LIGHT OF MENORAH

Genesis 17 - Gen. 6:4-8 - WHO ARE THE NEPHILIM?

In this lesson we confront some awesome questions?  The first is who are the Nephilim?  For us in the 21st century many say the nephilim are fallen angels.  Where did that come from?  We will see it is one opinion coming from both some non-Biblical literature of the late first century and the Zohar, a Jewish book of mysticism written in the Middle Ages.  Upon further study, however, we find that other great rabbis disagreed with this opinion and they offered two other views.  (For further study from a Jewish scholarly source I recommend this link - click here to read scholarly background on the nephilim from The Jewish Virtual Library - https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/nephilim).  Both views of these rabbis of the Middle Ages, Rashi and Ibn Ezra, great rabbis in their own right, disagree.  They also disagree with each other and with the view the nephilim are evil fallen angels.  So, in Jewish literature we have at least three distinct views and each of them contradict the others.  So, we Christians have bought into one view that has no Biblical basis at all.  

Once again, let us confront this issue.  Let us see if God's word helps us with a more realistic view of the nephilim.  It does!

The second question is why did God destroy all mankind with the flood except for one man, Noah?  Noah's sons and their wives and Noah's wife were rescued as well.  But, Noah is the ONLY righteous man of his time not his sons, their wives, or Noah's wife.  Why them?  Moreover, Genesis chapters 1-11 is about non-Hebrews.  Noah is not a Hebrew!  This is related to all of us, all mankind.  

I agree that the flood did happen.  There is too much evidence from the cultures of the ancient Middle East that strongly suggest that the flood was real.  But, so many today focus on trying to prove the flood had to be worldwide, or others who argue the flood was local, and others who say it is a myth. (I think it was local based upon the Hebrew and not English.) I suggest this focus is clouding the real issue, why did God do the flood?  What was the result?  Is there something we are missing that we can't see? 

I will present a view that relates to Jesus' words in John 5:39 ... "You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me" (John 5:39 NASB).  All they had was the Old Testament in Jesus' day.  Therefore, is there a connection with the purposes of the flood and the reason for the Cross?  There is.  It seems likely the flood testifies of the Messiah.

 

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/scl/fi/8qth6w4e56oub9js1w1gu/BackgrndTeacher-mar-25-2020.pdf?rlkey=f14fr2wmde5fezjmnrny8cycl&dl=0

 

””The Appointed Time of Sukkot” Lesson 5 - The 8th Day - THE BEGINNING AND THE END

Lesson 5 – HaMo’ed Sukkot Shel Adonai

The Lord’s Appointed Time of Sukkot

Lev. 23:36 “on the eighth day”

ביום השמיני BayYom HaShmee-nee

 

””The Appointed Time of Sukkot” Lesson 4 - The Bread from Heaven

We finally come to the end of this podcast series, “The Fall Feasts of Adonai.”  In lesson 3 of Sukkot we started seeing the amazing “shadows” of the Messiah over Sukkot.  Indeed there really seems to be NO excuse for the “church” to ignore not doing the “feasts” as they testify of Jesus anymore.  The early church fathers contributed to the separation of us from our Jewish roots.  But, with archaeology and sound historical scholarship, we can reconnect to the days of Yeshua and hear as they heard and see as they saw and understand in ways that ony enhance and expand our understanding of God's truth, of God's Gospel. The Lord told us in John 5:39.  He taught us when all they had was the Hebrew Scriptures that all scripture testifies of Him!  Yes, Sukkot testifies of Yeshua.

In this session we need to understand how this “appointed time” of the Lord is a time of great joy for all seasons.  The Jewish rabbis of Jesus day understood it.  But now, with Jesus who has come and will return, we now see an amazing correlation to the events that happened in the Temple in Jerusalem in Jesus’ day to His coming and that this is the Gospel, the Good News, which is for all the people of all the nations.  We will also see that there is a case to be made that Jesus was perhaps born in the season of Sukkot.  In other words it could be that we Christians are doing our shopping for gifts at the wrong time!  It could be the ancient culture gives us sound reasons to celebrate the birth of Christ at Sukkot and not on December 25^th which was a pagan holiday in ancient Rome. 

Ready?  Come and join the study.  Come and see the amazing ways the Hebrew Scriptures testify of Yeshua, witness the ONE who will come and be suspended on “the tree” to become the source of LIVING WATER for all who proclaim Yeshua is Adonai, Yeshua is Lord, Yeshua is God. 

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

 

”The Appointed time of Sukkot” - lesson 3 - the Bread from Heaven

We come to the awesome climax of our study on the feast, the appointed time of the Lord, Sukkot.  Our objective now is to heed the teaching of Paul when he taught …

Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day-- things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. (Col 2:16-17)

 

How is Jesus the Shadow over us of Sukkot?  How does this feast testify of Messiah?  What is amazing as we put this feast in its historical context, as we study it in the times of Yeshua, when He walked among, that we see this feast testify of His birth and His death.  It is just too awesome.  It is truly the season of our joy, (זְמַן שִׂמְחָתֵנוּ) "Z'man Simchateinu."  What a time to sing the Jewish folk song so appropriate for this appointed time, “Have Nagilah.”  See the lyrics below in Hebrew and English.

 

Hava nagila, hava nagila

Hava nagila ve-nis'mecha

Repeat

Hava neranena, hava neranena

Hava neranena venis'mecha

Uru, uru achim

Uru achim belev same'ach

Let us rejoice, let us rejoice

Let us rejoice and be glad

Repeat

Let us sing, let us sing

Let us sing and be glad

Awaken, awaken brethren

Awaken brethren with a cheerful heart.

Here's a link to a YouTube video of this song with the lyrics in Hebrew.  Here's the link - https://youtu.be/UbjmkrUDb8c

 

Indeed, it is as if this “last” feast of the agricultural year is no only about the “end” but it is about the “beginning.”  It is the end of the agricultural year, the harvest time that started as Passover is over.  But, it is the time where all the Jews in the days of Yeshua looked forward to the beginning of the new agricultural year and the start of the early rains.  So too for us disciples of our Lord Yeshua Adonai, Sukkot testifies of the day when He came to “camp out” with us, His birth, the beginning.  And it testifies of His death, and His cross, which is the way for the lord to pour upon us Living Water.

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

 

 

 

”The Appointed Time of Sukkot” - lesson 2 - God Dwells with Us

Many Messianic groups today will build their sukkahs in their yards and enter the sukkah on after sunset on the eve of Mo'ed Sukkot - the appointed time of Sukkot or Tabernacles.  There are very many Jewish rituals and prayers that many Gentile Messianic Christians practice each evening in their sukkahs since the Jewish people do it.   You can see our sukkah that we put up to practice observance of this God ordered, commanded appointed time.  (See below) We put up a "tent" and not a wooden rabbinic "lean to" as ordered and commanded by the rabbis.   The Hebrews dwelt in "tents" not a wooden structure with a roof of branches and leaves (see two examples of "kosher" booths or sukkahs - royalty free from Wikipedia - at the end of this introduction).  For Robin and I we focus on His word, the actual Hebrew, and not made up rabbinic rules and regulations.  

Robin and I needed to recapture how the feast of Tabernacles testifies of Jesus.  How do we see Jesus in this feast?  This was not apparent when Robin and I followed our Messianic Gentile teachers who only emphasized what the orthodox rabbis taught.  Everything they taught and told us to do was not helping us relate to Yeshua, the Messiah, the Lord, our God.

In lesson 2 we try and "see" what those early believers saw when they did this feast of the Lord.  And I'm not talking about the disciples in Jesus' day but the Hebrews coming out of Egypt!  They were to remember living in tents when the Lord delivered them from the bondage of slavery from Egypt.  Those Hebrews would remember the tents they lived in, but they would also remember, Emmanoo El עִמָּנוּ אֵל - "God with us" - and that Adonai, the Lord, Yahvay יהוה‎ also dwelt in a tent (tabernacle is Latin for "tent").  He was with them 24/7.  They saw His glorious presence coming down upon the "Tabernacle" in Exodus 40, His SHH-KEE-NAH glory.  He came once to dwell in a Sukkah, a tent.  Later, He came again. This time to dwell in His permanent "house" built by Solomon. 

God came twice.  Interesting! Sounds like something Christians know - Jesus came once and will come again.  Is this somehow connected to Yeshua?  Is there Biblical truth that I did not learn from so called "expert" Messianic Gentile teachers who only were stuck on Orthodox Judaism?  It was wonderful to learn from them and to take part in applying Jewish rituals but looking back Jesus was not a priority.  So, the answer is yes. 

Once again by reconnecting to the Bible in its historical, and not rabbinic context, by reconnecting to the ancient culture and practices of Israel, we begin to "see" like they did, we begin to "hear" God's word like they did, and we begin to "understand" like they did and our walk with the Lord is enhanced and our views expanded.  God goes beyond Christian theological "midrash" and theological "midrash" of Orthodox Judaism.  Sukkot testifies of Adonai Yeshua.  Come.  Come and join us to learn how. 

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

Pictures below accessible at Wikipedia and a public domain.

 

 

Genesis 16 - Gen.6:1-7:12 THE SONS OF GOD

In Gen. 6:2 we come across a troubling phrase.  Let's look at it ...

Now it came about, when men began to multiply on the face of the land, and daughters were born to them, that the sons of God saw that the daughters of men were beautiful; and they took wives for themselves, whomever they chose. (Gen 6:1-2)

If we let the Bible translate the Bible we find that this exact phrase is used in four different ways in the Hebrew.  First, we find this Hebrew phrase in Job 1:6, 2:1, and 38:7 where it is used to describe spiritual beings, likely angels in heaven with God.  Second, it is used in a slightly different format meaning all of Israel in Deut. 14:1.  Third, in Psalm 82:6 the phrase is used to describe the sons of rulers or kings.  And finally, according to John Currid in his Torah commentary, "A Study Commentary: Genesis," it also can mean the descendants of Seth, the godly line directly from Adam who is called the "son of God" by Luke in his gospel in Luke 3:38.

So, who are the sons of God or the sons of the gods in verse 6:2?  The phrase בני האלהים Benay Eloheem is made up to two plural nouns.  The first is sons, or Benay.  The second in Eloheem, translated commonly as God or gods.   Are these "sons of God" fallen angels?  Are they the Nephileem as noted in verse 6:4?  Are they some weird pagan spiritual beings?

We will again put the Bible into its historical context.  We will again try and "hear" God's word like the intended audience of the Torah, the Hebrews coming out of Egypt.  Dennis Prager in his commentary on Genesis, "The Rational Bible: Genesis," comments that this is an ancient divine document and when God inspires Moses to write to the Hebrews coming out of Egypt 3500 years ago all this made sense to them. 

Let us put the words of the Bible into their historical context and seek the way they may have understood the phrase the "sons of God;" how the Hebrews heard it coming out of Egypt may give us an alternative view that makes sense to us in the 21st century as well.  Come.  Join us.  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

https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

 

 

”The Appointed Time of Sukkot” Lesson 1 - Emannoo El

This is the time of our joy.  In Hebrew (זְמַן שִׂמְחָתֵנוּ) "Z'man Simchateinu" (pronounced - sim ka tay noo).  This means the "season of our JOY."  If there was an argument to convince the "church" to begin to do services on God's feasts, His mo'edem, His appointed times, these three lessons might convince you - at least for Sukkot.  And, even if your pastor doesn't agree since he/she is stuck in tradition or he might hold that the Old Testament and the feasts and Torah are null and void; or he/she is uncomfortable doing this and be considered "weird" among his fellow pastors - then do it yourself.  Find some others who want to do the feasts.  Find other fellow Christians to study together, learn how the feasts testify of Jesus as Jesus implied in John 5:39, and do your own services at your house since these are about Jesus.  Perhaps the pastor would be OK if you did them at your church building.  These are God's.   

Again, this is from THE VERY WORDS OF GOD and not my opinion.  It is time for us as real disciples of Adonai Yeshua, to do (תְשׁוּבָה) teshoovah, repentance, which actually in Hebrew means the process of "turning back."  What a joy it'd be to see 1000's of tents put up during the feast of Tabernacles, Sukkot, by Christians, across the land, to praise the Lord and rejoice in the season of our JOY.  You will see this in these three lessons on Sukkot.  As a note, the angels who appeared to the shepherds when Jesus was born said, "I bring you news of great JOY for all people" in Like 2:10.  Hmmm ... that's Christmas.  That's when Jesus came to dwell amongest us.  Hmmm, this sounds like Sukkot.  Could it be?

Robin and I set up our tent every year.  We do Sukkot as an appointed time to remember Jesus.  Here's some pictures of our tent below.

God commanded the Hebrews that each year forever they are to set up a    ( סוקה) sukkah, Hebrew for a tent, booth, shanty, a make shift shelter out of wood and branches.  In this way they will remember the time they lived in tents with the Lord.  He also dwelt in a tent (Latin for tent is "tabernacle").  God was with us!  In other words, עִמָּנוּ אֵל Emmanoo El which means "God with us."  This is also associated with Jesus at His birth.  We will see this in lesson 1.  Moreover, we will see that as God came twice to first, campout with Israel in His tent.  He came a 2nd time to dwell in the House (Solomon built God's HOUSE not His Temple - see 1 Kings 5-8).  Hmmm, interesting.  Does this mean that Jesus came twice to first campout?  Does this mean that Jesus came twice to dwell in His House?  What House?  The Temple, the Beit Mikdash (Holy Dwelling House) in Jerusalem is gone, it was destroyed.  But, he did come to dwell in a New House, a New Temple.  Wait till you see!  You will then realize that this is the season of our JOY, the season of our rejoicing.  Together we will sing "Hava Nagilah" together.  See the lyrics below in Hebrew and English.

Hava nagila, hava nagila
Hava nagila ve-nis'mecha
Repeat
Hava neranena, hava neranena
Hava neranena venis'mecha
Uru, uru achim
Uru achim belev same'ach

 

Let us rejoice, let us rejoice
Let us rejoice and be glad
Repeat
Let us sing, let us sing
Let us sing and be glad
Awaken, awaken brethren
Awaken brethren with a cheerful heart.

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

Yom Kippureem - Episode 4 - the Goat and the Lamb (John 5:39)

Once again we come to text of the Bible that is taken out of its historical context.  Once again we are surrounded by childish ideas of the Scapegoat and what the term עֲזָאזֵל Azazel means.  It is not a name.  And Jewish scholars agree that the scapegoat is NOT a sacrifice.  It does nothing for the person -  does not forgive sin - at all.  So what is it?

On top of that Jesus says in John 5:39 the following ...

"You search the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; it is these that testify about Me; ..." (Joh 5:39) 

OK - God says sometime between 24-30 A.D. that Scripture testifies of Jesus.  All they had was the Hebrew Scriptures the Old Testament and the Torah, the first five books of the Bible were the foundation of the Bible.  Does the Scapegoat, עֲזָאזֵל Azazel, testify of Messiah Yeshua, Jesus the Christ?  Does the  Scapegoat, עֲזָאזֵל Azazel, shows us the Lord?  Wait till you see!!

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 15 - Gen. 4:17-26 - THE FIRES OF REVENGE AND HATE

In Genesis chapter 4 we come to an interesting character, Lamech. He's not the father of Noah since that Lamech was a descendant of Seth. This Lamech in chapter 4 is the great great great grandson of Cain. He seems to be an unforgiving character just like his ancestor Cain; Lamech talking to his two wives said if someone hurts him he will have his revenge seventy and sevenfold; that means a whole lot. His worldview was clearly not the worldview of the God of the Bible, the God of Abraham, the worldview of Judaism; it was distinctly opposed to our Christian worldview and Jesus' teaching.

Jesus uses this account of Lamech to give His disciples 2000 years ago the counter worldview to Lamech. As a Jewish rabbi He teaches from the Torah to help them and us know the truth of God's word and the truth of how we are to live as His holy people. Jesus uses the Torah, the only Bible they had in Jesus' day, to teach the gospel since the Father had already inspired Moses to write about the gospel in the Torah. But how? Come and join us and let's dig deep.

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

 

Yom Kippureem - Episode 3 - The Shadow of Messiah (108)

Awhile back a pastor I knew did a lesson on Yom Kipppureem.  In his sermon he connected Yom Kippureem to Passover for us who were Christians.  I never heard this before and it was interesting.  Over the years this has stayed with me and I think there is something here to be considered.  Let's take a look.

1) Yom Kippureem totally involved the high priest.  He alone was involved in all the sacrifices and rituals of the appointed time, no on else, so that all the unintentional sins of Israel would be forgiven and atoned for. But, Yeshua is our high priest, and He was the only one on Passover to provide a way so that our intentional sins would be forgiven and atoned for.  

2) On Yom Kippureem there was one from the flocks that was the sin offering, a goat chosen by lot.  On Passover, there is only one Lamb of God, Yeshua, the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world and He was chosen since the beginning of time. (Luke 9:35)

3) Today the Jewish people reserve the month before Rosh HaShana as a month to prepare for Yom Kippureem.  It is the month of Elul.  For us Christians we today have a time before Passover when we prepare for the remembrance of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God and the cross.  We call it Lent.  

4) In the year of Jubilee the shofar is to be sounded on Yom Kippureem.  This is to announce that all slaves were free and all are released from their debts.  Today, the shofar is blown at the end of the services for Yom Kippureem.  But, on Passover, the shofar was blown in Jesus' day at the time of the sacrifice of the Passover lambs.  It was at this time that Jesus died and we, as slaves to sin, chose Jesus, and proclaim Him as Lord and Savor, as God, we can confess our intentional sins are are forgiven, released, and free.  He paid the price of our debt.  For Jew and Gentile the shofar blast on Passover the day and hour Jesus died announces the year of Jubilee tat started then and never ends.

5) On Yom Kippureem the high priest showed up a week early.  He was then in the Temple getting ready of his big day on Yom Kippureem.  Jesus as well.  He showed up in Bethany six days before Passover, the day of the sacrifice of the Lamb of God.  He was in the Temple and it was as if Jesus was teaching and witnessing His word before His terrible day when WE crucified Him due to our sin.

There probably is more.  And there is.  But now.  Come.  Study this last lesson on Yom Kippureem.  Study and see and hear how Jesus is the shadow of this appointed time over us. 

Therefore let no one sit in judgment on you in matters of food and drink, or with regard to a feast day or a New Moon or a Sabbath. Such [things] are only the shadow of things that are to come, and they have only a symbolic value. But the reality (the substance, the solid fact of what is foreshadowed, the body of it) belongs to Christ. (Col 2:16-17)

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