Jew went to the city as well not only for the feast but to complete His awesome mission. Not every Jew in the world could possibly come but it is estimated that 1 to 1.5 million people would be in the city during Passover.  The picture below from the Temple Institute in Israel shows the 1000’s entering the city at Passover. 

Since Jerusalem was a city of perhaps an estimated population 35,000 to 80,000 depending on the archaeologist, it is clear that the city could not handle such a dramatic increase in population.  Every extra room was rented and those not finding rooms camped out on the hills nearby or they sought lodging in nearby towns like Bethlehem or Bethany.  Many of those who camped out in the hills around Jerusalem would more than likely camp on the beautiful slopes of the surrounding hills like Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem. (Vander Laan 177) 

     After Jesus and His apostles had completed the Passover Seder meal they went to the Mount of Olives to a place called Gethsemane at the Mount of Olives in an olive grove.  The account can be found in Matt 26:36, Mark 14:32, Luke 22:39 and John 18:1.  The word Gethsemane is the English transliteration of a Greek word which was based on two Hebrew words.  (Picture below from Permaculture Research Institute, is a good idea of what the side of the Mt. of Olives would have looked like in Jesus’ day).

The first was GAT.  The Hebrew word stands for a press.  The second word is SHEMIN which means oil – like olive oil.  The plural in Hebrew is Sheminim.  Thus, Gat Sheminim means a press for oils and referred to in most cases an olive press.  (Vander Laan 178)

Today in Israel one can visit Tel Maresha in the Negev.  At this tel archaeologists found the remains of a perfectly intact olive press.  Olive presses were built in caves close to an olive grove.  The cave itself would have “windows” cut into the walls and an air shaft in the roof.  These “windows” and the airshaft were used to control the airflow and temperature since processing olives required a certain temperature range.  The olives themselves were processed by first smashing them with a millstone to break open the skins.   The smashed olives were then put into special porous bags and crushed under the weight of huge weighted down cypress logs in the main press room.  The olive oil would run down into a basin which had a drain directly into a collection jar below the pile of bags of crushed olive pulp.  The jar of oil would be sealed when filled and made ready to be taken to market.  (Vander Laan 178)  The picture below is of the Gat Sheminim at Tel Maresha Israel courtesy of Israel Travel Inc.

Where is this exact location of where Jesus prayed and is there a connection to the Gat Sheminim and the word Gethsemane?  As far as location is concerned, “Christian tradition has always placed Gethsemane on the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives – though today the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches hallow different sites.”  (Reader’s Digest 186)  Recently, however, archaeologists working at the base of the Mount of Olives made a very interesting discovery.  “A cave nearby was recently identified as containing an ancient olive press.  Early 6^th century tradition supports this cave as being Jesus’ Gethsemane.” (Vander Laan 179)   Moreover, no archaeological evidence nor evidence from ancient descriptions of the city of Jerusalem and its surroundings as ever found a place called the Garden of Gethsemane.  This name is a modern label attached to an area that tourists would come to experience what the place called Gethsemane in the Bible was like.  “The designation ‘Gethsemane’ does not occur outside the gospels.  Even Luke 22:39 omits the name, using the more general description, ‘the Mount of Olives.’”(Flusser 251) What we know for a fact is that the Mount of Olives had an olive grove and near olive groves one will find a Gat Sheminim or an olive press.  

One might conjecture the following based upon the fact that in the Jewish culture God taught His people difficult theological truths with the use of pictures – as in the case of the word tekton and 1 Peter 2:4-6.  Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and entered the gat sheminim, or the olive press, to find a secluded place to pray.  He would prefer the seclusion of the press since there were many possible pilgrims camping out on the slopes of the hill for Passover and the press would be located in a quiet cave.  Perhaps Jesus knew the owner and was able to gain private access to the olive press.  Again, all of this is conjecture but it is based on the archaeological evidence that is factual.  

In the gat sheminim, or in a location very close, we know that Jesus prayed and was in deep stress and anguish.  In the account found in Luke 22:44 Jesus’ sweat was like drops of  blood.  What is intriguing about this picture is a verse found in Isaiah 53:5.  This verse for us Christians says He was crushed for our inequities.  When one makes the connection between the discovery of the olive press and how it was used and these verses it would seem that God is showing us how Jesus was crushed – like an olive crushed by the weight of a huge cypress log with heavy weights attached.  It would seem that God Himself is making use of the archaeological discoveries to open up the world of the Bible to us so that its meaning is enhanced.  Do we know for a fact that Jesus was in the olive press or the Gat Sheminim?  No we do not.  But, these discoveries perhaps are given to us to intensify our understanding of His word and the picture of the gat sheminim can simply be used to help us understand the scope of Jesus’ stress and anxiety that horrible night.

Works Cited

* That the World May Know Set 3 Ray Vander Laan c 1996 Focus on the Family Publishing  Colorado Springs CO

* Egypt and Bible History: C. Aling Baker House book Grand Rapids MI c 1981

* “Reader’s Digest Atlas of the Bible”, C 1981 Reader’s digest, Plesantville, NY

* “Jesus”, David Flusser, Magnes Press, Hebrew Univ., Jerusalem, 1998

* Josephus WAR 5:141

* “First Easter: The True and Unfamiliar Story”, Paul L. Maier, Harper and Row, NY 1973.

* Archaeology and the Bible: The Best of Biblical Archaeology Review, “The Garden Tomb: Was Jesus Buried Here?”, Gabriel Barkay, Vol. II, Archaeology in the World of Herod, Jesus and Paul. 

 

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