LIGHT OF MENORAH

Exodus 51 part1 - Exod. 21:22 - FETUS IS HUMAN

Where does it say exactly in the Bible that the unborn are human?  Where does it say precisely that the fetus is human, a person?  Certainly there are verses that imply this to be true.  I use them myself when arguing the case against abortion.  But, I came across this verse, Exodus 21:22, and from the Hebrew and Hebrew grammar we will see that the Bible is clear, the Bible is precise, it is not implying anything but stating fact and that is 

THE FETUS IS HUMAN

This verse is not about abortion but it relates to abortion.  It helps us see that according to God's law the fetus has legal standing in the same was as the mother.  

I indicated in this podcast about several links I'd provide that will only enhance your study.  Here they are ...

This link is from a superb website called "Stand To Reason."  It goes into the Hebrew of Exod. 21:22 and supports the view that the fetus in the womb is a human being.

https://www.str.org/w/what-exodus-21-22-says-about-abortion

 

From "HumanJourney.org" we study an excellent article that addresses the mistranslation of the Septuagint as related to this verse that has mislead many to say the Bible says the fetus is not fully human.  Remember, the Septuagint is the Greek translation of the Hebrew Bible and the Septuagint is found with many mistranslations.  

https://humanjourney.org.uk/articles/exodus-21-and-abortion/

 

The last link if from "GotQuestions.org" and again shows this verse is uniquely special in the entire Bible including the New Testament.  All three of these articles plus the podcast itself provide an awesome argument according to God's own law that the treatment of the fetus is subject to God's legal statements.  

https://www.gotquestions.org/Exodus-21-22-23-abortion.html

 

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 5 (special) - Gen. 1:1-2 POLEMIC THEOLOGY (FROM CHAOS TO ORDER)

This vidcast (video podcast) is a supplement to the podcast Genesis 5.  In this video we will see how God taught His people, the Hebrews, in ways that would make sense only to them in their day. We would not recognize it as we read the Bible. God is writing to a people thousands of years ago using concepts only they understood and not us.

Dr. John Currid, a highly credible Egyptologist, archaeologist, and theologian, wrote a book entitled, "Against the Gods." His thesis in the book is to show us how we in the 21st century miss how God taught His people in their time using things they were familiar with. Here's an example Dr. Currid uses his paper, "The Nature of Polemical Thought and Writing." He writes

 ... A STRONG HAND - some common expressions found in ancient Egyptian texts to describe the power of Pharaoh over his foes are that the monarch had “a strong hand,” or “he possessed a strong arm,” or he was “the one who destroyed his enemies with his arm.” It is ironic that the author of the book of Exodus assigns the same features to the Lord as he humiliates and destroys Pharaoh and Egypt (Ex. 3:19–20; 6:1; 7:4; 15:6, etc.).

James Hoffmeier, a famous Egyptologist, comments on this parallel, asking, “what better way for the Exodus traditions to describe God’s victory over Pharaoh, and as a result his superiority, than to use Hebrew derivations or counterparts to Egyptian expressions that symbolized Egyptian royal power?” For most of us this would have escaped us completely. We are not familiar with ancient Egyptian writings nor are we into the ancient culture and customs on Egypt in the days of Moses. But, God is clearly inspiring Moses to use an Egyptian idiom that the Hebrews would have been familiar with. God uses this to come against Pharaoh and show His power over Pharaoh and all Egypt. In this way God uses something Egyptian to teach His people about Himself and His character.

However, we will also see that these amazing lessons that made sense to those first believers also make sense to us today in the 21st century. Ready? Let's begin. Let's see how God uses Genesis 1:1 to teach His people coming out of Egypt that He is God and not Amun Ra. Let's also see how this relates to us today, us being His people, and knowing that God never changes (Mal. 3:6). He was the same 3400 years ago and today.

Link to John Currid's article referenced above - https://www.monergism.com/thethreshold/sdg/polemic.html

Use this link to study the idea that the Hebrews had assimilated into the pagan culture of Egypt.  Here's the link - https://youtu.be/9tY5N0mAJ2I?si=7SzXFQWg0ZP4Hj3F

Here’s an article on the ancient Egyptian creation accounts - https://www.glencairnmuseum.org/newsletter/2021/7/13/ancient-egyptian-creation-myths-from-watery-chaos-to-cosmic-egg

Short cool video on the ancient Egyptian creation myth - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTy49JlgJZE

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 5 part 1 - Gen. 1:1-2 - GOD CREATES THE HEAVENS AND THE EARTH

In lesson 5 we focus again on the critical verses in Genesis chapter 1.  In this session we will address the concept of God creating everything through His word; creating everything by simply saying let it be and it was - out of nothing - EX NIHILO.  And, in addition, this lesson will introduce the idea that to understand the Torah we need to understand ancient Egypt of the 18 Dynasty at the time of the Exodus.  The Hebrews likely have assimilated into the Egyptian culture and, for the most part, do not know the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob.  So how does God take Egypt out of the Hebrews?  This concept is called "polemic theology" where a polemic is a concept that is diametrically opposed to a competing concept.  In this case who is God?  Is it Amun-Ra, the supreme pagan false god of Egypt in 1446 B.C. or is it Adonai Eloheem, the Lord God of the Bible?  How would the true God teach the they mythology of Egypt is false and incorrect using Genesis 1:1-2?  

For further study check out the links below. 

Use this link to study the idea that the Hebrews had assimilated into the pagan culture of Egypt.  Here's the link - https://youtu.be/9tY5N0mAJ2I?si=7SzXFQWg0ZP4Hj3F

Here’s an article on the ancient Egyptian creation accounts - https://www.glencairnmuseum.org/newsletter/2021/7/13/ancient-egyptian-creation-myths-from-watery-chaos-to-cosmic-egg

Short cool video on the ancient Egyptian creation myth - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTy49JlgJZE

An awesome Bible study video from Dennis Prager on Gen. 1:1-2 - is this the most important verse in the Bible?  - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BqWdu1BnBQ

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 4 - Gen. 1.1, 20-27, 2.7 - DOES GOD ABIDE IN HEAVEN?

In lesson 4 we will focus on two terms.  The first is "HEAVENS" and the next is "LIVING CREATURES."  We will study these terms in Hebrew and find that our modern ideas are again challenged once we understand what the terms mean in Hebrew and what the Bible says and not what men say.  However, as we do focus on hearing the Torah on its own terms, and not on man's view, our understanding of God, who He is, and ourselves is deepened, clarified and enhanced.

So, will the Hebrew help us understand where does God abide?  Does He abide in “heaven?”  Or, why is it that in Hebrew animals and mankind are called “living creatures?”  On top of that how can the Hebrew word translated as “living creatures” also be translated as soul? 

What is going on?  So come and join us and study.  As part of this study check out one of the lessons I did on the series on the Lord's prayer.  It focuses on the phrase, "who art in heaven," in the Lord's prayer.  This study will enhance what you learn here in lesson 4 on Genesis.

Link - https://youtu.be/KGO4kVc-wxc?si=zgAvY6xQUkklOWqk

In Jesus’ day study of the Bible was the highest form of worship!  Check out the Messianic Rabbi Jason Sobel’s short video which shows that to be a true disciple of Yeshua we need to study – more than read God’s word.  

Link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gLtZcq5VGs

To even go deeper to understand what the church is missing today check out this resource to study that in Jesus’ day the study of the very words of God is the highest form of worship.

Link to Dwight Pryor’s audio Bible study – https://www.jcstudies.store/the-highest-form-of-worship/

Link – to Dwight Pryor’s article - https://www.scribd.com/document/52577969/The-Highest-Form-of-Worship

Are you committed to be His devout disciple, the true disciple of Yeshua?  Then come and study besides reading His beloved Word.

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 3 - Gen. 1:1-5 - LET THERE BE LIGHT

This lesson will focus on Gen. 1:1-5.  We will address the question, "What is this light that God created on day one?"  Is it related to Einstein's theory or what some Creation Science scholars call the Big Bang?  Or is it something else?  Might it be related to Yeshua the Messiah?   It says God created light on DAY one.  Was it 24 hours?  The Hebrew word translated into English as "day" is the word YOM.  How long is a YOM?  24 hours?  What is the picture God is painting? Finally, we will study an amazing correlation between the 1st book of the Bible and the last, the book of Revelation. 

Genesis 1 deals with God creating a new heaven and a new earth.  Then we read in Rev. 21:1 "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away, and there is no longer any sea."  Both deal with a new heaven and a new earth.  Both books deal with a beginning.  Is there more?  Just wait and see!!

What is most important Bible verse?  What Bible verse should be ranked number one in God's Word?  Can you guess?  A recognized scholar and a man devoted to the God of Abraham, Dennis Prager, has a cool audio lesson where Dennis brings up his view.  He is a devout religious Jew but his Torah teaching is meant for both religious Jews of Judaism and religious Christians.  Here is the link - Dennis Prager - Prager University - The Most Important Verse in the Bible - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9BqWdu1BnBQ  

Hey!  Who is this guy, John Ferret?  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 2 - Dinosaurs and Dragons - Gen. 1:20-25

In lesson 2 we continue to lay the foundation for this in depth study of the first five books of the Bible, commonly referred to as the TORAH (which does NOT mean LAW but TEACHING).  In this lesson we ask if there are no dinosaurs in the Bible (and there is NO mention of them in the Bible in Hebrew) then does that help us grasp what the Torah is and is not?  Here's a link to a Jewish scholar and his teaching on why dinosaurs are not mentioned in the bible - click here to watch Dr. Hugh Ross, a credible scientist and astrophysicist discuss the question about dinosaurs and the Bible. He is awesome.

Here's the link for part 1 –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtEDmwxNE6s&t=0s

And here’s the link for part 2 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iraI4NWQSRs

Some Jewish and Christian scholars say that Gen. 1:21 is talking about large fish.  It can't be large fish - the Hebrew taken to the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) uses the phrase in Greek to describe the great evil dragon in the book of Revelation who is Satan.  Satan is NOT a big fish.  Once again how can translators so misinterpret the text of scripture and not check how the phrase in Gen. 1:21 is used throughout the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament that I like to title, "The Messianic Writings?"  And lastly, this session gets into the 5 purposes of this series, "The Gospel According to Moses."  We approach this study with the focus of archaeology, history, geography, customs, culture, and the languages of the ancient Middle East.

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 1 - Gen. 1:1-31 - The Gospel According to Moses

This is the 1st lesson in the Torah series for Christians on Genesis. This lesson provides the main goals of this unique Bible study. The emphasis is on the Bible in its historical context; it focuses on archaeology, geography, history, and the ancient culture and customs and even the languages of the Middle East.

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 - 50 - Exod. 21:3-21 - Permanent Slave of the Master - Bond Slave of Christ

In this Bible study lesson we focus on Exod. 21:3-21.  Once again we come to the issue of slavery in the Bible.  As I mentioned we studied this in depth in lesson 49 parts 1 and 2.  I promised I’d give you the links to these two critically important podcasts.  Here they are …

Lesson 49 part 1 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-49-part-1-exod-211-2-god-against-slavery-kidnapping/

Lesson 49 part 2 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-49-part-2-exod-211-2-love-your-non-hebrew-slave-as-yourself/

I also mentioned a couple of awesome videos for you to consider that relate to slavery.  The first – 5 minute long - is done by Candice Owen, the famous conservative commentator.  The second by Dennis Prager.  His – only 5 minutes as well -  is on the 8^th commandment, “Do Not Steal.”  Once you get into the video you will see how dramatically this commandment is related to slavery. 

Candice Own video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO_wmixXBdE

Dennis Prager video on commandment 8 - https://www.prageru.com/video/do-not-steal

Once again in this lesson I give two examples of why Bible study is critical for any true disciple of our Lord Jesus.  Do you do Bible reading?  Are you reading through the Bible in a year?  Are you following the schedule using the One Year Bible?  Great!  Don’t stop.  It is an act of “continuing in His word” as Jesus said and if we do this something happens.  Just look …

"If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (Joh 8:31-32)

But, if you just read the Bible we are in danger of missing the truth that the Lord is trying to teach us.  He spoke in Hebrew and to an audience 2000 years ago.  We need to get at what they understood and heard so as to recapture the original meaning of the very words of God.  Christians prior to the Civil War read the Bible in English.  They did not read it in Hebrew nor did they study it in its historical context.  They made a terrible translation error in that they said black people were less that human.  If this is true, then the Bible and God’s laws do not pertain to them.  As a result they kidnapped black people from Africa and sold them as slaves.  This was directly opposed to God’s word.  They did not study the word in Hebrew or in its cultural context.  If they did they’d understand that what they did was beyond terrible.  The problem is.  Few today are trained in seminaries in Biblical Hebrew or how to take the Greek and take it back to the Hebrew or are trained in understanding the Bible in its historical context.  As we will see in lesson 50 you are not going to get understanding of the very words of God unless you study along with reading.  We need both and we need both to escape, perhaps, the mistranslations and incorrect application of the very words of God in our day.

There is an excellent article at a good academic and scholarly site for Christians entitled, GOTQUESTIONS.ORG.  It explains the concept of us being Bond Slaves of Jesus.  What I like about this article is this Christian scholarly website shows to understand a bond slave we need to understand and study the Hebrew of Exodus 21.  Here’s the link to the article that will add to you understanding of the very words of God.

Link - https://www.gotquestions.org/bondservant.html#:~:text=Throughout%20the%20New%20Testament%2C%20the%20word%20bondservant%2C,metaphorically%20to%20someone%20absolutely%20devoted%20to%20Jesus.

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 101 - CHAZAK CHAZAK VAY'NEETCHAZEK - be strong, be strong, and be strengthened

THE STORY OF JOSEPH - lesson 21

"I'M IN GOD'S PLACE"

Joseph - the prototype of Jesus

As I mentioned in the podcast I am giving you links to study Egyptian mummification and links on the Book of the Dead.  Here are the links …

1) Article from the Smithsonian on Egyptian Mummification - https://www.si.edu/spotlight/ancient-egypt/mummies

2) A short but excellent video overviewing Egyptian “salvation” from the Scroll of the Dead -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yv_MXNYbAo 

3) Article on the Book of the Dead - https://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/bod.htm 

One thing you’ll learn is certain body parts are put in special jars as the person in mummified and before burial.  The jars are called CANOPIC JARS and you can see a picture of them below (image is royalty free from Wikimedia). 

An Egyptian god is assigned to each.  Plus each god and each jar has another guardian god – like a guardian angel!  Shown below is a short article related to the jars and these gods accessible at Wikipedia.

In this final chapter of Genesis and the final chapter on the saga of Joseph, we come again to Joseph’s words that testify of Jesus, our Lord, our Savior, the Messiah (the Christ) and He who is God Himself.  We’ve shown that the Lord set up Joseph as a paradigm of Jesus.  Though I have provided these links before I will again provide them for you.  This will only enhance your study of this concept of Joseph as a Paradigm of Jesus.

The first is a short video that is a great introduction to this topic.  Here's the link ...  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQKadh0fVCo

The second resource is an article at the excellent website "Hebrew4Christians."  The article goes deeper into the connections between Joseph and Jesus providing over 60 indisputable connections solidly based upon scripture and not opinion or speculation.  Here's link to the article ...    https://hebrew4christians.com/Articles/Mashiach_ben_Yosef/mashiach_ben_yosef.html

A third resource you must have access to is a scholarly paper written by my graduate studies advisor, Dr. Ron Mosely.   In his paper Dr. Mosely discusses Joseph as a prototype of the suffering Messiah just like David is a prototype of the conquering Messiah - https://www.academia.edu/3796976/Twice_Rejected_Mashiach_Ben_Joseph

The final link is to Netivyah (The Way of the Lord) ministries in Jerusalem.  This is a Messianic Jewish ministry founded by Joseph Shulam, an amazing Jewish scholar who helps us reconnect to our Jewish roots of our faith.  This link is to a book written by one of their resident scholars, Elhanan ben Avraham, "Moshiach ben Yosef (Messiah the Son Of Joseph)".  I highly recommend you get this book and all the books you can buy from this ministry - https://netivyah.org/product/mashiach-ben-yoseph/

And thus we conclude our study in the book of Genesis.  A cool tradition is when Jews come to the end of the study of the book of Torah they say a specific phrase.  You can see it in the picture below. 

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 100 - MESSIAH AND JUDAH AND JOSEPH GEN.49

THE STORY OF JOSEPH - lesson 20

Messiah and Judah

Joseph - the prototype of Jesus

In Genesis 49 Jacob knows he is about to die.  He gathers his sons together at his bedside.  He then begins predicting the future even unto הימים  באחרית or BayAchahreet HaYahmeem or the End of Days or the End Times.  This is an awesome lesson and we will “see” our Lord Jesus so clear in this chapter.  We will also see that the RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD and the AFTERLIFE is in the Torah. 

Some say Jacob in this chapter is prophesying.  But prediction is not prophesying or being a prophet.  So many in the church use the word prophet and to prophecy to imply one who tells the future.  This is Biblically wrong.  Let’s get back to the Hebrew and learn from Jewish scholars as Judaism 101.  Here’s the link to learn more - https://www.jewfaq.org/prophets

In the predictions for the future Jacob address the tribe o Dan.  We did not go deeper into the tribe of Dan and its future but I said I’d give you some links so you can study the tribe of Dan in a little more depth. 

The first link is an article by the great Bible teacher, historian, and scholar, Lois Tverberg.  She wrote a short article on the tribe of Dan - https://engediresourcecenter.com/2015/07/03/idolatry-of-dan/

A second link is to the excellent Bible study sire, “Got Questions?”  Here’s an excellent article on the tribe of Dan - https://www.gotquestions.org/tribe-of-Dan.html

Finally, we come to grips with the phrase in the Torah “he breathed his last, died, was gathered to his people, and was buried.”  This is a phrase that is connected to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, and David.  What does it mean?  What does the phrase “gathered to his people mean?”  You’ll be amazed.  Here are tow links to an article and a video by Dennis Prager.  These resources are awesome.  You will see that since the time of Abraham Israel believed in the resurrection of the dead and the afterlife. 

Article – https://momentmag.com/afterlife-not-an-afterthought/

Video (5 minutes) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=covUnyZGVaQ

Also, check out my research paper on Biblical dating.  This article is a required study piece for yourself.  You'll be amazed at how archaeology and history show the true date of the Exodus and the dating of the saga of Joseph.  It is a critical article to study in depth and with care.  Here's the link - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vnwmvpa19tys8ud2d8i8r/DATING-EDWIN-THIELE-ASSYRIAN-LIST-TO-JOSEPH-IN-EGYPT-...-edited-and-updated.pdf?rlkey=gytmbmhsubmvurppnlrhpcqak&st=7kngcxut&dl=0

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