LIGHT OF MENORAH

Genesis 2 - Dinosaurs and Dragons - Gen. 1:20-25

In lesson 2 we continue to lay the foundation for this in depth study of the first five books of the Bible, commonly referred to as the TORAH (which does NOT mean LAW but TEACHING).  In this lesson we ask if there are no dinosaurs in the Bible (and there is NO mention of them in the Bible in Hebrew) then does that help us grasp what the Torah is and is not?  Here's a link to a Jewish scholar and his teaching on why dinosaurs are not mentioned in the bible - click here to watch Dr. Hugh Ross, a credible scientist and astrophysicist discuss the question about dinosaurs and the Bible. He is awesome.

Here's the link for part 1 –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtEDmwxNE6s&t=0s

And here’s the link for part 2 – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iraI4NWQSRs

Some Jewish and Christian scholars say that Gen. 1:21 is talking about large fish.  It can't be large fish - the Hebrew taken to the Septuagint (the Greek translation of the Old Testament) uses the phrase in Greek to describe the great evil dragon in the book of Revelation who is Satan.  Satan is NOT a big fish.  Once again how can translators so misinterpret the text of scripture and not check how the phrase in Gen. 1:21 is used throughout the Hebrew Scriptures and the New Testament that I like to title, "The Messianic Writings?"  And lastly, this session gets into the 5 purposes of this series, "The Gospel According to Moses."  We approach this study with the focus of archaeology, history, geography, customs, culture, and the languages of the ancient Middle East.

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 1 - Gen. 1:1-31 - the goals of this study

This is the 1st lesson in the Torah series for Christians on Genesis. This lesson provides the main goals of this unique Bible study. The emphasis is on the Bible in its historical context; it focuses on archaeology, geography, history, and the ancient culture and customs and even the languages of the Middle East.

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 - 50 - Exod. 21:3-21 - Permanent Slave of the Master - Bond Slave of Christ

In this Bible study lesson we focus on Exod. 21:3-21.  Once again we come to the issue of slavery in the Bible.  As I mentioned we studied this in depth in lesson 49 parts 1 and 2.  I promised I’d give you the links to these two critically important podcasts.  Here they are …

Lesson 49 part 1 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-49-part-1-exod-211-2-god-against-slavery-kidnapping/

Lesson 49 part 2 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/exodus-49-part-2-exod-211-2-love-your-non-hebrew-slave-as-yourself/

I also mentioned a couple of awesome videos for you to consider that relate to slavery.  The first – 5 minute long - is done by Candice Owen, the famous conservative commentator.  The second by Dennis Prager.  His – only 5 minutes as well -  is on the 8^th commandment, “Do Not Steal.”  Once you get into the video you will see how dramatically this commandment is related to slavery. 

Candice Own video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NO_wmixXBdE

Dennis Prager video on commandment 8 - https://www.prageru.com/video/do-not-steal

Once again in this lesson I give two examples of why Bible study is critical for any true disciple of our Lord Jesus.  Do you do Bible reading?  Are you reading through the Bible in a year?  Are you following the schedule using the One Year Bible?  Great!  Don’t stop.  It is an act of “continuing in His word” as Jesus said and if we do this something happens.  Just look …

"If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." (Joh 8:31-32)

But, if you just read the Bible we are in danger of missing the truth that the Lord is trying to teach us.  He spoke in Hebrew and to an audience 2000 years ago.  We need to get at what they understood and heard so as to recapture the original meaning of the very words of God.  Christians prior to the Civil War read the Bible in English.  They did not read it in Hebrew nor did they study it in its historical context.  They made a terrible translation error in that they said black people were less that human.  If this is true, then the Bible and God’s laws do not pertain to them.  As a result they kidnapped black people from Africa and sold them as slaves.  This was directly opposed to God’s word.  They did not study the word in Hebrew or in its cultural context.  If they did they’d understand that what they did was beyond terrible.  The problem is.  Few today are trained in seminaries in Biblical Hebrew or how to take the Greek and take it back to the Hebrew or are trained in understanding the Bible in its historical context.  As we will see in lesson 50 you are not going to get understanding of the very words of God unless you study along with reading.  We need both and we need both to escape, perhaps, the mistranslations and incorrect application of the very words of God in our day.

There is an excellent article at a good academic and scholarly site for Christians entitled, GOTQUESTIONS.ORG.  It explains the concept of us being Bond Slaves of Jesus.  What I like about this article is this Christian scholarly website shows to understand a bond slave we need to understand and study the Hebrew of Exodus 21.  Here’s the link to the article that will add to you understanding of the very words of God.

Link - https://www.gotquestions.org/bondservant.html#:~:text=Throughout%20the%20New%20Testament%2C%20the%20word%20bondservant%2C,metaphorically%20to%20someone%20absolutely%20devoted%20to%20Jesus.

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 101 - CHAZAK CHAZAK VAY'NEETCHAZEK - be strong, be strong, and be strengthened

THE STORY OF JOSEPH - lesson 21

"I'M IN GOD'S PLACE"

Joseph - the prototype of Jesus

As I mentioned in the podcast I am giving you links to study Egyptian mummification and links on the Book of the Dead.  Here are the links …

1) Article from the Smithsonian on Egyptian Mummification - https://www.si.edu/spotlight/ancient-egypt/mummies

2) A short but excellent video overviewing Egyptian “salvation” from the Scroll of the Dead -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1yv_MXNYbAo 

3) Article on the Book of the Dead - https://www.touregypt.net/featurestories/bod.htm 

One thing you’ll learn is certain body parts are put in special jars as the person in mummified and before burial.  The jars are called CANOPIC JARS and you can see a picture of them below (image is royalty free from Wikimedia). 

An Egyptian god is assigned to each.  Plus each god and each jar has another guardian god – like a guardian angel!  Shown below is a short article related to the jars and these gods accessible at Wikipedia.

In this final chapter of Genesis and the final chapter on the saga of Joseph, we come again to Joseph’s words that testify of Jesus, our Lord, our Savior, the Messiah (the Christ) and He who is God Himself.  We’ve shown that the Lord set up Joseph as a paradigm of Jesus.  Though I have provided these links before I will again provide them for you.  This will only enhance your study of this concept of Joseph as a Paradigm of Jesus.

The first is a short video that is a great introduction to this topic.  Here's the link ...  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQKadh0fVCo

The second resource is an article at the excellent website "Hebrew4Christians."  The article goes deeper into the connections between Joseph and Jesus providing over 60 indisputable connections solidly based upon scripture and not opinion or speculation.  Here's link to the article ...    https://hebrew4christians.com/Articles/Mashiach_ben_Yosef/mashiach_ben_yosef.html

A third resource you must have access to is a scholarly paper written by my graduate studies advisor, Dr. Ron Mosely.   In his paper Dr. Mosely discusses Joseph as a prototype of the suffering Messiah just like David is a prototype of the conquering Messiah - https://www.academia.edu/3796976/Twice_Rejected_Mashiach_Ben_Joseph

The final link is to Netivyah (The Way of the Lord) ministries in Jerusalem.  This is a Messianic Jewish ministry founded by Joseph Shulam, an amazing Jewish scholar who helps us reconnect to our Jewish roots of our faith.  This link is to a book written by one of their resident scholars, Elhanan ben Avraham, "Moshiach ben Yosef (Messiah the Son Of Joseph)".  I highly recommend you get this book and all the books you can buy from this ministry - https://netivyah.org/product/mashiach-ben-yoseph/

And thus we conclude our study in the book of Genesis.  A cool tradition is when Jews come to the end of the study of the book of Torah they say a specific phrase.  You can see it in the picture below. 

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 100 - MESSIAH AND JUDAH AND JOSEPH GEN.49

THE STORY OF JOSEPH - lesson 20

Messiah and Judah

Joseph - the prototype of Jesus

In Genesis 49 Jacob knows he is about to die.  He gathers his sons together at his bedside.  He then begins predicting the future even unto הימים  באחרית or BayAchahreet HaYahmeem or the End of Days or the End Times.  This is an awesome lesson and we will “see” our Lord Jesus so clear in this chapter.  We will also see that the RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD and the AFTERLIFE is in the Torah. 

Some say Jacob in this chapter is prophesying.  But prediction is not prophesying or being a prophet.  So many in the church use the word prophet and to prophecy to imply one who tells the future.  This is Biblically wrong.  Let’s get back to the Hebrew and learn from Jewish scholars as Judaism 101.  Here’s the link to learn more - https://www.jewfaq.org/prophets

In the predictions for the future Jacob address the tribe o Dan.  We did not go deeper into the tribe of Dan and its future but I said I’d give you some links so you can study the tribe of Dan in a little more depth. 

The first link is an article by the great Bible teacher, historian, and scholar, Lois Tverberg.  She wrote a short article on the tribe of Dan - https://engediresourcecenter.com/2015/07/03/idolatry-of-dan/

A second link is to the excellent Bible study sire, “Got Questions?”  Here’s an excellent article on the tribe of Dan - https://www.gotquestions.org/tribe-of-Dan.html

Finally, we come to grips with the phrase in the Torah “he breathed his last, died, was gathered to his people, and was buried.”  This is a phrase that is connected to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses, Aaron, and David.  What does it mean?  What does the phrase “gathered to his people mean?”  You’ll be amazed.  Here are tow links to an article and a video by Dennis Prager.  These resources are awesome.  You will see that since the time of Abraham Israel believed in the resurrection of the dead and the afterlife. 

Article – https://momentmag.com/afterlife-not-an-afterthought/

Video (5 minutes) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=covUnyZGVaQ

Also, check out my research paper on Biblical dating.  This article is a required study piece for yourself.  You'll be amazed at how archaeology and history show the true date of the Exodus and the dating of the saga of Joseph.  It is a critical article to study in depth and with care.  Here's the link - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vnwmvpa19tys8ud2d8i8r/DATING-EDWIN-THIELE-ASSYRIAN-LIST-TO-JOSEPH-IN-EGYPT-...-edited-and-updated.pdf?rlkey=gytmbmhsubmvurppnlrhpcqak&st=7kngcxut&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

 

 

Genesis 99 - Gen. 48:1-22 - JOSEPH FIRST BORN OF THE FATHER HIS BELOVED SON

THE STORY OF JOSEPH - lesson 19

Joseph is the First Born of the Father

Joseph - the prototype of Jesus

We now focus on Genesis 48 and in this lesson Jacob blesses Joseph’s son, Ephraim and Manasseh.  This then gives Joseph a double portion.  In other words it is as if Joseph becomes the first born when in fact Reuben was the first born.  This has so much to do with us as disciples of Yeshua.  We will find that the saga of Joseph is not only for modern day Israelites but for us GOYEEM, non-Jews who are followers of Messiah Jesus.

I mentioned a lesson I did that deals with the probable meaning of the name of God, El Shaddai or on Hebrew אֵל שַׁדַּי.  Does it mean God Almighty?  Is there proof?  Or can it mean something more extraordinary.  Here’s the lessons that goes into this topic in depth = https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/the-gospel-according-to-moses-genesis-lesson-25-gen-121-3-all-families-will-be-blessed/

There is another set of 5 minute Bible study videos that will add to your study in this podcast.  They are called Five Small Stones #’s 11-14.  This shows the amazing connections between Joseph, the Savior of the World, and Jesus, the Savior of the World, and the city of Shechem.  Here's the links …

Five Small Stones #11 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-11-gen-121-geography-and-the-bible-shechem/

Five Small Stones #12 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-episode-12-abraham-and-jacob-in-shechem-gen-126-3318/

Five Small Stones #13 – https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-episode-13-josh-241-geography-and-the-bible-joshua-israel/

Five Small Stones #14 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-episode-14-john-41-6-the-blessing-to-the-nations/

Also, check out my research paper on Biblical dating.  This article is a must have and a required study piece for yourself.  You'll be amazed at how archaeology and history show the true date of the Exodus and the dating of the saga of Joseph.  It is a critical article to study in depth and with care.  Here's the link - https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/vnwmvpa19tys8ud2d8i8r/DATING-EDWIN-THIELE-ASSYRIAN-LIST-TO-JOSEPH-IN-EGYPT-...-edited-and-updated.pdf?rlkey=gytmbmhsubmvurppnlrhpcqak&st=7kngcxut&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 - 47 - Exod. 20:12 - Lesson 12 Part 2 - Honor Parents and Preserve a Godly Society

LESSON 12 PART 2

Join us in lesson 12 part 2.  Come and continue to delve into a study of a truly unique commandment of the Lord that He decided was critical for all Israel and us, as true disciples of Adonai Yeshua.  Our parents attain a status that no one else in the Bible can attain, ever.  It speaks volumes to us of how a good and just and Godly society itself can survive.  It focuses on mom and dad. 

It is interesting that the is the only commandment with a “reward.”  Let’s look at it again.

"Honor your father and your mother, that your days may be prolonged in the land which the LORD your God gives you.

(Exo 20:12)

Is this a reward?  Sure seems like it.  But, perhaps it is more than a reward for each us if we obey.  Perhaps it is a reason to obey this commandment?  Perhaps it is the way for preserving a righteous society and a godly nation.  When we put this in its historical context it seems like this is what’s going on.  God in His TORAH, His teaching, is teaching the world how to preserve and maintain a righteous, Godly, and just society.  It seems to make sense.

 

I also highly recommend the following articles.  I provide their links and they will add and enhance your study as we try and figure out how to honor our dads and moms and what this has to do with the good world and a Godly society.

A Lesson from Rome

https://www.thetrumpet.com/5360-a-lesson-from-rome

 

Does the Lord Require me to Honor Evil Parents?

 https://lightfordarktimes.com/2020/04/24/does-the-lord-require-me-to-honor-evil-parents/

 

Must One Honor an Abusive Parent?

https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/must-one-honor-an-abusive-parent/

 

Dennis Prager’s Video series on the Ten Commandments

https://www.prageru.com/search?refinementList%5Btags%5D%5B0%5D=10%20Commandments&page=1&configure%5BhitsPerPage%5D=20

 

You Don’t Have to Love Your Parents (Dennis Prager)

https://www.nationalreview.com/2014/12/you-dont-have-love-your-parents-dennis-prager/

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 - 47 Introduction Lesson 3 Part 2 - Exod. 20:1-17 - NEW Covenants

This is the final lesson in the introduction to the Ten Commandments.  We will discuss two more topics. 

9. Is the Sinai Covenant only for Israel? Are the Ten Commandments meant only for them or everyone? 
10. Is God’s religion a significant component of our lives or is it something bigger?

Our religion that comes from the religion of the Jewish people prior to Jesus’ day encompasses all of life.  There is nothing of life that is not affected by our religion.  This is in direct contrast with the Greek philosophical concept of life components and the balance of life as taught by Aristotle.  His teachings deeply influenced the church after it separated from Israel and centered itself in Rome and abandoned its Jewish roots.

There is one last topic that forms the conclusion of this lesson.  The topic is both Jews and Gentiles recognized that the Sinai Covenant had a missing piece.  The Ten Commandments, God’s covenant statement was not meant to do it all.  It was incomplete.  It was missing something – it was missing a blood sacrifice to cleanse a sinner from INTENTIONAL sin.  There were blood sacrifices required for UNINTENTIONAL sin, mistakes, lapses in judgment.  One can read about this in Leviticus 4 or Numbers 15:22-31.  If one sins defiantly, if one sins willingly and openly, if one sins with a high hand of rebellion, in other words INTENTIONALLY there is NO blood sacrifice in the Sinai Covenant to cleanse the sinner.  The great Jewish rabbis, Akiva in the early 2^nd century A.D., and Maimonides in the late 12^th century A.D. both discussed this.  They agree with the writer of Hebrews and Paul himself.  So, what was the solution.  What was the missing piece.  Whose blood is the blood needed by the covenant?  This is a major concept that we end with before we start studying the individual verses in Exodus 20:1-17.

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 - 47 Lesson 3 Part 1 - Exod. 20:1-17 - Introduction to the Ten Commandments

In this lesson we continue the introduction to the Ten Commandments.  This is God's Covenant and He shows us that the life of His people, the life of those He enter the covenant, is a life far different than perhaps what we may have learned.  We may have learned that we need to live a balanced life.  We need to put things in their proper perspective and not anything in our life should become so high a priority that it tilts the balance.  The church of Rome after it disconnected from its Jews roots, seemingly incorporated aspects of Greek philosophy.  Aristotle was the big proponent of a balanced life.  He said if you live such a life you will be happy.  This is not what the Lord wants.  When He gave Israel and us the Ten Commandments, actually  עשׂרת הדברים Aseret HaDevareem, the Ten Statements (words), He was also teaching us that if we are truly a disciple of Jesus we will NOT live a balanced life.  

So, God gives  עשׂרת הדברים Aseret HaDevareem, His Ten Statements.  Who was the targeted audience?  Just the Hebrews only?  If so why has the church taken them on?  We are taught that Jesus did away with the "old" covenant.  Huh?  That means according to God's word, the very words of God Himself, that the Ten Commandments are null and void.  Why?  God said they were His covenant.  

So he was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did not eat bread or drink water. And he wrote on the tablets the words of the covenant, the Ten Commandments. 
(Exo 34:28)

This lesson like the previous lessons take us deeper into our understanding of this significant event in human history.  Join me on this amazing journey into the very words of God and to study His עשׂרת הדברים Aseret HaDevareem - His Ten Statements - and see how this testifies of Yeshua Adonaynoo, Jesus our Lord. 

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 - 47 - Exod. 20:1-17 lesson 2 part 2

Our study on עשׂרת הדברים Aseret HaDevareem - the Ten Statements - of the Lord continues.  In this lesson, lesson 2 part 2 of the introduction to the Ten Commandments, we ask how does the Ten Commandments witness of the Messiah, the Christ, Jesus.  Jesus said it 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." (Joh 5:39)

... and all they had was the Hebrew Scriptures then, the Old Testament.  How might these verses Exod. 20:1-17 testify of Jesus.  Come on.  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