The “Snake” of Ammon picks a fight with Israel, giving Saul his first test as leader. His success cemented his authority. Yet some despising of him mirrors the rejection of Yeshua as God’s Messiah.
Category: Discussions
What is meant by “on these two commandments depend/hang the whole Law and the Prophets” (Matt. 22:40), regarding the “Greatest Commandment” and the “Golden Rule”?
The rebuke of Simon the Magician highlights how bitterness and resentment lead to wickedness. Yet how is vengeance a part of forgiveness and personal peace? As Acts 8 ends, the Ethiopian official asks what is now a 2,000-year-old question, Can prophecies about Israel apply to Messiah?
An important part of the everlasting, single-side, faith-based contract God made with Abram involved this strange and graphic “vision” of animals cut in pieces, scavengers, darkness and God appearing as a smoking oven and a torch. Many scholars explain this away as a common form of ancient deal-making.
What do the strange references to donkeys, goats, bread, wine and musical instruments have to do with the anointing of Saul as ruler? What do these symbols have to do with the Messiah?
Categories
Gen. 15:1 — What is a ‘vision’?
Some claim they’ve had “a vision from the LORD,” telling them a new teaching or to do this or that. However, in the Bible a vision accompanies “words of the LORD.” In other words, God speaks then He shows — gives “vision” — to understand what He has said.
The Sanhedrin and Simon the magician demonstrated a thirst for the power of God without having His Spirit change the heart. God has predestined mankind to be His people and sent Messiah Yeshua to make that possible again.