LIGHT OF MENORAH

Exodus -14 - Exod. 4:24-31 The Bridegroom of Blood

I began this lesson with a review of the purposes of the Bible podcast study series entitled, "The Gospel According to Moses."  There are two such series.  The one in Genesis and this one, on the book of Exodus.  I promised you a link to read the four purposes of this study.  Here's the link - https://www.dropbox.com/s/aczx1wpcwk730up/FOUR%20GOALS%20MAY%2016%202021.pdf?dl=0

We will deal with three verses in the Torah that are very perplexing and problematic, Exod. 4:24-26.  Real Hebrew scholars agree that in the Hebrew and not in the English these verses are puzzling.  There are many who offer their views and ideas on what these verses mean but, it is absolutely clear, they are ignoring the original text of the Bible and the Hebrew.  We will not.

This lesson is a prime example of how translators put in words in the Bible that are not in the original so that their view, their opinion is validated.  This happens in Exod. 4:24-26.  Just consider the verses ...

Now it came about at the lodging place on the way that the LORD met him and sought to put him to death. Then Zipporah took a flint and cut off her son's foreskin and threw it at Moses' feet, and she said, "You are indeed a bridegroom of blood to me." So He let him alone. At that time she said, "You are a bridegroom of blood"--because of the circumcision. (Exo 4:24-26)

This is the translation from the NASB and it is also in other versions like the ESV, the Message, NET, Scriptures 1998, and , of course, the NIV.  The problem is that Moses' name NEVER OCCURS in the original Hebrew text nor is the Hebrew חתן דמים Chatan Dahmeem translated as the "bridegroom of blood" accurate.  These are examples of men, translators, with a preconceived view of the meaning of the verses.  Not only do they show their lack of Hebrew knowledge but they actually insert a word into the Bible text so the Bible text says what they want it to mean!  It is as if I was writing the New Ferret Version, NFV, and did the following in a verse you know well.  I added the word highlighted in black ...

Now in those cold days of December days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth on Christmas December 25th the year 0 to her firstborn son; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luk 2:1-7)

I can't do this!  I can not add to God's word.  Doing this is a simple stupid example of me trying to provide Biblical backup for my preconceived views about the birth of Jesus.  (FYI - I don't hold to the belief that Jesus was born in December) This is almost, to me, a major sin.  By adding to God's word to prove my view - as the translators did by adding Moses' name in Exod. 4:24-26 - we distort God's word and perhaps even change the intended meaning that the Lord wanted us to understand.  But, that is exactly what happened in these verses.

Dr. John Currid, and amazing devout Christian Bible scholar, theologian, and archaeologist, has written a commentary on the Torah.  He proposes a solution to the questions that arise in these verses that really deals with the exact Hebrew and he does not offer hypotheticals.  Other scholars like Nahum Sarna in the JPS Torah Commentary offer their ideas and solutions but none compare to Currid's.  Of course the orthodox rabbis have their ideas.  They claim Moses was to be killed by God since when Moses arrived at the inn and (are you ready for this??) Moses was too concerned with making arrangements for their stay and delayed the circumcision.  This comes directly from the orthodox Torah commentary called the "Chumash" from Artscroll.  Huh? The Bible does not say that!  The Bible in Hebrew does not use Moses' name nor does it say Moses had to make hotel arrangements.  The orthodox rabbis are making up stuff to try and solve the dilemma posed by these verses.  This is an example of MIDRASH, Jewish rabbinic study, that is not sound midrash.  The orthodox rabbis offer a hypothetical as truth.  How come they can not suggest solutions from what the Bible actually says rather than suggesting solutions that are not credible?  And yet many gentile Messianic Christians buy into this since it's from the rabbis.  Well, they say.  It it's from the rabbis it has to be true, right?  Wrong.  One needs to also be very careful with Jewish rabbitical midrash and sort out the true and credible from the hypotheticals and contrived translations.  We have to do the same thing with supposed Christian Bible scholars as well since most completely avoid the study of the Bible in its historical context.  They also have no training in the Greek or the Hebrew.  They have very little in fact of the critical tools to help us grasp the meaning of God's word.  

In these three verses one question is who is God trying to kill?  Is God trying to kill Moses?  Gershom, his first born son?  One can not determine the answer in the Hebrew and the original Masoretic text of the Torah.  On top of that why did the translators translate the Hebrew חתן דמים Chatan Dahmeem as "the bridegroom of blood?" In these verses Moses' name it not brought up.  Even if was Moses he is not a bridegroom - he's been married for a number of years and has two sons!  He is not a bridegroom.  So, what alternative meanings are there for the Hebrew חתן דמים Chatan Dahmeem? 

Dr. Currid offers a possible real solution that takes us to the Cross.  I was truly amazed and it only makes sense in that God, Yeshua the Messiah, our Lord, stated that all scripture testifies of Him.  The primary books of the Bible then were the five books of Torah.  These verses seem to relate to the first born, blood, covenant, and being saved from God's wrath.  It's as if these are pictures that are like mirrors of future events.  Curious?  Wondering how the circumcision of Moses' son is connected to the crucifixion of the Lamb of God?  Come join us in the important podcast on three perplexing verses.

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?  What's his background? 

(John and his wife Robin on a teaching mission to Mexico)

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

 

Five Small Stones Episode 4 - Beginning & End Rev. 22:13

Five Small Stones Episode 3 -- Who is it? Isa. 28:14-16

Five Small Stones Episode 2 - God’s Stone Psm. 118:22-24

ANNOUNCEMENT AFTER PASSOVER - back to the normal schedule

The links for the two articles related to Easter from the website, "You Got Questions" are below.  Once again even though it has not been proven absolutely, there is a possibility the word Easter comes from the name of a pagan goddess in the early Roman church.  Thus, this possibility means we should consider not using the word Easter a possible name of a pagan goddess of fertility, to name the day Jesus rose from the dead.  

Link 1 - the origin of Easter - https://www.gotquestions.org/easter-bunny-eggs.html

Link 2 - is Easter pagan? - https://www.gotquestions.org/Easter-pagan-holiday.html

I also mentioned the awesome teaching from Rabbi Jonathan Cahn entitled, "The Easter Bunny Heresy."  This is an great lesson that for me cemented my resolve never to use the word Easter again as it relates to the Resurrection of the Lord.

Link to the video - https://youtu.be/be7F4xVOKDQ?si=Dmj9becTjTU8O0zC

While we are returning to the regular schedule I am now republishing the Bible study series, "Fie Small Stones."  These are five minute Bible study videos.  The first one is now out.  In case you missed it at the website here's the lin to Episode 1 in the series - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-episode-1-weak-vs-strong-1-cor-127-29/

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy? 

Rev Ferret in Hierapolis Turkey

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

Five Small Stones Episode 1 - Weak vs Strong 1 Cor 1:27-29

Exodus 20 - (video 27 minutes)- Part 1 - Pharaoh's Heavy Heart

Exodus 20 - (video 14 minutes)- Part 2 - Pharaoh's Heavy Heart

Exodus 20 - (video 19 minutes)- Part 3 - Pharaoh's Heavy Heart

Truth Nugget 29 - WHERE IS THE GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE?

 

A Place Called Gethsemane

The Passion Week account of Jesus happens during the annual feast of Passover for the Jews.  This is one of three times that every Jew was required to travel to Jerusalem to celebrate the feast.  Jesus being a devout Jew went to the city as well not only for the feast but to complete His awesome mission. Not every Jew in the world could possibly come but it is estimated that 1 to 1.5 million people would be in the city during Passover.  The picture below from the Temple Institute in Israel shows the 1000’s entering the city at Passover. 

Since Jerusalem was a city of perhaps an estimated population 35,000 to 80,000 depending on the archaeologist, it is clear that the city could not handle such a dramatic increase in population.  Every extra room was rented and those not finding rooms camped out on the hills nearby or they sought lodging in nearby towns like Bethlehem or Bethany.  Many of those who camped out in the hills around Jerusalem would more than likely camp on the beautiful slopes of the surrounding hills like Mount of Olives east of Jerusalem. (Vander Laan 177) 

     After Jesus and His apostles had completed the Passover Seder meal they went to the Mount of Olives to a place called Gethsemane at the Mount of Olives in an olive grove.  The account can be found in Matt 26:36, Mark 14:32, Luke 22:39 and John 18:1.  The word Gethsemane is the English transliteration of a Greek word which was based on two Hebrew words.  (Picture below from Permaculture Research Institute, is a good idea of what the side of the Mt. of Olives would have looked like in Jesus’ day).

The first was GAT.  The Hebrew word stands for a press.  The second word is SHEMIN which means oil – like olive oil.  The plural in Hebrew is Sheminim.  Thus, Gat Sheminim means a press for oils and referred to in most cases an olive press.  (Vander Laan 178)

Today in Israel one can visit Tel Maresha in the Negev.  At this tel archaeologists found the remains of a perfectly intact olive press.  Olive presses were built in caves close to an olive grove.  The cave itself would have “windows” cut into the walls and an air shaft in the roof.  These “windows” and the airshaft were used to control the airflow and temperature since processing olives required a certain temperature range.  The olives themselves were processed by first smashing them with a millstone to break open the skins.   The smashed olives were then put into special porous bags and crushed under the weight of huge weighted down cypress logs in the main press room.  The olive oil would run down into a basin which had a drain directly into a collection jar below the pile of bags of crushed olive pulp.  The jar of oil would be sealed when filled and made ready to be taken to market.  (Vander Laan 178)  The picture below is of the Gat Sheminim at Tel Maresha Israel courtesy of Israel Travel Inc.

Where is this exact location of where Jesus prayed and is there a connection to the Gat Sheminim and the word Gethsemane?  As far as location is concerned, “Christian tradition has always placed Gethsemane on the lower slopes of the Mount of Olives – though today the Roman Catholic and Russian Orthodox churches hallow different sites.”  (Reader’s Digest 186)  Recently, however, archaeologists working at the base of the Mount of Olives made a very interesting discovery.  “A cave nearby was recently identified as containing an ancient olive press.  Early 6^th century tradition supports this cave as being Jesus’ Gethsemane.” (Vander Laan 179)   Moreover, no archaeological evidence nor evidence from ancient descriptions of the city of Jerusalem and its surroundings as ever found a place called the Garden of Gethsemane.  This name is a modern label attached to an area that tourists would come to experience what the place called Gethsemane in the Bible was like.  “The designation ‘Gethsemane’ does not occur outside the gospels.  Even Luke 22:39 omits the name, using the more general description, ‘the Mount of Olives.’”(Flusser 251) What we know for a fact is that the Mount of Olives had an olive grove and near olive groves one will find a Gat Sheminim or an olive press.  

One might conjecture the following based upon the fact that in the Jewish culture God taught His people difficult theological truths with the use of pictures – as in the case of the word tekton and 1 Peter 2:4-6.  Jesus went to the Mount of Olives and entered the gat sheminim, or the olive press, to find a secluded place to pray.  He would prefer the seclusion of the press since there were many possible pilgrims camping out on the slopes of the hill for Passover and the press would be located in a quiet cave.  Perhaps Jesus knew the owner and was able to gain private access to the olive press.  Again, all of this is conjecture but it is based on the archaeological evidence that is factual.  

In the gat sheminim, or in a location very close, we know that Jesus prayed and was in deep stress and anguish.  In the account found in Luke 22:44 Jesus’ sweat was like drops of  blood.  What is intriguing about this picture is a verse found in Isaiah 53:5.  This verse for us Christians says He was crushed for our inequities.  When one makes the connection between the discovery of the olive press and how it was used and these verses it would seem that God is showing us how Jesus was crushed – like an olive crushed by the weight of a huge cypress log with heavy weights attached.  It would seem that God Himself is making use of the archaeological discoveries to open up the world of the Bible to us so that its meaning is enhanced.  Do we know for a fact that Jesus was in the olive press or the Gat Sheminim?  No we do not.  But, these discoveries perhaps are given to us to intensify our understanding of His word and the picture of the gat sheminim can simply be used to help us understand the scope of Jesus’ stress and anxiety that horrible night.

Works Cited

* That the World May Know Set 3 Ray Vander Laan c 1996 Focus on the Family Publishing  Colorado Springs CO

* Egypt and Bible History: C. Aling Baker House book Grand Rapids MI c 1981

* “Reader’s Digest Atlas of the Bible”, C 1981 Reader’s digest, Plesantville, NY

* “Jesus”, David Flusser, Magnes Press, Hebrew Univ., Jerusalem, 1998

* Josephus WAR 5:141

* “First Easter: The True and Unfamiliar Story”, Paul L. Maier, Harper and Row, NY 1973.

* Archaeology and the Bible: The Best of Biblical Archaeology Review, “The Garden Tomb: Was Jesus Buried Here?”, Gabriel Barkay, Vol. II, Archaeology in the World of Herod, Jesus and Paul. 

 

Rev. Ferret - who is this guy?

(John & Robin somewhere in the Middle East)

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