25.3K
Downloads
347
Episodes
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
Friday Aug 16, 2024
Friday Aug 16, 2024
God does something so very interesting. First, God is out side of time. Time only is created when we have the sun and the moon. So, there is no time before the creation. And in Genesis 2:1-3 we see that God makes time kadosh קָדוֹשׁ - which is translated as holy. From the Gesenius Hebrew Lexicon we find that kadosh means to be set apart, to be set aside, to separate as special, to be distinct. Time is the first thing that God makes kadosh or set apart. Pagans make statues holy. Pagans make trees or animals holy. Pagans make buildings holy. Yet, the one God, the only God, He makes time uniquely special. One day per week there is a 24 hour period that we enter into that is special and unique. Why? More than that we read in English that God rested. Rested? God needs a nap? God needs to kick back and "take a load off?" Huh??
Did God rest in the 7th day? Later in Exodus does He also command us to rest on the 7th day, to lay back, to take a nap? The answer is NO!! Absolutely not. Curious? Come join us in lesson 7 and reconnect to those ancient days and to the Hebrew of the Torah and come and learn the Gospel written by Moses under the inspiration of Adonai.
On top of that, the Sabbath (שַׁבָּת Shabbat in Hebrew) testifies of Messiah Yeshua, Jesus the Christ. Check it out from one of the chapters in one of the class books from Light of Menorah. Here’s the link - שhttps://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/owszf7iszt7wkykkonggs/SHADOW-OF-MESSIAH-OVER-THE-SHABBAT.pdf?rlkey=axyzu36d3x1457cmp5z823xrw&st=m5flxovt&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
Saturday Aug 10, 2024
Saturday Aug 10, 2024
Exodus 52 Part 1
I was so amazed as I began researching and studying to prepare this podcast. I learned that in these verses (Exod. 21:26-22:1) we are taught by the Lord of His view of the great importance of the sanctity of life. The picture I used for this lesson is of an ox. And in these verses the ox plays a huge role. It is how the Lord teaches us about that fact that 1) all men and women, all, no matter what race of creed are made in His image and 2) everyone is our neighbor whether a fellow Christian or a radical member of the LGBTQ+ community or a radical Muslim terrorist and 3) and to be a true follower of Rabbi Jesus one must adhere to what He teaches His talmideem (Hebrew for disciple) that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves and that includes our enemies, the ones who persecute us, the ones who hate and would kill us for our faith. Wow!! There is a little more to being a Christian than we are taught.
I mentioned a number of links I’d provide that would enhance your study in the podcast. Here they are …
An article from “My Jewish Learning” talking about the fact the preserving and saving a life is higher than even adhering to the laws of the Sabbath …
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/saving-a-life-pikuach-nefesh/
Next is an article from a scholarly rabbi who teaches us about the phrase “pikkuah nefesh doheh Shabbat” or saving a human life takes precedence over the Sabbath. This might have been understood in Jesus’ day – maybe not practiced by definitely discussed. There is NO law that says one can not provide medical treatment on the Sabbath. It was hotly debated in Jesus’ day but no conclusions had been reached then. Later in Judaism it was decided – it is good to heal and provide medical treatment on the Sabbath. Jesus had entered the debate in His day and His stance was the one that finally became the law of Judaism. For the Lord, for God, it was already His priority and it took years of the Jewish rabbis to finally get it. Here’s the article …
https://images.shulcloud.com/618/uploads/PDFs/Divrei_Torah/200506-Pikuachnefesh--SavingaLife.pdf
Skip Moen is a reputable Christian scholar. It is worth your while to make sure you connect with Skip at his website (https://skipmoen.com/) to learn more about the Jewish roots of our faith. He wrote and article addressing the concept of healing on the Sabbath in Jesus’ day. He brings up the great Rabbi Shammai and Rabbi Hillel. These rabbis had a great influence on Judaism of the Second Temple in Jesus’ day. You’ll be amazed that indeed Jesus healed on the Sabbath and never did anything wrong. Check it out …
https://skipmoen.com/2015/07/whose-halachah/
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
Saturday Aug 10, 2024
Saturday Aug 10, 2024
Exodus 52 Part 2
I was so amazed as I began researching and studying to prepare this podcast. I learned that in these verses (Exod. 21:26-22:1) we are taught by the Lord of His view of the great importance of the sanctity of life. The picture I used for this lesson is of an ox. And in these verses the ox plays a huge role. It is how the Lord teaches us about that fact that 1) all men and women, all, no matter what race of creed are made in His image and 2) everyone is our neighbor whether a fellow Christian or a radical member of the LGBTQ+ community or a radical Muslim terrorist and 3) and to be a true follower of Rabbi Jesus one must adhere to what He teaches His talmideem (Hebrew for disciple) that we are to love our neighbor as ourselves and that includes our enemies, the ones who persecute us, the ones who hate and would kill us for our faith. Wow!! There is a little more to being a Christian than we are taught.
I mentioned a number of links I’d provide that would enhance your study in the podcast. Here they are …
An article from “My Jewish Learning” talking about the fact the preserving and saving a life is higher than even adhering to the laws of the Sabbath …
https://www.myjewishlearning.com/article/saving-a-life-pikuach-nefesh/
Next is an article from a scholarly rabbi who teaches us about the phrase “pikkuah nefesh doheh Shabbat” or saving a human life takes precedence over the Sabbath. This might have been understood in Jesus’ day – maybe not practiced by definitely discussed. There is NO law that says one can not provide medical treatment on the Sabbath. It was hotly debated in Jesus’ day but no conclusions had been reached then. Later in Judaism it was decided – it is good to heal and provide medical treatment on the Sabbath. Jesus had entered the debate in His day and His stance was the one that finally became the law of Judaism. For the Lord, for God, it was already His priority and it took years of the Jewish rabbis to finally get it. Here’s the article …
https://images.shulcloud.com/618/uploads/PDFs/Divrei_Torah/200506-Pikuachnefesh--SavingaLife.pdf
Skip Moen is a reputable Christian scholar. It is worth your while to make sure you connect with Skip at his website (https://skipmoen.com/) to learn more about the Jewish roots of our faith. He wrote and article addressing the concept of healing on the Sabbath in Jesus’ day. He brings up the great Rabbi Shammai and Rabbi Hillel. These rabbis had a great influence on Judaism of the Second Temple in Jesus’ day. You’ll be amazed that indeed Jesus healed on the Sabbath and never did anything wrong. Check it out …
https://skipmoen.com/2015/07/whose-halachah/
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
Friday Aug 09, 2024
Friday Aug 09, 2024
In lesson 6 we consider the Torah, the 1st five books of the Bible, as a polemic. A polemic is a concept that is diametrically opposed to a competing concept. God seems to indicate this in Lev. 18:1-5 when God said ... Then the LORD spoke to Moses, saying, "Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, 'I am the LORD your God. 'You shall not do what is done in the land of Egypt where you lived, nor are you to do what is done in the land of Canaan where I am bringing you; you shall not walk in their statutes. 'You are to perform My judgments and keep My statutes, to live in accord with them; I am the LORD your God. 'So you shall keep My statutes and My judgments, by which a man may live if he does them; I am the LORD. (Lev 18:1-5, NASB) It is if God is inspiring Moses to write parts of the Torah as a polemic that comes against the truth claims and pagan mythology of Egypt. Clearly, God wants to help His chosen people to get Egypt out of their life and prepare for entering the pagan world of the Canaanites in the Promised Land.
Later when we get to Genesis 50 and Exodus 1 and 2 we will study in detail the Bible proof that the Hebrews slowly but surely assimilated into the Egyptian culture - most of them forgot the God, the only God, the God of their fathers, of Abraham and Isaac and Jacob. For further study use this link to study the idea that the Hebrews had assimilated into the pagan culture of Egypt.
Link to an article from World History about the Canaanite god YAMM the enemy of Ba’al - https://www.worldhistory.org/Yamm/
Here's the link to study that the Hebrews assimilated into Egypt –
https://halakhaoftheday.org/2023/03/29/from-propsperty-to-assimilationn/
Here's a podcast from Light of Menorah also a study that the Hebrews assimilated into the Egyptian culture -
LINK - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/the-gospel-according-to-moses-lesson-4-part-2-exod-211-25/
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
Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
Wednesday Aug 07, 2024
LESSON 51 PART 2
Link to part 1 - listen before you listen to part 2
https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/genesis-51-part1-exod-2122-fetus-is-human/
Again and again in the Hebrew Scriptures, the Old Testament, God is showing that revenge, retribution, and payback is HIS and not up to us. See Deut. 32:35, Lev. 19:18, or Psm. 94:1-2 or Isa. 35:4 and Rom. 12:19 or Heb. 10:30 and many other verses. That is why Samson showed himself to be less than a Bible hero when Samson asked God to help him to have revenge on the Philistines …
Then Samson called to the LORD and said, "O Lord GOD, please remember me and please strengthen me just this time, O God, that I may at once be avenged (H5358 נָקַם nâqam – revenge for oneself or to punish or avenge) of the Philistines for my two eyes." Jdg 16:28
Samson wants revenge. He wants payback. From the Bible again and again we see this is not a characteristic of one of His heroes or heroines. Samson is a lesson of what we are not to be as we walk our walk with the Lord.
God’s updated version of “Eye for an Eye and Tooth for a Tooth,” is that litigation for a loss due to an injury, is allowed and legal, but, it must not come against His foundational laws and commandments of His covenant people. These foundational laws are the primary duty to love God and serve Him (Exod. 20:1-7 and Deut. 6:4-9) and to love one’s neighbor as himself (Lev. 19:18). This was commonly understood in Jesus’ day as it was in the days of Moses and David and Hezekiah. But, God Himself when He was here, Jesus, said these two commandments are not basic nor are they the foundational laws of the covenant but they are THE GREATEST OF ALL THE COMMANDMENTS. The fulfillment of the Torah is love – loving the Lord and our neighbor. Paul teaches this as well as the rabbis. Paul said it in Gal. 5:14 and he is doing nothing more than what rabbis were also teaching in his day. So, it seems that God sees the court and litigation as the last resort when someone purposely hurts us.
In the Mishna (Jewish law books written after the Temple was destroyed in 70 a.d.) it shows the Jewish understanding of what God intended goes far beyond the simple lex talionis – the "law of retaliation" or an eye for eye …
"If someone wounds his fellow, he becomes liable to compensate the injured party for five different aspects of the injury: damage, pain, healing, loss of time from work, and insult.
"In the case of damage, here is an example of how restitution is determined. Suppose someone blinded someone else's eye, cut off his hand or broke his leg. They value the injured person as if he were a slave for sale in the market, and they appraise his value before the injury and now.
"Here is an example of determining the compensation for pain. Suppose someone burns another with a skewer or nail, even if only on his fingernail, where it doesn't actually produce a wound. They determine how much a man of his position would be willing to be paid to suffer that amount of pain.
"For healing the indemnity is determined in this way. If someone hit another person, he must pay all the expenses of healing him. If he develops ulcers, then if they come about in consequence of the blow, he is liable; but if not, he is not liable. If the wound heals, reopens, heals and reopens again, he is liable for all the expenses. But once it has healed thoroughly, he does not remain liable to pay the expenses of healing him.
"The value of time lost is estimated in this way. They consider what he would earn if he were a watchman over a cucumber field [a job requiring no special skills], for he has already been paid for the loss of his hand or foot. [In practice, this means they determine what kind of work he will be fit for when he fully recovers and evaluate the time lost by this standard.]
"For insult the compensation is determined entirely in accordance with the social status of both the one who caused the indignity and the one who suffered it. If someone insults a person who is naked, blind or asleep, he is liable. But if a sleeping person causes an insult, he is not liable. Someone who falls from a roof and causes injury and insult at the same time is liable for the injury but not for the insult,... because one should not be held responsible for an indignity one did not intend to cause." (Bava Kama 8:1)
I want to thank David Stern the scholar who came out with “The Jewish New Testament Commentary.” He was the one who showed me the statements in the Mishna as we just read in the previous.
Dr. Craig Keener wrote “The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament.” His comments related to the historical context of Jesus’ words regarding and “eye for an eye” are helpful as we see that Jesus was in this case teaching ideas and concepts that man rabbis of His day did as well. Just consider …
Mat_5:38. The “eye for an eye” and “tooth for a tooth” are part of the widespread ancient Near Eastern law of retaliation. In Israel and other cultures, this principle was enforced by a court and refers to legalized vengeance; personal vengeance was never accepted in the (the Torah) law of Moses, except as a concession for a relative’s murder (Num_35:18-21). The Old Testament (better to call them the Hebrew Scriptures) did not permit personal vengeance; David, a great warrior, recognized this principle (1Sa_25:33; 1Sa_26:10-11).
Mat_5:39. The blow on the right cheek was the most grievous insult possible in the ancient world (apart from inflicting serious physical harm), and in many cultures was listed alongside the “eye for an eye” laws; both Jewish and Roman law permitted prosecution for this offense. A prophet might endure such ill treatment (1Ki_22:24; Isa_50:6).
Mat_5:40. The poorest people of the Empire (e.g., most peasants in Egypt) had only an inner and outer garment, and the theft of a cloak would lead to legal recourse. Although conditions in first-century Palestine were not quite that bad, this verse could indicate divestiture of all one’s possessions, even (hyperbolically) one’s clothes, to avoid a legal dispute affecting only oneself. Jesus gives this advice in spite of the fact that, under Jewish law, a legal case to regain one’s cloak would have been foolproof: a creditor could not take a poor person’s outer cloak, which might serve as one’s only blanket at night as well as a coat (Exo_22:26-27).
Mat_5:41. Roman soldiers had the legal right to impress the labor, work animal or substance of local residents (cf. Mar_15:21). Although impressment may not have happened often in Galilee, it happened elsewhere, and the fact that it could happen would be enough to raise the eyebrows of Jesus’ hearers at this example of nonresistance and even loving service to the oppressor.
Finally, I wanted to share the awesome article from the Christian scholarly website, “Got Questions,: and the article on “Eye for an Eye.” Here’s the article (accessed July 2024 at https://www.gotquestions.org/eye-for-an-eye.html) …
The concept of “an eye for eye,” sometimes called jus talionis or lex talionis, is part of the Mosaic Law used in the Israelites’ justice system. The principle is that the punishment must fit the crime and there should be a just penalty for evil actions: “If there is serious injury, you are to take life for life, eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burn for burn, wound for wound, bruise for bruise” (Exodus 21:23–25). Justice should be equitable; excessive harshness and excessive leniency should be avoided.
We have no indication that the law of “an eye for an eye” was followed literally; there is never a biblical account of an Israelite being maimed as a result of this law. Also, before this particular law was given, God had already established a judicial system to hear cases and determine penalties (Exodus 18:13–26)—a system that would be unnecessary if God had intended a literal “eye for an eye” penalty. Although capital crimes were repaid with execution in ancient Israel, on the basis of multiple witnesses (Deuteronomy 17:6), most other crimes were repaid with payment in goods—if you injured a man’s hand so that he could not work, you compensated that man for his lost wages.
Besides Exodus 21, the law of “an eye for an eye” is mentioned twice in the Old Testament (Leviticus 24:20; Deuteronomy 19:21). Each time, the phrase is used in the context of a case being judged before a civil authority such as a judge. “An eye for an eye” was thus intended to be a guiding principle for lawgivers and judges; it was never to be used to justify vigilantism or settling grievances personally.
In the New Testament, it seems the Pharisees and scribes had taken the “eye for an eye” principle and applied it to everyday personal relationships. They taught that seeking personal revenge was acceptable. If someone punched you, you could punch him back; if someone insulted you, he was fair game for your insults. The religious leaders of Jesus’ day ignored the judicial basis of the giving of that law.
In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus counters the common teaching of personal retaliation: “You have heard that it was said, ‘Eye for eye, and tooth for tooth.’ But I tell you . . .” (Matthew 5:38–39). Jesus then proceeds to reveal God’s heart concerning interpersonal relationships: “Do not resist an evil person. If anyone slaps you on the right cheek, turn to them the other cheek also. And if anyone wants to sue you and take your shirt, hand over your coat as well. If anyone forces you to go one mile, go with them two miles. Give to the one who asks you, and do not turn away from the one who wants to borrow from you” (Matthew 5:39–42).
In giving this “new” command, Jesus is not nullifying the Old Testament law (Matthew 5:17). Rather, He is separating the responsibility of the government (to punish evildoers justly) from the responsibility we all have on a personal level before God to love our enemies. We should not seek retribution for personal slights. We are to ignore personal insults (the meaning of “turn the other cheek”). Christians are to be willing to give more of their material goods, time, and labor than required, even if the demands upon us are unjust. We should loan to those who want to borrow, love our enemies, and pray for those who persecute us (verses 43–48). Enforcing “an eye for an eye” is the magistrate’s job; forgiving our enemies is ours. We see this played out today every time a victim stands up in court to publicly forgive a convicted criminal—the forgiveness is personal and real, but the judge still justly demands that the sentence be carried out.
Jesus’ limiting of the “eye for an eye” principle in no way prohibits self-defense or the forceful protection of the innocent from harm. The actions of duly appointed agents of the government, such as police officers and the military, to protect citizens and preserve the peace are not in question. Jesus’ command to turn the other cheek applies to personal relationships, not judicial policy. The principle of “an eye for an eye” is meant as a judicial policy, not as a rule for interpersonal relationships. The believer in Christ is guided by Jesus’ words to forgive. The Christian is radically different from those who follow the natural inclination to respond in kind.
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
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Tuesday Aug 06, 2024
Where does it say exactly in the Bible that the unborn are human? Where does it say precisely that the fetus is human, a person? Certainly there are verses that imply this to be true. I use them myself when arguing the case against abortion. But, I came across this verse, Exodus 21:22, and from the Hebrew and Hebrew grammar we will see that the Bible is clear, the Bible is precise, it is not implying anything but stating fact and that is
THE FETUS IS HUMAN
This verse is not about abortion but it relates to abortion. It helps us see that according to God's law the fetus has legal standing in the same was as the mother.
I indicated in this podcast about several links I'd provide that will only enhance your study. Here they are ...
This link is from a superb website called "Stand To Reason." It goes into the Hebrew of Exod. 21:22 and supports the view that the fetus in the womb is a human being.
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
Monday Aug 05, 2024
Monday Aug 05, 2024
FIVE SMALL STONES
EPISODE 18 PART 2
"WHO'S YOUR NEIGHBOR?"
THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN
Bible reading and study are necessary for a true Christian, a real disciple (talmeed) of Adonai Yeshua - not just reading. Are you in a church that provides Bible classes and training? You'd better be or that church is NOT attempting to obey Jesus' command to make disciples. To make a disciple directly implies Bible study besides reading.
There was a saying in Jesus' day among the rabbis of which He was the greatest. It shows that study leads to learning and learning's purpose is to know how to Do.
In the parable of the Good Samaritan was this just a made up story? Was there a road between Jericho and Jerusalem? If so is there facts about this road we missed? And why did the Jewish nearly get murdered? Does this have something to do with the road and its surroundings? Was there an "inn" on this road? Or was just Jesus making all this up? Or was it based on real places and the real plausibility of these events in the Bible?
In these two 5-minute videos (part 1 and 2) we will study the Bible. We will study it with the geography of ancient Israel in mind. We will see how knowing the geographical background of the parable of the Good Samaritan adds to and enriches our understanding of this story Jesus told.
Did you miss episode 1? Not problem. Below is the link to the first episode. Watch this one first to understand episode 2.
Also, there is a video you can't miss. it is only 11 minutes and shows the REAL Jericho Road and not the mistaken one most people teach about.
Link - https://youtu.be/zVmagXx-n34?si=ZuJTc92t0OJ_yogX
Here's references that prove that the inn in the parable was a very real place. It was even excavated by Israeli archaeologists. I even met one of them when I was on a research trip to Israel and visited the exact location.
Here's the 1st link. It is an article from Biblical Archaeology Review. I assume you have to be a member to access the complete article. I highly recommend you join this scholarly site since it will be a critical resource for your Bible study and reading. Below you'll find the link but below are two highlights from the article.
See below for the highlight from the article - note the "inn" referenced in this segment refers to the museum called "The Inn of the Good Samaritan." It even gives the names of the archaeologists who excavated the palace built by Herod. (Click on the image to enlarge)
Here's the link to the article from Biblical Archaeology Review mentioned above.
Link - https://www.baslibrary.org/biblical-archaeology-review/38/1/8
This link is to a awesome academic article proving beyond a shadow of doubt that there was an inn on the Jericho road at the location of the Good Samaritan Museum. The inn likely was formerly Herod's palace at this site. Here's the link ...
https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1x76gr7.5?seq=7
Shown below are two more excellent scholarly sites (free access) and their corresponding articles on the parable of the Good Samaritan. Once again, these are awesome sites to save for future reference.
HolyLandSite.com - https://www.holylandsite.com/inn-of-the-good-samaritan
BibleWalks.com -https://www.biblewalks.com/goodsamaritaninn/
In one of my many classes I taught on the Jewish parables of our Jewish Rabbi, Yeshua. One parable I focused on was the parable of the Good Samaritan. Here's a link to the complete chapter from the class book.
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 Aug 04, 2024
Sunday Aug 04, 2024
FIVE SMALL STONES
EPISODE 18 PART 1
"WHO'S YOUR NEIGHBOR?"
THE GEOGRAPHY OF THE GOOD SAMARITAN
(Here's the link for part 2 - https://lightofmenorah.podbean.com/e/five-small-stones-18-par-2-geography-of-the-good-samaritan/)
Bible reading and study are necessary for a true Christian, a real disciple (talmeed) of Adonai Yeshua - not just reading. Are you in a church that provides Bible classes and training? You'd better be or that church is NOT attempting to obey Jesus' command to make disciples. To make a disciple directly implies Bible study besides reading.
Or perhaps your church is one with a lot social programs and fellowship and cookouts and fun activities. All these are important. They are critical for developing a community. But, in Jesus' day the study of the Bible was considered the highest form of worship! STUDY! Not a Sunday service. Not music and singing. Not a men's group or women's group. Not prayer. But, STUDY.
There was a saying in Jesus' day among the rabbis of which He was the greatest. It shows that study leads to learning and learning's purpose is to know how to Do.
In these two 5-minute videos (part 1 and 2) we will study the Bible. We will study it with the geography of ancient Israel in mind. We will see how knowing the geographical background of the parable of the Good Samaritan adds to and enriches our understanding of this story Jesus told.
In these videos I mentioned resources and references that prove that the inn in the parable was a very real place. It was even excavated by Israeli archaeologists. I even met one of them when I was on a research trip to Israel and visited the exact location.
Here's the 1st link. it is an article from Biblical Archaeology Review. I assume you have to be a member to access the complete article. I highly recommend you join this scholarly site since it will be a critical resource for your Bible study and reading. Below you'll find the link but below are two highlights from the article.
See below for the highlight from the article - note the "inn" referenced in this segment refers to the museum called "The Inn of the Good Samaritan." It even gives the names of the archaeologists who excavated the palace built by Herod. (Click on the image to enlarge)
Here's the link to the article from Biblical Archaeology Review mentioned above.
Link - https://www.baslibrary.org/biblical-archaeology-review/38/1/8
This link is to a awesome academic article proving beyond a shadow of doubt that there was an inn on the Jericho road at the location of the Good Samaritan Museum. The inn likely was formerly Herod's palace at this site. Here's the link ...
https://www.jstor.org/stable/j.ctt1x76gr7.5?seq=7
Shown below are two more excellent scholarly sites (free access) and their corresponding articles on the parable of the Good Samaritan. Once again, these are awesome sites to save for future reference.
HolyLandSite.com - https://www.holylandsite.com/inn-of-the-good-samaritan
BibleWalks.com -https://www.biblewalks.com/goodsamaritaninn/
In one of my many classes I taught on the Jewish parables of our Jewish Rabbi, Yeshua. One parable I focused on was the parable of the Good Samaritan. Here's a link to the complete chapter from the class book.
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
Friday Aug 02, 2024
Friday Aug 02, 2024
This vidcast (video podcast) is a supplement to the podcast Genesis 5. In this video 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. 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
Use this link to study the idea that the Hebrews had assimilated into the pagan culture of Egypt. Here's the link - https://youtu.be/9tY5N0mAJ2I?si=7SzXFQWg0ZP4Hj3F
Here’s an article on the ancient Egyptian creation accounts - https://www.glencairnmuseum.org/newsletter/2021/7/13/ancient-egyptian-creation-myths-from-watery-chaos-to-cosmic-egg
Short cool video on the ancient Egyptian creation myth - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTy49JlgJZE
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
Friday Jul 26, 2024
Friday Jul 26, 2024
In lesson 5 we focus again on the critical verses in Genesis chapter 1. In this session we will address the concept of God creating everything through His word; creating everything by simply saying let it be and it was - out of nothing - EX NIHILO. And, in addition, this lesson will introduce the idea that to understand the Torah we need to understand ancient Egypt of the 18 Dynasty at the time of the Exodus. The Hebrews likely have assimilated into the Egyptian culture and, for the most part, do not know the God of Abraham and the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob. So how does God take Egypt out of the Hebrews? This concept is called "polemic theology" where a polemic is a concept that is diametrically opposed to a competing concept. In this case who is God? Is it Amun-Ra, the supreme pagan false god of Egypt in 1446 B.C. or is it Adonai Eloheem, the Lord God of the Bible? How would the true God teach the they mythology of Egypt is false and incorrect using Genesis 1:1-2?
For further study check out the links below.
Use this link to study the idea that the Hebrews had assimilated into the pagan culture of Egypt. Here's the link - https://youtu.be/9tY5N0mAJ2I?si=7SzXFQWg0ZP4Hj3F
Here’s an article on the ancient Egyptian creation accounts - https://www.glencairnmuseum.org/newsletter/2021/7/13/ancient-egyptian-creation-myths-from-watery-chaos-to-cosmic-egg
Short cool video on the ancient Egyptian creation myth - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uTy49JlgJZE
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