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Discussions Prophets and Writings

Eliyahu of YHWH challenges Ahab and Yezebel of Ba’al and Asherah (1st Kings 18)

The clash on Mt. Carmel between Eliyahu (Elijah) and the priests of Ba’al was part of bigger clash between a rebellious king of the northern kingdom, Ahab, and his foreign queen, Yezebel (Jezebel), and her false gods.

Among the prophets of the north who Eliyahu saves from the purge of YHWH’s servants was ObidaYah (Obidaiah), possibly the same one who wrote a short book of the Bible.

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Discussions Torah

Moshe of ‘uncircumcised lips’ learns The Name (Exodus 6)

Moshe (Moses) in Exodus 6 said his lips were “uncircumcised” and insisted that prevented him from sharing The Name of God to Yisra’el (Israel). We know about circumcision of a man’s privates and metaphorically of the “heart,” but what is this, and how is it connected to sharing knowledge of The Name?

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Discussions Torah

Exodus 3-5: Moshe brings signs of God’s Name and staff to Mitsraim; pharaoh increases oppression of Yisra’el

The account of Moshe (Moses) encountering God via the burning bush has spawned a number of interpretations and explanations about who Moshe encountered, how the bush could be burning yet not consumed, etc. Yet the declaration of the Name of God there and the signs God gave Moshe to show the leaders of Yisra’el is the important element. The Name and the signs would strengthen not only Moshe but the leadership for something powerful God would do on Earth via Yisra’el in the mighty empire of Mitsraim (Egypt).

This study also explores the seeming strange vignette of God on the warpath against Moshe’s family, placated only by Tsipporah’s circumcising the son. This appears to be a foreshadowing of the 10th plague against Mitsraim.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

1st Kings 17 part 2: Three women on the edge and God’s mercy through Eliyahu and Elisha

I love the Shunammite woman’s story the most because her story shows us that this picture of a prophet is not just any one. It’s a shadow of the Prophet, the Messiah. She went out to seek him every time. She asked for nothing in return when she gave him a place to stay, she didn’t even ask for a son.

We can see parts of our own walk in the walk of all three women in 1st Kings 17 and 2nd Kings 4, and we are supposed to.

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Discussions Torah

Exodus 1-2: Moshe arises as the fulfillment of God’s promise

Try your best to ignore the cartoons and movies that purport to tell the account of Moshe (Moses). They take many liberties with the real record, imposing their own story lines on him. Important elements at the beginning of the book of שְׁמוֹת Shem’ot, also called Exodus, are God’s faithfulness to the promise made to Abraham that his descendants would face hardship but become a numerous people and blessing to the nations.

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Apostolic Writings Discussions

Luke 20:41-47, part 1: Yeshua vs. ‘actors’ as leader of Yisra’el

In the fourth round of questioning involving Yeshua in the Temple between Lamb Selection Day and the Passover of His crucifixion, Yeshua becomes interrogator, challenging the leaders of Yisra’el on the identity of the Mashiakh (Messiah). Yeshua then fully shows His role as The Prophet, accusing the leaders of the people of really being hypocrites — literally, “actors” — leading the people away from God.

This study will also tackle the assertion in recent years that a Hebrew version of Matt. 23:2–4 says to listen to Moshe (Moses), rather than leadership. A survey of the Hebrew documents involved is explored.

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Discussions Prophets and Writings

Job 38-42: God speaks for Himself; Iyyob repents and is restored

What are the lessons of the book of Job? ’Iyyob (Job) needed to understand how to judge rightly and justly. Our focus should be on God’s wisdom and knowledge, not on the work God is doing in someone else.