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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
Sunday May 30, 2021
Sunday May 30, 2021
OK, Lot, Abraham’s nephew. He’s got to be an OK guy, right? I mean look at his uncle. Abraham! I mean come on. But, right from the get go we see that theirs is something wrong with Lot. This becomes clear when Lot’s shepherds and herdsmen started arguing with the shepherds and herdsmen of his uncle. Lot didn’t stop it as he was supposed to. We are beginning to see that in that culture near 4000 years ago, Lot was supposed to support his uncle and Abraham’s house 100%. For more on this check out lesson 29 – link = https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-5ynaz-f97c87 Make sure if you listen to lesson 29 before clicking to listen first click on “view more” and read the intro to the lesson. If not, you will miss lots of info and links for further study.
Now Lot is in Sodom and Gomorrah. And, we find him sitting in the gate!
Now the two angels came to Sodom in the evening as Lot was sitting in the gate of Sodom. When Lot saw them, he rose to meet them and bowed down with his face to the ground. And he said, "Now behold, my lords, please turn aside into your servant's house, and spend the night, and wash your feet; then you may rise early and go on your way." They said however, "No, but we shall spend the night in the square." (Gen 19:1-2)
If this guy is righteous then he surely is NOT living up to his uncle Abraham’s expectations and what God would require of us to be His righteous followers. Sitting in the gate means Lot is now part of the upper wealthy class of the evil pagan community of Sodom. It’s like Lot compromised his faith and walk with God.
Gen_19:1-3. sitting at the gate. In ancient cities the gate area functioned as a public square. Its constant flow of people made it the ideal place for businessmen to set up their booths and for judges to hear cases. The fact that Lot is sitting in the gate suggests he was doing business there and had been accepted in the community of Sodom. (The IVP Bible Background Commentary: Old Testament. Copyright © 2000 by John H. Walton, Victor H. Matthews and Mark W. Chavalas)
Here’s a link to a great article on ancient city gates. One needs to understand this archaeological fact of those ancient days to even begin to grasp the full aspects of these events. Here’s the link for the article - https://www.gotquestions.org/city-gate.html
Here’s another link to an article by Lois Tverberg (if you haven’t connected with Lois, her website, and have not read her books, you are missing out on learning from one truly brilliant Bible historical scholar – here’s her website link - https://ourrabbijesus.com/
And here’s the link to the article Lois did on Lot and his poor decisions. She helps us see that there is something wrong with this guy. Link - https://engediresourcecenter.com/2015/07/03/lots-choice/
But before you start looking down on Lot consider the application of this story to us today. We are witnessing the failure of the church and the rejection of what the church is “preaching” by the Millennials, Generation Xers, and the turning away of our youth, Generation Z. Something has gone wrong and the data coming our from the Barna Group (website - https://www.barna.com/) supports this. We live in Sodom and Gomorrah, we live in decadent, chaotic, violent, deadly, and evils times. And it seems that like Lot we have a view that we should “go along to get along” – in other words many many Christians would chose to “sit in the gate” and compromise their walk as disciples of Rabbi Yeshua. Join us in this podcast and in lesson 40 coming soon. Let us learn the truth, the truth that sets us free, and see that the story of Lot and Sodom and Gomorrah is so applicable to today.
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
Monday May 17, 2021
The Gospel According to Moses - Genesis - Lesson 38 - ENOUGH IS ENOUGH
Monday May 17, 2021
Monday May 17, 2021
What did the people do in Sodom and Gomorrah that made God to decide to totally annihilate them and their cities? What sin is so grievous, serious, or grave that God will not back down from bringing down His wrath? This is a heavy concept to think about. What adds to the seriousness of this lesson is Abraham finally got God to say He’d spare the cities if 10 righteous people could be found. But, think about it. What if 10 could not be found but only 9 or 8 or 5? Now what? The righteous would suffer God’s wrath with the unrighteous if 10 could not be found. There’d be no “rapture” for them.
So, what is the line in God’s eyes that we dare not cross? Is there a line such that there is no escape, no “rapture?” Perhaps in the midst of experiencing God’s wrath for us we’d be like the Hebrews in Goshen – we’d be miraculously protected by the Lord. Perhaps the Lord would do the same for the 9 or 8 or 5 righteous in Sodom and Gomorrah if 10 righteous could not be found. But, this is only speculation. We don't know.
The people in Sodom and Gomorrah did not know they crossed the line. They did not have God’s instruction which is the meaning of Torah. It does not mean law! They did not realize the heaviness of their evil actions in the eyes of Adonai. Sometimes I wonder if today if we too think we are OK and have not crossed the line such that God will bring down His terrible wrath. Hmm, I wonder. Just consider one aspect of our culture. Since Roe vs. Wade over 62,000,000 babies have been murdered due to abortion in the USA. 62 million!! Haven’t we heard that …
There are six things which the LORD hates, Yes, seven which are an abomination to Him: Haughty eyes, a lying tongue, And hands that shed innocent blood, A heart that devises wicked plans, Feet that run rapidly to evil, A false witness who utters lies, And one who spreads strife among brothers. (Pro 6:16-19)
62 million innocent babies have been murdered and this is something that God hates. Is this the line that if we cross it Adonai says “enough?”
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
Saturday May 15, 2021
The Gospel According to Moses - Genesis - Lesson 37 - WHO IS THIS GUY?
Saturday May 15, 2021
Saturday May 15, 2021
Who is Avram – exalted father? Later God changes his name to Avraham – the father of nations. Who is this guy? Why does God pick him? It is interesting to note that Paul teaches us that God first gave the Gospel of the Kingdom to Avraham and, also, for any of us who are in Christ, we are descendants to Avraham! Huh? How are we son and daughters of Avraham and Sarah? From Paul we are getting the idea that somehow Messiah Jesus and Avraham might be connected somehow. How? Perhaps it is in the answer to the question of why did God pick Avraham?
The rabbis make up stories or state their views or opinions as MIDRASH – מִדְרָשׁ or according to the Encyclopaedia Britannica, "Midrash was initially a philological method of interpreting the literal meaning of biblical texts. In time it developed into a sophisticated interpretive system that reconciled apparent biblical contradictions, established the scriptural basis of new laws, and enriched biblical content with new meaning. The words in bold are critical. Midrash of the orthodox rabbis sometimes changes the meaning of the Bible text so that the rabbis views and opinions override the Bible text to satisfy their own views. So, one must be careful to study the midrashim of the rabbis since it can lead to misleading ideas of the meaning of the Bible text. One must be extra careful when listening to a teacher who quotes the rabbis and their midrashim as “gospel.”
But in a midrash of Genesis the rabbis seemingly came up with a story (a form of a midrash - a way to explain a "hole" in the Bible text or an unanswered question or unexplained concept) to perhaps explain what Avraham was like so that God saw this and picked him. The story in unhistorical and unbiblical but is cute. It can’t be taken as truth but it is a story that seems to say to us that whatever God saw in this guy must’ve been apparent in Avraham’s life earlier on. Here’s the story …
R' Hiyya said: Terah was a manufacturer of idols. He once went away somewhere and left Abraham to sell them in his place. A man came and wished to buy one. "How old are you?" Abraham asked him. "Fifty years" was the reply. "Woe to such a man," he exclaimed, "you are fifty years old and would worship a day-old object!" At this he became ashamed and departed.
On another occasion a woman came with a plateful of flour and requested him, "Take this and offer it to them." So he took a stick, broke them, and put the stick in the hand of the largest. When his father returned he demanded, "What have you done to them?" "I cannot conceal it from you," he rejoined. "A woman came with a plateful of fine meal and requested me to offer it to them. One claimed 'I must eat first,' while another claimed 'I must eat first.' Thereupon the largest arose, took the stick and broke them." "Why do you make sport of me," [Terah] cried out, "have they then any knowledge?" "Should not your ears listen to what your mouth is saying," [Abraham] retorted. (Midrash Beresheet 38)
It is a fun story, a fun midrash. But it is certainly made up, not true, and unbiblical. However, it makes a point. Avraham knew that stone idols are not gods probably before God picked him. That makes sense.
Here's a link to a credible Jewish website - The Jewish Virtual Library. Here you can read about Avraham and some of the "traditions" and midrashim associated with Avraham. Link - click here to access the article
But, it doesn’t answer the question, why Avraham? What was it that God saw in him to pick him? The answer is explosive and must be grasped if you are a true disciple of Jesus enduring the chaos and evil of these days.
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