Thank you to all who have shown an interest here. At this time of ministry preparation, with two years study left, I must make personal cutbacks in my spare time-and this site is one of those cut-backs.
However, I have a site over at Jacob's Tents on Wordpress-kindly provided by 'My Bible Journal' (Matt). Use Jacob's Tents link to access my new blog and My Bible Journal, in order to set up your own blog in co=operation with the site aim.
God Bless.
Sunday, 9 December 2007
Sunday, 2 December 2007
Grace-Famine Or Plenty? Sunday 2 November 2007
Genesis 41:53-57.
53. And the seven years of plenty that were in the land of Egypt were finished. 54. And the seven years of famine began, as Joseph had said, and there was famine in all the lands, but throughout the land of Egypt there was bread. 55. When the entire land of Egypt hungered, the people cried out to Pharaoh for bread, but Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph; what he tells you, do." 56. Now the famine spread over all the face of the land, and Joseph opened all [the storehouses] in which there was [grain], and he sold [it] to the Egyptians, and the famine intensified in the land of Egypt. 57. And all [the inhabitants of] the land came to Egypt to Joseph to purchase, for the famine had intensified in the entire land.
Genesis 42:1-2.
1. Jacob saw that there was grain being sold in Egypt; so Jacob said to his sons, "Why do you appear satiated?" 2. And he said, "Behold, I have heard that there is grain being sold in Egypt. Go down there and buy us [some] from there, so that we will live and not die."
Having carefully read the above passage, now read here from John 2.
John 2:1-11.
1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."
4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."
5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so,
9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside
10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
11This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
God Bless His Word.
53. And the seven years of plenty that were in the land of Egypt were finished. 54. And the seven years of famine began, as Joseph had said, and there was famine in all the lands, but throughout the land of Egypt there was bread. 55. When the entire land of Egypt hungered, the people cried out to Pharaoh for bread, but Pharaoh said to all the Egyptians, "Go to Joseph; what he tells you, do." 56. Now the famine spread over all the face of the land, and Joseph opened all [the storehouses] in which there was [grain], and he sold [it] to the Egyptians, and the famine intensified in the land of Egypt. 57. And all [the inhabitants of] the land came to Egypt to Joseph to purchase, for the famine had intensified in the entire land.
Genesis 42:1-2.
1. Jacob saw that there was grain being sold in Egypt; so Jacob said to his sons, "Why do you appear satiated?" 2. And he said, "Behold, I have heard that there is grain being sold in Egypt. Go down there and buy us [some] from there, so that we will live and not die."
Having carefully read the above passage, now read here from John 2.
John 2:1-11.
1On the third day a wedding took place at Cana in Galilee. Jesus' mother was there, 2and Jesus and his disciples had also been invited to the wedding. 3When the wine was gone, Jesus' mother said to him, "They have no more wine."
4"Dear woman, why do you involve me?" Jesus replied, "My time has not yet come."
5His mother said to the servants, "Do whatever he tells you."
6Nearby stood six stone water jars, the kind used by the Jews for ceremonial washing, each holding from twenty to thirty gallons.
7Jesus said to the servants, "Fill the jars with water"; so they filled them to the brim.
8Then he told them, "Now draw some out and take it to the master of the banquet." They did so,
9and the master of the banquet tasted the water that had been turned into wine. He did not realize where it had come from, though the servants who had drawn the water knew. Then he called the bridegroom aside
10and said, "Everyone brings out the choice wine first and then the cheaper wine after the guests have had too much to drink; but you have saved the best till now."
11This, the first of his miraculous signs, Jesus performed in Cana of Galilee. He thus revealed his glory, and his disciples put their faith in him.
God Bless His Word.
Friday, 30 November 2007
Short Word On Bible Walk. 30 November 2007
This is just a short note to inform that the Bible Walk has been moved to my new blog at Jacob's Tents. This leaves Kingdom Fellowship free for new development.
God Bless. Shalom.
God Bless. Shalom.
Thursday, 29 November 2007
Genesis 1:1. God Has The Right To Decide. 29 November 2007
Genesis 1:1.
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
With the beginning of God's creation, there came about the proof positive of a creator with the power and the right to take from one, and give to another. When objections and arguments are raised about how or why Israel are entitled to the Holy Land, they are answered by God. His, is the Creation - and He may do as He chooses with it. Notice also, how although God gave the Land to Israel, He also took it from them when it was necessary.
There is no doubt that man has attempted to bring about the move of God or sought to teach such movement only to find that it never happened-as believed.
1 Peter 3:3-9.
3."First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4.They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5.But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6.By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7.By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8.But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9.The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.10.But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare."
The concept of the Lord's immidiate return has changed from one Epistle to another. God is in control and He Creates-not man, and most certainly not man's interpretations nor his creations.
And here is a vital fact to keep at the forefront of our minds. God is God! He, is in control. Of Him, by Him and for Him were all things made. God is the cause of causes. Behind everything is God.
The Creation was for God's Word, His Glory and Grace.
John 1:1-3.
1.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2.He was with God in the beginning.3.Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
We need to understand that God's Word tells us that He Created the heavens and the earth-and that they were Created through the Wisdom of that Word and the Word exists within Creation to show the Way. This is with relevance to the beginning of John.
However, all these things will be expanded upon as we move on through Scripture.
God Bless His Word.
"In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth."
With the beginning of God's creation, there came about the proof positive of a creator with the power and the right to take from one, and give to another. When objections and arguments are raised about how or why Israel are entitled to the Holy Land, they are answered by God. His, is the Creation - and He may do as He chooses with it. Notice also, how although God gave the Land to Israel, He also took it from them when it was necessary.
There is no doubt that man has attempted to bring about the move of God or sought to teach such movement only to find that it never happened-as believed.
1 Peter 3:3-9.
3."First of all, you must understand that in the last days scoffers will come, scoffing and following their own evil desires. 4.They will say, "Where is this 'coming' he promised? Ever since our fathers died, everything goes on as it has since the beginning of creation." 5.But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6.By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7.By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men. 8.But do not forget this one thing, dear friends: With the Lord a day is like a thousand years, and a thousand years are like a day. 9.The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.10.But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything in it will be laid bare."
The concept of the Lord's immidiate return has changed from one Epistle to another. God is in control and He Creates-not man, and most certainly not man's interpretations nor his creations.
And here is a vital fact to keep at the forefront of our minds. God is God! He, is in control. Of Him, by Him and for Him were all things made. God is the cause of causes. Behind everything is God.
The Creation was for God's Word, His Glory and Grace.
John 1:1-3.
1.In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2.He was with God in the beginning.3.Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.
We need to understand that God's Word tells us that He Created the heavens and the earth-and that they were Created through the Wisdom of that Word and the Word exists within Creation to show the Way. This is with relevance to the beginning of John.
However, all these things will be expanded upon as we move on through Scripture.
God Bless His Word.
Wednesday, 28 November 2007
Walking Through The Bible-Step By Step. 28 November 2007
Just by arriving here, at this site, you demonstrate a hunger, a need. You want something. Whether you stay, or return is not the question. The question is, do you seek to grow? And I would venture that there is not one single person who googled here in searching for a new, a fresh outlook on Scripture-the Word of God-who is not seeking to grow.
Spiritual growth comes through perseverance in studying. Looking into all connections and opening doors to every available passage. Growing moves us forward. We do not, we cannot, stay where we are. Hunger for the Understanding that comes from Wisdom that comes from God will not let us be. There is nothing, that can assuage us.
I will supplement the given Cannon of the Bible by drawing on extra-Biblical Jewish writings including;
I will supplement the given Cannon of the Bible by drawing on extra-Biblical Jewish writings including;
the Talmud, Midrash Rabbah, Zohar and Bahir. The Apocrypha, other gospels, early church teachings and pre-christian sects. And through this, I hope to present an understanding of a working faith that will go someway to satisfying a Godly hunger.
Growth is the key in all this.
This study of the Bible will begin at Genesis 1: and end at Revelations last gasp. At times a passage will be dealt with, or perhaps a sentence, even a single word. In all of this, I hope to present material for edification and spiritual growth.
God Bless His Word.
Saturday, 24 November 2007
Emergent, Purpose-Driven-Post This, Post That. Post It Notes! 24 November 2007
Any gathering of God-Fearers trusting more to sensual mysticism and worshipful experiences than God's Word are open to deception. When the Scriptures are 'dumbed-down' for more experiential avenues in coming to know God, then the believer faces the 'tickling of his ears' and the 'rubbing of his belly.'
Anyone give me a scripture that condones the abandonment, the lessening of God's Word in order to experience through 'other' means the god in whom faith is expressed?
I am sick to my stomach, that God and His Truth is treated so badly and irreverently by teachers and pastors who should be ashamed of themselves and their fads, and their 'post-this' and 'post-that' titles.
Here I will stop. Read here...Understand The Times, for more of the segment from 'The Emerging Church-Revival Or Return To Darkness'.below.
History reveals that Christian fads and trends come and go. It seems that it is common for many pastors and church leaders to constantly look for some new methodology, “new wave” or “new thing” God is doing, “right now.”
We live at a period in church history that is characterized by enthusiasm for methods and means that facilitate church growth. Large churches are commonly equated with successful pastors and successful church growth methods. Whatever it takes to reach that objective, is acceptable, we are told. Church growth has become the measuring stick for successful Christianity...continue reading.
God Bless You All.
Anyone give me a scripture that condones the abandonment, the lessening of God's Word in order to experience through 'other' means the god in whom faith is expressed?
I am sick to my stomach, that God and His Truth is treated so badly and irreverently by teachers and pastors who should be ashamed of themselves and their fads, and their 'post-this' and 'post-that' titles.
Here I will stop. Read here...Understand The Times, for more of the segment from 'The Emerging Church-Revival Or Return To Darkness'.below.
History reveals that Christian fads and trends come and go. It seems that it is common for many pastors and church leaders to constantly look for some new methodology, “new wave” or “new thing” God is doing, “right now.”
We live at a period in church history that is characterized by enthusiasm for methods and means that facilitate church growth. Large churches are commonly equated with successful pastors and successful church growth methods. Whatever it takes to reach that objective, is acceptable, we are told. Church growth has become the measuring stick for successful Christianity...continue reading.
God Bless You All.
Friday, 23 November 2007
Jewish Origins Of Gnosticism-Link. 23 November 2007
This, from Jewish Origins of Gnosticism. Stick with it-go read here.
Ophites, Cainites, and Sethians all derive from the Jewish Diaspore. Their members were recruited from the Jewish radicals known to us from Philo, and from philosophically oriented proselytes who had attached themselves to the synagogues. Indeed, Filastrius numbers the Ophites, Cainites, and Sethians among the sects that flourished in Judaism 'before the advent of Jesus." It is obvious that these sects could not have originated from within Christianity, from the very fact that their chief doctrines are derived from the Old Testament rather than from the New. The divine power was seen by them to reside in the Old Testament figures of the serpent, Cain, and other such biblical personages as were not fied to the Law. These Old Testament figures were adhered to even after the Gnosfics came into contact with Christianity. Their origin, in short, is traceable to the situafion in Alexandrian Judaism wherein allegorical exposifion of the Law flourished, and wherein antinomianism also developed. Friedldnder tums next to the Melchizedekians. This group held Melchizedek to be a 'great Power', a being higher than the Messiah, a 'Son of God' who occupied a place among the heavenly angels. Such a belief cannot have originated in Chrisfianity. The figure of Melchizedek, of course, is derived from the Old Testament, and becomes for antinomian Alexandrian Jews a powerful symbol of Law-free religion. When the Melchizedekians came into contact with Christianity, Jesus was incorporated into their system, but his position was below that of Melchizedek. As Jesus is an advocate for humans, so also is Melchizedek an advocate for the angels.
Ophites, Cainites, and Sethians all derive from the Jewish Diaspore. Their members were recruited from the Jewish radicals known to us from Philo, and from philosophically oriented proselytes who had attached themselves to the synagogues. Indeed, Filastrius numbers the Ophites, Cainites, and Sethians among the sects that flourished in Judaism 'before the advent of Jesus." It is obvious that these sects could not have originated from within Christianity, from the very fact that their chief doctrines are derived from the Old Testament rather than from the New. The divine power was seen by them to reside in the Old Testament figures of the serpent, Cain, and other such biblical personages as were not fied to the Law. These Old Testament figures were adhered to even after the Gnosfics came into contact with Christianity. Their origin, in short, is traceable to the situafion in Alexandrian Judaism wherein allegorical exposifion of the Law flourished, and wherein antinomianism also developed. Friedldnder tums next to the Melchizedekians. This group held Melchizedek to be a 'great Power', a being higher than the Messiah, a 'Son of God' who occupied a place among the heavenly angels. Such a belief cannot have originated in Chrisfianity. The figure of Melchizedek, of course, is derived from the Old Testament, and becomes for antinomian Alexandrian Jews a powerful symbol of Law-free religion. When the Melchizedekians came into contact with Christianity, Jesus was incorporated into their system, but his position was below that of Melchizedek. As Jesus is an advocate for humans, so also is Melchizedek an advocate for the angels.
Wednesday, 21 November 2007
Cleansing The House Of God. 21 November 2007
Jesus clears the Temple.
Mathew 21:12-17.
12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13"It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"
14The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.
16"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, " 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"
17And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
Mark 11:15-18.
15On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: " 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
18The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
Luke 19:45-47.
45Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 46"It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be a house of prayer'; but you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
47Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him.
Nehemiah.
Nehemiah 13:4-22
4Now before this, the priest Eliashib, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah, 5prepared for Tobiah a large room where they had previously put the grain offering, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests. 6While this was taking place I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes of Babylon I went to the king. After some time I asked leave of the king 7and returned to Jerusalem. I then discovered the wrong that Eliashib had done on behalf of Tobiah, preparing a room for him in the courts of the house of God. 8And I was very angry, and I threw all the household furniture of Tobiah out of the room. 9Then I gave orders and they cleansed the chambers, and I brought back the vessels of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.
10I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them; so that the Levites and the singers, who had conducted the service, had gone back to their fields. 11So I remonstrated with the officials and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" And I gathered them together and set them in their stations. 12Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses. 13And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses the priest Shelemiah, the scribe Zadok, and Pedaiah of the Levites, and as their assistant Hanan son of Zaccur son of Mattaniah, for they were considered faithful; and their duty was to distribute to their associates. 14Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service.
15In those days I saw in Judah people treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys; and also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day; and I warned them at that time against selling food. 16Tyrians also, who lived in the city, brought in fish and all kinds of merchandise and sold them on the sabbath to the people of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17Then I remonstrated with the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the sabbath day? 18Did not your ancestors act in this way, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring more wrath on Israel by profaning the sabbath."
19When it began to be dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and gave orders that they should not be opened until after the sabbath. And I set some of my servants over the gates, to prevent any burden from being brought in on the sabbath day. 20Then the merchants and sellers of all kinds of merchandise spent the night outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21But I warned them and said to them, "Why do you spend the night in front of the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on they did not come on the sabbath. 22And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the sabbath day holy. Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.
Thoughts?
God Bless His Word.
Mathew 21:12-17.
12Jesus entered the temple area and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13"It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be called a house of prayer,' but you are making it a 'den of robbers.'"
14The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them. 15But when the chief priests and the teachers of the law saw the wonderful things he did and the children shouting in the temple area, "Hosanna to the Son of David," they were indignant.
16"Do you hear what these children are saying?" they asked him. "Yes," replied Jesus, "have you never read, " 'From the lips of children and infants you have ordained praise'?"
17And he left them and went out of the city to Bethany, where he spent the night.
Mark 11:15-18.
15On reaching Jerusalem, Jesus entered the temple area and began driving out those who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves, 16and would not allow anyone to carry merchandise through the temple courts. 17And as he taught them, he said, "Is it not written: " 'My house will be called a house of prayer for all nations'? But you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
18The chief priests and the teachers of the law heard this and began looking for a way to kill him, for they feared him, because the whole crowd was amazed at his teaching.
Luke 19:45-47.
45Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. 46"It is written," he said to them, " 'My house will be a house of prayer'; but you have made it 'a den of robbers.'"
47Every day he was teaching at the temple. But the chief priests, the teachers of the law and the leaders among the people were trying to kill him.
Nehemiah.
Nehemiah 13:4-22
4Now before this, the priest Eliashib, who was appointed over the chambers of the house of our God, and who was related to Tobiah, 5prepared for Tobiah a large room where they had previously put the grain offering, the frankincense, the vessels, and the tithes of grain, wine, and oil, which were given by commandment to the Levites, singers, and gatekeepers, and the contributions for the priests. 6While this was taking place I was not in Jerusalem, for in the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes of Babylon I went to the king. After some time I asked leave of the king 7and returned to Jerusalem. I then discovered the wrong that Eliashib had done on behalf of Tobiah, preparing a room for him in the courts of the house of God. 8And I was very angry, and I threw all the household furniture of Tobiah out of the room. 9Then I gave orders and they cleansed the chambers, and I brought back the vessels of the house of God, with the grain offering and the frankincense.
10I also found out that the portions of the Levites had not been given to them; so that the Levites and the singers, who had conducted the service, had gone back to their fields. 11So I remonstrated with the officials and said, "Why is the house of God forsaken?" And I gathered them together and set them in their stations. 12Then all Judah brought the tithe of the grain, wine, and oil into the storehouses. 13And I appointed as treasurers over the storehouses the priest Shelemiah, the scribe Zadok, and Pedaiah of the Levites, and as their assistant Hanan son of Zaccur son of Mattaniah, for they were considered faithful; and their duty was to distribute to their associates. 14Remember me, O my God, concerning this, and do not wipe out my good deeds that I have done for the house of my God and for his service.
15In those days I saw in Judah people treading wine presses on the sabbath, and bringing in heaps of grain and loading them on donkeys; and also wine, grapes, figs, and all kinds of burdens, which they brought into Jerusalem on the sabbath day; and I warned them at that time against selling food. 16Tyrians also, who lived in the city, brought in fish and all kinds of merchandise and sold them on the sabbath to the people of Judah, and in Jerusalem. 17Then I remonstrated with the nobles of Judah and said to them, "What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the sabbath day? 18Did not your ancestors act in this way, and did not our God bring all this disaster on us and on this city? Yet you bring more wrath on Israel by profaning the sabbath."
19When it began to be dark at the gates of Jerusalem before the sabbath, I commanded that the doors should be shut and gave orders that they should not be opened until after the sabbath. And I set some of my servants over the gates, to prevent any burden from being brought in on the sabbath day. 20Then the merchants and sellers of all kinds of merchandise spent the night outside Jerusalem once or twice. 21But I warned them and said to them, "Why do you spend the night in front of the wall? If you do so again, I will lay hands on you." From that time on they did not come on the sabbath. 22And I commanded the Levites that they should purify themselves and come and guard the gates, to keep the sabbath day holy. Remember this also in my favor, O my God, and spare me according to the greatness of your steadfast love.
Thoughts?
God Bless His Word.
Tuesday, 20 November 2007
Live What You Say You Believe. 20 November 2007
Are you living according to the faith you profess?
Psalm 50.
1. A psalm by Asaph. Almighty God, the Lord, spoke and called to the earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2. Out of Zion, the place of perfect beauty, God appeared. 3. Our God will come and not be silent; a fire will consume before Him, His surroundings are furiously turbulent. 4. He will call to the heavens above, and to the earth, to avenge His people: 5. "Gather to Me My pious ones, those who made a covenant with me over a sacrifice.” 6. Then the heavens declared His righteousness, for God is Judge forever. 7. Listen, my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against you-I am God your God. 8. Not for [the lack of] your sacrifices will I rebuke you, nor for [the lack of] your burnt offerings which ought to be continually before Me. 9. I do not take oxen from your house, nor goats from your pens; 10. for every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle of a thousand mountains. 11. I know every bird of the mountains, and the crawling creatures of the field are in My possession. 12. Were I hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and everything in it is mine. 13. Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? 14. Offer confession as a sacrifice to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High, 15. and call to Me on the day of distress; I will free you, and you will honor Me. 16. But to the wicked, God said, "What does it help you to discuss My laws, and bear My covenant upon your lips? 17. For you hate discipline, and throw My words behind you. 18. When you see a thief you run with him, and your lot is with adulterers. 19. You sent forth your mouth for evil, and attach your tongue to deceit. 20. You sit down to talk against your brother; your mother's son you defame. 21. You have done these things and I kept silent, so you imagine that I am like you-[but] I will rebuke you and lay it clearly before your eyes. 22. Understand this now, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart and there be none to save you. 23. He who offers a sacrifice of confession honors Me; and to him who sets right his way, I will show the deliverance of God."
God Bless His Word.
Psalm 50.
1. A psalm by Asaph. Almighty God, the Lord, spoke and called to the earth, from the rising of the sun to its setting. 2. Out of Zion, the place of perfect beauty, God appeared. 3. Our God will come and not be silent; a fire will consume before Him, His surroundings are furiously turbulent. 4. He will call to the heavens above, and to the earth, to avenge His people: 5. "Gather to Me My pious ones, those who made a covenant with me over a sacrifice.” 6. Then the heavens declared His righteousness, for God is Judge forever. 7. Listen, my people, and I will speak; O Israel, and I will testify against you-I am God your God. 8. Not for [the lack of] your sacrifices will I rebuke you, nor for [the lack of] your burnt offerings which ought to be continually before Me. 9. I do not take oxen from your house, nor goats from your pens; 10. for every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle of a thousand mountains. 11. I know every bird of the mountains, and the crawling creatures of the field are in My possession. 12. Were I hungry, I would not tell you, for the world and everything in it is mine. 13. Do I eat the flesh of bulls, or drink the blood of goats? 14. Offer confession as a sacrifice to God, and fulfill your vows to the Most High, 15. and call to Me on the day of distress; I will free you, and you will honor Me. 16. But to the wicked, God said, "What does it help you to discuss My laws, and bear My covenant upon your lips? 17. For you hate discipline, and throw My words behind you. 18. When you see a thief you run with him, and your lot is with adulterers. 19. You sent forth your mouth for evil, and attach your tongue to deceit. 20. You sit down to talk against your brother; your mother's son you defame. 21. You have done these things and I kept silent, so you imagine that I am like you-[but] I will rebuke you and lay it clearly before your eyes. 22. Understand this now, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart and there be none to save you. 23. He who offers a sacrifice of confession honors Me; and to him who sets right his way, I will show the deliverance of God."
God Bless His Word.
Monday, 19 November 2007
Seven Times Seven-Seventy Times Seven. Forgiveness And The Unmerciful Servant. 19 November 2007
Read these two passages closely, with regards to seven, Sabbath, and 'Jubilee'-fifthtieth year. Without a Jewish understanding and a grounding in the Old Testament-particularly Torah, much knowledge, understanding and revelation is lost. Enjoy!
Mathew 18:21-35.
The Parable Of The Unmerciful Servant.
(think Israel, here).
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
Surely, the Grace of God!
From Chabad.org. click here to read the rest.
Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather its fruit. And the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest for the land, a sabbath for G-d...
And you shall count for yourselves seven sabbaths of years, seven times seven years... a total of forty-nine years.... And you shall sanctify the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all its inhabitants ....
Leviticus 25:3-10
The number seven figures prominently in our reckoning and experience of time. Most familiar, of course, is the seven-day work/rest cycle that comprises our week, a reenactment of the original seven days of creation when "in six days, G-d made the heavens and the earth... and on the seventh day He rested." Each Shabbat thus completes a full revolution of the original cycle, following which we start anew from "the first day" -- yom rishon, as Sunday is called in the Holy Tongue.
This is why many Jewish life-cycle observances are seven-day affairs. Two seven-day festivals frame our year -- Passover, which runs from the 15th to the 21st of Nissan, and Sukkot, occurring exactly six months later, on Tishrei 15-21. A marriage is celebrated for a full week of sheva berachot ("seven blessings"), and the death of a loved one, G-d forbid, is mourned for seven days (shivah). There are the seven clean days of the niddah (menstruating woman); the seven-day training period before the Sanctuary was inaugurated (shivat yemei milluim), the seven-day purification period from ritual impurity, and numerous other "sevens." Thus the freedom of Passover, the joy of Sukkot, the bond of marriage, the coming to terms with loss, and all these other features of Jewish life are assimilated in all seven dimensions of created time.
Our years, too, follow the cycle of creation: six workday years are succeeded by a sabbatical year of shemittah ("suspension"). In the Land of Israel, all agricultural work is suspended on the seventh year and the land's produce is declared free for the taking for all. Also suspended on the shemittah year are all private debts and the terms of servitude of indentured servants.
God Bless His Word.
Mathew 18:21-35.
The Parable Of The Unmerciful Servant.
(think Israel, here).
21Then Peter came to Jesus and asked, "Lord, how many times shall I forgive my brother when he sins against me? Up to seven times?"
22Jesus answered, "I tell you, not seven times, but seventy-seven times.
23"Therefore, the kingdom of heaven is like a king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 24As he began the settlement, a man who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. 25Since he was not able to pay, the master ordered that he and his wife and his children and all that he had be sold to repay the debt.
26"The servant fell on his knees before him. 'Be patient with me,' he begged, 'and I will pay back everything.' 27The servant's master took pity on him, canceled the debt and let him go.
28"But when that servant went out, he found one of his fellow servants who owed him a hundred denarii. He grabbed him and began to choke him. 'Pay back what you owe me!' he demanded.
29"His fellow servant fell to his knees and begged him, 'Be patient with me, and I will pay you back.'
30"But he refused. Instead, he went off and had the man thrown into prison until he could pay the debt. 31When the other servants saw what had happened, they were greatly distressed and went and told their master everything that had happened.
32"Then the master called the servant in. 'You wicked servant,' he said, 'I canceled all that debt of yours because you begged me to. 33Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?' 34In anger his master turned him over to the jailers to be tortured, until he should pay back all he owed.
35"This is how my heavenly Father will treat each of you unless you forgive your brother from your heart."
Surely, the Grace of God!
From Chabad.org. click here to read the rest.
Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather its fruit. And the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest for the land, a sabbath for G-d...
And you shall count for yourselves seven sabbaths of years, seven times seven years... a total of forty-nine years.... And you shall sanctify the fiftieth year, and proclaim liberty throughout the land and to all its inhabitants ....
Leviticus 25:3-10
The number seven figures prominently in our reckoning and experience of time. Most familiar, of course, is the seven-day work/rest cycle that comprises our week, a reenactment of the original seven days of creation when "in six days, G-d made the heavens and the earth... and on the seventh day He rested." Each Shabbat thus completes a full revolution of the original cycle, following which we start anew from "the first day" -- yom rishon, as Sunday is called in the Holy Tongue.
This is why many Jewish life-cycle observances are seven-day affairs. Two seven-day festivals frame our year -- Passover, which runs from the 15th to the 21st of Nissan, and Sukkot, occurring exactly six months later, on Tishrei 15-21. A marriage is celebrated for a full week of sheva berachot ("seven blessings"), and the death of a loved one, G-d forbid, is mourned for seven days (shivah). There are the seven clean days of the niddah (menstruating woman); the seven-day training period before the Sanctuary was inaugurated (shivat yemei milluim), the seven-day purification period from ritual impurity, and numerous other "sevens." Thus the freedom of Passover, the joy of Sukkot, the bond of marriage, the coming to terms with loss, and all these other features of Jewish life are assimilated in all seven dimensions of created time.
Our years, too, follow the cycle of creation: six workday years are succeeded by a sabbatical year of shemittah ("suspension"). In the Land of Israel, all agricultural work is suspended on the seventh year and the land's produce is declared free for the taking for all. Also suspended on the shemittah year are all private debts and the terms of servitude of indentured servants.
God Bless His Word.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Daily Bible Reading Plan
