===== Introduction ======
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The Bible study is dedicated
in the name of Jesus, Christ, God, Son, and Savior
The Bible study is dedicated in the name of Jesus, Christ, God, Son, and Savior. May the Lord Jesus Christ be honored by our devotions, our study and in our fellowship. May all the people be blessed and grow in the grace and knowledge of the love and presence of God our creator and our savior. - Amen!
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The blog Bible Study has concluded the Bible study portion! - Sometime after Holy Week and Resurrection Day (Easter) the study will continue with some ancient history and Church history segments - Thanks to everyone for your participation and especially for your prayers! -- Note: The original blog Bible Study began sometime around late July 2009 timed with the intention of concluding just before Holy Week 2010 but actually finished earlier concluding in about late January 2010 with some editing continuing into March 2010. The blog History Study then began in about August 2010 with a break in the middle (decoding movies) and concluding in January 2012.
The blog Bible Study concluded fairly quickly - I had looked at the website visitor logs a couple of weeks ago and saw that people were scattered all throughout the study though primarily in the New Testament while the study was blogging O.T. studies at the time and that's a good thing because the material is designed to be a self-help service but with people so scattered [though many people were current] I decided to move along and if at all possible conclude the study and the study has been concluded. The material is now available as a complete resource for the convenience of anyone who wants to use it. The study really turned into an amazing, fascinating study! I learned a lot during the study and I mostly learned that I need to spend more time reading the Bible and being in prayer, and in fellowship and just in general being in a Christian life. We serve a Great God!!! Thanks to everyone especially for your prayers - the study truly encountered the heights of Heaven and the depths of other things unmentionable and through it all it was the prayers of the Saints in fellowship that gave us a tremendous victory! After Holy Week we will continue with the history portion of the study but in the time before Holy Week it seems like a good opportunity to look at some areas and aspects of the events of Holy Week as we prepare ourselves for Holy Week 2010. Then after Holy Week and some history segments the blog will continue with some basic Topical Bible studies and devotions. -- God bless everyone! ~ David Anson Brown
http://basicchristian.org/blog_biblestudy.html
Note: Next the blog Bible study will return to the Old Testament starting in the pivotal Book of Job
The Bible's book of Job is considered the oldest manuscript of the Bible and it is going to be a pivotal book for the blog Bible study. The book of Job is going to be foundational in marking the transition from the time period before Abraham into Abraham and his Jewish descendants and also in understanding the further transition into the Church era and ultimately into the End Times period of the book of Revelation. God bless everyone ~ David Anson Brown
Note: I think the Basic Christian blog Bible Study is back on track and the postings should soon resume at the normal pace - Have a Blessed and Joyous 2010 New Year in the peace and love of our precious Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!
Also Note: All further controversies have been postponed at least until the Book of Revelation! I don't expect to many more controversies and I'm going to try to smooth out the study for a while so then if any controversies do happen to arise in the Book of Revelation we will at least be rested and ready to get through them, though no controversies are planned and I expect to be able to cover the Book of Revelation with minimal controversy. - God bless everyone! David Anson Brown
Note: There is going to be a slight shift in the emphasis of the blog Bible Study regarding the Church Epistles (part of study segment #6) 1st Corinthians, 2nd Corinthians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1st Thessalonians and 2nd Thessalonians - During the study of the Church Epistles the blog Bible Study is going to study and emphasize the rampant Deception currently taking place within the modern Evangelical Christian Church
Of the many problems and perils that face the current Christian Church the main problems and breakdowns within Christianity itself are not from the outside forces such as the events of the day as portrayed on the nightly news or by secular authorities or even by cults and groups that openly oppose Christianity the main peril and problem in modern Christianity is a breakdown in the leadership, the pastors, the teachers and the organizations of the current Christian Church. While studying the Bible's Church epistles the blog Bible Study is going to explore and examine some of the aspects of modern Christian leadership and current Church practices that are both unbiblical and unstable and that are now wreaking havoc and destruction on the Church, the body of Christ, from within the Church. Pastors, men and ministries that even a few short years ago seemed to be faithful and honest have now in a short time become so compromised and compromise is a byproduct of corruption so we have to assume corrupt, that they are now openly and outwardly opposing the work of God, the ministry of the Holy Spirit and Jesus Christ. The blog Bible Study is going to actually look at two aspects of deception. 1. How we ourselves as true worshipers of God can over time and usually through hardships, bitterness, neglect or misconceptions can become deceived. 2. How outright wolves in sheep's clothing are deceiving and taking advantage of the Christian Church. Note: As important as it is to be able to discern and avoid the workings of the wolves and the false shepherds I think it is much more important that we ourselves the individual Christian worshipers of God be able to present ourselves to God as holy and undefiled (Romans 12:1-3) because ultimately our relationship and accountability with God is going to be the final result of our actions and our intentions and not the actions and intentions of others or of organizations.
The blog Bible Study has completed the Book of Romans and next is the Book of Galatians - The study pace has been fast though in the future the pace will probably vary a little bit more and there might even be some pauses in the study it depends mostly on the quality of material being presented - I have some other things scheduled but I think we can keep studying around any other events
The blog Bible Study has been continuing at a fairly quick rate but it isn't the intention of the study to go at a fast pace and to set some sort of speed record though we might have set some record at the pace we have been going. The intentions are to only go as fast as we can get good material posted and we are getting good Bible study material posted at this rate however the rate should fluctuate from time to time. My intentions and concerns when committing to and starting the blog Bible Study were 1. That it wouldn't become a 2-3 year project as I don't even remotely have a schedule for that to happen. 2. Another major concern is that the study might not get finished and the slower the pace the more likely it won't finish in this window of opportunity that we have for the study. 3. Another concern was that the Bible study might go at such a slow pace that people didn't have enough material to study. There are few thing worse than going to a website to do a Bible Study and they have incomplete studies though that is fine and understandable for a study in progress however it is the intention of this website to have enough material so that people can do more than just get started in their studies but that everyone visiting the site, at all levels of Christian maturity will be able to find enough material to make good progress in their Christian Studies. Thanks again to everyone for your prayers and understanding. Keep up the excellent work in staying with the Bible study! God bless everyone, David Anson Brown
The Gospel of Matthew has now been completed - next is the book of James - probably starting tomorrow!
The blog Bible Study has been going exceptionally well we are making good progress and really getting blessed! I have been learning a lot this time through the Bible. Thanks for everyone's participation and especially for your prayers regarding the study and for one another. If people could take even more time to pray for the study and pray for me that would be appreciated. The Bible study has only gone as well as it has because many people are praying for it and the prayers of the Saints are what is making a difference between an academic study and a living Spiritual Bible study. I also have to say that it is really amazing how much of a difference that the light of the Bible has in removing darkness there have been some real dramatic spiritual moments during this study and it seems that the study is bringing some light into some new areas that were previous dark. Keep up the good participation! God bless everyone, David Anson Brown.
The newest plan for the Bible Study is that after finishing Deuteronomy to do the next book Joshua that will complete this first O.T. segment [it will make more sense when we read Matthew having gotten to the point where Israel is in the land] then doing a segment in the New Testament with the Gospel of Matthew and four epistles (James, Romans, Galatians, Hebrews) then back to the O.T. for another segment or two - Then around the Christmas Holidays to make sure we do the Minor Prophets just before Christmas and the Gospel of Luke during the week of Christmas
A job well done to everyone! The Bible study is going well, we have covered a lot of material some of it at a fast pace but people are doing a great job of keeping up and I apologize if the speed has added any difficulty to anyone's studies. I already plan on going back and looking at more material after we finish the study. There is a lot of exciting material that we still have yet to cover and the Book of Revelation will conclude the study if God enables us to do the entire study. God bless everyone! David Anson Brown
Basic Christian - Monthly Memo: Fall 2009: Bible Study, Prayer, Devotions and Fellowship
Monthly Memo: Fall 2009: Bible Study, Prayer, Devotions and Fellowship - 1. The Basic Christian info/news feed is probably going to transition this fall from the conspiracy, headline news events of the day into a more Bible, Christian doctrine and current Christian seminar-events centered info/news feed. 2. I'm thankful for the patience that everyone had while we covered so many difficult topics in such a short period of time. I always try to maintain a focus that people are looking at the material and I defiantly try to spread the material out not putting too much of a burden on people at any one time. When Basic Christian started as a discussion forum it was basically all interaction all the time but now without a forum the website has little or no interaction though I still keep in mind the interaction of the past forum and do try not to overload everyone. 3. The Summer 2009 links to other websites and particularly to the Podcast Shows have been some of the best links that the Basic Christian website has been able to provide and I'm very grateful to all of the Podcast ministries for providing such a great and challenging time of Christian growth for everyone involved. 4. There are more Mp3s and now Video downloads available via Basic Christian. Some of the material tends towards conspiracy topics and some of it is a bit on the fire and brimstone side and it isn't necessarily what I would normally provide however these are materials that are increasingly being removed from the internet and becoming harder to locate so they are the files being provided in order to give others an additional chance to obtain them. In other words Hill Song videos are not disappearing from the internet but the conspiracy, hidden news materials and mature preaching topics are harder to locate and obtain so therefore those are the materials that are being provided. -- Thanks again to everyone for sticking it out through so much material and through so much unplanned controversy. I personally look forward to spending much more time in Bible study, in personal prayer time, in devotions and in fellowship this fall and into next spring. I'm really looking forward to Studying through the Bible as in the past it has changed my life for the better so I'm very much looking forward to spending some daily time in Bible study, devotions, prayer, fellowship and Christian service. All the very best! God Bless you, David Anson Brown
http://www.basicchristian.org/update.html
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Basic Christian is presenting the 'blog Bible Study' - This is your invitation to join in the Through the Bible Study and discover your ancient family history as well as revealing your own personal, eternal and future destiny with God!
Starting in Genesis the Bible is the recorded history and the story of all mankind it is your story, your history and concluding in the book of Revelation your destiny and the destiny of all mankind. The Bible reveals the history and holds the destiny of all mankind! This is your invitation to join in the Through the Bible Study and discover your ancient family history as well as revealing your own personal, eternal and future destiny with God!
http://basicchristian.org/blog_biblestudy.html
Basic Christian Theology: Answers to Bible Questions (132 Topics)
A Complete handy Reference - Study Guide/Tutorial. It covers 132 Christian Subjects and Topics from Adoption - Yahweh in an easy to read and understand format. An extensive resource, unparalleled in convenience and ease of use yet advanced in topic research.
http://www.basicchristian.org/Theology.pdf
KJV 1611 Holy Bible - Red Letter Edition {A Free PDF KJV Bible} (PDF)
The King James Version (KJV) 1611 with the Words of Jesus Formatted in Red is a complete Bible containing both the Old and the New Testaments.
http://www.basicchristian.org/HolyBible.pdf
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KJV (Hebrew-Greek) Key Word Study Bible - A Bible Recommendation for Studying Through the Bible - The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible is a complete English Bible text for cross-reference study to the original languages from which the Bible was translated (KJV Bible - $29.99)
The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible combines essential tools for Hebrew and Greek with translations that accurately and clear. An easy-to-use style plus the benefits of the Strong's Dictionary numbering system makes this study Bible one for every student of God's Word, no matter what age. The Hebrew-Greek Key Word Study Bible is a complete English Bible text for cross-reference study to the original languages from which the Bible was translated. Key Features: Book Introductions - Footnotes on Key Passages - Red Letter Edition - System of Study - Key Words in the English Text Identified by James Strong's Numbering System - Codes in the New Testament Text Identify Grammatical Structure of Key Greek Words - Notations Explain the Significance of the Grammatical Codes - Hebrew and Greek Word Studies - Strong's Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries - Center-column Reference System - Concordance.
http://www.christianbook.com/key-word-study-bible-kjv-hardcover/9780899577456/pd/7745X
NLT Jesus Bible, Softcover - A Bible Recommendation for Studying Through the Bible {Note: since the teachings are KJV some people might want to follow with a different translation. It's always important to have a KJV in the Bible Study if the teacher is not using a KJV make sure you have one. The NLT (New Living Translation) is a good alternate translation I would defiantly avoid the NIV and NKJV versions. -- NLT is available at most bookstores and WalMart.} (NLT Bible - $14.99)
The Jesus Bible shows that the real Jesus -- as described throughout all of Scripture -- is alive today and relevant to everyday life. Through The Jesus Bible, you will meet the Savior and experience his ability to break through all boundaries, all preconceived ideas, and all stereotypes. Special Features: 500 unexpected notes show how we can find Jesus in unexpected situations - 100 Real Expressions devotionals that are tied to Bible characters, and are based on stories from real teens - 600 X-Focus call-outs highlight key Scripture verses and passages that address God's plan of salvation through Christ - 24 Explicit Answers show key sayings of Jesus spread throughout the Bible - 200 Xtraordinary, But True articles in the OT highlight unusual stories of people and prophets and show their relevance to today - New Living Translation - 9 point text - Two-column layout - Softcover.
http://www.christianbook.com/nlt-jesus-centered-bible-hardcover/9781470734046/pd/734042
The Word Bible Study Software - One of the very best Bible study software programs available, commercial or otherwise - Although the price tag for The Word is free, do not be fooled into thinking that its price tag reflects its feature list (software)
Find out what you can do with The Word: In the Beginning was the Word Bible software (The Word) was created in order to be a valuable, everyday tool for every Christian that wishes to read and study the Bible, the Word of God. We believe that In the Beginning was the Word Bible Software is one of the very best Bible study software programs available, commercial or otherwise. The Word is comparable to and in many cases, if not most, better than its commercial counterparts. Although the price tag for The Word is free, do not be fooled into thinking that its price tag reflects its feature list. ... The Word is designed to be a tool for everyday use, always running in the background and ready to respond whenever you need to look-up a verse, read the Bible, or study a passage or theme of the Bible in depth. It's quick to load, easy to customize and intuitive to use. We feel that its value and quality cannot be fully presented through a feature list, so we urge you to try it out. Each little detail has been carefully contemplated, designed and implemented with many options and customizations. This is exactly what makes people stick with The Word, once they give it a try. That's the best way to make up your mind too!
http://www.theword.gr/
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How to Study the Bible - Start with Prayer!
Probably one of the most common reasons why Christians don't study the Bible is based on this complaint, "I just don't understand it!" Before you start each study session, begin by praying and asking God to open your spiritual understanding. The Bible says in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." (NIV) So, as you pray, realize that the words you are studying are inspired by God. Psalm 119:130 tells us, "The unfolding of your words gives light; it gives understanding to the simple." (NIV).
http://christianity.about.com/od/biblestudyresources/ss/biblestudy_3.htm
Bible Study & Prayer - There are few things more important to Christian life than prayer - Prayer is our method of communication with Jesus our Lord and Creator (16 Short Text Studies)
There are few things more important to Christian life than prayer. Prayer is our method of communication with our Lord and Creator. And yet far too few understand prayer or have taken any time to study it. As I prepared this study, I was impressed more and more about how prayer is centered on relationships. Just like in any other relationship, if we don't communicate, the relationship is strained. When we don't communicate with God, our relationship with Him is strained. This study is based on Andrew Murray's classic, "With Christ in the School of Prayer." Several quotes are taken from there and are noted throughout the text. The studies do not cover every chapter in the book but instead give a highlight of the overall theme Murray writes about. The chapter on the Prayer of Corporate Repentance is my own addition and is not based upon the book.
http://www.spreadinglight.com/biblestudy/prayer/index.html
How to Mark Your Bible - for EFFECTIVE Bible Study! By far the most useful method is [notes and use of] a color scheme {Using different color pens to put categorized () around Bible verses for easier and quicker future references.}
Underscoring: It is often wise to underscore or underline key words or phrases that you want to stand out in order to find them quickly. I use two colored fine-line pens for my underscoring, black for generally important verses and red for very important verses. Do not overdo this by underlining every time a new thought strikes you or the time will come when you will have more underlined than non-underlined and this can lead to a confusing hodgepodge. ... COLOR TOPIC(S) TO REMEMBER COLOR - TOPIC: Light Blue - Prayer - Think of prayers going up into a BLUE sky. Dark Blue - Healing/Sickness - Think of BLUE cross or a dark BLUE wound. Orange - Resurrection - Sons of God RISING (remember: SUNRISE). Red - Sabbath and Holy Days - Stop, Rest, Relax, (Think of a STOP light). Pink - Marriage/Divorce - Think of PINK, fluffy clouds of marriage. Light Green - Millennium/God's Kingdom - When earth will be GREEN & beautiful. Dark Green - Man's Mortality - Man's days are like GRASS - Psalm 103:15. Black/Gray - Satan/Demons (spiritual warfare) - EVIL, Darkness, Blackness. Purple - Promises to Israel and Heirs - Purple color of ROYALTY. Yellow/Gold - Law and Commandments - GOLDEN rule; Law worth more than GOLD. Brown - Repentance/Baptism - Picture AUTUMN LEAVES falling, dying of old self. {Feel free to use any colors in any way, in any combination and also not to use any color codes at all.}
http://www.biblestudy.org/basicart/how-to-mark-your-bible-for-effective-bible-study.html
walmart.com: Pigma Micron Pen Set - [Possible Pens for writing notes, marking and underling in Bibles] - See also the Pilot G2 Gel-ink Pens [only in black ink but with blue refills available] for writing notes in a notebook or on a notepad [the G2 pens are excellent for regular writing and notes but they use way too much ink to write in a Bible] {Another option in note taking is to write notes on a computer word program or some type of notes program or even make voice recordings. I'm going to write notes in a 'composition' paper notepad and then at a later time I might type them into a computer -- though I'll also put most of my notes - comments [hopefully the better ones] on the RSS new/info feed as well.} (Color Pen Set - $15.88)
SAKURA-Pigma Micron Pens #05.45mm. Heritage Collection (1 each): Sepia, Royal Blue, Burgundy, Hunter Green, Blue/Black, Fresh Green. A fine point drawing and writing pen offering a waterproof quick drying pigment ink. Micron pens will not clog or dry out. Ink will not feather or bleed through even the thinnest papers and is smear proof once dry. The pigment in the ink remains colorful and will not spread when applied. It is fade proof against sunlight or UV light; and is permanent and washable on cotton fabrics. Archival Quality. Acid Free. Imported.
http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=10310547
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Basic Christian: eBook Version (.CHM)
Possibly the best Basic Christian resource! Download it and give it a try!
Includes the Red Letter Edition Holy Bible KJV 1611 Version. To download Right-Click then Select Save Target _As...
http://www.basicchristian.org/BasicChristian.CHM
Basic Christian: Full Content (PDF)
Basic Christian Full Content PDF Version. The BasicChristian.org most complete resource.
http://www.basicchristian.org/BasicChristian.pdf
Free Downloads: (PDF - MP3) from BasicChristian.org
It is our Commitment to provide a Varity of FREE and useful Downloads. It is also our Commitment to provide them in a convenient way without pop-up advertisements, redirects and other annoying interferences between you and the information you are seeking. We also encourage everyone to have a safety offline backup version of the Basic Christian material.
http://www.basicchristian.org/download.html
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Old Testament
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THE FIRST BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED
===== GENESIS =====
Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God - How long has God existed? There is a dimension in which time does not exist, timelessness/eternity - God has existed from eternity - Before God created the physical universe He thought about you and provided for your redemption - Jesus was crucified for us before the foundation of the world [Revelation 13:8] - In John 1:1 we also read "In the beginning was the Word [Jesus], and the Word [Jesus] was with God, and the Word [Jesus] was God"
Note: In the beginning God ... God is upfront and open about His existence, about who He is, about His availability to us and about why He has created us [for His pleasure - Revelation 4:11]. The Bible is about God, the Bible is about mankind and the Bible is about God's special, ordained and unique relationship He has with all of mankind. It is therefore the opportunity and the ability of each individual human to acknowledge God and to enter into that special childlike relationship that mankind is intended to have with God. A relationship that God has thoughtfully and diligently provided for each of us in a relationship that is recorded for us in the scripture verses on the pages of His Holy Bible.
Bible verse: John 8:12-19 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I Am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life ... {The complete Bible is available at ChristianFaithDownloads.com}
John 8:12-19 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I Am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said unto Him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of Myself, yet My record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man [physically]. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true [spiritual]: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent Me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I Am one that bear witness of Myself, and the Father that sent Me beareth witness of Me. Then said they unto Him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know Me, nor My Father: if ye had known Me, ye should have known My Father also. -- Holy Bible
http://www.ChristianFaithDownloads.com/
BasicChristian.org: An Eight Part Article Introduction - The 7 physical and spiritual realms as unfolded in the 7 Days of the Genesis creation model {the 8th realm being God's realm of unrestricted eternity}
Coming Soon the Basic Christian Article: Who is Melchizedek? Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20) is a higher multidimensional being. Melchizedek exists outside of our own human time and space dimensions (restrictions). Humans exist in and are limited to the first three physical dimensions (length, height, width) and also the fourth dimension (restriction) of time. The spiritual realm of demons, angels and in part the coming Antichrist exists in the less restricted 5th and 6th dimensions. In fact the coming Antichrist is going to bring down or "contact" the 5th and 6th dimensions and infuse 4th dimensional human beings with 5th dimensional demons [Nephilim spirits] and 6th dimensional fallen [Satanic] angelic spirit beings consequently orchestrating 5th and 6th dimensional miracles and signs and wonders in order to deceive mankind. So who is Melchizedek? Melchizedek is the manifestation of the infinite dimensional (infinite dimensions - no restrictions - unrestricted) God in Person. Melchizedek is God the Holy Spirit in Person. Melchizedek is the Order of the Holy Spirit Priesthood. -- Note: In the Basic Christian article "Who is Melchizedek?" the 8 dimensions (restrictions) are listed in conjunction with the original creation week (Genesis 1:1-2:4) and are categorized as follows: 1. Length [Day one creation - light separated [Judgment] (length) from darkness] 2. Height [Day two creation - divided the waters above from the waters below] 3. Width [Day three creation - dry land and plants] 4. Time [Day four creation - sun, moon, stars for times and seasons] 5. Demonic - demons [Day five creation - fish from the waters below, birds from the waters above] 6. Angelic - Holy Angels and also Satan with all of his fallen angels [Day six creation - land animals and humans (pre-fall) - humans the highest part of creation created separate and above the animals and equal to the angels but with sin mankind fell from the 6th dimension to the 4th dimension, in fact with the sin of mankind all of creation also fell from its original creation status] 7. Human Salvation redeemed by the blood, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ [Day seven creation - Rest] 8. Unrestricted [outside of creation] - The only Unrestricted, Eternal, Wise, ∞ Infinite, Almighty God consisting of God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. -- Genesis 2:4 These are the generations [dimensions] of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens ...
http://www.basicchristian.org/Truth_vs_Deception.pdf
Dr. John Morris Institute for Creation Research - Evidence for Creation
Institute for Creation Research (ICR) equips believers with evidence of the Bible's accuracy and authority through scientific research, educational programs, and media presentations, all conducted within a thoroughly biblical framework.
http://www.icr.org/evidence/
Highly Recommended!!! -- DrDino.com: Creation Seminar Boxed Set, 8 DVDs - This new boxed set is the 2007 edition of the seminar! ($89.95)
Dr. Hovind's Creation Seminar Series is his most popular set of videos, capturing the attention of all, young and old alike. God has used his fast-paced, fully illustrated seminar to bring thousands of people closer to Him. This 17-hour series comes on eight DVDs and is frequently updated to provide the most current information available. This new boxed set is the 2007 edition of the seminar! The set includes the Seminar Notebook and the Seminar Workbook on CD-ROM. A total savings of $43.10!
http://shopping.drdino.com/product-exec/product_id/31/nm/Creation_Seminar_Boxed_Set_8_DVDs/category_id/39
amazon.com: Earth in Upheaval by Immanuel Velikovsky (Book)
Comments: Velikovsky compiled this huge list of catastrophic data in answer to one of the foolish criticisms of 1950's "Worlds In Collision" -- that it relied on 'tales and stories'. Catastrophists often rely on bits and pieces from this book, perhaps indirectly, but nowhere else can they all be found, except perhaps for William Corliss' catalogs and sourcebooks. The only thing that has happened since "Earth In Upheaval" was published in 1955 is that even more evidence has emerged along with even more outlandish rationalizations and apologia for uniform "explanations". While this 19th century delusional system perishes, its grip on power has slipped away. Catastrophism triumphs everywhere, even in the consideration of celestial disasters in historical times. In 1960 the Chicxulub crater was discovered by PEMEX. In 1970 someone first suggested that the dinosaurs went extinct due to an impact. In 1972 impact was shown to be the dominant force on the lunar surface. In 1980 the Alvarez team suggested it again, supporting their view with the iridium found at the K-T boundary layer. Others found similar iridium in other boundary layers. By 1990 the Chicxulub crater finally came to the attention of the impact theorists. Impact wasn't the fully accepted consensus until the 1994 impacts of Comet Shoemaker-Levy 9's fragments into Jupiter. The text has the same ease and command of Velikovsky's other books, and I found it to be a pleasure to read 20 plus years ago. I highly recommend it, particularly for those considering other books. There is still a great deal of ill-temper, hostility, and ignorance regarding Velikovsky's works, and these often take the form of a single dismissive sentence or paragraph. Living writers seem to go out of their way to dump on him, and this is particularly true among fringe authors. See also Velikovsky's other works (new and used), David Rohl's "Pharaohs and Kings", Peter James' "Centuries of Darkness", Ryan and Pitman's "Noah's Flood", Mary Settegast's "Plato Prehistorian", and Robert Schoch's "Voices of the Rocks". ... I have read this book as well as others by this author and found it fascinating, well researched. It does challenge established science. Strict guidelines have to be followed when emitting a theory; Mr. Velikovsky seems to have done just that even though his detractors find him sensationalistic to say the least. However, science has to be challenged. That is how new discoveries are made, quite often, at the expense of the scientist's career, especially if he goes against the grain of accepted theories or so called "known facts". Unfortunately, Sciences' motives are not always as pure as one would want to believe. Scientists are human, therefore fallible and like everybody else, they like to protect their turf.
http://www.amazon.com/Earth-Upheaval-Immanuel-Velikovsky/dp/0671524658/ref=ed_oe_p
Dr. A.E. Wilder-Smith - As a true pioneer of the alternatives to evolutionary theory, Dr. A.E. Wilder-Smith fearlessly confronted the seemingly all-powerful theory of evolution in universities and churches all over the world (Mp3s)
A..E. Wilder-Smith studied natural sciences at Oxford, England. He received his first doctorate in Physical Organic Chemistry at Reading University, England, 1941. During World War II, he joined the Research department of ICI in England. After the war, he became Countess of Lisburne Memorial Fellow at the University of London. Subsequently, Dr. Wilder-Smith was appointed Director of Research for a Swiss pharmaceutical company. Later he was elected to teach Chemotherapy and Pharmacology at the Medical School of the University of Geneva for which position he received his "habitation" (the senior examination required for professorial appointments to European continental universities). At Geneva, he earned his second doctorate, followed by a third doctorate from the ETH (a senior university in Switzerland) in Zurich. -- In 1957-1958 Wilder-Smith was Visiting Assistant Professor at the Medical Centre of the University of Illinois, 1959-1961 Visiting Full Professor of Pharmacology of the University of Bergen Medical School in Norway. After a further two years at the University of Geneva, he was appointed Full Professor of Pharmacology at the University of Illinois Medical Centre. Here he received in three succeeding years - three ``Golden Apple Awards" for the best course of lectures, together with four senior lecturer awards for the best series of year lectures. Dr. Wilder-Smith's last Golden Apple award was inscribed, "He made us not only better scientists, but also better men."
http://www.wildersmith.org/library.htm
'Evolution Cruncher' PDF e-Book This is the original edition of this book (PDF)
Evolutionary theory has ruined the lives of millions. This book will help eliminate its grip over the minds of those who read it. WHAT YOU CAN DO WITH THIS BOOK - GIVE IT to every young person you know. Share a copy with everyone you meet. It is needed
everywhere. Let's win the world back from the deadly effects of evolution. Give boxfuls to church schools, academies, and churches to distribute.
http://evolution-facts.org/Downloads.htm
Photo of Fossil Footprints: shows how the dinosaur impression affected the human footprint when it (dinosaur) stepped into it (human footprint) - the stone's impressions indicate that the human stepped first, the dinosaur second (Photo)
A closer view of the 'Alvis Delk Cretaceous Footprint' gives a closer view of the two prints, and shows how the dinosaur impression affected the human footprint when it stepped into it. Courtesy of David Lines / Creation Evidence Museum. / Mineral Wells Index. Order photo reprints.
http://www.mineralwellsindex.com/homepage/images_sizedimage_210094837/resources_photoview
Rock-solid proof? A discovery by a former Mineral Wells resident might hold proof man and dinosaur walked the Earth together - Baugh said he believes both sets of prints (human and dinosaur) were made "within minutes, or no more than hours of each other" about 4,500 years ago, around the time of Noah's Flood - He said the clay-like material that the human and dinosaur stepped in soon hardened, becoming thick, dense limestone common in North Texas - the stone's impressions indicate that the human stepped first, the dinosaur second (Photos)
A slab of North Texas limestone is on track to rock the world, with its two imbedded footprints poised to make a huge impression in scientific and religious circles. The estimated 140-pound stone was recovered in July 2000 from the bank of a creek that feeds the Paluxy River near Glen Rose, Texas, located about 53 miles south of Fort Worth. The find was made just outside Dinosaur Valley State Park, a popular destination for tourists known for its well-preserved dinosaur tracks and other fossils. The limestone contains two distinct prints - one of a human footprint and one belonging to a dinosaur. The significance of the cement-hard fossil is that it shows the dinosaur print partially over and intersecting the human print. In other words, the stone's impressions indicate that the human stepped first, the dinosaur second. If proven genuine, the artifact would provide evidence that man and dinosaur roamed the Earth at the same time, according to those associated with the find and with its safekeeping. It could potentially toss out the window many commonly held scientific theories on evolution and the history of the world. ... Baugh said the scans prove that the impressions are real and could not have been carved or etched into the stone. ... He also noted how the dinosaur's impression pushed up material from the human print and altered its shape in the area of the intrusion.
http://www.mineralwellsindex.com/homepage/local_story_210093256.html
Fossil: Meister Sandal Track with Trilobite (beetle-bug) embedded [click 'Museum Displays' on the menu] - The oldest fossil (human) footprint yet found was discovered in June 1968 by William J. Meister on an expedition to Antelope Spring, 43 miles west of Delta, Utah - Amazingly the human was wearing a sandal! The sandal that seems to have crushed a living trilobite was 10 1/4 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide; the heel is indented slightly more than the sole, as a human shoe print would be - A trilobite crushed within a human sandal print Found on June 1, 1968 (Photo)
Meister Sandal Track: The oldest fossil footprint yet found was discovered in June 1968 by William J. Meister on an expedition to Antelope Spring, 43 miles west of Delta, Utah. He was accompanied by his wife and two daughters, and by Mr. and Mrs. Francis Shape and their two daughters. The party had already discovered several fossils of trilobites when Meister split open a two-inch-thick slab of rock with his hammer and discovered the print. The rock fell open "like a book." revealing on one side the footprint of a human with trilobites right in the footprint itself. The other half of the rock slab showed an almost perfect mold of the footprint and fossils. Amazingly the human was wearing a sandal! The sandal that seems to have crushed a living trilobite was 10 1/4 inches long and 3 1/2 inches wide; the heel is indented slightly more than the sole, as a human shoe print would be. The Meister Sandal Track is another strong piece of evidence that the evolutionary theories promoted in class rooms across the nation and world do not promote "Truth", but instead promote theory that is bankrupt at its core.
http://75.125.60.6/~creatio1/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1&Itemid=3
Wikipedia.com: NASA Surveyor Program 1966 - 1968: The Surveyor Program was a NASA program that, from 1966 through 1968, sent seven robotic spacecraft to the surface of the Moon - Several Surveyor spacecraft had robotic shovels designed to test lunar soil mechanics - Before this project, it was unknown how deep the dust on the Moon was - If the dust was too deep, then no astronaut could land - The Surveyor program proved that landings were possible [possible due to the small depth of moon dust coating the moon surface but numerous other challenges like distance and radiation remain] - There were seven (NASA) Surveyor missions; five were successful, Surveyors 2 and 4 failed - Surveyor 6 (November 10, 1967) was the first spacecraft to lift off from the Moon's surface [to return moon dust and moon rocks back to the earth] - Each consisted of a single unmanned spacecraft designed and built by Hughes Aircraft Company
The Surveyor Program was a NASA program that, from 1966 through 1968, sent seven robotic spacecraft to the surface of the Moon. Its primary goal was to demonstrate the feasibility of soft landings on the Moon. The program was implemented by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) to prepare for the Apollo Program. The spacecraft are still on the Moon; none of the missions included returning them to Earth. Some parts of Surveyor 3 were returned to Earth by Apollo 12. The camera is on display at the National Air and Space Museum. ... The program performed several other services beyond its primary goal of demonstrating soft landings. The ability of spacecraft to make midcourse corrections was demonstrated, and the landers carried instruments to help evaluate the suitability of their landing sites for manned Apollo landings. Several Surveyor spacecraft had robotic shovels designed to test lunar soil mechanics. Before this project, it was unknown how deep the dust on the Moon was. If the dust was too deep, then no astronaut could land. The Surveyor program proved that landings were possible. Some of the Surveyors also had alpha scattering instruments and magnets, which helped determine the chemical composition of the soil. ... There were seven Surveyor missions; five were successful. Surveyors 2 and 4 failed. Each consisted of a single unmanned spacecraft designed and built by Hughes Aircraft Company. ... Surveyor 6 (November 10, 1967) was the first spacecraft to lift off from the Moon's surface [to return moon dust and moon rocks back to the earth], and Apollo 12 landed within walking distance of the Surveyor 3 landing site. ... During the time of the Surveyor missions, the United States was actively involved in a Space Race with the Soviet Union. Thus the (USA) Surveyor 1 landing in June 1966, only four months after the Soviet Luna 9 probe landed in February, was an indication the programs were at similar stages.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surveyor_Program
Russian Luna programme 1959 - 1976: Another major achievement of the (Soviet) Luna programme, with Luna 16, Luna 20 and Luna 24 spacecrafts, was the ability to collect samples of lunar soil and return them to Earth [the NASA probes can return both dust and rocks], by 1970 The (Soviet) program returned 0.326 kg [0.798 lbs - 12.76 oz] of lunar samples - The Luna missions were the first space-exploration sample return missions to rely solely on advanced robotics - Luna 15, also designed to return soil samples from the lunar surface, holds the significance of undergoing its mission at the same time as the historic (1969) Apollo 11 mission - Map: Locations of missions on the Moon (Click to enlarge)
The Luna programme (from the Russian word "Luna" meaning "Moon"), occasionally called Lunik or Lunnik, was a series of robotic spacecraft missions sent to the Moon by the Soviet Union between 1959 and 1976. Fifteen were successful, each designed as either an orbiter or lander, and accomplished many firsts in space exploration. They also performed many experiments, studying the Moon's chemical composition, gravity, temperature, and radiation. Twenty-four spacecraft were formally given the Luna designation, although more were launched. Those which failed to reach orbit were not publicly acknowledged at the time and not assigned a Luna number and ones which failed in low Earth orbit were usually given Cosmos designations. The estimated cost of Luna Program was about $4.5 billion. ... Achievements: Luna 1 missed its intended impact with the Moon and became the first spacecraft to fall into orbit around the Sun. In 1959, the Luna 2 mission successfully impacted upon the lunar surface, becoming the first man-made object to reach the Moon. Luna 3 rounded the Moon later that year, and returned the first photographs of its far side, which can never be seen from Earth. Luna 9 became the first probe to achieve a soft landing on another planetary body (February 1966). It returned five black and white stereoscopic circular panoramas, which were the first close-up shots of the Lunar surface. Later that year Luna 10 became the first artificial satellite of the Moon.
Luna 17 and Luna 21 carried roving vehicles which roamed around on the Moon's terrain (see Lunokhod programme). Another major achievement of the Luna programme, with Luna 16, Luna 20 and Luna 24 spacecrafts, was the ability to collect samples of lunar soil and return them to Earth, by 1970. The program returned 0.326 kg of lunar samples. The Luna missions were the first space-exploration sample return missions to rely solely on advanced robotics. -- Other notable missions: Luna 15, also designed to return soil samples from the lunar surface, holds the significance of undergoing its mission at the same time as the historic Apollo 11 mission. Arguably a last-ditch attempt to steal thunder from the potential American success, it would have returned lunar samples to Earth before the Apollo astronauts could do so. However, Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin were already on the lunar surface when Luna 15 began its descent, and the spacecraft crashed into a mountain minutes later.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luna_programme
What Neil & Buzz (1969) Left on the Moon - Cutting-edge Science Experiment Left by Apollo 11 astronauts Still Running Today - a 2-foot wide panel studded with 100 mirrors pointing at Earth: the "lunar laser ranging retroreflector array" - [also] in the Sea of Serenity There's a set of mirrors there onboard the parked Soviet Lunokhud 2 (1959) [unmanned] moon rover [probe] - "Using these mirrors" explains Alley, "we can 'ping' the moon with laser pulses [from earth] and measure the Earth-moon distance very precisely - The moon is spiraling away from Earth at a rate of 3.8 cm per year - Why? Earth's ocean tides are responsible
University of Maryland physics professor Carroll Alley was the project's principal investigator during the Apollo years, and he follows its progress today. "Using these mirrors," explains Alley, "we can 'ping' the moon with laser pulses and measure the Earth-moon distance very precisely. This is a wonderful way to learn about the moon's orbit and to test theories of gravity." Here's how it works: A laser pulse shoots out of a telescope on Earth, crosses the Earth-moon divide, and hits the array. Because the mirrors are "corner-cube reflectors," they send the pulse straight back where it came from. "It's like hitting a ball into the corner of a squash court," explains Alley. Back on Earth, telescopes intercept the returning pulse--"usually just a single photon," he marvels. ... Targeting the mirrors and catching their faint reflections is a challenge, but astronomers have been doing it for 35 years. A key observing site is the McDonald Observatory in Texas where a 0.7 meter telescope regularly pings reflectors in the Sea of Tranquility (Apollo 11), at Fra Mauro (Apollo 14) and Hadley Rille (Apollo 15), and, sometimes, in the Sea of Serenity. There's a set of mirrors there onboard the parked Soviet Lunokhud 2 moon rover--maybe the coolest-looking robot ever built.
http://space.about.com/od/nasanewscurrentevents/a/apllexp.htm
August 24, 2006: Lunar probe aims to crash into the Moon - The European Space Agency is gearing up for its first ever lunar landing - On 3 September, its lunar orbiter SMART-1 will crash onto the Moon
The European Space Agency is gearing up for its first ever lunar landing. On 3 September, its lunar orbiter SMART-1 will crash onto the Moon - hopefully in spectacular style - as its mission comes to a close. Mission controllers have used the last remaining fuel on the spacecraft to make it crash onto the nearside of the Moon. The crash should happen at approximately 0530 GMT as the spacecraft lands on a volcanic plain called the "Lake of Excellence" on the southwest of the Moon's disc. But the impact might occur one orbit (about 5 hours) earlier if the low-flying spacecraft happens to hit a mountainside. SMART-1 will hit the lunar surface at about 7000 kilometers per hour, just over three times the maximum speed of the supersonic Concorde. "It's likely that it's going to ricochet off the surface," said chief mission scientist Bernard Foing at a press conference in London, UK, on Thursday.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn9830-lunar-probe-aims-to-crash-into-the-moon.html
November 12, 2008: TV-sized probe to strike Moon's surface - India's Chandrayaan spacecraft is set to eject a television-sized probe that will crash onto the lunar surface on Friday - When the probe hits the surface, it is expected to kick up a huge amount of dust that will be analyzed by instruments on the Chandrayaan orbiter
India's Chandrayaan spacecraft is set to eject a television-sized probe that will crash onto the lunar surface on Friday. The probe will make observations as it descends, testing systems needed to land future robotic spacecraft on the Moon. Chandrayaan, which launched on [Wednesday] 22 October, has been travelling on an elongated path around the Moon since it went into orbit there on Saturday [a four day journey]. ... An altimeter will measure the probe's height as it nosedives, helping to test technologies needed to make 'soft' landings on the Moon. India's next lunar mission, scheduled for 2010, involves not only an orbiter but also a Russian-built lander that will study samples of lunar soil. "I think the main purpose [of the Moon Impact Probe] is preparations for future soft landings," says Christian Erd, mission project manager at the European Space Agency in Noordwijk, The Netherlands. "It is a demonstration of the separation mechanism and getting to the surface." The probe will also carry a mass spectrometer that will measure traces of gas and dust floating above the Moon. Signals from all three onboard instruments will be relayed back to the spacecraft and from there to ground stations on Earth.
http://www.newscientist.com/article/dn16015-tvsized-probe-to-strike-moons-surface.html
June 11, 2009: Japan's first lunar probe ends mission - Japan's first lunar probe made a controlled crash landing on the moon Thursday, successfully completing a 19-month mission to study the Earth's nearest neighbor, Japan's space agency said - During the Kaguya project, Japan launched two other orbiters to relay data - One landed on the moon in February, while the other has been measuring gravity around the moon and is still in orbit
(AP) -- Japan's first lunar probe made a controlled crash landing on the moon Thursday, successfully completing a 19-month mission to study the Earth's nearest neighbor, Japan's space agency said. The remotely controlled satellite, named after the folklore princess Kaguya, had been orbiting the moon to map its surface and study its mineral distribution and gravity levels. It was dropped onto the surface of the moon at 3:25 am. (1825 GMT), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, or JAXA, said in a statement. ... "With data from Kaguya, we hope to shed light on the evolution of the moon," Sobue said. During the Kaguya project, Japan launched two other orbiters to relay data. One landed on the moon in February, while the other has been measuring gravity around the moon and is still in orbit. Japan launched a moon probe in 1990, but that was a flyby mission. Japan launched its first satellite in 1970 and has achieved several major scientific coups in space, including the launch of a probe that made a rendezvous with an asteroid. The Japanese-produced H-2A rocket is one of the world's most advanced and consistent. ... A mission to Mars had to be abandoned in 2003 after a probe moved off course.
http://www.physorg.com/news163910504.html
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Genesis 2-3 - Being made in the likeness and image of God no doubt referring to the spiritual aspects of God's nature - Love, God's chief emotional characteristic is love as God is Love, we are created with the capacity to love - God's chief governmental attribute is that of self-determination so given to us is the capacity of choice - God is a Spirit so He made man a spiritual being because we are made like God -- God made us spiritual beings - I am a spirit, I live in a body, I possess a conciseness a self-awareness - the physical body [a temporary tent] is not the real me I'm going to move from it one day into a real house [heaven] - what will the new [spiritual, heavenly] body look like? I don't know but I know it will be perfect [complete]
God created Adam's physical body from the dirt of the ground. The same 17 elements found in [common] dirt are the same 17 elements found in our physical body. Note: Adam (man) was uniquely created spiritually (spirit/soul) in the image of God [Genesis 1:26] and physically from the dust of the ground. The fish/water animals and birds were first created through the water [Genesis 1:20 - creation day 5] while the land animals and Adam were created through the ground [Genesis 1:24 - creation day 6]. Later the female animals (helpmates) were all created separately through the ground [Genesis 2:19] their creation was an event Adam witnessed and participated in with his naming all of the animals. Eve (the woman) was not created separately from the ground as the animals were but from the side of Adam. Eve is not a separate creation like the animals male and female are separate from each other. Eve is a part of the exact same unique [Genesis 1:27] creation of Adam. Originally Adam was formed through the dust of the ground but now humans are formed through the water; the water of the womb. -- Also Note: since the original creation sin has entered into creation and creation now represents both the creation abilities of God and also the fallen sinful nature of mankind and the results of sin show in all of creation. With the fall and along with the thorns and thistles [Genesis 3:18] some animals became poisonous, decay and fermentation (alcohol) entered creation and some plants became toxic; plants like marijuana that before the fall would have been suitable for humans but since the fall have an alternate and adverse effect on the human body, mind (soul) and spirit.
Darwin Taught Male Superiority "males are more evolutionarily advanced than females" {Genesis 1:26-28 And God said, Let us (Father, Son Jesus, Holy Spirit) make man in Our image, after Our likeness: ... So God created man in His own image, in the image of God created He him; *male and *female created He them - And God blessed them, -- Holy Bible. Mankind, male and female are created in the "image" of God so we can communicate and interact with God. If we did not have some of the emotions, understanding and feelings of God we would have nothing in common with God. Note: Our human emotions and thoughts are now tainted by sin while God remains pure and Holy.}
According to Darwinian theory, women were less evolved than men, and because of their smaller brains, they were "eternally primitive," childlike, less spiritual, more materialistic, and "a real danger to contemporary civilization." The supposed intelligence gap that many leading Darwinists believed existed between human males and females was so large that some leading Darwinists classified them as two distinct species-males as Homo frontalis and females as Homo parietalis. The differences were so great that Darwin was amazed "such different beings belong to the same species." Reasons for male superiority included the conclusion that war and hunting pruned the weaker men, allowing only the most fit to return home and reproduce. Women, in contrast, were not subject to these selection pressures but were protected by men, allowing the weak to survive. ... Darwin's writings and those of his disciples reveal that the belief of women inferiority was central to early evolutionary theory. In The Descent of Man Darwin argued that adult females of most species resembled the young of both sexes and that "males are more evolutionarily advanced than females."
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/am/v2/n1/darwin-taught-male-superiority
Highly Recommended!!! -- Many Infallible Proofs by DR. Henry Morris - Packed with facts and proofs about Christianity, Christ, God, creation, science and more - Includes 666 [mark of the beast numerology] discussion (Book $9.99)
Henry Morris - the grandfather of Scientific Creationism - shows what impact God's Word can have on the world. At once shining light on little known truths of the faith, strengthening believers through the Scripture, and providing information for skeptics or unbelievers, Many Infallible Proofs can also be a valuable tool in evangelism by showing where we can engage the individual we may be witnessing to. Henry Morris was on the forefront of the Christian anti-evolution movement until his death in 2006, producing many books and contributing greatly to the Young Earth model for creationism. This book, updated from his 1974 classic, is indicative of his commitment to the glory of God through biblical truths.
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1008467&item_no=10059
Dr. Henry Morris books in print - The Genesis Record ($22.99) - The Genesis Flood ($13.99) - Many Infallible Proofs ($9.99) - (Books)
The Genesis Record is a scientific devotional commentary on the book of beginnings written by a creationist scientist. This book is written in the narrative rather than a verse-by-verse analysis form. In this work Morris guides the reader through the earth's early history showing his expertise in hydrology and geology so Scripture can be better understood. -- When The Genesis Flood first appeared reviewers predicted that it would be quoted, referred to, and widely discussed in the years ahead. Carefully written and well-documented, the book has since become a classic apologetic for Biblical creationism and the universality of the Flood described in the Book of Genesis. -- Packed with facts and proofs about Christianity, Christ, God, creation, science and more, Henry Morris - the grandfather of Scientific Creationism - shows what impact God's Word can have on the world. At once shining light on little known truths of the faith, strengthening believers through the Scripture, and providing information for skeptics or unbelievers, Many Infallible Proofs can also be a valuable tool in evangelism by showing where we can engage the individual we may be witnessing to. ... Henry Morris was on the forefront of the Christian anti-evolution movement until his death in 2006, producing many books and contributing greatly to the Young Earth model for creationism. This book, updated from his 1974 classic, is indicative of his commitment to the glory of God through biblical truths.
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?event=AFF&p=1008467&Ns=product.number_sold&Nso=1&Ntk=product.full_auth_name&Ntt=Henry%20Morris&Nu=product.endeca_rollup
Highly Recommended!!! -- Dr. Dino Creationist Kent Hovind Reveals The Truth About The Garden of Eden and Creation! {Discusses the earth's original water canopy covering.} (Google Video)
Kent Hovind - 1 hr 56 min 19 sec - Mar 2, 2006 - www.drdino.com
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5056470106006523967
What is the Canopy Theory? It is interesting to note that if a frozen [water][or not frozen but a pure liquid water] canopy were able to exist in the atmosphere despite cosmic bombardment, its ability to stay in orbit [rain clouds of water orbit the earth today], and its transparency (sunlight has to get through it) [sunlight goes through water], its collapse into liquid rain [the water canopy could have been water then became in part flood water, rain, chunks of ice, comets, etc. after the canopy broke apart initiating the flood of Noah's day] would have an extreme cooling effect and might be an explanation for the commencement of the Ice Age - Despite the fact that we know that it [ice age] happened, the complex factors involved in getting an Ice Age started makes it seem impossible and baffles modern science to this day
Answer: The canopy theory seeks to explain the reference in Genesis 1:6 to "the waters above the firmament," assuming that "firmament," or "expanse," as the Hebrew word is alternatively translated, refers to our atmosphere. According to the canopy theory, there was a canopy of water above the atmosphere until the cataclysm of Noah's day, at which point it disappeared either by collapsing upon the earth or by dissipation into space. It is presumed to have consisted of water vapor because a canopy of ice could not have survived the constant bombardment of celestial objects like meteoroids which perpetually barrage the earth's atmosphere. ... Advocates of the canopy theory once speculated that the collapse of such a vapor canopy might have provided the water for the heavy rains which inundated the earth during Noah's flood. ... It is interesting to note that if a frozen canopy were able to exist in the atmosphere despite cosmic bombardment, its ability to stay in orbit, and its transparency (sunlight has to get through it), its collapse into liquid rain would have an extreme cooling effect and might be an explanation for the commencement of the Ice Age. Despite the fact that we know that it happened, the complex factors involved in getting an Ice Age started makes it seem impossible and baffles modern science to this day. Advocates of the canopy theory also cite it as a possible cause for a variety of pre-flood anomalies, including human longevity and the apparent lack of rain or rainbows. They claim that such a canopy would filter out much of the cosmic radiation that is harmful to humans and cause the lack of rain or rainbows. However, opponents dispute such a canopy's ability to produce these results.
http://www.gotquestions.org/canopy-theory.html
The Origin of Comets - Comets [outer space remnants of the original creation water canopy], which are primarily ice [frozen water], have rocks in their cores
Comets may be the most dynamic, spectacular, variable, and mysterious bodies in the solar system. They contain even organic matter which many early scientists concluded was "decomposed organic bodies." Today, a popular belief is that comets brought life to Earth. Instead, comets may have traces of life from Earth.
http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/Comets2.html
The Origin of Asteroids [outer space remnants of the original creation water canopy] and Meteoroids - Asteroids are rock piles, often with ice [frozen water] acting as a weak "glue" inside - Large rocks that began the capture process are nearer the centers of asteroids
The "fountains of the great deep" launched rocks as well as muddy water. As rocks moved farther from Earth, Earth's gravity became less significant to them, and the gravity of nearby rocks became increasingly significant. Consequently, many rocks, assisted by their mutual gravity and surrounding clouds of water vapor, merged to become asteroids.
http://www.creationscience.com/onlinebook/Asteroids2.html
wikipedia.org: Drop liquid - Impact of a drop of water {View a photo of a drop of water impacting a pool of water or any surface then view a photo of an impact crater on the moon both the drop of water impact and moon craters have identical features - showing that the moon craters were indeed created from numerous impacts of comet [ice, rocks] debris.} (Photos)
A drop or droplet is a small volume of liquid, bounded completely or almost completely by free surfaces. A drop may form when liquid accumulates at the lower end of a tube or other surface boundary, producing a hanging drop called a pendant drop. Drops may also be formed by the condensation of a vapor or by atomization of a larger mass of liquid. ... Impact of a drop of water (Photo). Backjet from drop impact (Photo). A drop of water hitting a metal surface (Photo). ... A triple backjet after impact (Photo).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Drop_(liquid)
wikipedia.org: Impact crater on the Moon - the term is used for the approximately circular depression in the surface of a planet, moon or other solid body in the Solar System, formed by the hyper-velocity impact of a smaller body with the surface - Impact craters typically have raised rims, and they range from small, simple, bowl-shaped depressions to large, complex, multi-ringed impact basins - Meteor Crater is perhaps the best-known example of a small impact crater on the Earth - A laboratory simulation (Video Demo) of an impact event and crater formation - The prominent impact crater Tycho on the Moon (Photo)
In the broadest sense, the term impact crater can be applied to any depression, natural or manmade, resulting from the high velocity impact of a projectile with larger body. In most common usage, the term is used for the approximately circular depression in the surface of a planet, moon or other solid body in the Solar System, formed by the hyper-velocity impact of a smaller body with the surface. This is in contrast to the pit crater which results from an internal collapse. Impact craters typically have raised rims, and they range from small, simple, bowl-shaped depressions to large, complex, multi-ringed impact basins. Meteor Crater is perhaps the best-known example of a small impact crater on the Earth.
Impact craters provide the dominant landforms on many solid Solar System objects including the Moon, Mercury, Callisto, Ganymede and most small moons and asteroids. On other planets and moons that experience more-active surface geological processes, such as Earth, Venus, Mars, Europa, Io and Titan, visible impact craters are less common because they become eroded, buried or transformed by tectonics over time. Where such processes have destroyed most of the original crater topography, the terms impact structure or astrobleme are more commonly used. In early literature, before the significance of impact cratering was widely recognized, the terms cryptoexplosion or cryptovolcanic structure were often used to describe what are now recognized as impact-related features on Earth. -- In the early Solar System, rates of impact cratering were much higher than today. The large multi-ringed impact basins, with diameters of hundreds of kilometers or more, retained for example on Mercury and the Moon, record a period of intense early bombardment in the inner Solar System that ended about 3.8 billion years ago. Since that time, the rate of crater production on Earth has been considerably lower, but it is appreciable nonetheless; Earth experiences from one to three impacts large enough to produce a 20 km diameter crater about once every million years on average. This indicates that there should be far more relatively young craters on the planet than have been discovered so far.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impact_crater
wikipedia.org: Moon Rilles [riverbeds] - Rille (German for 'groove') is typically used to describe any of the long, narrow depressions in the lunar surface that resemble channels - Typically a rille can be up to several kilometers wide and hundreds of kilometers in length - However, the term has also been used loosely to describe similar structures on a number of planets in the Solar System, including Mars, Venus, and on a number of moons - All bear remarkable structural resemblance to each other {Another theory about rilles and canyons is not that they were lava flows from extinct volcanoes but that the majority of rilles and canyons are dry riverbeds from temporary rivers that as comets composed of ice impacted our moon, other planets (Mars) and other moons that the ice shattered and melted on impact creating a temporary river but only until the water quickly evaporated back into space as the moon and other planets do not have enough gravity or their own atmosphere to trap and retain the liquid water on their surface like the earth does.} (Photos)
Rille (German for 'groove') is typically used to describe any of the long, narrow depressions in the lunar surface that resemble channels. Typically a rille can be up to several kilometers wide and hundreds of kilometers in length. However, the term has also been used loosely to describe similar structures on a number of planets in the Solar System, including Mars, Venus, and on a number of moons. All bear remarkable structural resemblance to each other. Three types of rille are found on the lunar surface: Sinuous rilles meander in a curved path like a mature river, and are commonly thought to be the remains of collapsed lava tubes or extinct lava flows. They usually begin at an extinct volcano, then meander and sometimes split as they are followed across the surface. Vallis Schröteri in Oceanus Procellarum is the largest sinuous rille. Arcuate rilles have a smooth curve and are found on the edges of the dark lunar maria. They are believed to form when the lava flows that created a mare cool, contract, and sink. This are found all over the moon, examples can be seen near the south-western border of Mare Tranquillitatis and on the south-eastern border of Mare Humorum. Straight rilles follow long, linear paths and are believed to be grabens, sections of the crust that have sunk between two parallel faults. These can be readily identified when they pass through craters or mountain ranges. Vallis Alpes is by far the largest graben rille, indeed it is regarded as too large to be called a rille and is itself bisected by a straight rille; Rupes Recta in Mare Nubium is a clearer example. Rilles which show more than one structure are termed hybrid rilles. Rima Hyginus in Sinus Medii is an example, initially formed through a fault and subsequently subject to volcanic activity.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rille
Hawaii.edu: Ice on the Bone Dry Moon - the lunar surface is bombarded with water-rich objects such as comets {It seems the comets [ice chunks] would have to originate from the earth's atmosphere in order to so significantly saturate the earth side of the moon with impact craters. There are nearly as many impact craters on the near side of the moon as there are on the far side [dark side - outer space side] of the moon.}
An abundant supply of water on the Moon would make establishment of a self-sustaining lunar colony much more feasible and less expensive than presently thought. Study of lunar samples revealed that the interior of the Moon is essentially devoid of water, so no underground supplies could be used by lunar inhabitants. However, the lunar surface is bombarded with water-rich objects such as comets, and scientists have suspected that some of the water in these objects could migrate to permanently dark areas at the lunar poles, perhaps accumulating to useable quantities. The discovery of ice on the Moon has enormous implications for a permanent human return to the Moon. Water ice is made up of hydrogen and oxygen, two elements vital to human life and space operations. Lunar ice could be mined and disassociated into hydrogen and oxygen by electric power provided by solar panels deployed in nearby illuminated areas or a nuclear generator. This hydrogen and oxygen is a prime rocket fuel, giving us the ability to refuel rockets at a lunar "filling station" and making transport to and from the Moon more economical by at least a factor of ten. Additionally, the water from lunar polar ice and oxygen generated from the ice could support a permanent facility or outpost on the Moon. The discovery of this material, rare on the Moon but so vital to human life and operations in space, will make our expansion into the Solar System easier and reaffirms the immense value of our own Moon as the stepping stone into the universe.
http://www.psrd.hawaii.edu/Dec96/PSRD-IceonMoon.pdf
Study: Dinosaur loss wasn't mammals' gain - "I was flabbergasted," said study co-author Ross MacPhee, curator of vertebrate zoology at the American Museum of Natural History in New York {More proof that evolutionist are simply groping their way through theories and making them up as they go along.}
NEW YORK (AP) -- The big dinosaur extinction of 65 million years ago didn't produce a flurry of new species in the ancestry of modern mammals after all, says a huge study that challenges a long-standing theory. Scientists who constructed a massive evolutionary family tree for mammals found no sign of such a burst of new species at that time among the ancestors of present-day animals. ... Some experts praised the large scale of the new evolutionary tree, which used a controversial "supertree" method to combine data covering the vast majority of mammal species. It challenges paleontologists to find new fossils that can shed light on mammal history, said Greg Wilson, curator of vertebrate paleontology at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. William J. Murphy of Texas A&M University, who is working on a similar project, said no previous analysis had included so many mammal species. But, "I don't think this is the final word," he said. The study's approach for assigning dates was relatively crude, he said, and some dates it produced for particular lineages disagree with those obtained by more updated methods. So as for its interpretation of what happened when the dinosaurs died off, "I'm not sure that conclusion is well-founded," Murphy said.
http://www.cnn.com/2007/TECH/science/03/28/mammal.evolution.ap/index.html
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Genesis 4 - Remove from your mind the notion that Satan is a vile, repulsive creature - Satan came to Eve masquerading himself as an angel of light - in order that sin may look not like the destruction it is but attractive and appealing - Satan came questioning the Word of God - trying through his questions to cast doubt on the Word of God and on the nature of God - The questions of Satan are designed to suggest that there is an unfairness with God that God is withholding something from us - today most people have a wrong concept of God because Satan is working to give people a wrong concept - the right concept of God is that God loves us and that He cares very much for each one of us {It was Satan that deceived Eve and then worse of all Satan wanted Eve to take the blame for disobeying God. This is a very important Biblical concept that Satan the instigator is also Satan the accuser. Satan instigates the problem, the thought, the motive but then Satan departs when any blame or accountability is to be issued out. Do not under any circumstance be tempted like Eve was tempted to accept the full blame and responsibility all by yourself apart from telling the situation to God. Tell everything to God! Get God involved in your life! Involve God in all the issues of your life especially those things that don't work out and that do go wrong, get God involved and then let God decide how it should be handled. God knew full well that Satan had tricked Eve and that Satan wanted Eve to take the full responsibility for the disaster that is why God didn't ask Eve what had happened. God knew Eve would accept responsibility for something that she did not instigate therefore God asked Adam what had happened knowing Adam would put the disaster at the feet of Eve and that then Eve would finally be willing to put the responsibility for the disastrous, disobedient act at the feet of Satan where it belongs.}
The [very] moment you open yourself up to dialogue with Satan you are subjecting yourself to trouble. ... The harmful notions of Satan are that you can violate the laws of God and not harm yourself and that you can obtain fulfillment in yourself apart from Jesus Christ apart from His (redemptive) cross and His (eternal life) resurrection. - Jesus is often not giving condemnation but He is giving an accurate representation of the consequences there will be in rejecting God's word and in our sinning. ... The Woman will have a redeemer seed (Jesus Christ) [virgin birth] and Satan will have a seed as well in the antichrist 'the seed of the serpent.' ... Sin is desiring to rule over us but we must rule over sin and the only way to conquer sin is through the provision of the Holy Spirit - only the power of Jesus Christ is sufficient to defeat sin - with Jesus Christ in our life we can have victory over sin. Note: The first born children Cain and Abel might have been twins but it's unlikely, it's speculated that they were twins because the Bible [Genesis 4:2 'And she (Eve) again bare his brother Abel'] doesn't mention Eve conceiving again before she gives birth to Abel. Early mankind was to multiply to fill the earth so the multiplying would include many multiple births. Isaac and Jacob were twins [Genesis 25:23], though it is unlikely that Cain and Abel were twins because it's not directly mentioned in the Bible and if it is an important Biblical concept it will be plainly mentioned usually sever times throughout the Bible. Even if Cain and Abel were twins it is not a representation that good and evil are twins or even brothers for that matter and it certainly would not be a representation that Jesus and Satan are brothers. The Bible clearly and unequivocally states that Jesus Christ is unique that He alone is God and the only begotten [manifested] Son of God.
wikipedia.com: Mona Lisa a 16th century portrait painted [1503-1506] in oil on a poplar panel by Leonardo da Vinci during the Italian Renaissance - Few other works of art have been subject to as much scrutiny, study, mythologizing, and parody {The Mona Lisa painting is thought by some to be a depiction of Eve, the first mother of every person. It is also thought to be a Satanic depiction with Eve seated on her unseen throne, as Queen of the earth [in the ancient Eve joined Satan as his wife/Queen] 'Serpent Seed' heresy, using the Garden of Eden as her backdrop Eve (Mona Lisa) is smiling at her own personal delight in her part in ruining Paradise [a place where none of her descendants will ever place a foot, in the painting the path stops at the Garden not allowing anyone in, also in the painting background on the right side is one of the four rives of the Garden of Eden but in the Garden itself there are no longer any paths for mankind to walk on] and helping to bring in sin, rebellion and death to all of her descendants. Of course Mona Lisa is a modern painting depicting nothing of the real Eve however the depiction of the stubborn Satanic delight in evil is a work of the art of sin that has not yet left us.} (Painting)
Also note: in the painting (Mona Lisa) Eve is not wearing a wedding band 'Detail of Lisa's hands, her right hand resting on her left - Leonardo chose this gesture rather than a wedding ring to depict Lisa as a virtuous woman and faithful wife [faithful to who?]' in the "Serpent Seed" hoax Eve has divorced Adam and has united with Satan. The Eve of the painting is also painted without eyebrows and eyelashes 'Mona Lisa has no visible facial hair-including eyebrows and eyelashes' because perspiration was not a part of the Garden of Eden and neither were tears. Perspiration entered into creation after the fall as a part of the labor, sweat and toil that Adam and all of their offspring were to endure [including the real Eve so the painting is a complete fabrication]. -- wikipedia.com: Mona Lisa (also known as La Gioconda) is a 16th century portrait painted in oil on a poplar panel by Leonardo da Vinci during the Italian Renaissance. The work is owned by the Government of France and is on the wall in the Louvre in Paris, France with the title Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo. It is perhaps the most famous painting in the world. The painting is a half-length portrait and depicts a woman whose expression is often described as enigmatic. The ambiguity of the sitter's expression, the monumentality of the half-figure composition, and the subtle modeling of forms and atmospheric illusionism were novel qualities that have contributed to the painting's continuing fascination. It is probably the most famous painting that has ever been stolen from the Louvre and recovered. Few other works of art have been subject to as much scrutiny, study, mythologizing, and parody. ... Leonardo used a pyramid design to place the woman simply and calmly in the space of the painting. Her folded hands form the front corner of the pyramid. Her breast, neck and face glow in the same light that models her hands. The light gives the variety of living surfaces an underlying geometry of spheres and circles. Leonardo referred to a seemingly simple formula for seated female figure: the images of seated Madonna, which were widespread at the time. He effectively modified this formula in order to create the visual impression of distance between the sitter and the observer. The armrest of the chair functions as a dividing element between Mona Lisa and the viewer. ... The woman sits markedly upright with her arms folded, which is also a sign of her reserved posture. Only her gaze is fixed on the observer and seems to welcome them to this silent communication. Since the brightly lit face is practically framed with various much darker elements (hair, veil, shadows), the observer's attraction to Mona Lisa's face is brought to even greater extent. Thus, the composition of the figure evokes an ambiguous effect: we are attracted to this mysterious woman but have to stay at a distance as if she were a divine creature. There is no indication of an intimate dialogue between the woman and the observer as is the case in the Portrait of Baldassare Castiglione (Louvre) painted by Raphael about ten years after Mona Lisa, and undoubtedly influenced by Leonardo's portrait. -- The painting was among the first portraits to depict the sitter before an imaginary landscape. The enigmatic woman is portrayed seated in what appears to be an open loggia with dark pillar bases on either side. Behind her a vast landscape recedes to icy mountains. Winding paths and a distant bridge give only the slightest indications of human presence. The sensuous curves of the woman's hair and clothing, created through sfumato, are echoed in the undulating imaginary valleys and rivers behind her. The blurred outlines, graceful figure, dramatic contrasts of light and dark, and overall feeling of calm are characteristic of Leonardo's style. Due to the expressive synthesis that Leonardo achieved between sitter and landscape it is arguable whether Mona Lisa should be considered as a traditional portrait, for it represents an ideal rather than a real woman. The sense of overall harmony achieved in the painting-especially apparent in the sitter's faint smile-reflects Leonardo's idea of a link connecting humanity and nature. -- Mona Lisa has no visible facial hair-including eyebrows and eyelashes. Some researchers claim that it was common at this time for genteel women to pluck them out, since they were considered to be unsightly. For modern viewers the missing eyebrows add to the slightly semi-abstract quality of the face.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mona_Lisa
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Genesis 5 - The Generations of Adam - The Bible traces the genealogies of Adam --> Noah, Noah --> Abraham, Abraham --> King David [and lastly] King David --> Jesus Christ - The New Testament book of Matthew [Matthew 1:1-25] traces the Jewish genealogy from Abraham to Jesus Christ - God created Adam in His likeness and now Adam in sinful nature is going to have sons (children) in his sinful nature - at 130 years old Adam had the son Seth [the lineage of Noah - Jesus] - Adam lived for 930 years and was still alive for 100 years when Lamech (Noah's father) was born - Adam almost lived until Noah was born - because of the long lives the people were not separated and the whole story of creation could have been [spoken] by Adam to Noah's father then to Noah and his three sons including Shem who was still alive when Abraham was born - the events of creation were not that removed from the early generations up until Abraham - The 'Sons of God' a reference to angels [Job 1:6] - in this particular case fallen angels so we are dealing with an abnormal angelic & human female [sexual activity] - The days preceding and up until the Flood of Noah were a time of great immorality including abundant Satanic activity
Enoch a prophet [the eight from Adam - Jude 1:14] is interesting because he did not die he was 'translated' by God and brought directly into heaven to God. Enoch was a prophet and prophesied of the [2nd] coming of Jesus Christ - [Genesis 3:15 is the first Messianic prophecy in the Bible being about the 1st coming of Jesus]. Enoch again prophesied in the naming of his son Methuselah [Metushélach "Man of the dart/spear", or alternatively "when he dies/died, it (Noah's flood) shall be sent/has been sent") is the oldest person whose age is mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, given as 969 years - The name Methuselah has become a general synonym for any living creature of great age -- wiki.com] the year Methuselah passed away the flood of Noah occurred. -- Matthew 24:37 But as the days of Noe (Noah) were, so shall also the [2nd] coming of [Jesus Christ] the Son of man be. -- In the days preceding the 2nd coming of Jesus Christ the days are going to resemble the hectic days of the time of Noah before the flood. A time of great satanic activity and satanic worship. Note: The Biblical concept of 'Sons of God' is that Son is given in designation only to those who have been in the actual presence of God [in heaven] therefore no human while on earth is actually a 'Son of God' but a 'Child of God' until entering into the actual presence of God in heaven. Currently the only designation for 'Son of God' could be for angels or for Jesus Christ who is both 'Son of God' and 'Son of man' an angel would not be called a 'Son of man.'
The Christian Basics 132 Topics - Easy to Use & Easy to Understand - 'Sons of God' (PDF)
Studying Theology: Is just like piecing together a puzzle. Individual Theology pieces fit together and the picture begins to emerge. The picture Theology displays is the image of Jesus! -- Sons of God see also Child of God, Adoption, Inheritance -- First Use: Genesis 6:2 That the sons of God saw the daughters of men that they were fair; and they took them wives of all which they chose. Job 38:7 When [at the designing and building of the earth] the morning stars sang together and all the Sons of God shouted for joy? The sons of God are individual spirit life creations of God the Father. As sons they are also inheritors of the Father's kingdom. Sons currently exist in the kingdom of God. Angels are referred to as Sons of God because they currently exist in the kingdom of God and each of them is a unique individual creation of God. Adam being a unique creation of God and originally living in God's kingdom is also called a Son of God. Currently each human is a son of man. When a human enters into the covenant relationship with God by acknowledging God, then the human becomes also a child of God and a son of God. A human fully becomes a son of God when we physically die and enter into the perceivable presence of God, where we are adopted as sons; we receive a new unique spiritual body and an inheritance in the kingdom of God.
http://www.basicchristian.info/downloads/Theology.pdf
Holy Ghost Revival Sermons Online: "Conviction and the Altar" The Days of Noah (Mp3)
You are hearing a 12 minute preview of the sermon "Conviction and the Altar" The full 1 hour sermon link is listed below!
http://www.holyghostonline.com/2005Revival.htm
As it was in the Days of Noah - The time leading up to the Great Flood was a lot like our time in that it was characterized by a deliberate and increasing disregard for the ways of God
As it was in the days of Noah, so will it be at the coming of the Son of Man (Matt 24:37). The time leading up to the Great Flood was a lot like our time in that it was characterized by a deliberate and increasing disregard for the ways of God. Finally "the Lord saw how great man's wickedness on earth had become and that every inclination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil all the time" (Gen. 6:5). ... the sequence of events suddenly became so obvious to me. Enoch was taken alive from earth and the Holy Spirit was withdrawn. Then in Gen. 6:5 man's behavior is described as having become unbearably wicked and in Gen. 7 the judgment came, in that order. Enoch's name means teaching and according to Jude 14-15 he gave the first prophecy of the 2nd coming. ... If Enoch is indeed a model of the church and if the Lord's prophecy of Matt 24:37 includes the sequence of events, as seems likely, then one day soon we will be taken alive (raptured) from earth, the Holy Spirit withdrawn. Man's behavior will become unbearably wicked and the judgment will come, all in that order. As it was in the days of Noah. Selah.
http://www.gracethrufaith.com/selah/prophecy/as-it-was-in-the-days-of-noah
The "Days of Noah" Are Here - The Bible tells us that we are to live "holy and righteous" in this age - We are to be actively sharing the gospel in order for others to be redeemed - precisely because "the days are evil"
That describes today quite accurately. Those who have normalized homosexual behavior have done so to the point of thinking anyone who opposes it are "crazy," "homophobic," "intolerant," and "bigots." -- For Bible believing, Christ following born-again Christians, such derogatory views and labels are only perpetuating deception about this dangerous behavior. Furthermore, homosexual activism both secular as well as in the church distracts people from what is truly most important in this life - that is - confessing and repenting of sin and knowing Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. The Bible tells us that we are to live "holy and righteous" in this age. We are to be actively sharing the gospel in order for other to be redeemed - precisely because "the days are evil." ... This world is filled with lust, murder, theft, adultery, fornication, lying, idol worship and the list could go on and on. Yet, most sane people do not advocate for churches to accept such concepts as "sanctified." However, this is exactly what is being done in liberal "Christian" churches throughout America! Claiming that a particular sin should be allowed to be "sanctified" within Christ's church body meaning, all believers is an abomination to God! It is a form of idol worship. It is, in fact, as the Scriptures inform us, "exchanging the truth for a lie!"
http://talkwisdom.blogspot.com/2008/06/days-of-noah-are-here.html
As The Days of Noah Were - Luke 17:26: "And as it was in the days of Noah, so shall it be also in the days of the Son of Man"
The Reason for the Flood: It was the infusion of these strange (demonic) beings into the human predicament that brought on the Flood of Noah. The Flood was preceded by four generations of prophets/preachers warning of the coming judgment: Enoch, Methuselah, Lamech, and Noah. It seems that this was part of Satan's stratagem to corrupt the line of Adam to prevent the fulfillment of the Messianic redemption. Noah was apparently unique in that his genealogy was still uncorrupted. The strange events which led to the flood are also alluded to in ancient mythologies. The legends of the Greek "titans"---partly terrestrial, partly celestial---embrace these same memories. (The Greek titan is linguistically linked to the Chaldean sheitan, and the Hebrew satan.)
http://www.ldolphin.org/noahdays.html
Jesus said, "As in the Days of Noah" Violence Filled the Earth
Jesus spoke far ahead of his time relating to us what life would be like just prior to his coming. He says in Matt. 24:37-38: "But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be."
http://www.letusreason.org/Proph.8.htm
AS IT WAS IN NOAH'S DAY
The Lord Jesus Christ informs us that before He returns certain conditions will exist in society in general. These conditions are a sign to believers that His Second Coming is near. There has always been corruption in society, but the idea here is of such decadence and depravity reaching the point of no return. The Lord makes use of two Old Testament characters to illustrate the characteristics and conditions that will exist at all levels of humanity prior to His Second Coming. As it was in the days of Noah and as it was in the days of Lot.
http://www.jesus-is-savior.com/End%20of%20the%20World/noahs_day.htm
NWO Hoax Alert* World Net Daily Book - Bible [False] fact No. 19: Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob not Jews {[Genesis 14:12-13 And they took Lot, Abram's brother's son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. And there came one that had escaped, and told Abram the *Hebrew; (it is later Abraham with the -ah- breath of life from God added to Abram and his wife Sarai after receiving the breath of life from God becomes Sarah - Genesis 17:15).] The word Hebrew means "Wanderer" Judah in Hebrew means "Praise - Praise to God" the person and tribe of Judah was named after an already existing Hebrew-Jewish word. Abraham is the Father of the Jewish (Judaism - "people of praise" [Wikipedia]) nation it was Abraham then his son Isaac and then Jacob (Israel) that each received the promises of God (Covenant of circumcision Genesis 17:8-14) that are passed down to the Nation Tribes of Israel. Noah lived before Abraham and Noah is the Father of All Nations (all modern post flood Nations) while Abraham a descendant of Noah is the Father of the Hebrew-Jewish Nation and Abraham in receiving the -ah- "born again" Spirit-breath of life from God, Abraham is the Father of Faith (Romans 4:16) "...of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us (Christians) all." Judah is not the start of the Jewish nation [Abraham is] and has NEVER been presented as being the start as Judah is a brother (a 12th) of the 12 Tribes of Israel (Jacob), you can't be born into something that already exists and then be considered the start of it. Note: Most or all False bible teachings come out of twisting and misrepresenting Bible words and passages. God has a plan for mankind and the Jews-Hebrews the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (Exodus 6:3-4, Acts 3:13) are the chosen center piece of God's plan (Genesis 12:1-3) for mankind.}
One of the most common misconceptions some people have about the Bible is that the Old Testament centers only on Jews and Judaism, while the New Testament focuses on Christians and Christianity. Many assume some of the most well-known heroes - including Noah, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (whose name was changed to Israel) - were Jews. Though these worshippers of God were the ancestors of the Jews, when the Holy Scriptures are read without any preconceived notions, it is impossible for themselves to have been Jews. How can this be? The answer is simple. Those people were all born before a man named Judah, whose name is the origin of the word "Jew." This is just one of the stunning facts brought to light in "Shocked by the Bible: The Most Astonishing Facts You've Never Been Told," the stunning new best-seller by Joe Kovacs, the executive news editor of WND.
http://worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=78983
NWO Hoax Alert* Texas (school) Update: Islam-promoting principal out [reassigned] - In the 40-minute (school) session, representatives of the Houston office of the controversial Council on American- Islamic Relations, an organization critics link to terrorist groups, presented a 40-minute lesson in the religious beliefs and requirements of Islam - The CAIR representatives instructed [school] students that Adam, Noah and Jesus are [Islamic] prophets; announced "there is one god, his name is Allah"; taught the five pillars of Islam {Note: Adam and Noah are prophets who prophesied of the coming Jewish Messiah the Redeemer-Savior Jesus Christ, Jesus being God is also a prophet and Jesus is Jewish a physical descendant of the Jewish lineage from Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.}
The controversy erupted at Friendswood Junior High when students were diverted from a scheduled physical education class and taken to an assembly set up by Principal Robin Lowe. In the 40-minute session, representatives of the Houston office of the controversial Council on American- Islamic Relations, an organization critics link to terrorist groups, presented a 40-minute lesson in the religious beliefs and requirements of Islam. ... The CAIR representatives instructed students that Adam, Noah and Jesus are prophets; announced "there is one god, his name is Allah"; taught the five pillars of Islam; told students how to pray five times a day; and gave instruction on Islamic religious requirements for dress. The assembly had not been authorized by the district, officials confirmed. ... Hanks told parents in a memo she had authorized the presentation for staff members only, not students. "My concern for our community and for our students is not as much with the content of the presentation as explained to me," she wrote, according to a Houston Chronicle report, "but with the fact that a group had an audience with our students without consent from parents or this administration. "I am not surprised by the community's reaction," she continued. "Most of you receiving this letter have had years of experience with this district and know the kinds of activities your child has been exposed to in school. This was an isolated incident and a mistake." Texas Education Agency officials confirmed that state law allows parents to remove their children from activities or classes that violate their religious or moral beliefs. There was no information available on Lowe's new position. The district's brief statement said Lowe "has accepted another administrative position effective immediately."
http://www.worldnetdaily.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=66299
amazon.com: The true story of Clarita Villanueva - A seventeen-year old girl bitten by devils in Bilibid Prison, Manila, Philippines by Lester Frank Sumrall
Out of Print--Limited Availability.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007J3JZW/qid=1149623175/sr=1-112/ref=sr_1_112/104-2766956-2365546?v=glance&s=books
The strange story of Clarita Villanueva - a 17-year-old Filipina girl, had known a life of tragedy - She did not remember her father - She did not know if he had died or had deserted her mother - Her mother was a spiritualist and a fortune teller by vocation - The girl was brought up watching her mother holding séances, communicating with the dead, and using clairvoyance to predict to sinful people what they could expect in the future - From: Lester Sumrall, Alien Entities - A look behind the door to the spirit realm, printed in the USA by Whitaker House (PA), 1995, pages 131-138
Clarita Villanueva, a 17-year-old Filipina girl, had known a life of tragedy. She did not remember her father. She did not know if he had died or had deserted her mother.
Her mother was a spiritualist and a fortune teller by vocation. The girl was brought up watching her mother holding séances, communicating with the dead, and using clairvoyance to predict to sinful people what they could expect in the future. Her mother took money from people for her services, and then laughed at them behind their backs. To her it was all just a game, a means of making a living by duping unsuspecting and gullible people. When Clarita was still very young, about twelve years old, her mother died. Since she did not have any immediate family to take her in and care for her, she became a vagabond. She fell into the hands of harlots and at the tender age of 12 was selling her body as a prostitute. The harlots taught her how to handle men, how to get money for her services. Clarita worked her way up from her island home to the capital city of Manila. The big city was a hiding place, a center of money and vice for her business. The local harlots became her teachers and she learned the night life in the big capital city. In Manila there were more men to seduce. By the time she was 17 years old, Clarita was frequenting the bars and taverns of Manila, living the 'gay life' by soliciting men for harlotry. But one morning at 2 a.m. on the streets of down-town Manila, Clarita made the mistake of offering her services to a plainclothes police officer. The policeman called for a vehicle and Clarita was taken to the ancient Bilibid Prison, used as the city jail. Bilibid has been a prison for over 300 years. It was built by the Spanish and used by the Americans, the Filipinos, and the Japanese as a prison and a place of torment. Two days after Clarita was incarcerated, there struck the strangest phenomenon to ever hit Bilibid Prison in its 300-year history. This young harlot was bitten severely on her body by unseen and unknown alien entities. There were two of them - a huge monster-like spirit and a smaller one. They sunk their fangs and teeth deep into her flesh making deep indentations. They would bite her neck, back, legs and arms simultaneously. Blood flowed, mostly underneath her skin, from the bites. The 17-year-old girl screamed in horror and fainted. ... Because I was a foreigner in the Philippines, I went to the mayor's office and asked permission to see Clarita. He granted me his permission but warned me that several people had been injured by the girl and that two had been cursed and were dead. I went with the understanding that I would not sue the government if I was hurt, and that I would not complain if mistreated. When I arrived at the prison, the head doctor of six physicians, Dr. Lara, was skeptical of this foreign minister, but he finally permitted me to see the girl. Clarita was brought into a special room where I was waiting with a large group of news reporters, foreign members of the press, university professors, and medical doctors, who had been invited by Dr. Lara. -- As Clarita was being led into the room, she looked at them and said nothing, but when she saw me she screamed violently: 'I hate you!' Instantly I inserted: 'I know you hate me. I have come to cast you out'. That was the beginning of the confrontation. There was a raging battle with the girl blaspheming God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit. Her eyes were burning coals of fire and full of hate. I commanded the evil spirit to loose her. After a three-day confrontation with the devil in her, the miracle of God came upon her. She relaxed, smiled, and said: 'He's gone'.
'Where did he go?' I asked. 'He went out that way', she replied. 'He's gone'. The local newspapers, magazines and radio told the story. One headline read: ''He dies; the devil is dead!' Another one said: 'Devil loses round one'. Dr. Lara became so excited he took me over to the office of the mayor. When he walked into the office, he said: 'My God, mayor. The devil is dead'. I said: 'Mr. Mayor, Dr. Lara may be a good doctor, but he's a poor theologian. The devil is not dead. The girl I came and talked to you about yesterday is healed'.
http://www.the-new-way.org/testimonies/guar_005_clarita_villanueva_her_strange_story.html
NEW METHOD OF ESTIMATING THE AGE OF NIAGARA FALLS: In 1841 Sir Charles Lyell and the late Prof. James Hall visited the falls together - (they 'guessed') the time required for its erosion at this rate would be thirty-five thousand years - Mr. Bakewell, another eminent English geologist, at about the same time estimated the rate of the recession as threefold greater than Lyell and Hall had done, which would re-duce the time to about eleven thousand years - In 1856 Mr. Woodward, of the United States Geological Survey, made a new survey, and found that the actual amount of recession in the center - in 1886, when it was proved, to the satisfaction of every one, that, if the supply of water had been constant throughout its history the whole work of eroding the gorge from Lewiston to the Falls would have been accomplished, at the present rate of recession, in about seven thousand years - But the question was immediately raised, Has the supply of water in Niagara River been constant? {Always in a flood the most water and the greatest amount of erosion occurs at the beginning of the flood in the first hours and days then things stabilize a bit with a continued erosion rate based on the amount of water and the type of rock and material the water is eroding.}
In 1841 Sir Charles Lyell and the late Prof. James Hall visited the falls together; but, having no means of determining the rate of recession, except from the indefinite reports of residents and guides, they could place no great confidence in the "guess," made by Sir Charles Lyell, that it could not be more than one foot a year. As the length of the gorge from Lewiston up is about seven miles, the time required for its erosion at this rate would be thirty-five thousand years. The great authority and popularity of Lyell led the general public to put more confidence in this estimate than the distinguished authors themselves did. Mr. Bakewell, another eminent English geologist, at about the same time estimated the rate of the recession as threefold greater than Lyell and Hall had done, which would re-duce the time to about eleven thousand years. ... In 18S6 Mr. Woodward, of the United States Geological Survey, made a new survey, and found that the actual amount of recession in the center - Looking north from below the Whirlpool, showier the electric road at the bottom of the east side of the gorge, and the steam road descending the face about halfway to the top. of the Horseshoe Fall had proceeded at an average rate of about five feet per annum. The subject was thoroughly discussed by Drs. Pohlman and Gilbert, at the Buffalo meeting of the American Association in 1886, when it was proved, to the satisfaction of every one, that, if the supply of water had been constant throughout its history the whole work of eroding the gorge from Lewiston to the Falls would have been accomplished, at the present rate of recession, in about seven thousand years. But the question was immediately raised, Has the supply of water in Niagara River been constant? It was my privilege, in the autumn of 1892 to bring forth the first positive evidence that the water pouring over Niagara had for a time been diverted, having been turned through Lake Nipissing down the valley of the Mattawa into the Ottawa River, following nearly the line of Champlain's old trail and of the present Canadian Pacific Railroad. The correctness of this inference has been abundantly confirmed by subsequent investigations...
http://www.archive.org/stream/newmethodofestim00wriguoft/newmethodofestim00wriguoft_djvu.txt
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Genesis 6-9 - Noah a Righteous man - and also a man not tainted with fallen angelic [DNA] interaction - would build an Ark for God (approximately the size of the R.M.S. Titanic luxury liner) - Genesis 6:22 Thus did Noah; according to all that God commanded him, so did he -- Genesis 7:1 And the LORD said unto Noah, Come thou and all thy house into the ark; for thee have I seen righteous before Me in this generation -- God invited Noah to enter into the Ark [and safety] where God was already waiting for him to enter into God's presence and to receive from God's Salvation and Divine providential provision
Genesis 8:4 And the ark rested [touched the safety of the new earth] in the seventh month, on the seventeenth day of the month, upon the mountains of Ararat. Jesus [the Ark and safe passage of our eternal soul and salvation touching and resting safely into heaven] would later Resurrect from the grave on the 17th day of the 7th [civil] month [Nisan] {Nisan is the 1st month in the Jewish religious calendar year and also the 7th [civil] month in the original (Noah) calendar year cycle.}. Passover is on the 14th [Leviticus 23:5] of the 7th month and Jesus was in the grave 3 days and three nights. -- The flood wiped out the [original Garden of Eden earth] but it did not wipe out sin or the sin nature of humans. Noah a descendant of Adam has a sinful nature. God addressed this and God provided a Redemptive Plan for all of mankind included in God's redemptive plan is that God will not destroy the earth again with a flood. God made a covenant with Noah the 'Noahic Covenant' and also with all of the descendants of Noah which includes all of mankind because all of mankind has descended from Noah and his three sons. Up until the present day God has kept the [Noahic] covenant [the orderly functioning of the earth and sky] with all mankind as the earth has not flooded again and seedtime and harvest have continued. -- Genesis 8:20-22 And Noah builded an altar unto the LORD; and took of every clean beast, and of every clean fowl, and offered burnt offerings on the altar [according to the Jewish customs - later codified into Jewish law through Moses]. And the LORD smelled a sweet savour; and the LORD said in His heart, I will not again curse the ground any more for man's sake; for the imagination of man's heart is evil from his youth; neither will I again smite any more everything living, as I have done. While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.
Discovery of the real Noah's Ark - Ron Wyatt - Part 1 (YouTube)
Archaeologist Ron Wyatt and his team discover Noah's Ark! Extremely interesting to watch.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Y5ORpMTebI
Discovery of the real Noah's Ark - Ron Wyatt - Part 2 (YouTube)
The continuation and conclusion of Ron Wyatt's discovery of Noah's Ark! Conclusive evidence that shows the Great Flood is not a myth!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SE7nN80dIw8
AnswersInGenesis.org: Was There Really a Noah's Ark & Flood? - The account of Noah and the Ark is one of the most widely known events in the history of mankind. Unfortunately, like other Bible accounts, it is often taken as a mere fairy tale - The Bible, though, is the true history book of the universe, and in that light, the most-asked questions about the Ark and Flood of Noah can be answered with authority and confidence
History has shown that technology can be lost. In Egypt, China, and the Americas the earlier dynasties built more impressive buildings or had finer art or better science. Many so-called modern inventions turn out to be re-inventions, like concrete, which was used by the Romans. Even accounting for the possible loss of technology due to the Flood, early post-Flood civilizations display all the engineering know-how necessary for a project like Noah's Ark. People sawing and drilling wood in Noah's day, only a few centuries before the Egyptians were sawing and drilling granite, is very reasonable! The idea that more primitive civilizations are further back in time is an evolutionary concept. In reality, when God created Adam, he was perfect. Today, the individual human intellect has suffered from 6,000 years of sin and decay. The sudden rise in technology in the last few centuries has nothing to do with increasing intelligence; it is a combination of publishing and sharing ideas, and the spread of key inventions that became tools for investigation and manufacturing. One of the most recent tools is the computer, which compensates a great deal for our natural decline in mental performance and discipline, since it permits us to gather and store information as perhaps never before.
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/nab/really-a-flood-and-ark
The Epic of Gilgamesh Flood and the Bible (YouTube)
Podcast Summary: Nowhere to Run (NTR) is a Revere Radio Network based conspiracy theory related talk show, hosted by Chris White of www.conspiracyclothes.com - New shows air every Wednesday night at 5pm central on revereradio.net
http://nowheretorun.podomatic.com/entry/2009-07-14T13_02_20-07_00
Working Replica of Noah's Ark Opens In SCHAGEN, Netherlands (Photos)
The massive central door in the side of Noah's Ark was thrown open Saturday for the first crowd of curious Pilgrims and townsfolk to behold the wonder. Of course, it's only a replica of the biblical Ark , built by Dutch Creationist Johan Huibers as a testament to his faith in the literal truth of the Bible. The ark is 150 cubits long, 30 cubits high and 20 cubits wide. That's two-thirds the length of a football field and as high as a three-story house. Life-size models of giraffes, elephants, lions, crocodiles, zebras, bison and other animals greet visitors as they arrive in the main hold. A contractor by trade, Huibers built the ark of cedar and pine -Biblical Scholars debate exactly what the wood used by Noah would have been. Huibers did the work mostly with his own hands, using modern tools and with occasional help from his son Roy. Construction began in May 2005.
http://www.worldwidechristian.net/Noah's%20Ark.htm
ArkDiscovery.com: Noah's Ark Overview - Top Points to Consider - #7 matching [94 A.D.] Flavius Josephus' statement "Its [Noah's Ark's] remains are shown there by the inhabitants to this day" (Photos)
Friends, please prayerfully consider the evidence you will see on Noah's Ark. It may not be important or necessary for you to learn of this discovery, but there are millions of people who need confirmation of biblical artifacts in order to strengthen their faith in God and the Bible. Satan is strongly attacking this and other discoveries in order to deceive men of God's truth. All the false stories about finding Noah's ark were created by Satan to "muddy the water," and cause disbelief in the genuine.
http://www.arkdiscovery.com/noah's_ark.htm
ArkDiscovery.com: Biblical Archeology - Ron Wyatt's "Discovered Series" (5 DVD Set $22)
The entire DVD series of the late Ron Wyatt's discoveries. This amazing series will show such discoveries as: The Red Sea Crossing site, Mt. Sinai, Noah's Ark, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Ark of the Covenant and dozens of other faith building discoveries! 4 hour, 20 minute DVD covering the all the discoveries, plus Ron Wyatt presentations. Select a larger quantity of 10 or 50 and receive a price reduction, perfect for you to resell or give away while spreading the word about the discoveries.
http://www.arkdiscovery.com/DVD-RGT.htm
WyattMuseum.biz: Biblical Archeology - Ron Wyatt's "Discovered Series" (5 DVD Set $100)
The entire DVD series of the late Ron Wyatt's discoveries. This amazing series will show such discoveries as: The Red Sea Crossing site, Mt. Sinai, Noah's Ark, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Ark of the Covenant and dozens of other faith building discoveries!
http://wyattmuseum.biz/shop/index.php?cPath=21
Creationism.org: INVESTIGATING GENESIS SERIES by Stephen Caesar - "Glaciers and the Flood" The Greenland ice cores have shown that it is a mistake to regard our own, relatively benign experience of the climate as the norm - The ice shows that the past was a period of intense instability (32 articles)
The last Ice Age, known as the Wisconsin, supposedly occurred about 20,000 years ago (according to flawed old-earth assumptions). By drilling down into the glaciers that currently cover 80% of Greenland, North GRIP has provided geologists with a witness to the rapid transition out of the Wisconsin. The New Yorker reported: "What the record [in the ice] shows is that it was a period of intense instability. The temperature did not rise slowly, or even steadily; instead, the climate flipped several times from temperate conditions back into those of an ice age, and then back again. Around fifteen thousand years ago, Greenland ABRUPTLY warmed by sixteen degrees IN FIFTY YEARS OR LESS. In one particularly traumatic episode some twelve thousand years ago, the mean temperature in Greenland shot up by fifteen degrees IN A SINGLE DECADE" (Kolbert 2002: 34 [emphases added]). The article noted that "scientists working on the Camp Century core [one of North GRIP's locations] weren't sure themselves what to make of what they had found" (Kolbert 2002: 34). Sigfus Johnsen, one of the scientists on the research team, commented, "It was too incredible, something we didn't expect at all" (Kolbert 2002: 34). The magazine also noted that another GRIP location, called Dye 3, "confirmed all the most significant Camp Century results, demonstrating that findings which had seemed anomalous were at least reproducible" (Kolbert 2002: 35). -- Most important is the apparent cause of these catastrophic temperature fluctuations - a massive infusion of fresh water into the oceans. This coincides with the Genesis Flood, which included a gargantuan amount of rain, as well as fresh water from below the earth's surface (Gen. 7:11). The New Yorker reported: "No known external force, or even any that has been hypothesized, seems capable of yanking the temperature back and forth as violently, and as often, as these cores have shown to be the case. Somehow, the climate system - through some vast and terrible feedback loop - must, it is now assumed, be capable of generating its own instabilities. The most popular hypothesis is that THE OCEANS ARE RESPONSIBLE. Currents like the Gulf Stream transfer heat in huge quantities from the tropics toward the poles, and if this circulation pattern could somehow be shut off - by, say A SUDDEN INFLUX OF FRESHWATER - it would have A SWIFT AND DRAMATIC IMPACT" (Kolbert 2002: 35 [emphases added]). -- Phrases such as "a sudden influx of freshwater" and "a swift and dramatic impact" certainly invoke images of the Biblical Flood. Moreover, as the article pointed out, the evidence for neo-catastrophism is so overwhelming that it has been embraced by nearly all geologists.
http://www.creationism.org/caesar/index.htm
Ancient Brass BELL Found Encased IN COAL supposed to be about 300 million years old! - the bell is an antediluvian [before the deluge, pre-flood] artifact made before the Genesis Flood (Noah's Ark) - For more detailed pictures of the bell and the [idol] demon-like figure on top, click here (Photos)
In 1944, as a ten year old boy, Newton Anderson dropped a lump of coal in his basement and found that it contained this bell inside. The bituminous coal that was mined near his house in Upshur County West Virginia is supposed to be about 300 million years old! What is a brass bell with an iron clapper doing in coal ascribed to the Carboniferous Period? According to Norm Sharbaugh's book Ammunition (which includes several "coal anecdotes") the bell is an antediluvian artifact (made before the Genesis Flood). The Institute for Creation Research had the bell submitted to the lab at the University of Oklahoma. There a nuclear activation analysis revealed that the bell contains an unusual mix of metals, different from any known modern alloy production (including copper, zinc, tin, arsenic, iodine, and selenium). -- Genesis 4:22 states that Tubal-Cain was "an instructor of every artificer in brass and iron..." Perhaps when his civilization came to an end in the flood, this bell was buried with a mass of vegetation that became coal and ended up thousands of years later in Newt Anderson's coal bin. ... Later on, Newton Anderson spent a great deal of time researching the demon atop the bell. He discovered similarities to the Babylonian Southwest Wind Demon and the Hindu deity Garuda. Garuda is sometimes depicted on top of bells, as is the Egyptian Isis.
http://www.genesispark.org/genpark/bell/bell.htm
OOPARTS (out of place artifacts) & ANCIENT HIGH TECHNOLOGY -- Evidence of Noah's Flood? - Do unexplained technologies of the ancients provide possible proofs of Pre-flood civilizations? - If you believe that the flood of Noah actually happened, what was the state of the technology of (antediluvian) pre-flooders? Could they have left physical evidence of their existence? - We expect you to use your own knowledge filter (Christian discernment) on this site
Point of View: We have a Biblical viewpoint on the world. Ooparts are evidence, we think, that the Flood actually happened. News items or magazine articles that report them may not have the same perspective that Christians do. When we read for instance, a scientific article that puzzles over our lack of genetic variability, we think of the Flood of Noah. We would include that article here, without editing, because we expect Christians to use their filters on such an article. That does not mean that we agree with the evolutionary timeframe given in said article. -- We think it's more interesting when general newspaper articles or science articles observe data that they might see one way, but that Christians might see another way given our own knowledge about God, creation and the flood. It's more interesting to quote Stephen Jay Gould saying that "the lack of transitional fossils is the trade secret of paleontology", than it might be to hear another Christian say it. So, no we don't believe the universe is millions or billions of years old. We don't know how old it is-we just know who created it and how long it took Him. We do not believe in pre-Adamic races, though we do believe that there were "civilizations" prior to the Flood. We don't believe in space aliens or cooties. We expect you to use your own knowledge filter on this site.
http://www.s8int.com/index.html
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Genesis 10 - The original League of Nations - Table of Nations from Genesis Chapters 10-11 - God's Covenant relationship with Noah is extended to include all of mankind and all flesh upon the earth - Once departing from the Ark Noah and his family are commanded by God to again fill/populate the earth - The genealogy of the Table of Nations was probably compiled by Noah's son Shem - these early descendants of Noah became the founders of the civilizations of the earth - The sons of Japheth [European Nations]: Gomer the Germans, Magog led to Scythian and Russian origins ... The sons of Ham [African and Asian Nations]: ... The sons of Shem [Hebrew (Jewish) and Arabic Nations]:
Note: [Genesis 9:1] Noah is again told to replenish the earth and to have dominion over it and over the animals. Mankind has been given dominion (government) over the earth but man does not have ownership of the earth. At no time was ownership ever given to mankind only dominion was given to Adam & Eve and later to Noah and his descendants but the ownership of the earth has not yet been provided to mankind. Since mankind did not at any time own the earth therefore the ownership of the earth has never been forfeited or lost by mankind and transferred to Satan or anyone else. Satan does not own the earth though Satan does continue to be a trespasser upon the earth. God is the original, continual and true owner of the earth -- Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD'S, and the fullness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. - Psalms 37:11 But the meek shall inherit the earth; and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace. - Matthew 5:5 Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth. -- The meek shall inherit the earth because the ownership of the earth is going to remain in the possession of God. -- Psalm 2:7 I (God) will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto Me (Jesus), Thou art My Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of Me, and I shall give thee the heathen [gentile nations] for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession [ownership].
The Rainbow - God's Covenant With The World
The rainbow is a beautiful token of the Lord that continues to testify of the covenant that He made with the world and all flesh (Genesis 9:11-13). It is a perfect reminder of our Lord's protection and the keeping of His promises. In 2 Peter 3:3-6, Peter speaks of scoffers of the word who, in the last days, will deny the creation and the flood. This has most assuredly begun. In just the past one hundred and fifty years, creation has been mocked by many and replaced by theories of inorganic evolution and spontaneous generation. The flood has been denied as a universal event and is affirmed to be nothing more than a legendary story of oral tradition that has made its way into the holy Scriptures. The testimony of both creation and the flood has been forgotten by many in the world. ... Even though man might forget the promise God gave through the rainbow, the Lord has not forgotten. He is not slack concerning His promises, and He will follow through with them. Our Lord is longsuffering, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9).
http://preachersfiles.com/the-rainbow-gods-covenant-with-the-world/
The Table of Nations: Genesis Chapters 10-11 - Formal nations and their boundaries were established after the Flood in the Covenant with Noah. Before the Flood the earth was governed, evidently, by patriarchal family units
Formal nations and their boundaries were established after the Flood in the Covenant with Noah. Before the Flood the earth was governed, evidently, by patriarchal family units. The above insights show up in Paul's sermon Mars Hill in Athens: So Paul, standing in the middle of the Areopagus, said: "Men of Athens, I perceive that in every way you are very religious. For as I passed along, and observed the objects of your worship, I found also an altar with this inscription, 'To an unknown god.' What therefore you worship as unknown, this I proclaim to you. The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by man, nor is he served by human hands, as though he needed anything, since he himself gives to all men life and breath and everything. And he made from one every nation of men to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their habitation, that they should seek God, in the hope that they might feel after him and find him. Yet he is not far from each one of us, for 'In him we live and move and have our being'; as even some of your poets have said, 'For we are indeed his offspring.' Being then God's offspring, we ought not to think that the Deity is like gold, or silver, or stone, a representation by the art and imagination of man. The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all men everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed, and of this he has given assurance to all men by raising him from the dead." (Acts 17:22-31).
http://ldolphin.org/ntable.html
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Genesis 11 - Nimrod the mighty Hunter of Sin and the Tower of Babel 'Genesis 11:3 they had brick for stone, and slime [apparently the word slime in Hebrew denotes a tar (petroleum) product and led John D. Rockefeller to take his Standard Oil Co. over to Iraq to drill for oil] had they for morter [to build the tower of babel]' - The confounding of the languages of people and the diversifying and spreading out of all people groups among the earth - The book of Job likely comes into history at this point just prior to Abraham being called by God - Abraham was probably not the oldest son of Terah but one of the younger sons, possibly the youngest son - Noah's son Shem was still alive at this time and lived until Abraham was about 58 years old [possibly even living until after Abraham passed]
Note: It's doubtful that Abraham met Shem personally because Abraham is designated as the Father of the Faith 'Romans 4:11 that he (Abraham) might be the father of all them that believe' in other words Abraham is the first in the lineage to believe in the faith like we are all to believe today. we don't even have the faith of the Apostles, they saw the resurrected Jesus we still basically have the faith of Abraham the faith of hearing/reading the words of God and then obeying them. Before Abraham the world had Noah to tell of the flood and before that Adam to tell of creation. With the witness of Adam and creation and also the later witness of Noah with the Ark and the flood and then much later in the Upper Room after the Resurrection of Jesus Christ with the witness of the Apostles then faith is witnessed and is based in part on the witness and interpretation of the person who witnesses the event or events. -- 'John:20-24-29 But Thomas, one of the twelve (Apostles), called Didymus [twin], was not with them when Jesus came. The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. And after eight days again His disciples were within, and Thomas with them: then came Jesus, the doors being shut, and stood in the midst, and said, Peace be unto you. Then saith He to Thomas, reach hither thy finger, and behold My hands; and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into My side: and be not faithless, but believing. And Thomas answered and said unto Him, My Lord and My God. Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen Me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.' Romans 10:17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.' -- Faith is to be based completely on the Words and promises of God and not in human works or accomplishments, not in the seeing of the eyes or even by the experiencing with emotions or intellect but only by hearing in our heart the Words of God and believing in our heart in the Words as God has promised them to us.
John D. Rockefeller - John D. Rockefeller, a Trustee for what is now known as Exxon Corporation (formerly Standard Oil of New Jersey), first became interested in oil in 1863 - It began operation in the Middle East in 1928
Everyone has for many years been lead to believe that the Rockefellers were the people that owned and founded the Standard Oil Company and that the Rockefellers were the owners of banks and vast fortunes even from the mid-eighteen hundreds. The Rockefellers really were part of an elite group of men that became the front men for one family that really owned the wealth of this country. Because of the vastness of this empire the family had to have key people to head up the large corporation. They were put in controlling position of these companies and were made to look like they were the owners when in reality they were only the 'TRUSTEES', of these companies. John D. Rockefeller, a Trustee for what is now known as Exxon Corporation (formerly Standard Oil of New Jersey), first became interested in oil in 1863 when he was sent to Pennsylvania by a group of Cleveland. Ohio businessmen to investigate oil operations. At that time he was not impressed with, the producing end of the business, but he did see a future for the refining and marketing side. And on this premise he and his associates developed their holdings until Standard Oil Company was incorporated in 1877. -- These people were convinced that small local firms could be bought out because then they could not survive in the highly competitive oil business. Small businesses were bought out and they all became part of the huge Standard Oil Trust in 1882. Decisions were made bv an executive committee with Rockefeller as head. Standard Oil Company was incorporated in New Jersey on August 15, 1882, by the Standard Oil Trust. This oil company really owns all oil companies everywhere and all their subsidiaries. This oil company is owned by a little railroad line in North Carolina and that little railroad line was merged into the 1906 Southern Railway Merger that J. P. Morgan was so famous for. All of this was owned by one man by the name of Louis Cass Payseur. -- The true ownership has been hidden from the public eye because the family did not want to be known and also to avoid anti-trust laws. So it was set up with trustees to operate the company. The first Standard Oil marketing operation outside the United States was the formation of Anglo-American Oil Company. Ltd. in 1888. Next came the purchase of Deutsch-Amerikanische Petoleum-Gesellschaft in 1890, resident agents were established in the Far East by 1893. By 1895 the company had built up an ocean going fleet of ships (which were the extension of the railroad around the world) to supply this growing foreign trade. Its first tanker was built in 1886. The increasing need for crude oil forced the company to engage in larger production of crude oil. The company had production operations in Pennsylvania. Ohio and Indiana by 1889. In the late 1890's and early 1900's new oil was discovered to the West, so the company engaged in the search for oil in Illinois. Kansas. Oklahoma. Louisiana. Texas, and California. These discoveries required that the manpower be increased and new subsidiaries be formed and a new TRUSTEE had to be appointed to head these companies in oil rich western America. Names like Sinclair, Getty, Kerr-McGee, Phillips. Champlin just to name a few. Are you beginning to get the big picture. All this can be backed up with legal courthouse documents. ... It just makes good sense to own the companies that produce the goods that supply another facet of your business empire. All part of transportation and communication. Some of the other names that you can connect to Standard Oil are Esso. -- The Carter oil Company formed in 1893 to produce oil in West Virginia. International Petroleum Company was established in 1917 to operate newly acquired properties in Peru. Then came Humble Oil refining Company of Texas. Just to make note of some other names it does business as is Amoco, Sunoco, Vaccum Oil etc. and the list goes on and on. A policy set in the 1920's showed that Standard intended to continue interest in foreign production. It began operation in the Middle East in 1928 and investigated oil prospects in Mexico and Colombia. The country of Colombia was an important oil source for the company by 1926. -- The unbalance in transportation facilities was corrected by creating a new United States flag fleet operating directly by the parent company. ... Standard Oil Company of New Jersey's name was changed in 1948 to Esso Standard Oil Company and under the new name continued to operate all refineries and marketing facilities. Foreign marketing facilities were strengthened in 1948 by the acquisition of Soc. du Naphte S. A. (Switzerland) which marketed in various Middle East countries. Foreign production was added by acquisition of a large interest in Arabian American Oil Company in 1948. November 1, 1972, the company changed its name to Exxon corporation. The name was also adopted by the company's United States subsidiaries. Divisions and affiliated companies of Exxon Corporation operate in the United States and about 100 other countries. Their principal business is energy, involving exploration for and production of crude oil and natural gas, manufacturing of petroleum products and transportation and sale crude oil, natural gas and petroleum products, exploration for and mining sale of coal.
http://www.bibliotecapleyades.net/sociopolitica/sociopol_rockefeller03.htm
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Genesis 12-14 - Abraham comes back from Egypt and Returns to Bethel (House of God) in the Promise land (Israel) - Abraham and his Nephew Lot come to an amenable parting of the ways - Lot seeing with his eyes chooses to dwell near Sodom while Abraham choosing to dwell with God moves to Hebron [near modern Jerusalem] - Abraham was to arise and walk through the land 'Genesis 13:17 Arise, walk through the land in the length of it and in the breadth of it; for I will give it unto thee' - to take possession and appropriate the promises of God into his life - Later Abraham meets Melchizedek King of Righteousness and Peace the Priest of the Most High God - Abraham gives a tithe a tenth of all he owns to Melchizedek - Melchizedek blesses Abraham - 'Genesis 14:22 And Abram said to the king of Sodom, I have lift up mine hand [in praise and worship] unto the LORD, The Most High God, The Possessor Of Heaven And Earth'
Melchizedek the name means King of Righteousness and Peace, He is the Priest of the Most High God. This is the first mention of a Priest in the Bible. The idea of a priest comes from the conciseness of the Holiness of God and of the sinfulness of man, in order for a man to touch God to go into the presence of the Holy God man will need a mediator a go between, a priest. The ministry of the priest was twofold the priest was to go before God for the people and then the priest [or a prophet] would return and tell the people a message from God if there was one. - Melchizedek's birth is not recorded and his death is not yet recorded because Melchizedek is eternal, without genealogy and without death He lives on forever 'Hebrews 7:3 [Melchizedek] Without father, without mother, without descent, having neither beginning of days, nor end of life; but made like unto the Son of God; abideth a priest Continually.' ... 'Psalms 110:4 The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, Thou (Jesus Christ) art a priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek.' Jesus is our [Christian, heavenly] High Priest after the order of Melchizedek not after the earthly Levitical/Aaronic priesthood. The episode of Melchizedek was enacted into the Bible's history of the Old testament to reveal to mankind even before the establishing of the Levitical/Aaronic priesthood that mankind would know that there is indeed a better priesthood a holy, eternal, established priesthood of Melchizedek. As Jesus reigns He is Melchizedek "The LORD, The Most High God, The Possessor Of Heaven And Earth."
wikipedia.org: Abraham - Abraham was the tenth generation from Noah and the 20th from Adam - Judaism, Christianity and Islam are sometimes referred to as the "Abrahamic religions" because of the progenitor role Abraham plays in their holy books - In the Jewish tradition, he is called Avraham Avinu or "Abraham, our Father" - [In the Christian tradition,] God promised Abraham that through his offspring (Jesus), all the nations of the world will come to be blessed (Genesis 12:3), interpreted in Christian tradition as a reference particularly to Christ - For Muslims, he is a prophet of Islam and the ancestor of Muhammad through his other son Ishmael
Abraham features in the Book of Genesis as the founding patriarch of the Israelites, Ishmaelites, Midianites and Edomite peoples. He is widely regarded as the patriarch of Jews, Christians, and Muslims and a prime believer in monotheism. According to Genesis 17:5, his name was changed by God from Abram (probably meaning "the father is exalted") to Abraham, a name which Genesis explains as meaning "father of many". -- Abraham was the tenth generation from Noah and the 20th from Adam. His father was Terah, and his brothers were Nahor and Haran. According to Genesis, Abraham was sent by God from his home in Ur Kasdim and Harran to Canaan, the land promised to his descendants by Yahweh. There Abraham entered into a covenant: in exchange for recognition of YHWH as his God, Abraham will be blessed with innumerable progeny and the land would belong to his descendants. -- Judaism, Christianity and Islam are sometimes referred to as the "Abrahamic religions" because of the progenitor role Abraham plays in their holy books. In the Jewish tradition, he is called Avraham Avinu or "Abraham, our Father". God promised Abraham that through his offspring, all the nations of the world will come to be blessed (Genesis 12:3), interpreted in Christian tradition as a reference particularly to Christ. Jews, Christians, and Muslims consider him father of the people of Israel through his son Isaac (cf. Exodus 6:3, Exodus 32:13) by his wife Sarah. For Muslims, he is a prophet of Islam and the ancestor of Muhammad through his other son Ishmael - born to him by his servant, Hagar. (Jews and Christians refer to Hagar as Sarah's servant). Abraham is also a progenitor of the Semitic tribes of the Negev who trace their descent from their common ancestor Sheba (Genesis 10:28).
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abraham
Basic Christian Article: Who is Melchizedek? - An Eight Part Article Introduction
Coming Soon the Basic Christian Article: Who is Melchizedek? Melchizedek (Genesis 14:18-20) is a higher multidimensional being. Melchizedek exists outside of our own human time and space dimensions (restrictions). Humans exist in and are limited to the first three physical dimensions (length, height, width) and also the fourth dimension (restriction) of time. The spiritual realm of demons, angels and in part the coming Antichrist exists in the less restricted 5th and 6th dimensions. In fact the coming Antichrist is going to bring down or "contact" the 5th and 6th dimensions and infuse 4th dimensional human beings with 5th dimensional demons [Nephilim spirits] and 6th dimensional fallen [Satanic] angelic spirit beings consequently orchestrating 5th and 6th dimensional miracles and signs and wonders in order to deceive mankind. So who is Melchizedek? Melchizedek is the manifestation of the infinite dimensional (infinite dimensions - no restrictions - unrestricted) God in Person. Melchizedek is God the Holy Spirit in Person. Melchizedek is the Order of the Holy Spirit Priesthood. -- Note: In the Basic Christian article "Who is Melchizedek?" the 8 dimensions (restrictions) are listed in conjunction with the original creation week (Genesis 1:1-2:4) and are categorized as follows: 1. Length [Day one creation - light separated [Judgment] (length) from darkness] 2. Height [Day two creation - divided the waters above from the waters below] 3. Width [Day three creation - dry land and plants] 4. Time [Day four creation - sun, moon, stars for times and seasons] 5. Demonic - demons [Day five creation - fish from the waters below, birds from the waters above] 6. Angelic - Holy Angels and also Satan with all of his fallen angels [Day six creation - land animals and humans (pre-fall) - humans the highest part of creation created separate and above the animals and equal to the angels but with sin mankind fell from the 6th dimension to the 4th dimension, in fact with the sin of mankind all of creation also fell from its original creation status] 7. Human Salvation redeemed by the blood, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ [Day seven creation - Rest] 8. Unrestricted [outside of creation] - The only Unrestricted, Eternal, Wise, ∞ Infinite, Almighty God consisting of God the Father, the Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. -- Genesis 2:4 These are the generations [dimensions] of the heavens and of the earth when they were created, in the day that the LORD God made the earth and the heavens ...
http://www.basicchristian.org/Truth_vs_Deception.pdf
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Genesis 15-16 - God's Covenant Relationship with Abraham - The land of Israel belongs to the Jews, there would be many future descendants, the Messiah (Christ) would appear through the line of Abraham [though King David] - The first mention of the appearance of the "Angel of the Lord" an appearance to humans of Jesus Christ in human form - A covenant is a final agreement as final as a Will or a Testimony - Abraham was not yet accounted as righteous either by circumcision [24 years later] or by the law [430 years later] as both were not yet given - Abraham was accounted righteous by belief in the Word of God the acceptability of the covenant and the acceptability of the blood sacrifice sealing the covenant - Note: a Biblical covenant is revealed to be irreversible [given life] by sealing the covenant in blood (Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood - the life of the covenant is in the blood) the life of the blood transfers into the life of the covenant [the final (life) covenant between God and man is sealed on the cross in the blood and death of Jesus Christ - In Jesus Christ we have received the ultimate eternal sacrifice and life covenant - His is both a New and an Eternal Living covenant in that Jesus has Resurrected from the dead and is eternally Alive!
Note: Along with the covenant with Abraham God revealed that Abraham and his descendants would be not be settled into their own land (Israel) for at least another 400 years. 'Genesis 15:13-14 And He (God) said unto Abram (Abraham), Know of a surety that thy seed (descendants) shall be a stranger in a land that is not theirs, and shall serve them; and they shall afflict them four hundred years; And also that nation [Egypt], whom they shall serve, will I judge: and afterward shall they come out with great substance.' - It's probable that the account of the 400 years of affliction was from the night of the covenant between God and Abraham "and they shall afflict them four hundred years" until the night of the Passover in Egypt 430 years to the day later [only 30 years during that time were not years of affliction]. It's likely that the affliction included their time in Canaan as well as the other places where they sojourned before eventually going into Egypt where Joseph was serving Pharaoh. The Hebrews (Jews) didn't need to go to Egypt to be afflicted, Egypt and the policies of Egypt afflicted the whole world and also their wanderings and travels in and around Canaan (ancient Israel) itself were generally a time of affliction, famine, peril and distress for them long before going down to Egypt. The events of Isaac with Abimelech [Genesis 26], Jacob with his brother Esau [Genesis 28], Jacob with his father in law Laban [Genesis 29-31], Shechem raping Dinah and the revenge of her two brothers Simeon and Levi [Genesis 34] are just a few examples of the many perils the Hebrew family faced. -- 'Exodus 12:40-41 Now the sojourning [since the night of the covenant with Abraham] of the children of Israel, who [later] dwelt in Egypt, was four hundred and thirty years. And it came to pass at the end of the four hundred and thirty years, even the selfsame day [the exact same day 430 years later as the covenant with Abraham] it came to pass, that all the hosts of the LORD went out [the night of the Passover] from the land of Egypt.' -- 'Genesis 35:28 And the days of Isaac were an hundred and fourscore (180) years. And Isaac gave up the ghost, and died, and was gathered unto his people, being old and full of days: and his sons Esau and Jacob buried him.' 'Genesis 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites [Canaan] is not yet full.' - Abraham was 75 years old when he made the covenant with God [430 years to the day before the Passover Exodus night] then Abraham was 100 years old when Isaac was born [Genesis 21:5] and Isaac lives for 180 years and died about the time Joseph was sold into slavery into Egypt where later Jacob and the rest of the family follow Joseph into Egypt. Approximately twenty-five years from the night of the covenant with God until the birth of Isaac and then 180 years in the life of Isaac makes about 205 years before Jacob's family went into Egypt as a family to later emerge from Egypt as a Nation, the Nation comprised of the 12 family tribes Judah and Israel. That would be about 225 years in Egypt for the total of 430 years. Certainly there were only four generations in Egypt from Levi to Moses [Levi -> Kohath -> Amram {father} -> Moses] or [Jacob -> Levi -> Jochebed {mother} -> Moses] it was about 225 years and four
generations in Egypt before the Passover night.
GotQuestions.org: What is the Abrahamic Covenant? - There are three main features to the Abrahamic Covenant - 1. The promise of land - 2. The promise of descendants - 3. The promise of blessing and redemption (the Messiah - Jesus Christ)
There are three main features to the Abrahamic Covenant: 1. The promise of land (Genesis 12:1). God called Abraham from Ur of the Chaldees to a land that He would give him (Genesis 12:1). This promise is reiterated in Genesis 13:14-18 where it is confirmed by a shoe covenant; its dimensions are given in Genesis 15:18-21 (precluding any notion of this being fulfilled in heaven). The land aspect of the Abrahamic Covenant is also expanded in Deuteronomy 30:1-10, which is the Palestinian Covenant. 2. The promise of descendants (Genesis 12:2). God promised Abraham that He would make a great nation out of him. Abraham, who was 75 years old and childless (Genesis 12:4), was promised many descendants. This promise is amplified in Genesis 17:6 where God promised that nations and kings would descend from the aged patriarch. This promise (which is expanded in the Davidic Covenant of 2 Samuel 7:12-16) would eventuate in the Davidic throne with Messiah's kingdom rule over the Hebrew people. 3. The promise of blessing and redemption (Genesis 12:3). God promised to bless Abraham and the families of the earth through him. This promise is amplified in the New Covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34; cf. Hebrews 8:6-13) and has to do with "Israel's spiritual blessing and redemption." Jeremiah 31:34 anticipates the forgiveness of sin. The unconditional and eternal nature of the covenant is seen in that the covenant is reaffirmed to Isaac (Genesis 21:12; 26:3-4). The "I will" promises suggest the unconditional aspect of the covenant. The covenant is further confirmed to Jacob (Genesis 28:14-15). It is noteworthy that God reaffirmed these promises amid the sins of the patriarchs, which fact further emphasizes the unconditional nature of the Abrahamic Covenant.
http://www.gotquestions.org/Abrahamic-covenant.html
amazon.com: The Witness of the Stars by E. W. Bullinger (Paperback)
Product Description: Building upon ancient astronomical sources and modern scientific data, Bullinger shows how the constellations witness to the accuracy of biblical prophetic truths. A classic Kregel bestseller. -- About the Author: E. W. Bullinger (1837-1913) was a direct descendant of Johann H. Bullinger, the Swiss reformer. Bullinger was a lifelong scholar and writer studying at King's College, London. In 1862 he was ordained in the Church of England. He is also the author of the notes and appendixes of The Companion Bible and the author of numerous works including Commentary on Revelation, Great Cloud of Witnesses, How to Enjoy the Bible, and Number in Scripture.
http://www.amazon.com/Witness-Stars-E-W-Bullinger/dp/082542030X/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1250345453&sr=1-2
Mazzaroth (Zodiac in Hebrew is Mazzaroth) - Chuck Missler -- Signs in the Heavens #2 - Chuck Missler (FREE Mp3's)
Mazzaroth - Chuck Missler #00452.mp3 -- Signs in the Heavens #2 - Chuck Missler #00066.mp3
http://www.ffmp3.com/1998catalog.asp
K-House: Signs in the Heavens - Is there a message hidden behind the 'Signs of the Zodiac'? - Are there secrets hidden in the original names of the constellations? (Purchase Audio)
What we know as the "Signs of the Zodiac" is known in Hebrew as "the Mazzaroth." This briefing pack explores the possibility that the Mazzaroth, the pre-Babylonian original, anticipated God's total plan for mankind.
http://store.khouse.org/store/catalog/DL003.html
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Genesis 17-18 - Abraham is told to walk before God and to be blameless (complete) [completed not in works but in a Spiritual relationship and fellowship with God] - Abram's name is changed to Abraham with the -ah- breath of life [God inside] added to Abram and Sarai receiving the breath of life from God becomes Sarah - Abraham receives the covenant of circumcision (the cutting away of the life of flesh and the new life of walking with the spirit of God) - the birth of Isaac is promised and Isaac is to be born as Abraham's heir [his only son] to receive the inheritance of the covenants and promises of God to Abraham - The destruction of the cities Sodom and Gomorrah is foretold
The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah - the outcry is great. There is an outcry to God in horrible unrighteousness. 'Genesis 4:9 9 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And He said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground.' Note: in the destruction of the cities Sodom and Gomorrah the main sin of Sodom and Gomorrah was idleness of hands and a misdirected life. They had misdirected their purpose and being of life into other various non-godly pursuits. 'Isaiah 1:9 Except the LORD of hosts had left unto us a very small remnant, we [Israel - those governed by God] should have been as Sodom, and we should have been like unto Gomorrah. Hear the word of the LORD, ye rulers of Sodom; give ear unto the law of our God, ye people of Gomorrah.' -- "Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me." -- 'Ezekiel 16:48-50 As I live, saith the Lord GOD, Sodom thy sister hath not done, she nor her daughters, as thou [Israel - those governed by God] hast done, thou and thy daughters. Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fullness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. And they were haughty, and committed abomination before Me: therefore I took them away as I saw good.'
The Physical remains of Sodom and Gomorrah - Ron Wyatt Part 1 (YouTube)
Ron Wyatt shows you actual physical remains of the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgQHQ992Wnw
The Physical remains of Sodom and Gomorrah - Ron Wyatt Part 2 (YouTube)
The conclusion of Ron Wyatt's discovery of the remains of Sodom and Gomorrah.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1dkoSJt6xfY
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Genesis 19-20 - The destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah - Righteous Lot is spared the judgment of Sodom and Gomorrah - Abraham once again sojourns towards Egypt but this time does not cross the border into Egypt - In the Philistine city of Gerar [near Egypt] Sara becomes a part of the Philistine King Abimelech's harem though God prevents Abimelech from touching Sarah - The pagan King Abimelech rebukes the children of God Abraham and Sarah for their conduct in pretending to be brother and sister when in fact they were husband and wife
How tragic it is when the servants of God fail to the point of being rebuked by the pagan world. We are each like Abraham and Sarah in that God will often put us in circumstances to point out the areas of weakness in our life but only for the purpose that He might make us stronger. Abraham's faith did develop and grow as in the next event in Abraham's life he offered up to God his greatest moment of faith. The faith of Abraham in trusting God to continue the life of Isaac continuing the generations of promised seed even after God calls for Isaac to be a sacrifice as a burnt offering. Note: In Biblical times in becoming a harem member for a King there was at least a yearlong process for the girls that involved a grooming, training, instruction and Etiquette that each harem members underwent before they went to be with the King. There were already plenty of harem members for the King so there wasn't a rush for members but a major factor in the long delay before being with the King was the ability to assess the health and stability of the women the King's servants didn't want to stricken the King with an illness or an unpleasant experience if they could help it. So in the context of the times Sarah would have been in Abimelech's harem but God orchestrated events to have her removed before her instruction and orientation time was completed.
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Genesis 21-22 - Abraham the Prophet enacts the sacrifice of his beloved only son Isaac - In what would become Abraham's greatest moment of faith - The faith that God is life and that He can raise his son from the dead if indeed he had been sacrificed as a burnt offering accordingly as God had instructed -- 'Hebrews 11:17-19 By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac [at Mt. Mariah]: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Of whom it was said, That in Isaac shall thy seed be called: Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure [a type of Jesus Christ].' - 'Genesis 22:8 And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself (Jesus Christ) a lamb for a burnt offering' and 2,000 years later Jesus Christ the Son of God on that very place provided Himself as a lamb for our eternal sacrifice offering
For three days Abraham counted Isaac as dead [three days in the grave] as he journeyed to Mt. Mariah to place Isaac upon an alter that would be made from wood the wood that Isaac himself would carry up the hill (Golgotha) as a part of the sacrifice to God then the third day [resurrection] God spared Isaac's life as God declared that He would offer Himself the sacrifice on Mt. Mariah and 2,000 years later the sacrifice of the beloved Son of God the only begotten Son Jesus Christ was offered on a wooden cross that like Isaac Jesus Himself carried to the place of sacrifice. Note: Abraham the Prophet was sent by God to Mt. Mariah (Calvary) to enact the sacrifice of his "only son" [the future sacrifice of Jesus Christ also on Mt. Mariah]. -- 'James 2:21-23 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? [Yes.] Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect [complete]? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God [Abraham believed God to continue (resurrect) the life of Isaac, the life of promise as Abraham laid Isaac upon the alter of sacrifice], and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God' -- Abraham in his lifetime had many children but only one child Isaac was elevated to a son in status. Isaac received the inheritance of the covenants of God from his father Abraham. In the Biblical concept of Sonship the children do not receive the inheritance only the sons do. A child once adopted and received by the father as a son then receives the blessings and inheritance of a son. A child is first born into the family ('born again' by the Holy Spirit in the case of a Christian) then the child enters into the presence of the father and in the presence of the father the [earthly father can choose to adopt the child or not] [God the Father in Heaven adopts all of His children 'Ephesians 1:5 Having "predestinated" us unto the adoption of children (lit. sons huiothesia 5206) by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will'] the father then Adopts his child giving him adult authority and adult privileges and makes him a partaker in his kingdom to receive an inheritance of the kingdom of the father.
Holy Bible: Genesis 22:1-18 ... Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off ... I and the lad [Isaac] will go yonder and worship [acknowledge that God gives life to the dead], and come again to you, And Abraham took the wood [cross] of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son ... and they went both of them together [they waked together in agreement] ... And he [Isaac] said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering
Genesis 22:1-18 And it came to pass after these things, that God did tempt Abraham, and said unto him, Abraham: and he said, Behold, here I am. And He said, Take now thy
son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains [Mt. Mariah - Calvary] which I will tell thee of. And Abraham rose up early in the morning, and saddled his ass, and took two of his young men with him, and Isaac his son, and clave the wood for the burnt offering, and rose up, and went unto the place of which God had told him. Then on the third day Abraham lifted up his eyes, and saw the place afar off. And Abraham said unto his young men, Abide ye here with the ass; and I and the lad will go yonder and worship, and come again to you, And Abraham took the wood of the burnt offering, and laid it upon Isaac his son; and he took the fire in his hand, and a knife; and they went both of them together. And Isaac spake unto Abraham his father, and said, My father: and he said, Here am I, my son. And he said, Behold the fire and the wood: but where is the lamb for a burnt offering? And Abraham said, My son, God will provide Himself a lamb for a burnt offering: so they went both of them together. And they came to the place which God had told him of; and Abraham built an altar there, and laid the wood in order, and bound Isaac his son, and laid him on the altar upon the wood. And Abraham stretched forth his hand, and took the knife to slay his son. And the angel of the LORD called unto him out of heaven, and said, Abraham, Abraham: and he said, Here am I. And he said, Lay not thine hand upon the lad, neither do thou anything unto him: for now I know that thou fearest God, seeing thou hast not withheld thy son, thine only son from Me. And Abraham lifted up his eyes, and looked, and behold behind him a ram caught in a thicket by his horns: and Abraham went and took the ram, and offered him up for a burnt offering in the stead of his son. And Abraham called the name of that place Jehovah-jireh: as it is said to this day, In the mount of the LORD it shall be seen. And the angel of the LORD called unto Abraham out of heaven the second time, And said, By myself have I sworn, saith the LORD, for because thou hast done this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son: That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall possess the gate of his enemies; And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
http://basicchristian.org/blog_biblestudy.html
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Genesis 23-24 - The death and passing of Sarah - [Genesis 23:6] Abraham "a mighty prince" of God pays the full price for a burial plot for Sarah - The oldest [most reliable] servant is sent off to the ancestral land to find a bride for the beloved only son Isaac - Many Biblical 'types' are in use during these events of the Bible - Abraham is a type of God the Father, Isaac is a type of the beloved only son Jesus Christ, Sarah is a type of the Nation of Israel [removed from the scene after the sacrifice offering] and Rebecca as the bride of the son is a type of the Christian Church {Note: now the Nation of Israel (Sarah) is back on the scene and the Hebrews are once again in Israel signifying a wrapping up and a near conclusion to the Christian Church (Rebecca) age with a corresponding End Time reemergence of the Israel (Sarah) age.}
Abraham buried his wife Sarah in the cave at Machpelah. -- 'Genesis 23:16 And Abraham hearkened unto Ephron; and Abraham weighed to Ephron the silver, which he had named in the audience of the sons of Heth, four hundred shekels of silver, current money with the merchant.' Note: Abraham was offered the land and the cave as a burial plot for Sarah for free however Abraham knowing that death is not free and knowing that death has a price Abraham asked the price of the burial plot. The price was steep and Abraham knowing that death cannot be negotiated with did not negotiate but paid the full asking price for the burial location. Jesus Christ also knowing full well that death has a price, a steep price, and that death will not be negotiated with Jesus Christ paid the price of sin and death and He like Abraham paid it in full forever releasing us from our sin burden and of the resulting debt to death. 'Colossians 2:14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to His cross.' ... The 'oldest servant' a type of the Holy Spirit is sent to woo a bride for the son. The servant tells the bride of the majesty of the son, of the status of the son and of their future together in close intimate fellowship. Like Rebecca as we respond to the call of the servant to unite with the Son Jesus Christ the servant adorns us with gifts, with raiment and with adorning. The gifts of the Holy Spirit are a foretaste of the glory of God's eternal Kingdom. 'Genesis 24:58 And they called Rebekah (Rebecca), and said unto her, Wilt thou go with this man? And she said, I will go.' Rebecca responded "I will go [and be the bride]" like Rebecca we are invited to go, to become the bride of the beloved son Jesus Christ. 'Psalms 45:11 So shall the King greatly desire thy beauty: for He is thy Lord; and worship thou Him.'
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Genesis 25-26 - After the passing of Sarah then Abraham [Genesis 17:4] the father of many nations took Keturah as a wife and among their descendants are the nations of Medan, Midian, Sheba, and Dedan - Abraham lived to be 175 years old and at his passing Abraham was buried with Sarah at the cave of Machpelah - Both Isaac and Ishmael attended the funeral of their father Abraham - Rebecca becomes pageant with twins 'Genesis 25:23 And the LORD said unto her (Rebecca), Two nations (Jacob/Israel and Esau/Edomites) [Herod the Great was an Edomite - Herod was the (Rome/Cesar inserted) King over Israel at the time of Jesus] are in thy womb' - Esau sells his firstborn 'birthright' to Jacob - Isaac is blessed by God and received a hundredfold blessing [the only mention of a hundredfold blessing in the Bible because Isaac is a type of Jesus Christ who is blessed a hundredfold beyond measure]
Isaac was commanded to remain in the promise land (Israel) his entire life not to depart from it and actually not to settle in one place but to wander and sojourn throughout the land. -- 'Genesis 26:2-3 2 And the LORD appeared unto him (Isaac), and said, Go not down into Egypt; dwell in the land which I shall tell thee of: Sojourn in this land (Israel), and I will be with thee, and will bless thee; for unto thee, and unto thy seed, I will give all these countries, and I will perform the oath which I sware unto Abraham thy father' -- but like his father Isaac also ventured to the Philistine city of Gerar near the border of Egypt and like his father the journey to the border, to the edge of the promise land was also a near disastrous for Isaac. Both Abraham and Isaac ventured to Gerar a place where they really didn't belong because of a famine [or a perceived famine] in the promise land [many others remained in Canaan throughout the 'famine' times] and just like his father Abraham when Isaac came into Gerar he instructed his wife Rebecca to tell the people that she was his sister because like his father he feared for his life in the city. This is a real good illustration that we each have to face our own trials just because or parents or others faced certain trials it doesn't mean that we will not face them and surprisingly enough we can often fail in the same challenges that our fathers failed and in the same trials that we see others failing in even though we know the outcome of the testing before we are even tempted. ... Also Note: Abraham and Isaac the children of God were opening up wells in the desert and Abraham marked his wells with a Tamarisk tree [a tree with bright flowers] so others could find the wells and drink from them. Yet the enemies of God spent their time closing and concealing the wells to deny people the opportunity to drink from them. -- Isaiah 12:2-3 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid: for the LORD JEHOVAH is my strength and my song; He also is become my salvation. Therefore with joy shall ye draw water out of the wells of salvation.
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Genesis 27-28 - Jacob with the help of his mother Rebecca he puts on a disguise and steals Esau's firstborn 'blessing' - Esau a man after the flesh wanted just the blessings of God though he didn't want to repent before the blessings - his tears were not over repentance but over the loss of the blessing - During her pregnancy with the twins God had given her the sovereign declaration that the older (Esau) would serve the younger (Jacob) - however Isaac now in his soul not serving God in his spirit wants' to bless Esau not Jacob as God had informed Rebecca years earlier to do - Rebecca and Jacob took matters upon themselves to try to bring about the promises of God - the results were disastrous and Rebecca in a sense lost her son Jacob as he had to flee the anger of his brother and she never again saw her Jacob - Isaac who thought he was on his deathbed lived for another 43 years and did see Jacob again [Genesis 35:27] at the end of his life after Jacob had returned from his 20 year flight from his brother Esau's vengeance
The purposes and declarations of God are going to stand regardless of what mankind does, we cannot stop or advance beyond their time the purposes of God. God will accomplish His plans if not through His people then through others including non-believers. Rebecca and Jacob were following the terrible philosophy of the day that the end result [the desired blessing] would justify (make right) the wrong deeds [the deceit and lies] along the way. The Apostle Paul calls this a damnable heresy "whose damnation is just" -- 'Romans 3:8 And not rather, as we be slanderously reported, and as some affirm that we say, Let us do evil, that good may come? whose damnation is just.' -- After the deception Jacob flees for his life and while passing through Bethel Jacob like his grandfather Abraham encounters God at Bethel and God reiterates to Jacob the promises given to Abraham and later God will reiterate those same promises to King David. Note: Jacob's ladder, Jacob with his head at rest upon the rock (Jesus Christ) sees heaven open and angels ascending and descending upon a ladder that is able to connect both Heaven (the dwelling of God) and the earth (the dwelling of man). In the Gospel of John it is recorded that Jesus himself did confirm that He is Jacob's ladder the only access for mankind to the Father in Heaven. - 'John 1:51 And He (Jesus) saith unto him (Nathanael - one of the twelve disciples), Verily, verily, I say unto you, Hereafter ye shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man.' Jacob had become aware of the presence of God in his life 'Genesis 28:16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the LORD is in this place; and I knew it not' then Jacob took the rock exalting it by making and alter with it he anointed the rock with some of his oil of acceptance. -- 'Genesis 28:18 And Jacob rose up early in the morning, and took the stone that he had put for his pillows, and set it up for a pillar, and poured oil upon the top of it.'
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Genesis 29-30 - Jacob completed his 500 mile journey escaping to his Uncle Laban's - Jacob meets Laban's daughter Rachael - Jacob agrees to work for Laban for seven years for Rachel's hand in marriage - Laban tricks Jacob into seven more years of labor by substituting her older sister Leah in the marriage ceremony - Note: Jacob had tricked his father by substituting himself for the blessing of his brother Esau and now he is deceived in receiving Leah in marriage instead of Rachel
Note: Jacob had to renegotiate his working wages with Laban 10 times and the last agreement was that Jacob would get the speckled and striped animals from the flocks and herds while Laban would keep any purebred animals in his flocks. Jacob took some tree branches and stripped the bark from them and placed the bare branches at the bottom of the water troughs. It's though that Jacob having the tougher mongrel sheep and goats thought that if the branches under water looked like snakes then the purebred animals wouldn't want to drink from the water and wouldn't enter heat but his mongrels would drink and would reproduce more abundantly. 'Genesis 30:42 so the feebler [livestock] were Laban's, and the stronger Jacob's.' -- Laban himself had been practicing 'enchantments' Genesis 30:27 And Laban said unto him, I pray thee, if I have found favor in thine eyes, tarry: for I have learned by experience (enchantments) that the LORD hath blessed me for thy sake.' Jacob probably thought that he had to fight witchcraft with his own version of manipulations however that turned out not to be the case as Jacob was just practicing a needless wives' tale and in the end after Jacob's latest round of work and manipulations Jacob admitted that it was indeed God that had prospered his flocks and not his schemes or manipulations. -- 'Genesis 31:5 ... the God of my father hath been with me.'
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Genesis 31-32 - God reminds Jacob of the vow Jacob made back in Bethel to follow God 'Genesis 28:21 So that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God' - Jacob takes his two wives (Rachael and Leah) his children and all of his possessions to depart Laban's company and go back to his birthplace in the land of Canaan - In route back to Canaan Laban catches up with Jacob from behind - While Esau rides out with 400 men to meet and possibly destroy Jacob from the front - In the midst of all of Jacob's dilemmas the 'Angel of the Lord' steps in and Jacob strives and wrestles not just with men but now also with the Lord 'the Angel of the Lord' and through wrestling with the Lord Jacob comes to the end of his abilities he submits to God and being transformed he is no longer Jacob he now becomes Israel
Note: 'Genesis 31:29 It is in the power of my (Laban's) hand to do you hurt: but the God of your father spake unto me yesternight, saying, Take thou heed that thou speak not to Jacob either good or bad. 'Genesis 32:7-8 Then Jacob was greatly afraid and distressed: and he divided the people that was with him, and the flocks, and herds, and the camels, into two bands; And said, If Esau come to the one company, and smite it, then the other company which is left shall escape.' -- Jacob found himself between two hard places and a rock, he couldn't go back because of Laban and he couldn't go forward because of Esau and he wouldn't really look up because of his own stubborn limitations. Much of Jacob's dilemma was due to his own making in his own ability to outwit and swindle those around him. Jacob's strengths of seeing an opportunity and taking it had turned into his weakness in dealing with both man and God. Now alone and stranded between two opposing forces Jacob discovers again that there is yet another dimension 'the Angel of the Lord' a more crucial dimension to his situation. 'Genesis 32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man [the Angel of the Lord] with him until the breaking of the day.' 'Genesis 32:30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.' Jacob in his sense of insecurity wrestles the entire night with 'the Angel of the Lord' unwilling to let go until he is blessed by God but not knowing that letting go was exactly what he need to do to become blessed. 'The Angel of the Lord' finally put Jacob's leg out of joint and now physically ailing Jacob prevailed and submits to God Who acknowledging that Jacob was no longer striving with God blessed Jacob and made him Israel the Nation of the Redeemer. -- Hosea 12:4-5 Yea, he (Jacob) had power over [to encounter] the Angel [the Angel of the Lord], and prevailed [in finally coming around to allowing God's plan for his life]: he wept, and made supplication [asking for a blessing] unto Him [He blessed him and changed his name from Jacob to Israel]: he found Him in Bethel, and there He spake with us; Even the LORD God of hosts; the LORD is his memorial.
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Genesis 33-34 - Faced with the dangers of Esau's approach Jacob separates his family exposing Leah and her children to the dangers up front while retaining Rachael and Joseph back in relative safety with himself - The separating of the children highlighted and extended current divisions among the family and within the children of the family and created new animosities among the family of Israel that have stubbornly continually persisted even unto the present day and age - Jacob meets Esau for the first time since fleeing his vengeance - Esau invites Jacob to stay, Jacob immediately departs Esau's presence and continues on his own way
Note: There is a Biblical progression of the believer. 'Romans 8:30 Moreover whom He (God) did predestinate [as Isaac was predestined - children of God are predestined to become sons of God], them He also called [as Abraham was called]: and whom He called, them He also justified [as Jacob was justified]: and whom He justified, them He also Glorified [as Joseph was glorified].' First an individual has to answer the call of God to come out of the world to separate from this world and to walk in a relationship with God as Abraham was called to walk with God. Those who have answered the call having left the world and are 'born again' in the promise land [heaven] as Isaac was born in the land [promised to Abraham] and remain in the promise land as Isaac remained in the land they become children of God and once a child then predestined to become a son of God. The predestined children of God are justified (conformed into the image of God in Jesus Christ) and elected to an office a duty for God's Kingdom as Jacob was justified from Jacob to Israel and elected [duty to perform] to be the father of the 12 tribes (family groups) that would comprise the entire nation of Israel the nation that would safely bring the redeemer to mankind. In completing the task and honoring God the justified and elected Christian is also glorified (accomplished) as Joseph (a Biblical type of Jesus) was glorified [covered in clothing (righteousness) and given the (adoption) signet ring of Sonship and authority] having saved the family from famine and reuniting the family back together under one roof all while being raised up from the pit of prison (death and hell) to be a ruler in all of the world, all of Egypt. - Also Note: With the rape of Dinah their sister [Genesis 34:1-31] and in vengeance two of her brothers Simeon and Levi destroyed an entire city, [without the foreknowledge of Jacob who completely disapproved of their actions and later Jacob diminished their blessings because of their actions]. It might seem like a tall tale that only two men could destroy an entire city and it might seem like an ancient fluke that it could happen however the warfare that Simon and Levi practiced is now the concept of the most modern, most devastating warfare of our day. First nonlethal force is applied (the entire city being circumcised) in modern times loud piercing audio sounds and or accompanying noxious 'ray gun' type transmissions will easily incapacitate an entire neighborhood and then once incapacitated a few operatives like Levi and Simon can quickly and easily decide to dispatch, capture or leave alone each incapacitated individual. Coming later in Egypt we will learn how the entire nation, a very prosperous, diverse and secure nation, quickly became ruined and the possession of a single ruler (Pharaoh) yet another concept that is very important in our time and day.
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Genesis 35-37 - God brings Jacob and his family back to Bethel and instructs Jacob to make an alter to Him there - God also instructs them to put away their strange gods and to change their clothing so Jacob buries their accumulated idols under an oak tree and they changed their clothes - [Jacob's mother] Rebecca's nurse Deborah dies - Rachel gives birth to her second son Ben-oni and passes away in childbirth - Jacob renames Ben-oni to Benjamin
Note: In these early chapters of the Bible the Bible is still dealing in types. Jacob is now somewhat a type of God the Father, his wife Rachael is now a type of the Nation of Israel and Joseph the son is a type of Jesus Christ [Joseph is the most exact type of Jesus Christ found in the Bible even surpassing King David in similarity to Jesus Christ]. As Rachel dies in childbirth she names the child Ben-oni 'son of her sorrow' the father Jacob then renames Ben-oni to Benjamin 'son of my right hand.' Joseph is a type of Jesus Christ and Benjamin his only full brother is a type of the Christian Church. Benjamin [the Christian Church] was born of the Jewish Rachel and to the Jewish Rachel Benjamin is Ben-omi 'the son of her sorrow' it has been in sorrow that the Christian Church has been brought into the world and exists at the passing [scattering, Diaspora] of Rachel [the Nation of Israel] but to God the Father (Jacob) when He sees Ben-omi [the Christian Church] He sees the full family, he sees Joseph [Jesus] in Ben-omi and to Him he is a son of this right hand. - Also Note: Joseph's status as chosen heir is rejected by his ten older brothers and they cast him into a dry well [Sheol, Hades, Hell]. Simon seems to be the main instigator in the planned death of Joseph while Ruben persuades the others not to immediately kill him but to first cast him into the well. With Joseph down the well the brothers are discussing his ultimate fate when a caravan of Ishmaelites (descendants of Ishmael) passed by and Judah then saves Joseph's life by selling him to the Ishmaelites (Ishmeelites - alternate spelling) for twenty pieces of silver. Apparently a caravan of Midianites came on the scene and they actually took Joseph out of the well and sold him to the Ishmaelites. The Ishmaelites were seemingly unwilling to rescue Joseph out of the well because they are related as Ishmael is a son of Abraham and they would have been obligated to return Joseph safely back to his father Jacob but the Midianites also related through Lot saw no problem with rescuing Joseph out of the well to then sell him to the Ishmaelites. The Ishmaelites having ultimately bought Joseph from the Midianites took Joseph to Egypt where they sold him as a slave. The betrayal and selling of Joseph into slavery was a real family affair with the Israelites selling him to the Midianites who sold him to the Ishmaelites who then took him to Egypt and sold him to the Egyptian Potiphar.
Joseph and Jesus (9 Parts) by Dr. Calvin Ray Evans Part one 46 min. "The Bloody Coat" Highly Recommended (Mp3's)
Evangelistic Outreach Ministries with Dr. Calvin Evans and Dr. Calvin Ray Evans proclaim the Gospel through radio, television, world missions, Christian literature, crusades, church and revival meetings. We covet your prayers because our God brings the lost to Himself as a result of your prayers. And bringing the lost to the Lord Jesus Christ is what we are all about.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?speakerWithinSource=&subsetCat=speaker&subsetItem=Dr.+Calvin+Ray+Evans&mediatype=&includekeywords=&keyword=calvinevans&keyworddesc=Evangelistic+Outreach+Ministries&currsection=sermonssource&AudioOnly=false&SourceOnly=true&keywordwithin=jesus&x=0&y=0
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Genesis 38-39 - Judah marries the Canaanite woman Shuah and they have three children Er, Onan and Shelah - Both Er and Onan receive the judgment of God and are slain - Judah's wife Shuah passes away - Judah mistakenly sleeps with his daughter inlaw and she delivers twin sons Zarah and Pharez - Judah is the eventual line of King David and later Jesus Christ through the son Pharez - Joseph enslaved in Egypt is falsely accused of rape and is sent to prison - Joseph does not fight the false allegations but as a child of God he trusts in God that He will deliver him from his peril
Note: God's displeasure - God is not limited to sitting idly by while mankind sins in unrestrained rebellion. 'Genesis 38:7-10 And Er, Judah's firstborn, was wicked in the sight of the LORD; and the LORD slew him. ... And the thing which he (Onan) did displeased the LORD: wherefore He slew him also.' - God's knowledge expands all generations and encompasses all possible events. God had decided not to allow the nation of Israel to expand in the direction of Er and Onan. - Also Note: It isn't only humans that are under judgment and the scrutiny of God. The unholy angels of Genesis 6 are also under judgment and are chained in captivity until the very last day of the book of Revelation. Currently mankind does have to contend with spiritual forces but not the more aggressive spirits of Genesis 6. The spirits we contend with today are for the most part the lesser spirits while the foremost evil spirits are imprisoned 'Jude 1:6 And the angels which kept not their first estate, but left their own habitation (left their angel body, when they had sex with humans), He hath reserved in everlasting chains under darkness unto the judgment of the great day [Revelation time period].' until the key is given to release the spirits in the final days of the Revelation time period. -- ' Revelation 9:1-11 And the fifth angel sounded [5th trumpet judgment], and I saw a star [angel] fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit. And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit. ... And they had a king over them, which is the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue is Abaddon ["place of destruction" or the realm of the dead, and is associated with Sheol - wiki.com], but in the Greek tongue hath his name Apollyon.'
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Genesis 40-41 - The King's butler (cup bearer) and the Kings baker were suspected in a plot to kill the King of Egypt and were imprisoned with Joseph until the details of the plot could be sorted out - The butler and the baker each had a dream - Joseph was able to correctly interpret each of their dreams -- 'Genesis 40:8 And they said unto him, We have dreamed a dream, and there is no interpreter of it - And Joseph said unto them, Do not interpretations belong to God? tell me them, I pray you' -- Later Joseph is brought from the prison to interpret a dream for Pharaoh after correctly interpreting the dream Joseph is installed by the Pharaoh to be the second ruler over all of Egypt in order to carry out the interpretation of the dream - An Egyptian wife is chosen for Joseph and she [Asenath] bares him two sons Manasseh and Ephraim both of which will receive inheritances in Israel as Jacob awards Joseph a double portion of land in Israel with his double portion of blessings
Note: Melchizedek the Priest of the Most High God introduced bread and wine (communion) into the Bible. In keeping with Biblical consistency we now again have the bread [cross] and the wine [resurrection] in the illustration of the king's baker [bread] - and the king's butler/cup bearer [wine]. The baker as was according to his dream from God was broken, he was executed. The butler as was according to his dream, also given to him by God, was restored the third day being freed from prison he is sent into the presence of the Kingdom's King handing a cup of wine (vine) to the King. - The communion bread and the communion wine of Jesus Christ: The bread represents the body of Jesus 'broken for us' and the wine represents the life blood of Jesus in the New Eternal covenant between God and mankind. 'Matthew 26:26-28 And as they (disciples) were eating [Passover], Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is My Body. And He took the cup (grape of the vine), and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, Drink ye all of it [be connected to Jesus Christ the true Vine]; For this is My Blood [eternal Life, the eternal living covenant] of the New Testament (Covenant), which is shed for many for the remission of sins.' - Also Note: Once Benjamin [Christian Church] comes into the Kingdom presence of Joseph and meets Him face to face Joseph [Jesus] calls Benjamin 'My Son'. 'Genesis 43:29 And he [Joseph] lifted up his eyes, and saw his brother Benjamin [Christian Church], his mother's (Rachael's) son, and said, Is this your younger brother, of whom ye spake unto Me? And He said, God be gracious unto thee, My Son.
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Genesis 42 - Joseph was about seventeen years old when his older brothers threw him down the well and when he arrived into slavery in Egypt - After 13 years of slavery and prison Joseph becomes the second ruler of Egypt - Joseph begins his ministry to Egypt at about 30 years old the same age when Jesus began His ministry in Israel - Then after seven good years and during the seven years of famine the Joseph's ten older brothers come to Egypt on their first visit to obtain grain and unknowingly, and unable to tell, deal with their brother Joseph for their grain - Joseph takes Simeon as a prisoner/hostage to assure that the brothers will return and makes the stipulation that Simon will not be released unless the brothers return to Egypt and this time bringing with them Benjamin [Joseph's younger brother]
Note: 'Genesis 42:17-20 And he [Joseph] put them all [twelve tribes (actually 10 of the tribes but symbolically representing 'all' 12 tribes) of Israel] together into ward [prison] three days. And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God: If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound [blindness in part] in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn (grain) [the KJV Bible was translated from Hebrew OT and Greek NT into the English language in about the year 1611 in England and back then corn was a generic term for grain 'acorn', 'British corn (grain) laws' then in America with the discovery of the native maize plant, maize was renamed corn] for the famine of your houses: But bring your youngest brother [Benjamin - Christian Church] unto Me [Jesus]; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.' 'Romans 11:25 ... that blindness in part [a portion of Jews become Christians] is happened to Israel, until the fullness of the [Christian Church] Gentiles be come in.'
!!!Highly Recommended - Revealing God's Treasure - Red Sea Crossing - Joseph in Egypt - Grain storage in Egypt - Moses in Egypt (YouTube)
See chariot parts and people parts in the sea where the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry ground.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaN2acVMGC8
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Genesis 43-45 - Joseph's ten older brothers return to Egypt for their second visit this time bringing Benjamin with them as they were instructed by Joseph to do - Joseph invites the brothers into lunch - Benjamin [a type of the Christian Church] receives five times [five signifies grace] the helpings his brothers receive - after testing the brothers to determine their loyalty to the God of Israel and their acceptance of Benjamin [Joseph's younger brother] - Joseph reveals himself to his brothers as the brother they had rejected so many years before - Joseph a child of God reveals that the providence of God has sent him to Egypt and not the cunning of man -- 'Genesis 45:5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life' - God as always is the God of Life and that 'more abundantly' - 'John 10:10 I am (Jesus) come that they (mankind) might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly'
Joseph seats his brothers at the table in the order of their age, no small task since the eleven brothers were born to one father with four different mothers. He is trying to give the impression that he knows divination or a type of magic in order to know intimate details about their lives. Joseph wants to know if the brothers are going to seek divination from him a perceived Egyptian or if they are going to remain loyal to the God of Israel. The brothers do not ask for information about their lives or their futures and remain loyal to the God of Israel. Then Joseph tests the brothers concerning their intentions towards his younger brother Benjamin. Joseph is concerned that if Benjamin were to receive a larger inheritance from their father Jacob and the older brothers object again then it might be Benjamin who finds himself at the bottom of a well. Joseph in testing the brothers about Benjamin is also testing them in their love for their father Jacob because Jacob had stated that if he lost Benjamin after losing Joseph ' then shall ye bring down my
gray hairs with sorrow to the grave'. The brothers completely pass the test offering to substitute themselves for Benjamin in order that Benjamin might go free and return to their father back in Canaan. After the testings Joseph reveals himself to his brothers and emphasizes that it has been God's plan to send Joseph ahead to Egypt to save their lives from the coming famine and the lives of others. -- 'Genesis 45:3-8 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence. And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt. Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life. For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest. And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance. So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.' -- Also Note: 'Genesis 43:34 And he [Joseph] took and sent messes [table settings] unto them from before him: but Benjamin's mess [dinner] was five [Benjamin as the Christian Church receives the five signifying grace/individuality] times so much as any of theirs [the Children of Jacob receive the single portion of the law/conformity]. And they drank, and were merry with him.' 'Genesis 45:22 To all of them [children of Jacob - law/conformity] he gave each man changes of raiment; but to Benjamin he gave three hundred pieces of silver, and five [Christian Church - grace/individuality] changes of raiment.'
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Genesis 46-48 - Jacob (130 years old) at the instruction of God, Jacob having inquired at Bethel - moves the entire family 'seventy souls in all' to temporarily sojourn in Egypt - In Egypt the children of God become enslaved and are unable to return to their homeland in Canaan - In Egypt Jacob blesses Joseph and Jacob adopts Joseph's first two male children to become his sons so that they can receive an equal inheritance in the promise land with their uncles as all the sons of Jacob each received the adoption of sons and receive an inheritance in the promise land
Note: Jacob meets pharaoh the King of Egypt and Jacob blesses him. Jacob declares his life to have been long and hard, 'Genesis 47:7-9 And Joseph brought in Jacob his father, and set him before Pharaoh: and Jacob blessed Pharaoh. And Pharaoh said unto Jacob, How old art thou? And Jacob said unto Pharaoh, The days of the years of my pilgrimage are an hundred and thirty years: few and evil have the days of the years of my life been' in all that Jacob had accomplished in God Jacob was still never able to enter into the rest and glorification that his son Joseph was able to enter into with God. - Also Note: Once in Egypt the children of God were set apart from the Egyptians and were looked down upon by the Egyptians from the start. At this time the children of God are under Covenants with God but they are not yet directly under the law of God as they would become later with Moses (the law giver). The persecutions, separations, hardships, wanderings and sufferings of the children of God are acting as a law unto themselves keeping the children of God separate from the world and the evil ways of the world and gathered together unto God. Without the difficulties the children of God would have become as the children of Sodom had become as the children of God demonstrated immediately after departing the hardships of Egypt and entering the freedom of the desert where they immediately begin to act as the Egyptians had acted and didn't act the way God intended for them to act so therefore immediately in the desert God had to Give Moses the Ten Commandments and the rest of the law so the children of God in their newfound freedom and leisure would know how to properly serve and worship God. - Also note: The famine that shocked the economy of the great nation of Egypt and turned Egypt from a stable middleclass nation to a peasant ownerless nation was a series of events that Egypt remains under even to this day as Egypt remains for the most part a peasant nation. When there are disruptions in the economy and in the food supply in particular and whether the disruption occurs naturally, is man induced or is even is fictitious in stature the result is the middle class is going to have to surrender their possessions and the governing officials will have the option of acquiring the belongings.
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Genesis 49-50 - Jacob giving his last words in faith while worshiping and leaning on his staff shares God's blessings with each of his sons - Joseph inquires permission to bury Jacob back in Canaan - Joseph was unable to ask Pharaoh directly for the permission but had to request it from the 'house of Pharaoh' indicating that already another Pharaoh had become the King of Egypt - The Bible begins in the Garden of Eden with man walking in fellowshipping with God and now here in the ending of the book of Genesis mankind is separated from God, enslaved and 'put in a coffin in Egypt' - Next in the book of Exodus (the way out, lit. out of path) we will find the way out of the hard slavery and bondage of this world and back into the fellowship and a relationship with God
Note: Jacob just before his death blesses his sons in faith -- Hebrews 11:21 By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, [standing up - resurrected] leaning upon the top of his staff.' -- Also Note: The blessing of Judah [the line of Jesus Christ]. 'Genesis 49:8 Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down [worship] before thee. Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey [death, crucifixion], my son, thou art gone up [resurrection, heavenly presence]: he stooped down [(Messiah) Jesus came as a man], he couched [submitted to God] as a lion, and as an old [eternal] lion; who shall rouse him up? The sceptre [the King's authority] shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver (government) from between his feet, until Shiloh (Messiah) come; and unto him (Messiah) shall the gathering of the people be. Binding his foal [Christian Church] unto the vine, and his ass's colt unto the choice vine [New Covenant]; he washed his garments in wine [Holy Spirit], and his clothes in the blood [New Covenant blood] of grapes: His eyes shall be red with wine [seeing in the spirit], and his teeth white with milk [the milk of the Word of God].- Also Note: Joseph reiterates that God has allowed all of the events and has worked all of the events to become good and sustainable for all of God's children. -- Genesis 50:20-21 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive. Now therefore fear ye not: I will nourish you, and your little ones. And he comforted them, and spake kindly unto them.' - Lastly the book of Genesis (beginnings) ends with 'Genesis 50:25 And Joseph took an oath of the children of Israel, saying, God will surely visit you, and ye shall carry up my bones from hence. So Joseph died, being an hundred and ten years old: and they embalmed him, and he was put in a coffin in Egypt.'
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THE SECOND BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED
===== EXODUS =====
Exodus 1-2 - Exodus is a continuation of the accounts of Genesis - In the New Testament [Mark 12:26] Jesus quotes from Exodus and calls it the book of Moses - about {200} years later after the death of Jacob and Joseph the Israelites now number about 600,000 military age men twenty years old and older with about 2.2 million Israelites total including women and children - the newest Pharaoh [possibly - Thutmose III the pharaoh of the Oppression and Amenhotep II the pharaoh of the Exodus] feared that the Israelites would take their skills and their labor and depart back to Canaan - Pharaoh suppressed the Israelites to keep them in the Egypt - Though trying to keep the Children of God down they prospered all the more - Under the edict of Pharaoh, Moses as a child was to be put to death - His mother placed him in a basket and Pharaoh's daughter found Moses and took him as her own - God tells Moses that He has seen their afflictions - Exodus 3:7-8 And the LORD said, I have surely seen the affliction of My people which are in Egypt, and have heard their cry by reason of their taskmasters; for I know their sorrows; And I Am come down to deliver them out of the hand of the Egyptians, and to bring them up out of that land unto a good land and a large, unto a land flowing with milk and honey
Note: The Egyptian midwives had some knowledge of the God of the Israelites and feared God. The midwives didn't tell a complete lie 'Exodus 1:19 And the midwives said unto Pharaoh, Because the Hebrew women are not as the Egyptian women; for they are lively, and are delivered ere (before) the midwives come in unto them' in that God is life and the midwives were interceding on behalf of God for life, though they didn't tell the complete truth. We can only tell the amount of truth based on the amount of faith and knowledge we have in God 'John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.' Jesus said He is the truth - The Egyptian midwives had a little knowledge of God and were able to tell a little of the truth but they also had some of their preconceived excuses mixed in with the truth they had. God did bless them for acting on the amount of truth that they had. - Also Note: Stephen in the book of Acts [Acts 7:25] quotes that Moses was aware that he was the chosen deliverer. Moses knowing he was the deliver attempted to deliver a child of God from the whip of an Egyptian however Moses was unable to redeem even one Israelite and in fact the entire Jewish nation at first rejected Moses as their leader. Later when Moses was under the guidance of God, then God did successfully deliver the children of Israel from Egypt the strongest nation on the earth at that time.
{Basic Christian: blog Bible Study} Exodus - Who Was The Pharaoh Of The Exodus? [Early Timeline] - Assuming the pharaohs mentioned in Exodus 1:8, 22 and 2:23 are all the same person, he would have had to reign for over forty years - Amenhotep's predecessor, Thutmose III, is the only pharaoh within the time specified in I Kings 6:1 who reigned long enough (54 years) to have been on the throne at the time of Moses' flight and to die shortly before his return to Egypt - This would make Thutmose III the pharaoh of the Oppression and Amenhotep II the pharaoh of the Exodus {*Updated Later Timeline: [Possibly Joseph's dream Pharaoh - Genesis 41:1] Pharaoh Akhenaten (Eighteenth dynasty of Egypt) Reign 1351-1334 B.C. - [Possibly the other Pharaoh in Joseph's time - Genesis 50:4] Tutankhamun [King Tut] son of Akhenaten (last Pharaoh of the Eighteenth dynasty) Reign 1333-1323 B.C. -- [Possibly the Pharaoh of Moses' time - Exodus 1:8] Ramesses II (Nineteenth Dynasty) Reign 1279-1213 B.C.}
The Bible nowhere mentions the name of the pharaoh of the Exodus, but Bible students have always been curious as to who he was. No doubt, some Christians will be wary of trying to discover something the Bible has not clearly revealed; but in studying this question one can come away with his faith increased in the Bible as the unerring word of God. Although the Bible does not specifically name the pharaoh of the Exodus, enough data is supplied for us to be relatively sure who he was. Admittedly, there are two schools of thought concerning the date of the Exodus (i.e., the early date and late date theories). Proponents of the late date theory (1290 B.C.) are clearly in the majority, but they reject clear Biblical statements with reference to the date of the Exodus. Therefore their arguments in favor of a particular pharaoh will not be considered in this article. In I Kings 6:1 the Scriptures say: "And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month of Zif, which is the second month that he began to build the house of the Lord." One can readily see that the times for both the Exodus and the beginning of the Temple have been specifically stated in God's Word. Scholars have identified the fourth year of Solomon's reign as 966 B.C. (Gleason, A Survey of Old Testament Introduction, 1974, p. 223). Using this 966 B.C. date, we find that the Exodus took place in 1445 B.C. Now, if this information is correct, the Exodus occurred in the third year of the reign of the pharaoh Amenhotep II. Before concluding that Amenhotep II was, indeed, the pharaoh of the Exodus, we will need to study further other evidence that can be presented. For instance, when comparing Exodus 7:7 with Acts 7:23, we learn that Moses was in Midian approximately forty years. Assuming the pharaohs mentioned in Exodus 1:8, 22 and 2:23 are all the same person, he would have had to reign for over forty years. Amenhotep's predecessor, Thutmose III, is the only pharaoh within the time specified in I Kings 6:1 who reigned long enough (54 years) to have been on the throne at the time of Moses' flight and to die shortly before his return to Egypt. This would make Thutmose III the pharaoh of the Oppression and Amenhotep II the pharaoh of the Exodus. History tells us that for several years after 1445 B.C. Amenhotep II was unable to carry out any invasions or extensive military operations. This would seem like very strange behavior for a pharaoh who hoped to equal his father's record of no less than seventeen military campaigns in nineteen years. But this is exactly what one would expect from a pharaoh who had lost almost all his cavalry, chariotry, and army at the Red Sea (Exodus 14:23, 27-30). Furthermore, we learn from the Dream Stela of Thutmose IV, son of Amenhotep II, that he was not the legitimate successor to the throne (J.B. Pritchard (ed.), Ancient Near-Eastern Texts, p. 449). This means that Thutmose IV was not the firstborn son, who would have been the legitimate heir. The firstborn son of Amenhotep II had evidently died prior to taking the throne of Egypt. This would agree with Exodus 12:29 which says the pharaoh's first-born son was killed during the Passover. If the Exodus did take place in 1445 B.C., forty years of wilderness wandering would bring us to 1405 B.C. for the destruction of Jericho. Interestingly enough, John Garstang, who excavated the site of ancient Jericho (city "D" in his survey), came to the conclusion that the destruction of the city took place around 1400 B.C. (Garstang, The Story of Jericho, 1948, p. 122). He also concluded that the walls of the city toppled outward, which would compare favorably with Joshua 6:20. Scholars have been fascinated by a revolutionary religious doctrine which developed shortly after 1445 B.C. that threatened to sweep away the theological dogmas of centuries. These scholars have credited Amenhotep IV, great grandson of Amenhotep II, with founding the religious concept of Monotheism (the idea that there is only one God). The cult of Aton set forth this idea to the Egyptian people and scholars have mistakenly credited this idea to the Egyptians. But it does not seem unusual to me that a people who had been so influenced by the one God of Moses would try to worship the God that had so convincingly defeated their gods. A continually increasing body of evidence indicates that this cult of Aton had its beginning in the reign of Thutmose IV, son of Amenhotep II, pharaoh of the Exodus. Although the final verdict is not yet in, we can be reasonably sure that Amenhotep II was the pharaoh of the Exodus.
http://allanturner.com/pharaoh.html
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Exodus 3-6 - The sign [Exodus 3:12] that God would use to confirm to the people that He had brought them out of Egypt was that He would bring them to Mt. Horeb (Mt. Sinai) to serve God - Moses returns to Egypt from his forty year flight for killing the Egyptian taskmaster - God tells Moses to tell Pharaoh to 'let My people go' - Pharaoh responds [Exodus 5:2] 'Who is the LORD, that I should obey his voice' - Today many people are still like Pharaoh and say 'Who is the Lord, Jesus Christ that I should obey His voice'?
Note: [Exodus 4:21] God hardens {confirms} Pharos heart so that Pharaoh will not let the people go. Pharaoh was back and forth about his treatment of the Hebrews. God had a plan to illustrate and to demonstrate to the people His deliverance power and authority. Pharaoh's uncertainty would have muddled the clear picture God was presenting so God confirmed Pharos heart to keep the Hebrews in slavery. Even after the tragic death of all the firstborn males of Egypt on the night of the Passover Pharaoh decided to go get the escaping Hebrews and bring them back to slavery in Egypt so there never was any intention with Pharaoh of ever letting the Hebrews go free that is why God had to intervene there was no other way to freedom for the children of God. - Also Note: Exodus 4:11 And the LORD said unto him (Moses), Who hath made man's mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD?' - God declares that He has created the physical handicaps of mankind. God takes ultimate responsibility for the condition of mankind. Also note though that God has created a remedy for ALL of the afflictions of mankind. The remedy is a new life in a new eternal body - in the new and everlasting covenant of Jesus Christ.
The Delta-Sinai Tour - Goshen: The cities Pithom and Pi-Rameses, two fortified cities the Hebrews built before the Exodus, (Ex. 1:11) however, have been found (Photos)
The German scholar Dr. O.F.A, Meinardus wrote about traditions informing us that the Holy Family {Joseph, Mary, Jesus} likely traveled through the Eastern Delta, the approximate location from where the Exodus took place. The name 'Land of Goshen' is only mentioned in the Bible, and not Egyptian documents. The cities Pithom and Pi-Rameses, two fortified cities the Hebrews built before the Exodus, (Ex. 1:11) however, have been found. The Austrian Institute excavated the ruins of Pithom and found the remains of some temple buildings and grain stores. Pi-Rameses in particular is important because the Egyptians moved their capital from Memphis to Pi-Rameses in the 14th century B.C. because of the threats coming from the east. Pi-Rameses was the capital of Egypt in the time of Moses. In the same region the ruins have been found of Tanis, the capital of Pharaoh Sheshonk I [Shishak in the Bible] (935-914 B.C.) who plundered the temple of Jerusalem (2 Chronicles 12:9). Some researchers speculate he may have taken the Ark of the Covenant to this city.
http://www.holyfamilyegypt.com/map/deltasinai/Goshen.htm
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Exodus 7-9 - Moses and Aaron confront Pharaoh on behalf of God - God sends 10 separate plagues upon Egypt - The 10 plagues are directed against the false gods [Nile River, earth, sun, creatures, etc.] of Egypt in order that the Egyptians would abandon their false gods and follow the one true living God - All of the plagues took place within a few moths time - June to April 14 [Passover] being considered the longest duration timeline for the completion of the 10 plague events
'Exodus 8:8-15 Then Pharaoh called for Moses and Aaron, and said, Intreat the LORD, that he may take away the frogs from me, and from my people; and I will let the people go, that they may do sacrifice unto the LORD. ... And the LORD did according to the word of Moses; and the frogs died out of the houses, out of the villages, and out of the fields. ... But when Pharaoh saw that there was respite, he hardened his heart, and hearkened not unto them; as the LORD had said.' - Pharaoh made a vow to God it's not necessary to make a vow to God to get God to move on our behalf. Actually God doesn't want vows, deals and manipulations from us. When we make a vow and we break it then it's worse than not making a vow in the first place. - The magicians were able to duplicate some of the plagues of God visited upon Egypt but they certainly were not able to duplicate the love, comfort and security of God that God visited upon His children in Goshen during the time of the plagues.
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Exodus 10-11 - Pharaoh and his servants hearts have been hardened (held in place) in order that God could show Pharaoh His mastery over His creation - Giving the Egyptians an opportunity to stop worshiping His creation and to start worshiping Him the creator - Also giving the children of God an opportunity to grow in their faith and in the future to have some memories and remembrance of the mighty works of God -- 'Exodus 10:1-2 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go in unto Pharaoh: for I have hardened his heart, and the heart of his servants, that I might shew these My signs before him: And that thou mayest tell in the ears of thy son, and of thy son's son, what things I have wrought in Egypt, and My signs which I have done among them; that ye may know how that I Am the LORD'
The Pharaoh of Moses' day was a type of Satan and in being a type of Satan [hinderer] Pharaoh was always hindering the children of God in their relationship with God. The main way Pharaoh was hindering their walk with God was in his continually encouraging the Hebrews to compromise in their worship and service to God. Pharaoh offers five compromises to Moses and the Hebrews 1. To remain in Egypt don't separate from the world in consecration to God. 2. Go worship God but don't go very far don't get carried away and don't abandon yourself to God and to His Kingdom. 3. Worship God if you must but not with your cattle, not with your resources or your abilities and certainly not with your money. 4. Worship God yourself but don't include your own family and don't and influence your own children in your worship give them have a secular life. 5. Don't worship as a group and don't encourage others to go with you to worship with you. Moses rejected the compromises of Pharaoh! 'Exodus 10:9 And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old, with our sons and with our daughters, with our flocks and with our herds will we go; for we must hold a feast unto the LORD.'
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Exodus 12 - The Lord's Passover - Exodus 12:27 That ye shall say, It is the sacrifice of the LORD'S Passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel in Egypt, when He smote the Egyptians, and delivered our houses and the people bowed the head and worshipped' - In Egypt during the plagues [Exodus 10:23] the Lord began to make a distinction between the Egyptians the children of the world and His children the children of God - The original Passover in Egypt was a restricted Passover only those members of the household could partake in the Passover - With the Passover [New Covenant] of Jesus Christ the new Passover is not a restrictive feast - The Apostle Paul wrote that the bread and the blood of the New Testament are unrestricted in that anyone can participate - we are to examine ourselves, others are not to examine us to determine if we are of the household of God but we are to make that decision for ourselves -- '1 Corinthians 11:23 For I (Apostle Paul) have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night [Passover in Jerusalem] in which He was betrayed took bread: ... For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord's death till He come ... But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup'
Note: none of the plagues of Egypt could buy the release of the children of God from the grip of Egypt and Pharaoh until the plague of the death of the firstborn sons only that plague was able to gain freedom from bondage for the children of God. Jesus Christ the firstborn Son of God is the only plan for the freedom of mankind no other plan, plague or purchase exists to gain an eternal freedom for mankind. - Also Note: Jesus Christ is the ultimate Passover and on the night of the Passover in Jerusalem Jesus declared His body to be the acceptable Passover Lamb sacrifice and His blood to be the acceptable blood covering that death for us will Passover. Jesus is our Passover Lamb and He is also the first born death sacrifice for the entire world. Jesus did die, He died for our sins and for all for the sins of the world both Israel and Egypt, therefore the opportunity that death has passed over all is for all the world in that all of those who will accept His death and his blood covering will escape death and having escaped death, with death and sin having left us, then in His resurrection (three days later) His eternal resurrection life has entered into us. - Also Note: 'Exodus 12:35 And the children of Israel did according to the word of Moses; and they borrowed of the Egyptians jewels of silver, and jewels of gold, and raiment.' Israel 'borrowed' the wealth of Egypt. It's true that the wealth was intended to be payment for back wages for the unpaid servitude of Israel but years later the army of Egypt came to Jerusalem and took back their gold and wealth and much more in Solomon's wealth so ultimately with the gold back in the hands of Egypt the wealth of Egypt was actually just "borrowed" by Israel. - '2 Chronicles 12:9 So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.'
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Exodus 13-15 - The Israelites depart Egypt as a new Nation - The Egyptian firstborn males without the blood covering perished in the plague - The Israeli firstborn males lived because of the covering of the blood of the lamb however now all of the firstborn males of Israel were purchased with the blood by God and now belong to God 'Exodus 13:15 ...but all the firstborn [of Israel] of My children I redeem' for the service of God - God has redeemed the firstborn males of Israel and they belong to Him - Later [Numbers 3:12] God is going to transfer His ownership of all the firstborn males of Israel to all the males in the family/tribe of Levi [including each brother] so that all the males in the Levitical family will now be a Priesthood and will belong to God and serve God and not just the firstborn male of each family - The firstborn male of each non-Levi family is not a priest to God but if there are more firstborn males in Israel than all the males in the Tribe of Levi then the extra firstborn males in Israel have to redeem their soul from the service of God by paying 5 shekels to the Levitical High Priest [Aaron at that time] - The Red Sea Crossing {Note: In the Christian Church each person is a Priest between themselves and God [in the order of Melchizedek] because each person has been purchased with the blood of Jesus Christ and not just the firstborn males as in Egypt.}
The Red Sea crossing - "the Salvation of the LORD" 'Exodus 14:13 And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the Salvation [saved from death, healing] of the LORD, which He will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more forever [Egypt on its own would not go after Israel again - however later Israel invited Egypt to come to them and Israel entangled themselves with Egypt always with disastrous results for Israel].' - The Passover night was the Redemption "I will redeem you with a stretched out arm" - Exodus 6:6-7 Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I Am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm [cross of Jesus], and with great judgments [10 plagues for all the people to witness]: And I will take you to Me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I Am the LORD your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. - The death of the Lamb was the redemption of Israel and brought Israel from bondage back into a relationship with God the same relationship Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and his sons had with God before they lost their freedom to serve God [by selling their brother Joseph into slavery in Egypt where they eventually went themselves and their children ended up slaves]. We can't serve two masters we can't serve Egypt and God so as soon as God redeemed the people from serving Egypt the people became free to serve God. However the children of God were free but they were not safe. Egypt came after the children of God to return them to slavery so God provided Salvation and took away the dangers of the attacking Egyptian army from them. Redemption comes first, from the cross of Jesus Christ then Salvation comes second, the removal of death and any danger to our soul [just like the removal of Pharos' attacking army] and this the safety [safe haven] for our soul comes from the Salvation, in the eternal Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
THE REAL EXODUS - A SMALL PORTION THE SUPPRESSED EVIDENCE (YouTube)
Nice clear pictures of the evidence. A small portion of The Exodus Revealed DVD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xqf6t_DnmGY
Exodus Revealed part 1 of 3 (YouTube)
An edited version of The Exodus Revealed DVD.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcCC0Fp7r_Q
Chariot Parts in the Red Sea: Eric Lembke (YouTube)
Lembke describes the chariot wheel he found in the Red Sea.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Y9wjbr2sTM
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Exodus 16-18 - Now one month out of Egypt and into their barren Desert journey they find it a 'bitter' experience and even long to return back to Egypt - the Manna from heaven begins to appear each day - Manna in Hebrew is correctly translate "gift from God" or "gift of God" - They find their only source of life giving water in the desert flows from the Rock -- '1 Corinthians 10:1-4 Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud [Exodus 13:21 And the LORD went before them by day in a pillar of a cloud ...], and all passed through the sea [Red Sea]; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat [Manna]; And did all drink the same Spiritual drink: for they drank of that Spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.' - Their old enemy Amalek [the flesh] attacks them from behind their weakest spot [their past] in their formation as they are diligently seeking to journey to the Promise Land
With their new bleak surroundings and because of their hardships in the desert the people began to think that God had delivered them from Egypt to bring them out into the desert where the hardships of the desert were at times worse than the hardships of Egypt so that God could turn against them. The generation of adults actually began to think that God had brought them out not to deliver them but to slay them in the desert. The view that God was against them and not for them despite all that God had already miraculously done for them and through them permeated because that generation of Israelites lost focus in who God actually is and what God was actually doing for them. They lost the focus of what God was doing in their midst and then they lost the vision of where they were ultimately going, to the Promise Land, to God's eternal homeland. - Moses strikes the Rock the first time 'Exodus 17:5-6 And the LORD said unto Moses, Go on before the people, and take with thee of the elders of Israel; and thy rod, wherewith thou smotest the river [Nile River], take in thine hand, and go. Behold, I will stand before thee there upon the Rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the Rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink. And Moses did so in the sight of the elders of Israel.' Forty years later [Numbers 20:7-12] Moses would again strike the Rock at Meribah a second time. Jesus the Rock was struck one time for our transgressions Jesus the Rock is not to be struck a second time. Moses was only to speak to the rock, to pray, to ask, to request and the Rock Jesus Christ would have responded with the living water for the children of God. As a result of striking the Rock (Jesus Christ) a second time, Moses the deliverer out of the land of Egypt and the giver of the law was not allowed to enter in to promise land. -- 'Deuteronomy 32:51 Because ye (Moses) trespassed against Me (God) among the children of Israel at the waters of Meribah-Kadesh [striking the Rock a second time], in the wilderness of Zin; because ye sanctified [made Holy in words and deeds] Me not in the midst of the children of Israel. Yet thou shalt see the land [Holy Land] before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the children of Israel.'
Must See!!! - Mount Sinai: Mount Sinai could be in Saudi Arabia [vs. Egypt's Sinai Peninsula - modern interpretation] - In Galatians 4:25 the Bible states that Mount Sinai is in Arabia, "For this Agar is Mount Sinai in ARABIA" The Bible says Mount Sinai is in Midian - The Rock at Horeb [renamed Meribah by Moses] - A massive split boulder, sixty foot high, forty foot wide, and twenty foot deep, sitting on top of a rocky hill - Upon closer investigation we can see clear evidence of water erosion, quite a surprise considering this was located in a dry desert! (Photos - Click Photo to Enlarge)
After finding chariot parts in the Gulf of Aquaba, Ron Wyatt wondered if Mount Sinai could be in Saudi Arabia. In Galatians 4:25 the Bible states that Mount Sinai is in Arabia, "For this Agar is Mount Sinai in ARABIA." The Bible says Mount Sinai is in Midian, and this area has always been known as Midian. Still to this day it is called, "Madyan". After being denied a visa Ron entered the country without one on foot. He made his way to 'Jebel el Lawz' (Mountain of the Law), known by the locals as "Jebel Musa" (Moses' mountain) which his research showed could have fitted the Biblical description of Mount Sinai.
... Another remarkable find was discovered in the area. A massive split boulder, sixty foot high, forty foot wide, and twenty foot deep, sitting on top of a rocky hill. Upon closer investigation we can see clear evidence of water erosion, quite a surprise considering this was located in a dry desert! Is there an account in the Bible that talks of such a rock? "Behold I will stand before thee there upon the rock in Horeb; and thou shalt smite the rock, and there shall come water out of it, that the people may drink." Ex. 17:6. Moses had led the people across the desert to Mount Sinai. They were now complaining because they had no water. It was for this reason that God commanded Moses to strike this rock, that God could manifest His power to perform miracles, and cause water to flow from this rock.
http://www.wyattarchaeology.com/sinai.htm
!!!Highly Recommended - The Exodus Revealed: Search for the Red Sea Crossing (DVD)
This DVD follows the footsteps of the children of Israel in an unforgettable journey of discovery. A journey that reveals physical evidence for the Exodus including: the remains of 3800 year old Hebrew settlements in Egypt's Nile Delta, Egyptian records of the Israelite's bondage under Pharaoh; the precise route they may have followed to freedom; their crossing site on shore of the Red Sea; and the location of Mt. Sinai. This DVD brings to light the first significant archaeological "find" of the 21st century. Approx. 3 hours. DVD Extra Features: Who Was the Pharaoh of the Exodus? Where Are the Ten Commandments? From Egypt to Mt. Sinai - Cecil B. DeMille's Exodus. Timeline from Joseph to the Birth of Jesus Christ - Director's Cut
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1008467&item_no=557361
Revealing God's Treasure - Red Sea Crossing (YouTube)
See chariot parts in the sea where the children of Israel crossed the Red Sea on dry ground.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vaN2acVMGC8
The Exodus and the Red Sea Crossing - Part 1 of 3 (YouTube)
Ron Wyatt shows you the very spot where Moses and the Children of Israel crossed the Red Sea at the Gulf of Aqaba fleeing Pharaoh's army. He leads you to the very blackened peak of Mt. Sinai in Saudi Arabia!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJXUv_btg60
The Exodus Route: - Those who oppose placing Mt. Sinai in modern "Saudi Arabia" incorrectly place the territory of the Amalekites in [Egypt] the modern Sinai Peninsula
The Amalekites did not live in the Modern Sinai Peninsula: Those who oppose placing Mt. Sinai in modern Saudi Arabia incorrectly place the territory of the Amalekites in the modern Sinai Peninsula. They argue that is seems unlikely that they would attack Israel in Midian, but very likely to attack if the traditional location of Mt. Sinai is at Jebel Musa. The problem is Saudi Arabia is in fact where the Amalekites lived. It makes perfect sense why the Amalekites would attack once you learn the correct place they lived!
They begin by imagining Mt. Sinai is in the same territory as the Amalekites: the modern Sinai Peninsula. In a "comedy of errors" they wrongly assume the Amalekites lived beside the land of Goshen, because they wrongly place the Shur on the east side of the Bitter lakes, instead of in Saudi Arabia. They correctly insist the Amalekites lived near Kadesh Barnea, but then wrongly place Kadesh Barnea within the promised land at Ein el-qudeirat, instead of near Petra, near Mt. Seir in the land of Edom where we know they did live.
But their comedy turns to horrors when they learn that the Amalekites were located "from ancient times" between Midian and Babylon, they revise their argument and say that they also dwelt in the Negev of Judah. When they clearly inhabited a territory from Babylon to Midian, some did spill over into the Negev, but the majority of their domain was north central Arabia. We know that the "city of the Amalekites" was transjordan at the time of David. But now that we have learned that the ancient domain of the Amalekites extended to Shur (Midian), we can easily see why they attacked Israel while Moses was at Rephidim, one stop before Mt. Sinai. (Ex 17:8). At the time of David, the Amalekites joined the Midianites to attack Israel. It all makes perfect sense if Mt. Sinai was near Midian and less sense if Mt. Sinai was at Jebel Musa, the traditional location in the modern Sinai Peninsula.
http://www.bible.ca/archeology/bible-archeology-exodus-route-rephidim-meribah.htm
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Exodus 19-20 - After three months the children of God arrive at Mt. Sinai - Brought to God at Mt. Sinai transported there upon the twin wings of trials and difficulties - God gives the Ten Commandments to the people - even though the law is external, written in stone or on parchment paper, the law is always about our internal relationship with God - God's ultimate desire is to have a people unto Himself "a Kingdom of Priests - a Holy Nation" -- 'Exodus :5-6 Now therefore, if ye will obey My voice indeed, and keep My covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto Me above all people: for all the earth is Mine: And ye shall be unto Me a Kingdom of Priests, and an Holy Nation'
'John 1:16-17 And of His fullness have all we received, and grace for grace. For the law [restriction from God] was given by Moses, but grace and truth [access to God] came by Jesus Christ.' - God gave His instructions to Moses for the Nation of Israel to obey and to live by. 'Exodus 19:8 And all the people answered together, and said, All that the LORD hath spoken we will do. And Moses returned the words of the people unto the LORD.' Among the laws and customs instituted at Mt. Sinai was the creation of the Levitical Priesthood. God would form the Levitical Priesthood from the descendants of Levi. Aaron [three years the older] brother of Moses and also a descendant of Levi would become the first of many High Priests for the Levitical/Aaronic Priesthood a physical Priesthood that is only for the Nation of Israel. Under the law "for the law was given by Moses" the people were not allowed to go directly to God. 'Exodus 19:12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount [Mt. Sinai], or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:' The ministry of the law is to reveal our sinful, fallen nature and with a sinful, fallen nature we cannot enter into the presence of God. Later 'grace and truth came by Jesus Christ' where the law kept people away from God the ministry of Jesus Christ is to bring people into the direct presence and into a relationship with God.
Revealing God's Treasure - Mt. Sinai (YouTube)
The real Mt. Sinai is over in Saudi Arabia, just as Paul said. See the blackened, burned peak, the split rock which Moses struck, and the altar which the golden calf was placed.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-eSRcr9CWw
Mountain Of Fire - The Search For Mount Sinai pt 1 of 5 - Bob Cornuke (YouTube)
Bob Cornuke from BASE Institute has been called a modern day Indiana Jones. This video is a clip from Bob's video about The Search For Mount Sinai.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A08_oRBAVPA
Mountain Of Fire - The Search For Mount Sinai pt 2 of 5 - The boundary markers around Mt. Sinai (Video) - Exodus 19:12 And thou shalt set bounds unto the people round about, saying, Take heed to yourselves, that ye go not up into the mount [Mt. Sinai], or touch the border of it: whosoever toucheth the mount shall be surely put to death:' (YouTube)
Bob Cornuke from BASE Institute has been called a modern day Indiana Jones. This video is a clip from Bob's video about The Search For Mount Sinai.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ym5h5A42YGo
Mountain Of Fire - The Search For Mount Sinai pt 3 of 5 - Bob Cornuke (YouTube)
Bob Cornuke from BASE Institute has been called a modern day Indiana Jones. This video is a clip from Bob's video about The Search For Mount Sinai.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C_o6DZKUCRY
Mountain Of Fire - The Search For Mount Sinai pt 4 of 5 - Bob Cornuke (YouTube)
Bob Cornuke from BASE Institute has been called a modern day Indiana Jones. This video is a clip from Bob's video about The Search For Mount Sinai.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_sYCXJIzBs
Mountain Of Fire - The Search For Mount Sinai pt 5 of 5 - Bob Cornuke (YouTube)
Bob Cornuke from BASE Institute has been called a modern day Indiana Jones. This video is a clip from Bob's video about The Search For Mount Sinai.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6vmIoBsDrA0
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Exodus 21-23 - The Ten Commandments having been given - now God will give to Israel the Laws ultimately totaling 613 instructions - The laws are grouped into categories and pertain to ordinances primarily in dealing with God, with one another, with their livestock and with food, clothing and living [the clean and unclean ordinances] - The laws are primarily instruction they are surprisingly easy to understand and follow and are not at all grievous (oppressive)
In giving the laws God wants fairness, parity, an equality and a righteousness among all men and eventually among all people in Jesus Christ. 'Exodus 21:23-25 And if any mischief follow, then thou shalt give life for life, Eye for eye, tooth for tooth, hand for hand, foot for foot, burning for burning, wound for wound, stripe for stripe.' The eye for eye, tooth for tooth law is an example of restraint a restraining law that was addressing the excessive vengeance that has existed in mankind since the days of Cain and Lamech. 'Genesis 4:23 And Lamech said unto his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice; ye wives of Lamech, hearken unto my speech: for I have slain a man to my wounding, and a young man to my hurt. If Cain shall be avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech seventy and sevenfold.' Accordingly if a person intentionally or accidentally knocked a tooth out of another person the worst punishment that could befall that person would be to lose a tooth and not to become a slave for life or some other unreasonable punishment for himself or a member of his family. Later Jesus Christ would instruct His followers to not even require the tooth in judgment but to turn the other cheek and let it go, knowing that God is the rewarder of those who seek peace. - Judges are to be set to interpret the laws of God. Being a judge (el) is a function of God (el-ohim) and those who judge are doing it in a capacity of a god, a judge over the affairs that affect the lives of others. The judges have the office to judge their fellow man even to the point of taking away their life and it is in this capacity of judging (deciding) in the affairs of others and between others that places judging and lawgiving into the realm and functions of God. In being a god (el) and representing the God of the universe, the God of all creation, it is imperative that the judge deals honestly and that the judge deals openly in all of their judgments.
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Exodus 24-27 - Aaron two of his sons (Nadab, Abihu) and the 70 leaders of Israel are invited to come closer to God and worship on Mt. Sinai [Exodus 24:1] 'and worship ye afar off' - Only Moses [representing a proxy of Jesus Christ] can come into the actual presence of God 'Exodus 24:2 And Moses alone shall come near the LORD: but they [priests, leaders] shall not come nigh; neither shall the people go up with him'
'Exodus 25:8-9 And let them [gifted workers] make Me a sanctuary [innermost (3rd) room in the Tabernacle]; that I may dwell among them. According to all that I show thee, after the pattern of the tabernacle, and the pattern of all the instruments thereof, even so shall ye make it.' - The Holy of Holies, or inner sanctuary in the Tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem was to be the physical dwelling place for God while He remained among the Israelites. The presence of God was dwelling at Mt. Sinai where Moses met God in the burning bush the first time and where God brought the Israelites from Egypt to Mt. Sinai to meet God at however the Israelites were not staying at Mt. Sinai as God was moving them forward from Egypt into their own land the Promise Land (Canaan) so in order for God to go with the People and to be in their presence a sanctuary needed to be built and sin offerings had to be included with the sanctuary so their sins could be covered and God could then be among them. - The Holy of Holies was a place for God to dwell and man did not have access into the direct, perceivable presence of God. On one day a year "day of atonement" the Levitical High Priest would enter into the Holy of Holies to bring blood from an oxen to cover (atone) for the sins for the people, the entire Nation, for one year then the next year on the same day the current High Priest would again bring in the blood as an atonement for the sins again of the entire Nation of Israel and God would remain in their midst. But even when the High Priest went into the sanctuary with the blood offering the High Priest was not allowed to see God himself lest the High Priest die. 'Leviticus 16:12 And he [High Priest] shall take a censer full of burning coals of fire from off the altar before the LORD, and his hands full of sweet incense beaten small, and bring it within the veil: And he shall put the incense upon the fire before the LORD, that the cloud of the incense may cover the mercy seat that is upon the testimony, that he [High Priest] die not:' The High Priest had to fill the sanctuary with smoke from incense burning on the coals of the alter then the High Priest could enter the sanctuary but he was not allowed to meet with God. With the law there is always a boundary between God and man keeping sinful man away from God and the smoke of the incense was a boundary keeping even the Levitical High Priest away from God away from the actual perceivable presence God the same way that Mt. Sinai had the boundary markers [piles of stones] alerting people and keeping all the people away from Mt. Sinai while God's presence was there. So actually the High Priest never technically entered the Sanctuary, the inner 3rd room Holy of Holies, the High Priest only temporarily extended the 2nd room the incense room by increasing the incense smoke far enough into the 3rd room until he could reach the mercy seat with the blood offering then immediately the High Priest exited back out of the Sanctuary and away from the presence of God.
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Exodus 28-30 - God is seeking to make a way back for man to return to fellowship with God - God has chosen a Nation for this task the Jewish Nation of Abraham's descendants -- 'Exodus 29:43-46 And there (tabernacle) I (God) will meet with the children of Israel, and the tabernacle shall be sanctified [set apart to God, made holy] by My glory - And I will sanctify the tabernacle of the congregation, and the altar: I will sanctify also both Aaron and his sons, to minister to me in the priest's office - And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will be their God - And they shall know that I am the LORD their God, that brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, that I may dwell among them: I am the LORD their God'
Moses is instructed to build a Tabernacle [a temporary, portable, Temple] for God and the people for their use while they are in transit to the Holy land and until the permanent stone Temple can be built in the place of God's choosing and once in the Promise Land then Jerusalem becomes the city of God's choice for His Temple. The Tabernacle/Temple materials are constructed in a form and manner to represent God and the things of God's Kingdom. The Tabernacle is a mini model representation of the workings in heaven. Gold shining like the sun, the most precious and glorious metal to all of mankind is a representation of the Glory of God (heaven). Where gold is in the temple it represents the presence of God. Silver represents blood (redemption) where there is silver in the temple it represents the presence and need for redemption blood sacrifice. Bass-Bronze represents sin (judgment) where sin is present it necessitates the need for judgment so sin can be separated and removed from God's Kingdom. Acacia Wood represents mankind and the works and abilities of mankind with the individual grainy, knotty, twisted, nature of each individual piece of wood representing each individual person of mankind. Olive Oil represents the Holy Spirit the presence, anointing and light of God the Holy Spirit. Incense the sweet aroma and the smoke from its alter ascending up into heaven represents the prayers of the people ascending in a sweet aroma up into the presence of God at His very throne in heaven. - At the tabernacle because the presence of God dwelt there the people were only allowed to approach to the outer alter where they could give to a priest their sacrifices and offerings. The priests could come closer to the presence of God by being at the fringes of the tabernacle but only by first offering a sin sacrifice for themselves. The one Levitical High Priest on one day a year could come closer yet to God, entering the inner room of the tabernacle but even still the Levitical High Priest had to provide enough smoke from the incense alter that he was unable to see the presence of God because even if the High Priest entered into the direct presence of God and saw God even the High Priest would die because his sins were only atoned by the blood of oxen and sheep and the blood of animals [Hebrews 10:4 For it is not possible that the blood of bulls and of goats should take away sins.] could not take away sin but could only momentarily cover sin. It takes the sinless blood of Jesus Christ to clear the way for man's eternal entrance into the direct, perceivable presence of God.
The Way of Agape (Love) and Be Ye Transformed [life change] by Nancy Missler - Appropriating the Tabernacle/Temple purpose and presence of God into our life (Mp3's)
Here are the messages from our 1998 catalog, available exclusively for download.
http://server.firefighters.org/1998catalog.asp
The Tabernacle Place - The Bible has two chapters on creation and 50 chapters on the tabernacle - Why don't we teach it more?
The Tabernacle Place exists to educate on and promote the use of the Old Testament tabernacle as a main biblical reference to Jesus Christ. The tabernacle not only is a crucial visual aid to give us a clear understanding of Christ's redemptive work, it also provides us with many precious insights as to our privilege as believers. We seek to help believers learn about this visual aid and provide tools for them to teach it to others. The Tabernacle Place is pleased to offer the 1:90 Tabernacle Model Kit. We expect to carry more items, so please check back often. We hope you will enjoy the articles on the study of the tabernacle of Moses we have posted and feel free to contact us if you have any comments, questions or suggestions.
http://www.the-tabernacle-place.com/
Tabernacle - Animated {An excellent animation! The audio is probably supposed to be the Priest's Shofar [rams horn].} (YouTube)
Animation of the Tabernacle of Moses and Aaron, Where G-d lived.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQus4je7Jw4
The Meeting Place Between God & Man - 1 of 8 (YouTube)
See how the Tabernacle in the Wilderness was a picture of the Christian walk.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nq15WQS3E3U
The Wilderness Tabernacle by Dr. Randall Smith - Part 4 of 4 (YouTube)
A full scale replica of the Wilderness Tabernacle, which was originally built by Moses and the children of Israel, was constructed in the Judean Desert near the Dead Sea under the directorship of Dr. Randall D. Smith. The aim was to teach tourists, students of the Bible, local Israeli's and Arabs the meaning of the Tabernacle. Using the Hebrew Bible, along with the teachings and ideas of the Sages, the pattern given was followed as closely as possible. The sizes conform to the Biblical account, as do the surfaces in appearance. As in the Bible real copper, silver and gold were used for the various ornaments. In Part 1 Dr. Randall Smith takes you on a remarkable tour through this special site. Part 2, 3 & 4 consists of in depth teaching by Dr. Smith concerning the Tabernacle and its meaning even for the believer today.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C6SivWyHk58
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Exodus 31-33 - Aaron makes an Egyptian calf idol for the people to worship - While Moses was up on Mt. Sinai with God the people talked Aaron into making an idol of gold for them - Moses returns from his forty days on the Mountain of God and sees the great sin taking place - God puts it in Moses heart to interceded to God on behalf of the people of Israel -- Exodus 32:9 And the LORD said unto Moses, I have seen this people, and, behold, it is a stiffnecked people: Now therefore let Me alone, that My wrath may wax hot against them, and that I may consume them: and I will make of thee (Moses) a great nation - And Moses besought the LORD his God, and said, LORD, why doth thy wrath wax hot against Thy people, which Thou hast brought forth out of the land of Egypt with great power, and with a mighty hand? -- {Note: "and I will make of thee (Moses) a great nation" God was testing Moses as God tests every Pastor and every Leader over His flock to see if they are shepherding God's flock or their own "nation" and Moses being a man of God and a true leader of the people passed the test as he wanted God's people to succeed and to be ultimately reconciled to God.}
Idols: 'Exodus 32:8 They have turned aside quickly out of the way which I commanded them: they have made them a molten calf [idol], and have worshipped it, and have sacrificed thereunto, and said, These be thy gods, O Israel, which have brought thee up out of the land of Egypt.' - when a man first makes an idol it is because the man has lost the inward intimate presence of God in their life. At first they are trying to rekindle the past presence of God. However the idol can become a replacement for God and ultimately the idol can become their own god made according to their own desires and their own preferences completely replacing God's desires and God's preferences with their desires. - The golden calf idol was the start of their unbelief that ultimately kept that generation from entering into the Promise Land and receiving of their inheritance in the land. - 'Hebrews 3:15-19 While it is said, Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation [desert wilderness wandering]. For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses. But with whom was He grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned [worshiped the golden calf], whose carcasses fell in the wilderness? And to whom sware He that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not? So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief.' - After the sin with the golden calf the people stripped themselves of their golden earrings and as a nation never picked up the custom again (only a slave would have an earring). Moses' separated his tent outside the camp and it became the tent (tabernacle) of meeting between Moses and the people until the Tabernacle could be completed.
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Exodus 34-40 - Moses requests to see God's glory - God places Moses in the clift of the Rock and Moses gets a glimpse of the afterglow of the Glory of God - 'Exodus 33:18-23 And he (Moses) said, I beseech thee, shew Me thy Glory. And He said, I will make all My goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the Name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. And He said, Thou canst not see My face: for there shall no man see Me, and live. And the LORD said, Behold, there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a Rock: And it shall come to pass, while My glory passeth by, that I will put thee in a clift of the Rock, and will cover thee with My hand while I pass by: And I will take away mine hand, and thou shalt see My back parts [afterglow]: but My face shall not be seen.' - God is still doing this with us today as often we can look back in our life and see the afterglow where God's presence has been in our life but we cannot look ahead the same way and see God face to face.
Moses requests to see God's glory. Mankind now for the first time is again beginning to learn of the attributes and abilities of God and mankind is beginning again to see the Glory of God. - After Spending time with God upon Mt. Sinai Moses' face begin to shine. 'Exodus 34:28-35 And he (Moses) was there with the LORD forty days and forty nights; he did neither eat bread, nor drink water [the presence of God completely sustained him]. And it came to pass, when Moses came down from mount Sinai with the two tables of testimony [10 Commandments] in Moses' hand, when he came down from the mount, that Moses wist not that the skin of his face shone while he talked with Him. And when Aaron and all the children of Israel saw Moses, behold, the skin of his face shone; and they were afraid to come nigh him. ... And till Moses had done speaking with them, he put a veil on his face. But when Moses went in (the Tabernacle) before the LORD to speak with Him, he took the veil off, until he came out. And he came out, and spake unto the children of Israel that which he was commanded. And the children of Israel saw the face of Moses, that the skin of Moses' face shone: and Moses put the veil upon his face again, until he went in (the Tabernacle) to speak with Him.' - The veil of Moses was to cover the face of Moses so that the people wouldn't see that the glory of Moses (the law) was a fading glory that one day there would be another Glory a permanent Glory the Glory of Jesus Christ. The Apostle Paul points out [2 Corinthians 3:13-15] that the same veil that covered the face of Moses still covers the hearts of many Hebrews today and keeps them from seeing the Glory of Jesus Christ. The Jews are extraordinary Bible scholars, historians, linguists, inventors, creators and everything else that they set their heart to do however the one thing that they can't do is see the Glory of Jesus Christ because they are still seeing the glory of Moses.
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THE THIRD BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED
===== LEVITICUS =====
Leviticus 1-5 - The Laws for the offerings of the Levitical Priesthood - {There are multiple parts to the Old Testament Levitical Atonement 'Kaphar' (3722) Covering Sin Offering: 1. The sacrifice has to have a cost to the sinner, a precious useful animal was to be sacrificed. 2. The laying on of hands onto the animal's head then the confession and transfer of sins from the sinner to the innocent sacrifice. 3. The sacrifice dies with your sins, death of the sins. 4. The blood [life] of the animal is poured out providing a New Life opportunity (for a season, often one year) from the blood of the sacrifice for the sinner.}
1. The Burnt Offering Sacrifice: Giving totally to God, the entire sacrifice is consumed in fire and given to God. [Note: humans can and should concentrate themselves to God for a time, a season or even just an event. Where the animal offering was burnt and given to God it is the human service, fellowship that is consecrate to God. - The pagan practice is to burn a human in the fire but if a Christian person died in a fire that would end their consecration not start it and there is no such alter of God that would ever accept a human offering, a human is never ever to enter a physical fire as a sacrifice in Judaism/Christianity. The pagan practice of human sacrifice is strictly forbidden and prohibited in worshiping the true God of Israel.] 2. The Grain Offering: A sweat smelling (savor) freewill offer given to God. Bread flower covered with oil and sprinkled with Frankincense aroma is burnt in the fire with the smell of baking bread ascending up into heaven. No human induced ingredients are allowed no leaven [sin] and no honey [man's accomplishments] are allowed in the offering. 3. The Peace (Fellowship) Offering: An animal to be roasted as a celebration meal. The animal had to be without spot [inherited birth defect] or blemish [acquired defect]. The animal was to be roasted the fat [worry] was to be removed and burned separately and given to God the people couldn't eat the fat [worry]. The blood [life] was also to be poured out as at no time could they eat any blood [life of the animal]. 4. Sin Offering for Unintentional Sin (weaknesses): A young bull for the sins of individual people. A mature bull for the sins of a Priest. A [goat] that the leader was to lay hands on it for the sins of the nation. 5. Trespass Offering for Intentional Sin: A sin offering plus a grain (flour) offering withholding the oil and the Frankincense aroma. -- Having sacrificed to God and their sins now covered for a year the O.T. Saints could then live in the presence of God to commune and interact with God however the O.T. animal sacrifices did not provide the individual direct access to God. The individual people did not live in the perceivable presence of God, did not have direct access to God and did not experience God the way individual N.T. saints often do.
http://basicchristian.org/blog_biblestudy.html
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Leviticus 6-10 - The offerings to God are to restore man's fellowship with God - The problem of sin [a separator, barrier between us and God] is not on God's side the problem is on our side therefore a sacrifice had to be made to cover the sin (or remove the sin N.T.) and open the way to God - Aaron and his sons are anointed for their ministry - the people view the anointing and consecration of Aaron and his sons - During the first offerings 'strange fire' is offered to God and two of Aaron's sons die in the process
Strange Fire: 'Leviticus 9:23-10:3 And Moses and Aaron went into the tabernacle of the congregation, and came out, and blessed the people: and the glory of the LORD appeared unto all the people. And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: which when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces. Leviticus And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire [not from the alter] therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not. And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD. Then Moses said unto Aaron, This is it that the LORD spake, saying, I will be sanctified in them that come nigh Me, and before all the people I will be glorified. And Aaron held his peace.' ... 'Leviticus 10:8-9 And the LORD spake unto Aaron, saying, Do not drink wine [influences] nor strong drink [delusion], thou, nor thy sons with thee, when ye go into the tabernacle of the congregation, lest ye die: it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations' ... 'Acts 5:1-11 But a certain man named Ananias, with Sapphira his wife, sold a possession, And kept [the problem was in the deception not in the keeping] back part of the price, his wife also being privy to it, and brought a certain part, and laid it at the apostles' feet. But Peter said, Ananias, why hath Satan filled thine heart to lie to the Holy Ghost [the only acceptable wine (Holy Spirit), influence that we can be under in our approach God], and to keep back part of the price of the land? Whiles it remained, was it not thine own? and after it was sold, was it not in thine own power [they didn't have to give it all]? why hast thou conceived this thing [deception] in thine heart? thou hast not lied [Strange Fire] unto men, but unto God. And Ananias hearing these words fell down, and gave up the ghost: and great fear came on all them that heard these things. And the young men arose, wound him up, and carried him out, and buried him. And it was about the space of three hours after, when his wife, not knowing what was done, came in. And Peter answered unto her, Tell me whether ye sold the land for so much? And she said, Yea, for so much [deception]. Then Peter said unto her, How is it that ye have agreed together to tempt [Strange Fire] the Spirit of the Lord? behold, the feet of them which have buried thy husband are at the door, and shall carry thee out. Then fell she down straightway at his feet, and yielded up the ghost: and the young men came in, and found her dead, and, carrying her forth, buried her by her husband. And great fear came upon all the Church, and upon as many as heard these things.' - Ananias and Sapphira encountered the same judgment that befell Nadab and Abihu the sons of Aaron so many years before and that could befall any servant of God at any time even today. Both pairs of 'Priests' were children of God and are in heaven today however each of their ministries to God was ended suddenly by their own rash actions. It was two different Priesthoods; Nadab and Abihu were a part of the Levitical/Aaronic Priesthood while Ananias and Sapphira were a part of the Melchizedek/Jesus Priesthood. Two Priesthoods; one pair offering strange physical fire the other pair offering strange spiritual fire both to the same God and all received the same results. Note: Ananias and Sapphira both died as believing Christians they did not die in unbelief they died offering an unacceptable [strange fire] sacrifice offering to God.
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Leviticus 11-15 - The clean and unclean laws of God - Clean and unclean animals - child bearing - daily activities - health codes, diagnoses and leprosy
'Leviticus 11:45-47 For I Am the LORD that bringeth you up out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: ye shall therefore be holy (clean), for I am holy (clean). ... To make a difference between the unclean (unholy) and the clean (holy), and between the beast that may be eaten and the beast that may not be eaten' - The clean and unclean Levitical laws for the entire Nation of Israel to know and observe relate to the cleanliness (holiness) and uncleanliness (unholiness) among mankind. God has brought Israel out of the world (Egypt) and into the Promise Land (Israel). The Promise Land is a Biblical type of heaven and in heaven there will only be clean (holy) items unholy (unclean) items will not be permitted into the Kingdom of God. It is just that simple, clean items are allowed within the Kingdom of God while unclean, mixed and corrupt items remain outside of the Kingdom of God. Israel as a Nation is set apart to God and is to illustrate through their laws, lives, customs and conduct to the entire world the differences between a holy (clean) Nation and an unholy (unclean) world.
None of These Diseases: The Bible's Health Secrets for the 21st Century (Book)
Completely revised and updated for a new generation, None of These Diseases shows how to obtain extraordinary medical benefits simply by heeding the Word of God. In an engaging style peppered with anecdotes from both of their medical practices, Drs. McMillen and Stern take us back to the Bible and show us how to apply our Creator's guidelines to our modern lifestyles.
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1008467&item_no=5719X
wikipedia.org: Rabbit - (Levitically unclean) Leviticus 11:6 And the hare (rabbit), because he cheweth the cud, but divideth not the hoof; he is unclean unto you - Rabbits re-ingest their own droppings [Rabbits don't have two stomachs like a cow does so a rabbit eats the grass then re-eats its own droppings so the grass (cud) is eaten a second time just like a cow]
Rabbits are small mammals in the family Leporidae of the order Lagomorpha, found in several parts of the world. There are seven different genera in the family classified as rabbits, including the European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), Cottontail rabbit (genus Sylvilagus; 13 species), and the Amami rabbit (Pentalagus furnessi, endangered species on Amami Oshima, Japan). There are many other species of rabbit, and these, along with pikas and hares, make up the order Lagomorpha. ... Cecal pellets: Rabbits are hindgut digesters. This means that most of their digestion takes place in their large intestine and cecum. In rabbits, the cecum is about 10 times bigger than the stomach, and it, along with the large intestine, makes up roughly 40% of the rabbit's digestive tract. Cecotropes, sometimes called "night feces", come from the cecum and are high in minerals, vitamins and proteins that are necessary to the rabbit's health. Rabbits eat these to meet their nutritional requirements. This process allows rabbits to extract the necessary nutrients from their food. Rabbits have two sets of incisor teeth, one behind the other. Therefore they are often mistaken to be rodents. ... Diet and eating habits: Rabbits are herbivores who feed by grazing on grass, forbs, and leafy weeds. In consequence, their diet contains large amounts of cellulose, which is hard to digest. Rabbits solve this problem by passing two distinct types of feces: hard droppings and soft black viscous pellets, the latter of which are immediately eaten. Rabbits re-ingest their own droppings (rather than chewing the cud as do cows and many other herbivores) to digest their food further and extract sufficient nutrients.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rabbit
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Leviticus 16-20 - The giving of the Law continues - The Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur) the most Holy Day in the Jewish Calendar - Atonement comes only through the shedding of the blood - Offerings to God are to be freewill from our own desire to give to God - You shall love your neighbor as yourself - [In 2009 Yom Kippur (the 5769th) Jewish Day of Atonement begins at sundown on Sunday September 27 and ends at nightfall on Monday September 28 - about.com]
Now that Israel has a Tabernacle [meeting place with God] the practice of the head of each family acting as the priest of the family and sacrificing an animal out in a field on his own has been brought to an end. The individual animal sacrifices are no longer accepted by God. With the Levitical Priesthood established then God required that all of the offerings of all types were to be brought to the Tabernacle where the Priests would administer them accordingly. 'Leviticus 17:1-7 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron, and unto his sons, and unto all the children of Israel, and say unto them; This is the thing which the LORD hath commanded, saying, What man soever there be of the house of Israel, that killeth an ox, or lamb, or goat, in the camp, or that killeth it out of the camp, And bringeth it not unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, to offer an offering unto the LORD before the Tabernacle of the LORD; blood shall be imputed unto that man; he hath shed blood; and that man shall be cut off from among his people: To the end that the children of Israel may bring their sacrifices, which they offer in the open field, even that they may bring them unto the LORD, unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation, unto the priest, and offer them for peace offerings unto the LORD. And the priest shall sprinkle the blood upon the altar of the LORD at the door of the Tabernacle of the congregation, and burn the fat for a sweet savour unto the LORD. And they shall no more offer their sacrifices unto devils, after whom they have gone a whoring. This shall be a statute forever unto them throughout their generations.' -- The Day of Atonement: 'Leviticus 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.' - Atonement comes only through the shedding of blood because blood is life and it takes life to atone for death, sin is death. The death is in the sin - the body of sin dies - the life is in the blood - the blood is poured out [exposing and confirming that the body is dead, the body without blood is dead] but the blood has life, the life [strength] of the Covenant is in the Life of the Blood. The life [strength] of the Atonement is in the Life of Blood and blood is then sprinkled upon the alter to make atonement for the alter then blood is sprinkled seven times upon the mercy seat and in front of the mercy seat to make atonement for the Nation. The life of blood covers the death of the sin, with sin and death covered life [a relationship with God] continues on. - Jesus quoted from Leviticus - 'Leviticus 19:17-19 Thou shalt not hate thy brother in thine heart: thou shalt in any wise rebuke thy neighbor, and not suffer sin upon him. Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself: I am the LORD. Ye shall keep My statutes...' Jesus has summarized ALL of the Laws and ALL of the Prophets 'Matthew 22:37 Jesus said unto him (Pharisee), Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang *all the *law and the *prophets.'
DebbieSchlussel.com: Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement) 9/28/2009 - Yom Kippur is one of the holiest Jewish holidays - The Yom Kippur Fast - The idea is that you are removing yourself from worldly concerns and focusing on spiritual ones, most importantly repentance for your sins {The day of Atonement is a national day of mourning for Israel [Leviticus 23:27-32]. This is the one day a year that the Jewish High Priest would enter the Temple Holy of Holies first with the blood of a bull then with the blood of a goat to be sprinkled on the Mercy Seat located on top of the Ark of the Covenant initiating atonement [blood of the bull] for the Priest and his Levitical family and [blood of the goat] for rest of the Nation of Israel.}
Yom Kippur is one of the holiest Jewish holidays, at the end of which we believe our fate for the next year is "sealed" by G-d*. We believe that on Rosh HaShanah, that fate is written by Him, and on Yom Kippur, he issues his final Judgment. This is Judgment Day. On Yom Kippur, we fast and pray for about 25 hours to ask G-d for a good year. Before the fast, we eat a big, sumptuous meal, which expands the stomach and makes the fast more difficult. During the holiday, there are strict prohibitions: no food, drink, shower, TV/radio, phone, etc. the whole day, which is mostly spent at synagogue. The idea is that you are removing yourself from worldly concerns and focusing on spiritual ones, most importantly repentance for your sins. We also don't wear leather shoes, as back in the day, those were a luxury of the wealthy, and the holiday is not about ostentatious displays, but about humble requests before G-d. It starts just before sundown [9/27/2009], tonight, and ends after dark tomorrow (Monday) night [9/28/2009], with one sound of the shofar (ram's horn-see explanation of shofar here). I will put up a some other stuff, today, though I'm rushing to do other stuff before the big meal. And, G-d-willing, I will be back on Monday Night or Tuesday Morning with even more new stuff. To my Jewish friends and readers, have an easy fast and a great year. Gmar Chatimah Tovah [May you be finally sealed for good.] To everyone, see you very, very soon. And thank you for your continued patronage of this site. I very much appreciate my readers, their continued support of this site, and, of course, their tips and comments always. Thanks to the many readers who sent me i- and e-cards wishing me an easy fast and a good year. Right back at ya! *Religious Jews use dashes in the word "G-d" and do not write it out completely out of respect for Him and the wish not to write the name in vain.
http://www.debbieschlussel.com/9610/the-yom-kippur-fast/
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Leviticus 21-25 - The giving of the Law continues - The eight Festivals (feasts) Holy Days are appointed by God to be observed in all their generations as a memorial forever -- 'Leviticus 23:1-44 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, Concerning the [eight] feasts of the LORD, which ye shall proclaim to be holy convocations, even these are My feasts. ... These are the feasts of the LORD, even holy convocations, which ye shall proclaim [fulfill in their given order] in their seasons. ... it shall be a statute forever in all your dwellings throughout your generations. ... I am the LORD your God. And Moses declared unto the children of Israel the feasts of the LORD.'
The Feast of Firstfruits - observed only in the Promise Land: 'Leviticus 23:9-14 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be come into the [Promise] Land which I give unto you, and shall reap the harvest thereof, then ye shall bring a sheaf of the firstfruits of your harvest unto the [High] Priest: And he shall wave the sheaf before the LORD, to be accepted for you: on the morrow after the Sabbath [on Sunday] the priest shall wave it. And ye shall offer that day [Sunday] when ye wave the sheaf ... it shall be a statute forever throughout your generations in all your dwellings.' - While wandering in the desert there was no Feast of Firstfruits (even the children remained uncircumcised) and when Joshua and the people finally did cross the Jordan River and once in the Promise Land they kept the Passover on the 14th but on the next day (probably not a Sunday) they ate 'old corn' from off the land and once in the land and eating grain from the land the Manna stopped as the next day there was no Manna. Although in the Land and celebrating the Passover they still couldn't celebrate the Feast of the Firstfruits because they didn't yet have a harvest of the land to offer the Firstfruits of to God. - But Jesus Christ on the day of His resurrection, the actual [Sunday] day of the Feast of Firstfruits being observed in Jerusalem, Jesus Himself ascended into Heaven the real Promise Land and entering into Heaven and stepping into the real Promise Land Jesus became the Firstfruit [first of the resurrection] of the harvest of God. The rest of the harvest His disciples are to follow after Him in our own order likewise stepping into Heaven as a part of the same precious harvest of God. {Note: All of the eight appointed Feasts of God like the Tabernacle and the Ark of the Covenant of God have their ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and in heaven. The Hebrews, although they observed the feats they did not fulfill the feasts [any more than the rest of the law and the 10 Commandments have been kept and fulfilled] either physically or Spiritually.}
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Leviticus 26-27 - The giving of the Law at Mt. Sinai concludes - The children of God are admonished of the blessings of God in the obedience of God - 'Leviticus 26:12 And I (God) will walk among you, and will be your God, and ye shall be My people'
It has now been about two years and two months since the children of Israel have been delivered from their bondage in Egypt. The children of God are now wrapping up their two year stay at the base of Mt. Sinai the Mountain of God. Soon they will bundle up their possessions and the implements of God and continue on their journey to their own land the Promise Land. - 'Leviticus 27:34 These are the commandments, which the LORD commanded Moses for the children of Israel in Mount Sinai.'
THE FOURTH BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED
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Numbers 1-5 - Their stay at Mt. Sinai is coming to a conclusion after being there two years - The Mt. Sinai census - counting all the men twenty years old and older but excluding the Tribe of Levi the family of the Levitical Priesthood - Note: There are several long lists of names, occupations and eligibilities in the Bible. God keeps books, He keeps many books, His books are accurate and His books are complete they contain many names and many events. - 'Malachi 3:16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His Name.' - 'Revelation 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.'
Desert wandering population: The first census taken at Mt. Sinai listed 603,500 men twenty and older [for a total population of about 2.1 million to 3.5 million people] then the second and final census 38 years later just prior to crossing the Jordan River and entering into the Promise Land was a slightly less 601,730 men twenty and older [excluding the tribe of Levi from each census] a total decrease of about 1% during the 38 years. As it often seems in our desert experiences that we spend much time in the desert wandering about with little or no growth and even some loss to show for it however when the Nation of Israel stepped across the Jordan River and stepped upon the land of Israel they did it as a completely new Nation only two people (Joshua and Caleb) [and the tribe of Levi] from the previous generation were permitted by God to enter into the Promise Land. It's that way in our life also as our desert experiences strip away our old self, our old stubborn rebellious ways die and we are then more able to step into the future a new person with a new purpose and a renewed vigor in life, freer to serve and freer to fellowship with God.
Did You See That? - The LORD told Moses and Aaron how the Israelites should arrange their camp: Each tribe must set up camp under its own banner and under the flags of its ancestral families - These camps will be arranged around the sacred tent, but not close to it [Numbers 2:1-2] - the Israelite tribes arranged themselves, according to the orders of God, into the shape of A CROSS! A CROSS! - the cross was foreshadowed even in Numbers Chapter 2! (Diagram)
okay i confess when i read the beginning of the book of numbers and the passage that follows i am semi reading blah blah blah blah... its numbers and tribes and families and east and west and positions and things i cannot imagine in my brain. i cannot picture where they are and what they are doing. The LORD told Moses and Aaron how the Israelites should arrange their camp: Each tribe must set up camp under its own banner and under the flags of its ancestral families. These camps will be arranged around the sacred tent, but not close to it. [numbers 2:1-2] - so imagine my delight and my *happy dance* when i saw this (this below) for the first time.... the Israelite tribes arranged themselves, according to the orders of God, into the shape of A CROSS! A CROSS! The cross was foreshadowed even in numbers 2! - i must say i get excited by that. you might think that it is random, but remember who organized the Israelite tribes into this formation... God. it was all a picture of the truth of salvation through the messiah, through Jesus Christ. Israel did everything the LORD had told Moses. They arranged their camp according to clans and families, with each tribe under its own banner. And that was the order by which they marched into battle. Numbers 2:34.
http://onepassiononedevotion.wordpress.com/2009/05/04/did-you-see-that/
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Numbers 6-10 - The Nazarite vow is consecration (separation) to God - the strength is in the commitment to God - anyone who concentrates their life to God has strength- The Priestly benediction to the people (congregation) is given - 'Numbers 6:22-27 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto Aaron [High Priest] and unto his sons [Priests], saying, On this wise ye shall bless the children of Israel, saying unto them, The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace. And they shall put My Name upon the children of Israel; and I will bless them.'
The Nazarite Vow: There were three main rules to the Nazarite vow. 1. No grape or grape products were to be consumed at any time including wine, vinegar wine, grape juice, grapes or raisins. - The Nazarite is to be visibly and noticeably set apart from the people. The influences of God (Holy Spirit) upon the Nazarite were not to be confused by people as an influence from wine, sugar or alcohol from the grape products. 2. No haircut during the vow duration. -- This was an indicator that the person was undergoing a Nazarite vow. 3. No contact or association with a dead body even going to the funeral of a family member was prohibited. Being in the presence of a dead body automatically ended the vow. - The Nazarite vow is consecration to God. God is about life therefore to accurately associate a representation of fellowship with God the Nazarite was not to associate with death.
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Numbers 11-14 - The Children of God are now on the move in their destination to the Promised Land - With the journey now underway - To those that complained; God sent fire [purification] - to those who lived after the flesh; God sent quail [bit sized seemingly harmless pieces of flesh] - Moses' sister Miriam is dealt with for a moment of racism - God sends 12 spies (witnesses) to cross the Jordan and view the Promise Land and return with a witness to all the people - 'Numbers 10:11 And it came to pass on the twentieth day of the second month, in the second year, that the cloud [Glory of God] was taken up from off the Tabernacle of the testimony. And the children of Israel took their journeys out of the wilderness of Sinai'
A mixed multitude: The Children of God had left Egypt as a mixed multitude consisting of believers, non-believers and every combination as some believers became non-believers and some non-believers became a believer. God meets people where they are whether in belief or in non-belief and God accompanies and works with each person as we continue on this journey through life. It is up to each individual person (believer or unbeliever) to acknowledge the presence of God in their life. - A difficult leadership: Moses finds his leadership position so difficult that he asks God to kill him. It's not uncommon for those serving God to find it so difficult that death seems to be a valid option. Meanwhile the children serving themselves and the world seek to live a longer life. It's because God is challenging His people to grow and to mature and the growth and maturity can be very difficult to obtain while those serving their own self-interest have less difficulty associated with in their pursuits. Moses Renames Osea: Osea the son of Nun is called Joshua [lit. Jesus; Joshua is Hebrew - Jesus is Greek] by Moses. It becomes very interesting that later on Moses [the law giver] is unable himself to even enter into the Promise Land however Joshua [Jesus] enters into the Promise Land and brings everyone else with Him.
CNN September 24, 2009: Largest-ever Anglo-Saxon gold hoard unearthed in England - A man using a metal detector in a rural English field has uncovered the largest Anglo-Saxon gold hoard ever found -- an "unprecedented" treasure that sheds new light on history, archaeologists said Thursday - Herbert found 500 items before he called in experts, who then found a further 800 articles in the soil - Officials aren't saying exactly where the gold was found, other than to say it was in Staffordshire, in north-central England - A strip of gold bearing a Biblical inscription [Numbers 10:35] in Latin is one of the most significant and controversial finds, Staffordshire Council said - One expert believes the lettering dates from the 7th or early 8th centuries {Note: After the Bible Study the plan is to blog two more studies a Church History study and a famous Christians in History study.}
Most of the pieces appear to date from the 7th century, though experts can't agree on when the hoard first entered the ground, Staffordshire Council said. The pieces are almost all war gear, Leahy said. There are very few dress fittings and no feminine dress fittings; there are only two gold buckles, and they were probably used for harness armor, he said. Sword hilt fittings and pieces of helmets, all elaborately decorated, are among the more remarkable finds. "The quantity of gold is amazing but, more importantly, the craftsmanship is consummate," Leahy said. "This was the very best that the Anglo-Saxon metalworkers could do, and they were very good. Tiny garnets were cut to shape and set in a mass of cells to give a rich, glowing effect; it is stunning." The items belonged to the elite -- aristocracy or royalty, he said, though it's not clear who the original or final owners were, why they buried it, or when. "It looks like a collection of trophies, but it is impossible to say if the hoard was the spoils from a single battle or a long and highly successful military career," he said. More work will help determine how the hoard came to be buried in the field, Leahy said. Many of the objects are inlaid with garnets, which Leahy called "stunning" and "as good as it gets." The filigree on the items is "incredible," he said. Some are decorated in an Anglo-Saxon style consisting of strange animals intertwined with each other. That decoration appears on what is believed to be the cheek-piece of a helmet, decorated with a frieze of running, interlaced animals. A strip of gold bearing a Biblical inscription in Latin is one of the most significant and controversial finds, Staffordshire Council said. One expert believes the lettering dates from the 7th or early 8th centuries, but another is sure it dates from the 8th or 9th centuries. The inscription, misspelled in places, is probably from the Book of Numbers and reads: "Surge domine et dissipentur inimici tui et fugiant qui oderunt te a facie tua," or "Rise up, o Lord, and may thy enemies be dispersed." Regardless of the exact date, the hoard is certainly from a period of great turmoil, when kingdoms with tribal loyalties battled each other in a state of perpetual warfare, experts say. The land was also split along religious lines. Christianity was the principal religion, having gained ground at the expense of local pagan forms of worship, experts said. At least two crosses are among the items in the hoard. The largest is intact, though it has been folded, possibly to make it fit into a small space prior to burial, Staffordshire Council said. The folding may mean it was buried by pagans who had little respect for the Christian symbol, but it may have also been done by Christians who had taken it from someone else's shrine, experts said. The hoard will likely help rewrite history, experts said.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/europe/09/24/staffordshire.uk.gold.hoard/index.html
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Numbers 15-20 - The Children of God have made it to the border of the Promise Land however they are unable to enter in - Their unbelief has kept them from the faith needed to cross over the border to take possession of the land - They will now wander in the desert for 38 years [forty years total with the two previous years] until the generation of unbelief is gone and the New Israel [the new man] can enter into the Promise Land - Having been rejected from entering into the Promise Land then God immediately gives them hope and assures them with more instructions about their future entrance into the Promise Land knowing that when the day has come they will absolutely enter into His Promise Land -- 'Numbers 15:1-2 And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye be [finally] come into the land of your habitations, which I give unto you'
Biblical Doctrines and Examples: Throughout much of the Bible a biblical concept is going to be explained and then the concept is going to be demonstrated in the lives of the people and the consequences of their actions will be an example to us. For Example: 'Numbers 15:16 {Explanation} One law and one manner shall be for you, and for the stranger that sojourneth with you. ... and it shall be forgiven them; for it is ignorance ... But the soul that doeth ought presumptuously [purposely], whether he be born in the land, or a stranger, the same reproacheth the LORD; and that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Because he hath despised the word of the LORD, and hath broken his commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him. {Demonstration} And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the Sabbath day. {Consequences} And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And the LORD said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death [an illustration of eternal death]: all the congregation shall stone him with stones without the camp. And all the congregation brought him without the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as the LORD commanded Moses. {Results} And the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, Speak unto the children of Israel, and bid them that they make them fringes in the borders of their garments throughout their generations, and that they put upon the fringe of the borders a ribbon of blue: And it shall be unto you for a fringe, that ye may look upon it, {Example For Us} and remember all the commandments of the LORD, and do them; and that ye seek not after your own heart and your own eyes, after which ye use to go a whoring [unfaithfulness]: That ye may remember, and do all My commandments, and be holy [set apart] unto your God. I Am the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, to be your God: I Am the LORD your God. ' - In modern times a certain (LDS) cult baptizes dead people and claims that this is a biblical doctrine to follow and obey God. The Bible does have one 'Comment' [1 Corinthians 15:29] about those being baptized then being persecuted and dying because of their baptism however the Bible does not 'Explain' the concept of baptizing dead people nor does the Bible 'Demonstrate' that teaching and no Biblical 'Examples' are given in regards to those who follow the concept and those who do not follow the concept. So in the Christian Church there is no doctrine for baptizing dead people because the Bible does not explain, teach and illustrate an example for such a doctrine to exist therefore there is no such doctrine in the true Christian Church but only in the LDS cult.
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Numbers 21-25 - The wilderness wandering is nearing completion much of the generation that came out of Egypt has passed away - Miriam passed away at Kadesh and Aaron also died there shortly after Moses struck the Rock at Kadesh-Meribah unlawfully the second time - Many judgments take place, it's a time and a season of judging as Moses hears the voice of God and knows the voice of God he is able to accurately carry out and oversee the judgments of God - Judgments encompass; Individuals [the man intentionally breaking the Sabbath law (Numbers 15:32-41)] - Families [Achan (Joshua 7:10-26)] - Cities [(Numbers 24:19) {Matthew 11:21}] - Generations [(Numbers 32:13) {Matthew 12:41}] - Nations [(Genesis 15:14-21) (Numbers 33:53-56)] - Angels [(Isaiah 14:12-14) (Ezekiel 28:14-19) {Matthew 25:41} {Luke 10:18} {1 Corinthians 6:3}] and ultimately the entire Globe [the earth was judged the first time with the flood of Noah (Genesis 6:17-22), the earth will be judged the second and final time during the events of the book of Revelation (Revelation 16:1-7)] -- 'Revelation 8:13 And I (Apostle John) beheld, and heard an angel flying through the midst of heaven, saying with a loud voice, Woe, woe, woe, to the inhibiters of the earth by reason of the other voices of the trumpet of the three angels, which are yet to sound!'
Balaam the last Gentile Prophet - the Bethlehem Star Prophecy: With the Levitical/Aaronic Priesthood having just been implemented there were still individual Priests and Prophets from among the Gentiles and Balaam seems to have been of that remnant. Balak the King of Moab sent messengers to Balaam [a Midianite] to come to him that he would pay him to put a curse upon the Israelites the Children of God who were passing through his territory. - God would not allow Balaam to curse Israel because God had already blessed Israel. To the dismay of King Balak Balaam didn't curse Israel but blessed Israel the three times he was supposed to curse Israel. Then Balaam Prophesied about the glory and the success of Israel yet to come including the Bethlehem Star Prophecy. - The Bethlehem Star Prophecy [Numbers 24:17] is a Gentile Prophecy given by Balaam a Gentile and followed by the Wise Men of the East who were also Gentiles to find the birth of the Messiah Jesus. The Creation of God has been given to direct all of mankind into the knowledge and existence of God especially the Gentiles while God directs and instructs the Jews through their Prophets who wrote the Holy Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:15). The Gentile Wise Men were led by Balaam's Prophecy and by God's creation (the star) to Jerusalem (Matthew 2:1-2) then once in Jerusalem they inquired asking King Herod a Gentile 'where is the King of the Jews?' Then Jewish Bible scholars referencing the Prophet Micah 5:2 informed King Herod of the pending birth of the Messiah in Bethlehem in the territory of the tribe of Judah (in Israel at that time there were two cities named Bethlehem [lit. house of bread]) and King Herod then directed the Wise Men on to Bethlehem in Judah and as the Wise Men departed from King Herod the Bethlehem star appeared again and led them the rest of the way to Bethlehem finally appearing over the house of Joseph, Mary and Jesus. - Balaam's Aftermath: Balaam being unable to curse the Children of God was also unable to get paid from King Balak so Balaam came up with his own plan to curse the Children of God and Balaam then secretly met with King Balak and his Princes to have his secret plan against Israel implemented. The plan 'stumbling block' that Balaam instituted against Israel the Children of God was that Israel would have to curse themselves and to do this King Balak would send attractive women of his kingdom to seduce the Children of God into the Pagan ways of the Moabites and it worked as many in Israel were seduced and compromised with the Moabites creating a plague of death among the Israelites. In the New Testament (2 Peter 2:15) the Apostle Peter admonishes Christians not to fall into the same trap. Jude 1:11 continues the admonishment to Christians and Jesus Christ in (Revelation 2:14) admonishes some in His Church for following the ways of Balaam. -- 'Revelation 2:14 But I have a few things against thee, because thou hast there them that hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac (King Balak) to cast a stumblingblock [worldly influences, cultural compromise] before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication.' - Balaam during his prophesying about Israel requested from God [Numbers 23:10] that he himself might be righteous like Jacob [Israel] and die the death of the righteous. However Balaam created and followed his own unrighteous 'doctrine' and in his unrighteous deeds against Israel and against the Children of God then Balaam did die the death of the wicked. - 'Numbers 31:8 ... Balaam also the son of Beor they slew with the sword.'
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Numbers 26-31 - Aaron's son Eleazar (lit. Comforter - Holy Spirit) takes Aaron's place and is now the Levitical High Priest - The 2nd and final census is taken - Moses is told that he is also ineligible to enter the Promise Land not because of unbelief but because Moses failed to keep the entire law - Moses lays hands on Joshua (lit. Jesus) who takes over as the new leader for the nation of Israel
The five daughters of Zelophehad: 'Numbers 36:2 And they said, The LORD commanded my lord [Moses] to give the land for an inheritance by lot to the children of Israel: and my lord was commanded by the LORD to give the inheritance of Zelophehad our brother unto his daughters.' - At the taking of the 2nd census the inheritances of the land were decided by the number of males in each family. Zelophehad who had passed away was the father of five daughters with no sons and his family without sons would not inherit land in the Promise Land so the five daughters requested of Moses to inherit land as the other men would. Moses took the request to the Lord and the Lord said yes, the daughters of Israel who are without their father and without brothers are to receive the same inheritance as the sons of Israel. - Later Mary the mother of Jesus would come under this same agreement as Mary did not have any brothers [a sister of Mary is mentioned John 19:25 but no living father or any brothers are mentioned] so the inheritance of Mary's father, a descendant of King David through Nathan [Luke 3:31], her father's eligibility to sit on the throne of King David passed to Mary who then passed the eligibility of her father on to her son Jesus ['Genesis 3:15 ... her seed' (virgin birth) - the seed of the woman]. Joseph was also from the tribe [Judah] of King David however Joseph [Matthew 1:16] was from the line of King David's son King Solomon and the Solomon line was eventually cut off [Jeremiah 36:30] from the throne of David. Had Joseph been the physical father of Jesus then Jesus would be ineligible to sit on the throne of King David but Jesus having only Mary as a physical parent Jesus is eligible to restore and sit on the throne of King David.
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Numbers 32-36 - Preparations are being made to end their desert wandering experience to finally cross the Jordan River and enter into the Promise Land [Note: After leaving Egypt wandering and unable to go across Moab the Israelites actually had to go up, over and around the Promise Land (of Israel) to the back side and are camped on the East side [back side] of the Promise Land and will enter [from east to west] just north of the Dead Sea where Joshua their leader will set up camp at Gilgal] - Two [Reuben, Gad] and a half [Manasseh (East)] of the 12 Tribes will decline to inherit land in the Promise Land and will establish their communities outside the Promise Land - The land in the Promise Land is partitioned and assigned to the people who will enter - 48 Levitical cities scattered throughout the land are allotted to the Priesthood - Six of the 48 Priestly possession cities are termed as a 'City of Refuge' where a person in danger of losing their life could flee to and be kept safe by the authority of the High Priest
The City of Refuge - The City on a Hill, Jerusalem: Jerusalem [Heaven] is the ultimate "City of Refuge" our eternal sanctuary and refuge. -- "The Lord has established Zion, and in her his afflicted people will find refuge" Isaiah 14:32 [source - kkcj.org]. On the cross Jesus made only seven verbal statements. His first statement on the cross was Luke 23:34 'Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.' The first statement of Jesus while on the cross was to substantiate our unintentional crime against God and therefore open the way for us, by His confirmation, into Heaven the eternal 'City of Refuge.' Had Jesus asked the Father to hold humanity accountable for His innocent death [crucifixion] then the human world, all of mankind, would be guilty before God for the death of Jesus and there would be no City of Refuge for a guilty mankind to enter into. The Apostle Paul makes a comment about our need to enter into the provided City of Refuge - Hebrews 6:18-20 That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we [sinners who crucified Jesus] might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters into that within the veil [Holy of Holies]; Whither [into the Holy of Holies in Heaven] the forerunner [Jesus] is for us entered, even Jesus, made an High Priest for ever after the order of Melchizedek [Melchizedek].
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THE FIFTH BOOK OF MOSES, CALLED
===== DEUTERONOMY =====
wikipedia.org: Book of Deuteronomy - Deuteronomy (Greek: Deuteronomion, "second law") or (Hebrew: Devarim, literally "things" or "words") is the fifth book of the Hebrew Bible and of the Old Testament, and the fifth of five books [written by Moses] of the Jewish Torah or Pentateuch
A large part of the book [of Deuteronomy] is three sermons delivered by Moses reviewing the previous forty years of wandering in the wilderness and the future entering into the Promised Land. Its central element is a detailed law-code by which the Israelites are to live within the Promised Land. -- Theologically the book constitutes the renewing of the covenant between Yahweh and the "Children of Israel." One of its most significant verses is Deuteronomy 6:4, which constitutes the Shema, a definitive statement of Jewish identity: "Hear, O Israel: YHWH (is) our God, YHWH alone." Conservative Bible scholars are united in their conviction that Moses wrote this book. -- Much of modern critical scholarship, while agreeing that Deuteronomy contains a core of material from ancient Mosaic traditions or writing, dates the book several centuries after Moses time, to the late 7th century BC. This latter view sees Deuteronomy as a product of the religious reforms carried out under king Josiah, with later additions from the period after the fall of Judah to the Babylonian empire in 586 BC.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Book_of_Deuteronomy
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Deuteronomy 1-4 - Preparation to enter the Promise Land continues - The main preparation in entering the Promise Land is to go back to remember and recount the past events and past interactions with God that have taken them to this point in their life - The main intent of the book of Deuteronomy is to gain a perspective from the past, the present and therefore the future and to use that perspective as they crossover and receive more and more from the promises and blessings of God in their lives - The book of Deuteronomy [the book of perspective] is the most quoted Old Testament book in New Testament and it is the O.T. book that Jesus Christ quoted from the most
Giants in the Land: Even after wandering in the desert for 38 years the giants that intimidated the Children of God and kept them out of the Promise Land the first time are still there in the land. The giants didn't give up and go away if anything in the years the giants became even more numerous. However God shows His children that He has already cleared a way for others to enter their land. Lot's descendants, Esau' descendants and the generations of others are all living in their land that God has already provided for them and God is more than willing to clear a way for His own Children. The Children of God are to 'fear not' but to observe that God is going before them to make a way for them and then to follow after God in the path that He has already created and made for us. -- 'Deuteronomy 2:19-25 And when thou [children of God] comest nigh over against the children of Ammon [Lot's descendants], distress them not, nor meddle with them: for I will not give thee of the land of the children of Ammon any possession; because I have given it unto the children of Lot for a possession. That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims; A people great, and many, and tall, as the Anakims; *but the LORD destroyed them before them; and they [Lot's descendants] succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead: *As he [also] did to the children of Esau [brother of Jacob], which dwelt in Seir, when he destroyed the Horims [giants] from before them; and they succeeded them, and dwelt in their stead even unto this day: ... Rise ye up, take your journey, and pass over the river Arnon: behold, I have given into thine hand Sihon the [giant] Amorite, king of Heshbon, and his land: begin to possess it, and contend with him in battle. *This day will I begin to put the dread of thee and the fear of thee upon the nations that are under the whole heaven, who shall hear report of thee, and shall tremble, and be in anguish because of thee.'
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Deuteronomy 5-6 - In giving the people a perspective of God's abilities Moses exhorted the people to Hear, Learn, Observe and Act in regards to the commands, statutes and promises of God -- 'Deuteronomy 6:3-6 Hear therefore, O Israel, and observe to do it; that it may be well with thee, and that ye may increase mightily, as the LORD God of thy fathers hath promised thee, in the land that floweth with milk and honey. Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God is one LORD: And thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy might. And these words, which I command thee this day, shall be in thine heart:'
Remember that thou was a servant: We are admonished to keep a perspective of our past life of sin and bondage. Remember that at one time we were a servant to sin. The bondage and cruelty of sin is something that we have been delivered from and it was only in the love of God and by the capabilities of God that He delivered us, we did not deliver ourselves. If we forget that sin actually deceived us and took advantage of us we might be tempted to go back to some of our old ways however those old ways were not God's ways and they are no longer our ways either. - 'Deuteronomy 5:15 And remember that thou was a servant in the land of Egypt, and that the LORD thy God brought thee out thence through a mighty hand and by a stretched out arm: therefore the LORD thy God commanded thee to keep the Sabbath (rest) day [rest in the accomplished works of God not in the abilities of yourself or of other people].'
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Deuteronomy 7-8 - Do not be unequally yoked [linked up] with non-believers it will subtly destroy you -- 'Deuteronomy 7:4-5 For they will turn away thy son from following Me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly. But thus shall ye deal with them; ye shall destroy their altars, and break down their images, and cut down their groves, and burn their graven images with fire'
Prosperity in the land is no reason to forget God: Once in the land and comfortable it's no reason to forsake the ways of God. True life is not about what we can get our hands on but it is about what we can get our heart around in learning, living and growing in the ways of God. - 'Deuteronomy 8:3 And He humbled thee, and suffered thee to hunger, and fed thee with manna, which thou knewest not, neither did thy fathers know; that He might make thee know that man doth not live by bread only, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of the LORD doth man live.'
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Deuteronomy 9-11 - We are to look to God and not our circumstances or predicaments -- 'Deuteronomy 9:3 Understand therefore this day, that the LORD thy God is He which goeth over before thee ...'
Righteousness: It wasn't Israel's righteousness that made God choose Israel and it isn't any righteousness that makes God choose us. The fact is that God has chosen everyone to be in fellowship and to be in service to Him and the fact is that everyone; Hebrews, Christian and Gentiles have all failed God to the exact same extent. The ultimate fact though is that God has seen our failures and shortcomings and God has chosen to show His greatness to be much greater than our weaknesses. It is the greatness of God that overcomes our failures and it is through the greatness of God and not our own individual standing or national standing that we can enter into and have a relationship with God. - 'Deuteronomy 10:12-14 And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all His ways, and to love Him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul, To keep the commandments of the LORD, and His statutes, which I command thee this day for thy good? Behold, the heaven and the heaven of heavens is the LORD'S thy God, the earth also, with all that therein is.'
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Deuteronomy 12-13 - We are to keep God in our thoughts and in our mind at all times - Fellowship continually with God - Rejoice always in the Lord your God -- 'Deuteronomy 12:12-18 And ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God, ye, and your sons, and your daughters, and your menservants, and your maidservants, and the Levite that is within your gates ... and thou shalt rejoice before the LORD thy God in all that thou puttest thine hands unto'
Laws and Judgments of God: The laws and judgments of God might seem severe however God is dealing with mankind in an accurate assessment of the consequences of our own decisions and actions both good and bad. God is also working with a civilization, the Hebrews/Jews, that God needs to stay intact for thousands of years throughout many diverse circumstances and through much persecution and still through it all to accurately represent God to the Gentile world and also to successfully complete their own unique tasks of delivering both the Holy Scriptures [Bible] and also in delivering the Messiah [Jesus Christ] into the world. It's true that God did not choose the Jews because of their individual or corporate righteousness but it is true that God did choose Abraham and his descendants the Jews to represent Him and to accomplish some very important tasks for Him and most certainly the Jews have gloriously accomplished the tasks that God has chosen for them to perform [Note: continuing the Levitical Priesthood is not one of the tasks Israel has at hand to perform - the Levitical Priesthood was supposed to come to an end on the day of the crucifixion of Jesus when the veil in the temple was torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51)]. Further into their future there are yet more tasks for the Jews to perform and complete especially in the End Time 144,000 witnesses [all Jewish] of Revelation and at the Second Coming of Jesus it is the Jews who are present to greet Jesus and to welcome Him at His second coming [the Christian Church is in Heaven and at one point in the Second Coming the Church does return with Jesus but before that it seems that Jesus returns alone to the Jews first]. - 'Deuteronomy 12:1 These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LORD God of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth.'
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Deuteronomy 14-16 - The Lord's fierceness and the Lord's mercy towards man - Contrasted with man's fierceness and man's mercy [lack of mercy] towards his fellow man - 'Deuteronomy 13:17 And there shall cleave [cling (Old English)] nought [not] of the cursed thing [i.e. tarot cards, spells, sex magic, bondage, mysticism, manipulation - type of things from the conquered cities] to thine hand: that the LORD may turn from the fierceness of His anger, and shew thee mercy, and have compassion upon thee, and multiply thee, as He hath sworn unto thy fathers ...'
Spiritual Discernment: In now knowing the likeness, image, attributes and personality of God [as presented in the Laws of God] it is now possible and necessary to apply spiritual discernment from the written Laws of God to the events and actions of the day and to discern the nature of the spirit presiding over the events. Discerning whether the spirit is the Holy Spirit of God, holy Angels of God or of the unwanted unholy Satanic realm and its accompanying Occultic human realm. 'Deuteronomy 13:1-5 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a *sign or a *wonder, And the sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and let us serve them; Thou shalt not hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. Ye shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear Him, and keep His commandments, and obey His voice, and ye shall serve Him, and cleave [cling] unto Him. And that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death [God's eternal separation not man's judgment]; because he hath spoken to turn you away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.'
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Deuteronomy 17-18 - Moses is the stand-in prophet - The real Prophet (Jesus) is yet to come - 'Deuteronomy 18:15-19 The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee [land of Israel], of thy brethren, like unto Me [Divine]; unto Him [Jesus] ye shall hearken; ... I will raise them up a Prophet from among their [Jewish] brethren [Judah], like unto thee [human], and will put My words in His mouth; and He [Jesus] shall speak unto them all that I shall command Him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto My words which He shall speak in My Name, I will require it [eternal death separation] of him [sinner].' {Note: 'Exodus 4:16 and thou [Moses] shalt be to him [Aaron] instead [in proxy] of God.' - Moses was standing [in proxy] as God before the people of Israel. Also Note: Aaron and his sons had to offer sin sacrifices for themselves before they touched the holy implements and began their priestly duties but Moses (as God's proxy) did not sacrifice for his own sins before he touched the materials and began to implement the Levitical Priesthood. Moses touched the blood [Exodus 29:20] and the oil and anointed Aaron and his sons with the blood from the ram and with the oil but Moses had not atoned for his own sins first because Moses was a proxy for God to set up and establish the Levitical Priesthood. If anyone has ever wondered why the Levitical Priesthood didn't last well for starters it didn't start out truly holy it started out with Moses anointing Aaron not God anointing Aaron [God wrote the 10 Commandments with His finger - He could have anointed Aaron with His finger if He wanted to]. The Melchizedek Priesthood is Truly Holy throughout starting with God the Father, the Holy Spirit and with Jesus Christ as only the Melchizedek Priesthood is intended to last eternally. -- Final Note: The Children of God [Jews] are redeemed by God by the Promises of God, the Covenants of God and by the actions of God not by the Levitical Priesthood the Tabernacle or even the Temple.}
Spiritual Discernment (Part 2): Two or more witnesses - one person cannot substantiate an accusation against another person. If there is a charge or an allegation by one person against another person or persons then at least two impartial people need to hear the accusation and to then diligently search out the allegations to determine their validity. Two or three people having witnessed the events or having examined the events are needed to confirm an accusation. This is an important aspect of Spiritual Warfare because Satan continually seeks to discredit the Children of God and of course we already have a fallen sinful nature so we naturally play right into the schemes, tricks and tactics that Satan tries to use against us. It is very necessary to try to avoid the traps of Satan and to deal with each individual in a reasoned, calm, respectful, diligent, professional and godly manner. When a problem is found to exist and there is always a problem ready to exist then the solution is to try to reconcile the individuals involved and to try to bring everyone into a closer relationship with God and with one another. When Satan's accusations ultimately are being used by Christians to bring people closer to God and closer to one another then Satan has become disarmed however if we give room to innuendos and accusations against one another than it can quickly become a powerful weapon to be used against the Church. 'Deuteronomy 19:15-18 One witness shall not rise up against a man for any iniquity, or for any sin, in any sin that he sinneth: at the mouth of two witnesses, or at the mouth of three witnesses, shall the matter be established. If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother;'
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Deuteronomy 19-22 - The Ability to Wage Warfare -- 'Deuteronomy 20:1-4 When thou goest out to battle against thine enemies, and seest horses, and chariots, and a people more than thou, be not afraid of them: for the LORD thy God is with thee, which brought thee up out of the land of Egypt. And it shall be, when ye are come nigh unto the battle, that the priest shall approach and speak unto the people, And shall say unto them, Hear, O Israel, ye approach this day unto battle against your enemies: let not your hearts faint, fear not, and do not tremble, neither be ye terrified because of them; For the LORD your God is He that goeth with you, to fight for you against your enemies, to save you'
Spiritual Warfare: The warfare of the Bible is spiritual [Exodus 17:11] and the primary tactic is siege warfare. - 'Deuteronomy 20:10-12 When thou comest nigh [draw near] unto a city to fight against it, then proclaim peace unto it. And it shall be, if it make thee answer of peace, and open unto thee, then it shall be, that all the people that is found therein shall be tributaries unto thee, and they shall serve thee. And if it will make no peace with thee, but will make war against thee, then thou shalt besiege it:' -- The warfare of Satan is siege warfare. Satanic Siege Warfare: 1. The first part of siege warfare is to surround the targeted objective, city or person. 2. Once surrounded the subject is then cut off from all future supplies, reinforcements and outside moral. 3. The resulting deterioration inside creates a desperate atmosphere where the subjects begin to compete with each other and to attack each other and even themselves all while the attacking forces stay safely outside the destruction zone and simply observe the destruction while making any necessary adjustments, adding additional harassments [flaming projectiles] as needed to hasten the surrender. 4. When the destruction has run its course and the object has surrendered then the invading forces can simple enter in unscathed and unopposed to confiscate and seize full control of what is available. - The Apostle Paul writes about the predicament and focus of siege warfare for the Church. 'Hebrews 10:22-25 Let us draw near [to God] with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; for He is faithful that promised; And let us [draw near] consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking [being a participant of siege warfare] the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.'
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Deuteronomy 23-25 - How to Return from War -- 'Deuteronomy 23:9-11 When the host [army] goeth forth against thine enemies, then keep thee [yourself] from every wicked thing'
Spiritual Warfare (Part 2): Warfare, aggression, killing and the accompanying destruction is an unclean act. - 'Numbers 31:19-50 And do ye [soldiers] abide without the camp seven days: whosoever hath killed any person, and whosoever hath touched any slain, purify both yourselves and your captives on the third day, and on the seventh day. ... And levy a tribute unto the LORD of the men of war which went out to battle ... Thy servants [soldiers] have taken the sum [roll call] of the men of war which are under our charge, and there lacketh not one man of us. We have therefore brought an oblation [thanks offering] for the LORD' -- At a later time in history Jewish city officials and soldiers from Jerusalem asked the prophet John the Baptist how they should conduct themselves in their secular professions. Hidden in their questions was whether or not a Jewish person collecting taxes for Rome or a Jewish Temple soldier controlling the people for Rome and at times killing for Rome could still be in favor with God. John the Baptist told them yes, if they continued to conducted their life in a godly manner. - 'Luke 3:12 Then came also publicans [Jewish public contractors - city officials working for Rome [a foreign power], source wikie.com -- Note: private contractors usually have no or minimal city authority although now the lines are blurring] to be baptized [by John the Baptist], and said unto him, Master, what shall we do? And he said unto them, Exact no more than that which is appointed you. And the [Jewish Temple] soldiers likewise demanded of him, saying, And what shall we do? And he said unto them, Do violence to no [civilian] man, neither accuse any falsely; and be content with your wages.' [Note: In modern times if you have served in the military consider getting baptized, re-baptized, baptized a second time or baptized again. Get baptized and make a renewed or a continued commitment and vow to God. Baptism will do a lot for you (spiritually), it will do a lot to remove you from any unholy realm that has gained a hold on you or has a hold on you and it will do a lot to return you and bring you into cleanliness and holiness before God.]
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Deuteronomy 26-28 - Moses has been bringing to a conclusion his leadership over the Nation of Israel - Moses is addressing the Nation of Israel with a series of four speeches covering their past, present and future circumstances with God - Blessings and curses are laid out and the Law has few blessings and many curses while later the Christian Church with Grace will have many blessings and few curses -- 'Deuteronomy 30:19 I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed may live'
The Assyrian Outsider: 'Deuteronomy 26:5 ... A Syrian [Assyrian] ready to perish was my father [Abraham], ...' Assyrian in the Bible is more of a term than a nationality like the term [Deuteronomy 32:15] Jeshurun [a poetic name for Israel and the name of an 'End of Days' righteous prophet (Daniel 12:13) - source wiki.com] later in the Bible the name David (Beloved) becomes as much a term for Jesus [Ezekiel 34:23] as a name. Assyrian represents an outsider and one of the titles of the antichrist is Assyrian. Moses uses the term Assyrian [outsider] in addressing their father Abraham in saying to remember that Abraham was an Assyrian [outsider]. Abraham was actually a Babylonian born in Ur however Babylon was the in culture and Babylonians were not the outsiders [Assyrians were] but God called Abraham out of society's main culture and created an Assyrian [outsider] out of Abraham. Later the antichrist is referred to as an Assyrian [Isaiah 10:5] seemingly because the antichrist is going to be very [outsider] alien [possibly claiming partial UFO, Alien (divine) heritage] in skills and abilities and outside [Assyrian] of our known existing societal and cultural norms and traditions.
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Deuteronomy 29-31 - Moses again confirms God's Covenants with the Children of Israel - Joshua is appointed the new leader of Israel -- 'Deuteronomy 31:14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Behold, thy days approach that thou must die: call Joshua, and present yourselves in the Tabernacle of the Congregation, that I may give him a charge [authority]'
'Deuteronomy 29:3-4 The great temptations which thine eyes have seen, the signs, and those great miracles: Yet the LORD hath not given you an heart to perceive, and eyes to see, and ears to hear, unto this day.' - The Children of Israel have already observed, heard and experienced many miraculous Spiritual events in their life although seeing and hearing the physical events the Spiritual application to those same events eluded them. -- Speaking Words of Strength: In preparing the people to enter into the Promise Land Moses spoke words to Joshua and to the people, words that the people needed to hear to be strengthened in their coming journey through the unknown; through the Jordan River and into the Promise Land. 'Deuteronomy 31:3-6 ... and Joshua (Jesus), He shall go over [to the Promise Land] before thee, as the LORD hath said. ... Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the LORD thy God, He it is that doth go with thee; He will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.' - Years later the real Jesus would also be spoken to, in the Garden of Gethsemane by a Holy Angel from Heaven, with words to strengthen and encourage Him for His coming journey through the unknown; through the crucifixion cross and into the real Promise Land of Heaven. We don't know the words that the Holy Angel spoke to Jesus that night ... or do we? [Deuteronomy 31:3-6] - Luke 22:43 And there appeared an Angel unto Him (Jesus) from heaven, strengthening Him. - Did Moses prophetically speak the words to Joshua and to the people of Israel as they prepared to crossover that God the Father had the Angel speak to Jesus during His agony in the dark of the night in the Garden of Eternal Decision the Garden of Gethsemane as He prepared to crossover?
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Deuteronomy 32-34 - Moses prepares himself for his death - The Song of Moses -- 'Deuteronomy 32:1-4 Give ear, O ye heavens, and I will speak; and hear, O earth, the words of my mouth. My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: Because I will publish the Name of the LORD: ascribe ye greatness unto our God. He is the Rock, His work is perfect: for all His ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is He'
Death Outside the Promise Land: Moses the Lawgiver was only allowed to go to the border of the Promise Land, he was only allowed to glimpse the Promise Land from a distance but he was not allowed to enter into the Promise Land. Moses the Lawgiver had broken the law when Moses had unlawfully struck the Rock a second time. In actuality striking the Rock a second time was not the only law that Moses broke it was just one of the more obvious laws that Moses broke. Moses like all the rest of us he was unable to keep the law because the law can't be kept it can only be observed just as Moses observed the Promise Land from a distance, observing but not entering. - The Law does not take us into the presence of God but only to a boundary that actually keeps us apart from God. The original law in the Garden of Eden was a boundary, a boundary between mankind and the experience and knowledge of evil. Mankind crossed God's Law boundary and went into the knowledge of evil [God continued to give mankind the knowledge of good]. With mankind now knowledgeable of evil the Law is not just a boundary from evil but out of necessity the Law has now also become a boundary between mankind and the Holiness of God. - The Law is the Image and Holiness of God and therefore the Law now reveals God to a separated mankind and once seeing God in His Holy Law mankind can easily recognize the need for mankind to be separated from the presence and Glory of the Holy God. Separated from God that is only until a remedy can be provided to fix man's sinful predicament and remove the boundary of sin and of the Law. The remedy for our predicament and separation from God has been provided but not in our life only in a new life in the Resurrection Life provided by God's Son Jesus Christ. The Son of God, Jesus Christ will safely take us into Heaven, His Promise Land, just as certainly as Joshua the son of Nun led the Children of Israel into their Promise Land a place that the law at best could only glimpse from a distance and could not enter into but a place where the Son could not be kept out of as the Son will enter in and place his foot upon the Promise Land. -- 'Deuteronomy 31:23 And He gave Joshua the son of Nun a charge, and said, Be strong and of a good courage: for thou shalt bring the Children of Israel into the land which I sware unto them: and I will be with thee.' - 'Deuteronomy 32:52 Yet thou [Moses, Lawgiver] shalt see the land before thee; but thou shalt not go thither unto the land which I give the Children of Israel.'
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THE BOOK OF
===== JOSHUA =====
Joshua 1-2 - Joshua the first book in the Bible to be named after a person - Joshua was the servant (minister) to Moses - Joshua is God's chosen to lead the people into the Promise Land - Joshua is the Hebrew name of Jesus - Joshua is a 'type' an earthly representation of the true Jesus Christ
Note: As Joshua is an earthly Biblical type of Jesus Christ the Promise Land is an earthly Biblical type of Heaven. Actually the Promise Land is the Biblical Type of Heaven as nothing else in the Bible really represents Heaven the way the Promise Land does. The fact that battles are fought in the Promise Land represents to the Christian Church that although we are now in part [in standing] in the Promise Land we also have battles in this world, battles of many diverse types and in many diverse places. All of the earthly Bible types; the people, the land, the nations and the objects are all incomplete types they are just glimpses of the real Heaven, of God and of the real spiritual realm. The Promise Land of Israel is a real place and therefore has real earthy predicaments just like each person that is a type of Jesus (Isaac, Joseph, Joshua, King David, etc.) or those people that are a type of Satan (King Saul, Judas, [Solomon is in part a type of the Antichrist]) are also incomplete types they are real people in real predicaments. Also Note: Heaven currently is a place of some spiritual warfare and angelic warfare [Daniel 10:13, Daniel 10:20]. -- In more symbology Rehab in Jericho is to place a scarlet (red) cord out of her window symbolizing that she needs to be saved by Joshua. The scarlet cord represented to the Jews the blood of the Passover Lamb on the door that the Jews were so familiar with from back in Egypt. Rehab's scarlet cord and all the 'scarlet cords' throughout the Bible ultimately represent the blood of Jesus Christ that flowed from the cross for our redemption.
!!!Highly Recommended by Pastor Chuck Smith - Study of the Types by Ada R. Habershon (Online Book - Limited preview)
Author: Ada R. Habershon 1861-1918. First publication 1957, Second publication - Kregel Publications, 1974. Book overview: Habershon unfolds the types and symbols in Scripture that represent Christ and His work.
http://books.google.com/books?id=f0UsBUwMPRsC&printsec=frontcover#v=onepage&q=&f=false
christianbook.com: Study of the Types by Ada R. Habershon - Outline Studies of the Tabernacle by Ada R. Habershon (Books)
This classic work unfolds the types and symbols in the Old Testament that represent Christ, the Cross, the Resurrection, the Holy Spirit, and many others. This wealth of material on typology will strengthen your faith and warm your heart with love and thankfulness to God. ... These are inspiring insights into the construction, erection and service of the tabernacle. This book contains all the scriptural references to the tabernacle and its furniture. This resourceful study can be used with profit by pastors, teachers, and all inquiring Bible students to discover and apply the significant spiritual truths the tabernacle contains.
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/easy_find?event=AFF&p=1008467&N=1014644&Ne=1014644&Ns=product.number_sold&Nso=1&Ntk=product.full_auth_name&Ntt=Ada%20Habershon&Nu=product.endeca_rollup&category=Books&format=1014644
amazon.com: Study of the Types by Ada R. Habershon (Book)
Product Description: Habershon unfolds the types and symbols in Scripture that represent Christ and His work. About the Author: Ada R. Habershon (1861-1918) was born in London, England. Few women have made a contribution to the cause of biblical scholarship equal to that of Ada Habershon. After formal Bible training, she turned her efforts to the exploration of the Scriptures. She was a devoted friend of D. L. Moody, Charles H. Spurgeon, R. A. Torrey, and Ira Sankey. In addition to writing hundreds of hymns, she is the author of eight Bible studies, including Study of the Miracles, Study of the Parables, and Hidden Pictures in the Old Testament.
http://www.amazon.com/Study-Types-Ada-R-Habershon/dp/0825428505
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Joshua 3-5 - The Children of Israel prepare for and cross the Jordan river stepping for the first time since the days of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob back onto the Promise Land - Two 12 Stone Monuments are set up one on the river bottom since the river was dry for them and the second on the shore to commemorate their safe miraculous crossing - 'Joshua 1:2-3 Moses my servant is dead; now therefore arise, go over this Jordan, thou, and all this people, unto the land which I do give to them, even to the children of Israel. Every place that the sole of your foot shall tread upon, that have I given unto you, as I said unto Moses.'
Rolling Away Our Reproach: The reproach (disparagement) of their time in slavery and bondage in Egypt has been 'rolled away' (Gilgal). 'Joshua 3:2-17 And it came to pass after three days, that the officers went through the host (congregation); And they commanded the people, saying, When ye see the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD your God, and the priests the Levites bearing it, then ye shall remove from your place, and [follow] go after it. ... Behold, the Ark of the Covenant of the Lord of all the earth passeth over before you into Jordan [River]. Now therefore take you twelve men [Apostles] out of the tribes of Israel, out of every tribe a man. And it shall come to pass, as soon as the soles of the feet of the priests that bear the Ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, shall rest in the waters of Jordan, that the waters of Jordan shall be cut off from the waters that come down from above; and they shall stand upon an heap [just like the Red Sea crossing]. ... and the people passed over right against [the city of] Jericho. And the priests that bare the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD stood firm on dry ground in the midst of Jordan, and all the Israelites passed over on dry ground [Psalms 32:6], until all the people were passed clean over Jordan.' - 'Joshua 5:9 And the LORD said unto Joshua, This day have I rolled away the reproach of Egypt from off you. Wherefore the name of the place is called Gilgal unto this day.' - Just as the reproach of Egypt has been 'Gilgal' rolled away the stone that marked our sin and death in this land of Egypt has also been Gilgal rolled away. The very stone that rolled away and revealed the release of Jesus from the tomb of death and reproach has also represented our release from our own reproach of sin and death. 'Matthew 28:2-6 And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door [of the tomb], and sat upon it. ... And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye [you]: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified. He is not here: for He is risen [Alive], as He said.'
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Joshua 6-8 - The battles of Jericho and Ai - The beginning of the victories in the Land -God gave the cities into their hands -- 'Joshua 6:16 And it came to pass at the seventh time, when the priests blew with the trumpets, Joshua said unto the people, Shout; for the LORD hath given you the city'
The Battle of Jericho: 'Hebrews 11:30-31 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies [two witnesses] with peace.' - Joshua had sent in the two spies (witnesses) because apparently God wanted Rahab and her household saved alive from the coming destruction. Rahab lived on a doomed wall of a doomed city so she was completely at risk. Rahab and her fellow countrymen had heard of the Mighty Wonders that God had already done for the Children of God and Rahab must have wanted to be a numbered among the Children of God. Rehab undertook great personal danger even lying to the King's men in hiding the two witness of Israel. Note: Rahab didn't need to lie for God to save them but God saved them all even with the little faith that Rahab had and her little faith was enough faith for the Apostle Paul to list her in the Hebrews Chapter 11 'Hall of Faith'. - After being saved Rahab (Rachab) married into the tribe of Judah in Israel and Rahab is the mother of Boaz (Booz). Rahab's son Boaz would later marry Ruth a Moabite [foreign] woman and have a son named Obed. Obed would have a son named Jesse and Jesse was the father of King David. Including the original Judah (Judas) and the gentile Tamar (Thamar) there was actually a lot of gentile blood in the Davidic line, the eventual human line of Jesus Christ. - 'Matthew 1:1 The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David, the son of Abraham. Abraham begat Isaac; and Isaac begat Jacob; and Jacob begat Judas [Judah] and his brethren; And Judas begat Phares and Zara of Thamar [Tamar]; and Phares begat Esrom; and Esrom begat Aram; And Aram begat Aminadab; and Aminadab begat Naasson; and Naasson begat Salmon; And Salmon begat Booz of Rachab [Rahab]; and Booz [Boaz] begat Obed of Ruth; and Obed begat Jesse; And Jesse begat David the King; and David the King begat [King] Solomon of her [Bathsheba] that had been the wife of Urias [Uriah]'
Ancient Jericho - Tell es-Sultan, ancient Jericho - Jericho Unearthed: DVD Promo - A total of six bushels of grain were discovered in a single excavation season amid the charred debris of City IV, giving an important clue to the city's demise - Its end could not have come as a result of a siege, because that would have exhausted the city's food supply - Instead, the attack must have occurred suddenly, soon after the spring [barley, flax] harvest - two crucial details that match the account in the Book of Joshua - Was this destruction at the hands of the Israelites? The correlation between the archaeological evidence and the Biblical narrative is substantial: (Photos)
All three excavations at Jericho found evidence - at different points around the tell - of a mudbrick parapet wall atop the stone revetment wall. In Kenyon's drawing, as well as in these two sections below right, by Sellin and Watzinger (left) and Garstang (right), gray indicates the revetment wall and violet highlights the parapet wall on top of it. ... One major problem remains: the date, 1400 B.C.E. Most scholars will reject the possibility that the Israelites destroyed Jericho in about 1400 B.C.E. because of their belief that Israel did not emerge in Canaan until about 150 to 200 years later, at the end of the Late Bronze II period. A minority of scholars agrees with the Biblical chronology, which places the Israelite entry into Canaan in about 1400 B.C.E. The dispute between these two views is already well-known to BAR readers. *But recently, new evidence has come to light suggesting that Israel was resident in Canaan throughout the Late Bronze II period. As new data emerge and as old data are reevaluated, it will undoubtedly require a reappraisal of current theories regarding the date and the nature of the emergence of Israel in Canaan.
http://www.biblearchaeology.org/post/2008/05/Did-the-Israelites-Conquer-Jericho-A-New-Look-at-the-Archaeological-Evidence.aspx
Ancient Jericho (Photo)
Ancient Jericho is one of the most excavated sites in Israel. Starting in the early 1900's, archaeologists exposed a huge retaining wall that has supported the foundation of the great city since the Middle Bronze Age. This stone foundation held a large, structural wall of mud bricks that defined ancient Jericho. Throughout the last century, no less than four separate excavation teams have found remains of a collapsed mud brick wall at the base of the stone retaining wall. Scholars now agree that the wall fell down, but they differ on the date. Bryant Wood and other highly-regarded archaeologists date the destruction of the wall to the time of Joshua in about 1400 BC. In the 1930's and 1950's, teams discovered numerous store jars still full of grain from the last Canaanite city that existed at ancient Jericho. The conclusion of many scholars is that the city was conquered at the time of the harvest, but was burned, instead of looted. This evidence matches the biblical account of Joshua [chapter] 6.
http://www.allaboutarchaeology.org/ancient-jericho-faq.htm
Ancient Jericho - Old walls, witness to many centuries of Jericho history - Jericho, the city of the moon, is the lowest city on earth at 260 meters below sea level (Photo)
This picture shows Stone walls in ancient Jericho. It was taken on a travel to Jericho, Palestinian Territories, Asia. ... While the ruins are not spectacular to see for the casual visitor, Tel es-Sultan certainly impresses for its incredible age. At some 10,000 years, it is probably the oldest settlement in the world.
Jericho, the city of the moon, is the lowest city on earth at 260 meters below sea level. At the same time, it is the oldest city in the world. A 20 minute walk takes you from present-day downtown Jericho to Tel es-Sultan, the site of the oldest settlement. It can be found next to the cable car station for going up to the Mount of Temptation. Once inside, you can see that excavations have been done on site. Unfortunately, the few signs that once clarified what you are seeing have since long been washed away by rain, so walking around the site requires working your imagination.
http://pictures.traveladventures.org/images/tel-es-sultan06
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Joshua 9-10 The Gibeonite people knowing that they cannot defeat the Children of Israel through force turn to deception and make a deceitful covenant with Israel - Joshua agreeing to a covenant of protection with the Gibeonites makes an unwise covenant as he fails to seek the discernment of God first in his decision - Joshua's long day occurs -- 'Joshua 10:12-13 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies. Is not this written in the book of Jasher?' [Jasher "Book of the Upright" (wiki.com) Joshua 10:13, 2 Samuel 1:18 -- An ancient Jewish history chronicle that no longer exists]
Signs in the Heavens: Correlations between the ancient events in the days of Joshua with the future events of the 'Day of the Lord' Jesus Christ I the Book of Revelation. 'Joshua 10:12 Then spake Joshua to the LORD in the day when the LORD delivered up the Amorites before the children of Israel, and he said in the sight of Israel, Sun, stand thou still upon Gibeon; and thou, Moon, in the valley of Ajalon. And the sun stood still, and the moon stayed, until the people had avenged themselves upon their enemies.' * 'Revelation 6:12-13 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood; And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.' -- 'Joshua 10:16 But these five kings fled, and hid themselves in a cave at Makkedah.' * Revelation 6:15-17 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens [underground manmade caves] and in the rocks of the mountains; And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?' -- 'Joshua 10:11 And it came to pass, as they fled from before Israel, and were in the going down to Beth-horon, that the LORD cast down great stones from heaven upon them unto Azekah, and they died: they were more which died with hailstones than they whom the children of Israel slew with the sword.' * 'Revelation 16:21 And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God because of the plague of the hail; for the plague thereof was exceeding great.' [Being stoned is the Biblical punishment for blaspheming God - the hail stones from heaven are the last and final plague in the Book of Revelation].
JOSHUA'S LONG DAY - For the Egyptian account, we find that the French classical scholar, Fernand Crombette, translated some Egyptian hieroglyphics which tell of Joshua's long day - Evidently [a] flood [in Egypt] had been caused by an unusually high tide - The cause, according to the Egyptian hieroglyphics, was: The sun, thrown into confusion, had remained low on the horizon, and by not rising had spread terror amongst the great doctors - Two days had been rolled into one
Joshua's Long Day in Africa: Anyhow, flawed though some of Totten's works might be, in his book, he relates two independent and geographically distinct accounts of Joshua's long day. One of Totten's sources is a report by the Greek historian Herodotus who wrote that when he visited Egypt, the priests there showed him an ancient manuscript which told the story of a day which lasted about twice as long as a nor mal day. Now the Egyptians had water clocks at that time so that they could accurately measure the duration of the day, not being dependent on the motion of the sun, moon, and stars, as would other peoples around the world. Totten's second account is from the Chinese which we shall present later.
For the Egyptian account, we find that the French classical scholar, Fernand Crombette, translated some Egyptian hieroglyphics which tell of Joshua's long day. The text starts out with an edict from the king to exempt from taxation those who had been victims of a flood some two weeks earlier. Evidently the flood had been caused by an unusually high tide. The cause, according to the Egyptian hieroglyphics, was: The sun, thrown into confusion, had remained low on the horizon, and by not rising had spread terror amongst the great doctors. Two days had been rolled into one. The morning was lengthened to one-and-a-half times the normal period of effective daylight. A certain time after this divine phenomenon, the master had an image built to keep further misfortune from the country. ... The Chinese Account of Joshua's Long Day: The second secular source about Joshua's long day, which was mentioned by Totten, is based on what seems to be a recently lost ancient Chinese manuscript. In 1810 Gill presents the account: In the Chinese history it is reported, that in the time of their seventh emperor, Yao, the sun did not set for ten days, and that men were afraid the world would be burnt, and there were great fires at that time; and though the time of the sun's standing still were enlarged beyond the bounds of truth, yet it seems to refer to this fact, and was manifestly about the same time; for this miracle was wrought in the year of the world 2554, which fell in the 75th, or, as some say, the 67th year of that emperor's reign, who reigned 90 years.
http://www.geocentricity.com/astronomy_of_bible/jld/index.html
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Joshua 11-19 - Though many battles have been won the Children of Israel will not occupy their entire Inheritance in the Promise Land - The intended borders and boundaries for the 12 tribes are established by casting lots - The city of Jebus [later Jerusalem] actually at different times falls into the inheritance of both the tribe of Judah and later the tribe of Benjamin [Judah shared some of their huge land inheritance with Benjamin and the two tribes tried to cooperate, work together and assist each other in the Promise Land] - Neither the tribe of Judah nor the tribe of Benjamin is immediately able to enter Jebus - Later King David will conquer Jebus and name it Jerusalem - Jerusalem will be the capital city for the Tribe of Judah and also for the entire Nation of Israel - 'Joshua 18:21-28 Now the cities of the tribe of the children of Benjamin according to their families were Jericho, ... and Jebusi, which is Jerusalem, Gibeath, and Kirjath; fourteen cities with their villages. This is the inheritance of the children of Benjamin according to their families.'
Caleb the Faithful Witness Receives his Inheritance in the Promise Land: Of the more than six hundred thousand adult males that left Egypt on the night of the Passover only two Joshua and Caleb [and part of the tribe of Levi] lived through the forty year desert wandering to inherit a portion in the Promise Land. Caleb [tribe of Judah] and Joshua [tribe of Ephraim] were two of the original 12 spies sent in by Moses to view the Promise Land and the only two witnesses to bring back a positive report to Moses and the people. - ' Joshua 14:5-15 As the LORD commanded Moses, so the children of Israel did, and they divided the land. Then the children of Judah came unto Joshua in Gilgal: and Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite said unto him, Thou knowest the thing that the LORD said unto Moses the man of God concerning me and thee in Kadesh-barnea. Forty years old was I when Moses the servant of the LORD sent me from Kadesh-barnea to espy out the land; and I brought him word again as it was in mine heart. Nevertheless my brethren that went up with me made the heart of the people melt: but I wholly followed the LORD my God. And Moses sware on that day, saying, Surely the land whereon thy feet have trodden shall be thine inheritance, and thy children's forever, because thou hast wholly followed the LORD my God. And now, behold, the LORD hath kept me alive, as he said, these forty and five years, even since the LORD spake this word unto Moses, while the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness: and now, lo, I am this day fourscore and five [85] years old. As yet I am as strong this day as I was in the day that Moses sent me: as my strength was then, even so is my strength now, for war, both to go out, and to come in. Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakims [giants] were there, and that the cities were great and [stonewall] fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said. And Joshua blessed him, and gave unto Caleb the son of Jephunneh Hebron for an inheritance. Hebron therefore became the inheritance of Caleb the son of Jephunneh the Kenezite unto this day, because that he wholly followed the LORD God of Israel. And the name of Hebron before was Kirjath-arba; which Arba was a great man among the Anakims. And the land had rest from war.'
Ancient City of Hazor - Tell Hazor is one of the largest, most important biblical sites in the Canaanite and Israelite periods - The bible gave it the title: "the head of all those kingdoms". Indeed, the travel to the excavated site is an exciting experience, bringing you back 3-4 thousand years to the times this might city was the gateway between Egypt and Mesopotamia [Babylon] (Photos)
Joshua 11:10: "And Joshua at that time turned back, and took Hazor, and smote the king thereof with the sword: for Hazor beforetime was the head of all those kingdoms." ... Location: Tell Hazor is located on the east of the northern part of Israel, the upper Galilee. Its prime location on the main ancient road through Syria to Babylon, made it an important city. This road bypassed the impossible way through the desert, and was an important link between the two strong empires of the ancient world: Egypt on the south, and Mesopotamia (Babylon, Assyria, Persia) on the north. You can reach the site, a national park, by driving north from Rosh-Pina (road 90). The museum that hosts most of the archaeological findings is located in another location: in the nearby Kibbutz, Ayyelet Ha-shachar, 0.5KM north to the park's entrance. Additional findings are displayed in the Israel Museum in Jerusalem.
http://www.biblewalks.com/Sites/Hazor.html
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Joshua 20-22 - Phinehas a Grandson of Aaron is now the Levitical High Priest - The Congregation of Israel the group of people that have been together every day since Egypt and the long wilderness wandering has now come to a close - Joshua releases the Nation of Israel to live in their own homes in their own inherited portion of the land - The Congregation of the Nation of Israel in the Promise Land now begins - The two tribes Reuben and Gad and half of the tribe of Manasseh return to outside the Promise Land to their own chosen land -- 'Joshua 21:43-45 And the LORD gave unto Israel all the land which He sware to give unto their fathers [Abraham, Isaac, Jacob]; and they possessed it [most of the land but not all the land they were given], and dwelt therein. And the LORD gave them rest round about, according to all that he sware unto their fathers: and there stood not a man of all their enemies before them; the LORD delivered all their enemies into their hand. There failed not ought of any good thing which the LORD had spoken unto the house of Israel; all came to pass'
Living Outside the Promise Land: Two and a half tribes of the Children of God determined that living outside of the Promise Land would be just as rewarding and just a secure and certainly just a scenic as actually living in the land after all they were bordering the Land so how different could it be than actually moving into the Land. For starters being outside the Promise Land they were separated from the Alter of God so they took it upon themselves to build their own nonfunctioning alter as a replica of the real Alter of God in the hopes that they, their children and the Nation of Israel would not forget that they were indeed entitled to the same inheritance as the rest of the Nation of Israel. The replica alter was just another ill-conceived notion just as ill-conceived as the original idea to remain outside of the Land was and worse it only caused further confusion and strife among them and the other tribes of Israel. Eventually living outside of the land and being separated from within the Nation did take its toll. The outside tribes were the first to compromise, the first to neglect their worship and their walk with God and the first to be conquered and taken captive by other nations. In actuality the outside tribes were never heard from again in Israel in any significant meaningful way. - 'Joshua 22:9-27 And the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh returned, and departed from the children of Israel out of Shiloh, which is in the land of Canaan, to go unto the country of Gilead, to the land of their possession, whereof they were possessed, according to the word of the LORD by the hand of Moses. And when they came unto the borders of Jordan, that are in the land of Canaan, the children of Reuben and the children of Gad and the half tribe of Manasseh built there an altar by Jordan, a great altar to see to ... In time to come your children [in the Promise Land] might speak unto our children [outside the Promise Land], saying, What have ye to do with the LORD God of Israel? For the LORD hath made Jordan [River] a border between us and you, ye children of Reuben and children of Gad; ye have no part in the LORD: so shall your children make our children cease from fearing the LORD. Therefore we said, Let us now prepare to build us an altar, not for burnt offering, nor for sacrifice: But that it may be a witness between us, and you, and our generations after us, that we might do the service of the LORD before him with our burnt offerings, and with our sacrifices, and with our peace offerings; that your children may not say to our children in time to come, Ye have no part in the LORD.'
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Joshua 23-24 - The Children of Israel have settled in the Promise Land for a while now - The Tabernacle remains assembled in Shiloh - Joshua now advanced in age [110 years old] assembles the Nation at Shechem and gives his final farewell address to the Nation of Israel as Moses had previously done [Joshua actually quotes much of Moses from the book of Deuteronomy] - Joshua gives his final admonishment to the people of Israel encouraging them to continue to enter in and to possess the land and also admonishing them to fear and to serve the Lord God -- 'Joshua 24:15-17 but as for me (Joshua) and my house, we will serve the LORD. And the people answered and said, God forbid that we should forsake the LORD, to serve other gods; For the LORD our God, He it is that brought us up and our fathers out of the land of Egypt, from the house of bondage, and which did those great signs in our sight, and preserved us in all the way wherein we went, and among all the people through whom we passed: ...'
Cities They Did Not Build: 'Joshua 24:13 And I (God) have given you a land for which ye did not labour, and cities which ye built not, and ye dwell in them; of the vineyards and oliveyards which ye planted not do ye eat.' The Children of God inherited cities that they did not have to build and ate fruit from vines and trees that they did not have to plant. The Promise Land of Israel is a type of Heaven and as a type the land was prepared in advance for the Children of God even before they entered into the land. Later Jesus would make the same promise to His disciples. - 'John 14:1-3 Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me (Jesus). In My Father's house [Heaven] are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. *I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go [to Heaven] and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I Am, there ye may be also.'
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THE BOOK OF
===== JUDGES =====
Introduction: With the Bible's Book of Judges the history books of the Bible will continue and surprisingly we will continue to learn more about mankind and about ourselves then we will about God - It isn't until the Prophets that we really start to learn intimately about who God is and what He desires
We are making progress through the Bible however at this point in the Bible we still have not yet had the opportunity to find out much about who God is as a person through getting to know God's heart and God's soul. It will not be until we get past the history books and into the messages of the Prophets that we will really begin to enter into the heart and soul of God and begin to become more personally and intimately acquainted with who God is as a person and what His nature is. All of the books of the Bible cover Theology and Doctrine however the history books of the Bible cover much more about human relationships, human behavior and human government than they do in providing insight into God. - Note: It is amazing and even startling how little 'relationship' and situational type of information is provided in the Bible's New Testament and that is because much of the relationships, situations and examples for the Christian Church have already been experienced and documented in the Bible's Old Testament. Much of what we are going to look at in these next O.T. books are going to be timeless situations and relationships that being timeless actually mirror the situations, events and relationships of our own life and therefore have a tremendous message of value and importance for us even today.
The book of Judges: The Old Testament book of Judges tells the story of what could be called the 'Dark Ages' of the chosen people - When the book opens, the 12 tribes of Israel are on the edge of national success - Under Moses and his successor Joshua, they have been liberated from slavery and have begun to occupy and settle in their Promised Land - But something goes terribly wrong - By the time the book closes, central leadership has broken down and the tribes are at each other's throats - The people are oppressed on every side by enemies and in danger of national extinction - This book contains some of the most gruesome stories in the Bible - episodes of idolatry, theft, rape, murder and civil war - What went wrong? Let's take a closer look
Although anarchy existed in Israel during much of the period of the judges, the story shows that God was still working out his purpose with them. The entire story is a monument to God's patience, love and mercy. Time after time, the people became trapped in a downward spiral toward moral degeneracy, and the refrain, 'The Israelites once again did evil in the sight of the Lord', recurs like a monotonous litany throughout the book. Yet, every time the Israelites repented, God forgave them and sent a deliverer (or 'judge' - hence the name of the book). The central section of the book (chapters 3:7-16:31) tells us of six judges God raised up to deliver his people from their enemies. These stories - with their pattern of Israel's sin, sorrow, repentance and restoration - illustrate what is often called the 'cycle of sin'. At first glance, the stories all seem to follow the same theme. But there are subtle and important differences. These small divergences are important, like when a musician plays variations on a theme. First we hear what could be called the 'base' theme. Then it is played again, with a few variations. As the variations are developed, the base theme recedes further and further into the background, and may even be no longer recognizable to the untrained ear. But the trained listener can appreciate what is happening. The chronicler of Judges uses much the same technique, and we need to read carefully to appreciate the lesson. These are not just stories - they are a variation of a theme. ... Jesus Christ breaks the cycle of sin: Old Testament scholar Arthur Cundall identifies the central message of the book of Judges: "The period of the judges' is a faithful witness to the fact of man's frailty and to his need not of a merely temporal deliverer, but of an eternal Saviour who can effect a perfect redemption." Cundall's comment could also apply to the history of the modern world. We live in a society that is supposedly so much more sophisticated and enlightened than that of ancient Israel. And yet much of our behavior has been just as barbaric and faithless as that of the Israelites. Our society, just like theirs, continues to be "a faithful witness to the fact of man's frailty and of his need for an eternal Saviour." The good news of the gospel is that there is an eternal Savior who has already broken the cycle of sin by offering a perfect redemption for the whole world. He is the God-man, Jesus Christ. And the basic message of the Old Testament book of Judges - that sin leads to slavery while repentance leads to redemption - provides a fitting background for the New Testament teaching: because Jesus died for our sins, God grants us repentance and delivers us from spiritual slavery.
http://www.wcg.org/lit/bible/hist/judges.htm
Background - The book of Judges - "Our English word 'judge' fails to bring out the breadth of meaning encompassed in the Hebrew term shophet (from the verb shaphat, to 'judge,' 'justify,' or 'deliver') - The book may be divided into three parts: introduction, which deals with Israel's failure to conquer Canaan completely, first from a military and then from a religious perspective - the main body of the book, consisting largely of the adventures of the individual judges a conclusion, which sets the stage for the transition to monarchy by painting a picture of moral decline and political dissolution in a time when 'there was no king in Israel and every man did as he pleased' - The stories of the judges are thus framed by an introduction that looks back to the book of Joshua and a conclusion that looks forward to the books of Samuel and Kings
J. Cheryl Exum writes: "The book may be divided into three parts: a double introduction, which deals with Israel's failure to conquer Canaan completely, first from a military and then from a religious perspective (1:1-3:6); the main body of the book, consisting largely of the adventures of the individual judges (3:7-16:31); and a double conclusion (chaps. 17-21), which sets the stage for the transition to monarchy by painting a picture of moral decline and political dissolution in a time when 'there was no king in Israel and every man did as he pleased' (21:25). The stories of the judges are thus framed by an introduction that looks back to the book of Joshua and a conclusion that looks forward to the books of Samuel and Kings." (Harper's Bible Commentary, p. 245). ... Jay G. Williams writes: "Clearly one of the main points of the author is that almost from the beginning Israel fell into sin and therefore was subjected to historical punishment by Yahweh at the hands of her enemies. Only when Yahweh raised up a new hero to lead the people was Israel revived once more. As the story proceeds, however, the cycle becomes more and more disastrous for Israel. The last of the judges, Samson, is simply a great buffoon who kills a few Philistines but who does not lead Israel in battle at all. The story moves, then, from a glorification of the heroes to a call for a new and better way of organizing Israel politically and militarily. That is to say, Judges points forward to the books of Samuel and the rise of the kingship. The book ends with two rather gruesome stories (17:1-18:31 and 19:1-21:25) which illustrate graphically the corrupt condition of religion and justice under the judges." (Understanding the Old Testament, p. 159).
http://www.earlyjewishwritings.com/judges.html
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Judges 1-2 - A historical interim book covering the death of Joshua until the period of the Kings of Israel - about 300 to 400 years of Jewish history are covered - Thirteen Judges are chronicled during thirteen alternating periods of Spiritual revival in Israel followed by periods of backsliding that led to oppression and defeat at the hands of their enemies
'Judges 1:14-15 And it came to pass, when she [Achsah his daughter] came to him (Caleb), that she moved him [her husband] to ask of her father [for] a field: and she lighted from off her ass (donkey) [the Jews were not to own horses only a donkey (Exodus 20:17)]; and Caleb said unto her, What wilt thou? And she said unto him, Give me a blessing: for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And Caleb gave her the upper springs and the nether [lower] springs.' - With the new book in the Bible and a new era in Israel Calab [one of the two successful spies (Numbers 13:30), Joshua was the other one] now becomes the ever present type of Jesus Christ in the Bible. His devout daughter Achsah sought out her father's presence and asked him for a blessing for herself and for her family. Caleb had already generously given her a large portion of land and now she requested from him some additional land that contained some valuable springs of water and as a type of Jesus Caleb then gave to her two separate life sustaining springs of water to go with her land a total gift of more than double what she had asked for and had hoped to receive from him. As a faithful type of Jesus Christ the generosity of Caleb was to match the generosity of Jesus Christ. - 'Ephesians 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ' - '2 Peter 1:3 According as His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness [springs of water], through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue:' - 'James 1:5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth [ridicule] not; and it shall be given him.' - 'James 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness [no deciet], neither shadow of turning.'
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Judges 3-5 - The sagas and adventures of Israel continue as lessons and examples for us in our times - Deborah a Prophetess was the 4th Judge of Israel - As a prophetess Deborah called on Barak to go conquer King Sisera - Barak would not go to the battle without Deborah and together they oversaw the defeat of the Canaanite King Sisera -- 'Judges 4:4 And Deborah, a prophetess, the wife of Lapidoth, she judged Israel at that time.'
'Judges 4:11-12 Now Heber [and his wife Jael] the Kenite, which was of the children of Hobab the father in law of Moses, had severed himself from the Kenites, and pitched his tent unto the plain of Zaanaim, which is by Kedesh.' - 'Judges 4:14-24 And Deborah said unto Barak, Up; for this is the day in which the LORD hath delivered Sisera into thine hand: is not the LORD gone out before thee? So Barak went down from mount Tabor, and ten thousand men after him. And the LORD discomfited Sisera, and all his chariots, and all his host, with the edge of the sword before Barak; so that Sisera lighted down off his chariot, and fled away on his feet. But Barak pursued after the chariots, and after the host, unto Harosheth of the Gentiles: and all the host of Sisera fell upon the edge of the sword; and there was not a man left. Howbeit Sisera fled away on his feet to the tent of Jael the wife of Heber the Kenite: for there was peace between Jabin the king of Hazor and the house of Heber the Kenite. And Jael went out to meet Sisera, and said unto him, Turn in, my lord, turn in to me; fear not. And when he had turned in unto her into the tent, she covered him with a mantle. And he said unto her, Give me, I pray thee, a little water to drink; for I am thirsty. And she opened a bottle of milk, and gave him drink, and covered him. Again he said unto her, Stand in the door of the tent, and it shall be, when any man doth come and enquire of thee, and say, Is there any man here? that thou shalt say, No. Then Jael Heber's wife took a nail of the tent, and took an hammer in her hand, and went softly unto him, and smote the nail into his temples, and fastened it into the ground: for he was fast asleep and weary. So he died. And, behold, as Barak pursued Sisera, Jael came out to meet him, and said unto him, Come, and I will shew thee the man whom thou seekest. And when he came into her tent, behold, Sisera lay dead, and the nail was in his temples. So God subdued on that day Jabin the king of Canaan before the children of Israel. And the hand of the children of Israel prospered, and prevailed against Jabin the king of Canaan, until they had destroyed Jabin king of Canaan.' - Battling our old bossy self: King Sisera is a picture of our old sin nature before we become a Christian. Prior to Christianity our sin nature reigns supreme in our body whatever our sin nature desires we endeavor to do what pleases it. If our sin nature wanted food we fed it, a movie we saw it, drink we drank it and music we listened to it all in league of satisfying ourselves. After Heber had broken away [became a Christian] from the area controlled by King Sisera Heber still attempted to befriend Sisera and informed Sisera of the army already on the move to attack his forces. Sisera defeated [by the cross of Jesus] came into the very tent [personal presence] of Heber and his wife Jael seeking shelter. Sisera though defeated was as bossy and as arrogant as ever and Heber and Jael wisely did not try to challenge Sisera directly instead Jael put the old tyrant to sleep with some milk [the pure milk of the Bible] then taking a nail [from the cross of Jesus] she put the nail through the head [authority] of King Sisera pinning him to the ground in death where he belonged then Heber and Jael having victory of their old ruler were now free to live their new life of freedom [in Jesus Christ].
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Judges 6-8 - Gideon becomes the 5th Judge of Israel - The Midianites put the Nation of Israel into deep poverty by plundering their possessions - Gideon placed a fleece before the Lord for confirmation of God's call on his life - Gideon defeats the Minianites with God's small army of 300 men - 'Judges 6:36-40 36 And Gideon said unto God, If thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said, Behold, I will put a fleece of wool in the floor; and if the dew be on the fleece only, and it be dry upon all the earth beside, then shall I know that thou wilt save Israel by mine hand, as thou hast said. And it was so: for he rose up early on the morrow, and thrust the fleece together, and wrung the dew out of the fleece, a bowl full of water. And Gideon said unto God, Let not thine anger be hot against me, and I will speak but this once: let me prove, I pray thee, but this once with the fleece; let it now be dry only upon the fleece, and upon all the ground let there be dew. And God did so that night: for it was dry upon the fleece only, and there was dew on all the ground.' {Note: A fleece is considered a wrong thing to do for at least two reasons 1. it puts God to the test 2. we walk step by step with God not project by project. Also Note: Gideon's fleece is conceded prophecy in that the dew 'presence of God' was upon the wool 'Israel' then the next day the Church Age the dew 'presence of God' was manifested around Israel but not on Israel.}
'Judges 6:25-32 And it came to pass the same night, that the LORD said unto him, Take thy father's young bullock, even the second bullock of seven years old, and throw down the altar of Baal that thy father hath, and cut down the grove [of trees] that is by it: And build an altar unto the LORD thy God upon the top of this rock, in the ordered place, and take the second bullock, and offer a burnt sacrifice with the wood of the grove which thou shalt cut down. Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the LORD had said unto him: and so it was, *because he feared his father's household, and the men of the city, that he could not do it by day, that he did it by night. And when the men of the city arose early in the morning, behold, the altar of Baal was cast down, and the grove was cut down that was by it, and the second bullock was offered upon the altar that was built. And they said one to another,
Who hath done this thing? And when they enquired and asked, they said, Gideon the son of Joash hath done this thing. Then the men of the city said unto Joash, Bring out thy son, that he may die: because he hath cast down the altar of Baal, and because he hath cut down the grove that was by it. *And Joash said unto all that stood against him, Will ye plead for Baal? will ye save him? he that will plead for him, let him be put to death whilst it is yet morning: *if he be a god, let him plead for himself, because one hath cast down his altar. Therefore on that day he called him Jerubbaal, saying, Let Baal plead against him, because he hath thrown down his altar.' - Gideon at night had cut down an alter used to sacrifice to Baal and sacrificed an offering to God on a new alter. The next day the people came out and wanted to put Gideon to death for destroying Baal's alter. Gideon's father Joash told the crowd that if Baal was a god then Baal could deal with Gideon without the assistance of people. How true it is also in our day that we do not need to do the justice of God for God. God is perfectly capable of deciding how and when he wants to deal with each individual on this planet. Likewise if Allah or any other deity is god then men do not need to perform justice on behalf of Allah. It is something that actually disqualifies Allah from being a true God in that Allah does not perform on his own behalf but instead enlists men to administer human justice according to human emotions. Truly nothing is more erratic than Islamic justice it just depends on an individual's status and standing at any given moment within a community as to what any penalty might or might not be. Islamic justice has little or nothing to do with divine guidance but is more a misplaced vengeance of individual men.
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Judges 9-10 - After Gideon's major victory over the Midianites Gidion asked his fellow soldiers for a money offering from their spoils - Gideon took the money he made from the battle and made his own 'ephod' a Priestly ornament of gold and gemstones that is only to be worn by the High Priest - After instituting his own form of Government and even making his own form of religion he takes many wives and has 71 sons - Abimelech his 71st son from an unpopular concubine decided he wanted to rule after his father Gideon (Jerubbaal) and in order to accomplish his rule he killed 69 of his brothers only the littlest one named Jotham was able to hide from Abimelech -- 'Judges 9:53-57 And a certain woman cast a piece of a millstone upon Abimelech's head, and all to brake his skull. Then he called hastily unto the young man his armor bearer, and said unto him, Draw thy sword, and slay me, that men say not of me, A woman slew him. And his young man thrust him through, and he died. And when the men of Israel saw that Abimelech was dead, they departed every man unto his place. Thus God rendered the wickedness of Abimelech, which he did unto his father, in slaying his seventy brethren [Jotham originally fled to the city of Beer but he seems to have been eventually killed as well]: And all the evil of the men of Shechem did God render upon their heads: and upon them came the curse of Jotham [given at mount Gerizim] the son of Jerubbaal (Gideon).'
Judges 9:6-21 And all the men of Shechem gathered together, and all the house of Millo, and went, and made Abimelech king, by the plain of the pillar that was in Shechem. And when they told it to Jotham, he went and stood in the top of mount Gerizim, and lifted up his voice, and cried, and said unto them, Hearken unto me, ye men of Shechem, that God may hearken unto you. The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us. But the *Olive Tree [Holy Spirit] said unto them, Should I leave My fatness [goodness], wherewith by Me they honor God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? And the trees said to the *Fig Tree [man's religious works], Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said the trees unto the *Vine [Jesus Christ], Come thou, and reign over us. And the Vine said unto them, Should I leave My Wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees? Then said all the trees unto the *bramble [curse bearing thorn bush], Come thou, and reign over us. And the bramble [Abimelech] said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow: and if not, let fire come out of the bramble, and devour the Cedars of Lebanon. Now therefore, if ye have done truly and sincerely, in that ye have made Abimelech king, and if ye have dealt well with Jerubbaal and his house, and have done unto him according to the deserving of his hands; (For my father fought for you, and adventured his life far, and delivered you out of the hand of Midian: And ye are risen up against my father's house this day, and have slain his sons, threescore and ten persons, upon one stone, and have made Abimelech, the son of his maidservant, king over the men of Shechem, because he is your brother;) If ye then have dealt truly and sincerely with Jerubbaal and with his house this day, then rejoice ye in Abimelech, and let him also rejoice in you: But if not, let fire come out from Abimelech, and devour the men of Shechem, and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of Shechem, and from the house of Millo, and devour Abimelech. And Jotham ran away, and fled, and went to Beer, and dwelt there, for fear of Abimelech his brother. - Here we have an interesting Parable given by Jotham and it includes the Olive Tree [Holy Spirit] "wherewith by Me they honor God and man" and the Vine [Jesus Christ] "which cheereth God and man" and the Fig Tree [man's religious works] "Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit" a bramble [thorn and thistle bush] and Cedar Trees of Lebanon all in the same Parable. Notice how only the Olive Tree and the Vine please both God and man, very interesting even in the confusion that reigned in the days of Judges, the days before the Kings and before the vast teachings of the Prophets yet some still had a good understanding of the nature of God and of the Parables of God.
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Judges 11-12 - Jephthah the ninth Judge of Israel - Jephthah offers a vow to God and sanctifies [burnt offering] his daughter to God in a living sacrifice much the same way that Hannah sanctified her son Samuel [1 Samuel 1:11] to the Lord in a similar vow to God - {when they offered themselves or a child to God in a burnt offering it was only their hair that was burned in a ceremony it wasn't a human sacrifice of any kind though it's often portrayed as such but remember it's strictly forbidden for Jews and Christians to take an innocent life and human sacrifice is a complete, forbidden, unacceptable, abomination to the living God} - *The vow of Jephthah being listed in the New Testament [Hebrews 11:32] as an example of our faith confirms that it was a sanctification by faith not a human sacrifice by fire - It has been about 300 years since Israel left Egypt and began to dwell again in the lands outside of Egypt and in and around Canaan -- 'Judges 1:26 While Israel dwelt in Heshbon and her towns, and in Aroer and her towns, and in all the cities that be along by the coasts of Arnon, three hundred years? why therefore did ye [Moab] not recover them within that time?' {Moab never actually had the land that Israel was on but they wanted to claim it anyhow.}
Jephthah's Vow: Judges 11:30-40 And Jephthah vowed a vow unto the LORD, and said, If thou shalt without fail deliver the children of Ammon into mine hands, Then it shall be, that whatsoever cometh forth of the doors of my house to meet me, when I return in peace from the children of Ammon, shall surely be the LORD'S, and I will offer it up for a burnt offering. So Jephthah passed over unto the children of Ammon to fight against them; and the LORD delivered them into his hands. And he smote them from Aroer, even till thou come to Minnith, even twenty cities, and unto the plain of the vineyards, with a very great slaughter. Thus the children of Ammon were subdued before the children of Israel. And Jephthah came to Mizpeh unto his house, and, behold, his daughter came out to meet him with timbrels and with dances: and she was his only child; beside her he had neither son nor daughter. And it came to pass, when he saw her, that he rent his clothes, and said, Alas, my daughter! thou hast brought me very low, and thou art one of them that trouble me: for I have opened my mouth unto the LORD, and I cannot go back. And she said unto him, My father, if thou hast opened thy mouth unto the LORD, do to me according to that which hath proceeded out of thy mouth; forasmuch as the LORD hath taken vengeance for thee of thine enemies, even of the children of Ammon. And she said unto her father, Let this thing be done for me: let me alone two months, that I may go up and down upon the mountains, and bewail my virginity, I and my fellows. And he said, Go. And he sent her away for two months: and she went with her companions, and bewailed her virginity upon the mountains. And it came to pass at the end of two months, that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man. And it was a custom in Israel, That the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah the Gileadite four days in a year. - The promise of sanctification that Jephthah made and kept even though it was a very difficult promise for him and his daughter to keep is commented on in Hebrews 11 the 'Hall of Faith' had Jephthah committed a human sacrifice the Bible would have immediately and repeatedly condemned it as it would be unacceptable to God. *The vow of Jephthah being listed in the New Testament as an example of our faith confirms that it was a sanctification by faith not a human sacrifice by fire. "that she returned unto her father, who did with her according to his vow which he had vowed: and she knew no man." That "and she knew no man" is in reference to how she lived out the rest of her life and also "the daughters of Israel went yearly to lament the daughter of Jephthah" to comfort her because she was without a child all acts and responses to a living person not a deceased person. {Note: Apparently Josephus seems to have thought it might have been a human sacrifice however Josephus reported on the common view and the common view is often wrong. The Apostle Paul was certainly aware that it was a vow of consecration.} - 'Hebrews 11:32-35 And what shall I more say [about Faith]? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthae [sanctified his daughter to God]; of David also, and Samuel [sanctified his life to God through a vow his mother Hannah made, similar to the vow of Jephthae], and of the prophets: Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, Quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again [Faith in God is about people receiving Life not taking life!]: ...'
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Judges 13-16 - The Great Sampson, Judges 13:7 "a Nazarite to God from the womb to the day of his death" - Sampson repeatedly placed his desires above that of his parents, his family, his neighbors, his Nation and ultimately above the desires of God - 'Judges 14:3 Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my [Jewish] people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.'
'Judges 16:28 And Samson called unto the LORD, and said, O Lord GOD, remember me, I pray thee, and strengthen me, I pray thee, only this once, O God, that I may be at once avenged of the Philistines for my two eyes. And Samson took hold of the two middle pillars upon which the house stood, and on which it was borne up, of the one with his right hand, and of the other with his left. And Samson said, Let me die with the Philistines. And he bowed himself with all his might; and the house fell upon the lords, and upon all the people that were therein. So the dead which he slew at his death were more than they which he slew in his life. Then his brethren and all the house of his father came down, and took him, and brought him up, and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the burying place of Manoah his father. And he judged Israel twenty years.' - Note: Sampson was a Nazarite set apart to God every day of his life this included his ups and downs and it included his captivity and blindness at the hands of the Philistines. Also Note: Sampson is a child of God in the Bible that also committed suicide and ended his own life. Suicide is not the preferred desire of God however the message of the Bible, given in this case through Sampson, is that our sins, our predicaments and even our own suicidal death is something that will be overcome by the goodness and life of God. After death [Romans 14:11-13] every knee will bow before the King of the Universe Jesus Christ and how we die is just not as important as how we bow. - There are many forms of suicide including unsafe sex, drugs, alcohol, reckless behavior and actually anything that is separate and apart from the life of Jesus Christ is a form of human suicide.
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Judges 17-18 - Now we are at the point where a man named Micah stole one thousand one hundred silver shekels from his mother - Micah hearing his mother curse the missing shekels returned them to her - she explained that the money was to be used to make a molten god - Micah received 200 of the cursed shekels and had a molten image made along with and ephod and other religious relics - After consecrating one of his own sons to be his priest Micah hired a Levite Priest from Bethlehem - The Tribe of Dan unable to conquer their allotted inheritance relocated to the northernmost part of Israel - Members of the Tribe of Dan while relocating took by force and confiscated all of Micah's false gods, religious items and even his Levitical Priest and brought them north with them where they installed his Priest and worshiped his false images -- 'Judges 17:6 In those days there was no King in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.'
'Judges 18:13-26 And they [Tribe of Dan] passed thence unto mount Ephraim, and came unto the house of Micah. Then answered the five men that went to spy out the [North] country of Laish [later renamed Dan], and said unto their brethren, Do ye know that there is in these houses an ephod, and teraphim, and a graven image, and a molten image? now therefore consider what ye have to do. And they turned thitherward, and came to the house of the young man the Levite, even unto the house of Micah, and saluted him. And the six hundred men appointed with their weapons of war, which were of the children of Dan, stood by the entering of the gate. And the five men that went to spy out the land went up, and came in thither, and took the graven image, and the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image: and the priest stood in the entering of the gate with the six hundred men that were appointed with weapons of war. And these went into Micah's house, and fetched the carved image, the ephod, and the teraphim, and the molten image. Then said the priest unto them, What do ye? And they said unto him, Hold thy peace, lay thine hand upon thy mouth, and go with us, and be to us a father and a priest: is it better for thee to be a priest unto the house of one man, or that thou be a priest unto a tribe and a family in Israel? And the priest's heart was glad, and he took the ephod, and the teraphim, and the graven image, and went in the midst of the people. So they turned and departed, and put the little ones and the cattle and the carriage before them. And when they were a good way from the house of Micah, the men that were in the houses near to Micah's house were gathered together, and overtook the children of Dan. And they cried unto the children of Dan. And they turned their faces, and said unto Micah, What aileth thee, that thou comest with such a company? And he said, Ye have taken away my gods which I made, and the priest, and ye are gone away: and what have I more? and what is this that ye say unto me, What aileth thee? And the children of Dan said unto him, Let not thy voice be heard among us, lest angry fellows run upon thee, and thou lose thy life, with the lives of thy household. And the children of Dan went their way: and when Micah saw that they were too strong for him, he turned and went back unto his house.' - As Micah found out having your own False Religion is a though business there is a lot of competition and not a lot of rules or protections. Anyhow it's always best to have a God that can't be stolen or taken away. Jesus Christ saw to it that His Kingdom would be positioned above mankind and in Spirit located in the safety of human hearts, souls and minds where it will be safe from being squandered and safe from removal by anyone who passes bye or any other form of malcontent.
Ten Shekels and a Shirt by Paris Reidhead - 'Judges 17:10 And Micah said unto him, Dwell with me, and be unto me a father and a priest, and I will give thee ten shekels of silver by the year, and a suit of apparel, and thy victuals' (Mp3)
Description: Paris Reidhead preaches what could be called one of the most influential sermons of the 20th century. The real point of this sermon is an indictment of individuals and organizations practicing humanism behind a mask of Christianity! "This sermon should be preached on a regular basis in every church in America!"
http://www.sermonindex.net/modules/mydownloads/singlefile.php?lid=2902
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Judges 19-21 - Concluding the Book of Judges [with an earlier event] brings us to one of the most gruesome events recorded in the Bible - The horrid event and the out of control aftermath is actually a depiction of Church gossip, infighting and divisions -- 'Judges 19:30 And it was so, that all that saw it said, There was no such deed done nor seen from the day that the children of Israel came up out of the land of Egypt unto this day: consider of it, take advice, and speak your minds.'
Judges 20:20-48 20 And the men of Israel went out to battle against Benjamin; and the men of Israel put themselves in array to fight against them at Gibeah. And the children of Benjamin came forth out of Gibeah, and destroyed down to the ground of the Israelites that day twenty and two thousand men. And the people the men of Israel encouraged themselves, and set their battle again in array in the place where they put themselves in array the first day. And the children of Israel went up and wept before the LORD until even, and asked counsel of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up again to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother? And the LORD said, Go up against him. And the children of Israel came near against the children of Benjamin the second day. And Benjamin went forth against them out of Gibeah the second day, and destroyed down to the ground of the children of Israel again eighteen thousand men; all these drew the sword. Then all the children of Israel, and all the people, went up, and came unto the house of God, and wept, and sat there before the LORD, and fasted that day until even, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. And the children of Israel enquired of the LORD, for the ark of the covenant of God was there in those days, And Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron, stood before it in those days [not all the events are in chronological order], saying, Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of Benjamin my brother, or shall I cease? And the LORD said, Go up; for tomorrow I will deliver them into thine hand. ... And when the men of Israel turned again, the men of Benjamin were amazed: for they saw that evil was come upon them. Therefore they turned their backs before the men of Israel unto the way of the wilderness; but the battle overtook them; and them which came out of the cities they destroyed in the midst of them. Thus they enclosed the Benjamites round about, and chased them, and trode them down with ease over against Gibeah toward the sunrising. And there fell of Benjamin eighteen thousand men; all these were men of valor. And they turned and fled toward the wilderness unto the rock of Rimmon: and they gleaned of them in the highways five thousand men; and pursued hard after them unto Gidom, and slew two thousand men of them. So that all which fell that day of Benjamin were twenty and five thousand men that drew the sword; all these were men of valor. But six hundred men turned and fled to the wilderness unto the rock Rimmon, and abode in the rock Rimmon four months. And the men of Israel turned again upon the children of Benjamin, and smote them with the edge of the sword, as well the men of every city, as the beast, and all that came to hand: also they set on fire all the cities that they came to. - The aftermath of a needless event that very nearly wiped out one Tribe [Benjamin] from Israel and cost the Nation of Israel dearly for generations to come when instead of helping each other they chose instead to fight each other. In this event as in all gossip events it's important to note that there were no innocent parties. The Levitical Priest was just as much out of bounds and at fault as anyone else if not more though he broadcast his story to all of Israel of course leaving out his own indiscretions and lack of judgment. The one sided version of events led to an instant retribution from all of Israel directed at the one seemingly guilty Tribe of Benjamin. Israel itself suffered great loss and was badly wounded in the battles that followed and discovered the hard way the strange truth that people will fight against their own kind perhaps even more ruthlessly than they will fight against an outside enemy.
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THE BOOK OF
===== RUTH =====
Ruth 1 - The Book of Ruth - Redemption through the Kinsman [close relative] Redeemer -- 'Ruth 1:16 And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God:'
'Ruth 1:19-22 So they two went until they came to Bethlehem. And it came to pass, when they were come to Bethlehem, that all the city was moved about them, and they said, Is this Naomi? And she said unto them, Call me not Naomi (Pleasant), call me Mara (Mary, bitter): for the Almighty hath dealt very bitterly with me. I went out full, and the LORD hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the LORD hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me? So Naomi returned, and Ruth the Moabitess, her daughter in law, with her, which returned out of the country of Moab: and they came to Bethlehem in the beginning of barley harvest.' - Ruth returned back to Bethlehem from her stay in Moab. At her return she was destitute her husband had sold the family land to go to Moab where he died and her two sons also died. In Israel the land does not belong to the people but to God so they can redeem is back from another person if the redemption requirements are met. Redemption is the practice of returning a lost possession or opportunity to the original owner. There is a strict legal system in place for the redemption process. 1. Only a near relative can redeem back property [land] for the original owner. 2. If a stranger returned the land it would be a gift not a redemption as the stranger would have to pay the current market price including being taken advantage of with a higher unreasonable price while the redeemer would pay only the correct original redemption price. 3. The Redeemer has to be a close relative, financially able and personally willing to perform the redemption. The redemption was not required to be performed it was up to the individual involved to make the decision himself.
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Ruth 2-3 - Naomi and Ruth encounter Boaz a close relative near Kinsman Redeemer -- 'Ruth 2:4 And behold, Boaz came from Bethlehem , and said unto the reapers, The LORD be with you. And they answered him, The LORD bless thee.' [Later King Solomon would name one of the two Temple pillars 'Boaz' after his forefather Boaz, 1 Kings 7:21]
'Ruth 3:15-18 Also he (Boaz) said, Bring the veil that thou hast upon thee, and hold it. And when she held it, he measured six [six represent incomplete, seven represents - completeness, rest] measures of barley, and laid it on her: and she went into the city. And when she came to her mother in law, she said, Who art thou, my daughter? And she told her all that the man had done to her. And she said, These six measures of barley gave he me; for he said to me, Go not empty unto thy mother in law. Then said she, Sit still, my daughter, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest [the seventh measure], until he have finished the thing [redemption] this day.' - The Biblical redemption process requires that the redeemer be a close relative otherwise it is not a return [redemption] but is just an outright transaction. Jesus Christ is the Redeemer of All Mankind and this is possible because 1. We are originally created in the Spiritual image of God (Jesus) so we are actually closely related to Jesus spiritually. In fact we are each more closely related to God spiritually than to anyone else even physically. 2. Jesus kept intact His close relationship [Kinsman Redeemer] status with all mankind in that Jesus was born of a Virgin without an earthly father. If Jesus had a earthly father besides Mary then Jesus would only be a Kinsman Redeemer to his close relatives. However Jesus was born of the Virgin Mary and His Father is in Heaven who is our original Father when He created Adam and Eve in 'our' image [Genesis 1:26] therefore Jesus the Son of God is the eligible Kinsman redeemer for all of the direct descendants of Adam and Eve.
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Ruth 4 - It turns out the Law of Moses although in the image of God and to some giving the appearance of the ability of redemption it cannot give life [raise up seed] and therefore cannot redeem -- 'Ruth 4:14-17 And the women said unto Naomi, Blessed be the LORD, which hath not left thee this day without a Kinsman, that his name may be famous in Israel. And he [Kinsman Redeemer] shall be unto thee *a restorer of thy life, and a nourisher of thine old age: for thy daughter in law, which loveth thee, which is better to thee than seven sons, hath born him. And Naomi took the child, and laid it in her bosom, and became nurse unto it. And the women her neighbors gave it a name, saying, There is a son born to Naomi; and they called his name Obed: he is the father of Jesse, the father of David.'
'Ruth 4:1-13 Then went Boaz up to the gate [of Bethlehem], and sat him down there: and, behold, the kinsman [a closer relative, kinsman redeemer to Naomi] of whom Boaz spake came by; unto whom he said, Ho, such a one! turn aside, sit down here. And he turned aside, and sat down. And he took ten [ten - number of difficulty, a difficult task is taking place] men of the elders of the city, and said, Sit ye down here. And they sat down. And he said unto the kinsman, Naomi, that is come again out of the country of Moab, selleth a parcel of land, which was our brother Elimelech's: And I thought to advertise thee, saying, Buy it before the inhabitants, and before the elders of my people. *If thou wilt redeem it [back to the family], redeem it: but if thou wilt not redeem it, then tell me, that I may know: for there is none to redeem it beside thee {this unnamed first in line redeemer is a type of the laws of Moses}; and I am after thee. And he said, I will redeem it. Then said Boaz, What day thou buyest the field of the hand of Naomi, thou must buy it also of Ruth the Moabitess, the wife of the dead, *to raise up the name of the dead {the law can own land but the law cannot give life or raise up life} upon his inheritance. And the kinsman said, I cannot redeem it for myself {the laws of Moses cannot give life}, lest I mar mine own inheritance {cease to be the law and become something else}: redeem thou my right to thyself {in grace and love}; for I {the law} redeem it. Now this was the manner in former time in Israel concerning redeeming and concerning changing, for to confirm all things; a man plucked off his shoe, and gave it to his neighbour: and this was a testimony in Israel. Therefore the kinsman said unto Boaz, Buy it for thee. So he {the law} drew off his shoe {When John the Baptist [Mark 1:7] said he was unworthy to unloose the sandel of Jesus this is what he was talking about, John was unable to redeem only Jesus is the Redeemer}. And Boaz said unto the elders, and unto all the people, Ye are witnesses this day, that I have bought all that was Elimelech's, and all that was Chilion's and Mahlon's, of the hand of Naomi. *Moreover Ruth the Moabitess [Gentile Bride], the wife of Mahlon, have I purchased to be my wife, to raise up the name of the dead upon his inheritance, that the name of the dead be not cut off from among his brethren, and from the gate of his place: ye are witnesses this day. And all the people that were in the gate, and the elders, said, We are witnesses. The LORD make the woman that is come into thine House like Rachel and like Leah [wives of Jacob], which two [and their two maids] did build the House of Israel: and do thou worthily in Ephratah, and be famous in Bethlehem: And let thy house be like the house of Pharez, whom Tamar bare unto Judah, of the seed which the LORD shall give thee of this young woman. So Boaz [the son of Rahab from the battle Jericho (Joshua 2:1)] took Ruth [a Gentile], and she was his wife: and when he went in unto her, the LORD gave her conception, and she bare a son [Obed, he is the Grandfather of King David].' - The Law although in the image of God is unable to give life therefore doing what the Law was unable to do God sent His only begotten Son Jesus Christ to redeem mankind and the world [system] back to Himself. - 'Galatians 4:4-5 4 But when the fullness of the time was come, God sent forth His Son, made of a woman, made under the law, To redeem them
that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.'
!!!Highly Recommended - Ruth: Chuck Missler Commentaries (Online Audio)
Mr. Missler is the chairman of Koinonia House (K-House), a non-profit organization which is dedicated to the development and distribution of materials for encouraging and facilitating serious study of the Bible as the inerrant Word of God. K-House was founded by Chuck and Nancy Missler, and moved to Coeur d'Alene, Idaho in 1992. K-House now reaches tens of thousands through its monthly newsletter, radio shows, cassette tapes, and conferences. More than eight million study tapes have been distributed in the U.S. and in over 35 countries around the world.
http://www.blueletterbible.org/audio_video/comm_topic.cfm?AuthorID=21&commInfo=53&GroupID=7
KHouse.org: Ruth - The Romance of Redemption by Chuck Missler - (MP3 Download $9.95)
What does this famous love story from the Old Testament have to do with the Feast of Pentecost? What critical element in Messianic genealogy is found in the Book of Ruth?
The law shut out this Gentile Moabitess but grace took her in. Discover God's love for Israel, the Church and yourself through this beautiful love story of redemption. This key book of Bible prophecy highlights the role of the Goel, the kinsman-redeemer. Find out why the Book of Ruth is an essential study to understand the Book of Revelation! This briefing pack comes with: - two mp3 audio files - one notes file in PDF format - total file size equals 55 MB.
http://store.khouse.org/store/catalog/DL055.html
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THE FIRST BOOK OF
===== 1 SAMUEL =====
OTHERWISE CALLED\\THE FIRST BOOK OF THE KINGS
Introduction: The Books of Samuel and Kings enter a new phase in Israel - The anointed Shepherds (Kings) of Israel now oversee the flock of the Nation of Israel - The first three anointed Kings of Israel [Trilogy of Israeli Kings] are actually going to be Biblical types - King Saul (asked for - by the people) is in part a type of Satan - King David (beloved of God) is in part a type of Jesus Christ - King Solomon (peaceable and deceiving) is in part a type of the coming Antichrist
Jesus compares Himself to the Shepherds of Israel: 'John 10:7-18 Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before Me are thieves and robbers [i.e. King Saul - a type of Satan]: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. I am the good shepherd [i.e. King David - a type of Jesus]: the good shepherd giveth His Life for the sheep. But he that is an hireling [i.e. King Solomon - a type of the Antichrist], and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep. The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.' - Note: King David is going to be a King of Israel much like Sampson was a Judge of Israel. King David is also going to fail in many ways and actually David is going to break all or almost all of the 10 Commandments of God. Ultimately in determining the godliness of a person it is based on their trust in the living God and in their relationship with God. King David trusted God completely with his life and as a result he had a devotional and a prayer life dedicated to God that was second to none. [King David wrote most of the Book of Psalms] - Also Note: The Kings of Israel are actual people and as actual people only certain events and aspects of their life have been recorded as examples for us in the Bible in order to help give us a prophetic [Kingdom of God], spiritual and future understanding while we are still in our restricted physical realm. Though King Solomon is in part a Biblical type of the Kingdom of Antichrist, King Solomon was not and is not the Antichrist himself and in fact for much of the start of King Solomon's career he is in some ways a type of Jesus and this is what is intriguing as King Solomon in type morphs from being a type of Jesus Christ into a type of the Antichrist. King Solomon as a real person though is very probably in Heaven however as a real person his entrance into Heaven is based solely on his relationship with God and not on his accomplishments, his titles or even his birthright as King.
bible.org: Introduction to 1 Samuel - One might conclude from reading the Book of Judges that the problem was the absence of a king in Israel: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" [Judges 21:25] - In 1 Samuel, Israel will get her king - Saul, Israel's first king, will be the kind of king the people want, and prove to be the king Israel deserves - David, Israel's second king, will replace Saul - He is God's kind of king, a man after God's heart - While the people and events of 1 Samuel are from long ago and from far away, the struggles these men and women faced are the same as ours today, as we seek to live in a fallen world in a way that is pleasing to God
We are not ready for the Book of 1 Samuel until after we have read the Book of Judges. These days of the judges were dark days for the nation Israel. God had delivered the Israelites from their slavery in Egypt. Due to their unbelief, the first generation of Israelites failed to enter the promisedland. The second generation entered Canaan, and under the leadership of Joshua, did reasonably well. But after the death of Joshua, things began to fall apart. Israel went through repetitive cycles of blessing and discipline, the result of their obedience or rebellion. When Israel disobeyed, God gave the nation over to an oppressive enemy. When the Israelites repented and cried out to God, He sent a "judge" to deliver them. When that judge died, the people of Israel returned to their sin. The cycle seemed to be endless. - One might conclude from reading the Book of Judges that the problem was the absence of a king in Israel: "In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes" (Judges 21:25). In 1 Samuel, Israel will get her king. Saul, Israel's first king, will be the kind of king the people want, and prove to be the king Israel deserves. David, Israel's second king, will replace Saul. He is God's kind of king, a man after God's heart. 1 Samuel tells the story of fascinating people like Hannah and Samuel, like Saul and David. There is never a dull moment in this masterfully well written history. The book closes with the death of Saul, and thus the end of David's flight from the hand of Saul, who seeks to kill him as an enemy. - While the people and events of 1 Samuel are from long ago and from far away, the struggles these men and women faced are the same as ours today, as we seek to live in a fallen world in a way that is pleasing to God. There are many ways in which we can identify with these ancient Israelites, and many lessons we can learn from their successes and failures. As we embark on our study, let us do so with a sense of expectation, praying that God may change us and work in our lives as He did in the lives of these men and women of old. May God use this book to make us men and women after His heart. ~ by Bob Deffinbaugh
http://bible.org/seriespage/introduction-1-samuel
Introduction to First Samuel: First Samuel brings us out of the anarchy and moral decline of the period of the Judges and into the period of Israel's kings - The pivotal character in this transition is the prophet and judge Samuel, who anoints Israel's first two kings, Saul and David. The history of First Samuel unfolds largely through the lives of these three men: a mighty prophet [Samuel], the promising but tragic life of Israel's first king Saul, and his faithful successor [King] David
What follows is initial success marred by repeated fear and disobedience on [King] Saul's part until he finally is removed in judgment and the young godly leader David is established as king. Saul failed God in several ways: 1. His presumption at God's altar (1 Samuel 13:11-13). 2. His cruelty to his son Jonathan (1 Samuel 14:44). 3. His disobedience in the matter of Amalek (1 Samuel 15:23). 4. His jealousy and hatred of David (1 Samuel 18:29). 5. His sinful appeal to the witch of Endor (1 Samuel 28:7). ... Embedded in Saul's tragic story is the story of a brave young soldier in Saul's army. From humble beginnings as a shepherd, David rises to prominence as a warrior and a leader. Despite Saul's jealous attempts to kill him, David survives and thrives, and after years of testing, becomes Israel's king and establishes a new monarchy. Of the tribe of Judah, he will establish a throne upon which eventually one of his descendants, Jesus, will reign as Messiah forever. Though he had his faults, David was "a man after God's own heart" (1 Samuel 13:14) who sought God in prayer and wrote many Psalms we still read today. They endure as examples of a transparently God-absorbed man seeking the Lord amidst the pressures and trials of life. In them and in David's life we can see the reward of a life spent in passionate pursuit of God. ~ by Dr. Jeff Wubbenhorst
http://askdrjeff.blogspot.com/2008/04/introduction-to-first-samuel.html
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1 Samuel 1-2 - The Book of the Prophet Samuel - The establishment of God's Prophets and Kings in the Nation of Israel - '1 Samuel 1:3 And this man [Elkanah and his wife Hannah] went up out of his city [Ramah] yearly to worship and to sacrifice [at the Tabernacle] unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh [the Temple in Jerusalem had not yet been built]. And the two sons of Eli, Hophni and Phinehas, the [Levitical] Priests of the LORD, were there.'
1 Samuel 1:26-2:11 And she [Hannah] said, Oh my lord, as thy soul liveth, my lord [Eli the High Priest], I am the woman that stood by thee here, praying unto the LORD. For this child [Samuel] I prayed; and the LORD hath given me my petition which I asked of Him: Therefore also I have lent him [Samuel] to the LORD; as long as he liveth [consecration, burnt offering vow] he shall be lent to the LORD [the same consecration vow Jephthah made with God Judges 11:31]. And he [Eli] worshipped the LORD there. And Hannah prayed, and said, My heart rejoiceth in the LORD, mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies; because I rejoice in thy salvation. There is none Holy as the LORD: for there is none beside thee: neither is there any rock like our God. Talk no more so exceeding proudly; let not arrogance come out of your mouth: for the LORD is a God of knowledge, and by Him actions are weighed. The bows of the mighty men are broken, and they that stumbled are girded with strength. They that were full have hired out themselves for bread; and they that were hungry ceased: so that the barren hath born seven; and she that hath many children is waxed feeble. The LORD killeth, and maketh alive: He bringeth down to the grave, *and bringeth up. The LORD maketh poor, and maketh rich: He bringeth low, and lifteth up. He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth up the beggar from the dunghill, to set them among princes, and to make them inherit the throne of glory: for the pillars [stabilization] of the earth are the LORD'S, and he hath set the world [stable] upon them. He will keep the feet of His saints, and the wicked shall be silent in darkness; for by strength shall no man prevail. The adversaries of the LORD shall be broken to pieces; out of heaven shall He thunder upon them: the LORD shall judge the ends of the earth; and He shall give strength unto His King (Jesus), and exalt the horn of His anointed. And Elkanah [and Hannah] went to Ramah to his house. And the child [Samuel] did minister unto the LORD before Eli the priest. - Hanna vowed and consecrated her son Samuel to the service of God for his entire life. Samuel is from the tribe of Ephraim not a Levite and is ineligible to serve God as a priest however he does serve God as a Prophet. The three offices of God; Priest, Prophet and King are not allowed to be combined into one human man because they are only combined into one office in Jesus Christ. In coming verses we will see the distinctions of the three Godly offices and also the disastrous results when King Saul who was already counted among the Prophets takes upon himself the office of Priest and performs a sacrifice.
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1 Samuel 3-5 - Hannah receives an answer to her prayer and gives birth to her first son Samuel whom she had promised to dedicate to the service of God - As a small child Samuel is dedicated at the Tabernacle and remains to help minister in the Tabernacle at Shiloh - While a child and ministering in the Tabernacle as he took a nap one day God talked to the little Samuel - God made Samuel a Prophet for the Nation of Israel -- '1 Samuel 3:4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he [Samuel] answered, Here am I.' ... And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.'
'1 Samuel 3:1 And the child Samuel ministered unto the LORD before [in the presence of] Eli [the High Priest].' - A main lesson in the books of Samuel and Kings is the distribution of the three offices of God. The offices of Priest, Prophet and King were to be divided among there Tribes [Priests - Tribe of Levi; Kings - Tribe of Judah] and among the people. The offices of Prophet, Priest and King are only allowed to combine in the one person Jesus Christ. - A Priest could be a prophet though it was unlikely and when God did communicate with the High Priest it was often not as a Prophet but through the Thummim and Urim stones or the stones on His breastplate but usually not speaking directly like to a prophet. Some of the of the Kings were both Prophets and Kings but were not to take on the third office of Priest or particularly High Priest. When King David offered sacrifices to God it was on behalf of the Nation of Israel not on behalf of himself as Saul did. King David was also careful to wear a linen ephod not a gold ephod like the High Priest would wear and certainly King David had the Priests do the actual sacrifices. When King David built an Alter on the site of the future Temple and offered a sacrifice to God [2 Samuel 24:25] it is probable that David had the Priests offer the actual sacrifices [as he had the Priests move the Ark in 2nd Samuel 6:1-18] though King David is a type of Jesus and as the type of a King, Prophet and Priest for Jesus he might have been led by God to offer a sacrifice as well because it was on the correct location of the new Temple Mount and not some random location chosen by David but a place designated by God. - Samuel was ministering to God under Eli in that Samuel was probably not a Levite Priest but he was a firstborn male that was not redeemed but was consecrated to God by his mother Hannah so he was eligible to minister in some capacity with the Levitical Priesthood. [Samuel wore only a linen ephod like King David would later wear.] - Note: Samuel was probably from the Tribe of Ephraim and not of the Priestly Tribe of Levi. If Samuel was of the Tribe of Levi then his mother Hannah would not have had to dedicate him to the service of the Lord because he would already have been dedicated to the service of God through a Levitical heritage. Samuel's father's family is listed as worshipers not Priests. Samuel's father Elkanah has two wives if he was a Levitical Priest he probably could only have one wife and possibly a concubine [Judges 19:1]. - There is an Elkanah and a Samuel listed in 1 Chronicles in the Levitical family line of Kohath the son of Levi however it does not appear to be the same family as listed in 1 Samuel. '1 Samuel 1:1-3 Now there was a certain man of Ramathaim-zophim, of mount Ephraim, and his name was Elkanah [Samuel's father], the son of Jeroham, the son of Elihu, the son of Tohu, the son of Zuph, *an Ephrathite [Tribe of Ephraim]: And he had *two wives; the name of the one was Hannah, and the name of the other Peninnah: and Peninnah had children, but Hannah had no children. And this man went up out of his city yearly to *worship and to sacrifice [as a citizen] unto the LORD of hosts in Shiloh.' - '1 Chronicles 6:22-28 The sons of Kohath [Levitical Priestly line, Kohath was a son of Levi]; Amminadab his son, Korah his son, Assir his son, Elkanah his son, and Ebiasaph his son, and Assir his son, Tahath his son, Uriel his son, Uzziah his son, and Shaul his son. And the sons of Elkanah; Amasai, and Ahimoth. As for Elkanah: the sons of Elkanah; Zophai [Zuph?] his son, and Nahath [Tohu?] his son, Eliab [Elihu?] his son, Jeroham his son, Elkanah his son. And the sons of Samuel; the firstborn Vashni [Joel?], and Abiah.' - Though some of the names are similar and some of the names are the same its possibly not the same family. It seems more likely that these are two different families and that Samuel the Prophet was of the Tribe of Ephraim and he did some ministry to the Lord as a firstborn unredeemed male and that Samuel and two of his sons functioned as Judges in Israel though Samuel officiated in two offices of God it's important to note that he did not serve in the third office or capacity as a King in Israel. It doesn't make a big difference whether or not Samuel was from the Tribe of Levi or not because he was not a King but just keep in mind that Israel had strict procedures and policies that they followed to the letter of the law and Samuel does not match the Levitical Priesthood to the letter but his main office was that of a true Prophet and he does fit that office and serve God to the letter of the law.
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1 Samuel 6-8 - The Philistines are defeating the Children of Israel in battle - The Ark of the Covenant is improperly brought up to the battle in an attempt to encourage the Israelites - The battle is lost and the Philistines capture the Ark of the Covenant - Samuel has grown older and the Children of Israel do not want his sons to continue to be a Judge over them - The Nation of Israel asks for a King to be more like the other nations -- '1 Samuel 8:1-4 Then all the elders of Israel gathered themselves together, and came to Samuel unto Ramah, And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a King to judge us like all the nations.'
1 Samuel 8:6-22 6 But the thing displeased Samuel, when they said, Give us a king to judge us. And Samuel prayed unto the LORD. And the LORD said unto Samuel, Hearken unto the voice of the people in all that they say unto thee: for they have not rejected thee, but they have rejected me, that I should not reign over them. According to all the works which they have done since the day that I brought them up out of Egypt even unto this day, wherewith they have forsaken me, and served other gods, so do they also unto thee. Now therefore hearken unto their voice: howbeit yet protest solemnly unto them, and shew them the [worldly] manner of the king that shall reign over them. And Samuel told all the words of the LORD unto the people that 'asked' [the name Saul means asked for] of him a king. And he said, This will be the manner of the king that shall reign over you: He will take your sons, and appoint them for himself, for his chariots, and to be his horsemen; and some shall run before his chariots. And he will appoint him captains over thousands, and captains over fifties; and will set them to ear his ground, and to reap his harvest, and to make his instruments of war, and instruments of his chariots. And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. And he will take your fields, and your vineyards, and your oliveyards, even the best of them, and give them to his servants. And he will take the tenth of your seed, and of your vineyards, and give to his officers, and to his servants. And he will take your menservants, and your maidservants, and your goodliest young men, and your asses, and put them to his work. He will take the tenth of your sheep: and ye shall be his servants. And ye shall cry out in that day because of your king which ye shall have chosen you; and the LORD will not hear you in that day. Nevertheless the people refused to obey the voice of Samuel; *and they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us; *That we also may be like all the nations; and *that our king may judge us, and *go out before us, and *fight our battles. And Samuel heard all the words of the people, and he rehearsed them in the ears of the LORD. And the LORD said to Samuel, Hearken unto their voice, and make them a king. And Samuel said unto the men of Israel, Go ye every man unto his city. - The Nation of Israel asks Samuel and God for their own King to reign over them and God will grant their request. Note: With the coming human King now leading and reining over Israel it will end an era that began in Egypt when God led them out of Egypt and into the Promise Land of Israel. With God no longer their visible leader it will end the era of the 'Seer' and Samuel will be their first modern 'Prophet' for the Nation of Israel. When Israel had God as their King they had Seers because God was in their midst and could be seen now with a man as their King they return to the era of the Prophets.
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1 Samuel 9-11 - Saul a young man from the Tribe of Benjamin is selected to be the first anointed King over Israel -- '1 Samuel 9:21 And Saul answered and said, Am not I a *Benjamite, of the smallest of the tribes of Israel? and my family the least of all the families of the tribe of Benjamin? *wherefore [why] then speakest thou so to me?' {Saul new that Israel had requested a King from Samuel but Saul also knew that he was from the wrong Tribe in Israel. The Kings for Israel were supposed to come only from the Tribe of Judah [Genesis 49:10] just as the Levitical Priests of Israel are to come only from the Tribe of Levi and the family of Aaron [Exodus 28:1] and Saul is from the Tribe of Benjamin.}
'1 Samuel 10:1 Then Samuel took a vial of oil, and poured it upon [Saul] his head, and kissed him, and said, Is it not because *the LORD hath anointed thee *to be Captain [King] over his *inheritance?' [The inheritance of God is both the Nation of Israel and the Gentiles, Jesus being the firstborn gets the double inheritance (Jews and Gentiles) for His firstborn double portion inheritance.]- Saul has been anointed into one of the offices of God as King and soon Saul will gain his second office of God as a Prophet. Later Saul will disobey God and he will take upon himself a third office of God when Saul himself builds his own alter and offers a burnt offering sacrifice to God, making himself a Priest to God and possibly in this case by building a sacrifice alter accidently making himself a High Priest to God. Saul unknowingly or knowingly in taking on all three offices of God in being a King, Prophet and Priest Saul has declared himself to be the coming Messiah (Christ). The results are that Saul is immediacy rebuked by Samuel and Saul is stripped of his two offices of King and Prophet. - '1 Samuel 10:10-16 And when they came thither to the hill, behold, a company of prophets met him [Saul]; and the Spirit of God came upon him, and he prophesied among them. And it came to pass, when all that knew him beforetime saw that, behold, *he [Saul] prophesied among the prophets, then the people said one to another, What is this that is come unto the son of Kish? Is Saul also among the prophets? And one of the same place answered and said, But who is their father? *Therefore it became a proverb [a well-known saying], Is Saul also among the prophets? And when he had made an end of prophesying, he came to the high place. And Saul's uncle said unto him and to his servant, Whither went ye? And he said, To seek the asses [donkeys]: and when we saw that they were nowhere, we came to Samuel. And Saul's uncle said, Tell me, I pray thee, what Samuel said unto you. And Saul said unto his uncle, He told us plainly that the asses were found. *But of the matter of the Kingdom, whereof Samuel spake, he told him not.'
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1 Samuel 12-14 - Saul is anointed as King though not everyone accepted him as their King until Saul was able to provide a great victory [expanding his Kingdom] at the hands of God for the Nation -- '1 Samuel 11:14-15 Then said Samuel to the people [after the victory], Come, and let us go to Gilgal, and renew the kingdom [of Saul] there. And all the people went to Gilgal; and there they made Saul king before the LORD in Gilgal; and there they sacrificed sacrifices of peace offerings before the LORD; and there Saul and all the men of Israel rejoiced greatly.' {Saul though anointed and appointed King over Israel does not become a King in the eyes of the people until he delivers a great victory over their enemies. The King needing a great victory is similar to the High Priest needing to enter successfully into the Holy of Holies inner room with the Atonement blood and return alive to show that he is indeed chosen and acceptable to God and likewise the Prophet can prophecy however until his prophecies come to pass and are shown to be true the people will not accept him as a prophet appointed from God.}
'1 Samuel 13:9-14 And Saul said, Bring hither a burnt offering to me, and peace offerings. And he offered the burnt offering. And it came to pass, that as soon as he had made an end of offering the burnt offering, behold, Samuel came; and Saul went out to meet him, that he might salute him. And Samuel said, What hast thou done? ... I forced myself therefore, and offered a burnt offering. And Samuel said to Saul, Thou hast done foolishly: thou hast not kept the commandment of the LORD thy God, which he commanded thee: for now would the LORD have established thy kingdom upon Israel forever. But now thy kingdom shall not continue: *the LORD hath sought him a man after his own [spiritual] heart, and the LORD hath commanded him [David] to be captain over his people, because thou hast not kept that which the LORD commanded thee.' - Saul's Kingdom is a purely physical kingdom and not the spiritual Kingdom that God had in mind with Judah. - Saul had a personal issue in that he knew that in being from the Tribe of Benjamin and not from the Tribe of Judah that he was from the wrong Tribe in Israel to be the permanent King of Israel. Saul suspected that his kingdom reign was only temporary until God could raise up a King from the Tribe of Judah. Saul was partially correct when Judah unknowingly slept with his daughter-in-law it was an act of a curse [Deuteronomy 23:2] that kept his family from being King over Israel for 10 generations. Jesse the father of King David was the tenth generation and his sons were among the first of the Tribe of Judah to be eligible to serve as King of Israel without the curse. David was of the eleventh generation from Judah and he was also the eight son of Jesse, David was a new type of leader not the physical leaders as his seven brothers were and as Saul was but King David was a Spiritual King of Israel, the King that God had intended to shepherd His inheritance Israel. Saul suspected that his kingdom was only temporary and it was Saul's desire to gain, seize, build and hold his physical Kingdom over Israel at any cost and his irrational intentions cost him his kingdom. The main point about Saul is that he had a suspension that his kingdom would end however Saul never one time asked God what God's intentions were in having a Benjamite King over Israel. Saul just went with his opportunity from God and then tried to take from God the kingdom that Saul wanted. After wrongly sacrificing and losing his kingdom Samuel told Saul that God would have given him and his family a kingdom over Israel forever has Saul obeyed God. Saul could have been a physical King over Israel and in two generations after Solomon the Nation of Israel split into two Nations and had two Kings anyhow but Saul sought to establish his kingdom his way among God's people and therefore Saul came to a ruinous end and Saul is one of the main Biblical examples of the personality, attributes and actions of Satan.
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1 Samuel 15-16 - Saul is removed in principal from being in authority over God's people - Saul begins to make rash decisions as he picks and chooses the institutes of God that he wants to follow and interprets the few instructions of God according to his own desires at that moment - In effect Saul has exalted himself to the point where his commands are now equal to and even superior to God's words and God's intentions - '1 Samuel 14:37 And [after Saul already made his decision] Saul [then] asked counsel of God, Shall I go down after the Philistines? wilt thou deliver them into the hand of Israel? But He (God) answered him (Saul) not that day.' {Saul blamed everyone including his son Jonathan for God not responding to him but Saul never even presumed for one second that he was actually at fault and the reason that God was silent towards him was because of his own sins.}
Samuel anoints David as the new [spiritual] King of Israel: '1 Samuel 16:1-14 And the LORD said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite [Tribe of Judah]: for I have provided me a King among his sons. And Samuel said, How can I go? if Saul hear it, he will kill me. And the LORD said, Take an heifer with thee, and say, I am come to sacrifice to the LORD. And call Jesse to the sacrifice, and I will shew thee what thou shalt do: and thou shalt anoint unto me him whom I name unto thee. And Samuel did that which the LORD spake, and came to Bethlehem. And the elders of the town trembled at his coming, and said, Comest thou peaceably? And he said, Peaceably: I am come to sacrifice unto the LORD: sanctify yourselves, and come with me to the sacrifice. And he sanctified Jesse and his sons, and called them to the sacrifice. And it came to pass, when they were come, that he [physically] looked on Eliab, and said, Surely the LORD'S anointed is before him. But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his [physical] countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: *for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, *but the LORD looketh on the heart. Then Jesse called Abinadab, and made him pass before Samuel. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Then Jesse made Shammah to pass by. And he said, Neither hath the LORD chosen this. Again, Jesse made 'seven' of his sons to pass before Samuel. *And Samuel said unto Jesse, The LORD hath not chosen these. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Are here all thy children? And he said, There remaineth yet the youngest [eight son, spiritual son], and, behold, he keepeth the sheep. And Samuel said unto Jesse, Send and fetch him: for we will not sit down till he come hither. And he sent, and brought him in. Now he was ruddy, and withal of a beautiful countenance, and goodly to look to. And the LORD said, Arise, anoint him: for this is he. Then Samuel took the horn of oil, and anointed him in the midst of his [seven] brethren: and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel rose up, and went to Ramah. But the Spirit of the LORD departed from Saul, and an evil spirit from the LORD troubled him.' - Now at the appointed time after the ten generation curse from Judah and Tamar has passed David of the Tribe of Judah and of the eleventh generation is anointed to be King over all of Israel and to establish the throne of Judah that will eventually seat the Messiah Jesus Christ. Note: King David will later find out that the Messiah is to come as a descendant of his and therefore Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea [the same hometown of King David] to the house and Tribe of Judah.
Reigning in Life Series - King David Part 1 of 2 [page 7] (Mp3s)
Brief Sermon Overview: Using Romans 5:17 as the foundation verse. "For if by the trespass of the one man, death reigned through that one man, how much more will those who receive God's abundant provision of grace and of the gift of righteousness, reign in life through the one man Jesus Christ.' Pastor Kevin Gould applies this verse to the lives of the Godly Kings of Israel and examines them, in order to find out what we can learn and so fulfill the wonderful promise of Romans 5:17 for ourselves. The series starts with King David and in this first message, the passage in 1 Chronicles 28 is used, to show how David looks back on his life and testifies to God's faithfulness in choosing him.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?SpeakerOnly=true&currSection=sermonsspeaker&Keyword=Kevin^Gould
Is it the Palace of King David? - Of all the personalities in the Bible, have you ever wondered whose name other than Jesus is mentioned most often? - King David - His name is found both in the very first verse of the New Testament (Matt 1:1), and at the end of the Bible, in the very last chapter of the Book of Revelation 22:16 (Photos)
King David brought God's tabernacle from the wilderness to its final home in Jerusalem. He expanded the city, which showed very little growth in the thousand years prior to his arrival, and made it the spiritual and economic capital of the world of his time. The book of 2 Samuel 5:9 states that, after he conquered Jerusalem, King David made it his capital. "David then took up residence in the fortress and called it the City of David. He built up the area around it, from the supporting terraces inward." (NIV) At the same time, the Phoenician King Hiram of Tyre offered to build him a palace fit for an emperor. 2 Samuel 5:11, 1 Chronicles 14:1. ... It was in this same palace that, "David got up from his bed and walked around on the roof of the palace. From the roof he saw a woman bathing. The woman was very beautiful... [and her name was] Bathsheba..." 2 Samuel 11:2, (NIV) "For decades," says Leon, "and despite much effort by scholars and archaeologists, the location of King David 's palace has remained a mystery." ... Later, as the Bible records, King Solomon built his own palace, known as the "upper king's house" (Nehemiah 3:25) which was located farther to the north and closer to the site of the Temple. However, King David's palace, now referred to as the "lower king's house," continued to serve the kings of Israel and Judea for many generations to follow. "There is no question that King David's palace was a magnificent and impressive structure," says Leon. "But much more of his home remains buried under generations of rubble." "Only by continuing to excavate will we be able to truly understand the extent and grandeur of King David's royal house," says Dr. Mazar. "After all," added the archaeologist, "finding his royal residence opens a new window of understanding into the life of a man who has affected the world more than any other king in the history of mankind."
http://www.leaderu.com/theology/palacedavid.html
Aish.com: The world of archeology is rocked by evidence of King David's palace unearthed in Jerusalem - Dr. Eilat Mazar, world authority on Jerusalem's past, has taken King David out of the pages of the Bible and put him back into living history - Some biblical scholars gave up looking for the palace because, according to Mazar, they were looking in the wrong place - But Mazar always suspected that the palace was outside the original city, and cites the Bible to prove it - The Bible says that David heard about it and "descended to the fortress," (2-Samuel 5:17), implying that he went down from his palace, which was higher up on the mountain than the citadel/city
Mazar's latest excavation in the City of David, in the southern shadow of the Temple Mount, has shaken up the archaeological world. For lying undisturbed for over 3,000 years is a massive building which Mazar believes is King David's palace. For Mazar, 48, one of the world's leading authorities on the archaeology of ancient Jerusalem and head archaeologist of the Shalem Center Institute of Archaeology, the discovery was the culmination of years of effort and solid speculation. From the time she was a teenager, she had her nose in archaeology literature, and worked closely with her grandfather, renowned archaeologist Benjamin Mazar, who conducted the southern wall excavations next to the Western Wall. She holds a doctorate in archaeology from Hebrew University, is author of The Complete Guide to the Temple Mount Excavations, and in the 1970s and '80s worked on the digs supervised by Yigal Shilo in the City of David. The significant discoveries made then, including a huge wall called the "stepped-stone structure" -- which Shilo believed was a retaining wall for David's royal palace or part of the Jebusite fortress he conquered -- ignited Mazar to continue to look for the prize: David's palace itself. Some biblical scholars gave up looking for the palace because, according to Mazar, they were looking in the wrong place. Scholars searched for remains of the palace within the walls of the ancient Jebusite city that David conquered and called Ir David (City of David). This city, while heavily fortified with both natural and man-made boundaries, was also very small, just nine acres in size. When no evidence of such a majestic palace as the Bible describes was found there, the next step was to claim that David's monarchy never really existed. But Mazar always suspected that the palace was outside the original city, and cites the Bible to prove it. When the Philistines heard that David had been anointed, they went on the attack to apprehend him. This occurred after he conquered the Fortress of Zion, which was the actual nucleus of the city, and built his palace. The Bible says that David heard about it and "descended to the fortress," (2-Samuel 5:17), implying that he went down from his palace, which was higher up on the mountain than the citadel/city. Mazar told Aish.com: "I always asked myself: Down from where? It must have been from his palace on top of the hill, outside the original Jebusite city." Mazar says she was confident in her assessment of where the palace would be. What she discovered was a section of massive wall running about 100 feet from west to east along the length of the excavation (underneath what until this summer was the Ir David Visitors Center), and ending with a right-angle corner that turns south and implies a very large building.
http://www.aish.com/jw/j/48961251.html
King David of Israel a docudrama series [in production] - The first episodes focus on David's life as a young boy taking care of his father's sheep - We witness the powers God bestows upon him via Samuel - We see David's victories like his slaying of a lion and at age sixteen and his downing of Goliath in combat - The series ends with the words of Jesus: "I am the Root of David, the Bright Morning Star. ... Behold, I am coming soon" (Revelation 22:16-21)
The story begins with God commanding the prophet Samuel to seek out David, the son of Jesse. Once found, David is anointed by God through Samuel to be the future King of Israel. From here the episodes follow David's genealogy and his difficult journey to the Kingship of Israel, which ultimately leads to his most famous descendants, Mary, Joseph and Jesus Christ. David's faults are revealed: his infidelity with Bathsheba, his responsibility in the death of her husband, for which he repents later and humbles himself before God. His son, Amnon, goes unpunished for raping his stepsister. David's other son, Absalom, receives a mild punishment of a two year banishment for the avenge-murder of his half-brother Amnon. ... God's word comes to David through Nathan the prophet, for the punishment for his sin. David repents his sin. He and Bathsheba lose their firstborn son. When she gives birth to her second son, Solomon, God sends Nathan to David again, saying that Solomon would be the next heir to the throne of Israel. ... Adonijah is the fourth son of David and heir-apparent to the throne. But, Bathsheba preferred Solomon, the younger brother as the heir. As David lay dying Adonijah proclaims himself king. But the prophet Nathan and Bathsheba induced David to give orders that Solomon should at once be proclaimed and admitted to the throne. Adonijah fled and later received pardon for his conduct from Solomon. Shortly afterwards Adonijah made a second attempt to gain the throne, but was seized and put to death. [King Solomon inherits his father's throne] ... The last Episode focuses on the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The series ends with the words of Jesus: "I am the Root of David, the Bright Morning Star. Behold, I am coming soon".
http://www.adventurefilmproductionscanada.com/kingdavid.htm
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1 Samuel 17-18 - A young David answers Goliath's challenge and defeats the Philistine Giant who was covered head to toe with brass [sin] in a winner take all battle - The Philistines rather than live up to their side of Goliath's winner take all wager they fled - David and Saul's son Jonathan become friends - David marries Saul's daughter Michal - Saul becomes even more jealous of David and tries repeatedly to kill him -- '1 Samuel 18:5 And David went out whithersoever Saul sent him, *and behaved himself wisely: and Saul set him over the men of war, and he was accepted in the sight of all the people, and also in the sight of Saul's servants.'
'1 Samuel 18:1-4 And it came to pass, when he had made an end of speaking unto Saul, that the soul of Jonathan was knit with the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day, and would let him go no more home to his father's house. Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was upon him, and gave it to David, and his garments, even to his sword, and to his bow, and to his girdle.' - Jonathan the oldest son of King Saul is one of the great men of God in the Bible. King Saul wanted his son Jonathan to fight against David in an attempt to continue the family royal dynasty a dynasty that was already declared ended by God. Jonathan didn't quite understand his future role in the plans of God however Jonathan respected God enough to defer his life and his royal status as prince to the desires and wishes of God even over his own father's desires and ambitions to the point that Jonathan befriended David and helped him along in his young career and life.
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1 Samuel 19-21 - The crisis around King Saul with his desire to kill to maintain his fragile kingdom status has gotten to the point where David has to flee -- '1 Samuel 20:41-42 And as soon as the lad was gone, David arose out of a place toward the south, and fell on his face to the ground, and bowed himself three times: and they [brotherly] kissed one another, and wept one with another, until David exceeded. And Jonathan said to David, Go in peace, forasmuch as we have sworn both of us in the name of the LORD, saying, The LORD be between me and thee, and between my seed and thy seed for ever. And he arose and departed: and Jonathan went into the city.'
David flees from King Saul going all the way to enemy territory in Gath: Once in Gath David feels it necessary to pretend to be insane in order to preserve his life - '1 Samuel 21:10 And David arose, and fled that day for fear of Saul, and went to Achish the king of Gath. And the servants of Achish said unto him, Is not this David the king of the land? did they not sing one to another of him in dances, saying, Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands? And David laid up these words in his heart, and was sore afraid of Achish the king of Gath. And he changed his behavior before them, and feigned himself mad in their hands, and scrabbled on the doors of the gate, and let his spittle fall down upon his beard. Then said Achish unto his servants, Lo, ye see the man is mad: wherefore then have ye brought him to me? Have I need of mad men, that ye have brought this fellow to play the mad man in my presence? shall this fellow come into my house?' - Departing the congregation and going among nonbelievers for protection as David did is a picture of backsliding and our backsliding is a picture of insanity among the people of the world as they wonder why an heir to the throne, a future King in Israel would leave his people and act so ridiculously among the unsaved.
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1 Samuel 22-24 - David continues to flee from the wrath of Saul - David locates Saul asleep in a cave yet David spared his life because Saul at one time had been anointed by God -- '1 Samuel 24:15-17 The LORD therefore be judge, and judge between me [David] and thee [Saul], and see, and plead my cause, and deliver me out of thine hand. And it came to pass, when David had made an end of speaking these words unto Saul, that Saul said, Is this thy voice, my son David? And Saul lifted up his voice, and wept. *And he said to David, Thou art more righteous than I: for thou hast rewarded me good, whereas I have rewarded thee evil.'
King Saul as a full type of Satan commands the murder of the Priests of God: '1 Samuel 22:13-21 And Saul said unto him, Why have ye conspired against me, thou and the son of Jesse, in that thou hast given him bread, and a sword, and hast enquired of God for him, that he should rise against me, to lie in wait, as at this day? Then Ahimelech answered the king, and said, And who is so faithful among all thy servants as David, which is the king's son in law, and goeth at thy bidding, and is honourable in thine house? Did I then begin to enquire of God for him? be it far from me: let not the king impute anything unto his servant, nor to all the house of my father: for thy servant knew nothing of all this, less or more. *And the king [Saul] said, Thou shalt surely die, Ahimelech, thou, and all thy father's house. And the king said unto the footmen that stood about him, *Turn, and slay the priests of the LORD; because their hand also is with David, and because they knew when he fled, and did not shew it to me. *But the servants of the king would not put forth their hand to fall upon the priests of the LORD. And the king said to Doeg, Turn thou, and fall upon the priests. And Doeg the Edomite turned, and he fell upon the priests, and slew on that day fourscore and five persons that did wear a linen ephod. And Nob, the city of the priests, smote he with the edge of the sword, both men and women, children and sucklings, and oxen, and asses, and sheep, with the edge of the sword. And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David. And Abiathar shewed David that Saul had slain the LORD'S priests.' - King Saul in complete, open and irrational defiance of God and of everything that is good, decent and honest commanded the murder of 85 innocent, peaceful men of God and the death of all the women and children that accompanied them. The men of God put up no resistance to Saul and his evil servant Doeg and Saul no doubt considered it a valiant and justified action and possible assured himself that he was blessed by God to have such a victory over a band of innocent, helpless Priests of God.
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1 Samuel 25-26 - The great Samuel the Prophet dies - After Samuel's death David begins more and more to take events into his own hands and more often in a violent way - A Jewish woman named Abigail met and ministered to David assuring him and reminded him that God's plans towards David were for good and not for evil and that David as a servant and man of God was better than the conduct he was displaying -- '1 Samuel 25:32 And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand.'
Abigail a Jewish woman says the "sinner's prayer" and David as a type of Jesus Christ takes her to be his wife: '1 Samuel 25:12-44 So David's young men turned their way, and went again, and came and told him all those sayings. And David said unto his men, Gird ye on every man his sword. And they girded on every man his sword; and David also girded on his sword: and there went up after David about four hundred men; and two hundred abode by the stuff. But one of the young men told Abigail, Nabal's wife, saying, Behold, David sent messengers out of the wilderness to salute our master; and he railed on them. But the men were very good unto us, and we were not hurt, neither missed we anything, as long as we were conversant with them, when we were in the fields: They were a wall unto us both by night and day, all the while we were with them keeping the sheep. Now therefore know and consider what thou wilt do; for evil is determined against our master, and against all his household: for he is such a son of Belial, that a man cannot speak to him. Then Abigail made haste, and took two hundred loaves, and two bottles of wine, and five sheep ready dressed, and five measures of parched corn, and an hundred clusters of raisins, and two hundred cakes of figs, and laid them on asses. And she said unto her servants, Go on before me; behold, I come after you. But she told not her husband Nabal. And it was so, as she rode on the ass, that she came down by the covert of the hill, and, behold, David and his men came down against her; and she met them. Now David had said, Surely in vain have I kept all that this fellow hath in the wilderness, so that nothing was missed of all that pertained unto him: and he hath requited me evil for good. So and more also do God unto the enemies of David, if I leave of all that pertain to him by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. And when Abigail saw David, she hasted, and lighted off the ass, *and fell before David on her face, and bowed herself to the ground, And fell at his feet, and said, Upon me, my lord, upon me let this iniquity be: and let thine handmaid, *I pray thee, speak in thine audience, and hear the words of thine handmaid. Let not my lord, I pray thee, regard this man of Belial [demons], even Nabal [foolish]: for as his name is, so is he; Nabal is his name, and folly is with him: but I thine handmaid saw not the young men of my lord, whom thou didst send. *Now therefore, my lord, as the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, seeing the LORD hath withholden thee from coming to shed blood, and from avenging thyself with thine own hand, now let thine enemies, and they that seek evil to my lord, be as Nabal. And now this blessing which thine handmaid hath brought unto my lord, let it even be given unto the young men that follow my lord. *I pray thee, forgive the trespass of thine handmaid: for the LORD will certainly make my lord a sure house; because my lord fighteth the battles of the LORD, and evil hath not been found in thee all thy days. Yet a man is risen to pursue thee, and to seek thy soul: but the soul of my lord shall be bound in the bundle of life with the LORD thy God; and the souls of thine enemies, them shall he sling out, as out of the middle of a sling. And it shall come to pass, when the LORD shall have done to my lord according to all the good that he hath spoken concerning thee, and shall have appointed thee ruler over Israel; That this shall be no grief unto thee, nor offence of heart unto my lord, either that thou hast shed blood causeless, or that my lord hath avenged himself: but when the LORD shall have dealt well with my lord, then remember thine handmaid. And David said to Abigail, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which sent thee this day to meet me: And blessed be thy advice, and blessed be thou, which hast kept me this day from coming to shed blood, and from avenging myself with mine own hand. For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. *So David received of her hand that which she had brought him, and said unto her, Go up in peace to thine house; see, I have hearkened to thy voice, and have accepted thy person. And Abigail came to Nabal; and, behold, he held a feast in his house, like the feast of a king; and Nabal's heart was merry within him, for he was very drunken: wherefore she told him nothing, less or more, until the morning light. But it came to pass in the morning, when the wine was gone out of Nabal, and his wife had told him these things, that his heart died within him, and he became as a stone. And it came to pass about ten days after, that the LORD smote Nabal, that he died. And when David heard that Nabal was dead, he said, Blessed be the LORD, that hath pleaded the cause of my reproach from the hand of Nabal, and hath kept his servant from evil: for the LORD hath returned the wickedness of Nabal upon his own head. *And David sent and communed with Abigail, to take her to him to wife. And when the servants of David were come to Abigail to Carmel, they spake unto her, saying, David sent us unto thee to take thee to him to wife. *And she arose, and bowed herself on her face to the earth, and said, Behold, let thine handmaid be a servant to wash the feet of the servants of my lord. And Abigail hasted, and arose, and rode upon an ass, with five damsels [five wise virgins of Matthew 25:1-13] of hers that went after her; and she went after the messengers of David, and became his wife. David [as a type of Christ] also took Ahinoam of Jezreel; and they were also both of them his wives. But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David's wife, to [another man] Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim.' - The name Nabal means 'foolish' and as Abigail is married to Nabal he is considered to be a type of the old self, the world or even a type of Satan that she is married to and desperately seeking to escape from and to salvage what is left of her precious valuable life. In God's servant David (beloved) a type of Jesus Christ Abigail seeks his forgiveness and begins her new life as she is accepted by him and becomes another bride of the true King.
Lessons from the Story of Abigail - Parts 1 and 2 (Mp3s)
Brief Sermon Overview: This is part 1 of 2 concerning the story of David, Nabal, & Abigail. Six practical lessons are observed. Nine more in Part 2.
http://www.sermonaudio.com/search.asp?sourceonly=true&currSection=sermonssource&keyword=trbc&keywordDesc=&subsetcat=bible&subsetitem=1+Samuel
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1 Samuel 27-29 - In the darkest hours before the dawn of David's eventual kingdom reign - David went back to enemy territory and so completely joined the enemy that he very nearly disqualified himself from being King over Israel - Had God not intervened and kept David from going to war against Israel then David would have invalidated his presence on the throne of Israel -- '1 Samuel 29:6-15 Then Achish [king of Gath] called David, and said unto him, Surely, as the LORD liveth, thou hast been upright, and thy going out and thy coming in with me [an enemy of Israel] in the host is good in my sight: for I have not found evil in thee since the day of thy coming unto me unto this day: nevertheless the lords [Philistine kings] favour thee not. Wherefore now return, and go in peace [back to Gath], that thou displease not the lords of the Philistines. And David said unto Achish, But what have I done? and what hast thou found in thy servant so long as I have been with thee unto this day, *that I may not go fight against the [Israelis] enemies of my lord [Achish] the king? And Achish answered and said to David, I know that thou art good in my sight, as an angel of God: *notwithstanding {saved from his ultimate stupidity by God} the princes of the Philistines have said, He shall not go up with us to the battle [against Israel]. Wherefore now rise up early in the morning with thy master's servants that are come with thee: and as soon as ye be up early in the morning, and have light, depart. So David and his men rose up early to depart in the morning, to return into the land of the Philistines. And the Philistines went up to Jezreel [to fight Israel].'
Saul seeks a Witch in Endor to communicate with the departed Prophet Samuel: '1 Samuel 28:4-20 And the Philistines gathered themselves together, and came and pitched in Shunem: and Saul gathered all Israel together, and they pitched in Gilboa. And when Saul saw the host of the Philistines, he was afraid, and his heart greatly trembled. *And when Saul enquired of the LORD, the LORD answered him not [Saul had killed 85 Preists], neither by dreams nor by Urim, nor by prophets. Then said Saul unto his servants, Seek me a woman that hath a familiar spirit, that I may go to her, and enquire of her. And his servants said to him, Behold, there is a woman that hath a familiar spirit at Endor. And Saul disguised himself, and put on other raiment, and he went, and two men with him, *and they came to the woman by night: and he said, I pray thee, divine unto me by the familiar spirit, and bring me him [Samuel the prophet] up [from the grave], whom I shall name unto thee. And the woman said unto him, Behold, thou knowest what Saul hath done, how he hath cut off those that have familiar spirits, and the wizards, out of the land {not because Saul was good but because evil destroys everything even other evil}: wherefore then layest thou a snare for my life, to cause me to die? And Saul sware to her by the LORD, saying, As the LORD liveth, there shall no punishment happen to thee for this thing. Then said the woman, Whom shall I bring up unto thee? And he said, Bring me up Samuel. And when the woman saw Samuel [God temporarily returned the actual Samuel from Paradise], she cried with a loud voice: and the woman spake to Saul, saying, Why hast thou deceived me? for thou art Saul. And the king said unto her, Be not afraid: for what sawest thou? And the woman said unto Saul, I saw gods {spirit beings?} ascending out of the earth. And he said unto her, What form is he of? And she said, An old man cometh up {in appearance so she could recognize him as Samuel}; and he is covered with a mantle [of a Prophet - Samuel is about to Prophesy from the grave]. *And Saul perceived [without seeing Samuel] that it was Samuel, and he stooped with his face to the ground, and bowed himself. *And Samuel said [spoke audibly] to Saul, Why hast thou disquieted me, to bring me up? And Saul answered, I am sore distressed; for the Philistines make war against me, and God is departed from me, and answereth me no more, neither by prophets, nor by dreams: therefore I have called thee, that thou mayest make known unto me what I shall do. *Then said Samuel, Wherefore then dost thou ask of me, seeing the LORD is departed from thee, and is become thine enemy? And the LORD hath done to him, as he spake by me: for the LORD hath rent the kingdom out of thine hand, and given it to thy neighbour, even to David: Because thou obeyedst not the voice of the LORD, nor executedst his fierce wrath upon Amalek, therefore hath the LORD done this thing unto thee this day. [Samuel gives his Prophecy] Moreover the LORD will also deliver Israel with thee into the hand of the Philistines: and tomorrow [the next day] shalt thou and thy sons be with me [in the afterlife, whether Saul is saved or unsaved is unknown]: the LORD also shall deliver the host [army] of Israel into the hand of the Philistines. Then Saul fell straightway all along on the earth, and was sore afraid, because of the words of Samuel: and there was no strength in him; for he had eaten no bread all the day, nor all the night.' - God showing that He has complete authority in communicating with mankind and that He has complete ability over life and death He brings Samuel himself up from the grave to confront the requests of Saul. God would not talk to Saul and to show that it was not an oversight God sent Samuel from the afterlife to confront Saul and to show that there would be no mistake that it was the real Samuel God then had Samuel prophesy of the next day's events. The Witch of Endor knew immediately that she had seen the real spirit realm and Saul knowing well the voice of Samuel also knew he was in contact with the real afterlife realm something that seldom happens because God has fixed a separation between the two realms and they not to be crossed [Luke 16:26] in an individual status but God allows it in a Biblical proportion [knowledge for everyone] status i.e. Saul and later in the events of Revelation with the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11:3-12 who have also returned from the afterlife as Samuel did briefly to confront Saul.
The Witch of Endor, a Familiar Spirit, and the State of the Dead - When discussing the state of the dead, that the dead are really dead and not in heaven, hell, or purgatory, the case of the Witch of Endor may be presented as proof that people don't really die, that they continue in some conscious state even after death. So let's examine what happened regarding King Saul and the Witch of Endor
Note that Saul did not actually see anything himself, he had to ask the witch who is was that she saw. So based on what the witch said, Saul presumed it was Samuel who he was communicating with, that Samuel had been summoned from the grave to speak with him, since the witch said she could see Samuel coming up from out of the earth not down from heaven [Note: There was no access to heaven for humans before the cross of Jesus Christ so Samuel could only come up from Paradise not down from heaven]. King Saul was putting his trust completely in a spirit medium, a witch, a necromancer, against the expressed will of God. So the following conversation was not between Saul and Samuel, but between Saul and a witch with a familiar demonic spirit: ... Conclusion: King Saul was looking for help from the witch of Endor, to contact someone in the grave, a dead Samuel, so that he could know from God how he could gain a victory over the Philistines. But God was not talking to Saul any more. By knowing what the Bible teaches about the state of the dead, and the circumstances regarding Saul's relationship with God at the time, we can be quite certain that it was not actually Samuel raised from the dead speaking to him, but a fallen angel, a demonic spirit. That Saul even attempted this séance with a spirit medium witch was an abomination, a further rebellion against God, and Saul paid for his rebellion with his life. {Note: By all Biblical accounts it was the real Samuel who returned briefly in spirit form from the afterlife in Paradise to rebuke Saul and to give a last accurate Prophecy concerning the unlikely events of the next day the last day of Saul's life and the beginning of the prophesied and planned Kingdom of King David. - Also Note: The Bible is about the spiritual realm to the point that all of our accurate understanding and insight into the afterlife and into the spiritual realm is delivered to us only through the pages of the Holy Bible.}
http://biblelight.net/witch_of_endor.htm
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1 Samuel 30-31 - David and his men return from their treason with the Philistines to find that in their absence their families have been conquered and taken off into captivity by the Amlalekites - David repents and at this point goes all in with his life for God on God's side and for Israel the people of God -- '1 Samuel 30:4-8 Then David and the people [men of his army] that were with him lifted up their voice and wept, until they had no more power to weep. ... David encouraged himself in the LORD his God. ... And David enquired at the LORD, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And He (God) answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all.'
Saul's prophesied death occurs: '1 Samuel 31:1-6 Now the Philistines fought against Israel: and the men of Israel fled from before the Philistines, and fell down slain in mount Gilboa. And the Philistines followed hard upon Saul and upon his sons; and the Philistines slew Jonathan, and Abinadab, and Melchi-shua, Saul's sons. And the battle went sore against Saul, and the archers hit him; and he was sore wounded of the archers. Then said Saul unto his armourbearer, Draw thy sword, and thrust me through therewith; lest these uncircumcised come and thrust me through, and abuse me. But his armourbearer would not; for he was sore afraid. Therefore Saul took a sword, and fell upon it. And when his armourbearer saw that Saul was dead, he fell likewise upon his sword, and died with him. So Saul died, and his three sons, and his armourbearer, and all his men, that same day together.' - '*2 Samuel 1:5-10 And David said unto the young [Amalekite] man that told him, How knowest thou that Saul and Jonathan his son be dead? And the young man that told him said, As I happened by chance {he was probably looting the battlefield} upon mount Gilboa, behold, Saul leaned upon his spear; and, lo, the chariots and horsemen followed hard after him. And when he looked behind him, he [Saul] saw me, and called unto me. And I answered, Here am I. And he said unto me, Who art thou? And I answered him, I am an Amalekite. And he said unto me again, Stand, I pray thee, upon me, and slay me: for anguish is come upon me, because my life is yet whole in me. So I stood upon him, and slew him, because I was sure that he could not live after that he was fallen: and I took the crown that was upon his head, and the bracelet that was on his arm, and have brought them hither unto my lord [David].' - '1 Samuel 31:8-13 And it came to pass on the morrow, when the Philistines came to strip the slain, that they found Saul and his three sons fallen in mount Gilboa. And they cut off his head, and stripped off his armour, and sent into the land of the Philistines round about, to publish it in the house of their idols, and among the people. And they put his armour in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Beth-shan. And when the inhabitants of Jabesh-gilead heard of that which the Philistines had done to Saul; All the valiant men arose, and went all night, and took the body of Saul and the bodies of his sons from the wall of Beth-shan, and came to Jabesh, and burnt them there. And they took their bones, and buried them under a tree at Jabesh, and fasted seven days.' - Even after multiple battle wounds and falling on his own sword and appearing to be dead to those around him but Saul being full of demons did not immediately die. It was not until after Saul was attacked again by an Amalekite [2 Samuel 1:8] and possibly even only ultimately after being beheaded by the Philistines that it was confirmed that Saul was dead. At this point in Saul's life having disobeyed God on numerous occasions and then ordering the murder of the innocent Priests of God and God having completely removed His protection from Saul, Saul was clearly demon possessed and being demon possessed the demons do not readily want to give up the body they inhabit and as in Saul's case he was demonically driven in life and probably demonically driven for a short time after his death at least for a few hours and into the next day after his life.
NationalGeographic.com: Blackbeard Pirate Terror at Sea - Merchant crews often surrendered without a fight the moment they saw Blackbeard's flag - BLACKBEARD WAS BRITISH, probably born before 1690 his real name was thought to be Edward Teach - As Teach's power and reputation as the most frightening of pirates grew, so did his beard and hair - Now calling himself Blackbeard, he braided his beard and tied the braids with black ribbons - He stuffed burning rope under his hat to make himself look more ferocious and menacing he scared everyone
In the fall of 1718 Blackbeard returned from sea to his favorite hideaway off Ocracoke Island [North Carolina]. He hosted a huge, wild pirate get-together with dancing, drinking, and bonfires. Other famous pirates sailed in for the days-long event. News of the pirate bash reached Alexander Spotswood, the governor of Virginia. He decided that the time had come to stop Blackbeard once and for all. He spent the next several weeks planning Blackbeard's capture. SPOTSWOOD SENT TWO SLOOPS, small swift ships, commanded by Lieutenant Robert Maynard of the Royal Navy to Ocracoke. Seeing the navy's sails, Blackbeard and his pirates knew they were trapped. Only sandbars lay between them and the navy. By morning, the tide would rise, the sloops would glide over the submerged sandbars, and the attack on the pirate ship would begin. All through the night Maynard's men prepared for the next day's fighting. Muffled laughter and swearing from the pirate ship echoed across the water. Blackbeard didn't seem worried about the upcoming battle. His pirates, however, were nervous. They stockpiled ammunition on deck and soaked blankets in water in preparation for putting out fires. They spread sand on the decks to soak up blood once the fighting started. Thinking it likely they would all die, one pirate asked Blackbeard whether Blackbeard's wife knew where he had buried his treasure. Blackbeard bellowed that nobody but he "...and the devil knew where it was, and the longest liver shall take it." ... Pistol in one hand, cutlass in the other, Blackbeard came face-to-face with Maynard. They both fired pistols. Blackbeard missed. Maynard hit his mark. Shot, Blackbeard still managed to swing his cutlass and snap off Maynard's sword blade. Maynard drew back. Blackbeard raised his arm for a finishing blow. Just in time, a navy seaman came up from behind Blackbeard and slashed his throat. AS A WARNING TO OTHER PIRATES, Blackbeard's head was cut off and suspended from the bow of Maynard's sloop. Maynard searched for Blackbeard's treasure but found only supplies and letters. When Blackbeard died, the secret of his treasure died, too-if indeed he ever had one.
http://www.nationalgeographic.com/pirates/bbeard.html
Edward Teach, better known as "Blackbeard," is perhaps the best known non-fictional pirate even though he was not the most successful - He is remembered mainly because of his image that he himself helped to create - [First lieutenant] Maynard later commented that Blackbeard fell with at least five gunshot wounds and at least 20 sword wounds
Today Edward Teach, better known as "Blackbeard," is perhaps the best known non-fictional pirate even though he was not the most successful. He is remembered mainly because of his image that he himself helped to create. Teach's life story is basically only known within the few years before his death when he was a pirate. His previous origins are unknown but it is believed that he was born in Bristol around 1680. His true identity is not entirely known either, but "Edward Teach" is recognized as being his standard name. Other forms of his last name were commonly cited in letters of the day - "Thatch," "Tach," "Tash," and even "Drummond" to list a few. It is believed that he was a well-educated man since he could read/write and papers were found on him after his death. It is reasonable to believe that he wished to keep his true identity secret to protect his relatives at home, so "Edward Teach" may have been just an alias. ... Soon citizens and neighbouring Virginia Governor Alexander Spotswood feared the large gathering of pirates and rumors began to spread that a planned pirate haven would be set up. Spotswood began to organize a military force to rid Blackbeard. HMS Pearl and HMS Lyme were selected for the task but their captains informed the governor that their large ships would not be able to navigate the waters. Spotswood then offered up his own money to lease two sloops for the specific job, Ranger and Jane, which would be crewed by the warship men. First lieutenant Robert Maynard of HMS Pearl was selected to lead the two ships for the hunt while Captain Brand of HMS Lyme would lead ground forces. -- The two [British Navy] sloops set out for Blackbeard's hideout at Ocracoke Island [North Carolina] and arrived on late November 21, 1718. The next morning, the battle began. The two leased sloops were unarmed so they had to fight only with small guns and swords, but Blackbeard's sloop Adventure had 9 guns so he was able to fire at the approaching sloops. At their approach, Adventure set sail and fired at the sloops but there was very little wind so there was not much speed in the chase so oars were needed. Ranger was essentially knocked out from a lethal broadside shot from Adventure so Maynard moved in alone with Jane. Jane managed to damage Adventure enough, and Maynard ordered most of his crew below decks to bluff Blackbeard into thinking the crew was killed. His bluff worked, when the two ships were alongside one another Blackbeard and several of his crew boarded Jane. At this time, Maynard's armed and waiting crew belowdeck surfaced and a raging hand-to-hand battle ensued. Soon Maynard and Blackbeard were fighting each other in duel of naval officer versus pirate - a fight between good and evil. After Blackbeard wounded Maynard's fingers with a cutlass blow, Maynard moved back and shot him but had little effect in stopping Blackbeard. Several other Jane crewmen fought with Blackbeard after this before he was eventually overcome by his numerous wounds. (It has also been stated that Blackbeard was decapitated by a sword blow to the back of the head during the fighting rather than getting his head removed after his death.) Maynard later commented that Blackbeard fell with at least five gunshot wounds and at least 20 sword wounds. Blackbeard's severed head was hung from Maynard's sloop's bowsprit as a trophy and also to prove that the legendary Blackbeard the pirate was indeed dead.
http://tinpan.fortunecity.com/lennon/897/teach.html
Blackbeard's Ghost (Demon) - [First lieutenant] Maynard seemed to think that the only way to ensure that Blackbeard was dead was to remove his head - They hung the head from the bowsprit and threw the pirate's body overboard - As the body [of Blackbeard] hit the water, the head hanging from the bowsprit shouted: "Come on Edward [Edward Teach - Blackbeard's name]" and the headless body swam [flailed about] three times [completely] around the ship before sinking to the bottom {Blackbeard was demon possessed and being possessed he had additional human strength and powers and those demonic powers then continued on momentarily after Edward Teach was dead. Piracy is Satanism the two are synonymous there were no nice pirates in order to become a pirate a person was required to renounce Jesus Christ and to join Satan. The Skull and bones flags of the pirates all represented their perceived victory of Satan over Jesus Christ on the cross. The flag of pirates are the claims of an un-resurrected Jesus Christ.}
Maynard seemed to think that the only way to ensure that Blackbeard was dead was to remove his head. They hung the head from the bowsprit and threw the pirate's body overboard. As the body hit the water, the head hanging from the bowsprit shouted: "Come on Edward" and the headless body swam three times around the ship before sinking to the bottom.
From that day to this, Blackbeard's ghost has haunted Teach's Hole, forever searching for his missing head. Sometimes, the headless ghost floats on the surface of the water, or swims around and around and around Teach's Hole, glowing just underneath the water. Sometimes, folks see a strange light coming from the shore on the Pamlico Sound side of Ocracoke Island and know that it is "Teach's light". On night's that the ghost light appears, if the wind is blowing inland, you can still hear Blackbeard's ghost (demon) tramping up and down and roaring: 'Where's my head?'
http://www.americanfolklore.net/folktales/nc2.html
John Newton - (Satanic) [Pirate] Captain of a slaveship, but in 1743, while on the way to visit some friends, he was captured and pressed into [British] naval service - Sailing back to England in 1748 aboard the merchant ship, he experienced a spiritual conversion in the Greyhound, which was hauling a load of beeswax and dyer's wood - The ship encountered a severe storm off the coast of Donegal and almost sank - Newton awoke in the middle of the night and finally called out to God as the ship filled with water - It was this experience which he later marked as the beginnings of his conversion to evangelical Christianity [his mother's fundamental Christianity, more conservative than the common Church of England] - In 1767 William Cowper, the poet, moved to Olney - He worshipped in the church, and collaborated with Newton on producing a volume of hymns [including] "Faith's Review and Expectation" which came to be known by its opening phrase "Amazing Grace"
Early life: John Newton was born in Wapping, London, in 1725, the son of John Newton Sr., a shipmaster in the Mediterranean service, and Elizabeth Newton (née Seatclife), a Nonconformist Christian. His mother died of tuberculosis when he was six. Newton spent two years at boarding school, and at the age of eleven he went to sea with his father and sailed with him on a total of six voyages until the elder Newton retired in 1742. Newton's father had planned for him to take up a position as a slave master at a sugar plantation in Jamaica. He did become a Captain of a slaveship, but in 1743, while on the way to visit some friends, he was captured and pressed into naval service, and became a midshipman aboard the HMS Harwich. After attempting to desert upon learning of an extended voyage, Newton was returned to the Harwich for punishment. The captain, who detested traitors and deserters, was determined to make an example of Newton for the rest of the crew. Thus, in the presence of 350 members of the crew, the eighteen year old midshipman was stripped to the waist, tied to the grating, and received a flogging of ninety-six lashes, and was reduced to the rank of a common seaman. Following that disgrace and humiliation, Newton initially contemplated suicide, but he recovered, both physically and mentally, and, at his own request, he was placed in service on a slave ship bound for West Africa called the "Pegasus", which carried goods to Africa, and traded them for slaves to be shipped to England and other countries. After negotiating with a slave merchant named Amos Clowe, Newton's deliberate mischief against the crew eventually got him discharged. Amos took him to the coast of Sierra Leone. He became the servant of the merchant's wife, an African duchess called Princess Peye who abused him along with other of her slaves. It was this period that Newton later remembered as the time he was "once an infidel and libertine, a servant of slaves in West Africa." Thankfully, early in 1748 he was rescued by a sea captain who had been asked by Newton's father to search for him on his next voyage. He initially turned down the offer, but agreed to come upon hearing of an inheritance of which he was to gather from(this was later shown to have been made up so as to convince Newton to return home). With this sudden news, Newton began the journey home. ... Spiritual conversion: Sailing back to England in 1748 aboard the merchant ship, he experienced a spiritual conversion in the Greyhound, which was hauling a load of beeswax and dyer's wood. The ship encountered a severe storm off the coast of Donegal and almost sank. Newton awoke in the middle of the night and finally called out to God as the ship filled with water. It was this experience which he later marked as the beginnings of his conversion to evangelical Christianity. As the ship sailed home, Newton began to read the Bible and other religious literature. By the time he reached Britain, he had accepted the doctrines of Evangelical Christianity. The date was May 10, 1748, an anniversary he marked for the rest of his life. From that point on, he avoided profanity, gambling, and drinking. Although he continued to work in the slave trade, he had a considerable amount of gained sympathy for the slaves. He later said that his true conversion did not happen until some time later: "I cannot consider myself to have been a believer in the full sense of the word, until a considerable time afterwards." Newton returned to Liverpool, England and, partly due to the influence of Joseph Manesty, a friend of his father's, obtained a position as first mate aboard a slave trading vessel, the Brownlow, bound for the West Indies via the coast of Guinea. During the first leg of this voyage, while in west Africa (1748-49), Newton acknowledged the inadequacy of his spiritual life. While he was sick with a fever, he professed his full belief in Christ and asked God to take control of his destiny. He later said that this experience was his true conversion and the turning point in his spiritual life. He claimed it was the first time he felt totally at peace with the Almighty God. Still, he did not renounce the slave trade until later in his life. After his return to England in 1750, he made three further voyages as captain of the slave-trading ships Duke of Argyle (1750) and the African (1752-53 and 1753-54). He only gave up seafaring and his active slave-trading activities in 1754, after suffering a severe stroke, but continued to invest his savings in Manesty's slaving operations." ... Writer and Hymnist: In 1767 William Cowper, the poet, moved to Olney. He worshipped in the church, and collaborated with Newton on producing a volume of hymns, which was eventually published as Olney Hymns in 1779. This work was to have a great influence on English hymnology. The volume included Newton's well-known hymns "Glorious Things of Thee are Spoken", "How Sweet the Name of Jesus Sounds!", "Come, My Soul, Thy Suit Prepare", "Approach, My Soul, the Mercy-seat", and "Faith's Review and Expectation" which came to be known by its opening phrase, "Amazing Grace". Many of Newton's (as well as Cowper's) hymns are preserved in the Sacred Harp [a cappella (without instruments) songbook].
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Newton
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THE SECOND BOOK OF
===== 2 SAMUEL =====
OTHERWISE CALLED\\THE SECOND BOOK OF THE KINGS
2 Samuel 1-2 - Saul and three of his four sons including Jonathan are killed in battle - After hearing of the death of Saul and of loss of his good friend Jonathan and knowing he was next in line to be the King of Israel David inquired of God what he should do next - God instructed David to go live in Hebron -- '2 Samuel 2:1 And it came to pass after this, that David enquired of the LORD, saying, Shall I go up into any of the cities of Judah? And the LORD said unto him, Go up. And David said, Whither shall I go up? And he said, Unto Hebron.' {Hebron is where Abraham lived for much of his time while he was in the Promise Land [Genesis 13:18]. It was while living in Hebron that Abraham rescued his nephew Lot and after the battle met with Melchizedek.}
David is instituted as the King of Judah but not yet all of Israel: '2 Samuel 2:4 And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.' - Abner the leader of Saul's army [it was probably Abner that gave the account of the death of Saul, three of his three sons and of his armor bearer on Mt. Gilboa at the end of 1 Samuel] set Saul's remaining son Ish-bosheth as a competing king over Israel. '2 Samuel 2:8-10 But Abner the son of Ner, captain of Saul's host, took Ish-bosheth the son of Saul, and brought him over to Mahanaim; 9 And made him king over Gilead, and over the Ashurites, and over Jezreel, and over Ephraim, and over Benjamin, and over all Israel. Ish-bosheth Saul's son was forty years old when he began to reign over Israel, and reigned two years. But the house of Judah followed David.' - A long drawn out war prevailed between the House of Saul and the House of David. '2 Samuel 3:1 Now there was long war between the house of Saul and the house of David: but David waxed stronger and stronger, and the house of Saul waxed weaker and weaker.' Later Abner would have a falling out with Ish-bosheth and leave that camp to join David's side. Joab the general of David's army killed Abner and later Ish-bosheth was assassinated by two Captains of his own army. King David is then installed to be the second King over all of Israel. - '2 Samuel 5:3 So all the elders of Israel came to the king to Hebron; and king David made a league with them in Hebron before the LORD: and they anointed David king over Israel.'
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2 Samuel 3-5 - David becomes the second of only three men who will rule as an anointed King over an undivided Nation of Israel - King David captures the city of Jebus from the Jebusites and renames the city Jerusalem - Jerusalem becomes the City of David -- '2 Samuel 5:7-10 Nevertheless David took the strong hold [Jebus] of Zion: the same is [Jerusalem] the City of David. ... So David dwelt in the fort, and called it the city of David. And David built roundabout from Millo and inward. And David went on, and grew great, and the LORD God of hosts was with him.'
Hiram king of Tyre: '2 Samuel 5:11-13 And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house. And David perceived that the LORD had established him King over Israel, and that He had exalted his kingdom for His people Israel's sake. And David took him more concubines and wives out of Jerusalem, after he was come from Hebron: and there were yet sons and daughters born to David.' - Hiram king of Tyre was a real person and Tyre was a real Nation that gets a lot of mention throughout the Prophets of the Bible. Throughout the history of the Bible outsiders namely Gentiles have seized upon the events recorded in the Bible and have created an entire cottage industry of alternate versions and events that are just old fashioned fables. Particularly now with the much later Gnostic Gospels and in all the counterfeit Aramaic writings these baseless alternate versions of events are literally being passed off as reality and as a truer reality than what is recorded in the Bible. The Christian Church has to be very diligent that we do not replace the recorded events of the Bible with modern perceptions of what the events might have been or could have been but that we keep the pure message of the Holy Bible a message that is able to save our Soul unto eternal Salvation [Acts 20:32, 2 Timothy 3:15].
'Massive' ancient [Jebus] wall uncovered in Jerusalem - An archaeological dig in Jerusalem has turned up a 3,700-year-old wall that is the largest and oldest of its kind found in the region, experts say - Standing 8 meters (26 feet) high, the wall of huge cut stones is a marvel to archaeologists - it was found inside the City of David, an archaeological excavation site outside the Old City of East Jerusalem on a slope of the Silwan Valley - The wall is believed to have been built by the Canaanites, an ancient pagan people [Jebusites] who the Bible says inhabited Jerusalem (Photo)
JERUSALEM (CNN) -- An archaeological dig in Jerusalem has turned up a 3,700-year-old wall that is the largest and oldest of its kind found in the region, experts say. Standing 8 meters (26 feet) high, the wall of huge cut stones is a marvel to archaeologists. "To build straight walls up 8 meters ... I don't know how to do it today without mechanical equipment," said the excavation's director, Ronny Reich. "I don't think that any engineer today without electrical power could do it." Archaeologist Eli Shukron of the Israel Antiquities Authority added, "You see all the big boulders -- all the boulders are 4 to 5 tons." The discovered section is 24 meters (79 feet) long. "However, it is thought the fortification is much longer because it continues west beyond the part that was exposed," the Israel Antiquities Authority said in a news release. It was found inside the City of David, an archaeological excavation site outside the Old City of East Jerusalem on a slope of the Silwan Valley. The wall is believed to have been built by the Canaanites, an ancient pagan people who the Bible says inhabited Jerusalem and other parts of the Middle East before the advent of monotheism. ... Such walls were used primarily to defend against marauding desert nomads looking to rob the city, said Reich, a professor at the University of Haifa. "We are dealing with a gigantic fortification, from the standpoint of the structure's dimensions, the thickness of its walls and the size of the stones that were incorporated in its construction," the joint statement said.
http://www.cnn.com/2009/WORLD/meast/09/04/israel.wall.discovered/index.html
The [Freemasonry] Legend of Hiram, King of Tyre - Hiram, King of Tyre, was the son of Abibal, and the contemporary of both [King] David and [King] Solomon
Hiram, King of Tyre, was the son of Abibal, and the contemporary of both David and Solomon. In the beginning of the former's reign, he sent messengers to him, and King Hiram provided the Hebrew king with "cedars, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house." Nearly forty years afterward, when Solomon ascended the throne, and began to prepare for the building of the Temple, he sent to the old friend of his father for the same kind of assistance. ... The connection of the King of Tyre with King Solomon in the construction of the Temple has given him a great importance in the legendary history of Freemasonry. The tradition is that King Hiram had been Grand Master of all Masons, but when the Temple was finished, King Hiram came to survey it before its consecration, and to commune with Solomon about wisdom and art. On finding that the Great Architect Of The Universe had inspired Solomon above all mortal men, King Hiram very readily yielded the pre-eminence to Solomon Jedediah, the "beloved of God." - King Hiram reigned over the Tyrians for thirty-four years. He permitted Solomon's ships to participate in the profitable trade of the Mediterranean, and Jewish sailors, under the instructions of Tyrian mariners, were taught how to bring from India the gold necessary to enrich their people and to beautify the Temple of their king. Tradition says that King Hiram gave his daughter in marriage to King Solomon.
http://www.geocities.com/athens/oracle/1190/tyre.html
Messianic Prophecy: the Masonic Messiah - Although the Cult of Freemasonry eschews a coming Messiah to bring about the Freemasonic World Empire it does have a Christ-like figure: it is the *mythical figure of Hiram Abiff [there is a Hiram mentioned in 1 Kings 7:13-14 but there is no Hiram Abiff mentioned in the Bible] - Thus, within this counterfeit trinity we find that the offices of Solomon (wisdom) counterfeits the Holy Ghost and *Hiram, king of Tyre (strength) counterfeits the Father - And, consequently, Hiram Abiff, the widow's son (beauty) is the Freemasonic symbol of the Son, of Christ - He is the standard of true Freemasonry and all Freemasons are instructed to pattern after him and so humble Abiff came to represent Christ thus. Put differently: Hiram Abiff is the Masonic Christ
Although the Cult of Freemasonry eschews a coming Messiah to bring about the Freemasonic World Empire it does have a Christ-like figure: it is the mythical figure of Hiram Abiff. Although the god of Freemasonry is Lucifer, who they euphemistically call the Grand Architect of the Universe, he is routinely symbolized by three persons. Luciferianism is an ancient religion set up as an opposition to the Will of God. Luciferianism is a counterfeit religion and consequently it is constructed upon counterfeit doctrines and symbols. Thus, within Freemasonry, a false, counterfeit Luciferian religion, there is a trinity that counterfeits the Holy Trinity. A counterfeit, three in one godhead, a false triune God that apes the Christian concept of God, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. This Freemasonic trinity is comprised of three men mentioned in the Old Testament but are themselves merely pegs on which are hooked very ancient archetypes. Symbolically, the structure of Freemasonry is supported by three symbolic pillars: wisdom, strength and beauty, which represents the Freemasonic trinity of Solomon (wisdom) Hiram, king of Tyre (strength) and Hiram Abiff, the widow's son (beauty). Upon this trinity, the architects of Freemasonry built a cunning and elaborate counterfeit of God's divinity and God's plan of salvation. -- Thus, within this counterfeit trinity we find that the offices of Solomon (wisdom) counterfeits the Holy Ghost and Hiram, king of Tyre (strength) counterfeits the Father. And, consequently, Hiram Abiff, the widow's son (beauty) is the Freemasonic symbol of the Son, of Christ. He is the standard of true Freemasonry and all Freemasons are instructed to pattern after him and so humble Abiff came to represent Christ thus. Put differently: Hiram Abiff is the Masonic Christ. In the Freemasonic mythos, the story of the building of Solomon's Temple, in which the figure of Hiram Abiff has a central role, is pre-eminent. Here, Hiram Abiff is the Master Mason charged with building the Temple according to the rules and dictates of Ancient Wisdom. However, he was killed by fellow masons because he would not tell them the "Master's Word," which was the most important secret of Masonry and held by only three masons at that time: Hiram Abiff, King Solomon and Hiram of Tyre. And, because Hiram Abiff had sworn a solemn oath to the others to keep this "Master's Word," safe and secret he lost his life rather than violate his compact with Solomon and Hiram of Tyre. For, this "Master's Word," once revealed would have not only destroyed the foundation of Masonry but also the plan of its supposed founders. Consequently, Freemasons are instructed that their Craft and its ancient ambition was preserved by the faithfulness of Hiram Abiff, who chose death rather than the violate his oath. Thus, during the Freemasonic ritual of the Legend of the Third Degree, the candidate portrays Hiram Abiff, the Grand Master at the building of Solomon's Temple who dies protecting his oath. A symbolic death and rebirth ritual at whose conclusion, King Solomon, played by the Worshipful Master, says: ... Moreover, at the heart of these Luciferian Doctrines is the Serpent's promise: "Ye shall be as gods." (Gen. 3:5). A sacrilege rendered as the belief that Salvation is entirely in the hands of the individual whose latent potential is the Divinity Within, the God Within; that Man is the god-in-the-making: that man is his own Messiah. Moreover, to help in this apotheosis, Freemasonry offers its adherents the Freemasonic Ideal who is Hiram Abiff so that by duplication the "worthy brother" too can ascend to deity. And so, in this respect Hiram Abiff is the Freemasonic mediator, even as Christ is the Christian mediator. That is: just as Christ suffered for the Sins of the World in order to complete the Father's Plan, then, Hiram Abiff is the perfect Freemason who willingly died to save his Craft and future Freemasons from physical and spiritual destruction and so allow the Great Architect to complete his plan. That is: Hiram Abiff is the Freemasonic "Christ."
http://www.overlordsofchaos.com/html/messianic_prophecy__the_masoni.html
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2 Samuel 6 - The Ark of the Covent (Old Covenant) with the presence of God comes to its final destination, the Holy City of Jerusalem -- '2 Samuel 6:2 And David arose, and went with all the people that were with him from Baale of Judah, to bring up from thence the Ark of God, whose Name is called by the Name of the LORD of hosts that *dwelleth between the cherubims.'
The Ark of the Covent with the presence of God comes to Jerusalem: '2 Samuel 6:6-22 And when they came to Nachon's threshingfloor, Uzzah put forth his hand to the Ark of God, and took hold of it [to steady the Ark]; for the oxen shook it [the Ark was to be carried by levites not carted on an ox cart as the Philistines had don]. And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for his error [the Kingdom of God does not need steadying or the assistance from any person]; and there he died by the Ark of God. And David was displeased, because the LORD had made a breach [gash] upon Uzzah: and he called the name of the place Perez-uzzah to this day. And David was afraid of the LORD that day, and said, *How shall the Ark of the LORD come to me [the way God prescribed in the Bible not on an ox cart as the Philistines had done]? So David would not remove the Ark of the LORD unto him into the city of David: but David carried it aside into the house of Obed-edom the Gittite. And the Ark of the LORD continued in the house of Obed-edom the Gittite three months: and the LORD blessed Obed-edom, and all his household. And it was told king David, saying, The LORD hath blessed the house of Obed- edom, and all that pertaineth unto him, because of the Ark of God. So David went and brought up the Ark of God from the house of Obed-edom into the city of David with gladness. And it was so, that when they [Levitical Priests] that bare the Ark of the LORD had gone six paces, he sacrificed oxen and fatlings. And David danced before the LORD with all his might; and David was girded with a linen ephod. *So David and all the house of Israel brought up the Ark of the LORD with shouting [rejoicing], and with the sound of the trumpet. And as the Ark of the LORD came into the city of David, Michal Saul's daughter looked through a window, and saw king David leaping and dancing before the LORD; and she despised him in her heart. And they brought in the Ark of the LORD, and set it in his place, in the midst of the tabernacle [the Tabernacle was relocated from Shiloh to Jerusalem, later the Temple would be built by Solomon] that David had pitched for it: and David offered burnt offerings and peace offerings before the LORD. And as soon as David had made an end of offering burnt offerings and
peace offerings, he blessed the people in the name of the LORD of hosts. And he dealt among all the people, even among the whole multitude of Israel, as well to the women as men, to everyone a cake of bread, and a good piece of flesh, and a flagon of wine. So all the people departed everyone to his house. Then David returned to bless his household. And Michal the daughter of Saul came out to meet David, and said, How glorious was the king of Israel today, *who uncovered himself {David removed the restrictions of the Law [Levitical system] and entered a new dimension [Melchizedek system where everyone is the same and equal before God] to worship God} to day in the eyes of the handmaids of his servants, as one of the vain fellows shamelessly uncovereth himself! And David said unto Michal, It was before the LORD, which chose me before thy father, and before all his house, to appoint me ruler over the people of the LORD, over Israel: therefore will I play before the LORD. And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honor.' - The Ark of the Covenant with the presence of God arriving in the Holy City of God at Jerusalem is one of the greatest moments in human history and King David did not miss the significance of the moment in having the presence of the Holy God now permanently in their midst. King David had removed his royal apparel and worshiped God while wearing a linen ephod and finally David removed the ephod and worshiped the True and Holy God of Israel as just one simple person unrestricted in his worship and rejoicing in the presence of the Holy God.
FreeCDTracts.com: Sermon Jams Vol. 1 #9 Freedom - Multi Realm Freedom Living - Breaking away from the Grid of this world to Living in God's Spiritual Realm (Mp3)
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http://www.freecdtracts.com/
2 Samuel 7 - King David receives the promise from God that his throne will be the Throne that the Messiah will reign from and that the Messiah will be a physical descendant of King David -- '2 Samuel 7:12-16 And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou [King David] shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed [Jesus Christ] after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels [Solomon and later Jesus via his descendant Mary], and I will establish His Kingdom. He (Jesus) shall build an house for My Name, and I will establish the throne of His Kingdom forever. I will be His Father, and He (Jesus) shall be My Son. If he [Solomon] commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men: But My mercy shall not depart away from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away before thee. And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established [in Jesus] forever.'
King David's response to the promises of God: '2 Samuel 7:18-29 Then went king David in, and sat before the LORD, and he said, Who am I, O Lord GOD? and what is my house, that thou hast brought me hitherto? And this was yet a small thing in thy sight, O Lord GOD; but thou hast spoken also of thy servant's house for a great while to come. And is this the manner of man, O Lord GOD? And what can David say more unto thee? for thou, Lord GOD, knowest thy servant. For thy word's sake, and according to thine own heart, hast thou done all these great things, to make thy servant know them. Wherefore thou art great, O LORD God: for there is none like thee, either is there any God beside thee, according to all that we have heard with our ears. And what one nation in the earth is like thy people, even like Israel, whom God went to redeem for a people to himself, and to make him a name, and to do for you great things and terrible, for thy land, before thy people, which thou redeemedst to thee from Egypt, from the nations and their gods? For thou hast confirmed to thyself thy people Israel to be a people unto thee forever: and thou, LORD, art become their God. And now, O LORD God, the word that thou hast spoken concerning thy servant, and concerning his house, establish it forever, and do as thou hast said. And let thy name be magnified forever, saying, The LORD of hosts is the God over Israel: and let the house of thy servant David be established before thee. For thou, O LORD of hosts, God of Israel, hast revealed to thy servant, saying, I will build thee an house: therefore hath thy servant found in his heart to pray this prayer unto thee. And now, O Lord GOD, thou art that God, and thy words be true, and thou hast promised this goodness unto thy servant: Therefore now let it please thee to bless the house of thy servant, that it may continue forever before thee: for thou, O Lord GOD, hast spoken it: and with thy blessing let the house of thy servant be blessed forever.'
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2 Samuel 8-10 - King David establishes Jonathan's son Mephibosheth to accompany him at his table forever -- '2 Samuel 9:1 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake?' - '2 Samuel 9:7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.'
'2 Samuel 9:3-8 And the King said, Is there not yet any of the House of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the King, Jonathan hath yet a son, *which is lame on his feet. And the king said unto him, Where is he? And Ziba said unto the king Behold, he is in the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, in Lo-debar. Then king David sent, and fetched him out of the house of Machir, the son of Ammiel, from Lo-debar. Now when Mephibosheth, the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, was come unto David, he fell on his face, and did reverence. And David said, Mephibosheth. And he answered, Behold thy servant! 7 And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father's sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, *What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?' - Mephibosheth was unable to grasp the concept of the 'birthright'. The status of sitting at the King's table was not being bestowed upon Mephibosheth based on who he was it was being bestowed upon him solely based on who his father was and the promises and covenants regarding the father. Our Christian birthright and our right to sit at the Table and feast and fellowship with God is based solely on who our Father [Isaiah 9:6, Hebrews 12:9] is and with our Father being Jesus Christ we are entitled by His reputation, His promises and His abilities not ours to take a 'birthright' seat at the table with God. -- Note: We each become children of the birthright of Jesus Christ with our own individual faith by receiving the 'born again' Resurrection Spirit of Jesus Christ [John 20:22] by the Spirit [breath] baptism of Jesus Christ at the moment when we each individually acknowledge the 'new birth' resurrection life and eternal Kingdom of Jesus Christ when Jesus then breathes {even today, this very moment} His Spirit [breath] into us individually as we individually become His new Child of God. Jesus said in John 3:3 "Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man [individual] be born again [by the Spirit breath of God], he cannot see the Kingdom of God." ... 'Colossians 1:27 ... [the Resurrected Jesus] Christ in you, the hope of glory'. -- Also Note: Where the resurrection Feast of First Fruits and the individual Spirit baptism by Jesus [John 20:22] is a more specific Feast Day the Feast of Pentecost is a more general Feast Day. Pentecost could not possibly be the start of the Christian Church as the Resurrection Day of Jesus is already the start of the Christian Church and Pentecost has broad implications extending out far beyond the Church and into the Tribulation period when the Church era will have already ended. Pentecost also has regards to the giving of the Holy Spirit the Nation of Israel and evidentially including to all mankind in a prophetic way but not in a 'born again' way as the 'born again' internal Spirit is only available from the resurrection 'breath' of Jesus and is only given (breathed) on those who have Faith in Jesus, His Cross and His Resurrection and who desire to be in His eternal Kingdom. 'Acts 2:16-21 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel [Joel 2:28-32]; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit *upon all flesh [God is not withholding Himself from a relationship with mankind]: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: *And on My servants and on My handmaidens I will pour out in those days of My Spirit; and they shall prophesy: And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke: The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: And it shall come to pass, that whosoever [Jew, Gentile, Martyred Saint of Revelation, 144,000 Wittiness of Revelation] shall [respond to the relationship with God] call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.'
The 4 Personality Types - Sanguine {King David} (Prima Donna) [active, entertaining, likes being involved and in large crowds of people, tend to look on the bright side of events], Melancholies {King Solomon, David's son} (Serious Professionals) [Responsible, attention to fine detail, contemplate life, follow or at least know all the rules and expect others to follow them, like being alone, tend to look on the dark side of events] -- Choleric {King Saul} (Hard reliable workers) [Managers and bosses, if you don't work you don't deserve a break, a lot of ability and a lot of potential though like Saul the potential can be very good or very bad], Phlegmatic {Jonathan, Saul's son} (Easy going) [Laid back, go along with the flow, often friends of friends and supporters of others] {Sanguines often marry their opposite in Melancholies and have Sanguine and Melancholy children. Cholerics often marry their opposite in Phlegmatics and have Choleric and Phlegmatic children and no-one understands anyone!}
The 4 personality types: God could have made us all Sanguines. We could have lots of fun but accomplish little. He could have made us all Melancholies. We would have been organized and charted but not very cheerful. He could have made us all Cholerics. We would have been set to lead, but impatient that no one would follow! He could have made us all Phlegmatics. We would have had a peaceful world but not much enthusiasm for life. We need each temperament for the total function of the body. Each part should do its work to unify the action and produce harmonious results. The Gift of Encouraging Words ~ Florence Littauer
http://mysecretwritingcorner.blogspot.com/2009/08/4-personality-types.html
!!!Highly Recommended: Florence Littauer - Understanding Your Temperament - Parts 1-4 (Mp3s)
Florence Littauer gives you valuable insight for appreciating your one-of-a-kind, God-given personality. She includes a Personality Profile test that reveals how your unique blend of traits affects your emotions, work performance, and relationships. {Note: the Mp3 "161 Silver Boxes" by Florence Littauer is the telling of a very tragic and sad event in the Littauer family. Only listen to it if you are ready to handle one of life's tragedies. The Littauer family is a very talented, wonderful and amazing family and has lived the advise they give to others. The very talented Florence Littauer has now also gone home to be with the Lord.}
http://server.firefighters.org/catalog/2009/index.htm
Personality Plus, 2nd Edition by Florence Littauer (Book)
In Personality Plus, Florence Littauer gives you valuable insight for appreciating your one-of-a-kind, God-given personality. She includes a Personality Profile test that reveals how your unique blend of traits affects your emotions, work performance, and relationships. Through humorous anecdotes and straightforward counsel, Personality Plus guides you to improve upon your strengths and correct your weaknesses. ... Customer Reviews: February 19, 2008 The information in this book saved my life, my marriage and helped me raise my kids. As a Christian there are behaviors we all know are not right, but figuring out how to control or change those behaviors is another story. By understanding our "built-in" personality, we can understand why we do what we do and what we can and cannot change about ourselves. If you could only have one book on the subject of personalities - this would be the one! ... August 08, 2004 This book is a wonderful tool for anyone seeking to understand their strengths & weaknesses, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of those they share their life with. This book could very well save damaged relationships. I would have given it a 5, except that the profile is on several pages, and the definitions for it are in the back of the book, and there's no handy resource to make taking the "test" easier....I guess I just revealed my personality type with that statement!! =)
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1008467&item_no=5445X
Self Help books by Florence Littauer, Fred Littauer and Marita Littauer (Books)
Wired That Way: The Comprehensive Personality Plan - Do you have trouble getting along with certain family members, friends or work associates? Why are people wired so differently? Learn how understanding your own personality type can help you turn terminated relationships into germinated, growing relationships! Once you understand your personality type and how you're wired, you will be ready to discover how to maximize your strengths while minimizing your weaknesses. Then, you'll learn how to quickly pick up cues about the personality of others from their body language. Your life will be enriched as you grow deeper in your faith, and quickly improve seemingly incompatible relationships with friends, family and coworkers! By Marita Littauer
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/search?event=AFF&p=1008467&action=Search&author=Littauer&detailed_search=1&narrow=none
The Five Love Languages [Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts (giving and receiving), Acts of Service, and Physical Touch] by Gary Chapman {These are tips on how your emotional relationship reservoir is filled or emptied. If you need quality time and someone is instead giving quality acts of service or works no matter how wonderful it is still a personality mismatch and might not add enough to the relationship to keep it growing or even going. These fixes are really easy because anyone can make these adjustments. People just need to identify their 'Love Language' and point it out to their family and friends. For instance bringing flowers for some is not as good a gift as cleaning out a closet, or as good as a touch for some or encouraging words for others and we need to at times provide the other person with their 'Love language' emotional filling regardless of what our preference is.} (Books)
Product Description: Dr. Gary Chapman, Christian marriage counselor and author of The Five Love Languages, helps married couples deal with their unmet needs for love. Because a husband and wife often have different communication styles, it is common for a spouse to not feel or recognize the love given to them. In his bestselling book, The Five Love Languages, Dr. Chapman identifies and explains five unique communication methods - Quality Time, Words of Affirmation, Gifts, Acts of Service, and Physical Touch. Then he encourages couples to learn how to speak love in their spouse's primary love language, not their own. Love is something you do for someone else, not yourself. Begin today. Includes a study guide; paperback.
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/search?event=AFF&p=1008467&action=Search&detailed_search=1&keywords=gary%20chapman&narrow=09
Boundaries ... in Marriage, with Kids, with Teens, in Dating, 5 Volumes {The Boundaries material is more for troubled relationships where boundaries, limits and barriers have to be installed in relationships to maintain an individual's own safety and identity.} (Books)
Boundaries, Boundaries in Marriage, Boundaries with Kids, Boundaries with Teens: When to Say Yes and How to Say No, Boundaries in Dating. By Dr. Henry Cloud and Dr. John Townsend.
http://www.christianbook.com/Christian/Books/product?event=AFF&p=1008467&item_no=377455
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2 Samuel 11-12 - King David at a time when he was supposed to be in battle with his troops stayed home and ended up having an affair with Bath-sheba another man's wife -- '2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.'
The birth of King Solomon: '2 Samuel 12:24-25 24 And David comforted Bath-sheba his wife [after the loss of their first child], and went in unto her, and lay with her: and she bare a son, and he [King David] called his name Solomon [Peaceable]: and the LORD loved him. And he sent by the hand of Nathan the prophet; and he called his name Jedidiah [loved of the Lord], because of the LORD.' - King Solomon becomes the third and final man to rule as King over an undivided Israel. King David will request to replace the Tabernacle with a Temple for God built by himself however God will not permit King David to build His House the Temple because King David as a soldier has shed his fellow human's blood. The building of the Temple of God in Jerusalem becomes the privilege of King Solomon. The 1st Jerusalem Temple will come to be known as Solomon's Temple, the 2nd Temple is known as Herod's Temple and the coming 3rd Temple in Jerusalem will be the Antichrist's Temple. King Solomon once enthroned after many more intrigues will reign as King of Israel for the rest of his life. The descendants of King Solomon will sit upon the throne until eventually they are so evil that God cuts of Solomon's line from ever sitting on the throne of Israel again. Joseph the sep father of Jesus was a descendant of Solomon and therefore Joseph was unable to be a restored King in Israel however Mary was a descendant of Nathan one of Solomon's brothers [not the prophet Nathan] therefore Jesus via Mary back through Nathan to his father King David is eligible to sit on the Throne of King David as the King for Israel. - Note: The coming Antichrist will most likely be a descendant of Solomon [via a Satanic bloodline - Satan is also keeping track of key genealogies in order to challenge the word of God] and therefore as a descendant of Solomon will be ineligible to sit on the throne of Israel but the Antichrist isn't exactly going to be one for following rules, especially the Biblical rules of God.
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2 Samuel 13-14 - King David was told by God via the Prophet Nathan that as a result of his affair and conduct with Bath-sheba and her husband Uriah that King David's own household would be in constant turmoil -- '2 Samuel 12:9-11 Wherefore hast thou despised the Commandment of the LORD, to do evil in His sight? thou hast killed Uriah [the husband of Bath-sheba] the Hittite with the sword [through a plan], and hast taken his wife to be thy wife, and hast slain him [in battle] with the sword of the children of Ammon. *Now therefore the sword shall never depart from thine house; because thou hast despised Me, and hast taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be thy wife. Thus saith the LORD, Behold, I will raise up evil against thee out of thine own house ...'
Turmoil in the House of David: 2 Samuel 13:1 And it came to pass after this, that Absalom the son of David had a fair sister, whose name was Tamar; and Amnon [their ½ brother] the son of David loved her. 2 Samuel 13:12-21 And she [Tamar] answered him [Amnon], Nay (No), my brother, do not force me; for no such thing ought to be done in Israel: do not thou this folly. And I, whither shall I cause my shame to go? and as for thee, thou shalt be as one of the fools in Israel. Now therefore, I pray thee, speak unto the King; for he will not withhold me from thee. Howbeit he would not hearken unto her voice: but, being stronger than she, forced her, and lay with her. *Then Amnon hated her exceedingly; *so that the hatred wherewith he hated her was greater than the love wherewith he had loved her. And Amnon said unto her, Arise, be gone. And she said unto him, There is no cause: this evil in sending me away is greater than the other that thou didst unto me. But he would not hearken unto her. Then he called his servant that ministered unto him, and said, Put now this woman out from me, and bolt the door after her. And she had a garment of divers colours upon her: for with such robes were the king's daughters that were virgins apparelled. Then his servant brought her out, and bolted the door after her. And Tamar put ashes on her head, and rent her garment of divers colours that was on her, and laid her hand on her head, and went on crying. And Absalom her brother said unto her, Hath Amnon thy [½] brother been with thee? but hold now thy peace, my sister: he is thy brother; regard not this thing. So Tamar remained desolate in her brother Absalom's house. But when king David heard of all these things, he was very wroth [King David knew Absalom would kill Amnon and he did]. - Amnon desired Tamar more than anything mainly because she had status as a daughter of the King. Amnon as a son of the King thought that it was a part of his birthright to be with her however it was a severe act of sin and as sin it quickly destroyed the relationships of the people involved even bringing about an untimely and early end to the life of Amnon.
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2 Samuel 15-16 - King David's oldest son Absalom and David's counselor Ahithophel [a prophecy of Judas] conspired from Hebron to take away the Kingdom from David -- '2 Samuel 15:10-12 But Absalom sent spies throughout all the tribes of Israel, saying, As soon as ye hear the sound of the trumpet, then ye shall say, Absalom reigneth in Hebron. And with Absalom went two hundred men out of Jerusalem, that were called; and they went in their simplicity, and they knew not any thing. And Absalom sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David's counselor, from his city, even from Giloh, while he offered sacrifices. And the conspiracy was strong; for the people increased continually with Absalom.'
King David and his royal court are forced to flee from Jerusalem: '2 Samuel 15:13-16 And there came a messenger to David, saying, The hearts of the men of Israel are after Absalom. And David said unto all his servants that were with him at Jerusalem, Arise, and let us flee; for we shall not else escape from Absalom: make speed to depart, lest he overtake us suddenly, and bring evil upon us, and smite the city with the edge of the sword. And the king's servants said unto the king, Behold, thy servants are ready to do whatsoever my lord the king shall appoint. And the king went forth, and all his household after him.' - With the usurper Absalom attempting to overthrow the Kingdom of David the Kingdom has to go outside the city. The Kingdom of Jesus Christ has those who desire to overthrow it and therefore the Kingdom of Jesus Christ is currently outside the city [Hebrews 13:13-14] outside of this current worldly corrupt structure and system. If we are to meet and fellowship with Jesus Christ we are to do it outside the human ream and inside the Holy Spirit realm. With the Second Coming of Jesus Christ the Kingdom of Jesus Christ will once again be established in Jerusalem, in this world.
BATH-SHEBA - Ahithophel's granddaughter[?] - if indeed Eliam was the son of the famous Ahithophel, the Bible would not have failed to mention the fact - It is also difficult to believe that Ahithophel, if he was the grandfather of Bath-Sheba, would have taken part in such an action which would undoubtedly have endangered the position of his granddaughter and her son in the royal court
BATH-SHEBA, wife of David and mother of Solomon. Bath-Sheba was originally the wife of Uriah the Hittite, one of David's warriors. During the war against Rabbath-Ammon (II Sam. 11), David saw Bath-Sheba and ordered her brought to his palace. When David knew that she was pregnant by him, he attempted to return Uriah to his house (see II Sam. 11:6-13). Failing to do so, he sought and found a pretext to have Uriah killed in battle (11:14-27); he then married Bath-Sheba. The prophet Nathan rebuked David for this act (12:1-12), but subsequently took Bath-Sheba's side and supported the enthronement of her son Solomon (I Kings 1:8ff.). She later agreed to present to Solomon Adonijah's request for David's concubine Abishag. In addition to Solomon {Joseph the stepfather of Jesus is a descendant of Solomon}, Bath-Sheba gave birth to at least three other sons, Shimea, Shobab, and Nathan {Mary the mother of Jesus is a descendant of Nathan} (I Chron. 3:5). It seems that her first son, who died soon after his birth because of the sin of his father, is included in this list (II Sam. 12:13ff.). -- According to II Samuel 11:3, Bath-Sheba was the daughter of Eliam, and according to I Chronicles 3:5, she was the daughter of Ammiel, who the rabbis of the Talmud (Sanh. 69b) identify with Eliam son of *Ahithophel the Gilonite (II Sam. 23:34); hence the opinion of early commentators (Kimi and Levi b. Gershom) and several recent scholars that the opposition of Ahithophel to David during the revolt of Absalom stemmed from his wish to avenge Uriah's death. Others believe that these opinions are unacceptable, because, if indeed Eliam was the son of the famous Ahithophel, the Bible would not have failed to mention the fact. It is also difficult to believe that Ahithophel, if he was the grandfather of Bath-Sheba, would have taken part in such an action which would undoubtedly have endangered the position of his granddaughter and her son in the royal court. On the other hand, there is reason to suppose that Bath-Sheba was of a family that existed in Jerusalem before its conquest by David.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/judaica/ejud_0002_0003_0_02169.html
THE MAN [ABSALOM, later in Barabbas and finally the Antichrist] OF SIN AND HIS ACCOMPLICE [AHITHOPHEL, later in Judas and finally the (false prophet) of the Corporation religion structure] - {Prophetic Precursor} ABSALOM (usurper) & AHITHOPHEL (betrayer) - {First Coming} [Barabbas {probably a descendant of King Solomon} (usurper) & Judas (betrayer)] - {Second Coming} Antichrist 'Government' (usurper) & Corporation Church Christianity 'Religion' (betrayer) {Corporation (government, business) Christianity is a betrayer to Jesus Christ: We are all called to attend, fellowship and belong to a Christian Church however let's keep in mind that Jesus Christ is the head of His Church and not some man behind a pulpit. Let us endeavor to have Jesus Christ as the head and the authority in our own life while we work within an ever increasingly corrupt corporation church system. We are in the Church not of the worldly system of men but in the Godly system of Jesus. Men are setting up their own corporation church kingdoms and are excluding Jesus from His own Church. The corporation church system praises men and the men openly seek the praise of the people instead of seeking for the people to praise Jesus. The Corporation system knows the doctrines of the local, state and federal tax codes much more thoroughly than they know the doctrines and precepts of the Bible. The corporation church system preaches a watered down self-centered message and sells it only for a price and if they do publish a Bible it is also for a price and usually it is of a known corrupted version (i.e. NIV, NKJV) because there is a contract that can be signed and more money can be made from a corrupt corporation version than can be made with just the pure intention of preserving and passing along an uncorrupt version of the Word of God. -- 'Proverbs 30:5-6 Every word of God is pure: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. Add thou not unto His words [manipulate not the Words of God], lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.'}
ABSALOM (usurper) & AHITHOPHEL (betrayer): Absalom, felt that his father was unjust and unfit [past his age] to be king. He began to speak evil of his father and stole the hearts of the people, ultimately turning them against David. When the time was ripe, Absalom went to Hebron, where his friends proclaimed him king of Israel (2 Sam. 15:10). In this conspiracy, Absalom sent for Ahithophel, who was David's counselor and friend (Psalm 41:9). Ahithophel came from Giloh, a town in the mountains of Judah (2 Samuel 15:12). Like Absalom, he was a Judahite and *a prophetic type of Judas in the New Testament. David refused to fight against Absalom and his men over the throne. Instead, he meekly left Jerusalem, knowing that God would establish His throne. In this, he showed the attitude of Jesus Christ, who also refused to fight for His throne rights, even though He was the rightful Heir to the throne. 2 Samuel 15:30, 31 says, 30 And David went up the ascent of the Mount of Olives, and wept as he went, and his head was covered and he walked barefoot. Then all the people who were with him each covered his head and went up weeping as they went. This is the same path Jesus took when He bore the cross to the place of crucifixion. Can we not see in David a prophetic pattern of the crucifixion? 31 Now someone told David, saying, "Ahithophel is among the conspirators with Absalom." And David said, "O LORD, I pray, make the counsel of Ahithophel foolishness." This is a Hebrew play on words. Ahithophel's name means "my brother is foolish." I believe his name is prophetic of Judas' attitude toward Jesus, his "brother." Judas disagreed with Jesus' refusal to use violence to take His rightful place as King. *It has long been believed that Judas betrayed Jesus in order to attempt to force Him into using violence to take the Kingdom by force, rather than by winning the hearts of the people by love. Ahithophel's name seems to support this view. Quoting from The Interlinear Bible, 2 Samuel 15:32 says, 32 It happened as David had come to the top [Heb. Rosh, "head"], there where he bowed [Heb. shachah, "bow or worship"] to God. The Hebrew word translated "summit" above is rosh, which means "head." For example, Rosh Hashana is the head of the year, that is, the first day of the year, marked by the Feast of Trumpets. John 19:17 says Jesus was crucified at the place of the skull (Greek: kranion, from which we get our word "cranial"). Even as David walked up to the summit, or "head" of the Mount of Olives, so also did Jesus carry His cross to the same place where David worshiped God. This was the ancient location of the sacrificial altar where the red heifers were burned "outside the camp," whose ashes were used to purify people as they came to worship at the temple. Jesus, of course, fulfilled this burnt offering, as He did all the offerings. He was crucified outside the camp (Heb. 13:11-13), ... The story of Absalom's usurping the throne and David's path to the top of the mount of Olives shows that the story of Absalom's rebellion and Ahithophel's betrayal is a prophetic pattern of Jesus' crucifixion and Judas' betrayal. ... SANHEDRIN HIGH PRIESTS (corporate usurpers) & JUDAS (betrayer): In Matthew 21 Jesus told a parable of the Kingdom, in which He described the Jewish leaders of the day plotting to usurp the Messiah's throne. The vine-growers, or farmers, in God's vineyard had been given authority over the vineyard in order to render to the Owner (God) the fruits in their seasons. When the Owner of the vineyard sent servants to collect the fruits, the farmers beat them, stoned them, and sometimes killed them (Matt. 21:35, 36). Finally He sent His Son, thinking they would surely reverence His Son. But verse 38 says, 38 But when the vine-growers saw the son, they said among themselves, "This is the heir; come, let us kill him, and seize his inheritance." 39 And they took him, and threw him out of the vineyard, and killed him. Even as Absalom knew that his father was the king, and for that reason he usurped the throne, so also did the chief priests know that Jesus was the Heir. They killed Him because they knew who He was. It was a deliberate revolt and rebellion to seize His inheritance. ... Acts 1:20 quotes David's writings about Ahithophel and applies them to Judas. It says, 20 For it is written in the book of Psalms, "Let his homestead be made desolate, and let no man dwell in it;" [Psalm 69:25] and, "His office let another man take" [Psalm 109:8]. Psalms 69 and 109 are prophetic about Judas and the chief priests. These are too lengthy to quote here, but many of these verses were later quoted in the New Testament, applicable either to the priests or to Judas.
http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/dec2008/anonymous124-1.htm
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2 Samuel 17-19 - Ahithophel's counsel to Absalom in how to take over the Kingdom is ignored by Absalom so Ahithophel like the future Judas goes out and commits suicide - David's oldest son Absalom is killed by the opportunistic Joab ending the usurper rebellion of Absalom - The Kingdom of David returns from exile to once again reign from Jerusalem -- '2 Samuel 17:23 And when Ahithophel saw that his counsel was not followed, he saddled his ass, and arose, and gat him home to his house, to his city, and put his household in order, and hanged himself, and died, and was buried in the sepulchre of his father.' - 'Matthew 27:5 And he [Judas] cast down the pieces of silver in the temple, and departed, and went and hanged himself.'
Ziba's betrayal of Mephiboseth succeeds in part because of Mephiboseth's lack of active participation in the Kingdom of David: '2 Samuel 9:1-3 And David said, Is there yet any that is left of the house of Saul, that I may shew him kindness for Jonathan's sake? And there was of the house of Saul a servant whose name was Ziba. And when they had called him unto David, the king said unto him, Art thou Ziba? And he said, Thy servant is he. And the king said, Is there not yet any of the house of Saul, that I may shew the kindness of God unto him? And Ziba said unto the king, Jonathan hath yet a son [Mephiboseth], which is lame on his feet.' - '2 Samuel 16:3-4 3 And the King [David] said, And where is thy master's son? And Ziba [lying] said unto the King, Behold, he [Mephiboseth] abideth at Jerusalem: for he said, Today shall the house of Israel restore me the kingdom of my father [Saul, Jonathan]. Then said the King to Ziba, Behold, thine are all [his possessions] that pertained unto Mephibosheth. And Ziba said, I humbly beseech thee that I may find grace in thy sight, my lord, O king.' - '2 Samuel 19:24-30 24 And Mephibosheth the son of Saul came down to meet the king, and [in mourning] had neither dressed his feet, nor trimmed his beard, nor washed his clothes, from the day the king departed until the day he came again in peace. And it came to pass, when he was come to Jerusalem to meet the [returning] King [David], that the King said unto him, Wherefore wentest not thou with me [into exile], Mephibosheth? And he answered, My lord, O king, my servant [Ziba] deceived me: for thy servant said, I will saddle me an ass, that I may ride thereon, and go to the King; because thy servant is lame. *And he hath slandered [Mephibosheth] thy servant unto my lord the King; but my lord the King is as an angel of God: do therefore what is good in thine eyes. For all of my father's house were but dead men before my lord the king: yet didst thou set thy servant among them that did eat at thine own table. What right therefore have I yet to cry any more unto the King? *And the King said unto him, Why speakest thou any more of thy matters? I have said, Thou and Ziba divide the land. And Mephibosheth said unto the King, Yea, let him take all, forasmuch as my lord the king is come again in peace unto his own house.' - Mephibosheth's servant Ziba is a slanderer and slanders Mephibosheth's reputation to King David in order to gain Mephibosheth's possessions. When King David returns to Jerusalem he then hears Mephibosheth's weak version of the events. While King David was in exile the best Mephibosheth could do was make himself unclean and unsightly to himself and to everyone around him. Being unclean and unsightly did nothing to help during the circumstances. Mephibosheth as a part of the King's Court needed to find a way to get out of the city and to be with the King while in exile. Of course King David couldn't tell whose side Mephibosheth was on because in actuality Mephibosheth didn't take any side he just maintained in his own predicament day after day and passed on every opportunity he had to be a part of and actively involved in the Kingdom of David.
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2 Samuel 20-21 - Joab continues to manipulate every situation in order to secure and promote his status within the Kingdom of David - Joab deceitfully kills Amasa a cousin of David's and a fellow military leader of Joab's -- '2 Samuel 20:9-10 9 And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him. But Amasa took no heed to the sword that was in Joab's hand: so he [Joab] smote him [Amasa] therewith in the fifth rib, and shed out his bowels to the ground, and struck him not again; and he died. So Joab and Abishai his [Amasa's] brother pursued after [the rebellious] Sheba the son of Bichri.'
A wise woman of the city of Abel saves herself and her city from destruction: A rebellious man [Sheba] had taken refuge in the city of Abel and Joab and his army began to attack the city. One wise woman asked Joab what he intended to do and the woman wondered why the General of Israel would destroy a whole city of Israel and all the people in it. Joab replied that he was actually after just one man and realizing his foolishness Joab stated that they could just give him only the outlaw and the city would not be destroyed.
'2 Samuel 20:15-22 And they came and besieged him [Sheba] in Abel of Beth-maachah, and they cast up a bank against the city, and it stood in the trench: and all the people that were with Joab battered the wall, to throw it down. *Then cried a wise woman out of the city, Hear, hear; say, I pray you, unto Joab, Come near hither, that I may speak with thee. And when he was come near unto her, the woman said, Art thou Joab? And he answered, I am he. Then she said unto him, Hear the words of thine handmaid. And he answered, I do hear. Then she spake, saying, They were wont to speak in old time, saying, They shall surely ask counsel [wisdom] at Abel: and so they ended the matter. I am one of them that are peaceable and faithful in Israel: thou seekest to destroy a city and a mother in Israel: why wilt thou swallow up the inheritance of the LORD? And Joab answered and said, Far be it, far be it from me, that I should swallow up or destroy. The matter is not so: but a man of mount Ephraim, Sheba the son of Bichri by name, hath lifted up his hand against the King, even against David: deliver him only, and I will depart from the city. And the woman said unto Joab, Behold, his head shall be thrown to thee over the wall. *Then the woman went unto all the people in her wisdom. And they cut off the head of Sheba the son of Bichri, and cast it out to Joab. And he blew a trumpet, and they retired from the city, every man to his tent. And Joab returned to Jerusalem unto the king.' - This is an example of how one very wise woman was able to save herself and her entire city from certain destruction. Later on we learn how a not so wise people in Israel are able to literally save themselves eternally and the entire future generations of the Nation of Israel by their one decision. - 'Matthew 27:24-26 When Pilate saw that he could prevail nothing, but that rather a tumult was made, he took water, and washed his hands before the multitude, saying, I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it. *Then answered all the people [of Israel], and said, *His blood be on us, *and on our children. Then released he Barabbas unto them: and when he had scourged Jesus, he delivered Him to be crucified.' - Another example of how Israel and all of their descendants have the blood of Jesus Christ covering them but Pilate washed the blood of Jesus from his hands. It is completely impossibly to associate the blood of Jesus Christ with anything other than the blessings of eternal life. The blood of Jesus is life! The Nation of Israel is covered by the life giving blood of Jesus Christ just as Jesus intended and planned for them to be from the very beginning. It's not exactly given for the Nation of Israel to understand the blessings of the blood covering of Jesus Christ at this moment however it is given for the Christian Church to understand the significance of the blood covering of the Nation of Israel including all of their descendants.
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2 Samuel 22-23 - Late in King David's life he recounts the Blessings from God in his life -- '2 Samuel 22:47-51 The LORD liveth; and blessed be my Rock; and exalted be the God of the Rock of my Salvation. It is God that avengeth me, and that bringeth down the people under me, And that bringeth me forth from mine enemies: thou also hast lifted me up on high above them that rose up against me: thou hast delivered me from the violent man. Therefore I will give thanks unto thee, O LORD, among the heathen, and I will sing praises unto Thy Name. He is the tower of Salvation for His King: and sheweth mercy to His anointed, unto David, and to his seed [descendants] for evermore [eternity].'
King David reflects on his eternal salvation in God: '2 Samuel 22:31-37 31 As for God, *His way is perfect [Melchizedek]; the word of the LORD is tried: He is a buckler [personal shield] to all them that trust in Him. For who is God, save the LORD? and who is a Rock, save our God? God is my strength and power: and *He maketh my way perfect [Melchizedek]. He maketh my feet like hinds feet: and setteth me upon my high places. He teacheth my hands to war; so that a bow of steel is broken by mine arms. Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great. Thou hast enlarged my steps under me; so that my feet did not slip.' - 'Psalms 110 A Psalm of David. The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at My right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool. The LORD shall send the rod of thy strength out of Zion: rule thou in the midst of thine enemies. Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth. *The LORD hath sworn, and will not repent, *Thou art a Priest for ever after *the order of Melchizedek. The Lord at thy right hand shall strike through kings in the day of His wrath. He shall judge among the heathen, He shall fill the places with the dead bodies; He shall wound the heads over many countries. He shall drink of the brook in the way: therefore shall He lift up [be alert] the head.' - King David was a psalmist, a prophet, a king, a warrior and an intimate participant in the Levitical system of laws, ordinances, covenants and sacrifices yet King David having had it all and having seen it all only desired an intimate one to one fellowship with God. A spiritual fellowship that cannot be attained by any means of human status and is not found in any religious system but is only available in the intimate fellowship provided by the mercy and grace of God and given one to one in a personal intimate relationship with the Holy God.
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2 Samuel 24 - King David purchases the Temple Mount area the future sight of all the Temples [Solomon's, Herod's, Antichrist's] of Jerusalem -- '2 Samuel 24:24-25 And the King [David] said unto Araunah, Nay; but I will surely buy it of thee at a price: neither will I offer burnt offerings unto the LORD my God of that which doth cost me nothing. So David bought the threshingfloor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. And David built there an altar unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings. So the LORD was intreated for the land, and the plague was stayed from Israel.'
God deals with Israel as a Nation of one people not as a nation of individuals: '2 Samuel 24:1-21 And again the anger of the LORD was kindled against Israel, and He moved David against them to say, Go, number Israel and Judah. ... So the LORD sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beer-sheba seventy thousand men. And when the Angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the LORD repented Him of the evil, and said to the Angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the Angel of the LORD was by the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite. And David spake unto the LORD when he saw the Angel {suspended between Heaven and earth above the Temple Mount} that smote the people, and said, Lo, I have sinned, and I have done wickedly: but these sheep, what have they done? *let thine hand, I pray thee, be against me [spare the people], and against my father's house. And Gad [a Prophet] came that day to David, and said unto him, Go up, rear [build] an altar unto the LORD in the threshingfloor of Araunah the Jebusite. And David, according to the saying of Gad, went up as the LORD commanded. And Araunah looked, and saw the King and his servants coming on toward him: and Araunah went out, and bowed himself before the King on his face upon the ground. And Araunah said, Wherefore is my lord the King come to his servant? And David said, To buy the threshingfloor of thee, to build an altar unto the LORD, that the plague may be stayed from the people.' - As we will further see in the building of the Temple and the dedication prayer of Solomon [1 Kings 8:22-54] that God deals with the Nation of Israel more as one group of people and not so much as individuals as with the Gentiles. - King David is a type of Jesus Christ and as a type of Jesus he is a good shepherd [John 10:7-18] willing to give his life in order to save the people from the plague of death. Had King Saul [a type of Satan] been presented with the same predicament Saul would no doubt have asked God to spare his own life and would have cared not if all the people died. King Solomon [a type of the Antichrist] would no doubt have asked God to spare himself as the King but would have scattered the people (flock) by telling them it's every person for themselves.
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THE FIRST BOOK OF THE
===== 1 KINGS =====
COMMONLY CALLED\\THE THIRD BOOK OF THE KINGS
1 Kings 1 - King David has become too old to sit on his royal throne - Adonijah attempts to set himself upon his father David's throne - King David declares to Bath-sheba that he will pass along the Kingdom to their son Solomon -- '1 Kings 1:29-30 And the King [David] sware, and said, As the LORD liveth, that hath redeemed my soul out of all distress, Even as I sware unto thee by the LORD God of Israel, saying, Assuredly Solomon thy son shall reign after me, and he shall sit upon my throne in my stead; even so will I certainly do this day.'
Solomon is anointed to be the 3rd and final King over a united Israel: '1 Kings 1:32-39 And King David said, Call me Zadok the [High] Priest, and Nathan the Prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada. And they came before the King. The King also said unto them, Take with you the servants of your lord, and cause Solomon my son to ride upon mine own mule, and bring him down to Gihon: And *let Zadok the Priest and Nathan the Prophet anoint him there King over Israel: and blow ye with the trumpet, and say, God save King Solomon. Then ye shall come up after him, *that he may come and sit upon my throne; for he shall be King in my stead: and *I have appointed him to be ruler over Israel and over Judah. And Benaiah the son of Jehoiada answered the King, and said, Amen: the LORD God of my lord the King say so too. As the LORD hath been with my lord the King, even so be he with Solomon, and make his throne greater than the throne of my lord King David. So Zadok the Priest, and Nathan the Prophet, and Benaiah the son of Jehoiada, and the Cherethites, and the Pelethites, went down, and caused Solomon to ride upon King David's mule, and brought him to Gihon. And Zadok the priest took an horn of oil out of the Tabernacle [the Temple has not yet been built], and anointed Solomon. And they blew the trumpet; and all the people said, God save King Solomon.' - The three offices of God; King, Priest and Prophet are all three still in existence and functioning separately in Israel during the reign of King Solomon.
JewishVirtualLibrary.org: Solomon - The biblical King Solomon was known for his wisdom, his wealth and his writings. He became ruler in approximately 967 B.C. - Solomon's downfall came in his old age he had taken many foreign wives, whom he allowed to worship other gods - Solomon died in Jerusalem after 40 years as ruler of Israel - He was buried in the City of David [Jerusalem] - His son, Rehoboam succeeded him as king - Under Rehobaum's rule, Solomon's empire was lost and his kingdom was divided into two parts [Israel (Northern ten Tribes) - Judah (Southern two Tribes, Judah and Benjamin)]
The biblical King Solomon was known for his wisdom, his wealth and his writings. He became ruler in approximately 967 B.C.E. and his kingdom extended from the Euphrates River in the north to Egypt in the south. His crowning achievement was the building of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. Almost all knowledge of him is derived from the biblical books of Kings I and Chronicles II. Solomon was the son of King David and Bathsheba. Solomon was not the oldest son of David, but David promised Bathsheba that Solomon would be the next king. When David's elder son Adonijah declared himself king, David ordered his servants to bring Solomon to the Gihon spring where the priest anointed him while David was still alive. Solomon inherited a considerable empire from his father. At first Solomon was faced with opposition. Two of David's closest advisors, Joab son of Zeruiah and the priest Abiathar, sided with Adonijah. When Adonijah came to Solomon and requested the king's servant as a wife, Solomon saw that this was a veiled threat to take over his kingdom and sent a messenger to kill Adonijah. He banished Abiathar to the city of Anathoth. Solomon then followed his father's last instructions in which David had ordered him to kill both Joab and one of his father's enemies, Shimei son of Gera. Solomon thus overcame the last potential threats to his kingdom. He then appointed his friends to key military, governmental and religious posts. -- Solomon accumulated enormous wealth. He controlled the entire region west of the Euphrates and had peace on his borders. Kings I states that he owned 12,000 horses with horsemen and 1,400 chariots. Remains of stalls for 450 horses have in fact been found in Megiddo. Solomon strengthened his kingdom through marital alliances. Kings I records that he had 700 wives and 300 concubines, although some regard this number as an exaggeration.2 He had a large share in the trade between northern and southern countries. He established Israelite colonies around his province to look after military, administrative and commercial matters. The empire was divided into twelve districts, with Judah constituting its own political unit and enjoying certain privileges. ... Solomon was also renowned for his other building projects in which he used slave labor from the Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. He spent 13 years building his own palace, and also built a city wall, a citadel called the Millo, a palace for the daughter of Pharaoh (who was one of his wives) and facilities for foreign traders. He erected cities for chariots and horsemen and created storage cities. He extended Jerusalem to the north and fortified cities near the mountains of Judah and Jerusalem. Solomon's downfall came in his old age. He had taken many foreign wives, whom he allowed to worship other gods. He even built shrines for the sacrifices of his foreign wives. Within Solomon's kingdom, he placed heavy taxation on the people, who became bitter. He also had the people work as soldiers, chief officers and commanders of his chariots and cavalry. He granted special privileges to the tribes of Judah and this alienated the northern tribes. The prophet Ahijah of Shiloh prophesied that Jeroboam son of Nebat would become king over ten of the 12 tribes, instead of one of Solomon's sons. Outside Solomon's kingdom, Hadad, of the royal family of Edom, rose up as an adversary of Israel. Rezon son of Eliada, ruler of Aram also fought Solomon, and created tension between the two kingdoms that was to last even after Solomon's reign ended.
http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/Solomon.html
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1 Kings 2-3 - King David hands the Kingdom to his son Solomon - Instructions are given to Solomon by David in how to be a strong King and how to rule wisely - King Solomon is told to put the deceitful opportunist Joab to death and not to let him enter into the new Kingdom age - '1 Kings 2:10-12 So David slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David [Jerusalem]. And the days that David reigned over Israel were forty years: seven years reigned he in Hebron, and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. Then sat Solomon upon the throne of David his father; and his kingdom was established greatly.'
King Solomon begins to reign: '1 Kings 3:1-3 And Solomon made affinity [a relationship] with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh's daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about. Only the people [still] sacrificed in high places, because there was no House [Temple] built unto the Name of the LORD, until those days. And Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father: only he [wrongly] sacrificed and burnt incense in high places.' - It was worldly wise to negotiate with Egypt but spiritually it was a big mistake for Solomon to make to invite Egypt back into the affairs of Israel and it will be a costly mistake for Israel. When Israel departed from Egypt and was 'baptized' unto Moses in the Red Sea the same baptism that "saved" the Nation of Israel also "destroyed" the perusing Egyptian army. The 'baptism' is in part to cut us off from our past and from any enemy that is perusing us and once we are baptized in the Holy Spirit and by water [in part to show the spirit realm that we are now clean and separated from the demonic realm] the enemy cannot return to us with the freedom it once had or as it would desire to do however like Solomon we can still return to those old enemies, those old habits, emotions, addictions and those old demons and invite them right back into our life again though we should Know that once baptized we are now separated from the past life of bondage in Egypt and we do have authority over the enemy to return the enemy to Egypt while we continue to live spiritually apart in our new home the eternal, heavenly Jerusalem. -- God gives Solomon earthly, worldly wisdom but not godly, heavenly discernment. '1 Kings 3:7-15 7 And now, O LORD my God, thou hast made thy servant King instead of David my father: and I [Solomon] am but a little child [in knowledge]: I know not how to go out or come in. And thy servant is in the midst of thy people which thou hast chosen, a great people, that cannot be numbered nor counted for multitude. *Give therefore thy servant an [worldly] understanding heart to judge thy people, that I may discern between good and bad: for who is able to judge this thy so great a people? And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked this thing. And God said unto him, Because thou hast asked this thing, and hast not asked for thyself long life; neither hast asked riches for thyself, nor hast asked the life of thine enemies; but hast asked for thyself understanding to discern judgment; Behold, I have done according to thy words: lo, I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honor: so that there shall not be any among the Kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou wilt walk in My ways, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream. And he came to Jerusalem, and stood before the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD, and offered up burnt offerings, and offered peace offerings, and made a feast to all his servants.'
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1 Kings 4-6 - King Solomon begins construction on a seven year project in the building of the 1st Jerusalem Temple - King Hiram of Tyre sends his servants to help and provides timber from Lebanon for the Temple -- '1 Kings 6:1 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year [480] after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.' - 'John 2:18 Then answered the Jews and said unto Him (Jesus), What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these [Messiah] things? Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy This Temple, and in three days I will [Resurrection] raise it up. Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this [stone] Temple [2nd Temple, Herod's Temple] in building [in Jerusalem], and wilt thou rear it up in three days? *But He spake of the Temple of His body. When therefore He was risen from the dead, His disciples remembered that He had said this unto them; and they believed the scripture, and the word which Jesus had said. Now when He was in Jerusalem at the Passover, in the feast day, many believed in His Name, when they saw the miracles which He did. But Jesus did not commit Himself unto them, because he knew all men [mankind], And needed not that any should testify of man: for He knew what [deceit] was in man.'
The Temple of God is built in Jerusalem: '1 Kings 6:7 And the House (Temple), when it was in building, was built of stone *made ready before it was brought thither [to the Temple Mount]: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the House (Temple), while it was in building.' - Peter quotes this well-known fact that one of the requirements to building the Temple in Jerusalem required that the granite stones had to be quarried away from the Temple site and that the stones had to be chiseled into their proper dimensions before leaving the stone quarry because there was to be no hammering, chiseling or shaping of the stones once at the actual Temple site. Peter [whose name means rock] refers to his fellow Christians as 'living stones' meaning that the true Temple is in Heaven and that while we are here on earth in this quarry the shaping and molding process is taking place however when we get into heaven [the Temple Mount] there are no sharp tools for the shaping of people in heaven so when we leave the earth we are already to have been completely shaped to fit into the Kingdom of God in Heaven. - '1 Peter 2:1-6 Wherefore laying aside all malice, and all guile, and hypocrisies, and envies, and all evil speakings, As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the Word (Bible), that ye may grow thereby: If so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious. To whom coming, *as unto a living stone, disallowed indeed of men, but chosen of God, and precious, *Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, an Holy Priesthood (Melchizedek), to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ. Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture [Isaiah 28:16], Behold, I lay in Sion (Zion) a chief corner stone, elect, precious: and he that believeth on Him shall not be confounded.'
!!!Highly Recommended: The Way of Agape (Love) and Be Ye Transformed [life change] by Nancy Missler - based on the architecture of the Temple in the Bible (Mp3's)
Here are the messages from our 2009 catalog, available exclusively for free download.
http://server.firefighters.org/catalog/2009/index.htm
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1 Kings 7-8 - King Solomon built the Temple for God in seven years however he spent thirteen years in building his own house -- '1 Kings 7:1 But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house.'
King Solomon dedicates the Temple: '1 Kings 8:27-28 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? behold, the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Thee; how much less this House (Temple) that I have builded? Yet have Thou respect unto the prayer of Thy servant, and to his supplication, O LORD my God, to hearken unto the cry and to the prayer, which thy servant prayeth before thee today:' Solomon is asking God to accept the Temple and for God's visible presence to dwell there in the Temple and God does. - '1 Kings 8:52-61 That thine eyes may be open unto the supplication of thy servant, and unto the supplication of thy people Israel, to hearken unto them in all that they call for unto thee. For thou didst separate them from among all the people of the earth, to be thine inheritance, as thou spakest by the hand of Moses thy servant, when thou broughtest our fathers out of Egypt, O Lord GOD. And it was so, that when Solomon had made an end of praying all this prayer and supplication unto the LORD, he arose from before the altar of the LORD, from kneeling on his knees with his hands spread up to heaven. And he stood, and blessed all the congregation of Israel with a loud voice, saying, Blessed be the LORD, that hath given rest unto his people Israel, according to all that he promised: there hath not failed one word of all his good promise, which he promised by the hand of Moses his servant. The LORD our God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us: That he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers. And let these my words, wherewith I have made supplication before the LORD, be nigh unto the LORD our God day and night, that he maintain the cause of his servant, and the cause of his people Israel at all times, as the matter shall require: That all the people of the earth may know that the LORD is God, and that there is none else. Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.' - '2 Chronicles 7:1-4 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying [a second prayer], the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the glory of the LORD filled the house. And the priests could not enter into the house of the LORD, because the glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S house. And when all the children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the glory of the LORD upon the house, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth forever. Then the king and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD.'
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1 Kings 9-11 - The Queen of Sheba visits Jerusalem, the Temple and King Solomon - Later King Solomon the third and final Trilogy of Anointed Kings over a united Israel turns his attention and affections from God and becomes a type of the coming NWO Antichrist -- '1 Kings 10:14 Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year was six hundred threescore and six [666] talents of gold.'
King Solomon deals deceitfully with others in becoming a type of Antichrist: '1 Kings 9:10-14 And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses, the House (Temple) of the LORD, and the King's house, now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire, that then King Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee. And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not. And he said, What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul ["Cabul" as meaning, in Phoenician, "what does not please" - wiki.com] unto this day. And Hiram sent to the King [Solomon] six score talents of gold.' - Here King Solomon represents the conduct of the coming Antichrist a complete ruler who will rule at the expense of others of everyone in fact. There will not be any winners in the Antichrist system it will quickly become a completely broken useless system where all the wealth, treasure and authority is in the hands of a single person [possessed by Satan] and everyone else will be like King Hiram receiving 'Cabul' and paying an enormous price for it.
Ethiopian Christianity - King Solomon & the Queen of Sheba - Ethiopian Christians tell this story about Solomon and the Queen of Sheba - Their version holds that the Queen of Sheba was an Ethiopian sovereign named Makeda (Magda) and that she returned from her celebrated journey to the court of Solomon in Jerusalem [pregnant] bearing the king's son, David, who became the first king of Ethioipia, ruling as Menelik I. Makeda's tale is told in an ancient Ethiopian book, the Kebra Negast, or Glory of Kings, from which this is taken
Ethiopians claim that they have possession of the original biblical Ark of the Covenant, taken from the Temple in Jerusalem, just as the Babylonian army invaded Judah and took the Jews into captivity for seventy years. See II Kings 25 for the Biblical account of the fall of Jerusalem. While there is no way to verify the truth of their claim, particularly since only the Keeper of the Ark is permitted to actually see it, it is not inherently historically implausible. The Ethiopians make as good a case for possessing the Ark as anyone else could, and are virtually the only people who do claim to have it. Most historians and biblical scholars assume that the Ark was taken by the Babylonians as plunder, along with the rest of the Temple treasure. This is certainly as likely to be the cases as is the claim that it is in the Church of St Mary Zion in Axum. However, two factors lend credibility to the possibility that the Ethiopians are speaking the truth. First, the Ark of the Covenant was the greatest of all of the treasures in the Temple. If the priests were to attempt to escape Jerusalem with only one treasure, the Ark is the most likely candidate. Second, if the priests did make off with the Ark of the Covenant, they would have taken it west towards Egypt. Those (including Isaiah [*Jeremiah]) who escaped Judah after the Babylonian captivity went to Egypt, Egypt was Judah's political ally, and the Babylonians came from the east. If the priests took the Ark to Egypt, they would probably take it up the Nile River as the safest part of Egypt, and this comports with the Ethiopian claim that it was kept along the Upper Nile for many years, before being conveyed to Ethiopia. The strongest modern argument supporting Ethiopia's claim has been presented in Graham Hancock's book, The Sign and the Seal. While this page does not fully support Hancock's argument, neither does it find the case he makes entirely without merit.
http://www.bethel.edu/~letnie/AfricanChristianity/EthiopiaMakeda.html
The Queen of Sheba - A foreign queen from a distant land with strange gods, she converted to [Judaism] Solomon and his God - An outsider with an insider's understanding - This is the woman who Jesus later claimed would rise up to condemn unbelievers - 'The Queen of the South will appear at the Judgment when this generation is on trial' -- 'Matthew 12:42 The queen of the south [Sheba] shall rise up in the judgment with this generation, and shall condemn it: for she came from the uttermost parts of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and, behold [Jesus], a greater than Solomon is here.'
We learn only a little about her from the Bible, but it is what happens to the story in the telling that is most fascinating. 1 Kings 10 describes her visit to Solomon. She came to 'test him with hard questions' - she wanted to know whether he was really as wise as they said he was. So, the Bible is interested in her because of her mind. She was a wise woman, a Carol Vorderman or a Joan Bakewell. But posterity has remembered her for the rich gifts she brought with her, spices, gold and precious stones, gifts that lend her a kind of oriental exoticism. The text says that she was 'breathless' before Solomon's wisdom and admitted that his God must be the greatest. We are told that Solomon gave her all that she desired. Later readers have assumed that her desires were erotic rather than intellectual and that she was breathless with passion rather than with hard thinking, but its hard to tell. I suppose that whoever has ears to hear will hear it their own way. But whether it was mind or body or both, Sheba is seduced by Solomon. Though almost his equal in money and brains, she gave in and adored him. A foreign queen from a distant land with strange gods, she converted to Solomon and his god. An outsider with an insider's understanding. This is the woman who Jesus later claimed would rise up to condemn unbelievers. ... Sheba might have been a match for Solomon and the Bible text almost has it so. But tradition has made him her conqueror and so inspired and validated many other victories of Europe over the orient, of man over women, of 'Truth' over error. But Jesus promised that Sheba would have her day, that she would rise up in judgment. We still live in a world in which the old conquerors are still at work, a world marred by racism, sexism, imperialism, and terrifying will to power. And, as Jesus promised, the Queen of Sheba still rises in judgment. In Britain today you are more likely to suffer harassment and violence and less likely to find work, if you are black. Just a few miles from here is a detention center where 120 mostly black men are held without trial, for undetermined periods of time, subject to racist abuse, and many in desperate fear. And the Queen of Sheba rises in judgment. Many black Christians coming to this country feel excluded from 'white' churches and as they set up their own. And the Queen of Sheba rises in judgment. - The people of Israel left Egypt, fleeing from oppression and racism, from a land where foreigners could only be slaves. Joseph had even put it in his will that his bones were to be repatriated. But the Kingdom of God, the place of our dreams, must be one in which no one ever needs to flee, in which the whole earth could be home to any man or woman, in which Sheba and Solomon could be each other's match, whether in wits or in love. In Christ there is no East or West. In Christ there is neither Jew nor Greek. All are one in Christ. Until earth and heaven are made new, Sheba will still rise in judgment. Until she and all her sisters can be black and comely, until all wisdoms will be recognized, until any Jew could rest his bones in Egypt, until any human being could hold the hand of another in honest and co-equal love, the queen of the south will rise in judgment.
http://website.lineone.net/~susandurber/Sheba.html
Freemasonry: The Queen of Sheba's visit to King Solomon - Upon reading the title of this paper, you may well wonder, "what on earth has the Queen of Sheba got to do with Freemasonry?" - The Board of Installed Masters is a ceremony, not a degree, so I will plead "not guilty" of divulging any secrets when I tell you that during this ceremony the VOSL is opened at I Kings 10 - Nonetheless, I hope it has given you some insight into the life and times of King Solomon, our first [Freemason] Grand Master
Who was the Queen of Sheba? I don't want to spoil my story, but before going any further, I should tell you that no archaeological evidence has ever been unearthed or uncovered that suggests or supports that the Queen of Sheba ever visited King Solomon. There are, however, records of the ancient country of Sheba, which date from 715 BCE. Sheba was sometimes called Saba, meaning "Host of Heaven," and "peace," and is thought to be what is now the country of Yemen in the South West corner of Arabia where the Red Sea meets the Indian Ocean. The people who lived in Sheba were called Sabaeans [? - not sure]. The Sabaeans have been described as a tall and commanding people, both woolly-haired and straight-haired. Semitic in origin, they are believed to have been descendants of the land of Cush in the Bible. The Sabaean people inhabited most of NW and SW Arabia, some 483,000 square miles of mountains, valley and deserts. Some historians claim that Ethiopia, on the western end of the Red Sea, was also part of Sheba's territory. The Sebaeans conquered all of the other South Arabian countries at the start of the Christian era. Sheba was a wealthy country, rich in gold and other precious stones, as well as incense and exotic spices sought by neighboring kingdoms. From ancient times, perfumes and spices were popular commodities in the near East, and the spice trade was a particularly active one. From both the Bible and other classical sources it appears that the valuable plants from which the coveted aromatic resins, incense, spices, and medicinal potions were produced, were grown mainly in the kingdoms of southern Arabia. From this area, major land and sea trade routes branched out to all the great trading centers of the ancient world. The Sabaeans were both extensive traders and bandits and engaged in the slave trade. Sheba engaged in a lucrative caravan trade. By 1000 BCE, camels frequently traveled the 1400 miles up the "Incense Road" and along the Red Sea to Israel. The spices of Sheba were highly prized. Frankincense, an offering to the gods, was heaped on funeral pyres, and given as an antidote for poison, and as a cure for chest pains, hemorrhoids and paralysis. Myrrh, an ingredient in fragrant oils and cosmetics, was used in preparing bodies for burial, for healing ear, eye and nose ailments, and inducing menstruation. Other Sabaean spices were saffron, cummin, aloes and galbanum. The capital of Sheba was the city of Ma'rib. Nearby was a great dam, which may have been as high as 60 feet, which provided enough water to make Sheba an agricultural nation, as well as a land of beautiful gardens. It was a fertile oasis in the desert. There is evidence that this dam burst, and the devastation caused by the ensuing flood, coupled with the loss of water for agriculture, may have led to the demise of several Sabaean cities which no longer exist today. Because of its isolation, Sheba was secure from military invasion for at least 500 years, and was independent and at peace with its neighbors during the 11th and 10th century BC History reveals that at least five kings preceded the Queen of Sheba. Yet Arabian documents portray all of Arabia as matriarchal and ruled by queens for over 1000 years. In Ethiopia, the Kebra Negast refers to a law established in Sheba that only a woman could reign, and that she must be a virgin queen. Rule by queens was not unusual in prehistoric times. Women played a large role in government, especially in the Near East where there is evidence of their prominence in economics, the family, and religion. According to Ethiopian legend, the Queen of Sheba was born in 1020 BCE in Ophir, and educated in Ethiopia. Her mother was Queen Ismenie. Sheba was known to be beautiful, intelligent, understanding, resourceful, and adventurous. A gracious queen, she had a melodious voice and was an eloquent speaker. Excelling in public relations and international diplomacy, she was a also competent ruler. The historian Josephus said of her, "she was inquisitive into philosophy and on that and on other accounts also was to be admired." Since Sheba was a center of astronomical wisdom and the ruling monarch was the chief astronomer/ astrologer, religious life involved worship of the Sun and Moon. Shams was the Sun god. The earliest known Arabian temple was at Ma'rib, the capital of Sheba, and was called Mahram Bilqus, "precincts of the Queen of Sheba." In Arab lore, this queen was named Bilqus or Balkis; in Ethiopia, Makeda (also Magda, Maqda and Makera), meaning "Greatness" or "Great One." Others say Maqda is a short form of Magadhi, and that Magadhi was a long-gone tribal language in which there were sixty-three different ways to say each word. All that can be ascertained now is that it stands for the letter "M" -that's what Maqda means. Years later, the historian Josephus, referred to her as Nikaulis, Queen of Ethiopia and Egypt. ... The Origin of the Ethiopian Monarchy-Sheba and her son Menyelek: The Bible says nothing about a marriage between Solomon and Sheba, but states simply that she returned to her own land. However, the Abyssinians (the country now known as Ethiopia) have adopted some of the Arab tales and trace the lineage of their royal house to the Queen of Sheba. The Ethiopians claim that their rulers are descended from Menilek, son of King Solomon and Queen of Sheba, thus giving rise to the imperial title "Lion of Judah." The Kebra Negast is regarded as the final authority on the early history of Ethiopia, and its origin in the Solomonic lines of kings, which "descends without interruption from the dynasty of Menelik I, son of Queen of Ethiopia, Queen of Sheba and King Solomon of Jerusalem." This idea exists in the folk lore of many Jewish, Moslem and Christian countries. *The relationship between Ethiopia, Lion of Judah, and Israel is apparent in Ethiopia's national emblem, the six pointed star [actually a five pointed star], which corresponds to the Shield (Seal) of David on Israel's flag Here is the tale of how Solomon's son became the King of Ethiopia ...
http://www.freemasonry.bcy.ca/texts/gmd1999/sheba.html
Iran's Mahmoud Ahmadinejad - Examining a photo of the Iranian president holding aloft his identity card during the nation's [June] 2008 elections, the newspaper discovered Ahmadinejad's original family name - prior to their conversion to Islam - was Sabourjian, a Jewish name meaning "cloth weaver" - According to a London Telegraph report, his ferocity may be overcompensation ... for his own Jewish roots {Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is probably a CIA, Illuminati, Freemason, Satanic, UN-NWO plant however they only plant people particularly in 3rd World governments that they can also take down relatively easily. Ahmadinejad probably has several self-destruct mechanisms one of them being Jewish that the NWO can activate at their convince to eventually bring in another more advance NWO mole into that position. Ahmadinejad's anger is real unlike an Alex Jones type of NWO plant [Alex Jones is extremely likely a Bohemian Grove member and probably one of the red robed (human sacrificing) priests] who is actually an insider a part of the system and is working from the outside [as a pretend outsider] to bring in the very NWO system that he is pretending to oppose while at the same time Ahmadinejad is an outsider trying desperately to earn his way inside to be a part of a NWO system that ultimately (doubly) opposes him [the NWO system opposes all the people affiliated with Abraham including Jews, Muslims and Christians]. A third type of very common NWO plant would be the Fox News type - Rupert Murdoch, Bill O'Reilly, Genn Beck - type of person who thinks they are a NWO insider acting as an outsider however they are just an outsider being used and later discarded by the system.}
Iranian leader Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has exasperated the world with incensed condemnations of Israel and his insistence that the Holocaust is a hoax, but could there be another reason behind his seeming hatred for the Jews? According to a London Telegraph report, his ferocity may be overcompensation ... for his own Jewish roots. Examining a photo of the Iranian president holding aloft his identity card during the nation's 2008 elections, the newspaper discovered Ahmadinejad's original family name - prior to their conversion to Islam - was Sabourjian, a Jewish name meaning "cloth weaver." Ahmadinejad has not denied that his name was changed when his family moved to Tehran in the 1950s, but he has also never confirmed what that original name was. A note on his identification papers, when magnified from the photo, however, suggests the man from Aradan, Iran, carried a common Jewish name from the region of his birth. "Sabourjian," the Telegraph reports, is even on the list of reserved names for Iranian Jews compiled by Iran's Ministry of the Interior. ... Ahmadinejad, the fourth of seven children to a man who worked as an ironworker, grocer, barber and blacksmith, moved with his family to Tehran was he was a small child. Reportedly, the family moved to seek better economic fortunes, but also took on the new, Islamic name. A 2007 Congressional Research Service report lists the Iranian president's original family name as "Saborjhian," linking the name to the Farsi "sabor," meaning "thread painter." Some biographers, including Joel C. Rosenberg, list Ahmadinejad's original family name as "Sabaghian," meaning "dye-master" in Persian. But the Telegraph reports the name on his papers is "Sabourjian" and cites a London-based expert on Iranian Jewry, who says the "jian" ending is specifically Jewish. "He has changed his name for religious reasons, or at least his parents had," said the newspaper's source. "Sabourjian is well known Jewish name in Iran." If Ahmadinejad is of Jewish ancestry, he has done much to distance himself from his heritage. In a 2006 speech aired on the Iranian News Channel, Ahmadinejad listed alleged crimes by Israel against Palestinians while the crowd chanted, "Death to Israel! Death to Israel!"
http://www.wnd.com/index.php?fa=PAGE.view&pageId=111871
THE MYSTERIES OF THE KABBALAH AND FREEMASONRY (The Key of Solomon) - The Hebrew alphabet has 32 letters - The Kabbalists argue that there are 32 paths of widsom, which lead to knowledge about God - It is interesting to note that the Babylonia version of the Talmud has 32 tractates - Again, the number 32 is a significant feature in both the Kabbalah and Freemasonry - The Kabbalists contend that the soul is comprised of three levels. The Nefresh deals with all of the instincts and bodily desires. The Ruah concerns itself with morality and ethical conduct. The Neshama is the highest level of the soul and is related to the divine spirit of man. These gradations of the soul can be compared to the first three degress of Freemasonry
At the heart of Freemasonry and its masonic precepts is the encouragement and inculcation of values whech can "Make good men better." Faith, hope and charity and values such as fortitude, prudence, temperance and justice are the cornerstones of masonic conduct and comprise many of the fundamental precepts of Freemasonry (see attached illustration at the end of this file from Gershom G. Scholem's book, On the Kabbalah and its Symbolism. Wisdom, strength, and beauty are the foundations of the masonic lodge, and in fact, beauty, with which the freemason is taught to adorn all important undertakings, is at the very center of the Sefiroth. Furthermore, the Sefiroth of strength is found on the left-hand side of all the Sefiroths, which corresponds to the placement of one of the pillars in the masonic lodge. According to Ponce, there are three pillars in the Sefiroth. The pillar on the right is the pillar of mercy, which can be masonically related to the value of charity. The pillar on the left side is the pillar of judgment, which can be related Masonically to the concept of establishment. The middle pillar provides a balance between the left and right pillars. The middle pillar also represents the Creator of the universe. The fellowcraft freemason stands between these two pillars and is at the center. Symbolically, the fellowcraft freemason dramatizes President Kennedy's statement that "God's work here on earth must surely be done by man." - Ponce recounts that the earliest forms of Kabbaiistic literature dealt with the mystery of the Merkabah. The Merkabah was the throne chariot of God. One could reach the Merkabah by passing through a series of heavenly halls. Those who sought to reach the Merkabah had to possess secret words to gain admission into each heavenly hall. The freemason is required to know certain words which facilitate his entrance into the lodge. Moreover, certain words denote which degree is being conducted by the lodge. The Kabbaiists believe that the transmission of the name of God from master to pupil is part of the rites of initiation. The newly-raised brother also receives a word in a certain manner, which is never used in normal conversation. Masonically, the ability of a freemason to recite the word and reproduce it as it was given to him are the identifying characteristics of a Master Mason. The Kabbalists study Sefer Yetshirah, or the Book of Creation. Again, the information in this book could only be communicated by the master to his disciple by word of mouth, study may explain the origin of the masonic practice of the "Mouth to ear" instruction. All of the masonic oaths or obligaitons impose a requirement that the freemason should hold the work of Freemasonry to be inviolate. Furthermore, the act of creation of the world is particularly pronounced in the first degree of Freemasonry. The Kabbalists believe that air, water, and fire were used to create the world. The Hebrew letter, Mem, belongs to the class of Mutes, according to Ponce. These letters do not have any sound in their production. The letter, Mem, is associated with water, and since the fish is the chief occupant of water, it is silent as well. The newly-raised freemason is instructed about a particular word which is whispered to another brother. This "muted" word begins with the letter, "M" which corresponds with the letter, Mem. The Kabbalists also believe that the earth was created from water, which is related to the dirt of Hiram's burial site. Therefore, the word used in raising a Freemason has the characteristic of being earthlike. Other letters in the Hebrew alphabet represent the five human senses, which are emphasized in the fellowcraft degree. - The Hebrew alphabet has 32 letters, which also serve as numbers. Some Kabbalists manipulate words and numbers for explaining much about the universe and the works of God. The number 32 denotes the number of degrees in the Scottish Rite. The Hebrew letters Yod, Heh, and Vav are an important symbol in the Royal Arch degree. Hebraically, these letters form the name of God and this is also a magnificent centerpiece of the Royal Arch degree. There is no question that the Kabbalistic En-Sof and the masonic manipulation of these letters are conceptually related. The Kabbalists argue that there are 32 paths of widsom, which lead to knowledge about God. It is interesting to note that the Babylonia version of the Talmud has 32 tractates. Again, the number 32 is a significant feature in both the Kabbalah and Freemasonry. Charles Ponce describes a magic circle that King Solomon created so as to protect himself from evil svirits. Within this circle one finds the Greek letter, Tau, which has been masonically represented as a combination the words "Temple, Hirosalmis" (Templum Hierosolymae or Temple of Jerusalem). Furthermore, the points of the compass in the circle correspond directly with the officers' places in the masonic lodge. The Kabbalists contend that the soul is comprised of three levels. The Nefresh deals with all of the instincts and bodily desires. The Ruah concerns itself with morality and ethical conduct. The Neshama is the highest level of the soul and is related to the divine spirit of man. These gradations of the soul can be compared to the first three degress of Freemasonry. The first degree relates to youth and so the Nefresh or bodily desires are paramount. The second degree in Freemasonry is identified as a freemason coming to full maturity, so that ethical conduct and control over one's desires is accentuated. The third degree represents old age and the fullness of maturity, which is also represented by the highest level of the soul, the Neshama, or in the case of Freemasonry, the Master Mason. Death awaits the Master Mason, but his soul is raised to divine heights. The Kabbalists warn us that reaching the level of the Neshama was only awarded to some and not guaranteed to all. Therefore, as is true with the third degree in Freemasonry, the level of Master Mason is only reached when a man proves himself worthy of that esteemed title. - In conclusion, this study has contended that there is a relationship between certain themes of the Kabbalah with the lectures and degrees of Freemasonry. This should come as no surprise. Freemasons are taught both the universality of God and of brotherly love. Therefore, any religious belief or practice can be found within the parameters of Freemasonry. The imagination of man allows him to approach the unknowable and create structures and practices that assist him in gaining faith in the Glorious Supreme Architect of the Universe [Satan].
http://www.2be1ask1.com/library/kabbalah.html
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1 Kings 12-13 - King Solomon passes away and is buried in Jerusalem - Solomon's son Rehoboam is seated on the throne of David - Within days the ten northern Tribes of Israel succeed from Judah and install their own king and initiate their own priesthood -- '1 Kings 11:41-43 And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the Acts of Solomon? And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city [Jerusalem] of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.' [The 'Acts of Solomon' was apparently a secular chronicle that has been lost to history.]
God divided the Nation of Israel into two kingdoms: '1 Kings 12:1 And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king.' - '1 Kings 12:12-24 So Jeroboam [Rehoboam's spokesman] and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again the third day. And the king [Rehoboam] answered the people roughly, and forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father [Solomon] made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke: my father also chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. Wherefore the king hearkened not unto the people; for the cause was from the LORD, that He might perform His saying, which the LORD spake by Ahijah the Shilonite unto Jeroboam [a man from the Northern tribe of Ephriam] the son of Nebat. So when all Israel saw that the king hearkened not unto them, the people answered the king, saying, What portion have we in David? neither have we inheritance in the son of Jesse [King David]: to your tents, O Israel [ten Northern Tribes]: now see to thine own house, David [Judah]. So Israel departed unto their tents. But as for the children of Israel which dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam {now the Southern King} reigned over them. Then king Rehoboam sent Adoram, who was over the tribute; and all Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. Therefore king Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day. And it came to pass, when all Israel heard that Jeroboam {now the Northern King} was come again, that they sent and called him unto the congregation, and made him king over all Israel: there was none that followed the house of David, but the tribe of Judah only. And when Rehoboam was come to Jerusalem, he assembled all the house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, an hundred and fourscore thousand chosen men, which were warriors, to fight against the house of Israel [ten Northern Tribes], to bring the kingdom again to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. But the word of God came unto Shemaiah the man of God, saying, Speak unto Rehoboam, the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and unto all the *House of Judah and *Benjamin, *and to the remnant of the people, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from Me. They hearkened therefore to the word of the LORD, and returned to depart, according to the word of the LORD.'
Non-Christian Source: NWO Occultism - The myths of King Solomon who used the demon "Asmodeus" to build the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, clearly a metaphor for helping him create his power base, is illustrative of this - However, this alliance ultimately led to the destruction of the Temple, as King Solomon reneged on the deal with his demons - This popular tale amongst occultists, indeed it is the cornerstone of Freemasonry, clearly contains the moral "always pay your dues to the devil" or your temple will come crashing down {Note: The devil has no part and nothing is due him in regards to the Temple of Solomon or in the actual real human Temple that the Temple of Solomon represents. In true Judeo/Christianity the person is the Temple of God not an agenda or a human domain. The true Temple of God is for God and is built by God without (human) hands. Humans are built by God in the water of the human womb by and for the Holy God to have a living, intimate, spiritual relationship [His Spirit and His Words (the Holy Bible) are intended to be within us] with His creation. Occult practices are to assign other concepts and human values particularly physical blessings to the heavenly, eternal, spiritual and divine blessings and attributes of the Holy God established and displayed in Christianity.}
Occultism today includes a broad mix of activities from many traditions. The fundamental difference between Occult pursuits and Spiritual pursuits is that the occultist seeks to gain control over the powers of the Universe, while the pursuer of Spirituality seeks the passive role of alignment with the powers of the Universe. Occultism is basically derived from Shamanism, but as modern societies developed from tribal societies, a split occurred between Religion and Magic. In Europe's Middle Ages, Magic was pursued through Alchemy, and mixed practices and beliefs from the pagan Wiccan religion of the ancient Celts, with the Christian Gnostic concepts that saw a popular revival in the 12th Century. The Wiccan nature cults included sacrificial rituals of animals and humans, and sexual fertility rites designed to harmonize communities with the sometimes brutal forces of Nature. Many Gods were worshiped for their individual powers, including the horned and hoofed "Pan", and the Father of the Celtic Gods "Cernunnos", who standing proud with his huge erection, can still be seen today on the hillside of Cerne Abbas in Dorset, England, towering 100 feet over a Roman Catholic monastery. - Christian Gnosticism with its stories of the mystical powers attained by Christ, was embraced as a fulfillment of ancient myth and prophesy, and Christ as a high-priest who achieved God-like powers, was a natural figure to include in their pantheon. Thus, the ancient Celtic Gods of Europe began to merge with the Christian Gods. Satan and Pan were recognized for their similarities, not only in their physical form, but also in their personal traits. As the Satan of Gnostic Christianity had such unified and great power in the Universe, as "king and creator of this world", he was a fabulous addition to the supernatural array of Gods. The ancient nature cults, particularly the Gauls, used the conjuring of spirits, a practice derived from Shamanism, as part of their communication with the Gods. According to St. Augustine's "The City of God", the spirits were used for seeking advice and favor, and were divided into "demons called Deuses, and the ancestors". Demons were hard to control, but could be convinced to do the will of an individual on the material plane if he or she followed certain principles. The Christian Gnostic Satan became an obvious demon figure for worship, as he would be a powerful ally. According to the traditions of the Nature cults, it would be natural to offer sacrifice in return for favors, or have sexual ritual in order to connect with a chosen spirit or demon, as is seen to this day in the indigenous/Hindu beliefs and practices of islands such as Sumatra or Java. -- In Europe's Middle Ages, the confusion arising from a clash of mythic and cultural symbolism had obvious moral and ethical implications. Ultimately, the question of whether a person was a "Satanist" would come down to what they were asking the demon to do for them, and what they were prepared to do in return. Of course, this all depends on one's personal beliefs, ethics, morality, and standing within the social order. While a peasant was accused of selling his soul to Satan to ensure a good harvest, a King who embarked in a Faustian deuce or pact with the Devil, was merely entering into another business arrangement. The myths of King Solomon who used the demon "Asmodeus" to build the Temple of Solomon in Jerusalem, clearly a metaphor for helping him create his power base, is illustrative of this. However, this alliance ultimately led to the destruction of the Temple, as King Solomon reneged on the deal with his demons. This popular tale amongst occultists, indeed it is the cornerstone of Freemasonry, clearly contains the moral "always pay your dues to the devil", or your temple will come crashing down... such is the dichotomy within institutions of Western power and Judeo-Christianity. The Inquisition of the Roman Catholic Church designed to root out "Satanism" claimed millions of victims from the peasant and indigenous classes, obliterating what remained of the Pagan nature cults, while "Satanic" practices continued amongst the circles of the power elite within their occult and alchemical secret societies, growing ever more morally and ethically inverted. -- The Grail/Dragon aristocratic bloodlines, also known as the Rex Deus fraternity, were evidently the Kings of Satan. Adolf Hitler and his inner circle of Nazis called the Holocaust "The greatest and most powerful dance of death of all time". Perhaps the real difference between a shamanically informed Pagan ritual, and a Satanic ritual, lies in the consent of any party. A victim by definition is the unconsenting prey of the predator, and any such ritual intends to, and will only, create Darkness. "The old beliefs will be brought back to honor again. The whole secret knowledge of nature, of the divine, of the demonic. We will wash off the Christian veneer. I want to see in the eyes of youth the gleam of the beast..." said Rosicrucian front-man Adolf Hitler. Although the Nazis have often been labeled neo-Pagan, their rituals of death were as far from Pagan ritual, and as close to Satanism, as the human race has ever been.
http://www.geocities.com/newworldorder_themovie/occult.html
BBC: King Solomon's Tablet Of Stone (part 1 of 5) - Looking at the stone, several linguists said 'fake' [Aramaic and Phoenician scripts] - Some of the Hebrew, they claimed, was not ancient - The authorities presented their conclusions - They announced that the stone tablet, and the James Ossuary, were elaborate fakes - But who was producing these fakes and how? - When the police took Oded Golan into custody and searched his apartment they discovered a workshop with a range of tools, materials, and half finished 'antiquities'. This was evidence for an operation of a scale far greater than they had suspected - Dozens of these items have now been examined by Dr Goren, and all have been revealed to be forgeries - Some archaeologists have now concluded that everything that came to market in the last 20 years without clear provenance should be considered a fake (YouTube)
"The authenticity of many Holy Land artifacts is thrown into doubt" In 2001, a clandestine meeting of leading Israeli archaeologists are shown a remarkable artifact. It's a stone tablet, apparently from 1,000BC. The writing on its face describes repairs to the temple of King Solomon. It is the first archaeological evidence ever found of this legendary building. The relic caused a sensation. But this was only just the start. For authentication, the tablet was taken to the Geological Survey of Israel. Here, after a battery of tests, including radiocarbon dating, scientists officially pronounced the stone to be genuine. The tests even revealed microscopic particles of gold in the outer layer of stone. These were apparently the result of the tablet surviving the fire which, according to the bible, destroyed the temple when the Babylonians sacked Jerusalem in 586BC. The stone tablet was offered for sale to the Israel Museum, home to many of Israel's greatest treasures. Rumors suggested the asking price was as high as $10 million. But the museum needed to know where the stone had come from. Even its owner was a mystery. To make matters more complex, the stone itself had disappeared again. The Israeli Antiquities Authority wanted answers. A nine month search for the mysterious stranger who had first appeared with the stone eventually led them to a private detective who had been hired by a well-known antiquities collector, Oded Golan.Golan insisted he too was just a front man for another collector. But the authorities were suspicious. He was known to be the owner of the James Ossuary, another extraordinary artifact which had appeared a couple of years earlier. This was a burial box with an inscription linking it to Jesus' brother. The authorities raided Golan's apartment and recovered both the ossuary and the elusive stone. It was time to establish once and for all if both were genuine. So they set up a committee of linguists and scientists to examine them. Looking at the stone, several linguists said 'fake'. Some of the Hebrew, they claimed, was not ancient. Other experts claimed that so little is known of ancient Hebrew that it's impossible to be sure. The committee turned to geology. Dr. Yuval Goren, a geo-archaeologist and head of the Archaeological Institute at Tel-Aviv University, soon found evidence that a team of sophisticated forgers had led the earlier experts astray.
The patina on the stone had in fact been manufactured artificially. The charcoal particles which produced the convincing radiocarbon date had been added by hand The gold fragments hinting at an ancient fire were a clever final addition. The authorities presented their conclusions. They announced that the stone tablet, and the James Ossuary, were elaborate fakes. But who was producing these fakes and how? Dr. Goren decided to piece together how the stone tablet had been made. He tracked the origin of the stone itself - apparently a building block taken from a Crusader castle. It was even possible to work out how the fake patina had been manufactured and the ingredients used. What was clear was the team of forgers included experts in a range of disciplines. When the police took Oded Golan into custody and searched his apartment they discovered a workshop with a range of tools, materials, and half finished 'antiquities'. This was evidence for an operation of a scale far greater than they had suspected. Investigators have established that collectors around the world have paid hundreds of thousands of dollars for artifacts that came through Oded Golan's associates. Dozens of these items have now been examined by Dr. Goren, and all have been revealed to be forgeries. Police now suspect that artifacts made by the same team of forgers have found their way into leading museums around the world. Some archaeologists have now concluded that everything that came to market in the last 20 years without clear provenance should be considered a fake. Many of these objects, like the stone tablet which started the investigation, were cynically playing on the desire of many of the collectors to see the bible confirmed as history. For those in search of the temple of Solomon - their goal is as far away as ever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8xlBI8ENkqk
A stone tablet could be a relic of King Solomon's temple or a clever forgery - "I believe it is a fake" He noted, among other flaws, that some of the letter shapes were more typical of the seventh century B.C. Aramaic and Phoenician scripts than of Hebrew - the inscription has too many "anomalies" to be authentic - The text appears to be a "mishmash" of usages and words lifted from several of these ancient texts, in addition to the Bible
The most startling discovery, though, was that the patina contained tiny globules of pure gold. The researchers speculated that when the First Temple was set ablaze by the Babylonians in 587 B.C., as the biblical account holds, the gilding on the walls melted and settled on the ground as tiny particles, which later became embedded in the tablet. The GSI team didn't state definitively that the tablet was authentic, but Shimon Ilani, one of the researchers, told the Jerusalem Post, "If this is the work of a forger, I would have to shake his hand." The owner's representatives also showed the tablet to Joseph Naveh, an epigrapher at Hebrew University, who had a different reaction: "It is not just that I have serious doubts about its authenticity, but I believe it is a fake." He noted, among other flaws, that some of the letter shapes were more typical of the seventh century B.C. Aramaic and Phoenician scripts than of Hebrew in the ninth century B.C., when the tablet would have been carved. Other experts in ancient Semitic inscriptions have jumped in, pointing out what they see as damning errors in the usage of certain words. In an upcoming issue of Israel Exploration Journal, epigrapher Frank Moore Cross argues that the forgers reveal themselves by mistakenly using the Hebrew verbal noun bdq, which today means "the repair of." The forgers, he says, apparently did not know that in ancient times, the word had almost the opposite meaning--a "fissure." Thus, line 10 of the inscription refers to creating fissures--a suspect usage in an inscription that's all about repair work.
http://www.usnews.com/usnews/culture/articles/030505/5tablet_2.htm
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1 Kings 14-16 - Israel begins to quickly transition from a period of Kings ruling over an undivided Nation to a period of a divided Nation being providentially guided by the hand of God through various kings and prophets -- '1 Kings 14:15-16 For the LORD shall smite Israel [Northern Tribes], as a reed is shaken in the water, and He shall root up Israel out of this good land, which he gave to their fathers, and shall scatter them beyond the river [to Assyria], because they have made their groves, provoking the LORD to anger. And he shall give Israel up because of the sins of Jeroboam, who did sin, and who made Israel to sin.' {Note: Israel the Ten Northern Tribes are going to be defeated and taken into captivity by the powerful nation of Assyria because the Northern Tribes sought power they were taken captive by another power. Later the Southern Tribe of Judah will also be defeated and taken into captivity but by the nation of Babylon (Iraq) because Judah sought mysticism they were brought into captivity by mysticism (Babylon).}
Each King continues to become more wicked: '1 Kings 16:30-34 And Ahab [King of Northern Israel] the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife *Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and
worshipped him. And he reared up an altar for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria. And Ahab made a grove; *and Ahab did more to provoke the LORD God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him. In his days did Hiel the Bethelite build [a new city of] Jericho: he laid the foundation thereof in Abiram his firstborn, and set up the gates thereof in his youngest son Segub, according to the word of the LORD, which he spake by Joshua the son of Nun [Joshua 6:26].' - Hiel committed the human sacrifice of his oldest son in a ceremony dedicated to laying the foundation of the City of Jericho and then committed a second human sacrifice of his youngest son in a ceremony dedicated to setting up the gates at the entry of the city. This is a time when Israel is seriously off course of what God intended for His Children living in His Promise Land.
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1 Kings 17-18 - The third and final Godly office the office of Prophets begins to enter into preeminence - The era in Israel of Elijah the Prophet begins -- '1 Kings 17:1-2 And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab [King of Northern Israel], As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.' {The drought will end up lasting for three and a half years. Luke 4:25, James 5:17}
God hears and answers Elijah's prayers: '1 Kings 18:20-24 So [King] Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the [false] prophets [of Baal] together unto mount Carmel. And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. Then said Elijah unto the people, I, even I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal's prophets are four hundred and fifty men. Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them [false prophets] choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under: *And call ye on the name of your gods, *and I will call on the name of the LORD: and the God that answereth by fire, let Him be God. And all the people answered and said, It is well spoken.' - '1 Kings 18:29-39 And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God.' - The prayers of the false prophets are unanswered by God but the prayers of His people are both heard and answered as God shows forth His strength for His Children. Later in the Book of Revelation the Antichrist will eventually finally be able to call his own fire down from above as God has given to the Antichrist more power and authority over the earth. - 'Revelation 13:11-18 And I beheld another beast [after the Antichrist beast of the sea arises] coming up out of the earth; and he [beast of the earth, false prophet] had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. And he [false prophet] exerciseth all the power of the first beast [Antichrist] before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. And he doeth great wonders, so that *he [false prophet] maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads: And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name. Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six [666].'
bible.org: The Man Elijah - Elijah is the Hebrew Eliyahu that means "My God is Yahweh" - Now Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead - He is called "Elijah, the Tishbite" six times - "Tishbe" means "captivity" - This suggests the title was significant [and] could have stood as a warning of eventual captivity if Israel refused to repent and [return] turn to the Lord
Elijah's Description and Locality: Elijah is called "the Tishbite, who was of the settlers of Gilead." He is so called because he was likely from a town called Tishbe in upper Galilee known to us from the Apocryphal book of Tobit 1:2. One source says that "Tishbe" means "captivity." It certainly is a derivative of shabah, meaning "to take captive." In view of God's warnings in Deuteronomy 28:15-37, this could have stood as a warning of eventual captivity if Israel refused to repent and turn to the Lord. He is called "Elijah, the Tishbite" six times and was well known by this title (cf. 1 Kgs. 17:1; 21:17, 28; 2 Kgs. 1:3, 8; 9:36). This suggests the title was significant. Scholars debate the exact location of Tishbe. If Tishbe is a town, then he was born in Tishbe, but became an inhabitant of Gilead, perhaps by choice. We are not told why, but since "the settlers of Gilead" really means "the sojourners of Gilead," it may declare something about Elijah's character and relationship to God. The name Gilead means "a rocky region" and refers to a mountainous area east of the Jordan that was comparatively uninhabited. It was an area well adapted for spending time alone with God. The phrase is certainly suggestive of his lifestyle as a sojourner, as one whose focus was on the things of God. ... Application and Conclusion: We are living in a time when the foundations are being systematically destroyed. We see the decadent results of a nation that has turned away from the moral absolutes of the Word and our Christian heritage. In its place we have turned to the relativism of secular humanism with its evolutionary foundation. Many have opted for a New Age philosophy. As a result, we live in a time that is growing in hostility to the true God and to those who want to follow the God of the Bible. ... Like the 7,000 of Elijah's day who were hiding in caves to escape persecution, we tend to crawl off into the cave of our "business as usual" routine, or into our particular strategy by which we seek to become narcotized to the problems. Then, out of our minds and mouths flow a river of typical human excuses--enough excuses to lose our nation. Elijah is God's commentary against the excuses and fears that so often paralyze us. As we have seen, He had none of the so-called advantages of the world. So, what made him tick? What made him such a powerful tool for the Lord? What gave him his courage, and how can we tap in on what he had so God can use us in the way and to the degree He desires?
http://bible.org/seriespage/man-elijah-1-kings-171
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1 Kings 19-20 - After the great victory at Mt. Carmel over the false prophets of Baal - Elijah then begins to have some doubts, fears and insecurities - eventually Elijah flees all the way back to Mt. Horeb [Mt. Sinai] -- '1 Kings 19:4 But he [Elijah] himself went a day's journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.' {Often in the Bible the call of the believer is a request to God to end their life. At times it just seems that getting on to Heaven is a better option than remaining here on earth and laboring against seemingly all odds to do the will and accomplish the works of God. However God then reorients the believer into more of a present earthly Kingdom and eternal perspective it provides helping to take away the anxiety and insecurity that this world so often has to offer. Also Note: The much more dangerous request of the non-believer is a selfish request to simply be left alone from God that they might live completely in their own sins and not have any affiliation whatsoever with the Kingdom of God.}
Elijah flees from Israel all the way back to Mt. Sinai where he hears the voice of God: '1 Kings 19:5-16 And as he [Elijah] lay and slept under a juniper tree, behold, then an Angel touched him, and said unto him, Arise and eat. And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake (bread) baken on the coals, and a cruse of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid him down again. And the Angel of the LORD came again the second time, and touched him, and said, Arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb [Mt. Siani] the Mount of God. And he came thither *unto a cave, and lodged there; and, behold, *the word of the LORD came to him, and He (God) said unto him, What doest thou here [in Arabia], Elijah? And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: for the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And He said, Go forth, and stand upon the Mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake: And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and *after the fire [God spoke in] a still small voice. And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering [to go back] in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here [back at the cave - there is work to be done in Israel], Elijah? And he [having not learned much] said [again], I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. And the LORD said unto him, Go [back to Israel], return [there is work to do] on thy way to the wilderness of Damascus: and when thou comest, *anoint Hazael to be king over Syria: And Jehu the son of Nimshi shalt thou anoint to be king over Israel: and *Elisha [the Prophet to replace Elijah] the son of Shaphat of Abel-meholah shalt thou anoint to be prophet in thy room.' - Just as Moses and the people of Israel had previously met God at Mt. Sinai, Elijah would also have an encounter with God at Mt. Sinai where he would hear the 'still small voice' of God and receive the correction and encouragement to go forward that the voice of God offers. - Also Note: After his Damascus road conversion to Christianity and fleeing from Damascus the Apostle Paul then spent three years in Arabia [Galatians 1:17] in the area and region of Mt. Sinai himself learning from God and then back to Damascus before he eventually returned to Jerusalem and met with Peter and James and others of the early Church Apostles and Elders. - The Biblical Mt. Sinai is in Median [Saudi Arabia] 'outside of Egypt' [Exodus 16:1] while the traditional Mt. Sinai is still located in Egypt on the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt.
Mountain Of Fire - The Search For Mount Sinai part 4 of 5 - Mt. Sinai and The cave of Elijah {Note: At 1 minute and 30 seconds in this segment of the video the broken and burnt rocks might be from Elijah's experience with God [1 Kings 19:12] while the burnt top of the Mountain itself is from the experience of Moses and the Nation of Israel [Exodus 19:18].} (YouTube)
Bob Cornuke from BASE Institute has been called a modern day Indiana Jones. This video is a clip from Bob's video about The Search For Mount Sinai. -- {Note: The Apostle Paul is writing about Mt. Sinai from both common knowledge of the day and his experiential knowledge having been to Mt. Sinai himself. After his Damascus road experience and departing Damascus the Apostle Paul went to Saudi Arabia and stayed in Saudi Arabia for about three years. Earlier the Prophet Elijah [1 Kings 19:8] had also gone to Arabia [Mt. Sinai also called Mt. Horeb] and stayed for a short time in the cave on Mt. Sinai (video part 4 of 5).} 'Galatians 1:17 Neither went I [Apostle Paul] up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; *but I went into Arabia [for about three years], and returned again unto Damascus.' - 'Galatians 4:25 mount Sinai in Arabia ...'
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_sYCXJIzBs
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1 Kings 21-22 - King Ahab desires the Vineyard of his neighbor, Naboth - Naboth will not sell his vineyard because it is his inheritance from his forefathers - Jezebel the wife of Ahab plots to kill Naboth and take his vineyard - False charges are brought up against Naboth and he is convicted in the courts of King Ahab and stoned to death -- '1 Kings 21:11-15 11 And the men of his city, even the elders and the nobles who were the inhabitants in his city, did as Jezebel had sent unto them, and as it was written in the letters which she had sent unto them. They proclaimed a fast [acting under the cover of religion], and [deceive Naboth with false acclamation] set Naboth on high among the people. And there came in two men, children of Belial, and sat before him: and the men of Belial [then] witnessed against him, even against Naboth, in the presence of the people, saying, Naboth did blaspheme God and the king. Then they carried him forth out of the city, and stoned him with stones, that he died. Then they sent to Jezebel, saying, Naboth is stoned, and is dead. And it came to pass, when Jezebel heard that Naboth was stoned, and was dead, that Jezebel said to Ahab, Arise, take possession of the vineyard of Naboth the Jezreelite, which he refused to give thee for money: for Naboth is not alive, but dead.'
The Northern and Southern kingdoms of Israel try to briefly reunite: 1 Kings 22:40-44 So Ahab [King of Northern Israel] slept [died] with his fathers; and Ahaziah his son reigned in his stead. And Jehoshaphat the son of Asa [King of Southern Israel] began to reign over Judah in the fourth year of Ahab king of Israel. Jehoshaphat was thirty and five years old when he began to reign; and he reigned twenty and five years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Azubah the daughter of Shilhi. And he walked in all the ways of Asa his father; he turned not aside from it, doing that which was right in the eyes of the LORD: nevertheless the high places were not taken away; for the people offered and burnt incense yet in the high places. And Jehoshaphat made peace with the king of Israel. - The continued amount of deceit especially from the Northern kingdom and the distrust between the two kingdoms made reuniting difficult even impossible even after the two kingdoms had been joined together in marriage. - 1 Kings 22:48-49 48 Jehoshaphat made ships of [from] Tharshish [Europe - Spain, England, France] to go to Ophir [Southeast Asia] for gold: but they went not; for the ships were broken at Ezion-geber [a port in the Red Sea]. Then said Ahaziah the son of Ahab unto Jehoshaphat, Let my servants go with thy servants in the ships. But Jehoshaphat would not. - Now several generations after the great Kingdom of Solomon King Jehoshaphat of Judah still has a formidable empire in that he obtains ships from Europe intending to send them to Southeast Asia with merchandise to trade for gold to bring back to Israel however his ships are damaged and unable to make the voyage as the kingdom of David and Solomon continues to diminish in earthly stature but grow in spiritual stature with the coming of the Prophets in Israel.
CLARKE'S COMMENTARY - 1 KINGS 22 - A lying spirit in the mouths of Ahab's prophets persuades [King] Ahab to go up against Ramoth - this prophecy of the king's [false] prophets is couched in the same ambiguous terms by which the false prophets in the heathen world endeavoured to maintain their credit, while they deluded their votaries (devout adherents)
It is worthy of remark that this prophecy of the king's prophets is couched in the same ambiguous terms by which the false prophets in the heathen world endeavored to maintain their credit, while they deluded their votaries. The reader will observe that the word it is not in the original: The Lord will deliver IT into the hand of the king; and the words are so artfully constructed that they may be interpreted for or against; so that, be the event whatever it might, the juggling prophet could save his credit by saying he meant what had happened. Thus then the prophecy might have been understood: The Lord will deliver (Ramoth-gilead) into the king's (Ahab's) hand; or, The Lord will deliver (Israel) into the king's hand; i.e., into the hand of the king of Syria. And Micaiah repeats these words of uncertainty in order to ridicule them and expose their fallacy. - The following oracles among the heathens were of this same dubious nature, in order that the priests' credit might be saved, let the event turn out as it might. Thus the Delphic oracle spoke to Croesus words which are capable of a double meaning, and which he understood to his own destruction:- Croesus, Halym penetrans, magnam subvertet opum vim, Which says, in effect:- "If you march against Cyrus, he will either overthrow you, or you will overthrow him." He trusted in the latter, the former took place. He was deluded, and yet the oracle maintained its credit. So in the following:- Aio te, AEacida, Romanos vincere posse Ibis redibis nunquam in bello peribis. - Pyrrhus, king of Epirus, understood by this that he should conquer the Romans, against whom he was then making war; but the oracle could be thus translated: "The Romans shall overcome thee." He trusted in the former, made unsuccessful war, and was overcome; and yet the juggling priest saved his credit. The latter line is capable of two opposite meanings:- "Thou shalt go, thou shalt return, thou shalt never perish in war." Or, "Thou shalt go, thou shalt never return, thou shalt perish in war." When prophecies and oracles were not delivered in this dubious way, they were generally couched in such intricate and dark terms that the assistance of the oracle was necessary to explain the oracle, and then it was ignotum per ignotius, a dark saying paraphrased by one yet more obscure.
http://www.godrules.net/library/clarke/clarke1kin22.htm
King Solomon's Gold Mines Mount Ophir Gunung Ledang Malacca Kuala Lumpur Malaysia Peninsula Almug (Algum) Tree Red Sandalwood First Temple Pillars I Kings 10 Ancient Transoceanic Voyages Phoenician Navigators
In I Kings 10 of the Old Testament in the Bible, King Solomon sent ships to Ophir for the finest gold and almug wood (for the Temple's pillars). The ships sailed from the Red Sea and headed east, to the Malaysian Peninsula, where the gold mountain there, east of the town of Malacca, which is just down the coast from Kuala Lumpur, was named Ophir, now known as Gunung Ledang, where are ancient mineshafts like honeycombs, from which huge amounts of gold were extracted by methods now unknown to the natives, nor to the Chinese who have also exploited the region through the centuries. And corroborative of this, that the mines of Ophir were across the vast Indian Ocean, is that also in I Kings 10, the almug (algum) tree, now known as red sandalwood, which grows only in southeast Asia, was sought by Solomon's fleet to construct the pillars of the First Temple; but how could they have navigated safely there and back, when it is commonly considered that such voyages were impossible because they could not accurately chart their course across a vast ocean? - Read article #2 at http://IceAgeCivilizations.com, to understand how they accurately measured time by the stars, with a simple mechanical instrument, and so could measure direction and distance, commonly thought to have been impossible before the invention of Harrison's chronometer in the 1850's. You can see that the evidence is solid that Malaysia is the location of Ophir, and now you can know how the ancients actually did navigate the globe in ancient times, exploiting the minerals which were available, such as in the ancient mysteriously complex mines of Mount Ophir, so check it out, and read further in the other categories to see how science and archaeology corroborate the Bible.
http://dancingfromgenesis.wordpress.com/2008/02/19/king-solomons-gold-mines-mount-ophir-gunung-ledang-malacca-kuala-lumpur-malaysia-peninsula-almug-algum-tree-red-sandalwood-first-temple-pillars-i-kings-10-ancient-transoceanic-voyages-phoenician-n/
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THE SECOND BOOK OF THE
===== 2 KINGS =====
COMMONLY CALLED\\THE FOURTH BOOK OF THE KINGS
2 Kings 1-2 - Elijah ends his ministry and is taken in a whirlwind into heaven - Elisha takes up the mantle (covering) and begins to be the next Prophet in Israel -- '2 Kings 2:13 He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan'
Elijah is translated into heaven: ' 2 Kings 2:1-15 And it came to pass, when the LORD would take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. And Elijah said unto Elisha, Tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Bethel. And Elisha said unto him, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they went down to Bethel. And the sons of the prophets that were at Bethel came forth to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he said, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Elisha, tarry here, I pray thee; for the LORD hath sent me to Jericho. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. So they came to Jericho. And the sons of the prophets that were at Jericho came to Elisha, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the LORD will take away thy master from thy head to day? And he answered, Yea, I know it; hold ye your peace. And Elijah said unto him, Tarry, I pray thee, here; for the LORD hath sent me to Jordan. And he said, As the LORD liveth, and as thy soul liveth, I will not leave thee. And they two went on. And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went, and stood to view afar off: and they two stood by Jordan. And Elijah took his mantle, and wrapped it together, and smote the waters, and they were divided hither and thither, so that they two went over on dry ground. And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me. And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so. And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. And Elisha saw it, and he cried, My father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof. And he saw him no more: and he took hold of his own clothes, and rent them in two pieces. He took up also the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and went back, and stood by the bank of Jordan; And he took the mantle of Elijah that fell from him, and smote the waters, and said, Where is the LORD God of Elijah? and when he also had smitten the waters, they parted hither and thither: and Elisha went over. And when the sons of the prophets which were to view at Jericho saw him, they said, The spirit of Elijah doth rest on Elisha. And they came to meet him, and bowed themselves to the ground before him.' - Note: Elijah is 'translated' meaning that he receives his spiritual heavenly body and this occurred in the sight of Elisha so it could be recorded in the Bible for our benefit of knowing that there is a spiritual body to replace our physical body once we die to accompany our spirit and our soul for eternity in heaven. Though Elijah was translated and brought up into heaven in appearance with his death occurring before the cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ that Elijah would not have remained in heaven but would have to remain in Paradise along with Abraham and all the other Saints of the Old Testament until the cross and resurrection of Jesus when the way into heaven was made available to those who believe in God.
Kings of Israel and Judah (Chart)
From time to time I write, and rewrite, short studies based on my understanding of the Bible. These thoughts are not the last word on a subject, but often just working papers that are incomplete or sketchy. You are welcome to quote from, or use, these essays--but please reference the source. Your email is most welcome. The Library is where most everything is located.
http://ldolphin.org/kings.html
Kings of Israel and Judah - Info on each King
Below is a list of the rulers of Israel and Judah. Israel became a divided kingdom in about 929 BC. The northern part continued to be called Israel. The southern part was called Judah. Kings Saul, David and Solomon ruled over Israel before it became a divided kingdom.
http://www.aboutbibleprophecy.com/p140.htm
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2 Kings 3-5 - Elijah [14 miracles] has ended his ministry and Elisha [28 miracles] begins his ministry having requested and received a double portion of the Spirit of God - '2 Kings 4:31-35 The child is not awaked. And when Elisha was come into the house, behold, the child was dead, and laid upon his bed. He went in therefore, and shut the door upon them twain, and prayed unto the LORD. And he went up, and lay upon [covered] the child [completely], and put his mouth upon his mouth, and his eyes upon his eyes, and his hands upon his hands: and he stretched himself upon the child [God completely covers our death]; and the flesh of the child waxed warm. Then he returned, and walked in the house to and fro; and went up, and stretched himself upon him: and the child sneezed seven times, and the child opened his eyes [being covered in death the life of Jesus takes over and gives our lifeless body a new life].'
Elisha demonstrates repeatedly that the Kingdom of God is to be life, it is to be appropriated as a blessing to ourselves and it is also to be shared with others: '2 Kings 4:5-7 5 So she went from him, and shut the door upon her and upon her sons, who brought the vessels (jars) [of her neighbors] to her; and she poured out [her one jar of oil into all the other jars]. And it came to pass, when the vessels were full, that she said unto her son, Bring me yet a vessel [jar]. And he said unto her, There is not a vessel more. And the oil stayed. Then she came and told the man of God. And he said, Go, sell the oil, and pay thy debt, and live thou and thy children of the rest.' - '2 Kings 4:42-45 And there came a man from Baal-shalisha, and brought the man of God bread of the firstfruits, twenty loaves of barley, and full ears of corn [grain] in the husk thereof. And he said, Give unto the people, that they may eat. And his servitor said, What, should I set this [food for twenty] before an hundred men? He said again, Give the people, that they may eat: for thus saith the LORD, They shall eat, and shall leave [leftovers] thereof. So he set it before them, and they did eat, and left [leftovers] thereof, according to the word of the LORD.'
The Berean Christian Bible Study Resources: The Miracles of the Prophets Elijah and Elisha - Elijah [14] miracles and "A Double Portion of Thy Spirit" for Elisha [28] miracles
Immediately prior to the time Elijah was caught up to heaven in the whirlwind, his younger understudy Elisha requested a double portion of Elijah's spirit (2 Kings 2:9). Elijah being under the inspiration of God then replied that Elisha's request would be granted provided that the younger prophet were with him at the time he was taken away. The scriptures then record that this condition was fulfilled. After reading of the spectacular career of Elijah, it is difficult to believe that any man could have a double portion of his spirit, yet it came to pass that exactly twice as many miracles were done in the ministry of Elisha as in that of Elijah. The miracles in the careers of these two men of God may be summarized thus: Miracles in the Career of Elijah: 1. Causing the rain the cease for 3 1/2 years (1 Kings 17:1). 2. Being fed by the ravens (1 Kings 17:4). 3. Miracle of the barrel of meal and cruse of oil (1 Kings 17:14). 4. Resurrection of the widow's son (1 Kings 17:22). 5. Calling of fire from heaven on the altar (1 Kings 18:38). 6. Causing it to rain (1 Kings 18:45). 7. Prophecy that Ahab's sons would all be destroyed (1 Kings 21:22). 8. Prophecy that Jezebel would be eaten by dogs (1 Kings 21:23). 9. Prophecy that Ahaziah would die of his illness (2 Kings 1:4). 10. Calling fire from heaven upon the first 50 soldiers (2 Kings 2:10). 11. Calling fire from heaven upon the second 50 soldiers (2 Kings 2:12). 12. Parting of the Jordan (2 Kings 2:8). 13. Prophecy that Elisha should have a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:10). 14. Being caught up to heaven in a whirlwind (2 Kings 2:11). -- Miracles in the Career of Elisha: 1. Parting of the Jordan (2 Kings 2:14). 2. Healing of the waters (2 Kings 2:21). 3. Curse of the she bears (2 Kings 2:24). 4. Filling of the valley with water (2 Kings 3:17). 5. Deception of the Moabites with the valley of blood (2 Kings 3:22). 6. Miracle of the vessels of oil (2 Kings 4:4). 7. Prophecy that the Shunammite woman would have a son (2 Kings 4:16). 8. Resurrection of the Shunammite's son (2 Kings 4:34). 9. Healing of the gourds (2 Kings 4:41). 10. Miracle of the bread (2 Kings 4:43). 11. Healing of Naaman (2 Kings 5:14). 12. Perception of Gehazi's transgression (2 Kings 5:26). 13. Cursing Gehazi with leprosy (2 Kings 5:27). 14. Floating of the axe head (2 Kings 6:6). 15. Prophecy of the Syrian battle plans (2 Kings 6:9). 16. Vision of the chariots (2 Kings 6:17). 17. Smiting the Syrian army with blindness (2 Kings 6:18). 18. Restoring the sight of the Syrian army (2 Kings 6:20). 19. Prophecy of the end of the great famine (2 Kings 7:1). 20. Prophecy that the scoffing nobleman would see, but not partake of, the abundance (2 Kings 7:2). 21. Deception of the Syrians with the sound of chariots (2 Kings 7:6). 22. Prophecy of the seven-year famine (2 Kings 8:1). 23. Prophecy of Benhadad's untimely death (2 Kings 8:10). 24. Prophecy of Hazael's cruelty to Israel (2 Kings 8:12). 25. Prophecy that Jehu would smite the house of Ahab (2 Kings 9:7). 26. Prophecy that Joash would smite the Syrians at Aphek (2 Kings 13:17). 27. Prophecy that Joash would smite Syria thrice but not consume it (2 Kings 13:19). 28. Resurrection of the man touched by his bones (2 Kings 13:21).
http://www.bcbsr.com/survey/eli.html
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2 Kings 6-7 - As a type of Jesus Christ the ministry of Elisha continues to benefit and bless both Jews and Gentiles as Elisha assists Jehoram the King of Judah in their victory over Moab and Elisha assists the Syrian General Naaman in being cured of leprosy -- '2 Kings 5:15 And he [Naaman] returned to the man [Elisha] of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all earth, but in Israel ...'
God prefers to overcome evil by His goodness: '2 Kings 6:8-23 Then the King of Syria warred [went to war] against Israel, and took counsel with his servants, saying, In such and such a place shall be my camp. ... And when they [Syrians] came down to him, Elisha prayed unto the LORD, and said, Smite this people, I pray thee, with blindness. And He smote them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. And Elisha said unto them, This is not the way, neither is this the city: follow me, and I will bring you to the man whom ye seek. But he led them to Samaria. And it came to pass, when they were come into Samaria, that Elisha said, LORD, open the eyes of these men, that they may see. And the LORD opened their eyes, and they saw; and, behold, they were in the midst of Samaria. *And the King of Israel said unto Elisha, when he saw them, My father [Elisha], shall I smite them? shall I smite them? And he answered, Thou shalt not smite them: wouldest thou smite those whom thou hast taken captive with thy sword and with thy bow? *set bread and water before them, that they may eat and drink, and go to their master. And he prepared great provision for them: and when they had eaten and drunk, he sent them away, and they went to their master. So the bands [Army] of Syria came no more into the land of Israel.' -- 'Romans 12: 1-21 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. ... Let love be without dissimulation [a form of deception in which one conceals the truth - wiki.com]. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honor preferring one another; Not slothful in business; fervent in Spirit; serving the Lord; Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; Distributing to the necessity of Saints; given to hospitality. Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend [agree, participate] to men of low estate [status]. Be not wise in your own conceits. Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written [Deuteronomy 32:35], Vengeance is Mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. Therefore [Proverbs 25:21-22] if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals [attention getting events] of fire on his head [Acts 2:3]. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.' Note: 'coals of fire on his head' is a way saying, 'getting someone's attention'. Coals of fire can refer to either a blessing [2 Samuel 14:7] or a curse [Song of Solomon 8:6]. It is up to the individual who God has gotten the attention of 'coals heaped upon their head' whether they want to follow in the ways of God and be blessed or continue to stray away from God and be cursed.
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2 Kings 8-9 - The political intrigue and assassinations continue unabated however the results from all of the effort is almost of no effect - Desiring to be the ruler in Northern Israel the man Jehu kills Ahaziah [the son of Ahab and Jezebel] - Jehu then has the servants of Jezebel throw her from an upper window - Jehu then had the seventy descendants of Ahab beheaded -- '2 Kings 9:6-8 And he [a minor unnamed prophet] arose, and went into the house; and he [not Elisha] poured the oil on his head, and said unto him, Thus saith the LORD God of Israel, I have anointed thee king over the people of the LORD, even over [Northern] Israel. And thou shalt smite the House of Ahab thy master, that I may avenge the blood of My servants the prophets, and the blood of all the servants of the LORD, at the hand of Jezebel. For the whole house of Ahab shall perish ...'
Jehu kills all the competition: '2 Kings 10:28-36 Thus Jehu destroyed Baal out of Israel. Howbeit from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin, Jehu departed not from after them, to wit, the golden calves that were in Bethel, and that were in Dan. And the LORD said unto Jehu, Because thou hast done well in executing that which is right in mine eyes, and hast done unto the house of Ahab according to all that was in mine heart, thy children of the fourth generation shall sit on the throne of Israel. But Jehu took no heed to walk in the law of the LORD God of Israel with all his heart: for he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam, which made Israel to sin. In those days the LORD began to cut Israel short: and Hazael smote them in all the coasts of Israel; From Jordan eastward, all the land of Gilead, the Gadites, and the Reubenites, and the Manassites, from Aroer, which is by the river Arnon, even Gilead and Bashan. Now the rest of the acts of Jehu, and all that he did, and all his might, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? And Jehu slept with his fathers: and they buried him in Samaria. And Jehoahaz his son reigned in his stead. And the time that Jehu reigned over Israel in Samaria was twenty and eight years.' - Jehu took it upon himself to execute his judgment upon others however being obsessed with the conduct of others he is never able to bring his own conduct into submission unto the will of God.
Overcoming Jezebel, Athaliah, And Belial (Baal) In The Heavenlies [Complete Without (*with) Pictures] - We need to realize how these things work in the spirit so that we can pray more effectively for those under the stronghold of an Ahab and Jezebel spirit - 165 pages (PDF)
Our Ministry: Our main focus is the restoration of the Bride of Y'shua [Jesus]. This takes place in all three levels of man ... the spirit, soul and body.
http://www.kanaanministries.org/overcoming-jezebel-athaliah-belial.html
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2 Kings 10-11 - Jehoran the King of Southern Israel (Judah) married Athaliah the daughter of King Ahab and Jezebel of Northern Israel - After Jehoran [eight year reign] died of natural causes her son Ahaziah was King of Judah for one year and was visiting his mother-in-law Jezebel when she was killed at Jehu's command - Jehu then killed the fleeing King of Judah Ahaziah - After the loss of her husband and her son Athaliah made herself the Queen of Judah and reigned for six years -- '2 Kings 11:1 And when Athaliah [the daughter of King Ahab and Jezebel] the mother of [King] Ahaziah saw that her son [Ahaziah] was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal [and made herself Queen of Judah].'
Queen Athaliah purges all of the royal seed of Judah except for one [Joash]: '2 Kings 11:1-4 And when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and destroyed all the seed royal. But Jehosheba [Athaliah's daughter], the daughter of king Joram [Jehoran], sister of [King] Ahaziah, took Joash the [infant] son of Ahaziah and stole him from among the King's sons which were slain; and they hid him, even him and his nurse, in the bedchamber from Athaliah, so that he was not slain. And he was with her hid in the house of the LORD six years. And [Queen] Athaliah did reign over the land. And the seventh year Jehoiada sent and fetched the rulers over hundreds, with the captains and the guard, and brought them to him into the house of the LORD, and made a covenant with them, and took an oath of them in the house of the LORD, and shewed them the king's son.' - Joash became the King of Israel and reigned for forty years from seven years old until his death at 47 years old. Joash repaired and rebuilt much of King Solomon's Temple but then later took much of the wealth and gold from the Temple and from his royal house in Jerusalem and gave it to Hazael the king of Syria in order to keep Syria from attacking Jerusalem.
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2 Kings 12-13 - During the reign of Joash the Prophet Elisha passes away -- '2 Kings 13:14 Now Elisha was fallen sick of his sickness whereof he died. And Joash [Jehoash] the king of Israel came down unto him, and wept over his face, and said, O my father, my father, the chariot of Israel, and the horsemen thereof [your time of death has come].'
The period of the Kings of Israel begins to wind down: '2 Kings 14:23-29 23 In the fifteenth year of Amaziah the son of Joash king of Judah [then] Jeroboam [II] the son of Joash [Jehoash] king of Israel began to reign in Samaria, and reigned forty and one years. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from all the sins of Jeroboam [I] the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. He [Jeroboam II] restored the coast of Israel from the entering of Hamath unto the sea of the plain, *according to the word of the LORD God of Israel, which he spake by the hand of his servant *Jonah, the son of Amittai, the prophet, which was of Gath-hepher. For the LORD saw the affliction of Israel, that it was very bitter: for there was not any shut up, nor any left, nor any helper for Israel. And the LORD said not that he would blot out the name of Israel from under heaven: but he saved them by the hand of Jeroboam the son of Joash. Now the rest of the acts of Jeroboam [II], and all that he did, and his might, how he warred, and how he recovered Damascus, and Hamath, which belonged to Judah, for Israel, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel? And Jeroboam [II] slept with his fathers, even with the kings of Israel; and Zachariah his son reigned in his stead.' - As the period of Kings begins to diminish the third office of God the office of Prophets begins to come to the forefront in both Judah and in Northern Israel. Jonah the Prophet begins to prophesy in Northern Israel and later Jonah is sent by God to Assyria to call the Gentile nation of Assyria to repentance to God. A call the nation of Assyria heard, accepted and answered. Jonah would be among the first prophets of Israel and Judah to have his ministry recorded in his own scroll the book of Jonah.
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2 Kings 14-15 - Zachariah the son of Jeroboam II is the fourth and final descendant of Jehu to reign in Northern Israel -- '2 Kings 15:11-12 And the rest of the acts of Zachariah, behold, they are written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Israel. This was the word of the LORD which he spake unto Jehu, saying, Thy sons shall sit on the throne of Israel unto the *fourth generation. And so it came to pass.' - Jehu had tried to make a worldly distinction between good and evil and therefore God gave him four more generations to rule over Northern Israel. The number of four Biblically represents the physical world, the four directions (N,S,E,W), the four winds, the four rivers of the Garden of Eden [Genesis 2:10]. Jehu in making worldly decisions regarding others and in executing others was neglecting the Divine mercy and providence of the Holy God. While Jehu had removed the possibility of witnessing and of a godly repentance of the people he was removing a Biblical option from his decision making process and having removed the eternal Biblical options his earthly royal lineage was doomed to last for only four generations.
Both Israel and Judah are being diminished as nations but strengthened as a people: '2 Kings 15:32-38 In the second year of Pekah the son of Remaliah ing of Israel began Jotham the son of Uzziah king of Judah to reign. Five and twenty years old was he when he began to reign, and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Jerusha, the daughter of Zadok. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD: he did according to all that his father Uzziah had done. Howbeit the high places were not removed: the people sacrificed and burned incense still in the high places. *He built the higher gate of the House (Temple) of the LORD. Now the rest of the acts of Jotham, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? *In those days the LORD began to send against Judah Rezin the king of Syria, and Pekah the son of Remaliah. And Jotham slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in the city of David his father: and Ahaz his son reigned in his stead.' - While the nations and governments of Israel and Judah are being attacked and weakened in standing and status among the other nations of the world a remnant of Jewish people and their Jewish customs are taking hold and increasing in the lives of certain individuals throughout Israel and in particular in Judah. It is this faithful remnant of Israel and Judah that will keep the Nation of Israel and the customs of Israel intact in order to deliver the promises of God given through Abraham to all of mankind.
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2 Kings 16-17 - Azariah (Uzziah) begins to reign in Judah - Isaiah the prophet begins his amazing, extended ministry firmly implementing the 1st early period of documented (scroll) prophets - Assyria asserts its strength in Israel - While King Ahaz reigned in Judah King Hoshea reigned in Northern Israel - Assyria attacked Hoshea and Northern Israel and after finding out that Hoshea sent letters to Egypt asking for their assistance Assyria brought to an end the Northern Kingdom of Israel taking into captivity the Ten Tribes from Samaria and bringing foreign non-Jews to live in the land of Jewish land of Samaria {Samaria would remain a Jewish and non-Jewish mix of people even until the days of Jesus} -- '2 Kings 17:24 And the king of Assyria brought men from Babylon, and from Cuthah, and from Ava, and from Hamath, and from Sepharvaim, and placed them in the cities of Samaria instead of the children of Israel: and they possessed Samaria, and dwelt in the cities thereof.'
The tragedy of Northern Israel falling away into captivity: '2 Kings 17:1-14 In the twelfth year of Ahaz king of Judah began Hoshea the son of Elah to reign in Samaria over [Northern] Israel nine years. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, but not as the kings of Israel that were before him. Against him came up Shalmaneser king of Assyria; and Hoshea became his servant, and gave him presents. And the king of Assyria found conspiracy in Hoshea: for he had sent messengers to So king of Egypt, and brought no present to the king of Assyria, as he had done year by year: therefore the king of Assyria shut him up, and bound him in prison. Then the king of Assyria came up throughout all the land, and went up to Samaria, and besieged it three years. In the ninth year of Hoshea the king of Assyria took Samaria, and carried Israel away into Assyria, and placed them in Halah and in Habor by the river of Gozan, and in the cities of the Medes. For so it was, that the children of Israel had sinned against the LORD their God, which had brought them up out of the land of Egypt, from under the hand of Pharaoh king of Egypt, and had feared other gods, And walked in the statutes of the heathen, whom the LORD cast out from before the children of Israel, and of the kings of Israel, which they had made. And the children of Israel did secretly those things that were not right against the LORD their God, and they built them high places in all their cities, from the tower of the watchmen to the fenced city. And they set them up images and groves in every high hill, and under every green tree: And there they burnt incense in all the high places, as did the heathen whom the LORD carried away before them; and wrought wicked things to provoke the LORD to anger: For they served idols, whereof the LORD had said unto them, Ye shall not do this thing. Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep My Commandments and My Statutes, according to all the Law [Laws of Moses] which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets. Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, *that did not believe in the LORD their God.'- Later in Judah through the prophet Jeremiah [Jeremiah 2:33 9:5,14 28:16] we will find out that the actual moment of the Nations of Israel being defeated and taken into captivity was brought about when Israel and Judah each separately began to do more than disobey God they each actually begin to teach other nations and other people how to disobey God to a further extent. With the disobedience and particularly the teaching of others how to disobey and sin against God that the Nations ceased to exist and were taken into captivity and their religion and society were only sustained by a small remnant of faithful worshipers to God.
Ancient Documents: Ancient History - Assyrian and Babylonian texts [Ancient texts mentioning Israel]
Assyrian and Babylonian texts. Ancient History, Archaeology and Biblical Studies. The primary purpose of this site is to provide on-line text documents from archaeologists and ancient writers, and some tools for Bible study. Everything is provided in an HTML format which has internal reference markers. These internal markers are not visible when simply reading the text, but they allow HTML search tools to index information available here. A simple search program is provided here.
http://mcadams.posc.mu.edu/txt/
http://www.bible-history.com/links.php?cat=16&sub=44&cat_na
THE FIRST BOOK OF THE
===== 1 CHRONICLES =====
Book of 1 Chronicles - The Books of 1 & 2 Chronicles cover mostly the same information as 1 & 2 Samuel and 1 & 2 Kings - 1 & 2 Chronicles focus more on the *Priestly aspect of the time period - The Book of 1 Chronicles was written [possibly compiled/written while in Babylon (by Ezra the scribe)] preparing for the return to Jerusalem and Israel after the exile - To help those returning to Israel understand how to worship God - {Note: The three offices of God each produced their own scrolls and combined the selected scrolls compose the Holy Bible. The Kings (1st and 2nd Kings - [not selected] the book of Jasher and the book of the acts of Solomon, etc.), the prophets (Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, etc.) and the Priests (1st and 2nd Samuel and 1st and 2nd Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, etc.) - Once in Babylon and in captivity for the 70 years the Temple in Jerusalem having been destroyed the Temple ceased to be the primary focus of Judaism and the Bible scrolls now became the primary focus of Judaism and while in Babylon without a Temple to officiate and serve in the O.T. Bible scrolls (up until that point) were compiled, edited and composed into the books [that we now have today] and presented to the people (primarily in Synagogues) for their own congregational and personal use in worship and in daily living. - So starting at this point in history we now have a shift away from the Temple [Tabernacle, Temple worship - started by Moses at Mt. Sinai] and onto the Scriptures and the beginnings of the Synagogue (Jewish Church). - Also Note: At this point in history the Word of God [having mostly been written by that time] is already replacing and superseding (Leviticus 17:11, John 5:24, *John 6:63) the blood of the animals as a cleansing offering and as a sacrifice for man (John 1:14, John 15:3) until the ultimate sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross can sustain mankind for all eternity.}
Brief Summary: The first 9 chapters of 1 Chronicles are dedicated to lists and genealogies. Further lists and genealogies are scattered throughout the rest of 1 Chronicles. In between, the Book of 1 Chronicles records David's ascension to the throne and his actions thereafter. The book concludes with David's son Solomon becoming King of Israel. Briefly outlined, the Book of 1 Chronicles is as follows: Chapters 1:1-9:23 - Selective Genealogies; Chapters 9:24-12:40 - David's ascent; Chapters 13:1-20:30 -David's reign. - Foreshadowings: In David's song of thanksgiving to God in 1 Chronicles 16:33, he refers to the time when God will come "to judge the earth." This foreshadows Matthew 25, in which Jesus describes the time when He will come to judge the earth. Through the parables of the ten virgins and the talents, He warns that those who are found without the blood of Christ covering their sins will be cast into "outer darkness." He encourages His people to be ready because when He comes, He will separate the sheep from the goats in judgment. - Part of the Davidic Covenant which God reiterates in chapter 17 refers to the future Messiah who would be a descendant of David. Verses 13-14 describe the Son who will be established in God's house and whose throne will be established forever. This can only refer to Jesus Christ. - Practical Application: Genealogies such as the ones in 1 Chronicles may seem dry to us, but they remind us that God knows each of His children personally, even down to the number of hairs on our heads (Matthew 10:30). We can take comfort in the fact that who we are and what we do is written forever in God's mind. If we belong to Christ, our names are written forever in the Lamb's book of Life (Revelation 13:8).
http://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-1-Chronicles.html
Jerusalem Post - Oct 19, 2001: Ezra the Scribe - The man who reshaped Judaism by Gail Lichtman - Despite the fact that the period of Ezra and the return to Zion [Jerusalem] was a pivotal transition point between biblical and post-biblical Judaism, very few scholars have focused on this era - Ezra remains an intriguing yet little-known figure
Despite the fact that the period of [Ezra] and the return to Zion was a pivotal transition point between biblical and post-biblical Judaism, very few scholars have focused on this era. Ezra remains an intriguing yet little- known figure. Ezra also instituted a renewed covenant with the people, in which they swore to observe not only the written Torah but also some 10 decrees not explicitly mentioned in the Torah but derived from it through legal interpretation developed by Ezra. Ezra was a man so enthusiastic about spreading Torah that ancient rabbis said of him: "If Moses had not anticipated him, Ezra would have received the Torah."
http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/jpost/access/85539653.html?dids=85539653:85539653&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Oct+19,+2001&author=Gail+Lichtman&pub=Jerusalem+Post&edition=&startpage=07&desc=Ezra+the+Scribe.+The+man+who+reshaped+Judaism
Ezra - Ezra (active 5th century B.C. - 400's B.C.) was a Hebrew Priest, scribe, religious leader, and reformer who vitally influenced Judaism - The son of Seraiah, Ezra was a descendant of the ancient Priestly house of Zadok [the new section (family) of the Levitical/Aaronic Priesthood after Eli's family was disqualified (1 Samuel 3:12, 2 Samuel 8:17, Ezekiel 43:19)] - Scholars believe it was Ezra who replaced the altars and shrines in the villages with Synagogues - Other prominent Jewish religious customs are associated with Ezra, who is generally credited with having removed the Torah [5 Books of Moses] from the monopoly of the priesthood [the Temple also had had the Temple records - Ezra condensed and compiled the Temple records primarily into the O.T. Bible] and democratized it by teaching it to the people - Finally, Ezra is regarded as the savior of the national and religious life of Judaism at a most critical [transition] period
Ezra (active 5th century B.C.) was a Hebrew priest, scribe, religious leader, and reformer who vitally influenced Judaism. The son of Seraiah, Ezra was a descendant of the ancient priestly house of Zadok. In 458 B.C., the seventh year of the reign of King Artaxerxes of Persia, Ezra obtained the King's permission to visit Judea, bearing with him the latter's gifts for the Holy Temple. The primary purpose of his mission, however, was to inquire into the deteriorating religious conditions of the Jewish community in Judea. Ezra came at the head of a caravan of about 1,800 men, not including their women and children. They made the 4 month journey from Babylon without the benefit of military escort, thereby demonstrating their trust and reliance upon God. Soon after his arrival in Jerusalem, Ezra proceeded to reorganize the Temple services. In response to his vigorous program to persuade the people to observe the Mosaic Law, they entered into a covenant to keep the Sabbath and the Sabbatical year, as well as other precepts of the Torah. But the problem that perplexed Ezra most was that many of the Judean settlers had taken heathen wives from among the neighboring peoples. Mixed marriages had become so prevalent as to threaten the very survival of the Jewish community. Ezra induced his people to divorce their pagan wives and to separate from the community those who refused to do so. Ezra's action was an extreme measure, but he felt that the critical situation warranted it. It aroused the ire of the Samaritans and other peoples, who resented the affront to their women. In retaliation the Samaritans denounced Ezra to the Persian king for attempting to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, which he evidently was not authorized to do. The King stopped the work, and the rebuilt part was razed. {Note: The Jews had permission (from King Cyrus) to rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem it was established by messengers that they could rebuild, later it was also established (by King Artaxerxes) that they could rebuild the wall around the city of Jerusalem. (Ezra 4:12-24, Ezra 6:1-22, Nehemiah 2:8)} -- The Talmud ascribes a far more important role to Ezra than that recorded in the scriptural book bearing his name. The Talmud asserts that Ezra would have been worthy of having the Torah given through him to Israel had not Moses preceded him. It also attributes to him many ancient laws, perhaps to give them prestige and authority. It states that he introduced the use of the square Hebrew script. Ezra also is said to have determined the precise text of the Pentateuch. Tradition regards him, moreover, as the founder of the Kenesset Hagdolah, the Great Assembly, which exercised supreme religious authority until the end of the 4th century B.C. Scholars believe it was Ezra who replaced the altars and shrines in the villages with synagogues. Other prominent Jewish religious customs are associated with Ezra, who is generally credited with having removed the Torah from the monopoly of the priesthood and democratized it by teaching it to the people. Finally, Ezra is regarded as the savior of the national and religious life of Judaism at a most critical period.
http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3404702072.html
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1 Chronicles 1-5 - The Books of 1st and 2nd Chronicles are a brief summary of previous events, starting with the genealogy of Adam through Abraham and into King David and his descendants - The books are primarily transition books in transitioning the Children of Israel from their glorious [and at times not so glorious] past into their even more glorious future appointment with the coming Messiah - The Books are again another cause for the Children of God to evaluate, to learn and to gain a valuable insight and with insight a perspective and with a perspective an ability to go forward and accomplish what God has in store for them -- '1 Chronicles 1:1-4 Adam, Sheth, Enosh, Kenan, Mahalaleel, Jered, Henoch, Methuselah, Lamech, Noah, Shem, Ham, and Japheth ...'
1 Chronicles 2:1-2 These are the sons of Israel [Jacob - the Twelve Tribes of Israel]; Reuben (the Firstborn but lost his birthright and it was given to Joseph), Simeon, *Levi (Priestly Tribe), and Judah (Kingly Tribe), Issachar, and Zebulun, Dan, *Joseph (received the firstborn double portion of land in the Promise Land - Israel), and Benjamin, Naphtali, Gad, and Asher. ... 1 Chronicles 5:1-2 Now the sons of Reuben the firstborn of Israel, for he was the firstborn; but, forasmuch as he defiled his father's [Jacob's (Genesis 35:22)] bed, his birthright was given unto the sons of Joseph the son of Israel: and the genealogy [of Ruben] is not to be reckoned after the birthright. For Judah prevailed above his brethren, and of him came the chief ruler; but the birthright was Joseph's: - Note: Jacob 'adopted' his Twelve male children [from four different wives] and as the adoption each received an inheritance - the inheritance of Jacob given to him from God, handed down from Abraham and Isaac was the Promise Land, the promises and the Convents between Abraham and God. Jacob gave a portion of his inheritance to each of his Twelve sons and skipping down to Joseph gave Joseph the double portion and since the inheritance was a living inheritance [like heaven is a living inheritance for each of us] Jacob adopted the first two of Joseph's sons as his sons and the two (Grandsons) Manasseh and Ephraim each received and equal inheritance in the Promise Land with their uncles. But Jacob would not adopt any more of Joseph's children is Joseph had more children they would not get their own inheritance but would have to live in one of their brother's inheritance if they were to live in the Promise Land though Jacob didn't have any more sons. -- Genesis 48:5-6 5 And now thy two sons, Ephraim and Manasseh, which were born unto thee in the land of Egypt before I came unto thee into Egypt, are mine; as Reuben and Simeon, they shall be mine. And thy issue, which thou begettest after them, shall be thine, and shall be called after the name of their brethren in their inheritance. - Also Note: Joseph received the Firstborn double portion inheritance of Israel and it is Jesus Christ the "Firstborn" in status that receives the double portion inheritance in the eternal resurrection life Kingdom. -- Colossians 1:14-18 In [Jesus Christ] whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins: Who is the image of the invisible God, the *firstborn [in status] of every creature: For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by Him, and for Him: And He is before all things, and by Him all things consist. And He is the head of the body, the Church: who is the beginning, *the firstborn [resurrection] from the dead; that in all things He might have the preeminence. - Also Note: How even in the genealogy the Book of 1st Chronicles is transitioning from Adam, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Moses and King David directly into Jesus Christ.
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1 Chronicles 6-8 - Ezra the Zakod Priest and [Bible recorder] Scribe - removes the Eli section of the Priesthood from the Levi family genealogy and even from the Books in his endeavor to move Israel forward with as little hindrance as possible he makes no mention of the previous Eli High Priest office -- '1 Chronicles 6:1-10 The sons of Levi [the Levitical Priest Tribe]; Gershon, Kohath, and Merari. And the sons of Kohath; Amram, Izhar, and Hebron, and Uzziel. And the children of Amram; *Aaron [the Aaronic section of the Levitical Preisthood], and *Moses, and Miriam. The sons also of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. Eleazar begat Phinehas, Phinehas begat Abishua ... And Ahitub begat *Zadok [the Zadok section of the Levitical Priesthood], and Zadok begat Ahimaaz, And Ahimaaz begat Azariah, and Azariah begat Johanan, And Johanan begat *Azariah, he it is that executed the Priest's office in the Temple that Solomon built in Jerusalem' - Note: Ezra was a descendant of Zadok and it seems that he purposely left the 'Eli' (1 Samuel 1:9) section of the Priesthood out of the family genealogy and only traces the Zadok family line. That's a real transition right there as Ezra isn't even listing the Eli family [Priests of the Tabernacle in Shiloh] in the books.
The Aaronic Priesthood: 1 Chronicles 6:49-57 But Aaron and his sons *offered upon the altar of the burnt offering, *and on the altar of incense, *and were appointed for all the work of the place most Holy [Holy of Holies], *and to make an atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded. And these are the sons of Aaron; Eleazar his son, Phinehas his son, Abishua his son, Bukki his son, Uzzi his son, Zerahiah his son, Meraioth his son, Amariah his son, Ahitub his son, Zadok his son, Ahimaaz his son. Now these are their dwelling places throughout their castles in their coasts, of the sons of Aaron, of the families of the Kohathites: for theirs was the lot. And they gave them Hebron in the land of Judah, and the suburbs thereof round about it. But the fields of the city, and the villages thereof, they gave to Caleb the son of Jephunneh. And to the sons of Aaron they gave the cities of Judah, namely, Hebron, the city of refuge, and Libnah with her suburbs, and Jattir, and Eshtemoa, with their suburbs ...
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1 Chronicles 9-10 - Ezra the Scribe is going to compile for the Children of God a series of past transitions in Israel so that in looking back they can now go forward - Into a future that will require Israel to be submitted under foreign rule and authority by other nations, a Temple will need to be rebuilt and the Law will need to be reestablished and for the remainder of their history Israel will not have another earthly King -- '1 Chronicles 9:1 So all Israel were reckoned by genealogies; and, behold, they were written in the Book of the Kings of Israel and Judah, who were carried away to Babylon for their transgression.'
The transition from King Saul's rule to King David's empire and also the transition in the same way from Eli's [physical] Tabernacle Priesthood to Zadok's eventual Temple Priesthood and the Ministry of the Word of God - The Word (Scriptures) of God being a better witness of God than the Ministry of the blood of bulls and goats. The Word (Scriptures) of God containing within it the Promises, Covenants and Revelation of God. - '1 Chronicles 10:13-14 So [King] Saul [King Saul became a Biblical human type of Satan] died for his transgression which he committed against the LORD, *even against *the Word of the LORD, which he kept not, and also for asking counsel of one that had a familiar spirit, to enquire of it; And enquired not of the LORD: therefore He slew him, and turned the Kingdom unto David the son of Jesse.' - Note: In the same way of judgment that King Saul and three of his sons died (1 Samuel 31:6) the Tabernacle High Priest Eli and two of his sons had all also died on the same day enacting the eventual transition of the Priesthood from Eli [the Priesthood of animal blood] to Zadok [the Ministry of the Word of God] (1 Samuel 2:34-35, 1 Samuel 4:11,18) as well as the Kingdom from Saul to David. - Also Note: The Eli Priesthood Ministry [a ministry strictly of animal blood sacrifices] perished in the same way as Saul and like King Saul the Eli Priesthood Ministry perished without writing a single word of Scripture. The Zadok Ministry and the Davidic Kingdom would soon replace the Eli Ministry and Saul's [corrupt] Kingdom and combined the Zadok Ministers [Ministers of the Word of God] and the Davidic lineage would author, preserve, compile and minister the vast majority of the Old Testament of the Holy Bible to the people of God.
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1 Chronicles 11-12 - Ezra the Zadok Priest and Scribe continues to reveal how "the Word of God" has precedence over the Tabernacle and later the Temple ordinances and sacrifices -- '1 Chronicles 11:1 Then all Israel gathered themselves to David unto Hebron, saying, Behold, we are thy bone and thy flesh. And moreover in time past, even when Saul was king, thou wast he that leddest out and broughtest in Israel: and the LORD thy God said unto thee, Thou shalt feed my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel, and thou shalt be ruler over my people Israel. Therefore came all the elders of Israel to the King to Hebron; and David made a covenant with them in Hebron before the LORD; and they anointed David King over Israel, according to *the Word of the LORD by Samuel.'
1 Chronicles 12:16-28 And there came of the children of [Tribe of] Benjamin and [Tribe of Judah] Judah to the hold [hideout] unto David. And David went out to meet them, and answered and said unto them, If ye become peaceably unto me to help me, mine heart shall be knit unto you: but if ye be come to betray me to mine enemies, seeing there is no wrong in mine hands, the God of our fathers look thereon, and rebuke it. Then the spirit came upon Amasai, who was chief of the captains, and he said, Thine are we, David, and on thy side, thou son of Jesse: peace, peace be unto thee, and peace be to thine helpers; for thy God helpeth thee. Then David received them, and made them captains of the band. And there fell some of Manasseh to David, when he came with the Philistines against Saul to battle: but they helped them not: for the lords of the Philistines upon advisement sent him away, saying, He will fall to his master Saul to the jeopardy of our heads. As he went to Ziklag, there fell to him of Manasseh, Adnah, and Jozabad, and Jediael, and Michael, and Jozabad, and Elihu, and Zilthai, captains of the thousands that were of Manasseh. And they helped David against the band of the rovers: for they were all mighty men of valour, and were captains in the host. For at that time day by day there came to David to help him, until it was a great host, like the host of God. And these are the numbers of the bands that were ready armed to the war, and came to David to Hebron, to turn the kingdom of Saul to him, according to the word of the LORD. The children of Judah that bare shield and spear were six thousand and eight hundred, ready armed to the war. Of the children of Simeon, mighty men of valor for the war, seven thousand and one hundred. *Of the children of [Tribe of Levi] Levi four thousand and six hundred. *And Jehoiada was the leader of the Aaronites [Aaronic Priests], and with him were three thousand and seven hundred; And *Zadok [Zadok is the great-great-great Grandfather of Ezra (Ezra 7:1-5)], *a young man mighty of valor, and of his father's house twenty and two captains. - Note: God was transitioning the Nation of Israel from Saul's reign and Eli's reign into the Davidic Kingdom and the Zadok Priesthood in unison.
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1 Chronicles 13-16 - King David the Zadok Priesthood and the people of Israel all assist one another in order to bring the Ark of God, the Presence of God into Jerusalem -- '1 Chronicles 13:1-5 And David consulted with the captains of thousands and hundreds, and with every leader. And David said unto all the congregation of Israel, If it seem good unto you, and that it be of the LORD our God, let us send abroad unto our brethren everywhere, that are left in all the land of Israel, and with them also to the priests and Levites which are in their cities and suburbs, that they may gather themselves unto us: And let us bring again the ark of our God to us: for we enquired not at it in the days of Saul. And all the congregation said that they would do so: for the thing was right in the eyes of all the people. So David gathered all Israel together, from Shihor of Egypt even unto the entering of Hemath, to bring the ark of God from Kirjath-jearim (Samuel 7:1).' - Note: The Ark of the Covenant entered into Jerusalem on the Sabbath Day - the same day that Jesus would later enter into Jerusalem in on His triumphal entry.
1 Chronicles 16:37-43 So he [King David] left there before the Ark of the Covenant of the LORD *Asaph [Psalms 50 and 73-83] and his brethren, to minister before the ark continually, as every day's work required: And Obed- edom with their brethren, threescore and eight; Obed-edom also the son of Jeduthun and Hosah to be porters: And *Zadok the Priest [Zadok also dedicated the Temple for King Solomon (1 Chronicles 29:22)], *and his brethren the Priests, before the Tabernacle of the LORD in the high place that was at Gibeon, To offer burnt offerings unto the LORD upon the altar of the burnt offering continually morning and evening, and to do according to all that is written in the law of the LORD, which He commanded Israel; And with them Heman and Jeduthun, and the rest that were chosen, who were expressed by name, to give thanks to the LORD, because His mercy endureth for ever; And with them Heman and Jeduthun with trumpets and cymbals for those that should make a sound, and with musical instruments of God. And the sons of Jeduthun were porters. And all the people departed {being (Saturday) the close of the Sabbath Day} every man to his house: and David returned to bless his house. - Note: With God's presence in Jerusalem, with King David on the Throne in Jerusalem and Zadok officiating as one of the Priests of Israel the transition from Saul and Eli had been completed and the transition from the Tabernacle/Temple Ministry of animal blood sacrifice to the Ministry of the Holy Word of God, later confirmed, established and completed in the birth, cross and resurrection of Jesus Christ for all mankind was well under way.
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1 Chronicles 17-22 - King David desires to build the Temple in Jerusalem however God decrees that Solomon will build His Temple -- '1 Chronicles 17:1 Now it came to pass, as David sat in his house, that David said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedars, but the Ark of the covenant of the LORD remaineth under curtains [within the Tabernacle - Tent].'
1 Chronicles 22:1-6 Then David said, This is the House of the LORD God, and this is the altar of the burnt offering for Israel. And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God. And David prepared iron in abundance for the nails for the doors of the gates, and for the joinings; and brass in abundance without weight; Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David. And David said, Solomon my son is young and tender, and the house that is to be builded for the LORD must be exceeding magnifical, of fame and of glory throughout all countries: I will therefore now make preparation for it. So David prepared abundantly before his death. Then he called for Solomon his son, and charged him to build an House for the LORD God of Israel.
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1 Chronicles 23-28 - The Nation of Israel transitions from King David to his son King Solomon - One of the few transitions in Israel that don't involve an almost outright civil war - When Solomon's son King Rehoboam takes the Throne there will be a permanent separation among the Tribes of Israel that will lead to an almost constant civil war within Israel -- '1 Chronicles 23:1-2 So when David was old and full of days, he made Solomon his son King over Israel. And he [King David] gathered together all the Princes of Israel, with the Priests and the Levites.' - Note: The three Kings of a united Israel; Saul, David and Solomon. King Saul (the name Saul means 'asked for' - the people of Israel had asked God for a King) started out faithful but pride and envy made him mad and insane, Saul Biblically is a human type of Satan. King David (Beloved) remained faithful to God and Biblically King David is a human type of Jesus Christ. King Solomon (Peaceable) becomes deceptive and Biblically becomes a type of the coming Antichrist.
King David before he steps down as King of Israel he sets in order the Temple services: 1 Chronicles 24:1-6 Now these are the divisions of the sons of Aaron. The sons of Aaron; Nadab, and Abihu, Eleazar, and Ithamar. But Nadab and Abihu died (Leviticus 10:1-2) before their father, and had no children: therefore Eleazar and Ithamar executed the priest's office. And {over 450 years later} David distributed them [descendants of Aaron], both Zadok of the sons of Eleazar, and Ahimelech of the sons of Ithamar, according to their offices in their service. And there were more chief men found of the sons of Eleazar than of the sons of Ithamar; and thus were they divided. Among the sons of Eleazar there were sixteen chief men of the house of their fathers, and eight among the sons of Ithamar according to the house of their fathers. Thus were they divided by lot, one sort with another; for the governors of the sanctuary, and governors of the house of God, were of the sons of Eleazar, and of the sons of Ithamar. And Shemaiah the son of Nethaneel the scribe, one of the Levites, wrote them before the King, and the Princes, and *Zadok the Priest, and Ahimelech the son of Abiathar, and before the chief of the fathers of the Priests and Levites: one principal household being taken for Eleazar, and one taken for Ithamar [the descendants of Ithamar the brother of Eleazar - both were the surviving sons of Aaron (the Levitical/Aaronic Priesthood)].
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1 Chronicles 29 - Solomon is confirmed as King of Israel - After a long life King David passed away -- '1 Chronicles 29:21-25 And they [the people of Israel] sacrificed sacrifices unto the LORD, and offered burnt offerings unto the LORD, on the morrow after that day, even a thousand bullocks, a thousand rams, and a thousand lambs, with their drink offerings, and sacrifices in abundance for all Israel: And did eat and drink before the LORD on that day with great gladness. And they made Solomon the son of David King the second time, and anointed him unto the LORD to be the chief governor, and Zadok to be priest. Then Solomon sat on the Throne of the LORD as King instead of David his father, and prospered; and *all Israel obeyed him. And all the princes, and the mighty men, and all the sons likewise of King David, submitted themselves unto Solomon the King. And the LORD magnified Solomon exceedingly in the sight of all Israel, and bestowed upon him such royal majesty as had not been on any king before him in Israel. Thus [concluded] David the son of Jesse reigned over all Israel.'
The Bible's book of 1st Chronicles concludes: 1 Chronicles 29:27-30 And the time that he [King David] reigned over Israel was forty years; seven years reigned he in Hebron [Hebron is south of Jerusalem and is where Abraham was living when Abraham met Melchizedek after his covenant with God], and thirty and three years reigned he in Jerusalem. *And he [King David] died in a good old age, full of days, riches, and honor: and Solomon his son reigned in his stead. Now the acts of David the King, first and last, behold, they are written in the book of Samuel the seer, and in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the book of Gad the seer, With all his reign and his might, and the times that went over him, and over Israel, and over all the Kingdoms of the countries.
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THE SECOND BOOK OF THE
===== 2 CHRONICLES =====
1 and 2 CHRONICLES BIBLE SURVEY - 2 Chronicles tells the history of Solomon, the divided kingdom, and the kings of Judah [in Jerusalem] - Background: The book begins with Solomon's plans to build the Temple in Jerusalem and ends with its destruction - Between the dedication and destruction of Solomon's Temple is about 384 years, from 959 to 586 B.C. - Although 2 Chronicles describes the same time period as (1 and 2 Kings) it concentrates only on the [Southern Kingdom] Kings of Judah - The author's perspective on the Northern Kingdom is plain "and Israel [Northern Kingdom] rebelled against the House of David [Southern Kingdom] unto this day" (2 Chronicles 10:19) - The chronicles was concerned mainly with the state of the Temple, and whether the Davidic King was devoutly following the Lord
The books of Chronicles give another view of Jewish history than that which was recorded in 2 Samuel through 2 Kings. 1 AND 2 Chronicles Background: 1 and 2 Chronicles, like 1 & 2 Kings and 1 & 2 Samuel, were not divided into two parts in the Hebrew manuscripts. Chronicles as one book originally went by the name of the "Dairies" or "Journals", being that they were was court records kept by the different kings. Greek translators of the Old Testament referred to these books as "the things omitted", because they supply much information that is not found in the books of the kings. The records of the Chronicles cover a period from the death of Saul (1010 B.C. to the decree of Cyrus (536 B.C.), about a 475-year period. *The whole book for 1 Chronicles, like 2 Samuel, is dedicated to the life of David. It begins with the genealogy of the royal line of David (Chapter 1-9), before surveying key events of the reign of David (chapters 10-29). (For greater depth on the Kings read: Understanding the Kings.) Author: although the author and date are not stated in the text, the Jewish tradition says that Ezra penned Chronicles. Some believe that Chronicles, Ezra, and Nehemiah had the same author. The final verses of Chronicles (36:22) are repeated in Ezra 1:1-3. 1 Chronicles Background: First chronicles places a disproportionate emphasis on the tribes of Judah and Benjamin because Chronicles is not concerned with the Northern Kingdom, but with the Southern Kingdom and the Davidic Dynasty. The whole book of First Chronicles is dedicated to the life of David. It begins with the life of David, and the genealogy of the royal line of David (chapters 1-9), before surveying the key events of the reign of David (chapters 10-29). David desired to build a house (temple) for God. God promised instead to build an everlasting house (dynasty) for David (17:1-15). See 2 Samuel 7:16.
http://checkpointbible.org/survey/1_and_2_chronicles_bible_survey.html
Studies in 2 Chronicles - Spiritual Lessons from the Kings of Judah - The List of the Kings of Judah (PDF)
Spiritual Lessons from the Kings of Judah: From time to time God raised up kings who brought a measure of revival to his people, kings like Solomon, Jehoshaphat, Joash, Hezekiah and Josiah. If you are made a leader, make efforts to bring revival and renewal to your people. Organize retreats, conferences, training sessions, prayer days, camps and other activities to which special speakers are invited and in which there are times of worship, prayer and fellowship. Lead the people back to the Lord. God's people need refreshment in spirit, mind and body.
http://www.jackrendel.net/English/2_chronicles.htm
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2 Chronicles 1 - As King Solomon begins his reign the Tabernacle is in Gibeon and only the Ark was in Jerusalem -- '2 Chronicles 1:1-4 And Solomon the son of [King] David was strengthened in his Kingdom, and the LORD his God was with him, and magnified him exceedingly. Then Solomon spake unto *all Israel, to the captains of thousands and of hundreds, and to the judges, and to every governor in all Israel, the chief of the [Tribes of the] fathers. So Solomon, and all the congregation with him, went to the high place that was at Gibeon [after the Ark of the Covenant was captured by the Philistines the Tabernacle was moved from Shiloh to Gibeon]; for there was the Tabernacle of the congregation of God, which Moses the servant of the LORD had made in the wilderness [Mt. Sinai in Arabia (modern day Saudi Arabia) after leaving Egypt]. But the Ark of God had David brought up from Kirjath-jearim to the place which David had prepared for it: for he had pitched a tent for it at Jerusalem.'
King Solomon is granted and allowed by God to have 'worldly' wisdom: 2 Chronicles 1:5-13 Moreover the brazen (brass) altar, that Bezaleel the son of Uri, the son of Hur, had made, he put before the Tabernacle of the LORD [at Gibeon]: and Solomon and the congregation sought unto it [inquired of the LORD]. And Solomon went up thither to the brasen altar before the LORD, which was at the Tabernacle of the congregation, and offered a thousand burnt offerings upon it. *In that night did God appear unto Solomon, and said unto him, Ask what I shall give thee. And Solomon said unto God, Thou hast shewed great mercy unto David my father, and hast made me to reign in his stead. Now, O LORD God, let thy promise unto David my father be established: for thou hast made me King over a people like the dust of the earth in multitude. Give me now *wisdom [lit. administration abilities - Chokmah, H2451] and *knowledge [lit. thought, worldly knowledge - Madda, H4093], that I may go out and come in before this people: for who can judge this thy people, that is so great? And God said to Solomon, Because this was in thine heart, and thou hast not asked riches, wealth, or honour, nor the life of thine enemies, neither yet hast asked long life; but hast asked wisdom and knowledge for thyself, that thou mayest judge my people, over whom I have made thee king: Wisdom and knowledge is granted unto thee; and I will give thee riches, and wealth, and honour, such as none of the kings have had that have been before thee, neither shall there any after thee have the like. Then Solomon came from his journey to the high place that was at Gibeon [back] to Jerusalem, from before the Tabernacle of the Congregation, and reigned over Israel. - Note: King Solomon was given worldly knowledge and wisdom from God. King Solomon then used his God given wisdom to seek occult knowledge and experiences.
Shiloh, Mt. Gibeon and Mt. Zion (Jerusalem) - At first [from Mt. Sinai in Arabia (after leaving Egypt) until Shiloh], both the Ark and the Tabernacle moved around together from point to point in the Promised Land during the time of the judges - The Tent housed the Ark when it was stationary - One of the later judges named Eli was also the chief priest and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests before the Lord when the Tent of Meeting was at Shiloh - Samuel and those who remained at Shiloh packed up the Tabernacle and all its furnishings and headed south to avoid the invading Philistines - The tent of meeting finally came to rest on a hill called Gibeon, but without the Ark of the Covenant - The priests who succeeded Eli and his sons continued to minister before the empty tent for many years, though the glory of God's presence was not there
Gibeon and Zion: For the tabernacle of the LORD, which Moses made in the wilderness, and the altar of the burnt offering, were at that season in the high place at Gibeon. (1 Chronicles 21:29)
Only the tabernacle and the altar of offering rested on Gibeon, not the ark. What transpired that the ark would no longer be in the holy of holies? At this point it would be good to do a brief history of how the Ark of the Covenant and the tent of meeting (the tabernacle which came to rest on Gibeon) were permanently separated and how this seeming disaster served to advance God's eternal plan. At first, both the Ark and the tabernacle moved around together from point to point in the Promised Land during the time of the judges. The tent housed the ark when it was stationary. One of the later judges named Eli was also the chief priest and his two sons, Hophni and Phinehas, were priests before the Lord when the tent of meeting was at Shiloh. One day a woman came and was weeping and groaning in prayer at the door of the tent and Eli rebuked her because he thought she was drunk. Hannah replied that she was not drunk, but rather grieving because she was barren. Eli assured her that God heard her prayer. Soon she conceived and gave birth to a child named Samuel. When the child was weaned, as promised, she brought him to the tabernacle to minister before the Lord as a Nazarite and prophet. Though Samuel was not of the family of the Levites, but of Ephraim, he ministered there at Shiloh before the Lord and God started speaking to him at a very early age. God was about to replace Eli as judge over Israel because he and his sons were corrupt. The Philistines came up to invade Israel and the army of Israel went out to head them off at the pass. The battle was not going well, so someone got the bright idea to fetch the ark of God from Shiloh, believing that God would fight their battle for them because of the presence of the ark. Wrong! Hophni and Phinehas brought the ark to the field of battle, but when the Philistines heard of it they became more determined. They routed Israel, killed the two sons of Eli, and took the ark as a trophy of war. At this point, a runner brought news to Eli that his two sons had been killed and the ark had been lost. Eli was old and obese, and when he heard the ark was in enemy hands he fell backwards off his chair, broke his neck and died. When the pregnant wife of Phinehas heard of the death of her husband and the loss of the ark, she went into labor early and gave birth to a son. She named the child Ichabod, saying, "The glory has departed from Israel, for the ark of God has been captured" (1 Samuel 4:21-22, NKJV). Samuel and those who remained at Shiloh packed up the tabernacle and all its furnishings and headed south to avoid the invading Philistines. The tent of meeting finally came to rest on a hill called Gibeon, but without the Ark of the Covenant. The priests who succeeded Eli and his sons continued to minister before the empty tent for many years, though the glory of God's presence was not there. ...
http://www.forerunner.com/discussion/viewtopic.php?f=21∓p=239
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2 Chronicles 2-8 - King Solomon as a type of the Antichrist (1 Kings 10:14) builds the Temple in Jerusalem and spends 7 years (1 Kings 6:38) building the Temple while spending the next 13 years (1 Kings 7:1) building his own house, twenty years total (2 Chronicles 8:1) - Also as a type of Antichrist King Solomon deals deceitfully with the King of Tyre (1 Kings 9:10-14) -- '2 Chronicles 2:1 And Solomon determined to build an House [Temple] for the Name of the LORD, and an [personal] house for [himself] his Kingdom.' - Note: It is thought that the Antichrist will have a hand in building the coming 3rd Temple in Jerusalem (Revelation 11:1)
King Solomon and the Levitical Priests dedicate the 1st Temple in Jerusalem: 2 Chronicles 7:1-6 Now when Solomon had made an end of praying, the fire came down from heaven, and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices; and the [Shekinah] Glory of the LORD filled the House [Temple]. And the Priests could not enter into the House of the LORD, because the Glory of the LORD had filled the LORD'S House. And when all the Children of Israel saw how the fire came down, and the Glory of the LORD upon the House, they bowed themselves with their faces to the ground upon the pavement, and *worshipped, and praised the LORD, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth [eternally] forever. Then the King [Solomon] and all the people offered sacrifices before the LORD. And King Solomon offered a sacrifice of twenty and two thousand oxen, and an hundred and twenty thousand sheep: so the King and all the people dedicated the [Temple] House of God [in Jerusalem]. And the Priests waited [preformed] on their offices: the Levites also with instruments of musick of the LORD, which {earlier} David the King had made to praise the LORD, because His mercy endureth forever, {earlier} when David {was still living} praised by their ministry; and the priests sounded trumpets before them, and all Israel stood.
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2 Chronicles 9 - Dignitaries from around the world come to visit King Solomon in Jerusalem including the Queen of Sheba [probably the Queen of Ethiopia though often disputed] -- '2 Chronicles 9:1-6 And when the Queen of Sheba heard of the fame of Solomon, she came to prove Solomon with hard questions at Jerusalem, with a very great company, and camels that bare spices, and gold in abundance, and precious stones: and when she was come to Solomon, she communed with him of all that was in her heart. And Solomon told her all her questions: and there was nothing hid from Solomon which he told her not. And when the queen of Sheba had seen the [worldly] wisdom of Solomon, and the house that he had built, And the meat of his table, and the sitting of his servants, and the attendance of his ministers, and their apparel; his cupbearers also, and their apparel; and his ascent by which he went up into the house of the LORD; there was no more spirit in her. And she said to the king, It was a true report which I heard in mine own land of thine acts, and of thy wisdom: Howbeit I believed not their words, until I came, and mine eyes had seen it: and, behold, the one half of the greatness of thy wisdom was not told me: for thou exceedest the fame that I heard.'
King Solomon passes away: 2 Chronicles 9:26-31 And he [King Solomon] reigned over all the kings from the river [Jordan river] even unto the land of the Philistines, and to the border of Egypt. And the King made silver [as common] in Jerusalem as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycomore trees that are in the low plains in abundance. And they brought unto Solomon horses out of Egypt, and out of all lands. Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, are they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat? And Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years. *And Solomon slept with his fathers [this would indicate that Solomon went to heaven with the others (Abraham, David, etc.)], and he was buried [honorably] in the city [Jerusalem] of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
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2 Chronicles 10-16 - Rehoboam, Abijah and Asa - Solomon's son Rehoboam reins as King in Israel and 'civil war' ensues pretty much permanently separating the Ten Northern Tribes from the Two Southern Tribes of Judah and Benjamin -- '2 Chronicles 10:1 And Rehoboam went to [the town of] Shechem: for to Shechem were all Israel come to make him King.'
2 Chronicles 10:16-19 And when all Israel saw that the King [Rehoboam] would not hearken [listen] unto them, the people [Ten Northern Tribes] answered the King, saying, What portion have we in David? and we have none inheritance in the son of Jesse: every man to your tents, O Israel: and now, David, see to thine own House. So all [Northern] Israel went to their tents. But as for the children of Israel that dwelt in the cities of Judah, Rehoboam reigned over them. Then King Rehoboam sent Hadoram that was over the tribute; and the children of Israel stoned him with stones, that he died. But King Rehoboam made speed to get him up to his chariot, to flee to Jerusalem. And [Northern] Israel rebelled against [Judah] the House of David unto this day.
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2 Chronicles 17-23 - Jehosaphat, Jehoram and Ahaziah and *Athaliah (wife of Jehoram, mother of Ahaziah and the daughter of [Northern King] Ahab (died in battle at Ramoth-gilead against Syria) and his wife Jezebel [Jezebel the daughter of King Ethbaal I of Tyre (Zidonians) 1 Kings 16:31] - Zidon (Sidon) a capital city of ancient Tyre, now in modern Lebanon just south of Beirut, Lebanon - wiki.com) -- '2 Chronicles 17:1 And Jehoshaphat his son [Asa's son] reigned in his stead, and strengthened himself against [Northern] Israel.'
Athaliah inserts herself as Queen of Israel: 2 Chronicles 22:6-12 And Azariah the son of Jehoram King of Judah went down to see Jehoram [King of Northern Israel] the son of Ahab [and Jezebel] at Jezreel, because he was sick. And the destruction of Ahaziah was of God by coming to Joram: for when he was come, he went out with Jehoram against Jehu the son of Nimshi, whom the LORD had anointed to cut off the house of Ahab. And it came to pass, that, when Jehu was executing judgment upon the house of Ahab, and found the princes of Judah, and the sons of the brethren of Ahaziah, that ministered to Ahaziah, he slew them. And he sought Ahaziah: and they caught him, for he was hid in Samaria, and brought him to Jehu: and when they had slain him, they buried him: Because, said they, he is the son of Jehoshaphat, who sought the LORD with all his heart. So the house of Ahaziah had no power to keep still the kingdom. *But when Athaliah the mother of Ahaziah saw that her son was dead, she arose and *destroyed all the seed royal of the House of Judah. But Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the King, took Joash the son of Ahaziah, and stole him from among the King's sons that were slain, and put him and his nurse in a bedchamber. So Jehoshabeath, the daughter of king Jehoram, the wife of Jehoiada the Priest, for she was the sister of Ahaziah, hid him from Athaliah, so that she slew him not. And he was with them hid in the house of God six years: and Athaliah reigned over the land.
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2 Chronicles 24-28 - Joash, Amaziah, Uzziah, Jotham and Ahaz - Joash having been saved from the onslaught of Queen Athaliah is instituted as a child King with Jehoiada a Priest as his guardian -- '2 Chronicles 24:1-9 Joash was seven years old when he began to reign, and he reigned forty years in Jerusalem. His mother's name also was Zibiah of Beer-sheba. And Joash did that which was right in the sight of the LORD all the days of Jehoiada the Priest. And Jehoiada took for him two wives; and he begat sons and daughters. And it came to pass after this, that Joash was minded to repair the house of the LORD. And he gathered together the priests and the Levites, and said to them, Go out unto the cities of Judah, and gather of all Israel money to repair the house of your God from year to year, and see that ye hasten the matter. Howbeit the Levites hastened it not. And the king called for Jehoiada the chief, and said unto him, Why hast thou not required of the Levites to bring in out of Judah and out of Jerusalem the collection, according to the commandment of Moses the servant of the LORD, and of the congregation of Israel, for the tabernacle of witness? For the sons of Athaliah, that wicked woman, had broken up the house of God; and also all the dedicated things of the house of the LORD did they bestow upon Baalim. And at the king's commandment they made a chest, and set it without at the gate of the house of the LORD. And they made a proclamation through Judah and Jerusalem, to bring in to the LORD the collection that Moses the servant of God laid upon Israel in the wilderness.'
After the death of his guardian Priest Jehoiada then Joash became an evil King in Judah: 2 Chronicles 24:14-25 ... And they [Judah] offered burnt offerings in the House of the LORD continually all the days of Jehoiada [the guardian Priest]. But Jehoiada waxed old, and was full of days when he died; an hundred and thirty years old was he when he died. And they buried him in the city of David among the Kings [David, Solomon, etc.], because he had done good in Israel, both toward God, and toward his House [Temple]. Now after the death of Jehoiada came the princes of Judah, and made obeisance to the king. Then the king hearkened unto them. And they left the house of the LORD God of their fathers, and served groves and idols: and wrath came upon Judah and Jerusalem for this their trespass. Yet he sent prophets to them, to bring them again unto the LORD; and they testified against them: but they would not give ear. And the Spirit of God came upon Zechariah (Matthew 23:35) the son of Jehoiada (aka Barachias) the Priest, which stood above the people, and said unto them, Thus saith God, Why transgress ye the commandments of the LORD, that ye cannot prosper? because ye have forsaken the LORD, he hath also forsaken you. And they conspired against him, and stoned him with stones at the commandment of the king in the court of the house of the LORD. Thus Joash the king remembered not the kindness which Jehoiada his father had done to him, but slew his son. And when he died, he said, The LORD look upon it, and require it. And it came to pass at the end of the year, that the host of Syria came up against him: and they came to Judah and Jerusalem, and destroyed all the princes of the people from among the people, and sent all the spoil of them unto the king of Damascus. For the army of the Syrians came with a small company of men, and the LORD delivered a very great host into their hand, because they had forsaken the LORD God of their fathers. So they executed judgment against Joash. And when they were departed from him, for they left him in great diseases, his own servants conspired against him for the blood of the sons of Jehoiada the priest, and slew him on his bed, and he died: and they buried him in the city of David [Jerusalem], but they buried him not in the sepulchres [tombs] of the Kings.
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2 Chronicles 29-33 - Hezekiah, *Manasseh [so wicked that God begins to end the earthly Throne of King David] and Amon - King Manasseh is so wicked that the Children of Israel are going to be removed from the Promise Land like the heathen before them and the Children of Israel will be taken into captivity in Babylon for 70 years -- '2 Chronicles 33:1-2 Manasseh was twelve years old when he began to reign, and he reigned fifty and five years in Jerusalem: But did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD, like unto the abominations of the heathen, whom the LORD had cast out [of the Promise Land] before [at the presence of Joshua and] the [coming] Children of Israel [out of Egypt].'
Manasseh tries to undue the evil that he initiated in Israel but it's easier to institute evil among the people than it is to initiate goodness among the people: 2 Chronicles 33:9-17 So Manasseh made Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to err, and to do worse than the heathen, whom the LORD had destroyed before the children of Israel. And the LORD spake to Manasseh, and to his people: but they would not hearken. Wherefore the LORD brought upon them the captains of the host of the king of Assyria, which took Manasseh among the thorns, and bound him with fetters, and carried him to Babylon. And when he was in affliction, he besought the LORD his God, and humbled himself greatly before the God of his fathers, And prayed unto him: and he was intreated of him, and heard his supplication, and brought him again to Jerusalem into his kingdom. Then Manasseh knew that the LORD he was God. Now after this he built a wall without the city of David, on the west side of Gihon, in the valley, even to the entering in at the fish gate, and compassed about Ophel, and raised it up a very great height, and put captains of war in all the fenced cities of Judah. And he took away the strange gods, and the idol out of the house of the LORD, and all the altars that he had built in the mount of the house of the LORD, and in Jerusalem, and cast them out of the city. And he repaired the altar of the LORD, and sacrificed thereon peace offerings and thank offerings, and commanded Judah to serve the LORD God of Israel. Nevertheless the people did sacrifice still in the high places, yet unto the LORD their God only.
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2 Chronicles 34-36 - Josiah, Jehoahaz (son of Josiah), Jehoiakim (aka. Eliakim - a son of Josiah, a brother of Jehoahaz, an uncle of Jeconiah), *Jehoiachin (aka. Jeconiah or Coniah, son of Jehoiakin, the last direct descendant on the Throne [Jeremiah 22:24] - Jerusalem was captured by the Babylonians and Jehoiachin [Jeconiah] was deposed on 16 March, 597 B.C. aka Jeconiah in Jeremiah and Esther - wiki.com) and Zedekiah (aka. Mattaniah, uncle of Jeconiah, a son of Josiah, brother of Jehoahaz and Jehoiakim) was established as a King by Babylon the last Jewish King to have an earthly Throne -- '2 Chronicles 34:1-5 Josiah was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned in Jerusalem one and thirty years. And he did that which was right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined neither to the right hand, nor to the left. For in the eighth year of his reign, while he was yet young, he began to seek after the God of David his father: and in the twelfth year he began to purge Judah and Jerusalem from the high places, and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images. And they brake down the altars of Baalim in his presence; and the images, that were on high above them, he cut down; and the groves, and the carved images, and the molten images, he brake in pieces, and made dust of them, and strowed it upon the graves of them that had sacrificed unto them. And he burnt the bones of the priests [of Baal] upon their altars, and cleansed Judah and Jerusalem.'
Jeconiah is captured and deported to Babylon and his Uncle [Zedekiah] becomes the last earthly King to reign for Judah in Jerusalem upon the Throne of King David: 2 Chronicles 36:8-21 8 Now the rest of the acts of Jehoiakim, and his abominations which he did, and that which was found in him, behold, they are written in the book of the kings of Israel and Judah: and Jehoiachin his son reigned in his stead. Jehoiachin [aka. Jeconiah] was eight years old when he began to reign, and he reigned three months and ten days in Jerusalem: and he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD. And when the year was expired, king Nebuchadnezzar sent, and brought him to Babylon, with the goodly vessels of the house of the LORD, and made Zedekiah his brother king over Judah and Jerusalem. Zedekiah was one and twenty years old when he began to reign, and reigned eleven years in Jerusalem. And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD his God, and humbled not himself before Jeremiah the prophet speaking from the mouth of the LORD. And he also rebelled against king Nebuchadnezzar, who had made him swear by God: but he stiffened his neck, and hardened his heart from turning unto the LORD God of Israel. Moreover all the chief of the priests, and the people, transgressed very much after all the abominations of the heathen; and polluted the house of the LORD which he had hallowed in Jerusalem. And the LORD God of their fathers sent to them by his messengers, rising up betimes, and sending; because he had compassion on his people, and on his dwelling place: But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised his words, and misused his prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against his people, till there was no remedy. Therefore he brought upon them the king of the Chaldees, who slew their young men with the sword in the house of their sanctuary, and had no compassion upon young man or maiden, old man, or him that stooped for age: he gave them all into his hand. And all the vessels of the House of God, great and small, and the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king, and of his princes; all these he brought to Babylon. And they burnt the house of God, and brake down the wall of Jerusalem, and burnt all the palaces thereof with fire, and destroyed all the goodly vessels thereof. And them that had escaped from the sword carried he away to Babylon; where they were servants to him and his sons *until the reign of the Kingdom of Persia [Iran]: To fulfill the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed her [70 years of] Sabbaths: for as long as she lay desolate she kept Sabbath, to fulfill threescore [60] and ten years [70 years].
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2 Chronicles 36 - Cyrus the King of Persia (Iran) - At the return of the captives from Babylon, 70 years later, the King over Israel was not Jewish, it was King Cyrus of Persia (Iran) -- '2 Chronicles 36:22 Now in the first year of Cyrus King of Persia ...'
The Bible's book of 2nd Chronicles concludes: 2 Chronicles 36:22-23 Now in the first year of Cyrus king of Persia, that *the Word of the LORD spoken by the mouth of Jeremiah might be accomplished, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus King of Persia [the 4th Kingdom of the world - Revelation 17:10], All the kingdoms of the earth hath the LORD God of Heaven given me; and He hath charged me to build Him an House [Temple] in Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? The LORD his God be with him, and let him go up [return to Jerusalem].
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===== EZRA =====
The History of Israel and the Law, the Ark of the Covenant, the Day of Atonement and the legitimacy of the Messiah [Jesus Christ] who was born under the Law (Galatians 4:4) and who fulfilled and removed the Law -- '2 Chronicles 35:3 And said [King Josiah] unto the [Zadok] Levites that taught [Ministry of Teaching the Word of God a higher Testimony Ministry than the Temple Testimony Ministry with the blood of animals] all Israel, which were holy unto the LORD, *put the Holy Ark [back] in the House [Temple] which Solomon the son of David King of Israel did build; it shall not be a burden upon your shoulders [it is hidden close by, in one of several nearby caves, tunnels and cistern hiding locations]: serve now [also with the Testimony of the blood and animal sacrifices] the LORD your God, and His people Israel' -- 'Matthew 3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him [John the Baptist], Suffer it to be so now: for thus *it becometh us *to fulfill all righteousness [in order to do away with the Levitical-Aaronic Laws and Priesthood and to then replace it with Jesus's Royal Laws and His Royal 'Righteous' eternal life Priesthood]. Then he suffered Him [and John baptized Jesus].' - Also Note: "all righteousness" is also a direct reference to Jesus' Melchizedek Priesthood as Melchizedek means "To whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all; first being by interpretation King of Righteousness" Hebrews: 7:2 - All of the Old Testament Promises, Covenants, Commandments, Offices (King, High Priest, Prophet), Laws, Priesthoods (Aaronic, Eli, Zadok), Feast Days, Prophecies (Revelation 19:10) and Messianic Biblical Types and Shadows are directly combined and fulfilled in the one person of Jesus Christ and in the one New Testament Covenant and Ministry of Jesus Christ the True Messiah!
Note: Regarding the Tabernacle and the Temples and the Ark of the Covenant. In reading the Bible's history of ancient Israel regarding the Ark of the Covenant it quickly becomes obvious, painfully obvious, that the Ark of the Covenant is missing from the Holy of Holies more often than it is there. For instance from the time of King Saul until the reign of King Solomon and the building of the 1st Temple the Ark of the Covenant is not in its proper location within the Holy of Hollies. That means that throughout the entire Kingdom of King David the Ark was not in the Holy of Holies and therefore a proper observance of the feast of "The Day of Atonement" could not be observed and fulfilled. In other words it would probably not be possible for the Messiah to arrive (or be born) w/o having had the Ark of the Covenant located inside the Holy of Holies. - If it was necessary in "fulfilling all righteousness" and it probably was then the Ark of the Covenant was within the Holy of Hollies in the 2nd Temple [Cyrus'/Herod's Temple] at the time of the birth of Jesus Christ. -- Having King David as a Biblical example of the Messiah [Jesus Christ] and King Solomon as a Biblical example of the coming Antichrist. -- King David was born in Bethlehem; King Solomon was born in Jerusalem [outside of Bethlehem]. King David was born when the Ark of the Covenant was located within the Holy of Hollies in the Tabernacle at Shiloh. King Solomon was born while the Ark of the Covenant was missing from within the Holy of Hollies, the Tabernacle having been moved from Shiloh to Gibeon without the Ark. - According to the book of Daniel - 'Daniel 9:27 And he [Antichrist] shall confirm the covenant with many for one week [7 years]: and in the midst of the week [at 3½ years] he shall cause the [3rd Temple] sacrifice [animal blood sacrifices] and the oblation [Temple offerings] to cease, and for the overspreading of abominations he shall make it desolate [unholy], even until the consummation [end of the Book of Revelation], and that determined [judgments of Revelation] shall be poured upon the desolate [earth].' - Note: It's possible that what Daniel is prophesying about is a Theological shift and not a Political shift {a point where Antichrist Politics (currently in progress in some form i.e. UN) *completely merges with Antichrist Theology (currently in progress in some form i.e. purposely corrupted Bible versions, NKJV, MESSAGE, NIV, and Wikipedia)}. The coming 3rd Temple in Jerusalem is briefly going to reinstitute the animal sacrifices of the Eli Priesthood of the Old Testament then as the Antichrist claims to be the true Messiah it seems he will declare himself to be legitimate over Jesus Christ because the Antichrist will have the Ark of the Covenant within the Holy of Holies and of course could claim that Jesus did not - though Jesus did fulfilled all righteousness and if it was necessary then the Ark of the Covent was within the Holy of Holies during the "Day of Atonement" for the year of the birth of Jesus Christ, if it was necessary and it probably was necessary as Jesus was born under the Law (Galatians 4:4) and came to fulfill the Law in order to abolish once and for all the Law. - Therefore there is a possible event where the Antichrist stops the Temple animal sacrifices because he is declaring himself to be the biblical fulfillment and then Theologically switches from the life of the animal blood [Eli's Priesthood] to his counterfeit ministry of [spirit life] through his words and his lies [imitating the Zadok Ministry], initiating the same Theological shift that the Bible initiates in Ministry from the physical life of the blood to the Spiritual life of the Word and completely counterfeiting the life and Ministry of the True Messiah, Jesus Christ.
http://www.basicchristian.org/blog_biblestudy.html
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Background of Ezra - Ezra himself returned to Jerusalem in 457 B.C. with the second group of exiles - He had asked [King] Artaxerxes I (Ester was Queen) for permission to return in order to help bring stability to the project - However many [Hebrews/Jews] stayed behind [remaining] in Babylon, choosing to support the work with gifts and money - The book of Ezra displays the sovereignty of God in the human hearts of rulers and people alike to move them to accomplish His redemptive purposes - "The Lord moved their spirits to carry out His purposes" (Ezra 1:1; 1:5; 7:9; 7:27)
Background: The While Ezra and Nehemiah were originally separate books, they were joined together in the Hebrew Bible and the Talmud. Josephus (c. A.D. 37-100) only mentions the book of Ezra assuming that Nehemiah was joined with it at the time of his writing. The books were first separated in around 200 A.D. by the Church father Origin. The language of the book is late Hebrew with a section in Aramaic (Ezra 4:8-6, 18; 7:12-26), the international language of the day. Aramaic was introduced by King Darius I as the diplomatic language throughout the empire. These portions are texts written between Syrian kings and the Samaritans, which necessitated the international language for diplomacy. The purpose of the book is to give the account of Israel's returning to the land of promise and the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem and the temple. It is written from a religious rather than historical perspective. It places the emphasis upon a holy nation and a kingdom of priests under God's holy law. King Cyrus of Persia captured Nineveah, the Babylonian capital, in 539 B.C. bringing to an end the Babylonian Exile. Many of the prophets like Isaiah, Micah and Jeremiah all prophesied the Babylonian captivity, the fall of Babylon and their restoration. Jeremiah states that it would last for seventy years. Jeremiah 25:11,12; 29:10. Isaiah mentions by name that Cyrus would be the King who would allow God's people to return Isaiah 44:28. -- *A clay cylinder has been discovered with Cyrus's decree permitting the Jews to return to their land. Under a decree from Cyrus, King of Persia, the Jews were permitted to return to their own land. He even encouraged them in their religion, provided that he be considered the supreme ruler. Under God's hand then Israel was allowed to return to their land and rebuild the temple and reinstate the sacrifices. The first group of exiles who returned numbered about 50,000 in 538 B.C. They took with them many of the furnishings for the temple. Zerubbabel a relative in David's royal line and Joshua who served as high priest both returned with this group. The altar is re-established in chapters 3 and 4. Money is collected to purchase materials from the Phoenicians to build the temple. Construction began in the second year and the foundation of the temple was laid. The older people who remembered the glory and beauty of Solomon's temple wept, ashamed of the work. When the Samaritans wanted to help build the temple they were refused, and so interrupted the building of the temple with violence until 520 B.C. In the second year of Darius the Jews were instructed to resume building. Haggai and Zechariah both encouraged the people in their efforts. Money was taken from the royal treasury to support the project. It took five years to complete the temple. Ezra himself returned to Jerusalem in 457 B.C. with the second group of exiles. He had asked Artaxerxes for permission to return in order to help bring stability to the project. However many stayed behind in Babylon, choosing to support the work with gifts and money.
http://www.abu.nb.ca/ecm/Ezra00b.htm
Wikipedia.org: Cyrus cylinder - The Cyrus cylinder, also known as the Cyrus the Great cylinder, is a document issued by the Persian [Iran] ruler Cyrus the Great in the form of a clay cylinder inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform script - The cylinder has also attracted attention in the context of the repatriation of the Jews to Jerusalem following their Babylonian captivity; it has generally been viewed as corroboration of the Biblical account in the Book of Ezra [and the prophesies of Isaiah] - Extract from the Cyrus Cylinder (lines 15-21), giving the genealogy of Cyrus the Great and an account of his capture of Babylon in 539 B.C. (Photos)
The Cyrus cylinder, also known as the Cyrus the Great cylinder, is a document issued by the Persian ruler Cyrus the Great in the form of a clay cylinder inscribed in Akkadian cuneiform script. The cylinder was created following the Persian conquest of Babylon in 539 BC, when Cyrus overthrew the Babylonian king Nabonidus and replaced him as ruler, ending the Neo-Babylonian Empire. The text of the cylinder denounces Nabonidus as impious and portrays the victorious Cyrus as pleasing to the chief Babylonian god Marduk. It goes on to describe how Cyrus had improved the lives of the citizens of Babylonia, repatriated displaced peoples and restored temples and cult sanctuaries.
The cylinder was discovered in 1879 by the Assyro-British archaeologist Hormuzd Rassam in the foundations of the Esagila, the main temple of Babylon, where it had been placed as a foundation deposit. It is today kept in the British Museum in London. There have been reports of attempts by the directors of the British Museum and the National Museum of Iran in Tehran to arrange a loan of the Cyrus Cylinder to be temporarily displayed in the National Museum of Iran for a special exhibition. According to the British Museum, the cylinder "reflects a long tradition in Mesopotamia where, from as early as the third millennium BC, kings began their reigns with declarations of reforms." It is composed in a form that broadly matches long-standing Babylonian styles and themes, although the use of the first person marks a striking departure from this pattern. The cylinder may be seen as an example of Cyrus seeking the loyalty of his new Babylonian subjects by stressing his legitimacy as king, and showing his respect for the religious and political traditions of Babylonia. It has been regarded for over a century as an instrument of ancient Mesopotamian propaganda. In the early 1970s, the Shah of Iran adopted it as a symbol of his reign and celebrating 2,500 years of Iranian monarchy, asserting that it was "the first human rights charter in history", *The cylinder has also attracted attention in the context of the repatriation of the Jews to Jerusalem following their Babylonian captivity; it has generally been viewed as corroboration of the Biblical account in the Book of Ezra (see: Ezra 1.1-6, 6.1-5; Isaiah 44.23-45.8; 2 Chronicles 36.22-23). ... Discovery: The cylinder was discovered following an earlier, fruitless excavation by the British archaeologist Austen Henry Layard. In 1850 Layard dug into three mounds on the site of the ruined city of Babylon but found little of importance and concluded that it was not worth his time continuing there. His assistant Hormuzd Rassam, a controversial figure remembered as much for his brutal tactics as his discoveries, returned to the mounds in 1879 on behalf of the British Museum. He uncovered a number of important buildings, most notably the Esagila - a major temple to Marduk, though it was not identified as such until Robert Koldewey's excavation of 1900. Rassam's excavations found a large quantity of business documents and, buried in the temple's foundations, the Cyrus Cylinder. Rassam's excavations went on until 1882. The cylinder was announced to the public by Sir Henry Rawlinson at a meeting of the Royal Asiatic Society on 17 November 1879. Rawlinson's paper on "Notes on a newly-discovered Clay Cylinder of Cyrus the Great" was published in the society's journal the following year.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyrus_cylinder
Ezra Overview: Rebuilding the Temple - The Book of Ezra starts off where 2 Chronicles finishes by completing the unfinished story of the return to Jerusalem and Israel of the [Jewish/Hebrew] exiles - Seventy years had passed, and God fulfilled His promise by bringing the exiles back to the land [the Promise Land] - The Second Temple is also known as the Herod's Temple because in 19 B.C. Herod largely rebuilt it [Cyrus's Temple] - The book of Ezra focuses on the rebuilding of the Temple and then it is followed by the book of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall
The book of Ezra is [slightly] confusing because it starts long before Ezra the scribe comes on the scene. Ezra doesn't appear until chapter 7. About 57 years pass between chapters 6 and 7. We should note that the later period [could] never officially be called a 'kingdom' [Israel would remain w/o a Jewish King] but only a 'people.' *There were at least three waves of returning exiles as Zerubbabel, Ezra and Nehemiah all led groups back [there had been three primary waves going into captivity as well, Daniel had been in the first group and Ezekiel was a captive the second group of Jews taken from Jerusalem/Israel to captivity in Babylon. -- Note: Persia (modern Iran) defeated Babylon (modern Iraq) and Persia was freeing some of Babylon's captives]. Ezra and Nehemiah worked together for a period. *The book of Ezra focuses on the rebuilding of the Temple and then it is followed by the book of Nehemiah and the rebuilding of Jerusalem's wall.
http://www.foundationsforfreedom.net/References/OT/Historical/Ezra/Ezra00Intro.html
Judaism Online: The Second Temple - The Temple [Solomon's Temple] the Babylonians destroyed is rebuilt, but it is never the same - the Ark of the Covenant is missing [or was it missing - defiantly not!] - The rebuilding of the Temple, which had begun under Cyrus when the Persians first took over the Babylonian empire, and which was then interrupted for 18 years, resumed with blessing of Darius II, the Persian king whom we believe to be the son of Esther - The work is completed in 350 BCE (B.C.) and the Temple is re-dedicated - But it is not the same - The intense spiritually of the First Temple cannot be compared to the Second - *The other opinion (of the location of the Ark) says that it was hidden by King Josiah - Note: The last Biblical reference to the Ark being placed back into the Temple is during Josiah's reign (2 Chronicles 35:3)
The work is completed in 350 BCE and the Temple is re-dedicated. But it is not the same. The intense spiritually of the First Temple cannot be compared to the Second. The constant open
miracles are gone. Prophecy will also disappear during the early years of the second Temple. The Ark of the Covenant is gone-and although there is a Holy of Holies, it stands empty. The Ark-this special
gold-lined cedar chest which had contained the tablets of the Ten Commandments-was the place where the Shechina, the Presence of God, descended from heaven between the outstretched wings of the two golden
cherubs. What happened to it? The Talmud talks about it and relates two opinions. (1) One opinion says the Babylonians took it into captivity. *The other opinion says that it was hidden by King Josiah [the last Biblical reference to the Ark being placed back into the Temple is during Josiah's reign (2 Chronicles 35:3)] who had anticipated the impending invasion and destruction. There's a well-known story told in the Talmud of a Cohen, a Priest, who finds a loose stone on the Temple Mount and realizes that's where the Ark is hidden. On the way to tell others about it, he dies. (2) The point of the story is that the Ark is not meant to be found. Not yet. - EZRA AND NECHEMIAH (Nehemiah): The Jews who rebuild the Temple in Jerusalem were faced with many challenges and difficulties. Strong leadership would be essential for them to be able to both rebuilt the Temple and re-establish a strong community. Two individuals played a critical role in the re-establishment of the Jewish community in Israel. One was Ezra. A scribe and scholar and a Jewish community leader in Persia, Ezra, a Cohen, hears that the Jewish community in the Holy Land is floundering with neither king nor prophet. So, he takes with him 1,496 well-chosen men with leadership abilities and comes to the rescue. Ezra is so well thought of in the Talmud that it is written of him that "the Torah could have been given to Israel through Ezra, if not that Moses preceded him" (Sanhedrin 21b). *This high praise goes to Ezra for the spiritual rebuilding of the Jewish people and *his efforts to reinstate Torah law in the land. ... SPIRITUAL VACUUM: Despite Ezra's efforts (and those of the other leaders) the Temple is spiritually a shadow of its former self. The returnees from Babylon are not in a position to rebuild the Temple as splendid as Solomon's. Eventually (circa 30 BC) it will be rebuilt again by Herod the Great, and made into a spectacular structure, but even though it is going to be physically beautiful, it will be spiritually empty when compared with the First Temple. And even though there are going to be High Priests, the institution will become corrupt. According to the Talmud, during the First Temple period of about 410 years, there were only 18 High Priests. During the Second Temple period of 420 years, there were more than 300 High Priests! We know (from the Talmud, Yoma 9a) that Yochanan was High Priest for 80 years, Shimon was High Priest for 40 years, and Yishmael ben Pabi was High Priest for 10 years. That means in the remaining 290 years there were at least 300 priests-one every year or so. What accounts for that? The Talmud tells us that the Holy of Holies was forbidden ground, except for Yom Kippur. On that one day only, the High Priests entered to perform special rites before God. But if he himself was not spiritually pure and unable to focus, he would not be able to stand the intense encounter with God and would die on the spot. We know that during the Second Temple Period a rope had to be tied to the High Priest, so that in case he died, he could be pulled out of the Holy of Holies. Because the whole High Priesthood was a corrupted institution for most of the Second Temple period, the High Priests died or were replaced every year. (4) And yet people clamored for the job, which went to the highest bidder. So the question has to be asked: If he was going to die on Yom Kippur, who would want the position? One possible answer is that many of the candidates strongly believed that their incorrect Temple service was actually the correct way to do it. That is how bad things got. ... LOSS OF PROPHECY: As we saw from the Purim story-by the time we arrive *at the period of the Second Temple, God's presence is hidden, *the Ark of the Covenant is hidden *as is prophecy [there were still Prophets and Prophecy in Israel; Haggai, Zechariah, Malachi, Simeon, Anna, etc.]. The Talmud says there were definitely individuals living at this time, who, had they lived earlier, would most certainly have been prophets. "There is one among you who deserves that the Shechinah (Divine Presence) should rest on him as it did on Moses, but his generation is not deserving." (Sanhedrin 11a) But the door to prophecy had been slammed in the face of the Jewish people. *And we are told that it will not be opened again until the Messianic Era [the counterfeit Messianic Era - the era of the Antichrist].
http://www.simpletoremember.com/articles/a/the_second_temple/
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Ron Wyatt in Zedekiahs cave - Ron Wyatt telling about the discovery of the Ark of the Covenant - part 1 of 6 (YouTube)
Ron Wyatt telling about the discovery of the Ark of the Covenant. This is recorded near the entrance tunnel leading to the Ark.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NrR0HYoV4sc
Ron Wyatt - Ark of the Covenant 1999 (YouTube)
Ron Wyatt talks about finding the Ark in a cave North of Jerusalem, and takes questions from the audience.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dfYpYv_A4Ns
Danny and Ronnie Wyatt EXODUS/SAUDI ARABIA - part 1 of 3 {the first video has a couple of brief sound issues} (YouTube)
From part of a 2007 independent British TV documentary.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjbuIyvY_ig
Danny and Ronnie Wyatt back in Israel: The Ark - part 1 of 2 (YouTube)
Ron Wyatt's search for the Ark of the Covenant. Both Danny and Ronnie was there when they started the excavations and helped their father.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1aaP_sO4NVk
Ron Wyatt - The Ron Wyatt Discovery Series: Ron Wyatt Discoveries of Noah's Ark, Ark of the Covenant, Sodom and Gomorra - 84 Videos (YouTube)
Ron Wyatt Discoveries - Ron Wyatt Discoveries of Noah's Ark, Ark of the Covenant, Sodom and Gomorra.
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=28284EB305166129
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Ezra 1 - The Book of Ezra covers the Jewish return from Babylon and the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem - The Book of Ezra is like the Book of Acts where Luke wrote a complete history though Luke himself did not show up until Acts 16:11 - Ezra himself writes some history before showing up in Ezra 7:1 -- 'Ezra 1:1-4 Now in the first year of Cyrus King of Persia (Iran), that the word of the LORD by the mouth of Jeremiah might be fulfilled, the LORD stirred up the spirit of Cyrus King of Persia, that he made a proclamation throughout all his Kingdom, and put it also in writing, saying, Thus saith Cyrus king of Persia, The LORD God of heaven hath given me *all the Kingdoms of the earth [Persia the 4th Kingdom of the world - Revelation 17:10]; and He hath charged me to build Him an House [Temple] at Jerusalem, which is in Judah. Who is there among you of all his people? his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem, which is in Judah, and build the House of the LORD God of Israel, He is the God, which is in Jerusalem. And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him [returning Jews] with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the House of God that is in Jerusalem.'
Ezra 1:5-11 Then rose up the chief of the fathers of Judah and Benjamin, and the priests, and the Levites, with all them whose spirit God had raised, to go up to build the house of the LORD which is in Jerusalem. And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered. Also Cyrus the King brought forth the vessels [Temple cups and bowls] of the House of the LORD, which Nebuchadnezzar [King of Babylon the 3rd Kingdom of the world - Revelation 17:10] had brought forth out of Jerusalem, and had put them in the house of his gods; Even those did Cyrus King of Persia [Persian defeated Babylon - In 539 B.C. Cyrus invaded Babylonia - on the 16th day of Tammuz, two days after the capture of Sippara, "the soldiers of Cyrus entered Babylon without fighting" - Cyrus did not arrive until the 3rd of Marchesvan (October)] bring forth by the hand of Mithredath the treasurer, and numbered them unto Sheshbazzar [probably the Babylonian or Persian name of Zerubbabel], the Prince (a Royalty) of Judah. And this is the number of them: thirty chargers of gold, a thousand chargers of silver, nine and twenty knives, Thirty basins of gold, silver basins of a second sort four hundred and ten, and other vessels a thousand. All the vessels of gold and of silver were five thousand and four hundred. All these did Sheshbazzar bring up with them of the captivity that were brought up from Babylon unto Jerusalem [Zerubbabel led the first of three main returens from Babylon back to Jerusalem]. - Note: Zerubbabel the grandson of Jewish King Jehoiachin he became the Governor of Jerusalem at the return to Jerusalem , Israel was no longer permitted to have a King of its own. Zerubbabel led the first band of Jews, numbering 42,360, who returned from the Babylonian Captivity in the first year of Cyrus, King of Persia in 538 BC. Zerubbabel also laid the foundation of the Second Temple in Jerusalem the next year [the second year of their return to Jerusalem (Ezra 3:8)] (Wiki.com).
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Ezra 2 - Ezra lists the Jews who returned to Israel with Zerubbabel -- 'Ezra 2:1-2 Now these are the children of the province [outside of Jerusalem - countryside] that went up out of the captivity, of those which had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon had carried away unto Babylon, and came again unto Jerusalem and Judah, every one [returning] unto his city [in Israel]; Which came with Zerubbabel ...'
Ezra 2:61-70 And of the children of the [Zadok] Priests: the children of Habaiah, the children of Koz, the children of Barzillai; which took a wife of the daughters of Barzillai the Gileadite, and was called after their name: These sought their register among those that were reckoned by genealogy, but they were not found: therefore were they, as polluted [ineligible], put from the Priesthood. And the Tirshatha said unto them, that they should not eat of the most holy [Priesthood] things [foods], till there stood up a Priest with *Urim and with *Thummim [the Priests usually not directly being a Prophet used the stones to discern the will of God]. *The whole [first returning] congregation together was forty and two thousand three hundred and threescore [42,360], Beside their servants and their maids, of whom there were seven thousand three hundred thirty and seven: and there were among them two hundred singing men and singing women. Their horses were seven hundred thirty and six; their mules, two hundred forty and five; Their camels, four hundred thirty and five; their asses, six thousand seven hundred and twenty. And some of the chief of the fathers, when they came to the House of the LORD [then in ruins] which is at Jerusalem, offered freely for the House of God to set it up [rebuild] in His place: They gave after their ability unto the treasure of the work threescore and one thousand drams of gold, and five thousand pound of silver, and one hundred Priests garments. So the Priests, and the Levites, and some of the people, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims [servants], dwelt in their cities, and all Israel in their cities.
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Ezra 3 - The Children of God return from Babylon with what is now our Old Testament Bible - While in Babylon the Jewish Scribes complied and condensed the Temple records that they had brought with them into captivity and wrote the Hebrew [O.T.] Bible making the Bible for the first time commonly available to the average person - The Temple records were also returned to Jerusalem and the second Temple but were eventually destroyed in the 70 A.D. Temple fire and destruction by Roman forces -- 'Ezra 3:1-6 And when the seventh month was come, and the Children of Israel were in the cities, the people gathered themselves together as one man to Jerusalem. Then stood up Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and his brethren the priests, and Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and his brethren, and builded the altar of the God of Israel, to offer burnt offerings thereon, as it is written in the Law of Moses the man of God. And they set the altar upon his bases [did it correctly]; for fear was upon them because of the people of those [surrounding] countries {they didn't want to offend God and be judged by again by the surrounding hostile nations}: and they offered burnt offerings thereon unto the LORD, even burnt offerings morning and evening. *They kept also the Feast of Tabernacles, *as it is written [in the Bible], and offered the daily burnt offerings by number, according to the custom, as the duty of every day required; And afterward offered the continual burnt offering, both of the new moons [the Jewish calendar was lunar, moon month to moon month - our calendar is solar, the days are counted as the earth rotates around the sun], and of *all the set Feasts [Leviticus Chapter 23] of the LORD that were consecrated, and of every one that willingly offered a freewill offering unto the LORD. From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. *But the foundation of the Temple of the LORD was not yet laid.'
Work begins on building the 2nd Jewish Temple in Jerusalem: Ezra 3:7-13 They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon [just like the building of Solomon's Temple] to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia. *Now in the second year of their coming unto the House [Temple] of God at Jerusalem, in the second month, began Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and the remnant of their brethren the Priests and the Levites, and all they that were come out of the captivity unto Jerusalem; and appointed the Levites, from *twenty years old and upward, to set forward the work of the house of the LORD [at verious ages a Levite could assist in Temple work and activity but a Levite had to reach the age of 30 before actually becoming a Levit/Aaronic priest]. Then stood Jeshua with his sons and his brethren, Kadmiel and his sons, the sons of Judah, together, to set forward the workmen in the House of God: the sons of Henadad, with their sons and their brethren the Levites. *And when the builders laid the foundation of the [2nd] Temple of the LORD, they set the Priests in their apparel with trumpets, and the Levites the sons of Asaph with cymbals, to praise the LORD, after the ordinance [and Psalms] of David King of Israel. And they sang together by course in praising and giving thanks unto the LORD; *because He is good, for *His mercy endureth for ever *toward Israel. And all the people shouted with a great shout, when they praised the LORD, because *the foundation of the House [Temple] of the LORD was laid. But many of the Priests and Levites and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice [because the 2nd Temple was going to be much smaller than the 1st temple - until about 19 B.C. when the Roman, Herod would greatly expand the Temple]; and many shouted aloud for joy: So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.
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Ezra 4 - The uncircumcised people of the area want to be a part of what God is doing and want to help but unfortunately it in their own way and not Truly God's way in building of God's Temple - If the people really did want to help or really did want to worship God then they had every opportunity to become circumcised and to Worship God in Spirit and in Truth and not just in their emotions and imagination -- 'Ezra 4:1-3 Now when the *adversaries of Judah and Benjamin heard that the children of the captivity builded the temple unto the LORD God of Israel; Then they came to Zerubbabel, and to the chief of the fathers, and said unto them, *Let us build with you: for we seek your God [uncircumcised], [not] as ye do; and we do sacrifice unto him since the days of Esar-haddon King of Assur (Assyria), which brought us up hither [into Samaria]. But Zerubbabel, and Jeshua, and the rest of the chief of the fathers of Israel, said unto them, Ye [uncircumcised] have nothing to do with us to build an House unto our God; but we ourselves together will build unto the LORD God of Israel, as King Cyrus the King of Persia hath commanded us.'
Those who oppose the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem are able to get the work stopped for 16 years: Ezra 4:4-16 Then the people of the land weakened the hands of the people of Judah, and troubled them in building, And hired counselors against them, to frustrate their purpose, all the days of Cyrus king of Persia, even until the reign of Darius king of Persia. And in the reign of Ahasuerus, in the beginning of his reign, wrote they unto him an accusation against the inhabitants of Judah and Jerusalem. And in the days of Artaxerxes wrote Bishlam, Mithredath, Tabeel, and the rest of their companions, unto Artaxerxes king of Persia; and the writing of the letter was written in the Syrian tongue, and interpreted in the Syrian tongue. Rehum the chancellor and Shimshai the scribe wrote a letter against Jerusalem to Artaxerxes the king in this sort: Then wrote Rehum the chancellor, and Shimshai the scribe, and the rest of their companions; the Dinaites, the Apharsathchites, the Tarpelites, the Apharsites, the Archevites, the Babylonians, the Susanchites, the Dehavites, and the Elamites, And the rest of the nations whom the great and noble Asnapper brought over, and set in the cities of Samaria, and the rest that are on this side the river, and at such a time. This is the copy of the letter that they sent unto him, even unto Artaxerxes the king; Thy servants the men on this side the river, and at such a time. Be it known unto the king, that the Jews which came up from thee to us are come unto Jerusalem, building the rebellious and the bad city, and have set up the walls thereof, and joined the foundations. Be it known now unto the king, that, if this city be builded, and the walls set up again, then will they not pay toll, tribute, and custom, and so thou shalt endamage the revenue of the kings. Now because we have maintenance from the king's palace, and it was not meet for us to see the king's dishonour, therefore have we sent and certified the king; That search may be made in the book of the records of thy fathers: so shalt thou find in the book of the records, and know that this city is a rebellious city, and hurtful unto kings and provinces, and that they have moved sedition within the same of old time: for which cause was this city destroyed. We certify the king that, if this city be builded again, and the walls thereof set up, by this means thou shalt have no portion on this side the river. ... Ezra 4:23-24 Now when the copy of king Artaxerxes' letter was read before Rehum, and Shimshai the scribe, and their companions, they went up in haste to Jerusalem unto the Jews, and made them to cease by force and power. *Then ceased the work of the house of God which is at Jerusalem. So it ceased [for 16 years] unto the second year of the reign of Darius king of Persia.
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Ezra 5 - With God's worked stalled Prophets begin to prophesy again in Israel and then with their message to the people of confidence and reassurance regarding the plans of God for Israel the work of God then begins again among the people of Israel -- 'Ezra 5:1-2 Then the Prophets, *Haggai the Prophet, and *Zechariah [the Prophet] the son of Iddo, prophesied unto the Jews that were in Judah and Jerusalem in the Name of the God of Israel, even unto them. Then rose up Zerubbabel the son of Shealtiel, and Jeshua the son of Jozadak, and began to build the House of God which is at Jerusalem: and with them were the Prophets of God helping [to encourage and strengthen] them.'
The rebuilding of the Temple is again challenged by outsiders but this time the leaders of Israel do not slow the rebuilding process so yet another letter is sent to the King in Persia regarding the legality of the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem: Ezra 5:3-5 At the same time came to them Tatnai, governor on this side the river, and Shethar- boznai, and their companions, and said thus unto them, Who hath commanded you to build this house, and to make up this wall? Then said we unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building? But the eye of their God was upon the elders of the Jews, that they could not cause them to cease, till the matter came to Darius [King Darius I]: and then they returned answer by letter concerning this matter.
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Ezra 6 - The earlier decree of King Cyrus regarding the rebuilding of the Temple in Jerusalem is located and building of the Temple is allowed to be completed -- 'Ezra 6:1-7 Then [earlier] Darius the King [had] made a decree, and search was made in the house of the rolls, where the treasures were laid up in Babylon. And there was found at Achmetha, in the palace that is in the province of the Medes, a roll, and therein was a record thus written: In the first year of Cyrus the King the same Cyrus the King made a decree concerning the house of God at Jerusalem, Let the House be builded, the place where they offered sacrifices, and let the foundations thereof be strongly laid; the height thereof threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof threescore cubits; With three rows of great stones, and a row of new timber: and let the expences be given out of the King's house: And also let the golden and silver vessels of the House of God, which Nebuchadnezzar took forth out of the [1st] Temple which is at Jerusalem, and brought unto Babylon, be restored, and brought again unto the [2nd] Temple which is [to be rebuilt] at Jerusalem, everyone to his place, and place them in the House of God. Now therefore, Tatnai, governor beyond the river, Shethar-boznai, and your companions the Apharsachites, which are beyond the river, be ye far from thence: *Let the work of this House of God alone; let the Governor of the Jews and the elders of the Jews build this House [Temple] of God in His place.'
The rebuilt Temple is completed and dedicated and the Feasts of Passover and Unleavened Bread are observed: Ezra 6:14-22 And the elders of the Jews builded, and they prospered [progressed] *through the prophesying of Haggai the prophet and Zechariah the son of Iddo. And *they builded, and finished it, *according to the Commandment of the God of Israel, and according to the commandment of Cyrus, and Darius, and Artaxerxes King of Persia [Artaxerxes was the son of Xerxes and grandson Darius I - though not a King at the time Artaxerxes as a clerk of records in Persia was probably who located the original rebuild edict of King Cyrus]. And this House was finished on the third day of the month Adar, which was in the sixth year of the reign of Darius the King. And the children of Israel, the Priests [teachers], and the Levites, and the rest of the children of the captivity, kept the dedication of this House of God with joy, And offered at the dedication of this House of God an hundred bullocks, two hundred rams, four hundred lambs; and for a sin offering for all Israel, twelve he goats, according to the number of the Tribes of Israel. And they set the Priests in their divisions, and the Levites in their courses, for the service of God, which is at Jerusalem; as it is written in the Book of Moses [Genesis - Deuteronomy]. And the Children of the Captivity kept the *Passover upon the fourteenth day of the first month. For the Priests and the Levites were purified together, all of them were pure, and killed the Passover for all the Children of the Captivity, and for their brethren the Priests, and for themselves. And the Children of Israel, which were come again out of captivity, and all such as had separated themselves unto them from the filthiness of the heathen of the land, to seek the LORD God of Israel, did eat, And *kept the Feast of Unleavened bread seven days with joy: for the LORD had made them joyful, and turned the heart of the King of Assyria unto them, to strengthen their hands in the work of the Jouse of God, the God of Israel.
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Ezra 7 - Ezra the Levitical/Zadok Priest and Bible Scribe leads the 2nd group of exiles in their return to Jerusalem - Like Ezra most of this group of returning Jews were born in Babylon -- 'Ezra 7:1-8 Now after these things {58 years between the Temple dedication and the arrival of Ezra in Jerusalem}, in the reign of Artaxerxes {possibly aka Ahasuerus and probably when Ester was Queen} King of Persia, Ezra the son of Seraiah, the son of Azariah, the son of Hilkiah, The son of Shallum, the son of *Zadok, the son of Ahitub, The son of Amariah, the son of Azariah, the son of Meraioth, The son of Zerahiah, the son of Uzzi, the son of Bukki, The son of Abishua, the son of Phinehas, the son of Eleazar, the son of *Aaron {Aaron the brother of Moses} the [first Levitical] Chief Priest [High Priest appointed by God at Mt. Sinai]: This Ezra went up from Babylon; and *he was a ready (Bible) Scribe in the law of Moses, which the LORD God of Israel had given: and the King granted him all his request, according to the hand of the LORD his God upon him. And there went up [the 2nd group of returning exiles] some of the Children of Israel, and of the priests, and the Levites, and the singers, and the porters, and the Nethinims [indentured servants], unto Jerusalem, in the seventh year of Artaxerxes the King. And he came to Jerusalem in the fifth month, which was in the seventh year of the King.'
Ezra is going to Jerusalem with a mandate from the King and with the people capable of carrying out the task of establishing Jewish Torah Law and to solidify Jewish customs and traditions within Jerusalem and throughout the area of Israel: Ezra 7:25-28 And thou, Ezra, after the wisdom of thy God, that is in thine hand, set magistrates [officials] and judges, which may judge all the people that are beyond the river, all [Jews] such as know the Laws of thy God; *and teach ye them that know them not. And whosoever will not do the Law of thy God, and the law of the king, let judgment be executed speedily upon him, whether it be unto death, or to banishment, or to confiscation of goods, or to imprisonment. Blessed be the LORD God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king's heart, to beautify the House [Temple] of the LORD which is in Jerusalem: And hath extended mercy unto me before the king, and his counsellors, and before all the king's mighty princes. And I was strengthened as the hand of the LORD my God was upon me, and I gathered together out of Israel [in Persia] chief men to go up with me.
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Ezra 8 - During the journey from Persia- Babylon back to Jerusalem Ezra stopped the caravan to fast and pray - Ezra had told the King of Persia that God would protect them [they had an extremely rich caravan]yet the caravan was being protected by Persian soldiers - After prayer Ezra sent the Persian soldiers back to Persia and the unprotected caravan, protected by God, proceeded on to Jerusalem - Ezra had also divided up the gold, silver and valuables giving each family leader the responsibility for an equal amount of the gold, silver and jewels intended for 'beautifying' the Temple - Then on the fourth day after arriving in Jerusalem each family leader brought his amount of gold, silver and materials that he was entrusted with and all of the material had arrived safely in Jerusalem and was given to the Temple service -- 'Ezra 8:21-23 Then [during the journey from Persia-Babylon to Jerusalem] I [Ezra] proclaimed a fast there, at the river of Ahava, that we might afflict ourselves before our God, to seek of Him a right way for us, and for our little ones, and for all our substance [the great wealth of the caravan]. For I was ashamed to require of the king a band of soldiers and horsemen to help us against the enemy in the way: because we had spoken unto the king, saying, The hand of our God is upon all them for good that seek Him; but His power and His wrath is against all them that forsake Him. So we fasted and besought our God for this: and he was intreated of us.'
The 2nd group of exiles being led by Ezra makes it safely to Jerusalem: Ezra 8:31-36 Then we departed from the river of Ahava on the twelfth day of the first month, to go unto Jerusalem: and the hand of our God was upon us, and *He delivered us from the hand of the enemy, and of such as lay in wait by the way. *And we came to Jerusalem, and abode there three days. Now on the fourth day was the silver and the gold and the vessels weighed in the House [Temple] of our God by the hand of Meremoth the son of Uriah the Priest; and with him was Eleazar the son of Phinehas; and with them was Jozabad the son of Jeshua, and Noadiah the son of Binnui, Levites; By number and by weight of every one [each family group]: and all the weight was written at that time. Also *the children of those that had been carried away {this entire 2nd group of returning Jews was probably born in Babylon}, which were come out of the captivity, offered burnt offerings unto the God of Israel, twelve bullocks for all [12 Tribes of] Israel, ninety and six rams, seventy and seven lambs, twelve he goats for a sin offering: all this was a burnt offering unto the LORD. And they delivered the king's commissions unto the king's lieutenants, and to the Governors on this side the river: and they *furthered (improved) the people, and the House of God.
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Ezra 9-10 - Ezra finds out that in realty the Children of God, after everything that the Nation of Israel had gone through, as a whole the people of God had not gotten any better or more religious towards the things of God - Even the new leaders of Israel were highly corrupt and compromised with the foreign customs and traditions of other people and of other nations -- 'Ezra 9:1-6 Now when these things were done, the princes came to me, saying, The people of Israel, and the Priests, and the Levites, have not separated themselves from the people of the lands, doing according to their abominations, even of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Jebusites, the Ammonites, the Moabites, the Egyptians, and the Amorites. For they have taken of their daughters for themselves, and for their sons: so that the holy seed have mingled themselves with the people of those lands: yea, the hand of the princes and rulers hath been chief in this trespass. And when I heard this thing, I rent my garment and my mantle, and plucked off the hair of my head and of my beard, and sat down astonied (astonished). Then were assembled unto me every one that trembled at the words of the God of Israel, because of the transgression of those that had been carried away; and I sat astonied (astonished) until the evening sacrifice. And at the evening sacrifice I arose up from my heaviness; and having rent my garment and my mantle, I fell upon my knees, and spread out my hands unto the LORD my God. And said, O my God, I am ashamed and blush to lift up my face to thee, my God: for *our iniquities are *increased over our head, and our trespass is grown up unto the heavens.' - Note: As result of this (in the Book of Nehemiah) Ezra the Leaders, Scribes and Priests of Israel are going to institute public Torah (Bible) study, teachings and devotions and it is out of the system initiated by Ezra that the Synagogue, Bible Scrolls, teachings and devotions emerge in Israel. Traditions and customs that are then later adopted directly into the Christian Church and Church fellowships. - Also Note: What occurred later in Nehemiah Chapter 8 is identical to both a modern Jewish Synagogue service and a modern Christian Church service.
The Biblical Priesthoods (Levitical or Melchizedek the 'King of Righteousness Priesthood') are both based entirely on a family relationship. A person must be born [entirely - N.T.] into the Priestly family [or have entered legally into the Priestly family - O.T.] in order to have access to God through the family and having access to God [as a family member] then having the ability to perform Priestly duties on behalf of man and on behalf of God: Ezra 10:9-17 Then all the men of Judah and Benjamin gathered themselves together unto Jerusalem within three days. It was the ninth month, on the twentieth day of the month; and all the people sat in the street of the house of God, trembling because of this matter, and for the great rain. And Ezra the priest stood up, and said unto them, Ye have transgressed, and have taken strange wives, to increase the trespass of Israel. Now therefore make confession unto the LORD God of your fathers, and do his pleasure: and separate yourselves from the people of the land, and from the strange wives. Then all the congregation answered and said with a loud voice, As thou hast said, so must we do. But the people are many, and it is a time of much rain, and we are not able to stand without, neither is this a work of one day or two: for we are many that have transgressed in this thing. Let now our rulers of all the congregation stand, and let all them which have taken strange wives in our cities come at appointed times, and with them the elders of every city, and the judges thereof, until the fierce wrath of our God for this matter be turned from us. Only Jonathan the son of Asahel and Jahaziah the son of Tikvah were employed about this matter: and Meshullam and Shabbethai the Levite helped them. And the children of the captivity did so. And Ezra the priest, with certain chief of the fathers, after the house of their fathers, and all of them by their names, were separated, and sat down in the first day of the tenth month to examine the matter. And they made an end with all the men that had taken strange wives by the first day of the first month. - Note: There is a New Testament equivalent (Acts 19:13-16) to this Old Testament Priesthood purity where later Jewish Priests were attempting to minister in the name of Jesus [salvation] and were unable to do so because they were not [yet] completely in the [new] family. Being Jewish [having redemption - in a sense being half Christian, like the children in question in ancient Israel were half Jewish but ineligible to minister as Levitical Priests] and not being Christians [not having the full family Salvation of Jesus] they were unable to Minister in the Name of Jesus. -- Acts 19:13-16 Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists (Priests), took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits *the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, *We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the *Priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul [a Priest of Jesus] I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded.
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THE BOOK OF
===== NEHEMIAH =====
Background of Nehemiah - Nehemiah came to Jerusalem in 444 B.C. - He resigned as cupbearer to [King] Artaxerxes I [in Persia] in order to serve his own people in rebuilding the city of Jerusalem - Nehemiah was appointed Governor [of the Jerusalem area] and returned to assist in fortifying the walls of the capital [Jerusalem] to attract Jews to [return and] settle in security - Nehemiah sees the return of the people of Israel to Jerusalem as the second exodus not out of Egypt but [this time] out of Babylon - The language of Deuteronomy fills Nehemiah to represent this Exodus
The first order of business upon arrival in Jerusalem at night was to examine and inspect the damaged walls. They immediately began construction and fortification which stirred up the suspicions of the people surrounding Jerusalem. They viewed it as rebellion and began plotting and scheming against the work (Nehemiah 2:20). Numerous schemes were set up to try and ensnare Nehemiah without success. The workers took turns building and watching over the tower. From this incident comes the beautiful symbol of the sword and trowel. Nehemiah addressed the problem of financing the project with grace and mercy by cancelling all debts and not imposing heavy taxes thus easing the burden upon the poor. Nehemiah 5 Yet in spite of all the opposition the wall was built in only fifty two days. Upon completion the people celebrated the festivals of the seventh month, the Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement and Feast of Tabernacles, all under Ezra's leadership. Nehemiah began the public reading of the Law of God which convicted the people who had not realized how far short they had fallen during the Exile from God's standards. A National day of prayer and repentance was held on the twenty fourth day of the reading of the Law. The two laws which stood out over all the rest were concerning intermarriage and the keeping of the Sabbath. It was time for national celebration. Led by Ezra and Nehemiah Israel march in a procession around the top of the wall to meet at the Temple for a service of thanksgiving led by a choir and orchestra. After twelve years in Jerusalem, Nehemiah returns to report to the Persian king. 432 B.C. Several years later when he returned to Jerusalem he found that the people had fallen into their old ways. The priest Eliashib had allowed Tobiah, an Ammonite friend of Sanballat to occupy a room in the temple. Nehemiah had the temple cleansed, and reminded the people of their giving commitments under the covenant. He closed the city gates on the Sabbath so merchants could not buy or sell. Mixed marriages were condemned according to the law of God. There were now children who could not speak Hebrew only the language of the Philistines. The book ends with the words 'Remember me, O my God, for good' (Nehemiah 13:31). No matter how strong the wall, if God's people will not live according to God's law there is no protection but only judgment. Christ the fulfillment of Nehemiah also laid the foundation for the New Jerusalem with his own blood even in the face of opposition. God would sovereignly accomplish His redemptive purposes through his agents even in spite of fierce opposition.
http://www.abu.nb.ca/ecm/Neh00b.htm
Book of Nehemiah Theme & Overview - Rebuilding Our Faith - It is naive to think that restoration of the physical walls of a city is the same as true restoration - God's idea is not just to get us a ticket to heaven but to truly restore [rebuild] us
Rebuilding Our Faith: Although the theme of rebuilding Jerusalem's wall is often connected with the Book of Nehemiah, we must understand that the wall is the most visible sign of the community of God's people. The wall is symbolic of their identity because by it they are protected. When we look at the Book of Nehemiah, we will find even more important tasks that must be done to rebuild the people of God. It is inadequate to be satisfied with a city that has tall skyscrapers but does not have law and order. Our society now is coming to grips with what it is like to have a form of organization but disorder in the lives of people. Nehemiah, as a prophet of old, was calling the people to reassemble before God. Each chapter was a special emphasis on a new kind of restoration. The enemies were not located just on the outside of the walls but also on the inside. It was this 'inside' culprit that before had foiled Israel. It is naive to think that restoration of the physical walls of a city is the same as true restoration. We can easily remember a time when the walls of Jerusalem were intact but the evil within the walls provoked God to tear those walls down. But we would be fools to think we can have the inner restoration before outer (virtue before godliness). The perfecting of His people must not just think it is to again live in Jerusalem and "come back to this place." God's idea is not just to get us a ticket to heaven but to truly restore us.
http://www.foundationsforfreedom.net/References/OT/Historical/Nehemiah/Nehemiah00Overview.html
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Nehemiah's Wall an introduction by Pastor John Schmidt (YouTube)
This message, featuring Teaching Pastor John Schmidt, introduces us to Nehemiah, and was used to start a sermon series looking at Nehemiah's leadership skills.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rB_-L-MCuPA
Zedekiah's Cave: Also the way to the Ark of the Covenant - Zedekiah's Cave has a wall that is believed to be the wall [now underground] repaired by the prophet Nehemiah as prophesied by Daniel (Daniel 9:25) - It is the southern wall of the sanctuary cast into the ground where the Ark of the Covenant is hidden in a [nearby] cave (YouTube)
Note: This is some great amateur video footage and much thanks go to the people involved in providing it [don't wait for CNN to provide this material to the public] - The video is shot below ground (because the really old archeology stuff is now underground and needs to be either excavated or tunneled into) the video primarily shows three things. - 1. A Tunnel that was a part of the complex tunnel system of ancient Israel and of most ancient cities (it's thought there was a 25 mile tunnel going all the way from Jerusalem to Jericho). - 2. The location where the stones were cut (quarried) from and then used by Herod to expand the Temple and to build the retaining walls (i.e. the modern Wailing Wall) and many of his other projects. - 3. When Herod expanded the Temple in 19 B.C. he pushed dirt out and covered many areas over with dirt to make more room for a larger Temple area on the Temple hill and during Herod's expansion project part of Nehemiah's Wall was covered over with dirt and the video shows some amazing footage of a remaining part the original wall [now underground] that was built or rebuilt with the supervision of Nehemiah. -- Also Note: The myth perpetuated by the Knight Templars and via Rosslyn Chapel (and also the Lincoln Cathedral [1100 A.D.] in Lincolnshire, England) [used by Dan Brown in the book and movie The Da Vinci Code] postulates that the Holy Grail (the Communion Cup of Jesus Christ) is also hidden in the cave (near the Ark of the Covenant) in a middle-chamber (the remains Solomon's Temple chambers are now underground while Herod's Temple was basically expanded over the top of what were Solomon's Chambers - also now called Solomon's Stables). There happens to be a an ancient underground middle chamber there but this was used by Jewish Priests and not the Apostles and Disciples of Jesus and early Christianity. - What is being said in the video is that Nehemiah's concern was not just that the wall was broken down in that one area (by the Temple and by the tombs of the Kings, David and Solomon) it was because the Ark was hidden in that area and with the wall crumbled it could expose the hiding place of the Ark therefore Nehemiah inspected that area at night (Nehemiah 2:11-17). Then with the wall rebuilt the Priests would have the safety to bring the Ark back into the Temple knowing that with the covering and protection of the wall they could again hide the Ark back in a cave-chamber with only a few moments notice. The Ark of the Covenant was probably first hidden away in the days of Isaiah during the attack on Jerusalem by the Assyrians and the Ark had been at times either hidden or within the Temple where it belonged up until and including the days of Jesus Christ and since 70 A.D. the Ark has remained hidden in the nearby system of caves and caverns.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtOznxNIZhw
Archeology in Israel with Pastor Andy Cook (YouTube)
An on-site look at how archeology in Israel is bringing the Bible to life.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mwCHYkeKui4
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What Did Nehemiah Build Pt. 1 of 2 - The Wall of Righteousness (YouTube)
WHAT DID NEHEMIAH BUILD? Here are the things Nehemiah did in restoring the "Wall" of Jerusalem: 1. Makes an assessment. 2. Goes to the priests and officials and presents his idea and plan.
3. The entire work is divided up and the priests begin working near their homes- their own land. 4. Priests from the surrounding region come in to the city to help. (This is "helping each other.") 5. Enemies begin to mock the workers and Nehemiah. 6. Enemies come together to plot against the workers. 7. The workers begin to pray and to guard themselves day & night. 8. The workers begin to tire. 9. Warnings come of an attack from the enemy (today, this can be prophecies.) Nehemiah redistributes his forces, strengthening weak areas. 10. Nehemiah encourages the workers. Half work (evangelizing) and half guard (prayer & fasting, prostrating before the Lord.) They took their weapons everywhere, even to drink water. 11. Nehemiah comes against usury. He tells the leaders and landowners to walk in fear of the Lord. They forgive debts to borrowers and repay collected interest. Nehemiah required commitments from the nobles and priests to not do this. 12. Nehemiah does not take an official allowance from those who were already heavily burdened. He funds himself, and even gives money to others. 13. The enemy's plot to murder Nehemiah fails, and so he generates false rumors. 14. Work is completed, but must be preserved. Nehemiah sets sentries over the city and leaders to guard their homes. 15. The law of God is carefully read and explained to everyone. Then they celebrate God. 16. The people confess their sins, fast, and humble themselves. 17. The people pray and thank God, proclaiming all the good things He has done. They remember the history of the Hebrews' walk with God.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oQgpjBIoOfY
What Did Nehemiah Build Pt. 2 of 2 - The Wall of Righteousness - (NLT) Ezekiel 22:30: "I looked for somebody that might rebuild the Wall of Righteousness that guards the land." (YouTube)
WHAT DID NEHEMIAH BUILD? Next, Nehemiah rebuilds the real wall that protects Jerusalem. Ezekiel 22:30: "I looked for somebody that might rebuild the wall of righteousness that guards the land. I searched for someone to stand in the gap in the wall so I wouldn't have to destroy the land, but I found no one [Until Jesus Christ stood in the Gap for all humanity (Revelation 5:9) and Jesus Christ established and built His Wall of Righteousness in His Christian Church (Revelation 19:8)]." Nehemiah Chapter 13: 1. Ammonites and Moabites are thrown out. Those who follow after others who are against God are thrown out. 2. Tobiah thrown out. Remove from places of honor those which are against the church but are within the church. These are so common place you will overlook them before you will realize they are separate from Christ. 3. Restores apportion for Levites. Give according to Scripture. 4. Assigns positions of responsibility. 5. Restored the Sabbath. 6. Restored the idea of pure marriage. Marry who God selects for you to marry. Use no other system of selection. 7. Exiles political unions from the priesthood. This exonerates the Lord by declaring He is not guilty of deceit by not trusting in the Power of God. The Lord does not need to form alliances with the forces of the world system.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MiqJsmvB7-I
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Nehemiah 1 - Nehemiah was the cup-bearer to King Artaxerxes of Persia (Iran) - The cup-bearer was the person who brought the King his wine anytime throughout the day that the King wanted to drink - It was a highly trusted position because if the King was going to be poisoned it would probably be put in his wine - The cup-bearer was usually a chosen servant that was also a very good friend to the King because often the cup-bearer would fellowship with the King while the King enjoyed his wine and often the cup-bearer knew the King and the business of the Kingdom better than almost anyone in the Kingdom -- 'Nehemiah 1:1-4 The words of Nehemiah the son of Hachaliah. And it came to pass in the month Chisleu, in the twentieth year, as I was in Shushan the palace, That Hanani, one of my brethren, came, he and certain men of Judah; and I asked them concerning the Jews that had escaped, which were left of the captivity, and concerning Jerusalem. And they said unto me, The remnant that are left of the captivity there in the province are in great affliction and reproach: the wall of Jerusalem also is broken down, and the gates thereof are burned with fire. And it came to pass, when I heard these words, that I sat down and wept, and mourned certain days, and fasted, and prayed before the God of Heaven'
Nehemiah says a prayer before first enquiring of the King requesting to go to Jerusalem to assist his Jewish brethren in Israel [Nehemiah does not permanently go to Jerusalem he has to return after 11 years in Jerusalem and report back to the King in Persia then he returns for a few more years back to Jerusalem then goes back to Persia for a time, etc.]: Nehemiah 1:5-11 And said, I beseech thee, O LORD God of Heaven, the great and terrible God, that keepeth covenant and mercy for them that love Him and observe His Commandments: Let thine ear now be attentive, and thine eyes open, that thou mayest hear the prayer of thy servant, which I pray before thee now, day and night, for the Children of Israel *Thy servants, and confess the sins of the Children of Israel, which we have sinned against thee: both I and my father's house have sinned. We have dealt very corruptly against Thee, and have not kept The Commandments [10 Commandments], nor The Statutes, nor the Judgments, which thou commandedst thy servant Moses. Remember, I beseech thee, the word that thou commandedst thy servant Moses, saying, If ye transgress, I will scatter you abroad among the Nations: But if ye turn unto me, and keep My Commandments, and do them; though there were of you cast out unto the uttermost part of the Heaven, yet will I gather them from thence, and will bring them unto the place [Jerusalem] that I have chosen to set My Name there. Now these are Thy Servants and Thy People, *whom Thou hast *redeemed by thy great power, and by thy strong hand [on the night of Passover in Egypt (Exodus 6:6, Exodus 13:14-15)]. O Lord, I beseech thee, let now Thine ear be attentive to the prayer of Thy servant, and to the prayer of Thy servants, who desire to fear Thy Name: and prosper, I pray thee, Thy servant this day, and grant him mercy in the sight of this man. For I was the king's cupbearer.
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Nehemiah 2 - Nehemiah requests to go assist his brethren in Jerusalem -- 'Nehemiah 2:1-6 And it came to pass in the month Nisan, in the twentieth year of Artaxerxes the King, that wine was before him: and I took up the wine, and gave it unto the King. Now I had not been beforetime sad in his presence. Wherefore the King said unto me, Why is thy countenance sad, seeing thou art not sick? this is nothing else but sorrow of heart. Then I was very sore afraid, And said unto the King, Let the King live forever: why should not my countenance be sad, when the city [Jerusalem], the place of my fathers' sepulchers (tombs), lieth waste, and the gates thereof are consumed with fire? Then the King said unto me, For what dost thou make request? *So I prayed to the God of Heaven. And I said unto the King, If it please the King, and if thy servant have found favour in thy sight, that thou wouldest send me unto Judah [Israel], unto the city of my fathers' sepulchres, that I may build it. And the King said unto me, the Queen [Ester] also sitting by him, For how long shall thy journey be? and when wilt thou return? So it pleased the King to send me; and I set him a time [Nehemiah's first visit to Jerusalem lasted about 11 years].'
Nehemiah arrives in Jerusalem and during the night inspects the still crumbled Wall of Jerusalem: Nehemiah 2:9-18 Then I came to the [Gentile] Governors beyond the river, and gave them the King's letters. Now the King had sent captains of the army and horsemen with me. When [the Gentiles] Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the Children of Israel. *So I came to Jerusalem, and was there three days. And I arose in the night, I and some few men with me; neither told I any man what my God had put in my heart to do at Jerusalem: neither was there any beast with me, save the beast that I rode upon. *And I went out by night by the gate of the valley, even before the dragon well, and to the dung port, and viewed the walls of Jerusalem, which were broken down, and the gates thereof were consumed with fire. Then I went on to the gate of the fountain, and to the King's [Solomon's] pool: but there was no place [the path was blocked by rubble] for the beast [donkey] that was under me to pass. Then went I up in the night by the brook [Cedron], and viewed the wall, and turned back, and entered by the gate of the valley, and so returned. And the rulers knew not whither I went, or what I did; neither had I as yet told it to the Jews, nor to the Priests, nor to the nobles, nor to the rulers, nor to the rest that did the work. *Then said I unto them, Ye see the distress that we are in, how Jerusalem lieth waste, and the gates thereof are burned with fire: come, and let us build up the wall of Jerusalem, that we be no more a reproach. Then I told them of the hand of my God which was good upon me; as also the King's words that he had spoken unto me. And they said, Let us rise up and build. So they strengthened their hands for this good work. - Note: It's though that a primary reason that Nehemiah was so stealth about his inspection of the wall was because he was also inspecting the location of where the Ark of the Covenant was hidden. Nehemiah had a letter from the King to rebuild the wall and the wall was going to get rebuilt regardless of any objections or opposition that anyone might have had so there was no real reason to inspect only the wall by night. Also Note: According to the eyewitness accounts of Ron Wyatt the Ark of the Covenant is indeed hidden in an area of caves and tunnels that are called ' Zedekiah's Cave'. keep in mind that Zedekiah's cave was an area [though called Solomon's Quarry] it was carved out by the Romans starting in 19 B.C. so the Ark of the Covenant would not have been hidden in that last location until very close to 70 A.D. and the end of Roman stone cutting in the cave - in fact there are still partially cut stones in the cave as work was abruptly stopped about 68-70 A.D. during the Jewish revolt against Rome in Israel. So the Ark of the Covenant of Israel was available and in use in Jerusalem and in the Temple up until the destruction of Jerusalem and the 2nd Temple in 70 A.D.
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Nehemiah 3-4 - Sections of the wall begin to be built but it was in a half-hazard way and half a wall or even almost a full wall is still no wall at all until the entire wall and including the gates are built, secured and in place -- 'Nehemiah 3:1-3 Then Eliashib the high priest rose up with his brethren the priests, and they builded the sheep gate; they sanctified it, and set up the doors of it; even unto the tower of Meah they sanctified it, unto the tower of Hananeel. And next unto him builded the men of Jericho. And next to them builded Zaccur the son of Imri. But the fish gate did the sons of Hassenaah build, who also laid the beams thereof, and set up the doors thereof, the locks thereof, and the bars thereof.'
During a time of much distress and persecution in Jerusalem the Wall of Jerusalem was still able to be rebuilt: Nehemiah 4:1-3 But it came to pass, that when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth, and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews. And he spake before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, What do these feeble Jews? will they fortify themselves? will they sacrifice? will they make an end in a day? will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burned? Now Tobiah the Ammonite was by him, and he said, Even that which they build, if a fox go up, he shall even break down their stone wall. ... Nehemiah 4:6-9 So built we the wall; and all the wall was joined together unto the half thereof: for the people had a mind to work. But it came to pass, that when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and the Arabians, and the Ammonites, and the Ashdodites, heard that the walls of Jerusalem were made up, and that the breaches began to be stopped, then they were very wroth, And conspired all of them together to come and to fight against Jerusalem, and to hinder it. Nevertheless we made our prayer unto our God, and set a watch against them day and night, because of them. ... Nehemiah 4:21-23 So we laboured in the work: and half of them held the spears from the rising of the morning till the stars appeared. 22 Likewise at the same time said I unto the people, Let everyone with his servant lodge within Jerusalem, that in the night they may be a guard to us, and labour on the day. 23 So neither I, nor my brethren, nor my servants, nor the men of the guard which followed me, none of us put off our clothes, saving that everyone put them off for washing.
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Nehemiah 5 - Nehemiah besides having to contend with problems from outsiders and foreigners he also had to contend with just as many and just as serious of problems by the fellow countrymen - The Jews themselves were enslaving one another and confiscating the land of their fellow Jews at such a fast rate that it had become difficult to tell Jewish overlords from Gentile oppressors -- 'Nehemiah 5:1-6 And there was a great cry of the people and of their wives against their brethren the Jews. For there were that said, We, our sons, and our daughters, are many: therefore we take up corn for them, that we may eat, and live. Some also there were that said, We have mortgaged our lands, vineyards, and houses, that we might buy corn, because of the dearth. There were also that said, We have borrowed money for the King's tribute, and that upon our lands and vineyards. Yet now our flesh is as the flesh of our brethren, our children as their children: and, lo, we bring into bondage our sons and our daughters to be servants, and some of our daughters are brought unto bondage already: neither is it in our power to redeem them; for other men have our lands and vineyards. And I was very angry when I heard their cry and these words.'
Nehemiah has to stop his work on the physical wall around Jerusalem in order to ensure that the people of Israel and Jerusalem have a society and customs worth of the protection and confinement of a wall: Nehemiah 5:7-12 Then I consulted with myself, and I rebuked the nobles, and the rulers, and said unto them, Ye exact usury, every one of his brother. And I set a great assembly against them. And I said unto them, We after our ability have redeemed our brethren the Jews, which were sold unto the heathen; and will ye even sell your brethren? or shall they be sold unto us? Then held they their peace, and found nothing to answer. Also I said, It is not good that ye do: ought ye not to walk in the fear of our God because of the reproach of the heathen our enemies? I likewise, and my brethren, and my servants, might exact of them money and corn: I pray you, let us leave off this usury [profiting in times of difficulty]. *Restore, I pray you, to them, even this day, their lands, their vineyards, their oliveyards, and their houses, also the hundredth part of the money, and of the corn, the wine, and the oil, that ye exact of them. Then said they, We will restore them, and will require nothing of them; so will we do as thou sayest. Then I called the priests, and took an oath of them, that they should do according to this promise.
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Nehemiah 6-7 - Nehemiah faces several plots and intrigues against his own life -- 'Nehemiah 6:1-4 Now it came to pass, when Sanballat, and Tobiah, and Geshem the Arabian, and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had builded the wall, and that there was no breach left therein; though at that time I had not set up the doors upon the gates; That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you? Yet they sent unto me four times after this sort; and I answered them after the same manner. ... Nehemiah 6:17-19 Moreover in those days the nobles of Judah sent many letters [of support] unto Tobiah, and the letters of Tobiah came unto them. For there were many in Judah sworn unto him, because he was the son in law of Shechaniah the son of Arah; and his son Johanan had taken the daughter of Meshullam the son of Berechiah. *Also they reported his good deeds before me, and uttered [betrayed] my words to him. *And Tobiah sent letters to put me in fear.'
The Wall of Jerusalem has been completed but the people and the city are not yet in a stable enough position to dedicate the wall and call it a completed work of God: Nehemiah 7:1-6 Now it came to pass, when the wall was built, and I had set up the doors, and the porters and the singers and the Levites were appointed, That I gave my brother Hanani, and Hananiah the ruler of the palace, charge over Jerusalem: for he was a faithful man, and feared God above many. And I said unto them, Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened until the sun be hot; and while they stand by, let them shut the doors, and bar them: and appoint watches of the inhabitants of Jerusalem, everyone in his watch, and every one to be over against his house. Now the city was large and great: but the people were few therein, and the houses were not builded. And my God put into mine heart to gather together the nobles, and the rulers, and the people, that they might be reckoned by genealogy. And I found a register of the genealogy of them which came up at the first, and found written therein, These are the children of the province, that went up out of the captivity, of those that had been carried away, whom Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon had carried away, and came again to Jerusalem and to Judah, every one unto his city ...
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Nehemiah 8 - Ezra the Priest and Scribe gathers the people of Israel together and for the first time reads to the people and teaches to them from the Bible [the exact same word for word O.T. Bible that we now have and use] - The Feast of Tabernacles is reinstated -- 'Nehemiah 8:1-3 And [on the first day of the Feast of Tabernacles] all the people gathered themselves together as one man into the street that was before the water gate (John chapter 7); and they spake unto Ezra the scribe to bring the Book (Scroll) of the Law of Moses, which the LORD had commanded to Israel. And Ezra the Priest brought the Law before the Congregation both of men and women, and all that could hear with understanding, upon the first day of the seventh month. And he read therein before the street that was before the water gate from the morning until midday, before the men and the women, and those that could understand; and the ears of all the people were attentive unto the Book of the Law.'
Ezra begins to teach the people for the first time from the Hebrew O.T. Bible: Nehemiah 8:4-12 And Ezra the scribe stood upon a pulpit of wood, which they had made for the purpose; and beside him stood Mattithiah, and Shema, and Anaiah, and Urijah, and Hilkiah, and Maaseiah, on his right hand; and on his left hand, Pedaiah, and Mishael, and Malchiah, and Hashum, and Hashbadana, Zechariah, and Meshullam. And Ezra opened the book in the sight of all the people; for he was above all the people; and when he opened it, all the people stood up: And Ezra blessed the LORD, the great God. And all the people answered, Amen, Amen, with lifting up their hands: and they bowed their heads, and worshipped the LORD with their faces to the ground. Also Jeshua, and Bani, and Sherebiah, Jamin, Akkub, Shabbethai, Hodijah, Maaseiah, Kelita, Azariah, Jozabad, Hanan, Pelaiah, and the Levites, caused the people to understand the law: and the people stood in their place. So they read in the Book in the Law of God distinctly [clearly], and gave the sense [the meaning], and caused [taught] them to understand the [Bible] reading. And Nehemiah, which is the Tirshatha, and Ezra the Priest the Scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, *This day is holy unto the LORD your God; *mourn not, nor weep. *For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law [for the first time]. Then he said unto them, Go your way, *eat the fat, and *drink the sweet [wine], and send portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared: for this day is holy unto our Lord: *neither be ye sorry; *for the joy of the LORD is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved (Romans 8:1). And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth [joy], *because they had understood the Words [of scripture] that were declared unto them. - Note: This is an Amazing, Amazing sequence of Bible passages. Earlier Ezra (Ezra 9:3) had been very upset and very hard on the people however Ezra seemed to realize that Ezra as a Scribe he had the opportunity to read God's word but the people had not yet heard or read God's word and having not heard the Word of God it was impossible for them to obey the Words of God. Ezra then set forth to openly and publically read and teach the Word of God to all the people of Israel and when the people heard the actual Word of God they were deeply repentant and greatly moved and began to cry. Ezra understanding the concept of (Romans 8:1) that there is no condemnation from God for those who seek after God then declared to the people that as they sought the Lord the day is holy and therefore there was no condemnation [even though the people realized they fell so short of what God wanted] but rather to rejoice and to "eat the fat." Now the fat in a Levitical Temple offering was not to be eaten [fat Biblically represents gossip and worry and the worry (fat) was to be given to God to deal with - burnt on the Alter] and Ezra seems to be making a point that animal sacrifices were to be done Only on the Temple Alter [people had been sacrificing on alters on hills] and therefore the alters upon hills were to come down and they were to eat of the fat, as a non-temple everyday meal sacrifice. Ezra is credited with having removed the alters from throughout Israel and replacing the alters [that were not granted by God] with the Synagogues and the teaching and community culture of the Synagogues. - Also Note: When Jesus was on earth He spent much time going both into the Synagogues of Israel and into the Temple in Jerusalem validating both the Synagogue and the Temple as a valid representation of what God wanted Israel to know about Himself and in how God wanted Israel to worship Him. In the passion of the times both the Synagogue Priests and the Temple Priests momentarily rejected Jesus' authority on earth though history has not yet concluded and at the conclusion of history Jesus' authority will be undisputed.
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Nehemiah 9-11 - The Children of God continue to hear the Word of God and continue to repent and renew their vows to God -- 'Nehemiah 9:1-3 Now in the twenty and fourth day of this month the children of Israel were assembled with fasting, and with sackclothes, and earth upon them. And the seed of Israel separated themselves from all strangers, and stood and confessed their sins, and the iniquities of their fathers. And they stood up in their place, and read in the Book of the Law [O.T.] of the LORD their God one fourth part of the day; and another fourth part they confessed, and worshipped the LORD their God.'
Nehemiah 9:38 And because of all this we make a sure covenant, and write it; and our princes, Levites, and priests, seal [vow] unto it. ... Nehemiah 11:1 And the rulers of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: the rest of the people also cast lots, to bring one of ten to dwell in Jerusalem the Holy City, and nine parts to dwell in other cities. And the people blessed all the men, that willingly offered themselves to dwell at Jerusalem. - Note: After the return from Babylon there were not enough survivors from Jerusalem to begin to even fill the city so Jews from the countryside had to be relocated into Jerusalem in order to populate the city.
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Nehemiah 12-13 - With the city of Jerusalem now stable and the people worshiping God in spirit and in truth the wall of Jerusalem is dedicated to God as a finished project -- 'Nehemiah 12:27 And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, to keep the dedication with gladness, both with thanksgivings, and with singing, with cymbals, psalteries, and with harps.'
The Bible's book of Nehemiah concludes: Nehemiah 13:26-31 Did not Solomon King of Israel sin by these things? yet among many Nations was there no King like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him King over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin. Shall we then hearken [listen] unto you [current Priesthood and leadership] to do all this great evil, to transgress against our God in marrying strange wives? And one of the sons of Joiada, the son of Eliashib the High Priest, was son in law to Sanballat the Horonite: therefore I chased him from me. Remember them, O my God, because they have defiled the Priesthood, and the Covenant of the Priesthood, and of the Levites. Thus cleansed I them from all strangers, and appointed the wards of the Priests and the Levites, everyone in his business; And for the wood offering, at times appointed, and for the firstfruits [tithes]. Remember me, O my God, for good.
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THE BOOK OF
===== ESTHER =====
The Seven Global Kingdoms of Revelation 17:10-11 - Compromising the area and influence of the Bible lands and specifically Jerusalem and the Hebrews/Jews - Persia (Iran) was the 4th Global Kingdom
Of the seven Global Gentile Kingdoms six have already been completed and only the 7th and final Antichrist (Satan incarnate) Kingdom remains to be established here on earth as one of the seven secular Gentile Global Kingdoms. The seventh Global Gentile Kingdom is then to be replaced by the 8th Kingdom the coming Righteous Kingdom of Jesus Christ (Daniel 2:34-35). -- The seven original Gentile Kingdoms each have a unique, dominate characteristic element and theme to each individual Kingdom. 1. Babel - the first and original 'one world government' was headed by the King Nimrod and the primary focus and attribute was 'spiritualism' [counterfeit religion, building a Tower (Temple) that reached into heaven, the beginnings of false god worship in primarily in the various Tammuz (Horus, Ra, Osiris) and Semiramis (Isis, Ishtar, Diana)] myths and legends. 2. Egypt headed by the Pharaoh's was primarily an 'accommodating,' comfort and very social society for its own people, even the mummies were equipped with food and provisions in an attempt to make them comfortable in the afterlife. 3. Babylon (modern Iraq) was headed by King Nebuchadnezzar with 'enchantments,' magic and entertainment being the primary focus of Babylon (i.e. Disneyland). The Kingdom of Persia (modern Iran) headed by King Cyrus was the most 'dignified' of all the Kingdoms with personal dignity being the most noble aspect in ancient Persian and also still in modern Iran as well and also in the modern European country and city of Paris/France a nation highly influenced by ancient Persian culture. The European nation of Greece at the leading of King Alexander [Alexander the Great] then defeated Persia and Greece and with its 'thought provoking intellect' then ruled Jerusalem and the known world. The Roman empire defeated the Greek empire and the Caesars of Rome, characterized by 'efficiency' (Roman roads and slavery) became the sixth and final Global Gentile Kingdom to rule over Jerusalem until the seventh and final Gentile Global Kingdom, the coming Kingdom of Antichrist characterized by 'betrayal and deceit' [practiced against its own people - the seventh Kingdom (Daniel 7:19) is 'diverse' different from the previous six Kingdoms - the seventh Kingdom instead of protecting its own people attacks its own people; exploited workers, fixing higher prices, sexual slavery, false flag operations, abortion, toxic chemicals, tainted food and medicine, etc.] that will rebuild in some form out of the ancient Roman Empire and will control for the last time and only for a short time, the entire globe prior to the return of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His permanent Kingdom the 8th Global Kingdom the Righteous Kingdom of God with mankind here on earth.
http://www.basicchristian.org/blog_biblestudy.html
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Background of Esther - The book of Esther speaks of the experiences of some of the Jew who stayed behind in Babylon instead of returning to Jerusalem following the edict of King Cyrus - It takes place during the reign of Xerxes (485-465 B.C.) - Although the name of God is never [directly] mentioned [it is hidden] in the book, God's [hidden] divine providence and guidance is evident everywhere
Esther intervened on behalf of her fellow Jews and won the favor of the King. But a decree could not be broken so another one cancelled the first and the Jews were able to defend themselves against their enemies. God's people are to be a witness wherever they are placed. Mordecai introduced the Feast of Purim in order to celebrate and commemorate the deliverance of the Jews from the hand of Haman. Jesus Christ is the Mediator of the New Covenant who intercedes on behalf of His people. The Lord's Supper is the New Testament Feast of Purim, a celebration of deliverance and salvation.
http://www.abu.nb.ca/ecm/Esth00b.htm
An Introduction to the Book of Esther - In Hebrew the title is Rtsa which may be derived from the Persian word for Star [Ishtar] - Josephus affirmed that Mordecai wrote the book of Esther [another] possible author was Nehemiah - The Hebrew "Ahasuerus" is usually identified with [King] Xerxes I (486-465/64 B.C.) - The Elephantine papyri spell the name Kshy'resh which is close to the Greek Xerxes - Ahasuerus had a large harem from which he may have changed wives several times - Kish was the one taken into captivity and that Mordecai was born within Persia - In A.D. 120 [by Irenaeus] Esther was basically secured in the [Christian Bible] Canon with the Christian church accepting it overall
HISTORICITY: A. Although Esther 2:5-7 has been considered a problem in that it was thought to affirm that Mordecai was carried into captivity in 597 and the story of Esther occurred 124 years later; but it is better understood that Kish was the one taken into captivity and that Mordecai was born within Persia. B. Some have objected that Amestris was a powerful wife of Ahasuerus, and her name cannot be connected with either Vashti's or Esther's name: 1. This may be explained by the fact that Ahasuerus had a large harem from which he may have changed wives several times. 2. This may be explained by the fact that it was not uncommon for nobles to have several names in those days (e.g., Xerxes/Ahasuerus). C. Some have objected to Xerxes sending decrees in different languages, but this may have well be due the tolerance of the Persians towards those people whom they had conquered. D. Some have objected to the number of people who were killed on the day of Purim: 1. But large massacres occurred before this time in the Ancient Near East. 2. When 75,000 is extended into the many cities of the Persian empire, it is not implausible. 3. The background of the book of Esther is so full of accurate Persian detail that it may be assumed that this number is also true. E. Some have objected that the feast of Purim is not to be identified with the "lot" but with other systems of celebration like the Persian spring festival, the Babylonian feast, or the Greek pithoigia or "cask-opening" season marked by drinking and giving gifts, *but it has been demonstrated that the term for Purim comes from the Assyrian word puru meaning a "die" or "lot" describing the Persian method of throwing dice which was similar to the Jewish practice of "casting lots". F. This work [Book of Esther] is a theological [words of God] treatise of history in narrative form.
http://bible.org/article/introduction-book-esther
Esther's Story ... Although my Hebrew name is Hadassah, which comes from our name for the myrtle tree, most people know me by my Persian name, Esther. This is the story of how I rose from an orphaned captive Jewish girl to become Queen of Persia (Iran), the most powerful nation of my day - Many "learned" people (Martin Luther was one) have expressed doubt that my story should even be in the Bible because it seems to have such a secular theme - As evidence of this they claim that the Name of God is never mentioned. But as I'll show you His Name [YHWH] appears five times, although each time it's hidden in the Hebrew text - In fact "Something Hidden" is a good sub-title for my story because as it unfolds you'll see that there is much more hidden than just the Name of God - It was all placed here for your learning, as a reward for the diligent student (Part 1 of 4)
They advised him to banish Queen Vashti from his presence and find a new queen to replace her, and he agreed. That very day he issued the decree deposing Vashti, vowing never to see her again. In the Hebrew text describing this event the first hidden [acrostic] appearance of God's name [YHWH] appears. The first letters of the Hebrew words for "all the women will respect" in what is now called verse 20 of chapter 1 form the acrostic acronym YHVH [YHWH in English], the initials of God's Name. There are a total of four such appearances. This one is spoken about the queen. The next will be spoken by the queen (5:4) and like it is made up of first letters. In both cases where the acronym consists of first letters the initial facts of an event are being revealed. The third one will be spoken about Haman, (5:13) and the fourth by Haman (7:7). These two are made up of the last letters of the Hebrew words in the respective passages, and both times the final stages of events are being described. All four of these acronyms consist of the letters YHVH. The first and third acronyms are spoken by gentiles and read left to right like all languages west of Jerusalem. The second and fourth are spoken by Israelites and read right to left like all languages east of Jerusalem. There is also a fifth one (7:5) made up of last letters but in reverse order, and in this one the letters used are EHVH, another form of the Name of God, the one He used at the burning bush and that we translate "I am". That makes five concealed appearances of God's name. Five is the number of grace and indeed my story is a beautiful illustration of the Grace of God, *concealed in the Old Testament, but revealed in the New.
http://gracethrufaith.com/the-bible-thru-the-eyes-of-its-writers/esthers-story-part-1/
One Night With The King - The True story of Queen Esther (DVD)
Based on the best-selling novel Hadassah: One Night With The King by Tommy Tenney and Mark Andrew Olsen, this dramatic big-screen adaptation chronicles a young woman's rise from peasant to princess, her courageous role in the redemption of her people from destruction and death, and her winning of the love of the most powerful man in the kingdom -- by seeking his heart rather than the riches of his kingdom.
http://www.8x.com/onenight/
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Esther 1 - The 'dignified' Persian Queen Vashti refuses to be treated like a mere object in her own country, among her own people, even by her own King -- 'Esther 1:1-3 Now it came to pass in the days of Ahasuerus, this is Ahasuerus which reigned, from India even unto Ethiopia, over an hundred and seven and twenty provinces: That in those days, when the King Ahasuerus [Xerxes] sat on the throne of his Kingdom, which was in Shushan the palace [part of the previous Babylon empire], In the third year of his reign, he made a feast unto all his princes and his servants; the power of Persia and Media, the nobles and princes of the provinces, being before him: *When he shewed *the *riches [the wealth of the ancient world] of his glorious Kingdom and the honor of his excellent majesty many days, even an hundred and fourscore days [140 days of feasting].' - Note: The riches of Persia, the wealth of the world, that was previously the riches of Babylon that were previously the riches of King Solomon. - Also Note: The world wealth in gold, silver and precious gems once resided with King Solomon in Jerusalem. When King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon conquered Jerusalem he was looking for Solomon's treasure however Israel had already returned (1 Kings 14:25-26) the wealth of the world back to Egypt. Had Israel still had possession of the wealth of King Solomon the Levites probably would have hidden it as they hid the Ark of the Covenant and King Nebuchadnezzar would have left no stone unturned in locating the treasure so when God sent the wealth of the world back to Egypt He was actually preventing the Ark of the Covenant from being located. After finding out that the wealth of the world had been given to Egypt complete with a receipt then (2 Kings 24:7) King Nebuchadnezzar's next battle was to attack Egypt and after conquering Egypt the wealth of the world belonged to Babylon then Persia acquired the wealth of the world followed by Greece then Rome and it is a possibility that the much of the ancient wealth of the world now resides with the Vatican, though it's just speculation.
Queen Vashti is sent away for refusing to answer the King's call: Esther 1:10-19 On the seventh day, when the heart of the King was merry with wine, he commanded Mehuman, Biztha, Harbona, Bigtha, and Abagtha, Zethar, and Carcas, the seven chamberlains that served in the presence of Ahasuerus the King, To bring Vashti the Queen before the King with the crown royal, to shew the people and the princes her beauty: for she was fair to look on. But the Queen Vashti refused to come at the King's commandment by his chamberlains: therefore was the King very wroth, and his anger burned in him. Then the King said to the wise men, which knew the times, for so was the King's manner toward all that knew law and judgment: And the next unto him was Carshena, Shethar, Admatha, Tarshish, Meres, Marsena, and Memucan, the seven princes of Persia and Media, which saw the King's face, and which sat the first in the Kingdom; What shall we do unto the Queen Vashti according to law, because she hath not performed the commandment of the King Ahasuerus by the chamberlains? And Memucan answered before the King and the princes, Vashti the Queen hath not done wrong to the King only, but also to all the princes, and to all the people that are in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus. For this deed of the Queen shall come abroad unto all women, so that they shall despise their husbands in their eyes, when it shall be reported, The King Ahasuerus commanded Vashti the Queen to be brought in before him, but she came not. Likewise shall the ladies of Persia and Media say this day unto all the King's princes, which have heard of the deed of the Queen. Thus shall there arise too much contempt and wrath. If it please the King, let there go a royal commandment from him, and let it be written among the laws of the Persians and the Medes, that it be not altered, That Vashti come no more before King Ahasuerus; and let the King give her royal estate unto another that is better than she.
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Esther 2 - The King of Persia sends out servants to search for a replacement Queen -- 'Esther 2:1-2 After these things, when the wrath of King Ahasuerus was appeased, he remembered Vashti, and what she had done, and what was decreed against her. Then said the King's servants that ministered unto him, Let there be fair young virgins sought for the King'
Mordecai and Esther are cousins of the same generation the 3rd generation born in cpativity in Babylon: Esther 2:5-8 Now in Shushan the palace there was a certain Jew, whose name was Mordecai, the son of Jair, the son of Shimei, the son of Kish, a Benjamite; [Kish] Who had been carried away from Jerusalem with the captivity which had been carried away with Jeconiah King of Judah, whom Nebuchadnezzar the King of Babylon had carried away [in the 1st captivity with Daniel]. And he brought up Hadassah [Esther], that is, Esther, his uncle's daughter: for she had neither father nor mother, and the maid was fair and beautiful; whom Mordecai, when her father and mother were dead, took for his own daughter. So it came to pass, when the King's commandment and his decree was heard, and when many maidens were gathered together unto Shushan the palace, to the custody of Hegai, that Esther was brought also unto the King's house, to the custody of Hegai, keeper of the women. ... Esther 2:16-23 So Esther was taken unto King Ahasuerus into his house royal in the tenth month, which is the month Tebeth, in the seventh year of his reign. And the King loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favour in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. Then the King made a great feast unto all his princes and his servants, even Esther's feast; and he made a release to the provinces, and gave gifts, according to the state of the King. And when the virgins were gathered together the second time, then Mordecai sat in the King's gate. Esther had not yet shewed her kindred nor her people; as Mordecai had charged her: for Esther did the commandment of Mordecai, like as when she was brought up with him. In those days, while Mordecai sat in the King's gate, two of the King's chamberlains, Bigthan and Teresh, of those which kept the door, were wroth, and sought to lay hand on the King Ahasuerus. And the thing was known to Mordecai, who told it unto Esther the queen; and Esther certified the King thereof in Mordecai's name. And when inquisition was made of the matter, it was found out; therefore they were both hanged on a tree: and it was written in the book of the chronicles before the King.
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Esther 3 - Haman upset with Mordecai seeks a political opportunity to have all the Jews killed -- 'Esther 3:1-6 After these things did King Ahasuerus promote Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, and advanced him, and set his seat above all the princes that were with him. And all the King's servants, that were in the King's gate, bowed, and reverenced Haman: for the King had so commanded concerning him. But Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence. Then the King's servants, which were in the King's gate, said unto Mordecai, Why transgressest thou the King's commandment? Now it came to pass, when they spake daily unto him, and he hearkened not unto them, that they told Haman, to see whether Mordecai's matters would stand: for he had told them that he was a Jew. And when Haman saw that Mordecai bowed not, nor did him reverence, then was Haman full of wrath. And he thought scorn to lay hands on Mordecai alone; for they had shewed him the people of Mordecai: wherefore Haman sought to destroy all the Jews that were throughout the whole Kingdom of Ahasuerus, even the people of Mordecai.'
A Royal Decree is mistakenly sent out to Kill all of the Jews: Esther 3:7-15 In the first month, that is, the month Nisan, in the twelfth year of King Ahasuerus, they cast Pur [a type of dice], that is, the lot [a type of divination, craft], before Haman from day to day [testing the spirits], and from month to month, to the twelfth month, that is, the month Adar. And Haman [spiritually influenced] said unto King Ahasuerus, There is a certain people scattered abroad and dispersed among the people in all the provinces of thy Kingdom; and their laws are diverse from all people; neither keep they the King's laws: therefore it is not for the King's profit to suffer them. If it please the King, let it be written that they may be destroyed: and I will pay ten thousand talents of silver to the hands of those that have the charge of the business, to bring it into the King's treasuries. And the King took his ring from his hand, and gave it unto Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, the Jews' enemy. And the King said unto Haman, The silver is given to thee [the gold was to go to the King], the people also, to do with them as it seemeth good to thee. Then were the King's scribes called [by Haman after more divination] on the *thirteenth day of the first month, and there was written according to all that Haman had commanded unto the King's lieutenants, and to the Governors that were over every province, and to the rulers of every people of every province according to the writing thereof, and to every people after their language; in the name of King Ahasuerus was it written, and sealed with the King's ring. And the letters were sent by posts into all the King's provinces, to destroy, to kill, and to cause to perish, all Jews, both young and old, little children and women, in one day, even upon the thirteenth day of the twelfth month, which is the month Adar, and to take the spoil of them for a prey. The copy of the writing for a commandment to be given in every province was published unto all people, that they should be ready against that day. The posts went out, being hastened by the King's commandment, and the decree was given in Shushan the palace. *And the King and Haman sat down to drink; *but the city Shushan was perplexed.
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Esther 4 - Mordecai "perceives" that there is a treacherous plan underway attempting to destroy all the Jews -- 'Esther 4:1-4 When Mordecai perceived all that was done, Mordecai rent his clothes, and put on sackcloth with ashes, and went out into the midst of the city, and cried with a loud and a bitter cry; And came even before the King's gate: for none might enter into the King's gate clothed with sackcloth. And in every province, whithersoever the King's commandment and his decree came, there was great mourning among the Jews, and fasting, and weeping, and wailing; and many lay in sackcloth and ashes. So Esther's maids and her chamberlains came and told it her. Then was the Queen exceedingly grieved; and she sent raiment to clothe Mordecai, and to take away his sackcloth from him: but he received it not.'
Esther 4:5-17 Then called Esther for Hatach, one of the King's chamberlains, whom he had appointed to attend upon her, and gave him a commandment to Mordecai, to know what it was, and why it was. So Hatach went forth to Mordecai unto the street of the city, which was before the King's gate. And Mordecai told him of all that had happened unto him, and of the sum of the money that Haman had promised to pay to the King's treasuries for the Jews, to destroy them. Also he gave him the copy of the writing of the decree that was given at Shushan to destroy them, to shew it unto Esther, and to declare it unto her, and to charge her that she should go in unto the King, to make supplication unto him, and to make request before him for her people. And Hatach came and told Esther the words of Mordecai. Again Esther spake unto Hatach, and gave him commandment unto Mordecai; All the King's servants, and the people of the King's provinces, *do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the King into the inner court, who is not called, there is one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the King shall hold out the golden scepter [rod of authority], that he may live: but I have not been called to come in unto the King these thirty days. And they told to Mordecai Esther's words. *Then Mordecai commanded to answer Esther, *Think not with thyself that thou shalt escape in the King's house, more than all the Jews. For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and *who knoweth whether thou art come to the Kingdom for such a time as this? Then Esther bade them return Mordecai this answer, Go, gather together all the Jews that are present in Shushan, and fast [and pray] ye for me, and neither eat nor drink three days, night or day: I also and my maidens will fast likewise; and so will I go in unto the King, which is not according to the law: and if I perish, I perish. So Mordecai went his way, and did according to all that Esther had commanded him. - Note: This extremely important verse tells us how to gain entrance to the King even for the Queen "do know, that whosoever, whether man or woman, shall come unto the King into the inner court, who is not called, there is *one law of his to put him to death, except such to whom the King shall hold out the golden *scepter, that he may live." Know for certain the Jesus Christ is the King of the Universe and that to approach His presence [after death] without having touched His scepter [symbol of authority] is to be immediately put to [eternal] death, it is a law of the universe (James 2:8) more certain than the laws of nature [gravity, electricity, etc.]. - Also Note: The scepter of Jesus Christ, that Jesus Christ is holding out freely to all mankind is the scepter of His cross (Colossians 1:20). Touch the cross of Jesus Christ in recognition of His power, authority and Kingdom (Luke 23:42-43) and Jesus Christ will give you entrance to enter into His eternal Kingdom.
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Esther 5-7 - Esther goes to the King not just to make a request for her people but to have the King delight in her presence and their time together as well -- 'Esther 5:1-3 Now it came to pass on the *third day [resurrection], that Esther [clothed] put on her royal apparel, and stood in the inner court of the King's house, over against [beside] the King's house: and the King sat upon his royal throne in the royal house, over against the gate of the house. And it was so, when the King saw Esther the queen standing in the court, that she obtained favour in his sight: and the King held out to Esther the golden sceptre that was in his hand. So Esther drew near, and touched the top of the sceptre. Then said the King unto her, What wilt thou, queen Esther? and what is thy request? it shall be even given thee to the half of the Kingdom.'
At Esther's banquet for the King the King grants her request and saves her and her Jewish people: Esther 7:1-7 So the King and Haman came to banquet with Esther the Queen. And the King said again unto Esther on the second day at the banquet of wine, What is thy petition, Queen Esther? and it shall be granted thee: and what is thy request? and it shall be performed, even to the half of the Kingdom. Then Esther the Queen answered and said, If I have found favour in thy sight, O King, and if it please the King, let my life be given me at my petition, and my people at my request: For we are sold, I and my people, to be destroyed, to be slain, and to perish. But if we had been sold for bondmen and bondwomen, I had held my tongue, although the enemy could not countervail the King's damage. Then the King Ahasuerus answered and said unto Esther the Queen, Who is he, and where is he, that durst presume in his heart to do so? And Esther said, The adversary and enemy is this wicked Haman. Then Haman was afraid before the King and the Queen. And the King arising from the banquet of wine in his wrath went into the palace garden: and Haman stood up to make request for his life to Esther the Queen; for he saw that there was evil determined against him by the King. ... Esther 7:10 So they hanged Haman on the gallows that he had prepared for Mordecai. Then was the King's wrath pacified.
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Esther 8-10 - Because previous Persian Law could not be nullified, even by the King, new laws had to be written in order to protect the Jews -- 'Esther 8:4-8 Then the King held out the golden scepter toward Esther. So Esther arose, and stood before the King, And said, If it please the King, and if I have found favor in his sight, and the thing seem right before the King, and I be pleasing in his eyes, let it be written to reverse the letters devised by Haman the son of Hammedatha the Agagite, which he wrote to destroy the Jews which are in all the King's provinces: For how can I endure to see the evil that shall come unto my people? or how can I endure to see the destruction of my kindred? Then the King Ahasuerus said unto Esther the queen and to Mordecai the Jew, Behold, I have given Esther the house of Haman, and him they have hanged upon the gallows, because he laid his hand upon the Jews. Write ye also for the Jews, as it liketh you, in the King's name, and seal it with the King's ring: for the writing which is written in the King's name, and sealed with the King's ring, may no man reverse.'
In gratitude to God for their safety and wellbeing the Jewish Feast of Purim is established: Esther 9:16-23 But the other Jews that were in the King's provinces gathered themselves together, and stood [in self-defense] for their lives, and had rest from their enemies, and slew of their foes seventy and five thousand, but they laid not their hands on the prey [took no loot], On the thirteenth day [the day of the original plot against the Jews] of the month Adar; and on the fourteenth day of the same rested they, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. But the Jews that were at Shushan assembled together on the thirteenth day thereof; and on the fourteenth thereof; and on the fifteenth day of the same they rested, and made it a day of feasting and gladness. Therefore the Jews of the villages, that dwelt in the unwalled towns, made the *fourteenth day of the month Adar [initiating the Jewish Feast of Purim] a day of gladness and feasting, and a good day, and of sending portions one to another. And Mordecai wrote these things, and sent letters unto all the Jews that were in all the provinces of the King Ahasuerus, both nigh and far, To stablish this among them, that they should keep the fourteenth day of the month Adar, and the fifteenth day of the same, yearly, As the days wherein the Jews rested from their enemies, and the month which was turned unto them from sorrow to joy, and from mourning into a good day: that they should make them days of feasting and joy, and of sending portions one to another, and gifts to the poor. And the Jews undertook to do as they had begun, and as Mordecai had written unto them; ... Esther 10:3 For Mordecai the Jew was next unto King Ahasuerus, and great among the Jews, and accepted of the multitude of his brethren, seeking the wealth of his people, and speaking peace to all his seed.
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Source: David Anson Brown "The blog Bible Study" 2009-2010 [[http://www.basicchristian.org/blog_biblestudy.html|BasicChristian.org]]
--- //[[davidansonbrown@hotmail.com|David Anson Brown]] posted 2016/02/08//