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The study of the Bible in its historical context - with a focus on the archaeology, history, geography, customs , culture, and even the languages of the ancient Middle East. WE ask what did they understand THEN - the original intent of the Lord - so that we can expand and enrich our understanding NOW and thus become true disciples of Adonai Yeshua as in John 8:31-32.
Episodes
Thursday Jul 21, 2022
Thursday Jul 21, 2022
Traveling to the Galilee region in Israel one can visit the ancient synagogue at Chorazin. Walking through the synagogue you'll find the "Chair of Moses" or the "Moses Seat." See the picture below.
Some say in Jesus' day that those who would read the Torah portions on the Sabbath in the synagogue sat in this chair until they were called up to read during the Shabbat service. All historical evidence shows this to be unlikely. Even Jesus' words reflect it may not have been a practice in His day. When He was to read in the synagogue there is no indication that He was sitting in the "Moses Seat." We read ...
And he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up. And as was his custom, he went to the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and he stood up to read. And the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor." And he rolled up the scroll and gave it back to the attendant and sat down. And the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. (Luk 4:16-20)
Jesus was sitting and then stood up when He went to read. No where does it say He was sitting in the "Moses Seat" or the chair of authority. This is not absolute proof that the "Moses Seat" was not used that way in those days but this along with other clear historical evidence shows it wasn't.
The "Moses Seat" probably had everything to do with what we study in this lesson on Exodus 18 - the establishment of the judiciary in ancient Israel. Jethro advises Moses on the set up. Moses is the one who settles the major disputes and legal cases. Thus, the idea of sitting in "Moses Seat." It seems related to those who had authority to make judgments and decisions based upon the Torah. We remember Jesus saying ...
Then Jesus said to the crowds and to his disciples, "The scribes and the Pharisees sit on Moses' seat, so practice and observe whatever they tell you--but not what they do. For they preach, but do not practice. (Mat 23:1-3)
Jesus is saying that the Pharisees (most rabbis are Pharisees) are saying they have the authority of Moses and can make judgments and decisions based upon the Torah. The problem is, even tough they made a ruling or a decision on a certain practice or action, it was found that some of them did not "practice what they preached." That is exactly what Jesus is teaching us.
This is seen in the "Inter Varsity Press Bible Background Commentary: New Testament," a superb scholarly resource giving the historical and ancient cultural background on the words of the New Testament. We find ...
Mat_23:1-2. Some scholars have pointed to a prominent seat in many synagogues as a “seat of Moses” (cf. Mat_23:6), but Jesus presumably means this expression figuratively. The Pharisaic scribes who articulated the law believed their traditions were rooted in Moses’ own teaching and fancied themselves Moses’ successors for their own generation.
This is such an important study for us. Jethro clearly advises Moses to pick those who will serve as judges to judge partially with decisions based upon the truth and not influenced in any way either financially or otherwise. God is setting this up through Jethro for all Israel and us as well. Moreover, it was set up by a PAGAN, a non-Hebrew, a GOY, גוי, (plural goyim גוים)is a term for a gentile, a non-Jew. Once again we see how God expresses His "love" for all mankind in the way He inspires His writers of the Hebrew Scriptures to treat a GOY, גוי, (plural goyim גוים) - a gentile, a non-Jew.
Examples abound in His Word. Here's a few. We remember Pharaoh’s daughter, a pagan princess who saved Moses and became is step mom. Remember Hagar, the pagan Egyptian servant girl of Sarah’s. The Angel of the Lord first appears to her. Not Abraham. Not Sarah. But to a pagan servant. And remember Ruth coming out of the pagan Midianite culture who turned to the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob, the God of Israel and became an ancestor of the Messiah, of Yeshua Adonaynoo, Jesus our Lord. This chapter is a clear indication that God wants all men to be rescued from their sin and to be His people. Check it out …
“Say to them, 'As I live!' declares the Lord GOD, 'I take no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but rather that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn back, turn back from your evil ways! Why then will you die, O house of Israel?” (Eze 33:11)
“For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone who dies,” declares the Lord GOD. “Therefore, repent and live.”(Eze 18:32)
“Turn to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; For I am God, and there is no other.” (Isa 45:22)
The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance. (2Pe 3:9)
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” (Joh 3:16)
There is no separation in the eyes of the Lord as He looks down upon mankind. All lives matter to Him.
I mentioned the podcasts regarding the feast of Shavuot or Pentecost. This is so closely connected to these events and also in chapter 19 when the Hebrews finally make it to Sinai. It shows conclusively the Lord's intention that all men, of any race, or any color, can have a chance to decide for Messiah Jesus, receive the Holy Spirit, and be the Lord's disciples. Here's the link to the those lessons - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/?s=shavuot
I also mentioned I will provide the link to the article written by the Christian pastor on the southside of Chicago. He shows that there is a purposeful ignoring of the horrible deaths by gun violence weekend after weekend on the southside. Jethro advised Moses to pick men who would be judges and one characteristic of such a man is a hatred for dishonest gain. This may not mean money. It could mean "political points" to bolster their image as a mayor, governor, senator, etc. This is what is happening in Chicago and it goes against the foundation of Western society's judicial system founded in Exod. 18. Here's the link to the article - https://www.foxnews.com/us/highland-park-shooting-chicago-pastor-calls-justice-violence-ridden-community-south-side
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
Monday Jul 18, 2022
Monday Jul 18, 2022
In this vidcast (video), "Against the Gods," we will again study God's word in its historical context. However, this time we add a new perspective to our study.
We will continue to ask what those early believers heard and saw and understood when they first heard God's word. But, we will also see how God comes against the pagan gods and man made religions in the ancient Middle East in very unique ways in His word. This time 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 our first lesson. 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
Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
Sunday Jul 03, 2022
Sunday Jul 03, 2022
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 2nd 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 3rd 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 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
Friday Jul 01, 2022
Friday Jul 01, 2022
No matter what a Christian faces, no matter what we live through, no matter what challenges we encounter, even terrible evil and death, Jesus COMMANDS us to do something. What did He command us?
We have NO choice in this. These are the very words of God; it is not my opinion. He orders us and we MUST listen and obey which in Hebrew is the word שְׁמַע or Shema.
You may be familiar with a famous verse in Deut. 6:4 that says “Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God.” The Hebrew: שְׁמַע יִשְׂרָאֵל; Sh’ma Yisrael. Sh’ma means to hear so as to understand and as a result to do. So, we are to Sh’ma Yeshua’s words – to hear His instruction so that we understand and act.
Light of Menorah is one of many resources so that in these days you can do what Jesus orders you to do. Light of Menorah is one a many vehicles so that you can act and live as a real disciple. This is the purpose of this ministry. This is why I go on day after day in spite of what we face and endure. I have no choice in this. It is as if the Lord ordered me to do what I do and there is no release and no relief in this work. Sounds like a real chore. NO!! I do what He gave me to do and it is an awesome JOY. I hope you are blessed in using Light of Menorah to accomplish Jesus' command.
His command? Oh forgot. Now listen.
Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
Thursday Jun 30, 2022
Thursday Jun 30, 2022
My recovery is going very good. I am returning to giving you new lessons in the ongoing Torah study in Genesis and Exodus. Please listen to the alert to get the details.
לך לשלום בשם ישוה אדוננו
Lecha LaShalom B'Shem Yeshua Adonai
Go in Peace in the Name of Jesus the Lord
Sunday Jun 19, 2022
Sunday Jun 05, 2022
Monday May 09, 2022
Monday May 09, 2022
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
Sunday May 08, 2022
Sunday May 08, 2022
It's over. God's wrath is fully played out against Egypt and the gods of Egypt. We now begin the journey to the PROMISED LAND. But before we head out the whole group of Hebrews and Moses sing a song, the Song by the Sea.
Is this the Song of Moses as referenced in Rev. 15:1-3 ...'
Then I saw another sign in heaven, great and marvelous, seven angels who had seven plagues, which are the last, because in them the wrath of God is finished. And I saw something like a sea of glass mixed with fire, and those who had been victorious over the beast and his image and the number of his name, standing on the sea of glass, holding harps of God. And they sang the song of Moses, the bond-servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, "Great and marvelous are Your works, O Lord God, the Almighty; Righteous and true are Your ways, King of the nations! (Rev 15:1-3)
This is the only place in the entire Bible where one finds the phrase "the song of Moses." So, what is this song? Some say it is the Song by the Sea we are studying in Exod. 15. But, the Bible doesn't say that. It doesn't even call it the Song by the Sea.
So, we find that many have OPINIONS and VIEWS as to what is the Song of Moses and say it is the Song by the Sea. However, there are places where the phrase "the Song of Moses" is used. It is found in Jewish literature and Torah commentary. All of a sudden we see that John, who is a Jew, when he, under the Lord's inspiration, wrote the Revelation, uses the phrase "the song of Moses" that seemingly was well understood in Second Temple Judaism. Then it was simply called THE SONG. It so happens it refers to Deut. 32:1-43.
So we have two songs. The Song by the Sea and the the song God commands Moses to write down and teach all Israel. So, which one is the Song of Moses? This is very interesting.
In this lesson I tell of an awesome day for me and my wife Robin in the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem. I was taking Bible geography class for my masters program and we stopped outside the Jewish gift shop, Shosharim. Shosharim means "the roots." See the picture below.
It is owned by Rabbi Moses Kempinski and his brother. The rabbi is a great guy and loves to talk the Word of the Lord with Jews and Gentiles. He wants all to learn their ROOTS, their SHOSHARIM, the Jewish Roots of their faith both for those practicing Judaism and Christians. Our class was outside the shop and we got into an awesome dialogue with Moses - in Hebrew Moses is pronounced MOSHAY. See the picture of Rabbi Kempinski below.
Rabbi Kempinski then asked us a question. The question was where did the phrase "saved by grace" come from? The answer was so so awesome. It literally blew me away. It is related to the Song by the Sea. Once again we see the truth of God's word and that God doesn't change and is the same then, now and forever. God's word is firmly settled in the universe. What was true today, was true in Paul's day, David's day, and in 1446 B.C. by Yam Suf, the Sea of Reeds.
Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? What's his background? Why should I listen to him? Check his background at this link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/ortnret3oxcicu4/BackgrndTeacher%20mar%2025%202020.pdf?dl=0
Sunday May 01, 2022
