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Discussions Prophets and Writings

1st Samuel 18 — David acquires 100 foreskins as Michal’s bride-price

David and Yonatan/Yahonatan cemented a strong friendship. Meanwhile, David wins the hand of Saul’s daughter Michal by returning from battle with 100 foreskins in hand.

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Discussions Torah

Rachel vs. Leah and the names of the 12 sons of Israel (Genesis 30)

Rachel envied her sister, Leah, and Leah hated Rachel because Ya’akov (Jacob) loved her. The names of the his 12 sons reflect this tug of war between the sisters and contain prophecies to be fulfilled hundreds of years later.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Acts 13:13–52 — Paul’s first journey — Pisidian Antioch

Paul presents the good news about Yeshua (Jesus) as Mashiakh (Messiah) in Pisidian Antioch and splits the synagogue apart. The pattern of persecution he experiences here is a pattern of things to come. First to the synagogue, then to the Gentiles.

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Discussions Torah

Ya’akov finds God then Rachel (Genesis 28-29)

Ya’akov (Jacob) is sent away to find a wife and finds God first at the bottom of a ladder to Heaven. Then he finds Rachel and ends up with her sister and two slave women. There seems to be something prophetic about Rachel.

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Discussions

1st Samuel 17 — David and the LORD vs. Goliath and his mighty height

The account of David vs. Goliath is so well-known that many who haven’t read the Bible know it is about a seemingly overpowered force overpowering a seemingly greater foe. Yet what faith in the LORD drove David to take on such a foe and stop when the task was complete?

Categories
Discussions Torah

Genesis 27 — Ya’akov tricks his father into getting the firstborn birthright Esau sold for a bowl of stew

The “transaction” for the firstborn birthright, which Esau sold to his brother, Ya’akov (Jacob) for a bowl of lentils in Genesis 25 is completed in Genesis 27 with a second ruse devised by their mother, Rivkah (Rebecca), to get Yitskhak (Isaac) to bless the correct son. This pattern of switching blessings at the last minute appears repeatedly in the Bible and has ramifications for the modern-day descendants of these two sons.

Categories
Apostolic Writings Discussions

Acts 13:1-13 — Paul starts his first missionary journey confronting Jewish mysticism

Apostle Sha’ul the Asked For becomes Paul the Rest-maker in his first missionary voyage, stopping in Cyprus. There he meets a truth-seeking official and a “truth”-peddling Jewish sorcerer. How could a Jew be involved in the occult, and where do we see such corruption of the truth today?