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The study of the Bible in its historical context - with a focus on the archaeology, history, geography, customs , culture, and even the languages of the ancient Middle East. WE ask what did they understand THEN - the original intent of the Lord - so that we can expand and enrich our understanding NOW and thus become true disciples of Adonai Yeshua as in John 8:31-32.
Episodes
Thursday Nov 26, 2020
Genesis - 25 - Gen. 12:1-3 All Families Will Be Blessed
Thursday Nov 26, 2020
Thursday Nov 26, 2020
Get ready for one explosive lesson. It all focuses on Gen. 12:1-3 ...
Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you; And I will make you a great nation, And I will bless you, And make your name great; And so you shall be a blessing; 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." (NASB Gen 12:1-3)
If there is one place in the TORAH, if there is one instance in the Old Testament where God proclaims "good news" for all of us, it is right here. I normally do not rely on Orthodox Rabbinic commentary to help me understand the Bible. Too many times rabbis interpret the Bible in ways that are not based on the historical or cultural context or make up explanations that they need to deal with a scriptural difficulties or issues too tough to answer rationally. It is like the miracle of the oil at Chanukah. It never happened. I am not stating my opinion. I am just telling you what scholarly Jewish sources teach. We Christians fall into the trap of assuming the Orthodox rabbis are THE resource for understanding the Bible from a Jewish point of view. Far from it. For example the Orthodox say the 1st temple was destroyed in 423 B.C. based upon their personal interpretation of some verses in Daniel. However, they are wrong. Archaeology and history prove the temple was destroyed in 586 B.C. So, we need to be very very careful when accessing Orthodox Rabbinic Bible commentary. Here's a link to one of those sources to help you understand that the miracle of the oil never happened on Hanukkah.
Link - click here for the article of why the rabbis changed Hanukkah
However, Rabbinic commentary is not always so off; that is not always the case. I do access rabbinic commentary, not as my primary source, but I need to glean from their ideas and thoughts. In the case of Genesis 12:1-3 their commentary blew me away as I think it will you. Their contributions to understanding these three verses are truly amazing and show us that the foundation of the New Testament is the TORAH. Here we will see, thanks to the rabbis, the gospel of the Kingdom, their view that this is a new start for all mankind, and that the Hebrew of these verses gave Paul insights into his picture of us Gentiles being "grafted in." Here's an article you may find interesting that goes into the Hebrew and of these verses that relate to the Gospel, the Good News, that God inspired Moses to write about.
Link - click here for an article that will blow you away
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
Sunday Nov 22, 2020
Genesis - 24 - Gen. 11: 1-32 The Tower
Sunday Nov 22, 2020
Sunday Nov 22, 2020
The events of the Tower of Babel story are more applicable to us today than we may have imagined. It is probably something we have not been taught or even considered. For one thing, the people did not just build a tower. They also built a city. They built a city and a tower. This is huge and must be taken into account. What's this all saying?
Also, as the events unfold there is no mention of God. These people probably are not evil. The Bible does not say they are evil. But, these people do not seem to the one's who believe in God. Verses 1-4 they seem to be godless.
God shows up finally in verse 5 when He came and saw not just the tower, but the tower and the city. God sees both. The tower is not the focus but the city and the tower.
Some Bible teachers will say God was angry with the people and what they did. Huh? There is no mention of God being angry. But God sees that they have one language and they are one people and they will not easily be stopped from doing whatever they wish if this continues. God is saying this is dangerous. Huh? Why? Why is is dangerous. Perhaps it has something to do with the fact that humankind never changed after the flood. In Gen. 6:5 and again after the flood in Gen. 8:21, God tells us through Moses' pen that the imagination of men's hearts is to do evil continually. This idea is seemingly repeated here. Is God warning us that mankind as one people with one language and one worldview without God will lead to uncontrolled evil? Is this perhaps and prediction of the end of days when many will be without God and united as one people and one godless worldview? Let's go see.
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
Wednesday Nov 11, 2020
Genesis - 23 - Gen. 10.1...11.9 Why?
Wednesday Nov 11, 2020
Wednesday Nov 11, 2020
In lesson 23 we will deal with two individuals. First is Noah who we left drunk and naked in his tent at the end of the last lesson. Why did God inspire Moses to write this account? After the flood, perhaps close to Noah's death 350 years after the flood, God chooses to relate this event. It begs the question why, since this is God's Torah, His instruction. Torah does not mean law, as one can easily find in any lexicon or credible Bible dictionary. Why did God want to focus on these events? This must be a big deal.
The second person we will deal with is Nimrod. His name is not Hebrew but Semitic and is probably related to the Hebrew word Marad מרד which means rebel. Was Nimrod a rebel? Some say he was the founder of all pagan religions. Some say Nimrod built the Tower of Babel. Did he? The Bible doesn't say that but in LATE Jewish tradition, the rabbis had a field day with creating all sorts of legends. Note, legends are not the truth and should be treated as such. Here is a link to a scholarly work by Dr. Louis Ginsberg, "Legends of the Jews: Vol. 1" where you can read about Nimrod and the legends and stories the rabbis made up in their own mind with no semblance of historical truth. Here's the link - click here for chapter containing the legends of Nimrod
So, let's go and study these two guys a little further. Let's explore the Bible and what it says and not put meaning where it doesn't belong.
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
Friday Nov 06, 2020
Genesis - 22 - Gen. 8 and 9 Noah’s Vineyard
Friday Nov 06, 2020
Friday Nov 06, 2020
For those of you who have kept up with all the lessons in this Bible study series, from lesson 1 to this lesson, lesson 22, you know that one goal is to see how the Torah may have been understood THEN, 3400 years ago, among the Hebrews just leaving Egypt. This lesson is another clear example. This event, of Noah planting a vineyard, seems out of place since we just dealt with the judgment of all mankind, the flood, and that the impact on evil in the world. Then, the flood is over, almost 350 years pass, and what does God have Moses write about? Another major event, another major lesson? NO. He inspires Moses to tell about Noah planting a vineyard. What's with that? Why is this so important?
It is important. But, once again we must go back and put these words in their historical setting. We need to ask ourselves what did those Hebrews who came out of Egypt see in this event? What did they "hear?" And knowing that it will enrich our Bible understanding and help us know God in a deeper and more profound way.
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