LIGHT OF MENORAH

Exodus - 33 part 2 - Exod. 12:1-14 FIRST BORN SON OF THE GOD EXECUTED IN 1446 B.C.

As we put the Bible into its historical context, we find our understanding of the first Passover is extremely limited from what is taught in traditional Sunday churches and Messianic groups.  But, as we delve into the fact that the Exodus and the Passover are so affected by Egypt, its ancient culture, and pantheon of gods, the Passover takes on a deeper and more awesome meaning. 

In this lesson (part 2 in this mini series on Exod. 12:1-14) we ask the question why did God wait till the 15^th of the month, the night of the full moon, to come and kill all the first born in all Egypt?  The dads of each household picked a lamb or goat less than 1 year old on the 10th of the month and kept it until the 14th.  It was to be sacrificed on the evening of the 14th and after sundown, which means it is now the 15th of the month, at midnight, the Lord let His final hammer fall; the Lord executed the first born on all Egypt. 

Was there something special about this night, the 15th of Nissan?  Was it somehow different from other nights astronomically?  Did it relate to Egypt, its gods?  Once we study this we will be blown away and our understanding of the Passover we be expanded and enriched.  On top of that we will see how it relates to Jesus, the Last Supper (the Passover Meal of the Messiah), His death, and resurrection.  We will more see the awesome connection in that on the 15^th on Nissan probably in 30 A.D. the first born and only begotten son of the Father, The Lord God, was executed.  What we will learn is that it was the same in Egypt for Amun Ra, the “father” god of all the gods of Egypt.  His only son was Khonsu, the moon god.

 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(FERRET - SEA OF GALILEE)

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 Nugget 16 - GOD WITH US IN OUR HIGH PLACES - Psalm 56:8 & 118:33

TRUTH NUGGET #16

 

For Hebrews they have a Middle East mindset unlike us who have a Greek mindset (Western). For Hebrews they represent major theological concepts many times in pictures. Like Jesus as a Jewish Rabbi telling teaching us that we are branches of the true vine and He is the true vine. In the psalms the writers like David use this Hebrew mindset and create pictures that those who lived in 1200 or 1000 or 900 B.C. would completely understand from the culture of those days. This video will consider two dramatic "pictures" of major attributes of the Lord in Psalm 52:8 and Psalm 18:33 and Hab. 3:18-19.

Does His word give us specifics as to how He does support us and help us in trials, troubles, suffering, and perhaps even in death?  The Bible seems to give us a picture of times of trouble and suffering.  The Bible seems to picture them as "high places" - like dangerous steep high cliffs that we must walk, saint and sinner, as we live and persevere in a fallen world. These pictures present amazing truths of our Lord and His love for us His people that can only be understood if you are Hebrew and lived in David's day of the days of Messiah Jesus.

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 - 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

 

 

Truth Nuggets -12 - Psalm 4:3 THIS MAKES ALL THE DIFFERENCE: HE hears all our prayers

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

 

 

 

Genesis - 58 - Gen. 25:7-8 EULOGY FOR ABRAHAM PART 3 - the ROCK

In Jesus' day the only Bible they had then was the Hebrew Scriptures (a.k.a. the Old Testament).  In Matt 16:18 we read that Jesus will build His ECCLESIA G1577 upon a rock.  But, Jesus did not mean church as we know it in the 21st century.  He did not mean a building or an organization or a religion.  He meant "a gathering of citizens called out from their homes into some public place; an assembly" from Thayer's Greek Lexicon.  So He meant people.  How do you relate a group of people to a ROCK?  

One thing that is possible is it may be connected to the location of where Jesus said this.  He said it at a pagan Roman city called Caesarea Philippi 25 miles north of the sea of Galilee.  This city was the location of a rock formation where pagans came to worship the god Pan in bizarre and immoral rituals.  This was a "holy" pagan religious site where of pagan gods even from Old Testament days.  Ray Vander Laan has an excellent (short) article related to this archaeological site and how it might connect to Jesus' words.  Here's the link -  https://www.thattheworldmayknow.com/gates-of-hell-article

Here's a link to an awesome scholarly resource where you can study this archaeological site in detail with awesome pictures.  Link - https://www.biblewalks.com/banias

Jesus at this place talks about building His assembly of followers on a ROCK.  But, this is a place where an assembly of pagans gathered at a ROCK to worship pagan gods and goddesses.  Is there something the Lord wants us to understand?  But, in the book of Isaiah we read ...

"Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness, Who seek the LORD: Look to the rock from which you were hewn And to the quarry from which you were dug. Look to Abraham your father And to Sarah who gave birth to you in pain; When he was but one I called him, Then I blessed him and multiplied him." (Isa 51:1-2)

Bible commentators both Jewish and Christian say this verse suggests that Abraham is the ROCK.  And all the disciples of Jesus had then was the Hebrew Scriptures.  They very likely knew this verse.  So, did they somehow relate Jesus' words to Abraham?  Needless to say we have some interesting connections to explore.  This is what we will do in lesson 58.  We will again study the life of Abraham and use it as a EULOGY to this man who is our "father" by faith as Paul teaches us in ...

Even so Abraham BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS RECKONED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS. Therefore, be sure that it is those who are of faith who are sons of Abraham. (Gal 3:6-7)

There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's descendants, heirs according to promise. (Gal 3:28-29)

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

( Ferret - teaching in a wadi somewhere in the Negev)

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 10 - Psalm 1 - A Beatitude of the Acacia Tree

Jesus is said to have taught the Beatitudes in Matthew 5.  It is as if we think Jesus invented the beatitudes and a grammatical form to teach us about what a real disciple is like.  Well, he did not.  David used the format and so did other writers of the psalms.  Solomon uses it also in Proverbs.  Psalm 1 is a beatitude.  It is a picture of what a righteous man or woman is like who is one of God's people, one saved and part of the everlasting Kingdom of the Most High.  Such a one is like a tree planted by streams of water.  Once again, David gets it.  Adonai inspired David to probably associate a righteous disciple of Yeshua with a particular tree found in the wadis of the Judean wilderness.  So, you are like this tree.  So come and join us in this podcast to understand what God says we are like even in days of difficulty and distress.  We are not taken out of these difficult days but we live in them and through them to show the world what it is like to be HIS disciple, HIS righteous people.

Click here for my paper on the acacia tree - https://www.dropbox.com/s/z8p8guvg9r2lqol/The%20Acacia%20Tree%20.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 - 32 part 1 - Exo. 12:1-14 HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

So you think you know Passover? You think you see all the connections between Jesus the Messiah and the Passover and Egypt? You think as I did that Jesus did a Passover Seder? Wow - you won't believe what we missed.  Share my excitement as you join me on a journey to learn about the Passover like never before. You will be amazed at what is not taught to us and see, that what is taught to us, is so limited and basic.

In this lesson I mentioned that I will link you to lessons 30 and 31 in this Torah series on Exodus.  Here's the links.  I recommend HIGHLY that you study these lessons if you haven't yet before you move on.  

Link to lesson 30 - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-d94p6-117e40f

Link to lesson 31 - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-pbvk7-117ff15

 

And here's a link to the special lesson entitled, "The Archaeology of the Passover: the Ram of God and the Last Supper."  This lesson goes deeper into some aspects of the Last Supper that are so awesome.  Here's the link to this podcast - https://www.podbean.com/ew/pb-tzda7-da7d9c

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

(Ferret - on the lower level of a pagan temple in the ancient city of Gath)

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 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 - We Do Not Live By Bread Alone

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 only 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