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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
Saturday Jun 14, 2025
Saturday Jun 14, 2025
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.
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.
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
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
Thursday Jun 12, 2025
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.
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
Saturday May 31, 2025
Saturday May 31, 2025
Five Small Stones - Episode 17 Part 2
(Here's the link for part 1. Please watch part 1 to get the full understanding of the amazing events in Luke 5:1-11.
LINK for part 1 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-episode-17-part-1-galilee-let-down-your-nets/ )
In part 1 we visited the Cove of the Parables. It is the likely place Jesus went out in Peter's boat and spoke to the crowds. You can see a picture below of the location of the cove to the ancient city of Capernuam.
I recommend a cool video that that even adds more to our understanding of the cove of the parables. A sound experiment is actually done in the video to show that this place is a place where one can speak to many many people.
Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qR9jeFDuXOE
After Jesus spoke to the crowds we read the following ...
When He had finished speaking, He said to Simon, "Put out into the deep water and let down your nets for a catch." Simon answered and said, "Master, we worked hard all night and caught nothing, but I will do as You say and let down the nets." When they had done this, they enclosed a great quantity of fish, and their nets began to break; so they signaled to their partners in the other boat for them to come and help them. And they came and filled both of the boats, so that they began to sink. (Luk 5:4-7)
This is what many of us term the "miraculous catch." It isn't miraculous! No way.
It is beyond miraculous.
It is unexplainable and beyond imagination. So what is the real story behind all this? What is going on? What does this do to our understanding of the events and Jesus? Who is Jesus?
Come and join us as we dig deeper into the story and its historical context.
(NOTE - I mentioned a Jewish archaeologist in this video. His name is Mendel Nun. To access more of his work and studies here's the link - https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/author/mendel-nun/)
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
Thursday May 29, 2025
Thursday May 29, 2025
FIVE SMALL STONES EPISODE 17 PART 1
There's only one location and only one on the shores of the Sea of Galilee where Jesus could get into a boat and talk to a huge crowd. On top of that Jesus then "thanks" Peter for helping Him by giving Peter a catch of fish that is beyond imagination.
What is the real story? What's behind all this? Is there more to this story? Yes. We did not live then. Most of us don't fish with nets as Peter did. Once again we need to put the Bible into its historical context and hear what they heard and see what they saw and understand how they understood and then our understanding of the text of God's word is enhanced, expanded and deepen. Come and join us and let's head out to the northern shores of the Sea of Galilee; come let us go and let the Lord teach us who He is and what He is like.
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
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Tuesday May 27, 2025
Is Jesus God? He never said He was - not in so many words. But the Jews 2000 years ago understood truth from action and not words. Is Jesus God? You bet and He shows it by action and not words. His actions 2000 years ago at the Sea of Galilee proved He was God, the only 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
Monday May 26, 2025
Monday May 26, 2025
Just a quick review - lessons 1-10 study how Jesus is the first and the last simultaneously. Lessons 11-14 start our study on Biblical geography. First stop was the ancient city of Shechem. Now we start a new series based upon the Sea of Galilee. To access all the videos in this series go to the website. Then click on OTHER RESOURCES. Once that opens click on PODCASTS PLAYLISTS. The list of podcast playlist will be seen be scrolling down. All you need do is then select FIVE SMALL STONE.
Here's the link to the website - www.LightofMenorah.org
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
Sunday May 25, 2025
Sunday May 25, 2025
Now the LORD said to Abram (in Haran), "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you (promise of a PLACE); And I will make you a great nation (promise of descendants or PEOPLE), And I will bless you, And make your name great (promise of being well known forever or a promise of POSITION); 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 (promise of a PURPOSE to his life)." So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan. Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land. The LORD appeared to Abram and said (God's promise of a PLACE is given at Shechem), "To your descendants I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. (Gen 12:1-7)
Their first stop was Shechem. One couple with the promises of God. Then came Jacob and his family. God promised Abraham descendants. He also promised Abraham a place and Jacob bought land near Shechem. Is this the location of what tradition says is Jacob's well? And just like Abraham Jacob builds an altar to the Lord just like his grandpa. Things are repeated.
After this comes Joshua. He too builds an altar and all Israel renews the Sinai covenant at Shechem. This is after the mighty and miraculous taking of the Promised Land. Through Joshua it is clear the name of Abraham is becoming significant.
The promises of the Lord to Abraham are manifesting themselves in front of our eyes. This is the hand of God. So, does God continue to show us His redemption plan at Shechem? You better believe it. You won't believe who is next.
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
Saturday May 24, 2025
Saturday May 24, 2025
Now the LORD said to Abram (in Haran), "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you (promise of a PLACE); And I will make you a great nation (promise of descendants or PEOPLE), And I will bless you, And make your name great (promise of being well known forever or a promise of POSITION); 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 (promise of a PURPOSE to his life)." So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan. Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land. The LORD appeared to Abram and said (God's promise of a PLACE is given at Shechem), "To your descendants I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. (Gen 12:1-7)
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
Thursday May 22, 2025
Thursday May 22, 2025
Understanding Biblical geography is critical. To fully appreciate episode 12 please make sure you watch episode 11; it is the first lesson in this series, "Five Small Stones" focusing on geography. Here's the link to episode 11 -
In many cases knowing the geography related to a specific event only adds to our understanding of the scripture. It'll enhance our understanding. This is clearly seen as we continue to study the ancient city of Shechem in the central mountains of Israel.
Shechem was an ancient biblical city in Israel. Today, the area of Shechem is known as Tell Balata, an archaeological site near Nablus in the West Bank. The town was located between Mount Ebal and Mount Gerizim in central Israel, just southeast of Samaria. The name Shechem means “shoulder” in Hebrew, which is appropriate considering its location as a pass between two mountains. (From GotQuestions.org)
See the map below for its location.
God uses this city and this location. It is totally amazing how it relates to the redemption plan of the Lord that begins with Abraham. He stops at this ancient city when he first enters Canaan after the Lord tells him to leave his family, his home, and go to the land the Lord will show him. Abraham obeyed and he comes to Shechem.
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
Monday May 19, 2025
Monday May 19, 2025
Light of Menorah teaches the Bible in its historical context. The emphasis is on the archaeology, history, geography, customs, culture, and even the languages of the ancient Middle East. In episode 11 we start a new study and ask how does knowing the geography of Israel or the Sinai peninsula or ancient Turkey (Asia Minor) affect our understanding of God's word. Christians in the USA in the 21st century are so cutoff from this knowledge, it is, for the most part, abandoned as a focus in understanding and teaching the Bible. What we will see is that Bible geography is so critical to our understanding the word of the Lord; geography and the geographical setting of many of the events in the Bible will enhance and expand understanding in amazing ways.
In this episode we go to the ancient city of Shechem. Here we find that Abraham stops here - seems to be his first stop after entering Canaan after God promised Abraham in four promises. God promised him he'd be given land, have many descendants, will be very well known across the ages, and his seed (his descendants) will be a blessing to all the nations. God does this in Haran before Abraham and Sarah leave for the land the God will show him. Their first stop is Shechem. Consider ...
Now the LORD said to Abram (in Haran), "Go forth from your country, And from your relatives And from your father's house, To the land which I will show you (promise of a PLACE); And I will make you a great nation (promise of descendants or PEOPLE), And I will bless you, And make your name great (promise of being well known forever or a promise of POSITION); 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 (promise of a PURPOSE to his life)." So Abram went forth as the LORD had spoken to him; and Lot went with him. Now Abram was seventy-five years old when he departed from Haran. Abram took Sarai his wife and Lot his nephew, and all their possessions which they had accumulated, and the persons which they had acquired in Haran, and they set out for the land of Canaan; thus they came to the land of Canaan. Abram passed through the land as far as the site of Shechem, to the oak of Moreh. Now the Canaanite was then in the land. The LORD appeared to Abram and said (God's promise of a PLACE is given at Shechem), "To your descendants I will give this land." So he built an altar there to the LORD who had appeared to him. (Gen 12:1-7)
At Shechem we "see" God support the promise of land to Abraham. Here God says this land, Canaan, will be given to Abraham and his descendants. So, what about the other promises? Will God do this at another location? NOPE. It is amazing what we are about to see in the next episodes.
Here's a great detailed article on the ancient city of Shechem and its biblical importance.
Link - https://bible.org/article/geographical-historical-spiritual-significance-shechem
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