The Lord‘s Prayer - Lesson 7 - Our Daily Bread

In lesson 7 we focus on the phrase of Matt 6:11, "Give us this day our daily bread."  Was Jesus teaching His disciples, His talmideem תלמידים in Hebrew, something new?  As Dr. Brad Young states in his amazing article, "The Lord's Prayer," (see the link below to Jerusalem Perspective, a scholarly website of Christian and Jewish Bible scholars presenting the Jewish background of the Synoptic Gospels - Matthew, Mark, and Luke) ...

"Too often, the importance of the Jewish background of the prayer and of the language that Jesus used has been overlooked or minimized. Jesus was a Jew, speaking Hebrew to his Jewish followers during the difficult days of the Roman occupation of Israel in the Second Temple Period. A modern Christian has a quite different understanding of prayer, Scripture, and faith than a Jewish teacher like Jesus, not to mention the great differences of language, culture, and history. One easily can miss the great depth of Jesus’ message, even while believing in him. Here we will try to rediscover something of the original Jewish atmosphere in which Jesus taught his followers how to approach God in prayer."

So we will reconnect again to the historical context of this prayer that Jesus taught to His disciples, His talmideem תלמידים and we will see that awesome meaning behind the simple phrase of Matt. 6:11.  It will help us again pray this prayer with a new expanded understanding of this central prayer for any disciple of our Lord Jesus.  Our walk as disciples of Yeshua HaMasheeiachk, Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Christ will be enriched and strengthened.  

The Lord’s Prayer 1: Introduction.  Brad Young.  (Note: this is part 1 of 10)

https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2229/

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

TRUTH NUGGETS - 23 - This is My Name Forever - Exod. 3:15 - Part 3

TRUTH NUGGET #23

PART 3 OF 3

VIDEO 15 MINUTES

An amazing archaeological discovery was made in the deserts of Sudan. It has everything to do with proving the Exodus showing that the Exodus probably really happened and when. But, two statements Jesus made in His Last Supper are also connected. One statement in John 14 to Phillip and the other He made in a prayer to the Father. Come and join us and let's go to the temple of Soleb, built by pharaoh Amenhotep III, the grandson of Amenhotep II who is the likely pharaoh of the Exodus, and see the oldest inscription of the name of the Lord.

I also suggest you connect with Joel Kramer, an evangelical Bible archaeologist. He has done amazing work with teaching the Bible via video based upon the archaeology that proves the veracity of the Bible. His website is www.SourceFlix.com. Look for his new video, "The Oldest Yahweh Inscription," to learn more about the Soleb Temple.

Here's the link to his website and the link directly to the video.

SourceFlix - https://sourceflix.com/

Joel Kramer's video, "The Oldest Yahweh Inscription" - https://sourceflix.com/oldest-yahweh-inscription/

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Truth Nuggets - 13 - Psm. 15:1-3 Head & Heart & Hands & Feet

There is a concept so prevalent in the Hebrew Scriptures (the Old Testament - nothing "old" about it) and in the Messianic Texts (the New Testament) and my 1st teacher in Israel, Ray Vander Laan, termed it as, “Head and Heart and Hands and Feet.”  Over and over again we read the about being righteous and it is pictured in the way we talk or hear or listen (our head) or in our work or results of what we do (hands)  and in the ways we walk (feet) – walk in the commands of the Lord and walk in our own ways.  It is also pictured in the way we think or our emotions of feelings (heart).  Just consider the text in the prophet Isaiah.

"Where will you be stricken again, As you continue in your rebellion? The whole head is sick And the whole heart is faint. From the sole of the foot even to the head There is nothing sound in it, Only bruises, welts and raw wounds, Not pressed out or bandaged, ... So when you spread out your hands in prayer, I will hide My eyes from you; Yes, even though you multiply prayers, I will not listen. Your hands are covered with blood." (Isa 1:5-15)

In one chapter we see this concept played out quite clearly.  The rebelliousness against God is pictured using the concept “head and heart and hands and feet.” 

Another place this is seen is in the consecration of the high priest Aaron and his sons.  Consider …

"Then you shall take the other ram, and Aaron and his sons shall lay their hands on the head of the ram. "You shall slaughter the ram, and take some of its blood and put it on the lobe of Aaron's right ear and on the lobes of his sons' right ears and on the thumbs of their right hands and on the big toes of their right feet, and sprinkle the rest of the blood around on the altar. (Exo 29:19-20)

In the Torah Commentary by the Messianic Jewish scholar, Tim Hegg, he says that these body parts in the ancient Middle East and among the ancient Hebrews came to mean hearing and obeying the Torah of the Lord using the ear (Head).  The right hand symbolizes one’s work.  Aaron had his hand dedicated to the daily work of the sacrifices of the Lord (Hand).  His feet symbolize that he walk according the God’s ways and maintain his right standing before God in his daily movements in life (Feet). 

There are two verses that you may remember that deal with the heart.  In these verses we see that the heart is the source of our wickedness and our evil ways and thoughts.  Consider …

"The heart is more deceitful than all else And is desperately sick; Who can understand it? "I, the LORD, search the heart, I test the mind, Even to give to each man according to his ways (feet), According to the results of his deeds(hands). (Jer 17:9-10)

"But the things that proceed out of the mouth(head) come from the heart, and those defile the man. "For out of the heart come evil thoughts (heart), murders(hands), adulteries(hands), fornications(hands), thefts (hands), false witness(head)., slanders(head). (Mat 15:18-19)

In Psalm 15:1-3 we again come across this "picture" of head and heart and hands and feet.  Let's delve into this and see the dramatic place it takes us.  Let's study this idea God seems to use to teach from Genesis to Revelation.  Come let's learn about Head and Hearts and Hands and Feet.

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 Lord‘s Prayer - Lesson 8 - Debts & Sins & Debtors & Sinners

(Note - it is highly recommended that you listen to lesson 1 of this series on the Lord's prayer.  I provided the link below).

I remember a time when I had hurt someone in one of my classes.  I reacted to their opinion on a specific issue very harshly.  Later I did learn from others in the class that 1) they did not appreciate my intense reaction to this person and 2) they knew this person was hurt and angry with me and 3) they understood why I got so angry but it was not the proper way of handling the situation.  Needless to say, I hurt someone with my words.  It reminded me me of ...

"The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned." (Mat 12:35-37)

Ouch!  His Spirit was working in me telling me that I sinned.  Something needed to happen.

On one hand, this person I hurt may have forgiven me "in his heart."  He may have done this based upon what Jesus teaches that ...

"My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart." (Mat 18:35)

Many of us do this as Christians today.  Someone hurt us, abused us, sinned against us and we forgive that person "from our heart," but the one who hurt us doesn't know it.  For us it is a way we think we are listening to Rabbi Yeshua and living as true disciples.

On the other hand, even though this person I hurt may have "forgiven me in his heart," and I didn't know it, I was dealing with the Father and through His Spirit I was being plagued with guilt that I have not gone to this person, confessed my sin, repented, and asked for this person's forgiveness.  I had already done this with the Lord.  I knew I was forgiven.  But, the Lord would not let me off the hook!  Why?  Because He taught us this ...

"Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering." (Mat 5:23-24)

He didn't mean to seek forgiveness from Him and let it all go.  NO!!  He is teaching clearly that I need to go to the person, confess, repent, and seek their forgiveness.  I did go to that person.  I did confess, repent, and I asked for this person to forgive me.  I was forgiven by that person.  I must say this was one of the most difficult things I have ever done.  It was easy to go to the Father and confess and repent and seek forgiveness.  But, doing that with the person who I sinned against, that is entirely a different matter.

So, we now return to the Lord's Prayer -

תפילת האדוי - HaTehfeelah Adonai  

We will focus on the verse Matt. 6:12 where we pray that the Lord will forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors.  Why use the word debt or debtors?  Why didn't Jesus use the word sin and sinners?  Besides that it seems as if Jesus is showing us that if we want to be forgiven by the Lord we first need to forgive.  Is that what this all means?  Once again, we are reading in English translated from the Greek which is translated from the Hebrew and it comes out of a totally Jewish culture of 2000 years ago.  Is it possible then as we put this verse into its historical context that things will begin to make real sense?  Answer!  You better believe it.  Moreover, we will see how it relates to the situation I described from my own life.

Links promised in this session ...

1) Brad Young's article at Jerusalem Perspective (Note - this is a pay site.  Cost is $60 per year.  It is a highly credible scholarly site that if you are serious about your Bible study this is one site that is a must) - https://www.jerusalemperspective.com/2300/

2) Link to lesson 1 of this series - listen to this to understand how this prayer is related to being a true disciple of Rabbi Jesus - lesson 1 on the Lord's prayer plus all links

Link 3 - Ray Vander Laan's article on "Rabbi and Talmidim" - click here for Ray's awesome article on Rabbi and Talmidim (Disciples)

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

TRUTH NUGGETS - 22 - This is My Name Forever - Exod. 3:15 - Part 2

TRUTH NUGGETS #22

PART 2 OF 3

VIDEO 15 MINUTES

An amazing archaeological discovery was made in the deserts of Sudan. It has everything to do with proving the Exodus showing that the Exodus probably really happened and when. But, two statements Jesus made in His Last Supper are also connected. One statement in John 14 to Phillip and the other He made in a prayer to the Father. Come and join us and let's go to the temple of Soleb, built by pharaoh Amenhotep III, the grandson of Amenhotep II who is the likely pharaoh of the Exodus, and see the oldest inscription of the name of the Lord.

I also suggest you connect with Joel Kramer, an evangelical Bible archaeologist. He has done amazing work with teaching the Bible via video based upon the archaeology that proves the veracity of the Bible. His website is www.SourceFlix.com. Look for his new video, "The Oldest Yahweh Inscription," to learn more about the Soleb Temple.

Here's the link to his website and the link directly to the video.

SourceFlix - https://sourceflix.com/

Joel Kramer's video, "The Oldest Yahweh Inscription" - https://sourceflix.com/oldest-yahweh-inscription/

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

Truth Nuggets -12 - Psalm 4:3 THIS MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE

Jesus teaches a harsh fact, a standard of measure He gives us.  It is a tough thing to grasp and to apply in our lives especially in days like today in the USA of 2021.  Jesus said …

"You have heard that it was said, 'YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR and hate your enemy.' But I say to you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven; for He causes His sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous.” (Mat 5:43-45)

So, good things happen to the righteous and the unrighteous.  They both experience bad things as well.  There is no difference between Godly Christians and the ungodly, the ones who are anti-God or anti-Christ.  On top of that we are to love our enemies.  No where in the entire Bible do we read such a statement except here.  Jesus does not negate the Torah, God’s instruction in the books of Moses. He does not negate the law in Lev. 19:18 that says, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” but He adds to it.  Jesus is saying our neighbor is our enemy, one who persecutes us and may even be out to do us harm and even kill us.  It is Jesus’ requirement of us if we are to be true Christians, real disciples. 

This is harsh.  It is tough reality.  We live in a fallen world and Jesus’ does not mince words.  To be a disciple and take on His “standard of measure” is not easy; it is a matter of life and death.

But THERE IS A DIFFERENCE.  There is an amazing reality that separates the Godly person from the ungodly, the righteous person following the Good Shepherd from the unrighteous person who follows the false shepherd.  What is that difference?  We see it in one verse in Hebrew in Psalm 4:3 and in the historical context of Jesus’ day.  How might a disciple of Jesus understand Psalm 4:3? I suggest to you we need to grasp what they may have understood.  It truly makes all the difference.

I mentioned in this lesson to consider listening to a podcast I did entitled, “For Such a Time as This.”  It is a study on Phil. 4:6-7 …

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (Php 4:6-7)

Listening to this podcast (in four parts) will add so much more to this lesson.  If you click on the link below it will take you to the series, “For Such a Time as This.”  They are in reverse order – session 4 is first and you need to “slide down” to access session 1 and begin the study. 

LINK - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/?s=for+such+a+time

To complete your study even more, I also suggest you listen to the podcast series on the Lord’s Prayer.  It is so related to Psalm 4:3 and the concepts in this verse and the concept of being a true disciple of Rabbi Yeshua, our Lord, our Savior, our God, Yeshua HaMashiach, Jesus the Messiah, Jesus the Christ.  See the link below to access the sessions on the Lord’s prayer.  Once again they are in reverse order.

LINK - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/?s=the+lord%27s+prayer 

Other Truth Nuggets on the Psalms ...

Nuggets 10 - Psalm 1 - I Am and Acacia Tree - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nugget-10-psalm-1-a-beatitude-of-the-acacia-tree/

Nuggets 2 - Psalm 23 and 91 - God's Hidden Tents - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-2/

Nuggets 1 - Psalm 118:24 - This is the Day - But It Isn't Today - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-1/

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 Lord‘s Prayer - Lesson 6 Part 1 - ”Your Kingdom Come, Your Will be done”

In lesson 6 of this podcast series we now focus on the phrase ...

Pray, then, in this way: Our Father who is in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. (Mat 6:9-10 NASB)

Once again we will reconnect to the Jewish culture of Jesus' day so as to learn how His disciples (talmideem in Hebrew) understood the words of the prayer Jesus taught them; the prayer He also taught us since we too have been "grafted in" to the olive tree of Israel and we too must strive daily to live and serve as true disciples of the Lord.  

So what did they hear when when they prayed, "Your Kingdom come?"  Certainly in those days all Jews were longing for the Messiah to come.  They were longing for Him to restore Israel as a Jewish nation free from Rome.  So, did the disciples "hear" these words and think of the Messiah's coming kingdom under the reign of Adonai?  Or when they prayed these words did it mean something else, something more, something more profound? 

We may be like other Christians who pray these words in English and think it has to do with the return of Jesus, the return of the Messiah, to bring His Kingdom to earth.  But, if we are supposedly to dwell with the Lord in heaven forever and ever why bring His Kingdom to earth, right?  We are all going to heaven right?  So, Jesus would have a Kingdom with no one to be king for since we are all gone!  

So, today for many in the church we have so many diverse ideas of the Kingdom of God.  We may even think there are three Kingdoms - the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven and Jesus' Kingdom when He precisely teaches about His Kingdom.  This concept in English with no connection to the Jewish culture of Jesus' day causes confusion and disagreement and does not satisfy us with a precise understanding.  But, if we return to Jesus' day and hear as His disciples did, and see as His disciples did, and understand like them, then we too will grasp the meaning of the Kingdom of the Most High, the Kingdom will make sense and it will eliminate all the diverse opinions, the Kingdom of God will be something part of our lives so we are be able to walk with Jesus in a deeper and more passionate way.

In this session I mentioned an article about Peter.  Remember he asked Jesus if he could leave the boat and join Jesus walking on the water.  This is so critical to understand the meaning of a disciple in Jesus' day.  Here's the link to the article - https://www.dropbox.com/s/wtgmaph65t3inl8/Walk%20LIke%20the%20Rabbi%20%26%20Pray%20Like%20the%20Rabbi.pdf?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

Exodus - 43 - Exodus 17:1-16 - Egypt’s MA’AT and the Lord’s SHALOM שָׁלוֹם

The Hebrews go deeper and deeper into the wilderness of Sinai.  To the Egyptians, and the Hebrews who had assimilated into the Egyptian worldview and culture, this was considered the area of death, disorder, danger, confusion, evil or in ancient Egyptian IZFIT.  Sometimes translated into English as CHAOS.  Only the narrow area of fertile around on either side of the Nile was considered the place of truth, goodness, righteousness, life, harmony, prosperity, peace.  The Egyptian word for this beautiful order is MA’AT.  In Egypt the king, Pharaoh, was dedicated to preserving MA’AT – order and peace – and preventing IZFIT – chaos and death – for all Egyptians.  The Egyptians looked to a man who must provide this order, harmony, prosperity, and truth.  What’s interesting is that God, the God of the Bible, the LORD, Adonai who is known by His name, the tetragrammaton, יהוה, pronounced mistakenly as YAHWAY but probably should pronounced YAH VAY (no W sound in Hebrew), He brings His people into the Sinai wilderness.  He purposely brings them into CHAOS, into what the Egyptians believe is the land of evil, death, disorder, and danger.  Why?  Why is the Lord doing this?  In lesson 43 in Exodus 17 we face this issue and its lesson is for them THEN and for us NOW.  

In this podcast I mentioned key lessons that are related to this podcast.  If you are serious about Bible study.  If you are serious about your interest in the end of days, the return of Jesus, and the day of the Lord.  If you want to expand your knowledge of God’s word and to understand what Jesus meant when He said that all scripture testifies of Himself, these lessons are a must.  These lessons provide an expansion of the ideas of how this chapter in Exodus is possibly connected to the end of days.  In chapter 17 we study the attack of the Amalekites on Israel and Rephidim.  We find this has amazing connections to the feast of Purim (pronounced “poo reem”) and again in Jesus’ day all they way to Rome, Nazi Germany, and the Soviet Union and finally to the end of days and the defeat of the ultimate evil one, the enemy of Israel, the church, the one who has been always anti-Christ and anti-God.  The first link (see below) is to Truth Nugget #15 on the feast of Purim as related to the end of days and the return of Messiah Yeshua.  The 2^nd is the link to lesson 65 in the Torah series on Genesis where we study the origins of the conflict between Jacob and Esau, between those who are anti-Christ and those who are the chosen of God.  The 3^rd link is to the chapter in my book on the feast of Purim.  This chapter provides more depth as its related to the Truth Nugget 15. 

Link 1 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/truth-nuggets-15-vidcast-purim-not-by-chance-but-by-design/?token=bde2fde2d0c848fcba88d12d1f3354df

Link 2 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/genesis-65-gen-271-289-and-361-512-anti-israel-anti-torah-and-anti-christ/?token=bed70612df49352d1c8555ff1f4a1821

Link 3 - https://www.dropbox.com/s/lm0442r2glx4djh/Esther.Haman.Purim.Jesus.pdf?dl=0

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background -

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

TRUTH NUGGETS - 21 - This is My Name Forever - Exod. 3:15 - Part 1

TRUTH NUGGETS #21

PART 1 OF 3

VIDEO 15 MINUTES

NOTE: video works better on YouTube - link - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olDFBQ5pcSs&t=1071s

An amazing archaeological discovery was made in the deserts of Sudan. It has everything to do with proving the Exodus showing that the Exodus probably really happened and when. But, two statements Jesus made in His Last Supper are also connected. One statement in John 14 to Phillip and the other He made in a prayer to the Father. Come and join us and let's go to the temple of Soleb, built by pharaoh Amenhotep III, the grandson of Amenhotep II who is the likely pharaoh of the Exodus, and see the oldest inscription of the name of the Lord.

I also suggest you connect with Joel Kramer, an evangelical Bible archaeologist. He has done amazing work with teaching the Bible via video based upon the archaeology that proves the veracity of the Bible. His website is www.SourceFlix.com. Look for his new video, "The Oldest Yahweh Inscription," to learn more about the Soleb Temple.

Here's the link to his website and the link directly to the video.

SourceFlix - https://sourceflix.com/

Joel Kramer's video, "The Oldest Yahway Inscription" - https://sourceflix.com/oldest-yahweh-inscription/

Who is this guy, Rev. Ferret?  What's his background?  Why should we take time to listen to him?  Here's a link to check out his background - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0

TRUTH NUGGETS - 20 - Against the Gods - Genesis 1:26-27, 2:7 Formed in His Image

In vidcast 3 of this series we will study Gen. 1:26-27 and 2:7.  God creates man and woman.  It is a Bible story we are all so very familiar with.  However, 3400 years ago, if you were a Hebrew on the plains of Moab, one of the second generation out of Egypt, or if you were one at the Red Sea when God spilt the sea and you were saved from Pharaoh’s chariots and his army, or if you were one of the Hebrews at Sinai where you heard and saw the amazing events when God gave the Ten Commandments; if you were one of those Hebrews, how may you have heard and understood the scripture verses written by Moses about the creation of man and woman?  Probably a lot differently than we do today.  But, they were the intended audience to hear God’s word first.  Not us.  Yes, it was intended for us but we need to reconnect to that ancient culture of 3400 years ago.  God’s people had assimilated into the Egyptian culture and after 430 years since Jacob (Israel) and his sons entered Egypt till 1446B.C. when they left, all they knew coming out of Egypt was Egypt, its gods and its religion.  God was using Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy to teach His people about Himself and to take the influences of Egypt out of the minds, souls, and hearts of His people.  When we reconnect to those ancient days then we begin to see what they saw and we begin to hear what they heard and our understanding of God and His word is enriched and enhanced and expanded.  Yes, we know about the creation of man and woman and think it is an ancient story that has no application for us today in the sophisticated 21st century.  How can that story impact us?  Wait till you see!

So, let’s go and study how the creation of man and woman was a major revolutionary concept 3400 years ago among the pagan cultures of those days.  Let us grasp the enhanced ways through polemic theology that God used to  help His people to know the truth and to come against the false gods and false religions of Egypt and Canaan.  Let us understand who we are, men and women, made and formed in His image and how that relates to us today.  

Great article on the book of Genesis as a polemic against Egypt and Canaan.  Link - https://apologetics.substack.com/p/genesis-the-polemic

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